for my "little" brother...

Who not-so-mildly scolded me over the weekend for my lack of blogging.

I'm a slacker.

I own it.

I haven't had much to say.

The school year is going well, for the most part.  I miss the class that I had the last two years, but this class is good, too.  For the most part.

I miss my niece and nephew.  They are growing up and I don't get nearly enough time with them.

Or pictures.

Ahem.  *cough*mybrotherisaslacker*cough*

Knitting is going well.  I've finished several projects lately, including two shawls.  I'm almost done with a pair of socks and I start a new sweater class soon.  I am so excited about this class!  I've been wanting to make this particular sweater FORever and now I am going to get to make it!

Congress is being a bunch of five-year olds and I am SO over it already.  We were supposed to go on a field trip this Friday that has been almost certainly cancelled because the place we were going is part of the National Park Service and since the government is shut down they will be closed.  So I have a class of disappointed children because Congress is acting like a bunch of spoiled children.

Hmmm....not much else is happening.  It is fall now and I hate it.

Sorry, didn't you know that about me?

Fall comes before winter and I hate winter.  Fall makes me sad because I know winter is coming.  I hate winter.  I hate cold.  I hate snow.  I hate winter.

But I digress.

Football is good and my team is not.  Well, they currently have a winning record but unless something odd happens, like, I don't know, the Earth tilts on it's axis or something, we won't have a winning record after Sunday.  I love the Cowboys and we are playing the Broncos.  And Peyton Manning.  Who is surgical in his slicing and dicing of all teams who aren't the Broncos.  Sigh.  Maybe one year soon we won't suck so much.  But hey, at least we aren't the Giants.  Or the Eagles.  hehehehehehehe!

Done for now.  I'm tired and I'm going to bed.

I hope I have made you happy, little brother.

;)

Lost...

1. the Falcons.  To the 49ers.  blech.  Can't stand the 49ers.
2. the Patriots.  To the Ravens.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
3. 4.8 pounds.  By me!  YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :)

So, I knew I had worked really hard counting calories and eating well last week so I *was* expecting to lose some weight.  I was stunned, thrilled, ecstatic that I lost 4.8 pounds!  And, it must be confessed, more than a little proud.

:)

It gave me the inspiration that I needed to stay motivated this week.  It hasn't been easy and I really wanted to give in tonight, but I haven't.

It was bone-chilling cold today.  Ridiculously cold.  I have chills still and I have the heated throw all the way up, the space heater on, and the bedroom space heater on.  On a completely  unrelated note, my electric bill came today.  Is it bad that I'm afraid to open it?  :o/

Time to drink coffee and knit.

night!

:)

Tidbits...

Here I am again...

It seems like the last couple of weeks have flown by.  It's amazing how fast time moves when you get older.  I can't believe that the school year is almost half over!

Thanksgiving didn't end up being as lonely as I was anticipating.  A friend of mine from work invited me to spend the afternoon with her family and I was so thankful.  It was nice to not be alone.  I'm really not a people person and I have a hard time making small talk with people I don't know.  They made it really easy, though, and I did have a very nice time.  And the food was wonderful.  :)

The tree is up and, as usual, I love it.  I got a couple of new ornaments this year and they have found their place quite nicely.  If I could change one thing I would add more lights, though.  Can never have too many lights on the tree.  :)

I had to put FOUR new tires on my truck.  I was only going to get two new ones and then I got to BJ's tonight to have the two new ones put on only to discover that the ones they ordered were narrower than the ones that were on the truck.  Of course they put the fault on me and because they tires they ordered are a viable option for the truck they won't do anything about it.  AND...since you can't safely drive the truck with mis-matched tires, I had to get two more to match the two I just bought.  UGH.  On the bright side...I did need two tires and was going to have to get the other two after the new year.  So....better safe than I sorry, I suppose.

The Cowboys beat the eagles last night.  SWEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I can't even tell you how much joy it brings to my heart that the eagles SUCK OUT LOUD ALL DAY LONG THIS YEAR.  I love it with a love so deep and meaningful that I can't put it into words.  Because I'm passive-aggressive like that. ;)

Coffee's done, puppy needs attention (I waited at BJ's for TWO hours to get the tires put on tonight.  miss raven is feeling rather neglected.), and I am tired!

Goodnight!!!

:)

Not even a chance...

Here I am again!

Yea me!

:)

Not to brag or anything, but today was another good day.  To be honest, I still can't believe how good I have it.  I have the best class in the school, good parents, and a great boss.

Right now, life is good.

