He's here.

Lootah Hall.

He is absolutely beautiful. M&C are parents, it is so crazy.
Check out the most precious little guy in the video.

Check out what I did today. I am pretty proud of myself. I know, the 'living room' is kind of close quarters but I like it better out of the way. Now, we can get that huge dining room table that I want and it will fit in the new spot! Cool!

This show cracks me up...

Well, I guess I just needed a break. It has been so long since I have written anything. I just haven't felt the creative urge. Now that all of these people read it, I feel pressure to be extra witty and well, I just can't do it on command.

I figured that I should put a picture of Jerky up here because it is named after him after all and I haven't been putting pics up of him lately. He is mad at me in this picture because I was trying to dress him up like a witch right before and well, needless to say, he wasn't happy about it. He sure is a handsome devil though, dontcha think?

I have been listening to a ton of music lately. There is so much good stuff out there. I find myself kind of in a rut though. I am drawn to the same types of melancholy men singers...I don't know what it is, but Damien Rice, Amos Lee, Ray Montagne and now this new guy John West are all so talented. What would life would be like without music?

I am almost certain that it would be pretty horrible.

We went to the pumpkin patch on Sunday. This is one of my favorite pictures from the day. I like Marcus, he's funny and turnin out to be quite the ham. Cute picture of mom and Bob too.

This Saturday is ladie's night so there should be more pictures from our partying. We are in serious need of female companionship and want to have a day where it is just girly stuff. Even though I am not exactly girly...shopping and having coffee with the girls (okay, a cocktail, I'm not fooling anyone) is a necessity. So, there you have it.

We had dinner with Mica and Courtney on Saturday. 2 more weeks for her to 'drop her pup' as Euan puts it. Amazing...Mica a mom...crazy. Mike and I haven't had anyone up for dinner in a really long time so we thought that we would make a really tasty dinner. And we did! Well, Mike made most of it. First course was...well, I'll count the appetizers. I made roasted tomatoes and caramelized onions and we had them with bread and cheese, then Mike made Spinach Ravioli with Kabocha Squash and Chevre filling and Brown Butter Sage Sauce, then, Caesar Salad with my homemade croutons, and then for dinner (funny, we've already eaten a ton right? well, you know if you have ever eaten here, it is by now 11pm) we had braised shortribs over polenta and veggies. I made a little fig almond tart for dessert too but none of us could eat it all because we were so full and plus it was midnight. It was a great dinner though and we also had some lovely wines of course.

I like this picture because it looks like Mike is leaning forward because he thought he was going to get kissed or something...cute.

Okay, there you have it, my first blog in like a month. I will try and be better.

Now, go braise yourself some shortribs and listen to Death Cab for Cutie's song "I will follow you into the dark". Such a great song.

Later taters.

sc

Hi there. Here is a video from the fair today. I wanted to go because I have missed it for the last few years in a row. I was excited to be there and ready to buy something funky. I had $40 to spend on something that I didn't need. We walked around the entire plaza and I didn't see one thing. Then the All Species parade started up and around they went. Funny stuff. BUT, it was kind of depressing too because it just isn't what it once was. People used to get really into the parades and the dancing but it was kindof a piss poor showing if you ask me. I mean, why are those people in the parade if they aren't even dressed up? They are just walking around with their arms crossed holding up cardboard signs. Is that what the All Species was like before? I don't remember it being that lame.

Here are the last two pictures. Now you know what my room kindof looks like. Well, I need to go to bed and get some actual sleep tonight. Tomorrow is Friday...woohoo!

Okay, I am having a heck of a time posting pictures. So, it looks like I have to a new entry for each stupid picture, so that's what I am going to try to do until I figure something else out.

Sorry.

Mint Ice Cream is my favorite...

We were able to get into my classroom today. The color that they painted it is nausiating. When they asked me, I picked out blues...blue counter tops, floors, etc. They said, 'oh yeah, that's what I thought you would like!' and then I show up three days ago and it looks like...I don't know...really bright and just gross. BUT, I am refusing to be negative from this point on and I am choosing to be excited instead. So check out the before and afters...there have been a lot of changes and it looks a lot different. I am going to sincerely miss the various flourescent countertop colors but I bet I will get used to the new ones.


The new room is nice with all of the shiny silver appliances. It's amazing that they did this for my program. That makes me feel good...not good enough to stay for years on end, but good! (staying positive as best I can).

Can you fly this plane and land it?
Surely you can't be serious.
I am serious, and don't call me Shirley.

