in the hoosegow

post vaca vacation post

2009-07-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

I gained a couple of pounds at home visiting my family. Who knew that a diet of pop tarts and soy ice cream could make one fat? Oh dear. I've been home for a week and am back on my regular running and working out schedule. I'm eating all of the veggies and fruit I can stand (and too many potato chips) and I'm finally feeling better.

It helps that we had a masseuse come over last night for an anniversary treat. I'm also cooking most nights because I'm not working. I am looking forward to going back to school, though, because as much as I like relaxing, it gets boring being here every day. Watching Jeremy eat a little waspie is amusing, sure, but I need a bit more stimulation.

scatterday

2009-07-18T07:35:00.001-07:00

So I went to the doctor the other day. He confirmed that I have plantar fasciitis (wow, type that one 3 times fast!) and gave me several recommendations. One was that I go to a running store and get new shoes that are right for my feet/gate. I hustled over to Luke's and a very cute boy helped me pick out a new pair. I wore them this morning for just a mile. I hadn't run for a week, my left calf is killing me, and I wanted to ease back in. The run was fine. I had energy left over, so I spent some time weeding the front beds. They needed it. Whoever planted there was really doing some surface stuff, so there are little flowers barely covered with dirt. I think they are annuals anyway, so I'll figure out what else to plant when it's cooler. Probably loads of snapdragons and some petunias! Currently I am putting off starting my housework.

rodentia in a can

2009-07-15T15:25:00.001-07:00

Yet another reason I should always carry my camera. My sis and I were out walking a few days ago and we passed a big trash can with a plastic swinging lid. You know the kind--you have to push it sort of hard and then it tries to grab your hand. From the can issued loud scrabbling sounds. Hmm, I thought, that sounds like a trapped squirrel. Indeed, we could see its little claws through a small opening which it might've chewed in trying to escape. I found a thick stick and pushed the lid open. The squirrel looked at us for some time before finally deciding it was safe to exit. Shortly thereafter we heard its mama shouting at it for being late to dinner.

nothing much

2009-07-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

Well well well. Summer program has ended and none too soon. It was a great time. Things went smoothly and I got to meet new folks and work with some cool cats. Also, I love a lot of those kids so seeing them every day for three weeks a year is t-riff. All of that said, I'm tired and I need a break. Tuesday I fly to Michigan, and fly home again the following Tuesday. In between I have to take my mom to the doctor, go to my 20th h.s. reunion, and I hope to make it to the beach. I miss real beaches. Last night, I referred to Galveston as an ashtray.

Lots of little things and projects to work on around the house in July, lots of invitations for dinner and fun, plans to go to Schlitterbahn, piles of books to read.

Today, though, I might just do nothing much.

and it's only 1:45

2009-06-21T11:41:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I vacuumed the house and then we had our dog party. Today I cleaned the catbox, the bathrooms (see the parallel?), and am doing laundry. Also, I tried to put away some non-office stuff that was cluttering up the (unpacked) office. The dogs are clearly exhausted by my efforts! Hubby cleaned the guinea pig cage and then went off to get a haircut and groceries. Yesterday he cleaned up the garage and made it so that I can park my car in there. I'd say this has been a hella productive weekend.

duh duh....duh duh....

2009-06-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

Fam coming over to watch Jaws, which I've never seen. Twizzlers: check. KitKat: check. Popcorn: check. Dogs that sound like Chewbacca: check. Think we're ready!

kites & frights

2009-06-11T15:20:00.001-07:00

The summer program chose a "space" theme for this year. I put myself in charge of decorating a bulletin board for our dissection class and chose an alien autopsy as the main attraction. That was fun to do! I am also teaching a class with kites and so far have contributed zero to that effort. Oops--better get my butt in gear.

Hubby is working on the garage ceiling again. They fixed the big hole yesterday and I think are covering up a smaller hole, made when we had the dryer vent moved, today.

I need to do laundry, but cannot until they are finished in the garage. I hope that will be soon. For now I am goofing off and thinking of minestrone soup for dinner.

in the swing

2009-06-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

In-service for my summer program started today. I am feeling curiously detached, possibly because I haven't known for very long that I would be involved. It's weird being at a different school, and scrambling for enough stools for the lab, and figuring out how to split a class in two that shouldn't really be split that way. I'm giving myself a bit of time to connect, but kids start coming on Saturday, so I don't have much time.

tuesdazy

2009-06-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

Second and last day of vacation, until July 3rd. So far went running, had a coffee morning, visited the grocery store, deposited a check and ordered a rug from Pottery Barn. I'm also doing laundry. Things I still need to do: figure out a storage solution for our dvds, etc., weed the front garden, finish the laundry.

lazy dazy

2009-06-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

Got my haircut and caught up with my hairdresser. What a cool lady. Then I walked over to the library to see who was around. I chatted with some folks and then walked over to Einsteins with my friend, who bought me a drink, and came back home. It's been a nice, easy day. I need to unpack some more boxes before I call it a day, but I'm very much in vacation mode.

family weekend family

2009-06-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow is my grandma's memorial service. I wish I could go but I just found out the date a couple of days ago. Sigh. I think it's funny that the notice is so dry. It should say things like how much she loved ice cream (she'd take us to the ice cream parlor in the middle of winter) and how she could whistle like a bird. I'm worried about my mom--visiting Grandma was one of the few things she had left to keep herself occupied.

Speaking of occupied, I signed my contract for next year. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, they came to their senses and renewed my contract. Sort of. Actually I will be at the same school but teaching either 6th grade science & math or 5th and
6th science. I will also have some time to work at the library.

Instead of Grandma's memorial service, I get to help my H-town family film whatever happens at their family reunion. We are hoping for some high drama. Either way, I get to hang out with friends and family both.

On Sunday, my book club meets for the first time. My book should be arriving Monday. Perfect. Oh well--I will go and meet the other members and have fun. After that we're having dinner at a friend's new restaurant. I have no idea what to expect but I hope it will be yummy.

sumsumsummertime

2009-06-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

Yeegads it's been a long time since I posted (nearly a month, if anyone is keeping track). I had a good reason! We moved and I was also busy giving and grading finals. That is all over now and we have just a few boxes hanging around. Let's see if we can't knock those out shortly, shall we? The kids are all gone home for summer and we are finishing up cleaning this morning and going to lunch and then going home for a wee rest. I've left my room as clean as I can make it without actually dusting the books. Seriously, they need it, but I just didn't have it in me. I took them all off and cleaned the shelves and pulled out all of the old staples and cleaned off my desk.

On tap for the summer: home for reunion shenanigans and to visit the fam; work on book; work on a friend's film; read & play with dogs. Aren't you jealous?

unmerciful heavens

2009-05-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

Two things I found out today, neither good. The electricians put in a new breaker panel for us and neglected to purchase a permit. The city will not reconnect the electricity until they have **thoroughly** inspected the job. Our electricity has been off since last weekend, so I'm sure it's good and sweaty in there by now. Luckily they are able to do much of the other work sans power. Thing two was that my POW has not renewed the contract of my colleague, hired this year, or recruited I should say. They've done this well past the contract signing period and after the diocese's job fair. Reasons given boiled down to the monsignor being tired of getting phone calls from parents. Um, sir, if you don't want to field phone calls from parents, perhaps you should take up a parish not attached to a school. Alternately, you might want to work on breaking your parents of the habit of complaining until you buckle. Not buckling would also help.

