On The Hunt

I again tackled apartment hunting today. I thought (well still mostly think) I'd hit the jackpot on the third complex. My "demands" were met...ground floor, price range, dishwasher, etc. The apartment was clean and everything seemed to be well maintained. Of course knowing the importance of not taking the first thing that comes along, I went ahead and kept looking.

I should stop here and give a huge shout out to my cousin who came with me. Thanks Amanda! Your insight was helpful!

Okay, so we looked at about four more. I still thought the best place for me was Apartment Three. I went back and filled out the application and left a deposit. I was still feeling comfortable with where I'd chosen. It is on the "good" side of town. My good friend lives across the street. Everything felt right.

Well, on my way home, my mom calls and tells me to look online. She had stumbled across some stuff that didn't sound so...right. Now, I know that not everyone is a satisfied renter, but the handful of ratings that were listed about this property weren't good. So, now I'm sort of worried. I mean I know looks can be deceiving, but that deceiving?

I called my friend that lives across the street and she was a little surprised to hear about the problems. I called the police department in an effort to find out about the safety and crime associated with the apartment complex. Unfortunately, I have to wait until Monday to talk to records. Also, Monday I'm supposed to hear back from the complex about the application status. I'll be sure to be asking about the laundry list of complaints.

So, while I'm not ready to say stop the presses, I am in need of a little bit more information. Seems I'm doing a lot of waiting lately. In case you can't tell...I hate waiting. Yeah yeah...I know all about a virtue called patience...

Maybe Job-y (Post Script)

Yesterday afternoon I sent in another round of faxes and today I got a nibble. I have an interview scheduled for Friday. It is in the area where I want to be and I like what I see from the school website. Plus, I have a friend that has worked there and said it was a good school. The principal sounded very friendly. So...now I go and interview.

This is the tricky part. I want to be excited and hopeful, but I don't want to get too excited just in case it doesn't pan out. I still find job rejection hard to handle. Y'all wish me luck. I'm sure I'll post details.

**Post Script...

Thank you for all the thoughts! The interview went well...at least I think it went well. I met with the principal only. We spoke for an hour and a half! Everyone has said that has to mean good things as you don't talk to someone for that long who you aren't interested in. We seemed to line up on most issues. She is looking for someone to be ESL certified (I'm not currently) but she did say that I could take the test over the summer and be fine. I tried to let her know that I was willing to do that and also that while not ESL certified I did have experience with those kids. I'm still trying to remain hopefully optimistic. She said that she had one more interview on Monday but that she wanted to make this decision fairly quickly. Hopefully I'll know something by next week. I really want this job. I've done all I can...now I just wait. And say a few prayers!

What A Bust

I think I've made a decision. No matter what happens job wise (I still haven't heard anything from anywhere...no one wants me...whaaa!) I will be moving. Several things have prompted this...mostly that I'm not happy in Huntsville. Also, this trailer is falling down around my ears and I'm not up to duck taping it together. So...I'm moving.

Where you might ask...I don't know.

When you might ask...another great question.

I have a time frame, but things seldom line up in my time frame. If you know me, you'd know that I just love (read H.A.T.E.) this kind of a plan.

Always trying to stay on top of things and keep in control what I can, I went house hunting in Conroe. Well, let me amend that. I started out house hunting and came to the realization that if I truly am not wanted anywhere else I'll have to be living on my current budget which means I can only afford to apartment hunt.

I should stop and say (or whine about) that I hate living in apartments. I like quiet. I usually like a yard (though seriously the creepy crawlies that go with grass...), and I'm picky in that I don't want to trek up stairs to get to my front door. Also, I'd like to have lots of room. Apartments aren't my first choice, but I'm discovering that they might be my only choice.

Okay, back to my house...err...apartment hunting this weekend. The places I could afford are the places where I'd be afraid for my life. And the places that were the nicest were for the drug dealing baby factories that are considered low income. (No offense to any drug dealing baby factories that are reading...) I learned quickly that I was what these apartments call "over qualified" and I need to look at "conventional" apartments.

