Random Notions and Stories of Teaching

Moving!

2006-11-01T17:02:00.000-05:00

Blogger will finally allow me to fiddle with the template in their Beta version so I am moving my blog. So, as I said long ago...I'm moving!

I'm incredibly creeped out by all the dooce-ing I've been reading about over the past few months and I've decided I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Once I figure out how to move all my posts from here to there, I will do that.

However, today will be my last day posting here. -

Should you want the address to my new blog, please email me at:

miners_angel_erin[at]yahoo[dot]com

Thanks, honey

2006-11-01T11:39:00.000-05:00

While I taught first grade for a week, I dealt with runny noses, upset tummies, and one barfer I was thrilled when I made it to Friday without even a hint of a sniffle. Ha ha! Score one for me!

Monday, two days before the team dinner, I felt a cold coming on strong. I took A.irborne faithfully and actually felt the cold symptoms going away. By Wednesday I was symptom free and off the A.irborne. Whoopie!

Thursday, I was sick. Sore throat, coughing, congestion - just plain ick. I made it through my two days of teaching last week hopped up on D.ayquil and sugar. When I'm sick I don't want to be touched or looked at. Just leave. me. alone. Hokie Hubby is really good about this. He brings me tissues and sleeps in the spare bedroom. I couldn't ask for more.

Finally, yesterday, I was starting to feel better. Minimal hacking and blowing my nose makes me happy. Last night, after I made chicken enchiladas I told Hokie Hubby that I wanted some ice cream. Off we went to the store! On our way home HH stated he was tired and would probably come home and take a bath.

Me (jokingly): Maybe it's mono, honey.
HH (rolling his eyes): No, it's not mono.
Me (alluding to the lack of...uh...action lately): You're right, there's no way you could have caught mono in the past few weeks.
HH: Gee thanks! The first thing I did when I got home was give you a kiss.
Me: Yeah! On the cheek! That's not how mono is spread.
HH: Well, I did sleep in bed last night...maybe I caught it from the runoffs of your drool pillow.
Me: ...................shut up.

To apply or not to apply

2006-10-31T14:20:00.000-05:00

The prospect of moving mid-year is hard for me.

Do I apply for current vacancies in the district where we "may" be moving?
Do I attempt to get my Georgia teaching license?
Do I just wait until Hokie Hubby actually gets offered a graduate assistantship and then start scrambling to get a job?
Do I resign myself to subbing in a brand new state until the end of this school year?
Do I get a job at Wal-Mart to supplement the subbing and hope that is enough to pay the bills?

There are a few teaching positions posted on the district website. I've applied for them, but I don't really think I will be following them up until we start hearing something out of HH's possible position. I can't see going through the entire hiring process, accepting a job, and then moving to Georgia if Hokie Hubby isn't going to be a graduate assitant. It just doesn't seem right to move somewhere just to possibly have to move again within a few months. In fact, it sounds downright crazy to do that.

Suggestions? Anyone?

Peachy?

2006-10-30T15:07:00.000-05:00

Saturday was probably Hokie Hubby's last game at The College. The girls didn't know. Only Head Coach, Hokie Hubby, and I knew. They won, which was wondeful.

Hokie Hubby has thrown himself into finding a GA position (graduate assistant). That way he can coach and the college/univeristy will pay for him to get a master's degree. For us, it's really the best of both worlds. He's made his interest known to several schools in the area as well as one in Georgia.

The Georgia head coach has already contacted him several times with additional information or questions. It's a nibble, but it's been all good so far. The pay would be $500 less than HH is making now, but he would get paid for 2 semesters instead of the August to December contract he has now. So it's actually a raise. The other big "pro"s are several teaching job postings in the area and the fact that one of HH's best friend's from high school lives nearby. We wouldn't be totally alone.

Yes, I'd have to move away from my family and friends, but I'm actually feeling cautiously optimistic about this one. Provided we can find housing where we can bring Hokie, Ollie, Socks, and Lucy - I'm all for it. It's time to start LIVING!

Fingers crossed that whatever is supposed to happen, happens.

Right out of a book

2006-10-27T21:05:00.000-04:00

Ever had a day that seemed like it came right out of storybook? I had one of those days today.

I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day*.

So awful it prompted not only a trip here but a stop here (for the first time, ever) on the way home.

A little black forest dream makes it all better.

* Name that book! ( I'm so challenging. )

Whew

2006-10-26T07:20:00.000-04:00

They came.
They ate.

They left.

I'm constantly amazed at the amount of food these girls eat. Skinny little rails walking past me with two (2!) plates of food. We had enough food for everyone with a little left over for Hokie Hubby and I. Not a lot, thank goodness, but enough for us to have dinner.

It's difficult to actually grasp the idea of 34 people in your house. It didn't hit me until a line of girls started walking in the door. The line just kept coming! Luckily, we had seats for everyone and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Thank goodness for my "giant furniture" as my mother-in-law calls it.

Halfway through dinner, Hokie Hubby decided to go find our boys to see if anyone wanted to come out and at least be seen running through the living room. Hokie and Socks were no where to be found. They are EXCELLENT at Hide and Seek. Ollie ran into the living room to get away from Hokie Hubby. He reached about the middle of the room before he frozen in horror. You could almost hear his little kitty thoughts. "What the --!? Who ARE these people?" He then booked it for the patio where it was dark and quiet. Poor kitty.

Finally, all of the girls were extremely polite. Several etook their camera phones into the bathroom so they could take a picture of my bathroom. Now that's what I call good decorating. I received 32 "thanks for having us"'s as they came through the door and 32 "thank you, everything was so good"'s as they left. This could definitely become an annual event. I actually enjoyed it. Even though I didn't manage to smuggle a barn cat home with anyone.

Curses!

B-Day

2006-10-25T11:01:00.000-04:00

Tonight is the night. The ~~bitches~~, I mean, team is coming to dinner tonight.

I suppose calling them all bitches is a little to mean. There are only a few I do not like. Rationally, I don't have a reason to dislike any of them. HOWEVER, like my husband, I am an extremely loyal person. Some of these ladies (and I use the term "ladies" loosely) have been so nasty and awful to Head Coach that it taints my vision of them. I'm sure they're perfectly nice girls - when they're not being spoiled brats.

No matter what, I will be the ultimate hostess. My mother and grandmother taught me well. I will smile and be accommodating. I won't be thinking nasty thoughts about girls who are too big for their britches and think they know it all. I won't think of the two facedness of a particular player and while what she is saying to my face might be kind, what she will say when she gets back on the bus probably won't. Most of all, I won't be mentally comparing myself to them in all their collegiate-athlete beauty. I won't do it. Ok...I won't tell anyone I'm doing it, but I will be.

The house is clean thanks to Hokie Hubby's help. He's been my party slave for the past few days. The food is pretty much done. I'll wait until later to put out the last minute things that need to be refrigerated. Hokie Hubby is going to call me when they are about 15 minutes away, so I can whip off the furniture covers, scatter the boys, and do last minute things.

Thanks to everyone for their cleaning suggestions. I'm proud of how my house looks.

Wish us luck! Oh, and pray that they win. It'd be nice to actually celebrate this evening instead of sit through tense silence.

Welcome to the 2000s

2006-10-23T17:41:00.000-04:00

The Hokie House is finally entering the new millenium. That's right people, we *finally* got DVR. As of about 10 minutes ago to be specific. We haven't been watching our movie as much lately (mainly Saturday nights to see the new movie of the week) so I asked Hokie Hubby what he thought about getting rid of the movie channel and getting DVR. Everyone I've talked to about DVR just raves about it. He agreed to try it out. So I called today, cancelled the movie channel, and drove 20 miles to pick up a new box and remote (thus saving myself the $25 service call and the waiting).

Can't wait to test this puppy out. Woohoo!

It is also important to note that Socks has entered the stage where he is highly embarrassed by his parents. The following picture was his response to my DVR euphoria.

Tidbits - Updated!

2006-10-18T16:28:00.000-04:00

A tidbit or two from me, the reigning Assistant Coach's Wife/Official Soccer Mom-In-Training:

As Gym Teacher picked up my little angels today for their physical education period he was surprised to see me there.

Gym Teacher: "Well, hello Mrs. First Grade Teacher! Don't you look young!"
Me, giving my fakey smile and trying not to roll my eyes: "Hello, Mr. Gym Teacher, how are you?"
Adorable Little Angel #1, seriously: "Mr. Gym Teacher, that's not Mrs. First Grade Teacher! That's someone different."
Adorable Little Angel #2: "Yeah, that's Mrs!"
Me, snickering: "Be good in gym, boys and girls."

** Update **

Have I mentioned lately how awesome my mother is? Seriously? If I can be half the mom she is, I will be a great mom. I may call myself a soccer mom in training, but really she's the one training me, not Hokie Hubby.

A week from today we're hosting a little soiree. Maybe I've mentioned it a few times before. This evening my mother asks me if I want to see my what she got me for the soccer dinner or if I want it to be a surprise. Duh!

I want to be surprised.

No, I want to see it.

No, I want to be surprised.

Finally, the curiousity just killed me, I had to know what she found. Had. to. know. The following picture is what I found in the bag. I'm very impressed! She finds the best stuff! Now all we need is a light in the team's color and it would be perfect. I'm raiding Mom's Christmas light strands tomorrow night. Mwahahahaha.

Luck

2006-10-17T17:47:00.000-04:00

I am off to The College to watch HH's game.

Will I return as the head coach's wife or still the assistant coach's wife/official soccer mom-in-training?

Who knows.

Wish them luck. It's going to be a long game sitting there with my fingers crossed.

Here's to hoping things work out for the best. Whichever way that is.

More changes?

2006-10-16T16:38:00.000-04:00

So! I had a whole post semi-composed in my head about my day. I was going to enthrall my readers (all two of you - - Hi!!) with stories from the classroom. I have classroom stories! Finally! It's only been four months. These were interesting classroom stories, too - all about my first day back at my mother's former school and the emotions and exploits I'd missed. Did I mention I had a puker today? It was a banner day.

Alas, you will not get to read about that today. Once again, we have soccer drama.

It goes without saying that this has been a tough season for HH and Head Coach - in fact, it's been the season from hell. Head Coach's job is on the line and the AD has sucked all the fun out of coaching. It's come down to a win at all costs bottom line. Now, I realize that sports, in general, are all about winning. However, according to HH, his division of college sports is supposed to be student athlete centered. As in, these kids are STUDENTS first, athletes second.

They've had 4 players quit. The backup goalkeeper turned starting goalkeeper had emergency surgery a two weeks ago. The team is pissed at Head Coach. Head Coach is pissed at the team. Parents are pissed at Head Coach.

And there is, HH. Stuck in the middle. On one hand he’s trying to maintain his loyalty to Head Coach while not pissing parents off in the process. Not to mention attempting to stand by Head Coach with the administration while not sabotaging what little chances he has at the head coaching position. He's walking a very fine line. He's doing a wonderful job. He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

This weekend was another loss. Okay. Shellacking is more the word I would use. 5 – 0 Everyone is frustrated. (With a record of 0 – 4 – 1, of course they are!) Emotions are running high. The girls are mad at Head Coach for goodness knows what reason and refuse to talk about it with him when he brings it up. Head Coach is so caught up in the must win situation that he’s emotionally imploding. Two sides. Each with valid points. Neither side is willing to talk to the other and neither is willing to admit they’re wrong. It’s insanity.

I’ve heard through the grapevine (i.e. my mother) that my husband called her beside himself. He had sent Head Coach home for lunch and just had to talk to SOMEONE. Since I was working, she was a good second choice. She called me to give me a head's up so I can prepare for the night of talking ahead. It seems as though Head Coach had a meeting this morning with the AD. If he doesn’t win the next game, he doesn’t need to come back. HH will finish out the season.

Oh.

My.

Goodness.

No wonder HH couldn’t settle! He’s now been thrust into the middle of this insanity. He’s torn between being excited at the prospect of being a head coach and heartbroken because not only is Head Coach his boss, he’s his friend. Head Coach is not a bad man. Hell, he’s not even a bad coach! He loves the game. He loves teaching the game. Take it from this soccer novice – he’s a wonderful coach, not to mention a wonderful person. He does not deserve to be treated like this.

I swear, all I want to do is go down to The College and flatten the AD. And I’m not a violent person!

If you’re still reading, thanks. I needed to get this out. Please keep HH, Head Coach, and the team in your thoughts for the next few days. It’s going to be rough. I hadn’t planned on going to this week’s weekday game, but I can’t not go, now. HH needs me and I’d like to show some kind of support for Head Coach and his family.

Please let things work out. Please.

WWYP?

2006-10-14T20:54:00.000-04:00

I am toying with the idea of a Christmas "business". Ok, I'm just going to add a blurb to my cousin's website and see if I get any hits. A colleague of my mom's gave these out as Christmas gifts a few years ago with pictures of the school.

How much would you pay for a glass ornament with your child/home/family member/pet's picture in it? Personalization (name, year, etc.) would also be available right on the picture.

