Vodka, Still-Broken Ovens and The Pool

So, I think I mentioned before that the part for the oven came Friday and that it looked pretty easy to install. In fact, it was easy. It didn't take much, just two pairs of hands and a screwdriver. This was done yesterday morning. And initially, all looked fine but after about 1 minute, the display blinked out, then came back on and I said, "This isn't good." So we let the oven preheat, all went fine (aside from the huge fight that Jim and I got into - stress induced) but about 2 hours later, Jim yelled upstairs to me asking what the website was where we ordered the first part from. From this, I knew that the oven had blinked out again. After every thing else, I had had enough. I didn't yell or anything but I certainly didn't feel like having company. I told Jim to call Jane, our neighbor, and cancel. Which he did. Then I fell into an exhausted sleep and Jim left to work.

Around 5, my neighbor called and said, "Come over and drink with me." So I did. In the end after cocktails (lots of vodka tonics) and appetizers at her house, we all headed back here and I made dinner. We also played Euchre but with only three players, I couldn't keep anything straight and I lost, majorly. I think the vodka my brain had soaked up left me slightly stupid.

So, last night, Jane and I had made plans to go to the Nature Center this morning to walk the dogs -her German Shepherd named Nessa and Zeke - but waking up this morning, I wasn't up for it. So, Jim went, however, he ended up taking Bubba because they didn't introduce Zeke and Nessa as they should have. Hopefully, Bubba won't keel over in exhaustion and hopefully, he won't barf in Jane's Land Rover. Ugh!!! I forgot to tell Jim to take a sheet since Bubba gets car sick. Uh oh.

Today, after Jim gets home, we'll go to Raeburn and hang with the fam. Maggie and Charlie are coming down and Trip, Susan and J Bird will be there as well. I'm going to have to keep Maggie away from J.J. because she said she was going to bite him. You know, cause he's so delicious! I don't think she should be allowed to hold him. I'll have to warn Trip and Susan.

K - I'm going to go make myself some breakfast and then get a shower. Later.

End Of Week Wrap Up

Well, I'm up. I shouldn't be because I don't have to work today but alas, my body has quickly returned to it's routine while in school. I tend to wake up at about 6AM no matter if I went to bed at 10PM or 2AM. It's crazy. I hate it but I do have a lot to do today so, I don't really mind and I managed to stay up until 10 last night.

One of the things that kept me awake last night was a Dateline story. It was about the effed-up people of Serbia and their methods of dealing with the mentally disabled. It was heart wrenching and really disturbing. For the most part, when babies are born that are "defective", the mothers and fathers are urged to put them away for the rest of their lives, giving custody up to the state. If they don't, their families, friends, society shuns them. And of course the conditions of these places are atrocious. It was so sad. So many of these kids were in frozen positions, almost petrified because they hadn't been taken out of their cribs and allowed to move around. One man interviewed had given his downs syndrome boy up 11 years ago. When Dateline found the boy though not stuck in a crib, he could barely walk without assistance, he was the size of a 6 year old, he didn't ever smile, barely talked and his eyes were just these vacant brown spots. It was so sad. I don't know how Anne Curry didn't just leave there with 100 kids in tow.

Anyway, enough depressing things about abused kids. Lets talk about the depressing situation with my oven. Actually, I'm kidding. The part came yesterday, we just haven't installed it to know if that's what's wrong. See, it's one of two things and you have to fix the first to then see if, oh crap, it's the other thing. And of course, if it is the other thing, it isn't like you can return the part you've already bought. You just have to spend another 160 bucks to get the next part. In good news though, it doesn't look difficult to fix; knock on wood. Of course Jim falls off his bike at stop signs so cross your fingers.

So, tonight - this afternoon - my neighbor will be over. I'm grilling a pork loin, making potato casserole (if the oven works) and doing a zucchini/squash saute as well. Should be delicious - I hope.

K - that's all I've got. Need to make my grocery list. Later.

AHA!!!

