Tornado Sirens At 5:30?!

Not much time to "talk".  I've had a hell of a morning.  Zeke is having a complete meltdown.  It seems the first storm of the "season" is always the worst.  You'd think as he gets older and more deaf he wouldn't be affected as much by these storms but alas, you would be wrong.  Plus, I don't think it's his hearing that cues him in on the weather.  Anyway - it was good times getting ready this morning.  Zeke had to come in my bathroom.  As I was lathering my hair in the shower, I heard a panicked whine/bark at the door and then Zeke started banging his head against the door thinking it would open.  Little does he realize that it slides!  I popped out , slid the door open and in walked (shivered) Zekey Zoo.  Then of course, that brought in Sami and Bubba who were feeding off his freak out.  It was tight quarters in my already tight bathroom.  From that point on I had three little tag-a-longs.  When I finally got downstairs, the sirens started howling.  Bubba crawled under the side table in the family room, Sami hunkered down in my quilt and Zeke drooled and panted while pacing.  He's a mess.  I should slip him one of Bubba's sedatives.  Ugh! 

I'll be waiting as long as possible to leave for work.  I don't want to drive in this downpour.  I'm thinking the highway may be a bad way to go.  Wow, the temp has dropped 10 degrees in the last 1/2 hour.  That's not good.  I hope this band of storms moves out and leaves poor Zekey alone for the rest of the day.  I have to say:  Zeke freaks out but he's nowhere near as bad as our neighbors old dog up at PIB.  Poor Callie would jump through screen doors and out windows when it stormed.  And let me tell you, you ain't seen nothing until you've seen a storm up at Put-in-Bay!

So in Oscar news, I'm glad about the awards.  Happy about Natalie Portman and Colin Firth.  Happy about Christian Bale and King's Speech.  Glad that the Social Network didn't take over like they did at the GG.  I stayed up way too late but in fact didn't see the major awards at the end.  I really stayed up late to finish my book.  I'll update that later.  Another goodie! 

K - I best finish getting ready.  Sounds like the rain and thunder have quieted down.  Hopefully it WON'T be an eventful ride into work.  Later - oh and Happy Rare Disease Day!

Another Rainy Sunday

Seems most of my days off lately are rainy.  Truthfully - I don't really care (except for what it does to my back yard).  I'm not one negatively affected by the weather.  I know others that are and I completely get it.  I would like to see a peek of the sun, however, here and there for my pups sake.  Bubba is definitely affected by rainy weather.  He hates it.  It makes him blue.  He loves to sit on the deck and sniff the air when it's cool like it is right now but he can't because the deck is wet and unless it's snow, he wants nothing to do with wetness on his belly and nether parts. 

So yesterday was fun.  Jim and I went out and about the town spending our gift cards. (I had 2 $75 gift cards for filling out a questionnaire thingy on our health insurance website; one for Target and one for Bone Fish).  Anyway - first we went to First Watch for breakfast.  Our table ended up next to one of my students family (ladies - it's #55 or Mouth as I like to call her because she never shuts up; I introduced her to Jim and told her she could arrest him now!) Jim and the father ended up talking like they were long lost friends.  It was funny.  They are a nice family and it was interesting to talk to the mother and get her take on the senate bill (she's a teacher at one of our elementary schools).

From breakfast we went to Target where I got some panties, a sweater, a shirt, toiletries, a nice big cutting board...that's about it.  We saw Patty there and she gave me a little snippet about some fiasco that occurred Friday in my 4th period class.  I guess the kids were jackasses again and I'll hear more on Monday. Then because Jim was looking for work boots, we stopped at Tractor Supply - found nothing and headed to Kroger then home.  Jim left again to keep looking for work shoes and I got on the treadmill, in the bath and then napped for a bit. 

Dinner at Bone Fish was deeeeelicous.  We put our name in for a table only because the bar looked packed (60 minute wait for a table) but we got lucky and immediately found two seats at the bar.  I prefer the bar anyway and in fact have never sat at a regular table there.  We, of course had the Bang Bang shrimp and YEAH!!!  all my wine went on the gift card.  And I had $18 left on the card!  Home by 8:00.  Does that make us losers?

Today will be our cleaning day.  We put it off yesterday but there needs to be some serious vacuuming done in this house before I lose my mind.  Zeke will not be happy but such is life. Other than that - I'll just hang until the Oscars!  Yeah!  We actually tried to watch The Kids Are Alright last night but that didn't work too well.  We got 35 minutes into it and I had to pause to get Zeke and when I came back it wouldn't start back up.  I had to call TWC and tell them "HEY!!!  I'm not paying for this - GD it!!!"  I really wasn't mean but I did call and tell them I wanted it taken off my bill.  Sucks - it was a good movie for the 35 minutes we watched it.

K - I'm out...time to make the fried bread.  Later!

Personal Day!

So I'm off today.  I took a personal day which is why I've been a bit lackadaisical in my posting.  I just haven't been feeling it - not to mention I didn't have much to say and I was busy responding to emails from work.  Emails from work?  On my personal day?  Yup.  Guess who they are about?  Yup - Tazi the bitch from hell.  Once again, I had to send her off to the office yesterday - this time for threatening to punch Diablo (sweet little Diablo) in the face.  When I sat down and talked to Diablo later, trying to get him to lay off on some of his behaviors, I told him that I didn't want something to happen between him and Tazi and I didn't want him to get hurt.  His response was, "I don't want her to break my bones!!!!"  Yeah, neither do I. 

Anyway - the email I was responding to was from my stupid admin who thought it may be a good idea to put a behavior plan in place.  Oh wow!!!  What a great idea!  You are brilliant! And hey admin?  Guess what!?  That was done.  In SEPTEMBER!!!  At the IEP meeting that you didn't attend!  And hey dumb ass!  I emailed you a copy of the IEP after the meeting not to mention the email I sent prior to the IEP meeting informing all of Tazi's behaviors.  In that email I expressed the need for all involved to be on the same page when Tazi goes off the deep end.  Oh, but I'm the one who gets written up, right?!  Who isn't doing their job here?  ARG!  Oh, and of course my VP had to carbon copy HH on the email.  Jackass! 

