Plum Crazy Millers...where purple, passion and peace reside.

...at work




....with waaaayyyy too much...


.....time on your hands!

I'll be back on Monday. Have a safe and happy turkey day!

Click here for a special Thanksgiving Day greeting....

I was in church yesterday morning and I said a little prayer. I have been getting all kinds of compliments for the work I've been doing both at school and for the PTO. So my prayer was to basically keep me humble.

Father read the Gospel and started his sermon. "We need to learn Humility. We pray for the Lord to keep us humble in times like these. But be careful if you pray this prayer because I guarantee you, within the next 24 hours, you will get a lesson in humility." Uhhhhh......okay. My ears perked right on up.

24 hours huh? Wow.

So, when I came home. I cleaned my van, went to a friends house for a playdate and came home again to do some beloved blog reading. I only read this one and had to stop. I couldn't read through the tears, but I did learn something...there was my lesson in humility.

I've been so crazy busy and making excuses for not blogging like I could, should would if I had more time, made it a priority, what have you and then I read this...

(I will resume posting in about a week.)

This hilariously creative man just lost the love of his life to a dreadful degenerative disease and he will resume posting in about a week???

Put's life in perspective doesn't it?

I am busy, and I do love blogging, but sometimes I just run out of time or am to lazy or tired to write about anything. I'm not making anymore excuses..life's too short. But, I will keep up things like friendships and family committments, things that have been going by the wayside because of my schedule. I love all of you and reading keeps my brain constantly thinking. So, though it won't be as regular as I have been, I will keep up ;0)

Please drop by Hoss' place if you can and give him a big ol' cyber hug.

Peace.

I was having a "Full Freaky Friday". Yeah, that's what I call the day before a Full Moon. This really happened on Wednesday, but then my saying would lack alliteration and sound funny...

So, I had a parent filling in for my Assistant on Wed. She used to be a teacher herself and we worked together beautifully. I seem to have gotten the reputation of being "the messy teacher" and today was no exception. We were painting leave with fabric paints, pressing them onto t-shirts in a semi-circular pattern to make tails and bodies for turkey's. When that dried, we were going to paint the outside of their fists red and brown to make the turkeys head and waddle. At the other table we were coloring cornucopia's and cutting them out to put on our Thanksgiving Fest placemats. So for the time being we had 10 kids at one table once again. (oh, I have recently acquired another table to spread these guys out to give them some space)... basically a very cramped situation...and I don't know what it was like weatherwise where you live on Wed. but here it was 75 degrees and the school had the heat on!

So, we were hot, messy and sportin' some serious ADD behavior. No one was listening, everyone was doing whatever they wanted and whining "I can't do anymore." "I'm tired." "When are we going outside?" "I'm hungry".

Oye. It was also getting ready to storm so I changed our routine, which apparently also threw everyone off, and we went outside to play before the deluge of rain hit us.

Wednesday's are out Wacky Snack days. A parent brings in a special snack that has to do with the month's/week's theme. This one happened to be about our color: Brown and our shape: Square. Everyone came back in to a "messy" snack of graham crackers, marshmallow and chocolate. S'mores if you will.

Now, we are a peanut free class room. I have one little boy who is allergic to peanuts, eggs, strawberries, and just nuts in general. He also suffers from Eczema. He has Rice Krispie treats to eat when we have anything that might have eggs in it (ie. cake, cupcakes, cookies...etc.). He is also an only child and very young for his age. Whenever he doesn't want to do something he bursts into tears, screams for his Mom and throws the world's biggest temper tantrum.

This happens just about everyday.

Today was no exception.

We sat down for circle time and almost immediately he starts. "Mrs. Miller, my mouth hurts.

"Okay sweetie, why don't you go get a drink of water."
"Mrs. Miller, I want my Mommy!!"
And so it begins.

I managed to get the kids started on their projects and tried to take him out into the hall. He wasn't having it. I asked him everything under the sun... I even thought that maybe he was sick and he just couldn't express it. But there was nothing he ate that he hasn't had before. He didn't have any hives, his mouth was fine, he was red in all the normal places and certainly itching more from the heat, but all else was fine.

My director ended up taking him out of the room calming him down and bringing him back. He made his shirt, and when it was time to come sit and color, he started with the Mommy thing all over again.

I plopped him in the chair, he rolled out. I sat him outside the door, he got up and stood right behind me. All the while screaming at the top of his lungs he wanted his Mommy. I finally moved him over to the rug and told him to play puzzles, and left him screaming. I was not going to give him any more attention. I went on with our activity and after about 5 minutes he started to calm down.

Next thing I knew he was coughing, got up from the carpet and was standing right behind me...I turned around and he threw up ...just missed my shoes.

Great.

I continued to hold onto him while he puked his guts out. My helper for the day is a Sympathy Puker so she kept the kids while I cleaned up my friend and the floor. Thankfully his mom was in the parking lot and was able to come and take him. She then told me he had been to Chuck E Cheese for the first time the night before and that he was complaining before school of a belly ache.

I felt awful. Something still wasn't right. When I got home, I told my mom what had happened and then she asked about the marshmallow. Were they marshmallow's or marshmallow Fluff?? Huh?

Did you know marshmallow fluff is made with ...egg whites? Me neither and apparently, neither did this child's mother.

Not 10 minutes later, the mom called me with that exact question. And sure enough that was what made him sick. Okay so now I'm the world's worst teacher...or so I thought until the next day when I heard.....

"I want my Mommy!!!"

or sue or sue then move...something. We've got to stand up people...read on.

Here's the link if you'd rather read it from the horse's mouth....

9th Circuit 'Declares War' on Parental Rights
by Pete Winn, associate editor

Ultraliberal court makes outrageous ruling which dismisses the right of parents to challenge what their children are taught.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has told parents with children in California’s Palmdale School District they have no rights when it comes to what their children are being taught — nor do they even have the right to take action against anything they might object to.

"This decision declares war on parental rights," said Liberty Counsel President Mat Staver. "It essentially says that parents have no rights. Once you drop your kids off at school — according to this court's decision — you have severed all of your parental rights until you pick your kids up at the end of the day. But while they're in the public school's jurisdiction, there are no parents, according to this decision."

The Palmdale parents filed suit alleging the school had interfered with their constitutional rights by surveying their elementary-age children without disclosing that the survey contained personal questions about sex.
Writing for the unanimous panel, Appellate Judge Stephen Reinhardt said "there is no fundamental right of parents to be the exclusive provider of information regarding sexual matters to their children . . ."

Further, in the court's opinion, ". . . parents have no due process or privacy right to override the determinations of public schools as to the information to which their children will be exposed while enrolled as students."

Staver said the court had the audacity to say that parents may have a fundamental right to decide whether to send their child to a public school, but they do not have a fundamental right to direct how that school teaches their child.

"That's just outrageous," he said. Brian Fahling, senior trial attorney for the American Family Association Center for Law and Policy, said prior to administering the survey, the district mailed a letter to the parents of the children, who ranged in age from 7 to 10.

But the letter, he said, simply described the survey as establishing "a community baseline measure of children’s exposure to early trauma."
"The letter," Fahling said, "did not disclose that, of the 79 questions, the children would be asked 10 questions rating areas such as: touching my private parts, thinking about having sex, having sex feelings in my body and can’t stop thinking about sex.

Staver was explosive in his disgust.

"Understand that these are 7-year-old children that are being asked intrusive and controversial and inappropriate questions about sexual behavior," Staver said. "And this judge says, 'That's OK.' Well, it's not OK!"

Fahling said the decision puts the schools firmly in control.

