Why I Want to be a Teacher

So I am now in the process of applying to get back into college (graduate studies) and begin taking classes toward my teaching credential. First I have 4 classes that I need to complete as pre-requisities (co-requisities) in the Spring. Then I should be approved for the Credential program, which I am hoping is available to start over the summer, otherwise it will be in fall.

California right now is in crisis mode, like so many other states, and teaching has not been left untouched. Our budget for the state is in serious trouble, and our state legislature remains paralyzed over how to proceed. Not unlike the Congress of our country. Anyway, for the second time in as many years, teachers' unions are facing the unenviable task of trying to decide how to save money in case the state has no help for them, and that usually means layoffs.

In our state, public school teachers receive their tenure after only 2 years. But that does not guarantee protection, especially when they are talking about laying off teachers who have been on the job up to 5 years. And there are plenty of good teachers in that mix. Teachers who are doing the job for all the right reasons....not just for the benefits. And they may be lost while so many veteran teachers (not all of whom are very good at what they do) remain on the job simply due to seniority. I don't want to address this issue right now since it is more complex.

But, the point is, why on earth would I still want to teach, knowing how unstable the profession is? The answer is....I have a passion for it and it is always something I secretly longed to do and never thought I would be in a position to try. I have been teaching as a substitute teacher for the last 4 years and loving every minute of it. I have learned so much from not only the teachers, but the students as well. I cannot imagine doing anything else.

I will work for the students who struggle, not the students who are high achievers and will succeed with or without me, but the ones who just need that extra push to "get it". I love to see when they are on the verge of grasping a concept, and I just keep trying harder to reach them, and when they finally have a breakthrough, it is a victory for both of us. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing that light bulb go on in a child's eyes. They are so proud of themselves, and I am so proud to share in that moment with them. It gives me a thrill that is hard to describe. And they give you so much LOVE in return.

I believe I will be a good teacher...perhaps even a great teacher. Because I want to be great for the kids to get the most out of me for themselves. I want them to understand all of it. Even the hard to reach ones. It sometimes only takes one person in a child's life to make the difference between tuning in or dropping out. And I am going to be working so hard to make them tune in. I think 4th grade may be that pivotal age, my dad and I talked about it. That's the age they try to test the waters...see what they can get away with. And the subjects get harder, and that's when alot of them seem to unplug if they don't get it.

So...I'm going to finish my education, and I will work in the school system. Even if I am unable to get a teaching job right away, I will stay in the academic arena, waiting for the opportunity to serve in the classroom. Turning on a child's mind is the biggest reward for me. I get teary eyed at the kids' plays and achievements, and they're not even mine. It is just such a natural high for me to see that spark, to be surrounded by the joy and exuberance of children.

I cannot wait......

Parexting

Yes, you read the title correctly....Parexting. I watched The View on Friday when they had a speical "how to handle your teens" episode. One of the things they discussed was texting (or IMing) on cell phones, computers, Sidekicks, etc. They introduced the term "Sexting" which is Texting + Sex = Sexting. So I am introducing my own term, Parexting: Parenting + Texting. I figured if they can have their own teen friendly lingo, why shouldn't parents be able to text their kids to let them know what they're thinking?

So....here is a list I have started.....I'm sure I'll be adding more as the years go by. Feel free to add your own in the Comments:

WRU - Where R U?
WRUD - What R U Doing?
WRUW - Who R U With?
CHN - Come Home Now
IMI! - I Mean It!
CYR - Clean Your Room
PUYC - Pick Up Your Clothes
PUSA - Put Your Stuff Away
STT - Set The Table
CTT - Clear The Table
CUTDP - Clean Up The Dog Poop
STL - Scoop The Litterbox
LMSYH - Let Me See Your Homework
WIYRC - Where Is Your Report Card?
GJ! - Great Job!
W2G! - Way 2 Go!
UrTB! - Ur The Best!
UIT - Ur In Trouble
WCUBLYS/B? - Why Can't U Be Like Your Sister/Brother?
UG - Ur Grounded
UG4L - Ur Grounded 4 Life
ISLU - I Still Love U
YNDIML - You'll Never Drive In My Lifetime
WIYS/B - Where Is Your Sister/Brother?
GAYM/D - Go Ask Your Mom/Dad
NNIHH - Not Now, I Have a Headache (can be used with hubby too!)

