Sarah's class made a video about the things they've learned in Integrated Curriculum. This was a Social Studies unit on landforms, communities, natural resources, etc.
Ms. Rodriguez filmed it and uploaded it to the PISD website. I bet the class really loved it!
Sarah is the one talking about islands. :)
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
The doc is in, and she'll fix you up...
Ah, the "Doc McStuffins" theme song...
For anyone who doesn't know who Doc McStuffins is-- Mom and Dad, I'm thinking of you-- she's a cartoon character on Disney Junior. She fixes up dolls and stuffed animals.
.............
Today Caroline insisted that her doll's lip hurt. So I asked her, "Sweetie, does YOUR lip hurt?" She couldn't believe I didn't understand the difference between her and her doll.
"No, not me. My dollie. She needs to go to the doctor."
"Caroline, are you saying YOU need to go to the doctor? Because YOU don't feel well?"
(I don't know. She's never had her dolls complain of aches and pains. I figured it's like when you say, "I have this friend who..." and everyone knows you're really talking about yourself.)
She screamed at me with tears of frustration in her eyes, "Not me! My dollie's lip hurts!!! And she needs to go to the doctor!!!"
After I told her not to talk to me like that, I told her that I could pretend to be the doctor. That made her laugh. How ridiculous that I would pretend to be a doctor!! Because, of course, her doll needed a REAL doll doctor, like Doc McStuffins.
When I told her that I didn't know of any doll doctors, she cried and cried.
(I will say that she was "off" all day today. Cried very easily. Easily frustrated.)
But there was no reasoning with her over this doll. She insisted that the doll see a doctor for her lip pain. And not someone pretending to be a doctor.
Enter: Jason. Daddy to the rescue. (... who hadn't gone into work yet. Sometimes his slow mornings are a blessing.)
He said that he'd take Caroline (that's Caroline's doll's name.) to the doll doctor on his way to work. And he said he'd babysit her and take good care of her and bring her home at the end of the day.
This was a WONDERFUL idea and appeased Caroline.
Tonight Jason came home with the doll and this prescription.
They're tic tacs. :)
And the label was pretty funny. It had the patient's name: DOLL, CAROLINE and said things like "NOPAIN 10 mg". And "Paternal RX" with Jason's office address. The instructions were "Take one tablet by mouth as needed for lip pain." The prescribing doctor was Dr. Ken Goodlip.
The special instructions on the side said, "Warning: Do not use if you are already on a sugar high. Check with your Mommy and Daddy.// Can be taken with or without food.//Share this medication with anyone that holds Caroline."
So Caroline has been eating tic tacs all night and "feeding" them to her doll.
It was such a sweet Daddy moment. He really came to her rescue today, and she believes that he took her doll to the doctor.
He said, "As a number cruncher that looks at spreadsheets all day, it was fun to do something creative today."
:)
For anyone who doesn't know who Doc McStuffins is-- Mom and Dad, I'm thinking of you-- she's a cartoon character on Disney Junior. She fixes up dolls and stuffed animals.
.............
Today Caroline insisted that her doll's lip hurt. So I asked her, "Sweetie, does YOUR lip hurt?" She couldn't believe I didn't understand the difference between her and her doll.
"No, not me. My dollie. She needs to go to the doctor."
"Caroline, are you saying YOU need to go to the doctor? Because YOU don't feel well?"
(I don't know. She's never had her dolls complain of aches and pains. I figured it's like when you say, "I have this friend who..." and everyone knows you're really talking about yourself.)
She screamed at me with tears of frustration in her eyes, "Not me! My dollie's lip hurts!!! And she needs to go to the doctor!!!"
After I told her not to talk to me like that, I told her that I could pretend to be the doctor. That made her laugh. How ridiculous that I would pretend to be a doctor!! Because, of course, her doll needed a REAL doll doctor, like Doc McStuffins.
When I told her that I didn't know of any doll doctors, she cried and cried.
(I will say that she was "off" all day today. Cried very easily. Easily frustrated.)
But there was no reasoning with her over this doll. She insisted that the doll see a doctor for her lip pain. And not someone pretending to be a doctor.
Enter: Jason. Daddy to the rescue. (... who hadn't gone into work yet. Sometimes his slow mornings are a blessing.)
He said that he'd take Caroline (that's Caroline's doll's name.) to the doll doctor on his way to work. And he said he'd babysit her and take good care of her and bring her home at the end of the day.
This was a WONDERFUL idea and appeased Caroline.
Tonight Jason came home with the doll and this prescription.
They're tic tacs. :)
And the label was pretty funny. It had the patient's name: DOLL, CAROLINE and said things like "NOPAIN 10 mg". And "Paternal RX" with Jason's office address. The instructions were "Take one tablet by mouth as needed for lip pain." The prescribing doctor was Dr. Ken Goodlip.
The special instructions on the side said, "Warning: Do not use if you are already on a sugar high. Check with your Mommy and Daddy.// Can be taken with or without food.//Share this medication with anyone that holds Caroline."
So Caroline has been eating tic tacs all night and "feeding" them to her doll.
It was such a sweet Daddy moment. He really came to her rescue today, and she believes that he took her doll to the doctor.
He said, "As a number cruncher that looks at spreadsheets all day, it was fun to do something creative today."
:)
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Get comfy...
because it's gonna be a long Thanksgiving post with picture overload.
Or maybe I should get comfy because it doesn't take nearly as long for you to look at the pics as it does for me to upload them. I'm sloooowww.
It's my long weekend recap. Here we go.
I didn't work this past week-- HOORAY!-- and was able to help out with the Thanksgiving celebration in Kindergarten on Tuesday. I had a really good time. And Jack is still young enough that he thought it was fun that I was there.
Wednesday:
I worked on my note cards to study for my final. After I finished each chapter I laid them out and thought, "No wonder my hand is cramping."
Scary how many disorders there are, and we only scratched the surface.
Then I put them on book rings so I can study somewhere other than back here at my table.
Thursday:
We headed to the farm to see the McGlamerys and have our Thanksgiving feast.
Somehow we only managed to get a pic of the desserts. (?) Trust me when I say there was a lot of food and it was really good!
The kids love the farm and played outside most of the day.
Aunt Kim took them to feed the horses and the catfish.
When I said they played outside all day, I meant it. See? It's getting dark.
Then the kids took turns driving Jason's truck. Why? Because as Sarah said, "Everything's legal in the country." :) She was serious, and I laughed out loud.
When they rode in the bed of Jason's truck, when they drove his truck, when they drove their Jeep onto the dirt road... everything they did was something they couldn't do in Plano... so Sarah decided that "everything's legal in the country".
It was a great day and a half in Meridian. We headed home Friday afternoon.
Friday:
We pulled out all of our Christmas stuff and got as much up and decorated as we could.
I didn't take pics of our fully decorated house. But here are our trees.
The kids' tree...
Our tree...
No, these aren't good pictures, but it's my visual representation of Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Saturday:
We took Christmas card pictures with the Fishero family. My brother and sister-in-law were in from VA. My mom and Dad wanted a big family photo. I'll share one because I think they're using a different pose for their Christmas card.
If this is the shot they use, then I apologize now if you're on their Christmas card list. I didn't mean to ruin it for anyone.
