Velasquez Trio

Happy Half!

2009-05-03T16:26:00.003-04:00

6 Months ago today the best little thing imaginable came. Gabey took his sweet time, but after 22 hours of the absolute hardest work ever he was ours. I am freaking out that just 9 more of these little time-spans will have him kindergarten age. For real, if you want time to fly have a baby -- or better yet, have the most beautiful funny and happy baby. To celebrate the best 6 months of my life, here are a few of my biggest memories:

1. Being so wiped out after labor that I forgot to count fingers and toes (Luis didn't forget and yes they were all there).

2. Being woken up at any ungodly hour of the day or night only to be greeted by the happiest face.

3. Giving him his first bath and inadvertently finding one thing that he loves to do as many times a day as possible.

4. Feeding him in the bathtub to make sure that I kept MYSELF calm during feeding.

5. Starting the countdown to go back to work and making sure that I spent every day I had left at home loving that boy -- I still rush to pick him up after work and find that I really don't want to be apart from him if I can help it.

6. Realizing that he loves bass and at the rate he's going he's probably going to be a DJ in some club just so he can laugh and shriek when the bass comes on. He can't get enough of it and the only way bass can get better for him is if he's dancing to it. Don't believe me? Start singing some Run DMC "Mary Mary" to him... just don't leave out the beats!

7. The way his normally always active little body slumps over into a bottle coma after we read Good Night Moon for the 121st time (we've read it every night since his 2nd month).

8. The way he meets my eyes and smiles with his tongue sticking out because he's to happy to keep it in.

9. The way he goes from zero to RAGE when he realizes he's hungry and the bottle is not in his mouth.

10. The way he makes me glad to be alive just so I can be the one who knows what a wonderful person he is.

Happy "Half" my beautiful little bug! Thanks for giving me the joy of being the one who loves your guts!

A Few of MY Favorite Things

2009-04-16T21:19:00.007-04:00

Grab your heart-attack pills because I'm finally blogging again!!!

I was scanning through my favorite blogs and my friend, Erin, did a nice blog about some of her favorite things. While Erin is much more meaningful with some of her things, I thought I would swipe her idea and list some of my (updated) faves:

1. Gabe (duh of course I would say that). There is nothing about that little beast that isn't the best. I love every inch of him and I am so lucky to know him.

2. My job. I know that is one of the crack-headed-est things ever but I love it. I work with a great girl (b.c she's so dang young) named Kathryn who makes my life easy and who appreciates the great kids we have in our class just as much as I do.

3. Cake. I love cake with good icing and I will ditch any diet ever to eat good icing.

4. My bed. Ok putting cake and my bed together makes me sound like a 400 lb recluse but that's a risk I'm willing to take. We picked out our mattress after A LOT of comparison shopping and even a couple of years later I feel like I'm sleeping (or watching tv or feeding my baby) on a cloud.

AND LAST BUT NEVER LEAST

5. Friends who are good at things that I could never do. I love that my friend Cheyney can handle sick people with their blood and guts without puking and that my friend Ryan can deal with the mentally un-great and that my friend Jamie can love people in other countries enough to give up comforts and that my friend Erin values and enjoys the sweet time she is able to spend being the 2nd most beautiful boy's mom.

I'm a stresser and a worrier by nature but Erin was really right when she said that it is important to remember what you have and why life is good.

Now what are your favorite things?

Videos of Gabe the Babe

2009-03-07T13:39:00.002-05:00

This is the video of Gabe at his favorite eye candy's house while I had to work on a SATURDAY.

Gripe.

2009-01-22T10:48:00.005-05:00

This picture of my nephew having a fabulous meltdown is to illustrate how boiling this instance made me:

So yesterday I called the MD to make an appointment. I spoke with the person who schedules the procedure that I needed and who (by the way) was unncessarily impossible to reach. I finally got her on the phone after leaving oh about infinity messages without getting a call-back (despite her message that said she'd call back within 24 hours -- maybe she meant 24 days). You'd think after hearing and ignoring my messages for the the last week my name might kind of ring a bell. You'd think wrong.

When she answered I clearly said "This is Christy Velasquez... I spoke with you about ____". I didn't say my name fast because Lord knows it's not like Smith or something easy to understand. She let me say all of the shpeel and then she said (and this is what I'm blogging about) "What is your name?".

DID I NOT JUST SAY IT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PARAGRAPH OF WHAT I JUST SAID??? DID I NOT JUST LEAVE IT ON YOUR VOICE MAIL 16 TIMES A DAY FOR A WEEK? HAVE YOU REALLY NEVER HEARD MY NAME -- EVER???

The moral of the story is that I CAN'T stand when people skim past names to get to the point of a call. If I take the time to give my name PAY ATTENTION... write it down if you're slow... just don't ask me what my name is 15 seconds after I just told you.

Portraits

2009-01-13T20:55:00.007-05:00

Our friend, Andres, is a fantastic photographer (who actually sells pictures for unbelievable amounts of money) and he offered to take pictures of the most beautiful baby available.

Obviously we knew that only our baby could be described as the most beautiful baby available so we excitedly said yes. We only did black and white shots this day and we still have colored shots to do, but here are two of the pictures:

Since he took film pictures (instead of digital), we had to wait for the negatives to be ready for him to upload -- it was well-worth the wait!

What a DORK!

2009-01-05T22:56:00.004-05:00

I might just be the most obnoxious person I have ever met.

Since Luis's mom left he has been feeling a little husky and recently the best thing ever happened: he had to admit that (in his own words) "my jeans hurt my body". HA! I have been on diets several times during our marriage. He NEVER has. He just breaths out and loses 5 pounds -- or at least that USED to be true.

So, last week we started Weight Watchers and being the competitive-about-pointless-battles person that I am I whopped him hardcore with the score 5 pounds to almost 3 pounds. So last night I decided to plan the week's menu. I made chili that was very WW friendly and planned to make 4 other WW things for dinners.

Tonight, while waiting for him to come home from work, I started on the Black Bean Lasagna. He took longer to get here than I expected (but considering the times of economic downturn and joblessness I am glad he was working) so I started on the Clam Chowder. He got home and instead of quitting I made Italian Lentils too.

THAT WAS NOT OBNOXIOUS ENOUGH -- nooooo, I had to pack each serving into a ziplock bag so that the food would be portioned and ready so we wouldn't be tempted to eat crap. In the end I packed 27 meals. Gag. I am such a D O R K!!!

HOWEVER be very clear -- next Monday when we weigh ourselves, I will continue my winning streak. My goal is to have him in tears. Not really, but I am considering the logistics of creating a score board (that will mysteriously disappear the week he beats me).

Some of my (newest) favorite things

2008-12-07T21:28:00.004-05:00

I have a list of things that I have just realized that I like now that I have my handsome little one with me. Here they are. Please do enjoy:

1. Family bathrooms- Before Gabe (from now on to be referred to as BG) I walked by those and wondered what kind of freak family needed to go to the bathroom together, now I know that people use them to change diapers and not feel like a burden cleaning up their kid's business. My favorite family bathroom so far is at Target because it doesn't have multiple stalls. Second place goes to Crabtree Valley Mall for having a couch that I used to hold all of my crap (no pun intended) while I made sure the boy was fresh and clean.

2. Elevators- Also BG never realized the percentage of the population that rely on those. I never even paid attention to where they are. Now I hunt those things down like the metal beasts that they are. No way am I trying to balance the stroller in some awkward angle so I can ride the escalator -- especially after I saw what those things did to that kid's Croc.

3. People who hold doors- BG I just thought it was a nice courtesy to show that I am not so wrapped up in my own wonder that I can't think of others. Now I want to offer to buy someone a cup of coffee when they hold doors for me when I have the stroller or carseat.

4. Sleeping more than 2-3 hours at a time- BG I could rack up a nice 10 hour night of sleep and still take a nap the next day. Now I feel luxurious if I get 3 1/2 hours at a time... what kind of crap is that?!

5. Delicious Accessories- I love my boy in sassy shoes or a snappy hat more than just about anything. I might look like I picked my clothes up off of the bedroom floor (and I really actually might have), but I love how fabulous my boy can look without even having to try.

This might be a first installment entry. I kind of like this topic. I'll start paying attention to more things I like.

One month old

2008-12-03T20:43:00.004-05:00

Today Gabe the Majestic is one month old. Besides having a milk mustache, he celebrated the day by making my life.

So, this is what happened: I went to school to 1. return the laptop I borrowed to work on report cards with since I no longer need it since I'm Mac-ing 2. visit the 23 best creatures at Leesville 3. to attend a staff meeting called so that staff could fill out a survey about the principal (I'm a big fan so I wanted to be sure that I got to express my appreciation for her).

I was gone about 3 hours by the time I drove there and did all of the things I needed to do. When I got home, the mother-in-law a.k.a "the reason I don't have bags under my eyes" reported that my boy had not slept AT ALL while I was gone -- this from the woman I was considering getting an agent for so we could get her a show on National Geographic called the Baby Whisperer.

She proceeded to try to feed him, give him his passy, talk to him -- nothing could shake his fussiness. Finally she passed him to me and... swear on a stack of David Sedaris books that boy closed his eyes and went to sleep. A few minutes later he opened his eyes a crack and smiled this very satisfied smile and went back to sleep. Kind of reassures me that if I were to ask him "Who's your mamma?" he'd actually know.

So help me if one person says one word about that smile being gas...

Making Lemonade

2008-11-29T19:43:00.002-05:00

So, here it is report card time (and yes I do have to write those on maternity leave) and the hard drive in my laptop died. Like, it put a blue screen up and shut off and didn't even say goodbye.

Well, Some people would have cried or joined the army -- me? I bought a MacBook. Yes I think I'm fancy and yes my report cards will probably be the greatest ever written.

No gratuitous pictures of Gabe the delicious since I haven't loaded any pictures on this computer, but suffice it to say that he's wearing grey snowman pajamas tonight (the pajamas are grey, not the snowmen).

