Smooth

That will be what my face looks like after today! Getting my 2nd round of botox today after school and I can't wait. It's been since March and that's way too long for me! They say it should last 3 months and I've certainly noticed the difference since it's worn off.

I have a tinge of a headache this morning. I think it's the heat. Maybe some stress thrown in there but nothing that's been weighing heavily on me...just the normal, can't-get-caught-up shit that I've been dealing with since school started...and will last until after the first week of October. I'll muddle through though, don't you worry.

Have I mentioned that I'm sick of this heat? I'm so ready for fall and no AC and open windows and cool nights and soup! Hopefully after Friday we'll finally be in a stretch of my type of weather.

So yeah, my LA classes just finished reading Macbeth and I was going to show the most recent movie that was made in 2015 with Michael Fassbender but reading about the violence...I'm thinking I shouldn't. One review stated that the violence was such that you may have to look away. That isn't something I'm willing to show my kids. There is a 2010 production and I'll look into that - hopefully the kids won't be totally bummed out. Really they just want to watch a movie so as long as I show SOMETHING!

I think I'm going to break down and finally buy a computer this weekend. I just can't take this piece of shit anymore! Plus, I need to be able to easily work from home on IEPs etc. and with this hunk of junk, I just can't. I'll have to do some research first...of course this useless piece of poop I'm currently using will make that hard. Oh well...

And that's all I've got. Time to get going. Happy Wednesday! Later!

Emmys

So yeah, the Emmys were apparently on last night...well, not apparently because once I realized they were on, I watched what I could before my eyes betrayed me and shut. My point is, I had no idea that the show was on until about 7:00 last night. I mean there was no lead up that I ever saw. Crazy. Am I that out of the loop!? I watch TV...Lord knows I watch TV so how did I miss that? Who knows? Regardless, I watched for about a 1/2 hour or so and in that time, one of the shows that I just started watching (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) won 4 awards! I think they ended up winning 5! Nice. And Game of Thrones won best drama! I must be good luck!

Lets see...what else? Not much. Jim worked about a 12 hour day yesterday and should be back to normal hours today. YAY! Not sure what I'll make for dinner tonight but I'll be happy to sit at the dinner table with him and then watch The Wheel and Jeopardy. It's been a while.

School is school. I feel like these kids - the ones in my LA class - are already starting to slack. Driving me nuts. I mean, my class isn't hard but there is work to do and when you don't do it...well, you get an F. Oh well.

Okay well, as usual I have a ton shit to do and need to get a move on. It's back to the upper 80s today and the rest of the week so I need to figure out what to wear. Thankfully  my room at school has been quite cool. One of the few places in the school that can boast that. Knock on wood.

Happy Tuesday. Later!

Don't You Just Hate It...

...when you've had a discussion with your husband about doing something and then next thing you know, he's decided to do something different. UGH! So Jim has a LONNNNNGGGGG day ahead of him. He has to go to one job which he started on Saturday in Kenwood, work a regular shift and then go to the job he had been on previously (2nd shift) and do some touch ups, around 4 or so. So he had talked about leaving this morning super early to get the first part of his day over quickly so he could get to the 2nd part and home earlier. I told him that for the dogs sake, that would be tough. So we agreed to leave at normal time (me around 6:15 and him around 6:45) with me getting home around 3:00 (as usual for the pups). See, the pups just need a little extra time in the morning to get their energy out.

Anyway - I get up, do my normal routine and come downstairs for breakfast.  Jim's sitting, dressed at the table having already eaten his breakfast. This is annoying too because he had fixed his meal but didn't toast the toast I had ready to toast in the toaster and didn't get his fruit like we had discussed (dude needs to increase his fiber intake...oh and I'm sure he didn't get his Metamucil!) I said, "What's going on?" He said, "I'm trying to get out of here early so I can get home early and take care of the pups before you get home." Me: "Huh? That was never discussed." Him: "Well, if I go now, then I can get home before you get home and get the boys out and then head to the other job once you get here." Me: "Well, that was never discussed and that still doesn't help the boys with the energy they have now." Whatever though...annoying. Then he wants to know if I'm mad...he thinks I'm slamming things around when really I was getting my breakfast ready...closing kitchen cabinets, setting down a cup on the counter etc. I said, "I'm not mad...I'm annoyed. We talked and agreed to one thing and then you up and do something totally different. I'm a little thrown for a loop."

The outcome: Jim left here at 5:34 and I'm trying to get the boys riled up to chase each other around and get their energy out. It worked for about 10 minutes and now their both chilling out, sucking on one of their dog pillows. The little weirdos.

So weekend news: Nothing major. We hung out Friday, played some cards. I was a bit grumpy. Don't know why. Jim worked all day Saturday. I cleaned, mowed the lawn (front and back), cleaned off the deck, and then hung with my boys. Saturday night was just a nice relaxed evening. Yesterday we got up, I walked the boys, we went to the dollar store (love that place!), pet store and Walmart (hate that place). Home and then football. Nothing major.

Oh, Jim's appointment...totally forgot. All is well, we think with his colon. There were three polyps that were removed and sent off for biopsy. The doc says they're precancerous and he'll have to come back every three years but he thinks everything is okay (not melanoma, and his diverticulosis is fine...not diverticulitis which would be if it were infected). We were done Friday by 10:30 and home by 1:00.

And that's all I've got. This week at school should be pretty routine. I had one IEP and then we have an inservice on Friday which means no kids...yay!

K - I'm out...gotta get these puppies worn out. Have a happy Monday! Later!

Colon Cleansing Complete

Jim's been working on cleansing his insides all night and is ready for his colonoscopy! Actually, it hasn't been that bad. He did a split-cleanse so that he took a dose last night around 6:00 and managed to come to bed around 10:00 (about 3 hours back and forth bathroom time). He slept until he had to get up again for his next does, 4:00 am. He's now in the shower and we'll be on the road around 7:30. He has to be there at 8:30 and his procedure is at 9:30. I'm hoping to be home around noon but who knows. Fingers crossed that the results are good!

I got a text from Jim yesterday that my bad boys got a bird! Maggie has pointed out I may have some active serial killers on my hands. And they seem to be killing for fun! They catch, play, soak their new friends in spit and then leave them. What can I do!? And how can I get them to kill the moles instead?! Oh, and by the way, they didn't kill the bird...Jim managed to get it out before they committed yet another murder.

So I only lost 2 pounds this week. I need to get more on my exercise game. It's just been hard with having to stay late at school and get things done. I'm hoping to step my game up this next week as things start to settle down. Two pounds is okay though...I mean better losing than gaining! I'm headed in the right direction. And I can definitely see a difference in the fit of my clothes so that's something. I can do this!!!

Heading to Trader Joe's after Jim's procedure today - barring anything major happening and as long as Jim is up for it. There's one in Kenwood and I'm hoping to pick up some things to switch up my meals.

I need Dylan Dryer to get inside and take cover! She's making me nervous!

Okay well, I need to finish my routine and hit the road. I hope traffic isn't too shitty. Later! Happy Friday!

Theodore Almost Got It

Scout did it again. Only this time, Jim managed to save the chipmunk in time. Or as Jim put it, "With a minute left to spare before he died." Apparently Jim saw Scout run in the house and head into the living room with something hanging suspiciously from his mouth. When Jim went to check, he said Scout was tossing whatever it was into the air and then pouncing on it when it landed. Jim said that after the second or third time seeing Scout do this, he saw movement as the poor little guy tried to escape under the couch. Jim then "saved" the spit-soaked Theodore and placed him outside. I question whether the little guy made it. But don't tell Jim...it might devastate him. Thank God he's been the one that's had to deal with these antics and not me (knock on wood).

I managed to get some things checked off my list yesterday after school. I'm slowly but surely getting there. The water is still lapping over my head at times but I think the tide is finally ebbing.

You all will be happy to know that JIM'S OFF SECOND SHIFT!!! Yay! Of course I he messed up a little and got him up before he needed to be up this morning...oops. I forgot that he doesn't need to be at work until 9:00 or 9:30 but that's okay...he doesn't have a full day of work so he can come home and relax.

So today is my Friday! Because Jim is getting his colonoscopy tomorrow, I had to take off to drive him. He needs to be there at 8:30 and hopefully we'll be home by noon. The prep for the procedure will start tonight at 6:30. Poor Jimmy. It really isn't that bad but he will be spending a lot of time on the terdlit while the cleansing happens. I should make sure our hand-held games (Tetris and Yahtzee) have fresh batteries. Or I could wheel a TV into the doorway so he can watch the Bengals game. We'll see.

Okay well, time to get a move on...try to get more checked off my list. Happy Thursday! Later!

First Simon, Then Alvin!

My dogs are definitely ratters! However, they haven't been very successful in finding rats here in the 'burbs so it seems they've turned to chipmunks! I wish they'd figure out how to get rid of the moles instead but I have to say the chipmunks do damage as well. However, they're so cute, I really hope they've told all their friends about the blood thirsty mongrels that live here and they'll watch their backs from now on...hopefully Theodore isn't next.

So I stayed late at school yesterday and actually got something done! I managed to organize and upload a shit ton of "evidence" for my evaluation. Such a time waster! There are 7 standards for the Otes (Ohio teacher evaluation system) and for each standard you're supposed to have 3 or 4 pieces of evidence. And of course you know I'm an overachiever so I give much more than that. Yesterday I tried to organize all the shit I do every week and every day and then I figured out what evidence should go in each standard and then I had to convert things into a pdf and then I had to upload it into Ohio's system. I also finished my "growth plan" (another waste of my time) and "pinned off" on that.

Today I'll stay late and try and crank out a couple upcoming IEPs. It shouldn't be too hard because these are students I've had so everything I need is either in my head, or on the previous IEP. (Writing an IEP for a new student is much harder because you get IEPs from the junior high that suck; they aren't organized and they just cram info into the document because for some reason they think more is is better. I think they also believe that a bigger font makes for a better IEP. Not true! Idiots!)

I am starting to feel a little better about getting caught up but I won't feel great until my first observation is out of the way.

Can I just say I'm looking forward to cooler weather and winter but I am NOT looking forward to a muddier backyard than I already have. So annoying. I keep telling Jim that he needs to A) fertilize and B) lay some seed. Does he listen to me? No! He just cleans the garage again! He must "clean" that thing 10 times a year. Jerk!