I'm angry, disappointed, and have decided not to sub there in the fall, no matter what. I can't be connected with a place that is a religious organization, yet treats its employees with no respect, love, or courtesy.

whahuh?

2009-05-06T16:40:00.001-07:00

Apparently word is getting around that I'm not returning to my job next year. According to parents, I'm leaving to teach science somewhere else. Uh? One batsh*t crazy mom (according to a colleague--I didn't create that moniker) told me to ask her if I needed a recommendation and hugged me. Double uh?

None of the kids have mentioned anything to me yet, so I'm not sure if they know. I don't mind telling the parents why I'm not returning, but I don't want to tell the kids the why part.

Right now the dog is curled up next to me, nose in tail, and hubby promised we could go to Chili's for dinner, so life isn't too bad.

2009-05-01T15:08:00.001-07:00

I've signed up to sub for next year, provided I don't come across a fabulous full-time job before then. Folks seem to be happy that I will still be around, although in a limited capacity. We have only this month left of school, and one week of May is mainly taken up by exams. Next week, several days are shortened because of special activities. In reality, we're nearly finished with academic teaching time. I don't think I'm going to miss it. I have a huuuuuuuge stack of papers to grade this weekend and there's no way I can finish it all. I will miss the fun moments, those moments when a kid grasps a new concept, the sweet moments. I've had plenty of those, but there are a lot of grindy days in between. Right now, I'm half dreading, half looking forward to attending the school musical, Beauty & the Beast. A couple of my kids are in it and they have worked so hard. I hope they do well this evening.

hostess

2009-04-25T18:22:00.001-07:00

The woman seating us at brunch today asked if my armband animals were bees or wasps. "Bees," I replied. She mentioned something about them hurting or being afraid, and my husband said, "No, she's an entomologist. She likes them." She seemed perplexed and asked if I'd ever been stung. "Yes." She looked even more puzzled. She couldn't seem to disconnect the tattoo from the sting.

house: purchased

2009-04-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

I believe the subject says it all.

ms. sourpuss

2009-04-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

I feel like I spend so much of my day telling kids what not to do that I am getting a perma-frown on my face. My 7th graders were better today, although we're watching a movie. They sat and watched and some took notes (I'd explained why they might want to). Sixth grade, though, had to be reminded over and over again to be quiet and why they should be quiet (they were writing suspenseful stories and writing takes quiet to focus). I finally disciplined a couple of the worst offenders who then begged for another chance. The stories I read blossomed into intriguing tales, but wouldn't have had a chance to thrive without quiet thought.

Hoo boy.

Science club was fun, though. We ate outside, talked about how the eye works, how cameras worked, and did a quick project. They made sun prints, some of which came out nice and crisp. I have a few papers left to try some myself one day.

why don't i?

2009-04-18T07:49:00.001-07:00

Why don't I write more?

a. I'm lazy
b. I prefer reading what others have written
c. it gets in the way of a good solitaire game
d. it's mostly drivel anyway, so who cares?

super bad friday

2009-04-11T07:21:00.000-07:00

"Super bad" as in really good.

I finally got my wedding ring and it is small and lovely. We looked at fridges and decided which type to buy for the new place. I didn't have to go to work. I realized that we have 7 weeks of school left. I thought a lot about the fact that my colleagues are sad & pissed that I'm leaving and at least one is complaining to Monsignor. That makes me feel better about the whole situation. My weight is sitting just about 125, which is my goal (for now) weight.

holy crap thursday

2009-04-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I came home after my half day, ate lunch, and fell asleep for 2+ hours. I almost never nap during the day. The exhaustion, it is upon me. It might have something to do with sitting still for a 1/2 hour that seemed more like 3 hours as the rosary cycle was prayed around me. Not even my kids laughing silently at how dorky "jesus" looked with his askew crown of thorns stirred me from my Lenten prayer service stupor.

science for poor kids

2009-04-07T14:20:00.001-07:00

It occurred to me yesterday that someone ought to be providing the sort of visiting scholar, hands-on, expert in the school science education to underprivileged school that is provided for schools that can afford it. The question I'm still pondering: where would the money come from? There must be quite a bit, for supplies, class development, and at least a few salaries. A grant might provide starter funds, but could this sort of venture be self-sustaining?

It's still raining

2009-03-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

We held my months and months after the fact bachelorette party this weekend. My gal an I planned to go on a boat tour on the bayou but it's been unseasonably cold and rainy lately so we changed plans and visited the Fire Museum. Unfortunately it wasn't manned by muscular hotties, but we had a good time playing on the fire equipment and pretending we were running down citizens on the way to an emergency (maybe that was just me). After some deliberation of about 5 seconds, we decided that immediate consumption of Mexican food and margaritas was in order. Our waiter, Larry, promptly provided both. Finally, we had white russians while my fill-in maid of honor quizzed me about my husband. I had to drink cardemom liqueur for each wrong answer. Luckily I got most right. Then we made up new questions and made him drink creme de menthe. I think he secretly enjoyed that, although he was afraid we would ask him embarrassing questions.

Today we drove around, trying to figure out if there are other neighborhoods we could stand to live in. We found one, but it is completely lacking in properties for sale. Weird, in this economy. We came home to take naps, do laundry and read. Did I mention it's still cold and rainy?

give it to the giver

2009-03-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

A parent challenged one of the books I assigned for the first time this year. The book is The Giver. It is a challenging book, and it has won multiple awards. I think it was a good choice for this class. We began the year with a book about a natural disaster, with some fairly gruesome descriptions of the aftermath of a hurricane. We also read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, which describes life of a black family in the south in the 1930s. We read Brian's Song. We just finished our unit on the Harlem Renaissance. I guess I am surprised that this is the first complaint I've received!

I felt differently about it than I expected to. I sympathize with the parents and I can't say I think they're wrong to try to shelter their daughter for a bit longer. On the other hand, I believe this is a terrific book to use for reading & responding. I'm having the kids keep a log of their "impressions" as we go along. I plan to have them write about their responses, both emotional and logical. Could that happen using another text? Certainly! Do I plan to move away from this book? Well, my dean and others might get to make that call, and that's okay with me. It's more important to me that they read something that is challenging than that they read this book. I am interested to see how this plays out.

happy birthday to me

2009-02-27T04:32:00.000-08:00

It pretty much rocks that my birthday this year coincides with Go Texan Day. I am wearing a western shirt, overalls, boots and pigtails to work. Whoo hoo!

jobs

2009-02-14T07:51:00.001-08:00

Due to this crazy recession, we've been reconsidering my leaving my job anytime soon. No other jobs are forthcoming and should I give up a steady gig? Things are a bit easier this semester, although I am still overwhelmed by the volume of grading. We have a short week coming up (classes T-Th only), then a few weeks, then standardized testing, then spring break, then camp (for me). After that we have 2 months left, with the Easter holiday in there somewhere.

Many folks have told me that I am doing a good job, that the kids like me and are learning, that I shouldn't leave. My boss said she'd like to place me in a job where my passion lies, i.e. science, but this placement is dependent on an addition of an honors program at our school.

I don't know what to do, so right now I'm not doing anything. I applied for a job at my old p.o.w. I really didn't want to go back there but felt obligated to apply. I didn't get an interview. I don't know why, and it could be because they received applications from several folks with chemistry backgrounds (unlikely) or because they don't want me back (more likely), which hurts a bit because I did work hard for them and always tried to do what was best for my peeps.

