Pills, Lost, Janice, and 2 Surprise Boxes

Yesterday I stayed home because I was sick as the proverbial dog.

It's some kind of sinus/throat/achy body thing. Chris took the boys to daycare and left me half a muscle relaxer to help me get some sleep during the day.

He came back with the boys and noticed that I hadn't taken the pill.

"Why didn't you take the pill?"

"Because of Heath Ledger."

"There's a difference between a muscle relaxer and lines of coke, and tons of sleeping pills..."

"I didn't need any pill to get some sleep---I have a baby, remember?"

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So glad Lost is coming back on tonight!

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Shoutout goes out to Janice, who celebrated a birthday this month and I totally forgot to send a card or email! HAPPY BELATED BDAY JANICE!!!That's Janice in the pink dress at our wedding.

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Last night I went through two boxes of stuff my dad found in their attic. Wowza! I was so excited---I found journals for school I forgot I kept! (Keep a lookout for some of these in the Diary part of my Flickr account!) Pictures I forgot I had! All the newspaper articles I wrote for junior high, high school, and at @um! Also...the short "novels" I wrote in junior high. I'll have to scan the "novels" this weekend for you. Hysterically BAD! Here are some of the titles: Just Died in Your Arms, An Uncomfortable Situation, All is Fair in Love and War...sweetness...

Pictures

Here are some random pics from last weekend.

Random Quotes and A GAME YOU WON'T STOP PLAYING

"Ya tickle my nose and suck on my toes...who sings that horrible song? It keeps coming on my radio."---Chris. I told him that it was "Bubbly", that those weren't the right lyrics, and that I've been hating that song for months. Where has he been??
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Student to me this morning: "Is Annie and Shirley Temple the same person?" Uh, no.
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Student to another student: "I remember once when I was playing around with a Luigi board and we talked to ghosts!"
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From rough draft of a student's research paper: "William Blake was a man of alot of words and no words all at the same time."

Brilliant.

Check out this game. It's addictive. Kudos to Chris for finding it! Can you get past level 3? I can't. YET!!! "I was WAYYY off about Lima, Peru."

Stop! Collaborate and Listen!

Back from a weekend in the Tennessee Valley Authority area... :)

Check this out. Does Jake look like his namesake (Jacob MICHAEL) aka Papa here or what???

We have started calling Jake "Lil' Papa"--sounds like a rapper.

Lil' Papa and Patches Kickin it Old Skool...

Speaking of old skool...here's some dancing fun from Chris, while hanging out at Meg and Casey's this weekend... I got a kick out of seeing Casey trying to balance himself on a yoga ball over in the lefthand corner. :)

You ain't a beauty, but hey you're alright...

Springsteen's "Thunder Road" is one of the best songs ever. It's now on my iPod, thanks to Papa's iTunes library. Sweetness! Enjoy...

That's all I got for you tonight.

Thursday

Have you seen Jerry O'Connell spoof his former co-star Tom Cruise (remember Jerry Maguire?) yet? Awesome. I totally get why Rebecca R. fell for "the fat kid from Stand By Me".

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It's so freakin' cold.

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I have heartburn again. What's that about? GERDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD....

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Did you watch that show The Moment of Truth last night? How many divorces will that create??? I don't think I can even watch it with Chris ever again because he kept going, "What would YOU SAY?" I haven't had that much fun since we thought it would be a good idea to play The Newlywed Board game. (Read: don't ever play that.)

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I am about to start reading The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. Never read the Chronicles of Narnia before...I know. Shoot me. I don't know if I can finish Eat, Pray, Love. I just really don't like the author much, and I'm having to MAKE myself read it, and that's never a good sign---but I do have this to say---I had a moment about "God speaking to me through small things" the other night and it was a direct result of that book. I won't get into it right now though, specifically. So...I'm glad the book nudged that thought out to me.

Come up with your own catchy title

So I go into the "teacher's lounge/women's bathroom" yesterday, needing to take care of some personal issues...
What do I see?
Some copier repairman sitting on the floor with bits of the copier spread around him, working diligently.
"Hi. How'ya doin'?" I asked.
"Fine. And you?"

I left.

Old Man Take a Look at My Life...

This morning, on my drive to the daycare provider's house, I was stopped at a red light when I noticed a truck on the opposite side of the street. It was a "beater" (as Chris calls any car that is a P.O.S.) truck with an old man driving it. He had a thermos with him and took a swig out of it, steam rising into the air. I just wanted to hug him. There's something really sweet about hardworking old men with their thermos full of coffee. Very grandpa-ish. (Sure wish I had had a relationship with one of my grandfathers, but they both died when I was very young.)

