Interesting Perspective

I went to middle school and high school with a guy who is becoming famous. He has been on a comedy series since it's original airing, two (or 3?) seasons ago and will begin presenting a reality TV series this year. It was surprising to be sitting in a movie theatre watching previews and his face flashes on screen. Cool!
I googled him last night. He has a fan website, a wikipedia entry, and quite a bit of information on IMDb. It is possible to start message threads on IMDb. I glanced through a few and thought it funny reading about how some girls think he's soooo hot. It was just odd to realize I've shared Denny's with this guy. We acted together in several plays. I've been in his parents' home. And now teenie boppers are exclaming over him.

Weird!

Ski Trip minus the skiing

At our extended family gathering, we discussed plans for next year. This is fairly typical for us, as we like to know in advance what we need to plan for...whether it be a slight change in tradition or something monetarily. This year we discussed a ski trip for next year. Now, only half the family will actually ski. However, it should still be a fun time for all. We'll snowmobile, shop, tube, shop, build snowmen, shop, play games, sit by the fire, shop, use a hot tub, play tricks on the kiddos, and just in general have a grand ole time. I will not be a skiier, but will need to purchase wintry clothes just the same. Living in Houston does not afford the need for cold weather clothes. Therefore I will need to go shopping. Darn! :)

Not to mention saving up for this expedition. I am glad we discussed it now. I need to budget! We have already decided this will be "Christmas" meaning no gifts will be exchanged next year. I doubt my parents really follow that guideline, but I'm okay with that.

We will caravan from Oklahoma City to Colorado. A fun trip of 12 hours, not counting the fact I will have already driven from Houston to Plano and then Plano to Ok City.

However, I do like winter and don't get to experience it often. So, while it is twelve months away, I will begin getting excited now!

I found it!

"It" wasn't lost really. I just never knew where to find the speakerphone button on my cell phone. I had long ago come to the conclusion I didn't have one, seeing as how I've had the cell phone over a year. This morning, I was listening to a voicemail message and intended to turn the volume up. Instead, I touched a different button, turning on the speakerphone!

This is great news! Now, I can grade papers, wash dishes, cook, make my bed, whatever I need to do...with TWO hands because I can be talking on speakerphone!

(Laurie, is this in the same category as my car air conditioning? I don't think so, but maybe...)

Fun!

This is too cute to not pass on! I'm sure some of you have seen it before, but I couldn't help myself!

Love it! ;)

Only one day left!

I'm very much in countdown mode! Tomorrow will be crazy as all get out and truthfully, it's a headache for teachers, but we only have one more day (with children!) left!

Christmas Wreath

The Meaning of the Christmas Wreath

Every Christmas wreath is more than just a decoration...
it's a special reminder of Jesus, the reason for our celebration.
The circle of a Christmas wreath is a never-ending ring,
a reminder of eternal love from our Lord and King.
The Christmas wreath is a sign of welcome, inviting all to enter in...
a reminder of Christ's invitation for all to come to Him.
The middle of a Christmas wreath is a bare and empty space,
a reminder of what life would be without Christ's love and grace.
So each time you see a Christmas wreath hanging from a door,
may your heart rejoice in the One that Christmas is truly for!
- Holley Gerth

Interesting dinner menu

I had a ham and cheese sandwich for dinner with fritos and spinach dip on the side.

To drink? A mimosa.

I thought it was fun.

Ugh

I snapped at my mom on the phone today.

She hadn't done anything wrong.

I felt like a heel as soon as I said it.

I hate it when I do that.

Late Night Baking

After my dinner and movie the other night, I needed to come home and make a breakfast casserole to refrigerate overnight and bake 3 dozen cookies. It was after 11:30pm when I arrived home, so it made for some late night baking, but I was having fun. Here is the finished product. I know the picture isn't great, but it was the best my phone could do.

An attitude adjustment

This week was a pretty stressful week. It doesn't rank in the top 5 or anything, but definitely the most stressful of this current school year. One parent threatened legal action. Another sends a nasty email about a mistake on a grade. Our regular schedule is changed a couple of times and kids don't react well to anything outside of their routine. I had four parent meetings, three of those had an administrator sitting in. I cried in one administrator's office...something I have never done at this school. A grade level meeting that needed to be extended because there was so much to discuss, another thing that has never happened. I needed to call a parent on the phone regarding her child's behavior. Two boys were throwing erasers at each other during a test. I stayed at work until 8pm one night, then brought papers home and graded for another hour and a half. The list goes one. It had been a stressful week. I called my mom on the way home. We hadn't been able to talk in a few days and needed to catch up. We talked for an hour and I was able to "get it all out" as the saying goes.

By this time, I had arrived home and checked my email. A friend had emailed wanting to do dinner and a movie. A small group went to Two Rows and then to see American Gangster. I again called my mom to chat on the way to dinner. Her first words were, "You sound much more upbeat this time!"

Sometimes, all it takes is a change in environment. I was spending the evening without 25 ten year olds. Therefore I was happy.

One more thing marked off the "To-Do" List

I finished my Christmas cards! Yay!

The biggest hassle for me is always finding addresses. My parents' generation (at least in our family) keeps an address book. I have one, but many addresses are outdated, or I don't even remember who the people are...so obviously it is not very helpful. Of course, it is mainly my parents' generation that mails Christmas cards. Hmmm, did I just call myself old? Young families send Christmas cards, too. Though sometimes I wonder if the only reason they send them is to update their friends with pictures of their children.

I have cut down on the number of cards that I send. It just go too overwhelming. Please don't be offended if you don't receive a card from me. I still love you!

I love receiving Christmas cards. I love checking my mail during the month of December, because there is usually more than bills and fliers in the mailbox!

I've been Elfed

A fellow teacher walked into my classroom and said, "May I take a picture of you?" and then snapped a picture. She immediately left, to the chuckles of my students, and a few minutes later I receive this in an email.

Stock Advice from Random Texter

I received this text at 6:07am on Sunday morning.

Begin Text:
(Hey it's Cory) If you're playing the market at you, you might wanna check out UTEI, UTEC Inc (nantoech play) As solid as the ground we stand on
End Text

I don't know anyone named Cory.

Do with the advice what you wish.

Secrets

I enjoy knowing secrets. They're fun! There are some secrets that are so good, they just want to burst out of me. But that would mean they are no longer a secret.

Blast!

Pop!

I opened a bottle of champagne yesterday for the first time. The cork really does fly! It was hilarious watching Meredith and Carmen dive out of the way just before the cork sailed through my kitchen doorway!

Don't give a dern

I was listening to the radio this morning on my way to work, when this song came on.

I'm not good at that...not worrying about what others think I mean. When I teach, I want feedback from my principal on how I could do better. When friends come over to my apartment, I want everything in order and neat. When people come over for dinner, I worry that they're comparing my cooking to someone else's or that everything has to be perfect. When I speak in front of friends, I want to know what _________ thinks about what I said. When I have a conflict with someone, I want someone else to tell me where I am wrong or right...how I could have handled things differently. I think about what I wear and what my makeup looks like, because I want to be found acceptable and trendy. The person I'm trying to please may change, depending on the situation, but my heart and attitude are still one of trying to please. I wish I could adopt a little more of the "don't give a dern" attitude!

There are public libraries?

I was talking with a young girl the other day during dismissal. She might have been in 2nd grade. Our school's dismissal policy is that children sit in their assigned location and quietly read. When I reminded her to get out a book, she explained she hadn't been to the library yet this week to be able to have a book. I then explained that she could be reading the book she had checked out last week, brought one from home, borrowed one from her teacher's classroom or gone to the public library. Her response was "There are public libraries?!!?"

Oh my.

Dreamy

After I posted about not remembering my dreams, I find it amusing that I'm beginning to remember more and more.

Last night, I dreamed that two friends of mine began dating. We were at a gathering with Queen Victoria when I found out. Yes, that's right. Queen Victoria. As in the queen of England from 1837-1901. If that's not odd enough, when my friends left the gathering he kissed me good-bye.

I'm pretty sure I can make my own interpretations of this one!

Let's Say Thanks

Xerox has provided the opportunity for us to show our troops we support them. All you have to do is choose a postcard. (They're all hand drawn by children!) Then you click by the message you want included. The messages range from simple "Thank you" to much more verbose, so you can choose the one that fits what you want to say.

Best of all, it's free!

Fun Friday Evening

I went to dinner with three friends on Friday night. We went to a restaurant I rarely frequent, so it was a nice treat. I'm a person that thrives in small group settings. I know some people pull the energy from a large group to them and are the life of the party. Others may not want the limelight, but thoroughly enjoy a crowd of people. I am not one of those people. I much prefer a more intimate setting, ie less than 10. Icing on the cake appears when the ratio of men to women is equal. This was the situation on Friday.