Don't want to know

2008-11-26T21:49:00.004-05:00

One phrase that I've heard over and over since the day I told people I was pregnant was "oh just wait until...". I understand that people who have been through a certain experience have broad memories of certain times of their experience, but why can't I just enjoy the point that I am at in my own experience.

FOR EXAMPLE when I started to feel little kicks, I right away started hearing "wait until you start getting kicked in the ribs and it bruises them" -- okay, take my new and kind of nice experience and fast forward me to when I'm going to dread it. I found that I kept fast forwarding my pregnancy to the end in my mind instead of focusing on and enjoying what was happening in that moment. Then suddenly my pregnancy was over and I hated that I spent so much time waiting for ________ to happen.

So, the point of this blog is: even if you've raised 16 kids and you're mom/dad/caregiver of the year, do not you dare react to one of my baby observations with "just wait until...". I'm determined to enjoy this day by day and I don't wanna fast forward to when he's ______. It'll happen quick enough as it is.

And now the gratutitous picture of Gabe the magnificent:

After 10 years

2008-11-21T18:14:00.004-05:00

After 10 years of living here in the land of the free and the home of the brave, you will be interested to know (I know I was) that when woken up suddenly, my husband reverts back to the language of his forefathers...

During the noche (see how I differentiate for both language-speakers?) when I didn't hear the wonderous Gabe wimpering or making other Gabe-sleeping-noises and I was sure that we had just experienced a SID-attack (for real I did think this) I jumped up and the first words out of that cute thing's mouth were not words that people who pledge alligiance to the flag usually wake up saying... they were the words of Juan Valdez suppliers: "Que Hubo?".

I am happy to report that once his eyes cleared and he realized that he was sleeping in a bed and not in a hamock**, he started speaking the king's English again.

** j/k, he didn't really sleep in a hamock in the motherland either.

And this would be a gratutious baby picture featuring the duck slippers from Cheyney since she already had to hear the above story once. Thank goodness for friends like Cheyney who knew duck slippers were just what everyone needed when she got them for Gabe.

Gabe - Boy Wonder

2008-11-19T15:53:00.004-05:00

What you see here is baby Gabe holding his bottle (with one hand). Obviously this was not a surprise that our little genius would do this, but with such style??? Just kidding. Totally a fluke, but we did learn a big lesson about the formula we've been suplementing with: it's not all the same crap.

When we left the hospital, they gave us tons of formula samples and since we had such good luck with the first formula brand when we had to use formula (like when we went out and I refused to pack the liquid gold that is really the best for him since if it went bad I'd be throwing away hard-earned liquid) we thought that the next can of a different brand would probably be okay. Nope. He's been miserable because the second kind is way harder for him to digest. Poor little man.

Hopefully this will not deter him from performing acts of skill and precision like the picture above in the future -- although I'm sure he'll be unable to avoid being such a prodigy.

First Bath Time

2008-11-16T15:24:00.005-05:00

Gabe had his first bath today. As soon as we saw that his umbilical cord had fallen off we pulled out our super cool bath tub. No tears and we think he actually liked it!

The nighttime is the right time

2008-11-14T09:35:00.004-05:00

Don't be fooled. This is NOT what he looked like from 1:00-2:15 OR from 3:47 to 5:13 this morning. No, apparently this morning he had some concerns that his lungs might need a little work out and that I might need a few diaper drills (I guess I wasn't fast enough on the first 2).

Luis finally went back to work today so I purposed in my mind to let him sleep as much as possible during the night so that he could be fresh and minty for work. I guess Gabe is a two-parents-waking-up-with-me kind of guy.

So far, his bewitching hour is 4:00 every morning -- cannot and will not go back to sleep until at least 5:00. I wish we could get him to change that till 5:00 when Luis sets his alarm!

Skinny Feet

2008-11-09T19:24:00.002-05:00

One of the very few pregnancy side effects that I had were FAT feet. My ankles and feet got so swollen that I had to wear socks or husband-crocs to work since my own shoes didn't even close to fit. I never had morning sickness or any of the other horrors but believe me, I will NEVER take skinny feet for granted again.

So this time a week ago, I was hardcore into my 22 hour labor and here is a list of some of the more memorable points of the experience:

1. 4:30 in the morning wake up to water breaking (after a dinner of pizza @ Cici's -- connection? You be the judge).

2. 6:30 arrive @hospital in no real rush since contractions have not started.

3. MD can't get a sample PROVING that I really broke my water so we have to make the decision to go ahead with the drug that starts the contractions anyway (she later determines that, yeah I was right).

4. Contractions got to 20 on the monitor and they gave me the 1st epidural that didn't take.

5. They gave me the 2nd one and I was feeling good ... I apparently even felt good enough to call my college roomie D'Arcie (although I don't remember calling her).

6. I threw up and threw up and was encouraged to "get used to it, vomiting is part of life" by the kind and generous nurse named Cheryl.

7. They pulled Gabe out and put him right on me with all of the stuff still on him for Luis to cut his cord and Ryan had a good point about that. It is all about presentation and if they were wanting me to take him home shouldn't they have cleaned him up first?

8. They cleaned him up and he was absolutely PERFECT.

We've survived the first week as parents and we have loved looking at every expression (especially the way he moves his forehead and mouth) and hearing every squeak and sound and changing his little diapers. And the one thing that I never thought I'd say: I love having skinny feet again.

Pregnancy Update

2008-10-31T17:51:00.005-04:00

Judy, this one's for you.

I chose this picture because that cute little thing holding his heart on the front row is 1/2 of the DNA involved in this pregnancy update -- preschool age.

So I look like I'm ready to pop but apparently there has been ZERO dialation -- even though he's a big boy and size-wise already in the 90th percentile. I'm waiting patiently because it seems like my boy is just smart enough to know what is good. He doesn't really have to worry about anything right now. He's comfy, he's fed, and all he has to concentrate on is getting bigger and bigger.

In other pregnancy news, the mother-in-law arrives on Wednesday so we had a cleaning lady come and clean the house today. WONDERFUL idea. I walked in and since I am not accustomed to leaving a grody house and walking back into a clean house I walked around like I was in a daze seeing what someone else was able to do in a few hours. If I had even sort of approached the cleaning greatness that this lady was able to achieve I would have been too wiped out to be able to enjoy it. So, here goes a shout out to Barbara for reminding me how good my house can look!

In still other pregnancy news, the dogs went for a bath today -- for the same reason we had the house cleaned. The mother-in-law is a fun one, but not such a fan of dirty things so even though they don't bother us I'm sure she would've been calling them names in spanish (which she still will do but probaby b/c they will get on her nerves). Now, at least the spanish names will be about my clean dogs instead of my dirty ones.

Anyway, the boy will be hatched any minute now and we are so excited to meet him and we just hope that we can do a good job teaching him to be a sweet, caring, smart, funny, creative, analytical, imaginative, thoughtful, sincere little creature -- no sweat, huh!

It passed!!!

2008-10-14T14:49:00.003-04:00

At 4:10 this AM the mighty beast of a kidney stone passed... actually it was TINY. It measured only about 2.5mm (about the size of goldfish food in the pellet size). Amazing what havok a little thing like that can cause -- I could get all philosophical about a butterfly's wings causing a tsunami but the meds are already wearing way off. Guess my run with the psychodelic Vicodin is over. We had a good run -- the most consistently I've slept through the night in months since becoming pregnant!

And for the record, when I went to the Ob's office, she (not the idiot-speedy-diagnoser-from-Satan) said that if the baby was born with Vicodin in his system, they have something that completely reverses the effects -- although the drug is safe at all stages of pregnancy. So, baby got his first taste of narcotics in a totally approved manner!

Down 5!

2008-10-13T19:53:00.002-04:00

So Thursday night I felt a little crampy but 9 months pregnant will do that to a girl. Friday I woke up and felt gnarly but 9 months preg will also do that. Luis got home on the early side so he decided to join me on my list of jobs for the day starting with him getting a hair cut.

While waiting for that poor woman to work through months of hair growth, a lady who (this may or may not be germaine to the story) smelled really bad came and sat beside me. I got up and did a pregnant-y stretch so that she wouldn't think I was getting up b/c of her and immediately, I needed to hit a bathroom STAT.

I rushed to the back of the hairdresser's where I thought some deep breaths would help and it was all I could do to not throw up in their sink... did I mention that I have a bad time throwing up in strange (and even familiar) toilets?

We quickly ran by school so I could drop some stuff off and we agreed that if I didn't feel better, we'd run by the Ob's office... I didn't feel better so we did. Now, usually I'm down for a little Dr. Henderson House-like briskness, but he was in a hurry and he quickly pulled a diagnosis out of his... butt and sent me out with a prescription for an antibiotic -- completely ignoring the fact that I told him that I felt pain in my back near a body part called the KIDNEYS?!

I have not puked so much in YEARS. A sip of water would send me running for the tub to throw up (see I don't even wanna puke in my own toilet). Finally he called in a prescription for some suppositories that usually can knock out a full-grown bull and I even puked through those.

The next morning I went to the urgent care (where maybe I should've gone in the first place) and the doctor automatically said, that's not a UTI (Henderson's 5 minute or less diagnosis)... it's a KIDNEY STONE!!!!! That's why you've been so sick! She wrote me a rx for vicodin and now I'm just waiting to give birth to a little kidney stone.

When I went to the Ob for my normal appointment, the wonderfully careful nurse practicioner noted that I had lost 5 pounds since Friday!

Carving out new ways to lose the baby weight, this is Christy signing off.

Getting Real

2008-10-02T06:25:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I had the count at 37 days, but I forgot that October had 31 days when I was counting. Of course b/c of my mom's b-day and Halloween, I knew there were 31 days -- just forgot. So, as of today, there are 37 days until the little Velasquez is due. Suddenly (as if this belly didn't give it away) reality is hitting.