It can be any picture you choose. Ornament shape/design only limited to the size of the picture.

Here's an example of a work in progress (I've decided against putting anything in with the picture as it simply detracts from the beauty of the ornament):

The picture doesn't do them justice. (The black box was added to the picture...the ornament is perfect.)

Too cute

2006-10-14T20:11:00.000-04:00

Gift from my mother-in-law. Too friggin' cute.

(Yes, I know I have issues.)

Letters

2006-10-12T20:14:00.000-04:00

Dear Collegiate Women's Soccer Player,

When wearing your home whites, please remember to wear white underwear. As a fan, well "scout", it's really distracting to watch your blue bikini-clad ass run around the field.

That is all.

Thank you,
Coach's Wife

------------------------------------------

Dear L.akeside Coll.ection,

Recently I made my first purchase from the Lakeside Collection. I have received several catalogs and have found the items reasonably priced and unique. I frequently share my catalog with friends and family when I see items they would like. It’s often difficult to select just a few things to order!

However, I am highly disappointed in the package I received today (10/12/2006). While the three ornaments I ordered are not damaged they arrived in a torn, UNSEALED box and the packing for one of the ornaments is damaged so badly that it cannot be used when I give the ornament as a gift.

As I said, I've recommended the Lakeside Collection to my friends and family but I am seriously reconsidering that recommendation. I hope you will make any and all changes necessary to ensure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

------------------------------------------

Received less than 5 minutes after I pressed send:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your email to The L.akeside Co.llection.

Should you decide to return a purchase, please follow the directions
located on the return form or printed on the back of your invoice. You
may also obtain a copy of the return instructions at the following link:

http://www.lakeside.com/helpanswers.asp?PG=7

Please note that we only reimburse return shipping charges for items
that arrive damaged, defective or have been received in error. Please
include a copy of the postal receipt along with the return form. Upon
receipt of your returned merchandise, we will reimburse you for the
return shipping costs (if applicable).

We require that all packages are returned by UPS Ground or Parcel Post
Ground, insured. We only credit or reimburse for packages returned
through this method.

**If this does not resolve your issue completely, please reply to this
e-mail and a representative will address your inquiry.**

Sincerely,
Internet Customer Care
www.lakeside.com

Stunned

2006-10-11T12:50:00.000-04:00

My fourth grade teacher died.

Shocked and saddened doesn't even begin to cover it. First of all, she was only 47. 47! (That means when I had her she was only 31.)

I've sat here for an indetermineable amount of time trying to put into words how I felt about this woman. There really aren't words. I've had wonderful teachers in my life, but there are three that stick with me to this day. Teachers I think about from time to time and wonder where they are and how they're doing. One is my mother. One is my high school Spanish teacher. The last is Miss Bartlett. Miss Bartlett was special.

Even in fourth grade, I was the fat kid. She was a larger woman too. Fourth grade was my first stint with W.W. - one of many diets in my life. There was no possible way for me to drink all the water the program required at home. Some of it had to be done at school. She let me bring a water bottle to school and leave it at my desk. I can still remember her asking me before lunch or recess how much water I had had that day. I'll never forget the day she showed me her W.W. cup that was sitting hidden in her desk. Finally, someone besides my mom that understood.

I'm angry at myself because I saw her in the store a few weeks ago and instead of being brave and talking to her, I just walked on. I had the chance to thank her for making me want to be a teacher and I missed it! I'll be kicking myself for that for years. I know better than that. I will never make the same mistake again.

We need more teachers like Miss Bartlett. More importantly, we need more people like Miss Bartlett.

Input please

2006-10-09T20:25:00.000-04:00

So, in a little over two weeks the entire team will be coming to my house for dinner. Luckily, I am not cooking so that isn't an issue for me.

Cleaning, however, is. I'm tempted to get Twin over here since she's a germaphobe and see where she thinks I need to focus my efforts. So, dear readers, I need your input.

When you visit someone else's home, what do you notice (in terms of cleanliness)? What should I make sure I have done and what can I let slide should the need arise?

Ouch

2006-10-09T11:15:00.000-04:00

I've never been particularly graceful. I accept it. My family accepts it - in fact, they love to tease me about it.

As a child, I decided I wanted to wait on the steps while my mom took a bath. Eventually I got bored and fell asleep on one of the top steps. This was all well and good until I turned over. Talk about a rude wake up call.

In second grade, I broke my arm doing a handstand in gymnastics class. I sobbed and sobbed in class about how much it hurt as my teacher's told me to dry my tears so I wouldn't upset my mother. I made it to the car before I told her how badly it hurt. We went to my grandma's house for a second opinion and then I was off to the hospital.

Then there was the time I was running to answer the phone and I broke AND sprained my right ankle. I was in a walking cast for weeks AND I couldn't march in band. Best thing that ever happened to me.

At Tech, I twisted my ankle pretty badly on some uneven sidewalk right outside my dorm.

And yesterday? I pulled another dilly. The house we live in has two steps. Total. I was walking down the steps to go to my parents house and suddenly I am flying through the air. Recycling bins are crashing and I am on the ground. Face plant. HH was walking behind me and immediately freaked out (he's so cute). After I had assessed the damage and decided I hadn't broken anything I answered that I was ok. Then I started to laugh. It's so typical me. Today I am sporting a skinned knee, skinned shin, really sore wrist, sore side, and an AWESOME bruise. It's probably the size of a softball and it has a bruise within a bruise. I'd take pictures...but ew.

What will I do to top this one!? I'm afraid to find out.

From the Road

2006-10-08T13:51:00.000-04:00

Very few things make me burst outloud laughing while we're driving long boring highways. This did.

Rah, Rah

2006-10-07T09:27:00.000-04:00

Things have been very crazy the past few days. First, HH's great uncle passed away. It's sad, but not unexpected - he's been ill for some time. The funeral is today. We are not going.

HH's starting goal keeper had surgery Wednesday. As in surgery! She was having some major pain and long story short, they found out that she has a 7 cm cyst on her ovary. Did I mention she played Tuesday night? It was just bad. Thank goodness she is going to be fine. Head Coach said he had a similar situation with a field player a few years ago and she was able to play again in about a week. I just about fell out of my chair laughing when HH told me this. Yeah. Right Coach! I will be shocked if she played another game this season. Shocked. However, she did send an email Friday saying she was ready to play Really Good Team today. Um. No. Instead, Freshman Keeper is starting today. She's scared, but she's going to do fine. (I keep saying that for HH...he's as nervous as she is)

We are off to Central Ohio today to meet up with the team. HH gets to ride with me and I get to go to the game. Who knows, maybe I'm good luck and they'll pull off an upset.

Yeah, I didn't think so either. I'm just hoping it's not too awful. These girls (and their coaches) need a confidence boost.

Go Team!

Decisions

2006-10-04T14:13:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about our life (HH and mine). I am sick to death of spinning my wheels and settling. Let me go back and explain a little before I continue.

My brother is going to be so successful one day. He's smart as whip. He's funny and he's caring. He will do whatever he wants to do. Companies are fighting to hire him right out of school.

I've never had that. People put up with me. The teachers I sub for love me, but I apparently don't make an impression on the administration for whatever reason. No one wants to hire me. I fully realize that there will always be someone better at my job than me. That's true for everyone. However, EVERYONE being better at my job than me is killing whatever confidence I might have had. Subbing will not be my life. I'll find some boring 9-5 job before I sub for 20 years.

Meanwhile, HH is stuck in a position with absolutely no options for advancement. He's associated with Head Coach who is on the Athletic Director's bad list (anyone associated with soccer is on that list). Head Coach is a wonderful man who I think of as family. The AD has all but broken whatever spirit Head Coach had. He's awful. HH and Head Coach must make the conference tournament or Head Coach is gone. Right now, the team is hemorraging. Someone has to get control - winning is the last thing on anyone's mind. HH is as loyal as they come - even more loyal than me at times, but staying at The College will ultimately hurt his career, not help it. When he leaves (not if), he's really going to miss those girls.

But back to the wheel spinning...

As far as I can tell, HH and I are in the same position. Stuck in neutral.

I think we have to get out of this town.

Pros to staying (as I see them)

Living in a house, rent free.
Living close to my parents.
Being able to have 3 cats and a dog (what apartment or rental house allows that?)
Living on the farm.
Being close to family.
I already have my Ohio license - I wouldn't have to go through an application process to get a license in another state.
Three years time put in subbing toward a full-time position.
Living close to my friends.
Doctors I know and like for HH and myself

Cons to staying (as I see them)

Dismal job market not only for me, but HH as well.
They're selling the farm anyway - they'll be gone in 7 months anyway.
Living across from the quarry. It's dusty, dirty, and LOUD.
Choosing to live dangerously close to poverty just to have a chance "someday" of getting a job.
Continuing to wait to begin our life.
Relying on others not just each other.
No baby in the near future.
Living paycheck to paycheck.

Pros to Leaving (as I see them) - contingent upon both of us having jobs

Possibility of walking into a full-time position for one or both of us, depending on where we move.
Finally starting my career.
Paying off student loans.
HH getting his masters which will help him get a better job.
Being able to attempt National Board certification
Being able to start a family!
Weight loss surgery? It might at least be an option.
The farm is being sold anyway - what am I holding on to or trying to hold on to?
Being able to take vacations.
Paying off car loans.
Can still keep in touch with family and friends via email, IM, and phone.
Make new friends!

Cons to Leaving (as I see them)

Moving! Ugh. The thought makes me queasy.
Leaving my mom.
Leaving Twin.
Possibly having to give up one or more pets.
Finding new doctors for HH and myself.
Getting a new license - even though I've got a current negative FBI search letter good for 2 years.
Starting a family away from family.
Renting.
Change.
Failing.

Very funny

2006-10-03T14:02:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I worked in a second grade classroom. Nice school, great principal, excellent teacher, and sweet kids. It was a very enjoyable afternoon - one that leaves me wondering why I don't volunteer to go to that school more often. Anyway...

I take my "teacher bag" to every subbing job. My "teacher bag" changes with my moods. Sometimes it's a bag with cats on it. Sometimes it's the tote my cousin made with pictures of Hokie, Ollie, Socks, and Lucy. Yesterday, it was my I Love Lucy bag. I love that bag. Not only does it match my makeup case and purse, but it has big arm loops so it's easy to carry on my shoulder. I don't have to look like a bag lady carrying my lunch, purse, and teacher bag around.

While we were in Jamestown, I almost splurged and bought the new bag they have out. However, it was a little to bright for my tastes and I decided not to shell out the big bucks to get it. I rationalized that if I decided later that I really wanted the bag I could put it on my Christmas list, or break down and order it from the gift shop online (oh, how I love the internet). I bought the Lucy-Desi Museum bag instead. Not everyone can get one of those.

Where was I? Oh yes, yesterday at school. As the children were getting their coats and bookbags from the coat rack to pack up, one little boy noticed my teacher bag. His face lit up with glee as he exclaimed, "Look! The three stooges!"

To quote J.anet E.vanovich: "Mental head slap."

I guess if you squint, Bill Frawley could look like Curly.
But Desi Arnaz? Look like Mo? Uh. No.

Seriously

2006-10-02T16:24:00.000-04:00

What is wrong with adults that enter schools and kill children? Children. Better yet, what is wrong with this country!?

Furthermore, I'm pissed that instead of facing the consequences of their actions these "adults" choose to kill themselves. Please don't even ATTEMPT to give me the "oh they were mentally ill" excuse. I live with a man that suffers from a mental illness and he would never, ever hurt me let alone a child. That's why we have medications. That's why we have counselling.

Cowards. Both of them.

Balls

2006-10-01T14:31:00.000-04:00

I didn't hear from the tutoring job on Friday, so I am assuming I didn't get the job.

You know, I am really beginning to think it's me. Maybe I'm a bad interviewer. Maybe people don't want to hire some overweight chick. I just don't know. I'm doing something wrong and I'll be danged if I know what it is. I do know that I'm good at what I do...or I would be if I were ever given the chance to prove it.

Enough whining.

HH took me to my favorite restaurant for lunch. Yum! I was mildly annoyed when I realized due to the spinach/e-coli issue that not only would I not be able to get the ravioli appetizers I wanted, but they weren't offering the spinach alfredo sauce as part of the N.ever End.ing Pa.sta B.owl. Stupid e-coli is ruining my day.

Better safe than sorry. Blah. Blah. Blah.

I am working tomorrow. Yay for me! I signed up to float for teachers who are being taught a new test. The main reason I did it was one of the teachers took a kitten home this summer and I'm dying to ask her how the kitten is doing now.

Enjoy what is left of your weekend!

Nothing

2006-09-28T10:32:00.001-04:00

I have absolutely, positively nothing to report. Nothing!

No news on the job, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I'm totally sabotaging myself and not working (I'm having issues) which means no teaching stories.

I had been saving $50 in my wallet as my "mad money"/money for the team function necessities next month. Well, when I went to whip out my mad money to purchase some much needed deodorant - it wasn't there. I've turned my purse upside down, inside out, checked all my old ones, and nothing. I clearly remember if being there last Saturday. Now? Now, it's gone. I also found money that goes to my cousin missing. I think I feel sick.

