Best movies

Everyone is doing year-end lists and I can't be left out. It's been fun compiling my best and worst list. On any given day the placement may change but I'm pretty secure in my top ten.

Here are my top ten movies of 2008:

1. Australia
2. Young@Heart
3. Iron Man
4. Marley and Me
5. Baby Mama
6. Ghost Town
7. The Dark Knight
8. Kit Kittredge an American Girl
9. Twilight
10. W.

I also saw a whole lot of kid films that I must say I thoroughly enjoyed so here are my top five:

1. Kit Kittredge an American Girl
2. Kung Fu Panda
3. Nim's Island
4. Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3-D
5. WALL-E

I'd include my list of worst movies of 2008 but then I'd have to admit that I saw Burn After Reading and Tropic Thunder. Oops. Well, here goes:

1. Burn After Reading
2. Tropic Thunder
3. The Happening
4. Cloverfield
5. X-Files I Want to Believe
6. Made of Honor
7. Nights in Rodanthe
8. Yes Man
9. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
10. Nothing Like the Holidays

After looking at all the films released in 2008 these are some of the films I still plan to see but just haven't made the effort.

1. Penelope
2. Mama Mia!
3. The Secret Life of Bees
4. Bolt
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
6. Frost/Nixon
7. Valkyrie
8. Last Chance Harvey
9. Doubt
10. Bedtime Stories
    

Favorite Songs of 2008

I switched my playlists to the songs I could listen to over and over again in 2008. When making the list I tried to be a purist. If the album was released in 2007 -- scratch, off the list. That eliminated a whole slew of songs. I had to take off all the Kid Rock, Daughtry, Jordin Sparks, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles, and Regina Spektor that I love and helped me get through 2008. Really, I could have put the entire Cold Play album there as well as the Joshua Radin CD although I like We Were Here better than Simple Times. One album I will not be putting on the list is Fleet Foxes. It made the top ten of so many music critics. I've listened to it and I just don't get it. One song I do get however, is The Shining by Badly Drawn Boy. I heard it in the movie trailer for Last Chance Harvey a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't place it. It was driving me crazy until last night and yipee I heard it again and there it was. Great song but sadly it was released in 2000 so it's not on the list but you can listen to it here. The songs are in no particular order because I can't narrow it down like that. I couldn't limit it to ten either but these are my favorites. If I'm being honest with myself I would also include some Rhianna and Beyoncè but that's a little too honest.

Reflecting

This year the family started what I think will be a new tradition.  On Saturday we got together early on Christmas Eve to have a short skit of the Christmas story and eat breakfast for dinner. Kiley made the best pecan cinnamon rolls and dad made a delicious breakfast bake.  After we ate, we all sat around reminiscing while the kids tormented/played with the guinea pig and toys in grandma's closet.  Since Ashley will be turning 16 next year the conversation landed on cars we drove as teenagers.  We drove a whole lot of Buicks.  Buicks were a favorite because these cars were hand me downs from Grandpa S. and Grandpa G.  We certainly drove them into the ground.

Some of the great features of the cars were.

• Brake failures.  Apparently, we had multiple brake failures.  Thankfully, the worst brake failure occurred when all of us were crammed in the car along with the Towers and as we were going down a hill on Wasatch Blvd the brakes went out.  Luckily, the hill was followed by a steep incline so we were able to stop.  After a short hike to a stranger's house to make a call for help we refilled on brake fluid and away we went.
• Power Steering failures.  It's always fun trying to turn the car without the appropriate fluid.
• Windows that wouldn't roll down.  One freezing night I stopped at the Pepperwood guard shack to tell them I was there for a visit and the window fell down into the door.  Later, dad was able to shimmy the window back up but we were not able to roll it down. Ever.  Not even when pulled over by police officers telling us to roll the window down.
• Astro Van adventures.  This was not a hand me down.  It was the family car and we considered it a great privilege to load it up and drive friends wherever.  These rides were generally limited to late night shenanigans, drive bys (our friendly term for stalking), and group dances.
• Radio signals.  The most unique feature of the Buick century was the radio antennae that went around the windshield.  It was unique because the radio would only work when we were going north or south.  Every time you turned east or west -- static.
• Got a dollar?  You've got a car. -- Matt actually bought my Grandpa G.'s car for a dollar and then drove it across the country to get it home.  Who let's a 16 year old drive a car from Mississippi to Utah?  Later, the car was sold to Michelle's boyfriend for a dollar.  Once he got it to his house Michelle had broken up with him and the car broke down in his driveway.  Too bad so sad Jerk. You've got to love life's little ironies. 
• Windshield wiper malfunctions.  After college mom and dad helped me get into my first real car.  I certainly drove this car into the ground.  It was good to me up until that last year and then everything that could go wrong with it did.  It finally died on me a couple of days before Christmas late one night outside Barnes and Nobel in Sugarhouse.  Good news -- new car.  Bad news registering a car in December.  The first real repair I had to do on the Mercury Tracer was to fix the windshield wipers.  Somehow, something got mixed up with the wiring and once the windshield wipers were turned on they wouldn't turn off.  In fact every time I accelerated they would go faster.  I went through a lot of wiper fluid that year until I earned enough to pay for the $700 dollar repair.  Little did I know that was just the beginning of the end for the little green car.

Well, Christmas Eve dinner was followed by a round of musical instruments and songs, with a few presents opened.  Everyone was off to their respective homes by 6:30.  It was a great night and we had a lot of fun.  The next morning Mom, Dad, and I braved the blizzard in Herriman, the rain/snow in Sandy, and the blue sky in Midvale to stop by and deliver gifts on Christmas Day.  It was fun seeing what everyone received.  The best was watching dad rock out to guitar hero.  He only got 23% but he didn't care.  The only thing keeping him from the air guitar finals is hair and a bad knee.  Otherwise, he'd be able to compete with the best of them. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  Got good car stories?  I'd love to hear them.

Favorite New Song

I can't get enough of this song.  I first heard it two weeks ago when Sheryl Crow was featured on an early Sunday news program.  I wasn't really watching but I heard a clip of the song and was immediately hooked.  So pretty. Such a great message.  I actually bought the CD at Hallmark which I never do anymore.  I usually just buy music on itunes, but it's one of those exclusive deals.  I really don't like the rest of the CD, but I love this song. I hope it becomes more available.  Anyway, give it a listen from youtube (Mom, you'll have to turn off the music at the bottom before you play it.).

Sheryl Crow -There is a Star that Shines Tonight

I hope that this post makes up for the post about my feet.

Heels

In the winter as the air gets drier so do my heels.  I really have to think about my feet.  I must put lotion on before I go to bed.  I must keep them smooth and callous free. I thinks that's why I love the Ped Egg so much.  Anyway, I got a little behind on my foot maintenance regimen and the other day my heel cracked right down the middle.  This is nothing new.  It always happens. It's really gross.  It's really painful.  I thought about including a picture but I still feel guilty about posting the horrid Tyra Banks meat photo.  I couldn't subject anyone to my dry cracked heel.  But, in all honesty my heel has been giving me some trouble.  It was not fun walking around at the Festival of Trees.  My heel was screaming.  I also think my right calf muscle is larger than my left because I've been walking on my toes for the past week so I don't put any pressure on my heel.  

Last night I woke up because my foot hurt and I "overheard" this conversation in my head.

Big toe: Why don't we just get rid of him. (Him being my heel.)

Other big toe:  We can't she won't let us. (She being me.)

This has led me to a few conclusions.

1. My heel is a male.
2. Body parts can hold grudges.
3. I should be committed.

In fact I shouldn't be posting this scenario because it could be used as evidence in the trial where my family tries to gain power of attorney.  

Yes, after a nearly two week absence this is what you get.  I apologize. I'll try and work up something a little more festive for the next post.

Giving Thanks

I have so many blessings.  