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In other news, I can't believe Heath Ledger died. I totally gasped when I saw it on TV. Accident or suicide???

The Jake Show

Because Mimi needed a Jake fix! :)

Snow's Gone, but...

Two quick things:
1. So glad TK and Rachel won The Amazing Race!!!!
2. Chris and I got to go on a movie date---saw Juno. It's awesome, you need to go!!!!

Monster Trucks, eHarmony, Jesse Camp, and Jen Reviews TV AND SNOW!

Last Friday Chris took our son to see MONSTER TRUCKS! Okay, I know I poked fun of our former neighbors being rednecks earlier, and YES they are still rednecks, but I am fully aware that a monster truck show is, in the Venn Diagram of life, firmly in the redneck part of the diagram. Still, Chris felt that Luke would enjoy seeing the huge trucks and motorcycles. And he did. He even got a MONSTER TRUCK fake tattoo that he got Chris to put on his chest. He has shown that off all week. (Among other things...ahem.) Here are the pics Chris took from his father/son excursion to the land of the red.

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I hate the eHarmony commercials. I don't know what is creepier--the old guy who came up with eHarmony (his voice is irritating to me), or some of the couples doing their stupid little dance thing.

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Remember this guy? It appears he is working in a pet store in L.A. now. Good. I was irritated that he won over that Dave guy. Maybe you don't remember him? :)

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Anyone else watching Celebrity Rehab? What a bunch of famewhores. Especially that chick who has a "pot problem". Jeff Conaway is just sad. Chris, while watching him do a great Ozzy impression, said, "Just put a bullet in that guy. He's done." I can't believe he's the same dude from Grease. And while Chyna is hard to look at (not as much as Frenchie on the new ROL) she kinda cracks me up.

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Rock of Love 2...sigh. What can I say? More skanks, more fun. I feel bad watching this show. The good news is, with my DVR I don't have to watch it while Luke is awake and liable to walk in. That's a good thing.

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Intervention remains a fave. Anyone see the one with the girl who was passed out in her kitchen instead of being at her sister's babyshower? (That could probably describe all of them...) Anyway, I felt sorry for that girl. Not only did she look (and sound!) like a friend of mine from way back, but I thought her family was being very cruel to her. Overly cruel. I guess they had just gotten "over it!" (Much like Britney and the paps...heh) Here's my favorite intervention of all time though. Silvio's "Disgusting!" always makes us laugh.

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American Idol---mindless fun. Even though 2 hours is too much at one time... That Willem Defoe looking woman is sick. And just plain sad.

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The Amazing Race (Gosh I watch a lot of TV!)---I'm hoping that the potheads win or the grandfather/grandson team win. I do not want DADDY to win. DO NOT WANT. (Hand up.)

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Friday Night Lights--the best show on TV. If you aren't watching, something is wrong with you.

I heart the Coach.

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Dr. Phil. Chris even enjoys watching this one with me, mainly to crack up at the intro "Today is gonna be a changing day in your life!"

Hope this entry was long enough for ya. I wonder if we will indeed see snow today. That's the forecast...we'll see.

UPDATE! IT's snowing!!!!!!!!!!! And boy do I sound SOUTHERNNNNNNNNNNNN...

Trouble at Daycare, Jakers, and Schoo'

Picked up the boys this afternoon and Mrs. P greeted me with a funny smile.
I asked my usual question, "Did we have a good day?"
I hugged Luke, who rose from the little table with his sippy cup and beamed at me, "Mama!"
Mrs. P smiled again and let me know that I needed to have a little talk with my son. It seems that every time Mrs. P would leave the room for a second or turn around, he'd drop trou and show off "Little Luke". He would even dance a little. Nice.

I told Chris about it when I got home (out of Luke's earshot because I knew Chris would laugh). He sat down and had a manly talk with our little exhibitionist. I can't imagine where he learned this behavior from...

