Time for a New Mary Moment . . .

Bob was reading the news and ran across a bizarre article that he decided to tell me about.

Here was our exchange:

Bob: "Oh my heavens! This says an Argentinian model died from a butt implant!"

Me (across the room): "What?!?!?!?! A model died in a Funyun plant?!?!?!?!?" "How in the world do you die in a Funyun plant? Did she fall in a vat of batter? How awful to die in a Funyun plant!!!!"

It may be time for a hearing/brain check! ;o) Heh heh heh!

Update

We LOVE our new home. It is beautiful and so quiet! The neighborhood is normal and small and gated. The town house is beautiful and easy to keep clean. It's big enough for all of us and it just feels so nice.

Yesterday the kids did their chores - the laundry was clean - and the house was all tidy. Bob and I looked at each other in amazement. There was nothing to fix - no house projects to work on - no never-ending list of broken things. LOVE IT!!!! We actually have time to do other things. We will save money too by not having to fix so much!

Anyway - we're happy! Everything just fell into place for us. It's nice to be free of the old house and all the heavy weight that came with it.

Yea! What an amazing answer to prayer! So many times we'd try to move and it just never ever fell into place. Finally we stopped trying to force it to happen. We knew when the Lord was ready and everything was right it would just happen and there would be no doubt it was time. And it did. It was one of those things that was so complicated and every single piece of the puzzle lined up all by itself that there was no way to deny that the Lord's hand was in every step. Sometimes our plan and our timing - for whatever reason - is not what is supposed to happen. Down the road maybe we'll be able to look back and see all the reasons why - but for now we are just so incredibly grateful to be where we are. It is such a comfort to Bob when he travels to know we are here and happy. It's truly one of those massive blessings we couldn't have even imagined 6 months ago.

It's Honey Doll!!!!

Look what I found! This is Honey Doll! I got her when I was 2. She knows all my deepest darkest secrets! ;o) hahaha! My sisters always tried to squeeze her head and torture her. I often found her bungee jumping from the ceiling fan, rappelling the kitchen cupboards, and ransom notes left in her place. She went to Germany and Jerusalem with me - just for a picture to prove she was there of course . . . !

Can you believe she's being sold for $185!?!?!?!? Not MY Honey Doll of course - she's a little more worn - a little more loved - and a whole lot more tired than this one. But it was really fun to see her like this. I always wondered why I named her Honey Doll . . . and now I know! :o)

We're moving

So yep! We are! With a massive amount of travel coming for Bob - it just made sense. We'll be at the new place for a year or so. The list of reasons why it is perfect was enormous. The list of reasons to leave the house was just as long. We're hoping to quickly sell the house as is - or find an investor/ugly house place to buy it. It just is in need of things bigger than we are able to manage right now. So it will put us in a different ward - but not too far. We'll still see everyone often I'm sure. It will be a relief to all of us to open this new chapter. Hooray!

Smart aleck = Smart aleck

We were cleaning up tonight and there were three pairs of Travis' shoes in the family room. I told him to go pick them up and put them away because the family room was NOT his closet.

His reply? "Ohhhh! That would explain the TV!"

(I don't know where he gets it!)

Mourn with those who mourn

My husband's cousin posted this on her blog and I had to share it.

We had the opportunity to do just this last night. Well-meaning words don't often ease the pain in moments of grief or despair. Sometimes it's hard to know what to say or do. But last night I knew. We just sat. The kids understood and I knew a precious life lesson was being embedded. We stayed and were just there. There were moments of quiet and stories and memories were told. After several hours everyone's eyes grew heavy and I knew we should go - but when we readied to leave it was obvious we were still needed and so we stayed until it was finally ok. Even then - it was difficult to leave. We sat outside in the car for a bit - all of us wanting to leave our hearts inside. I hope it's something my children always remember. Our hearts felt so full while we were there. I'm so grateful Crystal posted this video. I really appreciated its beautiful illustration.

I'm so glad it's the weekend! I got an extra day added to mine since I stayed home with Travis yesterday. He's really sick. So it's not like it was for fun. But I'm so glad I did. He needed his momma! Our weekend was packed with various activities but we've cancelled everything. It's turned into a nice slow day for our family and I'm actually really grateful for that and for our time at home together instead of all the scheduled activities. I'm sure at this point I am covered in his germs after sitting with him and holding him all day and night - and I totally don't want to get anyone else sick so it's ok that we just stay in.

