Rambling Shan

Snow Days

2009-01-30T09:45:00.002-05:00

As a teacher, I always look forward to the occasional snow day. It's nice to not know you have a day off and then "BAM" off you are. We had been waiting for snow days for a couple of weeks...mainly because the weatherman kept saying we would get a huge snow storm and then it would vanish (which made me seriously think about a career in weather...after all, you can be totally wrong and still get paid).

Sunday night it flurried here. I went to bed as usual, got up as usual and showered as usual. I got out of the shower, turned on the TV and saw we were closed. I couldn't believe it...we had hardly anything. I got dressed and watched the news and listened to them talk about how much snow was on the way, but they also said that there was a possibility of the storm vanishing as previous storms had. I decided that I would go to the grocery early Monday morning (since I had a totally random snow day) to beat any crowds that would rush there after work (let me clarify...I wasn't panic grocery shopping. I was simply grocery shopping. There is a difference. I wasn't going there to horde milk and water and bread. I just needed to make the trip).

Monday night I went to bed as usual. Woke up Tuesday morning and turned the news on and saw I was closed. I went back to bed. Hubby was off, too, because his boss said it was too bad to come into work.

That day I watched the snow turn into freezing rain. And we got freezing rain for almost twelve hours. And then it switched back to snow. We were stuck in this storm that stretched from Maine all the way to Texas. I had never seen anything quite like it.

I knew Tuesday night that I didn't have school on Wednesday. I also knew Wednesday night that I didn't have school on Thursday. This was becoming a pattern.

I know what you all are thinking: must be nice to get random days off. I can't lie. It is nice...when you have one or two. But, ladies and gentlemen, I have been off all week. That makes it difficult when you have students who have projects due, papers due and tests to take. I have answered a ton of student emails in the last few days. I am actually surprised that they took the time to worry about it, but it seems the week to be surprised.

I can't remember if we have ever had a straight week of snow days before. I'm sure that if it wasn't snow and ice we would have been back by Thursday, but we got the ice. And it was nasty.

I am hoping we'll go back on Monday because as much as my job drives me crazy from day to day, it is also nice to have a routine and a purpose. Being stuck inside for three days was enough to push me to the edge...luckily, I got out of the house for a while last night and I plan to venture out today. I think seeing people...real, live people will do me good.

What about you guys...anyone else get hit with this massive storm? If so, how long were you stuck?

Non-Clumping Mascara is so Hard to Find...

2009-01-28T16:00:00.005-05:00

Face it ladies...there are a few things that we always look for. The perfect foundation color, the perfect shampoo and a mascara that really does what the package says it does...and we all know that those searches can be close to endless. I can't say I have found the perfect shampoo or even foundation (although I am close), but I think I may have found a near perfect mascara.

I always trust Neutrogena for face care (I tried Clinique's "oh-so popular" Three Step System and I ended up breaking out like I was a teenager on the verge of puberty) so I figured that I would give their new Healthy Volume Mascara a whirl. As you all may remember, I was very faithful to Maybelline's Full and Soft Mascara, so this switch was a leap of faith (and honestly a result of an ad I saw in a magazine...I was seduced by good advertising!)

First thing you need to know is that the brush is HUGE...for real, I have never seen a mascara wand like this. I can almost do all my lashes at one time in one sweep...and that is something. I bought the black brown color and tried it out. Surprisingly, it goes on quite smooth with very little (as in almost no) clumping. I am not going to say that it is 100% clump free because I would be lying. But, I can say with confidence that it takes quite a few uses for the clumping to begin to appear. It seems that the closer you get to the end of the tube, the more likely it is to clump. Maybe that is Neutrogena's "you need more mascara" alarm or something.

This stuff has olive oil in it, so it plumps your lashes from the inside out. If you have tiny lashes (like me) you know that is a good thing. Neutrogena claims that it makes your lashes 400% thicker. Considering I can't measure my minuscule lashes, I can't say for certain how accurate that is, but I can tell you that your lashes will look fuller and they stay soft...another plus for me. I HATE stiff feeling lashes. This stuff gives you volume and doesn't make your lashes look like little spider legs. Yippy!

The negatives are these: it is a little pricey for a common cosmetic brand (runs about $6.50 here) and it is a little hard to get used to the huge wand. It also takes a little more to get it off your eyes than other mascaras. I use Neutrogena's Eye Make-Up Remover and I still have mascara residue after washing my face. I may need a stronger make-up remover, but I hesitate to switch. I just think it could be because this mascara is so potent that I need more remover.

Overall: I don't feel that the negatives outweigh the positives on this product. I am pleased with the volume it gives my lashes and the length (I know that isn't one of the features this product pushes, but my lashes do look longer to me). I love the fact it is virtually clump free and my lashes stay soft. I have tried numerous other mascaras to achieve the no clump look (including Cover Girl's Lash Exact Mascara and Maybelline's Lash Discovery Mascara) and they all failed miserably (in fact, the Lash Discovery is one of the worst I have ever tried...that tiny brush does not work for me at all.) This one, however, rose to the challenge.

So, ladies, if you are looking for a new mascara, I highly recommend at least trying this one. You may be pleasantly surprised by this product. I am happy to see that Neutrogena puts as much into their cosmetics as they do their face are products.

If you have tried this product, what did you think? I would like to know if you had the same success as I did or if you found it less than stellar.

Now, if you'll excuse me...I have mascara to put on ;-)

A Change is Coming...

2009-01-09T19:06:00.003-05:00

Lately I noticed that I only posted when I had negative things to say or when something in the world provoked a negative reaction. I never posted about anything happy. So, starting soon, I will be using this blog to give my insights, opinions and commentary on products I have used, movies I have seen, books I have read, music I have heard...and some of it should be positive! For those of you who swing by only to get a dose of my wit, sarcasm and opinionated personality, don't fret...it will be there. It's genetic. :-)

Looks like Rambling Shan is about to become "Reviewing Shan..."

I figure I'll put my opinions to good use. See you all soon!

To Whom it May Concern...

2008-12-10T12:59:00.000-05:00

I am a teacher. I attended college on a full scholarship. I have a Bachelor’s degree. I graduated Summa Cum Laude. I have a Master’s Degree. I am well read, meticulous and dedicated. I plan lessons, grade papers and answer emails until 11 each night. I’m up at 5 in the morning and am lucky if my head is on the pillow by midnight. I work hard, am good at what I do and hope for a brighter future.

But each day, that hope grows dimmer and dimmer. Each day I am insulted by students, antagonized by parents and forgotten by the institution. Daily I struggle with being cussed out, disrespected and bullied. And yet nothing is done. Parents email saying I don’t do enough for their child, so I try harder. The child, however, does not, but the parent emails again insisting that I try harder. So I do.

I am tired. I am tired of being ignored. I am tired of being treated like a second class citizen. I am tired of working so hard for no result. I am tired of waking up each day knowing that I will have some battle to fight and, inevitably, lose. I am just tired.

Too long have teachers been viewed as a low class position. Too long have we been expected to tolerate things that no other profession would ever tolerate. Too long have teachers been looked at as babysitters. Too long have we worked in a thankless job with thankless people.

When will people start to realize that no person could be where they are today without a teacher? Why is it that the CEO of a big company gets recognition and praise and all teachers get ridicule? Why do professional athletes make millions and I can barely pay my mortgage? Why do auto companies and banks get bail outs for overspending when I can’t afford pencils for my classes?

I don’t know how much longer I can fight the battle. Conditions are worse and I am more exhausted than ever. I’m done playing this game. It seems I can’t win.

Places Worth Visting

2008-10-25T06:23:00.002-04:00

No, not real places (I haven't been anywhere new for a while). I'm talking about bloggy places.

Thanks to a friend from work, I have found two hilarious blogs that I read on a daily (or almost daily) basis. I find them therapeutic and fun and on some days they help give me that extra boost I need to keep going.

The first is Hobo Teacher. This blog is maintained by two different teachers. In it they discuss (with wit, sarcasm and other various methods) they day to day oddities that happen in their school, classroom or district. Some days it's about an email they received. Others its about a student situation. The funniest part is that some days I swear they work where I work or they are in my head in some way because I can relate to so much that they are saying. Anyone who is in education will appreciate the daily struggles of these teachers. Even those who have never set foot in a classroom can get some insight into what its like to deal with students, administrators, parents and (sometimes) other teachers.

The second is Cake Wrecks, which recently won "Best Humor Blog." This site posts hilarious, hideous and down-right scary professional cakes. There are wedding cakes, birthday cakes, graduation cakes...you name it. The site is worth a look for the writing alone. Jen has a great ability to convey her opinions and comments in a very original way. Her commentary is almost better than the wrecks themselves. And on Sunday she takes a break from posting the wrecks and she has a "Sunday Sweets" installment, where she posts really great cakes. Some too detailed and realistic to believe, but they are all real.

If you have a minute or need a laugh, cruise on through. They are worth the five (or fifty) minutes that you may spend reading.

The Funk

2008-10-24T21:23:00.003-04:00

I've got the funk. And not in the "let us in we'll tear this mother out" Parliament way.

I don't know what it is. The things that used to bring me joy aren't doing it for me right now. I don't read like I used to. I don't listen to music like I used to. I don't pick up random hobbies for no reason like I used to. I don't even enjoy my job like I used to.

Funk.

And I find it funny that I am blogging about it. Not because I am shy about the Funk...I'll admit to everyone that I have it. I think it's funny because, let's face it, no one really cares about anyone else's problems and here I am blogging about mine.

Which leads me to something else.

I remember when your life was your life. You lived it, made decisions, and kept your thoughts and feelings and secrets to yourself or wrote them in that diary that you kept hidden in the most obvious place in your bedroom. Now we put our lives, our problems and (some people) our secrets out into cyberspace where all can see, read, laugh at or spread them like wildfire.

When did this happen? When did we become such an egocentric society that we actually think that random strangers want to know what we did today? What we ate today? What we watched today? I am baffled.

And yet...I blog. I read other blogs. I am intrigued by the thoughts, ideas and troubles of others. I find myself drawn into their stories and I feel that some of those people are my friends...but we've never met, talked or even casually emailed. I care what happens to them. I worry when they say bad things have happened and I celebrate with them when things go well.

Maybe blogging has made all of us less shy about what we say. Maybe it gives some of us an outlet. Maybe for some of us it gives us a chance to be the person we don't have the strength, courage or gumption to be in real life. Maybe some have a hard time being hear, so they blog. Others may have just been looking for something to fill the time. Whatever the reason...we blog.

I started blogging as a way to voice my opinion on issues...big, small, ridiculous. I didn't (and still don't) care who read it or not. I really was looking for an outlet...something that could help me get everything out without unloading on the same people I unload on all the time. My friends and family are great, but they can only listen to me rant about how messed up I think some things are. Is it great when I can hear what someone else has to say about my latest rant? Sure. But I think it feels even better to get it out there.

Even if I am the only one to read it.

Silence! I Keel You!

2008-09-30T06:23:00.004-04:00

If you have never heard of Jeff Dunham, you don't know what you are missing. I saw this guy live Friday and can honestly say I have not laughed that hard in a very long time. It was a much needed release after all the crap that has been going on. So I wanted to share with you a clip of one of his most famous...er...partners (for lack of a better word).

Be warned: don't watch this if you are remotely offended by off color jokes (you know the kind...the ones you laugh at and then stop yourself because you realize you shouldn't be laughing) or if your co-workers are remotely offended by off color jokes.

Life Gets in the Way

2008-09-27T10:39:00.011-04:00

I'm not even going to apologize of make excuses about not blogging for months. I don't even think I could begin to tell you every little reason why I bypass my own blog each day. I can tell you that I do miss it, but my life is so busy that I can't even begin to think about a witty, sarcastic or even remotely Shan like thing to say. Instead, I will provide the short list of reasons I have wanted to pull out my hair (and occasionally punch someone in the face).

1. Sunday, September 14th, we had a wind storm of massive proportions. As in hurricane force winds...in KENTUCKY! We had gusts up to 76 miles and hour or something. As a result, 1.2 million people lost their power...or so they said. We found out later that they were counting people who went out multiple times. So, our power flickered on an off like 8 times before it went off for good, so I guess we could has 9 outages. Anyway. Our power went out Sunday around 2:00. We didn't worry because everyone was out. I called our electric company at around 7:00 that night and I was told that it could be 48 hours before everyone's power was restored. Two days? Really? I wasn't happy, but I would deal with it. My mom and dad called at 8:00 and said that their power was back on. They live, quite literally, 500 feet behind us, so TJ and I were hopeful that the power would be on soon. We were wrong. Monday came and went. No power. Tuesday morning, at 3:00, it came back on. We were happy, slept great and woke up Tuesday at 7:00...to no power. We called, and they said they were working on it. We called everyday...for SIX DAYS...and they kept saying they were working on it. That's right. SIX DAYS!!! We had no power, lost all the food in our freezers and fridge, had no hot water...nothing. I stayed with my parents (because I still had to go to work). It became humorous (after a while), and on Saturday morning, my husband ran an extension cord from my parents' house to our house so we could watch TV. Talk about funny. No lights, no clocks...but we had TV.

2. As a result of the power outage, darling Hubby decided to have some fun. he put a huge sign in our front yard with our electric company's name and the letters "WTF?" Now, do i think this was a little over the top? Sure. But it was Thursday, we still had no power, he wanted to have a little fun. So yesterday a letter appears in our local small area paper. Someone wrote a letter to the editor bashing my husband for putting the sign in our yard because she had to explain to her child what WTF meant. She says it was our fault that we had no power because we didn't buy a back-up generator. Excuse me? I pay (good money) for an electric company to keep my power on...why would I even need to buy a generator? Does everyone have one? Is it in some "how to live your life" contract that I didn't get? Yes, I will admit that the sign was a little out there, but my guess is that this woman didn't have to live six days without power. I say the city she lives in under her letter--and I know for a fact that that part of town didn't lose power AT ALL! I hate to tell her, but we have the right to free speech around here, and that's how my husband chose to express himself. I guess I would have gotten creative with the explanation...tell your child WTF stands for "wasn't this fun" or something. The best part was that she ended this attacking rant with "Your house looks great, by the way." As if saying something nice in the end makes it all better.

3. Work. I can't even tell you about work. I can give some advice. Parents: when your child comes home and says how unfair the teacher is, how she never actually teaches, how she hates him/her, etc., please contact the teacher in a rational, calm manner to get both sides of the story before attacking the teacher's integrity, dedication as an educator or ability to do his/her job. In the last week two of my colleagues and myself have gotten the "you aren't doing your job right" emails from parents. And these emails are mean, nasty and very confrontational...and the kicker is that all the information that the parents are e-yelling about is inaccurate. Last week I had a nasty email and a confrontational meeting. The woman found out very quickly that her son was lying to her at home...but she never apologized for the things she said and implied. Parents, I know that it is your job to protect your child's' best interests, but please help us, too...get both sides, talk it out rationally, and don't imply that your child's teacher doesn't know what he/she is doing. Working together is better than setting up an uncomfortable situation.

