IEP Countdown

Today I have three meetings - not all IEP.  My first meeting is an ETR meeting (it's the three-year re-eval that's done to determine whether or not a student still qualifies for special ed services.  I don't run the meeting - I'm just there as the sped rep).  I then have two IEP meetings for my two sophomores going to the career center next year.  The first one is actually for the same student I will meet with for the ETR.  The next one is really only an amendment to the IEP I just wrote in March.  Nothing major.  After today - I will only have two more IEPs left for the year!  YAY!  (I do have two seniors and need to do that ending paperwork but no biggie).  My God there's a lot of paperwork in special ed...ridiculous.

In my LA writing assignment news, you will be thrilled to know that the final draft is due Friday.  I will print then out and grade them.  It should be really interesting, I will say that.  My one student who has already given me 20 new wrinkles with this is (lets call her Blondie) still struggling majorly.  I'm at my wits end trying to explain to her what I want.  She just can't wrap her mind around the whole thing.  I've seriously never met a more challenging student because her rhyme and reason is so skewed.  Seriously - Diablo has a better understanding of...well, nearly everything compared to her (in regard to what I've taught in the classroom that is).  I just don't know how to get through to her.  And I've asked others to try and help me out in explaining things to her.  I figured maybe it's my method.  Maybe if someone else puts it in their words, different words, a light bulb will go on.  Nope.  There's nothing there.  Every time I see her I think "UGH!"  It's very frustrating.  And she's such a sweet girl and she's trying my patience so much.

Another example in where this girl drives me batty?  Let me preface by saying she's completely neurotic.  She is FILLED with anxiety and I'm sure I only cause her craziness to spike.  Anyway - yesterday she came to me at between 1st and 2nd period.  (I see her third when she comes into my room for science...she could have waited).  She had a note from another teacher saying that during the second part of the lunch period - when I have her for study hall, she would be going to see this teacher.  I said, okay.  Then at the end of 4th period, before she left for lunch, she reminds me, "I'll see you after I meet with that teacher, okay?  Is that okay?"  Me: "Yup."  Then, she comes in after she finishes eating to say, "I'm going up to see that other teacher, okay?  I won't be in study hall."  Me:  "Got it!"  THEN!!!  Here comes Kim (who is in the lunch room monitoring Diablo at the same time Blondie eats) who says, "I'm supposed to remind you that Blondie is going to so-and-so's room during B lunch."  Me: "WHAT THE F*%K!!?!?!?!"  It's very trying!  And this happens EVERY SINGLE F&%KING DAY!!!!

Great - now I'm all wound up!  Thanks a lot READERS!  (I love this pic...I need it for my desk)

K - well, it's raining so I better head down and out...gotta Rain-ex my windshield first.  Later!

Time Only For Some Eva

 Got a couple pics from Maggie last night.  This is Eva's first adventure with Mac and Cheese!!!  As you can see (by her face) she didn't hate it.  Maggie pointed out that mac and cheese is definitely a finger food.

Taking a drink break...wash down some o' them noodles.

I love this picture and not because there's a sweet baby in it (which is still pretty awesome).  I love Zoe sleeping behind Eva oblivious to all the cards and crap being lobbed at her.  She's just content hangin' with her baby sister.

K - I'm out.  Got plenty of sleep last night (thank the baby Jesus) and I'm rarin' to go.  Later!

West Side Story

Sorry I haven't posted...I was busy this weekend and just didn't have the gumption yesterday.

Saturday the Arbaugh kids (well, minus Anne because she, Madison and Max were watching Eva but they met us for dinner) went to Cullen's play - West Side Story.  It was Cullen's last TX performance and I think my favorite so far (Cats is a close second).  Cullen was Arab - a Jet.  I'm a sucker for singing and dancing and WSS had all that and more.  Plus WSS is one of my faves.  Prior to the performance we all met and had dinner at Bacall's.  Yummy.

Sunday we all met up at Raeburn for a deeeelicious brunch.  My dad makes the best eggs.  Not to mention bacon...mmm...bacon.  Good to see JBird and Eva but definitely not enough time spent with them.  I can't wait for the summer when we'll all see each other more.

Last night I got NO sleep.  I don't know why I tossed and turned but toss and turn I did.  Nothing of note is on my mind I just couldn't catch some Z's.  Oh well...I'll muddle through today and go to bed early tonight.

And that's all we have time for folks.  Gotta finish getting the bags out from under my eyes and mosey out the door.  K - later!

