Monday, February 27, 2006

Jury Duty Calls!

OK ladies and gentleman -

I'm going to be out of commission for a while. I was chosen today for jury duty. The judge said to plan on being in court until at least Thursday!

I had to go into school tonight and prepare three days of sub plans. I hate being out of school. Mostly because it means more work for me. And, I've been on a role and hate the idea of not connecting with the students this entire time.

I know. I'm providing my civil duty. Which I'm happy about and glad that I can be a good citizen. However, the courts don't understand that I'm in the middle of the French Revolution!

Viva la resistance! :-)

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Vacation - Day 7

Summary of the past few days.
Saw the play Into the Woods at UNH on Friday. The kids did an amazing job! Not only was Darryl in the play but another Timberlane student from the class of 2003 was in it - Christine Dulong! What a nice surprise to see both of my former babies of the class of 2003!
On Saturday - I did nothing! Absolutely nothing! We had a snow storm here and we got around 5 inches of snow. I sat on the couch and watch my Desperate Housewives DVD's.
Today, I'm picking up Carla in Boston at the airport. She went out to California for a few days to visit a friend of hers. Carla lives in Maine so I'll pick her up and head north. The rest of the day will probably be spent being in denial that I have to go back to school and today is my official last day of vacation until April.
Actually, I have jury duty on Monday. I called on Friday and my panel number got called! I don't know whether to be happy or cry! I have to be at the Lawrence Courthouse by 8:30 am on Monday. I'll bring a good book to read to keep me busy.
Guilty! Not Guilty!

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Vacation - Day 6


I come home the other day and these wonderful gifts were waiting for me!
I've been in this strange and odd funky mood lately. My friend Cheryl from IL sent these wonderful gifts to me to cheer me up! Can I just say how much they cheered me up? Whenever you think that no one out there gives a rats ass about ya, you get a surprise like this in your life!
Cheryl - thanks to you and your boys for my wonderful gifts! The bear is adorable! It's one of those Build-A-Bears holding a sunshine. The flowers are gorgeous! They brightened my day!
How blessed am I to have such a wonderful friend in my life?
Love Ya Kiddo!

Friday, February 24, 2006

Vacation - Day 5

Yesterday was semi-productive. Worked at the doggie place in the afternoon. Some of my students came into the store to "harass" me (In a good way).

Came home and ate some dinner. Balanced my checkbook which always takes me forever to do. I hate math! Watched Disc 2 of the Desperate Housewives DVD's.

I received some wonderful gifts from my friend Cheryl in IL. She sent me this adorable bear holding a sun that says, "Cheer Up!" He's so cute! And, I received a beautiful arrangement of flowers and some balloons. It was such a nice surprise and yes, it did cheer me up!

You all know that I've been in this funky mood late and she ordered these things to cheer me up! How blessed am I to have Cheryl as a friend and in my life? I'll post some pictures of my lovely gifts in my next blog post.

The plan of attack for today:
*Have to go to school this morning to prepare "possible sub plans." I may or may not have jury duty on Monday and I have to leave some sub plans just in case. I have to call a number today after 3:00 pm to see if I have jury duty. Either way, I have to call the secretary that calls in the subs, to let her know if I need someone on Monday.
*I'm working from 1:00-5:00 pm today at the doggie place.
*I'm meeting my friend Annette in Epping, NH at 6:00 pm and we are then driving up to UNH to see her son Darryl in a play. Annette and I have been friends since my Timberlane days. Her son was in the class that I advised so I'm looking forward to seeing him and his Mom.

Pretty busy Friday overall!

PS Got my federal tax refund (gotta love that automatic deposit option!). :-)

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Vacation - Day 4

My brain is definitely in vacation mode -
Been staying up late at night and sleeping in the mornings -
This will definitely start to suck when I have to get up early again next week for school.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Vacation - Day 3

A very productive day!

Went to get my mammogram. Always a thrill to have your boobs squished to the size of a lemon. :-)

Afterwards, I headed up to the Manchester Barnes and Nobles to do hang out and do some school work. I actually finished all my correcting. Took me four hours but I did it and I'm ahead of the game. Unfortunately, it doesn't stay that way for too long.

