Wow. I am exhausted. I have just walked in the door (it is 6:53) and all I want to do I fall into a coma. Instead I am going to write progress reports. Normally this isn't a tough job, and since I think parent-teacher communication is so important, I usually enjoy it. However, I don't usually waste 2 hours of valuable time in meetings after school verbally sharing information that could be shared much more efficiently in written form. That is all I have to say about that.
Hooray! New Angel tonight. : ) Something fun to watch while I am writing progress reports.
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
Here's a link to the New York City Dept. of Health - Restaurant Inspection Information. Oh my. Check out Subways in Manhattan.
Note to self:
When you are at school on your partner's day and you put your school bag and purse and keys and everything inside the classroom pay attention to that little voice in your head that says "take your keys with you" and if you don't then pay attention when it says "tell your partner not to lock the door" because if you don't you will be locked out and there will be no one around to let you back in and you will have to leave everything sitting out at the mercy of the cleaning staff, abandon your car and get a ride home from a friend. Ugh. Bad Soleil.
When you are at school on your partner's day and you put your school bag and purse and keys and everything inside the classroom pay attention to that little voice in your head that says "take your keys with you" and if you don't then pay attention when it says "tell your partner not to lock the door" because if you don't you will be locked out and there will be no one around to let you back in and you will have to leave everything sitting out at the mercy of the cleaning staff, abandon your car and get a ride home from a friend. Ugh. Bad Soleil.
This weeks This or That questions...
Which is more comforting for you...
1. Lying down on the couch, or stretching out on a recliner? I like recliners, but I tend to sit in ways that bother my knees when I am in them. Lying on the couch doesn't give me that problem.
2. Going barefoot or wearing soft slippers? That entirely depends on the weather, now doesn't it?
3. Eating ice cream, or pizza? Pizza for dinner and ice cream for dessert, of course.
4. Watching on TV...a classic movie or a reality show? Reality show. Unless it's an old mystery.
5. Wearing: blue jeans or sweat pants? Sweats are more comfy for lounging around, but only if no one is going to see me.
6. A long, soothing bubble bath or a quick, invigorating shower? That depends on whether I want to be soothed or invigorated.
7. Furniture: leather, or something more on the fuzzy side? Not leather. Not snuggly enough in cold weather and you stick to it in hot weather.
8. Soft, classical music, or upbeat rock & roll? Rock and roll, without a doubt. When I am feeling moody Linkin Park or the soundtrack to The Crow always pull me out of it.
9. Darkness or light? Light. I am totally solar powered.
10. Thought-provoking question of the week: You get married, or otherwise begin cohabitating with a significant other. S/he moves into your place, but brings with him/her the UGLIEST chair you have ever seen! You really don't want this thing in your home, but SO says it is the most comfy chair s/he has ever sat in, and no way will they part with it. Do you: grin and bear it, or scheme to get rid of the montrosity somehow?
It's a chair. Get over it. If it is something that is important to my SigOth then it stays until they decide it goes. Of course, I say this because I am the kind that holds onto things until they disintegrate. And I don't care about having my house look "decorated" in any way. As long as the junk gets picked up every once in a while I'm happy. Besides, scheming has NO PLACE in my marriage.
Which is more comforting for you...
1. Lying down on the couch, or stretching out on a recliner? I like recliners, but I tend to sit in ways that bother my knees when I am in them. Lying on the couch doesn't give me that problem.
2. Going barefoot or wearing soft slippers? That entirely depends on the weather, now doesn't it?
3. Eating ice cream, or pizza? Pizza for dinner and ice cream for dessert, of course.
4. Watching on TV...a classic movie or a reality show? Reality show. Unless it's an old mystery.
5. Wearing: blue jeans or sweat pants? Sweats are more comfy for lounging around, but only if no one is going to see me.
6. A long, soothing bubble bath or a quick, invigorating shower? That depends on whether I want to be soothed or invigorated.
7. Furniture: leather, or something more on the fuzzy side? Not leather. Not snuggly enough in cold weather and you stick to it in hot weather.
8. Soft, classical music, or upbeat rock & roll? Rock and roll, without a doubt. When I am feeling moody Linkin Park or the soundtrack to The Crow always pull me out of it.
9. Darkness or light? Light. I am totally solar powered.
10. Thought-provoking question of the week: You get married, or otherwise begin cohabitating with a significant other. S/he moves into your place, but brings with him/her the UGLIEST chair you have ever seen! You really don't want this thing in your home, but SO says it is the most comfy chair s/he has ever sat in, and no way will they part with it. Do you: grin and bear it, or scheme to get rid of the montrosity somehow?
