Hymns

It never ceases to amaze me the number of hymns I know. I don't remember learning them, but as soon as we start singing, the melody comes to me. I love that I had the opportunity to grow up in the church and be surrounded by those songs and that they will always be a part of me.

Smoke Detectors

How long does it take 4 women in their mid-twenties (with 4 bachelors and 3 masters degrees between them) to change the batteries in 5 smoke detectors in 1 small house? About 90 minutes.
This situation was hilarious on so many levels.

1. There are 5 smoke detectors in this little house- some are only 3 feet away from each other.
2. All 5 detectors are chirping like they have low batteries, driving everyone a little nuts. We change all the batteries and just as we say, "I think it's stopped" one chips again.
3. We go around and check all that all the batteries are in correctly. Still doesn't stop the chirping.
4. We drag the ladder around the house again, vacuuming in and around the detectors based on a Google tip. Still chirping.
5. We disconnect all the detectors from the ceiling and then feel as if we are going insane because they are STILL chirping.
6. We take all the batteries out and enjoy the quiet for 10 minutes before reinstalling all of them.
7. One still chirps. We disconnect it, take out the batteries, and resolve to beat it to death with a baseball bat in the morning.

FRIENDS!

No, not the TV show- actual friends coming to visit today! Not only will we have 2 of Nate's friends from high school over for the evening, but 2 of my friends from college will be here as well!

So Big

I just got a call from a woman who works for the local newspaper. Not only does she want to do a story about the Crochet Club, but she wants to come help teach the kids to crochet AND get me and the kids involved in a community wide project to make blankets for the women's shelter. I am in awe of how this little thing has become so very big. God is big and good.

Two Days in a Row

Off to trivia again tonight to prove how useless I am to my team.

This Is What I Think About

I am having trouble deciding who my favorite president is.  Of course, Abe is the best looking, but I have to say, I just can't decided between Franklin and Theodore.  There's just something about those Roosevelt boys...

Let's Talk About Sex... Education

I went to another Health Services Advisory Committee meeting this morning.  I only joined this committee so we could talk about sex ed.  So far, we've only talked about immunization.

Senior Center

I just got back from the Senior Center's Crochet Club with one committed helper and 2 maybes.  Also, I have found the place I belong on Wednesdays at 1:00. 

Write it down

Everyone should mark this date down in history.  My horrible printer has printed 4 times in a row- on the first try!  It's a miracle! 

Dictionary Banned

Seriously, some schools have banned the dictionary.  Read about it and please be offended at the ridiculousness. 

Refinancing

Been on the phone for the last 45 minutes trying to see if we can refinance our mortgage. This has to be a low point of being an adult.

Planner

I just spent the last 15 minutes filling in meetings for the next few weeks in my planner.  Without it I would not have realized I have to be in 3 places at the same time on next Monday or that our next furlough day may mean I can leave a day earlier for a weekend visit. 

Reunited

Thank you, Facebook for reuniting me with one of my best friends from elementary school. The LONG message I got from her totally made my day.

Shhhhhhhhhhoot

While reaching into a wooden cubby, I got a large splinter of wood shoved deep under my thumb nail.  I managed to keep my painful exclaimations to: shoot, dang it, and oh man.  Everyone should be impressed with my self-control.

Community Crochet Club

I just got off the phone with the Senior Center.  I'm speaking at thier Crochet Club meeting on Wednesday.  My hope is that a few people from their club will be able to come teach at our club.  Crochet Clubs UNITE! 

Unexpected

Nothing like a few unexpected expectations placed on you at the last minute to really get your anxiety going in the morning.

Counters

We've had to put tape all over the counters in an attempt to keep Nobby off them. This is my last resort. This cat is driving me nuts.

Peking

We are about to go out to eat at my favorite Chinese restaurant ever. The staff is so friendly and the food is amazing. Hurray sesame chicken!

Rainy Sunday

Totally mundane Sunday afternoon. Nate playing video games. Katie cross-stitching.

Lap Warmer

Our cats make good lap warmers.

Air Pump Ministry

I never would have thought that my $8 air pump would be the thing to help me create relationships with the neighborhood kids. We have kids coming over once a week to borrow the air pump for their bike tires. We just had 2 kids come over, borrow the air pump, and then come in for muffins and a few minutes of talking. I have to say, I was hesitant to invite them in when I'm still in my bathrobe, but it was good. I am thankful for my air pump and the children it brings to my house.

Fun Friends

I had a really good time hanging out with Nate's friends from seminary last night. We had dinner and took them on a night-time tour of our town (clock tower, college, down-town). He has good taste in friends- what fun people!

Furlough

3 more furlough days confirmed for the spring.  2 were not even teacher work days- meaning they've also added 2 student holidays. 

Friday Detention

Wanna know what's worse than being in detention on a Friday?  Giving detention on a Friday- especially when the student is really mad at you.