Despite feeling putout that they didn't interview me, I was relieved. What, my inner voice said, what are you going to do if they not only interview you but extend an offer? Say "just kidding--I would rather chew my foot off than come back"? That's an exaggeration, and while I miss the 9-5ishness of the job, I don't miss the crushing boredom that came with many of the tasks I had to do. I don't miss the guilt I felt because I hate "serious" writing and never wanted to write up anything for publication. I do miss all of the kick a&& folks who work there, but some of them have left and it would be too weird to be there without them.

Okay.

Off shortly to look at more houses. Our friends in Spring showed us their parents' house last night. It is cool and huge and cheap, but the 'burbs are not in our plans.

worky

2009-02-04T04:41:00.000-08:00

A few folks at work know that I am looking for another job and have encouraged me not to leave. That is nice for my ego. However, my boss did not encourage me in that direction. I like to think that is because she had my job before me and knows how sucky it can be. Still, the librarian is my good pal and she told me she wished I could join her in the library. Hmm, I thought. I passed this thought along to my boss. Hmm, she said. Let me stew.

I am letting her stew.

days like

2009-01-27T16:19:00.000-08:00

Me, to hubby:
"There are days, like yesterday, when I say to myself, 'this isn't so bad.' And then there are days like today, which wasn't horrible, but I wonder why I'm doing this to myself."

saturday addition

2009-01-24T15:55:00.001-08:00

Saw several houses today. Liked the first one a bit, liked another one a lot. The downside to the one we both liked is that it has carpeting and wallpaper, all in blue. I should be able to see a few more places this week after work (one has a pool!). +1

Cleaned the house a bit, although I haven't vacuumed the den furniture, which is badly in need of dehairing. Laundry is about halfway done. Absolutely no papers graded or planning for next week accomplished. I really can't wait to have a job that doesn't require this much weekend/evening work, outside the already worked 40 hours. +1-1=0

On the plus side, my allergies are much better today. +1

Total: +2

do you have itchy, watery eyes?

2009-01-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

The tree pollen count went from 200/400 up to 700 today. I am miserable. My head is pounding, my eyes watering, my sinuses going from crazy sneeze fest to blocked, my nose is red and swollen and my lips are dry from breathing through my nose.

I never had allergies before I moved south...

oh no he di'n't

2009-01-14T15:27:00.000-08:00

During our faculty meeting today, I turned to one of my colleagues and said, "Did he just say our kids learn how to bully from their parents?"

"Yes, he did," was her response.

Oh my goodness gracious.

Day 8

2009-01-08T15:01:00.000-08:00

And so it begins...

Today I've brought home a huge stack of work. Some to simply check for completion, and 50 or so stories to read. Tomorrow I'll get a stack of 50 essays. The semester has officially begun.

Day 1

2009-01-01T18:33:00.000-08:00

Took the dogs (minus Jeremy) to the dog park this afternoon. Discovered Pixie loves the little dog side, doesn't love the big dog side. Her favorite sport is to jump up on anyone dumb enough to sit along the sides. Her second favorite is to play chase. Snow checked in with us frequently and put her feet up on our pants, so changing pants was necessary upon the return home. Otherwise she appeared to enjoy her visit and both girls passed out for a good nap this afternoon.

Currently full of food, waiting for dessert to be manageable, and sort of watching Kill Bill. Really sorry that the winter break is nearly at an end. Happy that strawberries and whipped cream will help.

byebye 2008

2008-12-31T06:21:00.000-08:00

I know, it's the day to reflect upon a year's events, accomplishments or disappointments. Me, meh, I just got married, changed jobs, sold my house, got a new dog. Nothing big.

In past years, I've typed up long lists of books I've read and movies I've seen. I didn't keep track of those this year.

I did add two new babies to my life, one who came into the world and immediately got sick, the other who joined us on the same night the big hurricane hit. Both are adorable and thriving.

I feel different this new year's eve. I don't feel like I need to make the hat, for one. I am not worried about whether the guy who kisses me at midnight will be around after the first of the year. I know I won't be keeping my job, and that it's okay to say that it wasn't for me.

My biggest hope for the coming year is that we will make more time for fun activities and watch less tv. I think that's doable.

Happy new year.

saturday

2008-12-27T16:41:00.001-08:00

We saw Marley and Me today. It was a good movie version of the book. We cried a lot at the end, despite it being interrupted by a fire alarm (and it was raining outside, grrr). I like Owen Wilson and I love Alan Arkin and the dogs were faithful mirrors of the real Marley.

We came home and the hubby made dal in his new pressure cooker. Yum. The dogs were annoyed that we made them wait to take a walk and have their dinner and kept trying to sneak up on the couch while we were eating.

This being home all day thing has been great. I am so dreading going back to work. I hope that'll fade over the course of this second week off, but I have a bad feeling that it won't, and that the next several months are going to be tough. That makes me sad, but there isn't really anything I can do about it, except try to change my attitude.

I know, I know. Good luck with that.

merry merry

2008-12-25T08:02:00.000-08:00

Merry xmas, happy festivus, and all of that. I'm sitting here with hubby, watching (his choice) The Greatest Story Ever Told and gawking over the imdb report of the cast.

not lonely, but adults to talk to would be nice

2008-12-23T15:45:00.001-08:00

Last day for a few of having just 3 doggies. Currently they are all running around like mad, squeaking toys and generally having a good time. Unfortunately, when I took them out a little bit ago, they were also running around like mad, tangling their leashes constantly and someone insisted on pulling on his leash.

I snuck in some vacuuming today and discovered that beagle hair is dang near impossible to get off of microsuede. I might make the husband vacuum it because it's his fault there's dog hair there in the first place.

Kitty is curled up on the computer desk, watching the shenanigans from a safe distance, and the pigs are busy eating their way through a bag of rabbit food that the hubby put in their cage. He used it as a weight and of course they knocked it down and ate a hole through it.

Can you tell I'm feeling a bit lazy at the moment?

trying

2008-12-23T08:52:00.000-08:00

Finally starting on all of the thank you cards we owe people from our various wedding functions. It is dreadfully boring, but necessary, and I'm trying to do it while watching something fun on tv. I'm going to stop for now, though, because my polite words are dried up and I need to do something loud, like vacuuming or playing with the dogs.

when to say goodbye

2008-12-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

Two years ago, now, you may recall that my best friend from library school quit me. It wasn't quite in that Brokeback Mountain way, but it was fairly dramatic and, for me, painful.

I've recently joined Facebook and this friend appeared there asking to be my friend. Not my real friend but a Facebook friend. I did not respond very kindly. I wish I could handle these situations better but I think my decision was the correct one. We're not friends and I don't care to pretend that we are.

2 days

2008-12-19T21:31:00.000-08:00

Dog-related accidents: 4

Breakdown: 3 peeing accidents
1 willful destruction of cocoa & coffee packets

Tantrums: just one, but am exhausted

you know you live in houston when...

2008-12-17T15:41:00.001-08:00

...you visit your local park and see a group of kids making sand angels.

saved by disregard

2008-12-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

There was a cool-sounding job open at one of the local nature centers. The posting did not indicate how to apply. I emailed the person in charge, left him a voice mail, then emailed him again over the course of two weeks or so. I never received a response. In my perusal of their website, trying to figure out how to apply for this job, I noticed a continuing education workshop. I signed up for it. It was supposed to be held yesterday. Yesterday morning, not only did I wake up feeling yucky, I also woke up feeling overwhelmed with grading (exams) and holiday-related activities. I canceled (by email, because I could not figure out who to leave a voice mail for and no one answers their phone, ever). Today I received an email saying that the workshop had been canceled and sorry if they had forgotten to let me know. Clearly this is not a place I could work, had I figured out how to apply for the da**ed job.