It's a chair. Get over it. If it is something that is important to my SigOth then it stays until they decide it goes. Of course, I say this because I am the kind that holds onto things until they disintegrate. And I don't care about having my house look "decorated" in any way. As long as the junk gets picked up every once in a while I'm happy. Besides, scheming has NO PLACE in my marriage.
Monday, April 28, 2003
I went on a dusting spree this morning and was reminded of just what a packrat I really am. I save anything that has even the tiniest amount of sentimental value.
Some things are truly worth saving. I have a Russian tea set that was given to me by some Russian friends. I never use it, but it has a special place in a special case where it is protected and displayed at the same time. I also have a box full of old college textbooks in my closet. Not all of them, just the ones that I found particularly interesting or thought might be useful in the future. I never use those either, but someday I will have enough space that I will have them in a visible, easily accessible place. You never know when you might need to look up something that you know you learned in college, but didn't seem important enough to commit to long term memory.
Most of the things I have strewn about the house in an almost organized fashion are of no value to anyone but me. They are memory triggers that I can't get rid of for fear of losing that moment in my life forever. I have cds that I no longer listen to, but that bring back vivid memories of my childhood, especially my pre-teen and teen years. I have cheap trinkets that were given to me by former co-workers and former students. A casual trip through my house is actually a lengthy stroll down memory lane if done properly. Someday, in a fit of cleansing and renewal, I may get rid of many of these items. I wouldn't really mourn the loss of the things, just the memories that are connected to them.
There are a few special places in my house, however that contain odds and ends that I would be very sorry to lose. These things are so tied to the people, places and events they represent that I couldn't imagine being without them. I will never voluntarily give up the items that are stored in these shrines to my past. A peek at these revered items reveals much about me. Let's see what's on the dresser first...
*The large snowglobe with the Victorian santa figure inside was a gift from Santa himself one year. I think it must have been given to me right about the time I was realizing that my parents were the real Santa. At that time I realized that Santa, the person, is much less important than Santa, the feeling. I no longer believe in the jolly, fat man who climbs down our chimney, but I still passionately believe that the idea of Santa - giving and caring and sharing - is something that redeems the human race slightly every year.
*The ceder box still contains the pearl and the compass that were in it when it was given to me by my father. I'm afraid that I didn't recognize the significance of these items when I received them. These days, however, they show me every day just how much my father loves me. All my life he has been sharing what he has learned with me. Despite my stubborn need to ignore his advice and make my own mistakes, he continues to pass on his wisdom. And he has never once said "I told you so".
*The cedar box holds a bear claw shaped piece of turquoise that I got at my first powwow, a cheap tin clip from the Metropolitan Art Museum, a small bag of tiny shells and coral I collected on my honeymoon, and a ball with a floating spider picture in it (his name is Peter 'Pider and he always reminds me of my cousin).
*Hanging above the dresser are two important necklaces. The first is an emerald on a gold chain. The stone was given to me by my father, step-mother and grandmother when I graduated high school. The chain was given to me by my mother. (The original chain broke.) The second necklace has a rusted little bell - the kind you would find on the end of a jester's hat. This was another gift from Santa. That year at Christmas we read "The Polar Express" and Christmas morning we found these bells on the plate that had previously contained cookies and carrots. I wear that necklace every Christmas season to celebrate the fact that I can still hear the tinkling sound.
Okay. So those are some of the things on my dresser. I haven't even started on the shelf in the office, but now it's lunchtime and I am hungry. Besides too much of this at one time is overwhelming.
Some things are truly worth saving. I have a Russian tea set that was given to me by some Russian friends. I never use it, but it has a special place in a special case where it is protected and displayed at the same time. I also have a box full of old college textbooks in my closet. Not all of them, just the ones that I found particularly interesting or thought might be useful in the future. I never use those either, but someday I will have enough space that I will have them in a visible, easily accessible place. You never know when you might need to look up something that you know you learned in college, but didn't seem important enough to commit to long term memory.
Most of the things I have strewn about the house in an almost organized fashion are of no value to anyone but me. They are memory triggers that I can't get rid of for fear of losing that moment in my life forever. I have cds that I no longer listen to, but that bring back vivid memories of my childhood, especially my pre-teen and teen years. I have cheap trinkets that were given to me by former co-workers and former students. A casual trip through my house is actually a lengthy stroll down memory lane if done properly. Someday, in a fit of cleansing and renewal, I may get rid of many of these items. I wouldn't really mourn the loss of the things, just the memories that are connected to them.