From left to right: My brother-in-law, Al, holding my niece, Kate. My sister, Hilary. My sister-in-law, Abby. My brother, Brian. Me. Jason. Mom. Dad.
Front row: My nephew, Alex, kneeling. My niece, Rachel in the Santa hat. Sarah, Jack, Caroline.
A few other pics of the afternoon. I have a ton. I'm trying to spare you from another 45 pictures. You're welcome.
After the pictures, we went home and our sitter came to keep the kids. I changed into maroon because then we headed over to my parents' house for dinner and to watch the Aggie game. Adult evening only.
Me and Hilary. Fightin' Texas Aggie classes of '01 and '99. WHOOP!
Our traditional Fishero kids shot.
And then the 5 of us at the end of the night. :)
Sunday:
I have things like "study, grocery store, and blog" on my to-do list. At least I can check "blog" off the list. :)
Hard to believe tomorrow is Monday and it's back to business as usual. *sigh* But as a friend said, we only have 4 sprints until we get another break from school.
Thank goodness!!!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your weekend was great too!
Or maybe I should get comfy because it doesn't take nearly as long for you to look at the pics as it does for me to upload them. I'm sloooowww.
It's my long weekend recap. Here we go.
I didn't work this past week-- HOORAY!-- and was able to help out with the Thanksgiving celebration in Kindergarten on Tuesday. I had a really good time. And Jack is still young enough that he thought it was fun that I was there.
Wednesday:
I worked on my note cards to study for my final. After I finished each chapter I laid them out and thought, "No wonder my hand is cramping."
Scary how many disorders there are, and we only scratched the surface.
Then I put them on book rings so I can study somewhere other than back here at my table.
Thursday:
We headed to the farm to see the McGlamerys and have our Thanksgiving feast.
Somehow we only managed to get a pic of the desserts. (?) Trust me when I say there was a lot of food and it was really good!
The kids love the farm and played outside most of the day.
Aunt Kim took them to feed the horses and the catfish.
When I said they played outside all day, I meant it. See? It's getting dark.
Then the kids took turns driving Jason's truck. Why? Because as Sarah said, "Everything's legal in the country." :) She was serious, and I laughed out loud.
When they rode in the bed of Jason's truck, when they drove his truck, when they drove their Jeep onto the dirt road... everything they did was something they couldn't do in Plano... so Sarah decided that "everything's legal in the country".
It was a great day and a half in Meridian. We headed home Friday afternoon.
Friday:
We pulled out all of our Christmas stuff and got as much up and decorated as we could.
I didn't take pics of our fully decorated house. But here are our trees.
The kids' tree...
Our tree...
No, these aren't good pictures, but it's my visual representation of Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Saturday:
We took Christmas card pictures with the Fishero family. My brother and sister-in-law were in from VA. My mom and Dad wanted a big family photo. I'll share one because I think they're using a different pose for their Christmas card.
If this is the shot they use, then I apologize now if you're on their Christmas card list. I didn't mean to ruin it for anyone.
From left to right: My brother-in-law, Al, holding my niece, Kate. My sister, Hilary. My sister-in-law, Abby. My brother, Brian. Me. Jason. Mom. Dad.
Front row: My nephew, Alex, kneeling. My niece, Rachel in the Santa hat. Sarah, Jack, Caroline.
A few other pics of the afternoon. I have a ton. I'm trying to spare you from another 45 pictures. You're welcome.
After the pictures, we went home and our sitter came to keep the kids. I changed into maroon because then we headed over to my parents' house for dinner and to watch the Aggie game. Adult evening only.
Me and Hilary. Fightin' Texas Aggie classes of '01 and '99. WHOOP!
Our traditional Fishero kids shot.
And then the 5 of us at the end of the night. :)
Sunday:
I have things like "study, grocery store, and blog" on my to-do list. At least I can check "blog" off the list. :)
Hard to believe tomorrow is Monday and it's back to business as usual. *sigh* But as a friend said, we only have 4 sprints until we get another break from school.
Thank goodness!!!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your weekend was great too!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Caroline's longest line yet
You know how Caroline loves to line things up.
This one started with her pink basket, then the chair that belongs outside (?), her hippo, and the doll. Then the pennies....
that stretched on and on....
and on and on...
We obviously need to go to Coinstar. There's probably at least $1 here.
This one started with her pink basket, then the chair that belongs outside (?), her hippo, and the doll. Then the pennies....
that stretched on and on....
and on and on...
We obviously need to go to Coinstar. There's probably at least $1 here.
Lacy Mason Parker, 34 yrs young
My sweet friend is gone. I don't have the words right now to even begin to say what I want to say.
I love you, Lacy! Please forgive me for not realizing until today how bad it had gotten and how much you were hurting. I hope you're dancing and laughing and singing off-key in your East Texas twang. Your kids will forever be in my prayers. I love you!!!
Oh.. And, girl, you know I'm counting on you to have something funny to tell me next time I see you! Be thinking about it. (And your story better start with "and, girl, you know..." and have some random East Texas reference or else it's not a Lacy story.) ;) xoxo
"What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have Him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven-- and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The day is coming when you'll have it all--life healed and whole."
1 Peter 1:3-5, The Message
If you try to study for a final exam with a 3 year old in the house....
.... she'll ask for a piece of paper because she's bored.
If you give her a piece of paper, she'll want some crayons so she can draw.
If you give her crayons, she'll draw a picture of her dad and then decide that pom poms from the craft closet will make it look better.
If you go upstairs to the craft closet and find the pom poms, she'll need some glue to make them stick.
If you're desperate for study time (and foolish enough to hand your 3 year old a glue bottle), the top will pop off the bottle and she'll make a mess all over the tile.
As you clean up the tile, you'll tell her that her paper is covered in glue and needs to be thrown away.
If you throw away her paper, she'll cry.
If she cries, you can't study.
Because you need to study, you'll ask your 3 year old, "What will make you happy so Mommy can get work done?"
And chances are.... she'll ask for a piece of paper because she's bored.
If you give her a piece of paper, she'll want some crayons so she can draw.
If you give her crayons, she'll draw a picture of her dad and then decide that pom poms from the craft closet will make it look better.
If you go upstairs to the craft closet and find the pom poms, she'll need some glue to make them stick.
If you're desperate for study time (and foolish enough to hand your 3 year old a glue bottle), the top will pop off the bottle and she'll make a mess all over the tile.
As you clean up the tile, you'll tell her that her paper is covered in glue and needs to be thrown away.
If you throw away her paper, she'll cry.
If she cries, you can't study.
Because you need to study, you'll ask your 3 year old, "What will make you happy so Mommy can get work done?"
And chances are.... she'll ask for a piece of paper because she's bored.
Lacy
My freshmen and sophomore years I went "potluck" with my roommates at A&M. It's not that I didn't have any friends in Aggieland; I just chose to let the university randomly select who I would share a room with for the next year of my life.
I'm weird like that.
My freshman year wasn't so great. But my sophomore year, when I opted to live in the dorm again instead of the Kappa house, I was placed with Lacy Parker.
Lacy was from East Texas and you only needed about 2 words to come out of her mouth to figure that out. Plus she said East Texas things like "buggy" instead of "shopping cart". Strange. ;)
She also had a smile that made me instantly like her. She's hysterical and had me constantly laughing. Plain and simple. We only lived together for a year; then I moved into an apartment and we lost touch.
