Bed Hogs!

My neck is stiff as shit! Why, you ask? Well, because in my king-sized bed, I get 4 inches in which to sleep. With Bubba at the end of the bed (and have you met Bubba? He ain't slim) and Sami smashed into my back or stomach, I can barely get enough room to roll over. Needless to say, I move as little as possible and the result is that I now have a stiff neck. So I'm all loaded up with Ibuprofen and hopefully, within the next few minutes - and with a nice hot shower - I will feel some relief.

Okay, now, who wants to hear a small rant about Jimmy? I know that hands just went up all over the U.S., and I'm here to please! So, I'm sitting here, minding my own business and Jim decides to take the garbage out. I know, I nearly fell out of my chair too. And without a reminder from his darling wife! Shocking! Anyway, there must have been something relatively foul in there because it didn't' smell delicious. So, he got the can of Lysol out to spray in the can. I think he must have sprayed the damn thing for about 30 seconds flat! Lysol, for those who don't know is fairly potent. You could probably do a quick "spray, spray" and be done with it. Jim, however, is a douche and asphyxiated me. So now the garbage can is sitting outside, airing out and I'm coughing and sneezing and tasting Lysol! Thanks for trying though!

K - weekend plans: Well, right now, Jim is beginning the cleaning routine. I'm not sure if he has plans to work today or not. I am going walking with Jane and Nessa at 10. After that, I will probably do a small shop at Kroger. I think I'm going to get the makings for Brunswick Stew for tomorrow. Not sure. I better get some adult diapers too because I just might poop my pants tonight at the USS Nightmare! Do you know I've never been to a haunted house - or boat - before? I was never allowed as a kid.

Tomorrow I have no plans. I'll probably just sit and hang at home.

K - that's all I've got. Better go shower and get some laundry in. Later!

Bailey's: Good!!!

So, not much up...just getting ready for work. Thank God it's Friday!!! Even though I had Monday off, it still felt like a long week. Oh well, no complaints.

So yesterday, Jane and I went to the Nature Center to walk the dogs. The trees are finally turning and are beautiful. Next time I go, I'll take my camera and snap a few shots. Bubba's stamina is ever increasing and hopefully he's losing some lbs!

After our walk, Jane came over and we had a glass (or 3) of wine, dinner and then headed to her house for dessert (brownies) and a night cap (Bailey's on the rocks). I forgot how much I like Bailey's. And by the way, when I googled "Bailey's on the rocks" for a picture - this sweet little puppy came up and I couldn't not post it! I must get that dog.

Anyway, tonight I have to catch up on all my shows (Private Practice, Survivor, and Grey's) since I didn't watch any of them this week. Saturday, we're headed to Hofbrauhaus and then the USS Nightmare. I'm scared already!

K - best head out and start my day - YAWN!!! Later.

Have an Unhappy National Mole Day!!!

What a lame observance. Can you believe there's an actual "celebration" for my nemesis?!! Effin ridiculous! I think we should change this National Kill a Mole Day!!! I swear, I'm going to dig up all the moles in my yard and bash them on the head! And then have a party! And a bonfire! Really though, I think there's only one mole causing all the havoc in my yard! Effer!!!

Hmm...so maybe it isn't a celebration of the animal "mole" but rather the skin "mole". Now, THAT'S a celebration! Right? I mean, dude, if only I still had that huge mole that was on my back. We could have a little party for it! Little dancing. Little drinking.

Anyway, Happy Mole Day! Celebrate by putting one of the little buggers out of its misery!

A Phew Photos

I don't have a lot to say right now. Not much is going on. Today is a weird schedule at school because of some assembly. Maybe I'll actually be able to get some work done. FW at work (remember my "department head") is telling us to do 10 different things regarding paperwork, each day and I'm having to redo things 2 or 3 times because she can't get it straight. She sucks! Because of this, I can't seem to get anything done for my classes. Effing annoying! Hmm...guess I did have something to say.