The whole week I had a mighty fierce cold of my own. I felt so incredibly lousy I ended up going to the dr. mid-week. He declared it one of my usual colds and gave me some yummy happy cough syrup w codeine for bedtime. Luckily the worst part was over when Travis got sick.

At school one of my classes was down to one student (because one kept coming w the flu and got all the others sick).

Speaking of school, my student teacher starts Monday! I'm excited about that. I also have a conference in San Marcos coming up. I hate to have to leave home for it - but the topic will be really helpful and it's just a short trip.

Could anything be grosser?

Ok - so I should have said 'more gross' instead of grosser. Anyhoo! Perhaps due to the recent heavy moisture and obvious leaks we had a few visitors last night. I'm just glad my feet didn't find them before my eyes. The ones above were not the actual slugs found during our incident and yet they looked identical in size, shape and color. Eeeewwwww!!!! Icky icky ick! The funniest part is that one of them left a lovely trail all over Katie's shoe that she'd left out! hahaha! We laughed. She didn't! I mean it's one thing for a snail to be sliming around . . . but a slug? Ewww just ugly without a cute little shell. Bleech!

Rain Rain Go Away!

Actually, I like the rain a lot! The part I don't like is this:

heh heh heh! Funny picture huh! Apparently our roof has a couple of leaks. The one in our family room completely filled the bucket last night. Ahhhh! Life is just full of unexpected surprises.

Hey! In a shout out to the B-52's . . .

"Shingled Roof! . . . Leaky!" ;o)

My Names

Ok - one more post while I'm thinking about it. That last post reminded me about this one. At school the kids are little and can't always say things right - so I wanted to write down some of the names I've been called so far:

1. Manny
2. Ma
3. Mrs. Mare
4. Nany
5. Mrs. Maredee (like a french accent)
6. Marwee
7. Mommy :o)

So cute! I love it!

Finger/Splinter Update

So remember that post about my finger? The kind of gross one? Click here for a refresh.

So anyway - it just got worse and worse and more painful too. I finally went to the doctor and he gave me an antibiotic to take. He said it looked like a bacterial infection had set in. Pretty gross huh! Well - it's already doing better. He said to scrub it with a nailbrush to try and get the rest of the splinters and stuff out. It's worked so far because it's a lot better than it was. Still tender at times - but at least I don't have to bandage it all up to protect it anymore. That was kind of confusing the kids at school. One of my students at school would ask over and over "Mrs. Mary? You got an owie?" So cute.

Anyway - just in case anyone wanted an update . . . there it is! :o)

Cowboy T!

My little man isn't so little anymore!

Maggie Girl!

She's such a great dog. So loyal and protective. I'm so grateful for her!

Yum Yum!!!!

From school - for me and my TA. We have close birthdays. The parents surprised us with flowers, balloons and this absolutely sinful and delicious cake. Mmmmmm!

Vultures

So I'm driving home and as we near our house I see a big black animal in our trash that was out for pick up. Too big for a cat but not shaped like a dog. As we get closer I realize there are 3 vultures in our trash! WHAT?!?!?!?!? They were HUGE. You totally can't tell from the picture. I don't know how to zoom on my phone - plus I was trying not to crash because the truck currently has no power steering. Anyway - it's not like we had an animal carcass in our trash. Probably nothing more than paper cups and oreo wrappers! hahahaha But apparently maybe they like oreos! I pulled up really close to them and they kind of just looked at me and then sauntered down to the next house's trash. What a cocky attitude! They looked at me like "Yeah - all three of us could take you!" So we got out of the truck and as we're going in I realize there's a fourth one on the peak of the house across the street - just watching from above. That was creepy! Kind of Darth Vader-ish!

I mean seriously! Vultures? In this town? In the dead center of a busy metroplex? It's actually the second time I've seen them around. So if you're nearby . . . keep an eye out . . . and watch your small children and dogs! hahaha

Me and My Bud

Watch out 6th grade! Here he comes!!!!

Yeowiee!

At some point (I think maybe the last week of school) I vaguely remember scraping some mulch/dirt/twigs out of the way with my fingers as I played with some child (who in my vague recollection that I can recall - remains just out of view). Immediately after I remember thinking - that wasn't a good idea - as I felt a little pain and noticed all the gunk under my nails. I thought to myself 'I hope I didn't get any splinters' and then blowing it off by figuring they would just work themselves out if I did.

