New Vacuum

We are about to purchase the 4th vacuum of our married life. That's just 2 years per vacuum! Ugh. But if you've got carpet and cats and friends who come in and out, you've got to have it. Here's hoping this one (just as well researched as the last, I might add) lasts a big longer.

See, Nate? I Don't Just Babysit Books!

My AP was in the media center for an hour or so working on one of the computers while hers was being fixed. It was kind of nice to have someone be in here (who usually isn't) to see what I do every day. It also made me aware of just how diverse my job is. During the time she was in here, I helped students find books, fixed a software glitch, replaced the bulb in an overhead projector, checked books in and out, sent out reservation notices, and discussed with a teacher which picture she took to send to the newspaper.

Keeping Resolutions

Thanks to the super mild January we've had, I've managed to walk 2 miles a day, 5 days a week for almost the whole month. Too bad I haven't kept my water drinking or sweet-quitting resolutions quite as faithfully...

Book Shelf Karma

I have vivid memories of walking up and down the aisles of the library as a child and pushing all of the books back on the shelves.  Now as a librarian, I go behind the students, pulling the books back to the front of the shelves.

Kitty Snuggle Time

I've got Nobby curled up against my side and Mrs. laying across my legs. I was going to get ready for bed but... I guess I could sit here a bit longer...

La-zy

I took 2 naps today. I went back to sleep after dropping AL off at the SAT (9-10:30AM) and then took another nap in the afternoon (3:30-4:30). Sleeping, shopping with a friend, baking, going on a walk, and playing Lego Harry Potter with Nate. Another fantastic Saturday.

Coffee Cake Muffins

I'm baking coffee cake muffins. They are making the house smell amazing!

SAT- Take 2

I'm up before 7 AM on a Saturday to take AL to the SAT. At least we know we have a calculator and pencils this time.

Some Days

I can't think of anything interesting or witty to say.

Weird Dreams

I've been having EXTRA weird dreams lately.  Last night I dreamed that I took a job working at our school system's central office.  If that wasn't weird enough (and believe me, it is), I also dreamed that the building was made out of mattresses.

Too Far?

There are a few 8th grade boys who walk down the hall acting as if they have no bodily control- they jump, spin, dance, jerk, twitch, push, fall down, etc.  Today I said to one of them, "Why do you act like a puppet controlled by an epileptic child?"  Thankfully, he just laughed.

Book Recommendation Email

I received an email this morning from a former student asking for a list of good books to read. She said I always knew just which ones she would like. What a fantastic compliment for a librarian.

Tree-Hugger

I've never felt like such a (literal) tree-hugger. As they cut down the last two nearly 100 year old oak trees on our street, I nearly teared up. They're so beautiful and full of history...

Winter Tricks

It is SO pretty outside (73* and sunny!).  I keep telling myself, "It's a trick.  It's still winter.  It's going to get cold again" but part of me just wants to run outside and scream, "It's spring!"

Hot and Cold

When they kids as me to help them find a book, I usually remind them how the library filing system works (alphabetical order by author's last name for fiction, for example) and then we end up playing an elaborate game of Hot and Cold.  "You're getting warmer, warmer... colder, no, P comes after M, you're too far..."

Cassette Tapes

Thinking about my karaoke machine has gotten me reminiscing about my cassette tapes. Before the age of 10, I had exactly 3 of them: Ace of Base, the Footloose soundtrack, and the Beach Boy's greatest hits. The Beach Boys cassette was my first and favorite until I realized they were not, in fact, boy-band competition for the New Kids on the Block. I felt betrayed by their deceptive album cover in which they looked MUCH younger than they were when I saw them on an episode Full House. Soon after, I acquired a Boyz II Men tape which, now that I've heard it as an adult, was completely inappropriate for an 11 year old...

8th Grade Math

I've spent most of my day covering for 8th grade math as they can't find a sub.  Finding it hard to complain since 1) it's a quiet day in the library and 2) they're learning graphing linear equations which I love teaching.

Famous (sort of)

My daydream of becoming a semi-famous blogger is not the only time I've been smitten with the idea of quasi-stardom.  It all started with my karaoke machine... a Christmas present when I was about 9 years old.  Singing along with my Ace of Base cassette tape, I had big dreams.  Not of being a famous singer, but just of wowing all my classmates at a talent show.  A talent show that never came.  Oh well.  The nice thing about very reasonable aspirations is that 1) you often attain them and 2) when you don't it's not such a huge let-down.

Tornado vs Bathroom Floor

We have a lot of windows in our school.  Because of this, there are very few "safe" places in the hall during a tornado.  Today we're having severe weather warnings and the principal suggested that if we need to, we take the kids in the bathrooms.  As in, get down on your knees in a middle school bathroom with your face just inches from the floor.  I don't know about the kids, but I think I might take my chances with a tornado.

Panda Poet

Nate has me addicted to playing Panda Poet. If you like word games and want to have a few hours of your life sucked away, check it out.

