Ok so maybe it was that I am an incompetent pool owner. I left the pump running all day today (after following Mike's laundry list of cleaning solutions), and wouldn't you know it? The pool is practically crystal clear now. At least that's one thing I don't have to worry about anymore. *phew.
Today, the newly (as of yesterday) hired teacher came to school. And she's young and seems GREAT. I am overjoyed about this and hoping she will exceed my expectations and possibly even be a new friend. I'll keep you posted.
However, I am totally bummed.
I also received the schedule for this year and *GASP* for the first time since I've been teaching there I will not be teaching 7th grade literature. I love teaching 7th grade literature. 7th grade literature is the class where I teach all of my favorite novels. Of course, I will offer my book choices to the new teacher, but there's no telling whether she will take me up on my suggestions or not. And, even if she does, I want to teach The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. It's not fair!
It's right about now that I wish I was a little kid so I could have a good excuse to stomp around and throw a temper tantrum.
Instead, I'm throwing a temper tantrum in the adult way and writing a complainey-blog about the whole thing.
Thanks for reading. I feel much, much better now that I got that off my chest!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Sabotage
I am really starting to get suspicious.
I mean, not a few days had gone by after Mike left for his Afghanistan training when mysterious green patches started appearing in the pool.
I smell sabotage.
Either the pool has a mind of its own and likes to torture me when he leaves or he is rigging it so that the pool decides to self-destruct as soon as he makes his exit from the scene.
I know what you're thinking and you can just erase that thought from your mind right now. I swear to you I am not an incompetent pool caretaker. I PROMISE.
Day by day the pool has been getting greener... and greener.. and I finally broke down and emailed Mike about the situation. He was indignant. Hose out the filters! Go buy more chlorine tablets! Brush the sides! Do not let the pool turn green!
Hrmph.
So I did. I followed orders. I did what I was told. I moaned and groaned about it the entire time. I was no happy camper.
And after all of my hard work, I tell you, that pool darn well better be less green tomorrow when I get home from work or I am going to be peeved.
Personally, I would just let the whole thing turn green. In a few days the pool guys are going to show up and drain all the water out of the pool, anyway, so who really cares at this point? But, Mike is somehow convinced that they might refuse to work on our pool if the water is absolutely disgusting. I have my doubts about that. I would prefer to continue with my first thoughts and believe that Mike and the pool have somehow joined forces against me to make my life miserable every time he leaves. I think he does it so I'll miss him more. Well, I can tell you right now...... it's working.
I mean, not a few days had gone by after Mike left for his Afghanistan training when mysterious green patches started appearing in the pool.
I smell sabotage.
Either the pool has a mind of its own and likes to torture me when he leaves or he is rigging it so that the pool decides to self-destruct as soon as he makes his exit from the scene.
I know what you're thinking and you can just erase that thought from your mind right now. I swear to you I am not an incompetent pool caretaker. I PROMISE.
Day by day the pool has been getting greener... and greener.. and I finally broke down and emailed Mike about the situation. He was indignant. Hose out the filters! Go buy more chlorine tablets! Brush the sides! Do not let the pool turn green!
Hrmph.
So I did. I followed orders. I did what I was told. I moaned and groaned about it the entire time. I was no happy camper.
And after all of my hard work, I tell you, that pool darn well better be less green tomorrow when I get home from work or I am going to be peeved.
Personally, I would just let the whole thing turn green. In a few days the pool guys are going to show up and drain all the water out of the pool, anyway, so who really cares at this point? But, Mike is somehow convinced that they might refuse to work on our pool if the water is absolutely disgusting. I have my doubts about that. I would prefer to continue with my first thoughts and believe that Mike and the pool have somehow joined forces against me to make my life miserable every time he leaves. I think he does it so I'll miss him more. Well, I can tell you right now...... it's working.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Bad
I feel really bad.
I was just getting a much needed facebook fix, and I read something that made me feel like a really bad teacher. It was a girl's fb update that went something like this, "Exhausted from cutting lamination, labeling files, and doing bulletin boards, but SO EXCITED for the school year to start!"
......
Yeah. Like I said. Bad.
I was just getting a much needed facebook fix, and I read something that made me feel like a really bad teacher. It was a girl's fb update that went something like this, "Exhausted from cutting lamination, labeling files, and doing bulletin boards, but SO EXCITED for the school year to start!"
......
Yeah. Like I said. Bad.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Welcome Back
Today I bit the bullet and finally made my way into school.
When I arrived, I took a deep breath, opened my classroom door, and surveyed the damage.
Oh, the room looks better than I remember, I thought to myself.
