Moose Munchies

JW: They should make Moose Tracks with pistachios and call them moostaches.

SW:LOL

JW:I'm serious.

JW: I just thought of that.

Some Important Words

Sometimes I just can't get my words altogether in sentence structure... But at the moment... well, you'll see.

con·fu·sion

~disorder; upheaval; tumult; chaos
~lack of clearness or distinctness
~perplexity; bewilderment

en·chant

~To cast a spell over; bewitch
~To attract and delight; entrance

anx·i·e·ty

~earnest but tense desire; eagerness

per·plexed

~bewildered; puzzled
~complicated; involved; entangled

ex·cite·ment

~an excited state or condition

Reflection

So last week we took the 5th grade to The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont... which is always an awesome experience. And as we have a great group this year, it was even more enjoyable. It is always fun to watch these kids, who basically grow up in Tremont's backyard, be so AMAZED by what they see and learn.


The staff @ Tremont is INCREDIBLE! Seriously, what they are able to teach these kids in 3 short days is awesome. And believe me when I say, THE KIDS REMEMBER! Anything a staff member there says is committed to instant memory... And Myers and I are happy to report that there are several new staff members that WES is ready to adopt :)

I took 360 pictures this year-- which will make for an awesome slide show... I am excited to put that together-- especially as the 5th grade play/ musical this year is going to be about Tremont.



So... here are a few of my favorite photos from this year...









Sporting our tie-dye tshirts: 5th grade 2008







The Illusion







The Fire-Eater





One of my favorite places to be!

Vegas '07 Flashback... ready for '08!!

I was RUNNIN'

...Yeah... could you run and type? or make important phone calls? I'm all for multitasking... but I also know how dangerous treadmills can be... (right, Blue Artichoke?)

I put in 5 miles at the office

Mission Accomplished?

The funniest thing I read today: Man Trapped in KMA: "Mission Failed"

Blue Artichoke and I used to work (volunteer) @ the KMA... ("Tattoo Detective")... It cracks me up that someone would break in-- through the air duct-- to diffuse a bomb.

So the kids are acting a bit wacky today... I'm not sure if it is close to a full moon-- that always does it... or if they are just getting wound up for Tremont (next week)... I am glad there are only 2 days left... and only 2 weeks left before fall break... WOO! VEGA$!!

So here is a question for everyone-- can you think of a job where you can be verbally and even physically abused/ assaulted and not be able to do ANYTHING about it? Seriously-- I want feedback on this.

Ruh-Roh!

From The Customer is Not Always Right

Kitteh Sez STFU
Pet Store Concord, CA, USA

(I’m tending to the cats at our pet store when a young woman comes up and points at a small tabby, Velma.)

Me: “Ah, would you like to see Velma? She’s a little shy but very sweet.”

Customer: “I can has cat?”

Me: “Um… if you are interested in adopting, I’ll be happy to get out Velma or any of the cats so that you can get to know them a little better.”

Customer: “I can has lolcat?”

Me: “…”

Customer: “She is in her playpen, stealin our funs!”

Me: “You know, pets can be a big responsibility, and I’m not sure a cat would be the best thing for you right now.”

Customer: “K thanks bye!” *turns and walks out of the store*

Me, to Velma: “I think I may have just saved your life.”

Must See!

I watched the cutest movie last night... Reese Witherspoon produced-- and had a minor part in...

Penelope

Yes, as we all know I despise Christina Ricci... but even she and her big forehead were good in this...

Plus James McAvoy!!! MMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Here is my fav scene with him:

Wearing your Tina Fey glasses...

Go Vols!

I sent this to TG earlier... but it applies to MANY readers... and me.

Never Forget...

I (heart) Stephen Colbert

Thanks to Josh for this link...

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/stephen-colbert-brings-freedom-charlene-to-rock-band/

It's Wednesday... and we could all use a laugh

Some funny stuff...

A reporter FAILS

Garfield Minus Garfield

Get Fuzzy

The Onion

This was one of the FUNNIEST things I saw last week:




And my favorite new song:

I MISS AINGE, TOO!

Weekend at Justy's...

I had a GREAT time @ Justy's this past weekend... Friday night we (with her hubby Matt) went to Dave and Buster's... The groomsman, my buddy Jeremy, and Doug from The Shoals met us there... Justy and I tried a new champagne-- Mum's... which, paired with the bubbly we had before we went, and the appletini I had @ the bar... knocked us on our backsides...








Saturday Justy and I ran some errands... She even won a hat @ Kroger during Titans Trivia ("Your Kroger is a lot more interactive than mine!")