So, as many of you know, I've been suffering lately from bug bites. It's been driving me out of my mind because I couldn't figure out where they were coming from. I thought they might be in my bed and I washed all my pillows etc. but I still ended up with these itchy, red lumps all over. I mean, we're talking on my legs and back; the crook of my elbow; my butt and boobs. Crazy places. Well, lo and behold, the culprits have been revealed. Apparently, they are microscopic mites that tend to appear after infestations of cicadas because they eat their larvae. The mites don't spread disease, they can't survive indoors and don't fly. However, they are carried by the wind and can get through screens. This is why it seemed that no matter if I was in or out of doors, I would get them. Anyway, I can't really do anything to avoid them I'm just glad to have answers. By the way, that's a picture of the little effers - obviously magnified about a million times. I'm getting itchy just thinking about them.

K - later.

TGIFF!!!

Insert an f-word for the extra "f" in there. I'm sure you can figure out what I meant, but make it your own. For example: Thank God it's Fun Friday. Or, Thank God it's Freak-out Friday. How about if your name is Fernando? Thank God it's Friday, Fernando. My favorites are still: Thank God it's F*%king Friday or Thank God it's Friday, F%$Ker!!! I'm not sure it's right that God and that word are in the same sentence. I keep getting closer and closer to hell!

Oven update: Jim ordered the part and over-night shipped it. It should be here today. I'm hoping because we're having "company" over on Saturday. We'll see if the handy dandy Jim can hang on to that title and not break the oven further. I do have faith in him.

So in other news: My plans this weekend are pretty simple. I plan to come home today after work and collapse on the couch. Friday's are tough for me because I'm exhausted and usually passed out (not from alcohol) by 9PM. It's ridiculous but I've learned to accept that I'm an old woman. Saturday, as I mentioned, we're having my neighbor over. She's had us over twice so it's our turn. We'll do cocktails and then I'm going to grill a pork loin and some veggie and probably my potatoes. We'll see. Any suggestions? Sunday, Maggie and Charlie are supposed to be coming down and it's supposed to be hot and beautiful. We'll go to Raeburn and chill out by the pool. Monday, I'll be getting ready for the week - again. I have 2 IEP's next week. I'll probably also try and get the IEP complete for the student whose parent isn't going to come.

Exciting, huh?

Okay, got to skittily and head to work. I want to try and get those two IEP's totally complete and printed off this morning. You know what they say about the best laid plans though. Later.

Calgon, Take Me Away

Jesus! I think I'm turning into a woman who can't handle crisis. And by crisis, I mean my oven breaking. I think if it were more than that right now, I may just run away to Maine or Scotland (though I don't have a passport), or the wilds of Kansas, I guess. Are there any wilds in Kansas? Really where I need to go is some little town with a name like Peaceful or Serenity; Calm or Lobotomy. I'll investigate.

So, as you can tell, the oven issue is still a drama. Jim, of course wants to save money by repairing it ourselves. Now, usually when we buy something new, like our dishwasher, stove top, and oven, we install ourselves. I'm a little nervous, however, trying to make an electrical repair. Regardless, we are ordering the part that is hopefully the problem and it is supposed to ship today and will - cross your fingers - be here by early next week. Does this suck or what?

I'm trying to be a better wife about this than I've been but it's hard because I'm stressed anyway and Jim's my outlet. Poor guy. I just wish he'd listen to me. It really rubs my ass raw that he doesn't. He knows I'm usually right. Correction: He knows I'm always right. It's hard though when he knows, for example, that the oven is a touchy subject and he just came downstairs and made a not-very-funny joke about it.

Okay - must get crackle lackin. Gotta skittily skat.

Ohh, on a funny note: I told the kids yesterday that I speak Chinese. They started asking things like, "What would my name in Chinese be?" So I would answer things like "Ching chow" and "Shang Hi" and "Bing Bong" - pretty sure they didn't believe me after that last one. Anyway, I think today we'll pretend to be fluent in Italian: "Bucca da beppa da!!!" I sure hope they aren't going home and telling their parents this. You know they are though. Oh well.

