Anna Nicole Smith is dead?

That is weird. Anybody know any other details? Doesn't she have a little baby?

Our first snow!

We spent the morning glued to the window and watched the sleet and freezing rain (the weather man says there's a difference) turn into big beautiful snow flakes. The snow was coming down in very thick amounts, and I thought for awhile that we were really going to have a go at getting some inches on the ground. We played in it, and then I heard the school bus... huh? I was shocked. I thought for sure we would be having a cancelation (snow isn't too frequent, and people don't know how to drive) but i had to go in and hurry off to work. While I was getting ready for the delayed school day, the snow turned to rain, and eventually melted most of the snow. Oh well. Emily has now seen her first snow, and she didn't have to leave her own backyard!

Ramblings

So first of all, we have this major freezing rain storm that is to come through and drop some snow up a little higher from us, and drop freezing rain and sleet all over the roads where we live. Every school district in the entire state has a 2-hour delay already place. A couple of weeks ago a much smaller storm came through, and every school district in the entire state had a delay... except ours, which wasn't called until after 6am the next morning. Now I am all about not calling a delay until you KNOW it is needed, however, on this day we had a scheduled early release at 11:40. So the kids came to school at 10, and literally stayed for an hour and a half. During this time we had to feed them lunch, for a 25 minute period. What a waste.

Now tomorrow we don't have an early release or anything, so a delay would be fine... except for the fact that the weather men are calling for the sleet to be a 100% chance, and that it won't stop until the temp rises after 2pm. We get out at 2:40. It just doesn't make sense to wait for the inevitable. And basically I am just complaining because I would like to go to bed and not wake up to an alarm clock.

And the other thing I am doing: I have taken my flute out of the garage, polished it up, and have started practicing. I have this idea that it may be good to volunteer to play at church during the offertory. There is another gal who wants somebody to play with, and it has always bugged me that I played so long, and then just stopped. And I wasn't really that bad either. My flute needs the pads changed, and a hinge replaced, but I think that after that happens that it will be as good as new. I can't wait to get it in and out of the shop. ANyhow, that is what I am up to.

J.C. Penny "Pacesetter"

So Saturday we went out shopping at the mall. We were in J.C. Penny and meandered over the the children's department because of a huge sale they were having. We really didn't go to shop for Emily, but as we were looking through the sale items a worker approaches.

"Would you like to save 10% more today?"

We all have been in this situation before. Of course I don't want a credit card for J.C. Penny or any other place for that matter. Scott and I are glad to be free of credit card balances for the moment, and have no intention of putting anything on a card. I tell her no, and she says to me, "Oh, now everybody wants to save money."

I told her that the money I would save wouldn't be enough to cover the divorce that would occur if I opened a credit card. She didn't get the joke, and kept going, and as Scott and Emily approach she tells me that we could talk "him" into it.

Oh my gosh, I was really bugged. For the final time (at least what I thought was final) I told her we didn't want a credit card, no thank you.

Once we had picked out a couple of things we walked over the counter. Three sales associates were behind the counter, including the debt diva. She jumps over to the cash register to check us out and proceeds to tell me one more time about the money we could save by opening a credit card. I said no, and I wasn't so cheerful as before. Now I was really annoyed. Her name tag said, "Carol" and below that it said "pacesetter."

Am I wrong to think that this woman is evil? I think that America has a serious problem with debt. I am glad that my husband and I have sat down and discussed our financial responsibilities, and they they don't include credit cards for shopping trips to Pennies. Who is this woman to question me, Scott, and our decision. What if he wouldn't have been there? Does she try to persuade every customer to take out a card? Ugh. She really bugs me. ANd what is this "pacesetter" garbage? Do they have quotas to make sure employees sell the credit card? Ugh. Does anybody else think that is as wrong as I do?

Happy Birthday Scott!

Yes, you are loved. For the way you wear cargo shorts even in the middle of winter, for your necessity to use only .5mm bic needle point pens, for the way you grab the sale ads from the Sunday paper before reading anything else..you are loved.

Happy Birthday

howd y'all talk?

Irish Great-grandparents, Okie grandparents, california upbringing, and throw in a year or two of the South. Interesting. Though it did make me wonder if Emily will pronounce caramel with two syllables like her mother, or with three like her father.
**Side note for Justin. Remember that conversation we were having about calling each other "mommy" or "daddy" in front of Em? Well today she called Scott "honey." Just had to share.


***Your Linguistic Profile:***

70% General American English

20% Dixie

5% Yankee

0% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofamericanenglishdoyouspeakquiz/

Appl iPhone

Today Apple unveiled the Apple iPhone. It is a beautiful piece of technology. There is too much to share about this phone so go check it out. It is a combination iPod/cell phone/hand held computer.

Scott

Baby toe jam

Baby toe jam was something Scott discovered when Emily was very little. The idea that babies actually have toe jam was something that he found funny, and we always laughed at the lint between her tiny toes. Kinda gross we realize. But now that she is older, she takes off her socks and laughs as we say "ew... baby toe jam! Yuck!" Silly I guess, but she thinks it is funny.