"The court has held that once parents send their children to public schools the children are essentially guinea pigs that the school may do with as they please," he said.
Fahling also said the judge didn't rely upon law for his decision — he cited a few cases and tried to make them fit his predetermined conclusions.
"The court failed even to consider the deception of the school in failing to disclose that the children would be exposed to questions about sex," he said.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, called the ruling "an egregious example of judicial tyranny."
"Unless it's corrected, the entire future of public education and the rights of parents are in severe jeopardy," he said.
Hausknecht noted that Reinhardt is the same judge who ruled the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional in the case brought by atheist Michael Newdow.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called the 9th Circuit "a bastion of goofy decisions."

"If it's not the parents talking to their children about such sensitive matters, who is it?" Graham asked rhetorically. "And what body has the right to trump a parent? What institution in this country, school or otherwise, has a greater right to provide information to a child than the parent? That's what's wrong with our courts.

"Courts are not elected officials. They should not become mini-legislators. They should not become the culture-setters in the country. They should follow the law. And there's nothing in the law, written anywhere in the country, that says that there's an institution greater than the parent when it comes to talking about sex."

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., agreed that parents have the responsibility of being the primary educators of their children.

"Parents have a right to know and to decide what their young children are being exposed to by the schools regarding sex education," he said.
Hausknecht said this decision certainly underscores the importance of putting judges like Samuel Alito on the bench — judges who are originalists and who understand the role of a judge is to interpret the law.

"Up to this point, parents have been walking around assuming that their children are still their children while they're in school," Hausknecht said. "But this is a wake-up call that Big Brother has other ideas for your children."

Meanwhile, Staver said there has been talk of breaking up the huge 9th Circuit and creating a new court, or perhaps two. The 9th covers most of the western U.S. and has the heaviest caseload of any of the appeals courts. Splitting it up would be a good idea, he said, not only because it's the largest, but because it's also the most liberal.

"It is the most reversed court, bar none, in the country," Staver said. "Hopefully, if this case is appealed to the Supreme Court, the 9th Circuit will be reversed one more time."
TAKE ACTION:Please contact your members of Congress, and tell them that we need judges who will neither legislate from the bench nor usurp the rights of parents. Especially, tell your senators that it is important to give President Bush's latest Supreme Court nominee, Samuel Alito, a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote.


All you Californians out there, please tell me this isn't what it seems. That the world isn't coming to this... excuse me while I go throw up. We've got to take a stand.

I hit a car in the parking lot this weekend and left.....











....a note! Got ya. Seriously though...I did...leave a note that is. It was a crowed mall parking lot on Saturday and I was with Mom and J-man #2. I of course, was meeting the Hubs (right behind me) with number #1 son and tried to pull into a space that was too narrow for my van. I crunched the bumper as I was almost in the spot.

Damn. Looked like a brand new car too....someone was going to be pissed. I left my name, # and apology underneath the wiper blade and went inside to eat. What else could I do?

Then, my mind started to spin...what if someone just picked up the note ...they would have my name and my home number. Of course, I was kicking myself for being so paranoid, but what if?

When I got back out to the car, it was still there. The car and the note. I took the not back, left only my first name and my cell phone number. I then wrote down the make and model of the car and the license #. Just to CMA. I hate that I had to be so careful, but thankful that I had the forethought to do so.

As of now...no call.

As an afterthought, I started to think...well no one saw me. I could've gotten away scott free! Fleeting thought mind you, and I would've felt guilty as Hell if I hadn't done something.

But what if? Do you believe in what goes around, comes around?

C'mon...confess. I won't tell ;0)

Had a blast Friday night in Petroville. Momma K threw a big ol' bash at the Ritz for her hubby's 35th. We learned to play Texas Hold 'em and funny thing about funny money...every time I ran out...the dealer kept giving me more! Makes losing a whole lot less painful!! We dranks lot's o' vino and ate yummy food. Momma K looked totally hot...not that she doesn't normally in her jazzercise wear, but the heels and coctail dress really do make a girl ;0) As I was listening to introductions by her family members...this is what it sounded like..'Hi, I'm Cowgirl Up do you bl**?" "Hi, I'm Unga Chunga. Are you a bl**ger?" CRACKED ME UP!!! We live in our own little world here in Bl*gville. Yes we do. And we're damn proud too!

Anyway...my head was killing me as the evening wore on from that lovely sinus infection I'm ignoring and the next day...my voice started to go. Today...it's gone. My kids were yelling upstairs for me and I couldn't yell back...awww darn! They couldn't hear me! Funny thing...they both started to whisper after that. Hmmmm....maybe I'm on to something here.

Anyway, J-man #2 says. "Mommy are you sick?"
"No buddy, I just lost my voice."
"Oh. Well where did you lose it?"
"I don't know honey. I just woke up this morning and it was gone."
"Well Mommy, I'll make you a deal. You think about where you last saw it and when we get home from church I'll help you look for it okay?"

1....2....3.... Awwww! ;0)

I don't know how long I can keep up this pace. Things need to slow down soon or I might just konk out. Today was the first day I haven't had to set foot out of the house. I clean my bathroom with a sponge on my hands and knees...did 6 loads of laundry dusted all the shelving upstairs, cleaned out the boys closets and dressers, washed and changed all the sheets, washed walls and I'm still not finished. I think I have a sinus infection which makes bending over pretty damn painful and we just can't seem to get over these colds!! I keep meaning to take a break from life and just come down here and type but I see some mess that needs to be cleaned up, or a phone call that needs to be made or it rings, or someone needs something. It's never ending.

Got a phone call from a close friend this morning who says we've both been really busy and need to make a concerted effort to get together...I totall agree but when?? Her daughter doesn't get home until almost 4:30 and by the time home work is done, it's time to get dinner started, eat, bathed and bed. I know my social life is suffering but I don't want to stress over it either. Things are getting much easier and now that my house is finally clean, I can think better too! Thank God I don't have to worry about laundry.

This cool little thing happens every Wednesday when I leave for work. I come home and all my laundry is done!! That's right the Laundry Fairy comes in the form of my mother every Wednesday!! Thank God too because I would be buried at the point if it weren't for her. Now if I can just figure out where she keeps her magic wand.....

So said ~Franklin D. Roosevelt 32nd president of US (1882 - 1945) and I believe him.

I'm doing something right and here's how I know...

Yesterday was to begin with a mad dash to the store to exchange some clothes, J-man #2 in tow, while the hubs took J-man #1 to a local boy scout event. They were supposed to deliver bags to houses in our area to collect food for the needy for Thanksgiving. We were then going to meet at J-man's soccer game at noon and then I was to take both boys to a birthday party at 2. BUT, the pack that went to another town took all the bags with them, so boy scouts was cancelled...the hubs decided to take both boys to the park then the game and gave me cart blanche with the credit card 'til the birthday party time! Wahoooo!!!

Mad shopping ensued as I found that the store I had been at 1 day prior was having a 50% off sale until 1 p.m.!! I handed over my receipt from the previous day and voila $87.52 back on my credit card (actually mom's...;0) MORE SHOPPING!!! I was like a kid in a candy store, picking up all kinds of stuff for Christmas for dirt cheap! For example, I found J-man a Spider Man winter coat originally $60 for $24! Not bad me thinks.

SO, when I got home I was in a great mood ready for the birthday party which turned out to be quite chaotic, but the kids had fun. A few kids from our neighborhood were there, but most of the kids I knew from working with the PTO. One little boy in particular walked up to me and apparently couldn't get my attention so he yanked on my shirt and said...

"Excuse me! Hi Mrs. President!"

I figure if I can get all the kids saying that now I should be able to run by 2016 or so and win hands down. Gotta get 'em while their young ;0)

I will seek and find you...
I shall take you to bed and have my way with you.
I will make you ache, shake and sweat until you moan and groan.
I will make you beg for mercy, beg for me to stop.
I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I'm
finished with you.
And, when I am finished with you, you will be weak for days.


