Guaranteed laugh...

Ever need a pick me up?   I've been doing quite a bit of laughing this summer for many reasons, but I can tell you about 3 specific ones that you can enjoy...

1. damn you, autocorrect!  and more specifically, this post: Best of June 2011.
Here's a little taste of one of my favorites:

If you have a smartphone or ever text someone who does, you know about autocorrect.  It's true that what you type doesn't always come out the way you meant it.  In fact, I meant to call someone "bud" the other day and ending up calling him "bun", adding a whole new dimension of fun explaining.   But it also reminded me of Friends (what doesn't?)...  http://youtu.be/Goo5UJ0kQd0


2. The tv series Freaks and Geeks.  I'm, like, Waaaaay behind the times on this one.  First of all, it came out in 1999/2000.  I remember hearing the name back then and thinking "I should watch that," but I never did. And people have referenced it over the years, but finally last Sunday, my friend Jaime put the 18-episode-series-on-5-DVDs in my hand and said, "Do yourself a favor."  Since I have abundant time these days, I started it...   I'm on episode 10 and I LOVE IT.  It's so funny and so good and it's got SO MANY stars in it, "before they were stars".  

Listen to my friend Jaime and "Do yourself a favor."

3. I read on my iBooks the book "Sh*t My Dad Says".   It was so funny that I laughed out loud several, several times.  Read it.  And then give it to your Dad.

Happy Summer!  Laugh away!

Not an easy thing!

So, my mom and stepdad decided to move this year.  They left the Silverwood house and moved to Ghent. It's an incredibly timely and important move for them.  They are both closer to work and don't have to deal with the tunnel anymore.  Plus, no more yardwork!  There were lots of important reasons for them to move.

I love the Silverwood house...See love-of-home posts:  home and home

So their perfectly legitimate reasons didn't make it any easier for me.  I don't blame them for moving, obviously, and I was surprised at how upset I was at the idea of no longer having my "childhood home" to return to every few months.  As I told my mom, who did not like the idea of me being upset of course, it wouldn't matter if they sold it 10 years earlier or 5 years from now, this would be difficult for me anytime!  I kind of looked at it like "this wonderful place was the only constant home I've ever had... moved there when I was 3, it was dad's house for a bit then it was mom's house while I was in elementary, middle, high school, then all through college when I lived in 4 different places in 4 years, then all those summers I spent in Maine, and even when I got my first apartment in Ghent and my shared house in Arlington... that was my Home, the place I could always return to and feel comfortable and safe.

I did get to say goodbye, though, in my own way.  It was the first weekend in March this year.  I was home and I wasn't sure I'd be able to get to back to the house before mom sold it.  As I was just about to leave and doing my regular "walk through the house and look for things I may have left behind", I noticed the living room window.  I've blogged about this window before.  I stood and stared at it for a minute, really taking in the view, the window, everything about it.  And I felt myself starting to cry because I knew in my heart it would be the last time I looked out at that window.  I said goodbye to my mom and fake-out-high-fived my stepdad Rick (it's how we say both hello and goodbye).  The second I got in the car and pulled away from that house for the last time, I burst into tears.  I was a mess but I knew if I stopped, it wouldn't make anything better or easier for anybody, so I kept heading toward Arlington.  I called my mom a few minutes later and cried to her, "It's just so sad!"  She listened but I know a part of her was feeling bad for the changes.  She shouldn't, of course, but that's what moms do.

I'm a big girl.  I'll be fine.  I'll always miss that house.  I love that Silverwood home.  And I love my mom, too, so wherever she is will be home to me.

******************************************************************************

Sidenote... part of the moving that weekend was bringing some items from my old childhood to Joy's parents house for Owen.  I gave them my old writing table and my rocking horse. (Charlie Horse.  Yup, that's what we named him).

A couple days ago, I got this picture and it makes me smile every time I look at it:

The look on my sweet O's face on my old horse...


sigh :)

A post for yesterday

Justice.

It's been a common theme in my life.   Sometimes I want it, sometimes I see it, sometimes it's missing but it's something that's very important to me.

Justice was served today in the form of heartache.  That stinks but not for the person whose side I'm on...

You may notice that I already have two blog posts about her...  here and here: don't cave, sandy!

Don't Cave Sandy is in reference to her divorce from sleazebag Jesse James.  I'm proud to report that she didn't cave and instead adopted the most beautiful baby boy and is doin' the damn thing of raising him on her own.  Go Girl!

Her sleazebag ex took up immediately and very publicly with a yucky tattooed loudmouth.  They soon got engaged but ready for the justice???

They broke up!

