Reason #237 Why I Love My Bloggy Buddies

One of my Bloggy Buddies, who also happens to be a teacher, left me these words of encouragement after my last bitch session. I mean post.

Sometimes I HATE Blogger, I’ve tried 6 times to post this comment on your blog,about your situation. Hopefully you will get this.

Just a couple of comments. I would NOT spend my two days getting the room ready, you NEED a break, go get a spa treatment or something instead. You’ve taught long enough to be able to deal with the first couple of weeks with things “messed up”. And you didn’t create the problem. They aren’t paying you to spend YOUR time doing it, unless things are a lot different in Chicago than here, and I doubt it.

Second, if there truly is nothing you can do about it, then you have choices, will you let it mess up who you are and how you do your job. As much as you hate being forced out of your comfort zone, you might actually like first grade. Almost every teacher I know that has moved that way has liked it. The kids are developmentally able to do more. Plus, if you are truly looping, then you should have most of your own kids, and you prepared them, you will start off faster and better with them than someone else.

We've all said it before - blogging is cheaper than therapy. One of my favorite things about the Blogosphere is that it expands your circle of friends, exponentially, through the wonders of modern technology.

What WILL I do with myself?

Summer school officially ended at 11:45 this afternoon. I now have 2 1/2 glorious days of summer vacation to enjoy before going back to work. Woo hoo!! What ever will I do with all this free time?!

OK, I'm being slightly cranky about the whole thing (how shocking!) and truthfully, we don't officially go back to work until Wednesday, but I'm going to have to go in to school Monday and Tuesday to set up my classroom. Way back on June 16 I posted this. That was the day that I met with New Principal for my evaluation meeting. It's been about a month and half, and I'm still too pissed to properly post about it. However, I will share that part of what has me soooo pissed is that she told me in that meeting that I will be looping with my class to 1st grade. Um...yeah....you read that right. FUCKING FIRST GRADE!!!!!!!!!! I'm a KINDERGARTEN teacher, NOT a first grade teacher! Argh!! I have been crying about this for over 7 weeks now.

And, in addition to changing grades, she wants me to move to a new room, across the damn hall, which means I have to first clean out the other room, which is NO small task! Bestest Friend came to school with me last Friday to help me, and it was just unbelievable. Perhaps she'll give you her own version of the day in the comment section. Then, I have to pack up and move all my things across the hall. I have been in this room for nearly a decade. Most of you know what pack-rats teachers tend to be, so imagine what a daunting task this is going to be. I'm thinking that, hell, if I have to pack up all my stuff anyway, I might as well put it in my car and bring it home!

Ok, I literally feel my blood pressure rising, and a slew of 'fucks' coming to the surface, so I think it's best I go for now. On my drive home, I did toy with the idea of just saying "Fuck it!" and NOT go in to school until Wednesday. If my room gets done, it gets done. If not, oh well!!! I'm giving some serious thought to just enjoying the ONLY two days I will have had off for the summer. I'll keep you posted....

Am I really that naive?

Apparently, I'm the only one who couldn't figure out the underlying message here. My Bestest Friend tried to tell me, but then when Pissed Off left me a similar comment, I clicked on the link she provided and spent a good chunk of time reading a series of posts about this whole thing. (Scroll down to July 27). There is now a movement to boycott Donors Choose. I'm not really sure how I feel about this. Up until yesterday, I thought Donors Choose was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Now, I don't know what to think. I don't want to really go into this too deeply, as I'm not looking to debate with anyone, or climb up on a soapbox, but I'm really disappointed.

Tiffany Week continues...

Today, my sweet friend sent me the link to this article. I think most of you will find it interesting, especially my teacher friends, and MOST especially other kindergarten teachers.

***UPDATE***
I just read through my favorite teacher blogs, and I see two others have posted the same article today!

Thanks, Tiff!

Tiffany's on a roll today!! She also posted this, which made me laugh out loud. Enjoy!

For my teacher friends...

Tiffany posted this over at her place. I had to share, as I'm sure most of you will read it while nodding your head in agreement, just like I did.

Now THAT'S funny...

After a bit of a craptastic weekend, this was the perfect way to start my Monday morning. Thanks, C!

(for some reason I couldn't link directly to the post I wanted, so just be sure you check out the 7/26 post about 'twins.')

Email of the Day

I LOVE these!!!

This one, especially, is my FAVORITE!!