43 things

2008-12-13T13:08:00.000-08:00

I took the 43 Things Personality Quiz and found out I'm a

Healthy Tree Hugging Builder

Now, this isn't to say I am currently doing all of the things I checked off, but that I did at one point or period do them. I'm nothing if not capricious.

brrrr

2008-12-11T04:29:00.001-08:00

Yesterday and overnight it snowed. In Houston. It was probably the first time I've truly been cold since I moved here. Our American eskimo dog, Jeremy, is loving it. The rest of us are not.

radio

2008-12-03T17:17:00.000-08:00

I rarely listen to npr, but my husband does. He likes to listen to it at full blast while he's taking a shower. This morning, I heard a story that made me gasp and feel quite sad: Odetta passed away yesterday.

I remember Black History Month several years ago. I'd set up a cool display that anyone could add to, by writing their favorite African American artist, writer, dancer, etc. on an index card and sticking it to the board. Someone put up a notice for a free concert featuring Odetta.

I could NOT wait.

Finally the day came and I was shocked that the place was not mobbed. Surely others had grown up listening to one of the coolest humorous folk singers of the day! Despite the lack of a crowd, we enjoyed the h*ll out of that show and I felt fulfilled and sad when it ended.

I know she had a full life, but for me it was not long enough. I'm sad you're dead, Odetta, my Sea Lion Woman.

must lie down

2008-11-28T14:18:00.000-08:00

I just found out that my friend's wife is named Mary, not Nicole. Why did my brain insist that was her name, for years now?

Anyhoo, somewhat fever-addled brain is trying to get back into action. After 3 days of suffering terrible allergies, I got a fever and gross chest thing. No Thanksgiving feast for me, although the leftovers were good and thanks for sending them home (although I'm not sure about that sweet potato dish...a bit sweet even for me!).

I've spent the day watching tv, reading, sleeping, and trying not to let the terrible pain in the back of my head bother me, nor the gross phlegm in my chest. I'm also trying not to freak out about the fact that I haven't yet done any grading or planning for next week. My brain just isn't up to that yet.

frustration

2008-11-23T08:08:00.001-08:00

Just checked my work email to see if we'd had an update on the status of our principal. What I found, however, was a change to Tuesday's schedule. This arrived in my box on Saturday, after I'd had a conversation on this topic with my dean on Friday afternoon and had spent considerable time after school planning.

This may not seem like a big deal, and it's not, but it's another in a loooooong list of last minute changes that is killing me. Why do I bother planning at all?

does it equal out?

2008-11-20T13:19:00.001-08:00

Good news: kid from yesterday was back in control, came in with a verbal and written apology and acted in a civil manner.

Bad news: parent is insistent that I change his grade from first quarter.

lost it

2008-11-19T15:49:00.000-08:00

After one of my kids walked around the room with a fart machine (it makes the sound, not the smell), I took it away from him and made him sit down. He apologized. Shortly thereafter I turned around to see him throwing a book at another student.

A textbook.

I told him to see the dean and that he was not to return without a signed note from her. I made him take his backpack with him.

I'm not sure I want to let him back in, even with a note.

crazy in the afternoons

2008-11-10T15:57:00.000-08:00

That's what my kids are. Take a perfectly reasonable group of kids from the morning, throw in a few hours, stir, and voila! Instant insanity. Why, Jeebus, why? When my 8th period 7th graders arrived today, I said, "You don't know how glad I am to see you!" They laughed. They know.

no tb

2008-11-09T14:46:00.000-08:00

My arm was completely clear, so I have not even been exposed to TB. Yay! Now back to grading test on The Man in the Iron Mask.

disease

2008-11-06T15:53:00.000-08:00

Spent an hour at Walgreens today. I got a TB test and 10 passport photos. The husband-type-person had a positive test but a clear x-ray and I wanted to see if I was also exposed. At the moment it's just hanging out there on my arm.

I had to use my "wrath of god" voice today when a couple of my kids were digging around in another kid's backpack. They have no filters, no shame and no regard for others' property.

While I'm grateful for my job and it is fun to be able to teach about books I love, I wish at times that this whole gig was easier, or that I'd gotten the sort of job I'd wanted teaching science. Fifteen minutes a week of science club doesn't cut it.

Must go throw Lobsty (Pixie's latest toy)...

next 4 years

2008-11-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

Wheeeeeeee!

having a real week

2008-10-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

Nope, not yet. This week we had an assembly Monday, we have mass tomorrow and we have a pep rally on Thursday. Friday, believe it or not, is the Halloween Carnival. The kids come and have fun for half of the day, then go home to sleep off their candy comas.

For those of us who take teaching seriously, as in we think it is important, these sorts of weeks are beyond belief. We walk around saying to each other, "Really?" and then we amend our lesson plans to accomodate the stupidity.

So in between the madness, I try to teach my kids how to write an essay, how to read a book and actually get something out of it, and how to pick an adjective that fits the noun and isn't "great".

where, oh where

2008-10-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

has my creativity gone?

I feel stuck in a rut already, just one quarter into this year.

Yegads. I think it is perhaps because I spend 99% of my time trying to "catch up". I was so full of ideas earlier and now they have all leaked out my ear.

hard stuff

2008-10-18T07:13:00.001-07:00

Those of you who know me in person are most likely well aware of a particular oddity about me. I will often accept social invitations and then back out at the last minute. I'm not sure why I do this and perhaps there are several reasons, but it's something that is embarrassing but I often feel I have little control over.

Having a very social husband is making that, oh let's call it a habit, more and more difficult to maintain. It is getting me into trouble and causing strife.

The PIG told me that it isn't something I can do. I have to fulfill my social obligations whether I want to or not. This was conveyed in a loving and helpful manner, but it was nevertheless difficult to hear. I thought about it all day yesterday. I decided he was right.

So even on those days when I am feeling that no one loves me and you've invited my husband and I am merely his accessory (man purse!), I will be there. I might be teary and cranky beforehand, but I will do my best to be pleasant.

That's about all I can promise.

when parents attack!

2008-10-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

I was warned. The parents of my students can be lovely people, but the mothers are, as one of my fave moms said, b*tches. One emailed me today to tell me, "You gave out too much homework last night."

First of all, step off, non-teacher. It's my class and I make the decisions.

Second, what? I gave the kids a length in-class assignment which most of them finished or were close to finishing when class ended. Their only homework was to finish off their in-class work and to do reading notes for 4 (very very short) chapters.

I can't wait until next week's conferences.

back on the interwebs

2008-10-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

Long silence due to a plethora of meetings and this being the week grades were due. The due date was yesterday at 3pm; I just submitted mine about an hour ago. I had to promise the PIG not to do any grading this weekend as I spent the ENTIRE week grading furiously each evening until bed.

Stupid hurricane.

Stupid poor planning on my part.