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Disclaimer: I LOVE MY KIDS!!!! But, I am NOT looking forward to the teen years!

Womb for Rent

With all the news about Nadya Suleman and her crazy obsession with babies I have been walking around today in kind of a pissed off mood. It's what I refer to as irresponsible reproduction. I was going to blog about this and vent all my anger and frustration regarding single parents who use their children to collect money (that includes divorced parents who wreak hell on their ex-spouses by trying to wring every last nickel out of them so they can stay home and sit on their asses), but I figured once I got going I wouldn't be able to stop myself.

So.....I am going to try the humorous approach.......

I have decided that my new life's calling is going to be surrogacy. After all, my hormone balance while I was pregnant seemed to be optimum. Unlike other moms I have heard about, I was not on a hormone roller coaster, but rather I was the most even tempered I've ever been. Nothing seemed to bother me. My husband and I often joked that he was gonna keep me knocked up for our entire marriage. Now, we can make our dreams come true.

People pay big bucks who need to rent a womb. And all medical costs are covered. I could use the money to stay home from teaching and get my teaching credential. Full time school without having to work, now that's what I call living. And the best part is, I'd get to use Stork Parking at school and not have to walk as far to the campus buildings. And people are Sooooo nice to pregnant women. I could have it real easy again for 9 months at a time. I'm healthy for my age, pregnancy was not a terrible experience for me, and other than the normal discomforts during the last trimester, I could handle it easily. Plus, I wouldn't actually have to RAISE the kids myself, and no more midnight feedings.

But first, I think I need to get a divorce so I could collect additional money for child support. I'd also qualify for financial aid for school as a single parent with no income who is trying to better herself by attending school. Sometimes, the courts even PAY you to get further education so your ex-spouse doesn't have to pay as much in alimony. Hey, that's right...I'll get at least 4.5 years of alimony payments in addition to money for the 2 kids. And I'm bound to get more than his first ex-wife since she only bore 1 child. I've got her beat. She's gonna be pissed. That's an added bonus.

Hell, if this works out, I could even get my Master's. Things are really shaping up. And don't forget food stamps and welfare, because after all, what good is staying home and using my womb for profit if I'm not gonna get some free groceries on top of it all? Everyone's a sucker for the children...that's why they can't get anyone off welfare, because the children will suffer, and we can't have that. Maybe I could even go door to door asking for cash donations for infant formula like the guy who drove by our house today. Just say the words "baby, child, infant, food" all in one sentence and watch people whip out their wallets. Then, with all the money I'll be getting, I can finally get the living room redecorated the way I want.

Man, why didn't I think of this sooner? What was I thinking, staying home to raise my kids and sending hubby off to work his butt off to keep us going. I could have been doing that all along, plus popping out other kids for other people and getting PAID for it! Or maybe I should slip on a wet floor at work and throw my back out and stay home and collect workers compensation for 5 or 6 years. That would also help me stay home and love my children more, right? I mean, it IS all about the children, isn't it?

I need to hire a publicist and generate some public awareness of my generosity as a mother...then I can make even more money while I'm going to school so I can be a professional student (I mean loving mother). This is gonna be big. I'm gonna be famous. Books, movies, maybe even a Lifetime original movie or a reality show.

I think I'm onto something here.....

Skate Park

Papa and I took the kids to the local skate park yesterday. We went first thing in the a.m., hoping to avoid the crowd of older kids. When we first arrived, there were only 2 other boys so that was good. Of course, my son decided he wanted to follow them around....

