"Freedom is never free."

A Joke:

From:  http://www.forwardedfunnies.com/awesome_senior_moment_002477.html?awt_l=FQnIV&awt_m=1dmmSZ3_HIB9bL

Here's a quote from a government employee who witnessed a recent inter-action between an elderly woman and an antiwar protester in a Metro station in DC. There were protesters on the train platform handing out pamphlets, on the evils of America. I politely declined to take one. The elderly woman was behind me getting off the escalator and a young (20-ish) female protester offered her a pamphlet, which she politely declined. The young protester put her hand on the old woman's shoulder as a gesture of friendship and in a very soft voice the young lady said, "Lady, don't you care about the children of Iraq?" The old woman looked up at her and said, "Honey,  my father died in France during World War II, I lost my husband in Korea, and a son in Vietnam. All three died so you could have the right to stand here and badmouth our country. If you touch me again, I'll stick this umbrella up your a** and open it." A Quote: It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.  ~ M. Grundler A Thought:  *drags soapbox to the podium* It's easy to forget or confuse just how much the members of the US Military do and have done so that we can continue living in ways that we are accustomed to.  It is always important to remember that "freedom is never free".  It's not free for those fighting to keep our freedom intact.  It's not free for the families and loved ones carrying on at home, waiting for their return.  It's definitely not free for those who give their lives and the families who must carry on knowing their loved one is never coming home.   You may not agree with the politics and you may not agree with war in general - but you better stand up and support those who are out there giving their all, sometimes their lives to keep our country free.  That's the very least you can do.  *steps off soapbox* And just because I like this: If you can read this, thank a teacher.  If it's in English, thank a soldier. *** This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.  ~Elmer Davis Happy Memorial Day!   To all of those who continue to fight and for those who have given their lives for our freedom and our country.  I love you Dad.   I'm proud to be your daughter today and everyday.

I survived

thanks to Mom for coming and packing up my room while I did a lot of last minute paperwork, running around and records.


I have no other words for now.  Just chilling out and taking a breather.  Be back soon.  I promise.

Is it possible to drown in paperwork?

Because I feel like it is quite possible lately.  I feel like I am already gasping for air.

I have so much current paperwork (i.e. not clutter, unnecessary or irrelevant paperwork) to do that I had to move off of my desk and to the much larger table to spread it out so I can see what I have and know where everything is.  Everything on this table has to be (oh and it will be) completed, scored, ranked, made into a matrix spreadsheet and/or otherwise dealt with by Monday.

Most of it will be done by tomorrow.  The sad thing is this isn't even EVERYTHING.  *sighs*  The really bad thing is...this is actually laid out in an actual order that works and makes sense to me.  This is not a chaos paper explosion (even though I know that's what it looks like).

Alright I'm going to quit stalling.  I brought half of it home with me...

Randomness

Yeah b/c that's where I am lately.  Randomville.

Dear Jason,

I love you dearly.  Please don't search for a new sister on Craigslist or eBay b/c I didn't call you back.  And please don't sell me on Craigslist either.  (pretty sure that's illegal anyway... just sayin')  I'm sorry.   But my phone is a piece (you know this) and I wasn't aware I had missed calls.  Yes, I know going 4 days with no contact is inexcusable.  I promise I'll do better in two weeks.  You'll want to search for a new sister who DOESN'T call you and LEAVES you alone b/c you'll be sick of me and always hearing from me.  I promise. Let me get all my stress work BS stuff done and then I'll have all the time in the world to be your BFF.  Pump your brakes for two weeks. Srsly.  Surely you can do that for your most favy favoritest sister in the whole wide world?

Okay?  Do we have an agreement?

Thanks.  You're a doll.

***

Awesome = this guy

Oh yes.  Apparently I will have a classroom pet next year.  If only for the purpose of having this awesome shark lurking around the bottom of the fishbowl.  Doing...you know...shark stuff... *snicker*


I figure it's appropriate.  I mean come on!  He's a shark.  And he's HAPPY (srsly look at the tag).  No F***ing way?!?!  A happy shark.  Who knew?  One can be a shark...and be happy?  Huh... sounds like a good plan.