Well, off we go. I thought I would get a good night's sleep tonight but no, of course not. But it should be fun. I will be in my newly remodeled class room with my new, shiny equipment and my kids will all be happy so I BETTER be too!
I am actually going to bed in about five minutes. I just need to go over in my head before I pass out, everything that I have to do for the next three days. This includes the two wedding cakes that I have to do...yikes.

Mike is in all his glory. He loves this. He spent time putting his room together...meanwhile I am sitting in front of the computer putting together a syllabus for the next year. Ugh. I procrastinate soooo much. But we will both have fun in our own ways. I just can't wait until the caterings start. That is when we have the most fun and get the most out of the class.

My neck looks a little tweaked in this picture but it was the only one that we had from the concert.

Okay, wish us luck! We will be sleeping in on Sunday for sure! So don't call before 9:30!

Here are two songs by Ben Harper. He's great and if you don't know what he sounds like, then listen to one or both of these.

Check this one out too. It was soooooo fun.

No, say it ain't so!

Tomorrow is the day, we will be there bright and early and it all begins again. A whole new set of kids with a whole new set of issues...good and bad.

We just got back from the Bay Area. I had so much fun. Ben Harper was AMAZING! He was so good and I just can't even put it into words!
Here we are having a little cocktail before we go in...man I'm short!

Here they are after the cocktails. We were really excited because it was first come first serve as far as seating went so we were going to get some really great seats or concrete slab areas...they don't really have seats there.

We took a video...see if this link works. I am new to this so we shall see. It was a great time and I can't wait to go again! It will be quick and you really need to look close. Hank and I are dancing and you can't really see Anna...but then you can totally see Ben Harper...did you know that he is married to Laura Dern. weird.

Gotta go to bed. So, go listen to By My Side by Ben Harper. It is a great song.

Goodnight and wish us luck for another school year!

Here is a cake that I did on July 15th. This was the Saturday that we all went up to the ranch...and swam in the river and laughed soooo hard. The last weekend that I saw Tim. It was a lot of fun that night and there was much tequila involved along with headlamps. What a bunch of nerds we are sitting around a dark cabin all staring eachother in the eyes with those damn headlamps! Funny.
Nice cake though...except it you look closely, you can see the ribbon getting grease stained from the buttercream...but oh well. They loved the cake!

Nice...


Here we are jammin'. Uhhhh...I don't exactly know what song we were playing but I am almost certain that it sounded good. This was Tim's birthday party.



Here he is later that night...he had a lot of fun that night. I think that we all did but he's the only one that ended up on the floor.

There is now a link to a blog for Tim and Brian off to the side there.
It's tiki torches at twilight...a song by David Lindley who he listened to all of the time.

I still have no words to say. I can't form thoughts. All I have in me is drained out...I feel so sad and lifeless. Ugh. I can't look at pictures, I can't sit and think, I can't focus.

This is the most shitty deal ever.

I can't imagine a time when I won't cry for Tim and when I won't be sad anymore. It seems impossible.

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

I miss you...uncontrollably.
I never knew that I could hurt this much.

No, no, don't speak--for some moments in life there are no words.

We made it back. I apologize for not writing while I was away...but you have heard all about it! I could sit here and give you a day by day recap but I don't really think that it would do my trip justice. It was so much deeper than that for me.
When I tell people that I went away and worked, they don't understand. I was completely aware of what I was in store for. LIndsay told me and I knew...that was that. Everyone around was amazed that I was there doing that and quite frankly, it's sad that everyone is so amazed. Could they never imagine helping a friend that asks? That is just what I will do when she says she needs help...fly across the U.S. to do it. And it was hard and a little tiring but who cares I had one of the best times that I have had in a VERY long time. The reason for that is because of the time that I got to spend with LIndsay and Frazier... They are two of my favorite people and I just adore them...I can't really put it into words. Ever since I have met Lindsay, I have felt connected with her and now, I feel lucky to say that about Frazier too. It was a really good thing for me to go and I feel better about my life knowing that I have them as friends. It was really hard for me to say good bye and thinking about being there and thinking about them makes me weepy, I can't explain. I just hope that you all get to meet them soon.