....WELL.....he had never been to a skate park, and I told him that he should go slowly at first until he got to know the layout. But he was trying to show off for the other boys, so he ended up going over the edge of a part that was not designed for scooters. It launched him, quite literally, right over the handlebars and onto his face. There was no time for him to put his hands out. I waited for the screaming to start, especially since there was blood all over his hands when he put them to his mouth. I thought for sure he might have knocked his (adult) front teeth out, or broken his nose. I mean he smacked the concrete HARD!!! I started walking toward him, telling him to stay calm (I think I was talking to both of us actually). Normally when he gets hurt, he emits a high pitched scream that is even higher in tone than most females. But I think since the other boys were watching (everyone pretty much stopped when he smacked the pavement), he was playing it cool. He seemed fascinated at the amount of blood on his hands from his mouth. I took a quick look and was relieved to see all of his teeth. I signaled to Papa, who was already on his way, to take him to the restroom to rinse his mouth and assess the damage. Meanwhile, sonny boy is telling the other boys, "I'm alright, it's cool." Mister Joe Cool....where did this kid come from?

After they left for the restroom, I'm thinking, well that's the end of the skate park. I headed over to retrieve his fallen scooter, which one of other boys was kindly bringing toward me. The kid says to me with a big grin, "He's crazy!" He was clearly impressed. I said, yeah, he's trying to keep up with you guys. Mind you, they are both a few years older than my son.

I am listening for the sounds of blood curdling screams issuing from the men's room, and to my surprise, there is relative quiet. Does this mean he has passed out from all the blood? Is he in shock? Where are the girlie screams? Not a put down, that's just his normal reaction. Peer pressure is keeping him silent and brave.

When he finally emerges, he is resolute....with a fat upper lip on the right side and a blister forming above his lip. Papa says his front left tooth is a little loose, but intact. I am thankful it is not worse. Normally, he has his little tongue sticking out of his mouth (the tip) whenever he is concentrating on doing something. Thankfully, this was not the case or he would have bit it off for sure. He decides to take a small rest for awhile, but is still waving and giving a thumbs up to the other boys, like some sort of politician on parade. Amazing.

Meanwhile, girlie is still standing against the wall debating this whole skate park thing. When we visited the night before and saw all the older kids doing their thing, they were both so jazzed to go the following day. They woke us up at 7 am asking "are we going yet?" This continued for the next 3 hours until it was time to leave. But after she was faced with the actual ramp and her scooter, she seemed to be having second thoughts. I wasn't pushing it.

But, once again, the boys who were there were having some strange effect on my kids.....apparently my babies couldn't bear the thought of others thinking they were chicken. Great....not a good sign for their future. Next thing I know, girlie is pushing off on the "baby ramp" and now it is on.

All in all, it wasn't too bad of a day. We only stayed for an hour, once the bigger kids and bikes started to show up, it was safer to leave. She ended up bruising her hip when she didn't quite make it up one of the ramps and fell on her side.

Papa thinks I'm nuts for letting them do this. They are daredevils at heart...both of them. I have been living with my heart in my throat their entire lives. There will be broken bones for both I am sure. It is only a matter of time. Not that I'm in a rush. I told them both that since they are so young, they will not be allowed to go back until I buy more protective gear (wrist guards), and next time they have to wear elbow and knee pads or they can't ride. I can at least try to minimize the damage.

God help me!

January Rambler

Yikes! I didn't realize the month is almost over (already) and I haven't posted my monthly Rambler (random). So here goes....

• I'm stuck already. Usually my mind is so filled with useless information.
• Did you hear about that woman who gave birth to 8 kids? Holy Uterus....
• Speaking of a ton of kids, the Duggar family (18 kids and counting)....surely she must just sneeze them out by now, don't ya think? She must have to wear Depends, cuz honestly, she probably craps her drawers if she stumbles on the sidewalk. Just sayin.
• I now consider 40 and 50 degree weather cold. That is just wrong.
• My hands are chapped and look like they belong to an 80 year old woman. I guess that's better than an 80 year old man.
• If I was rich I would still shop at Target. There's no way I'd pay $1000 for a frickin pair of designer jeans. Oh yeah, and I would DEFINITELY get a housecleaner so I'd never have to clean my own house again.
• Why does my butt always go numb when I'm typing on my laptop too long? Surely I have enough padding back there....
• I need to get paperwork going to re-register for college so I can start taking my pre-req classes toward my teaching credential. I'm having trouble motivating to start that process.
• I lost 5 lbs last week and have no idea how I did it. Happy, but frustrating not knowing. Don't expect the same results this week.
• Do you think if I held the vacuum hose to my chin/neck it would tighten the skin, or just make it looser?
• I hate to wear turtlenecks cuz my neck is really sensitive to materials and ends up itching and breaking out. So looks like scarves will be my camouflage of choice.
• I told my kids if they didn't behave I'd take my PedEgg foot shavings and sprinkle them on their cereal and call it Footie Flakes. It was a joke....I would never do that, but they thought it was funny.
• My daughter told me she was getting Pissed Off at me today. That ended the outside play time. (see point directly above)
• Is Cheetos a dairy product cuz of the cheese? I sure wish...
• My son is in the process of mastering burping on command and my daughter has been so "windy" lately I'm gonna start calling her Tootie.
• We won't even TALK about the dog's gas. I mean, eye-watering, wake you up from a dead sleep and cry gas.
• My swearing is down to the bare minimum.....but I'm holding on to Holy Crap!