Came home and made some dinner and watched some videos. My friend Carla bought me a few DVD's of Sex in the City Essentials. They each have three episodes that revolve around a theme (Example: Lust, Romance, etc.). I love the show and would love to eventually own the entire collection but it's so expensive!

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Vacation - Day 2

Went out to dinner last night for a belated b-day dinner with my friend Carla. We went to The Red Hook Brewery Restaurant in Portsmouth. Had a yummy meal and great company! Thanks Carla for my wonderful gifts and a wonderful meal!

We saw Brokeback Mountain after dinner. What a powerful film! I can see why it's getting all the Academy Award nominations. Sad but amazing - go see it!

Plan of attack for today:
*Do laundry.
*Continue working on King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette PowerPoint.
*An appointment with my counselor @ 1:00.
*Work at Pawsitively Best Friends until 5:00.
*Come home, make some dinner, and watch some DVD's.

Hopefully, a productive day! :-)

Monday, February 20, 2006

Vacation - Day 1

Going out to Dinner tonight - a belated b-day dinner with my friend Carla. We are meeting here.

I spent most of the day lounging around in my PJ's and watching videos. Watched In Her Shoes, The Wedding Date, and Sideways. You could say that I'm into chick flicks. I'm a hopeless romantic (another reason why I'm still single, perhaps?). I sometimes wish that life could end like one of those films. You know the ones I'm talking about. A happy ending?

I've been waiting for the Desperate Housewives DVD Volume 1 Season 1 at my local library. They have all the other DVD's but not the first one. So, I broke down and went to the video store and just rented it. I really want to see what all the hype is about this series. Well, I watched the first DVD and I'm officially hooked! Wow! Amazing storyline and acting! Now, I can't wait to go to the library tomorrow and pick up the rest of Season 1 (library was closed today due to the holiday).

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Thanks to my "Peeps" . . . .

I would really love to say thanks to all the emails that I received regarding my bad mood post. The number of people that commented on my mood was amazing!

I am so blessed to have such wonderful "peeps" in my life.

You are ALL right - I should focus on the people in my life that really truly care about me and want to be in life. The rest can go to hell!

It was a rough week - and I guess that I just needed to vent.

But, I survived it . . . Gloria Gaynor . . . eat your heart out girl! :-)

First I was afraid
I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side
But I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
I grew strong
I learned how to carry on
and so you're back
from outer space
I just walked in to find you here
with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed my stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second
you'd be back to bother me

Go on now go walk out the door
just turn around now
'cause you're not welcome anymore
weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye
you think I'd crumble
you think I'd lay down and die
Oh no, not I will survive
as long as i know how to love
I know I will stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
and I'll survive
I will survive

It took all the strength I had
not to fall apart
kept trying hard to mend
the pieces of my broken heart
and I spent oh so many nights
just feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry
Now I hold my head up high
and you see me
somebody new I'm not that chained up little person
still in love with you
and so you felt like dropping in
and just expect me to be free
now I'm saving all my loving
for someone who's loving me

Friday, February 17, 2006

I'm on Feb Break!

As of 2:05 pm today, I'm officially on February vacation until the 27th.

Plans for the Break:
*I'll be working some hours at my part-time job.
*Getting my yearly mammogram - love to get those boobs squished!
*Getting together with some friends.
*I'll probably do some correcting and school work.
*Get new tires for my car.
*Proofread a friend's paper for her class.
*Rest, rest, and more rest!

I'll be in and out throughout the week -

To all my teacher pals - enjoy the week off! We deserve it! :-)

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Better Mood????

I'm in a so so mood today. Kids are annoying me. Adults are annoying me. Life is annoying me.

Good news . . . . I'm on Feb break in two more days.

Kids are really hyper and crazy right now and the week is going by rather slow.

I have Book Club tonight. I'm hosting this evening at my place. It's the first time everyone will see the condo. We will probably order takeout (Chinese, perhaps?) and then discuss the book. I choose Teacher Man by Frank McCourt (he wrote Angela's Ashes). I really enjoyed the book. McCourt talks about his 30 plus years experience as a New York City high school English teacher. He has some amazing stories to share with the reader. I think most people in Book Club enjoyed the book. Since most of us are teachers, I'm sure we all related to the book in some way.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

In a Mood . . . . . . .

I've been in this really negative mood lately. It's a bad place to be . . . . .