When we got back to town I had three days to throw together a 5 tiered wedding cake. I have learned my lesson again about letting them handle the flowers. I say, "make sure that they are small please, otherwise they look really strange on the cake...". and they say, "oh yeah, no problem..." Um, yeah...problem. I show up and the roses are large and have bloomed. They had rose buds too but they were giant rose buds, it was weird, they were like abnormally large. So, I just took the roses and jammed them into the base layer of the cake and then just did the best I could with what I had and then peeled out in the driveway. At least I heard that the bride was happy and that everyone was raving about the cake...so, I feel okay about it but not as good as I could have felt if everything would have gone perfectly...
Oh well, live and learn. I feel no guilt in cashing this check!
So, that's all I have for now. I am now just back home and back at it. I feel ready to do more...I feel awakened and ready for harder challenges whatever they may be. But I am now, once again, on my path to have my own business and I am kind of tired of waiting for...well, what exactly am I waiting for??
Tonight for dinner, we are having 'Red Pepper and Corn Soup with Basil'. Sounds good to me.
Later ya'll.

I am in fricken bootcamp.

Okay, I go up this morning at 8:30 their time, had breakfast, we chatted, and then went right to the sugar shack to work. She (Lindsay) has about a 1/2 acre of plowed field that we were working in today. I am officially a redneck (no comments ASS). They also have these flies here that bite and actually draw blood. You would love em Bob. We were working in the fields, swatting flies, and getting burnt all day...I put sunscreen on but forgot to get the back of my arms and that space above your pants where your shirt lifts up...yep, I have a nice little strip.
I am having a blast though. Everyone should do a vacation like this. These girls are great and will be great for me. They don't eat wheat, they have 3 sensible meals a day, they follow a routine, it's great. I feel like when I am done with the next couple of days, I will have had a REALLY good workout.
I totally understand now the vision. You see, where we are is totally rural. There aren't really grocery stores around. There are tons of boutique stores, bed and breakfasts, 'Inns', si resorts and fruit stands. So, Lindsay is opening a gourmet fruit stand. It makes total sense in this area. We are going on a hunt for good maple candy tomorrow along with a lot more planting of herbs. Today we made super long mounds for squashes and then planted sunflowers, cantaloupe, watermelon, fava beans, green beans, snap peas, corn, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, acorn squash and pumpkins...oh yeah, clover and wildflowers too but that was easy. She had this cart thingy that spins out the seeds as you walk with it. It was hard work but TOTALLY rewarding. We got so much done.
I will let you know tomorrow how I feel, I have a feeling my back is going to hurt and these bites are going to itch.
We had a yummy salad with grilled chicken breasts. I feel totally satisfied. What feels really great is just being able to collaborate and brainstorm about food. I love that and once we get going, we get excited...okay, I will keep you informed as far as the progress goes. Hopefully I will get some pictures soon, we just need Frazier to get the program up on the computer and then we can.
Talk to you all soon!

'an artist is never poor.'


wow. so true.

2nd day of summer break and I have to be to work at 8:30 to do who knows what for who knows how much. I remember last summer...making like $8.00 an hour there. wow. thanks.
I don't even ask anymore because then it would get weird and I certainly don't work there because I need to...ya know...so, I just do it and have fun and then come home and feel really good about food, in a way I don't feel for about 10 months out of the year. I can't really explain it in any other way.

Tonight we had sean and ar and aidan over for the first time since spring break! Damn, what a long time to go without even talking. we just get so into routine it's scary. It was fun though, nothing has changed The house was just as messy too. I had been working all day to do these damn sample cakes that I offer. I would love to be able to put a picture up but I have no way to download them right now.

I am in Vermont. I have been traveling all day and I am pretty tired. It is only 9. The flights were crazy. I have not traveled by myself since I went to France and well, for those of you that know me, I don't like to fly much. So, the first flight started off awesome. We watched an incredibly stupid movie called 'failure to launch', dumb but watchable...then, it started getting bumpy and the seatbelt sign came on. The captian came on and said, "stewardesses, please take your seats immediately." So, of course I get freaked out. But we land fine after I am sweating and white knuckling it in the whole way. I swear, we landed on just one wheel too because the plane was totally tilted. I found myself leaning to the right like that would actually make a difference...funny.
Once inside Chicago's airport, I found that my gate was like 6 gates away. So, I didn't get to go into the tunnel of neon which would have been cool. Oh well.
When I was waiting for the plane, I was sitting across from this adorable couple that was so sweet. They were ofcourse younger than me (everyone is younger than me these days) and were just so into each other...well, when boarding the plane, I walked past them and he handed her a box. She opened it and it was a little wooden box with blue sand, a sea shell and a giant diamond ring. She said in her broken English, "are you serious?" It was so sweet! I was beaming and I didn't even know them...I was also waiting to hear her answer but there were anxious peeps behind me. It was very cute though and then the captian came on and congratulated them...so she must have said yes.
THEN, like 20 min into the flight, the captian did the same thing..."please take your seats immediately, it is going to be bumpy for atleast the next 10 min." Well, it was. SOOOO bumpy. Where it would do those drops and leave your stomach in your throat...yeah, those. I thought I was bad, there was a woman in front of me crying. Seriously.
I landed, they were late and I didn't care, I was just happy to be on the ground.
On the way home, we stopped at a Red Robin for dinner. Holy Moly, it was totally a chain hamburger kinda place but it was so good. I had chicken just so ya know. Then two hours later we got here and went to bed. They were very tired and so was I.
Okay, since I can't put any pics up, I am signing off for now. I will write more when I can. Miss all of you!

