How Sad

So my first occasion of a student asking me a question that makes me sad for them happened. I was sharing some pictures of our Europe trip, and showed them one of the mummy in the Vatican museum. I was explaining that the lady had died over three thousand years ago, when one young man raised his hand and asked how someone could have died before the Earth was even born. He was obviously confused that today is only 2009...how could something be 3000 years old. I carefully explained, trying not to make him feel bad about himself, always a delicate balance. Luckily the other students were kind, and no one made fun or laughed. It always amazed me what some of my students don't know.

What a Jacka$$

So I got rear-ended yesterday. I was just sitting there patiently waiting for the car in front of me to make it's turn, and the guy behind me apparently does not have the unending patience I do, because he plowed right into me. I had no idea it was coming, which is a good thing because I didn't tense up, but a bad thing because at first I had no idea what the hell happened. Then I look up and see a Nissan Extera on my a$$. So we both get out of our cars...I'm checking out my bumper and it takes this guy about three minutes to even ask if I was alright. He was wearing a fire department shirt...you would think he might care that he has just rear ended a nice person like me. So I call the cops while he just stands there saying the f-word under his breath. We pull off to a side road and wait for the police. He never even said he was sorry. I just can't believe how jerky this guy was. Now I have to take all this time our of MY day to take my car in for an estimate, call the insurance company, take it in for repairs....At least I am okay. I don't seem to have suffered any whiplash either, which is good because that is a bit*h.

Hopefully the weekend will be better. It's our fantasy draft tomorrow. Although it just won't be the same without Mrs. EyeCanSee. I've never drafted without her present as the fellow female in the league. This move she made is really putting a damper on things I once counted on. I miss you tons!

Where have I been?

I am sorry my fellow bloggers. It is amazing how fully I get involved in the first days of school. Today was the day, and I always love the first day of school. The kids are still a little excited about school, and they want to know all about you. They also smile a lot, and believe me this diminishes quickly. I really enjoyed my students today. I have what seem to be some very good ones. My only worrisome class is my one group of Algebra students. Because they have been in the same math class together since 6th grade. There is no way to place them so that they won't talk to each other. I'll have to see what tricks I can pull out to get them in line.

I promise to strike a better balance. I even caught up on all my blogs. You guys are having some crazy adventures out there. I hope to provide you with something nearly as interesting soon.

Poor Andy

This weekend the hubby and I, along with my Aunt, travelled to Cincinnati for the Western and Southern Financial tennis tournament. Tennis has kind of become a new enjoyment for me. I've watched a few matches over the summer, and thought it would be fun to go see one live. I was really hoping Andy Roddick would make it to the semi-finals for two reasons. 1.) He has an amazing serve I want to see in person and 2.) he's H-O-T!!!
Well, he got ousted early in the tournament. So I was left to cheer for a second Andy, Andy Murray. The reason here, I just don't like Roger Federer. I think it's the way he wears his headband, so his hair falls in his face and he brushes it away all the time. Anyway, I was definitely in the minority at the stadium. The first set was a disaster, Federer won 6-2. The second set went to a tie-break, but Murray just couldn't keep control of his serves, and lost. It was a very enjoyable experience, definitely something I'm glad I can check off my list of things to do before I die. Andy Murray warming up

Roger Federer warming up

The hubby and I waiting for the match to start

Funny People

So the hubby and I went to see the new Adam Sandler movie last night. I'm a huge fan going waaaaay back to the Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison days. Sometimes though, I wish his movie days would have stopped there. I was excited to see this one, because it looked like a decent attempt at a serious movie...something he has not been successful with in the past. It started out great. Seth Rogan has a very charming character, and his roommates are available for laughs throughout the movie. Sandler even does a great job at endearing him to you. So I'm sitting there in the theater thinking "Finally, a new Adam Sandler movie I can get behind." Well...TWO HOURS AND TWENTY MINUTES LATER I had changed my mind. Seriously, had the director never heard of the editing room. I think every scene filmed made it into the movie. The Harry Potter movies are hardly this long and they're based on 800 page novels. I don't understand the propensity for movies to drag on longer that the story line needs. Although, I suppose at least you are getting more movie for the new outrageous ticket prices. $9 to see a movie seems a little absurd. So my recommendation to all of you who think you might want to see this movie, rent it and fast forward through the parts that really start to drag on. You won't miss much.


...okay, I tried to put the movie poster in the post but all I got was a bunch of code. Sorry, no visuals this time.

Should I draft him?

So Football season has begun. This probably means an increase in football related blogs. I'm sitting here watching the Bengals preseason game and saw something pretty cool. Chad OchoCinco (Johnson) just kicked the extra point. Who knew he was so multitalented. Maybe I should pick him up as my fantasy kicker.