The best part of these three lovely emails? You guessed it...all three ended with "kind regards,' "Thank you for your precious time" and "respectfully submitted." Once again, ending with something positive makes all the negative go away. Where do people learn that stuff?

4. The state of the world in general. Let's face it, gas prices are ridiculous (and for those of you saying "but it's better," you are right...but I remember when gas was 1.19 a gallon and THAT was considered expensive). Then there is this whole bail out thing. And the presidential election that has turned into a circus of massive proportion. The Republican VP candidate is a woman no one has heard of, Obama was ridiculed for making remarks about lipstick on a pig, McCain wanted to boycott the debates and Biden...well...he seems to have flown under the radar (for now). As I listened to parts of the debate on CNN last night, I couldn't help but wonder...when will we be the UNITED States? We are kidding ourselves if we think we are united now. Everything is bi-partisan. EVERYTHING! It frustrates me. And to add to that, everyone is freaking out about the possible economic chaos that may happen, so everyone is walking around in a bad mood all the time. The price of everything is high. People are depressed. We need someone (or something) to bring us out of this royal funk. Maybe the politicians can end every negative speech with a positive comment. I bet that would make it all better.

5. People on my back. About everything. At work, I work my ass off, but people ask me to do more. At home, I work on stuff for work. I answer emails from parents and students until 11:00 each night, but parents still tell me I'm not doing enough for their kids. Because I do so much work for work, I know I'm not doing enough at home...my laundry is piled up, my floor needs to be cleaned, and my house looks like a hurricane went through it, but I can't get it all done. I try. I really do. I told Hubby today: I can't remember the last time that someone looked at me and told me "you're doing a good job" or "nice work" or "I know you're busy, but keep up the nice work." No. I get "I know you did this much, but can you do this, too?" or "Why is this such a mess?" or "I need you to work harder." It is discouraging. And what makes it worse is when I mention the need for an occasional pat on the back, someone says it just to make me feel better. That's not what I want. I don't want your pity "Hey, you're doing a great job." I want someone to really and truly take note of the fact that I (and others) are working well beyond what we are required to do...at work, at home, in life.

So, that's the short list about why I haven't blogged. I know I'm not the only one stressed or with problems or with a ton of crap going on, but I just can't seem to get a handle one it. Until I do, blogging has just become something else that I can't keep up with.

I've Been Away Too Long!

2008-08-13T20:41:00.002-04:00

I've been away...far away from blogging land for a long time. And I think it has been good for me. I actually accomplished some things I wanted to. But now I am back (for now) to share back to school humor with you...

We just started back to school. I was dealing with a kid who had quite the "I don't want to be here" attitude, so I asked him if he wanted to be on the four or the five year graduation plan.

His response?

"Uh, which one is faster?"

Really.

Job Opening...

2008-07-12T09:12:00.005-04:00

Just a word of warning...you all may want to steer clear of the Greater Cincinnati area on Tuesday...you may melt.

A Month...

2008-07-06T10:59:00.002-04:00

I haven't blogged in a month. Over a month, actually...and I don't have a good reason. Honestly, I just hadn't felt like it. Things have been stressful off and on here at Rambling Shan's house and I just haven't had the energey to blog...much less come up with something witty to blog about.

So, to let you know, here is (part of) what is going on...

My dogs are in bad shape. They have each had bad allergies since they were about 3. We know that Gizmo is allergic to dust mites (we had him tested a long time ago), but we don't know about Loki. We have tried everything the vet can offer--medication, special shampoo, special food, restrictive diets (which means none of the treats they love because they can't have wheat, beef, chicken, rice, etc...all the normal stuff), expensive trips to the vet, topical treatments, you name it...we've tried it and nothing is working. Even the special diet--which means (thankfully) it isn't a food allergy...but it also means that we don't know what it is. The vet wants me to bring them back this week so we can determine if they need to see a dog dermatologist...can you believe it? I don't even have a dermatologist!

One problem that bother me more than anything is that they have been on Prednisone off and on for over three years...and that is not good for them at all. It actually stopped controlling their itchiness, so I took them off it about three weeks ago. They are still itchy, but I think they feel better (if that makes sense).

My yoga instructor suggested that I try fish oil supplements, so I am going to try that this week (after talking to the vet, of course) to see if that will help at all...at this point, we are willing to try almost anything because they deserve an itch free life--and it is our job to give it to them.

So, what else am I willing to do? Buy a Dyson vacuum. Why? Because we know that Gizmo is allergic to dust mites and Dyson vacuums are certified by the allergy association...which means they eliminate allergens from the home...and I am willing to try. I also figure that the $550 I spend on a Dyson may actually reduce the amount I have to spend on the vet.

If any of you have any natural remedies that I could try to alleviate some suffering, please let me know. We are at the end of our rope and we would really like to not have to medicate them if at all possible...they don't need to live doped up forever.

Noah? Can You Hear Me?

2008-06-04T19:44:00.005-04:00

So far in 2008 we've had a blizzard, and earthquake, numerous tornado warnings and now a flood. Yes, a real honest to goodness flood.

We had another round of bad storms roll through this evening. So bad, in fact, that Hubby and I enjoyed our dinner in our unfinished basement (what else can you do when there is a tornado warning during dinner?) We didn't get a tornado (thank goodness...what would happen to all my landscaping?), but we did get a TON of rain. And I mean a ton. As in, on average, 4 inches and hour. As a result of this torrential rain, the creek in front of our house flooded and covered the road.

Here is what the road used to look like:

Here is what it looks like right now.

See the difference?

(And, yes, that is a car in the last photo...he didn't make it far because the road is closed in all directions....wait a minute...that means I am trapped in my house. Anyone have a boat I can borrow?)

I am Loved!

2008-06-04T09:54:00.002-04:00

Nothing makes me happier than to know that I am loved :-), and Crystal over at Memoirs of a Mommy shared some bloggy love with me and many others last week in the form of the "Sharing the Love" award. I am thrilled to know my blog and my random thoughts have touched someone else. So, thanks Crystal for your thoughtfulness. I will be adding you to my "People to See" sidebar.

In the meantime, everyone should check out Crystal's blog and see the pictures of her adorable kids.

Thanks, Crystal...I will display my award with pride. And I will pass the love on to others soon.

Landscaping. Ugh.

2008-06-02T06:30:00.006-04:00

One of the reasons I haven't blogged regularly is because I have been busy with end of the school year stuff. Lucky for me, Friday was our last day with kids and today is our last work day...and it is only a half day at that. Hooray!

The other reason I have not been blogging has to do with the tiny home improvement project my husband decided we should take on: landascaping.

We have lived here for almost 2 and a half years and we had no landscaping. Sad, I know, but in the grand scheme of everything, it didn't seem that important, so we kept putting it off. Suddenly he decided that this was the year to do it. And he picked Memorial Day weekend to start. Normally I wouldn't care about doing work over Memorial day weekend, but I had lots of things planned for that weekend, so I was a little miffed that we had landscaping. (Okay, so I lied...I had BIG FAT NOTHING planned for that weekend...I just didn't want to landscape).

Hubby started working on the Friday before the long holiday weekend. We worked all day Saturday, all day Sunday and some on Monday (it rained and he golfed.) We still weren't finished. We worked every spare minute we had last week. We still weren't done. We worked Saturday...and we were darn close to being finished. We slept great knowing that we would most likely be finished early Sunday...

That is until Hubby decided he had one more flowerbed he wanted to build...so off we went to Lowe's. And then Natorp's. And then home again we came. He worked on getting the bed ready and by last night, we were finished (for the most part). Sure, we still have more plants to buy, but we look at this as a process...a process that caused us to nearly kill each other at times, but a process nonetheless.
So, enjoy the before and afters. Hopefully I can blog more now that I have a little less dirt under my nails and a little more time on my hands.

Well, Shucks.

2008-05-29T16:38:00.002-04:00

First, to the three whole people who may wander by...sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I have been busy. For real busy...not "I'm just saying I've been busy to get off the hook." I've really been busy. I have new flowerbeds to prove it!

Today I received a thank you card...from a parent. The card was actually mailed to school, and in it the parents thanked me for being such an influential person in their daughter's life. I have been teaching for eight years and never once have I gotten a thank you card from from a parent...especially not at this time of the year. Usually at this time of the year I get nasty emails and phone calls, so this was a welcome surprise.

I emailed the parent to thank her for the thank you card (sounds weird, doesn't it? But I wanted to make sure that she knew that I got it.) She emailed back and let me know that she never sends thank you cards to teachers, but she felt she needed to in this case. I was flattered and taken aback by her kind words and her encouragement.

I get burnt out a lot of times with work. I get VERY frustrated at the end of the year. When I get frustrated, Hubby gets frustrated and asks why I still do what I do.

Today I'll show him the card and he'll get his answer.

Saturday Special...#1

2008-05-03T15:21:00.005-04:00

I have decided to try a couple of new memes...so, this week I am playing The Saturday Special. All you have to do it answer four questions each Saturday.

This week the general topic of the questions is remembering childhood...here goes.

~Remembering Childhood~

1. As a child I loved to play?: Anything that allowed me to get dirty. I grew up with a brother and all boys on my street, so I had to adapt if I wanted to play. I wasn't a "girly" girl at all. I played sports, played in dirt, rode my bike, buried stuff in the yard, played with Hot Wheels...I was a tomboy for sure.

2. As a child I wanted to grow up to be...?: A veterinarian. I realized after working with a vet and watching her put a horse down that I just couldn't do that with my life. I became a teacher instead. I have no regrets. In fact, I am grateful to the vet for showing my the truth.

3. As a child my favorite thing to eat was...?: Spaghetti. It was what I always had my mom fix for my birthday dinner. I still love it. Italian food (in general) is my weakness!

4. As a child my favorite relative was...?: My Uncle Bill and my Aunt Taniya. (they are a pair...I couldn't split them up). They are from California so I never saw them. When I did, we had so much fun. As I grew up, my grandma became more special to me, but my aunt and uncle hold the top "childhood relative" spot.

Want to play? Visit The Saturday Special now!

Third Time's a Charm?

2008-05-02T06:25:00.002-04:00

I just heard on the news that, according to the latest Gallup Poll, George Bush has a 69% disapproval rating. They said that this rating is the lowest in the 75 year history of the Gallup Poll.

Richard Nixon's disapproval rating was only 66% right before he resigned.

George Bush has been on the list of five highest disapproval ratings THREE times...

The other two? Harry Truman at 67% and the previously mentioned Nixon at 66%.

That is NOT a club I would want to be in.

Irony

2008-04-30T20:28:00.002-04:00

Irony: Losing the work ethic certificate paper that you were told to keep..

Ah, it is that time again...time for students to turn in their work ethic certificates.

Time for students who have a 20% to ask why I circled "never" on their work ethic standard.

Time for students to ask if they can turn their work ethic papers in late (like last year).

Time for students to have the "oh, crap, I should have actually done work all year" epiphany.

You've got to love the end of the year!

Deplorable!

2008-04-29T22:04:00.002-04:00

For those of you who have been around my blog for awhile, you may remember me blogging about China, a dog whose owner was accused of abusing her...only to get her back. I was outraged by this decision...especially since she had a chain embedded in her neck. But, hey, the guy PROMISED to never let it happen again, so the judge gave him his dog back.

And today, he did it again. Today the story broke that the dog was found filthy, cold and wet outside in a pen...a clear violation of his solemn promise to take care of the dog...which included not leaving her outside.

I was angry when the first story broke, and I am angry now...because we all knew how this would turn out. We knew this guy would most likely not take care of this dog, but he was given a second chance. A second chance that most of us knew he didn't deserve and wouldn't take advantage of.

Now it is time for China to get a second chance. A chance at a life that includes love, warmth and a family who appreciates her for her.

We can only hope it isn't too late.

Jeff Foxworthy...My Hero.

2008-04-29T16:15:00.002-04:00

I am stressed out (the end of the school year does that to me...not to mention a few other things that have occurred over the last few days...but that's another story). To de-stress, I wanted to share these funny things with all of you. I hope you all get a chuckle out of a couple of them. Any of you who ever worked in education...or even set foot in a school...should find something to laugh about :-)

Jeff Foxworthy on Educators

YOU might be a school employee if you believe the playground should be equipped with a Ritalin salt lick.

YOU might be a school employee if you want to slap the next person who says, 'Must be nice to work 8 to 3:30 and have summers off.'

YOU might be a school employee if it is difficult to name your own child because there's no name you can come up with that doesn't bring high blood pressure as it is uttered.

YOU might be a school employee if you can tell it's a full moon or if it is going to rain, snow, hail....anything!!! Without ever looking outside.

YOU might be a school employee if you believe, 'shallow gene have its own box on a report card.

YOU might be a school employee if you believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, 'Boy, the kids sure are mellow today.'

YOU might be a school employee if when out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior.

YOU might be a school employee if you have no social life between August and June.

YOU might be a school employee if you think people should have a government permit before being allowed to reproduce.

YOU might be a school employee if you wonder how some parents MANAGED to reproduce.

YOU might be a school employee if you laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the 'lounge.'

YOU might be a school employee if you encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling and are willing to donate the UHAUL boxes should they decided to move out of district.

YOU might be a school employee if you think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.

YOU might be a school employee if you can't imagine how the ACLU could think that covering your students chair with Velcro and then requiring uniforms made out of the corresponding Velcro could ever be misunderstood by the public.

YOU might be a school employee if meeting a child's parent instantly answers this question, 'Why is this kid like this?'

YOU might be a school employee if you would choose a mammogram over a parent conference.

YOU might be a school employee if you think someone should invent antibacterial pencils and crayons...and desks and chairs for that matter!

YOU might be a school employee if the words 'I have college debt for this?' has ever come out of your mouth.

YOU might be a school employee if you know how many days, minutes, and seconds are left in the school year!

I am a FREAK of Nature...

2008-04-23T18:56:00.002-04:00

(no comments from the peanut gallery, please...)

I hurt my neck Sunday night. I have no idea how I did it. All I know is that I have been walking around unable to comfortably turn my head from one side to the other. And, let's face it, at this point I don't care what caused it...I just want it fixed! Today the pain was so bad (as in it nearly made me ill, bad) that I decided I needed to call the doctor. This is a big deal for me...anyone who knows me knows that I will do just about ANYTHING to keep from going there.

I get an appointment at 3:15. That means I have to leave work early (only by ten minutes) because, although we TECHNICALLY can leave at 2:45, there is no way I would have ever made it out of out parking lot's one exit that accommodates all the staff, parent and student drivers that our school has to offer. In fact, unless you hightail it out of the parking lot by 2:25:30, you are stuck until at least 3:00...at least.