K - I'm calm!  It really wasn't a bad email but it pisses me off that A) The VP didn't attend the IEP meeting when he was specifically told that this could be a problem child down the line and B) He obviously didn't read the IEP when I sent it to him.  We'll see what happens from here. 

K - I've got nothing else.  I better get back to the TV because I have a lot of catching up to do.  I'm two weeks behind in Private Practice (the most unrealistic and ridiculous show on television...I don't know why I keep watching!) and have about 5 other shows that I've got to watch as well.  Man am I a loser. Later!

Loves Me Some Scooby Doo!

Maggie and I were talking yesterday and she did some sort of laugh that sounded a bit like this:

Then from there, we kept doing it and laughing and we couldn't converse for all the scooby laughing.  Hee hee!

Okay so today is my Friday and I'm so excited.  It's also National Chili Day.  Maggie mentioned Skyline on the phone yesterday and that got me craving so maybe today I'll celebrate National Cincinnati Chili Day!  Of course I don't think that's on my list of healthy things to eat.  Oh well.  Plus, I got my Bone Fish $75 gift card in the mail yesterday and Jim and I plan to go on Saturday and I'm not going to be counting calories, that's for sure.  I wonder if the card goes toward alcohol too?  Hmm...guess we'll see.

There was more shenanigans yesterday by Tazi but I'm just not feeling up to typing it out right now.  Needless to say, however, she's still a bitch.  Everyone in her study hall has witnessed her irrational craziness now too and they steer clear from her.  They're all like, "She's mean." and "Why does she act like that?"  "It doesn't smell." 

Anyway - that's all I've got.  Bubba gets his stitches out this morning at 8:30.  Jim will be taking him (sucker) and I'll be interested to see how well the sedatives work on his nerves.  I bet they don't do shit.  Poor baby.  The fear just takes him over and he loses his mind at that damn place.  Fine in the waiting room but get him in an exam room and the howling/screaming begins.  Better Jim than me.  I'd just start crying. 

K - I'm out - later!

How Do You Tame A Bitch!?

First of all, let me say:  Thank you Aunt Kathleen for the book!  I'm so excited!  I didn't know he had a "new" one out and Wally Lamb is one of my favorite authors!  I can't wait to read it!

Now, onto my bitch saga!  Yes, she's back and yes she's like a "raptor kitten" but less like a kitten and more like a raptor!  Anyway, Tazi has nearly driven me over the edge.  So, yesterday, I'm getting ready to teach my 2nd period class (LA).  The kids are coming in and Diablo said something silly.  Well, of course being the bossy bitch that she is, Tazi had to direct him to NOT do something.  I calmly said to her that it isn't her place to instruct other students how to act, that she gets pissed when ANYONE tells her what to do and she needs to take a lesson from her own self.  Done.  And you know that being Diablo, once he knows he's paid the slightest amount of attention due to something he's done (no matter if it's negative or not) he's going to hone in on the person.  So of course, later, the kids are almost done with their work - 10 minutes early - and I tell them that if everyone turns their questions in, we'll do something fun (I was going to show a Tom and Jerry because Diablo LOVES them).  I turn my back for 1 second and next thing I know, Tazi is tattling that Diablo hit her.  Well, I know what happened, he went by her and patted her on the back - just like he does to everyone.  BUT!!!  I've been trying to get him to stop touching people so I made him come sit on the floor next to me and so he couldn't interact with the class the rest of the period.  He said, "Am I in time out?!"  Yup!  He was upset especially since I informed him that we now wouldn't be watching T&J.  He said, "I get so mad when I get in trouble!!!"  Yeah, me too. 

I decided then that I needed to talk to Tazi regarding her reactions to Diablo.  You know, explaining that D has certain issues that cause him to act a bit immature and while I'm not condoning them, there needs to be a bit less reaction on her part because that's part of why he continues in on her.  So during her study hall, I pull her aside and say that I'd like to discuss Diablo with her.  Well, it's like I opened Pandora's Box and all the evils of the world poured out!  She said (with a bitchy sneer on her face), "Are you going to tell me that you're going to make him stop being so annoying to me all the time!?"  Me: "Well, I'm going to try and explain to you a bit about him and why he acts the way he does."  Her:  "Just make him stop being so annoying."  Me: "If you'll just stop for a minute, I'll explain.  He can't always help how he's acting."  Her:  "He does it just to be annoying. He can help it!"  Well, at this point, I knew that she wasn't going to listen.  She immediately went on the defensive and so I told her to go away because there wasn't any reason to speak to her if she wasn't going to have a rational conversation. Maybe I should have explained to her that just like she has issues where no one can talk to her and just like she has no friends because she's a complete and total bitch - those mental issues are similar to the ones that Diablo has.  Their brains are effed up.  OOOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!  She frustrates me so much. 

Breathe!  Breathe!  Rid yourself of the mean thoughts!

K - I'm better now.  Especially because I know that it's Curling is Cool Day!  YEAH!!! 

Well, I have nothing else to say and I need to finish getting ready.  Later!

Give Me A Babysitter's "Salary"

This was posted on FB and I know we've all seen it before but let's just recap:

Are you sick of highly paid teachers?
Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit!  We can get that for less than minimum wage.


That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours).


Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.


However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.


LET'S SEE....


That's $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).


What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.  Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here! There sure is!


The average teacher's salary (nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!

Now, I didn't go into education for the money and I'm NOT complaining about my salary but I am SICK of people saying that teachers "make too much".  How am I supposed to run a household on what they want to pay me?  If I had a student loan, how would I pay it back with what they want to pay?  Teachers go to the same universities as the rest of those complaining assholes.  It isn't as though their education was cheaper and hey, guess what?  A teacher is REQUIRED to get a Master's Degree to continue being teaching after so many years.  It isn't a choice.  AND!  We're required to continually get education hours that sometimes require us to tap into our own pockets! 