Looking back I wonder why we lost touch. Was I not a good friend to her? Did we just go in different directions? I don't remember having a falling out with her, but my mind is playing tricks on me now... because she's in the final days of her life. And I'm trying to think if I need to clear the air with her. Do I have something to apologize for?
But I'm gonna release that to God and choose to believe that, because I can't remember any unresolved issues, there are none.
Lacy has cancer. She's a single mom with 2 kids. Her family is rallying around her and by her side. I just got this update on facebook.
I'm sad. It's surreal how quickly it's taken over her body.
She's a beautiful person and I've enjoyed reading the posts people are leaving on her facebook timeline. We should all be so lucky as to have as many people think so highly of us and love us as much as everyone loves her.
I'm weird like that.
My freshman year wasn't so great. But my sophomore year, when I opted to live in the dorm again instead of the Kappa house, I was placed with Lacy Parker.
Lacy was from East Texas and you only needed about 2 words to come out of her mouth to figure that out. Plus she said East Texas things like "buggy" instead of "shopping cart". Strange. ;)
She also had a smile that made me instantly like her. She's hysterical and had me constantly laughing. Plain and simple. We only lived together for a year; then I moved into an apartment and we lost touch.
Looking back I wonder why we lost touch. Was I not a good friend to her? Did we just go in different directions? I don't remember having a falling out with her, but my mind is playing tricks on me now... because she's in the final days of her life. And I'm trying to think if I need to clear the air with her. Do I have something to apologize for?
But I'm gonna release that to God and choose to believe that, because I can't remember any unresolved issues, there are none.
Lacy has cancer. She's a single mom with 2 kids. Her family is rallying around her and by her side. I just got this update on facebook.
I'm sad. It's surreal how quickly it's taken over her body.
She's a beautiful person and I've enjoyed reading the posts people are leaving on her facebook timeline. We should all be so lucky as to have as many people think so highly of us and love us as much as everyone loves her.
Monday, November 19, 2012
If a boy scout knocks on your door selling popcorn,
don't pretend you're not home and shoo your kids away from the windows. Do yourself a favor and buy this....
Ugh. The glare. You can't see anything. It says:
Trails End Gourmet Chocolatey Triple Delight
It's white chocolate, milk chocolate drizzled popcorn. I hate caramel corn. I hate cheesy popcorn. This stuff is addictive.
Once again... Trails End Gourmet Chocolately Triple Delight.
Write it down. You'll thank me later.
plagued
So at the end of October I got what I call "New Teacher's cough". It's the sure sign that you're the most recently hired newbie on the block. Every other teacher sounds fine(because their immune systems have been built up through the years), and you're sitting in the corner hacking up a lung.
Even with kids of my own there's something about other people's kids [said with disdain] that makes me sick. Literally. ;)
I lost my voice for about 2 weeks.
I got on antibiotics for the cough and junk. My voice came back.
Only to be followed by a fever blister that lasted for a week. I've only had one before. It happened last year in the midst of the stress of Jason leaving every weekend. This one popped up amidst the stress of life right now.
It lasted for a week. (The longest, ugliest week of my life I might add.) It went away.
And I started coughing again. This time it was more wheezy, and it turns out I have an upper respiratory infection.
I now have an inhaler, which is AWESOME and a Z-Pack.
I also had some other health issues during the cold/fever blister stages that I won't go into because it's way too much info. Obviously it's pretty bad if I'm refusing to share. Rarely do I refuse to share.
After being hit by one thing after another, I'm repenting of all of my wrongdoings and asking God to take away the plagues... before my cattle die or locusts overtake my house.
Even with kids of my own there's something about other people's kids [said with disdain] that makes me sick. Literally. ;)
I lost my voice for about 2 weeks.
I got on antibiotics for the cough and junk. My voice came back.
Only to be followed by a fever blister that lasted for a week. I've only had one before. It happened last year in the midst of the stress of Jason leaving every weekend. This one popped up amidst the stress of life right now.
It lasted for a week. (The longest, ugliest week of my life I might add.) It went away.
And I started coughing again. This time it was more wheezy, and it turns out I have an upper respiratory infection.
I now have an inhaler, which is AWESOME and a Z-Pack.
I also had some other health issues during the cold/fever blister stages that I won't go into because it's way too much info. Obviously it's pretty bad if I'm refusing to share. Rarely do I refuse to share.
After being hit by one thing after another, I'm repenting of all of my wrongdoings and asking God to take away the plagues... before my cattle die or locusts overtake my house.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Sarah's first time on skates
Click on the video to make it play. And pretend that it's not GIGANTIC. I don't know how to resize it.
Not bad!! I'm proud of her for not giving up.
I wish they had those mobile rails when I tried to skate as a kid. But I'd have still been terrible. Who am I kidding?
Not bad!! I'm proud of her for not giving up.
I wish they had those mobile rails when I tried to skate as a kid. But I'd have still been terrible. Who am I kidding?
Favorite part of the night
Bath time.
Caroline strips down and dances naked. This happens every night.
But tonight she did her arms in a "Walk like an Egyptian" type move and sang...
"My naked. My naked. My nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-naked."
Probably one of those things where you had to be here to think it's funny. Trust me, it was funny.
(I've been trying to teach her to say "I'm" instead of "my" for almost a year. It's clearly not sinking in.)
Caroline strips down and dances naked. This happens every night.
But tonight she did her arms in a "Walk like an Egyptian" type move and sang...
"My naked. My naked. My nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-naked."
Probably one of those things where you had to be here to think it's funny. Trust me, it was funny.
(I've been trying to teach her to say "I'm" instead of "my" for almost a year. It's clearly not sinking in.)
Watching "King of Queens"...
... Mostly because the remote is on the other side of the road, my laptop is atop my lap, and I'm too lazy to put it down and pick up the remote.
But this reminds me of a post I almost posted a while back and didn't.
This show makes me crazy!! Let me tell you what this episode is about.
Kevin James's character
wants Leah Remini's character
So Leah's character says she'll lose weight if he does. Long story short--- **spoiler alert**-- the comedic twist is that Kevin gives up on working out but pretends to keep exercising so that his wife Carrie (Leah) will keep losing weight. He tricks her into thinking that they're in it together because he really wants HER to drop the extra pounds.
There's a whole section on this in my Psychology book. The stats are staggering (but not shocking) on how many fat guys get lead roles in TV shows and how few fat women get lead roles. And when a fat man is in the lead role, he's always married to a thinner woman.
Even down to Fred and Wilma Flintsone.
And on those sitcoms, there are often story lines in which the women--- who are already thinner than their male counterparts-- have low self images and want to lose weight. The men never have plot lines like that.
Interestingly, there was a study done in which a group of college-aged men was asked to name: (1) their current weight, (2) their ideal weight, and (3) the weight at which they think women will find them attractive.
Guess what. All 3 weights were basically the same. Essentially the young men in the study said, "What I weigh is what I want to weigh and I bet women think I'm hot."
When the college aged women were asked if they found these men attractive, the women said, "They could stand to lose a little weight."
What does this mean? Men are blissfully ignorant of their size and the perception of the opposite sex. How freeing that must be! How sad for girls that it's drilled into our brains that we need to be a certain size to compete with other women.
