Goin' to GA

We leave in the morning.  Heading down for a few days.  We'll be back by New Year's, so I'll be making black eyed peas and collards at home.  So, to everyone who does read- I'll be back in 2009! 

Packing List:

In Touch magazine ( I know, trashy)

Cosmo (I have to hide the covers now- Helen can read too well)

Remember Me?- Sophie Kinsella

MP3 player (Loaded with new stuff- thanks David)

DVDs- I Love Lucy- Season One; Sound of Music; Office Space; Family Guy

 ALSO- any car sickness tips??- Zachary gets sick in the car (weirdly enogh, NEVER when I drive).  We usually travel with a bucket and trash bags, but I'd like to prevent sickness.......

songs....

talk about inappropriate, but I was laughing so hard.  This is what my 8 year old was singing in the car, to the tune of Little Drummer Boy

"I have some gifts for you, they're up in my bum.

It looks like fudge, but it's not, it's from my bum bum bum bum"

Maybe she's really Peter Griffin..... (no, she is NOT allowed to watch Family Guy)

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Merry Christmas!

elf family

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Dear ****

Yes, I'm boring everyone again with a letter to you which you will never read.  But I really need to know why you felt you had to accept charity gifts for your children this year.  What sad sob story did you give?  Did you leave out that you have a decent job and salary?  That you haven't had to pay a single bill all year?  That your only expense is 1/2 of day care?  That your child takes horseback lessons at $400 a month?  Let me tell you something about the poor.  They don't live in a nice home with all their expenses covered by the husband they threw out.  They don't eat smoked salmon on Christmas Eve.  They don't take horseback riding lessons at an expensive stable.  You have a roof over your head and food in your pantry.  You have a car to get you where you need to go.  You have Verizon FIOS.  You really ought to be ashamed of yourself.  If you are low on cash at Christmas, you cut back- give smaller meaningful gifts.  Your children will still be happy.  Your daughter was embarrassed, and I don't blame her.  The people you scammed thought they were buying gifts for children who would otherwise get nothing.  You have never been poor and you have no idea what a struggle is.  A struggle is when you lose what is literally your last $10 in Walmart and sit on the floor to cry.  Struggle is to try to pay for $15 dollars of groceries and not have the money in the bank.  Struggle is scraping up all the change you can find to go buy a box of mac and cheese from the gas station across the street.  Or walking 19 blocks to work because if you take the bus you can't eat lunch.  or washing your clothes in the bath tub because you don't have  the money for the washer.  There are real people who don't know where they will find the money to feed their babies.  They are drowning in bills and never feel a minute of peace or comfort.   They hide from the repo man.  They are about to lose their home.  You HAVE money, you HAVE family, you HAVE resources.  The man you had the police remove from you home would have given you the gifts he has bought the children rather than have charity.  If I had not lost my last shred of respect for you by now, this would have done it.  I really hope I never have to see you again as long as I live.  Ignorant disrespectful bitch.  Your life is a slap in the face to the real abused abandoned women and starving children.

Helen's Christmas card

Here is Helen's card for her class.   Plus she had little bags of candy canes, marshmallows and cocoa.  They were really cute- I didn't get pictures of those or the cute reindeer boxes I made for Zachary's class.  The memory card was not in her camera and I didn't take the time to put it back- sorry.  The teacher's gift turned out fine, too.  I found popcorn "boxes" in the Dollar Spot at Target.  I filled it with some shredded paper, bags of microwave popcorn and Blockbuster cards.  I think they were appreciated.  On another note, I always give the "specials" teachers a gift.  Did the same even though my kids are in the school where I work.  I, on the other hand, teach several kids who have a parent working at the school and got nothing.  I wasn't expecting anything, but I figured if anyone else understood, it would be another teacher.  No one teaches for the prizes, but a thoughtful note goes a long way.  The best gift I got this year- a piece of notebook paper signed by the 6th grade.  They didn't do it in class because it was the ENTIRE 6th grade.  They must have done it at recess or lunch.  It is hanging on my bulletin board in my office.  Kindergarten thinks I am beautiful, the sixth grade loves me and the fifth grade thinks I talk funny (they should have heard my accent 13 years ago, lol).

