Saturday, May 31, 2008

Rules are made

To be followed.

I wish that parents would teach their kids to respect others.

We had the last middle school dance of the year yesterday afternoon. The kids who bought tickets got to get their yearbooks early. That was a huge incentive to purchase a ticket - if you ask me.

There were 99 kids there - about 50 fewer than we expected, but since the PTO needs money, we'll take what we can get.

The 7th and 8th graders are usually the ones we need to watch. Their hormones are in overdrive and we can't have any issues if you know what I mean. This time it was not the older kids, it was the 6th graders. They were impossible! They were using cell phones left and right (not allowed in the school), being disrespectful to the volunteer adults present (talking back, being rude and using foul language), running around, and being just plain obnoxious to each other(pushing and shoving).

Needless to say, I've had enough. I don't much care if that group of kids ever have any special activities, new equipment, field trips, or picnics. Whenever they ask for anything for them, my answer is going to be "ummm... no". I don't want to use hard earned PTO money to give those kids squat - they certainly don't deserve it. As they move up to the 7th grade, I wish the teachers a whole lot of luck. They are going to need it.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Band Student of the Year!

My LLB won the Band Student of the Year award for the 7th grade!
She worked very very hard to get it. It is based on grades and extra credit. She had a 99.5% classroom average and 70 extra credit points for attending and or participating (playing her trumpet) in different musical events.
When it came right down to it, I thought she would get it, but I just wasn't sure. LLB had convinced herself that someone else had gotten it, so when Mr. H called her name, she was genuinely surprised.
She worked hard and her hard work paid off. She is a very happy camper.
BTW: The slide show was awesome! I had a few tense moments the night before when none of my slides would load, but Mr. helped me fix it. Whew!

In other areas of my life things are extremely busy.
The berry festival is over and the end of the school year is upon us. Last night was the Sports Awards. #1 got a certificate for Track. He was happy.
Today is the Middle School's last dance of the year. I've got to be back at school at 11 to sell tix.

And - as if I don't have enough to do:

LLB found out it was her friend BT's birthday today and she wanted me to bring a cookie so she can give it to him. Do I look like the cookie fairy??

Don't answer that!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Some People's Kids

Make me crazy.

I was at the high school band concert last week. We arrived early to get good seats near the front so I could take pictures.

An older woman came and sat in front of us. I didn't think much about it.
A woman and her 4? year old came and sat in front of her.
The little boy got up and went to sit with the older woman. He was bouncing in his seat. The concert hadn't started yet and he really wasn't bothering anyone at that point.
The mother told him to stop repeatedly. That little kid knew exactly how to push her buttons. He also knew she wouldn't do anything to him. He kept bouncing. The older woman did nothing to help.
I rolled my eyes at LLB. We knew it was going to get worse.

A woman and her husband showed up and sat in the same row as the older woman and little boy. They left a few seats between them and the kid. (Smart!!)

Throughout the first half of the performance, the kid did everything he could to irritate his mother and older woman. The people in the same row were irritated. We were irritated. But, the fault lies with the mother for not taking his sorry butt right out of there in the first place. Why didn't she move to the back of the auditorium? The place seats 1200 people. The place was no where near full!!

During the short intermission, she hauled him out and gave him a cookie. Oh - yeah - thanks... give him sugar!

When she came back in, he sat with the mother for about 30 seconds. Then he moved to sit with older woman. He was obnoxious. He tried to climb the seats, he chattered incessantly, he toyed with his mother. Finally about 3/4 of the way through the performance, the mother decided that maybe she'd had enough and tried to haul his sorry little butt out of there. He ran towards the couple in front of us. The older woman didn't try to help. I wanted to reach over the seats, grab the kid, and toss him to his mother. I didn't do that. It was way more fun to just watch the older woman get up so the mom could grab his arm and take him out.

Now, I don't blame the kid. I blame the mother.
She did not make him sit with her.
She did not make him behave.
She did not tell him that she was going to take him out if he misbehaved.
She did not discipline this kid at all.
She just kept telling him to stop.
Sorry, honey... that's not going to work - ever.
Children need consequences.

My children learned about consequences very early in life. They can tell you what happened the few times that they tested me. They have a saying they learned: Don't shame your mother.

They live by it.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Stuff...

Today is Friday.

It is HP's Birthday. Happy Birthday HP!!

I turned my grades in this morning. I just have to go back to school on Tuesday or Wednesday to polish up my bells and clean out the notebooks. I also need to make a list of what I need to replace (some of those notebooks have seen a MUCH better day).

Booger is having a problem - I've tried to leave comments on many of your blogs this morning and they just won't post. I don't know why.