Now, how did someone get a picture of me blogging?!

Pledge Now

Some of you know all about Donors Choose because you've received a grant or two from them. Some of you may remember learning about them here on my blog. I plan to spend some time this weekend putting a grant proposal, or two or three, together. I received an email from them today regarding this movie.



It seems that for every pledge they get, more funding becomes available. To tell the truth, I didn't really read the email very carefully, so I'm not too clear on the details. I just clicked the "pledge" button, then the "post to my blog" button, and called it a day. I suppose I should go back and read it, huh? I do know, however, that you don't have to do anything other than click on the "pledge" button to help, so what the hell, why not do it? And, don't worry, I won't forget to let you know when my proposals are posted so you can make a generous donation! ;-)

**UPDATE***
Ok, holy crap, I just watched the trailer for the movie, and I can not WAIT for this to come out! Do yourself a favor and watch the trailer, especially all my teacher friends. This looks like it's going to be awesome!

Aw, what the crap!?

As of 6 am, which was the first time I checked, my daddy's flight is delayed by an hour. I just checked it again right now, since I just got home from work, and it's still showing a delay. I was really hoping they were going to be able to make up that hour in the air. Poop.

I forgot to share this...

Last week, in the 'word work' center, one of my summer schoolers wrote this with her magnets.

Translation:

I'm terrified of monsters. Please help.

It made me laugh out loud, and I was actually really proud of this particular baby, as this was a pretty impressive sentence. However, given that this child is about to enter 2nd grade in 2 weeks, you can see why she's in the summer program. :(

P.S. MY DADDY WILL BE HOME IN 17 HOURS!!!!!!

Surprise!

OK, sometimes, my stupidity surprises even me. I called Italy at about 5 this morning when I woke up. While talking to my daddy, I said something about "see you Thursday" as we were saying good bye. He says, "No, I'm leaving tomorrow." HUH? Thank God I called them this morning!! My brother and I already had our game plan in place for picking them up THURSDAY!!!

But, I quickly pointed out to my dear daddy that at least my mistake wasn't as bad as his last year. You may remember that he FORGOT TO COME HOME! I called the morning he was supposed to leave to see if he got off to the airport alright, and my mother tells me he's standing outside talking to the neighbor. WTH? Yeah, he thought he was leaving the next day. So, at least I see where I get my Dork Gene from! And, I don't care, cuz my daddy rocks!!

And, the best part of this whole story....MY DADDY WILL BE HOME TOMORROW!!!!! WOO HOO!

Oops, I did it again....

Ok, I just did it AGAIN!!! All my buddies are posting awesome videos today!!

This one is really great, and reminds of my obsession with SNC, who by the way, Bestest Friend and I will be going to see at the Chicago Theater in December. Woo Hoo!!

Stop, thief!

I just watched these 3 videos over at my friend Tiffany's place. I've never heard of this comedian before, but he's hilarious!! I'm going to have to look up some videos on YouTube later. Thanks, Tiff!

Email of the Day

It's been ridiculously hot, humid and MISERABLE here this week, so this was so apropos! Thanks, Bestest Friend!
This is EXACTLY how I feel when I walk out of school everyday. I don't know how much longer I can handle working in this building with NO AIR CONDITIONING! Even with all my windows open (from the top AND the bottom!) and two fans blasting on high, the thermometer never dipped below 90 in my room. Now, add about 15 kids who insist on hanging on me, hugging me, sitting on me, etc. Yeah, good times, good times...

Do you Facebook?

OK, I'm calling on all my Bloggy Buddies to help out Stud's school. They are trying to win $500,000 from Kohl's. If you have a Facebook account, all you have to do is click on this link, then search for his school to cast your vote. You can vote up to 5 times. His school is Brother Rice High School (unknown) Chicago, IL. (There are three listed, so be sure to click on the right one.) If you don't have a Facebook acct, but have been thinking about it, now would be the perfect time to open one. :) Thanks you guys! And, feel free to spread the word!! Hey, who knows, maybe if they win this, my tuition won't go up next year!

Mommies' Turn!

Bestest Friend sent this to me today after watching yesterday's video. This one was done by the same church. It's really cute. Thanks, Bestest Friend!

Shout out to Daddies!

I just totally stole this from Domestic Diva. It was too cute not to share!