All my love,





The Flu

Now, stop dreaming and go get your flu shot!

I actually came home from J-man's soccer game to day to NO MESSAGES on my phone. Blissfully quiet around here... I'm freezing my a$$ off...but it's quiet. Last night was a huge success funwise...maybe not so much moneywise...but all went very smoothly. My lovely friend Lisa from Design-a-Blog has been busily designing some festive skins for me this week while all my craziness is happening so check them out!! My winter one has put me in the mood to go shopping!! Hmmmmm....wonder why?

School is fabulous. If I can figure out how to post a short movie from my camera you can see me acting in our short skit of The Scarecrow's Hat. I was the Badger (hick from Alabama)...I have no idea what came over me but I fell into this southern drawl-shaky-witchlike voice thing. Whatever, the kids laughed...me too ;0)

I have to get my scanner working to post some more Key West pictures from Fantasy Fest and my honeymoon. I haven't forgotten...just a little late.

It's good to be back! Til tomorrow then!
Peace.

Ever notice how any emotion can be defined by "choking"? When you're sad, you get "choked up", when you're scared it feels as if someone is "choking you", when you're angry you want to "choke someone". When you're excited or happy ...well okay, maybe no choking issues there but you get the picture. Everyone here in the past week, EXCEPT me, has been choking in some fashion. The Hubs had strep and was choking on flem, J-man had an -itis of some sort, not really bronchitis or tonsilitis but coughing -itis nonethe less. He was home from church and school last Sunday and Monday coughing like a seal and a low grade fever. None of the over the counter meds worked so we headed to the Pediatrician. The doctor gave him a steroid for swollen bronchials and a cough expectorant with codeine to help him sleep!! Yay! Then....

J-man #2 started with a spiked fever on Wed and we ended up in Urgent Care at 7 p.m that night with his tonsils so swollen and fever so high they told us to sleep with him in case he stopped breathing and to call 911 if that happened. Thanks!!! It turned out to be the same virus as his brother but he had the infection. Still no idea what it was just that his throat was almost completely blocked and he could barely breathe.

We are all fine now. On the road to recovery and my stress level will come waaaay down after next Friday's Halloween Festival. We've already brought in over $5000 in raffle ticket and candle sales and we haven't even had the Festival yet! My head is swimming with things I need to keep up on, but still managing to stay sane. I just can't wait to have my life back!

Hoping to have some time tomorrow to visit everyone. Our 11th anniversary is today so I will hopefully have some time to write about our meeting, wedding and honeymoon. We spent it at Fantasy Fest in Key West which has been cancelled this year until Wilma passes through. Our friends down there are locals and staying weather the storm...so please keep them in your prayers. Thanks! Peace.

my stress was for not. I am embarrassed to say, that I was a victim of hearsay. I finally decided to stop listening to all the gossip and go straight to the horses mouth. I asked the principal what the meeting was about today. She told me these two women were coming to talk to her about and afterschool program!! Not boycotting the fundraisers! AAACCKK!

I was so embarrassed and felt really stupid. I apologized to the Principal and called the parent in question. I should've trusted my gut about her, she was mortified when I told her what had happened. In the beginning of the conversation she was telling me how many people including herself, threw all of the most recent forms and letters straight into the trash can...by the end of the conversation I had her heading up the Spring Fling at the end of THIS year to raise money for the beginning of next year and new playground equipment!!!

This was the same woman who said she was going to tell everyone not to come to the Halloween Festival because it sucked so bad last year,( it didn't, but that's beside the point) and she ended our conversation saying this year's festival would be a great hit, she'd donate time and bake sale items and whatever else she could do to help!