There are a few special places in my house, however that contain odds and ends that I would be very sorry to lose. These things are so tied to the people, places and events they represent that I couldn't imagine being without them. I will never voluntarily give up the items that are stored in these shrines to my past. A peek at these revered items reveals much about me. Let's see what's on the dresser first...
*The large snowglobe with the Victorian santa figure inside was a gift from Santa himself one year. I think it must have been given to me right about the time I was realizing that my parents were the real Santa. At that time I realized that Santa, the person, is much less important than Santa, the feeling. I no longer believe in the jolly, fat man who climbs down our chimney, but I still passionately believe that the idea of Santa - giving and caring and sharing - is something that redeems the human race slightly every year.
*The ceder box still contains the pearl and the compass that were in it when it was given to me by my father. I'm afraid that I didn't recognize the significance of these items when I received them. These days, however, they show me every day just how much my father loves me. All my life he has been sharing what he has learned with me. Despite my stubborn need to ignore his advice and make my own mistakes, he continues to pass on his wisdom. And he has never once said "I told you so".
*The cedar box holds a bear claw shaped piece of turquoise that I got at my first powwow, a cheap tin clip from the Metropolitan Art Museum, a small bag of tiny shells and coral I collected on my honeymoon, and a ball with a floating spider picture in it (his name is Peter 'Pider and he always reminds me of my cousin).
*Hanging above the dresser are two important necklaces. The first is an emerald on a gold chain. The stone was given to me by my father, step-mother and grandmother when I graduated high school. The chain was given to me by my mother. (The original chain broke.) The second necklace has a rusted little bell - the kind you would find on the end of a jester's hat. This was another gift from Santa. That year at Christmas we read "The Polar Express" and Christmas morning we found these bells on the plate that had previously contained cookies and carrots. I wear that necklace every Christmas season to celebrate the fact that I can still hear the tinkling sound.
Okay. So those are some of the things on my dresser. I haven't even started on the shelf in the office, but now it's lunchtime and I am hungry. Besides too much of this at one time is overwhelming.
Sunday, April 27, 2003
Here's the Friday Five...
1. What was the last TV show you watched?
Um...something last night...I think part of a Stargate episode. I don't remember.
2. What was the last thing you complained about?
The volume of Mikey's UT game just a second ago.
3. Who was the last person you complimented and what did you say?
I told Mikey his face was soft as a baby's ass after he shaved. It was meant as a compliment. Really.
4. What was the last thing you threw away?
I had a bunch of cardstock scraps left after cutting cd manuals, but I recycled them. I threw away...the expired food that I cleaned out of the fridge yesterday.
5. What was the last website (besides this one) that you visited?
I was at Joni Electric.
1. What was the last TV show you watched?
Um...something last night...I think part of a Stargate episode. I don't remember.
2. What was the last thing you complained about?
The volume of Mikey's UT game just a second ago.
3. Who was the last person you complimented and what did you say?
I told Mikey his face was soft as a baby's ass after he shaved. It was meant as a compliment. Really.
4. What was the last thing you threw away?
I had a bunch of cardstock scraps left after cutting cd manuals, but I recycled them. I threw away...the expired food that I cleaned out of the fridge yesterday.
5. What was the last website (besides this one) that you visited?
I was at Joni Electric.
It's amazing how much real life stuff I can get done when I don't turn on my computer. Of course, I then spend all day thinking of things that I would like to blog about. However, I can remember NONE of them when I am actually sitting here typing. Okay...what's going on in my life?
*I ordered a ton of books (about $60 worth) from the book orders I sent home with the kids. One box came on Friday including my new boxed Chronicles of Narnia set. I decided that it would be cool if I had them recorded on tape so that I could read the books to my students while still being able to get work done in the classroom. Staples had a cute little handheld recorder that is working perfectly. I do feel silly reading it aloud to myself while I'm recording though!
*I also got a boxed set of EB White books - Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little and Trumpet of the Swans.
*Mikey and I mass produced some cds for shipping today. We now have 5 of each game made up. It took us all day. Doesn't sound very efficient, I know, but now that I know the fastest ways to cut the manuals and tray cards it'll go MUCH faster.
*Yesterday we made yummy Vegetarian Lasagna and even yummier Pumpkin Roll. After many weeks of eating out or eating pre-packed meals it was nice to get back to really cooking. We will eat well for the next few days.