I'm off to LLB's school this morning to help out with the Honor Roll Breakfast. I can't believe it isn't raining or snowing! (We got rained out last week and snowed out 3 times last year!)

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. I am done with school! All I have to do is grades. I'll be doing them in a few minutes.

2. Yesterday's concert went very well - considering they were in a gym and couldn't hear each other... The sound gets sucked up as soon as it comes out of the bell. I have no idea what happens to it - I just know I could barely hear the other bells ringing. Maybe someday we'll have a real auditorium...

3. LLB came through for me in a huge way. She rang 3 bass positions by herself for one malleted piece. She was perfect! Her tempo was steady and she was right on!

4. The other bell class was missing 2 kids. LLB and I filled in - nothing like sight reading for a concert!

5. I'm still working on the middle school band's slide show.

6. I have to put that aside for a little while and get up to the state park to mark out my crafter spaces for the berry fest this weekend.

7. My laundry pile is suddenly out of control. I have no idea how that happens.

8. #1's school band concert is tonight. He is ready!

9. #1 is marching at the Memorial Day Parade on Monday. Just when I thought we might get one day of rest this weekend... they take it away.

10. Cupcakes are the breakfast of choice around here this week. I think I should make a batch every week. LLB loves 'em.

11. I got my Discovercard bill the other day. I wondered where all my hard earned cash went because I certainly haven't been shopping. It's going into my gas tank.

12. So much for having a little spending money... It's all going into my tank.

13. I did find out that the children are getting camp scholarships from our church. They will pay just over half the tuition. That's a huge relief! Now - let's see how much gas it will take to get them to camp and back...

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Whew...

I just looked at today's schedule:

12:15 - Get LLB from school
12:30 - Be at my school for concert
3:30 - Back to middle school for Leadership Club party - pizza and ice cream cake (this is dinner)
4:30 - Mr. gets #1 from band practice and heads home.
6:00 - PTO meeting I have to run because the Co-chair has a wake/funeral
7:30 - Meet the Band Uniform Mums for a quick changing of the guard meeting.
9:00 - Home to update ballet website and finish slide show for middle school band.

I might get to bed at a reasonable hour tonight... or not.

So - if any of you come by today, take Zeb out for a squirt, k?

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

The Eeewwww Factor

I was at a meeting yesterday - Sex Ed Curriculum again.

After the first round of presentations, we were given a 5 min. break to use the restrooms.

I flew in. I was desperate.
There are 3 stalls and 3 sinks.
I was first in and second out.
The first lady washed her hands and left while I was washing mine.
A third lady came out of her stall.
I shifted sinks so she could reach the soap dispenser.
She checked herself in the mirror and left.
She didn't wash her hands.
OMG!!!
This woman has 5 or 6 kids.
She should know better.
So...
There she sat across the table from me in her perfectly pressed Ralph Lauren blouse and lovely navy blue skirt with oh so chic belt. Her hair was perfectly coiffed. Her glasses were funky.

And all I could think was EEEWWW!!!

Monday, May 19, 2008

A Zebbie Story


Zeb has a basket with his toys in it.

He doesn't play with his toys very often, but he does check out his basket every now and then to see if there might be a treat in there.

This morning, he checked out his basket and discovered that his thoughtless parents put the kitten's toys in there when they were cleaning up for the party on Saturday.

He leaned over his basket and his eyes widened.
"What is this? Kitty toys in my basket?"
He sighed.
He reached in, grabbed the noisiest kitty toy, and tossed it.
It rattled as it landed on the other side of the family room.
He turned and looked at me.
"Mom... I don't do kitty toys in my basket. I don't like kitty toys. They are loud. I don't like noisy toys and you know it."

I laughed.
I do know that he doesn't like noisy toys.

Zeb does not think I'm funny nor does he think he was funny.
He is currently watching the kitten chase butterflies and trying to ignore me.

But, he's not THAT mad... I see him sneak a peek every now and then.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Am I Nuts?

So back in September the Band Parents Organization asked me to take pictures and create the slide show for the band banquet and awards ceremony this June.
I took almost 3,000 - yes, that's 3 thousand, pictures.
I was at a meeting the other night and they told me that a student was doing the slide show. I was a bit put out. I tried to look at the bright side - I really didn't want to put this whole thing together. They were saving me a ton of time.
But to have to hand over my 3,000 pictures is irritating.
Not for nothing, but those are my pictures!
I made sure I got every single kid. I didn't want anyone to feel left out.
Besides, I took those pictures with this foolish slide show in mind.
So now, some kid is going to put it together. Will this kid use the best pictures? I don't think so.. 3,000 pictures is a lot of pictures to go through. I bet they give up after the first 500. Believe me - I've been through those pictures more than once. Will this kid make sure that everyone is in the show? I sure hope so...

