Ugly Who?

Today was the Halloween Parade at school. It was so much fun. We have a day off tomorrow so that is why the parade was today. Anyways, I love to participate in the fun by dressing up. The students always ask "What are going to be?" I always reply a teacher, that's me! I love to surprise them by picking them up after the lunch break...they really think it is a substitute or at least some of them do.

This is me before...Miss Tammy the Teacher.

Followed by Who's that girl? It's of course Ugly Tammy (Ugly Betty or as someone said Miss Suarez).

It was fun because I had to pack the outfit to gain a whole bunch of weight to make this work. So that is it....the costume I was so excited about. I love the show Ugly Betty....so why not dress like the main character. What do you think?

WW~not quite

From the Halloween Archives.....

Tomorrow I will be dressing up in my latest Halloween costume...so excited!

Cliffside or Over the Cliff

That was the name of the Resort...Cliffside Resort...

I stayed in the Haunted Hotel on Sunday night. I went with a friend/teacher from our building for a conference that was on Monday morning. It was almost a 2 hour drive from my house, so we needed to stay in a hotel. It was not a chain type of hotel so we didn't know what to expect. All I really cared about was that it was clean. It was clean, but ...

We pull up to register and we are only about the 6th car in the whole parking lot. That in itself is scary enough. This hotel was huge! It was right on a river...very pretty. Everything about the place looked and seemed haunted. The decor was very Victorian and antique like. We were greeted with a hog of some sort spouting water. Very weird and all. The pool looked as though no one had swam in it in years. It was mucky and grimy. No hot tub...we were so looking forward to that. As we roamed the hallways looking around we heard moaning ( that might explain the Do Not Disturb sign on the door). We went further down the hall and to be quite honest were quite spooked by all of the things that were hanging. Also, that it seemed like we were the only ones in the place...or so it seemed.

Murky pool
Everywhere in the hotel...and I mean everywhere!! I felt she was roaming the halls that night.

The elevator was creepy, the carpet guy was creepy, and the ladybugs on the wall were creepy. All in all it was one creepy hotel. I am sure the ghosts of past were roaming the hallways and back in the early 1900s it was the place to party and mingle, but not on October 26, 2008.

At least the conference was AWESOME!! I have so many great ideas to bring back to my team at school and share with my students. YES!!

Oh...I did manage to stop at a Kohl's Dept. Store Sunday and pick up some new shoes. I love shoes!

Merry Christmas

I know, it seems a bit early to be talking about Christmas. But I can't help myself....Friday night my parents came over to give the kids a trick or treat bag and one of the bags was a Christmas gift bag. I thought nothing of it, until the kids were begging them to open it. So after a few moments of me, me, me type thing. My Dad and Mom said I should open it...right then I knew what it was....They came over with a brand new camera for me. I was so thrilled! An early Christmas present and this is what I heard a few times "This is your Christmas gift" I understand...I do I do!

They bought me a Canon Rebel XS....I am so excited. I now need to take a class and read about how to use this camera. So, thanks Mom and Dad for this unexpected gift. I really appreciate this gift. Here a just a few pics from the new camera.

Zena our 3 year old Springer Spaniel.

The kids went trick or treating at the nursing home on Sunday. My mom took the kids to visit Great Grandma. Trick or Treat is Friday night...should be fun. I am making jello shots for the adults. So Happy Halloween and I found everything I need for my costume. I am so excited! Was at a conference Sunday into Monday. Stayed at a hotel....I will share more about that tomorrow. Let's just say Haunted Hotel??

Student: "Mrs. S. can I use the bathroom?"

Me "Sure, that would be fine."

Student: "MRS. S. I AM PEEING MY PANTS!!" "MRS. S. I AM POTTYING MYSELF"

Poor little guy...stood up and the flood gates opened.

Friday Already?

Where did the week go? I can't believe it is Friday! I am so glad it is. I am also happy we have no PLANS! I can stay home and do whatever...that makes for a perfect weekend.





