So, as for my recent bad news, I just have to keep this in mind: God has a plan for everyone for everything. This was meant to happen. Something good will come of it, and I have absolutely no control over it. So, I will leave it in His hands, and everything will be alright. Now, I've changed my prayers a little bit in the hopes that I can get unemployment!

So anyway, my new life has begun. It wasn't supposed to until June, but we'll make do. I'm not really prepared yet, but oh well. I ordered a couple of books on homeschooling and the like the other day. I have a book on stay-at-home moms w/lots of tips. I've decided to start potty training TJ maybe next week, now that he will be home with me and we'll be able to set up some sort of routine. I'm trying this week to figure out his routine and when he typically uses the bathroom. Any tips that anyone has on this would be greatly appreciated. Then, I guess I need to figure out what we are going to be doing on these days "off", but on. Gina is in a mom's group, which I was planning to go to in July or so, but I guess I'll have to ask her about it now. (hint, hint...that was me asking!) I want to do more volunteer work at church and the like, so I will try to find out more stuff about that. I had planned on volunteering at DJJ after I left, but now I don't really know if that's such a good idea, or if I even could if I wanted to. I might have to wait on that one until I see if I have time. I also get to start cutting out and using coupons again for shopping. I used to before, but of late I haven't been able to b/c of time. Now I have plenty, or so I hope. I can't wait! I LOVE to save money and get stuff for almost free! Besides, I will have to do my best to make our money last, since we just lost an entire income. I've decided I will start planning out our meals for the week, and just buy that stuff we need. I think I may even learn how to cook instead of just microwave! How exciting for everyone involved! I may still have to get a job (depending on that whole unemployment thing), so I need to figure out what I can do. So many things to do! Any ideas or thoughts? I'd love to hear them. I think today I will just chill and go to the playground.

Well, I guess that's all I really have to say right now. According to my mom, my life is too full of drama, and I guess this week is the drama of starting over in our new life. Sometimes I wish this drama would go away, as it's way too much for my feeble brain. However, I think I kinda like it. I don't like drama really, but at least my life is never boring, and I get to do new and fun stuff all the time (even if it's not always really "fun"!). So, here's to the new drama in my life, and making it work toward a better future! Cheers! Have a great day and I'll see you later!

PS-If you want to see anymore of the pics from this weekend, go here and there are some more:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65299723@N00/

It kinda sucks to follow up such amazing and great news with such icky news, but here goes:

I got fired today.

Okay, there it was. Sorry, but I'm not in the mood to say more. I've already applied for unemployment. If anyone can help think of a way to make about $1000/month for the next three months, then I would greatly appreciate your input. I'll see you later. Have a great day!

Here's his necklace he made (with Nana's help!). What's up with that face! 

TJ finding an egg...on the dangerous fountain! 

TJ seemed to like the cupcakes... 

Maybe they weren't so good? 

Julia, I meant to say this yesterday...Your working out is really paying off! You look Mahvelous, Dahling! 

Here's what Blake was doing while I was "watching" him, Gina! 

He really seems to like this book from Julia! He loves fishies! 

Mmmm, the beloved keyboard! 

TJ looking studly in his Easter outfit! 

Wow! What a busy weekend it has been! Today should be my wind-down day, but instead I get to try to catch up on all the stuff I needed to do during all the other days this week I was so busy! So here's what's been up:

First, we sold our house on Friday!!! Thank you to everyone out there who has prayed or hoped for us to get it sold. I guess it's not 100% sure yet, but even just the thought of it being sold is enough for me! The guy wants to rent it for a couple of months while he gets his stuff in order, and he wants to move in Friday. So, we have to hurry and get our stuff out, but hey, that's fine by me! We are not making any money on it, but that's much better than losing our credit for seven years! Hooray! Thank you again, everybody, and let this be my testament to the wonderful things that God can do if you really believe He's working for you!

Yesterday was the Easter egg hunt at church, then TJ's birthday party. It was such an awesome and fun day! First, we went to church and TJ made some nifty crafts with Nana, and then he searched for some eggs. We thought it was funny, b/c they had the 2 and unders go into this little courtyard at the church where there is a statue in the middle. There were all kinds of eggs up at the top of the statue, which stood about 5 feet high, and was surrounded by a low brick wall and pretty flowers. What a perfect place for people that are 3 feet and under to look for eggs! Yes, so we took TJ and threw him right up into those flowers, and said, "Have at it!" Ahh, the safety of finding eggs! It was fun, though, and he had a great time! Gayle (Nana) missed TJ finding eggs, b/c she got way too wrapped up in the crafts they were making, and told us to go on ahead of her. By the time she got there, it was over (those parents are cut-throat!), and she was upset. She said, "Come on, TJ, let's go find some eggs somewhere else." Unfortunately, what she didn't know was that there was nowhere else to go! Oh well.

Next was TJ's birthday party. It worked so well, or so I think. There were forecasts of rain yesterday, and the morning was looking pretty overcast, but we carried on in the hopes that it would not spoil our party. It was Family Fun Day at Finley Park (it's a HUGE park), and there were all kinds of rides and kiosks and the like out there. The place was a madhouse. We went over to the playground, where I had originally planned to go, and after eyeballing and hinting at wanting the only picnic table there for about half an hour, the lady got up and we stole it from her! We had a picnic and played at the playground and talked for a while. It was fun! The sun quickly came out, so much so that TJ, Trey, myself, my mom, and probably many others got pretty burnt! Now tell me God wasn't looking out! It was great! TJ had a blast playing with the ten million other kids at the playground, and hopefully so did all the other kids. I love Finley Park. They have a really neat and big playground. We had watermelon, pb&j sandwiches, chips, cokes and Capri-Suns, and cupcakes in ice cream cones. I would like to mention that if you think it would be fun to make cupcakes in ice cream cones, I hasten you to rethink that. It's a PAIN IN THE BUTT! I digress....TJ got every Elmo toy in the universe, I think, and Trey is super thrilled at that. The Silly Parts Talking Elmo is my favorite one. My mom "loves" me, and decided to get TJ a brand new keyboard, with lots of buttons and drum sounds, and a groovy new guitar! For those of you w/kids already, you know now just how much my mommy "loves" me. For those of you w/them on the way, these toys are what we call "Grandma's house toys". TJ really loves these toys. I really love my mommy...really, really love her....He got some cool books and a fishing game, too. I know there's more, but I can't think right now, so....Thank you to everyone who came yesterday. I really appreciate you coming out to hang out and have fun with us. TJ (and Trey and I) are lucky to have such great people in our lives!

Well, that's really about it, I guess. When I write it down, it doesn't look like as much, but I sure am tired from it all! I'm going to try to put a few of the best pics on here for you to see, and I'll try to find a way for everyone to see the rest if they desire (I took quite a few). Alrighty, you guys have a great day, and I'll see you soon!

I honestly don't really have any idea what Maundy Thursday is, but I think the word Maundy sounds so neat! I was going to go to the service at church tonight, but Trey and TJ didn't get home until it was right about to start, so we didn't have time to get there. Oh well, we're going to the Good Friday service tomorrow. That should be nice.

