MWWWWAH!!!!

Sending out a great big hug and kiss to my sister, Cindy. I opened up (all three) of my (very cheap) black olives tonight, and they were greasy and oily. Hmmph..never had that happen before. SO, I called Cindy, who said that probably wasn't normal and she had a can of olives AND some left over salami for my pasta salad I was (supposed to be) making. Whew. So glad we can share ingredients! lol..
thanks sis, I could never have finished my salad without ya! (and you would think after all the times i have made this salad, i would remember the recipe!
wendy

ONE MORE NIGHT!
Ohhh...i can't wait! One more night (thurs) until Grey's Anatomy's season premiere (sp). I am so excited to see what happens this year! So..tomorrow between the hours of 8-9 pm (central time) please don't call me.

whimp

Dear Spike, Love Dad...
Have you had the chance to read this man's blog? It is titled dear spike, love dad, and it is a series of letters to his infant daughter. OMG! The letters are so heartfelt, and some are very funny. It just makes you melt. I wish every little girl's hero was their father. Wouldn't life be grand? I know Riles loves Chris, and they have a "hero" atmosphere between them, but I don't know who believes who is the hero! lol..
anyway, here is the link to the blog. http://dearspikelovedad.blogspot.com/
Make sure you go all the way back to the beginning of the blog. He writes letters to the baby while she is "in utero"
whimp

When Two Became One:

Riles' homecoming parade was yesterday. In some ways it was bittersweet, and others it was astounding. Really. Two rival schools banded together and formed ONE. The togetherness of the students and school spirit is magnificent. These students have formed a new student body that is unified, and has tons of school spirit.
Riles has shown so much school pride for EM. Why? "Her Shawn" is one of the starting seniors. Then she cheers for Brian and Brandon (fruit loop's son, and step sons.) Heck, last night she was even cheering for bryce, who graduated last year.
She loves to go to the football games, and cheer with Grandma Pat, Uncle Kenny, and Aunt ta-chell.
Isn't it amazing that this little pint size maniac is helping me heal? I feel so much less spite for M, than I did a year ago. All because I watch Riles love her team.
Amazing isn't it?
Go Wolverines! (and knights!)
whimp

I want to send out a big CONGRATULATIONSto Monika, Jerry, and Alesha.
They welcomed baby Jacob last sunday night. He is so cute! I can't wait to meet him, and since i haven't felt the greatest i haven't been to see him! I am hoping to get there one night this week. (good thing Monika only lives a mile from me huh?)
whimp

Whew!
How fast a week can travel by! My sisters and I got together last weekend, and again this friday night to make breads, cream puffs, and noodles to sell at WhistleStop days this past saturday. Well, Shell took a list to work and sold almost $400! We are doing this to help fund the Halloween party this year. I guess they sold more stuff this weekend at the park.

I had to get a new washer (thank you god, and a big FINALLY!). For those of you who don't know, about a YEAR ago, my darling, wonderful, loving hubby washed a king size DOWN FILLED comforter in my washer. (I did get a new bedding set out of this last year too!) Now, can anyone guess what happened? Yep, it exploded, and I am still finding feathers in our laundry. So after that little escapade the silly old little thing didn't work quite right. PLUS, when we moved into the house, for some reason we had to watch when the washer started to agitate, and MANUALLY turn off the cold water or it would flood the laundry room. GEESH. So, the machine died a very silent death Monday night. Of course it was clear full, and of course it was MY CLOTHES! So i got to go get a new washer. Oh, what is it about new appliances. I have all my laundry done, and want to wash more. lol..I really can't believe how much quieter this one is, and how much more water it spins out.

School is going great. I love my little ones this year, and can't wait to see how much they grow.
Things are going great with my team at work, and I can say I work with a WONDERFUL group of women. If it wasn't for this group and their dedication, we couldn't be successful. GO US! lol...So much more wonderful than last year.
Well.. i am closing now. See you soon!
whimp

Wow...
New job is going great. I have one little darling in the afternoon who doesn't like nap time so he throws his mat, blanket, etc the ENTIRE time! Ugh..but compared to last year's class...this is cake walk for me. Just need to make sure there is NO gaps in my day..got to keep enough stuff going and flowing with the little buggers.

Anyway, I am reposting this little story here because some narrow minded horses' ass posted about teachers and what they DON'T do for education..so enjoy my friends..

What Teachers Make......The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest;"You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?" Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an iPod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.) I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America. Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)"Then, when people, like you, try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"
(just cause it gets me on my bad side...and here is my really BITCHY side coming out...
if you can read this THANK A TEACHER..)
whimp

Loving this weather, loving these kids...

I was just going through old photos this morning, and came across some pics of miss riles and danno from a while ago. Unfortunately, the ones of danno when he was small(ok..younger, he wasn't so small :) are not on digital technology. I was still using film up until about 3 years ago. Imagine that, I have only been digital for 3 years. I have learned so much about photography since then, and i have to say I LOVE my camera. I am going to be taking the monsters, out and about to take some "professional" looking prints. I did not order school pictures of danny this year, because last year the school went with a local photographer for their pics. Danny's pics last year were horrible. This same woman also took Riles' tball pics, and for 20.00 I paid (i got a 4x6 team shot, a 3x5 of her, 8 wallets, and a button), I could have gotten such better shots of the kids AND a lot more prints. So this year, as soon as the leaves change, i am herding my kiddos to a park, either in T, G, or O. Haven't decided yet. I love how the park across from Mike and Brandy changes in the fall. It is gorgeous. I might do most of the shots there, the park in our neighboring town turns gorgeous colors too, and maybe a duck would cooperate?? I really don't want to go to the city, but the park by the college there turns wonderful colors, plus they have "props". Anyway, here are some older pics of the kids before i knew what i was doing.

Whimp

I think I fell in love with him all over again this day. Riles was 2 days old.

back when he thought she was still pretty neat..

Danny meeting riles for the very first time...

Logan meeting riles for the first time...look how young he is! lol..just four and a half years ago!

One of my very favorites from last year (christmas photos)

She loves her danny soo...