Heartburn, Peanut Butter, and a Soapbox Rant

First of all... 8 mo. preggers + Mexican Food + Criminal Minds = HEARTBURN and CRAZY dreams! Luckily I am pretty sure the team from the BAU saved the day every time!

This of course led to me being wide awake at 5:30am... woof. I will HAVE to have a nap later... before the big baby shower party at King Tut's!

Yesterday was a good day-- certainly better than Thursday! No emotional breakdowns... No crazy ass-hot weather... and NO WALMART!  :)  Lacy and I accomplished a LOT on our day of errands... well, I accomplished a lot-- poor Lacy was just kind of there for heavy lifting and support. I finally got some new glasses-- after carrying the prescription around for a month or so... This was quite a feat-- after awhile all the glasses started to look the same... (Hubby got new glasses yesterday too-- and said the same thing-- "Sometimes you can have too much choice, like peanut butter!"-- the first time he was here in the grocery store with me, he was AMAZED at the selection and varieties of peanut butter we have-- "Who could ever need THAT many kinds of peanut butter? Crazy Americans!")

Also got some more shorts, eye make-up, & cell phone cover... plus Lacy and I got rid of a bunch of books at the used bookstore... YAY for decluttering the classroom... a little, anyway...

Speaking of classroom... YES, I know it's summer break, but I came across this article--

How to Handle a Problem Teacher

Needless to say the title intrigued me.Yes, yours truly has been that PROBLEM TEACHER a few times... Including this year (you're shocked, I know...)  Decent advice for the most part... wish some of my parents had read this...



Something else to ask yourself, "Is everything my child saying COMPLETELY TRUTHFUL?" No parent wants to think their kid is a liar-- but how many times have we all exaggerated a teacher's behavior? I've been accused of craziness and things that don't remotely make sense... and if the parents stopped to think about it, they would have seen this too.

And bypassing the teacher and going straight to the principal-- first of all, YES, it blindsides the teacher-- which let me tell you does nothing really but piss them off. But it also usually irritates the principal as well. This happened to me this year-- and my princi was MAD-- not at me, but at the parent. When you think about it-- this is something we teach the kids at school-- conflict resolution! We encourage students to try to work out problems on their own-- before running and tattling to the teacher. It's the same in real life-- when you have a problem at work with someone, do you instantly run to the boss? Do you get mommy and daddy to call your boss and solve the problem for you?

THIS behavior is going to lead to a lot of problems for several kids I know-- yes another reason I can't wait for them to get to middle school and high school. Those principals and teachers won't allow parents to intervene as much as in elementary school. It's called growing up-- look in to it!


Just sayin'...

Thank You Very Much

I have intentionally NOT done this for several weeks now, mainly because my anger and frustration has been at a boiling point... and I am supposed to be trying to keep the BP down... but as I have been even more furious today, I figured, What the heck?

• To the US Embassy in London... SERIOUSLY?! Could you PLEASE take a little longer to send hubby's passport back? It's not like I am over 8 mo. pregnant and in desperate need of my husband for various reasons.
• To the OBSCENE heat wave we are having-- 90 degrees in April  and May?!! Take that idiots that say global warming is a farce! I wish all those idiots could be pregnant and dealing with this heat and humidity.
• To the kid I called an idiot at Walmart today-- yeah, I meant that.
• To all the other people at Walmart today-- yeah, I pretty much think you all are idiots too-- I just didn't have the energy to tell each and every one of you. I used all my spare energy telling the kid.
• To gestational diabetes-- I F***ing HATE you!! All I want is frickin' donut! or a Frosty! or a Blizzard! Why must you make these days more miserable for me??  (By the way Oreo and Chips Ahoy commercials-- you better get the &$%^@ off my TV now!!)
• To neighbor across the street-- I still hate your ugly, 1980s blue Camaro-- GET RID OF IT! It's not cool. It's not classic. It's trashy.
• To Cleo-- I know you can't help it, but PLEASE stop yakking around the house! How many hairballs can one cat have?

OK... I will stop... Here's to hoping tomorrow is a better day.

