Pages

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Shopping stuff

I need new clothes. Thank goodness I have a birthday soon and my nearest and dearest may decide to shower me with birthday clothes. Or gift cards. I was looking at my work clothes and I have the same pair of blank and brown pants that I've worn for about 5 years. I remember when they were too big, just right and now a bit snug. I have an array of t-shirts but hardly any dressy tops. I own no khakis. My favorite stuff is faded, worn thin, showing it's age, and is frayed. These are my work clothes I'm talking about here. I'm in a world of hurt. But, I've found that Old Navy has some plus size stuff online that is CUTE. And affordable. Gap and Old Navy are somehow related and there are some adorable khakis on there, and some adorable tops, and a smart looking jacket. If I piecemeal it all out, I could have a decent looking wardrobe in a year. Oh well.

In other shopping news, Sam bought me shoes this weekend. As a reward for throwing away 5 pair of shoes this summer (three pairs of worn out flip-flops and 2 pair of butt-ugly sandals that I can figure out why I bought in the first place) he bought me new tennis shoes (cute Sketchers with no laces and no tongue) AND he also bought me a pair of brown leather Sketchers that will go with almost everything. Jeans and anything I own for the winter in earth tones. Which is just about everything. Now, how can I not love a man who buys me shoes?

This weekend we also did the rummage sale/ antique store/ auction thing. I spent nothing and Sam spent a whole whopping $4- on me. I found a teacup and saucer for my collection. And I found 2 vintage purses. They're patent leather clutches, one red and one black. They are perfect and to die for. Pictures will be coming forthwith. We browsed an antique mall, which is always fun, but it was so hot and dusty that we gave up. And we found a DELIGHTFUL auction with a gorgeous set of china that I separately wanted. However, this auction had 3 barns worth of farm stuff, plus a garage, some autos, and some tractors. Then there was all the furniture- in a four bedroom house. The table where the dishes were located was table 3. It was going to be last. So we could've spent the ENTIRE afternoon on Saturday sitting in the hot sun for about 4- 5 hours before they got to my dishes or I could live without them. I'm living without them. And doing it quite well, thank you very much!

I'm also shopping for a place to live. With ITSam. And Mac. And sometimes Jack. But that falls under another post... maybe one called Sam Stuff, or something creative like that.

Mags

Monday, August 30, 2010

Health stuff

I have a huge cold. Now, I know it's just a stupid cold and people get these all the time. But I've been sick now for 1 week and 1 day. My ears hurt and my nose is running. It's been running for the entire time. And I can't catch it. My ears pop and crackle. My eyes water and if I had a dollar for every sneeze I could retire. And I'm exhausted after showering and getting dressed. I can't stop sweating the cold sweats. This is a nasty cold/ flu/ illness crappy thingy.

No, really, I just feel terrible. I'm all full of snot with huge amounts of pressure. I can press on my cheeks and feel the snot bubbles pop. I've gone through 3 HUGE boxes of Puffs. I finally started taking a leftover prescription of Amoxil and am hoping for the best. I just feel like crap. I even took a day and a half off last week and thought I was feeling better but it came back with a vengeance yesterday. It just sucks.

And is saps my energy. I'm just wiped out. But I have a huge amount on my plate this week. Today I volunteered to help with an acting clinic at school. XRayGirl and I have dinner and movie plans. Tuesday I agreed to help with auditions for the school play and then I'm in charge of the concession stand for the volleyball game. Wednesday is the last day of the auditions. Thursday I have another nigh of training for my part time job. Friday night I have to see Mac do his lifter/ cheerleading stuff (and hopefully have some video on youtube of this next week). I get to do all that while having this crappy head cold. I'm not excited. This sort of week would be no big deal; it would actually be FUN any other time, but with a cold, it just sucks.

This week is also the week I need to get a doc appointment so I can renew my birth control pill prescription. Just one more damn thing. I thought I had one more month of pills left but alas, I was wrong. I usually go to Planned Parenthood but the one I've gone to has closed. So now I have to call the new one, get an appointment, go, pay for it, and it's about 1 hour away. Just one more damn thing on my to do list that I didn't plan on. And I usually have a pap come back as "slightly abnormal" so I get to worry for 30 days while we do ANOTHER test to ANOTHER lab and it always comes back fine. And I feel like hell while getting to do this. I won't even mention how close my period is... I said this post was about health stuff, right?

Should I bitch about being fatter than ever on top of it? Okay, I can save that for a post called "fat stuff" or "diet stuff" or "stupid girl stuff".

I HATE being sick! I know, who doesn't? But still, it just seems like everything else in life sucks when I'm sick.

And my nose is so red that I'm giving Rudolph a run for his money,
Maggie

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Job stuff

So when we last left our heroine, she was filling a maternity leave for an English teacher at Alcatraz prison school. She was battling good and evil in the classroom daily. She had no health insurance. But she always searched for the silver lining, keeping that wonderful stiff upper lip.

Then eureka, the heroine of this tale was offered a job so when the maternity leave was finished on Sept. 22 she had a job- she's going to be a special education aide in a junior high school- not the same one as last year, but same 'concept.' The pay sucked and there were no benefits but it was a job. The heroine knew beggars can't be choosers in their economic climate, so she accepted the position. She was now able to calm down that she had a job with a mediocre pay check until Aug, 15, 2011.

But then, tragedy struck. The woman who was having her maternity leave filled changed the rules. She decides to stay home with her new baby until thanksgiving. Now what's to happen?

The principal of the school come to the heroine and asks her if she can stay until Nov. 22. He spoke with her new school and they said it would be fine and they would hold the job for 7 more weeks. But the evil queen, also known as the Superintendent of schools, said the heroine can't stay because she doesn't have a teaching license even though she's taught for 10 plus years. The Evil Superintendent also said the heroine wasn't capable nor allowed to issue quarter grades to students due to the licensing issue.

Now the students in Alcatraz are going to have three English teachers in a three month period and the heroine can't save the day. She can't stay as a teacher even though she wants to do so and is good at it.

Heroine of the story,
Maggie

Saturday, August 28, 2010

I haven't blogged in two days

because I have so much to say and I don't know where to begin.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be catching you all up on stuff....

Missin my blog world,
Mags

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Conversation with Mac the Holy One & a meme

Mac: Dude, I'm totally Christ.
me: what are you talking about?
Mac: check out the stigmata on my hands and feet!
me: those are mosquito bites.
Mac: bet you would've told Jesus that, wouldn't you?
me: probably...
Mac: You. Are. Such. A. HEATHEN!

****

And here's a meme, because this was short. Funny but short. Thanks Sunday Stealing...

1. Are you happier now than you were five months ago?
yes, I think so. But I wasn't that unhappy 5 months ago, really

2. Have you ever slept in the same bed with anyone that you shouldn't have?
oh yeah

3. Can you sleep in total darkness?
oh yeah

4. Your phone is ringing. It’s the person you fell hardest for, the one who got away, what do you say?
Are you still married, and if so then why are you calling me?