I would love to be able to pinpoint "the mood" -

Could it be my financial problems?

Could it be my 35th birthday?

Could it be that I lost a childhood friend - she just doesn't want to be my friend anymore and I don't know why?

Could it be that I've been alone now for over seven years?

Could it be that I really would like to get married and have children some day and that the reality of it is that it just may not be meant to be?

Try and focus on the positive things in my life - that is what my counselor would tell me. That is what all my "peeps" are going to tell me -

Well, it's getting too damn hard and I'm sick of it!

Do I feel better now that I vented? Maybe . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

It's My Birthday!

My birthday is today. Having your birthday on Valentine's Day is not fun - especially when you have no hot guy in the picture!

I turn 35.

It's just an age. Or is it?

Went to school today. Some of the kids remembered my b-day. Some of my colleagues remembered too. The chorus sang happy birthday to me.

I'm working at my part-time job tonight after school. No big plans.

Do I feel 35? Some days, yes. Some days, no.

Do you feel your age?

Monday, February 13, 2006

The Cutest Kitty in the World!

This is Ellie relaxing in her favorite spot - the spare bedroom futon! I swear she thinks it's her bed!
We enjoyed spending the day yesterday lying around and watching videos and relaxing.
I got the phone call last night around 7:30 pm that my school had a snow day on Monday. I'm glad that they made the call early instead of waiting until the morning.
To be honest - we should've had a two hour delay today. The roads were fine. I was out at 9:30 am running errands and the roads were fine.
But, I'm not knocking the day off. It will suck come June when we have to make up the snow day (we are up to 2 makeup days now for snow).
Plan of Attack: I need to clean the condo! It's my turn for Book Club on Thursday so it might be a good idea to clean up the place before all the gals come over on Thursday night! :-)
Might do some correcting too.
Or, maybe Ellie has the right idea - looking at that picture - it looks like a nice thing to do for the day - take a cat nap! :-)

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Blizzard 2006 Photos


The top picture is a view from my bedroom window.
The bottom picture is a view from the living room window.
Do you think we need some snow here in New England?
Final accumulation - 16 inches of snow in Amesbury, MA!
Times I had to dig out my car - four!
Quality cuddling time with Ellie on the couch - Priceless!

Saturday, February 11, 2006

A Blizzard is Coming!


It's coming!

A Blizzard!

How much snow do you think I'll get?

Prediction is between 8-14 inches in my region.

Any gambler "peeps" out there?

How much snow do you think will fall here?

Friday, February 10, 2006

Happy List

Here is my list of Happies for the Week:

1) Worked a basketball game tonight for three hours and made $50 cash! Bonus!!! :-)

2) I was asked by the advisors of Model UN (United Nations) at my school to chaperone the trip in March to New York City and I said yes! There will be four of us chaperoning the trip - two are from the History Department and one is from the English Department. The three of us get along really well so it sounds like a great time in the Big Apple! I have such wonderful and thoughtful colleagues - when one of the them couldn't go on the trip - they recommended me!

3) I paid off some of my major debt this week! YEAH!!!!

4) Ellie the Cat! Just because! :-)

5) My birthday is next week. Part of me feels happy about it - part sad. I turn the BIG 35!

What are your happies? :-)

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Does money make the world go round?

Money - the vain of my existence.

Got my taxes done yesterday. I'm not getting back as much as I had hoped. I was hoping to get a nice refund this year to pay off some of my debt. That ain't happening! Ughy!

I don't get it - how do people do it? Continue to pay their bills and keep their head above the water. I literally live pay check by pay check. There is no "extra" money to do anything (Ex: fun stuff like going to the movies or out to dinner with friends).

Of course, being a teacher and getting paid shit doesn't help my financial situation out at all. I made a choice to work a job that I love. But, the salary is shit. Dear God - I need to live for goodness sake! I wish that society (the government, the media, the tax payer, etc.) would realize what we as educators do and get nothing for it. I work a second job and still it is not enough. I'm even thinking of getting a third job! How effective will that make me in the classroom?

Life sometimes just sucks! :-)

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Duh!

Sorry guys!

Grandma's surgery was today - not Monday.

She's having a procedure done on her stomach. Nothing too serious. She's been having stomach problems for the past 10 years but her Dr. wants to make sure it's nothing more serious than that.