WELL I DID - AND THEY ARE - AND IT HURRRRTTTSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For weeks and months now they have been working their way out from under my nail. I have managed to pull two out - then the process started all over again and I can see three more coming. I just sincerely hope that's all there are. It's really painful. I've been putting on the pain relief neosporin and covering it with a bandaid - but ow. ow. ow.

Ok - I'm done whining. I promise more exciting things have been going on. My life has not been reduced to this. I just needed to have a quick pity party for one.

And the party is now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . over.

Thank you very much.

And . . .

Goodnight.

In the space of about 20 minutes today I got calls that two families close to me had lost loved ones. My heart hurts for their losses and for the grief they bear. It's always difficult to know that as we go about our usual daily tasks - others are experiencing that kind of pain and loss. In addition - one of our students is not fairing well and it's always difficult to watch such sweet and innocent children suffer. I always wish there was a way to lighten all of their suffering and burden - but sometimes it seems like prayer is the only way to ask for the peace and comfort their hearts really need. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them tonight.

Calling All Friends With Babies!!!!

Hey everyone! If any of y'all are at that point in life where you are using the gerber baby food tubs like these - and might possibly not mind saving them for me with the lids - I will love you forever! :o) There is a literacy activity I'm working on for my class and these little tubs would be perfect to store the letter tiles in. Mucho Gracias Amigas!

And Yet Even More . . .

And just to update to the previous post - while eating dinner a few minutes ago came another question - out of thin air.

"What would happen if you threw a ticking grenade into space?"

Ummm . . . maybe it's all the non-fiction books he checks out from the library. I'm just so curious what he's thinking in his head that doesn't actually get spoken! He's so fun! :o)

More Cowboy T

So Bob bought me a nice organizer basket to hold stuff on my desk. It's made out of some type of sea grass and is really pretty. However after about a week of searching for a not-so-pretty smell (which we immediately blamed on the poor dog) we realized it was the lovely basket on my desk.

I ask Bob: Why in the world would they sell something that smells like pee?

Cowboy T jumps in: Probably because some monkey peed on it before they sent it here.

How do you even respond to that? Only Cowboy T can send me to the point where I'm at a loss for words . . .

Question of the Night (by Travis)

"Hey Mom! What's the most pointless thing in the whole world?"

I'm in trouble! (an update to prove I'm still here!)

My daughter has been harping on me to post for a while now. Or 'lovingly reminding me'! ;o) But I best comply or she may hijack my blog! hahaha

So here I am! We took a wonderful trip to Chattanooga, TN / Ringgold, GA which I'll definitely blog about later. It was a much needed get away and long overdue trip to visit my Dad.

When we returned I attended a two day conference for PreK teachers. It was wonderful and very recharging with lots of great fine tuned ideas. I've been slowly working all summer on building up activities and resources so it won't take as much effort during the year. I'm crossing my fingers and toes it will relieve a lot of stress during the school year and pay off.

This week I truly have off. I did three weeks of summer testing to see if children in the district who are turning 3 would qualify for speech or special education services. I love doing testing. It's fun to work one on one with the children, talk with their parents and also get a sneak peek at students who might possible end up at my school. There is one student that will be coming to my school who has captured my heart and I'm hoping I will get to have. She is the daughter of an old friend. So we'll see. I would be so thrilled!

Anyway - today I finally went to the doctor for an old injury from a year and a half ago. I was pretty certain it was muscle related - near my sternum. After that long of off and on pain I figured it was time to get it checked. There was a bit of a knot in the muscle - and long story short - it WAS muscle related - and get this! My 'prescription'???? Lifting weights! heh heh heh! OK!!!! He might as well have said 'eat chocolate'! :o) I really enjoy weights - but hadn't done them in quite a while because of the pain. He said I really need to stretch those muscles and loosen them up so they won't be so tense. So I'm good with that . . . and the chocolate idea too! (Even though that was my own idea!) hahaha!

Last but not least . . . I read a book! :o) It wasn't school related or anything! I can't remember the last time I made time to read a book for fun! It was just a silly short mystery - but it was just so fun!

Only I . . . .

would get a big zit on the middle of my forehead the day before we attend an Indian wedding.

Nice.

Happy Father's Day Dad!!!! :o)

Taking Chance

If you could only see one more movie . . .

I don't normally recommend movies (I've learned my lesson on that! hahaha) :o) Everyone likes different things - but I wish everyone in this country could watch this movie. It is touching and true. It's out on DVD and if you have the opportunity to watch it - you should.

