Ketchup (or is it "catch up"?)

So, I substituted at a High School today. I was there for the girl's P.E. coach -- well, one of them. It was fun but not nearly as fun as the other time (at the Jr. High) that I did. Wait...Did I even write about that day yet? Or was that post just in my head? Now I can't remember.

If I didn't write about that one yet, I'm really behind, and getting 'behinder' (no wisecracks about my "assets" now y'all) all the time. :-) I definitely need to put that one in. That was a really funny day!

Anyway, today was pretty good -- but High School girls are just waaaaay too into themselves to be as funny as the younger kids. So, I did this one purely for the $$$ I guess. Not much blog material this time. I have to go back there tomorrow (same teacher, different classes) and I really should try to get some sleep, so this needs to be a short post.

Here's where the ketchup (catch up) comes in. I mentioned about going through 15 totes with my sis, Harley Mama, the other night and how I'd post pics of the "what was I thinking and why am I keeping this" hall of shame items soon.

Well, here's the first one:

Yes, friends...that really is a pair of "peg" (aka: tapered) white jeans tie-dyed with pink, purple, varying shades of blue and...I'm not sure what else. *sigh* I can't believe these ever lived in my possession. I'll never admit to having worn them. Actually, I don't know if I ever did. I have a feeling they may have belonged to Harley Mama at some point in the past. Or, they may have belonged to a dear friend I'll call "toad" (mainly because that's what we called her in grade school/jr. high). If not, I can't explain why seeing them made me think of her. I'll have to think about that one some more...

More to come on the 'wwitawdikt' hall of shame photos. Stay tuned.

Laters! :-)

Dental Musings...

Today I went to the dentist. I had my cleaning (I put it off from last month because I had a tooth removed that day) and one filling.

Dr. B is the second dentist I've had in this area and the better one. I'm glad I found one (finally) that I like. Sometimes it's weird being an adult. I went to the same dentist from the age of...uh, before I can remember...up until I was about 26 or so. Dr. O was his name. He was very 'clinical' but (since I knew him a long time) he 'warmed up' eventually. Well, Dr. O retired and then I didn't know what to do.

In the intervening (10) years, I've been to 6 other dentists. All but one of them was younger than Dr. O. I've started to notice something. Is it just me or are ALL dentists extremely good looking? It's crazy. I mean...I expect them to have good teeth (it wouldn't be a very good 'advertisement' otherwise) but COME ON...I haven't been to a 'magazine cover UNworthy' dentist EVER. Dr. O was getting 'up there' (sort of) in years, but even he was pretty dang attractive. I'm speaking generally, here...so I can say that about an 'older' gentleman without it being weird. (right?) And, just in case you're wondering, I've picked *every one* of these dentists from 'the book'. Ya know, the book of dentists that I can see with whatever insurance I have at the time. Totally random...that's why I think they must ALL be that... uh... phenotypically blessed. KWIM?

The other thing is that they all have 'amusements' available now. Dr. O never had that. A lot of the ones in-between have had a TV in the ceiling and a list of movies to pick from. Some even have that AND a music device (used to be a 'Walkman', now it's from the computer, mp3, iPod...something) with a list of genres to choose from. It's weird. The Zombie and I have developed a sort of "kids today..." conspiracy. (Wow! That made us sound old.) One of the elements is that "kids today" can't stand to spend ONE MOMENT of time alone with their own thoughts. They don't seem to tolerate ANY TIME without an external engagement or entertainment of some kind. (Oooooh...I feel a "substitute rant" coming on) We've decided it's the government (tongue-in-cheek), we just don't know why.

Anyway, I actually appreciate a distraction when I'm in "the chair" as I don't mind the feeling (as there is none, usually) or the idea of the drill...but the *sound* gives me the creepin' willies! Anything to prevent (or mitigate) my hearing that is always a good thing.

