An example of very bad customer service:
A very sick person goes to the Wal-mart Pharmacy to pick up her prescription. She had gotten a box of Puffs first so she could pay for the medicines and the tissues together rather than stand in line twice since she was sick- and so sick anyone looking at her could tell she WA SICK. She arrives in front of the pharmacy counter and it's 6:01 pm. The pharmacy closes at 6 pm. The pharmacy tech. is lowering the gate to the pharmacy and says, as it goes down, "We close at 6." No sorry. No anything. Are you freaking kidding me? One damn minute? Really? It's three days later and I am STILL pissed about it!
An example of EXCELLENT customer service:
I went to Starbucks yesterday. I had a coupon for a "buy a tall cherry mocha, get one free." Well, Mac nor I were going to use it; I just had it in the bottom of my purse. So I'm in line and a person in the drive thru orders exactly what my coupon was for. I tell the barista taking orders there and gave the coupon to the random drive thru person.
Then I order my 2 drinks and 2 pastries. Then when I go to pay my ATM card will not work. But it was payday and I had JUST talked to the bank (on my cell phone in the parking lot of the Starbucks before I walked in the door) and the teller on the phone said I had money in my checking account, because my ATM card had just been rejected when I was at the mall mere minutes before.
The girl who was ringing me up at Starbucks was quiet and discrete when she told me my card wouldn't work (I don't think anyone in line even heard what happened as I was scrambling through my purse for cash. I was impressed that she didn't want to embarrass me). The manager, who had NO idea my ATM card didn't work, happened by at this time and said to me, "Are you the person who gave her free cherry mochas away?" I said yes. And do you know what the manager did?!?
She said I could have my drinks for free, BOTH of them, because I did something nice for a total stranger and she thought that was cool. I said thanks and the girl re-rang my stuff and my pastries were less that $5 which is what I had on me in cash. Problem unintentionally solved. The girl running the register winked at me and all was well.
Wal-Mart should take a lesson from the totally rockin' STARBUCKS!
Mocha lover,
Maggie
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Mermaid Maggie
If you were inside, looking out, it appeared to be the perfect summer day, but when you hit the outside, it was only around 50 degrees, so it was a little too cold to.... say, swim in a lake. I love to swim. I LOVE the water- I think I am part fish.
Growing up, my parents always let us go to the public swimming pool with them or with our friends. We would spend hours in the water. I took lessons and one summer I went through three levels in the first week- everyone was amazed that I took to swimming like...a fish takes to water (I hear all of you groaning!). And I am still just in love with the water. I love the ocean. I love to swim. I really do. The next place I move is going to be a water place- lake, ocean, the Irish Sea....
Daddy-O's mama, my Grandma F (NOT ever ever ever to be confused with the Shrews!!!), owned a house on a lake and we would swim there. I loved it. She had a pier and when you jumped off the end of it, there was no touching bottom. As a kid I always thought is was a bottomless pit because it was so deep Daddy-O couldn't even touch. Us kids, my bro, my and our cousins, would dare each other to try to swim down and touch to bottom and no one ever could (As an adult, it was probably a damn good thing we couldn't or we might have disrupted snakes!). There was also a shallow area and we could drag beach toys out and swim there, with water up to our knees.
At the deep end, though, was the magic. We were always allowed to jump off the deep end once or twice at the end of the swim day, into my dad's arms, before we went back up to Grandma F's house. As I got older and we could swim in the deep end, we would go to the floating raft with a diving board on it which was a few yards away from the pier's edge- though it always seemed further as a child. No wonder I was so thin then- we would swim out the float, climb up and jump in, tread water until everyone was in, then all scramble up on the float gain- first one on got to jump first and wait for everyone else. It was grand. (The only time I was ever freaked out about swimming off the pier was after I saw a movie called Joni, where a teen girl was paralyzed for life after swimming off a pier from a diving accident. I still think about it even today when I dive.)
Years later after Grandma F had moved, I would still go there to swim. I would knock on the neighbor's door and ask permission to swim. They would still remember me and my grandma F and let me use their pier, of course. One gentleman, who has since passed away, was elderly and didn't get down to the water much, so he loved it when I would come around. He would get to come down to the water and sometimes he would just sit and keep me company and other times he would venture into the water. When he couldn't get into the deep end but wanted the water, we would place a lawn chair in the shallows for him to sit in. And during the last years when he couldn't make the walk down the terrace to the water, I would bring back a bit of the water in a cup so he could smell it and touch it- he always said he liked the way the water felt and missed that. I would go just about 4-5 times a week- I would run out after work and take a quick dip, or if Mac was with his dad, I would go swim about a 1/2 hour before darkness fell. I loved having it all to myself. I would swim laps and different stokes. I would jump off the diving board or just sit in the shallows, and listen to the whippoorwills, or float on my back and watch the sun set and the moon rise.
After the neighbor died and the woman who had bought my Grandma F's house had sold it to someone else, I stopped going. I didn't know many people around there anymore and I am not sure they would remember I was Grandma F's granddaughter. But on a warm summer day, I would be on that lake and swimming and relaxing if I could. I miss those days.
Fish outta water,
Maggie
Growing up, my parents always let us go to the public swimming pool with them or with our friends. We would spend hours in the water. I took lessons and one summer I went through three levels in the first week- everyone was amazed that I took to swimming like...a fish takes to water (I hear all of you groaning!). And I am still just in love with the water. I love the ocean. I love to swim. I really do. The next place I move is going to be a water place- lake, ocean, the Irish Sea....
Daddy-O's mama, my Grandma F (NOT ever ever ever to be confused with the Shrews!!!), owned a house on a lake and we would swim there. I loved it. She had a pier and when you jumped off the end of it, there was no touching bottom. As a kid I always thought is was a bottomless pit because it was so deep Daddy-O couldn't even touch. Us kids, my bro, my and our cousins, would dare each other to try to swim down and touch to bottom and no one ever could (As an adult, it was probably a damn good thing we couldn't or we might have disrupted snakes!). There was also a shallow area and we could drag beach toys out and swim there, with water up to our knees.
At the deep end, though, was the magic. We were always allowed to jump off the deep end once or twice at the end of the swim day, into my dad's arms, before we went back up to Grandma F's house. As I got older and we could swim in the deep end, we would go to the floating raft with a diving board on it which was a few yards away from the pier's edge- though it always seemed further as a child. No wonder I was so thin then- we would swim out the float, climb up and jump in, tread water until everyone was in, then all scramble up on the float gain- first one on got to jump first and wait for everyone else. It was grand. (The only time I was ever freaked out about swimming off the pier was after I saw a movie called Joni, where a teen girl was paralyzed for life after swimming off a pier from a diving accident. I still think about it even today when I dive.)
Years later after Grandma F had moved, I would still go there to swim. I would knock on the neighbor's door and ask permission to swim. They would still remember me and my grandma F and let me use their pier, of course. One gentleman, who has since passed away, was elderly and didn't get down to the water much, so he loved it when I would come around. He would get to come down to the water and sometimes he would just sit and keep me company and other times he would venture into the water. When he couldn't get into the deep end but wanted the water, we would place a lawn chair in the shallows for him to sit in. And during the last years when he couldn't make the walk down the terrace to the water, I would bring back a bit of the water in a cup so he could smell it and touch it- he always said he liked the way the water felt and missed that. I would go just about 4-5 times a week- I would run out after work and take a quick dip, or if Mac was with his dad, I would go swim about a 1/2 hour before darkness fell. I loved having it all to myself. I would swim laps and different stokes. I would jump off the diving board or just sit in the shallows, and listen to the whippoorwills, or float on my back and watch the sun set and the moon rise.
After the neighbor died and the woman who had bought my Grandma F's house had sold it to someone else, I stopped going. I didn't know many people around there anymore and I am not sure they would remember I was Grandma F's granddaughter. But on a warm summer day, I would be on that lake and swimming and relaxing if I could. I miss those days.
Fish outta water,
Maggie
Monday, March 29, 2010
Well, now, doesn't that just suck?
- Mac is sick. He has bronchitis and tonsillitis (no strep according to the test!). He had to miss school today and will again tomorrow. He's been nursing a sore throat since Thursday night but we thought it was part of stressing his voice for the play; guess NOT! And no matter how old my kid is, or how big he is, when he looks at me and says, "Mommy, I hurt" it just KILLS me!
- The Pizza Hut Sam is MARRIED! Cross him off the list. Not that there's a list or anything, but if there were a list, he would be crossed off of it.
- I am sick as well. Believe it or not, it doesn't seem to be teeth nor lump-in-throat related. I have a virus. And because I have a common cold virus I am no longer scheduled for oral surgery in the morning. It's been postponed until April 13. Great! (<-- see sarcasm?)
On another note....................
Not one, but two awards!
I am such a lucky girl! I received two awards from one of my biggest fans, Jesse at the Art of Jesse. Thank you so very much; I appreciate them both- you are too sweet!
And the rules are:
1. Put the logo in your post or within your blog.
The first award is the "Child" award, I shall call it.
The rules for this award are: 1. Post the sentence : Nenhum olhar è mais puro do que uma criança: The phrase in the Portuguese language means... "There is nothing so pure as the look of a child."
2. Post the logo on your blog and link it.
3. Mention the blog that gave birth to this award: "Arte Da Li"
4. Pass it on to 10 blogs and leave a comment on their blogs to let them know they've been awarded.
The second award from Jesse is the Sunshine Award!
And the rules are:1. Put the logo in your post or within your blog.
2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blogs.
5. Share the love and link to the person who gave you the award.All of my readers deserve this award so I bestow it upon all of you! But for those who like to see their names in lights, I especially hope the following folks take the award and run (run back to their blogs of course, and post it up!): Lilith, Nan, Evil Pixie, Shan, Anna, Duchess of Tea, Finn, TaDa, Bragger, Jimmie Earl, D-Nice, Wiley, and Carmelina!
Thank you again Jesse!
Love and pink lipsticky kisses,
Mags
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Performing bug
There are very few feelings in the world that are better than performing. There is something magical about being on stage, sweating under the hot flood light, make up running down you cheeks in rivets, an itchy costumes and dancing and singing your heart out to an audience, and being rewards this applause. I've always loved being on stage. I have. I usually had to work hard to get a good part, and I was never one made for a lead- I just wasn't quite that good. I was the bawdy girl or the best friend. But it didn't matter- up on stage, under the lights was the best.
Mac doesn't have to work at it. That kid can make any part his. He has no fear when he hits center stage. He will do and say anything. It's a part and he doesn't out-think himself, he isn't afraid of feeling foolish. He will just put it out there and he BECOMES whatever role he's playing. Watching him is so much fun. Anytime he has a part in a show, he usually gets the loudest applause and screams at curtain calls, not because he was the lead, but because he is memorable, because he is good. He will sing loud and clear- and his voice is beautiful. The kid has perfect pitch and can hear it once, and back out his mouth it comes, in an amazing cacophony of pitch, sound, and tonality.
And he doesn't care.
Anyone who loves to perform knows the "feeling" that drives you to be on stage, the craving for more lines, more songs, bigger roles, anything that would keep that magical feeling alive. Mac has the talent, certainly, but he doesn't have the drive. He doesn't need to feed the beast. He rolls with it. For him it's fun, it's cool but that's it.
He was an amazing Mad Hatter. The kid did his part in a very flamboyant way. Any other kid would be doing the role as "gay" but Mac was insistent that he wasn't gay, he was just flamboyant. And if you watched him, you could see the difference. And he commanded the tea party scene. The only other person who got more applause at curtain was Alice. Mac was on stage for 10 minutes, had about 50 lines, and he easily walked away with the show in his pocket. (Here he is... sorry for the poor quality photo; I didn't have the motion setting on and Mac was in constant motion after he does a show!)
The Spring concert for choir is in April. As I have mentioned before (I can't find which post or I would just link it rather than repeat myself) the choral group will sing some prepared songs and then it becomes a variety show of sorts, with the students singing music from the 2000-10 decade. Mac is in a men's group doing some Plain White T's songs, and he has a solo (which is a surprise, so I have no idea what he's singing), He's also doing a duet with some girl (also a surprise). He was asked to sing in a rendition of "We are the World". He hemmed and hawed around and didn't care if he did it. Now, anyone who Jonesed for the stage would've been all up in that, taking the song by storm. He wasn't sure if he wanted to do another number. In the end he did it because the choir teacher said she needed a strong tenor and she would give him extra credit.
He is just a kid who likes to perform but he doesn't live and die for it. Performing and air to breathe aren't the same thing.
Regardless, he's talented, and I'm proud.
Mac's mama,
Maggie
Mac doesn't have to work at it. That kid can make any part his. He has no fear when he hits center stage. He will do and say anything. It's a part and he doesn't out-think himself, he isn't afraid of feeling foolish. He will just put it out there and he BECOMES whatever role he's playing. Watching him is so much fun. Anytime he has a part in a show, he usually gets the loudest applause and screams at curtain calls, not because he was the lead, but because he is memorable, because he is good. He will sing loud and clear- and his voice is beautiful. The kid has perfect pitch and can hear it once, and back out his mouth it comes, in an amazing cacophony of pitch, sound, and tonality.
