I got Emily to feed the dogs and trap them in the house Friday night, so I stayed at work until 7 when I walked over to the football field to work the game. I got home a little after 10:30. Got up Saturday morning and went to work until about 2pm. Got home, finally finished grading papers. I still have two college recs to write, but I got notes written out for Ann to sub for me Monday.
I walked the dogs yesterday afternoon and then got ready for the Homecoming Dance. Home at about midnight. Haven't gotten crap done today. I went to Target and got some groceries and some pants (wardrobe is thin on pants and it is getting a wee bit chilly for skirts).
I walked the dogs, and I've been doing laundry all day but that is about it. I really need to find my groove . . .
I also have had a headache off and on for the last three days. It's getting tiresome.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
The drugery continues
I laid down for a nap and slept for four hours. It slowed down my progress on the book, but I think I really needed that nap.
School was fine today. In photography, we had a guest speaker, Greg Watermann, who shoots lots of rock-n-roll stuff. That was fun.
I spoke with Robert, one of the book committee guys, and told him about the deal with Shawn. At least they know now. I meet with the boys tomorrow at 11am. Can't wait to hear what they've got for me now.
It is quite chilly tonight and I have my little space heater going full throttle.
School was fine today. In photography, we had a guest speaker, Greg Watermann, who shoots lots of rock-n-roll stuff. That was fun.
I spoke with Robert, one of the book committee guys, and told him about the deal with Shawn. At least they know now. I meet with the boys tomorrow at 11am. Can't wait to hear what they've got for me now.
It is quite chilly tonight and I have my little space heater going full throttle.
Saturday in the hood
I worked on The Book for most of Saturday. However, Saturday evening the neighbors and I had plans. Gary, across from Emily, was having a dinner that he gave at an auction to raise money. (I think there were a variety of semi-celebs giving these dinners away.) At any rate, they weren't overly successful, so the chef's at the party started volunteering to assist. Steven Pyles volunteered to help with Gary's. So the rest of us on the street decided we would be cute and have a porch party and watch the goings on across the street. We cooked hamburgers (go Gene) and had apple pie for dessert.
Towards the end of the night, a plate of food is sent across the street to us (looked amazing and tasted even better) courtesy of Mr. Pyles whose only request was a hamburger that we happily sent his way.
It was very cute and loads of fun. I did take a sleeping pill when I went to bed so that I wouldn't have nightmares from Saturday's earlier events. It mostly worked.
Oh and the general consensus of the neighbors is that they think the reason it took Dave 20 minutes to call is that he was in bed arguing with his wife about whether or not to call . . .he lost so the call was made. Could be. Heaven knows she's a total nut job.
Towards the end of the night, a plate of food is sent across the street to us (looked amazing and tasted even better) courtesy of Mr. Pyles whose only request was a hamburger that we happily sent his way.
It was very cute and loads of fun. I did take a sleeping pill when I went to bed so that I wouldn't have nightmares from Saturday's earlier events. It mostly worked.
Oh and the general consensus of the neighbors is that they think the reason it took Dave 20 minutes to call is that he was in bed arguing with his wife about whether or not to call . . .he lost so the call was made. Could be. Heaven knows she's a total nut job.
More with Dave and Darlene
Friday afternoon I come rushing home to feed the dogs etc before heading back to school to work the football game. I was on the phone to MaryBeth and ready to jam gears when I see Dave behind my car. I admit it, I thought for a moment, I know how to end this conflict; just a tap on the gas and no more Dave. But I didn't. So he comes around to the driver's side, I roll the window down and he begins his awe shucks routine.
"Gee yesterday morning your dogs they woke us up when they barked really early, was that a mistake?"
I have two answers I desperately want to give to this. 1) That is the stupidest question I have been asked in a very long time and 2) mistake? hell no, that took 4 months of training and several thousand dollars to get her to bark just that way facing just the right direction to get maximum volume and annoyance out of her. How'd we do?