Sorry - just sick of all those who don't understand yet still complain about their tax dollars going to teachers salary and then they have the gall to bitch about US schools being inferior to those in other countries.  ARG!

K - so, I have a big 3-day week starting here today.  I'm taking my personal day on Friday.  Yeah!  As I've mentioned it's Margarita Day and doesn't it suck that I've given up drinking on the weekday!?  Damn it!  Sacrifices!  I've started my exercise regime again.  Nothing special - I'm just going to make sure I do something at least 4 days a week.  Once it gets warmer, I'll increase that but for now - I'm doing what I can indoors.  Jim made me feel really good too when I told him.  He said, "You know what?  Before you begin - I want to reinforce the beams downstairs under the family room.  Because every time you do the Wii in there and jump around - I'm afraid with how the floor shakes."  Hmm...sounds like I was just called a gigantic fat ass who's about to go barrelling through the floor and into the crawl space below.  Does he think I'm Gilbert Grapes mother?  Am I Gilbert Grapes mother?  Oh boy - has it gotten that bad? 

Lets all say it together:  JIM'S A DOUCHE!!!  Oh, and then he tried to cover his faux pas up by saying that the floor shakes when the dogs go by too.  Arse!

K - I'm out...may take me a while to get my fat ass out of this chair and upstairs to finish my beauty regime so I better get going.  I do believe Jim will be having some of Zeke's dog food for dinner tonight!  AND!  He'll be sleeping in the dog house (if we had one).  Later!

Ready For Baby!!!

I don't think I can wait another 3 months!  It's so exciting!  I dont' think Max can wait either.  As you can see, he's taken up his position for the long awaited arrival of his Eva.  In reality I think he's just keeping an eye on the little lambie's that are in the crib and trying to figure out a way to climb in to snatch them and make them his. 

So this weekend was a whirlwind of Eva preparation.  I went to Columbus after school with crib, changing table and diaper genie in tow.  When Charlie got home from work on Friday he and I (with a little of the pregnant lady's help) went to work on setting the room right and putting the crib together.  I must say, it looks very cozy! This  picture is what you see as you walk in the door.  Notice the sweet rocker that Maggie got (for free) from a friend!  Max will keep it warm for her!

On Saturday - Charlie, Maggie and I went out and about looking for a book shelf, art for the baby room walls and clothes.  We came home with:  CLOTHES!!!  It was a bit of madness at Carter's with all the cute freaking girly clothes!  I couldn't resist buying her several cute outfits including a 3-piece frog set!  That girrrrllll is going to be so well dressed and cute!  I just can't wait to see her little diaper butt in all those outfits!  MMMMMM!

So that's about all I've got.  I'm lucky to be alive from my weekend of Charlie driving us around Columbus.  Even luckier, however, is Maggie that in all the driving with me in the back seat behind her - I didn't throw up down her neck.  I already told Charlie he better not drive that way with my baby Eva in the car but really what's it matter since I've already decided I'm stealing her.  Hee hee. 

Today - a day off - I will spend it hanging with my pups.  I need to go to the grocery as well and will probably do that this morning.  I need to figure out what to cook tonight - Jim wants chicken.  I also need to begin a new exercise regime and I need to figure out what that will look like.  I need the weather to get back on track so I can start walking my baby Sam again.  She's gotten a bit rotund and I can barely feel her ribs anymore.  Sweet fat baby!  So that's it.  Happy President's Day and get revved up cause tomorrow it's National Margarita Day!   I celebrated that 3 times over the weekend!  (Had me some strawberry margarita's that were deeeeeelicious!  Is it too early to whip some up right now!?)  K - Later!

Not Much Time

I'm trying to get my shit together for going to Maggie's after school so I don't have a lot of time to piddle around.  Plus, my sweet and loving husband didn't have my coffee made when I got up so I'm running even further behind than usual.  He's in trouble.  He's the debil!

So, in Kasich completely screwing public workers news:  I was on a "town hall" meeting phone call last night with members of OEA.  There were points in the phone call where listeners could ask questions and most of those questions were good but one stupid woman asked the most retarded question!  And wouldn't you know that she was a special ed teacher.  Multi-handicap too - maybe it was BFC!?  No it wasn't.  Anyway - her question was all about merit pay and what it would mean for her kids.  I think the people answering were like I was which was:  You dumb ass lady!  This bill has nothing to do with kids!  It's about screwing public employees!  Teachers!  You're kids aren't going lose part of their salary when they don't pass their OGT!  WTF!?  Dumb ass!

I watched Rachel Maddow last night - well the first half.  It was all about what's going on in Wisconsin which is basically what's going on here.  According to her, the Wisconsin's budget problem is a piece of bullshit that's being used to distract from the real Republican goal of destroying labor unions to remove election spending competition - and ultimately the Democratic Party itself.  I loved her take on it.  I won't rehash it but it sounds exactly like the thing Kasich is doing.  The thing about WS, however, is that they have people in their capitol protesting in the tens of thousands.  I think an estimated 25,000 people showed up to protest the bill that their governor. Walker (?) is trying to get through.  I wish we had those numbers and more to protest what's happening here. 

What can you do?  Well, if you are out there and living in Ohio - go to this website and voice your opposition to Senate Bill 5!  Don't let the politicians and bureaucrats out there dictate what they believe is to blame for the deficit Ohio currently has.   Don't let them decide to take away our rights and our teacher unions. 

K - sorry about the rant but I'm seriously fearful of losing my job if this thing passes.

K - I'm out and headed to Columbus after school so...rant at ya later!

Career Options

So I'm thinking that I need to get a new career.  (Not really kidding by the way).  Considering what's happening in Ohio with Kasich as governor and what he's trying to do to teachers (and all public employees) I'm thinking that if Senate Bill 5 goes through, I'll be fired lickity split anyway so I should probably get my ducks in order. 