And he doesn't care.
Anyone who loves to perform knows the "feeling" that drives you to be on stage, the craving for more lines, more songs, bigger roles, anything that would keep that magical feeling alive. Mac has the talent, certainly, but he doesn't have the drive. He doesn't need to feed the beast. He rolls with it. For him it's fun, it's cool but that's it.
He was an amazing Mad Hatter. The kid did his part in a very flamboyant way. Any other kid would be doing the role as "gay" but Mac was insistent that he wasn't gay, he was just flamboyant. And if you watched him, you could see the difference. And he commanded the tea party scene. The only other person who got more applause at curtain was Alice. Mac was on stage for 10 minutes, had about 50 lines, and he easily walked away with the show in his pocket. (Here he is... sorry for the poor quality photo; I didn't have the motion setting on and Mac was in constant motion after he does a show!)The Spring concert for choir is in April. As I have mentioned before (I can't find which post or I would just link it rather than repeat myself) the choral group will sing some prepared songs and then it becomes a variety show of sorts, with the students singing music from the 2000-10 decade. Mac is in a men's group doing some Plain White T's songs, and he has a solo (which is a surprise, so I have no idea what he's singing), He's also doing a duet with some girl (also a surprise). He was asked to sing in a rendition of "We are the World". He hemmed and hawed around and didn't care if he did it. Now, anyone who Jonesed for the stage would've been all up in that, taking the song by storm. He wasn't sure if he wanted to do another number. In the end he did it because the choir teacher said she needed a strong tenor and she would give him extra credit.
He is just a kid who likes to perform but he doesn't live and die for it. Performing and air to breathe aren't the same thing.
Regardless, he's talented, and I'm proud.
Mac's mama,
Maggie
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Pink Saturday goes Pop Culture
This week I feel a little ornery so I'm going to take you on a pink journey through our PINK pop culture! In about 10 minutes this is what I could think of; I'm sure there's much more! Please feel free to add to the PINK list in the comments (comment button at the top!)!
We have a musical pop artist known as Pink, we have musical icon Pink Floyd, we have a book by the tragically funny Carrie Fisher called Surrender the Pink (I've been dying to use that as a PS title but I think I might offend a hundred or so people... but it's catchy!). "Pink" is a song by Areosmith.
We have a great 80s movie by the late, great John Hughes, Pretty In Pink.
Barbie is the quintessential pink item for little girls. Sex and the City made the perfectly pink drink, a Cosmo, completely hip and cool- and it's my favorite beverage.
And we can't forget Elvis and the pink caddy he bought for his beloved mama!
How about the Pink Panther, that crime solving cat? Pink panties (I don't care if they're granny, hipster, thong or bikini!) are a must for every woman and who better to sell them than Victoria's Secret, the pinkest store in the mall- seriously!? Mary Kay Cosmetics are totally pink.
A most important pink ever, the pink ribbon is a symbol for cancer, most specifically associated with breast cancer and the Susan G. Komen 'for the Cure'!
One of my favorite pinks- the Pink Ladies from Grease, led by Rizzo! Little Pink Slips is a novel written by Sally Koslow, who spoofed her own firing from McCalls magazine in this wicked novel! How about the Flamingo Hotel in Vegas (ya know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!) whose symbol is the PINK Flamingo? Pink sapphires are beautiful stones! And I could NEVER forget our Pink Saturday hostess, the blogging sensation, Beverly at How Sweet the Sound! And visit the super fab, classy, blog Pink and the City!
And there are so many songs with Pink in the title, but I'm including my all time favorite pink song ever. Damn, The Boss is a very, very bad boy, but I just love him! And I wish I could've found the actual video, but alas, I can only leave you with the lyrics so go ahead and sing along with this naughty little ditty- you know you want to-- "Pink Cadillac"!
We have a musical pop artist known as Pink, we have musical icon Pink Floyd, we have a book by the tragically funny Carrie Fisher called Surrender the Pink (I've been dying to use that as a PS title but I think I might offend a hundred or so people... but it's catchy!). "Pink" is a song by Areosmith.
We have a great 80s movie by the late, great John Hughes, Pretty In Pink.Barbie is the quintessential pink item for little girls. Sex and the City made the perfectly pink drink, a Cosmo, completely hip and cool- and it's my favorite beverage.
And we can't forget Elvis and the pink caddy he bought for his beloved mama!How about the Pink Panther, that crime solving cat? Pink panties (I don't care if they're granny, hipster, thong or bikini!) are a must for every woman and who better to sell them than Victoria's Secret, the pinkest store in the mall- seriously!? Mary Kay Cosmetics are totally pink.
A most important pink ever, the pink ribbon is a symbol for cancer, most specifically associated with breast cancer and the Susan G. Komen 'for the Cure'!One of my favorite pinks- the Pink Ladies from Grease, led by Rizzo! Little Pink Slips is a novel written by Sally Koslow, who spoofed her own firing from McCalls magazine in this wicked novel! How about the Flamingo Hotel in Vegas (ya know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!) whose symbol is the PINK Flamingo? Pink sapphires are beautiful stones! And I could NEVER forget our Pink Saturday hostess, the blogging sensation, Beverly at How Sweet the Sound! And visit the super fab, classy, blog Pink and the City!
And there are so many songs with Pink in the title, but I'm including my all time favorite pink song ever. Damn, The Boss is a very, very bad boy, but I just love him! And I wish I could've found the actual video, but alas, I can only leave you with the lyrics so go ahead and sing along with this naughty little ditty- you know you want to-- "Pink Cadillac"!
Pink Lady,
Maggie Mae
Maggie Mae
Friday, March 26, 2010
Duh Maggie!
So I went to Mac's play and he was amazing, of course. And I was totally going to post a picture of him. Except I video taped his huge tea party scene on my digital camera and it's going to take about a million years to upload the video AND then get to the pictures. So, I guess Mad Hatter Mac will be on Sunday instead. And hopefully by then, Shan will have received my email and can explain to me how to upload video to "youtube" and I can post his scene in case anyone wants to see him in action! I am obviously technologically impaired, as we all know!
I'm also going to plug my participation in a food project. There's a marvelous blog called Food For Thought and the blogger take pictures of food she makes inspired by books she reads and posts it with the reviews she writes. She is AMAZING! And I gave it a try, and while I feel my effort was rather weak and lame, I still tried and made something I haven't ever before! So you can see my food for South of Broad (one of the best books ever written) and my foodie pictures tomorrow if you click here.
that's all folks!
Mags
I'm also going to plug my participation in a food project. There's a marvelous blog called Food For Thought and the blogger take pictures of food she makes inspired by books she reads and posts it with the reviews she writes. She is AMAZING! And I gave it a try, and while I feel my effort was rather weak and lame, I still tried and made something I haven't ever before! So you can see my food for South of Broad (one of the best books ever written) and my foodie pictures tomorrow if you click here.
that's all folks!
Mags
In brief
Geez, I thank my 60 followers and then I lose one. Oh well.
This is short and sweet because I'm going to see Mac in Alice in Wonderland again. I'm going to post again when I get home, after the play. I hope to have pictures of Mac as the Mad Hatter.
TGIF, is all I can say.
Later,
Mags
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Housekeeping!
I finally got a new computer cord so now my blogging life and computer life are back to normal. I can once again sit on the couch and read blogs and write and all that stuff. So, for those of you who wondered why I stopped reading (and commenting) I worked last night to try and catch up and will do some tonight and over the weekend, hoping to get up to speed on your lives, so that I am technologically reconnected again to the www. Thanks to Daddy-O and Curley for getting me the cord, and to King of the Computers, the Nerd I love Most, for figuring out the dang problem to start with!
Speaking of blogging, I have no idea what shape I'll be in to blog come next Tuesday since that's when I'm having my wisdom teeth removed. And if they're so smart, why does everyone want them gone? Hmmmmmmmmmm?
No word from AlaskaSam on when, where or if we're going to meet for a holiday. Figures, and par for the course in life with (and without) him.
Not counting today, we have 6 more school days until Spring Break. I am SO ready! Daddy-O is going away and I plan on staying home and sleeping in and being a worthless layabout for as many hours as possible, when I'm not having girl's time out!
I also want to take this time to shout out a huge HELLO DARLINGS to all my new followers. Holy Moly- I have 60! Look at me go. That's cool. Thanks for following and reading and commenting! (hint hint!) Welcome! I might do another give away when I hit 100!
Mac's opening night of Alice in Wonderland is tonight as he debuts as the Mad Hatter. Send happy thoughts his way, please! And I'll try to post pictures over the weekend!
I also want to shout out a HUGE thank you to Wiley. About a million weeks ago this girl sent me chocolate cookies and a fountain pen in the mail. All the way from Australia! OMG- chocolate cookies with chocolate creme in them covered in chocolate. They're Tim-Tams and are just about the best cookie in the world (next to Mallomars). She sent these over an ocean because I commented on her blog that they sounded good. And this is an amazing fountain pen, and I love the way it writes. I cannot believe that all this time past and I never said anything! I suck. So I'm sorry Wiley, for taking so long to publicly thank you, but THANK YOU. Those cookies were freaking awesome. Mac stole one and almost lost a limb. Thank you so much- you rock!
I also want to say another thank you to my BFF in the Wild West. She sent me a Christmas present. Around, ya know, Christmas, and I just found a post buried in my archives with a picture of the cutest silver purse key chain. I LOVE this! She also made homemade camels but those didn't last long enough to be photographed. I'm not kidding about that! Thanks, Gulo! And you were a beautiful bride; I love that picture of you!
Here's the material for my dresses. The flowered pink one is a cotton from the wonderful line a fabrics called Tutti-Fruiti. The other is a silky material that is wild! Love these and will show off the finish products!
Just another Thursday,
Maggie
Speaking of blogging, I have no idea what shape I'll be in to blog come next Tuesday since that's when I'm having my wisdom teeth removed. And if they're so smart, why does everyone want them gone? Hmmmmmmmmmm?
No word from AlaskaSam on when, where or if we're going to meet for a holiday. Figures, and par for the course in life with (and without) him.
Not counting today, we have 6 more school days until Spring Break. I am SO ready! Daddy-O is going away and I plan on staying home and sleeping in and being a worthless layabout for as many hours as possible, when I'm not having girl's time out!
I also want to take this time to shout out a huge HELLO DARLINGS to all my new followers. Holy Moly- I have 60! Look at me go. That's cool. Thanks for following and reading and commenting! (hint hint!) Welcome! I might do another give away when I hit 100!
Mac's opening night of Alice in Wonderland is tonight as he debuts as the Mad Hatter. Send happy thoughts his way, please! And I'll try to post pictures over the weekend!
I also want to shout out a HUGE thank you to Wiley. About a million weeks ago this girl sent me chocolate cookies and a fountain pen in the mail. All the way from Australia! OMG- chocolate cookies with chocolate creme in them covered in chocolate. They're Tim-Tams and are just about the best cookie in the world (next to Mallomars). She sent these over an ocean because I commented on her blog that they sounded good. And this is an amazing fountain pen, and I love the way it writes. I cannot believe that all this time past and I never said anything! I suck. So I'm sorry Wiley, for taking so long to publicly thank you, but THANK YOU. Those cookies were freaking awesome. Mac stole one and almost lost a limb. Thank you so much- you rock!
I also want to say another thank you to my BFF in the Wild West. She sent me a Christmas present. Around, ya know, Christmas, and I just found a post buried in my archives with a picture of the cutest silver purse key chain. I LOVE this! She also made homemade camels but those didn't last long enough to be photographed. I'm not kidding about that! Thanks, Gulo! And you were a beautiful bride; I love that picture of you!
Here's the material for my dresses. The flowered pink one is a cotton from the wonderful line a fabrics called Tutti-Fruiti. The other is a silky material that is wild! Love these and will show off the finish products!
Just another Thursday,Maggie
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Being channeled
I have one student that I work with on a regular basis. This kid only has a Special Education Individual Education Plan because she needs more time to take a test and has a better grasp of material if someone could explain it a little bit. She is a pretty girl who is basically smart and mostly a good kid. I like her, most days!
Today was a "like her" day. She was all cheery and bubbly and she decided she wanted to be me and I would be her.
So all period long she was me. Today was a planned study hall period so it was a good day to be silly. And I had to laugh because I could see myself in her; she had me totally "down" to a tee. She would clap and give praise to other students. She had my tonality and inflections. She used my "phrases". The other kids were laughing and talking about how right she was. Apparently I jump up and down and clap a lot. I also must pat people on the shoulder and say please often.
So this student was "me" all period. She even wore my ID tag.
She was except she used a British accent.
Now, I do not have a British accent. I do not even remotely have an accent that sounds European at all. I was born and raised in the Midwest. I can't even do a "fake" British accent well.
So I asked her what was up with the accent. She said I "talk properly all the time and use the right language" and am "all formal and stuff" when I speak, even when I'm being silly.
Apparently I sound like a British nanny to her. Go figure.
Cheerio!
Maggie
Today was a "like her" day. She was all cheery and bubbly and she decided she wanted to be me and I would be her.