I'm glad to live in a country where I can express my opinions freely, travel across state lines without government approval, become educated, petition the government for change, choose my leaders, and worship in my own way.

I am thankful to have a loving family who respects each other, loves to spend time with one another, can joke without offense, and who will selflessly give of themselves to help another family member in need.

I am grateful for a job that is always new, reminds me of how important it is to be a problem solver, a friend, and to work hard.  It gives me perspective on how to be a good parent and how not to be a good parent.  I enjoy working with young people and old people and everyone in between. 

There are also a few more things I am thankful for:

1.) Smiths Marketplace wasn't nearly as crowded as previous years and sock buying was extremely pleasant.

2.) The longest line we stood in was at Target, but even then it wasn't terrible.

3.) No cashiers over the age of 90 who are named Wanda, but then again, I didn't go to Walmart this year.

4.) The checkout counter in intimate apparel at JC Penny.  No waiting. 

5.) Dudley. I even got him a present, it's one of those automatic, as seen on TV, pet groomers that file his nails without pain.  He might be pain free, but I might be in a lot of pain after I attempt to try it on him.  I'm hoping for the best.

6.) The oatmeal in an oatmeal cookie bowl at Paradise Bakery.  Yum.

7.) The quiche at Paradise Bakery.  Yum, Yum.  Thanks for going halvsies with me Kiley.

8.) Gas that is below $1.60. 

9.) Naps.

10.) Great shopping buddies. 

Give me 5

Here's more random stuff about me.

5 things I was doing ten years ago.

This was hard.  I can hardly remember yesterday, let alone ten years ago.  

1 - Matt and Kiley just celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary so I know I celebrated with them.

2 - I was teaching 2nd grade at Riverside Elementary.

3 - I moved home and was living with mom and dad.  Beginning teachers don't make much and mom had a garage full of teaching supplies.

4 - I was taking classes from USU to get my GT endorsement.

5 - Attended the Londonderry singles ward in Sandy.

5 things on my to do list.

1 - Wrap presents for Melanie, Mark, and Mom

2 - Watch George Stephanopoulos 

3 - Correct two weeks worth of Weekend News

4 - Laundry

5 - Go to dad's to celebrate November birthdays. 

(I got two of the five things done.)

5 snacks I like

1 - Cottage cheese with Cheez-It crackers.

2 - Quaker Granola bites (peanut butter flavor)

3 - Cashews and almonds with dried cranberries and blueberries

4 - Clementines 

5 - Toast

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire

1 - Hire a personal trainer

2 - Get Dudley some obedience lessons (we were kicked out of the last class)

3 - Remodel my kitchen

4 - Travel 

5 - Save 

5 Places I have lived

1 - Sandy

2 - Salt Lake

3 - Russia

4 - Estonia

5 - Latvia

5 Jobs I have had

1 - Teacher

2 - Nanny for a family with 12 children, 6 of whom were adopted from Russia

3 - U of U Development office (researcher)

4 - Famous Brands Housewares (associate)

5 - The Daily Utah Chronicle (staff writer, Editorial Editor)

If you read this you're tagged, but again, only if you want to.

Happy Birthday Melanie

Today is Melanie's birthday.  So in honor of her.  I thought I'd write a little poem, or maybe rather an ode.

A Sisterly Ode Written at Work While Avoiding the Copy Room.

Melanie Melanie Melanie

Sometimes we call you Smell.

Who invented the name? 

Don't give me credit.

The we, wasn't me, it was Shell.

You are my sister who I adore

I'm jealous of your husband

because he installed your

new floor.

You have very cute kids

Whom I like a lot.

They really are sweet

Adam's never a snot.

You helped do my laundry

when I was out of comish

you scrubbed all my toilets

and washed every dish.

You can quote any movie 

without a mistake

You even like scary ones

but they make my knees quake.

You love 80's tunes

Devo, Talking Heads, and U2

Blind, Big Chair, Whip it good

They sound like heaven to you.

Diet Coke is your drink

Don't even slip up with a Pepsi

Accidentally mention it once in a blog

And I might as well have lepsi (AKA leprosy)

My ode's about done 

It's rather absurd

I followed no rules

It's no "Flightless Bird"

But, Melanie Melanie 

Not much left to say

I hope you have fun on

your thirty blankth birthday.

Babysitting

Last week I got to spend the weekend watching the kids while Matt and Kiley left for their cruise to the Caribbean.  I got there Saturday morning and we enjoyed a calm start.  It was a beautiful day so we walked to the park.  Miles is a climber!  He wanted to climb everything. Including the giant slide. Hannah was a great helper keeping track of him.  The girls had fun chasing each other around and Madelyn even attempted to swing on the twister with a couple of bigger kids.  It didn't work out so well, so we decided to head back home for lunch and a nap for Miles.  While Miles napped the girls worked on the computer, played with the perler beads, and then we all watched Felicity.  When Miles woke up we got ready to go see Madagascar 2. It was cute.  We finished the night at IHOP for dinner. By bedtime I was just as tired as everyone else was so we all went to bed. Sunday morning we got up and had leftover pancakes for breakfast and then we all got ready to go to grandma's house for church.  My timing was off and we got ready too early so we played and read books until it was time to go to grandma's.  Grandpa was speaking so it was nice to be able to listen to his talk about following the prophet.  Grandma was teaching Sunday School so my only stress came at the end of sacrament meeting when mom had left, dad was nowhere, Miles was falling asleep and I was trying to pick up everything on the bench.  How do single moms do it? But Tina was there to help.  She walked the girls to primary and I made it Sunday School but gave up half way through when Miles was zonked so dad and I took him back home and put him down for a nap,  it was time for my nap too.   All in all it was a fun time.  The kids were fantastic, but I have a new appreciation for moms out there.  It was tough and tiring. But I'd still do it again in a heartbeat.  Matt and Kiley, thanks for letting me hang out with the kids.  Hope your vaca was amazing.  Can't wait to hear all about it. 

6 Quirks

Okay,  after this post I'll be all caught up. 

1. I HATE to make left hand turns.  I avoid them at all cost.  I have inherited this from my dad.  Kids watch out.  Don't make fun of your parents -- you really do become them.  I also argue with cashiers if an injustice has been dealt.  

2.  My eyebrows sweat if I get nervous.  This is in addition to my palms, my arpits, my upper lip, and my neck.  Gross.

3. I can pick things up with my toes.  I can also pinch people really hard with them.  Just ask Michelle.  She lived in fear of the pinchers.  But she was able to get me back by sticking her finger in the hole on the back of my knee.  I hate that!

4. I laugh.  A lot.  Because of this people often confuse me with being extremely happy and nice.  But, really I'm rather sarcastic and cynical.  Laughter is my nervous response.  If you ask me, I think I suffer from social anxiety disorder and this is how it is revealed.  Some people turn lights on and off before entering a room, I laugh like a machine gun.

5. I can't eat cooked peppers.  I like the flavor.  I even like them raw, but after they've been cooked I just can't stomach them -- literally.

6. My thumbs are double jointed.  I can bend them all the way back to my wrist.  This is the only physical skill in which I excel.

Any quirks?  I'd love to hear them.  Or read them.  Whatever.

The 8 Things Tag...

8 TV shows I love to watch:
1. The Amazing Race
2. So You Think You Can Dance
3. American Idol
4. The Biggest Loser
5. ER
6. Heroes
7. Lost
8. Life

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Dos Seranos (I know it closed like five years ago but I can't get over it. They had the best cheese quesadilla and tamales)
2. Sam Pan (Sesame Chicken to die for)
3. Rafaels (Yummy bean and cheese nachos)
4. Doughboyzz (Hawaiian sandwich with ham, pineapple, and pecans)
5. Rumbi (Aloha Mango Chicken salad)
6. Tuccis (Yup, they closed too, but they had this chicken and pine nut dish that was so yummy)
7. The Metropolitan (Only been there once with a friend who writes reviews for the D-News but I can still taste the Kobe beef bar bites, the crispy duck, the raw tuna -- it seriously was like butter, but the best thing was the panna cotta, and the cream cheese ice cream.  Decadent.)
8. The Crepe place in Pike Place Market (Fresh peaches and cream made it delightful.)

