I can't make this stuff up!

My neighborhood is so jacked up! Although most nights are pretty quiet, we have plenty of entertainment on other nights. And it's ALWAYS at night that "things" happen. Joe says we should write a book about all the drama that goes on here. I've decided we need to start smoking in order to fit in better. It's like an undercover operation, and we're about to get made. We're overqualified to live here. We have all our teeth, pay our bills on time, don't smoke, we can speak a complete sentence without dropping the F-bomb, and we both have jobs. Completely overqualified.

So last night was no night of disappointment. Let me preface this by saying we live on the inside of a 90 degree curve into the neighborhood. It snowed half the day yesterday, and iced over after. I was not at all surprised to hear a thud outside around 9:30. I've heard this thud before. I heard it when our mailboxes were taken out last year, and again when a pole was taken out last winter. We went outside to take a look and saw what we thought we'd see...one of the "watch it, there's a curve here" sign taken down by a car, but no car in sight. Our neighbors came out too; probably thinking they took out our mailboxes again.

We went back inside thinking nothing of it. But once I sat down, I had this nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right. I didn't hear the usual squealing tires that precede a crash. Nor did I hear a car take off after hitting the pole. So we went back outside with flashlight in hand. Across the street there's a GIANT drainage ditch, and just guess what was at the bottom of it? Yep...the freaking car! It's about a 20 foot drop. Of course we started freaking out and called 911. Some boys from the houses next door to us went down to check on the guy, but he was okay. Actually, he was great...cause he was drunk! Stupid drunk. AND didn't speak a lick of English.

So the fire trucks get there, and the ambulance, and the State Troopers. It's a mess right outside our front door. And to make it even more interesting, the boys who went down to help the guy noticed a bottle of liquor in the car and threw it away from the car so they could go back later and retrieve it. Is that not the dumbest thing you ever heard!? Idiots...

Half the neighborhood was in our front yard wondering what was going on...and smoking. A girl 2 doors down came trotting along about 8 months pregnant without any shoes on! It's 20 degrees and the preggo didn't have shoes! I was just waiting for her to light up too.

There is just no shortage of drama here in Trailer Trash Estates. It wasn't even the accident that made the evening so interesting...it was the neighbors! I wish I had a hidden microphone or video camera. You'll just have to be content with the view we had from our front porch.

Thorny Thursdays

Today is Thursday. Every Thursday morning I have a REALLY hard time getting out of bed. This stems from a fear that one of my Thursday kiddos will drive me to the point of insanity where I cannot be responsible for my actions. Why should I be responsible? Most of my Thursday kids don't feel the need to be responsible for their actions. If they happen to hit me all I can do is document it. If the tables were turned, my career would be over. Yes, I've been hit twice this year, pinched, and had a chair thrown at me by a 5 year old.

All of this has happened on Thursdays. I'm glad this Thursday is over. Just 2 more until Christmas.

Hugs to Last a Lifetime

Every day I come to school I always think about writing this blog. The hug blog. I get more hugs in a day than I blink my eyes. Last year it was probably more. I had morning bus duty last year, and therefore got to greet about 80% of our students first thing in the morning. These kids are very lovey-dovey. I tried to count one time how many hugs I got in a day, but quickly lost track.

Hugs are pretty much the only things that keep me going this year. Every time I think I can't take anymore "stuff", I get kindergarten at the end of the day...and 27 hugs in 2 minutes.

I'll miss my little huggers next year if I happen to get a new job.

Hugs are fun! :o)

Thanksgiving Trip

For Thanksgiving this year, we thought we'd go visit Joe's mom in South Carolina. We had a blast. She sent us to Charleston for a couple nights to do some touring around. The first tour we did was a culinary tour. It wasn't really what I expected, but it was still pretty good. We started out in this hole in the wall cafe that shared it's building with a Lil Cricket conveinent store. I was skeptical. It was fantastic. The grits were better than any other restaurant we went to while there. We went to a couple candy stores, a chocolate shop, a bar-b-que restaurant, where I actually ate some collard greens...still don't like them though, then to a spice store, and then a kichen gadget store. I can't believe I didn't take a single picture on that tour, but there you have it. Again, not the tour I was expecting, but still good.