So all period long she was me. Today was a planned study hall period so it was a good day to be silly. And I had to laugh because I could see myself in her; she had me totally "down" to a tee. She would clap and give praise to other students. She had my tonality and inflections. She used my "phrases". The other kids were laughing and talking about how right she was. Apparently I jump up and down and clap a lot. I also must pat people on the shoulder and say please often.
So this student was "me" all period. She even wore my ID tag.
She was except she used a British accent.
Now, I do not have a British accent. I do not even remotely have an accent that sounds European at all. I was born and raised in the Midwest. I can't even do a "fake" British accent well.
So I asked her what was up with the accent. She said I "talk properly all the time and use the right language" and am "all formal and stuff" when I speak, even when I'm being silly.
Apparently I sound like a British nanny to her. Go figure.
Cheerio!
Maggie
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Of. The. Devil.
Seventh graders are Of. The. Devil. They are the root of all evil.
I work with one group of 7th graders daily; they come to me for a reading class. I require then to bring a book or magazine or reading material of their choice to class every day. And they argue about it. They whine about it. They "forget." This has been required since the Monday BEFORE Thanksgiving and this week, I snapped. I said enough was enough. I told them that bringing the book each day was a grade worth 10 points. If they show up with the book they get 10; if they don't they get zero. So far this week, each day half of the kids have received zeroes.
Our school also has a homework policy and I have been very lenient with them. I told them last Monday, at the start of the new quarter, we were going to enact the homework policy in my room. I told them that for the last 27 weeks, all their other teachers have made them tow the line and we were kicking into gear in my room. So as of tonight, I have 7 out of 13 kids getting homework detentions and "Night School" with the principal. They have been warned and warned and warned. Last week they just pissed me off and again, I snapped. Tomorrow I'm calling all 7 parents about the detentions and night school. One girl is one step away from going to alternative school for a day, if we follow the school policy because she hasn't turned in ANY ASSIGNMENTS for two weeks. AND I want to say, in my defense, I have been reminding her every day she owes me work. I have said it and put it in writing, one or the other, EVERY DAY. I have even tracked her down in other classes to remind her, all to no avail!
One 7th grade boy told me my assignments were "retarded" and he "hates reading and you can't fricking make me do it." He rolled his eyes at me, and said "gawd" about every third word. I wrote him up with a referral and he went to the principal. The next day he repeated his performance because he obviously learned NOTHING so he met with a team of 7th grade teachers. Today he just glared at me for the rest of the day............. He is the King Of. The. Devils. I think I can honestly say I hate that boy. I really do. I want to punch him. Hard.
So I would say that I should never work with 7th graders again, because they are Of. The. Devil.
Satan's Keeper,
Maggie Mae
I work with one group of 7th graders daily; they come to me for a reading class. I require then to bring a book or magazine or reading material of their choice to class every day. And they argue about it. They whine about it. They "forget." This has been required since the Monday BEFORE Thanksgiving and this week, I snapped. I said enough was enough. I told them that bringing the book each day was a grade worth 10 points. If they show up with the book they get 10; if they don't they get zero. So far this week, each day half of the kids have received zeroes.
Our school also has a homework policy and I have been very lenient with them. I told them last Monday, at the start of the new quarter, we were going to enact the homework policy in my room. I told them that for the last 27 weeks, all their other teachers have made them tow the line and we were kicking into gear in my room. So as of tonight, I have 7 out of 13 kids getting homework detentions and "Night School" with the principal. They have been warned and warned and warned. Last week they just pissed me off and again, I snapped. Tomorrow I'm calling all 7 parents about the detentions and night school. One girl is one step away from going to alternative school for a day, if we follow the school policy because she hasn't turned in ANY ASSIGNMENTS for two weeks. AND I want to say, in my defense, I have been reminding her every day she owes me work. I have said it and put it in writing, one or the other, EVERY DAY. I have even tracked her down in other classes to remind her, all to no avail!
One 7th grade boy told me my assignments were "retarded" and he "hates reading and you can't fricking make me do it." He rolled his eyes at me, and said "gawd" about every third word. I wrote him up with a referral and he went to the principal. The next day he repeated his performance because he obviously learned NOTHING so he met with a team of 7th grade teachers. Today he just glared at me for the rest of the day............. He is the King Of. The. Devils. I think I can honestly say I hate that boy. I really do. I want to punch him. Hard.
So I would say that I should never work with 7th graders again, because they are Of. The. Devil.
Satan's Keeper,
Maggie Mae
Monday, March 22, 2010
After all, tomorrow is another day
Tonight Curley was going to help me make a new dress. I got the material and pattern over the weekend. We bought two sorts of material and she was going to walk me through the pattern one time then I could do it by myself the second time.
We have all the pieces cut out for one dress, and then we sewed have of the neck and one sleeve. Then her sewing machine DIED. Her oldest son, the Brilliant King of Computers, even took the foot peddle apart and it still didn't help. (This isn't the first time son had to operate on the foot peddle of her sewing machine; it's about the third or forth time.) So the dress, which we thought we could have finished in less than three hours, is just a lonely pile of material. I offered to take her to Wally World so she could buy a new sewing machine to finish my dress but for some reason that didn't fly. I brought the pieces home with instructions on what to do so tomorrow night I'm going to try it myself.
Then while I was at her house, the Brilliant King of Computers thought he could make a new icon for my blog. When you look at the line where thew world wide address is and where the orange blogger logo is, he put a pink high heel shoe. Right now you're all looking up there and there's no pink shoe. Well, it worked at his house on their computer but here at home all I have is a big orange B and no pink shoe. I have no idea where it went. Or why it went.
I would say that tonight didn't turn out all that great, but it was similar to the rest of my day! I think I might have neglected to say that I had a balance of $11 according to the bank but in my book I had a $100- I forgot to write down I paid my cell phone. And four students were sick and hacked and coughed all over me. And I had an overdue library book. And an overdue movie. And my car wouldn't start this morning and Mac was late to school and I had to call his Sperm Donor to give him a ride. I think that was all for a Monday; it was enough.
Manic Monday,
Maggie
We have all the pieces cut out for one dress, and then we sewed have of the neck and one sleeve. Then her sewing machine DIED. Her oldest son, the Brilliant King of Computers, even took the foot peddle apart and it still didn't help. (This isn't the first time son had to operate on the foot peddle of her sewing machine; it's about the third or forth time.) So the dress, which we thought we could have finished in less than three hours, is just a lonely pile of material. I offered to take her to Wally World so she could buy a new sewing machine to finish my dress but for some reason that didn't fly. I brought the pieces home with instructions on what to do so tomorrow night I'm going to try it myself.
Then while I was at her house, the Brilliant King of Computers thought he could make a new icon for my blog. When you look at the line where thew world wide address is and where the orange blogger logo is, he put a pink high heel shoe. Right now you're all looking up there and there's no pink shoe. Well, it worked at his house on their computer but here at home all I have is a big orange B and no pink shoe. I have no idea where it went. Or why it went.
I would say that tonight didn't turn out all that great, but it was similar to the rest of my day! I think I might have neglected to say that I had a balance of $11 according to the bank but in my book I had a $100- I forgot to write down I paid my cell phone. And four students were sick and hacked and coughed all over me. And I had an overdue library book. And an overdue movie. And my car wouldn't start this morning and Mac was late to school and I had to call his Sperm Donor to give him a ride. I think that was all for a Monday; it was enough.
Manic Monday,
Maggie
Sunday, March 21, 2010
How can I have the weekend blahs?
You ever have so much going on in your head you can't find your sense of humor, or at least for very long?
I shouldn't let all this shit rent space in my head but I do.
And for the last 7-10 days I've been experiencing something new- anxiety attacks. First time it happened I thought I was having a freaking heart attack and I would've been pissed if I had one at age 38 and my ex husband who is older, meaner, fatter and far uglier didn't have one first.
That all being said, yesterday was tons of fun because Daddy-O and Curley and I did a shopping at craft store day. I'm going to make a dress! Let me amend that; Curely is going to show me how to make a dress and then I'm going to do the second one by myself. Pictures will follow.
Other than a blow by blow of my weekend, which I'm sure isn't all that exciting to read (though props to Curley's Son, the King of Computers, for doing some super fun, cute things to my machine!!!! he so rocks! Kisses to King of computers!) I really don't have anything to add.
I think I need to go do something crazy and see if it generates some material. As soon as I come up with something I can afford, I'll get right on that.
Oh, wait! While Mac hasn't decided what to sing for Spring Spec, I guess at the pep session at his school on Friday, he rapped "Jump On It" in front of the entire student body to rev up the crowd and got a standing ovation. Wish I could've seen that!
So, have a good night, and tomorrow will bring another attempt to post. I'm sure I'll come up with something, right?
Mags
I shouldn't let all this shit rent space in my head but I do.
And for the last 7-10 days I've been experiencing something new- anxiety attacks. First time it happened I thought I was having a freaking heart attack and I would've been pissed if I had one at age 38 and my ex husband who is older, meaner, fatter and far uglier didn't have one first.
That all being said, yesterday was tons of fun because Daddy-O and Curley and I did a shopping at craft store day. I'm going to make a dress! Let me amend that; Curely is going to show me how to make a dress and then I'm going to do the second one by myself. Pictures will follow.
Other than a blow by blow of my weekend, which I'm sure isn't all that exciting to read (though props to Curley's Son, the King of Computers, for doing some super fun, cute things to my machine!!!! he so rocks! Kisses to King of computers!) I really don't have anything to add.
I think I need to go do something crazy and see if it generates some material. As soon as I come up with something I can afford, I'll get right on that.
Oh, wait! While Mac hasn't decided what to sing for Spring Spec, I guess at the pep session at his school on Friday, he rapped "Jump On It" in front of the entire student body to rev up the crowd and got a standing ovation. Wish I could've seen that!
So, have a good night, and tomorrow will bring another attempt to post. I'm sure I'll come up with something, right?
Mags
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Tis the season to think PINK!
Pink is a color for all times of the year!
Thanks to Beverly and her "Pink Saturdays." For a list of people who are playing "Pink Saturdays" please visit our host at How Sweet the Sound! And please go visit Annabella- she's thrifty AND pink!
In Shoes We Trust,
Maggie Mae
Pink carnations- don't they just make you think "spring"?
My warm pink "winter" woolens- all my hats, scarves and mittens! I'm so happy I get to put them away very soon!
The pink cowgirl boots I bought for the Divine Ms K's little feet! Maybe we can go horseback riding this "summer".
And it's lovely to walk in the woods in the "fall" to enjoy the colors...Friday, March 19, 2010
Ya ever have one of those weeks? And Friday hasn't really even started yet!
Mild Monday
Good day at school, even better when I got home because I went with Daddy-O shopping and then to hang with Curley for a few hours! It rocked!
Terrible Tuesday
The day started with a meeting of all "none certified staff"- this means all the folks who are not teachers. We were all told hours were being cut. And while that didn't affect me, I was basically told that I won't have a job next year because the grant money to pay me will be gone. So, come June 2, I am officially unemployed-again.
Otherwise, it was a good day at school- yeah, I know- two in a row? Who knew?
It was AFTER school where the first problem hit. First, I had to have a parent teacher conference, and I was the parent. Apparently, according to Mac's Step-monster, he got in a fight with his science teacher, cussed her, pushed her and threw a desk at her. In REALITY, what really happened was that he yelled at her, and cussed in FRONT of her. He never pushed her nor did he ever throw a desk. His step-monster is an over-dramatic, pot stirring, bitch from hell.
Anyway, I went to meet with the principal who first set me straight on what happened. Then he said he met with Mac ans since this behavior was COMPLETELY out of character for him, he was told he had to apologize and meet with the school counselor. BUT if he got in trouble again, he would automatically start at the 3rd disciple level. Then I had to meet with the counselor and filled him in on his sperm donor's supreme asshatness as a father and the super bitchiness of the step-monster. The counselor said he would meet with Mac once a week for the rest of the school year, that I had to pay $47 for SAT fees, Mac is a good kid who needs to apply himself and if he doesn't, the the law school Mac wants to attend won't even take him. Ummmm, okay- please hit me with all the bad news at one time.
I went home and had a long "Come to Jesus" meeting with Mac, so I think we have the situation in hand, and he lives to breath another day. And the swearing? he told the science teacher that "just because I took a dumbass science class doesn't mean you should treat me like a dumbass." Yes, world, he wants to be a lawyer. Judges don't call attorney's mommies to court to reprimand them, right?
Tuesday I also found out my computer was dead and I had to buy a new one.
Tuesday wasn't totally horrible because XRayGirl and I did see a movie and have an uber-cheap dinner.
Wastoid Wednesday
School was okay. I made it through the day and didn't lose my mind, so I consider it all good.
I went to the library and got some good books, and even had a sweet tea from Mickey D's.
I had a few hours home alone and instead of doing anything productive like housework, laundry or read, I was a complete worthless layabout on the couch and worried about going to the dentist, the cost of a new computer, Mac, the cost of prom, getting Mac a car, finding a full time job, no health insurance, being fat, wanting to drink, being lonely, and pretty much all other weights of the world I piled on me.