K - I'm out. Time to get a move on and try and crank out some IEPs. Happy Wednesday! Ooh, only one more day of work after today! Double ooh: Next week is another 4-day work week because we have an in-service on Friday! Woot! Later!

A Four Day Week

Oh boy...just had a little tussle upstairs with the pups. They're up there cuddling with their daddy and I'm guessing they're both trying to be the closest and BAM! Didn't seem bad, however...Jim managed to wrangle them pretty quickly. That rarely happens anymore (knock on wood) but Boo definitely has his buttons.

Anyway - I hadn't planned on a four-day week but alas, Jim scheduled his colonoscopy for Friday and he has to have a driver. He's all worried he's going to poop himself. HA! I told him it isn't that bad and we'll certainly put a garbage bag down on the car seat. His appointment is at 9:30 but we have to be there at 8:30. His prep starts the night before at 6:30. I told him he may have to sleep in the guest bedroom. Don't want my beauty sleep interrupted.

BTW - the computer doesn't recognize the spelling for colonoscopy and it's suggestion is "kaleidoscope". Ha! Let's put one of those up Jim's bum! No one wants to see that!

Aw...it's 9/11. Oh, and it's a Tuesday. I think the actual 9/11 was a Tuesday as well. Seventeen years! Who can believe that?

It's also my neighbor Lauren's birthday. Doesn't that suck!?

Jim should be on his last day of 2nd shift today. I'll be glad when this is over...I miss having him at home and I miss cooking a different meal every night. I've been eating leftovers for a few days and will again tonight. I mean, they're good leftovers but still...I'd like to change it up.

I'll stay a bit late today at school to try and crank some shit out. I tried that yesterday but my mind wouldn't settle down and I ended up coming home only about a 1/2 hour later than usual so I could decompress by walking the boys. For the most part that worked. It was a lovely, fall feeling day. Made me jones for fireplace weather. I can't wait for that!

Okay well, best to head out. Last day of free Sirius XM radio - BOO! Guess I'll be back to listening to books.

Happy Tuesday! Later!

Low Key

The weekend was incredibly low key. First because Jim has been on 2nd shift and worked late Friday and then had to work last night. Second because with all the rain (nearly 5 inches since Friday), who wants to venture out? Actually, I take that back - we did go to Shooters on Saturday but only for about an hour and a half. Jim deserved it and I was incredibly good: didn't eat there and only had one beer (A pint of Guinness is only 4 points).

Found a new series that's hilarious! Maggie turned me on to it - it's an original Prime series: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Really funny and truly original. Check it out.

I put a pair of pants on today and was pleasantly surprised to find that they are on the way to being too big! Woot! I did pretty well this weekend. I certainly partook in a few cocktails but I didn't overdo it and didn't go over points with food at all. I'm still very committed to this especially since I'm starting to see results.

And that's about all I've got. Jim's still on second shift and most likely will be through Wednesday. I'll probably stay late at work as a result to try and get some things done since I never seem to have any time during the day...and you know I don't bring home work! That may have to change as I approach my next couple IEPs and observation. Pfft!

Okay - happy Monday! Here's hoping the week goes quickly! Later!

Can't Keep My Head Above Water

You know I went to school yesterday extra early; I gave my LA classes independent work; I had nearly an hour of "free time" during the advisory bell; I stayed at school until 3:30 waiting to leave for my haircut. Yet with all of that, I still feel like I can't catch up and make headway on the shit covering my plate. It's so frustrating. However, I hear that it isn't just me. Others are feeling the pressure as well. Our school psyche came into my room yesterday to get a student for testing and we were talking about all the shit we have with no time to do it and she said, "I just feel like crying!" I'm not quite there but fear I may get there.

The thing that sucks is that the majority of the pressure I feel is due to the state evaluation I have to prepare for. I mean it isn't enough that I teach 4 classes, have 19 kids on my caseload, have IEPs coming out my ears and parents up my ass about other teachers, not to mention that I quit drinking during the week. Now I have to take time to illustrate all I do, every day to make me a suitable teacher. This, according to some stupid standards and a couple of 1/2 hour observations by an administrator who is probably just as rattled as I am with everything on his plate. Why don't they just give us all "go pros"? We could stick a camera on our head and record for about a week and then someone with time on their hands can review the tape, see all the shit we do and have to put up with and leave the teachers to teach! Shouldn't I be giving my time to my kids!? Because this bullshit the state is making me do is only taking away from what I should be doing. UGH!

Speaking of assholes! So yesterday I had and IEP meeting and as usual, I had gone through the proper channels in scheduling...meaning I had reserved the conference room way ahead of time. But of course!!! Since the "big wigs" had a meeting, they took my conference room. WITHOUT SIGNING UP!!! I mean, I signed up about 3 weeks ago. And the other alternate conference room was being used by another sped teacher for another IEP meeting. So one of my admins who had come out of the meeting said, "I don't know what happened." I said, "I know what happened. I signed up for the conference room like I'm supposed to, but you all came along and took it and are making me move." He said, "Maybe you can meet in 247." Me: "Sure, I can traipse my parents all over the building...that's fine." He said (with a snarky attitude...although to be honest, I was being very rude and passive aggressive...well maybe not so passive) he said: "Well, we can go into the meeting right now and tell the superintendent that he needs to move!" Me: "I will...I think he should! Parents take precedence...and I SIGNED UP FOR THE CONFERENCE ROOM!" Assholes! By the way, as you can imagine, that admin hates me. Well, that's okay, I don't have much use for him either. Just another fool in stupid pants.

Can you tell it's Friday and I'm ready for the weekend? I'm so sorry  all I've done is bitched and bitched today! I should be nicer and happier. I mean it's the weekend! And I lost 3 pounds. And I get to have a cocktail tonight! Woot.

Okay - well I'd best get to work and try and get something done. Happy Friday! Later!

Ingenious!

I was just scrolling through some news articles and came across one that said, "Couple builds a drive thru window in mobile home to sell drugs". I mean, that's just good business sense, don't you think?! I know I wouldn't want all those dirty druggies traipsing through my double wide?! (Or single wide) Who would!? You gotta protect your trailer! That must be a thriving meth business if a drive thru is needed to be built to expedite orders. I wonder if there's a menu and speaker thingy where you pull up, decide what you want and call out, (after hearing the window worker say, "would you like to try our blue plate meth special today? Go ahead with your order when you're ready") "Uh, no...I'd like just a regular bag of meth please...and a large Frosty!"THEY SHOULD SERVE MILKSHAKES TOO!!!

It's articles like these that give me conflicting feelings. On the one hand, how are there people like this?! So depressing (you should see their picture...dude was all tatted up, face included). And then on the other hand, it's stories like this that make me realize I've got it so good and I need to be thankful for my good fortune.

(BTW - I can't believe I typed the word "thru"! My former high school English teacher, Mrs. Pfetzing, HATED that word! It pissed her off to no end that the English language was being butchered as a means of convenience. To her it was as bad as the word ain't! And man oh man would she absolutely HATE this day and age of LOL and WTF and BTW. Sorry Mrs. Pfetzing...I tried fighting it for years but it's everywhere!)

So IEP #2 is today. Should be an easy meeting...a senior who's been on my caseload all four years. He's autistic (high end) and the parents are easy. Hopefully we'll bang this meeting out and I'll be back in my room for the advisory period (hour long homeroom-like part of today) so I can work at my desk and plan for my evaluation. Starting to stress a bit about this...only because I have too much on my plate right now. Thankfully, I'll be at school extra late today because I have a 4:15 appointment to get my hairs cut and don't want to go home first because the dogs will only get all hyped up. Plus Jim's home all day so no worries.

And that's all I've got. Time to get a move on. So excited tomorrow's Friday! And it's weigh-in day...I'll be interested to see if I lost anything this week. K - later!

Some Days Are A Struggle

Yesterday was one of those struggle days in terms of staying on the diet track. Here's one problem: I switched from the app I was using to the WW app. In doing this, it reduced my points per day by 6. That's a lot, however, the old app didn't have the system that WW is using with zero points for many proteins, nearly all fruits and veggies as well as things like eggs. So, basically, it should all come out even. However, I was left with only 8 points for dinner last night and was struggling to stay in my limit (even though I have weekly points to dip into...I like to save those for the weekend). And I didn't have Jim at home to distract me. So then of course, I had to eat extra early (5:30) and had 2 hours to kill before I could take myself to bed. Thankfully I was quite full from the "cobb" salad I had for dinner but then I started thinking: It's been 3 weeks since I've had chocolate! Mmm...chocolate. And then...I can't wait for the weekend to have a cocktail! Mmm...Skinnygirl Margarita! I managed to stay true to my plan, however, and didn't eat any. I'm sure this is just one day of struggle because truthfully, in all of this, I've sort of breezed by but the struggle is real when it hits. And it certainly sucks when Jim's on 2nd shift!

One thing Jim did for me yesterday while he was home is to A) pick up the "free" TV from our mattress purchase and B) go to Costco to get me a shit ton of fruit. He got me a pineapple, apples, grapes, bananas and peaches. And let me tell you those peaches are amazing. I made a huge fruit salad and will munch on that for a few days (zero points). That helps.

School: My IEP meeting? The parent forgot and didn't show. And of course the deadline for the meeting is today so I need to have paperwork in. Such a pain in the ass.

So I'm up for evaluation this year and got the date for my first observation: Week of Oct 1-5. This kind of sucks because that's really close and I have 2 IEPs to write before then. Such a pain in the ass truly. However, I'm glad it's sooner rather than later so I can get the 1st semester observation over with. I'm not worried about the actual observation, it's just so much work preparing because I have to fill out a 10-page (maybe not that many) pre-observation thingy and upload all this "evidence" of everything I do. I mean, give me a break. I don't sit around on my ass and look at Pinterest or Facebook all day! And why can't Sped teachers be evaluated on their IEPs?! That's stupid. Oh, wait, I know why. Because admins don't really understand special ed nor what we do. That's right. Jerks!

Okay - I stepped down from my soapbox and will now depart. After all this talk about my evaluation, I feel like I need to get to work and do something for it. I'll probably stay after work one of these days when Jim's on 2nd shift and crank some shit out too.

K - happy Wednesday...ooh, we're halfway there. Later!

