Happy MAY DAY!

This was the scene on the playground on Monday. Very unfortunate for the ladybugs, who only wanted to get it on. Well, at least he did. She just kept walking around in circles. My friend, the kindergarten teacher, was the first to point it out. I, refusing to believe that insects would be doing the nasty right there in front of dozens of five and six year olds, suggested that they could be giving each other piggy back rides (many children quickly jumped on the bandwagon and embraced this idea) or one was carrying around the dead carcass of another, not quite sure where to dump the body. And it was going on for a very long time. I even poked a stick at them to try to break it up. So today, being braindead as we are at the end of a long day, and still half joking and half wondering what they were really up to, we went onto Google to look it up and I clicked (hesitantly) on a site called "Ladybug porn". This is what it said, as if speaking to us directly: (Parents, these are your educational dollars hard at work)


No, they are not playing "piggy-back" rides.
The ladybugs are mating. The male grips the female from behind and holds on tight. They can copulate (stay together) for more than 2 hours at a time. Female ladybugs can store a male's sperm for 2-3 months before laying eggs.

Just F.Y.I. ...And speaking of insects, it seems our poor Fuz has developed the Sickness. The one in which I dread so much that I was hesitant to take on a cat, even if it meant he be indoors at all times. Yes, it seems our Fuz has fleas. Poor little guy. He was being eaten up so bad you could see his coat quivering all the time. Bryan gave him a bath last night and he saw blood. So, we invested in some heavy duty drops (we are hoping) that you put on their back between their should blades. So Fuz is now sporting a mohawk of sorts (since it dried stiff) and he is resting a tad bit more peacefully on the desk as I type. Every now and then he reaches out his paw to take my hand and scratch his head. We have other options to follow up on if these drops do not work. But how do you ensure you are getting rid of fleas? It seems once they infest (and we have NO idea how he got them) they are hard to get rid of like lice.

So tomorrow is May 1st. I learned today that what we know of as May Day, the tradition in which you make a basket of Spring flowers, leave on the doorstep of a neighbor and run away before they catch you and kiss you, is virtually extinct. None of my kids and some of their parents had never heard of it before. I TOTALLY remember doing this growing up...just not the neighbor kissing you part. That would be kindof freaky. So it was kindof sad for me, but I taught my kids about it today and they made little baskets out of construction paper. We will see if they actually do it. Last year my little niece was up here on May 1, so it was cute to watch her do it with her mom and her nana. May 1st also happens to be Bryan and my anniversary of when we started to formally "go out". It is hard to believe it has been 7 years! We were going to celebrate tonight by going to Baskin Robbins (they were having a 31 cent scoop night) but lines were out the doors at both locations. Oh well. We just called it a day at DQ which was just as good if not better.

I definately needed the pick me up, and so did Bryan. Bryan called in sick on Tuesday and we got my medical bill for the surgery...to the tune of $29,000 of which a large (to us) percentage is due by us. So, thus begins the next dilemma of where to find the money. I hear that hospitals have excellent payment plans and even do a little "forgiving" if you are diligent with your payments. We will see....Although, I began to think of what I could do with that large chunk of money, such as go on a trip, buy a large flat screen TV, etc. But I guess I would not be able to enjoy those things with a defective heart, or if it were not beating at all. It just sucks paying a bunch of money and not really having anything but a bruise and some insertion site scars to show for it. Oh well, so goes life. At least Bryan is feeling better now. I am just worried he is working too hard.

Speaking of flat screen tvs and other purchases, I have begun to think in terms of what Bryan and I have that is of value, and really we pretty much have nothing. Two years into marriage and we still have the donated furniture and electronics (or gifts thereof) and nothing new is currently in the budget, which is fine for right now. As far as the budget goes, the only place we need to work on scrimping with is our food purchases. So even if it came to the point where we needed to sell stuff, which my financial advisor Dave Ramsey says is a good idea to get the debt snowball rolling, Bryan and I really have nothing except for maybe some car stuff of his. We do have this cool microwave though. I do not know what it is, but whenever people come over, they always comment on the cool red microwave. Even baby Jacob was impressed. Never mind the fact that you can find it at Target, I wonder if I could sell it on EBay?! Although, it is nice to have around as a conversation starter...

The last visitors we had for a brief time was my friend Gillian and her boyfriend Brent. They stopped by on Saturday after dinner so Brent could see the place and meet Fuz. Gillian is a friend I have had since middle school...thus, making her my oldest friend. We sort of lost touch for awhile, but I like to think we pretty much keep current on things going on in each others' lives. Until recently, when I decided to enact mid-year resolution number ??: Make more time for friends. It is so easy to get caught up in my own life and my own routine that I do not remember the last time I got together with a friend outside of work. Kindof sad, and I definately do not want to take advantage of the great friends I have, especially when so many exciting things are happening in their lives.