Still trying to work out a cool name for him.  Suggestions???

Thx Mom and Dad.  You're the best ever!!!

***

Cooking makes me feel so domestic.

Even if it is just tacos.  I feel like I should be on Food Network or something.  Perhaps I should cook more...nah who am I kidding.  Nick just does it so much better...

***

Tomorrow is our Class Ice Cream Sundae Party '10 for everyone who read at least 50 books this year.  Since I'm cheap thrifty I only bought the ice cream cups.  I figured I had enough stuff here to bring in to make the 'sundae' part happen.

Do you think they'll notice the Halloween sprinkles and Christmas sugar crystals??? Oh and I also have a TON of pink, red and white Valentines sprinkles and hearts already in the classroom - that I have full intentions of using tomorrow.

What?

I see this as a fantastic opportunity to get rid of all of it.  No?  I mean is it even kosher to put sugar crystals on/in ice cream??  Oh well.   I'm gonna go with it - sugar highs, cavities and all.  Although now I am totes bummed that I threw away the red and green Christmas tree sprinkles and the ghoulish pumpkin and skeleton candy bits.  They would have added a nice touch.

Ghetto?  Very.  Do I care?  uhhh...negative.    

***

Personal Best

Today I beat my own personal record of:  How late can Jen get up and still make it to work on time?

6:55 my friends.  6:55.  And I still made it to work by 7:15.  Oh yes.  Be jealous.  It's okay.  I'd be jealous too.

Did I shower?  Yes.

Did I wear clean clothes?  Yes.

Did I wash and dry my hair?  Yes.

Did I wear make-up?  No.

Did anyone care?  No.

Was I excited about beating my own personal best?  Super Excited.

Did you know?

We had salisbury steak for lunch today.  I know right?  That's a nice light it's Hot-as-the-Dickens-outside--May-in-the-South-but-let's-serve-this-anyways lunch.  But as I was saying - we had salisbury steak today.  While waiting in line, one of my kids asks "What is salisbury steak?"

Now I don't know about you - but I have NO IDEA what Salisbury steak is.  I could tell you what it tastes like and how it is usually served but I couldn't tell you where the name comes from or what exactly it is.  Call me naive, call me dumb but this is knowledge I just don't possess.  

Before I can even give my genius answer of "I don't know baby - it's like... steak... with gravy and mashed potatoes" - M blurts out [with a slight 'duh' tone] "It's Steak with Salisburys(ies?)!"

Well duh.  Now I know.  Case closed.

However now my new quandary is:   What the heck is a salisbury?!?!

Yes, it's been a long day.  Yes, it's been an even longer week.  This is what we've been reduced to lately.  ;) 

In other news....10 more days! 

To go along with my lunchroom/food humor this is my new favorite shape:

   

Happy Mother's Day

Growing up I'd always thought my mom's whole purpose in life was to be my mom. That's how she made me feel.


~ N. Wagner


P.S.- You still make me feel like that.  

To the Best Mom a girl could hope for,

Even though we don't live in the same house or even the same city anymore...I know you're always there for me.

Happy Mother's Day!  I love you.  Today and every day.

"Hut, hut!"

I suppose we're a house divided.  I mean I'll watch football.  I even have a team (2 actually).  But deep down, baseball will always be my first and only love.  While the exact opposite is true for Nick.

Putting groceries away the other day:

Me:  *pulls jar of spaghetti sauce out of the bag*  Hut, hut!  *throws jar to (okay...at) Nick*

Nick:  *turns and gets beamed with jar of spaghetti sauce*  OUCH!!  *%^$@!;%^%  That hurt! *rubs chest*

Me:  Dude, I said "Hut"...

Nick: yeah - you're supposed to snap it, not pitch it!

Me:  Sorry dude.  I played softball.  You're the football player.

Nick:  You sure you weren't a pitcher?  *rubs chest again* ...  This is why football is better.

Me:  ummm yeah...I think, not.  At least I have good reflexes.



*sighs*  our kids are gonna love us.  Watch - we'll have a golfer and a ballet dancer.

Breakout

18 more days.