All Hallow's Eve activities

One of my students brought me this little award...for...."being the best teacher EVER."  That's right.  My brainwashing tactics are working!  Mwahahahahahahaha!

Feeling absolutely ridiculous.

Ms. Parrot

My talon feet

Auntie Ginger Vitus

Apples, peanut butter, peanuts, and grapes.  Monster snack!

Ms. Maatha as a Gremlin?

My candle holder

Kid Craft!  Candle holders made from jars and paint. So cute!

Judy's, Cory's and Erin's pumpkins.  Nice work yeah?

She finally finished.  Look at that thing!

Angie's still working.  She had a biiiiiiiiig pumpkin!

What is yours? "I think I missed a part" haha.

So proud of their hard work.

Light it up!

Finished product.  Nicely done!

All the girls!

Proud papa. C'mon Kev, you're having a way better time than your face is showing! 

Meticulously carving away!

She didn't even have to gut her own pumpkin.  That's halfway cheating. 

Very focused workers.

Let the carving begin!

The drink table.  Logan, you've got a few years, buddy.

Cory and Chrissy (Standard pose -side-by-side on the couch)

Ange and Baby Logan.  He is a hungry bear.

Ange and Logan.  A baby pumpkin for a baby pumpkin!

Cory's scary pumpkin.  

The whole shebang.

Humble thyself

I noticed I am up to 8 followers and I am so pleased.  I'm still pretty amused that people read this.

It has been another busy week.  It seems like I'm constantly saying, "After _____________, it'll slow down."  After Halloween, After Thanksgiving, After Christmas...but it never really does.  This past week was chock full of fun Halloween art projects and crafts that I had so much fun doing with my students.  I even took pictures. and am going to attempt to post them, along with pictures from No Guts, No Glowy Pumpkin Carving party 2K10.  It seems like last week just flew by and I can't believe next week begins November.  Countdown to Thanksgiving commence!

So, on October 1st I had this great, marvelous, stunning idea that my coworkers and I dress up as jungle animals to go along with our jungle classroom theme.  I had very lofty notions of dressing up as a tiger or something equally as easy, but finding an orange outfit, especially pants, proved to be very difficult.  Soon I found myself on Thursday night before our Halloween party at school with no costume, nor any costume idea.  I began hurriedly texting my friends for instant help.  I texted my cousin, whose first response was, "mini kangaroo."  Two problems; kangaroos don't live in the jungle, nor am I any version of 'mini.'  Finally, I was able to get ahold of my dear friend Kathleen who is by far the most creative person I have ever met.  She instantly has an idea of a parrot, and about a million other ideas, as well.  She convinces me that the parrot idea will be super easy and I'm looking at the clock ticking away, feeling how tired I am at just 6 pm, and being very skeptical.  However, she was able to walk me through a trip to Michael's and I got all that I needed to conjure up a parrot costume.  I got everything home, laid it out on the table, and just about started crying...WHAT AM I DOING!?  It hit me.  I had no clue where to begin or what to do.  I quickly tried to shove these ideas to the deepest recesses of my mind and said to myself, just jump in and start doing it, it will all work out.  I did just that.  I cut to wings, fixed up the elastic bands and cut a tail piece out of some material called foamcore.  Then, I plugged in the glue gun and begin preparations for gluing the feathers.  The glue gun was a disaster.  My hand was hurting so bad from squeezing the little trigger (which Kathleen did warn me about) and I'm pretty sure that there wasn't even any glue coming out.  I could not figure out the problem but I knew this whole process was taking way too long.  I looked at the clock and it was 9:20.  At this point, I'm freaking out because 1. I'm missing Grey's Anatomy and 2. I'm so tired I can barely keep my little peepers open.  Luckily, I got the support I needed from my dear friend, Erin, who told me, just go to bed now, get up early and try again.  I knew this is what I should do.  I'm so useless when I'm in that tired-all-I-can-think-about-is-sleep phase.  I got to bed around 10 and my alarm sounded at a ridiculously early 5:15.  I knew I had to get up because I had to make a stop at Wal-Mart for some spray adhesive.  I was done with that crazy glue gun.  I got up, got ready, and was heading into Wally World by 6:15, everything was right on schedule.  I went straight from the store to my school and figured I would just finish my costume up there.  I got into my classroom (which was scary because everything was pitch black...creepy!) and got everything ready to put together when I opened the lid of the spray adhesive and there was no nozel.  Are you kidding me?  Again, on the verge of tears, I had no idea what I was going to do.  I sat in disbelief for a moment trying to gather my wits, then decided to check the production room.  This is a school for crying out loud, they must have spray glue somewhere.  Well, I never found any spray glue but I did find some sort of spray adhesive that I decided to try.  I mean, how worse could it get?  Luckily, it worked like a dream, except that the adhesive was getting all over my hands and feathers were sticking everywhere and it wouldn't wash off.  Great.  Finally, by the time I looked at the clock I saw that it was already 7:30 and I hadn't even started the tail yet.  I needed to hustle.  I had almost two wings done and had to go for the tail.  I still had to get the chairs down and candy out on the desks.  I was chomping at the bit for the rest of our staff to get there because if there was ever a time I needed help, it was now.  They started showing up around 8 and miraculously everything got finished before the kids started to arrive.  It was a close call.  We got everything done just in the nick of time and I only snapped once, after that, it was a really fun day.  We had a birthday celebration, did some Scaroling (Halloween caroling), watched a movie, practiced some Minute to Win It activities, and joined a mainstream class for some activities.  The day was gone in a flash and I was so tired by the end of the day I came home and promptly took a 3 hour nap.

