Meltdowns scheduled for Thursdays at 7:00

Okay, so I went to school Monday in high hopes of getting the custodians, or some kids, or anybody that could move tables, to help me get my library straight.

I was in constant motion, putting things away, moving things - oh and the computer lab got six new computers, so I had carts full of computers just sitting by the door - totally unnerving, because it's a mess to look at, and it's more work that needs doing.

So, the first thing I asked the custodians to do was to take out these two coolers that were, at this time, full of water, as they had been there for a WEEK, and the ice had melted.

-Side note - I may talk a lot of shit about our custodians, but the truth is they are probably doing the best they can under the circumstances. One of our custodians had to have emergency surgery the Friday before school started, so we are a man down. But I am still going to talk some shit. -

So our male custodian shows up, and decides he is going to put one cooler on a hand truck and pull the other one behind him because it has wheels. Well, he heads to my front door, and the second cooler hits the rubber edge between my tile and my carpet and guess what. The second cooler tips over, pouring water out in a flood. The funniest thing to me looking back is that it fell over right where we have this ten foot tall lighthouse a teacher made with her class years ago - how appropriate.

Well, a shop vac was found (thank God we have a teacher with one) and the custodian got to sit for 30 minutes or so sucking water up with the shop vac. Then he went to get kids to move the tables - and the two boys did, but when they started moving chairs, they moved them two at a time, and clank clank clank, that was the end of that. I thanked them all for their time, and sent them on their way. I would get the chairs moved later.

That was probably the highlight of Monday.

So Tuesday I get to school and go in the front door of the library - I am the only one that ever comes in that door - besides the odd maintenance man - but it's closer to where I park, so . . .

But there at the edge of the cement was a pile of blue stones, aquarium stones to be precise.

Well, I figured one of my slack ass teachers had dumped her aquarium there, leaving her stones for God only know what - birds with color sense?

So I took a picture. I have it at school and will post it next week. And I printed an 8x10 and have it in a frame on my desk. Seriously. It centers me.

And guess who did it? The custodian. When he dumped the shop vac. The teacher to whom the shop vac belonged had warned him that he needed to empty it before using it. And he had dumped it out and left it there. The custodian.

And then the rest of the day was filled with Language Arts classes visiting the media center for their "refreshers." Did ten classes I guess on Tuesday and the same on Wednesday.

I had gotten my assistant to sign classes up, and on Wednesday she signed classes up that overlapped - guess she just wasn't paying attention - but was that when they were signing up or when she was typing it up to give to me? Wouldn't YOU have checked the times. But it worked out. My 6th grade LA teacher worked with me, and all went well.

By Wednesday I had helpers for 8th grade and knew who my helpers for 6th and 7th would be, so I could see some relief coming. And my list was getting shorter. But it was still LONG for me.

So I worked and worked. And during this, I was staying up until 11:00 or 11:30 with Brent and Second Life (which is worthy of a blog all to itself) every night. And by Thursday, it had all taken its toll.

So Thursday went okay at school, and then I get home, and Brent says lightning has struck the phones. Our phones were dead, our Internet was out, our cable worked, but we had to fix the other. One of our phones had a bulging power pack - so we discarded that. But the Internet - we have to have that. So I got on my cell phone and spent the next hour working with the Suddenlink Guy trying to get the Internet to work. We decided to just let the phones go for the night, scheduled an appointment for the next morning, and kept working on the Internet.

Well, my nerves kept getting more and more RAW, and by the time I got off the phone with the cable guy - we got the old cable modem working, but it wouldn't work with the router, which only made the situation worse - by the time that whole debacle was over, I was, shall we say, tripping.

I was really really ILL. And I just stood in the middle of the living room and clenched my fists and said, "Right now, I am so fucking aggravated that everything is wrong. I'm going to bed." That was at seven o'clock on Thursday night.

At six o'clock Friday morning I got up. (There were a few trips to the bathroom throughout the night.)

And I felt better.

And Friday was a great day.

Meltdowns scheduled for Thursdays at 7:00 - an Introduction

Okay, so the first week of school really, really sucked. Well, actually the first four days did, but Friday, well Friday went fairly well.