* I had to get the official letter from the OB giving the due date and estimated time of recovery for my maternity leave -- I actually have it in writing that this isn't a beach ball. Katie Holmes should've gotten such a letter and it would've saved her so much Suri speculation.

* We had to fill out papers to add baby to husband's insurance -- and PS how do you even fill out a lot of that stuff since it hasn't happened yet??? Well, no bother, that's what the benefits lady at his work is earning money to know.

* In that vein, I have a tour at noon of a pediatrician's office to see if they are the chosen ones to take care of the blessed Velasquez child. Also, Cheyney and I are going to look at another office on Tuesday night and believe we might play the life-partner game if someone looks like they could fall for it.

* We had to figure out a solution to this (on the surface) clean house that is really probably a haz-mat zone to my mother-in-law and we found someone who will clean it before she gets here since (being totally real here) I can't get into small places and if I could I sure wouldn't be focusing my efforts on the problem spots of this house.

* All of a sudden all of the crap -- I really mean cute baby things that I would love if they were in their places -- really does need to find the way to proper places. Letters spelling boy's name need to go on the wall and not on the changing table, for example.

So, here it is 6:33 AM on a vacation day and I am not sleeping in b/c I know there is stuff to do. Maybe if I ge-ge-ge-ge-get busy I can take a nap, but for right now... yikes, we're about to have a baby!

Saving My Pearls

2008-09-20T23:15:00.003-04:00

Aside from getting a good high-five and a "you are such a punk" from my husband, I don't know what I expected from my fighting-for-the-rights-of-greatfulness post but I sure got something stirred up. I am happy to report for the sake of human decency that overwhelmingly the response was supportive -- and believe that Kathryn and I loved reading all of the feedback the next day at school. I appreciate Ridge and Wendy offering to meet me at the aforementioned flagpole if needed (especially kind since we've never even met face to face and I could really turn out to be a total wimp that wouldn't be able to pull my weight if that ungrateful little girl did decide to throw down).

I am sad to report that despite my (what I thought) clearly outlined argument for thankfulness which I generously provided in a numbered fashion, the girl at the root of this topic replied that she did not appreciate my comments and that she thought I was being unkind. Clearly this girl is beyond any help that I can offer her. Which brings me to the lesson I learned out of all of this: not everybody is out to be a quality person.

Some people have been taught that they are the one who is right and anyone who tells them that they are wrong is just trying to hold them down. You see this even as early as Kindergarten. Some kids get in trouble and instead of getting them in trouble, the parents look for why it was not their fault. As soon as I read her reply, I could imagine her in Kindergarten with her mom scooting her fanny-pack to the back so that she could really have a go at the teacher who complained that her daughter cut other children's hair -- when clearly, the children's hair was too long.

So, to wrap up this lesson, I just want to say that I learned a lesson in being open to what people say about you -- but I learned a bigger lesson about pearls and swine. I know what I had to say was braziliant -- next time I'll save my genius for someone who can appreciate it. I mean, what did I expect: a choir to bust out "Just As I Am" and ungrateful idiot girl to have a revival? I guess a girl can dream!

This Could Get Good

2008-09-15T21:19:00.003-04:00

Those of you who know me know that I am by nature not a confrontational sort. I'm actually a pretty big wuss unless I've had it -- then maybe I'm still a wuss but one who at least acts mad. For a while now, I've been regaling my husband with IDIOT posts from the "What to Expect When You're Expecting" site. The stupid posts range from "I don't like when my boyfriend who was an alcholic when I met him goes drinking with his friends and passes out on their couch" to "My mother-in-law sucks and the only person I can ever trust is my mother". We giggle about how it just proves anyone can get pregnant and then we move on. Tonight I didn't just move on. Witness the amazingly real post that was on the board tonight:

Terrible Baby shower **vent**

From:
eratchley (693845)
5:08 pm
To:
ALL
(1 of 18)

11153.1
Ok so call me selfish. I didn't get much at all for my baby shower. Ok i guess i should be grateful that I got anything at all, but I am mad. Ok so my husband's family is not wealthy and this shower was from them. We got a lot of hand me down clothes and a few bibs and burping clothes. Oh and 2 diaper genies so I can take one back and get what I wanted. Ok my mom and dad got us a crib that is costing like $500 and his parents are getting the car seat and stroller. But we went to a shower a couple weekends ago and they load up on everything. My mother's family is basically non existent and my dad's family is dead and he doesn't know the other half. The only thing I can look forward to is my work and my husbands work are having showers for us, and hopefully, Cross my fingers, we will get something more than hand me down clothes.

OH NO SHE DI-ENT!!!

I quickly looked at her profile picture and decided that I could take her if the need should arise so I furiously typed this response (following all of the simpering "poor you replies from other readers):

From:
lamonitadevelasquez (13079287)
9:04 pm
To:
eratchley (693845) unread
(18 of 19)

11153.18 in reply to 11153.1
I am still trying to pick my jaw up off of the floor. Ever tried gratefulness? Yikes! These people didn't even have to come to your shower. And comparing what your parents are financially able to do for you to what your in-laws are able to do is hurtful -- if it was a contest, it would have been only fair for you to let them in on the rules! I hope your husband hasn't heard you griping about this because if he has, I guarentee it made him feel about 1 inch tall -- no matter how much he tries to laugh along with you.
Reality check: 1. You are not entitled to presents. Most of us are buying a lot of our own things anyway b/c it is no one else's responsibility to supply our baby with essentials. 2. You are not entitled to people celebrating your great news. With this kind of attitude you are lucky anyone bothered to bring anything -- I'm sure if they read your comments they would wish they had not bothered. 3. What people buy you does not determine how much they love or care about you.
People do what they can and a little thankfulness would go a long way in making your memories of this day one hundred times better.

I'm dying of anticipation to see if she'll man-up and reply (something along the lines of 3:00 and the flagpole would seriously rock!), but I'm guessing she'll probably not -- what with my logic being so tight and all. I'll certainly post any replies I get... bad or good. It's not like I was hoping for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzah cards from these sweet ladies!

Just a dash of abstract in the midst of concrete

2008-09-08T20:26:00.004-04:00

Today in Science while talking about senses, we were focusing on things we could feel. Kids said blahblah stuff like "I feel my backpack" or "I feel my shoes" then one student (we'll call her Tessa) suggested that she could feel God.

I skeptically tried to guide to back toward the concrete answers that the lesson was looking for by saying, "but can you touch him with your hand and know what he feels like?". Without being shy or concerned about being wrong, she said "no, I feel him in my heart".

Oh -- and yes, I did call her Mom to let her know what happened so that they could celebrate life lessons sinking in.

Heartburn and Ritz Crackers (unrelated but connected)

2008-09-03T18:12:00.003-04:00

First an anecdote:
Yesterday I had heartburn and when Ethan (who needs lots of maintence) in my class saw me
taking Tums for it asked me what I needed medicine for. I told him that I had heartburn and that the medicine would make it go away. He then asked me "will the heartburn take all of the love from your heart?". gulp.

Now and observation:
Remember when "cheese and crackers" was the snack of children everywhere? Well, there still danged good and I think that I should eat them more often. The wonderful taste of Ritz with sharp cheddar is magnificent -- pregnant or not.

Got More Talking to Do (AKA Part Deux)

2008-08-04T18:36:00.005-04:00

There is a talk radio station in Raleigh (not the attempted murder NPR) that has a definite conservative bent to it. The host that is on at 4:00 makes me crazy so when I'm in a particularly punchy mood, I put on his show and see how long I can last.

Mainly his topics are what bother me. There is NO variety. He (gar-un-tee you) will be talking about illegal immigration (and of course the callers lose the differentiation btw illegal immigrants and south americans in record time) or education (and of course teachers are leaches on society for hoping to earn a wage they can live on).

You can see how I, being a teacher married to a LEGAL south american immigrant would be digging my nails into the steering wheel. But, annoying topics aside, Bill Lamay (that's this creative thinker's name-- although I'm almost positive that's not how you spell it) comes up with some fabulous examples of MORE phrases I'm done hearing. Ready? Here we go:

1. It is what it is. This is an example of saying words that mean absolutely NOTHING. Seriously, just don't even make my ears do the work of listening to that crap. It's one of those "I have an opinion but this topic is so obvious I'm not going to waste my time verbalizing it" phrases. Quit it!

2. Gift it. Since when did we decide to lazily make nouns into verbs to cut down on the number of words we say? If you can the time to say "it is what it is" you have the time to say "give it as a gift". I don't want to hear about people "gifting" the free IPod they got. Enough!

3. Awesome. Now, this one I might need to defend a little. There are some things that are really awesome like a huge wave or a hard thunderstorm... but a page run off on the photocopier? Hardly. Kind maybe, but certainly not awesome. So, stop!

4. Really? . I first heard this on the Office (the Holy Grail of funny) but like "not so much" the yuppy-look-at-me's have latched onto replying "really?" to something that they might normally reply "I can't believe you just said that". The extra-annoying part is the voice these look-at-me's affect when they say this word -- disappointed and exasperated. No more of this.

As I am around more people, I am sure that we'll have to go for part 3, but this is plenty to digest for now... word?

Drama Mama

2008-08-04T18:21:00.004-04:00

There is a new drama queen in town and her name is Tessa.

It was the first real day of school today and aside from random bits during the day, the highlight did not end up being my lovely new shoes. Instead, the high-point of my day (and possibly my year) was when Tessa got a TEENY correction about such a small thing and she reacted with full dramatic overload rolling back on the floor and crying out loud for the class to hear "I just don't care about anything!"

It was beautiful! Nothing warms my heart more than a child who can creatively whine! I pride myself on my classroom drama, but I'll be taking a page from the Tessa handbook and making random pronouncements coupled with big physical gestures -- oh, I am so excited to see what line she uses tomorrow!!!

I hope I'm over-estimating her skills, but I predict that we'll be getting some great lines from this great young scholar!