But wait! Those filing cabinet aren't mine. Those filing cabinets are the math filing cabinets. Why are they in my room? ..... Oh no!
That's right my loyal readers, for the first time in 4 years of teaching I decided to wait until the very last minute to start working in my classroom, and it apparently was the wrong decision.
It seems as though my principal decided that I was going to move to the classroom next door this year. It would have been nice had I known this oh, say, a couple of weeks ago? I certainly would have gone in sooner had I realized that my getting ready for school duties were not simply going to consist of decorating my classroom and arranging the desks.
The first thing I did was enlist the help of the secretary, who happened to be the only other person at the school when I arrived. I asked her if I was moving classrooms. She wasn't sure, but she directed my attention to the number over the classroom door. It had been changed from an 8 to a 7.
But no one contacted me. I naively told myself. If they didn't contact me to tell me I was going to be switching classrooms, certainly they wouldn't expect me to switch. The filing cabinets must be a mistake.
Deep down in the pit of my stomach, though, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that no one would have moved those heavy filing cabinets into my classroom if they hadn't meant for them to stay there.
So, I did what any other insane person in my situation would have done. I went into my classroom and started putting my books on the shelves. My (irrational) thinking was that when the principal finally arrived on the scene and realized I had already finished putting all of my stuff out in the room she would quickly reassess the situation and not ask me to switch classrooms.
My plan failed, however, because not 30 minutes later I saw her car pull into the parking lot. She quickly made her way to my classroom and broke the wretched news to me that I would, indeed, have to move all of my things to a different room.
My head started pounding before she even finished breaking the bad news to me.
So, yeah. If that doesn't say WELCOME BACK, then I don't really know what does. It appears as though this school year is going to be even better (dripping sarcasm) than I thought.
When I arrived, I took a deep breath, opened my classroom door, and surveyed the damage.
Oh, the room looks better than I remember, I thought to myself.
But wait! Those filing cabinet aren't mine. Those filing cabinets are the math filing cabinets. Why are they in my room? ..... Oh no!
That's right my loyal readers, for the first time in 4 years of teaching I decided to wait until the very last minute to start working in my classroom, and it apparently was the wrong decision.
It seems as though my principal decided that I was going to move to the classroom next door this year. It would have been nice had I known this oh, say, a couple of weeks ago? I certainly would have gone in sooner had I realized that my getting ready for school duties were not simply going to consist of decorating my classroom and arranging the desks.
The first thing I did was enlist the help of the secretary, who happened to be the only other person at the school when I arrived. I asked her if I was moving classrooms. She wasn't sure, but she directed my attention to the number over the classroom door. It had been changed from an 8 to a 7.
But no one contacted me. I naively told myself. If they didn't contact me to tell me I was going to be switching classrooms, certainly they wouldn't expect me to switch. The filing cabinets must be a mistake.
Deep down in the pit of my stomach, though, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that no one would have moved those heavy filing cabinets into my classroom if they hadn't meant for them to stay there.
So, I did what any other insane person in my situation would have done. I went into my classroom and started putting my books on the shelves. My (irrational) thinking was that when the principal finally arrived on the scene and realized I had already finished putting all of my stuff out in the room she would quickly reassess the situation and not ask me to switch classrooms.
My plan failed, however, because not 30 minutes later I saw her car pull into the parking lot. She quickly made her way to my classroom and broke the wretched news to me that I would, indeed, have to move all of my things to a different room.
My head started pounding before she even finished breaking the bad news to me.
So, yeah. If that doesn't say WELCOME BACK, then I don't really know what does. It appears as though this school year is going to be even better (dripping sarcasm) than I thought.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Novels Wanted
In my endless quest to find the perfect combination of novels for my literature students to read during the school year, I have spent a good chunk of my summer vacation browsing through bookstores and online for book ideas. I have also spent many-a-day skimming and perusing through book after book that has fallen short of my expectations for one reason or another.
I have to be careful to find books in various genres, that cover different topics, and as much as I love certain authors, I also have to be careful to provide the students exposure to a variety of writing styles. For example, I absolutely love the author Avi. But, last year my 7th graders read (and LOVED!) his novel The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. And, though I also absolutely adore his novel Nothing But The Truth and have read it with 8th grade classes in the past, I won't use it for this 8th grade class because I want them to experience other authors.
I also am looking for books that grab the reader's attention and hold it - something that is probably the key element of a novel that is successful in a jr. high classroom. Because, quite frankly, I couldn't really care less that Watership Down is a classic and a staple in many-a-classroom. It would bore the hell out of my students and probably only about 5 of them would read it cover to cover. The rest would get plot summaries and character descriptions from the internet and call it a day.