I have never had so many people who needed so much all at one time from me. I totally don't remember it being like this last year. And to tell you about my first week, I have to go back to last Friday, before school started.

Well, Cathy, my centering rod, had to leave early for a funeral, so I was left alone. And that's when things started to fall apart. Everything I touched went south. I moved a network printer from one classroom to another and it lost its IP address. Just in case you are reading this and don't understand what that means, here's the translation - it worked in one room, and then it lost its freaking mind and didn't work in the next. In less than five minutes.

And then I go back to my library, dog tired, and it's a mess - things everywhere. You don't know this, but over the summer, people "find" things and drop them off in the library - odd electronic things, carts, tables, SMART board stands with no SMART board. So I had all of this stuff to deal with, because I had been out in classrooms working. And the tables - this was really one of my biggest problems.

My library is only so big, and we have tables on both ends. Well for the first workday when we had our afternoon long faculty meeting, almost all of the tables were crammed on one end. And they stayed that way. Until this Tuesday - when school had started. And being a spatial kind of person who has to see some kind of order, let me tell you that was the last straw - no one to help, because now I can't move tables and things with my back - which really pisses me off.

So, I left. I packed up my stuff and left last Friday. Came home and was so un-nerved, I cried. Yes folks, that's how bad it was and how tired I was - I cried, because this would be the worst opening of school I had ever had.

And then I sat on my fat, happy ass all weekend and rested.

It's the end of the world as we know it . . .

Well, today is the last day before the official start of school for the kids. I have worked all week trying to get classrooms ready for tomorrow, and now my library is in terrible shape. This is going to be the worst start to school I have had in fifteen years. Seriously. I think I was even better prepared my first year, when I was hired after school started and had to push a cart from classroom to classroom.

I will tell you this, and I knew that this was coming. I hate working on computers. I hate networking printers and installing drivers and plugging things in. It drives me nuts. I have had to do too much of this over the past ten years, and now I believe I have reached my limit.

But hopefully I will be able to get things straight tomorrow. If nothing else, I plan to take four 8th grade boys out of their last period science class tomorrow to help me move tables. I have gotta get something done, and fast.

So, if you call and I don't answer, it's probably because I am taking a nap every afternoon this week.

Wish me luck.

It's What the Cannibals Cook In

That's what Brent said when I told him about the item that you will find if you follow the link below -

http://www.dutchtub.com/

Think of what you find there and then hear my husband say, "It's what the cannibals cook in."

You gotta love the man . . .

Do you remember?

Have you noticed the new JCPenny's ad that is based on the movie "The Breakfast Club"? Totally hilarious if you were a fan. And who isn't a Molly Ringwald and John Hughes? God, the movies that man made while we were growing up.

And Anthony Michael Hall was always my hero - the nerd.

So, I'm watching "Sixteen Candles" with the Donger - remember him? You know he was like 21 and everyone else was way underage, so they all got him to buy beer while they were shooting this movie. And then he went on to be on ER forever as Yosh.

And John and Joan Cusack are both in it - amazing.

They're at the part where Anthony Michael Hall has shown up at his friend's house with Jake's dad's car and the prom queen, and he wants a picture taken. And they take one at it's a Polaroid of only AMH's eyeball - lol.

I love these movies. They remind me of being a geek in high school. Something that is farther away than I realized until the JCP ad came out.

And to top it all off. Brent has never seen "The Breakfast Club." God bless his heart. Thank goodness for Netflix.

So, of all the John Hughes' movies, what was your favorite? "Pretty in Pink," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club" . . .

Tough call -

The Tent's Packed Up

Well, the whole "event" is over. Most of the cousins have left, and I have to tell you that it was nice getting to see them. I got to meet some of the littlest Williams - Mina, William, Gabriella, and Xavier. All very cute, and with a streak of Williams in them that will keep the line going.

Everything went fairly well with the exception of one cousin sending a message to another cousin that my grandmother didn't want her at the funeral. Oh Jesus, you know that my Daddy got so mad when he found out. And I'm with him. At this point, what does it matter? Granny wrote that when she was hurt, and I am sure she would have been happy to know that her granddaughter came and paid a last respect. It's a stink, but something that will eventually fade, I hope.