We Need to Talk

2008-07-26T11:20:00.006-04:00

Alright, we have an issue. I haven't been writing on here because I really didn't have anything that was worth trying to make entertaining to read... but now I do. The issue that I have had for about the last week, in particular, is catch-phrases. I think that I see a lot of annoying ones at school because teachers have to write so many newsletters and we really don't have time to be creative with every line that we write, but here are some of the big offenders (in no particular order):

1. It's that time of year again. Kathryn (TA to the stars) and I have decided to keep the newsletters that go home from PTA or other sources as well as emails that start out with this one-time meaningful phrase. It used to be that teachers would write that on momentous occasions like the first day of school. Now we see it on everything including a sign-up for a blood-bourne-pathogen training.

2. Going green. I'm all about helping the earth not waste away un-necessarily, but this phrase has come to mean any paper-skimping done because you don't want to use your copies or a trendy guilt-trip method to make sure the lights helper doesn't forget to turn out the energy-wasting lights.

3. Not so much. I will never forget the first time I heard that phrase and thought it sounded quirkily New-York-Jewish-Mom. After hearing a particular mom in last year's class (think bathtub pillows if you're curious who said this and you know my school stories) in reference to her child's lunch choice, I realized that the phrase had already gotten to the trendy-phrase-seeking-wanna-bes-who-drive-Mercedes-SUV's-and-hope-you'll-notice and it was instantly ruined. A favorite friend of mine with a great parking place at work says it, but she also says very funny things about cherry-flavored prophylactics so we can still be friends.

4. ... so they might get bored I love that parents assume that since their kid was a) in a good preschool b) in transitional Kindergarten or c) retained their child will be bored at the beginning of the year. Believe me, there are no kids that are Mensa enough to be bored with the kind of drama that Kathryn and I bring on a daily basis. We've been working on some new lines already (thank Hey-juice for those 3 workdays) so even kids from our own class last year would be stunned into listening.

Okay, there are more. I know that there was one more I was thinking of yesterday that occurred to me in Target, but pregnantly, I can't remember it. Oh and don't even get me started on how teachers love to put cutesy phrases like "goodies" in quotation marks in their thank you notes... Maybe this means we'll have a "We Need to Talk Part Deux"!

Another reason to stay tracked out

2008-07-14T12:59:00.004-04:00

Continuing in the ilk of "I don't wanna go back to work" posts, I would also like to post a little something about my husband. For 6 years I have been married to that creature, but this has been the longest time that I have had no where to be and no job that I had to get to (thanks to year-round school paying me for all 12 months -- even when I'm on track out).

One thing that I have been teasing him about that I never had the chance to notice before was how he is absolutely unable to zap something in the microwave and eat in less than 5 minutes (like I always do).

Luis will routinely decide that he's hungry and proceed to defrost a steak, cut potatoes into fries, chop up a fancy salad, add lime to the tea I already made, and warm up some rice (where I would've had some Ramen Noodles 45 minutes into his preparation).

I love that he enjoys food so much that he spends the time and effort to create a meal worth burning calories over -- that is something I learned about my husband this trackout. Oh, track out... you really are to wonderful for any of us to imagine!

At long last

2008-07-14T12:44:00.002-04:00

I know that it has taken me too long to post but I'm really in a long-lasting bad mood about actually having to go back to work to earn money. It's not that I don't like my job -- it's really the best job ever. My glorious and wonderful TA and I have the greatest time schmoozing with the kids and teaching them important life lessons along the way, but the problem is that I like being at home and having a clean calm house even more.

Also, I am beginning to look at childcare options for the little Velasquez and I am seriously raging that I can't just strap him into a Baby Bjorn and bring him to Kindergarten. Last year's class could have TOTALLY handled it but there is def a OSHA policy about this.

So since you have other things to do besides reading paragraphs about why I don't wanna go back to work, I will condense them into a list:

1. I like not waking up to an alarm clock.

2. I like reading my email and checking Perez Hilton BEFORE I consider breakfast.

3. I like how my house looks when I am not too tired to pick up clutter.

4. I like having time to bake the dogs bones with healthy ingredients.

5. I like to go by the school to pick up a book or two then leave.

6. I like seeing Jools sacked out in her crate with the door wide open even though there are pillows and chairs she could also choose.

7. I like making a journey walking down the driveway to get the mail instead of driving by on my way in the driveway.

8. I like having the flexibility to drive to Target at 1:25 if I feel like it.

I started to feel like that line in the play Our Town where they start listing the good things about their town that they never paid attention to until it was too late... told you I'm in a rare mood!

So, here's to my last full week off. Next week I have a stinking staff development and 3 teacher workdays... so here's to living it up!

My Side of the Crack-head's Story

2008-06-17T17:09:00.003-04:00

I always like the rewrites of famous children's books like the one where they told the story of the Three Little Pigs through the POV of the wolf. I have one of those re-writes. As you can see from this link: http://cheyneyandryan.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-first-bike-ride.html, my friend tells a story of success and victory, but I have a tale of crack-headedness at its finest. I give you the story of "Cheyney the Strung-out Bike Addict":

So there I was sleeping in after a strenuous day of massages and swimming when my doorbell rang. Assuming (as Cheyney describes) that it was the neglected Children of the Corn from down the street who are obsessed with playing with my dogs, I tried to ignore the door. The knocks continued until I headed for the door ready to turn those children back in the direction of their mother who must be designing an underground railroad since she is always to busy for them.

Instead of two little faces looking in the window beside my door, I saw the frantic look of Cheyney. Since I do like her and since she didn't come to play with the dogs, I let her in. It seems that she had ridden her bike 21.3 MILES that is right MILES to my house with no cellphone, wallet, or list of top-ten list of favorite SNL moments.

This is not 21.3 miles of curving country roads, this is 21.3 miles of mostly HIGHWAY. My one consolation in life and death is that Cheyney's husband is a social worker at the much-acclaimed Dorthea Dix (home of some of the best mental healthcare in the city of Raleigh) and if such behavior continues, I am assured that he will step in.

To further assess her mental state, I agreed to swim with her -- but only for more observation. The cool perfect water had nothing whatsoever to do with my choice! Friends make those kinds of sacrifices for friends... even crackheaded ones.

The Most Delicious Day

2008-06-13T23:08:00.003-04:00

Today, in honor of Cheyney's job making her work an obscene 40 hours/week soon (not sure, but I think slavery was abolished a couple of years ago -- you might want to check into that), Cheyney and I had a lovely afternoon of acting like we don't have jobs. While she put in a few hours at work, I slept in then headed into Raleigh where we met at Wal*Mart. We picked up a few things, then got ready for the pool.

We set up shop and enjoyed the sun and perfect temperatured water (and, of course, our own sparkling conversation) for a couple of hours then we went up to take a shower to get ready for the next part of our perfect day: massages.

Cheyney has been talking about this place and it really is cool. Very minimal and clean inside which is calm to begin with. I had the first pre-natal massage of my life which was similar to a regular one with some positional differences.

Not really sure of what could have happened that could have possibly made a day of sleeping in, pooling, and massages with a fun girl better. Three cheers for Cheyney's fun event planning.

1/2 of the DNA

2008-06-10T17:33:00.003-04:00

I found this picture of Luis from back when he was an exchange student. Total trouble back then but oh so cute.

I have loved what this baby has done to him so far and now that he knows that everything is great with how the baby is growing and what the baby is exactly (gender-wise) he is even cuter than usual. Funny what babies bring out in people.

So, here's raising a glass of DHA Omega-3 enriched organic milk to my cute husband and his even cuter reaction to being my babydaddy.

It's a BOY!!

2008-06-09T21:53:00.007-04:00

Totally surprising me, the baby is a boy. The kids in my class have been sure it was a girl and have been calling it "she" and "her", but as it was clear to all to see today, it is really a "HE".

In total Luis style, he was mooning us as soon as she put the ultrasound on my belly so that even if we had not wanted to know we could not have missed his "business".

He made no pretense of modesty -- gotta love his dad's genes for that. He was also resting like we both do with one hand under his head.

There is a great view of his spine that I'm sure was a shout-out to his girl Cheyney. He's already smooth with the ladies!

Pregnancy does not preclude wifely duty

2008-06-09T09:01:00.008-04:00

We went to the air show at Cherry Point Marine base (I think that's the official name) and aside from the airplanes it was HOT. I went because I knew that Luis wanted to see the Blue Angels (who, of course, didn't fly until 3:30 even though we were there by 10:30) and I always think it's cute that he gets excited about seeing different aviation-related things I've never heard of. Plus, I knew it would be a great chance to get out of town together.

Um, yeah about that. "Together" is such a strong word when half of the pair keeps running up to the fence to take pictures of planes "doing what planes can't do" (that's what the announcer said so I guess it must be true).

There were some high points like the Shock Wave which is a jet-engined truck that drove faster than a plane -- I could sure use one of those for my drives to Raleigh for work.

Then there was the RUDE lady who stood in front of me for too long and didn't even ask if she was in my way. I think she was fair game for the fine shot I took of her.

It was hot as could be, but we survived and we both came out of it glad we went (me for brattier reasons like the above lady). Props to me for doing my wifely duty and being a good sport. I smell a chick flick in the theatre coming up in Luis's future!

Pregnancy-related symptom

2008-06-05T19:31:00.005-04:00

With Carol's comment in mind, I am writing today about a pregnancy related symptom that has been slowly creeping up on me. It's nothing awful like throwing up, but this is what I have to offer:

During the night, I've been waking up to find my wedding rings TIGHT and to get relief I've put my hands in cold water and that has taken care of it. Well, today (my last day of work for the 2007-2008 school year, amen) I was repeatedly bothered by the discomfort caused by my too tight rings.

When I told Kathryn (my glorious TA who has an anecdote for everything), she told me about how she went to Walmart to buy a cheap band when pregnancy swelling made her put her rings away.