So, this is my life at the moment. Packing up one residence to get ready to move to a still unknown residence. Also, there are only 7 days of school left so things are pretty crazy right now. This year has gone by so fast, but I think my little darlings are ready to move on from second grade. We all done good this year!

I hope you guys enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend! I've got laundry to finish (don't I always though...) and I think I might even scrap a little tonight or tomorrow, but other than that I'm just going to enjoy and rest for the rest of the long weekend. I hope you get to do that too!

Friendly Dinner Mishap

One of my favorite things about going to Conroe (about 30 miles away...you know...the "big city") is that my friend Nina and I (usually) get to go out to dinner! Where I live there are only a handful of restaurants...Chili's, a BBQ joint, and a dozen or so Mexican places. It gets pretty boring for the taste buds.


Well, several nights ago I got suckered into craving Olive Garden thanks to a new commercial advertising the stuffed rigatoni and sausage (by the way...yummy!). For that kind of indulgence I have to make a trip down Nina's way. Just my luck...Nina didn't mind eating out. The last time we went to Olive Garden it was a great experience. This time...not so much.


It was one mishap after another. For all the nitty gritty details go here...Nina's Life and check out her version (you might have to scroll...). It is pretty much mishap by mishap what happened! Plus, I'm all about pimpin' a friend's blog. Y'all go show her all the blog love y'all show me...and you'll get to read a funny story in the process.


What are you still doing here....go!

A Mama Is...

All week I've wondered what project to have the kids do for Mother's Day. Some classes are making vases out of plastic water bottles covered in tissue paper squares dipped in clue. Some are sticking their pictures on a flower that says, "I love you Mom!". And we're writing a poem.

Yep, I can really let it flow here...always (well not so much these days but 360 posts prove I'm somewhat) wordy. Today when I gathered my kids around for writer's workshop to demonstrate how to write this poem I had trouble. It wasn't that I didn't have anything to say, but I found that I had so much to say.

My mom is so much more than my mom. I didn't realize that until I was an adult living life out on my own. She's my mama. She's my best friend. She's always there. She keeps me grounded. She taught me to see that there is a bigger picture. She's shared her faith. She's my mama...my kids don't understand that. But I hope they will one day.

So, here is my poem.

A Mama Is...

By: Steff

A Mama is "I'll love you always...no matter what."

A Mama is strawberry cake to finish off a birthday dinner.

A Mama is a safe place to fall when the world has been cruel.

A Mama is a loud cheer in your corner when the world has been exceedingly kind.

A Mama is the scent of fresh laundry.

A Mama is always there even when she is miles away.

A Mama is what I want to be.

I love you Mama!

Such Language

As a teacher, there are just some things that I've grown accustomed to when it comes to parents. And then there are things that just blow me away.

Today, on our way to lunch, one of my little potty mouths turned around and let the person behind her have it...to the tune of you mother $@*&^! I was shocked and frankly a little amazed that an eight year old not only knew that phrase, but knew how to use it properly. Well I suppose properly is up for debate, but you know what I mean.

Anyway, this isn't normal behavior for this child so instead of taking her to the office, I decided to handle this in-classroom so to speak. I made her move a clip and took away her recess time. I also let her know that we'd be calling her mom too. Our afternoon was rather busy so I didn't have time to make the call until close to the end of the day.

I called her mom and explained that something had happened today and the child responded in a very inappropriate way. I also said that her daughter would be telling her what exactly she had said. Said child gets on the phone and says the above statement to her mom. Her mom talked to her for a minute and then she handed the phone back to me. At which point my jaw dropped when her mother said, "You called me just because she said..." Well you know what she said but the mom said the actual phrase to me!

I tell you...I would have been mortified...no...terrified to have repeated that to my mom on the phone. And I can guarantee that my mom would have been so embarrassed to have to speak to the teacher after hearing her child said such a thing. Parents just aren't the same today as mine were when I was growing up.

So, that whole little thing made my Monday a little more interesting.

Going Wild!