Okay, until next month's Rambler....

Stress Test

Okay, so today was the day I finally had my treadmill stress test. The test I had to reschedule like 3 times already due to work getting in the way. The test that I was taking because of my panic attack a few months back.

So anyway, I am dreading this because, for anyone who knows me, I am NOT a runner. I do not mean that euphemistically. I mean, literally, I have not HAD to run in YEARS. If my life depended on it, I might be able to muster a few half hearted strides, but more than likely I'd just tell the person chasing me that I'd save both of us the time and trouble. So the idea of getting on a treadmill for the specific purpose of increasing my heart rate to the targeted 90% of it's maximum allowable did not turn me on in any sense of the word.

But...I was secretly hoping I would at least make it to the running portion.

So, after waiting for nearly an hour in the reception area (getting my stress level elevated all the more), I was making friendly conversation with a middle aged lady who had brought her elderly mother in to the doctor. When they called my name, the nice lady told me to just relax.

Oh yeah, I left out another detail. In preparation for this grand event, I decided to wear not only my regular, every day bra, but over that I put on my "sport bra" that has never seen the light of day outside my closet and then put my cute little Nike running shirt over that. I figured I wished neither to bounce or poke through my shirt, if you get my drift. When I got to the initial exam room where they put all the little heart contacts all over your upper body, they said I could not wear the sports bra since it puts pressure on the contacts and causes false readouts. Now what would I have done if I hadn't had my backup bra? I shudder to think. Hubby says I would have come home with black eyes...but he never suspected how the test would go.

Okay, back to the story. So they call me back and the nurse is explaining (after taking my blood pressure and hooking all the wires up to the contacts stuck all over me) that the object of the test is to monitor my heart rate until it reaches the aforementioned 90% level, and at that point they will stop the treadmill regardless of how long I have been on it. She says it will start slowly, with increased incline and speed after 3 minute intervals. She will give me a 20 second warning prior to the increases so I will be ready. Yeah, right.

We wait for the good doctor to join us. He comes in and sits down at the machine and I swear he is catching up on his medical journal reading since he barely looked at anything. The nurse tells me to start and off we go at a nice leisurely pace that is very manageable. My heart rate is at the 40% mark at the beginning of the test and I can see the monitor from the treadmill.

Walking, walking, incline, incline. Hey, this isn't so bad. I'm sure I can muster up the breath and stamina for at least 10 minutes on this puppy, right?

"Okay, it will get faster in 20 seconds" says the nurse. I'm like, no problem lady. She steps forward to hit the computer buttons and take my blood pressure. "How are you doing?" she asks. Oh fine, no problem.

Walking, a little bit briskly, calves are starting to burn, 35% incline, and I'm feeling it. My breathing is coming a little harder and I notice my arms have this funny reddish hue. Oh well, must be the fluorescent lighting. Keep moving. Heart is at...holy crap! I'm already near the 70% level! Okay, focus, breathe, keep moving.

The nice nurse announces the next increase is imminent as she once again steps forward to cuff me. I'm thinking, ok, you can do this, just hang in there.

Machine amps up to a fast paced walk. I guess technically I could have jogged it but I'm playing tough guy/gal. Uh oh, my breathing really sounds labored and that funny skin color is getting a little darker. Darn lighting! I glance at the monitor and I'm at 85%. Doc glances up from his reading material to announce they're going to shut it down in 15 seconds. I hit 90% in no time after that and they shut me down.