I Heart Chicago

Last Friday, as I was driving to the $%#&ing meeting I had to go to for work, I was stewing about how much I didn't want to go, and how much it sucks that I can't just enjoy my summer vacation like I should be, blah, blah, blah.... Believe me, I was NOT a happy camper, but I've been making a very serious effort to try and find something positive every day to try and counteract all the CRAP I've been dealing with lately.

Then, as I was getting on the on-ramp for I55, I suddenly saw one of my favorite views of my beautiful city. Yes, yes, yes, I was taking pictures while driving again. So sue me! I did it for you, my Bloggy Buddies, cuz look at this!

This was the view as I was getting on 90/94. Even though it was kind of a hazy morning, it's still gorgeous.

I had plenty of time to snap pictures thanks to this:

Traffic sucks! I had to leave the meeting to drive all the back to school because New Principal needed to sign our time sheet, and then drive back. I snapped a few more pictures because the sun burned off a little of the haze by then.

Sweet Home, Chicago!!

Dorks

I took my boys to Navy Pier yesterday, and actually had a really nice afternoon. We went to see friends of mine, whose band played in the beer garden. On the way home, they were acting like their usual dorky selves, so I thought I'd take a little blackmail footage. I don't know if you can tell, but there was a monsoon going on outside the car. Yes, very irresponsible of me, I know, to film while driving in the pouring rain. But, I really just pointed the camera in their general directions, and kept my eyes on the road, I swear! Let me just tell you now, that unless you have about 3 minutes of spare time you don't mind losing, don't feel obligated to click on this! ;-)

The adorable fellow in the backseat with the beanie on actually danced with me during the show. How cute is he!? You probably recognize the other backseat passenger as Stud's best friend.

I uploaded everything on my camera to my computer (finally!), so be prepared for some new pictures. Don't say I didn't warn you. ;-)

This week in WTF?

I read the online version of the Chicago Sun Times every day. On Friday, they have a feature called "This week in WTF?" where they share bizarre tidbits from the week. Today I've found some crazy videos that were too strange not to share.


This one's caption just said, "A true WTF." They weren't kidding...



Seriously?! UGH! Ok, this one won't embed, so you'll have to click the link.

I'm gonna need a nap...

With all the crap going on in my life, and the stress I've been under lately, I've been having LOTS of trouble sleeping. I finally fell asleep at about 11 last night, only to wake up at about 1:30. I haven't been able to fall back asleep, and it's now about 5:30. I just can not turn my brain off. So many things are swirling around in there, it's making me crazy. Literally. If I don't get some sleep soon, I'm going to lose it. Actually, I did lose it yesterday, and unleashed quite a tirade on my poor little Stud Muffin. Trust me, he had it coming, but maybe not quite at the level he got it. I'll be apologizing to him in an hour and a half, or so, when I wake him up. Ah...guess I'd better go clear a spot on the shelf for my Mother of the Year Award...

F#@&%$ Squirrels!

Remember these little beauties? This was a cluster of 7 gorgeous tomatoes, that I shared with you the other day.

Yeah, well it suddenly occurred to my yesterday, after waiting all week for them to turn from orange to red, that they are SUPPOSED to be orange. (It's one of 6 the varieties of tomatoes I planted this year.) So, I headed outside to 'harvest' them, just as a wild pack of rabid squirrels was chattering up a storm, running around the corner of my deck. I looked over just in time to see three of those bastards running off with big, orange balls in their mouths! Mother scratchers!!!! There was a 4th tomato lying in the planter box, all bit up. OOOOOO! I was pissed! And, just in case I haven't mentioned it, I HATE SQUIRRELS!

Happy 4th of July!

My sweet Bloggy Buddy, D, sent this to me today. As soon as it starts, you'll see why it made her think of me. ;-)

Oh my holy hell!!!

I LOVE SMP!!!!!

Those are the initials of Stud's bestest friend. And, I LOVE THAT BOY!!!

I may or may not have posted a few months back about my laptop taking a dump. First, I kept getting an error message upon start up that said I needed to replace my hard drive, as "a failure is imminent." Then, about 2 weeks later, I picked up a virus! I couldn't do anything at all with it. I was going to have it looked at and fixed, and long story short, my brother bought me a new computer, which I've been using ever since. However, I still missed my "real" computer a lot. It had all my "stuff" on it, plus I knew my way around it better (obviously, since I've had it for years.)