Today I watched "The Bourne Ultimatum". Actually, I watched about 25 minutes of it, is all. I like that movie a lot. Good thing I've seen it before. :-)

I asked the hygienist if she'd even been bitten by a patient whose teeth she was cleaning. The *grimace* that came during the shudder that ran up her spine (and before she responded) told me the answer. Eeeeewwww! She went on to tell me that she had, indeed, been bitten by a child (a little boy) of about age 4. Her thumb was black-and-blue (when it happened...not today) in a perfect 'ring' and she narrowly escaped losing her thumbnail. I had tears running down into my ears because I was laughing so hard, trying not to bite her myself, and trying not to choke at the same time.

While I was getting the filling, I made a comment about my *secret* crush on Matt Damon and made the dental assistant laugh. I now have a nice, purple (albeit smallish) suction bruise on my tongue because she momentarily lost control of the suction thingie. I'm not sure what was in her other hand...but I'm glad whatever it was, was not in my mouth.

So...here's the lesson I learned today: It's dangerous to laugh...or to make the dental office employees laugh...when having work done in your mouth! If not dangerous (biting, choking, poking, stabbing, suction-ing, etc.), at least unconfortable (gurgling 'spittle' and tears in one's ears). Better to save the silly questions and comments until everyones' hands and mouths have gone to their respective corners! :-)

Have a good one!

Tagged Tuesday...ha ha ha

10 years ago I ...
1. Was thin (for about a month)
2. Was “best man” for my best friend (at the time) Eric’s wedding!
3. Lived alone in an apartment that I LOVED
4. Was laid off from my job with the best severance package I’ve EVER had
5. Ummm…was 10 years younger (??)

5 Things on today's "to do" list... (boring, I know)
1. Figure out what I was doing 10 years ago
2. Order prescription refills
3. Reschedule the dr. appt I completely spaced off yesterday – d’oh!
4. Put up posts on ‘freecycle’ for things I’m flinging
5. Finish some important paperwork

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire... (uh, how many millions we talking about here?)
1. Set up a generous ‘Travel Back East’ fund for myself and the Zombie
2. Pay off medical and other debts/bills
3. Buy a couch
4. Pay off our cars
5. Get my younger siblings, Harley Mama and my sibs back east, better cars (unless they wanted something else instead)

5 places I have lived...
1. Massachusetts (does 2 weeks count?)
2. Northern Utah
3. Northern California
4. Slightly more Northern Utah
5. Central Utah

5 jobs I have had...
1. Substitute Teacher
2. Guidance Counselor
3. Purchasing Manager/Secretary to VP at Travel Agency
4. Amusement Park Ride Operator
5. Grocery Clerk

I tag... Cynthia, Annie (my niece), The Zombie, Sandy (Sly), Possum

Rules: Each player answers the questions themselves. At the end of the post you then tag 5 people and post their names, then go to their blog and leave them a comment letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.

Now That I Think About It...

There might be a few of you (or quite a few...) that aren't aware of the Zombie's blog. It's www.tubezombie.com hence the loving nickname.

That might explain a lot of things to some of you. :-) Just thought you might want to take a look at it.

Since it's *possible* that some of you like me but not the Zombie (KIDDING!), I blog over there too, on occasion...just in case that's any incentive.

Cheers!

Fling has Flung!

I am having the best time EVER with FlyLady's "Super Fling Boogie". Apparently, she does this a few times a year. I just joined the FlyLady group over on Yahoo! about a month ago, so this is my first one.

In a nutshell, a Super Fling Boogie is kind of like "spring cleaning" -- but clutter specific...and a lot more fun. :-) One of the funny things is that she has a "meter" on the front page of her website where any FlyBaby (that's all of us who've joined the group) can post how many pounds of clutter we've flung from our home.

One of FlyLady's famous quotes is "You can't organize clutter. You can only get rid of it." Amen, FlyLady! Amen!