Tonight, I am gearing up for the last Halloween party of the season.  After tonight, I will be able to rest and relax all day Sunday.  I'm very much looking forward to that!  I'm looking forward to tonight, too.  It's always a good time.  I think it'll be fun to be around some people...I haven't hung out with this group in quite awhile, so it should be a good time.  Also, my duckie's are gearing up to play and the World Series is on, as we speak.  Actually a pretty great day, save for my awful trip to WinCo.  I hate that place.  I literally watched a woman ram into someone else's cart.  She said, "Oh no, unattended cart!"  And, then she rammed into it with her cart!  Seriously!?   Unbelievable.

Today's list:  Things I look forward to tomorrow:

1.  Going to church
2.  Napping
3.  Reading
4.  Watching tv/catching up on shows from last week
5.  Basking in candlelight

6.  Going on a walk (please no rain)

Simple Gifts

I'll be damned, writing two nights in a row!  New record.  I actually just wanted to play with the background, and also vent about this whole "living simple" movement.  So, if you haven't seen the big push for this, there's a movement of people that are trying to get people to live with 100 (or fewer) possessions.  I get it.  I mean, I think it's a great thing to do.  But, don't get me wrong.  I'm not doing that!  Here's the thing, I don't want more things than I already have, but I definitely appreciate all I've got.  100 things!  I mean, 100!  I easily have 100 things in my living room alone...and I like those things, love some of them, and can't imagine coming home to them not there.  I think people are perfectly capable of living "balanced" and not overdoing it with a plethora of belongings.  Do you hear what I'm saying?

This week is going just swimmingly.  I've planned a ridiculous amount of Halloween arts and crafts and am real thankful I teach in a classroom/school where Halloween is still celebrated.  I plan to take some pictures and post them soon of all the things we get accomplished this week.

I'm so thankful to have such happy, well-adjusted nephews.  My eldest nephew has got to be the funniest, most entertaining child I have ever met.  My mom relayed this story to me, and I feel it must be published, especially for Amy, bball extraordinaire!  You will have to know my nephew to truly appreciate the humor in this story.  My nephew, Joey, says to his dad yesterday, "Daddy, can I ask you a question?"  His dad, of course says yes, to which Joey says, "Well, will you give me a truthful answer?  I mean, don't give me an answer that isn't truthful just because you love me...."  His dad agrees to this proposition and Joey, in all seriousness, says, "Daddy, do you think I should go out for AAU basketball?"  OMG.  I die laughing at this point...every time.  His dad says, "No, Joey, I don't think you should go out for AAU."  This seems to reassure/comfort Joe-Joe, because he responds, "I know!  I don't think I should either.  But, people are telling me I should at school."  We all know how that goes.  I was talked into track and basketball for years, which was followed by stress and hatred of workouts for many years to come.  Save yourself, Joey.  Forego the pressure.

Did Bristol Palin really dance to the "i'm a mess in a dress" song?  I hate to say it, but that's HILARIOUS.

Remember to VOTE!!

Hopefully, pictures are on their way.