8 Things that happened today
1. Woke up 6:00
2. Back to Bed
3. Woke up again 9:00
4. Watched Meet the Press
5. Watched This Week With George S.  The headliner was Arnold Schwarzenegger
6. Sniffled, sneezed, coughed
7. Downloaded music on itunes
8. Blogged a bit

8 things that I look forward to:
1. Having clear sinuses
2. The weekend
3. Twilight (the movie)
4. The day after Thanksgiving shopping
5. Spending time with family
6. The return of Lost
7. Library day
8. Checking email

8 Things on my wish list:
1. (Let's just assume I'm not super shallow and the first 5 choices will be things like peace in the world, a solution to the energy crisis, homes for the homeless, a cure for cancer, and a happy family.  So now I can be a little more selfish.)
6. A size 10, (I'd even take a 12 or a 14.  Who am I kidding I'd be elated with 16.)
7. A permanent classroom aide, no more than 18 kids in my class, and specialists for music, PE, art, and computers -- I can dream, can't I?
8. A nice kitchen including a new back door and a working stove.  

Your turn.  You're tagged. But only if you want to.

Catch Up

I've been sick this week.  So now I'm going to try and play catch up.  

First, fellow blogger Kelly posted about her five recent downloads from itunes.  I love itunes and download music all the time.  This post was made for me. 

My most recent downloads were all for the kids.  I'm a bit sensitive to the fact that I need to have a life outside of school, so I hesitated even mentioning this, but I am also a bit of a rule follower and felt it wouldn't be honest if I listed the five previous downloads, (that plus the fact that several of them were from American Idol alumns and I'm still not ready to embrace this pop side of my musical interests).  So, it didn't take much to convince me to do a search for some new music.  So here are my 5 most recent kid song downloads, and my 5 most recent grown up downloads.

Kids songs

1. Move It from the Madagascar sound track -- put this on during PE and the kids go wild.
2. 789 by The Barenaked Ladies
3. Crazy ABCs by The Barenaked Ladies
4. ZYX by They Might Be Giants
5. Clap Your Hands by They Might Be Giants

My downloads

1. Love Lockdown by Kanye West
2. Trouble is a Friend by Lenka
3. Be OK by Ingrid Michaelson
4. Simple Times by Joshua Radin -- I couldn't decide on just one song so I bought the whole album.
5. Winter Song by Sarah Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

Halloween fun

So I was crazy busy on Halloween. I was trying to get everything cleaned up from the party, put all the October stuff away, take out all the November stuff out, clean my room for parent conferences, and get grades ready, so I was feeling a little sad that I didn't get to hang out with the nieces and nephews. Who cares if Saturday was November 1st -- I decided to extend the ghoulish activities one more day. I absconded with Hannah, Madelyn, Ashley and Adam and dragged them grandma's house where we replicated some of the activities parent helpers came up with for the party.

First, we made some creepy crawlies with gumdrops.

Next, we folded origami bats and made witches' fingers to eat with our lunch.

After that, we took out crushed skeleton bones, bat blood, vampire drool, pond slime, and snake venom and made some serious potions in our scientific laboratory.










We finished everything off with some veggie monsters and ate them for lunch.

After we got everything cleaned up Ashley and Adam had to leave but Hannah, Madelyn, grandma, and I made animals with the pressed leaves I had leftover from my classroom.

It was a fun day.

Late fees

I have a problem with returning things.  I can't be trusted with a Blockbuster video card.  I only rent from Red Box if I am going to watch the show immediately and then return it that same night.  NetFlix doesn't do me any good because, while they don't charge late fees, they do charge monthly fees so I know I would end up keeping a movie for more than a month and just not get around to ordering a new one.  I can't check out DVDs or CDs from the public library because the fines are too high for late returns but I do like to check out books.  Now that I can renew online and reserve items online I have generally been able to avoid anything more than a 30¢ fine.  The problem came three weeks ago when I noticed I had an overdue book.  I immediately returned the book I finished the previous week and picked up my next book waiting for me on reserve.  Then came October.  This is a crazy month school - wise.  I've got mid-terms at the U., Halloween at school, professional development I have to teach, and of course report cards I must prepare. (This is what I should be doing right now, but I'm having a hard time focusing knowing it's been a week since my last post.  I feel like I've been slacking on the blog.) Anyway, yesterday I get a message from "Conan the Librarian" notifying me that I have an overdue book.  I was very confused because I thought I returned it.  I jump online and realize I returned the wrong one.  So, I attempt to renew What was Lost because I'm only half way through and I am really enjoying it, but there is a wait list of more than 40 people. I now have had a library book overdue for more than three weeks.  I want to finish it but I'm so busy.  I realize a library card is a privilege and the library system only works if people return items in a timely matter.  So, now I've racked up another fine.  My goal is to finish it tonight while I sit in the living room waiting for trick-or-treaters.  I have also come to the realization that I probably won't be ready to read a book for enjoyment until Thanksgiving.  Oh well live and learn.

BTW -- Kiley, I still have your Corel mini casserole dish with lid that I will return (someday) and Amie, I still have your Oprah DVD boxed set and your copies of Night and Bright Lights..... I haven't forgotten.  Long term memory is still there.  It's the short term that prevents me from getting them back to you when I see you, oh, almost every week.

Nice neighbors

I love getting home from work to find my garbage can stowed away, right where it should be.  On garbage days my neighbor usually beats me home and I frequently pull in and realize, yup, she's done it again.  Such a simple act but oh, so nice.  There's a lot of good in this world.

EWWW!

The other night I awoke from a deep sleep with a refreshing open mouthed yawn.  I was greeted with a warm wet tongue.  TMI?  Yes, it was Dudley who apparently wanted to sample some of my morning breath.  That is when I shoved him off the bed, ran to the bathroom, and brushed my teeth four times.  I trashed the toothbrush and am now on my way to buy a new one.  

I don't mind a good snuggle with the Dudster, but French kissing is going too far.  A girl's gotta have her standards.  

The good news:  Due to this post the scary Tyra Banks photo is no longer on the page.  

The bad news:  Feeling violated every time I look at that tongue. : (

Bubble recipe

Here is the Garber family super bubble recipe.  

Mix:

• 1 gallon of water
• 3/4 cup Joy or Dawn liquid detergent 

(Not the fancy kinds, just regular Joy or Dawn like they had in the 70s.)

Let sit in open container 2-3 days, then...

Add:

• 3 - 4 Tbsp Glycerin
  

Mix together (Stir, don't shake or you get lots of foam) -- gets better with time

Things to make giant bubbles with:

• Jar rings
• Strawberry baskets
• Straws and string tied into shapes

To get the really big bubbles my dad has actual bubble wands he got at a toy store somewhere.  He made more with PVC pipes and canvas straps. He keeps bubble juice on hand in the garage for the occasional day of Utah humidity.  So much fun.

Photo tag

It's Wednesday morning and I'm sitting here in my pajamas. I just had a nice bowl of cinnamon life. Yum. And I must say how much I love UEA. Sure, I'll go to the convention. I just don't need to arrive at 7:30 a.m. Sure, I'll be working on school related items all week. I'll just do it in my pajamas. So, before I dig in, I thought I'd get caught up on some blogging.

This tag was to go to my fourth picture folder and download the fourth picture. At first I didn't think I had folders. My idea of organization is pile of this, pile of that, I'm embarrassed to even describe my desktop, both real and virtual. Anyway, I was delighted to find that iPhoto organizes my pictures for me according to event, so this was my photo. It's of my dad and Adam making bubbles one humid afternoon. Dad really does know how to get some good bubbles going. We have a great video of one vacation to Mississippi and everyone is out on the front lawn to cheer on runners in a race but the real show wasn't the race, it was the giant bubbles. It was very cool.