Instead I just looked at him and said, "Thank you." It startled him a little but then he went on to try to say more. So I said, "Thank you." again and then told him I had to go. I rolled up the window and drove out of the driveway. The look on his face was priceless. He was totally flummoxed. I still laugh thinking about it.
I have just decided there is no point in entertaining any type of conversation about the dogs. Yes, I know that dogs barking at the crack of dawn is annoying. I agree. That is why I hop to when I hear them. They are actually getting better too I might add. They have gone out multiple mornings in the last couple of weeks without making any noise at all. It is not like there is any confusion about what they want to have happen. I know they want my dogs to never make any noise, I get that. It isn't like they hear anything I say on the matter because they are the king and queen of crazy town.
"Gee yesterday morning your dogs they woke us up when they barked really early, was that a mistake?"
I have two answers I desperately want to give to this. 1) That is the stupidest question I have been asked in a very long time and 2) mistake? hell no, that took 4 months of training and several thousand dollars to get her to bark just that way facing just the right direction to get maximum volume and annoyance out of her. How'd we do?
Instead I just looked at him and said, "Thank you." It startled him a little but then he went on to try to say more. So I said, "Thank you." again and then told him I had to go. I rolled up the window and drove out of the driveway. The look on his face was priceless. He was totally flummoxed. I still laugh thinking about it.
I have just decided there is no point in entertaining any type of conversation about the dogs. Yes, I know that dogs barking at the crack of dawn is annoying. I agree. That is why I hop to when I hear them. They are actually getting better too I might add. They have gone out multiple mornings in the last couple of weeks without making any noise at all. It is not like there is any confusion about what they want to have happen. I know they want my dogs to never make any noise, I get that. It isn't like they hear anything I say on the matter because they are the king and queen of crazy town.
Very sad story, might not want to read, but had to write
Saturday afternoon I had just turned on Gaston off Dumont walking the hellion and her trusty companion, Buddy when I heard a noise. I looked up and a car had hit a dog. The dog looked a lot like Buddy only white with brown spots. It was laying on the ground with its paws in the air. I thought it was dead, but there was a group of men at the apartments on the other side of the street. One of the men yelled and started running toward the dog. (In the meantime the car that hit the dog continued on without stopping.)
When the man called the dogs name, his tail started wagging. I totally lost it at that point. When the man picked the dog up, blood was coming out of his mouth, so I know he died. It was really horrible. I still start crying when I think about it.
Imagine how much dogs love us, that his tail started wagging just from the sound of his owner's voice.
When the man called the dogs name, his tail started wagging. I totally lost it at that point. When the man picked the dog up, blood was coming out of his mouth, so I know he died. It was really horrible. I still start crying when I think about it.
Imagine how much dogs love us, that his tail started wagging just from the sound of his owner's voice.
Friday, October 19, 2007
TGIF
That is all I can say. We have a football game tonight, so I'll be at school until very late. The house was cleaned yesterday, and it looks mighty fine. What a good feeling to come home to a clean house.
This weekend is nothing but working on the book.
This weekend is nothing but working on the book.
Bright ideas come back to bite
So, I think I've already mentioned that my freshman English class was going to be going over to Armstrong Elementary to work with Mrs. Gieson's 4th grade class. Well, we did it yesterday morning. All of the kids had a great time, and I think they had a lot of fun, but we didn't actually have a concrete plan. We were a little loosey goosey if you will.
I found out later the principal at Armstrong was so excited she called Gena (director of curriculum for the district), and that the admin building was all agaga about what we were doing. Ug. Couldn't they have waited until we had a firmer plan??? At any rate, we get together again on the 30th of October.
Weird side note, I had 4 parents volunteer to drive and 2 parents say they would drive their own child back . . . yet at 8:45 I had 8 parents show up ??? What is that about. Freaking crazy people.
I found out later the principal at Armstrong was so excited she called Gena (director of curriculum for the district), and that the admin building was all agaga about what we were doing. Ug. Couldn't they have waited until we had a firmer plan??? At any rate, we get together again on the 30th of October.
Weird side note, I had 4 parents volunteer to drive and 2 parents say they would drive their own child back . . . yet at 8:45 I had 8 parents show up ??? What is that about. Freaking crazy people.