But I digress...(as usual)

I got to the doctor thinking I would see him, he would prescribe some pain medication and I would be on my way. I wasn't nervous about this trip, I had no anxiety and I was cool, calm, and collected. Sure, it was weird that I wasn't seeing my normal doctor (he was off today), but I didn't think that would matter. He poked around on my neck, listened to my breathing, asked some routine questions and said that he thinks it was a muscle inflammation. This was an easy trip...

Until he mentioned a shot. If this had been my regular doctor, he would have known better than to mention that word to me (we have a standing agreement that, unless I am seconds from death, he does not, under any circumstance, stick me with needles...bad things happen). I wanted to shout "NO!!! ANYTHING BUT THAT!" but I didn't. I stayed silent...thinking to myself: "Shan, you're 30 years old...you can handle this. Stop your whining."

So in comes the nurse with the *gulp* needle. I told her that I have a problem with needles and I often pass out...I wanted to tell her "It's true...I do. Ask my husband...he'll tell you...now, can we act like you did it and send me on my way?"...but I didn't. I allowed her to stick me with the offending (and enormous...as in gigantic) needle.

At first I was fine. I sat for a couple of minutes and felt okay (really, I did), so I thought I was out of the woods. After all, I ate breakfast and lunch today so my body wasn't in food deprived shock or anything (as it was the last two times I passed out). I got up, walked out of the exam room and down the hall and I started to feel a little woozy. I kept thinking "just get outside...the fresh air will help...just get outside."

I made it outside...to my car..in my car...and that was as far as I was going. I felt it happening. I broke into a cold sweat, I started shaking from head to toe and my ears started ringing. I knew I should go back into the doctor's office, but I also knew that I would never make it...I knew would collapse halfway to the door. So I did the only thing I can think of--I called TJ. I would have called the doctor's office, but I didn't even know the number at that moment. TJ called the office and next thing I knew I three nurses are tapping on my car window.

I opened the door and they ask the dumbest question: "Honey, are you okay?"

Sure...I'm peachy. I'm just sitting in my car shaking from head to toe with my head between my knees, in a cold sweat and pale as death...but I'm swell. You should see me on a bad day.

They got me out of the car and began slowly walking me to the door. As I am walking, it's happening...the full blown pass out symptoms. The world started going black from the sides, my ears were ringing so loudly it was drowning everyone out...and as we got into the door I made it to a wall and slid all the way down...and I couldn't get up.

They had to bring out a wheelchair and wheel me back into the offices, find me a place to lay down and recover. Luckily everything was still pretty blacked out so I have no idea how many people were in the waiting room...staring at the freak who collapsed in the entryway.

They found me a place to relax, got me to lie down and I started breathing normally again...and went into some deep breathing for a while to try to calm myself down. The whole time I was thinking "I am a fricking freak of nature...I know NO ONE else who does this...NO ONE!!!"

Eventually, my vision came back and my hearing lost the ring. I stopped sweating that icky cold sweat and I could sit up again. I sat for a few minutes making sure I had my bearings. After all, I don't think the nurses would be so kind if they had to come and get me again.

Then I walked out, head held high...mainly because I have no idea how many people in that waiting room saw my freak show...after all, I was blacked out, so as far as I was concerned, no one was there. I was just a regular girl doing regular things at the doctor's office...no way was I the freak passing out in her car...

I made it home, but my arm hurts like hell because of the *eek* shot...at least that has taken my mind off the pain in my neck...at least the one I went to the doctor for.

This post brought to you by the number 200...as in posts :-)

How to De-Stress

2008-04-22T19:59:00.004-04:00

My mom forwarded this to me and I wanted to share it with all of you:

40 Tips for Better Life - 2008

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water.. Eat blueberries, flax and other seeds, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything. 2
7. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. GOD heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!) Hey I'm thinking of ya!
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about.

I guess that means I care about all of you :-) Pass this on to those you feel may need a little help.

Philosophy?

2008-04-21T22:40:00.002-04:00

I used to be a die-hard Origins girl, but the products ended up drying me out so much after 6 months that I had to stop using them. It was awful. I am using some Neutrogena products now, but I am still not getting the results that I really want, so I am off and hunting again for a great skin-care regimen, and I thought I would ask for your input.

Have any of you ever used the Philosophy line of beauty products? I have been reading about them a lot and have read all good things. Compared to other skin care brands (Origins, Ahava, etc.) the prices seem reasonable and they really push the idea that they can create "make-up optional" skin.

Any thoughts on this line? Let me know. I may give it a shot over the summer, but I wanted to see if anyone had any input.

Heads or Tails Tuesday!

2008-04-21T22:14:00.002-04:00

Today's HoT theme is direction or directing...

I was unsure as to which direction to go with this tonight. I could talk about my feeble attempts at directing freshmen in very rough reading/performance of Romeo and Juliet. I could talk about the direction the economy seems to be going (down) or the direction airline prices are definitely going (up). I could talk about how great I am at following driving directions but how bad I am at remembering them (it takes me forever to remember how to get certain places...even if I have been there more than once.) I could even talk about which direction I would like to go for vacation (south, please)...but I won't.

Instead, I am going to talk about direction change in my classroom...in the manner of desks.

I found that the quickest way to mess with kids is just to move the desks. Over Spring break I went in and rearranged everything and faced the desks in a new direction. You should have seen the kids faces when they came in that Monday--they didn't know what to do. I was blown away that a simple direction change could stop thirty 14 year olds in their tracks. I directed all of them to sit anywhere (for the time being) and many of them remained rooted to one spot...obviously confused by the fact that:

1. There was a new seating arrangement
2. I didn't have a seating chart planned out for them yet.

Eventually they got over the change and they have since adapted to the new direction. I guess now I know how to get their attention. Funny. I never thought something that a simple desk direction change could be my best classroom management tool.

Someone should put that in a college course...

EARTHQUAKE!!!

2008-04-18T22:23:00.003-04:00

Okay, so it isn't that dramatic. We did have a little tremor here this morning. Funny thing is that I am relying on everyone else's word for it because I didn't feel a thing.

Nada. Zip. Zero.

Not that I am complaining. I'm sure that a random shaking and rumbling would have scared the crap out of me at 5:37 this morning, but I can't help but wonder why I didn't even notice it. I was awake and walking through my house at 5:37. It wasn't like I was in the shower or had the hair dryer going or anything. I was just walking around.

As I told my fellow blogger, The Cranky Librarian, I am either oblivious to the world around me or I have a damn sturdy house.

Heads or Tails!

2008-04-15T18:26:00.002-04:00

Today's HoT Topic...Tip or anything that rhymes with tip.

I am going to go with TIP.

I am working on a list of TIPS that students should know. Really it's a list of real life lessons they are learning in school...I just don't think they know they are learning them.

Here is the rough draft of my TIPS for students:

1. Due means due. When you get out of school, the electric company isn't going to care that you "just forgot" to pay your bill. They will turn your electric off and make you pay a late fee.
2. Some jobs will fire you for chronic tardiness. They don't care that your best friend broke up with her boyfriend or that you just had to answer your text. Break the tardy habit now.
3. Sometimes you will have to work with people (or for people) you don't like. It is a fact of life. Learn to deal with that now to avoid potential problems later.
4. Rules are made to be followed (not broken). Rules are in place to maintain order and avoid potential problems. Your boss will not care if you think a rule is fair or not. He will only care that you follow it.
5. Promotions aren't just given out. They are earned. If you want to advance in life, you must work for it. No one is going to just hand you what you want. Earn what you have.
6. A 70% is not a success rate. You would not go to a doctor who was right only 70% of the time. You wouldn't hire a lawyer who only knew 70% of the law and you wouldn't want to listen to a musician hit only 70% of her notes. Strive for better.
7. Life is not always fair. It is how you deal with the times life seems unfair that shows who you truly are.
8. Sometimes life is hard. Accepting the challenges and rising above them show commitment and drive. People like that...and you will like the outcome if you stick with it instead of giving up.
9. Preparation is key. If your boss ever asks you to do a presentation, entertain clients, plan a lesson, change a transmission or send out a memo, you need to think of what the task consists of ahead of time. Lack of preparation on your part could result in bad business for your company.
10. Everyone has the potential for greatness. It is what you do with that potential that determines your success. Never settle for less than what you deserve...even if others are saying otherwise.

What do you think? What advice do you wish you would have gotten while you were still in school?

Ho, Hum

2008-04-15T17:58:00.002-04:00

I haven't blogged for quite some time. Why? Because I really can't think of much of anything to blog about.

Sure, I could blog about my husband causing chaos while finishing our basement. I could talk about wanting to paint my bathroom. I could talk about my odd desire to try expensive face products. I could blog about my dogs' latest bout with allergies and the ridiculous regimen they are one now. I could even talk about Big Brother, The Biggest Loser, or Hell's Kitchen.

But I don't want to.

Instead I find myself blogging about not really knowing what to blog about. It makes me think of all the times I have students write about trying to find something to write. I always giggle and chuckle at those papers (nothing like reading a personal narrative about writing a personal narrative). And now here I am. Blogging about trying to find a blogging topic.

Damn. I'm lame.

Ridiculous 101

2008-04-08T17:17:00.004-04:00

If I were a resident of Brooklyn, Ohio, I would be ticked off right now because my tax dollars went towards a man's 4 hour stay in jail.

Over a $4.00 case of soft drinks.

Here is the story, seen on WLWT's website:

Man Charged After Soda Forgotten In Cart
Man Charged With Petty Theft, Spends 4 Hours In Jail

BROOKLYN, Ohio -- Have you ever put a case of water or something heavy under your shopping cart and then forgotten about it?

A Cleveland man did, and it landed him in jail, television station WEWS reported.

Tom Sturgis has a long receipt showing the $157.20 worth of two grocery carts full of groceries that he bought at a Brooklyn supermarket Saturday night. After going through the self checkout, Sturgis said he forgot a $4 case of pop under the cart.

A police officer working security at the store asked to see his receipt.

"I went looking for the receipt, the pop wasn't on it and they decided to have me arrested," he said.

Sturgis was arrested on a petty theft charge.

Sturgis, who said he has never had so much as a parking ticket, found himself being led out of the store in handcuffs. He spent 11:30 p.m. until 3 a.m. in jail that night.

At home, his wife said she couldn't believe what was happening.

"It's over a case of pop," said Wendy Sturgis. "He turned around and offered to go back in and pay for it and the cop told him it's like robbing a bank, you just can't get caught robbing a bank and say, 'I'm sorry, I'll give you your money back.'"

Sturgis said he made a simple mistake -- one made by many shoppers at one time or another. Now his family worries how the arrest will impact them long term.

"You know, it could affect his job," Wendy said. "You know, what do we do next, get a lawyer? Well, that's easier said than done, you know, it costs money."

Have you ever read anything so ridiculous? Really, haven't we all forgotten something from time to time. It's not like he ran out of teh store with it screaming "I stole your soft drinks!" It was an accident...a mistake. One that could cost him his job.

I guess we'll all think twice before shopping in Brooklyn, Ohio...I would hate to think what they would have done if he had two cases...

The Courtesy Wave

2008-03-21T12:04:00.005-04:00

I don't know when it started, but it seems to be the norm to wave to acknowledge that someone has done something courteous for you when you are driving. Maybe they let you out of a parking lot, gave you their parking space, let you over on the expressway. It wasn't actually part of my driver's test and I know that my driving instructor never actually said to me "You should always wave when someone grants you a favor on the road," but I somehow knew to do it. Maybe it is some weird instinct that we have...a recessed thing that comes out in all of us as soon as we get that first driver's licence. Maybe we learn it because we watched our parents do it while we were in the car. Whatever the reason or mystery behind it, we all seem to know what it is. But lately, it seems that more and more people are not giving the courtesy wave.

I hadn't actually noticed until this weekend while I was out with a friend. She waved someone out of a parking lot and the person pulled out and never gave the courtesy wave. She made a comment about how upset it made her that the person couldn't even wave to say thanks. At first I didn't understand her frustration, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized she had every right to be upset.

If you think about it, the courtesy wave is like the thank you of the automobile world. If we give someone a gift, grant them a favor or offer assistance, we expect a "thank you" in response. If we don't get one, we tend to get upset. I know that when I was a kid if I forgot to say thank you for a gift or other treat it was promptly taken away from me. So it stands to reason that when you grant someone a favor on the road that they would say thanks...with the courtesy wave. Unfortunately, if we don't get the wave we can't take our "treat" back. Instead we get to stew over it blog about it later :-)

I think it has to do with the lack of politeness in the world in general. I know that I don't hear please and thank you very much at work from kids anymore. My mom, who works with kindergarten kids, says she has to remind kids all the time to say please and thank you. My own husband often forgets to say please if he asks me to do something (it's to the point I won't do it until he says it). It's sad that I say that but even sadder that please isn't the norm for many people anymore. It seems polite requests are a thing of the past and abrupt demands have taken their place.

Now that I think about it, it seems that general politeness is dwindling--not just the use of please and thank you. I went to Kohl's yesterday and walked in two steps behind two women. Instead of holding the door for me, the one woman just let the door slam shut...on both sets of doors. And then, when they got into the store, the both stood blocking the entry door. I don't know why not holding doors bothers me so much, but I guess it's the same reason not giving the courtesy wave upset my friend. How long does it take to give a little wave or hold a door? Not long at all...and the results of those two actions are usually positive and acknowledge that there are other people around you who help you or need your help.

Maybe the dwindling of the courtesy wave is directly correlated to the diminishing use of thank you in our society. Maybe it's just because our society is becoming more egocentric. Whatever it is, we need to make a change. So today, hold a door for someone. Offer to carry groceries, give the courtesy wave...it is time that we found those polite instincts--both on and off the road.

Thursday Thirteen #10

2008-03-20T06:28:00.004-04:00

Thirteen Things That I'm Not Fond Of...

Spiders (thanks to Arachnophobia)
Heights (since I was 7)
Needles (not sewing ones...the ones that cause pain when they are jabbed into you)
Clowns (thanks to Stephen King)
Large Crowds (I think it has to do with #7)
Tiny Spaces (Only for prolonged periods of time)
Clutter (I am a neat freak, so this bugs me
Open closet doors (I have no idea why)
48 straight hours of rain (not really, but we just got done with that so I am annoyed)
Repeating myself (hazard of my profession)
Grocery shopping (I don't know what my husband sees in it--he thinks it is fun)
Doing laundry (why can't clothes just be disposable?)
Emptying the dishwasher (especially the silverware section...tedious.)

Want to play? Join in here!

Bothered

2008-03-18T17:23:00.002-04:00

I don't know how many of you have seen the previews for the new comedy Miss Guided, but I need to vent about the whole idea of the show...

I work hard to prove that teaching is a noble, honest, and admirable profession. I work hard to make sure that my students know that there is a very THICK line between me and them and I spend so much time trying to convince people (who think my job is easy) that I work hard and am worthy of a little praise.

