AbbyNormal

pay no attention to the woman behind the bedsheet

2009-11-13T10:05:00.000-07:00

Ah, Friday. It's a day off, but it's also my school VoMo day. I just got back from Meego's class. There was a bit of rowdiness going on.

See, there's a sub today. Teacher's out of town, so bring in the sub and let the hellions at her!

The sub happens to be a friend of mine, who also has kids at that school, who also is a familiar face to many of the kids. Still, she is not immune to substitute teacher abuse. I'm actually a bit glad to be out of there right now...

And it makes me appreciate my own job. Growing up, I didn't plan on being a teacher, it's just where I find myself now in this season of my life. Don't know how long I'll stay with it, assuming it's entirely up to me, but it's good for now.

Had both live-in-the-flesh class sessions this week and a couple of live online class sessions. The live online thing is really growing on me. It's a bit weird because we can't read our students' body language. Also, we're told in our training, that it's different for them too, because they mainly just see a small head-and-shoulders shot of us rather than having a full sized 3-dimensional teacher. So everyone's adjusting.

We get all these tips about making the most of our little head-and-shoulders box in the "classroom". Tips about what color to wear, about what color to use for our background, etc. I remember a trainer saying, "you don't want it to look like you've just got a bedsheet hanging behind you".

Well, newsflash: I DO just have a bedsheet hanging behind me.

Works for me. In fact, it's appearance is very similar to the background that particular trainer had. I wonder, does SHE also just have a bedsheet hanging behind HER?? (Pay no attention to the bedsheet hem there, just under the right armpit...)

Last night's online class was going nicely. I was just TAing with another teacher, so I was completely offscreen anyway. We were discussing stress management - strategies to get their minds off of test anxiety - when one student suggested Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2!!!

Oh, the excitement that brought about in the chatbox! In fact, looking back, it was very similar to the just barely controlled chaos going on in Meego's classroom this morning.

This was for a GMAT class - future MBA's. Is there no escape?

Maybe Chaco has a future in management.
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call of duty

2009-11-11T08:28:00.004-07:00

Duu-huuude, get ur copy of Modern Warfare 2?

Yeah, that's where I was yesterday... at the local GameStop store. Apparently, this was a big deal release

And I actually knew it was coming. I don't play video games, but they live in my home. I knew this was coming because Chaco purchased his "ticket" for the game several weeks ago.

And then he marked it on the calendar.

And then he programmed his calculator to countdown to the moment it would be available.

He forgets to turn in homework and yet, he marks the release of a video game on the calendar and writes a program regarding it? *sigh*

He reminded me several times in the days leading up to The Event that we would be going to the store right after school on Tuesday. See, it's rated "M", so for someone under 17 to get it, they have to have an accompanying parental type person there to say, "okay". Now, like I said, I don't play video games, but Magnum does and he says it's okay, so I get GameStop store parental duty.

On the way down there, I'm all, "So what's this game again? 'Mech Wars 2' or something?" and Chaco's all, "*sigh* callofdutymodernwarfare2!" and then I'm all "Wait... what's it called?" Geez, such a mom sometimes.

So we got there and it wasn't that bad. A short line was all, and no one dressed like the kid in the photo above. The true zealots were there at midnight, no doubt.

Luckily, Wolfgang had come along, because after we exited the mall, Chaco said "Okay, see ya!" and took off at a sprint towards home (we walked there). Now, our house is under a mile away from the mall, but it's all uphill. It was actually quite an impressive display of physicality. So, I say it was lucky that Wolfgang had accompanied us, because then I had someone to walk with.

I remember runner friend Ben recommending that I tie a video game to a string and run with it as a way to get the kids to run distances with me. I think that could actually work!
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rounding second

2009-11-09T13:06:00.003-07:00

Went shopping this morning to replenish all that was pilfered over the weekend. This is actually a pretty typical Monday event. What wasn't typical about my shopping today was the purchase of bras.

(okay, yes, possible TMI to follow)

I have long since resigned myself to the fact that I am not of the well-endowed. I'll actually confess to attempting some recommended exercises and even some herbal tea concoctions.

The exercises probably made me somewhat stronger, but didn't do much for the boob size. The tea? I dunno, I think "something" went on in there, they "felt" a little different, but the measuring tape read the same as before.

Okay fine.

They've served their purpose. Three babies somehow managed to fatten up from them, so I'm not really complaining.

