Random

Check out that pillow. I must have one. Chris said he'd never get any rest if I brought that thing into the bed.

Ever notice, in the I Love the 70s series, how the brothers of Nelson look like Ellen Degeneres?

I have a headache. I've had two in the past 24 hours. I also had a bloody nose this morning. It appears that this is normal stuff for week 15 of pregnancy. I had forgotten about that. My back started hurting me last night while I waited in line at Burger King (shut up). I hope it (the back ache) is not starting this early. I can't handle that. The main thing I have to deal with on a daily basis is the exhaustion. I guess it's from also having to handle Luke this go around. It was easier when I could just relax on the couch. I'm trying to get Luke excited about the baby. He doesn't get it--I told him I have a baby in my belly. He laughed and pointed at his stomach and said he had a baby in his belly too. I ask him all the time, "Is the baby a brother or a sister?" He says, "Sistah."

I think my bump is finally noticeable for being a pregnant bump and not a "she's been pigging out!" bump. I'm feeling him/her move around, especially when I'm at home during the pm. It feels all silly. :) I'm still craving peanut butter, orange juice, oranges, apples, and...salty things. OH! And lots of Chinese food. Thoughts? Girl? Boy? Go ahead and tell me about the 160 heartrate from my last visit too, why don't cha?

We'll have a toliet and sink in the renovated bathroom within two weeks. Cool. Come on down, Casey, Meg, and Dylan.

I really want to see Dreamgirls but I need someone to go with me. Chris ain't interested.

I learned a new slang word today. When a kid describes a girl as a "Dime", that means she's a perfect ten. Kids these days. :)

A few nights ago, Chris checked on Luke, who seemed to be making noise in his room when he was supposed to be in his bed. Chris came back into the den. I asked, "What was going on?"
"He was walking around holding his shoes for some reason."
I thought that was hilarious.

You're the One that I Want! A Fun, Frothy Entry.

Is there anyone else watching this show? I have to admit I am, as embarrassing as that may sound... Here's my take on last night's show. If you are watching, tell me if you agree or disagree with my expert findings. ;)

Derek--aka "Wholesome Danny" --he was okay. Didn't crank my motor. Shrug
Austin aka "Hot Danny" (don't think so)--looks like a combo John Boy and Harry Connick Jr. His gyrating pelvis turned me off. I mean, a little gyrating is a good thing, but dude was out of control! He also stands funny. He stands "like he has hairspray under his arms" according to Chris.
Allie--aka "Baby Sandy" --the 19 year old. She looks more like she's 30. A boring 30. Her outfit was a tragedy and I hate how often she licked her large Wilbur teeth. I also grew tired of her "Well I'm young...so..." and "I'm only 19...so..."
Kate---aka "Serious Sandy"--Reminds me of Julie from Valleygirl. I like her a lot.

I interrupt this blog to report that my son wants me to play in his room. I told him that Mama was busy. Chris, from the other room, sang the song that I always sing to him when the same thing happens with him and Luke. "The cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon...he learned to walk while I was awayyy...Been sure nice talking to you, Mom, been sure nice talking to you..."
Later: I went to play with him. I'm not made of stone.

Matt--aka "Second Chance Danny"--I'm sorry, your head is too square and your nose is odd. You seem like a nice guy, but vocally you are not ready. (And I should know--vocally I'm not ready either.)

Ashley--aka "Emotional Sandy"--Is this Laura from General Hospital, circa 1981? Beautiful girl. I envy her legs, but vocally she's not there either. Sorry. You still have your looks.

Jason--aka "Boyband Danny"--I don't know where to begin. Okay, how about like this? I don't think he is into any Sandys, if you catch my drift. Plus, he's already been in Altarboys, so he has that going for him. Love his choice of George Michael song.

Max--aka "Slacker Danny"--I like him. He's a nerdy spastic kind of kid but I like. Sue me. Do I see him winning? No, but he's a neat dude.

Laura--aka "Small Town Sandy"--she is absolutely beautiful, but who told her to wear those boots with those shorts? Ew. Too pageant-y for this role. But again, I have no doubt she'll do well in something else. I can also see her being an elementary school teacher. She has that look.