I'm still here . . .

My laptop crashed. Serious hardware issue. Like seriously dead. Oh well. It was good and faithful. I shall return soon. I promise. :o) Have a happy Friday!

Can't. Stop. Napping.

School's out!  I had teacher workday Friday and Saturday.  It was a paperwork frenzy until the end.  Teary goodbyes.  And then a clearing of all types of cobwebs.  I got so much done yesterday and actually feel pretty good about walking away.  There are always things to do - but fun things that can be done at a relaxing pace now.  

I don't know if it's a school year's worth of late nights, emotional exhaustion, failing to juggle all the things I try to, or what - but I can't stop sleeping now.  I'm able to get up and make it to the few places I need to go - but the second I'm home I'm asleep.  I'm not talking a quick power nap - yesterday I got home around 3:30 and promptly fell asleep until 8pm.  How do you wake up from a nap at 8pm?  The really sad thing? - I went to bed right after that for the night at 10pm - no problem.  This has been going on for several days - so I figure I must need it.  Bob and the kids have been so good about letting me rest.  Hopefully I'll get it out of my system and return to the world of the awake.

We did just play a rousing game of Apples to Apples.  Love that game!  So at least I got a little fun in between waking up from my nap and bedtime which is coming quick!

HOORAY FOR SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :o)

Viva la Vida/Love Story - John Schmidt

Thought I posted this a while back - but I guess I didn't.  I love it.  He's an amazing pianist.  When I was an EFY counselor he would do the concerts for each session.  

All in a day's work!

After I told my Mom this story and she managed to compose her uncontrollable laughter - she made me promise to blog this story.  While many may find this story horrendous - it is a pretty tame one for our little world.  My conscience keeps me from telling the other ones.  I just couldn't tell some out of sheer human decency.  

But through it all we manage to find the humor in it and get over whatever happens pretty quickly.  In fact - I have wonderful TA's with a great sense of humor and we pretty much laughed our heads off on this story in disbelief and 'of-course-this-would-happen-to-us-ishness'.  I am so incredibly grateful to work with such amazing women who make every day seem like a pretty good day - no matter what happens!

Ok - so on with the story.  Names will not be used to protect the innocent.  heh heh heh.

We had a new little guy start recently and on his very first day we went out to the playground.  He was right at home and was having fun with the rest of the class going down the slide.  Perplexingly enough - as he was going down the slide he managed to pee all the way down it.  (perplexing - because he was wearing a diaper - but I do believe we figured that one out.)  So anyway - it took a moment to realize what had happened and why he was wet.  We were exclaiming as we realized what had happened - only to turn in slow motion (I swear!) and see the rest of our class lined up and rapidly sliding down the wet slide.  Get the picture?  Uh-huh!  They all slid right down through it.  Of course we were screaming, yelling, waving our arms - and they all just smiled and looked at us like the lunatics we appeared to be - as they slid down the slide and reached the bottom instantly growing a perplexed look on their face - like - wait a sec - whaaa????????  

Um yeah!  So the very last one reached the bottom - and quickly splashed his hands in the remaining 'puddle' as we were trying to keep all of them from touching anything.  Too late!  His hands went straight in his mouth.  You can imagine . . . we were dying.  It was unbelievable.  Luckily they all always have a change of clothes in their backpack - and needless to say - they all went home in different clothes that day.  It was a day that will not soon be forgotten.  We now laugh ourselves silly about it.  And we kind of half-laughed half-died that day too.  

So hopefully you're laughing now - but if you're thoroughly grossed out . . . thank my Mom!  ;o)

If You Know An Engineer . . .

and you want them to cook . . . try this site:

http://www.cookingforengineers.com/

I love the chart at the bottom of each recipe!  :o)

Genius!

Autism Spectrum Quotient Test

I found this Post on this site: http://ifonlyihadsuperpowers.blogspot.com/2008/04/take-autism-spectrum-quotient-test.html

I thought it was a Great education tool on Autism and wanted to share it.

Take The Autism-Spectrum Quotient Test (Edited)

Take the AQ Test it is interesting and may help you to get a perspective of things that are more difficult or easy for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Please note that this is NOT a diagnostic test. 

In the first major trial using the test, the average score in the control group was 16.4. Eighty percent of those diagnosed with autism or a related disorder scored 32 or higher.

There are 50 questions.

If you are willing, share your score. My new score (after glitch was discovered) is 8. The Professor scored 19.

