Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Selfish People

I admit, we are all selfish sometimes.  This morning, and every morning of the work week, I get to witness selfish people at their best.  I do bus duty at school.  I stand out front, keep the cars out of the area the buses are supposed to enter, make sure the traffic keeps moving, stop the traffic when it is time for the buses to leave, and record the times the buses get there.  This morning I witnessed 7 near wrecks.  Five of them were because parents let stopped and let their kid out on the street instead of following the rules.  They do it after they pass me so I can't get to them and stop them.  Then they speed away (not joking.)  Problem is that people get annoyed because they have to stop behind them so they start to pass and are passing them when the car speeds away.  Meanwhile their kid has to cross the street, and our school is in the middle of an outrageous curve, or cross where the buses are entering.  One of the near wrecks this morning did the same thing of dropping off where they aren't supposed to but this idiot did a u-turn right in the middle of the road and almost got t-boned.  Then the other one was a parent going way too fast and on the wrong side of the road around the horrible blind curve.  All to cut 2 minutes off their commute?  If I turn my back and get a car to move on someone comes in where the buses are.  One time the parent got stuck in there because more buses came in and then when she did finally get out yelled at me for it!  There is a nice sign stating she wasn't supposed to go in there.  And last week my Assistant Principal came out to help me stop traffic to let the buses out (which could be a blog rant of its own) and a parent yelled at her.  I have stood in the middle of the road waving at the car to stop and they keep coming and try to go around me.  Where in the world do these people learn to drive?  And were they brought up with any manners at all?  Obviously not and they aren't raising their kids to have manners either.  I see teachers, including myself, get cut off in the hallways, run over, it is rare to see a kid hold a door for a teacher, and just today I was coming out a door with a cart and my hands full and a kid ran to slip in as I was coming out so I had to stop so quick I dropped what I had in my hand.  AND I had to call him back because he didn't even stop to apologize or help pick it up!  I asked him if he know what manners were and he laughed and said "no."  To which I replied, "Obviously not because you don't have any," and then proceeded to give him what for!
I can't stand it!  Is it like this everywhere?  Am I so appalled because I was raised in the South where, for the most part, kids are still taught manners?
I had such a depressing day in light of all of this that I was glad to see this picture.  It made me laugh out loud!  Hope you enjoy it too! And remember, don't do something that is convenient for you when it makes an inconvenience for others!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

It's Random Question Time Again!

When you've got water stuck in your ear, how do you get it out?

I have to say there is little more annoying than having water in your ear that you can't seem to get out!  My tricks....

1.  First I move my jaw around, yawn some, just like I would do if my ears were stopped up.
2.  I pull the lobe down and the top up and jerk my head to the side a few times.  
3.  Warning: Use this only as a last resort!  When I am really desperate I do exactly what you are not supposed to do... get a Q-tip.  I don't jam it down my ear (don't worry mom.)  But I do find that if I can get to the source the cotton soaks up the water and draws it right out.  If you get it stuck or the cotton comes off and stays in your ear I disavow any knowledge that I know you or that you might have gotten the idea from this blog!

So, what are your tips for getting water out of your ear?

Sunday, January 20, 2008

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Today was not a very good day for me in the world of football.  First of all I hate the Patriots with a passion.  They, of course, are one game away from a perfect season.  Bleh!  Then I can't stand Eli Manning, and I have my reasons, good ones too.  (His brother on the other hand.... I love.)  But the Giants beat my Packers tonight!  I have no use to watch the Super Bowl except for the commercials.  Maybe I could TiVo it and fast forward through the game and just watch the commercials.  No.  I am going to Shayna's and be social except during the commercials :).  I am actually excited because there are these cupcakes I want to make.  Unfortunately to make them really cute I would decorate them according to the teams playing.  I just don't know if I can bring myself to do that.  
In other news....
I looked down at my hand tonight and I have this bruise looking thing with a little mark in the middle.  I have no clue where it came from.  Ellyn says it looks like a spider bite.  I hate spiders! I'll keep an eye on it and see if it looks any different tomorrow.  Wait, what am I thinking?  I can just take a picture of it and show you!  Tell me what you think it is.


Your diagnosis is welcome!  