Anyway, here are some photos from the past weekend at Maggie's (I stole a couple of these from Mom.)

Jim and his pretty little coozie!

Me and J.J. (he eventually slept on me for about 2 hours)

J.J. and his handsome smile!

Charlie and Molly (they were both exhausted)

Can I Get a "HEY" for a 50 Year Old HO!!!???

Happy Birthday Diane!!! You don't look a day over 38 (we can't have you younger than me, now can we?)

Thank you Diane for being such a great 2nd mommy to my babies when I'm gone!!!

Thank you Diane for being such a great help to me with the dodo's in Social Studies.

Thank you Diane for making me laugh every day (and not because you pronounce things differently)!!!

Thank you Dian for simply being my friend!!!

I hope this is a great day for you. I hope you had a fabulous dinner at Olive Garden. I hope that the next 50 are even better!!!

Cincinnati Nature Center

So, not much going on. I feel really good today. I don't know if it's because Bubba, Nessa, Jane and I took a nice long hike at the Nature Center yesterday or what but I need to do that more often. Bubba is really building up his stamina too. Every time we do the 200 steps (I swear there are that many - one of these days I'll take a picture to show you), he gets better and better at it. Last night he was pulling me along. If I'm not losing some of my ass though, there's going to be some serious trouble.

On another note, I've been connecting with some old friends. It's crazy too hearing from people you haven't heard from in over 10 years or even seen for about 20. Makes me feel old. Oh well, get busy living or get busy dying, right?

Okay - I have to go clean out Bubba's ear and still get my lunch ready for today. Later

Ooh and today is International Stuttering Awareness Day. That's all fine and good but let me know when it's Lateral Lisp day!
Right!? Ha!!! I've gotta stop that since I have two students who have that issue. Life is just too hard and demanding.

Skunks and 61 Kids

Okay - crazy dreams. It's been a while.

So the first one: I walked into my 7th period language arts class and there were a ton of kids in there. Turns out, one of my lovely colleagues (in a co-teaching English class - we'll call her Lil) couldn't keep any of her students from failing so she had them all moved into my class. I had 61 kids in my class. Not nearly enough desks or chairs for that matter and no, I tell you absolutely NO control. Sucked.

Next dream: I was living in this apartment building. I was walking home with Jimmy and I looked up and on the window sill there was a skunk nosing around. And the window was open. So I said, "JIM!!! We gotta make sure that damn skunk doesn't get in the house!" So we both go booking upstairs. But the skunk is already in there. So Jim just lays down on the floor to say hi to Bubba and I try and wrangle the damn skunk out the front door - of the apartment, not the building. I realize in the process that the skunk is nice and friendly and just wants some love and attention. But I'm not about to fall for that crap and I continue to try and herd it out the door. Plus it had the longest claws you've ever seen.

I looked it up and it says that to dream of skunks means you're trying to keep or drive people away. Whatever. That's a bunch of crap.

K - gotta go. I hope everyone just leaves me alone today. Ha! Just kidding.

I'm Relaxing Today - Sort Of!

I definitely need this personal day today. A nice mental health day to try and regroup and pump myself up for the next month or so of school before Thanksgiving break. Things at school are getting a bit tense. Not necessarily for me but in my co-teaching situation with my colleague - let's call her Dot (her clown name). Apparently there are some feelings from one of the World Studies teachers that we teach with = some feelings of incompatibility. I guess Dot is making one of the teachers feel like a bad teacher. Of course, I think the WS teacher has some mental (depression) issues so that isn't helping! What really gets my goat, however, is that instead of talking to Dot about the issues, the WS teachers we co-teach with went to my principal who has it out for Dot (and me). What ever happened to being a professional and discussing things like adults? Why does it have to be a lot of back stabbing tactics? Frustrating!