So what does Hollywood do? They take everything that I have been trying to instill in people and turn it COMPLETELY around. They show the principal sleeping in his car during the school day. They make school guidance counselors look like fools, and the seem to have a storyline involving how many students want to "do" the hot female teachers. In fact, one of the lines from a female teacher is "It is so cool to walk through the halls and know that all the guys think I'm do-able." Add to that the guidance counselor's dismay at the fact that she is ranked 40th on the hot teachers list.

As if the teaching profession didn't have enough to worry about. Now we have Hollywood painting us like fools. I know that some people won't understand why this upsets me and that's okay. All I know is that kids are impressionable and the last thing we teachers need is for students to think we really care where they rank us on the "hot teacher" scale.

Heads or Tails Tuesday

2008-03-18T16:56:00.003-04:00

Today Skittles has asked us to blog about part of a house. I have to spend some time giving a shout out to my kitchen.

Before anyone thinks I've gone loco (more so than usual) I guess I should explain...When TJ and I had our first house, we had a tiny kitchen. It was cute and functional, but tiny. We had very little counter space, even less cabinet space and very little space to move around. When I say very little counter space, that's what I mean. This was the whole kitchen...the cabinets you see is what we had:

When we decided to build a new house, I knew what I wanted in a kitchen: LOTS of cabinets, LOTS of counter space and a center island. When we were cutting square footage to keep in budget, I told our builder that he better not touch my kitchen--and, in the end, that was the only room that we didn't decrease in size. In fact, now that I think about it, we may have actually gained a few feet while moving other things around. We got rid of the double oven plan and put in a HUGE cabinet pantry. People thought we were crazy to nix the double oven, but I figured I had successfully cooked Thanksgiving dinners without one before and, let's face it, that was the only time I would have ever used it.

In the end we saved a load of money by axing the double oven, we gained a ton of storage space, and we even have a little wine rack. I hadn't ever actually looked at photos of the two kitchens close to each other before, but I think you will be able to see why I am soooo much happier! In all honesty, the pictures don't really do it justice...but it's the best I've got!)

Want to play, too? head over to Skittles' Place to find out how!

Wordless Wednesday!

2008-03-12T06:35:00.000-04:00

Jello Finding

2008-03-10T13:06:00.002-04:00

For those of you who (like me) try to buy some health conscious items at the grocery, here is a new finding by yours truly:

Fat Free Jello Pudding 100 Calorie snack packs have 100 calories and 0 grams of fat.

The regular Jello pudding snacks have 110 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. That's all. There is a 10 calorie difference.

Weird, huh?

(And, in case you are wondering, I bought the regular ones. They really do taste much better!)

Blogger Frustration!

2008-03-09T10:15:00.002-04:00

In the last three days I have been so very frustrated with Blogger. It won't upload photos half the time, it formats everything wrong (takes away spaces, adds them), it has locked up numerous times, and it is just generally pissing me off.

So, I will be looking around for a possible place to move Rambling Shan in the near future. When (and if) I make the move, I will keep you all informed. Until then, I will continue to post here.

Good Morning!

2008-03-09T10:00:00.002-04:00

Now that the snow has ended, we have to start thinking about how in the heck we are going to get out of here. Our driveway is a mess and the road is only one lane (from what I can see, anyway). Most churches (including the big one across the way from me) have cancelled services this morning. In fact, according to the local news website, 509 closings and delays have been sent to them already. Businesses are closed today and my county is under a level two snow emergency (which means if you have to be out for work, you can be, but no joyriding or trips to an open business...you can get a ticket or even arrested.)

Hubby and I have the lovely chore of trying to dig our way out of our house today. My mom and dad shoveled snow three times yesterday and they still have to do it again today. I am supposed to have a training at work tomorrow. We decided that, even if we had a snow day, we would come in. None of us anticipated this, though. I can tell you that I will not risk my life for this training...my job is important to me, but I think I need to value my life a little bit more.

To top it all off, we had nearly three inches of rain last week. Rivers and streams are already near or beyond flood stage. When all of this melts, we could have a world of trouble on our hands. Plus, we have another system coming through tonight that could drop an additional 2 inches by tomorrow afternoon. It's MARCH for Pete's sake!

Loki:

Gizmo:

The Blizzard has Ended

2008-03-08T19:22:00.007-05:00

Finally, the snow stopped. It was about 4:00 before it quit falling and then the sun came out and the sky was blue as can be...it was weird. Plows are out now (one just went by) and they are starting to clean everything up, but it could take some time. Here are a few pictures of what we got after it was all said and done. (I have more, but Blogger keeps giving me error messages. I will try to update more later):

Once again, across the road. Kids love to sledride down that hill:

This is the snow drift that was blocking our sliding door. We had to sweep to let the dogs out:
The barn (for Skittles):
That is a flower pot (I swear it is):

Gizmo found a break in the snow drift: Loki had to follow in Gizmo's track...he's too short to go first!Gizmo prancing along: Dog tracks (see how deep it is?): Loki says "Let me in...this is ridiculous!"

Blizzard Update #3...It Keeps on Coming!

2008-03-08T10:21:00.008-05:00

It has been snowing for over 24 hours here at Rambling Shan Headquarters. Here is what we were seeing at 10:00 EST:

The road has vanished:

But this guy is driving anyway:

We won't be needing these for a while:

Once again, the barn:
Our backyard:
From our front door:
The road is almost as high as the guardrail:

Hard to see:
From our garage:
Fruit trees:
I'll be back in a couple of hours to update. I know I have BLOGOVERSARY stuff to do, but this is so much cooler :-)

Blizzard Update (Blogoversay Post #1)

2008-03-08T07:14:00.009-05:00

It's my blogoversary today! I have lots of people to thank and losts of "strolling down blog memory lane" to do, but I promised updated blizzard pictures, so here they are. This is what we are seeing as of 7:00 this morning (yes, 7...hubby got me up to look at it.) Some of them aren't very clear because it was snowing so hard!

Towards our backyard:

Between the pole and the guardrail should be the road, but you just can't see it:

Here is the barn on our property (it is my family's, so I guess it is sort of mine. It is really old, but we can't bring ourselves to get rid of it because it really adds charm to the place:

I took this one because I took a similar one last night...wanted to see the difference:

Loki nearly got lost in it:

Gizmo running towards the house. He can't walk through it becuse it is up to his chest:

They say this isn't over...I will be back!

The Blizzard is Coming...The Blizzard is coming!

2008-03-07T17:19:00.012-05:00

Earlier today as snow started to fall, I joked with my students saying "the blizzard is coming, the blizzard is coming!"

Turns out I was right. we are under a blizzard warning and we may get as much as 11 inches of snow before tomorrow night. The craziest thing is that we were at 70 degrees on Monday!

I will be posting pictures throughout the next couple of days to let you all see what we are seeing. Here are a few 5:00 pictures:

I will post again tomorrow morning with updated images. See you then! (On my blogoversary!)

Friday's Feast!

2008-03-07T05:05:00.000-05:00

Appetizer
If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?

I don't think I would really want to be any of them...I don't envy celebrities at all...but, if I had to choose, I would be one of the women on Lost--just so I could film in Hawaii!

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?

It depends on who it is. If it is a friend, I rate it an 8. If it is some riduculous telemarketer, it would be a 1. If it is an angry parent, it is in the negatives!

Salad
Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).

American Cancer Society. I lost my grandma that way and it is very dear to my heart. I have also decided to do some volunteer work this summer.

Main Course
What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?

Lately, Dole canned pinapple. I don't like fresh because it is such a pain in the butt to prepare, but the canned stuff is so good!

Dessert
Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?

I am afraid to even answer this...I may jinx myself! We already jinxed ourself about the winter weather being gone (and as you saw, it isn't), so I plead the fifth :-)

Catch-22

2008-03-06T16:39:00.002-05:00

Have you ever known you are doing all you can but still feel like you aren't doing enough? That people expect more of you? That you are (somehow) letting people down even though you know you can't imagine trying any harder?

That's how I have felt lately. It seems that no matter how much I do, I am always behind...and I am always letting someone down. Be it home, work, personal life, myself...whatever, I feel that I am letting people down. I know I work hard and I know I deserve some down time every now and then, but, when I take it, I feel guilty because I know that someone somewhere needs me to do something. But, when I don't take personal time, I am resentful of whatever I am doing...

I have been struggling with this for some time now. I can't figure out how to fix it so that I feel better about myself...and that is the hardest thing of all.

Blogoversary!

2008-03-05T20:01:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it, but my blogoversary is in three days! I can't believe I have been at this for a year...and I am so happy that I have stuck with it because all of you are so great. I hope you will join me on my actual blogoversary where I post special thanks and reflect on some of my fave posts and memes...

Breaking News!

2008-03-04T12:43:00.003-05:00

According to the Packers' website, Brett Favre has told the general manager that he is retiring after 17 years with the Packers' organization. Although I know deep in my heart that this is the right decision for him and his family, I can't help but feel sad. Favre is a part of the Packers that I grew up with. He is the guy that plays the game with such childlike entusiasm that others can't help but join in. I can't imagine what it's going to look like next year not to see #4 run out on that field and pull off some amazing plays.

Thanks, Favre, for making the last 17 years so enjoyable to watch. I look forward to the day when you are inducted into the Hall of Fame...where you belong!

Heads or Tails Tuesday!

2008-03-04T06:26:00.005-05:00

Ack. A whole week escaped me and I haven't posted since last week's Heads or Tails. Boo on me. On the bright side, today's topic is seven things about any subject. Enjoy!

7 Little Known Things About Yours Truly :-)

I am an orange belt in karate (not yellow...I'm such a doofus.)
I took two years of Latin in high school
My hair is naturally curly/wavy/fuzzy
I am part Czechoslovakian
I had a breast biopsy when I was 21.
My original career plan was to be a veterinarian
My eyes change color

Want to play? Head over to Skittle's Place to find out how!

Sticky Post!

2008-03-01T12:53:00.000-05:00

I've joined the Technorati craze! I claimed my blog there yesterday. I can't believe how many blogs are already there...I feel like the last kid to know a rumor in high school :-)

So, if you would be so kind as to give me some love, I will return the favor (if I haven't already given you some Technorati love)

Heads or Tails!

2008-02-26T06:23:00.003-05:00

Skittle's weekly meme is here! Today the topic is wonder OR wander...

I Wander and Wonder...

As I wander through
my so called life
I wonder about
the pain and strife
that fuels this world
from day to day.

I wonder if
we all forgot
what it means to
care and not
be evil and hateful
to one another.

I wonder if
kindness is gone
or if we are
wandering alone
in this world
that we call home.

I wonder if
we'll ever see
how unified
we can truly be
or if we've strayed
to far to try.

President Nader?

2008-02-25T06:29:00.003-05:00

I heard yesterday that Ralph Nader is entering the Presidential race. I am bothered by this, not because I don't believe in the beauty of our democracy, but because all the other candidates have campaigned so hard to make it to this point and he just wanders in (hey...I could have waited and used this as my Heads or Tails post...) at the last minute...

I guess here is the other thing that irritates me. He knows he can't win...at least I think he knows that. I feel that is a bit of a slap in the face to the cadidates who have worked hard to earn votes so far...he is going to most likely take away votes from two candidates who can legitimately win. Plus, in a race that will be close anyway (I am guessing), all votes count.

Does this mean that I could enter the race as an independent if I wanted to? What exactly are the rules about that?

Warning--Serious Post Ahead

2008-02-23T10:39:00.002-05:00

Everyone knows that I try to stay away from anything overly serious, but something has been bugging me for a month or so and I have to share my opinion with you. It is my opinion, so please feel free to disagree...

I am Pro-choice. That means that I believe that all women have the right to make their own decisions. It doesn't mean that I would choose to have an abortion, but I feel I have no right to tell any other woman how to make that decision. I also don't think anyone else has the right to tell a woman what she should or shouldn't do.

That being said, I must comment on a supreme disappointment in my State Legislators.

Recently our legislators voted to pass a bill that requires all women seeking an abortion to receive an ultrasound, have a physician review the ultrasound with them and provide them with images from that ultrasound. This new section of KRS 311.710 TO 311.820 states that women can avert their eyes from them images if they want to, but the physician has to provide the images to them. It also states that these requirements can be waived only in the event of a medical emergency that must be documented in the woman's medical records.

I have problems with this new law for numerous reasons. First of all, I think the decision to have an abortion is an emotional one to begin with. Forcing a woman to have an ultrasound and providing her with verbal (the required physician's review) and visual (the images) evidence of the fetus is harsh. No one can be inside a woman's head when she makes this decision. We don't know why she is making the choice, but we need to respect the fact that she has a reason. To try to guilt her into keeping the child is a tactic that I think is very disturbing. And, yes, I think that is what this law tries to do. Guilt women into keeping a child that she doesn't think she can support. How can anyone but the woman know what is best for her and her unborn child?

Yes, I know there are options (adoption, etc.) for the child if the woman changes her mind, but what if the woman is a drug addict or drinks constantly? Would that be one of the "medical emergencies' that allows a physician to fore go the ultrasound and the verbal review? What about a woman who was raped and is pregnant by her assailant? Would she have to listen to the review of the ultrasound and possibly look at ultrasound pictures?

I fear that if states and the nation continue along this path, abortions will, once again, become an illegal procedure. Although some people will agree with this decisions, we all need to remember that even when abortions were illegal, women still found a way to make the decision and some of them were not pleasant. (In the midst of this serious post, I can't help thinking of Dirty Dancing and the abortion that Penny had...and I think of how horrible it would be if women had to choose that route once again.)

This is such a touchy subject, and I am aware that many people may not agree with me, but I also know that I have been upset about this decision since it was made. I hope that those of you who disagree with me can still respect me as a fellow blogger...I am just not one who can hold in my opinions. If you agree with this new state law, I will not judge you or have anything less than respect for you.

I guess this is the beauty of America--we are all entitled to our opinions and we are all entitled to voice those opinions. Please let me know what you think of this new development...I want to hear what you have to say.

Arg.

2008-02-22T11:15:00.000-05:00

We were off school Wednesday because we got two inches of snow overnight. We went back yesterday knowing that another round of winter weather was heading our way. The kids were all excited because they had a feeling that we were going to get another snow day. I was peeved because I have eight million things to get done with them before next Friday, so I really can't miss anymore time with any class...I need to see them all...and I really needed to see them all yesterday.

So first period starts and we bust our tails and we get through 20 pages of reading in 55 minutes. We even had time to discuss, ask questions, etc. It was great. We got interrupted five times with announcements and I got two phone calls, so I was really thrilled because I knew that if I could get through the reading with them and all those interruptions, all classes could get done. Second period came in and we got started. About 30 minutes in we get an announcement saying we are going to conduct a safety sweep and we had to lock all the doors and not let any students out. I wasn't worried--this happens from time to time and it never takes more than 20 minutes.

