Change Of Scenery

Goodness, I'm tired of looking at that last post! So, I thought a change of scenary would work. Unfortunately, I'm pooped at the moment. I've had a long weekend (visiting with family and reconnecting with some old friends) so the following is a collection of...well stuff. I love it when my blog posts have no rhyme or reason. Okay, not really.

Surviovr: Yau-man (the clever dude that made a fake immunity idol) left the real one in his backpack where people could find it. I'm seriously rethinking the clever part. Anyway, everyone knows that you keep the idol on your person no matter what! To make this short...people find it, people spill beans to others, people are stupid and don't force Yau-man to play the idol. Seriously...they must have island fever. If I were on the island this is what I would have done with the knowledge that Yau-man had the idol. I would have talked out loud about voting off Yau-man and given him the idea that everyone would be voting for him so he'd use it. Of course we'd all vote for someone else so it would just be wasted. Why don't the guys think about things like that? I'm telling you...the island is getting to them.

Gallbladder surgery: My friend Sophia's husband made BBQ (extremely good BBQ) last night for everyone, but she went home early and got really sick. He called up there asking if anyone else had gotten sick thinking it was food poising. We were all okay, but it turns out that it was her gallbladder. Anyway, today the group of us decided to all make cards to send to her. Anyone who knows me for even the littlest bit of time knows how I love to send mail! So, a friend and I decided to tickle Sophia's funny bone. Our card had a grill on the front and in a smoke cloud said "Sorry about the gallbladder thing but at least it wasn't the BBQ but still..." and the inside said "sucks to be you". Come on people. That is funny! Some of you may not appreciate the humor, but she will because we enjoy going to the corner. For everyone outside of the loop the corner is what we call it when we get all tacky with each other. She and I go a lot so to her it'll be funny and that's all that counts!

Shoes: I bought new shoes. Not one or two pairs but six of them. Great sale at Payless. Thank goodness I don't have a husband to have to explain that purchase to!

This brings the collection to a close. I'll be traveling home tomorrow and hopefully will be back to regularly scheduled posts that connect in some form or fashion!

Useless Information

I really don't have anything interesting to blog about tonight. Earlier today I thought I'd have to blog about taking a lot of cold showers in the future, but the AC guy came and viola back to warm showers. I thought about going on about how I'm not Rachel Ray but still managed to make Earth Day bars with my class without setting the school on fire. Okay, so the bars were a little brownish black around the corners, but I'm sticking with "it adds flavor" to the dish. Oh and when I left school on Friday Timmy (despite the fact that Timmy might be a Timmette)the catapiller was alive and munching on leaves. So, you see...nothing really new or interesting.

I stole this little (well depending on your definition of little) question and answer thing from my pal Nina and in the spirit of my other friend Ed I'm going to provide you with a lot of information you probably didn't really care to know.

Oh come on...you can tough it out!

1. Introduce yourself?
Steffany Lynn (My parents were so creative when it came to my name; a fact I'm coming to appreciate!)

2. It's Wednesday during the afternoon, where are you usually?
In my classroom teaching Science or Social Studies

3. What kind of laundry detergent do you use?
Arm and Hammer brand

4. What brand of shampoo is in your shower right now?
Pert Deep Conditioning

5. Did you ever get into a bar and drink before you were 21?
No to the bar, but I don't exactly remember but I think I might have drank before I was 21.

6. What were you doing last night?
I was at an all girl slumber party.

7. Do you watch MTV anymore?
I don't watch MTV...and I never did.

8. What do you think about Oprah?
She has a big mouth and does a lot of good things for people.

9. What color are your bedsheets?
lavendar

10. You need a new pair of jeans..what store do you go first?
Lane Bryant...they fit the curves in all the right places.

12. What kind of car do you drive?
Ford Escort

13. Honestly, is that car insured?
Well of course it is...thanks to my parents. Mental note...get your own car insurance!