I volunteered at TotTrade last night. I wasn't really looking forward to it. I really just wanted to go and shop since it was the 60% off day. However, I did it, and it was actually kinda fun. Now, don't get me wrong...I worked my ASS off! (it's gone, totally gone!) It was SO busy! Since I'm more pregnant than some of the other women there (that place was just a magnet for pregos and grandmas!), I got to run the cash register. They are so trustworthy, I think, since I am just a volunteer. Nonetheless, it was pretty easy for the most part. I don't think I ever stopped, though. I wasn't like all the other women working there. They all knew people, and everytime I'd look down the table to the other registers they were talking to someone. So, everyone would come to me to check out b/c I wasn't preoccupied. Thankfully I only had to cashier for about two and a half hours. I started at five, and they closed at seven. I was still checking out people till about 7:30, though. It was a lot of work, but it wasn't that bad. I got to talk to most of the people, if they were willing, and that was a lot of fun. I used to be a cashier, and I have to say it was the most fun job I've ever had. After that, I got to mark down all the tags that were 60% off. It wasn't hard, but it got old after a while. It seemed like the cards would NEVER end! There was a nice older lady there that was also a volunteer, although much more seasoned and practiced than me. We talked while we worked. I was scheduled till 9, and when the time came, I was ready to bolt b/c I hadn't eaten yet, and I was soooo tired after working all day then going straight there (I had to get a little shopping in first!). However, she talked me into staying to work on the cards for a while longer, b/c the sooner they were done, the faster we get our money from consignment sales. Plus, we were having fun talking. Anyone who's willing to listen to me wins my vote! I ended up staying there and working till about 10-10:15. Then, I was just itching to look at all the stuff that was left over. I didn't think I could, but the lady asked if I could and they were like, "Sure, anything you buy we don't have to sort." So I did a maniac sweep of the place and got some more maternity clothes and a couple of little clothing items for the kids (at 60% off!!!!!). It was so great! I didn't end up leaving there till about 10:45. I probably would have stayed longer, but Trey was calling and calling and calling and wondering where in the world I was! The best part is that they are having another one in September! I can't wait! I'm already trying to figure out what I can take! I'm going to get Trey a consignor number so I can sell more of TJ's clothes. I think that saving money and finding good deals might be some kind of sickness for me, b/c last night while I was working and seeing all the great stuff people were getting, it was making my chest tight and I was getting really antsy to go out and get my own stuff! My mom would be so proud!

So, tomorrow is Good Friday. We were supposed to be off from work, but they changed our schedule and didn't bother to let us know until Monday. I think that's really crappy and unprofessional. Especially since the way we were told was via email: "We were supposed to have Good Friday off. However, it was changed at a meeting before Christmas in which I was absent. So, we will have school as usual on Friday." Oh great and wonderful fearless leader! Well, I had plans, a LOT of them, already. I am now sick. Sucks to be sick on two Fridays in a row, especially since I will have to lose a few hours of pay to be sick, but I am. I have to go shopping, make cupcakes, make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, make cookies, die eggs w/TJ, clean the house, get everything organized...and I'm sure the list goes on...Wish me luck! I'm lucky Trey's also off so we can hopefully work together. I do still have to go to work, though, b/c my fearless leader boss scheduled me a "Mandatory Meeting" at 3:30 tomorrow (we get off at 3:45, mind you) for my one year evaluation. I'm not worried, b/c it doesn't mean a damn thing except to tell you what she thinks of your performance for the year. It's funny, b/c she never comes to see what we do, and she makes us keep our doors shut. Her way of checking on our classes is to look through the little glass window in the door for a few seconds, and then move on. So it will be interesting to see what she has to say about me and my performance. I wonder if number of absences counts in that? We'll see...Wish me luck!

Well, I must be going now. Need to sleep. I hope you all have a marvelous day, and I'll talk to you soon! Bye now!

I'm feeling conflicted and upset right now. I'm not sure if this is okay. I really don't know if I'm being selfish, or if I'm being irrational, or if I'm justified in my thinking. So, feel free to let me know what you think, if you wish. I'm just going to get this out of my system now.

So TJ's birthday party is Saturday. Yes, he turned 2 in January, but I'm a strange person, and I opted to have the party in March. Long story...So I sent out the 16 invitations I bought, and even invited a few people w/o invitations. I asked the recipients to please RSVP, as I need to know what's going on, so I don't plan for 400 and get 2. These were sent out almost a month in advance--yes, a little early, but I wanted everyone to have plenty of time to plan if needed. Up until last week, I had heard from only one person who said she was coming w/her kids, no, maybe two. However, that left about 16 or so invites more. I sent out an email to those emailable, asking to please write back yes or no. I got most of them back. Cool. I was sad to see a couple who couldn't who I'd really hoped could come. The rest I vowed to call asap. Tonight was my first night to call around, and I did. This is where I began to get upset, and possibly for no reason, as I knew what to expect.

So I called my brother first, as I figured he probably wouldn't be home, and I knew he wouldn't come anyway. He was home. He has to work, as does his girlfriend. I expected as much. Then I called my "best friend in the whole wide world" Mike. We have been friends for a long time, and he always makes it a point when we are together to tell everyone how we are very best friends in the whole wide world. He has to work. At this point, I was getting really upset. No, I guess I already was. The rest of the names I could figure out or already knew if they were coming. Here's my beef: I feel like if someone is really important to you, then what is really important to them should be really important to you. In other words, if I am your best friend, or your sister, and I am having a birthday party for my son that I REALLY want you to be at, then if you really care you will find a way to make it happen. I made it a point to give everyone a month's notice to make any preparations they could just for that reason. My mom said my brother has to work b/c he needs money. I don't buy that, b/c he has never had a problem taking off to go to out of town concerts he really wants to see. He manages to get days off when he wants them. He works in a restaurant, and I used to, and I know that it is not that hard to ask for a day off here or there as long as you do it in advance. I understand that my brother is not at the same place as I am, and not a big "family type" of guy. However, I am his sister, and if he really loved me, he would see how important it is to me to have him there. It never fails that in order to see him, we must go out of our way to catch him on his time. Perhaps it's b/c my dad is a very selfish person that doesn't care about anyone but himself that this upsets me so much. I think what makes me more upset, though, is that my mom defends it, and says she's not bothered at all that he only talks to us when we go to him or when he needs something. Maybe it's just that it really hurts when you love someone a lot and know you would do anything for them, and they don't give a shit that you exist. Who knows...

So anyway, Mike can't go, either. Fine, he has to work. What's a little messed up is that I think he won't be at my shower, either. Marie made it co-ed just so he could be there. What's more messed up is that his ex. probably will be there, and we were never really super close. I'm sad that he can't be there, either. This is probably b/c he's been promising me for months now that he's going to come to see me one weekend (for a change). I told him about TJ's birthday party a month or so ago, and said just to come then. He seemed to think that a good idea. Tonight he acted as if he knew nothing about it, like I was asking him out of the blue three days before the event. Mabye it's just me being selfish and thinking that I am a priority to people. I guess life just gets in the way sometimes.

I'm a little mad that I don't think Ashley will come and bring Leah, too. I dropped everything at a moment's notice to haul butt down to Summerville to go to Leah's b-day party last month, and she called me the Thursday before the Sat. party. Again, I wanted to be nice and give plenty of notice. I haven't heard back from her yet, and I've called and left three messages. She promised she'd come. I guess I just feel let down, or lied to, or something....

I know this is a much bigger deal to me than it is to everyone else. To be honest, if it wasn't TJ's birthday party I wouldn't be looking forward to going, either. However, if it were someone important to me, I would find a way to be there if possible just b/c I think it would make them happy to have me there. I went to a b-day party last month where I didn't know anyone, including the kid, b/c a friend at work really wanted me to come. It wasn't fun for me. TJ had a mildly good time. I went, though, b/c I knew she'd be upset if I couldn't come. Maybe that's just me and the way I think, who knows...Maybe it's the pregnant hormones. I don't know. I just know I'm upset right now. I know that something that really upsets me is that all of these people who aren't coming didn't even bother to let me know. I'd probably be cooler with it if I had at least been extended the common courtesy of being told. Again, though, maybe that's just b/c in my mind I would like to be important to somebody...

