Hip Hip Hooray! Three cheers for Kiu!!!!
Remember that ginormous spider that I saw a few days ago lurking in my family room? I just found it. Under my dining room table. On its back. Its legs all curled up.
DEAD! DEAD, I tell you!
The nasty hairy spider is tits up under my dining room table. No more sleeping with one eye open, no more shuddering uncontrollably and definitely no more "OCD hunting" for the dreaded spider. I think that my "hunter" cat found it scurrying around and decided to get off his lazy ass and stop it from infringing on his territory...
I happily sucked it up in the vacuum and sent it on its merry way to hell!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Creepy Crawlies
Today was an incredibly busy day. For starters, Maple Valley got like 800 feet of snow and they didn't even call it two hours late... Second of all, I tried to teach a lesson in the computer lab using paint. The kids were to use a read only document that I had created for them in order for everyone to have the same thing. Both classes were noisy and talkative and didn't listen to directions so I ended up repeating myself like three million times. And in a forty-five minute computer lab period, I think that possibly (in both classes) twelve students had completed the assignment. Talk about frustrating...
Then, after school, I had a meeting for Camp Casey at 4:00 and at 5:00 I had to be at Camp Waskowitz for a Take the Lead campaign meeting. This meeting was really great and I learned a lot about what TTL is doing for Washington teachers.
So, I get home about 7:30-ish and walk into our family room and spot the most ginormous spider I have ever seen. Now, those of you who know me know that I am absolutely PETRIFIED of spiders. This thing is HUGE and it's CRAWLING ACROSS MY FAMILY ROOM CARPET!!!!!
Crap.
I can't squish it because it's so damn big that it will crunch even if I get it with a shoe or something. The sound is enough to make you cringe. And, tissue or paper towels are completely out of the question because I actually have to get close to the damn thing. So I do what any red blooded American women would do when faced with a dilemma like this. No, I don't scream or call my neighbor to come and kill the big, bad spider, I get out the tool to do the job. Dun-dada-Daaaaa! The vacuum.
I race down the hall to the office to grab the vacuum and race back to the family room to suck up the dreaded beast.
Except... when I get back, the spider is gone.
Yeah. Gone.
Shit. Now what?
My OCD kicks in and I begin HUNTING this spider. Knowing that it's in the house is killing me. Because what if that thing crawls up my bed post and onto my bed while I'm sleeping! What if it crawls on my face? What if it crawls in my nose or, god forbid, into my mouth and I accidentally eat it???? I read somewhere once that the average person eats like 5 spiders in their sleep every year. EVERY YEAR PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!
*shivers uncontrollably*
I have to say that the spider is still at large in my house and I'm sleeping with one eye open because I'm afraid it will crawl on to my face, or, worse, into my mouth...
Then, after school, I had a meeting for Camp Casey at 4:00 and at 5:00 I had to be at Camp Waskowitz for a Take the Lead campaign meeting. This meeting was really great and I learned a lot about what TTL is doing for Washington teachers.
So, I get home about 7:30-ish and walk into our family room and spot the most ginormous spider I have ever seen. Now, those of you who know me know that I am absolutely PETRIFIED of spiders. This thing is HUGE and it's CRAWLING ACROSS MY FAMILY ROOM CARPET!!!!!
Crap.
I can't squish it because it's so damn big that it will crunch even if I get it with a shoe or something. The sound is enough to make you cringe. And, tissue or paper towels are completely out of the question because I actually have to get close to the damn thing. So I do what any red blooded American women would do when faced with a dilemma like this. No, I don't scream or call my neighbor to come and kill the big, bad spider, I get out the tool to do the job. Dun-dada-Daaaaa! The vacuum.
I race down the hall to the office to grab the vacuum and race back to the family room to suck up the dreaded beast.
Except... when I get back, the spider is gone.
Yeah. Gone.
Shit. Now what?
