Trick Or Drinking

Growing up, my dad started a new 'tradition' around the neighborhood called Trick or Drinking. He would follow us to the houses (with a shot glass in hand) and after we asked for our candy and left, he would ring the bell and ask for a 'trick or drink'. Apparently this went over well with the men in the neighborhood and within a few houses he had quite the following.

Mind you this is in the days when cell phones were not around! So, word must have traveled fast!

I kinda remember mom being pissed, though she would never show it in front of us. I happily say that I carry on his tradition. So to all of you today I say "trick or drink" whatever your poison may be. Mine..... take a guess. I am curious to what my readers think would be in my shot glass.....

I'll tell you next Friday.

Daddy/Daughter Date Night Fx4

Warning Blog Cross Over! I repeat Blog Crossover!

Tonight my dad and I went on a date. (We really need to do this more often.) I had a great time. So, what did we do..... You need some background knowledge first.....

Growing up my dad and I used to stay up late on Saturday nights and watch USA Up All Night. They always had the absolute WORST movies, but in my angry years (that's what I like to call my late teens/early twenties) it was something quiet that we could do together that wouldn't frankly piss my off and turn me into the "superbitch" that I was proud to be. Worse than the movies was the host..... Gilbert Godfried! We watched some classics like (my favorite) Sorority Babes in the Slime Ball Bowlarama, Reform School Girls, Invasion from Mars, and the like.

We would lay at opposite ends of the couch and laugh at the dialogue and acting during the commercial breaks. Sometimes we would rub each other's feet (which may sound weird, but was always comforting) while we watched.

This was all after my brother left and joined the Navy. Shitty movies have kinda been what I grew up with. (Some day I will tell the Reanimator story.) So when Attack of the B movies came to the local theater we couldn't say no. Dad had the brilliant idea to bring the minkees to the movie theater with us. Here they are before we left, comfortably sitting in my purse.
Once we got to the theater we found out they changed the movie schedule. We ended up watching the last half of The Bat starring Vincent Price. I so thought he was 'The Bat', but I was waaaaay off. Then we stayed for the movie we both wanted to see: Warewolf in the Girl's Dormatory! We figured it was made in 1961 (by the death dates on the gravestones). It was an hour and thirty five minutes long. After 35 minutes, I thought the movie should be over. The plot was done, it had nowhere else to go. I figured out that B movie stands for "This Movie B Shitty!" So shitty in fact that I took this foto of the minkees during the movie.
Yep, that's them sitting in a seat, at the movie theater, with patrons looking at me like I am crazy...

Thanks for reading! If you are playing along, make sure to keep up with the new entries on Candid Carrie Fx4!

I'm... a... nervous...

Tomorrow we are taking our 7th grade students on the first field trip of the year. Most of the naughty ones blew it already so we don't have to worry about them. But seriously, I am nervous as hell!

First of all, we are going to be going through a corn maze. I HATE inclosed spaces & got lost in a corn field when I was around 12. I got some prior knowledge that will probably be screwing with my brain tonight! I have to be brave in front of my group of 12 and suck up my fear and deal with it.

After the maze we get to go to the 'corn cannons' where kids get to shoot corn cobs and see whose go the farthest. I am so going to dominate them on that one..... if they let me play along.....

Then it is off for a hayrack ride. I always love those. I plan on taking my camera and getting some good photos of the kids for the yearbook.

Here's where the nervousness comes in. I am taking a half day (planned way in advance before the trip was scheduled) and I have to leave around lunch. (Where am I going you ask? The Lady Doctor. Go me!) I have to drive seperately, leave my group unattended on the bus both to and from the farm & leave before they get lunch. I feel so bad, but I couldn't change the appt.

So, here is my schedule for tomorrow:
7:00 -Drive to work in Davenport ~18 miles
9:15 - Drive to Alpha ~40 miles
12:00 - Drive to doctor in Davenport ~ 40 miles
2:30 - Drive home to Coal Valley ~18 miles
3:40 - Drive to Silvis (another dr. appt.) ~ 15 miles
4:45- Drive to parents' house ~ 3 miles
6:20 - Drive to Davenport for daddy/daughter date night ~ 20 miles
9:00- Drive to parents' house ~ 20 miles
9:20 - Drive home to Coal Valley ~ 15 miles

Yes, you did read daddy/daughter date night correctly. We are going to the B Horror movie double feature at Cinema 53. On tomorrow nights play bill: The warewolf in the girls dormatory and The Bat. We may not make it through both, but we will give it a shot. I owe my dad for my love of terrible horror movies. Thank you dad! Oh, yeah you too Eric. Nobody can get their kid sister to vomit like my big bro. I still can't eat tomatos and watch Reanimator..... Another story for another time.

Don't forget to check back to see our door decoration contest entry at school. There may be a few field trip fotos too. One of me freaking out in the corn maze perchance?

Game on fellow 7th grade teachers!

This week is spirit week at school. One of the things we are doing is a door decorating contest. To this I say some friendly competition umongst peers is a good thing. To all of them I say game on, Gray is in it to win it!