A Little Stumble

I knew going into Sunday that I would need to take a cheat day on my diet and alas, I did just that. I actually ate well, didn't go over my points due to food it was the alcohol that pushed me over the edge cliff. What are you going to do though? I've been good for three weeks and I'm back on the wagon eating well and not drinking...sometimes you just need a cheat day. We'll see how it goes on Friday when I have my next weigh in.

Speaking of Sunday, it was lots of fun. Good to hang with everyone and fun to play some final games of water volleyball before the pool closes on Friday. Can't believe summer is over. You wouldn't know it with this freakin' heat! I'm so sick of 90 degree weather!

The rest of the weekend was good too. The boys got lots of attention and walks in and they'll be happy as larks this week because Jim's on 2nd shift through at least this week. I'm happy about that too because it gives me the chance to take care of some things that I haven't been able to do because I rush home every day. For example, I'll be making an appointment for a haircut today (hopefully can get it this week) and I'll be able to head to the post office to make a return to Zulily.

I have 2 IEP meetings this week; one today and one Thursday. In fact I need to wrap this up pretty quickly because I need to tweak the IEP for today a bit and the meeting is at 7:00 am so I better get a move on.

Okay well, time to get a move on. Happy Tuesday (YAY for a short week). Later!

On The One Hand...

...I'm SO happy it's Friday for any number of reasons, not the least of which is I can't wait to drink a cocktail. However, (I know! Who thought there'd ever be a "however" when it comes to me and a cocktail) I'm so committed to this weight loss thing that I don't want to overdo it! And it's not that I want to "tie one on" or anything like that it's just that a Skinny Girl Margarita tastes so good, it's hard to have just two. Now, granted, I usually have enough points at the end of the day that having 2 isn't even dipping into my weekly points but I want this momentum to continue!

Part of the reason for this is I only lost 4 pounds this week. And I shouldn't be discouraged because I KNEW I wouldn't lose 8 pounds again and 4 pounds is actually really good...I mean since I've been weighing myself, that's 12 pounds! Over 5% of what I want to lose! But you know...I want to be skinny now! Ah well, I need to be proud and motivated by what I've been able to accomplish so far.

Anyway - I CAN'T WAIT FOR A COCKTAIL TONIGHT!!!

I also can't wait for the 3-day weekend. I'm excited to get my walk on with the boys since I haven't been able to do that like I'd like through the week (rain, heat, Jim working late etc.). I'm excited that Maggie et al are coming down Sunday for a family extravaganza (minus Anne and Steve who will be in PIB). Should be fun!

School is good. I gave my first test in WS Wednesday and everyone passed. There were a couple of high D's but I allowed for test corrections and they managed to bump their grades up. I give my first science test today and that should be a shit show. We'll see. LA is good, we are well into Macbeth and the kids are, as always, enjoying it.

Yesterday I had training for an online science lab program which was mostly a waste of time...only because what was presented in 3 hours could've been done in half the time. What was most annoying, as Lisa had warned me, was that one of the trainers treated us like we were children. "I need your eyes up here!" She constantly said that! Um, hello, I'm an adult and can do more than one thing at a time...and even if I can't, it's my choice to listen to you or not. Made me want to look down the whole time she presented (and punch her in the face)...but I'm not that rude. Anyway, I can probably use some of the labs but truthfully, there aren't that many available for Earth Science (what I'm teaching this year). Next year (Biology) will have more options. I'll give it a try though. What I'm most excited about though is the ability to have the answers of these labs to help my kids that are in gen ed classes.

Okay well, time to get a move on. BTW - my bed is still awesome and my eye is healing nicely. My neighbor, Jordan, who assisted me in the injury saw it yesterday and said, "Hey, that doesn't look that bad! I feel a little less guilty."

Happy Friday! Later!

Legit!

I was reading to Jim the story about the UPS driver who couldn't deliver a package because there was apparently "Bear in driveway" (according to what he had written in the box on the note explaining). I said to Jim, "That's a legit reason...for sure." And then I said, "Legit! I like that word, I'm bringing it back!" And Jim said, "Why did we ever stop saying it?" And I said, "That's a legit question!"

It finally rained here last evening. And don't you know the massive downpour (and I mean MASSIVE...nearly 4 inches per hour according to my fave weatherman Kevin Robinson) was happening as I was trying to grill my blue cheese chicken burgers?! It was ridiculous! But I managed to power through using my handy dandy giant school golf umbrella. That gift has gotten more use than any other. Legit, best gift ever!

You know who didn't care about the rain and proceeded to stand in it getting soaked? Boo! He's a kook and let me tell you when he gets wet, his hair is so scraggly and messy. He looks, legit, like a drowned rat! I love him.

Speaking of my fave subject (my pups, duh) every time Jim or I get up to pee and come back to bed, Scout starts thumping his tail. I said to him early this morning, "Scouty...I was just in the bathroom...you act like you haven't seen me in days!" And then he cuddled up to me and we both fell back to sleep. I love that boy!

Okay well today I have a 1/2 day in the classroom and then the afternoon will be spent at central office getting trained on some science lab website. They've set aside 2 1/2 hours for it which is silly because it isn't going to take that long. But that's okay...no complaints from me. And thankfully, my afternoon is the better time for a sub since it's the easy part of my day (minus the kook in 6th bell but hopefully he'll just sleep...like he legit always does.)

Well, time to get a move on. Happy Thursday! This time tomorrow it will be Friday and we'll be headed into a 3-day weekend! WOOT! Later!

3:30 Isn't Wake Up Time!

So apparently Jim got up at some point to go sleep on the couch because of a headache and as a result, my boys were ready to go. I kept telling them, "Uh uh!" But they just wouldn't listen so I sent them downstairs and told Jim to deal with it. Thankfully I managed to get back to sleep until the alarm went off. Annoying! We'll blame Jim though because those silly boys didn't know any better.

I'm getting closer to my weekly weigh in so of course I had a dream last night that I didn't lose any weight. That's starting to become annoying.

Speaking of my "diet"...I had a tough time yesterday because I really wanted a cocktail. I didn't have one but it was so hot and I was so bored (Jim didn't get home until nearly dinner time) and Maggie wasn't around to talk me down! It was a close one but I stayed strong. Here's hoping I can make it to Friday!

I had another dream last night that I was searching for an apartment. Another recurring dream I hate! In this one I wanted one apartment that was nice and clean and cozy and the person I was rooming with (there was Jim but we were living with someone else too) wanted a cheaper apartment that was dirty and had holes in the walls. And the holes in the walls went through to the outside and there were cats coming in. So weird.

School is fine. I was telling Jim last night that my schedule is such that my day FLIES by. All of a sudden I'm sitting there and I realize, "SHIT! It's lunchtime already!" Not that I'm complaining! I feel like this happens every year though and then a month or so in, once everything has settled, things move like molasses. We'll see.

This hot weather is getting on my nerves. I hate not being able to take the boys for a nice long walk in the afternoon to get some of their energy out. But the were good yesterday.

Well, that's all I've got. Time to get going. Happy Wednesday. Ooh, we're midway through the week with a 3-day weekend to look forward to! Later!

This Weather Is NOT For My Dogs

Maybe the birds like it but my pups are not thrilled with this heat. I got home yesterday and wanted to take them for a little walk (just a little one) to get some of their energy out. Scout got about 6 or 7 houses up the street and started whining. I know if was because he wanted to turn around. I managed to go about a half mile with him before giving in. It was all worth it for him, however, when he got to see a rabbit. He acts like such a fool when he sees a rabbit, it's ridiculous! He whines this high-pitched whine (more like a shriek) and pulls and just basically loses his mind. I asked him, "Scout! What would you even do if you caught that sweet little bunny!?" He said, "MOM! I'd chomp on his bones!" Me: "And that's why I don't let you chase bunnies you turkey!"

Jim was home before I was yesterday which was nice for the boys. After I walked them, I was doing dinner prep stuff and when I finally sat down on the couch to watch Nicolle I realized I hadn't seen Jim in about an hour. I called, "JIM!?" No answer. "JIM!?" And I hear a mumble and realize he was upstairs snoozing in our new bed. Can't say I blame him.

School is going well. I have a kid coming in early today for a detention. He's one of the spaz kids I have who has consistently driven me mad for going on three years now. Late, doesn't do his work, has about 2 credits (of the 12 he probably should have). Pretty sure he's on drugs to which I've voiced. What are you going to do?

And that's all I've got. I need to get these boys riled up and playing so they can get some energy out. They're being all lazy right now.

K - happy Tuesday! Later!

Log Splitting & Split Eyes

Well first of all we need to talk about my bed! It's wonderful! So comfortable, cool (temperature), and cozy! I love the adjustable part of it. Funny enough, so do the pups. Boo loves to lay on the end of the bed with it raised so he can see perfectly clearly out the window. I found myself going up there throughout the weekend just to read or watch TV. Well worth the money. And bonus, the guys were here when I got home Friday and had it installed and were out the door before 2:45! Woot!

So Jim and I managed to be quite productive yesterday. Our neighbor rented a log splitter and we filled our holders so we're ready for winter. We started around 9:30 and wrapped everything up (clean up, hitch the splitter back up) by 3:00! Not bad.

The only snafu in all of it was I took a log to the eye. It was on the first log we split and as I was bending down to grab a log, Jordan (my neighbor) was throwing one and I caught it right in the left eye. Hurt like a mother f&%ker at first and bled a little bit but it's okay now. Originally it was black and blue and I thought I'd have a black eye but it's just a bit swollen and red. The cut on my eyelid is a little sensitive but it's fine...I'm fine! I feel bad because my neighbor feels bad but hey, in the 5 or 6 years we've been doing this, this is the only injury we've had. That's pretty good. And like Jim said, we're all just lucky it didn't happen to Jim because you know he'd probably STILL be out there rolling around crying like a baby!

This week will thankfully be a normal one at work. Last week we had 4 days of a wonky schedule and it as annoying. This week is also leading us into a 3-day weekend so that's exciting! Sucks that the weather is going to be hot as shit but we've had such a mild summer I can't really complain. Although you know I will because my room at school is an OVEN!!! Freakin' idiots who can't get the freakin' AC right.

Speaking of AC, I thought ours was broken yesterday. There still might be something going on with it but as of now, things are fine. I'll keep an eye on it.

