We Now Return You To Regular Scheduled Programming...

Finally...I'm back. Yep, I'm sitting at my own computer (fully functional now) in my own living room typing this post. It feels good to use a computer where I don't have to worry about the powers that be seeing what I'm typing or looking at. School was a rough place to carry on email conversations and I didn't dare even think about my blog there. There is some crappy catty stuff happening at work that I'll probably post about and I didn't want it getting back to those pesky powers that be. Anyway, it's nice to be home.

The Halloween party was Saturday. It was extremely fun! There were seven people (a nice number considering my seating situation) and it was a group that really meshed. Anyway, I cleaned and preped food Saturday morning and came to the following conclusion. Help is like sex...take it from whoever and whenever you can get it. Stop...that is NOT my personal take on sex but it is my take on help. As this was my first hosting experience in my new abode I really wanted to be the hostess with the mostess, but next time when they ask if they can bring something...they can. Anyway, it was a blast and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

At school things are rocking along rather nicely. Two weeks ago I missed turning in lesson plans. That was a horrible week. Being disorganized does not look good on me! Anyway, this week I had lesson plans done and turned in by Friday. Today went so well! We're tackling double digit subtraction...we know how to do it, but explaining how to do it is taking some trial and error. Thankfully, I think that they are starting to get it. Mini quiz tomorrow so I'll know for sure.

Well, I'm off to check out blogs. I've missed some serious reading time!

Back In My Groove...Sorta

I wish I could say that this post was being typed at my computer, but alas this is not the case. I thought I might have lost some of the pleasure I take from updating my blog, but you'll be relieved to know that it is still here. There are so many things to say and updates to give. Forgive me, but you know how much I adore a good list.

First, I owe some thank-yous. Mike, thank you for keeping my blog company while I was (well...am still) away. It sounds like you've kept the masses (and my mother) highly entertained. And thankfully my reputation is still in good shape! Seriously, I know you've probably got a lot better things to do than baby-sit my blog. I do appreciate it. Everyone who left birthday wishes, thank you for the well wishes. I rang in my quarter centuryness in high fashion. I got to spend time with my parents, eat my mom's fabulous strawberry cake, shop, get gifts, and love all over one incorporative kitty. It was wonderful! It's too bad birthdays only come once a year. Perhaps this year I'll take my good friend D's advice and start celebrating my half birthday too. And finally to my mom, thanks for having a sense of humor and not rolling your eyes and saying my name in that way that means how could you find something like this amusing when you read my blog!

Second, are you dying to know about the computer situation? Well, after finally finding the time to take my computer to the repair guy (its harder than you think considering we have the same working hours) I decided to just invest a few bucks (and by that I mean a moderate sum of bucks) now and continue to save for the laptop. Anyway, I have my new computer at home and set up. I have to again make time to be home when the cable company can be there to come and reinstall or whatever it is they do to my computer so that my internet...and my connection to you lovely people...is restored. Hopefully that will happen by this weekend!

Third, remember that Halloween party I mentioned I was going to throw? Well, it is this Saturday. So far only three people have RSVPed...I'm hoping that more will come. I've picked out an adorable purple and black witch's hat and a purple feather boa to wear. Won't I just be the witchest thing around? I'll try to post some pictures...assuming that I can load the software on my computer without crashing it this time.

Fourth, there are some interesting conversations that take place in the comments box. Y'all do go back and re-read those don't you? Those of you with tracker devices on your blog...I promise I'm not stalking (except for a certain blogger...him I'm trying to catch with his pants down...just kidding!) but I like to see how the writer responds to comments. I try to reply to most comments with some witty zinger. Sometimes I fail in the witty department, but nonetheless there are some interesting "conversations" that take place in the comment box. For example, those of you who haven't read the previous post's comments since you posted should check out the exchange between my mom and Mike. I found it highly entertaining. (And by the way Mom...yes you are a ton of fun! But since this is my blog, let's only talk about my pajamas okay? :op That eye rolling thing I mentioned before...it's happening now...LOL)

Fifth, I know this is a serious note to toss in with the rest of this gibberish, but Sunday my great grandmother passed away. (My other great grandmother passed away at the end of August. I didn't blog about it because I had conflicting feelings and it was a little raw to talk about.) Today was the funeral. It was hard. What else is there to say? I read somewhere that just because a death is anticipated and the grieving process might start before the death doesn't ease the pain of losing a loved one. My heart is sad tonight...for so many people, for so many reasons. I'd ask for those of you that are the praying sort to please send up a prayer for my family as we go about the going on.

If you've read to this point, thanks. I know it was long, but you held out until the end. What a trooper! Hopefully, the next post will come from my own computer and my own internet.

An Email From Steff

Mike,

Would you do me a favor? I'd owe you one.

My computer has crashed and I'm at the point of deciding whether to invest in it's repair or to go ahead and bite the extremely large bullet and get a new laptop. Anyway, while I'm waiting I'm afraid that my blog will waste away without proper attention. I didn't even get to prepare my couple of blog friends about this probably a few weeks long absense. Would you please post a little something on there about a crashed computer and a befuddled poster? I've given you my password and access before so I'm fairly comfortable with you doing this. If you got time and the want to I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Okay folks, our poor lil steffy is going to be out of the blogging loop for a bit.

I didn't add the entire content of her email to me though because I'm probably not supposed to share what she owes me for this. I'm sure it has something to do the pajamas though.

Well....ok....that's probably not true.

I left out her user name and password though. I'm thoughtful like that.

So hopefully she gets this worked out and can get to blogging soon. I'd hate to do a hostile takeover of her blog and subject you to the nonsense I post on a daily basis. And I'd probably sully her reputation...oh the horror!!

Are you worried yet Steff?

*snickers*

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Happy 25th birthday baby!

It's early but the day is off to a good start. I'm showing off my classroom this morning, attending the local Fair on the Square, and strawberry cake tonight. Looks like this birthday is off to a good start!

I Guess It Is To Be Expected...

...when you live in a town where there are prisons on every corner.

I bet you've seen cars with a bumper sticker along the lines of My Child Is An Honor Student at such and such elementary. Well tonight as I was driving home I couldn't help but laugh at the bumper sticker on the car in front of me. It said:

My CHILD was inmate of the month at County Jail

I admire that woman...finding the silver lining despite it all.

It's That Time Again....

It's almost that time again! My birthday!!! (It's Saturday for all of you getting your cards and presents together.)

(Just kidding...my mother would die if she read that!)

Anyway, I'm going to be a quarter century old. How cool is that? Sure, 25 is just another number but I'm pretty excited about this new year about to begin. Maybe because it's part of my first year of brand new firsts. Maybe I just like the idea of being a quarter of a century old.

In case you couldn't guess, I'm not one of those women who hide their age or birthday from the world. I know some women do that but why? I mean...the more birthdays you have then the longer you live. And I just plain like living!

My parents are coming for my birthday (well there is this huge arts and crafts fair but they swear it's to celebrate the day of my birth) and I'm very excited about that. I haven't seen my parents since July 30 so it's been a long stretch. Being an only child, I've always been close to my parents. While I've met a lot of great people down here, I really miss my family.

I'm sure there will be more to come about the birthday and visit but I leave you with this Martha Stewartish question:

Is it wrong to tell a person that you didn't know what to get her so you got her nothing except the card in her hand?

Yeah...I'll probably owe her big time at Christmas.