I Know I Teach High School...

...but does that mean I have to act like I'm in high school?  Cause that's what I've been dealing with of late:  Adults that act like dumb ass teenagers.

More on that in a minute...but first, a Jimism:  Jim just came down for his breakfast and as he does every morning, he tore off yesterday's "dog of the day" to reveal today's pup.  It's a cute little sweetie that looks a lot like my Zekey.  Anyway - the title of it is "Mutt of the Month".  Jim, however, is a dumb ass and needs reader's and he said, "HA!  Nut of the month." Me:  "You dumb ass!  It says MUTT of the month!" 

So yesterday at school, I got a call from Lisa (she was in her co-teaching classroom...last bell of the day) asking me if a certain (annoying, kiss ass) guidance counselor had come around and asked me to sign something.  No, he hadn't.  She went on to tell me that apparently, HH (principal) feels like half the staff doesn't support him and so the counselor drew up a statement and was collecting signatures from all the teachers.  This paper would then be given to HH so that he could see for himself that more than half like support you. After my reaction (I was flabbergasted!  I mean are you for real!?  Is this some sort of 5th dimension that I'm living in where we've all returned to acting like immature assholes in high school?) I laughed and said, hell no would he show up to our room to collect my signature.  I was wrong.  Seconds later, he came in saying this:  "I don't know how you feel but there's a lot of negativity going around the school and HH thinks half the staff doesn't support him.  I'd like to collect signatures so I can show him that more than half do."  Um, you mean your collecting signatures to show HH exactly who he has in his back pocket and who won't put up with his bullshit?  Is that right? Needless to say, I was uncomfortable with this and told him so...I didn't sign. 

By the way - I do support HH as my principal.  Do I like all of the things he does?  No.  Have I had personal problems with him? Yes.  Do I like the fact that he treats us all differently?  No.  But I do see that he's done a lot of good for this high school.  I think we have good students and a good staff.  I don't bash his professional deeds and I would tell all of this to his face if he ever asked (or cared about what I thought).  I don't support this little witch hunt so that he can be given an exact list of teachers who "don't support" him.  That isn't why I didn't sign...I won't be strong-armed into doing something that seems ethically questionable.  Grow up people.  Grow a set and stop acting like the kids we teach. 

Okay - well today should be fun.  Later!

Brrr!!!!

So stinkin' cute!  Eva loves to swim with her swimming buddy (Daddy, not Bussie).  This was their first foray of the year and I'm sure it's refreshing after the heat of the day but BRRRR!!!  I know it's still pretty cold too. Eva is just like her Daddy, however:  Both don't seem too affected by cold (Eva whips off shoes and socks in the middle of winter to run around the cold house with it's freezing tiles and doesn't blink an eye...much to her mamma's irritation) and both sweat like crazy.  I can't wait to jump in there next time I'm in Columbus. 

In other news...it's Wednesday...early release schedule at school.  I think there's a union meeting today...can't remember.  Nothing else, too exciting, is happening.  I have 4 IEP meetings on Thursday and Friday for my kids going to the career center next year...3 of them are amendments so shouldn't be a big deal.  The fourth one is a regular IEP for a student of mine deferring his diploma.  Should be an interesting meeting as this parent has FOUGHT to have her child NOT go to the career center.  Don't know why parents are so stupid sometimes. 

And that's about all I've got.  It's much cooler this morning than it's been and I've got to say, I'm glad of that.  I hate being hot when I sleep but I just can't stand to turn on the AC before June.  I'm bound and determined to keep it off until June.  This next week or so should be nice...even cool in the evenings. 

Okay well...I guess I better mosey.  Later!

What To Say...What To Say

I really have nothing to talk about.  Of course I say that and then write a post that's paragraphs long.  Really though...

In school news - the kids are enjoying "O" (the modern day version of Othello).  There is one sex scene (no nudity) that gets a little hairy (not literally)...my 4th period (more mature) class saw it and was fine but my 3rd period (who hasn't seen it yet)...well, I doubt they'll react as well.  They're just such immature babies...drives me crazy.  They still giggle and guffaw when they here curse words or see someone kiss. Annoying.

Speaking of annoying...have I mentioned that I'm so done with teaching this year?  The kids don't give a shit about school at this point and I'm running out of things to do with them.  I've got all my exams complete and just need to make a study guide for the LA one.  I'll start the study guides next week. 

Friday is our union banquet.  I'm going for the first time.  Hope it's fun.  Diane is my date.  Jim isn't going because he wouldn't have any fun since he wouldn't know anyone and it starts at 5:00 and he won't be home in time for that.  It amazes me how many people DON'T go.  I thought it'd be a better turn out.  Oh well...more ribs for me.

Okay, well, I need to go finish getting ready.  I forgot to brush my hair and it's a rat's nest.  K - later! 

Past Time!

I'm sorry...not to O-ffend but I am NOT a fan of Barbara Walters.  In fact - I think she sucks and is an old biddy who should have retired LONG ago.  Sayonara Barbara...don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya! 

In other news - I miss my Eva.  We had such a good time together.  The zoo, lunch, dinner, I read many Mercy Watson books to her (that's a pig after my own heart...she loves hot buttered toast just like me)...can't wait to see her in a couple weeks. 

The pic below of Eva?  That's Mark and Megan's (friends of Maggie and Charlie's) new baby boy.  When Maggie told Eva that he was a boy (Jeffery Thomas) Eva said she didn't like boys...looks like she got over that. 

In weather news:  It's storming like crazy.  I heard thunder around 4AM and it's just now moving out...just in time for me to drive to work (thank you Jesus or Mother Nature). 

School news:  My movie for Othello came...YAY!  That should take a couple days to watch and then I'll have to come up with something for the kids to do for the rest of the week and until it's time for exam review.  Today is the last full real week of school (next Friday is our first exam day...WOOT!).

And that's about all I've got.  Guess I should mosey.  Happy Monday...later!

Student's Crazy Comments

Yesterday was a fun day at school.  Lisa took her class to DQ (you know, so they could practice the art of ordering) and I tagged along.  The kids were really good and we all had a good time.  Horshack - my funny autistic kid - kept talking to me about Watership Down and spoiling things for me.  I kept asking him to "CUT IT OUT or I'd give him a knuckle sandwich" (he giggled at that) and he'd say, "Oh!  I'm sorry!" but he kept right on going. 

Another kid was talking to me about some place near his home where they have all these things to do: Arcades, razor tag, paintball, bowling.  He then asked me if I had ever played "razor tag".  I had originally thought I had misheard him the first time and this is a kid who does NOT have a speech impediment...he just says half the words in the English language WRONG!  I told him I'd hate to have grown up in his generation if they get their kicks playing RAZOR tag. 

In other funny comments by kids, Horshack stood up yesterday and said (loudly), "LOOK AT MY ZIT!  IT'S BLEEDING!"  To which I said, "Uh, why don't you go to the bathroom and take care of that?"  So he does and comes back several minutes later and announces, "IT WAS JUST A ZIT BLEED."

Speaking of Horshack - he likes to pace as many autistic kids do - and while doing it he often mumbles (or speaks clearly) to himself.  Here are a couple of the words recently heard from him:  RABBITS!!!  HAND GRENADE!!!  SHARK ATTACK!  (And understand these are usually said in a forceful, slightly shouting tone).  It's a crack up.