14. Do you like sushi?
I'm sorry. I just threw up a little in my mouth.

15. Have you ever been to Tiffany & Co. or Saks 5th Ave?
Yes! I've actually been to the Saks on the actual 5th Ave. Goodness, NYC was fun!

16. Did your parents spoil you growing up?
Oh yeah, but thankfully I didn't turn out bratty. Well, that's my opinion but I guess it depends on who you ask as to that bratty part.

17. Do you like roller coasters
Yes


18. What magazine(s) do you buy regularly or subscribed to?
TV Guide (like you're surprised), Memory Makers, Paper Crafts, Shape

19. Do you remember the WB show "Popular?
Ummm...no.

20. When you go out do you prefer to go to a dance club or to a bar?
I prefer neither, but if I had to pick I'd guess I'd pick the bar because there is not a lick of rhythm in my body.

21. What do you think about gay marriage?
I am against it.

22. Who do you think will be the next president?
I don't know and frankly I don't care. Rant all you want, but I'm completely happy to be totally polically uninformed.

23. Are you registered to vote?
yes

27. Do you like Carrie Underwood?
I know about two songs and I like those so I guess so.

28. Been to "The Vegas"?
Yeah. But I can't tell you about it...that whole what happens in Vegas thing...sorry. Or lucky for you...you who know who you are!

29. How far away do you live from your parents?
6 hours....360 miles....7 major cities away

30. Are you happy with your job?
Yep...I love it!

32. What did you get in the mail today?
I don't know because I didn't check it. Since it's getting near the end of the month I'm going to guess and say bills.

33. How do you like your steak cooked?
medium rare

34. Britney Spears...ready to have a nervous break down or just having fun?
I don't know and I really don't care.

35. What do you usually order at Taco Bell?
Nothing if I can help it...I like Taco Bueno. Now from Taco Bueno I'd order a muchacho and a side of beans and cheese.

36. Have you ever sat all the way thru Gone With the Wind?
I don't think so, but I've set through numerous watchings of the sequal Scarlett.

37. Have you ever been to Mt Rushmore?
No, but I've read a lot about it. Isn't that where our first president George Clooney is located? (Those of you who remember a few posts back about the things kids say will appreicate that!)

38. Is it just me, or was The Marine(w/John Cena) a really horrible movie?
I didn't see it.

39. Are surveys like the the cocaine of myspace?
I don't know what cocaine is like...I've never done drugs. But I think surveys can become addictive.


40. Where is your favorite place?
Yellowstone

41. What is your favorite candle scent?
green apple

42. Do you believe places can really be haunted?
no

43. Do you smoke cigarettes?
No...what an icky habit

44. Have you ever been to NYC or LA?
Yes to New York City. I'm not sure I really want to go to L.A.

45. How many states have you been to where all you saw was the airport?
One and it's actually a funny story. I know...you're so close to the end but this is a good one. My cousin was living in Denver and I was flying back to Austin. I had a layover in Kansas City. I went around for weeks telling people I was going to Kansas. I'd never been to Kansas. Umm...I've still never been to Kansas. No one corrected me that Kansas City was in Missouri. So, Missouri is the state where all I've seen is the airport...at night in the dark.

46. Do you think 50 questions is enough?
Yeah probably...too bad we're only at 46

47. Are you currently planning a trip?
Yes. I'm going to Cozumel in July.

48. Is Ryan Seacrest gay?
Who is Ryan Seacrest?

49. Do you take anti-depressants?
No

50. Have you ever googled your name and found out something?
Yeah, I played that game where you type in your name and the word needs...I need a lot of weird stuff

Hey...you made it and you know a little bit more about me. Not bad huh?

Brown Thumb

Me: Oh crap! This Lima bean plant the Science teacher gave me to grow in my room is dying. I mean I don't know for sure that it's dying...maybe it's supposed to turn brown and go limp.
Kids in the class: "Ms. Stewart...our plant doesn't look right."
Me: "Well..."
Kids: "Did you give it water?"
Another Kid: "Maybe it needs more sunlight." (I should point out that I have exactly zero windows in my room!)
More Kids: "How come this bean hasn't sprouted?"
Kid Who Hits The Nail On The Head: "Ms. Stewart killed it!"