I'm humiliated....I never even got to trot.

The absent minded doc announces that I have a healthy heart. He's probably thinking how could this 44 year old otherwise perfectly healthy looking woman not even last to a jog? But he doesn't say that as he excuses himself from the room.

I ask the nice nurse if most patients get to the running portion. She politely smiles and nods, sensing my embarassment. Great! I lasted an entire 6 minutes and 38 seconds!

As I'm leaving, I notice the nice older lady I was talking to has rejoined her mother, who has finished with her exam. She glances up in surprise, probably shocked that I'm done already. I smile and tell her I didn't set any endurance records, the docs probably wanted to go home for the day anyway.

In the car, I call my mom to let her know how horrible I did. I ask her to check with my dad, who had this test done when he was 70 years old, to see how long he made it. Over her snorting laughter, she asks him and his answer just sets her off in another fit of giggles. She finally gasps "17 or 18 minutes, at a full run!".

My humiliation is complete. Oh well, at least I didn't fall off the darn thing.

*****
P.S. Play the above video...it's only 52 seconds and totally worth it. Do eet!!!

Inauguration Day

I received the best birthday present today ever. I watched our new President, Barack Obama, sworn into office with great pride and alot of emotion. When I saw him silhouetted in the doorway, waiting pensively to proceed out the door and down the stairs to the podium, I was filled with joy and elation. This is it....the start of something new. Hope lives again....hokey as it sounds, I really think so many of us feel that. For those who insist Presidents always break their word....need I remind you that we have a very DIFFERENT president this time? He brings the experience of growing up "black" in America...and that lends a whole different set of sensibilities to the job. He can appreciate, truly, what it is like to be the underdog. It is not merely rhetoric. He knows it, has lived it, understands it and does not forget it. He has the unique experience of being of both black and white heritage, has seen the world through both prisms of color...denying neither while embracing both. Why does this matter? It matters because for so long, our country has made judgments based on skin tone....people have been qualified or exempted on this basis alone. And today, as we all embrace this man and his heritage, we must now, finally and forever more, look past the skin barrier that so many have used to exclude. He is the best of all of us...that is why he gives us hope. If he can do it, nothing is impossible.

I did not grow up in the era of segregation....I was a child of the 70's when the hippies roamed freely and protested war. Civil rights was still fresh and new and the Black Panthers were not a group I either knew or understood. I was more familiar with the Hells Angels and hippies who hung out on the street my brother and I walked to go to school. I was not aware of being white probably because if you live as a "majority" it is never an issue for you. I never became too aware of my color until I moved to California where there are so many other ethnic groups that are prevailant. But my parents chose to stay in a city where integration was the norm when so many other families were taking part in the "white flight" syndrome and heading out to newly developed suburbs where blacks were not yet settled. My parents believed in making sure their kids knew the world was not made of white. They welcomed all ethnicities and people of any sexual orientation into our home. My younger brother, who suffers from a host of maladies and had been shunned largely by the white kids, always chose instead to surround himself with black friends. They were just naturally more accepting...I always said it was because they understand what it is like to be locked out. They weren't cruel or judgemental, and have always been more loving and accepting. We were not forbidden to date other ethnicities, and all were welcome in our home. I did not fully appreciate that until I grew old enough to know what it meant and what it sometimes cost my parents to be that accepting. There were plenty of people who snubbed my parents because of it. People who left our house before nightfall because they were afraid of being in our neighborhood after dark.

My husband is neither black nor white. He is Hawaiian and Japanese....and our kids are like the United Nations with all our heritages combined. My stepson is Japanese. My children play with all ethnicities and we have chosen to live in an integrated neighborhood as well. Some would even say whites are in the minority here. But I see with each new generation the color blindness that seems to come with it...and that makes me happy. Because I know, and I feel, that we are finally getting there as a nation...where there will no longer even be separate ethnicities because everyone will continue to combine and love each other for what's on the inside, not on the outside.

And so, I am hopeful for our President, our people and our country. Happy birthday indeed!