My OCD kicks in and I begin HUNTING this spider. Knowing that it's in the house is killing me. Because what if that thing crawls up my bed post and onto my bed while I'm sleeping! What if it crawls on my face? What if it crawls in my nose or, god forbid, into my mouth and I accidentally eat it???? I read somewhere once that the average person eats like 5 spiders in their sleep every year. EVERY YEAR PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!
*shivers uncontrollably*
I have to say that the spider is still at large in my house and I'm sleeping with one eye open because I'm afraid it will crawl on to my face, or, worse, into my mouth...
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Pusher Man
This is an email exchange that I had with my friend Tina this morning...
Tina: I have a funny story about Binta. It was HYSTERICAL! I think I am her new pusher…
Me: Uh-oh...
Tina: Yeah, she has a cold, and Tiff had given her liquid Tylenol cold stuff that was yucky tasting (I said like old socks) so I told her to make sure she gave her dimetapp; the grape kind so her ears wouldn’t pop. Binta was like I don’t like medicine. I said, this is good stuff. Like grape kool-aid. J Almost like a grape martini. Haha
So then I get a text last night that said, “From Binta” and it said something like THAT WAS A BLAST!!!!
HAHAHAHA
Yeah, a pusher.
Me: Dude, you have a new profession. Pushing cold medicine to 5 year olds. Next thing you know, you’re going to have a line outside your front door of every kindergartener with blood shot eyes, begging you for grape Dimetapp, spending their hard earned allowance on their addiction… Pretty soon the rehab centers will be teeming with 5 and 6 year old junkies…
Tina: I have a funny story about Binta. It was HYSTERICAL! I think I am her new pusher…
Me: Uh-oh...
Tina: Yeah, she has a cold, and Tiff had given her liquid Tylenol cold stuff that was yucky tasting (I said like old socks) so I told her to make sure she gave her dimetapp; the grape kind so her ears wouldn’t pop. Binta was like I don’t like medicine. I said, this is good stuff. Like grape kool-aid. J Almost like a grape martini. Haha
So then I get a text last night that said, “From Binta” and it said something like THAT WAS A BLAST!!!!
HAHAHAHA
Yeah, a pusher.
Me: Dude, you have a new profession. Pushing cold medicine to 5 year olds. Next thing you know, you’re going to have a line outside your front door of every kindergartener with blood shot eyes, begging you for grape Dimetapp, spending their hard earned allowance on their addiction… Pretty soon the rehab centers will be teeming with 5 and 6 year old junkies…
Monday, March 24, 2008
We're Actually Technology Literate!
I've been wanting wireless Internet in our house for sometime. Ed and I talked about it over the weekend and he said that I should do the research on Consumer Reports.com. I think the money I spend for a year's access is the best money I've ever spent. Well, except for wine. And beer. And chocolate covered pretzels...
So I do the research and find the one that consumer reports recommends and even find three stores that say they carry it. AND what it costs at each store. Ed really wanted to go to Frys because he's a man, but, I find that Frys is kind of... well... creepy. We have bought a few items there and usually I get pretty good service there, but, there's something about a place that sells everything you could EVER WANT IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. It's not the Costco of electronics.
I wanted to go to Best Buy because last summer Jamie and Lonnie gave me a gift certificate from there and I hadn't used it yet. (Thanks guys!) That, of course appealed to Ed's "saving side" and he agreed that Best Buy was the perfect choice.
So, after a long day of working around the house we dashed in to Bellevue at 8 PM thinking that they closed at 9. Well, that's what the website said anyhow. Come to find out, they closed at 10! For the love of God, we had an entire hour and fifteen minutes in that store! We chose our router and came back home.
We finally spent the evening tonight setting everything up and getting it up and running. So, I tell you now, that I sit at my dining room table, with my new laptop from school, ON THE INTERNET posting to you on my blog.
I'm in complete bliss!