Annoyances

There's this really annoying woman at work - let's call her Terry.  She's our "school-based therapist".  Basically a counselor that some of our "troubled" kids see.  She's employed through the county and in order for her to see you, there has to be a referral and then there's a sort of contract between her and the parent and child where the parent has to keep up with whatever therapy/medications is deemed necessary.  At the beginning of the year, every year since she's been with us, she tells us what kids she has and then we coordinate with her when that students study hall is so that she can see said student without disrupting instruction.  I also make sure to give her the phone extension where I am in case I forget to send a kid or in case she needs to call (I'm not at my computer 24/7 if she were to email).

So, yesterday the phone rings on Lisa's extension (we each have our own phone in our room) and it's the attendance secretary asking if I have so-and-so.  Yes.  Well I am then told that Terry needs to see her.  I said, "I'm in the middle of teaching a class" and she said, "I don't know I was just called by Terry and that's what she said."  Hmm...interesting that Terry has done this.  She usually contacts me directly - via email - when she needs to see one of my students (and she is very clear, by the way, on what student is on whose caseload as well as their schedules so there was no mistake here).  So I check my email. No email from Terry requesting.  I then decide - F it - I'm calling her...this is ridiculous.  Why?  Because I have this student 4th period for Geography.  Her study hall is 7th.  This is the 3rd time that she's wanted to take her out of my class...missing instruction.  So I call - she answers - I say, "You need to see so-and-so?"  Yes.  I say, "She's in class.  I'm teaching.  She'll miss instruction."  Answer, "Well this is the first time I'd be able to see her since she's been hospitalized." (Student was hospitalized during Spring Break).  Me: "Yeah, okay but just to let you know, you keep doing this and she HAS a study hall.  It's 7th period.  It would be much better for her NOT to miss class and see you then."  She then tells me that whenever I have a problem with her taking kids during a class time, she concedes and doesn't take them.  Me: "Uh, no - you do take them but you say it won't happen again."

Long story short she's annoying.  And unorganized.  I think what happens is she misses a lot of days and so tries to shuffle shit around to see kids she's missed seeing as per contract which means she has to take kids during class.  I realized later that I shouldn't give a shit and that it shouldn't be a big deal.  I thought - this is a battle I don't need to fight and I'm just being a control freak and maybe I should apologize because I was kind of hard on her.  Then I thought - NAH!  She's done this countless times.  And she's been doing it for two years.  She can't keep track of kids.  She cancels half the time.  She never just calls to say "send 'em down" rather she emails, I think because she knows that it might not be received right away and that would then give her some free time.  I'm just saying - if you can't get organized to do your job, why should I always be accommodating to you?  Ugh!

K - well now I'm running late because I rambled on forever.  Best head out.  It's FRIDAY!!! YAY!!!  MOVIE DAY!!!  So happy.  Later!

Maggie & Jim Are Bad Influences!

I don't have much to say, really.  Things are pretty boring here in Loveland, Ohio.

Interesting news:  Yesterday was the day that HH presented his "needs" for the high school to the superintendent and her posse.  I guess they fudged the numbers enough that another special ed teacher was approved.  I don't know if it's a full-time position (I'll check the posting when I get to school) but it should be interesting.  I know that HH is REALLY itching to hire a man (what a shocker).  We have one man as a sped teacher but he's useless.  His own colleagues don't respect him so why would the students.  Regardless, we have 4 positions open for next year, I think (sped, math, science, music) and it will be very interesting to see what the ratio men:women is in the hiring.  Now, I think it's a bunch of bullshit that they managed to fudge numbers enough to get approved for another sped teacher but alas, if it makes my caseload smaller, I'm not complaining (for now).

So the post title.  Well, last night - evening - I was talking to, you guessed it, Maggie.  I was telling her that I was jonsin' for beer but I was powering through and staying strong.  Her response?  "I had a beer last night.  And I may have one tonight."  Me:  WHAT!!!  How am I supposed to stay strong now if my support system is caving?!  So of course I cracked open a Summer Shandy.  BUT!!!  I only had one.  I then told her that on Tuesday I was making dinner and used some red wine in my recipe (I didn't drink any).  I told Jim later that it was looking mighty good.  MIGHTY GOOD!  And Jim's response?  "You should make Tuesdays wine night." DAMN IT!  Why are these people trying to sabotage me?!  Maggie said, when I told her the story of Jim, "I like Jim!"  These two are NOT good material for "sponsors" that's for sure.

