It's Been A While

So my life spiraled out of control there for a while and I think I am just now starting to come back to the real world. Well as real as I will let it be.

Update on Princess PITA: Life has been hell with her. I love her to pieces and I know one of these days things will have to mellow with her. Last week she was attacked by a group of girls after school. The scary part for me was that it was in the middle of a major road in our town. Hubby was thankful that they didn't have a knife and stabbed PITA. This morning we went to the high school and filed assault charges on the girls. One of them had the guts to show up to school and the other 3 or 4 didn't come in today. They will come in eventually and the principals and police will be waiting. On a lighter note it was nice being at PITA's school. There are so many people there that we know, hubby and I got a chance to speak to a lot of people while she was writing her statement. One of the other assistants asked what I thought of my principal and I just kind of smiled.....He told me it was ok, he knew her and understood. So sad. However, he did say he would like to see me at another school in the fall and hubby and I joked with him that many of us just need to take over the new middle school when it is built. It was fun to watch his eyes twinkle when we mentioned that. Anyway, back to PITA, the only thing we are worried about right now is retaliation, but good news is, if any of the girls lay a hand on PITA, then we can file charges for retaliation and that is a felony. Seems like a good deal to me :-)

The boys (greys): Let's see, we have knocked over the trash can about 5 times and spread trash from one side of the house to the other. I think we have figured out how to fix this problem. We rubbed the lid of the trash can with Pine-Sol; they didn't touch the trash today. They have eaten two loaves of bread, a brand new bag of baked Doritos, and a bag of marshmallows. I honestly have no idea why they aren't throwing up all over the house. We are still trying to stop all of the counter surfing.

Hubby.....MADE WEIGHT GOAL with Weight Watchers, actually he is now 5 pounds below goal. I think he needs to really start eating now, but he still eats little to nothing during the day, dinner at night and doesn't get in all his points. I really want to see him level off at some point.

My weight loss.....Good news.....I am now down 52.4 pounds. I got my 50 pound magnet tonight which was pretty cool. I felt great about it.

School......BLOWS!! Today while lining up my hell spawn (also known as my 6th period), one of the coaches stepped out of his classroom (probably because hell spawn were disturbing his class) and I asked if he recognized any of the children in my class. He looks up and down my line and realizes that half my class is made up of male athletes, HIS athletes. I talked to him later and explained that is why I can't teach my 6th period because his boys cause so much trouble in class that I can't seem to get anything done in the room. While talking to coach one of the other teachers overheard me and brought me the phone number to one of the boy's moms. I am tickled to have a way to reach this parent since he is one of my biggest issues in the classroom. I am about ready to have him booted from my room. Some how I don't see how giving a kid 8 chances before going to the office is a good way to discipline. I understand needing to give them chances. I agree with that, but 8 freaking chances to ruin the learning environment in my classroom!!! Are you kidding me?? I have had several kids that agree that 8 chances is FAR to many to give many of these kids. Anyway, 3 weeks until Thanksgiving break.....I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN......That is what keeps me going each day!

Must have been high

Gotta love phone calls at 2:30 inthe morning.

Some guy who had to be high called at and hubby answered, hubby said 'ok' and hung up. Three minutes later the phone rang and hubby answered said "ok" and hung up.
By this time I am awake and ask who is it and he says it is a wrong number. I can't let this go, this person has woken me up in the middle of the night, TWICE!!

So I call him back and here was the convo:
Him: Hello
Me: Hello?
Him: Hello?
Me: Hi, I understand you have called my house twice by mistake and I am calling to ask that you not do it again. I am a teacher and would like to be well rested for my classes tomorrow.
Him: Your a teacher? What grade do you teach?
Me: (I roll my eyes, I can not believe he asked this) 7th.
Him: I am so sorry. Please don't be hard on those kids tomorrow. You go back to sleep and get your beauty sleep, and please be good to those kids and don't let them hit on you too much.
Me: (I snicker) Ok, thank you, good night.
CLICK

Ah, Saturdays

Well this day is starting off well. After getting everything typed up and sent off for the PLC, I climbed back into bed and slept for another few hours. I couldn't get to that wonderful noon time hour because PITA had a counseling appointment today. I think this will be good for her. She seemed to feel better when we left and maybe this will help her get on the right track by having someone to talk to.

Tonight is the Neil Diamond concert. I am still not on fire about going, but I think hubby is getting excited. I really do hope he enjoys himself tonight.