P.S. I know this cartoon is so wrong but I laughed out loud at it and had to use it. I don't really think that about my sweet lovey husband!

Prepare Yourself...

...for some complaining. I'm warning you now. If you don't want to hear me bitch (I seem to be doing a lot of that lately), I understand - you may exit this blog.

So, yesterday morning, as I was leaving the house for work, I noticed that none of the display lights on my lovely Whirlpool double oven weren't on. The clock should always be lit. So I go over to it, open the door and see that the light still comes on. This means that there isn't a fuse blown and something is mechanically wrong. So I yell up to Jim, "Hey!!!" He answered, "Yeah?" I continued, "Somethings wrong with the oven!" And I walked out the door. Guess what? Yeah, that's right. Jim didn't hear me. Apparently the fans in the bedroom (in which he wasn't - he had gone and laid down on the guest bed after I had gotten him up to say goodbye) were too loud. In fact, he says he doesn't even remember any of this. Super!!!

So I get home yesterday to find that, hey, the oven still isn't working. So I call Jim, ask him about it, he's clueless as to what I'm even talking about and I get pissed. EFF!!! Why do I have to always be the one to notice something is broken before something is done about it? ARG!!! I have a hard time believing he walked in the kitchen yesterday morning and didn't notice the clock wasn't on. But I do believe him. I know he wouldn't just walk away from that. He'd call me and say, "Hey. What's wrong with the oven?"

So he eventually came home and, oh, by the way, the paper work and manual for the double oven is nowhere! The double oven which we replaced over 4 years ago and Jim took care of. That's right, I'm blaming him for this because he puts owners manuals all over the house - in different spots! No two in the same place! Anyway, Jim came home, opened the door of the oven, pressed a few buttons and said, "hmm". I think he thought this was going to fix it. Then he went to the fuse box, flipped the switch on and off and came back in and said, "hmm". All things I had done, by the way.

So, he then gets online and starts trying to search for clues while I pull out the yellow pages and search for repairmen. Long story a little less long, we have a repairperson coming this morning to look at what's going on. Oh, and while I was standing there last night, stirring beans on my stove top, the oven suddenly turned on and then went back off. And then turned on. And went back off. And then turned on and stayed on for a bit so that I was able to actually bake some french fries to go with our hamburgers and then it went back off and I let it stay that way and it eventually showed an error code and that is gone again. But at least we have a code to give to the repairdude. I think the ghost is messing with me.

Anyway, I was way irritated last night about the whole thing because it's just one more thing that I have to deal with breaking or falling apart around here. But I guess thems the brakes when you own a home.

Damn! I forgot to play the lottery yesterday. Crap!!! I'll have to remember for Friday.

Okay, I better head to work. It's raining here - finally - though it isn't supposed to amount to much. K - later.

Open House Sucks

I don't know why I'm so tired. Granted I had to be at school until 8:00 last night but I still went to bed around 10 and got about 7 hours sleep. That isn't too bad. I guess just having to be at school and not relaxing gets a body tired.

Zeke just went tearing ass out the sliding glass door. It's 5:31. Damn dog!!! Actually, when I yelled out "NO!!!" he only squeaked and refrained from barking. Good boy!!! I guess he can't help wanting to tear apart the raccoons and other critters are still bumbling around out there.

So, Lisa met with JBGB yesterday after school. Basically, the meetings that we have set will stand - as long as the parent said "Yes" to attending (DUH!!!). However, his main issue was that he wants us to call the parent and say, "Hi Mr./Mrs. Smith. Johnny's IEP due date is approaching, when would you like to meet?" He said for any meeting like that, he'd provide whatever sub needed. Which is fine. No problem. Sounds good. But next time, when you want to change procedure, how about letting us know BEFORE steps have already been taken otherwise? You moron.

JBGB is also trying say that he or any other administrator doesn't have to actually be IN the meeting in order to sign. Um, hey moron - the signature page says next to the signature "participated". If you weren't there, I'm not getting your signature! And I'm keeping my IEP's under personal lock and key so that he doesn't have FW hunt them down for signature! I know: I'm paranoid.