The other half of that study is not surprising at all. When women were asked the same 3 questions, their ideal weight was less than their current weight. And the weight they thought men would be attracted to was significantly less than their current weight.
When the men were asked if they were attracted to the women, they were. Even at the women's current size. Some men wanted them to lose a little weight but not nearly as many pounds as the women had thought.
I hope my girls love the way they're made. I want them to stay healthy and take care of themselves. But at the end of the day, love themselves. There's too much pressure on girls!!!
Ok. I'm getting off my soapbox now.
I think the Sudafed that had left me pleasantly buzzed earlier is making me easily agitated now. ;)
I'm gonna change the channel.
But this reminds me of a post I almost posted a while back and didn't.
This show makes me crazy!! Let me tell you what this episode is about.
Kevin James's character
wants Leah Remini's character
to meet with a personal trainer to lose weight. What?!?! Are you kidding? Have you seen yourself, Kevin? So Leah's character says she'll lose weight if he does. Long story short--- **spoiler alert**-- the comedic twist is that Kevin gives up on working out but pretends to keep exercising so that his wife Carrie (Leah) will keep losing weight. He tricks her into thinking that they're in it together because he really wants HER to drop the extra pounds.
There's a whole section on this in my Psychology book. The stats are staggering (but not shocking) on how many fat guys get lead roles in TV shows and how few fat women get lead roles. And when a fat man is in the lead role, he's always married to a thinner woman.
Even down to Fred and Wilma Flintsone.
And on those sitcoms, there are often story lines in which the women--- who are already thinner than their male counterparts-- have low self images and want to lose weight. The men never have plot lines like that.
Interestingly, there was a study done in which a group of college-aged men was asked to name: (1) their current weight, (2) their ideal weight, and (3) the weight at which they think women will find them attractive.
Guess what. All 3 weights were basically the same. Essentially the young men in the study said, "What I weigh is what I want to weigh and I bet women think I'm hot."
When the college aged women were asked if they found these men attractive, the women said, "They could stand to lose a little weight."
What does this mean? Men are blissfully ignorant of their size and the perception of the opposite sex. How freeing that must be! How sad for girls that it's drilled into our brains that we need to be a certain size to compete with other women.
The other half of that study is not surprising at all. When women were asked the same 3 questions, their ideal weight was less than their current weight. And the weight they thought men would be attracted to was significantly less than their current weight.
When the men were asked if they were attracted to the women, they were. Even at the women's current size. Some men wanted them to lose a little weight but not nearly as many pounds as the women had thought.
I hope my girls love the way they're made. I want them to stay healthy and take care of themselves. But at the end of the day, love themselves. There's too much pressure on girls!!!
Ok. I'm getting off my soapbox now.
I think the Sudafed that had left me pleasantly buzzed earlier is making me easily agitated now. ;)
I'm gonna change the channel.
Caroline
This is Caroline snuggling with my favorite bunny from my childhood, Caroline. I bought Caroline the bunny with my own money in first grade. I loved her and slept with her every night for years.
I probably should've named Caroline the bunny something like Snowflake so that I didn't run of risk of reusing the name on one of my children later in life.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Jason's Saturday night
Saturday I worked the silent auction at a charity event for the Children's Hospital at Legacy. Soooo... Jason was left in charge of taking the kids to a birthday party alone.
Disclaimer: BEFORE I RSVP'd I asked Jason if he was ok with doing it by himself. He said he could handle it.
And he can (and did). But as with everything kid-related, it's all of the other things that happen that you're not counting on that throw you off.
4:15 I left to go to the event. I had the wrapped present on the counter and put Sarah in charge of double checking that Jason grabbed the present.
The party was scheduled to start at 5:15.
4:30 Jason sat down to eat a late lunch/early dinner. I think he fixed himself a sandwich.
4:40 The doorbell rang.
Jason went to the door and it was some man who was selling magazines as part of his drug rehabilitation program. Clearly a scam. Apparently this guy would NOT shut up. Kept going on and on about who knows what. Jason said he doesn't read magazines, but the guy said that they had children's books. Fine. Jason agreed to look at the catalog. He was handed the most crumpled, unprofessional looking stack of papers ever.
Jason said he'd get a set of 3 Sesame Street books. The guy totaled everything up and told Jason he owed him $250. WHAT?!! Jason was like, "Um. No," ended up giving the guy $20 and a bottle of water just to make him go away, shut the door and realized he had just lost 15 minutes of precious time.
4:55 You should know that Jack has grown almost 1/2 inch in the last month (since his birthday). He has eaten us out of house and home... and has been very emotional. We think it has to do with the growth spurt... horomones out of whack maybe... or just not sleeping well.
Jack approached Jason and said, "Dad, you know how sometimes I cry for no reason?" [blinking his eyes really fast, bottom lip quivering] "Well I think now is one of those times. And I can't stop." [sobbing]
Jason said, "Jack, if you need to cry go up to your room and come back down when you've pulled yourself together."
Jack agreed. He went upstairs. Two minutes later he's back downstairs, not a tear in his eye.
5:00 Jason asked him if he felt better and said it was almost time to go.
"Well I feel better and don't need to cry when I'm upstairs. But when I'm downstairs I start to cry again." [sobbing again]
"Fine, Jack. Then cry downstairs. Go to the other room. Get it out of your system. But we're gonna go soon."
"Dad, I don't think I wanna go--"
"Jack, you're going to the party. We're all going to the party. It's not an option for you to sit out or be sad at the party. Amanda is your friend. And we're all going."
[sniff, sniff] "Ok."
5:05 Jason grabbed the present, put everyone in his truck, and headed to the party.
5:10 Jack's weak voice from the back seat, "Dad, I think I'm gonna be carsick."
Jason whipped into a church parking lot and told him to switch seats with Sarah. Sarah had a window seat and Jack had been in the middle. Maybe looking out the window would help.
5:15 They made it to the party. Whew. Jason pulled into a parking space, cut off the engine, and heard Jack say, "Uh oh."
He FLEW out of the truck and flung open the back door. He grabbed Jack to get him on to the concrete. But Jack never threw up.
When they went into the gymnastics place for the party, the people setting up were taking their sweet time. And there were A LOT of kids there. Jason estimated 20 - 25.
We knew one of the little boys there who had been dropped off by his parents. He was running around and getting rowdy. Since there was no parent to supervise, Jason stepped in and said calmly, "Hey, buddy, slow down a little."
The little boy ignored Jason and continued to run in circles.
Jason said again, "Hey, bud, there are small kids here and you're gonna run into one of them. Please settle down."
Again, Jason was ignored. So when the little boy made another lap around the room, Jason conveniently blocked his way and stood right in front of him.
Without raising his voice and in a very calm tone, Jason said, "I've asked you to settle down. You're going to run into a small child and hurt someone. And when that small child cries, I'm gonna take her picture, text it to your mom and dad, and tell them that you hurt her because you were being too rowdy. Just wanted you to know that. Ok?"
That little boy barely moved, even to breathe, for the rest of the time.
There were moments during the party when I know Jason was nervous that Caroline was going to be trampled. But all in all, I think the party itself was the simplest part of the night.
I'm proud of him for flying solo and handling all of the little things that came up. It cracks me up that he had to deal with so much in the hour that I was gone. (I left at 4:15. The party started at 5:15.)