Tomorrow is the second grade field trip to the Houston Zoo! The kids are excited and even the teachers are excited. I'm excited because I have nine parents going! Yep...nine parents. That is more than half my parents. Y'all pray (or wish for us!) good weather. This is the second attempt at this field trip (last one "rained" out) so we really want that chance of rain to stay at 20%.

Oh, and I'll update tomorrow...heck who am I trying to fool...whenever I get to it with pictures of our positively wild time and my positively new red hair!

Playing Catch Up

You guys really are the best. I've become this horrible blogger recluse, yet I still check my comments daily hoping that you guys haven't followed my terrible lead. And I'm always surprised! Thank you all for the wonderful comments and emails. Even when I'm being unusually quiet, I appreciate the thoughts and support. I'd promise to return the favor, but with my current blogging habits I might just end up being a terrible liar. So, I'm going to take it one day at a time and make time to visit at least one friend every day. Baby steps and all....

Anyway, the vacation time share...excuse me vacation home purchase...turned out to be a lot of hype. But you never know until you go right? I conned my cousin into going with me (promising her the "free" seat next to me on the plane to Vegas and all) and also so she could remind me to be strong and remember my favorite phrase, "No, thank you!" The guy who showed us around was really nice (and cute...but I wasn't swayed) and even took my "No, thank you!" very well. He just asked a manager to come over and talk to me about financing. I couldn't afford this place with the cute guy and even though I was curious about the "deal" this other guy could make me I still couldn't afford it. For those people that could it seemed like a good deal. Well, once I told him "No, thank you!" he became a little rude. Okay, more than a little rude. I believe his exact words were, "Fine, keep throwing away your money." (See they try to sell you on the idea that the money you'd spend on their vacation getaway is less than you'd spend on a year's worth of vacations.) I replied that I didn't think I was throwing away money at which point he stomped away from the table leaving me completely clueless as to what to do next.

When I finally did make it to the prize hut it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I "won" a trip to Aruba that I have to pay to get to, pay to eat and drink at, and pay to get around on. Not so great of a deal. Of course there is the Vegas trip...the one that leaves on Tuesday only between 3pm-10pm and lets us stay at the luxurious Days Inn. The best thing I got was a $40 gas card!

I was finally able to sleep again, but I'm not sure how long it is going to last. It is 9:45 and I'm wide awake. Hopefully a little blogging and then a little in bed reading will help me drift off at a reasonable hour. It is probably because I got the most unprofessional e-mail about my contract today and I'm all up in a stir again. As my mom has told me...let it go and don't pick it back up. Leave it alone! Keep sending me sleepy time thoughts okay...

I've applied at two more school districts. Just a little nibble in Spring but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that somewhere out there someone wants me. And no, Lori...not in Arkansas! It is a waiting game but I've waited before so I'll make it. Patience just isn't my long suit...not by a long shot!

Yes, there is a guy. But that is all I'm willing to share. Right now it is just a friendship (which is how they should all start out right) but I'm open to whatever comes next. We'll see.

There are only 29 days of school left. How does that happen? How can it already be the end of April? Time sure goes fast these days. I've got a great crop of kids this year and it is hard to believe that my time with them is already drawing to a close. They have made great gains this year and I'm so proud of them! And of course they keep me laughing (which I've needed a little bit lately)! The other day we were discussing diagrams and how some diagrams point out the names of parts. This particular diagram was a plane...parts of a plane. We got a little stuck on the word cabin (most thought that was a house) but after some explaining I thought we had it.

Ms. S: "Where does the pilot sit?"
S: "In his seat Ms. Stewart!"

Well, apparently not. But I had to laugh...

Thanks again for hanging in there with me. You bloggers are the best!

12:41

It is after midnight. Where should I be...bed. Where am I...in front of the computer. My body is tired and begging for bed, but I can not shut my mind off. There are so many things rattling around up there.

I'm worried that I won't find another job and I'll be stuck in the hell that is where I work.

I'm frustrated because I'm not in control right now. I hate having any of my ducks out of a row and right now the job duckie (a huge duckie) is missing altogether.

I'm disappointed in myself that I hate where I am and while I'm making efforts to change where I am and daily trying to find the positive I still hate where I am. I hate that I hate it.