Football officially starts tonight.  So, so happy!  My COWBOYS play the giants in New York and, to be fair, I don't really expect them to win.  However, NO ONE seems to be giving them a chance.  Not even a wee little one.  That makes me sad.

I'm not gonna lie.  I won't be watching the game (I get too frenetic and it totally FREAKS miss raven out) and I am not going to be all "I have to turn on the TV to see how badly we beat the giants" tomorrow morning.  If (and that really is a big IF) we win, I will hustle to the nearest convenience store and purchase a paper to take with me to school tomorrow morning, but I won't be setting the alarm any earlier, if you know what I mean.

Don't you hate it when someone gets something you kinda really wanted and then does nothing but brag about it?  Kind of makes you want to....

Never mind.

I don't have a Yarn Along post today mostly because I haven't been reading much.  I did get a copy of Mockingjay (the third in the Hunger Games trilogy) yesterday but I haven't started listening to it yet.  I may put the first disc in a little later since, you know, I'm not watching the game.

I am knitting and still loving it.  Why didn't someone tell me how much fun it is sooner?  I haven't crocheted in a while and, to be honest, I don't miss it.  I am working on my Striped Study shawl.  Sorry, if you aren't on Ravelry, you won't be able to see it (I don't think...)  I love this pattern but my wrap-and-turns aren't so great.  I also need to learn how to carry the yarn up the side for color changes because:

• all those ends to weave in are going to be a youknowwhat
• the stitches on the side where the ends need to be woven in are kind of loose--I an hoping I can tighten them up a bit after I block the thing.

I am hoping to have a progress/almost completed picture for you soon, but for now...

Good night!

:)

Streaking...

I'm really trying to get back into blogging more consistently.  So, looky here...three days in a row!  Could this be considered a streak??

I scored an amazing deal at JoAnn's today.  They were having a great sale AND I had a coupon for 25% off my entire purchase INCLUDING sale items.  That almost never happens so I wanted to take full advantage.  I did get a couple more pairs of circular needles, some point protectors, some ribbon, and two knitting books.  The books were already 40% off and then the whole 25% off thing was added to it.  YOWZA!

Normally I don't bother with ribbon.  I'm not crafty like that.  My BFF had tons of ribbon and can do amazing things with it.  I needed to get some, though, because I found this really cute idea for my classroom. You take a length of ribbon, hot glue wooden clothespins to it, hang it up, and viola!  instant paper hanger!  I love this idea and am already planning on using it in a couple of ways, including writing the names of each of my students on a clothespin and using it as a sort of mail system.  :)

The other idea was to take contact paper, trace your hand on it, cut it out, write something positive on it, and then stick it to the kid's back...it's a "pat" on the back.  I really, really like this idea and went out and got the contact paper today as well.

Right now I am trying to figure out what novels I want the kids to read this year.  At the top of my list is the Black Stallion.  I am also considering The Borrowers and The Mysterious Benedict Society.  Anyone out there have any other suggestions?

The countdown has begun.  The football countdown, that is!  September 5th is the kickoff and I am SO ready for some football.  As much as I have LOVED my summer, I cannot wait until football begins.

Stop rolling your eyes and making faces, BFF.  It isn't polite.

;)

Where did the time go...

Happy 2012, y'all!

Could someone please explain to me just exactly what happened to 2011?  Because the last time I looked, it was only like, June.

So.  What did you do on your Christmas break?  Wanna know what I did on mine?

Of course you do!

I had a WONDERFUL break.  I really did.  I got to do some amazing things and spend time with my amazing family.

I started off by taking a few trips into the city.  I went and saw Jersey Boys and LOVED it.  (disclaimer:  the actors use AUTHENTIC Jersey language.  And I do mean AUTHENTIC)  I love going to the theater anyway and this musical was well worth seeing.  The fact that the average age of the audience was about 50 made me feel younger, too.  Win-win.

I also went to the Botanical Gardens.  This was also amazing but for a different reason.  Instead of trying to explain, I will give you pictures:

One of the best parts of my vacation was this:

YES, I WENT TO A COWBOYS GAME!!!!  IN DALLAS!!!!  AT MY FOOTBALL HEAVEN!!!!

My Christmas present from my Dad was a Dallas football game.  I wish I could say that they had a stellar game and played amazingly well and defeated their arch-enemy the eagles, but, alas.  I can't.  Instead, I can give you more pictures!

Christmas Day we flew back to El Paso and I spent the next three days with my brother and his family.  (cue more pictures):

I arrived back to my home a few days ago and am now just enjoying some down time before heading back to work on Tuesday.  I miss my kids and am looking forward to seeing them and hearing all about their Christmas vacation.