I have to go now. Maybe it's b/c I'm home alone tonight, and I've had too much time to think. I'm sorry for the dreary post. I don't think this was my original thought idea. I just had to get this out. I hope you have a great day! I'll see you soon!

TJ and his good buddy, Mr. Peanut! 

Okay, so it's not often I do this, but I feel compelled. So here goes, I'm going to give it my best try...

There's a teacher across the hall from me at work. His name is Mr. James. His first name is Ralph, but I would never even dream to call him that. It might be b/c I know he's been teaching since before I was born, and he is just all teacher to me. It might be just b/c I respect him and look up to him, and it's like when you were growing up and had to call adults by Mr. and Mrs. Maybe it's all of the above.

Anyway, so his name is Mr. James. He is a math teacher. He teaches that dreaded subject that I cringe at the thought of having to teach. Don't get me wrong, I actually have my best days when I teach math, b/c it's a much more active subject than others and the boys know what it takes to finish it. That's another story, though. Mr. James does it everyday, and that is something I know I just could not do. As a matter of fact, he usually has to teach my lessons to me so I can teach them to the students! As well as being a math teacher, he is the lead math teacher, which means he is in charge of the whole math department (which, right now, consists of himself and one other teacher). He has been teaching at Birchwood for many years. I can't remember how many, but I do know that he was doing it long before I even entered a school. He really knows what he's doing, or at least has played the part very well! He has taught parents of parents of children who we teach now. Yes, sadly, we see students whose parents once graced our hallways.

So, I have the utmost respect for Mr. James. He has braved out a career that I have barely been in for two years and already want to leave. What I will miss most about Mr. James, though, is not his teaching. To be honest, I know little to nothing about his class or how he teaches. Our doors are always closed once class begins (a school rule), so I really have no idea what goes on in his classroom. I will, however, miss him. I will miss his stories, and what he's taught me. We have to stand in the hallways before classes to wait for our kids, sometimes for upwards of a half an hour in the mornings and after lunch. We have a lot of time to talk. This is something I excel at, if you have not met me. Mr. James is well aware of that. He's not so bad at talking himself. We talk about everything. I know all about his kids, and stories of how they manipulated photos when they were little, their relationships with friends and estranged spouses, all kinds of stuff. I even know a lot about his grandkids. I can't keep up, but I think he has about 452 of them. I know they are all very special to him, though, and I hope my kids are spoken as well of as his. I know he collects antiques and his wife collects dolls. I know Mr. James has a very full and loving life, and that he is definitely a very lucky man. He definitely sets a good example for me, and has inspired me to make changes in my life and to improve what I still have. What's more, not only does he tell me stories, he will listen to mine. I do tend to run on and on; I inherited that from my father, unfortunately. I can make a five second story last for hours (a wonderful talent when trying to drag out an essay with a minimum length!). Most tend to try to get away when I start to talk. Not Mr. James, he sticks it out, even if he probably wishes I'd just shut up! What a great friend!

I'm sad that Mr. James feels as I do about the sad state of affairs at our school. We have that to talk about sometimes, and we feel a lot alike. There's so much better out there to talk about, but we are both at this place where no one is respected, listened to, or treated like a human being. We're not alone, but it is nice to have someone to vent with. Mr. James is on TERI, which means he is actually retired, but can come back and teach for five more years and draw his retirement and regular pay. So you know the man loves to teach, or he would have been gone a while back! However, the situation is so bad at our school of late, that neither of us want to be there anymore. I remember when I first started few people were ever absent, and Mr. James was always there. Now we take turns being out. No one wants to be there, and we are both included. I'm sad b/c I'm leaving in June. Mr. James is trying to make it through January, then he, too, will leave. I will miss my students, believe it or not. They are products of their environments and don't know any better. I sometimes feel like we are the same way. I remember being a more caring and excited teacher when I first came to Birchwood. I think Mr. James was the same way. Now I think we are just biding our time until it's all over. Our environment has led us to this. I don't really know much about what Mr. James has done in his career, but I'm quite sure from just knowing him that he has achieved great things. I hope that when he leaves he knows and remembers that, as opposed to the last year of his career where all hell broke loose and education became a joke. I have few experiences to compare to his, but I will always look back and fondly remember the rare moments when a student "got it", or the other small things that have kept me coming back even this short time. I'm sure Mr. James has plenty of those moments, enough to fill an entire book (a big book!). I've heard some of those stories, and I will miss them, too.

Mr. James gave me a stuffed animal one day of Mr. Peanut. I told him how I had a Hamburger Helper hand and various other cool stuffed animals that my mom got me when I was little, and he brought it to me. I was thrilled! I didn't intend for TJ to have it, but one day Trey gave it to him. He fell in love with it, and now sleeps with it every night, and Mr. Peanut is one of his closest friends. Who would have thought? Maybe TJ knew it came from a really cool person, and was drawn to it much as I am to Mr. James. Who knows. I just think it's cool. It means a lot more to me that one of TJ's favorite toys came from Mr. James. Perhaps years from now he'll still love it. I'll always know it came from Mr. James, and I will always remember him for having such a huge impact on my life. It's funny the people who influence your life. Sometimes they're the last people you would expect to. Of course, if you ever met Mr. James, you would know that he is someone who would. I'll be sad to leave in June (or sooner), and a lot of it will have to do with the fact that there will no longer be a Mr. James every morning. Neither Trey nor my kids will ever have the patience to listen to me run my mouth! Who will tell me all the great stories Mr. James has? I have no idea if I'll ever see him again. Perhaps we may run into each other at Wal-Mart one day (isn't that really where life happens?). I'll have to eagerly await that day!

I remember telling Daemon I would do an ode to my favorite teacher. I have some that actually gave me credits for graduation, but none that have taught me so much as Mr. James. So, here's my long, drawn out and rambling Ode to Mr. James, my favorite teacher. Mr. James, if you ever read this, I wish you the best retirement and fullest life ever! Thank you.

Talk to you later! Have a great day!

I woke up really early this morning. That is a big no-no on Saturday mornings. However, it was for a good cause. Yes, that's right...I woke up early so that I could go SHOPPING and spend lots of money! Oh, but the excitement of it all was totally worth it! Thank you, Gina, for totally making my day by telling me about TotTrade.

I found out not too long ago that you could go earlier to the sale by volunteering. My goal, really, was just to find a double stroller and matching carrier. Sadly, that's the only thing I didn't find! However, I found oh so much more! I spent $279, and got millions of dollars worth of stuff! TJ has been happy all day with his new toys, I with my new maternity clothes, and Taryn with the dreams of all of the new things she will be getting when she comes to visit our world. Check out what I got:

a crib mattress
a swing (traveling kind)
a traveling high chair
an exersaucer (which can be turned into a track for TJ, and he loves it!)
LOTS of socks, for both children
LOTS of shoes, mainly for Taryn, but some for TJ
a few really cool outfits for Taryn
some cool hats for TJ
a few needed clothing items for TJ
his Easter sweater and undershirt
one of those little light thingys for the crib w/fish in it
cool ducky pics for the bathroom
a multi-picture frame
a picture book for Taryn's pics
a tape player for TJ to carry around w/9 tapes (it did not stop playing ALL day!)
a hammer set for TJ
some videos for TJ (including the Grinch)
a hokey-pokey Elmo for TJ
an Elmo driver toy for TJ to play w/in the car
a cool flashlight and binoculars for TJ (he totally doesn't get the binoculars, though)
church maternity clothes for me
fun maternity clothes for me
work maternity clothes for me