I'm excited about an upcoming vacation (to Amman, Jordan this Christmas!)

I'm trying to stay in perspective when it comes to this guy. My emotions are trying to run wild, but my head (and mother) are shouting back perspective perspective perspective.

My bed is calling and I really should return. I still feel like sleep is a long way off, but perhaps I'll rest more if I'm under the covers with the lights out.

Mind...go to sleep!

The Bluebonnet Festival

I've been hearing about the funky weather across the country, but today was a beautiful day in Texas! It was perfect for heading out to a Bluebonnet Festival. Bluebonnets the flowers...not the butter. (Somebody will understand that!) My friend Tracy and I headed out around noon for a lazy jaunt through the country. We were on the hunt for these...bluebonnets.


Unfortunately, while we saw patches of flowers, they seemed to be past their peak. Some spots were vibrant blues and purples and in huge chunks. For the most part though, it was small patches of not so vivid flowers. I was fully expecting to find a beautiful patch where I could sit in them and have a picture taken. Turns out there wasn't a spot that would have been worth the memory card space.

Anyway, we did make it to the festival and the arts and crafts fair. It was set up along the main street. There were so many booths! I saw many things I could have carried home with me, but my wallet kept a tight leash on me...fortunately. I did come across this little treasure in The Brazos Star. I'm partial to Americana stuff and I just couldn't resist. Isn't it sweet!

The flag is stitched out of material and is surprisingly soft. I'm not sure how I will incorporate it into my living room decor, but I'll find a way!

Also, what is a festival if you don't indulge in festival food?! The smells were all mixing together, and the smokey smell of brisket and sausage was almost more than I could take. I did settle for a delicious funnel cake and fresh squeezed lemonade!

I opted for the small version (it was still a lot of funnel cake...probably the 1,000 calorie version!) but I can't imagine what a Texas size would have been like! Either way it was very good...crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and very powdery!

Also, speaking of things that are crispy, I got that way a little bit myself. I wore an off the shoulder shirt and didn't give sunscreen a thought when I left. Apparently, I should have!

Thankfully, I Solarcaine-ed up as soon as I got home. It isn't stinging too much. You're probably noticing the little circular moon in the middle. My hair is getting much too long (normally I keep it shoulder length) so where it was I'm still creamy skinned. Unfortunately, everything else got burned. I guess it'll just match the other tan lines...soon I hope!

I had a great Saturday. I hope all you lovely people did too!

Vegas Baby...Maybe

I have a story to tell about a "free vacation" and maybe the gullible girl that is falling for it. Great hook right?!

Several weeks ago, I got this letter from a prize verification center that was addressed to my dad but with my address. The letter said that I'd (well he'd) been chosen to win a fabulous free vacation plus another of four great prizes. The letter didn't say what I had to do to claim these wonderful prizes. So, I read it and then promptly tore it up. I tossed it away, chalking it up to one of those hoaxy things.

Well, maybe two weeks later I received another letter. Again it was addressed to my dad (a big red flag...he wouldn't have signed up for something using my address) and I read it again. This time I thought a few minutes before tearing it up and promptly forgetting about it. Just days ago guess what came...yes...another letter. Now, I have to say that my curiosity was well and fully peaked. I laid it to the side with all the intentions of calling and finding out what exactly I'd won. Then I got busy.

When the postcard came yesterday, I made it a point to call. Heaven bless the guy that answered my call! I had many questions and was loaded with skepticism. Supposedly, all I have to do is give two hours of my time and listen to some spiel to buy into this vacation resort timeshare and an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas is mine. For those of you out there afraid that I'm walking into some trap where I'm going to lose all my money...fear not! I'm very good at saying NO!

I did put two and two together and realized that I'd have to probably pay taxes on the trip, but still that might be cheaper than if I'd actually planned the trip to Vegas. Also, I specifically asked for the website address and the name of the company (I Better Business Bureau-ed them!) so I could investigate on my own. Well, I can't access the website. That was sort of a red flag so I searched for this company and scams. Several things came up, but mostly the disgruntled were people who'd actually bought into the timeshare program. There were a few people that said they just went for the free trips and were satisfied.