Am I whining? You bet!
I'm a wee bit irritated and the more I think about it the more irritated I get.

I'm sure the slide show this kid creates will be fine, but it won't be what I had in mind. It won't be what I've pictured in my head all year. That's a bit... I dunno... umm... depressing...

Will I take 3000 pictures next year? Sure I will, but I'm not handing them over to some snot nosed kid to use. I'm saving them for when #1 is a senior. I - and I mean no one else - will create the slide show that year. Nor will anyone else create it when LLB is a senior. No way. No how.

So - what do you think? Am I over reacting? Am I nuts?

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Gates are NOT

Hurdles.

We have baby gates up to keep Zeb downstairs.
Ever since #1 started running track, he's taken the baby gates to be hurdles.
He charges down the stairs (it sounds like a heard of buffalo), turns the corner, and clears the gate in a single bound!
Until yesterday.
Yesterday he took out one of those hurdles with his foot.
He took it down and broke it.
Fortunately, he didn't break his foot, too.

This morning he charged down the stairs, turned the corner, and very carefully stepped over the gate.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Friday...

It's Friday. Whew! I made it!

I'm one week closer to summer.

Since it is raining, I figured I'd hit Costco today. Pushing a huge orange flatbed loaded with groceries through the rain is what I live for. I just LOVE it!

The thing I look forward to? That berry smoothie on the way out.
Yup... I'm having one of those!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. LLB is now an official NJHS member. She and 10 of her friends were inducted last night. The ceremony was lovely - and short. (I like short.)

2. My ginger ale ice rings worked beautifully! And they looked pretty darned good, too!

3. The punch was delicious and everyone enjoyed it. I guess that is what it is all about.

4. I am having the PTO Volunteer Appreciation Pot Luck here on Saturday.

5. We are going to make that punch again because it was so yummy - AND the punch bowl is out and clean so we might as well get some use out of it.

6. I have a few more rooms to clean and a mountain of laundry to get done before then.

7. Mr. was mowing the back 40 when he hit a rock and severely injured the lawn tractor. It took quite a while to get the broken part amputated from the mower deck - it involved a sledge hammer and some well placed wrenches.

8. Now we just have to figure out what parts we need and order them. At one point I thought I might be looking at purchasing a new mower... Alas, that is not the case and this one can be fixed.

9. Although, my dear friend R had a terrific idea - get two mowers! Then you'd have one for each kid. They can both go out and mow! I do LOVE that idea!! It would get done faster and they'd both be busy for a couple of hours.

10. Heck, once they got really good at mowing, I could rent them out!!!

11. Somehow, I don't think they are going to go for that...

12. When I came home from dropping LLB at the bus, there was a really fat squirrel sitting in the driveway. I slowed down... He just sat there looking at my car. I stopped. He didn't move. I crept forward. I didn't want to kill a squirrel in my own driveway!!! He waddled to the nearest tree and climbed up about 2 feet. He stopped and looked right at me as if to say, "Umm... sorry... I forgot to move."

13. Zeb and I are off for a walk. It's my treat for doing chores today.

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Tuesday Tidbits

The children are back to school. The sun is finally shining. The water in our creek is on it's way down. Life is getting back to normal.

Zeb is getting a pedicure today. Okay - so he's having his nails clipped. A pedicure sounds so much umm... posher. He is also getting his shots - that should go over really well. He just LOVES shots and all the poking and prodding that goes along with a vet visit. I'll have to give him a really good treat when we get home.

Tomorrow LLB is going to be inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. She is a smart girl who worked hard. I have to make the punch. It seems that the teacher who is in charge of the NJHS likes my ginger ale punch. (Another mom and I made it for last year's induction ceremony when #1 was an 8th grader doing the 7th grade inductions. I'm amazed that he's still talking about that punch!!) I am going to freeze my ginger ale into nifty rings - that's a little "Martha-ish for me - but it's all about presentation, right?

I'm off to get my hair cut. Those of you who know me - don't pass out! I know... ice rings and a hair cut in the same week - it's almost too much to take!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Just Stuff

The children have no school today due to flooding. We are not flooding, but there are low lying areas of the county that I'm sure are under water. I don't know what this does to the last day of school, but I can't sweat it right now.

The funniest thing about this no school thing is that today was supposed to be the Honor Roll Breakfast. Do you remember the donut thing from last year? Every time we tried to have the HR Breakfast, it snowed and we had to cancel the donut order. (We smartened up this year and stopped doing donuts.) I can't even wait to email the principal about the HR Breakfast - LOL!!