It's done thank God!

~~~~~~~
No Angie I don't dislike you because you don't like the PTO. If I had to do it again..I wouldn't get involved either!! It's not an easy job and I don't envy anyone this position. If anyone has a good idea on how to get every single parent to donate $20- $50 to the school. Let me know!! I want to know why the county didn't budget for a new playground, flagpole and updated library for the school as well. We were K-1 and are turning K-5. A lot of our teachers are switching grade levels and no one knows the exact occupancy date of our newly renovated school. In the meantime..our principal is not focusing on this year..she's leary of spending any money in order to save it for next year. Well what about the kids that are here now? We have $ I'm spending it on the kids. That's what all this crap was about in the first place!!

I'm not taking anything else personally. You all gave me some excellent advice. Thanks I will take it to heart.

+++++

It's been raining for over a week now. Do people hibernate? I can't seem to wake up!

++++
I just realized it's Thursday..I'm supposed to do my Thursday 13. Oh well, maybe next week!

++++

just don't piss me off!! I'm a very patient person. I will do anything you "ask" me to ...but "tell" me and my defenses go up. Pick a fight and I will win...not without a lot of tears and blood shed first though.

Did I mention I'm PTO President this year? Yeah, well, it never ceases to amaze me the lengths people will go to to prove their way is the right way or the best way or the only way.

For those of you who may not know. PTO stands for Parent-Teacher-Organization. We have a board of 9 people and two teacher representatives. Myself and the V.P are the only two members left from last year's board. NO ONE...not a single solitary person from last years group of parents offered to join the board this year. All our new members are Kindergarden parents. (our particular elementary school is only K-1..but that's another story). We sent out nomination sheets last year and 2 out of 220 came back. The V.P and I were those two people. So...anyone and everyone who wanted to change, bitch, support...yada...yada...yada this fine group of people, had every opportunity to do so. Did they? Nope.

Not until recently. Two parents showed up at our meeting last Monday night and brought down the house. Where is our money going? Why are we buying little candy crap for teachers when they need classroom supplies, who needs spirit wear, why are you buying things for the library when they should get that stuff from the county. They called me at 7:30 yesterday morning (holiday for me btw) to ask for a "prospectus of last years expenditures"' You wanna whosie whatis from huh?

Okay, first off. I don't do well when I can't answer things knowledgeably. Second, I was IMMEDIATELY put on the defensive which put me into a highly emotional state and fuzzed my brain so I couldn't think. I don't know the answers to half these questions and wait...everything we are doing is supposed to be helping our teachers and kids not pissing people off right.? And third, why me? It's only freakin' October this is our FIRST meeting that parents were invited to!!

Basically they want a breakdown of what we made last year, where we made it and what we spent it on. They want to boycott all fundraisers. Huh? And we are supposed to make money how?

My head is spinning...I can't help but take this personally because I'm the one leading the pack so to speak. BUT had ANYONE called me about ANY of this? No. I'm hearing this from people who care about me and are concerned that I'm going to be buried alive by this woman. She's meeting with the principal on Thursday.

As far as I'm concerned, until I hear from the principal herself, it's not my deal. I just need to find a way to become emotionally unattached. Knowing me I'll either start to scream and cry or say something really bitchy, sarcastic and mean. Both of which are not good things.

Part of me just wants to offer up the job and say "Here, if you think you can do a better job, have at it."

But you know something? I don't really think she can, nor does she want to. I have not yet heard of a single thing that might be a solution to our problem of 3 fundraisers in October.

And for those of you who want to jump on me about that...let me explain. We do all our fundraisers, except for one in the Fall, so we have all our $ up front to fund the programs and field trips for our kids. The county pays for one a year...that's it. We do a candle fundraiser where we make $2.25 on every one we sell..they are $7 a piece. We do a notecard fundraiser that comes out early so that families can have them to use as Christmas cards or gifts. Your child draws a picture on a card and they are sent away to be printed. Your end result is a set of cards with your kids artwork on them. Great gift idea. And finally this Halloween Festival, in which we have vendors, a Haunted House, a silent auction, a live auction, dinner, a concert, games and prizes. Tickets are $4 a piece, max $12 for a family. Bake sale items are for sale as well as food. Everything else is included in the price of the ticket. That's it.

We need a lot of volunteers and donations. Local businesses donate items and $ as well. It's a lot of fun and we make a ton of $.

That's it. Done until May. ALL STRICTLY VOLUNTARY!!! You don't have to buy a damn thing! You could also just write a check for a particular amount and be done!

If I thought people would write us a check for $50 and be done for the year that would be fantastic. We wouldn't have to do fundraising or all of this work. But that will never happen. I am so open to new ideas, but no one wants to be supportive at this point they just want to tear it all down. They want it THEIR way without any of the work that goes along with it.

I know this is just one parent out of many, but this is a small town and even though we're a board of many. I'm in charge and it's me they will blame when things go wrong. I just don't know what to do. I know I can't make everyone happy, but it pisses me off that one can get to me like this. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks to all of you friends that have virtually and realistically listened to my rants. Your advice is taken to heart and I will do my best not to let you down.
Peace.

I'm an optimist so I'll start with the bad news first.

Bad News: My friend Scott's mom lost her battle with cancer this weekend.
Good News: She's finally at peace.

Bad News: My car failed inspection
Good News: I'm getting new brakes.

Bad News: The Halloween Festival is only 2 weeks away and I'm hyperventilating.
Good News: I found someone to do our Haunted House!

Bad News: We spent 4 hours in Urgent Care this weekend because my hubs had a 103 fever
Good News: He has strep throat and was able to get antibiotics right away. And head to the Bahamas for work today feeling almost 100%.

Bad News: The hubs is in the Bahamas...without me with a bunch of Texas swimsuit models.
Good News: They are whiney and too high maintenance for him!

Bad News: Today, my day off is almost over and I still have planning to do for the coming weeks.
Good News: I only have a two day week to plan for because we have a field trip to the pumpkin patch on Thurs and we had today off!

Bad News: My sister and her husband came in from The Rockies for a week long visit to PA not VA. Time share deal, see the colors and hike a bit.
Good News: They made the six hour drive down here yesterday just to see us!

Bad News: Momma K and I went to lunch today and she wouldn't let me pay.
Good News: Momma K and I went to lunch today and she did let me vent about all the craziness going on right now and was a very sound ear! It was fabulous to see her and she gave me a very cool beehive candle and matching towel for my birthday. I love candles!

Bad News: I have to stop writing now because work is looming over my head.
Good News: uhh...hmmm...well crap. Nothing good about that now is there?

Oh well. See you tomorrow!

Apparently, I'm not terribly. Got these an email recently and from what I can tell via snopes and urban legend research, they're the real deal. Take it for what you will. I just thought it was cool.

The pictures attached are used to test the level of stress a person can handle. One teacher said, "I felt like they were all moving...but slowly. Kind of like, they were breathing." The slower the pictures move, the better your ability of handling stress. Alleged criminals that were tested see them spinning around madly; however, senior citizens and kids see them standing still. FYI ... None of these images are animated - they are perfectly static!
Let me know how stressed you are!

Check this out especially if you're a prankster and like to mess with people's "heads" ;0)

Happy Fall Harvest and plenty o' Pumpkin pickin's to ya!

that if you have a great class...your kids are really good.
And if you have a bad class...you're a bad teacher?

To everyone who came to my party!! It was the most purplelicious day I've ever had! Monty even wrote me a poem: She gave me a choice of a gift...a car...cash or a thoughtful greeting...and of course I chose the *ahem* thoughtful greeting and here it is!

ME! It's a Plum Crazy Party Day in Millersville. Wanna join? Hoss, you can wear orange ;0) I'm on the 9th anniversary of my 29th birthday..I figure this way I'll never have to turn 40. I found this birthday calendar that tells you all kinds of interesting things about the day you were born. Here's mine:


You entered: 10/2/1967
Your date of conception was on or about 9 January 1967.
( Parents really don't do these things do they?)

You were born on a Monday under the astrological sign Libra.
Your Life path number is 8.
The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2439765.5.
The golden number for 1967 is 11.
The epact number for 1967 is 19.
The year 1967 was not a leap year.
As of 10/1/2005 10:23:54 AM CDTYou are 38 years old.
You are 456 months old.
You are 1,982 weeks old.
You are 13,880 days old.
You are 333,139 hours old.
You are 19,988,323 minutes old.
You are 1,199,215,434 seconds old.
There are 364 days till your next birthday on which your cake will have 39 candles on it.
Those 39 candles produce 39 BTU's,or 9,828 calories of heat (that's only 9.8280 food Calories!) .
