Hmmmm

"Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly,
Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
And never regret anything that made you smile." ....quote I received through email

Life is short---depends on your perspective. Some may think it isn't short enough and other may think that 80 years is too short of a time to leave their mark.

Break the rules---if you do then your life will be really short.

Forgive quickly---Forget slowly

Kiss slowly---depends on who you are kissing. Matthew McConaughey slow very slow...Great Aunt Mabel fast very fast!!!

Love truly---AGREE

Laugh uncontrollably---especially when someone falls

And never regret anything that made you smile---even if it hurts people you love?!?!

"I do all my own stunts"

That is what A's shirt said today. It was quite fitting since he got his first set of x-rays today. Last night he decided to do some kind of Matrix-like jump off the couch onto L's activity table. Needless to say he needs to work on his landing because he didn't "nail" it. Instead he gets up screaming and limping towards me. We put ice on it the best we could. But it started swelling. He limped around here all evening even trying to chase Abbie with the corn popper. That was a site to be seen. Anyway we sent him to bed hoping that he would get up in the morning walking straight.

He didn't so I called and got him an appt with the doc. The doctor has us get x-rays. That is something that I don't ever want to do again. A screamed like ever hair in his head were being plucked one by one. I was dripping with sweat. It wasn't so bad until the lady had to shoot the last (of 8) xrays 4 times until she got it right. But the way before we started the lady asks me if there is anyway that I may be pregnant. I gasped and almost lost all composure. Pregnant? "I sure hope not" was my answer. Please warn a sister next time you're going to ask me such a loaded question. Let me atleast hold onto something. I feel like I need to be de-jinxed.

Well the doctor called a few hours later to let us know that nothing is broken. Thank goodness. He just has a bad sprain. He is still limping around (kinda breaks your heart). But don't worry I got some video of it. :) Doc says if he doesn't stop limping in 2 days that we need to call. Hopefully it will work itself out. I really don't want to be asked any "Are you pregnant?" questions again any time soon.

Private!!

I recently set my myspace to private, deleted any students on my friend list, and identity proofed my blog. I have really felt that my right to freedom of speech has been violated this past week. Just because I teach means that I can not have any opinions or voice my frustration. Therefore I will crawl back in my shell. What other profession has to keep their opinions, feelings, and life under wraps?

Anybody Out There?

Does anyone really read my blog? If you do send me a shout out just so I know that my efforts are not completely in vain. Hopefully, if you do read my blog you find some sort of entertainment in it. Also if I do find that people read it I will be more apt to post more often. If no one (except for my #1 faithful reader...my mom) I may stop this self indulgent insight into my life since it really only is me who is paying attention. So is anyone out there?

House of Sick-os

The kids have been sick for over a week now. We took them to the doctor yesterday. They both have some form of RSV and Aiden has an ear infection on top of that. Fun...fun!! Anytime we take the kids into the doctor they always have something strange and out of the ordinary. Aiden has had herpegenia (small ulcers in the back of the throat caused by playing at the germ tree at the mall) and croup (from sunday school or chic-fil-a playground). Lillie was really sick a few months ago that resulted in nothing more than a blood culture that came back fine. And now RSV. How come my kids don't just come down with a simple cold? No they have to be over achievers in even being sick. I can't wait until they start feeling better and Justin too for that matter. He has come down with a cold too. I have a sore throat and cough that developed over night. I guess we will all be sick before it is over with. Well wish us luck in the next few days...we are starting to get a little delirious from the lack of sleep at night.

First Year of my Late 20s

Today is the blessed day that I chose to come into this wonderful world. Granted this grand event occurred 27 years ago. I have been slightly depressed about turning 27 for about a month now. I recall when I was younger, maybe 19 or so, and hearing people saying they were 27 and thinking "Man they are kinda old and not really cool anymore." For some reason saying that I am 26 sounded so much younger than 27. I have some friends that are older than me...well quite a bit older 15-25 years. And they cringe everytime I said that I was upset about turning 27. They would laugh and snicker. But I guaran-damn-tee you that they felt the same way when they were turning 27.