So I do the research and find the one that consumer reports recommends and even find three stores that say they carry it. AND what it costs at each store. Ed really wanted to go to Frys because he's a man, but, I find that Frys is kind of... well... creepy. We have bought a few items there and usually I get pretty good service there, but, there's something about a place that sells everything you could EVER WANT IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. It's not the Costco of electronics.
I wanted to go to Best Buy because last summer Jamie and Lonnie gave me a gift certificate from there and I hadn't used it yet. (Thanks guys!) That, of course appealed to Ed's "saving side" and he agreed that Best Buy was the perfect choice.
So, after a long day of working around the house we dashed in to Bellevue at 8 PM thinking that they closed at 9. Well, that's what the website said anyhow. Come to find out, they closed at 10! For the love of God, we had an entire hour and fifteen minutes in that store! We chose our router and came back home.
We finally spent the evening tonight setting everything up and getting it up and running. So, I tell you now, that I sit at my dining room table, with my new laptop from school, ON THE INTERNET posting to you on my blog.
I'm in complete bliss!
A Few Very Odd Days
The past few days have been kind of strange. It all started on Thursday when I took the day off of work to go to a one year rememberance for the death of a friend. His wife and kids had an amazing head stone made that completely embraced every part of his life. She had butterflies for everyone to let free after the unveiling of the headstone. Many people went back to their house to visit, have some food and be company for her and the boys. I found myself thinking about how strange it was that it's been a year since he was killed. It doesn't seem like it's been that long and I often wonder how she lives a day to day life without him. The change is so permanent and drastic. I don't know if I'd be able to do it.
After the memorial, Ed and I went to a "thank God my report cards are done!" party at my friend Tina's house. We were feeling a little sad and were looking forward to a time that we could just hang out and have a beer or two. What I didn't anticipate, was the wonderful time that we had! Tina said it best in her post: Last night, I walked into my kitchen and as I shut my eyes against the crumbs on the floor, glasses everywhere, and the empty wine bottles on the counter, I was able to then open them and see many people I work with enjoying each other's company, conversation, food, the glasses full of wine and smiling. That is what the entire evening was like! People really enjoying each other's company eating great food and drinking wonderful beverages. Ed and I didn't leave until 10:00 when we'd originally agreed upon 8:30 or 9:00. I have to say, that I had a marvelous time AND there was no drama because Tina had smartly remembered to NOT buy spray whipping cream!
Friday was a waiver day at school, so no kids, but, it was a great day working with our grade level team. Ed and I spent the evening home and I have to say that I was kind of glad because I just needed some down time.
Saturday and Sunday were spent cleaning house and getting ready for Easter, which for us isn't a really big deal since we have no kids. But, I got our bedroom and bathroom spic-n- span, with a session of cleaning the grout on the bathroom floor as well. We went to church with Ed's parents Sunday morning at a church we don't belong to and actually haven't been to in probably 10 years. Ed's parents used to go there, but, since they stopped, the church has changed names and pastors. When we got into the car Ed said to me, "now I remember why I don't like going to church!" This church isn't your normal type of church. It's the kind where people are yelling out Amen! and Hallelujah! and spend most of the service with hands outstretched searching for the glory of God, I guess. Not to mention the fashion show that we were subjected to at this church. I think that I saw more SHORT dresses and skirts than I have ever seen in any club Easter morning at church. There was one woman wearing a thigh length red coat with a skirt that short underneath. Ed pointed her out to me and asked if I thought that was very appropriate for church. I said that I didn't think that half the outfits I saw the women wearing were appropriate for church! I was absolutely flabbergasted. If a high school student showed up to school wearing some of those outfits, they would be asked to go home and change.
After church, Ed and I had to "divide and conquer". His mom planned her dinner 2 hours before my mom's dinner so he just dropped me off at their house on the way up to his parent's house. I love doing things with my parents. There's no agenda, everything is completely informal and there is no expectations. I'm not saying that it's the opposite with Ed's parents, but, it is more formal than I'm used to. I was sad that Ed and I didn't get to spend Easter together... But for a lot of the holidays, this is what it's like. "Divide and Conquer." I guess because we don't have kids, we are the easy ones to ask to do this. I hope that it's not expected and I hope it's appreciated.