And now it is time to gird my loins and pray that the Cowboys can pull off a miracle to get into the playoffs.

:)

Well...

So much for blogging every night last week.

Blogger fail.

In my defense:

1. We had Grandparent's Day at school on Friday.
2. This left me with a tremendous headache.
3. My kids weren't bad (weeeellllll....we did have a Speshul Snowflake incident, but....) but they were excited and even though quite a few of them left, the ones that stayed were hyped up for vacation.
4. I can't blame them.

So anyway.  I was supposed to blog over the weekend but I did not.  So now I will attempt to tell you about my weekend.  Although, there isn't much to tell.

Sunday was the highlight of my weekend for the following reasons:

1. The COWBOYS beat the redskins.  That would make TWICE this year.  In case you were wondering.  Which I know you were.  Even if you are my BFF.
2. The eagles beat the giants.  Now, under normal circumstances I would never, ever root for the eagles.  The mere idea of it makes me want to...well, never mind.  In this case, however, it meant that my COWBOYS would be tied for FIRST PLACE with the giants.  So...fly, eagles, fly.  And, they did.
3. Tony Stewart (my favorite NASCAR driver and, quite frankly, one hot man) won the Sprint Cup Championship.  Is it too much to hope that he will stumble across my blog, find out what a catch I am, and drive himself up here to declare himself my Prince Charming?  Yeah, I kind of thought it might be.  Stupid fairy tales.

All in all, it was a wonderful sports weekend.  Did I mention that the COWBOYS beat the redskins?  TWICE?

Hail to the who??

We had meetings at work all day yesterday and half of the day today.  I managed to get my Christmas tree put up (and mostly decorated) in my classroom.  It looks good, if I do say so myself.  I have a few more things to do in my room but didn't feel like staying late today.  So I didn't.  :)

miss raven and I will be by ourselves for Thanksgiving this year and I am really depressed about that.  I thought I would be ok with it but the closer it gets the sadder I become.  I am hoping that putting up my tree on Thursday will help.  I've been missing my mom alot the last few weeks and wish that I could talk to her.  She always made the holidays special.  And I really miss her Thanksgiving stuffing (or filling.  Whatever you prefer.)

I don't have to get up early tomorrow so I am getting to watch the NFL Network replay of the COWBOYS/redskins game tonight.  You know, the one in which the COWBOYS BEAT THE redskins.  AGAIN.

Goodnight.

:)

p.s.  How do you like the new look of the blog?  I couldn't resist the paw prints.  It is my homage to miss raven.  She approves.  :)

And so it begins...

When you work with elementary students, as I do, you will never, ever not know when a holiday is approaching.  They won't let you forget.  You won't let yourself forget.  I promise.

FOUR MORE DAYS.

FOUR MORE DAYS.

FOUR MORE DAYS.

But who's counting, right?

Yes, it is only four more days until Thanksgiving break.  (The kiddos get the whole week; the teachers have professional development all day Monday and [hopefully] half day on Tuesday.  Between you and me (and all of bloggy world) I would prefer to be with the kiddos on Monday and half day Tuesday...

After the Thanksgiving break it is only a hop, skip, and a jump until Christmas Break (unless you are Speshul Snowflake and then your break has apparently already begun.  Yes, she was out again today.  For the THIRD Monday in a row.  We have been in school for a total of seven days in November.  She has attended THREE of those days.)

I digress.

We have Grandparents Day this Friday and I am all kerfluffeled trying to figure out what I am going to do.  It doesn't help that no letters were sent out to let people know about this Friday and I have no idea how many grandparents to expect.  You can be sure that SS's grandmother will be there, though.  She will need to let me  (and everyone else) know exactly what it is that I am doing wrong in my room.

I digress.

I have the program pretty much figured out.  I am in need of some kind of simple (and cheap) art project for the kiddos to do with their grandparents.  Any suggestions?

We had beautiful weather today.  Why can't every day be like today?  Minus the wind.

Yesterday was a AMAZINGLY LOVELY sports day for me:

Cowboys  44   Bills  7
eagles = LOSS
redskins = LOSS
giants = LOSS

SCORE ONE FOR MY BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  pleaseohpleaseohplease win again next week.  And the week after that.  And every week thereafter.

Thank you.

:)

So.  I had kind of an interesting weekend.

We had Parent/Teacher conferences on Friday, as I mentioned when last I blogged (last Thursday.  Notice, it hasn't been a week yet and I am blogging again.  You're welcome.)

