Funny things said by Kenny in the last day or so:

I called him from work on my lunch break to say hi, and when he answered, I asked him what he was up to. He said, "I took a shower, and put on some jeans I haven't worn since last year and they were tight. " I asked him why he thought they were tight (of course I know why) and he said, "Because I like candy."

Last night Kenny said he wanted something healthy for dinner (we were just finishing up registering for wedding presents) so where do we go? Wendy's. Not that healthy, but he could still get a salad. He orders a salad, and while doing so, tries to figure out a way to get the chili into the BLT chicken salad (he didn't want the one that came with it). I ask him why he doesn't just get a burger and a chili if that's what he wants and he says, "I'm trying to eat healthy by getting a salad, but I really only like the salads if they aren't really salads." That's my Kenny!

One more day

Looooooooooooong day again. Not enough sleep, and can't wait for the weekend.

Spinning and spinning

Today has been a crazy day. I went from the usual nuttiness of work to a quicker than lightning dinner (grilled cheese) and then a quick doc. appointment, and then over to a friend's new house. Whew. And I haven't even had a down moment yet. It's 10pm. Where did my day go? I've been paying bills and doing laundry for the last 25 minutes and I'm trying hard to get to my couch to unwind. I have a stomach ache because....well, I'm not really sure, but I think it's because I haven't had a second to myself yet. Tomorrow is going to the be the same, and Friday will be even worse. Oh how I wait for the weekend. Can't I just quit my job and concentrate on and making crafty things and nothing else? Why isn't that possible? Don't answer, please, don't pull me into reality right now. I need a break!

NaBloPoMo Day 27

Only a few more days of NaBloPoMo left. Whew. Not that I don't love posting every day, it's just a little bit of pressure when I don't have something to blog about. And hello, it's been almost a month and I still don't have the NaBloPoMo icon in my sidebar because I missed the seminar on how to do that correctly. Oh well. I've done it every day, and if you don't believe me, check out all the previous posts. You'll see!

I have a confession: I put my wedding dress on tonight. No one was here to help me (or spy on me.....Kenny!), and I did it just fine myself. I have been wanting to, and for some reason, it felt naughty and great all at the same time. I love it. I never want to take it off. It's so comfortable, and I can't wait to wear it for real! If it weren't for the fear that I have that Kenny will come home and see me in it, I would probably be blogging in it. But I'm not.

Today was a day that drained me. The kids were constantly, "I need......I need......I need......." and I just kept thinking, "I NEED A TIME OUT!" And I really did. I got it on my way home from the gym.....no radio, no noise, no phone, nobody....complete and total silence. Just what I needed. Ahhhh.

Jibber Jabber

Here are some cute things that happened recently at work:

My class and I were talking about how they need to be on their best behavior (our class was chosen to be taped for our school website) and show the "world" how 6 and 7 year old act. I told them that even though their teacher was chubby, she could run fast and for a long time on the treadmill and they just better be on their best behavior. Then one of the boys raised his hand and said, "Yeah, my grandma is chubby too and she can really chase me, pretty good for being chubby." I was cracking up!!

I always tell the kids to fold their arms when they are in line, it's the one thing they just fail to do. I can't stand it!! If their arms aren't folded, they flail and act crazy, so that's why I constantly ask them to fold their arms. Anyway, I started taking away Fun Friday minutes every time I had to tell them to fold their arms. And just to get them going, I'll say, "Don't make me say the "a" word!" and then I'm not really saying the word, which would cost them minutes, but I'm still reminding them to fold their arms. So we are in the hallway, on our way to lunch, and, as usual, some of the kids aren't folding their arms. One of the boys notices and says, "You better fold 'em or else she'll say the "a" word." My principal was right there in the hallway and heard it, and then turned and looked at me like, "What is the "a" word?" I told her before she could ask me what it was, and then she laughed and walked away. Whew. That could have gone really wrong.

One of the first grade girls take FOREVER to do any work. I mean it'll take her all morning to do her journal entry, and it should take 15 minutes. I have to bargain with her snack to get her to finish anything. I normally don't like to use food like that, especially when some kids don't have a lot of food at home, but her mom said that was what worked at home, so every once in a while I tell her she can eat her snack when she finishes her work. And it usually takes her half the amount of time. Anyway, this particular morning, she was frustrated with reading the directions on a language arts sheet, and she slammed her pencil down, threw her hands up in the air and said, "That's it, I can't read, Ms. L. call my momma." I asked her what her momma would say, and she said, "I don't know, but she'll come get me and take me home. I can't take this learning stuff in first grade." That was the hardest thing to keep from laughing. The problem was she is super smart and she got used to not being challenged in kindergarten. My class is advanced, so she's appropriately challenged, and she's just not used to needing help. Poor girl. She adjusting now. I told her mom later on what she said and we both had a good laugh.