Well, this is sortof a broad overview of what has been on my mind so far this week. Some happy, some sad, for your own (non) entertainment. I do not claim to be interesting...:-) Have a great rest of the week! I have a Science fair and a Spring Musical concert on tap for tomorrow evening...should be good times! I can hear Bryan snoring in the next room...better get to bed!

The Baby Borrowing Project

Bryan and I thought we would execute a trial run through parenthood for a weekend and this was our experimental speciman we used in Parenting 101. His name is Jacob and these pictures do not do him justice because after our nieces and nephews of course I think he is the cutest baby there is. And definately the best behaved baby ever...good eater, good sleeper, good listener and always smiley (except when he got his diaper changed). Jacob has visited us several times before (his mom is a good friend from church and we swap haircuts and colors for babysitting) but I have to say this was the most enjoyable. He is now more sturdy on his feet, understands what it means to say "Ewww...don't touch!" (pointing to Fuz's food dish), and he can play alone with little bits of time. And if you are wondering how Bryan and Jacob got along:
This picture is of Bryan spinning Jacob around and around on a red stool in the back by all the parts, which Jacob had the opportunity to explore and then he would chase after Bryan with his hands up as Bryan was helping other customers. (Bryan played the part of hardworking father as he spent the majority of the weekend working down at the auto parts store, so Jacob and I went on a walk on Sunday afternoon to visit him. ) Jacob LOVES Bryan so much that by Sunday night he would have nothing to do with me, unless I was feeding him dinner. Bryan and I took him to the grocery store before dinner last night, and Bryan gave Jacob the opportunity to shake everything before it was placed in the cart. Jacob also got to pick out a few things on his own, such as bar soap, which he licked the package of over and over again until he and Bryan could laugh hysterically no longer.

If you are concerned that this project could lead us closer to implementing Phase II of the Baby Action plan, be concerned no longer. Bryan and I are still SO happy to be without permanent placements, and I doubt it would be easy to render another baby as easy as Jacob (the kind that you can put down in a crib and in five minutes he is out without protest, or the kind that will eat anything or warm up to any person within minutes). We learned that when you are with children, that is really and truly ALL you can talk about, since this lesson was learned when we met some friends for dinner at a local cafe on Saturday night (I think we pretty much bored them). We also made the mistake of being at the store too long last night, as Jacob slowly fell into a deep sleep on the way home pre-dinner and pre-bath. He was not a happy camper but who could blame him? I also learned this morning that being a working mom truly is a killer. I had to wake up a half-hour earlier than usual and I still only arrived at school after dropping him off at daycare with 10 minutes to spare!! Yikes.

But it was sad coming home tonight with no smiling Jakey, no bouncing Tiger toy and no Pack and Play taking up massive square footage in our bedroom. Awwww. But, I am sure, after arriving at this solution with his mom, that he will be back for more playdates with Bryan and I. Thus, I think we passed the course. There were no major mistakes, no war wounds, and we all came out of the weekend refreshed from lots of rest, lots of play and lots of eating. Now tonight, I must do everything that I need to do that I did not have time to do the last couple of days. And the beauty of it is there is no longer anyone to distract me, though cute as he is!

I usually don't have time to read, BUT...

In the last four weeks, thanks to vacation and bedrest, these are the three books I have read, ranked in order. However, #2 and #3 are very different and hard to compare with #1, which just blew itself out of the water. I know Nicholas Sparks is a great writer and a few of his stories have gone to the movie screen (A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, and Message in a Bottle) but I did not think he was THIS good. I hope this story goes to the big screen as well. #2 and #3 were more of those stories that you get into and you can't stop, but when you finish it you sort of felt like you wasted your time. The plot lines were interesting, though. All three stories are popular, and I had them on request at the library for months.

#1 THE CHOICE by Nicholas Sparks (GET IT TODAY!)

#2 The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold (same author as the Lovely Bones)

#3 What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman

Two things I do not get...

1.) How it can be 80 degrees one weekend and snowing the next.

2.) Why you wait 4-6 weeks for a tax refund and if you owe, they cash your check in only 4-6 days.