I have my MRI tomorrow on my knees.  I had more pain last night, in a different place on my knee, but it went away today.  I sound like an old lady telling about all my ailments.   Just imagine when I am an old lady! :)  

And some sad news to report.  Suzanne Pleshette died.  This is sad for me because, as far as famous people that share my name, it was her and Suzanne Somers.  
 

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Meet Seamus



Meet my friend Seamus (pronounced Sha - mus.)  I am not sure why his picture is sideways but I can't get it rotated.  We're hanging out on this snowy evening making cupcakes.  (And no he's not mine, I'm dog sitting.)  I have my first cupcake order!  She wants them tomorrow for school... that is if we have school tomorrow.  I think we'll have a 2 hour delay at the least.  It's amazing, we got 3 inches of snow and not an early dismissal and we'll most likely go tomorrow.  Stupid snow plows. My banjo lesson was canceled though, which was good since I hadn't really practiced.  I am hoping for a whole day off tomorrow, but I am not getting my hopes up.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Let's try again

Some of you know I took a few banjo lessons last year but after wasting most of my lesson time with my teacher figuring things out, I quit. I started again last night in a class through Fairfax County Parks and Rec. I am not sure about it to be honest. The teacher is..... very peculiar. He gets off on tangents that have absolutely nothing even remotely to do with playing the banjo and he talks about them like we should be very interested in what he had to say. Thinks like supination and pronation. If I hadn't had lessons before I would be completely lost. The only reason I have any clue what to do is because I know a few basics. 2 of the guys in my class came in knowing nothing. I feel really bad for them. It will be interesting to see what we learn in 8 weeks. I am suppose to practice Shortnin' Bread this week.

In other news.... I got a new printer. I used my iPhone rebate from Apple for it. I drooled over a MacBook on my way back to the printers.

My knee is still hurting. The shot obviously didn't work. I want to call the doctor back and see if he can see me but I can't go so it doesn't matter. I can't take off for the next 2 weeks. I'll just have to deal with it.

I'm studying, sorta, for the Middle School Math Praxis II Test. If I pass it my principal said if there is a math position open next year she won't even interview, she'll give it to me. I tried to talk her into a half PE half math position but she wasn't going for it. Of course I spent this week doing fitness tests. One of them requires the kids to take off their shoes. I have to sit right next to their lovely, smelly socked feet to measure how far they can stretch. I won't miss that.

That's the news with me. :)

Sunday, January 6, 2008

More cupcakes!!!

I am beginning to think I have an addiction to making cupcakes. Not eating them really, though I do love them, but decorating them. I made these tonight. I got the idea from a cake decorating book I got for Christmas (thanks Mom!)
I am about to embark on the first Christmas presents for 2008. Sadly I can't post them as I make them because someone might prematurely see what they are getting. But I am splitting everyone up into different months. That way it isn't November and I am panicking wondering how I am going to pay for something for everyone.

I have a feeling this is going to be a long week! :(

Friday, January 4, 2008

"I didn't do it"


I am so sick of 13 and 14 year olds. They can't actually own up to anything they do....even if it is a good thing! I mention something and they automatically get defensive. When they find out it is something good, they are like, "Oh. I thought I was in trouble." I can watch them do something, say for instance talking while I am giving instructions. I see them, I hear them. BUT when I say something to them they immediately say, "I wasn't talking!" OR some of them will say, "But I wasn't the only one talking, why are you picking on me?"
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

They have no responsibility, they don't care about much of anything, they want all of your respect without giving an ounce of it.... shall I go on? I am sick of teaching. No joke. It is really crappy that the kids have more rights than I do. I take it to personally that I can't save them all. I have no idea what I am going to do..... ugghhh...I'll probably be teaching for 30 years being miserable.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2008 is here. 2007 flew by. They say the older you get the faster it goes. YIKES!

It is time for the New Year's resolutions to come out. I have a a few of my own. My most difficult one personally is to only drink soda on Mondays. I have gone 100 days without caffeinated beverages but I could have Sprite and caffeine free soda. None of that this time.

This was recited at church on Sunday morning. I liked it so I thought I'd share.

I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination. All the good that you tried for and didn't achieve is mine to grant you when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have - these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."