I could write so many more scenarios, but I'll save them for another time. Did anyone watch Desperate Housewives last night??? I'm dying to know what is going to happen next week, the natural disaster and all. And Gabby & Carlos are so screwed. I love it that Lynette's mom is living with her gay ex-husband, they make cute roommates. And Andrew!! I felt bad that he was feeling left out, but when he told Bree that he forgave her, I love it!!!! I know it's ridiculus to be that into a nighttime soap opera, but I love the show and it's an hour a week I don't have to deal with reality. Isn't that why we watch TV in the first place?? Go ahead, make fun of me, but you all know you watch something you are ashamed of. I love The Hills (even worse), Grey's, and Brother's & Sisters too. Go on, make fun, I can handle it.

Once my dinner digests, I'm getting the big maglight out and going into the backyard to find my running shoes that the puppy hid. I had them sitting on the back porch because I stepped in her poo pile on Friday. I let them dry up and then I was going to clean them Saturday, and I forgot. I let her out this morning and I see one shoe covered in snow (oh yeah, we got our first snow last night), and I don't see the other shoe. ANYWHERE. It was dark, but I didn't have time to get the flashlight and look. Now, I have time. And if I don't find it, the dog is in the penalty box for a while. Expensive shoes, gone to crap!!!

Blah Blah

The last day of Thanksgiving break has been spent doing many things. Sleeping in (that would be 7am for me!), wedding stuff, helping Kenny, playing and walking with the puppy, making dinner (I don't usually cook), and I still have the usual stuff around here to do. I would really LOVE another day at home. But I always need that!!

I had a nice surprise visit from a longtime friend who was in the area for the holiday, and that was really nice. She was only here with her fiance for a short time because when she is home, her time is spread thin, but it was great to see her for a few minutes! She is getting married down south where she lives now in March, so I will taking a road trip then!

Here's to a good week ahead!

This Week's Theme: HOT

What is hot? Well, there's lots of things, and people, that are hot. But on a daily basis, I NEED this hot thing. My coffee!! I love the hot, steamy, yummy coffee that I drink almost every day. I didn't develop this bad habit until a few years ago, but once it started, there was no turning back.

Black Friday

You won't find any tales of shopping on Black Friday here!! I refuse to participate in that! It's way too crazy! I am going to be a home-body all day!

Thanksgiving was so fun and relaxing. I got the privilege of meeting my brother's new girlfriend, who is the most awesome of awesome chicks. She seems just perfect for my brother. When she walked into my mom's house, she hugged me. Right off the bat. How can you not love that? I know what it's like to be in her shoes and not know the family! I knew ahead of time I was going to try to make her feel as comfortable as possible, but that was just too cool! And my brother has a permanent smile on his face. They are great together.

When we got home last night I had promised Kenny we could get out the Christmas tree and start decorating. He made me keep my promise. At 10pm, we were hauling the tree down from the rafters in the garage and dragging it in the house. At 11pm we were stringing lights on it (the tree comes prelit with white lights, but we add some colored strands too).

At midnight we were wrapping our light pole in the front yard with garland and the largest red felt bow I've ever seen. And then we put all the bales of hay, pumpking, and corn shocks out for the trash (perfect timing) and decided to wait until daylight to strong up the lights on the outside of the house. Kenny sure is ambitious about all this. I'm thinking it may be because it's the first Christmas in our house, and to take advantage of it while it lasts. I love it that he's so excited. Look at what he took a picture of. This was HIS idea!!

I bought that Christmas bulb back in June when we were at convention and I had lots of time to spend money. Isn't it cute?? Next year, I'm sure we'll have a bulb or some other kind of decoration that says something about our first Christmas as husband and wife. I love all that stuff!

I have declared to anyone who will listen that I'm staying home today. I have a list of stuff to do, big stuff, and I really want to get it done. I am leaving the house in a minute, but it's to work out, so that really doesn't count, because I'm not running an errand. When I get home, I'm starting in on my to-do list and we'll see how far I get!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

In honor of the holiday and Thursday Thirteen, here are 13 things I will eat today...

1. Turkey, of course!

2. Dressing

3. Green beans

4. Pumpkin pie

5. Lemon bars

6. Corn bread

7. Mashed potatoes

8. Cranberries

(hopefully that will be it, but I know there will be more food there....)