Photographer Hell
So, I met with Shawn Wednesday evening. I told him all the pictures had to be taken (or retaken) by November 1st. He said that if the data retrieval company didn't call by this afternoon to say everything had been saved, he would send letters to all of the parents letting them know what was going on.
I asked if I could have the disk of senior pictures that they did have for senior ads. He said that he would bring it in the morning when he came to take retake pictures at the school Thursday morning.
Guess what? Thursday morning, no photos. (He did bring them by after school was out.)
I had two mothers come by and want to use senior photos in senior ads. I explained to them what was going on and that was why I couldn't say yes, because it might not be as easy as just sending a photo to me.
Shawn called and left a message telling me NOT to telling anyone what was going on. WHAT??? Is he insane? I called him back and said I wasn't willing to lie, they could handle the truth.
He gave me some song and dance about how all the parents calling would put him behind. As if it would be my fault if he got behind on anything else.
Now I feel like I don't have a choice but to call the boys, tell them what is going on and give them an option of what to do. SHIT SHIT SHIT
I asked if I could have the disk of senior pictures that they did have for senior ads. He said that he would bring it in the morning when he came to take retake pictures at the school Thursday morning.
Guess what? Thursday morning, no photos. (He did bring them by after school was out.)
I had two mothers come by and want to use senior photos in senior ads. I explained to them what was going on and that was why I couldn't say yes, because it might not be as easy as just sending a photo to me.
Shawn called and left a message telling me NOT to telling anyone what was going on. WHAT??? Is he insane? I called him back and said I wasn't willing to lie, they could handle the truth.
He gave me some song and dance about how all the parents calling would put him behind. As if it would be my fault if he got behind on anything else.
Now I feel like I don't have a choice but to call the boys, tell them what is going on and give them an option of what to do. SHIT SHIT SHIT
Dave strikes again
Ironically, several people have asked about good ole' Dave. He actually had been quiet for the last two weeks, but sadly it isn't because he finally accepted that dogs bark, or because he realized the whole neighborhood knows what an ass he is.
Sabrina starts harassing me at 2am to go out. I refuse, but finally crack at about 5am. (mainly because I have to potty too). Of course as I take care of business, her dumb butt runs outside and barks. I hop up, run out, yell Sabrina NO. (For effect, don't you know)
Alas, not enough. I get them back inside, go back to bed, and 18 minutes later (I would say 20 but I don't want to be accused of exaggerating) Dave calls. Wakes me up. (I now consider us to be even) I don't answer (I really want to answer, but I figure that there is nothing to be gained by speaking to him at this hour of the morning. Now that I think about, I'm curious about what he thinks is to be gained by talking at 5:30 in the morning). He CALLS A SECOND TIME. What a total Jackass.
His message is that I told them I would let the dogs out until 7am (no, what I said was that I wouldn't leave for school until 7am - if he's going to give me shit no matter what, I might as well start leaving earlier.
He then said we were going to have to talk about this. Hmm, no, no we don't. Sigh.
Sabrina starts harassing me at 2am to go out. I refuse, but finally crack at about 5am. (mainly because I have to potty too). Of course as I take care of business, her dumb butt runs outside and barks. I hop up, run out, yell Sabrina NO. (For effect, don't you know)
Alas, not enough. I get them back inside, go back to bed, and 18 minutes later (I would say 20 but I don't want to be accused of exaggerating) Dave calls. Wakes me up. (I now consider us to be even) I don't answer (I really want to answer, but I figure that there is nothing to be gained by speaking to him at this hour of the morning. Now that I think about, I'm curious about what he thinks is to be gained by talking at 5:30 in the morning). He CALLS A SECOND TIME. What a total Jackass.
His message is that I told them I would let the dogs out until 7am (no, what I said was that I wouldn't leave for school until 7am - if he's going to give me shit no matter what, I might as well start leaving earlier.
He then said we were going to have to talk about this. Hmm, no, no we don't. Sigh.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The waiting is killing me . . .