Other than the general stuff, I am just worried about a dear friend. I hate going long stretches without hearing from him. Maybe he will see this and shoot me an e-mail that says he is fine and not to worry so much LOL.

I you all are having a great weekend.

Sleepless morning

Saturdays are my sleep in days. I thought with all the stuff going on lately and the amount of sleep that I have lost over worrying about PITA that I would sleep the sleep of the dead and be in bed until around noon today. No such luck. I am rolling over to get more comfortable when my brain kicks in. I wish it would stay brain dead, but no, it occurs to me that I had a deadline yesterday for a topic for a Profession Learning Community Structured Response Protocol. And my brain realizes and not only did I not get any topics from my team about problems with students work, but I also did not turn in a topic. I guess since I didn't get a question about problems with student work that my whole team is having great success with their classes and getting work in from their students. I created a question this week that I hope the team will be able to help me with. The only thing stressing me at this point is not being able to get the school mail server to open so I can send this information out to my history department and to my principal and to the lead teacher over the PLC's. I shall keep trying through out the day. Maybe now I can get me a glass of water and go back to bed and sleep until noon.

For those of my team members reading this.....WE HAVE A SHOWER TO PLAN!!! We have two weeks to pull this off and I can't do it on my own. Please help me rally the others to get this done. See ya'll Monday.

Homework Policy

One of hubby's principals sent this to his staff today since our entire district is working on getting grades into the computer and locked for the three week progress notes. I hope it gives my teacher buds a good laugh. Lord, knows I have needed one lately :-)

HOMEWORK POLICY

Students should not spend more than 90 minutes per night doing homework.This time should be budgeted in the following manner:

15 minutes looking for assignment

11 minutes calling a friend for the assignment

23 minutes explaining why the teacher is mean and does not like children

8 minutes in the bathroom

10 minutes getting a snack

7 minutes checking the T.V. Guide

5 minutes telling parents that the teacher never explained the assignment

11 minutes sitting at the kitchen table waiting for Mom or Dad to do theassignment.

LONG TERM ASSIGNMENTS

These are given the night before they are due.

This explains the name "Long Term".

It is a long term commitment to time that begins at 9:30 PM and ends at11:50 - or later.

It is important that the whole family is involved in the project.

It is imperative that at least one family member races to Wal-Mart/Targetfor poster board, and that at least one family member ends up in tears (itdoes not have to be the student).

One parent needs to stay up and complete the project.

The other parent needs to call the school and leave a message that thestudent is sick.

It is not necessary to have the student's name on the assignment.

New Word

I learned a new word tonight. (who says you can't learn things watching TV?)

Acrimony.

Of course the context clue kind of gave me a definition of the word, but I still had to look it up. It is a GREAT word and one I understand completely. It means in a bitter and sharp manner.

Princess PITA is treating me acrimoniously (can the word be changed to this?) these days.

Given that I have discovered that she has been experimenting sexually at 14, I figure I have every right to be mad and frustrated with her. She of course is pissed at me and thinks I am going overboard with my reaction. I don't know what the right reaction is anymore, but I do know that I am wiped out after two days of this crap.

Please someone, ANYONE, tell me how a girl at 14 could give a guy a blow job in the middle of the afternoon in the driveway behind the house and NOT hiding behind a car or bush or anything. Just out there for the whole fucking world to see!!! And doesn't see anything wrong with this behavior....how is that possible?

I am so lost as a parent right now. I have no idea what is the right thing to do and I am seeking counsel from many of my peers, but many (more like all) of them don't have kids my daughter's age (if they have kids at all). I have clamped down at home, she goes no where without us and she isn't allowed alone. She has an appt with the gyn next week (can't wait to see how she handles that doc appt). She has a counseling appointment this weekend. I don't know what else I should be or could be doing, but I feel like I am not doing enough.

I just feel helpless.

October 11th Holidays

Come on, you know you will want to celebrate one of these.

Ocotber 11th is:
It's My Party Day
Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day

Stuck in my head

Ok, have you ever had a song that you truly could listen to over and over and over again and not tire of it??

Recently it was Weezer ~ Beverly Hills for me, I think the world stops when it comes on or when I get to it on my MP3 player. I love this song and feel the need to rock to it when I hear it. Check out the video at this link: Beverly Hills Video

The new song is a little different: Juicy by Better than Ezra. I swear I have listened it is about 40 times in the last two days, I just love this song. I need help!! LOL If you don't know the song, maybe you know the promo for Desperate Housewives, the song playing is Juicy. I LOVE IT!! At some point I will have to have heard it enough I think.

