There are times. . .

as I write into the abyss that I wonder why I do it. I do think it is a relief to write about the ridiculous stuff that happens to me, but there are times I'd really like to let loose and can't just in case this sucker gets found by just anybody. sigh.

I got a new laptop which I have to say is just in time. My current laptop has a button that has popped off, the I doesn't capitalize very well. In generally, it was time for a new one. Of course I need to be able to add a bunch of stuff to the new computer for it to be functional and I really need Chuck to come over and help me.

The Photographer Shawn disaster continues to grow. I'm not sure of what to say. I'm keeping the emails because they just seem to point to the insanity.

His latest email says and I quote,"Does hphs know that you left your workday repeatedly to work at another job? I don't have the luxury to defraud my employer to work for someone else on their dime. "

So, when I responded, "I'm sorry you feel it is appropriate to threaten me. I would expect if you had learned anything from working with me it is that I will not ever cower from the truth. "

To which he responded, " I have never threated anyone that I have ever worked with. Please quit misrepresenting me."

Now, did that sound like a threat to anyone else?

I believe he is referencing the times I have left at lunch, done an interview and gone back to school. Just to reassure any one who actually thinks there is any credence to what he said: 1. I think I work long enough hours and produce a good enough book, no one at HP feels defrauded. 2. Even if someone decided taking lunch to interview people was horrifying, then I would stand up and take my lumps. Like I'm going to let some putz threaten me.

Breathe, Breathe, Breathe

Well, first I want to say since sending the letter to D&D, it has been radio silence. I can't begin to describe how nice it is to not hear from them.

Shawn Northcutt . . . I don't even know what to say. His lack of response is shocking. He finally responded to an email Robert sent. He then sent a separate email to me that I forwarded to the committee. The email he sent to me was blah, blah, blah, it's not my fault, blah, blah, blah, it is really your fault, blah, blah blah, I am a victim, blah, blah, blah it's not my fault. I so desperately want to respond, but I keep reminding myself that none of it will do any good.

Robert responded to the email I forwarded. While I was meeting with the committee this afternoon, Shawn sent an email to Robert suggesting he no longer work on the Book. I could hear the hallelujah chorus playing in the background. Robert asked me to respond. I sat staring at the screen thinking of all the responses I wanted to make. Instead I just said, the committee appreciates and accepts your proposal. Please send a bill after all photos have been delivered.

I received a phone call today from one of the inductees. He said Shawn was supposed to be at his house at 10am to take his photo. At 11am they got a phone call saying he had a flat tire, was waiting for help and would be on his way. At 2pm when I got the call, Shawn had neither made contact again nor shown up. sigh.

Now, as far as the yearbook pictures go, I'm still waiting on those. He is supposed to be at the high school on Friday to shoot the last 30 kids or so that haven't been photographed. He is supposed to submit the disk of senior photos to the plant by Friday, December 7th. Shall we take wagers on whether or not that happens?

The meeting with the boys lasted about 3 hours. We got through a ton of stuff. My brain hurts right now, but all I can think is, Wow I may actually get this sucker done.

Today at school, I worked with the editors on the people pages. In ten years at HP I have gotten a call every year from the plant that some portion of the people pages are wrong. All those head shots and we have to have the right number of pages and boxes for all the little heads. Toooooo many numbers. Aaauuugggghhhhh

Did I mention that Sabrina and Buddy are now sleeping in kennels at night? They are really funny. I put Buddy in his, and then Sabrina tries to hide under the bed. So I turn the light out and act like I'm going to leave her under the bed. Within thirty seconds she comes hopping up on the bed, silly girl. Then she goes into her kennel.

Thanksgiving Holiday

Of course it didn't start until 9pm tonight when I FINALLY left school, but at least it has started. I only had three editors working most of the afternoon, but I'm really proud of them work like the devil to get everything done. They got 64 spreads finished and mailed to the plant. The ads managers managed to get all of their spreads signed off and sent to the plant.

Sunday I got help from Emily and moved the wire dog cage into my bedroom. I bought a second one for Buddy and put it in the bedroom. The children have slept in their cages the last two nights. There is a little bit of whining, but they have actually done really well.

My plan is to walk the dogs in the morning and then work all day on the book. Thursday I'm going to work on English grading and do the family gig, then back to work on the book Friday.

This is the plan. We'll see how shredded it gets by life.

You know it is going to be good . . .

when it requires a mid-day entry.

I got home last night to find a note under the mat. It wasn't a horrifying note, but it was a note none the less. I'll try to remember to scan and post the note tonight. At any rate, it was a note that pushed me over the edge. I didn't sleep well. I feel like I am living under a reign of terror. These people are harassing me, and there is nothing I can do about it.

Soooo, I'm whining away, when one of my students reminds me her dad is a lawyer. She calls him and tells him the scoop. He says that I can file a complaint with the City of Dallas. I should write them a letter telling them I will file a complaint if they harass me any more. I like that a lot. So, then I go to Officer Sherrill (We just got a police liaison in the building which has proved to be useful!)

Officer Sherrill tells me the same thing!! Happy happy, joy, joy. Below is the letter I have written. Feel free to comment as necessary.

