I'm not sleepy (and deep-dark secrets)

I am not sleepy.

I have to be to work in the a.m. and I am not sleepy. There is a football game on (not a fan, the Mr is), the oldest son is waiting impatiently for his turn on the big tv with his Xbox, the youngest son is mad at me because I have been outsmarted by the new Yahtzee Flash Game (and gave up), the girl is in her room avoiding all of us, and I am holding my breath- trying not to go stomp on the modem bc the wireless internet is going KABLOOIE.........(whew, I have a slight case of the "cranks").

I should be in bed. I should be sawing some logs. I should be having that dream where you are really afraid you are going to be late to work and then you get caught in that "dream limbo" and you aren't sure if you are dreaming or not, so you end up looking at the clock every ten minutes until the alarm goes off and then you spring out of bed, head to work, only to HIT YOUR WALL by 10a.m.

But I am not. I am blog stalking, drinking decaf, and STILL putting off reading that chapter about EDI that I am supposed to have read before I go in to work tomorrow (and I am writing a TON of run-on sentences).

Tomorrow is a work day. Meetings all day. I am most looking forward to catching up with my team and having a bleu cheese topped steak from Logan's on our lunch break...yummy!

I got two comments that made me so happy- I recd the Versatile Blogger Award from Mrs. Greene at Mrs. Greene's Kindergarten Korner  and Elisabeth at Twins, Teaching and Tacos! Thank you so much, chicas!

The rules are: To thank the person who gave you the award, tell seven things about yourself and pass it on to 15 newly discovered blogs.

So here goes. This part is a whopper- so it will count as 1-4.

1-4. I am celebrating . Today is Jan 3rd. On the 3rd of every month (since June of 2011) I get to celebrate that I am a non-smoker!  (7 months so far) I debated sharing this, bc smoking has developed quite a few negative stereotypes over the years.  I was aware of all of them and I smoked on my deck, with my grown up girl friends, but never around the Mr's fam. They knew I did, I just felt weird doing it.

So this summer, I said to the Mr. "Mr., it's hot outside. We needs a pool." He told me that pools were expensive up-keep". So I told him "If we get a pool I will quit smoking" (He quit 4 years ago).

He didn't believe me. I said I would throw them out (the smokes, not the kids) when we got the pool. Never to pick them up again and just go cold turkey.
So he called my bluff. He had the chittlins get in the van and we bought a pool.

And I threw away the pack, (and a whole brand new pack) right in front of the family and that was it. I was done.
I went through the moods (and I'm crazy anyway, so I was a little unbearable). I  had smoked on and off (mostly on) for almost 20 years.
Everyone in my family smokes (the adults), so this was a big accomplishment for me.

I am not a "soapbox-reformed-want-to-change-everyone-non-smoker", so I am not "judgy".  I will say that I have gained fifteen to twenty a few pounds..that is why there are only pictures of squirrels on the blog and none of me....I am waiting until I can show you a recent one without feeling like "saggy ta-ta squirrel"!!

5. I am getting porcelain veneers in a few weeks.....uber excited about that!!!

6.  I play the guitar.

and finally...

7. Sometimes when I am lazy, and I don't want to do my laundry (bc I have to do everyone else's), and I have run out of underwear-  I wear my bathing suit bottoms to work- there I said it....and I giggle all day because I know I am wearing my rainbow patterned booty shorts under my very professional gray slacks!

There. Done with that part. Hope you feel closer to me (I know a few of you now will always be wondering "hmmmm....did she do her laundry?"
Now 15 blogs: I am having trouble clicking in and out of this browser window because the WIRELESS INTERNET HATES ME!!!! so I am going to post about those 15 wonderful ladies along with the teachery post from tomorrow.....

Now I am going to force myself to sleep!
Have a wonderful day today!!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!!
Did you welcome it in with a bang (like I did in my younger years) or  were you in your jams waiting for Seacrest and Lady Weirdo Gaga to drop the ball????
There WAS some "bubbly" involved....it was Welch's Sparkling Juice- but we did spring for the new fancy bottle!
The kiddos were in there with us, we toasted, a few neighbors (who were indulging in the adult -frothy -beverages) came over to wish us a happy new year and then....WE CRASHED!!!!
So there are no hangovers today~ unless you count all these holiday pounds hanging out..."ba-dum-dum"!

The optimism that lives inside me, tells me that we just have to get through these holidays. Then I take  a look in the mirror:

Are those saggy squirrel ta-tas?