HH's team lost Tuesday night, badly. We don't speak of the game.

Since he read my post about his lighting issues, HH has gotten really good at turning off lights. He's such a sweetie.

Yesterday, HH told the team why the AD put the restriction on him. Thank goodness he did as the rumors were running wild already!

Men!

2006-09-25T17:11:00.000-04:00

I know I alluded to an "issue" last week.

Basically, it boils down to HH's boss (not Head Coach, his boss) finding out about HH's illness and placing an illegal restriction upon HH. HH, being embarrassed about the whole situation, was less than honest with me. Evidently, I haven't made the you-have-to-be-completely-honest-with-me issue quite as clear as needed. Right now, we're in a holding pattern. Lawyer friends have been consulted and have offered help should the need arise - however, we're both hoping it doesn't come to that. HH will have to tell the team about the situation as rumors are already running rampant. That is slated for this weekend. Please send good thoughts. Emotions are running high.

Cryptic enough for everyone? Good. Moving on...

Twin discussed this on her blog today and it got me thinking. Are men genetically unable to turn OFF lights? Seriously. Are she and I the only ones who have to constantly ~~bitch~~...er...remind our partner's to turn off the frickin' lights!

For example, this morning HH left before me. When I got out of bed to go to the shower (all of 10 feet) I saw the following lights on in the house:

Bathroom (both the overhead light AND the flourescent light over the sink)
Living room
Dining room
Kitchen
Had I investigated further I would have found the garage light, the hallway to the office light, and the desk light also on.

I spared the cats the sight of me stomping through the house talking to myself (Is anyone IN this room? Is anyone going THROUGH this room?).

I will also mention that my family finds this very amusing since as a child/teen I was known to leave lights on myself. However, things are different now - I pay the bill! As Twin says, "the electric bill is sky high and I'm not made of money." Oh Lord, I'm channeling my mother.

Turn something off! It's spinnin'!

Fate

2006-09-25T10:36:00.000-04:00

I'm not saying I was meant to get this job - however! The principal had an charm bracelet like mine.

And!

He had a Mickey Mouse desk set.

Hello, fate? It's Erin calling.

Oh boy!

2006-09-22T13:47:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's issue still has me very upset, but I can't talk about it just yet.

However, I just got a phone call from a private school in the area. I have an interview Monday morning at 9:15 for a tutoring position. Three hours a day, five days a week. The pay is good even though the hours aren't that long. Plus, if I work my schedule right, I can still sub afternoons at the other schools!

I need routine. I need familiarity. I hate walking into unknown situations and maybe, just maybe this will provide me with that. I can work every day, but not necessarily all day.

Hooray!

Please let something good come from this. Please!

Livid

2006-09-21T20:02:00.000-04:00

I cannot stand ignorant people, especially ignorant people with power.

Name change?

2006-09-21T15:34:00.000-04:00

I swear I am going to change the name of my blog to Random Notions and Stories of Soccer because there sure as heck isn't a whole lot of teaching going on here. Nothing has come down the pipeline - teaching wise all week. Not that I am real upset about that. But that another story for a different day.

Last night Twin and I went to HH's home game. They won! Twin and I thought they played pretty well. Evidently we don't know diddly about soccer because HH and Head Coach were disappointed. Oh well. They won! That should count for something.

However, we were seriously creeped out by Opposing Team's head coach. First, he was really unprofessional - calling for calls that weren't there. Arguing calls that even I knew were right. When I can tell not one, but two players, are offsides then a coach arguing it is pretty dumb. Futhermore, his assistant was a moron. He wanted "roughing the keeper" calls when #1 - that's a football call and #2 the keeper wasn't "roughed". Then...THEN! He claimed keepers get 5 yards (as in no one is allowed to come within 5 yards of them).

Uh. No.

#1 - That's football again.

#2 - If that was the rule, HH would have played 4 years of Division I soccer at Tech, instead of one game (he had a career ending injury in that one game because someone "roughed the keeper").

Opposing Team's head coach further creeped me out after the game when one player was having a conniption and he PUT HIS ARM AROUND HER.

Do not touch the players like that.

Ever.

HH got that speech again last night. It is too easy for things to be interpretted wrong.

Commence melt down

2006-09-20T09:28:00.000-04:00

In what some would call a moment of insanity, I actually heard myself tell HH "Why don't you see if Head Coach would like to stop at our house on the way home from one of the away trips that send the team right by the house."

I said it and then the thought flew right back out of my mind - pretty much the same way it had come into my mind. Imagine my suprise last night when HH got home from practice and told me the dinner at our house was on.

On what? Say that again.

Luckily, I have a wonderful husband and his boss has a wife too - so they realized setting up a dinner in two weeks with the men's team too would NOT be a good idea. Darn right it wouldn't. I'd hate to have to poison their celebration cookies.

Our dinner is set for October 25th. That gives me a month to get things ready. Clean the house, clean the garage, teach Lucy some manners, freak out a few more days...you know, the normal wifely reaction.

A part of me is totally overwhelmed and worried about getting everything done. However, another part of me is really excited. I know most of these girls come from upper middle class families, but hey - how many have actually been on a farm? Not a whole bunch I am thinking.

I wonder if Molly would help me let the cows out *accidentally* so the girls can experience chasing cows. Gotta have something to talk about on the ride home! Oooo or I could stick kittens in the bus while they're eating. Hmmm...wonder how many kittens that bus will hold.

Who would have thunk it?

2006-09-19T18:55:00.000-04:00

My mom sent me this email. It's actually really interesting. However, the bread thing at the bottom has totally changed my life. Mom and I get to the bread aisle in the grocery store and spend a good few minutes figuring out what color twist tie we need.
THINGS TO KNOW

1. B.udweiser beer conditions the hair.

2. P.am cooking spray will dry finger nail polish

3. C.ool w.hip will condition your hair in 15 minutes

4. M.ayonnaise will KILL LICE, it will also condition your hair.

5. E.lmer's Glue - paint on your face, allow it to dry, peel off and see the dead skin and blackheads if any.

6. Shiny Hair - use brewed Li.pton Tea

7. Sunburn - empty a large size N.estea into your bath water.

8. Minor burn - Col.gate or Cre.st toothpaste.

9. Burn your tongue? Put sugar on it!

10. Arthritis W.D-40 Spray and rub in, kill insect stings too

11. Bee stings - meat tenderizer

12. Chigger bite - Prep.aration H

13. Puffy eyes - Prep.aration H

14. Paper cut - crazy glue or C.hap Stick (Surgical glue is used instead of sutures at most hospitals)

15. Stinky feet - J.ello !

16. Athletes feet - cornstarch

17. Fungus on toenails or fingernails - Vi.cks vapor rub

18. Ko.ol aid to clean dishwasher pipes. Just put in the detergent section and run a cycle, it will also clean a toilet. (Wow, and we drink this stuff)

19. Koo.l Aid can be used as a dye in paint also Ko.ol Aid in D.annon plain yogurt as a finger paint, your kids will love it and it won't hurt them if they eat it!

20. Peanut butter - will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper

21. Sticking bicycle chain - Pa.m no-stick cooking spray

22. P.am will also remove paint, and grease from your hands!? Keep a can in your garage for your hubby.

23. Peanut butter will remove ink from the face of dolls.

24. When the doll clothes are hard to put on, sprinkle with corn starch and watch them slide.

25. Heavy dandruff - pour on the vinegar !

26. Body paint - Cris.co mixed with food coloring. Heat the Crisco in the microwave, pour in to an empty film container and mix with the food color of your choice!

27. Tie Dye T-shirt - mix a solution of Ko.ol Aid in a container, tie a rubber band around a section of the T-shirt and soak.

28. Preserving a newspaper clipping - large bottle of club soda and cup of milk of m.agnesia , soak for 20 min. and let dry, will last for many years!

29. A Slin.ky will hold toast and CD's!

30. To keep goggles and glasses from fogging, coat with Co.lgate toothpaste.

31. Wine stains, pour on the Mort.on salt and watch it absorb into the salt.

32. To remove wax - Take a paper towel and iron it over the wax stain, it will absorb into the towel.

33. Remove labels off glassware etc. rub with Peanut butter !

34. Baked on food - fill container with water, get a Bo.unce paper softener and the static from the Bou.nce towel will cause the baked on food to adhere to it. Soak overnight. Also; you can use 2 Effe.rdent tablets, soak overnight!

35. Crayon on the wall - Co.lgate toothpaste and brush it!

36. Dirty grout - Liste.rine

37. Stains on clothes - Colg.ate

38. Grass stains - Karo Syrup

39. Grease Stains - Coc.a Cola , it will also remove grease stains from the driveway overnight. We know it will take corrosion from car batteries !

40. Fleas in your carpet 20 M.ule Team B.orax - sprinkle and let stand for 24 hours. Maybe this will work if you get them back again.

41. To keep FRESH FLOWERS longer Add a little Clo.rox , or 2 Ba.yer aspirin, or just use 7-up instead of water.

42. When you go to buy bread in the grocery store, have you ever wondered which is the freshest, so you "squeeze" for freshness or softness Did you know that bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Each day has a different color twist tie.
They are: Monday = Blue,
Tuesday = Green,
Thursday = Red
Friday = White and
Saturday = Yellow.

So if today was T hursday, you would want red twist tie; not white which is Fridays (almost a week old)! The colors go alphabetically by color Blue - Green - Red - White - Yellow , Monday through Saturday. Very easy to remember.

Priceless

2006-09-18T18:42:00.000-04:00

He's my fav
Originally uploaded by h0kieerin.

Hours spent manning garage sale: 10

Actual dollars earned: 9

"Inside jokes" shared by Molly* and I: Many

Times the tempramental barn kitten was returned from potential homes: 2

Finding a loving home for my favorite barn kitten: Priceless

*Name changed to protect the guilty.

Spectacular

2006-09-17T20:35:00.000-04:00

That time of year

2006-09-16T21:04:00.000-04:00

We missed lift-off at 5:30...these were a few of the 25 that were launched that I could catch (on film) by the time we got home from dinner at 6:20.

I hope to be able to catch some more tomorrow night if I don't go with HH to The College for JV practice.

It's the first time in many, many years that the weather has permitted the balloon launches. Pray tomorrow that the wind sends those suckers my way! Once a balloon landed in the field and my aunt and grandpa got to go up in it. I'm terrified of heights...but I would be tempted to do that!

This, that, and the other

2006-09-15T11:13:00.000-04:00

My three day stint in kindergarten is over. I actually had a good time. There have been days in the past where I have doubted if I could "make it" in kindergarten. I've come to the conclusion that in my classroom with my rules and procedures I would not only be successful in kindergarten, but darn good. We'll see if that ever comes to pass.

Yard sale this weekend (4 families combining stuff). Is it wrong to scope out what the others are selling to see if they have anything I want first? Would that negate the whole idea of getting rid of stuff and making some money? Nah.

Cleanest girls in soccer
Originally uploaded by me.

Lastly, in an effort to actually, you know, SEE my husband in the evenings he's been bringing the uniforms home to wash. I don't like it, but I don't feel like raising a fuss. Check out our the cabinets in our laundry room now. If they make a stain remover, chances are, I have it! None of them get grass stains out sufficiently.

Know what got the stains out the best? Light Karo syrup.

Oh the cuteness

2006-09-14T15:23:00.000-04:00

One of HH's players had two sisters. Last September each of them had a baby. One at the beginning of September and one at the end. That means they bring two adorable little babies out to watch their aunt at the home games.

Last night at the home opener each of the babies sported a jersey. ABC* on the front. "Niece/Nephew" and Senior Player's number on the back.

The cuteness, I tell you, it was almost too much.

P.S. They won last night. Yay! That's 2 in a row. Two!

Another One Bites the Dust

2006-09-13T16:44:00.000-04:00

Poor HH. He's had three players quit in the space of a week.

That's right, another girl quit today.

It'd be one thing if Head Coach was mean or HH was mean, but it's less than Division I soccer (not saying which division, but it's not cut throat Division I). This one annoys me because HH tried to make her a deal so she could still be on the team, but not have to make as big a time committment.

When I was younger, if I wanted dance lessons, my parents did all they could to put me in dance lessons. Often, halfway through I would say, "Mom, I don't want to take tap anymore." At which point my mother would tell me that at the end of this year's lessons, I could quit if I really wanted to. However, I said I would take lessons and I made the committment so she would not let me quit. Back then, I hated this rule. Everyone else could quit if they wanted to - but not me!

Now? Now, I finish what I start. I am a woman of my word. If I say I am going to do something/be somewhere/ etc. I am there. Maybe my mom wasn't the meanest mom in town...maybe she was just trying to make me a good person.

Huh. Who would have thunk it? I hope this girl made the right choice for her and I hope she doesn't regret her decision.

I loathe quitters.

Sigh

2006-09-12T15:43:00.000-04:00

Today officially started my school year. I spent the day at the kindergarten school floating while the teachers did the beginning of year testing.

