Stress... and a marriage proposal...

Work has me stressed.to.the.max. I know, it's the story of all of our lives, but it isn't usually the story of my life. I'm just bogged down with lots of paperwork (welcome to the world of special education) and a whole lot of kids. I went from having 5 kids at the beginning of the year to 9 in the past two months. Normally it isn't that big of a deal, but both times I got new kids, it was multiple kids at the same time. In my classroom, any changes upset the apple cart and we go through a metamorphasis and a trial period of re-establishing the pecking order. Add to that a new assistant and the news of another student joining us. Needless to say, my class is chaotic. Again, I know most of you teachers out there are balancing life with 25+ kids, but my kids have some pretty intensive needs on top of living in extreme poverty. So when I'm not dealing with the emotions that come with teaching students who are emotionally disturbed, I'm dealing with issues like neglect, abuse, and being impoverished.

With all of the bad that comes with my job, it would be easy to have a negative attitude. And some days, I have to really remind myself that there are plenty of positives in my crazy classroom. Like the kids who are learning to read. Or the kids who ask if we can do more math. And even the kid who changes from saying f*ck you to I hate you. We are making progress. We are learning. And we are trying really hard to be decent human beings. So, even though it may be chaotic.. it's life. It's my life. It's their life. And we can have rainbows and butterflies in addition to our tarantulas and spider man. And yes, in a classroom full of boys.. we have LOTS of tarantulas and spider man. In fact, I have a kid who answers just about every question with tarantula or spider. With an eye raise, he'll give me the correct answer. And that's progress. Because at his old school, he never gave the correct answer.

And now to the marriage proposal. We were talking about marriage (it's been a theme lately and I'm not sure why...) and one kid asked me if I would ever marry a kid. I explained to him that no, adults don't marry kids because kids don't get married until they are adults. Not pleased with my response, he asked, "How about if you wait to marry that kid until he grows up to be a grown up?". I had to laugh and then asked, "What kid would want to marry his teacher? I can't imagine any teacher being that cool." He looked at me straight in the eye and said, "I want to marry you. Please wait until I'm a grown up and marry me."

Awww.. little dude, if only it were that simple.

Update

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Hopefully, you haven't forgotten about me. While I've been gone, I really missed all of you. I'm hoping now that things have settled down a bit, I will be a better blogger.

To update you all, approximately four weeks ago my husband and I made the difficult decision to separate with the intentions of getting a divorce. I have had my ups and downs during these past few weeks and continue to chug along in the process.

Just a warning for you all: I am one moody woman. My life is, essentially, an emotional roller coaster. One minute I'm happy as a lark. The next minute? BAM! I'm crying for what appears to be no apparent reason.

Please bear with me in this process.

Silly Puppy..

Big Dog insists that any insect that is flying around must.be.hers and she must eat it right.now.

Silly puppy, you can't do that when it lands on the t.v. because mommy and daddy don't want to see the television come crashing down over something as silly as a moth. When you do this, it causes daddy to jump up and grab you and shout to mommy to swat it down. (Silly daddy doesn't realize that I hate anything that has wings...)

Of course, once I swatted it away from the t.v., she proceeded to jump and eat it mid-air.

Silly puppy.

In case you were wondering, Little Dog was oblivious to the shenanigans going on and proceeded to wag her tail hoping someone would remember to come back and cuddle with her.

The One Where She Whines...

**WARNING: Whining to follow!**

I am annoyed with...

• being an adult and having responsibilities.
• students who repeatedly refuse to follow directions.
• having an IEP meeting tomorrow.
• having to tell a parent that their child is not doing well, despite what they may think about their "angel".
• deadlines, observations, professional development, and meetings.

However, I am loving...

• kids who insist on giving me hugs (even though I may not want them at the time..)
• kids who apologize for not following directions and sincerely mean it.
• Wednesday night television- hello ANTM, Modern Family, and Cougar Town. I heart you.
• my supportive family.
• a puppy who always wants to cuddle.

Thanks for letting me whine.

Wow..

I heart days off.

Today I accomplished SO much and I actually feel rejuvenated. I had a wonderful weekend with my mom and her best friend (girls weekend!) up in Pittsburgh, so I was really thinking I wouldn't get much done today. Boy was I wrong!

I found something that actually motivates me to clean! Books on tape. I LOVE to read, but reading often means that I'm pretty lazy because I want to finish the book. Instead, if it's being read to me, I have to find something else to do because I can't just sit and have it read to me. I cleaned the bathroom, kitchen, folded 4 loads of laundry, swept and mopped.

