So, I'm sure many of you remember the show, Seinfeld..."the show about nothing". Well today's post is going to be a "blog about nothing"...pure randomness. ENJOY!
* Seinfeld was a show that I didn't fully appreciate when it was on. I watched a few episodes here and there, and then I finally started watching it every week towards the end. I always thought it was funny (I mean, pirate sleeves, the Elaine dance, Kramer winning the Tony Award, and the soup nazi?! Super funny). But it wasn't until I started watching reruns, that I truly began to appreciate the brilliance of that show.
* If I was pregnant, I would have a lot more to blog about. (There goes that baby fever thing, again!)
* My sister-in-law was recounting the slumber party she threw for her 11 year old daughter and said that she heard enough "I know, right's and OMG's" to last a life time. I remember when I was in middle school, it was "like this...like that...like totally...like, like, like"
* That reminds me of that Snoop Dogg song lyric, "It's like this and like that and like this and uh. It's like that and like this and like that and uh. It's like this." I know, lyrical brilliance isn't it?!
* I saw Charlie St. Cloud a couple of weeks ago, and I must confess...I've got a bit of a crush on Zack Effron. I never got what the hype was about when he was all High School Musical. But now...he's older, buffed up, and quite dreamy!
* I am in desperate need of a date night.
* Who decided that football games at 8:30 on a Saturday morning where you have to be across town by 8:00, which means we have to leave the house by 7:40 were a good idea? Did I mention that it's a Saturday morning...the one day that I'm supposed to be able to sleep in? Ugh.
* I wonder why Mason feels the need to inform me every time he needs to poop. He can be in the middle of doing something in another room, and he'll just stop and yell, "Mommy! I need to poop!". Not that he needs help or anything. Maybe it's just because he takes so darn long that he doesn't want me to worry if I don't see him or hear from him for a while. Who knows.
* So, I did my 30 days of excercise with my DVD. I really liked it (Not the excercise part. But just the knowing that even if it didn't show in numbers, I was doing something good for myself). I even did it for the first week of school. But I haven't since. And I don't feel bad about it. So unless you: have 2 school aged kids who aren't old enough to drive, work 50 hours a week, have to cook and clean when you get home, have more work from your job to do at home, have football practice & church class, have groceries to get for home and work, and have leukemia...I don't want any lectures about it.
* Wow! That was much more attitude-y than I had planned for it to be. Oh well. I meant it to be light-hearted snarkyness. So, please take it that way.
* I'm $14 short on my Domestic Abuse Walk-a-thon goal. So, if you're reading this and you're interested, you can send me a check made out to "Noah Project Walk-a-thon".
* I am really wanting to settle down and read a good book. I can't imagine when in the world I'll actually find time to do that in the near futures, but I'm feeling the need to. I can't see it happening before Christmas, but who knows...
* I've got to go...Grey's Anatomy just started. Peace out!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
An Ode to Fall...
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways (in no particular order):
1) Football: OK, so maybe my Cowboys lost last night, but that's OK. It was a crappy game, and #71 (whom Jerry Jones needs to fire, by the way) was probably about 1/3 of the problem. If not for his penalty on the last play of the game, we could have (would have) won. That's not to say it was all his fault...there were a lot of mistakes made. But anyway, at least the Longhorns have won both of their games. Even my high school team, the Cooper Cougars, has won both of their games. It's early, and I have faith in the Cowboys. I just love the excitement of it all!
2) New TV: Yes, I watch too much of it, but I don't care. It makes laundry, grading papers, and even the rare times I get to just lay on the couch much better. Although 2 of my all-time favorites (LOST and 24) are not coming back, I am still looking forward to the return of: Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, Parenthood, The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town, How I Met Your Mother, Desperate Housewives, Community, Fringe, Private Practice, Glee, and I'm sure there may even be more that I'm missing. I'm so excited!
3) Cooler Weather: Don't laugh. I know it's still plenty hot. But at least we're not in the triple digits anymore! And besides, this is only the beginning. I love a crisp chill in the air and wearing jackets & sweaters. So yes, it's not cool yet, but it won't be too much longer...I can't wait...I hate being hot!