I think that's it. Everything was in excellent condition (or I wouldn't have bought it), and so cheap! One AWESOME outfit (that I actually registered for) still had the tags on it, and was nothing! Here's what made it even better...All of my big stuff sold. So, I know already that I'm going to be getting about $70 or so (I just had a stroller and a changing table) back (assuming none of my clothes sold, which I didn't check). Plus, we got a $100 credit card from Rent.com when we moved here, and I used it to pay for some of the stuff. So, in essence, I really only spent about $100 on all of that stuff! Excellent! It was really cool to see my stuff was sold, too. Made me feel good. Tomorrow is restock day, and I'm about to bust to find stuff to take and try to sell. I think I might try to raid TJ's toy box when we get home from church tomorrow. There's bound to be tons of stuff that we don't need and that doesn't get played with. I really can't wait for next year. Just imagine all the stuff I'll be able to sell once Taryn's all done with it. And then the next year....Oh, I'm getting all worked up just thinking about it! It really was fun. What was really cool was to see the ingenuity of the women in finding ways to carry all of their stuff, and the absolute fury at which they attacked the whole bargain shopping experience. I took a wagon. Of course, I was just reading the website, and it said not to, but I didn't see that before. I was wondering why no one else had thought of that? Oh well. No one said anything to me...On Wednesday I'm volunteering, and I have to be there at 5. However, it's the 60% off day, so I may have to go at 4 to try to find some deals before I have to work....Ahhh, isn't saving money great! Now if I could just find a way to get my stroller for cheap or free....

Oh, I have to tell you TJ's funny stuff for the day. I felt like Julia must have the other day when she was short w/Alison. I was so tired from sheer lack of sleep, and all I wanted was for TJ to take a nap so I could, too. Would he? Hell no! Nevertheless, no matter how snappy Mommy was with him, he was still so funny and witty. I love that kid! Anyway, his new thing is to say that everything is a "bye-bye". (???) We were singing songs tonight before he went to bed, and he would substitute all kinds of words in them w/"bye-bye!" So, instead of, "Mary had a little lamb," it was, "Mary had a little bye-byeee!" He did this w/about every song he knows. It was hilarious. What was more funny was the big goofy smile he would get on his face when he said it! I tell you, that's the funniest kid in the world, hands down. Now, if he can just go out there and make a million dollars using his humor, and buy me a big house and take care of me...We can all dream, right?

Alrighty, I'll talk to you later. Have a wonderful and meaningful day! Bye!

Well, after an actual full week of teaching last week, I am now on day number two off of this week. I had a dr. appt. yesterday, and really, who wants to go back to work after that? Especially when you couldn't even eat breakfast and your hubby is off? Then I just wasn't feeling it today. Well, there went my leave for the month, but oh well, I'm happy!

So, it appears that I hang and converse with an intelligent lot. Of all of the people I know of who took the test I last posted, we all did very well. I, of course, thought I should have done better, but I'm sure it just had something to do with outside distractions or pregnant brain or something like that....Yeah, that's it! So congrats, all you smart people! It's nice to know ya!

Well, yesterday I had an exciting day. First I had the dr. thing, and that was about as fun as going to the dr. to drink icky orange soda filled with sugar can be. Then, on the way home I stopped by my old dr's. office to get a printout of my charges (for insurance), and found out I have a $60something credit, and they will send it to me asap. How great is that! Plus, I mailed off the last payment on Trey's car, so it's now paid off, and his insurance will be cheaper, too! Then, I stopped and got a big ol' coffee from a place my pastor raved about, I felt I earned it, and it wasn't too bad. To me, not so much worth the four dollars I had to pay, though. Still good. Once I had Trey and TJ, we went and dropped off my stuff I am consigning at TotTrade. I am about to bust now! TotTrade is this annual consigning event where all kinds of people bring in their "gently used" baby stuff to sell. It's HUGE! We walked around and looked at some of the stuff, and I'm sure my eyes were as big as basketballs the whole time. I could even see Trey get a little excited about seeing all the baby stuff! I can't wait till I can go at 8 tomorrow morning to buy stuff! You know if I'm willing to wake up at 8 on a Saturday, it's totally worth it! I have a list of things I want to get ,and I am about to pop to make sure I get there in time to get it all before someone else does! I can't imagine anything more fun in the world than getting cool stuff and saving money! I am just in limbo waiting now...I just wish I'd already had my showers, so I'd know what I'd still need. Well, we'll make it work. I was even told that my changing table was really nice, and that I should sell it easily. I hope they take checks!

Later in the day Trey and I dropped TJ off at wonderful and generous Wesley and Gina's house while we had a date night. We first went to eat at Chili's, which was nice. Then we went out to Bailey's, an Irish bar and grill, and met a guy from work named Doug and his wife, Alison. I had a great time. They are fun to talk to. Trey will deny having fun to his dying day, but I think he enjoyed it. He proclaims to hate people and being around them, but I think he liked it. It was nice just to be with other people for a change, and talk about new stuff other than work and home and all that. Of course, we stayed out way too late (did I mention how wonderful Gina and Wesley are?) for a school night, but it was totally worth it. I had fun, and it's not often I get to be around other people in a social situation like that.

While I'm thinking about that, I have a question for you. It's an opinion question. Okay, we went to Arby's yesterday for lunch, and while we were there, Trey taught TJ to say "Ca-ca". The next thing I know, TJ's screaming out "Ca-ca" over and over again in this busy restaurant at the top of his lungs, and laughing insanely. When I got mad at Trey, he said to stop. Then he proceeded to tell TJ to say, "Mommy's butt's broken, it has a crack in it." Again, as loud as his little lungs could make it come out, "Mommy's butt's broken...It has a crack in it!" Insane laughter again. This really infuriated me. Trey still does not see the problem. Doug and Alison thought it was funny. As did my brother (tisk, tisk). Is anyone on my side? Does anyone think this was not appropriate for a public place. I admit I think it's hilarious when TJ says it at home (the butt thing), but I prefer he not yell it out in a busy restaurant. I totally felt like everyone else was mumbling under their breath that we are morons and bad parents. Not that I care, really, except that I'm not, and I don't teach my son to be vulgar, and I don't want to be seen that way. So what do you think? Yes, you can tell me once you've stopped laughing....

Okay, well, I'll talk to you soon. I must go and see what inspired things you all have written now. Have a great day!

I, too, am smarter than I thought!

English Genius You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 87% Advanced, and 83% Expert!

You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go! Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it! For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 61% on Beginner You scored higher than 71% on Intermediate You scored higher than 20% on Advanced You scored higher than 87% on Expert

Link: The Commonly Confused Words Test written by shortredhead78 on Ok Cupid

Oh, and do read about yesterday, if you haven't already. Have a great day, and I'll see you soon!

We had an inservice today, which is where we have to sit in a meeting all day with all of the other teachers in our district and go over the numbers, what's going on, and learn a little something. The first half of the day made me want to tear my eyeballs out for sheer boredom. First they covered everything about DJJ and education that's happened in the last year, then what's to come. After that, my big boss lady, whom I DESPISE, gave a presentation about special ed. I'm sure it helped a lot of the people there, who are completely unaware of how special ed. works, and that nine times out of ten, they are breaking the law when it comes to teaching special ed. kids. However, for me it was just a long review of college (which was not that long ago). Finally, though, it was time for lunch...