Okay and today we are back to writing in LA class again.  Yesterday was nice because I had a bit of a break with it but I can't do that every day.  I just need to put my nose to the ground and muddle through.

And that's all I've got.  Need to head off and get some paperwork done.  I have an "unexpected" IEP next Wednesday and I've barely looked at it.  It takes about 2-3 hours to write one so I need to get crackin' so I don't have to do any work at home.

Happy Thursday!  Weekend's almost here and I get to see Eva and JBird soon!  And the rest of the fam too.  K - Later!

Oh, It's Going To Be GOOD!

Currently I'm doing a writing assignment in my LA classes.  Now, if you know me, you know that I HATE! HATE! HATE! teaching writing.  Why?  Because my kids - if they can form a cohesive sentence - can barely do so.  My assignment is in depth (based on the Hunger Games) and I'll explain it more in the future, once the final "drafts" are in, but you should be VERY EXCITED about what is written because it will most likely keep you in stitches for a long time to come.  Me?  And Diane?  We are currently in HELL trying to get these kids to understand what the actual assignment is.  And though I've said it's in depth (only because I'm breaking each paragraph down, bit by bit to help them along) the assignment itself isn't hard.  Basically they're creating their own character for the Games.  But these kids are so dense (some more than others) that I feel like I'm beating my head against the wall.  My days are exhausting and I have to say that THANK GOD we are taking a break from writing today.  I'm in the wrong profession, by the way.

Okay - so, sorry this is so short but I made my breakfast sandwich this morning, it's now 6AM and I need to crack-a-lack out the door.  Later!

Zoo, Zoo, Zoo! We're Going To The Zoo!

No time (making my healthy breakfast sandwich).  However, there's always time for a baby girl! In her new dress from Aunt Muir!!!  (WTH's up with Chuck!?  I think he must be pissed becuase the orangutan's weren't there!)  Well Eva sure looks happy!

K - IEP meeting today with a woman who talks a mile a minute and tends to go off on tangents.  Wish me luck!

Later!

Who Is The Parent Here?!

Can you believe that I haven't even stepped in school from Spring Break and already a parent is pissing me off?  Unbelievable!  Diablo - who we all know and "love" despite his craziness - is on a cocktail of meds.  This keeps him slightly bearable and sometimes not even that seems to work.  Well, I get an email (I'm sure the others of Diablo's teachers got it too) saying that "OOPS!" Diablo's meds were gone and mom noticed too late to refill at the pharmacy last night.  And then she proceeds to basically blame Diablo for not reminding her!  OH MY F&%KING GOD!  This woman!  I mean she lives with the kid!  And I'm not kidding when I say kid.  CHILD!  Mind (not to mention body) of a 4-9 year old!  This woman is delusional.  Maybe I would be too if Diablo was my kid but SERIOUSLY!!!!???

So, as I've said, it's back to school today.  And I'm not happy about it.  Spring break always just makes me so ready for summer and let me tell you I AM READY TO BE AWAY FROM THESE KIDS!  Not to mention I have no idea what I'm doing for my language arts classes for the rest of the year.  Maybe Movie Monday, Movie Tuesday, not Wednesdays because I do my reading comprehension stuff then, Movie Thursday and Movie Friday!  There's a lot to be said for "listening comprehension".  I bet I could pass the movies off as testing that.

Seriously though - I'm hoping the rest of the year flies by.  I have an IEP tomorrow and I'm dismissing a kid off an IEP tomorrow as well.  From there I'll have 2 yearly review IEPs and then 2 IEPs to do for the career center and 1 senior IEP paperwork.  No biggie...I hope.

Oh, the deck.  Here it is sans furniture.  Jim's in the picture just finishing up with the step off the Florida room.  We ran out of screws so he'll pick those up today and we'll do the rest of the screwing (not the fun kind) and then move the furniture back up.  Next project:  Side yard...UGH!

Ooh, and I found the flooring I want to do for my kitchen.  We were looking at hardwoods and I found this cork floor...it's really pretty with a lot of texture and looks cool with the paint.  I'll have to investigate and see what the positives and negatives are with cork.

K - well I best head out.  Need to grade the Hunger Games tests.  Later!

GD DRILL!!!