My goal is to get my students reading the novel the whole way through. It is also to get them to discuss and question, wonder and theorize. I look for books that will cause my students to read ahead instead of staying with the group. I mean, really, everyone needs to experience the feeling of not-being-able-to-put-that-book-down a few times, and I sure would love it if some teenagers experienced that because of a book they were reading in my class.
I have the 6th grade novels pretty well set. We begin the year with a fairly light and entertaining read with Matilda by Roald Dahl, next we delve into the still fun, but thought provoking Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, and we close out the year with the slightly more difficult read Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Of course we cover more than just those 3 novels in the year, but I like to always do at least 3 novels together as a class.
For 7th grade, I feel as though I have thousands of options. I still haven't made my final decisions for this coming year, but I will choose 3 from the following list:
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor, Ann Frank: Diary of a Young Girl, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, and The Giver by Lois Lowry
Right now, I am leaning towards The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (it was a true hit last year and one of my favorite books for this age group), Ann Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (because it is a small class of all girls and only 1 boy I think they will really get into this book), and Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.
It's 8th grade that is really giving me problems. I have cast book after book aside, as mentioned above, for various reasons.
The only book that I am 100% sold on is a book I read with the 8th graders last year called Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals. It is Melba's memoir of her integration into a white school in Little Rock, Arkansas. It is an eye-opener and a page-turner for sure.
Beyond that, I am really coming up short. I am unhappy with every single other book I've ever read with my 8th grade classes of the past so am starting from scratch with other options.
I recently finished a book called Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Meyer which gives an honest look at the confusion and pain of War. The only problem is that it covers the first 6 months of Operation Iraqi Freedom -- a "war" that is still going on today. I have to say, it was quite captivating for me to read, considering that as a military wife whose husband has served 2 tours in Iraq, it really hit a personal note with me. Walter Dean Meyer is a popular author who has written many well-known and award winning novels for teens. He does a really good job of staying impartial about the war and giving the reader the opportunity to ask his/her own questions and come up with his/her own answers at the end. It's about the reality of war rather than a political position on the topic. It was a very good book. I'm just unsure whether a book on this topic is even appropriate in the classroom at this time. It might all be a little bit too close to home, a little bit too fresh to broach in literature class.
Long story short, I really don't know. I have about a week to find 2 more books that I absolutely love for my 8th graders. Suggestions and comments are more than welcome (unless of course you disagree with one of my definite choices. If that is the case please keep it to yourself or you will send me into a tailspin!) :)
Until then, I must go for I have much skimming, perusing, and reading to do in order to find those perfect jr. high level novels.
I have to be careful to find books in various genres, that cover different topics, and as much as I love certain authors, I also have to be careful to provide the students exposure to a variety of writing styles. For example, I absolutely love the author Avi. But, last year my 7th graders read (and LOVED!) his novel The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. And, though I also absolutely adore his novel Nothing But The Truth and have read it with 8th grade classes in the past, I won't use it for this 8th grade class because I want them to experience other authors.
I also am looking for books that grab the reader's attention and hold it - something that is probably the key element of a novel that is successful in a jr. high classroom. Because, quite frankly, I couldn't really care less that Watership Down is a classic and a staple in many-a-classroom. It would bore the hell out of my students and probably only about 5 of them would read it cover to cover. The rest would get plot summaries and character descriptions from the internet and call it a day.
My goal is to get my students reading the novel the whole way through. It is also to get them to discuss and question, wonder and theorize. I look for books that will cause my students to read ahead instead of staying with the group. I mean, really, everyone needs to experience the feeling of not-being-able-to-put-that-book-down a few times, and I sure would love it if some teenagers experienced that because of a book they were reading in my class.
I have the 6th grade novels pretty well set. We begin the year with a fairly light and entertaining read with Matilda by Roald Dahl, next we delve into the still fun, but thought provoking Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, and we close out the year with the slightly more difficult read Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Of course we cover more than just those 3 novels in the year, but I like to always do at least 3 novels together as a class.
For 7th grade, I feel as though I have thousands of options. I still haven't made my final decisions for this coming year, but I will choose 3 from the following list:
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor, Ann Frank: Diary of a Young Girl, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, and The Giver by Lois Lowry
Right now, I am leaning towards The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (it was a true hit last year and one of my favorite books for this age group), Ann Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (because it is a small class of all girls and only 1 boy I think they will really get into this book), and Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.
It's 8th grade that is really giving me problems. I have cast book after book aside, as mentioned above, for various reasons.