I think we probably ate every 2 hours we were there. They have the best restaurants. If you ever go, I highly recommend Hanks seafood. That might have been our favorite. I liked Magnolias too, but we both agreed Hanks was fantastic.


Some more fun times in Charleston.




We then made our way to Hilton Head Island.


Joe and his mom.



Riding bikes at the beach.




I tried to take a picture of Phil over my head from my bike. I'm not a very good shot.


Joe's mom and I even had time to go to Savannah.





So we had a pretty eventful Thanksgiving. I'm thinking we need to go again in the Spring to fully enjoy the East Coast.

Decisions, decisions...

I think I'm getting to that point in my life where some big changes are needed to be decided.

Decision #1: Buying or building a new home.

We've lived in our "neighborhood" for about 5 years now, and I'm thinking it might be time to move on pretty soon. Once we sell out last rental property, it will be time for a change in scenery. I'm really not too picky. Preferably just one that doesn't move every time we have a storm...and a garage would be nice too.

Decision #2: Change jobs...again.

When I came to my school last year, I thought I hit a gold mine. The kids were great, the administration was great, my team was great. I should have known it wouldn't last. Some new schools opened up, redrawing our district lines. Lost a lot of good kids. Then our principal ends up going to one of these new schools, so we get a new principal (she is the devil). And only one of my team members is the same as last year. I don't know if I mentioned our principal is the devil, but she is. She makes it really hard to want to stay there. But I love what I do, and I know the kids. She is the devil.

Decision #3: Baby?

This is like a constant ping pong match going on in my head. Back and forth, on and off, yes or no. I have no doubt I'll be a good parent. I'm not really sure what I'm waiting for. Hubby is the decision maker in the house. I can't make a decision to save my life. I've never been "on my own" and therefore have never had to make any tough decisions. I'm spoiled, I know.

So there you have it. These are the things on my mind at this point in time, in no particular order.

Fuming

So our district has been on the news this last week. EVERY night this week. Good ol' Wayne Dulcefino's sticking his nose in other people's business...again. I don't think this man reports news. I think he reports crap. Twisting the truth around until it looks ugly. Our district and superintendent have been accused of misusing taxpayer's money for travel and training of teachers and administrators. I do agree some of the trips are unnecessary, but this is nothing new in the education world. EVERY district does this. They all spend lots of money on consultants and training.

I'm not always happy about what decisions our superintendent has made, but I don't think turning his name to mud is the answer. As a teacher in this district, I fume when I see these "news" reports about us. We spend countless hours with these kids during the school year trying to make them better people. We are counselor, teacher, and parent to many of these kids during the day. We spend more time with them than most of their parents, give them more hugs than they get at home, and discipline them better with our words than with our hands.

If our district wants to send us away from here for a few days of training, why the hell not?

Just a lot of nothing

I haven't posted in a while because I haven't had anything to post. Since school started up again, life has been very monotonous. I get up, go to work, perfect my vocal abilities all day, go home. It's just been a great big pile of boring!

There is one bright and shining star from the last few weeks. I've been dropping weight for no apparent reason at all. I'm not going to complain, but it usually takes drastic measures for my weight loss. Hopefully I don't have some terminal disease or anything.

With it being High School Football season, I'm feeling the effects of being single again. I might go on a date once in a blue moon with the hubster, but usually I'm content with taking myself to Subway for dinner and ending the evening with the purchase of a new book. I might have a slight addiction in that area...at least it's legal. I've been trying to keep myself occupied with as many hobbies as I can manage. I think I'm doing a pretty good job of it too. Bagpipes are getting learned, scrapbooks are getting started (notice I didn't say finished), books are getting read, and on and on it goes.

I know...it's okay to be jealous. :o)

1st day of school

So I don't use any real names when it comes to work. I would hate for someone to think I was talking about them...I can just plead ignorant. Today was obviously the first day of school. These next two words deserve their own paragraph.

It sucked.

Most of the classes I had were great. I went through my 1st day spiel and on they went. We even got to play a game in 1st grade. They were my favorite...by FAR. Kindergarten is last in the rotation this year.

That also sucked.