Tonight the fascination with toe jam hit an all new level. Emily watched Scott pull of his socks before he got her bath ready (she likes to splash water everywhere) and she pulled apart his toes just as we have to her. She was amazed at all the lint to be found. ** seriously, Scott can pick up some lint!**

It amazes me all the little trivial things that Emily has fun with, and that we to have fun with because of her. Who knew toe jam could be such a form of entertainment?

Unethical teaching? Maybe. But I'm over it

I have this student who never does his homework. I know there is something bigger than homework going on at home, but the school psych and I can't figure out what it is though we know it is something, and I can't wait around and let him fall behind by not doing anything until we figure out what is making him so lacking in motivation.

Anyhow, I have tried everything to get this child to do his homework. I hate that it brings his grades down so much. We have tried motivational things, getting to visit the counselor, blah blah blah. Many of the things we tried I didn't even really agree with, but I felt I had to do something.

Well then I decided I would threaten him with retention. I even made up fake retention paperwork that he had to sign. It listed the reason for him being retained as failure to complete assignments, and he had to write up an explanation. I even pretended to have to take it into our assistant principal. I felt pretty deceitful about it, but I got over it when he brought in the entire week's worth of homework completed perfectly. I didn't even check on Friday, I just took the homework home to grade from all the students, and since school starts again on Wed. I thought I had better get to it. WHen I pulled his out I practically did a back flip. Hopefully this will happen again next week. Cross your fingers.

Malisa Johnson

My year end review

So when I sit and reflect on 2006 nothing really jumps up and bites me as all that important.

2004 we got married... pretty big deal.
2005 we had Emily, moved to the other side of the country, my grandpa past away. All big deals.

Then 2006 came and though we had a great year, nothing major happened. But I guess that is a good thing. I don't think that we are ready for many new changes. But then I think that maybe the reason why 2006 was so stable is because of what is to come in 2007. Hmmm. Scary, or exciting, I don't know.

I guess if I had to pick the biggest deal about 2006 it would be our three week trip to Ca to see Matt's wedding, David's graduation, and visit with friends and family, and again to visit in December. Oh, and I guess I did start a new school in 2006.

What is the biggest thing that happened to you (positive, negative, or neutral) in 2006?

Sadaam hanging

So does hanging Saddam Hussein make him a martyr? I hope not. They rushed to get the hanging finished before an Iraq holiday began 12/30. Now the news interupted the 20/20 special on about the top youtube videos of the year. Scott and I were enjoying that. Now they are showing all the different reasons why Sadaam was horrible. Did they just have that cuued up, waiting for the word that he is dead?

Meanwhile, 2996 confirmed US deaths as of right now. iCasualties.org keeps record.

Dinner on 12/27

Okay everybody. It looks like we aren't going to get to Fresno. However, my parents said they would love to see everybody too if you wouldn't mind making the drive to Bako. Then hopefully bako people could make it too... Dana julie jenny phil and the woody trio.

My mom even promised to make that roast or whatever that Woody liked so much. Let me know if that will work. Sorry that we can't make it up there like originally planned. The week with Scott just filled up so fast. And dad promised beer for all.

Teacher Fired Over Ass Art

I came across this post on one of my education blogs and I thought of all my artist friends out there. I wasn't sure how to post video so here is my Shared Items from Google Reader

California on Friday

Emily and I will fly out this Friday to Bakersfield. Scott is not coming until the next Thursday, 12/21 I believe, so that he can get some work done and actually enjoy a vacation rather than worrying about schoolwork.

Anyhow, we are looking at trying to come to Fresno either 12/26 or 12/27 before we fly back 12/28. THat is hopeful, but I don't know. Those days get so packed. We really want to see everybody though. Who will be in town? I'm finally getting excited to go. I miss friends and family.

Cupid

You Are Cupid

A total romantic, you're always crushing on a new reindeer. Why You're Naughty: You've caused so much drama, all the reindeers aren't speaking to each other. Why You're Nice: You have a knack for playing matchmaker. You even hooked Rudolph up!

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Hmmm. I guess I am a good match maker. I thought Becky and Jay should get together long before they did... or long before they both figured it out at the same time. :)

Hmmm. I like to talk. Big surprise!

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well. An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly. You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view. A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary. You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

Black Friday anyone?

Now we didn't go out and do the 5am thing. (did any of you?) But we did go out for pizza for dinner, and then hit up a couple of stores. I thought it was going to be crazy, but it wasn't that bad. We went to Toy's R Us, and got four different gifts for Emily, and spent only $25. Lovely jack pot. We got her the Fisher Price Doctor's kit, a kitchen clean set (for her new kitchen set my mom bought for her earlier this month) a string puzzle, and her first Barbie doll. Very exciting.