By the way - can I just spout off here for a minute?  Why do teachers get such a bad wrap?  Why when the state goes into the crapper and everyone gets all freaked out and pissed off about school funding, why do the teachers get punished?  Why do we have to suffer the mistakes that these stupid f&%king politicians got us into in the first place?  Why when they want to "fix" something, don't they fix the actual problem:  Public school funding.  Aren't we better served if we work diligently to raise every person’s standard of living rather than working to reduce the standard of living for ANY group of workers in Ohio.  Ugh!

So anyway - looking at possible alternative jobs for teaching, I found a site suggesting the following:

Consider becoming a professional organizer - I wonder if Jim could hire me for about $75,000 - that would make it worth my while, that's for sure.  It'd be a full--time job but I wouldn't get summers off. 

Become a writer - Oh, okay.  Done!  Gee, that was easy!  Like I hadn't thought of that!  This is my dream "job" by the way but the likelihood of me getting published and actually making any money  is probably equivalent to me hitting the lottery.  Plus - I need a job RIGHT NOW which will match or exceed my current salary. 

Consider becoming a translator - Um, how many people out there are looking for translators that speak stupid or retard?  Cause that's the only "foreign" language I speak. 

Transfer your hobby into a career - I wonder what the going rate is for professional couch potatoes...cause I'd be really good at that. 

K - now that I'm in a deep depression, I'm going to crack open a magnum of wine.  Boo hoo!

Are The Powers That Be At My School A Pain In My Ass?

Why, yes they are!  Curious?  Well, as many of you know, I had a personal day set up for Friday.  I put in for it on Feb. 4th got it approved the following Monday and put in for a sub.  My sub took it within 5 minutes.  So I get a call from HH's secretary yesterday telling me that he shouldn't have approved it and I need to write a letter to the superintendent requesting permission.  I did this within 15 minutes and emailed said letter off the the super's secretary.  At around 1PM I got an email from the super telling me that "unfortunately" she couldn't approve the day because (the reason for all the stink) according to contract (and she quoted it) a personal day can't be taken before a holiday or vacation.  She failed to include the "in case of emergency" part.  Not that it was an emergency but she COULD have approved it.  And she knew I had out of town plans.  And I told her "if it makes any difference, I'm helping my sister prepare for her first baby."  All that and the heartless bitch still wouldn't give it to me.  I mean, who was going to care, be affected, or even know for that matter?  So, next time this district needs a couple bucks from me to help with a levy campaign?  Uh, yeah - NO!!!  Not only do they spend frivolously but they can't even do me this one solid!  F%*KERS!!!  No one to blame but myself, however, so I can't get too mad. 

By the way, it was so nice in class yesterday without Tazi there!  I had to look at her sourpuss face, however, when I delivered school work to her in the office but I didn't say boo to her and I hope she hated every minute of her time ALONE!  Doubt it.  She's too mean and stubborn to learn anything much less think about changing her evil ways.

Well, that's about all I've got.  All dogs are good here in the household.  Zeke decided he didn't want to sleep upstairs last night.  I guess he needed some alone time.  Apparently Jim got concerned toward morning and at around 4AM, he went down to cover Zekey up.  They're both still snoozing in the family room. 

K - well, I guess I better get going.  Exciting day at the castle.  Later!

The Saga Continues With The Bitchy Student!

Oh, man - I know this isn't right but I seriously hate (a terrible thing to say) this student!  She is so mean and evil and just MEAN!!!

So I mentioned yesterday the incident that happened with my student on Friday telling me to shut up.  Well, of course the admins did NOTHING!  And of course she's now on a roll and just turning into a fire-breathing she-devil!  Let's call her Tazi!  Well, yesterday, class had ended and the kids were putting their stuff away.  Tazi was about to head out to go wherever the hell she goes (to the Devil I hope).  On her way, Diablo said something and her response was, "Shut up Diablo".  To preface, we have been trying to get the kids to stop saying this to each other.  So I said, "Tazi, I've asked you before not to say that to other kids."  Tazi:  "What makes you think I'd listen to you?"  Me:  "Well, we can go that route if you really want!"  BITCH!  Again, no wonder every one of the people you originally made friends with here at school now avoid you like the plague and hate your guts! 

Fast forward to later in the day.  I had Tazi for 5th period study hall.  All went fine.  I ignored her and as usual, so did the rest of the kids (because she's annoying as hell!).  However, everything went fine, there were no issues and when the bell ended we all went on our merry ways.  Well, apparently on the way to 6th period, she had some issue with some other student (surprise surprise) and walked into my room where she has math ranting and raving about some "bitch".  Well, Kim was in there and Kim told her that she couldn't walk in saying that and Tazi responded by saying something along the lines of, "I'll say whatever I want."  Thank you Kim for not taking her shit and immediately sending her to the office!  Kim contacted me about the situation and I contacted one of our douche bag admins to let him know that enough was enough and she needed to have a consequence.  Well, can you believe he actually listened to me and gave her an in-school suspension for today. 

At this point, I think I need to have a little discussion about how "we" treat each other.  Maybe I'll give a little lecture on karma; what goes around comes around.  If you want to have friends you need to be friendly.  People don't like flaming bitches!  God, I just hate her!  So mean and why do I waste my breath/time/energy!?  Ugh!  Thank God I don't have to deal with her today!

K - I'm out...Later!

Happy...

...well, of course Valentine's Day although I don't really celebrate that though I did get Jim a cute card.  In addition - Happy Library Lover's Day!  So funny that I actually have to go to the library after school too!  Oh, and of course if it's Valentine's Day then it must also be Condom Day!  Happy Rubber Day to all those practicing safe-sex out there! 

Monday.  Ugh!  I thought it was a mistake this morning when my alarm went off.  In addition - when I looked at my clock, my eyes weren't focusing and instead of seeing large red numbers that said 5:00 - I thought it said 5:50!  I shook my head and blinked about a hundred times before I realized I was cross-eyed for a minute.  That was a sucky rude awakening for a Monday!  PFFT!!!!