But I'm kinda glad there were crazy things that popped up like that. Jack getting carsick. Random guy at the door. Because that kind of stuff happens to me all the time. And I was able to laugh and commiserate with him when he told me all about it.
It's funny when it happens to someone else. ;)
Disclaimer: BEFORE I RSVP'd I asked Jason if he was ok with doing it by himself. He said he could handle it.
And he can (and did). But as with everything kid-related, it's all of the other things that happen that you're not counting on that throw you off.
4:15 I left to go to the event. I had the wrapped present on the counter and put Sarah in charge of double checking that Jason grabbed the present.
The party was scheduled to start at 5:15.
4:30 Jason sat down to eat a late lunch/early dinner. I think he fixed himself a sandwich.
4:40 The doorbell rang.
Jason went to the door and it was some man who was selling magazines as part of his drug rehabilitation program. Clearly a scam. Apparently this guy would NOT shut up. Kept going on and on about who knows what. Jason said he doesn't read magazines, but the guy said that they had children's books. Fine. Jason agreed to look at the catalog. He was handed the most crumpled, unprofessional looking stack of papers ever.
Jason said he'd get a set of 3 Sesame Street books. The guy totaled everything up and told Jason he owed him $250. WHAT?!! Jason was like, "Um. No," ended up giving the guy $20 and a bottle of water just to make him go away, shut the door and realized he had just lost 15 minutes of precious time.
4:55 You should know that Jack has grown almost 1/2 inch in the last month (since his birthday). He has eaten us out of house and home... and has been very emotional. We think it has to do with the growth spurt... horomones out of whack maybe... or just not sleeping well.
Jack approached Jason and said, "Dad, you know how sometimes I cry for no reason?" [blinking his eyes really fast, bottom lip quivering] "Well I think now is one of those times. And I can't stop." [sobbing]
Jason said, "Jack, if you need to cry go up to your room and come back down when you've pulled yourself together."
Jack agreed. He went upstairs. Two minutes later he's back downstairs, not a tear in his eye.
5:00 Jason asked him if he felt better and said it was almost time to go.
"Well I feel better and don't need to cry when I'm upstairs. But when I'm downstairs I start to cry again." [sobbing again]
"Fine, Jack. Then cry downstairs. Go to the other room. Get it out of your system. But we're gonna go soon."
"Dad, I don't think I wanna go--"
"Jack, you're going to the party. We're all going to the party. It's not an option for you to sit out or be sad at the party. Amanda is your friend. And we're all going."
[sniff, sniff] "Ok."
5:05 Jason grabbed the present, put everyone in his truck, and headed to the party.
5:10 Jack's weak voice from the back seat, "Dad, I think I'm gonna be carsick."
Jason whipped into a church parking lot and told him to switch seats with Sarah. Sarah had a window seat and Jack had been in the middle. Maybe looking out the window would help.
5:15 They made it to the party. Whew. Jason pulled into a parking space, cut off the engine, and heard Jack say, "Uh oh."
He FLEW out of the truck and flung open the back door. He grabbed Jack to get him on to the concrete. But Jack never threw up.
When they went into the gymnastics place for the party, the people setting up were taking their sweet time. And there were A LOT of kids there. Jason estimated 20 - 25.
We knew one of the little boys there who had been dropped off by his parents. He was running around and getting rowdy. Since there was no parent to supervise, Jason stepped in and said calmly, "Hey, buddy, slow down a little."
The little boy ignored Jason and continued to run in circles.
Jason said again, "Hey, bud, there are small kids here and you're gonna run into one of them. Please settle down."
Again, Jason was ignored. So when the little boy made another lap around the room, Jason conveniently blocked his way and stood right in front of him.
Without raising his voice and in a very calm tone, Jason said, "I've asked you to settle down. You're going to run into a small child and hurt someone. And when that small child cries, I'm gonna take her picture, text it to your mom and dad, and tell them that you hurt her because you were being too rowdy. Just wanted you to know that. Ok?"
That little boy barely moved, even to breathe, for the rest of the time.
There were moments during the party when I know Jason was nervous that Caroline was going to be trampled. But all in all, I think the party itself was the simplest part of the night.
I'm proud of him for flying solo and handling all of the little things that came up. It cracks me up that he had to deal with so much in the hour that I was gone. (I left at 4:15. The party started at 5:15.)
But I'm kinda glad there were crazy things that popped up like that. Jack getting carsick. Random guy at the door. Because that kind of stuff happens to me all the time. And I was able to laugh and commiserate with him when he told me all about it.
It's funny when it happens to someone else. ;)
Sunday, November 11, 2012
(a few additional football thoughts)
And...
Swope is really good too.
And...
The Wrecking Crew gets their job done.
And....
I think our kicker has an inner ear problem that throws off his equilibrium which is why he shanks the ball almost.every.single.time.
Feeling sorry for him is the only thing that keeps me from cussing him out in my head.
Ok, no more football talk.
Swope is really good too.
And...
The Wrecking Crew gets their job done.
And....
I think our kicker has an inner ear problem that throws off his equilibrium which is why he shanks the ball almost.every.single.time.
Feeling sorry for him is the only thing that keeps me from cussing him out in my head.
Ok, no more football talk.
WHOOP
Never has it been so much fun to watch Aggie football!! :)
Johnny Manziel and Kevin Sumlin were the energy we needed to get in gear.
I can't tell you how great it is to watch a winning team as opposed to the team that always chokes.
Hooray for Johnny Football!
Johnny Manziel and Kevin Sumlin were the energy we needed to get in gear.
I can't tell you how great it is to watch a winning team as opposed to the team that always chokes.
Hooray for Johnny Football!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Because everyone needs...
... a pencil sharpener shaped like a nose, Jack decided to cash in his tickets at school and get one.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Test #3 Done
All that's left is my cumulative final on December 13th, and I'm finished with Abnormal Psychology. WOO HOO! Then I can officially be a graduate student, since Abnormal Psych is only a prerequisite for my graduate studies that start this summer.
I need a 72 or higher on the final to make an A in the class.
I'm so ready to be done with this course, focus on getting my GT certification next semester, and NOTHING ELSE.
I need a 72 or higher on the final to make an A in the class.
I'm so ready to be done with this course, focus on getting my GT certification next semester, and NOTHING ELSE.
Making a plan and moving on
When I started my job, I was a little surprised that the people I worked with seemed to have no plans of moving on any time soon. I work with college degreed, currently certified, smart teachers in their mid-30s. And they seemed content with a preschool job making $9/hr.
I felt, at first, that I had to defend my choice to get my Master's and get some additional certifications. I've been told that I don't want to go back to the classroom. To which I said, "That's why I'm getting my Master's. It gives me the option of NOT going back to the classroom."
I said that, although I would LOVE to stay home for the rest of my life, I need to be supportive of my husband who has admitted that he would appreciate the financial help of an additional income. We would like to pay off our house and be debt free. That will take a lot longer if we only have one income.
I also said that I can't wake up in 10 years and say, "Oh, I wish I had chosen to utilize my full earning potential when I was 35. Maybe I'll go back to work now." In 10 years, Sarah will be a senior in high school. The time to get busy is now. The time to work hard and save money (in a coffee can buried in my back yard) ;) is now. I'm working towards that.
