Book Club 2012 Update

1. The Funny Thing Is... by Ellen DeGeneres
2. Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
3. A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen
4. Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen
5. Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen
6. What Great Teachers Do Differently: 14 Things That Matter Most by Todd Whitaker
7. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
8. The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen
9. Catch Me by Lisa Gardner
10. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
11. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
12. The Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
13. The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie R. King
14. Confessions of a Scary Mommy: An Honest & Irreverent Look at Mommyhood: The Good, The Bad, and The Scary by Jill Smokler
15. A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King
16. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
17. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
18. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
19. In Session by M.J. Rose
20. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
21. When Farts Had Colors by Mark Lawton Thomas
22. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
23. Criminal Investigation: Evidence, Clues, and Forensic Science by John D. Wright
24. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
25. The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling
26. Masked Ball at Broxley Manor by Rhys Bowen
27. The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen

I'm currently reading Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson-- this going along with studying the Civil War with my 5th graders. A friend recommended Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown-- so I might add that to the Kindle after I finish with Mr. John Wilkes Booth. 

Thanksgiving Month: 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

Day 17: Thankful for some time spent with my Aunt. Miss Priss and I picked her up at the airport and headed straight out for some shopping! MP was hilarious and I am glad that my Aunt got to spend some time with her.

Day 18: Thankful for a day with nowhere to be! This is rare! It was nice to just stay home and get some things done. MP took a nice nap, Hubby went to work for a few hrs, so I was uninterrupted!

Day 19: Thankful this is a SHORT (2 day) week at school. I am exhausted!

Day 20: Thankful for former students who remind me that there is hope in the world! Worked the last home basketball game of the season, and one of my former students was a big help with MP. She even did the cake walk with her and WON!

Day 21: This may sound selfish-- but I am so glad for some time to myself today. Took MP to daycare, am running a few errands, and then plan to enjoy a mani/pedi! It has been FAR too long! And MP got me a gift certificate for my b-day... time to relax!

Thanksgiving Month: 14,15,16

Day 14: I am SO thankful that the Social Studies Fair is OVER at school! I must say, the kids did great this year! We had some of the best projects ever! And-- I am beyond thrilled that EVERY student had a project!! This is the first time I've not had a student say, "I didn't do one!" I am not personally a huge fan of this event. It is one of the county mandated things that I feel I could handle better on my own. I LOVE for the kids to do projects, but feel our time could better be used doing them IN class on topics that I know will be assessed. Alas...

Day 15: Thankful that we have a field trip today. I am EXHAUSTED after the last couple of weeks. Not that field trips aren't tiring on their own-- but it's nice to get out and get some fresh air. We went to Tuckaleechee Caverns today-- one of my fav trips!

Day 16: Thankful that today is Friday and I get to pick up Miss Priss from my Dad's. She's been there "resting" after her tube surgery. Not sure how much actual resting she has done-- but I know she has had a great time. She loves Gramma and Grandaddy!

Thanksgiving Month: 12, 13

Not too far behind this time! WOOHOO!

Day 12: This will sound sort of hokey-- but I am thankful for the internet and all its wonderful resources! I especially love that I can find a recipe for ANYTHING at any time! Through the years  I have come across some fantastic finds. Last night I made a french onion soup that I found last year-- it is SO yummy and perfect for a rainy, cold day.

Day 13: I am thankful for such a brave little girl! Miss Priss got her ear tubes this AM-- and she did great! They gave her meds to relax her (though I think these should have gone to me!) and when the time came, she went back with the nurses no problem!

When they brought her back she was wide awake and chatting up a storm! She rested awhile there and at home, but has since been running like a crazy lady! 

Now let's hope next year I can be thankful for fewer ear infections!

Thanksgiving Month: 7,8,9,10,11

Catching up again! (Seriously, is anyone surprised?)

Day 7: I'm thankful that I live in a place where there are good doctors, and that I have the means to take my child to see them. Miss Priss visited the ENT and it was decided that she will get tubes next week. I think this is the right choice-- I certainly want her to feel better!