I want to be in that group...the free (well...relatively free) trip winners who are satisfied group. We shall see. I'm supposed to go and tour this resort next weekend. I'm also taking my cousin with me...she can say NO! too! I'll keep everyone updated on whether I'm actually going to Vegas or not. I know you're waiting with bated breath...

Blackberry Blunder

It should come as a shock to no one, but I am not good with technological gadgets. Seriously, it is a miracle that I can work things like the remote or the computer. Even then, sometimes I get frustrated and want to whack the heck out of it! When I got my new cell phone (I finally upgraded to something not from the 1990s) I had to scour the manual to find out how to do the basics. Yes, I live in a sad little low-tech world!

Well, yesterday my cousin and I were out and about. We'd gone out to lunch and were on the hunt for a movie theater that was showing The Other Boleyn Girl. She has a gerbil or German or something...anyway, it's one of those things that tells you where you are and where you need to go. It sits on the dashboard. It was turning out to be of no help, so she dug out her blackberry for us to use the Internet to find movie listings.

I should mention that we were driving along in Houston area traffic so she said, "You do know how to use the Internet right?" Well, of course I know how to use the Internet...when it is on a computer screen. She handed over the phone thing and I looked at it thinking, "Where is the A key?" Yeah, I was pushing all sorts of buttons. I must have had a seriously perplexed look on my face, because she started cracking up. It wasn't just any normal cracking up, but that kind where you hear no sound coming out. Babies do that...when they make that face, but no sound comes out. You know it is going to be one loud fit when the voice catches up with the face. I quickly handed the thing back like it was a hot potato! And then I caught the giggles.

You know, maybe you just had to be there, but I have serious issues with blackberries! Maybe I just have serious issues with technology! I swear...

Can Never Have Too Many

Today was a mental health day for me. I did have a doctor's appointment this morning, but after that was over I decided to drive to the "big city" of Conroe (you'd understand that if you understood how small the town where I live really is...) and do a little shopping. You know shopping really is the best kind of therapy!

At Target I found the cutest shoes! They are like fake Crocs...same material but a much cheaper price. Well, I found a pair of light pink and dark pink striped ones. I loved them! They are so comfortable. Plus, they match the blue pair I have and always get so many compliments on them. See...



In the midst of admiring these, I stumbled across another Croc-like pair of shoes. They are like Mary Janes and again so darn comfortable! The only thing about these is that they sometimes make a little squish sound when I walk. That might be embarrassing...if you know what I mean... But, I'll over come it because they are just so cute! See...



Nothing like adding a new pair of shoes to the collection. Well, except adding two!

For The Honk Of It

After all this time, you guys probably know just how easily amused I am. Usually that amusement comes from things I see or hear, but today I was totally amused by myself. Being able to laugh at yourself is a sign of a healthy self esteem...or so I'm told. Well, today I'm extremely healthy!

A few weeks ago, I had to have my car put in the shop (code words for I had to spend an exuberant amount of money...). I had originally decided to have it looked at because my horn had all but given up the ghost. Seriously, this would be the best post to make audible. I'm sure you'd be highly amused to hear me wheeze and whooo like my practically dead horn, but alas I'm not that technologically advanced. So, just imagine me sitting here making wheezey and whoooy noises. The replacing of the horn was needed so my car would pass inspection. Well, I am definitely going to pass inspection!

Today after school, I needed to run to the little mail shipping place I use to drop off a package. The box was kind of bulky so I didn't want to wag in more than necessary. I grabbed my purse (also kind of bulky) and set it against the steering wheel to dig out my checkbook. Now, pre-outrageous amount to fix car (can you tell I'm still a little bitter about the loss of that $680?) I could have sat on the horn and it wouldn't have made a peep. Well, post-fix the horn is how shall I say...sensitive. Apparently the edge of my purse was pressing against the center of the wheel. When I reached into the pocket to grab my checkbook I pressed a little too hard I guess.