I'll talk to Mom tonight to find out how it went. Dad was "the chosen one" out of his sisters and brother to take her to the hospital this morning.

For 91 years old, Grandma is doing pretty well. A little slower than she used to be but overall, still good. I visited her when I was in IL over Christmas break. She was crocheting a baby blanket for my cousin Scott's soon to be baby!

It amazes me that she still makes blankets and quilts at her age!

Go Grandma go! :-)

Great News!

I received a nice email yesterday from my friend, Cheryl.

She informed me that Sadie the Cat is doing well and is recovering quite nicely.

Here is her email:

I just want you to know how grateful we are to you and all of your fellow blogging 'peeps' for all of the kind words of encouragement and prayers for our cat. You are truly a very special friend that I am so thankful to have! Sadie had her 10 day check up and her recovery has been better than the vet ever hoped it to be. I mentioned your blog to him and he said that it worked well!!! She's not showing any further lumps, her healing has been better than he thought & he mentioned that she is a strong cat and that all of her wounds looked great! What a relief!

Once again, Lori, you are so thoughtful and caring and I am very glad to have you as my friend!

Lots of Love,

Cheryl & the boys

Cheryl -

I'm so happy to hear that all is well with Sadie! I know I have some great blogging "peeps" that were thinking those happy thoughts for Sadie.

Since I'm over 1200 miles away from you, it was the least I could do to help ya out. If I lived closer, I would've done more to help.

Hugs to you, Sadie, and the boys -

Love Ya-
Lori :-)

Revolution!

So, today, we revolt!

I started the French Revolution today in my World History classes. I'm trying to get them into the idea of why people revolt: money (taxes), power, politics, etc. I asked them to respond to these questions: 1) How would you define revolution? 2) What would it take for you to revolt against something and what would that something be? 3) How would you organize your revolution?

My students just sat there and said, "There's nothing to revolt against." My response, "You are all angst teenagers! There has to be something in your lives that you would revolt against!"

At one point, I'm literally standing on top of a student desk and yelling revolution at my students! Again, they look at me like I'm losing my mind! Well, I guess I am losing my mind! At last, they start to laugh at me - YES! They are finally awake!

Again, I ask the questions. Finally, I get some response.

Ahhh . . . the joy of teaching the youth of America!

PS My assistant principal walks by my classroom at the moment when I'm standing on a student desk and yelling me head off at these kids! He just shakes his head. Another "what the hell is she doing" moment! :-)

Can you say freak?

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Saturday, February 04, 2006

So Cute!


My friend Cheryl emailed me this photos the other day.
The top photo is of Sadie the Cat sleeping on the couch. The bottom photo is her son, Jacob, on the couch.
Very cute!!!

Friday, February 03, 2006

Don't ya just love Friday's???

Updates:

*The Meds are working and for the first time in over three weeks, I'm almost human again!

*Sadie the Cat is still recovering from her surgery. Please continue to have happy thoughts for her and her family during this tough time.

*Getting my taxes done next Wednesday. Hoping for a HUGE refund this year!!!

*All is well at school. My students are learning about the Enlightenment. We move on to the French Revolution next week. It's one of my most favorite units to teach. :-)

*My grandma is having surgery on Monday. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Grandma Marenda is 91 years! :-)

*Fat Friday at school today. Fat Friday is the first Friday of every month. One department each month is in charge of providing a huge buffet of food for the day. Today, Foreign Language and Special Education were in charge. Yummy!!!!

*TGIF Baby!!!!!

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Give me meds . . . .

Went to the Dr. today. He walks into the exam room and tells me I have "Sinus Face." Great . . . . . . . . .

It's definitely a sinus infection gone bad! This cold/sinus thing has been making the rounds around my school since December. Of course, just like any "family", we pass those icky germs to each other.

The Dr. put me on antibiotics and a nasal spray to clear this nasty beast right up!

Keep your fingers crossed for me! :-)

It would be so nice to have a full night sleep.

Off to snoozeland . . . . . . . . .

Lea and Parrots

My friend Lea from IL just got back from Punt Cana and sent me this photo. Don't ya just love those parrots?
Lea is wearing the flowered bathing suit. I think the other lady is her cousin Wendy.