If you can't win the game...

at least win the fight. Let me tell you about our weekend.

LMK's parents came down this weekend so we could go to LMK's first game as a head coach. Yes, it was a scrimmage tournament, but they really wanted to be there to support him and I wouldn't have to drive 2 hours into PA by myself.

Saturday morning we drove to PA. I forgot my camera - damnit and we missed the turn and had to ask some upstanding citizen for directions. (He was skeery.) I should have known the day was doomed at that point.

When we finally found the campus, I was impressed. It was beautiful! Most of the facilities were new, or like new. They were amazing. We finally found the soccer fields and parked. We found a nice place to sit and watched the second half of LMK's first game. It wasn't great, but there were a lot of good things happening. About halfway through the second half of his game, I started to wonder about the referee. He wasn't in official referee uniform and he basically called a foul every time someone went down. But in the time LMK has been a coach, I've learned bad refs are the rule, not the exception. I did get a little more suspicious when he was calling the opposing team by name.

After that game, we walked up to the upper field where LMK's remaining three games were to be played. At the start of the second game, I realized there were no offical (licensed) referees. Parents and coaches were reffing the games. LMK's second game went well. He put his JV kids in and they were fantastic! They were better than the varsity kids from the previous game. It was a great game to watch.

The third game started ok, but quickly escalated. While none of the refs had control over the game, this guy was a joke. A player on the other team started pushing and shoving with one of LMK's seniors. Senior Guy had enough and, as my father in law says, "mugged" him. He grabbed him around the waist and they were scuffling. The ref was busy telling Bobby, his player, to knock it off. No cards were issued because no one had any! The game resumed and the other player started in on Senior Guy again. They were pushing and shoving down the sideline with the ball when the teacher in me took over.

"Senior Guy," I shouted, "knock it off, you're better than that!" They stopped pushing and as Senior Guy walked back he looked up at me. Oops. Well, LMK did say I could cheer at the games and as much time as I spend with these kids I think of them as my own. Besides, he was better than that. LMK's kids have class and I expect them to act like it.

At half time, my in-laws were hungry so we left to find some lunch. Halfway through dinner, my cell phone rings. It's LMK and he sounds really upset. Long story short, in the second half one of the opposing team's players pulled one of LMK's kids down and another player started punching him. Three more of the opposing team started in to "help" their teammate beat up one of LMK's kids when his "enforcer" came in and took out all five guys. LMK's kids are starting to get off the bench to go help their teammate when LMK shouts, "FREEZE!" He said everyone on the field and on the bench froze - including the opposing team.

The opposing team's coach starts to play for the fans, saying, "Coach, if you can't control your players I'm taking my kids off the field." An idiot on LMK's team starts to talk back, but LMK told him to shut up. At that point, LMK pulled his kids not only from the game, but from the tournament. The last team they were to play had 5 injured players due to lack of referees and they weren't going to keep injuring kids either.

LMK yelled at his players and then told them to get ready to go home. LMK hates to be the bad guy, but fighting cannot and will not be tolerated. As they were leaving, they find out the AD at the school is an alumni of LMK's school. Craaaaaaaaaaaaap. LMK got a phone call on the way home from the President of the school. Luckily, the School's kids didn't start the fight, didn't throw any punches, and listened to LMK. It was really the best possible outcome for a bad situation. LMK said the bus was incredibly quiet on the ride home.

When they got home, I went up to meet LMK and help him unload equipment. While he went to check on one of his players who may have needed a trip to the emergency room I stood outside and talked with one of his stalkers. As we're talking one of his players comes out. He came over to me and said, "Coach is pissed."

"Yeah," I replied, "Coach is pretty pissed." (He's really not, but he wants them to think he is. He doesn't want this kind of thing happening again.)

"He started talking after the game, and he just kept ratcheting up. And then, he was yelling! Coach doesn't yell. I've had him in class. He never yells. Coach is really mad."

Negatives

• No referees
• Players involved in a fight
• Level of play needs work

Positives

• LMK's players didn't start the fight and didn't throw any punches.
• LMK's players stood up for their teammates. They acted like a team.
• No one got hurt.
• The team listened to LMK when he told them to "FREEZE!"
  
• JVs had a GREAT game.
• The team is genuinely upset that they disappointed Coach. To me, that means they respect him. This is good.

We also watched the Hokie football festivities. The game day stuff was very moving and it got to me. However, I'll never be embarassed of my Hokie family. It's hard for people who didn't go to Tech to understand just how tight a unit the university and community is there. Sometimes, you just have to experience it to know. Watching the game made me want to go back. We haven't been back since I graduated in 2003. I want to go back. Part of me needs to go back. To see it and to experience it myself.

We are the Hokies. We will prevail. We are Virginia Tech.



We're thinking Thanksgiving.

How was YOUR weekend?

Awards and sanity

Since I'm being a bad blogger and not checking in much, I'm shocked that Misty would think of me. Misty is the artist formerly known as Molly here on my blog. She's one of my best friends, even though she followed her husband, my cousin, to Missouri. He's a big goober, but she's great. I wonder if they'd allow me to swap him for her in the family department. Hmmm, something to ponder.

Anyway, thanks Misty for my two awards. I've never gotten an award before so I'm thrilled.


What's new at school, you ask? I'm trying to make it through the day without officially losing my shit. That is all. :)

Thank you

First, thank you all for your wonderful words of support. They mean a lot. It's nice to hear them. And a special thanks to Mike. My teacher friend will be thrilled to get some sort of answer to our burning Swedish question.

Today was a better day. Mainly because I went to school today with the attitude that it was going to be a better day. It actually helped. It also helped that I wasn't bombarded with paperwork. Good gravy the trees we're killing! I stayed late tonight (until 7) and put a lot of stuff away in my room. I'm finally less stressed about the room looking and being ready for Open House next week. I'm meeting the other new teacher at school on Sunday so we can work in our rooms for a while. Hopefully, I will be ready at that point. I'm hoping to be able to enjoy Labor Day weekend with the in-laws.

Regarding mentors: Yes, I have a mentor. He's also my team leader and a really great guy (except for a huge character flaw of hating cats). I've talked to him some about the mean teacher and he's assured me it's not personal. She's just dingy. That being said, they're also friends since she was on the team last year. So, I don't want to say too much because I don't know who to trust yet.

I want my mommy

Well, write it down. It only took them a week to break me. Technically, half a day.

Today was our back to school orientation. The paperwork. The meetings. The training. Everyone I meet is handing me papers and telling me what I should do with them. I've met what seems like hundreds of new people. My room isn't ready. The psycho in my room before me is a bitch. No other word for it. Planning has me so terrified I don't know where to begin. And school is starting soon!