The Party's Over

School winter break ended today and my dear firstborn is back at school. Poor thing was a wreck last night and this morning. He couldn't fall asleep last night, after so many late nights while out of school. The kids have become accustomed to cuddling in the Mama Bear bed while Papa Bear is at work. So now they find it hard sometimes to fall asleep without me next to them. He was just so tired all he could do was cry. So after a little "sleepy milk" for sweet dreams, hair stroking to soothe his whimpers and laying down next to him until he drifted off he finally conked out at nearly 11:00 last night.

I knew this morning was gonna be ugly. So I sent Papa up to wake him...he usually responds better to him in the morning. But he sluggishly got up, stumbled to his dresser to get his clothes, all the while moaning about going to school and on the verge of another crying jag. He mechanically got dressed, was marched into the bathroom for hair and teeth duty and cried the whole time he was brushing. It was the saddest thing. So I cuddled with him for a few minutes, then we headed downstairs for breakfast. Hate to say it, but turned the TV on to distract him and that seemed to do the trick. Cartoons soothe the savage student.

By the time it was time to leave, he was a whole new kid. When he got out of the car, he cheerily said goodbye, slung his backpack over his shoulder (he wears one strap diagonally over his chest rather than the 2 strap method), and walked away peering ahead for his school buds.

They don't miss ya for long......

For Janette

Check out her blog...it's linked on my page under Blog Buddies. Janette Barber is one of Rosie's comedy writers and a VERY funny lady. The kids and I made this for her today...

On Shaky Ground

If you haven't already heard, we had a moderate earthquake here last night, about 15 miles from where I live. It was either a 4.5 or a 5.0, but definitely could be felt. The kiddies were a little freaked. They were in the boys' room on upper bunk, where the shaking was probably a little more intense. Poor K starting crying since she didn't know what was happening. Then I reminded her about the "earth quicks" (that's what she calls them). She calmed down and started talking about the house wiggling and how brave she would be for the next time. They were all wound up for a good 45 minutes after that, running around showing how brave they both are. It was cute.

Speaking of brave, my poor baby had her first (and hopefully last) CAVITY today! Can you believe it..only 4 years old and they are already drilling. Yikes! She was such a good girl and it was kinda funny watching her get used to them "putting her tooth to sleep". I could tell when the novacaine (sp?) started to work cuz she got that rubber lip look. When we got home I took a picture...I wanted to capture her crooked little smile, but she kinda just gave me a numb stare.

And then of course, Thing 1 wanted his picture taken, so I had him pose with his "dental goodies". The floss, by the way, has already been ripped from the dispenser and fashioned into a repelling line for one of his action figures. Oh well, whatcha gonna do?

Thanks Mom!

You know why....

Out and About

The kids and I spent most of the day out and about getting exercise, shopping, visiting my MIL. The weather was glorious and it felt good to be out in the fresh air. Invigorating, rejuvenating. Bought a bunch of healthy veggies and fruits and attempted to make a healthy dinner, which of course my kids ate little of.

Now I'm watching the stomach churning Nancy Grace and her coverage of the Caylee Anthony case. Every day there is some dramatic new turn in the case. Later I'm gonna watch the Patrick Swayze interview...he's always been one of my favorites. That should be nice and depressing.

My blog. For me.

Happy (Belated) New Year!

I will add pics of our wild party later...right now I'm on the laptop and my camera card does not fit on here. The kids and I really burned the midnight oil. They were asleep by 10:30 and when I woke them a little before midnight they were both big crabby patties. I did manage to burn one of our leftover, not so legal, fireworks in the back yard. Neighbors across the street had some that actually could be seen from the street, so that was kinda cool. Hubby had to work, so he probably got more sleep than I did that night.

My wish for all of you this year is continued good health, financial stability, friendships that last forever and great times with your loved ones. As Penny always says, go make a memory today.
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Okay, here's a collage I made of the kids from our "New Year's Eve party"...

Final 2008 Rambler (Random)

I'm gonna post my random thoughts under the title Rambler from now on. Maybe I will start a new trend....