Well, flash forward 3 months and guess what. Two of the four women I work with are seriously looking at adding certifications to their name, and one is applying to sub in Frisco so that she can hopefully make her move towards full time employment in the next 18 months.
:) It's awesome to feel like I've got people around me who are working hard and looking ahead. It's like running. It's the most fun to run with someone who runs as fast as you... or a little bit faster. It pushes you to go faster and work harder.
But it was lonely and made me sad and question whether I was doing the right thing when everyone else seemed content to work part time with crappy pay.
There's a fresh energy at work, I feel, now that the other girls are on board with moving forward. It makes it exciting to go to work and talk about our plans.
I felt, at first, that I had to defend my choice to get my Master's and get some additional certifications. I've been told that I don't want to go back to the classroom. To which I said, "That's why I'm getting my Master's. It gives me the option of NOT going back to the classroom."
I said that, although I would LOVE to stay home for the rest of my life, I need to be supportive of my husband who has admitted that he would appreciate the financial help of an additional income. We would like to pay off our house and be debt free. That will take a lot longer if we only have one income.
I also said that I can't wake up in 10 years and say, "Oh, I wish I had chosen to utilize my full earning potential when I was 35. Maybe I'll go back to work now." In 10 years, Sarah will be a senior in high school. The time to get busy is now. The time to work hard and save money (in a coffee can buried in my back yard) ;) is now. I'm working towards that.
Well, flash forward 3 months and guess what. Two of the four women I work with are seriously looking at adding certifications to their name, and one is applying to sub in Frisco so that she can hopefully make her move towards full time employment in the next 18 months.
:) It's awesome to feel like I've got people around me who are working hard and looking ahead. It's like running. It's the most fun to run with someone who runs as fast as you... or a little bit faster. It pushes you to go faster and work harder.
But it was lonely and made me sad and question whether I was doing the right thing when everyone else seemed content to work part time with crappy pay.
There's a fresh energy at work, I feel, now that the other girls are on board with moving forward. It makes it exciting to go to work and talk about our plans.
Michael Gross Then and Now
Every time I see Michael Gross on TV (and I see him a lot... you might be surprised), I think, "Man, he's aged well."
Has anyone else noticed that?
What do you mean you don't care about or pay attention to Michael Gross??
I'll show you.
Back in "Family Ties"
Now...
Has anyone else noticed that?
What do you mean you don't care about or pay attention to Michael Gross??
I'll show you.
Back in "Family Ties"
Now...
He's aging well, right?
When I get old... someday in the distant, DISTANT future.... I want whatever he's on.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Thankful post
I was a little down today. I don't do political posts, but most of you know me and know that I was not happy that President Obama was reelected. I'm not a huge Romney fan either to tell you the truth, but I refuse to throw my vote away. So I voted for Romney. I like him better than Obama.
While I'm encouraged that half of the country agrees with me, I'm not thrilled that 206 electoral votes is not enough to seal the deal.
To add to my discouragement, in an act of foolishness, I calculated what I make per hour at work. And it's less than $9/hour. I pay the teenagers who babysit for me more than that. Talk about depressing!!!
I'm not the only one who was a little down today.
I got a text from a friend who had a horrible day and is dealing with cattiness at work. ( Oh the joys of working with women.) I have another friend whose mom died 3 years ago today, and she's still grieving her loss.
It was just a melancholy day for various reasons, I think. So it's time to do a thankful post.
Specifically, what I am thankful for about today...
~ The weather was beautiful!!
~ A little boy that's a lot of trouble to deal with was out sick. (Is it wrong to be thankful for that?)
~ No one peed or pooped in their pants at school. (I was talking about the kids. But no adults did either.)
~ I don't have to make a lunch for Caroline or myself tonight because tomorrow is Pizza Day at school.
~ I don't have to wash my hair because tomorrow is not only Pizza Day but also HAT DAY. (I may not even shower before work. Shh.)
~ I got 8 bonus points from my last psychology quiz. That should come in handy on my test tomorrow.
~ I have a full tank of gas.
~ The interior of my van is pretty clean at the moment.
~ It was easy for me to wake up and get out of bed this morning.
~ I ate cookie butter today.
~ I had a fantastic hair day... if I do say so myself... and I do. ;)
~ I don't have any zits right now, and the calluses on my feet are pretty soft and unnoticeable. (Am I oversharing at this point?)
~ I got a $20 off coupon from Rent the Runway today so I'm gonna rent a dress for Jason's company Christmas party. I love getting dressed up!
~ I got a DSW coupon too today. New shoes to go with my rented dress perhaps???
~ I won the trivia game at my staff meeting on Monday so I get free Starbucks tomorrow as my reward. Nonfat Caramel Machiatto please... and thank you.
~ I hit every green light on the way to work this morning.
~ I flew past a cop as I was going 60 mph in a 45 mph zone and he didn't pull me over. Oops and Whew.
~ Dad came over this afternoon to watch the kids because they got out of school at noon today, and they LOVED it.
~ I'm starting to get my voice back after 2 weeks of being hoarse.
Wow. When you start to list some of the things that made you happy today or that went well, it really does change your outlook.
Of course, that's not all I'm thankful for but that's just a few of the things that happened today that either made me smile or made my day easier.
I'm reminded of a hymn we never sing anymore. (Dang contemporary worship services nowadays. Bring back the organs!) :)
And like every good Baptist from back in the day I know the first and last stanzas of the hymn. :)
"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed.
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost.
Count your many blessings, name them one by one.
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God has done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your many blessings see what God has done.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end."
And it's such a good song that I googled the middle 2 verses to include here...
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high..
I'm happier now. Yet another thing I'm thankful for. :)
While I'm encouraged that half of the country agrees with me, I'm not thrilled that 206 electoral votes is not enough to seal the deal.
To add to my discouragement, in an act of foolishness, I calculated what I make per hour at work. And it's less than $9/hour. I pay the teenagers who babysit for me more than that. Talk about depressing!!!
I'm not the only one who was a little down today.
I got a text from a friend who had a horrible day and is dealing with cattiness at work. ( Oh the joys of working with women.) I have another friend whose mom died 3 years ago today, and she's still grieving her loss.
It was just a melancholy day for various reasons, I think. So it's time to do a thankful post.
Specifically, what I am thankful for about today...
~ The weather was beautiful!!
~ A little boy that's a lot of trouble to deal with was out sick. (Is it wrong to be thankful for that?)
~ No one peed or pooped in their pants at school. (I was talking about the kids. But no adults did either.)
~ I don't have to make a lunch for Caroline or myself tonight because tomorrow is Pizza Day at school.
~ I don't have to wash my hair because tomorrow is not only Pizza Day but also HAT DAY. (I may not even shower before work. Shh.)
~ I got 8 bonus points from my last psychology quiz. That should come in handy on my test tomorrow.
~ I have a full tank of gas.
~ The interior of my van is pretty clean at the moment.
~ It was easy for me to wake up and get out of bed this morning.
~ I ate cookie butter today.
~ I had a fantastic hair day... if I do say so myself... and I do. ;)
~ I don't have any zits right now, and the calluses on my feet are pretty soft and unnoticeable. (Am I oversharing at this point?)
~ I got a $20 off coupon from Rent the Runway today so I'm gonna rent a dress for Jason's company Christmas party. I love getting dressed up!
~ I got a DSW coupon too today. New shoes to go with my rented dress perhaps???