Edited 7:37pm: The Professor figured out the glitch! Please do NOT try to score yourself on the html page that you get from the Wired website because you will ALWAYS get a 24 score. I created a table to make scoring accurate. If you check a box that has a number "1" in it, give yourself one point for that question.

Beautiful Minds

Stephen Wiltshire from London is a star among savants. Stephen is autistic. He did not speak his first words "pencil" and "paper" until he was 5. Yet, when he was 11 he drew a perfect aerial view of London after only one helicopter ride. For this film we're testing the "Living camera" in Rome. (ColourField production)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAfaM_CBvP8&feature=player_embedded

I LOVE Grover!

One of my students has these shoes!  I LOVE them!  They are in kid sizes but since my feet are so tiny I technically could actually get them in a kids size and they would fit!!!  hahaha!!! 

Down the Drain

If you ever drop something down the drain - watch this:

http://www.familyhack.com/2007/08/29/drain-tip/

This guy is a genius!!!!!!!!!!!

What a great idea!!!!

FAO Schwartz Piano

Check out You Tube for more songs on the piano.  Very cool!  :o)

Cowboy T AND Kbugs!!!

Strep Throat!  My Buddy - the King of Strep doesn't have it!!!!  How does that work?!?!?!  I'm glad he doesn't though.  Anyway.  Kbugs is disappointed.  She'll be missing Cici's pizza day tomorrow for being on the honor roll - her orchestra banquet - and a Young Women's activity.  She's quite upset.  T is so easy going - he's like - ok whatever!  Funny kid!  B is mad that they 'get' to stay home tomorrow and he doesn't.  

I could so use one of these!

Laptop pillow

POSTED BY DAVID PESCOVITZ, MAY 8, 2009 3:29 PM | PERMALINK

Over at Boing Boing Gadgets, Lisa Katayama beckons me to this "laptop pillow for sleepy workaholics."

Fun Times

It's been a while - but I still wanted to post about it.

Cowboy T had been very very diligent in earning a trip to Alley Cats.  I have to say - he really earned it and had worked for quite a long time.  Luckily we had a gift card - so the kids played a round of laser tag and then bowling.  Since it was just the three of them - the workers let Bob and I go in and watch the laser tag game.  It was utterly hysterical.  I think any frustrations, unsettled disputes and pent up emotions between them were released and cleared.  I'm going to remember that strategy in the future.  When the contention gets too bad . . . time for laser tag!  Hahahaha!  

Then it was bowling.  The kids did pretty good!  I was impressed.  We all had a fun time.  It was just a relaxing out of the ordinary excursion for us to spend some time together outside of the day to day stuff.  I'm proud of Cowboy T for earning it and grateful we had the chance to go.  I like our family.  We're a lot of fun together.  At least I think so!  ;o)

21 days!

21 days and I will begin my return to life as I knew it.  I will slowly begin to recall that there is a house I live in and hobbies I like to do.  My dedication to the gym will be stronger than ever and I will start to return all the many emails I have been silent on.  I may even begin to cook good meals again.  (Gasp!)  21 days and I will luxuriously sleep past 4:40am.  I will stay up late with no frantic dread.  I will frolic and laugh with my children until they can't stand me anymore.  (that may not take too long! hahaha)  I will laugh in the face of school zones and crossing guards.  I will shun the halls of the school.  I will turn my back on the never-ending paperwork and reports.  

And I will miss my students so very very much.

Kbug's Solo & Ensemble

So Kbugs had her solo and ensemble contest.  She had practiced her duet with her friend and they did a great job.  Her solo was great too!  Kbugs asked me to be her piano accompanist.  I was a bit nervous about this - because I'm not always the most consistent player and I really didn't want to be the one to mess her up.  She brought me the music in plenty of time.  I glanced over it and it looked like something I could play.  However, I waited pretty much until the night before to work on it.  Poor K!  I think I worried her quite a bit.  We actually had a Scout's den meeting that night so I took the music with me and marked it and finger practiced it while we sat there - and then finally went home to play it for the first time.  After going through it a few times we sounded pretty good!  Phewph!  I was so relieved.  The next morning we chugged our way over there and played it.  Kbugs was AMAZING!!!!!  She sounded so good.  I think I did a-ok accompanying her.  It was just really fun to get the chance to do it with her.  I love that mom daughter kind of stuff that we get to do.  She is such a wonderful person and I love being with her.  I wasn't surprised at all when she got her score.  She got a 1.  Good job Sweet Pea!  Ily!

