It's the little "things" that count...

I have...

2010-07-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

MOVED!!!!!

I took the plunge and moved over to Wordpress.com!!!!

You can find me at www.teachermegpie.wordpress.com!!!!

Please excuse the mess while construction is still going on!

xoxoxoxx
mc

The Dougy Center...

2010-07-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

Every other Wednesday night...for 9 months out of the year I attend a young adult support group for people that have had someone close to them die. It doesn't matter the cause or relation...it's just support. It's not therapy...just support.

The group is held at the Dougy Center in SE Portland. It is an amazing place where amazing things happen daily. It is a support center for very young children...to us very young adults.

I started going to the Dougy Center when I was a small child, age 6. My father had passed away for an unknown reason and it was a place my mother had heard of. At that point, you take any advice you can get. I am not sure who lead to her to that place...but they are amazing.

When I was 19 my sister passed away in a car accident and you can read about that here. About 7 years after I heard of the young adult group. I NEEDED to go back...so I did.

Exactly a year ago on Father's Day a tragic fire broke out at the center. The whole entire house was burned and they are having to tear it down. I remember back when I was 6...they were remodeling the basement of that place. My mother purchased a large tile in memory of my father to be put on the wall. When my leader told me about the tearing down of the house, I asked if they were going to salvage the tiles from 20+ years ago. She referred me to the director, whom I never contacted. After all, I knew of it and had seen it, but it was SOOOO important to me...I could not tell you what it looked like if my life depended on it!

3 weeks ago I got an email from my leader...

Dear MegPie,

I went digging in the basement of the house last night and I found a few tiles. One was yours. I don't know how or why it was still intact, but I have it for you.

Sincerely,
J

How awesome is that?!!? So I got it last week. I do have to say it wasn't as amazing as I expected it to me...here is a pic though.

10 on Tuesday....

2010-07-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

1. OUR DECK IS ALMOST FINISHED!!! I am pretty excited about that...it looks awesome. Not quite done, but The Boy has been working like a maniac to get it done.

2. Now that the deck is on it's way...I have been looking for flower pots, etc. Sometimes there are things that I can't get myself to pay full price for and that is one of them. Today I went to JOANN's superstore and got an awesome pot that hangs...I already have flowers in and am waiting for The Boy to hang it on our new hanging basket hanger.

3. We had a fabulous 4th of July celebration with the B's...Below are pic of their little dude and my big dude. We ate brisket, chinese chicken salad that I believe has the name of Fume, salmon roll, chips and dips, strawberry pie, fruit salad...and I could go on and on!

4. My bedskirt is almost done! As soon as it is, I will post pics of it! Mother is actually on her way over to finish it off. Update: It's done! Mother did it for me...we have a platform bed that is homemade by The Boy himself and so a regular bedskirt would not work. I found the velcro idea over at Beneath My Heart .

5. We had dinner with the Semilliams on Friday that was DELICIOUS!!!! Plus we took their outdoor patio set! It needs and coat of paint and unless I buckle and let The Boy paint it GRIZ colors...we may not have it painted for awhile. =) Update: I am buckling fast!

6. Rose and I are about to start our Summer Breakfast Explosion!!!!! Stay tuned for more details!

7. Tomorrow will be my Day 5 of couch to 5k...somedays I think I may die or crumble to the ground...but I am working on it!

8. Today I went to get my allergy shots (every Tuesday I have a date with Nurse Cheryl or Nurse Emily, who both rock by the way) and someone called in to make an appt. The place is very quant...also known as SMALL and so you can hear pretty much anything...and now that I think of it...the receptionist totally violated all HIPAA laws by almost yelling to the nurse that Senator Ron Wyden will be coming in tomorrow for an appt.! Poor fellow has lots of allergies! For those of you who don't know...which is probably most...I am star struck...it doesn't matter who you are but if you are in the least bit famous...I am enamored with you!

9. No one shoot me when I say this...but...BOREDOM has set in folks...yes yes I enjoy the off summers, but I mean by yourself all freakin day?!!?!? You can only go to Target so many times a day before they know your name or start following you around the store. Somedays are awesome, but others aren't so fun. Please don't shoot me you non-teachers and parents with kids that keep them going ALL summer long!

10. I must end this as my walking partner is going to arrive shortly. She saved me from my nightly boredom....as if day boredom isn't bad enough...I count the minutes till The Boy gets home and he decides to go FISHING!!!!! wa wa wa...

Happy Birthday MAMA!!!

2010-07-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July is my MAMA's birthday! Someday when she walks out of the stoneage, she will read this...but that could be awhile! Today she has turned 60!!! She doesn't look it at all!
Thanks mama for everything you give to me everyday! I love you!!! Here is a pic of her with ONE of her FIVE Great Nieces.

Fun 4th things...

2010-07-04T13:33:00.000-07:00

Since school is out, I have well...nothing to do! So I tend to think up crafty things I can do and never have time to do during the school year...unless it snows or something!

Here is the chalkboard I made for the kitchen! Now I can leave the boys lovely little reminders =)

I took an old frame I had from IKEA and painted the frame part the green that is on the wall to the right of where this is hanging. Then the glass part was actually plastic so I spray painted that with chalkboard paint...I am thinking I may go get the magnetic spray and put a layer on it so I can put things up there....who knows!?!?!? I LOVE it though! It's the first time I used the chalkboard paint and it's lovely!

Today is the 4th of July and we are headed to some good friends' house for a BBQ! I am bringing appetizers and treats for the kids!

Here are my Marshmellow Fun Smores on a Stick! They are delicious! I got the idea from Julia over at HUSH, but I am pretty sure she didn't even blog about them...they were just on her SIL's Facebook! But then I was crusin around in bloggy land and found these at Whimsical Creations and thought they were PERFECT for the party tonight!

Here are mine... I am not impressed with the photos of these or my presentation...I still have 2 hours so we will see what I can come up with!
They are marshmallows on sucker sticks...then you melt chocolate in a double broiler (I think that's what it's called, my mom would be so proud!) and then you make a plate of graham cracker crumbs and add sprinkles to it. Dip the marshmallow in the chocolate, roll it around in the crumbs and VIOLA!

Last but certainly not least...my appetizer for tonight is Brown Suga (yes, it's not pronounced with an R...like Suga Daddy) Lil' smokies... I took those little wienies and wrapped them in bacon and will soon put brown suga over the top to make a toothpick of GOODNESS! They aren't in the oven yet, but here is what they look like waiting...

You should...

2010-07-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

Click Here
To see what we did Friday night...
Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

Welcome to the world Weston!

2010-06-23T13:50:00.001-07:00

At 11:23 PM on June 22, Weston Robert Parker entered the world...
Mama was very brave, was in labor about 23 hours and did it all naturally, in water at HOME!
She was a rock star!

Congrats Jason and Della!!!!

10 on Tuesday...(so I forgot last week! I was a touch busy)

2010-06-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

1. I forgot my 10 on Tuesday last week...my excuse is this: I was busy playing Bunco and thinking about the last day of school. I won the most "wins" too...BOO-YA!

2. I have 75% of a deck!!! yahoo!! And in actuality...I only needed ten boards to do what I wanted to...which was lay out...but I would need some sun to do that...and WE DON'T HAVE ANY!!! The Boy worked really hard over the weekend to get it done. I am proud of him.

3. My newest "nephew" should be born today or tomorrow! Contractions have been going since 1:30am!!! Weston's mama is a rockstar and she is having a homebirth with no drugs!

4. Today I am going on a 6 mile walk...three to the allergist for shots and three back.

5. School's OUT!!!! I have one new teaching teammate for next year and one that I will keep around.

6. The Boy and I went to see Toy Story 3 yesterday. Super cute, not worth the 3d glasses fee though. It had no special effects for the 3d glasses. We have figured out how to get the glasses for free though. If you go to the first showing of the day and buy your tickets at Costco...CHA-CHING!!!! Any other time of day you must pay for the glasses. It's still cheaper if you go with the Costco tickets, but the first showing is the best. And the fact that The Boy only works every other Monday is stellar for our movie going!

7. We went on a muddy hike yesterday too. I didn't think it was going to be "hard"....so I wore tennis shoes and my favorite LONG workout pants...BAD MISTAKE...it was "hard" and MUDDY and my workout pants barely made it!

8. I have all my "thank-yous" done (end of the school year gifts) and are ready to be sent out...BOO-YA for less than a week later!!!!

9. I learned how to play Yahtzee last night....yes, I know I am the last person on the planet to learn to play. We played with a set that was made in 1956 from my Nannie's house. It was awesome and smelled kind of funny!

10. Mom's surprise party is fast approaching and I am getting really nervous about it!

40 years ago today...The world became a better place...

2010-06-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

The world became a better place because of my good friend Melissa...

Dear Melissa,

I hope you don't mind I snagged this pic of your FB! I love it because it is ONE of many ways that shows the world what an amazing person you are. You worked hard to train for your half marathon and you finished! Just like everything in your life...you work hard to finish. You are admired by many...for many reasons. I appreciate you more than you will ever know. I don't know how I got so lucky to have you...I wish you the best of birthdays and many many more to come!

I love you,
Meghan

My Maid of Honor Speech...one year late

2010-06-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

So May 9th..a year ago I was maid of honor for Lisa's wedding...
I found my speech today while cleaning out some files at school. I wanted to post it as a memory...You probably won't get most of it!

I am Meghan, the Co-Maid of Honor...
I have known Lisa since the summer of '99...so almost ten years. We may or may not have met through another boy...but that's neither here nor there.
Over the last ten years..Lisa and I have been through many good times and many bad times...I appreciate everything she has offered in our friendship and will miss her terribly when they move. I put a little list together for Mark...

The Top Ten Things Mark may or may not already know about Lisa...but he NEEDS to know them!!!

1. she eats like a garbage disposal, but plays it off like she doesn't (she has a secret stash of candy at work)
2. together we have invented our own car alarm
3. she has a mysterious Hooters outfit...
4. She wears a button with a picture of you on it when she plays dominoes
5. she has a new found talent of shot gunning beer
6. she can play dominoes like champ..the girls have NEVER lost
7. she saves every single award or piece of paper she has ever received and uses them for wallpaper
8. when you go to happy hour with her...expect about 10 more people to show up because she invites everyone and their mom
9. you may want to check under her wedding dress for long underwear...everytime we went to try on wedding dresses, the store girls were VERY confused
10. she will be a great wife...

Mark, I couldn't have picked a better husband for Lisa myself...
Thanks for taking her off my hands...
I love you both dearly and look forward to some Utah visits!!!

-there is a video that we produced of a vacation we took to Texas that only we think is funny

10 on Tuesday...

2010-06-09T17:25:00.001-07:00

So here's my attempt to blog more...10 things every Tuesday. I got this idea from Nounces. It's a grand one too! She actually designed my mom's surprise party invites!!! That's #1!!!

1. Plans for mom's surprise party are in full gear!!! The best part is, that I can post this cause she can't even turn on a computer let alone find my blog!!!

I had to block out names and address' to protect the innocent...mom is mom!

Invites are out and are D-A-R-L-I-N-G if I do say so myself! If you need invites done, I highly recommend her!!! She has an etsy shop too but just click on her link above and it will lead you!!!!
2. My children are giving speeches on their favorite zoo animal. One little boy asked his classmate a question after the speech it went like this:

"How do you know so much about lions?"
"Well my mom knew it all! She must have listened really good in class!"

3. I kept one of my "friends" in from recess today due to some chronic spitting problems. Please note, this is one who skipped Kindergarten...so kind of on the bright side.

Me: "Why were you spitting on the playground...AGAIN?!?!?!" Student: "It's weird...I just get out of control sometimes!"

4. Exactly one week from now, I will have said good-bye to my fourth year of students and hello to a nice lovely adult beverage!

5. My new nephew was born on June3rd. His name is Tyler Paul Jensen. He is Rylee's new baby brother. He was ONE ounce smaller than his big sister, weighing in at 7.3 and 19.5 inches.

6. My OTHER new nephew was born on June 4th. His name is Chase Conway Cyr. He weighed in at 7.4 and 21 inches I believe.

(no, that was no mistake..two babies...one very HAPPY great grandma!)

7. We just finished up talent show try-outs at school today... 3 words... SO FREAKIN CUTE!!!
These kids have guts I tell ya! More than half have never had a lesson a day in their life and they strut their stuff like they are professionals!