School will hopefully be good today.  I start showing Hamlet to my high LA kids today (not "high" as in drugs but "high" as in not as stupid as my "low" LA kids...my God I'm a mean special ed teacher!  I definitely need to get  a new career).  I gave the test for Hamlet on Friday and was pleasantly surprised that A) no one failed it!  B) Only one kid got a D (stupid ass didn't even answer a quarter of the questions and they were all either fill in the blank (with a word bank), multiple choice, true false or a chart that you filled out of the characters if they were dead/alive at the end, who killed them and how they were killed...again, stupid ass) and C) the rest of the kids got A's and B's.  I must be one hell of a teacher!  Hee hee. 

In other school news:  Did I mention that last Friday one of my kids told me to shut up?  When I asked that her- not completely sure if I had heard right, "What did you say?"  She answered, "You heard me."  Me: "Hmm...well that's one way to get sent to the office."  What I really wanted to answer was, "Gee, it's no wonder you have no friends and that no one showed up to your "slumber party" last weekend.  You're a flaming bitch."  I hate f*%king bitches - that's for sure.  And she'll be all sweet a lovey when she wants something today and I'll be the same in return...as I put zeroes in for work she never completed and chuckle to myself as her grade goes down.  No, now that's mean.  I should be sympathetic to her plight...she can't help that she's a stupid bitch!  Where IS my compassion?  I think it may have been voted out of office when Kasich became governor.  Ugh!  That won't get me a pay raise based on the merit pay system, that's for sure.

Okay - well, I need to head up and finish my toilette.  Later all and Happy V Day!

Boring Sunday Post

I'm such a loser.  I just have nothing exciting to post.  I finished a wonderful book, however, that I will be "reviewing" on my Recent Reads blog here in a bit.  Please don't let the fact that it's a young adult read stop you from checking it out because, seriously, it's a great story.

Breakfast news:  I will be cooking up some blueberry and pecan waffles here in a bit; some bacon and eggs as well.  Yum! 

Pup news:  Bubba's doing great.  His little head seems to be healing really well and he's not trying to rub or scratch his wound or his stubbly skull.  Zeke is doing well to although at this point I think recovery will be slow and steady.  He tries to do too much too soon and trips himself up sometimes.  About every other day he manages to sneak up the two steps from the family room (when Jim isn't watching) which makes him think he can do it all the time - and he can't!  Last night he tried and tripped...poor baby.  He also thinks he can race past us and go down the stairs from the bedrooms but this is completely unacceptable!  If he were to fall, he would definitely hurt himself!  In addition, now that warmer weather is here, snow is no longer covering the mud puddle that is my back yard and so Zeke has taken it upon himself to dig in the dirt!  He came in one time yesterday and I couldn't even see the pads of his feet they were so muddy.  It's very tricky trying to wipe off his paws without straining that back leg.  Jim will be putting up some temporary fencing around said dirt pile!  UGH!!!  Are these dogs trying to kill me or just drive me out of my mind?!

So today I'll most likely hang at home.  It's another short week for me:  Friday I've taken off to go to Maggie and Charlie's.  Jim went down to Trip and Susan's yesterday and got the crib and a bunch of other stuff so I can help them put the room together for Eva!  YEAH EVA!!!

Well, I guess that's all I've got.  Time to make the waffles.  Later!

I Need To Win The Lottery!

Seriously - I do and not because of the financial strain I've had of late due to my doggies disabilities.  Nope, I need to win the lottery, mainly so I can quit my job.  I just see bad, bad times in the near future for teachers.  What Kasich has planned for us is, I believe going to be a long slow f&%k!!!  No lie!  I'm not complaining about my snow days either.  Though now I'm hearing that the proposal sent to the Senate this week for getting back our 5 days is not looking good.  Nope, I'm talking about teachers and other public employees basically having their union rights taken away.  John Kasich has been quoted as saying that he wanted to "break the back of the teachers unions" in the schools.  He is supporting a bill proposed by some wanker that:

• Eliminates collective bargaining for state employees and employees of higher education institutions
• Existing collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) covering those employees expire according to their terms
• Eliminates salary schedules and step increases and replaces them with a merit pay system
• Eliminates continuing contracts for teachers after the bill’s effective date
• Eliminates teacher leave policies in statute and requires local school boards to determine leave time
• Eliminates seniority as a sole criterion for Reductions In Force (RIFs)
• Removes health care from bargaining and instead permits school boards to govern health care benefit plans for employees
• Requires employees to pay at least 20% of their health care costs
• Allows public employers to hire permanent replacement workers during a strike
• Limits bargaining for local government employees (including school districts) to issues of wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment
• Abolishes the School Employee Health care Board
• Prohibits school districts from picking up any portion of the employee’s contribution to the pension system
• Allows a public employer in “fiscal emergency” to serve notice to terminate, modify or negotiate a CBA

First of all - how do you base a special ed teachers salary on a merit pay system!?  And who is making that decision?  Because if it's the admins in my building?  Do you think they are going to reward me with any kind of fair salary?  They hate me.  They dont' know what I do.  They don't know what my job entails.  They don't understand special ed or the law surrounding it and so guess who would get f&%ked?  I'm afraid that this would take the power away from the unions and put it into the hands of an administraiton that plays favorites and if you aren't sucking their d&%ks!?  Out you go!  Second - my continuing contract would be eliminated and guess what that would mean?  That would mean that because my principal has it in for me I have no hope of keeping my job because all protection from my contract is gone!  Seniority means nothing and I could get RIFed (reduction in force) before FW simply because she's got her head up a certain admins ass and I don't!  Because I don't kiss their asses and she does.  She wouldn't be staying because she does a better job!  Nope, she'd be staying because she kowtows to what they want to hear and she compromises morals and ethics to be in HH's loop.  ARG!!! 

I think it may be time for me to consider - since I don't have real hope that my lottery dream will come to fruition - a change in profession.  Out of education.  A clean break from these f&%kers at school who are probably making their lists right now of the teachers they will be throwing away.  Ugh! 

Okay - sorry for the rant but I'm afraid...and it's too early in the day to start drinking.  Hee hee.