I'm sorry this post is both bitter and riddled with celebrity gossip, but I love Sandra Bullock and she's a model for strength in a woman.  But I bet secretly she's a little happy about this...

:)


"A Post for Yesterday" = yesterday was her Birthday.  Happy Birthday, Sandra!

Um, hello July.

Hey!

It's the mysterious monthly blogger!    Just kidding.  I've been starting my summer!

The last week in June, I mostly just slept, played, recovered from the school year and studied for my Math final (which I, nerdily enough, got a 99 on!!).   So, I officially passed the math course.

The week before the 4th of July was spent preparing for my trip to Deep Creek Lake with some amazing friends.  We were there Friday the 1st until Tuesday the 5th and every part of it was wonderful.  Some people are just meant to be on the water.  I am one of those people. Here are some pics:

Some ladies and I went on a hike to Swallow Falls.

 Kristin and I didn't know what to do with our hands...

 Jaime and I did!

 Listened to some good tunes...

 Saw some beautiful firework displays by the men of our group...

 I made a cake!

 This is Jaime's parents' backyard...

 The strongest woman in the world...

 Gets some liquid courage and back dives off the boat...

 Waving a friendly boatersby...

Since then, I've been spending my time continuing to work on my tan and studying for the Oceanography final that I'm taking TOMORROW MORNING.  Once that is over, I hope I'll feel like my life is my own again!!

Happy Summer!

Summertime is here again...

Well, not surprisingly, June flew by.  With 7 college credits, packing up a classroom and the bits and pieces that constitute the end of a year, I feel like I blinked and June is almost over.

But you know what is actually over?   The 2010-2011 school year.   And boy was it a good one.  I love those little faces so much.   I CAN'T WAIT to be their teacher next year!!   Making the decision to loop up to 4th grade with the exact same class makes me really excited for September.

That being said, I AM SO GLAD IT'S SUMMER TIME!!!  I need a break!  I need some naps!  I need some playtime!   I need to do my college work and finish those classes so I can relax my mind and be ready for a new year.

Last summer, I made a giant To-Do list.  And I accomplished most of it.   Today, after last night's big playtime and a huge nap, I tried to make a To-Do list for this summer.

Here it is so far:

Yup.   I'm not ready to have responsibilities yet.  I'll try again tomorrow...

Phebe's turn

I said everything I needed to say tonight, but as soon as I hit send, Phebe apparently had a few things to say....

Sorry it's dark, but it's bedtime.  She had a lot to tell me.  ("What?  You pooped in the refrigerator?  And... you ate a whole wheel of cheese?  That's... I'm not not even mad, that's amazing.")

Randoms, also Hello June

1.  Tonight I brushed my teeth with my left hand.   I'm right handed.  It felt weird but I think I'm going to do it until it doesn't feel weird anymore.   No, I don't know why.

2.  This evening I thought for a LONG time about who should get their hair cut first:  Me or Phebe.  I still haven't figured out who'll be first.

3. Tomorrow we finish SOL testing!!   And I am telling my students the "Big News".  Reaction tomorrow.

4. My math class is kind of crazy but I also like it.  Weird, right?   Let's not talk about the science one. I'm in a good mood.

5. I downloaded "iBooks" on my phone and bought some books to read off my phone.   I read all of Water for Elephants (pretty good-- didn't WOW me like it did everyone else but I think that's because too much of it made me sad and scared to age!) and now I'm reading The Help. I LOVE The Help so far.  It's awesome and it's really nice to read it on my phone as I'm falling asleep.    Part of me thinks reading a book on the smartphone is Too Technological but another part of me thinks I saved a tree and my phone is a lot easier to carry around.  I think both parts are right.

6. 13 and a half days of school left.   But who's counting?

7. I deep cleaned my room yesterday, GROTSing a lot of stuff.  GROTS is a term my mom made up:  Get Rid Of The Sh**.   Feels nice.

8.  To save some money, I lowered my phone plan.  I guess I didn't realize how much I actually talked on the phone (hello, Savannah and West Virginia and mom?  I'm dumb) because I am near my limit of minutes and the new cycle doesn't start until June 7!!    I am going to try one more month like this and then most likely switch back to my old plan.

9. Most days I have at least 13 Words With Friends games waiting to be played.  Most days I catch up.   Some days I do not and it's ok.

10. My dog chewed my underwear today.  It was the first time in 2 years.  I'm not happy and I hope this trend doesn't continue.  Yes, they were in my hamper.  Yes, she scaled its two foot walls.  Yes, it's kinda gross.  I don't like that dogs do that.

Happy June.  Summer is on the horizon, I can see it...

Sea of Love

Memorial Day weekend was absolutely beautiful.   As you read about the snippets, listen to this song...