In smaller settings, casual conversation can turn serious and be reasonably distraction free. This is what I enjoy. The four of us laughed, joked, counseled and in general caught up with each other. I had a grand time!

What happened to the cold weather?

Fall was here...but it's gone away.

Please come back!

A spade IS a spade, right?

Two boys were cheating on today's math quiz. They exchanged hand signals and when one boy finished, he gave his paper to the other boy instead of turning it in. I wrote 0-cheating on the top of each quiz and, after speaking with the boys, marched them down to the office to speak with their parents and an administrator. My administrator told me to take the word "cheating" off the paper, because it can cause quite a parent reaction.

We're not allowed to use the words cheating, lying, stealing or lazy when describing actions or students. She agreed whole-heartedly with me that their actions were cheating. However, I couldn't call it that.

When did a spade stop being a spade?

Top Ranked Schools in Texas

Texas Monthly publishes a magazine about items of interest in our state. For the last four years, they have published the highest ranking schools in Texas. Houston ISD has 28 schools on the list. Plano (where I grew up) has 35 on the list. Whoo-hoo for Houston and Plano!! Barbara Bush Elementary, where I teach, made the list!

Because of this accolade, we get to wear jeans tomorrow!

I'm feeling whiny...

As the title of this post indicates, I'm not really in the best of moods. And since my mother drilled the phrase, "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all." into my head since I was small, I'm going to be silent today.

Run down

I'm tired. I know I just had three days off work, but they weren't relaxing days. I was busy non-stop.

I knew when the state of Texas changed the rules about when school could start that it would be a long time between breaks. But there is a difference in knowing it and doing it.

We went from Labor Day to Thanksgiving without a single day off. 56 days straight. In the Spring we'll do the same from MLK to Spring Break. 39 days straight. That's not so bad, I guess. Then we go another 45 days until Memorial Day. After Memorial day, we come back for 4 days. How much sense does that make?

All of this serves to make me tired.

Drum Roll Please

Awhile back, I sent out the following in an email to all my female friends.

The topic of stay-at-home-moms has come up a few times in conversation lately. The question being "How many women REALLY want to be a stay at home mom?" I have a guess, but thought I would poll all my friends. So you're receiving this because you're in my contacts list! :)

My question is simply this:
Do you want to be a stay-at-home mom?

Note: The question is not 'Do you stay at home?' or 'Do you think it is best?' but simply 'Do you want to be a stay-at-home mom?'


I made a handy spreadsheet and entered results as I received them. I found them to be quite interesting! Several women had quite a bit to say about the subject.

These are the results:

I sent the email to 101 women. I received 61 replies.

Yes: 49 women
No: 7 women
Conditonally: 2 women
Don't Know: 3 women

One woman plans on her husband staying at home.

Sheee's Baaack

Someone has rejoined the blogging world!

Attractive story

I know I've blogged quite a bit today. Right now I'm blogging because I'm procrastinating packing. (I leave town tomorrow for a few days.) Hey, it's almost a break from work, so I feel like I can put things off a little. :)

A couple of guy friends and I were talking as we were walking down the hall to the church service yesterday. We were chatting about our afternoons. They had spent the afternoon cleaning. Not just picking up clutter, but cleaning. One spoke of vaccuming. The other spent some time on his knees scrubbing the kitchen floor. I told them that was attractive. Meaning men that clean. I was told it didn't happen often and not to fall in love yet. ;)

I don't wanna Lord...I just don't wanna!

There are days I feel like a two year old stamping my feet. Sometimes that is a heart action. My heart is standing at the foot of the Lord's throne and I'm stamping my foot. "I don't wanna!" Other days I say something to my students while mentally stamping my foot. Okay, I have actually done it a time or two. I've never actually said, "I don't wanna," to my students, but it's what I mean all the same. I don't wanna be at work today. I just don't wanna. I'm mad that I have to be at work today and that HISD and the state of Texas took away my entire week off. The reasons I have for my anger are legitmate. The anger, however, is not.

I'm sorry Lord, for being a whiny two year old sometimes. Please help me to grow.

Ugh

A child writes the note "I'm stupid cause I'm ______ and I'm not important." She then draws a picture of fill-in-blank child and crosses out the picture to underscore her thoughts of said child. Another child sees the picture/note and takes it.

I call one parent to explain the written note. I ask her to talk to her child about disrespect and the need to treat everyone respectfully. I use my cell phone for this as I do not have a phone in my classroom. She talks to her daughter and hangs up. She then calls me back asking for the school phone number. She wanted to schedule an appointment with the principal. When asked if it was something she could discuss with me, she insisted on being given the school's phone number. A few moments later, I receive an email from the school secretary asking that I set up a conference with this parent. Urgh.

I call the other parent to discuss stealing...excuse me, in this politically correct world, 'taking something that does not belong to you.' I ask her to talk to her child. Next thing I know, she's knocking on my classroom door! What?!?

So instead of teaching this morning, I was handling parents.

Badum-badum-badum

I had a pounding heart moment. I'm sitting on my bed, checking email before turning off the light. I just heard a faint sound. It sounded vaguely like a drip/click. I glance over at my glass on the nightstand, thinking the condensation had built up. It hadn't. I trepidly cast my eyes upward as my heart starts to beat quickly. I see a small bubbled area above my desk...and I can't remember if I've seen it before.

There is no moisture on my desk, but I climb on my desk chair and hesitantly reach for the ceiling. Whew...it's dry. I look at a couple of other questionable spots, but they're all dry too. My heart is now back to it's normal rhythm. I'm not sure what the original 'click/drip' sound was, and I'm okay with not knowing.

As long as it's not water coming out of my ceiling.

Rollercoaster of Emotions

I received an email from a parent today in which my immediate physical reaction was a stomach tied in knots. I immediately became anxious and fearful. None of these were pleasant reactions, obviously. The email arrived too late in the day for me to confer with my teaching partner or an administrator. I didn't want to respond without discussing the situation with someone else first. (Several people received the email.) I was going to have to wait until tomorrow to have closure. I mentioned it briefly to a friend, but wasn't able to let go. I spoke briefly with my mom about it, but needed to get off the phone quickly to tutor. I was able to speak with Mom later this evening though and now I feel more comfortable.

Why is that? Is it just because we have a relationship built on trust and commitment that has been tested over time? Is it the whole mom thing? Or was it simply because I finally had the opportunity to pour out what I was feeling to an education-minded person and get some feedback I can apply?

I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know the knots have been untied in my stomach. When I click reply to the email that cries 'attorney,' I will be much more confidant of my response.

Dreams

Very rarely do I remember my dreams. I mean hardly ever! I know we're told that we dream every night, but that is hard for me to believe because I have zero cognition for having done so! The dreams I do remember are usually very vague and 'off.' I don't know how else to describe it except that they very rarely make any sense. Sometimes they'll involve a situation that applies to my life, but the timing is all wrong.

Last night a friend and I were talking about a dream she'd had recently. That led to a conversation about a dream I'd had in college. A fairly embarrasing one, but what can you do? I leave her house, head home and don't think about dreams again. Then I wake up this morning thinking about the dream I had just had! Bizarre, right?

Oddly enough, my dream was about delivering pizza to some of my students. Something I did yesterday as a part of a school fundraiser, though I didn't deliver pizza to any of the students in my dream. It was all amusing to me though since I'd just had a conversation about dreams.

Hmm, maybe our thoughts really do have something to do with what we dream about?

Notary anyone?

This will only be funny to a couple of people. (If you click on the picture, it will pop up clearly in a new window.)

Chat is disabled. What? Oh No!

I sat down at my computer for a brief moment and glanced at my gmail account. I noticed a short message under my status: "Chat is disabled." A longer message below that explained that my network administrator had blocked gmail chat and I would no longer be able to use it when connected to the network. What?! Gmail chat is where I have heartfelt conversations with my wise friend and short "keep me up to date on your life" conversations with several other friends! Chat has been blocked! Nuh-huh! (Yes, I know that's such a mature reaction.) To my utter relief, in just seconds chat was enabled again. My contact with the world is, once again, complete!

Classic Example of "Here's your Sign"

Someone had a going away party for a lady at their office. One of the supervisors called Wal-Mart and ordered the cake.

He told them to write:
"Best Wishes Suzanne" and underneath that write "We will miss you".

As the picture shows, it didn't quite turn out right.

Sad and infuriating

Church members protest at military funerals holding signs that say, "Thank God for DEAD soldiers."

A little extra cash?