K - I'm out....must grocery shop and clean house.  Jim's working today until about 2PM.  From there he'll head to Trip and Susan's to get the crib and other stuff so I can take it up to Columbus next weekend.  Yeah!!!  Can't wait to "see" Eva!  Screw Maggie and Charlie...I need some Eva time!  K - later!

My Finger Hurts!

I thought it was arthritis...well, I still think I might have arthritis but now I have weird sore on my right ring finger.  I hope it's not the herp!  Oh boy! You know whose fault that would be!  Jim's, that's who!  Really though, I think it's an ingrown hair and it hurts like a motha!  I cleaned it real good and slapped some Neosporin on it, topped with a flex bandage.  Hopefully it won't spread to my "nether" regions!  Hee hee...I kid.  Well, not about having the herp on my right ring finger but well, never mind.

So in Bubba news:  Everything is going well.  Against doctors orders, I let him sleep without any hood or donut around his head.  He did fine.  The biggest issue he has right now (and it's hardly an issue) is every now and then wanting to shake his head because of his ears.  I've told Jim to keep an eye on that since I caught him yesterday trying to scratch his ears...but only once.  And by the way, no offense to Jimmy but  I don't trust him to be as diligent in his observation of my sweet baby Bubs as I am.  He gets wrapped up in TV and sleeping sometimes.  I'll have to put the fear of - well me - into him so that if he doesn't pay attention I'll beat him silly.   Also, the vet called yesterday to say that the buffy coat results came back negative which is great.  I think now, we're just waiting to find out that the tissue they removed has clear margins (all cancer out).  I'll let you know.

Okay - well, it's movie and test day at school.  I'm finishing showing the kids Where the Wild Things Are in my low LA class (weirdest movie ever) and then we're starting Blast From the Past in SS...it's the Cold War connection.  My high LA class has their Hamlet test today and we'll start that movie Monday.  I was pleasantly surprised how much the kids liked Hamlet although they'd probably tell you differently.  Little effers!  K - I'm out...later!

Bubba's Trauma

First off, Bubba is doing well or as well as can be expected after having his head shaved, flesh removed and then stitched to look like Frankenstein's dog.  The chest x-ray they did prior to the surgery was clear - had it not been (had there been tumors) we wouldn't have done the surgery.  The blood work they did in the office was crystal clear and "perfect" according to the doctor.  We'll have to wait to see what the results of his buffy coat are - if they got all the cancer.  Bubba's ears are a mess as are his arm pits - so says Dr. Williamson but I knew they were and with his allergies - I don't know what the right "formula" is to get them clear for good.  He ended up giving Bubba a shot of steroids, histamine, and antibiotics.  He sent us home with antibiotics as well as an ear medicine and some sedatives for when he returns for suture removal in two weeks (the fear and stress he goes through when going to the vet has apparently warranted sedation).  He doesn't look nearly as bad as I thought he would but he certainly looks pitiful - as you can see (he did NOT want his picture taken and if he weren't so lethargic and out of it, he would have run from me).

It was a rough night for me and Bubba.  He was so tired and very much suffering form the effects of the sedation (nearly falling over while walking, stumbling over his own 4 paws).  When we went upstairs to bed, I let him get comfortable before putting any preventative devices around his head.  When he finally moved into a sleeping position, I put the inflatable donut thing around his neck.  Well, that made him restless and he couldn't/wouldn't lay down.  I ended up taking it off and letting him get comfy again in his pillow.  When he did and when I started to fall asleep, I ended up putting his e-collar on.  Well, that was horrible.  He walked around and kept bumping into things; getting stuck, whining.  He would go to the top of the stairs where the gate was set up and just stand there and get stuck again.  Jim was no help either as he snored away in bed - oblivious and rude to his baby Bubs!  Finally, I had to get Jim up to help me figure out what to do.  I took Bubba out again (he's supposed to be restricted to potty on a leash for two days) since he seemed to want back downstairs.  He peed for what seemed 10 minutes and then came back upstairs to bed.  I kicked Jim out of our bed to the guest bed (he doesn't snore there and I needed to hear Bubba) put the inflatable around Bubba's neck and just decided to power through.  Bubba walked around for about a 1/2 hour and I let him until he finally got "comfortable" on a dog pillow and slept.  This was at 1AM.  I periodically woke up to check on him and he slept well and through the night.  We got up at 6:00 and he's been great so far: Medicated, fed, pottied and now snoozing.

The biggest irritation to him so far is his ears.  He keeps trying to shake his head - which the doctor said is okay as it shouldn't harm his wound - but I know his head must ache because he can barely move it from side to side.  My biggest worry and the thing I have to watch for most is that he not bump his head on something causing trauma to his wound.  This is where the e-collar would help but it's too big - even after cutting about 2 inches off it - and as low as he is to the ground, he ends up tripping on it.  The inflatable collar is good because it will certainly keep him from being able to itch his head but it doesn't protect from bumping.  I'll only use that when he sleeps.  When awake and in my presence, I let him go "naked". 

So obviously I've stayed home today.  I wasn't sure what to do about tomorrow but Jim offered to stay home with him.  Technically I could stay home and I really don't care in the sense of needing to be at school but I am giving a pretty major test (Hamlet), I have a few things I have to get ready and I think I'll need a break from the worry. 

And that's it.  Today I'll probably watch a movie or two (The Kids Are Alright is On Demand) and quilt.  K - well, later!

Don't You Hate It When...

...you do a load of laundry and find later that you left a tissue in a pocket of your pants?  I put a sweater on that must have had a ride in one of those loads and I have little pieces of tissue all over.  It's a wholly sweater too so the pieces on the inside periodically poke through.  I've done my best to de-tissue myself but alas - ladies at work - I'll need your help throughout my day to stay clean. 

So Jimmy says thank you to all his birthday wishers out there!  We had a delicious dinner last night of Chicken Stroganoff (or chicken stroke me off as I like to call it...cause it's dirty and inappropriate...hee hee hee!  Am I turning into a dirty old lady?  Hmm...) and salad.  It was topped off with a marvelous ice cream cake!  I could have eaten the whole thing but I needed to be able to wear my pants today so I resisted. After dinner we hung on the couch and watched House Hunters and Jeopardy.  We had a nice fire roaring and sweet pups surrounding.  Zekey even stayed up late!  He didn't bark to go upstairs until 8PM!  He's a party animal! 