You can boil 4.46 US ounces of water with that many candles.
In 1967 there were approximately 3.7 million births in the US.
In 1967 the US population was approximately 179,323,175 people, 50.6 persons per square mile.
In 1967 in the US there were approximately 1,800,000 marriages (9.3%) and 479,000 divorces (2.5%)
In 1967 in the US there were approximately 1,712,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000)Your birthstone is Tourmaline
The Mystical properties of Tourmaline (note the color!!!)

Pink Tourmaline promotes female balance and protection. Green Toumaline promotes male balance.
Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)
Opal, Jasper
Your birth tree is a Hazelnut Tree, the Extraordinary Charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody and capricious lover, honest and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgement.
There are 85 days till Christmas 2005! I'd better get busy!!

Thanks for stopping by ;0)

To a very special guy...He's 75 years young and still full life, love, spit and fire. Don't mess with him or he might just eat you! He'll make you laugh, cry, pee in your pants and spit nails, but if you help him "make his pile" he'll probably pay for your burial plot. Run on over to his place and give him a big ol' sloppy wet kiss and slap on the cheeks ;0) Love ya Hoss!! Hope you have 75 more beautiful years...you should be up to about 1000 reads a day by then huh?

Someone else is having a birthday tomorrow...check back to see who!

Seems like I have about 2 hours of "free time" a day anymore. The problem is, it's after my kids go to bed and I'm usually exhausted. So, the way I see it I have to make a choice, do work which is never ending, spend time with the hubs which has been an easy choice since he's been out of town more than not lately, watch tv (thank whomever invented Tivo!), read blogs, post a blog or go to bed. Well lately it's been work and then bed. Most of the family is all sick, that transitional-season-change-cold thing, and I've been living with a perpetual sinus headache. My oldest almost missed the bus because we didn't wake up until 5 minutes before he was supposed to leave. And working is fun why?

Actually, as crappy as I feel right now, I have always loved working with kids. It doesn't matter the age and I'm finding this preschool thing a breeze. As much work as it has been planning, rearranging scheduled and running my own kids, it's been worth the headache. Yesterday I had 3 parents tell me that they are very impressed with the things I'm doing in my classroom. They did not expect such a warm and friendly academic environment. (Why not?) Their children love coming to school and can't wait to do whatever it is I have planned for them next!! One mom expressed to my director that she couldn't believe I took the time out to single out her child and give her a weekly written update on how he is doing. I was floored. It's amazing how the little things mean so much to parents. The truth is, it's a tool for me to force myself to notice what's going on in my classroom and what I need to change or keep up. I really am only doing what I would expect from my own child's teacher. Maybe I have high expectations, and I really thought in the beginning I was doing too much or more likely too high level thinking for them, however, most of them rise to the occasion. What this has taught me is that I was better able to assess each child's level of development, thought processes and idiosyncracies. At this age, kid's brains are like sponges. My goal is to throw as much "stuff" at them and let them take what they can from it. I've never bought my children age appropriate toys...I've always gotten things I think they can learn from, taught them what to do with it then let them explore and grow with it. I am thankful for my Special Education schooling at this point because I have, in a month, figured out how each of my children learn and why they act the way they do. Who is shy, who is immature, who is brilliant, who is left-handed ( I have 3 by the way!) Do you know how hard it is to cut left handed with right handed scissors? Try it sometime. Who is tactily sensitive, who learns auditorily, who may have ADD and yes, there are stereotypical signs at this age although they usually grow out of them by age 7 or 8 if it's developmental and who may be colorblind or developmentally delayed. Who is clueless because they have Nanny at home and 4 other children to compete with, who has already given up because their lives are in upheaval from a tenative move and mom out of the house.

It's amazing what you can pick up on when you know what to look for. This is my gift and I feel alive! This job, while easy to do, is time consuming and a balancing act, but definitely getting easier. It's all the more rewarding to hear that what I'm passionate about is being appreciated by those who have the most input in these kids lives. I think I'm doing something right ;0) I miss my friends and I'm slowly attempting to work them back into my life. They thankfully understand. I miss you blogfriends and hopefully in time you will understand too. Remember the time thing I talked about earlier? Well I have Friday's off and most evening's free. I'm hoping to post as often as I can, maybe 3 times a week ;0) I can't lurk, not in my nature. I'm the one who handwrites all my Christmas cards to include a personal message. It's just who I am.

I am finding that all I have to do is stay organized...whoda thunk?

Today I had asked J-man #2 come clean up his trains. Several times...finally I walked into the room where he was sitting and he looked at me with a scowled face.

"What up? Didn't you hear me? I asked you to come clean up your trains."
*sigh* "Yes, but mommy...I don't think that's a good choice."

I died laughing and went to pick up the trains myself. This time. ;0)

is the pile of catalogs that came in the mail on Friday!

Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat.... AHHHHHHH!

But first....Sorry I didn't post yesterday...the last two times I've tried to post anything...blogger was "Closed"!!!

There is very little I can't tolerate when it comes to my kids and I am infinitely more patient when it comes to other people's children. BUT..you knew that was coming didn't you? I. can't. stand. babytalk!! My son says Yewwow (yellow) and wowwipop (lollipop) you get the idea, pronouces L's with a W sound. He's three..it'll come. But if I repeat "Yellow" the way he says it, he gets angry and says "No, Mommy it's "Yewwow!" Still comes out with the sound mix up, but he knows my pronunciation is incorrect. My point here is that even though they may be saying a word incorrectly, they are hearing it properly. So when I hear mom's and dad's saying "Banky" and "Baba" for "blanket" and "bottle" it drives me a little nuts. How the hell are they supposed to pronounce it correctly if you don't?

Now, this is not to say I don't love to hear them speak this way when they are little. It's the cutest damn thing on the earth when they try to say words like "hospital" and "helicopter" and add about 20 extra syllables to it. But to hear a grown up speak this way...well I've made my point.

Grammar is quite another issue. I hated diagramming sentences in school. I never understood more than the basic parts of speech and although I try very hard to speak correctly...it's not always the easiest thing for me. When I do learn certain things, however, they have a tendency to stick.. For example...did you know that you feel bad? Not badly? You wouldn't go around saying "I feel sadly." or "goodly" or "angrily" would you? Bad apparently is a feeling and not an adverb in this case. You can "do badly" however, just in case you were interested ;0)

So, one of our first lessons was a grammar lesson of similar quality. As we were finishing our art projects kids would raise their hands and say "Done!" or " I'm done!" and to these statements I would calmly say "Cakes are done, people are finished." For three days, time after time, I would repeat this, to the point where I began to think they weren't listening to me because no one had changed their phrasing. Until I heard this story from my assistant.

"Done!" said Emma.
"Cakes are done, people are finished." I replied.
"That really bugs you doesn't it?" said Mrs. L.
"No, not really. I'm just aware of it so why teach them incorrectly? We started that on Monday when you weren't here. Sorry, I should've told you." I said
"Oh, don't worry, I figured out quickly when I asked Robert if he was done and he replied:

"I'm not a cake!"

I love teaching.

J-man #2...you know the self-proclaimed "big boy" at 3? Told me this yesterday...

"Mom! I opened the door and smashed my toe on the corner and it really hurts!"

"Oh, honey come here, let me kiss it and make it better."

I grab said foot and give him a big Mwah! smooch..

"But mom, kissing it won't make it better. I need a bandaid."

I think my heart's broken. *sniff*

Okay...Change #942...the hubs started his new job. Same company, different department. Now, we knew there would be a bit more travel involved in this particular job, but we weren't prepared for him to leave a week after he started! Last week was spent in Las Vegas at a Gaming Show in the midst of lots o' flesh and fame. He spent lots of time working, no time playing, BUT standing really really close to celebs such as Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS who were there promoting there new slot machines and Ed Mc Mahon who was there doing whatever Ed MacMahon does at those things. I think he met the ex-boxer Larry someone (Holmes), the only guy to ever knock-out Mohammad Ali...not a boxing fan can you tell? Anywho, it looks as though we will not be seeing a lot of my wonderous better half as he has his "No more than 40% travel per year" planned in the first 4 months of his start date ;0) Wahooo! NOT! So now the balancing act comes in...new job for both of us, school stuff, church stuff, extra curricular activity stuff, holiday stuff, and whatever other stuff I can come up with to do while he's out working his a$$ off. I guess I can't complain...it's just going to take some getting used to. At least he comes home with cool presents and funny stories. I leave you with the first of many I'm sure....from a conversation on the plane ride out. Between my husband, his co-worker and another couple on the plane...