The only book that I am 100% sold on is a book I read with the 8th graders last year called Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals. It is Melba's memoir of her integration into a white school in Little Rock, Arkansas. It is an eye-opener and a page-turner for sure.
Beyond that, I am really coming up short. I am unhappy with every single other book I've ever read with my 8th grade classes of the past so am starting from scratch with other options.
I recently finished a book called Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Meyer which gives an honest look at the confusion and pain of War. The only problem is that it covers the first 6 months of Operation Iraqi Freedom -- a "war" that is still going on today. I have to say, it was quite captivating for me to read, considering that as a military wife whose husband has served 2 tours in Iraq, it really hit a personal note with me. Walter Dean Meyer is a popular author who has written many well-known and award winning novels for teens. He does a really good job of staying impartial about the war and giving the reader the opportunity to ask his/her own questions and come up with his/her own answers at the end. It's about the reality of war rather than a political position on the topic. It was a very good book. I'm just unsure whether a book on this topic is even appropriate in the classroom at this time. It might all be a little bit too close to home, a little bit too fresh to broach in literature class.
Long story short, I really don't know. I have about a week to find 2 more books that I absolutely love for my 8th graders. Suggestions and comments are more than welcome (unless of course you disagree with one of my definite choices. If that is the case please keep it to yourself or you will send me into a tailspin!) :)
Until then, I must go for I have much skimming, perusing, and reading to do in order to find those perfect jr. high level novels.
My Summer Vacation is Over?! Already?!
After a week of hitting all of the (kid friendly) San Diego hotspots, I just returned from dropping my sister and her family off at the airport.
They were my very last visitors of the summer, and at this very moment, I am forcing myself to come to terms with the fact that today is my very last day of summer vacation.
Tomorrow I will make the long trek into school to be ambushed by the thousands of things I have forgotten over the course of my incredibly relaxing summer vacation. I am not looking forward to it. I expect a wave of anxiety to flood over me as I make my final approach and see the school looming at the end of the street. I expect a feeling of dread to spread throughout my body as I open my classroom doors and realize that in my hurry to begin my summer, I left my classroom in slight disarray. I expect tomorrow to be not exactly the very best day of the year.
But, I also expect that I will get over that. And I expect that there will be a few faces that I will be happy to see. I also expect to dive headlong into the planning for this coming school year. I've stated many times that it will be my last - at least at that school - so I certainly don't want it to be a flop.
While I currently feel as though I would die happy if only I could live in an eternal state of summer vacation, I do realize on some level that once I get myself back in the swing of things, I will be happy to be there.
For a few weeks, anyway.
Today I plan to catch up on email, get an oil change, do a little school clothes shopping, and get to bed early.
I will need to be well rested for my day tomorrow, afterall.
Wish me luck.
They were my very last visitors of the summer, and at this very moment, I am forcing myself to come to terms with the fact that today is my very last day of summer vacation.
Tomorrow I will make the long trek into school to be ambushed by the thousands of things I have forgotten over the course of my incredibly relaxing summer vacation. I am not looking forward to it. I expect a wave of anxiety to flood over me as I make my final approach and see the school looming at the end of the street. I expect a feeling of dread to spread throughout my body as I open my classroom doors and realize that in my hurry to begin my summer, I left my classroom in slight disarray. I expect tomorrow to be not exactly the very best day of the year.
But, I also expect that I will get over that. And I expect that there will be a few faces that I will be happy to see. I also expect to dive headlong into the planning for this coming school year. I've stated many times that it will be my last - at least at that school - so I certainly don't want it to be a flop.
While I currently feel as though I would die happy if only I could live in an eternal state of summer vacation, I do realize on some level that once I get myself back in the swing of things, I will be happy to be there.
For a few weeks, anyway.
Today I plan to catch up on email, get an oil change, do a little school clothes shopping, and get to bed early.
I will need to be well rested for my day tomorrow, afterall.
Wish me luck.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Update
Quick Update:
They've been reporting on the news lately that according to a recent study, border collies have been named the most intelligent breed of dog in the world!
If you backtrack a bit and read this blog that I recently wrote about my border collie, you will come to the same conclusion that I did.
Apparently being smart and having a sense of self-preservation are two very different things.
They've been reporting on the news lately that according to a recent study, border collies have been named the most intelligent breed of dog in the world!
If you backtrack a bit and read this blog that I recently wrote about my border collie, you will come to the same conclusion that I did.
Apparently being smart and having a sense of self-preservation are two very different things.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Living in the Lap of Luxury
I just sat and stared at my computer screen for a good 10 minutes. I don't know why, but the inspiration just isn't coming.