Anyway, on to happier times/events: Maggie's birthday weekend. We had a great time. The weather was perfect. Lots of bocce ball, cornhole, drinks, good company and delicious food. I made my lasagna and Maggie made a Chicken tetrazzini that was superb. There was hardly any food left which is always nice. Unfortunately Trip and Susan had to head home after dinner because J.J. had a rough night Friday and they wanted to make sure that he got a good night's sleep on Saturday - which he did. With them gone, Jim and I got a bed which was nice but I would have loved to have the three of them stay and been happy in the family room.

Yesterday was nice. I hung out with my babies and made chili. I also began tackling my recipe cabinet. I'm trying to type up all my recipes and get them reorganized into a binder. I'll need to buy a new one with the plastic sleeves today and the whole process will probably take about 2 weeks but its a start.

Okay - I'm off to give Bubs a bath - his needs some relief. I'm hoping with this recent cool weather, his itchiness will subside a bit. We'll see.

K - later.

Teaching Mom

I'm here at Maggie's right now, just giving Mom a lesson on how to add pictures to her blog. So bear with me.

Here's the card that I got Trip for his birthday - cracked me up.

This was Mom's attempt!!! She shoots she scores.

Can I Get a HEY for a Man Ho?!

Happy Birthday Trip!!! I hope you have a great day!!! I love you tons and hope you know you are the best big brother ever!!! Can't wait to see you (and your cute little J.J.) Saturday.

Now, lets take a stroll down memory lane.

He's bored. There must not be a good game on! Or is he screaming - because that couch is hideous?

For some reason, Mom felt it necessary to comb Trip's hair for his nap. This was before she threw all the combs away.

Holy cow! I just had a seizure from that shirt!

Ever the ladies man.

There's nothing better than a daddy and his boy! You're such a good daddy Trip! Have a great day!

Can I Get a "HEY"...For a HO!!!???

Happy Birthday Maggie!!! Yippee!!! You're 40!!!

I hope your day is awesome! I hope you have a great weekend - though of course you will because you will be surrounded by all the people you love and who love you! Can't wait to come up Saturday!!! I love you!!!

Now, let's all enjoy a little of Maggie through the years!

Brand new (who knew the trouble this one would cause)!

She looked sweet, didn't she!? Looks can be deceiving!
Did Mom throw away the comb when you were born?

Who let Mom get a hold of the scissors?

Who let Maggie get a hold of the scissors (I kid. This was actually a good look)

And, as Diane said! Charlie must surely agree with you because you are luminous! And you make 40 look awesome!!!

Happy National Grouch Day!!!

Now this is my kind of holiday!!! Can I just tell you that aside from Grover (who doesn't love that guy?), I love Oscar the Grouch?! He's really what I've based my life on. His motto of "I love trash" has really shaped my existence. Think of it: Jim? Special Ed? Maggie? I mean, um, not Maggie! Hee hee, it's not your birthday yet!

Okay so Jim's getting a cold! Ugh! We all know how easy-going Jim is when he's sick. I'm going to make him take some Zican and coldeaze. He needs to nip this one in the bud! Especially since we're heading up to Columbus and we'll be in a houseful of people, including J Bird!

Last night's dinner was deeeeelicious! I made the cheesy cauliflower penne pasta thingy and YUM!!! I loved it. I'm bringing it for lunch too. Not the lowest calorie thing in the world but hey, I'll work it off today smackin some kids around! Hee hee!

Tonight we're headed to Jane's for dinner. I'll make pizza dip for an app and then she's making a veggie baked ravioli thing. Hopefully it won't suck like my lasagna did. If it does, I think she's just going to have to tell the vegetarians at her party to suck it! That's not very nice, is it?

Okay - I best hit the terlit! See you bitches later!

Pisser!

Man! I had some doozies last night. First I dreamt that Maggie was pregnant. Then I dreamt I was hiding from her in an old, dusty wine cellar - very Poe-like. Oh, and of course, my hiding place - the cellar - was where she was keeping all her clothes so I was constantly on the verge of "being found out". Oh, and about 2 minutes before my alarm went off, my teeth started falling out. I must be subconsciously in hell and thinking of hiding and worried about what everyone thinks of me. Sleeping takes it out of me sometimes.