Yes, friends, I killed the Lima bean plant entrusted to my care. We have a wonderful Science teacher that is always planning neat activities for the kids. They talked about plants and their various parts and then they planted three Lima beans in a cup. They brought it to me, healthy and alive, and said I needed to take care of it.

Now, I should stop right here and let you in on a secret...I have a brown a thumb. I can kill silk plants. I'm dead (sorry I had to stop and giggle at my cleverness)...great I giggled too much and can't even remember where this thought was going. Anyway, I can't keep plants alive. I've tried and I stink at it. Can you imagine my panic at having to care for 21 little darlings' plant? Around Easter we had a four day weekend. Being the dutiful teacher that I am, I emailed the Science teacher to ask about how to care for the plant over the weekend. Well, the thing is I forgot to check back. It's demise could have been preempted by the four days of dehydration it suffered. Humph.

Anyway, I've been trying to get these beans to grow and sprout, but they haven't. The teacher across the hall is practically growing a tree out of her cup and ours has barely sprouted out of the dirt. I didn't know how long I could keep it's sorry condition from the kids, but today they discovered the awful truth about their teacher. She kills harmless plants.

We're supposed to be getting a painted lady caterpillar next week...maybe I'll have more luck with a class pet than I did with a class plant!

A Bit Disillusioned

One of the things I truly love about my job is when at the end of the day I know...deep down know...that today was a productive day. On those days all my kids learned something, light bulbs were coming on, and I know that when parents ask how the day went the kids are going to know what to say.

And then there are days like today...where I've been totally disillusioned about teaching. Someone today told me that if you got rid of the parents the teacher's job would be so much easier. Thankfully, I don't have a lot of parent issues, but the ones I have are rough.

Yesterday, a student got in trouble for not participating in class, not following the rules, acting out, and being disrespectful. I sent a note home to the parent letting her know why her child had moved his clip. Today, I got a letter back in response. It said a lot, but the highlights (or lowlights depending on how you look at it) said that I obviously had no classroom management skills so therefore I couldn't hold the students' attention. It also charged me with having reading as a very low priority because I was destroying her son's interest in reading. And the kicker...I do not have the experience nor knowledge to be teaching children. The letter didn't imply her child but children in general.

Yeah, it left me in a funk all day that I just couldn't shake.

I know that those charges are not true. I am a good teacher and I am impacting students' lives in a positive way. It was just hard to hear (or read) that a parent has felt that all year long I've been harming her child. Trust me, I'm still a little upset about the whole thing, but I've been shaking it off more and more as the day has gone on.

I debated about not putting these thoughts on screen, but I know this isn't the first time this will happen so I want to remember that yes it wasn't pleasant, but I got over it. And more importantly...I know it isn't true.

I am a great teacher!

Shake, Rattle, And Roll

It's no secret that I hate laundry. I've even dedicated a post or two to this very topic. Well, guess what today is? Oh yeah...laundry day. Normally I let the clothes pile up in the laundry basket until dirty towels, unmentionables, and articles of clothing are exploding out of the basket and onto my shoes in the closet. I sort of turned over a new leaf so today there are only four managable loads of laundry. I put it off yesterday, but after reading my friend Becky's (by the way I think y'all should check her out!) blog about her laundry woes I felt compelled to do laundry. Thanks Becky...thanks a lot. Your status on the Christmas card list is still under question. Just teasing!