Kathleen--aka "Spiritual Sandy"-probably my favorite because of her performance last night. She's a mix of Mena Suvari, Jessica Simpson, and Christie Brinkley and she has a real presence on stage. I should know. I was in my high school performance of Steel Magnolias as Clairee. ;)

After Kathleen, a certain commercial caught my eye. Why is the power company advertising...uh electricity? "Electricity! Still a great value!" You know, you are right, Ala. Power. I think I'll be keeping you on. Yep. You sold me.

Kevin--aka "Bellhop Danny"--Cutie. Odd shaped head though. He sang "Walking in Memphis" one of my favorite songs, so that made me happy.

Chad--aka "Ambitious Danny"--My favorite!!!! He makes me grin like a moron when I'm watching him. I feel about 15 when he performs. He'll win.

Juliana--aka "Rock Chick Sandy"--she'll be in the competition for a while, I think. She's good, but I wonder if people will vote for a brown haired Sandy. She's got something...

Ashley S--aka "Ballerina Sandy"--I liked her before last night. She just didn't wow me. She is absolutely stunning and reminds me of a pretty, young Meg Ryan, but I don't know. Is she too bland to be Sandy? Also? I think she must have an eating disorder.

PS Billy Bush is a horrible horrible interviewer. He kept interrupting poor Olivia Newton John, who I felt sorry for...mainly because her boyfriend is out and about in Mexico or something...

Toni Collette, Babies, and Other Stuff

Ever notice odd little patterns or themes in your life? Stupid stuff that means nothing but you wonder, "Hmm...what does it all mean?" And of course it's all just coincidence. Like last week, it was a Toni Collette theme. We watched The Night Listener (I loved it, Chris didn't hate it, but it wasn't his thing), I saw In Her Shoes on HBO (very good chick flick, I have to say! I love Shirley Maclaine), we just recently saw Little Miss Sunshine, and because of all the award shows, we saw her everywhere on tv...so Toni Collette was last week.

This week, it's the song "Little Less Conversation"--heard it in Ocean's 11 last night (we Netflixxed it because Chris had never seen it and I barely remembered the plot) and then, this morning, I was watching Shark Tale with Luke and it was in there too.

What's the theme going on in your life lately?

*****
Friday had its own theme. Pregnancy. I asked the students to write a fifth entry in their journals this week--normally I just ask for four entries about the book they are reading. I asked them, for their fifth entry, to write about how they are doing--what's going on in their lives. Well, I learned a lot. I learned that two of my girls just found out that they were pregnant. One is already five months along and didn't know she was pregnant, she told me. She already has health problems and I wonder how this will affect her...I'm honestly worried about that--especially after losing Kim H, my student two years ago. The other one (they are both seniors, by the way) is getting pressure from her parents to have an abortion. She actually asked me what to do. I told her that is not something I can decide for her. That choice is hers to make and she will live with both decisions, either way. I know of a teacher in the past who advised her student to have an abortion and I wonder if that kid did it and regretted it. I would hate to have that on my conscience---telling a kid that that is the way to go. Whoo. No thanks.

My co-worker who parks two spaces away from me had a goat in her truck Friday. It was a baby goat. This has nothing to do with pregnancy, not really, but it was different. Anyway. A baby goat. Yeah. And I don't even work out in the country anymore! :)

So later on in the day I'm driving back from an electronics store (where I had to buy overhead bulbs) and a VERY pregnant dog crossed the jammed packed road. I was wincing watching her, her swollen teats swinging back and forth. I couldn't help it, I thought about my students who didn't know what was about to happen to their bodies and their lives. Get this, when the students in one class found out that I myself am due on July 20th, one kid said, "Well that's good! You'll be able to come right back to work on August 6th!" Naive, thy name is kid.
They think you just have it and move right along. Amazing. I'm feeling better about having to miss the entire month of August (thanks powers that be, that keep pushing the beginning of school earlier and earlier!) because I have a retired teacher who is also a trusted former colleague filling in for me and I know she'll run a tight ship until I get back there after Labor (slightly ironic) Day.

But back to the theme: I got home after all this pregnancy business and my across the street neighbor came up the driveway. I always know this means she has news of some sort. "Well I'm gonna be a grandma!" I congratulated her. "Well that's fantastic! How far along is (name of her daughter who got married last year)?" Then she tells me it's not her married daughter, but her unmarried son who got his girlfriend pregnant. Ouch. She's excited but worried.

