headache

I have a headache. I'm not finished with sub plans and our school closed at 3:30 today, not allowing me to stay late to work. It is much easier to work when I'm actually at work, than when I'm sitting on my bed with my computer on my lap. Why didn't I finish my sub plans while I was out for the hurricane? Good question. I could have. I would have had to make some adjustments, probably even completely overhaul, but I could have. I didn't. I didn't grade papers either. I was out of town some days and in the middle of clean up others, but I still could have gotten some papers graded. But I didn't. However, right now I just want a hug and a nap. Not necessarily in that order. I don't think I'm going to get either one. :(

lots of little

I need new profile pictures, here and on facebook. My camera is here, but the connector cord is at work and HISD doesn't allow me facebook access anyway. I'll get it done eventually.

I like blowing bubbles with my gum. I don't mean little bubbles. I mean really big bubbles that sometimes pop all over the bottom half of my face. I realize this makes me appear childish in public, but I don't care.

I went to DC for a few days with some co-workers. The conference was phenomenal! (Something that is very rare in the field of education.) We also had a great time touring. I came home tired, but that's okay.

I go back to work tomorrow. Students come back Tuesday. I leave Tuesday evening for family vacation. Not great timing, but I'm REALLY looking forward to the relaxing time away. This is the one time of year when the outside world just stops, communication is nil, and our family gets an extended period of time of conversation, relaxtion and plain ole fun. Thank you Lord for vacation!

I currently have a sinus headache and trying to sleep it away didn't work.

My principal tried to find guys for me to date as we walked the streets of DC this week. I was the only single in the group, so this kind of became their project. Fun times!

It's kinda scary how much we rely on electricity for everything. My apartment complex didn't lose power and got water back Sunday afternoon, so I didn't go without very long.

Driving down Westheimer is amazing. There are VERY FEW stores open between 610 and the Beltway. I mean almost none. Very few stoplights work. I was out this evening about 7:30, picking up some dinner from fairly far away, and it became crystal clear as to why we have a curfew. Without daylight, it's very difficult to see other cars because there are no building lights, streetlights, stoplights, etc.

HISD has cancelled school through Friday with an update to be given Friday about when classes will start up again. I leave Wednesday for a conference for work, so classes being cancelled help me since I won't have to do substitute lesson plans, which would have been even more difficult since I couldn't be at school to make them. Those of you out there who are teachers understand what I'm talking about! My students walking in to a substitute after returning from a hurricane would not have been great either, for countless reasons. Wonder if we'll have to make these days up? The state forgave the days missed during Hurricane Rita, but Saavedra made us make them up anyway. (most of them? all of them? I can't remember.)

I was up at church today helping with cleanup. We filled many (100?) garbage bags with leaves and twigs. Raked up many more and filled the back of a pickup with them so they could be hauled off. We also moved branches into piles to make easy access for being carried off. There are two downed trees in the courtyard. Several guys were using saws and tree-cutters to make the branches and trunk pieces easier to carry, then other guys carrying them out to the street. There was at least one chainsaw being used. I'm pretty sure there will be a professional brought in for the massive trunk of one tree. There is another cleanup day tomorrow 1p-5p if anyone wants to help!

I admit to being a little bored. I'm sleeping in, watching the news, reading... There are papers to grade, but meh.

I need to do laundry. That's my plan for tomorrow.

Dear Mr. Obama

Ha! This will definitely last all year!

Adrian* pointed to the Crunch and asked me if he could have it. We're on the way out the door to lunch, so I laughed in kind of a "ha, ha, you're kidding" way and motioned for him to keep moving. He looked a little letdown, but kept walking. On the way back in to class, he again pointed at the pillow and said, "Ms. Ross, please can I have it? I LOVE chocolate." "Adrian," I responded, "that's a pillow! It's not a chocolate bar!" "Oh, really?" looking slightly embarrassed/miffed.

My teaching partner and I have decided that will be our phrase to each other when we're having a bad day. "I REALLY need a Crunch bar!"

Cowboy's Ten Commandments

(1) Just one God.

(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.

(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.

(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.

(5) Put nothin' before God.

(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.

(7) No killin'.

(8) Watch yer mouth.

(9) Don't take what ain't yers.

(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff