A Little Too Nice?

I don't know...things at work are...to say the least...weird.  HH?  He's been - dare I say it - friendly.  Overly nice.  Pleasant even.  (It scares me a little to say it out loud for fear of jinxing it!) Yesterday for instance, I was stopped in the hall during my planning by one of my VPs (ADHD) who needed to ask me a question regarding one of my students.  It just so happened that he was walking with HH.  Now, normally, HH would ignore me and walk away but yesterday, he stopped and listened to my story about the student.  He even laughed (out loud and loudly) at my jokes.  It's very unsettling.  HOWEVER!  I'm killing him with kindness and giving as good as I'm getting.  Treat me well and get it back twofold!  Enjoy the party while it lasts I always say (or I said it once...just now)!

In other funny news:  I got my kids in my government class to call me Queen Hanke!  We were talking about monarchs vs. dictators and I told them that while I was the dictator in my classroom, I was fine with them calling me either Queen Hanke or Empress Hanke.  We all laughed but a little while later, Lily raised her hand and said, "Um, Um!!!  Queen Hanke?"  and then she asked me a question.  When I answered - totally on her own she says, "Fank you your majesty!"  (She replaces her "th"s with "f"s).  It was hilarious.  Diablo (the little shit...literally) did the same thing. 

Speaking of Diablo...oh boy...things are starting off rocky this year.  Yesterday, apparently during 5th period he had to go to the facilities...twice.  It turns out that after he was in there, there was poop all over.  In the urinal, walls, floor.  Now, I don't know what happened, and Diablo of course denies that he did it but the small spot of poop on his shorts is pretty damning!  When I questioned him about it, he kept telling me that he was sick of being accused of things and that I was deliberately (although he mispronounced the word) embarrassing him.  It was hard not to laugh while lecturing/questioning.  And poor Kim!  She's been getting the brunt of his craziness.

So that's all I've got for now.  I need to head out.  Later! 

Summer Is Truly Over!

It was sad to come home from the Bay this time around.  The weather was everything I love (minus no storm):  Nearly cloudless one day, windy as shit the next, cool enough to need a sweatshirt - perfect!  I really hated coming home but like Charlie said, the weather really got me ready for Fall!  Can't wait for cool, breazy days!

So here are a few pics:

Lets start it off with a little baby Eva! 

Exhausted!


Rattlesnake Island...with the Jet about to eat another boat for breakfast!


Max - hopin' to catch a fish!

 At the Crews Nest - last night!

Hangin' at the bar - Sunday afternoon mimosas!


More at the Crew's Nest

One more...Crew's Nest

Leaving - =(

 

Last Trip To The PIB!

No time...I need to head out.  Jim's driving me to work so that he can pick me up and we can hit the road lickity split this afternoon.  Hope to make the - latest - 7:00 PM ferry.  They leave every 1/2 hour until 8:30...we should definitely be there by then!  Oh boy...I hope I didn't just jinx us!

In other news - I'm done watching Big Brother.  I don't care anymore who wins or anything like that!  Can't stand Shelly.  Can't stand those lazy f%(ks that do nothing.  Done wasting my time!  Can't wait for September 14th when Survivor starts!

Today is Friday which normally means movie day but I think I'm going to push that off until Monday for when the sub is covering me...give him an easy day.  Sorry Kim!  Diablo's going to be PISSED!

Okay so I won't be posting until - earliest - Monday so keep your panties on until them.  Later!

Aunt Frog!

Aunt Frog sure does love a little Eva in a foggy outfit!  I think I bought this for her too but I'm not sure. 

In other news, I cut the shit out of my ankles shaving today...don't know what the hell happened there.

My pink eye is slowly getting better.  Tomorrow I will most likely try my contacts.  It's almost completely free of the pink so by tomorrow, I should be good to go.

I have my first IEP meeting of the year at 10:30 today.  Joy!  Actually, I need to start contacting certain parents to set meeting dates/times too...Joy Joy!!!

And that's all I have time for right now.  Today will be a whirlwind of activity after school.  I need to clean the house, pack and get everything ready for the weekend...PIB, here I come!!!

Later!

Just Call Me Pink Eye Panda!