8. I am patiently waiting the arrival of my new deck...=)

9. Have I mentioned that I have one week of school left?

10. One of my sweet sweet friends in my class had a bad accident last Friday. She was doing the monkey bars and near her last one, slipped off and hit her elbow on the platform where the kids land. Needless to say...it was very broken. The poor sweet thing had to go in for surgery that night to get pins in her elbow.

xoxo

The Next Survivor

2010-05-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

Next Season on Survivor
Have you heard about the next planned "Survivor" show?
Three corporate businessmen and three businesswomen will be dropped in an elementary school classroom for 1 school year. Each business person will be provided with a copy of his/her school district's curriculum, and a class of 20-25 students.
Each class will have a minimum of five learning-disabled children, three with A.D.D., one gifted child, and two who speak limited English. Three students will be labeled with severe behavior problems.
Each business person must complete lesson plans at least 3 days in advance, with annotations for curriculum objectives and modify, organize, or create their materials accordingly. They will be required to teach students, handle misconduct, implement technology, document attendance, write referrals, correct homework, make bulletin boards, compute grades, complete report cards, document benchmarks, communicate with parents, and arrange parent conferences. They must also stand in their doorway between class changes to monitor the hallways.
They must attend workshops, faculty meetings, and attend curriculum development meetings. They must also tutor students who are behind and strive to get their 2 non-English speaking children proficient enough to take the SOLS tests. If they are sick or having a bad day they must not let it show ☺
Each day they must incorporate reading, writing, math, science, and social studies into the program. They must maintain discipline and provide an educationally stimulating environment to motivate students at all times. If all students do not wish to cooperate, work, or learn, the teacher will be held responsible.
The business people will only have access to the public golf course on the weekends, but with their new salary, they may not be able to afford it. There will be no access to vendors who want to take them out to lunch, and lunch will be limited to thirty minutes, which is not counted as part of their work day. The business people will be permitted to use a student restroom, as long as another survival candidate can supervise their class.
If the copier is operable, they may make copies of necessary materials before, or after, school. However, they cannot surpass their monthly limit of copies. The business people must continually advance their education, at their expense, and on their own time. Oh,… there will be no corporate bonuses at the end of the year…..
The winner of this Season of Survivor will be allowed to return to their job.

Don't get me wrong...I love my job...but wish people would understand what we do a little better =)

My pride and joy...

2010-05-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Here it is...my pride and joy of this month! I was so excited to make this diaper cake for my good friend Della's shower...although I was very nervous!
It turned out great and I am ready to make more! It just came together one day when I thought I would have to try 100 times of take it to my mom for help! The baby's room is a Team Safari theme which is why I chose the animals I did. I will do a tutorial on how to make them someday!
These are some flowers that my "baker" let me have to complete the decor!
Here is the spread...cupcakes that were AMAZING from a VERY talented friend. There were Carrot, Chocolate, and Vanilla! They were sooo yummy! Then we had Strawberry Pizza too!
Of course it wouldn't be a party without Pioneer Woman's Sangria!
And then the take homes! Flowers were for game winners and cake balls and hand sanitizer for party favors! You can't touch the baby without hand sanitizer!
Here is the lovely mama and me! I LOOOVEEE the Weston sign! That was very spur of the moment! I love that you can see my new green wall in the background too!
It was a great day and lots of fun to throw a shower! I can't wait until Weston gets here!

Skimming or Scamming...

2010-05-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

Wednesday: Debit card declined at Subway...in a hurry...didn't really care or think too much about the 18 year old that probably didn't even know how to swipe the darn thing anyway! Maybe I should have?!?!?!

Thursday: credit card

Friday: credit card

Saturday: gas station attendant declares card is declined...hmm...maybe this is serious? We couldn't get home fast enough for me to check my account online...I was 99% sure I didn't overdraw... check internet...everything is fine....hmm.

Sunday: tried to make deposit that was long overdue...card is declined?!?!?! How does a card get declined if you are trying to deposit?!?!

Call the 1-800 number and talk to lovely gentleman that says..."Oh it's not your fault...fraud has been detected on your card let me transfer you!!!" click...

Me: SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!!!! (waiting for the next person to answer) SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!!!!
My head: Oh man I am never going to be able to recover from the thousands of dollars that have been spent by someone who has taken my identity...I will have to go to court to testify...I won't be able to take out any loans or credit cards...this is going to be horrible!!!!!!!!!!

Lady on the phone: "Okay Miss MegPie how can I help you?!?!"

I explained the situation...

Lady on the phone: "Oh...well let's look!"

My head: Yeah! Let's! Can't wait!

LOTP: "It looks like you have been part of a skimming that has gone on. Skimming is when a device is placed on the credit/debit card slider to collect your information on your card as well as your PIN to scam you. The reason you are getting declined is due to the fact that as soon as the company called us, we cancelled your card. "

My head: ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?!?!?!

LOTP: "Let's go through your last transactions to make sure they didn't actually use the information."

We go through to find NOTHING is out of the ordinary and all the transactions are mine!!!!

THANK GOODNESS!!!!!!

What was weird is that C and I were at lunch the day before and the ladies behind us were talking about how one of them got skimmed or scammed and they used $1,000 before they caught it. I was thinking..."wow that sucks!"

Seattle...

2010-05-02T19:43:00.001-07:00

No, that picture was not a mistake...it's placement was however and Blogger isn't the most user friendly...or maybe it's the user...anyhow...the picture above shows you "part" of what I saw about 10 times the night of the Supercross race...the "best" part happened to not be showing when I snapped the sneaky picture!
This is the HUGE crab that I ate and LOVED every minute of it...it was the biggest I have EVER eaten...worth every stinkin penny!

The view of Safeco Field from the top deck at Qwest.
This is just turning the camera around from the previous picture...
This is what The Boy saw most of the night when he looked at me...it was SOOOO cold! Thankfully it didn't rain!!!
The crazy "sport" that The Boy likes to watch =)
Another food picture...weird I know! It was a waffle place that had two tables ONLY the waffles were super small but really good!!! I think it was called, Iron Waffle.

My favorite place in Seattle.
A funny shirt that made me laugh...it would be a good greeting card I believe.
My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE thing at Pike Place...the fish guys!
My second favorite thing...the beautiful flowers!

The Boy's Birthday was April 23 and it just so happened the Supercross tour was in Seattle April 24 at Qwest. We had a fantastic time and the weather was splendid...plus we got to do some shopping at the outlet on the way home!!!!

P-Dub comes to TOWN!!!

2010-04-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

Monday night was FINALLY here! Pioneer Woman made it to Portland for a book signing at Powell's in Beaverton. There is a group of five of us (pic below) that LOOOOVVEEEE her and her cookbook so we have made plans for a month now to go...unaware...400 others were making those same plans! After many emails back and forth about where we were hitting up happy hour before we saw her at 6:00pm...we scrapped the whole HH and headed to the book store. I arrived first...at 3:50pm. I was number 60ish. At four thirty they passed our numbers for the signing and then you could sit down. We got seats and waited for 1.5 hours for her. Her GPS got her lost but she made it and she was SOOOO cool! She answered any questions you wanted for about 20 mins then it was book signing for the rest of the night. She is as cute as she looks and her personality is priceless. Here is a pic of my new BFF and I...(can you say WEIGHT WATCHERS?) I look horrible! But I can't not put a pic up of the BFFs!

Here is a pic of the Providence Crew waiting patiently! This darling little southern girl was in front of us and took our picture about 50 times until we were satisfied.Here is my pride and JOY!!!!
Here is a video of all the people. A picture didn't do it justice. I have never been to such a crazy event in my life! Some of these crazy women showed up with "gifts" galore for her...I won't even get into what they were...but I am sure Powell's had a full dumpster that night!

A very Hairy day...

2010-04-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

Today was a fun day that started with an early morning call from a faithful Craigslist buyer...The Boy forgot to tell me in his half awakeness last night that he posted the push mower from his old house on "the list". Mrs. TalkVeryFast wanted to buy it NOW...at 8:30 in the morning...I know I know it's not that early but for Teacher MegPie who only has the weekend in sleep past 5:15 it's early. Luckily it sold! One last piece of stuff in our garage!

Rose and I attended a lovely event called.."We got into the Adidas Employee store today due to the fact that she works for a certain Health Care System". I bought The Boy a pair of Sambas and basketball shorts to wear while he's not playing basketball as well as me a real cutie patootie jacket that I think I may be in love with. I love outfits and things that make people think I actually workout! It's devine!

BUT before the lovely event as we were turning off her street we noticed an abundance of cars on the old county road and WE NEEDED to investigate...sure enough it was something we both hold near and dear to our hearts....wait for it....ESTATE SALE!!!!!!!!!!

Can you say lamest estate sale in the whole world?????? There was NOTHING and what there was...well, let's just say it was very expensive...but what made my day was this...
in one of the bathrooms there was a gentleman that was "trying something" to see if it worked. It was an electric razor and he was trying that bad boy out on his legs! I mean I don't blame him...who wants to buy a fifty dollar razor that may or may not work?!?!?!?!

One of my favorite pieces of the sale was a picture of a rabbit (read: nothing worth anything) that was approximately 8X10 in size total and it was $12.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What in the world?!?!?!

We did not make any purchases as this sale was for Bethenny and LuAnn! =) Who am I kidding?!?!?! They don't go to estate sales!

Rose and I recovered nicely with my purchases from Adidas with a nice lunch at Deschutes Brewery in the Pearl and a quick stop at our favorite sugar shop....St. Cupcake!!!!!!!! We love that place!

For dinner we invite our friends the B's over and it was a blast as usual!

Hope you all had a great Saturday in the sun!!!

xoxoxox
megpie

Hippity Hoppity...

2010-04-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

Peter Cottontail didn't show up for Easter, but some VERY adorable nieces did!!! (disclaimer: I know some of you maybe wondering how I have nieces now that I am an only child...on paper, they aren't mine!)

Saturday was cold and wet but that wasn't stopping us from the egg hunting! We may have been at the lamest hunt ever!!!!! We only have one other to compare it to and let me tell you...the last one was STELLAR! The last one was at a neighborhood church near Rose's place and the girls got MOUNTAINS of candy...I mean 2 year olds NEED candy so it was totally worth it. This year we went to a park in Rose's neighborhood. They hid the eggs...empty...it didn't matter how much you got cause everyone turned their empty eggs in for a ziploc baggie full of Palmer's candy?!!?!? Apparently the economy is bad for the Easter Bunny as well as the Tooth Fairy. Yowsers!

Here is a picture of the girls right before their "hunt". You can't see them but under their hoods they have their iPods on listening to motivational podcasts! (hello 2010!) This was pre-stretch!

Here the girls are showing their egg huntin skills...not using the elbows like I taught...but we still have a few more years of hunting to master that skill!

It wouldn't be Easter or any holiday for that matter without a goofy
look from Mr. Gay! We had brunch with the family at Beaches in Vancouver. They are very accommodating for our small party of 22 including 4 high chairs soon to be 6!
(No that wasn't a typo and no I am not pregnant!)

Thank goodness my cutie patootie Rylee got to join us from Tacoma!!! Her and I bonded...and she mastered her "top" skills...This was a "still" second...she can maneuver out of that highchair in .2 seconds flat and she doesn't stop moving EVER!!!!
And here is sweetie pie Aubrey...she wasn't fond of a whole lot of people this day so we gazed at each other from afar!
And how sweet is this picture of Adison?!?!?! I just found this in my roll(old skool!) She is stinkin cute!!!! When she got to brunch she sat on the table facing me just staring at me for like 15 minutes. The only thing that got her to change her expression was when I would "head butt" her and she butted back...then she would grin...she was the ONLY one of the 4 babies that would get their picture taken with the Bunny and didn't scream their head off...I don't blame those kids though...he was freaky lookin!

So that's brunch...apparently I didn't get a photo of the other babe...wonder if I can find one on Facebook...yes, she is on Facebook! Who isn't?!?!!

Oh I almost forgot!!! One of my favorite things about Easter...Rose gave me a copy of Pioneer Woman's COOKBOOK!!!!!!!! And Rose and some other friends and I are going to see her on April 19th!!!!!!!

The latest "fun" in class...

2010-04-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

So for about a month now, my children of school have had a "new" (they totally think they made it up) joke. They walk up to someone and say, "Spell I cup"...yes, go ahead try it. I'll wait...

Then the person does it and they crack up hysterically and run away.

Well, a month later it is VERY VERY OLD...and VERY VERY ANNOYING.

Yesterday, as I was doing a chapter book read aloud and they were indulging in their mid morning snacks...I see there is a VERY small note being passed around...for those of you that forget or don't know...I teach 1st grade...the notes can't be very long due to the lack of stamina to write for one and for two...they don't know that many words!

This is what the note was...

I can't wait until "their" next joke comes up...

You know you are in Happy Valley when....

2010-03-01T20:18:00.000-08:00

Every morning one of my little friends has an assistant that comes in to help him make his lunch choice, hang up the coat and backpack, turn in his folders, etc. basically get him going otherwise it may be 2:00 by the time he sits down!

So today I notice she didn't show, and she is very punctual so I figured she was out sick.

Just as I was about to help him out myself, a very nicely dressed (I was thinking district office person and it made me start to sweat!) african-american (is that politically correct anymore?) man walked into my classroom and introduced himself. The sweat started pouring at this point, until he showed me what was in his hands and it was my friend's schedule for the morning...phew!

So he starts helping my friend when I hear ANOTHER friend walk up very politely and say...

Mr. D: "Excuse me! Do you play for the Portland Trailblazers?"

Teacher: Turning 4 different shades of red...

His glasses are a big hit...apparently...