Last night went to Marshall's after I dropped Emma off at gymnastics. I look forward to my 1 hour of freedom every Thursday night. I usually will stop off somewhere to browse. But last night I hit gold at Marshall's. I found what I needed for my Halloween costume. I probably paid less for this outfit than I would of at Goodwill. I found 3 pieces of what I needed for $10.00. I only have a few accent pieces to pick up and I am golden. I am so excited to pull this off. My husband even thinks I did good. :) Not only did I get the goods for the costume, I found winter running gear, shoes, sweaters, and if I had more time to shop, I would of found more. I walked into the Gym to pick up Emma with a second to spare...I bet she was thinking "Where is my Mom?" I would blame it on the store clerk who was checking me out....she was admiring my picks for the costume and how excited she was to go shopping herself. The outfit everyone is HIDEOUS!!! Pictures will be up next week.

I know how much kids love to go to the bathroom....even my own kids, they seem to have to go everytime we go out. Oh how I love public restrooms...not! At school my students are the same way. They love to use the bathroom. They would go every 15 minutes if I let them. I have a great idea on how to use the most of our learning day. I will have them bring a book to the bathroom when they need to go for a long visit. That way they are using their time wisely, practicing their reading skills, they could log those wasted minutes on their reading calendars, and they could learn something while sitting down for a while. It seems that every afternoon after lunch has settled and the room starts to stink....that is when they all need to go and some of them, it is a good 15 minutes. Thank goodness for plug-ins, room sprays, and fragrant jars.

I can't wait 'til later...Blackberry Merlot is calling my name.

yah! An Award

Thank you Carrie over at Confessions for this awesome award. Wish I could come to your Halloween Bash. Sounds like fun. Love reading your blog...you make me laugh. You rock!

So the rules every Superior Scribbler will name 5 other Super Scribblers.If you are named you must link to the author & the name of the blog that gave you the award. Then you must display the adorable award and link to This Post, which explains The Award. Finally you must visit this post and tell your name to Mr. Linky List. Then they will have a record of all the people who are Super Scribblers!

Here are some Sassy Scribblers..... Go Ahead and check them out!

Just a Girl...

AnotherOnlineMom
Seeking Sanity
Life is Better....with a Cute Outfit
More Wine Please

WW

10K Here I Come

I love to exercise. It is part of who I am...I get teased for it...called a nut job for it...but all in all I don't care because it is important to me. I have been training for my first 10K run this November. Hubby has been training too. We get to do it together. I am sure he will kick my butt.
I have done 5Ks and triathlons, but not a 6.2 mile run. I am so excited to do this. I am a bit nervous because the run is on Thanksgiving morning (this will justify all the great food and drink I will have that day), but the weather in Wisconsin is a crap shoot. Who knows what it will be? I could be running in 50 degrees or 20 degrees with snow and ice. Crazy...no backing out now, the form is filled out, the check made, and I am so ready to rock that race!!!!

Another exercise note...I go to this class at the Y...I have mentioned it before, it is like a boot camp. I love it. Anyways, a few men are in this class and OMG they really stink and sweat, it is so gross. It is the drippy sweat that leaves trails all over the floor...I gag everytime they are near me. They even grunt and huff and puff. Last night I felt like I was in the delivery room all over again. This guy was doing the same breathing exercises I did when I was in labor. Seriously!!!!! I will continue to go to this class spite the gross sweaty men and loud obnoxious sounds they make.

Halloween is almost here! I am working on a costume. I hope my students get it. I'll be going to Goodwill and the Salvation Army to get the things I need.

Yawner

We had permission to look like a bum today. We could wear our favorite sweatshirt and sweats to school. It is so comfy~cozy, I could use a nap. It is cold, cloudy, and rainy today. Hard to stay awake today. Feel like we should all cuddle up and be watching our favorite movie . I love wearing comfy clothes, but I find it hard to be productive at work. Happy Monday!