A New Tag

The rules: Answer the following questions with one word answers and pass it on to seven others.

Here are the questions:
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? lost
3. Your hair color? brown
4. Your mother? talented
5. Your father? hilarious
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? concealed
8. Your dream/goal? slenderize
9. The room you're in? kitchen
10. Your hobby? kid-lit
11. Your fear? snakes
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? 140
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? tidy
15. One of your wish-list items? windows
16. Where you grew up? utopia
17. The last thing you did? theatered
18. What are you wearing? sweats
19. Your TV? overused
20. Your pet? vindictive
21. Your computer? MacBook
22. Your mood? passive
23. Missing someone? daily
24. Your car? practical
25. Something you're not wearing? braids
26. Favorite store? Ikea
27. Your summer? satisfying
28. Love someone? Yes
29. Your favorite color? pink
30. When is the last time you laughed? tonight
31. Last time you cried? tonight

You're it: Mel, Michelle, Kiley, Tina, Lesley, Stacy, Nicky

Four and a half stars

So yesterday I took the kids and Matt to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua. The Trib gave it one star. I guess they thought the racial undertones and the insipid doggy clothes perpetuated stereotypes about Mexicans as well as L.A. socialites. I however, very much enjoyed watching the pack of wild desert chihuahuas fight off three roaring mountain lions. Later that evening after a stop at Barbacoa for their yummy burrito soup, I went with Amie to see Flash of Genius. The Trib gave it three and a half stars. It's a story about an inventor who sued Ford motor company for their patent infringement of the intermittent windshield wiper. Good story just probably best viewed at the 7:00 pm showing instead of the 9:40 pm. It's not often I see two movies in one day, but when you combine them, the total rating was four and a half stars. Not bad for a day at the theater.

I'm also thoroughly enjoying Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on SNL. She's going to have to come back as a regular if she gets elected. It's hard to stay up past the opening skit, but the last three have been hilarious. With Queen Latifa as Gwen Ifill, and Jason Sudekis as Joe Biden, it was dead on. I laughed out loud. My rating is five and a half stars. So I guess that makes my night a perfect 10.

The Power of Environmental Print

Normally, I don't laugh when I correct spelling tests. But when three kids miss a gimme word like "we" it was either laugh or cry. Yes, folks, they spelled it Wii.

Letterman V. McCain

I can be pretty political when I want to be. I've tried to keep it out of my blog because I tend to make incriminating comments that come back to haunt me later. Trust me I am very opinionated when it comes to local, state, and national politics. But, I'd like to set my personal views aside and I hope that everyone can appreciate the following post for what it is meant to be -- political humor. Just a word of warning to any future candidates appearing on The Late Show. Don't cross David Letterman.

David Letterman

(The clip is nine minutes. The best part comes when he's sitting with Keith Oberman at about the 7 minute mark.)

I just found another clip that is a lot shorter with most of the highlights.

The Today Show

Now, I'm off to the store to buy a video tape for tonight. I've got my DVR set to record ER and Grey's Anatomy. Unfortunately, or fortunately Grey's is two hours tonight so now I am going to need to record CSI on an actual video tape. Oh I love premiere week. BTW -- Heroes was awesome. Yes, lame 80's term but I don't care. While I'm at it I'll add that it was gnarly and rad.

Stay at Home Week

I like it how the networks have come up with a newly declared holiday -- "Stay at Home Week." I don't know if I can get on board. First, it conflicts with apple week at school. The new celebration also conflicts with teach math at the U night, and get eyebrows plucked for picture day salon appointment. Oh yeah, and stay up all night translating kid writing evening. Well, regardless of all the conflicts I couldn't be happier. I can't wait for Heroes and Thursday night might require some creative recording. Thank goodness for DVR. My Stay at Home Week might become Stay at Home Weekend. So far the premieres I've seen have been okay. Loved Biggest Loser that show is very motivational and inspiring. I watched Fringe -- it was okay but it just reminded me of the X files only not as creepy. The two stars are no Mulder and Scully and the crazy scientist can't compete with the three horsemen. The lead FBI investigator is kind of creepy but not as mysterious as the cigarette smoking man. I'll probably continue to watch as long as it doesn't conflict with anything else. I might have to drop America's Next Top Model. I watched the first 5 minutes and I think Tyra has been huffing the hairspray fumes. She is crazy -- crazy bad not crazy good. I may have to abandon this guilty pleasure.

Matt

Happy Birthday Mattoo Wattoo!

Some favorite memories of Matt:

1. Underoos. He was a big fan.
2. Moon Boots. Another big fan.
3. Dad comes home from the store with a candy bar and hands it to Matt. Melanie and I look at each other -- "Why'd he get one?" Dad,"'Cause he's 'the boy'."
4. Racing from the top of Daisy Ave to see who could get home first -- Matt on a pastel green scooter. The rest of us -- Blue Astrovan. Matt won by a headflip over the handbars.
5. Driving across country to visit grandpa in Mississippi. Many stops at motels. Matt racing to be the first one into the room so he could be the first one into the pool. Face planting it on the motel door. Melissa, Melanie, and Michelle walking in first.
6. Matt would do anything for $5. Including the "Nestea Plunge." (Straight backflop into a pool. Arms outstretched.)
7. Give the boy a box of aluminum foil, a #10 can of beans, and a video camera -- You've got hours of entertainment.
8. Matt unfamiliar with Wassail innocently asking how to drink it -- Mel and I responding, rather sarcastically, "In a bowl Matt." Five minutes later Matt walks in with a steaming bowl of Wassail. I don't think he'll ever live it down.
   
9. Realizing how cool email can be when Matt was on his mission.
   
10. Great phone call concerning a certain "calling" in the primary. Let's just say I was a little manic at the time.
11. Best memory. Matt finding Kiley. They are the perfect pair.

Hope you have a happy birthday. You're a great brother.

Watch out Wasabi or The Princess and Her Pea

I went to Sunflower Farmers' Market the other day. It's a new store in Murray with many healthy options. There are some great prices on fresh fruits and vegetables and some not so great prices on other boxed organic type stuff. One of my favorite snack items I normally buy at Target is their bag of cashews and cranberries, and then a bag of their almonds and blueberries and mix them together. Well, at Sunflower market they had all of these items for sale individually so I bought a container of whole unsalted raw cashews, one of whole raw almonds, another of dried blueberries, and finally, one of dried cranberries. I mixed all of them into one large container and these have been a delicious, sweet, crunchy snack all week long. It cost about as much as the two bags at Target but I got twice the amount and a whole lot more blueberries.

The other the thing I bought was a container of wasabi peas. Now I've had wasabi before and I've had dried peas before but I've never had them together. They seem to be all the rage and I've heard mention of them in several different instances in several different situations so I thought I'd jump on this bandwagon and try them out.

When I got home I tentatively popped a pea into my mouth. What followed was an intense tingle then a somewhat satisfying crunch. It was not unlike eating a sour patch kid, at first they're sour, but then they're sweet. The peas were definitely not sweet or sour but more like a painful pleasure kind of vibe. I still wasn't sure how I felt about them so I sampled a few more. I can see how these can be a little addictive. I was leisurely snacking away when apparently I got bored with the project and rather than eating them one at a time I got a little more adventurous and played around with two or three. Let's just say the pleasure to pain ratio was definitely starting to lean more towards the painful side. Finally, I decided I needed to be done with them and scooped the last handful of about eight or nine peas, no - not directly into the package but, perfectly into my mouth. What followed was the most intense nostril fire I have ever experienced. It was like in Back Draft. When I closed my mouth a bit of a vaccuum was created and the fire needed to escape somewhere. Where? I was to stunned to open my mouth and spit the peas out. No, the only exit was via the nasal cavity. I no longer have any nostril hair and my nose ran for the next two hours but all-in-all I'd buy the peas again. I'll consider their purchase a diet technique. Eating only one pea at a time can have it's benefits. Maybe that's why the Asian gymnasts were so tiny, that, and the fact that they were twelve.