2010-02-25T17:43:00.000-08:00

I hem and haw (how do you spell that anyway?!?!?) over if it's a good thing to have yahoo accessible at school or not. Today it made my day when I got a notification email because someone posted on my Facebook wall...

It was from a mother of my favorite redhead, that just happens to be in my class (I just realized I never posted about the love note from the red head!). This hilariously funny volunteer mama can be found over at HUSH.

Her #1 and #2 children are also hilarious (I don't know #3 yet but looking forward too soon!) and are very "in tune" with the world around them.

Here is the convo she sent me. D is the oldest and F is the middle child...

D: "good job Chuck"
mom: "what?"
D: "he did a real good job tearing out all those math pages last Summer. I was wondering if they were straight"
F: "Oh yea, Chuck, that guy did a nice job on our 100 day yesterday"
D: "was he wearing his glasses?"
F: "how would I know??"

This made me laugh all day long...as well as "Chuck's"!

One Snowy Night...(a long time coming!)

2010-02-15T17:55:00.000-08:00

Soo....as you see in the title...this post has been a long time coming. I was waiting for one of these pics that I felt was the key to completing this post...so here you are...

It all started December 29th...it was a rainy day but it was sunny for me! I was signing papers on my new house! We drove out to Washington Square area to meet with the Title Company. The Boy was sitting next to me cheering me on as I was signing my life away...literally. All the sudden he looks up and goes, "There's the snow!" I had no idea it was even in the forecast let alone supposed to be dumping white stuff out the window! I signed and signed and signed and then I was done. We came out and saw the streets were fine! So dumb and dumber headed to the mall across the street to pick up some shoes we had our eyes on. As we came out the mall the white stuff was dumping harder...still the roads were good. Please understand at this point we head home and there are many routes we can take. Oh yes and don't forget we are in The Boys' truck that is HUGE and has NO, I repeat NO four wheel drive (who makes a truck with no 4 wheel drive?) And if you aren't aware, driving a huge truck with no 4 wheel drive is like getting on an ice skating rink...it's bad...very bad. Instead of getting on the freeway we decide to take a "short cut" (read: 1 hour later we were back where we started) As we arrived on the short cut road...the roads were NO LONGER good. We needed to get back to the freeway. It took us 1 more hour to do that...approximately 3 miles?!?!? I can see the panic is The Boys' eyes and I knew if he was panicked I should be triple panicked...that's when my super duper idea came to me!!! STAY IN A HOTEL AND CALL IT A NIGHT! One would think a hotel .2 miles away would be easy to get to...SORRY! 45 minutes later and a lot of DUMB people we make it to The Grand Hotel! In only the clothes we were wearing BUT thank god we had new shoes! Crocs to be exact...you know really good snow shoes! Oh yes and in honor or signing my papers I decided to go with fashion instead of warmth...so I had on a long sleeve t-shirt with only a vest over the top. Lovely!

Lucky for us The Grand Hotel was having a special...something about dumbasses who couldn't get home...and apparently Ron Jon at the front desk knew it was our 1 year anniversary so he kindly upgraded us for free!

We arrived in our room of luxury shortly after 5 pm. Immediately I jumped in the tub!This was the nicest place we ever stayed so we took full advantage! A jacuzzi in the living room with robes to go with it!

We headed across to the mall to eat at PF Changs and then to Whole Food to pick up cheap wine and "natural" oreos!
Oh yeah...who cares we didn't have wine glasses!

It was a fun night to remember...when we arrived back at the hotel we walked right in on a wedding reception...who gets married on a Tuesday????? Poor things! Bless their hearts!The Boy with his robe and "new shoes" on!!!

Teacher Appreciation Week

2010-02-02T19:35:00.000-08:00

This week is teacher appreciation week at my school...I love this week because of things like the above...SO PRECIOUS!!!

And things below...it helps to have parents that have season Blazer Tickets!

Toothless Wonder...

2010-01-30T20:36:00.000-08:00

Everyday after morning recess is snack time. While the kiddos are eating, I read out of my favorite series of books, Junie B. Jones. She is a hoot! The books are told in the perspective of a Kindergartener, Junie, and then she goes to First Grade. She has a sassy mouth so we are sure to discuss what things she says are right and wrong. It's kind of cute when I am reading and she uses words like "Dumb Bunny" and the class gasps!

The other day I was reading out of Junie B, Toothless Wonder. She had lost her first front tooth. A boy in her class had scared her by telling her that the tooth fairy was not really a fairy..she was a witch that ate her teeth! This like everything else prompted a heavy conversation between my 6 and 7's. Miss E shared that the tooth fairy makes necklaces out of our teeth but my all time favorite comment of the day...

Mr. L: "Well the last tooth I lost I didn't get so much money for...the toothfairy said because of the bad economy and all she just wasn't making that much money..."

I love my job...

Monkey See Monkey Do...

2010-01-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday when I picked up the children...my line leader Mr. D was thrilled beyond belief. He was talking as fast as he could BEFORE I even got to him. The convo went something like this

Mr. D: "Miss MegPie...I went across the monkey bars 5 times today!"

Me: "Wow that must mean you are getting strong!"

(Mr. D keeps talking about how good he is at those monkey bars and I am tuning him out trying to gather my stray cats!)

Mr. D: "I will tell you what Miss MegPie...those monkey bars will change your life!"

Me and Boy behind him: "hahahaha"

Mr. D: "It's true they have made my life so much better!"

He was pretty excited...sidenote...now is the time they start to master those in the year...and they ALL have calluses on their hands!

LIGHT

2010-01-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when we work on spelling at school I get myself into a jam...

As you remember from last year..I believe one little guy spelled PORN when we were rhyming...it's those darn rhyming words that get me everytime!

This time it was just the word...

Me: "Okay boys and girls this word is "light"

"What's the word?"

Kids: "Light"

Me: "Who has a sentence for the word light?"

Mr. M: "Not too heavy...not to light...BUD LIGHT!"

Me: NEXT?

Mi Casa...

2010-01-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

I got my keys on December 30th...very surreal experience...we didn't get a whole lot moved the first day but number one priority was the bed. There was NO WAY I was not sleeping in my new house on the first night!

It's been one year...

2010-01-17T20:16:00.000-08:00

Well this one will be a little sappy...

It's been ONE year since The Boy and I started dating. Our anniversary was December 29th but we celebrated with a trip to the beach the weekend before,we were going to be busy on the actual day...something about signing some closing papers? We headed to Rockaway Beach where the weather was BEAUTIFUL and not even cold! We just lounged around, ate, walked very FAR on the beach and went to Nahalem Winery.

Is that another pirate eye?!?!?
A year ago I never would have dreamed of being where I am now. The Boy has been a dream come true. He is my best friend and my rock. He has seen me at my lowest lows and my highest highs. I love you C!

See the ball drop...

2010-01-17T19:59:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve was spent with our good friends Justin and Heidi. Heidi's parents have an annual NYE bash every year complete with games and fun for all ages! They have set a standard and it only gets better every year. Who knew they would go as far as renting 2 fifteen passenger vans to take us all bowling?!?!Bad case of blue balls?
Bowl holding hands with a teammate! (or your husband!)
Very serious with neon glow stick necklaces
Three amigos in the get away van! I must have had something in my eye?
Drinking it up!

The End...

2010-01-17T19:10:00.000-08:00

So...I am going to try my hardest to get caught up on my blogging...TONIGHT! I have a TON to do..they will be out of order jus so ya know!

Here is the last free night of Christmas Break. We had moved ALL DAY LONG and at 4:00pm a mother in my class called to offer us Blazer tickets! (no I don't give out my phone number, but we have a deal that if she has free tickets she calls me...it's a win win situation...not really sure how it's a win for her but whatever!) A perfect date to end a long day! The Boy is wearing his new Rip City Fernandez jersey from yours truly!

Umm...Yeah...

2010-01-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the delay of game lately...I may have moved to a new place and blogging has not been number one! Besides that, it's hard to blog on my school laptop...and my desktop isn't connecting to the new internet connection! Oh the trials and tribulations of my life!

Anyway, funny no picture story for you...

In class last week we started to make snowmen out of paper plates. Typical kid craft. I had a parent actually put the two paper plates together with a piece of yarn. I started to introduce the activity and thought twice about telling them what they were. I had them guess...(genius I know!)

There were a few snowman guesses, a few guesses that I do not recall mostly because I didn't understand what the children were referring to! I get to Mr. M...

"Umm...it's one of those things you put on your boobs! (motioning with hands, a bra)

You know a BRA!"

Oh dear...

Me: "Next?"

You Better Watch Out...

2009-12-26T21:11:00.000-08:00

The Boy has an ongoing date Christmas Eve...he plays Santa for some good friend's of ours. I didn't get to go, but the pictures are so cute I needed to share my favorite! He even does his eyebrows white! He loves this more than any other thing at Christmas! The kids just love it too!

Winter Break...

2009-12-25T20:08:00.000-08:00

Day #6

Christmas Eve...we have added 4 babies to our family since April 15th. Two more will be there for next Christmas eve...none will be from me! yeah for other's babies that I can love on and give back!

The year of babies...

In other happenings: there was a major plumbing issue at Grandma's house...but that didn't stop the "guys" from doing the dishes and Cousin Jeff got new undies finally!

Aubrey just smiling away...she was already in her jammies! Done with the Christmas dress!Skylar had the cutest snowman leg warmers on! She is a doll!

Jeff got a new pair of undies!
Rylee LOVES the camera! Anytime you even pointed it at her she smiled! It was insane!
Adison finally calmed down...these babies were soooo tired!!!!
Rylee has developed a nice rat tail!

Cousin and Uncle doing the dishes by hand and dumping the water in the yard due to a small plumbing issue!

Winter Break...

2009-12-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

Day #5...

picked up the key to the beach overnight surprise for The Boy...

hung out at Teacha's house for a few hours...that was fun...i love her

was insane and went to Costco to pick up some pictures...what was I thinking?

came home and cleaned out some drawers and packed more boxes!

Then I convinced myself it was okay to open my present from Christie in Georgia...and I LOVE IT! It's my beautiful scarf in the picture!

exchanged two gifts with The Boy...he went overboard and got me like twenty things...he let me open three and he opened one...

I opened a heart ornament he got for our first Christmas (everyone together...awwwww), The Biggest Loser cookbook, Simple Swaps and a waterproof wallet that is pretty groovy...

We'll have to see what Christmas Eve gifts bring! I can't wait!

After a dinner of homemade pizza, we headed out to Peacock Lane. Unfortunately for us, EVERYONE in Portland had the same idea! DOH! It was still fun though!

My New Digs..

2009-12-22T22:44:00.001-08:00

Winter Break...

2009-12-22T22:40:00.000-08:00

Day #4... I can't believe it's day four already!!!!

The Boy and I had an appt. at the new home to do a walk through with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything was just perfect.

We prepared my money to be spent on closing costs and down payments...

We drove to Corvallis (barf!) to see our friend Dan who just had a MAJOR surgery...he had the following done in ONE DAY! Full rhinoplasty, broken jaw and it was moved forward so he actually has a chin now, tonsils out, adnoids out, soft pallette cut, and I think that may be it...he is doing great and doesn't snore anymore!!! Wahoo!!! Can't wait to go camping again and not be awake from his snoring!

We stopped at the outlets on the way home!

We went to the B's to deliver presents that we couldn't wait to give them!

We just got home and I am about to fall asleep as I write this!

Pics of the house coming in the next post!

Winter Break...

2009-12-21T22:50:00.001-08:00

Day #3...

Many errands...

took pics of exterior of my new house (that's fun when the sign says SOLD!)

ate lunch at Five Guys

ran to mother's for some items

dropped of a load at Goodwill...many more to come!

Went to Rose's house for Christmas with her fam...

Got some amazing gifts...

Ate some lovely food...

Came home and watched Elf!

Winter Break

2009-12-20T22:28:00.000-08:00

Day #2

Starbucks with Teacha, hair done, dessert pizza making (okay watching HIM make it) and potluck at some friends' house. Dinner at friend's house was interesting. There was a girl...that made a cake...that was a log...she also talked a lot about her cat. For those of you that know me...I despise cats. I kind of blew it off. I had been browsing pics around the house, like I do in all houses and I saw a display of Christmas cards/pictures. One was a full on Christmas Picture. You know...that kind of the family and it's cute but not cheesy unless they are wearing ridiculous Santa hats or something. It wasn't exactly a family though...it was a cat. One cat...no human, just a cat. It was sleeping with reindeer ears on! The side said, The Cat (can't remember it's name) was nestled all snug in her bed...I am sure the rest was something corny but I grabbed it as fast I could to show The Boy. He looked and we snickered then he asked his buddy who's card it was..."Oh Shirley (names have been changed to protect the Crazies!) sent that to us!" Well Shirley was the log cake lady in the next room...so I flung it back onto the table as fast as I could and proceeded to laugh the whole night about it. She is a CCL..crazy cat lady!

Then we kicked butt at Wii Bowling...below is a pic of me on the couch staying clear of the cat...and of course The Boy took it while I was blowing my nose! Have I mentioned I got the usual Christmas Break sinus infection? Fourth year running...fourth year teaching...