But, recently I'd noticed that my current underthings had gotten pretty weathered. I can't even remember the last time I had new. So, it was off to the intimates department.

Omigosh, the selection. There seemed to be as many types and styles of bras as there are breasts to put in them. One of the benefits of being not of the well-endowed is I don't need all those extra supportive, separative, over-the-river-and-through-the-wood-ive accoutrements. Just enough to cover basic liability, thanks.

I searched rack after aisle after rack and finally, FINALLY, found some.

They were in the next department over. The "girls" section. Next to "women". I've got one on now, and admit that I'm quite satisfied with my purchase.

I think Miley Cyrus gets a cut.
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Silver Liningness, part XII

2009-11-08T08:49:00.005-07:00

As I look outside my window, I think, yes, it looks like November. Mostly cloudy. There's snow on the peak. A few rebellious leaves futilly cling to the trees.

I like it. I like this time of year.

After last week's epic snowstorm, the meteorological pendulum swung to the other extreme, and we had sunny and 70's this week. Nice for a change, but it's November. Today is a November kind of day. I like to use words like "brisk" and "nippy" and get to wear stuff like sweaters and leggings. Wearing both now...

It was a busy week, and busy hopefully yielded productivity. Work schedule is full with two separate classes going on, but they both come to an abrupt end in a couple of weeks. My next class, as of now, isn't scheduled until January, so I'm perusing the schedule for other openings. But I'm thankful that I'm not desperate for work and may just get a month off.

And speaking of those aforementioned leaves? I think I finally got all the raking and bagging done for the season. I count 17 bagfulls of yard vomit in the compost queue! And that's not counting the stuff that's already gone into the bins. Let's just call it an even 20 for the season! I win!!

On that note, I got Chaco to clean the gutters. He's started getting into parkour, so any excuse to climb and jump and stuff is fair game. In fact, it was HIS idea to clean the gutters. WHAT?! I knew I loved the French!

So happy November everyone! Don the leggings, your knee-high "ho" boots! Find disgusting treasures in your gutters!
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profiler

2009-11-07T08:52:00.006-07:00

Okay, so I got this e-mail. It was highly personal. I know that because it started out:

"Dear Colleague:"

It's from a group at the national level of the place I work. Apparently they are revamping the website and "online center"and want to include biographies of us teachers on there. The e-mail was asking me to click a link to fill out the survey for my info to be included in this sleek new "online center". The results of the survey are for "professionally-crafted profiles for perusal by prospective and current students"

Okay fine.

So I clicked the link, filled in a couple of rudimentary questions and then scanned some of the other questions. There were forward and backward buttons so I figured I could move around before submitting my survey.

Well, turns out I couldn't.

I clicked the forward button and got that "THANKS FOR COMPLETING OUR SURVEY. YOUR ANSWERS HAVE BEEN RECORDED" page. No going back, no reset button, just pretty much "thanks, goodbye, dear colleague".

Perhaps it will elicit my coming across as one of the more mysterious teachers. The intrigue my sparse profile will bring about will have prospective students signing up for classes left and right! What a great marketing ploy!

Or not.
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thanx

2009-11-06T09:47:00.006-07:00

Oh poor poor blog! I've neglected you so this week!

*fluffs the bedding* *freshens water* *removes droppings*

It's been a busy and productive week, and the Friday arrived in a hurry. You do realize that Thanksgiving is now less than 3 weeks away for us United Statesians? So... who are you spending it with?

Or better yet, who you LIKE to spend it with? I started thinking about this when I visited Beej (who has been neglecting her blog even worse than I have) over at facebook (the "blog affair"?) and decided I'd like Christopher Walken to come on over. Shall we brainstorm a few others? Others who I've never spent any time with IRL, but am willing to give a whirl?

Maybe Drowning Pool? That might liven things up a bit. Then again, they'd probably really trash the place...

How about Eric Balfour? I mean, since we're just harmlessly brainstorming and stuff... heh... *ahem*

How about that Progressive Insurance girl?

She's so friendly. I bet she'd help to clean up too.

This guy, since Chaco seems to have taken an interest in Parkour, of all things. But mainly because he's French. We should have someone French over for Thanksgiving.

Silver Liningness, part XI

2009-11-01T08:43:00.005-07:00

Happy November everyone! We've survived Halloween, and I am thankful for that extra hour - as silly as I think this whole thing of flipping clocks is, I'll take it.