"god's front porch"

2008-09-26T17:42:00.001-07:00

I first saw the Gourds quite by accident in Seattle, circa 1998. I've been in love ever since. Since I moved here to H-town, I've seen them less often, despite their playing here fairly often. I'm older, lamer and generally less apt to venture out of an evening. Last night they played for free at our new downtown Discovery Park and I was SOOOO happy. The good mood lasted into the morning when I bopped into work.

return to freedom

2008-09-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

I've had much discussion with various peeps about my 6th graders. This week of no school has given me lots of time to consider my decision to split my lit classes into smaller groups and to create those groups. I've created four groups in each class, each group containing a variety of strong and weak students, boys and girls, chatties and quiets. I tried to part the most cliquish of girls, I decided not to put a bunch of football players together, and I am making these groups temporary. Ideally, as they become acclimated, they will be able to regroup themselves by affinity. By that, I mean they'll be able to choose a group of readings to tackle and that choice will put them into a group.

I don't really know how this will work and it will certainly be more complicated, as the whole class does the same work but on different days and we only have one classroom space to use, but I think it's worth a try. I am attempting to meet them halfway, to allow them to do their beloved group work but choosing their groups and always directing the work itself.

Anyway, back to all that tomorrow.

halloween costume

2008-09-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

We are going to do an experiment to determine exactly what it is about mail carriers that sends dogs around the bend. Is it the "costume" as my hubby proposed (in his own words)? Our dog hates anyone who drives a white truck so I'm not sure the clothing idea is a sound one.

Regardless, that was a long lead-in to a shocking news story here at Chez No Powhere. This afternoon I heard a lot of barking and realized it wasn't coming from the house or the back or side yards. It was coming from the street. The street where the much-harried mail carrier was at that moment spraying our three dogs with pepper spray because they decided to chase her away.

They got much talking tos and a whole lot of bathing out of the experience and I'm afraid we're going to get a lot of No Mail for a bit. Pixie of course tried to explain it this way: "Well, what ha' happened was..." but Jeremy merely slunk home and sat quietly through his humiliating bath.

9,000th day without power

2008-09-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Or so it seems. We stocked up on junk and other preserved foods at the grocery store today and threw in a few perishables to, you know, taunt ourselves. Thus far I've eaten 4 pop tarts and a large quantity of doritos. Yes, I did make us nice sandwiches for lunch, but from there it was all downhill.

We're running the small fridge and the router, computer, etc. from a generator. We just taped a big piece of cardboard and plastic over the smelly fireplace. I suppose that is all we'll do today.

We went over to our friends' house to drop off their extra key and discovered quite by accident that their power is on. That is good because it means I will get to smell precious New Baby smell that much sooner.

The dogs actually managed to shell and eat (and then eat the shell of) a pecan. They also attacked yet another large pentatomid beetle. The PIG is now making me want to retch by playing the Doors on the radio. I am already regretting letting him get new batteries.

Currently, that is all.

alive

2008-09-15T13:45:00.000-07:00

Alive, no power, checking the internets from a friend's house. Power is coming back on slowly but the majority are still without. Luckily a few restaurants are open, because we're down to rice and beans, pasta and canned sauce at our place.

schoooool's out for

2008-09-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

...the hurricane!

Yes, folks, we have canceled school for tomorrow and sent our kids out into the world to brave Ike as best they can. I for one am looking forward to many beers and some grilling on the back porch before the rain gets here. If you're in town, give us a shout and come over, but beware that we now have our dog, plus our new dog, plus our friends' dog, plus the cat, plus the guinea pigs, plus probably two other dogs.

tiny bit of today

2008-09-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

My throat hurts today. I hope it is because I had to ask my first and eighth periods a bunch of questions, not because I shouted at my other classes.

I handed two tests to my 6th graders. They received their first grammar and their first literature test grades. Many were upset or surprised, others were ecstatic.

I sent them home tonight to work on homophones and vocabulary banks and to read more of A Wrinkle in Time. Some of them even know what a homophone is!

murgle

2008-09-01T08:42:00.001-07:00

Last night the PIG and I tried to see a movie, but it wasn't playing for another hour and a half. Defeated by the stupid movie theatre, we drove back to the video store and rented two comedies. We arrived home and put the first into the dvd player (read: PSIII) and...F*ing Agent Cody Banks II started playing.

Argh!

On top of that, while at the video store I was spotted by the ex. He walked past me twice and neither time could I muster more than a sickly smile-like expression.

I know it's been years, people, and I have moved on. However, I don't really want to see him. It gives me a nauseated and prickly feeling. I said to the PIG that I was glad his exes live far away and I never have to see them. He said that guys don't have that sort of reaction, so it didn't really matter to him.

I am still feeling oogy today.

In the good news pile, I've finished grading papers and have redone my 6th graders' seating charts. After school on Friday I completely rearranged the room. Hahahahahahahaha!

i'm a teeny bopper, omg

2008-08-29T17:31:00.001-07:00

Which Buffy The Vampire Slayer Character Are You Most Like!?
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Dawn Summers

You're a typical teenager. Though it seems people don't care about you, they really do. Heck, they'd give their lives for yours. Things change, you can't change that, but you can deal, and you will!

Dawn Summers

75%

Anya

67%

Rupert Giles

54%

Xander Harris

46%

Willow Rosenberg

42%

Tara Maclay

38%

Spike

33%

Buffy Summers

29%

parents' night

2008-08-29T15:13:00.001-07:00

Officially called "Back to School" night, our school experienced parents' night yesterday. It was...interesting.

I had a chance to share what I hope to accomplish with their kids by the end of the year, what I bring to the challenge, and a little bit of what I've learned about my students already.

I wasn't sure what to expect and I was glad I hadn't overprepared. I had two powerpoint slides for each course, mostly as talking points for myself. Those who've seen me teach know that this is also how I tend to teach. I have an outline and I say what I think about those topics.

Parents welcomed me. Many came up and shook my hand, while others simply smiled a warm smile as I spoke. A few feel their kids are struggling but since today is the end of the second week of school, no one is actually in trouble yet. A couple heaved great sighs of relief when they learned I worked at a school for kids with neurological disorders, especially one whom I spoke to privately. She returned today to let me know how much she hopes I can help her daughter remain in the mainstream and not fall behind her classmates.

Some folks (yes, other moms) have described the moms as b*tches and I see how some of them could earn that reputation. However, I hope to appeal to their good sides by showing how what I do benefits their kids.

Remind me to reread this come June!

momentarily richer

2008-08-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

Yay! We closed on the house today. I have a check to deposit that will go a long way toward covering our weddings and receptions. Sweet!

If you're in town, come over on Friday after work to drink the leftover beer & wine. We have a large amount of the stuff.

glimpse of my world tonight

2008-08-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

Just finished reading and correctly my 6th graders' first writing assignment. Three were so well-written that I checked for possible plagiarism. It's tough when you aren't familiar with your students' writing. I don't like suspecting them, but I'm also determined to nip cheating in the bud.

Another student wrote that Michael Phelps is a "mommy's boy". I love it.

first day

2008-08-18T13:14:00.000-07:00

One day, I hope to have a first day of school that is not also my first day at a new school. Preferably I'd be teaching the exact same courses two years in a row.

I know that is a lot to ask for, but I am eternally optimistic.

That said, this first day was a bit hectic, scattered, and tiring, despite lasting only 3 hours. Tomorrow we begin for real, with course outlines (hadn't been approved until today), reading lists (ditto), and homework.

My kids are cute, smart, homogeneous. Oh, I'm certain there are many individual differences, but most classes are a sea of white, well-off children. They are testing me, to see what they can get away with and to see how clueless I am. I faked some cluelessness today for their amusement.