Now, here is the part that just tickles my funny bone. I didn't realize it at the time, but there was another lady parked next to me that walking in front of my car at the exact moment I pressed a little too hard. My horn, now fully functional and loud, tooted big time. Startled, I looked up to see her jump and I guess I hit it because before I knew it the horn was going off...again. I couldn't get my purse off my lap fast enough. By that time, I was tickled by seeing her jump and then me jump and then that horn going off again.

I did manage to get out of the car, with my checkbook, and the box without further incident. I apologized to her once I got inside the building. Thankfully, she was super nice about it all! Even she joined in with a little chuckle of her own. She did say it was a good thing she's worn her Depends. You just have to like a woman that can laugh at the fact that she needs "leakage" protection!

If all that wasn't bad enough, on the way to my next stop I hit the horn again. Now, if you knew my family you would understand this total "Mimi moment". Several years ago, my Mimi had this van that must have been possessed. The horn would just go off at random times. No one ever wanted to ride in that thing, but it sure was funny when you did! So, needless to say, from here on out (or until this horn goes all wheezey and whoooy) I will make sure I'll watch exactly what I put against the wheel!

Entirely Too Much TV

I saw the cutest commercial today! Yes, I was home from work. I'm having ear problems (and no the kids didn't talk it off!). Last week I went to the doctor because I'd been having ear pain and pressure for almost two weeks. The doctor came in, took a look, and said I had a serious infection in one ear and the start of one in the other ear. I was given a round of antibiotics, but they hadn't done the trick. I'm armed with another prescription for stronger antibiotics and orders to follow-up again with the doctor in seven days. I'm so tired of feeling so...full!

Anyway, back to this commercial I saw today. Now, you know that I'm a TV watcher. A lot of the time, half the fun of watching it is because of the commercials. Or perhaps I'm just so easily amused! Either way, Charmin has the funniest commercial. It starts out with a little bear walking around with toilet paper fuzz on his bottom. Then his mama comes after him with the vacuum cleaner and sucks the fuzz right off his bottom. I'm not doing it any justice, but it sure is cute! The whole point is that their toilet paper is quilted in a way that won't leave any fuzz on your bottom.

If the teaching thing doesn't pan out, I might try advertising. I could come up with something just as cute as a mama vacuuming her little bear's bottom. Trust me, be on the look out for it!

Spring Cleanin'

Just thought I'd share...this is my 350 post! Who would have thought I'd have so much to say?!

I was off on Friday (district says it is a bad weather day and the calendar says that it is Good Friday) and was so glad! We've only got ten weeks of school left. The year has just flown by...it is so crazy! Anyway, I spent yesterday out with the girls. We went shopping, had a great lunch out, and then saw a movie. Busy day so I slept extra late this morning. I think with Spring Break last week and yesterday off I'm getting into a habit that I hate to break come Monday morning. I also had to remind myself that it wasn't Sunday and I had an "extra" day off.

Being that it is now officially Spring and I had some time on my hands I decided to do some in-depth cleaning. Y'all pretty much know how I feel about chores so why bore everyone again, but oh I hate house work! I'll make someone such a terrible wife one day. Ha ha...that was a joke! Well, sorta...

I've vacuumed and scrubbed stuff. I've washed curtains and sheets. Now I need to start organizing stuff. My bathroom closet looks like a mini drug store and linens store exploded. I'm contemplating the pantry and spice rack next, but we'll see. I'm not all that into cooking so maybe it could wait.

Along the lines of needing to sweep the dust bunnies off the rafters and ceiling fans, I started thinking about other things that could probably use a good cleaning. You know the things that aren't "household items". Things like my attitude toward people at work. Instead of letting it get me down I need to just clean it up and realize that there are only a handful of weeks left to have to deal with these people. I also need to dust off the stamps and my address book. I got a card from a friend and realized just how long it has been since I sent out mail happiness to people. I also need to tackle my closets. I have clothes for all the seasons just thrown in together in the bedroom closet. Yes, I am one of those people who try to keep the seasonal clothes all together and change them out from the spare bedroom closet to my actual bedroom closet. It is a sickness I tell you! Plus, I need to get rid of some things! I've been getting more movement in and thanks to more nights cooking rather than eating out, I'm down 10 pounds and some things are too big in the waist now. That kind of cleaning is always a good thing right?!