Winter Break...

2009-12-19T22:25:00.000-08:00

Day #1...

December 19, 2009

Ice Racing...yes that is motor cycles, quads, go carts, and three wheelers racing around an ice skating rink. Amazing really...pictures soon.

There was an Ice Queen that brought out signs for each round like in boxing...she had on MAJOR FM high heel boots and I knew she would fall at some point. It wasn't happening so I stopped watching because I was going to get so embarassed for her. Well...guess what?!?!? She pretty much bit it and save herself...

The Cankle...

2009-12-14T17:39:00.000-08:00

So what had happened was... I was meeting Sassy and her fam at the Convention Center for this wonderful little shindig. I was alone...on the opposite side of the center (Thank the LORD!)...it was a bit of an icey morning...but this area is about 20 mins+ from my house, and it looked mighty fine on this side of town. I found a prime parking spot, and started my way across the street. I was 97% across when I found myself ON THE GROUND! I had no idea how I got there...I soon realize as I started to get up that I slipped and was on the ground in seconds! I didn't even know I was falling it was that fast. I heard the ONE person that was around yell if I was okay...I muttered yes and realized then that I didn't really know for sure. I stood against the lamp post for awhile making sure to not pass out from pain...my tummy was feeling woozy! Last time that happened I had a majorly broken fifth metatarcel...not fun. To make a really long story shot...I "walked it off" and stood inline for this wonderful occasion. I walked around with very minimal pain thinking I was golden. I went and played Bunco...being off of it, didn't seem like it did much good...I came home to ice and it was getting worse. Today it felt great. Minimal throbing and I was able to wear my teacher shoes! I took of the small cloth brace to find this...notice my sock lines...my socks aren't tight...I am a tad swollen!

Lunch with the Semilliams...

2009-12-12T20:16:00.000-08:00

We had lunch with the Semilliams today...

Sass has this great app on her iPhone where it takes a pic every 5 seconds. She put it in the planter next to our table to capture our lunchtime!

My hand is the pink sleeved one. It's fun to stare at one item on the table and see what happens to it...

Dear Santa...let me explain...

2009-12-09T15:44:00.000-08:00

So...yesterday I committed teacher suicide and had my kids write letters to Santa. In this day and age, Santa is prohibited in my class. I don't mind though. The kids can celebrate all they want to at home, but we have MANY differences at school and should respect them all!

But yesterday I had a moment of weakness. I needed to do something different for writing time so we busted these bad boys out!

As I was reading through them last night, I got to laughing very very hard...here is what it read (from what I can decipher)

Dear Santa,

I have been very good this Christmas. I might not get that much presents this year but that's okay. Thank you for all that you gave me all these years. You have been a good man all these years and this is what I want. DS games.

Love, B

Swiney's Debut

2009-12-08T20:45:00.000-08:00

I have to tell you the SWEETEST story ever! This week has been a tad rough for SOME of us in my class =) so this one makes me feel so good!

So today, the Swiney vaccine made it's debut at our school. About 6 kids got "the call". No clue that some kids get nasal mist and some get the shot. Dumb teacher told them all to not worry cause they were getting a mist and no shots! Oopsie! Student C comes back and would not look at me for the rest of the day because he had the shot...and Student A was in tears and needed a stuffed animal/cuddle time with Mr. Stuart for awhile. Anyway, while A was still gone, we discussed being compassionate with our classmates who were hurting and things we could say to them. So my sweet redhead takes it a step further...
Since he is student of the week, he gets to sit on the couch with a friend during carpet time...I look over only to see two students and not my redhead on the couch. Being the grouchy one I am...I ask, "why are you two on the couch?" and your boy goes "I let them sit there". He never said it was because they were feeling hurt, but I KNOW that is why he did it. HE HAS A HEART OF GOLD...I told his mama to loan me the book on how she did that!

On another note...Someone MAY or MAY not have told some people that a certain teacher is preggers? How else do you expect me to get the Swiney Shot?!?!?!? Karma does happen though..I lied, therefore I had to have the shot that hurt as opposed to the Nasal Mist. Pregnant women have to have the dead vaccine not the live via the Nasal Mist. =)

I Smell Roses and Christmas Trees...

2009-12-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

So...I have been a Blogging SLACKER! I am so sorry...It's just...that time of year! But I know I will start losing my readers (all 3 of them) if I don't beef this up! This past week...my DUCKS earned a spot at the Rose Bowl! I am so excited! They have had a great year and deserve this. In the spirit of the season I have also been decorating my tree tonight and wanted to show you my favorite ornament. Next year it will probably be a different one, as I am sure you could probably go through my old posts and find last year's! So I chose this one...in honor of my ducks. This was given to me by another Duck fan, Pamcakes! (my friend Pam)

Thanksgiving...

2009-11-29T19:45:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving I was not looking forward to. I knew I would miss my Nannie terribly but also knew I would survive. After getting some advice (advice is stuff you already know, people just need to remind you) from a wonderful friend, I remembered that I didn't need to run away from my feelings by leaving town or anything like that...I need to feel my feelings and be with my feelings. I was sad, but it turned out to be a good day. I had pancakes for breakfast...laid around the house for a bit and then headed to mom's house. We picked up my grandmother and were off to Washougal to have a feast with my Aunt Sue and Uncle Mike. Among the guests were my two favorite...The A-Team! They are so darn cute! Even when they were upset and very tired they were too cute!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and had a lot to be thankful for!

Aubrey before the feast!

Aubrey after the feast...eating takes a lot out of a girl!

Amazing moments in time...

2009-11-23T16:15:00.000-08:00

I have to admit...I feel not quite right with my students lately. I haven't yet connected so well this year. I don't know what's different, but it's not right. Last year was my first year in first grade, but my second year with the same kids. That could be the difference. I knew those kids like they were my own and vice versa.

Today was a moment that made me realize why I do the job I do...

Mr. Z came up and exclaimed..."Miss MegPie! I LOVE this CD player! It taught me to READ! I can read this book now!" He was excited beyond words that he could now read. That is the empowerment kids need to make it all "click". My guess is that his reading will take off shortly. He had a perma smile ALL DAY!

Hey...even if it wasn't me that taught him to read...it made me happy!

Those CD players must have so much joy everyday!

It's soft and feminine...

2009-11-20T19:43:00.001-08:00

My mom's beauty salon made the December issue of Portland Monthly!

Needless to say...ALL the ladies were thrilled...

Check out mom's salon's article here!

Christmas Shopping...

2009-11-16T16:39:00.000-08:00

I have been Christmas shopping on one of my favorite sites that I thought I would share with you guys incase you don't know about it! It's called Etsy.com and it has purely homemade things! It's wonderful for that unique gift you have been looking for. I love to purchase items for friends and family.

I recently purchased one of their amazing Scrabble Tile necklaces. I would post a pic, but one of my readers may or may not be the recipient! Wouldn't you like to know?!?!?!

But I wanted to share the site I used for this great gift!

Head over to HomeStudio.etsy.com to check it out yourself!

After Christmas I may post what I bought! I will surely purchase more from them too, as they are very punctual and great quality items!

Marysville...will rise again...

2009-11-13T16:45:00.000-08:00

After Tuesday's horrible fire at Marysville Elementary, I counted my blessings more than once. As a teacher, I realize how much I would lose if there was a fire in our building. But Portland has come through! A good friend is a teacher there. I emailed asking what they needed. Their request, very simple...nametags for desks and borders for walls. I knew I could do that. I sent out an email to my staff and within minutes a table was full of items to be shared with our "friends" at Marysville. Teachers stick together.

My friend offered to come get items yesterday, but I declined as I was waiting for more. I am glad I did. I got to experience Portland coming together to help this awesome school. For those of you who don't know, Marysville has taken over the Elementary School formerly known as Rose City Park.

Here is what happened when I went there today...

-security greeted me at the parking lot

-my friend brought out some of her friends to help and they were sporting their new shirts thanks to Nike, the shirts brought tears to my eyes. "Marysville" (on the front) "We will rise again" on the back

-once we walked into the building there were people EVERYWHERE...these people included: news crews, Nike employees, Portland Public School employees, donors, and many more!

-people were dropping things off like crazy...former teachers were bringing their old stuff by...there is a reason people keep that stuff...and this is it.

- as I unloaded my car, a Nike Van was behind me with a backpack full of supplies and a coat for EVERY student at the school...simply amazing.

-Nike has also provided food for the staff as well as a sport bag for each one

-Office Max is requesting wish lists from each teacher, and will be fulfilled

-Powell's Books said they would donate 800 books, and 1,500 showed up

I am overwhelmed with the support they have gotten...and don't even teach there!

All this great stuff...but still a lot of tears and a ton of emotion will be there over the weekend and especially Monday when the kids roll up to their new school on their buses that will bus them from the neighborhood near Marysville.

My thoughts, prayers, and strength will be with the staff and students as they endure a very hard next couple of weeks...Marysville, please know you have support from ALL over this place! You will rise again!

What the world needs...(snatched from CJane)

2009-11-01T17:40:00.000-08:00

What the world needs is less...

Sample people...

and more monkeys...

and bumble bees...

The ER= one word....CLASSY!

2009-10-26T19:25:00.000-07:00

The Boy and I were enjoying a nice combination of football and baseball on tv last night in my room. I mean what more could this girl ask for really???? Thank goodness for the "recall" button on the remote...it really saves a lot of quality watching time. At the precise moment when one of those people hit one of those ball things...we heard kind of a crash. I figured it was the neighbors getting excited about the game. The Boy insisted it was my roommate in the living room. Whatever. I didn't check. A few seconds later another crash. Being the responsible apartment renter that I am...I still didn't check. A few minutes later our stomachs were calling to us so I retreated to the kitchen for some snacks when I was approached by my roomie who was interested in my opinion on the gash in his forehead. What in the world??? He quickly explained he had a small problem. In my opinion and from my colleague that talks about "Tattle Tongue" and when not to seek help and when to take care of it yourself...in this case it was necessary to get an adult.
"Well MegPie, I was going pee and the next thing I knew I was lying on the floor!" Just then he turns and runs into the bathroom to puke his brains up...he proceeds on about 3 more times. After much pacing trying to figure out what to do with him I make the executive apartment decision that we are going to the ER. The Boy drives. The Boy pulls over. The roomie pukes. We get there. The roomie pukes again. I can hear oinking from the parking lot. We hold our breath for the next 2 hours.

And so it begins.

Family #1: Dante is being seen. Dante's momma is there. His daddy. His brother. His daddy's "girl". Dante is about 9ish. Dante does not read a lick. (just the teacher in me) Dante is throwing paper around like a football with his dad...Why is he here again? I can tell in his voice he has some kind of croupy something. He shares his drink with his little brother about 2 and the little brother climbs up in the chair next to me and proceeds to put his mouth all over my sweathshirt. Note to self: time to bath in Purell.

Family #2: My two dads. One boy. One dad being seen. Wearing mask, but removing for easy access to licorice that is being stuffed in mouth. Why is he here again? They retreat to the car after giving 7 year old a Pop Tart at 11:00pm.

It's always a good sign when there are wall dividers separating the "flu people" from the "non-flu people"...what's even better is when they don't sit in there.

I get a call from the nurse telling me to go ahead and leave without the roommate. We ran.

The roommate is fine. Perhaps he got up to fast, fainted while peeing, and hit his head on something. Shower door not so fine. Towel rack not so fine. He is a very tall drink of water in a very small apartment bathroom. The puking was from a concussion.

I can't wait to get back to that hospital!

Another my end...

2009-10-24T21:05:00.001-07:00

My third and final sponsor that I am allowed to write about are the Parkers!
Who doesn't love the Parkers? I just love that they are the Parkers together and not Della and Jason anymore...meaning they finally got married!

i know della from middle school and high school.
i know jason because my sister and him are BFF's.
della and i became friends in high school and made up silly things to write on our arms for our games.
jason used to pin me down until mother yelled at him to stop because she might have to take me to the hospital. fun times.

i love them both. della and i rewrite songs together. someday we will sing it for you.
i love della. she is going to be a doctor.
i love jason. he is like my brother and he loves my della very much.
i was in there wedding this summer. talk about a blast!
the end!
I love you both and thank you for your sponsorship!
hopefully a baby parker will be in my future!

My end again...

2009-10-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hawk-A-Thon Sponsor number 2...

Jeanna is formerly blonde...now reddish and darling!
Jeanna's husband is Tony. Tony and The Boy are good buddies.
Jeanna's son is Roman who is turning 1 in 1.5 weeks!
She hooked me up with my realtor.
We have A LOT in common.
She lets me help her plan her kiddos birthday party!
She puts The Boys in their place.
And she makes KILLER enchiladas!
She can throw a mean bowling ball too!
Shhhh...it's Jeanna's birthday next week too and she will be 21!! Wahoo!

I love my Jeanna...Thank you for your sponsorship!

Google it...

2009-10-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

Today was a Monday...and I had a case of the Mondays!