On the employee portal, there is a message from HISD. "Need a little extra cash for your holidays?" This leads to a link where it is explained that insurance is only deducted out of 24 paychecks, and we receive 26. The paycheck for Oct. 31 will not have insurance deducted and therefore will be a boosted amount. I remember the PR man making a big deal about this last year, too. I compared my paycheck from today to my paycheck from two weeks ago. I was a little amused and confused. I am very positive that I pay more than the difference in insurance. I received a $3.38 boost. I'm sure I will notice that "extra cash" when I begin my Christmas shopping. Who would like it to cover their gift?

Powerful testimony!

This is a very powerful testimony from a man born without arms or legs.

Clockwise or Counterclockwise??

This caused a big debate at the Redemption House on Saturday evening. Are you right- brained or left-brained? Several view points were brought to light. Liz and I see only clockwise. Mark sees only counter-clockwise. Darrick and Melanie see both. Mark said I couldn't post this on my blog because it would be exposing my wrongness!

I did it!

Left work at 5:10

Arrived at Apt. Mgr's office at 5:38: left with can of paint

Arrived at my apartment at 5:40
showered/washed hair
dried/styled hair
applied make-up
selected outfit
chose corresponding jewelry and shoes
traded purse to go with night's outfit
wrapped gift
balanced linen tupperware/gift

Pulled out of apartment parking lot at 6:14

I was pretty impressed with myself!

Small Explanation into the Life of a Teacher

This is for all the office workers out there. I know some think a teacher's job is so easy. We leave work at 3:15 and receive 3 'paid' months off every year.

The only days I leave work at 3:15 are the ones when I'm rushing across town to grad school. Most days I leave between 6:00 and 7:45 (when they lock up the building.) Most days I arrive between 6:15 and 7:00am, but we are required to be there by 7:30am. We are also required to sign in and out. A lot of teachers feel that requirement to be a 'slap in the face', because it is a blue collar type of restriction.

We only receive 30 minutes for lunch. This does not allow enough time to leave for lunch, except maybe to race through the McDonald's drive thru. Students leave our classroom at 2:45, but we are not allowed to leave the building until 3:15. If we need to make a doctor's appointment or take a sick child home, then we must sign out and that time comes out of our alloted days off.

We do not have phones in our classrooms. There are times I need to call a parent about a misbehaving student, follow up on a ceiling leak at my apartment, or make any of those other short phone calls that need to be done during a day. When these situations arise, I must use my cell phone. I also have 25 students listening in on the call.

This morning, I walked into the front office. It was just before 7:30 and I need to sign in, check my box for paperwork, and chat with a co-worker about what I missed on-campus while at a training yesterday. Instead, I have a parent waiting for me to arrive so that she can discuss her child's grades with me. She had calculated the average herself and decided I was wrong by six-tenths of a point.

Are you ever in your office waiting for a phone call? Maybe you would like to walk to the copier, get a drink of water or use the restroom, but you can't because you're waiting for a phone call. How do you feel? Trapped? Each day I must be in my room while I have students. If I need to use the restroom, I must wait. If I forgot to make copies, I just do without that activity and must quickly think up a different way to teach the desired lesson. If I need to speak with someone in the office or another teacher, I just hope I remember later or write myself a note that may or may not get covered up by all the papers on my desk.

Yes, I love my job. Yes, I chose my profession. I am simply sharing what my daily life at work is like.

Japanese Bible anyone?

I am tutoring a little girl who has only been in America about a year. We were reading about ladybugs the other day and Mary came up. (Did you know ladybug is short for 'the Beetle of Our Lady?') The little girl I tutor had not heard of Mary (or Joseph or Jesus.) I've begun mentioning them as often as I can, but when we're working on homework and only meet twice a week, that isn't very often. I'd like to give her family a Japanese Bible for Christmas. I've looked on Amazon and have found some, but they're pretty expensive. Some are $70! I've done some research and found out the best translations. Does anyone know a place (or have a friend or family member) where I can find a nice, new Bible that is a Manga-story Bible or a Japanese Living Bible?

Neighborhood Matchmaker

I was chatting with a friendly neighbor the other day. She's a little bit of a busybody, and I found that out before I even signed the lease. She seems nice enough though, so we're talking about menial things. Moving in, getting settled, etc and she was pointing out a few doors and telling me about the people that lived behind them. A man walked past us and she introduces him. He shook my hand but didn't stop to talk. He was just a few feet past me when she says. "He's single. Are you married?" I respond in the negative. She then says, "He's single and handsome. Do you hear me Bubba?" He waved that he did.

I was able to end our conversation smoothly and continue on to the laundry room. He was just a few feet in front of me. I said, "Well that was slightly awkward." He smiled, and I could tell he wasn't uncomfortable. I'm glad, but how did it end up that I live next to the neighborhood matchmaker?

Adult yet?

My mom and aunt are in town this week on vacation. This has been planned since before the move became official, but I'm very glad they are here because they are a huge help to me! Wednesday afternoon they rearranged furniture. We met for dinner then ran separate errands. Wednesday night we hung living room curtains and a few decorative items on the wall. Yesterday they went to Galveston as a part of their original plans. Today they are painting, reorganizing my kitchen and storage closets, shopping for some decorative items, moving a towel rod, and hanging bedroom curtains. Tomorrow we are going to the Museum of Natural Science to see the Lucy Legacy exhibit and attending Dreamgirls at Hobby Center.

I know none of what I have posted so far coincides with my title. This is the amusing part. They're sharing my bed, and I'm sleeping on the couch. I have the alarm clock, as they're on vacation and don't need one. Each morning, I have laid there a few minutes before getting up. Yesterday they called out to me to make sure I got up. Today my aunt came and said, "Don't you need to be getting up? It's 5:40." I explained that I got up at 5:00am yesterday because I needed to get to work early. My alarm was going off at 5:45 this morning. "Oh, sorry." At 6:00, my mom comes, "Alyssa, are you going to get up?"

Seriously, people! I get up every day on my own. Promise!

Random: Pprs

I wrote that abbreviation of "papers" on a packing box. A friend of mine carried the box out to the car and said it as written, without any vowel sounds. For the rest of the evening, I heard 'pprs' being spoken throughout all conversations. I know this is probably one of the, 'you need to be there,' moments, but it was amusing to us!

Too Much on My Mind??

I walked up to the front door of my apartment the other day and tried to open it using the keyless entry remote to my car.

It took me a moment to figure out why the door wasn't unlocking.

Powerful Message

Praise God for rejuvenation!

I was on vacation last week. I flew to Dallas Tuesday evening and drove to Arkansas with my family Wednesday morning. We usually go the week after Labor Day. This year we went two weeks later. The Lord knew how much I would need a break at that exact time. Last Monday, I was ready to throw in the towel. I was overwhelmed emotionally, physically and mentally and had no reserves left to pull from. Of course, MY reserves were empty. There isn't a whole lot there to begin with. I am human after all. I have a bad habit of leaning on my own understanding way to often. This mindset, of course, creeps into leaning on myself at all times and for all things. The purpose of this vacation was this same this year as the last ten years. Rest, relax, recooperate and rebuild. My mom and I hiked trails and were able to invest in each other one on one with stories, laughter and tears. My dad and I played cards and shared hugs (He's great for "bear" hugs when I'm having a bad day.) We were able to laugh and let go of some stress in our work lives. Angela watched a lot of football. Dad did a lot of fishing. We all got on a boat and enjoyed the out of doors, too. Throughout all of this, the Lord was telling me, "I provide loved ones for you to lean on. I am here for you to lean on. I love you. I created all the beautiful nature around you, and I created YOU. Come to me when you are weary. Come to me before you are weary. I will help you carry the burden."

Sometimes, I feel so stupid. How many times in my life do I need to learn the same lesson? How many times will I be out of energy? How many times will there be nothing left for me to pour out, before I realize I need to go to Him FIRST? I'm not sure. I know I am a work in progress and pray each day that I will learn what He is teaching.

All of this realization didn't make my work any less. I still have some major things going on. I still have some big commitments and deadlines and timelines to work through. However, my mentality has changed. I'm now trying to look at my situation through the Lord's perspective and not looking at the Lord through my situation.

Stay-at-Home Mom? Interesting Topic of Discussion

This topic has come up for discussion quite often of late. It's almost amusing how often it has come up. A friend asked me what percentage of Christian women I thought would want to be a stay-at-home mom. I gave an answer, but then decided to research the question. I sent an email out to almost every female in my contacts list (111 to be exact) asking the question, "Do you want to be a stay-at-home mom?" I clarified that I was not asking if she thought it was best or even if she was currently staying at home, but simply if the desire was there. I have received about 40 replies so far and the current percentages are about what I was expecting. However, the responses have been interesting. The answers vary from one word responses to many paragraphs. I am greatly enjoying this!

