That cold that I had last weekend stayed around. All week. Every morning I woke to the surprise of what new and exciting symptoms had come or gone over the course of the night. It was like a mini viral Christmas. Some days there was sneezing. Some days there was coughing. Some days were stuffed up and cloggy and on others mucous flowed freely and without pause. I'm so done with this.
My lack of posting was not as much because I wasn't feeling well, and more because I wasn't allowed to touch the laptop at home (due to possible contamination - the same reason that Husband slept in the guest room all week.)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Things I Currently Have
runny nose
sore throat
phlegm in my lungs
guilt about missing my future-sister-in-law's shower and bachelorette party
sore throat
phlegm in my lungs
guilt about missing my future-sister-in-law's shower and bachelorette party
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
High School Glossary
Teacher's Request: This paper is due on Tuesday.
Students' Translation: Of course you don't have to actually turn the paper in on Tuesday. I simply set that as an arbitrary date for my own benefit. Whenever you finish is fine. How about tomorrow. Or the next day. How about after the bell rings you ask to be excused so that you can go print out the paper (that is already a day late) in the library and then huff and puff when I hassle you about doing your work on your own time instead of mine. Or - maybe you didn't even get the initial work for the paper done because I only gave you two weeks to do it and you planned to get it all done on the Friday before the deadline but lo and behold you were sick that day and therefore couldn't collect your data in time to turn in the paper on Tuesday. And after all, the weatherman predicted snow on the due date so you can't possibly be expected to be held accountable for work that was due on a school day which may or may not have been cancelled per inclement weather.
Of course, I jest. I'm crazy about these kids. (Or maybe, I'm crazy BECAUSE of these kids . . . .hmm.)
Students' Translation: Of course you don't have to actually turn the paper in on Tuesday. I simply set that as an arbitrary date for my own benefit. Whenever you finish is fine. How about tomorrow. Or the next day. How about after the bell rings you ask to be excused so that you can go print out the paper (that is already a day late) in the library and then huff and puff when I hassle you about doing your work on your own time instead of mine. Or - maybe you didn't even get the initial work for the paper done because I only gave you two weeks to do it and you planned to get it all done on the Friday before the deadline but lo and behold you were sick that day and therefore couldn't collect your data in time to turn in the paper on Tuesday. And after all, the weatherman predicted snow on the due date so you can't possibly be expected to be held accountable for work that was due on a school day which may or may not have been cancelled per inclement weather.
Of course, I jest. I'm crazy about these kids. (Or maybe, I'm crazy BECAUSE of these kids . . . .hmm.)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
From 'Ville to Shining 'Ville
Super excited. That's how I would describe my feelings about my upcoming weekend jaunt to Louisville.
Ok. . . perhaps not the cosmopolitan mecca or blissful tropical getaway that most folks hope for in a vacation - but Louisville brings a different kind of wonderful. Namely, a chance to reconnect with my wonderful friend (and mentor) Alyssa, her husband Bill, her three children, and good friends Mara, Josh, and Chris. It's a smorgasbord of friends and nostalgia. And I can't wait.
The only boo-hiss about the weekend is that it's the only weekend this month that Husband has off of work - and I'll be missing it! While we are both crushed to lose the time together, I think he is secretly looking forward to an entire weekend to do whatever he wants and have quiet-alone-time. Everyone needs that now and then.
Flying out tomorrow . . . can't wait!
Ok. . . perhaps not the cosmopolitan mecca or blissful tropical getaway that most folks hope for in a vacation - but Louisville brings a different kind of wonderful. Namely, a chance to reconnect with my wonderful friend (and mentor) Alyssa, her husband Bill, her three children, and good friends Mara, Josh, and Chris. It's a smorgasbord of friends and nostalgia. And I can't wait.
The only boo-hiss about the weekend is that it's the only weekend this month that Husband has off of work - and I'll be missing it! While we are both crushed to lose the time together, I think he is secretly looking forward to an entire weekend to do whatever he wants and have quiet-alone-time. Everyone needs that now and then.
Flying out tomorrow . . . can't wait!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Bad Teacher
I feel like a bad teacher for many reasons in any given day. Here's today's . . .
We are learning about operant conditioning and we talked about Super Nanny and The Dog Whisperer (both use a ton of behaviorism techniques - good for examples). My kids have been begging me for a week to watch a South Park episode in class that deals with the same concepts. (Plotline: Cartman's mom hires a variety of reality show behavior experts to try to correct his bad behavior.) I hate South Park. With a passion. But why should I let my own distaste for the show outweigh the potential of having my class like me for a day?