I suppose I could tell you about my weekend in Laguna Beach. It was interesting, that's for sure. Mike's sister and her boyfriend took us out for a fancy schmancy dinner Saturday night. I felt bad that they paid for us while at the same time realized that I would probably have a minor heart attack had they agreed to let us pay half. Let's just say, even when Mike and I are celebrating something really special we don't go to a restaurant like that.
We had a blast though. Laughed a lot a lot and I got to know his oldest sister better. All in all a very successful evening.
The next morning we met Mike's sister, her fiance, and the in-laws for Sunday brunch at the Ritz-Carlton. Yes. The Ritz-Carlton. It was the first time I had ever been to such a place, however, thanks to the movie Pretty Woman I knew that it was going to be a classy place even before I arrived.
And was it ever! Let me tell you what I had for Sunday morning brunch at the Ritz-Carlton: Champagne (constantly refilled), orange juice, water, fruit cocktail, shrimp & crab cocktail, a fontina cheese and spinach omelette with hashbrown and turkey sausage, and finally strawberry cheesecake for dessert. It was delectable.
But, the food certainly was not the best part about that Sunday brunch. The best part without a doubt was the view. Unfortunately, I lost my camera charger a few weeks ago, otherwise I'd post a picture for you to be amazed by. The hotel is situated on a cliff that overlooks the ocean. In the restaurant, there were HUGE windows across the entire west wall out of which all you could see was ocean for miles and miles. It was absolutely breathtaking.
I wouldn't mind going back there and staying for a long weekend sometime. However, my dreams were shattered when I checked out their room rates. We're talking high $400's to stay in that hotel!
Maybe some day I will be rich enough to afford that kind of luxury.
Hmm.. on second thought, I'm a teacher and my husband is in the military.
Maybe not.
I suppose I could tell you about my weekend in Laguna Beach. It was interesting, that's for sure. Mike's sister and her boyfriend took us out for a fancy schmancy dinner Saturday night. I felt bad that they paid for us while at the same time realized that I would probably have a minor heart attack had they agreed to let us pay half. Let's just say, even when Mike and I are celebrating something really special we don't go to a restaurant like that.
We had a blast though. Laughed a lot a lot and I got to know his oldest sister better. All in all a very successful evening.
The next morning we met Mike's sister, her fiance, and the in-laws for Sunday brunch at the Ritz-Carlton. Yes. The Ritz-Carlton. It was the first time I had ever been to such a place, however, thanks to the movie Pretty Woman I knew that it was going to be a classy place even before I arrived.
And was it ever! Let me tell you what I had for Sunday morning brunch at the Ritz-Carlton: Champagne (constantly refilled), orange juice, water, fruit cocktail, shrimp & crab cocktail, a fontina cheese and spinach omelette with hashbrown and turkey sausage, and finally strawberry cheesecake for dessert. It was delectable.
But, the food certainly was not the best part about that Sunday brunch. The best part without a doubt was the view. Unfortunately, I lost my camera charger a few weeks ago, otherwise I'd post a picture for you to be amazed by. The hotel is situated on a cliff that overlooks the ocean. In the restaurant, there were HUGE windows across the entire west wall out of which all you could see was ocean for miles and miles. It was absolutely breathtaking.
I wouldn't mind going back there and staying for a long weekend sometime. However, my dreams were shattered when I checked out their room rates. We're talking high $400's to stay in that hotel!
Maybe some day I will be rich enough to afford that kind of luxury.
Hmm.. on second thought, I'm a teacher and my husband is in the military.
Maybe not.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Ta Ta, Lazy Summer
Today is my last day of my lazy summer vacation. No, no, no, fear not. My summer vacation is not quite over, it's just that the remainder of it will not be very lazy.
During my lazy time I kind of accomplished some things. For example, 99% of the cabinets, closets, and drawers in my house have been thoroughly cleaned out, and I currently have 6 big bags in my car waiting to be taken to Goodwill. The really terrible thing is that I hadn't cleaned out closets, cabinets, and drawers since I moved here 3 years ago. I was so used to moving every 6 months and being forced to do the spring cleaning thing, that I suppose I was in kind of a state of rebellion.
Then, one day in conversation with some friends, Mike made a statement that spun me into a whirlwind. He said, "Sarah's version of cleaning is taking things and stuffing them into drawers and closets."
I! Do! Not! I thought to myself indignantly. At which point I realized, Well, yeah, I kind of do... which is when I realized that if things are so unimportant that they can be stuffed into some unknown drawer never to be seen again why in the world am I keeping that junk in the first place? Which was the first step in all of this - admitting I had a problem.