Oh, and did FW make any move regarding the emails from Friday? Nope. Isn't she a good department head? Seriously, she and her FB (eff buddy - HH) are turning this school into a communist Nazi camp. I feel like we should all stand in formation and march in circles around them. You know they'd love that but is that "good for kids"? If I hear that one more time I might do something that certainly isn't good for kids!!!

Bubba's looking at me like I've lost my mind and didn't just give him his carrot. Really! He just came in, got his carrot, went back outside, and came running back in (from the water bowl) and acted like he just came in for the first time. He's such a glutton!

Okay - must skat. Gotta get gas this morning. Later.

Oh God, It's Monday!!!

Monday! Yippee!! (I was going to say "ugh" but thought I'd put a more positive spin on it. I only gave it 2 exclamation points though. I usually put three.)

So this will be the beginning of what, I'm sure is going to be an interesting week. I will have to continually tell myself to breathe, relax and just wait. Lisa has emailed JBGB (jelly belly goatee boy) for a meeting regarding his email from Friday. It'll be interesting to see if he sets this up with her or if he just says everything through FW.

Tonight is also Open House. I have to be at school from 6:30 - 8:00. Poo!!! I'll come home after school to let the dogs out etc. (Jim's working late tonight) but I may just go back fairly early to get some things done. We'll see.

Other than that - I've got nothing interesting going on. I'm sure that will change the minute I walk into school. I best head out - I've got lots of crap to take care of. Later.

On A Much Happier and Cuter Note...

Some updated pictures of the family:

J.J. - July 28th. His first day without his Mommy (Susan had gone back to work.) I kept him in smiles.

Nap time for J.J. and Molly (in the background).

Jimmy Lou and Chomper (Max could stand to pack on some lbs. That boy is skinny!!!)

Madison and her cousin.

Maisy - boy was she jealous of J.J. when Anne held him!!!

Big ole blue eyes!!!
A boy and his daddy. A fat boy and his daddy!!!

The Caca Has Hit the Fan!!!

Oh boy has the shit started flying at work! Truly unbelievable. I'm not even sure what to do to tell the truth.

Okay, so for those who are not knowledgeable about special ed: First of all, special education is federally mandated. Every child has an IEP (individualized education plan) which is a legal document. Every IEP must be done once a year and by the date on which it expires. If it isn't done, you are out of compliance. Every IEP meeting must have a special educator there, one of the student's regular educators and a district representative (principal, director of special ed, etc., someone who can make decisions about money).

So, Lisa and I set our meetings to start here, week after next. We've sent all our invitations out to parents. I've even had some responses from parents I've already talked to. Well, little did Lisa and I know that everything we've done in the past is no longer acceptable. Apparently, the federally mandated laws for special education are now mandated by a jackass with a jelly belly and a goatee. We were basically told that we wouldn't be getting subs for our meetings, he wants our meetings changed to different days/times (?), and he thinks what we're doing isn't "good for kids". Can everyone just say "fucker"?!

This egotistical bastard (and seriously, he's smarmy!!! He walks around like he's God's gift to women and he seriously gives the the heebs! You can look at him and just tell he's all slobbery and gross and yuck!!!) refuses to let one of the regular ed teachers come to the meetings during our set time because he's new and he doesn't want him to miss his class (it's the only regular ed teacher that some of the students have by the way). Oh, and also because he doesn't know the kid. Um, I just met the damn kid too you stupid moron and I have to write and IEP!!! The teacher only has to sit there and represent!!! I know it isn't an ideal situation but thems the brakes because that is when the IEP is set to be re-written.