First, the psycho drama. Last night, she came into my room and disconnected the dvd/vcr combo. It was hers and it's fine that she took it. I would have liked to have been told she was going into my room, but whatever. She left the vcr that was in her room on my counter. Not hooked up, not plugged in, and with a dvd that I had accidentally left in the other player tossed on top. I feel completely violated. Who knows what else she's come in and taken. Be an adult and come to me and say, "I accidentally left my dvd/vcr here, can I switch them?" I'm not going to say no.

LMK urged me to lock my room at night when I leave. Great idea, honey! There's just one problem. She hadn't turned in her key for that room. That's right, she had my key all summer! The secretaries cornered her today and got it back, but what the hell.

The other problem is I spend every day feeling completely stupid. I swear, everything I learned in college is gone. GONE. Now I have diagnostic tests to give that I have never heard of while I have students in the room. How do I take one kid to the hall to administer a test while I have 25 others sitting in the room. Number one rule of teaching - never leave them alone!

Everyone on my team has such great, creative ideas. Most of the time I feel like a bumbling fool. They explained how we were dividing kids up today. Everyone is furiously scribbling text scores and I'm still trying to figure out how exactly to do it. I feel like it takes me a second (ok several minutes) longer than everyone else to pick things up. I feel like I'm always scrambling to catch up. Lesson plans? I have no lesson plans, I have no idea where to even start planning.

Everyone keeps telling me how great I'm going to be. Well, I'm not so sure. I spend the day feeling inferior and trying to catch up. I know I'm putting a lot of unneeded pressure on myself and I know it. I don't want to make mistakes. I don't want to look weak. I don't want people to look at me and think, "Why did they hire her?" But I wonder that every day.

To add insult to injury, we watched a really cute video today and it was about a school near my hometown in Ohio. (Near as in - my dad attended high school there) As I'm watching the video it hits me. This is not where I expected to be starting my teaching career. I wish I was in my old district, where I knew everyone and everyone knew me. Worst of all, I miss my mommy. She'd know what to do. She'd be helping me and giving me advice and I wouldn't feel so alone.

The saga, coupled with my other feelings were just too much. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who got lunch with me and "talked me down". We're good for each other.

When I thanked him tonight, he told me that he would have never gotten through his first few months of teaching without me telling him he would be fine and he was doing a good job. He said he was going to do the same for me. At that point, I laughed and told him, "The difference is, I know you're lying." Even he had to laugh at that.

Nuts!

I have been sitting in new teacher in-service sessions all week hoping to earn a ticket that will be called for a door prize. Tonight we had a reception for new teachers in my district as well as LMK's school. He came at the last minute (his boss saw me and called LMK to come down after I'd shoo'd LMK out when I didn't see anyone else from his school there).

He won the very first door prize they gave out!

Nuts!

Two down, three to go

Well, new teacher in-service is almost over. I must admit, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. At times, it's almost fun. If you ignore all the get to know you games that I hate and the group work. Each day there are door prizes and they give us lunch. True we have to sit through a presentation by whoever is sponsoring the lunch, but I think that is the least we can do for a free meal.

The only thing I do not like is the seating. We are either in an auditorium with the old, old, old style wooden seats or we're in the cafeteria on round stools attached to tables. By lunch time my ass hurts! It's awful. My tail bone still aches. Friday was so bad that with two hours to go a bunch of us were standing up, just so we didn't have to sit on those seats.

Everyone I've met has been really, really nice. They're so grateful to have us here that it makes me excited to work there. Yes, I have tons of meetings, but really, who needs sleep?

The trip to Chicago was great for another reason. LMK picked up a "part-time" job. Really, it's more like a consulting job. He's officially a staff coach for US Soccer. It sounds more impressive than it is, but it's still really exciting. It could be up to a year or so before he's needed, but it's still an honor. He's thrilled and it will make a fabulous addition to his resume. Woohoo!

Just a small town girl

We're finally back from Chicago! Why did it seem like we were gone for a month?

Anyway, I learned one very important thing in Chicago. I am NOT a big city girl. There's way too much concrete, asphalt, and people. And holy moly is it expensive. Good gravy!

Friday night after we arrived, checked in, and got settled we had quite a dining experience. LMK chose a restaurant that was close to the hotel and sounded inexpensive and reasonable. We ended up at Dick's Last Resort which was listed as a bar and grill. I knew we were in trouble when the waitress told us that sometimes they can be a "little rude". Mind you, this is after she was yelling at some other table. Me? I was terrified. I turned on my good teacher manners and "please" and "thank you"'d myself to death. Twin got saucy with her. To each his own, I guess. The food was good though and after I relaxed a little I had a good time. I even wrote on the table! Scandalous!

Later, we walked over to the Lego store (just as it was closing). LMK looked almost giddy at the lifesize R2D2 and Darth Vader made from Legos. Bet me we have a picture of him with them. Heh. Boys.

On Saturday, Twin and I decided to walk to Navy Pier. First, it looked a lot closer from our hotel. Then I wore the wrong shoes (totally my fault) and my feet hurt almost immediately. Lastly, it was hot. I don't handle hot well. Then put me on a medicine that makes me intolerable to heat and I get down right bitchy. But, now I can say I've been there and it wasn't ALL bad. They have these cute bike carts you can rent. I so wanted to go that. It looked like lots of fun.

Saturday night we ordered Chicago hot dogs (not too bad) and Chicago deep dish pizza (yummy!). Sunday, Twin and I decided to go to Shedd Aquarium before the soccer game at 12. If LMK had dropped us off before parking at Soldier Field it wouldn't have been too bad, but once again the heat and the distance killed us.

Good things about Chicago (according to me):

• Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
• Shedd Aquarium with the indoor oceanarium - too cool!
• Chicago hot dogs
• The nice Chicago lady who gave us directions when we were standing looking completely lost on a street corner.
• LMK's Coaching Symposium
• Seeing one of the refs for the game at our hotel
  
• US National Team Game
• Seeing LMK practically giddy while enjoying the game - I would go back to Chicago if it meant he'd be this happy again.

Before I end this post, let me do one little soccer rant. This being my first time at a national team event I was surprised and impressed by the national team at the end of the game. In 100 degree heat, after shaking hands with the New Zealand team, they ran a lap around the stadium waving to the fans and thanking them for coming. Just one more reason to love soccer, I guess. They're good to their fans. They're good role models.

Prayers

LMK and I are on our way to Chicago via Ohio. We'll stop off in Ohio for a few days and then leave out to Chicago on Friday with Twin. LMK is so excited about the coaching conference that he can frequently be found squealing with glee around the house. It's cute to see an almost 30 year old man grinning while he "eeeeeeeeeeee"'s around the house.

While we travel our thoughts and prayer will be with the 6 miners trapped in Utah. Living with a mining engineer means I understand what happened and am thankful he is not a practicing mining engineer. They've brought in listening equipment which means his graduate project is being used. Hopefully they have good news.

