Saturday, February 28, 2009

Box of Joy--Day 9

All I have to say is "Woo-Hoo!"

Friday, February 27, 2009

Box of Joy--Day 8

Sushi Party at Bethie's!! (After my boards are done and I learn how to make sushi.)

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Making a Point

Most of you know that my world has been work, gym, boards and repeat. For the certification process, I need to video tape a few lessons in my classroom. I did a project requiring my 5th graders to compare works of art and explain why they are similar and then present this to their classmates. The children understood why I was taping and were excited and proud to be the examples for me to submit.

A pair of boys walked up to the front of the classroom to give their presentation. One of the boys whips out a broken off radio antenna, opens it up and begins to use it as a pointer! I asked the student "Did you just happen to have that in your pocket?"

He responded with the tone of DUH, "No. He did." and gesturing to his partner. He continued using the pointer through out his presentation using the broken antenna to point out how the art works were similar. I was dying!! It was so hilarious!

And the best part...it's all on video.

Box of Joy--Day 7

At first I thought this was a punching bag...but they're actually "Funsational", sunshine, happy balloons! (Yep, when I realized what they were, I did the high pitched squeak of "SUNSHINE BALLOONS!")

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Not again!

Yesterday positively sucked. Fortunately, I didn't check my mail because the insult to injury would have been the fact that there was a jury summons waiting for me.

Ugh. I just know I'm going to get picked again...damn my innocent aura and wholesome face!

Box of Joy--Day 6

AWESOME!! I'm wondering if a bartender would accept this coupon when we go out...

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Box of Joy--Day 5


Mmmm...sushi. The perfect blend of carbs and protein for a pre-race dinner. Who says you need pasta? I'm also excited that the set is dishwasher safe...I know. Sometimes, I'm weird like that.

Thanks, Super Julia (and Tina and JoAn) for cheering me up after my craptastic day. Cake and facials DO make things better!

Sticky Situation

Today, I have my 8th graders, who are making African Masks. It's a fun paper mache project. I usually make the paper mache at home because it's cheaper to use flour and water and make it on the stove than to buy the paste. I had a big plastic container filled with warm paper mache sitting on the passenger seat as I drove to work.

When I got to work, I reached for the paper mache and got a handful of warm stickiness. The lid had popped off of the container and gotten all over my leather seats. I was thinking it wasn't that bad...I could just wipe it up. I went in the school to get some paper towels so that I could clean it.

As I was wiping up the spill, I picked up the container...what originally looked like a few ounces turned out to be almost half the container. My binder for my boards, that the paper mache was sitting upon is completely stuck together. Awesome. I wonder if I can send it in and get credit for it as an art project?

Then I slid the seat forward. Thank God for floor mats because there was a layer of of paper mache under the seats several inches thick. I dumped it off in the parking lot, leaving what looked like a pile of puke. After I scrubbed the remaining puddles, I carried in the floor mat (also looking like a vomitious mess). Glen, our engineer, used the water shower for cleaning and sprayed it down for me.

I think I got most of the mess...at least I hope I did. I really don't want to head out to the car later and have it smell like rancid paper mache. I currently am working on drying my binder for the boards, and cleaning the paper mache from my shoes, clothes and hair. Ugh! What a fantastic way to start the day. :(

Does anyone know of a place that does a good job of cleaning car upholstery?

Monday, February 23, 2009

Box of Joy--Day 4

Wait, it doesn't make me run faster?! I guess Mary Kay has to work on reformulating their product!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Box of Joy--Day 3

Monkey playing cards?! (And yes, when they were unwrapped that was said with a high pitched squeak.) This will add a whole new dimension to playing solitaire! You should see the Jokers…they’re so freakin’ cute!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Box of Joy--Day 2

So perfect after my very cold run today!

Friday, February 20, 2009

A Mysterious Package

Today, when I got home I found a package between my doors. I thought to myself "That's odd. I left after 6:30 pm, and that's awfully late for the UPS guy to stop by."

I looked at the brown paper wrapped package and saw "To: Super Bethie From: Super Julia"
How exciting!! I love packages! (more than I love sandwiches--and you know how much I love a good sandwich, but I digress.) I'm very blessed to say Super Juila is my very own, personal Superhero. If you haven't your own Superhero, you really ought to find one. Anywho, I carefully tore open the brown paper and found this...

I opened the note and found that Super Julia had left me a "Box of Joy". I've never had any one leave me a Box of Joy before! According to the instructions I am to:

1) Receive Joy Box (whew! I got the first one right with out even trying!)

2) Open Box and read instructions (Two for two! Woo-hoo!)

3) The day after receiving the Joy box, open one gift a day in the order they are numbered.

I think the hardest part is being patient, but I will survive. Fortunately, tomorrow isn't very far away! I'll keep you updated as to the contents of the Box of Joy. Looks like I'll have something to post about for the next two weeks (maybe that was all part of the Super Julia's plan...she was tired of my lack of blogging due to me working on my Boards!).

Thank you, Super Julia!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

On the Road Again

It's that time of year again...the annual Chicago Auto Show!! Ah, how I do love horsepower! Although due to current economic trends, the hp-palooza was definitely down played and fuel efficiency was all the rage. To be honest, I was looking at the SUV's to better accommodate my triathloning, Chicago snow, and comparing them for mpg (BTW--I'm really liking the Ford Escape!).

But in true Auto Show form
I HAD to see my favorites...The 2009 Mustang, in a beautiful cheery red. (I seem to have forgotten why I need a bigger car that won't get stuck in the snow...)
Followed by the 2010 Shelby, with 315 hp...(Yeah, I think I may have started talking dirty to her.)
And I do, of course, prefer my babies American made (I'm my Grandpa's girl on this one!) and headed over to Chevy to see the Stingray concept. She looks like the Batmobile!! I love her!
And finally, my celebrity sighting of the Auto show this year...one of the Autobots from Transformers: It's Bumble Bee!! It may not be Optimus Prime, but still one of my favorites (that and Jazz). I'd say it was a fun time at the auto show!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

There's such a thing as too much sugar.

Today seemed to be a crazy day. The students are heading into a five day weekend (due to Lincoln's Birthday, Professional Development day and President's Day) and to add to it they were extra squirrelly due to the excess sugar of all of their Valentines.

For example, one of my 4th graders seemed to have escaped from his substitute teacher. I was standing in front of the classroom teaching the rest of his class. I glanced over to see the student through the window. He was standing there with a pencil shoved up his nose, licking the window.

This is why I am a proponent of the aerial spraying of Ritalin. Thank God we have a long weekend.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Who Took My Cheese?

I came home from a very long day, and decided on some comfort food for dinner. I opened a box of Mac & Cheese to find... NO CHEESE!!!

What the crap!? I mean, it's half the product!! And let's face it, the cheese is the best part of the whole thing. While I could easily make due, it's not the point...I want my cheese!