Today I had some serious flingin' fun. My sweet sis, Harley Mama came over with her babies, Ladybug and Butterfly Baby. (Okay, 8 isn't really a "baby" -- but she's growing up too fast for my taste anyway, so I'm rebelling a little...) Well, Uncle Zombie had a fabulous time doing some screen testing with the Ladybug (he's working on green screen 'stuff' -- sorry I can't be more specific, but I'm already out of my depth) and playing with Butterfly Baby. Meanwhile, Harley Mama and I sorted through about 15 totes (I'm so embarrassed by this...) of clothing that, ahem, doesn't fit so well -- and hasn't for something between 2 and (this is killing me...gulp) 18 years. There, I said it. I've unburdened my soul. I've confessed my deep, dark, clothes-hoarding secret. I was stunned, amazed, bewildered, and occasionally repulsed by some of the things I was holding on to. I put together one BIG tote to go home with Harley Mama, a couple grocery-sized bags for the Ladybug to "rework" into a Halloween costume (now, or in the future...or possibly to share), a bag of sweaters that I 'obtained' from DadUtah (sometime in the last 16-20 years) and need to return and...here's the BIG NEWS (and why I mentioned FlyLady and the SFB meter again)...88.5 POUNDS of other clothes that I'm 'flinging' once and for all. There was another small bag of odds-and-ends and some shoes. All told, I'm relieving about 91 pounds of 'good stuff' from the burden of living, unloved, in my storage. (In case you're wondering, I'm a recent convert to freecycle. It's fantastic!)

Stay tuned tomorrow (I hope...or soon thereafter) to see a couple of photos of the "what was I thinking and why did I keep this?" hall of shame. It'll be worth checking back...I promise.

I'm off to post my flung stuff (aka: the "weight" I've lost today...) on the SFB meter.

Laters! :-)

Fourth Graders, Bunnies, Pancakes and Other Random Kidlings

So, as I mentioned yesterday, I substituted in a 4th grade class today. Man, nine-year-olds crack me up! I had a brand new experience today...never happened before...anywhere -- not just in a school. Ready? Brace yourself...today I heard a nine-year-old use the F word. Yes, THAT F word. I'm not trying to be cute here...it was the honest-to-pete, can't say it in a PG-rated movie, F word. It was so wrong. It was so inappropriate. It was So...Dang...Funny!

I had to muster every ounce of my "I'm the teacher and I canNOT, no matter how much I want to, laugh" bravado -- and borrow some more from the Universe -- just to hold it together.

Please understand, I do not condone the use of profanity at school. It was certainly the wrong choice. It was absolutely inappropriate...but dang...I mean, come on...

Ready for the kicker? No, you haven't read the kicker yet. It was a GIRL! *My eyes are welling up with laugh-tears, just remembering it.*

ANYway...I had a good time today. It was a really good class with 23 kids in it (although, from the looks of it -- empty desks -- I think there was supposed to be about 28 or so). There were only two not-so-sunny moments in the whole experience. First, I was late. I'm sure some of you will think that's "normal" for me, but in case you haven't seen me in a while...specifically, since I married the Zombie (who is really, really punctual)...it's not anymore. Especially when I'm going to a school to sub. I'm NEVER late to a sub job unless something really weird happens -- like today, for example. I went to the wrong school. D'oh! I checked my schedule and, in the process, looked ahead to the jobs I have lined up for next week. Big mistake! I went to one of THOSE schools. "No, I'm sorry we don't have a Mr. Wajadoobikowsky* here. And, we're not expecting any more subs today." Eh? For the briefest moment, I thought I had somehow driven through a wormhole into bizzare-o land. Then, it hit me.

The only other gray spot, in my otherwise sunny day, was when Cutsie Poo*, a tiny, blonde haired, frail-looking girl got sick after they went to P.E. She really was sick. How do I know? 1) It was AFTER P.E. -- most kids faking an illness will do so to get out of P.E. 2) Her cheeks were waaaaaay over-flushed, even for immediately after a vigorous game of dodge-ball. {I'm not making that up...they really did play dodge-ball today} and 3) the interesting, though not attractive, shade of green UNDER the flushed cheeks, and in the rest of her face.