Which is where I got really pissed, but also had a nice time. This guy Ken approaches me at work a couple of weeks ago and asks me to set up a group and stuff to go to California Dreaming for lunch today, since we'd be downtown and have some time. I say, "Sure." Trey works there, I eat free, no problem there. Plus, since they know me, it tends to get us in faster. I emailed to everyone at work an open invite to come today. Many said they would. When it came time to go, not a single one came. That's not so much what pissed me off, though. Thankfully, people from other schools wanted to come, too, and we had a decent sized little crowd. It was actually quite nice to be with new and different people for a change, and get to talk about other stuff, like how their schools run and how they don't get Good Friday off (???). However, Ken tells me this morning that he's not feeling well, and may not go (Ummm, what the!). I tell him that it is not an option, since it was his idea, not mine, and that I will kick him hard in the shins if he does not go. Well, he didn't go. Asshole. As a matter of fact, only four people from my school went, down from about 15-20 who said they would, and none of them had even told me they were coming. Well, I guess you know who your friends are, eh, and who not to bother with. I'm just really peeved that he ditched me like that. I actually would have preferred to go somewhere else (I'm a little tired of going there). I went b/c I was obligated to go after Ken told me to set it up. He will get no more friendly emails from me asking him how his day's going anymore...

So anyway, after lunch is when the day picked up. A guy from the sheriff's office came in and talked to us about gang awareness. I must tell you that I was very little gang aware before today, and I was probably better off that way. I think I'm feeling quite depressed now after his presentation. He showed us a lot about their graffiti and stuff, which I have seen plenty of. The same went for the hand signals...I've seen my fair share. I just thought, though, that they were representing their gangs with the hand signs. However, what really scared me is that they are actually communicating that way. From what I can gather, I should be dead by now. For instance, when a boy pulls up on both sides of his shirt at the shoulders, it means to surround a person. When he rubs his belly it means to hit him. When he runs his hand across his abdomen diagonally and downward, it means to kill him. Well, I have seen all of those, not to mention the other ones he showed us, and I would guess then that I should be dead by now. The shoulder thing is almost daily. Oh, and if he pulls up on just one shoulder, that means he's pimping. Isn't that great? The things he showed us, though, are really quite astounding and terrifying. Like, for instance, the kids have to memorize the entire Book of Knowledge for their gang, which is about 3/4 inch thick (yet half of them can't even read!). They use 10 year olds and such that are in special ed. to do their dirty work at schools, b/c they can't be arrested, and they can't be expelled (special ed. students can only be suspended up to 10 days per school year by law). So here we have the youngest and lowest kids doing the most important lawbreaking stuff for these gangs. It showed how a kid could hide about 10 guns on his person w/o even one being seen or noticeable. There is a new gang from some hispanic country that has transplanted itself here to the US (and is rampant on the east coast--even as close as Rock Hill, SC, an hour and a half away) called MS-13, and they are cold-blooded killers with no respect for any rules but their own. They just recently chopped some kid's head and arms off in Rock Hill to show their power. They are so bad the FBI is involved with trying to put an end to them. He said that kids have to be beaten in (a large group of gang members beats the crap out of him) to the gangs, and many die from deadly blows. Some are born in b/c their parents are gang members. They even sell coloring books for little gang members that their parents can get them, complete with pics of guns and gang symbols. Some girls can be sexed in, where they have to have sex w/however many guys they roll on two dice. He even showed us pics of gang murders, complete with a picture of a guy who got run over by a concrete truck by an opposing gang right up in Charlotte, NC. These are the kids I work with. These are the kids that attend public schools. These are rich kids, poor kids, middle class kids. They are white, black, hispanic, Asian, etc...They are KIDS! I am also deciding to no longer listen to any rap music. Xibit (is that how you spell it?) has a video, which he showed us, where he does the Crip Dance, along with lots of kids doing it, too. They spell out Crip with their feet, and it insults other gang members. Then fights break out. Snoop is a Crip, too, as is Ice Cube and a bunch of others. They prey on this and make money off of it. It gets worse, though. Calvin Klein means CK, Crip Killa, which is a Bloods chosen line of clothing. Burker King, BK, means Blood Killa, where Crips choose to eat, and Bloods won't go near. ADIDAS stands for All Day I Disrespect a Slob, which is a Crip saying and chosen shoes. I was just talking to a kid the other day, and he said he can't wear anything but ADIDAS. I just thought he really liked the shoes....???? Crips are blue. Folks are under Crips, and they're black. Bloods are red. They also wear pink. The six sided star (of David) and a pitchfork are signs of Crips and Folks, and the five sided star is Bloods. They even go so far as to use number to signify certain letters of the alphabet! In other words, CK, or Crip Killa, would be 3-11. Graffiti is not only to represent, it's also to send messages, and he warned that if we ever saw any graffiti to report it to the police immediately, complete with what it said, then cover it up or get rid of it immediately, but not to cross it out. To cross it out would upset them and make it worse. To leave it would make the other gang feel the need to respond in like manner. My mind is full of this stuff, and I wish I didn't know any of it! There are tons of little kids in these wannabe gangs who are not only ruining their lives, but taking a big risk that the ones they have will be cut short. He said that if you ever meet an old person in a gang, he's usually left pretty much alone, b/c the fact that he's lived that long says a lot about what he's lived through. How sad is that?!

Okay, I've gone on long enough. I'm sorry that was so long. That was only the start of what I have learned about gangs since I've been at DJJ. It is the biggest tragedy I can think of. What's the saddest part is that these kids join them b/c they don't have the love and attention they need at home. So, please, if you got nothing else from this, please just go and tell your kid (or maybe any kid you know that could use some attention) how much you love him or her, and make sure to be the best parent you possibly can be. It's so scary out there!

You have a great day! I'll see you soon!

We had an inservice day today, which means no students and taking classes to get some larnin' done. I learned a lot, and I really hope I can put it to use. However, it meant sitting on my buttocks the whole day....not fun! So I thought that meant that I would not be tired, b/c I didn't really "do" anything, at least as far as movement goes. I went to see Trey at work and eat with him after work, and then decided to go shopping for a little while and get some stuff we need. Trey really needs some dress shirts for work, TJ needs some summer clothes, and I need some maternity clothes. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but shopping for that stuff is a lot more tiring than I thought! I went to Wal-Mart, my second home, and while I was there I decided that TJ needs a tie for Easter. Do you know that they do not have any clip-on ties for little boys!? I got so frustrated! When I saw how mad I was getting, I came to the conclusion it was time to come home. I'm here now, and I feel much better....so tired....

So, TJ and I named the fishies yesterday. In case I didn't mention it, one of the second set just died for no known reason. It was acting a little strange the night before, and we kinda thought it was laying eggs or something. Well, TJ refused to accept that there were more than two fish anyway, so it kinda works. They seem to work together well. Anyway, I wanted to name the one with a black stripe down its back Spike, but TJ seemed set on Rock. Cool with me. The other one is gold with a white belly, and he chose the name Water. I thought they were Rock and Water. Cool with me. Then, Trey gets home, and Rock was Spike! Okay, so they are Spike and Water. I'm so excited! My baby named his first pets! He has his first pets! Sure, we had a dog and two cats when he was born, but they weren't his. He didn't care one bit about them. Pud (the dog) lives with Trey's parents now, and he has no idea that that was once our dog. Now, he has two fishies that are his responsibility. He feeds them twice a day, and we watch them eat and play in their water. He is so excited about his fishies. That makes me so excited!

I think I'm a little rambly today. It might be b/c I'm tired, and I don't think my brain is on anymore. I know I have thoughts, but they don't seem to be complete or something. I do have a question for you, though. What are the "guy" chores in your house, and the "girl" chores? In other words, do you all have certain chores deemed to you and your spouse, or any others living in the house? Sometimes I think about how we run things, and I wonder if it's the same w/other people. Like, in my mind, taking the trash out will always be Trey's job (or possibly TJ's), and doing the dishes will always be mine (even though Trey does help me out with them--my love!). Well, just let me know what you think...

Alrighty, have a great day! I'll see you soon!

Today was so great! Nice weather just makes for a wonderful day!