Now I am rambling again- must be the drugs.

I didn't die.......

but I tried.  I'll leave it as if anyone wants to kill me, morphine will do it and you won't need much.  Surgery went well.  As they wheeled me out they asked if I had any pain.  I answered "a little crampy" so they gave me morphine.  Hell, my periods are worse than that (hence the surgery, duh).  A Tylenol would have been enough.  So apparently morphine does not agree with me and I had about 15 Bradycardia  incidents and couldn't wake up.  I think it scared David.  They were even talking about transferring me to the hospital to be monitored while I slept it off.  What brought me back was remembering Zach had play practice.  If he misses the practice he can't be in the play- so I forced myself to talk.  I am just about in a freakin' coma and worrying about a five year old's play.  Any way, it woke me up.  The 3 bags of fluid they forced to flush me out helped, too.  And I had to pee about a gallon every hour last night......

I am feeling better today, even though absolutely no one called to check on me last night.  I feel so loved.  We are going to a reindeer farm today and breakfast with Santa is tomorrow after the play (Zachary is a German boy- he gets to wear his lederhosen and is very happy about it).

so tired....

I am very tired.  I wish my kids had somewhere to go be loud, other than in the same room with me.  I did get everything done for Zachary's class- he had his party today.  Helen's class is having theirs tomorrow.  She needs to sign her cards.  I need iron Zach's shirt for tomorrow and get all the clothes together.

I am having surgery tomorrow after their Christmas program.  I am nervous and hope it all goes well.  I plan to straighten up "my" bedroom and have the dvd player, etc at my disposal.  Clean sheets would be nice, and the laundry needs to be put away, too.  And I still haven't gone to Blockbuster to buy the stupid cards for teachers yet.  At least they are open til midnight.

My thoughts are as scattered as this post and I need coffee or something to wake myself up.  Plus a gag for my son.  There are days when I just get sick of his voice.  He talks weird and makes all these noises and it drives me crazy.  Then I feel guilty.

Zachary's Christmas Card

This is Zachary's Christmas card this year.  His class party is tomorrow and I still need to make reindeer food.  But his cute cards are done.  And he has a sinus infection.  Two hours of Patient First and Target- he did not stop talking the ENTIRE time........... I don't know why this is all underlined.....

And yeah, me...

I am getting to close the library the first week of January.  I have started entering the books into the new system. I am at 437.   That is one week of work.  I have about 3500 to 4000 books to enter.  If I can have 20 (I actually plan to do more) hours to work instead of about 4 in a week, I could make a dent. I will have to teach 6th grade, but no one else (their schedule doesn't permit them to miss- they won't have anywhere to go).  So that is good news for me.  I also have a bunch of books that will need to be processed, too.  That means school stamps, spine labels, bar codes, due date sticker and any protective covering.  I will hopefully have a volunteer for that.  After this is done, I will be able to use the computer to check out books rather than write everything down on a piece of paper.  So that is my boring life and job.  I move dusty books around and try to get kids who have been plugged into video games and computers all their lives to read.  And use something besides Wikipedia for research.

Most people I know don't read.  I've only been involved with one guy that was a reader.  That was kinda neat- we'd each get a book from the used book store, read and trade, then go back.  That was actually fun for a dork like me.  David has read pretty much no books in his adult life.  Not that he isn't smart- he just has other interests.  If it was abook about how to make something, he'd read it.

idiot........

Who would name their child Hitler?  And then be offended that no one in the bakery wanted to imprint his name in frosting?  There are just some names one should avoid....typically mass murderers, serial killers and fascists should be avoided.  Dumb ass.

randomness

I know that I was raised a long time ago and things are very different now. I do get that. BUT, things were also different when you compare my parents childhood to mine- that is how it goes. That said, these kids these days really are clueless. Maybe being raised by parents who had first hand knowledge of WWII and the Depression makes me think differently from these kids who have never know being poor, wearing unstylish clothes, saving useful items, etc.