When I first got there, I gave them their spelling test (since they were all sitting there, papers numbered, waiting for it). I did the "Hi, my name is..." fun stuff after that. While I was telling them a little about myself (Yes, I have subbed before. No, not here. Yes, I am married. Nope, no kids. I'm not going to tell you how old I am...you probably shouldn't ask a woman that.) and asking about them (How many of you have pets? Who has more than 3 pets at home? Who has gone to a different school besides this one? How many of you have lived somewhere else, besides [name of our state]?) one of the kids raised his hand and said something random -- I wish I could remember what it was. I said, "Wow, that was random." Instantly, 27 hands flew out and pointed in the exact same direction. I turned to look where they were pointing and here's what I saw:

Apparently, this teacher, we'll call him "Mr. W*" for short, has that on his wall and whenever someone says something utterly random...he points to it. I think I like Mr. W. I wish he'd been my 4th grade teacher. And, just for those of you who were paying attention...yes, it was 27 hands...4 of the kids pointed with BOTH hands. :-)

The only other interesting thing that happened at that school today was when I was leaving. Actually, in the car, backing out, leaving. There were four little kids waiting to cross the parking lot. The youngest was a super-duper-cutie-pie who could NOT have been over age 4 (Did I mention this school has a preschool in it?) and the other 3 were kindergarteners (or possibly, large-ish preschoolers). As I was backing out, I heard "sdcp" make a noise. That stopped me abruptly. She wasn't near my car or anything...but the workings of 4-year-old minds are a mystery. I watched as she darted out behind my car (perhaps concerned that I was "blocking" her route with my car?) and the 3 boys ran after her. Nothing bad happened...nothing bad was going to happen, as far as I'm concerned. What I want to know is this: Where in the HECK were the adults that were supposed to be watching/helping/escorting/picking up these kids? Seriously! Who lets a 4-year-old (or even FOUR 4-year-olds) walk home from school without supervision? Okay, I realize it might have been an older sibling/school kid who dropped the ball...but still...SHEESH! (/rant)

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

That was fun to write. Hope it was fun to read!

Toodles! :-)

Fun with Gadgets...or is it Widgets?

Slowly but surely, I'm getting a self-education in this whole 'blogging' thing.

Yeah, okay, I'll admit it. The more I do this, the funner it is! There, I said it.

See my side bar for the two new 'thingies' I added today. And watch for more.

This is gonna be a really small/short post today.

I've been busy:

I'm doing FlyLady's Super Fling Boogie. I've 'flung' 17 pounds of clutter (and, yes, I posted them on the SFB meter). It's on her front page if you wanna check it out.

I'm gonna try UtahJenny's Pumpkin Pops soon -- only because she added such awesome instructions, and pictures. I'm pretty visual.

And, I'm subbing again...just did my 4th day (yesterday) for this year in a 4th grade class (Huh, hadn't realized the symmetry until now) and I have another 4th grade class tomorrow (/symmetry).

And, I just figured out how to add podcasts to my iPod. Not that that has anything to do with being busy...but still...

Harley Mama and I had a couple good ideas for (low budget) Christmas presents for this year, so I need to get working on my part of those. Plus, I talked to her about a project I want to do for the Ladybug and Butterfly Baby. (Harley Mama, hint...hint...I need that 'stuff' I asked you for. I'm pretty slow. If I don't get it soon...I dunno...Christmas may be pushing it.)

I'm not gonna give it away to the rest of my (2) readers, but I'll post pictures if/when it's moving along. I'm fairly sure my 2 and 8 year old nieces aren't reading my blog (yet) so, hopefully, I won't be giving anything away.

Laters! :-)