It's All About the Weather...of Course

This has been a wonderful year. It was filled with many memories. One thing that stands out in my mind is the weather. All of my friends refer to me as Tammy the Meterologist. If you want to know the weather, just call me up and I can tell you. So it is fitting for me to post on this final day of 2008 about the weather. BTW, it is so frickin' cold here today...windchills below zero.

January 2008 brought the weirdest of weather. I was at school and on my computer was a tornado warning...what you say? A tornado warning in the beginning of January? Yes, everyone, there was a tornado that touched down only a few miles away from school. Most of the students had left for the day, except sports and clubs. Imagine sitting in the bathroom with 6-9 year olds freaking out about a tornado...it was way to weird for words. I was freaking out...I had to remain calm for the kids. One of the communites to our west was destroyed and it moved east to where I live and missed our neighborhood by just a mile or so.

We had so much snow this year at Easter I had the kids take photos outside in it. Brandon got a new shorts outfit...I told him to wear it, along with flip flops...we didn't care about what it looked like outside...it was Spring and Easter. (Snow at Easter, not that unusual, but this much maybe)

To end the year, we had almost a record breaking December for snowfall. I think we got close to 40 inches...just for this month alone. This was Christmas Eve. Tons and tons of snow. So much snow I was willing to share with everyone, now I look outside and this is what I see.

It rained all last weekend and most of it melted. Very crazy. So, cheers to the weather which everyone loves to talk about...especially me. Cheers to a new year and everything it will bring. Have fun tonight and be safe. Until 2009....

Sugar Overload

This about sums it up.

Crazy cousins...drinking soda for days and days...new toys, crazy weather, Santa came to visit, ate all of the Christmas candy in 2 days, and hopefully Brandon brushed well or yikes will be the word.

We had a great Christmas. It was a wonderful time to be with all of our family. I've enjoyed the food, fun, and all of the festivities. I now need rehab...one too many cocktails and please no more cookies. More photos soon. Hope everyone else had a great Christmas too.

I've linked to a family event that my cousin put on her blog. HoHoHo!

No More Dreams of a White Christmas

In Wisconsin there is no dreaming of a White Christmas. We have so much white stuff that I wish I could share with others. Today's snowfall is beautiful. The flakes are huge and calm. The perfect day to build a snowman. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas .

Last night Alyssa took some pictures of E while we were out celebrating my brother's birthday. I thought she looked adorable. She loves the camera.

This is what is happening right now.

We will sprinkle some reindeer food on the snow tonight, Santa and his team will for sure find their way to our home.

Blue/Orange vs Green/Gold

Monday Night Football....Packers vs Bears. My family is split right down the middle. Half like the Pack, the other half the Bears. We had everyone over for a night of football fun. The Packers only gain for this Monday night freeze was to be a spoiler in the Bears possible playoff spot. It was looking good for the green and gold until they missed a field goal at the end of the game and into overtime we went. Oh well...the Bears won and us Packer fans will have to wait until next season for another chance.

It was great because my brother and his family are here from Florida...I think the deep freeze was a shock to their systems...Oh and another winter storm system is on the way...another 12 inches by Christmas Eve. We have had our share of that these last couple weeks. I may have to go shovel...I hate that, I get intimidated by the snowblower and hubby has a work function tonight. So, I guess I'll be nice and clear the sidewalks and driveway. Me and the hubby...rooting for the green/gold

The girls are for the green and gold, my little nephew is a Bear fan, but sporting a New England Jersey.

The two girls... oops big girl was too late....

Peace boys...

Warm me Up!

What else to do on such a cold winter's day...but drink a latte...(decaf of course)

Need I say more. Just a little Starbucks to warm up on a ridiculously cold day. (-40 windchills)

E was chattin' up with her pal. Thought this was so cute.

Snow Day!!!!

The snow has been falling since midnight. We have about 12 inches on the ground and will expect about 2-3 more before it is all said and done. It is blowing and drifting and everything is shut down, schools, banks, daycares, stores, government offices, and even shutting down ramps on the interstate highway because of all of this snow. It is a great day to watch movies, bake cookies, wrap gifts, and stay in your jammies all day. Maybe even enjoy a cocktail at lunch.