Coaching might not pay a lot, but after Quecreek and Sago, names I will never forget, I'm just happy I can come home each night and kiss my husband.

White boards

Christi asked where I got 30 white board for $15. Simple! I got a piece of shower board from Lowe's and had my father-in-law cut it down for me. He actually bought 2 sheets and cut about 48 12" x 15" boards. I took 30 and my mother in law took the rest.

They're great and really inexpensive! If you don't have a father-in-law to cut them for you, the store will do it, but they usually charge per cut. However, it's still cheaper than buying white board from any of the school supply catalogs.

The High Cost of Teaching

Erin just posted an ingenious post about the high cost of being a teacher. She makes a lot of really good points that I won't make again so if you haven't clicked over there to read it - DO IT!

I have the opportunity to compare LMK's school budget with my own needs. Frankly, the only thing LMK has purchased for his classroom is a specific kind of dry erase markers. He writes A LOT and the generic type provided by the school run out too quickly for him. Everything else he can saunter over to the administrative offices and they'll give him what he needs. Paper clips, staples, file folders, etc. Me, I have to buy those things with my "allotment". As a first year teacher, I lucked out this year and got a total of $400 to spend. I needed every penny with the stuff I had to buy. (I am expected to furnish/purchase my own post-its, paper clips, staples, chalk, dry erase markers, folders, erasers, staplers, etc.)

LMK also has a fabric covered bulletin board which I insisted he needed and I put up. I love it. I will be adding fabric backgrounds in my room as time and money allow. He'd be happy with a basic paper covered board if I didn't horn my way in and try to make him look good. Otherwise, his room is pretty basic. He's not interested in a lot of posters on the wall (though I've been trying to convince him these are important, he's just not into it) and the main theme in his room is soccer. Shocker. I tried to convince him he needed matching curtains, but the lip sneer and the disdainful "No, thanks honey." told me how he really felt. Heh. Boys.

Now, my room is much better. If I must say so myself (and I must).

My purchases include:

• Fabric for curtains - $50
• Curtain rods (which are actually shower curtain rods) - $40
• Fabric covers for bookshelves and file cabinet - $30
• Border - $15
• Student mailboxes - $40 (on sale, I heart T.arget)
• Misc. Organizational Items (stacking drawers, baskets, etc.) - $45
• School supplies (pencils, folders, crayons, markers, etc.) - $20
  
• 30 white boards - $15
• Microwave - $5
• Trip to the teacher store for misc. teacher stuff - $50

Having a classroom that you love and is colorful, uncluttered, and beautiful - PRICELESS.

Now, just don't tell LMK that is still a list of stuff that I "need".

As Erin says, if you know a teacher, buy him or her a set of markers. They can use them and they'll be grateful!

Didja miss me?

Seneca Rocks
Originally uploaded by h0kieerin.

We're home from West Virginia. We had a lovely week. The Queen Mother...no...the King Mother...LMK's mother and I went shopping. Lots and lots of shopping! The woman had no idea that Staples has HUGE sales in July. She's been paying full price in August. Heh. I've corrupted her now. She's addicted. She pretty much cleaned them out of the $0.78 two pack of composition notebooks and she should never purchase pencil tip erasers again (35 boxes, 12 in a box makes for 420 erasers, sheesh!)

I have a lot of the stuff on my list that I needed for my classroom now.

She and I even made curtains. I ironed them (how I loathe ironing) and she sewed them. I still think she got the cushy job. SITTING in front of an air conditioner while I STOOD in the basement beside a hot iron. Have I mentioned I hate ironing? Hate it with a passion now. However, since she was sewing and I don't know how, I decided to suck it up. LMK got the brunt of my whining. Lucky him.

We also saw I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. It was nothing like what I thought it was going to be and I really enjoyed it. LMK has promised me a trip to see Hairspray and Chick-Fil-A since we wussed out last week before Harry Potter was released. Also, by the by, my book that I pre-ordered from Amazon that I was told wouldn't arrive until the 24 unless I upgraded to paid shipping (I had the free shipping) arrived at 10:30 on the 21st.

Ha ha! Cheapiness wins out!

Finally!

It is finally H.arry P.otter time! Woo-friggin'-hoo.

LMK and I will be heading to Large City this evening to try and get a book. We preordered our book back in March from Amazon, but I couldn't upgrade the shipping like I wanted to so we'll be getting that book sometime next week. Meanwhile, LMK and I will be heading to West Virginia tomorrow. This does not please the King. (Truth be told, I'm ok with having two books.)

So this evening we're going to head to Large City. We're getting dinner at Chick-Fil-A, which I love and will use any excuse to eat there. Then we're going to go see H.airspray. We'll probably tootle around Pe.tsmart, T.arget, and the school supply store in the process.

Heck, we might just leave for West Virginia and stop at a 24 hour Wal-Mart.

Tomorrow we'll be reading! Hooray!

Stick a Fork in Me

I'm done at school! At least until we get back from West Virginia. I've done just about everything I can do without LMK's help and some key purchases.

I still have one bulletin board left to do, but I can't do it until they install my new whiteboard and re-glue the cork board. It is going to be my classroom jobs board. Right now, I have no idea what to do for that board. I have a Helping Hands board that is really cute or a notebook paper/thumbtack idea, but I'd like to do something different. Any suggestions?

My favorite bulletin board is my lunch count board. MY 4th grade teacher had this board. Each day, the kids come in and pick their lunch decision. I can tell at a glance who is absent and who is buying hot lunch, cold lunch, salad, etc.

Everything is pushed to the left side of the board so that the kids won't have to climb all over the computer to get to their name. I'm concerned it's going to be a bit tall for 4th graders so I might pick up my grandfather's old step stool when we're in Ohio. That should give the kids enough of a boost to reach the highest crayon. I tried to put the less popular lunch options at the top, too.


I also put up a bulletin board my mom did several years ago. It's called a pocket dictionary. I used library card pockets with the letters of the alphabet on them. This way, when kids need to know how to spell a word, they can bring me the Ss card or the Ff card and we can add it to the card for the next person who needs to know how to spell that word.

Since I didn't get to order some small pocket dictionaries for each student, I figured this would work instead. I didn't laminate the library book pockets so I hope they will hold up throughout the year. If not, I'll know to laminate them for next time!

Updated to add: I forgot to mention my current favorite thing about teaching. Blah, blah, blah impacting young lives. But honestly, I can order these and horde them all for me. Mmmmm, THESE are what being a teacher is all about. I got the big box with the "new" scents. Some are ok, some are NOT. Give me purple, red, blue, dark green, and brown any day. The new light blue and light green smell yummy, though. (Click on the picture to make them larger. You know so you can read all the scents.)

It was only a matter of time...

until my first injury in the classroom. While interning, I missed a chair and fell in front of my third graders. Then while student teaching I slipped on some black ice right before school started one morning.