5. What do you think about the weather this summer?
it's hot and it sucks and I hate it with a passion matched by nothing else

6. How many people do you trust with everything?
I trust no one with EVERYthing, but I trust several people with little bits

7. What was the last thing you drank?
cherry kool-aid, yes that means I drank the kool-aid; oh yeah

8. Is there anyone you want to come see you?
yes- Gulo

9. Name one thing you love about winter?
that's it not hot like summer

10. Have you ever dated a Goth?
yes. His name was JD and he had a ton of piercings

11. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
hopefully feeling better

12. Name something you dislike about the day you’re having?
I'm sick with a summer cold and I need a hair trim and it's hot

13. What's the longest that you have committed to one person and one person only?
I dunno

14. What’s the first thing you did when you opened your eyes today?
Blew my nose

15. Has anyone ever told you they never want to ever lose you?
yes- recently, it was ITSam

16. Is there anybody that you wish you could fix your relationship with?
yes

17. Could you go out in public, looking like you do now?
oh hella no

18. Do you think things will change in the next 3 months? How?
oh they might change a little bit... new job, get married, move into a new house, get health insurance... you know, the small stuff

19. Do you believe that you never know what you got until you lose it?
I have no idea. I'm more of a believer in "with age comes wisdom"

20. Do you have a friend of the opposite sex you can talk to?
not really. Not someone who is just a "friend"

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Random Irritations

Summer colds suck. I'm so sick. Both my ears hurt, my nose is running, I've run a mild fever, I'm achy all over and my THROAT hurts. I would do almost anything to not be sick. It's the sort of sick that's debilitating. The other English teacher had this last week and a whole of hots kids spend last week coughing and hacking on me. Brats.

I hate it when those paper cups are used to spell words in fences, they get all dirty, and fall out and you can't read what it says and no one takes it down. I especially hate it when it happens at a school as a show of school spirit for an athletic team. It just seems to reinforce the "dumb cheerleader" stereotype.

Those great big blow up yard decoration that are mostly displayed at Christmas also irritate the crap out of me. I don't like them at Christmas but I have seen big chicks and bunnies and giant eggs for Easter. On St. Patrick day I passed a leprechaun popping out of a pot of gold... you see my gist here? These things are so tacky and they are even worse when they have collapsed in the yard. Huge balloon looking decorations are for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade only!

It makes me mad to go to an outlet mall that advertises itself as cheaper prices on name brand stuff and it is really just as expensive as a regular store. Outlet prices should be cheaper.

I hate the movie Shrek; all sequels and the first one, too. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Using the broiler. I just can't about ever time I do, I burn something. EVEN if I'm STANDING NEXT TO IT. I'm broiler challenged.

I am really irritated by Wal-Mart, people who bite their nails while having a conversation with me, no food served on airplanes, chipped toe nail polish, people who whistle, people who whistle off key, telemarketers (even though I was one), teenagers, tweenagers, boxing, most television commercials, Republicans, individuals who chew with their mouths open, landfills, time changes, ever increasing postal stamp prices, reality television, ex- wives, procrastination, laziness other than my own, overdue fees on library books, and Rush Limbaugh.

Monday, August 23, 2010

A picture doesn't always say a thousand words but...

I have a picture of ITSam and Jack hanging in my classroom. Well, I have a whole host of pictures: Jack and ITSam, Mac, Daddy-O and mom, the Divine Ms. K, Fab Finn, XRay Girl and Me, Curley and Me, Gulo and Me, Lilith and Me... so I have a bunch of personal photos on a shelf above my desk.

The students were looking at them and one asked me if "that guy" was my dad. And I said yes and went on to explain that I took that photo a few Christmases ago; hence the Santa hat. And the kid looked again and said, "Oh the guy in the Santa hat is your dad? I thought the bald guy in the striped shirt was your dad."

The "bald guy" in reference here was actually ITSam. Oooops.

The kid said I look like I'm about 28 years old and Sam looks like he's about 60. Most of the rest of the class agreed.

I giggled. I shared the story with Sam later. Funny enough, he didn't see the humor in it.

Mags

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Fractured Bible Stories

Remember my student who is sort of learning the Bible for the first time in his life? The one about the confusion with Mary and Eve? New story:

He comes to class and here's what he tells me...

"So, Ms. O... you know the Bible? Well, there's these three brothers who were mad at God and He was a pissed off Dude. Because He was, well, God, man, and you don't go getting pissed at the Man. God got mad back at these homies so he set 'em all on fire. Then! Then! Then the fire was so totally out of control and it caught a bush on fire and the bush was telling the brothers that this is what they get for being pissed at Him. The bush was, like, totally, God! Then the one brother named the Shaq. He, like, said he was totally sorry man, and God like, totally forgave him, and he totally came out of the fire and wasn't hurt.

"God is one bad dude."

I think he was trying to tell me the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. I think.

I know it's wrong of me, but I just can't wait to see what he has to say next, religiously speaking.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Tiredly rambling

I was going to say that I don't remember teaching being this exhausting. But that would be a lie. What I remember is that teaching is exhausting the first couple of weeks, but I remember being able to go back to my own house and collapsing each night. I didn't have to entertain a boyfriend. Maybe I should say that I don't remember relationships being this exhausting?

No, really, I'm trying to find a way to juggle it all.

I think teaching at Alcatraz is more stressful, at times, than a regular high school, because of all the rules the kids have to follow and I feel I'm on hyper vigilant mode making sure everything is followed. I've also amped up my energy level so I run on super enthusiastic mode for the entire day because these kids need some positive energy their way. The kids are also prone to fighting, screaming, and creating a hostile, volatile situation at the drop of a hat- and since the kids live with each other they know how to push each other's buttons to make them go nuts- especially the girls. So things can go from hum-drum to critical mass in about 4 seconds, so I'm all the time tense, waiting to making sure nothing bad happens on my watch.

I really like my kids and my classes. I do. I also realize I'm investing lots of time and energy into something that's only temporary but I do LIKE this job and it's just part of my weird personality.

I'm planning on working in my classroom something weekend and then I think as far as weekends go, I should be do with that. I think.

Oh, and I got that second job!!! Every third weekend I'm working as an evening receptionist on Friday and Saturday nights. Not bad money and pretty easy, for the most part. I'll even have time to grade or read or surf the 'net. I was told by the woman who hired me that it's only crazy if a kid runs away. All I can say is PLEASE DO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN ON MY WEEKEND! I had a night of training last night and will have two more nights of that next weekend.

So here it is on a Saturday. It's dark and rainy and dreary outside. I'm thinking of not moving from this seat unless it's to lay down and shape into a form of a nap. ITSam has Jack this weekend and I'm thinking how great it would be for them to just have "alone" time today. We can all gather for supper or play games or something later on, right? And I can be a slug for a few hours, doing nothing but catching up on blogs, reading, and napping.

