update soon...

I hope. My internet decided to stop working last night... so I am hoping it will decide to work so I can post pictures of my weekend adventures in South Carolina. I am at school right now but need to leave to meet friends for dinner... at a seafood place- YUCK! but it is for a friends birthday and she chose it so I will go and be happy. Keep your fingers crossed that my internet is working.

April Flowers...

On Friday I received both of these beautiful bouquets for my Birthday. So nice. Love them. And love my family and friends that made it such a great Birthday!!

Wowzers...

**I just helped with our stake's clothing exchange tonight. Oh my goodness... people have a lot of crap. I took a small box of items... and being there made me never want to buy another thing EVER! Of course that won't last long but I really am going to try to be much more organized and think before I buy. Just because it's on sale, doesn't mean I need to buy it.... right?

**I demonstrated how to make Oreo Cookies on Thursday (and then my classes made them today). I was asking random questions at the end of class and whoever got them right, got a cookie. I asked if anyone could sing O Canada. A few of them new the first few words and the tune but that was about it. (and NO ONE could name all of the Provinces!!!) Today one of my students came in and said that it was a disgrace that we didn't know it so he printed out a copy of the words for each student and they sang it for me. The tune became very interesting near the end. It gave me a good chuckle.

**I have 3 things on my project list in progress now. My goals for tomorrow:
1) Sleep
2) finish 2 things on my list
Do you think I can do it?

**Did you know there is a Popcorn Board? Kinda funny. But of course I requested their teacher kit. I want the world to know about Popcorn. I wonder how one becomes a member of the Popcorn Board...

**I am moving AGAIN- in 36 days. And then again a few weeks after that. Why? Because I am crazy. I Must get rid if more stuff. That is my goal for the next 36 days.

The Ultimate Challenge...

So when my friend Alisa was here, we did a little shopping- at Joann's. 2 of them actually and we had to resist going to more. So we got talking about how we have too many projects started but not many ending. So thus the ultimate challenge was born. We both picked 5 -hopefully equal- projects we are currently working on. When we finish one, we must report to the other within 24 hours. The person who finishes first will then receive a $25 gift card to Joann's from the loser. I do NOT want to lose. But I received a phone call yesterday- yup- she has finished her first one. So I need to get going. I am almost done 2 though!!!! I have to:
1) finish crocheting my leper bandage
2) finish crocheting 2 skeins of dishcloths
3) make these cute magnet things I inherited from my sister Kim
4) sew 2 skirts
5) knit or crochet the cutest bag ever
I am a little overwhelmed looking at this list. I need to get to work. I am almost done 1 & 2. My goal is to finish before the last day of school. Can I do it? I sure hope so!!!

On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City...

Life would be Peaches and Cream!!

Last week was spring break and my friend Alisa from Vegas came to visit me. We took a little road trip that included

Atlantic City-

It was freezing but we took a "dip" in the ocean and walked on the boardwalk just long enough to buy souvenirs.

Gettysburg-

Quite the interesting place. I need to learn more about the battle.

Intercourse PA- Amish country. It was so neat seeing the cute Amish children walking home from school. I loved President Faust's talk from Conference. They are amazing people.

Philadelphia-

It is the city of brotherly love but I have to say I hate this city. The roads are wack-o. They are one ways that randomly end. We had big plans to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall and run the steps that Rocky ran. But that didn't happen as we were too frustrated after driving around. We did get a picture of the steps though. Ha ha!

and 2 days in DC-

I saw somethings I hadn't seen before like the Cherry Blossoms and Library of Congress. This is Alisa sleeping on the Metro on our way into DC.

And pedicures at my new favorite place. Alisa's feet are size 5. Mine are 10. Sick. She has the cutest shoes because she can fit into kids shoes. Whatever.

Plus shopping, and lots of laughing. It was soo much fun. I think I need another spring break.

Everyone needs to teach Middle School...