The kids tried to play outside, but the wind wasn't much fun. They lasted about 20 minutes. Maybe later it will be better to try out the sleds and tubes and enjoy all this white stuff. Before the next round comes in Sunday. I believe another 3-5 inches. It will be a White Christmas and my nephews from Florida will have snow to play in this time when they come to visit next week.

If you click on the photos you can see a better look at all of this snow that is falling.

What's in Your Creepy Box?

That was the topic of discussion on the radio this morning as I am traveling to work. The reason....the creepiest story would win tickets to some concert. Some of the call ins were quite weird. I would call them creepy fetishes. I will just share a few with you...

• I find clowns sexy
• I have a secret stash of Star Wars figurines that I pull out and play with (mature adult talking) and the light saber too.
• I pleasure myself at work while in the bathroom while rubbing on the toilet seat...I need release.
• I take pictures with my cell phone of my "Lincoln Logs" after a night out...boy they are special looking like the day after drinking green beer.
• I love using adult toys with my partner...(not all that weird).

I know there were more, but I waited too long to type this out. I believe the winner was the Lincoln Log guy....by the way these were mostly men, but the toilet seat one was a girl. OMG these people have weird things going on. So what is in your creepy box?

Scrooge?

I must be feeling like a scrooge this week or something.

Our student council decided to have a spirit week this week of all weeks. The week before Christmas when all of the students are jazzed up anyways. Another thing to add to this madness is the fact that it has been indoor recess for days because of the cold weather. The wind chill is below zero.

Yesterday was clash day...not a huge deal. At first I was wondering who dressed these kids yesterday because I forgot all about it.

Today however is dress like your favorite super hero or role model. Guess what? It is Halloween all over again. I have power rangers, cats, spiderman, etc. The kids came in hopped up like they all drank a red bull and had a bowl of sugar for breakfast...what were they thinking doing this?

The rest of the week isn't too bad. Tomorrow is wear colors according to your grade level. At least second grade is red. Thursday is Red Carpet Day...maybe I should get into the spirit and put on my 80s Prom Dress. Friday is holiday shirt day...don't have one, so I may stop at Target and see what I can find.

Enough of being a scrooge...I should lighten up and be thankful that the kids can put their costumes to use and wear them more than once.

Why do I Work Out...Cookies of Course

The benefits of working out 5 days a week.

Yes, that is correct, I work out on average 5 days a week. I run, do step classes, boot camps, weightlifting, and strengthening for starters. I feel guilty when I can't do something. In my mind I think if I don't go, I will gain weight almost instantly. Sometimes hubby says I can't relax and have a good time on the weekends because of my workout regimen. I would have to agree sometimes I do think about it and get obsessed about it. I wish I could change that somehow....anyways.

I have a favorite work out instructor who is highly motivating and bounces with energy all the time. I think that is why I like her is because I am very much like her....I have lots of energy. (Hubby would disagree come "bed" time). Every season comes a new goal or something fun to look forward too. Spring is usually let's get ready for hot legs in shorts. Summer let's have a hot bod for a bikini, Fall is let's think about making goals for the upcoming holiday season like fitting into a awesome looking dress. So once winter and the Christmas season arrives, it is all about talking about cookies. Yes...cookies and fattening cookies....no low fat stuff. So every year our instructor does a countdown to our annual cookie exchange. She looks forward to this and begins talking cookies in October.

This past weekend (in all of my spare time...not so much) I made 3 different types of cookies to exchange at our annual event. It was tonight and boy it was worth it. I almost forgot my shoes just thinking about all of the delicious cookies that I would be able to sample. I know that I could treat myself because my goodness I just worked out and sweat my arse off. To be honest, my cookies were the best. I don't mean to brag, but they were. Because when I came home I tried to look for something I would try and wouldn't you know it, I picked mine. I will eat some of the others, but I am sure the kids or hubby will get to them first.

It felt funny bringing in a plate of fattening baked goods to the Y...the gawkers were jealous of our little party. We even toasted with sparkling cider.