Quite the tempestuous week it was! Had a minor snowstorm come through Sunday, delaying school on Monday. Then had an adult snowstorm come through on Tuesday which closed school on Wednesday and Thursday and delayed Friday. Kids in our district had just one real day - and even that is questionable - of school last week.

This made me thankful for the new furnace we got last fall.

It also made me thankful for those Live Online classes - not one missed class on account of weather.

And the party must still go on! Friday was Meego's school party. Good thing school was open. And speaking of Halloween...

Here we have an out-of-luck NASCAR driver; a Nearly Dead - it's apparently from a video game, so I'm told...; an Edward Cullen. [They get bigger if you click the pic].

The Nearly Dead took the crashed NASCAR driver out to trick-or-treat, along with a large M&M friend. The M&M friend was actually quite frightening because said friend is positiviely allergic to M&M's.

Edward Cullen went to a party and has yet to return.

As for me, I had to work in the morning. I thought I would dress up as a geeky professor type, but then worried that my students might not realize that I was in costume, so...

And the afternoon was absolutely beautiful, weather-wise. We went to a local popular park and play play PLAYED!

Oh, and those tracks in the snow? Remember? I think I have a positive identification. The M&M kid, before he transformed into the allergen, was wearing an animal tracks t-shirt. I found Red Fox prints near the kid's spleen.

Sly thing... probably after my eggs.
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and the clouds parted...

2009-10-30T12:14:00.006-06:00

*GASP!* Pardon me, just coming up for air here. Sheesh, after two days of thinking that we'd somehow been beamed to Antarctica, the sun has decided to return and it actually feels downright balmy at 40 degrees.

Yeah, okay, so it snowed in Colorado. Not big news. It just doesn't usually leave us stranded for two days in October. I remember the last time that happened. It was a banner year for snow and kind of a love / hate relationship for school kids. Yes, they got a bunch of snowdays, but then they had to make them up at the end of the school year. HA!

But it did force me to get a few things done around the house that I might not otherwise have done. For one thing, I changed the wallpaper on the computer to this:

It's the view from a girl jumping off of a very tall building onto a crane, I believe. As I've mentioned here before, I rationally know that I have an irrational paralyzing fear of heights, so I thought putting this as my wallpaper would help me to "GET OVER IT ALREADY!"

It's not working. Just sayin'.

But hey, told you I was getting some important things done anyways.

And then this morning, when I ventured out into the thawing outdoors, I noticed these prints on the front porch, dangerously close to the front door, dangerously close:

I've included my own foot there for scale. Any trackers out there who know what these prints belong to? I'm thinking too big for squirrel. Raccoon maybe? Did I mention that they were dangerously close? Dangerously close to my milkman bounty??
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what's in a name?

2009-10-28T08:04:00.005-06:00

Halloween is nigh. I just realized, we have no candy. I need fruit for Meego's party. I need to assemble Meego's costume...

Meego wants to be a racecar driver - specifically a crashed-and-burned racecar driver. His school, however, doesn't allow make up for the parties, so unless he acquires some real-life wounds before then, he'll just be a plain old racecar driver for the class party. He can crash and burn later.

Chaco and Wolfgang are on their own. They no longer trick-or-treat, but Chaco will sometimes, almost with disturbingly abundant glee, lay in wait, in some sort of getup, outside our front door and freak out the poor unsuspecting trick-or-treaters.

Wolfgang may dress up for school. There are no parties in high school, but costumes are allowed. Just the usual rules against weapons and masks. Make up? Could you imagine if a high school banned make up?!?

Wolf is thinking he'll be Edward Cullen - that hotty irresistible heartthrob vampire from the Twilight series.

See, a few weeks ago, he came home with a project he'd made in shop class. It's a small tasteful wooden pen holder. The wood has been laser-cut to form the name "Edward".

"Edward"? I asked. "Why does it say 'Edward'?"

"Well, some people call me Edward at school, so...", he explained.

Okay.

I have sinced learned that "some people" are mostly "some girls".

He wants tips on how to look pale and sparkly.

I think I'm better at crash and burn.
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Silver Liningness part X

2009-10-25T09:28:00.011-06:00

Good morning to all and Sundry on this Sunday!

Another wonderful week providing much to be thankful for has passed. Roll 'em!

The week started with a lovely hike last Sunday. Magnum found a trail we've never stepped on before, so we went and stepped on it.

Magnum and Wolfgang on Spruce Mountain.