The greatest part of all this is that he put it all in writing. In an email. He obviously doesn't know the law in regard to special ed. This was my favorite line: "I understand the law, and I know what it mandates. However, if we're more interested in compliance rather than doing what is best for kids, then we need to evaluate what we're doing." Um, hey jackass? That "we" in compliance is what the law says we have to do. I'm complying with the LAW you dumb F%&K! I'm not following my own agenda!!! IEP's are only good for one year, you stupid effer, and they have to be re-written on or by the expiration date. I didn't write that law, I'm just trying to follow it. And the evaluating you want done? Um that will have to be done in Washington D.C. because I can't change the laws set. Oh, and maybe you should jump all over the special ed teacher's ass who didn't do the IEP's in the spring like he was supposed to. I wouldn't have so many to do this fall if it weren't for that total moron!!!

Oh, and our process of when we write IEP's is changing. See, we used to get all these freshmen and have to immediately write their IEP's in September - without knowing these kids. It sucks. We would then re-write them in the spring to get them on track with the rest high school. It is a pain. And our supervisor saw a few years ago that this was ineffective and she decided, she wanted the district to have the same policy for all kids. So, the whole district is going to an alphabet thingy where, for example, kids with the last names A-B will be done in October and so on. This is being grandfathered in, however, with the 8th grade starting it this year. But does goatee boy know that? Nope. Does he contact FW, our department head, before sending the email to find out what is up? Nope!!! He just sticks his big, fat, ugly-as-f*%K face out there and starts spouting off shit that he knows nothing about!!! ARGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!

How do these administrators actually get their jobs? They obviously don't know anything about special ed. I mean, wouldn't it be reasonable that they would have to pass some sort of test regarding special ed before they can become a principal or assistant? These morons are going to end up sending us to due process. And I have all the emails and bullshit they've tried to pull in writing. They aren't going to throw my ass under the bus for any of this, I'll tell you that.

Monday will be interesting. We'll see if FW does anything to fix this. My guess is that she won't. At that point, I'm not sure what to do. We've sent our supervisor of special ed all the emails, which I'm sure she hates and doesn't want to get involved with but if these people continue not following the law, I'm not sure what other route to take.

Okay - gotta go check my lottery numbers.

A Breakthrough!!!

I actually slept through the night last night!!! I can't believe it. I haven't been able to do that in about 2 weeks. Of course, I woke up exhausted and could barely open my eyes but I'm awake now and, okay, I'm still exhausted but at least it's Friday.

So, the first week is over. After today, only 174 more days to go. Ooh, that's not a good idea. Too many days will get me depressed.

Well, I'm finally making some headway on my paperwork which is good since I have IEP's week after next. I'll be able to get my 8 IEP's done in 3 days which is good and I will only have to worry about 1 student before the spring after that. I'll be happy when next week is over though so I can focus more on my classes.

My co-teaching classes sort of suck. I like the two teachers I'm teaching with but they just don't understand what co-teaching is so they don't get that the plans they make for their classes are supposed to include me. Of course right now we aren't even doing anything having to do with history. And next week will be spent on study skills. See, HH feels that this class, since it's team taught and co-taught should also focus on teaching the kids study skills. So, I was able to contribute some assistance there by giving a "learning inventory" to give to the kids (so they understand how they learn and how they should study). Anyway, we'll work it out, I'm not worried and I am certainly not complaining - so to speak. I would never say anything to HH or FW. I try and say as little to either of them as possible. And, it's not my job to train people on how to co-teach.

Okay, It's only 5:30 but I need to get going so I can get gas and maybe get some work done. I just need for everyone to ignore me this morning because lately I'm so distracted that I can't get a dern thing done and those dang kids just keep showing up for school!!! Crap!!!

Bug Bites

Okay, I don't know what's going on but I am being eaten alive by some sort of bug and it's not mosquitoes. I thought at first that it might be bed bugs or something because I would wake up in the mornings with all these new welts. The thing is, I'm a stickler for clean sheets. So, I washed my pillows and mattress pad and vacuumed the mattress but I continued to get these horrendous bites so I knew it wasn't in my bed - God forbid! I have now come to realize that it's happening whenever I hang out outside but my torture is not a mosquito. The bites I'm getting are weird and itch like a mother - I don't often have major reactions from mosquitoes. And I'm getting them in the weirdest places. Yesterday I had one in the crook of my arm. Day before, my butt. Today I've got one on my right boob, so ladies, when you see me scratching today, you'll know why. I also have some on my neck and shoulders. So annoying!