It is drug~alcohol awareness week...so today's theme "Being Drug Free is No Sweat". I think Crazy Sock day tomorrow may be much more productive.

Weekend Scene Times 3

Part 1 of my weekend......

When I turned forty about 6 months ago, my friends came up with a list of things I needed to do in my fortieth year. One of the things I needed to do was to go to a bar all by myself and order a drink and drink alone. For some reason I thought I could never do this because I seriously would feel like a big loser. So, for a gift they even went out and bought me a couple of bar tokens for a free drink. The bar is this local saloon about a mile from my house. So, on Friday I got a text from my friend Cari ~ Denny's? (that is the bar) I texted her back and said sure....so when I got home from work Friday night, ate a little dinner (yogurt~too nervous to eat real food), my husband dropped me off (so I wouldn't chicken out I guess) and I walked into the bar ALL ALONE! There were about 6 people in the bar...it was about 6:30 pm. I felt like such a dork...paying with the free bar token, but I drank my beer and continued to text her until she met me out for a second drink. That was a crazy 15 minutes. So, I did it...I went to a local bar (dive) all by myself, even if it was only for 15 minutes, I did it. Let me tell you, I really didn't like it.


Part 2 of my weekend.....Soccer games are our life in the Fall. The two older kids play and my husband coaches the U13 team that Alyssa is on. So we spend about 3 hours of our day on Saturday's at the field. One of the things my husband does while coaching or being a spectator, is he loves to yell....quite loudly if I must say. Not a mean yell, but an encouraging shout! However, it drives me nuts and this Saturday EC (John's best bud) happened to be at the field right next to us, his daughter plays and he yells like John....loud, but encouraging. It drove me crazy...so here the two nut jobs are yelling at the games on Saturday.

Looking on and ready to shout!


John...EC....and Alyssa
Part 3 of my weekend....

On Saturday my very good friend Marie who I met 15 years ago when we were hired the same year to start a career in teaching. She had a surprise 4oth Birthday party. Her sister's did a great job pulling this off. It was suppose to be a Girl's Night Out with a few friends. Some of us surprised her at the restaurant...and her favorite Aunt and cousin surprised her in a limo ride to the restaurant. Awesome...she never saw any of this coming. After dinner we headed off to a place where she thought we would have some drinks and dancing. However, waiting for her was a huge bash with her family and friends that her sister's also planned. She was so shocked walking in that it took her a few minutes to realize what was going on. It was a great party.

The girls after dinner...The birthday girl is in the green top...her sister's are the two on the far right. Climbing up to Party with Jose...
Too bad it was a blow up bottle....

Happy Birthday Marie. You are an awesome friend. Thanks for all the great years we have gotten to know each other. You are truly terrific! Remember 40 is only a number and you look fabulous!! I left you a bottle of wine without a card...I know you will put it to good use.

I became a wino 2 years ago when I had a certain student in my class and now Marie is blessed with the same student...so the wine is for her to calm her nerves on a daily basis.

Love Love Love my Job!!

I just love my job. Everyday is a new day...new thoughts...new adventures. The things these kids say are so funny...and random as well. Wish I could just blurt out whatever I was thinking on days...that would be interesting. So I am going to share just a couple of my favorites this week.

"Mrs. S...for circle share today can we share our favorite word?" ( I am thinking this could be good or go very bad...Please keep it rated G) The words were pretty basic words, nothing horrible except one kid said his favorite word was Potty. Okay...let's move on. The cutest one I thought was "Dude" The girl's explanation was in case she forgets someones name she can just say Dude. Rock on ....great idea!

In the middle of teaching something...this kid raises his hand....no big deal, but this kid always is so off topic, I get a bit nervous about what he might have to say. So I call on him and out of the blue he asks me "When are we making Lava Lamps?" "What" I say....I thought that was cute, but not ready to do something like that. Or the same kid as I am reading a story decides to stand up, pull his pant leg up and show me his knee...I am asking "What?" He tries to show me this red mark, I can't even see...so I send him to the nurse..because she always makes everything better. An ice-pack and a bandaid usually cures the ailments. Or the same kid telling me that a wasp almost got him today at recess...