Yesterday, while working in my room, I flipped myself out of my desk chair. I knew they were slippery on tile floor, but evidently they're just as rolly on carpet. I come by it naturally though, my mother fell off a desk one year working in her classroom.

I should have known it was going to be a bad week after the desk chair. This afternoon, I was standing on a chair hanging posters. When I "hopped" down my ankle gave out and I fell. Luckily, the file cabinet broke my fall. A lot of crashing later I was able to get up and limp home.

My husband was not amused. After a trip to the ER, I MAY have broken my ankle. They're sending me to an orthepedic doctor for a second opinion. Right now, I am on crutches and Loritab. LMK is having conniptions at the thought of me unsupervised on crutches. Heh. You'd think I was some sort of klutz. Oh wait...I AM some sort of klutz.

Please Lord, don't make me start my first year of teaching on crutches.

**Update: It's not broken! The ortho doc said I could even stop using the crutches. I may use them another day otherwise I tire out really easy.

Anyone thinking I should go back to school tomorrow morning? Yeah, me too!

Square One

This morning, my classroom looked like this:



By this afternoon it looked like this:


Why? The Assistant Principal came to tell me that they're ordering me a 12 ft. whiteboard. Woohoo! That means that painted chalkboard is finally going to be functional! I've got a room to rearrange and bulletin boards to change! I also got enough chairs for my desks, a new computer table, a new desk chair, and a new bookshelf. Squeeeeee!

As the principal told me, it pays to be around in the summer. We think of you when you're here.

Crap...I just ordered a bunch of chalk, too.

Hella Hot

Hot
Originally uploaded by h0kieerin.

Anyone who knows me knows that I do not handle heat well. Nothing will drive me into drunken sailor-like cursing like being hot. Nothing. So with the current temperatures in Northern Virginia I am anything but pleasant. It's fucking hot!

Just to further piss me off, the air conditioning on my side of the school building isn't working. That's right, it's frickin' hot in my air conditioned school too! The administration knows there is a problem and to their credit they are doing all they know how to do to fix the problem. One of the secretaries told me today that I can either freeze or roast. Please! I will freeze!

LMK's CPAP machine is wonderful. He sleeps so quietly I find myself checking to make sure he's breathing. He's never slept so quietly. Of course, now I have to get used to sharing the bed again. Boo. When it's hot, double boo.

This and That

• I think I may need to tone down the school talk. Last night, I woke LMK up because he was snoring. He sat bolt upright in bed and exclaimed, "What grade level?" Heh.
  

• Speaking of snoring, LMK is now the proud owner/renter of a CPAP machine. Hallelujah! The very nice tech came out and showed us how to work it this afternoon. I could hardly hear the thing when she turned it on, so I'm not worried about not being able to sleep with it on. And, LMK has to keep his mouth shut when he's wearing it. Oh, those jokes just write themselves.

• I sat in the computer lab so kids could come in and take AR tests today. It was interesting to say the least. One dad said he'd come back for his daughter (and son who isn't in school yet) in about a half hour, and hour later he returned. In other words, I babysat today!

• One mom had an adorable little girl with her (maybe 3 at the most). Mom gave her a piece of candy which she immediately chomped. Then she wanted a piece of gum. Mom gave her gum with the strict instruction NOT to swallow it. ("It takes Benefiber to get it out of her," she confided.) Two minutes later, guess who wanted some gum. Mom said no, but got distracted helping the other kids choose new books. So the little girl just reached into Mom's purse and helped herself. Five pieces later, Mom caught on. It's gonna be an interesting weekend!

• Some else, please tell me you are addicted to this site. Every day, I find some to giggle over. They're adorable.

Found this on You Tube. Love it!

My new favorite poster

My new favorite poster
Originally uploaded by h0kieerin.

I've just had the best idea.

I'm still going to do the "Me in a Bag" activity, but in my bag is going to be a dvd - All About Mrs.

Opinions?

Bygones, my butt.

So...I was all prepared to let go of whatever angst I was harboring regarding my classroom after that last post. As Pigs says, bygones.

However, today, as I was trying to organize my desks and failing miserably, I remembered that her desks fit in the room easily. What am I doing wrong? I have 30 desks and they're just not fitting. What the hell?

So I come home and check the pictures I took when it was her room. They're different desks!

She took the "nice" desks to her new room and gave me all the ones that are missing screws and are insanely high for 4th graders! Did I mention I have 30 desks and 18 chairs!?

Oooooo, NOW I'm pissed.

I don't think there is much I can do but try to find a way to get rid of some of the desks. I have 6 more desks than she had, where on earth do I put them!? I figure based on the numbers I've been told, if I have 25 desks, I'll be more than safe.

Advice?

Here's what I think

When I walked into my room filled with the former teacher's stuff, I almost had a panic attack. Everything was nicely organized but there was just so much stuff! There was no where to even put something down without losing it. Clutter and disorder make me anxious. I know you'd never guess that from the state of my house most of the time, but it's true. I left the room completely overwhelmed.

I checked in at school one day when she had come to move stuff. The principal suggested I go up and talk to her, so I did. Yeah. I don't think moving was her idea. Long story short, I didn't get a very friendly vibe from her, so I vacated post haste. I waited until she was done and then went back to see the room.

Everything was gone. Part of me was annoyed that she'd taken everything. However, like Carrie said, she probably bought a lot of it herself. I can understand. Heck, I would be doing the same thing.

That being said, taking the chalkboard erasers seems a little petty to me. The stuff she did leave in the room isn't all that helpful. The textbooks are in a pile on the counter. Not in nice, neat piles - just tossed on the counter. Along with the teaching manuals and whatever manipulatives come with the set. The computers are tossed on a card with cords strewn all over - no idea what cord goes to what computer or where they go. Figuring that out ought to be fun.

The one thing that makes me smile is thinking of the room that this teacher moved to. It's half the size of mine. Her new room is packed to the gills with stuff and she hasn't even gotten desks for the kids in there. Karma is a boomerang.

However, I have quite a bit of stuff myself. Not only do I have the things I've collected over the years while I was wishing for my own room, I've got stuff from teacher's I've worked with, and anything I wanted from my mom's room when she retired. Stuff, I got!

I just didn't know I should have gotten her erasers!

Silly me.

More pictures on Flickr.

Would you?

On a scale of 1-10, (1 being "Whatever" and 10 being "I want to jab an ice pick in someone's eye I'm so pissed") how annoyed would you be if the teacher whose room you were moving into looked like this:

Considering said teacher waited 3 weeks to come clean it out when she was moving and then took everything.

Seriously. She even took the chalkboard erasers!

My opinion to follow.

Mid-Week

Folks are still here. Both of them fell (at different times) within 24 hours of arriving. I guess I didn't stress the "our floors are super slippery" enough. Oy vey.