• I can't stop watching trainwreck shows like Real Housewives of OC (or used to when we had full satellite). Even though they piss me off, I am riveted. Nothing about that show is REAL.
• Made in China...if I see that one more time I will scream!
• If the Chinese keep making all our clothes, I need a new size for Extra Large. I think they think Extra Large is a size 8 or something.
• I need to find a happy pill. My bitch switch seems to be stuck in the On position.
• Why do I feel compelled to ask why all the time?
• Are there people who read this and never comment? Or is it just me, Liz and Looney? Lurkers leave a comment and say hi please!
• I laugh at things other people think aren't that funny. Who has the problem here?
• It's easy to tell everyone else to lighten up but I can't seem to do it myself....
• I'd like to save money by growing my own food but I kill everything I try to plant and I like to eat meat but can't kill animals. Is that wrong? I cried the first time I caught a fish and it swallowed the hook and died in my hand.
• I find fart humor hilarious. And I'm almost 44 years old. I have passed this gift on to my children....
• I swear in front of my kids when I get mad and my parents are horrified, as are most other parents. But my kids know not to use the bad words. Believe me, it's not the end of the world.
• Okay, Katie did use the F word just once when she was like 2....but she didn't know it was bad and I was proud she at least used it in the right context.
• I won't use swear words when I'm a teacher but I'll be thinking them....
• I make myself laugh but someone has to.
• My kids still think McDonald's is actually called Old MacDonald's. They started saying it when they were younger and I never bothered to correct it because I think it is cute.
• My daughter is so independent she drives me nuts but I'm glad to know she will be a strong and independent woman. Could she please just hold that thought until she is out of the house?
• At what age will I finally stop caring how I look? It hasn't arrived yet....
• One of my favorite things about this year is that I made a bunch of online friends that I hope to meet in person one day.....remember if you're ever in CA you better look me up!
• The phrase "don't sweat the small stuff" was coined by a man. You know...men...the ones who don't have to sweat the small stuff because their wives do it for them....
• Not you, honey, you're the best husband ever! :-)
• No wonder women drive men crazy....we can't make up our minds what we want and expect them to know anyway!
• I think I have too much testosterone in my system.... I always take my anger to the next level (like 100) when maybe an 80 would do....
• My favorite saying is "Balls, said the Queen...if I had them I'd be King". That says alot right there.

Happy New Year everybody!

Another Year and I'm Still Here....

This time of year seems to have several strange effects on my emotional state. I am 3000 miles away from my hometown and all those I ever knew and loved (except of course my hubby and kids and my big bro), but being so far away during the holidays always makes me feel an ache to be back in Ohio. I am restless and feel like a fish out of water, even after being here in SoCal for nearly 11 years. I don't think it will ever change!

My point is that the holidays resurrect these thoughts of what friends and family are all about, and I STILL don't feel like I belong here. My kids are missing so much from the family standpoint. I have oodles of aunts, uncles, cousins, 2nd and 3rd cousins, etc and my kids would THRIVE on that! On my street, you'd never even know there are children living here. No one lets them outside to play! Hello, it was like 74 degrees today, school is out and it is a friggin ghost-town! My poor kids get so bored. Can't get friends to answer their phones or call back, so it's just me and the 2 little ones staring at each other. Taking them to McD's play area is the most action they have seen all vacation so far.

Since this is the time of year for reflection, it made me start thinking about what life is like here, compared to growing up in Ohio. So I made this list of Things I Miss.....(AKA Life Outside the Country of California):

• My mom, dad and kid bro. Talking on the phone just isn't the same.


• My girlfriends in Ohio who are still in touch after all these years. I love you guys! Now come visit me dammit!


• Having only 1 chin (or belly, for that matter!)


• Christmases with snow.


• Thunderstorms.


• Metroparks (look it up if you don't know what I'm talking about)


• The normalcy of letting your kids play with the neighbor kids without scheduling a "playdate".


• Dropping in on friends without having to call first.


• Chatting with the grocery store cashier while waiting in line. Yes, that's NORMAL, people!


• Smiling at strangers and having them smile back.


• Not locking my front/back door EVERY time I come in or out rather than waiting until it's time to lock up at night.


• Not having to take off my shoes when I come in the house.


• Going to country bars with my friends for a night of dancing. I have kids now, but once a month would be nice....


• Having a house that doesn't have a security/alarm system.


• Being able to use my car horn (or middle finger) without getting shot at.