*We watched "Three King" (Mark Wahlberg, George Clooney and Ice Cube) for the first time today. I had NO IDEA that it was a political movie. I never was interested in seeing it because I thought it was all about stealing the gold. After the first 5 minutes I knew we were going to enjoy it. After it was over Mikey said "I think this is my new favorite war movie." I agreed. I suggest you see it. It was an eye-opener.
*I got massive amounts of cleaning done in my house yesterday. It rocked.
So...that's it. Nothing too exciting.
*I ordered a ton of books (about $60 worth) from the book orders I sent home with the kids. One box came on Friday including my new boxed Chronicles of Narnia set. I decided that it would be cool if I had them recorded on tape so that I could read the books to my students while still being able to get work done in the classroom. Staples had a cute little handheld recorder that is working perfectly. I do feel silly reading it aloud to myself while I'm recording though!
*I also got a boxed set of EB White books - Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little and Trumpet of the Swans.
*Mikey and I mass produced some cds for shipping today. We now have 5 of each game made up. It took us all day. Doesn't sound very efficient, I know, but now that I know the fastest ways to cut the manuals and tray cards it'll go MUCH faster.
*Yesterday we made yummy Vegetarian Lasagna and even yummier Pumpkin Roll. After many weeks of eating out or eating pre-packed meals it was nice to get back to really cooking. We will eat well for the next few days.
*We watched "Three King" (Mark Wahlberg, George Clooney and Ice Cube) for the first time today. I had NO IDEA that it was a political movie. I never was interested in seeing it because I thought it was all about stealing the gold. After the first 5 minutes I knew we were going to enjoy it. After it was over Mikey said "I think this is my new favorite war movie." I agreed. I suggest you see it. It was an eye-opener.
*I got massive amounts of cleaning done in my house yesterday. It rocked.
So...that's it. Nothing too exciting.
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Participation Positives are a way to start each week off on the right foot. List the things you are thankful for today.
I am thankful for...
*the calmness of the ocean
*the friendliness of the fishing boat crew
*the warmth of the kitty on my lap
*an unexpected day off tomorrow
*the health and hapiness of my family members
*jelly beans
*my clean and organized office
*breaking even on lottery tickets the other day
*the rescinsion (sp?) of the pink slip I was given previously
and, of course...
*my wonderful Mikey, who makes every day a little brighter and every load a little lighter.
What are YOU thankful for? Leave me a comment or link.
I am thankful for...
*the calmness of the ocean
*the friendliness of the fishing boat crew
*the warmth of the kitty on my lap
*an unexpected day off tomorrow
*the health and hapiness of my family members
*jelly beans
*my clean and organized office
*breaking even on lottery tickets the other day
*the rescinsion (sp?) of the pink slip I was given previously
and, of course...
*my wonderful Mikey, who makes every day a little brighter and every load a little lighter.
What are YOU thankful for? Leave me a comment or link.
This or That Tuesday...
1. Yummier: Chocolate ice cream or strawberry cheesecake? Chocolate ice cream
2. Better to watch on TV: Movies or sports? Movies
3. A better web browser: MSIE or Netscape (or tell us your own favorite!) Don't care. Use IE, but only because that is what I was given.
4. A better way to travel: Automobile or bus/train? TRAIN! I love trains.
5. Your preferred camera: Digital or film? Digital. I can put them up on the website for everyone to see. My film photos just sit in a box.
6. A Cooler Vehicle: Motorcycle or sports car? Um. Neither is very safe or practical. :)
7. More fun: Video games or board games? Video Games that you can play with others.
8. Sexier: A perfect body or an intelligent mind? Mind.
9. A stinkier smell: Skunk or gasoline (petrol)? Skunk. Although gasoline gives me a headache faster.
10. Thought-provoking question of the week: What is more important to you: making a ton of money and being at the top of your field, or finding your soulmate and living a comfortable but not wealthy life? Soulmate. I would live day to day if I had to in order to be with Mikey doing what we love. Fortunately, I don't have to.
1. Yummier: Chocolate ice cream or strawberry cheesecake? Chocolate ice cream
2. Better to watch on TV: Movies or sports? Movies
3. A better web browser: MSIE or Netscape (or tell us your own favorite!) Don't care. Use IE, but only because that is what I was given.
4. A better way to travel: Automobile or bus/train? TRAIN! I love trains.
5. Your preferred camera: Digital or film? Digital. I can put them up on the website for everyone to see. My film photos just sit in a box.