But hey, I had some alone time!
Thankful Thursday
School was fine. I am sick of poetry. I am sick of teaching. I am sick of students, as well as people in general. 'Nuff said, right? I'm tired of the politics and just in general stupid stuff that happens when you work in a public school.
I also went to the dentist. Okay, I know this is weird but I AM thankful for this because I got my teeth cleaned and they feel all shiny and new and pretty and smooth. I also got my new crown on, and it FIT! Though my gums are sore and my mouth is achy, it was good to have it all work right and be done. A further plus: I have no cavities. So when I get my 2 wisdom teeth pulled, I am done until I have a 6 month check up and cleaning. Thank you!
I also went out to supper for my favorite pub in my college town with Daddy-O. Dinner was great, as was the company- thanks father!
And the big news was that my computer wasn't really dead after all! One more big whoot-whoot to Curley's son! Love me that boy- he's my hero!
So all and all, this has been my work week, so I am more than excited about today being TGIF!
I need a weekend so badly. That's right, I NEED a weekend!
Hope your Fridays are delicious, too!
Mags
Good day at school, even better when I got home because I went with Daddy-O shopping and then to hang with Curley for a few hours! It rocked!
Terrible Tuesday
The day started with a meeting of all "none certified staff"- this means all the folks who are not teachers. We were all told hours were being cut. And while that didn't affect me, I was basically told that I won't have a job next year because the grant money to pay me will be gone. So, come June 2, I am officially unemployed-again.
Otherwise, it was a good day at school- yeah, I know- two in a row? Who knew?
It was AFTER school where the first problem hit. First, I had to have a parent teacher conference, and I was the parent. Apparently, according to Mac's Step-monster, he got in a fight with his science teacher, cussed her, pushed her and threw a desk at her. In REALITY, what really happened was that he yelled at her, and cussed in FRONT of her. He never pushed her nor did he ever throw a desk. His step-monster is an over-dramatic, pot stirring, bitch from hell.
Anyway, I went to meet with the principal who first set me straight on what happened. Then he said he met with Mac ans since this behavior was COMPLETELY out of character for him, he was told he had to apologize and meet with the school counselor. BUT if he got in trouble again, he would automatically start at the 3rd disciple level. Then I had to meet with the counselor and filled him in on his sperm donor's supreme asshatness as a father and the super bitchiness of the step-monster. The counselor said he would meet with Mac once a week for the rest of the school year, that I had to pay $47 for SAT fees, Mac is a good kid who needs to apply himself and if he doesn't, the the law school Mac wants to attend won't even take him. Ummmm, okay- please hit me with all the bad news at one time.
I went home and had a long "Come to Jesus" meeting with Mac, so I think we have the situation in hand, and he lives to breath another day. And the swearing? he told the science teacher that "just because I took a dumbass science class doesn't mean you should treat me like a dumbass." Yes, world, he wants to be a lawyer. Judges don't call attorney's mommies to court to reprimand them, right?
Tuesday I also found out my computer was dead and I had to buy a new one.
Tuesday wasn't totally horrible because XRayGirl and I did see a movie and have an uber-cheap dinner.
Wastoid Wednesday
School was okay. I made it through the day and didn't lose my mind, so I consider it all good.
I went to the library and got some good books, and even had a sweet tea from Mickey D's.
I had a few hours home alone and instead of doing anything productive like housework, laundry or read, I was a complete worthless layabout on the couch and worried about going to the dentist, the cost of a new computer, Mac, the cost of prom, getting Mac a car, finding a full time job, no health insurance, being fat, wanting to drink, being lonely, and pretty much all other weights of the world I piled on me.
But hey, I had some alone time!
Thankful Thursday
School was fine. I am sick of poetry. I am sick of teaching. I am sick of students, as well as people in general. 'Nuff said, right? I'm tired of the politics and just in general stupid stuff that happens when you work in a public school.
I also went to the dentist. Okay, I know this is weird but I AM thankful for this because I got my teeth cleaned and they feel all shiny and new and pretty and smooth. I also got my new crown on, and it FIT! Though my gums are sore and my mouth is achy, it was good to have it all work right and be done. A further plus: I have no cavities. So when I get my 2 wisdom teeth pulled, I am done until I have a 6 month check up and cleaning. Thank you!
I also went out to supper for my favorite pub in my college town with Daddy-O. Dinner was great, as was the company- thanks father!
And the big news was that my computer wasn't really dead after all! One more big whoot-whoot to Curley's son! Love me that boy- he's my hero!
So all and all, this has been my work week, so I am more than excited about today being TGIF!
I need a weekend so badly. That's right, I NEED a weekend!
Hope your Fridays are delicious, too!
Mags
Thursday, March 18, 2010
He's the Magic Man!
OMG! Guess what????
Curley's son is a damn GENIUS, I say! GENIUS!
He fixed my laptop! After some messing and tweaking and doing other "super computer things only brainy computer nerds understand" he fixed it! Come to find out the Geek Squad guys at Best Buy are idiots and I do, really, only need a new plug. That's it. Really. A new adapter. A simple $30 part and my 'puter lives to let me blog from- the- red -leather- recliner- in -my- jammies- during- commercials -for -The Big Bang Theory another day!
Bless his soul!
Tickle me pink and color me happy, my laptop LIVES!
I love that kid; he's my new hero!
Happy Maggie
Curley's son is a damn GENIUS, I say! GENIUS!
He fixed my laptop! After some messing and tweaking and doing other "super computer things only brainy computer nerds understand" he fixed it! Come to find out the Geek Squad guys at Best Buy are idiots and I do, really, only need a new plug. That's it. Really. A new adapter. A simple $30 part and my 'puter lives to let me blog from- the- red -leather- recliner- in -my- jammies- during- commercials -for -The Big Bang Theory another day!
Bless his soul!
Tickle me pink and color me happy, my laptop LIVES!
I love that kid; he's my new hero!
Happy Maggie
Damn computer Part II
My motherboard is fried. My computer is dead.
So, about $400-600 into my future I'll be getting a new one. Oh gee... so in about a million years.
Bugger bugger bugger!
Mags
So, about $400-600 into my future I'll be getting a new one. Oh gee... so in about a million years.
Bugger bugger bugger!
Mags
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
And the winner is.........
First I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who signed up for the giveaway, as a follower and who faithfully played the "16 Days of Maggie" trivia! Thank you everyone for making my first giveaway loads of fun!
I tried to contact Pricewaterhouse to count the votes and protect the identity of the winner, but they were busy, so I went to Random.org. Each entry was assigned a number and the winner was randomly selected.
So, today, in celebration of my 4 years in the wonderful world of blogging, I am proud to announce the winner of my first giveaway, the person who is having the luck o' the Irish with them today, the winner is.....
Because so many of you are faithful readers for so long and because so many of you played the trivia often (some of you had over 20 entries and some of you had over 10), the following people will be receiving a surprise consolation prize!!!:
Again, thank you all for playing along and making my last 4 years wonderful. Wonder what the next ones will bring?
Pink lipsticky Kisses to you all!
Maggie Mae
Oh, and by the way,
I tried to contact Pricewaterhouse to count the votes and protect the identity of the winner, but they were busy, so I went to Random.org. Each entry was assigned a number and the winner was randomly selected.
So, today, in celebration of my 4 years in the wonderful world of blogging, I am proud to announce the winner of my first giveaway, the person who is having the luck o' the Irish with them today, the winner is.....
Congrats Curley, and I'll be dropping off your prize this weekend!
But wait! That's not all!
Because so many of you are faithful readers for so long and because so many of you played the trivia often (some of you had over 20 entries and some of you had over 10), the following people will be receiving a surprise consolation prize!!!:
Again, thank you all for playing along and making my last 4 years wonderful. Wonder what the next ones will bring?
Pink lipsticky Kisses to you all!
Maggie Mae
Oh, and by the way,
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Go out and Shake your Shamrocks!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
It's not worth celebrating
Tonight XRayGirl had a girl's night; we've been rescheduling and rescheduling for weeks. Tonight was the night.
We went for dinner, a movie and a trip to Wally World (don't even get me started on the idiots there, okay?). We had a great time laughing and carrying on and being silly.
And as things tend to happen, the discussion turned to sex. And then we figured out the math- okay, I figured out the math and just told her- that today celebrates my 1 year anniversary of celibacy. She cackled with laughter while I was not impressed. She said she was excited to be part of the joyful occassion. I wonder if I'll ever live that down....
And trust me, it's not worth celebrating.
Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder.... bullshit!
Mags
We went for dinner, a movie and a trip to Wally World (don't even get me started on the idiots there, okay?). We had a great time laughing and carrying on and being silly.
And as things tend to happen, the discussion turned to sex. And then we figured out the math- okay, I figured out the math and just told her- that today celebrates my 1 year anniversary of celibacy. She cackled with laughter while I was not impressed. She said she was excited to be part of the joyful occassion. I wonder if I'll ever live that down....
And trust me, it's not worth celebrating.
Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder.... bullshit!
Mags
Maggie Trivia Mania Day 16
Click here if you haven't yet entered my all Maggie super PINK giveaway yet. Deadline is midnight on March 16 and the drawing is St. Patrick's Day! Please enter for the giveaway at the post ABOUT the giveaway. Click here to do that.
Today's Maggie Trivia: Tell me why you want to win! Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
Today's Maggie Trivia: Tell me why you want to win! Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
The Maggie Trivia Rules:
- One entry per person per day
- All answers must be submitted via the comments section of the trivia post by 9:30 pm EST in the USA! Answers after 9:30 pm EST USA will not be accepted. Also, answers not submitted on the trivia post will not count.
- Answers will not be published until after the deadline- no cheating!
- Unless otherwise indicated, you must get all parts of the answer correct for credit.
- I grade all answers and my decision is final. (Hmmmm, is there a teacher in the house?)
- Rules are subject to change because... well, because I said so.
- I'll post the answer in the comments section of each post!
TODAY IS THE LAST TRIVIA QUESTION AND THE WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY WILL BE POSTED TOMORROW, MARCH 17- ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Damn computers!
I have a laptop that's sick. It has a cord that plugs into an outlet like all other laptops but there's a short somewhere and it isn't "acknowledging" that my computer is plugged in. Therefore, it's running off the battery but I have no way to recharge it. Yes Houston, we have a problem. Because when the battery dies I don't know what I'm going to do.
I went to see the Geek Squad and they tried several other cords to see if that could be it. It's not. The Geek Squad dude I worked with told me the terminal where the cord connects is really, really loose; apparently they aren't supposed to "dangle" in the slot. Go figure! He thinks it could be a short and it could be fixed if it was welded. But to have the Geek Squad do it, my laptop has to be sent away AND they charge $75 per hour. I asked if he has other suggestions. He gave me the name of two local guys who do computer repairs. Then he said if that didn't fix it, my motherboard is probably fried.
Oh greeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaat- a fried motherboard- joy, joy. So if the welding doesn't work I can either get a new motherboard for about $200. My laptop is an Acer which new is almost $350. Yeah, do the math.
Curley's Oldest Son is a computer whiz and he volunteered to look at it for me and he will probably do the welding part. I hope that fixes it!
And no, it's no longer under warranty.
I only have 45 minutes of battery life. And I need to get my pictures and word documents off. I have over 1000 songs in my Itunes. I also want to save all my bookmarks (This is why I haven't been reading blogs like I usually do- all my favs are marked on my computer and I'm currently using Daddy-O's- thank you kind sir! And I'm sorry blog readers for not reciprocating). I want to try and save all this stuff on a couple thumbdrives. The pictures and word documents are most important. I hope I can do it in the 45 minute window. I don't even want to know how much it would cost to take the "memory" out of the computer and retrieve stuff. Or if it's even possible.
It really throws me off, too. I'm very lucky to have access to Daddy-O's computer or I would have to go to the library otherwise. But I'm used to surfing while I sit in a comfy chair or sitting with said laptop on my...well, lap, and watching tv, even if I'm not doing anything with it. Or surfing during commercials. I feel like I've lost a limb or something. Okay, not quite that bad but you get my drift, right?
I love technology when it works and I get my way. The rest of the time, it just sucks. Majorly sucks.
Blowin' raspberries at my laptop,
Maggie
I went to see the Geek Squad and they tried several other cords to see if that could be it. It's not. The Geek Squad dude I worked with told me the terminal where the cord connects is really, really loose; apparently they aren't supposed to "dangle" in the slot. Go figure! He thinks it could be a short and it could be fixed if it was welded. But to have the Geek Squad do it, my laptop has to be sent away AND they charge $75 per hour. I asked if he has other suggestions. He gave me the name of two local guys who do computer repairs. Then he said if that didn't fix it, my motherboard is probably fried.
Oh greeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaat- a fried motherboard- joy, joy. So if the welding doesn't work I can either get a new motherboard for about $200. My laptop is an Acer which new is almost $350. Yeah, do the math.
Curley's Oldest Son is a computer whiz and he volunteered to look at it for me and he will probably do the welding part. I hope that fixes it!
And no, it's no longer under warranty.