I was wrong this time. We got done with the reading and we waited. And waited. And waited. In fact, second period ran nearly 30 minutes longer than usual. You know what that means, right? That means that we last 30 minutes of third period. Which means there was no way for me to get finished with the reading. We got through 8 pages. Fourth period comes in and I know that I can finish with them. And we do finish. And then we get the email saying we are leaving at 1:30 because of the impending snow doom. Which means that our last two classes are split...and we had 25 minutes with each group. That meant there was no way I was getting finished with the reading sixth period...they got through six pages (we were interrupted 4 times with phone calls. It was great).

The storm rolled in much faster than anticipated (wait--weather forcasts being innacurate? That is so unusual!) As in five hours before they thought it would. So by 8:30 last night, most schools were already closed for today. Including some schools that NEVER close (private schools around here rarely close for weather problems). I'm actually glad they made the call realy. That meant I didn't have to get up and watch the news to find out.

Here is why I am worried. If it were just me I had to worry about, I wouldn't care. I can be flexible, make things work, play with time...whatever is needed. The problem is that I have a practicum student who has to teacher March 5-7 and she already has her lesson plans done and ready to go. I can't push into her week because she is being observed and it is very important to her. The othe rproblem? Because we have been out for snow so much, she has only been in my classroom 3 times. We always seem to get snowed out on Mondays or Wednesdays (the days she is supposed to be there). She doesn't know the kids, they don't know her, and she has to teach in a week. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes.

I know that kids everywhere are happy that we are off again today (we have gone to school 4 out of the last 8 days we have been scheduled to go), but we adults are going stir crazy. And today I am trapped, really--there is ice everywhere and there is no way I am going out in this. even my poor dogs are confused...their backyard is a skating rink. You should see them try to go out...it takes forever to make it across the yard.

They say it is going to turn to rain later today. Hopefully that will clear things out...but they also said the snow was goingto start at 7:00 last night...and we all know how that turned out.

Friday's Feast #1

2008-02-22T11:05:00.001-05:00

Appetizer
Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim?
Yes. Oddly enough it was my eighth grade history teacher. It was an April Fool's joke. We (as in a couple friends and I) turned everything in his room upside down...posters, desks, everything. It was great. But he got us back big time, so we all ended up even.

Soup
What do your salt and pepper shakers look like?
It depends on the time of year. Right now they are plain (glass with silver tops), but during the holiday season I have snow man ones in the kitchen and penguin ones in the dining room.

Salad
Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)?
We are going to Hawaii in July. I don't know if I am going anywhere before that...

Main Course
What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?
This is an endless quest, isn't it? Right now I use Origins Ginger Rush Intensely Hydrating body creme...but it is seasonal and you can't get it right now. I hope my supply lasts through winter!

Dessert
Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name.
Wow. There are so many great desserts out there already...how about Cool Whip with a few chocolate chips stirred in and drizzled with Hershey's Syrup...I could call it Chocolate Cloud :-)

Thursday Thirteen

2008-02-21T06:41:00.002-05:00

13 Reasons I am Totally Over Winter

Snow--don't get me wrong, I love the occasional snow day, but we have had 3 (and if it does what they say it is going to do, it will be 4) snow days in the last 8 days. That makes it hard to get things done with students.
Ice--see number 1.
Static electricty--my hair is flying in a million directions with no desire to stay down anytime soon.
The Writer's Strike--I usually look forward to winter television, but I have been so disappointed. All of my favorite shows vanished.
Innacurate weather forcasts--okay, so this happens all the time, but it bothers me more in winter. Summer and spring mistakes usually don't result in 4 inches of snow.
Crazy grocery store shoppers--it never fails...predict a measly amount of snow and people around here go shopping like they are goingto get snowed in for a month. This especially stinks if your monthly grocery trip coincides with the crazy shoppers.
That "blah" feeling--winter always gets me down and we have been cloudier than usual...making me sleepier than usual. Even yoga can't get me out of the funk.
No good sports--sorry, but when football ends, I am done with sports. All I can do is wait until Fall.
Potholes--I swear I almost lost my car in one last week. And why do we have them? See numbers 1 and 2.
Wind chills--this has been one of the coldest winters that I remember. Our average tempertaure right now should be in the low 40's and we haven't gotten out of the 20's all week. This morning's windcill? -1. I know for some people that's nothing, but for us (at this time of year) it is frigid.
Early sunsets--I am ready for light until 8:00 again. I must admit that it is staying light longer, but it still isn't what I want. I crave sunlight.
Pale skin--arg. I know that tanning is bad for you, but I do it anyway (not as much as I used to, but I do it.) I want my legs to be skirt worthy again, and right now I wouldn't even think about showing them...and don't get me started on the bathing suits in stores...I can't even think about it.
Did I mention the snow? and the ice?--I thought I did.

Bring on spring!

Wordless Wednesday!

2008-02-20T10:12:00.000-05:00

Origins Update

2008-02-19T15:41:00.003-05:00

A couple of days ago I posted about the horrible experiences I had been having at my local Orgins store. After posting, I took Nicole's advice and emailed their corporate office. I got a reply this morning. Melissa (the Origins representative who emailed me) apologized profusely for my experience, said that the information had been forwarded to the store and that they were going to send me "a selection of travel sized products" as a gesture of apology. I find this a fantastic, unexpected surprise. Most companies just send word that they got your email and say that they will work on improving...very few (at least ones that I have emailed) ever go to this extent. It shows me that they do care about keeping customers happy.

In th eend, though, I hope that word gets to the store and that the woman's attitude improves. I want to enjoy my shopping experience again, and I hope this is a step in the right direction.

Heads or Tails Tuesday

2008-02-19T09:48:00.004-05:00

Today's Heads or Tails Tuesday is brought to you by the number 3 and the letter"P."

Here are some things I like that start with the letter "P."

Packers, peanuts, puppies, pickles, peanut butter, Pinot Grigio, pepper jack cheese, pillows, pictures, playing X-Box, posing (as in yoga), pasta, ponies, pepperoni pizza, Pearl Jam, popcorn, Play-Doh, poetry, pens and pencils (I love that aisle at Staples), Panera, Phantom of the Opera, pool, pancakes, produce, pork chops, Pirates of the Carribean, penguins, Pushing Daisies (but I think it got cancelled), peace and quiet, pudding, privacy, purple, periwinkle, presents, popsicles, parents (mine), postive attitudes, polite-ness, plays, pie, panthers (not Carolina), promises (kept), pets, pointless television, pockets, pretending, purging, planning (trips, my day...whatever), pineapple, Prodigal Summer (Barbara Kingsolver is amazing) and posting (like here)

(I'm sure I'll think of more...)

What about you? What "P" things do you like?

Unconscious Mutterings...Take One!

2008-02-17T09:45:00.003-05:00

I have seen this over at Skittle's Place a Couple of times and I decided that I wanted to play today. Enjoy!

She Said...I Responded:

Passport :: Photo
Small world :: After All
Radio :: Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Marine :: Life
Wall :: Street
Wanna be :: Like Mike
Pigtails :: Yoga
Hyphen :: Dash
9.99 :: $10.00
Unrated :: Edition

You can play, too over at Unconscious Mutterings...have fun!

ORIGINal Negativity

2008-02-16T19:08:00.003-05:00

Any of you who read my Favorite Girly Things post know that Origins is one of my new favorite pleasures in life. I love their lotions, their fragrances and my face loves their face care products. My face is softer, less oily, breaks out less and is all around in better shape than it has been in a long time.

When I first went into Origins, all the girls there were super nice. I told one girl what my problems were and she hooked me up with like eight different samples (cleansers, masks, toners, lotions, serums...you name it.) I loved it because their stuff is a little pricy, so I like the fact that I can try things before I shell out the twenty bucks a product. I went back a couple of weeks later and bought an extensive line of products and I have been very happy with it. Unfortunately, with the air being so dry, the toner that worked wonders on my face in the summer months is a little harsh right now, so I am looking to change to something a little less drying and a little more soothing...so I went back to the store to ask some questions. Silly me.

Allow me to explain...

There is a woman who works at the local Origins store that I do not like. The first time I went in there I was looking for their Ginger Rush body lotion. She wrinkled her nose and said "Yeah, that's seasonal and we don't have it." I told her that wasn't a big deal and I would look online for it and I proceeded to buy something from her she asked if I used any of their face care products. When I told her it was all I used, she wrinkled her nose and said "Oh." I was thinking "Oh, what? Oh, please don't tell anyone because your face looks lke crap? Oh, apprantly it isn't working...what?"

In fact, the last couple of times I have gone in to ask questions she has been irritated, short and overall rude and pushy. I don't like that. The last time I went in I explained to this woman everything that was going on with my face. The fact that the toner used to work great but now it is a little harsh, the fact I had researched online and thought this other type of toner may work and I asked her if I could try this other stuff. Here is the conversation that followed:

She wrinkled her nose up and said "Try? As in what?"

I told her I would like a sample to take home with me so that I could try it with my other facecare regiman.

She wrinkled her nose again and said "Well, it's really hard to get samples of toner. There really isn't a good way to do it."

I replied, "I have taken two different samples of toner home before. Can I please get one?"

Her response: "I guess."

She proceeded to get a sample and then said "Do you plan on buying anything today?"

To be honest, I had planned on it, but I was so irritated with her that I decided not to and I took my sample and went home (she didn't even give me a little bag or anything...just the little plastic container that I ended up having to carry through the mall. I looked like I was carrying a urine sample through stores. It was ridiculous.) I am notorious for being super nice to all employees of places because I know what it is like to be working retail...but this woman even tries my patience.

Because she refuses to allows postive interactions, I decided that I would not go in there if she was working. I go in there to browse, to smell, to look, to ask some questions, to (hopefully) buy something, but she is always irritated at browsing, looking and questions. She even does the sigh and eye roll. I don't need that when I am out...but here is where my plan is backfiring--it seems she ALWAYS works! The last three times I have been over that way she has been working. I won't go in there. I want to enjoy my shopping experience and she ruins it.

I don't know who I could write to about her and knowing my luck I would call the store to complain and she would answer. So, until she gains a sunnier disposition, it appears as if online Origins shopping is the way to go for me for awhile.

New Layout

2008-02-16T08:49:00.002-05:00

Well, I have given up on the 3-column idea (for now). I figured out how to get a third column on here, but it didn't look like I wanted it, so I scrapped it. I am happy, though, because I have figured out how to get all of my information to transfer from one blog layout to another so I won't be such a chicken in changing things up a bit from time to time. I had no idea I could ever figure out any HTML code at all, and I did it last night. I was thrilled.

Let me know what you think of the new layout. I'll be back later...I have plenty to say today.

Layout Help

2008-02-15T14:26:00.003-05:00

As I was looking at my blog this morning I realized that I have a lot of information in my sidebar...so much that i would really like another sidebar to hold it all. So that would mean I need a three column layout. I played around with my HTML scripts this morning and only managed to frustrate myself.

If anyone knows of any good sites to get three column layouts or a good tutorial for editing HTML codes to turn two column layouts into three column, please let me know. I would appreciate any leads or help that you can provide.

Until next time...

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2008-02-10T17:38:00.001-05:00

I was reading up on some local news and the advertisment on the side was for a pink diet patch. The headline read "Want to drop 25 pounds?" and the picture attached to the advertisement was this:

Is anyone else bothered by what this is saying to young girls (and grown women, for that matter) that may have issues with body image? Honestly, if this girl lost 25 pounds she would be nothing, nada, zip.

Shame on this company. I plan on writing a letter to them expressing my disgust at their advertising. It does nothing but play of the low self esteem of so many women these days. If it isn't bad enough that we are constantly faced with "perfect" bodies, hair and skin when we look at magazines and watch TV now we have to worry that a girl this size is still overweight when she obviously isn't. A standard is being set that is not attainable...and all that does is lower self esteem more. It is a vicious cycle.

We have had an outbreak lately at school of girls refusing to eat because they thing they are fat and they need to lose fifteen pounds. Fourteen year old girls who are worried about being fat. It's scary to know that there are so many people who play off those fears and use it to their advantage. And the worst thing is that no one says anything about this type of stuff on television...but cuss a couple of times and have a "wardrobe malfunction" and the whole world is falling apart.

Instead of worrying about the violence and such on television today, maybe people need to turn their attention to what the media is doing to the perceptions of young girls. Everywhere you turn there are stick skinny models and actresses. The average size of women in America? 12.

We need to get out priorities straight. And soon. Because as long as the media is allowed to portray the "norm" as a size zero, six foot tall woman, the future of many girls in America looks very grim.

Shan's Top Ten...

2008-02-06T13:09:00.000-05:00

Top Ten Reasons I am Not in a Good Mood Today...

10. The weather. It is 60 and rainy...in February. And it has been raining for two STRAIGHT (as in nonstop) days.
9. My hair does not do well in humid weather...as in it gets poofy and gross. Plus, I am not sure i like my haircut, so I am constantly worried I look like a freak with poofy bad hair.
8. Since the weather is so warm there is no chance for a snow day.
7. I had a girl pass out in my classroom an hour ago...and I had to catch her...to keep her from hitting her head on a bookshelf.
6. Because I had to catch the girl, I hurt my back. I feel like I pulled all the muscles on my left side from the momentum of her falling.
5. My husband is in meetings all day so I can't even tell him about what happened today. Just hearing his voice sometimes makes me feel better.
4. Because the weather has been so "blah," I, in turn, have been "blah" so I haven't done yoga in three days...and my body can tell.
3. There has been no really goo TV on for weeks because of the writer's strike. Sure, Lost came back (whoch thrilled me), but I watched Pushing Daisies on Wednesdays...and now what do I have? American Idol and The Moment of Truth. Super.
2. I have realized that there are many people at my work who do less than me and make more money (okay, so I have known this for a while, but today it irritates me.)

And the number one reason I am in a bad mood today...

The kids are driving my crazy. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but these kids are on my ever loving nerve. Complaining, sleeping, not doing work, rumor spreading, bullying...you name it and they are doing it. I think they need a snow day more than any of us so they can get it all out of their system and come back ready to finish out the year.

There. I feel better now. I will feel even better after a good yoga session and a couple of glasses of wine. Maybe tomorrow I will have ten reasons to be in a good mood...

Well...at least two :-)

A Few of My Favorite (Girly) Things...

2008-02-04T21:28:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a high maintanance kind of girl. I don't wear a lot of make-up, I don't get "gussied up" often, and I don't care much about latest fashion. I go for simple, easy beauty regimans...and the easier the better. I wanted to share with all of you a few of my favorite things when it comes to beauty products.

First of all, for any of you ladies who have the oily skin problem (I posted about it earlier in the school year), I have found a skin regiman that works. This regiman worked so well that it has actually trained my skin not to be as oily during the day.

1. Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash
2. Origins United State Toner
3. Origins Matte Scientist Lotion

My favorite make-up products are not the expensive kind. Instead, I stick to the basics (and I mean basics--this is the extent of what I wear. If I am going out I may throw on some eyeshadow, but that is rare):

1. Maybelline Full and Soft Mascara in brown (I've tried the Covergirl LashExact and it is okay, but I like this better.)
2. Covergirl Fresh Look Pressed Powder
3. Maybelline ExpertWear eyeliner in chesnut brown
4. Blistex Lip Infusion Moisture Splash (I love this stuff...and it is so inexpensive. It works like a gloss but hydrates like chapstick. It's fantastic!)

I am always on the search for the perfect lotion. Although I love Suave products during the summer because they are lightweight, I need something more heavy-duty in the winter.

1. Origins Ginger Rush Intensely Hydrating Cream (the texture is fantastic and the smell is amazing. It is, hands down, the best lotion I have ever used. It is a bit pricy, but it is worth it. I don't throw my money around lightly, so this stuff is really worth it! Unfortunately, it is only available during the holidays. I linked the gift set...it's good, too.)
2. Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme (we all get dry heels. This stuff really gets into them and softens them up. It's great)

My hair is a pain in the butt. It is naturally frizzy/wavy/curly...but not all in one spot, so I have to do a lot with it in regards to getting it to stay down. I also tend to want to pull my hair up by the end of the day because it gets grimy (hazard of fine hair). Oddly enough, I found some relief in a place I would have never thought to look:

1. Head and Shoulders Smooth and Silky Shampoo (I have never had a reason to try this shampoo before, but I saw a commercial with a lady who goes to put her hair up in a ponytail halfway through work only to realize that she didn't need to. That's when I thought, "what the heck...it can't hurt)
2. Head and Shoulders Smooth and Silky Conditioner
3. Pantene Frizz Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray (This works well in the summer months. It doesn't defend as much against the rain as I would like, but it is a good product)
4. Sunsilk Antipoof Creme

And all ladies like to smell nice. Where do I turn? You guessed it...Origins :-)

1. Origins Ginger Essense Intensified Fragrence (great size and price...you can carry it with you, so that helps.)

So, there you have it. Some of Shan's favorite girly things. Hope you enjoyed!

This Just In...

2008-01-31T06:25:00.000-05:00

Today I am going to talk about Brittany Spears. Why? Because it seems that everyone else is talking about her and I don't want to be left out.

Honestly, though, I am so tired of hearing her name on television. It's like every time she looks crossed-eyed at someone we have to know about it.

The whole situation is sad and so very new... she was such a "sweet, inoocent" star and she has gone terribly wrong...wait. That's not new at all. That happens ALL THE TIME! Stars go wrong all the time. They get help (or not) and we all move on with our lives.

But what really fired me up was that my local news station did "breaking news" this morning. The breaking news? That Brittany Spears was rushed to the hospital again last night because she is a danger to herself and others.

Really? That's the best breaking news you've got? We have troops fighting in war, millions of people in poverty, wildfires in Texas, the Presidential race...and all they can come up with is Brittany Spears?

Honestly. What has happened to the United States that a has been pop star takes more air time than Presidential hopefuls?

The Two Hour Delay

2008-01-15T05:38:00.000-05:00

Well, winter is back. Very winter, in fact. It was only 30 yesterday and they are saying 31 today. And it will be only 19 on Saturday. We have had snow for the last couple of days, but not enough to really be what the weather guys would call a "significant event." It has been enough, though, to make the roads a little dicey, so we were all sure we would have an hour delay or be closed today.

Instead, we get a 2 hour delay.

Let me tell you why I think that is the dumbest thing EVER.

1. That means that our classes will be (at most) 20 minutes long today...except 4th period which will last for 2 hours because it is the lunch block. It is impossible to get ANYTHING done in 18 minutes...much less get anything done with 30 teenagers who are pissed off about not having a snow day in 18 minutes. And fourth period will feel like it goes on FOR-EV-ER.

2. We have 5 snow days worked into our calendar this year. we have never had that before--and they used to call us off for every flake it seemed, making our school year longer. This year the county is found of these two hour delays...have had two 2 hour delays and one day off. Go ahead and close it if you think it is bad enough to have a two hour delay.

I know that those of you who go to work in bad weather hate the fact that I am even entertaining the notion of complaining, but trust me...if you tried to function on this schedule, you would see why it gets a little crazy and weird. The kids were all convinced we would be off today (I didn't think we would be, but, at this point, I wish they would just call it already) and that makes for a fun filled day.

Until next time...

Playoffs!

2008-01-12T19:36:00.001-05:00

GO PACK GO!

Springtime...in January?

2008-01-08T13:02:00.000-05:00

Last Wednesday our high was 16 degrees. Thursday it was 19 degrees.

Yesterday's high? 66 degrees. Today's high? 67 degrees...we may even hit a new record.

Our normal high? 38 degrees.

Anyone else freaked out by this? We had nearly three inches of snow Wednesday and today they are calling for he possibility of severe storms--not winter storms, but thunderstorms.

What the hell is going on here?

My grandpa told us that he had not seen a summer as dry as our last one since the Great Depression. Oddly enough the record highs for the last two days were set in the 1930's. What also happened during the 1930's? Oh, that's right...The Great Depression.

TJ says this is strange and it makes him believe a little less in global warming. He says that if it has happened before (before global warming was an issue) then there has to be another reason.

I think it is creepy that they dry summer and now the unusually warm winter coincides with the Great Depression.

Let's hope that nothing else coincides with it as well.

Blogger Funk

2008-01-07T06:26:00.000-05:00

That is what I have been in for the last month. I have had nothing to say and (sadly) I haven't visited any of my lovely blogger friends! I have a few ideas brewing, though--hopefully in a couple of days I will be back to my normal, chatty, floating around everywhere self.

Until then, have a great Monday!

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-26T10:24:00.000-05:00

I know I have not posted in almost two weeks (it's been crazy here--our school semester ending, we had my family here Sunday for an early Christmas, TJ has relatives in town), but I wanted to take the time to say that I hope everyone has had a great holiday season.

It is this time of year that the people I know (even ones I don't know very well) become very important...and I hope each day that you all are happy, healthy and relaxed because I know you all deserve it!

I promise that I won't wait two weeks to post again!

I Swear, Noah is Coming...

2007-12-15T12:49:00.000-05:00

Here in Kentucky it has rained for (no joke) five straight days. It started on Saturday and didn't stop until Thursday afternoon. It was actually 67 degrees on Tuesday. 67 degrees in Kentucky in December is outrageous. But by Wednesday we were in the low 40'2 and today we are in the low 30's (with snow, freezing rain and sleet--it's super fantastic)

As I sit here and realized that I am probably stuck inside for a couple of days, I realize that is probably a good thing. I really don't need to be out in the weather, but we all know that Christmas is coming and I haven't finished shopping yet. That is unusual for me--I am usually finished way early and am relaxed about the season by now, but this year I am behind. Partially because I wasn't going shopping in the torrential downpours we have had the last five days...nothing is more miserable than shopping wet.

So, I am in for the day...possible the weekend.

And the pretty snow we had this morning has switched over to icky cold rain.

So I am going to patiently wait for the rain and snow to subside so I can go out again...

...or maybe I'll ask Noah for a ride when he comes by...I think we'll be boarding two by two here shortly.

Have a great Saturday.

How NOT to Teach Work Ethic

2007-12-13T06:20:00.000-05:00

I will admit...time has gotten away from me. I had no idea that a week had passed since I last posted. Between being busy at work (end of the semester) and busy at home (decorating for Christmas...I'll post pictures sometime) i just haven't had a lot of blogging time..

But now I have some...and this post topic has been plaguing me for a week, so it could get a little "soap boxy." I apologize in advance.

As a freshman teacher, I feel it is my responsibility to teach kids work ethic, responsibility and self motivation. I also think they need to learn how to plan things for the long term as well as the short. I have teachers who rely on these kids being whipped into shape by the time they become sophomores, juniors and seniors, and I take that very seriously. I don't want to send horrible kids on to the higher grades because they just won't make it.

I am notorious for high expectations. High as in I think all kids can get at least a C if they try and I expect them to turn their work in (which, for some kids, is the hardest thing of all). I tell all the kids and all the parents this at the start of the year.

This year things started out great. The kids did their work, they passed all their tests, they brought all their stuff to class...it was like teacher heaven. I was so optimistic about the rest of the year.

And I shouldn't have been.

Second quarter has been horrible. I have two classes that have class averages below a 70. I have one class in which over half the class refused to do a presentation...they had a month to get ready. Kids have stopped turning in work, they are failing tests, etc. I gave them numerous opportunities to make up work (the whole time following our late work policy of one day late for 70% and a up to a week late for 50%), but few ever did it.

I was genuinely concerned because I thought it was something I was doing. So I asked them about it. You know what they said? They had better things to do and they, they were lazy, they didn't really want to do it, and they were just too busy to complete their work.

Excuse me? Too busy? You're 14.

Anyway, I went to the administration about it. You know what I was told? That apparently my teaching work ethic wasn't working and I needed to think about giving kids the opportunity to make up all their work for nearly full credit.

Once again...EXCUSE ME?

I was livid when I left the office. I couldn't understand why I was the only one who could see what was happening...You want to know why these kids have no work ethic? Because they never had to. Because this is the same old song and dance that they have done for years...the students know that if they don't do their work, the teachers will have to give them a million opportunities to do it.

Hell, if my electric company kept giving me extra time to pay my bill without penalty why would I ever pay it on time?

I refused to do it. I will probably get pulled back into an office one day soon so I can be asked what "I" am going to do about "my" failures.

My failures, huh? I think I have done all my work (on time) and I know I have bent over backwards to help these kids. I check email from home, keep two websites maintained for handouts, keep a blog for parents and a myspace page for kids...not to mention the fact that I spend more time at school than I do at home.

It's time for someone to ask the kids what they are going to do about their grades...and maybe, just maybe, we can start teaching them that work ethic is something they all need...now and in the future...

Because the electric company isn't nearly as forgiving as we are forced to be.

Thursday Thirteen #7

2007-12-06T06:35:00.000-05:00

I am always on the lookout for new books to read and I often check Barnes and Noble's bestseller list to try to get some ideas. Today's Thursday Thirteen topic:

The Top 13 Bestselling Books on Barnes and Noble's Website:

1.Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

2. For One More Day by Mitch Albom

3. T Is for Trespass by Sue Grafton

4. Just in Time by Rachael Ray

5. Boom! by Tom Brokaw

6. Good Dog. Stay. by Anna Quindlen

7. Christmas with Paula Deen by Paula Deen

8. The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn Iggulden

9. The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz

10. Jim Cramer's Stay Mad for Life by James J. Cramer

11. An Inconvenient Book by Glenn Beck

12. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

13. Star Wars by Matthew Reinhart

Sadly, I have no tread any of these. Have you?

Wordless Wednesday

2007-12-05T07:05:00.001-05:00

Not So Wordless Wednesday :-)

2007-12-05T06:56:00.000-05:00

Today is our first snow day of the year. Although I usually very much enjoy the surprise day off, I am a little miffed this morning. For a few reasons.

1. We have Christmas (oops, I mean WINTER) break in two weeks--which means we have plenty of time off here soon.

2. I am already out tomorrow for a professional development--which means I won't see my students until Friday.

3. I took off Monday for some much needed sanity time--it's what I like to call the "mental health" day. if I had known that we would be off today I would have saved the sick day.

4. They waited until 6:43 to call us off this morning. Why does that upset me? Because I was already on my way to work. I take all back roads so I couldn't wait any longer. TJ called me and told me to turn around. They had been calling for it to get worse throughout the morning so I don't understand why they didn't delay us early and then switch it to a closure if needed. I know a bunch of people were on their way to work already.

5. I wasted a very good hair day :-) (That's such a girly thing to say...)

Go Elf Yourself!

2007-11-30T18:12:00.000-05:00

OfficeMax apparently is looking for a way to bring some holiday cheer to its customers online and I must say that it worked for me. There is nothing quite as fun (or easy) this holiday season than Elfing Yourself! All you do is click start and it walks you through the process--you upload your photos, adjust them as needed and you have your elves. You can make as few as one and as many as four.

Click here to see (from left to right) my brother's best friend (Nathan), my brother (Eric), me and my hubby (TJ).

It may take some time to load but it is worth it! If you do one, share it with us! (If I can figure out how to imbed it here I will...)

Happy Holidays!

Thursday Thirteen #6

2007-11-29T06:18:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Things I Do To Relax...

1. Yoga (this has helped me so much...I am not nearly as stressed)

2. Read (a good book can keep me relaxed for hours)

3. Watch random movies (nothing better than watching a movie you've already seen)

4. Watch TV (there are so many good shows on right now!)

5. Blog :-) (what can I say?)

7. Take a long hot bath (the whirlpool tub was the greatest thing we had put in our house)

6. Have a glass of wine (I love a good class of wine every now and then...)

7. Sit by the fire (we have a gas fireplace and it is so cozy...as long as I don't think of the cost!)

8. Shop! (I don't really shop...I look a lot, but rarely buy, and that is relaxing)

9. Talk to family (sometimes they can relax me more than anyone)

10. Sleep (what's more relaxing than this?)

11. Crochet (I start this up this time of year)

12. Jazz music (it's so mellow I love it)

13. Play X-Box 360 (laugh if you must but there is something therapeutic about blowing stuff up)

Heads or Tails Tuesday/Wordless Wednesday

2007-11-28T06:24:00.000-05:00

Since I missed Heads or Tails yesterday I thought I would combine the two memes

Yesterday's topic? Mark. :-)

My Frustration Today

2007-11-26T20:54:00.000-05:00

I have been relatively calm ever since I started taking yoga. I have realized that nothing is really worth stressing over because it will all work itself out. I find that I am less tired, less stressed and less negative overall and I like that about myself...and I like the fact that I can carry that with me...most of the time.

But today I am frustrated because I am tired of working so hard while others at my job half ass it...and get the same amount (if not more) money than I do.

Here is what set me off today.

I was looking through my rosters at school and noticed that a girl was missing. So I looked her up on our school wide computer system and she was marked as a withdrawal. I was frustrated because she has two our our English textbooks (at about $75 each) and I didn't sign any withdraw papers. Between classes I ran to the restroom and who was there but the girl that has been withdrawn. I thought this was strange so I emailed our counseling department. Their answer? They withdrew the wrong student.

Excuse me? How do you do that? Especially when they students' names aren't even the same? Sure, their last names were, but their first names weren't...so how in the HELL do you do that? This means that I have to go back (when they re-enter her into our system) and put in all of her grades again...about 30 or so of them. That will take forever.

I am tempted to hand the hard copy of my grade book to the counselors and let them re-enter all her grades.

But they would probably give them to the wrong student...

with a totally different name.

I'm Confused

2007-11-23T09:33:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving yesterday. I know I had a great day...with the exception of cooking through most of the Packers game and missing some of it...but, other than that, it was great.