In any case, I've spent the last couple of weeks slowly working on that problem. I still have a bit to do, but today is my last day of that.
Because, tomorrow morning Mike and I will head to the REAL Orange County to spend our weekend in Laguna Beach with a small portion of his family. I'm super excited about it because for our upcoming 5 year anniversary his sister got us a posh hotel room right on the beach! *Darn, we should've stayed for the week!
After the weekend, Mike's parents will be heading back down to San Diego with us to spend the week.
The very day they leave, my sister, her hubby, and my gorgeous nephew will be arriving here in So Cal to take their place in our guest room.
Needless to say, I'm very excited to spend 2 weeks exploring San Diego County with various family.
And after those 2 weeks are over...... Well, we just don't need to talk about that right now. Let's just suffice it to say that thanks to my upcoming visitors, I will spend my last weeks of vacation out and about enjoying the wonderful city in which I live rather than slaving away indoors cleaning closets and drawers.
During my lazy time I kind of accomplished some things. For example, 99% of the cabinets, closets, and drawers in my house have been thoroughly cleaned out, and I currently have 6 big bags in my car waiting to be taken to Goodwill. The really terrible thing is that I hadn't cleaned out closets, cabinets, and drawers since I moved here 3 years ago. I was so used to moving every 6 months and being forced to do the spring cleaning thing, that I suppose I was in kind of a state of rebellion.
Then, one day in conversation with some friends, Mike made a statement that spun me into a whirlwind. He said, "Sarah's version of cleaning is taking things and stuffing them into drawers and closets."
I! Do! Not! I thought to myself indignantly. At which point I realized, Well, yeah, I kind of do... which is when I realized that if things are so unimportant that they can be stuffed into some unknown drawer never to be seen again why in the world am I keeping that junk in the first place? Which was the first step in all of this - admitting I had a problem.
In any case, I've spent the last couple of weeks slowly working on that problem. I still have a bit to do, but today is my last day of that.
Because, tomorrow morning Mike and I will head to the REAL Orange County to spend our weekend in Laguna Beach with a small portion of his family. I'm super excited about it because for our upcoming 5 year anniversary his sister got us a posh hotel room right on the beach! *Darn, we should've stayed for the week!
After the weekend, Mike's parents will be heading back down to San Diego with us to spend the week.
The very day they leave, my sister, her hubby, and my gorgeous nephew will be arriving here in So Cal to take their place in our guest room.
Needless to say, I'm very excited to spend 2 weeks exploring San Diego County with various family.
And after those 2 weeks are over...... Well, we just don't need to talk about that right now. Let's just suffice it to say that thanks to my upcoming visitors, I will spend my last weeks of vacation out and about enjoying the wonderful city in which I live rather than slaving away indoors cleaning closets and drawers.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Not Just Any Dog
I came upon a quote once that said, "If it's not a border collie, it's just a dog."
Well, I have a border collie, and I'm here to tell you today that there is nothing more true than that statement.
There are times when my border collie Ramsey behaves like a normal dog. When no one else is around he is able to relax and cuddle and sleep. On walks, also, he is a fairly normal dog.
But any time anyone new or different is around, any time a ball or frisbee is anywhere in his vicinity, or any time anyone goes swimming in our pool he turns into some kind of super dog freak.
For example, this weekend we took our dogs to the local dog park. Our husky ran around and socialized with the other dogs. Very normal. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Our border collie, on the other hand, was on a mission the entire time he was there. The mission, if I was reading his body language correctly, went something like this: MUST. CHASE. BALLS. Notimeforanythingelse. MUST. CHASE. BALLS.
We had brought a ball for him to fetch, but it didn't quite go fast enough or far enough for his standards. He is crazy fast. And he never just trots or jogs anywhere he goes. He is always in an all out, full on sprint that amazes everyone who ever sees him. You can barely see his feet touch the ground. I kid you not.
In any case, the ball I was throwing wasn't good enough for him. So, he set his sites on the frisbee guy. There was a guy there with his boxer who was very obviously trying to teach his boxer to play fetch. Well, sorry boxer guy, but your dog never stood a chance at catching that frisbee when Ramsey noticed it. Without fail, the man would toss the frisbee, and Ramsey would haul ass to the end of the dog park, jump into the air, and catch it victoriously in his mouth. I don't think that man liked Ramsey very much. He seemed rather miffed.