Or I might get a wild hair and just decide to take myself to a movie, all alone, and see eat, pray, love. Or work at school. Or all of the above.

I've never been so happy for a weekend in all my life.

Maggie

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Fall Sports

Mac is, as we say in these parts, big enough to beat a bear with a stick. He's almost 6 foot tall and weighs close to 280 lbs. He's broad and big. He's huge. He's not really fat, a bit soft in the middle, but just a BIG boy. The football coaches drool over him. They crave him. They beg him to play. He would be a perfect... well anything but quarterback or kicker guy. He's just perfect football material, stature-wise.

My heart was in my throat when he came home and said he wanted to play. He's never played with the pigskin other than for fun and messing around. To have him attend 2 a days, play in games, and be tackled by other guys as big, or bigger, than him terrified me. I sort of hoped when he went for his physical his doc would tell him he couldn't play because of something. Not something life threatening or fatal but something. But he passed with medical physical with flying colors. Great.

Then one day, about 2 weeks before football practice started, he came home and said he wasn't going to play. In my head I was jumping up and down for joy. Outwardly, I played it cool. I told him that was too bad but I would support his choices. I told him I was his mom and I wanted him to do anything that would make him happy and I would come and support him, but if this wasn't something he wanted to do, I supported that as well, and it was good to not play if he wasn't sure. I told him I would support any of his activities; I was dreamily thinking of marching band, honors choir and drama club. I told him it would make for a quieter fall for him if he didn't play f-ball.

"Oh but mom, I'm gonna do a different sport," Mac said, pouring a glass of oj. In about 10 seconds I immediately mentally flipped through cross country, knowing there was no way he would run any distance unless there was money at the end of the trip. Girl's volleyball- ummmm, nope. So what was left?

"Mon, I'm gonna be a lifter for the cheer squad."

Yes ladies and gentlemen, my son is a cheerleader.

Maybe football wasn't so bad after all,
Maggie

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

This is a little strange

I have a boyfriend who plays video games. I'm not sure how it happened. I think he kept it a secret until I was hooked. Maybe I should clarify. He doesn't just play video games, he PLAYS video games. Online. With strangers around the world. And has battles. And minions. And other weird online gamer stuff. It might be an MMO or FPS or a RPG... I dunno. All I know is that I have a boyfriend who plays video games.

I find myself having conversations with him that are similar to conversations I have with Mac. And I don't understand it any better with Sam than I do with Mac. I was in the car with Mac, Jack and Sam the other day and I would swear they never spoke English. They all spoke in video gamer speak, about servers and games and worlds and... stuff. I had no idea. And I don't think I said anything for about the entire 45 minutes ride. *Note to self- bring iPod with headphones and a book the next time I'll be confined to the car with the three of them.

Not only does he play video games, but he loves the tv show Family Guy. He likes the cable network G4. He's an IT guy so he LOVES technology. I think Mac is in love with him too, because he's an adult who speaks... Mac, I guess. Get those two together and I don't even need to be there.

Sometimes spending time with Sam is like spending quality time with Mac.

Weird. Very weird.

Maggie

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

What's wrong with me?

I think I've gone soft in my old age.

Yesterday a kid muttered the word "hell" and I gave him a warning. He later made a gesture like he was smoking a joint and I told him it wasn't appropriate. He backed talked to me and I told him to be respectful. Finally when he dropped the F-Bomb, did I yell at him and subtracted a third of his daily behavior points.

And I didn't care.

And I'm not even on medication.

Maggie

Monday, August 16, 2010

ADHD in writing

  • The heat makes my fingers and toes swell and I can feel them being all tight and puffy.
  • I am not going to assign personal journal topics again because now I want to bring Alcatraz kids home with me. As Daddy-O reminded me, they are not puppies and kittens and I can't bring home the strays.
  • I can't get my mind settled to read for pleasure. That scares me. I've been reading with a tenaciousness like no other for about 39 years. I need books like I need air and now I can't seem to find anything that holds my attention. Not good.
  • I had a kid REQUEST a copy of The Diary of Anne Frank because he heard it was good and wanted to read it. He asked if he could borrow a copy from me since our school library doesn't have one. I told him sure and I got him a copy that I'll bring to school tomorrow- it's his to keep.
  • ITSam is bald. Big deal. But why does he spend time outside and NOT wear a hat and then get all sunburned? I don't understand men.
  • Mac is taking sociology and now he knows everything. This is going to be the semester where I learn about how crappy of a parent I am. Geez.
  • I am so sick and tired of the hot weather. SICK AND TIRED. On the list of "places I want to live in my lifetime" was Savannah or Charleston and New Orleans. They're all officially crossed off the list. I hate the heat and never want to see over 90 degrees again. I hate hate hate this weather.
  • Last night at dinner Mac said Daddy-O was laughing at the movie Black Sheep. Other than wondering what in the hell Daddy-O was doing watching that dreck, my first thought was "I like the movie The Pineapple Express. I'm not a movie snob." Now you might want to know how I went from Black Sheep to Pineapple Express. Here's a peek inside my head: The kids I taught in the Wild West always said Mac looked like Chris Farley who was in Black Sheep. But then Mac grew a beard and the kids said he looked like Seth Rogan who starred in the movie Pineapple Express. Yeah... hence the title of this post.
  • Someone once said a compromise is when no one gets what they want. I hate compromising; I'm beginning to agree with that statement. Maybe I'm better off single.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

No rest for the weary

I. am. so. tired.

Usually, the first weekend after school starts, I have a routine. In the past, the routine has me come home from school on Friday and put on my pajamas. I take a nap on the couch and when I wake up I order pizza to be delivered. Then I lay on the couch and eat pizza and watch movies until I fall asleep. I repeat this cycle until mid afternoon on Sunday. I may not order another pizza but just eat the leftovers from Friday. I may or may not drink. I may or may not shower. I may or may not answer the phone. Sometimes I read books for fun, but usually I stared at mindless television in between the catnaps. Usually, the general gist of the entire weekend is to just sleep, wake up to pee or eat and then sleep some more.

I didn't indulge in my sloth-fullness this weekend. For several reasons.

First, I had errands to run on Friday and then ITSam wanted to go to Northern Civilization to try on more rings and to take me to dinner since I had a long week.

Saturday I did sleep in but I promised Mac to take him to see Scott Pilgrim, which we did. And I had work to do at school. I just didn't feel prepared for Monday AND I had grading AND I the women whose class I'm covering didn't fill her book cases or make bulletin boards. She also didn't let me use her stuff so my room is one huge BLANK. I had to do something to fix that. So, after the movie I worked in my classroom for about 3 hours. Then I had dinner with ITSam, XRayGirl and her hubby. I was still at home and in bed by 11:30pm.

But here I sit, after 9 1/2 hours of sleep and I am still tired and just want to go back to bed. BUT!!! I still have some grading to do. I also have to prep for tomorrow. Sam wants to see The Expendables. (And so do I)

Maybe I'll be a sloth next weekend. ITSam will have Jack so I could indulge in being lazy... well, I probably won't because I live with Daddy-O and being a sloth with another person just loses something of the pleasure.