W was sitting behind the hubs and apparently taking great interest in his head. She decided to give him crap and said "Mr. Miller, you have many gray hairs." " Well, I didn't have a problem with them I started working with you W.

The couple next to him started laughing...the wife of said couple said something sarcastic to her husband to which my hubs replys, "What's up with these women giving us so much crap?"

Husband of the couple says, " Yeah, it's a good thing we're going to Vegas where the women know how to treat a man!"

Wife says sardonically, " Well honey, if you paid me maybe I'd be a little more exciting " ...;0)

Made for an interesting plane ride needless to say... I got a Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt out of the deal and a mail-order bride catalog LOL! What happens in Vegas ...stays in Vegas.

Change number 274...Iraq has finally gotten it's nasty little fingers into my life. Right here, right now. It's bad enough to hear about the tragedies over seas, you sympathize and it tugs at your heartstrings, but let me tell you when it happens to you..it's too surreal for words. Last weekend we said goodbye my nephew. He's just gotten engaged and leaves in a week for Iraq. He will be part of the Special Forces Unit that is involved in search and rescue. You know the guys they show jumping out of helicopters and rushing in with rifles blazing while they drag the wounded and the dead out of enemy territory? The one who's head is sticking out of the back of the Hummer firing the machine guns at piles of trash to make sure there are no surprises waiting for them? That would be him. Obvious a bit more information than I needed to know going in. At 22, he's just a baby. Newly engaged and his next birthday quickly approaching in November. Despite all of this, his attitude is amazing. He's prepared to fight for his country and do whatever it takes to help his fellow countrymen. He knows he'll be scared, but his faith in God and his fellow soldiers keeps him strong. He knows he'll be away from loved ones for at least a year and he's prepared to die if that's what is meant to be. He believe's that God has a plan for him and while he doesn't plan to put himself willingly in harm's way, when his number's up...there's no turning back. I have to support his decision and his willingness to fight for my freedom and everyone else's that lives in this beautiful country we call home. I have to support the war efforts because I am an American and we're there. It's happening. There's no going back now. But I sure as Hell don't have to like it or agree with it. You couldn't pay me enough money to be the President of the United States right now, nor to run in 2008. I have sent many a prayer to loved ones over seas and I am asking for the same favor in return. For me, my family and all of those who are there fighting for us. They are all heros in my eyes and I just hope and pray that they come home to us safe and sound and as quickly as humanly possible.

Thank you...God Bless.

Have you ever noticed that when things change things get weird? So much in my life has changed in the past two or three weeks and I'm just now getting used to it. I literally haven't had time to turn on my computer let alone read or write anything. I finally have a break so here it goes...

Change #1: J-man has started 1st grade..has homework 4 days a week, dropped his star but then got 5 stickers in a row and earned a popcorn party. I will be doing math groups in his class starting next week. Started out rough but seems to be on the right track... Went to his Back to School Night last night and was able to meet the other parents in his class, talk to his teacher a little bit and see what he's been doing over the past two weeks!! We looked at a his daily journal writing and already I've noticed an improvement from the beginning of the year until now. He colors in the lines, his drawings are recognizable as something specific and I almost didn't believe that it was his work! He loves his teacher, but school isn't so "fun" anymore ;0) This is actually a good thing because I know he's being challenged and learning something.

Change #2: J-man is completely potty trained!! Wearing underwear to bed and everything. In the last week he has become a self-proclaimed "big boy". He stands up to pee and the "Binky Fairy" came recently too. We were at my sister-in-law's and he couldn't find his pacifier. He brought up the fact that the Binky Fairy must've come and he was a big boy now. He went to bed that night no problems, woke up the next morning and said "I'm a baby!" he wanted his pacifier back...my husband was quick to say "If you a baby then we need to put you back in pull-ups."

"NO! I'm a big boy!" and that was that. We've had two binky free weeks and no worse for the wear! Yay!

He's also started preschool and his day was my first day as well. I cried. Totally caught me off guard...and thank God it wasn't until after I left him crying in his class room down the hall from me that I thought to myself "My baby's going to school!" then I lost it. I did thankfully pull myself together before I got back to my classroom to me the parents of my own class a bit teary eyed but together nonetheless. They were also very understanding..Thank God!

He's had a great week and loves his teacher who smothers him with tons of attention and kisses and hugs. I couldn't have asked for a better school. I know I made the right decision.

Change #3: The Hubs has jumped in feet first into his new position at work and has been in Vegas all week at a trade show. He has several more trips planned in the coming months which will be a transition for all of us. We are finding that he has some flexibility and it pays to be very organized with our schedules in order to not miss anything going on with the kids and still have time for us. This has been the hardest week because everything happened at once. As I mentioned before, I can't imagine being a single parent and adding the stress of a divorce and switching families onto of all of this. My heart goes out to you all who are handling it with grace...I can only begin to appreciate your strength and flexibility.

Finally change #4 -1,009: I'll write about tomorrow because it's long...

Thanks for all you words of kindness and support...I have never been so tired in my life. Good news is it can only get better from here right?

Til tomorrow then....

It's not a figment of your imagination...getting some concerned emails from my loverly friends in the blogosphere...I'm here just really busy. I have Friday off so I'll post then about all the changes happening in my life right now. Suffice it to say I do not envy single moms in the slightest...my heart breaks for you, in fact. I'm working part time and PTO Pres and balancing that with two kids schedules and a hubby out of town. It's enough to kill a person! SO...I'll be around on Friday as it is my 1st day off!! Look for me then!

Thanks for all your concern ;0) Nice to know I'm loved!

Peace Purple People.

...are the words my #2 son said to me from the bathroom after this conversation.

J-man #2 walks into the room last night after sitting on the couch doing what little boys do on the couch and stands there holding himself and wiggling uncomfortably.

"What's wrong?"
"My penis fell off."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! How am I going to pee?"
"Why don't you go check."
"I want to go by myself."
"Okay."

Pause...

"Mom!"
"Yes J-man #2?"
"It didn't fall off...I was just tricking you." Giggling heard from the bathroom.

Boys.

3 1/2 hours was the time it took to get through our staff meeting yesterday.
3 hours was the time I spent working on school paperwork last night...mine & theirs!
9:30 was the time I went to bed last night because I was exhausted.
4:00 a.m. was the time the hubster woke me up to say goodbye.
4:30 a.m. was the time I was forced awake because the dog had to pee.
5:25 a.m. was the time I was firced awake because I had to pee.
6:45 a.m. MY DOORBELL RANG!!! NO..I'm not kidding! It was the neighbor boy WANTING TO PLAY!!!!
6:46 a.m. Both boys are standing at the top of the stairs half asleep asking who is at the door and can they go ride bikes after being awakened by said doorbell.
7:00 a.m. My alarm went off...

So begins another day in Podunkdom.

This is the hottest man on earth don't cha think??? (besides me hubby of course!) A little daydreamin' before I go back into the real world. So while I'm in a questioning mood...who would you? If you could you? ;0) Hypothetically speaking of course...


.....off to my first staff meeting of the year. Wish me luck....my director thinks I'm organized...HA!

...I am officially fried. Caffeine has started to make me shake, I'm not sure if it's the lack of substance in my body or increase of adrenaline. It's keeping me motivated though. Yesterday just sucked all around from a family standpoint...got a lot of work done, but J-man had a crappy day at school and Katrina decided to drop a tornado close enough that we had to rip the kids out of bed at a moment's notice and a fury of phone calls. We spent an hour in the basement and then every two hours getting up to make sure our basement wasn't flooding due to the sump pump being shut off. Power went back on after about 4 hours. Thank God!

J-man's day was bad because he dropped his star for "disrespecting his teacher and sneakiness." I love this man. He is a phenomenal disciplinarian, but I can't help but feel like a bad parent when my kid acts up...I want him not to be a follower and do well in school. I think part of it is that this is the first year he's been challenged and he's not quite sure what to do with that. He wrote a letter of apology to his teacher and promised to "try" not to do it again. I explained that it takes practice to be good and that we all make mistakes, but we also need to learn from them. J-man #2 woke me up twice last night afraid of the thunder and has had two accidents in the past two days. I swear I feel like I have to be superwoman to handle it all. If I can get through October all will be well. I've also decided that I can't post and read all at the same time. So thanks for putting up with my slackingness...but something's got to give, I guess.

Off to cut out stuff...this work stuff is for the birds!!