Things I have missed since Mom retired:

Kindergarten has the highest class averages of the district. Most of the classes have approximately 30 kids. Twenty kinders was overwhelming, thirty is MIND BOGGLING.

Mom's old school has the second highest class averages.

Those ranks will switch soon as they just got word that they are getting two new teachers at the kindergarten school.

They aren't hiring anyone. They're moving people within. That means teachers already established will be consolidating their classrooms and moving to another school. Or district wide upheavel.

I had a glimmer of hope for at least 3 minutes. It was short lived.

I know I need to stay positive and keep getting "out there" to get my name out, but right now...

Fianlly!

2006-09-12T06:19:00.000-04:00

They finally won a game! Oh, thank goodness. After having two players up and quit on Thursday, emotions were running high. Friday's game was painful to watch, but today it was like a different team was out there again. I don't know what was different but those girls pulled it off. I'm so happy for everyone involved especially the coaches. They were getting very frustrated and very depressed. Poor guys.

Favorite trip memory:
After the girls won in overtime Head Coach sent HH out to tell the girls where to meet for cool downs and the post game discussion. One of the senior captain's breaks out of the crush of players, hugs HH, and tears off to find more people to hug. I wasn't the least bit jealous. In fact, I got a little choked up. Not only did they win, but they consider him a coach too. It's all he's ever wanted.

Finally...something good happened.

Oh...and some Lucy pictures*.
*If you click on the second picture and read what the door says, you will see that since CBS still owns the right's to I Love Lucy, you can't take pictures inside the museum or playhouse. So of course, I didn't....

A confession

2006-09-11T16:43:00.000-04:00

Sarocomical asks..." Where were you when you heard about it five years ago?"

I was at Tech, of course. HH had gone to work in his office in Holden just like every day. Twin was visiting for the week/end. She and I had decided to make Tuesday our shopping day. We were going to Roanoke for lunch at Olive Garden, a movie, and shopping. When we got up our cable was out. No television. Twin got on the computer to IM someone when a friend told her about the plane hitting the World Trade Center.

Since we had no television, we went to Yahoo! to see if there were news reports. We read what was happening at that time (9:30ish), but we really had no concept of what had happened. So, we left for Roanoke. During the forty-five minute drive to Roanoke we'd hear bits and pieces of news reports on the radio - but it still didn't seem real.

We did a little shopping and then hit Olive Garden. The restaurant was practically deserted. Waitresses were leaving to pick up their children from child care. Everyone was just going home. There we heard rumors of Roanoke being a target (something about the arsenal) and 10 other planes unaccounted for at the moment. Rumors were beginning to run rampant already.

After lunch, we went to a deserted movie at my favorite movie theater. Then we decided to go to the mall. However, we noticed the parking lot was incredibly empty when we pulled into the lot. Long story short, they had closed the mall. By this time, we decided maybe we should just go home. Better safe than sorry and all that.

I still remember walking into my apartment and seeing HH sitting on our tiny couch watching television. As I sat down beside him and he hugged me, the enormity of what had happened that day began to sink in. We watched the news reports in silence - just happy to be together.

There it is, my confession - I went shopping on 9/11.

Woohoo!

2006-09-08T07:47:00.000-04:00

~~California~~.......Jamestown, here we come!

Job Satisfaction

2006-09-07T12:46:00.000-04:00

As we're walking to the car after HH's team had lost their second game this past weekend, his mom asks me if HH likes what he's doing.

For a moment, I was at a loss for words. Images flashed in front of my eyes like a movie - HH at Tech when studying engineering, HH's look of pride when he asked me if I had seen Backup Keeper's game today, HH when we started piecing together the dissociative episodes, HH's exhausted smile when he came to get his bag from me the night before, HH's face when he talks about soccer...

Yes, was such an understatement.

The transformation in my husband since he became an honest to goodness soccer coach is astounding. Yes, some of the changes are due to his illness being under control, but the majority of the changes come from HH.

He laughs more.
He makes jokes more...well, his jokes are actually funny now.
He doesn't take himself so seriously.
He can find the humor in the little things.
He sleeps better (albeit louder).
He helps out around the house more and doesn't have to be asked.
He takes initiative.
He tells me all about his day.
He talks soccer constantly - good thing I find it interesting.

At the end of the day - whether the girls have won or lost, he comes home with a smile. He gets up excited about going to work. In all honesty, I'm a little jealous of that. I dread going to work. It's not that I don't love teaching - I do, but I hate subbing. It's a means to an end right now. He's worked his tail off to get to where he's at right now. Sure, there are coach's out there with more experience and more education, but I've yet to find a coach that loves his job as much as HH.

With that thought, I must go pack HH's bag for the New York tournament and prepare the travel surprise I have for him and Head Coach. Hey, if I want to be Head Soccer Mom, I gotta practice now.

Win or lose, Babe - you're a winner to me.

Parents

2006-09-05T10:27:00.000-04:00

Dear ~~Overbearing~~ Enthusiastic Soccer Parents,

Get a grip and chill out!

Sincerely,
A Coach's Wife

I will be the first to admit that I am new to this whole world of soccer. I don't know a lot about how the game works, but I am learning. I actually spotted an offsides call this weekend. I was pretty impressed with myself especially considering a year ago, I had no idea what offsides even meant. That being said, soccer parents (and I suspect, sports parents in general) are obnoxious.

Let me explain...

In high school, I was in band and choir - yes, I was a nerd. Our marching band competed in competitions so I am familiar with that intense dislike of a group of individuals I've never met. There was this one band that we always competed against....... but I digress. I understand that you want to win. Who doesn't want to win? Honestly, who goes into any sort of competition thinking, "You know...today, I want to lose." Wanting to win is a given, in my opinion.

At marching competitions, we would do our program and the parents would clap. Everything we did was wonderful. They were proud of us no matter what. There was no parent in the stand screaming, "TYLER, YOU'RE ON THE WRONG FOOT! GET ON THE RIGHT FOOT!" or "ASHLEY, YOU'RE OUT OF FORMATION!" They cheered and clapped and generally told us we did a good job - even sometimes when we didn't.

Soccer parents are different.

It drives me crazy to sit in the stands next to parents screaming, "Push up" and "Pressure" and all other types of general coaching words/phrases. They're arm chair coaching from the stands. Every once and a while, there is a "good try" or "good idea" thrown out to change things up and possibly throw the other team off guard.

Then there is me, sitting in the stands alone, sometimes with a friend and what "cheers" come to my mind:

"Good try, Ashley!"
"Nice shot, Brandy!"
"Go, Celia, GO!"
"NICE SAVE, Deana!"

I usually end up not saying much, or muttering under my breath. There are two reasons for this: 1. I don't know that much about soccer and I'm afraid one of the parents will turn on me if I cheer for something that isn't right. 2. I'd be the only one, and I don't want to be known as Coach Raptor's crazy wife. I get frustrated by The College's cheering section. At home and on the road, it's small. So instead of being loud and supportive, like I would like to be - they are loud and critical, which I refuse to be.

Furthermore, where has sportsmanship gone in our society? Seriously. When a girl on the other team pushes one of The College's players to the ground (a senior with previous back problems) and then puts her entire body weight into a knee in the downed player's back, why are the other team's parents jeering the ref for making the call? That girl has possibly ended another players college career.

Something is seriously wrong with our society when I hear a grandmother shout, "Make `em hurt, Rival Team. Make `em hurt!"

WHAT!?

Furthermore, as a player, if my parent's are screaming "PUSH UP! PUSH UP!" but Coach has told me to stay back it is going to cause me some inner turmoil - even for a split second. I mean, who do I listen to? My coach or my parents? I know when my mother tells me to do something, I naturally start to do it. It would take me a minute to stop and think, "No, Coach told me to stay here."

I made HH promise to give me a ~~slap~~...dose of reality should I ever turn into one of these ~~overbearing~~ enthusiastic soccer parents.

Home

2006-09-03T23:47:00.000-04:00

We're back! Uniforms are in the washing machine and I'm considering unpacking. Just considering. I have a whole post composed in my head but not the energy or time to write it now. Hopefully, tomorrow. I will leave you with this quote from Head Coach (regarding HH and his snoring).

"You sound like a velociraptor from Jurassic Park!"

I am STILL giggling over that one.

Have a relaxing Labor Day!

Goody

2006-09-02T08:29:00.000-04:00

I am off to Southern Ohio for a tournament (HH calls it a tourney...jocks). I am really looking forward to it. I am meeting the in-laws and we're staying at the same hotel as the team. That means I may get to see HH for a few minutes. Hurrah!

The downside?

It's pouring. Please, please, please let it not be raining in Southern Ohio. I do NOT want to sit and watch a soccer game in the rain. My dedication only goes so far.

I'll be back tomorrow evening sometime. Have a relaxing weekend!

Blast from the Past

2006-09-01T11:46:00.000-04:00

You Tube is causing me to not get work done. I find myself searching for shows I used to love. I'm such a nerd... Cases in point:

Don't judge me. ;o)

Celebrate

2006-09-01T11:05:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is Tech's first home game of the season. Woohoo!

As if that wasn't reason enough to celebrate - Hokies can also celebrate 20 years of Beamer.

That's two decades...one score...one fifth of a century...shall I go on?

Dramedy Girl and Nacho, thought you might like to read this.

Yayyyyyyyyyy football!

Rock on

2006-08-31T19:31:00.000-04:00

May I just take a moment to say...My mother? She's the best. We have the same sense of humor and a similar attitude - except she's a little calmer than me (ok, a lot calmer). Everytime we go out, even if it's just grocery shopping, we end up giggling throughout our trip. Today, my face hurt from smiling and laughing so much. It's been a long time since that's happened.

We went to Ohioville* today to get produce, hit the hardware store, and have lunch at Ohioville Kitchen (Amish food...HELLO!? Delish.)

I got a flat of strawberries for $5. Can anyone say strawberry jam? I can! I also got a wide mouth funnel and a jar grabber. I am a certified jam-aholic now. It's so easy!

I've been told, by mom, that I should "just say yes" to any subbing related question my father asks me. This will hopefully eliminate fights with him (loooooooong story there).

For example:

Dad: "Are you signed up to sub in District 9?"
Me: Yep.
Dad: "Are you signed up to sub in District 492?"
Me: Yep.

While I have moral and ethical issues with this tactic, I can't deny that I think it will work.

As we're driving to Ohioville today Mom asks, in the course of conversation, "Are you signed up to sub in Distrct 5?"

I didn't skip a beat. I gave her a silly grin and replied, "Yep."

She giggled all the way to Ohioville trying to figure out if I was or not.

Once again. My mom? She rocks.

That is all.

Helplessness

2006-08-30T13:45:00.000-04:00

One of the kittens died last night. There was nothing we could do.

I tried making her mama look after her, but she wouldn't.
I tried finding her a surrogate mama, but the kitten didn't want that.
I tried wrapping her in a towel so she'd be warm, but it didn't help.
I tried feeding her warm milk with an eye dropper.

She still died.

I hate the helpless feeling - sitting on the front porch with a kitten cradled in my arms and knowing she is going to die no matter what I do for her. I would have saved her if I could. Even if she is "just a barn kitten". She's still a living thing that needs to be taken care of. Logically, I know she's better off where she is now - safe and warm, but it kills me that I couldn't help her. Her sister woke us up at 12:30 last night mewing outside the bedroom window. I hate it when they cry. I just want to save them all - but I can't.

So frustrating. So sad.

Internet origins

2006-08-28T21:45:00.000-04:00

I love my father. Really, I do. However, there are days...

He just called to ask me a question. "Where can I find out where the internet starts?" As in, the first website ever or the "beginning" of the internet.

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...I have no idea.

He said someone at work told him that if he were to pull up his work website it would actually load a phone number and then the website will take information off your computer.

Are you confused? I'm confused.

This and That

2006-08-27T17:25:00.000-04:00

We decided on the cheaper cd/dvd drive. I can't see paying $160 when I can get a drive that is just as good for $30. Heck, I can buy 5 drives that are just as good. Here's hoping that this decision doesn't come back to haunt me.

My cousin (A Cubed's Mom) should be home from the hospital. She had another kidney stone attack last week. Luckily, the doctor her brother had for his cancer saw her and we may have found the source of the problem. She has 3 kidneys! All of them have stones. Plus a blood infection. She was mighty sick for a while. They're going to have to do some surgery to get her bladder straightened out (apparently her plumbing needs some work ;) ). My hope is that they can now get things straightened out. How she made it to almost 32 and no one ever mentioned she has an extra kidney is beyond me. Keep her in your thoughts please.

Mom and I made my grandmother's recipe for celery relish yesterday. That's right, I canned again. I think I like canning. Too bad we can't do it in the winter when its not so hot. I'm thinking peach jam next - if we have peaches left. I also learned an easy way to peel tomatoes. It was quite fun. I need more excitement in my life.