Or same kid out of the blue again..."Mrs. S. I can use my water bottle as a rocket ship!"

I seriously love love love my class this year. They are so funny. They make me smile everyday. The things they tell me or want to show me are so cute. I must be doing something right this year, last week I was given 2 apples in 1 week. So awesome.

****As far as my crazy co-worker....let's just say she is a complete WHACK and leave it at that.***

Best Buds

Brandon loves his dog. He plays with her until it drives me mad. He chases her around the house, plays hide and seek, you name it, he does it. He would be so lost without her. The other night he was walking around with this blow up skeleton and trying to scare her. At one point this little crazy man was dancing with his new blow up friend. Zena was freaked at first, but warmed up as you can see. Cozy on the couch.

7734 Guilt

I had to delete it....I was freaking out. The post about my crazy co-worker.

Happy Wednesday!

Tagged Today!

I was tagged by Just A Girl to do this random or weird thoughts post. It is hard to think of things so I will try my best to not bore anyone with my ideas or thoughts. Here it goes.....

1. I am double jointed in my elbow. If I lean on a table it looks like my arm is crooked. ( Maybe that is why I never made cheerleading...crooked arm and all)

2. I cannot wait to buy a new camera and take lessons on how to use it. I am a visual learner..not much for reading directions...just show me how ...please!!

3. I hate tomatoes and even the smell of them. Yuck.

4. I've never been to Florida and my brother lives there. I am the bad sister...need to visit sometime.

5. If I wasn't a teacher I think I would of been a meteorologist...hence the nickname "Sally Severson" (local weather lady)

6. It seems whenever I go out with friends I am the "grannie" of the group. I guess one positive it makes me feel young. Card me bouncer...please....

7. I am thinking about doing a half marathon in May. The mini-Indy. I am nervous...just need a few shoves in the right direction and I am so there!! Rock on!

I tag the following blogs I love to read!

Laurie~ Newlywedded-wife

Malia~Gaby's Journey

Confessions

Life is Better...

Caffiene Court

Seeking Sanity

More Wine Please

Beautiful Scenery

These photos are from our view from the cabin in Door County, WI. These are from our friend's camera. I think I need to get a camera like that. I love the following pictures. So pretty.

We are beautiful too...and part of the scene. :)

Until next year.....the group will be bigger!

****Thanks Randy and Heidi for these awesome pix! I need a new camera!!

Door County Weekend

It was a great weekend. A whole weekend without kids! We had a great time. We stayed in this resort right on the lake~ Lake Michigan~ we were in the thumb of Wisconsin. Anyways, the resort was nice we stayed in a cottage with everyone. (beds were very squeaky~held on to the headboard one night anyway) The weather was great~Indian Summer like temperatures. I ran on Friday...it was so beautiful not to enjoy a run. That way I felt like I could justify all the food and drink I knew I would have.

Hubby and me
I had one too many "Christmas Trees" that night. I love Gin and Tonic, but it makes me loopy. I paid for that night on Saturday morning.... a huge hangover...felt better later in the day. Saturday was the big Pumpkin Patch Festival where you walked around the town with open intoxicants...it was awesome! I decided to drink the margaritas instead of beer or wine.
Hubby had a plan..let's take the shortcut to the Festival....didn't work out so well....we were trespassers and the owners were not liking the fact that we wanted to cut through their property. So we were almost there...and we had to turn around and walk around. No big deal except I ruined my cute new shoes...they stunk like rotten fish and seaweed the whole day....nasty...I ended up going into one of those candle shops and spraying some room spray on my shoes. I think that is why the flies loved me that day. I am going to try and wash those shoes. I just love them!! Sorry Amy...it was all about the food and drink at the Fest! It was very crowded that day. Thousands of people...lots of thousands. Glad we walked our half mile and more after our detour.