Thirty Eight Point Seven. THIRTY EIGHT POINT SEVEN. 38.7. Thirty eight and seven tenths. <---that's the miles per gallon that new-to-us little Honda is getting. Told you I love her.

Remember how I said we've started to teach classes online at work? Remember how I said I've been training? Welp, I completed the training and started doing it this week. Here's the inspiring view - taken with my webcam - that the students see of me:

What do you think? Makes you want to go move mountains doesn't it!

Okay, so I actually just snapped that picture a couple of minutes ago. And I haven't done much today rather than slog out of bed, eat some breakfast type stuff and sip half a cup of coffee. Serious bed head going on.

And in real life, I use a backdrop to cover the lovely room behind me. It's so cool! Teaching right here from the Man Cave. And I get to kick all of the men folk out!

Meego's class did a music program this week. It was the typical elementary-kids-on-the-stage-for-about-a-half-hour kind of music program. It was cute though, I suppose, if you had a kid up there. Meego seems to be sloughing off some of his shyness and getting into things now that he's a big time fourth grader.

Yesterday, we drove up to Denver to visit the much hyped 8-acre corn maze. I recall a smaller corn maze we visited years ago and got thoroughly lost in. Looking forward to another survival adventure, we found the much hyped 8-acre corn maze to not be much *COUGH* of a challenge. Okay, so like the cornstalks were about 4 ft. tall or shorter! Oh well, it was still kind of fun, making fun of it and all...
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like mother

2009-10-23T16:25:00.002-06:00

I was recently having a phone conversation with my mother.

These are actually quite rare because we have this thing. This thing about writing letters to each other. Ever since I moved out of the house over 24 years ago.

We have the internet and e-mail now. I have an income better than that of a homeless person now, so can actually afford phone calls. And yet... still.. we write the letters, put them in envelopes, put stamps on them, drop them in the mail, and wait for several days to get a reply.

So when she or my dad calls, naturally I panic. Omigosh, what's happened?!

Turns out, it was pretty bad/sad news, about a friend of mine, though. Not about Mom or Dad.

But anyway, since we were on the phone and actually speaking live with each other, we talked of other things than the bad/sad news. Somewhere in the midst of the conversation, she adds, "you're a lot like Dad, y'know".

Fact is, I do know this. I am more like my dad than my mom. I don't think it's anything I chose to be. I just am. Like we're just wired the same in many ways.

I says, "Yeah, I know."

And she says, "You really are."

And I says, "Yeah, I know."

Truth be told, my dad can be a bit strange. We don't share ALL of the same values and/or "quirks", but we share many. I'm certain that my mom is not disappointed that I'm more like my dad than I am of her. But I do wonder sometimes if she had different hopes for me in my formative years.

So I thought of this conversation yesterday. I thought of it because I had mail ordered some shoes, and they arrived yesterday. They were too small. I quickly boxed them back up for return and then went out and bought some shoes locally. Because I was all set to have new shoes that day, and when the mail-order didn't work out, I had to do SOMETHING about it.

That was definitely Mom's genetics at work.

She'd be happy. I should call and tell her.
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he needs a 25 or better

2009-10-21T15:47:00.002-06:00

Oh happy day!... Despite the fact that it's been blustery cold and snowy all day and I spent it wonderously indulging in tidying up the house.

It's a happy day because, as of yesterday about noontime, I completed a tutoring package for an okay kid with a rather annoying father. Now, it's hard to really put my finger on why I found this father so annoying. Let's just say he RUBBED ME THE WRONG WAY, plus there were some other aspects of this particular assignment I didn't particularly like, BUT not to be whiner, let's just say I was glad it was finished.

Except....

Just as I was THANKFULLY leaving their house (note: we prefer not to tutor in people's homes, but it says right there on the website - "convenient in-home tutoring!" - so there I reluctantly was, blasted website...) the aforementioned father lays this on me: "We think we might have him take the test again in December, to try for a better score. We'd like to get in some more tutoring hours for that, will you let me know your availability?"

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I was leaving! I was in the car! The engine was running! I had even backed up a few feet! I was SO nearly free!! Then I saw him in the driveway and STUPIDLY rolled down my window to see if he wanted to consult with me. ACK.

Okay, so I normally naturally want my students to do well on their tests. But this one more than others. Guiltily, not out of opportunity for him, but so I don't have to tutor him anymore! Even though it would mean some extra cash... I just don't wanna!