I don't know how many of you remember those janky Walmart commercials where people bragged about the good deals they got on their wedding rings at Walmart, but I do know that Luis and I mercilessly made fun of the cheesiness of the commericals. We still can't walk by the jewelry counter at Walmart without ragging on those commericals. Time out to say that this is not a commentary on the actual jewelry there and if you did get you symbolic jewelry there, more power to you, I'm sure you probably paid the most reasonable price -- but really, those commercials?!

Well, Kathryn and I went to the Walmart to look for storage bins for the school's new handwriting program and we decided to glance at the bands... $15! The lady who was working the counter was a pure hoot and was a good sport for us. So here is my silver band. I later called Luis to inform him that he had been a "single" man for about 35 minutes (while my rings were carefully put away so we could eat lunch and drive to Walmart) -- but that he could breathe easy knowing that no one would be judging me for being an unwed momma anymore.

So there you are. Isn't that the way life goes? You make fun of something, and you almost always end up doing just what you made fun of. I am morphing into more and more of a dork!

Beautiful Bathtub -- the end of an era.

2008-06-03T20:01:00.007-04:00

A pioneer in the education field was laid to retirement today. This is not a very flattering image of our our beloved class bathtub, but it is reality as of today.

Since we are 1) switching a kindergarten room that happens to by mine with a first grade room and 2) actually changing rooms every so often during the year like real year-rounders, the beautiful majestic bathtub that was painted with love by my class had to leave Leesville Road Elementary.

A while ago, I posted a picture of the bathtub in all of its splender in the classroom where it served as a mighty behavior motivator -- only the best kids could take off their shoes and read in it. Right up until today, kids were vying for a place in the tub.

My darling and cute and tolerant husband came to school and loaded it into his work van and then lugged it out and placed it in its final resting place (at least until baby Velasquez gets big enough to enjoy such a fun thing).

I was ready to toss it out (yeah right, like toss is the right verb for a 250 pound bathtub) but I think I'll be glad that Luis wanted to go through the hassle of bringing it home. That way when our kid's Kindergarten teacher thinks she's hot stuff for bringing a bathtub to the classroom our kid can boredly reply "I have one in my room!". Actually he/she better not ever boredly reply to anything a teacher does for him/her after all the effort I know teachers put into making the day fun.

Oh, and as an added bonus here is a nice eye-candy picture of my husband representing in his Colombia shirt (it is amazing how much Colombia-wear he has from the last 2 trips).

My Various Life Successes

2008-05-28T20:25:00.003-04:00

This week has been a busy one as it is wrap up time. The last day of school for the kids is next Tuesday. Usually one to be bogged down in all of the paperwork, I thought it was time for a little "Go me, it's your birthday" time (no it's not really my birthday).

Those of you who did not have the pleasure of knowing me in the prime of my high school time might not know a little known fact about me. My mother discovered it so I can't take total credit but, I THRIVE on check off lists. I don't just do what I need to do, I do it fast and well. When mom needed me to clean my room, she would write a point by point list of everything that needed to be done and I would jet through it so that I could check things off.

Well, Cecelia Chapman (principal to the stars) has very possibly been talking to my mother because amidst all of the paperwork and due dates she inserted a check off list. Not to brag (well, kind of to brag) here is a little taste of the mic I've been rocking this week:

1.Report cards were due to our evaluator by May 27th (yesterday) and contrary to popular rumor my evaluator did NOT rip up my comments -- in fact she loved every one of them. Rock on me.

2. Data capture (which is essentially all of the overall data for each kid inputed in an annoying computer progam) is due June 2nd. Guess who turned hers in yesterday along with the hard to print excel sheet. Yeah, that would be me again. Go me!

3. My glorious and magnificent TA's evaluation is due May 30th and I finished it yesterday and had it on her desk for a nice early morning perusal. I even had it in an evelope that said "TA evaluation. Please look over and let me know if you have any questions. Cliff notes: you suck". See what I did there? Efficiency AND humor. Give me a C, Give me and H, Give me a R-I-S-T-Y!

4. Kindergarten graduation is Friday. In the program I am going to read predictions about what I think each kid will grow up to be. Any guesses when those were done? Um, people who guessed a month ago were correct! I am not joking, I am really that great.

I'm not going to lie, there have been many more amazing feats of educational excellence --I've been a regular machine. These are just a few inspirations to whet your appetite. If a barefoot and pregnant girl like myself (yes I really am barefoot) can accomplish so much in so little time, just imagine what an abled-bodied one like you could do.

Go on. Keep your feet on the gound, but keep reaching for the stars!

Something in the water

2008-05-21T21:08:00.003-04:00

I have just found out that the nation's water supply must indeed be contaminated with an agent that is causing fatigue, sickness (primarily in the AM but not necessarily only), and after prolonged exposure a bulge that will not let you zip your jeans.

Another soul was affected in the Philadelphia area just nine short weeks ago and already her life has undergone some changes including the symptoms listed above.

I drank the water 15 weeks 5 days ago and I have no prayer of zipping any jeans in the near future. It's an epidemic I tell you. In the mean time, Cheyney: drink up! Hydration can be good for you -- even if it's just practice.

Cheers.

Cribs

2008-05-18T20:11:00.006-04:00

Today is the day we decided to put the crib together. We got it last weekend, but this was the first time that we've been in the right mindset. We wrapped up my bed that was in the guest bed room and put it in the attic. Luis and I then got all of the pieces out and I tried to be helpful, but the combination of the 2 dogs and me (who doesn't even really read the directions) in the room led my genius constructor husband to kick out anyone who did not have a Colombian birth certificate so that he could work his magic in peace.

So I went to fold laundy and in no time he came out of the room and said, "I quit -- I'm not doing that thing". I tried to find out what the problem was and he said "Go see if you can figure out those directions" (just a reminder that I don't read directions and I'm not sure that I could find the tools if I were asked). I walked in and there it was in all of its glory:

Now.. we just need to know what this creature is so that we can buy the bedding. Fun times.

Boys and Chick Flicks

2008-05-10T18:24:00.002-04:00

Last night my friend (we'll call her oh I don't know "Cheyney" for the intents and purposes of this post) and I watched a chick flick together. She had ordered it from Netflicks and her husband had no interest in the girlyness (neither would my Colombian) so we made a evening of it.

We made burritos with beans (since meat grosses me out lately) and smoothies also not made from meat. We ate then got comfy to watch a tear-jerker. I will say that my tears jerked much more quickly than hers but I have 2 theories on that: 1) I'm pregnant 2) she is immune to human pain -- um scratch #2 if there is a girl in tuned with human pain it is Cheyney and more so she is awesome at dramatizing her reaction to such pain so that one's out.

So, my point in saying this is that by the end we were both crying (with kleenix and everything) and it would have been an easy play for both of our husbands if they had sat through the movie since we were both big old mushes at the end. I could have guaranteed that those boys would have gotten (at least) some good cuddles and dreamy glances for putting up with the movie.

Maybe by the time they're 75 the husbands will learn that there are sacrifices worth making in order for a greater good and in this case the sacrifice would be chick flicks and the greater good would be...

In the meantime, I look forward to our next flick night (chick or otherwise).

It's like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzah all mixed together!

2008-04-29T22:04:00.003-04:00

I promise that it is NOT a secret wish of mine to be a book reviewer, but I have to share my excitement that Augusten Burroughs has finally written a new book. Who? He's the one who wrote Running with Scissors which is pretty famous but not really my fave. I found out about him a couple of years ago and made the mistake of devouring his books like there was no end to them... except there was and then I was forced to check his website in hopes of the new book.

The new book, A WOLF AT THE TABLE, came out today and even though I had a BORING workshop about science today, I stopped at Barnes to get it (Don't even let me start talking about how this workshop was in a disgusting building in Garner and how my friend Cheyney just went to a work-related-conferencey-thing in CHARLOTTE... Wake County is tops with creative destinations).

I am having to really pace myself with this book because I want to read it all tonight but then I'll be left to re-re-re-read my other favorites so I know I need to go slowly

Anyway, if you haven't picked up one of his books, you might should. His ability to tell stories and use words is amazing esp. since he didn't even go to High School. I'd start with anything other than Sellevision or the cliche Running with Scissors just so you can really know what he's about without reading his first published book or his most famous. Plus, since Running with Scissors is a memoir of a pretty sick childhood it is not for the weak of eyes.

Now it's David Sedaris's turn to write a new one.

The News is Out

2008-04-16T17:39:00.003-04:00

I have spilled the beans on the little bean. I sent a letter home to the parents in my class and we are revealing the news about the little Velasquez to the kids tomorrow. We have some fun stuff planned to make the day fun and special. Glad to be able to eat like a crazed woman now without people feeling like they need to chip in for a Jenny Craig gift card for me!

NPR Tried to Kill my Friend

2008-04-06T21:36:00.003-04:00

I have always been unexplainably wary about National Public Radio (hereafter to be referred to as NPR) but my worst nightmares about this evil were confirmed when they tried to kill my friend Cheyney.

As far as I can see, the only saving grace for NPR is David Sedaris but anyone who knows David Sedaris knows that he doesn't drive. So, listening to NPR while sleepy is not hazardous to his health -- it was to Cheyney's.

She had unwisely chosen NPR over booty music (her term, not mine) and was lulled to sleep for a nano-second by the intellectual conversation on her radio whilst driving. Details aside -- she careened into another vehicle. No one was hurt, but how much do you wanna bet that NPR is not sending a card around its offices for its employees to sign wishing her car a speedy recovery?

In conclusion... when driving in your car we have learned a vital lesson to listen to tunes rather than mind-enriching materials. Sir Mix-a-Lot did not spend hours writing and in the studio producing quality hits like "Baby Got Back" to have you fall asleep at the wheel -- he spent them so you could ROCK!