I mean, WTH!?  I was so excited yesterday getting the new drill...bringing it home...charging it...taking it out for a spin.  And then!  THEN!!!  It's a huge pain in the ass.  It took forever to start a screw.  It hurt like hell.  It seemed never to go in smoothly - always jumping and skipping!  UGH!  I couldn't get the bit tight enough.  SHIT!  I finally called Jim and said, "I HATE THIS F*%KING DRILL!!!"  Which meant that I couldn't use it and so couldn't make headway on the damn deck!  So I cleaned the damn house instead - which needed it but of course that couldn't go easily either!  Why?  Well, while changing the sheets on my bed, I scraped my already messed up thumb knuckle (blister from the drill) on the foot board.  I literally scraped off all the skin on my knuckle and it started gushing blood.  WTH!?!

And then it dawned on me:  It's Friday the F*%KING 13th!  No wonder.

Jim got home last night and after eating dinner, we headed back out to work on the what?  Yup, the deck.  Jim was getting things ready and he says, "Oh, shit!  No wonder you had a hard time with the drill.  I forgot to tell you to use a different bit.  Oops!"  Me: "ARE YOU F*%KING KIDDING ME!? GOD DAMN IT JIM!" (Sorry Diane!) I now love the drill.  It's like drilling into butter.  It's so easy and smooth.  I could almost drill one-handed.  We got a ton done last night and will hopefully finish today or tomorrow (depending on the rain). Jim went into work for a bit this morning to make up some hours.  I'm going to head out and start drilling here in a minute at least until the rain starts.  And that's it.

Oh and Zeke is so over the whole deck thing not being available to him.  He kept going out last night and standing at the side of the deck barking at us and trying to climb up the lattice.  He was very agitated.  I think he just wanted to be with us on the deck, poor fellow.  Not to mention the circular saw annoys him.  I think he thinks it's thunder or something.  He was panting and pacing around like it was going to storm.  He's all out of sorts.

Okay well I best head out and start screwing down some boards.  Happy Saturday!  Later!

Cheese Please?

First of all, my dinner was delicious last night (recall post from yesterday). Of course Jim asked if he could have cheese on it and I said (losing my mind a little): "NO!  You can't have cheese.  I give you cheese and then you keel over and die and I'm left to finish the deck by myself!  I'll have those boards screwed down willy nilly and you'll come back from the dead to haunt me because I've done it wrong!  CHEESE!?  No!  You can't have cheese!!!"  I have to say that Jim laughed at me while I ranted.  And of course I didn't really yell and rant but I also didn't give him any cheese.  Boy doesn't need anything else that may clog his arteries.  And for all of you out there saying "poor Jim", I'm just trying to keep my boy alive!  With all the projects that are only half completed, I don't need him to crap out on me!

In deck news, things are moving along (not fast enough for me) but they are moving along.  And we didn't really argue or anything last night.  We didnt' get as much as I would have liked to get done but that's because the damn drill ran out of juice and we had to quit at 8PM.  We were really grooving too.  Jim was cutting and slapping boards down and I was drilling screws.  We got about 4 lengths of boards down and it's more than half way complete.  Jim wanted to take a half day today but I told him to just work the whole day (he already took Monday and Tuesday off and he needs the hours), I'd work on drilling in screws and we'd crack-a-lack when he got home and work all day tomorrow (barring rain).

Which means that today - I'll be going to buy a second drill at Home Depot.  Jim did have two drills but apparently the Ryobi he had died.  I'll be replacing that with same (as shown).  Not a bad deal - two batteries with a charger and the sweet bag shown....all for under $80.  Jim will be happy.

And that's all I've got.  Need to get to HD and then walk Sam - then it's out to the deck for me.  At least it's a nice day.  By the way - my hamstrings are KILLING me!  All that bending over and drilling.  UGH!

K - I'm out...later!

Deck - A Work In Progress

Definitely a bigger job than Jim envisioned, I'm sure.  I have to say, it is looking good but I also have to say that I'm sick of having to go out the garage to let the dogs in and out.  They are sick of it too.