A Rant

I do not like inside recess. The kids think they like inside recess, but they really don't. There is something about cool fresh air and the ability to run and scream uninhibited that enables them to return to the classroom somewhat ready to participate and learn. Sure, we can do movement activities inside, we can stretch, we can sing, we can play a game, or even have free play, but there still is that stifling issue of having to remain in the square room, breathing the same air 26 other little bodies are breathing, and having to control the volume.

When it rains, snows, or is otherwise inclement weather, we go out. Maybe not for the full 15 minutes, but we go out. This does two things. 1) It allows the kids the opportunity to run and yell 2) It allows me to go to the bathroom. Unless, of course, I have recess duty, but then at least I get to breathe some fresh air.

I lived in Russia for a year and a half. The cold or wet isn't going to kill ya. Dress for the weather and you'll be fine.

Wardrobe Mishaps

Friday I came home from work and immediately started to strip down so I could change into my pajamas. Yes, I didn't have any plans and it was already after 7:00 so I'm not going to feel guilty about spending a weekend night in my pajamas watching a Hallmark channel movie.

I digress. (Matt, or any other male individual, in case you are a regular reader, you might want to skip ahead to the bulleted section.) As I undress I'm having a hard time with my bra. The hooks just aren't coming undone. The situation was not looking good. My bra, AKA tourniquet, needed to come off. As I'm trying to remember where I put my scissors I look down and realize that there was something a little off about the fabric. Rather than pretty lace all I see are rough seams. Somehow I managed to put my bra on inside out. The new knowledge helped me free myself from the metal clasps. Instead of pushing left and out I needed to push right and in -- Ahhh freedom. As I snuggled in to watch cute Mark Conseulos in For the Love of Grace. I started to wonder how I managed to let that happen. I must have been somewhat delirious that morning not to have noticed the inside out situation. I really had to work on the fasteners. But then I realized that this is not an isolated event. There have been several occasions where I have suffered a wardrobe mishap. Here are a few.

• I once went a whole day with my cardigan buttons misaligned. I don't know how it happened and the sad thing is no one told me.
• I once walked into school fully dressed but wearing my slippers. I didn't notice until I entered the office and then proceeded to announce to everyone that I was wearing them. The most comfortable day on me feet ever.
• I once wore bright purple tights with a green skirt. I thought they were black. When people asked if I got dressed in the dark I just answered yes. The harsh light of morning is sometimes a little too much for me.
• I have a skirt that likes to completely turn around on my body. I might start the day wearing it the right way but by the end of the day the back slit has now become the front slit.
• I also have a sock that does the exact same thing.
• Tagless T-shirts are great except when you wear them inside out and backwards.
• Knee socks -- They usually stay up until noon. Then, from lunchtime on I fight a battle that no elderly woman ever wins. I'm in a constant state of tugging and pulling.

Some of my wardrobe mishaps happen once I'm at work.

• I've already mentioned chalklines from the blackboard elsewhere on this blog. Too many to count. Thank heavens for whiteboards.
• I must remember to avoid tomato sauce at all cost. It always ends up somewhere on my clothing.
• Tuesday I wore a long black skirt to school. That is the day I teach my class at the U. That is also the day one of my students dropped his lunch tray in the cafeteria and his mashed potatoes and gravy landed all over the front of my skirt.
• The all time worst wardrobe mishap occurred the first year I was teaching. I was living at home because a first year teacher makes little and spends it all on her students. I drove into the parking lot at the crack of dawn and as the car came to a stop I threw up all over the front of my dress. A lesser teacher may have driven home at this point and called a sub -- not me. I called my mom to bring me a new jumper and finished the day. Martyr? Maybe. But, you just don't realize how hard it is to write sub plans for 7 year olds.
  

Finally, most of my mishaps occur because my laundry is usually in some varying state of undone. 1) On the floor 2) Sorted but dirty 3) In the washing machine 4) In the dryer but still not dry 5) Clean but wrinkled

I once bought an entire new outfit top to bottom, inside and out just to avoid doing my laundry. Shortly thereafter my family staged a loving intervention. While I was teaching a class they came and cleaned my house and did all my laundry for me. I'm embarrassed to say multiple washing machines and a trip to the laundry mat for the driers were necessary. In my defense I was trying to recover from a terrible bought of whooping cough and I had been extremely ill. But it was still one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.

Anyway, I'm sure I've had many more wardrobe mishaps due to ill fitting, mismatched coloring, or unfortunate styling, but I choose to remain oblivious.

Overheard

Many years ago when I was poor and living in Salt Lake City without a car I always said I would like to write a book entitled Conversations Overheard on the UTA. I liked to put my headphones on but not turn on the music and just listen. Oh, the stories. I also employed the use of my headphones at the laundry mat. Thus, prompting the idea for my sequel, Converstations Overheard at the Laundry Mat.

I now have my third title in the installment, Conversations Overheard in the Classroom. Fortunately children are pretty open, or naive, and no headphones are necessary. Here are two conversations from yesterday.

"Boy there sure are a lot of people crying today!"

"George Bush is breaking the law. He's trying to stop the war in Iraq and Abraham Lincoln started the war so that people can be free."

I have no explanation for the crying except to say my usual reaction to tears in the classroom (unless blood, bones, or other bodily fluids are involved) is not unlike Tom Hanks' character in A League of Their Own.

There's no crying in second grade.

Happy Meal = Happy Puppy

Yesterday as I was driving home from work I couldn't bare the thought of having to go grocery shopping. I was completely out of dog food and had already filled Dudley's bowl with Life cereal that morning. It was from a box I had purchased at Smith's during one of their 10 for $10 deals about a year ago so I didn't feel too bad about using it up.

This first week of school is always so exhausting and I was looking forward to getting home, curling up in my bed, and clearing out my DVR of all the TV shows I missed this week. So, rather than stopping at the store I opted for Wendy's drive through. I order a Southwest salad and Diet Coke and then I heard myself say, "And I'd like a cheeseburger kids meal with a frosty." The attendant informed me that the kids meal already comes with a frosty so I told him I'd have a rootbeer. I would have ordered a Diet Coke but I didn't want him to think I was giving my "kid" D.C.

When I got home I plopped the cheeseburger and fries into the Dudster's bowl. He couldn't have been happier. I ate the frosty with my salad and I dumped the root beer. I did keep the cool Magic Tree House audio CD that came with the meal. I'll be able to use that in the classroom. Now I know what you're thinking. It is not okay to feed a dog human food. I know I'm a terrible, indulgent, pet owner that places my needs above my poor dog's. But, I was tired.

So, this morning I got up and made him some scrambled eggs. I really need to go shopping.



Dudley's meal.







My meal.

Note to Self

So I'm at the dentist's office ready to get my cavities filled. I recline in the chair, open my mouth and as the dentist adjusts the light, shot in hand, he says..."So, we're going to need to have a little talk about your blog." My blog? What? How did he...? MOM!!! So I didn't realize that my mom and dad also go to the same dentist and coincidentally scheduled an appointment shortly after my post entitled The C Word. Mom, you know I love you, but, did you really have to mention the fact that my dentist (I'm being very careful not to name names in case he does a google search) was the star of two, now three, posts? He's worried that I'm disparaging his name and basically the entire dentistry profession. He's also seconds away from giving me a shot and grinding down my cavity-ridden molar. Ugh. Not the position I want to be in. I did confess to mentioning a certain ultra cool X-ray machine. All in all the appointment wasn't too bad. He was pretty hilarious and I laughed through the entire ordeal, and that was without the aide of gas.