Sometimes I feel a little resentful that our tiny family doesn't seem as important as the rest.
After the memorial, Ed and I went to a "thank God my report cards are done!" party at my friend Tina's house. We were feeling a little sad and were looking forward to a time that we could just hang out and have a beer or two. What I didn't anticipate, was the wonderful time that we had! Tina said it best in her post: Last night, I walked into my kitchen and as I shut my eyes against the crumbs on the floor, glasses everywhere, and the empty wine bottles on the counter, I was able to then open them and see many people I work with enjoying each other's company, conversation, food, the glasses full of wine and smiling. That is what the entire evening was like! People really enjoying each other's company eating great food and drinking wonderful beverages. Ed and I didn't leave until 10:00 when we'd originally agreed upon 8:30 or 9:00. I have to say, that I had a marvelous time AND there was no drama because Tina had smartly remembered to NOT buy spray whipping cream!
Friday was a waiver day at school, so no kids, but, it was a great day working with our grade level team. Ed and I spent the evening home and I have to say that I was kind of glad because I just needed some down time.
Saturday and Sunday were spent cleaning house and getting ready for Easter, which for us isn't a really big deal since we have no kids. But, I got our bedroom and bathroom spic-n- span, with a session of cleaning the grout on the bathroom floor as well. We went to church with Ed's parents Sunday morning at a church we don't belong to and actually haven't been to in probably 10 years. Ed's parents used to go there, but, since they stopped, the church has changed names and pastors. When we got into the car Ed said to me, "now I remember why I don't like going to church!" This church isn't your normal type of church. It's the kind where people are yelling out Amen! and Hallelujah! and spend most of the service with hands outstretched searching for the glory of God, I guess. Not to mention the fashion show that we were subjected to at this church. I think that I saw more SHORT dresses and skirts than I have ever seen in any club Easter morning at church. There was one woman wearing a thigh length red coat with a skirt that short underneath. Ed pointed her out to me and asked if I thought that was very appropriate for church. I said that I didn't think that half the outfits I saw the women wearing were appropriate for church! I was absolutely flabbergasted. If a high school student showed up to school wearing some of those outfits, they would be asked to go home and change.
After church, Ed and I had to "divide and conquer". His mom planned her dinner 2 hours before my mom's dinner so he just dropped me off at their house on the way up to his parent's house. I love doing things with my parents. There's no agenda, everything is completely informal and there is no expectations. I'm not saying that it's the opposite with Ed's parents, but, it is more formal than I'm used to. I was sad that Ed and I didn't get to spend Easter together... But for a lot of the holidays, this is what it's like. "Divide and Conquer." I guess because we don't have kids, we are the easy ones to ask to do this. I hope that it's not expected and I hope it's appreciated.
Sometimes I feel a little resentful that our tiny family doesn't seem as important as the rest.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Do You Know Me?
1.WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My middle name, Louise, after my grandma and my first name is after the Amy in "Little Women".
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU REALLY CRIED? Can't remember
3. Do you like your handwriting? Depends
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Nope
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I hope so
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Um, duh!
8. Do you still have your tonsils? yep
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Are you high?!?!?!?
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Cream of Wheat
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Mint chocolate chip
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Teeth and eyes and hands
15. RED OR PINK? red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My weight
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Granny
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? If they want to.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Jeans and black socks
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? 1 thin mint girl scout cookie
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My stomach growling
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Sage Green
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Puppy breath, freshly cut grass and hair color
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Ed
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Of course!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Ice hockey, drag racing and motorcycle racing
27. HAIR COLOR? Brown
28. EYE COLOR? Green/hazel
27. Do you wear contacts? no
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Seafood
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Neither
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Can't remember
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black with white lace designs and little sparkly dots.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? SUMMER!!!!!!!