...says that this is the way Policemen looks a long time ago...back in the '80's. Check out the seriousness of his expression ..LOL!

Today was his first day of 1st grade and he almost didn't make it...as it is, I'm picking him up early and taking him to the Dr. for sever ear pain. He was throwing up and feverish yesterday...I'm thinkin' swimmers ear...but we got some numbing drops yesterday from DR.S.ON CALL great program that our Pediatrician runs and he's fine today. Doped him up with IB and hopefully he'll make it through the day. Here's a photo of the two J-Men on their way to the bus stop. Thankfully my camera is semi-working...I have to hold the button on and I can't zoom in on a whim...but you get the idea. See how foggy it was this morning? It started to clear up a bit when we went out but first thing this morning you couldn't see 10 feet in front of you. Well hears to hoping the grumbly stomach I have this fine a.m. is due to too much caffeine and sympathy pain! Have a great day!

are starting again. Please, please PLEASE be wary of children on the go. There are so many kids who are impulsive and unaware of the road in rural areas. This happened on what should have been an exciting and adventurous first day of school. Please teach, caution, remind, and impress the importance of road and school bus safety to your children, especially those of you who live in rural areas and your child(ren) may not be conscientious of motorists on the even the smallest of roads. It would be tragic if something happened to your child or mine because of a lack of information. Knowledge is power people. Lets all have a safe and happy school year Thanks!!

+++++

J-Man just told me that he didn't want to eat anymore junk... I think he's sick.

Mornin' sunshine!! I slept til 10 a.m. sort of, this morning! This is what I look like today . Not really but we head over to the for Meet the Teacher Night..(in the middle of the afternoon go figure) and then it's fun and games! Yesterday's luncheon went very well yesterday and was not as stress full as I had thought it would be. I am working with some very enthusiastic and competent people this year, YAY!! I know this will be a great year, but change is always difficult.

We slept with the windows open last night...I can smell Fall! I will de lurk at somepoint, when I can actually focus for longer than 5 minutes. Please know I love you all! School starts Monday for J-man and I will have an easier time of things. The fear is slowly dissapating...so thanks!

Having fun playing with smileys as you can see . Have a great day!!

This morning I have a meeting with the preschool teachers, tonight I have a PTO meeting, in between I have to go to Walmart to buy the rest of the stuff for the teacher survival kits because I couldn't go last night because we had friends over yesterday who stayed 3 hours longer than planned and I couldn't go last night because J-man #2 was worn out from the pool and took a nap til 7 pm so he was up til 11. I also have to go to the grocery store to buy fruit salad makings for tomorrow's teacher luncheon after which I have a Ladies Night Out dinner with the preschool teachers. Thurs I have to be at school for 5 hours to sell t-shirts, bracelets, and maganets AND sign up volunteers for this year at Meet the Teacher night...oh and I have to squeeze a visit to my own kid's teacher in there somewhere. Then Friday is my husbands company picnic and Saturday is the soccer Parent meeting. Do I want to be on the zoning committee? NO. Do I want paint a back drop for the high school play? NO. Do I want to be team mom for J-man's team this year? NO! Whew that felt better...

Now, to do it in real life...see you around midnight!

On August 15th J-man #2 officially turned 3. I was hoping to have pictures of his cake by now, but I'm waiting on Mom and my Sis to send me a disc from my MI trip, as my camera is busted. So, that will come with time. It was a Thomas the Tank Engine cake and there's a story to go with it, but I'll save that for the pictures.

J-man #2 has been the highlight of entertainment for us. He is blonde, and now green eyed (they've officially turned from blue) and terribly cute if I do say so myself. Looks just like me! LOL! He can melt your heart with his frowns just as easily as his smile, which I'm thinkin' is going to be a very dangerous thing! He knows his alphabet and can count to "twenty-ten". "Mommy are you Happy?" is his question, especially after getting in trouble! He's stubborn and sweet and comes up with the most hilarious forms of the English language I've ever heard. Including his first word which was "Spongebob". No, really it was "Hi"...but "spongebob" was a close second! Other things include:

"I'm not happy because you're not behaving."
"Mommy, I'm being-have!"

"J-man we're both going to be mens okay?"

"Oh, crabby patties."

He's independent and gets along with everyone, but shy and nervous when it comes to new things. Preschool should be fun! ;0) I love that he still needs me and wants his hugs and kisses and snuggles before bed, in the middle of the day or whenever. That he pronounces all his L's like W's. That he has a favorite blanket..just like me. He has a huge heart and a strong spirit, and I can only hope that he continues that way.

Yesterday he was playing with playdough and I heard from the kitchen "Look what I made Mommy! A #3! That's how old I am!"
Now being the ever clever Mom/Teacher that I am, thought "Hmmm...great learning experience here right?" So, I proceeded to tell him that if he added a 7 to that 3 he would have how old Mommy was. I walked out of the room and finished what I was doing on the computer and heard from the kitchen "Mom I made a #7!" "That's great buddy what number do you have now?" Silence. "J-man?" "Ummm....I...hold on!" "I know! Seven-three! That's how old you are Mommy!!"
Silence on my end this time....heh...heh.
I walked into the kitchen to find this....

Now don't that just make you go "Hmmmm."

LOL!

Happy Monday everyone and thanks for all your honest and thoughtful comments yesterday. This post is orange per request of my good buddy Hoss... Purple and orange go well together don't you think ;0) All Halloweeny!

For lack of anything better to say..I will talk about something we can all relate to...Blogging (sorry Hoss...I said "IT"). I can describe it in one word...DRAMA!! Has anyone else noticed that there are several fights, pot stirrers and general nastiness floating around lately? At least 3 people I currently read are having serious troll issues, whether it be someone they know or someone they don't. Some have had profane things done with pictures they've posted of their children, others have written things needing obvious support and received really hateful mail and commenting. Why? I would really like to know what you all think.My reasoning is simply this. When you wear your heart on your sleeve you're bound to get stomped on. Now, I'm not being pessimisstic here. Really. I'm a very positive person and I admittedly got caught up in how many comments I could get and what people thought of my postings, so I started writing for "them". I got caught up in the Drama. I then became a basket case...obsessed almost checking comments 10 times a day, trying to think of something "good" to write, but it was driving me crazy!! A lot of you don't have any clue who I really am and when I went back to read some of my earlier posts...I couldn't remember writing them. I got the most feedback and kind words, when I was real. So that's what I did. I started to be real. Sometimes things are funny, sometimes they aren't. My friends and family read this blog and don't always like or agree with what I have to say, but they are kind or they just don't respond. I don't say anything that I wouldn't say to them personally.

But when you put your feelings out there or offer opinions, people will disagree with you. I get that now...I know I live in a bubble, so sue me. It's the law of opposites. For every good, there is a bad. For every right there is a wrong. For everyone who loves there is someone who hates. It's really a matter of who chooses to share it. I have had my share of drama, albeit early on in my blogging career. And some other nastiness since, but so what? I've never been one to be bullied and to what end? To me, people who leave comments and don't leave a way for me to respond are just that...bullies...cowards. I don't have time for crap like that. I won't delete your comments, andI will respond, but that's where it stop. I will not get into a meaningless banter that has no purpose other than to belittle and demean me. And you will realize that I just don't care what you think if you choose to continue. Some of us thrive on the Drama...but quite honestly, how does is help? It's not healthy, it's not resolving any issues and it's a really poor way to get attention.

This is not to belittle the very really problems people have and have had. And if I can offer any support in any way, I will bend over backwards to do it. I admire the strength that some have shown in their writing and the things they have overcome. Who am I to judge? My point is this should be a safe place to write those feelings and thoughts and issues and not be slammed for doing so. I think writers, all of us, write from the heart. Being anonymous makes it that much easier to say what's really on your mind...or does it?

For all my friends, and I do consider you all friends, those I've met and those I haven't, thank you for letting me learn through your mishaps, but more importantly I'm sorry you had to suffer through the forces of this virtual world that will not let you be who you really are.

Why do you write? Has your reasoning changed since you've started blogging? All comments and thoughts are welcome, even those who think I'm full of Sh**.

Thanks for joining...peace.

I love music from the 70's and 80's. Today's music is good, but it just doesn't have the emotional impact it did back then. Life was full of growth and fun and broken hearts. And if it's all the same to you, it can stay there. I'll remember happily through my music thank you very much.