More reports as I have time.

old house: packed

2008-08-16T13:12:00.000-07:00

New house: about to be packed full of stuff.

Thanks to two friends (well, we did some work too), we packed my old house in about 4hours. Tomorrow, movers move it all over here. Between that stuff and our registry gifts, this house is about to fill up to the gills.

the emperor's new school

2008-08-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

First day of inservice at my new school today. Well, technically inservice started yesterday, but we were still in Michigan and didn't get home until after midnight, so I missed it.

What did we do today? We spent the first hour eating breakfast tacos and chatting. We then spent another hour (more?) doing introductions and talking about staffing changes made since last spring. We met for about an hour with our grade groups (mine is the Middle School crowd), which was actually a productive and informative hour. After lunch, we spent 1 1/2 hours going over the faculty handbook and ten tons of minutia that I will never remember.

Conclusion: this place has a lot of rules and unlike my old school, I am majorly in charge of enforcing them. In fact, I get in trouble if I don't enforce the rules. I don't care for rules all that much, but then again I do believe in being fairly strict with little kids. Also, the dean of the middle school, one of my friends from DECATS, rocks.

In other news, our 3rd/4th wedding went swimmingly, it didn't rain, and I ate a LOT of cake this weekend.

short short

2008-07-27T05:58:00.000-07:00

Oh, have you been waiting here for posts from India? My, aren't you optimistic? We've been rushed off our feet and now are at home resting up, or in my case, desperately trying to get over "delhi belly" which has caused a trip to the hospital and a lot of general suffering.

Suffice it to say that the PIG and I are now married in the eyes of the Jain/Hindu pantheon, I've seen the Taj, and I am ready to come home to my cat, dog and piggies.

it's official

2008-07-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

We've signed the contract with the Houston caterer and he's providing a lot of extra services that will make things a lot easier for us (phewww), I ordered the cake, my dress for Michigan arrived, and prezzies are piling up.

Also, my dad sent a bunch of pics of the yard so we can visualize and several of cakes. The cakes were all yucky so I sent back a pic of another cake that I liked and is very simple.

I had a lovely morning playing jewelry and hair dress up with my niece. She talked my ear off while eating carrots, making the dog mad and creating new necklaces. Oh, the joy of being 6.

wedding vs. job

2008-07-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

After muuuuuuch searching and a soul-sucking 2 hours in the mall, I finally found a great dress for the Michigan wedding. I am going for a cake tasting tomorrow. The caterer I like better of the two has given us a proposal that is $1000 over our budget and the other guy has just canceled our tasting for tomorrow. Uh....
My fingers are tender and my tongue is pasty after spending hours upon hours stuffing envelopes full of our invitations.

In other news, I had a fun interview today at a place I looooove. I also got a call from another school for a possible interview there.

Meanwhile, I'm digging being home with the animules.

let's try again

2008-07-05T08:21:00.001-07:00

After trying on 10+ vintage dresses that I loved but were All Too D*** Small, I am off to see if ye olde bridal shoppe has a particular bridesmaid's dress that I desire.

heat wave

2008-06-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

The only time H-town in the summer really sux is when your AC breaks down. This has now happened twice...and it is only the end of June. The first time around, it turned out to be a power problem, so no fixing needed. This time, we're thinking we need a recharging of freon. However, we discovered the problem on Friday night, so we're hoping that the AC dude really can make it over here in the next hour, because I've had to turn the AC off completely and it is quickly heating up to the usual 95 degrees.

Bleh.

In other news, my summer program ended yesterday, so I am officially unemployed! I have an interview next week with a principal, so wish me good luck there. My former principal has refused to give me a recommendation and I am...ambivalent. First valve thinks: at least he didn't agree, then write something awful. Second valve thinks: wow, does he really dislike me that much?

I am also tired. Super duper tired. Like, I might make some more coffee and it's 11am tired. (some of that might be the heat...)

That is all I have to share for the moment. Feel free to call for more details.

who knew

2008-06-15T09:19:00.002-07:00

Who knew that planning a wedding and a big reception were so much work? We've got the locations under control. We're refining guest lists and have ordered invitations. I've chosen food but not called the Michigan caterer and am working with the local caterer right now. I have done nothing other than think and look for the flowers. My stepmom sent me the Michigan florist's number to call and I am considering potted plants for here.
I found a cool dress yesterday. It's a long cotton sleeveless dress, yellow with pink and orange and green flowers, very retro.
Meanwhile I am working on my DECATS classes and trying to figure out what all to get for this week's lessons.
No word on any jobs. I am finding it difficult to look and care a whole lot at the moment with so many other things going on, although I diligently check the usual places for possibilities.
Cleaning the house today and getting supplies for the week. I need straws! and tissue paper! and playdo! and something like a slinky! so that we can study bug locomotion.

Animals in desperate need of rescue - Adopt one today!

2008-06-05T05:14:00.000-07:00

"We are a shelter that has had to close its doors at the end of May, 2008 due to lack of financial support. We have less than a week to place nearly 100 animals. We are trying to find homes for them before June 15th. Please consider adopting one of our furry friends to help them avoid being euthanized. Browse through our pet catalog and then read about how to adopt one for yourself on our 'How to Help' page."

Email: HappyDogs9@yahoo.com or CountryPawsRescue@gmail.com

The PIG used to help these folks out, so if you were thinking of getting a new dog or kitty friend, now is the time.

glorious sunday

2008-06-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

Today we go to be measured for our wedding outfits. I've chosen to wear a sari while the PIG is going for the simplest guy outfit, which of course I cannot remember the name for. He has informed me that he will NOT be riding in on a horse and I am crushed.

Speaking of horses, we played lots of games at Dave & Buster's last night with friends J & C. One of the games we played was a horse racing game where you bred a horse, trained him and then raced him against the other folks at other monitors. It was very weird, though. C and I had no luck getting our horse to go fast enough to place in any race and we tried two different breedings, different foods and two types of training (can you tell we are both scientists?). J and the PIG had no problem whipping their horse to the finish line... The most fun was doubles air hockey and skeeball. We tried every combination of players for air hockey and each time I was part of the winning pair. However, only once was I a part of the winning team for fussball. That game is hard and we won only because J cheated and held onto our opponents' player rods.

My summer program orientation/training began yesterday. I had forgotten how good it felt to go to a place where I am accepted, loved and welcomed. I had forgotten how fun it can be to talk with others who are like me in a particular way (teaching philosophies). I had forgotten how much fun work is when you're doing it with fun people.

On that bright note, ciao for now.

it's time

2008-05-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

I guess it really is time to make that general announcement: yup, I'm getting hitched. The PIG and I will be traveling to India with a faithful friend to meet his extended family and throw some rice on the fire. I'm happy to report that while we're there I will get to see the Taj Mahal and about a billion Indian folk.

Soon after that we'll travel to Michigan to have the second family ceremony and finally home to Houston where all of our friends from far and wide are invited to a shindig (no ceremony, just party). That'll probably be the end of August/early September.

So I'm sporting a giant ring with 7 garnets in it in a honeycomb shape. I'll post pics when I bother to take them but for now you'll have to use your imaginations. I'm busy working on my creepy crawlers class and tomorrow I get to spend the day doing final grades for my kiddos. Friday was the last day of school and I repressed many tears. Simultaneously I had to threaten one kid to stop bugging another kid or I'd shove a sock down his throat, so really it was a day like any other.

quicky

2008-05-14T18:54:00.001-07:00

I have been down in the dumps lately. I'm in the midst of what should be a very happy time in my life and I'm stressed beyond belief by health crises, job searching and No One Buying My Da*n House. I feel guilty being in this state because my pals are struggling with serious baby scares but dang, enough with the badness in my life already.