Now, onto the reason for the post.

After everyone left yesterday I sat down to relax in front of my TV. Of course there were a million ads for early shopping specials this morning. I don't shop the day after Thanksgiving unless it is late in the afternoon. No sale is ever big enough for me to go out in those crowds. TJ and I went one year and it was too crazy. I waited in line to check out for nearly an hour...and the whole time I was thinking I could still be in bed.

But I digress (what else is new?)

One of the things I saw on TV last night was a promo for a special news report. They prefaced it with the fact that Black Friday was today and so many people would be out shopping and they felt that the public should know important information about the malls that they may go to. The information? The malls that are most likely to be targeted by thieves. I know that if I were going out at 4 this morning and a mall was on my stop, I think I would probably want to know which areas have had the highest crime rate. Let's face it, people can be crazy on Black Friday and if a news station had information that may keep me safe I would want it.

But I would have to wait, you see, because they aren't airing the show until Sunday night.

Does that make any sense to anyone? They pull me into this idea with the mention of Black Friday shopping but they won't give any information until Sunday...a day where very few people are going to rush out and go shopping.

If the news really wanted to help Black Friday shoppers they would have aired the special report last night, but they didn't. It's all about gaining viewers. And that is why the news irritates me so much--it's never really about delivering the news we need when we need it. Instead, it's about delivering news and reports when they can get the best ratings.

And that is just wrong.

Wordless Wednesday (Green Bay Edition)

2007-11-21T20:28:00.001-05:00

See You Tuesday!

2007-11-15T22:53:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm going to be away from the blog for a couple of days--I am taking a trip to Green Bay to watch (you guessed it) the Packers play Carolina! Hooray!

I will update you all with stories, pictures and other lovely things when I come back...just in time for Heads or Tails Tuesday!

:-)

Heads or Tails Tuesday!

2007-11-13T06:23:00.000-05:00

Hooray! I'm back in the game. I have missed the last couple of weeks because of various (lame) excuses, but that is the past...today I am all in!

So, the topic of the day is road. That got me thinking about Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken" (why? because I teach it every year and it is permanently stuck in my head.). When he wrote that poem he was, of course, talking about the choices that we make in our lives and how some are difficult to make because they are a choice others may not make and so on and so on. It's one of my favorites for many reasons. I love the symbolism, I love the rhythm and I love the rhyme scheme that he chose. Oddly enough, though, he never once had to rhyme anything with the word "road." That got me thinking about what he could have used in his fabulous rhyming pattern if he had to rhyme with the word "road."

According to RhymeZone, here are Robert Frost's choices had he needed to rhyme anything with road...

blowed, bode, bowed, brode, coad, code, crowed, flowed, gloede, glowed, goad, goedde, goede, grode, knode, knowed, load, lode, moad, mode, moede, mowed, node, ode, owed, rhoad, rhode, rode, roed, rohde, rowed, sewed, showed, shrode, slowed, snowed, sowed, stowed, strode, thode, toad, toed, towed, abode, bar code, bell toad, bestowed, bestrode, busload, c-code, case load, church mode, coed, commode, corrode, dead load, decode, encode, erode, explode, forebode, greek mode, health code, horned toad, implode, kanode, live load, lymph node, m-code, methode, morse code, out-mode, outmode, plateaued, reload, ribbed toad, sa node, source code, tailed toad, tree toad, true toad, unbowed, unload, zip code, agua toad, a la mode, building code, choral ode, color code, fire code, legal code, machine code, midwife toad, object code, order code, overflowed, overrode, penal code, postal code, secret code, texas toad, western toad, write in code, area code, ascending node, binary code, computer code, descending node, ethical code, horatian ode, medieval mode, musical mode, pindaric ode, southwestern toad, surinam toad, american toad, eurasian green toad, european toad, gregorian mode, operation code, pacific tree toad, yosemite toad, american green toad, error correction code, asynchronous transfer mode, ecclesiastical mode, international morse code, universal product code, south american poison toad

I am suddenly thankful that he didn't have to rhyme with "road." Somehow I don't think talking about the"asynchronous transfer mode" would have impacted me (or millions of others) as much.

Happy Tuesday!

How to Throw a Party...

2007-11-10T07:25:00.000-05:00

Last week was my birthday...my 30th birthday. When my husband turned 30, I took him to New York to see Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden. He said that it was a great present, but he really wanted a party. What he didn't know was that I had been secretly planning a surprise party for months. I had it 3 weeks after his birthday and the pictures we got of him when he walked in were priceless. He said it was the best party ever and that I had better watch it because when I turned 30, he was going to go all out. I told him I didn't need a surprise party, but a party would be great.

As my birthday approached, I was hoping that we could have a party the day after my birthday--I turned 30 on a Friday, so Saturday night seemed like the perfect solution. He was going to be gone the next weekend and he had already told me we were going out of town the weekend after, so it was going to have to be Saturday, November 3rd.

So, imagine my depression when I got an email in October saying that his company was going to have a "customer meet and greet" on November 3rd. And he had to go. And so did I. This was an email forwarded from his boss, so I had no reason to suspect anything at all. He said he was in charge of bringing the Red Bull because his customers love it.

I was so pissed. I'm not going to lie--pissed. I let go a string of profanity and told him we would just have a party on Friday. His response? "No one will come. Friday is a bad day for everyone." Excuse me? No one would come? That does a lot for a girl's self esteem--nice to think that none of my friends or family would come celebrate my birthday with me. Jerk. This should have been clue number one that something was up.

I emailed some friends and asked if they wanted to go out the weekend after to celebrate (since TJ was being a jerk) and they all had things to do. That was odd to me...and that should have been clue number two.

As the day approached, I got more and more angry. I did not want to go to this thing. I hate his company functions. I have to dress nice (not work nice but "I'm out to impress someone" nice). I have to smile a lot, and no one EVER talks to me. It's horrible...try being in a room where everyone talks (passionately) about metal wall panels and metal roof panels. It's super fun. So I am sure you can see why I was not overly pleased. And everyone heard about it--my friends and work, my mom (who bore the brunt of my complaining) and, of course, my husband. I kept saying "How would you have felt if you didn't get a party?" He just stopped talking about it and said we had to go and that was that.

Well, on Saturday at 9 in the morning, TJ"s uncle calls. His uncle never calls unless he wants something. Sure enough--computer problem. Great. He hates when people call about computer problems, so I knew that would put him in a bad mood. It didn't--and that should have been clue number three. He was golfing that morning, so my mom and I went shopping. I kept complaining and she kept saying "maybe you'll have fun." And that, my friends, should have been clue number four.

That night I was getting ready to get in the shower to go and the phone rang. My dad called...with a computer problem. I was wondering what the odds were that his uncle and my dad could both have computer problems on the same day. This should have been clue number five.

We get 0n the road and I was sulking. But, I felt something was up. he was really nervous...and it was his work thing. He talked a lot on the way to the place...he doesn't talk a lot in the car. As we got off the exit, he made a comment that he forgot the Red Bull so he made a phone call. I thought nothing of it. We pull into the valet and the guy asks what even we were here for...TJ tells him the name of the company and what floor and the valet shrugs and says "we've got that down as a birthday party." Huh? Clue number six...could it be? But, when we walked into the lobby there was a sign for his work function, so I put it out of my head...better to not be disappointed, right?

In the elevator, he was a mess...which should have really clued me in. As we rounded the corner, I saw everyone (before they saw me) and knew what he had done. He had pulled off an amazing, huge and way too expensive (TJ...are you reading this?) party...all for me. My family was there, my work friends were there, friends from out of town were there...everyone.

And EVERYONE was in on it.

He had my mom and dad find old pictures and he made an invitation out of them...and a slide show (which means that everyone I know knows what a dork I was growing up). My best work friend (Leann) was in charge of gathering up the work people, another two colleague's husbands helped, my friend Gini conspired with TJ (turns out he spent more time at her work than at his own in the last month apparently), Nicole came down from Columbus (and she was my drink fairy all night...the wine was flowing freely), we got my brother to dance (whiskey shots will do that to him), and even my rhythm deficient husband tried to bust a move. Gini and Nicole had a cake made to match the windmill from Moulin Rouge (since it is my all time favorite movie) and the DJ (yes, he even hired a DJ) played our favorite songs all night long. My only regret? i don't think we had him play "Celebration" (and Nicole, you know that would have been awesome) :-)

I know that I didn't look too surprised (I've seen the video--and boy, do I wish some of that was not on tape), but I really was. If the valet hadn't said anything, I would have never known, but he raised my suspicions a little...and I don't show surprise well...I think it is because I never really want to be the center of attention...and the thought that everyone came together like that for me was a little overwhelming. He really went all out...and it was so fun.

I have a great husband, great family and great friends, and thanks to them I could face 30 with a little less depression and a little more Pinot Grigio...oops...I mean grace and dignity.

Thursday Thirteen #5

2007-11-08T06:21:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Reasons I Haven't Posted in A While...

1. I turned thirty last week and I slipped into a bit of a "farewell 20's" depression.

2. Last Tuesday (the 30th) was parent/teacher night at school. I was there for over 14 hours, so I didn't feel like posting (although I miss Heads or Tails!)

3. I went out shopping with my mom on Wednesday and we didn't get home until late.

4. Thursday I tried to post in the morning but Blogger was being glitchy so I lost the whole thing.

5. Friday was my birthday, and I did post (but nothing groundbreaking), but I was too depressed about being 30 to post much more.

6. Saturday I was recovering from the shock of my fabulous husband surprising me with Green Bay Packers tickets (yes, you read that right--he got me tickets to see the Packers at Lambeau!)

7. Sunday I was recovering from my surprise birthday party that my husband and all my family and friends conspired to throw for me.

8. Monday I spent a lot of time cleaning my house and thinking about blogging.

9. Tuesday I was sick. I sat around all day and watched random movies (like The Sandlot and Big Daddy).

10. Yesterday I was going to do Wordless Wednesday in the morning but TJ needed me to take him to work in the morning because he was leaving on a trip. I didn't even have time to log on to my computer!

11. Last night I actually had to grade some papers. I am so far behind (because I did nothing last weekend).

12. My brain has actually not had any big cohesive thoughts in a few days--I think I am still reeling from the tickets, the party and the big 3-0.

13. I'm lame.

Celebrate!

2007-11-02T06:23:00.000-04:00

Well, it's official...today is my birthday.

How old am I? (Don't you know you should never ask a lady her age?)...

But, since you asked so nicely, I will tell you that today I am celebrating the first anniversary of my 29th birthday...

:-)

And next year, it will be the second anniversary.

I think this is a brilliant plan. Don't you?

Happy Friggin' Halloween...

2007-10-28T11:12:00.000-04:00

When I was a kids, I loved Halloween--what kid wouldn't? You got to play dress-up, stay up passed your bedtime and go around getting free candy. It was amazing. My grandma used to make all my costumes for me, so I always had something original...and amazing. I was a gypsy one year, The Greatest American Hero another, a saloon girl, a bride, and various other nifty things. I loved it--I would want to wear my costume all the time and I thought it was great.

But now, for me, Halloween has lost it's fun.

TJ and I went to a Halloween party last night. These people went all out--they decorated more for Halloween than I do for Christmas. It was cool, don't get me wrong--they had their walls covered, their bathroom was a morgue, they had dry ice and smoke machines...the works. It was obvious that they put a lot of time and effort into this (hell, they had the animated life-size creepy butler from the Adam's Family...and she said that was their Sweetest Day present to each other...they really like Halloween).

The invitation said that everyone dresses up in their best costumes...and, based on what I saw last night, they do. I literally groaned when I saw that on the invitation, though--first of all, I hate dressing up. Second of all, Halloween costumes are expensive--I rarely pay $50.00 on actual clothes...why would I pay that for something that I will never wear again? Last, but not least...have you SEEN costumes for women at the stores? Most of them make us look like we charge by the hour. Honestly--Playboy has a line of costumes out now...what says "trick-or-treat" better than the lonely milk maid?

But, the invitation said I had to have a costume...

...So, I bought a cat mask for $3.99.

Thursday Thirteen #5

2007-10-25T06:26:00.000-04:00

13 Movies that Creep Me Out (But I watch them anyway)

1. Psycho
2. Pet Semetary
3. Christine
4. Poltergeist
5. The Exorcist
6. Nightmare on Elm Street
7. Halloween
8. Child's Play
9. It
10. Arachnophobia
11. 1408
12. Carrie
13. Silence of the Lambs

Merci, Marci!

2007-10-24T18:38:00.000-04:00

Marci, from The Myriad Musings of Marci, has bestowed upon me the Community Blogger Award! Check it out:

I want to thank Marci for giving me this award. It means a great deal to have someone say that you are part of something bigger than yourself, and I think this award does just that.

I am going to pass this award on to people at a later time...but I wanted to thank Marci...and brag, of course :-)

Wordless Wednesday!

2007-10-24T06:21:00.000-04:00

Heads or Tails Tuesday!

2007-10-23T06:19:00.000-04:00

Today's topic is "train."

I know that Skittles did this with her hubby in mind (smile) because he likes trains. My uncle was also a model train fanatic...he even sets up a Christmas display at a local museum each year and he travels to model train conventions (did anyone else know that they had those?), but although I now which "train" inspired today's topic, it got me to thinking about one of the main reasons that the English language is so hard to learn.

I looked up "train" on dictionary.com...and here is what I found:

train–noun
1. Railroads. a self-propelled, connected group of rolling stock.
2. a line or procession of persons, vehicles, animals, etc., traveling together.
3. Military. an aggregation of vehicles, animals, and personnel accompanying an army to carry supplies, baggage, ammunition, etc.
4. a series or row of objects or parts.
5. Machinery. a connected set of three or more rotating elements, usually gears, through which force is transmitted, or motion or torque changed.
6. order, esp. proper order: Matters were in good train.
7. something that is drawn along; a trailing part.
8. an elongated part of a skirt or robe trailing behind on the ground.
9. a trail or stream of something from a moving object.
10. a line or succession of persons or things following one after the other.
11. a body of followers or attendants; retinue.
12. a series of proceedings, events, ideas, etc.
13. the series of results or circumstances following or proceeding from an event, action, etc.; aftermath: Disease came in the train of war.
14. a succession of connected ideas; a course of reasoning: to lose one's train of thought.
15. Astronomy.
a.the trace of light created by a meteor falling through the earth's atmosphere.
b.the tail of a comet.
16. a line of combustible material, as gunpowder, for leading fire to an explosive charge.
17. Physics. a succession of wave fronts, oscillations, or the like.