Against my better judgement, we cued up the show and watched in class today. I rationalized my decision by telling myself that the show is on cable television - so they have access to it at home. It's not like I was showing them porn.
It was pretty horrendous. The language in particular. (Not "F-word" bad . . . but pretty close . . . ). About three-quarters of the way through, I pondered out loud, "How do they get away with this language on cable television?!?" To which the students responded that the bad words are all bleeped-out when the show appears on TV. At that point, I had a few choice words of my own (on the inside, of course).
Lesson learned. No more South Park. Of course, assuming that I still have my job.
We are learning about operant conditioning and we talked about Super Nanny and The Dog Whisperer (both use a ton of behaviorism techniques - good for examples). My kids have been begging me for a week to watch a South Park episode in class that deals with the same concepts. (Plotline: Cartman's mom hires a variety of reality show behavior experts to try to correct his bad behavior.) I hate South Park. With a passion. But why should I let my own distaste for the show outweigh the potential of having my class like me for a day?
Against my better judgement, we cued up the show and watched in class today. I rationalized my decision by telling myself that the show is on cable television - so they have access to it at home. It's not like I was showing them porn.
It was pretty horrendous. The language in particular. (Not "F-word" bad . . . but pretty close . . . ). About three-quarters of the way through, I pondered out loud, "How do they get away with this language on cable television?!?" To which the students responded that the bad words are all bleeped-out when the show appears on TV. At that point, I had a few choice words of my own (on the inside, of course).
Lesson learned. No more South Park. Of course, assuming that I still have my job.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Well that explains it.
I've been eating healthy and counting my Weight Watchers points like a good (and yet slightly neurotic) girl. Tonight I have a work-dinner at Lieu's Chinese Bistro, our local equivalent of P.F. Chang's. (Although strangely, there is a P.F. Chang's down the street from Lieu's. They literally have the same menu.) I thought about my IDEAL Chinese dinner - some crab wontons to start, maybe an orange chicken or sesame chicken with a side of LoMein. Definitely something that is related to fried bananas for dessert. I calculated that my ideal Chinese dinner is probably three days worth of calories (conservatively). Looks like it's Lettuce Wraps for me tonight.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Lock Down!
At about 11:45 a.m. today (in the middle of my class) - the Upper School Director came on the loud speaker to announce that police had launched a man-hunt for three armed men who had fled the scene on foot after a police chase. Rumor had it that there were in the woods near our building; the school was placed on "lock-down" and no one was allowed to enter or exit the campus. Craziness.
There was much buzz around the building. The kids were endlessly entertained by watching our security guards (who are, on average, 90-years-old) "secure the area", but other than that - the school day went on as usual.
Around 1:30, the police called off the search.
They haven't FOUND the guys . . . they just quit looking.
There was much buzz around the building. The kids were endlessly entertained by watching our security guards (who are, on average, 90-years-old) "secure the area", but other than that - the school day went on as usual.
Around 1:30, the police called off the search.
They haven't FOUND the guys . . . they just quit looking.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
True Love
Tonight I was giving my husband a kiss . . . he said "You've got vinegar and onions on your breath. You smell like a horse."
Ah . . . . True Love.
Ah . . . . True Love.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
A Very Long Story with a Very Short Ending (or: Cancel the DNA Exam!)
I had to wait until after Christmas to post this since it was related to a good friend's Christmas gift from her parents and husband . . . so pretend like you are reading this 3 weeks ago.
6:00 p.m. Got home from work to find a giant package at my doorstep. Addressed to me. Super exciting. I'm fairly certain that it is from Amanda and Julia - as we had recently discussed holiday gifts and I had a sneaking suspicion that I was getting a highly anticipated crock pot. Haul package inside.
9:00 p.m. Finally get around to opening the package. Beneath a thick layer of styro-popcorn is a box wrapped in brown paper. It appears to be approximately crock-pot-sized.
9:05 p.m. Strange. It's not a crock-pot. It's a sewing machine.
9:10 p.m. Take notice for the first time that there is no card. No return address.
9:11 p.m. Ponder who might have sent me a sewing machine.
9:13 p.m. Call mom. Although she has never sewn anything in her life - I think that perhaps she is trying to break the family cycle of dependency on seamstresses. She denies any connection to the sewing machine. Double checks with Dad just to be sure.
9:20 p.m. The suspense is killing me. Even though I know he'll be angry - I wake Husband to ask if he ordered a sewing machine online. He groggily admits that he ordered it. I am unconvinced. It's an awfully nice sewing machine and seems like something we would have discussed. I rouse him again to verify. Me: "Did you order a sewing machine?" Him: "I think so."