So, last night, Jim came home just before 6PM.  We ate dinner and then headed out to work on the deck.  Now, normally, Jim and I work fairly well together.  Actually, I should clarify that:  We work well together when we're doing manual, non-mechanical (non-tool) stuff.  You know, like raking leaves, other general yard work, hauling stuff etc.  Throw in power tools, however, (even a hammer) and Jim seems to think I've got my dunce cap on.  It's incredibly frustrating because he won't let me do anything and he treats me like a complete and total retarded asshole.  He's such a DICK when it comes to that type of stuff.  UGH!  So last night was no different.  Oh, sure, when we talked while I was in Columbus and I said to him to make sure he had both drills so we could both screw nails in to save time, he was all, "Oh, yeah!  Sure!  Absolutely!"  Did he bring both drills home?  Nope.  Did he let me (at first) do anything?  Nope.  Did I stand there getting angrier and angrier?  Yup!  Did he get a tongue lashing?  Nope.  I just went inside and sat down.  And waited.  And when he finally came in to eat a little humble pie I walked back outside and just said, "Tell me what you need me to do because I'm sick of wasting time.  Lets get this shit done!"  Eventually he let me man the drill and I was able to get some screws in while he cut and measured and then re-cut and re-measured (because he f&%ked up).  We probably go two lengths of boards down last night in the space of about 2 hours.  RIDICULOUS!  My husband is a nice and sweet man who really is handy but HOLY SHIT!  He can't walk and talk at the same time.  If he has something to say, he can't do it while he works.  All work must stop.  He kept trying to tell me mindless shit about the deck.  Shit I didn't care about nor did I really understand and I would tell him, "Jim!  I don't care.  I know you feel you need to tell me this shit but I don't care and you're wasting time telling me because you can't tell me and move at the same time.  So do us both a favor and shut the F&%K UP!  WORK!"

Is that mean?  Yeah, I know you all are saying, "Poor Jim" but unless you've walked a mile...suck it!  (I know Maggie feels my pain though!)

So today, I'll be walking the dogs, heading to the library, exercising, screwing (not the fun kind) nails into the deck and making a new and delicious sounding dinner - Chicken and chickpea chili.  Recipe is below (I'll let you know if it's any good).

Ingredients:

• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 ½ – 2 pounds ground chicken
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne
• 2 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick Dutch oven or saucepan. Saute the bell peppers and onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken; cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 7-9 minutes.
2. Sprinkle with flour, chili powder, cumin, cocoa powder, and cayenne; cook, stirring briskly and constantly, 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes and vinegar; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until thick, 30-40 minutes. Stir in the chickpeas; simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes.

And I'm out...Zeke is still in bed and I need to get him up and out before I take Sami on her constitutional.  Wish me luck on night 2 of the deck saga.  K - later!

A Catastrophe!!!

Oh my!  I thought I would do a nice thing.  I thought I'd help Maggie out.  Never again!  I mean, you've just never seen such a mess.  How one little girl can make such a disaster in her pants...it just boggles the mind.  And then to run out of wipes...UGH!  In the end (no pun intended) I had to call for Maggie and get a second pair of hands.  Really Maggie just had to take over and I had to go scrub down.  De-contaminate.  That sight is burnt in my retinas for a long time to come, I guarantee.  YOWZA!

So here are a few videos to quench your Eva thirst.  The first is a bit o' crawling and hanging with her pups.

More crawling

 

And here is a sweet girl enjoying some O's...she definitely loves those round oaty treats!

And finally - a new move of hers.  We like to call it her fishy face.  She's so funny!  I'm sure going to miss her!

I'll be showering and then leaving here in a bit.  I'll head home to see how the progress on the deck is going.  It's not finished, that I know, but I still can't wait to see how good it looks.  Jim went to work today and when he gets home tonight, we'll eat and then work together to get as much done as we can.  I'm sure by the weekend it will be complete (cross fingers).  And then our next project will be to get the side yard fixed and seeded.  Just in time, I'm sure for the spring rains.  UGH! 

Well, that's all I've got. I'll take pics of the deck and post them tomorrow.  Later!

Eva Goes "PFFT"

Loves me some Eva!  She is such a ham!  Laughs, hardly ever cries, stands and crawls like a maniac!  Loves her Aunt Muir, too!  (I mean, who doesn't?) 

Maggie and I have just been hanging.  I got here around 11AM yesterday and after going to the grocery, we took a nice long walk and then played with Eva...made dinner, watched a movie.  Today we did some errand running (Old Navy and Costco) and came home.  Eva napped and is now up eating a snack.  Tonight we'll have dinner and chill a bit more.  It's rather cold here - 47 degrees was to be the high.   I'll probably leave tomorrow after rush hour...not sure when.  I want to get home to see the deck (Jim and Brent are finishing it up today) but I don't want to leave my sweet Eva.  Oh, well, I'll get to see them again soon when Maggie and Charlie come down for Cullen's play (West Side Story) in a couple weeks. 