Here we go...Round 3!!!  You can't believe it either, huh?  My eyeballs must be rotting out of my head at this point.  This time it's in my left eye.  The other two times were in the right.  I noticed Monday evening that my eye was feeling weird.  It didn't goop too much but it was weirdly red and watery but not in the way it usually gets when I accidentally pet the dog and then touch my eye.  Fearing the worst...I started with my antibiotic eye drops.  Tuesday at school things got steadily worse as the day wore on and by lunch my eye was a goopy, watery, red mess!  I called the doctor - I knew it was pink eye but I wanted to see if there was something other than drops I should be doing. I made an appointment for 3:00. 

Doctor's diagnosis:  PINK EYE!  WHAT!?  THAT CAN'T BE!!!  (Fake shock btw)  The doc said if it happens again after this I need to see my eye doctor (real eye doctor not a glasses doc) and see if there is some underlying issue...like gonorrhea of the eye or maybe my eyes really ARE rotting out of my head.  Anyway - I have to wear my glasses which sucks...I hate wearing my glasses.  They annoy me. 

In other news, school was fine yesterday.  My classes are good and I seem - SEEM - to have a good bunch of kids.  With the exception of a couple who are annoying and I want to already smack.  For instance - annoying behavior issue girl (sophomore) who has to make a comment about every little thing.  She thinks she's funny and witty but really she's annoying and stupid.  And every time some dumb shit comment comes out of her mouth, all the other kids look at her like, "What's with that annoying dumb shit!?"  UGH! 

So here's an annoying parent story:  I have a kid on my caseload who is a freshman.  I have his older brother on my caseload as well so I know the mother.  We talked at length at the end of the year last year in preparation for her younger son to come up to the HS...this is also the IEP I have on Thursday.  Well, originally his schedule was right...all his needed classes and a study hall with me.  Then, Monday, I see that his schedule has changed and his art class is dropped and he not only has a study hall with me but another study hall.  So I ask the guidance counselor and she tells me that mom called FW last year and told her that in addition to a study hall with me, he would need another study hall for at least the first semester.  I asked FW about this just to clarify and she confirmed.  SO!!!  Yesterday I get an email from the mother asking me why her son now has two study halls!?  WHAT!!!???  So I respond to her that I was told she requested this of FW and I also asked FW if she knew WTF!  In the end, FW reiterated that this is what Mom asked for and Mom emailed me that - oops, yes, she did ask for this.  PIMA!!!  MAN!

Okay so I'm off...I still have a ton of shit to do but at least today I can actually start teaching.  Although I haven't finished my PowerPoint for my government yet...oops...better skedaddle!  Later!

Gotta Go Back...Back...Back To School Again!!!

For those of you who know...that post title is a little diddy I had stuck in my head when I woke up...it's from Grease 2!  If you'd like to be entertained with a little song and dance...here you go!  By the way...love that song...love that movie!  I know most of the words to almost all the songs.  It does NOT make Jim happy when it comes on the TV!

So, I didn't sleep great last night.  After bragging to Maggie that I slept like a baby Sunday night, I tossed and turned until after 11:00 last night and then woke up at 3:45...went back to sleep at some point but then woke up again at 4:30.  I didn't have anything weighing me down but I just couldn't turn off the noise in my head that kept scrolling through.  All the little shit that I still have to do before the bell rings this morning.  Ugh.  I'm not worried...I won't be "teaching" today but rather doing little things like checking schedules...addresses...explaining my rules etc.  It's hard for us/me to waste time on the first day because I know almost all my kids already.  Anyway - I look forward to bed tonight.

In other news - here's a cute little sumpin' sumpin' to get your day started right!  Love her and her monkey sunglasses.  I love too the way she clasps her little hands.  She looks deep in thought, doesn't she?  She must be thinking: "I wonder what my Aunt Muir is doing right now!?" Miss her.  This is close to the longest I've gone without seeing her.  I just keep saying to myself...I'll steal...I mean I'll see her Friday!

In eyeball news...my left eye is giving me fits.  It's not red but for some reason yesterday, it started to feel wonky.  I think it was just from petting a pup and then touching my eye.  It got really goopy so I immediately put in some drops (antibiotics).  It doesn't hurt and it's not red so we'll see.  I think maybe I need to go to the doctor if this keeps happening.  Maybe my eyeballs are about to fall out.  That would SUCK! 

Well, I better head up and out.  I need to fuel up before heading into work so...wish me luck.  Hopefully I won't piss any kids off on the first day and vice versa!  Later!