Okay, so the kid's test is this Saturday. Send some good JuJu his way, K? For me??
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Silver Liningness, part IX

2009-10-18T09:12:00.006-06:00

Helloooooo from Balloon Boy Land (PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!)

Another week has flown by like a big Jiffy Pop looking balloon thing adrift on the breeze (SHUT UP!)

I got in some good VoMo activity as the elementary school had their Fall book fair. I got writer's cramp from helping first graders and kindergarteners make out their Wish Lists. Boy, they sure can shop when they have no concept of money!

Plus, with the VoMo-ing and the fact that Meego won the guess-how-many-beans-in-the-jar contest for fourth grade, we got 2 freebies to go with our purchases. Gotta love freebies.

It was also parent/teacher conference time. Meego's was scheduled, the high school ones are optional.

I actually went to see a couple of Chaco's teachers after we discovered some *ahem* issues this week. It seems that techno-geek Chaco sort of let the balloon off the tether (STOP!!) when it came to lower priority (to him) English.... History too for that matter. SO, this provided me an opportunity to meet his teachers - something I don't always do with the higher grades. All conferences went very well. I think even Chaco would agree.

Remember that cabbage that Meego grew?

We ate it this week.

It was gooooooooood.

We also watched another good movie that I'd never heard of this week. Anyone heard of Shrink with Kevin Spacey? I thought it might be depressing, but I actually rather liked it. Go see.
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the mark of a chicken

2009-10-15T08:47:00.003-06:00

So Meego emerged from his bedroom this morning with a green "5" on his face.

Actually, it's a backwards "5". A mirror-image "5". From that, I know that he chose the Chicken-Patty-with-Mashed-Potatoes option for lunch at school yesterday.

... and that he slept with his face on his hand.

See, his school typically offers 5 choices for lunch. The students place their orders first thing in the morning. Once their choices are made, they're LOCKED IN. NO switching. Just to make sure, they must write the number of their choice on the back of their hand - with permanent marker. God forbid someone should order a chicken patty in the morning, then grab cheese pizza at lunchtime.

This is understandable. It cuts down greatly on wasted food for one thing. The lunch ladies get 50 orders for chicken patties? They only make 50 chicken patties... and so on.

This designation method of permanent-marker-on-the-hand, however, is not too popular with parents. I'm sure Meego is not the first to wake up with a permanent markered mirror-image number on his face. And he typically only eats the school fare once or twice a week. I shudder to think of what the other kids' faces, who eat there every day, look like by Friday!

When I was his age, aside from having to walk to school uphill in the snow both ways, we had two choices for lunch: Cafeteria Tray or Not Cafeteria Tray.

No tough early morning decisions. No trading of entree's in the lunchroom. No permanent marker numbers on hand and face. You went to lunch. You got a tray. You ate what was on it. Lunch ended.

*sigh* Life was so simple back then.

Permanent marker removal from face tips? Anyone??
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Silver Liningness, part VIII

2009-10-10T09:37:00.006-06:00

Happy Saturday, everyone! My thermometer says 25 degrees and the weather forecast says "high" of 28, so I guess this is as good as it's gonna get.

I went out for a hike this morning. Not bad if one wears about 5 layers, like I did.

Anyway, it's been another fun-filled blessed week. Let's revisit!

On Tuesday, Meego's school had it's annual field day. It was a bit chilly but sunny and, overall, a good day.

I was sent to the "Tennis Ball Throw" trenches this year. Had never done that event despite this being my 6th year as a field day volunteer at that school. Y'know, a tennis ball thrown, even by an elementary school kid, can bounce and roll quite a long ways. It was basically a day of shagging - and I don't mean that in the UK sense.

I've had more fun with training to get ready to teach live online classes. The idea of not having to drive anywhere and being able to teach in just my underwear (if I wanted to) is strangely appealing.
Also, my live offline class is going well, even though I have to drive and wear decent clothing for that.

Yesterday, the kids all had a day off of school. Not wanting to squander the event, I made sure to have a fun activity planned: we would FINALLY give their room the cleaning it so badly needed.

The three of them all share one big bedroom, so imagine a teenage boy's room. Now multiply that image x 3. Okay, I know that Meego isn't an official teenager, but he is definitely eligible for the Talented and Gifted program from being such an adept protege' to his brothers' mentoring.

I did what any good mom would do. I offered cash.

"One dollar per pound of anything that is either thrown away or donated", - my final offer. Oh, the fire THAT lit!

Here's me and the highly accurate weighing device with my resulting $81 worth of crap!