Math Love

I got to help a few 8th graders with their math this morning.  I love my librarian job and I don't miss grading papers, but boy do I miss teaching math.  I love graphing!  Gooooo y=mx+b!

Another Eager Day

Today I was happy to start the day because some of Nate's friends from seminary are coming over this evening.  I'm really looking forward to meeting them!

AWESOME!

Thanks to some amazing teachers who were willing to learn and then teach the kids, 57 children learned how to make a chain stitch!  SO AWESOME!

Here It Goes

57 kids on their way to the library to learn how to crochet.  I sent 13 away crying today because they didn't have their permission slips.  Wish me luck!

Sometimes I Forget

If I forget, even for a moment, how political the system is, I will very quickly get smacked in the face with a hoop I was supposed to jump through.

Eager

It has been a long time since I have been eager to get to school.  Even though I am overwhelmed with how to proceed with the Crochet Club, I woke up happy and eager to get to school.

Skipper

I'm skipping trivia tonight so I can fold laundry and go to bed at 8:30.

Final Count

55 permission slips.  55 kids in the library tomorrow to learn how to crochet.  I am blown away.

Account Balances

I stress over my personal accounts and budgets.  I stress even more about my 5 library accounts.  Especially when book orders are cancelled without my knowledge.  So stressful and time consuming.

47?!

I made them get permission slips signed and there are still 47 kids coming to my Crochet Club.  I am going to say a little prayer and then wing it.  We'll be lucky if even 5 kids learn how to chain.  Oh well.  Next time I'll know better. 

Snack?

Very little will make you as hungry as proctoring a test for 2 hours.  I need a snack. 

Getting Through

The only way I am going to get through proctoring the 8th grade writing test (2 hours of pacing in absolute quiet) is the Glee soundtrack playing through my head on repeat.

Commercial

We had the first successful viewing of the Family Fine Arts Night commercial.  Thanks again, Derek!

NW Meeting

Off to what will most likely be a very boring Neighborhood Watch meeting.

More Testing?

Ugh.  I just found out I have to proctor the 8th grade writing test tomorrow morning.

"Interesting" Cat Names

Some friends were at the vet today and started talking to the receptionist about all the "interesting" pet names they must see. In the short list of "interesting" names, the receptionist mentioned BOTH of our cats' names. HA!

Car Update

It only cost $45 to fix the Cressida! New batter cables or some such nonsense.

Neighborly Chit-Chat

Noelle and I just got back form inviting neighbors to the Neighborhood Watch meeting. This gorgeous weather and national holiday had everyone in a good mood.

Nicer Nap

I just took a nap in the recliner, in the sun, with a purring cat on my lap. The only thing that could have made it nicer was if I didn't have to listen to the sound of Nate shooting dinosaurs on a video game.

Oh, Cressida

We just had to take the Cressida to the shop. I hope whatever is wrong is simple to fix (and inexpensive).

Haiti

In 2002, I visited Haiti twice.

If you haven't donated money yet for relief, I would encourage you to do so. Every little bit will help.

New Favorite Time-Suck

My Life is Average

Glee and Baking

+

I have listened to the Glee soundtrack twice through while baking blueberry muffins and cinnamon sugar cookies.

Oh, Internet

It's amazing how one website leads you to another. I started out reading news stories and ended up looking at adoption profiles for children in Haiti and the U.S. and teach abroad positions in Japan. Nate is trying to tell me that we can't adopt 6 children AND move to Japan for a year. With the help of the internet, I think we can.

Yoga

2nd Saturday in a row of amazing yoga taught by a neighbor.

Twitter

Nate made a Twitter account for me without my consent. Like my blog doesn't tell people enough about the minutia of my life.

Coolest School Ever

The teachers I work with are amazing. These are the lessons that are going on in my building TODAY:

• One of our 3rd grade classes are all wearing mouse ears. They finished reading The Tale of Despereaux and are having a cheese party while they watch the movie
• 4th grade's language arts lesson on mechanics (grammar) has the kids working at a "chop shop" cutting apart sentences and then putting them together in a new way to make the more interesting. They are "grease monkeys" with black paint on their hands and faces and they are calling their teacher "Boss" all day.
• 4th grade's science lesson on the weather included a visit from the Channel 11 News weather van.
• The 7th graders are walking around the building with popsicle sticks taped to their fingers. Their lesson on evolution had them picking candy out of shredded paper with and without these appendages.

BINGO

Just got back from the 5th grade's AR party- BINGO and lots of sugary snacks.

11 Alive

Channel 11 News out of Atlanta is coming to our school today to tape our kids.  I still haven't figured out why, but you should watch for us. 

Dead

The Cressida's battery is totally dead. Even the automatic seatbelts won't work.

Lost

While on our tour of the high school, I had the opportunity to say hello to many former students (which was wonderful).  But while I was chatting with one of these former students, my group moved on without me (which was not wonderful).  I looked and wandered and eventually not only lost my group, but got completely lost in this huge high school.  Thank goodness another former student found me and took me to the main office.