"Boring" Weekend

This has been just another average weekend. What may seem boring (laundry, grocery shopping, walks, naps, movies, reading, crocheting) is actually exactly what I need to get me ready to face another week.

Good-bye Trees

The city has been, for the last year, slowly cutting down each and every one of the huge oak trees that line our street. It's so they don't fall on the houses, which I totally get, but it makes me really sad because I love the trees. They make the neighborhood feel established, distinguished. Maybe I'll go behind them and plant some new ones...

Pizza Tracker

Nate and I are both pretty fascinated by the Pizza Tracker on Domino's website. Somehow knowing "Darian" is putting our pizza in the oven right now makes ordering pizza so much more exciting.

Pavlovian Response

Every day at 11:30, the library assistant washes his hands (there's a sink in my office) and then goes to eat his lunch.  Over the past 4 years, I've developed a Pavlovian response.  When he washes his hands, I start to get hungry (I eat my lunch at noon when he's done).  Today he washed his hands at 11:00, but I'm salivating anyway.

Difficult Start

It's difficult to start off my day with the knowledge that after a full day of school, I'll be helping with play practice until 5:30. It makes me want to take a nap already- and I've only been up for 45 minutes.

Dinner with Todd

My youngest brother Todd was able to join us for dinner tonight. I'm so thankful to have him in LaGrange.

Candy Canes

Found a box of unopened candy canes in my office.  After confirming they are indeed from Christmas 2011, I've been eating one a day.

She Doesn't Like My Cooking But...

AL just told me, "I put blue cheese dressing on that Chinese food and it was really good!"

Winter Bug Bites?

How am I getting bug bites on my legs during the winter?  When I'm wearing pants?

Not a Good Idea

A substitute teacher wanted to show a clip of the JFK assassination to a group of 3rd graders...

Games and Apple Crisp

Finished off our 3 day weekend with homemade apple crisp and board games with Noelle and Chuck.  Such a wonderful weekend has put me in a good mood for the week.

Special Scrambled Eggs

Today we had scrambled eggs for lunch- all from our own chickens!

Twist Ties

Our cat Nobby knows which kitchen drawer the twist ties are in. He waits until you leave the kitchen, gets on the counter, opens the drawer, and swats a few out to play with. That cat is too smart for his own good.

Callaway Gardens

Meeting some friends today at Callaway Gardens to enjoy free admission and what promises to be some pretty beautiful weather.

Pretty Good Sunday

So far today I've gone grocery shopping, taken a nap, done some laundry, and went on a 2 mile walk. Next on my agenda: a bit of reading, baking (banana chocolate chip muffins and biscuits), and making this yummy looking soup for dinner.

Ikea and Flip Buger

Nate and I are headed up to Atlanta this morning to do a bit of shopping at Ikea and then enjoy Flip Burger for lunch. Should be a fun way to start this 3 day weekend!

School Play

Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I'm staying after school until 5:30 today (and for several Fridays to come) to help with the school play.

New Title?

I've just been informed that I am my school's "Assistant Testing Coordinator."  How does someone who loathes standardized testing get such a title?

Spelling Bee

30 nervous students in the library plus their parents who are (thanks to a new smart board and our broadcasting equipment) watching in another room.

Why I'm Going to Bed at 8:00

After a full day of school: an hour and a half of helping students research, a trip to the public library and the grocery store, made lasagna soup for dinner (yummy, though I'd use different noodles next time) and did the prep work on enchiladas for tomorrow's dinner.
Oh, and the fact that I keep waking up at 5 AM unable to go back to sleep.

I Never Know What I'll Find

Check this book I found in the library.  It was made by a 7th grade class in 1968 in honor of "Negro History Week."  Included are biographies and photographs (including a signed head-shot from Bill Cosby!)

Jekyll Island!

Made our reservations for our annual spring break trip to Jekyll!

Never Ending

Took AL to the dentist today.  Have to go back twice to get cavities filled AND need to schedule a consultation to get her wisdom teeth taken out this summer.

Kimbra

I love, love, love this song and video by Kimbra.

A Few Pictures

Eggs from our chickens! (the bigger one is a large store-bought egg, just to give perspective). They've each been laying about one a day.

Nate started making his own beer this weekend using the Mr. Beer kit he got for Christmas.

My sister and me in the beards she made everyone for Christmas.

I made this Jabba the Hut body pillow as a Christmas gift for my brother-in-law Dan.

ID

Got AL her state issued ID today. Now we can officially do our FASFA and apply for in-state tuition. (sarcastic) yay!

Follett is Awesome

I love the company we purchase library books from.  I accidentally reordered my January 2011 book list instead of January 2012 and they called me to see if it was a mistake.  So thankful they saved me from that expensive slip-up!