Today's list:  Things I love to do after work:
1. Workout (most days)
2. Make dinner
3. Clean
4. Light candles
5. Blog
6. Watch tv
7. Shower
8. Read
9. Bed
10. Actually, I don't know if these are things I love to do...but rather, things I do do after work.

Patience is a Virtue

It recently occurred to me that every blog could potentially be about how I don't write often enough.  No time to dwell on that, today.  It's been a crazy busy last couple of weeks and just today I feel like I've had some time to sit and breathe and just be cool.

Since I last wrote, I went to a Kathy Griffin concert, baked a pumpkin fish cake with cream cheese frosting, attended an epic Halloween costume party for grown-ups, hosted a pumpkin carving party, voted, watched my Ducks annihilate UCLA and watched the Yankees fail miserably in the final stretch of the season.  The end.  Ha, what if I just ended my blog here?  That'd be hilarious.  I won't...I must fill in the details for all of my faithful followers.

Let's see, two weekends ago I went to visit my sister up in the greater Portland area.  We had tickets to the Friday night show of Kathy Griffin.  If anyone knows anything about me it is that I love comedy and I love, love, love K.G.  The trick of the whole evening was that I was due in Forest Grove by 5:30 so we could make it into downtown Portland by 7, being that the show started at 7:30.  Of course, this HAD to be the day that busses were late. So, there I was, waiting and waiting and waiting until 3 o'clock when I had visions of leaving at 2:30 and having a leisurely drive north.  No.  Not in the cards for me.  I was driving like a bat out of you know where to get to where I needed to be at the necessary time.  Turns out, I was right on time.   We made it into the city just before 7 leaving us a touch of room to grab a bite to eat before the show.  We found a cute place across the street from the Arlene Schnitzer Auditorium and had some wine and appetizers.  Our poor waitress was apparently the only one working the entire bottom floor and was running around, trying to do her best, but the poor thing was so stressed.  She got a sizable tip, and probably deserved more.  Upon entering the auditorium at 7:27, we, of course, had to use the restroom.  We get caught up in a mob, luckily heading to the bathroom, and hear the voice on the speaker system, "Doors will be closing in 3 minutes.  The show is ready to begin."  AAAAAHHHH.  The race was on.  I have never, ever gone to the bathroom that fast.  It was a record.  Then, we literally ran up the stairs, found our entry, and got to our seats.  After sitting for roughly 10 minutes, we realized, A. That lady was lying on the overhead sound system.  The show was not ready to begin.  At all. and B. We were two straight women in a sea of gays.  We quickly shared laughs with all of the men around us and we were IN.  About thirty minutes after the initial announcement of the showing being ready, a hilarious video montage began rolling.  All videos were of Kathy with famous people, and then her obviously talking trash about famous people.  And then....and then....the montage ended and SHE APPEARED.  She is so teeny tiny and we were pretty close to the front.  Her hair is easily at least one-third of her body size.  The next couple of hours were spent in straight laughter.  She overplayed her set, so we got an even longer show than anticipated.  Loved every minute of it, and I'm so glad I got to share it with my sissy.  Love having her back in Oregon!

The next day, Jeanine and I really had nothing to do, which is completely odd and rare.  We quickly shunned the idea of doing nothing all day and set right to work on finding some recipes for baking.  We settled on pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and traditional homemade chocolate chip cookies.  We had a delicious dinner of sweet potato and bacon pinwheels with a maple syrup and sour cream dipping sauce.  Yum. Yum.

The following week UO had a Thursday night game.  Let me tell ya, I'm no spring chicken.  I thought it would be a delightful idea to start drinking beverages around the 4 o'clock hour.  I headed to the tailgaters a little after 4:30 and proceeded to enjoy my friend Jack and was getting cranked up by the minute for this game.  Thanks to all my friends who lovingly host me at their tailgaters, Erin and Nick.  I always have such fun hanging out and socializing.  Afterwards, I did not have a ticket to the game, so I got myself to a bar down the street and met up with a friend.  It turned out to be a great place to watch the game.  Ducks won 60-13 or somewheres around there.  I went home and naturally fell asleep fast.  The next morning...was....in a word...brutal.  And, off to work I went.  At least the kids were fairly manageable and the day went by quickly.  I was sure tired when I got off work and promptly laid down for a three hour nap.  When I awoke...it was time to get ready for the Halloween party.