Do any of you other bloggers participate in the addiction that is fantasy football? I want to know if I will completely lose my audience if I sprinkle in my thoughts on my quest for my first championship.

The Celebrations Continue

I love my job. I am very happy being an 8th grade math teacher. However, I do not like to toot my own horn. I think I'm a pretty awesome teacher, but I don't usually go around bragging about it. Today I will make an exception because I am just that excited. We got our OAT (Ohio Achievement Test) results back and ALL BUT 1 of my students passed the Math test! I am pumped. While I typically am the one saying that those test scores aren't the best measure of what quality teacher I am, it sure does feel good to see those kind of results. It's just another confirmation that I must be doing something right. So here I sit patting myself on the back. I AM AWESOME!

Hooray!

This must be my week for awards. After receiving my sweet bowling trophy on Friday, I was handed my very first blog award. <> I have to admit, I had my reservations about going public with my blog...being a teacher you can never be too careful. But my aforementioned best friend Mrs. EyeCanSee convinced me that blogs probably hadn't permeated the 8th grade entertainment world, and thanks to her I have all my new blog friends and my very first award. Thanks bunches!

So being my first I have to figure this all out.

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1. Each Superior Scribbler (SS) must pass the award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy buds.

2. Each SS must link to the author and name of blog from whom he/she has received the award

3. Each SS must display the award on his/her blog and link to this post which fully explains the award.4. Each blogger who wind must visit this post and add their name to the Mr. Linky list at the Scholastic-Scribe's blog so we can keep track of all who wins this prestigious award!

5. Each SS must post these rules on their blog.

Being that I have few faithful followers at this point, and a few of them have already been honored with this award, I will not be able to fulfill the pass on to 5 fellow bloggers. I would however like to pass on to my new favorites

taryn@ Mr. Jones & me

modern mom @ how to survive life in the suburbs

You ladies have kept me laughing.

Whew. You really have to earn those blog awards. :)

Adding to the collection

Last night was "fun night" in our bowling league. Since it was only a summer league, it was the last night. We all chipped in $10 and bowled some very fun games. One version was called "no-tap" which means if you knock down nine pins with your first ball, it counts as a strike. I was stoked about that. The winners of the various games were awarded cash prizes. Also, trophies from the season were given out. Yours truly won $21 for the night (10 of which had to go back to the Mays to dwindle down the ever growing tab my husband has with them), and this sweet trophy.

The trophy was for high game with handicap. My score was 260. It should have been 265, but for some reason they did not count last weeks scores when we pre-bowled due to a friends wedding and I bowled a sweet 177. I feel this score should have earned me another trophy being as it was the high score for our team for the season. ( I beat out the hubs by one point!) As soon as we got home I added my new hardware to the collection I already have.

It turns out I'm a sweet bowler. Watch for me on a future PBA tour. :)

New Neighbors

So our neighbors finally sold their house and new ones moved in. I met the wife today while getting the mail. She and her husband moved here from New York. I have always wanted to be the kind of person who welcomes their new neighbors with baked goods and so on, but is that weird? Will they think I'm totally nuts? I was thinking a batch of chocolate chip cookies would be a nice "Welcome to the neighborhood." What are some ways you other bloggers have welcomed or been welcomed into the neighborhood?

Am I a dork...

because I really like how my blog looks right now. I think the colors are cool, and I'm diggin the back to school motif. I think I've reached new levels of dorkiness when I start admiring my own blog.

Are we the only ones?

So each year we teachers at MSW sit down to do the impossible, schedule the student's classes for next year. In the 8th grade that is particularly challenging because there are so many special classes that are only offered one period a day. I know what you're thinking...we have created technology that can explore Mars, surely there is a program that can fill in the class schedule of a mere 200 students. Well you're wrong. Apparently space travel is far easier then determining whether a student should have LA first period and math second, or even have science class at all. Yesterday when I was at work, I stopped into the counselor's office. She gave me the great news that 75..that's right 75 of the 200 schedule had a problem. That's about 40%. If I went to a doctor who could only schedule me 40% of the time, I'd find a new doctor. Not only that, but the class lists for the schedules that are "right" are insane. One particular teacher had 39 kids in one class and 5 in the other. I'd say she would have some problems leaving no child behind in the class of 39, but those kids in the class of 5 had better be geniuses by the end of the year.

I'll never quite understand why computer programs just can't do simple things.