I thought they were crazy in the morning...I think they get crazier as the day goes on. Having 29 five year olds in one room pretty much sucked every motherly instinct out of me. Not only did we get their sweet little faces for 50 minutes at the end of the day, but we also got to keep them for the next hour while we waited to dismiss them to buses. Now I'm not going to play the blame game, but having the specials teachers dismiss kindergarten to buses is a BAD IDEA. Do we HAVE a transportation list?...no. Do these kids even know their own name?...no. Do THEY know how they get home?....hahahahah!!!!...no. I had 2 in tears before the day was over...BECAUSE THEY NEED STRUCTURE! I don't even HAVE my own kids and I know this.

I was never so happy as to come home and do dishes. Even teachers need a little structure in their lives.

Day 11:

So I'm well into week 2 of my new program, and the only thing I've noticed is a slight lessening of back fat. THAT'S IT! Now, back fat is not the most attractive thing, so I'm okay with that, but the scale won't budge, and the tape measure is not very promising. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to stick with it. Obviously 2 months isn't enough time for my body to adjust to working out. All that time with a personal trainer must have thrown everything out of whack!

But like I said, I'll stick with it. I'm determined to buy one of those clearanced swim suits in December and stare at myself in a mirror for hours on end. This is something I've never done, but hope to accomplish before 2010...not the staring at myself in the mirror part, just the buying a bathing suit.

So hopefully I can keep up with this workout routine once school starts. I guess I'll know after tomorrow. :o(

This body of mine just doesn't want to cooperate!

Okay, so I've got just one more training session with my trainer on Tuesday. This makes me happy. It's hard. Not that I actually thought it'd be easy, but sometimes I just like to workout at home. Like today...

Joe and I have started another, oh, I mean a new workout program. This one's a lot cheaper than a personal trainer and hopefully more effective. It's one of those Beach Body programs that you've only heard of if you stay up late and watch infomercials. I did my first workout this morning. The sad part was I got my heart rate up to ludicrous speed just during the warm up. This is not good. I realized very quickly this program is probably for people who are NOT fat and want to look like Gerard Butler in the movie "300". I was just waiting for the guy to tell me to upend a tractor tire 10 times in 30 seconds!

I thought my trainer was hard...this was ridiculous! But I'm going to stick with it. I'm hopeful I might actually lose some weight. 4 weeks with a personal trainer, and nothing! I think I might have gained a pound. I'm at my wits end here people! Perhaps this 90 days of Hell will be my saving Grace.

Day One: Check!

A workout to die for

I'm dying! Okay, maybe not. I think I finally got pushed too far at the gym today. I was only about 15 minutes in before I actually started to get nauseous. What the hey! Wendy said that can happen when there are too many days between workouts. Well I didn't want to look like a weenie, so I just pretended like I wasn't about to barf all over myself. But I stuck it out and finished the hour without incident. I think the only reason I didn't just say forget it and grab a snowcone on the way home was the fact that I've already PAID for the sessions.

And of course after an hour with Wendy I was told to do my 45 minutes of cardio. This chick doesn't mess around! I was sweating in places I haven't sweat since drum corps. I'm almost embarrassed to walk in the parking lot. It's so not attractive. I was beat. My legs felt like jelly, I have a headache, and I don't want to get off the couch.

Just 25 more weeks...

It's July already?!

This summer is going by WAY too fast! I should have known it would. The last school year went by just as fast. I have done a lot this summer, but I'm not ready to go back in 3 stinkin' weeks! Now those of you non-teachers don't need to do that whole "cry me a river" thing. I know I have a pretty sweet gig, but these vacations are well deserved. Having a whole 20 minutes of complete adult conversation in an 8 hour period, keeping a smile on my face for 50 minutes at a time, and demonstrating how to make a circle on the floor can take its toll. I have enjoyed not getting sneezed on the last 6 weeks, but I do miss a lot of my kids...well a few...okay, maybe just 1 or 2.

I even had such high hopes as to want to work on my curriculum during the summer. I really don't know what I was thinking. All my books are still in my crate where I left them the last day of school. I don't even want to look at them...I'm just not ready :oP

I have about a week and a half left with Joe. Then I probably won't see him again until Christmas. Puppy and I will miss him. I'm sure I'll be writing more often in the fall about how much I enjoy eating alone. Perhaps I should start a support group for wives of band directors. I digress...

So puppy is doing really great after getting over the Parvovirus. I weighed the little porker today and he's back up to his pre parvo weight. Looks like he was plenty spoiled at his gramma's house this last week! I'll have to post some pictures once I can find my dang camera cord!