Okay well, time to get a move on. Figure out what I'm doing today. This first chapter in science is taking FOREVER! But that's okay...we're all still getting to know each other.

Happy Monday! Later!

1st Weigh In

I was convinced that I wasn't losing weight but I was determined to wait to weigh myself and today was the day. Drum roll please...I lost 7.8 pounds! (Lets just call it 8, shall we!?) Now, there are a few things about this that need to be kept in mind:

1. My first weigh in was in the afternoon - 3pm - whereas today I did it first thing in the morning so you know, maybe there's a discrepancy? In the future, I'll always weigh myself on Fridays, first thing. 
2. This is a big number and I need to remember that each week won't be like this. They say the first couple weeks of a diet you're losing a lot of water weight etc. so you tend to lose more as your body acclimates to the new way of eating.
3. I've been crazy meticulous about my eating and drinking. I haven't gone over any of my daily points so I haven't tapped into my weekly points yet. I don't expect it to be that way every week which may mean I'm not losing as much as fast. And this is fine. As Maggie said, it took a while to put the weight on so it's going to take a while to take it off. Patience is a virtue. 

And delivery day is here!!! Our bed will be delivered today and it seems like I've been waiting for a month! So much anticipation! I hope the installation goes smoothly! Our window for delivery is 2:15-4:15 which means I need to leave after 6th period today to get home in time (Jim can't do it). Thankfully, my 7th period class is a GI and there are two others that can keep an eye on my kids (thank you Lisa!). I will certainly take pics of my bed because I know everyone is as excited as I am!

And that's all I've got. This weekend is our annual log-splitting weekend. Our neighbor Jordan is getting a splitter and the three of us will crank out as much as we can on Sunday. This bed is coming just in time because you know I'm going to be crazy sore and will need a restful and therapeutic sleep!

K - happy Friday! TGIF!!!  (It was a good week by the way...school so far is going swimmingly. Knock on wood!!! I just jinxed myself.) Later!

Slightly Obsessed

I'm hoping that I'm totally preoccupied with whether or not I'm losing weight because I have yet to weigh myself for the first time since getting myself scale (minus my initial weighing in). Every day I wake up thinking, "This shit isn't working! I'm not losing weight!" And I don't want to obsessively weigh myself every second of the day so I've been good about waiting until tomorrow but of COURSE my obsessiveness has bled into my dreams. Last night I had a dream that I was playing a game called, "Pregnant or fat?" Isn't that terrible!? I just wish my mind could relax and chill. I need to remember that it took a while to put the weigh on so it isn't going to happen overnight. Positive attitude!

Daily Dose of Puppy Funny: Yesterday was so beautiful and I was pumped to come home, lace up and take the boys (separately) on a walk. So I did. Scout was first and we went on a nice 2 mile walk. We were about 1/2 mile away from home and Scout seemed to be hunting for a place to "go" (which was weird because he had already gone). So I slowed down and he was hunting around, hunting around and then suddenly, he just splays out and lays down. Literally, he laid down in the grass, stretched out on his side, plonked his head down and closed his eyes! Of course I started cracking up but then I said, "Turkey! I am NOT carrying your lanky ass back to the house so crack-a-lack and lets go!" He got up but did try to lay down one more time. Needless to say the boys slept like babies (Scout spooned with me all night long) and even managed to stay asleep until my alarm went off! Good boys!

Bonus: Jim doesn't have to work until 11:30 today so I'll be able to go to Costco after school. I don't like to do this when the boys are in their cages all day.

Bonus Bonus: Tomorrow is the day! Bed delivery! I can't wait!!!

Okay well, time to get a move on. Happy Thursday! Later!

Pillow Suckers!

My pups are nutty! So we have a little battle going on in my house. Inside my boys cages, they each have a soft, fuzzy dog pillow which Boo likes to drag out and suck on. (He's obviously got an oral fixation.) The problem with this is sometimes his sucking causes a tiny little hole, which Scout then finds and  proceeds to pulls all the stuffing out. I've repaired said pillows numerous times and scolded the boys about this more times than I can count but they just do what they want. This morning, I'm eating breakfast and Jim says, "You have to see this." So I gaze down into the family room and Boo and Scout are laying down side by side (nearly spooning) with one of the pillows. Boo is sucking on the corner like he does and Scout is gently cleaning Boo's ears. As I'm watching, Boo rises up a little and they do the old switcheroo...Scout starts sucking on the pillow and Boo cleans Scouty's ears. Man I love those boys. How am I supposed to scold them when they act like this?!

And then I see they've dragged my shirt and a sock of Jim's downstairs and left them in the middle of the floor! TURKEYS!!!

Hmm...why is the plural for turkey - turkeys, instead of turkies? Someone get on that!

Last night was Open House. I was concerned that the crazy lady would show up but thankfully she didn't. I had a total of 4 parents for all my 6 bells show up. Pretty good showing for me! I was out by 8:00, home by 8:20 but slightly wound up so I didn't get to bed until 9:30ish. I read for a while but I still feel well rested. Probably because Scout and I cuddled all night.

I didn't get done what I'd hoped to get done last night but I managed to ALMOST complete one of the three upcoming IEPs. The problem is that the IEP has changed slightly and I'm having to get used to that and figure stupid shit out. IEPs are stupid! 

Countdown for new bed: 2 more days until delivery!!!

And that's about all I've got. Jim's out of here early today so I'm going to hang around a little longer than usual to give the boys some time. I'm excited to be able to come home today and give them both a nice walk...it's been since Sunday and they deserve it.

K - I"m out...happy Wednesday. Later!

Long Day

Tonight is Open House which means that I'll be at school until 8:00. I could come home because I don't have to be at school until 6:00 but since Jim can get home, I want to stay and crank out some IEPs (I have three in the next couple weeks). Hopefully I'll get a TON done and will be able to relax and get myself organized for all my classes. I'm not stressed about it, so that's good.

I keep thinking about my new bed! I just can't wait for it to get here!

Jim was a bad dad last night! It started to POUR last night around 8:00; Jim had gone upstairs and I was still watching TV. I got up to close the sliding glass door (so rain wouldn't get in) but before I did, I yelled up, "Are the boys up there with you?" He said they were so I closed the door and went back to the couch. Scout then came downstairs and went to the door and was looking out (but he didn't ring the bells). I thought for a minute, "Hmm...I wonder..." (thinking maybe Boo was out there and he was trying to tell me). But I went back to watching the tube. Then about 5 minutes later I heard barking and looked to see poor, soaked, looked-like-a-drowned-rat Boo at the door! JIM! Bad dad!!! I then had to run around the house chasing Boo, trying to dry him. This proved to be near impossible because while I was chasing him, Scout was chasing him and Boo was diving under any item he could find to rub his wet little face on! As you can imagine, I was exhausted after our little relay race and hit the sack!

And that's about all I've got. There isn't too much exciting going on here. I look forward to tonight/tomorrow when the weather should flip to near-fall like temps. Lows in the 50s!

Oh, this weekend is log splitting weekend. I'll be nice and sore on Monday but at least I'll have a full load of firewood for the coming winter. Hmm...I wonder what we have in store...I'll have to check the almanac.

K - time to finish getting ready and head out. Happy Tuesday. Oh, and bonus! The advisory schedule we have for the next four days? (Which provides for an hour in the middle of the morning for students to go to an assigned "homeroom".) I don't have an advisory group so basically, I have an hour to work at my desk! Woot!

K - I'm out...later!

The Latest Purchase!

I think I've mentioned that Jim and I had been shopping around for a bed. I was taking my time about this until recently because it is a major purchase. Well, my back and shoulders started hurting and so I decided to expedite the process. So Saturday Jim and I headed to Sleep Outfitters where they sell Tempurpedic beds. We knew that we wanted one of these (best for people with joint pain) and of course they are crazy expensive. However, they last longer than the average bed so it kind of all comes out in the wash.

My thoughts going in were: I want a cool bed and I'm NOT going to be talked into the adjustable. Well we did get the cool bed but I wasn't able to stand firm on my stance against the adjustable because it is AWESOME! I mean, not only does it adjust your head and feet but it also has a massager and a light under the bed! Now some of you may be saying to yourselves, "Who the hell needs a light under the bed?" Well, that would be me because I have to little boys who like to hunker under the bed and with items they've stolen from their mommy and daddy!

Anyway, our new bed will be delivered on Friday and I can't tell you how excited I am. I don't plan on getting out of bed for days! I may have to take some "sick" days to break her in! OH!!! And we got a 55" TV with the purchase! Woot! Can't bead that!

So the rest of the weekend was good. Nothing major. We met the new neighbors and they seem great. Young (mid-late 30s) with 3 kids (oldest is 10).

My weight watchers plan is going well. I will weigh myself on Fridays and since I just got my scale on Friday, I don't have an update but I've stuck to the plan every day. I did drink over the weekend but I only drank low point cocktails (vodka and Skinnygirl) and I only had a couple each day. I haven't gone over my daily points at all which means I haven't had to tap into my weekly points. I'm hoping I stay as strong as I am today over the next several months!

Jim keeps talking to me and interrupting me while I'm trying to type this! Annoying!

Okay well, I'd best mosey. After today this is a crazy week: We have a wonky schedule Tuesday - Friday and Open House tomorrow (which means I'll be at school until 8:00). No biggie though. Happy Monday. Later!

Day 2 A Success

And by a success, I mean I made it through another hectic day! It was a good day yesterday with the kids. I'm getting to know the freshmen and enjoying (for now) those kids who've been in my classes before. I'm also enjoying my schedule. I have a break (my plan) during 3rd period which is nice and then another break for lunch in the middle of 5th with a study hall at the end of the day that allows me to get some work done during this first week of student idle time. Although many of my kids had homework yesterday. And you know they were all bitching about it. I said, "WHAT!? YOU GOT HOMEWORK!? IN SCHOOL!? THAT'S ABSURD!" One student said, "Are you being sarcastic?" (A freshman who doesn't know me well yet.)

My 7th period GI (study hall) is a bit rambunctious. I have 3 freshmen girls in there and a freshman boy and they are all jabber jaws. We're going to have to have a little talk about the need for quiet time.

Today I'll do some surveys in LA and get the kids ready for Monday which will be our first day of normal lessons. I'm leaving it up to the kids to choose what we read first. It's between Macbeth, Secret Life of Bees, a Holocaust novel as well as one other book that we are still figuring out (there was a tie between Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None and Catching Fire - the 2nd of the Hunger Games book).