I had two girls stay after school and we have some fabulous ideas! We are going off on a tangent, so hopefully our strategy will work.

The doors have to be done by Friday morning for judging, so check back then to see how I fared. I will be able to post the pic of the door, but maybe not the verdict until early evening! I am so excited!!!

Wish us luck!

Lazy Weekend

I have decided that this weekend is going to be devoted to chillaxing.  (I got that word from a student btw).  I have been so stressed out with work that I need time for me. 

So, what have I accomplished this weekend?  Well, yesterday was spent doing some crafting, craft shopping, reading Breaking Dawn (I am to the part where Bella takes over the story again), going to dinner at my folks' and watching some SNL.

Today I have accomplished a few things I needed to to this weekend.  I updated my new 'buisnessey' blog, went grocery shopping and started the laundry.  Now, I am done being an adult for the day (until I go cook dinner anyway).  I have the house to myself, so what better to do than watch some cheesey horror movie and veg on the couch!  I am torn between House of Wax and Thirteen Ghosts.  Whichever I choose, I am sure a nap will occur sometime in the middle of the movie and I really won't miss much!

Now I am off to get my chillaxin on!

Creative Juices A flowing 10.24.08

For this week's post for Candid Carries Fx4, I decided to show you what I have been up to in my free time.  A couple of family members are renting some space and opening a yoga studio.  I am making crafty things to sell there.  Here are a few of the things I have been working on.

This is a handmade yoga inspired magnet.  I actually made about 200 last weekend.  Each one is unique.  If you ever try making these (pretty easy but can be very time consuming)  make sure to be in a well ventilated area or you are bound to have a rip roaring headache!  That glue is strong!  

These are eye pillows inspired by the chakras.  Each one is filled with a delicious mix of flax seed, lavender and chamomile flowers.  Very relaxing!  I love making these, especially mixing the flowers in.  They can also be lightly heated and it releases the aroma.

Another thing I have been working on are malas like these.  Malas are Tibetan prayer beads consisting of 108 beads.  They are used in meditation.  If you want more info on these, click here.  (it's my new buisnessey blog)

I went postal update

So.... Um.... I guess my little explosion on Friday made quite the impression on the kiddos. One student retold the story (in front of me) that I turned all red in the face and was wicked scary. I like to think of it as I hulked out. TEACHER MAD!

Well, it must have worked. They came in Monday, I stood at the front of the room with my finger over my mouth gesturing a silent shhhhhhh as they came in the room. You could have heard a pin drop as soon as that bell rang. I started class saying "ah, I guess my comments on Friday made an impact" and I looked at a room full of smiling children ready to cover another lesson on Scale Factor.

Tuesday rolls around. I bit louder than the previous day, but it took just two quick little words and they were back in their seats quiet as mice.

Today I took half the class with me to take a test. My group was great. Nice, quiet, polite.... I hope we aren't suffering from invasion of the body snatchers! The group I left behind apparently was the same. It is amazing what can happen when you simply go off. That and seperating the two 'heavy hitters' in the group. Some kids just can't get along!

I went postal today at work

Let me just say this. I hate to raise my voice. I really hate to yell. But oh me, oh my, did I let it rip today.

My sixth hour co-taught class is full of a bunch of loud and rowdy kids. I lost it today. The bell rang and as usual nobody was in their seats, their voices ware waaaaaayyyy too loud and had enough. (I have only been in the class this week since my student teacher left)

It started out like this "EXCUSE ME!!!!! YOU NEED TO HAVE A SEAT AND SHUT THE MOUTHS NOW. ARE YOU KIDDING ME, THIS IS THE EIGTH WEEK OF SCHOOL AND I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE HAD IT UP TO HERE! (Picture my arm outstetched as far above my 5'3" frame as possible) "THE BELL HAS RUNG WHICH MEANS YOU NEED TO BE IN YOUR SEATS READY TO LEARN. DO YOU UNDERSTAND!" At this point I got a 'yes ma'm' from one of the students. I shot him the most evil look I could muster and he immediatly looked down. In fact he appologized at the end of class for doing it. I did continue on a bit with the "You are in seventh grade..... You need to learn how to respect..... " I ended it with "How many of you are tired of class starting this way every day?" 90% of the class raised their hands. I was glad that it wasn't just me who felt that way. (Even if 50% of those hands raised are the talkers.....)

I scared the crap out of my co-tacher.... He had no idea I could yell that loud.

People in the office two doors down could hear me, I yelled that loud.

Come on, I used to lifegaurd for 9 year. I can be loud when needed.

Atlanta Aquarium Fx4

This past weekend we went down to Atlanta.  It was part my mother in-laws birthday, our fourth anniversary and the Columbus day holiday.  We went to one of the most magical places on Earth for me, the aquarium.  I am a water sign and I love all things related to the ocean.  Here are some of the better pics we took from our trip.

This one is a tank of African Cichlids.  These are actually the fish we have at home, only much larger.  It was really cool to point out all the fish that we take care of.  Oddly, we have had all almost every kind of fish in this tank at one point over the last three years.