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In Jake news, he is now sleeping in his own room in the crib and he loves it. He was outgrowing his bassinet. Kept hurting his arms on the wooden slats on the side. Still not sleeping through the night yet though. Wakes up once, usually around 2:30 every morning but goes right back to sleep in his crib after a bottle.
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Talked with a kid today about his failing grades. Told him I was worried. He's a good kid but a "class clown". He told me his mom recently got laid off at work and he's working late every night trying to take the burden off her. His sudden serious tone (when he's usually all jokey like a little Fresh Prince---that's who he reminds me of) really got to me. Another kid who has given me trouble all year long joked to the class about how he hasn't seen his father since he was five and that he (the father) skips from job to job to avoid child support coming out of his wages. It made me realize the pain this kid must feel and how that probably has a lot to do with his acting out in class.
Here are pics of the views from my desk early in the morn', before the 100 plus kids enter my world every day.

What is this "notecard" you speak of?

It's been a busy week. Doing research in the library with four classes. Bless their hearts, some of them have no idea how to do this. It seems I'm the first teacher to make them do a research paper. (This is why, as a senior English teacher, I get so pissed off when we have crappy 10th or 11th grade teachers---I know I'll get the fallout eventually.)

It's also been rainy and cold and I've been coming home, grabbing a child and a blanket and just zoning out with TV. I've been trying to finish Eat, Pray, Love, but I'm in the middle part (where she's in India) and I'm just BORED. I am feeling animosity towards her as she finds herself in India. She seems very...dumb and self-centered here. I liked the Italy part better.

Birthday wishes go out to my mother-in-law Donna!

41 Years

Happy Anniversary to my parents, Barb and Harold! 41 years...whoa!!!

To Amuse You

Hot Chicks with Douchebags

Chris found this one.

Happy 29th Birthday Cory!

Happy birthday wishes to my bro-in-law, Cory!

Semantics

Luke is throwing Spidermen against the blinds, Jake is laughing at him.
Me: Luke, please stop throwing things.
Luke: I'm not throwing things. I'm flyin' things.

Putting the Crap in Scrap

Listen, I scrapbook (not as much as I used to due to---DUH---two kids) but this makes me feel stupid for being a part of this trend. People need to get a life and stop crucifying this woman. Geesh.

Teacher's Lounge/Bathroom

My co-worker Amanda invites you in! Here you can rest your legs, eat a ham sandwich, make copies, phone a parent, use the Scantron machine, or drop the "kids off at the pool"! Feel free to flush while a co-worker is on the phone with a parent! No judgement here! Welcome, friend!

Hair, Heartburn, Hips, and...other things that don't fit the H thing

Thanks go out to recent bday girl Jan for this link. I was so scared that a certain EHBC Olan Mills pic would be on there...
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Had the worst heartburn EVERRRRRR last night after eating a grilled chicken sandwich from Zaxby's. I never get heartburn (only when in late stages of pregnancy). At least this time I could take whatever I wanted---Pepto being my friend. I chewed on some Tums too. What do you use when you have heartburn? I hate that GERD is the fancy name for heartburn. Gross. Gerd...
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I started my official "it's time to lose some weight" thing these past couple of weeks. I have 15 pounds to lose and I think (no, I know) it's Doable. I HAVE to get into my old pants. I have sooo many dressy work pants that I can't wear yet from the extra baby weight. It's like most of my baby weight went to my hips and thighs. Yuck. So anyway, I'm walking past the dessert trays at lunch and I'm drinking a lot of water. I started exercising again too. Wish me luck. Oh, and check this out--I like stuff like this.
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I started working on this year's lit magazine today. I have lots of stuff to work with---I picked out my favorites and it seems that a lot of kids are writing about relationships with parents this year. Interesting. At least to me.
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Do the stars in Hollywood really think we give a crap whether or not they have the Golden Globes? I don't care. Like I go to any of the parties, etc. I bet those who are nominated are really irritated...

Sorry. Kinda boring entry!

Everywhere such as

Back to the old grind...
Today went fairly well.
While reading aloud from the grammar book I encountered "such as" many times. I couldn't help but say it like this. No one "got it", or if they did I guess they didn't think it was that funny. Oh well.

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In other news, the rednecks who lived next door to us back in the day are finally moving themselves. How nice. My mother found their info online while looking up real estate (that's a strange hobby, Mom!) I hope someone drove through THEIR YARD and parked in front of THEIR HOUSE and made THEIR lives miserable. With our luck, they will somehow move in next door to us again. What we would have given to see that for sale sign in that yard four years ago. They want 152 thou for this crackerbox. Give me a break. Chris is sitting on the couch right now saying, "I'm gonna go over there and take a tour. I'll offer them 12,000 cash, tax and title out the door. Then I'll tell them they are morons. "I'm here to help. I'll section 8 that damn house."