In Dad news, this "installation" of his pace maker went well. I talked to Dad last night and he seemed good! Becky told me that he said it was weird to have a normal heartbeat! (Dad has typically had a low rhythm). I'm so happy that things went well yesterday and I'm hoping that this is the answer to many of the issues that he's had recently.

My quest to be lighter is going well. I've gone this whole week without alcohol and I've been within my allotted number of "points" every day. I have some banked points for the week and have the plan of going for a cocktail after school. I will choose something lower in sugar so I can be as good as possible. I'll be interested to see my weight when the scale I ordered gets here. I guess I should have weighed myself before this all began. I hate knowing my weight but not knowing if I'm actually losing is frustrating. If I saw I was shedding pounds, I'm sure that would be motivating.

Okay well, time to get a move on. Happy Friday!!! Later!

Par For The Course

Yesterday went as expected: It was hectic, it went crazy fast (bonus), I felt like a chicken with her head cut off, I am nowhere NEAR organized enough (I never am during the first couple weeks of school), and worst of all my room was a freakin' OVEN and I was dripping sweat all day! Beyond that it was a really good day. The kids are good (as of now), my classes are good, and I know that eventually I'll get there in terms of getting my shit together.

Max, Madison and Anne came by yesterday evening so that Max could get some loving in on the boys before heading to college today. Boo and Scout were very happy to see him! Good luck today to Max!

Dad is getting his pace maker put in today. I'll be thinking of him all day until I hear how things went (I believe the procedure is around 10:00 and he should be home in the early afternoon). I pray that this is the key to his improvement and him feeling "normal" (I mean come on, no one in this family is normal thus the quotes).

Today I'll still sort of be winging it in history and science. I hate the first week of school. You don't want to start lessons too quickly but then what else are you supposed to do? I'll probably give a little science and history survey in those classes and then in LA we'll be doing some reading assessments, learning surveys and personal info surveys.

And that's about all I've got for now. I best get a move on so I can get a head start today. It's raining cats and dogs but hopefully I'll beat the major traffic. Happy Thursday! Later!

This Is It!

Year 19 is going to be a banner year! (Lets see how that little phrase plays out in May.)

Yesterday was fine. Of course I had every intention of getting to school and banging out all the items on my list but as it goes every year, that was stalled. Why? Because of COURSE I had a student go on my caseload unexpectedly (thankfully a student I've known) and so I had to get paperwork together, send IEPs to teacher etc. Beyond all that, however, I did pretty well. The aides working with us this year were a HUGE help to me, getting binders ready and making labels. They probably saved me a couple hours of work. I also (mostly) got my opening day PowerPoint ready and I set 1 1/2 IEP meetings (1/2 because I have confirmation from one parent but am waiting on the other).

Jim's appointment yesterday went as I hoped it would! The doc is very happy with how the meds are working and Jim doesn't have to see him again until November!!! He'll have a PET scan prior to that appointment too. Additionally, the colon thing is a slight concern in case it's something other then Jim's diverticulitis. He'll get a colonoscopy to check it out. That means I'll have to take a day to drive him but that's okay. Fingers crossed.

Jim forgot to put the gate up at our bedroom door last night (so the pups stay corralled in our room) but they didn't leave! Even when they woke up and started walking around and licking my face at 4:00 am! Good boys! (Bad boys getting up too early!)

And that's all I've got. I'm going to finish up here so I can get to school early and finish the things I need to get done for the first day! This year we have a new schedule in place and though I have to still be there at 7:00, school doesn't actually begin until 7:50 (was 7:25 for the last several years). Kids shouldn't get dropped off the buses until 7:25ish so that will give me extra alone time each day. AND!!! We still get out at 2:30.

K - I'm out. Wish me luck! Happy Wednesday! Later!

Mostly Pain-Free

Yesterday wasn't too terribly bad. There was one point in our district meeting where I wanted to stick a pick in my brain because the guy that was hired to motivate us was going on and on and on and on and on...and we all just wanted to get the frick out of there and we were already running at least 40 minutes late and you KNOW the only thing on a teachers mind is "will this mean lunch will be pushed back!?" (It was but only by 15 minutes). Beyond that, I can't really complain. Additionally, the meeting at the end of the day with the wacky parent wasn't terrible either. I expect that to change as the year starts but she's not my parent and I'll just do what's asked of me and try to get through without any wounds. The bonus in that situation is the kid is apparently a great kid.

I managed to unpack all our supply boxes from yesterday and started to get my desk ready. Today I'll finish that and then start on my 1st day of school (week) stuff. I'll put a PowerPoint together for the kids, set a couple IEP appointments and just generally get myself organized.

I'll be leaving school a little early today (1:30ish) to get to Jim's appointment. I'm hoping (knock on wood, fingers crossed, prayers to the baby Jesus) that our appointment isn't running terribly late and we can get out of there at reasonable time. And that we get good news.Which means, I'm going to finish up here and get they heck out of dodge so I can get to school early and make up the time lost. Not that my administrators care but I need that time.

The dogs did really well yesterday for all the time they were in their cages. I came home and walked them both and really, after running around like kooks, they were as worn out by 7:30 as they usually are. Lets hope that becomes our new norm.

My "diet" went well yesterday. I used all my points but didn't go over. We went to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch and I had the salad bar (didn't even get any of the pasta salads either). Best of all, however, I didn't drink and didn't mind it. (Well, of course I would've liked to have had a cocktail but it wasn't running through my brain constantly.) I trick my brain by drinking my seltzer water "on the rocks" out of a highball. Lets hope I remain as committed and motivated in two weeks as I am right now.

And with that I'll finish my toilette and head out. Here's to a productive work day! (And fingers crossed/prayers for Jim's appointment.) Happy Tuesday! Later!

Sorry Not Sorry

So I haven't posted in a week! But you all knew I wouldn't since I was at PIB for the week and then I don't post on the weekends...so...sorry, not sorry!

We had a great time at the Bay, by the way! It was relaxing and fun! We had a couple of beautiful days along with a nice storm and it wasn't too terribly hot, although we did have the AC on most of the time. My drives both ways were easy as well. We missed Jimmy but he was bringing home the bacon!

The weekend was fairly relaxing, however, I had this dark cloud hanging over my head: School. UGH! More on that in a minute. Anyway, when I got back from PIB on Friday (around 12:30) I relaxed with my babies and then Jim and I went out to dinner with the neighbors at Stonecreek. One of our neighbors moved and it was a sort of "Goodbye...See ya never" kind of thing. Interestingly, they stopped by yesterday and had a couple drinks. Additionally they gave us their 1-year old grill, which I'm psyched about because I was going to be shopping for a new grill this fall because ours is starting to fall apart.

Anyway - Jim worked Saturday and when he got home we just hung out, I made dinner and the pups reveled in the fact that they hadn't been in their cages all day.

Speaking of cages, I broke down their little, downstairs cages and moved their large cages downstairs. We've been having them sleep with their cages open at night for the past few weeks and things have gone well. So, I moved the big old dog pillows upstairs and but they were in "dog" heaven! Scout slept all night on a pillow and Boo slept half the night on one (moving 1/2 way through to sleep on the pillow behind my head. Good babies! They'll be so much happier downstairs today in their roomy, luxurious cages.

And I guess that leaves only one (dreaded) topic to talk about: School. PFFT! I can't believe how quickly this summer went by! I can't believe I'm headed back to school. I can't believe I'm starting my 19th year! I can't believe my babies are going to have to be in their cages ALL FREAKIN' DAY! I can't believe Diane is getting so royally screwed and I'm not going to see her cute face every other period of the day! I can't believe how unprepared I am for Wednesday (I say this every year). I can't believe I have two IEPs due within the next couple weeks! UGH! Hope you're ready for stress and complaining!

Today is a day full of meetings - district and then building. There's a breakfast first thing - which I won't eat (starting WW today and I've already eaten), then central office will do a presentation thingy, they we go to building meetings and then after lunch, we'll have stupid breakout meetings. I have some stupid meeting at 2:00 with a whack-a-doo parent (not mine but he's in all my pullout classes). I have to out of the building at 2:30 for an appointment so she better not ramble on. Tomorrow is a work day which I will spend in my room getting ready for Armageddon!

I also have to leave tomorrow at 1:30 for Jim's latest doc appointment. Hopefully that will be one of the few times this year where I have to leave early (hoping we don't have a repeat of next year). Jim's latest scan came back and I do believe everything is really positive on it (just need confirmation from the doc tomorrow). All the nodules in his lungs have reduced by half (yay meds!!!) and all other parts of his body look good. I do have a question about his colon but that seems to be the diverticulitis. We'll see and fingers crossed.

Okay well, I've gone on long enough. Happy Monday and I'll see you back here tomorrow, same time, same channel (unless I win the lottery...although they don't pull numbers on a Monday so forget I said that). Later!

Last Harrah!

Well, I'm up and at 'em...have been since about 5:00...or a little before. I wanted to get up early in order to give the boys plenty of time to get some energy out before heading to the Bay. I've sipped coffee, eaten breakfast, downloaded a new book to listen to in the car (once my current one is complete) and in a few minutes, I'll do some last minute packing before walking the pups (gotta wait until the sun comes up). Once that task is complete, I'll shower and be on my way. I hope to be on the road by 8:00 to get to the ferry around noon but it'll probably be a bit of a parking lot on the highways so we'll see how that works out.

My original plan was to come home Thursday but I may stay until Friday (coming home early Friday) so that I can hang with Trip, Susan and J.J. who are coming up Thursday. We'll see how Maggie treats me...if she's lucky, I'll stay the extra day.

I don't have much else to talk about. I slept pretty well last night but Boo kept kicking me in the head (he sleeps on the pillow just behind my head and dreams/twitches when he snoozes). He's a crack up! I sure am going to miss those boys but they'll be fine.

Jim has his scan tomorrow. I'm quite nervous about the results. I'll be a wreck until either our appointment or when the results are posted on Mychart. Our next appointment with the doc (to go over the scan) is next Tuesday (our workday), which means I'll have to leave work a little early to get there in time. Fingers crossed.

Okay well, it's time for me to get this party started. I'll be sure to post on FB but I won't post here again until the dreaded day when school starts back up. UGH!