So, we left at the crack of early on Tues to drive home frome MI. Mom and I were chatting. The boys were semi-sleeping in the back of the van and a black-spankin' new Lincoln Continental pulls up next to us. The windows are blackened (tinted VERY dark) so much so that you can't see inside. Obvious antennae and the big ol' honkin' spotlight on the side made me say out loud "Look at that Cop Car!" or was it? Mom thought it might be the Mafia or Secret Service...we pondered a bit and it turned off and was forgotten. Until about 5 minutes later when it, or one just like it, pulled up right next to us at yet another stop light. Hmmmm....

Me: "So I guess this illegal right turn I was going to make isn't such a bright idea right about now huh?"

Mom: "Not really, because you know you'll get caught."

Me: "Yeah, and usually when you see the cop, it's too late."

I have no idea whether or not it was actually a cop, but better safe than sorry right? So, I wait for the light to turn and drive on my merry little way. It's quiet and I decide we need a little a little mood music. I popped in my America's Top Ten: 1970's CD and Track 1 begins to play.

J-Man pipes up from the back seat: "Hey Mom. Is that the title?"

Me: "What?"

J-Man "Is that the title of the song? You know what you were saying about once you see a policeman that it's too late?"

Heh..heh...Name of the 1st song on the CD "It's Too Late" by Carol King.

or just an extra one that I can borrow for a while?? Man! Got home last night and the phone calls started at 8:30 this morning. New logo/mascot for our school needs to be approved, six phone calls from parts unknown need to be returned for fundraising, programming and personal issues, have to go pay youngest J's tuition that was due Aug 1 ooops! The director wants me to come in and see if I like my room arrangement and a list of what other "neccessities" I might require, hubs got his new job!!! Yay! More $, more travel and more fun! He hits Vegas for his first "official" trip on the job. The pool is finally fixed!! We've been in it three times this summer...but they were relaxing times to say the least. J-man got the 1st grade teacher I was hoping for. He's a young man..3rd year teacher..phenonmenal. Thinks outside the box, has great repoire with really active boys and recognizes when kids need a challenge, all the while keeping them in check and interested in school. I'm terribly greatful this worked out. Now if I could just get my #2 son to realize that school is fun...we'd be all set.

THEY, 2 boys collectively, got along great with their cousins and my grandma and aunt and uncle in MI. They even managed to NOT drive me crazy insane on the 11 hour car ride up and back. We did, however, have many late nights after several busy days one of those being J-man's #2 3rd birthday...I'll back track on that one tomorrow, another we went to a really cool indoor waterpark and J-man#1 got up the guts to go down the waterslide!! And today he swam all the way through to the deep end in our pool! His confidence just keeps growing and growing. J-man #2 has woken up dry for 7 days in a row...HE'S COMPLETELY POTTY TRAINED!! YAY!! His true test was the super long car ride of course, and he did just perfectly! I can't believe he's three!!

Spent lots of time with mom discussing politics, religion and such. Missed an exit here and there because of it! Pretty much decided that we need an independent party that will be somewhere in the middle of the Donkey's and Elephants. Maybe a Tiger? A purple one would be just dandy. We're stuck in the Middle East people and there ain't no turnin' back. I don't have to like it or even accept it...but as an American I need to support the people there fighting so I can have this crazy so called life of mine. Where that puts me in the grand scheme of things? Don't know...I blame it on the Libra in me.

Spent lots of time talking with me sis who is a reservist in the AF. She's a Major and used to teach at the Air Force academy. Total brain and has done pretty darn well for herself. Her boys are cuter than heck and smarter than God knows what. Her baby boy is 17 mos old and learned to walk this past week. He also knows how to color and put caps back on markers the "right way". When it goes on the "wrong way" he turns the cap over and tries again. He knows sign language, hence doesn't talk much, but still gets his point across. Her oldest reminds me of a little man...totally old soul and brilliant. He's al ready counting to 100 and reading simple words at 3. We all had a great time.

Sound disjointed? Am I rambling? Well, that's what's swimming around in my head right now.. see why I need a newer full capacity brain? Or maybe I can just borrow yours! There's so much to say and no energy to say it. I'll start over tomorrow. I'm going to spend the day catching up ;0) It's good to be home.

I'm weird, I get that, BUT look at this! In my everlasting quest to find all things purple I came across this little tidbit...Can you believe it?

Don't adjust your computer screen, your eyes are not fooling you. And no, the images aren't a result of digital enhancement or a Photoshop trick.

A female polar bear named Pelusa turned purple after she was given a special treatment to clear up a skin condition.
The strange sight has attracted crowds of visitors at the Mendoza City Zoo in Argentina. Zoo officials said her fur will go back to her normal cream color in a few days.
The 14-year-old bear suffers from dermatitis.
Copyright 2003 by TheDenverChannel.com. All rights reserved.

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Thanks everyone for your words of support yesterday...this is the real reason I love blogging. You all are a true gift. I really am fine, just needed to validate some things and get over some others ;0) I'm off once again to visit my 90 year old Grandma. She's the only on I have left. Mom, the boys and I are driving up to MI to stay with my Aunt and Uncle and cousins. None of the extended family has met J-man #2 nor my sister's kids. We tried to get my brother to come too, but that's another story all together. I'll save it for a rainy day. I'll be back Tues and probably won't be around til then...kids and family, late night talking, ya know ...general craziness!!! Have a great week! I'll see you all really soon! Peace....

Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Utterly humorless? Devoid of any creativity whatsoever? Completely lacking in ability? At this very moment...I'm afraid. Afraid of people discovering that I'm not only feeling these things, but feeling them, living them, all at once. That while I'm nervous about venturing into a new world, I'm excited at the same time. Afraid that once people discover these things about me that I will not meet their expectations. Afraid that they will want more from me than I can give. Afraid I took on too much. Afraid my family will suffer. Afraid that I won't be able to give my all to everything and if I can that I will be too exhausted to be useful to anyone.

In two weeks I am sending my oldest child to 1st grade and my youngest to preschool. I will start work again, as a teacher, but this time to mold the young minds of 4 year olds. I am PTO President and responsible for the biggest event and fundraiser our school holds during the year. As you well know, I don't speak my mind unless asked and it's not always what people want to hear. I am strong in my convictions and people mistake that as strength in leadership. Do I have what it takes? I don't know. It's like planning a party right? Teaching is teaching ...I'm a people person...or am I? I haven't done any of this stuff in years!! I've got people; friends, readily recruiting other people on my behalf, setting up meetings, phonecalls, references. Friends who believe in me, know me and have faith in me saying all these wonderful things about me. Who? Who are they talking about? Am I really doing what's right for my kids? For me? For my family? The Hubby will hopefully be starting a new job soon...which means more travel, which means more alone time with the kids, which means emotional upheaval, which means stress, which means confusion, which means what? I'm over analyzing I know...but I'm afraid.

I'm not looking for answers...just asking the questions...it's all a process and it will all work out the way it's supposed to. Peace...

I'm baaaaack!! Did you miss me huh...did ya? Well, no matter. I missed you! ESPECIALLY since my puter went on the fritz about Wed. Something with the mouse in my laptop died..dead...not working. So I had to suffer with long walk on the hard sand beaches with my pooch, building mile high sand castles, buring my kids up to their necks in sand, and floating for hours in the gentle waves of the Atlantic... I love anything that can make me float and feel weightless ;0)

Some things I discovered and re-discovered: the CA girl in me is not lost and that I am a naturally born fish. Going on a family vacation is all about the kids. I love my own bed better than anything in the world. A pool is a nice thing to have after spending 4-6 hours on the beach in 97 degree heat. I know how to read and why I don't read at home (finished 4 books...HP6 being one...OMG!!! No spoils...don't worry.) My favorite times on the beach are early morning, late afternoon...and overcast days. I love Thunder/lightening storms. I love the Hard Rock Cafe...(this makes my sixth, I think...Vegas, NY, Aspen, Hollywood, D.C., and Myrtle Beach). The gifty thing for the kids worked! I'll do it again in a couple of days when I head up North to visit Grandma. Even kids get sick of movies. And lastly, that I can eat the heck out of oreos...4 packages in 1 week!! (I had help!)

My hubby realized that you can tan through 30+ sunscreen and you can load 4 adults and 4 kids AND boogie boards, towels and sand toys on a Club Car Golf Cart and drive 4 blocks to the beach and you won't pop the tires.

J-man #2 loves his big brother, will cover his entire body in sand and not care...will sleep anywhere if he's tired enough and can head bang with the best of 'em!

J-man learned to jump waves, dig for clams, catch fish with a hand net, and can do somersaults under water!

We all had our share of fights and fun and we were all glad to come home even in the raging thunder storm and sleep in our own nice warm beds. I leave you with my number one son's startling realization this week as confessed to the Hubby.

"Dad, I have a really smart brain...but sometimes is doesn't work so well."

Kids say the dardest things ;0) Until tomorrow!....