I Killed Dinner

These were boiled hotdogs.  Except the water is gone.  Because I forgot about them.  It takes a special kind of talent to ruin hotdogs.  Apparently it appears it was a slow and painful death.

Don't worry.  Nobody starved.  We had nachos instead.

Clearly a cooking show is no longer an option.

;o)

What my husband does for fun . . .

He is such a man!  Hubba hubba!

Single handedly loading that huge stump.  Utterly amazing!

Quote of the Day

"Did you land in a capsule?"

At this very moment:

72 cupcakes are baking in the oven.  Yes I realize it is 12:16am Saturday morning - however - when I waited to start baking at 10:30 - this is what happens!  ;o)  Actually we're having a lot of fun.  Kbugs has a fundraiser for camp and they will be frosting cupcakes tomorrow morning to have ready for Mother's day.  So - thusly - we are currently baking.  (yes - I do know thusly is not a word - but I liked it!)  :o)  

So while y'all are most likely sleeping - I'm enjoying the deliciously lemonish smell of moist and tasty cupcakes!  Mmmmmmm!  (and I'll be sleeping in tomorrow too!)  Sweet dreams!

Who says musicals aren't realistic!?!?!?!

This video was made in the Antwerp, Belgium Central (Train) Station on March 23, 2009, with no warning to the passengers passing through the station. At 8:00 am a recording of Julie Andrews singing 'Do, Re, Mi' begins to play on the public address system. As the bemused passengers watch in amazement, some 200 dancers begin to appear from the crowd and station entrances. They created this amazing stunt with just two rehearsals! Enjoy!

Guess what my guys did yesterday?

It started out as a great day to do yard work.  As pretty as the tree in our front yard was - it was beginning to rot from the inside and was slowly dying.  Because it hung over the cars and house we needed to take it down before it came down by itself.  Don't worry - we'll plant another one.
This is us after church - looking over the aftermath.  You may ask - why didn't we finish the job?  Well - let me tell you - the silly little matter of a severe thunderstorm, threat of golf ball size hail and tornado watch.  Being in a tree at that point is not a good idea.  It was kind of funny.  Bob had cut the trunk quite a bit and then had the chain wrapped around the tree.  He hitched it to the truck and I drove it.  Right as we started that the storm hit and it started pouring buckets.  It was actually kind of fun.  We couldn't just leave that last part like that - unfinished.  After a bit of back and forth - and some sliding around in the truck - Bob hopped in and took it a different angle - and bam! - it came crashing down! (Along with the thunder and lightning!)  Then he unhitched it and drove me all the way up to the garage so I wouldn't get wet!  Such a gentleman!  :o)  We had fun!
This is just a fraction of the mess.  I couldn't even capture it.  People driving past were slowing down gawking.  They thought the storm had torn our tree apart.  Our neighbor came home and was really worried about us.  I don't know - maybe it was the branch that hit the roof - or maybe the twisted ladder below.  Thank goodness no one was on it when this happened:
Here you can see the trunk where it was starting to rot in the middle.  It was a great tree.  The kids had a great tire swing on it that we'll have to relocate.  All in all it was a fun day - and I can't wait for clean up day!  :o)

Ouch!

bad picture - but that's where I got bit.  on the arm.  Hard.  It hurt!  It didn't break skin but I have a big hard raised welt that is so tender.  Full blame lies on me.  In the past two years I've probably avoided 50-60 bite attempts but my luck ran out this week.  I had my arm where it shouldn't have been in an intense moment.  Lesson learned.  Hope it doesn't happen again!

True Blove!!!!

I love my husband!

ABC's of Me!

A - Age: 34

B - Bed size: King

C - Chore you hate: Toilets

D - Dog's name: Maggie Mae

E - Essential start your day item: Exercise and Shower

F - Favorite color: Yellow

G - Gold or Silver: Gold

H - Height: 5' 5"

I - Instruments you play(ed): piano, oboe, violin, organ, other assorted small instruments

J - Job title: PPCD Teacher (PreK for Special Needs Children)

K - Kid(s): 3 - daughter 12 and two sons 10 and 8

L - Living arrangements: Me and my hubby with our children in the home we've fixed up!

M - Mom's name: Nancy

N - Nicknames: Mare, MK

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Just birth and with my son who had meningitis at 5 weeks old.