******
That's what's been on my mind lately. How about you?

Wow. That's a lot of children!

Hope's Blog!

Awesome! My longtime friend Hope started her own blog! Love it!!

Blue Boy 2006

New pics up at the flickr site. Mostly from Christmas. Enjoy.

Want me to demo yours?

A preview of what we did to the bathroom. This pic is from the night we started, back in late September.
We are nearing the end stages now so we'll have the complete before and after stuff up when it's all complete! (PS I really didn't do much of that stuff. It made my arm hurt too bad. Chris did uh, pretty much all of it. Those people back in 1955 could sure put up a wall!) Chris calls this my poseur picture. "I remember that night! You put the hammer down right after I took the shot! What's all this WE stuff???"

Friday

A belated happy birthday to Janice!!!

:)

It has been a lovely day. I had the day off so I could go to my gyno appt and all is well. I was a little concerned because it took a little longer to find the heartbeat than normal, but then there it was! "At 160." The nurse said. (That whole heartrate telling you the sex is an old wives tale, by the way, so don't even mention it.) I always have the same nurse and she looks to be in her twenties. She's very pleasant and seems to like to kid around with me. Then of course, I have a fantastic and good lookin' doc too. My old one moved to Florida.

Why am I writing so choppy today? I don't know. Sorry about that.

After the appt, I visited with my employed by the State parents, who took the day off and were watching tv in their robes. We chatted it up about all sorts of things. I absolutely love how my parents keep up with Hollywood stuff.
"Jen, did you know that Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake broke up?" Mom asked me.
Then, Mom, Dad, and I discussed whether or not we thought Timberlake was good looking or not. Mom thinks he is, I think he is, but Dad is not so easily sold on this theory.

After this fun discussion I met Chris for Chinese food and then we walked over to Burlington to check out goods. He went back to work and I bought some new maternity fashions. (Fashions. Heh. RIGHTTTTT...) Anyway. I was absurdly thrilled to buy MEDIUM maternity pants. Girls are so stupid about that size crap.

A white trash lady who looked like she spent some years on a pole was behind me in the long (long? Of course! It was Burlington!) line at the check out. A manager came out and announced that a new line was forming at this other check out area. She saw that I was heading to the area and jumped in front of me at this one, with all her skanky hooker clothes. I was pissed. Isn't it considered uh, common etiquette to move in the same order that you were previously in? Right? Am I wrong here? I stared a hole in the back of her head and willed it to explode. It didn't. She eventually paid for her crap and walked off, back to her abusive husband who was no doubt waiting for her in the pick up outside.

I really wanted to say something but I hate confrontation. It just makes me tired.

My lovely day has also included a nap, some viewing of Law and Order, and some light housekeeping duties. I only have about an hour left of solitude before I pick up The Patches.

Say hey, by the way. Who is out there?

When Death Comes
When death comes like the hungry bear in autumn
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
to buy me, and snaps his purse shut;
when death comes like the measle pox;
when death comes like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering;
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everythingas a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,
and I think of each life as a flower,
as common as a field daisy,
and as singular,
and each name a comfortable music in the mouth
tending as all music does,
toward silence,
and each body a lion of courage,
and something precious to the earth.
When it's over, I want to say:
all my life I was a bride married to amazement.
I was a bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it's over,
I don't want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular,
and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened or full of argument.
I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