So, the pisser: Maggie. She's such a pain in my arse! Why you ask? Well, her birthday is coming up and we'll be going up to Columbus on Saturday. Coming home at some point on Sunday. And wouldn't you know it, the Ravioli dinner down somewhere in Cincinnati (I can't remember the name of the damn church!) is Sunday! I was hoping to be in town for that! Oh well. I'd certainly much rather be in Columbus! The other reason Maggie is a pisser? I don't know what to get her for her birthday! For that matter, Trip's a pisser too (his birthday is Thursday, Maggie's is Wednesday - it will be a dual celebration). Could someone out there throw me a bone!?

Okay - I best head out. Weird schedule at work today. My planning period is actually at the first period slot today. Ooh, I think tonight I'll be making the cauliflower/penne casserole thingy. With some pork chops and maybe a small salad. We'll see. Jim may just work late.

K - I'm out! Later.

Boring At the Hanke Household!

Okay - it's Monday. I slept like crap. Actually, I only woke up once - at 1 AM - but I couldn't fall back asleep until about 2. That always irritates me. I don't feel too bad, however. I just keep thinking that this time next week, I'll still be sleeping in my cozy bed since I'm taking a personal day on the 20th. Much needed.

So, yesterday Jim and I went to Jane's for a cocktail, then came home (Jane with us) and had chicken burgers, tomato/mozzarella salad and cole slaw. Delicious. I didn't get my bath until after 8 PM but still managed to sneak it in. By the time I got to bed, all dogs were hogging my space and I felt bad for making them move. Sami told me I suck! Then she got up, growled at Bubba who was at the end of the bed and plopped down on me as hard as she could. She can be so rude at times. I guess the apple doesn't fall far, huh?

I don't have much else exciting going on. Jim's working late tonight - taking advantage of the weather (no rain and still warm). Wednesday we'll have dinner with Jane to try out another veggie dish for her party. Nothing else is happening. I'm boring.

K - better split and scat! Later.

J Bird!

I'm telling you, and I know I'm biased but this boy is the shizz! Cuter than I can handle!

Aunt Maggie makes me laugh!!!

Me and Grandpa!!!

I got some new toofs! I could bit your finger off!!!

Long, day! Nice to end sleeping on my momma!

Happy National Kick Butt Day!!!

I like this one!

My advice to all of you: Kick someone's butt today! Jim's already had his!

Funny Phrases - Edition 4

My Aunt Muir is in town and told me how much she enjoys my posts with funny words/phrases. She said too that Uncle Stan does not enjoy them so much as they are slightly inappropriate. And then she went on to say that her favorite is "blunderguff" - A fart let out just before a beautiful woman or gorgeous guy walks into the room. I love her! She cracks me up. So, in honor of Aunt Muir, here is a new installment.

Mutt's nuts - something fantastic or swell
Sentence - That lemon meringue pie is the mutt's nuts! I've never tasted anything so fantastic!

Poops McGee - used to describe a "shituation".
Sentence - I had to sit next to a sticky kid at the pep rally yesterday and it sure was the poops McGee!

Lady Lumps - a big butt
Sentence - FW at work has quite the lady lump! I don't think any diet is going to rid her of that!

Shit Sandwich - used to explain an unpleasant event.
Sentence - Having to sit through a meeting with my vice-principal in charge is like having to eat a shit sandwich!

Like shit through a short dog - something speedy
Sentence - She went through that pizza like shit through a short dog!

Hard Gas - to poop oneself
Sentence - Oops, I accidentally just let out some hard gas! I gotta go!

Butt Wrongs - intestinal distress
Sentence - Excuse me for a few minutes. I got a case of the butt wrongs and need to visit the john.

