13.1

Going to walk a half-marathon.....

it's in 7 weeks.....

Sunday, March 20...

better get walking....

yikes!

One of those days....

Just lots of little things gone wrong and by the end of the day, I realized it was just one of those days. To start off with, I don't feel stellar. Just seem to be fighting off the crud. I had a pounding headache most of the day and my voice is hanging on by a thread....the longer I talk, the worse I sound. We are also losing points at school...which means we are losing staff members. It's not fun...everytime we turn around, we hear of someone else who is being displaced...a fancy word meaning they will have to go to another school. Some of these people have been with the county for a long time and at my school since it opened. I have yet to figure out the rhyme or reason to who is displaced....the process seems to change all the time and it never, ever makes one bit of sense. And...to top it off....my wrist still hurts. I know the on-line world is tired of hearing this, but dang, it really hurts. My great OT talked to Dr. A today about what he wanted to do. He wants me to take a Medrol Dose Pack, a steroid that is suppose to help the inflammation in my wrist. If it still hurts after I take the meds, he wants me to come see him and then he'll decide what to do. I'm thankful for the meds and really hope they work, but I really think that the stitch just needs to come out. Anyway, I missed the call from the doctor's office about all of this and thankfully, they left a message...but as soon as I heard the message, I lost it. Meaning I cried. A lot. Buckets of tears. I don't know why. I just did. Like I said, it's just been one of those days. 

All That Matters

Somewhere in the midst of my busy day...

Somewhere between the teaching of a lesson and a meeting about inventory...

Sometime after I checked out the 347th book of the day...

Sometime before I packed up my bag and walked out of my office...

I read this....

"The Real To Do List"

1. Sing
2. Smile at strangers.
3. Keep learning
4. Notice kindess.
5. Eat ice cream.
6. Hope.
7. Count your blessings.
8. Laugh.
9. Love.
10. Love some more.

I have this little saying on my desk. It is on a plaque that sits on a stand and it is written in bright and cheerful colors. I bought it a few years ago after I made the hard decision to not finish a grad program I was in. I needed a dose of daily encouragement and this seemed to do the trick. Among the papers and post-its and pens and messages, it sits...and today it caught my attention. Yes, I see it everyday but for some reason I took a few quick moments to read over it today. 

It really put things into perspective for me.

Don't let the little things bog you down.

All that matters is loving, laughing, learning, growing, and loving some more.

At the end of the day, that's all that really matters. 

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

My weekend in a nutshell...........

The Good
     Got to spend the better part of today with someone who is quickly becoming a very dear friend. We went to Ikea...yes, you read that right...M. Joy finally went to Ikea! I think I might have been the last 30-something chick in a 200-mile radius of Atlanta to go, but I finally went. We fortified ourselves with some delicious lunch at the cafe and then perused the store. Saw lots of really cool things....got some ideas.....and easily could have spent a small fortune. But, we managed to show some self-control. I mean we showed some serious self-control. I spent a whopping $5.92. That's right.....less than $6. I spent more on lunch than I did shopping!! I want to look at some things around my house and go back in a few weeks. Now that I know what they have, I want to think about how I could use some of it in my house. 
     We then went to Panera Bread near Perimeter Mall. Since my wrist has been hurting so much lately, she (my friend and OT) wanted to look at it. She bent it and squeezed it and twisted it and turned it to see what hurt and what didn't. Thankfully, she doesn't think I have done anything to my TFCC...just thinks that stupid stitch is causing all the problems. She taped me up from the hand to my elbow (I know the people around us loved the smell of the biofreeze) and gave me strict instructions to wear my 1/2 bionic arm. 
     And.....I got to meet her boyfriend. I have heard a lot about him and since he just moved here, we finally got to meet. It's always nice to be able to put a real face with a name. We all chatted for an hour or so...a nice, relaxed environment to just hang out in. He's a good guy...she's lucky she found him. I, as we all know, have not had such luck.