I will wait until more women have replied to let you know percentages.

Stay tuned.

The Lord is good! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

I am stressed. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

I am overwhelmed. The Lord is good.

I cried twice last night and once this morning. He is with me!

I am working two jobs and in grad school. I have committed to two outside activities as well. I recently found out I am moving. (While that is a praise, it still means I have a lot to do!) My apartment complex called last night and is throwing a wrench into the easyness of the plans. I have been fighting allergies for the past week. I think it is because I have mold in my apartment, due to my leaky ceiling. I have a project due in grad school next week that I haven't had a chance to even begin. I left class last night and called a friend of mine. I was so full of frustration, exhaustion and mental anguish that I vented to her for thirty minutes. She told me she had not heard me that frustrated since college. She even said I was never this overwhelmed in my first year of teaching. (I'm not sure about that, but it does convey a message nonetheless!)

My mom called this morning and told me she was praying for me. I started crying. A friend emailed me a verse and told me he was praying for me. I started crying then, too. Friendship and prayers. The Lord is good!

This song came to mind at some point amidst the chaos. I am still overwhelmed, but knowing that friends are praying for me (and that the Lord listens) is enough to help me calm down.


Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark

One: Don't  miss the boat.

Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

Four: Stay fit when you're 600 years old, someone may  ask you to do something really big.

Five: Don't listen to critics; just  get on with the job that needs to be done.

Six: Build your future on high  ground.

Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.

Ten : Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the  Titanic by professionals.

Eleven : No matter the storm, when you are with God,  there's always a rainbow waiting.

Too big a bite

Please pray for me.

I think I bit off more than I can chew.

Will you be my fireman?

The George Strait song is an interesting one.


**Qualification: I would have NEVER posted this title except for a dare! :) I didn't want it to be said that I couldn't rise to a challenge. I should probably come up with something as a dare in return though. ;)

I'M MOVING!!!!!!!!! YIPPPPEEEE!

I know moving can be exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. I'm feeling all of those things, but I'm also EXTREMELY relieved. The main office of my apartments (meaning the higher ups) called me Friday, and this is how the conversation started. "Ms. Ross, do you have a moment? I need to start off by apologizing. More facts have come to my attention. What do you want?" She was very nice and customer-friendly. (Both of these characteristics were a first!)

After that phone call, a check is being mailed to me to cover a new computer and moving expenses. I'm going to call her on Monday and add the bill for my rug being cleaned as well as the cost of my un-used internet and packing supplies and a few other miscellaneous fees that I will incur upon moving.

I spoke with my apartment manager today to see about timeline and locations. She gave me a list of 5 apartments on the complex, 2 of which are in my current building. Those two automatically came off the list of possibilities. (My ceiling is leaking. Well, those have the same roof I do!) I didn't like the location of the other three (either too close to the parking lot, thus traffic, or too far away from laundry.) I went back to speak with her.

This means I have to move to a slightly different portion of the property...one where all bills are paid! The reason I hadn't moved in there originally is that the rent is $100 higher, and my electricity has never been that much per month. Well, now I'm moving in at my current rent rate, but they pay the electricity! Whoo-hoo! And, I will have 100 more square feet of space!

God is soooo good!

I haven't made any firm decisions, but it looks like I'll be moving the middle of October. I'll probably have a packing party at some point between now and then if anyone wants to come and help me! :) Then an unpacking party later (just in case you're not available the first time!) ;)

All I want for the weekend is...

In my head I'm already singing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!...My two front teeth!" I know. I've digressed before I even got started. Oh well.

So all I want for this weekend is to curl up with a warm blanket, without a leaky ceiling, and sleep for a long time. I'm not sure I'll get what I want, but I want it nonetheless.

And the Buzz word is... !

Pregnant!

No, not me! (Goofball!)

Since Friday I have found out that 5 women I know are pregnant. It was like every time I answered the phone or checked my email, more good news was being passed along. :)

That's a lot of pregnant people to know at one time! (and that's not even counting the two I already knew about!)

Update regarding leaks

In regards to the computer? They said 'no.' My words to them? "That is unacceptable to me, so what is our next course of action?" So far they haven't returned my phone calls.

In regards to the desired move? I can't get them to return my phone calls.

In regards to the no-longer-leaking-because-it-hasn't-rained-lately-ceiling? They haven't come out to fix it (ie. run their paint roller over it.)

Is anyone else seeing a pattern here?

Salt and Sugar

I love mixing sweet and salty things! I'm sitting at my desk with a mound of things to do while taking a bite of a pretzel and then putting a M&M in my mouth. Yumm!

Quarters please

I stopped at McD's for breakfast today. My breakfast was $4.76. I gave them $5.01 so that I would get a quarter (1 coin) instead of .24 (6 coins.) What did I get?

Two dimes and five pennies.

You know it's cold...

I left a diet coke on my desk overnight. In the can and everything. I just took a drink of it and while it wasn't 'refrigerator cold' neither was it warm at all.

Can we say our classrooms are kept a little chilly?

Drip, drip, drip

No, I'm not referring to the rain. I'm not referring to a cold and the snotty nose that comes with. I AM referring to my ceiling! On Sunday, I woke up to a water covered coffee table and soaked papers (mail, school stuff, etc.) I was putting together some centers for my classroom. I had folders, envelopes with small pieces inside and big pieces to tape to the outside of the folders. In other words, a lot of paper!

I had to move my coffee table to an "out of the way" place and spread towels all over my apartment. Then I covered those towels with the papers. More towels and my robe (I'm running out of towels!) went on the living room floor with pots in strategic places to catch the drips. Then I went to the grocery store to shop for a Labor Day event at my apartment. I got home and tiptoed around papers on my kitchen floor to bake the dessert and form the hamburger patties. This was interesting since some of my pots were currently being used for non-cooking purposes, and there was maybe two inches of uncovered floor space in my kitchen.

I knew it was supposed to rain some more, so made the appropriate calls to reschedule the event. When I came home Sunday evening, my ceiling wasn't dripping any more.

The Labor Day activity went off without a hitch. Everyone had fun INSIDE and dry at a friend's home. When I arrived home, my ceiling had begun to leak again.

I almost started to cry.

Most of you know I'm currently in negotiations with my apartment complex for the replacement of my ruined computer due to the last leaky ceiling. I'm getting ready to ask them to move me to a dry, non-leaking apartment.

We'll see what happens.

Appropriate Time and Place

I have a blog post that I'm not sure I should post. I don't want to get in trouble later. I'm not changing the title of this post, but I did delete what I had typed.

THANKS CARISSA!

Carissa just saved me almost a hundred bucks! I went by Verizon yesterday, got a new plan effective the beginning of this current cycle and now have 14 minutes until Tuesday night instead of 234 minutes of overage fees!

How do I find myself in sticky situations?

I seem to find myself in these types of situations often, and I'm not sure I know how to stop getting into them.

For example, last week I get an email from a former co-worker. This is the gist of our email conversation (over several days.)

Her: A new co-worker of mine needs some supplies...can you help with that?

Me: Let me check around the school and talk to my principal...but probably.
(I email my principal and receive a "let me check with someone else and see" response.)

Her (several days later): So what's the word?

Me: Not sure, still waiting to hear. I'll ask again.
(I email my principal again. She says she hadn't heard from the person she was trying to contact, but 'sure, go ahead.')

Me: I can bring 'em!

Principal: Please fill out paperwork before you leave with them.

Me: Okay

Assistant Principal: Has former coworker talked with her principal. We don't want to step on toes when our assistance is not wanted.

Me: Ummmmm... I don't know.

AP: Oh.

Me: They're not even for her...they're for another grade level.

AP: Rolls eyes..."great!" This is not about the supplies. Take them. We want to be helpful. However, we don't want to hurt the development of her relationship with her principal.

Her: Awesome! Let me check and see what their procedures are and see if they still want them!

Are you confused yet? ME TOO! How does one little email turn into a mass CC convention that includes more people with more opinions and thoughts on a subject when it doesn't even affect the two initial emailers!?

UGH! The really tricky part is going to be if they don't want them and I have to go to my AP and principal and say "nevermind."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOUSTON

Today is Houston's birthday! Did you know that? We're 150 years old today. The Allen brothers founded us....I didn't know that either....I'd never heard of the Allen brothers (and I'm a Texas History teacher!) I just thought I'd give Houston a little airtime on my blog.

It's my friend Mark's birthday too, and I'll tell him Happy Birthday on the phone since he never reads my blog. ;)

Randomosities

I like the fact that white haired men collect the offering in the church service commonly thought of as only for the younguns.


It took me over an hour to drive from U of H to my apartment last night. I'm glad I didn't go through downtown, or it would have been worse...much worse!