Slap and Tickle - Sex (One most have probably heard but still worth a shout out)
Sentence - Brutus will be looking for a little slap and tickle this weekend with Zoe!

Badonkadonk - A woman's backside (I know we've all heard this but it makes me laugh every time I say it.
Sentence - Check out her badonkadonk!

Nine Cents Short of a Dime - someone loco!
Sentence - My sister (I won't say which but her birthday is approaching) is nine cents short of a dime.

Spinach/Prosciutto Lasagna - Not Good!

Oh boy! So, dinner was fine but let me tell you, this recipe for the above called for way to much spinach! I felt, when I was making it, that it was way too much but unfortunately, I didn't follow my instinct. Oh well. We all ate it anyway, we just picked most of the spinach out. Other than that, it was good. Oh, and it's the recipe from the new Everyday Food magazine. You win some, you lose some.

So, I'm not too tired today either. Though I drank a fair amount of vino, I didn't over do it and I made sure to drink plenty of water before bed and take a few ibuprofen.

Ooh, Jane brought an app from the Fresh Market - Brie with raspberry jam and toasted almonds. It was wrapped in philo dough and baked and delicious! Anne, if you like raspberries at all, you would love this as I know how much you like brie. Yum!

Okay so today is apparently a weird schedule at school because it's a pep assembly but I have no clue what it's all about and what the schedule is. I apparently threw the email away so - oops...as usual, I don't know what's going on.

That's about all I've got. We're going to Raeburn for dinner tonight - I get to bite my sweet J Bird who I haven't seen in about a month. He may just bite me back too since he's got 2 teeth now. Fine by me.

K - I better get moving. Later!

I Had a Dream...

Believe it or not, I had a dream last night. Of my Mandy doll that I had as a kid. It got me thinking about my other toys or toys I wish I had or toys my brother or sisters had.

Donnie and Marie

Mandy

Stretch Armstrong (What's up this this toy - and what's up with the first position with his legs up?)

People by Fischer Price

Barbie Dream house - this ended up being a holding area in the basement for cleaning supplies!

Mon chi chi

I'll Be Damned!!!

Minnows have teeth in their troat! (Hope one doesn't swallow me)

Dreamt is the only English word that ends in the letters "MT".

Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are at least fifty years old.

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple.

"Restaurant" is the most mis-spelled word in search engines. (I'm guilty)

Jimi Hendrix pretended to be gay to be discharged from the US Army.

At Andrew Jackson's funeral in 1845, his pet parrot had to be removed because it was swearing.

A duck's quack doesn't echo.

A snail can sleep for three years. (So could I. Maybe I'm a snail.)

Ten percent of the Russian government's income comes from the sale of vodka. (I'm moving to Russia and opening a vodka factory. I think this is my new dream)

Astronauts cannot burp in space. There is no gravity to separate liquid from gas in their stomachs. (Maggie, don't become an astronaut)

Queen Victoria eased the discomfort of her menstrual cramps by having her doctor supply her with marijuana. (Mind perscribed wine)

National Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work Day!

I really would bring mine if I had one. Maybe Sami could pass for a Teddy bear. I'm so tired, I need something to take to rest my head on as I fall asleep at my desk. Seriously though, I'd like to know if anyone in the U.S. does this. Crazy.

So I stayed up way too late watching the debate. I won't comment on it - it just wasn't that exciting. Didn't learn anything I didn't already know and McCain didn't come away with a win. And if he said, "My friend..." one more time, I was going to break his crooked arm! Okay, so a little comment but nothing major.

It's finally raining kittens and puppies here - we need it. I hope it floods the mole tunnels and drowns them all! I know that's mean but the little effer(s) have torn apart our back yard. And you know it's all because of the stupid cicadas. I mean seriously, what good are cicadas? Just another useless "animal" that should never have been created. Ooh, I should be careful, it could storm a little and comments like that could get me struck down.

