Just in Case
If I turn up missing please know that I am being stalked by a parent who emails and calls me multiple times a day because she wants to know how to do her daughter's homework! Crazy lady. To all I know who are parents: don't do your kid's homework; allow them to mess up on their own. I might change my email addy or go into hiding.

64
Today was Slip Into Charity Day. All people who brought in a pair of slippers to donate to a nursing home go to wear slippers to clas. I collected 64 pairs of slippers! When I dropped them off at the nursing home this afternoon it was really neat to see how happy they were. I'm proud of the school although I wish we had collected even more.
I have class tonight and I have no idea how I am going to stay awake for a discussion on St. Augustine and Platonic logic. I might have to go back on the Diet Coke rule. (which I broke yesterday too)
Tomorrow is dress like a Biblical character day--I would guffaw and make fun but I think it was my idea so now I have to suck it up. Anyway, I found a big plastic snake, and I have an apple, so I'm going as Eve. It was that or glue leaves to myself and go as the burning bush. My original idea was cutting a head off a doll and going as Judith but I thought it would be a little too graphic. THe little one's loss.

Tea Toattler
I am so old!
Yesterday we went to Austin Park and Pizza for a friend's birthday. Everything was fun until I went on the teacup ride. Yes, folks, the little spinning teacups that they have in the kiddie section. Anyway it made me turn green inside and out. I felt like I was spinning all day. Could this possibly be the end of my spinny youth?
It's a sad day when the ride meant for the 3 year olds can make you sick.

Shaky Coincidence
After a really tough week, Eric and I wanted to have a really nice dinner to unwind, so we went to the European Bistro which is one of our favorite places in town. It's this tiny little restaurant that looks like you have walked into a corner cafe in Budapest with tin ceilings and cozy booths. There is even a piano player to seranade you. Anyway we were enjoying our meal when this guy at the next table started having a ceizure. We knew instantly what was going on, and Eric went over and gave his wife some of his glucose. Finally he stopped ceizing and we all started talking. He and Eric have the same doc, the same nurse practitioner ect. This guy has been on the insulin pump for two years and gave Eric tons and tons of information about how it has changed his life. This was his first bad reaction in two years. We ended up staying far past closing talking to them. E now feels so much better about getting the pump now that he has seen everything. I think he's actually going to go through with it. We have an appointment in two weeks.
Today we're supposed to play mini-golf in the rain. I'll have to bring my rubber ducky.

Cuts
They are making budget cuts at school. They cut a Pre-K teacher and a Teacher's Aide today. If I thought things were getting crazy and grumpy at work I have a feeling that I haven't seen anything yet.
I crave change. Something new. Yet I don't seem to be able to move on.
I'm calling an accupuncturist on Monday because my own doc doesn't listen to me. If I can't get better living through chemicals, I'll get better living through sharp needles rammed into my various body parts. Progress.
I'm going to go curl up with the Baudelaire children. When having a series of unfortunate events in your life it is always comforting to know that those poor orphans are so much worse. . .

Making Muffins
That's what we used to say the Ebony was doing when kneading us in our sleep. But that's really what I"m doing. I'm in the process of baking delicious rhubarb/applesauce muffins for my students. Ah such lovely breakfasty treats. My great aunt sends me packages of frozen rhubarb every year direct from Iowa. I am indeed a lucky girl.
I have my first class of the semester tonight, just when I was really getting in the lazy do nothing zone too. It will take awhile before I can think again. Did the class have to be the same night as House? Sigh.
I've been reading all the Lemony Snicket books lately courtesy of my students. If you ever feel your life is just a series of unfortunate events, check them out. Too cute.
I have once again given up caffine. God help my students for the next few weeks.

Old Goat
Although we should have no doubt visited a museum or something, Eric and I used our MLK day holiday to act like mountain goats and drink the best beer in the world. We treked out to Enchanted Rock where we scampered about the pink granite rock face for hours. At one point I was almost sliding down a sheer rock face (which I had no business attempting to go down anyway) and I called Eric over to save me. He let me stand on him while I found my way to safety. Who said romance is dead?
We stopped at Auslander where they serve the beer at 31 degrees. Mmmmm. Beer. It's a little like a beer slurpee. I think 7-11 needs to look into it. They could make a fortune.
Yesterday we drove around North Austin looking at houses just to get an idea of neighborhoods and price ranges. I am so excited about the idea. I thirst for change. Change and beer. And movie theater diet coke.

Finally Friday
Such a long week. It seemed like I was worse than my students about checking the clock every 5 minutes, hoping against hope that somehow time had begun to move faster. Something really should get on that anyway.
We have Monday off, so I am preparing for some serious relaxation and some hardcore bike riding.
I have this one student who is a total spazz and is always going around punching the P.E. teacher--she is doing it in jest, but it often hurts. Anyway today she bounded into his classroom and accidentally punched the rather evil science teacher instead. It was the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life. The science teacher asked her what she was doing, and all she could come up with was "I needed to talk to Mr. Walker." Perhaps you just have to know this girl, but it was hysterical. She wanted to die of embarrassment.
This is also my last week of freedom. Classes start next week and I will once again be bogged down in dry Vatican documents. I'll have to kick back with an extra beer tonight in anticipation.

Dee Dee Dee
I won an idiot award today. I was trying to be supportive of my students who had a basketball game today, and I got in my car and drove across town to Taylor Middle School whom I knew they were playing. When I arrived at the school, no one was there. I called around and it turns out it was a home game. Crap.
Anyway we lost hugely. Pretty pathetic. Not that I got ot see much of the game. Parents seemed to think it was conference time. I hate report card day.
Classes start next week. I'm ready. It's only been a few weeks and already my mind is turning into mush.

Wicked, Wicked Ways
I just finished reading Wicked which was tremendously good. Much more complex and interesting than I thought it was going to be. He really made it a novel of ideas rather than simply the chronicle of the witch. A great read.
I have realized, however, that I am truly ready to start work again. I have had just about enough time around the house. I get bored without goals and specific things to do.
I did get my resume together and sent out to several schools as well as the Diocese of Dallas. Hopefully something good will come of that. I am anticipating great changes this year.
It's been another 80 degree day in January. Does this seem wrong to anyone else? A coming apocalypse? A conspiracy by the makers of sunscreen?
If it's the end of the world as we know it at least we'll go out in cute tank tops. We have that going for us.

Ringing in the New
Happy 2006 everyone!
We spent last night out in the country with friends, watching movies and camping out in a big pasture. It was a good way to start the year. The wind practically blew away the tent, though. There were times where I was convinced that people were prowling around, trying to get me. Darn Pete and his stories of axe murders.
I got up early this morning and opened the tent a little before going back to sleep. Next thing I knew there was a giant brown head in the tent and ponderous breathing. The local labrador had found us and wanted desperately to come in and snuggle.
Anyway as I take a break from lying on the couch sleepily, I keep thinking about New Year's resolutions. Typically I hate making them because I don't keep them so well, so this year I've decided only to resolve to do what I can. I want to try to go to the gym more often, but I don't want to feel guilty if between work, grad school and a social life I can't make it. I want to find a new job, but I want to enjoy the one I have as long as I am there. I want to lose more weight, but I dont' want to feel like a failure if I don't. In general I want to be happier, healthier, and nicer. I am really looking for a change. Hopefully this year will bring it.