So Blake and Julia had soccer games this morning. I have been wanting to go and be all the Aunt Christi I can be, so I found out when they were, and promised that I would make it to Blake's today (Julia's was at 8:30, and I wouldn't even make it to TJ's at that time!). Then I would go see Julia next time. Sometime around midnight last night it occurred to me that I had no idea where these games would be taking place. Gina had said something about them practicing at church, so I took a chance and hoped that the game was at their church. No such luck. I decided to drive around and hope to stumble upon some little people playing soccer. The program is called SOR, and I remembered a place called Seven Oaks Park that has all kinds of recreation stuff right down the road. I tried there. Only little people playing baseball. (Mental note: Keep that in mind. I want TJ to play baseball.) So, I just drove aimlessly, since I really am not familiar enough with my surroundings to know where else to look. I ended up near an elementary school with a pretty cool looking playground, great weather, and had decided that I would just hang out till they got home and go see them there. We went to play. Two little boys, about 6-8ish, came to play with their cars while TJ was swinging. TJ wanted to go play where they were, and I was apprehensive that they wouldn't want a little baby getting in their way. Boy, was I wrong! They let him play with their cars, played with him, and everything! One showed me his magic trick (he turned a pencil into dirt, then back again!). The other not only talked my ear off, but showed me his bike trick (he called it "meditation", and it looked just like he was meditating on a bike!). It was so great! TJ was having fun with them and their cars, and wanted to keep the cars, of course. The older boy said he could have one, b/c they had three. I had to tell him no (I'm sure his mom would have loved that!), and that I would buy TJ one later (LIE! They are the ones I saw on tv the other day that you have to put some kind of juice stuff in to make them go faster...that means MONEY!). He made sure to tell me exactly what aisle to find them on and everything! Then, they had to go home, and we had to leave, so he gave TJ a kool-aid pouch thing. TJ was so excited! He kept saying, "I got a drink (dink), I got a drink!" It warmed my heart that there are such nice kids out there. I have this mistaken notion in my head of late that kids are all just mean and hate babies. I'll have to rethink that notion....

So we saw the kids after that. Blake's team lost, but he played a good game, and Julia's team won. Hooray! I wish I could have seen it. I don't care for soccer, but it would have been fun to see, especially since I know some of the players. They liked the cookies I brought for them, which is good, b/c I didn't think they came out very well. Then we went home for a while to eat lunch. I got a good long nap while TJ took his. That was great! I don't know if it's just me, but my daily crash time (when I get dreadfully tired) has come down from b/t 5-6 to b/t 2-3 now. That's been hard b/c I'm teaching then during the week. I assume it has to do with being pregnant, but I don't remember that happening with TJ. Of course, just moving is tiresome anymore!

When we woke up TJ went out to ride his bike (tricycle) for a while. He usually won't ride it with me for some strange reason, and he rode all the way down the street today! It was cool! Then we went to the playground down the street. This trip just made my day even better! There were about a million people there (who could pass up such a nice day), and TJ was playing as usual. However, he went to climb on these little red things, and there was another little boy there who was five. I started to talk to him about SpongeBob b/c he had on a shirt with him on it. TJ must have taken that to mean he was cool. So they started to play together, and they would climb together and chase each other. It was so great! TJ had the biggest smile on his face the whole time. Even when he was talking gibberish, the little boy would say the same thing. It was all we could do to split them up so we could leave. This was special to me b/c TJ is usually VERY bashful, and doesn't play with other kids, especially not little boys. So, not only did he play w/someone else, but he did it twice in one day, and they were boys! I am so thrilled! What a wonderful day!

Oh, and as far as the fish go, they are all still alive. We went and got three more from Petsmart (only $.15 there, I can kill twice as many now!), and got the drops to put in the water, too. They seem to be fine. However, one of them seems to prefer just laying in the rock w/holes in it all the time. I keep tapping to make sure it's alright, and it moves, but I'm a little baffled. The flushing of the first three was very unceremonious. I said, "TJ, they were sick, and they died." Flush! He told me today that he ate his breakfast and it died. Well, at least it's part of his vocabulary now....

Okay, that was quite long. I hope you all have a great day, and I'll see you soon!

This is a couple of months old, but that's my punk baby! 

Here's the latest update from the last few days:

The boy that I helped get into art class that was standing up for me the other day is now in my first period class, a choice that I made to get him where I thought he would thrive the best. It seems that all of his friends are also in first period, namely those in his gang. It also seems that he is quite easily upset when picked on, and prone to the use of profanity. It also seems that his desire to work for or with me is now null and void, and he instead prefers to sleep or argue with his "friend" in my class, who thinks it's funny to push his buttons. As well, he has since proven to the art teacher that his main love in life is his gang, and gang banging, and thus, he's only interested in doing stuff in art in which he can proliferate gang banging art. So, it seems that I made a grievous mistake in going out of my way for him, and thus made the lives of two people (one being myself) worse instead of better. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Can't read em all.

At TJ's decision to get a goldfish, we got a little excited. So, last night we went out and got him three goldfish and a little one gallon tank for them. We even bought a little colorful rock with holes in it and some colorful gravel. It was a big family affair last night when we put the little tank together and turned on the light. It said to run the filter for 48 hours before putting the fish in it, but 1 hour was hard for me to even fathom. However, I decided to compromise and wait one day. So, this evening after we got home from the playground, we made another big family deal and put the fish into the little tank. They flitted everywhere, and seemed to be having a wonderful time in their new home. One even swam through the holes in the rock! TJ really enjoyed it, and we watched them for at least half an hour before moving on to eating dinner. Well, I would look back occasionally to see how they were doing, and it seemed as though they were getting, ummm, slower and sleepy. To make a long story short, one is now dead. Another one is looking close to it, and the other one just looks like he's fighting for his life. Undoubtedly, you are supposed to put something else in the water or something, even though the directions said nothing to this effect, or it's just that important to run the water for 48 WHOLE hours before you put them in. Thankfully, TJ has no comprehension of death yet (or does he, smart little devil!), and I think we can easily cover this one. He found the dead fish before I did, and he said he was taking a "nap". We'll leave it at that. I told Nana (who will be here with him tomorrow) that if they are all dead when she gets here tomorrow, to please try to cover and distract him from looking at the fisssssies until I can run to the store after work and get some more. I can tell this fish thing is going to be a long journey, complete with four thousand little Wal-Mart fish along the way. Thank goodness they're only $.28!

I would also like to make a shout-out to my loving husband, Trey. Today when I got home a load of laundry was running, the dishes were just finishing up in the washer, TJ's room had been rearranged to be much more roomy, the house was clean, and he was in the process of beginning to vaccuum. If that's not the best thing in the world to come home to, nothing is! Oh, and did I mention the trash was taken out? So, I will be busy tonight loving on my wonderful man and showing him my appreciation, and at the same time relaxing b/c everything's done already! No calls, please. To quote Korn, "Got the life!"

Alrighty then, I hope your day is as exciting as my coming home was, and I'll see you soon!

The string from the camera is in the way, but he just looked so silly here! His new play place and hiding spot is behind the couch. He is hiding from us right now! 

This is TJ showing you his new fish tank and gol-fissssies. He is so excited!  

Okay, they both "fell down". I had to "pick them up". When I asked if they needed help, they began to wiggle and dance all over the floor! I think it's some kind of Pitchford disease that gets passed down through the men! 

Ahhh, Sleeping Beauty! 

I realize that I'm a day late, now, but yesterday was National Women's Day. So, if you are a man, or a woman for that matter, do take a moment to say something nice to your fellow woman. It's not too late.