I have applied for probably 10 or more jobs. The ONLY ones I've heard back from were one which said, obtw this has been filled already and one that said, let's talk in June and the last that said they don't have anything open but send over your resume in case something comes up. This is discouraging.

Luckily the PIG is keeping my spirits up with footrubs and food and general sweetness. If he could find me a job, he would. Hell, if he could make it so I didn't have to work, he would.

So that's why I am still not posting much, because every time I do I feel like all I write is one giant complaint and I'd rather be talking about daisies and how great my hair looks on humid days but it's tough. I do find it heartening that a plus size model finally won ANTM. Haha we are taking over your closets and your magazines!

living in the world

2008-05-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

Home from camp! We took our kids to camp for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We spent the majority of that time outside, and sleeping happened in our very breezy cabins. I love being outside, especially in this dream time of perfect, bug-free weather. I want so much to find a new job that puts me outside for a large portion of the day and I wish I had the luxury of waiting around for that job. It killed me that we spent Thursday evening inside watching a movie and playing board games while outside a fantastic sunset was happening and other groups were out playing freeze tag and some game with flashlights.

I hope that job will come along soon.

Hope,
hope,
hope.

reminiscences and whatnot

2008-04-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

Everyone around here is feeling a bit down today. There has been much discussion of french fries, milkshakes and mashed potatoes (our comfort foods).

No real possibilities on the job front yet. I am trying to narrow down what my interests are so that I don't go crazy looking all over the place. I am fairly certain I do not want to go back to librarianology!

The club I sponsor took a trip to the SPCA on Thursday. Much fun! We saw many animules and even the guys filming Animal Cops Houston. I thought it would be sad, but it really was not and I decided I could see myself working there...if they ever all me back.

Mi madre called the other night to tell me that my remaining grandparent is failing. I saw her when I visited Michigan last month and I'd thought she did not look well. She seemed healthy enough, though. My mom seemed more upset that my uncle had been mean to her and told her she Had To Go Visit Now. I suggested ways she could get there without driving herself but she merely gave me the martyred sigh and said she supposed she'd go tomorrow (yesterday) as she had to go out to the grocery store anyway.

When I was home I drove around a bit to see some old haunts, but I didn't feel like going in anywhere. I have fond memories mostly and I guess I didn't want to spoil those memories, or even the bad ones, by entering them. I also don't really want to run into people I knew back then. I look exactly the same so it would be hard to escape if spotted by, say, someone I knew in high school.

Speaking of high school, tonight we're due at the prom. Because of my school's ban on tattoos, I have to wear a top and a skirt. I refuse to buy anything new for this event. Who wants to wear a long sleeved gown in Houston in the warm springtime anyway? Definitely not me. I had fun trying on all possibilities for Tapan, while he lounged in bed, but the sad truth was that I can't wear anything I'd like. I am going to have to borrow some of his t-shirts to go to camp next week or I will die in my long sleeved shirts. Die!

lots of news

2008-04-18T12:43:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I haven't posted here in a long while. There have been several good reasons. As mentioned before, our dog Mitzi was sick. She grew sicker and sicker until we had her put to sleep on Monday morning. She was struggling to breathe and could barely walk that morning and we could not stand to see her suffer. The PIG and I and Jeremy (her companion dog) are very sad. We took the day off from worldly concerns and walked in the park, drank lots of coffee and got lots of pets (Jeremy). I took Jeremy to Pet Club yesterday because he's seemed so sad and lonely and the whole school loved him, even with his stinky nasty breath.

The other reason I've been holding back is because April 15th was the time for teachers and administrators alike to think about next year. I'd considered telling them I had been looking for another position but decided to wait to see what they'd say to me. Turns out they had decided not to renew my contract for next year. I can't say I was all that surprised as I've had nothing but trouble with the woman who heads my part of the school. What was surprising was to receive the information not from her but from the director of our campus IN A NOTE. No, I am not joking people. When we finally met to discuss (4 days later--he had left the note with our secretary before leaving town), he offered no explanation other than an offhand (and pretty rude) comment about my not toeing the company line. Or at least that's what I think he was trying to say. No, I am not one to follow directions blindly. I am one to try things out and see if they work. I am one to listen to my kids and see what they think is right. Of course I offer my own experience and don't let them run off too far down a path I know is doomed to fail, unless my administrators deem it so in a way that I cannot change (see earlier posts about the ill-fated Garage Sale).

Overall, I'm relieved. Unfortunately I don't yet have another job lined up. I do have my summer (June) gig in place and will be paid through July but after that....

I have applied to the Houston Zoo and also to the SPCA. I'm looking at places like the arboretum but they don't have much open right now. My fall back is to get alternative certification and teach next year in a regular classroom. I'm not wild about this but I could do it if I need to.

In the meantime, I will treasure what one of my soon to be former colleagues said. She's the one I've tried to emulate the most. When she found out that I'd be leaving, her mouth dropped open and she said, "I'm really sorry. You're an amazing teacher."

What have I learned from this year's adventure? Whoodoggie, that could (and may) fill a book. I learned how to relax a bit more as a teacher and I learned that I need to reiterate and give more specific directions, at least to my kids. I can slow down, be patient, listen to my kids telling me about their day while driving safely and more importantly, I can keep swears to myself while driving them! I learned that I prefer bosses who have the same mindset as me or who can at least communicate where I'm diverging from what they want me to do. I learned that I hate having to hide my tattoos and I hate not ever being able to wear sandals or t-shirts & jeans to work. Okay, I knew that last one from UH. I like a job that allows me to get outside a bit and to teach a lot and a supportive community that doesn't think I'm crazy. That's not too much to ask, is it?

a peek

2008-04-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

I've spent a fair amount of time this week in a vet's office, with more to come. Our dog Mitzi was breathing shallowly and looking glassy eyed on Sunday night so the PIG took her to the emergency vet. We followed up with a visit to the regular vet in the morning. She has a mass near her heart and pneumonia. The doctor is optimistic and believes she is suffering from an allergy. She is doing better but the order to keep her inactive is nearly impossible as no matter how small a space she's in she paces and follows us around. So that was Monday. The next morning I awoke to the PIG saying, "honey, the cat's not doing so well." Annika was all puffed up and lethargic, meowing when we tried to pick her up. We took her to her normal vet clinic which wasn't open yet so we went on to the vet where we took Mitzi on Monday. The doctor was very confused when he saw her. What I'd taken for edema (swelling caused by fluid) was actually air pockets. You can hear them crackle when you touch her skin. Cause: inconclusive but very probably caused by a piercing of the trachea when she had her teeth cleaned last Friday. Treatment: head scratching followed by lots of antibiotics, rest and observation. Currently she is moving around, eating, but still pockety. I'm calling her things like the Puffy Princess, Queen Crackle, etc.

Tomorrow both girls go back for a recheck and we will decide further treatment (or not) from there.