Don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he always wanted.

What happened?

He lived happily ever after.



I am a woman of simple pleasures. Right now, I am happy listening to Amos Lee, sitting in OUR house, watching our cats live a very comfortable life, knowing that I have a good job to drive to tomorrow...all of this after having a lovely dinner with my beautiful family.
Why do I have so many questions? I absolutely cannot wait to be in Vermont in 12 days...seriously. What I think about while my head is in the clouds is "wow, what if I just love it, being there with Lindsay and Frazier and then Mike shows up and looks around and says, 'this is totally do-able' and we decide to come back!" Yeah, I know, but NO ONE has EVER accused me of being grounded and logical. What if???!!! Really. What if it was THAT COOL? Wouldn't that just be amazing? Who can argue with that?
You know what else? I think that this was my hardest year of teaching yet. I know, it was only my third year and it is only going to get harder. BUT, the longer I stay, the more intwined I get with my students. You see, it was my hardest year and yet it was my best. I have met some people that I feel lucky to know. Honestly. I think in my HROP class, I have the most awesome opportunity. I have met some people that have experienced some things in their life that I never have and who have taught me a lot. In that class there is every little aspect of person...does that make sense? I have the jock/religeous kid, the goth girl with the cheating boyfriend, the independant girl living on her own in a trailor...struggling to hang on, there is the adopted girl that has had a seriously hard life...I mean serious..., the girl who's mom was/is a drug addict and now lives with friends of the family, the boy who has a loving family and yet hates them, NW who has a great family life and a good boyfriend and will probably be married at the age of 19 and last but not least, the girl with many siblings that she has to take care of way too often and just can't wait to get as far away from Humboldt as she can! I mean, just hanging out with them is eyeopening. On Friday, I was with one student that helped me with a catering job. I started asking her about her dad...it went a little something like, "so, where's your dad now?" "I don't know, last I heard, Bridgeville"...apparently, this guy has been in and out of jail for all sorts of things and now ignores the fact that he has two daughters. The funny or sad thing is that I could totally relate. My dad knows where to find me. He doesn't though. Why? That is the question we both were asking on Friday...together, this 15 year old and me were asking the same questions...how can a parent have a kid and then just act like they don't exist? Why bother if you can't deal? UGH.
So, I think I have a lot to deal with this summer and yet, I know that at least I do have family that is close and here and willing to be all there is and yet...I still miss him...terribly...sorry. Even though I am 31 and Francisco is...well...however old he is...I KNOW we both get bugged and bothered at the mention of dad's name. Because...no, not everything is "cool" and "alright" and no, we won't always be 'buds' and damn...just call, okay? Look at what you are missing. Okay, so maybe we are a bunch of dorks but still, you can't tell me he has anyone in his life that replaces this...right?
Last weekend, we had fun with HandA! We went to The Pearl Lounge...it was right before the election and it was Arts Alive so it was busy. We ran into MandC and proceeded to have a lovely evening.

Man, have I mentioned how great Damien Rice is? The song "Volcano"? Great song.

How come no one leaves me wonderful, thoughtful comments on my blog?

Mickey's a mouse, Donald's a duck, Pluto's a dog. What's Goofy?

Goofy's a dog. He's definitely a dog.

He can't be a dog. He wears a hat and drives a car.

God, that's weird. What the Hell is Goofy?




On our way home from making food for 200 people, we wanted to take note of how well we were able to maintain our good moods and sense of humor. The only bummer is that the guy taking the picture only got the top of his head, you can see it there at the bottom...and Triscuit only showed us his sleeve...maroon at that...that dang goth...:)

They are a funny bunch of happy kids...

A flute with no holes is not a flute. And, a doughnut with no hole is a Danish.

Okay, everyone, I need your opinion...should I leave it long or cut it off again? I can't decide.