And yes, it does taste better fresh.


Mmm, mmm good.

They're on their way!

They're coming! My mommy and daddy are coming! It will be their first visit since we moved. I am hoping to be super busy showing them around and keeping them entertained. We're hoping to make a trip here sometime this week. (Even though Mom said she didn't see a reason to go to the amusement park or the museum - uh, Mom, why go?) So, I might be scarce around here for a week or so.

They're also bringing a bunch of my school stuff. Hooray! Now...to get that woman out of my classroom. LMK also starts summer school this week, so he'll be gone from 8 to 5 at least every day and half a day on Saturdays.

Also, a classroom blog where the kids post weekly. 'Blogger' will be one of the classroom jobs.

Thoughts?

Plans

Since I haven't gotten my curriculum guides, teacher's editions, staff handbook, etc. I'm pretty much flying blind. I still want to be thinking about what I will do next year so I've been making lists. Here are some things I'm thinking about (I'll add to it as I think of more). Feel free to add suggestions! I'd love more ideas.

• I definitely want to institute some sort of classroom economy behavior system. Pigs has been gracious enough to send me what she did and it's given me lots of ideas. The scale of the system will depend if the other teachers take part or not. I'm perfectly fine having my own system and having a school store with school supplies and privilege purchases (i.e. extra computer time, homework passes, lunch with the teacher, etc.).

• I'm thinking of creating some sort of attendance incentive. One teacher I used to work for had a pizza cut into eight pieces displayed in his room. If everyone in the class was in school (no tardies and no early dismissals) he gave them a slice of pizza. When they earned the whole pizza they got a pizza party. That sounds do-able.

• I've been perusing the state standards and math ought to prove interesting. One word. Fractions. Luckily, I live with a math teacher than can explain any concepts I've forgotten. It sounds like I'll be teaching either social studies or science. I don't know which I'll have. Science seems interesting - electricity, plants and life processes, ecosystems, adaption, weather, etc. Social Studies isn't as clear. I think it's Virginia studies which could prove challenging for a non-Virginia native.

• The first day of school, I think I will introduce myself with "Me in a Bag." Then I'll give the kids a paper bag to create their own Me in a Bag. I'm thinking I will give the kids lunch size bags, that way there is less of a chance they can bring in inappropriate things. Still thinking on this one.

• My classroom website is already being created. I've put some basic things up but I'm open to suggestions on pages I should definitely include. I figured a homework page would be good. That way kids have less of an excuse about not knowing what the homework was if they're out of class or go home early.
  

Woohoo

After a lot of nagging (a LOT!), Molly, who just moved to Missouri, finally got a blog. Woohoo!

The girl needed a blog. She's a wonderful writer, takes great photographs, just moved away from home, and has to live with some of my extended family. She's in the running for sainthood in my book.

Now, to help her beautify her blog. I'm already planning to "show" her how to get a flickr badge, Haloscan comments, and a better template.


So please, swing by, oogle her furbabies and welcome her to blogging.

Ole, ole ole ole

It's looking like LMK and I will officially be going to Chicago in August (the week before my birthday, coincidentally).

He's been invited to a coaching symposium (*yawn*) and I've always wanted to visit Chicago. From what I can remember of what he's told me, the US Women's National Team is putting on the symposium. Head Coach went to the one the US Men's National Team did in Cleveland last year. LMK has been jealous ever since.

The best news? Twin might be able to come, too. Correction, she wants to come, she just needs to make sure she can get the time off of work. If Twin comes, this trip will be lots of fun. Just like our trip to Jamestown...We Love Soccer, not We Love Lucy. I'll have someone to play with while LMK is at his soccer stuff. We will be able to attend the game with him though. So that will be fun. Twin enjoys soccer like I do. Meaning, we don't care about strategy - we're there for the cards! What should Twin and I do for the day and a half we'll have to occupy ourselves?

Should I be worried that he all but giggled like a schoolgirl when he found out he'd be attending not only the game against New Zealand but also a practice? It's nice to see him so excited. Evidently some big coach is going to be there too. I believe he called him the goalkeeping coach God.

Boys...they get excited over the silliest things.

Now, I must go play with my iPod.

I just realized...

the kids I subbed for in April will be in 4th grade next year. That means I'll have some of them.

Oh boy! Some of them were really neat kids. I'm already looking forward to it!

My Precious

I think I may love her a teeny, tiny bit more than LMK right now.

He's handling it well.

I'm entertaining suggestions for names. LMK suggested Tallulah, but I don't know. It just doesn't sound right.

We all know what I'll be doing this weekend.

The details

As most of you have guessed from my previous entry, I got the job! Hooray! Cue happy dance.

Tuesday afternoon, I went to my interview. I didn't have a lot of expectations because I'd interviewed before, but hadn't gotten the job. I did however, have lots of people "pulling" for me. Family, friends, LMK's work friends, people from my school in Ohio, people on one of the message boards I frequent. I'd gotten tips from my aunt's sister who interviews people ALL the time. There was good karma on my side. I was ready.

The interview went very much like last time. It was for a 4th grade job. They have 13 standard questions they ask everyone. I answered those pretty similarly to how I answered them before, or I think I did. I even got a few laughs - very much my personality. Then they asked me additional questions like how I would handle a disgruntled parent. I asked the teachers what their favorite thing about working at the school was (go me thinking up a question on the spur of a moment). Someone mentioned an after school program which sounds like a lot of fun. One of the teachers on the committee then asked if I was willing to stay after school. Well, definitely! I've done it before with tutoring in Ohio. The interview ended with a quick tour of the 4th grade hall, which was fun. I gathered my things, thanked everyone, and left.

After I left I ran to get thank you notes. I had some from the last interview, but I didn't have enough for everyone. I picked up the cards and a drink and went to LMK's classroom. I decided then and there to just fill them out and we'd drop them off on our way home.

We pulled into the school's parking lot about a half hour after the last meeting was to start. I took my thank you cards into the office and gave them to the secretary to hand out. The committee was still in the office meeting. As I was leaving, the principal called me into the room. The secretary gave me back the cards and I proceeded to distribute them. The principal commented on how I was quick on the turn around. Then she said, "Well, we're glad you came back. We've been talking and we've decided to offer you the job."

I swear to you, I forgot my own name at that moment. I blurted out an, "Okay!" I sat down and discussed some job details (including being offered the biggest classroom in the school - sweet!). I didn't linger. I thanked everyone again and told them I would be speaking with them soon. As I was leaving I spoke with the secretaries, who have always been really nice. One told me how the 3rd grade teachers raved about me after I subbed there. I honestly believe that they're a large part of the reason I got this job.

As I left the office, I couldn't stop smiling. I even got a little case of the sniffles. Luckily, I got myself together and put on a somber face for LMK. I got in the car and apologized for taking so long. "There were people talking and I didn't want to interrupt," I told him. I started the car, rolled up the windows, and started backing out of my parking space.