A Week of Blessings

My procedure a week ago went well. I had an unearthly sense of peace about the whole thing (thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers!), and other than the uncontrollable shaking in the freezing cold operating room, I guess I showed no real emotion. Truthfully, the ride down the hall to the o room in the hospital bed was kindof fun, as well as the wheelchair ride from the hospital to the car, with Bryan at the wheels. Everything between that (all 15 hours)...a blur. I did have to have the procedure done twice, as the first time it "didn't take" and they did find another "open connection" that is not causing me problems right now, but has the potential to later. Now, when I go to get a tune-up I like to know that all systems are running properly, so the part of me that worries is the part of me that still feels unease after this is all done. But oh well...what can you do? It was a nice stay in the hospital though...and I had a nice round of visitors. The most interesting experience was being on bedrest for 6 hours. I could not even lift my head to eat off the plate in front of me. The worst part was trying to pee laying flat down. Since I was not even allowed to move a muscle, I had to be rolled around on top of a bedpan, like I was a burrito. But the most frustrating thing is having to pee so bad you are in pain, and you cannot do it because you cant get your muscles to release it from that flat angle. If you don't believe me, just try it. I have no idea how kids wet the bed. It literally took me two tries, and about 15-20 minutes later on the second try I had success. Just in case you were wondering...

The rest of the weekend was spent invested in one book and a couple of movies. I talked on the phone with some of my little first grade boys, enjoyed a visit from one of my girls, and enjoyed flowers from a good friend and my sister, and a dinner from mom and dad, and letters in the mail, and text messages, and...the list goes on! I also spent time on a bench seat in Bryan's garage as he worked with the neighbors, and Bryan and I saw the movie 21 which was pretty good (I like true stories and this one inspired me to return to Vegas, though we will NOT be going this year.) Bryan took Monday off with me and we got groceries and I spent all my energy in resting up for the big week. Tuesday was a field trip to a gymnastics studio, and I had a lot of parent help and the kids had lots of fun. But as all first days back at work after being sick, it totally sucked. All this week people have been telling me how tired I look, though honestly I feel pretty good (after about lunchtime on Wednesday!). I do have this wierd lumpy/bubbly pressure feeling in my chest, like I need to burp or cry but can't do either one, and also some back pain. I called the doc and this was news to him and something to keep an eye on, but the chest pain and rapid beating is to be expected.

Since with this procedure comes the stress of more financial burdens, I have been praying mightily (or as best I can) and God has come through. Some ways I am not entitled to speak of (as per Bryan's directions) but the staff at my school also came through and has scheduled meals for Bryan and I to enjoy clear until May 2! Someone also dropped off 30 bucks in my mailbox so Bryan and I got to go somewhere a little nicer than Taco Bell for dinner tonight...Red Robin! Bryan has been wanting that for awhile and we could finally afford it! Then out of the blue I got a call from a company who I used to have for car insurance asking Bryan and I to come back, and offered a rate way lower than what we are paying monthly now (I know, this sounds like a Geico commercial, but this has nothing to do with that company). I have also been reviewing our budget and looking for ways that we can fine tune it and have more money left over at the end of the month and things are looking good. We are at the point right now where even $20 or 30 more at the end of the month is significant, so I am really excited about this, and I am also so thankful that I am taking this financial class! I think God set it up so that we can handle this financial windfall, though it has been a humbling and scary experience. One of my goals this weekend is to have a plan put in place starting May 1, when I get paid again. It will also be nice now that Bryan has two paychecks, though I still continue to feel guilty about that one...but Bryan insists that he really likes working at his second job and he would not be doing anything else during that time that he spends there. Since I live with him, I can attest to that. He would either spend that time in the garage or in front of the tv. Maybe that means we can cut out the cable bill too? Oh, and the gym membership is definately going...

I had plans for this weekend but either they fell through or I was instructed by a certain mom not to do what I had planned. So I guess I will hang out around here and keep resting! I have plenty I can/want to do. For example, since I was consumed by a single book all four days of my recov, I still have a tall stack of other things to read...hmmm...better go get started on that now!

It is tomorrow.

So I do not know if it is actual real nerves or a product of everyone asking me "So how are you feeling? Are you nervous for Friday?", but yes, I am finally nervous. And I really did not want to make a big deal out of it after I got over the initial shock. I am not Miss Drama; I actually am very tired of dramatic people who over obsess about things and worry too much (although I will own up to worrying; it is my favorite hobby along with eating). Since I deal with anxiety, I have learned to deal with it quite well, I think. All week I have been focusing on work, SAT testing for the kids and report cards due by tomorrow (all done, thank you very much!). I even spent tons of time tonight at work making sure everything was in perfect order for my substitute on Monday. Ive even got the kids primed and ready, and I am not sure if I am relieved or a little sad that they were actually REALLY excited for a sub on Monday. But anyways, this morning I was dangerously close to losing my breakfast while brushing my teeth, and since lunch I have been burping up remnants of Baja Fresh. All I can say is I better not grow a distaste for it like I did with Subway sandwiches after my little incident on the plane a couple of weeks ago. So as I go attempt to fall asleep, please remember me and say a little prayer, especially if you are up at 5:30 tomorrow morning :-). As for the food staying in my stomach, I guess I will "pray to the Gods of the Iron Stomach". Whatever that means...!!! (NHC). :-)

