Naughty or Nice

It's that time of year!!!! You know...when all your niceness has to balance out your naughtiness.

I love it. Yesterday, I was coming home from a long day in the school yard and I actually managed to hear Christmas carols (though really...is Jeff Foxworthy's Redneck Christmas actually considered a carol?) all the way home. There was a little nip in the air. I swear...I smelled Christmas. (I smell a lot of stuff...snow, rain, Christmas...just saying I've got a good sniffer.)

I haven't put up the tree yet (you wouldn't believe all the laundry that accumulates on a 10 day trip away from home!) because I'm still putting everything back in it's place. Anyway, it's on the list for Saturday. I've set out my ornaments all over the coffee table...I'm so ready!

Anyway, to help everyone get in the mood I'm posting a little holiday questionnaire that I stole from my friend D. She never reads this blog (a mark in the naughty column for her!) so I didn't figure she'd care.

Just for kicks...if you wander by and are in the holiday spirit choose a number and leave your answer in the comment box!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?Hot Chocolate.... with lots of marshmallows!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?He wraps those babies!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?multi-colored lights on the tree

4. Do you hang mistletoe?oh yeah...any reason to kiss

5. When do you put your decorations up?Right after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?hmm that's hard. We don't have a 'set' meal for Christmas. I'll say my Mimi's meatballs and mushroom gravy.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Our whole family went to Colorado for Christmas one year. The house was huge (or maybe it was because I was little) but the pipes burst so we stayed at these little cabins. It was the BEST Christmas EVER! I got my mom's Barbies that year. I'll never forget that trip :)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What do you mean "truth" about Santa???

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I'd love to, but my mom says NO

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?Old sentimental ornaments that have been collected through the years. I also get a new ornament each year.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT....

12. Can you ice skate? No...weak ankle

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?Yeah...but there are so many. I got a Lite Brite one year...if the picture is anything to go by I LOVED that gift. As crazy as this sounds one of my favorite gifts is the pair of pajamas (be quiet Mike!) that I get every year. I always know it's going to be there. It's comforting!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with the people I love!

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?white chocolate covered pretzels!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?Counting down the days till Christmas on the advent calendar

17. What tops your tree? A star

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? We're talking about presents right? ;) I love to give. Ah who am I kidding...I love to receive just as must as I love to give!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?Away In A Manger

20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck? Yum!

Check It Out

I played with my blog tonight!!!

I finally gave in. I kept seeing that blogger now had some updated thingy, but I was very hesitant to change over. I didn't want to lose all this precious writing material, but surprisingly it was simple.

So, what do you think....do you like the changes?

I don't always like to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty proud of myself :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving dinner was good...great actually.

Family time was good...great actually.

This year our family has had a lot of losses and we might even look back and say that this year was one of the hardest ones we've seen in a while. This Thanksgiving I don't want to lose sight of the fact that while this year has brought it's own share of heartaches this has been a good year...a great year actually.

I don't want to lose sight of the great blessings that came my way this year because I focus on the bad things that came along too. Those things are big, hard, personal, but I can't forget the good things too.

It seems to be a thin line and some days I stray to the negative but most days...I'm grateful for the blessings. That is what Thanksgiving is all about right? Remembering everything and being grateful for it all.

Curl Up And Dye (Updated)

***Update....my hair is still in the same condition it was yesterday when I wrote this post. Unfortunately, my eyebrows and eye lid can't say the same.

I'd like to start this off by saying that I'm not snobby when it comes to my hair. I use Pert, I don't do fancy updos, and I don't spend upwards of $75 on hair cuts. I'm pretty simple. When I was growing up my mom took me to a little salon where I got a haircut for under $10. The same lady has been cutting my hair (and when I started waxing she did that too) for a long time. She was great. Up until I moved away I could walk in and she just knew what I'd want done. Okay that was probably due to the fact that she'd been doing the same cut for years but you get the point. When you get a great cut and good service for under $10 why complain or go some where else?