I also think I'm going to start having a evening schedule for each night. I'm SUCH a routine-oriented person, so instead of having the routine of coming home and cooking dinner and vegging out, I'm going to come home, walk the dogs, cook dinner, and then tidy one room of the house. That way I'm not stuck doing it on my day off or the weekends.

How do you ladies keep up on the housework? It's never-ending.. I swear.

He Knows Me Sooooo Well...

I have been hearing noises in the vents this evening. Of course I forgot to ask hubby about it before he left. So I called him.

Me: There are noises coming from the vent.

Hubby: Is it the air?

Me: Um... no... the air is coming out but noises are, too. Like weird noises. Like an animal or something.

Hubby: Go upstairs. The dogs are there, they will take care of it if it's an animal or something.

Two reasons this is a pretty normal conversation: 1) Never put it past me to not notice the obvious (in this case: the air) and 2) I don't like anything involving critters of any kind.

I'm really glad he thought the dogs would take care of it...

True Love

I know I married my soul mate. Allow me to explain...

My mother and I have this wonderful attitude about shopping- basically, if we can justify it.. we needed it. We also have a theory about parking spots- if you park close, you're meant to get a lot of things because you don't have to carry it as far. However, if you park far away, you're meant to get a lot of things because you had to park far away & it just isn't fair.

Hubby hasn't always agreed with this philosophy. However, he finally saw the light.

Yesterday, puppies stepped in poo and tracked it in the house and onto our sheets and bedspread. One might think, "Ugh. I'll just bleach it and all will be well." Well.. I had a hard time thinking that. I could only think about sleeping in poo stained sheets and I knew it wouldn't be good. So, I bit the bullet and went to Home Goods to grab some new sheets (to replace the others I would be throwing away, of course) and a new bedspread- both bright white so I can bleach them if the dogs get dirt or something spills. I was a little worried about what hubby would say.

Fear not! He totally agreed with me and even stated he would never sleep on sheets that had poo on them at one time.

I love that man. For more reasons than justifying a shopping spree, of course. But that was the icing on the cake. AND he let me change my flight to go home a day earlier. I think he likes me!

Bathroom Tour

Here I am tearing up the horrible flooring. You can't see it very well, but the top layer was peel and stick tile. The bottom two layers were the same puke green vinyl and yellow color.

Now I'm posing with the toilet in the bathtub. It was the only way to make it all work!

Here's a picture I framed using scrapbook paper and a matting from Michael's hung with brown and teal ribbon.

Now we're on to the good stuff! I forgot to take a before picture, so you'll have to pretend the P monogram is not there! And.. I promise my hangings are not crooked.. it was a little difficult taking the pictures in the small bathroom!

Look how they turned out! I wanted something masculine for hubby and feminine for me. The L is the same font we used for our wedding favors!
*Again, not crooked.. just the way I had to take the pictures.

The towels are mis-matched right now because I'm doing a load of towels as we speak-- don't judge!

Big Dog was *helping* me take pictures. She LOVES the bathtub (sans water, of course) and was playing around while I was taking pictures.

All in all, I think the bathroom remodel turned out well. I'm very happy with the vinyl letters-- I think they add just a hint of sophistication, while creating a personalized bathroom. Plus, they were super-easy to hang!

Randomness...

We just got back from a mini-vacation and noticed our garbage can is gone. Neither of us remember bringing it from the curb this week and it's nowhere to be found. Who steals a garbage can? Weird.

My summer vacation has started and I'm secretly so excited to make my to-do lists and check items off. I cannot wait to make my daily lists. It makes me feel like I actually have accomplished something other than sitting on my butt all day. I LOVE checking items off.

First item on the list? The monograms! I will be taking pictures of the before/after of the bathroom and I'll post them tomorrow. Lack of work=lack of blogging topics, so I can't possibly waste the topic today!

Just picked the dogs up from the kennel and I can't help but wonder why they are so stinking thirsty. Do they not give them water at the kennel? BOTH dogs have gone and gotten like fifteen drinks in the last 5 minutes.

Sunday, Funday?

In order to clean and update my living room, I had to bribe the dogs. They didn't seem to mind the bribery. In fact, I think they rather enjoyed it.

Isn't Big Dog simply adorable?
Look at that Little Dog and her cute face. Yes, the bone is bigger than she is.