My favorite moment happened later that evening after purchasing a bowl of burrito soup (Yum!) from Barbacoa. I sat down and began to eat. The entire left side of my mouth was still numb and I was worried about biting my cheek and not knowing it, so thus the soup purchase. What I should have been worried about was keeping the soup in my mouth. Every spoonful dribbled out the side of my mouth and down my shirt. I felt like I was in a Buster Keaton movie. I gave up after having only eaten a fourth of the bowl. Ironically the only thing I could really keep in my mouth were the very crunchy and extremely tasty tortilla strip garnishes that come with the soup.

Pet Peeves

Whenever I start a new year with my students I always let them in on a few of my pet peeves. I figure if I am upfront right from the beginning I can generally eliminate any Miss Garber's lost it and is going crazy scenes that tend to occur when students do these things. Here are my top three irritations, somewhat unique to me, in no particular order.

1. Gloppy glue -- young children like to hold the glue bottle at least 12 inches above the paper they are going to glue something to and then squeeze like crazy. The result is glue oozing out everywhere. It takes twice as long to dry and what typically occurs is that when the child turns their project in, inevitably another child will place their paper on top of it, adhering both pieces of art together. I avoid this scene on simple cut and paste projects by allowing students to use glue sticks. However, for construction paper projects that require liquid Elmer's (don't get me started on the washable school glue) I go over with great detail the gluing procedures. First, place the tip of the glue bottle on the smaller paper that you are going to glue and then give a gentle squeeze. Trust the glue. It will stick as long as it has time to dry. More is not better.
   
2. Chairs -- Push them in. Also, if the chair is orange it needs to be at the reading table. Brown chairs stay at the project table and blue chairs, well, of course they stay at student desks. I wouldn't have this problem if all the chairs matched, but that would just make my life easy.
3. Pencils -- Don't bite 'em, flick 'em, roll 'em, or use them as a weapon. My biggest pet peeve involves the sharpening of pencils. I can appreciate a nice sharp pencil as much as anyone - granted, a lot of the problem lies with the lame-o low bid pencils that the district purchases. I think the lead in the barrel of the pencil is broken every two centimeters in every pencil ordered. Students are forced to get out of their seat and are in constant need of a new pencil. As soon as the pencil sharpener starts it's like Pavlov's Bell. Pencils begin to break, students start talking, and chaos ensues. All the while the student sharpening their pencil has ground it down to the tiniest nub which granted, is "cute" but not very efficient. I attempt to deal with my pencil sharpener issues by doing several things: each student gets two cushion grip mechanical pencils in addition to four newly sharpened regular pencils, at centers they get to use pens or markers, I have a can containing sharp pencils and a can containing dull pencils -- Take a pencil, leave a pencil policy. I also give every student their own pencil sharpener for emergencies. Thus creating my vacuum girls pet peeve, pencil shavings, for some reason they don't bother me.

Well, hopefully, by explaining my pet peeves in a nice, rational, and sane way, the children will comply with my requests and together we will have a stellar year. So far, I'm on a roll. I forgot my plan book at school this Saturday. I begged my principal to open the school. The secretary took pity on me and came in for two hours yesterday. But when it was time to leave I left it sitting open underneath the schedule chart on top of the bookshelf. The perfect place for it. Oh well, ready or not here they come...

Can I Help You With That?

So, on my way to work I decide to run into the Top Stop and pick up a Diet Pepsi. I love the Top Stop because they have the yummy pebble/Sonic ice. I figure I might as well succumb to a frosty beverage before I walk into what was sure to be a long hot day at the Park. So, I'm in line standing behind a man with a cast on his hand. When the attendant rings up his purchase he goes for his wallet. Because I'm standing behind him, I witness the struggle that ensues as he attempts to free his wallet from his buttoned back pocket. After what seems like several minutes I think to myself, "I should offer to help him." But, then I quickly realize how foolish that would be, given the proximity to his backside, and immediately discard the silly notion with a little laugh. The laughing was not inside my head. The man turns to me and says, "It's not funny." Which then just prompts more laughing. The poor man tells the cashier to cancel his purchase as he walks to the bathroom so he can access his cash. I look at the cashier and we both just laugh. I don't know what's worse, looking like I was laughing at him, or actually thinking that I would help him unbutton his pants. Ugh!

Fortunately, Unfortunately

Fortunately summer vacation has been one of the best ever.
Unfortunately it is pretty much over.
Fortunately I love starting a new school year.
Unfortunately I only have two days to be ready for the kiddos.
Fortunately I have been working hard these past two weeks and should only need about two days to be ready.
Unfortunately I have to teach a math class tomorrow so that knocks me down to only one day.
Fortunately I have the weekend to finish up any last minute details and make necessary copies.
Unfortunately I don't own an industrial size copy machine.
Fortunately I don't use a lot of worksheets.
Unfortunately I do use a lot of graphic organizers, journal pages, and have lots of notes to prepare.
Fortunately I still have today to work on things.
Unfortunately I am wasting time updating my blog.
Fortunately I'm almost done.
Unfortunately I'm exhausted from watching the Olympics.
Fortunately I got to see Shawn Johnson win a gold medal.
Unfortunately it still doesn't help me prepare for the first day.
Fortunately I have a super fun idea for a first day lesson.
Unfortunately the book I ordered still hasn't arrived.
Fortunately I can go to the library. I love the library.

I'll break the chain and look on the fortunate side -- I really am getting excited for a new batch of kids. I love this time of year!

The C Word

Cavities -- I've got um. Two to be exact. So I went to my dental appointment today. I sat down in the chair, and the dentist said, now tell me girl, why does it hurt and where....Actually, he said, "Did you know that one of your teeth is rotated exactly 180 degrees?" Why yes, I did know that. Every time I go to the dentist he tells me that. My dentist also happens to specialize in forensic dentistry and upon first discovering my 180 degree molar he exclaimed that little idiosyncrasy would be helpful in identifying my remains, if the need should arise. So everyone take note -- 180 degree molar.

Today was especially fun because my dentist was very excited to show off his new "ultra cool" digital X-ray machine. It was so ultra cool that he was able to see cavities that he never would have identified otherwise. In fact this new ultra cool X-ray located the two minuscule cavities that most definitely would have been invisible with the old X-ray. He's telling me this why?

So I have another appointment on the 28th. I guess I'll have to keep flossing.

And the winner is...

I loved watching SYTYCD last night. Joshua won. He is such a sweetheart. I was also happy because the judges chose their favorite dances and they performed then again. The performances they chose were all on my favorites list. Yeah! It was a great finale.

Season Finale

Thursday is the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance. What will I do with myself now that I have freed up two nights of television viewing? I'm sad it's over. I love watching the dancers -- so talented and fun to watch. I can't decide who I want to win. Katee has been a favorite since day one, but I really like Joshua too. I've compiled some of my favorite performances. Hopefully the links all work, it can be hit or miss with youtube. Well, if you have a half hour to kill they are worth a watch. If you only have one minute to kill watch Gev's final solo. It's AMAZING! (Mom, all you have to do is click on the link and everything will start automatically -- it's a miracle.)

BTW, it's Wednesday night and I am going downstairs to take my garbage can out right now. Yeah for me! I can't miss three weeks in a row. Also, I have been flossing diligently, sometimes five times a day. I'm hoping that if I increase my average I will have a positive report. Wish me luck.

What About Now?

I have loved Chris Daughtry ever since American Idol and I have loved the song What About Now since the first time I heard it. Last week I saw the video for the first time and I was stunned. It is powerful, moving, and worth a watch/listen. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Watch video

Pantless in the Park

So I finished Breaking Dawn yesterday -- I think Bella redeemed herself as a heroine, strong and capable, she just needed some time to mature. I was on a deadline to finish because I needed my trunk back. I've been hauling around all of the school things I've purchased over the summer in my car (except for the crayons and glue sticks, I've already done that once, not pretty), and now that my school is open again I planned to drop everything off and work in my classroom. First order of business -- put all the furniture back where it belongs.