Back to the gym tomorrow....

That is why I work out 5 days a week...cookies!

Is it Beer Thirty Yet?

Talk about a Crazy Friday....



First of all I feel like total C.R.A.P!!! I have this head cold that drove my husband crazy last night. I kept him up all night with my moaning, sniffling, coughing, and blowing my nose. I decided I couldn't call in sick to work because I have a pretty easy Friday...lots of prep periods...so I guess I can suffer through my misery and not take a sick day. I really wanted too, but I am here.



It is inside recess today...the windchill is well below zero and it is unbelievably cold here. A girl in my class tempted that by deciding to stick her tongue to a pole as soon as she got to school today. I had to start my day by talking to my class about how that is a dumb thing to do. I hope they all don't try it just because we talked about it. I also told them that even if someone double-dogged dared them, say NO!



There are substitute teachers everywhere in my building today. If I would of called in sick...the lady who does the sub calling probably would of killed me. I am the only teacher on my team here today. Talk about a nightmare. The one sub is like Viola Swamp from the Black Lagoon. I walk into the classroom where she is subbing and I hear her say "Boys No Fencing, karate kicking, or stabbing things with pencils!" WTH....7 and 8 year old don't even know what Fencing is...I rescue a couple of girls to get some supplies for their math period this afternoon. This is the same nut job lady I had to eat lunch with today. I thought I was going to go crazy.

The other sub...I really like her. I call her "Myrtle"...because she looks like one. She is this Grandmother lady who is so sweet, but she is awfully lonely and LOVES to talk your ear off. I see her once in a while at the grocery store and I have to dive behind the produce so she doesn't see me...if she does...it is a half hour conversation. She also likes to mumble to herself and use words like kids we must perservere...the kids at this age are like What?? did you say? God love her though.

Even though I am tawking like thwis and can't breathe thrwough my nose...I am having date night with hubby tonight. Maybe some Christmas shopping and a "nightcap" is exactly what I need to fweel bwetter.

***Before I left for work today I had a mini meltdown. My house is a mess and we are going to a waterpark tomorrow overnight....When will I find time to clean,do laundry, pick up crap and whatever else? I am sure it will be fine, but I had to freak about it...because that is what I do...

Middle School Nightmares

My friend emails me this morning and says she wanted to give me a heads up on Middle School Girls. She was watching a segment on The Today Show that says 1 in every 5 middle school girls will take naked photos of themselves and send them through their phones to others. The segment talks about kids taking photos and sending them to their friends and then another group taking photos a little more risky and sending it and then forwarding to all of their friends for everyone to see.

The reason for the heads-up...I have a middle-school daughter and she has a cell phone. I can't imagine she would take pictures of herself...let alone naked...and send them to her friends. Kids these days forward messages on their phones like adults forward messages through emails. There are mornings that she turns on her phone and there are 15 forward messages. They are usually harmless...like send this to 15 friends so we have a snow day...dumb stuff like that. I guess now I need to check in more often and snoop around her phone. She does have a camera on that thing. I did look and the only photos are of dogs and non-naked things.

The other night at her band concert was very interesting. I was seated right next to the waiting area or holding area for the kids who weren't playing at that time. (It brought back memories) The kids were laughing at dumb stuff, girls were flirting with the boys ( you know the hitting type stuff or the pointing and laughing thing), some were even writing and passing notes. I even caught my own daughter acting like a nut. That is what growing up is...having fun, doing dumb stuff, NOT taking naked pictures and passing them to friends. I will not take naked pictures of myself...I can't imagine if someone got a hold of those....the scandal it would create...innocent or not.

I guess it is time to once again sit down with the middle-school girl and talk about things that are appropriate and not so much. We had the sex talk a while back because of similar type warnings on shows like The Today Show. I just want her to be safe and make good decisions. Growing up these days is so not like when I was her age. I think I believed in Santa until I was 12. hahahaha

Oh Well....not Enough for a Snow Day

I didn't get my snow day today. I don't live in the right spot in Wisconsin today. We saw rain and sleet down here by me. It is suppose to turn to all snow later today, but not enough to call off school. North and West of us they can see up to 12 inches or more....yikes...and how fun!