On a totally different note, Joe and I really want to finish the back splash in our kitchen. We're having a hard time finding some tiles that we like. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Two Weeks and Counting

Today marks the two weeks until I go back to work. It also marks the two weeks I start going in to work even though I don't have to. There's always so much to do...lesson planning, room decorating, etc. This year I have the added excitement of a SMARTboard in my room. This is a really cool interactive whiteboard. The kids really get into it. This means, of course, one more piece of technology to integrate, but hey, anything to keep the kids interested.

I'm off to work this morning to meet with out math coach. We're going to hammer down some details for my Algebra 1 classes. We might even talk about the math text book we're thinking about writing. Who knows, maybe I'll make a ton of money publishing a text book. That would be awesome!

Saying Farewell

Today I said "See you soon" to one of the best friends I've had in my life. It was weird, because I know for a fact I will see her again, but not nearly as often as I used to. With technology these days, we'll definitely keep up with what's going on in one and other's lives. Hey...we both have blogs right here on blogger. It's just that, I've said a lot of goodbyes in my lifetime, and never once have I had such mixed feelings about it. I'm so excited for her and her hubby and the new adventure they are taking on, but selfishly I'm sad she's moving away. I know that I've been weird since the whole thing happened. I feel like I might have accidentally pushed her away instead of spending as much time with her as possible. I guess, since I was always the one doing the moving, I always adopted this "I'm excited for what the future will bring, no time to be sad about it" attitude. I've never really been on this end of things. So in reading this post I hope that my dearest friend sees it for what it is, an apology for being so weird lately, and heart-filled I miss you!

Takin' my sweet time

There is nothing I love more than taking my sweet time getting ready for an event. In this case, friends are getting married tonight and I have to doll up. I love setting aside three hours for this process so that I never feel rushed...my typical schedule when I have the time like this is as follows...
1. strip down for the shower and wrap up in my comfy towel.
2. goof around on the computer in my towel (I'm at this stage right now... Heeeey!)
3. finally get in the shower
4. go through the post shower moisturizing process
5. lay in bed and watch cheesy court shows on TV.
6. take short 20 minute power nap
7. blow dry hair
8. play with the cats
9. start straightening hair
10. ponder what shoes I will wear
11. finish straitening hair
12 apply makeup
13. get dressed

So as you can see there is a lot to do in that time block. But it really is one of my favorite things!

The Fair

What a wonderful night for the fair. It wasn't hot. There weren't a lot of people. I got to eat all my favorite things...
1. Corn Dogs...although the famed $1.00 booth now sells them for $2.00. BOO! We're in a recession people
2. Pork Burgers...I know they sound weird, but they are sooooo good.
3. Fried foods...tried the deep fried buckeyes...completely disappointing. The carnies that were selling them were kinda gross, they needed to change their frying oil, and there just wasn't as much chocolate as I had hoped. Also got a taste of the deep fired s'mores. Better than the buckeyes, but still not as fabulous as the deep fried cookie dough
4. Gumballs...All though I wasn't as brave as my gal pal to try the "mouth full of gum," I did have a delicious watermelon flavored and red raspberry flavored gumball.

We also saw baby animals, the biggest pig balls I have ever seen, and a cute monkey show. And as a bonus... A truly sweet mullet. It had ringlets...ringlets I say! Never before had I seen a Shirley Temple-esque mullet. Very Nice!

Back from the Lake

We had a great time at the lake this weekend. The weather was perfect, and there is tons to do there. I never really noticed before because we always hung out on the boat or by the pool.

We left Thursday after Mom got off work, so we drove halfway. This allowed us to check in to The Lake House Inn around noon. Then we went to Frankie and Louie's for lunch. This brought back happy memories of my bachelorette party there, although the sweaty, B.O. band wasn't there. And neither were all my lovely bridal party ladies.

On Saturday, we drove to a farmers market and found the biggest cantelope I had ever seen. Stupid me forgot to pack underwear (I don't know what I was thinking) so we had to visit the dreaded WalMart. I beat Aunt Judy in several games of Canasta before we headed to the pool. For dinner, the David's took us to a delish Bar-B-Que place.

On Sunday, the day was spent on the boat. We boated to a fabulous place called Coconuts. It has a beach, and a pool with a swim up bar. The food was fabulous. Then we jeted around in the boat until finding a quiet cove near the golf course to anchor so we could jump in the lake. We saw a family of ducks, one of whom jumped up on the swimboard of the boat. We fed them some chex-mix, and the fish enjoyed it as well.

Moday was the drive back, by far the downer of the trip. But we had great weather, and made it home in good time.

Tonight I'm headed to the Ohio State Fair with some of the ladies. I love the fair. It truly is one of my favorite things of summer.

Oh yeah, we had new counters put in last week. We hired the Granite Transformations company to do them. They are fabulous. Here are some pics.