The Bad
     My wrist still hurts....a lot. Going to give it a few days and if it hasn't gotten better, I'm going to call Dr. A's office and try to get in to see him. I have an appt in late March, but I am not so sure I can deal with this for another 8-9 weeks. I am resolved to the fact that I am probably going to have to have surgery to have the popped stitch taken out...if that is indeed what is causing all the problems. If he can do it, I am thinking I can do surgery in about a month...I have to do wait until HA's birthday so I can do her birthday cake! So until then....more tape, more biofreeze, and lots of time in my big splint. 

The Ugly
     I went to 2 Memorial Services this weekend and would have gone to another one on Thursday if it had not been out of town. I know of 3 families (and probably many many more) who are hurting and dealing with the loss of a loved one tonight. This past week just seemed like "one of those weeks"....was afraid to answer the phone because I didn't want to learn of yet another passing. Saying prayers tonight for the Wofford, Moore, and Armstrong & Brown families. May the God of grace, mercy, and love surround you with His perfect peace and comfort during this difficult time.

So that's my weekend in a nutshell....guess I am ready to tackle the week?!?!

PS- I still HATE the crazy spacing between paragraphs on blogger...if anyone knows any tricks, please let me know!

Houston

....we have a problem.

Something's up with my wrist...and not something good. 


It hurts...almost as bad as it did before surgery.


No, I don't think I have done anything to screw up what Dr. A fixed...
or at least I hope I haven't. That would suck...going through that again 
is not on my agenda anytime soon. Or ever for that matter. 


Yes, it probably has something to do with that fact that I did something dumb last weekend. I was behind a stupid driver (if you live any where near Atlanta, then you know that these drivers are everywhere) and had gotten very annoyed with her. Out of sheer frustration, I made a fist and hit the steering wheel with my left hand. Dumb idea, I know. My wrist immediately hurt and it brought tears to my eyes. Crocodile tears. I learned my lesson. Don't do that again. Ever!


And, it probably has something to do with this popped stitch that keeps hanging around. Dr. A keeps saying that my body should absorb it. It hasn't happened yet and we discovered that it was popped back in October. 3 months and it's still there. Not looking so good in the "body should absorb it" department. 


I came home yesterday and pulled out the great tape and biofreeze and tried to remember how my OT taught me to tape my wrist. The biofreeze felt wonderful but once it wore off, my wrist still hurt. I kept the tape on last night (and slept with my hard splint on...not fun) because I had to play the piano today at a memorial service and I knew playing would make it hurt more. 


To make matter worse, I had a little reaction to the tape. Nice red welts that I scratched pretty badly. It looks great....scars and welts and scratches, oh my!

Hoping it feels better soon or I may self-amputate!

PS- Sorry for the massive space between the paragraphs...can't figure out how to fix it. 

42 and counting

Happy 6th Birthday, George!

According to the Dog Years website, if George were a real person (shhhhhh...please keep that a secret...he doesn't quite know that he's not a person), he would be about 42 years old. That is certainly old enough for a mid-life canine crisis....hoping George keeps it together and doesn't do something crazy on me. 

Anyway, Happy Birthday to the cutest-spotted dog on the block!

George sporting his birthday scarf!

Where is my present mom??

Love him!

Missing Mitten

Ever feel like a mitten in the lost and found bucket of an elementary school 

just waiting for your match to show up?

That's me.....just waiting for my match.

Advice from GP

Opportunity seldom knocks once and never knocks twice.

GP, what we affectionatealy called my grandfather, always said that.

Opportunity recently knocked and I opened the door. 

Here's hoping that it answers!

PS- Hope I made you proud, GP!

Need a good laugh?

Check this chick out.....she is hilarious!! 

Her take on the weather situation in Atlanta is priceless! I laughed so hard that I cried. You need to watch the whole thing.....just wait to hear what she has to say about people being upset about some of the school systems having class on Monday to make up for some of the days missed. Ba-ha-ha-ha!!!!!

Hope it brings you as much laughter and entertainment as it brought me!