I had plans today. I wanted to bake cookies, address my Christmas cards, wrap presents, watch a movie, and even catch up shows on the DVR. I guess that's not happening...so I will be thankful that hubby doesn't need to snowblow today (maybe a little later...not this morning). He had other pressing plans today that if things were cancelled, he would of been seriously bummed out. His company is hosting a breakfast with Donald Driver from the GreenBay Packers. I am so excited because for Christmas Brandon will be getting a signed Jersey from #80! He will be so thrilled.

I really can't complain because in 10 days I will have a full 2 week vacation. I am so looking forward to that.

****Side note....
The students are at their lockers this morning and all I hear is OMG there is a spider. A girl is going nuts....yelling at it...another student is saying don't hurt that cute little spider, what did it ever do to you. ? It is an innocent creature....in the next breath and stomp...bye bye spider.

A lot of Blog Love

I am feeling so loved in Bloggerland. I was nominated for many things last week and tagged too. It feels so good to get these awards. Now, if I could get recognition like this in my job. In a sense I do. The real test will be in a couple of weeks when Christmas rolls around. I am hoping my students paid close attention to my favorites. ( Diet Mountain Dew, Diet Coke, coffee, chocolate, scents of the seasons...candles, plug ins, etc) I look like some caffeine junkie. Oh well....I wouldn't trade my job this year for anything....it is great and I am so thankful. Anyways, on to the awards....



First up...Carrie at Confessions . You are tagged at the bottom of this. You rock girl. I nominate you for the middle two and the tag at the bottom.

She nominated me for the Butterfly award. I look forward to her reads. She is so honest and funny. I get my "southern" fix by reading her thoughts. Thanks!

The rules for this award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you

3. Nominate 10 other blogs

4. Add links to those blogs on yours

5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

So for the butterfly award, I nominate.......

Shelly at Just the Girl....she takes great photos and has the cutest family.

Kat at Seeking Sanity....she is from my home state and has such cute little ones at home

Adlibby....I loved her post on forty year olds....my gut hurt from laughing.

Jennifer at Another Online Mom...she has the best tips and ideas....she is like our own personal shopper.

Dr. Wifey....a newer blog to me, but love her interesting job and her southern ways.

P at Life is Better with a Cute Outfit... just like the title. She has a love for shoes and so do I.

Mrs. D at A Dash of Crazy...another newer blog for me. She is a teacher with great stories.

More Wine Please...I love the photos she takes. She is a great photographer.

Mommyvents...I love how she cusses sometimes to get her point across. Very funny blog... love it.

Laurie at Newly-weddedwife...she knows the latest fashions and TV world gossip.

Now the rules with this award dictate that I include these kind words:"This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Thank you Adlibby for these awards.

Thank you Jennifer at Another Online Mom.

I tag you for the Butterfly award and the other two also.

The rules are simple:
1. Show the icon on your blog
2. Tag seven others to partake in the fun times.
3. List ten random things about yourself.

Ten Random Things About Myself

1. I hate the sound of a dental drill...makes my skin crawl.



2. I have never been to Florida.



3. I would love to be on the show Survivor.



4. I pace the house if I don't get a chance to work out.
   
5. I am doing a snow dance today.


6. I want to stay home tomorrow and make Christmas cookies.
   
   
7. I drink a Diet Mountain Dew every morning after coffee.


8. Mint Mojito gum by Orbit is awesome.
   
9. I love Gone with the Wind. It is a great movie.
   
10. I crave chocolate..only once a month. Just take a guess when?
    
    

Thank you to everyone for all of these. For the 10 blogs I named, you can snag all of these awards and honors. You are all well deserving of these things. Thanks so much for reading and making comments. :)

It's Over Already....

My weekend recap.....