My conferences were easy-peasy as I only had four real ones.  All of them were with great parents so I wasn't worried about anything.  I got to leave at 3:30 on Friday so I was able to get home almost an hour earlier than usual.  Fortunately, miss raven wasn't throwing any crazy dog parties, so no worries there.  ;)

Saturday morning I left the house early so that I could hit up Old Navy and their awesome coat sale.  I got a dress coat and a semi-puffy every day coat for less than the cost of the dress coat.  Can't beat that.  After Old Navy I went to the Yankee Candle store pretty much only because it was right next to Old Navy and it smelled SO good.  They were having an open house and, as I walked in, they gave me a raffle ticket.  They were holding a drawing every 15 minutes for free stuff.  I hung around for 14 and a half minutes, purchasing 6 wax tarts while I was waiting (all Christmas scents.  I am currently burning the heck out of my pumpkin scents so I can start the Christmas ones early.  I get to put up the Christmas tree in less than TWO WEEKS!)  Finally, they called the number for the raffle ticket and.....I won!!!!  Whoo-hoo!!!  My prize wasn't all that awesome but that isn't the point.  The point is, I GOT SOMETHING FOR FREE!!!!!  Cha-ching!

After shopping I went to a gymnastics performance for that one of my students was in.  It wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be and, to be truthful, I wasted about an hour to see a five minute show, but here are the good points:

• the girl was beyond thrilled that I showed up and told EVERYONE that her teacher was there.  Not her parents, not her grandmother and auntie, HER TEACHER.  hehehehe!
• the girl's parents were WAY beyond thrilled that I showed up.  I scored major points.  That is a good thing.

I stopped by Target after the gymnastics thing and picked up some stuff I needed (and some stuff I didn't...pumpkin spice Hershey's kisses, anyone?) and then made a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts for my iced pumpkin spice coffee before heading home to my girlie.

We (and by we I really mean me) did laundry and cleaned the house before relaxing for the rest of the evening.  Well, until I got the phone call from my dad.  The phone rang and, as soon as I heard his voice, I knew something was wrong.  Turns out my four year old niece was jumping on the bed, fell off, and (long story short) broke her little bird-like arm.  She had to stay overnight in the hospital and had surgery yesterday morning.  She is at home and doing well now, but we were all a little nervous and scared there for a while.

Yesterday was a pretty good sports day for me.  Tony Stewart won (again!) and is only three points behind in the Chase with two races to go, the Cowboys beat the Seahawks, and THE redskins LOST!!!  The only downside was that the giants beat the Patriots.  The eagles play the Bears tonight and I am rooting for the Bears.

My knees hurt today and that makes me feel old.  I have a sneaking suspicion that part of the reason that they hurt is because they are carrying around extra weight.  MUST.LOSE.WEIGHT.  I keep saying that forgetting that actions speak louder than words.

Sigh.

Goodnight.

OH!  How could I forget??  Guess who was absent again today?  Day 12 and counting..... (insert sarcastic eye roll here)

Blah,blah, and more blah...

Hello there.

I promise I have not really been MIA recently, although I am sure that it seems like it.  I have thought often, in the last few days, that I should blog, but have been too tired/busy/tired to get it together.  You know how it goes, right?

Things are going ok at school.  I still love my class, although Speshul Snowflake was absent again today.  For no apparent reason this time, either.  Well, I am sure there was a "reason" and I am sure I will hear all about it tomorrow.  I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the Spelling test that the little angel didn't want to take today.  In case you are keeping count, she has now been absent 6 out of 18 days. 

I have been remiss in taking pictures of the painted insects.  I meant to take my camera to school today and alas, I forgot.  I will have to remember tomorrow.  I was able to find some glue/goop that has so far seemed to work in the "sticking the head to the body of the insect permanently" area.  This is a good thing.  Tomorrow night I must cut out many pairs of insect wings out of felt.  And finish my lesson plans.

Although I was in the classroom teaching 4th grade for nine years, I still have days where I don't feel completely put together.  I still feel, sometimes, like I am behind all day long.  For whatever reason, it has been so hard for me to get my schedule down.  I don't know if it is because there is so much more in the schedule than there was when last I taught 4th grade, but I hate feeling like this.  I am hoping that the feeling subsides in the next few weeks as I try to get myself better organized.

I am almost done with the second granny square, log cabin, blanket for the other comfy chair in my classroom.  This is a good thing for a couple of reasons:

1. I am SO tired of granny squares and log cabins.
2. I have the most stunningly gorgeous forest green cashmere yarn that I want to use.  I finally found something that I want to make with it and plan to start as soon as I am done with the above mentioned blankie.