It is Wednesday evening. There are only 11 days left for me to actually have to be on campus. That is great news.
Today I had a doctor's appt and I had the best secretary ever book me a sub for the whole morning. Originally, they told me that the appt would take that long and it was at 9. Well, I went there, went into the lab room when they called my name, the lab guy (looked like he was 18) drew a vile o' blood and said, "okay, that's it! Have a good day!" It was like 9:07. It was great, I went and hung out at Los Bagels, went to Borders, went and bought Chatty a pair of blue pants...yep, blue...and I bought some stuff too. You ever been to the mall at 10 a.m. on a weekday? I was pretty much the only one there...well, me and those people that go there for exercise, you know, they do laps around the mall early in the morning? Funny.
Then I went back to school a little before lunch and actually got some nagging paperwork done. It was a good day.
We have one official catering left but they don't need to work at that one...but they need to make like 400 mini tarts for it...ahhhh, no biggie.

I just got back from my cycle camp. It was good. The crazy Cajun who leads the class makes us do a lot of exercises with our own body weight...which I have plenty of! But you see, I am soooo sore. Sunday we went on a ride which I thought was okay. I did just 'ok'. I am not pleased with my progress. I certainly do not expect to keep up with the guys but I want to go on a ride where they aren't just 'cruisin' and I am still struggling to keep them in my sights. But, my back got sore from the ride, not so sure why. Then on Monday, I gardened a lot and my back was even tighter, then on Tuesday I ran on the treadmill. I haven't done that in like two months so my legs are superduper sore because jogging uses way different muscles than riding...and then today, The Cajun had us doing all of these lunges and other weird exercises that I don't know the name of and man, to make a long story short, I am worked over. BUT, tomorrow, ASS is going to join me and Chatty in spin class so that should be fun.

This weekend was pretty fun. It was mom's bday party. We had ourselves a little fiesta in the rain, and I think mommasan had a fun time. I know I sure did...except my flan didn't turn out. It was quite strange. Oh well.

So, I know I talk about my students a lot and it is because I adore them. I always get the outcasts of society for some reason. They have a hard time in the 'popular' realm and I think that it's just because no one their age really knows how to talk or say things that mean something...for example...today, my fav student, the religious boy, and I were working side by side. He was very quiet. He's a thinker. I kept grabbing the tart shells that he was making and repairing them here and there and I asked, "am I annoying you yet?" and he says, "no, of course not, you're keeping me company." and I said, "but we're not even talking," and he says, "don't you realize that your presence alone can make a huge impact on someone?" (he makes me smile to myself a lot.) ...he is something else I tell ya'. Maybe that doesn't sound like much to ya'll but when you hang out with teenagers all day and all you hear is them talking about getting shit faced and partying and how stupid school is and so on and then you hear something like that, you pause, or at least I do. I am reminded of the fact that I get the best students in the whole school. Period. I am lucky that I get to meet such cool kids that are not given the time of day by most...man, everyone else is missing out!
Okay, on that note, good night. I will put some pics up tomorrow from our last catering job (that went VERY well, thank you very much). We got some funny shots, and I have some funny photos from the fiesta...
Later taters!!!

Dr. Rumack:
What was it we had for dinner tonight?
Elaine Dickinson:
Well, we had a choice: steak or fish.
Dr. Rumack:
Yes, yes, I remember, I had lasagna.

Anyone, anyone???? What movie?

We have our second to last catering tomorrow for 200 people. It is a wine and brew tasting at the wharfinger and I am sitting on my ass yet again while I should be making f@*king Thai Peanut sauce x 20 for these folks. Ahhh, yes, I think it will be fine, just let me finish this glass of wine...

So, last night I started my "Cycle Camp" where they (Bill) train you and your body to be a better rider. It was a lot of exercise using your own body weight and it was REALLY hard and now I feel it. It was all about balance and I and the Quaker are the only ones in the class. Anyone read NCJournal? Then you'll know who the quaker is...there was a story on the quakers (all three of them) a while back...anywho, she is funny yet slightly uncomfortable and a tad...gangly, but I still think she's interesting. So, he had us jumping up on benches, doing pushups, situps, all kinds of crap and I hurt now. Now, I can't go tomorrow cause of this job but man oh man, I am determined to beat Chatty and Smith...okay and Francisco up a hill at some point in my life! Also, I just bought my ticket to VT tonight!! I am so excited! I get to go hang out with L and F for NINE days!! WOOHOO! So, I get to go riding with Frazier too! WOOHOO!
So, I am just going to say it...at WW tonight is was the FOURTH week in a row where I weighed the same! UGH! I am working hard...hold on...I need to finish this wine...ahhh..okay, where was I? Yeah, I have been going to Spin class and now this cycle camp thingie and I really haven't been eating that much and then Lucky Larry down at the meeting has the balls to say I shouldn't eat my activity points! Yeah, right, you know how hungry you get after working out! What ever, that guy is a curse!
Okay, I am going to make Thai Pnut sauce! GO SOUL PATROL!! Yeah, I am a major dork but since when do I care?
Later taters...oh yeah, we had caramelized black pepper chicken for dinner tonight and umm, well, I don't like it anymore. I will probably never make it again...bummer.
Okay, see you all on Saturday!
Oh yeah, that's not quite everything...check out this picture...okay, I have two maybe more, churchgoing kids...this is a pic of them on our trip...very cool that it would look like this behind them, it almost makes you believe...