Ooh, and ladies!  Maggie told me yesterday that The Pioneer Woman has her own show on Food TV now.  The premier is on Saturday morning at 11:30!  Tune in!

Laila!

That's a tongue to rival Brutus

Not much time to post but thought I'd give you a shot of some sweeties. 

Brutus and his new sister!



First of all, Dad, Becky and Cullen - and of course Brutus - got a "new" member of the family!  This is Laila!  She's from Chillicothe and from a boxer rescue.  She's around two and was rescued from a puppy mill.  Sounds as though Brutus loves his new sister and he seems to realize - as of right now - that she's his SISTER and brothers and sisters don't...you know!  He hasn't "taken advantage" of her, which is great.  Isn't she a cutey!?



Exhausted!  Car ride to new home, meeting new family
and a visit to the vet!  I thought this was Sunday!



And here is sweet baby Eva with her new bedding.  Of couse she isn't using her new bedding yet but when she's able the hungry caterpillar will be ready to cuddle!

I Guess I Should Post

I'm just not feeling "bloggy" this morning.  Nor yesterday morning either.  Hmm...

So, yesterday was fun.  Jim and I had plans to go to Raeburn, which we did.  We thought it's just be us there (aside from Dad, Becky and Cullen) but BONUS!!!!  Trip and Susan and J. Bird decided to go as well.  J.J. was a maniac on the diving board.  Jumping off without Trip always there and ready to catch but what a champ he is with his water wings!  He performed many a belly flop as well.  Hilarious too because he'd come up from under the water with a grimace on his face and sort of whisper, "OW!"  Susan would say, "Did you smack your belly?" and J.J. would sort of grunt with his eyes closed, "Yesssssss!!!!"  Hee hee!  That boy is one funny bunny! 

Today I have lots of work to do.  I need to check schedules - AGAIN! - and do some Government class prep.  I think I need to add a chapter or two.  UGH!  Guess I should have thought of this over the summer but who am I kidding?  I wouldn't have done anything.   Other than that today, I got nothing.  I'll most likely be on the computer working all day.  Preparing for - SOB!!!! - Tuesday!  BOO HOO! 

Okay - gotta go kick Jim of the TV so I can do my ab and arm exercises.  Later!  By the way - I miss my Keurig!  I may need to buy a second one for home...not really but man it's nice to have for a quick jolt!

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am one sad chicken!  And MAN was it tough to wake up this morning.  Thank Jesus I had some "JET" Keurig coffee to get me going!  So no real time to post...I need to run to Kroger real quick before heading into school.  Today will be a day filled with bullshit basically.  A morning breakfast with the district, a vendor fair (lots of free goodies:  pens, highlighters, etc!) and then a district lunch and finally building meetings.  That should be fun and annoying! 

BTW - lots of craziness went down regarding the schedule late yesterday.  Apparently, they got rid of male sped's (lets call him m-sped) 7th period math class.  They put the two kids there in his 2nd period but they didn't change the kids schedules so now Diablo is has 2 2nd periods and is in my 7th period study hall (um, NO!).  They also switched M-sped's 5th period study hall to 7th but all those kids in there?  They didn't change their schedules so now they have NO 5th period and 2 7th period classes.  And does this mean M-sped gets an extra period off?  Better not!!!  Like that guy needs extra time to sit around doing absolutely NOTHING!!!  He does nothing as it is! 

Oh, and HH sent me an email to tell me they switched my schedule around.  Oh, gee, thanks - two weeks after the fact!  BUT!!! BONUS!!!  They moved my 7th period study hall into my own room!!! YEAH.  That means I'm actually in my room for 1st, 3rd is my planning, 4th, 6th and 7th!  WOW!!! 

K - I best head out - WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!  MISS YOU MAGGIE!!!  Feel free to text me!  I'll probably need a text or two to break the monotony of the afternoon meeting with those three fools that run our building...UGH!  Later!

No Time For Anything But A Little Eva!

I've decided to head into work and do some copying.  I think if I can get this out of the way, I will have a lot less stress on Monday.  So, that being said, I want to get a move on and get home by noonish.  Hopefully that plan won't get thwarted again, like it did on Monday. 