My husband is so stupid funny.  We were enjoying his daily dog calendar today and it talked about the Boykin Spaniel (never heard of it) being the state dog of South Carolina.  So Jim asked, "I wonder what the state dog of Ohio is?"  So I looked it up.  Seems we don't have one (I call bullshit).  "But!" I said, "The Boston Terrier is Massachusetts state dog." To which Jim replied, "I wonder why."  I looked at him in a sideways glance and we both cracked up. 

Okay - well, I've got some packing to do as I'm heading to Columbus after school today so I better get moving.  Happy Thursday...my Friday...later!

Not To Complain...

...but I woke up with a headache. I'm hoping that the two naproxen I've popped will start working ASAP.  UGH! 

Walked Sami yesterday who would only go about a mile. I always know she's going to crap out on me when she starts walking by my side (she normally walks in front to the length of her leash...not that she pulls but you get the idea).  When I notice her walking by my side, if I look down to check on her, she'll just look up at me with a pleading look on her face.  And if I say something like, "What's up girl?" She'll stop and jump up on me.  That's always my cue.  Yesterday, I tried to keep her going and so I didn't look down at her.  She finally had had enough, stopped on her own, turned and started pulling me back toward home.  She's funny...I sure do loves her!

In school news, the movie I ordered to watch after Othello hasn't come.  If it doesn't come today - I'm not sure what I'll do for the rest of the week...especially Friday when I'm sick...cough cough.  I'll have to come up with "emergency" plans which SUCKS!  I don't want to start anything new...maybe we'll read a short story or I'll have the kids do research on authors. UGH!  Hate the end of the year (except that it's the end of the year and we're almost done). Maybe we'll play Scattegories again tomorrow (the kids really liked that...story on that in a minute) and a random movie Friday.  Sounds like an "emergency plan".

So my Scattegories story:  The other day, I played this with the kids in my two LA classes...we had never played it together.  I explained how to play (told my 3rd period class to be appropriate..."don't put down anything that you would feel embarrassed to say to me"...I was going to say, for example if the category is "part of the body" and we have a letter "s", don't put down scrotum...but then I thought, half of them won't know what a scrotum is and then I'll have to explain.  Oh, and I forgot to give this same warning to my 4th period class).  Anyway - 4th period.  We get to the last card, the letter is "T" and the last slot to fill is "part of the body".  One of my boys is going through his list and he gets to that and he says, "I don't want to say this last one...you might get mad." And another kid says, "Is it titties?"  Me:  "Don't say titties." Another kid from across the room: "What did he say?" Me: "Titties...I don't think I've said titties this much...ever.  By the way guys, what happens in 113..." They finish: "Stays in 113". Laughter.  So I walk over and see that the kid reading his list has written "testicles".  Me: "Oh, that's fine."  I thought maybe he had written "twat" or something.  UGH!  High schoolers!

Okay well, I better get going.  Lisa's class is going to walk to DQ today...I was going to go but I think I'll stay behind.  I'm going to be bad this weekend so need to be extra good this week.  Later...ooh, it's humpday...Happy Humpday!

P.S. My headache is now gone!  YAY!

My Mom Cracks Me UP!!!

My mom has a blog and I had forgotten to read it yesterday so this morning I read it and had tears running down my face.  Why, you ask?  Because she called Cinco de Mayo, "Cinch Dr mayo".  I'm guessing she just misspelled, since I'm pretty sure she posted from her Kindle.  I don't know why that tickled me so much this morning but I nearly spit my hot buttered toast out for laughing so hard.  Hee hee.  I love my mom!

In other news...hmm...oh, my toe didn't feel all that bad yesterday in my walk.  The last little leg, down my street, it started to numb up and give me a bit of pain...we'll see how it continues to do.  Thanks for your concern...you can send cards and flowers to my home address. 

I've been watching Game of Thrones a lot lately and have found that naked people don't even cause me to blink an eye anymore.  People in that series just drop trou and dress and armor at the drop of a hat.  Boys and girls.  Yowza!

Nothing too interesting in school. I'm testing in all my classes today so it should be a fairly easy day.  The exam schedule came out and it's ridiculous.  I'll have my 6th period class for about 40 minutes on Wednesday then for about 2 1/2 hours on the last day.  I'm telling you my final exam will take the kids about 30 minutes to take (I hate exams...they're stupid) so I'll have to come up with some sort of movie to watch.  History related.  Ideas? 

Okay - well, I'm out.  Happy Tuesday.  Later!

Short Week

New helmet

I'm taking Friday off so this week will be a nice short one.  I'll head up to Columbus for the weekend after work on Thursday...can't wait to see my girl!

In other news - I'm having toe issues.  Not sure what's up (and I'm sure no one really cares to hear this) but between my pinky toe and the toe that stayed home (on the toes that stayed home) I've got something happening...maybe a planter's wart? I don't know as I've never had one but it make walking Sami rather painful and wearing any shoes but flip flops.  It seems to be getting bigger too and UGH!  I hate when I have things wrong with me.  We'll see how things pan out over the next couple days. 

I had a dream last night that I ran the San Francisco marathon (don't even know if that exist).  I ran it with my friend from high school, Adrienne.  I also ran wearing my socks over my shoes.  AND!!!  one of the socks was Jim's so it was gigantic.  So weird.  The good thing was, I finished the race (don't know how I did that with my effed up toe). 

Lets see...what else...it's been raining this morning...and rumbling thunder.  I heard far off thunder overnight too...didn't sleep great so I heard lots of noises.  I'll be nice and tired tonight...hope I sleep well.

And that's about all I've got.  I'm hoping to test on Othello this week and the start watching the movie "O" but I haven't gotten the movie in the mail yet...nor have a received information about its delivery.  Annoying.  We'll see. 

K - well, I best finish my routine and head out.  Later...happy Monday!

We Built This City!

I think I've mentioned before that I almost always wake up with a song in my head. Sometimes it gets forced in there with whatever song is playing on my radio when the alarm goes off but usually it's something that was put there randomly during my week.  Today?  Jefferson Starship's "We built this city".  I HATE THIS SONG!  I hated it when it came out in 1985 and I still hate it.  Why am I singing that?  Well, Grey's Anatomy has lately been playing all these re-made 80s songs and that happened to be one of them.  UGH!  Why couldn't have been "Blister in the sun" or even "Holiday"?  "Maneater"...I love Hall and Oates.  UGH! 

Speaking of Jefferson Starship/Jefferson Airplane...Grace Slick is 74 years old!  Day-um!

In other news, dinner last night was yummy!  New recipe - Spicy Sausage Pasta.  Quite flavorful and BONUS!!!  A one pot meal (no need to cook the pasta as it cooks in the skillet).  It's on my Pinterest but I've linked it here as well.  Use turkey sausage...half the cals/fat and delicious.

So here's something that drives me crazy or rather it's just weird: Watching the Oscar Pistorius trial footage...when the lawyers ask questions the witnesses always answer, "blah blah blah, my lady"...even when the lawyer asking the question is a MAN!  I understand they're answering to the judge, who is a lady but it just sounds so weird.  South Africa is weird. 

Okay so I guess I'll go and pour myself a mimosa and make breakfast.  Happy Sunday.  Later!

So Happy It's Fibay!

I kept tossing and turning last night...waking up...looking at the clock.  Thankfully every time I did this I was able to fall back asleep.  Until!!!  Jim got up at 4:00.  He got back in bed and I'm pretty sure he was jumping up and down...it sure felt that way with all his moving, adjusting and getting comfortable.  At that point, I laid there until it was time to get up. I'm just glad that this time tomorrow, I'll still be sleeping...hopefully.