So, for about a couple of years now I've heard my friend Erin talk about this Halloween party that she goes to every year and how awesome everyone's costumes are and what a big deal it is to have a creative costume.  I.  HAD.  NO.  IDEA.  These people go ALL out for this holiday.  It was quite a big deal.  Mostly, they were able to lure me with the promise of playing Flip Cup.  I am so in love with that game. As I began getting ready, by myself, at my house, I couldn't help thinking, "This is ridiculous."  Naturally, here come the i-feel-silly-why-am-i-dressing-up thoughts.  Immediately, I shoot Erin a text message saying as such, and she responds with "Me too."  Ok. Good.  Glad I'm not in this alone.  I arrived at the house and cannot find Erin anywhere and I know no one.  I'm only panicking a slight bit at this point, when I turn, and Oh My Gosh, there is Erin, excuse me, Lady Gaga, in a bubble dress descending the stairs.  I started dying laughing.  She was definitely Gaga in all her Gaga glory.  Erin's roommate was dressed up as Snooki, Snooki's hubs was dressed up as Chuck Norris.  I am not kidding when I say that Chuck Norris had somehow found the tightest pair of jeans I have ever, EVER, seen on a boy.  Hilarious.  We also had Flo from the Progressive Commercial, Tom Cruise from Risky Business, a couple dressed as a Double Rainbow, cast members from Survivor, and a whole lot more.  Now, I can see why it's such a big deal to come up with a real clever costume.  I didn't get it this year....maybe next.

Last night, was my pumpkin carving party...No Guts, No Glowy.  I think it was a huge success.  By 12 noon yesterday, I had not even decided on what treats to have, had no pumpkin, and zero Halloween decorations.  After a mega-shopping spree at Wal-Mart (gag) I was feeling much more ready, but my kitchen looked like a complete zoo.  Perhaps, if it did not take me 30 minutes to pick out a pumpkin I would have given myself more time.  But, nooooo...this one's stem is too short, this one is too dirty, this one is ugly, this one doesn't have a good carving surface, this one's too heavy, this one's too little.  Lesson learned today, I'm wayyyyyy too picky when it comes to pumpkins.  Anyone see a theme evolving?  Pumpkins and men...I just can't pick 'em!  Luckily, I had Sarah to help me pull off the making and creating of things.  As we all know, I'm quite the creative visionary, but have definite struggles in pulling it all off on my own.  We made some very cute and festive fare for the shin-dig.  Granted, there were only about 8 people here and we probably had enough food to feed at least 15.  We made potato skin ghosts, pizza mummies, hot dog mummies, eyeballs, chips and guacamole, Oreo spiders (with 6 legs), antipasto plate, and I'm probably leaving something out because there was so much.  Sarah also made delicious little pumpkin cheesecakes...gluten free!  Everyone carved a pumpkin and all in all I think it was a great time.  Thank you so much for playing - Sarah, Angie, Kevin, Logan, Chrissy, Cory, Erin and TJ, and even James and Katie for a wee while.  It was a great night and I look forward to making it a tradition!

Oregon residents and followers, get out the vote!  I finalized my ballot today and oh what a rockin' read that Voter's pamphlet is.  (Yawn.)  I could barely keep my eyes open and I can hardly understand a thing about any of those initiatives.  I find I am very distrusting, as though the voter's pamphlet does not really have all of the information in there and somehow everyone knows so much more about these initiatives than I do.  We shall see.

Today's list:  Upcoming events to look forward to...

1.  Field trip to the pumpkin patch
2.  Trick or treaters
3.  Various Halloween art projects this week
4.  Watching Monster House and The Witches with my students
5.  Crabbing trip in 2 weeks!

Sin City

The title sounds so juicy doesn't it?  You're probably expecting multiple tales of wild sexcapades, drunken debauchery and the like.  Well, you won't find it here.  Unless, you count the wine consumption between my mother, sister, and I over this past weekend.  That always gets pretty wild with laughter.  My poor father, trying to sleep in the hotel room whilst we watch true crime tv and dispute the merits of good looking men with "icy blue eyes."  Apparently, according to my mother, "icy blue eyes" can't be trusted.  Makes me laugh just thinking about it.  What a great weekend!  I love, love, love when my family makes it up here to visit.  I wind up exhausted and can barely see straight from all the hustle and bustle but I really wouldn't trade it for anything.  It continues to amuse me how tired I get, and my parents, who are in their 70's just run around like it's nothing!  They kick my a$$, and they've got 40+ years on me.  Unbelievable.