So an Eva update:  She slept through the night on Tuesday!  She was obviously dreaming sweet baby dreams about her Aunt Muir (no smart ass comments from the peanut gallery - MADISON!!!)  And look how grown up she is in these pics!  Hard to believe she's nearly 3 months!!!

If only my mouth were as big as my Mamma's!  Then
I could fit both these fists in there!





Look how long her legs are!



Sleepin' through the night sure
takes it out of a girl!

Orange Leaf!!!

I just found out that they've opened an Orange Leaf in Kenwood and West Chester!!!  So excited!  I'm headed to the Kenwood one in a bit.  If you haven't had Orange Leaf - you must try.  I know that there's one in Hyde Park and one opening soon in Anderson (that's near you Lisa!!!).  The best yogurt - you will just die!  Here are some of the menu items that they feature:


Banana                                                                 
Birthday Cake
Blueberry
Blueberry Banana
Brownie Batter
Butter Pecan
Caramel
Caramel Chocolate
Cheesecake
Cherry
Chocolate
Chocolate Cheesecake
Chocolate Cherry
Chocolate Coconut
Chocolate Mint
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Chocolate Raspberry
Classic Tart
Coconut
Coffee
Cookies & Cream
Cotton Candy
Dole Pineapple
Eggnog
Gingerbread
Grape
Grapefruit
Green Apple
Green Tea
Honeydew
Key Lime Pie
Kiwi
Lemon
Lychee
Mango
Mango, Strawberry, Banana
Orange
Passion Fruit
Peach
Peanut Butter
Peppermint
Pineapple
Strawberry, Banana
Pistachio
Pomegranate
Pumpkin Pie
Raspberry
Raspberry Banana
Raspberry Lemonade
Red Velvet
Snickerdoodle
Strawberry
Strawberry Banana
Strawberry Cheesecake
Vanilla
Watermelon
Wedding Cake
White Chocolate

Of course they don't have all of these at once...they have about 8 machines that hold two flavors which are also able to be mixed...so a total of 24?  They always have vanilla and chocolate and peanut butter but everything else changes often.  I've tried coffee, gingerbread, some sort of icing flavor, strawberry.  YUM!  Most things are at least low fat and low cal.  Some are no fat, low sugar, most are no cholesterol.  Have I sold you on it yet?

Okay so I've exercised including walking Sami.  My breakfast has been eaten and I'm ready to head out the door.  I need to try the 1/2 Price up in Deerfield one more time for books and Driving Miss Daisy.  Yesterday I scored the following movies:

• Little Mermaid
• Milo and Otis
• Muppet's Treasure Island
• Signs
• My Dog Skip
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• On Golden Pond
• Simon Birch
• Golden Compass
• Day After Tomorrow and
• K-Pak

That should last me a while for Movie Friday's, huh? 

In other news, my Kuerig coffee came yesterday.  I now have 96 single serving thingys for school - well, 95 since tried one this morning.  I got Kenyan AA Extra Bold, Jet Fuel (tried it, loved it, ready to face the day and a roomful of kids!!!), Rev and Timothy's German Chocolate Cake!  Deeeelicious! 

Okay well, I better head out.  It's another beautiful day.  Later!

Typical!

Typical that I would walk into my classroom yesterday, expecting to get on my computer and start plugging away at scheduling issues, but instead and I get hit, smack in the face with a classroom in complete and total CHAOS!!!  We left our room at the end of the year nice and organized with everything in it's place.  We walked back in with filing cabinets jammed against random walls, tall cabinets in completely wrong places, shelving units tossed helter skelter, books and binders and materials from said shelves jammed into any cubby hole that could hold them and our desks switched.  And by the way, our desks aren't modern, light little desks.  They are OLD (not complaining about them because they really are nice) and HEAVY DUTY.  Moving them takes massive effort!  Anyway, I had planned on going to school from 10-12 to work on my caseload issues but instead, I was forced to spend 3 hours getting the room back together (with Lisa...thank God we were both there!).  I thus only had a half hour to work on scheduling things and at that point, sweaty grumpy and hungry, I was ready to just say F*%K IT!!!   Which I kind of did.