Today was a "so so" day. Hell is freezing over here in Texas. So we have not done much of anything the past two days. It's been too freaking cold. My sisters threw me a party on Sunday night. It was fun and it "hit" the spot for this depressing, dreaded day. And last Friday night I went out with coworkers to our fav place TUTS...Theatre under the stars as Patti calls it. Oh and I got a present from my body...I gained a pound over the weekend. I have lost 5 and one decided that it didnt like the "other side" and wanted to come back. CRAP now I have to go Nicole Ritchie for the next few days to lose it so I don't have to pay my dollar to the Biggest Loser fund.

There were some really great things about my birthday that I cannot forget to mention...pink roses from my hubby, pink UT shirt from my friend, workout clothes from Mel, candle bracelet and game from Dena, sweet figurine from mom and dad, and the best of all gift...Complete Series of Sex and the City!!! My hubs is the best!!!

2007 Solutions

I looked up the definition of resolution. Out of the several listed I found this one to fit how I think resolution fits into my life "finding a solution to a problem" That got me to thinking that supposedly I need to analyze the problems in my life and find a solution. So here is my attempt at this problem solving.
Problem #1: I'm FAT.
Solution: Lose 25-30 pounds and exercise daily.
Problem #2: I'm addicted to Myspace.
Solution: Form a Myspaceaholic Support Group...no not really just limit my usage to once or twice a day
P roblem #3: I drink too my diet sodas.
Solution: Drink more water plus I just read that drinking diet soda doubles your chances of being obese.
Problem #4: I'm not a very good cook
Solution: Spend more time cooking and reading about cooking. Remember the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
Problem #5: Turning 27 ...dammit no solution

I suck!!!

I just realized that I am a terrible blogger!!! I read a lot of blogs and they are so funny and entertaining. Plus they do it almost everyday. I do it maybe every 2-3 weeks. I think I am not very good at it because.... #1 I am a numbers person not a words person (hence why I teach math not reading). #2 I am not THAT reflective about life. I just take it as it comes. #3 I am too addicted to myspace that I forget about my blog. I will put on my new year's resolutions that I will be a better blogger!!! I know contain your excitement..... :)

Myspace-aholics Anonymous

My name is Haley and I am a myspace-aholic. It all began this summer when I got my account. When it all began I was only using maybe a couple times a week. However my addiction grew as I found more friends on there. Now I get on there about 10-15 times a day. Last night I stayed on it for about 3 hours just searching, updating my own page, and listening to my song about upteen million times. That may not seem like a long time but I failed to mention the several hours throughout the day that I was on there. It is pretty much self indulgent. I update my own page, look at my own page, read my own page, look at my own pictures, etc. It is like a looking glass into my own life. I don't know what I am going to do once I go back to work on Tuesday. CISD has a filter on the internet so I will not be able to get on myspace. What am i going to do? Myspace is to Me as crack is to a feen!!!!

My Five

Josh Lucas, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, David Schwimmer, Colin Farrel (no particular order)