Preseason is over. Hooray! That means I get to see my husband somewhat more. Preseason always stinks. It's soccer widow-dom at it's worst. HH has 5 games in 8 days or something like that. All I know is I'm meeting his parents at a tournament this coming weekend (Labor Day weekend) and the following weekend I'm going to see the Lucy Museum! Oh yeah, there's a tournament that weekend too, but whatever. Soccer. Lucy Museum. Who do you think it gonna win? HH understands. Fingers crossed that Twin gets the days off. I think we'd have a lot of fun together. Of course, we always do.

By the by...LOVING this song. Playing it over and over via their myspace page. Finally, a use for myspace! Considering the last cd I purchased was their new album, I may have to go out and purchase the Cars soundtrack just for this song. It's so much better than the older versions.

Meme

2006-08-25T23:20:00.000-04:00

While I am currently overwhelmed by the whole cd/dvd burner drive issue*, I present a meme stolen from Sarah. I think I've done it before, but what the heck it sounds like fun.

Go to Google, and image search the following questions. Post the picture that comes up!

1. Your age on your next birthday

2. Your favorite color

3. The last meal you ate

4. Your bad habit

5. Your favorite fruit or vegetable (this one changes with the seasons)

6. Your favorite animal

7. The town you live in

8. Name of your pet

9. Your first name

10. Your last name

* Do I buy a $160 drive from D.ell and definitely keep my warranty in tact or do I buy the exact same drive somewhere else for $30 and potentially void my (in all likelihood) useless warranty?

Balls

2006-08-24T23:04:00.000-04:00

As Twin would say, "balls".

My brand new (as of April) computer is broken and I did it. I was burning cds this afternoon and hadn't noticed that the cd tray had popped out. My mother came up the driveway to "visit"* and I stood to get up - knocking into the tray and severing it from the computer.

SEVERING.

I contacted Dell's tech support who promptly informed me that "accidental" breakage of the computer was not covered in my warrenty.

No shit. Just tell me how to fix it.

The fix? Purchase a whole new drive which I have to install myself.

Balls.

I'm so depressed. It literally makes me sick that I broke my computer. The computer that I LOVE.

I'm such a klutz.

* They're remodeling the bathroom and the water was shut off. Use your imagination. :o)

Drama

2006-08-24T10:57:00.000-04:00

Last night, I was finally able to get to Hisser's kittens when she wasn't around. I quickly medicated their eyes and put them right back where I found them. They didn't like me much, but at least their eyes will start to improve now. I came back out a half hour later to make sure their mama had returned to them and found the orange and white kitten quite stuck. I got her out without too much trouble.

Then, I was enjoying the end of Project Runway when I heard a car screech to a halt out front. Since I'm thinking of charging the people that stop in front of my house to oogle the quarry, I figured it was just another quarry oogler. Then I realized the huge 4,000 watt light at the quarry wasn't shining in my window.

Oh no. Kitten.

I rushed to the front window and watched the gentleman climb out of his car. He flipped on a flashlight (he must have been a boy scout since he was so prepared) and walked up the road where he'd just driven. He reached down and I saw him pick up a light colored kitten. I, of course, FREAKED!

"HH!!!!!!!!" I yelled. "HH! I think someone just hit a kitten!"

Good old HH limped out of the computer room sore from 3 a days, put on some shoes, grabbed the huge flashlight, and took off across the lawn. He ordered me to the bedroom until he knew which kitten it was and the extent of the damage. I followed him out to the porch and waited while he talked to the man. As he walked back up the front yard, I saw he had a kitten in his arms. Fuzzy's kitten. She looks almost Siamese, but she has white paws. Soooo cute.

The kitten was perfectly fine. The man had been driving down the road and saw her sitting in the middle. Luckily, he didn't hit her, but he stopped and picked her up out of the road. Most of the people that fly down our road wouldn't have done that. I hope something good happens to that man. Good karma should be rewarded.

I put the kitten down next to her Mama and gave Ms. Fuzzy Kitty a stern talking to about motherly responsibilities. However, she was unimpressed.

A few minutes later, I could hear a kitten crying. I went out to check, of course. Fuzzy's kitten was off the porch and crying in my flower bed. So I picked her up and put her back near Fuzzy. Luckily, the nice gray cat (an excellent mama) took care of the kitten and we went to bed without further incident.

We be jammin*

2006-08-23T16:36:00.000-04:00

Holy hell.

I made jam! Blackberry jam to be more specific.

And so far?

It seems to have turned out well! (The stuff I was scooping off the walls of the pan tasted pretty darn good. I would have cleaned the pan had it not occured to me that I was eating spoonfuls of jam - not good for me. But it tasted goooooooooooooooooooood.) Barring any last minute jam-tastrophes I will make jam again.

Woohoo!

* Other post titles I liked but ultimately didn't use:
Jam On!
Jammy Jam
In a Jam
Jam-tastic

A letter

2006-08-22T13:22:00.000-04:00

Dear Hokie Hubby,

I know you can't read this letter right now, but I find myself thinking of things I want to tell you all day long. Of course, by the time you get home I've forgotten. When I haven't forgotten, I simply push my daily events out of my head because I can't wait another second to hear about your day.

Your world of soccer still baffles me. As you know, I never played an organized sport. I love hearing about practices and the "girls" and Head Coach. Your retelling of Head Boy stories are enchanting, too. You're involved in this whole other world that, to you, is second nature, but is very foreign to me. I love that you enjoy (well, you seem to enjoy) sharing it with me each day. Each night, I can't wait to hear what happened.

Here are all the things I want to tell you but can't and will forget by the time you're home:

I woke up at 7:15 this morning. 7:15! Over the relaxing sounds of the new alarm clock, I heard mew....mew...MEW MEW MEW. "A kitten, oh boy! " I thought as I stumbled out of bed to the window, "maybe it's the one from last night that Molly* helped me put eye medicine on. Oh good, I can check it's eye to see if it's any better. "

I peered out the window and didn't see any kitten, but I could hear it very close by. I scurried to the bathroom and threw on some clothes. None I'd wear in public, but Lucy won't care what I wear out in the backyard. I grabbed the eye meds, some flip flops, and my jacket (it was COLD this morning). I tiptoed out the backdoor and around the West side of the house.

As soon as I spotted them, I said, "oh you have got to be effin' kidding me." I can't help it. It slipped out. I found the kitten....s. Yes, kittens. Hisser's kittens to be exact - 3 of them. And boy, is she pissed that I've found them. One is the one I caught last night and it's eyes look much better. Clear and bright. The other two need medicine put on their eyes, but Hisser is not having any of that. She growls and hisses and spits if I get anywhere near them. I'm lucky she let me take pictures. I'm hoping she will leave them tonight to eat and I can sneak over and get some eye medicine on them then. Fingers crossed.

After that excitement, I went to visit Mom. The construction guys arrived at 9 and got to work. Today Mom is making molasses cookies. Yum! Molly says we're spoiling her dad and his boss. That's Mom! She's always thinking of how to make other happy. I hope I can be like that someday. Molly also mentioned that her dad thought Mom's 7 layer salad sounded good, but if Mom makes that, Molly should test it first.

A cubed's mother is on her way to the hospital. She's having another kidney stone attack. Her friend was taking her, but her car broke down. The girl's dad is working and their grandmother is watching the girls. They had to do some calling around, but she finally found another ride. Hopefully it won't be anything to serious afterall, she's got algebra homework.

Aunt brought over Corky's old pet carrier. It's huge. I think it just may fit Socks perfectly. Molly and I are talking about having the yard sale the weekend you are at the game in Columbus. I swear another kitten won't end up in our bathroom. However, we may give kittens away as door prizes at the yard sale. Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin will be in Missouri, but Molly, Mom, and I can do it, I think. We shall see.

I went into town and got Hokie, Ollie, and Socks cat food. Ollie was looking kind of desperate. I also picked up coffee and a USA To.day to see if there was anything about the drama at Tech yesterday for you. I taped a few minutes of MSN.BC for you yesterday, btw, if you want to see what was going on. I also taped the end of Treasu.re Hunt.ers. I didn't watch it, I'm waiting for you. I stopped at the library while I was out and got a book on canning. Maybe I'll can something tomorrow. We'll see. I picked up my meds.

I just finished my birthday dinner leftovers for lunch. They were still very good. As I was washing my dishes I noticed some rustling in the azalea bushes outside the kitchen window. HH. There are three kittens sleeping in my azalea bush! Mango and the Calico Kittens. In the branches! I, of course, grabbed my camera and tiptoed out the back to try and get their picture. Mango and the Calico Kittens (we really need to give them nicknames) let me take their picture without bolting. I know, I was surprised too!

As I stepped out of the back door, this is what I saw. Hisser has moved her kittens into my blac.k eyed susa.ns! She still won't let me near them, but the kittens are having a ball playing in the plants. I snapped a few pictures and started around the house to the azalea bush. As I stepped of the back porch, TC came bounding across the lawn to help. I had to carry him with me so I didn't trip over him. He was quite helpful.

Tonight, Dad had a doctor's appointment. I rode along and had dinner with him and Mom. Then we stopped and look for curtains and towels for the new bathroom. We didn't find anything. High excitement `round here. Dinner was quite the event. Dinner at LJS always is lately though. Good gravy!

I watered my flowers this evening. As I walked over to turn on the hose I noticed Hisser and the kittens were back (she had moved them this afternoon). Hisser was laying right by the outside spigot. I talked very softly and calmly to her while holding a metal pie plate in front of me. How I figured that pie plate was going to save me from a hissing, spitting cat I don't know, but it made me feel better. I watered the plants in the backyard and went to turn off the water and the kittens had disappeared. Disappeared HH! Hisser didn't leave that spot, yet the babies had vanished. We're going to have to rename Hisser, Copperfield. The only thing I can figure is that they crawled down between the flower bed and the brick in the planter. They're gone.

That's all for now, Hokie Hubby. I hope practices went well. You're in my thoughts. Your call made my evening. It's always nice to hear your voice.

I love you,
Me

P.S. Wait until you see the golf cart!

*Name changed to protect my partner in crime.

Day 1

2006-08-21T20:35:00.000-04:00

After all the excitement at Tech today...this post seems lame, but it's what I had planned.

The bathroom remodel has begun. Thank goodness.

Before:

Day #1:

Not bad for just one guy working! Tomorrow there should be two of them. Goodbye ugly yellow wallpaper!

Eek

2006-08-21T09:58:00.000-04:00

Thank you, everyone, for the birthday wishes!

Yesterday, while searching for the link to my old apartment complex at Tech, I stumbled across this news story. That apartment? It's right across the street from our old apartment. No more than 200 feet!

Then, this morning I get up and pull up Firefox. (Our start page is still the Virginia Tech homepage.) As the spiffy new page pulls up, I see this.

Oh.

My.

God.

Timeliness

2006-08-20T13:35:00.000-04:00

Evidently, I am obsessed with time.

I mean, it's true that I hate being late. The thought of being late makes my blood pressure skyrocket. I want to be somewhere at least 15-30 minutes before the time I have to be there just so I can assess my surroundings and familiarize myself with any potential issues.

When I lived in Oakbridge, I could drive to campus in 5 minutes. That's with lots of traffic and hitting all the lights red. However, I would still leave at least 45 minutes (usually an hour) before my class started so I would be there in plenty of time.

I distinctly remember rushing to band practice one night during high school and being very anxious because I was "going to be late". My mother informed me that I was not going to be late, I was going to be on time.

In the words, of Bear Bryant, "If you're on time, you're late."

Luckily, I married a man just like me. He is always early too. In fact, Head Coach has ordered him to BE ON TIME at least once this season. On time...not early. HH is struggling with that one as would I.

My point?

Look, just LOOK at my birthday presents!

I got two clocks!

The first one I have been oogling for months. It displays the time on the CEILING! On the ceiling! That means I can see the time without my glasses and without getting out of bed - heck, I don't even have to move. Open my eyes, oh its 4:15. I can go back to sleep. Hooray! Furthermore, it is a sound machine. The ocean, rain, and waterfall make me have to pee. The thunderstorm one is nice and the rainforest one is weird. However, the "summer evening" setting.

Oh.

My.

God.

It sounds like "outside" here at the house! Since its summer and hot, I have fans running at night and I can't hear the summer evening sounds. Now I can! That's my favorite setting.

The second one is to replace my kitchen clock that my father broke while trying to change the batteries. It's only been 9 months. Anyway, the new kitchen clock is AWESOME for different reasons. This one has a remote transmitter that will give me the tempreture outside. How cool is that!?

To me

2006-08-19T11:59:00.000-04:00

Giving

2006-08-17T23:51:00.000-04:00

My birthday is Saturday and money is tight (isn't it always?).

We have a lunch excursion to my favorite restaurant planned and perhaps a movie (there are about 3 I want to see).

Otherwise, things look uneventful. I like uneventful. Honestly, I do. I did get a new memory card for my digital camera from my mom for my birthday. I wonder if I can ever take 700 pictures before I "hafta" upload them. I doubt it.

That being said...I ordered a present for HH earlier in the week. I hope it arrives tomorrow. Giving really is more fun than receiving!

