My Newest Addiction

Well it's not really that new, but I've found myself playing it more and more as the months have passed.

Firefall the game is what I spend a lot of time in these days.  It's all about killing bugs and aliens and running missions, and there's something about it that appeals to me.

Here's a screen shot of me in the game - it's not that great but I'm just now learning how to actually take pictures in game.

There are different classes you can be, and I'm playing a couple of different ones to figure out what I really like.  I totally suck at some things but am getting better.

The nice thing is that I have found people, or they have found me, that want to help me learn about the game and how it is played.

I have absolutely no idea what I will do when it goes from being an open Beta game and you have to pay to play.

The Time Traveler's Wife

I finished The Time Traveler's Wife last night, and it was awesome.  Then I had to drive to Franklinton today to celebrate Mother's Day with the Bakers, so the entire drive up I was thinking about Henry and Clare, and how I would have handled being either one of them.

Then as I got closer to Franklinton, I was listening to AT40, and singing along to my current favorite song - "All of Me" by John Legend - and as I was singing, I thought about how that song might apply to the book. And then that got me thinking . . .

I have this thing about books and songs.  I think of how a song could fall into the soundtrack of a book, not so much to have it made into a movie, but how the lyrics would mean something to the characters or such.

It's like Divergent.  God I could go on and on about that book and Tris and Tobias, but the thing is I loved the song "Radioactive," and it reminded me of the series.  And then I finished Allegiant, and now I can't listen to that song because it makes me sad.

So there it is.  I think of songs as they might apply to books. LOL Well I AM a librarian.

Divergent

I sent a long email to my friend Cameron about this when I saw the movie version of the book Divergent.

I read Divergent this summer and immediately had to go out and get the second and then wait for the third book in the series.

I devoured these books, fell in love with Tris and Tobias and felt like I knew them.

At the end of the third book I cried like when my mother died.  I cried not because of my loss but because of Tobias's loss.  The flashback he has to her falling into the net that first day . . . it still makes me cry.

So when the movie came out, Cameron, Cathy and I went to see it.  I had to peeeeeee, but I made myself wait until she had fallen into that net.  I had to see it and remember.

I thought it was a good movie.  They did a very good job with working aspects into the movie from the book.  However, I didn't leave there feeling happy or pleased.  I left the movie theater feeling empty and sad, and I wrote Cameron trying to explain that feeling.

You see, we sat there watching people we had come to care about deeply go through things that we knew would end with Tris dying.  No matter how happy or how many successes they had, I knew how it would end, I knew the pain Tobias would go through, and no matter what I just couldn't be happy for them.

The film made my heart ache for them again.

So I can't say I liked the movie.  I would say go see it, because it is a good representation of the first book, but be ready for more pain as every moment they are together on the big screen just reminds you that it all ends painfully.

Country Music

For quite a while now, I have found myself "outside" of country music.  I don't listen to it anymore, and only know a few of the more popular artists.

Years ago all I would listen to was country.  I loved country.  And I have to say that I still do love country music.

There is something about country music that relates to everyone.  Some song, some lyric is going to be "yours." So many people say of country music that it "tells a story" where rock or any other type of music doesn't.  That's the thing I have to say I like most about country music.  I've never cried when I listen to rock or top 40, but country music can have me boo-hoo'ing in a heartbeat.

Maybe that's why country music is so easily popular.  Easily popular, yes.  You can say you don't like country, but then you hear one song by an artist - say Garth Brooks' "The Change" - you're hooked or in my case, drawn back in.

So I have spent some time recently with Garth - yes we ARE on a first name basis.  I have his first box set, and have been going through the early stuff.  I also have a cd - somewhere - that is a live album, and it is fabulous.  He does "Unanswered Prayers" on that album, and even he is overwhelmed by the audience's reaction and sing-a-long with the tune.

So maybe those of you that instantly dismiss country should try a little first.

Just maybe . . .

It begins with a drive . . .

Today is Sunday, the last official day before returning to work from Spring Break.  I suppose you could call it Easter Break, but in our PC world, we are moving away from that I guess.

I went to Wilmington on Monday.  I hadn't seen Todd's house since God only knows, and I wanted to get a book signed by its author who is a professor at UNC-W, so I took two days off and went down.

As I was driving down Monday morning, I realized that this was my official spring trip.  I usually go somewhere over spring break, somewhere to my south, somewhere I can drive and drive and look and look.  I've been to Wilmington, Charleston, Beaufort (SC), Athens (GA), and even New Orleans.  I had forgotten what it was like driving south at Easter.