9. Corn

10. Yams

11. Rolls

12. Squash

13. Apple pie

I will NOT be eating all of that, I promise!!!

Almost asleep at work

While in EXTREMELY boring meetings today at our teacher inservice, the only time my ears perked up (and my eyes opened) was when I heard these random tidbits of information:

• The word GOLF came from Gentleman Only Ladies Forbidden


• When you see a statue of a soldier on a horse, if both front legs of the horse are raised, the man died in the battle. If one front leg is raised, the man died from wounds as a result of the battle. And if all four legs of the horse are on the ground, the man died later in life from natural causes.


• 50% of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace


• In England pubs, beer was ordered in pints and quarts. When the customers got unruly, the bartender told them to mind their pints and quarts, which is where "mind your Ps and Qs" came from.

You know you are with the times when the following things apply to you:

• It's quite possible you have entered your pin number into the microwave by accident


• You've never played solitare with real cards


• You have 15 phone numbers to reach 3 family members


• You email a person sitting 3 feet away from you


• Websites are at the bottom of every commercial, billboard, and on every box of food


• Your excuse for not staying in touch with someone is that they don't have email


• Getting online before you have your first cup of coffee in the morning is the normal routine


• You will jam on the brakes and drive back home if you forget your cell phone, like you can't live without it

THESE are the things that kept me going through pointless meetings this morning. And that's it. The good news was we got to leave work at 1pm. Traffic was crazy. I guess the airport wasn't having issues inside, but the parking was what was holding everyone up. Thank goodness I'm not flying anywhere!

It's Here!!

Our new floor is in!!!! I'm so excited. The 1960s is slowly leaving the house! Here's the new floor in the kitchen.......

and the back door........

As soon as the house is all put back together I'm out to buy new rugs. I love shopping for that stuff!

This is what I contend with every morning while getting ready for work. My puppy, looking pathetically cute, whining because she knows I'm leaving for the day. Oh yeah, this bathroom will be the last room we redo, NEXT summer. Only so much of this stuff I can handle. We still have the kitchen cabinets/counter top to make decisions on. Big stuff, I tell ya!

One more day

One more day, one more day, one more day. One more day teaching, then Wednesday we have professional development all day, so no kids, and then then holiday. I can hang in there for one more day. It's not the work that is killing me, it's everything else. Seriously, today, on my prep time, the one hour a day I'm SUPPOSED to get to do work in the classroom and preparation for the kids, it was nonstop knocks at the door, interruptions, questions, phone calls, the list goes on. I was so frazzled that I couldn't stop and take a deep breath. Those are the times I would love to have a desk/office job where I could step out and take a break, uninterrupted, adult time, no hassles, no questions, just 5 minutes of silence. Yes, those are the times I need that. I needed it today and it never happened until I was home. That's why when I come home, I need a hour to unwind. No one understands that. It's not because I don't want to be around anyone else, it's because I might go insane. Tomorrow is going to be crazy. The kids know the holiday is coming, and it's their last day of school, they know they are getting a movie (which I can and WILL take away if need be), and worse yet, Christmas is right around the corner. I know I've been bitching alot about the craziness of my job lately, and don't get me wrong, I LOVE teaching and I LOVE those kids, but they are C R A Z Y right now. For example, when I picked my class up from gym class (here we go with the gym class thing again), one of my boys tattles on another one saying he had his cell phone out in gym class. So I take the boy in question to the side and ask him how old he is. He holds up his fingers indicating 7, and then I ask him why he has his cell phone in school, let alone in his pocket, nevermind that he's only 7 years old and shouldn't have a cell phone anyway (I think). He answers without hesitation that he forgot it was in his pocket. Not only did he admit that he had it right then and there and who's to say that I even knew for sure that he had it....I was just going off what another kid had told me.....but he also lied TO MY FACE about "not knowing that it was in his pocket." Whatever. He TOTALLY knew it and was showing it off. It actually turned out to be daddy's old "cut-off" cell phone that he let the kid play with. So I kept it in my drawer and made the kid sweat it out the rest of the day. And then when his dad picked him up after school, I handed it to him and his dad gave me the look, you know the one, like the kid is in heaps of trouble. And I'm sure in the morning I will get an apology and be told that my shirt looks nice, or that he likes my shoes, because that's how this student is....when he knows he's in trouble, he brown noses like crazy. I'm not a mean teacher, I swear I'm not, I'm just not a nicey-nicey teacher, the kind that just pats you on the back when you were naughty. No way. Consequences. There are always consequences. Even good ones.