And that's all I've got for now.  I'll hopefully get another video here and post that before leaving.  Later!

Can. Hardly. Move.

I'm so sore.  My hips are killing me.  My back is aching.  My hands hurt!  Why?  See all that wood?  Jim and I did all that yesterday.  It may not seem like much but each one of those bundles weighs about 100 pounds.  Remember the pile from yesterday?  First I went through the whole pile and hammered the nails and screws.  Then I would get the planks, and feed them through the circular saw manned by Jimmy.  Those were all cut in 4 foot sections and then bundled by Jim.  Jim and I both toted the wood from the backyard to the pile you see here.  (I used a wheel barrow thingy but it wasn't easy).  UGH!  Jim just helped the garbage men load it all.  I don't know how he did it I can barely lift my feet to walk.

By the way - we didn't fight or argue once!  We work well together!

And that's about all the time we have today folks.  I need to go shower, dress, finish packing and then head out.  Hopefully I'll be out by 9AM.  Just need to stop for gas and my background check in Lebanon and then I'm Columbus bound.  YAY!!!  Hope I can lift Eva.  I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures and post while I'm there.  Pray that Jimmy gets most of the deck done by then!

K - happy Monday!  Later!

My Mom Is MEAN!!!

Can you believe a mother would call her own daughter - her favorite daughter - a LOSER!?  Well, mine did!  I was shocked, nay, hurt!  I'm not ashamed to admit there were some tears shed.  I'm not a rock.  When someone lashes out, do I not bleed?  Am I not human?  OH, THE HUMANITY!!!

Okay - enough with the dramatics.  In reality - I've just been very, very busy.  Sort of.  Well, Jim's been busy and I've thus been busy checking on his status.  See, Jim had the bright idea a while back to replace the boards on our back deck.  We actually purchased all the decking a few months ago (because the price was half what it would be during the "season") and just had the boards delivered this past week.  (And I should add here that I wasn't opposed to having the boards replaced...it was badly needed.)  Anyway - Jim worked it out with his helper - Brent - that the time to do this would be this weekend.  Jim was going to rip all the boards off Thursday and then he and Brent would work, work, work, on Friday and Saturday.  Well, Thursday - Jim unexpectedly got a ticket to the Reds Opening Day game and of course I told him he needed to take advantage of that.  So that meant he didn't start "demolition" until Friday morning.  Well, then of course, you can guess what happened.  Yup!  Brent called and said he couldn't make it (I knew, by the way, that this would happen). He said, however, he'd be here on Saturday at 9:30.  Well, at 10:45, he still hadn't showed...you can imagine my mental state at that point.  He did show up, however, at 10:46.  And the work commenced.  As you can see from the picture I just took - things are progressing slowly.  They've gotten most of the joists moved and only have about 5 more to re-position but of course they unearthed some other issues.  So, Jim and Brent will work together one more day (Monday) to get done what Jim can't do himself.  From then on, it will be all Jim.  I'm hoping that when I return home on Wednesday - things will be DONE!  (Who am I kidding though, really.)


Today - if you can see in the background the pile of boards - Jim and I will be breaking those up and bundling them to ready them for the garbage.  UGH!  This will be a big job that I'm sure will result in many splinters.  Not happy.

Oh, and Happy Easter to all.  Jim and I will be spending it alone, together.  I bought some ham and I'll make some asparagus and Au Gratin potatoes to serve with...yum!

So that's what's been going on in my life.  Tomorrow I'm headed up to Columbus.  I have to stop in Warren County prior to going so that I can get my fingerprints done and background check for my expiring teaching license.  Hopefully that won't take long.  K - I'm out...later!

Reds Opening Day 2012!!!

SO EXCITED!!!  It's going to be a GOOD day!  And I need to get a move on here so this will be short.

Today - if you haven't guessed - is the CINCINNATI REDS OPENING DAY!  I will be leaving here in a bit to go to Trip and Susan's.  From there we'll head downtown for the Reds parade at 1PM.  The game starts at 4PM and I CAN'T WAIT!  I love baseball.  It is definitely my favorite sport.  I know some people find it boring but not me!  In addition to seeing the Reds today - I also get to spend time with my favorite boy - J.J.!  Maggie talked to him a bit ago and said he's SO excited.  Apparently Trip and Maggie were talking about Joey Votto's contract (10 year, $225 million) and what he'll do after playing with the Reds and Trip said he'll probably retire.  J.J. said that he couldn't retire until he got to play with him at Great American Ball Park.  That boy loves his Joey Votto and loves him some baseball.