Martha Stewart Protégé

Day 5 of Snow Jam/Snowpalooza/Snowmageddon/Snowpocalypse  2011 and I am honestly getting a little sick of it. Yes, it was pretty at first...actually, it was beautiful. Now, it's just an icy mess. Day 5 of no school which means we just may be in school until July...hoping they will give us July 4th off so I can do the Peachtree Road Race. Okay, I know I am exaggerating...but this is what happens when you've been cooped up at home for 5 days with only 2 small ventures to the outside world to rent/return Redbox movies. 

I am tired of eating cereal for breakfast so this morning I decided to actually cook something. I didn't want toast or eggs or grits or waffles so that meant I needed to get creative. I looked in the fridge to see what I had on hand...eggs, cheese, butter, cream cheese, crescent rolls, syrup, some fruit and veggies, leftover chicken tenders from last night (that I actually cooked), milk...the usual fridge staples. I figured I could make some kind of cinnamon rolls with the crescent rolls and that sounded pretty good to me....so I googled (yes, it's a verb in my book) "crescent roll cinnamon rolls" and found this simple recipe. If you know anything about me, you know I don't cook a lot. I don't like recipes that have 26 steps and call for ingredients that are unknown to me..much less that I don't know how to pronounce. This one fit all the criteria....simple known ingredients and simple steps. Quick, easy, and oh so delicious. 

Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

*From www.cooks.com*

1 can refrigerated crescent rolls (8 count)

1/4 cup butter, softened (1/2 a stick)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup raisins (optional)

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons apple juice or milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Separate the rolls into 4 squares and press the perforations together. Spread softened butter on each rectangle and then sprinkle sugar mixture on top. Sprinkle raisins, if you are using them. Roll up each rectangle and cut into 5 mini-rolls. Place each roll cut side down into the well of an ungreased mini-muffin pan. Bake for 15-17 minutes.

Spread glaze over warm rolls. 

Enjoy!

Fresh from the oven....

and with glaze.

Watch out Martha Stewart....you're not the only domestic chick in the world!

FYI

Just in case anyone out there actually reads my ramblings....


I somehow missed getting the "Cover Letter That Writes Itself" software program on my laptop. Cover letters do not write themselves. I have been staring at my laptop screen for a good 45 minutes and have only managed to rearrange everything I wrote yesterday and maybe add a word or a comma here and there. 


It's not easy to talk about how wonderful and great I am in hopes that I will beat out the ump-teen other people for the job. I mean, I really, really, really want the job...and if it means I have to brag on myself...then let the bragging begin!


On the other hand, in the past 45 minutes I have managed to check Facebook no less than 18 times, play with George, pick up the paperclips in the desk drawer, write this blog, and watch 7 cars narrowly miss knocking over my mailbox and the stop sign. It's like watching an out of control game of pinball!


Okay...back to work....my new mantra....cover letter must be finished today, cover letter must be finished today, cover letter must be finished today...you get the drift.
I'm off....to talk about how incredibly awesome I am!


MJoy 

Snow Jam 11 Continues

So this is what I know right now about school closing and the make-up days.....

• GCPS just announced that there is no school tomorrow. A huge thank you for making the decision today so I won't have to get up at 5 am and watch TV to find out. 
• Including tomorrow, we will have to use all 3 built in snow make-up days.
• No school holiday on Monday, February 21 (President's Day).
• No teacher workday on Monday, March 14. That will be a regular school day.
• No school holiday on Friday, April 22 (Good Friday)...that will be the day we make up missing the teacher workday in March. Students still have the day off. 
• Thursday, May 26 which is supposed to be the first post-planning day will now be the last day of school
• We will make up that planning day on Tuesday, May 31...which is after Memorial Day.       Boo hiss! I like my summers to begin the weekend of Memorial Day.
• Don't believe me on this....check it out for yourself. See...I told you I was right!

         Gwinnett County Public Schools 2010-2011 Staff Calendar

This is what I know right now about the current situation at my house...