–verb (used with object)
18. to develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of (a child or other person) by discipline and instruction: to train an unruly boy.
19. to make proficient by instruction and practice, as in some art, profession, or work: to train soldiers.
20. to make (a person) fit by proper exercise, diet, practice, etc., as for an athletic performance.
21. to discipline and instruct (an animal), as in the performance of tasks or tricks.
22. to treat or manipulate so as to bring into some desired form, position, direction, etc.: to train one's hair to stay down.
23. Horticulture. to bring (a plant, branch, etc.) into a particular shape or position, by bending, pruning, or the like.
24. to bring to bear on some object; point, aim, or direct, as a firearm, camera, telescope, or eye.
25. to entice; allure.

–verb (used without object)
26. to give the discipline and instruction, drill, practice, etc., designed to impart proficiency or efficiency.
27. to undergo discipline and instruction, drill, etc.
28. to get oneself into condition for an athletic performance through exercise, diet, practice, etc.
29. to travel or go by train: to train to New York.

Did you catch that? 29 possible definitions for the word train (some of which I have never even thought about...honestly..."train your hair?). Imagine if you are new to the language and someone uses this word--and you have to figure out which of the 29 definitions that person meant.

So, the next time you have what you think to be a simple word in front of you--look it up. You may just find the opposite to be true.

Why Is It...

2007-10-21T20:52:00.001-04:00

Why is it okay for people to badger married women about when they are going to have babies? When did it really become any one's business but the married couples'? Honestly...

I was at a baby shower yesterday. I don't mind going to showers...it's fun, really, to see people and to play cheesy games and to see how happy the mother-to-be is. I don't mind that part...at all. What I do mind is the way that everyone starts grilling me about when TJ and I are going to have babies.

"Oh, Shan, won't it be nice when this is your shower?"

"Oh, Shan, won't you just be so cute when you're pregnant?"

"Shan, when are you going to have a baby?"

"Whoever wins the next shower game has the next baby...Shn, looks like you're winning!"

Really...I get it. We've been married for five years, I am getting ready to turn (gulp) thirty, and we built a house with kids in mind...but we aren't ready to take that step yet. I know people say you are never really ready...but TJ and I are smart enough to know that we are REALLY not ready...we have things we want to do for us first. We've talked about it an we know what we want to do...

It just seems that many other people don't get that.

And, while I am at it, why is it okay for perfect strangers to rub a pregnant woman's belly? You don't do that to non-pregnant women, do you? So, pregnant ladies, here is a bit of advice for you: next time someone you don't know touches your belly...do it back to them. Se how well they like it!

Auntie Em, Auntie Em!

2007-10-19T06:23:00.001-04:00

Wow--we just had an interesting weather night here in Rambling Shan land...

Last night I was lounging on my couch trying to watch the episode of CSI that I had taped earlier. I fell asleep and woke up about 20 minutes later to a severe weather alert...first of all, interesting that my DVR is overridden when there is a sever weather alert. Second of all, holy cow...this was a massive storm...and it was headed right for us. I have never seen so much red in a storm in all my life...

And it came with tornado warnings.

So TJ and I start making all the necessary precautions--we called my parents (because we knew they were sleeping and unaware of the impending storm), got the weather radio, got the flashlight and candles ready, unplugged all of out major electronic devices, grabbed the dogs' leashes and waited. As we watched the news they said there were 100 MPH winds and hail up to 2 inches. This storm was dropping rain at a speed of 2 inches an hour (and considering we haven't had much rain around here, this is a lot--and could cause some major problems). The lightening that was going on outside was creepy--it was like someone was bombing the apartment complex across from us...the sky just kept lighting up.

We both sat in bed and continued to watch the news and around 11:30, a tornado warning was issued for our area. We grabbed shoes and the weather radio, grabbed the dogs and headed down to the basement, ready for anything. We sat on the floor watching the weather and waiting.

Just as soon as it started, it was over--it's like the storm just lost something. We were relieved and went back upstairs (well, most of us...for some reason Gizmo refused to walk back up the stairs so TJ had to go and carry him up.)

We slept with the weather radio on since the weather guy said that the storms would last through the night and that they were all capable of tornadoes. Needless to say, neither of us got much sleep...and now I am working my way through coffee and plan on more caffeine throughout the day. It was an odd night and I am glad that it is over. Hopefully tonight will be more peaceful.

Thursday Thirteen #4

2007-10-18T06:18:00.000-04:00

Here is my fourth edition of Thursday Thirteen...

Thirteen Things That Make Me Happy (in no particular order)

My family. Sure, my brother used to drive me crazy and I always thought my parents were over protective, but that's what families do. I couldn't have made it this far without them!

My husband. Things aren't always smooth sailing (are they in any marriage?), but we are happy together and we support each other, so that's all that matters.

My friends. I lost tough with a lot of people as I grew up, but I also met some great people along the way. I couldn't get through those rough patches without them. They make my life a better one.

My dogs. Cheesy, I know, but they are a bright spot in my day. They are quirky and drive my crazy sometimes, but they are mine and I adore them.

Yoga. I discovered it about six months ago. I wasn't sure if I would like it or if it would be the thing for me, but it turns out that it is. I am happy to work out again and I feel better than I have in years. It gives me balance to what could be crazy days.

Good jazz music. I discovered jazz when I was in high school and fell in love with it. It is soothing and relaxing and fabulous. And when I say good jazz, I don't mean Kenny G...

Gevalia Coffee. This has turned me into a coffee snob--I won't drink anything else unless I have to...

Unexpected snow days. I'm a teacher--there is nothing better than waking up and being surprised by the fact it snowed overnight and you don't have to go anywhere.

Sunshine. I know that it's bad for you, but I love sitting out and letting the sun hit my face.

My whirlpool tub. This was the one thing I was firm about having when we built or house...and it is fabulous on those unexpected snow days.

Movies. I watch a ton of them--and I watch a lot of them over and over again. They take me to other places and I love that.

Barnes and Noble...yes, in general, that store makes me happy. I could spend hours in there. The atmosphere is fantastic and I love the fact that I can browse and browse and browse.

Football season. I love it...I spend my Sundays watching games and hoping my beloved Packers win...

I know there are more things that make me exceedingly happy, but the meme is Thursday Thirteen, so I'll leave it at that.

Wordless Wednesday!

2007-10-17T06:23:00.000-04:00

Today, In a Word, Sucked.

2007-10-16T21:16:00.000-04:00

So, you all know I have not been feeling well since my trip to the ER on Saturday. I tried to get in to see the doctor yesterday (since I was off), and they had no appointments. So, like a trooper, I went to work today...and felt horrible. The pain when I try to breath in is horrible. So, I call my doctor AGAIN, and (miraculously) they have an appointment for 4.

Sweet Relief...or so I though.

So I leave work early, come home, relax, go to the doctor and he says he knows exactly what the problem is and that he would call in a prescription for some steroids that will bring down the inflammation. Thank God...I left the office at 4:45 feeling like the trip was worth it.

I was wrong.

Here I am, at 9:20...and still no medicine. Why? Because my doctor apparently forgot to call it in. So that means that I get to go back to work tomorrow in just as much pain as I went toady. TJ says stay home...I can't--I have too much to do tomorrow and I just can't stay home.

So I have literally been in tears for over an hour now...out of frustration, pain, anger and everything else that goes along with today.

In addition, I just found out that the weekend of my birthday (my big 30) I don't get to have a party or a family get together or do what I want to do...instead I get to go to a work function with TJ. Spiffy--just what I want to do. Spend my birthday weekend with people that I don't know. Great.

I bet tomorrow is just as stellar as today...considering I have no prescription and no pain medicine that comes close to making me feel better.

I can't wait.

My Hiatus

2007-10-14T15:01:00.000-04:00

Those of you who stop by on a regular basis may have noticed I haven't posted since Wednesday. I have many reasons for that, so I thought I would share with you...

A couple of weeks ago I had two major student crises to take care of. Both had okay outcomes, but I was stressed out for days. Stressed out to the point that even yoga wasn't calming me down, so I couldn't even think of anything to write about...

We reached the end of our first quarter at school which means all of our grades are due. So silly me collected 150 book reviews last Thursday and they have to be graded. They are not fun to grade nor are they quick to grade, so much of my spare time has been spent doing that.

In addition, we are on "fall break" (which is why we started so early this year...to get this lovely fall break...although my mom had Friday and Monday off, too, and they started a week after us...go figure). I have been trying to relax and regroup after the first quarter of work, so I have been catching up on some shows that I taped (Pushing Daisies, America's Next Top Model, and CSI). I have also been playing Tiger Woods '08 for X-Box 360 (I can't golf in real life, so I golf there...and I am pretty good at it.) TJ and I have also been spending some time together and my mom and I have been indulging in some shopping therapy :-)

Yesterday, I got up early and graded papers for about three hours, did some yoga, trimmed the dog's nails, and gave them baths. Around midnight TJ and I were playing Tiger Woods and I got a stabbing pain in my left chest when I breathed. It came on so sudden that it freaked me out. I figured it was just one of those things (we all have had them happen--you breath, you get a pain, you breath in real deep and it goes away). This one didn't go away, so at 12:30 this morning TJ and I were on our way to the ER.

We got there and had to wait (of course), and I finally got called back. I waited for the doctor, told him my symptoms and he said he thought it was a collapsed lung and that we needed to pray for a clear chest x-ray. Collapsed lung? That didn't sound good, so I started to freak out. And we waited...for 30 minutes to get the x-ray. The doctor came back, said it came out clean, and started trying to figure out what else it could be. He said it could be a blood clot, so he was going to order more tests. I was hooked up to a heart monitor and, and the thought of blood tests, I must have panicked because my heart-rate skyrocketed...which led him to ask if I was anxious about something. Duh...you want to stick needles in me and you think I have a blood clot...of course I am anxious!

So they ran more tests...and they all come back clean. He said he things it is skeletal muscular and sent me home...it was 4 in the morning by this time, and I was exhausted (partially because they gave me a sedative or something while I was there). Now I am on ibruprofin for the pain and I am supposed to wait it out a few days to see if it goes away. If it doesn't back to the doctor I go.

This is not exactly how I wanted to spend my fall break. I had plans of relaxation and getting some work ready for Tuesday. Now it looks like I have a whole lot of nothing planned. Maybe I'll catch up on blog visits and blog posting...who knows.

Right now I am heading back to my couch and my football game. I will swing by later to vist all of you. Have a great Sunday!

Wordless Wednesday!

2007-10-10T06:26:00.000-04:00

Family Dinners

2007-10-07T09:10:00.000-04:00

I often wonder if anyone cooks meals at home anymore. I wonder this because of how crowded restaurants are on random Tuesdays. I know that we always had dinner as a family (we called it supper then) everyday during the week. We ate at the same time everyday (six) and we all sat down together. We rarely had fast food. It was a treat if Mom or Dad stopped at McDonald's on the way home from work. This changed a little when my brother and I started working, but we still tried to eat together as much as we could.

Today, things seem much different. When I ask my students when the last time they had dinner as a family, they shrug and some say the holidays. That saddens me. This is the time when they should be enjoying being a family because soon those times will be gone.

And it isn't just my students. It's society, too. Pizza Hut has a new commercial about "dad's cooking dinner tonight" and the family walks in and dad has ordered Pizza Hut. The wife is soooo excited. In my mind I think "that isn't cooking for your family." I know that if TJ were to say he was cooking for me and I came home to Pizza Hut pizza and breadsticks, I would not run up and hug him in a passionate way. I would wonder why he couldn't take the time and effort to prepare a meal.

Bob Evans has jumped on that train, too. The scene? A big country farmhouse (complete with triangle used to call hungry farm hands). Farmer rings the triangle and yells "DINNER!" and no one comes. He continues to yell and no one comes. He rings a gong and the whole family appears next to the car...because they want stir fry at Bob Evans. What happened to the good home cooking that we usually see coming out of kitchens like that?

I will admit that I don't always love cooking or cleaning up the mess, but I like the idea of eating at home and cooking for the people that you care about. I understand the need to go out to eat every now and then, but many people go everyday...and I think that our family values and togetherness will suffer because of it. I know that TJ and I have decided that when we have a family, fast food will be a rare treat and family dinners will be common place.

I know a lot of people who have taken the fast food route and are okay with it...and if it works for them, I am not going to attack or say that it is wrong. I just think that everyone should take a few days a week to actually cook for their family. I know that it made a world of difference for me. I may not have always liked what we had for dinner, but I always liked who I shared dinner with. And I also knew that my mom had taken time out of her day to make it for me, so I felt special.

Cheesy? Maybe. Truth? Certainly.

Now that I am an adult, we still have family dinners. Every Sunday my mom and dad cook huge meals and we all go over and eat. It is great to take some time to sit together and talk and share food. It bridges any gaps that may have arisen in the week that has passed. Sometimes I take the dinner and everyone comes here. It's nice to sit down behind a plate of food that was made with love instead of with resentment. It's nice to share a meal with people I care about instead of strangers. And it's nicer still to know that it is a family tradition that will carry on through time.

Thursday Thirteen!

2007-10-04T06:27:00.000-04:00

Today's Thursday Thirteen is brought to you courtesy of the upcoming creepy Halloween "season"

My Top 13 Stephen King Books (in no particluar order)

1. The Dark Half

2. The Shining

3. The Stand

4. The Green Mile

5. Gerald's Game

6. Misery

7. It

8. Lisey's Story

9. Pet Semetary

10. Everything's Eventual

11. Insomnia

12. Carrie

13. Needful Things

Until next time!

Wordless Wednesday!

2007-10-03T06:27:00.001-04:00

Heads or Tails Tuesday!

2007-10-02T06:18:00.000-04:00

Once again it is time for Skittles' weekly meme. Today's topic? Stack (or stacks). Prepare yourself for complete randomness today...

Right now I would love a stack of pancakes (preferably my mom's or Perkin's potato ones) and I would not turn down a stack of money (I have a stack of student loans and a stack of utility bills that would benefit from the stack of money).

I often wonder about who thought of the Oreo Cookie stacking contest. I used to stack my cookies all the time before I ate them. If I had known that that stacking talent could have won me something (like that stack of money), I would have continued to randomly stack my cookies.

Every three or four years our area plays host to the Tall Stacks Festival. This is where all the huge paddle/steam boats (that have large smoke stacks) come to the Cincinnati area and you can tour the boats, listen to music and all kinds of stuff. I went there once as a kid, and I was fascinated with how huge the boats were. I think it would be even better now that I am a little older and can appreciate the history.

Speaking of smoke stacks, I can never prepare myself for the scene in Titanic when the smoke stack falls on the Italian guy. Although I know it is going to happen, I always find myself wishing he could swim away...he never does.

My brother knows how to stack a card deck. This is why I HATE playing Euchre with him. He can deal himself a loaner every time if he wanted...and he won't show my how to do it. I have no idea how he pulls it off--especially since I cut the deck all the time and watch him closely. It is so irritating...and yet I am oddly jealous.

As much as I am sure I could ramble on forever, I have to go try to tackle the stack of dishes in the sink and the stack of papers that I have to grade before Thursday.

Until next week!