4) Soups: I can eat canned soup and soup from restaurants all year long, but I just don't feel right about making my delicious homemade soups until Fall and Winter. My stand-by's are Bacon Cheeseburger Soup and Chicken Tortilla Soup. But last year Ialso found pretty good recipes for Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup and Broccoli Cheese Soup. I just love all of the chopping that's involved. Yum...I can almost taste it now.
5) Holidays: 2 of my 3 favorite holidays are in the fall...Halloween and Thanksgiving. I just love how excited the kids get at Halloween. I enjoy planning and making (at least partially) their costumes. And I love the colors and decorations, too (although I don't have much). As for Thanksgiving, it's a close 2nd to Christmas. It has all of the same good food and the same good family time, but it's a bit more relaxing...plus it's got the Cowboys. (But Christmas is just Christmas, and it just doesn't get better than that.)
Those are some of the reasons why Fall has become my favorite season (and let's not forget the colors and scents that come along with this season...they're delightful)! Yes, I know it's not technically Fall yet...but it's close enough.
So now it's your turn...tell me about your favorite season and why you love it.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
4 Years and 7 Days Ago...
I know, it's a clever title isn't it? But it's not exactly accurate. I just thought it sounded better than 4 years and 11 days ago (that doesn't have the same Gettysburg Address feeling, does it?). And it also goes to show you that in the hustle and bustle of the first two weeks of school, I let my 4 year anniversary date go by unnoticed. Now, that's not to say that I forgot that I have Leukemia. It's just that I was too busy to notice the technicality of it being 4 years since I was diagnosed.
This realization has made me reflect back on that day and the week that followed.
I briefly summarized that day on my second ever blog post (along with the months that preceded and followed it), but I'm feeling the need to reflect in more detail. But here is what I posted then: August 25, 2006 = The first day that our new insurance goes into affect, I get myself to the doctor. I'm not that worried. I get in at 3:30. I tell him about the mass and about my bruising. He starts asking me questions: "Have you been having headaches?"--yes, but I haven't had my eyes checked in 2 years...I probably just need glasses. "Have you been having night sweats?"--sure, but isn't everyone...it's been 104 degrees outside. "What about fatigue?"--of course...I'm a teacher and a mother of 2. By 4:00, he's testing my blood (so they can rule out anything serious). By 4:15, the hematologist/oncologist is telling me that I have leukemia. By 4:30, I am being admitted into the hospital to have my first bone marrow biopsy done.
This time, I'd like to start at 4:20 on that day: So, I had just been told that I had Leukemia and that I had to be admitted into the hospital. The doctor's office was connected to the hospital, so a nurse was just going to walk me in to the ER. What's the first thing I think? "Wait, what about Kevin and the kids?" Kevin had dropped me off so he could take the kids to the pediatrician down the street. He would be back soon to pick me up. (Looking back, I'm still not sure I went about this the best way, but I still can't think of an option that would have been better either.) I knew I didn't want him to get there and have to be told by a nurse about what had happened. I didn't want him to hear it from a stranger...I wanted him to hear it from me. But they wouldn't let me wait for him. They said I had to go right away in order to get the necessary tests done that day. So, I decided to call him. (Now, I'm thinking about my husband who had already had to deal with losing his dad to a heart attack and his mom to breast cancer. How do I possibly tell him that now his wife has leukemia? It seemed like too much.) I didn't know how else to do it, so I just took a deep breath and tried not to cry too much when I told him. The pediatrician and nurses kind of kept the kids while he collected himself, and then they met me at the hospital while I was getting ready for my first bone marrow biopsy (having no idea what to expect, or really even what that meant). When I remember the look on his face when he saw me, it makes me cry every time. I had just laid so much on him, and then I had to leave him to call in to work, keep the kids, and call my parents to let them know. (I can't imagine what that conversation must have been like...having to tell your mother and father-in law that their daughter is sick...getting that call from your son-in-law.) But throughout all of that, I never really thought much about me. I had a very peaceful feeling about that for myself. My fears and sadness only came in when I thought about how much this was all going to affect the people in my life. I can only imagine how I would have felt if the situation had been reversed, and I'm so sorry about that.