I'm supposed to teach my bell class today. I have to find out if they have school. Part of me hopes we don't have school, but my kids NEED that rehearsal!

My church bells played yesterday. They were phenomenal!
As far as I can tell, I'm keeping my bell spot. But, until I hear from the new DOM, I'm simply there until June. That whole committee seems so secretive it makes me crazy. I understand that they need to keep quiet until paperwork is signed and such, but really... Do you want me or not?

While we were having coffee between services yesterday, I discovered that a bunch of the choir members would have left the church had I not taken over the bell choir. One of them even said, "If you leave, I'm out of here, too. If you hadn't come when you did, I would already be gone!"

Huh? Wow. In a narcissistic kind of way, that's wicked cool!

It seems that a lot churches around here are in flux. It also seems that the ministers around here give really boring sermons. I heard more chatter about boring sermons yesterday than I have in some time. (I think that the seminaries should really beef up their sermon writing classes or something.) Now, I did pay attention during the sermon yesterday. I've got to tell you - it WAS boring. It was not inspiring. It was not remotely interesting. AND, it was confirmation Sunday. That is not good for business!! Gram and Grandpa said that the sermon at our tiny church was not so hot, either. Gram said she even zoned out for a while and started thinking of really exciting things like her grocery list...

I've got a busy week ahead. I've got to put the middle school band slide show together... Wish me luck!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Little Old Ladies

are dangerous.

I was at Wallyworld today. I was putzing towards the hand gel aisle pushing my basket that had real important stuff in it like wasp spray, $10 tennies, and socks. I was not in a hurry. I was enjoying my 10 minutes of mindless grazing.

A little old lady in one of those electric carts was stopped at the end of her aisle. She had a ton of stuff in her basket - including a broom. She was checking out the cotton balls or something. I continued to walk, since she was stopped. She decided she would go right then and impaled my cart with her broom. If I hadn't had a cart she would have stabbed me!

I'm now officially afraid of little old ladies who are behind the wheel of any kind of vehicle.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Funny sounds... funny smells

Yesterday was a rare day at home for me.
Mr. worked from home yesterday - so it was a day of the two of us bumbling around trying to get our individual tasks done.

Mr. spent most of the day perched on a stool at the island pecking at his computer.
But that's not all he did.

After lunch I heard this sound:
"PHHHTTT"
Then came the smell. It wasn't roses. I can't exactly describe the stench. I went running for my gas mask.

He spent the afternoon farting and tooting and generally stinking up the joint.

At one point, as I donned my gas mask for the hundredth time, I threatened him with blogging about him. He chuckled as he sprayed Lysol around himself and said, "Go ahead... I deserve it."

That, my friends, should give you a clue as to the level of toxicity in my family room.

"It's the onions!", he said.
"The onions in the salads you make don't do this."
"Oh, yeah... you're right."
"Listen, you are killing me, here! Even the animals can't take it. Zeb went next door to get away from the smell. He WON'T come home. The air in this room is so bad, it's a green haze. You've got to stop... puhleezzze!"

He grinned.
He just couldn't help himself...
He was proud of this, people!

I shook my head in defeat.
I headed next door to hide under the dining room table with Zeb.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Thursday 13


Thirteen Things LadyBug Is Thinking About Today


1. Today is Grandpa's birthday! He is not 29 - although he will tell you that he is.
So - if you see him out and about, wish him a very happy birthday.

2. I've had a terrible time with my schedule this week. There are too many things to do and too many places to be. I triple booked myself for Friday afternoon. Fortunately, my family understands this phenomenon and is flexible.

3. LLB has strep AGAIN! She had a tough day yesterday, but is on the mend today.

4. My church bell group is playing on Sunday. One of our members is being confirmed. I wouldn't miss that for the world.

5. In other news, my check book is balanced.

6. I still have too many crafters for my festival this spring. But, one pulled out yesterday -- there's always one.

7. I have to do the slide show for the middle school band this week and the slide show for the high school band next week. I best get my rear in gear...

8. LLB is getting a new trumpet teacher! He is the best around and her current teacher told us she is ready to move on up. Most kids aren't ready for him until they are in 10th grade.

9. It's a rainy day today. I guess that means I'll get some cleaning done... or I could curl up with a good book...

10. I have satellite internet. Their mail server is THE WORST! I currently have 2 messages in my out box that will not send.

11. Mini Kitty has been out catching butterflies. She's so funny as she bounds over the grass, leaps into the air to swipe at and catch those pesky butterflies. Once she catches them, she just sits there - she doesn't really know what to do next.