I worked out extra hard today in preparation for the eating on Thursday. I can already taste the pumpkin pie. Yummy!!

A Perfect Sunday Morning

As I usually do, my eyes popped open at exactly 6am. On a weekday, I'm already in my car by that time, and on the weekends, my body just wakes up at that time, no matter what! I woke up this morning and realized that I was in the exact spot that I fell asleep in last night...on the couch, with Kenny and the puppy. It was so cozy and comfy! Obviously I couldn't take a picture with me in it, but this is what I woke up to....

Isn't this just about the cutest black lab you ever saw?? She especially looks good with the hunting/camo quilt behind her. I love my puppy! I think she's winking in this picture. She isn't really much of a pup anymore considering she weighs almost 30 pounds. I don't know what qualifies her as not being a puppy anymore, but for me, I think I draw the line when I can barely pick her up anymore. And we're teetering on that line!! Look at those paws. Couldn't you just eat 'em??

Later today I'm meeting my aunt, uncle, & cousins at David's Bridal so my cousin, who will be a junior bridesmaid, can pick out and try on her dress. She is very excited because I told her she can choose any style she wants, and she will already have plans to wear it again. That makes me happy!!!

This is one of the most beautiful Sunday mornings we've had in a long time. The sun is shining, it's cold but beautiful, and I've already been on a walk with the puppy. I love this time of year, the leave that haven't been raked are so pretty in the yards around us and the pup loves running though them. She looks adorable when she picks them up and runs around with them in her mouth. I love days like this:)

This Week's Theme: I Love _________________ (fill in the blank)

I LOVE GORDIE HOWE!

The Friday Run Down

Soooooooo many things happened at school today that by 8:30am my head was spinning, the phone was ringing, my door was never quite shut tight enough to keep all the distractions out, and as a result, the kids were wild animals. I mean that in the nicest possible way....wink wink.

I am drained. They took every single ounce of energy and sanity I had when I got up this morning. I must have known that it was going to be a chaotic day on the way to school because my coffee was a LARGE instead of the normal medium. Must have been ESP, eh?

It was picture day and the kids could wear free dress so their pictures (holiday ones) weren't taken in their boring uniforms, so that always makes them C R A Z Y. And the holidays are starting, and that adds to the mix. I showed a movie the last hour of the day, so they knew that was coming and that also was part of the insane-ness. I should have known. I just wanted to relax too! It'll be nothing but work, work, work for them during the short week coming up, that's for sure!

The photographer we had lined up for our wedding (so we thought) can't do it now....long story, but anyway, we're back on the market for one. This is NO FUN. I just put a deposit down on our videographer (love her!!) and so at least that's done. The photographer is really the last big thing to get lined up. I'm so stressed looking at the pricing. Not fun at all. I know it will be worth the amount of money we pay, but come on....$2,000 for pics?? That's CRAZY! We'll see what happens.

I'll be knee deep in invitations this weekend. I made them, big surprise??? Probably not. Sneak peak:

I'm being what they call a "cost-conscious bride." I think it's really a sugar coated way of saying a cheapie, but whatever, it sounds a little better. I worded it myself, edited it myself (with the help of anyone in a 5 mile radius and my dad), and now I'm printing them myself. Talk about self-sufficient. The total cost? Not very much. I'll let you know when I'm done buying ink cartidges.

Is anyone sick of my wedding talk yet? I know Tasha isn't, and I'm sorry, but it really does become a full time job. I'm still not complaining though. I LOVE every minute of it.

Thirteen Things I Want To Do This Weekend

1. Sleep in

2. Go to the movies with Kenny

3. Go to dinner with Kenny

4. Make room in the garage for my car ('cause that's where they go!)

5. Crafty things (not for the wedding, just for me)

6. I don't WANT to clean, but Clean

7. Call parents and talk to them for a long time

8. Visit my brother and his new woman

9. Grade papers

10. Clean out 2 closets (I'm motivated only because I can't find a couple things!)

11. Organize the wedding stuff we already have

12. Sleep in

13. Sleep in

Wordless Wednesday

---------------------------

What a day! I'm so glad to be home. But not for long. I'm out the door to meet with a videographer for our wedding. Any advice on it? Send it my way! Tomorrow I'm meeting with a photographer, so if you have any advice on that too, let me know. I like asking lots of questions, so the more, the merrier!