K - have a happy Monday and happy week. Later!

This & That

I meant to post yesterday but once Maggie and Eva had left and I walked the dogs, I sat down to do some work and then my typical headache kicked in and I just didn't have the energy or concentration to keep staring at the computer. My apologies.

So yeah, I've been getting these headaches and they are driving me nuts. I get them right behind my eyes and they often come in the middle of the night. I think lately it's a combination of lack of sleep and the thoughts of school. I'm pretty sure if I look back to last year, I'll see a repeat of this. Oh well...I just need to stock up on some ibuprofen and try to relax.

My plans for the day: After I finish here, I'll take the pups for a walk. I'd like to get them both a mile in and then go for a small bike ride. Afterward, I'll do some school work and then hopefully it will be a nice day and I can bask in the sun for a bit. Jim's actually going to see Fritz after work today and then to dinner with him so I'll have an evening on my own. What to do? Maybe a bath, cuddling with my babes and some TV. I lead an exciting life.

BTW - since I'm headed to PIB on Monday - you probably won't be hearing from me hear for a few days but I'll be sure to post on FB.

And that's all I've got. I guess I'd better get these dogs drained of energy because they're a bit wild right now. Happy Friday. Later!

Better Late Than Never

Right Mom? I apologize for being so late in my post but I have guests that keep me busy (waiting on them hand and foot) from morning until...well, now. Maggie is asleep and Eva is playing the piano so I finally found the time.

Speaking of the piano - I have to say, and I know I'm partial but I believe Eva really has an ear for it. She never pounds on the keys and when she sits down to play it sounds like she's actually composing music. I told Maggie (though she had already had this in mind) that she needs to get Eva lessons! She's going to investigate!

So Maggie and Eva got here yesterday by 11:00. We hung out, had lunch and Maggie left just after 4:00 to go hang with her friend Lynne and have dinner. Eva, meanwhile, played with the neighbor kids (scooter riding and trampoline jumping) until it was time for dinner. Today Maggie, Eva and I went to lunch with Dad. He chose Grand Finale and it was amazing. I didn't even know they served lunch but I now that I do, I will definitely be going back. Maggie and I both had a Cobb salad and Dad had their tomato, corn soup with a salad. Eva had a lovely fruit plate with buttered noodles. And lucky Jim, I got him a slice of Limelight pie to go (he'll be so happy). Since we've gotten back home, we've just been taking it easy (Maggie is currently taking a kitty cat nap...oh, I already said that). Tonight we'll have a lovely dinner (Italian braised pork chops) and they'll leave me tomorrow morning. Thankfully, however, I'll see them Monday at the Bay.

So there isn't much more I have to talk about. I've been getting more emails from school (including from one parent...though it's a parent I like so I wasn't bothered by it) so reality is starting to rear its ugly head. Here's a funny (because karma is a bitch but it makes me laugh) the aide they hired for BFC's room (that will replace an aide that got a teaching position) decided NOT to take the job. HAHA!!! She probably heard the hubbub surrounding that bitch of a woman and thought, "HELL NO!" To the admin, I say, have fun scrambling!

Okay - I'm out. Time for Nicolle! Later!

The Good Get Punished

So yesterday...ugh...I can't believe I'm typing any of this considering school hasn't even started and it's already pissing me off. Anyway - I got a message from Diane saying, "Guess who's getting moved into BFCs room?" Yep - you got that right, Diane. Apparently the "powers that be" believe the problems in BFCs room are all a result of the aides rather than BFCs actual treatment (abuse if you ask me) of the students. I can't believe that the aides are getting punished for trying to do the right thing! It seems to me that these ladies should be protected under the whistle blower law which states that an employer cannot retaliate by taking "adverse action" against workers who report injuries, safety concerns, or other protected activity. These women tried to do the right thing for the KIDS and they are the ones who are being treated like pariahs! And there is NO ONE who has their backs! (Well, I do but I'm not any higher on the ladder than they are.) And even more ridiculous is that HH (principal) is so oblivious to the situation. Does he not realize that Diane "testified" against BFC as well? Is he unaware that anyone who has worked in BFCs room has seen and dealt with the same crazy shit that was reported, including D? Well, he is aware now because D let him know that under no circumstances will she put up with the bullshit she put up with in the past. I'm just hoping she doesn't quit over this!

The other shitty thing is that there is one aide who could go into BFCs room who has not yet had an issue with her but of course that doesn't matter to HH (probably because they live next to each other). And isn't it telling that of the 6 aides in the school only ONE hasn't reported disturbing behaviors of BFC towards students and staff? (Pretty sure it's because she's never worked directly with her.) And that isn't counting the 3 or 4 aides who have quit because they couldn't put up with BFC anymore! I mean give me a break! It is so disheartening that the system isn't worried about the kids...they don't care to protect them. They are more concerned with protecting this mentally unstable (I want to use the worst word I can think of for her) see you next Tuesday!!!  These kids are the ones suffering her abuse. So disgusting! And anyone who turns a blind eye to it is disgusting too!

And I'm not even going to get into what the administration has asked these aides to do as a result! Not kidding...these ladies should look into the whistle blower laws and protections. What they are being asked to do now is wrong! I just hope that each and every one of them makes sure to have a notebook that they carry with them at ALL times to record any issues (in real time even if they have to pull it out right in front of BFC as it's happening) and they better NEVER leave it where she can access it! Cover your ass girls! Truth will out!

In addition to all that, I was looking at schedules yesterday for the kids in my classes and there seemed to be a mistake in the system: Students in my 6th period 1st semester LA class were suddenly switched into a 7th bell 2nd semester LA class. And the master schedule that HH had sent out last week had not said that. Not to mention that I specifically asked to NOT teach 7th period because it's mayhem with these kids. So I emailed and yep, Muir gets screwed again. I replied that the master didn't say that and it was ridiculous. HH didn't like that...hee hee...but I don't care. I don't like the shit he says and does either.

Oh and Guided Interventions (Special ed study halls)? We were told, promised really, that there would be at LEAST 2 every period of the day (because last year where was a period, maybe two, where there was only one and it was complete havoc). Guess what!? HH fucked that up again! There are once again two periods where there is only 1 GI and two periods where there are 4! I mean, I'm pretty sure a monkey could figure this out! Oh well, at least it isn't my GIs. I shouldn't say that...I should stand for my other colleagues and the shit they'll have to deal with but alas, it seems to people only look out for themselves.

Okay - sorry to be so bitchy and ramble on for so long...gotta get my mind in the right place! Ooh, Eva and Maggie should be on their way soon! That will put me into a better place!

K - happy Tuesday! Later!

Rainy Monday

I'm hoping the rain clears out for a little while so I can walk the pups but right now it's downright gloomy and chilly. The rain is needed so I don't mind.

My weekend: We really didn't do much except yesterday Jim and I went out to brunch (although it was really lunch since it was 1:00) with Fritz, Jim's brother. It was nice...we went to Parkers Tavern in Blue Ash...haven't been there in years and had never been to brunch. I'm a sucker for an omelet station but the cost was WAY too much for what it was. However, they give you a complementary class of champagne, bloody Mary, screwdriver OR mimosa. I chose a mimosa and had Fritz order one too (for me since he doesn't drink)...can't let that go to waste! Anyway - after coming home, Jim and I just chilled...I read my book. I never made dinner because neither of us were ever hungry so there you go.

By the way - I finished my book - Keeper of Lost Things - and HIGHLY recommend. So good!

Today I'll finish up here, do some cleaning and then head to the grocery. Afterward, since it's a rainy day, I may to some work for school. I've avoided saying/typing that word but alas, it can't be put off much longer. I can't believe how fast this summer has gone by. I'm just glad I'll get one more trip to the Bay before having to go back. Not looking forward to that. I'm looking forward to PIB just not going back to school...you get what I mean.

Maggie and Eva are coming down tomorrow for a couple days. Tuesday we'll just hang, although Maggie is going to dinner with her friend Lynne so it'll just be me, Jimmy and Eva. Wednesday we'll go hang with dad for a bit and then hang here for dinner with Jimmy. They'll head back to Columbus Thursday.  Can't wait.

Okay, well, time to get a move on and clean. Happy Monday...later!

5 Minutes To Spare

I'm on a bit of a tight "shedule" (as Bellatrix Lestrange would say) so don't have too long to blog. I just ate breakfast and when I finish here, I'll walk the dogs (just a quick one), shower and hit the road...hopefully by 8:30.

Here's some sad news: I had plans yesterday to have drinks with my neighbor Cari. She sent me a text yesterday to let me know that it would still happen but she had to go to a visitation for her best friends whose 5 month old niece died Sunday from SIDS. So sad! I can't even imagine. Apparently, the baby had gotten up early in the morning (around 5:00) for a feeding. Afterward, they kept her in bed with them and all fell back asleep. A couple hours later, when the mother awoke she saw that her daughter wasn't breathing and it was too late. Awful! I know that SIDS is a conundrum in some sense but that chances increase significantly if you smoke through your pregnancy...which is the case here. Regardless though, no one should have to go through such a horrible thing.

Sorry to put a damper on the start of your day!

In happier news, I think Boo may be part kangaroo. He's been jumping around here like he's got springs in his feet. Kook.

I let the boys sleep with their cages open last night. It went okay. Scout does well normally but Boo's a bit more squirrely. He always spends most of his night under the bed and that was true last night but he woke up at 3:00 and wanted to stand on top of me and lick my face. Obviously he went into his cage and was fine. Then at 4:00 Scout wanted to hang out and when I told him "No!" he went to Boo's cage to see if he could rouse him. Needless to say, he was kenneled up! We'll keep trying until they get it...Eventually I'd like them to be able to sleep outside their cages (so I can get those metal behemoths out of our room) but it may take a while before they understand that until Mommy and Daddy go downstairs, they are NOT allowed to get rowdy!

Okay well, that's all I've got. Plans today are just to hang with the Egberts. Eva had a wreck on her bike yesterday (nothing serious but she scraped herself up) so I'll be interested to see if she'll swim today. Happy Thursday! Later!

It's A Sad Day

I was hoping I'd wake up this morning, check my lottery numbers and be able to call my principal and quit. Alas, I didn't get one number - NOT ONE - for the drawing last night. And even more heartbreaking? There was ONE winner in California! UGH! Guess I'll have to find another way to retire early. Bullshit!