Okay - I'm running a bit late today so must mosey!  Bubba is all kinds of pissed at me because he isn't allowed to eat anything and first I didn't bring him a carrot when I came up from getting my coffee this morning and second because when he went out to pee and came back in, he didn't get a treat.  I tried to pet him and shower him with love and hugs (that's a treat!!!) but he would have none of it (me) and shook me off, whipped his head around and howled at me.  He's a devil!  (This is him trying to hypnotize me with his eyes.  He's saying "You want to give me a carrot...you want to give me pepperoni...you want to give me a cheese ball!"  I love him! ) He'll go in at about 8AM this morning so lets all pray together that my baby gets his lump taken care of and that everything goes well!  K - later!

Happy Birthday Jimmy!!!

Yeah Jimmy - you made it another year (married to me, that's a miracle)! 

So, what you may be asking am I getting my husband for his birthday!?  Well, first of all, I'll be making him whatever he wants for dinner.  This morning he said "Just make me leftovers" and I had to yell at him!  On his birthday!  Now why did he make me do that!?  Anyway - he's currently looking at my cookbooks cause he can't figure it out.  Oop, he chose Chicken Stroganoff.  I'll also be baking a cake (If I knew you were coming I'd a baked a cake, baked a cake, baked a cake) or buying him an ice cream cake if that's what he chooses.  Maybe I'll just surprise him...I know he'd love an ice cream cake.  As for a gift, well, I've gotten him the best gift you can get a person (we've gotten each other, really):  A healthy couple of pups (hopefully - we'll see tomorrow about Bubba but I'm hoping for the best).  With all the cash we've shelled out lately in vet bills, we've decided to hold off on a gift.  I do plan on getting him a tandem bike but that can wait for a couple months. 

And, in honor of Jim's birthday, here are some foods that cause gas:

• Beans
• Veggies such as: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, onions, artichokes, eggplant and asparagus
• Fruits like: pears, apples, apricots, prunes (who eats prunes...I'm not letting Jim eat prunes!), peaches
• Whole grains
• Soft drinks, dark beer, instant coffee, red wine (no wonder I'm always so gassy!)
• Milk
• Sugar substitute foods
• Molasses

So basically, if you eat food or drink nearly any kind of liquid, you may be gassy.  Good to know.

K - I'm out...running a bit late.  I was hoping for a delay today - it's cold as a witches TITS!!! (that was my impression of King George VI from the King's Speech - HAHAHAH!  Bugga bugga bugga!!!) We got a bit o' snow overnight too which is causing a few slick spots.  Apparently, however, nothing up here in my area.  Oh well.  Anyway Happy Birthday Jimmy - later!

Packers Rule!

Thank God is all I have to say!  I even watched the majority of the game.  I got a little worried there at the end - around 9:30 but then the Packers came back and scored again and my hope was restored.  Wasn't it funny though when the Steelers scored a TD and Ben Rothwhatever looked up and pointed to heaven?!  Who does he think is up there listening to him?!  He should be looking down!  God doesn't take too kindly to rapists!  What a joke!  Anyway, congrats to the Packers and all their cheesehead fans! 

In other news, my dinner last night was AMAZING!!!  Jim said it was #3 on his list.  (#1 is Beef stroganoff and #2 is Boeuf Bourguinon...my boy does love him some meat - that doesn't sound right, does it?).  If you're interested, here's the link to the recipe (Mom!  Just click on the word "link").  One thing I did differently than the recipe called was at the end, while reducing on the stove top - I added a little cornstarch/water mix to thicken it up.  I served it over egg noodles and with a salad...oh, and bread!!!  You definitely want to serve it with bread to sop up all the delicious sauce!  I was worried about using fennel because I had never cooked with fennel before but I don't know that I even tasted it...or maybe that was the secret ingredient that made it so freakin' good...my mouth is watering thinking about it.  Mmmm!!!!

So it looks like I may actually have a full and complete 5-day work week this week!  Can you believe it?!  They were thinking that a big storm was headed our way Wednesday into Thursday but they've retracted that - sort of...they just have a big question mark on the 7 day graphic between those days.  We'll get a bit of snow today but it'll turn to rain and occur mainly after we've gotten to school.  Behind that is a freakin' nasty cold front bringing single-digit lows.  Brrr!!! 

So that's all I've got.  Today is "Crayon" Day at school - you're supposed to wear all one color of something.  I'm wearing all black.  Not like I have any other color pants besides black, brown and khaki...it was the easiest color to wear ALL of.  Anyway - I best be off - hug the dogs and de-fur myself.  Keep all fingers and toes crossed for Bubba and send the baby Jesus a few prayers for him.  Later!

People Are Disgusting!

This poo calendar of mine is quickly revealing to me that people are freaks.  For example:  Did you know that the Koryak people of Siberia drink urine in conjunction with their ceremonial use of psychedelic mushrooms?  Apparently the active alkaloids of the mushrooms remain unchanged as they pass through the human body a second time, allowing the urine to retain the intoxicating effects of the mushrooms.  Um...me?  I think if I were that into taking psychedelics, I'd find one that didn't require me to sip pee!  That's gross.

So it's Superbowl Sunday and I'm scairt!  I hate the Shitsburgh Steelers so much that it boggles my mind every day to see other people promoting them.  For example:  I was flabbergasted when Ellen Degeneres gave a Steeler fan a free trip and tickets to the game.  Doesn't she know that they stink and are cheaters?!  And that Ben Rothwhatever is a disgusting rapist?!  WTF!?  I don't understand!?  ARG!  Do you people have blinders on?  Do you not see that they are dirty rotten players!? 