Bonus!  Tonight Jim and I are getting LaRosa's!  YAY!  Haven't had that since...well, I think we had it when Maggie and Charlie came to town. 

School news:  Nothing new to report.  We'll be watching movies in class today.  There's an animated abridged production of Othello I plan on showing in LA and in US, we'll finish Ghostbusters and then start Forest Gump.  We've finally finished the history chapter that covers the movie to the end so it will be relevant to the kids.  Many of then have seen it but I'm hoping that they'll see the events we've covered in class (Vietnam, the presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, segregation, Watergate, China issues etc.).

And that's about all I've got.  This time next week I'll be in Columbus...sleeping. I plan on calling in for next Friday.  It will be my last "sick" day so...cough cough.  Can't wait to see my girl! 

Well, that's all I've got.  Pretty exciting I know.  Happy Friday!  Safe travels Mom.

Rainy Day At The Zoo

 I don't think rainy days (don't know about Mondays) get this girl down...as long as she gets to go to the zoo.  How cute are her rain boots and slicker?  Can't wait to see her next weekend! 

What a princess

In other news - the special ed teacher that we're hiring for next year?  Our new (this year) MH teacher wants it. Sucks that he JUST figured this out yesterday after it had been internally posted for 2 or 3 weeks.  Don't think that will bode well because if he got it - they'd then have to search for an MH teacher which isn't as easy and not likely to get a another male.  Keeping him - a football coach as well - in his current position would better suit HH because you KNOW he wants a male in the posted sped position so that would increase our male teacher population even more. If they had to hire a new MH teacher, it would probably be a female.  Who knows though. Not sure what will happen...HH is a wild card and has his own weird agenda.  I really don't care one way or another I have no problem with it and but if Hilo (MH teacher) came to our side of the sped department, I believe it would send BFC into a bit of a tailspin and that would be fun. We'll see what happens.

In other news - I've got nothing.  Had a hard time getting up.  I'll make my grocery list and menu today at school and go to Kroger after.  Exciting, huh?

Safe travels, Mom...weather should be fine.

K - I'm out.  Later!



Dress up

Let The Rumors Start Flying!

So yesterday, one of the aides came in before school and whispered to me that our superintendent had taken a position in another district (she has a source in central office). This didn't surprise me as the SI had been trying for the last few years to leave.  Sure enough, the SI emailed the district a couple hours later to say she was leaving.  Well, didn't I know that this would start a firestorm of gossip and rumor?  I went upstairs to one of our teacher workrooms during my planning period (which happens to fall during lunch) and a couple of people "in the know" (or who think they are in the know) were lunching.  I figured I may as well hear what they had to say since I'm usually clueless.  (Not that I share my gatherings with anyone other than the ladies I share a room with.) 

Anyway - the big question was:  Will our principal try and go for the SI position.  It's a position he's coveted for many years.  Unfortunately (fortunately?) our board is not a fan of his.  So this gives people the reason to believe that he will NOT go for the position.  HOWEVER!!!  After school yesterday, I stopped and had a little chat with our former union president and SHE said that our principal told HER (who knows if what he says is true since he tends to lie) that one of the board members asked him to apply.  Hmm...

Oh, and the position he applied for in another district nearby as principal?  Rumor has it that this district is planning on moving their assistant principal into the principal's position.  SO!  HH isn't going anywhere for a while. 

All of this is a HUGE deal for those of us in my district and there is a good reason to believe we are headed in the same direction that Springboro was this time last year (nearly striking because of tea party members who wanted to break the back of the union). We have 2 COAST members on our board and one jackass tea party member (who is going to be asked to resign at the next board meeting...I plan on attending that one...shit is going to start flying).  Our new treasurer is a tea party member and who knows what kind of person the board will hire as superintendent.  We're okay for next year but a year from now, we may be in some deep shit!  It's a scary thing. 

On that note...best head out to my job...while I still have one.  Later!

Watership Down

So here's a funny:  I started reading Watership Down over the weekend. One reason was for enjoyment...this was a book from my childhood...and the other reason was because there's a class next year - Heroes in Literature - that some of my seniors will be taking and I thought I'd read so as to assist them.  Well, as I started to read, I realized it would be a great book to do with my kids in LA.  When I went to school yesterday - I was telling Kim and Diane about it...that I would be reading it next year and BONUS, there's a movie to go with...made in the 80s.  Horshack - the autistic movie genius - said, "Actually, it was made in 1978."  Me: "Well, that would make sense since it was written in 1972...I'm sure your right." (He was).  So then, as I'm leaving the classroom to go to my first period, Horshack comes up to me and says, "I'd like to take the Heroes in Literature class next year!" Me: "Well that's a senior class so you can't." Horshack: "Well maybe I can sit in on their class when they watch the movie." Me: "Well, we're going to read it in LA next year and then we'll watch the movie.  How does that sound?" Horshack: "Okay, okay...that sounds good."

He's such a crack up.  He can drive a person up the wall with all his repeated questions and temperature checking (he's constantly looking out my window to see the temperature on our marquis outside) but I'd take a thousand of him compared to some of the other kids in my classes.

Lets see, weather news:  The South got pummeled...so sad and scary.  We here at home, however, got through yesterday without a storm.  We need to get through tonight as well and then we should be in the clear for a while. 

IEP news:  I've got one of my 4 career center IEPs complete.  I'm really just doing amendments for all except one.  Why kill myself over these IEP's when they were just done a few months ago?

K - well, I best mosey.  Happy Tuesday.  Later!

R.I.P. Laila!

It has not been a good year for the Arbaugh family in terms of their sweet pets.  Saturday evening, Laila, my Dad and Becky's pup, went to heaven to join her brother Brutus and many cousins (Bubba, Zeke, Max etc.).  Laila was Becky's shadow and I know how hard these next weeks are going to be for her without Laila at her heels.

Speaking to Dad yesterday, it sounds like she may have had an heart-related event.  From where they found her, she seems to have curled up, gone to sleep and passed dreaming her doggy dreams.  Laila's life was way too short and the beginning of it was rather tough. She was in a puppy mill, abused and the momma of two litters before the age of two.  You would never have known, however, that she was anything but pampered based on her personality.  She was the sweetest, gentlest girl who tolerated all...rambunctious puppies (Bussie) and kids who loved her (Eva).  Dad and Becky treated her like a queen (Dad would even microwave carrots for her because she didn't like them raw) and as Dad said, who knows where these pups would be without us but more importantly, where would WE be without them?  Rest in peace Laila!  You were a sweet piece of life that we all got to share and love.  

In other news: I can't find the menu I made for the week.  Who knows what we're going to do.  I guess it's pretzels, cereal and eggs for dinner.  I may have left the list at school...I guess we'll see when I get to work. Otherwise...Jim's going to be PISSED!  Just kidding

And the wet weather is almost here.  Starting at around 9:00 this morning, it's going to be Rainmeggedon for the next 3-4 days.  YUCK!  Sami's walks are going to be hit or miss.  I may actually be able to fit one in today because there looks to be a break around 3 or 4.  I'm hoping there won't be much sun because that will "heat things up" which will mean the greater possibility for strong storms overnight.  Not looking forward to that. 

So Sami has made a breakthrough:  She wouldn't drink out of the dog bowl that I filled with water (it is a double dog bowl which held only food for she and Bubba). Yesterday, however, she started drinking out of it.  YAY! 