So if you saw my FB post last night, you saw that I indeed have a little ratter in Scout. It was truly the funniest thing he's done so far. Well, I take that back...it may be tied for the other bit of mischief he got into last night. Let me back up and tell you a couple things about my boys:

1. They love to find things in the yard, bring them inside and chew them up in the living/dining room. This includes black walnuts, sticks, leafy branches, mice.
2. They love to be chased. Doesn't matter if it's one chasing the other or Jim and me...they love it. And you can see it in their eyes when you approach them...they sparkle and then they shift their eyes left then right, looking for the quickest escape. And they'll actually stop and wait for you to ALMOST catch up. 

So last night Jim and I are watching TV, dinner is over so we're both slightly in food coma when there's a slight ruckus coming from the living room. Jim says, "What are they doing?" Me: "I don't know, why don't you get up and check!?" But of course, Jim just sits there (because he's a slug!) so because the noise doesn't stop, I get up to see what's up. It's as I'm approaching the two steps up to the kitchen that I catch Scout with a 3-foot (feet?) long branch in his mouth.  He's trying desperately to get back OUT the sliding glass door. He sees me coming so he frantically tries to run through again (missing) before the brilliant idea comes to him that he should turn his head. Just as I reach him, he manages to escape my clutches and he and Boo are off, running in the yard, each with an end in their mouths. It was priceless. God I love those boys!

Fast forward to about 10 minutes later. Once again, Jim and I are enjoying Wheel. Of. Fortune when Scout comes running into the family room and immediately darts under the coffee table. This, by the way, is what both dogs do when they're trying to keep some magical find from the other. So of course Jim and I say, simultaneously, "What does he have?!" Jim gets up and tries to reach in Scout's mouth to pull out whatever it is. I stand up to block Scout's escape and then I see something odd. There's a long string hanging from the center of his mouth. It's flexible so I know it isn't a twig...hmm...what could it be? It's light brown and swings, and then it hits me, "Uh, Jim? I think he has a mouse!" And Jim walks away. At first I think he's leaving because he's a chicken (there was a toad in the garage the other day that I yelled for Jim to come get but he refused to touch it so I had to pick it up myself...Jim hates amphibians and reptiles) but no, he's getting some paper towels. With a new escape route revealed , Scout darts to the living room, Jim starts cussing and I bend over with laughter. I mean, it was so freaking funny watching Scout desperately trying to maintain his hold, jaws clamped, mouse tail swinging, Jim trying to wrestle him without touching the vermin! Where was my camera?! Needless to say, Scout's new nickname is "Mouse mouth" and he has not been able to kiss me since it happened, which is killing him. Not that I'm mad at him...truth be told, I'm proud. However, I would prefer he hunt up the moles that are tearing apart my backyard. We'll work on that.

Okay so speaking of my yard, today I will FINALLY cut the grass, front and back. That's quite a chore (nearly 3 miles of yard) and I'm sure I'll be spent once I'm done. It's been since before PIB that it's been cut but without rain for nearly two weeks and then massive rain for days in a row, I haven't been able to get to it. Other than that, I'll just be hanging here today and looking forward to my day in Columbus tomorrow.

K - well, time to get a move on. Happy Wednesday! Later!

Lazy

I don't know what's going on in recent days with these pups but they are so lazy of late! Sunday, I think they were awake for about 2 hours total and they barely played. Yesterday was nearly the same: They're wild in the morning, I walk them and then they crash for hours. In fact, while I was making dinner yesterday, Scout laid on the couch in the living room and snoozed. Normally he's under foot and/or biting and playing with Boo. I actually thought something might be wrong. Nope, I think they're just learning to wear themselves out in the morning and then relax for the rest of the day. Works for me.

Lets see, what's happening in the world of Muir? Well, yesterday I did a little quilting but it was irritating me for two reasons. 1. Alexa was being a bitch and not working properly so I wasn't able to consistently listen to music and 2. my quilt is giving me fits! I'm not lined up properly in my pattern and it makes me want to rip to shreds what I've done. I haven't done that yet...I'm going to try and fix the issue but who knows how that will go. This is what happens when you do a pattern with too many pieces and weird angles.

Maggie sent me an article from a Sandusky newspaper about he craziness on PIB this past weekend during their Christmas in July celebration. (Trip mentioned when I talked to him the other day that it was nuts on Saturday!) Apparently there were several brawls (mainly on the Miller ferries) because of large crowds and overall mayhem. Seems there were several tours on the island as well (buses and buses of people) and they ended up renting nearly every golf cart on the island causing major gridlock. Throw alcohol into the mix and you have a recipe for disaster. I know that tourism is their livelihood but there has to be a line. I know the Miller Boats want to get as many wallets on the island as possible (which is why passengers take precedence over cars and they'll take a boat of 600 people without any cars - I waited for three ferries that last time I went even though there were only about 20 cars in line) but there has to be a limit otherwise you get what happened over this past weekend. Maybe that will be a lesson learned. Safety has be first in line over cash!

I finished a book yesterday: Emily Giffin's latest - All We Ever Wanted...I've actually either read or listened to all her books I think. The easy, light reads. I'm on to my next one - The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan...so far so good but I'm early on in the book.

I also discovered a new (to me) series on Netflix that I started watching last night: Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. I watched Amy Schumer and Jon Stewart last night...hilarious! It's nice too because the episodes are about 15 minutes long. Highly recommended although I'm sure everyone else has previously disovered this...I'm always a little late for the party.

Okay well, today's plans: some light cleaning, a quick trip to the grocery and that's about it. I'll head to Maggie's on Thursday for a quick trip (home Friday) so that's something to look forward to...other than that...it's a chill week. Turkey burgers for dinner tonight.

K - happy Tuesday (took me about 30 seconds to figure that out).

Too Soon

I'm starting to freak out a little bit about summer's end getting closer and closer. On the one hand, I'm trying not to think about it but it's near impossible, especially since I'm starting to get stupid emails from people at school. UGH! It will certainly be an interesting year. I still can't believe that BFC (an MD teacher who should have been canned for her treatment of students) is coming back. It's going to take everything I have to keep my mouth shut if anyone sings her praises. She is a horrible person who shouldn't work with kids, especially those who can't speak up for themselves. With the cameras being installed in her room, it will probably only be a matter of time before she does something that warrants either discipline or a lawsuit. I just can't believe that I work in a district where this happened. I've certainly lost some respect. I wonder if BFC knows of all the people who were deposed about her behavior. I'm sure that would be an interesting tidbit for her to hear. And I wonder how many of those people will smile at her and pretend they're her friend. Ugh...the hypocrisy. Oh well...karmas a bitch and I'm sure it will rear it's ugly head eventually.

The weekend was quite lazy! Hard not to be with all the gloomy, rainy weather. I didn't mind though. I got a LOT of cuddle and nap time in with my boys. Of course I'm paying for it now as they have been WILD this morning. Anyway, other than a jaunt to Eddie Merlots on Saturday night for dinner, and cards Friday with the neighbors, Jim and I just hung out.

Today I'll be taking the babes for a walk and then it's laundry and quilting I think (I've yet to do any of the quilting I've said I would). We'll be having Chicken stir-fry lettuce wraps for dinner and that's about all I've got. Time to get these boys out and drained of energy. Happy Monday! Later!

Insurance Headaches

Sorry I'm so late in posting...I had to call Progressive regarding my home owner's policy and ended up on the phone for nearly an hour. All is well - I just had a new quote that was double what it was last year and so I had to go through getting new quotes and then choosing a new company. What a pain in the ass! But it's done and so now, here I am.

So not sure if I mentioned but I've been cutting back on the drinking - mainly because I want to reduce the amount of sugar and calories that I take in because of that delicious devil, wine! So I've been limiting myself (for the most part) to one cocktail (usually a vodka soda). I've actually done well with this, however, today might not fair so well for me. Why, you ask? Well, looks like we're going to get some hairy weather this evening. Originally we were under a "marginal" risk for severe weather but alas, they've upped it to "enhanced". This means that I will need to ensure the basement is ready for me with a blanket, flashlight, bicycle helmet, wine and ativan! UGH! I hate this! We've been really lucky this year but I have a feeling my luck just ran out.

On a positive note, the rain we're getting is much needed and I'm so happy my lawn is getting drenched! The dogs don't seem to be bothered much by the downpour...they'll run and tackle each other no matter if it's sunny, rainy, or snowy.

Speaking of those bad boys, I have to make a run to Old Navy today. Why? Because my bad dogs ate my 2nd to last pair of flip flops yesterday! We were in a big fight yesterday after I found out what they'd done. And the shitty thing? I had actually put my shoes up so they couldn't get them. I forgot, however, that they are circus dogs that can jump about 6 feet in the air. Of course, I didn't realize how irresistible my shoes must be. I have to connect the incident to the fact that my shoes must have smelled like the Columbus Zoo and Scout (cause you know he was the little trouble maker that instigated the destruction) couldn't pass up such amazing smells. Oh well, what are you going to do? This is why I don't wear Louboutins! (Ha!)

Okay well, I need to get a move on. The current weather should move out in a few so I'll head to Old Navy, Costco and then Kroger. Happy Friday! Later!

SURPRISE!!!

I know, I know, I said I wasn't going to post today but I'm sitting here eating a quick breakfast and thought, Why not give the kids a treat?! So here I am. Now, this will have to be a quick one because I don't want to catch grief from Maggie and Eva. I can't blame them though...if I were waiting for me to arrive I would be very impatient as well!

So I made a REALLY good meal yesterday (if I do say so myself) that I must rave about: WW Chimichangas! I highly recommend them and leftovers would be a great lunch! Now, let me tell you about a couple changes I made: I used the whole pound of ground turkey and instead of tomato sauce and green chilies, I used salsa. It was filling and only had 5 points for WW (that includes the sour cream I added).

So Jim doesn't work until this evening which means the boys will be happy all day. Of course they're going to be sad tonight when Jim leaves but hopefully he won't be too terribly long (he said he's only painting until the paint is gone).

My plans for today: I'll be poolside all day (suckers)! Charlie is actually out of town (he'll be home late tonight) so it will just be the girls today! I'll leave here after a shower (on the road by 8) and will be home tomorrow, relatively early. We talked about going to the zoo early tomorrow (when they open), staying for a couple hours but I'll have to see about that. Maybe I'll ask Lauren to let the boys out at lunch time. We'll see.