Anyway, back to my laundry or rather my washer. When I moved, my great grandmother said I could take her washer and dryer. This was great because I didn't have to buy one. Now, they're old (think back to when mustard colored appliances were in) but free is free. You don't look a free gift horse in the mouth. So, the washer and dryer work, but the washer tends to shake. Now before you start thinking of solutions let me say that I've tried them all. I've tried making sure the size of the load matches the amount of clothes in the washer. I've resperated the clothes that bunched up on one side. I've tried sitting on my washer. Nothing helps...it shakes. I was so funny to see the expression on my parents' faces when they came to visit. It would make this huge racket and they'd look at me and down the hallway. I'd remind them that this is normal so not to worry. The funniest part was when it started to shake.

Let me see if I can help you get the picture in your head. When my washer shakes my whole house shakes. Remember that I live in a mobile home (one that is closing in on thirty years old) so yes, everything shakes. My dad thought we were having an earthquake or something! Now, it's not like from the outside you see my house doing the boogy or anything but inside you see the entertainment center in the livingroom (on the opposite end of the house) vibrate. You can feel it on the couch and recliner where you're sitting. But the funnest place to experience "The Washer" is in my bed.

The washer is located on the other side of my bedroom wall. The bed isn't on this wall, but can you imagine what it would be like if it was! Anyway, my whole bed shakes. Not just a little, but a lot. Think of those cheap movies where the couple goes to the motel and the guy wiggles his eyebrows and pops a quarter in the headboard. Yeah...the whole bed shakes! It's the craziest thing. Sometimes I'll jump on my bed during the spin cycle and think "if anyone saw me now...". Oh goodness.

So, have you got the point about my washer? When my dad was here last weekend, he put up some shelves for me in my bedroom. Then I turned around and put a bunch of heavy stuff on the shelves (like pictures and vases). I was a little nervous since this was the first washing since the shelves had gone up. I was picturing the stuff vibrating right off and into the floor. So, I started some towels today and then planted myself on my bed to watch the shelves. I was ready to jump up and save stuff when it started to fall. Just so you know...watching shelves is really boring.

Thankfully, it made it through the first load without being shaken right off the wall. I have high hopes for the next three loads. So, there you go...another laundry experience at my house. Don't you wish you lived here?! I keep telling myself it is things like this that make my life so entertaining and well - I like that!

Seriously...Abe Lincoln And A Beaver?

***If you were amused by the last post, please check out the comments from said post. I added another gem that happened just today. It might cause you to laugh and it might cause an eye roll, but it is 100% true!***

Okay...someone...please tell me what is up with the sleep medicine commercial that has the sorry Abe Lincoln impersinator and that talking beaver. I don't get it!

Seriously, what do Abe Lincoln and a beaver have to do with not sleeping or dreams for that matter? Is this some dirty joke I don't get? Huh?

If I did have sleep trouble I don't think I'd want to take that medicine just on the off chance that it might make me dream about Abe Lincoln and a beaver. Am I the only one that thinks every other sentence in this post sounds dirty?

Seriously, the ad guys for this spot went way off. If I was whatever sleep aid company that was I'd be demanding my money back.

Seriously!

Oh, can you tell I'm tired of Grey's repeats and I'm dying for some new episodes?!

32 And Dwindling

One of the faculty mentioned today that we only have 32 days left of school. I couldn't believe it. It has gone so fast! My mom used to tell me that the older I got the faster time would fly. Being young and dumb I doubted this, but low and behold it is true. Anyway, in honor of the last 32 days, I thought I'd share some little funnies from the classroom. I bet you've all gotten some sort of email (or lived it) that has funny little things kids say or the horrors of raising boys. The funniest part of those for me these days...I know kids that actually say things like that!

I know teachers probably shouldn't have favorites, but one of mine loves to give me hugs. I can count on one every day from him. Well, the other day, he came up to hug me and held on a little longer than normal.

Me: "Sweetie, what are you doing?"
Sweetie: "Mmmm, Ms. Stewart you smell!"
Me: (a perplexed look on my face) "What?"
Sweetie: "Good...I mean you smell good."