Here's a little tidbit: Did you know that by the age of 60 most people have lost nearly half their taste buds! That's crazy. And, did you know that people who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day on an average lose two teeth every 10 years. Crikey! Thank God I quit. I'd hate to be toofless!

K - must get a move on...I'm taking the back roads today since it's raining so hard - hopefully I won't come across any deer. Later.

What's New?

Let's see:
Yesterday I had to get more drops for Bubba who is rubbing the fur that grew back on his nose, off! Bad dog. I just don't get it. His eyes aren't really goopy like they were last time. I guess he's just all itchy. I'll have to be stingy with these drops too and try and use as little as possible because for a tiny little bottle (smaller than my thumb), it cost $28!!!

So Jim and I watched part of a show on A&E called Intervention. We actually call it Train Wreck. It's all about addicts (whether it be to meth, food, alcohol, heroin, whatever) who are about to be faced with, you guessed it, an intervention. Well, last night was about this guy, Dan, an alcoholic. Now, he looked normal. Cute even (of course I think the train wrecks are cute). Had a nice wife, a kid. A not too shitty childhood. Oh my God, though!!! This guy was the biggest f&*^ing baby! I mean, seriously, throughout most of his interview, his chin was wobbling. I said to Jim, "Can you imagine if I were married to this guy? I'd massacre him, just for being a blubbering idiot. Hell, he'd be a puddle of goo in the corner if I were saddled with that." Sensitive, I know. But Jesus guy, be a freaking man and get a hold of yourself. I mean, I'm all for a guy who can show his feelings but come on!!! Needless to say, I rolled over and went to sleep!

What else is new?
Nothing. Aunt Muir and Uncle Stan are coming this weekend for Dad and Becky's Lobsta Bake. The party is Saturday but they're coming on Friday so we'll go down to Raeburn for dinner Friday too. Should be fun.

Other than that, I got nothing. K - must go scat and, well, scat. Later.

Happy Mad Hatter Day!!!

That's right, it's Mad Hatter Day! I looked this one up cause I just didn't understand what the "celebration" was for. It said that it is supposed to be a second holiday (the first being April Fool's Day) where people can call the nonsense we usually call sane, madness. I know, weird but it was either this or Physician Assistant Day and that's a bit boring - and sort of gives me the shivers since an ex boyfriend was a PA.

Okay - so I had the hardest time getting up today. Well, not really, I popped right out of bed but I felt like I was walking into walls and thought I'd fall in the shower. I don't know why either - it's not like I drank last night or even went to bed late (9:30). Guess it's just the Monday morning blues. Although, Monday's tend to be pretty easy for me (I just jinxed myself, hold on...K - had to knock on some wood). I am showing episode 5/6 of the Frontier House in Social Studies and we read today in my language arts class. No biggie.

Other than all that, I've got nothing. Jim finally finished cleaning up all the leaves and twigs in the front yard and then mowed the front and back. He only ended up mowing the back because I rode his ass like a banshee. I knew he would try and get out of it. See, he wastes copious amounts of time talking to neighbors, coming in and "getting a drink", resting because his "feet hurt". Ridiculous. Not to mention that he doesn't' prioritize his jobs. See, he spent all day Saturday and part of Sunday cleaning up the middle circle. K - that should have been the last thing he took care of - but he doesn't listen to me. And then at 7 last night, he was tired and wanted to stop but I said, "Oh no! You still have the backyard to mow." Jim: "But I already showered." Me: "Not my problem. You promised and I've been asking for days!" So he did it. I'm a ball buster! I'm sick of his turtleness!

K - better go finished getting ready for work. Later.

Latest Listens

So I went to Wal-Mart today and did my shopping. With my full grocery - minus prosciutto, salad lettuce (I like bibb) and avocados, I spent less than $100 - and this includes the purchase of 3 new CD's! Not bad.

So what CD's did I buy?