I only have 45 minutes of battery life. And I need to get my pictures and word documents off. I have over 1000 songs in my Itunes. I also want to save all my bookmarks (This is why I haven't been reading blogs like I usually do- all my favs are marked on my computer and I'm currently using Daddy-O's- thank you kind sir! And I'm sorry blog readers for not reciprocating). I want to try and save all this stuff on a couple thumbdrives. The pictures and word documents are most important. I hope I can do it in the 45 minute window. I don't even want to know how much it would cost to take the "memory" out of the computer and retrieve stuff. Or if it's even possible.
It really throws me off, too. I'm very lucky to have access to Daddy-O's computer or I would have to go to the library otherwise. But I'm used to surfing while I sit in a comfy chair or sitting with said laptop on my...well, lap, and watching tv, even if I'm not doing anything with it. Or surfing during commercials. I feel like I've lost a limb or something. Okay, not quite that bad but you get my drift, right?
I love technology when it works and I get my way. The rest of the time, it just sucks. Majorly sucks.
Blowin' raspberries at my laptop,
Maggie
Maggie Trivia Mania Day 15
Click here if you haven't yet entered my all Maggie super PINK giveaway yet. Deadline is midnight on March 16 and the drawing is St. Patrick's Day! Please enter for the giveaway at the post ABOUT the giveaway. Click here to do that.
Today's Maggie Trivia: Tell me about your favorite 'Maggie and Sam' story. (Those of you who remember me from my other blog life are at an advantage because that's fair game!) Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
Today's Maggie Trivia: Tell me about your favorite 'Maggie and Sam' story. (Those of you who remember me from my other blog life are at an advantage because that's fair game!) Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
The Maggie Trivia Rules:
- One entry per person per day
- All answers must be submitted via the comments section of the trivia post by 9:30 pm EST in the USA! Answers after 9:30 pm EST USA will not be accepted. Also, answers not submitted on the trivia post will not count.
- Answers will not be published until after the deadline- no cheating!
- Unless otherwise indicated, you must get all parts of the answer correct for credit.
- I grade all answers and my decision is final. (Hmmmm, is there a teacher in the house?)
- Rules are subject to change because... well, because I said so.
- I'll post the answer in the comments section of each post!
TOMORROW WILL BE THE LAST TRIVIA QUESTION AND THE WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY WILL BE POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17- ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Bucket List Meme
I got this in the email and since my brain isn't function properly, I'm totally wussying out on my blog this weekend, and posting a meme.
The stuff with "X"s are things I've done. And I think the editorial comments are helpful!
Feel free to steal.
(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school (as a teacher and as a student!)
(x) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Africa (someday!)
(x) Been to Europe
( ) Been to Middle East
( ) Been to South America
( x) Been to North America
( ) Been to Asia
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(x) Been lost (more than once.. do I get brownie points???)
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers (cowboys and Indians as well, does that count?)
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t. (*ahem* that x you see, imagine a lot of them)
(x ) Made prank phone calls
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) Danced in the rain-naked (no comment)
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Gone to the movies
(x) Shot a gun
( ) Gone on a safari
( ) Been deep sea fishing
(x) Driven across a country
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving (no fucking way, ever)
( ) Been hang gliding (again, no way on Earth)
( ) Lived in more than one country (not yet!)
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish (it's me come now…)
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful
( ) Been on a cruise (I want to do that soon!)
(x) Traveled by train
( ) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding
(x) Been to Disney World
( ) Been in a rain forest
(x) Seen whales in the ocean
(x) Been to Niagara or Iguassu Falls
(X ) Ridden on an elephant
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
(x) Been water-skiing (I started on skis and then spent the rest of the time on my face. That counts right?)
(x) Been snow-skiing (I started on skis and then spent the rest of the time on my face. That counts, right? )
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
( ) Been to the Louvre
( ) Been to the Mediterranean
(X ) Been to a Major League Baseball game
(x) Been to a an NFL game
The stuff with "X"s are things I've done. And I think the editorial comments are helpful!
Feel free to steal.
(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school (as a teacher and as a student!)
(x) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Africa (someday!)
(x) Been to Europe
( ) Been to Middle East
( ) Been to South America
( x) Been to North America
( ) Been to Asia
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(x) Been lost (more than once.. do I get brownie points???)
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers (cowboys and Indians as well, does that count?)
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t. (*ahem* that x you see, imagine a lot of them)
(x ) Made prank phone calls
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) Danced in the rain-naked (no comment)
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Gone to the movies
(x) Shot a gun
( ) Gone on a safari
( ) Been deep sea fishing
(x) Driven across a country
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving (no fucking way, ever)
( ) Been hang gliding (again, no way on Earth)
( ) Lived in more than one country (not yet!)
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish (it's me come now…)
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful
( ) Been on a cruise (I want to do that soon!)
(x) Traveled by train
( ) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding
(x) Been to Disney World
( ) Been in a rain forest
(x) Seen whales in the ocean
(x) Been to Niagara or Iguassu Falls
(X ) Ridden on an elephant
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
(x) Been water-skiing (I started on skis and then spent the rest of the time on my face. That counts right?)
(x) Been snow-skiing (I started on skis and then spent the rest of the time on my face. That counts, right? )
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
( ) Been to the Louvre
( ) Been to the Mediterranean
(X ) Been to a Major League Baseball game
(x) Been to a an NFL game
Maggie Mania Trivia Day 14
Click here if you haven't yet entered my all Maggie super PINK giveaway yet. Deadline is midnight on March 16 and the drawing is St. Patrick's Day! Please enter for the giveaway at the post ABOUT the giveaway. Click here to do that.
Today's Maggie Trivia: What is one of my favorite songs/ music groups/ singers/ bands (and you only need one of them, not all!)? Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
Today's Maggie Trivia: What is one of my favorite songs/ music groups/ singers/ bands (and you only need one of them, not all!)? Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
The Maggie Trivia Rules:
- One entry per person per day
- All answers must be submitted via the comments section of the trivia post by 9:30 pm EST in the USA! Answers after 9:30 pm EST USA will not be accepted. Also, answers not submitted on the trivia post will not count.
- Answers will not be published until after the deadline- no cheating!
- Unless otherwise indicated, you must get all parts of the answer correct for credit.
- I grade all answers and my decision is final. (Hmmmm, is there a teacher in the house?)
- Rules are subject to change because... well, because I said so.
- I'll post the answer in the comments section of each post!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Pink Retail Therapy
Needing more pink in your life? Need a place to shop for pink? These are "leftover" PINKS at Hobby Lobby- all the Valentine's things that no one purchased and are currently on sale for 80% off! I think I should own the feather boa!
Thanks to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hosting Pink Saturdays! Visit her blog for the complete list of all Pink People Participating!
This week I want to highlight fellow blogger and Pink Saturday participant Barb at Dogmom Diva! She likes Pink, is a retired educator who likes Bon Jovi, and she has something to do with the Irish' Ireland (I'm still back reading to find out this story!)! She's awesome! Ge check her out. Go on.... I'll wait!
This week I want to highlight fellow blogger and Pink Saturday participant Barb at Dogmom Diva! She likes Pink, is a retired educator who likes Bon Jovi, and she has something to do with the Irish' Ireland (I'm still back reading to find out this story!)! She's awesome! Ge check her out. Go on.... I'll wait!
Pink Lipsticky Kisses,
Maggie Mae
PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST!!!!!! Hey you!!!!!!
My comment button for this post is at the top! *wink, wink*
Maggie Mae
PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST!!!!!! Hey you!!!!!!
My comment button for this post is at the top! *wink, wink*
Maggie Mania Trivia Day 13
Click here if you haven't yet entered my all Maggie super PINK giveaway yet. Deadline is midnight on March 16 and the drawing is St. Patrick's Day! Please enter for the giveaway at the post ABOUT the giveaway. Click here to do that.
Today's Maggie Trivia: What is one of my all time favorite movies? Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
Today's Maggie Trivia: What is one of my all time favorite movies? Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
The Maggie Trivia Rules:
- One entry per person per day
- All answers must be submitted via the comments section of the trivia post by 9:30 pm EST in the USA! Answers after 9:30 pm EST USA will not be accepted. Also, answers not submitted on the trivia post will not count.
- Answers will not be published until after the deadline- no cheating!
- Unless otherwise indicated, you must get all parts of the answer correct for credit.
- I grade all answers and my decision is final. (Hmmmm, is there a teacher in the house?)
- Rules are subject to change because... well, because I said so.
- I'll post the answer in the comments section of each post!
Friday, March 12, 2010
A day in the life of me
Period 1:
After Student 1 snapped her friggin' gum at me for the third time, I told her to spit it out and SHE SAID NO. I was not impressed with that response. After pulling a referral out to write her up, she spit it out and then stuck her tongue out at me.
Period 2:
We had a sub who was the Bitch of all Bitches. This class can sometimes be a bit mouthy but for the most part, they're good kids. Well, they were being difficult and I was walking around helping them do a worksheet. The sub sat at her desk and watched me work the room. Then 5 minutes before the bell, she told the kids they talked too much and didn't work enough so she took their worksheets to turn in, rather than giving them as homework, knowing they weren't done. BUT she took mine. I always get a blank one so I can refer to it throughout the day when I helped kids. But she even took mine, telling me, "You don't need this." EXCUSE ME?!? The kids got quiet at that moment, waiting to see what I would do. I heard someone mutter, "Oh man, is she mad." They all sort of backed away. One girl patted my hand and asked me, "Do you need a time out, Ms. O'Sullivan?" The other kids waited to see what I would do and I walked over and pick a blank worksheet from the pile and walked out of the room. Props to me for not slamming the door or knocking her in the mouth with the history book- and those suckers are heavy!
Period 3:
We have a question on the board for the kids to answer. There is one on there at the beginning of every period, every day. They are to come in, sit down, write down the question and the answer and that begins the period. We just ended the 3rd quarter of school so they have done this for 27 weeks. I still have to tell kids, "write the question down." Today, one of my kids said, "No, I'm tired and I'm not gonna do it." I just walked away. I thought about whacking him with a text book but I just walked away and took about 3947432 deep breaths.
Lunch:
There is some kid who isn't anyone I know but he's in line. His shirt says, "Anger Management Classes really piss me off." I said to him that while that was funny, it was inappropriate and he needed to turn it inside out. He told me no. I told him yes. He asked why. I told him because the language was inappropriate it, and to go to the boy's room to change or go behind the pop machine and do it. He said "No, and you can't make me."
I was pissed. I had about had it. What really sucks, is that no, I couldn't MAKE him, unless I bashed him in the knees with a lunch tray and then kicked him in the nuts to disable him and while he was on the ground in pain, I might have been able to wrest the shirt from him. But legally, no, I couldn't make him. So I told the principal on him. He told the Principal no, and later I saw him in the office. So nanananananah!
Period 4 and 5 were without incident.
Period 6:
The gum snapper girl was at it again and I made her spit it out again- after she told me "no"- again. This time, she took another stick of gum from her pocket and stuck it in her mouth immediately. I made her spit that one out and told her if she put one more in I would write her up.
Period 7:
A group of kids were working on their homework and I was helping (actually, I had given up and I was pointing to the correct answers on the page and letting them write 'em down without looking them up on their own. Yeah, I suck. So, sue me.) The rest of the kids were working on the computers. One stupid girl who has no social skills and is too dumb to be in any classes other than basic math and reading, asked me if she could play games. Well, the regular teacher was out of the room and I wasn't sure so I told her no. She said, "Well everyone else is." I think I snapped. I said, ""Well, then you should've just played rather than ask me. They can play and YOU can't!!" Then she almost cried and I pointed my finger at her a yelled, "And don't even cry because I will not deal with that today." And she stopped and sat and pouted.
So this other boy, who is equally as dumb as she but he slobbers and lisps and has a crush on HER, came over and told me I wasn't nice to her. As he said this, he lisped and slobbered on me. And the kid next to me. That kid said, "Ummm, he slobbered on me!!!!! And the class laughed. I told slobber boy to mind his own business and to go sit down. He turned, took 3 steps, and FARTED really really REALLY loudly and the entire room was then a ball of hysteria. The classroom teacher was back and she didn't say a word. She just walked over with a can of air freshener, sprayed it in the direction of Slobber Boy's butt and walked away. The bell rang about 4 minutes later.
So, who wants to be a teacher?
Maggie
After Student 1 snapped her friggin' gum at me for the third time, I told her to spit it out and SHE SAID NO. I was not impressed with that response. After pulling a referral out to write her up, she spit it out and then stuck her tongue out at me.
Period 2:
We had a sub who was the Bitch of all Bitches. This class can sometimes be a bit mouthy but for the most part, they're good kids. Well, they were being difficult and I was walking around helping them do a worksheet. The sub sat at her desk and watched me work the room. Then 5 minutes before the bell, she told the kids they talked too much and didn't work enough so she took their worksheets to turn in, rather than giving them as homework, knowing they weren't done. BUT she took mine. I always get a blank one so I can refer to it throughout the day when I helped kids. But she even took mine, telling me, "You don't need this." EXCUSE ME?!? The kids got quiet at that moment, waiting to see what I would do. I heard someone mutter, "Oh man, is she mad." They all sort of backed away. One girl patted my hand and asked me, "Do you need a time out, Ms. O'Sullivan?" The other kids waited to see what I would do and I walked over and pick a blank worksheet from the pile and walked out of the room. Props to me for not slamming the door or knocking her in the mouth with the history book- and those suckers are heavy!