~ I won the trivia game at my staff meeting on Monday so I get free Starbucks tomorrow as my reward. Nonfat Caramel Machiatto please... and thank you.
~ I hit every green light on the way to work this morning.
~ I flew past a cop as I was going 60 mph in a 45 mph zone and he didn't pull me over. Oops and Whew.
~ Dad came over this afternoon to watch the kids because they got out of school at noon today, and they LOVED it.
~ I'm starting to get my voice back after 2 weeks of being hoarse.
Wow. When you start to list some of the things that made you happy today or that went well, it really does change your outlook.
Of course, that's not all I'm thankful for but that's just a few of the things that happened today that either made me smile or made my day easier.
I'm reminded of a hymn we never sing anymore. (Dang contemporary worship services nowadays. Bring back the organs!) :)
And like every good Baptist from back in the day I know the first and last stanzas of the hymn. :)
"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed.
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost.
Count your many blessings, name them one by one.
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God has done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your many blessings see what God has done.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end."
And it's such a good song that I googled the middle 2 verses to include here...
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high..
I'm happier now. Yet another thing I'm thankful for. :)
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Oh, Cookie Butter, where have you been all my life?
I was buying a few things at Trader Joe's today and picked up some Speculoos Cookie Butter because I'd heard SO many people tell me that it was SO good. (Plus I wanted to try it because I remember speculoos being an ingredient on "Chopped".) :)
When I bought it, the cashier said, "I just go ahead and give people a spoon when they come through my line with cookie butter. That way you can eat it in the car."
I thought to myself, "There's no way it's that good."
She said that I could put it on pancakes, waffles, or toast. Dip pretzels in it. It'd be good blended with some vanilla ice cream and milk to make a milkshake. A great dip for apples. Anything.
But she said lots of people just eat it with a spoon.
So, I'll admit, I got in my car and started eating it with the plastic spoon she had given me.
Oh.My.Gosh. YUM.
It has a gingerbread taste to it, but it's not too strong. Although a little goes a long way. A peanut butter consistency but it's not peanut butter at all. It's just good.
And I'm officially hooked. I had just worked out so Girl Math says I can eat as much cookie butter as I want and it doesn't count. I took FULL advantage of Girl Math on my drive home.
I think I'm gonna find a way to work this into Christmas gifts for my kids' teachers. That won't be all they're getting but that will definitely be part of what I give them.
With a plastic spoon so they can start eating it in the classroom. ;)
When I bought it, the cashier said, "I just go ahead and give people a spoon when they come through my line with cookie butter. That way you can eat it in the car."
I thought to myself, "There's no way it's that good."
She said that I could put it on pancakes, waffles, or toast. Dip pretzels in it. It'd be good blended with some vanilla ice cream and milk to make a milkshake. A great dip for apples. Anything.
But she said lots of people just eat it with a spoon.
So, I'll admit, I got in my car and started eating it with the plastic spoon she had given me.
Oh.My.Gosh. YUM.
It has a gingerbread taste to it, but it's not too strong. Although a little goes a long way. A peanut butter consistency but it's not peanut butter at all. It's just good.
And I'm officially hooked. I had just worked out so Girl Math says I can eat as much cookie butter as I want and it doesn't count. I took FULL advantage of Girl Math on my drive home.
I think I'm gonna find a way to work this into Christmas gifts for my kids' teachers. That won't be all they're getting but that will definitely be part of what I give them.
With a plastic spoon so they can start eating it in the classroom. ;)
Monday, November 5, 2012
small world
We have a few upcoming dates where we need sitters so I've been making phone calls and working out the details.
Jack asked, "Can Mrs. Johnson babysit?"
Mrs. Johnson is the pretty substitute teacher that I (kinda sorta) know because we're on the PTA Board together. And we have a bunch of mutual friends.
I told Jack that, even though I know she's pretty (which is why he wanted her to babysit), she doesn't do that sort of thing. She has kids of her own.
Well, then Jason chimes in that Mrs. Johnson is Kim Walker, a girl who went to his high school. She was a year older than Jason, but Jason's best friend was good friends with Kim's boyfriend. (If you can follow that confusing sentence at all.) Jason even remembers Kim's husband... a guy she knew from high school, I think.
I know it might not seem unusual to you that someone your husband went to high school with in Garland would end up being your child's substitute teacher and on the PTA Board with you in Plano.... but for a small town girl who still thinks of Dallas and its surrounding suburbs as "the big city", this is a crazy coincidence.
I don't think Kim knows the connection. (Either she doesn't remember Jason. She didn't like Jason. She doesn't know my last name. She never wanted to talk to me. Or all of the above.) All I know is she's never said, "Your last name is McGlamery? Do you know a Jason McGlamery?" to me.
Of course, I'm sure now the kids will tell her that she went to high school with their dad.
I bet, when Jason was in high school with Kim Walker, he never would have guessed that one day his son would want her to come over and babysit.
Jack asked, "Can Mrs. Johnson babysit?"
Mrs. Johnson is the pretty substitute teacher that I (kinda sorta) know because we're on the PTA Board together. And we have a bunch of mutual friends.
I told Jack that, even though I know she's pretty (which is why he wanted her to babysit), she doesn't do that sort of thing. She has kids of her own.
Well, then Jason chimes in that Mrs. Johnson is Kim Walker, a girl who went to his high school. She was a year older than Jason, but Jason's best friend was good friends with Kim's boyfriend. (If you can follow that confusing sentence at all.) Jason even remembers Kim's husband... a guy she knew from high school, I think.
I know it might not seem unusual to you that someone your husband went to high school with in Garland would end up being your child's substitute teacher and on the PTA Board with you in Plano.... but for a small town girl who still thinks of Dallas and its surrounding suburbs as "the big city", this is a crazy coincidence.
I don't think Kim knows the connection. (Either she doesn't remember Jason. She didn't like Jason. She doesn't know my last name. She never wanted to talk to me. Or all of the above.) All I know is she's never said, "Your last name is McGlamery? Do you know a Jason McGlamery?" to me.
Of course, I'm sure now the kids will tell her that she went to high school with their dad.
I bet, when Jason was in high school with Kim Walker, he never would have guessed that one day his son would want her to come over and babysit.
Friday, November 2, 2012
A forgotten trick or treating pic
One last pic from Jason's phone.
Jason went out with the kids. I manned the candy-giving station at home. Since I was not present for the trick or treating, I can only report what I heard....
Apparently everyone tripped at least once and hit the ground. Jack knocked Caroline down, which made her cry. Jason got onto Jack for knocking her over, which made Jack cry.
Several people left bowls of candy on their porches. Of which, Jason estimates at least 10 were completely empty by the time our kids got to the door.
I'm not sure if this pic was taken before or after the tears. Or if this was before or after 10 different empty bowls on porches. The smiles look slightly forced.... so my guess is after. ;)
It's hard for me to judge if they had fun or not given the stories I heard. But a night of free candy can't be all bad. Right?
Jason went out with the kids. I manned the candy-giving station at home. Since I was not present for the trick or treating, I can only report what I heard....
Apparently everyone tripped at least once and hit the ground. Jack knocked Caroline down, which made her cry. Jason got onto Jack for knocking her over, which made Jack cry.
Several people left bowls of candy on their porches. Of which, Jason estimates at least 10 were completely empty by the time our kids got to the door.