That evening, I was told that I would have to be in the hospital for at least 5 more days (Saturday through Wednesday). I wasn't worried about the kids. (My parents, my sister, my little brother, Kevin's sister, and Kevin's brother were all on their way. And my parents were going to stay at least until I was home.) I was worried about school. The next week was only going to be the 3rd week of school, and you just don't miss days like that at the beginning of the year. I didn't have anyone's phone number, so I just had Kevin call my friend, Tosha, because I knew her number was in the phone book. And that very night, I was visited by my her and some of my other besties from school who assured me they had everything taken care of (lesson plans, copies, helping the sub, and anything else that would come up that week).
In case I had forgotten, or had taken it for granted, I was vividly reminded during the days that followed my diagnosis of how blessed I was (and still am) to have such wonderful people in my life who care so much about me. I truly don't know how we would have gotten through that week without everyone. From taking care of the kids, the house, and groceries, taking care of school things, keeping our spirits high, keeping our minds occupied, and even decorating my hospital room, Kevin and I really couldn't have done it without our friends and family.
So, here's a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped us through that week and who continues to help us in any way they can...the biggest of which is prayer! But I'd like to give a special shout-out to a few (in no particular order): Kevin, Mom & Dad, Sheila, Jaime, Josh, Joel, Tosha, Katie, Karen, Kristin, Melanie, Angela, Lisa, Micah, Elliott, Sandy, Sheila W., and many others. I love you all and appreciate everything you did (and still do) more than words can say.
This realization has made me reflect back on that day and the week that followed.
I briefly summarized that day on my second ever blog post (along with the months that preceded and followed it), but I'm feeling the need to reflect in more detail. But here is what I posted then: August 25, 2006 = The first day that our new insurance goes into affect, I get myself to the doctor. I'm not that worried. I get in at 3:30. I tell him about the mass and about my bruising. He starts asking me questions: "Have you been having headaches?"--yes, but I haven't had my eyes checked in 2 years...I probably just need glasses. "Have you been having night sweats?"--sure, but isn't everyone...it's been 104 degrees outside. "What about fatigue?"--of course...I'm a teacher and a mother of 2. By 4:00, he's testing my blood (so they can rule out anything serious). By 4:15, the hematologist/oncologist is telling me that I have leukemia. By 4:30, I am being admitted into the hospital to have my first bone marrow biopsy done.
This time, I'd like to start at 4:20 on that day: So, I had just been told that I had Leukemia and that I had to be admitted into the hospital. The doctor's office was connected to the hospital, so a nurse was just going to walk me in to the ER. What's the first thing I think? "Wait, what about Kevin and the kids?" Kevin had dropped me off so he could take the kids to the pediatrician down the street. He would be back soon to pick me up. (Looking back, I'm still not sure I went about this the best way, but I still can't think of an option that would have been better either.) I knew I didn't want him to get there and have to be told by a nurse about what had happened. I didn't want him to hear it from a stranger...I wanted him to hear it from me. But they wouldn't let me wait for him. They said I had to go right away in order to get the necessary tests done that day. So, I decided to call him. (Now, I'm thinking about my husband who had already had to deal with losing his dad to a heart attack and his mom to breast cancer. How do I possibly tell him that now his wife has leukemia? It seemed like too much.) I didn't know how else to do it, so I just took a deep breath and tried not to cry too much when I told him. The pediatrician and nurses kind of kept the kids while he collected himself, and then they met me at the hospital while I was getting ready for my first bone marrow biopsy (having no idea what to expect, or really even what that meant). When I remember the look on his face when he saw me, it makes me cry every time. I had just laid so much on him, and then I had to leave him to call in to work, keep the kids, and call my parents to let them know. (I can't imagine what that conversation must have been like...having to tell your mother and father-in law that their daughter is sick...getting that call from your son-in-law.) But throughout all of that, I never really thought much about me. I had a very peaceful feeling about that for myself. My fears and sadness only came in when I thought about how much this was all going to affect the people in my life. I can only imagine how I would have felt if the situation had been reversed, and I'm so sorry about that.