For those of you who don't know, I teach in a lovely old school. It was probably built in the late 60s. This was back when they knew how to build schools. I have one whole wall of windows, big bulletin boards, coat racks in the hallway, a sink with a long counter top, and a small teacher work space that I like to call "my office." There are really only two problems with my classroom. First, there are only two electrical outlets in the whole room, so computers, listening centers, telephone, pencil sharpener, CD player, overhead projector, TV, VCR, and fans all have to share these outlets. One of the outlets is located conveniently over the sink so that limits my electrical options. The second BIG problem is my school does not have any air conditioning. The walls are all brick. My classroom has two exterior walls (facing east and southeast) and is surrounded by black top. Basically it doubles as a kiln. The bricks heat up and stay heated all day long. My room usually registers 10 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.

So, today I start moving everything back in place. The summer kids have done a lovely job carpeting the rug and dusting. It really looks nice. After about 30 minutes of pushing and shoving I am drenched in sweat. I probably lost ten pounds of water weight. I say this because as I'm pushing my long table across the room I notice a cool breeze on my knees. This is a little odd because my classroom is in no way breezy and I was wearing pants. At least I had been wearing pants. No, upon further inspection my pants had fallen all the way down around my ankles. Yes, I was pantless at Peruvian Park. Thankfully, I was alone and was able to quickly remedy the situation. So the lesson I have learned is -- tomorrow, drawstring.

Breaking Dawn

After a fire up Payson canyon postponed Mel's camping trip, I was able to meet up with her at Barnes & Noble for the release of Breaking Dawn. Yes, we were among the throngs of giddy girls and a few reluctant (or secretly giddy) guys ready to be among the first to devour the final book in the Twilight saga. The evening started at 9:30, followed by an eggs benedict mistake at IHOP, waiting outside B&N for an hour, then baling and going to Walmart where we paid $13.86. (This is now the fifth Walmart blog. Apparently, I'm a regular shopper.) So I got home at about 1:30 and proceeded to read about ten pages. I woke up around 7:00 and read about ten more, then at about 10:00 a.m. I figured dawn had broken and it was time to get serious.

So, the first 150 pages or so are a little descriptive? (She said blushing.) After vehemently defending my love of Bella and Edward on Kelly's blog with the lame defense of "guilty pleasure" I am feeling a little guilty. I was feeling good and justified about my rationalization when the Orson Scott Card authored the article about Stephenie Meyer in the Time most influential people issue. But after reading the short blurb a second time I realized that while he was the author he was exhibiting exceptional journalistic skills by not making his opinion known just reporting on others'. (Still not sure how he feels about her.) But, so far I am going to need to eat a little crow because I cannot justify the fact that this is classified as young adult literature. It is clearly adult.

I'm not so hypocritical that I will close the book and not finish it because I do love the characters and despite all the "relationship analysis" (Matt's words -- not mine) I have to finish what I start -- this only applies to books and not anything like cleaning the bathroom, knitting a sweater, or healthy meal planning. But my Twilight recommendation with an asterisk now includes a footnote and possibly some required reading of the OSC article that Kelly, Carter, and now I, heartily endorse.

Trash Today, Trash Tomorrow

So I'm sitting here catching up on blogs. Reading new posts. I'm especially enjoying Summer's entry about the Little House books. Love them. Nothing endears a child to me more than when they walk into the classroom with a copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder in their back pack. I walk past their desk during SSR (Silent Sustained Reading, for all those not familiar with Ramona Quimby) and we share a knowing smile. Anyway, as I'm reminiscing about the good old days in the Big Woods, I hear the sound of metal screeching and plastic banging. A horrible car crash in my car port? No -- The garbage truck. I missed it for the second week in a row. Ugh! Good thing I live by myself and don't accumulate too much trash, but I might need to make a few midnight garbage drops this week. (Really, I need to get back on schedule. Shower before 10:00. Leave my house once a day. Take trash out Wednesday night.) Good thing tomorrow is August 1st. Next week I'll be forgetting garbage day because I'll have too much to do. I need to find a happy medium. I'm either all in or I'm all out.

Dentist

I just made an appointment to get my teeth cleaned. I am so scared. On my list of fears I should have included going to the dentist. I know I will get a lecture about the benefits of flossing. My palms have already started to sweat. I put the appointment off all summer. But now I have to use up my flex spending money so here I go. August 11th is the date. The countdown has begun.

Tag

Kiley just tagged me so I guess I'm it. Here it goes. Post these rules on your blog. Answer these 15 questions about yourself on your blog. Tag five people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Here it is:

JOYS:

1. Spending time with nieces and nephews.
2. Going down a size.
3. Really good romantic comedies.

FEARS:

1. Snakes.
2. After my neighbors tub fell through the ceiling into her kitchen, a former irrational fear just became rationalized.
3. Forgetting I am supposed to teach something, somewhere. Remembering at the last minute and showing up unprepared.

GOALS:

1. Lose weight and more weight.
2. Have enough money in my savings to buy a car outright when the need arises.
3. Minimize my television viewing.

OBSESSIONS/COLLECTIONS:

1. Blogging.
2. Reality TV and DVR (This really interferes with my goal).
   
3. Collecting good children's books.
   

RANDOM SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT ME:

1. I never forget to DVR an episode of This Week with George Stephanopoulos. I watch the featured guest, even sit through the round table discussion just so I can see (a) who died and (b) the funnies. I love all the political humor.
2. I also always DVR VH1 Top 20 Countdown. This I do not watch in its entirety. I can get through the two hour program in 15 minutes.
3. I almost didn't graduate from high school. Despite being offered three full-ride scholarships to three different universities, I was short a P.E. credit. I took correspondence bowling from BYU and bowled 30 games in three days. The end result -- massive blister on my thumb and a high school diploma. I do know how to hand score a bowling game but I can't get my average about 70.

Tag: Melanie, Lesley, Amie, Nicky, and Tina (I know your blog is still not up. Hopefully, this will give you an easy post.)

War Games

So last night I went to the "special screening" of War Games: The 25 Anniversary. Oh the memories...here are some of my favorites.

• Computers the size of the room (WOPR)
  
• Dial up modems where you actually had to put the phone on the device
• Rotary dial phones
• phone booths
• DOS screens with the flashing green or blue square as a curser
  
• Scroll printers with the two color stripe paper and the side hole strips that you had to tear off
  
• Floppy disks
• aerobics outfit: leotard over tights with a belt and leg warmers
• sweat pants with elastic at the waist and the ankle
  
• jean jackets
• top loading VCR
  
• Mrs. Pac Man and Galaga
• The threat of nuclear war via the Russians
• metal garbage cans with a lid
• young Ally Sheedy and Matthew Broderick (remember Project X and Ferris?)
  

My favorite moment occurred when the movie theater was having technical difficulties and the screen appeared blank except to show a computer screen with an error page message -- I bet about half the people in the screening could have helped them with the troubleshooting.

Happy Pioneer Day!

This is what Dudley did while I was sleeping. (Yes, that is the new phone cord I risked my life for.)







These are the first four songs that played on the shuffle setting of my iPod this morning:

1. Josh Groban "Oh Holy Night" (This song also has become a favorite catch phrase. e.g. see a cute guy, response: Oh Holy Night!)
2. Death Cab for Cutie "Someday You Will Be Loved"
3. Sarah McLachlan "Hold On"
4. Hilary Duff "The Beat Of My Heart"

I'm off to meet up with everyone who is going to the parade, later we'll be swimming, and tonight I'm going to the re-release of the classic War Games with Amie. Nothing celebrates our pioneer spirit like the threat of nuclear war.

Share a memory

So it looks like a lot of us are playing. It is easy for me to write comments on other blogs, why is it so hard for me to post this on mine? Ugh. I feel Jack Nicholson screaming in the background, "You can't handle the truth!" Or whatever....