Ashley, this photo is for you. You said you wanted to see my house. Here's part one. (Yes, I know there is junk in the baskets, but it's the only way hubby and I can co-exist) I'll continue with the rest of the house as soon as the summer begins and I can really clean/organize. AND, I'm waiting for my monogram decals I ordered off Etsy for the bathroom-- thanks for the idea! :)

Got Wood?

I do.

This is what is in front of my house. We had a dead tree that was just waiting to fall on our house, so we had to get it cut down. Of course, hubby (being a typical man) thought we should save the $200 they were going to charge us to haul it away and go ahead and do it ourselves.

Look how wide that stump is.

That light post? It's definitely taller than hubby who is 6 feet 3 inches tall. The wood pile? It takes up the entire front yard.

Don't think I didn't already call the tree company and see if they could remove the wood. Forget the $200.. that's a lot of wood.

Wow..

I'm sick right now. Sinus infection, ear infection, coughing like it's my job.. you know. Actual conversation between Hubby and I:

Hubby: You should put some Vick's on your chest.
Me: I'd love nothing more than to take a bath in Vick's.. if it'd help the cough.
Hubby: You should put a sock around your neck.
Me: Okay.
Hubby: Do you have a sock big enough?
Me: Wait.. why do I want to put a sock around my neck?
Hubby: Why'd you agree to it?
Me: I don't know, I thought it was like when someone says their finger hurts and someone suggests to cut it off. I thought you were thinking like.. choke me or something.
Hubby: No.. my mom always put a sock around my neck after she put Vick's on. I thought it was what people do. Call my mom. She'll tell you.

Wow. Come to find out, his mom didn't know why she did it.. she just said her mom did it. She thought it was maybe to keep the Vick's from getting in your hair or your bed. Of course, hubby didn't have a mullet or anything when he was growing up.. so I'm not sure how it would have gotten in his hair. Weird.

Blame the Blonde..

Today? Hubby and I were on our way to the vet with Big Dog (that's a story for another post) after we had dropped his car off to get an oil change. As I shut the door, I remembered that my keys were in the house.

Me: (dead serious tone) Crap.
Hubby: What?
Me: My keys.
Hubby: What?
Me: My keys. They are in the house.
Hubby: So go grab them.
Me: The door. It's locked.
Hubby: Very funny.
Me: Seriously.
Hubby: How were you expecting to get to the vet?

In my defense... Hubby ALWAYS drives when we go places. Therefore I never need my keys. The one time I don't grab them.. we're locked out. With a dog. In the rain. For an hour.

$88.00 later, we're in the house with the keys.

The locksmith? He definitely just slid a card in and opened the door. He made $88 in less than 30 seconds. What an awesome job.

Blonde Moments...

Last night we were getting ready to play pictionary when I loudly* ask, "We have to draw with those little pencils? How do we get them out of the little holders? I know they always have little pencils, but these are just ridiculous!" Um.... hello, those are the markers for your spot, not the pencils you draw with. Oops.. blonde moment.

*I do not have an inside voice. No matter what I say, everyone is bound to hear it.

This morning I was getting all creative in paint when hubby asks me what I'm doing. I giggle to myself and say, isn't this guy creepy? I'm blogging about how this creepy guy is always on my email. every.day. He begins giggling.. he's like, I think you can just click the x above his head and he'll go away. Oops, my bad. Blonde moment numero dos.

He is pretty creepy looking. He looks like he really wants to have a face to face convo with me. I mean REALLY wants to talk to me. I'm glad hubby explained to me how to get him to go away. I kind of felt like he was always staring at me. Weird.

Help!

Okay... I've never been one to be the domestic goddess... my cooking, cleaning, and general house tidying skills can prove it.

(This is where you come in, dear readers...)

How on EARTH do you iron a dress shirt correctly? Hubby normally takes his things to the dry cleaners, but we just bought some new shirts for him and he'd like to wear them. We're also talking about skipping out on the dry cleaners (to save some $$) and doing his things at home. This means lots and lots of ironing.

I'm so sad I can't live up to the ironing skills of the dry cleaners. Please, please, please (begging isn't pretty, but I must do it sometimes...) give me some tips. I would hate for hubby to have to go to work looking like a bum because his wife can't iron to save her life.*

*Yes, I do know we're living in 2009.. and husbands can do their own laundry/ironing... but I'm afraid hubby might burn the house down attempting to iron.

Award and more..

The Smart Daughter thinks I'm pretty neat so she gave me this award! Not gonna lie, I think she's pretty fantastic, too.