Of course, I got Billy Joel's The Stranger - and it included a bonus, live CD as well!

Alanis Morissette-I've wanted this since it came out this summer - I have all her others and by the way, this one doesn't disappoint-it's pretty awesome!

And finally, I got the Jason Mraz also released this year. I love the song "I'm Yours" and it also includes a song featuring Colbie Caillat and one featuring James Morrison! Love it!

If anyone wants me to burn any or all, let me know - I'm willing to share!

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

So, I finished Three Junes by Julia Glass. It was terrific. I love books like this where the characters seem totally unrelated without any connection to other characters and in the end, they all meet up in a "six degrees of separation" type thing. Very reminiscent of Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher. I have Glass's second book as well and will read that soon, I think.

So I am now on to a book that I've been wanting to read since the beginning of summer. I saw this lying around at Raeburn and read the jacket sleeve and was completely intrigued. The book is the story of Edgar Sawtelle (aha!) who was born mute in rural Wisconsin. He can hear perfectly fine and is intelligent but must sign to communicate his own voice. This being said, he leads a worriless life with his mother and father who breed a fictional type dog. Other than that, I will say nothing. I have a feeling what this is leading to but don't want to reveal too much. Oprah has picked this as her next Book Club book and has stated that reading too much of the jacket sleeve gives too much away. Let's just say that being a dog lover, I'm in love with this book. If you connect with dogs at all, this is one that you will surely want to read and then re-read. Part of the book is told from the main dog-character's POV as well. Intriguing. I'm about 100 pages in and feel like I should stop typing right now so I can go read. However, I want to read it slowly to soak up its awesomeness. Which I will go do right now. I'll let you know.

Happy Ten-Four Day!!!

My new, favorite holiday: That's a ten-four good buddy! Man! Gives me sentimental thoughts about Smokey and the Bandit! "You sounded taller on the radio!" Best line in a movie (by Buford T. Justice).

K - I'm back. I had to look up into the clouds for a minute in remembrance of Jerry Reed's character Cledus "Snow" Snowman and Fred, his basset hound. Ah...Good times.

Anyway, today isn't too exciting. I'm going hiking at 10 with Jane at the Nature Center - taking Bubba, who hopefully will have no issues - tiring out and such. She wanted to have all the dogs go but Zeke is acting a bit weird and I didn't think she'd want Nessa (her German Shepherd) to come home without all parts of her ears in tact. You know, cause Sami's a bit loco.

Other than that, I have no exciting plans. I'll probably come home and clean the house. Jim is going to go work for a few hours. I'll be making chicken stir fry with red peppers and a salad tonight. GUess I should go to the grocery too. Ooh, and I'm reading the BEST book ever (I'll post about it here in a minute) so of course I'll be reading today. I'd like too to get a new CD. I've had this song in my head forever and I don't have a copy of it: Billy Joel's "Vienna" (Slow down, you crazy child/you're so ambitious for a juvenile/But then if you're so smart tell me/Why are you still so afraid?) off the Stranger. Love that song. Can't get it out of my head.

K - gonna go read for a few and then shower. Over and out. That's a big ten-four. HEY!!! The date is October 4th! Isn't that a coinkydink? Do you think they did that on purpose? You know, putting Ten-Four Day on 10/4? Man, someone was really thinking there. Later.

Tea Party = Success!!!

However, I'm exhausted! After running around to pour hot water, pass out sugar, collect cups, distribute tea bags (with the help of a couple students and my lovey Diane), I desperately need a nap and a glass of wine. Not in that order. I don't plan on taking the nap but I do plan on drinking a glass of wine about 30 seconds after I finish posting here.

Anyway, my kids seemed to enjoy the tea party - though most of them didn't like most of the tea flavors. The flavors taste tested were: Lemon, orange, apple/cinnamon, earl grey, pomegranate, peppermint and blueberry. Most of them liked the blueberry best, one liked the apple and one the pomegranate. They all HATED the lemon. I think they let it steep too long and it was too strong. Thank God they were all decaffeinated. Of course they got plenty of sugar but hell, it was Friday. The scones were a bit hit too! Do you know, I never even tasted Diane's chocolate chip ones? I'll have a piece Monday - we had a few leftovers.