Last night when I went to bed I felt sooooo bad that I had, in a way, caused my kitty's distress and that I couldn't help her feel better. I woke up at 3am to pee and was ecstatic when she got up, ate some food and used her litter box. Currently she's sleeping in the closet. Mitzi is waiting for the PIG to get home so she can follow him around.

in the midst

2008-04-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

I've had an offer on the house. A low one, granted, but a serious one. Whoo hoo! We are currently making counter offers which is always fun. Unfortunately I am veeeery tired and allergy-ridden today and really just want to curl up on the couch rather than be at work and then go to work out. Too bad, eh?

as my kids would say, "crap monkeys!"

2008-03-28T18:30:00.000-07:00

My world is kinda rocked right now. My friend chastized me for not posting more in general, for which I'm sorry. Today, though, I'm just not sure what to say, except that my mom lied to me. I don't remember her ever doing that before. It's a sure sign that some parts of her brain are shut down or irreparably impaired by her dementia. It also means that because my sister never communicated with me directly, I got a skewed version of a very important story and I am just now, months and months and MONTHS later finding out the truth.

Lots of swears come to mind, but not a whole lot of intelligent words to explain...

I'm surrounded each day by kids who are fragile and whose brains are wired kitty wampus and I adore them at the same time I'm pushing them to do hard things like make repairs when they've hurt someone or give a peer feedback that might hurt the other kid's feelings. It's different somehow when it's myself. What advice do I have to offer other than drink another margarita or book a therapist asap?

trouble and strife

2008-03-15T07:06:00.000-07:00

My lesson for right now: when given the choice between helping your kids in the best way you know how and pleasing your boss, always go with the kids. I've been called to the carpet for the poor return on a recent event that one of my classes organized and it's tough to say what exactly went wrong. In fact, it would be a shorter list to say what went right. This is the 3rd event of this type that I've helped with and the other two kicked butt. This time around my kids were waaaaaay more involved, engaged, thoughtful and hard working. This time around they asked for an extension and were denied. This time around they asked for help from the community (via my boss) and received little. This time around the administrators above me decided the date, time, location and because of this, the amount of volunteer help we received (none from our parent volunteer group, which made this event work the last two times). My boss demoralized me and my kids (at times in front of others) and accused us of "pointing fingers at each other".

Today begins spring break and when I go back I have already been asked to meet to discuss what went wrong, or in other words, attempt to justify my actions. At least I believe this is what they expect. Rather, I intend to present them with a table of factors and let them draw their own conclusions. If I become any further engaged emotionally I will just quit, because this sort of aggravation and, well, humiliation is not what I signed up for. During the event itself I was secretly texting with my colleagues, who were away from campus, and they kept sending encouraging notes back. They felt guilty for leaving me to deal with this myself and in fact they have recently experienced similar situations with their own classes/businesses.

On the up side, I feel like I've created an atmosphere of trust and mutual interdependence with this class, which started off disjointed and was often disrupted by the kids making fun of each other. I have shared with them the criticism we were receiving, let them work out how to adjust their schedule and behavior accordingly and let them know that I would take responsibility for any shortcomings.

It's tough, though. I sought this job in large part because I wanted a chance to develop relationships with my students and I've come to enjoy and love many of them. I am their always advocate. The question is, can I and will I be allowed to continue this work next year? Do I want to?

sooooo tired

2008-03-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

My old house, she is almost ready. Ready to go on the market and be shown off to strangers. At the moment, my right hand is killing me, as is my back, from scrubbing and squeezing the vacuum, from reaching and bending. Hallelujia, my friend is having an early St. Patty's Day party tonight. I am ready to inhale a few margaritas, especially as my last margarita experience was completely nastificous. Who ever thought they could make a margarita out of wine was without taste or sense. Anyhoo, it's weird to go back to the house because I keep expecting to see Kitty Pants, although I know she is at the new house, taunting the dogs.

because it is

2008-03-04T11:26:00.001-08:00

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

zoobededoo

2008-03-03T12:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to the zoo with the fam and the PIG. Yay! We saw many types of primates and birds and watched the baby run around and act like a prairie dog. The PIG got pissed off when he saw some folks feeding cheetahs to the monkeys and told them to stop. He has some cajones, that boy. Next time I'd like to visit with the prairie & savannah animals and also see the reptile house.

it's the everyday stuff

2008-02-28T09:17:00.001-08:00

I spent most of the last week staying overnight at one of our assisted living homes. It was fine. The job itself was fairly easy. What I realized, though, was that I Missed My House...and my cat and the dogs and the PIG. It was tough knowing he was across town and we could talk on the phone but I couldn't spend any time with him. It sucked, actually. Last night I returned to the fold and after dinner I changed the sheets, crawled into bed and CRASHED. I didn't hear the PIG come to bed or anything. Ah, the joys of domesticity.

more relaxing than you can shake a stick at

2008-02-24T12:54:00.001-08:00

Sitting here at home while the guys play vidya games with the PIG. Kitty pants sits behind me on her (current) favorite chair and the dogs are curled up with various humans. This assisted living gig has turned out to be a lot of down time and very little to actually do. Had I known, I might've borrowed a computer to write or something... As it is, I finished my book and begged a new one from one of the boys. Turns out it's GREAT. All about a woman escaping from Prague in the 1970s. It's gorgeous weather and I've spent a good bit of the weekend outside walking around or sitting in the backyard reading. After a fairly horrific week, the weekend she is good to me.

duh huh

2008-02-16T08:37:00.001-08:00

Oops, thought that link was to the results, which said that I match up with Hillary Clinton. So now you know.

hopeful

2008-02-16T08:22:00.000-08:00

Sitting here in the family room, or den, of our new house. Hoping Kitty Pants is okay outside. Hoping this whole living together thing goes okay.

and here we go again

2008-02-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

We've been packing up the PIG's apartment for the past few weekends. We've done a little bit of work at my house too, and the front door is now painted a very cheery red. Next weekend the moving process begins.

I've got two other pigs at my home--the school's guinea pigs have paid a visit for the weekend. They are very cute and enjoy eating fresh veggies and fruit. Unfortunately they are due for a spa weekend, which includes having a manicure. Brushing shouldn't be stressful but I'm expecting them to squeal like stuck...pigs when I trim their nails.

We're giving ourselves a spa day tomorrow for our anniversary. We decided it should be every super bowl sunday! I'm looking forward to my deep tissue massage like you wouldn't believe.

la vida loca

2008-01-26T13:06:00.000-08:00

So I'm sitting here, reading comics on the computer, and Tapan is lying on the futon teasing the dogs about taking a bath. We just ate lunch at Chilis and are planning to make a stirfry and brownies for dinner.

Yup, la vida loca, baby!

tis und dat

2008-01-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

Boy, just when I thought I was getting over cold #1, along came cold #2 and slammed me back between the sheets. Seriously, I took off both Thursday and Friday because I had a fever. I feel better today but am still drinking lots of water and resting mucho. At the apex of the Sickness, there were 17 kids and 4 faculty absent. You have to remember, we only have 60 kids on a normal day!

I did get a few books read. I finished Inkspell, which ended abruptly and was obviously meant to be continued. I didn't realize this was going to be a trilogy, Cornelia Funke. Then I read Portuguese Irregular Verbs, which was outstanding. The main character was sooooo German and so academic, it made me laugh at every turn. The third book on my agenda I'd slated to be City of the Beasts, by Isabel Allende, but it turns out I'd bought a second copy of its sequel, Kingdom of the Golden Dragon. Doh! Anyone want my extra copy?

One final note, we leased a house very close to my last rental, and we'll be living there while I try to sell my house. It's got a big den, so come over after February 8 and play some playstation. You're invited!