If his biggest problem was that he stole other dogs' frisbees, I wouldn't worry about it too much. But, that's not even it. The problem is that he doesn't have any limits. Most dogs have limits and pain thresholds. But, border collies aren't built like most dogs, and I do believe that my border collie would chase a frisbee until he keeled over dead. No joke.
Because he ran at an all out sprint chasing every frisbee or ball being thrown in that dog park that day, he was near death when we forced his exit from the dog park.
I felt like the worst dog owner in the world walking my exhausted, gasping for breath, foaming at the mouth border collie back to the car. I wanted to scream to the accusing onlookers, "I tried to make him stop to drink water! He would take two sips and run off in search of a ball! I tried to stop throwing him the ball in order to give him a much needed rest! He would simply take the ball and drop it a someone else's feet! He's a maniac! A maniac I tell you!"
But, it wouldn't have mattered had I tried to defend myself. When other dog owners look at Ramsey they see a dog just like any other. What they don't realize is that Ramsey is not just any dog; he is a border collie and those two things are not even close to being the same thing.
Well, I have a border collie, and I'm here to tell you today that there is nothing more true than that statement.
There are times when my border collie Ramsey behaves like a normal dog. When no one else is around he is able to relax and cuddle and sleep. On walks, also, he is a fairly normal dog.
But any time anyone new or different is around, any time a ball or frisbee is anywhere in his vicinity, or any time anyone goes swimming in our pool he turns into some kind of super dog freak.
For example, this weekend we took our dogs to the local dog park. Our husky ran around and socialized with the other dogs. Very normal. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Our border collie, on the other hand, was on a mission the entire time he was there. The mission, if I was reading his body language correctly, went something like this: MUST. CHASE. BALLS. Notimeforanythingelse. MUST. CHASE. BALLS.
We had brought a ball for him to fetch, but it didn't quite go fast enough or far enough for his standards. He is crazy fast. And he never just trots or jogs anywhere he goes. He is always in an all out, full on sprint that amazes everyone who ever sees him. You can barely see his feet touch the ground. I kid you not.
In any case, the ball I was throwing wasn't good enough for him. So, he set his sites on the frisbee guy. There was a guy there with his boxer who was very obviously trying to teach his boxer to play fetch. Well, sorry boxer guy, but your dog never stood a chance at catching that frisbee when Ramsey noticed it. Without fail, the man would toss the frisbee, and Ramsey would haul ass to the end of the dog park, jump into the air, and catch it victoriously in his mouth. I don't think that man liked Ramsey very much. He seemed rather miffed.
If his biggest problem was that he stole other dogs' frisbees, I wouldn't worry about it too much. But, that's not even it. The problem is that he doesn't have any limits. Most dogs have limits and pain thresholds. But, border collies aren't built like most dogs, and I do believe that my border collie would chase a frisbee until he keeled over dead. No joke.
Because he ran at an all out sprint chasing every frisbee or ball being thrown in that dog park that day, he was near death when we forced his exit from the dog park.
I felt like the worst dog owner in the world walking my exhausted, gasping for breath, foaming at the mouth border collie back to the car. I wanted to scream to the accusing onlookers, "I tried to make him stop to drink water! He would take two sips and run off in search of a ball! I tried to stop throwing him the ball in order to give him a much needed rest! He would simply take the ball and drop it a someone else's feet! He's a maniac! A maniac I tell you!"
But, it wouldn't have mattered had I tried to defend myself. When other dog owners look at Ramsey they see a dog just like any other. What they don't realize is that Ramsey is not just any dog; he is a border collie and those two things are not even close to being the same thing.
Monday, August 3, 2009
A Lake and a Plan
I promise myself that as soon as I finish writing this post and send it out into cyber world I will get my butt off this computer chair and go be productive.
Not that I haven't been productive lately, it's just that it usually takes me a couple of hours in the morning to get my act together. There's just way too many interesting things to do that add absolutely zero value to my life. Most of these things include the internet, my one tried and true addiction.
Mooving on..
Today I am going to start my day with a walk around a lake. It's a 5 mile trek, and the reason I love it so much is because it just fits the bill for the kind of workout I need/can handle. This is how my walk usually goes: I am completely gung ho, this is easier than I thought for the first oh.. say.. about 3 miles? At which point I start to feel tired, hot, thirsty. If I were on my elliptical at home or walking in my neighborhood I could easily end the exercise. Exercise is supposed to be all mind over matter, but I don't really have any of that. This is not the case with the lake, though. You see, if you don't turn around when you hit mile marker 2, you're bound to finish the entire 5 miles either by turning around at mile 2.5 or actually making your way around the rest of the lake.