9:25 p.m. I am confident that husband did not buy sewing machine. Apparently he wrongly admits to buying household items when awoken from deep sleep. Lesson learned.
9:30 p.m. Call Julia. Ask if by any chance she decided to get me a sewing machine instead of a crock-pot. She plays coy about the crock-pot - but assures me that she did not send the sewing machine.
9:35 p.m. Continue to ponder. Place call to mother-in-law. Ask if she is trying to send me subliminal domestic hints. Strike four.
9:45 p.m. Call UPS. Read tracking number and ask if they can tell me who the sender was. No luck.
Sometime around 10:00 p.m. I begin to have a vague recollection . . . I send the following email to Mom, Dad, Mama Riv, and Julia:
Since you were the four people I called trying to solve the sewing machine mystery . . . A flash of a memory came to me as I sat pondering who would send me a sewing machine. I have a memory - of someone (I can't remember who) - asking if they could send a Xmas gift to our house so their spouse (or significant other?) wouldn't see it. But . . . I can't remember WHO it was . . . and I can't call anyone - because I'm scared I'll call the person who was supposed to RECEIVE the gift. For example . . . maybe it was Matt who bought the gift for Beth . . . but perhaps it was Beth who bought the gift for Matt . . . . I can't call Beth, and I can't call Matt. . . . Hopefully Ben will have a flash of this memory as well and might be able to shed some light on who the gift is from . . . fingers crossed. This is totally blog-able material - except I can't blow the secret for whomever I'm supposed to be keeping it from! All I can say it - it's a darn good thing I didn't OPEN THE ACTUAL BOX! That would have been mortifying! Love you all, LHB
In the end . . . it WAS a gift for Beth. And she WAS surprised. But here is my favorite part of the story. After sending the above email, my mom responded only to me with this message:
"All I can say is you are your mother's daughter!"
20 minutes later, my dad, in a separate email sent only to me, wrote:
"You really are my daughter!"
My parents are too cute. I guess I belong to both of them.
6:00 p.m. Got home from work to find a giant package at my doorstep. Addressed to me. Super exciting. I'm fairly certain that it is from Amanda and Julia - as we had recently discussed holiday gifts and I had a sneaking suspicion that I was getting a highly anticipated crock pot. Haul package inside.
9:00 p.m. Finally get around to opening the package. Beneath a thick layer of styro-popcorn is a box wrapped in brown paper. It appears to be approximately crock-pot-sized.
9:05 p.m. Strange. It's not a crock-pot. It's a sewing machine.
9:10 p.m. Take notice for the first time that there is no card. No return address.
9:11 p.m. Ponder who might have sent me a sewing machine.
9:13 p.m. Call mom. Although she has never sewn anything in her life - I think that perhaps she is trying to break the family cycle of dependency on seamstresses. She denies any connection to the sewing machine. Double checks with Dad just to be sure.
9:20 p.m. The suspense is killing me. Even though I know he'll be angry - I wake Husband to ask if he ordered a sewing machine online. He groggily admits that he ordered it. I am unconvinced. It's an awfully nice sewing machine and seems like something we would have discussed. I rouse him again to verify. Me: "Did you order a sewing machine?" Him: "I think so."
9:25 p.m. I am confident that husband did not buy sewing machine. Apparently he wrongly admits to buying household items when awoken from deep sleep. Lesson learned.
9:30 p.m. Call Julia. Ask if by any chance she decided to get me a sewing machine instead of a crock-pot. She plays coy about the crock-pot - but assures me that she did not send the sewing machine.
9:35 p.m. Continue to ponder. Place call to mother-in-law. Ask if she is trying to send me subliminal domestic hints. Strike four.
9:45 p.m. Call UPS. Read tracking number and ask if they can tell me who the sender was. No luck.
Sometime around 10:00 p.m. I begin to have a vague recollection . . . I send the following email to Mom, Dad, Mama Riv, and Julia:
Since you were the four people I called trying to solve the sewing machine mystery . . . A flash of a memory came to me as I sat pondering who would send me a sewing machine. I have a memory - of someone (I can't remember who) - asking if they could send a Xmas gift to our house so their spouse (or significant other?) wouldn't see it. But . . . I can't remember WHO it was . . . and I can't call anyone - because I'm scared I'll call the person who was supposed to RECEIVE the gift. For example . . . maybe it was Matt who bought the gift for Beth . . . but perhaps it was Beth who bought the gift for Matt . . . . I can't call Beth, and I can't call Matt. . . . Hopefully Ben will have a flash of this memory as well and might be able to shed some light on who the gift is from . . . fingers crossed. This is totally blog-able material - except I can't blow the secret for whomever I'm supposed to be keeping it from! All I can say it - it's a darn good thing I didn't OPEN THE ACTUAL BOX! That would have been mortifying! Love you all, LHB
In the end . . . it WAS a gift for Beth. And she WAS surprised. But here is my favorite part of the story. After sending the above email, my mom responded only to me with this message:
"All I can say is you are your mother's daughter!"