Me: "So...are you still planning on going to Large City this weekend?"
LMK: "Yeah. Why?"
Me: "Well...I just wondered, since I'm in the market for an iPod."
LMK (momentarily puzzled): "You're...oh my God! You got the job!"
Me (grinning like the goober I am): "Yup."

There was much whooping and hollering going on in that car. As we were leaving we got out to call people. I made him call my mother first who promptly burst into tears. Gotta love her. "I told your dad we had to go to church this week," she said. Heh. Thanks, God. :o)

Repeat that reaction about 10 times and you have the reactions of my family and friends. Twin said she had to call her mom who had been worrying about me. I love my family and friends.

I am waiting on an official call from the HR guy next week, but it looks like I will be a 4th grade teacher next year. I'm already making lists. Lists of lists of lists!

I have so much time and so little to do! Strike that, reverse it. (bonus points for the reference)

Thanks everyone for your well wishes.

Your attention, please.

I am officially in the market for an iPod.

That is all.

Oh, by the way

Have I mentioned I have a job interview tomorrow? At the same school where I didn't get the job last time?

Trying not to get my hopes up. Hopefully, I will soon be in the market for an iPod.

The kids are all leaving by Friday. The Stalkers will leave then. One will not be returning. LMK and I were saying today how much we're going to miss her. It doesn't help that they've decided that we're going to adopt them. They both have pretty absent fathers, so I'm not surprised they've attached themselves to LMK. An adult male that respects them, thinks they're wonderful, and isn't afraid to put his foot down when he feels they need it. Nope, they're not crying out for a father figure.

They're good kids. They wrote the nicest stuff in LMK's yearbook (he gets a yearbook, interesting). I love this time of year, yet, I dread this time of year. Change is constant; boy, do I hate that.

Oh, we got notice last night that LMK got his first student gift. He's excited...but hiding it well.

Growl

LMK is attending graduation today. It started at 10 o'clock. Anyone willing to be on exactly how long he's gone? Did I mention the location they're having graduation is indoors and un-airconditioned? And that it's supposed to be about 90 today? And that he's wearing long pants, dress shirt, tie, blazer, and graduation robes? Ohhhh, I do not envy him.

Of course, he's probably enjoying being away from me. As he should be. I've been in a really crappy mood since I got back from Ohio. It's nothing he's done, but he's getting punished. You'd think that would make me act right, it doesn't. As stuff comes out of my mouth, I realize how stupid I'm being. I'm sleeping way too much (12+ hours a night usually). Saying one thing, then saying the exact opposite. I swear, it's like I'm not myself anymore. Hopefully next week, I'll get my act together.

Molly left for Missouri today. She's the one that I'll really miss. Molly's getting the raw end of the deal anyway. Moving away from her friends, her family, her job and not getting a whole lot in return. I just hope she'll be happy there. Even though I want her back in Ohio with her family and near my mom. People who worry about her and put her needs at the top of the list. I'm not sure she'll get that where she's going now.

I must sound awful, but I know this is upsetting my uncle. My mother, well, she's a mess about it too. And if my grandfather were alive, he would be upset too - as it is, I'm sure he's churning in his grave. Molly's upset too. I hate when the people I love are upset and what's worse the ones doing it don't even seem to care. LMK and I might have moved, but we didn't sell the farm that's been in the family for over 100 years. Hell, we didn't even sell the house that's been in the family for 50 years. We just moved.

They're all gone. I miss them already and I'm not even there! My cousin, Mo Mom, requested a video of the farm. I've been against it for over a year. THEY wanted to move, THEY can deal with it. Don't get me wrong, I still feel that way, but I've got it just about finished. I'm waiting on pictures from the going away party from my brother. Honestly, the video doesn't make me sad, it still seems surreal. Ok, if I can make it through the first 25 seconds, I'm ok. If the video was something I wanted to do, I would go through and scan older pictures of the farm, but I honestly don't want to do that.

I uploaded a severely edited version of the video. You can watch it here. I don't particularly care for the song, but it's what Mo Mom requested. Names eliminated and people removed to protect the guilty.

Woohoo, Yeehoo

Yes, that G.wen S.tefani song has been running through my head ever since I saw a woman on Ellen hum it horribly.

Today was a day when I wonder if insurance is really worth it. I am running out of my meds for high blood pressure. I've been on this medicine for over a year and it works great. Our insurance company however won't cover it unless 1.) I try several other generics first or 2.) My doctor sends his chart notes stating how I've been on this med for a year and blah, blah, blah!

My doctor won't change my medication unless I go see him. He's booked through June. I've been trying to get ahold of him for 2 weeks, I have 3 pills left. So I'll have to spend $15 for one of the residents to prescribe a new medicine for me. Stoooooooooooopid.

Socks meanwhile is being dramatic. When he knows I'm looking he won't open one eye. When someone new is here or he thinks food is involved, he opens both eyes. Typically it's Ollie with the eye infections. Argh!

This afternoon was the all sports banquet (all of the sports at the school recognized at once). LMK got a notice a few weeks ago telling him if he didn't join the booster's club, he could only attend the banquet if he paid $25. Joining the booster's costs $25.

They pay the coaches but it's nothing earth shattering, but my husband donates his time to coaching. LMK would do it for free (but don't tell them that). He loves coaching. Coaching, just like teaching, involves a lot of "weird" hours. Like the night we spent in ER because one of his players was hurt. Was it required? No. Would LMK have considered not going? Hell no, one of "his girls" was hurt. You'd have to fight the man off with a stick if something was wrong with one of his players. But I digress.

Am I the only one who finds it really tacky for the boosters to require coaches to become members? Yes, it's required. Another teacher who didn't join was told he couldn't present the awards for his sports to his players if he didn't join. The "banquet" wasn't all that great. The food...eh. I hope it wasn't catered, because it was NOT good. The speakers, too long. The seating, uncomfortable and crowded.

For your listening pleasure (i.e. so it can get stuck in your head too):

Brats

90% of the time, I love LMK's kids. They've got good manners and they are good kids. However, 10% of the time, they're typical teenagers.

Case in point, last night, LMK is grading the senior's exams. LMK is pretty leinient. He allows students pages of "cheat sheets" on regular tests, but he made the one for the final. Every formula they needed is on that sheet. He did not, however, put example problems so all they had to do was change the numbers around. They had to study. God forbid.

One little angel, obviously didn't prepare. This little angel is also one that is up at his desk during tests asking for help. When Mr. LMK wasn't around to help her, well, she was sadly unprepared.

On her test the following notes are written:

Dear Mr., I remember doing this problem and it taking three hours. I don't think this one should count.

Or this one.

Dear Mr., There is nothing about conics on the note sheet. I don't think this problem should count.