The guy in the picture is who I wish was my little brother...and you know, he kinda treats me like he's my little brother. I am too young for this stuff...right??? Right??? Okay, so I am not getting any younger but man, I relate to him and the rest of my kids better than I do to most adults. I know, no big surprise. Here is how they mess with me caught on film...funny. Don't I look bitchy? That's him like smackin my head...what a charmer.
Oh my gosh, I have so much more to tell you about, like our dinner out with an English teacher on Sunday night...Interesting...but, I need to get something done before I go to bed!

Later, bye.

The Good Wifey....
#7 is well, sick.

1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal - on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him, and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.
2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.
3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.
4. Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.
5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.
6. Some Don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.
7. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
8. Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
9. Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.
10. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax.

It's a beautiful day!!!! (Sing along with the U2 song...)


Ahh, yes, it is indeed a lovely day. Not quite as lovely as yesterday, but still lovely. Yesterday it was like 87 in Fortuna. During 5th and 6th we held class outside under a tree. It's weird how the HOT weather just slows everything down...everything just seems a little 'thicker' if that makes any sense. And, the funny thing is that it was only 87. That isn't that hot really but you can tell when it's summer in Humboldt...everyone has these weird sunburns. They all show up with silly sunburns just on the front of their legs, sunburnt on their arms, funny lines on their chests...it's weird.
SO, we all got the news that we were crossing out fingers for...YAY MR. SMITHY!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I, along with everyone else, am jumping with giggly, silly joy that you are okay! I can't even imagine what a huge weight this is off of your chest...Even though everything turned out okay, I still feel like I need to pay more attention to you...and not the naggy, bitchy sisterly attention that I am so good at giving...(but don't think that is going to disappear), but well, okay, who am I kidding? Just know that underneath my sarcastic exterior that I am just as sarcastic on the inside and well,
<-----this picture pretty much sums it up...I love you man. This is how happy I am that you are okay! Doesn't he look happy?
Is that really Bono? Wow...

We had a good Mother's Day. It was so hot at our house. Everyone came over for breakfast and of course it turned into more of a brunch. The weather got crazy and we turned on the sprinkler and ran through it. It was fun and made me want to get one of those sprinklers that waves back and forth...

I had this grand idea of everyone sitting down at an actual table together but with 10 people it is just so much to coordinate. Everyone has different schedules and eats different foods so you have to make things different for some people and then by that time, it's totally thrown off. It's no biggie, I mean, I guess everyone is used to it by now but sheesh, sometimes eating at the table is totally forgotten. We'll sit in front of the TV or in different rooms all together or in front of the computer...Seriously, we pride ourselves on being such a tightknit family but yet, we don't really sit down to eat together enough...we should! Alright.

Jerky is doing soo well!! I have been measuring his food out and since I have started, I have seriously noticed a change in his attitude. It has a lot to do with the weather but also, he just feels better! He is staying out later, he's more active and going farther away, and even getting a little fiesty with Patsy outside which is always fun to watch. At the end of the day, he just comes in and collapses from his day.

Okay, talk to you later...

33 days + me(& chatty) = the hell outta here....

So, it's true. Just 33 days until it's over. Hallalujah!!
We (chatty and me) are sitting around all day at school because of the f'd up STAR testing schedule. 1st period is like 6 hours long and I don't even have a 1st period! BUT, we had to be here because there was a stupid staff meeting at 7:15...so we were here early! UGH.
But A.S.S. has been helping me pass my time. We have been emailing all freakin day...about what you ask...not much...a bunch of nonsense really, but it makes me laugh, outloud even. We really are two silly birds.
I went and got lunch for chatty, woz and me and it was bad. Poor Fortuna, it really has no hope to be cool. Everything kinda sucks here except for the school. The school is actually okay. If we could pluck a few teachers out of their comfy little desk chairs and replace them with well...cool people, then it could be almost bearable in my opinion...and we would keep the sup. cause he's cool. And there are a few students that I wish that I could keep for awhile. This cat for instance, she is a freakin character and I laugh everyday with her. It is great being around people like that, isn't it...I think it keeps you healthy.