So then!  I get home at around 2:00, eat lunch and then am forced to sit at the computer and continue working on all the eff ups that hadn't been remedied.  I had emailed all the counselors about specific student issues and was dealing with them when I got an email from FW giving an "updated caseload list"!  Now, I understand if certain things change like an addition or subtraction from someones caseload because a student moves in or out of the district but DOES IT MAKE SENSE, I ASK YOU to switch students willy nilly just because?  FW took one of my kids and then gave me one of hers.  And the kid she took from me was a kid that is currently in the Juvenile school for the next 4-6 weeks so gee, she gets it easier!  And I have 21 kids on my load, she has 19.  And she's got ALL juniors and seniors who are nothing to deal with.  I have about 10 kids that are pretty tough (2-3 goals per IEP!).  And FW was gone for 10 weeks at the end of the year and had to do NOTHING!  UGH!  So annoying! 

Smile...breathe...k - that's off my chest.  Actually, it's not a big deal, really but it's the principle of it.  Why did she have to do that?  I mean I had gotten all my files and paperwork ready etc.  I think she does this shit just to annoy!

So today is a beautiful day and my plans are to enjoy the sunshine.  I will walk Sami here in a minute and then I'd like to make a quick trip to 1/2 price to pick up some movies and stuff for "Movie Fridays" at school.  Driving Miss Daisy is on my list (thank you Doodle Maggie).  We'll see what else they have.  Other than that, I've got nothing.  I'll probably do a little school work today but I really need to wait until the counselors make all their changes.  Oh, that reminds me - ladies - I emailed our male counselor and told him about some issues with our drama queen sophomore (initials CH).  He had her for some reason in Health again this year when she had passed.  Guess what he put her in instead?  Zoology!  Zoology with that "boring" teacher!!!  Can you see Crazy CH with him in there?!  I emailed Stan and said, "OMG!  You are hilarious!  That was a joke, right?!  Hell no!!!!" 

K - I'm out!

Against My Will

UGH!  I didn't want to go into school early!  I mean, what's the point!?  Unfortunately, things changed after a little email from Lisa.  She told me yesterday that my schedule had changed.  SHOCKER!!!  After telling FW that my schedule had - of course - been effed up (they needed to have my S.S. class in the morning) they actually switched things around!  I'm now teaching my S.S. class in the morning and my high LA class in the afternoon.  Doing this, however, effed up about 15 kids schedules.  And how did they remedy these little snafus?  My just sticking kids in study hall.  Awesome.  And Lisa's little pain in the ass autistic chick, (had I named her Lily)?  Her schedule is ALLLLLLLLLLLL f*%ked up!  So now - on schedule pick-up day, I need to go in and scramble to get the counselors the right shit.  So annoying!

That being said, I have no time to continue this blog.  I need to walk Sami, come home and work out, eat breakfast and shower.  I'd like to be at school around 10 and home by noonish.  Later!

Interesting Animal Facts!

I don't have much to talk about so I thought I'd share a bit of fun animal facts...ENJOY!

• Sharks are the only known species to never suffer from cancer
• The duckbill platypus is known to store up to six hundred worms in its cheek pouches (I always thought the DBP was cute but now I'm rethinking that opinion!)
• A mosquito has 47 teeth (I question whether that's true or not! Oop I just looked it up...TRUE!)
• The Poison Arrow frog has enough poison stored in it that it can harm 2,200 people...at one GO!!!
• Before a spotted skunk is about to spray it will first do a couple of handstands (so, if you come across a spotted skunk and it starts doing some gymnastics...RUN!)
• It would take just one night for a mole to dig a tunnel measuring 300 feet in length (Judging by the tunnels in my back yard...I concur...stupid MFers!!!)
• All polar bears are left-handed (I think Charlie may really be a polar bear!!!  Ooh, and Trip too!!!)
• Dogs and cats are either right or left-pawed (I think Bubba is right-pawed because that's the one he always makes me hold!)
• Eagles mate while airborne (So do I!)
• Male and female rats may have sex twenty times a day (So do I!)
• Turtles can breathe through their butts (SO DO I!!!)
• 25% of all fires of unknown origin are rat-caused (Arsonists!)
• Humans, bonobo monkeys, and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure
• The average person eats eight spiders in their sleep in their whole entire lifetime! (As a kid at PIB I think I doubled that!)

Okay well, that's all I've got...entertain your friends with all you know about animals!  Later!