Of course it was sorta poignant thinking that this was the last time I will ever see all of my uncles and aunts together alive. They are now at the front of the line as Todd said. And so it begins.

But to change the subject, tonight we are going down to Mary's, because today is Colin's 4th birthday and from what I hear, there will be cake. And you know Brent and I are driving fools when it comes to cake - lol. So that also means that today is Leslie's and Mark's 3rd wedding anniversary - Happy Anniversary folks!

And so it ends . . .

Well, folks, Granny decided to leave us on Saturday around 2:15 in the morning. I am glad she is hopefully somewhere feeling much better.

http://www.paulfuneralhome.com/obituaries.php?page=0&op=view&id=633

Let the trumpets sound and the angels sing

News flash - Stephanie is moving back to NC.

Read the news here -

http://awomanofegypt.blogspot.com/

Good Friday Morning

For those of you that don't know, my father's mother, Granny, has been in a nursing home for over two years now. Well, about two weeks ago she developed pneumonia, which is not a new story as she as had it before. But this time, she was sent to the hospital because it had gotten so bad. The hospital folks stabilized her and sent her back to the nursing home, at which point my father was told it was only a matter of time before she died.

So, for about a week now, my father has been torn up about the whole situation. A situation compounded by the fact that my Uncle Von has come home to be here for this event. It's strange how there wasn't much of an interest when Daddy had to put her in the nursing home, had to take care of her and visit her every day, but now that she is dying, the interest level has increased exponentially.

My Uncle Russell, who lives in Texas, has told Daddy to call him when it's over, as he has to work. My cousin John (http://www.youtube.com/user/HeleOnHunting) has decided that he will be flying home soon. There's no telling how many folks will show up before this is all over.

What my mission is today - the reason I am up so damn early - is that I am meeting my sister (who has an early Dr's appointment in G-ville), and we are going out to get Granny something to be buried in.

Honestly, it's a little macabre making all of these arrangements before Granny is actually dead, but I will be honest with you - my Granny has been gone for a long time. Now there is only this ghost of a person in a hospital bed at a nursing home.

My family went through this a little over a year ago with Mama's mother, Grandmama, and let me tell you, it is the most painful thing to have to deal with - watching someone waste away to a wraith, to a being that cannot communicate or for lack of a better word - live.

So today is death duty day. One of many to come in the future I suppose.

Hope you guys have a better one.

Pet Peeve

Your - possessive - meaning it belongs to you

You're - contraction of You Are

I do not understand why so few people know the difference. I did not realize that so many people misuse these two words until I just finished reading an email from a person at Central Office for my school district.

I think I may become a crusader for the education of folks as to the difference. Wonder if there is a tshirt somewhere for this?

Projects, projects, projects

Hey, Guys!

Well, I have finally gotten started on a couple of projects around here - and have finished two!

Amazing, huh?

I made a door/draft stopper for the utility room door. YOU may not think that is important, but the door is almost an inch short for some bizarre reason, and now AC and heat won't run out under that door any more.

I have also started making slip covers for the dining room chairs. I have had these chairs since I moved in as gifts from a friend of my parents'. The are beginning to really show some wear and tear, and really need to be recovered and have the bottoms rebuilt, but when you can buy fabric for a dollar a yard at Wal-Mart, why not just try to build something yourself? So, about four or five months ago I saw some cheapie fabric that would work in our house and bought about 8 yards of it. And it has just sat in the corner by the sewing machine - watching me while I played games and such on the computer, wishing it was something other than a pile of fabric.

So now I have made two slip covers - not really great, but so much better. Here are before and after pictures -

And for the final project in today's entry, Brent and I went to Habitat for Humanity on July 3rd and bought a light fixture for the dining room to replace the old fixture that had hung there probably since this joint was built over fifty years ago. When I moved in here, it was a brassy color. I wanted something that was white/cream and textured, you know what I am talking about, but those things cost money, so dad painted it for me, and it looked really good - 8 years ago.

Well, the one we bought was brown metal, but my dear sweetie Brent has painted it, and we have officially installed it - and I must say we are both very impressed with ourselves.