Day 8: I'm thankful to have a principal at school that doesn't intimidate me or make me feel uncomfortable when she comes in my room. My princi dropped by and ended up staying through 2 class periods. I hear other teachers complain when this happens-- it makes them nervous; they feel like they are doing something wrong, etc. Not that I am a perfect teacher! (FAR FROM IT!) But I know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, so why would I be nervous?

Day 9: Thankful for a great school community. We had our Veteran's Day assembly since V Day is on Sunday this year. We had a good turn out of veterans-- many parents and grandparents-- and we had a very nice assembly. One of our TA's put a lot of work into pulling this together, and as a sister of a Marine Vet-- I deeply appreciate it.

Day 10: Thankful for an amazing day! My good pal from Nashville came up for the UT game (which sadly we lost in 4 OTs!)-- but we had a great time there, followed by a nice evening out in dowtown with snacks, beer, old friends, new friends, friends of friends.... We went by a buddy's 30th bday which was a lot of fun.. and rounded out the night at our fav Mexican place for FOOD. It was a gorgeous day and a lot of much needed RELAXING fun!

Day 11: As mentioned before, I am extremely thankful for all the Veterans, past and present, and for everything they do and go through for us. It takes courage I don't know that I could ever posses. I've had many family members in the military, but am particularly proud of my little brother. Semper Fi!

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Some pics from this weekend:

Gramma's new puppy-- name is in the works

Apparently there was an earthquake in KY that was felt throughout TN... we were at the stadium and missed it-- but this picture cracked me up!!

This place is great. Go there! Now!

Thanksgiving Month: 3,4,5,6

Whoops! Time to catch up!

Day 3: Thankful for friends that can help me escape when needed. It's always nice to have that one person that will listen and not judge, and will offer honest advice-- or just refill your champagne glass!

Day 4: Thankful for my beautiful daughter who often keeps me sane-- or insane, but that's ok! The beauty of a two-year old is that she is always learning and making new discoveries. SO MUCH FUN!

Day 5: Thankful to have a job with some amazing coworkers that are there for me personally as well as professionally. Knowing when I go to work that I am cared for is awesome!

Day 6: Thankful to have the rights and privileges I have. SO many have died in this country to ensure and protect those rights. I'm also thankful for the brave men and WOMEN who have stood up so that all people, regardless of color or gender, are guaranteed these right...now--

GO VOTE!!

(if you haven't already!!)

Thanksgiving Month: 2

Today I am BEYOND thankful for all of my friends, old and new. It's my birthday. My 36th birthday-- now closer to 40 than 30.. eek! This has been a stressful week, and all of the emails, texts, Facebook messages, and kids stopping me in the hall to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY has definitely brightened my spirits.

I'm fortunate to still be good friends with many friends from high school and college... and I have some AMAZING co-workers (past & present). As a teacher, and before that a colorguard instructor, I have so many students and former students that keep in touch that it's incredible.

Recently I've had a few pity-parties for myself, feeling that I wasn't important to much of anyone... but not today. And I will do my best to remember this next time I feel sorry for myself. Clearly there are many people that still think of and like me.  :)

Thanks everyone, big time. Love.

Thanksgiving Month: 1

November is FINALLY here! My favorite month! Not just because of my birthday... but because the weather gets cooler, leaves change color, the holiday season begins-- but things aren't too stressful just yet!

I am going to do my best to post something everyday that I am thankful for up until Thanksgiving. So here goes!

Today, as I am home with a sick toddler, I am thankful for a good job that allows me to stay home when needed and that provides me with insurance to get meds for my baby.

Case in point-- took Miss Priss to the Dr (AGAIN) yesterday... Night before she screamed most of the night while pulling on her left ear-- clearly her ear infection is not gone. Turns out she has a rupture in her left ear drum. (sigh) The Dr. prescribed some drops for the left ear to help it heal. When I went to get them, they were $20, which I find ridiculous for the tiniest bottle of ear drops EVER, but if they help my girl feel better, GIVE THEM TO ME... But the most shocking was what was on the pharmacy paper that comes with them-

Um, I'm really glad it did-- but WTF?! HOW can those cost $188.08? And HOW do people without insurance do it?

So even though I do not LOVE my job all the time, today I am thankful for it. (And hoping Miss Priss feels better tomorrow so I can get back to it!)