The Bigger Question

So Jim and I were discussing the whole "Bert and Ernie" debacle and Jim brought up a really good point.  We both agreed that the whole question of their sexuality is ridiculous but the Jim said, "You know, I'd be more concerned with the fact that Gonzo's got a chicken as a girlfriend." 

NO SHIT!  I mean WTF?!  Alien creature with blue fur, bug eyes and a weird hook nose is obsessed with a chicken!  And it might be one thing if the chicken (whose name happens to be Camilla) were a great companion and conversationalist but she doesn't talk!  She clucks!  And her waddle or whatever those dangly red skin things are!  YUCK!  Who wants those smackin' around during intimate times!?  Of course who are we to judge, right?  If a frog can fall in love and marry a pig, why can't a chicken and alien thingy (Gonzo) get together.

In truth, I love the Muppets - every last one of them...even that nerd Big Bird (hell, I had his album when I was a kid).  However, I do have a concern with the fact that we have a Muppet that's homeless.  I guess it's Oscar's choice to live in a garbage can but it just doesn't seem right. 

And what about the fact that there's a vampire living amid the Muppets.  Who knows when that guy's going to go on a blood-sucking rampage! (And does that guy freak you out as much as he freaks me out?)

And Grover thinks he's "Super Grover".  I mean, how much of a super hero could he be with those spaghetti arms?  But how much do I love him?!  I could watch Grover all day long!  He makes me happy!  I feel about Grover the way I feel about Harry Potter (which is on ABC tonight...Order of the Phoenix!)

And don't get me started about Animal.  I mean, how safe can it be to have that guy running around with drumsticks and a chains.  I think he needs to head back to the mental institute.  I have to admit, however, that he's a hell of a drummer!

Oh well...k - that's all I've got.  I'm exhausted.  I walked Sami, cleaned the house and mowed the lawn.  It's now time for me!  Later!

This & That

So yesterday, I got it into my head that I needed to buy one of the single serving coffee makers.  See, in the past, there have been at least 2 coffee drinkers in our little group at school (Joyce, Patty) but now that they are both gone (and Kim and Diane are afraid of my coffee), I decided that it's stupid for me to waste coffee brewing a whole or half pot.  That being said, I researched best prices around the city (Target, BB&B, Wal-mart) and found that BB&B (Bed Bath & Beyond) had the best deals.  Plus I had a 20% off coupon.  So off I went.  In the end, I got the mid-line Keurig model.  It has a 48oz reservoir and is not huge and is just what I need.  I got 12 samples in my box too.  I'm loving it so far.  I also got a special coupon code when I registered it online...buy 2 boxes get 2 free (+ free shipping).  I went on a few minutes ago and ordered.  I now have 94 cups on their way which should get me through the first few months at school!  YEAH!!!

I saw an article today on a local news station that said: "Should Bert and Ernie Come Out of the Closet".  WTH!?  I didn't know they were in the closet.  They don't sleep in the same bed.  Arent' they really just roomies and best friends?  And really - WHO CARES?!  THEY ARE PUPPETS!  Why does everything have to become an "ISSUE"?  Why can't it just be what it is - two buddies saving some cash by rooming together - without someone coming along with a cause to support or fight about.  UGH!  Poor Bert and Ernie!  Well, really - poor Ernie...Bert can be such a dick sometimes!  And by the way - what's up with the unibrow!?  This is 2011...it's time to tweeze Bert!

Today's plans:  I'm going to head to the store here in a few.  I forgot some things yesterday.  I've already walked Sami but when I get back to from the store, I'll do my ab exercises and my "Tank Top Arms" workout.  Afterwards - I'll type up the remaining chapter questions for The Help and then it'll be time for a little sun worshipping.  Yesterday I emailed the high school staff to see if anyone had a copy of The Help that I could buy.  So far?  One response and it said "sorry...I download on my Nook".  I think I may be in trouble here.  We'll see and cross your fingers that I don't have to buy all the copies at full price. 

K - well I best get a move on.  Later!

Sad To Be Home From The PIB!

I'm hoping to get up one last time this year but it's always sad to leave as I get closer to the start of you-know-what.  (I'm not ready to say that dirty word yet!)  Anyway - we had a nice time up at the Bay although it was way too short a trip.  I got a lot of my chapter questions done for The Help (though I only have three books as of right now - thanks Aunt Kathleen...I got it in the mail while I was at PIB.  I'm also working on the quilt but it will probably take a while.  I'm working on two at once and I don't sew as much in the summer...I hope that's okay!). 