• Celebrating the holidays with a huge family, food, chaos, love, laughter and plenty of "holiday cheer" booze to keep everyone merry despite the noise levels.


• Having birthday parties that don't have to cost a fortune or have a bouncer!


• Teens who get a job when they turn 16 and EARN car money!


• People who don't worry so much about political correctness and being sued that they have lost their sense of humor and ability to connect with people.


• Asking people you want to become friends with for their phone number without them thinking you're a homicidal maniac or weirdo for asking.


• Real breasts......and wrinkles. (I have both, but I'm in the minority out here)

P.M.S.

P.M.S. is now officially going to stand for Pissed (off) Mommy Syndrome around my house. My husband and kids have learned the early warning signs:

1. Mommy's brow is permanently furrowed
2. Most sentences start with "Goddamn it...." or "How many times have I told you....?"
3. I eat everything in sight that isn't nailed down
4. I wake up with a strange urge to have the house thoroughly cleaned, just not by me.....
5. Another common sentence involves the words "I'm so f***ing tired of this!"
6. Mommy doesn't change out of her pajamas if at all possible
7. Don't even THINK about asking to go outside to play!
8. Phone conversations are kept to the bare minimum
9. Couch surfing is like an Olympic sport that week and human interaction is optional
10. Mac and cheese and hot dogs served daily

My poor family!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all of you and your families joy and peace in the New Year!

Random

Well, since I haven't been very faithful about blogging, thought I would just catch you all up (hello, anyone still reading this damn thing?) with random thoughts/notes about what I've been up to...

• PASSED my CSET exam. Now gotta figure out how to get my flippin prerequisites done so I can get into credential program.
• Friendships can be such a pain in the arse. But I guess since I can't count on my dear mom living forever, I have to keep trying. *Sigh*
• Disney World over Thanksgiving week with family....loved it. Thanks mom and dad!
• I love the F word...but hate to type it since I know mom reads this sometimes.
• I keep having random thoughts about my ex-hubby who passed away last July (in 2007). What is up with that?
• My son is now 7 years old and my "bonus" son is now a teen. I feel old.
• I think that blogging, computers, video games, esp the Wii are substitutes for real life and I resent them. I think that's why I'm not here as much. I can't justify the time typing when I need to be living.
• And why the hell are people now simulating life on the Wii rather than just living it?
• I hate my body but am too lazy to do much about it. I look like a football player in family photos now.
• If I could get my double chins fixed I would.
• I'm sick of worrying about money, but I honestly don't want to go back to work full time. I love teaching (subbing) too much and can't walk away from it.
• People watching at a bar/restaurant in Pasadena is the bomb. Freaks everywhere.
• I don't want my kids to grow up to be like so many typical Californians...shallow, phony, flakey
• If you don't want me to be honest, don't talk to me. I am a very bad liar.
• I don't give a crap anymore whether or not people get me. I have a family that loves me, even the bad stuff.
• I am so in love with my husband and kids. I hope they get that.
• I wish my daughter had a sister so she will be better at girl relationships than I am.
• My ass is now numb.
• I guess that means I should stop now....

Pink

This is who I would be in my next life....she is something else....

O Mama, Obama!

"I never thought I would see this day"
"I am overwhelmed"
"This is the moment!"
"The moment is now!"
"Now my children will know they can be President some day"

And on and on the list of proclamations goes from African Americans who now have a shining example of what is possible in America. They have a special connection to this election that I cannot speak about personally. But the victory belongs to all of us....all who believed, rallied, supported and HOPED this day would come. The moment is now. It is monumental. For so many reasons.

I am proud of him. I am proud of us. I am proud of America. Yes we can....yes we did!

There is so much more to say, but I will leave that to those whose gift of flowery speech is better honed than mine. I pray for the Obama family that they will stay strong against the challenges they now face. The job will be messy. It will take time to dig us out of the godawful messes we are in. The American public is not known for its patience or faith in our leaders, which we need in great quantity to resolve the problems ahead. I hope we have both and will give them to our new President-elect and the tide of public support will remain strong and buoy him up to the tasks at hand.

But for now, I will enjoy this moment. Today is a new day for all of us.