November 13, 2007
Mr and Mrs Rosen,

It is unfortunate that the situation has come to this. You have made your desires clear and there is no need for any further communication between us on this issue.

The section of the City of Dallas ordinance regarding animal noise makes no reference to hour of the day.

Noise made by any animal is considered unreasonable if it continues for more than 15 minutes or exceeds the sound pressure level allowed in a residential district. A person who is disturbed by an animal who unreasonably barks, howls, crows, or makes other unreasonable noise may file a disturbance complaint with Dallas Animal Services, who will mail a notice to the owner.

This is also according to the letter that was sent to me by the City of Dallas in response to your complaint. The City of Dallas code enforcement representative informed me that you also received a copy of the letter and are therefore aware of the parameters to lodge a complaint. With that in mind, please do not communicate with me in any way regarding the dogs. If you wish to make a complaint, please do so to the City of Dallas at (214) 670-4439.

If you choose to communicate with me regarding the dogs, I will immediately contact the City of Dallas Police Department to file harassment charges.

Well, what do you think? To the point, polite, specific?

The hellion and her little friend

I would hate for too many days to go by without you knowing how freaking adorable my dogs are. Look how cute Sabrina is all smooshed in the chair. What a cutie pie. Sometimes she is the ultimate guard dog. She eyes the street traffic ready to leap on anyone who dares cross the path of the hellion. Although sometimes they make it quite difficult to get any work done at all. They don't mess around. When they want my attention they go to work and get it!!! Grrrr. Today Mom and I went to the Opera "MacBeth". It was good, but not one of my favorites. I most enjoy the operas that are a feast for the ears and the eyes. This one was very dark and the scenery was very boring.

I got home and tried to get some work done on the book, but my eyes are blurry and I have another headache. I need to take tomorrow off, but I don't see that happening.

Pam visits with Maria

My friend Pam, now living in Florida, has been in town for the last week at a workshop. She brought her baby Maria. Maria is 6 months old and the most adorable baby ever. Seriously, I had pangs. Look at that face. We got some lunch and then went back to the house. I had to take the picture of all of the crap that comes with the baby. A plethera of stuff.

Precious Babies

Aren't they cute? Madeline, Alexa and Megan - editors-in-chief extraordinaire. Megan has tonsilitis or something so one of my senior editors, Kendall is having to be acting editor-in-chief. At any rate, I am lucky to have such amazing editors because right now all I can think about is how much work it takes to get a yearbook out and how much work I still have to do to get The Book done. The next 8 weeks are going to be awfully hard.

Tempus Fugi

Wow. Feels like it has been forever since I last blogged. I won't remember everything in order, but here are some highlights.

Today was TAKS benchmark Essay grading day. That means my friend, Pam, subbed for me as I went over to the admin building and graded essays with 6 other teachers. ug. what a drag. Ironically I had to leave the house at about 6:40 to get to school to get work done before going to admin. Damn dog aka Sabrina was barking when I left. . . no phone call from Dave. go figure. I didn't leave school until 7 or so, makes for a long day for me and the dogs.

I think I have a schedule for the next two months that will enable me to get some work done on the book. It is really hard to be creative at the end of the day. I have to start in the morning if you know what I mean. As Ann pointed out I'm going to have to hawk up a lung if I'm not careful.

The house was cleaned today. I do love Thursdays.

I went to bed at 7:30 Tuesday night I was soo tired.

Wednesday was the day of the dog and pony show at Armstrong Elementary with Ms. Gieson's fourth graders for the superintendent. I heard today that she was well pleased. That is good.

We have a football game tomorrow night. Last one, thank heavens. Tomorrow is also the last day of the six weeks.

My eyes are burning and I'm too tired to remember everything going on or to be funny, so I'm just going to crash.

I am so annoyed

Today was a hell of a day. I worked madly on my English I calendar most of the day. I rushed home 8th to feed the dogs and give them a quick hello. Rushed back to school. Mark came by to work with the girls. Linda came by to work with me on the flipchart for Wednesday. Chuck and Shelly worked on the projection computer so that when Linda and I do the virtual classroom that works. In the meantime the computers started to not save work because the server is full . . . so again the yearbook bought a 40,000 server that still isn't connected. I'm ready to kill someone.

Then rushed over to Cisco Grill to meet Fred and Jack (two other teachers) before we went to the UP Library for the book club. 6:30 heading to the library and I see Dave (next door neighbor from HELL) calling. I don't answer but call Emily and leave a message.

I listen to Dave's message which for the first time doesn't contain his usual over the top niceness and is a little snotty. "I don't know if you are home or not, but your dogs are barking and you really need to let them in."

Emily calls me back a view minutes later and tells me that she and Gene were out front yacking it up. She said that she thinks that they are the reason the dogs were barking and to not worry about it. Emily would have told me if they were being horrible.

I am sooooooo pissed. Thank heavens MaryBeth was home and able to talk to me off the cliff. I am already so stressed out and so freaking busy I don't have time for these nut jobs.

I need to remember that this is their deal not mine. The dogs aren't bad, the neighbors are crazy. This is their deal. I can't buy in to the insanity.