The Low Down

1. I like my name written better than when it is said. 2. I’m a red head not an orange head!! 3. I griped at a store manager for the first time today…Stroller Rights Unite!!! 4. I am obsessed with checking my email, cell phone and blogs. 5. My favorite alcoholic drink is an Amaretto Sour and my fav beer is Bud Light 6. Ever been thrown up on in a hair salon, I have…today!!! 7. Most songs remind me of a person or event in my life. 8. Phrases I use too often…”Sweet…Whatever…That’s good stuff…WTF…Geez” 9. I have broken my right arm twice. 10. There are some things I would have done differently at my wedding. 11. I hate running because I need protective face gear. 12. I love gummy smiles…babies/oldies doesn’t matter. 13. David Schwimmer is HOT!!! 14. One of my fears is being stuck out in the middle of the ocean with no raft. 15. My biggest fear is losing one of my kids. 16. Need sandpaper…just use the bottom of my heel. Want to massage my feet? Neither does Justin! 17. Even when I was my skinniest I still had thunder thighs. 18. If I was a Sex and the City character, I would be a cross between Charlotte and Carrie. 19. Aiden is named after Aidan on SATC. 20. I would suck at Jeopardy but would walk away with the jackpot on Wheel of Fortune. Watch out Sajak!!! 21. I love tulips and hydrangeas 22. I want to get my teeth whitened. 23. Sometimes when I tell a really funny story or joke I get laughing to hard that I can’t continue and end up with tears streaming down my face while my shoulders heave silently. Then when I finally compose myself enough to finish the joke or story people are disappointed with how unfunny it actually is. 24. I will laugh inside and sometimes out loud at something several minutes later even if it was only funny to me. 25. I started liking Pearl Jam after me and Justin started dating. 26. If I could go anywhere in the world, I would find a little French county cottage on some land. 27. I wish I could lead a double life as a SATC character. 28. Sometimes I wonder why I rushed to get through college. Those were the days when I could be careless, free, and wild and give the excuse that I was in college. What’s my excuse now? J/K 29. Why did I let one interior designing class frighten me away from that career? 30. I hate soap scum and hard water stains. Like keeping the bathroom is hard enough?!? 31. I miss my friends from high school…especially Heather. Where are you? 32. My first job was at Subway. 33. Geez, I’m only a third of the way done. 34. I am not opposed to plastic surgery i.e. breast lift, tummy tuck, and full body lipo. 35. I wore braces for only 18 months. 36. I don’t really like my nose it is too pointed when looking at my profile. 37. My iPod was stolen this week by one of my students. 38. I really love my iPod…it is my little piece of heaven on earth. 39. For Christmas I want a new phone (camera phone), photo pendant necklace, iTunes card, new purse, and some new jewelry. 40. Don’t worry Justin I’ll take care of my gifts for Christmas. 41. I could have really applied my self and gotten a better degree. 42. Celeb Heart Throbs: Josh Lucas, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Matthew McConaughy, John Corbett, dirty boy Colin Farrell and of course David Schwimmer 43. I stole #23 from another blog...why reinvent the wheel she said it perfectly. 44. I made 7 layer dip last night but cheated and only made 5 layers. Shameful I know!! 45. I have been caught in a lie before and I have lied and not been caught. 46. My nickname is Red. 47. My nicknames for my kids: Aiden Smaiden, Aiden Paularino, Bubsy, LilliBug, Babogirl 48. I’m already on my second Smirnoff since I started this list. 49. When I was a little girl, I used to sit in my closet for hours and play Barbies. 50. I still have all my Barbies and even some in boxes for Lillie when she gets older. 54. When is someone going to invent a cleaning fairy who comes at night and magically cleans and picks up your house while you sleep? 55. We eat out about 4 out of the 7 days of the week. No wonder I have hit a plateau on my weight loss. 56. Speaking of weight loss I have lost 30 pounds so far…yes that means that either I gained 5 or I weighed on a “skinny” day. 57. Are you getting sick of reading about me yet? 58. I am spoiled by my parents and my hubs. 59. I love milk-1% 60. I am a picky eater. 61. I don’t like trying new restaurants. 62. I have stolen several large ornaments off a mall Christmas tree. 63. My first car was a Pontiac Grand Prix. 64. I sucked my thumb until I was in 3rd grade. 65. Worst household chore…scrubbing the stove. 66. Second worst…laundry. There’s some many steps-wash, dry, fold, put away. That process can take up to a week sometimes. 67. I’m an 80s music junkie. 68. If I were an animal, I would be a lioness. 69. Am I done yet? I am doing quite a bit of soul searching. 70. In a former life I was a back up dancer. 71. I really hate onions. Do they really add that much flavor? 72. First wish-Be Skinny FOREVER! 73. Second wish-Be happy FOREVER! 74. Third wish-Be rich FOREVER! (in that order) 75. I definitely don’t want more than three kids. Too many faces to remember and too many hands to clean. I’m perfectly content with my 2 little faces and 4 little hands!! 76. I was looking for winter clothes in my closet and saw that I have a very small collection. I couldn’t figure out why. Then I had a lightbulb go off…I’ve been pregnant the past 2 winters and my winter wardrobe is accompanied with a tag that screams maternity. 77. My current wardrobe does have some name brand clothing in it…if you consider Target, Walmart and Kohl’s name brand. 78. How do you lose 30 pounds and only go down a size in your shirts and stay in the same size in pants? 79. I just realized that my pants are looser which means that 30 pounds ago I was looking HOT in these pants!!! Sense my sarcasm? 80. When I was a kid, we would go to Luby’s I would order the same things everytime. Mac –n- cheese, jello, roll, and chocolate milk. 81. Justin and I had our first big fight after getting married at Christmas (2 months since D-Day). I don’t even remember what it was about. 82. Our last fight? Don’t remember because we don’t see each other enough to fight. 83. I don’t have any tattoos. 84. I wouldn’t mind having one though. 85. Maybe some claw marks on my chest!! Never mind I already have some stretch marks there that resemble claw marks. 86. I love fall but hate fallen leaves. 87. Theory on Beauty: You either get beauty or body. Most women who have both is because she have gone to extreme measures. 88. I used to buy purses all the time. I have been searching for a purse for about a month now and can’t find one I like. 89. Why does 27 sound old to me? Some people wish they could be 27 again. 90. I think I am good at my job. 91. I have regrets for things I have done. 92. I have regrets for things I haven’t done. 93. I can’t believe I’m almost at 100. That’s dedication if you are still reading this! 94. My fav color is pink. 96. I just realized I use this “…” a lot in my typing. 97. I have changed 3 diapers, fed my two kids and myself, sent 3 emails, drank 2 drinks, started a movie, made a phone call and taken pics of lillie since I started this list.