The boys were looking at all the traffic and enjoying the day.
This is what I came h0me with. I went to two wineries on Friday. I was the driver so I couldn't go too crazy. I tried many types of wine...even tried the drys and semi dry. I ended up really liking this Blackberry Merlot. Never thought I would like the red wine, but I did. Yummy. I also like the apple blend wines...sweet. I didn't really like the holiday wines...to nutmeg ...spice for my liking. It was fun. At one of the wineries there was this bus that had about 50 women who were 75 years and older. They were cracking me up at the bar when ordering their wine. I hope that is me someday...living it up and having fun. That is what it is all about.

Anything else that happened....can't tell...just look at the sign. :)

All in the Family

I love my Mom dearly, but I feel like I am turning into her OCD behavior of literally vacuuming myself out of the house. I remember as a kid we would shout at her and "Mom let's go!" She would be dusting or throwing in another load of laundry just as we would head out for a vacation or school or something else. It would drive me and everyone else in the family crazy. So here I am today doing the same things she has done and quite honestly still does. We tease her about it all the time. Why am I writing about this today? Well...

• I had to clean the toilet before I left for work today...why? Husband is home today (took the day off) and I left him a list of "honey dews" and one of the things was to clean the bathroom...I secretly thought he would forget about the toilet.
• I had to put in the towels in the washer before I left and literally reminded him at least a dozen times to put them in the dryer and even put a reminder on the list. I know I heard a yes dear.
• I almost changed my sheets this morning on the bed, but held back...left the bed unmade because hubby said he would take care of it. I hope it is made...because it drives me crazy that the bed is unmade. It was hard to leave.
• I was loading the dishwasher, putting dishes away, had to finally pry myself away and had to get to work. OMG!! I am going to start vacuuming my way out any day.
• Another thing, I probally wouldn't be so crazy, but we are leaving tonight for a 3 day weekend in Door County Wisconsin for a Fall Festival. It has a lot of wineries...so can't wait for that. The Father in Law is staying overnight tonight and the kids are staying different places each night after tonight. So I had to pack their bags and get things ready and type out lists for everyone from bus times, to lunch ideas, soccer times, etc. ( I think that is why I broke out in zits on my chin...I tend to do that when I get stressed)
• So after I leave tonight....I won't worry anymore...I swear I will relax and enjoy the wine, the beer, and the friends we will be with. I told Alyssa she could text me anytime. She was crying when I left this morning...I won't see her before I leave. She has a softball game tonight and won't be home until late. Funny...she wouldn't hardly hug me yesterday...we embarassed her at the restaurant last night. She was sinking in her seat. Emma and Brandon were laughing. Good times.
• See what I mean...I am so ADHD myself...I type random thoughts. Have a good weekend! Oh...I'll have to let everyone know all about the good wine I tried this weekend. I am going running too. The area is so beautiful I can't help myself.

Calling 911

What's this
right over our school building?
The Flight for Life Helicopter
landing for a demonstration.




Mr. Firefighter keeping an eye on things. I am so old that this one is one of my former first grade students. YIKES!!!




Not what Confessions described a few weeks back.



***Fire Safety Day***

More Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday Alyssa!! Today you are 12 years old. Where did the time go? It is so hard for me to believe that today you are 12. It seems like yesterday you were born and I became your Mom. Hiking July 2008

Dear Alyssa,

I am so proud of you and who you are becoming. You are a beautiful girl who thinks of others. You are responsible, caring, kind, thoughtful, and a good student. Know that your Mom and Dad love you so much. Know that if we get upset with you that we just care about you and are trying to guide you and teach you, not hurt you. Have a wonderful birthday.

Mom

Christmas 2007~ before contacts.

Poor Me :(

That is how I feel today. Poor me.