I really frustrates me when rather than getting the point of a move set in 1940, they make fun of the names and the clothes. And the cars. They just don't seem to "get" any other time frame. I was a weird kid- I loved Little House on the Prairie, I watched old movies and tv shows. I read "vintage" books that I found at the library and at my Aunt's house. I found unusual things in antique stores and asked what they were for. I understood that many people were poor and my own mom grew up sharing a bedroom with 5 sisters and no running water. I actually liked all the museum junk I got dragged to on vacations. I saw Gone with the Wind for the first time when I was 8 and designed antebellum dresses for Barbie. I was weird and I know that, but I JUST DON'T GET these kids. And if I had my way, the X Box, computer and TV would not be in my house. I am rambling and also at work, so I shouldn't be writing, but I had to.

And totally off subject- we have found a way to punish Zach. No Candy. Give Helen a piece and tell him "NO". He is on no candy, no tv, no xbox, no computer until I decide he can have them back. Also, bed at 7:45. He has been awful and we need to "nip it".

Merry, Merry.....

If you get Christmas cards from me, don't peek......

Helen & Zachary   Christmas 2008

(their feet are discreetly hidden due to Helen's bright pink sneakers)

Yeah, Friday.....

After I dropped off children, I drove to Annapolis (about 20 miles from the school) to see an ent (alas, not Dr. Hottie).  He confirmed that I do have an infection and sent me away to the pharmacy.  Then I went to Trader Joe's where I purchased Garden Burger "riblets", kettle corn, cheese, soy yogurt and some ciabatta bread.  After running in my house to put my goodies in the fridge, I went 20 miles the other way to get my haircut.  I also bought some junk for Helen (hair things, an outfit), Christmas ornaments or the kids, Barbie and Indiana Jones.  And I dropped off my film and library books

When I went to get the kids, another teacher commented on my boots (black lace up DocMarten knockoffs from Target), which I wore with jeans that I rolled up slightly (more to keep my jean cuffs dry than to be stylish).  Any way, she told me how put together I always am and what great style I have.  Hee, hee- I needed to hear that today.  In fact, that teacher is one that I always think she looks great, so that was an extra nice compliment.  If she only knew I usually feel half- done and fat.  Any way, it makes up for the fact the fifth graders make fun of me.

satisfaction level......

 

I am usually pretty happy with my life.  But not today.  It has been raining for two whole days, I have a sinus infection, David is out of town, my kids are not listening at all and the school kids are being difficult because it is almost Christmas break.  I have a million things to do and not enough time or energy to do them.  I work in a basement away from everyone and feel like I have no new friends to fill the void of the ones I never get to see any more.  And no one ever returns my phone calls.  I haven't talked to my sister in weeks and even Erin is too busy to talk or get together.  I am feeling sad and isolated with no one but my (monster) children.  Even the dog is staying in the basement all the time.  Wahhhhhh.

Dear Santa......

Dear Santa,

I have been very good.  Or at least I tried.  This year I would like:

five minutes of quiet in the middle of the afternoon
a new wardrobe
my 28 year old body back (this is when I as the most comfortable with myself)
20/20 vision
kids who listen and do what they are told the first time
arms that don't keep waving after I stop
my mp3 player to be filled with all the songs I love and none of David's crap
no regrets
a full night's sleep with nothing waking me up

Thank you for considering my list- I'd be happy with anything you can give me.

Susan 

Still to do....

1. get film developed
   
2. buy gifts for mom, sister, brother in law, parents in law, David
   
3. choose picture for Christmas card
   
4. order cards (WILL BE DELIVERED BY FRIDAY), get them mailed
   
5. put up tree & decorate
   
6. wrap presents
   
7. buy stocking stuffers
   
8. return library books
   
9. buy birthday gift for party this weekend
   
10. pick up portraits at mall
    
11. make gingerbread houses
    
12. bake cookies (streamlining this year- sugar, white chocolate cherry, macaroons)
    
13. make teacher gifts (we're doing popcorn and Blockbuster cards this year) and buy gift cards
    
14. make cards for co-workers
    
15. help Helen and Zach design their class cards, print them and have kids sign them
    
16. make reindeer food for Zachary's class 
    
17. make cocoa bags for Helen's class
18. send notices for 3rd grade party
19. mail March craft fair applications

bold indicates done  italics indicates can do when school gets out

My kids are so freakin' smart.....

