February

It occurred to me tonight while watching the Super Bowl that I don't have a complete five day teaching school week for the entire month of February. Between some half-day meetings, President's Day, staff development, and jetting off to Arizona, I'd say it's shaping up to be a pretty nice month.

Woot woot.

In other news, here's my favorite pic from Cyndy's January album of Ellen. Wish I had cool historic photos like this of me when I was young.

A whole new day.

I've been a little appalled by my lack of attention to my blog lately, particularly with such important things happening in my world--in the world.

Barack Obama.

Just his name is worth its own paragraph, I think. The best thing I've seen and read about it is this opinion piece from the NY Times. It is well worth your time.

I also loved the poem read at the inauguration--particularly the parts about "saying it plain" and "what if the mightiest word was love."

Also, my niece is about three seconds away from walking. And speaking full sentences. "Aunt Rachel, I love you so much," is just around the corner, I'm sure.

Also, I'm very much in love with Jim. This is worth writing down and sending out into the universe once in awhile.

Also, I'll start posting on my blog again soon. I miss it. I really do.

Top Ten George W Bush Moments

Inspiration?

Bristol Palin had her baby. Check it out.

I don't know this for sure, but here's my bet for the inspiration for the baby's name:

Tripp Darling of Dirty Sexy Money. Who's with me?

Christmas Marathon

Jim and I had five straight days of Christmas this year. Between my two families, Jim's family, and our own private family Christmas, we celebrated all week long. And it WAS long. It was great, but it was a lot--a lot of family, of gift opening, of food. I'm usually very sad when Christmas is over, but this year, it stayed so long, I was nearly ready to let it go.

Two other small pieces of news:

1. I'm on the third book of the Twilight series, and I must admit, I can't put the damn things down. I saw the movie today and felt like a fourteen year old girl. I loved it. Thought it was great. Am anxiously awaiting movie number two. I should be embarrassed, right? Or just embrace it? I can't decide. But there it is. I can't get enough of them.
2. Anya declared over break that she has two mommies--a rich one and a poor one. "Really?" I asked, "which one am I?" "You're the rich one, silly!" she declared proudly. I don't know where she's getting her information, but I've never been one to shy away from embracing a delusion as reality. More power to you, kid.

Will write more soon--

Love,

The Rich One.

Avoidance. On a Whole. New. Level.

We got home from Wichita late last night. Jim and I figured that out of the 40 hour trip, we were driving for 20 of them. Ugh.

This morning...er, afternoon...when we got up, I thought about the 92 papers I have to grade for the sophs. And then we decided to prepare the house for Christmas.

This is grading avoidance on a whole new level, people. Check this out:

Note the WRAPPED presents beneath the tree. Impressive, I know.

I touched her hand and she smelled like cherries

The sophs are back to their usual tricks. Yesterday, they were to bring in three typed copies of their literary analysis essay on The Odyssey so they could attempt peer editing. (Kace, this is where you're overcome with nostalgia and start planning your return to teaching.)

Any day a paper is due, I'm regaled by story upon story of computers suddenly breaking down, printers running out of ink, and internet connections instantaneously and incomprehensibly "going down."

Usually, the stories are annoying, predictable, and annoyingly predictable.

But my favorite one from yesterday reminded me of the girl who, last year, told me she didn't know we had homework because I hadn't told her to look at the board where the assignment was written. Here's the same story; a variation on a theme:

"Michael, do you have your paper?"

"Uh, no. I didn't bring it."

"Okay," I said, moving on.

"Well, I have it done, " he said, trying to keep me from gleefully marking a big, fat zero in the gradebook. "I mean, it's totally done, it's just on my computer at home."

"Uh-huh, and it's not here because..."

"Well...I didn't know I had to bring it. I mean, you didn't tell me to print it out and bring it in."

Rapid blinking.

"I mean, if you would have told me to print it, I would have."

My friend Kristin had some funnier, smarter responses to offer the kid than I could think of at the time...something along the lines of having to tell the kid to put his pants on in the morning, and to inhale...then exhale...then inhale...but all I could do was say, "Are you kidding?" and walk away.

I'm losing my edge, people. The fights don't even interest me anymore.

In other news, I read a story in the NY Times this morning about what beautiful, private school the Obama girls will attend this coming year. My favorite part was when a star-struck second grader recalled her brief meeting with the future first-lady when Mrs. Obama visited her school. She said, "I touched her hand and she smelled like cherries."

Aw. I like that. And I bet she does smell like cherries.