I had a bit of a what-to-wear dilemma today becuase my Reds jersey is a Jonny Gomes jersey and he is now with the Oakland A's.  In the end, however, I decided to go with my jersey...he was a well-loved player and whatever...I'll still be in Reds gear.

K - I need to walk Sami and get ready.  GO REDS!  LATER!

Oh - I updated my book blog for those interested!

Parrot Heads

I don't think they're Jimmy Buffet fans but maybe I'm wrong.  Hee hee!  I loves me some macaws, especially when they are pictured with a sweet Eva.  And how cute is she in yellow!

So - Aunt Kathleen - I finished Rules of Civility...I'll review it, hopefully later today.  For those of you wondering, this is a book, whose name comes from an actual "self-help" book by George Washington.  In the back of the novel that I read are his actual 110 rules for "decent behaviour".  Yesterday while I was in limbo waiting for my crown to cook, I started reading reading some of the rules.  This one struck me as hilarious:  3rd - "In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet."  The minute I read this, I knew that none of my friends nor I would ever be considered "civil".  I mean, take Diane for instance (love you!).  She hums nearly all the time and doesn't know it.  I whistle all the time.  Half the people I meet drum their fingers, shake their leg or tap their foot.  George Washington would be appalled by society today, of that I'm sure.

Speaking of my crown, it's in and it was no biggie.  My jaw hurts a bit this morning from where I was shot in the face with Novocaine but other than that all is well.  The crown does feel a little weird and I keep thinking I'm going to knock it off with my tongue if I fiddle too much with it, but that's normal, right?  I mean, they "permanently" cemented it in...it should easily come off with my tongue, right?  Anyway - after I got home, I was starving which sucked because the whole bottom part of my mouth was numb.  I couldn't even whistle.  A couple times when I was drinking water, I dribbled all down my front too.  Thank God by dinner time I was relatively de-numbed and could eat.  The doc said I'd only be numb for about 3 hours but in total, it ended up being 5.  The worst part was that my tongue was numb too and I kept biting down on it, not knowing.  I had to be really careful not to clench my teeth or bite down.  Glad that's over.

So today is my last day before Spring Break!  YAY!!!  Tomorrow is Opening Day and I'll head to Trip and Susan's in the late morning so we can all go down for the parade.  I've never been to the parade.  That should be fun.

K - well, I best head out.  Nothing more to talk about.  Later

Why Am I So Ready For Spring Break!?

Exhibit #1

Now, you may be wondering, "Hey, did Muir purchase next years headless horseman costume for Halloween?"  Well, no, I didn't but thanks for asking.  Nope - this lovely individual is what I got to deal with yesterday.  I'm so sick of this crying, sniveling individual.  And I know that's mean and I know I shouldn't say such things but alas, after nearly 4 years (and having her in class THREE times this year), I'm over her little attention getting psychoses!  UGH!  Now, I have to say that yesterday was my fault and I knew that speaking to her about her behavior from Friday was going to get me right here...with her head zipped up in her jacket with yellow snot running down her face and into her mouth but there are some things that this kid needs to face and since her parents don't teach her a GODDAMN (sorry Diane) thing about life and coping that leaves her to learn these things with us.  By the way - she originally tried to zip her head into her book bag but it wasn't working out.  In addition, she continually scratched at herself and punched herself in the thigh and hip.  I of course told her immediately to stop those little things but otherwise, I ignore her.

UGH!

So today I'm here at home on a Tuesday morning because I have my dental appointment for my crown later today (oh, and cavity...bummer).  I'm wondering if I'll be able to eat normally after all is said and done today.  I don't have to get a root canal or anything so I shouldn't be in pain, right?  Regardless, I'll be doing a crock pot meal today with a pork loin.  I'll also hang with my Sami, go to Costco, exercise and chill.  YAY!

Maggie and Charlie are back from their trip (I assume - she texted me late last night and said, "almost").  I'll be headed to C-bus on Monday so I'll steal some pics from them and post.  Until then, wouldn't it be nice if Maggie sent some photos.  Don't hold your breath readers...she does tend to be a slacker (hee hee).

K - well, I better get a move on.  Need to do lots before I can shower and head out for errands.  Later!