12. Miss Angel - our best mouser - has been very busy this spring. The other day she left us 2 voles and 1 field mouse by the back door. She's earning her keep.

13. Zeb saw a fox passing through the yard the other day and kept barking to be let out. After the fox had gone into the woods, I let Zeb out. He ran about 20 steps towards the woods, barked a warning, flicked some grass with his back feet, and high tailed it back inside. He's so brave... NOT!


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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Tuesday, May 06, 2008

5 Important Things

D has a contest running over at Straddling the Line.

I chose Option 2:


5 Important Things a High School Graduate Should Know

1. What seemed important during high school turns out to be a blip on the radar screen of life. The drama that ensued is not important and will never matter again. As you cross the stage with your high school diploma, you are starting over. Everything is new. The world is your oyster!

2. College is extremely important. Stay in school and finish. That college degree will open doors you never even imagined were there. Oh - and as important as your bachelors' degree is, your masters will prove to be the icing on the cake. Opportunity will knock on your door far more often.

3. Money isn't everything. Do what you love. Don't major in computer science just because you can get a high paying job right out of college. If you want to be a teacher. or a musician, or a starving artist - do it! You are going to be working a really long time. You might as well be doing something you enjoy. (Although, if you want to eat and pay the mortgage, a decent paycheck might come in handy.)

4. Don't buy an expensive car. They dent just as easily as the cheaper cars and they cost way more money to repair. Do buy a safe, reliable, affordable car - 4 wheels, a motor, air conditioning, and a radio is all you need. They are also cheaper to insure and won't get stolen out of the mall parking lot. (Red is the color to avoid... the cops stop red cars far more often than white cars.)

5. Credit cards are trouble unless you know how to use them. Don't purchase anything unless you can pay for it out of your checking account that minute. The object is to use their money for 30 days while yours is in the bank collecting interest. Pay the balance in full every month. Do NOT ever carry a balance.

Bonus: Marry someone who makes you laugh. Laughter will get you through anything. Looks - not so much!

Monday, May 05, 2008

Monday Craziness

It was a crazy weekend.

Millie went very well for #1 this weekend. Let's just say that if he doesn't know the music now, he's never going to know it!!

LLB made it to the party she was invited to attend.

I did my bell meetings and had a wonderful time - even when I sorta kinda lost my temper just a little bit. Just know that I don't DO budgets. I find teachers - not money.

We played handbells at our church yesterday. It was fun! I do love to ring!

Our church's yearly berry festival - which we have 10,000 people attend - is coming up. I'm in charge of finding crafters for that. I have too many crafters (not a bad place to be), so I'm a little stressed out about that, but really... if they don't like their spots, they will send their cash in on time next year, right? Actually, two of us ran up to the venue to see where we could fit some more crafters. I think we found a suitable location on the grass, under the trees, in the shade. Those few spots might end up being the best ones...

So anyway - Today I've got a busy day planned - teaching class, my bell rehearsal tonight, picking up percussion equipment, and distributing a flyer for the PTO, among other things.

If you need me, I'm "out of pocket" today. (Don't I sound important and like I have a clue?)

Friday, May 02, 2008

Ding Dong and Millie

I'm off to my handbell meeting today. Those of you who know me well, know how much I enjoy this particular board position. This is one of those meetings I don't mind one bit. The people are great, the work is fun, and the snacks are yummy! What more could a girl ask?

#1 has Millie tonight. Mr. is handling the running unless he gets stuck in traffic -- then Grandpa is doing the run to get #1 to town for 6:30. These Friday meetings that my Mr. has to endure are just maddening! They have a meeting scheduled for 3:30. Do you have any idea what DC/Northern VA traffic is like on Friday evening?? What moron would schedule a meeting for 3:30 on a Friday??

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Family Life Education

Also known as Sex Ed.

I'm helping to choose the new curriculum in an all day conference today (and another day in the next couple of weeks). I reviewed one such curriculum before Christmas and let me just say that it was for "inner city schools". It will be interesting...

I just hope they provide lunch. (We wonder where LLB gets her love of eating... Actually, she gets that from her dad. I just like lunch.)

On another note - The doc's office called me last night to explain LLB's results and to apologize for the "run around" I got when I called about LLB's strep test. He told me that the front office is being re-trained. (What does that really mean??) I told the doc that I left my previous pediatrician because I got the run around and the front office staff was less than helpful. I really didn't want to leave there (considering I just moved the kids to this office in January.) The docs don't know it, but I won't leave because this office is close to home and the docs themselves are wonderful and thorough.