Do Babies Come from Bellies or Doctors? Discuss.

Last Day of My "Holiday Break" (Because we can't call it Christmas Break, now can we?)

I learned a new term this morning---rickrolled. I got rickrolled while looking at info about the big Britney mess from last night. Cracked me up---being rickrolled, not the Britney news. Chris is all sad about Britney. I'm just...amazed. Amazed that my psychic abilities are THIS STRONG! Watch out Bin Laden. A whippin' is comin' your way! PS: Be careful of that last link on the first rickroll link. Don't say I didn't warn you. Or maybe you won't read this before you click that link. :) So sorry. Heh.

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I watched The Queen this week while Chris was at work. He said he had no interest in watching it. I liked it because it was very different. I like how it gave us a look inside at what could have been going on. I guess I never thought about the little tug of war between the Royals and the Prime Minister either. Tony Blair came out looking good in that movie, didn't he? So did Charles. I liked the symbolism of the deer too.

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I read Hansel and Gretel to Luke last night. I hadn't thought about that story in years and realized as I got into this tale that man, this is one f'ed up story. Stuff of nightmares! Stepmother who wants to abandon you, a father who is okay with it, dark forests alone at night, a house made of candy, a witch who puts your brother in a cage to fatten up and then tries to put you in the oven, but you murder her first. Messed up! Luke had a WTF look on his face too. He didn't want any more stories after that one. I guess I don't blame him!

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Luke and Mama Humor:

Playing "lunch"

Mama: I think I'll have....a foot sandwich!

Luke: Here ya go! (pretend sandwich handed to me)

Mama: Wait a minute (sniffs pretend sandwich) This smells like feet! Disgusting!

Luke laffs and laffs over this one. I know. I'm weird.

The Hills, because I am still on break...

I just watched The Hills: Lauren Looks Back (ti-fauxed and paused about a million times because of da kidz) and I just wanna say a few things:

1. For someone who hates drama, the girl sure does invite it into her life.

2. Lauren, you can avoid all the man trouble if you stop giving them a second chance. ;) And a third chance and a fourth chance...

3. Brody Jenner is majorly HOT. What a beautiful guy. Much cuter than Bruce was at that age. Bruce was always scary hairy 70s guy to me.

4. What does Lauren's father do for a living? That house....dang.

5. Girl was stupid giving up Paris for that ugly Jason guy.

Predictions for 08, Because I'm ALWAYS Right...

Brendon reminded me, via his comment down under the recap, that I hadn't put my predictions down yet. Even though I am 90 percent wrong on all my predictions and "theories", I'll put 'em down here and let's see, shall we, who was wrong and who was right next year? Please add your predictions, etc. to the list. Let's do this thing!

1. Britney Spears...will finally go into hiding. Or will overdose on accident. She will not, as my husband believes, make a comeback in 08. She will also have another baby, probably a girl this time.

2. Paris Hilton...will get pregnant. By Kfed.
3. Lindsay Lohan will be involved in another car accident. Tragic results will follow. (How official does THAT one sound?)
4.Osama Bin Laden will be found and whipped to death.
5. Tom Cruise and Katie will separate.
6. There will be a shocking (mind blowing!!!!) development in the Holloway case.
7. There will also be new leads in the Chandra Levy case.
8. OJ will get off again.
9. A Democrat will be elected president.
10. A Royal will die.

Personal Life:
1. My sweet little family will move. Either out of town or to another house in a nearby "hamlet"...(And, to hedge my bets, if we don't move, we're gonna keep updating the house and fixing the yard up!)
2. I see a job change coming up for both me and Chris.
3. Thanks to my new iPod I see some poundage lost due to wanting to move more, not have to talk to strangers at the gym. (I will avoid eye contact and plug in the earbuds. Speaking of earbuds, are my ears deformed? I can't seem to keep the buds inside my ears!)
4. I will manage my time better.
5. I will leave work at work. :)
6. I see some travel ahead. (Okay I'm cheating at this one. I know we are going to a wedding in New Mexico this spring.)
7. Two or three additions to Chris's family. Hmmmm....(Don't worry, I ain't popping any more out. Believe me.)

This guy's predictions should make you laugh.

Add your predictions---agree or disagree with me, come up with some new ones!

Chris: We all look Yiddish here. Look at our chin hair.

Jen: You mean Amish?

Chris: Yeah. That. (Pause) You're gonna blog that, aren't you?

Jen: Oh yes.