The Hunger Games

So Jim and I went to see The Hunger Games today.  First I'll say - it was really, really good.  I was quite impressed with how the filmmakers kept with the book.  They did a phenomenal job.  I can't even tell you how much I look forward to seeing Catching Fire.  I don't know when it will be released (have they even started filming?) but - YOWZA - they will be setting even more records for that flick.

Now - here are my thoughts:  I have to say that it is slightly hard for me not to be a bit critical of the movie but only because I've literally read the book 5 times (the first time; again before I taught it to formulate the chapter questions and then three times a day when I'm reading for my students).  I know this book inside and out so as I sat through the movie, I kept thinking, "Oh, well that was different", and "Oh, they didn't include that".  However nothing that was different or that they didn't include changed the overall feel and message of the book.  I will say that the one MAJOR difference between the book and movie is something positive.  You see, the book is told in Katniss's voice, through her eyes.  And so, you don't get a feel, in the book, for how the Capitol (namely, President Snow) is feeling about all the little rebellious things that Katniss does throughout the games. In the movie, however, you see this.  And you see how pissed President Snow is.  And it sets up, perfectly, the coming events for future movies.

Things I didn't like about the movie:  I didn't like that Peeta and Cato looked so much alike.  It was too confusing in some parts of the filming. I didn't feel like the movie served Katniss as well in regard to her rebellious and hard-to-know streak.  You know, that slightly damaged, rough girl who doesn't take shit.  Someone you know could absolutely win the games if it had only to do with stealthiness and not also playing it up for the audience. In that same thought - I wish they would have had a bit more of the struggle between Haymitch and Katniss.  In the book there was a real push-pull between the characters because they are SO much alike, and with that comes a real connection between the two.  In the movie, however, they really got along (although in doing that, they still managed to have that connection).

I could go on and on but I won't.  I will say that as movies go (as adaptions from books) this one was a real winner.  There was nothing sacrificed for Hollywood and there seemed (to me) to be no unnecessary additions or subtractions.  I can't wait to see Catching Fire and now - I need to go reread that one (after I finish my current book).

K - I'm out...gotta get dinner on the table.  Later.

A Weekend Of Nothing

And by nothing, I mean no plans, nothing to do, just time to hang around and even nap...with absolutely no complaints.  So yes, I had time yesterday to post but I just wasn't in the mood.  What did I do, you ask?  Well, I got up - made Jim and my breakfast (the tummy fat buster breakfast - Jim loved it).  Jim went off to work to make up some hours missed from last Monday's phone-holding debacle.  I went grocery shopping, came home, cleaned house, exercised (went a little crazy on the Aeropilates and I'm now sore but it really felt good...think I'll do it again today), walked Sami, had lunch and then laid on the couch (it was 1PM at this point) and fell asleep to a little Twilight: Eclipse.  Jim got home around 3, I got dinner ready (Weight Watchers quiche, curry chicken salad) - we ate around 6 and then we just laid around in front of the fire until bed time.  Now, you may be wondering, "MUIR! You had a fire?!"  Well, remember, I still don't have an A/C and heating unit because we're STILL waiting on the compressor to be fixed.  It was cold last night too so Jimmy built me a fire.  It was quite cozy.

Today's plans include breakfast (which we already ate), Jim just left for a bike ride (usually he's gone for about 4 hours), and then we talked about going to see Hunger Games.  Since the weather looks like it's going to be a bit nasty, I think that will most likely happen.  I really want to see it and what else do we have to do?

This week should hopefully be easy peasy Japanesey!  Monday will be a normal Monday but then I have my dentist appointment on Tuesday...that will take a couple hours.  Wednesday - normal Wednesday and then Thursday - OPENING DAY!!!  Can't wait.  I'll most likely head over to Trip and Susan's at around 11:30 so that we can leave for the parade around 12:30.  The game doesn't start until 4PM though so we'll see whats what before then.  Susan will pick us up at the stadium when we're ready to come home, that way we don't have to drive and worry about parking.  So excited.  GO REDLEGS!!!

K - well, I think I'll go...um...drink some coffee and read my book.  Later!  Oh, I almost forgot:  I got some pics from Charlie.  Here is the trio on their first day there (notice Maggie's pasty white skin...hee hee!  just kidding.  I only say that cause she said it herself).  Eva is such a little water bug!  Maggie said she's just loving the water and ocean and everything.  She said that every day they've been there, at bed time she conks out and sleeps like a log.  Loves her!  Can't wait to see her next week!  K - later!