• I got into a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament on Saturday. I was third place...didn't win anything. It was about 4-5 hours of cards. So, I didn't get much accomplished on Saturday...like laundry, Christmas shopping, grocery shopping, and other household chores. We started playing cards around 3:00 and returned home around 9:00. It wasn't a hardship since I walked just a few short steps to our bffs next door. It was a wild card game for sure. My hubby took second place and won some of the pot. Great time with super people.
• Sunday decided to get some Christmas shopping done. I did some of that, but still need to do a few more things. I feel like such a procrastinator. In years past, I would be done by now...I haven't wrapped anything and have everything in bags and boxes in my room.
• Had to do grocery shopping....I HATE GROCERY SHOPPING. I can't handle all of the people and the amount of time it takes for me to do it. I never write a list because I would forget to look at it anyway so half the time I have to back track to pick up things I missed. Also, people are so rude...you can't stop in the middle of an aisle and chat with your long lost cousin and expect me to wait for you. I say excuse me and OMG the looks sometimes. I made it through the store. Get home and now I have to unpack all of the stuff. Thank goodness for Hubby who is waiting for me. He unpacked most of it.
• So, now it is Sunday night. I could use tomorrow for all the stuff I didn't do and another day to watch a movie and catch up on my favorite shows. Alyssa has been hounding me to watch Ugly Betty with her....hopefully I can get to it before she goes to bed.
• At least someone in the family can relax and look at us and wonder why aren't we all taking it easy. She is the cutest family member ever...Zena....

• 
  I may get my wish for an extra day off.....they are predicting a 6-12 inch snowfall Monday night into Tuesday....just maybe...a snow day. I will do my dance before bed tomorrow night.

Itchy, Itchy...Not Chicken Pox

'Tis the season to be thankful...falalalalalalala....

This school year in my classroom there has been chronic cases of kids who get lice. When I say chronic I mean chronic. I have had a student who has missed about 17 days due to this problem. It is horrible. We even called the health dept. so the family could get help with this problem. Yesterday while I am teaching a different student is scratching her head off like nuts...flipping her hair and scratching. I say "Poptart" why don't you go to the nurse and see why you are itching....I think winter has made your head dry and scratchy. (Don't want everyone to know I think ....hey you have lice). She comes back from the nurse and sure enough nits. I am itching now...thinking this "poptart" was flipping her hair on me and scratching like mad...what if I have lice now.

I tell my husband this story and he thinks I need to get checked and OMG if you bring these critters home, your school will need to hire someone to "bomb" our house and pay for the cost of this....blah, blah, blah.....

This morning my whole class had to get checked....I told them it is our turn to make sure we have clean hair. However the repeat offenders know exactly why....they call it getting checked for bugs. It turns out I have 2 kids in here with nits...noone is home to come and get them from school...so I have to suffer and pray these suckers don't hatch today. (The repeat offenders have it again!)

I got checked for ease my fears because I was going nuts....I am clean! No critters growing on my scalp. That is why I can sing Falalalalalalala LAAAAA!

P.S. They got picked up....now I can relax until Monday.

Oh No!

The sky is so blue today. The sun is shining and looking out the window it seems so beautiful out. The the true reality is that the weather here is bitter cold. The kind of cold that takes your breath away. I am glad I don't have recess duty today.



On a side note, if you live in an area where there is snow on the road....please, please learn how to drive or hire someone to drive you or take a bus or a cab or something!! Because this morning, I was having a few moments of road rage...idiots on the road. No need to go 30 in a 55 zone. ( it wasn't snowing or was there even snow on the road) Or someone who wants to be a jerk and just toy with you so you get stuck behind a bus just to p..s you off. What is wrong with people. I am glad I don't have children in my car anymore on the drive to work...today was ugly.

I Am the Lucky One

My husband left this note for me in our workout/laundry room.

Hearts are courtesy of Alyssa...she thought it should be decorated a bit.

Winter has Arrived

This is the view from my classroom window. It was a snowy day in Wisconsin. Some schools had off because of the blowing and drifting. We had school, which is fine because we just had a five day weekend. I like snow days in January after the holidays and you could just use a day off and since it is so cold, a little more time to stay all snuggly in your bed. The only thing I hated about this was driving in it. It wasn't too bad, but I still hated it.


The courtyard at school.

Happy Snowy Monday!