All by myself

Sometimes being on your own for a while can make you appreciate being married. Since Joe and I are both teachers you would assume we spend lots of time together during school breaks. On the contrary...

Summer week 1 and 2: I was in Minnesota, minus husband.

Week 3: husband at band camp, then off to NYC, minus wife.

Week 4: husband at band camp during the day. I think I saw him all of 3 evenings before...

Week 5: husband off to see his mother in South Carolina, minus wife.

This is where we are now. I kept myself busy today by going to the zoo, hanging out in Hermann Park, and going to the Japanese gardens.











Mr. Giraffe just wanted to show off some hiney for us.



This was in the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park.


So I had a good time even though I WAS by myself. There's lots to do on the West side of town, so next time I'm dragging hubby with me and he WILL enjoy it.

Forever battling the bulge

My hubby wasn't very happy when I joined a gym back in February, but since I go pretty regularly, he's come to terms with it. He's even joined one of his own. Unfortunately he can't join mine cause no men are allowed past the front door. :o) Mine's pretty inexpensive, and I have everything I need there. When he signed up for his he got some personal training sessions with it. I was a little jealous. All week I've been thinking about how expensive it is for the trainers at my gym. But when I walked in the door today I was pleasantly surprised to find them having a special on trainers! I took it as a sign.

So now I have Wendy. My first session with her is July 7th. A little later then I wanted to start, but it'll have to do. I'll have to let you know how much I like her after that. First impressions tells me she's one of "those" trainers. Spunky, lots of energy, talks too fast size 2. But I think I'll like her. Her nutrition advise is good, but goes against everything I've been conditioned to do the past 8 weeks on my eating program (which has actually been working). Conflicting information sucks.

So here I go trying to lose weight the "natural" way. Let's hope it's all worth it!

Camera (phone) dump

My camera sucks. I take more pictures with my phone. Lately I've taken a crap load of pictures...just thought I'd share.

Dobbie is free! This is the day he came home from the vet hospital.



Happy Birthday Jules!



1 week old.



One of my favorites.



Hmmm...



That's right...I'm cool!



I just love my carseat!



Wow mom, it's really hot here.



Holy crap! 105!



Ahhhhh...the coolest place in the house!

Summer vacation...week 1

11 hours in the car on Monday and 8 hours in the car on Tuesday brought me to Minneapolis for 2 things:

1. My sister is about to give birth any day. I was going to come up after the birth, but plans changed because of...

2. My puppy has been at the vet hospital since Monday for Parvo.

I do not wish this virus on any dog. It's horrible. I though about taking pictures of him at the hospital (thinking it would be the last time I'd see him), but he really looks terrible. I'd probably just cry every time I saw it. I get calls twice a day from the vet giving me updates, and I go see him every day. This particular hospital is the best in the area, so we'll see how well he comes out of it.

The last day

Oh the joys of being a teacher. Let's hear it for the next 2 1/2 months off! Technically Monday is my last day, but the kids went home Friday for the Summer. Just one more day to sit around and do nothing until the announcement is made to go home. Friday was pure chaos. 5th grade had their "graduation" ceremony. Me being Mrs. PTO, I had to serve cake, make punch, and be nice to people who were really just pissing me off. Our parents are lacking something called common courtesy, tact, politeness...I could go on.

Being a teacher I've learned so much about what NOT to do as a parent. I'll be SO ready when the time comes.

At the end of the school day Friday (which happened to be 11:30) all the teachers went out to the sidewalk to wave goodbye to the kids leaving on the bus. This seemed to be some kind of tradition. A kick line was started...songs were sung...and a huge cheer rang out as the last bus pulled out. I have no cord for my camera, so my camera is pretty useless right now. So I took a picture using my phone. You'll have to check my facebook to see that joyous occasion. :o)

Field Day!

The last week of school has begun...field day! This was probably going to be the funnest day of the week. We saw Kindergarten and 1st grade today. It was a blast. I wish I could post pictures of the events, but I don't think that's really legal.

The first event was the relay run. I've never seen so many shoes flying off feet! Don't these kids know how to tie thier shoes? Oh wait...no, they don't. We had trees marked that the kids had to run around. I got to stand at one tree (with shade :o) and direct the kids around it. Many of these kids still don't understand much English, so that was hilarious to watch.