During a unit on rocks and minerals, our class came across a picture of Mount Rushmoore. I asked why Mount Rushmoore was important. The normal answers were given about it having presidents on it and such. Since just a few weeks earlier we'd talked about President's Day, I asked if anyone could name the presidents on the monument. We did great with Lincoln, Washington, and even got Roosevelt. I noticed that one little girl was practically hovering above her seat and I thought her arm might fly right off she was waving it so hard. This child normally rushes to shout out answers so I wanted to reward her patience.

Me: "Okay, B. Thank you for not shouting out. Do you know who the other president is?"
B: "George....George....Clooney!"
Me: (struggling and failing to not laugh) "No. He's not a president."
B: "Are you sure Ms. Stewart?"
Me: "Yeah, I'm pretty sure."

My kids love to ask me how old I am. I told them once (on my birthday) and I expected that would be the end of that...it wasn't. I have one boy who particularly loves to ask me. I think he does it simply to annoy me. Anyway, I finally told him that it wasn't polite to ask a lady how old she was and he seemed satisfied with that answer. Well, several weeks later we got a new volunteer in our classroom. He was a huge hit with the kids and was pretty easy on the teacher's eyes. Anyway, I'd be wondering how old he was and if he was a student or just a generous guy. So, imagine my surprise when I heard this little boy out on the playground asking how old he was.

Me: "It isn't polite to ask people how old they are, M."
M: "I thought you only meant women."
Me: "I mean grown-ups. It isn't polite to ask grown-ups how old they are."
M: "Oh okay."
Me: "So, did he tell you how old he was?"
M: "22"
Me: "Okay...go play."

And that ended my fascination with the volunteer. I don't do younger.

There you go - just a few of the wonderful little snippets that make teaching so...entertaining!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you have a blessed weekend...however you choose to spend it.

This weekend my parents are here visiting and I'm so excited! It's hard being so far away from them so I really enjoy their visits. Yesterday we went shopping (okay Daddy just footed the bill and endured three hours at a Sam Moon center) and today we've set around talking and watched a movie. And to reward my dad for being such a good sport yesterday, we're driving out to the lake this afternoon so he can look for a good fishing spot. Hopefully, he'll have some time to go fish tomorrow.

Also, the weather has given us a surprise! A cold front came through yesterday so it's hovering around 40 degrees today. We even had big fat snowflakes this morning. Yes, you read that right...big fat SNOWFLAKES in Huntsville! It didn't last for very long and it didn't stick, but they were falling! It was pretty. I tried to take a picture but I'm not sure how well the snowflakes came out. If it's good I'll update the post with a picture. I can't believe we had snow...well at least for a few minutes!

Everyone take care and happy Easter! :)

Money Madness and Mayham

It's that time of the month. No, guys don't run off...not that time. The time where my paycheck has hit the bank and the bills have poured in. I just have to say that this bill thing isn't all it's cracked up to be. Be forewarned you young readers out there! I used to dream about the days when I could pay my bills and truly be independent. Oh to be young and dumb again.

Anyway, I should start out saying that I make the same pledge every month...I WILL keep my check register up-to-date and I WILL write down those debit card purchases. This usually lasts until the first debit card purchase and I toss the receipt on accident. I've done better with writing down checks but I'm big enough to give credit where it's due...I have duplicate checks these days. Well, at the beginning of the month my register looks all nice and neat. I'm one of those strange ones that writes who it is to and what is was for. By the end of the month...I'm lucky if I get the check number or debit symbol and the amount in there.

Oh why do I do this to myself?!

So, tonight was the night of reckoning for the check register. I printed off the online statement, grabbed my checkbook, and the calculator. Somewhere between checking off the cleared checks and sifting through receipts that had collected at the bottom of my purse, I gave up and just grabbed a new register book thing. Ahh, fresh and clean. I love having a new check register. I guess it goes back to my desire to stay organized and up-to-date.

So, I paid the bills and I figure any checks or debits that clear I'll just subtract from my current balance. Geez...I really need an accountant, be like one of those girls that marry some rich old guy! Or, just stick to my commitment to WRITE IT DOWN!