Other (sports-related) interesting tidbits:

• Tony Stewart, my favorite NASCAR driver, WON his first race this season on Monday.  The race was supposed to be on Sunday but had to be postponed because of rain.  This puts Smoke in second place in the race for the chase.  This is important because (a) we want him to win the whole shebang and (b) he is ahead of Jimmy Johnson, whom I can't stand.
• The COWBOYS won their first game this past Sunday.  This is good because (a) I hate when they lose and (b) I hate when they lose.
• Pre-season hockey has started.  Am I the only person in the country who thinks that it just ended?!?  How is it time to begin again?  And people say football is a long seasoned sport.

Finally...

Good night.

:)

All good things...

must come to an end.  And so another football season is over.  And I am sad.  You just don't know.  Sigh.

In case you live under a rock or perhaps just don't care (*cough*BFF*cough*) you know that the Super Bowl was last night.  Let's recap, shall we?

1. Packers vs. Steelers
2. Note--no Cowboys.
3. Boo.
4. Packers win.
5. Yea!
6. Pretty much don't care, would have rooted for anyone to beat the Squeelers.  Can't have them getting too far ahead of my Cowboys in terms of how many Super Bowls won.
7. They have six.  We have five.
8. I want more.  I'm greedy like that.
9. Mockamole was good.  Seriously.  I totally plan on making it again.  Soon.
10. Football is over.
11. BOO
12. It is still two weeks until NASCAR.
13. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY SUNDAY AFTERNOONS UNTIL THEN?!?!
14. End of the recap.

Do you feel caught up?  Good.

One last bit of football news.  Tom Brady won MVP of the whole SEASON.  Boo.  He got every single stinking vote.  Double boo.  I don't particularly care for Michael Vick but, really, he should have gotten some votes.  I don't like Pretty Boy Brady.  He isn't the person he wants everyone to think he is.

I didn't go to the gym today.  Fail.  I ate six rather large Girl Scout cookies.  Epic FAIL.  In my defense they were calling my name.  Sigh.  I will know why I didn't lose weight this weekend.

Monday is Valentine's Day.  Or, as I prefer to call it, "Single Awareness Day."  Except.....that is abbreviated SAD.

Sigh.

Goodnight.

Stress, thy name is....

(insert name of my work place here)

No, really.

I mean it.

This week stress caused me to:
1.  Have a complete emotional break-down at work.
2.  Miss a day of work do to a stress-related illness.
and
3.  Wake up yesterday morning with a funky, mysterious rash on the inside of my elbows and arms, as well as my neck/chest-ish area.

Sigh.

I desperately needed to relieve some of my stress over the weekend.  So I planted some mums in containers:

Made a wreath to hang on my front door:

and progressed another step on my front flower bed:

I know it isn't much yet  but this is after six bags of drainage rocks (because, seriously, it was like a little pond out there after each rain) and two large bags of mulch.  I still haven't decided what I want to edge it with.  The people at Lowe's were very unhelpful (I know that isn't a word but let's pretend, ok?) so I am going to give Home Depot a try next week.

I also bought girlie a new food.  I seem to have appalled the helpful salesperson at Petsmart when I told him that I needed to buy some "healthy digestion/sensitive stomach" food for her.  He asked me why I was feeding her wet food.  He asked me in such a way, though, that it made me feel like a horrible parent.  He then proceded to tell me that wet food can lead to tooth and heart problems in dogs.  Especially Chihuahuas, who, apparently, are pre-disposed to heart problems anyway.  He seemed genuinely surprised when I told him that she was eleven.  He informed me that most Chi's don't live past six or seven.  WHAT?!?!  I have never heard that.

Anyway.

He took me to the high-quality (read:  expensive) food aisle.  Who knew that there is a food made especially for Chihuahuas?  Not me.  It is called.....are you ready for this because it is so appropriate...ROYAL CANINE.  Of course.  It couldn't be called anything else.  It comes with a royal price tag, too. 

Salesperson Chris told me that because of her age I probably wouldn't be able to get her to switch over to that food solely.  Ha!  girlie knows a good thing when she sees (and smells) it.  I put some in her bowl and had barely walked away when she was right over beside me again.  I looked in her bowl thinking that she was turning her nose up at it and, surprise! her bowl was EMPTY!  She loves it.  Yea!  It is supposed to be better for her teeth as well as her digestion so I am hoping for no more gurgly tummy.  He also suggested (read:  pegged me for a sucker who does anything for her dog) some healthier treats.  She has had them before and really likes them so I wasn't opposed to getting them for her.