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Brown and white
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don’t know
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? DOn't know
39. What book are you reading now? Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A black lab (at home) at school, a picture of Suzy and I in Glacier National Park.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Didn’t watch t.v. last night
42. FAVORITE SOUND? My TL
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Rolling Stones
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Maine
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can entertain twenty-two 9 and 10 year olds for six and a half hours by myself.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Snoqualmie
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everyone's
48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW? 4:11 pm
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU REALLY CRIED? Can't remember
3. Do you like your handwriting? Depends
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Nope
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I hope so
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Um, duh!
8. Do you still have your tonsils? yep
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Are you high?!?!?!?
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Cream of Wheat
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Mint chocolate chip
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Teeth and eyes and hands
15. RED OR PINK? red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My weight
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Granny
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? If they want to.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Jeans and black socks
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? 1 thin mint girl scout cookie
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My stomach growling
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Sage Green
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Puppy breath, freshly cut grass and hair color
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Ed
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Of course!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Ice hockey, drag racing and motorcycle racing
27. HAIR COLOR? Brown
28. EYE COLOR? Green/hazel
27. Do you wear contacts? no
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Seafood
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Neither
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Can't remember
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black with white lace designs and little sparkly dots.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? SUMMER!!!!!!!
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Brown and white
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Don’t know
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? DOn't know
39. What book are you reading now? Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A black lab (at home) at school, a picture of Suzy and I in Glacier National Park.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Didn’t watch t.v. last night
42. FAVORITE SOUND? My TL
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Rolling Stones
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Maine
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can entertain twenty-two 9 and 10 year olds for six and a half hours by myself.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Snoqualmie
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everyone's
48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW? 4:11 pm
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Exhaustion
dToday I am so tired that I can't think straight. I feel like I've been run over by a steam roller. So today, because I feel guilty for not posting for awhile (Tiffany), I am going to post a vid. It's a funny one and if you are a parent at all, you will get a kick out of it.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Week II
Went to Hate Watchers this morning at seven-freakin-thirty and found that I am down 3.8 pounds. Hooray!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Because I'm CRABBY!
Today's post comes to you directly from Jim Brewer. Because I want it to. Really.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Biting the Bullet... Part II
So this morning was my first meeting at Weight Watchers (aka: WW or HW for Hate Watchers). I was a little apprehensive about going alone, but, found when I got there that the ladies at the counter were EXTREMELY nice. The woman who helped me get signed in told me like three times how glad she that I was there. (Even after she weighed me in and saw what my starting weight was.)
The cynical side of me was thinking, "Yeah, ya got my money. I'm paying your salary. Of course you're GLAD I'm here."
But soon all of the cynicism melted away because she was very sincere as was our meeting leader. I saw that an old teaching friend and also the mother of one of our neighbors was attending the same meeting and was able to catch up a little with both.
I also found that everyone, no matter what their weight, was so supportive of the issues people had and willing to problem solve.
I have to say that I almost cried. I know, I know... I cry at the drop of a hat (sappy cards, commercials, etc.) but I really felt like they were on my side and willing to do what it takes to help everyone in the room.
I think this is going to be a good, positive change for me.
The cynical side of me was thinking, "Yeah, ya got my money. I'm paying your salary. Of course you're GLAD I'm here."
But soon all of the cynicism melted away because she was very sincere as was our meeting leader. I saw that an old teaching friend and also the mother of one of our neighbors was attending the same meeting and was able to catch up a little with both.
I also found that everyone, no matter what their weight, was so supportive of the issues people had and willing to problem solve.
I have to say that I almost cried. I know, I know... I cry at the drop of a hat (sappy cards, commercials, etc.) but I really felt like they were on my side and willing to do what it takes to help everyone in the room.
I think this is going to be a good, positive change for me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)