I wish I could explain in detail what is going on. The long and the short of it is that about two weeks ago Shawn Northcutt (really, his assistant) called me and told me that their computer had crashed (apparently they don't have back-ups) and they were taking it to be fixed. They have put me off repeatedly, but sworn that I would know something today. This evening at 6pm I called and left a message for Shawn that he needed to call me back and let me know. I went downstairs and told the principal what was going on.
Tomorrow I'll leave a message (somehow I doubt he answers) letting him know an email will go out to the senior parents letting them know what is going on and that a new photographer will be hired to shoot the senior class. At that point, in case you didn't realize it, all hell should break loose.
Did I mention that shawn has already been paid 10,000 by the Book committee to shoot the Hall of Fame recipients etc. I will be contacting the book committee tomorrow evening to let them know perhaps tehy need to hire someone new to shoot the photos. aaauuuggghhhh
Tomorrow should suck too. Oh and it is PSAT testing day.
Tomorrow I'll leave a message (somehow I doubt he answers) letting him know an email will go out to the senior parents letting them know what is going on and that a new photographer will be hired to shoot the senior class. At that point, in case you didn't realize it, all hell should break loose.
Did I mention that shawn has already been paid 10,000 by the Book committee to shoot the Hall of Fame recipients etc. I will be contacting the book committee tomorrow evening to let them know perhaps tehy need to hire someone new to shoot the photos. aaauuuggghhhh
Tomorrow should suck too. Oh and it is PSAT testing day.
Friday, October 12, 2007
What a crappy week . . .
AND it was only 4 days. What a beating. I'm not even sure I can point to any specific thing. It was just one damn thing after another. I am so tired. I am overwhelmed with the book and The Book. I don't have the energy to write more than this. If I can get more of The Book done this weekend, maybe I'll be a little less stressed. Maybe
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Quick Update
I went up to Ok City Saturday morning. Although MaryBeth hates OK, her house is cute, and she has already knows her way around town. We had a nice weekend. Ironically, Mike and the kids ended up coming down to Dallas this weekend, so I passed them on the highway.
Her dog Daisy is adorable. We took her for a walk, and basically hung out. Very delightful. I headed home Sunday evening. Monday I managed to get all my ironing done (there was a lot), some work on The Book, and finished grading papers.
Today I got to call quite a few parents about their little darlings failing my English class. It is sooo annoying. They all have at least 1 zero.
At any rate, today sucked just because I was so damn busy. I trie dto get all of my copies done for the six weeks. I need to finish work on a flip chart presentation for the morning, which means no work on the book. Auugghhh the stress is killing me.
Her dog Daisy is adorable. We took her for a walk, and basically hung out. Very delightful. I headed home Sunday evening. Monday I managed to get all my ironing done (there was a lot), some work on The Book, and finished grading papers.
Today I got to call quite a few parents about their little darlings failing my English class. It is sooo annoying. They all have at least 1 zero.
At any rate, today sucked just because I was so damn busy. I trie dto get all of my copies done for the six weeks. I need to finish work on a flip chart presentation for the morning, which means no work on the book. Auugghhh the stress is killing me.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Why must sleep be so difficult????
I went to bed at a reasonable time last night (between 9-10). It was well after 11 before I finally went to sleep. Theeeennnnnn I woke up a little after 4. What is THAT about?? I finally gave up at about 5 and just got up.
On the plus side, I made myself a lovely cup of tea and I have been able to mosey through my morning.
I think it is a home football game tonight, so I should be working that. I'll get up bright and early in the morning and head up to visit MaryBeth. (I'll be making a quick stop at the Canine Country Club; the kids just need some time to run amok ; )
What she doesn't know is that I'll be bring all of my laundry with me!! If I don't, I'll be going naked next week to school, and they do so frown upon that.
For those interested, my goal for today is to enter all the grades I have, grade the journals and the persuasive writing the kids have done. Feel free to harass me if I haven't completed my mission!
On the plus side, I made myself a lovely cup of tea and I have been able to mosey through my morning.