We picked 5 containers of blackberries tonight. We had missed a day. Dang there were a lot. I gave them all to my cousins since they had been on vacation and hadn't had any yet. I hope their sink is big enough to hold them all for washing!

Shoes

2006-08-16T14:11:00.000-04:00

On several occasions I have been regaled with childhood stories of my husband. Haven't we all? I know for a fact that on more occasions than I would like to admit to the poor man has been ~~bored to tears~~ amused by childhood stories of me. I think it's part of having in-laws.

One of the classics is this little ditty:

As a young child (4 years old, I believe), HH was walking down the hill from his first home to his grandparent's house right down the hill. His mom would call his grandma to tell her he was on his way then she would watch him walk over the hill, while Grandma watched him walk down. As HH is tromping through the grass he comes upon a snake*. HH freaks (as would I) and runs back up the hill to his mom.

Leaving his shoes behind.

The joke was and is that he "ran out of his shoes" to get away from a snake.

Whelp, he's done it again. The other night we were outside watering the plants. I was giving the elephant ears a good dousing because I finally have one that is at least half the size of his mom's. It must be cared for so as not to die. I'd finished watering the elephant ears and started making my way down the beds watering the other things I have planted while talking to HH.

All of a sudden something was stinging me.

"Ow......OW!" I yelled. "HH something is stinging me!"
"Erin. Run!"

We'd happened upon a nest in the landscaping tiles. I think they were sweat bees. Whatever they were my sting hurts like ~~a mother~~ the dickens.

I immediately dropped the hose and ran to where he was standing and started figuring out what had happened. He had gotten stung on the foot before he realized he needed to run and I had been stung right above my ankle. He told me the bees had been starting to swarm around my feet when he yelled to me to run. We went inside to nurse our collective wounds.

Leaving his shoes in the yard, right where he'd run out of them.

Again.

* It is important to note that HH hates snakes. In fact, he shudders when he sees them on tv. He doesn't go near then when we go to the zoo. He's not however so afraid of them that he freaks out at the sight of rubber snakes. He leaves that to his aunt.

New digs

2006-08-15T16:02:00.000-04:00

In the effort to be safe rather than sorry, I will be moving my blog in the near future. This will include a complete name change and I will no longer refer to myself by my real name. Maybe I'll pick a new name to go by...like Tiffany or Tanya. I think I could pull off Tanya - basically it will be an identity crisis in my life.

Before you ask, no -my blog anonymity hasn't been threatened (to my knowledge), but I want to reconfirm my anonymous-ness.

Basically, I'm creeped out by all the shady dealings I've read lately.

I had been toying with the idea for a while, but two things happened that cemented the decision in my mind.

#1 - I came up with a perfect name for the blog. Well, perfect for me. It contains none of those trite blog titles like random or notions. Besides, it suits me to a "T".

#2 - I am eligible for some sort of Blogger Beta thing.

As of right now, it's set up, but the Beta program won't let me alter the background and graphics so everything is on hold. I like being able to change the background on my blog as my moods and the seasons change. Pay someone to design a super cool blog template like one of these, you say? Hello!? Cheap, remember?

Once that option becomes available (or I become tired of waiting) I will officially move. At that time, I'll let you know where to bing me for the new address.

Don't worry all the pointless stories and cat obsessiveness will continue.

Thank you!

Just my luck

2006-08-14T09:35:00.000-04:00

How sweet is the guy I married?

We're out in the backyard picking blackberries and not only is he getting the ones that I would require me to balance on one foot and hope I don't fall into the bushes, but he's also picking the majority of the berries. He's hot, he's sweaty, and there are bugs. At one point when he was leaning into the berry bushes and all I can see is the back of his legs, I said to him teasingly, "sounds like you're just looking for an excuse to quit on me."

He dropped the berry he was picking into my bucket and looked at me seriously.
"Erin," he said, "in five and a half years of marriage I have never quit on you and I never will."

At which point, he returned to the job at hand. Nothing more, nothing less - just a simple statement of fact.

Wow, just wow

2006-08-13T22:23:00.000-04:00

I just finished watching this on TNT. What a wonderful movie! If you're a teacher, you definitely should watch it. Partly because I really like Matthew Perry. But monstly because I found it incredibly inspiring. That is the kind of teacher I want to be. Someday.

I am running out to get his book from the library. Okay, okay, I reserved it online. It's Sunday night! That's like going out and getting it.

Independence

2006-08-12T10:40:00.000-04:00

For the first time since I moved home from Virginia I feel...alone.

HH is at a class to finish up his coaching license. It was insanely cheap and he'll finally get his actual license. Woohoo!

My parents went away for the weekend (in Michigan, we think) for my Dad's birthday. I was invited, but I didn't want to go without HH; I'd miss the big lug.

My cousins (who live within shouting distance) are on vacation in Nashville. Yay for them as I don't think they've ever been on a real vacation before. I hope they're having a blast!

So it's just me, The Boys, and Lucy. Whatever will we do?

Off to be productive!

All this quality Erin time is helping to remind me of my past independence. I don't need no stinkin' man to do things for me. I am woman, hear me roar!

*meow*

On a roll

2006-08-10T22:18:00.000-04:00

Just about everyone in BloggerLand has one of those pesky 100 Things About Me lists. I don't. Frankly, I started mine in December of 2005 and still can't think of 100 things to add to it. People, I'm just not that interesting. Most of you know this since you are here - reading my blog.

In an effort to get the dang thing done I've decided to post my 100 Things in groups of ten. Maybe they won't seem so daunting in 10 thing bunches. Ha! Plus, I can add interesting little side notes to my 100 things. Some really need clarification.

No promises to add to this daily, weekly, or monthly as I think of interesting/noteworthy things about myself I will update.

Things 1 - 10 and 11 - 20.

Things About Me
21 - 30

#21 - I love cats.
Go ahead, pretend to be shocked. I'll wait.

#22 - My mother-in-law has made me into something of a cat collector.
She brings me cat stuff whenever they come to visit. The novelty cat socks - love em. The kids at school love them, too. Now I'm switching out cat knick knacks as I have so many. My most recent addition? One of those reuseable wooden calendars complete with cats that says, "Cats are like potato chips, you can't have just one." Heh.

#23 - I am addicted to the soundtrack from Rent.
Didn't care for the movie though. Although, I will admit it is better the second time around. Maybe I didn't care for it because I was with my in-laws and my mother-in-law thinks lesbianism is the result of cable tv (I kid you not). Can you say tension!?

#24 - Speaking of movies, I love movies.
Comedies, romantic comedies, teen movies, once in a while adventure. I've sworn off Tom Cruise though. Can't stand the man.

#25 - I have never seen a horror movie.
Never care to see one.

#26 - I do enjoy a "thriller" movie every now and again.
"I'll never tell...."

#27 - Most of my closet consists of blue clothing.
I just realized it the other day. I only have 3 articles of green clothing, even though I like green. I do have a lot of maroon/red stuff. I also just bought my first purple piece of clothing. See! I'm branching out.

#28 -I had braces in 7th and 8th grade.
And the only person to ever call me "Brace Face" was my brother. I got even 4 years later.

#29 - I play the clarinet.
I was in the top of my section in middle and high school. (How pathetic that I am still proud of that - but I am.) I don't do well sight reading, but I can usually play anything once you tell me how it should sound.

#30 - In high school, I was a member of the marching band, which competed in marching competitions.
Think Blue Coats . To this day, I enjoy watching drum and bugle corps competitions on tv. HH won't take me to any real live competitions because I'm very critical and spend the whole time telling him what everyone is doing wrong. I do like the movie Drumline though! One band, one sound. (I do believe I am geeking in public...)

Losing it

2006-08-10T00:55:00.000-04:00

I am seriously losing whatever was left of my mind.

I cannot sleep!

Since we returned from West Virginia and even while we were there, I have not been able to get to sleep before 2 AM. Usually, I can set my body clock back to "normal" by getting up early one day. This time? Nope!

Get up at 6AM, fall asleep by 2AM.
Get up at 11AM, fall asleep by 2AM.

It makes no difference! I can be tired all day and when bedtime comes it's like someone injected caffeine directly into my veins.

It's not that I'm not tired, either. I want to fall asleep. I will myself to fall asleep and yet, here I am. I'm anxious and antsy and I can't figure out why. Now, I can't sleep and it makes me more anxious. Vicious circle, I swear. I lay down in bed and fight against popping right back out in order to do "something" I forgot or want to do.

I've tried counting sheep. They're loud and the move too fast.

I've tried counting slowly down from 100. I count way too fast.

I've tried counting down from 100 using each breath as a benchmark. I forget what number I'm on, I'm so concentrated on my breathing, and have to start again.

I've tried counting down from 100 in Spanish. Se habla espanol...malo.

I've tried coaxing Ollie onto HH's pillow so his purrs can soothe me to sleep. HH gets annoyed because then he wakes up with a hairball.

I've tried watching tv, I've tried listening to the radio, I've tried showering, I've tried not showering, I've tried reading...

I'm out of ideas! Help!

2 Things

2006-08-09T13:39:00.000-04:00

#1 - Blackberry picking is an aerobic workout!

Bending, stretching, balancing on one foot so you don't fall into the bushes - I'm sweating! Sweating, I tell you! It also helps increase the workout factor if you are trying to dodge three lovable kittens while you pick. One likes to pop out of the bushes and "scare" you. She used to be the skittish one, now she's a regular ham. Another likes to be held, and since he's my buddy, he gets held. The third wants to be held too, but likes to wind around your feet if you don't have free hands. I have to walk very slowly so I don't kick him in the head or step on him. He's such a love bug.

#2 - I need a bigger blackberry picking bucket.

De-lish

2006-08-08T10:21:00.000-04:00

Blackberries...

Weighty Issues

2006-08-07T14:02:00.000-04:00

Everyone has been sufficiently traumatized by their trip to the vet.

Lucy weighed in at 26 pounds. Not bad. She's not overweight or even heavy. I attribute some of that to the jog she went on last night while we ran along behind her in the golf cart. (The golf cart is perfect for walking the dog...she can run her little heart out and not have to wait for me to catch up. - Laziness personified.)

Oliver weighed in at 10.5 pounds. A lot of that is hair since he's waaaay overdue for a grooming appointment. He'll probably lose a pound on Thursday. He had to get pulled out of the carrier twice because the vet forgot to weigh him. He was not amused! He stuck all four feet out and blocked himself in. Finally the vet grabbed his back legs and pulled him right out. Piece of cake!

Hokie weighed in at 11.7 pounds. Again, he's not overweight, just long and lean. He was also very unhappy to have to go to the vet.

Socks, however, weighed in at 15.9 pounds. Holy moley! He's not going to like it, but there is a diet in his future. When the vet pulled him out of the carrier I swear he had shed another cat. I've never seen so much fur and I live with a Persian cat! It was unreal.

Morning

2006-08-07T08:03:00.000-04:00

This is what I call starting the morning out right.

We're off to the vet all of us. As you can hear, they're thrilled about it. Wish us them luck!

Summer favorites

2006-08-05T23:44:00.000-04:00

I picked blackberries for the first time today. Gilligan, Skittish, and TC helped. Actually, Gilligan sat in the golf cart with HH and purred like crazy. He loves riding in that thing.

Today's batch of berries has been washed, sweetened, and tossed in the freezer to enjoy in the months to come. With all the frozen peaches, blackberries, and applesauce we have around I am fighting tooth and nail not to go out and get a bucket of vanilla ice cream. Ice cream and peaches. Ice cream and blackberries. Mmmmm.

10 More Things

2006-08-05T10:49:00.000-04:00

Things About Me
11 - 20

#11 - I am addicted to anything Disney.
I love it. I know it's an evil corporation and all that, but I don't care. I also know that life doesn't have Disney happy endings. Maybe that is why I like Disney so much.

#12 - I collect Disney dvds.
I have just about all that have come out, so far (just the classics, please). I even bought Bambi, which I can't watch. My hope is that some day, my kids will be able to watch our (well, my) Disney movies and love Disney as much as I do.

#13 -My bathroom is decorated in red and black - Mickey ears.
It's my favorite room in my house. It makes me happy just walking into that room. I can't explain it. Besides, the kids that visit me LOVE it.
#14 - My favorite color is blue.
Cobalt blue. It's a very vibrant blue (if you're not familiar with it). Gorgeous. I have plans to paint my bedroom that vibrant blue color, but I may switch and paint it yellow with the cobalt accents. I haven't decided.

#15 - I've traveled to Mexico and Spain.
I loved them both, but Spain was my favorite. I went with my high school Spanish teacher (who is still my favorite teacher to this day). A good friend of mine and I decided we wanted to go to Mexico our junior year of high school. Luckily, our parents let us go. When our senior year rolled around and we found out the trip was to Spain we begged, pleaded, cajoled, and sold our souls to be able to go again. I have so many good memories from both trips that I am thrilled I conquered my fear of flying to go. Someday, I would like to return to Spain.