Have you ever felt like you want to reconnect with people that you haven't seen in awhile? I am going through that right now in a bad way. I think I feel old and I am trying to remember times when I was crazier and the people that went with it. It may work. If it doesn't atleast I will have reconnected with some of my good buddies from times past. Here I sit, a 31 year old in 21 year old's mind ( I would say body but who would I be kidding???). Does your mind ever catch up with your age? OR, do you even really want it to? It seems like a good idea to think young always but then it also seems like it could make you a little unhappy because regardless of how young you feel, you can't deny the fact that HELLO! you're getting older! What is the happy medium?
I think its when you are outside on a sunny day, playing frisbee really well with people you love (and hopefully they play well too, that only adds to it), and you're barefoot and the grass has no burrs or thistles or dog poop in it and you're out of breath but in a very good way and everyone is happy and healthy (EVERYONE), and there is a lot of laughter and it's just...in the moment...right? Because really, who cares about all of that other shit like growing old when you can have a day...even a moment like that, where everything and everyone is just jivin' together. It happens.

Right now I am listening to Damien Rice. He is a very 'sensitive' singer so he is rubbing off on my mood. Okay, I just switched it to the Dead 60's-Riot Radio. Very uplifting. Woah...the song that just came on is People are People by Depeche Mode...an oldie but a goodie.
K, I'm outta here, gotta clean my room before the chittlins show up at 2.
More later of course.

what am I doing?

OMG. It is exactly 12 a.m. and I am sitting here drinking a beer. listening to music and trying my hardest not to think about Saturday. I know that as soon as I put my head down on the pillow I will start stressing.
We have 15 different appetizers, 3 desserts and 1 beverage to prepare for 150 people and we are behind. Yep, we are behind.
I am not worried, there is nothing that I can do at this moment except for chop cabbage but come on...it's midnight! I just finished making the last 80 pork buns. It's a very strange menu but whatever.
The first week back was good but WAY too busy. We have staff lunch tomorrow, this thing on Saturday and then this strange school schedule on top of it all.
And I am getting sick. great.

All of this was written on Thursday evening and a lot has happened since.
We had our job last night and all went well of course. We had rave reviews. I knew they would but the kids are still getting used to people showing so much apprecitation for good food. We finished wiping, mopping, loading and standing at 9:45. I was totally wrong, I told them we would be home around 9.
We pulled out of the parking lot and I had to drive all of the way to Redcrest, which is about 20 minutes past Fortuna. Of course, they all wanted to go with me. None of them really like being at home, so any excuse to prolong the return...
But, once we got to Fortuna and unloaded the truck, a few of them decided that it was kinda late and they didn't want to get in trouble. So, it ended up being me, ddr boy and Redcrest girl...DDR boy loves Redcrest girl and she likes someone else...so, it was funny witnessing the whole interaction between the two...oh, to be in highschool again! Then on the way home, DDR boy, who lives in Ferndale, and I chatted about...oh whatever. It was fun. Now, how do you know yer a hick??? Or how do you know when you live in the freaking country??? Well, driving into Ferndale there was a freakin dead cow in the middle of the road! There were flares around it and broken glass everywhere...I wanted to take a picture but ddr boy wouldn't let me...he thought it was gross and he said he saw the vertabrae (sp?) hanging out of the cow! I didn't see it though. Oh well, photo op missed!
Right now, I am hooked on Spearhead, so listen to it if you can.
Later for now! I

Brace yourself...it's a pity party!
and p.s.--it is not directed at anyone specific! This is merely my messed up mind at work!!!!

When I see pictures of my school or when I am there in person, I feel overwhelmed. When we drive up into the parking lot, my breathing gets shallower, my knees start shaking and I get REALLY excited...I love my school and I feel soo, sooo lucky to have gone there. I feel like it is less a part of me every day and that scares me... a lot.