I came home to a quiet, calm, peaceful house, no puppy and no Kenny, just me and the silence, and while I always complain about needing this time, I miss my "family." I do love the quiet after a long day with 18 screaming kids (they aren't really screaming), and this is so peaceful right now, but lonely:( I better go find them! Happy Hump Day!

New Floor On Its Way!

We are getting a new kitchen floor FINALLY!!!! Yay!!!!

We've been looking at this nasty, gold trimmed, 1961 kitchen floor for more than 6 months and it's waaaaaaaaaaay past the deadline for a new floor, so we ordered it tonight! It'll be here sometime next week. I don't really care when it gets here, I'm just happy it's on its way! That's half the battle right there. The next project in the kitchen will be replacing cabinet doors and painting the existing cupboard......fun fun. I haven't picked up a paint brush since the big drowning in paint back in the February/March era. I'm a little leary about it, but it's to make the kitchen look good, so I'll do it. But no one said I had to like it!!

The kids were tiny devils all day today. Yesterday it was only the afternoon. What is up?? Wait, I know, it's the holidays. From this point until we come back after New Years, they are going to be naughty. Oh joy. I'm soooo looking forward to it. Do any other teachers have the same problem? I have to threaten with holiday parties and Fun Friday movies and goodies. It works sometimes, but in the end, I suffer right along with them when they loose out on the fun stuff, because I enjoy all that stuff right along with them.

I drove to school with my four new tires today and it felt like I was driving on marshmallow clouds. Niiiiiiice.

I'm noticing that my posts aren't that long since I started the NaBloPoMo thing. I'm trying, I really am.

Three more days until the weekend.

Mundane Monday

My day consisted of:

1. being too groggy to turn the lights on when I got in the shower
2. the puppy licking my feet all morning
3. donating 40 new hats & gloves from the dollar tree to our school clothing drive
4. walking into a neat, clean, disinfected, ready-to-go classroom this morning
5. 3 kids absent (that NEVER happens) so lots of reviewing instead of teaching new stuff
6. an awesome morning, praising the kids for it, and then after lunch they were hellions
7. crying kids after gym class (the same ones that cry EVERY TIME we have gym)
8. eating 2 sour apple airheads after school, I think it was my saving grace
9. being told that I just "must" watch bridezillas
10. taking the puppy for a walk when I got home and then having to turn back around to go home because she laid a deuce about 10 houses down and I HAD NO BAG-remember, I'm still new at this dog thing
11. puppy acting wild when we got home so she stayed in the backyard
12. being so sleepy that I fell asleep on the couch until Kenny got home
13. Kenny brought home my car with FOUR NEW TIRES
14. don't ask about that, it's not a pretty story:(
15. drinking my dinner smoothie (too lazy to make anything)
16. watching the dog fetch her toys in the backyard
17. folding laundry

Not very exciting, but I'm happy about having the tire issue taken care of. Not happy about the price, but it's worth it because you just can't drive (safely) without tires!! I worked out last night and did some new stuff with my arms so I'm sore and sleepy today...can't wait to go back for more tomorrow!

Oh yeah, one more thing. One of my students said the whole word "bitch" today. That has never happened before. One of my students was snitching on the other one after gym class (there seem to be soooo many issues when I pick them up from gym) and when I asked the snitcher what the snitchee said, he first replied, "...he said the B word...." and then I said, "What did he really say?" because 9 times out of 10 the kid being snitched on didn't really say the word. So the snitcher says, "No really, he said BITCH." I was stunned that the kid actually used the whole word while tattling on someone else. I couldn't get mad!! I asked him!! I had to turn around and hide my face and laugh because I was so stunned. That has never happened before. And yes, 6 and 7 years swear, and I don't usually catch them, but they do!!

Bridesmaid Dress Shopping

This three day weekend thing is something I could reeeeeeeaaaaaaaly get used to. It takes me one day to unwind anyway, and then having two more days to chill out, how can you not like that?

I went shopping with three of the bridesmaids today to try on their dresses. It was a blast! Check out some of the styles.....the color will be the bright apple red, but most of the dresses aren't in that color.

The style of dress they chose is the blue one above, and the apple color is the bright red one below.

Here's one crazy bridesmaid waiting for the next dress to try!

And here's me, waiting to zip, unzip, and take pics!!

It was soooo much fun. And one of the girls said she felt like a runway model, even better! I've done this so many times that I almost miss being a bridesmaid....almost, but not quite. Nothing is as special as putting on that white dress.

Now I have the usual Sunday evening junk to do. And work out. And TRY to grade papers. We'll see if that gets done.