Got someone to thank? Go to The Daily Dribbles and link up!

Post-It Note Tuesday

I'm in a mood... so some aren't so nice... hormones people, hormones... Trust me, it could have been WAY more hateful!  :)

Baby Shower Love

I have said it before, and will say it again-- I have THE BEST friends and family! My friend Missy, her mom, mother & father in law, and sister in law gave Miss Priss and I a FANTASTIC baby shower today. Here are some highlights--

Not a REAL margarita!

Bon Jovi Baby!

Friday Five

1. Do you have an iPhone and, if so, how do you get apps and what are your favorites?
Nope. I had a BAD experience with a Mac computer I owned and now pretty much avoid the brand... except for my iPod. But I really only use it in the car and when I travel-- I'm not one of these people that walk around with headphones on all the time.

2. What is your fondest memory of K-3rd grade?
I had awesome teachers! My first grade teacher missed a lot of the year b/c her mom was sick-- but then she was my 2nd grade teacher too-- Mrs. Myers! She was great! My 3rd grade teacher was a BLAST-- Mrs. Grantham. I remember we had weekly coloring contests in her room. And a luau at one point.

3. What makes you cringe at the thought of touching?
a SNAKE!

4. If you could have any celebrity show up on your doorstep who would it be and why?
HMMmmm... I think there are a lot of celebrities I would be scared to meet-- just because they do not give off a personable vibe. I think either Ellen or Sandra Bullock would be fun. They both seem approachable and REAL. And I think I would laugh my a$$ off with either!

5. What would you say is your best physical feature?
Probably my smile... I'd say that is what I get the most compliments on anyway...

Thursday Five

The instructions--

Today's the day where we (those of us that want to) post 5 things that have made us

Joyful

Giddy

Excited

Thankful

Jubuliant

or

Just plain ol' happy this week!

So once you do that..come back HERE and link up.

1.  BP was back down at my Dr. appt on Monday! YAY! I have to go twice a week now for non-stress tests-- they monitor the baby's heartbeat, and take my BP. Miss Priss has been great everytime they have monitored her-- once she calms down and stays in one place long enough to get a reading.

2. Bed Rest-- I am somewhat ashamed to say that I am SO glad to miss this last week of school! It is always crazy and hectic-- but this year I am sure would have been worse. I am completely ready to have this year far, FAR behind me! And Lord knows I needed some rest! I have enjoyed reading and catching up on my "stories." Sure it is hard for me to sit still and to rely on others so much, but I think I will manage!

3. Hope that Hubby will be here SOON! (Hopefully more info on THIS later!)

4. Friends and Family-- As I said above, I am having to rely more on others lately. This is hard as I have always been an independent person. THANKS to everyone that has helped-- grocery shopping, bringing me things from school I needed to finish grades, taken me to dinner, emailed, texted, etc...

5. All the baby things! Seeing this sea of pastels and pinks, diapers and bibs, teddy bears and onesies... It is really becoming REAL! Miss Priss will be here SOON! It's just hard to imagine!

Random Dozen

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch?

Chicken casserole, though to be honest, I haven't made it in awhile... For parties my go-to is the ever famous Pizza Dip!


2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)

Cell Phone... I feel lost, for one thing. But I have also been involved in a wreck in a remote location with no phone-- NEVER again!


3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?

Hmmmmm.... England-- especially now that I have family and friends there. Also, of course, Las Vegas!


4. Share one factoid of your family's history.

Well, one factoid that has popped up OVER AND OVER lately is that I do not know my family medical history. I was adopted in the 70's-- apparently before they required full family backgrounds & medical history. So on all these forms lately, I've had to explain that.


5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...."

...thought I would be the Old-Maid, Crazy Cat Lady... Funny the difference a year can make!


6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be?

gas (for the car!)... Petrol as the hubby calls it... Maybe the price would come down if we quit pumping it into the ocean...


7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...."

I have adversions to food based on TEXTURE... hubby thinks I am insane. I cannot eat oatmeal, for example, because it gags me. Same with a banana. I like the flavor of bananas-- just not the texture.