The weather was "FINE"!!!  Breezy and cool - we never had to turn on the A/C.  The lake was rough, rough, rough, however!  Well, not Monday and I got to go out on the wave runner and really ride but Tuesday and Wednesday - HOLY SHIT!  That lake just amazes me sometimes how quickly it can change.  Tuesday morning, we went out back and I stood on the patio and let the waves crash on me.  It was fun and I was soaked.  Later once the lake calmed a little (still about 2-3 foot waves) Maggie and I went out on the wave runner but I got scared and made her turn back.  The waves were so intimidating!  Wednesday was twice as rough with 4-6 foot waves.  There was no way in hell I was going out on the lake in that. 

So, now I'm home and Maggie is actually coming down to Cincy to see Lynne today.  I'll head over there at some point but I need to do some things around the house first and grocery shop. That's about all I've got for now.  Later!

And a few pictures to keep you happy!  You can't see them very well but Maggie and Eva are there enjoying the sunset with me!

Last but not least:  Eva...hangin' in her stroller.  My flash startles her every time.  Oh, and she giggled for the first time at PIB!  YEAH EVA!!!

The Church Ripped Me OFF!!!

I'm so mad at Jesus right now!  Not to mention Mary and Joseph and all the saints!  Bunch of horseshit how fast I managed to lose last night at blackjack!  We had the rookiest dealer too.  I almost had to come over the table a few times.  I only flipped the table once and let me tell you!  Dealer Andy is lucky!  Fortunately he liked me and gave Terri a hard time...that's unusual.  The dealers usually want to throttle me and go home with Terri.  It must be the differences in our...how shall I say...cup sizes?  Anyway - I lost big time.  It was the worst Immaculata fest experience EVER!  So bad that Jim and I left before the fest shut down.  We're usually there until closing (midnight).  Not last night...11:00 was our exit time.  Will I do it again next year?  I don't know.  Right now I'm just so mad and I'm still feeling like I want to say, "SUCK IT JESUS!!!"  But I will refrain and just try and cool my jets.

In other news, it's raining kittens and puppies!  We needed it too.  It should clear up here in a bit, however.  Sami looks worried.  And pouty.  Don't worry baby girl.  Your mama won't let you down!

I don't know what I have on my agenda today.  I need to pack for PIB but that will only take a minute.  I also need to clean upstairs.  I need to figure out dinner too.  It should be something that Jim will have for leftovers but he can't seem to come up with anything and my one idea was shot down!  Rude!  We'll see.

So that's all I've got.  I won't be posting for the next few days because, like I said, I'll be in PIB until Wednesday.  K - later!

Sir Paul!!!

I mean really!  It might be illegal to have as much fun as I had last night.  I danced so hard, I gave myself pink eye!  Ugh!  It's bad too...I woke up this morning and couldn't open my eye.  Swollen, not just pink but RED, and talk about goop!  It's 100 times worse than when I had it in June.  Thank God I still have anti-biotics!  It was worth it though! 

So first of all...our luck last night started in our parking choice.  We pulled into a lot just down from the stadium and the attendant was an old friend I  used to work with at the liquor store!  Parked in a $10 lot FOR FREE!!!  BONUS!!!  I then called Eric and we met outside the Holy Grail.  He then called Phil (Castellini - our host) and we were able to enter the ballpark via the Reds offices prior to the gates opening!  It was so cool too to walk through the offices and see all the Reds stuff and memorabilia.  From there we went to the Frontgate Suite where there were massive plates of cookies, food, an open bar and the sweetest view of the stage!  I just kept saying to Jim, "This does not suck!"

At around 7:45, we headed down to our seats which again, did not suck and waited for Sir Paul to come on.  He did, around 8:15 and  he proceeded to play for about 2 1/2 hours without a break!  Every song you can hope to hear?  He probably played!  Live and Let Die was UNBELIEVABLE!!!  Fire works and MAN!!!  I can't imagine any other crowd was as happy as the one at Great American Ballpark.  Overall he played 35 songs which include 2, 3-song encores!  It was AWESOME!!! 

After the concert, Phil had invited all of the V.I.P. guests to go to the Reds Lounge and so we did.  There was MORE food, more open bar, and a group of really happy customers!  Thank you Phil!!!  Unbelievable. 