OK, everyone brags about their kids in their blogs.  I am no exception.  So here's the latest-

Helen made straight A's on her report card

Zachary just read 3 level one readers to me, with very little help (he wanted to read more)

Helen is being placed in the fourth grade reading group (she tested high 4th grade)

Helen is doing fourth grade math and simple algebra

Zachary is just wicked scary smart.  This is the conversation we had today.

Z- (looking at a quarter) this quarter is 8 years old.

S- How do you know?

Z- It was made in 2000.  That's the year Helen was born.  It's the same age as Helen.  And three years older than me.

S- That's pretty smart of you.

Z- yes and I have 62 cents in my hand.  (AND HE WAS RIGHT!  No one else was in the car to tell him)  I can spell December ...D-e-c-e-m-b-e-r.

My kitchen

Next step in the home overhaul- the kitchen.  I have "new-ish" appliances, but the rest is looking  a bit old.  I don't know what to do in there.  I am thinking of a neutral wall color- like a few shades lighter than the living room (chocolate).   The cabinets look sad- I might try to put a darker stain on them.  After that, I don't know.  I don't have a lot of space in there, but I want to use some things that are important to me- a red bowl, a ceramic rooster, a red pitcher and some tins with apples on them.  Don't know where I will put them.  Plus I wanted to use more green, not red.  SO, I don't know how to incorporate the red without having to use a bunch of red.  And I saw a bread box just like the one we had when I was a kid, except it was orange not avocado.  I want it......  Or maybe the green one I saw.  I don't know.  I just want a bread box.

Weekend Update

We went to New York this weekend. We stayed near Times Square, walked to Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, American Girl Store, New York Public library...... We got a bucket full of chocolate at the Hershey store (Zachary was in heaven). We ate Croatian food for dinner, and giant pretzels and knish for lunch. 

We attended (part of) mass at St. Patrick's. I was really irritated by the rude people with their big fur coats and cups of Starbucks parading through as if people weren't trying to worship and then depositing their cups all over the place inside the cathedral. Don't these people have any respect?  St. Patrick's is beautiful and I understand wanting to see inside, but if people are worshiping, show some respect to them and their faith and their church.

Here are some stats:

Number of times Zachary threw up- 3 (car sick)

number of times Helen had attitude- 2

rolls of film used- 10

number of firetrucks seen tying to get through town- 5

number of times woken up in hotel Saturday night- it felt like 23 (once was because of the people next door- they were noisy and I'm not sure which was more embarrassing- that we could hear it, or how pathetically short it was)

I forgot the backpack with my wallet, phone and allergy meds.  I really needed the Nasonex- city air and forced heat really does me in.  I realized that I am NOT a city kind of girl.  I like to visit, but I like clean air and quiet too much to live in a big city.

phones, phones, phones.....

I was informed last night that we need to give up our land line.  True enough.  Anyone who calls David calls his cell (except anyone he doesn't really want to talk to).  Anyone who calls the home line wants me.  I also have a cell.  I guess I don't need both.  I just don't want to be accessible all the time.  I am picky about who has my cell number and most every number that calls is already in my address book.  If we do this I will need a new actual phone, plus some kind of hands free device- you can't DO anything holding a tiny cell phone (ie fold laundry- try it if you don't believe me). AND, I have the coolest phone number (I won't give it out here, duh, but just know that people usually laugh or don't think it is real and I've had it for 12 years).  I guess I can transfer it to the new cell.  I'm already pretty good about ignoring my phone, I am just worried about the stupid calls during things like karate- I guess I'll have to remember to leave it in the car.....

On a different note, I survived the twins birthday party.  Their mother and I are not on friendly terms and I was worried about the awkwardness.  I just stayed out of the way and talked less than ever in my life.  I realized I had not missed her at all and she annoyed me.  

Gettin rid of junky paper

Sick of phone books?  Opt out here.....  Who really needs them any way?  

It's Official.....

>>>>I am a doormat.  Maybe not so much #'s 8, 9 & 10, but certainly some fo the others.  I need to work on that.  I just don't want any one to get mad...