Period 3:
We have a question on the board for the kids to answer. There is one on there at the beginning of every period, every day. They are to come in, sit down, write down the question and the answer and that begins the period. We just ended the 3rd quarter of school so they have done this for 27 weeks. I still have to tell kids, "write the question down." Today, one of my kids said, "No, I'm tired and I'm not gonna do it." I just walked away. I thought about whacking him with a text book but I just walked away and took about 3947432 deep breaths.
Lunch:
There is some kid who isn't anyone I know but he's in line. His shirt says, "Anger Management Classes really piss me off." I said to him that while that was funny, it was inappropriate and he needed to turn it inside out. He told me no. I told him yes. He asked why. I told him because the language was inappropriate it, and to go to the boy's room to change or go behind the pop machine and do it. He said "No, and you can't make me."
I was pissed. I had about had it. What really sucks, is that no, I couldn't MAKE him, unless I bashed him in the knees with a lunch tray and then kicked him in the nuts to disable him and while he was on the ground in pain, I might have been able to wrest the shirt from him. But legally, no, I couldn't make him. So I told the principal on him. He told the Principal no, and later I saw him in the office. So nanananananah!
Period 4 and 5 were without incident.
Period 6:
The gum snapper girl was at it again and I made her spit it out again- after she told me "no"- again. This time, she took another stick of gum from her pocket and stuck it in her mouth immediately. I made her spit that one out and told her if she put one more in I would write her up.
Period 7:
A group of kids were working on their homework and I was helping (actually, I had given up and I was pointing to the correct answers on the page and letting them write 'em down without looking them up on their own. Yeah, I suck. So, sue me.) The rest of the kids were working on the computers. One stupid girl who has no social skills and is too dumb to be in any classes other than basic math and reading, asked me if she could play games. Well, the regular teacher was out of the room and I wasn't sure so I told her no. She said, "Well everyone else is." I think I snapped. I said, ""Well, then you should've just played rather than ask me. They can play and YOU can't!!" Then she almost cried and I pointed my finger at her a yelled, "And don't even cry because I will not deal with that today." And she stopped and sat and pouted.
So this other boy, who is equally as dumb as she but he slobbers and lisps and has a crush on HER, came over and told me I wasn't nice to her. As he said this, he lisped and slobbered on me. And the kid next to me. That kid said, "Ummm, he slobbered on me!!!!! And the class laughed. I told slobber boy to mind his own business and to go sit down. He turned, took 3 steps, and FARTED really really REALLY loudly and the entire room was then a ball of hysteria. The classroom teacher was back and she didn't say a word. She just walked over with a can of air freshener, sprayed it in the direction of Slobber Boy's butt and walked away. The bell rang about 4 minutes later.
So, who wants to be a teacher?
Maggie
Maggie Mania Trivia Day 12
Click here if you haven't yet entered my all Maggie super PINK giveaway yet. Please enter for the giveaway at the post ABOUT the giveaway. Click here to do that.
Today's Maggie Trivia: Name the three events I received free tickets to see from Eventchaser. Bonus: what were they supposed to give me tickets for and then didn't, leaving me heartbroken and disappointed around the holidays? Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
Today's Maggie Trivia: Name the three events I received free tickets to see from Eventchaser. Bonus: what were they supposed to give me tickets for and then didn't, leaving me heartbroken and disappointed around the holidays? Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
The Maggie Trivia Rules:
- One entry per person per day
- All answers must be submitted via the comments section of the trivia post by 9:30 pm EST in the USA! Answers after 9:30 pm EST USA will not be accepted. Also, answers not submitted on the trivia post will not count.
- Answers will not be published until after the deadline- no cheating!
- Unless otherwise indicated, you must get all parts of the answer correct for credit.
- I grade all answers and my decision is final. (Hmmmm, is there a teacher in the house?)
- Rules are subject to change because... well, because I said so.
- I'll post the answer in the comments section of each post!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Updates on... pretty much everything
Pizza Guy
No word on the pizza guy. I've been to the pizza place and he's never there. Curley knows someone who knows someone who works there and is going to see what she can find out.
Penis-mobile
I finally talked to Buddy 2's mom and she was rude. Yeah, like she has any room to be rude to me! Anyway, she said she will pay for the damage. So now I have to go get quotes. This is a pain in the ass. I'm tempted to leave the damn penis on there and keep the money since she was a bitch. I'm sorry, but she was. And do you know she not once apologized for her kid. Had it been in reversal I would've apologized up a storm. Oh well.
Mac
He's either going to sing "I'm Yours" or "21 Guns" at the Spring Choral concert. However!!!! He wondered what would happen if he did "I kissed a Girl" (Kat Perry) in drag.... I promise a video clip of WHATEVER he does!!!!!
AlaskaSam
No word on whether Vegas is gonna happen. He told me to "sit tight and hang on". This can mean 3 things: no trip will happen, we're going to do something better which will knock my socks off, or.... to sit tight and hang on while he arranges stuff. Men!
Dentist:
I went to get my crown and it didn't fit so I have another temporary crown and will go back to get the "real"- hopefully- on March 18. And I am getting my teeth cleaned then. I went to the oral surgeon who thinks he's Mr. Cool and is not not, by the way. he worse gold chains and had a fake bake tan. ICKY! Be that as it may, I'm having TWO wisdom teeth pulled on March 30.
And that's all the news that's fit (or not so fit) to print!
Mags
No word on the pizza guy. I've been to the pizza place and he's never there. Curley knows someone who knows someone who works there and is going to see what she can find out.
Penis-mobile
I finally talked to Buddy 2's mom and she was rude. Yeah, like she has any room to be rude to me! Anyway, she said she will pay for the damage. So now I have to go get quotes. This is a pain in the ass. I'm tempted to leave the damn penis on there and keep the money since she was a bitch. I'm sorry, but she was. And do you know she not once apologized for her kid. Had it been in reversal I would've apologized up a storm. Oh well.
Mac
He's either going to sing "I'm Yours" or "21 Guns" at the Spring Choral concert. However!!!! He wondered what would happen if he did "I kissed a Girl" (Kat Perry) in drag.... I promise a video clip of WHATEVER he does!!!!!
AlaskaSam
No word on whether Vegas is gonna happen. He told me to "sit tight and hang on". This can mean 3 things: no trip will happen, we're going to do something better which will knock my socks off, or.... to sit tight and hang on while he arranges stuff. Men!
Dentist:
I went to get my crown and it didn't fit so I have another temporary crown and will go back to get the "real"- hopefully- on March 18. And I am getting my teeth cleaned then. I went to the oral surgeon who thinks he's Mr. Cool and is not not, by the way. he worse gold chains and had a fake bake tan. ICKY! Be that as it may, I'm having TWO wisdom teeth pulled on March 30.
And that's all the news that's fit (or not so fit) to print!
Mags
Maggie Trivia Mania Day 11
Click here if you haven't yet entered my all Maggie super PINK giveaway yet. Please enter for the giveaway at the post ABOUT the giveaway. Click here to do that.
Today's Maggie Trivia: Name at least two other blogs I like to visit daily!(which can't be your own! And get an extra 4 entries if you go there, leave them a comment, and come back and tell me you did!) Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
Today's Maggie Trivia: Name at least two other blogs I like to visit daily!(which can't be your own! And get an extra 4 entries if you go there, leave them a comment, and come back and tell me you did!) Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
The Maggie Trivia Rules:
- One entry per person per day
- All answers must be submitted via the comments section of the trivia post by 9:30 pm EST in the USA! Answers after 9:30 pm EST USA will not be accepted. Also, answers not submitted on the trivia post will not count.
- Answers will not be published until after the deadline- no cheating!
- Unless otherwise indicated, you must get all parts of the answer correct for credit.
- I grade all answers and my decision is final. (Hmmmm, is there a teacher in the house?)
- Rules are subject to change because... well, because I said so.
- I'll post the answer in the comments section of each post!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Art work
Boys will be boys and since Mac and his his friends are all boys, they do boy things. Like draw penises on each other's automobile dust. I cannot understand it; I can just relay this story. I also want to point out that Buddy 1 and Buddy 2 have their own cars, and Mac's car is mine, so I have to do a walk around the Malibu to make sure it's not the penis-mobile.
Mac and his friend Buddy1 love to irritate Buddy2 by drawing a penis on Buddy 2's car. The reason they LOVE to do it is because Buddy 2 acts like a baby and gets mad and is childish, making threats at them. If Buddy 2 would've just shut up and wiped the "art" (okay porn) off the car, Mac and Buddy 1 would've tired of it. Because Buddy 2 was totally incensed by them and made a huge 'issue' they kept on doing it. Because boys will be boys.............
However, yesterday, Buddy 2 crossed. the. line.
Buddy 2 keyed my car. There are several scratches on the driver's side. He also keyed a picture of a penis on. the. side. of. my. car. It is a small penis (hmmmmm, art imitates life.....?), about an inch long, but a penis nonetheless. Carved into the side of my car.
As a matter of fact, it's a very poor rendering of a penis. If you all looked at it, you could see "ah yeah, that's a penis". But if I hadn't told you what it was, you might not totally come to that conclusion. I will not even speculate about other things this "art work" would be.
Mac came home from school to tell me. I have to admit, while I was pissed about it, I wasn't stark raving mad nor was I yelling.
I called the school and told the principal the deal. I also understand this is not the fault of the school because they can't police 400 kids, their cars, the buses and such. I get that. I just thought it was inappropriate that it happened at all, and since it happened while MY car was parked in the school parking lot, they may want to address it. The Principal was really cool about it and said she will certainly take care of the situation, and she wants to know what happens after I talk to Buddy 2's parents. I don't want to be a complete bitch, but I did let the principal know that Buddy 2 sent Mac two text messages apologizing and offering to pay for the damages, but if he doesn't come through after I talk to his folks, I'll report it to the police for vandalism or destruction of property. She thought that was a good idea. I also suggested that while she dealt with Buddy 2 an art class or an anatomy class would be in order. She laughed; a principal with a sense of humor!
I spoke with my insurance agent who said if Buddy 2's family wouldn't pay, I could go through him and we would need to file a police report.
And Buddy 2 did send Mac 2 texts, offering to pay for the damage plus an extra 20% in cash to show an apology, and he did apologize. (Of course I won't take the 20% extra. I don't think, anyway.)
Then, of course, I had to call Buddy 2's parents. I couldn't just take the kid's word that he would pay for it since he drew a fricking penis on my car to begin with, and since I talked to the school, I'm sure his folks were going to hear about it anyway! And at the time of this blog post's publication, his parents have declined to comment. Actually, I left his mother a message on her answering machine and haven't heard back. Mac said he bet Buddy 2 erased it. So after school today I'll call his dad. I am NOT looking forward to THAT conversation.
Did I mention I hate doing stuff like this? This is so dumb. The entire time my brother and I were teenagers, my mommy and daddy were never called by parents to rat us out for doing stupid shit, nor did they have to call other parents to handle situations that involved other kids. Because we didn't DO stupid crap like this!! OMG- it's ri'dic'ulous.
The other sad thing... the poorly carved picture of the penis is as close to one as I've been for a year. Does this mean my car got laid?
Maggie
Mac and his friend Buddy1 love to irritate Buddy2 by drawing a penis on Buddy 2's car. The reason they LOVE to do it is because Buddy 2 acts like a baby and gets mad and is childish, making threats at them. If Buddy 2 would've just shut up and wiped the "art" (okay porn) off the car, Mac and Buddy 1 would've tired of it. Because Buddy 2 was totally incensed by them and made a huge 'issue' they kept on doing it. Because boys will be boys.............
However, yesterday, Buddy 2 crossed. the. line.
Buddy 2 keyed my car. There are several scratches on the driver's side. He also keyed a picture of a penis on. the. side. of. my. car. It is a small penis (hmmmmm, art imitates life.....?), about an inch long, but a penis nonetheless. Carved into the side of my car.
As a matter of fact, it's a very poor rendering of a penis. If you all looked at it, you could see "ah yeah, that's a penis". But if I hadn't told you what it was, you might not totally come to that conclusion. I will not even speculate about other things this "art work" would be.
Mac came home from school to tell me. I have to admit, while I was pissed about it, I wasn't stark raving mad nor was I yelling.
I called the school and told the principal the deal. I also understand this is not the fault of the school because they can't police 400 kids, their cars, the buses and such. I get that. I just thought it was inappropriate that it happened at all, and since it happened while MY car was parked in the school parking lot, they may want to address it. The Principal was really cool about it and said she will certainly take care of the situation, and she wants to know what happens after I talk to Buddy 2's parents. I don't want to be a complete bitch, but I did let the principal know that Buddy 2 sent Mac two text messages apologizing and offering to pay for the damages, but if he doesn't come through after I talk to his folks, I'll report it to the police for vandalism or destruction of property. She thought that was a good idea. I also suggested that while she dealt with Buddy 2 an art class or an anatomy class would be in order. She laughed; a principal with a sense of humor!