 Ok, maybe I am exaggerating (a little) but this is how I feel. I was hoping someone would post this great New Year's Resolution that included some easy plan on how to stay fit and eat well- but all I can find from you ladies is OLW! I need more than just a word!!!!!!  I need a daily agenda, menu, workout plan, and since I am a visual learner, I need some sort of DVD or you can just come over. Hell, who am I kidding, I wouldn't do it anyway! lol

Before we left for break there was a letter in my mailbox from one of the teachers asking if I would be interested in forming an exercise group after school a couple days a week. So I browsed the other mailboxes, and not everybody had one! I kept telling myself that those others had already checked their mail!!! I am still trying to think of how to get her back!

Speaking of contests (horrible seg-way!!!), there are like fifty-eleven of them to enter. I am going to work on entering
a few of them this morning. These are just a few blogs you can check out for phenom-giveaways!
  (40+ contributors)
($25 Tpt gift certificate)
Penguin UNit
(wowee-wow-wow! It is an amazing one too!)

I know that there are more ! I just can't remember where they all are at this moment.

Today is going to be "one part for me" and "one part for the class". I am heading out to get my nails done and then off to the classroom to do some labeling and take some pictures for my Clutter-Free project this week!

Good-bye Rex

 First- Goodbye, Rex.

Today we held services in the backyard at the National Hamster Cemetary for Rex. He was a good hamster. He gave us 2 happy years. His brother, Larry,  went on to a better place this past September and a distant cousin, Chuck, was buried in the first plot a few years ago. We are going to shop for Rex's headstone tomorrow.
Stop smiling because I am not kidding. They were all boarders in the Tori's room. I went in to give her a kiss to wake her up this morning and noticed Rex was in his food bowl, but not eating. She took him out and we held him and rubbed him to keep him warm. We laid him back down comfortably after about an hour or so and then we waited, and waited, and waited. And around three o'clock when I checked on him there was no breathing.
So when the Mr came him he went straight to the back yard and began to dig. We went outside and there were a few words spoken and then it was over. It was all very sad and yet another crappy thing that has happened to her on her Christmas break. poor baby!

We tried to pep her up  a bit. We all went to Opryland Hotel and saw the lights. And we drove through Jellystone Park lights and we went to Santa's village and she did the jumpy thing with the bungees. The boys did it too and it was pretty funny! They were WAY up there!
We also tried something new for dinner.

Before I can go any farther, I have to share SOME MORE OF MY CRAZINESS with you. And I am in no way knockin' crazy, because I know I am - it's on paper and they make me take my meds!!!!! Remember the OCD thing???
Well, the CRAZY started kicking in when I was preggers with #2. I began having trouble driving. A real tightness in my chest. It was just a weird feeling at first, but then it manifested into this physical discomfort and eventually- full blown panic attacks! thanks to the meds- I can drive short distances (I live 2.2 miles from my school).
I also got this weird thing about metal. I am not allergic to metal, I can (prefer not to ) touch it. That was 10 years ago and now my silverware is packaged up under a counter. and we use camping ware. It is plastic and hardy and dishwasher safe,
I cannot drink from a can. I cannot touch unfinished metal....chalky stuff also gives me problems. I know it is weird- the Dr has no idea....I am going to head over to the therapy couch one day and see what the heck happened and why I am so screwy when it comes to that!

OK, back to the regularly scheduled post-

So we went to Cock of the Walk near the Hotel. Have you ever been there? I haven't . Don't know why, but we just never did go there! It smelled wonderful and I couldn't wait to be seated and start eating.....until.......I saw the set up. It is family style- which I can handle but,,,

Let's count the metal:

1. Apps are served on metal tray.
2.Cornbread in cast iron skillet. (several on table)
3. greens are in a metal pot.
4. There is a metal bucket with the silver and napkins for the table.
5. The cups are the little tin camping cups.
6. A giant platter of our family style meal
.7. and the silverware to eat with.

Oh, and you can't see it pictured, but there are metal pitchers all up and down the table for you.


I thought I was going to stroke out! the Mr asked our server for a to go cup and to go plastic silverware..






The food was great, but I wasn't able to have a conversation with anyone because my jaws were clenched the whole time! So I looked like a real anti-social B***H! His fam knows about my weirdness.....but the 75 other people who were in the dining room didn't and they were just scraping away on those tin plates with their metal forks and spoons!!!

It was supposed to be an evening to cheer up the girl. which I guess worked because she sat across from me and giggled the whole time, threatening to scrape her fork on her plate!!! "You're welcome, sweetie!"