So, I don't feel like talking about the trip because when I think about it, I get a headache. When I think about one particular student, I get a headache. When I think about what's going on in my life, I get a headache. When I think about what I wish I was doing instead, I get sad. The grass is always greener, right? Well, how would I know unless I see for myself? I doubt anyone can sit back and tell me that they would blame me for being curious, especially if I'm not feeling the pull that I "should" be in my current situation. I bet however, that plenty of people will/would try and talk me out of any decisions that we may make just because they played it safe in their own lives. I HATE playing it safe. I HATE it when people try and tell me the way to be. I am still young and there is no way that I am going to not do something, even if I screw it up, just because someone told me not to do it! UGH. What's the most frustrating is when people are happy when you screw up. It's like it's more important for them to be right than for you (me) to have lived a little bit of life and learned a little something for myself. There.

Now, do I have a plan? What do you think? No, no plan. BUT, I am open to spontaneity, opinions, ideas, adventure...I am open to collaboration and compromise. What I am not open to is comfortable. I like it a little uncomfortable. If you ask me, comfortable is way scarier than not. It says to me...that's it, no more, you're done, have fun.
So, chatty says, "plan it and we'll go!" Never was I expecting him to say that and so easily. You see, these trips get to him too. He has daydreams of going to culinary school but then talks himself out of it by telling himself that he isn't creative enough. I think that's a load of crap! Why are people so scared of doing the unconventional?!

I know that I am labeled as the 'unrealistic' one in the family. I daydream a lot and get smiled at like, 'oh, that's funny...now really...' back down to earth. So, my mission? To find a plan. Yep, you don't believe me, but I am going to. Even if it is just short term!

This is how I feel often and it's always magnified when I get back from these fieldtrips. This one was the most unique one ever. I was actually accused of basically stealing money from the trip's budget from one of my students. I wish I could no longer claim her as one of my students. AND, when I get back to school, she will be phased out. No longer am I going to give her anything but just the work to be done. She sucks and she ruined my trip...she made me cry. AND, she is fat. I know, I'm mean but really the whole reason she was making these accusations is because she thought that there should be more money for our meals! Hello selfish! I don't even get more than $35 per diem when I go out of town for work! Freak. She could stand to eat less anyways. Walking around SF she couldn't hang with the pack, even when we were going downhill! ughhh! I am completely over this girl! There were lots of good things that happened and unfortunately, it's all overshadowed by her greediness. Here is a picture from -> Chinatown. I love going there. It was so sunny and HOT too. What a beautiful day in the city. We didn't have nearly enough time to enjoy it.

So, we had a nice Easter, right? This is my freaky brother in his ultra retro short shorts. Nice, huh? All ready for a hot tub. What you can't see is that he's not the only one in the room with those fancy shorts on! There are two others and they look just as retro as spank here. Nice hair by the way.

Now about Jerky. He is growing. This is unfortunate because he's already quite large. He can still jump up on the bed and couch, however I wouldn't say it is with ease. He has been enjoying our time off and sleeping inside WAY too much. This is his pathetic mug wanting in yesterday morning. Just before the pic was taken he was actually scratching furiously at the window panes. Such a darling kitty.
Here he is as of right now, this very minute. Rough day. You know, even though his limp is gone, something is still wrong with his hip. When he sits down, he sits with his right leg sticking out to the side, not tucked under like he used to do. So, I don't know, maybe he has a sore hip or something....he just won't tell me what's wrong! I ask and I ask and he just says he's fine and to leave him alone! Whatever.

Okay, well, if it means anything, I feel better after venting!
Later ya'll.

Homage to my good friend...

Well, we are all a little on edge today and probably will be for awhile now. The news is limited, which makes it that much more scary. I am extremely worried for my friend and his family.
I feel uncomfortable leaving town. I feel like what I should be doing instead is driving over to his house and just sitting close to him for a long time. That of course would be way more of a comfort to me than to him but I just feel like I need to be close. We will be thinking of him the entire time that we will be gone...like more than just thinking about him...praying, hoping, wishing, willing, crying...unfortunately, that's all we can do, well, that and sitting really close, with my arm around him, for as long as he will let me...
It doesn't seem right that I write about our trip. I don't want to really talk about anything good right now other than how much I want him to get better, how much I love all of the Smith's and UGHHHH!! This is sooooo unfair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, we are leaving after school today. We are driving straight down to San Francisco and having dinner. We did get into the Olive Oil tour and everything else just fell right into place.

The Jerkus Dingus is not limping anymore which is good.

I have no music to recommend, no food to tell you about, no dreams...WAIT, that is not true...I dreamt of a guy named Marc who worked for a company named Pravin...huh? And for some reason his email address was funnyguy@pravin.com...why do I know this?
Okay, weird, I know...
Wish us fun on our trip!

Peace out yo!