Off to the salt mines!
Maggie

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Gratuitous Product Placement

Okay I live 20 minutes from a Goodrich Quality Theater and an AMC Theater, which used to be a Kerasotes. The Goodrich gets my business now. As you all know I'm a huge lover of films (I even have a movie blog!) so this is important to me!

I was a die hard fan of the Kerasotes but since AMC bought them out, the prices- ticket and concession- have sky rocketed and the service sucks. The only thing I like about them now is the way the stadium seating is arranged, and they're about 7 minutes from a Starbucks. Which is something I like more about the town, rather than the theater but still..

I started going to the Goodrich theater when AMC bought out Kerasotes and I am IMPRESSED! First, ticket prices are very reasonable. All student tickets are $5- elementary through college, regardless of age. They do a special that any show on between 4-6 pm is $4 on Monday thru Thursdays for all people. Regular ticket prices are $6.50. All matinees are $5. And they now have a 3D screen!!! The theater I go to is extremely clean and neat. The staff is wonderful and friendly.

The other cool thing about Goodrich is the Frequent Movie Goer Club. I went online and signed up and got a card in the mail a week later. Each time I go to the theater they scan my card and I earn a point per ticket I purchase. Then the points can be redeemed at the concession stand. Three points gets a free 20 ounce beverage, with free refills. Six points get a free popcorn and 20 ounce beverage. And if I don't have enough points to get free stuff, then I get a flat discount rate. A large popcorn and a large soda will only cost me $4 if I use my card, even if I have zero points. So- affordable concessions!!!

Last week at Goodrich, ITSam, Jack, Mac and I went to see a movie and got ticks and food for all over us for $25. One night we wanted to see a movie that wasn't at Goodrich and went to AMC. Mac, ITSam and I paid $19 for tickets!!! If we got popcorn and 2 drinks, the smallest combo, was going to be another $12. Ummm, never again.

I just love going to the movies and I'm thrilled that Goodrich, who has a wonderful user friendly website (as opposed to sucky AMC) will cater to those like me who love to see a movie in the theater and give me a cost break. I go about each week and this is awesome.

Back during the depression, when every business was going belly up and people couldn't afford food, the movie industry was flourishing. People wanted to get away from their dull, sad and dreary depressing lives and they went to the movies for a few hours of escapism. With our current economy, it seems like Goodrich has its head on right and is providing high quality entertainment at an affordable price.

And now back to your regularly scheduled program...
Maggie

Friday, August 13, 2010

A bunch of stuff about me meme

I have no idea what happened to the first four questions... But thanks to Sunday Stealing and honor among thieves and all that!

5. Did you ever get into a bar and drink before you were 21?
nope

6. What countries have you been to?
Canada, Ireland, USA, Italy

7. Do you watch MTV anymore?
no... it makes me feel old

8. What do you think about Oprah?
I don't usually think about Oprah.

10. You need a new pair of jeans: what store do you go to first?
Lane Bryant

11. Did you ever watch The O.C.?
NO

12. What kind of car do you drive?
A Chevy Malibu, blue

13. Honestly, is that car insured?
Of course!

14. Do you like sushi?
not so much

15. Have you ever been to Tiffany & Co. or Saks 5th Ave?
Yes to both

16. Did your parents spoil you growing up?
I don't think so, but I knew I was special to them, so maybe?

17. Do you like roller coasters?
nope; they scare me to death

18. What magazine(s) do you buy regularly or subscribe to?
In Style, W, Elle, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, Quilting World, Bon Appetite

19. Do you remember the old WB show “Popular”?
nope

20. When you go out do you prefer to go to a dance club or to a bar?
bar

21. What do you think about gay marriage?
It should be thought of and treated the same as non-gay marriage

22. Who do you think will be the next president?
I have no idea. I picked the last one a full year before he declared he was even going to run, And you can see how well that's turning out.

23. Are you registered to vote?
Of course

24. Do you own an iPad?
nope.

25. Is your bathroom filled with beauty stuff?
Ummmm, I hate to say this but yes. Bath and Body Works stuff, jewelry, make up

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Day 1 with the kids

Whew! Wow! It was a great day but it was certainly a long one. I was up early and at school by 7am. Then we had a convocation where the principal went over all the new rules and the old. That took almost a full 90 minutes. We started classes late, of course, so that shorted up what I wanted to accomplish on my agenda. After all the rules for the school I so did NOT want to go over my classroom rules but I was stuck with no other alternative. So... first period I trudged onward and did the rules. They were still in mode from the convo so it was good.

I ADORE my second period class already. So funny and talkative. What a grand group. By the time we did the get to know you activity there wasn't time to do my rules.

Then the rest of the day went from there. I can already tell that 2nd period freshmen and 6th period juniors are going to be awesome! As for my other three classes... well, the jury is still out. So we shall see.

But, the kids were most excellent, and polite and funny and sweet. (Maybe I should learn some comma usage...) Bunches were glad to see me. And I have actually have girls. All summer my classes were separated by gender so I had 8 classes of boys that spanned the summer. Now I have girls and boys all mixed together. Should prove to be interesting.

I liked it and it was a good first day. If today is an indicator, then it should be, overall, a positive 6 weeks. Just... cross your fingers!

Maggie

(Okay, and it didn't hurt anything that ITSam packed a picnic lunch and came to eat with me in my classroom... it was about 103 degrees today- waaaay too hot to be outside! A carpet picnic is nice, though!)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Day 1- I love teaching, right?

First teacher day...
  • Rocky start because the computer in my room had no printer. It was also not connected to the network printer. And the school's IT guy was at a meeting. So I called the campus IT guy (It wasn't ITSam; he's off work today) who came over and installed printers for me.
  • Half of the time my log in works and half the time it doesn't
  • We had a good teacher "rah rah" meeting and I learned lots.
  • my brain took in so much I feel over loaded
  • the lady for whom I'm covering was at the meeting today and doesn't want me to get her stuff out, which I was sort of counting on, so now I have to bring my own stuff because I have empty walls and empty bookcases. (By stuff I mean her classroom library, her posters, etc. I don't have a firm reason why she doesn't want me to use it but she alluded to the fact it could be because she doesn't want me responsible for her stuff if something were to happen). Which means I have to make a trip to the garage to find SOME of my stuff. I'm not bringing all 37 boxes of books...
  • I'm coming to the conclusion that teachers are... snotty. They sit in their own groups and don't let other people "in". They are very clique oriented. I don't mind that, really, but it just was a firm reminder today. I'm okay with that but it was just off putting.
  • I have 3 sections of freshmen English and 2 sections of juniors. I have a total of 54 kids for the entire day. I get a whole prep period, and additionally I get an 80 minute prep/ lunch combo period.
  • I feel like I'm going to either throw up or cry from nerves. I want to do a good job and I'm just a wreck. I spent plenty of time prepping and I've done this for about 10 years so I don't know what my problem is.
About the interview:
  • it seemed to go well. The woman who interviewed me said she wants to hire me and she just has to check with HR to make sure she doesn't have to interview other candidates. If not, the job is mine.
  • It's a second shift receptionist position: Fridays from 4-10pm and on Saturdays from 230-10pm. This is every third weekend only. Not bad. She thinks it pays $9 an hour. Not bad for about 14 hours a month.
  • I'll know something about this by next Wednesday.
I'm really tired. I was at school by 7:15 am today. I was up most of the night worrying about today. I think I got about 4 hours of sleep. I got home from school around 545pm today. I'm feeling sleepy and exhausted and, like I said, nervous to the verge of vomit or tears. I'm going to go and make sure my black pants are clean. And fix dinner. Why in the world did I think I would be in the mood to cook dinner for 5 people tonight? I think lack of sleep might be adding to my stress level.