So here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory of you and I. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.
:-)

Monsoon

Okay, so I didn't realize that my trip to get new phones might actually turn into a near death experience. I was being facetious when I said by choosing Walmart I might get a new blog entry out of it. Don't mess with the blog gods because apparently they are listening.

So it's the first time I've left my house in three days. I've been cooped up devouring The Host ever since Kiley lent it to me. I'm feeling pretty proud of myself because I have 1) showered before noon 2) read a chapter in Classroom Discussions and 3) worked on my syllabus for fall semester. So far it's been a highly productive day -- why not take on the challenge of a few errands? I get in my car to leave. First stop -- the library. I've been driving for no less than five minutes and the heavens open up and literally dump gallons of water on top of my Hyundai. The wipers are going at warp speed. Water is rushing all over the road and all along 45th South the traffic signals have gone out. My quick trip to the library turns into a test of wills -- me versus mother nature. I don't have any of the three umbrellas I own with me so I decide to just put the books in the little drop slot. Just opening the window soaked me up and down. Anyway, I couldn't return without my phones. I mean I had already blogged about it. I was on a mission. So I drive to Walmart and am lucky to get the first spot right after all the accessible slots so I'm still pretty far, but not as far as I could be. I wait for a minute or two realizing that the downpour is not going to stop. I rush into the store soaking myself head to toe. In addition to my early morning shower and my planned late night water aerobics I get a mid afternoon soaking. I am also met with the fantastic news that Crayola crayons are now on sale for 20¢ instead of the 22¢ I paid for them two weeks ago. Normally, I could deal with that kind of disappointment but today it was just salt in a wound. I did find my phones -- a nice little package deal -- two handsets for one low price. I hung out in the store trying to let the storm pass and picked up some energy saver light bulbs to replace the ones that disappeared from my lanterns when the painters came. I got an extra phone cord for the aforementioned lame phone just in case there is a power outage (thanks for the heads up Kiley), I purchased the as seen on TV Ped Egg that is one of Kelly's favorite beauty tools, and I picked up a new pair of flip flops because my sandals were soaked through and I can't stand it when my feet are wet. So, said storm, disappeared leaving nothing but blue sky. The only reminder being downed tree limbs, debris in the road, and of course my soaked clothing. But I was still without a book so I stopped at FYE because Barnes & Nobel was just too far today and checked out their book selections. I got everything on sale. These are the books I got: The Memory Keeper's Daughter, White Teeth, and The Lottery and other stories. Remember The Lottery the one where the people in the village stone the winner, or uh loser. Creepy -- I can't wait. I'm really liking this short story kick. Anyway, now that I'm home it's time for me to dry off, so I can put my swimsuit on, so I can go get wet again.

New phones

"Lame phones on top of Classroom Discussions a Retrospective"

So I don't have a digital camera but I do have a MacBook with Photobooth. Yes, that is the Dudster in the background, and a label remnant on the office rug that I fell asleep on a few days ago -- gross. For the last year or so I've known I need to get a new phone. Why pay for caller ID when the caller ID screen doesn't work? Why have a cordless phone when it only can hold a charge for an hour? Why put up with weird silent pauses creating conversation gaps? Why? Because I'm lazy and unwilling to deal with change. A new phone can be a big change. First, I have to get used to the new ring, I have to figure out how to cradle it on my neck, and I'll probably have to invest a little more than the $9 I spent on the first one in order to get it right. Well, now my upstairs phone has taken to hanging up on people. Dudley used to be in charge of that. When I was sitting on the bed he would just walk over to the phone cradle and step on the hanger upper button. Now when people call I have to quickly announce that I'm on my "stupid" phone so no one gets offended when they get cut off four times during our conversation. So my initial delay in buying a new phone has now been magnified instead of purchasing one I'll now need two new phones. Who's stupid now? (Sorry for the use of the "s" word. I know there is probably a class full of second graders who would be appalled. But it is what it is.) So off I go. My new dilemma -- Walmart or Office Max? Who am I kidding? It's definitely Walmart. It'll probably give me new material to blog about.

Week in Review

Here is a short recap of my week.

• Monday -- Dinner at California Pizza Kitchen with Lesley. I luv the pear with gorgonzola pizza. Yum. It was fun catching up.
  
• Tuesday -- Finished Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger -- I didn't quite like it as much as Kelly did. But I do like the idea of collections of short stories. I can have closure without staying up super late to finish.
  
• Wednesday -- went to Thanksgiving Point children's garden. Very pretty. Also, new season of Project Runway. They had to make an outfit from items purchased at the grocery store. My favorite was the dress out of blue plastic cups.
  
• Thursday -- Fell asleep on my office floor. I'm still having a hard time finishing this "project." Watched Gev and Kherington get kicked off So You Think You Can Dance. Sigh -- Gev was one of my favorites. So far my favorite dances have been the weird Tim Burton bridal dance with Mark and Chelsie and the Bollywood dance with Katee and Joshua. I have also really liked most of the dances that Tabitha and Napoleon choreograph as well as Mandy Moore. I hate to admit that I like the dances that Mia Michaels choreographs but she really bugs me.
  
• Friday -- Crashed dinner at the Spruces. I was fortunate to arrive in time to witness the chipmunk hunt and to partake of the delicious peach cobbler (see family fun blog for details) but I left in time to sleep on my own pillowtop mattress.
  
• Saturday -- Just got back from the family BBQ at Danny and Nicky's. It was good to see everyone. Watching all the little kids run around was exhausting. This must be what it is like to teach in nursery -- a calling I am not willing to accept. But, they were so much fun to be around and a fun time was had by all. D & N thanks for hosting the event!
  

Sad Day

Yesterday it was announced that no more foreign missionaries would be sent to Russia. There have been rumors about this for months. Putin and his regime seem to be a little nostalgic for the "old days." I'm sad for all of my member friends and contacts. I have to remember however, that this does not mean the end of missionary work. The youth are the strongest element of the church there. They are willing and ready to serve their fellow Russians in a country that is starving for truth and light. I'm relieved that the Baltics are independent of Russia and will serve as launching points for missionaries who will be called to these border countries and will most likely cross into Russia for short trips to check on members. That's how they did it in the early nineties. Missionaries were called to Finland and made day trips in their street clothes into Vyborg and Tallin. Then later the same thing happened in Kaleningrad. My prayers are with the members and also with the Russian leaders that their hearts will be softened.

Necessities

Can I just say I love my label maker. How did I live without it? Here are a few other things I can't live without:

• food
• water
• shelter
• friends/family
  

I didn't want to sound completely shallow, so maybe I'll revise my statement. Here are a few other technological advancements I don't want to live without.

• Dyson label maker - Everything looks so clean and organized (or when I'm finished it will) Is it going too far if I start labeling the shelves in my kitchen -- plates, Tupperware, tacky teacher mugs?
  
• DVR - How did I ever watch TV before? It's to the point that I rarely watch anything live for fear of having to view a dreaded commercial. Now all the advertising is packed within the shows anyway. (I do stop for those Sonic commercials however. They are funny.)
• iPod - I love it. I remember back in the day having to call the radio station, request the song, wait until the song was played, stand next to the radio with a "boom box", press the play and record button down together, hope I got the beginning of the song, and pray that Melanie, Matt, or Michelle didn't walk in and ask what I was doing. It didn't matter that all the tapes had this static hum. -- Yeah, long live itunes.
• Laptop computer with wi-fi -- I know mine would work even better if I actually had a lap.
• Digital camera -- I don't own one of these but if I did have one, I wouldn't want to live without it.
• Dry erase board -- You write on it, with a colored marker, and you can still erase? So cool. No more chalk lines straight across your butt. Chalk lines were worse than VPL.

That' as far as I'm going today because by tomorrow I'm sure there will be some other invention that trumps all of the things that I love. As Matt says, my dad says, president Monson says, "Don't let today's conveniences become tomorrow's necessities," too late.