I spoke with my insurance agent who said if Buddy 2's family wouldn't pay, I could go through him and we would need to file a police report.
And Buddy 2 did send Mac 2 texts, offering to pay for the damage plus an extra 20% in cash to show an apology, and he did apologize. (Of course I won't take the 20% extra. I don't think, anyway.)
Then, of course, I had to call Buddy 2's parents. I couldn't just take the kid's word that he would pay for it since he drew a fricking penis on my car to begin with, and since I talked to the school, I'm sure his folks were going to hear about it anyway! And at the time of this blog post's publication, his parents have declined to comment. Actually, I left his mother a message on her answering machine and haven't heard back. Mac said he bet Buddy 2 erased it. So after school today I'll call his dad. I am NOT looking forward to THAT conversation.
Did I mention I hate doing stuff like this? This is so dumb. The entire time my brother and I were teenagers, my mommy and daddy were never called by parents to rat us out for doing stupid shit, nor did they have to call other parents to handle situations that involved other kids. Because we didn't DO stupid crap like this!! OMG- it's ri'dic'ulous.
The other sad thing... the poorly carved picture of the penis is as close to one as I've been for a year. Does this mean my car got laid?
Maggie
Maggie Mania Trivia- Day 10
Click here if you haven't yet entered my all Maggie super PINK giveaway yet. Please enter for the giveaway at the post ABOUT the giveaway. Click here to do that.
Today's Maggie Trivia: Tell your favorite 'Maggie' story or remembrance or post. Make me laugh out loud and you get an extra point! Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
Today's Maggie Trivia: Tell your favorite 'Maggie' story or remembrance or post. Make me laugh out loud and you get an extra point! Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
The Maggie Trivia Rules:
- One entry per person per day
- All answers must be submitted via the comments section of the trivia post by 9:30 pm EST in the USA! Answers after 9:30 pm EST USA will not be accepted. Also, answers not submitted on the trivia post will not count.
- Answers will not be published until after the deadline- no cheating!
- Unless otherwise indicated, you must get all parts of the answer correct for credit.
- I grade all answers and my decision is final. (Hmmmm, is there a teacher in the house?)
- Rules are subject to change because... well, because I said so.
- I'll post the answer in the comments section of each post!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
What am I?
One of my kids asked me today if I was a "prep". I thought she meant when I was in high school and I said I certainly was not and she wanted to know if I was now. I said "nope" again and she said, "I didn't think you were a prep." First, I know there are things to NOT ask so no way did I want to hear WHY she thought I wasn't. Then she wanted to know what I WAS. I told her I was a nerd. She then told me I wasn't a nerd because I wasn't any good at math; she speaks the truth and I had to giggle. There was a boy student listening to this exchange and he turned around and grinned at me and told the girl, "Ms. O is a nerd but in English, science, reading and social studies. She's totally a nerd." And all the other kids were nodding their agreement. I had to laugh, because in-spite of myself, the boy is SO right- I'm a nerd.
How many people keep track of how many books they read in a year? I think it's sort of nerdy. And I do go on and on and on about how much I love books and reading and words. I don't just extol the virtues of my bibliophile-ness here in Bloggerville, but I do it at school as well. (Hey, so sue me that I want the kids to get excited about reading!)
And I have to admit that I LIKE being in an 8th grade science class. We have a super neat teacher; she's young and has a great deal of energy. She respects kids, and she believes in making learning fun, so in both regards she and I have similar teaching styles. She does make the kids take notes (sometimes), write essays (sometimes), and do worksheets (sometimes) but she tries her best to make science interesting, even though she has about $100 in her budget and 150 kids. Just last week alone, the kids made crystals and made flubber (it's amazing what you can do with Borax!!!). I was excited to go today to see if the crystals would turn out and some did and some didn't. So she made the "failures" a learning experience by hypothesizing about the experience. She lets them talk and interact. She is a good teacher. And I'm excited to be in her room twice a day just to see what's gonna happen next. I didn't enjoy science when I was in school so I have to say this is exciting to me- I'm learning with them and it's hands on. I even wanted to show Mac how to make flubber over the weekend; he wasn't not as excited about the prospect as I... yeah, a totally nerdy thing to say, I know!
I also sit in an 8th grade social studies class each day. First, I want to say I like the teacher; he is a very nice person. He also has an interesting background as to what led him to teaching as a second career. That being said... he isn't the most exciting classroom teacher ever. He's a bit monotoned and he has a speech impediment so sometimes it's rough in that classroom. BUT he TRIES. I will say that. He might not make it as interesting as it could be, but he TRIES. And he welcomes discussion among the kids. And I just LOVE history (I have as many history college credits as I do English credits and almost became a History teacher!) so I enjoy this class. I do learn things in that class, while at times I'm also having my memory refreshed of what I knew but forgot. I love the learning!
So, I guess when the kids talk about me being a nerd, it's true. What I find to be interesting about it all, is when they said I was a nerd, they said it with pride, and they weren't being mean. They think it's cool I like to learn and I try to share my love with them. Does it make me a bit nerdy and geeky at times? Sure... but the kids like me anyway, and sometimes, that all it takes to get them to learn. I can be labeled a nerd for the good of the cause!
But back to the discussion about me being a prep or a nerd. Guess what they finally decided I was? A teacher.............................
Geek Girl,
Maggie Mae
How many people keep track of how many books they read in a year? I think it's sort of nerdy. And I do go on and on and on about how much I love books and reading and words. I don't just extol the virtues of my bibliophile-ness here in Bloggerville, but I do it at school as well. (Hey, so sue me that I want the kids to get excited about reading!)
And I have to admit that I LIKE being in an 8th grade science class. We have a super neat teacher; she's young and has a great deal of energy. She respects kids, and she believes in making learning fun, so in both regards she and I have similar teaching styles. She does make the kids take notes (sometimes), write essays (sometimes), and do worksheets (sometimes) but she tries her best to make science interesting, even though she has about $100 in her budget and 150 kids. Just last week alone, the kids made crystals and made flubber (it's amazing what you can do with Borax!!!). I was excited to go today to see if the crystals would turn out and some did and some didn't. So she made the "failures" a learning experience by hypothesizing about the experience. She lets them talk and interact. She is a good teacher. And I'm excited to be in her room twice a day just to see what's gonna happen next. I didn't enjoy science when I was in school so I have to say this is exciting to me- I'm learning with them and it's hands on. I even wanted to show Mac how to make flubber over the weekend; he wasn't not as excited about the prospect as I... yeah, a totally nerdy thing to say, I know!
I also sit in an 8th grade social studies class each day. First, I want to say I like the teacher; he is a very nice person. He also has an interesting background as to what led him to teaching as a second career. That being said... he isn't the most exciting classroom teacher ever. He's a bit monotoned and he has a speech impediment so sometimes it's rough in that classroom. BUT he TRIES. I will say that. He might not make it as interesting as it could be, but he TRIES. And he welcomes discussion among the kids. And I just LOVE history (I have as many history college credits as I do English credits and almost became a History teacher!) so I enjoy this class. I do learn things in that class, while at times I'm also having my memory refreshed of what I knew but forgot. I love the learning!
So, I guess when the kids talk about me being a nerd, it's true. What I find to be interesting about it all, is when they said I was a nerd, they said it with pride, and they weren't being mean. They think it's cool I like to learn and I try to share my love with them. Does it make me a bit nerdy and geeky at times? Sure... but the kids like me anyway, and sometimes, that all it takes to get them to learn. I can be labeled a nerd for the good of the cause!
But back to the discussion about me being a prep or a nerd. Guess what they finally decided I was? A teacher.............................
Geek Girl,
Maggie Mae
Maggie Trivia Mania- Day 9
Click here if you haven't yet entered my all Maggie super PINK giveaway yet. Please enter for the giveaway at the post ABOUT the giveaway. Click here to do that.
Today's Maggie Trivia: What is my opinion of camping? Where would I like to go on vacation? (and there are several correct answers to the vacation!) One entry per correct answer! Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
Today's Maggie Trivia: What is my opinion of camping? Where would I like to go on vacation? (and there are several correct answers to the vacation!) One entry per correct answer! Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
The Maggie Trivia Rules:
- One entry per person per day
- All answers must be submitted via the comments section of the trivia post by 9:30 pm EST in the USA! Answers after 9:30 pm EST USA will not be accepted. Also, answers not submitted on the trivia post will not count.
- Answers will not be published until after the deadline- no cheating!
- Unless otherwise indicated, you must get all parts of the answer correct for credit.
- I grade all answers and my decision is final. (Hmmmm, is there a teacher in the house?)
- Rules are subject to change because... well, because I said so.
- I'll post the answer in the comments section of each post!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Transformation
Mac has been a complete brat all week long. I won't even go into the horror stories but if you have or had a teenager, you know that when they aren't happy, no one is happy.
Then today, the clouds parted and the sun was shining and he was a happy kid. It was the weirdest damn thing.
First, I told him he had to clean the bathroom- which I thought was going to cause World War VIXL in my house. But... he just did. I asked him to just scrub the sink, the tub and the toilet. When I got home he was in the processing of cleaning which he took as doing what I asked as well as cleaning the mirror, dusting the shelves, mopping the floor, and laundering the bath rugs. Wow. I would totally hire him out with these skills! I was completely impressed! Oh, and he put away the clean towels and put a clean hand towel out. Scrubbed and dusted. A 16 year old boy- do you realize how amazing this is?
Then I was fixing dinner and he set the table WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He put away his laundry WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He took out the trash WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He laughed and talked and smiled and joked and was a completely sweet HUMAN being! He gave me a hug and told me he loved me.
Just when I was ready to wring his neck, ground him for life, and then sell him to the nearest band of passing gypsies, he becomes my normal, happy kid again.
Parenting is hit and miss and after a week of all misses, we had some hits. Makes it all worth it.
Mac's mommy,
Maggie
Then today, the clouds parted and the sun was shining and he was a happy kid. It was the weirdest damn thing.
First, I told him he had to clean the bathroom- which I thought was going to cause World War VIXL in my house. But... he just did. I asked him to just scrub the sink, the tub and the toilet. When I got home he was in the processing of cleaning which he took as doing what I asked as well as cleaning the mirror, dusting the shelves, mopping the floor, and laundering the bath rugs. Wow. I would totally hire him out with these skills! I was completely impressed! Oh, and he put away the clean towels and put a clean hand towel out. Scrubbed and dusted. A 16 year old boy- do you realize how amazing this is?
Then I was fixing dinner and he set the table WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He put away his laundry WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He took out the trash WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He laughed and talked and smiled and joked and was a completely sweet HUMAN being! He gave me a hug and told me he loved me.
Just when I was ready to wring his neck, ground him for life, and then sell him to the nearest band of passing gypsies, he becomes my normal, happy kid again.
Parenting is hit and miss and after a week of all misses, we had some hits. Makes it all worth it.
Mac's mommy,
Maggie
Maggie Trivia Mania- Day 8
Click here if you haven't yet entered my all Maggie super PINK giveaway yet. Please enter for the giveaway at the post ABOUT the giveaway. Click here to do that.
Today's Maggie Trivia: An easy one: what do I drink at Starbucks? What is my favorite alcoholic beverage? One entry per correct answer! Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
Today's Maggie Trivia: An easy one: what do I drink at Starbucks? What is my favorite alcoholic beverage? One entry per correct answer! Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
The Maggie Trivia Rules:
- One entry per person per day
- All answers must be submitted via the comments section of the trivia post by 9:30 pm EST in the USA! Answers after 9:30 pm EST USA will not be accepted. Also, answers not submitted on the trivia post will not count.
- Answers will not be published until after the deadline- no cheating!
- Unless otherwise indicated, you must get all parts of the answer correct for credit.
- I grade all answers and my decision is final. (Hmmmm, is there a teacher in the house?)
- Rules are subject to change because... well, because I said so.
- I'll post the answer in the comments section of each post!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Mrs. Noah of the Ark should've asked for a divorce
If I don't count the house I grew up in, I have lived in 14 different dwellings in my adult life- In the last 20 years. I have stories. Boy, do I ever have stories.
My very first apartment was in an old brick house owned by slumlords. I somehow got super lucky in my find because it was a downstairs place and took up half of the lower floor of this old house. It had high ceilings, beautiful woodwork, new carpet, a huge kitchen, and an ornamental fireplace. But the entire year and half I lived there, I also had subletting critters who came over unannounced and uninvited!
I don't remember the order or appearance of these beasts but by the end of my lease I was sure I didn't want to be a pet owner or work in a zoo.