Okay, so when I made the contract, I didn't actually think they'd come up with 81 pounds! But, it's money well spent, I'd say. Besides, I can make a good chunk of that back since the Pay the Putzfrau program is still in effect!
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once more, with feeling

2009-10-08T15:07:00.002-06:00

I'm not sure how many times I've called Chaco, only to get his voice mail. *SIGH*. What good's the dang cell phone if it's OFF?!

It seems that communication just isn't that high of a priority for him. "Oh.. yeah... forgot to turn my phone on..."

Well, until today, anyways.

I was heading out the door to meet with a student and thought I'd check the e-mail before I left. My inbox had an "urgent" message from Alphonse Fredenheimer (that's e-mail incognito "code" for Chaco) as follows:

"mom, you forgot to call in for that day I was sick, and you need to do that today before 2:00 or else I get Saturday school".

Oh yeah. He was home coughing up a lung a couple of weeks ago. I never got around to confirming the absence with the attendance lady. So I made a mental note of it, and went on with my business.

When I returned home, the phone answering machine was beeping away:

[with feeling] "You need to confirm my absence from the 25th TODAY or else I'll get Saturday school!". [Dread/Panic]

No "hi Mom". No "Hi, it's Chaco". Not even a reference to Alphonse Fredenheimer, just the [with feeling] "You need to....." [Dread/Panic]

Nextly, my cell phone is buzzing with a voicemail (I think you know what it was and from whom..)

Apparently, it takes a threat of the dreaded Saturday school to get that kid on the phone.
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Silver Liningness, part VII

2009-10-04T08:37:00.010-06:00

My cup runneth over!!

....No, really, anyone got a napkin handy? I just spilt some coffee...

Oh, but seriously, it's been another silver-lined week. Let's review, shall we?

Firstly, recall last weekend that I mentioned we were quite resolute about getting a second commuter car. Well, here she is! Isn't she cute?

It's not exactly an action shot. I just wandered into the garage a few minutes ago to catch this pic of her while she's sleeping. Absolutely NO frills '01 Honda Civic.

The trusty big-butt van has been relieved of its commuter duties and is back to RV status. It now resides in the backyard with our trailer. We finally have the white trash backyard we've strived for all these years.

Work is fun. I had some training last week. We've begun teaching classes online. How cool! I can teach right from here in the Man Cave! I will complete my training shortly, and yesterday, I picked up my flashy smlashy company provided WebCam. TOYZ!!

On a related note, I also kicked off another class yesterday. This one is the old fashioned, live OFFline version. Another nice group of students to bust down so I can build them up..

Remember that house for rent next door? Someone moved in yesterday! I have yet to meet them, but there was lots of activity with people and truckloads of stuff moving in. This could be good. This could be bad. Stay tuned.

scene on a sidewalk

2009-10-02T13:20:00.005-06:00

I saw him at first from a distance. But still, I was pretty sure he was male.

He was pushing a baby in a stroller. Just the two of them out enjoying some midday sun and fresh air.

He wore a striped polo shirt, a pair of sensible white athletic shoes, a pair of denim.... capris.

Yes, they were definitely capris - not just mere highwaters - landing at just the perfect capri spot at lower-calf. He wore ankle socks.

It occurred to me then that I had never seen a man wearing capris. It occurred to me then that I was turned off by a man wearing capris.

I pondered this. No, not the man wearing the capris. I pondered my reaction to it. (Well, okay, maybe I did ponder this man a little...) What was so off-putting? I pondered his "ability" to have actually fathered that baby he was strollering around.

Just a piece of clothing.

After all, I've noticed that I CAN like a man in a skirt.

But I don't know if even Brad Pitt can make capris work.

when I grow up.... a confession of sorts

2009-09-29T14:09:00.006-06:00

This morning, I was out in the wee hours for a run. Yes, it was dark, but I've gotten used to that now.

The thermometer said that it was 45 degrees, so I dressed accordingly and headed out into the dark abyss. It was a little chilly, but I knew I'd warm up once I got moving. Sheesh, yes!

I swear I felt the temperature rise 5 to 7 degrees in about 30 seconds, like someone turned on a heat lamp, minus the light! Suddenly, I had on one layer too many. But oh well, I trudged onward, hoping it was a freak hot wind current I was just passing through. Then I had the thought...

"I wonder if this is a hot flash..."