Tomorrow is the first kid day. Bring it.

Mags

Short and sweet... and more later tonight!

Today is the first teacher day at school. I promise an update tonight!

Ummm, and did I also mention today I have an interview for a part-time job, too?

And it's thunder storming right now. Maybe rain means "Good luck" to me since I had three interviews and 3 offers last week when it was storming...

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

I've got quite the conundrum

ITSam's ex-wife called today and informed him that if he wants school pictures of his son Jack (the 11 year old who will be in 6th grade), he needs to send money to the school by Friday. The smallest package is $25 which gets him 1 8x10, 1 5x7, 1 3x5, and 4 wallets. (It's a rip off for that price.) It also sucks because she's known about this for two weeks but like she always does to him, she tells him about things he may want at the last minute. Just another way to push his buttons.

So, I offer to take Jack's pictures. I told ITSam we can wait for this heat wave to break and take some outside; we could even do it in the early autumn. We could do this around the third weekend in Sept. Jack can still go ahead and get his picture taken at school for his mom who can buy what she wants; and we'll do something different for ITSam. (Jack has to have his picture taken at school no matter what for the standard yearbook shot, his school record, and for his student ID, regardless if anyone buys these pictures) Then ITSam can order whatever he wants from me (and for his family.) He and Jack were both agreeable to this solution. Jack was pretty excited and wanted to know if I could take a picture of him sitting at his dad's drum set, wearing his AC/DC t-shirt, and tossing the drum sticks in the air. Well, of COURSE I said Y*E*S!!!

ITSam sends his ex-wife a text and tells her he isn't going to order pictures. She texts back and wants to know why. Now, I would normally say "none of your business" if it were my ex Sperm Donor but ITSam says he's going to have Jack's pictures taken somewhere else that's cheaper. She wants to know if I'm taking them since she knows I assisted the photographer who took ITSam's niece's wedding shots. ITSam says yes I am. HEREIN IS THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!

Now the ex-wifeie wants to know if she can just order the pictures from me, too. Well, shit. My first response is damn ITSam for blabbing but what's done is done.

The real question is should I let the bitch order pictures from me? My gut response is a huge no f*@#wording way am I going to do that. I have reasons:
  • no matter how good the pictures are, she'll complain, and nothing will be good enough, and Sam will NEVER hear the end of it
  • she'll just keep wanting more and more favors
  • I have lots going on in the next few weeks so this is going to happen on my time schedule (well, mine and ITSam's) and I will not bend to her will. And she will want pictures done NOW and will bug Sam to death asking him when it's going to happen. Which will piss him, and me, off.
  • she keeps telling ITSam she wants us all (her, him, me and he BF) to be friends and I do not want to be her friend in any shape or form. I don't even like her existence let alone be a friend. So NOT gonna happen
  • she'll want to be at the photo shoot and also pick out what Jack is going to wear. Again, no. Just... no.
  • She's a mean, evil conniving bitch and I just don't want to do it
However, if Sam tells her "no" then it's going to be a big THING and will probably cause a fight. It will be his fight, not mine, but I get him when he's grumpy after a 'discussion' with her. Sam said it would probably make it easier on him if he gives in to her, just to shut her up and pacify her. I could just burn all the pictures I take onto a CD, give it to her, and tell her to order what she wants from Wal-Mart or some such. BUT Sam said, he wants me to do what I want. He said it's my artwork and I offered to do something nice for him and for his family, not his exwifebiotch.

So, what to do? Stand my ground and say no and let him have many arguments with his ex over it and be miserable? Or just say yes and deal with it myself and suck it up.

Feed back please!
Maggie

Monday, August 9, 2010

An unusual living space

When I got divorced, I moved into the best apartment in the entire world! It was huge and spacious. The master bedroom was so large it could accommodate my queen sized 4-poster bed, night table, two huge dressers and still have space for me to do aerobics in the middle of the floor if I wanted to; it had 14 foot ceilings so I could jump up and down on my bed and not worry about hitting my head on the ceiling! Mac’s room held all his toys and still could spread out one of those carpets with a city of roads. It was so large it looked like I never had to clean. The kitchen was HUGE. Absolutely huge! There was a washer and dryer and nice bathroom. The living room was adorable with a window seat. There was central air conditioning. It was cheap, too! It had about 1700 square feet and I paid about $475 a month and that included all my utilities. There was off street parking, it was a good neighborhood and had a place for Mac to play since he was 4 years old at the time. I lived above a business, on the second floor and my neighbors were quiet. So quiet in fact I hardly knew they were there. They were deadly quiet. Oh yeah- they were dead! Really! I lived above a funeral home.

Yep, a funeral home. Now many people thought this was weird. Or freaky. Or just plain gross. To me, it was a place to hang my hat in a really cool apartment. And most people left me alone there. My friends thought it was insane for me to “live with dead People.” Well, I didn’t really live with them, exactly, and um…they were pretty transient….and not really living, if you get my drift.

But people thought it was weird. And I guess I did too, for a bit. I did really well in there alone at night unless I had friends over who talked about it being haunted or things that go bump in the night. Then after everyone left, I would lay there and stare at the ceiling and worry that I was going to get pulled into some episode of the Twilight Zone or Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I would clutch my Louisville Slugger and jump at every noise. (One time my buddy Eric scared me so badly I slept with a damn shaker of garlic salt under my pillow to ward off evil spirits…I didn’t happen to have a clove of garlic on hand, in case you were wondering…)

As I said, Mac was just 4 years old at the time and didn’t know enough to be scared. So, when there was an evening viewing/ calling, or something on the weekend, I tried to make sure Mac and I were gone, or that he was in bed. One day, though, they had a viewing and we were home. I told him we had to use our “indoor voices” because the people downstairs were having a party. He did really well and we made a game of tip toeing around. The only weird thing was that the air vent in the kitchen was on the floor and you could see right down into one of the viewing rooms. When I came out of the bathroom, though, there was little cute Mac bent over the air vent giggling like a little manic and singing along with the hymns he heard wafting up from below. I rushed over, mortified, and praying no one heard, when he says loudly and right into the open air vent, “why is someone asleep at a party?” Of course, he proclaims this in his OUTSIDE voice (okay, not a damn soul in my family has an indoor voice- we are all loud and boisterous while some of us are also bawdy) just as the music stops Of course everyone at the funeral that was happening below my feet had to hear this. I look over and lo and behold, right below that damn air vent is the damn body. Who puts a dead body under an air vent? They might catch a cold or something…

That was the last time I ever stayed home with Mac while there was anything funeral related. The funeral director swore no one heard him, but the twitching smile tugging at the corner of his mouth made me think otherwise.

