Back to School

Time for writing has been scarce. The beginning of the school year is crazy! As the head of the department I a lot of extra tasks, particularly at the start of a new year, especially when we have five new teachers.

Oh yeah, and our state legislature cut the budget by about half. Which means we lost five teachers at our school, luckily the math department was able to keep our staff. Also, no more copies on colored paper. Oh, and no more buying textbooks, 'cause who uses those anyway.

In May I finished my Master's, so I finally don't have that hanging over my head anymore. Although I am taking another 32 credits this year, but whatever. My biggest goal this year is basically be less of an ass. I found myself frustrated with my students a lot the last few years. Partially it has been personal stress, but mostly I get frustrated for them. Don't they want to pass algebra 1? Do they want to graduate? Why won't the just do the homework? Also, it makes me a little nuts when someone writes notes in my class, then wants me to answer their questions once they finally pay attention. Plus, you know teenagers can be a pain in the arse. But they are also pretty funny, and I do love teaching. So this year I am trying to find new ways to motivate. Contrary to popular belief, most kids don't really like math. I just don't understand. So I am using fantasy football as a semester project, also I made some goofy posters and I will have some drawings. I have been trying to be more "cool" which comes off as lame, but if you acknowledge the lameness of trying to be cool, then it can be funny if done correctly. I am also picking out a few kids these first days to try getting them involved from the start.

I am also fighting with the counselors......you know again. Some a great, but some are total dipshits. The one I am most currently fighting with is just not a bright guy. He frequently refers to our middle eastern students as being "black" in their college recommendation letters. Way to know your kids, ass.

I am eager to see what I can accomplish with my low level kids. I know the advanced kids will be fine but my Algebra students are the ones I worry about. Hopefully I can reach more of them this year.

Therapy

See all cool stuff in the picture? Totally free! I went to the new Target by my house, at the pharmacy they were giving out gift bags! Like it was the Oscars or something. Nothing cheers me up like free stuff. And most of it is useful. There were even a few of the plug in freshners, one has a crazy color changing night light. Owen thinks it is the greatest ever.







We have lived in this house for three and a half years and we hadn't got the carpet cleaned yet. Well last week we finally had it done. I can't believe the difference. It was totally worth the money.

Then the guy asked about the tile, the grout was looking really bad, but I didn't think it would be worth the extra. Then I figured, eh, I won't have to mop! I ended up taking pictures to show Bud it was worth the money. Check it out-







I really couldn't believe how quickly the grout cleaned up. I want to buy their magic cleansers.

Both kids were really excited. They spent about 20 minutes talking about how "wonderful" it looked. Apparently we have been living in a total crap hole. Good to know.



Lesson: If you are in a funk, get your carpet cleaned!

Rage

My cutie cute nephew came to spend the night with us. He and my son are only 10 weeks apart in age, so they are bet o'friends. Sadly I think little T didn't get the experience he expected. When the kids asked to watch a movie... my response "can't anyone just leave me alone for 3 minutes" (with maybe a little spit and a lot of bitchy) Then while trying to verify an email address for classes I want to take, it asked for my authorization code. But I was NOT given a code in the email. WTF So I sent off a snippy email, stating that maybe giving a person their code would facilitate the authorization process. We Bud came down a few minutes later I was crying fixing dinner. Unfortunately, for the counter, when he asked why I had a can opener in my hand and I proceeded to beat said can opener on the counter top while pissing and moaning about the authorization code, and the kids and why was everyone breathing so loud and why is the sun so bright and why the f*&k do I want to beat everyone?

What is it about that "special time" that makes me batshit crazy (and also stand in the pantry eating out of boxes)? Only on the second day. I know I am being crazy, which just makes it worse. Bud kindly suggested that I get my crazy ass out of the house for a few hours, before the kids needed expensive therapy. So I went to my mom's and vented, but mostly just sat and enjoyed the quiet. She is past that phase in her life so she doesn't really remember feeling this way. I find myself being so frustrated I want to open cabinets and throw everything on the floor to express my anger. And every month I am surprised by the hormone wave anew. So this is a reminder to myself. When the friend shows up, stay away from people the next day. Also buy more popcorn.

Pictures of My Day

So today I started making Christmas gifts. Owen
helped me make some soap. By make I mean, melted and colored the stuff you buy at the craft store. I plan to use these for gifts for Owen's teachers and our daycare lady. I plan to make a few other things, I would like to get a lot of it done before school starts again, but since school starts again in about a week and a half it doesn't seem likely.









On the subject of making things, here are the salty caramels I made! And then ate, pretty much by myself. I am thinking of going to get more cream to make another batch. Cuz dooode these are good.








Our friends/neighbors moved out of state (I will need to write more about that another time). So they cleaned out their fridge and pantry to give to us. My question is.....Who buys a jar of pickled banana peppers this large? We have been having a ton of sandwiches because we love the peppercinis. I figure there will be some left for the kids to take to college with them.