Dexter

2008-03-31T20:03:00.004-04:00

Luis and I found a new addiction this weekend. For a few weeks my glorious and wonderful TA at work has been telling me that I need to watch Dexter. That sounds like a cartoon character so I put it off until I was absolutely BORED this weekend. I downloaded the pilot on itunes and at first I was wondering what this lady thought I would enjoy about a serial killer (little does she know, huh, TDT!) but after about the 1/2 way point I was addicted.

Basically it is a story about Dexter (his last name) who is a forensic guy who specializes in blood. BUT here is the kicker that makes it 10x's better than CSI -- he's not a good guy, but he's not a bad guy either. At nights he gets the people who get away with their crimes (ie a drunk driver who keeps getting off after killing people) and he kills them. See, he's horrible but for a good cause? Anyway, you can get it on Netflix or on itunes if you don't get showtime.

Here is why I like it:

1. The plot progresses through the episodes -- nothing gets solved in 1 hour.

2. Dexter is not hard on the ol' eyes -- at all -- not even a little bit.

3. There aren't many times that you have to suspend reality. I hate that about a lot of movies and shows. The writing sucks and you have to work hard to believe it.

4. Just the right amount of gore. You know they're bleeding and their intenstines just fell onto the shrubs but it leaves you guessing about how long it takes the worms to come.

Be warned, it is on Showtime because of the gore but if you like real drama this is great. Can't wait to watch Season 2.

Cadbury Eggs -- nature's little way of giving you a kiss

2008-03-27T20:25:00.002-04:00

Ever since we finished with Easter my Food Lion has had Cadbury Eggs 50% off so every time I pick up anything including dog food I am forced to pick up a handful of them.

I think this all stems back to my days at Eckerds when my friend, Lisa, and I would find "creative" ways to make them cost 9 cents each. I had a shoe box of them stashed under my bed and I ate them secretly like they were illegal. YUM.

Now I see them as a complete luxury item and I am forced to hoard them at every opportunity where they are even remotely on sale.

I have to go buy dishwasher liquid and I am debating about whether or not I should just bite the bullet and buy the rest of them -- but knowing my recent up and down cravings I'll probably be gagging at the thought of them tomorrow.

Back to School

2008-03-26T21:59:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite college movies was Billy Madison and in that movie he sings a song about "back to school, back to school to prove to my dad that I'm not a fool" (you can watch the video by clicking on the name back there). That is what I was thinking as I pulled out of the driveway for 1 of 2 teacher workdays. We putzed around and got a lot done, but we still have more to do tomorrow. I love the part of the song where he says something about "I got my boots tied tied tight, hope I don't get in a fight". Best movie score evah!

Under the wire

2008-03-24T15:01:00.005-04:00

Just a smidge under the 1 month mark since the last post. I do have some excuses tho for those faithful who still wander by to see if this has been updated:

1. First of all I was closing out 3rd quarter at school and was up to my eyes.

2. Then I went on my glorious trackout that sent me spinning into an all out hibernation and useless state.

3. Felt gnarly for a while (for unspecified reasons).

4. After a while I got to the point of wondering what I would even write about.

BUT THEN

My friend Jamie returned from her trip to N Va and had an entry up THE NEXT DAY (with captioned pictures) -- and not like that night but in a timely manner. Props to you James. So, I'm back and I'm apologetic for my lazinesssssssss.

New Job

2008-02-25T21:15:00.004-05:00

I thought this picture would be appropriate since Luis is probably dreaming of this week way back a year ago when I took this picture in our old apartment with Simon taking my 1/2 of the bed.

This is Luis's last week at his job. He gave his 2 week notice last weekend and we were sure that one of two things would happen: 1) Hank would whine and throw and tantrum OR 2) Hank would be thankful for all of the hard work and dedication from Luis. Any guesses? Well, surprisingly Hank decided to save his whining for a rainy day and he actually tried to see what he could do to get Luis to stay.

Unfortunately, being a small company he was not nearly able to offer what this other company is offering as far as benefits and money are concerned and Luis does need a good window of time to study his aviation that he cannot get at this job. SO... needless to say this last week cannot pass quickly enough for us so that he can get going on working for a company that is actually able to adequately compensate him for his great work ethic.

Don't be surprised if you hear fireworks and loud whistles coming from the Velasquez house oh around 6:30 on Friday evening... that'll be the Colombian celebrating!

Track Change

2008-02-25T21:06:00.003-05:00

I found out for sure that I will be switching tracks next year to track 4. For those of you who do not speak year-round that means that I'll still be teaching 9 weeks and taking off 3 weeks and then back again but just different blocks of 9/3 weeks than I did this year. Kindergarten is a strangely autonomous grade level and the most disjointed of any I have worked on, but it came as a surprise that a few wanted to change their tracks. In order to accomodate, my TA and I chose track 4 which is the calendar closest to the traditional school year. We're flexible. We like to say that we're easy ... easy like Sunday morning.

What this information boils down to is that we will get 3 weeks off at the end of our school year and then 3 weeks off at the beginning of next school year (which starts in July) as we pick up the new track. Sounds like some pool time to me. That was one thing that I missed about starting year round right out of traditional -- I had only about 2 weeks to breathe in between letting the old kids go and meeting the new ones.

Luis will be happy b/c when I'm not working I get to be Suzy homemaker and clean and have food ready whereas we kind of eat what we can fix fast with whoever gets home first and play clean up catch up on the weekends. Maybe I should get an apron monogramed!!!

Top Cruise Book

2008-02-23T08:53:00.002-05:00

My friend and fellow scholar of the western culture that is Hollywood and I saw the Unauthorized Biography of Tom Cruise on a recent outing to Barnes and Noble. She (ever the voice of reason in our relationship) noted that is was more of a library book than a buying book so I went and got my name on the list so that I could see what secrets of Tom Cruise I needed to be aware of. Here are the major points and my impressions of the book so that you can decide if it is worth your time or not.

1. Scientology is dark and it really affected me in a weird way when I was reading about the details of it. According to the book, they target people for recruitment based on the demographic they can influence not as individuals (a la Beckhams and Lopez).

2. Nicole Kidman was an ice queen in the marriage and Tom was the one essentially chasing her. She also liked to find tiny details in the housekeepers jobs to complain about instead of noticing how well everything ran for her.

3. Tom Cruise was with that Colombian actress (I know more Colombians taking over the world :) weeks before proclaiming his love like an idiot on Oprah.

4. He has full custody of the kids and Nicole has only a webcam and phone relationship with them... when it was time for her to have them last time he sent them to a Scientology camp. The pic of them at the Lakers game was extremely uncommon.

5. The dislexia he claims to have been cured from by scientology has a couple of alternate stories -- one being that he was helped extensively in elementary school and was fine by middle school and the other being that his mom worked at home with him.

6. Scientology really is about aliens and stuff like that. They believe that there are Thetans on your body that make you unable to know what is really religious truth or not and that they have to be removed in a session where you are in room with your e-meter and you are talking to things asking them to identify themselves.

And last but never least 7. Tom appears a smiley and agreeable until he gets away from the camera then he is either blank or demanding and controlling...

Those are some highlights. Katie Holms info was not new but still sad how it seems like she got duped. And for the Ryan-ish readers I will add something of substance after all of this fluff... e=mc-squared.

Preach it Jamie!!!

2008-02-07T20:28:00.000-05:00

My intellectually divine friend Jamie just posted a wonderful writeup on peace. I can't really sum it up well enough to do it justice so here is the link: http://mccollumsincharlotte.blogspot.com/
Read and enjoy. I know that I crave calm and relaxation, but I dive into the drama pool often. She gives us a good reminder. Props, James!

Ragin' against the beautiful mind

2008-02-05T20:54:00.000-05:00

On Saturday night we went out with our favorite dates Ryan and Cheyney... Che and I are a pretty established couple since we lived through the dramatic 9th and 10th grades together (and had crushes on 2 of the same boys but never were dumb enough to do anything mean about it)but it was fun to have the husbands involved.

We ate at this yum-tastic resturant that Ryan found confusing because of the hype/trendy vibe mixed with plain older customers and the great presentation of food backdropped by the bottle of 401 on the counter. Our waitress, Amelia, had a carefully assembled outfit consisting of a sparkly black bikini top under her barely buttoned blouse. It was a wild thing to behold because her outfit didn't really match her innocent personality so I'm assuming the rest of her buttons popped off of her shirt while bringing our heavy drinks and she was wearing the bikini top because it was laundry day?!

After we ate, we went back to Ryan and Cheyney's love den and played a rematch of RAGE the most fun card game in recent memory that I have absolutely no idea how to score -- that's why I pick smart friends. Above you will see a paper that looks like something that the guy from A Beautiful Mind would've written on the windows, but it is the score paper. As you can see, Luis dominated -- Velasquezes representing!

Why I Keep Him

2008-01-27T21:10:00.000-05:00

So as any married one will tell you, there are times when you look at the person lucky enough to spend their life with you and and wonder "why oh why oh why oh why do I bother?". Not a commentary on what you think of the person as a whole, just what you think in that moment. Well, last night was one of the nights that reminds me why I bother.

Yesterday we SUPPOSED to be a big cleaning day and I had an ambitious set of plans for my day that I expected to commence just as soon as I got up noonish-closer-to-one. I began cleaning and even roped Luis into participating since he has more cleaning skill in his right pinky than I do after sleeping all morning to prepare.

We were busily cleaning in our separate parts of the house when Luis came in and said "You're going to kill me, but I invited Andres and Natalia for supper" (cue the "why do I bother" thoughts).There was so much to do and I didn't want the limit of time placed by visitors, but they're always fun so I pulled my life together and kept on scrubbing. Let me clarify that we LOVE Andres and Natalia (especially since Andres grew up with Luis and still speaks to him) and all stupid attitudes were my own inability to veer from the supposed plan de jour.

I took the comforter to the laudramat since it is too big to fit in the washer here and pretty much by the time I got back, this is what that little punk whipped up: pasta with mussles, calamari, shrimp, and mushrooms... if the food wasn't so good I would've beat him up for being such an over achiever.