I had the extreme pleasure of taking my sister to my Zumba class on Saturday.  In the past, she had talked about how she wanted to try it out, so I thought, well we have to go when you're here then!  She was a great sport!  I thought she did really well for it being her first time and all, but she expressed how she felt very uncoordinated.  Those of you that have tried Zumba can commiserate with that, right!?  That's exactly how you should feel after your first Zumba class.  The goal is to keep going.  It really isn't a workout.  It's a party.  I really do recommend it to nearly everyone who wants a good, fun workout.

On Sunday, my sister and I did the Race for the Cure in Eugene.  Last year, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She doesn't really acknowledge it but we thought it was a good cause to support.  Over 6,000 people walked in the pouring rain and freezing cold at a less than speedy pace.  It was slow-goin, but we did it and it was cool to have mom and dad at the finish line too!  Thanks everyone for the wonderful weekend!

Oh, did you see, I have 5 followers now!?  Thanks friends!  And, I know you're dedicated because 2 of the 5 have given me a hard time for not writing for so long.  So loyal!  I really do have the best friends in the world.  Actually, one of my friends and followers, recently found an old Whitman's Sampler box filled with notes from me and three of my best girlfriends in the 8th grade.  The keeper of this "sampler" sent out an email each night for four nights.  Each note told of our undying friendship to each other and all the happenings of our lives.  To give you the Cliff's notes version, all of the other girls had very dramatic love lives, between breaking up and getting asked out by various popular boys.  I, however, had a steamy romance brewing with Leonardo DiCaprio.  Some of you may remember, or shall I say, some of you remember all too well and don't like to let me forget that I saw Titanic in theatres a record breaking 7 times.  At least.  Actually, we all lost count and the number is up for debate.  I think it was 6 or 7 but I'm sure my sister and mom would argue it was at least 12.  There is no way mom would have let me pay the price for the same movie 12 times.  Dad handles the money but she would have put her foot down on that, I'm sure of it!  Anyway, the notes were very funny and amusing.  I'm happy to say, actually, that I am still friends with all three of those girls and we keep in touch fairly regularly.  Amazing, right?

Usually, I give a few anecdotes about work.  I really don't want to talk about work right now.  I am finally winding down and feeling nice and relaxed.  I will let you know that one student went absolutely bananas over solving the problem 8 plus 2.  She fled the scene.  There were lots of changes that took place after work, but I can't even get into them right now.  I'm still processing.

Let's talk about something interesting.  Remember the time when I brought up the issue of an ex wanting me back?  Yes, this situation still exists.  For some reason, I thought, Okay, let's see what is really going to change.  Turns out nothing.  So here's the deal.  You can say you're sorry, but the real deal is changing your behavior.  I don't really know if I can accept the words that say change is on the way.  Who is this guy, Barack Obama?  Ha.  I'm not republican.  I just think there has to be some substance behind the words.  We'll see.

I made spaghetti squash for dinner tonight.  I recommend that you all eat lots of squash this fall.  I love squash, so much, just like I love fall.  Tonight was my first go with a squash on my own.  It was a tish undercooked I think, but it was still delicious paired with some green beans.  I think mushrooms would be good in that mix as well.  If you are looking for a good food blog, check out The Sustainable Palate by one of my dear friends' wives in San Francisco.  So far she's posted two recipes.  The whole grain pasta dish she posted looks absolutely divine!  Check it out.

The Oregon Ducks are ranked #2.  I'm praying for their health and strength in the final stretch of the season.  Much could happen between now and the end of the season.  I love my Ducks.

They had this whole segment on the movie, Love Story on Oprah today.  I'm sure most of you had nothing better to do this evening than to watch Oprah.  Anyway, apparently the famous scene of the movie shows the girl saying, "being in love means never having to say you're sorry..."  I literally shouted, "WHAT!?"  at the tv screen.  I'm home alone.  Regardless, when Oprah started the interview with the woman who uttered this line, she said, "What does that even mean?"  I felt very justified.  I was like, thank you!  She went on to say, being in love certainly does not mean never having to say you're sorry.  Vindication is mine!!!

Hope you all are having wonderful, blessed weeks.  My ice cream is melting...