And what are my plans for the day?  Well, it's going to get sunny and "warm" here today - highs in the low 40s!  So, I'll be taking my sweet (fat) baby Sam for a nice long walk.  And yes my little baby has become a little butterball.  Ever since I've been working on fattening up Zeke, she's been "benefiting" from the extra special morsels he doesn't eat.  She and I both need a little extra workout. Not that I've been eating those morsels but yowza! I'm still a fat ass.  Other than that - I'll be hanging at home.  I'm making Ina Garten's Short Ribs recipe tonight for dinner (the Barefoot Contessa).  Can't wait!  Should be deeeelcious!  I've never cooked with fennel...hope it goes well.  I'll probably watch some of the game tonight - it starts at 6:30 so I should get to see most of it but if things don't go my way - Packers dominating - I'll have to turn it off.  I don't want to be tempted to throw something into the TV. 

Well, that's all I've got.  Time to make breakfast.  Blueberry pancakes, turkey bacon and eggs.  Oh, by the way - Bubba goes in Wednesday for his lumpectomy - hopefully.  Cross fingers and pray it gets taken care of and that things go well.  K - I'm out...later!

Zeke Is Wearin' Me OUT!!!

He's up, he's down!  In, out!  Up, down!  Barking, getting yelled out to "LAY DOWN!"  1 in the morning; 2 in the morning; 3, 4:30!  I'm exhausted!  I don't know what his deal is.  Well, I do know, I think.  I think he wanted in bed again but I just can't let that happen in case he jumps down.  Can you imagine going through all of this, spending all that money and then him re-injuring his knee?!  Nope, not going to do it.  When I got up this morning, he got up with me and I brought him down to lay in the FR.  He seems content now - I almost feel like he just wanted some love from his momma cause when I went to pick him up to carry him downstairs?  He leaned into me and just sort of moaned.  Poor, sweet (pain in the ass) baby. 

In other news, um...I don't really have anything else.  I need to get a  move on because I have to stop at Kroger on the way to school.  I told a kid in one of my study halls that I'd bring him candy - and the others too, of course - but you know I don't have any in my house.  Ugh!  And, he asked for:  Hershey's Cookies and Cream.  Yeah, not going to buy you a whole candy bar - I'm buying a bag of candy and I'm pretty sure they don't sell bags with that in it.  We'll see though.

It's February 4th and you know what that means, right?  Yup!  It's Bubble Gum Day!  And for all you lovers of music!?  It's Liberace Day!!!  My God I miss that man!  In addition, it's Quacker Day (Yes, Quacker, not Quaker...I double checked), Wear Red Day (whoops) and Give a Kid a Smile Day (FU kids!). 

In weather news:  Guess what's rolling into the area?  Yup another snow maker.  Only a couple of inches for tomorrow.  They're also saying that Monday could bring another potential snow maker.  They'll be "fine tuning" that forecast over the weekend.  I can probably say that after this next week, I'll officially be "over" winter and ready for Spring.  We'll see.  I do love winter so!

K - well, it's Friday - thank Jesus - which means movie day!!!  I still haven't had a full work week since returning from winter break.  It may not happen next week either.  Isn't that shit crazy!?  Isn't that shit whacked?  K - I'm out.  Later!

Custody Battles

I don't understand these "stars" that go to the media and throw mud during a custody battle with their baby daddy.  Further, I don't understand why you want to battle so hard to share custody with the other parent of said baby.  Why wouldn't you want to give a son/daughter equal time with your former significant other...isn't that what would be best for baby?  And if they are such a bad person, why'd you sleep with them in the first place not to mention make a baby with them?  There must have been a few redeeming qualities to them.  Now, that being said, who's to say what goes on behind closed doors.  Maybe Halle Berry's baby daddy is irresponsible but why parade that in the media?  Why not let the courts duke it out? 

K - I'm off my soapbox now.

I hope Maggie doesn't mind me putting this out there:  Everyone pray for Zoe - Maggie's 15-year-old Lab/Boxer.  She was diagnosed with leukemia yesterday.  It's the chronic kind and less severe that the acute kind but regardless...They say that a pup diagnosed with Chronic Leukemia can live for months, even years - without chemo.  Here's my hope and prayer that Zoe does this without pain and while keeping her sweet and loving disposition.  There isn't a sweeter baby than Zoe (or Joe as I like to call her).  Here she is with sweet baby J. Bird...a couple years ago.

Well, I'd best head out.  There are still a lot of area schools off or with a delay.  The roads, I'm sure, are fine at this point but the wind is roaring!  Howling!  Screaming and scaring the shit out of me, just a little.  There are about 30,000 in the tri-state area without power.   Ugh!  K - I'm out...later!

I've Lost Track

I can't remember how many snow days this is but unless the governor signs the emergency legislation that was sent to him bringing back our 5 snow days - we may just be in school until mid-June.  And by the way - I waited until the last possible minute to get in the shower this morning (waiting for the 2-hour delay to change to a closing) but what do you think ended up happening?  Yup, that's right.  I was nearly completely ready - showered, made-up, looking "pretty" - when the phone rings.  And who was it?  Maggie who knew I had a snow day before I did.  School didn't call for another 20 minutes.  Ridiculous!  I was actually surprised they called it.  The roads were said to be pretty good but they said that the more northern counties - Butler and Warren - were worse.  Oh well such is the life of a teacher.

So Jim went off to work but said he'll start home around 3:00 today.  That's when the freezing rain is supposed to start up again.  That'll last for a little while before turning to all rain - a possible thunder storm - and then toward morning, snow.  Only a bit of snow though...probably not enough to call school.  Maybe a two-hour delay though.  That would be nice. 

I will probably head to the store here in a bit.  I'm making meatloaf for din din and don't actually have any meat.  Well, I have ground turkey but I like to mix that with ground beef which I don't have.  Hopefully I'll make it to Kroger without any issue.  It's only a mile up the road but you never know. 

By the way - I updated my book blog with a great read!  Check it out!

Well, that's all I've got.  All is well with Zeke.  He slept well last night and pulled none of the antics like the ones from Sunday night.  His stitches come out on Thursday and I'm excited about that.  I'm also weening him off his pain meds and trying to fatten my baby up.  So that's it...sorry so boring.  Later!