20 minutes later, my dad, in a separate email sent only to me, wrote:
"You really are my daughter!"
My parents are too cute. I guess I belong to both of them.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Father Knows Best
I often talk about how my dad is the most practical man alive. You know that long list of things you know you *should* do? Keep a written financial statement. Back up your hard drive. Always use place mats so as not to scratch the antique table. Keep a flashlight and a jacket in the car at all times.
etc.
etc.
etc
He does all of those things. And more.
Another favorite of my dad's - always have a change of clothes packed in your carry-on bag. He carries underwear in his briefcase when he flies. We all lovingly tease him; he knowingly laughs along.
My parents left last night for a two-week trip to Egypt via my mom's job. Two hours ago I got this text message from my mom.
"Landed in Egypt. Guess who has no luggage."
I responded: "Oh no!"
And her: "Yes. But Daddy made me pack a change of clothes. Good to go."
Chalk another one up for Dad.
etc.
etc.
etc
He does all of those things. And more.
Another favorite of my dad's - always have a change of clothes packed in your carry-on bag. He carries underwear in his briefcase when he flies. We all lovingly tease him; he knowingly laughs along.
My parents left last night for a two-week trip to Egypt via my mom's job. Two hours ago I got this text message from my mom.
"Landed in Egypt. Guess who has no luggage."
I responded: "Oh no!"
And her: "Yes. But Daddy made me pack a change of clothes. Good to go."
Chalk another one up for Dad.
The "Now We're Living" Room
Since our family members have been asking . . . here's a few pictures of the work we did on the house over the holidays. Things that husband would like you to notice: the surround sound speakers, new floating shelves on the walls, new crown moulding.
The "Breakfast" Room
The Living Room - Now
The Living Room - Then
Same View - Now
The "Breakfast" Room
The Living Room - Now The Living Room - Then
Same View - NowFriday, January 2, 2009
Ringing in the New Year
I've never really been a New Years Eve person. It must run in the family. This year, we were fortunate to have friends who felt exactly as we did regarding the interest to be on the road with intoxicated drivers. We hunkered down with our friends Melissa, Beth, and Matt (and their kids) for some delicious take-out Indian cuisine. Then we moved to the living room for wonderful conversation. Topics included orthopaedics (to which I smiled and nodded as usual) and "how we met" stories from both husband and wife perspective (much more my style). We were home by 10:30. I watched Dick Clark count down the last seconds of 2008 with my husband sweetly sleeping beside me. I turned off the television at exactly 12:01 and silently made my new years resolution. So far, so good.
Vacation Elation
I've been on vacation from work since December 19. You know how everyone says they could never exit the workforce because they would be bored out of their minds and miss the intellectual stimulation? That is SO NOT ME. I have enjoyed my break to the highest degree. I run errands. I cook dinner. I open the mail on the same day it arrives. I file the bills in their appropriate folders instead of just piling them on top of the file cabinet. I meet friends for lunch. I keep a clean house. I could get used to this.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and I return to work on Monday. I suppose that pesky concept of a salary will keep me going back for some time. Oh yeah, and the intellectual stimulation.
In the meantime - husband and I have been incredibly productive during my holiday sabbatical. I/We painted the dining room, purchased two pieces of art for the house (and by "art" I mean Pier One reproductions of art), bought and installed new lighting for the living room (HUGE difference), printed wedding photos for display, purchased frames for said wedding photos . . . the list goes on.
Tomorrow we hang floating shelves in the living room and finish the surround sound install. Before and After pictures to come soon. Counting down the days until Spring Break!
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and I return to work on Monday. I suppose that pesky concept of a salary will keep me going back for some time. Oh yeah, and the intellectual stimulation.
In the meantime - husband and I have been incredibly productive during my holiday sabbatical. I/We painted the dining room, purchased two pieces of art for the house (and by "art" I mean Pier One reproductions of art), bought and installed new lighting for the living room (HUGE difference), printed wedding photos for display, purchased frames for said wedding photos . . . the list goes on.
Tomorrow we hang floating shelves in the living room and finish the surround sound install. Before and After pictures to come soon. Counting down the days until Spring Break!
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