I think it is a home football game tonight, so I should be working that. I'll get up bright and early in the morning and head up to visit MaryBeth. (I'll be making a quick stop at the Canine Country Club; the kids just need some time to run amok ; )
What she doesn't know is that I'll be bring all of my laundry with me!! If I don't, I'll be going naked next week to school, and they do so frown upon that.
For those interested, my goal for today is to enter all the grades I have, grade the journals and the persuasive writing the kids have done. Feel free to harass me if I haven't completed my mission!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
One more day . . .
By the time I left school today I had another headache (for those of you keeping track that is the third headache in three days).
I took the dogs for a walk. My plan was to walk them for four miles (I have just been walking them on the Swiss Ave circuit, but Dr. Freeman suggested I needed a longer walk, so I figured it wouldn't hurt them either. We did get farther than usual, but Buddy started hurling, so I thought perhaps it would be best to head home. He seems to be ok now.
I've been grading madly since tomorrow is the end of the six weeks. While grading, I've been watching my oh so exciting filled with birds chirping and hardly any barking home video. I figured since today is the day the cleaning people come, they would be worse today than any other. Turns out, not so much.
As a reward, I gave them bones that I bought yesterday that are HUGE. I mean really big. I should take a picture!!
Oh, I should probably mention that this summer at the workshop in Boston I spoke with one of the elementary school principals about getting together with a 4th grade teacher and having our classes work together.
So the teacher and I finally met up last Friday. I think it will be fun, but we are both trying to figure out what we are going to do etc.
The principal sent an email to us today all fired up about how she told everyone at the principals meeting (that includes the super and my principal) about how we are doing this and it is going to be so amazing. Talk about putting a fire under our butts!! Now we REALLY have to do it! Yikes.
I took the dogs for a walk. My plan was to walk them for four miles (I have just been walking them on the Swiss Ave circuit, but Dr. Freeman suggested I needed a longer walk, so I figured it wouldn't hurt them either. We did get farther than usual, but Buddy started hurling, so I thought perhaps it would be best to head home. He seems to be ok now.
I've been grading madly since tomorrow is the end of the six weeks. While grading, I've been watching my oh so exciting filled with birds chirping and hardly any barking home video. I figured since today is the day the cleaning people come, they would be worse today than any other. Turns out, not so much.
As a reward, I gave them bones that I bought yesterday that are HUGE. I mean really big. I should take a picture!!
Oh, I should probably mention that this summer at the workshop in Boston I spoke with one of the elementary school principals about getting together with a 4th grade teacher and having our classes work together.
So the teacher and I finally met up last Friday. I think it will be fun, but we are both trying to figure out what we are going to do etc.
The principal sent an email to us today all fired up about how she told everyone at the principals meeting (that includes the super and my principal) about how we are doing this and it is going to be so amazing. Talk about putting a fire under our butts!! Now we REALLY have to do it! Yikes.
Something Fun and then thought provoking . . .
My friend, Pam Colley, popped into my room this morning. I had forgotten she was subbing for one of the librarians today and tomorrow. What a fun surprise! We got to have lunch together and chat. It was sooooo nice. Now I'm excited about tomorrow too!
We talked for a little bit about a student I have that is having all sorts of problems. He doesn't feel like he has friends and lunch is a bad time for him. We had a teacher conference last Friday with him and his mom. It made me think about two things.
One. Just how much I hated high school. Most teachers teach because they loved high school. It is truly ironic that I am a teacher considering how desperate I was to get out. I've joked about it before, but if I really think about it, it is amazing. Which led me to thought two.
If Pam hadn't been my French teacher and allowed me to eat lunch with her every day. I'm not sure I would have made it out of high school. I definitely didn't have anyone I hung out with by the time I hit high school. I was so totally miserable most of the time.
At any rate, it is interesting to think about. She was my angel. All I could tell that kid was the best part of hating high school was knowing when you got out, the worst was behind you!!
We talked for a little bit about a student I have that is having all sorts of problems. He doesn't feel like he has friends and lunch is a bad time for him. We had a teacher conference last Friday with him and his mom. It made me think about two things.