We spent the afternoon in the kicthen making pizza dip, spinach dip, and an Oreo cheesecake. I volunteered to taste the Oreos just to make sure they were ok... They were TERRIBLE (wink, wink)... NOT good @ all!! :)



Then it was time for the jewelry party! We got to try on and model various items... You know me-- always cool with playing dress up!



Ch-Ching-CHING!


Justy models and awesome necklace...


Mama Lewis is perplexed by my artwork




That night we popped open more bubbly and mingled with party guests and neighbors...



CRAZY EYES!

Sunday, sadly, I had to return to E. TN.... But October is promising... 4 weeks til' Fall Break (VEGAS, McBritain, THE DRAGON!)... then we have a Rascal Flatts concert... and Halloween... the NOVEMBER and MY BIRTHDAY! Woo!!!

Late to the Party...

Yes, I am aware that I am once again, late to the party... Yes the Twilight series was popular years ago-- I fought off reading it for as long as I could. With the end of Harry Potter, I needed some new characters. So, as mentioned in previous posts, I got the books on cd and have been listening. I am a few chapters in to the 3rd book... And I am IRRITATED with some of the characters! This book is WAY harder to put up with than the others... (& for the record, I NEVER felt this way with HP!)

So yes, the Cullens-- I LOVE THEM!



Edward-- MMMMMmmmmm.... Alice cracks me up... Rosalie has grown on me now that I understand her... and Emmitt and Jasper-- well... I view them as protective brothers.... Did I mention Edward=YUMMY? And how fun that "Cedric Diggory" from the HP movies is playing him!! Good casting!

Now... as for Bella Swan--



Also good casting I think.... but the character is starting to piss me off! Sometimes it is like she is so DITZY-- not "getting" or understanding things that are SO obvious.... And yes, I realize she is 18 and somewhat naive... but GEEZ!

And Jacob Black...



He started off SO sweet... I knew it would never last. And I understand it is his "instinct" to act the way he does... but oy vey! He is on my LAST nerve! Actually, I am pretty sure the instant the werewolf thing was introduced, I rolled my eyes.

So the Twilight series... yes, I like it. Yes, I am hooked. But I am also highly annoyed. And I know that MANY were pissed with the last book... which makes me wonder--- DON'T TELL ME!!! But I predict I am going to come away from this series dissatisfied.... unlike my beloved Harry Potter... So-- I will once again be looking for some new characters in my life... feel free to suggest some new party people... Maybe I can get to that party on time.

yeah....

Knock on Wood...

People keep asking, "How's school going?" And funnily enough seem disappointed when I reply, "Great!"

I guess because I usually have hilarious stories of the antics of my beloved 5th graders. From goofy to delinquent, I usually have them all. This year's class, I am happy to report (though it may sadden some of you) is GREAT!

For the most part, they do their work, participate in class, and (GASP!) follow procedures. Now, this is not to say they are BORING! Far from it! They are hilarious... and SMART... and lots of (GASP, again) FUN!

And this year it seems as if everything is clicking... I am able to plan ahead and pretty much stick to it. I have a TA that checks in on me every now and then-- something I am not used to, but really like! She can make copies, laminate, and lead reading groups. It's GREAT!

Plus I have some teachers' kids that are adept at the copy machine also... and they LOVE to help me in the afternoon to get ready for the next day... "What's the journal entry for tomorrow? Can I put out the morning work for you? Shall I change the agenda board?"

I could leave @ 2:30 and all would be fine for the next day.

And connections! HOLY COW! I have been connecting subject areas left and right! Maybe after 5 yrs of teaching this curriculum has finally helped me get it all together. Maybe the planets are all aligned. Maybe I'm crazy.... But I gotta tell you all-- I feel like a REAL teacher most days!

Again, part of this goes back to the fact that I have a GREAT class. (sigh) It's so great. I am rejuvenated! I **WANT** to go to school!

~~~KNOCK ON WOOD~~~

Hopefully everything won't turn topsy-turvy now that I have answered the question...

Any more questions? Please raise your hand....

Each of us has a spark of life inside us, and our highest endeavor ought to be to set off that spark in one another. ~Kenny Ausubel

I am aware that I'm a dork...

But these guys still make me giggly... and, if I do say so, they have aged quite well...

:)

http://perezhilton.com/2008-09-02-new-new-kids

Eagerly Awaiting....

Plan B

So my latest plan to change my life/ location:

I printed out an application for the American School in London... I realize this is hard to get into and thus a long shot... so my backup plan is Nashville...

Yes, yes... I am aware there is a huge difference between LONDON and NASHVILLE... but neither are here, and that, at this point, is important.

I have lots of friends in Nashy... more by the day actually... and it isn't THAT far away. Of course, the UK will be my first choice... but alas... primary teachers don't seem to be in huge demand over there... :(

OK... thoughts? opinions? snide comments? Bring it!