Okay well, I best mosey.  Happy Monday! (Only 4 more left after today). 

Poor Yimmy!

Apparently my hubby was up half the night getting sick.  Not that I was aware of any of this...I slept right through it.  Not sure what that's all about.  Poor fellow. 

In other news - my long night at school was fine. The kids in my room did well and even better they didn't take forever, talking on and on...saying the same thing over and over. I was out of there just a few minutes before 8:00.

Learned some sad news last night about a colleague...hard to believe that I hadn't heard it through the massive rumor mill that our school is.  Just goes to show that A) I'm out of the loop or B) the colleague has better friends, who don't gossip, than she thought.

It's fairly nasty out there today (raining) but is supposed to clear up by noon and the rest of the weekend should be clear. 

I'll head to the grocery after school today...get that out of the way.  Saturday is Madison's play at Lakota...I was hoping that we could all meet for dinner beforehand but J.J. has a three o'clock game and so it will just be Jim and me.  We'll probably head to Silver Spring House around 5:30...should give me plenty of time.  Jim won't go to the play...his hips can't take sitting in those cramped seats for that long (and I can't take him bitching about it and shifting around every 20 seconds disturbing everyone around him). 

And that's about it. Today will be movie day at school.  The kids were a bit wild yesterday and I think they need a break from Othello and US History.  (Not to mention I need some time to get some IEP shit done). 

K - well, I best go check on Jimmy...not sure he'll be eating the breakfast I made him.  Oh well.  Later!  Happy Fibay!

Current Song In My Head

Woke up to Justin Timberlake "SexyBack" so now, of course, I'm singing this in my head..."I'm bringing sexy back"..."Go ahead, be gone withit"...it doesn't take much for me to get a song stuck in my head but I don't mind this one.

Crooked Smile

In other news - it's a long day for me because of Senior Reflection Night (seniors present their community service projects).  I'll come home to walk Sami and change and then head back around 4:00.  They'll serve us dinner and around 6:30 I would imagine, the presentations start.  We have 10 kids in our room this year which is WAY too many.  Some of these kids don't realize that less is more and ramble on forever.  I have to keep reminding myself that it's only a couple hours out of my life and to be patient.  I did, however, tell the teacher whose room I'm in to make the announcement that each presentation should only be about 5 minutes long. Last year was RIDICULOUS!  There was one kid who went on for 20 minutes...saying the same damn thing over and over.  UGH!  Have I mentioned that I dread tonight?  Oh well, last long evening of the year.

In Eva news:  Maggie took her to the zoo yesterday (2nd time this week).  Kind of a re-do of Monday.  Apparently Monday, Eva was a bit off and basically threw a temper tantrum.  I don't know that she's ever done that before.  She started crying like a maniac and so Maggie warned her if she didn't stop, they'd leave.  Well, she didn't stop and so they left.  Which of course only made Eva bawl harder (she didn't think Maggie would really leave).  Later, Maggie warned her that if she ever acted like that again, they'd never go again.  Fast forward to yesterday...when Eva got up in the morning she asked what day it was and then she asked Maggie if they could go to the zoo.  Maggie said, "Why not?" And things went swimmingly.  I think there had to be one small reminder about behavior. Good thing because the Columbus zoo is pretty awesome.  I definitely want to go again. 

Um...and that's all I've got.  Guess I better mosey.  One more day.  Later!

If I Were A "Real Housewife"...

So most of you know that I'm a bit of a "Real Housewife" junkie.  I watch nearly all of them except Atlanta and I stopped watching Miami because they were driving me crazy. Anyway - last night I was lying in bed working on sleeping and thinking, "If I were a housewife, what would my tagline be?"  (They all have a tagline at the beginning that introduces them in the opening credits.  For instance:  "I don't care if you talk behind my back but at least check out my great ass while you're doing it."  That one cracks me up.) So here's mine:

"I may be a Muggle but I live a magical life."  That's pretty good, isn't it?  Admit it!  I mean it's perfect! 

Okay well, I don't have much else to share so...I best head out since I've wasted time here.  Happy Hump DAY!!!  Later!

You Tell Me If This Is Weird

Most of you have seen where I live or at least pictures.  Just in case though, I live in a cul de sac where the turn around is a huge grassy area (road surrounding).  In the middle, we've (Jim) has installed a bucket with whiffle balls, bats, bases and he draws the lines for the field whenever they start to fade.  Understand, this area is private property, owned by several of us that live around the circle. It doesn't look like a park although the kids often leave toys strewn out there, including the balls. 

So, yesterday evening I'm getting dinner together and I hear Sami at the front window growling which tells me either Jane the Great Dane is out or someone is walking their dog. It was a woman, walking with a stroller and her Weimaraner.  I go back to cooking.  And Sami continues at the window so I go back to look at what might have her attention now.  Well, much to my astonishment, the woman has stopped walking, removed her kid from the stroller and they are in the circle playing with the whiffle bats and balls. Now, I don't care that this was happening...I'm happy to see a cute little girl and her mom and dog playing (yes she left her dog on his leash) but I just found it odd.  I mean, I wouldn't stop during my walk to play in someone's yard...even if my kid saw toys they wanted to play with...even if the kid started screaming her head off. They aren't your toys.  It as weird.  And she proceeded to stay out there for about 20 minutes.  One of the fellow neighbor dogs (who doesn't have a fence or invisible fence) came out to the circle, it seemed to say, "HEY!  Is this your yard?"  Bizarre.  But maybe that's just me. 

By the way - did I already say this?  I updated my book blog.

Okay so I guess I've got nothing else going on.  Managed to finish the IEP for the meeting I have on Friday.  Now I've got to do the IEPs for the kids going to the career center.  I'm tempted to NOT do one for a kid that's supposedly moving to another town.  BUT!  I can't shirk my duties...not my style.  Wish it were my style.  Doesn't seem to have an effect on those whose style it is...but I just can't do that.  Oh well.

K - I'm out.  Need to stop at the ATM on the way in...Got about $75 that I need to distribute at school for one reason or another.  UGH!  Stupid retirees!  K - Later!  Happy Tuesday!

Tough Time Of Year

This time of year is always tough for me in terms of work. When the weather is nice and the weekend has been so relaxing, Sunday night always bums me out, knowing I have to get up on Monday.  I know I've said this before but I just want my weekend to be 7 days long at this point.  And Sami feels the same way. 

Yesterday was so nice and relaxing.  I cooked a lovely breakfast, walked Sami, laid out for about an hour, showered and then I took a chair, my giant umbrella, a Raz-ber-ita and my Kindle and planted my ass in the front yard.  It was so nice to sit and enjoy the kids playing.  Eventually, Sami barked at the front door so I put her on an extendable leash and let her join us.  She just sat in the front yard with us and watched the kids playing and the few cars that drove past.  I think she definitely misses Bubba (when I got home from the store on Friday, she went running around the car looking for him I think) but she also seems to be reveling in her new "only child" status.  Every bit of attention and all scraps of food are all hers.  I'm glad she's adjusted well.

So Jim's a moron.  First thing he does this morning?  Drops a bottle of ibuprofen - open - on the floor.  500 pills everywhere. And of course he did it because he's trying to get a couple tablets out one-handed (he's soaking his finger in peroxide because his middle finger is cracked...from painting...dude doesn't every use lotion like his wife tells him to do).  My husband can barely do things two-handed...why would he think he could get a pill out of a bottle with his giant mitts when he's barely awake?  Guess who had to clean up that mess because my husband can barely squat? 