The reason I am a day late is b/c yesterday I had this long, lovely post written up, and I was seconds away from finishing it, when I noticed some dust on the F5 key. Why I noticed this is beyond me, but it bothered me, so I went to wipe it off. Don't ever wipe your F5 key off while you are posting, b/c it wipes out everything, never to be found again! Now, this is not the worst part. The worst part is that I have done this several times before, the exact same way, the exact same reason. Soooo, last night after I finished my fit, I proceeded to wipe the F5 key off very well, until it was shiny. Did I get the rest of the keyboard? Oh no! So I'm sure I'll be finding out soon what happens when you press the F4 key while posting!

When I called last night to see how TJ was doing, he informed me that he's getting a goldfish and a turtle. His exact words: "I gettin' a gol-fissss. I gettin' a turtle, toooooo." Undoubtedly he watched Stanley at Nana's house, and made this decision and let her know. When asked what he was going to do with the gol-fissss, he replied that he was going to eat it. Hmmmm....Well, I thought those animals would be alright. Today I told the teachers around me about it, and Mr. James pointed out that turtles have lots of germs and carry diseases, and that's it's illegal to sell them in SC. So, turtle out. I can handle the gol-fissss, as long as he doesn't eat it! I love TJ!

So I had a teacher moment yesterday that made me sad about the prospect of leaving. A student who wouldn't do anything in my class when he first came, has done a turn-around. I noticed one day that he was doing some graffiti looking stuff on the paint thing on the computer. It was not gang related (against school rules), so I allowed it. Plus, I like the way graffiti looks, at least when it's not bad. I thought he might be interested in art, so I asked him about it. I had checked his schedule and he was in PE. He really wanted to be in art. I pulled some strings and got him in. He was so happy! Another student was talking trash to him about me yesterday, as he is commonly found doing (it's b/c he loves me so much!), and he came back to him. He told him I was cool b/c I went out of my way to get him into art. Yes, I realize this is minor as far as big moments got. However, it was sweet, and I was so happy that I could do something so special for him. What's best is that now he works in my class, and we get along pretty well. Another student whom I've been working for a long time on now sings this song everyday when he comes in, b/c he knows it gets on my nerves...It says, "Christina is too stupid, and Keisha lies too much. I'll guess I'll stick with Rhonda, cause Rhonda don't give a...." Well, you figure it out. I know it sounds really silly, but I love that he does that, b/c he likes to rattle me a little. Not only does he like to see me rant and rave about why I have to be the stupid one, but he likes to watch my eyes get big when he gets to the end and I'm waiting to see if he uses profanity. I figure if we hadn't bonded at least a little, he'd be like he was at first where he would cuss me out if I even tried to talk to him. Don't get me wrong, I have those special teacher moments, too, where they actually learn something. I will miss these times, though, once I'm gone.

Well, I must be off now. My boys are about to wake from their naps, and I must be there to love on them! Hope you all have a wonderful day, and I'll see you soon!

Dude! Karla is in the home stretch! She only has a month and a half left to go! Chances are, it could be even less than that, since she's so little and everything! I can't wait! She had a shower this weekend, which you can read about on her blog if you like, and she got the fat hook-ups! I can hardly wait to see this beautiful baby girl! It also makes me a little more excited about my upcoming showers and baby! I've only got three months left! Oh, what a wonderful time we are in! At church, I believe that there are about 11 women pregnant or who just had babies right now. I think that's what they said...11 or 13, something like that. Wow! Last week a girl in my Sunday school class, whom I was just getting to know, had her twins. They weren't due till April, but they decided they didn't feel like waiting. She gets to bring them home in two weeks! Oh for joy! They were asked if the church could do anything for them, and they mentioned that sometimes after a baby is born, family and friends will drop off dinners and pre-cooked food for the family so they don't have to worry about that while trying to get situated with their new baby. I remember now that Trey's family and a family from their church did that for us. It was a wonderful idea. Lord knows I'm not one for cooking period, so to have actual cooked food was nice. I will say that I could have done w/o the whole family actually hanging out the first day he was home, but at least I didn't have to worry about finding something to eat on that most stressful first day! I think it's a totally novel idea. Kinda makes me wish I had more family and friends around here to tell about this wonderful idea! Wonder if my friends from Chas. will drive all the way up here to drop off food, then go away? But really...if you know someone who's pregnant, it is a nice thought to keep in mind for after the baby is born. I know I plan to send food to new mommy with twins. One other thing, it must be something easily eaten, but I'm sure you already guessed that!

While I'm on the topic of baby, she moved! Yes, yes, I know she's been moving, but this is a significant move. Today I went to see Trey at work to eat with him on his break. Afterwards he walked me out to the car (such a gentleman!). While we were talking, my stomach suddenly felt much bigger and very full and tight in the front. It has seemed smaller the last few days, and even others have pointed it out. It seems that little Taryn has decided to reposition herself OFF of my pelvis and all those wonderful nerves, and back to her nice spot in the front! Immediately, with the exception of the little bit of soreness left over from last week, the pain I've been feeling went away! I showed Trey how I could suddenly walk w/o a limp again, and even danced in the parking lot for a minute! How wonderful! I realize that she may well want to go back there again, but perhaps if I offer her candy, she'll want to stay up front?....

Well, I guess that's all for me today. No real school news to talk about. It was actually the most normal day I've had in I don't know how long! I hope your day was equally as normal, or better, and that tomorrow is super! I'll see you soon!

So is everybody sick? Here, we have three living under the same roof. Here, we have three living under the same roof that are sick. All three different illnesses. Well, sorta. Trey has a NASTY stomach virus, and has lost over 10 pounds in the last two days (you can use your own imagination to figure out how!). TJ has a cough and a runny nose, and just feels icky. I have sore hips and legs, and now am waiting to see if I caught the virus that Trey has, as my stomach is very upset and I'm dead tired for no reason. What a fun weekend! My sister was going to come up today and meet us for lunch, but she called today and said she was feeling under the weather. Geez!

So we watched The Exorcist: The Beginning today. It was pretty good. Lots of moments that make you jump. Stuff like that really freaks me out. I know I believe in God, and I'm not so worried about that stuff, but the thought that Satan is out there taking people over is quite scary. What I always want to know is why it always seems to be a woman who's possessed, and where does the devil go once he's out? I mean, he must go somewhere. He has to hang out in people's bodies to get anywhere, so surely he just goes to find another helpless soul. So can the exorcists really feel like they've won and done their job successfully if the devil has just moved on? Well, let's just be glad it's just a movie...or is it?

Go here to see what my baby looks like right now. Isn't it exciting! I can't wait! She needs to get a move on. I'm ready for her now:
http://www.epigee.org/pregnancyhelp/graphics/06mos-sm.jpg

I tried to post that pic directly to this post, but I couldn't figure out how. So, if you can help me do it, your tips would be greatly appreciated.


Well, have a great day! I'll see you soon!

Well, mainly just those that call in on Fridays and Mondays, and cause us to have to not have regular classes b/c there are too many teachers out! It's actually quite sad, if you think about it, just how little education our students get at our school, since we are always holding them for movies. It's only really been this last few weeks it's been this bad, but I fear it's only going to get worse. Our school has been on a downhill slope for a while now, and the momentum is now growing. The students know they are in charge, and so do the teachers. The JCO's have begun a battle with the teachers over who is in charge (even though at least we know it's the kids), b/c they think it should be them. (ex.-Just the other day a JCO came into my room about five times to yell at a kid--we are required to keep our doors shut--for wearing his hat in my classroom. I didn't have a problem with it, in MY classroom, and all he did was disturb the class. Finally I just told him to take it off and leave it off so he'd stop coming in!) Teachers don't see the point of being there anymore, and when they are, they don't see a point in getting there on time, b/c no one really cares (and though she says she does, she doesn't follow through on any sort of discipline for it). The students told me the other day that the riot that was avoided the other day hasn't been cancelled. They are just going to have it another time. I was wondering how that worked. I didn't think they would just say, "Oh, well, they held us in classes. I guess we don't hate each other anymore." I say this not in a bitching sort of way, but more of a scared sort of way. If something were to happen during first period, I can't really say I'd feel comfortable with my students. We were told Wed. that if there was a riot to lock our doors from the outside, and keep our kids in. Ummm, I have some kids in there from Charleston, who are BIG into the gangs, and I'll be damned if I'm holding them in! As well, they like me the least, aside from fifth. However, in fifth I have a couple who I honestly think would make sure I was cool. The rest of my classes I am not worried about. I don't particularly want to be stuck at school during a riot situation, though. Especially since now I can't really move very quickly. Oh, but back to my original thought...I love it when teachers call in like that (we were missing about 13-15 today), b/c I really wasn't feeling in the mood to teach today, and I got to see Raiders of the Lost Ark and Remember the Titans. Great movies! Oh, and I got to chat on email all day!