When it Rains...It Pours!!!

Today should have been a Monday instead of a Wednesday. It was an all around crappy day. Lots of little things happened today that made today one of those days that you wish you could have just crossed off the calendar
#1...The football coached didn't send my TAKS kids until the period was almost over. It really annoys me that they feel like their football practice is more important than sending the kids to our class. The problem is that the kids see the coaches not care about our class therefore they don't care and give me and Gary a hard time in the short 25 minutes we have them. I could go on and on about this but I will spare you.
#2…My second period class is driving me nuts. We have been doing solving equations now for 5 days. I still have kids who are clueless as to how to start working it. They have plenty of opportunities to get help and they are too lazy to do it. My third period class is better at it however they are too talkative. They won’t shut up the entire period. And 75 minutes is really long with 11 boys and 5 girls.
#3…The math teachers are driving me crazy. They are basically stressing out about doing their jobs. The nitpick everything!!! It is exhausting to work with people who are neurotic, obsessive, pessimistic, and worrisome all the time.
#4…My last period of the day is athletics. It was going really well until the last shot attempt in a fun game of basketball. As two girls were going for the ball, they both fell over each other and one ended up smacking her head against the wall…cement block wall. Great!!! She was fine but the bad part is when another guy coach was on my case about calling her mother. He thought I should have called her immediately!!! I told him that I would in a second after I got all my other girls on their way to getting changed and getting the equipment locked up. He kept on and kept on until finally I cussed at him and told him to give me a damn second and to get off my case. I ended up calling the mom in an unsatisfactory time (to him) of under 5 minutes. I even went a step further and called this evening to make sure she was alright which she is. He is so uptight if you put a lump of coal up his ass he would squeeze out a diamond.
#5…It rained today!!!
Anyway I pray for sunshine and a good day tomorrow.