Speaking of Jim and his aches and pains.  I've told him that we're buying a pair of walking shoes for him and at least on Saturdays and Sundays, he's joining Sami and I for our two miler.  I think his sore hip and every other joint in his body wouldn't feel half as achy if he did some walking.  We'll see how that goes.

Okay - well, I guess I better get moving.  It's getting to be that time.  Oh, and stink!  We have the Senior Reflection Night on Thursday which means I'm at school until 8:00.  I'm suddenly not feeling so great.  UGH! 

K - later!

Easter With Eva

She's so lucky!  I wish I had been there (to eat all her candy)...I mean to see her face when she saw all the Easter bunny left her.



Her basket

More with the basket

Easter plans:  I've made a delicious breakfast already (fried bread, turkey bacon, eggs) and walked Sami.  I've hard boiled my eggs to make deviled eggs here in a bit.  We'll eat a relatively early dinner (ham, au gratin potatoes, asparagus and Under the Sea salad). Other than that, it's a day of relaxation and hanging out in the beautiful sun.  I'm so ready for Summer by the way.  I'm sick of Sundays leading to Mondays at work!  I'm ready to have every day be Saturday. 

Okay - well, enough complaining.  I'd best...finish my book (amazing by the way...highly recommended) and get my deviled eggs made.  Later...Hoppy Easter to all! 

Getting her basket

Good Saturday? Easter Saturday?

Does today have a name?  I don't know.  I do know, however, that it is going to be a beautiful day.  It's already gorgeous and after I vacuum and make my Under the Sea Salad, I'm heading outdoors to lay in the sun and read my book.  Just started a new one and I love it.  A Lisa Genova (she wrote Left Neglected and Still Alice...two books I loved).  This one is about a woman whose autistic son has passed away and how she copes with that.  I'm already half way through and only started it yesterday.  I'll review when I complete it. 

And how cute is Eva all ready for an Easter egg hunt!  Love her!  She's going to have so much fun.

Last night was fun. It was the first impromptu gathering out in our neighborhood circle.  I got to talk to the new neighbors for the first time.  They have 5 kids and it was nice to get to know some of them too.  We're planning an adult outing to the Lager House sometime in May or early June.  We want to rent a party bus or limo so none of us have to drive. That should be so much fun if it works out. 

And that's about it.  I've already walked Sami...it was a really good walk.  She got to see her pal Noah (the dog up on the corner...realistically I think she wants to have his head for dinner), two other sets of dogs also walking, a duck crossing the street, two geese and a horse.  Oh and a dead squirrel in the road (poor little squirrely). A very productive walk for her. I now need to do some straightening and the cooking.  Happy Easter Eve...later!

A Good Friday Off

So nice to have today off. Managed to sleep until 7:00 and now I'm just lounging in my new robe (did a bit of Target shopping last night after Red Robin and found a waffle robe that I've been wanting...got new sheets too), and getting ready to start my day.  I'll have breakfast here in a minute and then I'll make my menu, grocery list, I'll walk Sami and head out.  My only real plans today are grocery shopping.

Made some purchases yesterday that I'm excited about.  I've been wanting to get a quilt set to use in summer in place of my thick, winter comforter but it's been hard to find something reasonably priced and pretty.  Maggie has a quilt set that I've always liked and she told me it was available again on Overstock.  When I went on, I saw that it came in a nice red color (Maggie's is a yellow/green) and I decided, "What the hell"!  So I bought it. I then needed new sheets too so I got a set at Target last night and then ordered a set online this morning.  YAY!  Can't wait for my stuff to be delivered. 

Lets see...what else.  Not much.  You'll all be happy to hear that slacker mom, Maggie is going to color eggs with Eva.  Originally she wasn't going to do this but after much berating by me and Mom, Maggie realized the mistake she was making.  Wish I could be there to help.  Hope to get some pics of the fun (hint hint). 

Okay - so Sami is giving me the stink eye which means she'd like me to eat breakfast so she can have a bit of my crust.  Better mosey.  Happy Good Friday to all...later!

TGIT

So happy that it's my last work day.  So tired.  And annoyingly, I've been waking up about 2-3 minutes everyday before my alarm goes off.  I can't tell you how much that pisses me off.  I wonder if there is a correlation to that and my 1st period headaches?  Let the theories continue.

In Eva news - I know most people saw this on Facebook (A girl and her dog) but I thought it was worthy of a second look.  How long does Eva's hair look.  It is getting long.  She's so pretty.  I just love her smile.  Maggie said she was taking a bath the other night and being funny and Maggie said to her, "Eva, you're so funny!" And Eva replied, "Just like Muwee."  That's my girl.

Went to Honeybaked ham yesterday and got a 4 pounder...a quarter ham.  I, of course, couldn't resist a taste and YUMMY!  Can't wait for Sunday. 

So I think in celebration of it being a short week, I'll take Jimmy out to dinner.  I mentioned Red Robin and that seemed to tickle Jimmy's fancy but I told him he could choose.  I'm not a HUGE fan of Red Robin burgers but they have a ton of other things and their tower of onion rings is a meal in itself. 

Lets see...what else.  Nothing that I can think of.  Best get a move on. Oh, wait:  So we hired a new sped coordinator...or rather we made a woman an offer.  She lives in the district, has kids at the school and the people that know her in my department had only good things to say about her.  That's a plus.  No news on HH or anything else. 

K - NOW I'm out.  Watching a movie in history today...I'm thinking Ghostbusters.  English:  We're continuing with Othello.  The kids seem to be enjoying it.  They like all the sex/whore talk.  Poor Desdemona.  She got a raw deal, that's for sure.

Happy Thursday.  Later!

Recurring Dreams

So I keep dreaming of dogs lately but none of them have been with my boys.  However, I've had three dreams now that have featured basset hounds.  Isn't that funny/weird? 

Additionally last night, I had the recurring dream that I was back in college.  I have this dream a lot and I'm always going back at present age.  This time, however, I wasn't headed back to Boston...I was at UC.  In my dream last night, I was going out to meet friends at a bar somewhere on McMillan.  Apparently I couldn't find a parking spot so I parked at a meter (nope, you're not wrong, that's a parking spot) and ran around the block lugging a bottle of champagne and a bottle of wine, trying to find a spot.  I don't know why I'd be searching for a spot without my car when my car was actually in a spot...weird.  When I finally got back to my car (I was all worried because I didn't want a ticket and I hadn't fed the meter), which was parked IN FRONT of the bar I was going to, the bouncer started talking to me...hitting on me...and I said, "Dude...you have no idea what you're getting yourself into.  You may not be able to see me clearly so let me help you out.  I'm 43.  You're not going to be happy with this when the lights are on."  Hee hee.  Even in my dreams my self-esteem sucks. Although I was getting hit on by a bit of a hottie so that's something.

And today is Wednesday...my Thursday since I don't have school Friday.  I'll be heading to Honeybaked Ham after school to see about getting a quarter ham.  I'd like something that's about 4 lbs.  Maggie sent me a coupon and I hope I find something I can use it on.  Easter dinner isn't Easter dinner without a bit o' ham.  I'll do that, some asparagus, scalloped or au gratin potatoes, under the sea salad and maybe a dessert.

UGH!  I've been getting headaches again.  I feel like it's just end-of-the-year stuff. It usually comes on during first bell (coinciding with assisting a student in his Biology credit recovery...I'm seeing a connection here as I HATE Biology) so today I took two naproxens instead of just one. 