I also love the lake so much because it is BEAUUUTIFUL, and there are just people everywhere. People of varying levels of athleticism all exercising. Some ride bikes, some rollerblade, some run, some walk. It's very motivational.
I normally procrastinate and head to the lake around 11:00 -- which has me walking during peak sun hours -- which isn't the smartest planning on my part - which is why I am bound and determined to get out of the house early this morning.
So yeah, I am going to take a walk around this lake as soon as I stop writing and hit "Publish".
Btw, I tried biking it once thinking it would be easier exercise. Not so much. I mean, yeah I finished the lake much more quickly. But, OUCH, my butt! It literally hurt for days after my bike ride. Before I try that one again, I might have to invest in some of those padded shorts I always make fun of bikers for wearing!
Oh gosh, I am so longwinded that I started out trying to tell you my schedule, and I haven't even gotten past the first thing!
#2 on my life of To Do's today is straighten up the house including doing dishes and some laundry.
#3 is take a shower and go grocery shopping.
#4 is call my beautician (do people even call them that anymore?) because I am in desperate need of a new hair color.
#5 is clean my bedroom. I have been doing spring cleaning room by room, but have terribly procrastinated on my bedroom. I mean, I already cleaned out my closet, but that's only the half of it. I still have a dresser full of junk I have to go through and give away.
#6 Is the sun still out? Relax in the pool with a good book.
And that's about it.
Sometime this week I want to go into school and check out what's going on there. It's always nervewrecking going back there after a few months off. I never know what I'm going to walk into or just how overwhelmed I'll be. But, oddly, I have already started thinking about the school year and actually getting somewhat *GASP* excited about it. Shocking, I know. I even created a website where my students and parents can go for homework assignments and announcements. I am thrilled about it.
So, I suppose I need to get this thing published and get my butt out the door.
Sionara my friends, I'm heading out the door to take a nice walk around a lake.
Not that I haven't been productive lately, it's just that it usually takes me a couple of hours in the morning to get my act together. There's just way too many interesting things to do that add absolutely zero value to my life. Most of these things include the internet, my one tried and true addiction.
Mooving on..
Today I am going to start my day with a walk around a lake. It's a 5 mile trek, and the reason I love it so much is because it just fits the bill for the kind of workout I need/can handle. This is how my walk usually goes: I am completely gung ho, this is easier than I thought for the first oh.. say.. about 3 miles? At which point I start to feel tired, hot, thirsty. If I were on my elliptical at home or walking in my neighborhood I could easily end the exercise. Exercise is supposed to be all mind over matter, but I don't really have any of that. This is not the case with the lake, though. You see, if you don't turn around when you hit mile marker 2, you're bound to finish the entire 5 miles either by turning around at mile 2.5 or actually making your way around the rest of the lake.
I also love the lake so much because it is BEAUUUTIFUL, and there are just people everywhere. People of varying levels of athleticism all exercising. Some ride bikes, some rollerblade, some run, some walk. It's very motivational.
I normally procrastinate and head to the lake around 11:00 -- which has me walking during peak sun hours -- which isn't the smartest planning on my part - which is why I am bound and determined to get out of the house early this morning.
So yeah, I am going to take a walk around this lake as soon as I stop writing and hit "Publish".
Btw, I tried biking it once thinking it would be easier exercise. Not so much. I mean, yeah I finished the lake much more quickly. But, OUCH, my butt! It literally hurt for days after my bike ride. Before I try that one again, I might have to invest in some of those padded shorts I always make fun of bikers for wearing!
Oh gosh, I am so longwinded that I started out trying to tell you my schedule, and I haven't even gotten past the first thing!
#2 on my life of To Do's today is straighten up the house including doing dishes and some laundry.
#3 is take a shower and go grocery shopping.
#4 is call my beautician (do people even call them that anymore?) because I am in desperate need of a new hair color.
#5 is clean my bedroom. I have been doing spring cleaning room by room, but have terribly procrastinated on my bedroom. I mean, I already cleaned out my closet, but that's only the half of it. I still have a dresser full of junk I have to go through and give away.
#6 Is the sun still out? Relax in the pool with a good book.
And that's about it.
Sometime this week I want to go into school and check out what's going on there. It's always nervewrecking going back there after a few months off. I never know what I'm going to walk into or just how overwhelmed I'll be. But, oddly, I have already started thinking about the school year and actually getting somewhat *GASP* excited about it. Shocking, I know. I even created a website where my students and parents can go for homework assignments and announcements. I am thrilled about it.
So, I suppose I need to get this thing published and get my butt out the door.
Sionara my friends, I'm heading out the door to take a nice walk around a lake.
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