Mary Oliver

Just popping my head up to say hi

I've been very tired lately. VERY tired. Like, I come home and I'm done. Stick a fork in me. One of my students, Jeff, a wrestler, wanted me to come see him wrestle.
"It's at five here in the gym."
I told him at five I was already in my pajamas. I really wish I could drag myself out to see some of my kids play in a basketball game or wrestle. I just seriously can't make myself do it. I even turned down a free ticket to see Harper Lee's presence last week. (Sorry Kristy.) The vitamins don't seem to be helping with that either.
Tomorrow I go back for my monthly appointment with the gyno. Some people have inquired about how far along I am--I'm 13 weeks. This is what the boobah looks like inside of me right now. (Not the actual kid, but someone's kid I found on the internet.)
I'm having to be really creative with my clothing choices. I can't wear a lot of my maternity pants yet because they are too big OR I discovered that I cut the elastic top sides of a lot of my pants and skirts the first go around...so they slide off too easily. (Not something you want to happen while you are out in public.) But I can't wear most of my normal clothes anymore, so I'm in a pickle.
*****
Been watching American Idol. The first episode really depressed me---especially the first girl they showed. I was worried she'd go off and slit her wrists. The second episode was a little better, although Chris and I were annoyed that they were making fun of people with obvious mental and developmental problems.
*****
I'm digging Netflix. Working much better for us. So far we've watched An American Haunting (started out with promise, went flat), Superman (I scene selected only the parts where he was flying so Luke could see. I figured out the plot and all that crap this way--A 2 plus hour movie in 30 minutes. Sounds good to me. Anyway, Chris and I are big C. Reeve Superman fans and we decided we really didn't want to watch this new guy...so...) and now we have The Night Listener sitting on the counter. We'll save that for Friday----The Official Movie Night. :)
******
That's all I got for ya right now. Need to go check on my dinner I'm preparing. Thank God for ready made lasagna! (Chris's back is out...so dinner was my thang.)
PS This cold weather sucks.

Happy Birthday

to my mother-in-law Donna! Hope you had a great day!!!

Chris's Vision in the Carport

I've been looking at pink clothes on Babygap all day. I'm also compiling a list of baby names, heavy on the girl names. Chris has been working on cleaning out the storage room all day. He just came in. I asked him what he thought about a name--a girl name.
"Doesn't matter. I just had a vision."
"What?"
"It's a boy."
"Whatever."
"It's a boy. Concentrate on the boy names."
"You are so full of shit. Whatever. What do you think of this name---(girl name)?"
"Doesn't matter."

Silly man.

Happy birthday to Chris's brother, Cory! I'm sure you've had quite a weekend. Heh!

From our Fort Payne trip in summer 05.

Cory, Casey, and Chris

Paula=Plastered

Cringe, laugh, shake your head. Here's that Paula Abdul interview where she's drunk or high or both. Enjoy.

Go read this post by Melissa over at Suburban Bliss. Really good entry.

Hmmm

This should make things awkward at the openings for Shrek 3 this summer...

Dear GE Retractable Cord Iron,

You are no longer retracting. In fact, you just hang there. I expected more. After all, you are GE. You are supposed to bring good things to life.

Disappointed,
Me

This makes me sad.
"Key Master!!!"

Peter Tork

My sister-in-law, Meggan, has a fantastic Mama who writes stories daily and sends them to all of her family and friends. Here's what she (Karen M) wrote tonight about Dylan. I read it aloud to Chris and he cracked up.

I was sitting at the dining room table, organizing some papers I was working on. He was standing at the opposite end. He said, "Nana, I'm Peter Tork". I asked him to repeat what he said just so's I could be sure I heard him right. He said, "I'm Peter Tork." I asked him who Peter Tork was (I knew -- I was just checking to see how smart this kid really was). He said, "Peter Tork is from The Monkees". I figured Mimi or Papa had enlightened our grandson on the music of the '60's. I was, of course, wrong. He said, "Chris". Chris is his daddy's oldest brother. He told Dylan that he looked like Peter Tork with his hair as long as it is. I thought I was going to have to faint dead away when he first said what he said. I mean, let's face it. Peter Tork was not the most popular Monkee and for a 3 year old, born in the 21st century to know the name . . . well, it blew me away. Then when he told me Uncle Chris had told him he was Peter Tork, I realized that "I should have known". I'm going to have to dig up a picture of Peter Tork somewhere and make Dylan a t-shirt. On it I'll print, "My name is Peter Tork".

My sis just sent this. She took it in August when we were at Macaroni Grill. I think it's funny. :)

Congrats to my former student from Indiana, Crystal, on the birth of her daughter (finally!) they have named Finley.

You know...I can handle wearing glasses with at least one part attaching them to my face, but today my son presented me with a bigger challenge.
"I broke, Mama." He brought them to me.
When I cried a little bit about them, he brought me my sunglasses and hugged me, said, "I'm sorry Mama."

Bless his heart. Oh well. Now I have a legitimate reason to go pick out new ones.

Weekend Roundup

Yesterday morning I got back in bed with Chris while Luke watched cartoons. Chris said, "I had a dream I was building a fire."
"Were you in Yukon territory with a dog that wouldn't let you touch him?"
"No. I was in the backyard."
"Oh."
**********
The bathroom is coming right along. The tile is on the floor and on the walls (halfway up), the new tub and shower are in, the primer has been applied to the walls, the ceiling was scraped, sandpapers, and repainted, and now Chris is putting the color on the walls today. Next step will be having the tile guy come back to grout the tile, then we can put the new sink and toliet in. I'm getting really excited about this. I never thought I'd be so excited over a bathroom. I've got pics of the bathroom project that I'll put up as soon as everything is done. As you know, we've been going at it with this john since the end of September. It will be nice to have two baths again. So so nice!!!
**********
We joined Netflix! I spent two hours clicking on movies to add to my list. Finally, I can catch up with the rest of the world and see stuff that everyone has talked about. I took two movies back to Blockbuster yesterday (of course late) and I wanted to yell, "Later assclowns!" (Of course I didn't.)
**********
Dear city that starts with a W and sounds a little like dump:
Please put lights up in your fair city. My husband and I tried to have a datenight in your town, but we couldn't find any street signs and the mudholes were abundant. Lights would have helped a lot with this.
Sincerely,
Us
***********

Child Forever?

This article creeped me out and I also puzzled over the strangest allusion to The Great Gatsby I think I've ever seen!

School started back so I've been busy with that. Teachers started back yesterday and kids came back today. They are not thrilled about work, but as seniors, they are excited that it's finally 2007--"their" year.

I'm so tired. Cold is still holding on. I had Mom stop by the store to pick up some Sudafed for me the other night (one of the rare things I can actually have while preg) and she pretty much got interrogated (okay not really) and had to hand her id over (they really did do this). I had forgotten that they keep Sudafed off the shelves because you can make meth from it. Yeah, my mom is a meth addict. Ha ha. Funny. Barb. Dad was in the car wondering what in the heck had happened to his wife.

Something tells me this is like..not such a good idea. You know, cuz he can't keep it in his pants. (Yes, I still think he's adorable though.)

This made me cry a little. Did it do it to you? (Or am I just emotional lately?)

Have you heard of this? Bookcrossing. Interesting idea.

Anyone doing the Netflix thing? Should we do it?

How to Thwart a Lunch Thief

Got this from: Worst Case Scenarios Online

How to Thwart a Lunch Thief
1. Prepare a special lunch bag.Staple your lunch bag shut. This will send the thief who has been stealing your lunch a not-so-subtle message that you know what he is up to. Write your name on the bag in large block letters to prevent the thief from claiming a bag mix-up.
2. Track the items stolen.A clever thief will not risk being caught red-handed with your entire lunch bag; he will simply remove his favorite items. Assess the thief’s appetite and level of sophistication by observing for several days what items are taken and when. If the labeled and stapled bag does not deter him, you are dealing with a dedicated thief.
3. Set a trap.Once you have determined the thief’s method and preferences, alter your lunch accordingly. If the thief likes sandwiches, hide a layer of well-chopped jalapeño peppers between the other ingredients (cover with a thin layer of mayonnaise, if necessary). If the thief prefers cookies, cupcakes, or other sweets, sprinkle a layer of cayenne pepper on the underside of these items. These traps will teach the thief a lesson and may flush the thief out into the open (wait by the water cooler later) if you are unable to catch him in the act.
4. Monitor the refrigerator.Find a surveillance spot with a clear view of the office kitchen or stroll past once every few minutes. Mid- to late-morning is the prime time for lunch theft. Each time someone goes to the refrigerator, listen for the sound of your bag being ripped open. If there is no ripping sound, check the staples after each person leaves. Resume hiding until you hear a ripping sound or you see someone with his back to you, peeking into the refrigerator for a longer than usual time.
5. Wait for the crinkle.Listen attentively until you hear the thief open your bag and remove an item; if you move too soon you risk the defense of simple bag confusion.
6. Pounce.As the thief turns away from the fridge with your lunch item, jump out from your hiding spot. Say, “I believe that’s my lunch you have in your hand!” If the thief denies that the item is from your lunch bag, show him the now-unsealed bag and explain that it was sealed before he opened the refrigerator door. If he still professes innocence, tell him to prove it by taking a large bite of the (doctored) item.

Have you ever been a victim of a lunch thief?