I mentioned that my beloved hairstylist had moved away, but I decided to give the same salon a shot. I walked in and I should have walked right back out. Anyway, there were only two ladies and a man (a very gay man...I'm not being judgmental but just saying the man was gay). One of the ladies had at one time given my mom a very BAD haircut and style so I wasn't letting her touch my hair. The other lady was someone I'd never seen and was in the process of coloring someone else's hair. When the lady asked if I was ready I told her that I'd changed my mind about the cut, but that I still wanted to get my eyebrows waxed. She said she didn't do waxing, but she'd let the guy know.

Now, I should have grabbed my purse and ran from the salon when he said "Are you Steffany? Well, hi sugar...go jump up there on my couch and I'll be right with you." I didn't...much to my regret. Anyway, I got over there and he comes over and tells me to close my eyes. I explained what I wanted done and he half listened. I'm sure he thought he knew more about what I wanted than I did.

Well, he got started. He dripped wax cream all over my forehead and eyes. Some of the cream even got in my eye...that stuff stings. Then he literally ripped the wax off. I'm used to waxing so it doesn't bother me anymore but it did smart. Then he left to go gab about someone's color job. I was starting to get peeved. He came back and again made a mess with the wax. He explained my questioning of why it was all over my face away with a short (and sing-songy gay tone of voice) "Well honey some times the wax is runny...you never know what you're going to get." Well thank you Forrest.

I was already starting to flinch (this guy was rough!) and I'd had it with the wax all over my face. I put my hand up (probably to grab his wrist but I'll never know) and the next thing I know he's laid a cloth over my eyelid. Now I know I have several male readers so you probably don't know that you'd never wax or rip cloth off your eyelid, but the ladies will understand. He rips the cloth off...along with about an inch long length of skin cells. I had tears in my eyes it hurt so bad. I gasped out that he'd hurt me and he replied with "Well, I'm trying to hurry." I pointed out that I wasn't in a hurry, but he just swabbed the open abrasion with alcohol. I almost came out of the couch/chair thing. At that point I just wanted to leave. My eye was throbbing and frankly I was shocked at the treatment I was receiving.

He handed me a mirror where I discovered that he'd completely made a mess of my face. One eyebrow was crooked, there was still stray hairs he hadn't managed to rip out, and the strings from the cloth were in my hair, eyebrows, and face. I wiped my face and he said that he'd meet me at the front.

I shouldn't have paid, but at this point I was ready to burst into tears so I just paid and left. I didn't say a single word to him and didn't make eye contact. I cried all the way home (well to the grocery store where I had to pull it together but then again when I was back in the car all the way home.) I couldn't understand why my eye hurt so bad until I got home and got a good look. He had left about a one inch strip of burned skin on my eyelid from where he'd waxed. And then I figured the alcohol bath was also causing the stinging.

My mom took one look at my face and told me to put an ice pack on and to hand her the phone. She asked for the name and number of the owner. The guy (the same gay, sing-songy voiced, couldn't wax his own butt guy) hung up on my mom. She's way too nice and said they got disconnected but I think he just hung up. Anyway, they wouldn't give out the number but they did say the owner would be there Friday. My mom is planning on calling then. I love it when she's on my side and kicks butt for me!

Anyway, while my eye isn't stinging it sure is ugly looking this morning. The burn now has a reddish brown tint to it so it's very noticeable. I was aiming to be noticed (with the new hairstyle) but this isn't exactly what I had in mind.

I normally don't put names and places on my blog, but if you're in Abilene please...DO NOT go to Abilene Hairlines. ******

Tomorrow I'm making a huge change...I'm getting my hair cut and highlighted. For all of you out there that probably doesn't sound like such a big thing or even a bloggable thing, but for me my hair is my safety blanket. So this is a big thing.

I've had the same hair style (shoulder length with extremely long layers so it has a gentle flip at the end) for many years. Actually five I think. I grew my bangs out so they are the same shoulder length as the rest of my hair. I like this cut...I really do. It looks great with my face shape and it's easy to maintain. It's also versatile...sleek and shiny when worn down, soft waves when not blown dry, and for days when I'm just not in the mood to mess with it...looks great in a pony tail. My hairstyle works!

So, if this one works...why the change?