K - I'm out.  Later

The Iceman Cometh?

I was wearing flip flops yesterday and now there's snow on the ground.  And by the way, I think that when it snows in April snow should be called snot...just like I always accidentally type it.  On the plus (or plush as I first typed) side, it isn't sticking to the pavement and so we should be clear on the ride in to work (knock on wood). 

Speaking of snow, my next door neighbor is in school this year until June 9th.  YOWZA!  I mean, those blizzard bags may have been a pain in the ass (not for me) but HELLO people!  We're done on May 30th.  For all the assholes that said they'd rather just take the extra three days rather than deal with blizzard bags:  Eff you!  You KNOW those would be the first people complaining come June 1st when we're still there. 

And more news:  Should I go to graduation?  Here's why I'm wondering.  A) I have a senior who is graduating, although he is deferring to continue at the career center.  But I only have one senior.  B) I'm a union rep so does that mean I should go? and C) it's really cramping my style because it's on May 24th (Memorial Day weekend) at 11AM.  It's a pickle.  I'll weigh it out this week. 

Hmm...what else.  Watched Mad Men...it was okay.  Confusing with people in NY and people in CA...I'm sure it'll get good here soon. 

Gone With the Wind was on last night.  Loved falling asleep to that.  Loved that Jim was more than willing to watch. 

K - well I'd best mosey.  I'm sure even though the roads are only wet, the drivers will be obnoxious.  Later! Happy Tuesday!

Another 4 Day Week

It's hard to believe a lot of schools are just now, this week, on Spring Break.  I think I might be a little crazed if that were us.  Of course, I'm always feeling a bit crazed this time of year but thankfully, we have Friday off this week. 

Nothing much going on here.  Bubba Watson won the Masters...interesting, huh?  Jim had said last Wednesday or Thursday that we should "bet the bank" on Bubba to win and I laughed at him.  Who's the fool now?  (Still Jim).

In school news:  Did I mention last week that I heard HH applied for a principal position at the school where he came to us from?  Apparently they LOVE him there so I'm sure there's a pretty good chance he'll get it. On one hand I worry about him getting it just because with his relationship with FW, there isn't much we need to worry about as a department and you never know what you'll get next.  But then, I remember what a douche bag HH is and how he plays favorites and breeds a horrible atmosphere in the school and I think, maybe someone new, fresh and UNBIASED toward strong women would be a good thing.  You know, someone who doesn't tell me that I "don't smile when I walk down the hall." We'll see. 

What else?  It's windy as hell here and rainy and is supposed to stay that way all day.  Good day to go to work I guess.  Not. 

K - well, on that note...I best mosey.  Happy Monday.  Later!

Eva & J.J.

Let me give you a choke hold...I mean hug

Looks like they had a good time this weekend.  Miss them and wish I had been there. 

Why the grumpy face, J.J.?

As for me, it's been a nice weekend.  Yesterday was the first time that we had an impromptu hangout with the neighbors.  We didn't cookout but we did take down a tree in the circle.  And by "we" I mean the chainsaw wielding men.  See, I had noticed a week or so ago, a hunk of tree that broken off a tree and was suspended, precariously in the tree it had broken off of.  A large gust of wind would cause it to fall and God forbid a kid be playing out there when it happened.  Considering the wind we're supposed to get today, the fellas decided to take care of business.  The kids thoroughly enjoyed watching the tree felling and thankfully no one was hurt. 

In today's plans, I think I'll spend as much time outside as possible.  Do some reading, maybe catch some rays...and that's about it.  Nothing too exciting but certainly enjoyable.

The old switcheroo

Ooh, I'm now through the first season of Game of Thrones.  Awesome! I'll start watching season 2 today or tonight.  Mad Men's final season starts tonight as well.  I expect Don Draper to meet his demise by the end of the series...or at least that's what they'll probably leave the viewer believing.  They've already said that the finale won't leave things tied up with a pretty bow. 

Okay - well, that's all I've got.  I think I'll pour myself a mimosa and go read outside.  Happy Sunday to all.  Later!


J.J. thrilled to play tea party





Trying To Keep My Head Up

It's kind of been a bit of a sad Saturday as this is the first weekend without Bubba.  While I was walking Sami and nearing home again, I kept expecting to see Jimmy walking Bubba and saying to Sami, "There's your brother!"  Miss that sweet boy.  Miss laying on the couch at night watching TV and reaching down, knowing there was a big old sweetie lounging at my side and hoping for a rub.

One good thing is that Sami seems to be acclimating.  She doesn't seem to look around in wonder as much.  She seems happy and is certainly getting a LOT of attention. 

In other news - I had a dream last night that Trip and Susan decided to cut me out of their lives.  Not sure why or what I did.  Susan wouldn't tell me though it was her decision.  Tough week for me in real life and my dreams!

Speaking of Trip and Susan, they're in Columbus and headed toward the zoo today with Eva.  Should be a beautiful day for them.  How cut are those two?  J.J.'s smile is cracking me up.  Love that boy.  He's so good to his cousin.  BTW, how did they do last night sleeping in the same room, Maggie?  Hope they got some sleep.

And that's about all I've got.  I need to go help Jimmy clean and then who knows what the day will hold.  Hamburgers, pasta salad and Brussel Sprouts for dinner.  YUM! 

K - later!

It's FIBAY!

From the wise (or not so wise) mouth of one of my kids...it's FIBAY!  Thank the sweet baby Jesus.  I'm ready for this week to be done!  And then, what?  We have 6 weeks left?!  Can that be right?!  JAY-sus!  I better get crackin' on Othello or we won't finish in time.  These last, effed up two weeks (more freakin' testing has disrupted the schedule) have caused pure havoc in planning for classes.  Next week we'll be back to normal, although we are off Friday but believe me that is not a complaint. 

So Jim and I went out to dinner last night.  I know!  We're crazy!  I just decided that I'd rather come home today, walk Sami if possible (weather depending) and then sit on my ass until Jimmy gets home...have an easy, cozy meal at our own table and not fight the Friday crowd at El Picante.  It was a good decision!

Lets see...nothing too exciting going on at school.  No news yet about BFC.  She gave Kim the cold shoulder yesterday on the job class outing.  Kim couldn't have been happier.  I'm sure she's kicking herself for NOT pissing BFC off earlier in the year so she would stop talking to her.  I'm telling you - near best school thing that ever happened to me was pissing BFC off to the point that she barely looks me in the eye.

K - well, I'm out. Ooh, I totally forgot to share this sweet photo the other day of a girl waiting for her mommy to get lunch on the table.  She will have a GREAT weekend, by the way as her J.J., Uncle Trip and Aunt Susie (and Mollie) will be heading to Columbus this morning.  Jealous!  Hope that have a great time! Would like some PICTURES!!!

K - later!

The Shit's A' Stirring At School

So I haven't talked about school in a while and if you haven't noticed, it's that time of year again.  You know.  End of the year.  Shit starts happening.  Rumors start flying.  People start shifting uncomfortably wondering what kind of shenanigans are going to be tossed at them for next year.  Thankfully (knock of a huge, big old block of wood) that isn't me this year.  We aren't changing rooms although I could have since HH actually graced us with another sped room! I could have high-tailed it out of my room and had some peace and quiet from those ladies that currently reside in 113...hee hee hee. But I'd be too lonely and really, who else in that school actually listens to a word I say?  The kids certainly don't!  Anyway - the only bit of angst I have about next year is the possibility that I will be co-teaching an English class.  But that was me volunteering.  (God I'm so stupid!  What made me utter those stupid words, "I will." You can't blame that one on wine...dammit!  Just thinking about it, I need a glass of wine.  And it's only 5:52 in the morning.  UGH!).