8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?

Probably a Diet Dr. Pepper


9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...."

my friends... We could start some sort of exercise regime-- LAUGH YOURSELF SKINNY! Hanging out with them is always an ab-buster workout!


10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?

Clean the bathroom and bedroom... one step on my PREPARE THE HOUSE FOR HUBBY'S ARRIVAL!


11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?

Say something nice... as I am on bed rest, and have limited mobility at the moment, it is hard for me to physically help anyone. If I could, my backside would be in Nashville helping friends there recover from the flood.


12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon?

The arrival of hubby... soon followed by the arrival of Miss Priss!

Post It Note Tuesday

I've seen this a couple of times on other blogs... Looked fun-- and I have plenty of time on my hands now... Wanna play too? GO HERE!

of sleeping in?!!

I <3 Carbs!

In the air anyway...

Ole!

Recipe Round-up: Dips

I am always on the lookout for good recipes-- especially EASY recipes. So I have decided to share a recipe every so often, and hope that other will share some good ones with me! I decided to start with dips-- because they are always easy, and great for summer get-togethers!

I am SO often asked for this recipe-- especially after I have brought it to a party or shin-dig... It is SUPER easy-- and ALWAYS a crowd favorite (so much so that I usually bring two!)

Pizza Dip

• 1-- 9" pie pan (I usually get an aluminum one if I am taking this somewhere so I don't have to worry about getting the dish back)
• 1-- pkg. cream cheese
• chopped onion (optional)
• 1-- jar pizza sauce
• 1-- pkg. finely shredded mozerella cheese
• toppings  (I usually use pepperoni, sun dried tomatoes, green onion, etc...)

Preheat oven to 350.

Press cream cheese in  the bottom of the pie pan. Sprinkle chopped onion over cream cheese. Pour sauce over cream cheese and onions. Cover with mozerella. Add toppings.

Bake for 30 mins-- you want cheese to be melted and bubbly.

Serve with tortilla chips, crackers (I use Triscuits), small pieces of bread, etc.

**Kids LOVE this dip! Great for watching the big game, movie nights, etc. It can also be reheated.

OK, so who else has a great (EASY) dip recipe to share? Come on! You know you wanna!

Book Club 2010: Update

1. Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs

2. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (audiobook)
3. The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd (audiobook)
4. The Killings at Badger's Drift by Caroline Graham
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson (audiobook)
6. The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy (2nd Edition) by Vicki Iovine
7. Holes by Louis Sachar (school)
8. Four to Score by Janet Evanovich (audiobook)
9. Real Murders by Charlaine Harris (audiobook)
10. The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley (audiobook)
11. Key Lime Murders by Joanne Fluke (audiobook)
13. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (audiobook)
14. Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? by Gare Thompson (school)
15. The Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke
16. Dare to Dream: Coretta Scott King & the Civil Rights Movement by Angela Shelf Medaris
17. A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris (audiobook)
18. Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris (audiobook)
Currently Reading:
* In the Woods by Tana French


I picked this one up on my way to the Dr. for one of my non-stress tests. It has received mixed reviews-- it appears people either love it or hate it. We'll see! I am just excited I have some time (& energy) to read now!


Currently Listening to:
*It Only Takes a Moment by Mary Higgins Clark


I actually haven't started this one yet... but probably will this week.
--


Links:

In the Woods

Audible.com

Goodreads.com

If you join, let me know-- we can be friends!

Quote of the Day and Other News...

I was purusing through some blogs and sites today and came across this quote--

Patience may be a virtue, but I really don't know how much longer I'll be able to stand the wait.

I say, "AMEN!"
 
Things on the immigration front are moving more now, and really we are down to the final step... but I just want it DONE! And I want it done NOW! Is that too much to ask?
 
One thing I don't have to wait any longer for is the end of the school year. There is still one week left-- but yours truly will NOT be participating in the end of year madness. (Trust me, NO TEARS here!)
 
Last week I went to the Dr. and my BP was still high, so I have been placed on a modified bed rest. You won't hear me complaining! Lord knows I needed some rest!
 