Well, did I mention this is the same hairstyle I've had since I started college? I'm beginning to look dated. It needs a little life thrown into it. It took about a month to come to a decision about this and decide what I wanted. I'm getting highlights (probably reddish toned ones...I don't think I'd look good blond but I'm reserving judgment until I meet with my hair stylist) and going back to bangs as they seem to be "in" right now. I think I'm going to stick with the same length, but I'd like to try shorter layers...kinda of that spiky look. Well, a soft spiky look.

Now for the dramatic portion of the story...isn't there always a dramatic portion of the story with me??? I have a friend whose sister I like and she does a great job with hair. She in my new town, but since I was going to be home I thought I'd let the lady who has always cut my hair do the job...considering this is a major thing. I called while I was driving in Friday afternoon to make my appointment. The lady that answers hurriedly tells me that she no longer works there (or even in this town for that matter) but would I like to set up the appointment with someone else. God, no! I hung up, almost in tears about who was going to cut my hair now.

When I got home I started calling around asking about prices and the such. Did you know that when it comes to highlighting there is a cap and foil choice? I didn't either! Anyway, the last place I called I asked if there was someone there who did really great hair...you know...someone with a great customer satisfaction rating. She informs me that they are all good. I didn't leave my name (that could have been considered insulting) but I am planning on walking in there tomorrow afternoon.

Wish me luck!

A Renter's Paradise

I love my little rent house...I really do. Some days I love it more than others, but overall it's great for me.

And then there are days like today...where it's "charms" are simply more than I can handle.

It started this morning, I had set my alarm for 5:25am so I could get up and shower, go through the morning routine, and still get to school early. Well, 5:25 rolls around and I wasn't ready to get up so I made the sleepy decision to switch to the second alarm setting and get up at 6:00am. I rolled over after what seemed like a pretty long snooze to discover it was 6:31am...where I'd set the alarm the last time. Okay...that's not really the house's fault but I'm trying to make a point. Great...just great.

So, I'm stumbling around in my bathroom trying to get the shower part of the morning over with as fast as possible. I wouldn't be surprised if I washed my hair with Zest body wash and used Pert on my body puff. Now this is a key part of the story...the water knobs turn one way and the shower knob turns the other way. Got it? Well, I turned the shower knob the wrong way and the 1970s shower knob fell apart in my hand. Great...just great.

Finally...rushing on my way out...I couldn't get the front door open. Nope...wouldn't budge. I finally pulled and it came open. I think it's swelled in the door frame...is that even possible? If you couldn't tell...I'm not going to win the Miss Handy Woman award. And I hate that little sucky sound it makes when it closes. Great...just great.

Thankfully, my day at school was so busy that I didn't have a lot of time to worry about my charming house.

I came home and remembered that in my haste this morning I'd forgotten to set the air back down. I'm new to central heat and air. Anyway, it was hot so I kicked off my shoes and was stripping off my shirt on my way to my bedroom. I pull the shirt over my head and look down...right before I step on a HUGE cockroach. I swear...that thing had to be an inch and a half long! It was on it's back with it's creepy legs flailing in the air. (I get the shivers just thinking about it.....eewww.) Anyway, I ran back to get my shoes on and put my shirt back on because I'm opening the back door to toss it out instead of flushing it. I run to get a paper towel to pick it up. I come back...and it's gone! That huge, creepy cockroach is crawling around my room somewhere.

I was flipping out. My father takes care of the bugs...not me. I was carefully lifting the covers on my bed, picking up clothes from the floor. Finally I spot his cockroachy butt near my closet. Forget the kind part of me that was going to set him free....I'm stepping on his butt and flushing him. (Sorry to all of you reading who like to be kind to nature...but I'm not kind to nature...especially when it's in my house!) Well...at least I can sleep easy. This may not sound like a house problem, but it is...how did it get in my house?!

Anyway, I'm armed with a new shower knob (though how to get it on is a little concerning) and Raid so tonight should be charm-free.

Uhmm...I really could use all the advice one might have to offer about putting on new knobs. I'm just saying.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Last weekend I bought my first Christmas tree! My very first very own Christmas tree I might add. My $17 investment in the holiday season has been riding around all week in my trunk. I knew that if I brought it in then I'd want to put it up. So, I've kept it in the trunk. Well, next weekend I'm going home for Thanksgiving (a very happy event!) and I'll have to bring the tree in.