I was originally overwhelmed with the fact that I was taking two grad classes this semester, but after having the second class for the first time yesterday I think it's going to be A-okay!


I'm more than 200 minutes over my cell phone plan this month, so I won't be answering the phone between now and Tuesday when my month renews. Which kind of stinks since I currently don't have a computer at home either. :(


It's raining and my umbrella is in the car.


I always forget how much the beginning of the school year exhausts me. I go into it thinking "I'm going to be tired. They're not going to know anything." So I'm cognitively aware, but "MAN! I'm really tired!" and "They really don't know anything!"


I just found out a couple days ago that HEB stands for "Here Everything's Better"...did you know that?

Fantastic First Day!

Whew! Yesterday was a whirlwind with sore feet at the end of the day, but it was FANTASTIC! I've got a talkative bunch and a few overzealous parents, but all in all I'm very pleased!

Yay for back to school!

Time with Married Friends

I had dinner with some married friends of mine last night. It included a lot of laughter and catching up. I so enjoy when I can hang out with people in a slightly different phase of life than I am in!

The United States Map

A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like.

Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, "Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country."

After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. "Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together."


Out of the mouths of babes, right?

Schedule changes sleeping patterns

Earlier, I posted about not sleeping very well. I would just lay there staring at nothing or be exhausted but not sleepy. Well now that I'm back to work, that is certainly not a problem any more! I fall into bed and conk out almost immediately and then stare, bleary eyed, at the alarm clock that, seemingly, goes off only an hour later! I bought a new alarm clock. My old one was keeping time just fine, but the alarm aspect of it was sadly lacking. The new one is one of those old-fashioned ones with a hammer in between two bells at the top. Man! It sure is loud!

There is no snooze on my new "wake up, now!" contraption, so hopefully I will break the habit of going back to sleep after turning off the incessant ringing!

He answers!

A couple weeks ago Afshin had us get with our tables and share prayer requests. One of mine was a very specific request regarding my co-workers at school. He is faithful! He has answered that prayer with a resounding "YES!" multiple times this week!

God is good!

Ugh!

Why does buying a new car have to be such a headache?

Random yellow smears

On Sunday afternoon, I noticed a thick, almost pasty, yellow smear on my hand. The kind that doesn't just rub off. I had no idea where it had come from. I went for soap and water and eventually got it off. I noticed some on my left eyebrow. Thinking I'd touched my face at some point, I began to clean that off as well. I had to get a q-tip! An hour or so later, I see a small smidgen on my left knee. I begin to wonder what I've touched, and where else is it going to show up? I had already glanced at my clothes and furniture, but start to really look for something. Have I smeared this in other places? Am I going to have a big mess to clean up?

Eventually I wander into the kitchen and see the dying lilies in the trash can that a friend gave me over a week ago.

Doh...

Purpose vs. Pathway

There is a difference. I know my purpose in life. I'm not always sure of the pathway. Sometimes, I'm okay with that. Other times, I don't like that at all. This is one of those times.

A New Skin?

Dr. Dunlop used to bring Katy to visit us in elementary school. We would hold her, play with her and ask a bunch of questions about her care, temperament, lifespan, etc. Everyone loved Dr. Dunlop. He loved kids and didn't treat us as "one more thing on his list to mark off" or anything else like that. Because we loved Dr. Dunlop, and trusted him, we all loved Katy. Katy is a boa constrictor.

I had a dream about Dr. Dunlop and Katy last night. Dreams are odd that way. People I haven't thought of in years, resurrect in my dreams. Katy was quite a bit rounder than I remember. She was in a really big cage, which was odd because I don't ever remember her being in a cage. Dr. Dunlop would walk into class carrying her. And in my dream, I was offered her skin. Another very odd thing. Katy never shed her skin outside of her "normal" habitat. If she was shedding, then Dr. Dunlop didn't bring her out. Katy had grown up with Dr. Dunlop. Literally. So she wouldn't have ever hurt him, but it still wasn't safe to bring her out amongst people when she was shedding. However, the skin I was offered wasn't in a "just shed" state, but a pashmina for me to wear. Weird, right?

I woke up disoriented from my dream. It was like I was watching it all happen on video, instead of actually being in the dream. Yet, I still had the impression that I had a new skin. It took several moments for me to figure out why I would think that and remember it was all only a dream.

One more day...

It is late afternoon Thursday, and I am contemplating the end of my summer. I have only one more day of no responsibilities. Well, at least no responsibilities when it comes to my work environment. It's amazing to me how many things I have been able to do this summer. It is equally, if not more, amazing to me how many things I feel I still have left to complete.

I've been trying to find a dentist. Lots of friends have given me the names of their dentists, but only one (out of MANY!) of those names was on my insurance plan and he is not currently accepting new patients. I still don't have a dentist. I was hoping to have a typical "supposed to happen every 6 month and I haven't been in over 2 years" checkup before going back to work. Ah, well.

I'm also trying to get registered for fall classes. I'm planning on taking two. I qualify for financial aid, but have some questions before I choose to accept the loan being offered to me. I was on hold with the financial aid office at my graduate institution for over an hour. I'm listening to all sorts of advertisements and informational monologue while driving up to school, chatting with the office staff, and sorting through letters for a new bulletin board. Finally, the phone starts to ring. I think I might be about to talk to a human being! and my cell phone battery dies. NOOOOOO! But what do you do?

I've been working on a family tree off and on this summer. If you've ever done any work on a family tree of your own, you realize what a monster this can turn into. I'm having fun, but it is a monumental task. The more information you know, the more information you still need to find. (If you're interested in pursuing your own, I'm using www.ancestry.com and really like the tools it can provide.) I've talked with several family members this summer. Some I'd never met before, others I hadn't talked to in a long time or only kept up with them through my parents. I have almost as much information as I'm going to have before going the next step, which would be visiting official places for paperwork, etc. That won't be happening for awhile, and I'm totally okay with that. I am pleased with the amount of information I have. I'd like to get my family back across the ocean. I know that's going to take some time. Right now, I've got it back to the early 1800s. If you're into history or geneology at all...it's really interesting!

So as I'm thinking about all I have accomplished this summer, and some of the things still on my to do list, I start thinking about beginnings. The beginning of a new year. The beginning of a new season in life. A new chance to show Christ's love to 48 9 year olds. I ask God to shine through me. To use me as He sees and not necessarily as I see. Most importantly I ask God to help me keep my eyes on Him. Not the TAKS test or my list of weaknesses, but Christ alone.

Just a helpful hint...

When asking someone out:

Do it verbally, not over text message.

You'll have a much better chance of getting a 'yes.'

Taking a moment...

I'm having some friends over for dinner tonight. I'm excited they're coming! I haven't seen two of them in months, so it's going to be great to catch up! I've been to the grocery store twice today. On the second trip, I intended to get a couple of items that I need for an event tomorrow and totally forgot...so I'll be going again (but not today!)

I've got the fruit, for the tart I'm making, sliced with sugar sprinkled over the top in preparation to go on the pastry puff that is thawing (I know, it's cheating to use pre-prepared, but that's what I'm doing.) I've got the créme fraîche standing on the counter...it needs a couple more hours before I can use it. The salmon is in the fridge and the shrimp is in a sinkful of water so I can take the skin and tails off. The napkins are in the dryer. My bed is made and my shoes are picked up off the floor. I haven't dusted yet and the table isn't set either. There are a several other miscellaneous things I need to do before 7:00. However, I'm confidant I'll be ready by the time everyone arrives.

I'm just sitting for a moment to try to allow the air conditioner to catch up with the heat and take a breather. I feel like I've been running non-stop since I got up this morning!

I just remembered something else I need from the grocery store for tonight...so it looks like I'll be going again today after all. Groan.

Will you accept this rose?

Saturday night, after an absolutely wonderful homemade meal of salad, tilapia, salmon, asparagus, baked potato and french bread completed with a slice of key lime pie, all in which I wasn't allowed to lift a finger, I was handed a gorgeous white rose. An originally written poem was read for me and scripture read over me.

It was a beautiful evening!

Sleep (y) (less)

I haven't been sleeping very well lately. The past month or so has been kind of "off," for lack of a better description. For awhile, I was sleeping late, then staying up late and got into kind of a pattern. Then when I needed to get up early, I couldn't go to sleep early, because I had slept late.... You get the picture.