• My driveway is a solid sheet of ice. I might be able to sled down it but there is no way to drive on it unless I want to back over a mailbox and crash into my across-the-street neighbor's dining room.
• I still have a pile of snow 22" deep outside my front door.
• I'm bored. Don't want to watch TV, watch a movie, read, or even take a nap.
• George is bored and has resorted to barking at the sound of icicles falling off the roof. 
• He has also learned that if he barks too much that I will give him a treat to make him be quiet. I may soon run out of treats!
• Thankfully, I still have power, heat, and food. 

What I have accomplished the past 2 days...

• Recovered from GNO and the rest of my weekend
• Updated my resume
• Am about half way finished with a cover letter
• Caught up on laundry
• Straightened up a few things around the house
• Watched Auburn win the BCS title

What I am going to do the rest of today and tomorrow...

• Bake cookies (like I need them, but in case you missed it, I am BORED!)
• Finish my cover letter
• Take the books of my numerous book shelves and really dust the shelves
• Anything that strikes my fancy

If Snow Jam 2011 results in no school on Thursday, you can find me in Room #147 at the Nut House!

To be continued.....

W

Tonight is brought to you by the letter W!

Winter Weather

                                                    War Eagle! 

Woodchuck                    More to follow if I get creative!

Snow Jam 11

I have heard lots of names for this bout of winter weather we are having...Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse, and Snowpalooza...I like Snow Jam the best. Honestly, I don't have to worry about spelling Snow Jam correctly...the other ones, not so much.

Here are some pictures of the white stuff from out in the sticks where I live.

It doesn't matter how old I may be, I still love snow days!

Taken 1/9/11

  

I opened my front door this morning and this is what I found! The wind had been blowing
and it was blowing the snow off the roof and into this snow drift.

Wow!! Almost 22 inches deep!

The much needed ingredient for Snow Cream!

George's footprints...
he went to check out his frozen friend on the back patio.

All The Single Ladies

Have never tried this wine...
but I've heard it's good!

Single? Stranded because of the snow? Not sure what to do?

Have no fear.....

The Single Girl's Guide to Snow Jam 2011 is here!

Just follow these simple instructions and you are guaranteed to have an enjoyable Snow Jam experience!

Who needs bottled water? Get bottles of wine instead!
I guess it's a little too late for this...
but now you know how to better prepare for next time!

Have milk, sugar, and vanilla flavoring?
Make Snowcream! Yummy! 

Lucky enough to not have to go to work? Don't do anything productive!

I mean nothing. Don't open your work e-mail, don't work on that data report, don't grade papers, don't call that client. Don't...you get my drift...just don't!

*(Of course, I will be spending part of the day updating my resume and writing a cover letter.)

Have a crockpot? Throw together a quick and easy soup.

I currently have Taco Soup cooking in my crock pot and it smells delicious!

Insert smell of deliciousness here!

Taco Soup Recipe

3 cans diced tomatoes

3 cans of beans (any kind will do...

I use black, kidney, & chilli)

1 can corn

1 packet of taco seasoning

1 packet of ranch dressing mix

Dump everything into the crockpot and cook on low until bubbly.                                      

 Serve with cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips. 

Bored because you're trying not to be productive?

Put in that movie you've been wanting to watch or in my case, 

the movie you have seen 158 times and just want to watch one more time.

Or...cuddle up on the couch with a new book.
As a librarin, I always have a stack of books lying around just waiting to be read!

Or...just cuddle up on the couch with a blanket and take a nap...you deserve it!

Want to just talk to someone? Pick up your phone and call that friend you've been meaning to call....spend some time just catching up with each other.

Have some greeting cards laying around? Make a girlfriend smile (well in a day or 2 when she gets it in the mail) by writing a quick note about how much you enjoy her friendship.
It may be 2011 and the technology era, but who doesn't love getting snail mail (not bills)?!?

So pick something from above to do....the goal is to just relax and enjoy the day (or days)!!

*Sorry the spacing on this post is a little wacky....I can't get it to do what I want. 