I'm not sure if this pic was taken before or after the tears. Or if this was before or after 10 different empty bowls on porches. The smiles look slightly forced.... so my guess is after. ;)
It's hard for me to judge if they had fun or not given the stories I heard. But a night of free candy can't be all bad. Right?
Try as I might, I can't beat the system
I'm beating a dead horse at this point. I know. I've said it on fb. I've said it on here. Heck, I've probably complained to the cashier at Kroger. Anyone who will listen has heard about how much I can't stand the certification system in Texas.
Here's what happened yesterday:
Since I passed my ESL test, I needed to add my certification to my account, so to speak. So I logged in to the Texas Education Agency website and hit "Application for Additional Certification by Examination".
I was prepared to pay my $77 to have them update my account. ($77. Random figure, huh? I think they arbitrarily make up this crap. Some big wig working for TEA: "Um, let's go with $77. 7 is my lucky number.")
Let's not forget that it was the TEA that emailed me my scores on the test. They are the ones who graded my test. So they already have my scores. But I have to pay them to type "ESL certified" under my name.
Back to yesterday...
My certification status was "Inactive". My Early Childhood certification. My self contained 1st - 6th grade certification. Inactive.
Cue the minor heart attack.
I had already paid to have my certification renewed. The reason I took that ESL course through A&M was so that I would have enough continuing education hours to renew my certification. WHAT THE HECK?
So I called them. And they said it was placed on "Inactive" status because I hadn't been fingerprinted yet.
I read that they wanted my fingerprints for $39.99 when I renewed my certifications. (Renewing my certifications cost $20 by the way.) But I thought it was optional for some reason. I didn't know that, as of 2009, everyone has to be fingerprinted.
Why? I don't know. Are they worried that someone posing as me might try to teach my class? Are they gonna periodically go in and fingerprint my desk like a CSI agent to make sure it is, in fact, me in my classroom? Or is this just to make sure I don't have a criminal history.... which is what a BACKGROUND CHECK does. I think I know why they want my prints. Because I have to pay them $40 to do it.
"Once you get your fingerprints done, we'll take you off 'Inactive' status and make you 'valid' again. Then you can pay the $77 to add your ESL certification."
The operator gave me instructions on where to go to get my fingerprints done. She also told me that the people who fingerprint me will charge a processing fee.
Yep. I have an appointment (because apparently you need an appointment) to be fingerprinted on November 12 at the Sylvan Learning Center in Frisco. They will take my picture, electronically fingerprint me, and send the info to TEA via the computer. Though they are using electronic devices, apparently there's a $10 processing fee that I owe Sylvan.
But, hey, at least Sylvan is doing something. What is TEA doing?? Why did they want $39.99? To upload the prints Sylvan is sending them?
It's ridiculous!!!! They make me crazy!
Add it up... To be a currently certified teacher with a valid status and all of the certifications that I worked hard for and EARNED.... cost me...
$20
$120
$40
$10
$77
$267. And all I need them to do is push buttons on their keyboard and click a few links with their mouse.
How many hoops do I have to jump through? Testing centers. Waiting for scores. Applying after receiving scores. Appointments for fingerprints. And 5 separate charges on my credit card.
Think you can get away with skipping a step? Ha! They will freeze your account which technically makes you unable to work-- because you technically can't work with an "inactive" status--- until you pay them every last dime.
Government crooks. Inefficient in every way... except when it comes to collecting payments.
Here's what happened yesterday:
Since I passed my ESL test, I needed to add my certification to my account, so to speak. So I logged in to the Texas Education Agency website and hit "Application for Additional Certification by Examination".
I was prepared to pay my $77 to have them update my account. ($77. Random figure, huh? I think they arbitrarily make up this crap. Some big wig working for TEA: "Um, let's go with $77. 7 is my lucky number.")
Let's not forget that it was the TEA that emailed me my scores on the test. They are the ones who graded my test. So they already have my scores. But I have to pay them to type "ESL certified" under my name.
Back to yesterday...
My certification status was "Inactive". My Early Childhood certification. My self contained 1st - 6th grade certification. Inactive.
Cue the minor heart attack.
I had already paid to have my certification renewed. The reason I took that ESL course through A&M was so that I would have enough continuing education hours to renew my certification. WHAT THE HECK?
So I called them. And they said it was placed on "Inactive" status because I hadn't been fingerprinted yet.
I read that they wanted my fingerprints for $39.99 when I renewed my certifications. (Renewing my certifications cost $20 by the way.) But I thought it was optional for some reason. I didn't know that, as of 2009, everyone has to be fingerprinted.
Why? I don't know. Are they worried that someone posing as me might try to teach my class? Are they gonna periodically go in and fingerprint my desk like a CSI agent to make sure it is, in fact, me in my classroom? Or is this just to make sure I don't have a criminal history.... which is what a BACKGROUND CHECK does. I think I know why they want my prints. Because I have to pay them $40 to do it.
"Once you get your fingerprints done, we'll take you off 'Inactive' status and make you 'valid' again. Then you can pay the $77 to add your ESL certification."
The operator gave me instructions on where to go to get my fingerprints done. She also told me that the people who fingerprint me will charge a processing fee.
Yep. I have an appointment (because apparently you need an appointment) to be fingerprinted on November 12 at the Sylvan Learning Center in Frisco. They will take my picture, electronically fingerprint me, and send the info to TEA via the computer. Though they are using electronic devices, apparently there's a $10 processing fee that I owe Sylvan.
But, hey, at least Sylvan is doing something. What is TEA doing?? Why did they want $39.99? To upload the prints Sylvan is sending them?
It's ridiculous!!!! They make me crazy!
Add it up... To be a currently certified teacher with a valid status and all of the certifications that I worked hard for and EARNED.... cost me...
$20
$120
$40
$10
$77
$267. And all I need them to do is push buttons on their keyboard and click a few links with their mouse.
How many hoops do I have to jump through? Testing centers. Waiting for scores. Applying after receiving scores. Appointments for fingerprints. And 5 separate charges on my credit card.
Think you can get away with skipping a step? Ha! They will freeze your account which technically makes you unable to work-- because you technically can't work with an "inactive" status--- until you pay them every last dime.
Government crooks. Inefficient in every way... except when it comes to collecting payments.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Halloween 2012
Disclaimer: These are terrible pics.
Luigi, the cheerleader, and Minnie Mouse
Trunk or Treat at church.
It's hard to capture moments on film while holding Caroline's bucket, Jack's gloves, Caroline's mouse ears, etc. I know better than to get a costume with parts that the kids might shed 3 minutes into the night. Stupid me.
More Halloween desserts
Bloody bandaids, dirty Qtips and peanut butter ball pumpkins. I give these a D- on effort, appearance, and taste.
Trick or treating.
Until next year, Halloween...
Luigi, the cheerleader, and Minnie Mouse
Trunk or Treat at church.
It's hard to capture moments on film while holding Caroline's bucket, Jack's gloves, Caroline's mouse ears, etc. I know better than to get a costume with parts that the kids might shed 3 minutes into the night. Stupid me.
More Halloween desserts
Bloody bandaids, dirty Qtips and peanut butter ball pumpkins. I give these a D- on effort, appearance, and taste.
Trick or treating.
Until next year, Halloween...
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