I go back to work in one week. This past week, I've been trying to go to bed at more of a decent hour and setting an alarm to wake up at a decent hour. Certainly not as early as I will when I do go back to work, but still earlier than I'd been getting up. When I go to bed, my body is physically tired, but not sleepy. This means I can't fall asleep at all...and so just lay there. Extremely frustrating! Last night is a perfect example. I go to bed. I lay there with my mind running sometimes and blank others. My body is tired. My legs ache with the "you haven't slept enough lately" feeling. After 45 minutes, I get up and move to the couch. I stick in a movie thinking, "I'll get sleepy and turn it off in a bit. I'll just sleep on the couch." No such luck. I watch the entire movie, the deleted scenes and the bloopers! At 3:15 I finally go to bed and still lay there for a few minutes before blissfully falling into slumber. Of course, I was not so blissful when my alarm went off at 8:00 o'clock this morning.

So now, I'm dragging and want to take a nap. But if I do that, I'll be in the exact same boat tonight! Argh!

Doomed to have bad neighbors?

I have lived in my apartment for 2 years. In that period of time, I've had three downstairs neighbors.

The first guy that lived there was a drunk who was not nice to his girlfriend. She finally had the guts to leave him for good. That same weekend I had a busted sideview mirror waiting for me when I walked out to my car Sunday morning. I'm pretty sure he was venting his not-so-happy feelings at her decision.

The next people to live there was a couple and their 16 month old son. I was introduced to these people on January 1 (definition: morning after a very late night) at 6am when she was screaming over the phone at the police to come and remove her mother. This went on for an hour. Little did I know, it would become a regular occurence for their entire 6 month stay. Their son was adorable and never a problem. However, 2-3 times a week the man and woman would have screaming and slamming fights. They always started about 2 in the morning.

The most recent neighbor must have moved in this past weekend. I saw her for the first time today while we were both doing laundry. She looks nice enough. However, as I'm typing this post at 10:37pm, the bass on her stereo is so loud that if I was trying to sleep, well....it wouldn't be happening.

Shredder...Finally!

I bought a shredder! I've talked about doing it for a couple of years now. I know. It's not a big purchase. Why did I wait so long? I have no idea. I didn't think about it while at the appropriate stores, I guess. But I have one now! It's great! I used to make stacks of shreddable papers to take to work to shred there. Or I would indulge my pyromaniac side and light a match, hold over the sink, and burn the account number or whatever else until water was required.

Not any more!

I own my own! It is sitting proudly plugged in, already about half-way filled with it's first load of little white strips.


I love life's simple pleasures.

Words of Praise

Why is it so hard to accept praise? I don't mean when we've worked hard for something and are given hard-earned accolades. Neither do I mean the condescending kind that comes with a "good work" pat on the back. (You know what I'm talking about!) I mean, the unexpected kind that you feel unworthy of.

I was given a compliment today. At first I was in shock. "He's kidding, right? or somehow mocking me." That was my first thought. But I know this guy a little bit, and he's not the mocking type. I deflect the compliment and move on. But no, he does not receive my deflection and brings the spotlight back to me. At this point, I'm uncomfortable. I feel there are at least two others there that are MUCH more deserving of his words than I am and yet he's ignoring them to shower me. I stumble through some sort of acknowledgement and the conversation takes a natural turn.

A little while later, it comes up again! I try to turn the compliment to those that are more worthy. He does not allow me to do so. Instead, he puts both of his hands on my shoulders and repeats his words. I know he was trying to get his point across, to impress me to receive what he was saying. It wasn't even that big of a deal. The topic I mean. So why couldn't I just say thank you?

This incident made me think of Christ. My complimentary friend is a Christian, so it is natural that he is shining for Christ. I'm not sure if he was being intentional in that regard or not, but my thoughts went towards Him nonetheless. I'm not worthy of Christ's love. I feel like dirty rags in his presence. I wonder why He is showering me with His love. There are times I try to deflect it. Other times I put it off on other people. Sometimes I even refuse to acknowledge it at all. I know this hurts Him, yet I cannot seem to help it! Eventually Christ puts His hands on my shoulders, looks me in the eye and impresses me to accept His love. It is not forced, but the knowledge of His love is made perfectly clear. His desire to love me is known. I then bask in it. Humbly crawl towards it and say "Thank you, Lord!" for that is all there is to say.

The reason I'm not married...

I've been recently informed the reason I'm not married is because I do not make out enough. I was politely told if I would simply make out with random men, then I would be married by now.

Much better!

We've all been forced to scrunch ourselves into one of the miniscule airport chairs for a long period of time while we're absolutely exhausted. I was in this situation on Monday in the Chicago Midway airport. I had a 3 and a half hour layover. I'd been up since 3 that morning to catch my flight and, due to odd sleeping patterns, was working on about 2 hours of sleep. When wonder of wonders, my bleary-eyed gaze comes across one of these...
ah, bliss.

What a mess!

My sister just jumped in the shower. We're running a little (2 hours) later than we intended and are trying to get out the door. As soon as I could tell she was in the shower, I went in to do some things in the bathroom (yes, girls do this all the time). I stepped in a quite large and quite cold puddle of water. What?! I quickly realized that the shower liner was not inside the tub (the person that last used it must have taken a bath instead of a shower) and the water was cascading all over the bathroom floor!

What a mess!

Scary!

I was sitting in my parents' living room, chatting with Mom. Angela listening to our plans for the holidays (as always, they revolve around my school schedule) and looking at the calendar with us. Dad comes from the kitchen and bangs on the open connecting door. We glance up startled and quickly realize he is trying to get our attention because he's choking! Talk about heart stopping!

Mom starts doing the Heimlich and I stick my fingers down his throat to dig out as much as possible. In a matter of nanoseconds we realize we need help. I call 911 and we send Angela next door for the neighbor. (Mom is smaller than Dad and having trouble giving the Heimlich. Our next door neighbor is a larger man.)

We've got Dad's arms up and I'm pounding on his back while giving our pertinent info to the nice (and calm!) lady that answered our emergency call. Meanwhile his lips are turning blue and he's bright red and pale white all over his face. Throughout all of this, he's coughing up pieces of chicken. Before Angela even gets across our front yard, it all comes out and he begins to breathe normally. Still on the phone, we cancelled the paramedics and began wiping tears.

Man, talk about scary!

This situation reminded me of God's love. I mean, the entire thing happened in about... five minutes maybe? But it is something I will remember forever. God's love is about second chances. It is about starting over having learned a new lesson. Sometimes a lesson I have to re-learn again and again, but learning it nonetheless. Sometimes the particular lesson is that I am loved. A simple one, but extremely emotional at the same time.

I am loved.

On the road...again?

I haven't even been home a week and already I'm leaving again! Don't get me wrong. I'm excited about visiting my parents in Dallas and Julie in DC, but this is a lot of traveling for a girl that likes home! As much as I love summer and the fact that I don't have to get up before the crack of dawn each day, I think I will be ready to go back to work. Just so I will have a routine again!

Randomosities

I had my toes done yesterday. Love it!
While I was there, another lady came in. She was older and you know how grandmas can be. They say what they think and don't care how it sounds on the way out of their mouths. This lady began demanding from the moment she walked in the door. But the part that caused me to bite my lip was when she tried to take the clippers from her nail lady. She wanted to clip her own toes! She gave instructions the entire time. Eventually she did get a tool away from the girl's hands and worked on her cuticles. I exchanged a look with the lady in the chair next to me, but we both quickly looked away to keep from laughing out loud.


In my post yesterday, I mentioned driving was one thing I missed while gone. Well, I've had a lot of fun maneuvering around our beloved Htown in the last few days. But, my driving reputation would have taken longer than three weeks to be forgotten. At Houston Project last night, I was getting teased for an alleged act of driving. I still say I didn't do it!

I wasn't all that excited about my Houston Project assignment and have been praying about my attitude. Last night went well. I worked with 3 adorable 2 1/2 year olds and was able to get to know my co-workers some too. I'm not sure if we'll have any more kiddoes tonight, and I'm okay with that. It was fun to work with such a different age!

Good to be Home!

I enjoy traveling immensely and will definitely do it again. I love experiencing different cultures, tasting new food, walking through historic places and admiring the view. The inevitable stories that happen when travling with others. Things to tease each other about, laugh or groan about.

So yes, I enjoy travling.

But there is no way to describe the feeling of arriving back home. It is usually the same things each trip that I miss. By the time I arrive back home, I'm ready to head for a tex-mex place and as nice as a strawberry margarita sounds, all I want is diet coke...from a fountain...cold...and unlimited.

Other things I miss:

My own shower

Driving

Chick-fil-A

Listening to the radio

Chatting with friends

Worshipping with fellow believers

Hugs

Sleeping in my bed

A closet of options

doing laundry whenever I want

a menu

pedicures

I'm Back from Europe!

Wow! Europe was an experience! I had a fantastic time, but it SO good to be home! London is still my favorite European city (out of the ones I've visited) but Normandy was my favorite experience this trip. The mayor of the town came and did a presentation. There was an American veteran of Omaha beach there as well. A very meaningful experience to listen to the national anthem of the Allied forces while watching their flags being raised!