All's Quiet on the Homefront

So this is what it would be like if I lived alone?!? Justin and the kids are staying in Nederland tonight. He went down to work on our properties. He didn't finish so he needs to stay and work some more tomorrow. I haven't even been home an hour and I am missing my family tremendously. It is so quiet and still. All the toys are still put away...no juice spots to step on...no spit up to wipe up. Sometimes after a long day I wish I could just veg on the couch and not have to get up every 5 seconds to get Aiden off the kitchen table or put Lillie back on her playmat. But now that I have it...I want my kids here. Geez just can't ever please a woman, huh? I guess I will take advantage of it and do some things I haven't done in a while i.e. watch a show without having to get up for anything and take a bath without someone splashing water at me.

What If...??

Justin and I had a very enlightening conversation last night on the way home from the festival. We were talking about when we broke up back in 1999. Wow never realized that was 7 years ago...seems like just yesterday sometimes. To catch some of you up to speed, we broke up our freshman year of college for about 3 months. We each dated other people. I dated a few guys two of which have the same name, Aaron. We discussed what caused us to break up and why we didn't immediately get back together. I think part of the reason we didn't get back together right away was the fact that I was now getting attention from other guys. We had been dating for almost 3 years by then. And I felt like I had a mark on me like the scarlet letter. We continued to rehash that whys, whats, whens, and hows of the break up, separation, frequent encounters at parties, school, frat house, etc. As we were talking I began to wonder what if we had not gotten back together.

Where would I be now?

Would I be married with kids? Would I still be living in the Golden Triangle? Would I be teaching? Would I have followed my parents to Florida then Nebraska? Would I have moved out of my parents house and been on "my" own? Who would I be with?

I remember the day that I went to Justin and ask him if we could get back together and make it work. I didn't realize it then but that was the single moment in time that I changed my destiny in life. I am thankful for my choice and decision. Because I am now married to that wonderful man and have two beautiful kids by him. So my question of "What If..." is not one of felt out of unfulfillment but of shear curiosity.

3 cubed is 12

Being a teacher poses many obstacles these days like being shot at work by some kid you failed or a crazy maniac with a grudge against a former teacher who called on him too many times. What ever the case...teaching sucks!!! About half the teachers quit after 5 years of teaching. I laughed at that when I heard that stat when I was a first year teacher. But I can completely understand now. Your 1st -3 rd years you are just trying to keep your head above water. Your 4th and 5th year you are wondering why you didnt listen to everyone who was warning you about teaching.I currently have 31 students in my two math classes. Out of those 31, I have 23 targeted "at risk" for AMI (Accelerated Math Instruction). Basically meaning they have educational gaps in their Math education. By district and state laws I am required to keep documentation on these 23 students. 23 kids, 23 folders, 23 AIP (Accelerated Instructional Plans), 23 kids who may not pass TAKS. Keep in mind that I only have a total of 31!!!!My remaining 8 kids I have to raise their scores to show a year's growth and hopefully get them to commended performance on the TAKS.

Today we did a review over all the material we have covered in the past 8 weeks. I might as well have not taught anything to them the past 8 weeks. Because they proved to me that they could not remember anything that I taught them. For example, one of the problems included 3 cubed. I had more than one student come to me and tell me that 3 cubed was 12!!! I asked "How did you get that?" Students reply "well 3 x 3 is 9 plus 3 is 12" Really? Well I need to call Harvard because you have just discovered a new math concept!!! Mind you I have taught exponents to great lengths. And they still do not get the whole idea of what to do.

At what point do I get to cut to the chase with these kids and just tell them it doesnt matter if you learn it...you are just going to mow lawns the rest of you life or mooch off the government along with all the rest of your uneducated family .

Rest of the world

I have officially caught up with the rest of the world and created a blog. I find it humorous that we as a society find it acceptable to post our personal thoughts for the whole world to see. I guess I will enlighten the world with my "exciting" life which will consist of me being a mom to two under two, teacher to 7th grade hormonal morons, coach to girls who try so hard but will rarely win a game, and wife to a stay at home dad who I love very much. This ought to be interesting and if it is not I will embellish on the parts that are dull to the common folk.