Now I am sitting on my couch.  I have pumpkin soup in the crockpot, pumpkin and apple candles burning, a non-fat peppermint latte on the coffee table, and football on TV.  I am trying not to itch my rash and trying not to think about work.  I am waiting for my brother to send me measurements of the niece and nephew's heads so that I can make new hats for the younguns.  And I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, wherever you are. :)

Um....so....

Are you still there?  Do I have any readers left?

I (once again) apologize for my lengthy absence.  Work is crazy stressful and my personal life is, well.....hmmmm.  Let's just say that, of the last 52 weeks, this past one ranks down somewhere around 50-52ish.  So.Not.Good.

ahem.

Let us all pause whilst I pull up my big girl panties and deal with it.

Thank you.

Dear ______________,

Target:  Don't mis-label your pants.  It is no fun to buy the correct size of pants as listed on the hang tag only to discover that the inside tag is a size smaller.  Way to help my self-esteem.

Parent:  Don't say that you agree with the school 100% and that you completely support my teachers....unless the rules apply to your child.  Don't berate my teacher for something completely unrelated to deflect from the matter at hand.  Your child broke a rule.

Parent (#2):  Stop fighting your child's battles.  Your child was wrong.  Your child said something that your child shouldn't have.  Don't run hither and yon and try to get the consequences changed.  You aren't helping your child at all.

miss raven:  Please refrain from leaving presents for mommy.  I love you, but that mess needs to stay outside.

winter:  GO AWAY.  I can't say that any stronger.

Random people that I don't know:  Odd facial piercings are just that...odd.  Please don't think they make you look attractive.  At all.  Not even a little.

Keurig coffee maker:  Thank you for working properly all of the sudden.  I'm not sure what has come over you, but I appreciate it.

Keurig company:  Thank you for putting out your pumpkin spice coffee.  I was about to go through withdrawls.

Cowboys:  Thank you for winning your FIRST game in week THREE.  Let's not regress, shall we?

blog readers:  good night.

;)

Ahhhhhhhh, the weekend...

I was very, very much looking forward to this weekend.  School has become somewhat....stressful, and I really need the downtime of the weekend to unwind and gear up for the following week.

I didn't have specific plans for this weekend and I ended up doing some old things and some new things.  Both were equally fun. :)

I ended up in across the river and found myself at my new favorite (and expensive) yarn store.  I now understand why some women, once they have felt the good stuff never want to go back to the "cheap" yarn.  I got some yummy hot pink wool that I can't wait to ball up and use to work into a winter hat.  I still have some orange organic cotton left that I think I am going to use to make a flower to go on the hat.  Add a button in the middle of the flower and there you go.

**I am currently watching football.  My team sucks out loud.  This does NOT make me happy.**

I got a new "game" for my Wii.  It is a boxing game that I hope makes me shed large amounts of poundage.  It would help if I stopped eating everything that looks remotely tasty.  I wish I didn't love food so much.  Sigh.  In the interest of full disclosure, I am sucking down a Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte and I just scarfed down a pumpkin whoopie pie.  I am such a loser.  And not in a good way.

Anyway.

The game came with weighted gloves.  I sense sore shoulders in my very near future.  Like, today even.  Seeing as how my team SUCKS OUT LOUD.

I am not the only one scarfing down food, although I am fairly sure that mine tasted WAY better.  miss raven is inhaling some of her crunchies.  I cut back on the amount of wet food I am giving her at night in the hopes that she will eat more of the crunchies thereby keeping her teeth somewhat cleaner and her breath somewhat fresher.  Here's hoping.

Speaking of eating....because I was.  I ate lunch yesterday at a Greek restaurant.  Oompah!  I discovered a few things about Greek food....I love hummus now more than ever.  I do not like moussaka.  It has eggplant in it.  I did like the lemony, rice-y, chicken-y soup.  The spanikopita has a bit more oregano than I like.  All in all it was a good lunch and, I feel this must be said, the waitstaff was AMAZINGLY polite.  No, seriously.  They weren't all that busy when I went and I sat in the garden.  Every time I walked through the dining room, any of the waiters that were sitting STOOD UP.  I am totally not kidding.  I thought that was so cool and very unusual.  Every one of them told me to enjoy my meal and they were always making sure I had enough coffee and water without being annoying.  I was very impressed and I would definitely go back.  It's proximity to the yarn store is also in it's favor.  Me being a yarn ho and all.

;)

Always when I need it...

The weekend always seems to get here right when I need it.  I know that sounds rather silly because the weekend gets here at the same time every week, but somehow it seems that, just when I really need it...there it is.