Okay - that's all I have the gumption for and by the way: Happy World Smile Day. Wish I'd know that before I went through my day scowling at all those kids. Oh well, eff em! Later.

I'm Not Political

...but I was SO happy with the debate last night. I was happy with the performances of both and glad not to feel embarrassed by such a shoddy VP candidate (Palin) that I wanted to turn away. She managed NOT to look like a total chump. That being said, I'm also happy that Biden still managed to whoop Palin's ass, "doggonit"! Actually, it wasn't so much an ass-whoopin. She managed to stay afloat in her rehearsed comments and answers but it clearly demonstrated that in real politics - well, the discussion of real politics - she's generic and doesn't have a clue unless someone is coaching her. Overall, I think Palin did fine but only because the bar was set so low for her. In the end, no question, Biden won and based on most analyses, the most important group - the independents - thought so too.

Okay, enough of that! I'm so excited about my little tea party today. My scones turned out fabulous and I can't wait to have a cinnamon chip one when I get to work. So what it there's about a stick of butter in it...you only live once, right? So what if it's a short life, right?

K - must get to work. Zeke is doing really well by the way! Gotta keep an eye on his tail and find out what that lump is. Continue to keep all fingers and toes crossed.

Deeeeeeeeeelicious

So, FYI - cause I have nothing else to talk about - I'm throwing a tea party tomorrow at school for/with my Social Studies class. See, we're about to study the American Revolution, thus the Boston Tea Party so I thought it would be fun to have a taste test on different flavored teas. I'll throw a little math in there working with percents after everyone does their tallying (percentage that like the lemon; percentage that like the Earl Gray etc.) and best of all, we'll all get a little break from "note taking".

Also, after I brought it up to Diane who helps with my needier kids in class she said, "OOH!!! I'll make scones!" So I looked up some recipes - here's the link - and I made the Pumpkin Spice scones last night. They are delicious! I tried the blueberry too but I didn't buy fresh bluberries and the frozen were too wet...I'll stop by the store on the way home today to get fresh and try them again. I think I'm going to double my recipes because each recipe only makes about 6 - though they are large. Can't wait to get to school and have one of my scones with my coffee! Yum!

K - I'll talk at all you later. May be going to Chicago in late October with Jane - we'll see - she'll find out today or tomorrow if it will be possible.

First His Ear...Now His Tail

Well, Zeke went to the vet. We don't know anything about the lump on his tail yet because they couldn't remove it since Zeke has totally bitten his tail raw. I'm talking about 4 or 5 inches where he's just bitten and itched until it's bled. It looks like when you have rug burn and you've just got red skinlessness (lower lip out - poor Zekey Zoo). All I can think is that he must be getting bit by the same thing that's been biting me. Stupid cicadas! Maggie says he's gone Jeffery Dahmer on himself (she calls him JD because she thinks he gay and psychotic - she's not a nice aunt!). Anyway, he's now on anti-biotics, 1/2 his tail has been shaved, we have to rinse it twice a day with peroxide and then sprinkle this powder on it. He's been really good about not biting it but I know it's driving him nuts. He's been walking around with it tucked between his legs - not an easy or normal feat for him since he's part Australian Shepherd and his tail curls up. Poor guy.

So, after we get his tail all healed, we (Jim) will take him back to the vet to have the lump better looked at and maybe removed. Keep your fingers crossed. I feel so bad for him. I just hope we don't have to put the e-collar on him!

Okay - well, that's about all I've got to share. Must finish getting ready. I'm tired too because every time I heard what I thought was Zeke biting his tail last night, I'd jump up and check. Doubt the dogs got much sleep. Ugh!