There were the ants. LOTS of ants. I had scrubbed and cleaned and cleaned and scrubbed and then one day I opened a cupboard and there were ANTS everywhere. They were the tiny little ones and they were inside of bags and boxes and cereal and a whole lot of food stuffs had to be tossed out, which sucked because I was a poor college student. What was even worse about this... and I can't believe I'm telling this because it's never been spoken aloud in the last 20 years is... I had eaten a chocolate covered Entenmann's donut out of the box in the middle of the night, without turning on any lights, and the box was in that cupboard. And the next morning the entire box was slathered in ants and I am 100% positive I... well... ingested... ants. Oh. My. God. To this very day I canNOT eat a chocolate Entenmann's donut. I can barely eat any chocolate donut. I just cannot do it. And as I type this I'm throwing up in the back of my mouth a little. Ewww.
One night I was laying on the couch watching the television, and I heard a weird scraping noise from INSIDE the fireplace. It was cemented over and an ornamental grille thingy was in front of it so to hear a scratching noise was a bit like "The Tell-Tale Heart" sort of shit and I hid. I didn't call for help or go check it out; I hid in my bedroom closet and fell asleep in there. I woke up the next morning, still alive and all. But days later a super nasty smell trickled into the apartment from the fireplace. Finally, the landlord came over and somehow got into the fireplace and found a dead bird and a nest full of dead baby birdies. And yes, they smelled gross even though they were so small!
There was the day I heard crashing in the basement. There were two ways into the basement- one was through my apartment and one was through an outside, old fashioned lift up cellar-door entrance. I looked out the window and saw the landlord's truck so I just assumed he was in the basement. A few days later, a smell drifted into the apartment, this time from the basement. When I opened the basement door, I about gagged up my dinner from the stench. There was something or someone dead in that basement. I had to see what the fuck was going on. My reasoning was, "it was dead already so no matter what it couldn't hurt me, so I should go see what it is." (Yes, I am the girl in the movie who decides to look around outside in the middle of the night wearing high heels, after finding the dead body of my friend. I can hear you all screaming that I deserved to die or not to open the door or don't go down there. In the movie, that is, not real life.) So, I take a baseball bat, turn on all the lights, call my mother on the phone and tell her what I'm doing and she's to call for help if I get hurt and I leave her on the line while I go into the scary, limestone, cobwebby, smelling, Norman Bates basement all alone. And there in the middle of the basement floor is what I think is a small dead man wearing a fur coat and I scream bloody murder and hyperventilate and drop the bat and run pell-mell up the stairs, slamming the door and down the block, screaming the whole way. To my mother. I think I hit her house before she realized I was no longer on the other end of the phone.
My mother was a reasonable woman and was convinced there was not a homeless, dead midget wearing a fur coat in July laying dead in my basement (the logic of an irrational hysterical woman who was me hears: we're a small town so we don't have homeless people and if they're homeless they couldn't afford fur, there's only 2 midgets living in town and they're both women, and why would anyone wear fur in July in the Midwest, let alone die in my basement where there are more convenient places to expire. What mother probably really said was something like, "CALM DOWN MAGGIE!!!!") and so she doesn't call the police, the FBI, the CIA and the fire department like I'm begging her to do. Instead she calls the landlord. And my ex-husband who wasn't my ex then.
So the now -ex- then -present, and the landlord and me all troop into the basement to see the largest dead opossum on earth. That was really BLOATED and laying dead in the middle of the basement floor. Did I mention he was probably the biggest opossum in the world and if he wasn't dead I bet he would've been in Guinness, or something? Hell, in the sort of dark when I was alone and trying to be all brave and Stephanie Plum like, it DID look like a dead midget wearing a fur coat. Though I don't know midgets with tails......
Oh no, the fun of this apartment isn't over yet. I had a bat. Yes, a BAT. Not a batman (because I sure wouldn't be swinging a broom if Batman Clooney, Batman Keaton or Batman Kilmer were in my apartment, but if it was the Adam West Batman, I would whack him with a broom... hmmmm) Yes, I had a bat. Around here we get fruit bats and in the summer time they circle belfries and will sometimes swoop in an open front door. So I was told.
I was soooooooo "lucky" to have a bat. Which led me to calling my dad in the middle of the night to come to my apartment and kill it. He shows up in his pajamas and a ball cap with a broom and tennis racket. I hid in the bathroom with the door locked. I might've been curled onto the shower floor, in the fetal position, rocking, but I don't remember. I do know, he killed the bat. Wicked back-swing on my Daddy-O.
Last but not least was the night I had a mouse. And I was pissed. I had a stupid black cat who was strictly indoors and that idiot cat managed to alert me to the mouse. And she managed to catch it- ONCE- by the tail, pinning it with her paw. And when the mouse moved, the cat simultaneously hissed and jumped and then ran, thus releasing said mouse. My ex husband- who was home and was just 'the husband' then, is STANDING ON A FUCKING CHAIR shrieking like a little girl. I had it. I had been overrun by the underbelly of Noah's damn ark and I was tired of it. I grabbed the broom left from the bat incident and ran around the house screaming at the mouse and *thwacking* my broom until I GOT it. I made the Asshole I Was Married To get off the chair and hand me a bucket and I flipped it over on the mouse because I didn't want to kill it and get mouse blood and guts on my carpet- the landlord wouldn't give me my deposit back if that stained. Then I used a magazine and scooped him into the trash can, went out the front door, across the street, behind the local library and set it free.
I moved two weeks later.
Dr. Doolittle I ain't,
Mags
My very first apartment was in an old brick house owned by slumlords. I somehow got super lucky in my find because it was a downstairs place and took up half of the lower floor of this old house. It had high ceilings, beautiful woodwork, new carpet, a huge kitchen, and an ornamental fireplace. But the entire year and half I lived there, I also had subletting critters who came over unannounced and uninvited!
I don't remember the order or appearance of these beasts but by the end of my lease I was sure I didn't want to be a pet owner or work in a zoo.
There were the ants. LOTS of ants. I had scrubbed and cleaned and cleaned and scrubbed and then one day I opened a cupboard and there were ANTS everywhere. They were the tiny little ones and they were inside of bags and boxes and cereal and a whole lot of food stuffs had to be tossed out, which sucked because I was a poor college student. What was even worse about this... and I can't believe I'm telling this because it's never been spoken aloud in the last 20 years is... I had eaten a chocolate covered Entenmann's donut out of the box in the middle of the night, without turning on any lights, and the box was in that cupboard. And the next morning the entire box was slathered in ants and I am 100% positive I... well... ingested... ants. Oh. My. God. To this very day I canNOT eat a chocolate Entenmann's donut. I can barely eat any chocolate donut. I just cannot do it. And as I type this I'm throwing up in the back of my mouth a little. Ewww.
One night I was laying on the couch watching the television, and I heard a weird scraping noise from INSIDE the fireplace. It was cemented over and an ornamental grille thingy was in front of it so to hear a scratching noise was a bit like "The Tell-Tale Heart" sort of shit and I hid. I didn't call for help or go check it out; I hid in my bedroom closet and fell asleep in there. I woke up the next morning, still alive and all. But days later a super nasty smell trickled into the apartment from the fireplace. Finally, the landlord came over and somehow got into the fireplace and found a dead bird and a nest full of dead baby birdies. And yes, they smelled gross even though they were so small!
There was the day I heard crashing in the basement. There were two ways into the basement- one was through my apartment and one was through an outside, old fashioned lift up cellar-door entrance. I looked out the window and saw the landlord's truck so I just assumed he was in the basement. A few days later, a smell drifted into the apartment, this time from the basement. When I opened the basement door, I about gagged up my dinner from the stench. There was something or someone dead in that basement. I had to see what the fuck was going on. My reasoning was, "it was dead already so no matter what it couldn't hurt me, so I should go see what it is." (Yes, I am the girl in the movie who decides to look around outside in the middle of the night wearing high heels, after finding the dead body of my friend. I can hear you all screaming that I deserved to die or not to open the door or don't go down there. In the movie, that is, not real life.) So, I take a baseball bat, turn on all the lights, call my mother on the phone and tell her what I'm doing and she's to call for help if I get hurt and I leave her on the line while I go into the scary, limestone, cobwebby, smelling, Norman Bates basement all alone. And there in the middle of the basement floor is what I think is a small dead man wearing a fur coat and I scream bloody murder and hyperventilate and drop the bat and run pell-mell up the stairs, slamming the door and down the block, screaming the whole way. To my mother. I think I hit her house before she realized I was no longer on the other end of the phone.
My mother was a reasonable woman and was convinced there was not a homeless, dead midget wearing a fur coat in July laying dead in my basement (the logic of an irrational hysterical woman who was me hears: we're a small town so we don't have homeless people and if they're homeless they couldn't afford fur, there's only 2 midgets living in town and they're both women, and why would anyone wear fur in July in the Midwest, let alone die in my basement where there are more convenient places to expire. What mother probably really said was something like, "CALM DOWN MAGGIE!!!!") and so she doesn't call the police, the FBI, the CIA and the fire department like I'm begging her to do. Instead she calls the landlord. And my ex-husband who wasn't my ex then.
So the now -ex- then -present, and the landlord and me all troop into the basement to see the largest dead opossum on earth. That was really BLOATED and laying dead in the middle of the basement floor. Did I mention he was probably the biggest opossum in the world and if he wasn't dead I bet he would've been in Guinness, or something? Hell, in the sort of dark when I was alone and trying to be all brave and Stephanie Plum like, it DID look like a dead midget wearing a fur coat. Though I don't know midgets with tails......
Oh no, the fun of this apartment isn't over yet. I had a bat. Yes, a BAT. Not a batman (because I sure wouldn't be swinging a broom if Batman Clooney, Batman Keaton or Batman Kilmer were in my apartment, but if it was the Adam West Batman, I would whack him with a broom... hmmmm) Yes, I had a bat. Around here we get fruit bats and in the summer time they circle belfries and will sometimes swoop in an open front door. So I was told.
I was soooooooo "lucky" to have a bat. Which led me to calling my dad in the middle of the night to come to my apartment and kill it. He shows up in his pajamas and a ball cap with a broom and tennis racket. I hid in the bathroom with the door locked. I might've been curled onto the shower floor, in the fetal position, rocking, but I don't remember. I do know, he killed the bat. Wicked back-swing on my Daddy-O.
Last but not least was the night I had a mouse. And I was pissed. I had a stupid black cat who was strictly indoors and that idiot cat managed to alert me to the mouse. And she managed to catch it- ONCE- by the tail, pinning it with her paw. And when the mouse moved, the cat simultaneously hissed and jumped and then ran, thus releasing said mouse. My ex husband- who was home and was just 'the husband' then, is STANDING ON A FUCKING CHAIR shrieking like a little girl. I had it. I had been overrun by the underbelly of Noah's damn ark and I was tired of it. I grabbed the broom left from the bat incident and ran around the house screaming at the mouse and *thwacking* my broom until I GOT it. I made the Asshole I Was Married To get off the chair and hand me a bucket and I flipped it over on the mouse because I didn't want to kill it and get mouse blood and guts on my carpet- the landlord wouldn't give me my deposit back if that stained. Then I used a magazine and scooped him into the trash can, went out the front door, across the street, behind the local library and set it free.
I moved two weeks later.
Dr. Doolittle I ain't,
Mags
Maggie Trivia Mania- Day 7
Click here if you haven't yet entered my all Maggie super PINK giveaway yet. Please enter for the giveaway at the post ABOUT the giveaway. Click here to do that.
Today's Maggie Trivia: When I came home from Ireland last year, what had happened to my car? Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
Today's Maggie Trivia: When I came home from Ireland last year, what had happened to my car? Answer the trivia in the comments section on this post please!
Thanks for playing, and GOOD LUCK!
The Maggie Trivia Rules:
- One entry per person per day
- All answers must be submitted via the comments section of the trivia post by 9:30 pm EST in the USA! Answers after 9:30 pm EST USA will not be accepted. Also, answers not submitted on the trivia post will not count.
- Answers will not be published until after the deadline- no cheating!
- Unless otherwise indicated, you must get all parts of the answer correct for credit.
- I grade all answers and my decision is final. (Hmmmm, is there a teacher in the house?)
- Rules are subject to change because... well, because I said so.
- I'll post the answer in the comments section of each post!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Perfectly pink Saturday
Thanks to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hosting Pink Saturday, and welcome to all those who are visiting and/or pinking today! Visit Beverly's site to see a complete list of all those who are participating in Pink Saturday this week.
Each week Beverly would like us to feature a fellow Pink Saturday blogger, and I want you all to take a peek over at Barbara at Purple Goat Lady. With a blog name like that, I HAD to see what she was about. Her photos are pretty amazing!
Each week Beverly would like us to feature a fellow Pink Saturday blogger, and I want you all to take a peek over at Barbara at Purple Goat Lady. With a blog name like that, I HAD to see what she was about. Her photos are pretty amazing!
I needed a pedicure, winter time or not! Pink toes rock!
And I think I should own these classics to show off my "new" toes, right?
Think summer, think pink,
Maggie Mae
Hey all! I love all the comments, but I just want to let you know my comment button for this post is at the "top" or the "beginning" of the post, next to the title! Thank you!
Think summer, think pink,
Maggie Mae
Hey all! I love all the comments, but I just want to let you know my comment button for this post is at the "top" or the "beginning" of the post, next to the title! Thank you!
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