One. Just how much I hated high school. Most teachers teach because they loved high school. It is truly ironic that I am a teacher considering how desperate I was to get out. I've joked about it before, but if I really think about it, it is amazing. Which led me to thought two.
If Pam hadn't been my French teacher and allowed me to eat lunch with her every day. I'm not sure I would have made it out of high school. I definitely didn't have anyone I hung out with by the time I hit high school. I was so totally miserable most of the time.
At any rate, it is interesting to think about. She was my angel. All I could tell that kid was the best part of hating high school was knowing when you got out, the worst was behind you!!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Time Flies
It is amazing that I think I am keeping up with the blog, and then I realize it has been four days since I last posted.
Let's see . . .
Monday morning I got a call from Dave, very politely, letting me know that the dogs had barked that morning and that they had barked the evening before after 10:30. I'd like to once more point out that when they bark literally that is what they do. Bark. Like once or twice. Not incessant. At any rate, I didn't get the call. He tried to be tricky and call from the home number, but I didn't recognize it, so I didn't answer.
Later, he called that night to very politely let me know that he had a very early flight, so he would be going to bed early, would I keep the dogs in. Sure, no problem. I didn't let them out after 8. Now, I did get to clean up a gawd awful mess, courtesy of Buddy, in the dining room.
I was up really late Sunday and Monday working on spreads for The Book. I met with the boys at 11am Tuesday. I think they were pleased with what they saw. They had a lot of stuff they wanted modified, so I told them I would make the changes and submit to them as pdfs.
My 1pm yesterday my head felt like it was in a vice. By 2pm when my friend Roseanne strolled by my room, I had the lights out in the office and my head hanging over the trashcan. She said she would watch my class the last part of the period, so I headed home. I took a bath (always a requirement) and went to bed. I woke up at about 7 . . .nearly had a heart attack thinking I was going to be late for work. I woke up enough once I was moving to think, it could still be night which thank heavens it was.
I have another headache today. Started about an hour ago. I hate this. I had a message from my friend Cindy that she was reading about sleep apnea and having slept with me more than once, she feels that I might be a candidate for it. Headaches are also caused by sleep apnea. I think I'm going to make an appt to see my doctor about my sinus issues and then talk about the sleep thing.
At any rate, I may be loosing another night of work if I go home and go to bed again. sigh.
Let's see . . .
Monday morning I got a call from Dave, very politely, letting me know that the dogs had barked that morning and that they had barked the evening before after 10:30. I'd like to once more point out that when they bark literally that is what they do. Bark. Like once or twice. Not incessant. At any rate, I didn't get the call. He tried to be tricky and call from the home number, but I didn't recognize it, so I didn't answer.
Later, he called that night to very politely let me know that he had a very early flight, so he would be going to bed early, would I keep the dogs in. Sure, no problem. I didn't let them out after 8. Now, I did get to clean up a gawd awful mess, courtesy of Buddy, in the dining room.
I was up really late Sunday and Monday working on spreads for The Book. I met with the boys at 11am Tuesday. I think they were pleased with what they saw. They had a lot of stuff they wanted modified, so I told them I would make the changes and submit to them as pdfs.
My 1pm yesterday my head felt like it was in a vice. By 2pm when my friend Roseanne strolled by my room, I had the lights out in the office and my head hanging over the trashcan. She said she would watch my class the last part of the period, so I headed home. I took a bath (always a requirement) and went to bed. I woke up at about 7 . . .nearly had a heart attack thinking I was going to be late for work. I woke up enough once I was moving to think, it could still be night which thank heavens it was.
I have another headache today. Started about an hour ago. I hate this. I had a message from my friend Cindy that she was reading about sleep apnea and having slept with me more than once, she feels that I might be a candidate for it. Headaches are also caused by sleep apnea. I think I'm going to make an appt to see my doctor about my sinus issues and then talk about the sleep thing.
At any rate, I may be loosing another night of work if I go home and go to bed again. sigh.
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