11 in 11

Hola!
I have missed the bloggin'!
Christmas Eve was at my house (after we got home from the hospital), yes, we still hosted it- it was because we have the youngest children and the most stuff to move if we go to another family member's house....so by default, having #3 earned us an eternity of Christmas Eve Festivities! "Thanks a lot, Jonathan!!' :)
Our tradition is that we open all of our presents on on the 24th and then the only thing under the tree the next morning is what Santa left.  So we opened everything and then kicked everyone out because we were E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D!!!!

I could see the {{{{{HUGS}}}}}} flying over in a million, tiny, colorful pieces when I logged on yesterday! (Wait, the little tiny pieces are the picture on the TV.....but I know I saw something!) Thank you for all the teacher-love! She is perking up a little each day.

Now for the 11 in 11 Linky party hosted by Kristin at A Teeny, Tiny Teacher and Hadar at Miss Kindergarten. This is a super cute idea!



11. Favorite Movie You Have Watched

 

If you have never seen it, I won't spoil a thing.....I recommend you watch it on a rainy day when you need a good cry!

10. Favorite TV Series

American Horror Story! on FX
I love, love, love Dylan McDermott! Can you believe he is 50?!?! The show is a bit risque.....okay, it can be down right dirty, but he is such a beautiful man...I guess I just have to endure it!

9. Favorite Restaurant
All time?

(I don't think they even have kid menus or high chairs!)

8. Favorite New Thing You Have Tried
BLOGGING! If you are reading this, then you are interested in blogging, too! I just love logging on and seeing all the great ideas and reading what others are experiencing (so i know I am not the only one!!!_) And there is something to be said for a follower and a comment~ It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside- like peppermint mocha from Starbucks, but free!

7.Favorite  Gift You Recieved
A great big bag of goodies from BeautiControl.
Normally, I am not a big fan of smelly stuffy and rubs and lotions but this is an extra special goody bag.
My daughter babysits regualry for a woman (ex classroom mom) who is a rep for BeautiControl. She has 3 beautiful children- a K, a 2nd grader, and a 1 year old! A huge handful. Well, their dad was gone (Afghanistan) and mom had a seminar that would really benefit her, but it was in Memphis- which is 4 hours away. She needed the seminar to learn about new product to make money and barely had enough gas $ to get there. So she asked my daughter if she would babysit (ALL DAY) and whatever the total bill was, she could get that amount from the catalog- so bascally, paid in product instead of $.
So she agreed. She went over at 4am and I didn't pick her up until 10pm that night. That's 16 hours of babysitting!!!! And when she went through the catalog, everything she picked was for me. It was to be my Christmas present! She didn't get one thing for herself.....

6. Favorite Thing You Have Pinned

I have pinned WAY too much- I don't remember who sent me to Pinterest, but my family and Chef Boy Ardee thank you...NOT!....way to many times I have gotten mesmerized by the pins and dinner time snuck up in me! (I know that "snuck" is not a real word- but I have always thought that "sneaked" sounded weird and in speaking conversation I always find a synonym to avoid having to say either one)! My Squirrel and Cute Baby Animals Boards are my favs!

5. Favorite Blog Post
Squirrels Gone Wild!
And that awful Squirrel-on-a-nut-Candy Jar thing???? Saw it in a Pin...followed the link, this is the description

When you’re searching for a scenic spot to squirrel away your favorite snacks, store them safely inside this vintage container - an oversized, ceramic walnut guarded by a precious, pint-sized friend. Glazed in light brown with recessed detail across its shining surface, this creature-capped container will delight when displayed on any coffee table or counter top. In need of another nibble? Simply lift the lid by this sweet, little squirrel - and discover a discreet supply of roasted nuts or other tasty tidbits! With your place looking this as cute a woodland cottage, it won’t be long before friends are scurrying by to admire your enchanting retro style.

• Period: circa 1970s
• Size: please see Details
• Condition: excellent

This is a vintage One of a Kind item.(Really?)
Darn it! It is Sold! I was going to add more to my "retro style".....it was $16.99 on this site! Who writes those descriptions???? And if it is so "Vintage" why is it only $16.99??? And only my grandmother puts nuts out for people!

4. Favorite Accomplishment-
Mom, Wife, Teacher, (whew, needed a short one!)

3. Favorite Picture

Wow, 10 years ago  Easter.