I got up at 4:45 am to run since we have such a busy schedule this week and evening running is out of the question due to our crazy lives this week.

I am getting dressed and all of a sudden this churning sensation is happening in my stomach ( it reminded me of the movie Along Came Polly...remember Ben Stiller at the spicy dinner and his stomach was having a conversation with him) That is how loud it was. So I say what the heck you are up go for your run. I head out the first 1.2 miles doing good...what? I hear that rumbling again I rush home ( we mapped out our neighborhood we can do a lap and it is 1.2 miles) so I run into the house...phew I made it . Husband is groggy and asks me if I sh.. myself...hahaha I say NO! Take care of business...still up for another mile...I'll take the dog this time. I head out again...what? I am not even .5 into it and I feel like I am going to explode. I see a porta pot in the neighborhood (construction workers use it) and think for a very short second I should use it so I can continue my run, however I decide to run with my cheeks squeezed and make it home. Between the time I got up and left for school today I went to the bathroom at least 8 times. How in the world can I teach kids today if I am up and gone every 15 minutes? I don't want to call in sick...because I am not going to school on Friday. (out of town for an adult weekend!!!!) So I go to work...all is good...drink some Powerade to hydrate all of what I lost.

Starting class....everything is fine until I start with this mouth watering sensation? Please no...I don't want to puke. I seriously am with all my might thinking like the engine....no you won't, no you won't....and I DIDN'T...but I sure should have. Try to eat lunch...ate half...now my stomach is speaking to me all over again. I CANNOT get the flu or some sort of sickness. I am leaving town this weekend without the children...Adult fun...this can't be happpening. I am going to suck it up for as long as I can.

I will set the alarm again for 4:45 am to run...and I will run a hell of a lot better than I did today. Holy Crap!! is all I have to say about my day so far.

Issues Among Us

The economic situation in our country is so crazy. The stock market plunged again today. The stress some families feel with this has to be overwhelming. Kids in general don't really understand all of this or any of it. Seriously, money to them seems to be handed out at ATMs just because we have a card and a pin number. Trying to help them understand this situation takes a lot of guidance and understanding that we need to cut back somewhere. We have cut back on our entertainment for sure. Less going out to eat, movies, etc.



I found this article on MSN today. How can our country pull out of this mess and who should be liable for this disastrous situation. It puts things in to perspective for me. It was a crazy day on Wall Street.



Yesterday I went to church and found that after I left, I was so cranky. The homily was so depressing that the rain yesterday summed up that experience. So between the economy, the depressing homily, I felt very cranky. ( A long run should help me out...at least I think it will)

Who is This Guy??

Went out on Saturday night to cheer on Wisconsin sporting events. Went to this pub that offers over 250 micro brews from around the world. Very cool....everyone was sporting either Brewers wear or Wisconsin Badger red. However, there were a few with Ohio State and even the Cubs (we live minutes from the Illinois border). One good thing is that the Brewers won that night...(lost Sunday...hubby was at that game and it sucked for sure) and the Badgers lost. So all in all the weekend in Wisconsin sports just SUCKED! Losses: Brewers, Packers, and Badgers, and if the Bucks were playing, they probally would of lost too. So why is my title labeled Who is This Guy?

Well...Saturday night in walks this guy...Is is Sammy Hagar, ZZ Top, who?

Look at that cool jacket...white cowboy boots!




Are we in 1985 all over again?? My BIL making a new friend.




I wanted to ask him for his autograph...got really embarrassed...not enough to drink yet.




Hubby and EC....

Birthday Madness

Happy Birthday to my very best friend.

We became friends and neighbors almost 9 years ago. We've been through many things together. We have laughed, cried, puked, been pregnant at the same time, acted like teenagers together, completed 2 triathlons together (and you kick my a$$), but most of all have developed a great friendship that I know will last a life time. Thank you for being there for me and I will always be there for you.

So Happy 33rd Birthday today to you! Cheers!!