So, today is day #3. The drama continues at school but I'm trying to distance myself from it and not respond directly to any of the emails (you know people can't seem to find their balls to talk face to face) I get. I've contacted my supervisor/coordinator to see if the direction I've taken in this is the correct one.

My days at school are completely hectic. I barely feel like I have time to eat breakfast or lunch. I just need the next week to complete my organization before I feel like I can breathe and actually focus on the classes I'm teaching. I think this is all directly related to the fact that our teacher leader - FW - hasn't gotten the crap she should have together by day one. The info that we, the sped department needed before school started really is still being given to us or was only given to us on that first day - last Friday. Before she came to our lovely home, my cohorts and I would have said info by mid-Summer. Oh well, must let go and move on. Or have a heart attack.

Okay, must head out and try and try and get my shit together.

Final Scream by Lisa Jackson

I've just finished the 3rd book in the Twilight series - Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer. It was very good. I'm looking forward to reading the final book in the series - which was just released a couple weeks ago but I think I'll wait a bit to let the moment last a little longer. I hate when I finish a series too quickly because then I have nothing to look forward to and I get a little sad. Like the characters have died or something and I'll not see them again. I guess that's the sign of a good writer. Anyway, Eclipse was great. There was a lot of great wearwolf and vampire action. I love her characters but Meyer has definitely set the reader up to be as confused as poor Bella - the main character - in regard to where her heart strings are pulling her. If you haven't read this series - you must. Though it sounds a bit juvenile - for a mid-late 30-year old - it's still enthralling.

I am now onto a "romantic thriller mystery": Final Scream by Lisa Jackson. I've not read this author before but my sister Anne has recommended her (and maybe my mom too). Anyway, this particular book is about Cassidy Buchanan, a journalist haunted by the unsolved mysterious fire that destroyed her family 17 years ago. She returns home after more mysterious fires begin only to find herself in danger when the killer decides he doesn't want her to uncover the truth. Sounds scary, huh? I'm up for a good mystery/thriller!!! I'll let you know if it's worth the read.

Breaking The Law

Oh, boy - what an interesting year I'm having already. Long story but basically, I had my HH tell me today that he really didn't care what my student's educational plan said, he wanted something done his way. I explained to him that, "Sorry, I would be following the educational plan, which is bound by law and if he had a problem with what I was doing, he could call the parents regarding this issue (the parents, who, by the way, had signed said document and were on board with what I was proposing at the meeting we had in the spring - which no required district rep - administrator - showed up to - though they were invited. I didn't say that part)." I of course said this with all kinds of sweetness (fake) and respect (ha! like I've ever had any for him).

I think I may be dealing with a complete and total moron. I mean, seriously, what is he doing? I think he can't stand having me or any female (not currently residing up his ass) doing something without his expressed permission and so he feels like a woman is going over his head? Gee, call me crazy but shouldn't what we decide for kids be what's best for kids? And shouldn't most of our decisions regarding these kids be made collaboratively? Not because it looks good on paper? And, um, when did you, HH, who's never stepped foot in my classroom, become such an expert on what my kids need? You who wants to break the law regarding special ed?! Arg!!! I can't wait to watch you try and get yourself out of the huge hole your digging yourself into!

So, I called all my parents today when I got home to ensure we are all on the same page and of those that I talked to - they were thrilled. They're on the exact page I'm on in regard to their child's needs. I may email HH tomorrow (in response to his "reprimand" - though it was barely that) and simply say that I had spoken to my parents in question and they were all in total agreement with the proposed plan for their child. The plan that had been set up at the meetings he didn't show up to (which of course I won't say but will be thinking it). As if I would make a decision - a team decision - without discussing it with the parents and kids!!! Who does he think I am? Him? What a jackass!!!

Can I Get A "HEY" And a Definite "HO" for Lisa!!!