Seriously, I don't think I've ever had one. Heard of 'em, sure, but had the "pleasure" of one? Don't think so. I don't know much about them, preferring instead to just avoid the topic altogether

So there I was. Out there running. In the dark. With too many clothes on. Feeling all old-ladyish or whatever.

It did eventually cool down from the initial heat surge, but I still think I could've done without some piece of clothing. When I returned back to the house, I checked the thermometer...

AHA! Rejoice!! It said 51 degrees. So there HAD been some chinook wind or something that blew in some hot air!

Nothing like a bit of gerascophobia to wake you up in the morning!
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Silver Liningness, part VI, Vol. 2

2009-09-26T09:46:00.008-06:00

Welcome to the weekend!

This is actually a first "real" weekend for me in about a month. I'd had to work the last 4 Saturdays and Sundays, but not so this weekend. I do enjoy my job, but it's nice to be able to look a total slob on a Saturday morning and not worry about what time it is. On that note, today is one of 4 times out of the year that the LSAT - a notorious weeder outer of lawyer wannabes - is given. Good luck to all of my students!

This week also featured a palpable cold front. I was hit with SNOW on more than one occassion! I learned that our furnace works as do wool socks. And Pikes Peak is very pretty now (no pics, I'm too lazy). Oh, and today's high should be around 80. Cold front all gone.

As for the pic-o'-the-week, I finally got around to posting Meego's old bike for sale on craigslist.

Recall that Wolfgang got a new bike and Meego inherited Wolfgang's old one. So Meego's got a new-to-him bicycle, and he wouldn't mind some cash as well. Let the selling begin.

I also mentioned that we're contemplating a new used car. I feel a bit traitorous to my bicycle commuter status, but bicycling to work is pretty impractical for me, and the big butt gas hog of a van is overkill. We're going car shopping today.

Update: She's a 2001 Honda Civic with 115K miles, no A/C, no cassette or CD, crappy factory stereo, hideous interior, U-crank-em windows... I LOVE her!

Oh yeah, as already mentioned, my vacuum cleaner sucks.
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sex kittens and dust bunnies

2009-09-24T16:15:00.005-06:00

Gosh.

I stopped by here and said, "Gee this blogger hasn't posted anything since Sunday". And then realized, "Oh wait! This is me!"

Well, I have been quite busy, but that LSAT class I was teaching came to its smashing crescendo this week. Test Day is this Saturday (GOOD LUCK YOU GUYS!), those students have all left the nest.

So I've been happily catching up on other aspects of life. I'm shopping for a car for one thing. We threw out the beater idea in favor of just getting a second commuter car. Since Magnum's office moved, he's driving and I'm left with the big butt van for when I need to drive. Thing's a gas hog and can be a pain to park sometimes. So I'm shopping. The van will remain our "RV".

Oh, and today? I pulled of a successful vacuum cleaner repair job. I identified the defective part, ordered a new one, removed the old, replaced with the new. I plugged it in and the vacuum cleaner totally sucks! In a good way!

I ask you: can that every-guy's-current-dreamgirl Meg@n Fox pull off a successful vacuum cleaner repair job? I betcha not!
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Silver Liningness, part V, Vol. 2

2009-09-20T07:58:00.005-06:00

Welcome to the weekend! Or what's left of it anyway. Time to throw around some thankfulness!

I've been quite busy lately with a full work schedule. A few months ago, I added a policy here that I would include a photo of something good from the week to the silver liningness posts.

I realized as I sat down to post this that I had nothing.

Not wanting to be a policy breaker, I just decided to download whatever was currently on the family camera. So, for your viewing pleasure, today's Thankfulness Photo:

Here we have Chaco's friend Anton on a bike next to a huge Chaco ear.

OKAY, so now that that's out of the way...

Well, actually, I suppose I can find a thankfulness bent here. Anton is a good kid. I' m thankful that he's one of Chaco's friends. He's rather geeky and owns several bicycles that he's scrapped together buying parts off of craigslist and whatnot. What's not to like? I have no idea the story behind this photo.

Oh, and just a side note, that house there in the background? That's the one next door that's for rent. Come on! Move in!

As I mentioned, I've been busy work-wise. Believe me when I say that I am NOT a workaholic, I just seem to be pretending to be one lately. I do like being useful, but I'm thankful that some things are winding down and I'll have more breathing room in my schedule soon.