Today's list:  Blessings...
1.  Family
2.  Friends
3.  Good health, stable mind, all of my appendages work and work well
4.  Great job
5.  Fantastic students (in their own rights, they are pretty cool)
6.  A roof over my head
7.  Delicious, nutritional food to eat
8.  A gym membership
9.  A car that runs
10.  Clothes I love
11.  Plenty of modern day amenities; hot water, running water, clean water, books, music, computer, tv, cozy bed, clean sheets, electricity
12.  etc....there are so many things I can't possibly name them all here, but this was a pretty solid start.

Light of Life

It's a strange thing.  Writing everyday seems like way too much.  I'm feeling committed/tied down to this thing, and we all know what happens when an Aquarius starts feeling tied down.  Oh, I guess some of my "followers" might not be into astrology quite as much as I am.  Aquarians hate feeling tied down and, thus, they flee.  So, I fled for a day and now I feel like I have way too much to write.  Ay, why must this be so?  I'll try to highlight only the things that were truly interesting but in the course of the last two days, I've managed to see almost everything as...interesting.  That's definitely been the motto at work.  Just shake your head and say, "Well....that's interesting."

First things first.  Yesterday, when I got to work the turkeys were out.  Yes, occasionally at my school the wild turkeys will flock the grounds.  I would say there were about 8 turkeys that I could see as I pulled into the driveway.  As I walked closer to my classroom, I could see some turkeys were outside the barred breezeway and some were inside trying to get to the ones outside.  As of last year, we are now "locked in" by large, black, ugly gates and it appeared that the turkeys could not find themselves out of the gated area.  I did not think much of this and walked into my classroom and started the morning gossip with my coworkers.  Suddenly, I heard the most raucous noise.  It sounded like something was being thrown against the doors from the breezeway and flapping wings.  What the heck?  I ran out to see what the commotion was and oh my gosh, two turkeys were beating wildly against the doors.  They were stuck or something!  Not to mention another teacher was trying to get into the building and was completely stopped up by these frantic turkeys.  Literally, one of my coworkers went out there and "shoo-ed" the birds away and helped guide them to the outside of the gate.  Weird start to the day, for sure.

Then, as soon as my students begin arriving another strange thing happened.  Two students came in, showed me their homework (it was completed) and turned it in.  Their homework was not due until tomorrow.  Even stranger, they requested more homework, because it was "fun," and it gave them "something to do."  Excuse me?!  Don't you children play video games or something?  Get a life!  I certainly do not have time to go around scrounging up more homework for you children.  Please.  Of course, secretly, I think, "Huh, I must be doing something right to have instilled this love of learning."  Naturally, I'll take ALL the credit for that.

After that one positive incident about the homework (Oh!  And they remembered to bring their textbooks back...awesome!)  the rest of the day was pretty much a disaster.  I had one student literally rolling around on the floor, apparently trying to take a "nap" because he was "tired."  AKA he didn't want to do any work.  This proceeded to carry on for a couple of hours and then he tried to re-enter the class and decided to do so by munching on his pencil and blowing bits of wood and lead all over the place.  When he came to math group, he had chomped a substantial part of the pencil down and was blowing it across the table.  I was apparently able to very calmly state, "Could you please stop blowing pencil bits in my direction?  That's feeling disrespectful."  Whilst this is going on another girl is screaming, "EW!  What is he doing!  I'm not sitting next to him!!"  Joy.  Later in the day, we encountered more trials and tribulations with one student who could not write a staff member a birthday card because she "knows nothing about her!  NOTHING!"  Finally, another staff intervened and asked her about some nice things she might say to the staff member when the student blurts out, "Happy birthday."  Great!  Great start for a birthday card.  Then, follows that up with, "You're really sexy."  Ummmmm...how do I not laugh?  How?  I don't even know how it's possible.

Grocery shopping update:  I forgot brown rice.  Of course I did.  I hate shopping without a list!