Pass the Courvoisier

http://www.slate.com/id/2188005/?GT1=38001

I was browsing the internet on my half a day of freedom from kids this afternoon and came across this article on MSN.com, which brought me back to a Christmas long ago before there were any nieces or nephews in our family and we spent the Holidays together at my sister's house in snowy Idaho. This was the anthem of that vacation and I really credit us for its comeback.

3000 dollars, 2 students and 1 tooth later...

This weekend was quite possibly the most boring weekend I have had in awhile, but a lot happened. On Friday, I lost two students of mine, both girls, which was hard. I knew one had to leave because her family is struggling financially, but the other was a complete shock. So now I am back to 17 kids, and it will be interesting to see how the new dynamic will be this week, as these two girls were little leaders and both quite outspoken. Bryan's mom also ended up back in the hospital due to an infection from her surgery, so we were worrying about that on Friday as well.

On Saturday, we went to the bank and finished our taxes (we hope!). Bryan also completed the last step of the hiring process for his new second job at NAPA. I am so proud of him for stepping up and taking a second job, and I feel guilty that maybe I should get a second job too. I am pretty worried about finding something for the summer so have been praying about that. (I also got a call on Friday for an interview for a job in a public school, but it was the same day as my surgery. I am still up in the air about staying at my same school next year, even though I really, really love it. There are just more benefits in working in public schools, unfortunately, especially an increased pay and better health insurance. I guess God will work out whatever His will is, but the invitation for the interview was encouraging). Bryan is also getting ready for a test in May that will give him more certification in the industry as well, so we went to the library and got books. After a few more errands, we came home and took a nap and that is when Bryan went to the dentist as an emergency and got another tooth pulled. I am really thankful, as we are in the middle of switching insurance, that we still have our old (crappy) provider. He feels a lot better now. And I made him mashed potatos and meatloaf for dinner, which he enjoyed.

Today we went to church, Bryan got a haircut and we took another nap. I have been moving pretty slow around here all day, cleaning and whatnot while Bryan was out in his garage with our neighbor, who just got the garage next to him so they were both working on their Hondas. Bryan found a way to cut the springs in his car so his car can be lowered so he is super excited about that. He finally finished his car right before I left for San Antonio so we are enjoying being back to two cars and not borrowing from Mom and Dad. On Friday night, he took me out joy riding in it and then he had me "mash on it" which I am still not sure what that means, but he got out and told me to drive it as fast as I could on a deserted road out in the country while he took the video on his phone. Since his speedometer is not hooked up, I am not sure how fast I got it up to but it was pretty fun (okay, I admit it) but I was mostly scared. Not so much by how much power it had, but scared that pretty much any cop within a five mile radius was going to hear his exhaust. I know the dead people in the cemetary by the side of the road were probably turning over in their graves, but I guess it was good, cheap entertainment, especially for Bryan, who has been showing everybody the video all weekend.

This week at school is going to be super busy. Since my surgery is on Friday, I have to do report cards after school (Friday is teacher work day) and get ready for the substitute on Monday. I also have to do more work preparing for the next week, since I will not have any volunteers this week because we are doing statewide testing all week and the kids will only be there for a half day Monday through Thursday. I am sortof looking forward to this four day weekend coming up, except for of course Friday. I plan on doing a lot of reading and little hobbies around here that I never have time for.

I hope your weekend was just as eventful but more interesting than mine! Have a good week!

This makes it all worth it...

This is not to toot my own horn (or what I jokingly refer to as "ego stroking" with parents who always comment on me as a teacher) but I recieved this fanmail today that warmed my heart and made me laugh out loud (good thing I read it while they were in PE!). I am just so struck by the honesty and sincerity of the little hearts in my class! This came from one of the sweetest of them all, and I will attempt to write it in its truest form (misspellings and all!). Enjoy!

Dear Mrs. H.- I like you verey much and I am Glad you are my teacher cuse you teach very well. I think you are prety and buteful and nice. And I hope you are Glad that I am in your class. and I hope you think we are being good. I hope you are doing good and I hope you are doing good and I hop Bryan is not sick or fuzz. I hope your mother is ok too. I hope everyone in your famaily is helthey even the pets. I hope you donnt get sick or get pregnent. I hope you had good school days in your life. from XXXXX.

:-)