Dear Mr., Your note sheet is not helpful. I like making my own cheat sheet because I can put examples and I know what I'm talking about. Oh, there is a typo on your note sheet.

Dear Mr., This test is unfair. I'm going to have to give up and FAIL.

God help this little angel next year in college. Am I the only one that would have died before speaking to a teacher like that in high school? Ungrateful little brat.

Home

Well, I'm home after my trip to Ohio. It was a good week. I was able to help my mother get ready for the going away party for my aunt, uncle, and cousins. We made cookies, upon cookies, upon cookies. If I never see another peanut butter cookie, it will be too soon!

I saw family (including my 94 year old great uncle and my 95 year old grandfather's wife/my adopted grandmother). I met Maggie, the new puppy. She's evil but adorable. I also saw people at my mom's old school including the teacher that partially convinced me to make a move. After feeling like I'll never get a job, it's nice to be around family and friends who believe in you. LMK has always believed in me, but he's biased. So are they, come to think of it, but I'm letting it slide.

In typical Ohio news, while I was away, I got a phone call about a job! Over Spring Break, I got word that the school down the hill was interviewing. As I've stated, I was eventually turned down for that job. However, Friday morning, I received an email about a NEW job at the same school. I called the school and talked to the principal again. It sounds like either a 5th grade position or a 4th grade position (she's not sure if she's going to move someone or just fill the position). The assistant principal was out of the building that day, so I'm planning to call tomorrow and let them know I'm back in town. I should know if I have a job offer or another interview then. At this point, I'll take either.

What got me the "second chance"? The 3rd grade teachers were impressed with me the day I subbed and the principal felt they might not have given me a fair chance.

Hooray for subbing!

Furbilicious

Matook2
Originally uploaded by MistyDawn.

Molly held another garage sale this weekend. I ended up being the big seller. Yay me!

Anyway, her dad came to keep her company on Saturday. He brought his german shepard/wolf mix dog, Matuk. Tookie is a big love bug. He's one BIG dog that I'm not terrified of petting. In fact, he climbed up beside me on the couch I was sitting on and put his head on my leg so I could pet his ears. He's just a sweetie. He loves stuffed toys. Guess who "purchased" all my stuffed toys? He kept stealing them from the garage and putting them in the yard.

He LOVED my Furbies. Interactive toys! He took one home and when Molly's dad went outside that evening he heard "Wahhhhh, wahhhhh, I LOVE YOU!" Matuk looked at Molly's dad then he looked at his Furby, then back at Molly's dad. She said it was almost like he was saying, "Yeah, my toy talks to me while you're gone."

Again

I didn't get the job.

And so it begins again.

sigh

Musings of a Butthead

Greetings internet, it tis I, the great and powerful Socks.

My mom and Dad are currently sawing logs. Well, Dad is doing his velociraptor imitation and Mom is watching all her reality tv shows. Sheesh, mothers, whatcha gonna do?

Anyway, Mom says that she's talked about my escapes here and I just wanted to set the record straight. First of all, it's tough being a "garage cat". I mean, sometimes, that food bowl in the kitchen is empty for a few hours. What's a growing kitty to do? I'm an adopted barn cat, so I know how to forage for my food. Mom says I'm a little vacuum cleaner. I've decided it's a compliment.

Speaking of Mom, people, we need to get her a job (isn't this picture evidence enough - oh the shame). She seriously is losing her mind. She runs that loud thing that sucks up all my toys incessantly. The noise is defening. It hurts my ears and well, I must admit to a slight character flaw. If it scares me, I'm going to hiss at it. Unfortunately, hissing doesn't seem to phase the beast. So I run. Hey, Mama didn't raise no fool!

Oh yes, I was talking about my wild adventures. The other day, I wandered into the kitchen to get some post lunch brunch and I noticed that the door wasn't locked with the key. Silly, silly Mommy. I love to jiggle doors until they pop open for me. It's a gift. I did a quick check and Mom was upstairs talking to Molly on the computer. I have to admit, that ticked me off. I miss Molly terribly and Mom sits and talks to her EVERY DAY! So, I waddled hightailed it down to my door and FREEDOM.

That door really isn't a challenge. They should get a better door for me to open. That one is sissy stuff. It popped open without a problem. After a few tentative sniffs, I tiptoed bound out onto the porch. I am kitty, hear me roar! I explored the driveway (boring) and then the yard. Suddenly, I noticed a huge fort. As I made my way inside, I noticed that Ollie, the sissy, had followed me outside. Sucker! I figured we'd play hide and seek. I tiptoed to the furthest corner of the porch and perched on a cement block. He'll never find me now. I thought.

Next thing I know, I hear naughty words coming from the house. Uh oh...Mom's spotted the door. I see Ollie rush back toward the door. Mama's boy. Not me buddy, I'm staying outside. Outside is great! Then I see feet walking across the lawn. I stay really still and hope she can't see me. After all, a good hider never reveals their hiding spot.

Unfortunately, I think Mom has played this game before because before long she looks into the fort and spies me. Then she's all, "Here kitty, kitty. C'mere baby." Let me tell you, I know my ass is grass. There is no way I am coming to that woman. She's high if she thinks I'll come to her. HIGH. I slowly squeeze through the hole in my fort and commence with grass sniffing. Have you smelled this stuff? It's awesome! I'm in mid-sniff when suddenly I grabbed round my somewhat large midsection and hoisted into the air. Damnit! She's got me in the kitty time-out hold and I can't even move. Curses!

Why can't Moms understand we men need our freedom?

That's it!

I've just about had it with our continuing basement problems.

Last month, maintenance came out and once again snaked the drain. They went as far as they could but the drain is still blocked. They have no idea with what since as far as the drained it should be well into the main sewer line. They put in a call to the city and that's the last we've heard from anyone.

Here's the situation as it stands today:

• Our basement still has water flood in from somewhere at least a few times a month.
• We have drain flies everywhere - despite pouring bleach down every drain in the house several times.
• The basement STINKS - it makes me gag just going down there. I'm lucky if I can get a load of laundry started without getting sick.
• The only place I have to dry clothes is in the basement, thus I am terrified our clothes are going to smell as bad as the basement.
• With the flied in the basement, I want to spray something to kill them all, but I'm worried about hurting the cats.
• Our automatic garage door has not been fixed. We asked for it to be fixed in March.
  

What do I do? Do we continue to call maintenance and try to get results from them? Do we call the head of maintenance and talk to him? Do we call someone else in and send the bill to the school? Who would we call? Do I adopt a page out of my mother's book and go right to the President of the school and ask for his help?

I refuse to live in squalor anymore. We're paying a significant amount of rent each month and I don't think we should have to live with this crap. Literally.

P.S. Socks escaped again this weekend. Luckily, LMK was home to help find him.