So that was not how I actually planned on starting this post. So negative. Let me start again...I have the funniest story to tell you! Yesterday, we went to Wal-Mart and TJ found this little plastic gun laying on the ground that went click, click, click. Very annoying, but he loved it (not cool with that!) and it kept him occupied while we shopped. He was shooting at everything! As we were walking through the clothing section, Trey said, "TJ, go blow Mommy's leg off." TJ put the gun down, walked up to my leg, and blew with all his might! It was the funniest thing in the world! I started laughing, and Trey was like, "What are you laughing at?" So I said, "TJ, go blow Daddy's leg off." He walked up to Trey's leg, blew as hard as he could, and it was all I could do to stay standing up I was laughing so hard, as was Trey. I cried I laughed so hard! You have to love that innocence! That's why I'm going to have ten kids! Who would ever want to lose those moments!

As for my pregnancy, I have sciatica now. How exciting! If you've ever pulled a muscle in your butt and entire leg, imagine how that felt, times ten, and ALL THE TIME! I can't get this child to move, and it HURTS! Karla, I believe it was you who talked about the exercise where you lay on your hands and knees on the floor and stretch, I think. If so, just know that I have been doing those just to be comfortable for a few minutes this afternoon and evening! Fun stuff! My biggest fear is that my child will come out just as much a pain in the ass (perhaps literally) as she was in the womb!

Okay, that's quite enough for one day. I hope you all have a great day, and I'll see you soon!

Today was Dr. Suess's birthday. Hooray! He was such a wonderful writer, and did such great things for children and adult readers everywhere! So, to commemorate his birthday, I started class today with a reading of Oh, the Places You'll Go!. What a great, inspirational and motivational book! If you haven't read it before, you definitely should. Even my students, with the exception of first period, got into it. The ones that sat close to me even tried to read along with me! At the end, it said to never get your right foot confused with your left, and you could see the students looking at their feet trying to make sure they knew the difference! It really made for a great day. I love that book! Those of you with kids really should invest in this book. I, personally, had to borrow it, and upon thinking about it, realized how sad I am that I don't own my own copy! I must change that, and soon! TJ needs inspiration in his life!

Speaking of TJ, I went to get him today from Lancaster. When I got there he was jumping (yes, jumping!) off of the top of his toybox! I have to say, as much as it scared the living daylights out of me, he was doing a very good job at it! I swear, that child keeps getting older and older each day! We stopped at Subway on the way back home b/c I thought I would die if I didn't get some food, and he flirted with the girl that worked there. My son, barely a whopping two years old, and already a total player!

Oh, so we just finished watching the movie Paparazzi. You must see this movie. It was directed by Mel Gibson, but I don't think it got too much play or did too well in theaters. I'm assuming it was even in theaters. I rented it basically b/c it was directed by Mel Gibson, and I figured it must be good. I mean, look at his last movie! It was TOTALLY different than the Christ movie, but still great! This guy becomes famous, and the paparazzi are all over him, turning everything in his life into a scandal. He punches one of them one day when they take pics of his kid playing soccer, and the guy's buddies are taping it. He is crushed by the tabloids as some evil guy, and the game is on. It was good, and I wasn't expecting the ending. I have to say, it hit on some moral issues for me, but after all, it was just a movie. I do have some different feelings about tabloids and magazines now that have all kinds of candid pics of celebrities in them. I hadn't thought about what must be done to get those pics. I always wonder how they get pics of them getting gas and walking down the streets and stuff. I really think I may just stop looking at that stuff from now on. It doesn't seem right, and who the hell really cares about the lives of celebrities, anyway? I'll just stick to the Behind the Music's and shows like that when I want to learn more about celebrities. Then it's only what the celebrity approved, right? Of course, I'm sure those are all evil, too. Anyway, you really need to see this movie. Scary stuff!

Alrighty then, I must be going now. If you get a chance, you should add a little joy to your life soon and read a Dr. Suess book! They are all just so much fun! Have an awesome day, and I'll see you soon!

I had the best day today! I was in such a good mood, and nothing could bring me down! When I woke up I checked my email real quick before I ran out, and Julia sent me an email that said, "I LUV U!" It totally made my day! What a wonderful and unexpected surprise to start my day with a smile! Oh, and speaking of which, today is Share a Smile Day, so please share a smile with someone. Julia really shared a smile with me! Tomorrow is Dr. Suess's birthday, as well.

So has anyone ever had an email conversation with someone at work? By this I mean those little strings of emails that you pass back and forth where you say stupid stuff, exchange dirty jokes, talk about somebody, whatever. I had one today, and it was the highlight of my schoolday. I just emailed another special ed teacher to ask him about something on an IEP, and in the email I asked him how he is liking his new truck. He wrote back something, and we ended up talking about cars for a while, then who knows where it went from there! All I know is that I'm glad I didn't have any students at the time, b/c I was laughing out loud! Aren't those kind of conversations just so much fun! I used to have a buddy that we would have those a few times a week, but now he doesn't have email anymore, boo hoo! Like, we didn't talk about anything important, as that would spoil the mood, but it was fun just to know that I would get stupid little comments from him throughout the day, and I would have to think of something equally witty to write back. I think that if I could have more little conversations like that, I would be happier at work! The best part is later when you run into each other at the copier or something, you kind of chuckle together at your dumb little inside joke, and you know that both of you were slacking off together! I know that's one thing I'll miss when I don't work there anymore. I've thought that I could probably email some people at work from home, but it just wouldn't be the same. Anyone else ever have these, or is it just me (and my unwitting victims!)?

I am so excited! The next couple of months are going to be so busy, and so much fun stuff is coming up in my life! TJ's birthday party is going to be on March 26th. We are going to have it at Finlay Park, which is this HUGE park in downtown Columbia that TJ loves. We are going to have a picnic, and play games (like soccer or something like that), and have pb&j sandwiches and cupcakes made in ice cream cones (I can't wait to make those!)! I know TJ is going to love it, and we get to see all kinds of friends and family! Then, on April 9th, Marie is going to have a baby shower for me in Summerville. I get to hang out with all my home friends and party! I'm not sure what she plans to do yet, but I know it will be tons of fun! On April 23rd, Gina is going to have my Columbia shower, and it is going to ROCK! It's going to be at Atlanta Bread Company, and I can't wait! I like that it's unique and at such a cool place. I love ABC! I feel so spoiled! I had no idea that people loved me so much, and I am so lucky to have such awesome friends (and family)! What a truly lucky person I am! The best part is that with all this excitement, the time is just going to fly by, and before I know it, I will be the mommy of two awesome children! YIPPEE!

Alrighty then, I guess that's enough adrenalin for one day! I hope you are having a super-hyped day like mine, and that tomorrow is even better! See you soon!