It's always full of flowers.  The roads in the south, especially the back roads, are lined with dogwoods and wisteria in April.  It's the prettiest time for a road trip.  White and purple along with the pinks of azaleas line your route to remind you that life is good and it's time to start looking up.

I love driving south.  Love seeing the weather change.  When we went to NO, we were all bundled up when we got there and had to peel layers off only to have to add the layers once we got back to NC.

The ride reminds me that sometimes the simplest things make me the happiest.  Just going for a drive, spending a night away from home, and then coming back to happy faces - all of it makes for a great Spring Break.

So take a drive.  And enjoy it.  And write about it.

Welcome Back My Friends

So it's been awhile.  I've neglected you.  I'm sorry.

This is me trying to do better.  Fingers crossed.  

The Devil Facebook

Well, I have been pulled back into the devil=Facebook because apparently either my nine year old nephew has severe problems with his mother, or my ex brother-in-law has severe problems period.

Riley posted a video on his facebook page that said "This is why I love you dad." It was a video from a Dr. Phil episode where a child confronts his mother and eventually slaps her.

Needless to say at this point in time, I have created a Facebook account only to monitor what my crazy ass family does.

Please do not friend me.

I beg you.

The Great Riley Roo Adventure

We're taking Riley to Charlotte this coming week. A whirlwind adventure with one of our nephews. He wants to see the NASCAR museum thing and I want to go to IKEA - so who wouldn't want to go on that trip right?

Will let you know how it goes and all. And expect pictures from this as well . . .

Mary's Wedding

Well I keep talking about a dress, so I suppose I need to write a little here on my sister's wedding.

Not much to tell. She and Keenan are getting married August 13th. Originally it was going to happen at a friends house on the river, but now we don't' know WHERE it will take place. And occasionally she waivers on the date. We have to work around Keenan being in off the boat. The seasons got pushed back on him, so we're a little nervous about the groom actually being here for the event.

There were early attempts to get Mary and Keenan to elope, but all attempts failed, so we're going to have a ceremony and a party.

Will let you know how it goes - and expect pictures for sure . . .

You say it's your birthday . . .

It was my birthday too . . .

That just never really works does it?

Okay, so it was a quiet day. Ended up at the parent's for cake. Had a delicious birthday dinner the night before at Crabby Patty's in Havelock - omg - OMG - they deep fry twinkies, cheesecake, AND oreos there!! Brent had the cheesecake and said it was delicious.

My favorite gift of all was from Brent. He got me a second monitor, and I am now like a computing nut. I can do all kinds of things at once. It's fabulous!

But other than that it was quiet. I got cards and messages from all of my friends and it came and went. To be quite honest with you - I was never 41. I think I spent most of last year thinking I was 42, so I guess I have just caught up with myself. Is this the point where we begin to just forget what age we are? lol

July 4th

This year's July 4th went about like it normally does. Bought a bunch of fireworks and went to the Baker's in Franklinton. Charlie had put in an order for fireworks, so we had twice as many as we normally do, which really made it better.

We watched while the boys put on the show. Had shrimp for lunch and steak for dinner. Brent and I got back around one a.m., but not a problem.

It's not my party, so I won't cry like I'd want to . . .

The best that can be said is that at least I am not wearing orange. It is the least flattering - well one of the least - styles a plus plus plus person could wear, and if I am not mistaken, all of the bridesmaids are plus sizes, so anywho.

See this is the part where I say - it's the bride's choice. It's her thing. And you just smile and say "Mmhmm." So that's what I did.

The shoes - oooo - they are terrible too -

But as Mary said - I can change as soon as I get to the reception. Right - i'm wearing that thing all night - lol

Twitter

o and yes - please check the top tweet on the side over there *points to the right edge of the page* and see the dress I am wearing in Mary's wedding - although mine shall be fuchsia :)

To Do List

Okay - things to talk about soon - send me emails or messages if you can come up with ideas -

July 4th
Mary's new pool
summer plans with Riley
Mary's wedding
My birthday

ooo so much to look forward to

The GALL of that Bladder

HUH?

Yeah - back in January I had a gall bladder attack, then another in like March or April, and I had been having like middle of the night sick feelings and sometimes vomiting, so I finally went to the doctor and said - we have to figure this out. So I had an ultrasound of my gall bladder to see if there was anything there. And guess what!?!?! There was something - gall stones - so then I saw a surgeon and he said - it has to come out - and I said - ok. So the nurse comes in and says let's go schedule you, and all I could think was - JUNE 30TH!