Second event was the potato sack race. Some of those little Kindergarteners were swallowed up in their sack! My favorite part was when they would fall down. Is that wrong?

Then it was off to the gym for some much needed air conditioning and some scooter relays. I laughed so hard I was crying on this one. Some kids really have no common sense. But those are the most entertaining.

Last even was back outside to the tug of war...class against class. Sometimes it just wasn't fair, so us teachers would give one team an extra pull. Every team ended up winning at least one tug. That's just the way we are these days. There are no losers anymore.

Every student was then awarded a bracelet and a popsicle for their efforts.

Two grade levels down...4 more to go!

Last week

The last week of school is upon us. For me this means Field Day. I'm crazy excited for this to happen. The boys think I'm just crazy. The boys refers to the coaches. They're a fun lot. I had an awesome team this year. It's just too bad our principal is going to a new school and everyone is jumping ship to welcome the new principal...my team included. 3 out of the 5 of us are leaving. I am not included in that. 3 schools in 3 years is enough. I'll just stick it out and hope for the best.

One thing I WON'T be doing next year again is PTO president. That is the most craptastic job in the world. I've truely never been to Sam's Club so much in my life. All I've heard all year is how wonderful the events were LAST year...all the activities they did LAST year. It's funny how nobody noticed how they ended up $6,000 in debt at the end of the year though. In one week I wash my hands of you, PTO!

I was up at school today (yes, a Saturday) to clean up, and do a bunch more PTO crap I won't be thanked for later. My classroom is in a sad state of affairs. It gets to be so drab when you take everything off the walls and put everything away. Although inside I'm doing a little happy dance I won't see it again for 2 1/2 months. I'll have to take pictures on the last day of my sad little classroom with it's ugly blue walls...and a picture of the last bus rolling out of the parking lot!!

You call THAT a banquet?

Earlier this week my hubby tells me I was invited to their band banquet. I was SO excited! Again, like the last post, I though I could relive some of my past through Joe being a high school director. And again I was wrong.

Disappointment #1: It was at the school...in the cafeteria. Decorated nicely, but really. The cafeteria? Ours were always in the ballrooms of hotels. Maybe we were just spoiled.

Disappointment #2: Dinner was catered by Texas Roadhouse. Now, I love me some Roadhouse, but not for a banquet decorated in the style of mardi gras.

Disappointment #3: I had to sit at the head table which meant no playing with my iphone during the ceremony.

Disappointment #4: The "ceremony" took nearly 3 hours. Awards to be given, speeches to be made. I felt like I was at the academy awards...EVERY senior gave a speech.

Disappointment #5: Had to stay till the bitter end. Being the band directors wife, we couldn't very well leave early. We were the LAST to leave.

Disappointment #6: No dancing, no DJ, no photographer. Again, maybe we were spoiled.

That was 5 hours of my life I can't get back. Can you tell I was a little disappointed?

Reliving the glory days?

When Joe got his new job at the high school I though "This is going to be so awesome! I'll go to all the football games, be the fun band directors wife, go on great high school band trips again. It'll be like I'm reliving a piece of high school".

I am so dumb.

Point number 1: I went to ONE football game all season (near the END of the season) just to watch the band of course. I paid $7 to watch half time, then left. I don't like paying to get into football games. I'm not use to it.

Point number 2: I find I don't like hanging around a bandhall anymore. After teaching band, it just makes me feel old. No more fun band directors wife.

Point number 3: I did get to go to Chicago, which was fun, but not with a bunch of 17 year olds.

Silly, silly me.

I'd rather be teaching kindergarten

I had written this witty post about being sick. But when I tried to post it, it deleted it instead. Personally, I don't care enough to write it again...I'm going back to bed.

We have a piper DOWN!

Have I told you I'm learning the bagpipes?! I started the last week of January, and I think I'm coming along quite nicely. I'm a bit competetive by nature when it comes to music, so I make sure I'm the best in the beginner class. I feel like I've reverted back to beginner band circa 1989. I was sweet but vicious when it came to the chair tests.