#16 - Someday, I want to visit every state.
Someday. So far I've gotten the east coast pretty well covered. I haven't gone further west than Missouri. I haven't decided if I count driving through a state as "visiting" it. I've visited Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, New York, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa, Maryland, Washington D.C., and Missouri. Top 10 Places in the U.S. I want to visit include: Wyoming, Disneyland, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Vermont, Chicago, New York City, Arizona, and Washington state.

#16 - In the fourth grade, I decided I wanted to be known as Eryn.
My teacher went along with it.

#17 -I talk to my pets like they are my children.
I figure this isn't such a bad thing since for the time being, they are my children. Lucy, of course, talks back to me.

#18 -When I was little, I stuck my fingers in the electric mixers beaters (while it was running).
It scared my mother to death. I don't remember it hurting, but I remember her and the woman that cleaned our house on Wednesday's being very upset about it.

#19 -I "took a nap" at the top of the steps while my mom was taking a bath when I was four.
It was all good until I actually fell asleep and rolled over and over and over. Our steps were old and incredibly steep. HH was "initiated" into the family when he slid down them a few years ago. Everyone has done it. Me? I napped on them.

#20 -I believe in karma.
I believe that karma is a boomerang. What you put out, you get back.

A Guide

2006-08-03T09:51:00.000-04:00

For all you "city folk" out there or for those who have never experienced kitten hunting, here is my guide to hunting kittens. The more trained professionals you have when you go kitten hunting the better. HH and I usually go it alone, but a third person would make things easier.

It is important to note that since the weather is unbearably hot the kittens have decided that it is better to visit our house after dark. (Who said cats aren't smart?)

A Guide to Kitten Hunting

#1 - Tiptoe to the front door and turn on the porch light. Quickly count the kittens as they scurry into the shadows hoping you don't see them. If there are more than 2 or the orange and white kitten, who I have nicknamed Mango (thanks, Nacho), is out there - proceed.

#2 - Leave the porch light on so that kittens begin to ignore the door and resume their kitten behavior (chasing blades of grass, Mom's tail, each other, etc.).

#3 - Wait several minutes until kittens have forgotten about the light.

#4 - Slip into shoes. If you can wear flip-flops and not make noise, those are a good idea. Be sure you can run in the shoes you pick.

#5 - Silently open the back door. Tiptoe through the garage and go out the screen door. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let the screen door slam as it closes.

#6 - Tiptoe around to the front of the house. If a car drives by and honks at you, therefore alerting the kittens to your presence, fight the urge to flip them the bird and yell profanities.

#7 - Once you are within 10 feet of the porch, form a game plan. Hunter #1 will skulk to the far side of the porch and cut off the escape around that end of the house. While you will continue to creep forward toward the kitten(s) slowly.

#8 - If the kitten(s) makes eye contact look away immediately and act nonchalant. "Oh, what a beautiful evening."

#9 - Once you are within grabbing distance, again wait for the kitten to become engrossed with other things. If the kitten knows you're there and isn't taking his/her eyes off you, formulate the grab in your mind.

#10 - Grab the kitten by the back of the neck.

If you have the siamese looking kitten - good luck. He's a buzz saw with a tail according to HH. He doesn't like you and he isn't afraid to let you know.

If you have the orange and white kitten (Mango) - hold kitten close and pet gently. He doesn't like you, but he'll put up with the petting if he has to.

#11 - Put some food out to reward any kitten you happened to catch.

#12 - Put said kitten down, watch it flee at top speed, and return to the house. Wait 30 minutes and repeat.

It's done

2006-08-01T21:22:00.000-04:00

Even though we really don't have the money for it, I did it anyway.

Next month, HH's team is going to a tournament in New York. I will be attending another tournament the previous weekend with the in-laws in Southern Ohio and I figured, eh, I don't have to go to both.

Then I remembered that this was in New York. It's only a half hour from where the tournament is being held.

I am so going.

Hopefully, Twin will get the days off work and she can come, too. I don't want to have to go alone.

Despite the fiscal worries, I am really looking forward to the trip! ~~California~~ New York, here we come!

Baby Fever

2006-07-31T19:17:00.000-04:00

In an effort to lessen her workload once the bathroom is renovated, my mother is cleaning the cupboards in the bathroom. Plus, the woman is trying to figure out where she is going to put the 6 drawers worth of stuff that will need a new home once the drawers on that side of the room are gone. It's not an easy task. My brother is still in college and has some basic things still at my parents house. (Work shoes, old cowboy boots, cowboy hats, etc)

I entered the bathroom today to see what she had accomplished and noticed our old music stands sitting on the counter. I picked them up and told Mom that obviously these were going to our date-to-be-determined yard sale.

Mom: Oh no! I'm saving those.
Me: Why on Earth are you saving these, Mother?
Mom: Well, when you have kids, you may need them.
Me: Mom. Seriously. You don't think we can't/won't get them if and when our kids need them?
Mom: Well, you wouldn't have to buy them.
Me: But Mom, how long are you going to store these? I mean, really...
Mom: I don't know, Erin. How long am I going to store them?

Oh no, not her too! She must be catching my mother-in-law's baby fever.

100 Things

2006-07-31T13:36:00.000-04:00

Things About Me
1 - 10

1. My name is Erin.
Throughout school, I hated my name. Mainly because I was one of 8 Erin's in my grade level. I detest going by Erin X. I hate calling kids that in my classroom. I usually try to let them choose what they want to be called. Since I was never given that choice. I am neither Irish or red-haired. My mom just liked the name.

2. My parents are still married after 35 years.
They seldom fight. They've been an excellent model for a good relationship for me.

3. I have one brother, who is 4 years younger than me.
He will graduate in December from his university and start graduate school. He will be a civil engineer.

4. My anniversary is December 30th, 2000.
We got married when we were 20 and 22, respectively. Many told us it was too soon and sometimes I think I might agree. However, everything we have we've built together. We're a team through and through. I'd like to think even with HH's illness our marriage is rock solid. You know, I know our marriage is solid BECAUSE of HH's illness. It doesn't seem like it's been five and a half years.

5. I have four pets - Hokie, Ollie, Socks, and Lucy.
Each with their own distinctive personality. Hokie is the oldest and the calmest. He is friendly when he wants attention, otherwise he is content to sleep and watch. Ollie is our Persian primadonna. He sits in front of the fireplace doors after trips to the groomer for days just oogling himself. Lucy is the hyper one. She loves people and animals. She just wants to be your friend. Take her for a car ride and she'll love you forever. Some people think beagles are dumb - Lucy is dumb like a fox. Socks is our newest addition and the baby. He's also bigger than Hokie and Ollie (soon to be bigger than Lucy). He's a rescued barn kitten who thrives on attention. He greets us - and any visitors - at the door. He comes running when my cousin's wife comes over. Basically, he's a big love bug.

6. When you call my house, the answering machine will tell you that you have reached The Hubby, Erin, Hokie, Ollie, Lucy, and Socks.
It will also tell you to leave a message, but speak slowly as Socks isn't that smart. Someday I will change it. Suggestions welcome.

7. I am a proud 2001 and 2003 graduate of Virginia Tech. Go Hokies!

8. I am exactly 5 feet 6 1/2 inches tall.
I need that half inch as The Hubby keeps saying I am shrinking. I think his head is shrinking. So nah.

9. I love to grocery shop!
It's most fun when I get to push the cart. Most everyone I know hates it. I love trying new products and new foods. It's the one time I can purchase something without immediate buyers remorse. Besides, who doesn't love shopping!?

10. I have lived in 3 states and 4 "cities".
Blacksburg, Virginia - Salem, Virginia - Strawberry Festival Town - and my current hometown. However, I did a survey at FindYourSpot.com and it told me the best place for me to live would be Charlottesville, Virginia. Uh, HELLO, I'm a Hokie. No way am I living in Charlottesville. ;o)

Yessss

2006-07-30T12:08:00.000-04:00

I am nothing if not dedicated.

Love, love, love the orange one. She's beautiful! (And I have a soft spot for orange kittens)

Curses!

2006-07-30T08:54:00.000-04:00

Foiled Again!

HH and I threw on some clothes and dashed outside when I spotted the two new barn kittens (orange and white and white and tabby) outside the house.

They're quick little buggers. All I got were some blurry shots of them leaving.

I don't have Elmyra tendencies. Really!

Rave Review

2006-07-26T22:00:00.000-04:00

For her retirement, my mother received books. Books, upon books, upon books, upon gift cards for books.

She refuses to read any of them until she "officially" retires (i.e. when summer is over). However, she has no trouble sharing those books with me. Two of the books she received were by Janet Evanovich. One was a typical romance novel. Funny and a quick read. The other was One for the Money.

One for the Money is the first book of the Stephanie Plum series. I am a sucker for series. For example, I love the Madeline Bean series by Jerrilyn Farmer as well as the Desiree Shapiro series by Selma Eichler. I like getting to know a single character though many different books.

I would recommend (and have) the Stephanie Plum series to anyone who enjoys romance, comedy, and mystery. The books aren't gory (unlike the Nora Roberts books I read) and are amazingly witty. I'm so hooked on them that I'm reading them out of order! I never do that!

If you have the opportunity to listen to the books on tape/c.d. do it! C.J. Critt does an amazing job. Her voices different for each character. You can rent the recordings of the books directly from the recording studio. I haven't done it yet as I am too cheap.

Happy reading everyone!

Ooojaboo

2006-07-26T18:48:00.000-04:00

If kitten looks could kill.

Cranky

2006-07-25T15:43:00.000-04:00

HH and I finally got some pictures of the new barn kitten. HH was brave and picked him up. That is one cranky kitten! I've forgotten how sweet Mokey's kittens are now. We only had to handle Skittish to make her more friendly. Otherwise, they come running when they hear my voice.

Random

2006-07-24T22:53:00.000-04:00

* If I were a Brazilian soccer player, this would be my jersey:

* This would be HH's:

* In other news - the Fuzzy barn cat had kittens again. Well. Kitten. She brought it to the porch tonight. Gee, thanks. The kitten is all white (well, cream) with black ears. Soooo cute. I also found 2 more kittens this evening. Orange and white and black and white. Yay!

* My mother is FINALLY getting her bathroom remodeled! Thank goodness! The house was built in 1880 and they have no shower on the bottom floor. Plus the bathroom used to be the kitchen (no idea how that worked as the bathroom is teeny tiny). Meeting Wednesday to finalize stuff. I'm very excited for her!

* Last, but certainly not least - my mother (and father) bought a golf cart! She's wanted one to go from our house to their house for some time now. I can't argue with it since it's safer than the 3 wheeler we currently own and the 4 wheeler we previously owned. Besides, Lucy LOVES riding on it. Not that that had anything to do with the purchase. Heh.

It's lots of fun to drive. Now it just needs fixed up. MTV! Pimp my golf cart!

We're home

2006-07-23T16:18:00.000-04:00

Photographic Highlights:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

2006-07-22T20:34:00.000-04:00

"Vicksburg Road

Closed 7AM - 5PM

Dailey"

Please, I beg you, get me out of this town!

Guilty Pleasures

2006-07-20T15:10:00.000-04:00

It is with some shame that I admit one of my summer guilty pleasures is CBS's Big Brother. I've watched it from the first season, which was my favorite, through now.

I am going to attempt to write my thoughts each week of what is going on in "the house." First, I don't have the live feeds (too cheap), but I do keep up with what is happening through a great updates site.

I missed week 1. But the important thing is Allison went home. Can't stand her. She's sneaky, she's manipulative, and dag nabbit she annoys the heck out of me. That leaves the following people in the house:

Danielle
Diane
Erika
George
Howie
James
Jase
Janelle
Kaysar
Marcellas
Mike
Nakomis
Will

First, it is important to note my favorites. They may not be yours, but I like them. My absolute favorite would have to be Kaysar followed by Janelle and Erika. I admire their intelligence and their competitive nature. From what I have seen of them in the house, I really like their character. Does everyone have their breaking point? Yes. I can forget lapses in good judgement.

It is also important to note my loathes. I cannot stand Mike or Will. What kind of name is Boogie? Seriously, it's sounds like something that comes out of your nose. Furthermore, if their lives are so great and they make so much money, why are they doing the show? Go be cool off television. Will makes my skin crawl. Ugh.

I also like Howie and George. Though both can get on my nerves. George is either and idiot savant or he's playing a spectacular game. Howie provides much needed comic relief. I also find myself liking Jase. I don't know what his new woman did to him, but she deserves a medal. He seems like a nice guy.

Week In Review
Kaysar won HOH (Head of Household) and nominated Nakomis and Diane for eviction. Diane seems to have lost her mind so I wasn't all that sad about seeing her up on "the block." Nakomis is just Nakomis - quirky, earthy, peace-love-and-happinessy, strange haired chick. She is who she is and while I respect that I think she comes across too harsh. I won't be sad to see either leave.

I am also annoyed that Kaysar took the safe way out and nominated two "floaters". Get rid of ~~Booger~~, excuse me, Boogie and Will! They have the capacity to turn that house on a dime. Don't trust them. Don't believe them. They'll turn on you in an instant. Why don't people "get" that!?