All I need now is a good book to read!

Friday 5

If it's good enough for The Rantings of a Southern Girl... it's good enough for me!  :)




 1. Take your pick...date night, girls night out, or night out alone?



HMMMMmmmm... well, I have had plenty of nights alone lately, so not that one. I do enjoy a good Girl's Night... But right now I would choose a date night-- cause that means the hubby would be HERE! I can't wait for him to get here so we can have some date nights (hopefully pre-baby arrival!)

2. Can you touch your nose with your tongue?


Nope... but I bet I looked funny trying!


3. What is your favorite flower and why?


My favorite flower is a pansy. I think it is because I always had my own flower bed as a kid-- and I would always get pansies for it. I like that they look like multi-colored panda bears... I also remember that How the Porcupine Lost her Quills made a cake for the end of our humanities class in HS... It said "Pansies are for Thoughts." For some reason that has always stuck with me. And my thoughts are usually about my mom. So double bonus!

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?


Don't be afraid!

5. If you won the lottery, what is the very first thing you would do?

Boring as it sounds, pay off some bills... then TRAVEL!

I'd Like to Thank the Little People...

Mary at Life in a Small Town gave me an award!

Thank you so much! It came with conditions, though:

Accept and thank the person who gave it to you! List 10 things about yourself List 5 additional things you DON'T like Then pick ten people to give this lovely award to!


First of all, THANK YOU to Mary... I've been a blog slacker this week and last-- trust me! LOTS going on... But it's nice to know there are some people reading my rants and raves. 
 
OK, ABOUT ME:
 
1. I am about to be a mom to (what I'm sure will be) a FANTASTIC little girl!
2. I am completely fed up with US Immigration... I just want my crazy British man HERE... is that too much to ask?
3. I like fun hairstyles and colors.
4. My cat Carl is INSANE... but very cute, which may be what saves his life.
5. My cat Cleo is a great friend... she is my sweet old lady cat.
6. At present time I cannot wait for school to be OVER!
7. I am addicted to audiobooks-- especially now that I rarely have time and energy to read.
8. I often wish I had taken Spanish instead of French... though now that I have a student from Haiti, the French is finally useful.
9. I'm definitely a jeans and tshirt kind of girl.
10. I love to travel-- esp. to England, Vegas, California...
 
DISLIKES:
 
1. Checking my blood sugar. This is only day two-- but what a pain!
2. Children with anger issues or that are otherwise disrespectful.
3. Pineapple, mushrooms, most beans... (This one's for Matt who swears I am a picky eater)
4. People who do not take responsibility for their actions.
5. Matt's cardiologist who is taking his sweet time sending the Embassy Dr. his report...
 
Now for passing it on... Not sure I know 10 people/ bloggers... but I will do my best--
 
How the Porcupine Lost Her Quills
Random Man
The Rantings of a Southern Girl
Blue Artichoke
Daisy Head
 
OK, 5 it is... Another part of my slacking I s'pose...

One if by land... Two if by sea...

...Three if by Segway?!

Picture is Unrelated

I couldn't resist... My friend had this on his blog last week... cracks me up!

I've Been Out of Control & Missing in Action...

Sorry to have been MIA all week on here... It's been a doozie!

I admit, I like to have control of most situations. Sure, there are times when I can go with the flow and just see what happens, but for the most part I don't like the out of control feeling. It's like riding the tea-cup ride at Disney World... I feel like at any moment I will be slung off into the universe.

Maybe that is why this whole immigration thing is so frustrating and uncomfortable. I have NO control over any aspect of it now. I have done my part, filled out stacks of paperwork, written several checks, copied and mailed all important documents and "evidence." Right now we are waiting on, perhaps RELYING on is a better phrase, Matt's Dr. to send a report to the embassy Dr. All the Embassy Dr. wants is 3 details-- it's really NOT hard. But for some reason, this is over the other Dr.'s head. Really?! You went to school for how long? People's lives rest in your hands daily, and yet you can't seem to get one simple letter written correctly? Furthermore, it's not like he writes it anyway, the secretary does. All he has to do is get her the info. Hell, I can write the stupid thing and get it to the Dr. in London (FROM THE US, no less) faster than this guy seems able to.