That evening, I was told that I would have to be in the hospital for at least 5 more days (Saturday through Wednesday). I wasn't worried about the kids. (My parents, my sister, my little brother, Kevin's sister, and Kevin's brother were all on their way. And my parents were going to stay at least until I was home.) I was worried about school. The next week was only going to be the 3rd week of school, and you just don't miss days like that at the beginning of the year. I didn't have anyone's phone number, so I just had Kevin call my friend, Tosha, because I knew her number was in the phone book. And that very night, I was visited by my her and some of my other besties from school who assured me they had everything taken care of (lesson plans, copies, helping the sub, and anything else that would come up that week).
In case I had forgotten, or had taken it for granted, I was vividly reminded during the days that followed my diagnosis of how blessed I was (and still am) to have such wonderful people in my life who care so much about me. I truly don't know how we would have gotten through that week without everyone. From taking care of the kids, the house, and groceries, taking care of school things, keeping our spirits high, keeping our minds occupied, and even decorating my hospital room, Kevin and I really couldn't have done it without our friends and family.
So, here's a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped us through that week and who continues to help us in any way they can...the biggest of which is prayer! But I'd like to give a special shout-out to a few (in no particular order): Kevin, Mom & Dad, Sheila, Jaime, Josh, Joel, Tosha, Katie, Karen, Kristin, Melanie, Angela, Lisa, Micah, Elliott, Sandy, Sheila W., and many others. I love you all and appreciate everything you did (and still do) more than words can say.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Chicken Vagina...
Ok, due to a sheer lack of brain power left for anything other than nonsense, I thought I would devote an entire blog post to something that I've mentioned several times in passing: mistaken lyrics.
Some of you might remember the story of my mom mistaking the Barenaked Ladies lyric, "Chickety China, the Chinese Chicken" for "Chicken Vagina the Chinese Chicken" and her shock and horror after hearing it. But I have a few others that I can't remember if I've posted on here or not.
But first, I have a link for a wonderful song for which almost none of the words are understandable (which allows for a rather hillarious and random translation)...Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam.
Much to Young by Garth Brooks = I heard "lonely women and baboons" but it was actually "lonely women and bad booze".
If I Didn't Have You by Randy Travis = I heard "I'd be floundering around like chimpanzee" but it was actually "I'd be floundering around like a ship at sea".
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey = Hannah heard "the smell of wine and sheep buffoon" but it was actually "the smell of wine and cheap perfume".
So that' it for me. I'm keeping it short and sweet today. But I'd LOVE it if you would post some of your own mistaken lyrics.
Go for it!
Some of you might remember the story of my mom mistaking the Barenaked Ladies lyric, "Chickety China, the Chinese Chicken" for "Chicken Vagina the Chinese Chicken" and her shock and horror after hearing it. But I have a few others that I can't remember if I've posted on here or not.
But first, I have a link for a wonderful song for which almost none of the words are understandable (which allows for a rather hillarious and random translation)...Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam.
Much to Young by Garth Brooks = I heard "lonely women and baboons" but it was actually "lonely women and bad booze".
If I Didn't Have You by Randy Travis = I heard "I'd be floundering around like chimpanzee" but it was actually "I'd be floundering around like a ship at sea".
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey = Hannah heard "the smell of wine and sheep buffoon" but it was actually "the smell of wine and cheap perfume".
So that' it for me. I'm keeping it short and sweet today. But I'd LOVE it if you would post some of your own mistaken lyrics.
Go for it!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Positive Thinking...
Ahhh.....the power of positive thinking..."I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." ~The Little Engine That Could
"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonit, people like me." ~Stewart Smalley (SNL)
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it might annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." ~Herm Albright
As I sit at home recovering from a long day that was capped off by Meet the Teacher Night, I am forced to acknowledge the fact that summer is really over...that a new school year is really starting. And as I consider the fact that my 7th year of teaching is about to begin, I realize that I am left with two options: I can dread it and fret over it and think about how trying it will be, OR I can think about how great it's going to be to see my friends each day and how fortunate I am to have a job like this. And since I am typically a "glass half-full" kind of girl, I'm going with positive thinking.