Dinner Flop

I made Sesame Noodles for dinner tonight (a new recipe). We each only managed to eat a couple of bites- it was both a texture and a flavor issue. I thought I was past the point in my culinary career of having to make a frozen pizza in place of a terrible dinner, but the Red Baron in the oven begs to differ.

Rugs

I found 2 large rugs in my storage closet.  One is BRIGHT yellow with a black teddy bear and letters that say "We Read."  The other is a "town" rug with roads to drive toy cars on.  It has a huge stain right over the post office (looks like Coke).  Anyone want one?

Scalloped Potatoes Gratin

Made these scalloped potatoes for dinner tonight (but doubled the butter and halved the thyme) and they were really yummy.

Teenage Recluse

If it wasn't for meal-times and her occasional need to check Facebook, I don't think we'd see AL most days.

Perfect Saturday

A walk in this beautiful weather with Nate, some crocheting, dinner and board games with our next door neighbors.

Adult Book Reviews

At first it sounds like these book reviews might be a little risque, but I feel like I need to clarify because most of the books I read are for children or teens.
Anyway, the last 2 books I've read have come from the adult section of the library. Thought you might be interested to know that I do, in fact, venture out of juvenile literature once in a while.

One Thousand White Women is a historical fiction in that it takes place during a specific time in American history (post civil war, right around the time of the removal of the Native Americans to reservations). It's takes one small piece of real history (the chief of a tribe asks for 1000 white brides to ensure peace) and runs in an entirely fictional direction (what if the president had agreed). Written in a journal style, this was super interesting especially for a girl who grew up loving historical fiction from this time (I'm looking at you, Little House on the Prairie).

Room started off feeling really gimmick-y. It's written from the perspective of a 5 year old boy who was born to a kidnapped teen. His whole life has been contained in the 11 ft by 11 ft shed they are kept in. And while his voice felt contrived at first, I was soon so caught up in the story that I forgot. I also forgot to go to bed at an appropriate time because I couldn't put it down.

Chauffeur

I'm taking AL and her 3 brothers to the movies and back tonight.

Reading Level Censorship

Something I really struggle with in my job is the dual roles of teacher and librarian.  As a teacher, I want to guide students toward books they will be able to comprehend and that will help to gradually build their reading level.  As a librarian, I want them to feel free to check out and enjoy any book they'd like, regardless of the level.  It's very difficult to find a balance.

EGGS!

Guess what we found in Castle No Cock today?

Not The Right Time To Be Sleepy

I wasn't tired at bedtime.  I was wide awake an hour before my alarm went off.  But now, as the kids come through the door, I'm sooooo sleepy.

Vocal Chord Issues?

The specialist thinks AL is having vocal chord issues. Yet another specialist appointment and more tests to come. Are we getting closer to fixing this?

Are You Kidding Me?

AL's having an attack at the specialist's office.

Specialist

Nate's taking AL to an allergy/asthma specialist in Atlanta today.  Hopefully we'll have some answers soon.

Cold Hallways and Bathrooms

In an effort to save money, the hallways and bathrooms of the school are not heated.  While this makes complete sense, it is not very fun in practice.  I need to put on my coat and gloves just to walk down the hall.  Even worse are the bathrooms.  Who wants to pull down their pants in a room where the temperature is below 50*?

Amazing Carpet Cleaner

So there were still a few pink spots on my carpet from the NYE Koolaid Incident. After a bit of internet research, I decided to try this: soapy water (made with Dawn) applied liberally to the stain, place a towel over it, and then hold a hot iron on top until it stops steaming. No more pink stains!

Crocheting During Meetings

I brought my crocheting to our super boring meeting this morning.  Keeping my hands busy helps to keep me from making snarky comments to my neighbors.  Too bad I ran out of yarn half way through...

Restraint Training

This morning, I got to be a part of physical restraint training!  I learned how to free myself from a wrist hold, how to "guide" a student to a prostrate position on the floor, and even how to get out of a choke hold from behind.  If only all teacher work days could be this fun...

Red Cabbage

We made the most delicious fish tacos again tonight. In order to eat the fish (aka meat), AL had to eat the slaw (vegetable) that goes with it. Her other option was a cheese quesadilla. She chose to try the fish tacos, but is currently still sitting at the table trying to "choke down" the red cabbage slaw. Too bad she already picked asparagus as her "never have to eat it" food. I bet she's not going to be happy when she finds out I've been on the hunt for a good recipe to use up the other 3/4 of that head of red cabbage.

2012 Resolutions

1) Go for more walks (ideally a 2 mile walk, 3 times a week)
2) Drink more water (2 glasses at each meal)
3) Kick my sweets addiction (I do not need something sweet every day!)

Red Kool-Aid

The most exciting part of our New Year's Eve celebrations- having not one but TWO full glasses of red Kool-Aid spilled on the (white) carpet within 5 minutes. Besides feeling incredibly silly scrubbing the carpet while 8 friends watched, it all turned out ok thanks to the amazing powers of baking soda and vinegar.