It is a little chilly today...for me at least.  I think just about everyone else I know is beyond thrilled with the weather today.  Whoop-de-doo for them.  I have to fight being sad about weather like today because it makes me remember that winter is almost here.  Doesn't it seem like it was just here?  Does it have to come back so soon?  Sigh.

Remember my fall?  Yeah, well, my foot still hurts.  Kind of badly.  I am hoping I didn't break anything.  It doesn't seem swollen but it really hurts.

There is football on today.  Currently I am watching Ohio State kick the crap out of Miami.  I don't really care for either team, quite frankly.  OSU already beat Florida State.  Tonight the Longhorns are playing Wyoming.  HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!! :)

Tomorrow is even better, for tomorrow, my dear bloggy friends, is...

FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!

Words can not even begin to describe my utter joy and happiness at knowing that, all day long, I can watch NFL football.  Please, let us all pause while I wipe a happy tear from my eye.....

Thank you.

miss raven had a bad morning.  She woke me up at four-thirty this morning with a gurgly tummy.  We had to go outside twice in fifteen minutes and then she spent an hour under my t-shirt, skin to skin.  That seemed to help some and I was able to go back to sleep around six-ish for another hour and a half.  She woke me up at seven-thirty with more gurgly tummy.  I feel so bad for her because, no matter what she does, she can't seem to get comfortable.  I finally had to just put her down and get on with my day because I was going out with a friend.  Freddie to the rescue!!!!  She brought my girlie some Pepcid.  Half a pill and some peanut butter later, and my girlie is as good as new.  She wolfed her dinner and both treats right down, along with some crunchies.  I am so glad she is felling better.  I hate it when she is uncomfortable.  Freddie, you are miss raven's she-ro! ;)

Happy FOOTBALL Sunday!!!!!!!!  (BFF, please keep your rude remarks to yourself and out of my comments.  Thank you. ;) )

It's baaaacccccckkkkk.....

the Twilight Zone music, that is.

Something notsogood happened to me at school today.  I can't, however, blog about it because a friend of mine reminded me that everything that is on the internet is subject to viewing by people you may not want to see it.  This includes, but is not limited to, your employer.

Sigh.

Just take it from me that, after 16 years of faithful service, what happened today felt like a giant slap in the face.  Again I say, I wish that the parents/students/teachers that really do like me would speak up (ie:  write letters of commendation to the powersthatbe) so that it isn't the small percentage of complainers that the powersthatbe are hearing.  I know I do a good job....I know I do.

Sigh.

On a completely unrelated, but much happier note, MNF is on tonight.  For those of you who aren't sure what I am talking about *cough* BFF *cough* that would be Monday Night Football.  You are not allowed to say anything about that, either.  You forfieted that right this whole season by moving SIXTEEN hours away from me.  Yes, I am still upset about that.  So there.  : op

My power went out again today.  No, there was no storm.  It just randomly went out.  It's back on now.  In case you wanted to know.

My, hasn't this blog been rather random lately?  I think it has.  Tomorrow is supposed to be Ten Things Tuesday.  Any requests?

I think it is time for some coffee.  With peppermint mocha coffee creamer.  I love you, Coffeemate.

I need a date to a wedding in October.  Anyone have an idea?  A friend?  A brother?

Sigh.

Goodnight.

In case you are wondering, the New York (football) Giants are about to score a touchdown.

Goodnight.  Again.

Not me Monday!

Aaahhhhh...it's time for another Not Me Monday! This ohsofun confessional was started by MckMama and is really all about confessing things better left, ummmmm....unsaid. ;) MckMama didn't post a Not Me Monday today because she is with her sweet little boy in a hospital in Boston. My thoughts and prayers are with her. If you want to read some of her past Not Me Monday posts, head on over to her blog.

Anyway--here goes!

I did not have several "practice" conversations with myself today before dealing with an insubordinate teacher only to then forget everything I had planned on saying and have to wing it and be annoyed with myself because I had a GREAT speech planned.

I did not break out the Christmas music this weekend. I have very specific rules about listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving and I would NEVER break those rules.

I did not change my mind about a decision that I made months ago. I am a very decisive person. Once I make a decision I stand by it and never change my mind.

I did not hang an editorial cartoon mocking the Washington Redskins on my office door today. That would be mean, childish, and petty. All things that I am not. Ever.

I did not dream last night that my DALLAS COWBOYS beat the Philadelphia Eagles. Football is "only" a game and I am mature enough to understand that. I would never dream about my team beating a hated divisional rival only to wake up, turn on the Blackberry, and discover that my dream came true.

And, even if I did dream that, I would never, and I mean NEVER, delay going to work just to watch as many ESPN stories as I could about said victory. That could be considered obsession and I am NOT obsessed about football.