Tartar Sauces

It would appear that I need a new template. However, I haven't quite mastered this template like I did the old one. I can't change out the background images to suit my fancy. That frustrates me. I like changing my template. It makes me happy. I change my furniture around frequently too. If I can't buy new stuff, sometimes, changing it's arrangment makes me feel like I have a whole new room. (Look at me rationalize.)

Here's my problem. I LOVE the layout of this template. Stuff on either side, blog posts in the middle. Plus, I can add and subtract sections as I please (I've at least figured that much out). I've all but decided I want to keep the three column set up.

So! Where do I find blog templates? Preferably free ones. However, since LMK has a real job, I might be persuaded to purchase a template. But I'm cheap. I balk at $20. $50 just is not an option.

Suggestions?

Musicals

I've been a lover of Broadway shows for years. I must attribute this love to my high school choir director. I truly enjoy seeing these shows. I submit, for your...approval(?)

Shows I've Seen
Phantom of the Opera (3 times)
Jesus Christ Superstar
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Beauty and the Beast (2 times)
The Sound of Music
Swing!
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Forever Plaid
Showboat
Oklahoma!
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Jykell & Hyde

Movies of Shows I've Seen
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Evita
Showboat
Chicago
Moulin Rouge
Rent
Phantom of the Opera
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Shows I WANT to See
Mamma Mia!
Rent
A Chorus Line
Miss Saigon
Les Mis
The Lion King
Music Man
Titanic
Wicked
The Life
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Shows Others Have Recommended:
The Fantasticks - Thanks, Erin!

Shows I'd See Again
(in case you get tickets, you know...call me!)
Forever Plaid
Beauty and the Beast
Phantom of the Opera
Seven Brides for Sever Brothers
Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Confession

I've been fighting it for a while now, but I think it's time to make a confession.

I think I like R.achael R.ay. I've tried to hate her. I've tried not to like her, but frankly, it's just not working. I watched her Chefography and couldn't help but like her. I watch 30 MM, and though some days I can't listen to her, I've made some of her recipes. They're good. They're quick. What's not to like?

A couple days ago, I bought a Santuko knife. I've been dying for one. It's not orange like hers, but it's sharp. Bets on how long before I cut myself with said knife? LMK has a betting pool going.

Anyway, her show today sealed the deal. Sure, twins who hate each other are interesting. As I've said, my dad is a twin, so that relationship isn't such a mystery to me. I'm sure like any family relationships - being a twin has it's good points and it's bad points. However! Today was also Mystery Taster* day. I just happened to catch another day when she had Brad Garrett as her Myster Taster. Oh my goodness, it was funny. So when I saw that it was Mystery Taster day, I dvr'd the episode.

I love the mystery of it all. So today's MT was riding down on the "elevator" and I'm just as eager to see who it was as the rest of the people. Today's MT was Julie Andrews. Oh, how I love that woman. First, what's not to love? Being the Disney freak that I am, I love Mary Poppins. The Sound of Music is also a favorite. I just bought the dvd of Thoroughly Modern Millie with her and Mary Tyler Moore. And please, don't even get me started on The Princess Diaries. She's so effortlessly regal. So polite and kind and gracious. For weeks, all I could talk about was how she was going to sing in the sequel, even though she hasn't sung in years and --

Sorry. But, Julie Andrews!

Anyway, my point is, when RR saw that Julie Andrews was her Mystery Taster, her reaction was fantastic. It was exactly what I would do.

So for that, I've become a R.achael R.ay fan.

* If you haven't watched the show, once a month (I believe) RR has a Mystery Taster come to her show. She whips up something for the guest and they sit and chat.

Dreams

After reading yesterday's post, LMK came into the bedroom and said, "How about both?"

"Huh? Both what?" I mean, who am I to argue when someone tells me I don't have to make a choice and can have both things I want? But I'd like to know what I'm getting.

"A job and a baby."

"Ohhhhhhhhhh...cool! Where we gonna get them?"

In other news, LMK and I keep talking about getting a golf cart. He lives literally within walking distance of his room, but having a golf cart to zip him down to the soccer field would be nice. Ok, who am I kidding, a golf cart to zip ME down to the soccer field would be nice. I guess we're technically not supposed to drive on the lawn between the road and the soccer fields, but everyone does it. However, I'm a rule abider so I part and walk, and it sucks. I've decided what we really need is one of these. Nothing fancy. It's doesn't have to have heated seats or defoggers or anything. Just a cute little car for LMK to toodle around campus in.

While I'm compiling my wish list maybe I should add central air, a million dollars, and world peace.

What do you wish for?

General Recap

I hate it when people say, "I have nothing to say." I feel like I should be posting, but really, there is nothing going on around here.

LMK has about 5 weeks of school left. He's also got a handful of seniors who have had senioritis since February. They've gotten worse this last semester and he's got a few that are failing. Interims go out this weekend, so hopefully that will shock some of them into towing the line. He's busy teaching and coaching. I see the man for a few hours in the evening, but otherwise, the poor guy is either working or sleeping.

Oh! Have I mentioned that he's been told he will be the head coach for the girl's AND the boy's soccer teams next year? He's beyond excited. Right now, he's working on getting a pre-season camp approved for the boy's side. I've seen schedules and rules and pamphlets and letters just about every night this week. Keep your fingers crossed that it gets approved. If it doesn't, kids return on September 1st and their first game is September 1st. Crazy!

I also offered to host a team cookout when the girls finish their season. I know, I've lost my mind, again! What can I say, insanity seeps in from time to time. I don't think it's going to be anything too fancy. The dining hall will furnish the food (hot damn, I don't have to spend the money on food) and LMK will grill the food. I'm somewhat concerned about seating, as we have 2, count them, 2 lawn chairs. But we do have a bench seat on the deck and I don't mind if the kids sit on the deck rails. Oh, they're high school kids, they don't need chairs. What was I thinking?

LMK has also signed up for his first class toward getting his teaching license. He's going to be doing online class through Virginia Tech. (Like there is another place we'd consider attending.) I believe he has to take 5 classes. I've taken all five. I've even had several of the professors he will have. When we were in Ohio, I grabbed my books and notebooks for the classes he will be taking. I hope it will help him be more successful in his classes.

Still nothing on the job front. I can't say it isn't getting to me. I haven't heard anything about the interview 2 weeks ago. I've heard NOTHING from Large County. I keep hoping something will come through. Honestly, at this point, I need something to occupy my time.

I'll even let LMK choose. Either I get a job, or we have a baby. Guess which one I'M voting for.

Hokies, United

Fun, fun

Since LMK's game was cancelled today, he invited a couple of his students/players over for dinner.

We had KFC and watched chick flicks. LMK had a ball...ok, he put up with it. I had fun though. All in all, a good time was had by all.

Also, I do NOT miss being in high school. The angst. Oh the angst.

Wow