On a sad note, last night was the last time I'll see Kristyn before she goes back to Australia on the 7th. Who knows when she'll be back but I told her she needed to make this a yearly, summer trip.  It was very difficult to say goodbye and I had to rush her away last night so I wouldn't make a complete fool out of myself.  It's just been so much fun to have her around again and to be able to spend time with her and Clover (and the rest of the Kohl's as well).  I'm getting sad again so I'll shut the eff up now. 

K - I'm exhausted...I only got about 5 hours of sleep last night.  Didn't get home until after 1:00 and because of my stupid pink eye, I couldn't sleep.  I think I'll go lay down now and watch Project Runway!  Later!

The Stupidity of Teens!

So yesterday I get a FB message from Kim asking if we (Diane, Lisa and I) had seen the story about a teen murder-suicide right up the street from school.  We hadn't but as the story went on and I saw the street that it occurred on I said, "Oh shit!".  Originally, the sherrif's would only release general info, nothing concrete.  He also would only say that they were from the area but he didn't know exactly where they went to high school (he was 18, she was 17).  Eventually, we found out that indeed, the male went to Kings and was one of our kids.  In fact, he was in my 5th period study hall last year.  Troy Penn was his name.  A kid I would never have guessed would do such a thing.  Of course how can you guess anyone could do such a thing.  The girl went to Little Miami - a neighboring high school - and sadly, it was her birthday yesterday.  How sad and tragic. 

On a separate and happier note - well not really happy because it deals with the start of school - I got my invitiation to the staff luncheon!  When the ladies and I were messaging each other yesterday, I thought maybe I had been dissed - it's always a possibility - but alas, it came in the mail but I hadn't checked my mailbox.  Interestingly, the luncheon is at a nearby golf course and me being the cynical person that I am wonders how much this is costing.  I know I shouldn't go there, I should just be "grateful" for the hospitality paid to our staff but seriously...in this economy when the fight is passing levies and keeping teachers secure in their jobs, isn't this a waste?  I mean, they're having it at a golf course where they have reserved a banquet.  Was that donated or was it paid for by the district?  And maybe I'm jumping to conclusions and passing judgement when I don't know the facts but I think if there is wasteful spending...it should be questioned and curbed.  Not that we as a staff don't deserve it but...you get my drift.

K - I'm off my soapbox.  I need to head out now and walk my baby Sam.  She's all angry because her brothers already went on their walk and she thinks I'm going to diss her.  She does this every day and gets all fussy with me.  I tell her EVERY DAY, "Don't worry, we're going!"  She's currently laying in a chair in the living room looking forelornly out the window.  Love her!

Later!  Happy Thursday...Paul McCartney tonight.  Hope it's good!  Hope my seats don't suck (they shouldn't!)  Before hand should be fun too - Phil (Castellini) got a suite for a bunch of people to hang prior to the concert.  Pays to know people sometimes.  (That's me name dropping...sorry...I'm not usually that kind of person...am I?  I don't think I am...especially when I really don't know anyone.  It's really that the people I know who know "people".)  Anyway - I'm out...later!

Busy With My Mama!

I haven't posted because I've been busy with Mom so you can't fault me.  We had a good time with Maggie and sweet Eva at the pool and then hanging out Monday night.  Yesterday Mom and I went to lunch at Rafferty's (West Chester) and then went to Anne's for a bit to hang.  After that it was home to sit and read and talk and talk and talk. 

It's exhausting being at the pool! 

Mom just left and my plans for this rainy Wednesday are to head to Costco, walk Sami once the storms pass and then continue working on chapter questions for The Help.  Oh, and I need to call 1/2 Price to see if they have any of the books I need for school in stock.  They'll hold them for a up to a week if I call and since I'm going to be in the area, I might as well.  The way it looks now, I need about 15 of each book.  That's more than I think I need but it gives me a cushion in case more kids move into my classes. 

Picture cracks me up!  I told mom to smile pretty - which
she did but she kept closing her eyes.  I finally gave up.
Eva thinks her Nana's a nut!

So that's it...I'm going to go get ready to head out.  Here are a few pics of the last few days. Later!

Nana and sweet baby Eva!

Mom found a new friend - the moth on her arm.  It kept
buzzing around her and landing on her shirt.  Weird.