Erika won the POV (Power of Veto) and chose not to use it. Wise move on her part since if she had used it someone would be out to get her. POV has been a dud, I hate to break it to CBS. A dud.

Oh, the irony.

Tonight is eviction night and I predict Diane will go. Of course, I could be wrong seeing as I haven't had time to actually keep up with what is going on with the house this week since we're on vacation.

Why is it?

2006-07-19T16:36:00.000-04:00

Why is it that West Virginia makes me nuts? I mean, nuts.

From the moment we cross the state line, I eat. And eat. And eat.

I'm not even hungry! And I eat.

I get random headaches and dizzy spells.

West Virginia makes me neurotic.

I swear West Virginia makes me crazy.

I would say that I eat because I'm bored, but that's not it. True, there isn't a lot to do around here currently - but there isn't a whole lot to do at home. HH thinks its because his mother makes me nervous - and she does, but the nervousness she inspires should make me want to not eat.

Argh! I've lost my mind!

Cinnamon Rolls

2006-07-18T10:33:00.000-04:00

One of HH's aunt's made cinnamon rolls for the 4th of July shindig that MIL throws each year. MIL said they were delicious and really easy to make.

She was right!

Cinnamon Rolls

We used two tubes of instant biscuits (like Grands). Dip biscuits in butter. Then coat in sugar mixture (equal parts brown and white sugar with cinnamon to taste). Place sideways in a 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake according to directions on the tube (we had to bake a little longer). Then turn rolls out into another pan so melted cinnamon and sugar tops rolls. Top with standard confectioner's sugar "frosting".

We didn't have them with the frosting (I don't care much for that part anyway) but they were delicious!

Trying to talk myself out of making them again as they don't really jive with the whole diet thing.

Wrong

2006-07-15T15:14:00.000-04:00

I know it's wrong...but I find this video hilarious.

I caught part of it last night on Web Junk on VH1. I also enjoy Best Week Ever. Good shows, people. Good shows.

P.S. I'm bored.

Birds of a feather

2006-07-14T14:15:00.000-04:00

Have I mentioned that I love Head Coach? HH is unbelievably lucky to have lucked into working for this man. He's been a wonderful role model.

Until things pick up next week with camp, things here in sunny WV have been....well, mind numbingly boring. I'm up to date on the professional development class I am taking. HH has planned soccer camp out 3 different way and today we ordered his camp shirts (always major drama with that it seems).

So while he has extra time HH has been gathering information about the other teams in The College's conference - creating a scouting report of sorts. He's always thinking and luckily, Head Coach is too. I mean, he (Head Coach) called us last weekend because he was waiting for his car to have the oil changed and he was thinking of new line ups. It's what they do. I've accepted it.

Last night as I was listening to my book on tape that I couldn't wait until the drive home to finish HH finished up his report and emailed it off to Head Coach. This morning he received the following email:

"That's great! But stop. You are on vacation, chill-out and enjoy your family; The College Soccer will still be here when you get back.

Have fun; that's an order!

Coach"

Who could ask for a better boss!?

Hmm

2006-07-13T16:14:00.000-04:00

Helpful...or not so much?

HH and I enjoyed our lunch today at C.J. Maggie*s. I did find little jalepeno land mines in my sandwich, but that just encourages me to read my menu more carefully next time. Luckily, I think I only ingested one and after copious amounts of water my mouth simply tingled for the rest of the meal.

However, when our check arrived I noted this at the bottom:

"Thank you for dining with us at C.J. Maggie's

For your convenience we are providing the following gratuity calculations:
15% is $2.55
18% is $3.07
20% is $3.41"

Is it weird that this annoyed me? Anyone ever seen this before?

P.S. I laughed til I cried last night while listening to my book on tape (Jane Evanovich) when the character said she got a "tingle all the way down to her hoo-ha" when another character kissed her. The look on HH's face was classic.

People I have not laughed so hard in weeks. Hooha...

Disappointing

2006-07-11T15:16:00.000-04:00

Today was the summer test day.

I am so depressed.

For three weeks, I have been fighting all the classic summer distractions to actually help these kids do better on their test. I understand that twelve days isn't a lot of time to help kids learn, but I expect some progress. Call me naive.

I had four students in my room to take their test. I was supposed to have six but three didn't show and one passed her test, but her mom wanted her to take the test again anyway. (WTF)

One student did pretty well. I'm hoping he will pass. I'm not really counting the retaker since she's passed it once and I don't know what happens if she fails it this time. Another student answered all her questions, but in the fill in answers wrote things like, "he felt sad because he felt sad". Grrrrrrrrrrr. The other student really upsets me. This student filled in all (but one) of the multiple choice questions. However, he did not even ATTEMPT the short answer or extended response questions. Didn't even attempt.

Furthermore, the movie that I have spent hours upon hours upon hours working on for my cousin's girls will not burn to a dvd. *&^% #$^% piece of *&^%! I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It's done it before perfectly. I've checked the dvds, the program, everything I know how to check. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm using Windows Movie Maker.

Now, I must stop procrastinating. Tomorrow we are going to WV for a week and a half. HH has a soccer camp next week so he'll be working and I'll be attempting to drown myself in the hot tub. Besides, I can't keep making excuses to the HH why I haven't packed when he is completely packed (show off). I never put off doing things like this, but I just can't seem to muster the energy to care.

Grrr

2006-07-11T08:16:00.000-04:00

Zidane Headbutt

I can't believe he won the golden ball. What a crock.

Big Trouble

2006-07-10T18:51:00.000-04:00

We (the teachers of our district) are in for big trouble. As I've mentioned, they're raising class sizes in our district to save money.

However, teachers don't think it's going to go too well.

Why?

Consider the following conversation today between Math Teacher and a summer school student (4th grader in the fall).

Principal: Here are your ice cream coupons for having perfect attendance this week at summer school! (Principal passes out coupons and leaves)
SSS: (looking at their coupon in confusion) Mrs...is this coupon good for the ice cream, too?
MT: Uh...yes, it's for an ice cream cone.
SSS: Oh, so we get ice cream too!? Awesome!

I believe the words you are looking for are...Oy vey.

Congratulations

2006-07-09T19:54:00.000-04:00

The World Cup is finally over. It was very enjoyable for me. I've never actually followed a World Cup event, which is weird considering how long HH and I have been together.

Today's match was a wonderful hard fought match. I couldn't wholeheartedly support the Italians since I agree with Drew Carey that they cheat. They dive. They act. Head Coach says its all mafia related and its ok. Heh. (Head Coach is Italian) I couldn't really root for the French because...well...they're French! Since I really didn't know who to root for, I rooted for everyone.

During overtime, I decided to root for the French because it was Zidane's last game ever. Then the "horrific" head butting incident occured. Then I had to root for the frickin' Italians! The head butt was so immature. As a captain and a professional player he should have known better. End of story. It's so sad that a great career had to end with such a horrible action. I guess there was talk of him being remebered like Pele or the other soccer greats. For me, it'll never happen. Bad sportsmanship is inexcuseable.

Congrats to the Italian National Team and all their fans.

I also thought the center ref (far right) was fantastic. Incredibly fair.

P.S. When you lose, don't cry. There are 34 other teams that would kill to be in your position. Be a man. When you win, then cry.

Now on to the Running of the Bulls / Festival of San Fermin!

Just a peek

2006-07-07T19:30:00.000-04:00

into the life of my dear HH.

In our house, when HH is sick - he sleeps on the couch.

When I am sick...HH sleeps on the couch.

He's really sweet in that way.

When HH snores in my ear...or at all, I nudge him and tell him to roll over or to lay on his tummy. He promptly buries his head in his pillow somewhat muffling his snores (there's a reason why I've nicknamed him HH the Freight Train). If it still keeps me awake he moves to the couch. In fact, all I have to say is, "HH...couch." And off he goes.

So this weekend while we were in the hotel apparently, I was snoring. (I do not snore! I breathe loudly.) But anyway...I was breathing loudly. HH nudged me gently and whispered, "Erin, you're snoring...roll over."

To which I promptly replied, "Deal with it." And went back to sleep.

Luckily, for some reason, he loves me. He's a saint, I tell you. A saint!

Good times

2006-07-06T22:13:00.000-04:00

Went to see The Devil Wears Prada today with Twin. Good flick. Good company. Good times.

I really enjoyed the movie. Anne Hatheway's love interest in the movie is the same guy that was in a Melissa Joan Hart movie I liked years ago. What was the name....Drive Me Crazy, I think. He's the Entourage guy. You know. That guy. Anyway, Meryl Streep is wonderful as usual. Joanne from Rent is also in the film. I recommend it as a good chick flick. Definitely a movie we will be purchasing and book I will be getting from the library. Why did no one tell me it was a book!? I need to read the book BEFORE I see the movie. Sheesh. Note: Must reread How to Eat Fried Worms.

Contrary to how I dress, I'm really addicted to fashion programming. America's Next Top Model, love it. Project Runway, definitely. It's truly bizarre. I guess I'm living vicariously through these thin people that I will never be.

Hmm...suffering from a little self-loathing lately. Does it show?

Phases

2006-07-05T16:22:00.000-04:00

As a teenager, I fell in love with the idea of naming my children (all girls, of course): January, February, and Summer (don't judge me). Luckily, I have since outgrown that phase.

My current name phase surrounds a Disney movie. I'll wait while those who know me pretend to be shocked. I love the Princess Diaries movies and the books (I own them all). While I have talked myself out of naming any future female child, Mignonette, I do adore the name Amelia. I have visions of naming my future daughter, Amelia.

I mean it's not like the White family that is currently in my school district. They named their children after literary characters. There's Aramus, Scarlett, and you guessed it - Snow. I am somewhat restrained in that manner.

However, HH's cousin just had a baby last month and guess what she named her...

Amelia Sage

I'm somewhat miffed. Another cousin has a daughter named Abbigail, which I also love. Now they've taken out another favorite. I may name my future daughter Amelia anyway. Or I may have progressed to a whole new phase. For now...it's a moot point.

What's in a name?

2006-07-04T10:55:00.000-04:00

This was amazingly accurate. The creepy thing was that it didn't change when I used my maiden name or my married name. Doo doo doo doo. Get your's here.

There are 13 letters in your name.
Those 13 letters total to 70
There are 5 vowels and 8 consonants in your name.

Your number is: 7

The characteristics of #7 are: Analysis, understanding, knowledge, awareness, studious, meditating.

The expression or destiny for #7:
Thought, analysis, introspection, and seclusiveness are all characteristics of the expression number 7. The hallmark of the number 7 is a good mind, and especially good at searching out and finding the truth. You are so very capable of analyzing, judging and discriminating, that very little ever escapes your observation and deep understanding. You are the type of person that can really get involved in a search for wisdom or hidden truths, often becoming an authority on whatever it is your are focusing on. This can easily be of a technical or scientific nature, or it may be religious or occult, it matters very little, you pursue knowledge with the same sort of vigor. You can make a very fine teacher, or because of a natural inclination toward the spiritual, you may become deeply emerged in religious affairs or even psychic explorations. You tend to operate on a rather different wavelength, and many of your friends may not really know you very well. The positive aspects of the 7 expression are that you can be a true perfectionist in a very positive sense of the word. You are very logical, and usually employ a quite rational approach to most things you do. You can be so rational at times that you almost seem to lack emotion, and when you are faced with an emotional situation, you may have a bit of a problem coping with it. You have excellent capabilities to study and learn really deep and difficult subjects, and to search for hidden fundamentals. At full maturity you are likely to be a very peaceful and poised individual.

If there is an over supply of the number 7 in your makeup, the negative aspects of the number may be apparent. The chief negative of 7 relates to the limited degree of trust that you may have in people. A tendency to be highly introverted can make you a bit on the self-centered side, certainly very much self-contained . Because of this, you are not very adaptable, and you may tend to be overly critical and intolerant. You really like to work alone, at your own pace and in your own way. You neither show or understand emotions very well.

Your Soul Urge number is: 7

A Soul Urge number of 7 means:
With a number 7 Soul Urge you are very fond of reading, and retreating to periods of being alone and away from the disruptions of the outer world. You like to dream and develop you idealistic understandings, to study and analyze, to gain knowledge and wisdom. You may be too laid back and withdrawn to really succeed in the business world, and you will be much more comfortable in circumstances that are tolerant of your reserve, your analytical approach, and your desire to use your mind rather than your physical being.

You are very timid around people that you don't know very well, so much so at times that casual conversation and social situations can be strained. You tend to repress your emotions to the extend that some people have a good bit of difficult understanding you. You tend to be very selective with friends and you don't easily adapt to new environments or to new people very quickly.

The negative traits of the 7 include becoming too much the introvert and isolated from others.

Your Inner Dream number is: 9

An Inner Dream number of 9 means:
You dream of being creative, intellectual, and universal; the selfless humanitarian. You understand the needy and what to help them. You would love to be a person people count on for support and advice.