High School Visit

Even though I'm no longer an 8th grade teacher, I somehow always end up going on the high school visits.  I'll be at the high school with a group of embarrassed and nervous 8th graders all morning.

46?!

I have 46 kids signed up for the Crochet Club and the first meeting is still over a week away...  I had no idea it would be this popular!

Here They Come

For 15 minutes, all has been quiet in the media center.  Then bell rings and here they come.  The morning news crew.  Too loud for 7:20 AM.  They play that horrible "Ice Cream and Cake" song.  It will be stuck in my head all day.

Bacon Smell

Nate made bacon wrapped hot dogs for dinner. It's 9:45 and my house still smells like bacon. Yuck.

Keep Troup Beautiful

3:30 Meeting with Keep Troup Beautiful.  Hoping to see how they can help out with the litter problem in our neighborhood.

Hiccups

Teaching annotated bibliographies to the 8th graders gave me the hiccups.  The kind that shake your whole chest.

Crochet Club

Yesterday, I put up flyers for a crochet club.  It's only 10 AM and I already have 14 kids signed up!  I might need some help.  If you want to help me teach kids to crochet, please let me know.

55 Orders of Curly Fries

I just went to pick up 55 fries from Arby's for the 4th grade's AR prize.  You should have seen their faces when I walked into the lunchroom with that big box. 

13 degrees

I can't remember the last time it was this cold for this long in Georgia.  It's only 13 degrees outside.  Brrrr.

Sore

After an hour of yoga this morning and an afternoon of moving furniture , I am anticiating being sore tomorrow.

Mommy's Little Helper

I'm going up to my parents for the rest of the weekend to help them get the house ready to sell. Mom hurt her knee a few days ago and could really use a helpful daughter around. I'm glad I can fill that role.

Yoga

I am going to a yoga class this morning. The teacher is my neighbor as are the 3 ladies I'm picking up to go with me. It should be fun!

Too Much

We just got our utility bill. We keep it really cold in the house, but that bill is still waaaaay too much.

Elvis and Dad

Today is my dad's birthday! On a much less exciting note, it also happens to be Elvis' birthday.

Hot Cocoa

Our principal just brought around a steaming pot of delicious hot cocoa for all the teachers, complete with marshmallows and whipped cream.  Hot cocoa on a cold day goes a long way towards healing wounds.

Too Bad

We all really thought they might cancel school, but they didn't and I can see why.  Despite predictions, there is very little ice on the road.  At least we got 2 extra hours to sleep in out of this.

Out of the Blue

I just got off the phone with A. If you're a long-time blog-follower, you might know that A (as in A and B) is a foster child we kept during spring break last year- our first respite placement. Anyway, A's dad called me. Apparently A talks about us all the time and wanted to talk to me. He seems to be doing very well, so even though this was totally out of the blue, it was heart-warming to know that we made a connection with this child.

2 Hour Delay!!!

There's going to be a 2 hour delay for school tomorrow! I don't have to be there until 9:00 AM!

Good Day

Today has been a good day.  I got a lot done, saw a lot of students, and was able to stay joyful and peaceful all day long.  What a good feeling.

Misery Loves Company

Getting up this morning was much easier because Nate had to get up too.

Anxiety

"Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up."  Proverbs 12:25

 

My heart is weighed down.  I need a good word.

Top Living Story

The LaGrange Daily News named the article they wrote about my traveling library gnome Claude as one of the "Top Six Living Stories of 2009." I'll be signing autographs any day now.

Egg Casserole

I'm making my mom's egg casserole for dinner. My sister, brother-in-law, brother, and his friend are all joining us for dinner.

Bummed

I had asked to teach this after school tutoring program, but found out today that they gave the position to someone else.  Bummer.

STILL cold

They lied to me.  They said the heat would be fixed in the library over the break.  It's not.  What a way to start the new semester- teacher work day where I must wear mittens indoors.

Bubble Bath

I going to take a bubble bath and try to prepare myself for going back to school tomorrow.

Dan and G

Eating tacos, watching It's Always Sunny in Philly, and playing board games with Dan and G who are visiting for the evening.

Masterpiece

I finally finished Nate's Christmas present. I've been working on cross-stitching Mario on a sweatshirt since Halloween (including about 8 hours of work on it yesterday). I'm very, very proud of it and Nate seems to like it, too.

2 for 2

I stayed in my PJs until 2:00 again today. Don't get me wrong, I'm being productive (finishing up my cross-stitching project, mending clothes, cleaning the house), but I'm just doing it all in comfy pajamas.

Turkey and Rice Soup

I just made some delicious turkey and rice soup for dinner- without a recipe. I know, it's not that difficult, but I'm still feeling pretty proud of myself.

Great Start

I'm starting out the new year right. It's 2:00 and I'm still in my PJs.