So I got my gall bladder removed on the 27th of June. Brent and I spent the week before doing stuff like whirl wind trips to Myrtle Beach and Wilmington. Check up at the dentist. Went swimming in my sister's new pool - ooo - i need to get a picture of it for you guys - and had a quiet Sunday afternoon before the surgery.

It was quick and easy - at least compared to everything else I've had done. Woke up and felt alright - left the hospital a little after three I guess - most of it was a blur. The doctor found a hernia near my belly button and fixed it while he was in there, but other than that everything went fine.

Brent has been like the best little helper ever. Keeping me in water and lunches and meds. He's like the gall bladder expert with his people now too, which is funny. Last night I was finally able to lay down and sleep in my bed. I have plans to ask my doctor if that's unusual. Trust me.

So, one more week and I should be able to go swimming again, and hopefully drive some tomorrow or Monday. We went riding for like four hours today, and I did good through all of that.

SO - to sum up - I lost a couple of pounds - in gall - lool

☼JUNE☼

And then if you think MAY is a blur, well then you're like socked in the gut with a week of NOTHING where you have to convince classrooms of kids that YES we are STILL going to do stuff - like LEARN - like MATH and WRITING - and YES this is for a grade . . .

I helped make like a million certificates for school - we had a separate awards ceremony for each grade level - that went really well, and I think it was nice for the kids and parents.

Managed to get through 8th grade Moving Up - you know there are times when you are like so pissed about someone or something that happens - and you gripe about it and just get all tore up - and like looking back now - I remember a couple of things and I'm like - pfft - nvm - too much work - BUT - I have just remembered - mental note - remember that teacher - lol

Anywho - we got through most of the workdays painlessly, and I missed my NCSLMA meeting (NC School Library Media Association). And I have emailed people and no one has answered me - -

AND I will say that during the end of the month of May and June I was getting ready for something. The insurance the state gives us for free had to be changed because this year they threw in the BMI rider or whatever you call it - and I of course didn't meet their requirements, so my coverage will be changing - no wait - changed yesterday - or rather Friday - anyway July 1. So because of that - well - check the next post.

:P

M☺A☻Y

May -

May for a school teacher - or anyone that works at a public school I should say - is a freaking blur if you have to deal with EOG testing.

It's meetings to get ready for EOG's - it's meetings about how to administer the EOG - it's dinners out to fuss about EOG's - and then at the end of the month - it's EOG's - and for those of you that are trying to figure out what EOG stands for - or are maybe googling it - let me save you a step - END OF GRADE - which is short for NC End of Grade Test - at my school given in Reading, Math, and Science. It's like the end all and be all of the month.

We also gave out yearbooks and had a SIOP thingie at school.

Happy Birthday Sally!

A♥P♦R♣I♠L

April -

Book Fair
Softball/Baseball
Easter Week - trip to the Outer Banks with Brent which was a great day of driving and looking at stuff

And that's about it -

Happy Birthday to Christie!

Dear Todd . . .

Okay, so I have no excuses, but I do have Todd, who reminds me regularly that this sad collection of ramblings is way out of date. "I just open the page and immediately close it cause I can see it isn't updated . . . " Sound right Mr. Horton??

So, since I have the freaking summer off, I see no reason not to do something here.

I even just sent a REAL tweet - from like - the web site - AND read an article to find out what a HASH TAG is - *shakes my head sadly*

Anywho - I'll go back and update what I can, but you may just have to NOT hear about April, May, and NOW JUNEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

:)

Much love :)

*breathes a sigh of relief*

So that brings us up to date, sorta. I am so sure I left some things out - like the fact that I have a new principal - the same one that DIDN'T hire me for the job I interviewed for last summer. So far he's working out :)

And there was a visit to Todd's house in January for Brent to fish in a tournament on the pier at Wrightsville Beach.

And there was a girls only trip to Myrtle Beach during which September, Sally, and I laid around suite and shopped - very nice.

But that's about it. Not so busy, just blissfully existing.

Which brings us to this weekend, and tomorrow - which will be the big birthday day for us here in Washington.

Tomorrow Frances turns SEVENTY! She is still here, outliving ones we thought would live forever. And we're all going out to lunch, so say a little prayer for us - I am sure I will have stories to tell about all that once it is done - and FYI we will be at the Mayflower Restaurant in Washington at two - so stay clear! LOL

AND if it is MOM'S Birthday, well then it has to be TODD'S Birthday as well, so Happy early Birthday to him. I'm going down to Wilmington next weekend to see him and hang out and celebrate him being older than me - ha ha not by much - and Rob may be there too from what I hear so it's gonna be a PAHHHHHTEEEEEEE. LOOOL

And that my dear friends
is that
here's hoping I don't get six months behind again

LOL