So, I quit being a whiney wife for a while and thankfully ate the food my husband fixed. Hey, it it were not for his lovely efforts we would've been feasting on the local delights like Taco Bell or KFC (which are lovely in their own time). He enjoys making fancy stuff so the next time he starts dancing the marengue on my nerves (which is a big fat joke if you know how much he hates dancing to spanish music) I'll remember the time he really "rocked the mic" as my darling Che would say and fixed some pretty looking and tasting food.

Jackpot!

2008-01-21T10:02:00.000-05:00

Every Sunday on the way to church in Burlington we pass the sign that lets us know what the current lottery jackpot is and almost everytime, Luis and I go through our lists of what we'd do if we won. Not that we've ever had a chance of winning since the only tickets we've ever bought were the time that the jackpot was like 320 million and that was Luis buying.

Since we pass it every Sunday, we have gotten pretty good at shooting through our lists, but I'm curious what your list would be. And seriously? Unless you'd really go running over to Namibia with a pile of money in your hands for water treatment programs don't put it -- I'll already very impressed with you as a person :) I'll admit that I sure haven't thought of that one time passing the sign.

So, leave me a comment telling me your list. I'm not going to let you win or anything, but maybe I'll beef up my own list or maybe I'll get a little insight into you.

Llave por la mona

2008-01-20T21:26:00.000-05:00

A few of you might know the tale of the day I got locked out of the house in the cold with flip-flops and wet hair. Hey, just because I remember to make the kids wear their coats at school doesn't mean that I have a lick of sense in my own world!

So, I tried fruitlessly to break into the house even using the credit card trick -- nada. I tried to see if any windows were unlocked -- so much for the virtues of being responsible. I was forced to call Luis (who was working in Raleigh) and have him drive all the way home to let me in.

Lesson: I need a hidden key. Well, almost a month later it is hidden. Of course Luis (with his extensive criminal training that is standard in all elementary curriculum in Colombia) guessed right away where I put it. I don't know whether to chalk that up to me being obvious or us being married so I'm leaving it for the time being.

The good news is that I won't have to bother my dear Cheyney the next time I get locked out, the bad news is that being very aware of my absentminded characteristics (or as someone once put it "my mind being on loftier things) I'll probably forget and still have to call her. Che, remind me that I need to give you a spare because as it stands, when I call you it will be to help me break in and that can't be cheap to repair!

**Disclaimer to criminals that often read my blog as a form of recreation: don't bother to look for the key -- I'm so onto you that I've probably chickened out and brought it back inside and put it in my cobra's cage.

Raleigh Snow Days Explained to the Layman

2008-01-17T19:16:00.000-05:00

We had a real Raleigh snow day today. For those of you who've never lived in Raleigh I have to tell you that it is a phenomonon like no other. The way is goes down is this:

1. A week out the weather reporters start mentioning the S word (no Thomas, not that S word it's the one that rhymes with Joe).

2. 5 minutes after the first mention people trek to the grocery stores to stock up on storm rations like canned foods and wood and water.

3. The snow trucks put down a few test layers of that magical snow and ice killing stuff that may or may not be salt.

4. The parents tell their kids that they probably won't have school the next day b/c of snow.

5. Everyone hunkers down to watch WRAL to see about the delays and closings.

The station uses hard-hitting graphics to be sure all viewers are aware of the potential dangers on and off of the road.

6. Wake County Public Schools makes sure that it is the absolute last place to make a decision.

7. They give us a 2 hour delay.

8. Nothing happens.

Then the whole thing repeats itself at least once or twice that season.

Oh, and referencing #8, obviously this picture was not from today... but you would know that if you were what I like to call a careful reader!

Jacked up very bad day

2008-01-16T19:55:00.000-05:00

My favorite kids book of all time is Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day and this day sure had the makings. Here it goes:

7:46- Voicemail from my TA letting me know that she'd be out because she's got a migraine.

10:55- Kids act like like bafoons who've never done a math lesson in their lives... resulted in their papers being tossed in the recycling bin so that they could start over and do a good job.

7:15- Lights in the Honda start acting weird.

7:22- Car starts really getting scary... not wanting to accelerate... radio not working.

7:35- Pull into the driveway... whew... car stops... and Luis can't figure it out.

8:12- Luis was having trouble getting the arrepas to go with our yum Colombian beans separated so I tried and ended up stabbing my hand stigmata-style.

8:30- Have to go to pick up the Jeep since my Honda is not working... sucks.

I think I'll move to Australia...

Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank

2008-01-15T19:34:00.000-05:00

I went to the library to return my 1 week loan of T is for Trespass a wonderful book by the lovely Sue Grafton (who I met once because I'm hot stuff) and I happened upon a little hardcover copy of Stop Dressing Your Six Year Old Like a Skank.

Had to check it out. I'm always up for a provocative title.

It is so freaking funny -- especially since the author observes a lot of trends about the 6 year old population that I do. If you are looking for a quickie that will make your stomach hurt (from laughing not concern), I'd go the skanky route... but that's just me.

Oh and yes my parents did pay good money for me to get my degree in English and no I don't often check out the great American classics (ok ever... I don't ever check out the great American classics).

Salud (dinero y amor)

2008-01-14T18:17:00.000-05:00

Well, Luis and I had a nice weekend together which is rare (the weekend part not the nice part). Usually he is working or flying and I am being worthless around the house because I'm sleeping until noon and watching episodes of MTV stuff online (since we 86ed the cable).

Not this weekend. We puttered around and ate Chinese one night and Pizza the other... heaven.

There is no one that can get under my skin like my husband, but I think that is b/c there is no one that is more like half of my brain. We are just cheeseball like that.

So, here's to cute husbands to make the rare weekends fun. And here's to the dogs who mostly stayed out of our way this weekend so we could argue and laugh and just generally experience the blessing that is time together. Salud!

Ur on red.

2008-01-03T21:05:00.000-05:00

So I have a list of favorite blogs that I like to visit and I noticed that when I checked one that had not been updated since January 1st, I was mentally chanting "update your blog, update your blog". Apparently that would be a case of the kettle and pot and some black cause guess when I updated my blog last... oh yes, it was the 1st. So, here I am updating since I am hoping my favorite bloggers will do the same.

So, what to tell... The one thing that happened today that was kind of funny was a little "love note" that I got from my right hand man Connor today. Preface this story in your mind with the fact that the behavior in my class is by colors: green- good day, yellow- a little note goes home explaining some silliness or talkative behavior, and red (which only 2 people have gotten all year long)- which means the kid him/herself has to call his/her parents and explain what the crap has happened to turn his/her life into this downward spiral of disaster during the day.

Well, Connor (or Bartchy as I like to call him since his last name is so much more punchy sounding) wrote me a note and folded it hand-arthritis-givingly-small. When I opened it is said "ur on red" translated: this little genius just put his teacher on RED for no reason! Ha - love the moxie. Wish I had it when I was 5!

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Now, my favorite bloggers (and you know who you are) update your blogs and keep my entertained -- or else you will be on RED.

Fun Friends

2008-01-01T18:23:00.000-05:00

Oh, and here's a little shout out to our fun friends, Ryan and Cheyney. We had a great time celebrating New Years with them last night and we are so thankful that you guys are in Raleigh!!!

Tracking In

2008-01-01T18:14:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I return to work after a nice extended track-out. This is my second, but since Luis was in Colombia during my first track-out, this one was immeasurably more fun. Here is a list of things that I will miss when I track back into school tomorrow morning:

1. Sleeping until 10 AM, eating some breakfast, reading, then sleeping in a little more.

2. Taking a long bath when I am ready to (instead of a quick shower so that I am not even one second later than I already am).

3. Keeping our house clean and clutter-free.

4. Making (sometimes) fancy suppers for when Luis gets home from work.

5. Staying up reading WAY after Luis falls asleep.

6. Sleeping until 10 AM and repeating the previous day's rigorous schedule.

I am excited to see the kids tomorrow, though. We rearranged the classroom totally on our workdays, so I am almost giddy imagining them finding their new seats and reaquainting themselves with all of their friends. And don't even think that I've forgotten about my class-boyfriend, Jackson -- I'm ready to get back to getting his little lovenotes :)

Wish me luck!!! (Actually, I'm pretty rested up so I should be great fun this week!)

Jools

2007-12-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

Here is Jools in her favorite habitat in the entire house. If I can't find her, I know to look under my desk. When I work at my desk, I automatically sit to the side so that my little dingo (not the one that ate the baby) can be comfortable. She survived Katrina, so darnit, she's gonna get spoiled here.

The squeaky belt gets the oil -- then tries to chop your finger off

2007-12-29T10:32:00.000-05:00

On the way home from work for his mini-bday celebration, Luis decided to stop and put some oil on a sqeaky belt in the Honda... in his effort to be fast so that he could get home and get showered before my parents got there, he put his finger down to steady the belt. Well, the belt had no regard for the steadying intentions of my poor husband and it took his finger all the way around and through the pulley. Needless to say his finger looks like he should be on the news for a shark attack.

They always say that the squeaky wheel gets the oil -- is this the logical next step: attempted amputation? If so, I am ignoring the parents in the class who make huge deals to get little perks for their kids so that I can protect my digits. And, yes, that is a napkin ring around L's finger -- we like to decorate where we can.

Luis's Bday

2007-12-29T10:27:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Luis's 31st bday. My parents came for supper and we had a low key night with them. Today, though, for his bday we are going on 2 surprises -- one of which Dad accidently spilled the beans to him about. I could have screamed. As hard as it is it to surprise Luis, I was impressed that I kept it going this long. Here is Luis posing in the jacket my parents gave him.