Success

Just in case anyone was wondering...

GNO was a complete success!

Think it was just what the doctor ordered for all involved. A night of great friends, good food (and drinks), no stress, no judgement, and just time to relax and unwind. 

Chelsea* described the evening best...

"So last night I met the ladies down in Buckhead for a pretty fantastic night at Tin Lizzy's. Copious amounts of margaritas for them & beers for me (oh and a shot of something that I swear only tasted like pineapples...), lots of laughs, a little real-talk, and a brief drunken argument over the constellations -- thanks Google Sky Map for the win! "

*Stolen from: http://cme-justme.blogspot.com/2011/01/lizzies-only.html

Not something I do all the time, but even at 32 years old, I still need a night out with the girls every once in a while!

GNO

Very excited about this weekend. Plans include:

Dropping George off at the kennel for a much needed bath.

Delivering a princess birthday cake.

Spending time with the precious kiddos and their families in the library at Egleston.

Then the real fun begins......

Dinner and drinks with some great friends at Tin Lizzy's.

Then...who knows!

I'm thinking that Girls Night Out will most likely turn into Girls Morning In.

Maybe with post-night-out breakfast at The Flying Biscuit.

Then to Dahlonega (depending on the weather) to hang out with...I mean, advise...

the best Alpha Gams around.

And maybe, just maybe, the weekend will end with a sprinkling of the fluffy, white stuff!

Hope your weekend turns out to be as enjoyable as I know mine will be!

A Blank Slate

   So this past week, I set out to find a 2011 calendar. Little did I know how big of a challenge it would prove to be! For the past few years I have used the Mary Engelbriet Engagement Calendar but decided I needed a change of pace for 2011. I like to write everything down in my calendar and the ME one just didn't have enough room for my ever exciting life. I kind of had an idea of what I was looking for....not a wall calendar, not one of those day-by-day things where you tear the day off, but something I could take with me...not too big and not too small...and I wanted it to have both a monthly calendar so I could see the month at a glance and weekly calendars so I could write down specifics and see the week at a glance. Anyway, I thought I would be easy to find. Ha! 

   I will spare you the list of places I went but it included multiple office supply stores and Borders. I got frustrated pretty quickly. The majority of what I saw were appointment books. I didn't need one with times listed...I know it's hard to believe, but my life is not that exciting or that well-planned. I mean what would I write down? 5:30 get up, 6:30 leave home, 6:50 stop at Racetrac for a morning jolt of caffeine, 8:15 live broadcast, 8:30 chat with friends in media center, 8:42 start checking-in books...not exactly what I had in mind for my calendar. The other thing that shocked my system was the prices of these bad boys....I thought I'd spend about $10-$15...but I soon realized that I may need to first hit Wells Fargo and take out a small loan. $74.99 for a calendar....really?? This was not going well....it was beginning to look like my 2011 calendar was going to be a packet of Post-It notes. I could just write down what I had to do that day and then stick it on my shirt for the day...it was sounding like a good plan to me. 

  
   At office supply store #4 (I think), I was  getting tired and cranky and was ready to just play the "Eeny Meeny Miny Mo" game to find a calendar. Then I saw it....a pink calendar sitting all by itself. The color alone gave it a few points in my book. I picked it up...opened it up...and behold, found what I had been looking for! It was just what I wanted...monthly calendar, check; weekly calendar, check; spiral bound, check; good color, check; price (a meager $16.99 wasn't too bad when compared to $74.99), check....I had finally found the lovely planner that would help me document 2011!
   
   I came home and set about filling in the important dates in 2011....days off from school, Spring Break, last day of school, an afternoon with friends, birthdays, my Saturdays at Egleston, a wedding cake I'm doing, etc. I was already liking 2011 and it hadn't even started yet! There really is something calming about looking at a blank calendar and just waiting to see what will fill its pages. I'm not really sure what all 2011 holds for me...I have a few ideas of my own...meeting Mr. Right maybe...but I'm hoping it will be another great year!