I love me some Jellyfish.  These first ones were amazing.  They were electric and changed colors.  Very cool stuff.

Here is your more typical jelly.  Little know fact... I was stung by a dead Portuguese Man of War.  Even dead they sting like a mother!  I shouldn't like them, but they are just the most amazing creatures.

If we didn't prematurely flush our Blue Johannai, he would look like this.  Bigger, nastier, and even more a bully in this big ol' tank.

The aquarium also had Beluga whales.  What beautiful creatures they are.  I have never seen one up close before.  One young gentleman asked how you tell the difference between a male and female beluga whale.  Well.... I didn't realize that the anatomy is very much mammal like.  When the ladies swam with their bellies towards the audience it really did look like a female.  The male.... well, apparently when he is ready to mate you can definitely tell he's male.
Last, but not least a very cranky spiny lobster.  He just looks pissed.  You can't see it here, but he has blue bands on his claws.  Is he ready to be served at the food court for dinner?

Thanks for visiting.  Head on over to Candid Carrie for more fun!

Scary Times

This past weekend we headed off to Atlanta to visit my brother in law. It was a great trip (I'll post more about it later) but something alarming happened on the way home.

We made it through the line to check in. We headed off to the area where you have to put all of your belongings on the x-ray machine.... moving through the lines.... my husband was up next when......

"BREACH" was yelled by security......

It was a code orange day at the airport..... We WERE in Atlanta.... But seriously!

Security 'held the ground' until the all clear a minute later. It was a bit scary to deal with.  But apparently all was ok.

Glad we made it home.....

Friday Foto Finish 10.10.08

My husband woke up to find this lovely deer grazing in our backyard the other morning.  It was brave enough to walk right up to the patio and start nibbling on the plants.  

It makes me appreciate the simple pleasures and joys in life.

If you aren't already playing, join the phun over at Candid Carries Fx4!

Leaving on a jet plane....

Today it is our fourth anniversary.  What better way to celebrate then heading out of town.  We are off to Atlanta (or Hotlanta as I like to call it) in a few hours.  We are going to spend most of our time relaxing.  Only one event is scheduled.... A trip to the aquarium!  One of my favorite places to go.  We haven't been to that one yet, but can't wait.  We are even paying the extra for the Titanic interactive exhibit.  

I better go and start to pack.  I wonder where the minkees are........

I need to vent

Please feel free to skip this post.  I am not looking for sympathy or any words of encouragement.  I just need to vent or else I am going to explode. (If you are a co-worker realize this has been slowly building over the last 7 weeks and I have to get it out or I might go insane.)

When the bell rang at 3:40 today four words crossed my mind.  I Want To Quit!  I am not the quitting type, but today I had enough.  I realized just how tired I am.

I am tired of the kids running the school.  

I am tired of no follow through with any initiatives.  

I am tired of hearing the same people gripe, moan and belly ache about the same shit every day.

I am tired of being put in charge of things that will inevitably make me look like the bad guy.

I am tired of trying to please everyone.

I am tired of hearing teachers in the adjacent rooms screaming at their students.

I am tired of seeing the same 5 kids in the hallway ALL DAY LONG, and of nobody willing to take care of it.

I understand that I teach special education and that there are students on my roster.  However, they are NOT MY OWN CHILDREN.   I have the same problems with them that  you do, please don't make me relive that ten times a day.

I am tired of scheduling meetings and having nobody show up.

I am tired of having to tell people how to do their jobs.

I am tired of waiting to see what the consequences are when we write a student a referral.  I have one kid in my advisory who has skipped it at least 3 times a week and NOTHING has happened to him!

I am tire of waiting to see the consequences for the two students who SEXUALLY HARASSED ME last week.

I am just plain old tired..... And it's only Monday!

I am so stressed out this year that my eye has already started to twitch.  This is the seventh week of school, not the seventh month.  I should not have physical issues due to stress this early in the year.  (Can't wait until my other compulsions come back.)  

Please understand that if I walk away and say "I will deal with it tomorrow"  it isn't necessarily because I am mad at you in any way.  It is simply due to the fact that I can't deal with anymore today.  I am done.  Out.  Finished.

Now, I just have to mentally prepare for tomorrow.....

Friday Foto Finish 10.3

This week's entry for Candid Carrie's Fx4 are these odd looking things.  I bet nobody can guess what they are.....

These were used when I got a Thai Poultice Massage last week.  They are muslin bags filled with a variety of herbs.  They are heated to just about body temperature and are used to massage out all of your aches and pains.  You are first rubbed down with raw silk gloves to slough off the dead skin (gross, but feels great), then you are slathered in oil and these heated bags are used to massage you down.  It is weird because of the sensation of the heat almost feels cold.  They are reheated several times throughout the treatment, melting away all of stiffness.  I felt like a stick of butter slowly melting, and I loved it!  

Be nice and give yourself a treat every once in a while.  It is well worth it!

Thanks for playing.