Yeah Lisa!!! You made it another year!!! Happy Birthday - I hope today doesn't suck too badly (considering it's the "first" day of school too). Thank you for being my roommate and friend. Thanks for not getting mad at me when I don't hear a word you say - because I'm not listening (or at least hiding how furious you are at me). Thanks for calming my ass down before I go off the deep end when the assholes at work get me down (or at least calming me down most of the time). I can't say thank you enough and "THANK GOD" we came to the same school, on the same year and have not killed each other. Happy Birthday and have a great day!!! (We can do this!!!)

Shout Out to Richard!!!

Today is Richard's birthday!!! Happy Birthday Richard!!! I hope your day is fabulous and that you get everything you wish for. I love you and I'm so glad you came into our lives!!! XO

I Feel Bad Things Happening On The Computer Front!

My computer keeps doing weird things so prepare yourselves in case I'm out of commission. It is plugged in (it's a laptop) but for some reason, it keeps blinking back and forth from using battery to not...the jack for the pluggy thingy is loose. I think that is the technical term. Keep your fingers crossed because if it keeps this up, I may end up throwing it across the room.

So, just a few tidbits (or bidtits as I like to call them): Jim and I went to Trip and Susan's for dinner last night. Delicious (Chicken bow tie pasta with broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes - easy to pick out for those who may want the recipe - it's a Maggie recipe). We were able to get in one game of Euchre and then Jim and I rushed home (dodging about 5 state troopers - the "Po Po"). We made it in time to watch Michael Phelps win his 8th gold medal. It was very exciting. My heart was racing because, in case you live in a hole and didn't see it, it was a CLOSE race. I'm sure many are ready for this story to be over - but it isn't often in this day and age that Americans have something to be proud of. With all the crazy sh&% going on in our world: gas prices, asshole bosses (that was for me), the war, political/personal eff-ups (I could go on) - it's nice to look toward someone/something and be proud to say "Hey, they represent me and my country." I'll be happy to read about that in the headlines for as long as it lasts.

So today, I'll be heading to Kroger for essentials, mainly for school. I'll also head over to Kohl's. I specifically need a slip but I'll be checking out their clearance section as well to see if I can find any $4 shirts or sweaters or such. I usually get lucky so cross your fingers. Other than that, I told Sami I'd hang with her because she is sad I'm going back to work. She told me she thinks it's effin bullshit (though she didn't say effin - she's got a filthy mouth - I think it may be part Tourette's/part her mamma's daughter). She makes me feel guilty all the time about not staying home with her. Anyway, I may lay out but I'll have to wear a hat because my nose is red and throbbing from all the sneezing I've done lately. I really need to get to the allergist!

I think Jim may go play golf today. His friend Chris made a 1:00 tee time, which is a little late, but whatever, he's done a ton of crap around here lately and if he's up for it, I don't care if he goes. Who am I to stifle him? I know, his wife! His slave-driving, hard ass wife! Yeah, I think I'll tell him he can't go. Just kidding.

Tomorrow, school starts. It's a work day so no kids but it'll be hectic just the same especially since I haven't met even one time with the two teachers I'm supposed to be co-teaching with. Isn't that some good planning on my principal's part. I have about 4000 copies I need made and and there's no way in hell I'll get it all done but, alas, what's a girls to do?

So that's it. I'm going to go make breakfast and then my grocery list. Later bitches.

(By the way, I know he's sort of dorky but Michael Phelps is pretty hot. Also, I think Trip had that same bathing suit when he was about 8).

And The Screwing Begins!!!

So, yesterday at around 5:30ish, I get a call from Lisa, my roommate at school, who tells me to check my school email because FW (F%&king whore - NG's new name) has sent a doozie! Oh, the joy.