Going off the rails of a crazy train

2007-12-03T19:46:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the last day of teaching that I have until 2008. Kathryn (my trusty TA) and I are holding onto our sanity by our fingernails and have been for the last 2 weeks. Our normally borderline-genius kids have been acting ... well... like children from the "other" Kindergarten class. We had some high schoolers come down and talk about recycling and my students told them that they really don't like coloring. I think we all just need a break from Kindergarten. But as soon as we are ready to be over it, one of the kids will hand us a "love note" which is their latest craze. They take paper from the the estimation box and write messages on it like "I loe m v" (translated from the original kindergarten this means I love Mrs. Velasquez) or more brazen attempts like "I love Vlascez". We might be going nuts, but at least we'll all go down with love :)

The tree

2007-11-26T00:13:00.000-05:00

Luis finally got to do one of his favorite things that involves cursing in spanish a la Ricky Ricardo... he untangled the Christmas lights and put up our tree. It is really nice (of course I'd say that). We also put up the Christmas village. Good thing his cousin Andres was here to remind him the bad words in his native language in case he forgot any of the good ones. So after a bunch of mumbled mal pa-somethings and bestia hijo de pu-somethings, the tree is up and we are filled with Christmas spirit!

Christmas House

2007-11-24T18:35:00.000-05:00

The Christmas decorations have been out since Monday, but now that Thanksgiving is done Luis could finally put up the lights. I love our house and now I love our house with Christmas lights.

And then there is the matter of the cute creature who put the lights up in shorts, a camo jacket, and hat -- Christmas lights AND eye candy... it doesn't get much better!

Huge Bone

2007-11-24T18:21:00.000-05:00

Simon and Jools celebrated a very successful day today. Simon was celebrating his trip to the vet where he got a ton of shots and was maligned as being overweight by 5 pounds and Jools was celebrating her first day ever out of the crate while no adults were home.

This bone is HUGE. It is literally as long as my arm from my wrist to my shoulder. I had to buy it for them. The funny part is that neither of them can chew it -- all they can do is lick it and carry it for short distances.

And the bathtub

2007-11-20T19:17:00.000-05:00

Here is the bathtub we've been working on. It is a real tub that we have painted (with the labor of the children included) to get ready for a reading destination. The kids read sitting anywhere (it is funny to see where they choose) and they are always so good that when the offer of a tub came we couldn't resist it. It is hard to tell from the picture but the pillows are made out of towels -- an idea much too creative for me to take credit for. So, soon as the rest of the pillows arrive the kids can have another place to read.

Thanksgiving Feast

2007-11-20T19:13:00.000-05:00

So we had our Feast today and here is one of my students dressed as a Ingrim (a pilgrim/indian hybrid that was so unintentional I had to let him keep it on). The feast was much less chaotic than any of us expected.

Rainy days and Thursdays

2007-11-15T06:39:00.000-05:00

I had my observation and it actually went really well. The mom (and the backup) mom had to cancel for centers so the principal ended up observing a math lesson. The children were super. They had no problems and looked brilliant by sorting manipulatives by esoteric sorting rules like "these blocks have scratches and these ones don't" she loved that. It is supposed to be a rainy day today so we are knocking out some assessments -- at least that is the plan.

Wal*Mart Oil Change

2007-11-10T17:08:00.000-05:00

So we're all about saving the pennies so Luis asked me to go to Wal*Mart to get the Jeep's oil changed. I considered the last time I went there and wasted 2 (TWO) hours of my summer waiting to save about $11 ( or 1.64841 Switzerland Francs), but considering that I did get to sleep in past 12:38 this afternoon I was down. I showered quickly and put on my best "I don't care how I look because I am going to the Wal*Mart in Wake Forest" outfit and hopped in the jeep. I put Dr. Laura on my IPOD and nodded along while she got impatient with a guy who wouldn't get rid of his 8 year old cat even though the cat didn't get along with his wife of 4 months -- jerk. About, oh, 24 minutes later I pulled up to Wal*Mart and there was an empty car parked where you're supposed to wait for the guy to check you in. I pulled beside it so the guy would come and he told me to go ahead and park. OK makes sense Sam, so I parked. Twenty-three minutes (that would be 1,380 seconds) later and 2 handheld devices critical to checking me in running out of batteries I was in. I wandered around Wal*Mart in Wake Forest and I was able to hear a lady point out that she had enough ammunition in her dad's car in the parking lot to keep some other person at bay for at least 5 minutes (I swear she really said this and she wasn't joking). About an hour and 17 minutes later (but who's counting) I went back to see if they had successfully been able to replace my more than 1,247 miles overdue oil... of course they were done about forty minutes ago-- they just had not called me like they promised they would. LOVE saving money.

It's the freakin weekend

2007-11-09T18:26:00.000-05:00

So, it's been a long week with my TA out one day. We are really a pair so it was good to have her back even without her voice. We made the Native American costumes (vests, necklaces, and headpieces) and part of the Pilgrim costumes. We are looking forward to the feast that we have scheduled for the day before we go on Thanksgiving break. The kids made their invitations today so we'll see how many parents RSVP -- I suspect most will. It's going to be a nutso day that day.

Oh Crap (again)

2007-11-07T19:56:00.000-05:00

So we have a new principal and apparently she likes to observe a little more casually than the old one... she dropped in with her laptop today just as my little blessings were lining up for PEPI (where the high schoolers come and play games with them) so I dodged the perverbial bullet this time but now I know she's on the prowl. It's not like I have anything exciting to hide, but I like to be over-prepared for observations and today we were not going by the script... we've been doing 2nd quarter math assessments and even for Kindergarten those assessments suck the life out the the kids. So today I was letting them work on their Native American necklaces for our upcoming feast. It was an ambitious project since we were using bottled glue and sand so I guess she would've been impressed... but now we have to wait for the next unexpected visit. I can just about hear the jaws music in the background.

Cheyney is in Raleigh

2007-11-07T19:54:00.000-05:00

So, I opened my facebook today and there was a message from my high school friend Cheyney. She and I went to school together when we lived in Georgia and now she lives in Raleigh... what are the chances? I am so excited to see my friend. She and I had a great time back in those olden days. Can you stand how life works out like that sometimes?

Sandy Toes

2007-11-04T13:13:00.000-05:00

So here we are at the beach. Our condo is called Sandy Toes and it is owned by one of my students' family and some other friends of ours. They have an album of the condo makeover and I am IMPRESSED! It is also funny to see pictures of 2 of my students on the wall -- work is never far away, but that is a good thing sometimes (like when we get to go to the beach because of it :) It has been so nice and Luis is having fun playing Nintendo 64 Vietnam-vet style (marine jacket with no shirt and ripped off pajama pants).

The dogs have had fun fun and attacking each other in the sand and we have eaten TOO MUCH. That's what the beach is for.

Thomas Logan

2007-10-30T17:58:00.000-04:00

This post is for my celebrity band member and computer-tinkering friend Thomas. A little known factoid about Thomas McDonald Logan is that he is a member of a highly innovative band that has been recognized internationally. He is such a busy traveler that I'm starting a rumor that his passport is actually a tattoo on his left calf muscle. I am posting to send a little "what what" in his direction (wherever that direction is today) since he's such an avid reader who literally begs for new posts. Thommy... this post is for you, hun.

Lake trip pictures

2007-10-29T20:19:00.000-04:00

Here we are at the lake. We had a big family trip: Mom, Dad, Papa, Gma, Nathan, Amanda, Isaiah, Luis, Christy, and Simon ... I got so sunburned -- but it was for a good cause.

Here is Luis giving Simon a good swimming lesson. That dog swam and swam -- one of the few times in his life that he was wiped out!

Ahhh, get your kids out of the sky

2007-10-29T20:04:00.000-04:00

Luis got his official pilot's license in the mail today. Since he is not a bragger like me, he refuses to let me scan it and put it on here. If I were the one who got my pilot license, I would have it blown up in full resolution with bulleted captions... but that's me. Anyway, just imagine it. It is beautiful. Picture a plastic card with vital information and a backdrop of the Wright Bros and you will get a nice mental image. I can't scan it, but I can sure describe it. He didn't give me any rules about that.

Pilot

2007-10-28T20:53:00.001-04:00

Here is my cute husband flying and studying aviation.

Free glasses

2007-10-28T20:49:00.000-04:00

This was the first day that the new principal came. She gave all of the students in the school (and teachers) a pair of sunglasses to demonstrate her new motto and these are the kids wearing their new glasses.

Our House

2007-10-28T20:04:00.001-04:00

Here is our house. We moved in at the beginning of April so it is still a work in progress.

This is the living room. That was a BIG painting job.

This was the hole above the fireplace that I couldn't solve for the longest time... I just knew I didn't want to put a TV there.

Anyway.... it's getting there.

Here is my class

2007-10-28T19:43:00.000-04:00

Here are 4 of my students standing beside a HUGE job they did matching capital and lower case letters. They were the only group to actually make all of the matches!

This is the day that we were making play-doh letters. It is part of the school's handwritting program, but it's such a fun activity that we were doing it for fun here.

Oh Crap!

2007-10-28T19:27:00.001-04:00

Now Jamie has linked me on her site so I feel like I need to post :) This past week was a sniffly one -- first me then Luis. His take on the situation evolved from "leather up... it's just a cold" to "IIIIIIII cannn't dooooo aneeeething I feel so bad". Colds are no fun. We got a bathtub in our classroom that we are painting as a class project. When the tub is done, we will put pillows in it for a reading center (a super creative mom in the class is sewing pillows out of towels for the tub). Anyway. Track out is in just over a month... then I'll be off for almost a full month. Pictures to come of the finished tub.

2007-10-02T20:43:00.000-04:00

Just a picture that is one of the extremely few pictures that shows my husband smiling. This is when we landed inBogota on our first trip to Colombia together (and Luis's first time in 8 years).

Testing testing

2007-10-02T20:32:00.000-04:00

Ok, I'm copying my friend Jamie who is so on top of things with her newlywed blog. This could be a good place to post pictures. Let's see if I keep up with this.