Friday came with a half day of school and time to do schoolwork.  I got quite a bit of Oceanography complete on Friday night which was great because it made me feel like I may be able to do it.  Just don't say the "t" word (test). :)

Saturday, the weather was GORGEOUS and it was Brett and Micah's wedding day.  Everything about Saturday was absolutely perfect.  From dropping off their flowers, to getting ready at the hotel with Tara and Kate, to laughing with friends, to dancing with friends, to enjoying friends, to making new friends... just all the parts of it were amazing.   The song you're listening to right now was Micah and Brett's first dance and about a minute in, the entire bridal party joined them on the dance floor.  It was beautiful!   Just an amazing couple, an amazing time.

Sunday, I got a big brunch and rehashed the wedding with Alli and Lou, then we all went to join Jaime at her pool for daiquiris and naps.  We were all so peaceful and happy to be outside enjoying the weather and the company.  We went out to dinner that night and then out on the town for what turned out to be Quite a fun time (how could it not?  This weekend was so blissful, it would have taken A LOT to ruin it).

Monday, was a pregame BBQ at Amber and Charles', then a Nationals-Phillies baseball game.  The weather was miserably hot, but it was hard to be miserable when you're surrounded by awesome people having a great time.

A little bit sunburned, a lot more relaxed, and lucky to have friends and family who are wonderful and love when I came back up to the top of the roller coaster...  this weekend was just what was needed.  Time to take a deep breath, to laugh, to dance and to realize that stress is temporary.

I'm glad to be back, too :)

Spinning

I'm here to warn you this post is primarily negative.   I promise I will try to find the positive at the end because that what you are supposed to do, but right now I'm kind of spinning.

I want to just bullet point all the stressors in my life right now that have kept me in hiding.  Hiding is my defense mechanism when I feel overwhelmed.  I wish it wasn't but I can acknowledge that I do it.  I'm trying to get better at it.  I'm sorry if you've been trying to contact me recently and I've been hiding.  I still love you.

• May has been fun and amazing and busy and overwhelming.
• The first week I went to Massachusetts.  It was one of the most amazing trips of my life and I worked some professional development there that reaffirmed what my teaching goals are.
• The second week I realized that I REALLY wanted to Loop with my class to 4th grade.  In mid-April, I wrote to the Va Dept. of Education to find out what credit hours I need to extend my teaching certification from pK-3rd to pK-6th.  I found out the 2nd week in May. I need a basic math and a basic science.  Ok! I thought.  But in the back of my mind, I was super annoyed at JMU for not telling me.  I mean, I could have knocked those out in a May session or two. Grr.   So within the span of 2 days, I applied and got in (haha) to Northern Va community college and registered for the two courses I need:  a 6 week math course (two nights/week 6p-9:30p on the campus) and an 8 week online course.  
• Third week in May meant a weekend away at the beach and I love the beach.  And I loved the girls I went with.  Also meant the start of my classes.  Also yikes.
• Fourth week in May is now.  It's going to get its own bullets.
• I'm completely overwhelmed taking 7 college credits and working full time at school and planning and getting 3rd graders prepared for SOL tests and ending the school year (18 days).
• I've already fallen behind in my science course and I'm nervous about not being able to catch up.
• I stressed myself out so much about my math test last Monday that I ended up with a sinus infection (which I did beat without medicine) but it took me down for a few days. 
• ALL FOUR OF MY PARENTS have been in the ER over the past week for various maladies.  Most are perfectly fine.  That I have to say Most and not All is terrifying me to my core.  I will reveal absolutely zero details on here except to say that I love my parents and it's absolutely KILLING me to live 3 hours away. 
• My college classes are making me nervous.  They don't end until July 11.   I want to have a summer.  I'm nervous that I won't have much of one.
• Sleep would be nice but are you surprised that I am having trouble doing that?

• You know when you're stressed and stuff just seems a million times worse than it probably actually is?

• Also, there was a dead chipmunk in the backyard.  It was maggoty and I almost vomited.  I did not move it because I couldn't.  Gross.

So yeah, that's where I am.  And you might not know it by looking at me.   Well, you would tonight because it's written all over my face.  Puffy eyes, permanent brow crease, the works.  

Remember when I told you I would find the positive?   well....

I'll find some next week or tomorrow or even later tonight.  I promise.   For right now I have to go for a run because if I don't, I might explode.

Mom said just keep putting one foot in front of the other and only look at one day at a time, not the big picture right now because that's what's stressing me out. 

I know she's right.

One foot.

My Mom

I love my Mom.   She's there when I need her.  She can make conversation with anyone.  She put up with me for 29 years!

Happy Mom's Day, Mom.  I love you every day.