The Colosseum in Rome...wow!

Here are a few pictures!
Alison and Alyssa inside the Colosseum

Normandy cemetary

Me tipping up the Leaning Tower of Piza

Me as Mrs. Smith at the Cannes Film Festival site

Alison and I at Versailles

Alison and I in the London Eye with Big Ben in the background

Priorities?

Woke up to a text and a phone call...at the same time!

Answered a dozen phone calls

Replied to as many emails

Finally able to brush my teeth

Paid my bills

Cleaned out the fridge

Watered the plants

Done the laundry

Treated to lunch

Got cash

Checked the mail and mailed some cards

Ran and emptied the dishwasher

Stopped by the store for last minute items

Filled up with gas (after leaving the parking lot and then realizing I'd forgotten to fill up!)

Picked up apartment

Received passport info from one last traveler!



Now I just have to pack.

Best kiss on film?

I'm not a fan of Drew Barrymore and refused to watch this movie for the longest time due to that fact. A few years ago my roommate twisted my arm, and I watched the movie. I'm still not a fan of her, but I think the best kiss on film is between she and Michael Vartan at the end of Never Been Kissed. A sweet friend of mine gave me the movie this week.

What do you think?

Disclaimer: I'm not talking about best film. I like Never Been Kissed. It's good, but I'm only talking about best kiss in this post.

Women's talk...always okay?

It's no secret I'm leaving for 3 weeks on Saturday. I'm going to England, France and Italy. (really?) For free. (gasp!) With 40 high schoolers. (oh.)

Two of the travelers and their mothers stopped by my apartment a little while ago to drop off some paperwork and ask a few questions. Female topics came up. No problem. I can handle that. Questions were asked, and I provided answers for all of them.

One mother likes to tease her daughter and brought up something designed to make the 15 year-old blush. Her daughter had absolutely no response and just stared at her mother. Mom's response was to nod at me and say "She's a woman, too!" As if that made it all okay. Truth be told, I was slightly uncomfortable by this point too.

Mmm, Chocolate

I just went to the Chocolate Bar for the first time. :) I had Triple Decadence ice cream. Some foods claim decadence unjustly. Triple Decadence ice cream does no such thing.

Decadent. Yumm.

How to tell if your boat is too small...

Panic Attack!

Can we say 'distracted'?

I got up this morning, err afternoon, when a friend of mine called to chat. After I hung up, I got ready and headed to school to continue trying to solve a problem I've been working on. I'm walking out my apartment door when I realize something.

I'm not wearing shoes.

I don't mind easy

I kinda like "easy" sometimes. I mean, I'm not saying life should be easy. But every so often, it's nice for something to be easy.

Money anyone?

I went to a friend's apartment yesterday. We talked about shopping for 2 hours. I left with $125.

Very EASY!

Hair Styling and Schedules

My hair takes awhile to style. Best results happen when I have time for many steps...some steps requiring hours. If I can pull it into a tight bun, with product already on it, for a few hours before blow drying it and styling it, that is best. But who wakes up at 2am to wash her hair so that it can be in a tight bun for a few hours? Certainly not me. Which means, that doesn't get to happen very often.

I have noticed that I'm wearing my hair down more often this summer. It finally occurred to me the reason. I don't usually have to style my hair until evening. Therefore I can wake up late, workout, layout, shower around 3 and style it around 6. Perfect!

So basically, I'd like my school schedule to require me to arrive at work around 10am. I could wake up at 6, workout, shower and have time to do things around my apartment before I need to style my hair.

Can someone arrange that for me, please?

Texting Etiquette

A few friends had coffee last night. One person leaves and then a topic comes up amongst those of us still there. I text the one that left to inform/ask a question. I immediately get a response to which I text another response. This all happens about 10:45pm. I don't ever hear back regarding my second text. Until it wakes me up at 6:28am.

:(

Of course, I've done the same thing. One night, err morning, I texted a friend. I really did think she would be awake. I wasn't being completely thoughtless, though it was 12:45am and my question definitely could have waited until the next day. Her response to my question? "Why are you texting me at 12:45am?"

Ruh-roh.

Peeeyew

I just got back to my apartment after working out at the apt. complex workout facility. I was about halfway through my time on the elliptical machine, after having already been on the treadmill, when an older man came in and turned the high powered fan away from the people and faced it towards THE WALL!!

Hello!

There are 3 other people in here that have been working up a sweat for awhile now. I'm sorry that you're starting your workout right next to the fan and don't want the cool gust of wind in your face. It's June in Texas and we're hot!

I stink, but I think he might stink more.

Wha?

I went to bed at 4:30am. My body woke me up at 9am. For what reason, I have no idea. I don't have to be anywhere until 6:30 tonight. But here I am blearily staring at the blinking cursor through half open lids. My body has that aching, "I didn't sleep enough" whiny feeling. "Yeah, no kidding you didn't sleep enough. But you're the one that wouldn't go back to sleep after waking up only 4 1/2 hours of going to sleep, so stop your whining!" Wait a minute. I'm having a conversation with my body? Maybe I'm more than tired.

All I know is that there is definitely a nap in my very near future, but for the moment I'm awake...kind of.

Multi tasking isn't my thing

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that...but I'm discovering that I can't do more than a few things at one time. Today I was talking on the phone while walking the aisles at my neighborhood Kroger's. I have a list and am there for just a few items. I pick up a few things that weren't on my list, but hey...that's okay. I look over my list to confirm I have all items and head to the check-out. All while chatting on the phone. I decide not to do self-scan b/c I know I can't talk and scan at the same time. I pay for my items, by this time I've hung up the phone, load them in my car and head for home. I pull into my parking lot and realize I for a loaf of bread. Here it is summer. I'm at home during the day and need bread for sandwiches at lunch time. It was on my list...but did I purchase it? Nope. All because I was doing too many things at one time.

In the future, I'll make sure I'm only grocery shopping when I go grocery shopping.

Today...

I slept until 11.

I arrived at lunch ten minutes early. Ten minutes late I was still looking for a parking place.

I almost hit a boy on a bike when he darted in front of me.

I laid in some cool sunshine by the pool. (My definition of cool sunshine: a breeze and cloud cover.)

I enjoyed a potent mai tai and had the glass taken away from me.

I finally put away the clean laundry and filled the now empty basket with all the dirty laundry.

The ten pairs of shoes decorating my living room floor are now back in their appropriate place in the closet.

Several purchases have now found a spot of belonging.

The dish washer hasn't been emptied and there are a few dirty dishes in the sink, but I've got to have something to do tomorrow, right?

A baking oops!

Apparently I'm not as much of a multi-tasker as I thought.

I was talking on the phone with a friend of mine last night. When I talk on the phone, I'm usually productive. (I believe I've mentioned that in previous posts.)

So I'm chatting with her, and I decide I want to bake. I get out all the ingredients and realize I need to cut the recipe in half. This is a little difficult in some areas, because my measuring cups are all in the dish washer. But I'm not usually the type that measures everything anyway, so I decide to wing it. I've just slid the first pan of cookies in the oven when I realize the softened butter was still sitting there waiting to be mixed into the batter. Oops.

"Who knows what those cookies will taste like?" I think as I pour the butter into the batter still waiting to be spooned onto a pan.

Surprisingly enough, the cookies without the butter are better than the cookies with the butter.

Go figure.

Productivity!

I just went shopping and had oh so much fun! Alison and I are good co-shoppers. We both like to talk while we shop. We both like to meander in and out of stores. We both like being productive. We're hanging out and catching up, but we're not wasting time. :) Memorial City is by far my favorite mall in Houston. (I haven't been to all of them, but of those I've been to, this one is at the top of the list.)

I bought flip flops, dancing shoes, and casual black flats. I know. 3 pairs is a lot...at least for me. (Maybe not for Laurie...she's the shoe queen, but I don't usually buy multiple pairs at once.)

I bought some miscellanous items needed for my Europe trip. (almost there!)

I returned a few items of clothing that I decided I didn't want anymore. Which is also a benefit to my credit card statement. Credits are always helpful. :)

And finally, I completely finished my Father's Day shopping! Whew! Don't scramble to look at the calendar. (You did, didn't you?) It's not until June 17. However, I won't even be on the same continent as my dad on Father's Day, much less in the same city. So I needed to purchase it early. I still need to wrap it and mail it, but I've got time for that. The major part of the gift buying, is deciding what to buy! Once I did that, the rest was easy. :)

Random Thoughts

I'm reading a book where a man is murdered. His home is neat and tidy when the police go through it looking for clues. Mine is not currently neat and tidy. Kinda makes me want to clean....Morbid maybe, but who wants strangers entering their home and finding it a mess?