Playing on the practice chanter is not as easy as it looks. It looks like an anorexic recorder, but sounds much nicer. We get to look at getting the real pipes when we've mastered the basics. I'm determined to become master of all things bagpipe. The only thing is paying for the stinking things. Of course buying pipes is like buying any other instrument. The more you pay, the better quality you get...unless you know where to get them. I play the trumpet. I know where to buy a trumpet for a good price. Bagpipes = Greek. Well, actually they're Scottish, but you get the picture.

My Easter gig better be paying really well this year.

Apparently I'm no Spring chicken

I teach Kindergarten up through 5th grade. It's no great shock to me when the little ones tell me their moms are younger than me...I've gotten use to it. But when the older ones tell me the same, it makes me do a mental double take. My 5th graders are 11. Several of them have told me I'm older than their moms. I'm 30...you do the math.

Tomorrow's Friday, so that makes me happy. Plus it's more like a do nothing day. All specials classes will be in the gym for some jump rope thing. My poor Friday class. I don't think they've done anything remotely musical in the past month. There's always something on Friday. I have a feeling they won't mind.

It's break time

Spring Break:

Day 1 - Slept in til 6:45. I'm a rebel, I know. Watched some Law and Order. Watched the hubby attempt to fix a broken water pipe in the ground (which was also broken by said hubby). Decided a plummer would be called.

I haven't decided if I will brush my hair today. It being 5:30, it's doubtful that will happen.

Floors have been vacuumed. Ironing is done.

This is one exciting Spring Break!

Week at a glance

I turned 30 last week. I didn't burst into flames. I didn't grow a new wrinkle. I only cried a little. I have gained a couple pounds, but I'm going to blame that on the new decade old I am, not the whole bag of Tortilla chips I ate. It was pretty uneventful...and I was okay with that.

TAKS test was on Tuesday (in case you aren't a teacher and didn't know). The longest day of our lives. The day where you get no planning period, no recess, silent lunch (have to eat with the kiddos too), and you get to do absolutely nothing while the kids take the test. We aren't even permitted to read. Constant monitoring is expected. I was so bored, I did manage to read my TAKS manual. It was fascinating...really.<----sarcasm

We found out our fire marshall is coming next week. As PTO president I was told to clean up the area behind the stage...it's PTO stuff. We have about 6 billion easter eggs back there. Wal-Mart donated them after Easter last year, but we're not allowed to celebrate at school so that was a wash. If you need any easter eggs or coloring for eggs, let me know. I can hook you up.

Here comes 30...ready or not

Alright people...it's time for a new blog, I suppose. I've been a busy little bee, so any "free" time is spent sleeping. But I guess it's time for a comeback.

I've dubbed this the last week of my 20's. I'm sad. So sad, in fact, I think I cried a little in my car on the way home today. I've tried to get in shape to ring in the coming of my 30's, but by body had other plans. I joined a gym about 6 weeks ago, and have gained a total of two pounds. I blame this on my body thinking it's already 30.

After 45 minutes on the elliptical machine, I walk my jelly legs over to the weights (grabbing every machine on the way, just so I don't fall). I do this 4 days a week, and have 2 extra pounds to show for it. Can you feel the evil squint in my eye?

It's a nice gym...women only. That in itself makes it worth any money, but it's cheap too, so I get my cake and eat it too. Mmmmm....cake....

I digress...

I haven't planned ANYTHING for my big day. I thought of going to a technology training at school in the morning, but that seems kind of lame. I even thought about buying myself a set of bagpipes, but I suppose I should wait until I'm a little better. Wow, I haven't even written since I started learning the pipes...that's sad. Well, now you know. I'm learning the bagpipes. They're awesome.

Well, me being almost 30 and all, I guess I'll go to bed now...not quite 8 yet. Seems appropriate.

At least I KNOW I'm a loser

I'm suppose to be running a 5K on Sunday, but I've decided tonight not to do it. A few months ago it wasn't a problem. For some reason these last few months I've gained a good 20 pounds, and can't run for more than a couple minutes at a time. I couldn't even finish it the other day. I've been running since April of last year...this makes no sense to me. I have no urge to embarrass myself by not finishing a 3 mile run. I honestly think stress can make you gain weight. It sure did give me a mouth full of canker sores bad enough to put me on as few solid foods as possible.

So I'll keep those marathon runners in my thoughts on Sunday morning. Maybe I'll actually be awake by the time the thing finishes.