List 7 things that you love, and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you love!

Things that I love...

1. I love, love, love teaching. I have known this since I was about 4 but secretly denied it until high school. (We're talking ADAMANT that I would not be a teacher because my parents had teaching degrees and heaven forbid I want to be like them...) I feel like I'm changing lives everyday when one of my kiddos learns something, especially how to read!
2. I love my family. I wouldn't be who I am today without them. My mother especially. Even though I curse her almost daily for some of the traits she handed down to me. Love you, Mommy!
3. My wonderful husband. He puts up with a lot from me.. you know the whole being somewhat crazy and all. But he loves me for who I am and makes me a better person. He's seriously the ying to my yang.
4. I love my puppies. As we speak (well, I type.. you read..) they are chilled out on the couch waiting for me to join them so we can cuddle.
5. I love reality t.v. It's a weakness of mine, but it's oh.so.addicting.
6. I love cooking. I enjoy creating new things from other recipes and making it my own.
7. I love clean sheets. Nothing is better than crawling into bed with clean sheets that are tucked in so nicely.

Now I have to pass it on to other bloggers I enjoy...

Kelly from Hamilton Happenings-- she's just too cute and she's a teacher, so I have to love her!

Little Miss Displaced Texan- she's living in Germany and always has funny stories to share. Plus she knows ALL about photoshop, so she's definitely creative!

Little Woman-- She has a list of things she wants to accomplish this year. It's been fun watching her tick things off almost daily!

Mindless Musings-- she thinks she has an average life, but she forgets that teachers are not your average person! Especially dealing with little ones and underwear!

America's Next Top Model is on.. gotta run!

Perfect Strangers...

... are coming to my house. Tonight.



Let me explain.. a while back hubby and I decided to put our couch up for sale on craigslist. We LOVE the couch but it's just too big for our house. We waited and waited.. and nobody wanted to buy our couch.


So we re-posted it a few weeks later and we have someone coming over to look at the house tonight. As in.. an hour from now.



Normally this wouldn't be a problem. Except we were out of town last weekend and the weekend before that. The weekend before that? I was busy working like a mad woman on grad papers. That means my house hasn't really been cleaned in like three weeks (don't you judge me!). And? I'm babysitting. I won't get home until at least 9:00. They are expected to be at our house at 9:30.



I'm hoping hubby knows how to run the vacuum. On second thought, I better just take my anxiety pills now and avoid the panic attack. I'm sure he doesn't know how to run it. At least not up to my standards. Just kidding, honey. I love you.

Is it sad that I'm worried that they will judge me and not if they are going to be crazy masked murderers trying to kill me? Nah.

Spot Bot

Dear Bissell,

Thank you for inventing the SpotBot Pet. All of those late nights with Big Dog throwing up and cleaning the carpets by hand at 1 am are over for me. I cannot explain to you how much I love you. I know I'm crazy and all, but I am actually hoping one of the dogs has an accident so I can use you again. Hubby thinks I'm crazy, too. He didn't understand why I had to run you four times tonight when it was 9:15 at night. Maybe after he uses you he'll understand. If not, more time for me to use you.

Sincerely,

My Mid MidLife Crisis

P.S. If you have a pet or small children, you MUST get this. Seriously.

Hi-- Coo?

Um.. hubby is trying to write a haiku right now as a joke to some friends.

Me: How long did it take you to figure out all of the syllables?
Hubby: The syllables?
Me: Yeah, you know.. there's a pattern to a haiku. It's like 5, 7, 5.. er, 3, 5, 3..
Hubby: How the heck did you know that?
Me: Um.. I'm a teacher, we know everything.
Hubby: I'm thinking you're the dork now, Haiku-girl.
Me: You're WRITING the haiku.

I think it's a toss up at this point. But I'm leaning slightly towards him because a) he's writing a freaking haiku (poetry, come on!) and b) he didn't know that there were rules for writing a haiku.

And.. he thinks today is just one syllable. I made him clap it out. Dork.

Love.

I might be in love with Hugh Jackman.

Seriously? He sang on the Oscars tonight and it was awesome. Plus he's funny? Sorry hubby, I might be leaving you for Hugh.

And Ann Hathaway? Who knew she could sing?

Back to the Oscars, on our new T.V. Yes, another new television. As my husband says, it's a big screen willy! I'm not sure about the willy, but it is a big screen.

If you could leave your significant other for someone famous, who would it be? I'm curious.