So, I'm taking time to reflect about what the Easter holiday means to me on a spiritual level, but I'm also looking at it from the perspective of someone who needs to shake off the dullness and blues of the Winter and get into the new groove of Spring! I look outside (I have six windows in my living room and the view is just gorgeous out there) and see everything green and getting ready to bloom. It is invigorating! I hope you can find some time to catch that same feeling too!

Pinch Protection

I keep saying it and once again, I really should write down all the funny things kids say to their teachers and write a book! Some days the best part of the job is what comes out of their little mouths.

As I'm sure you guys are well aware, today was St. Patrick's Day. Like most people, I wore green in an effort to avoid any pinch activity. See...I thought I looked pretty good for the first Monday back after Spring Break.



Anyway, as the kids came into the classroom, I looked them over from head to toe and if I didn't see green they had to endure a little pinch (please don't turn me in for child abuse...I swear it was the gentlest of pinches!) before they could enter. Out of sixteen kids only two needed a pinch. Our morning was running pretty smoothly when one of my boys just about came out of his seat waving his arm.

"Ms. Stewart, can I pinch you?"
"No! You only can pinch if the person is not wearing green."
"Ms. Stewart, you shouldn't have worn green. We all want to pinch you!"

I wasn't sure how to respond to that kind of logic! I reminded him that I didn't want to get pinched so I wore green as pinch protection.

Later in the day, I met up with my Pre-K friends (I think I hear a calling to go back to Pre-K...a whole other blog post...) and one of the little dolls that loves to give me hugs every afternoon ran up to me. She grabbed my name badge and pointed to my name. I should mention that my first and last name is printed on my badge under my picture. She pointed to each letter in my first name as she said the letters out loud. Then she said, "That says Ms." She repeated the same thing with my last name. Then she said, "That says Stewart."

She was so excited that she looked up at me and said, "I can read!". She was just so darn adorable! Kids...gotta love 'em!

What If...

Y'all know how I feel about tags and questionnaire things! I found (read stole) this from Lori's blog. I liked it. If you do too, then feel free to steal! If not, then just enjoy the read.

What if I could meet someone in the art world to chat with - I think it would be a very short conversation! I'm not artsy at all. Now, if scrapbooking counts as the art world, I'd love to meet and chat with Lisa Bearnson!

What if I could have one wish granted for the benefit of all mankind - I'm sure this sounds corny and very reminiscent of a beauty pageant, but I'd wish for world peace. Every time you turn on the TV there is some new break-out of violence. Someone else is hurting another person. Surely an end to all the violence and wars would be a benefit to all mankind.

What if I could travel anywhere in the world - I'd want to go everywhere! It is hard to narrow it down to just one spot, but I think I'd love to travel and see Ireland and Scotland. The pictures that I see from there are absolutely breathtaking. And some of those highland kilt wearing clansmen fantasies don't hurt!

What if I could live in a period other than the present, for 24 hours - Hmm, I think I have it pretty good right now, so I'm not sure I'd want to leave the present! But, for the sake of the question, I'd probably pick the Civil War era. Maybe I've watched Scarlett one too many times, but the dresses, hats, shoes, and such look so lovely. Plus, it just seems like the deep South would be a charming place. I'm so off base aren't I?!

What if I could make over three areas of my body - My butt (I would redefine it and make it smaller), my breasts (I would put some of the butt there to make them bigger), and my thighs (they have just always been a struggle). Outside of the breasts (which will probably just remain their current shape and size because I really don't think I'm vain enough for surgery), I am already working on making over those other two areas. The going is just slow!

What if I could become an animal for 24 hours - I want to be Dex, Fat Kitty! All he does is get pampered with attention, eat, and sleep. Who wouldn't want that kind of a life?!

What if I could bring someone back to life for 24 hours - I think I'd want to bring back my dad's mom. She died before I was born so I never had the chance to know her. I've heard all about her, but would love to introduce myself and find out a little bit more about her.