Is there a rule that says you have to wait until December to put up your Christmas tree?

So, I think I'll bring it in Thursday night and attack it when I get home the following Saturday. The lights are already sitting on my coffee table. They look at me and I hear them saying "Our friend the tree is in the trunk...we're lonely." Perhaps all the jingle bells have gone to my head, but I'm truly excited about decorating my tree. Anyway, just a few more weeks and I can put up the tree and not feel weird about it still being November...November before Thanksgiving.

In case you can't tell....I love Christmas!!!

There Is No Wisdom Here

I wish I had something witty or profound to say today, but I don't. Have you ever watched a TV show or movie and someone has all these great thoughts in their head? For example...Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives (can you tell what I did last night...lol)?

Meredith and Mary Alice always have such insightful things to say. Sometimes I watch the show and think gee I wish I'd thought of that! Or I think I'm thinking that exact thing, but she said it so much better!

Anyway, I want to have something great to say today, but I don't.

Enjoy Friday and have a good weekend.

What A Faker

I'm a faker people! I'm not just faking a little...nope I'm faking all over the place. And I'm probably faking the worst type of thing...a friendship.

There is this woman. The first time I met her, I thought "Gosh I hope I never have to work with her!" so I was relieved when I found out she wasn't even in my grade level. Now, she's the freaking team leader of second grade due to brown-nosing. And did I mention...she's annoying as hell. She has this fake personality. She loves to clasp her hands in front of her and blink her eyes at you in way that screams "Hurry up...what you have to say is not as important as what I have to say." Not only is this person the team leader...she's my mentor. Grrr. Anyway, about five weeks ago, the other new teacher and I (the very disappointed mentees) went to the councilor and expressed some concerns we had. And the concerns were valid: 1. She's never taught second grade...great insight there. 2. Did I mention the annoyingly sweet personality? 3. She never talks to us...ever. If we need help we have to ask...she never meets us half way.

Well, when she found out we'd talked about her to someone in administration she was furious. She yelled and then later apologized. Trying to make the best of a not so good situation we agreed to try to make it work. Well, for me...that meant faking it. Now, she thinks we're friends. I wouldn't consider us friends but apparently she does. I do feel guilty about it because while she's not my favorite person and I want to run every time I see her I keep acting friendly. For example, when I had my Halloween party and invited all the second grade teachers I had to invite her because it would have seemed awkward if I didn't. She came...the nerve. So, when she invited me to a party at her house I felt compelled to go. At my party she noticed my scrapbook hobby. Guess what her hobby is? So, the day after her party she brought her scrapbook for me to look at it. It was good...I won't begrudge her a great scrapbook, but then today she invited me to a scrapbooking party at her house Friday. If you knew me you'd know I had a scrapbooking weakness...I said yes. (I'm screaming aaahhh and covering my head with my hands.) I'm such a faker!

So, the dilemma...what is the polite way to go back to just being acquaintances and not being friends? And am I a horrible person for not liking her but giving the impression that I do?

The Holiday Madness Is Here!!!!

Life is good today! It's crisp and cool outside. The leaves around me are turning and falling to the ground. They aren't as colorful as I've seen before, but I still enjoy the sight. But most of all...it's the beginning of my favorite holiday season. Christmas is my favorite holiday, but I love the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday combo. I've already seen commercials on tv getting everyone in the holiday mood. It's here...the craziness that comes from getting started on shopping, the parties being planned, a turkey to buy (or shoot if you're into that), the family time, and of course the food. This is the one time of the year that I don't fret about losing pounds but just maintaining the ones I have...lol.

The school district where I work is out for the entire week of Thanksgiving so that means I get to head home when school lets out that Friday. I'm so excited! I haven't been home since I moved (July) and I'm curious to see how things have changed...if they've changed. I'm counting down the days...only 14 left to go. That's two weeks!!!

I love this time of year because for me it's all about family. I love getting together with my family (every last nutty one) and celebrating what is truly important to us. This year is going to be different because both of my great grandmothers have passed away this Fall. These passings have really made me realize just how precious my time with family is. Especially now that I live so far away and don't see them as often. I truly have many blessings which to be thankful for and this year I'll be doing an extra close counting of them.