I am so not obsessed about football that I did not send my dad a text message this morning telling him that the COWBOYS beat the Eagles. Nor did I send an e-mail to a parent friend of mine also proclaiming the victory.

Phew! That felt good. All this "non" confessing is good for the soul. :)

Oh--you want to know if miss raven has any "Not Me's?" Of course she does!!!

miss raven did not:

consume an entire mini rawhide, sweet potato flavored bone in one sitting last night. She is much to lady-like to be that big of a pig. after not devouring the bone she also did not sit on my chest, look sweetly at me, and then belch in my face. Again, way too lady-like.

bark furiously at a helicopter this afternoon on our walk. She is much too smart to think that, by barking, she could scare the thing away.

look unbeliveably proud of herself when said helicopter flew away and then look at me as if to say "aren't you so glad I am along to save you from such a scary beast?"

miss raven thanks you for allowing her to not-confess, also. She, too, feels much better. :)

Are you ready?

For some FOOTBALL?!?!?

(disclaimer: if you have the unfortunate luck to be sitting in a law firm in Ohio you probably will NOT enjoy the beginning of this post. Scroll down for a better topic, keeping in mind that if you aren't careful, the face that you are making right now WILL freeze that way. ;P )

I {heart} football. I do not try to hide that fact. Yes, it IS a GAME. I understand that whoever wins the game on Sunday (or Monday, or Thursday, or the occasional Saturday late in the season) will not change what is going on in the world. You know, the important stuff....poverty, national health care (NO! NO! NO!), war, famine. I get it.

Again. I {HEART} FOOTBALL. I can not wait until the first Sunday game of the season. I can't wait to hear that it is, in fact, football night in America. I can't wait to see my COWBOYS! play their first game in their brand-spanking new, fan-freaking-tabulous stadium (sorry, Jerry Jones, I don't give a rat's hiney WHAT you call it, the home stadium for the COWBOYS! will A.L.W.A.Y.S. be TEXAS STADIUM. At least you aren't a sell-out like (ahem) dan snyder). I can't wait to see Terry Bradshaw make a moron out of himself on national TV. I am greedily anticipating that first Sunday and it is ALMOST HERE!!!

I am, in fact, ready for some FOOTBALL!!!

The end of the season used to be bittersweet for me. I love watching the Super Bowl, even in my 'Boys aren't there. And, no, not just for the commercials. But, it is the END of the season (oh, please, the Pro-Bowl SO doesn't count!) I used to go to a friend's house to watch THE big game. We were good friends, at least I thought we were. We haven't spoken since March. That makes me sad. I'm not sure exactly what happened, except that I got tired of being the "friend"-that-gets-the-call-when-I-have-nothing-better-to-do. I finally had enough when I got accused of spreading rumors about her. The last time I checked I was an adult, not a teenager, and oh-by-the-way, have WAY better things to do with my time then talking about someone who was SUPPOSED to be my friend. What ACTUALLY happened, I believe, was that she found someone "better". I was REALLY hurt for a while. This was a person who I had really confided in, shared secrets with. I cried with her, she cried with me. She was one of the few people who I knew I could talk to after my mom passed away. It hurt to know that I wasn't good enough for her anymore. I am not the type of person who needs many friends, so to have someone who I REALLY thought was a good friend turn on me like that hurt deeply. So this season, when it comes time to watch the Super Bowl, I am anticipating watching it alone. I will try not to be too sad. Heck, maybe miss raven and I will throw a party for two. :)

Speaking of two (and dang this is looking like a LONG post)....

Today was the end of week two at school. Only a bazillion more to go. Possibly a slight exaggeration. I suppose it just seems like that many. So...good things that happened this week:

1. Whoo-hoo! A slight raise starting in November!!!!!!!

2. miss raven and I got our picture taken AND I found out that my local JC Penney also does portrait sittings with pets!!!

3. Pre-season football tonight!

4. Cheese popcorn (sigh)

5. Thunderstorms

6. Finding my new favorite song(s). I am totally into Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz. I'm not sure if that makes me lame or not and frankly, my dears..... ;)

7. A tentative solution to a problem that I was wrestling with over the weekend. It is not the solution I want, but it never will be, no matter how much I want it to be. (But I digress, this is supposed to be good things from the week, not sort-of ok things.)

8. My increasing love for my Blackberry. I think that may deserve it's very own post.

9. Finding out on Wednesday that I am 9.4 away from where I want to be.

10. miss raven. She will always be on ANY list of GOOD things that happen to me. I {heart} my girlie!

Have a fantastic weekend!! :)