Poor PITA

Princess PITA has been suspended from the drill team for failing two classes (English and Spanish, I am starting to wonder what freaking language she speaks). Anyway, rumors spread quickly about other members of her drill team having their grades fixed so they could perform. Hmmm, very interesting and two of the girls were the officers. Hubby, in an effort to get to the bottom of the rumors and to find out if any other parents had heard anything, decided to e-mail the booster club list and see if anyone else had heard this vicious rumor. Hmmm, the plot thickens, because the FIRST person to respond with in 15 minutes of hubby sending out the e-mail was an officer's mom who claimed her daughter was at the center of this rumor. She named teachers and other stuff that went down concerning her daughter. She seemed quite angry and offended by the e-mail. Several more parents e-mailed and thanked hubby for saying what many of them were thinking and having the courage to speak up and ask what the hell was going on. This afternoon the sponsor sent out a "CYA" e-mail, she sounded like someone who knew she was screwed. You know, being a sponsor of a cheerleading squad for the last three years I know how parents of girls involved in cheer and drill team can be, however I never thought I would come across a corrupt sponsor. I am furious about this. I have spent nearly a $1000 for PITA to be in drill team and this is just the JV squad!!! She has been miserable. This isn't suppose to be a horrible experience. I am all for her sitting out because she failed because I am a parent that believes my daughter should suffer consequences for her poor choices and I am pissed that her sponsor talked to teachers and had grades changed for girls on her team so they wouldn't be sitting out. Trust me I know how much it sucks when more than half your squad is benched. I had 3 cheerleaders (out of 10) one year for a basketball game!! I didn't go and beg teachers to change grades or bend the rules so they wouldn't be benched for misbehavior. What the hell do these parents and sponsors think they are teaching these kids? Her response to the booster club just showed that she is worried. I think she did something she shouldn't have, but OH well, I guess she is caught. Hubby is hoping to hear from the head principal of the high school. I swear no one there can know how disorganized and messed the JV squad is. I think it will be better to get PITA involved in yearbook staff or something like that next year. I am not going to deal with the politics of drill team for four years.

Anyway, the "poor PITA" is because I am worried about her paying for us trying to bring to light what is going on in this organization. If I find out that her sponsor says ANYTHING to her about this e-mail or us asking about this grade issue she will be one sorry ass first year teacher/sponsor. She doesn't know what she is dealing with when she comes across hubby and I. We have been in the school district too long and know how to make life hell for someone who screws over our PITA!

Ok, rant over.

Bizarre Holidays ~ October 9th

Ok, so I had to share this before bed.......

Odd Celebrations for October 9th:

• Curious Events Day (hmmm, how to celebrate this one??)
• Moldy Cheese Day (Seriously, who thought this one up?)

Important Celebrations:

• Fire Prevention Day (FYI for you: History of Fire Prevention Week)

My horoscope

Ok, since it is nearly 3am and I am still freaking wide awake I thought I would read my horoscope for today.

You're in an unusually extravagant mood -- yes, even more so than usual. The risk-loving, fiery side of your personality is running just as high, so you're definitely not what one might call a fount of willpower at the moment -- but then, have you ever been? Still, don't set yourself up. It will be easy for a friend to talk you into being excessive -- especially if you've already offered to foot the entire bill.

It amazes me sometimes how my horoscope can be dead on for how I am feeling at a particular time LOL. I have spent a few hours tonight looking at Sony Digital cameras (I want a new one so bad!!). The main one I have been looking at is $600, yep that falls under extravagant. Good thing I told hubby that I would be happy with the $250 model that is a little older :-)

Alright, I think I might try going to bed and see if sleep and I can find one another.

Don't you worry

Dont you worry
by Sarah

Im almost dying everynight
endless tears fall down
screaming at the top of my voice
and yet i make no sound

but dont you worry i will hide it
tomorrow, it will not show
i will cover up every trace
not one of you shall know

so much inside, so many emotions
for a pitiful, worthless soul
i have held on for way to long
that i have lost all my control

but dont you worry, it wont show
these feelings i will hide
no one will hear, no one will see
the shadows by my side.

i fall apart, lose self respect
to a point of self destruction
i lose faith, dont ask of hope
lose everything to corruption

but dont you worry, i will lie again
i will be the girl you think you see
i will carry on, like nothings wrong
be the girl you want me to be

and for the record, its getting tough
these smiles are harder to fake
im getting tired of each day
to the point, where i almost break

but dont you worry, its ok
i will act like nothings wrong
i will fall alone, i will crumble in two,
and still convince you im strong