Sick kids all over...kids returning from being sick...Swine Flu germs running in and out...assembly to prepare for that first graders were performing at and on top of this...the principal comes in to observe! I should have figured!

We were working on making predictions of the book we were about to read. The book is "Toto something or rather" it's a classic...as you can tell.

Anyway on the front cover there is a dog and a smaller cat jumping out of a box. Many of the same answers were being given and sometimes I tune things out...I know I know...but seriously sometimes I could do this job with my eyes closed! Okay for like five minutes...then someone would puke, or kill another one and that is that.
So it's Mr. L's turn and he says...

"Well, I have been thinking about this (a whole minute or two maybe) and I am thinking the dog Googled how to get a cat...ordered one up...and it arrived at his house...yes, that is what the book is about"...

I laughed all day...and the Mondays were gone!

Holding up my end of the deal...

2009-10-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen...

A begged and pleaded with a few unlucky friends and family members to sponsor me for my walk-a-thon at school. I wasn't going to participate except one day I got this note in my mailbox saying that if I earned more than $50.00 I would be entered to win a webpage design!!!! HELLO?!?!? If that didn't have my name written all over it...I don't know what did. It is only a drawing, but I am SURE I will win...=) meaning I don't think the others did crap! Anyway...back to my deal.

I MAY have bribed these aforementioned friends and family a little...one bribe being their own post on my blog. I know! I know! Who doesn't want that right? So here is my first one:

Kristin and Brett Hawkins...

Kristin is my cousin via the father side.

Her dad and my dad are brothers.

She is a first grade teacher in Oregon.

Likes long walks on the beach and has no tattoos.

Brett is my cousin Kristin's husband of a little over a year.

He does some construction something or rather.

He is a Capricorn, loves two for one hot dogs at 7- Eleven, and has no allergies.

Brett looks like my roommates twin.

One fond memory I have of Kristin is this sneezing situation she once got into. She literally could not stop sneezing...I will have to ask her how long that actually went on for, but it was at least an hour or two.

I was in their wedding. It was fun.

They have a Labradoodle named Zag, named after Gonzaga's mascot.

Kristin went to Western Oregon and Brett went to Gonzaga.

Kristin and Brett first dated when they were 16, broke up and got back together after college!

Crazy story...but oh so good!

I love you guys a lot and thanks for your sponsorship...

Your cookies are coming! (I know that's the only reason Brett agreed to sponsor!)

Black Handle Squeezy Thingys...

2009-09-30T20:20:00.001-07:00

So...I ventured out with my relator Mr. S and The Boy today for some house hunting. Now let me preface all this with...1) The Boy is NOT purchasing the house with me...I need another set of ears and eyes to go with and today I learned he comes in handy when it comes to roofs! Plus he will do a lot of the fixing up so if he can't do it...screw it! 2) Mr. S is the daddy of a good friend of ours so he is taking good care of us...oh and he is FUNNY! 3) This is a stressful thing to do but oh so exciting!

So we had 6 houses to look at today...our first was a lovely FIRST experience.

We knock on the door. We were not expecting anyone to be there, but in true relator fashion we knock just incase! Someone answers the door that spoke not so good English...he did understand why we were there and ever so graciously invited us in to look around. Hmm...they were aware we were coming over...however I don't believe they cared. The house was a disaster! Besides the house being really dirty and some small things here and there like a whole in the ceiling...(no biggie right?) it just wasn't me. On our way out our "friend" was sitting on the davenport (that seems to fit well in this post) with a pair of, what appeared to be leggings, on tucked into some maroon athletic socks. I don't mean the latest ankle athletic socks...think slouch socks if you will. He was working on his forearm muscles apparently because he had one of those squeezy things that have a black handle and some metal on them? You know the kind that you squeeze together? It's like the Thigh Master but for your hands apparently. Watching Telemundo! It was classic! I wanted to take a picture of him and run out real fast!

The last house we visited today was said to have a small dog that was in the garage. Apparently little dog grew over night to a full size PITBULL! It appeared to have busted out of the garage and tore up some toilet paper through the house in the meantime. Mr. S said a small prayer before walking in to take one for the team. The dog ended up running away when the door opened but barked his head off and may have had a slight coronary! Mr. S tried his hardest to get him in the garage but with no luck...we entered anyway. Besides the Glamour Shots all over the house, the cat statue, the dog statue, and the broach collection...it didn't so much appeal to me.

Back to the hunt tomorrow...I believe I have much more blogging material nowadays!

I did however find a house I really like today...there are a few things of concern like it's bank owned...blah!!!!! But it's definitely a good one that I like! We will see...stay tuned for more Black Handled Squeezy Thingys!

Miss Linda came for a visit...

2009-09-15T19:11:00.001-07:00

This was the look on my children's faces when they heard this today...

"Boys and Girls! This is Miss Linda..she has come to help us today and she is my mom."

They are too cute...

One boy, Mr. D, says to her "I am certainly glad to know you are Miss MegPie's mother!"

He was probably thinking that I was so freakin weird he was assured I had someone to take care of me!

Of course it made mother laugh...she just called to tell me she was still laughing about it!

The Boy came today too...they had no clue who he "is" though so they didn't even ask. The minds of first graders are so small!

That one time...

2009-09-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

One day this summer our hike started like this...

and ended .2 miles (that's NOT 2 it's .2) into the hike with this... (I think if you click on the picture you may see it better)

We hiked the M!

2009-09-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

So these pics are backwards, but you get the point. We hiked the "M" in Missoula, Montana and watched the sunset while we were up there. I LOVE this pic of us up there...you can see the WHOLE city. I will post more pics of our trip later!

We send out apologies to all mailmen in our area...

2009-09-03T20:22:00.001-07:00

Today was THE DAY!

The day the children of my school have all been waiting patiently yet harassing their mailperson incessantly to get "the postcard". This said piece of mail is the highlight of one's summer. They find out who their next teacher will be! Who will be dispensing genius to me this year?!?!?

Back in the olden days (two years ago) we could post it in the windows of the front door of the school. Children would line up with their parents and wait and wait and wait for the secretary to post it. (Okay maybe a stretch there, but it was close)

Anyway, with many last minute changes ( I was saved thank the good Lord upstairs) we sent the cards about a week late...it was really a bad move on the district's part as they will be paying for counseling for half the children due to anxiety issues they have developed this last week while waiting.

So apparently the kids got their postcards today...here was an email I got from one mom. I know her because I have had her daughter in my class and she is super cool...I mean she has her own blog and everything!!!!

The email read:

hmmm, I have one VERY excited redhead here at my house..... I wonder why? Could it be that he yelled at the top of his lungs "I got what I wanted" Sounded like he was playing Go Fish.... but NO- he was grasping a yellow card from SME. He proceeded to take it to his room and place it with his most coveted trinkets.

Godspeed to you Miss MegPie. I am going to get a new unlisted phone number by the first day.

Who doesn't love to be "what they wanted"???

I can't wait to meet all my new little friends next week. My blog will be back up with frequent posts as I AM SURE they will be funnier than last year's kiddos!

Thankful...

2009-08-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

This week has been another crazy one...crazy, sad, confusing, angry...you name it and I had the emotion...ask The Boy...he will tell ya!

Today I got the great news I will still be at my school...thank goodness!

I was called last Friday only to be told I would be getting a transfer just two weeks before the children arrived. If you are a teacher you know that is NOT even close to enough time to pack, move, unpack and be ready...not to mention teach a different grade.

I was told not to pack this week as we were still in negotiations...lovely. As the week went on...I got more nervous because time was running out... very quickly!

I had all sorts of thoughts about how my year would end up...would I have new friends? Would I have to teach 6th grade sex ed? Or would I have to teach at two different places?

My amazing principal called today...while I was at camp....(more on that later) to tell me I had been given my job back! I was the only one from my school. I am so thankful...it's bittersweet knowing there are more that didn't get theirs.

I appreciate my friends and family for their support. I had one of the roughest weeks ever...until tonight when I realized it was really nothing...I sat through 48 young children tell why they were at grief camp...some lost one family member...some multiple...some friends, some other relatives. Nothing is worse that people dying close to you...I remembered that tonight.

I can't wait to write about camp...and the wedding! Yes all in one weekend!

I need to get to bed!

Party like it's 1999!

2009-08-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

July 31st was my 10 year reunion! It was fun, but some people never change! Our shindig was at Kell's Irish Pub in downtown Portland. We had a blast seeing all those familiar faces and their significant others. 3 girls were preggers, many already had kids, again...many have not changed!

I can't wait to see how everyone changes from this one to year 20!

Could someone else plan it? =)

Here is a pic of The Boy and I at the party...

P.S. I am wearing my fabulous new dress that I love love love and I wish I could wear it everyday it's so fabulous and comfy too! I will have to cover some things up to wear it to school and get some leggins and perhaps just a whole robe to wear over it...kidding...

Pace of Courage...August 15th, 2009 BE THERE!!!

2009-07-31T13:11:00.000-07:00

My friend Shannon has teamed up with Reason To Run in honor of the Martinez family who was fighting two cancers. Sadly, their three year old son, Alec, lost his fight with brain cancer. His beloved mother has her own battle with cancer she is fighting too. You can check out a beautiful story about Alec below...

Alec's story

I will be volunteering at this event and would LOVE to see you walking/running!

The goal is to have 400 runners! YOU should be one of them!

Go here to sign up: http://www.reasontorun.com/summerRaces.html

THIS IS THE CUT!! IT'S THE CUT!!!! aka Orcas Island 7/09

2009-07-31T12:21:00.000-07:00

The Boy and I returned from a lovely adventure to Orcas Island, WA yesterday evening. (this is REALLY late! I couldn't get my pics to post!)

It was an adventure let me tell you!!!!! We went with friends, Dan and Kirsten. The plan was to sleep in the tent in Tiffany's backward...should be interesting!

The entire 6 hour car ride back (plus a stop for lunch and Cabela's) I debated on the layout I would make for this post...I do enjoy lists so I decided to go with it! Don't worry...I will elaborate where needed!

-left at noon Friday...arrived at 11:00pm that night

(traffic was horrible from Vancouver to Everett, one quick stop at Burgerville, a rest stop with a HUGE arborvitae and two missed ferry's)

-when we had arrived...we were greeted by approximately 25 wasted "pretty people" that were complete strangers to The Boy and I... (you know, the type that look good in their pj's and make up all over their face?) we chose to set tents up in the dark and head straight to bed...we could hear much chaos outside including what we believe was stripping...

-the view in the morning was to die for...the house was on the water!

-we headed out for some sightseeing

-we went to Happy Hour and racked up a $101.00 bill...who knows how that happened? This is what we ordered...4 beers, 4 glasses of wine, one antipasta plate, one crab quesadilla, one piece of pie and one piece of cake...you red that right...$101.00

-we took the boys to the wedding we were NOT invited to

-we hung out at the beach while they were at the wedding they didn't want to go to

-the groom's grandma asked why they weren't serving hot dogs at the wedding...after all...it is hot dog month (crazy granny!)

-the boys got kicked out of the wedding when we showed up to pick them up...the bride made sure NO one she didn't know was invited (i.e. girlfriends of the guests) when she saw us the groom made sure the boys split...

-we went to Mt. Constitution

-we went to bed early...we heard the "night" show of more wasted people...and more wasted people...they sang, danced, and stripped again...the title of the blog came from this part...we heard screams of "This is the cut!!! This is the cut!!!" When a song they enjoyed came on...oh wait that was EVERY song! HYSTERICAL!!!

-we woke up VERY early to get to the Ferry so we could make it on by 9:00am

-we arrived in Portland by 5:00pm

Quick Trip but some VERY good times and adventures!

My Nannie...

2009-07-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

These last few weeks have been such a whirlwind. I haven't had the time or the energy to post about what these last weeks have consisted of. It's life...and it's something that I will never forget.

Back in April, my nannie was in the ICU diagnosed with sepsis from a bladder infection. She came out with flying colors after about a month of hospital and rehab. She was a little slower as far as moving and she was using a walker when going to far places like her favorites...Fred Meyer or Target. She was gaining strength everyday. Monday, June 29th she was diagnosed with Cancer. It was far into it's stages...it was one of the worst days of my life when I found out. The doctor let us know it was in her uterus, liver, and lungs. On July 3rd she was taken to the emergency room with massive pain in her abdomen and her stomach was extending rapidly. She was admitted and never left. We spent many of hours by her bedside as she got weaker and weaker by the day.

By Tuesday morning we had signed her up for hospice in hopes she would be able to go to some kind of foster care. Wednesday she was incoherent and very uncomfortable. As much as I have been through, this was the absolute worst day of my life. I can't even bare to think about it. That day we decided to put her on a morphine drip just to keep her comfortable and to stop all other forms of medicine. Many many people came to the hospital to show support. My mom and I were there for about 48 hours straight with quick breaks to run home for showers. Although that time was rough, I would not exchange it for the world. We sat by her by with every breath... knowing each one could be the last. She held on and fought with all her might...until Friday the 10th when we all happened to walk into the hallway to say goodbye to part of the family. I walked back in quickly to get something and grabbed her hand. She took her last breath then. She was gone.