So - what do you guys think?

South Carolina Fireworks

Well, many thanks to the folks in SC that still make fireworks worth a damn. Despite the rain, Brent and his cohorts managed to shoot off the fireworks we had bought over the Memorial Day Holiday, making July 4th a great holiday.

I managed to go shopping at all of my favorite junk spots, and even got Brent out to go with me some.

We ate tons of stuff cooked on the grill - shrimp, sausages, and steaks - and had a great time with his folks.

What did you do fun for the 4th?

Happy Independence Day!

We are leaving in a bit for Franklinton to spend the holiday with my in-laws. Should be fun - lots of SC fireworks for the home-brew show this year.



Hope all of my loyal readers - both of you - have a great holiday.

Summer Vacation Really Begins

Well, I am considering today to be the first real day of my summer vacation as last week was a blur with the trip to Chincoteague. The kind of vacation where you sleep really late and just do the things you want to do. Today I have sat around a couple of hours in my pajamas, and now I am getting ready to go out to lunch with Cathy.

This afternoon, I may take a nap - or not - that's what I love about summer vacation.

Let's hope I don't get bored too quickly.

Ponies

Ponies
Originally uploaded by leaseuhd

Here are some pictures from Tuesday. We are just getting going this morning, but I wanted to upload some pictures, for my loyal readers, to ease your hearts, because I know you were worried that the whole trip was a storm like Monday night.

Things here are so beautiful, and it's nice to not have anything to really do.

Going to the beach today on Assateague. May see some more ponies.

Monday Night on Chincoteague

Okay, today -- Tuesday -- was wonderful. Last night, not so much.

Here is a video of just a small taste of the storm that blew through. More later.

Vacation

Well, tomorrow at the crack of dawn - well a little later, but that's not the point - Brent and I will be leaving for our official summer vacation.

I have been wanting for years and years and years to go to Chincoteague and Assateague to see the ponies. The ones Marguerite Henry wrote about in Misty of Chincoteague and Stormy Misty's Foal and Sea Star. I read those when I was in 5th and 6th grades, and I decided I wanted a pony - like a lot of little girls do - and I wanted to go to Pony Penning Day, which is the last Wednesday of July on Chincoteague, when the fireman go over and herd the herd over from Assategue to Chincoteague for an auction. The ponies swim over, and it's something to be seen, at least that's what I have read.

So we are going up for four days, three nights, and we are going to see the ponies, and we are going to fish, and we are going to swim, and so on and so on.

So, expect few reports between now and the weekend, but expect pictures and such later.

The Woods They are on Fire

For those of you that don't know, Eastern North Carolina is on fire. Yes, I CAN say Eastern North Carolina, because a huge chunk is smoking even as I type.

The local tv station has a story here http://www.witntv.com/news/headlines/19456249.html

We have been hearing about this for a while, but the winds changed direction yesterday afternoon, and in two hours, smoke was reaching as far west as Greenville.

Brent says that they have declared a code red air quality warning in Raleigh. RALEIGH. That's not good. Not good at all.

So, needless to say, it's been hazy, smelly, and your eyes and throat stay irritated. But, thankfully, the temperature has dropped some, and the wind will shift this weekend.

Here we go again . . .

Well, Daddy had some pain on Tuesday and ended up in the emergency room. He couldn't - as he says - make water. Not a drop. And felt like he really needed to.

Well, they couldn't do anything in the emergency room, so they took him up to surgery around ten that night, knocked him out a little, and catheterized him. The doctor said he had a little infection and a swollen prostate, so that had cut off his "water."

And the next day he went home.

Not.

No, the next day - no "water." They did a CAT scan and found a kidney stone which they went in and took out - ouch - and he spent another night in the hospital.

Today he is home. Thank God. I know he is much happier.

Mimosa Tree

A couple of years ago, I guess, a mimosa tree began growing out of the neighbors flower/tree bed into my "space" you could say. I love mimosa trees, so I never did anything about it.

It is now over ten feet tall, and blooms with beautiful pink flowers.

Have you ever looked at a Mimosa flower close up. Totally worth it. Very cool.