So, to preface: (See, I don't think I ever explained anything about last springs issues at school because my computer was on the blink) Anyway, last spring, the sped department met about 4 times to try and figure out who was teaching what and from that, caseloads. After fights and fusses and just all-around headaches, we all finally came to an agreement. I was slated to teach the low level Language Arts class and my male colleague was to teach the high level. One of the reasons for this was because I was going to have all those students on Alternate Assessment in my class and on my caseload. (Alternate Assessment is the alternate test for the Ohio Graduation Test that kids who can't handle the regular test "take". It's a huge pain in the ass and takes much of the year to put together and document). Anyway, knowing all this info before school ended, I ordered a ton of supplies for the low level since I'd never taught it and then prepared myself over the summer to teach this.

Guess what?! That's right, FW sent out an email that said I wasn't teaching it anymore; my other colleague (not the male) was. What a bunch of bullshit!!! What was the point of all that meeting and discussing and "collaborating" as a department in the spring if the decisions we ALL came to are then erased and you and your little eff buddy, HH, decide something totally different? Why is it that she and HH want total dissension in our department? Why? What is the point of trying to get us upset? Well, stupid question, I know why. I'm sure they would love to piss most of us off enough that we quit but guess what? That's not going to happen. Guaranteed, you will continue to dig your own holes and will be off to screw with some other district's teachers fairly soon.

So, after I read FW's email, I calmed down a bit and emailed back to say that if I was not teaching the low level, than I shouldn't have the AA kids on my caseload (or at least the one who would be taking the AA this year). I don't want her to think that what she and HH have done bother me. However, I do want to find out what the reason for the change is and I want to say, "Hey, you know, I'm happy to teach whatever I'm told, but I find it interesting that two people who preach "collaboration" and "unity" within departments, find it beneficial or even acceptable to make a decision totally opposite of what had already been decided, by the department. I'm not sure why the decision has been made but I feel like it was done without regard to others. I'm thinking that it isn't "good for kids" that which pits teachers against each other, which is what you're doing. I would expect my principal and "department leader" to have more professional courtesy than that."

It'll be interesting to see the reply email. I do feel bad, however, that I've sort of thrown JK under the bus. Nothing will change though which is such bullshit.

I'd love, too, for this action to be against our contract so that I could file a grievance. See we are supposed to have our teaching assignments by a certain date and because they didn't (maybe) differentiate that what I'd be teaching had changed, I was not given correct info? What do you think about that, Lisa? I should ask JG.

Okay, I need to go shake this off and have a good day. First Raeburn, fun in the sun and then dinner at Trip and Susan's. Later.

T-Minus 1 1/2 Hours

Ugh! I'm showered and pretty much ready to head to school for the first day of hell. Today sucks big balls because it's full of meetings and bullshit that, for the most part, I don't care about. The only thing I'm looking forward to today is hearing what the new superintendent has to say. Other than that, we're looking at service awards and than worst of all, our business manager is going to talk to us with some dude from Duke energy - last year they droned on about our energy costs. I'm sure this year will be chock full of updates on the construction going on. Um, can you just tell me when it will be done and until then, suck it. Stop wasting my time. Why does anyone think I give a hoot about any of this? It should be voluntary. "If anyone cares about what SW has to say, please stay behind. Otherwise, you all may leave." Granted, no one would stay but that's only reflective of what an asshole SW is and the fact that he's a total dud.

And another question I have: Why, if co-teaching is so important, didn't HH somehow get together some training or time TODAY for those of us doing it to prepare for their year? No, he had to make it "voluntary" for Monday - the day where we're all scrambling anyway to get our rooms/lessons/materials ready. Ass!!!

So now I'm sitting here trying to get through the last part of the DVD that HH sent to me. I'm leaving in 1/2 hour and have more than that to watch on the video so, oops, guess I'm not a team player. I've already had training on this anyway. I probably should have taken notes on this but, seriously, I couldn't find any paper. Ha!

K, wish me luck. I may have to make this the first and last day at work.

Can I Get A Hey (But Not A Ho) For Madison!!!???

Sweet little Madison isn't so little anymore (but she's certainly sweet)!!! She's 12 today!!! Happy Birthday Madison. I love you and hope your day is awesome - though how couldn't it be when you'll get to see me!?