K - well, I'd best get a move on...haven't packed but that will entail throwing about 5 items in a bag and hitting the road. K - happy Wednesday...later!

Getting A Break

From the humidity, that is. Over the next couple hours, the humidity should dissipate and that makes for a happy Muir! I can take the heat but when you throw in soupiness...I'm out! You know who doesn't seem to mind? The boys. Good thing because after I finish typing this, I'll take them for a walk and with this heat and humidity, by the end of their jaunt their tongues are nearly touching the ground.

There are some crazy sounding birds going nuts in the trees behind my house. They kind of sound like babies crying. I'm surprised the boys aren't out there making their own ruckus.

Plans for today: I need to clean the upstairs. I also need to spray the backyard for weeds and grubs (to try and control the stupid moles). I'll do that after I walk the boys because I want the chemicals to dry before they go out. Other than that, however, I have no plans so I may just do some quilting. Dinner tonight will be WW chimichangas...yummy! This will give Jimmy some leftovers for when I'm in C-bus tomorrow. I hope they're good...I've never made them before.

I also need to get back on the bike, however, they are repaving parts of my neighborhood so until that is complete this week, I'll pass.

And that's about all I've got. I likely won't post tomorrow before leaving so see you Thursday! Happy Tuesday! Later!

Guess What? I'm Back!!!

Jim and I actually returned on Saturday but of course, I had to gather my thoughts before I could post. And unpack (although I still haven't unpacked my suitcase). And love on my babies. Speaking of which, they were very happy to see us and loved on us like crazy...at first. Boo gave me the cold shoulder for a couple hours after our initial arrival but I get it...he gets a little wiggity with separation. He's fine now!

So here are the best and worst parts of my vacation:
Best

• The weather was amazing. There wasn't a bad day in the bunch and for the most part the temps were lovely (Monday night was a bit hot sleeping) so no need for A/C. 
• Lots of pool time!
• Lots of Eva time!
• Beautiful sunsets.
• Mimosas with Maggie

Worst

• I missed my boys like crazy! Seriously, it kind of made me crazy. I woke up every morning thinking about them. The only saving grace was knowing that they were very well taken care of by Diane. Thank you D!
• I had a scary wave runner ride, made scarier by the fact that I was alone...had I been with Maggie or Trip, I would have been fine. 
• Maggie and I broke down on the wave runner in the middle of the lake and had to be towed in. Actually, that wasn't too bad...I got to swim a bit and the lake was calm. Plus we were in a spot of the lake that isn't terribly busy. Thankfully I brought my phone and thankfully our neighbor was home to help!
• We didn't catch any fish. For myself, I don't care about this but I wanted Eva to catch her first fish but it wasn't meant to be.

So Jim's still home today because his boss has been off (his wife had a baby) and he has to figure out what's what since it's his first day back...he'll have him going somewhere tomorrow. I'm fine with this because now Jimmy gets to help me clean! I'll walk the pups, grocery shop and Jim can crack-a-lack on the dusting and vacuuming. I'm sure he'd much rather be at work. Hey...maybe if we finish early, we can go see a movie! That'd be fun!

Yesterday Jim and I went to Taste of Belgium to meet up with my cousins, Lisa, Jeff and Becky. Jeff and Becky were in town for a few days (they live outside of Washington) and since we rarely get to see them, it was quite a treat. Not to mention Taste of Belgium is DEEEEELICIOUS!!! I had a sandwich (trying to be good) but Jim had their specialty: Waffles and chicken. Of course, I had to try and they didn't disappoint. I'll definitely be returning there (but not too soon since that doesn't bode well for my hips!).

And great! Jim's boss just called! He now has somewhere for him to go.  There go my great plans for the day. Oh well...Jim needs his 40 hours so I'll just do it all myself. No big deal...what else do I have to do?

K - well, since I'm on my own today...I'd best get a move on. Going to Maggie's on Wednesday, by the way...going to be beautiful and I need as much Eva time before the dreaded day in August that is approaching way too quickly!

Happy Monday! Later!

Last Minute Stuff

This time tomorrow, I'll be on the road, headed north! I can't wait!!!

Today will consist of a Kroger run, last minute straightening up, and packing. Oh, and of course lots of hugs, kisses and cuddles with my boys! I need to make sure they know I'll be back and they are to have fun, fun, fun with Diane (without causing her any grief)! I worry a little about them getting into scuffles but I know she can handle it. I'll also try and get a pedicure...my toes are in need of some attention. I'll take a shower here in a minute and get a move on.

I just finished taking each of the boys on a nice long walk and coming back with Boo (who went second) was quite lovely as the breeze was kicking up and pushing the humidity out of here. These next few days are supposed to be quite beautiful! I might even turn the AC off! And you know if it's comfortable here in Cincy, it's going to be downright amazing at the Bay!

Last night Jim and I went to the Rusty Bucket for dinner. It's my new addiction. Specifically, their taco salad! It's on a plate-sized tostada and it is YUMMY! Jimmy got it too. Oh, and when I went to pay out, and the bartender ran my card, she only charged me $4.80. Considering we had two taco salads and I had two beers, I knew this was a mistake. Of course I had her correct it...I'm not a turkey!

I had something else to talk about but I can't remember what it is now. Oh well. That's what happens when your brain is 47 years old! K - well, time to get a move on and start my packing and whatnot. I'll be having a relaxing evening (minus when I'm having to bitch at Jim to pack and get his shit together...he likes to lolligag!) with leftovers and early to bed. I plan to be on the road by 7:00 at the latest. Since it's Saturday, traffic shouldn't be terrible and I want to make sure the boys get plenty of playtime before we cage them.

I'll be sure to post on FB but won't be posting here...sorry...happy Friday...later!

Perfect 4th

Yesterday was a great day because A) I got to swim and play volleyball and relax with the fam and B) I was home in time to have some Chinese takeout with Jimmy, hang with pups, binge on some Scandal and still be in bed pretty early.

In terms of the fireworks and pups, Scout did great. He wasn't bothered at all. Boo, however was a bit stressed. When the booms started, he started whining a bit with a couple barks thrown in here and there. So...I decided to put the gate up at the bedroom d0or and open their cages so they could do what they wanted. Scout ended up staying in his cage and sleeping. Boo, went under the bed and was there most of the night. They both got up around 2:30 to lick our faces and I managed to wrangle Scout back into his cage (door closed) but Boo dove back under the bed. Which meant around 4:30 he wanted some more kisses so he then had to go into his cage and we all slept until 6:30. Silly boys.

So today I will be doing a big clean of the house, laundry, organizing those things to take north and then I'll start writing out stuff for Diane. Tomorrow I'll go to the grocery and get the final stuff ready and packed. Can't wait to just be there.

It's still crazy steamy here in Ohio...one more day of this soupy, sticky crap. I took the boys on a long walk yesterday so today they'll just be entertaining (chasing) each other in the backyard. So far they've done about 35 laps.

Finished two books in the last couple days: The Alice Network (really good - about women spies during WWI) and Woman in the Window (about an agoraphobic who witnesses something she shouldn't have...it's also going to be made into a movie with Amy Adams). I'm now reading The Women in the Castle (takes place during WWII about women resistance fighters in Nazi Germany). I also have the latest Lisa Genova book (she wrote Still Alice) which is about a guy diagnosed with ALS...I look forward to reading that...she's a really good writer.

And that's all I've got. Time to get my jobs done so I can relax and read! Happy Thursday! Later!

What To Do, What To Do

It sort of sucks that July 4th is in the middle of the week. Most people I know have to work Thursday and that puts a bit of a damper on the holiday. It's also going to be a scorcher and I would much prefer to NOT sit outside (unless I'm poolside). Additionally, I don't want to be away from home when fireworks start because I don't how the boys will deal with it and if they have a tough time I want to be around. So, as of now, I'm not sure what we're going to do...it's a conundrum!

Plans today: I've walked the boys (and they are wiped out!), eaten breakfast and will soon get some laundry going. I may read for a bit (I'm in the middle of two books now with one checked out that I don't want to have to wait for again) and then who knows. Maggie just called me and voiced that she's got a hankerin' for a mimosa! Which of course makes me want a mimosa...so I may just have to have one!

So as many of you may know, I'm a Big Brother fan. I've watched every season since it debuted. (Well, last season I had to stop watching because I just hated everyone in the house.) Well, thankfully, this season is one with all new house guests - no stupid returning jackasses to sway the game - and so far, I'm really liking it! We'll see how things play out but so far, so good.

And that's all I've got. I think I'll go kiss my boys and then read some. Happy Tuesday. Later!

Twilight Zone!

I was getting ready to make my breakfast a few minutes ago and I looked out the kitchen window and saw that abomination clinging to the screen. I thought, There's a mayfly...huh! And then I realized I'M NOT IN PUT-IN-BAY!!! WTF?! How the HELL did that little effer get to Loveland, Ohio!? I mean, yes...when I used to work in Kentucky at the liquor store/deli, we would get them but NEVER this far north where there isn't a nearby river (the Little Miami doesn't count). So weird.

And since I was taking pictures, I thought you might enjoy a little snap of my babies. This would be Boo watching me get my breakfast ready while Scout cleans his ears. They've been little nuts this morning, chasing each other and wrastling! I was thinking about taking them for a walk but I might leave that for tomorrow so I can get ready and run some errands before the heat of the day hits.

Here's a little irony for you: I bathed the boys yesterday (seems they get a little scraggly every couple weeks and need a good scrubbing) and cut Scout's nails (Boo won't let me cut his the little turkey) and don't you know that after they were nice and clean and dry, they both (at separate times) went out the the yard and rolled in something foul!? Ugh! So of course I had to re-bathe their necks. Why do dogs like to smell like squirrel piss (or whatever that stank is)?! Making their mommy work harder then she needs to! Turkeys!

So yeah, my plans today...list making and Costco. After that, I'll probably just hang...maybe do some quilting...read...be with the boys. It's going to be sweltering so it may be an AC day.

And that's all I've got. Probably should check on the boys...they've been quiet for too long. Happy Monday (this time next week I'll be in PIB, excited for Maggie and Eva's arrival!). Later!