Anyway, I hope that the joy that comes with the holidays starts to uncurl in you and that you enjoy every moment of it!

Below is just a Thanksgiving funny.

Things you can only say at Thanksgiving

1. Talk about huge breasts!

2. Tying the legs together keeps the inside moist.

3. It's Cool Whip time!

4. If I don't undo my pants, I'll burst!

5. Whew, that's a terrific spread!

6. I'm in the mood for a little dark meat.

7. Are you ready for seconds yet?

8. It's a little dry, do you still want to eat it?

9. Just wait your turn, you'll get some!

10. Don't play with your meat.

11. Just spread the legs open and stuff it in.

12. Do you think you'll be able to handle all these people at once?

13. I didn't expect everyone to come at once!

14. You still have a little bit on your chin.

15. How long will it take after you stick it in?

16. You'll know it's ready when it pops up.

17. Wow, I didn't think I could handle all of that!

18. That's the biggest one I've ever seen!

19. How long do I beat it before it's ready?

Parent Woes

I truly love my job. Don't get me wrong...there are days when I go home wondering if I taught anything that day. And there are days when a child says something and I know that he got the idea or I see the light bulb go off. Those are great days! And then there are days like today...were the parents of my second grade darlings drive me nuts.

(WARNING: If you're a parent and you're already getting worked up at the idea that a teacher wouldn't appreciate all your comments and suggestions on how to teach then stop right here. It's a rant. On the other hand if you've been the parent or even the teacher and you feel like you might have some advice...please read on and drop that advice off in the comment box.)

Some might remember back in August that I mentioned I had a parent that was pretty rude on meet the teacher night. She said it would be an "interesting" year for her child implying that her child's education would be lacking because it was my first year to teach. Anyway, this parent has continued to be a thorn in my side.

At the end of the first nine weeks there was one day set aside for parent teacher conferences. They are scheduled 15 minutes apart because it's supposed to be a brief meeting. Brief was the operative word here. I purposely scheduled this parent for early in the day to avoid what I knew was coming...a confrontation. She (the mother) sent a note back (as opposed to the letters she'd been sending) requesting the last slot in the day. What to do? I could make this long and drawn out and relive every excruciating minute of the hour and a half meeting (did I mention they were supposed to be 15 minutes long?), but I'll just say it was a complete chewing out.

Anyone who really knows me understands that I don't cower down. I usually get hot tempered and start fighting back. This lady had me feeling so small I wanted to crawl under my desk and wave a white flag. Basically, I'm all wrong for this teaching profession and she "just really feels sorry for the other students." Yeah...crying wasn't optional...at least in front of her.

All of that back story to say that we'd come to some sort of agreement at that meeting. I'd send home more homework and assignments (to make up for all her child was lacking during the day in my care) so that the child would succeed. The very next week, the child comes up to me and returns said parent requested extra homework and says that mom said they didn't like this and that he didn't have to do it. Then came the day the student interrupted me during the lesson (in front of all the students) and said that mom said that the student didn't have to participate in this activity as she didn't see the point of it. And the final straw...today. We do this reading program called Book It! It's an incentive program to encourage reading and improve fluency. These are both major issues the mom had with my teaching style (she felt I didn't provide enough during the day and yet returns the extra homework...hmmm). Anyway, again in the middle of explaining it to the class, the student says that mom said the student didn't have to participate because they are too busy for reading.

Can you see why I'm frustrated!

So, my question to any parent or teacher that stops by...what is the deal? Do parents truly feel like their child is at a disadvantage with a new teacher in the classroom? Is this just typical parent behavior or are these parents going overboard? And to the teachers...how do you handle parents that find fault with everything? Any tips...from either side?

My student teacher mentor said that being a parent would effect what kind of teacher I would be and that being a teacher would effect what sort of classroom parent I'd be. Well, I'm not a parent and I'm feeling pretty resentful of these parents. These parents make the year look so long. I'd really like to find a balance and make everyone happy. Right now...seems impossible.