P - Pet Peeve: listening to people chew up hard candy! Aggghhhhh!

Q - Quote from a movie: "I've never seen anyone beat their trash like that" and "I've been blown up! Take me to the hospital!" (The Burbs)

R - Right or left handed: Right

S - Siblings: 2 sisters - Deanne and Debbie. They rock! :o)

T - Time you wake up: 4:40am

U- Underwear: what about it?

V-Vegetable you dislike: pickled beets, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, etc. 

W - Ways you run late: Laying in bed too long. :o)

X - X-rays you've had: just after pregnancy stuff - and dentist xrays. 

Y - Yummy food you make: Bacon Spaghetti

Z - Zoo favorite: Orangutans - of course! We have the same color hair! :o)

All Mixed Up!

Ok - so seriously!  I was so looking forward to the gym this morning.  Got up - dressed - got ready - headed out the door and as I'm getting in the car I notice it's a lot lighter out then usual.  It's usually dark out when I go - and just barely is starting to turn light on my way back.  Well - I check my watch and sure enough It's 6am instead of 5am!!!!!!!!!!  I don't know what how or why.  It was all so baffling.  And disappointing.  I just kept standing there in disbelief.  How could this happen?  However it did - I was too late.  Not enough time to go and get back and ready for school.  Bummer.

Then - we're getting ready.  Cowboy T had come in our room and crawled under the covers.  Bob starts talking about how today is Wednesday.  I then told him how I love Wednesday's because we have music therapy and library on Wednesdays.  This little head pops out from under the covers and say "Today is Tuesday Mom and Dad!  Not Wednesday!"  Again.  Stunned.

Finally - after a full day at school - filled with parent interactions, principal discussions - and interacting with everyone in the school - I picked up the kids.  Kbugs took one look at me and asked 'Have you been crying Mom?'  No - why?  Because you don't have any mascara on!  Now being a red head means that if I don't have mascara on - I don't have any eyelashes to speak of.  I have seen people's reactions when I've come to the door without makeup on.  They try and hide it after the initial shock - but you know what?  It's ok.  I scare myself too - when I finally look in the mirror and remember.  It's like a whole other Mary.  Muwahahahahaha!  heh heh heh  

Anyway - so yeah - whole day - no mascara.  Nice.  Why?  Because I forgot!!!!!!!!  Was there some kind of Opposite day or mix-up day notification I didn't get the memo on?   Seriously!  The overwhelming number of Mary Moments in one morning was simply stunning!  It's gotta be some kind of new record!  :o)

No More Chicken

Well after 14+ years of feeding my husband dinner and wondering why he always seemed to get so ill so suddenly - we have some answers.  Ever since he returned from his mission to Mexico he's had all kinds of stomach/intestinal/digestive problems.  In the blink of an eye he'd be incredibly ill and everything would have to be put on hold.  He went to doctors - had all kinds of tests run for all kinds of things.  They looked for parasites, did blood work, and ran tons of tests.  After many years he'd kind of just learned to live with the waves of illness as they came and went.  

And now - after all these years - dinner after dinner - we know he's allergic to chicken!  As crazy as it sounds it's a rather common allergy.  It's actually an allergy to the protein in the chicken meat.  It's the same protein that's found in a lot of common allergy triggers.  Only thing is - Bob loves chicken.  We all do.  That's what we mainly eat (which is why he always got so sick).  So now we are rethinking our old family favorite recipes.  I'm trying to figure out how to rebuild some of them and some we'll just have to let slip by.  It's a strange place to be.  His all time favorite is chicken broccoli casserole - but I'm sure I can make that and omit the chicken - or find a broccoli cheese and rice casserole.  Ok - well I'm just thinking out loud now.  

Anyhow - while it's taking some adjustment - I'm so glad we know.  I feel terrible knowing how sick he got because of what we were eating - but how could we have known?!?!?!  Now he can avoid it at least and not have to suffer so much!  That will be very nice!

Here comes the storm!

In the past 8 minutes we've had over 1000 lightning strikes just here in our area.  It's a doozy of a storm.  Looks like the tornado warnings are next.  Maggie is scared out of her mind.  We're trying to pretend that we don't see her hiding in the corner of our room - because she's not allowed in here but we all feel bad for her.  :o)  Looks like the tornado warnings are headed our way next.  

I sure hope my little special needs students get to stay home today.  They're sure to be scared - and the responsibility of keeping them all safe on a day like this weighs heavy.