Anyway - here are some things that have been going on lately.  We've been approved for another full-time sped teacher.  Not including the 2 MH teachers (multi-handicap) that puts us at 7.  We will have (not MH) 116 kids next year.  We're getting 44 freshmen alone. Ridiculous. As I've mentioned, we're also getting another room.  Woot!  This is an old computer room and we'll be able to hold many study halls in there and house about 15 computers!  YAY! 

Some really juicy and awesome news came from FW the other day (our department head).  She said that she told HH to tell BFC (hated MH teacher) that she was going to have to switch rooms with the other MH teacher. Reason:  BFC has the room with the full kitchen and laundry.  Her kids are low to the point that none of this is utilized by her unless the adults decide to cook breakfast (for themselves) on a Friday.  Other MH teacher (lets call him Hilo) actually has kids that could do this stuff.  Oh and he actually teaches his kids.  This is going to KILL BFC.  She is going to cause the BIGGEST stink.  And it couldn't happen to a bigger asshole!  She deserves every bit of shit that comes hurtling her way. Someone that hateful deserves to have what's coming to her. I don't know how she's going to handle the news but maybe she'll quit!  I just hope the powers that be follow through.

Lets see...what else.  Oh, our curriculum director has resigned.  He's retiring.  Mainly it's the politics that he has to deal with in main office.  And, he's the man who was principal at the school where the lawsuit came from.  Don't know if that has anything to do with it though.

Uh...nothing else I can think of but I'm sure more shit's sure to come.  I'll certainly keep you updated especially about BFC.  If you hear a loud roar, and then a ginormous THUD coming from this part of the country.  That's most likely BFC getting the news. 

K - I best mosey.  We have a stupid block schedule again today.  I'll be getting my menu and grocery list together so that I can head to the grocery after school.  Happy Thursday.  We're almost there.  Later!

Muddling Through

I'm definitely ready to get back to school today for the simple reason that I don't want to dwell all day in gloom.  I can't guarantee that I won't tear up at some point today but I think I can make it.  I actually slept pretty well.  Jim did not.  Poor guy. 

We got Bubba back yesterday and I put him with Zeke on the armoir in the family room so he can watch over us all.

Sami seems to be doing fine although periodically she'll kind of look around and it seems that she's looking for her Bubs.  At one point yesterday she wasn't in the family room with me and so I tip-toed upstairs to see what she was doing and she was just sitting on the bed by the window, looking out.  It was way too early for Jimmy to be home so I felt like she was looking to see if Bubba was coming. 

This morning, when I went to share the crusts of my bread with Sami, I split the pieces in two, forgetting. 

When I got out of the bathroom this morning after showering and getting ready, I came into the bedroom, watching my step so that I wouldn't accidentally kick Bubba in case he was in the middle of the floor.  He wasn't.

I'm sure there will be many more times when I do something similar to the things above but that's okay...in a way, I don't want to get used to Bubba being gone. 

Okay - I'm done (for now) being sad and depressing.  Best finish my routine and head out. I have a ton of papers to grade...ugh and an IEP to write.  K - later!

Heaven Just Got A Little Sweeter

I never met a single person (adult or child) or dog who didn't love Bubba. There was something about him...something that just screamed sweet, lovable, tolerant, happy. Kids loved him, I think, because he was right at their level and he was just so slow and easy with them.  Jim and I loved him with everything we had and we will miss him terribly.  My heart is broken but my one consolation in it all is that it was really so fast (in a matter of hours yesterday, he was gone) and hopefully he didn't suffer in pain for too long.

How it happened:  Yesterday started normally.  Bubba got up with me, went down to pee and poop, ate a bit, had his pills and Jim said he was his happy go lucky self before he left. Unusually, Jim came home yesterday for lunch because he was fairly close by.  He said Bubba didn't wake up right away and so he let him sleep.  When he did finally get up, Jim said he was normal and that he spent a good five extra minutes loving on him.  When I got home yesterday, around 2:30, Bubba didn't meet me at the door, but since his hearing had gone, this wasn't unusual.  I tempted him up with a biscuit, which he ate and then I took him out for a pee and poop.  He went, nothing unusual but he did seem a bit lethargic.  Because it was still pouring out, I couldn't walk Sami (thank God) and so I sat down to watch TV.  I got up about a half hour later and saw that Bubba was walking very slowly, haltingly toward his water bowl.  When he got there, he kept kind of swaying backward and forward. His tail was tucked really far between his legs which was weird.  When he finished drinking, he just stood there and wouldn't move.  I got his leash to try and see if he wanted to go out front.  He didn't.  But he started shaking and just stood in the foyer, swaying, and looking down.  I knew something was wrong.  I contemplated waiting him out, seeing if he would rally but decided (after talking to Jim) to call the vet.  They told me to come right away. When I lifted Bubba to carry him out to the car, he screamed and flailed in pain.  This was highly unusual.  The vet had felt tenderness in his belly Saturday but this was much more. 

Belly full of bagels!

Getting to the vet, they took him back to take and run his blood, give him a pain killer and probe his belly.  The vet was back within 10 minutes with a syringe full of blood.  He was bleeding internally.  He most likely had a ruptured spleen and possibly a mass.  Upon taking an x-ray, they saw the mass and it was enormous, pushing his stomach far from where it was supposed to be.  The only possibility would be surgery and even then, the mass may have been (most likely was) cancerous.  I knew right away that I didn't want to put him through that.  He was in shock, in pain and at 16, he deserved to die in dignity.  The vet said we had to act fast because he was fading fast.  By 5:00, as Bubba stared into my eyes, I counted his last three breaths and he floated off to be with his best friend Zeke.

I have loved (do love) all of my dogs for so many different reasons but Bubba was so very special.  Bubba's life nearly ended before it had ever really begun (you can read how he came to us on my mother's blog).  I think, however, that God looked down, saw what was about to happen and intervened.  I think he realized that a being so sweet and selfless and funny (and funny looking, really) didn't deserve to be destroyed.  He deserved to give joy to as many people as possible for as long as he possibly could.  Bubba made me laugh every single day.  He made my heart burst with love every day and I thank my Mom and Richard every day for saving him for Jim and me.

My favorite memories of Bubba...I have three really.  The first one has to do with his love of the finer things in life...that being food.  (The second one has to do with food as well.) I think we all know that Bubba wasn't a finicky eater.  He would eat everything from bread crusts, to Brussels sprouts to fudge pops to mud.  One of his faves, however?  Cheese balls.  He preferred to steal them, off the coffee table, whole, in front of a roomful of guests.  And amazingly, the whole thing fit into his mouth.  Of course he couldn't chew and those pesky humans interfered before he could get more than a taste but I'm sure that Bubba would say it was worth it.  And as Maggie said, you know, right now, it's cheese balls all day every day in heaven. 

My second favorite memory involved a bag of bagels.  A WHOLE bag of bagels.  Bubba had quite a snout, a basset's snout and that thing could hone in on food located at his level like you wouldn't believe.  Me being stupid, forgot that one day, and put a whole bag of bagels inside my lunch bag which hung on the dining room chair, ready for me to take the next morning for school.  Fast forward to the next morning and, huh, all that's left is the baggie tie and a couple pieces of plastic.  Bubba was bloated for days.  But again, you know it was all worth it to him.