As I said, I was never usually scared when I lived there. An old Sam, hated it, though. He thought it was weird and creepy. He hated to stay over because of it, so by default, I spent many a night at his house. And when we moved in together, even though my apartment was so much better and cheaper and much more awesome than his, I moved with him since he was freaked by the idea of living with the stiffs. He couldn’t understand why I liked the place so much when I would never live in a house where someone died. And I still won’t. If someone died in the house, I just can’t live there. But see, at the funeral home, the people were brought there after they die; their souls aren't hanging out at a funeral home; the souls would be hanging out where they died or their old houses or something. The souls/ ghosts might put in an appearance to check out how nice their funerals are: good music, what did they get buried in, how nice were the flowers, did that bitch Aunt Carol show up even though the deceased hated her, was the family cheap or did they spring for a nice box, were the last requests met, that sort of thing…But a ghost/ soul isn’t gonna linger at the funeral home, so I never minded that at all.

The one time I was freaked out was my own fault. I had a private lobby with a private stair case that lead up to my front door and it was all inside. At the bottom of the stairs was a door that led to the funeral home office and it was kept locked after hours or when they had a body. So I went down the stairs one night, around 7 pm, to slide my rent check under the door and it was unlocked. I thought maybe one of the staff was working late, so I just pushed the door open and took a few steps into the office and came to a dead standstill. The entire downstairs was totally dark and the air was as still as death. There in front of me, just about 37 feet away, was a casket, open, with a bald old man wearing glasses, all laid to rest, with rosy pink light shining all around him. I ran like hell out of the room, up the stairs, slammed my front door, threw the locks, grabbed Mac and hid in the closet, playing camping (that was the first thing that came to mind). We “played camping” all night. Over my dead body was ANYONE gonna hurt Mac, even an old dead dude! Obviously, someone forgot to lock the office door and I was afraid the old man would come get us. (Hey, if the door would have been locked, a body couldn’t have gotten through…just the spirit could and, I am here to tell you, that spirit of his should’ve been out haunting the family member who picked that ugly suit he was forced to spend eternity wearing…)

I have moved 14 times in 19 years. This was the best place I ever lived. It was better than the house that was the site of a murder/ suicide…Ah, but that’s a bed time story for another night!

Remembering things that go bump in the night,
Maggie

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Orchestra and Balcony

I need new bras. I hate shopping for bras. I have been fitted and sized so I know just what I need, but it is such a chore. And bras are damn expensive.

I love to shop at Victoria's Secret and I know they are having the huge sale now...but I have to have my bras and panties matching. So, I can't just shell out bucks for the bra but I have to get the matching thong/panties/ girlie boxers/ whatever. So it becomes a "thing". I usually buy at Lane Bryant but sometimes I just want something frilly and pretty from VS.

And then there's the care and maintenance of said bras and panties after the purchase that is also a "thing" for me. I remember about 5 years ago when I was living in the "frat" house, we had an old washing machine that 3 of my bras were massacred by the agitator. That damn thing ate a hook right off my fav black bra. And mangled the under wire on another. And snapped a strap of the third. I was rather pissed because I was short three bras and had panties without partners. I learned from that mistake so I now wash them all in mesh garment bags, in cold water, and then hang them up to dry. Poor Mac has to tolerate a sea of under wire and panties hanging all over the bathroom- cliched yes, but where else do I put them?

Anyway, back to buying bras and underwear. I've gained some weight I'm struggling to take back off. So nothing fits right. I hate that. They feel binding...And I don't like the stick thin perky clerks at VS who think they can help a full figured woman with a bra. Hell, most of them don't look like they even need bras so I hate it when they make suggestions. Back away from my boobs, you bony bitch!

I love the scene in Beaches about the history of the bra- it has to be right! (And I am so glad we all it a bra and not a titsling) I swear some man invented that dang contraption. As a woman in my upper 30's, my boobs are in the general vicinity of where the Goddess put them long ago but at this age and after a baby (yes my baby is 17 years old but he was a baby once...), they sort of need some help to stay...in a northerly position, so I love the bras that are what I think of as multi purpose. I like an under wire that lifts, separates and can add cleavage. I also have some minimizers to help keep everything firmly in place- hey at my age some jiggling is acceptable but to much is just...gross...the type of gross like a trailer park slut riding on the penny pony in the Walmart lobby!

So now I need to go bra shopping. I need to bring someone along where I can say, "Do my boobs look too jiggly in this thing?" I would love to take ITSam with me to shop for a bra but I'm not sure that would be effective for the actual bra purchasing... *ahem* It would be great if I could just ask a random guy who is in the mall his opinion of what my boobs look like in a bra as I try them on. He doesn't have anything emotionally invested in my boobs. He isn't going to ever see me in the aforementioned bra again so why would be care? He doesn't have a vested interest in the jigglyness or lack there of of my jugs so I think a random stranger could be very helpful in bra selection. Actually what I need is a gay guy who checks in with the Queen team. Or just a good girlfriend. I know Lilith, Curley, or XRay Girl would be of help!

And bras do so much these days that I swear they might as well come with a set of boobs to go in them...oh, wait, they do! It is the Wonderbra! Now, I can't wear a wonderbra- my chest is large enough now that if I "wondered" them I couldn't see over them! But I have to laugh at all the options- padding, no padding, water bras, inserts that are removable, lined... Bras should come with a tag like a car- they have about as many options!

Oh, a brief bra digression- last year at Christmas the water bras were "in" and it seemed after Christmas vacation, all the 7th and 8th grade girls in the junior high school came back to school with them. Well...Let's say that I am sure the principal never thought he would be calling parents to tell them their son popped some girl's bra with a pencil and it leaked so he got detention. And then the administration had to address this "issue" with the kids- and the girls had to stop wearing them. It was a bit odd to see the girls go off flat chested for Christmas break and return with a huge bosom. .. "Dear Santa, Please bring me boobies. Love, Suzy". Guess Santa got tired of filling stockings!

Okay, off to the mall and the probably to the safety of Lane Bryant. VS is entirely too stressful. I'll just my favorite bra in a few more colors and forgo the pretty lacy things.

Boobs at the ready!
Mags

On another note...



Or how about this?

Saturday, August 7, 2010

I'm feeling in the pink this Saturday!