My nannie and I had a great relationship that I will cherish forever. She was like a second mother to me. I spent many evenings with her as a child and she moved in with us for a couple weeks when both my dad and my sister passed. She was NEVER sick...even a cold was rare. I never thought she would die. It broke my heart into a million pieces.

I thank each and everyone of you for all the things you did. My wonderful mother was a champ through this all. My amazing boyfriend stuck by me, left work early a few days, missed work a few days, brought me food, took me out for a walk when I needed it, fed my mom's dog and anything and everything he could. My wonderful friend Angela coordinated all the food for the reception following the service and her wonderful crew...Patricia, Theresa, Kaitlyn, Jessica, Mrs. McArthur, Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Bright, and whoever else she grabbed off the street to bake or cook something.

I am still in a state of shock. It is very surreal to me that one more person in my life has passed on. When she realized she was dying, my mom and her had a conversation about it...she told my mom she was excited to get to Heaven because she couldn't wait to hug and kiss my sister. It brings tears to my eyes now to even think about how cool that was for them. Sad to die and leave us here, but oh so excited to see my sister, my grandfather, and many others.

When a person is dying at Providence Hospital, they offer any kind of support you need. We accepted a "Passage Quilt" for her to be covered up with. It is green with flowers. She LOVED green. I got to keep the quilt and I sleep with it every night.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us get through this...it has been rough and I can imagine will continue to be for awhile. Please know I cherish you all and I am there for you when you need me...

Beacon Rock Trail, 7.12.09

2009-07-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

The Boy and I desperately needed to get "out" after spending the week in the hospital with my Nannie. (more on her later) We needed something quick but get some "energy" out.

Beacon Rock did just that for us. It took about 20 minutes to get up, but up up and up was the keywords.

Indian Head to Pup Falls June 21, 2009 (I know it's a little late!)

2009-07-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

This was a beautiful hike and we enjoyed having Candace and her lab Lucy join us! It rained a bit but it was perfectly okay! We ended up going 9 miles or so. Some pretty cool sights and a lot of damage. We came home with wet feet, scrapes and bruises but all worth it!

Trails and Tribulations Part 5, June 27th (i know i am out of order), Ramona Falls

2009-07-05T13:10:00.001-07:00

Hello all my avid readers...I currently am resting in room 5R27 at Providence Portland...with Nannie. She has had some speed bumps that we are embracing with our deepest love but unfortunately they don't love us back. She has fluid in her belly that's not moving...a decision of possibly surgery will be done tomorrow or Tuesday...don't rush people...IT'S OKAY!!! Take your time!!! We've got all day! Heck all week! And you know me...ALL SUMMER!!!

She was brought in Friday night via ambulance because with deep consultation of Dr. Conway (aka my mom) they decided there was a possible heart attack, vomiting, and pain in her 6 pack...no heart attack, but everything I had previously stated.

So thank goodness for a little wireless Providence Internet eh? I mean I used to work for them so I think I have put in my time if I do say so myself...I have earned this privilege!

Since I have my laptop and the photos from our last hikey hike...I will post out of order.

Ramona Falls was rated an A+ in my book. 6.8 miles...not hard at all. Not so much of a workout besides the walking, but all in all good. We got up SUPER early for this one, and as it turns out...The Boy was FINALLY right and it was a good idea due to the fact that MANY people were coming up as we were headed down. Nice job Boy!!! I taught you well on the planning side =) It is near Zig Zag on the way to Mt. Hood so we have some amazing mountain pics! For those of you out of towners that lurk...Mt. Hood has snow year round and in fact the US Ski team practices here because where else can you find snow in July? Plus there are MANY ski and snow boarding camps here in the summer so it's kind of odd to see kids with snowboards in the airport in July!

I never post these pictures in the right order and who cares anyway? This is the "seasonal" bridge that is across the Sandy River. If the bridge is not there (any months but spring and summer) you must use proper crossing the water techniques. I recently found out that one of my very good friends and readers has crossed with no bridge! YIKES! I am not down with that.

You have seen this one many of times...

This is the actual Ramona Falls. It is gorgeous!!!

When we went in this certain part of the trail, we had to fill out a pass that was carbon copy and put one copy in this box. I suppose this is so they know your plans if in fact you are lost. We were pretty proud of the pass. The Boy still has it on his pack. I think he loves it. If you are caught without the pass...$100...
Tree damage...these ones that come up with the roots and all just amaze me...

The Boy
Beautiful Mt. Hood with the Sandy river in front...
Small beautiful creek...
The dry river...the river is up to the bottoms of the trees in the winter...

There you have it...Fun Hike # 5!!! Woot woot!

I have more pics from The Boy but you must wait as he takes approximately 19 days to get them up...Love ya!

Trails and Tribulations Part 3, June 13th (almost caught up!) Front half of Pup Falls, Clackamas River Trail

2009-06-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

This is the front half of the Clackamas River Trail. We knew we only wanted to go part way...to Pup Falls and back. We came across a few "falls" and thought we had gone far enough so after a lot of "let's go a little further" and "maybe just a little further"...we turned around. After researching on the internet, we were seconds away from a beautiful falls that will have to be discovered another time. (next post)

As I have said before, we find many damaged things on our hikes. Here is The Boy in the tree... Another NERD in the tree...it was gross and he MADE me get in...I know what you are thinking "doesn't she have any other clothes to wear hiking?" I just LOVE this shirt! I am almost positive it was a regift from a kid in my class, but I LOVE it! Heck...it didn't have any tags on it, so he probably pulled it out of mom's closet! Oh! And I hate taking pics with my pack strapped on because it shows all my lovely body features (don't be jealous!) but SOMEONE forgets to remind me and then gets mad when I ask him to take it again!

Beautiful River...there were rafters and kayakers that day..
You probably can't see me in this picture because I am so camouflage...

Stay tuned for the second half of this hike...

Her own ballerina...

2009-06-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

On Saturday after a BIG hike (one of the best yet, I will catch up with that later) I went to Emma's dance recital. Emma is a former student turned very good friend. Actually their family is amazing and I LOVE being with them...I'm kind of like their pseudo Auntie. Emma is a ballerina through and through. She did a wonderful job and LOVES to perform. She was so excited while she was dancing...so fun to watch!

Too Early to Shave?

2009-06-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

When I don't go to school, I don't have much bloggin material so I look to others.

This was in an email I got from Rose this morning...

This was the conversation I heard today from behind me

A - Boy I'm getting a lot of hair on my knees
S - Abs, it's because were getting older
A - Daddy's got hair on his knees, Grandpa's got hair on his knees, and now I've got hair on my knees
S- It's okay Abs

HYSTERICAL!!!!!!

Trails and Tribulations Part 2, June 7th 2009 (still behind!)

2009-06-22T18:08:00.000-07:00

Wakeena Falls to Multnomah Falls, Columbia Gorge

MegPie's Review: great hike...perfect length...not many people until we got to Multnomah Falls then the flood gates of Japanese tourists opened. This was the exact reason that we started at Wakeena...we knew there would be 1 bajillion people at the Mult. so we reversed our hike and came out of Multnomah falls and then it's just a half mile trail down the highway back to the car. It's a "loop" if you will.

On the way down from the top of Multnomah Falls, we had to go slow because of so many tourists. It seemed as though that hike brought a lot of different people out.

The Boy and I heard some pretty funny things from these people as we jaunted past them. As a pre-warning, it is important to know that the hike from the bottom of Multnomah Falls to the top is 1 mile. It is pretty steep and gets tiring because it is never flat...just UP!

Some of the quotes we heard that day:

Kid to his dad: "Dad, do you realize no one else is running up the hill?"

Friend to another friend: " I am really working that Voo Doo doughnut off today!" (for those of you not from around here, VooDoo is a great/eccentric doughnut establishment)

The Boy's Favorite...

Big Mama to Me as she is breathing heavily .25 miles up to the top. Please note she is on a bench. I am wondering if I shall call 9-1-1: "It's a long (breath) way (breath) up there isn't it?!?!?"

Me (not sure where this came from): "Well, actually we started at Wakeena Falls and we are on mile 5!

Big Mama: "UUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

The Boy about LOST it laughing so hard.

We laughed all the way down the hill...and in the car...and at lunch...and for the next week or so!

Cool half cave trail thingy...

Wakeena Falls

Many places we hike have a lot of damage due to storms and stuff...it's pretty cool

View of the Washington side from Oregon

The Boy at the falls

Approaching the falls...

Dear 2nd Grade Teacher,

2009-06-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

So the last day of school, the assignment was to write your 2nd grade teacher a letter about yourself so they could read it before you entered their classroom in the Fall. Many did not follow directions (weird, I know!) but some did a great job! Here are two that I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!
I highlighted the funny parts. Alexis is the next Hannah Montana...mark my words on that.
Her comment to the principal and I when asked what she would do this summer went something like this, "Well I am going to take swimming lessons, ballroom dancing lessons, probably head down to LA and audtion for a few shows and then meet the Jonas brothers. "
Wow! We don't have high expectations do we?!?!

Here is the second one...and no this is not a skill I teach in my classroom. =)

Don't blame me for childhood obesity!

This is just another reason I love teaching first grade!

Aunties visit the A-Team...

2009-06-16T17:51:00.000-07:00

So...yesterday marked the last day of work for me and today marked the first day of vacation! I am loving every bit of it. Coincidently...my cousin Kristin is a teacher too so we ran up to the Couve to see our nieces (they are really our 2nd cousins, but who's keeping track?!?!)

Aubrey and Adison turned 2 months old yesterday. The doctors think of them as only 2 weeks because their due date was two weeks ago...got it?!?!?

Kristin with Aubrey

Me with Adison...she has a definite "our family" look

We helped feed and change and then scooted out for their nap...I am going to spend the night there next week! I can't wait!!!

Louie, Louie...

2009-06-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was a glorious parade day...sprinkle here and sprinkle there but nothing us Oregonians can't handle! Rose and I took her girls and their cousin to the Grand Floral Parade. For those of you not in Oregon, it is part of the Rose Festival that is a long time tradition in Portland complete with princesses, parade, dragon boat races, and carnivals! As a child, this was a family tradition. Last weekend, the memories came flooding back. It was wonderful! My favorite is ALWAYS the "One More Time Around Again" Marching Band. They are "has beens" from dance teams, baton teams, and bands. They are pretty dern cute! I am wanting to be in the dance team part, we will see when I get there! Their "famous" song is "Louie, Louie" as stated in the title this morning. I didn't get many pics as my battery started running low! Yikes!

Here is Sam and I waiting for our Starbucks drinks to return to us! Nothing like curbside service!

Here is a weirdo clown that was entertaining us while waiting for the parade to start.

This is me, Abby was the photographer...

After the parade we were starving so what better place to go then Saint Cupcake?!?!?!

Abby knows a great thing when she sees one!

Thanks Rose for a great day! Let's do it again next year!!!

It's Hard to Say Goodbye...

2009-06-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Mrs. Goodman (formerly known as Ms. Gluestick) is moving to Salt Lake with her new hubby...Dr. Goodman...for his residency. I said good bye to her tonight with a celebratory drink, and soup at Stanford's with her and my roomie...you remember.."The Dear Drag" (too lazy to link that for you!)

I will miss you Lisa...thank goodness for Facebook, texting, and a good long distance plan on our phones!!! xoxoxoxo

We went...

2009-06-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

to the DaVinci Exhibit at OMSI...

Trails and tribulations...Part 1 (I should be doing report cards)

2009-06-08T18:13:00.001-07:00

So this is part 1 of MANY...I think...

I have been dating "The Boy" for awhile now. Almost 6 months, and I have also taken up some new hobbies while dating. Okay, let's face it...I had no hobbies therefore they aren't new...they are JUST hobbies! But seriously...who wants to go hiking, camping, running, etc. by themselves? Exactly my point. So now that HE is around...WE do fun things. Most of the time.

I knew from the start he was "outdoorsy"...I can't say the same for myself. I can camp with the best of them...and run around the track, but nothing past that.

So it started with a few VERY small hikes (they weren't small at the time) and jumped to a ten miler last weekend...YES ! 10 MILES!!! We almost broke up twice...he likes to bring up one of the exact quotes I used...it went something like this...

Me: "If you take me down that hill I WILL break up with you because you are putting my life in danger! AND YOURS BECAUSE I WILL KILL YOU!!!"

So I get a little meanish when I am starving and dehydrated!!!

The premise of the story is this...he didn't exactly communicate with me exactly how far we were going...therefore we weren't prepared!!!

Below are some pictures...I left out the meanface ones. The view was GORGEOUS and it was fun times really. Awesome excercise too! Oh yes yes..where did we go you ask? Angel's Rest to the beginning of the Wakeena Falls Trail and back.

Stay tuned for what we did this last weekend...

Something that touched my heart...

2009-06-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

I opened my email first thing in the morning some time last week.

Rose had sent me an email...she usually does. Today was a different one. It was a link to a blog she had read and thought I would enjoy it. I definitely did and went as far as asking the blogger for permission to post it.

Here it is...I think you will know what I like it so much...