I plan to pack all of these things in the bottom of my suitcase when we fly out to Ca for Christmas, and then pack them up to fly them home once Emily opens them. Scott thinks I am nuts, but I want Emily to have presents under the tree, not have to open them two weeks before Christmas and leave them behind.

Then we went off to A.C. Moore. It is kinda like Michael's but has a much better scrapbooking selection. I had the token "60% off one non-sale item" so I got a tool kit that I have been wanting. (Sam's probably the only one who knows what I talking about) and also picked up some great paper, and some basic solid color packs. Also I got some storage filing systems for my paper. I have been waiting to get this organization stuff for a long time. Merry Christmas to me! I feel kinda bad that I spent so much, but most of it was all on sale!

The best thing... our state has made this "tax free weekend." Everything is tax free... from Christmas gifts, new cars, and cigaretts. As if we needed another reason to get people out shopping this weekend?

Rodeo Drive anyone?

So this would be my Sunday afternoon. Emily playing dress up, Scott calling from the airport saying his flight is delayed, again. Stupid Washington Dulles. I hate that airport. I'm ready for him to be home. I had big plans to make homemade calazones and watch a movie together tonight, but I guess that's not going to happen. (By the way, I am really into baking stuff lately using yeast. All of those recipes that called for yeast that I used to shy away from have now become mine to conquer. So far, so good. Nothing has been yucky yet. And calozones are my favorite.

To me this looks as close to Beverly Hills shopping as a toddler in SC can get. I think shopping was what she was doing. She kept taking things out of my closet and putting them in her purse. Too funny. Of course, Boots the monkey had to fit in the purse too.

Yes, I know she is a mess. The hair, the scabs all over her chin, the stained onesie. It all goes together to show how much fun we are having doing nothing today except playing. But we are reading for daddy to be home. The past couple of mornings we have had to look around the entire house as Emily wouldn't believe that he wasn't here.

But anyhow, back to the picture. I thought it was cute.

All by myself...and other rambles

My mom left today. She had been visiting all week. We had a great time... that's a whole additional post. However, she flew home today.

Also, Scott's NCTE conference is this weekend in Nashville. He missed his plane Thursday morning (after Wednesday night's storm) and finally was able to leave this morning. He's in Nashville now, but they lost his luggage... again that is a whole additional post.

But what I DO want to post about is how excited I am to have this weekend to myself! I know we all feel a little bit of relief when visitors end their stay, even visitors that make life easier when they are around, like my mom. But I am just glad to have this weekend with Emily to myself. Even Scott being gone doesn't really bother me. I'm sure after a couple of days I will want him to come home, but right now I am good! Emily and I made a big bowl of popcorn and watched a disney movie tonight until she fell asleep on me. Loved that. And really we have no plans besides grocery shopping for Thanksgiving dinner and cleaning some house. Maybe some scrapbooking.

Life is slowing down, and I am thankful.

On another note, we did get struck by the big storm on Wednesday night. This was the same storm that hit North Carolina, killing eight. Just about the entire state was under a tornado watch at some point, our county was under a watch for over ten hours. That didn't make for good sleeping. Besides the lightening and thunder was so loud and bright. Emily didn't sleep so well, so nobody slept well. My mom was here for that, and I don't think she liked it very well. The weather alarm radio goes off every time the NWS issues a warning or alert for our county. After the "tornado watch" went out (a watch means conditions are favorable, warning means an actual tornado has formed) we sat waiting to see if the alarm would go off again. At one point it did, and I started to race down the hall to get Emily, but it was a flood alert. My heart was racing a little bit, but other than that we didn't have any actual cells form around us. It was quite inconveniant to sleeing though.

Anyhow, I hope everybody has a great weekend!

Election Day...

I remember sitting in the Portela's livingroom during the 2004 Presidential election and thinking I really couldn't imagine what it would be like if Bush won again. He did, and I think I was in denial. I was really upset over it. Quite different from the 2000 election, when at 20 I really couldn't make up my mind about who I would vote for, partly because I was still so self-absorbed that I didn't pay attention. How sad is that?

Today in our lovely blue state, South Carolina's republican governor is ahead by 2%. What a bummer. I won't get into all the hairy details as to why this guy is a moron, but much of it has to do with his view of education. But another big deal to me, us I guess, is the school board race. Kinda of interesting in our school district. It sits in two counties, seven members, the majority of the population in Lexington county, so that county gets five seats on the board. The smaller population of the school district sits within Richland county (where we live) and gets two seats. What makes it interesting is that we can only vote for the seats within our own county. So there are people on my school board who i will never get to vote for or against.

Oh well. I guess I will be thankful that I can remove the school board election propaganda from my home and car. Hopefully those people will be voted in. In case you were wondering... Scott and I have huge magnets on our car for the school board candidate, bumper stickers, and signs in our front yard. We did our part I guess. Now I can take it all down.

So all of you Californians... my daddy tells me he is sick of the recorded phone calls. Sounds almost obscene how many phone calls they get (cel phones too). Anybody else been getting them?