SO, how about this:
~Instead of thinking about how I have 20 kids to reign in on a daily basis, I can think about how those 20 kids are giving me a much needed escape from my own kids.
~Instead of thinking about how many papers I'm going to have to grade, I can think about how it will give me something to do while baseball season drags on.
~Instead of thinking about all of the paperwork that has to be done in a given year, I can think about all of the opportunities I'll have to improve my handwriting.
~Instead of thinking about dealing with 20 sets of parents, I can think about getting in good enough with 20 sets of parents to get some pretty decent gifts.
~Instead of thinking about how I'll be out of the house for 10-11 hours a day, I can think about how Hannah and Mason will be out of the house for that long, too...which hopefully means less mess. (I mean as long as I have postivite thinking, I might as well throw in some wishful thinking, too!)
~Instead of thinking about how incredibly worn out I'm going to be, I can think about how at least now I'll actually have an excuse for not getting things done around the house.
Seriously, though, I am going to think positive thoughts about this year. It's a fresh start and a new beginning. Now that doesn't mean I'm not going to gripe and complain from time to time (oh, trust me, I will), but as for now I'm going to focus on my mantra for the year, "It's gonna be great." Nothing fancy, no bells and whistles. Just something short and sweet that I can say over and over again if needed: It's gonna be great...it's gonna be great...it's gonna be great.
Do any of you have any positive thoughts to share (instead of thinking ___, I can think ___)?
Come on...you know you want to...
As I sit at home recovering from a long day that was capped off by Meet the Teacher Night, I am forced to acknowledge the fact that summer is really over...that a new school year is really starting. And as I consider the fact that my 7th year of teaching is about to begin, I realize that I am left with two options: I can dread it and fret over it and think about how trying it will be, OR I can think about how great it's going to be to see my friends each day and how fortunate I am to have a job like this. And since I am typically a "glass half-full" kind of girl, I'm going with positive thinking.
SO, how about this:
~Instead of thinking about how I have 20 kids to reign in on a daily basis, I can think about how those 20 kids are giving me a much needed escape from my own kids.
~Instead of thinking about how many papers I'm going to have to grade, I can think about how it will give me something to do while baseball season drags on.
~Instead of thinking about all of the paperwork that has to be done in a given year, I can think about all of the opportunities I'll have to improve my handwriting.
~Instead of thinking about dealing with 20 sets of parents, I can think about getting in good enough with 20 sets of parents to get some pretty decent gifts.
~Instead of thinking about how I'll be out of the house for 10-11 hours a day, I can think about how Hannah and Mason will be out of the house for that long, too...which hopefully means less mess. (I mean as long as I have postivite thinking, I might as well throw in some wishful thinking, too!)
~Instead of thinking about how incredibly worn out I'm going to be, I can think about how at least now I'll actually have an excuse for not getting things done around the house.
Seriously, though, I am going to think positive thoughts about this year. It's a fresh start and a new beginning. Now that doesn't mean I'm not going to gripe and complain from time to time (oh, trust me, I will), but as for now I'm going to focus on my mantra for the year, "It's gonna be great." Nothing fancy, no bells and whistles. Just something short and sweet that I can say over and over again if needed: It's gonna be great...it's gonna be great...it's gonna be great.
Do any of you have any positive thoughts to share (instead of thinking ___, I can think ___)?
Come on...you know you want to...
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Just Feeling Snarky...
So, I thought about doing something deep and insightful (cuz, you know, I'm a pretty insightful person), but I thought better of it. I'm just in the mood to be snarky, so here we go...
Dear Summer,
I have such split feelings about you. While I love not having to work and being able to get some color back on my pasty-white skin, I just can't stand this heat! So I'm torn. Part of me is saying, "Summer, please stay", because I'm just not ready to go back to work. But the other part of me is saying, "For crying out loud! I'm SO tired of sweating!!"
