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):
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.
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!
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."
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?
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.
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.
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?
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
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.
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?
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.
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.
So, today has not been the best day. The basement has water in it again and it smells. I sent LMK an email and told him I have had it. It's ridiculous that this is an ongoing problem. I want it fixed. If it weren't for having to pack everything up, I swear I would move home. (I'm having a melodramatic day...it will pass.)
Being the wonderful husband that LMK is, he immediately called maintenance and started planning for me to go home. I don't necessarily want to go home, I just want things to be better. I'm hot, which is never good and I'm emotional (for at least another few days). 90% of the time I love living here, but 10% I just want my friends and my family. It's getting better though.
Finally, Socks is on Mommy's bad list. He loves to get doors open that are closed. He does it to closets, he does it to the door to the attic, he does it to the bedrooms we have shut off. It's like a personal challenge to him. After the maintenance guys left, I went upstairs to piddle. I talked to Molly for a few minutes and then heard a door slam. I looked out the window and saw that maintenance was back. Great! I went downstairs to pretend to be interested and saw this when I hit the landing:
Oh no.
There wasn't a cat in sight. I ran to put on some shoes and went outside. I went out and looked out in the backyard from the porch. No kitties. "Here kitty, kitty," I called softly so as not to scare them if they were outside. No kitties.
I went back into the house and went around to the kitchen to go outside, as I was stepping out onto the back steps I saw Ollie slinking around terrified. Ollie thinks he's a big, bad kitty. However, when he gets outside, he freaks. All he wants to do is figure out how to get back IN. I opened the backdoor and called softly, "Here kitty, kitty." Ollie saw me standing in the doorway and I think his first instinct was to run. However, he figured out he could get back in through that door. I stepped out of the way and he came running back inside. One down, two to go.
I secured the door (I checked this time) and set off looking for Socks. First, I went into the backyard. No kitty. Then I looked under the porch. Lo and behold, in the furthest corner from me was Socks sitting on a cement block. "Here kitty, kitty," I called softly. Socks looked at me with a look that clearly said, "Hey, I know I'm in trouble. There is no way I am coming to you." He sat on the block for a few more minutes (seemed like hours to me while I was figuring out if I should crawl under the porch to get him, stay put, go get LMK, etc). Then he started out from under the porch toward the front yard and the neighbor's house. Of course, I can't get to the front of the house from where I am, it's fenced off. I high tailed it around to the front of the house where I met him coming out from under the porch. "Here kitty, kitty," I called again. Being the big dumb goober he is, he came to me so I could pet him. At which time, I clamped a hand around his neck and hauled him into my arms.
By then I was sweaty and cranky. The kitties? Oh they think they're big and bad.
Well, we made it through our first Parent's Weekend! More accurately, LMK made it through. I really didn't have that much to deal with for the weekend. Just one hour of "duty" (babysitting) at the middle school on Saturday. LMK is the one that had to get through parent conferences, NHS inductions, and various dedications at the school. I even got to watch a little of Friday's competition. (I have some video if anyone wants to see it.)
In other news, I think LMK and I have some stalkers. There are two of his players that I really like. After their win on Thursday, they walked up to our car with us. Then Saturday at the middle school, we ran into them again. That evening LMK and I took a walk around campus. Most of the parents were gone and campus was quiet. As we passed in front of the girl's dorms we hear, "Hi Mr.!"
Yep, it's them.
Yesterday, we stopped in the grocery store to get some cash. Who should we see... Poor LMK. He continues walking when we hear, "Hi Mrs.! Hi Mr.!" We stopped and chatted a few minutes and then continued on our way.
Good thing they're good kids and we both like them. Otherwise, I'd be hiding out.
Next week will be better, right?
I'm bringing LMK some lunch this afternoon. He can't wear his Hokie wear at The School, but I can.
LMK won his game last night. Yaaay! He was so excited. The girls were so excited. It was a good win for them.
This weekend is Parent's Weekend, so we're going to be super busy.
Don't forget. Moment of silence today at noon.
I am subbing today for the first time in Small County. I'm excited and terrified. I'm also glad that I will be out of the house and unable to focus on the news and media. My heart and my thoughts are in Blacksburg, but I will not stop living because of one crazy person.
I clicked on the webcam last night to see if I would be able to view the vigil. The picture is what I what I saw. It's sadly beautiful.
LMK is doing better. He's wearing his Hokie tie.
Last night, I decided I needed to do something...so I did this.
Someone finally sent me Nikki Giovanni's poem.
We are sad today and we will be sad for quite awhile. We are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning.
We are Virginia Tech.
We are strong enough to know when to cry and sad enough to know we must laugh again.
We are Virginia Tech.
We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did not deserve it but neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS, but neither do the invisible children walking the night to avoid being captured by a rogue army. Neither does the baby elephant watching his community be devastated for ivory; neither does the Appalachian infant killed in the middle of the night in his crib in the home his father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destabilized. No one deserves a tragedy.
We are Virginia Tech.
The Hokier Nation embraces our own with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds. We are strong and brave and innocent and unafraid. We are better than we think, not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imagination and the possibility we will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears, through all this sadness.
We are the Hokies.
We will prevail, we will prevail.
We are Virginia Tech. "
As in many households across the world, our home has been filled with talk of the shootings at Virginia Tech. As names of the fatalities trickle out, LMK and I check the list for people he knew/worked with or had while he was at Virginia Tech. So far, he knows 2.
I watched the Convocation over the internet today while I subbed for LMK. The entire situation is surreal. I'm looking for a copy of the poem Nikki Giovanni wrote and read at the end of the ceremony. (Search for We Are Virginia Tech) After a little searching, I found the footage on Fox News. Ms. Giovanni's poem was perfect in my opinion. I don't think I was the only one who got chills when all of Cassell began chanting, "Let's go, Hokies!" As Ms. Giovanni said, "We will prevail".
At a teacher message board I frequent, one poster is railing against the administration's handling of the situation. As much as statements like these sadden me, they infuriate me even more. Could it have been handled better, certainly. Were mistakes made, probably. However, no one thinks it will happen to them. Looking back, we see signs we didn't see before because we KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.
It's so hard to describe Virginia Tech to someone who has never been to the school. It's a huge school with 26,000 students. Huge. However, I never felt like I was attending a huge school. My department was small and very close. LMK's department was smaller than mine and even more close knit. We never felt unsafe. The worst thing you had to worry about was someone flying around the drillfield when you stepped out to cross the street. I never worried about my safety or LMK's safety. Now, to have that sense of safety shattered so violently has thrust us both into shock. Things like this don't happen in Blackburg.
Another thought I have been struggling with is the reports of a professor that died trying to protect his students. What a wonderful man he must have been. As a teacher, I find myself wondering if I would do the same thing for my future students. The truth is, I don't know. Would I die so that they may live? I hate that I don't immediately say yes. LMK would. He's just that kind of guy. But me? I can't say that I would. Does that make me a bad person? A selfish person?
I read this this morning and she describes what I cannot describe so well."When you go to Tech, it’s in your blood. I think of the kind of camaraderie and the pride -- they call it “hokie pride.” It sounds corny, but it is how proud the students are of their school."
But I’m really hopeful because out of the worst tragedy, you watch people rise up. And it will happen on the campus of Virginia Tech.
"
Those students will rise up. I’ll bet on that."
Last night, I put out our Virginia Tech flags. I'll wear my maroon and orange and I'll know - they really do match.We are Hokies. We are strong. We Are Virginia Tech!