Okay, brace yourself for a heavy topic.  So, I spend much of my life lamenting the fact that I'm single.  Then, someone tries to date me and I think, "Ew.  No.  I would never."  'Tis a constant quandry in my life.  Yet, if you (male species) reject me for some such reason, then I'm so angry and drawn like a moth to the flame.  Really.  What's going on here?  I can't have what I want, and what I can have is not what I want.  Anyway, that's all stupid, pointless reflection that I should probably be seeing a therapist for.  The point is, one of my exes wants to get back together.  I didn't think I had a particularly great relationship with this person the first time around and he guarantees that it is because he was doing x, y, and z wrong.  There is probably some truth to that.  So, really, I don't know if I should really be toying with the idea of getting back together with him.  Previously, I've felt like if it didn't work the first time then why in the world would I put myself through the emotional ruining that comes along with relationships a second time?  The question is this...getting back together with an ex...is there potential there, or is it always bad? Discuss.

People, I love the feedback.  I've gotten some pretty hilarious responses.  Don't be so afraid to comment, folks!  It'll start discussions.  That's great.  It will be an interactive blog.  I've come to understand there is some confusion on becoming a follower.  I'll let my mom get away with that excuse but what's up with the rest of you?  Oh, it just occurred to me maybe family members are the only ones reading this.  Awkward.  Thanks Kel, for following me.  Stalker ;o)  I have to post some stuff about that box your mom found...(teaser alert!)

The American League Division Series is on right now so I really have to focus.  My Yanks need me.  They are down two to the Twins, as we speak.  We need our pitching to hold out if we're going to take this series.  So far, it's a little shaky.  Tune in on TBS!  (Shameless plug)  Come on Yanks!

Oh.  Also, if you come to my house in October, you must say "Trick or Treat," when I answer the door.   You will get chocolate. I adore my friends that stopped by yesterday that didn't know about this game, but played along anyway.  You know who you are!  You're swell.

Today's List:  Top 10 Strategies for Avoiding/Refusing Schoolwork

10.  Roll on the floor
9.  Scream profanity
8.  Lay head on desk
7.  Rip/Tear up work
6.  Snap pencils in half
5.  Hiss
4.  Cry
3.  Name call
2.  Hit
and the ever so popular and blunt...
1.  But...I don't want to.

Turns out, God is a Duck fan

Wowza!  What a great weekend to be a Duck fan!  It was a great weekend...exciting, non-stop, and tiring.  It all started with getting up early for College GameDay at 4 a.m.  Actually, rewind.  It all started with insane Duck fans blowing into their vuvuzela's at 3 in the morning, past my house, on their way to gameday.  I'm so lucky to live so close to Autzen stadium.  I hate those horns so much.  I've disliked them since the World Cup.  They have got to go!  Anyway, I got up around 4 to shower and get ready for the big GameDay taping.  You know, I will get up at 4 in the morning for the strangest of things...working out...gameday...things I definitely would not predict that I would get up for.  I did not attend Gameday last year and had since regretted my decision.  It was a bizarre feeling to be laying in my bed and listening to the crowds cheer and scream.  I knew I'd have to go next time...and I knew there'd be a next time.  It was actually pretty fun even though it was so early.  The crowd's enthusiasm for their Ducks was basically indescribable yet very contagious.  The best part was seeing all the hilarious signs people made.  A few of my faves were, "Masoli stole my other sign,"  "Harbaugh hates your mom," and "National Forecast: Oregon Reigns."  If any of you watched gameday and saw Stanford signs jumping up and down and waving all over the place, that's where I was.  I mean, I wasn't holding the signs but I was directly behind the 1999-2004 Stanford football team reunion.  They were giant men.  Good looking.  Funny, too.  I'm sure that arrogance closely follows this combination of traits.   That's my experience anyway.  Sorry, Cards, it was the Ducks day today.  Hope they enjoyed their trip.  Shortly after gameday, I had breakfast with some friends, came home and took a nap, got up and began the journey of tailgates for the next several hours.  I must say of all my favorite tailgating activities, flip cup ranks number one.  I just love that game.  I do believe I love it because it makes me feel as though I was on a "Minute to Win it,"  not that I have been on the television show a "Minute to Win It," but flip cup makes me feel as though I think I would if I were to go on a "Minute to Win It."  Then, the game.  Oh, the game.  What a game!  I was literally covering my eyes in the first quarter, and our young QB came out and turned it around.  He did not even falter.  It was as if he strode onto the feeling with the air of, "We totally got this. Don't even worry bout it."  I was perhaps slightly worried.  But, thank you Ducks for taking the second half and ramming it up their...well...you get the point.  We definitely won the day.