I shouldn't have eaten the jalapenos at dinner, my stomach does not like me right now.

Staying up late and sleeping late is great. However, it means there is no cause for going to bed at any kind of a decent hour.

I'm going shopping tomorrow, and I actually have money to spend. Whoo-hoo!

It's Summer! Lunch anyone?

Hello Blog Readers,

I'm off for the summer and as such, can actually meet people for lunch! This is super exciting, because my lunch schedule throughout the school year is completely un-flexible and does not lend itself to socializing. So if you'd like to take me out to lunch, er, meet for lunch one day in the next two months, please let me know!

Sincerely,
Alyssa

Are you striving with someone for that person?

"Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me," Romans 15:30.

A few friends and I discussed this verse last night at Bible Study. It made me think.

There have been times in my life when I was desperate for fellow believers to be striving with me in prayer for me. There have also been times when I have strived in prayer for a fellow believer.

The word strive is a pretty strong word. Merriam Webster's definition: to devote serious effort or energy.

I was challenged by this verse and want to extend the same challenge to you.

Are you devoting serious effort or energy in prayer with someone for that someone?

Ummm, who's there?

I got off work early on Friday. It was a teacher work day and when our work was done, we could begin our summer vacation. This was, of course, ample encouragement to work quickly. :) I was home around 2:00. I hadn't been feeling well the past couple of days and it had been a stressful week, so I poured a glass of wine, turned on the hot water in the tub and prepared to relax. The water is running, and I'm stepping in the tub, when I hear a knock...on my BEDROOM door! Now, I live by myself, for those of you that may just be stopping by and this was a good time for me to have a heart attack. I clear my throat and try to talk in an un-meak way, "Who is it?" With a thousand thoughts racing through my head of what I'm going to do!

As it turns out, it was a friend of mine. She was stopping by to store some produce in my fridge. She'd knocked on the front door and upon receiving no answer, let herself in. (She has a key.) I knew she was coming, but for some reason thought it would be later that evening.

Talk about heart stopping!

It's actually quite funny now, but laughing was not the first thought on my mind while I was sitting in the bathtub.

Strrrrrrrrrrrettttccchh

I LOVE SLEEPING LATE!

Doctor, Doctor!

I've done something to my hand/wrist. I'm not sure what. A nerve from the base of my thumb all the way to about halfway to my elbow hurts. It hurts to turn it too far to the left or right. It is a little sore to type. I can't lift very much. It was hurting this morning when I woke up. In fact, I was gingerly twisting it to find out what I'd done and popped my wrist bone. So I kept popping it. I probably popped it 15-20 times before I finally just stopped. It would have kept on popping! How weird is that?

I have no idea how I injured it. I just know that it hurts. I've taken some ibuprofen.

Any doctors out there want to hand out a little free advice?

Blueberry Muffins

I made blueberry muffins this morning for my students. The plan was to greet them at the door with a napkin and breakfast. I got up early to mix the batter and put them in to bake before I jumped in the shower to get ready for the day.

I needed three pans of muffin tins. I grease the tins, mix the batter, spoon it in to the tin and slide them into the oven. Well, I slide the first two into the oven anyway. The third pan fell and landed on the door of the oven, upside down! I had to respoon batter (yes, I had some extra) and then try to clean batter off the door of the oven. The oven was hot, so the kerplopped batter is already starting to bake. Sizzling blueberries are difficult to touch, let me tell you! I just grab lots of papertowels and scoop as much of it as I can into the trash can.

About fifteen minutes later, my smoke alarm starts going off as I open the oven to pull out the pans of muffins. Are the muffins burnt? No, but the batter left stuck to the door is another story.

I'm sure I'll have lots of fun cleaning it off.

Ummm, kids?

I love teaching. Really, I do. But at the end of the day, I get to go home and be child-free.

Do I really want kids of my own?

Hmmm.

(PS. Yes, I'm very aware that the only reason I feel this way is that I'm dealing with 44 of them for 8 hours straight. And that it is the end of the year. And that they don't want to be here anymore and are bouncing off the walls. I'm aware of all of that...)

Unmentionable...?

There is a story that I would love to post. It's actually quite funny. I've thought about it for several days. I'm not sure how I would word it and not incriminate....someone.

I love hugs!

The title pretty much says it all.

My students are 9 turning 10, and they don't hug very often, but I love it when they do!

I have several friends that I get a hug from (and give to) upon seeing. Those are great too!

There is just something about a hug from a guy, though. Especially one that is taller than me. I feel safe, protected. I've got a couple guys that aren't afraid to give a "real" hug. The side arm hugs are great, but nothing can compare to a real hug! Thanks to you that do!

I love hugs!

BEEEEE YOU T FUL!

I saw this picture and thought it was gorgeous. It made me think of all of God's creation. Even the parts we will never see or know about. He still made them. Isn't God grand?

I wish I had a video camera!

My kids are cracking me up today! One is bebopping his head and doing the background noise to rap music as he works on his Language worksheet to choose the correct word to go in the blank. (We're learning the difference in 'good' and 'well.')

Another girl is giggling at him, but he doesn't know it. That got me to smiling. Then when her giggling became contagious, another boy thought everyone was laughing at him. Thus, confusion reigned for a few minutes. I never did tell Zack that Andrea was giggling at him and that was why I was smiling. He thought he'd done something wrong, not in a "I'm in trouble" kind of way, but in a "What'd I do?" kind of way.

This class makes me laugh, and I love them!

As much as I'm ready for the end of the year, I'm really going to miss these kiddos!

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

I've wanted chocolate all day long today. I don't know what my deal is, but man! Major cravings!

Back in time?

The janitor cleans the chalkboard on Friday afternoons. Every Monday morning I write the entire new date (May 7, 2007, etc.) on the board. Every other day of the week, I just erase the number (7) and write the new one. This morning, I write the date on my chalkboard, as I do every Monday morning. An hour later a student raises his hand and points to the board. "Ms. Ross?" Nick says "The board says May 14, 2005."

Where my mind was, I cannot say. But this I know for sure. There are only 8 days left!

:)

No phone today :(

I got to work this morning and realized that I'd left my cell at home.

My first thought? "What am I going to do?"

I chuckled at myself, because I'm walking into work! I don't 'need' my cell phone for the next 8 or so hours. I can drive home this afternoon without it. (I don't want to and I don't like to, but I can!)

I tell myself, "Alyssa, it will be okay!"

Of course, twice today I have wanted to make personal phone calls and groaned when I didn't have my phone, but I've survived...so far.

The Unit

I don't know how many of you watch The Unit, but it's one of my favorite shows. It's a military show, but it's different from other military tv shows. It feels more like a movie with a developed plot line than a mid week tv show.

However, this semester I've had class on Tuesday nights and haven't been able to watch it regularly. I've watched most of them by going to cbs.com, but there are a couple I have missed. :(

Last night was the season finale.

Did anyone else watch it? Because I'm dying to talk about it with someone!

YAY!!! TAKS SCORES ARE IN!

I can keep my job! :)

Passing Percentages for 4th grade are: (drum roll, please!)


Writing: 97%
Reading: 93%
Math: 98%

Whoo-hoo! So exciting!

Blah

I'm sorry. That's pretty much how I feel after this week. Blah. :(

Drip, drip, drip

This time the dripping isn't my ceiling, it's my sinuses.

I feel yecky.

Thought Police?

This is an article by Chuck Colson. Colson provides a Christian perspective on many of today's issues. This article is in regards to a bill that will be voted on tomorrow before Congress to protect people based on their sexual orientation.

If you would like to call your representative, you can reach them at 202-224-3121.

Drip, drip, drip

I have a project due tonight by 5pm to my professor. Per the assignment, I worked with a student one on one doing an oral, silent and listening running record. (The student reads and the teacher notates mispronunciations, miscues, repeats, skips, etc.) I worked with a student in my class 3 different times after school to complete the given exercises.

Last night, I sat down to type up the findings. There was a huge storm going on in Houston, for those readers that do not live in our (sort of) coastal city. :) I was saving my work every two minutes or so to make sure a power outage didn't ensure I needed to start completely over (been there, done that, don't want to go back!)

At one point, I get up to get a drink or go to the bathroom or something. When I returned to my computer, it had shut itself down, there were drips all over the keyboard and my coffee table was wet, too. This was by no means the first time this had happened, so I immediately knew my ceiling was leaking due to the weather.

I didn't panic, but moved quickly to get furniture out of the way, dry off the computer, restart it to check on my work and grab pots to put under the drips.

My apartment complex was overjoyed to hear from me this morning.