One thing I miss about living in the Wild West is the sky, the land, the landscape, the colors. Okay, that's more than one thing... Whether at sunset or sunrise, the sky there is amazing, a huge pallet of color. I love all the pinks that could be found in the sky.

My Wild West night skies were beautiful. The stars punctuate the sky and have this breathtaking splendor that is indescribable. To stand in utter the simple darkness of the night, with no trees, or city lights in the distance, to have nothing but unbroken sky the stretches to the end of the earth and that vast open space is filled with stars. More than saying they look diamonds. These stars in my Wild West sky defy explanation. The sunsets are shot with color, melting into each other, creating imagery that can't be copied.

The sky and the land meet in a place that is as far away as heaven- no trees or buildings or mountains break the vision of a vast land of nothing but sky and land. It’s like looking into an ocean of color, seeing nothing except where the sky and land touch somewhere in the vast, great distance that could be heaven.

It is a vast land. It is lonely and hard. This land is beseeching yet graceful. It is hauntingly empty, yet there is comfort in the emptiness as it erupts when the wind sweeps over plains, the wheat grasses and the breeze dancing a slow dance to a beat only they know, almost becoming one, like long time lovers who anticipate all the caresses to the love making before it happens.

Sometimes I miss the Wild West...

Thanks to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hosting Pink Saturday. And an extra special thank you to her today for making me a featured blog, listed on her site! And special thanks to all of you for stopping by, and for commenting!

I also want to take this time to recognize Lisa at Pupylov. She's a fellow blogger and she's just an awesome lady. I love to visit her blog; it's a potpourri of wonderfuls. She's a dog lover, a pink lover, a handcraft maker, and just a sweet person. I love the blog world for letting me meet someone like her! So go visit her blog, too. You won't be disappointed in the sweetness you find there.

Happy Pink Saturday everyone!
Kisses and cake,
Maggie Mae

Friday, August 6, 2010

So, about those jobs

I was offered three jobs. When it rains it pours, I guess. But yes, I was offered three jobs. I was offered the job as the aide to the blind second grader. I was offered the 6 week English teacher maternity leave. I was offered the position as a general subject special education aide in a junior high. Yup, I was offered them all. So what's a girl to do?

The maternity leave is for only 6 weeks and at sub rate BUT it gives me a chance to get my foot in the door at Alcatraz and it could lead to a permanent job there. No benefits and the pay sucks.

The blind kid job pays about $10 an hour but there is HUGE responsibilities with it; learning braille and teaching the child braille is the main one. The other is the accommodations- it's the aide's responsibility to adapt all the lesson plans for that child.

The special ed. aide job is about $8 an hour and is pretty easy as far as the responsibilities go and it's similar to what I did at the middle school last year.

So what did I do?

I managed to sort of have some cake and eat it, too. I'm going to fill the maternity leave and then do the special ed. job. The people at the junior high really want me and said they would make an adjustment for me and I can start with them after the English gig at Alcatraz is over.

So I'M employed!!! It's good. Yes the money sucks and there are no benefits but still, it's a job and I can keep looking for something with better pay, benefits and that's permanent. At least I know I'm going to have a paycheck after Aug. 13.

I'm not feeling as panicked now.

Breathing again,
Maggie

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Lost and still lost

I hate it when I do stupid things that aren't funny. I'm not usually happy when I do stupid things at all but when I do something in which there is no humor whatsoever, then I get MAD at myself. Yesterday was one of those things.

I lost $20. I wasn't even gambling or spent it stupidly. No, I physically lost the money. As in it fell out of my pocket and is forever lost in the stratosphere. Damn myself.

I got money out of my stash (I never carry much with me because I don't have much and because I'll spend it if I do.) and put it in my pocket. As I did it I thought about how shallow my pockets were and I should actually put it in my purse. But then Mac and Daddy-O and I all got involved in stuff and I just forgot.

Mac and I ran two errands and then pulled into the hotdog stand for lunch. We ordered and off the carhop went to place our order and I reached for the 20 bucks in my pocket and it was gone. So of course I go through all my pockets, search the car, go through my purse. Mac goes through my purse a second time while I search my pockets AGAIN. Like checking them for the 3rd time is going to make a 20 dollar bill appear. So I tell the waitress to cancel our order and that I'm sorry.

Mac and I then go back to the 2 places where I had gotten out of the car on the off chance that MAYBE we could just be lucky and find the $20 laying somewhere. It wasn't. We called Daddy-O to check the house all over and he didn't find it. We did the car/ pockets/ purse thing again. We asked people at the places where I was (2 places- 2 parking lots, 1 school lobby, and one office lobby) if anyone turned in $20 and of course NOT. We checked everywhere.

When I got home, Daddy-O helped me look in the car again, I went through my pockets and purse and wallet yet again, I searched the house again and still no money.

Even hours later, like last night, I was still checking my pockets and purse and car hoping it would magically appear. No such magic.

I managed to lose $20. I don't HAVE $20 to lose. It sucks. This is not my week, I tell ya. I hope whoever found it really, really needed the money. Bastards.

Broke as a joke,
Maggie

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Not the sharpest tool in the shed

Now many of you may know this and if you do, you are much smarter and much better people than I am, obviously. If you didn't know this, then learn from my mistakes.

I used Mozilla as my web browser. I like it. Everyone has their own preferences and I just happened to like Mozilla. So several months ago, I decide to delete the Big Blue E from my computer. Yes my friends, I decided to delete Microsoft Explorer. I never used it and it was just sitting there taking up a huge amount of space. I thought I was freeing up space and making my life easier. I went through the whole "uninstall" thingy and even though it kept giving me a million warnings, I deleted that sucker anyway.

And for a few months everything was fine. Occasionally something wouldn't work or there was quirk or something odd but nothing that was really that bad. And I didn't really know WHY it was glitching. I thought it was just my computer or that I had a virus or something. Then I noticed that none of the add-ons I added would work. Then my MSN instant messenger program failed to work. And then the other day my computer auto set itself up to do something and I couldn't make it undo it.

So I went to ITSam and he started poking around and very nicely and calmly asked me where my Microsoft Explorer was. I casually said, "I deleted it because I use Mozilla." Dead silence. Utter and complete and total dead silence.

I can literally SEE the gears in his brain working. I can see his jaw moving and no sound. He got control and then very quietly (almost too quietly) and nicely said, "ummmm, honey, that does a little more than just act as a browser. You kinda need it for other stuff." I ask if that's why stuff has been going wrong and he says yes. Oh.

Then he starts poking around and muttering and looking and clicking... and he nicely and calmly tells me he's going to back up every single thing on my hard drive and will then have to restore the factory settings. And then he'll reinstall everything.

Oh. My. Goddess. And he wasn't kidding.

He nicely and calmly explained, without making fun or me or making me feel stupid, that while Microsoft Explorer is a browser it is also hard wired into the inner workings of my computer and to all the user systems. Or something like that. It was technical. I sort of glazed over but the big picture is that deleting it is bad and that Bill Gates somehow makes it necessary to have The Big Blue E on all computers whether you want it there or not, or your computer will slowly self destruct. That's what I got out of ITSam's explanation, anyway.