I didn't tell her to close her eyes, she just happened to blink when I took it. It was a 35mil camera, so I didn't see the picture for a couple months until after I took it....and it became my favorite picture of her....I know, that's weird. But it was just so sweet and I cried a few minutes ago when I went to look for the disc that it is scanned onto....sniff sniff.... (don't tell the boys)!
(Thought you were going to get me to post a pic of myself...bwhahahahah....evil laugh)!

2.Favorite Memory
Really? I am old, I remember a lot of stuff!! There's too much in my head....maybe that could be a separate post for me because I have already been working on this one for close to an hour!

and finally

1. Goal for 2012
Bring less stuff home! I love my class, I love my job, and I love all the great stuff we do- I just have to manage my time better. I don't think my family feels much consequence because I bring the stuff home- because I wait til they are in bed before I work on it...but that makes for sleepy momma and too much coffee the next morning.

Whew- that was really long!
I am going to link up now and read some more of the funny, interesting, and many times inspirational posts in this linky party!

In-laws are here for two more days, I will sneak in again to read and post soon!

I Was a Scaredy Squirrel!

Merry Christmas! (Even though on a technicality, that was "yesterday" I am posting a little after midnight).

There has been lots of Holiday Bloggy Love out there! In case you missed me (and I kind of hope you did), I was off line for a few days. I would like to say it was because I was so wrapped up in the holiday cheer and I was baking and decorating and shopping- but that was not the case....and I warn you now, this is where I actually get serious-

I spent the last 4 days at Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital in Nashville with my daughter!
It was the craziest thing. ( Even in my own head, it is hard to wrap my brain around it- so I am going to give the extremely short version...who am I kidding, right?)

She just wasn't herself- very tired, very pale, no appetite, a little nausea (and to boot- it was "that time"). And when I say pale, I mean like her lips were the same color as her face. So we took her into the children's clinic here at home. They in turn, sent us to the ER at Gateway (our local hospital) because her hemocrit  (can't get spell check to fix it) levels were low. They explained that for a woman they expect between 15-18. When it is "that time" 12-15. When it gets to 8 there is a big worry, need transfusion. Hers was a 4.6! So they were afraid she was going to go into shock!

Her bp was out of whack, and her heart was racing. So they put her on fluids and heart monitor while they do labs on her blood. Obviously anemic, but something more serious going on.

They come into the ER room and say, "We have called the ambulance to transfer her to Vanderbilt." I was in total shock! They said she needed a transfusion and needed to be under the care of a peds gyno (which we do not have here).

So I ride in the ambulance with her, Dad followed behind. It was soooo scary! We get into the Er and it took 5 hours and 2 units of blood, then they admitted us to the PICU (the pediatric intensive care unit) ! At this point,  I am in a zone. That is the only way I know to explain it. My body went on auto-pilot to keep her calm and listen to the Drs but I just could not get over the fact that everything was so serious and I didn't know- does that make sense? Like when you tell one of your children to go on to school because they will be fine, and then they come home by 10am because they have the flu or a stomach virus.....kind of like that, but only a billion times worse!

So she ends up with another unit of blood and they keep taking blood to make sure she was accepting it and checking for bleeding disorders and she never got to sleep for more than an hour or so at a time.  She as on IV estrogen and they had to check her constantly to make sure that was working okay. There was an ultrasound to see if it was a gyno issue- no results there. The final answer was "Anemia can lead to heavy bleeding and heavy bleeding can lead to being anemic, we just aren't sure where she fell into the loop"/ So we have to follow up. They are keeping her on the estrogen pills and we have to follow up.

We made it home by 7pm on Christmas Eve- in time for Santa to get the news that she was back home in her bed for the night.

It was the scariest 4 days of my life!!! I want to just wrap her in bubble wrap and keep everything away from her to make sure she is okay. The boys were worried sick! They came into see her one night  and were immediately silenced by the sight of her hooked to so many machines. They were also amazed when they looked around- and you are not going to believe this- well, you will, because I have pictures.
But they wheel her in the room in the PICU and as I am talking to the Dr, I look up. Here is  a shot of the wallpaper in the room:

(I waited until she was asleep and we were alone to take the pictures) These squirrels went all the way around the room.)

 

 

 

 

And behind her bed was a masterpiece of a painting:

There were a few others, but my cell phone batt went out.

I told her there were squirrely little angels looking out for us!
Of all the rooms in that gigantic hospital!?!?!?!?

I have my fam back together (the Mr did a wonderful job of holding things down while I was gone with her) and that is the best gift I could have gotten this year!
I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas as well, and the best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!