Can't remember the last time I've heard this much non-stop thunder.  Pretty cool.

Stand By Me

You must must must watch this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  So great!!!!

Below is a link to a composite of an audio/video of song whereby additional tracks were laid in by different singers and musicians from different places around the world.  The finished product is tremendous! The song itself is that classic standard "Stand By Me" originally released in 1955 by The Staple Singers and released again in 1961 by the Drifters. So turn up the speaker volume!

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

Really tough day today.

Tomorrow will be better.

What can YOU do with paint sticks?

We were doing an art project at school and I needed a paint stick for each child.  I have under 20 students between both classes - so I didn't need many.  (Although I'm actually getting 3 new ones this week that are turning 3!!!)  

So anyway - last week we went to the local Home Depot to get some.  Well the guy at the paint counter gave them to me for free when I told him what they were for.  I guess he didn't feel comfortable with the small number I asked for because he kept saying "Here!!!!  Take some more!!!!"  I had so many I couldn't even hold them all!  So generous!  Now our whole school can make bird feeders!  hahaha!

Now mind you - this was around 10pm and we were still out and about - squeezing the most we could into our Saturday.  It is not uncommon for us to go for little drives around town just for fun too.  The car is our little "get out of the house for a bit" haven.  We love chatting, hanging out together as we drive - running here and there.  Just taking a break for a bit.  One thing that commonly happens while driving is a sudden break out of singing.  Well - this night - since most of us had handfuls of paint sticks - when the song struck - so did the drumming!!!!  It was unanimous, unruly, wild and hilariously entertaining.  

So there we were - driving around close to 11pm singing patriotic marches and such while each beating together various complementary rhythms with paint sticks while cruising around town.    It was hilariously fun!  I think we baffled quite a few people at red lights.  We weren't your typical late night cruising car!  

We've decided that each passenger should have their own complimentary set of paint sticks in every car.  It's a great stress reducer and seriously - just a lot of fun!

Who knew paint sticks could be so entertaining!?!?!?!?  :o)

Sweet Dreams

I have challenged my kids to see if any of their friend's moms have ever loudly and lovingly belched "GOOD NIGHT" in one breath to them while being tucked in!!!!!

I think not.

(While I am some what embarrassed to admit this - there is a little part of me that is quite proud.  I do have boys you know!)  :o)

I'm walking now!!!!!

Well I'm a-walkin now!  Back in Dec I had bronchitis - I recovered slowly - but never fully.  Always a little symptom here and there - funky cough, stuffy nose,lingering stuff blah blah blah.

So last week - weird sore throat.  Last night out of no where a deep hurting cough.  

Woke up today and felt awful.  Enough is enough.  

Called the doc.  No appointments - but they said the nurse would call back.  She did - told her all.  She said come right now!  We'll  2:30 isn't a good time to say that.  Middle of class - too late in the day to get rides to pick up kids.  She told me just to make it there before 4.  Figured I could get the boys - go to doc - and figure something else out for Kbugs.  Couldn't reach Bob - he was teaching a training.  

Bell rang - ran to the car.  It. was. dead.  I'd left my lights on.  (Mary Moment!!!)  3:30pm - not good.  As I stood in the parking lot - all my co-workers (aka: friends!!!!) knew I didn't feel good and ran to my rescue.  One brought cables - another teacher's car was right next to mine so she came out to start her car - another friend's boyfriend put the cables on - since we all figured we'd do it wrong and blow ourselves up.  I was so grateful and thankful for such a wonderful group of friends who had me out of that parking lot in under ten minutes!  Love them!

Got the boys - swung around towards doctor.  Got stuck behind a funeral procession.  At first I was frustrated - then I realized it was getting me through all the red lights because they were headed the same direction - and right past my doctors office.  Made it with two minutes to spare and said a little prayer for the mourners.

So I waited and felt lousy like my head was going to explode.  But our wonderful family doctor who knows us well gave me some heavy duty whacked out antibiotics and strict directions to follow for my very own personal walking pneumonia.  

I'm just gonna walk on by . . . . . . . 

Thank You Google!

As of this moment there are:

259	days until Christmas
(6194 hours : 32 minutes : 49 seconds)

---

75063044

million gallons of water will come down the Mississippi before Christmas

0.00842

years on Uranus until Christmas

0.377

Martian years until Christmas

Your hair will grow

86.04

mm before Christmas

10.17

days on the Sun until Christmas