Speaking of football, my second eldest nephew, John, had his first flag football game on Saturday.  I'm not sure if they have winners and losers, but I'm sure he was a winner, regardless.  All I heard about the game was that he was pouring sweat from playing offense and defense for the entire game.  Our own little Owen Marecic, in the form of John Tacchini.  John's true strength, hitting people, will have to be unleashed in a few years, when he is done with flag football.  Flag football is a game developed around speed, and let's face it, Tacchini's aren't built for speed.  We are, however, built solid.  John could do some real damage out there.  Just wait for it.

By the time Sunday rolled around, I was so exhausted from my activities on Saturday that I could barely manage anything but sleeping.  Literally.  I think I counted it up and figured from Saturday night to Sunday evening I had slept 16 hours.  I'm going to go ahead and call it right now...that is practically unhealthy.  Why can I sleep so much?  I think there has to be something medically wrong with me.  It felt so good though.  Spending a whole day, sleeping and reading, is like heaven.  I could not have enjoyed yesterday any more than I did.  I thought, with all this sleep, surely I'd be ready to get up at 5 a.m. to go workout!  Yet, when that alarm went off, I promptly turned it off and slept for two more hours.  I forced myself to the gym after work, as much as that sucked.

Today was such a long day.  I have no idea why.  Today was the first day of assigned homework.  Let the whining begin.  I am up to my eyeballs with these children and their attention seeking ways.  One kid in my class, literally, has been begging for homework since the first day of school.  Today he gets assigned homework and then asks me to do it in class!  EXCUSE ME?   Get the heck outta here, kid.  Homework is for HOME.  I can surely just assign you more school work to do at school?  Would that work?  (insert eye roll here)  You don't even do the work you are assigned accurately.  Why would I assign you more?  So, I have more corrections and inconsistencies to go over with you tomorrow?  Who are these kids?  There was not enough chocolate in that school today.  I am nervous because they took home textbooks.  Those better come back tomorrow.  Or else.

After the gym necessitated a grocery shopping trip.  We all know (now) how I feel about those.  I had not made out a grocery list so that was driving me crazy and I know I forgot something.  The important thing was to stock up on fruits and vegetables.  I love having produce stocked in my fridge.  Best feeling ever.  Upon coming home and finding about two inches of open freezer space, I decided to bake the rest of the peanut butter cookies we had in there.  Now, my house smells like warm, fresh-baked, peanut butter deliciousness.  Second best feeling ever.  I am gearing up for my nighttime shower with my new Lavender/Vanilla body wash by Origins (check it out), which might actually trump the aforementioned best feelings ever.

My heater automatically kicked on this morning.  It must be fall!!!  Yahoo!

Today's list: T.V. Shows I've missed over the summer and I'm glad they're back on the air:
(In the order they popped into my head...)
1.  Mad Men
2.  Grey's Anatomy
3.  Private Practice
4.  Modern Family
5.  The Middle
6.  Desperate Housewives
7.  Brothers and Sisters

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait...

The anticipation is killing me.  Eugene is a complete on edge with the big game looming.  Conveniently, I live right by Autzen stadium, and it is already a complete madhouse.  The ESPN GameDay set has been constructed and security is on 24 hour watch.  I am excited to get up tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn to get ready for the GameDay crowd.  Wait, did I just say I was excited to get up at the crack of dawn?  Yes.  Yes, I did.  That's how much I LOVE MY DUCKS.  By the way, if you haven't seen "Return of the Quack" youtube it and look it up right meow.

Yesterday was a complete disaster.  Well, not completely.  I still made it to Zumba and was able to have dinner with a friend.  However, I was without internet or cable for several hours yesterday afternoon/night. Thus, the disaster.  I missed Grey's Anatomy.  So, don't tell me what happens.

Mac n cheese follow up...um, it was pretty much disgusting.  I contend it was the butta, but I have been assured and chastised by my friend, Erin, who believes that it was the lack of milk that made it taste disgusting.  It was heinous without milk.  Let this be a cautionary tale:  do not mess with the ingredients of mac n cheese.

I feel just about brain dead after today.  It was a rough day.

Today's List:  Things to do around the house...

1.  Vacuum
2.  Put laundry away
3.  Unload dishwasher 
4.  Dust
5.  Make bed
6.  Clean bathroom
7.  Clean kitchen
8.  Take out the garbage
9.  Make grocery list
10.  Go to sleep....