6. A Cooler Vehicle: Motorcycle or sports car? Um. Neither is very safe or practical. :)
7. More fun: Video games or board games? Video Games that you can play with others.
8. Sexier: A perfect body or an intelligent mind? Mind.
9. A stinkier smell: Skunk or gasoline (petrol)? Skunk. Although gasoline gives me a headache faster.
10. Thought-provoking question of the week: What is more important to you: making a ton of money and being at the top of your field, or finding your soulmate and living a comfortable but not wealthy life? Soulmate. I would live day to day if I had to in order to be with Mikey doing what we love. Fortunately, I don't have to.
Fishing was fun. The boat was big and clean. The crew was friendly and helpful. They didn't make me feel dumb once...not even when I got hooked on seaweed and tangled my line. The weather was beautiful and the sea was calm. I didn't catch any fish, but that is okay. I did get to see some fish caught by the crew. We also saw sealions and a whale. I took lots of pictures and had a great time.
The Boat
The Guys
The Bait
The Three Stooges
The Boat
The Guys
The Bait
The Three Stooges
Monday, April 21, 2003
I am off to do some deep sea fishing with my F-I-L and my B-I-L. I am going to be surrounded by testoterone. By the time I get home I will be cursing, chugging beer, and looking for my dinner. Or not. I just hope I come home with a fish. And that I don't embarrass myself by squealing like a girl when I attempt to unhook said fish. I hear barracuda have lots of teeth. Yikes. Wish me luck!
Sunday, April 20, 2003
Mikey is working his fingers to the bone lately trying to get his business completely independent. At this point we rely on someone to take the orders and someone else to print and ship the cds. In the last week we have had UPS stop several times delivering all the equiptment we need to be able to do it all ourselves. Mikey has a new cd burner that burns the information and then prints the top. He also has a fancy new laser printer for printing the cd covers. Next he is going to set up a merchant account and then we will be in business.
With all the new stuff for the office, we had to rearrange. I love rearranging! We have a nice new setup for our desks and I cleaned out all the junk that had accumulated in the last few months. It looks nice. (I still think I should have gotten that desk I saw at Staples, but it's probably good that I didn't.)
With all the new stuff for the office, we had to rearrange. I love rearranging! We have a nice new setup for our desks and I cleaned out all the junk that had accumulated in the last few months. It looks nice. (I still think I should have gotten that desk I saw at Staples, but it's probably good that I didn't.)
Happy Easter all! I have had a wonderful couple of days. Our little nephew is such a charmer and we have eaten more food than you can shake a stick at. GOt to chat with the sisters-in-law, eat Jelly Bellies, stick my feet in the spa and spend several hours sitting in the sun. I even got a tour of my father-in-law's avocado grove! And tomorrow I am going deep sea fishing with my father-in-law and brother-in-law (S-I-L's hubby). I just hope that the waves are tame tomorrow. The last time I went deep sea fishing I was sick the whole time and I didn't catch anything but seaweed. I'm excited to try again.
Saturday, April 19, 2003
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
oh yeah. it was fun to be with the kids for the last couple of nights...but it's more fun to be home with my hubby knowing that I get to cash a nice hefty check tomorrow. tip to new babysitters - you can always charge more for parents who are about to go out of town for their first trip since their kids were born. these poor people...they have a 7th grader and they haven't been alone together for an extended period of time since he was born. wow. they told me to be sure to have all the fun i want to have BEFORE having kids! hehehe...as if i hadn't figured that out! anyway, it was fun and now i have plenty of spending money. after i pay back the money i borrowed from the house to buy that awesome black outfit.
As I was falling asleep last night I was thinking about the fact that I have yet to experience an earthquake. It would just be peachy keen if I could experience my first in a 2 story building with two little boys sleeping in the next room. Then I was wondering what you are supposed to do in an earthquake on the second story of a building - stand in a doorway or hide under a table like normal or get your butt downstairs as quickly as possible? Then I realized that it was probably a moot point. By the time I got the boys up and in any kind of shape for listening and following directions the quake would be over and we could head outside.
I was actually able to fall asleep after this inner dialogue.
I was actually able to fall asleep after this inner dialogue.
I don't know if I was more comfortable or if I was just exhausted, but I slept much better last night. We had a full evening of fun. We did homework, went to Sizzler for dinner, played Sorry and watched Big Fat Liar. Oh yeah...and read a chapter of Ender's Game. Today I get to pick them up from school and we will probably play more Sorry while watching The World is Not Enough and waiting for the parental units to return. Then I get to go back to being childless and free!
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