Today is the last day of Kindergarten.

As much as I’ve complained about the school year dragging on interminably, it’s still hard for me to believe that an entire school year is over. As of 2:00 today I’ll be the mother of a first grader.

And if you think it hasn’t occurred to me that first grade means she’ll only live at home for twelve more years, then you have seriously underestimated all my neuroses.

It turns out that all those times I’ve held her and asked her to just stay little have not been working at all.

Cue Jim Croce singing “Time In A Bottle”.

(Seriously. I just pulled out Jim Croce.)

Yesterday her class had an end of the year party with a luau theme. Caroline has been so excited about the party and as we said our prayers the night before she said, “Dear God, thank you for controlling Mrs. C’s mind and telling her we needed to have a luau.” Because God is into mind control techniques concerning Hawaiian-themed parties.

In spite of the heat and 98% humidity, we all had a great time at the party because it’s really impossible to not have fun when hot dogs and cupcakes are involved. That’s just basic party math.

But, sadly, all good parties have to come to an end. Once the limbo contest ended and the keg was floated, it was obvious it was time to wrap things up and head to recess.

Before I left I wanted to say a few things to her teacher. I knew I’d write a thank you note, but I wanted to also say thank you in person. The only problem was I wasn’t sure I could get through it without holding onto her for dear life while crying and begging her to just follow us for the next twelve years. It’s not like she’d have to go to college with Caroline, but merely get her through high school graduation. It doesn’t seem like too much to ask of someone who was a total stranger nine months ago.

Last summer I said many prayers that Caroline would end up with the right teacher for her and when the envelope finally arrived the week before school, I opened it up and saw a name on a page that meant nothing to me. The name of a stranger who would be spending six hours a day with my child. Would she see how sweet Caroline is? Would she appreciate her sense of humor? Would she understand that sometimes she tends to overreact and have a level 9 reaction to a level 2 situation?

(By the way, I don’t know where she gets that last one says the woman in tears over the end of Kindergarten)

The answer to all those questions turned out to be “yes”. I couldn’t have picked a better teacher for Caroline’s first year of school. Mrs. C has a way of making you forget that teaching is her job and makes you feel like there is nowhere on earth she’d rather be than telling your kid for the sixth time to go wash their hands or get in line for recess. I bet if you asked the kids in her class who her favorite student is, they would all say it was them.

Yesterday I asked Caroline what she was going to miss most about Kindergarten and she didn’t say “eating paste” or “seeing how much sand I can collect inside my tennis shoes at recess everyday”. Without hesitating she said, “Mrs. C”.

I managed to hold back tears yesterday as I told Mrs. C thanks for everything she has done for my child this year. She’s taught her to love school, she’s taught her to read, she’s taught her to be kind and respectful to her classmates. She has been a gift.

I told her about my dream of having her follow us for the next twelve years and she said, “I’ll be with you. A part of me will always be with Caroline.”

And she’s right. She will always be a part of Caroline’s history. We’ll never forget her.

Not to mention I’m pretty sure that her native Massachusetts accent is the reason Caroline has begun asking for her “crans” as opposed to her “cray-ons”.

Thanks Big Mama for your wonderful post!!! www.thebigmamablog.com

The A-Team visit...

2009-06-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

Mother and I went to visit the A-Team, Aubrey & Adison, yesterday afternoon between their feedings. It has been insanely hot here and no one has air conditioning! The Gay's have transformed the girls' room into their cooling sanctuary!

Above is a pic of Aubrey and her Auntie Linda...

Adison on the left and Aubrey on the right...Adison is sportin her boy disguise after peeing through her diaper, onesie and Auntie Meg's shirt!

I am sweating like a donkey in this picture and I have Adison pee on my shirt...yes...she peed on me! The ultimate way to say "I love you!"

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Gay for letting us come visit!!!!

See you soon!

xoxox

Jiggly what?!?!?!

2009-05-29T09:29:00.001-07:00

Yesterday as I called my little group of friends to my kidney table for our reading group, one of my "fun" friends sat down right directly in front of me and this is what he said...

"Miss MegPie...YOU ARE A JIGGLY PUFF!"

Awesome...about that diet...

Come to find out, with some research from 6 year olds that a Jiggly Puff is some sort of a Pokemon character...He better hope it's some kind of character!

Potatoes and Babies...

2009-05-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a short stay in Idaho to love on one of my baby's!!! Let me tell you...she is freakin CUTE!!! I almost brought her home with me! I also enjoyed my cousin Lindsey and her husband Brian. It was fun to see where they live and how they live (small town!)

Here are some shots...I literally held the baby all weekend...it was soooo fun and relaxing!!!

She is so sweet!

"Let's Get Physical...Physical!" Lindsey brought out all her bows to show me and so we played a little dress up...

okay so maybe it wasn't meant for ALL the bows at once...she was embarassed!

Tucker, showing off his "handsome" bows...Tucker is one of The Jensen's friend's kiddos...super sweet and smart!

She is as sweet as pie! Thank you Jensen's for your hospitality! I hope to be back soon!

Mr. and Mrs. Gluestick...

2009-05-17T19:28:00.001-07:00

This last month has been a blur, but I am slowly coming out of it. Something fun I got to do was be a part of my great friends, Lisa and Mark's, wedding.

Their wedding was held on May 9, 2009 at McMenamin's Edgefield. They could not have picked a better venue or date! Up until that week...the weather was looking grim, but that weekend turned out WONDERFUL!

Friday the 8th we arrived at the venue for rehearsal...little did we know how muddy it would be!

Dinner was held at Amalfi's which is one of my favorite restaurants!

Saturday morning was filled with make-up, hair, dressing and photos!

We had a wonderful time and I hope the Goodman's had a wonderful honeymoon in Europe!

I am sad they are moving away to Salt Lake but look forward to a few trips out there!

Thanksgiving?!?!?!?

2009-05-05T20:59:00.001-07:00

I know it's not Thanksgiving...BUT I need to make my list of what I am thankful for...

My Nannie is SOOO much better today and it just reminded me that I am so thankful for people and things in my life...I need to write them down...

I am thankful for my STRONG mother...we have our ups and downs, but she has been a champ through this whole thing...I don't know how she has done it.

I am thankful for the nurses and doctors at Emanuel Hospital...they have been great

I am thankful for modern medical equipment...

I am thankful for friends who have asked day in and day out how my Nannie is doing

I am thankful for all the prayers that friends and family have put up...it means the world to me

I am thankful for Rose for providing my momma with some meals so she doesn't have to have hospital meals every night...and listening to me ramble on, and feed me on Sunday!

I am thankful for my principal who has been SO understanding about this whole thing and is so flexible and supportive

I am thankful for my secretaries who kicked into gear when I was called to the hospital

I am thankful for my students who still love me even though I have been Miss Grouchy McGroucherton lately

I am thankful for my AMAZING boyfriend who has been nothing but understanding, but also kicking my butt when I needed it (I love you!), put up with my crazies, hiked with me when I needed stress relief, bought me ice cream when I needed it, came and got me from school to go to the hospital, answered my crazy crying phone calls and did anything else he could to love me...

I am thankful for my friend Melissa for coming to the waiting room to check in before and after her long work day and her inspiring texts.

I am thankful for my friend Teacha for buying strawberries and cutting them for me =)

She also sat with me while I waited for my ride to the hospital and it was so good to know she was right there with me.

I am thankful for Facebook for being able to "show my status"

I am thankful for Email so I didn't have to call everyone individually

I am thankful for EVERYONE who has cared, called, emailed, texted, prayed, crossed fingers, anything you did for my family and I...THANK YOU!!!

If I forgot anyone...I will remember you...I promise...I appreciate you all soooo much!

Please know that I love you all and would do anything for you!!!

Losing readers...

2009-05-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

I have come to realize my readership is probably dwindling...
This was a free time activity...I have no free time...therefore...don't blog much...

You just wait folks...I will get some pics of those babies and you will love me again...

The A-Team is headed home (fingers crossed) this weekend!!! Yeah!!!!

Nannie is hanging in there...that poor woman!!!

This post is so random...

No energy...

2009-04-29T21:27:00.000-07:00

I am beat...have no energy...

but want to share my two cousins' blogs that are now mamas with you...

http://jeffandjennifergay.blogspot.com/

Above is the mama of the A-team...Aubrey and Adison

http://brianandlindseyjensen.blogspot.com/

And this one is Mrs. Jensen, mama of Rylee

Their pictures are freakin cute!

Baby Heaven!!!!!

2009-04-28T21:47:00.000-07:00

So Miss Rylee, the A-team's cousin, and my "niece" came EARLY this morning at 3:19am!

She was 7.4 lbs. and 21 inches long!

She is beautiful! I get to see her in 3.5 weeks! Pocatello here I come!!!

Sunday...

2009-04-28T21:41:00.000-07:00

Sunday I got to go love on the A-Team...

Here are some photos...no words needed...

I could just eat them UP!!!!!

Okay I guess you need some words...

in the first pic...Aubrey is on the left and Adison is on the right...

I am holding only Aubrey as Adison got Great Grandma Lovin that day...

I will be back...eventually...

2009-04-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

Nannie is in the hospital...I have no time to blog...
my schedule is as follows...
school, home, mom's house to take care of dog, hospital, home, sleep

I did get to visit the A-Team on Sunday so I have some fun pics from that!
When I get a chance or maybe some energy I will have to load those up for your pleasure...

Baby Rylee was born this morning at 3:19am at 7lbs. 4 ounces (I think!) and 21 inches!
Yeah for babies!!!! I get to see her in three weeks!!! I am SOOO EXCITED!!!!!

The A Team has arrived...

2009-04-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

The A Team arrived shortly after 10am on Wednesday April 15th!
Aubrey came out first weighing 4.1 and Adison came out at 4.7 at just short of 33 weeks gestation! They are doing amazing and breathing on their own! Mama and daddy are doing great too! Mom and I got to visit today! It was so fun!

Mr. and Mrs. Gay,
Please help me if I got them mixed up! I tried my hardest!

Adison Stephanie...named after my sister Stephanie...mama just opened up her blanket and she cried...it sounded like a little cat!

Aubrey Diane...named after Mr. Gay's late mother...Aubrey woke up to say hi!

They are soo tiny and soo cute!!! Hopefully they will grow grow grow so they can go home and I can love on them some more!!!

Dearest Rylee...(their cousin)

Please come out soon so we can love on you too!!!!! Can't wait to see you in May!

-ORK, -ORN

2009-04-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

For those of you that know linguistics pretty well, or you are a teacher like me and don't know linguistics well =)...(to tell you the truth I am not even sure if this is indeed linguistics...but it sounds like a fun word to use) you know what the header means.

Unit 5 week 4 is where we are people!
That means one more week of Unit 5 and then 5 weeks of Unit 6 then guess what?!?!?! WE ARE DONE!!!! Yes, as in SUMMER!! HOLLA!!!

This weeks word patterns are -orn and -ork. So our spelling works are things like fork, pork, born, horn, etc. You get the picture.

Yesterday during reading groups I was working with 4 kiddos and a whiteboard.
I would tell them the word and they would tell me the letters so I could write them on the board. This task for me is very boring but the kids enjoy it. I have been known to "zone out" while teaching...you just do sometimes. You can teach in your sleep...trust me!

The word was PORK. The first monkey said, "P".
second monkey said, "O"
third monkey said, "R"
fourth monkey said......."N"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me, being out of it writes it on the board and quickly erases it!

"No, honey the word is PORK PORK PORK!"

Thank goodness Stewie didn't come in at that moment. =)

Waiting...patiently...

2009-04-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

could also be titled

If you write about them...they will come...

9:00am April 15th...

The A-Team will make their appearance...

I will anxiously be waiting by the phone!

Little Miss Rylee will come when she pleases!!!!

Dear Starbucks...

2009-04-13T21:40:00.000-07:00

Dearest Starbucks,

I have been meaning to write you for awhile now. I realize I never said goodbye when I left for my "detox". Please accept my apologies for my 39 day absence. (so I started a little late...lay off!) I was however, extremely excited to see you Sunday morning. I awoke with a smile on my face, knowing in just a few short minutes I would see you...and if I wanted to see you again the next day...I could!

So in I walked to savor your smelly coffee goodness...I ordered my all time fav.

It was amazing...and everything I had remembered from 39 days ago.

Thank you for your forgiveness and allowing me to still use my Gold Card =)!

See you in the morning!!!!

Love,
MegPie

11:30...

2009-04-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

Soon after I posted last night's post about Easter, I got a text at 11:30pm from Mrs. Gay.

I am in the hospital. I will deliver in the morning! HOLY COW! How is a girl to sleep with news like that?!?! Apparently I did fall asleep...

Mrs. Gay is at the hospital and still very uncomfortable. My text this morning says that they gave the girls a steroid shot to help their lungs grow a little more and then another at midnight. They will do her C-section 24 hours later...so we are hoping the little ones hang on until then. It is VERY important they get these steroids in their systems before they come out!

Until then...pray for our little girlies!!! I can't wait to see them! And mama needs them OUT!!!