So I said to him, "Um, if you were just some random IT guy who wasn't dating me that I called on a customer service help line, and told you what I did, after you fixed it, you and all the other IT guys would get together and compare stories of the dumbest customers of the day. And when you got to tell about the lady who deleted her Microsoft Explorer, you would win dumbest customer award, wouldn't you?" He grinned and said "yes, but I love you anyway."

Damn blue E,
Maggie

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Follow up to this morning's post: "2 interivews, 3 jobs... explode"

I had the English teacher at Alcatraz interview today. I felt like it went well. It was casual but serious. It also, almost, had that *wink wink nudge nudge* feel to it, like it was a game because they were so happy with me. Who knows, I could be wrong, but I feel like it went really really well. And I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach they're going to offer it to me.

I did learn three things about it:
1- it's going to be for 6 weeks and no more. There isn't even a hint or a clue it could be longer. The other teacher is VERY committed to coming back
2- It would be for three sections of freshmen English and for 2 sections of Junior English
3- it would all be for sub pay. Yes, it would be a totally temp. position for substitute teacher pay= $52 a day. Grading, lesson plans, teaching, prep, all for the low low price of $52 a day.

Guess I'll be hearing from everyone in on Wednesday. Since school starts AUGUST 12!!!

2 Interviews, 3 jobs, Maggie's head explodes

I have two job interviews today. I had one this morning and another yet this afternoon.

This morning, I had an interview with a program that oversees all the special education kids in the county. They work with the school corporations to make sure all services are being provided to the kids. They also hire some teachers and some aides and assign them to classes at certain schools. This is the place I worked for last school year who assigned me to the middle school.

I had two things happen at this interview. One, I was offered a job because I was, technically, still employed with them. The other thing that happened is that a different local school corporation has a job opening so they interviewed me. This all makes complete sense, right?

The job I interviewed for is to be an aide in a different middle school. I would be working with 7 and 8 grade kids in math and English. I'll know tomorrow if I'm offered this position. The pay for this is about $1.50 less than what I make now and the insurance SUCKS! This job would be for the entire 2010-2011 school year.

If I don't get the middle school aide job, I do have a fall back. I have a job. As an aide to a blind second grader. I would spend all day in second grade with this child. The insurance SUCKS but it's a continuation of what I make right now, money wise. This is also a full school year position.

So, tomorrow I'll get a phone call and be told I have a choice between the two, or that I can have the blind child job.

Let's throw this in the mix as well. I have a job interview today at Alcatraz. I'm interviewing to fill a maternity leave for an English teacher. It could be 6 or 9 weeks; they aren't even sure yet. But regardless, it's temporary but it would be teaching, and it would be all me teaching in my own room. At teacher pay. But temporary. (the science thing is a no go for two reasons. 1- I don't have enough science credits to get an emergency certification for that. 2- I don't have a teaching license here in this state so they can't get me a waiver to teach it.)

The English teacher interview is this afternoon at 3:15pm. Guess I'll know more then.

Temporary jobs? Less pay? Second grade, seriously, second grade? Crappy benefits?

My head hurts,
Maggie

Monday, August 2, 2010

Mum is the word on ITSam

I feel like I should write a big post about how much I really, really like, adore, like, maybe even L-Word (not, as Scott Pilgrim says, "lesbians" but the other L -Word) the new ITSam. But I'm afraid to jinx it. I'm afraid to say much because then it could go drastically wrong. I'm sort of afraid that if I sing his praises he'll turn into an asshole. Or the other shoe will drop. Or something like that.

He's really nice. He's polite, fun, charming, funny... He's kind, family oriented, romantic, sweet, and just a good person. You know when you meet someone in this world and you're struck by what a "good person" they are? He's one of those people. Everyone I know who knows him (not through me but before he and I met) says he a really good guy. All of his family that I've met are "good people". My friends and family who've met him think he's a good guy.

Dating a guy my age is different. I've dated younger men for lots of years so this is different. I'm not I can specifically say WHAT is different but it just is; and I don't mean in a bad way. Dating someone I went to high school with is also different; he recalls high school much more clearly than I do, so it's like we didn't attend the same school since I don't remember anyone or anything.

He told me on our second or third date that he's a guy who likes to be married, prefers to be married. He doesn't like dating but will date in order to find the right person. This is an interesting mind set. Maybe it falls under the category of dating a guy closer to my age since most younger men don't want to get married. He knows what he wants, won't play games, throws it out there. Interesting...

We spend most every minute outside of work together. We just chill out with his folks or with my dad. We hang with Mac or Jack (his son). We play board games and watch DVDs. We just walk around Wal-Mart or go to the mall. We tried on engagement rings. We clean out the car, run errands, and he helped me fold laundry. He fixed Mac's PS3 and operated on my computer. We go to Starbucks and book stores, we eat, and we TALK. We talk all the time- about everything.

So yeah... it's all good. Again, a bit closed mouthed because I'm worried about jinxing this. So, yeah, I would say it's good.

Mags

Sunday, August 1, 2010

What I should be doing today vs what I will be doing

I do not want to see Charlie St. Cloud. I thought it was about something else and I agreed to take Mac to see it- for some reason he only wanted to see it with me- and then when I read what it was about, I totally don't want to go. I don't even like Zac Efron. And if I try to bail or suggest something else, he'll be a butthead. But I have so many other things I'd rather be doing.

One of the other things I'd rather be doing is cleaning the garage. Maybe I should rephrase that. I wouldn't rather be doing it but it needs to be done. it needs to be done because I have crap all over the place in said Daddy-O's garage. And because my brother has some furniture for me and wants it out of his garage so he said he bringing it here on Wednesday. Whether I have a place for it or not. O-kay!

I also have something I NEED to do. I need to rework my resume and write a few cover letters because I might have an interview on Tuesday. For a science teacher job. That's right, you read correctly: SCIENCE TEACHER. Go ahead and laugh. I'll wait.... Alcatraz's science teacher quit suddenly and they only have 2 applicants. In my State, according to put weird department of education, I could be granted a 1 year teaching certificate even though I have 12 science credits to my name, and six of those hours were Ds. Yeah. But they think I could be a better fit. So the interview team is going to interview to other 2 candidates and if they decide they don't like them, they'll bring me in. So I maybe have a job interview on Tuesday. I need to get my info to the principal tomorrow morning so instead of seeing the movie I should be working.

On top of all this, I'm also going to ITSam's folk's house for Sunday dinner. Mac is invited to go too, but we'll see if he actually does. I realize I could say no, but I want to go to dinner. it's fun, it's good and it means I don't have to cook.

I have a feeling what will happen is that we'll see the movie, have Sunday dinner and then I'll have the evening to do my resume stuff. Nothing like a little weekend procrastination to spice things up. Bummer, no time for the garage...