Ok, I hear you...what the hell's your point, woman!? Well, Stud and I were talking about how nice it would be to have a second laptop to use down in the basement, blah, blah, blah. I was saying that I needed to make some phone calls next week to find out about getting my old laptop fixed, and he chimes in with, "I bet S could fix it." WHAT?!?! Does he know how to fix viruses?! "Yeah, he's had to fix their computer about 15 times because M (the little brother) keeps downloading viruses."

Well, flash forward to this morning. I sent S a text, saying I hear he's a computer genius, and is there any chance he'd like to attempt to fix my computer. He says sure. Long story short (yeah, I know, too late!), I pick him up at his dad's and bring him over. I have no clue what the hell he did, but about an hour and half later, here I am! Posting from my old computer!!!! Woo-freakin'-hoo!!! You have no idea how happy this makes me! S is pretty happy, too, since, naturally, I paid him for his troubles. He immediately tried to give it back, but I wouldn't hear of it. What I gave him is literally a fraction of what it would have cost for someone else to just LOOK at, not even fix, it. I was MORE than happy to do it. He also said that he knows how to fix my hard drive, so next week, we'll be shopping for one. Have I told you yet how much I LOVE this boy!?

Productive morning...

I watered my own "garden" and flowers in the back and front yards, drove over to my parents' (stopped for some coffee on the way) and watered, then weeded their garden (which is a pretty substantial size, at least compared to my garden!), watered the new apple trees, then laid mulch down around the trees and watered again. I also laid some mulch in an empty spot in the garden to I could get around better without so much mud getting on my shoes, then drove home and showered. Oh, and did I mention, this was all before 7 am? Yeah, I don't know what the hell is wrong with me, either!
8

After my shower, I fixed up a big pot of one of my favorite crock pot recipes (I don't know what it's called, we just call it Mexican chicken in the crock pot! I adapted it from a recipe I found somewhere.) which is cooking away now. I also trimmed up the rest of the chicken from the BIG pack I bought at Sam's Club yesterday, and prepared it to make Teriyake Chicken tomorrow. This is really one of my favorite recipes, and I can't believe it's be years since I've made it. I literally can't remember the last time I did.

I've never done this before, and I don't know what made me think to do it now, but instead of tossing all the trimmings from the chicken like I usually do, I threw them all in a saute pan, and browned them up for a treat for Buster. Nothing on them, just the chicken. Believe me, there's a LOT of chicken there, as I tend to trim away a lot that I know is perfectly good chicken, I just don't like to eat those bits. There really wasn't much fat on these breasts, as Sam's is usually really good about trimming them in the first place. I just always cut away the "icky" parts, that are kind of grisly. Ok, I know there really isn't 'gristle' in chicken, but you know what I mean. Whatever, Buster is getting a treat tonight!

9

Here's my humble little garden on my humble little deck. I know it's not much, but it's all mine, and it's about all I can handle! (That picnic table is about 16 years old. My father-in-law built it for Stud when he was a baby. In case you can't tell from the picture, it's kid-sized. If you look closely at all the corners of the benches, you'll see where Buster used to like to teethe as a puppy!)

This is the same daisy plant that I got from New Principal for Teacher Appreciation Week. I new daisy poked its head out this morning. Yay!

I suppose I really should go over into my neighbor's yard and cut that baby tree that is growing up through my fence. (Sorry, Suz!)

My "crops!"

My poor little basil plant is getting choked out by the mint that is surrounding it. My next trip to the store will be to get a separate pot for my basil.

Ok, time to call Italy to talk to la familia. I need to wish them, AND YOU, a Happy 4th of July!

Glorious morning....

I just woke up from what has to be the BEST night's sleep I've had in longer than I can remember. I'm trying to focus on the positive these days, so I thought I share. Oh, and Daddy will be home in 19 days! ;-)
(I think it's time to make a ticker for that...)

:)

Just talked to my daddy (and niece and mother, of course!) That made my day. Only 20 days til he comes home...

Boo hoo...

Just got back from taking my daddy to the airport. He's about to "serve his time" at the villa. This is the perfect little cherry on the shit sundae that life has been serving me lately. I know I still need to explain my 'pissed off' blurb. SO much has happened since then, I'm just too overwhelmed to write about it yet. I just found out yesterday that the board decided (at the last minute!) to give us Monday off for the holiday, so maybe I'll have some time to sit and dump all the 'shit' from my head to my keyboard. In the meantime, I'm going to go pout, cuz I miss my daddy.....