Bellies!!!!!

2009-04-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

I LOVE belly pics because...well I dunno...I think because I know my little bundles of joy are in there waiting to come play!!!

This is my cousin Mrs. Gay that is having the twins, Aubrey and Adison. She is 32 weeks, measuring 42 and is MISERABLE, but lucky for us still made it out for Easter Brunch!!! She is officially on bedrest and needing to cook those little ones for a bit longer!!!

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see my sweet Rylee belly today. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen have to stay in Pocatello for holidays and host some football players that don't make it home. Lucky for me she posted a DARLING pic!

Mrs. Jensen is due May 5th! She wants it out now! I get to go visit on Memorial Day weekend! Yeah!

Love you both very much and can't wait to love on the girlies!!!!

Silos and Overheads and Farms..OH MY!

2009-04-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

This kiddo in my class was on a roll today...I couldn't keep up with him! Every time he said something I would think..."remember this for the post tonight!"

It started this morning...our beloved PTA bought half of our teachers document cameras. They are stinkin cool I tell you! NO MORE OVERHEADS!!! Then because we were having to share, our principal had extra money in the budget that needed to be used (I don't get it either!) so we bought the rest of the teachers one. They are amazing! The kids almost love it more than I! Anyway, I was cleaning the old one getting it ready for the creepy custodian to take it away and my little nugget says...

"Do you think I could buy that off ya?"

Yes, he said that. His mom was king of embarrassed...

After lunch we do our math time. We are working on a farm unit and we were discussing the purpose of a silo. (don't feel bad if you had to look that up...I had to...I probably shouldn't have told you that) I asked the children if they knew what a silo was...not expecting anything...many knew. The same little nugget as above answers...

"I think I do! My dad and I went on a beer tour one day and we tasted all these beers...and we saw one there!"

Mommy is going to be so proud!

5 minutes later while the children are in the midst of farm designing (this is a very extensive project that takes lots of team work and decision making...like where to glue the silo and what not) Little Nugget's (above) team wasn't getting a long so great...finally I hear him say...

"Listen guys...why are you making a big deal about this? Miss MegPie is just going to throw them away when we are done anyway!"

I obviously need to do a better job at the "recycling"...

Carlifornia knows how to PAAARTY...Part 2

2009-04-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

I am not sure about you...but little maps on pamphlets aren't so easy to navigate off of...plus a 2005 navigation system doesn't work as well in 2009...I'm just sayin! Sally was telling us to get on the freeway and there was no entrance! We managed though...good thing Rose is like her own little navigation system!

We arrived...at JELLY BELLY!

The place was colorful, vibrant, and smelled great! It was a child's dream! Maybe my dream too! There were Jelly Bellys everywhere and crazy colors all over the place. We were scooted into a line and put on our awesome tour hats...they pretty much rocked. Our tour guide made sure to inform us that we were NOT to take those hats off! So they wouldn't get hair in the beans?!?!?! Sad news...no camera photography! What the heck is a tourist like me to do in an amazing place like this?!?!?!

Here is a shot of Abby posing with her hat on pre-tour guide lecture. Sam is taking a nap behind her before we get started. Now that I write this blog, I realized how many more photos I could have taken to make this post 100% better. Oh well..memories people memories!

After going through the tasting line, Rose purchased some "gross" JB's. They look like the actual JB's but they taste like things such as: skunk spray, boogers, diapers, pencil shavings, you get the point... so an afternoon of trick Jelly Bellying took place. EVERYONE that walked in the door had to try one. When you have 6 kids in the house...everything is entertaining!

The rest of the trip was visiting and hanging out with the fam...below I have posted some pics that I got from Rose or just in plain didn't make the cut the first go round. ENJOY!

This is at the Casino mentioned is Cali knows how to partyyy part 1...the girls were in the arcade with their cousin so when we went in to get them...I joined in the fun!!!

The AMAZING food from Taylor's Automatic Refresher.

They even had sweet potato fries!!! YUMMY!!

Some bowling with the kiddos...the 4 year olds were darling...Ellie needed to help them give the ball a little push. I LOVE this picture!

Thanks Rose for a great trip!!! Until next time...party like a rock star!!!

Kids...

2009-04-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of my job is kids that TALK!!!

I am quite a nosy person, therefore blogs are my best friends! I can find out all about someone and never even know them!

Today, I was helping one of my little friends write a story. I asked him who he had attended the movie he was writing about with. He said, "My dad, my sister, and my dad's LOVE GIRL!"

Oh this is getting good, I thought to myself.

"Who is your dad's love girl?"

"It's his girlfriend...I have her loving me already!"

If you knew this friend of mine...you would laugh...he is my little "opportunity" (read: challenge) to expand my teaching methods...if you know what I mean...

You know you are a teacher when...

2009-04-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

I found this on my friend Facebook Page...
This couldn't be more true for me...

You know you are a teacher when.....
1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.
3. You walk into a store and hear the words "It's Ms/Mr. _________” and know you have been spotted.
4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you mom/dad at one time or another.
5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty-five minutes.
6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day: lunch and conference period.
7. You start saving other people's trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
8. You believe the teachers' lounge should be equipped with a margarita machine.
9. You want to slap the next person who says "Must be nice to work 7:15 to 3:15 and have summers off".
10. You believe chocolate is a food group.
11. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.
12. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
13. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
14. You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.
15. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
16. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.
17. You have an ample supply of 'seasonal' clothing (Christmas sweaters, Valentines shirts.)
18. You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least one thing!
19. You ask your friends if the left hand turn he just made was a "good choice or a bad choice."
20. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils
21. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.and finally. ..
22. You understand instantaneously why a child behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents.

California Knows How to PAARTY...Part 1...

2009-04-01T17:09:00.000-07:00

California...knows how to party...in the city...

So...sorry it has taken me SOO long to get this up...I'm just kind of a slacker...WRONGO!!! I have been busy, cleaning, schooling, teaching, washing, and playing the Wii Fit =)

Now that I sit down and write this...I should have been more thoughtful in my picture taking.

For one thing...I don't have a picture of Rose and I in our matching traveling Snuggies. (Or our matching traveling car outfits!) That's right folks...you know the ones! Rose's girls got me one for my birthday. She thinks that if she says the gifts are from the girls I will accept them!!! Well...she is right! ha!

If you aren't familiar with the blessed Snuggie...look at this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h05ZQ7WHw8Y (sorry you have to go here because YouTube isn't working on my blog! Worst day of my life really!!!)

So Friday the 20th started with a BANG! Not really, I had to go to school in the AM and then took off about 1:00 for Cali! After a LONG car ride, a rodeo cheeseburger, and a couple of potty stops later we arrived at our destination...RED BLUFF!!! It's a diamond in the rough, if you were wondering why you had never heard of it. =)

Rose and I took the girls to visit Rose's two sisters and her daddy.

We ate and visited A LOT while we were there. We even went to the Casino in Corning, CA (don't worry I had never heard of it either!) and guess who won $25 ???!?!?! THIS GIRL!!!

We stayed in Red Bluff Friday-Monday then hit the road for Wine Country! Wahoo!

Wine Country was amazing. Good massages, good food, and GOOD WINE!

For my birthday Rose arranged for Mud Baths. (Rose did A LOT for my birthday and she is IN TROUBLE for it!) I wasn't sure I would like it...but with her coaxing, I agreed. A new experience for ALL! We got separate appts. as we had the girlies so someone had to stay with them. Even in California they frown upon leaving four year olds in Motel rooms alone. They would have been fine really...
Between Mud Baths we ventured into St. Helena (seven miles south of Calistoga where we were staying. We found "Taylor's Automatic Refresher" which is a walk up burger joint and it is GOOOD!!! Best burger around! They have been featured on the Food Network apparently. It was lovely!

Back to the Motel for my mud bath...hmmm...well...I have a phobia of being naked in front of ANYONE so complete strangers is worse. I am not like my SuperColleague, Shuggie, who calls herself a "Naked Baby"...true story...I was roommates with her at a conference one time and I was concerned she may just start walking around naked...she didn't but she did feel it necessary to warn me that she might, but that's neither here nor there.

So the mud bath starts just like it sounds...you get into a bath tub FULL of mud. It's a little larger than a bath tub. It has peat moss in it so it smells just lovely! You are covered in mud from the neck down...104 degree mud and you are sweatin like a donkey for 10 minutes. Then the sweet little lady (Bernice) comes in and tutors you on how to get yourself out! It was rather embarrassing trying to get mud off your naked body in front of Bernice then hoist yourself onto the side while slippin and slidin, cause remember you are naked! She puts you in a shower and says to clean off...HOLY COW I thought it was going to take me days to get that mud out from EVERYWHERE...but a mere 10 minutes and it was gone...I think.

Then it was time for the mineral bath. That was great. 15 minutes of a bubble bath!

Next was the sauna. I am not a fan of saunas. They are hot and make me think I am suffocating! Lucky for me there are built in windows for people like me to stick their head out of...

I was then escorted into a "bed room" and wrapped in a sheet like material to cool down. Later Gloria came to give me a massage. It was wonderful!!! I could have been in there for hours!!!

The next day brought us Wine Tasting! Now, you are probably wondering how we managed this with two four year olds. It was easy because bribery+capri suns+all you can eat crackers+bribery of a tram ride= good girls...Our first stop was Twomey ( TWO-ME). It was small and beautiful. $5.00 tasting and a free glass...we are all about freebies! We literally went through the hotel book to find the free/cheap ones and ones that had excitement such as glasses or tram rides. Next was Sterling. It was beautiful! You take a tram up the side of the hill to get to the building. We had a nice place to sit while tasting and the children were given yet more juice and some coloring...
Twomey

Sterling

Next up was eating...we found a Dean and Deluca which was amazing...bread, cheese, and meat for lunch equals HAPPINESS!!!

While waiting to check into the place of sleeping the night prior, I found a pamphlet stand. You know the ones that little kids take like a jillion of just to have? I did it myself as a child so I know all about it. I found one that was for the Jelly Belly Factory!!! So guess where we headed next???!?!?!?! JELLY BELLY HERE WE COME!!!!...to be continued...

It's the little "things" that count...

I have...

The Dougy Center...

10 on Tuesday....

Happy Birthday MAMA!!!

Fun 4th things...

You should...

Welcome to the world Weston!

10 on Tuesday...(so I forgot last week! I was a touch busy)

40 years ago today...The world became a better place...

My Maid of Honor Speech...one year late

10 on Tuesday...

The Next Survivor

My pride and joy...

Skimming or Scamming...

Seattle...

P-Dub comes to TOWN!!!

A very Hairy day...

Hippity Hoppity...

The latest "fun" in class...

You know you are in Happy Valley when....

His glasses are a big hit...apparently...

D: "good job Chuck"mom: "what?"D: "he did a real good job tearing out all those math pages last Summer. I was wondering if they were straight"F: "Oh yea, Chuck, that guy did a nice job on our 100 day yesterday"D: "was he wearing his glasses?"F: "how would I know??"

One Snowy Night...(a long time coming!)

Teacher Appreciation Week

Toothless Wonder...

Monkey See Monkey Do...

L*I*G*H*T

Mi Casa...

It's been one year...

See the ball drop...

The End...

Umm...Yeah...

You Better Watch Out...

Winter Break...

Winter Break...

My New Digs..

Winter Break...

Winter Break...

Winter Break

Winter Break...

The Cankle...

Lunch with the Semilliams...

Dear Santa...let me explain...

Swiney's Debut

I Smell Roses and Christmas Trees...

Thanksgiving...

Amazing moments in time...

It's soft and feminine...

Christmas Shopping...

Marysville...will rise again...

What the world needs...(snatched from CJane)

The ER= one word....CLASSY!

Another my end...

My end again...

Google it...

Holding up my end of the deal...

Black Handle Squeezy Thingys...

Miss Linda came for a visit...

That one time...

We hiked the M!

We send out apologies to all mailmen in our area...

Thankful...

Party like it's 1999!

Pace of Courage...August 15th, 2009 BE THERE!!!

THIS IS THE CUT!! IT'S THE CUT!!!! aka Orcas Island 7/09

My Nannie...

Beacon Rock Trail, 7.12.09

Indian Head to Pup Falls June 21, 2009 (I know it's a little late!)

Trails and Tribulations Part 5, June 27th (i know i am out of order), Ramona Falls

Trails and Tribulations Part 3, June 13th (almost caught up!) Front half of Pup Falls, Clackamas River Trail

Her own ballerina...

Too Early to Shave?

Trails and Tribulations Part 2, June 7th 2009 (still behind!)

Dear 2nd Grade Teacher,

Aunties visit the A-Team...

Louie, Louie...

It's Hard to Say Goodbye...

We went...

Trails and tribulations...Part 1 (I should be doing report cards)

D: "good job Chuck"
mom: "what?"
D: "he did a real good job tearing out all those math pages last Summer. I was wondering if they were straight"
F: "Oh yea, Chuck, that guy did a nice job on our 100 day yesterday"
D: "was he wearing his glasses?"
F: "how would I know??"

LIGHT