Horseback Riding

We were watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition tonight (did you know they are getting sued??) and it was about this family in Colorado. They raised horses. Made me remember how much fun it is to be on a horse. I told hubby tonight that I want to go horseback riding when I have lost 100 pounds. It would be so much fun to be on a horse again. So he has about 50 pounds to figure out where to take me for horse back riding :-)

Funny horse stories from my childhood:

I was 11 and on this horse that was my Uncle's. She could be skittish but was a blast to ride at full gallop. I might have weighed about 80-85 pounds back then. I had been out walking around on her while the family watched at the fence and I decided it was time to go at a full gallop across the pasture. I took the reins in my hands hand slapped her on the back flank like I had seen my family do a number of times, before I knew it we weren't running she was rearing up, straight up. Scariest moment in my young life that I can remember. Of course, when in the air and scared to death you often forget all the rules for getting out of that position with a horse safely, the first one being DON'T pull back on the reins. And what did I do, pulled as hard as I could for dear life.....Luckily Cherokee calmed down. I wanted off the horse and never to get back on, but my wise family put me back on a few more times that day to calm my fears.

The shetland....Anyone ever own one of these hell beasts? I had two and both were horses from hell. The one I remember the most was Sugar (SOOOO not what she was really like). She hated being ridden. I would get on that hateful horse and she would do one of two things, run me through bushes to get me off or brush up on a barbed wire fence to get me off. I got great at pulling my leg over to the other side so I wouldn't get scratched up. The worst thing I think I ever suffered with that horse was when I was 10 and wore sandals (stupid, I know) to the farm to go riding. Sugar stepped on my foot (I swear the hell beast knew what she was doing). It took my dad and uncle to push her off of me. I still think I can hear that horse laughing today.

With all the craziness with horses (getting kicked in the stomach at 9 helped me learn to always keep a hand on the horse while passing behind them), I remember one horse my family had when I was a kid. GiGi was awesome. I rode her bare back every chance I got. When she would come in the barn I would climb on and lay back on her back while she ate. I miss being around such majestic animals as horses. I think I had a special bond with GiGi. It is neat when you connect with an animal like that.

Somehow I always knew animals were going to rule my world.....When it isn't the four legged kind, it is the two legged kind that I teach :-)

Opposites Attract

It is coming up on seven years since hubby and I walked down the aisle into what I have been promised is wedded bliss. This weekend I was once again reminded about how he and I are complete opposites.

Flash back a little over seven years ago~
Hubby and I are in the high stress time of planning a wedding that seemed to be for everyone else but us. One night while I was taking a break from all things wedding related and watching a hockey game (gotta love a sport that gives only a time out for beating the hell out of someone) and they advertised upcoming games. SCORE....There was a game on my wedding night. After a long battle with hubby (he thought going to a hockey game on our wedding night was wrong??), I won and bought the tickets. I didn't see what the big deal was anyway, we had been together since 1992 and I was pretty sure nothing would drastically change because I had a ring on my finger. We went to the game in our wedding attire. Nearly every guy we passed (except the loser San Jose fans in the elevator....ballsy fellow, told me he hated that my team was going to lose on my wedding night, me in my wedding gown says that I am sorry a few of his players will be knocked out that night) ANYWAY~ all the guys wanted to know how hubby talked me in to going to a hockey game on my wedding night, bless his heart he had to tell them all that it was my idea and was told over and over how lucky he was. Right, he didn't even want to be there LOL.

Flash forward to today~

So anniversary is coming up on October 24th and we have been through a lot in 13 years together and 7 years married. He is still my rock and my complete opposite. Back in April (it might have been May) a concert was announced that I knew hubby would LOVE to go see and interestingly enough the concert was in October. Neil Diamond. Ok, I don't know why he loves him, but hubby does, so being the sneaky little thing I am, I bought tickets to the concert and nice parking pass for the October 15th show. I am so proud of this gift because I know it is something he is going to love. My gift (I LOVE IT and like my wedding night NOT girlie) is a little different. I got boxing gloves a week ago and last night I got the bag to go with it. It is coolest thing ever!!! Hubby mentioned to me last night on the ride home from weigh in that we are a screwed up couple, he gets the girlie gifts and I get the guy gifts. Must be why we really do work so well together, we just compliment each other :-)

Now I only need to figure out how to convince him I need a gun.