even if just for a year. What an adventure it is. Yesterday we had a lock-down drill. That is where we lock ourselves in our room and hide in case there is an intruder in our school. This is the scariest thing about being a teacher nowadays. And how sad that we have to practice for it. So we are lucky (okay maybe not lucky) to have huge closets in our 2 classrooms so rather than hide in the corner, we hide in our closets. What an experience- being locked in a closet with 25 8th graders. yikes. I thought it would smell a lot worse than it did. So there we sat and stood for what seemed like forever. We have to stay there- silent- until an administrator or our Officer comes to let us out. I was surprised they were as quiet as they were. It was with my most challenging class- which is mild compared to classes I have had in the class. There is a new kid- yesterday was his second day- he got kicked out of his last school and hasn't made any effort to win us over. While I was covering the windows, my new angel shuts the door (so I was locked out) and turns off the lights. Luckily I did have my keys on me so I got in. But you better believe he got written up for that one. I asked him why he did it, and he says "because I wanted everyone to scream." He may be obnoxious but at least he is honest!!
So become a middle school teacher today!!
p.s. My friend who teaches in Vegas has had a few real lock downs and has learned from experience that it would be wise to buy some bottled water to keep on hand. So i think I might do that, with a few snacks. I was trying to think about an activity we could do while locked in there... like Yahtzee. Just joking. But we were just in there for maybe 10 minutes and it felt like FOREVER so I can't imagine what a couple of hours would be like. Any suggestions for silent games? Staring contests? Ha ha!

My Weekend of Crafts and Movies...

Craft & movie #1-

On Friday I started my weekend by shopping at Hancock Fabrics. I needed to buy some supplies for school. We have a LOT of money that needs to be spent before they take it away. Upon arrival, I learned that the store is closing. So EVERYTHING is on sale. Of course I went a little more crazy than I should. But the money HAS to be spent right? ANd it's for the children. I didn't really go THAT crazy. Then I became an official Canadian. My friend Martha came over and we watched Strange Brew. I have never seen it before. We started watching it once when I was at Ricks but it got turned off because it was dumb. I thought it would be a movie that would necessitate being drunk to enjoy. But I liked it. Sure it was lame, and cheesy. But funny. I am going to have to start saying "Take off eh." and "Horked"- as in "who horked the pencil that was on my desk?". Love it.

Movie #2-

Saturday morning before Martha left (she slept over) we watched Ella Enchanted. I LOVE that movie. And Prince Char is so dreamy. I must admit that I fell asleep but woke up in time for the musical ending.

Movie #3-

I have had Pirates of the Caribbean 2 (and Strange Brew) in my posession for at LEAST a month. It was time to watch them so I could send them back for new movies. It was pretty gruesome (sp?) but I LOVED the music. That is a good soundtrack.

Craft #2-

While watching Pirates I started cutting out fabric. I have wanted to make quilts with my classes for a LONG time but have never gotten around to cutting out the squares. I have TONS of fabric scraps at school so I decided enough was enough. I started cutting... and kept cutting during...

Movie #3-

Good Year. Dumb movie. Don't waste your time. I hadn't heard much about it but it looked cute so I thought I would take a chance. The best thing about the movie was when it had finished I had over 280 squares cut out plus about 100 smaller pieces for seam samples.

Craft #3-

I broke down a bought a crochet book. It was a Michaels with a 50% off coupon. I really want to learn how to crochet more than the 2 things I currently know. But after trying to learn how to do a granny square, I might have to stick with what I know. I don't know if I will every understand Crochet language. But isn't the book fun.

I love the table of contents.

Movie #4-

After Good Year finished, and I was still trying to crochet, I found A View from the Top on TV. That movie is fabulous and repaired all the damage done by dumb movie #3.

Movie #5-

I rented The Nativity last night along with Good Year. I haven't watched it yet but I think it might be my activity for tonight with a big bowl of popcorn. And maybe a few more attempts at crocheting.

Apparently I've got skills...

Bouquet making skills. I went to a bridal shower on Wednesday for a friend that is getting married. It was me, 2 of her roommates and a bunch of women she works with or is related to. We were the youngest by at least 30 years. Kind of funny! Anyhwho... we got selected to be the makers of her "bow"quet with all the bows and ribbons from her presents. My 2 friends kindly passed them to me, and so I began. The ladies around us were soo impressed and kept asking me if I had done this before. I replied "no, this is my first time." My friends found the need to tell everyone, "She teaches Home Ec." Like that makes me extra crafty or something. So then at the end of the shower a lady comes up to me and asks me if I teach how to make these bouquets. What? Are you serious!! I replied as nicely as I could without laughing out loud. Maybe I should start a class. Anyone want to sign up?

It doesn't look very good in the picture- I had to add some tacky stuff at the end. But there is a little handle for her to even hold on to. Funny!

p.s. It was me that got the speeding ticket, and I don't expect my "friend" to help pay for it- although it was AT the airport that I got the ticket. But I guess a ticket just adds to the fact that she should pay some for the gas. And still hasn't made any mention of it. In fact she made me drive her to the temple this morning for our Relief Society Birthday celebration. I wanted to go to IKEA after, but SHE didn't have time. I am getting a little tired of her "friendship"...