OH! And I just remembered... I do have a real photo! Last spring at school, all of the third graders (of which Meego was one) received a little cabbage plant in a cup from some seed company. The idea being to encourage kids to garden. They also brought home a little info sheet about growing the cabbage and such, and instructions to take a photo of the kid with said grown cabbage and turn it back into the teacher in September for entry into this big cabbage growing contest thing.

Somehow, I remembered about bringing a photo in. I took a photo of Meego with his now bigger cabbage and he took it to his science teacher. He was the ONLY one! The ONLY one!

So anyway, the teacher submitted his single entry to the national thing. We'll see if anything happens. If nothing else, he gets points for follow-through. And we get cabbage.
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the thing what happened

2009-09-18T16:05:00.005-06:00

So we all know that Chaco is learning to drive, thus he's the designated driver around here. He circles like a vulture, waiting for some errand that needs to be run. If one is discovered, he gleefully assumes the position in the driver's seat while the designated parent and/or legal guardian rides outwardly patient at shotgun while inwardly having a massive cardiac event.

One thing he hasn't quite mastered is getting the vehicle back into the garage. Yes, we actually keep our vehicles in the garage. Furthermore, we back them in, Fire Engine style, so as to drive them out frontwardly, Fire Engine style.

This can be a tricky manuever for anyone, let alone, a novice driver. Chaco did make an attempt once, when there was no other car in the garage. He succeeded in cracking the full-length mirror that adorns the back wall of our garage. Yes, we have a full length (that's wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling) mirror on the back wall of our garage... but that's another story.

These fretful excursions typically end with Chaco backing into the driveway, followed by a Chinese firedrill of sorts as the parent and/or legal guardian takes over for the backing-into-the-garage-duties.

Flashback to an evening last week. I was out teaching a class. An errand was run. A changing of seating arrangements took place in the driveway. Car keys were locked in the car with the engine running. Mayhem ensued.

I had the only other key to the car. My cell phone was off. I can only imagine the scene.

Eventually, they managed to break into the car, but before that happened, they searched around for the possibility of a spare key. A spare key that maybe I had stashed someplace. They rifled through all of my STUFF!

To this day, I am still finding my... my... my... treasures... strewn about in the frenzied wake! My jogbra section of the dresser! My secret stash of batteries! (wouldn't you like to know) My little box of special jewelry! My girl stuff!

I feel so violated.

"We know all your secrets now", Magnum told me afterwards.

I'm thinking maybe they made that whole story up about the car....
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self indulgence

2009-09-16T08:41:00.004-06:00

Aaaaaaah....... *takes another sip of coffee*

Looking in my planner, I see a rare sight. It says "Wednesday". It says "16". Other than that, there's not a whole lot else.

No tutor sessions. No classes. No meetings. Kids are all at school. This is a rarity. What's a girl to do?

I think I'll start with a total full-body cleanse (a.k.a laundry duty).
Then, a rejuvenation package (a.k.a shop for groceries).
Next, a nature retreat (a.k.a shovel the shtuff from the dog kennel).
All this to be followed by a deep tissue massage (a.k.a sweep and mop the floors).
Maybe even a "boob job" (a.k.a. fix Wolfgang's flat tire)

Let's get this party started.
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Silver Liningness, part IV, vol. 2

2009-09-12T19:02:00.008-06:00

The week started out with a day off, and I feel like I've been catching up ever since. You know how it is when you "lose" a day....

But still, Monday was fun. No work. No school. Didn't do anything particularly special, just messed around at Garden of the Gods for a while. Not too good for the cracked rib, but... screw it.

On that note, however, the rib situation is much better today! In the words of King Julian: "I LIKE LAUGHING!" I can laugh without crying now! Couldn't necessarily say so a week ago.

Work is busy but fulfilling. I've got a class going on still and two private tutor students. That's about right, don't want anymore right now. I'm thankful to have a flexible job that I enjoy.

On that note, I started VoMo (that's "volunteer Mom") duties for this school year in Meego's classroom. I usually make myself available to his classroom teachers and then get paranoid if the teacher doesn't ask me to help out. She asked. I'm in. I get to do mindless work for her each week. It's nice.

Also nice, Magnum and I watched such a movie. The Station Agent. I don't even remember how I came to hear of this movie. Maybe one of those obscure Netflix recommendations. I took the bait and rented it. It's funny, sad, heartwarming, and I liked all of the main characters. Go watch.

Today is all fallish. Chilly and rainy. I like it. For now. *sings* "If you like pina coladas... and getting caught in the...."
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