Show Me The Money

Ever have one of those days where you feel like everywhere you turn someone is demanding "Show me the money!"? Well, today was my day.

My car is a good little car and I try my best to take care of it, but today I had to take it to the shop. I went in for one little thing...the horn. See, when I got the car it had this sickening little wheeze of a horn sound. Well, after several years and just maybe one too many honks, it gave up the ghost. I also need to have the thing inspected and I knew that without the horn it wouldn't pass. So, how much could it cost to fix the horn? I wouldn't know, because it was also discovered that I needed a new headlight thing-a-mah-bob, the fuel filter and some plugs needed replacing, and the timing belt needed to be replaced. These guys are reputable and do outstanding work. My parents have used them for years, but when he said the total was $680 I just about fell out. That is more than my rent! More than my rent and cable and phone put together! I guess this is what savings accounts and rainy days are all about huh?

That was this morning.

As I mentioned before, I'm having to have my wisdom teeth extracted (sounds more dramatic!) this summer. Today was the pre-surgery consult. Well, the oral surgeon I'm using will file my insurance, but they don't accept it as payment. That means I shelled out $125 for the visit and the three second X-ray. I also found out that my bottom teeth are embedded in the jaw bone so the extraction will be a "bony extraction" which means I have to be put to sleep and the teeth have to be cut before they can be removed. I found out all kinds of scary stuff. Like, I'll be put to sleep. The surgery will take an hour and a half. Because of the position of my bottom wisdom teeth (they lay flat instead of standing up like good teeth) it will most likely being a swelling and painful recovery process. My doctor even said, "You'll probably be cussin' me for the first few days." Thanks, but that wasn't encouraging Doc. As if all that information wasn't enough...the receptionist laid the boom on me. The total (before insurance...which mine might yeah MIGHT cover only 80%) is $1645. Yeah you read that right.

I figured I'd better come home and stay put lest anyone else come find me and say I owed them money! Feel free to start a collection in my name. Okay okay I figured that one wouldn't go over, but please do send up thoughts and prayers that my insurance will cover the full 80%. My checking account and I would really appreciate it!

On The Road Again...

The last few weeks have found me putting the pedal to the metal and hitting the highway. Last weekend, I traveled to my grandparents for a family weekend (had a great time!) and then yesterday I headed to my parents' house to spend the week (it is much needed Spring Break time!). As I was trapped in my car for hours on end I made a few discoveries.

First, you can always go home again, but the drive never gets any shorter! It takes forever to get anywhere in the state of Texas. I mean, having lived here my whole life, I know Texas is a big state. I was telling someone just the other day that I spent about three hours driving to go about two inches on the map. And that was the short trip. I live about five hours away from my parents now. My mom always likes to ask, "Well did the road get any shorter?" and the answer is always the same...NO!

Second, we need to stop worrying about that chicken and start talking to all those poor stinky skunks about crossing the road! I've never seen so many dead skunks! Maybe it was the distance and that is why I counted so many. Poor stinky things...you'd think they would learn that cars are not friendly to skunks.

Third, it is a good thing I'm an educator because I'd never make it as a singer! In an effort to ward off the boredom, I plugged my MP3 player in and sang away. I love that thing! I guess it is a good thing I didn't give up and chunk it out the window at Christmas. LOL While it didn't totally take my mind off of how bored I was, it did make for some pretty strange looks from my fellow travelers. I was singing at the top of my lungs and dancing (well as much as you can strapped in by the seat belt) along to the songs. I'm sure I looked like I was on my way to the nut farm!

Anyway, despite the long and boring drive, I've arrived safe and in one piece. I unloaded to my mom about all the crap that has been happening at school. (Y'all, I could go on and on about it, but it is just same song different verse. Please just send thoughts and prayers my way that I find another job ASAP!) Well, after our debriefing, I resolved that I wouldn't give school another thought this week. I'm looking forward to sleeping late, catching up on some reading, and just over all having some time to just relax. My fellow teachers will completely understand that sentiment. The rest of you...sorry, but you made the wrong career choice!