Confused and Sweaty,
Cakes
Dear Football Season,
I'm SO glad you're back! I can't wait to see what you have in store. I don't want to jinx anything, so I'll just leave it at "How 'bout them Cowboys?!" and "Hook 'em Horns!"
Excited and Hopeful,
Cakes
Dear Sinus Infection,
Please go away. I really don't like only being able to breathe out of one nostril...it's quite annoying. My head hurts, my nose is raw, and how much snot could really be in there anyway. I mean, really?! Ugh...
Stuffy and Whiny,
Cakes
Dear Fall TV,
I'm counting down the days. There are only so many Rangers Games and Wipeout shows (which I do actually enjoy) that I can watch. But there's just nothing else on! I mean, you can't actually expect me to do anything productive rather than watch TV, can you?
Ready and Waiting,
Cakes
Well, I guess that's enough for now. If you have sarcasm you'd like to contribute, go right ahead!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Live From New York...
Yes, Saturday Night Live has been around for what seems like forever. Yes, there have been times when it sucked (OK, maybe a lot of times). But there have also been a lot of times when it did its job and made me laugh. Here are some of my favorites (some of the few that I could actually find clips for anyway) from the old school to the new school...and in between. I've got them organized by actor...check 'em out!
~ Will Ferrell: Ah, as I'm sure Mom would agree, there are just too many to choose from! I'll give it my best shot and just pick a few. How about Jeopardy, Cowbell, Hot Tub, and many, many others!
~ Val Kilmer: I know, I know...not who you usually think of when you think SNL, but he did an episode in 2000 that had a couple of gems! Unfortunately, there is only one clip available online. The one that I was not able to find was Behind the Music: Rock and Roll Heaven. It was all about dead rock stars in heaven with people like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Buddy Holly, and Jim Morrison (played by Kilmer). He put together this super band and Will Ferrell played Jesus (head of the record label in Heaven), and when he heard the band, he was like "Oh my Dad!" Anyway, the one I did find was the Iceman sketch.
~Amy Poehler: I really enjoyed her on the short lived reoccurring sketch, Appalachian Emergency Room, but once again, I couldn't find any clips for you. But there's always Kaitlyn (you know, the annoying girl with her step-dad, Rick), and one legged Amber.
~Alec Baldwin: Schweddy Balls....need I say more? And what about this one?
~Chris Farley: Here are some classics...Van Down by the River, and Chipendales.
~Justin Timberlake: No, he's not a cast member, but he never fails to crack me up: Plasticville, Single Ladies, and perhaps the best skit ever (right, mom?)...D*** in a Box!
~ Miscellaneous: Landshark, McGruber, Debbie Downer
~ Will Ferrell: Ah, as I'm sure Mom would agree, there are just too many to choose from! I'll give it my best shot and just pick a few. How about Jeopardy, Cowbell, Hot Tub, and many, many others!
~ Val Kilmer: I know, I know...not who you usually think of when you think SNL, but he did an episode in 2000 that had a couple of gems! Unfortunately, there is only one clip available online. The one that I was not able to find was Behind the Music: Rock and Roll Heaven. It was all about dead rock stars in heaven with people like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Buddy Holly, and Jim Morrison (played by Kilmer). He put together this super band and Will Ferrell played Jesus (head of the record label in Heaven), and when he heard the band, he was like "Oh my Dad!" Anyway, the one I did find was the Iceman sketch.
~Amy Poehler: I really enjoyed her on the short lived reoccurring sketch, Appalachian Emergency Room, but once again, I couldn't find any clips for you. But there's always Kaitlyn (you know, the annoying girl with her step-dad, Rick), and one legged Amber.
~Alec Baldwin: Schweddy Balls....need I say more? And what about this one?
~Chris Farley: Here are some classics...Van Down by the River, and Chipendales.
~Justin Timberlake: No, he's not a cast member, but he never fails to crack me up: Plasticville, Single Ladies, and perhaps the best skit ever (right, mom?)...D*** in a Box!
~ Miscellaneous: Landshark, McGruber, Debbie Downer
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