Needless to say, Matt will not give me the Dr.'s # so that I may call and, ahem, explain the urgency of the situation a little clearer. Apparently Matt is concerned that I will offend the man. PSHAW! I love that Americans have a reputation for abrasiveness... Whatever, we get things done! No stopping for a cup of tea for us!

School has been another out of control issue. This has been a challenging year. I am constantly shocked and saddened by some of the issues that  kids in elementary school face. I think back to those years-- fun, carefree... I certainly wasn't worried about taking care of younger siblings, or my parents! I was not neglected-- I had food, clean clothes, I was bathed... My parents cared about my education, made sure I did my work, instilled in me the VALUE of a good education. So what has happened?

If I spoke to adults, or acted the way some students today act... even now in my 30's-- my dad would STILL yank me up. And for some it is a game-- they know there are no consequences at home, and consequences they care anything about at school. Take my recess? Fine. Suspend me? Even better! I'll play video games all day! Kids like this go out of their way to drive teachers crazy for fun! And they win EVERYDAY!

Not only are my nerves frazzled, my blood pressure high, and my head throbbing... but now I feel like a failure because I can't get control over an 11 yr old! The thing is, NO ONE can... No teacher they have ever had... not their parents... no one! So what happens to these kids. If they act like this, and are this apathetic at 11... think what they will be like in high school... when they are 20... 30...

Here are some interesting recent articles from England:

Beaten boy was 'leading light of class trouble'

and the follow up:

Teacher Cleared Of Attempting To Murder Pupil

Now, I am not saying teachers should beat down unruly students. But teachers are human beings- and I am glad, for once, that a jury listened to the teacher. And what about the students' behavior? It will probably go unpunished (aside from a cracked skull)... but maybe other students will think twice before tormenting a teacher.

Thursday was one of the worst days. I had been out Wednesday... Two of my darlings had been in trouble with the sub-- so they were sent to other rooms for the day. That's how our "inschool suspension" works. Thursday, same two in trouble again. It's not always THESE two... but there is never a day that at least one of about 5 don't stir something up. I have not had one uninterupted day. And the school system wonders why test scores go down? It's not all books and learning-- there has to be some discipline-- and that discipline has to start, and carry on AT HOME. 

Teachers get blamed for everything-- if a child has low grades, it's our fault-- never mind the kid probably had no food at home for breakfast, is coming in dirty clothes, with dirty hair, face, and hands... Chances are the kid got themself (and sometimes siblings AND parents) up that morning... No one makes them follow directions at home, so why should they at school? Kids that see nothing but anger and fighting at home-- that is the norm-- so why not yell and fight everyone at school? "Multiplication? Who needs that? My daddy says that's a waste of time!"

OK, soapbox over... It's just that is what we are dealing with day after day... then we are told we can lose our jobs if scores don't go up. Parents come in and complain about ME if their child isn't doing their work. Well, newsflash: I have my OWN life. I cannot possibly go home with every student and sit with them until they do their work each night. I give my class LOTS of time IN CLASS... if they CHOOSE to use their time poorly-- well, that my friends is a life lesson. I'm a teacher, not Superwoman.

So on top of THAT stress on Thursday, my Dr.'s office calls to inform me that I have failed the 2nd glucose test. This was the 3 hr long one where blood was drawn 4 times. (I was technically poked 5 times if you could the last one when she couldn't get a vein in one arm). Great. Gestational Diabetes. And yes, I am aware that this is quite common. But it is ONE MORE thing, on top of all the other crap I am dealing with. Add this worry to all my worries about immigration, school, family, stuff at home, etc...

And did I mention I LOVE bread and all things carbs? I am already miserable. All I want this AM is some cereal... Nope, sorry... No can do... I can have an egg. Ever mention I really do NOT like eggs at all? I don't like the smell, the taste. the texture. Oh well.

I will go now, and fix an egg for breakfast, before I get too whiney...