And finally, if I had to choose, my final favorite memory of Bubba was his funny habit of laying on his back, completely rolled over, legs spread and belly exposed.  He so loved to have his belly rubbed.  And the best part of it would be, one minute I would see him, sitting normally, I would turn around, say to the sink as I was cooking dinner and turn back around and there he'd be, as if by magic, completely sprawled with his belly out and pleading for a quick rub.  Hard to resist!  I know that right now, Bubba is probably in heaven, on his back and Zeke is doing what he always did when he would come across Bubba in that position:  He's licking his armpits (I never said Zekey wasn't a weird-o).

R.I.P. Bubba.  You are missed.  You were so loved.  You are forever in my heart.

A Good Monday

It's always a good day when I don't have to be at school.  Granted, I will be working today but the sped department has a professional development day so we won't have to deal with kids.  (Pretty terrible that as a teacher, a good day is a day without kids or teaching...ugh. Well, you can chalk it up to being the end of the year.)  Anyway, we're meeting at Perkins for breakfast and then heading to the education center to confer for the rest of the day.  We'll be talking about how we're going to structure our Guided Interventions next year (those are special ed study halls) as well as scheduling.  I'm hoping we come away with a lot done.  We'll see.  Oh, and I was supposed to bring reading comprehension books...oops...forgot.  Oh well, they're on my drive at school so we'll be able to get to them from the meeting room.

In other news - I'm trying my best to avoid any news about the premier of Game of Thrones from last night.  I started watching the series on Saturday (now addicted) and I don't want to see anything to ruin it.  Should prove difficult since it seems most of the U.S. population is watching and commenting on it. 

Heading to Costco after school...figure we may get out of our meeting a bit early today so I'll take advantage by running some errands. 

And that's all I've got.  Need to finish getting ready and head to Perkins.  Can't wait to have some pancakes...they are my fave!  K - Later!

Productive Yet Lazy Saturday

Got up this morning and was happy to see I managed to sleep until 7:00 AM.  Especially after I had been awoken at 5:00 to a dog flopping across my belly hoping I was ready to get up.  I wasn't.  But Jim got up to let the babies out. Once I was up and about, I made breakfast and started cleaning.  While I did that, Jim took Bubba to the vet for his final check.  He's doing well but his belly is tender and the doc wants us to switch up the canned food we've been feeding him.  He hasn't gained any weight but he hasn't lost any either so that's good.  He also seems to very shaky lately.  I don't know if it's nerves, cold or what.  Jim noticed he was shaking when sleeping and so put a blanket on him.  Poor, sweet Bubs. 

Oh, homerun Ludwick.  Yay!  Reds take the lead against the Mets, 0-1. 

Anyway - after cleaning, I took Sami for her walk and then showered.  I headed to Meijer for some needed things (pooper scooper, toiletries, lemons) and then Kohl's to see if they had anything worthwhile.  They didn't have SHIT!  I'm so not into the fashion of late...those tops that are shorter in front and longer in back. UGLY!  Oh well, probably best not to spend the money anyway.  Once home, I had lunch and then perused the Internet.

So tonight, Jim is going out to his friends house for poker. I'll make an early dinner before hand so he'll be well fed.  I'm actually happy to have an evening to myself.  I'll most likely hang with my pups, drink some vino, take a lovely bath and read.  I'm reading two books right now - The Book Thief and I just started the latest Pat Conroy The Death of Santini.  So good.  I love all that Pat Conroy does.  He has had such a whacked out and turbulent life.  All of his books are fiction based on his real life and you can't imagine some of the things he's had to endure. 

Anyway that's all I've got. I guess I'll go do some prep work for dinner.  Later. 

I Need Noah's Ark Out There

I think the animals are gathering two by two in my backyard...if they can keep their head above water.  I don't remember my yard getting this flooded in the past.  It just seems that even with the slightest rain, everything is saturated.  YUCK!  And you know Bubba wants nothing to do with going out there. I came home yesterday to a rain-soaked turd on the deck.  I guess that was as far as he made it yesterday. I just tried to get him to go out and at least pee on the deck and he ran straight for the piano (he goes there to hide from me the little shit can). 

So YAY!  It's Friday!  I'm so excited because A) I already did my grocery shop and B) we're getting Timmy's tonight!  Haven't had Timmy's in a long while.  YUM! 

Other plans this weekend?  Who knows...maybe I'll try that place down the road...Shooters, I think.  It looks like a good place to spend a couple of hours. 

Okay well, I'm out.  Gotta fight the traffic and puddles this morning.  PFFT!  Later!

Fingers Crossed

Forty years ago today marks the anniversary of the largest outbreak of tornadoes ever in the tristate area.  There were two F-5 tornadoes that touched down in Sayler Park and Xenia.  I was three and don't remember this.  We were still on Kingman Drive so this wasn't the tornado that damaged my Aunt Sister's house and demolished most of her street - that was scary.  Today we are under a SLIGHT RISK for strong storms (tomorrow too).  I guess no matter where you are in the country, there's some sort of natural disaster that can threaten you at some point:  Tornado, earthquake, hurricane, flooding, etc.  I wonder if somewhere in the world, there's a place where no nature-inspired disasters occur.  Cause...I'd like to move there. Ugh! Hoping the pups are well today and no thing occurs in our area.

School today should suck (nice attitude, huh?).  We're on a stupid block schedule thing because they're testing AGAIN.  So sick of testing these poor kids.  And it isn't even a state mandated test.  And they didn't even explain to these kids what or why they're being tested.  It's so stupid.  Apparently when I was absent Tuesday (it was the first day of testing), there were dozens and dozens of  issues.  Kids who couldn't get on computers, computers that would load the program because they didn't have Java.  Good planning people.  Of course the admin in charge of this is a MAJOR slacker so of course this is all effed up.  Oh well...go with the flow Muir.

Okay well now that I'm done bitching I guess I'll go finish getting ready.  Grocery shopping after school today. I like going on Thursdays after school.  It means that Friday I can come right home and start relaxing for the weekend and I don't have to fight the weekend crowd at Kroger.  Only took me 6 years or so to figure this out.  Of course once summer is here, I'll move my grocery day back to Monday morning. 

K - I'm out.  Later!  Ooh, it's almost Friday!

Feeling Right Puny

I didn't go to school yesterday due to this massive cold I've got, mainly because I was up half the night coughing, my chest hurt from that and I could barely speak.  Today, everything has moved upward.  I won't tell you about the shit coming out of my nasal passages nor will I describe its the sunny color (your welcome).  I'm also hacking up shit and I'm afraid this might turn into a sinus infection.  I should probably stay home today as well but A) I don't think I'm contagious B) I don't feel too terribly bad and C) I don't have anything prepared for a sub.  Oh well, if I feel horrible later, I can always leave at 1:30 since it's early release today. 

In other news - yesterday was a beautiful day. After laying on the couch most of the morning and then soaking in the tub, I sat in a comfy chair on the deck and fell asleep in the sun. The wind was blowing pretty hard so I never got too hot...so nice to finally feel spring is here.  And of course the next three days will be filled with rain and storms, although nothing severe from what my weather friend Larry has said.  Here's hoping.


And to close:  Someone enjoyed a day at the zoo yesterday!

Imitating a fish!  I love that fishy face!

Okay - well, I'm sure I have a bunch of shit on my desk to grade and take care of...I better get cracking.  Later!