Jaws ... Kitty Style

I think Tib will appreciate this one ...

I Can See Clearly Now ... *little dance*

Since I get paid tonight at midnight, I decided to go ahead and buy my glasses today. I was going nuts. I picked them out during my conference period and picked them up after school. I can see! My eyes are still getting used to not having to strain so hard. I could feel the headache start to ease up as soon as I had them on. It's going to take me a few days to get used to the new frames and prescription, but it's sure nice to have lenses that aren't scratched to bits. Pictures will follow. Someday. Maybe.

Everything's a Bit Fuzzy

I stepped on my glasses Sunday night. The good news: I already have a prescription for new glasses and was planning on buying a new set (frames and all). The bad news: Payday ain't 'til Thursday. As long as I don't have to focus too much on small things like computer screens, I'm OK. Otherwise I get a nice big headache. Did I mention that I teach computer classes?

I'm not really upset about it. In class, I just don my prescription sunglasses and ooze coolness while I educate my young Padawans in algorithms.

Thankful Thursday

Credits to Tib for the Thankful Thursday graphic and idea.

This is my first Thankful Thursday post. Not because I'm feeling particularly jubilant, quite the opposite. As I'm finding friends on facebook, I think about how my life is at this particular point in time. I am not happy where I am. I'm trying, but I'm waaaaaaaaaaaaay out of my comfort zone and incredibly far from where I wanted to be at this point in my life. So I figured that this would be the best time to start being thankful for what I have.

1. The gospel. Without it, I know that I would be an alcoholic, unemployed, addicted to drugs, or dead. My knowledge of the truth is what has kept me from ruining or taking my life. Some think that I am exaggerating. I am not.

2. My family. My family has always been there for me. I could not have made it through my divorce if it wasn't for their support. They lovingly consoled me and did everything they could to help me through it. I love spending time with them. Thinking of my nieces and nephews brings a smile to my heart.

3. Sarah. She opened up her home to me when I needed help the most. I've learned that it's not a good thing to live by myself. It's a bit "cozy" here, but it's worked out well for both of us. Sarah is also letting me share her car until I am able to buy my own in June. I always have a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. I also have someone who can tell me those things I need to hear that I may not want to hear. Getting to know Sarah better has been a great experience.

4. My health and health care. Sometimes I feel that my body is a wreck. With chronic sinus problems, allergies galore, asthma, hypothyroidism, PCOS, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and bipolar disorder, I think I have some justification for that feeling. However, I can walk. I can work. I can think. I can work with my hands. I could even run if someone was chasing me with a dangerous implement. I'm so grateful that I have access to great health care and I have great health insurance. My doctors and medicines have greatly improved my quality of life.

5. The internet. It's wonderful being able to find and keep in touch with people all over the world. I've been able to stay up to date with what's going on with my family. I just found my best friend from high school on facebook. It will be great to be able to see her again.

6. My job. I love my students. Some of them annoy the living crap out of me, but I love them anyway. I love teaching. The best part is the look in a student's eyes when they "get it", that glimmer of understanding. Planning the web mastering course is immensely difficult, as I am learning the topics, building resources, and creating the lessons all at once, but I am learning so much from doing it. Not to mention spring break, Christmas break, and summer :)

7. Crochet. I learned crochet from a book in college and haven't stopped since. Mom's attempt to teach me in high school didn't take. It seems I learn things best from books. I recently finished a gift for my upcoming nephew. Well, I have a sewing portion left to do, but you get the idea. I enjoy being able to make something beautiful from loops of yarn.

There. That's one for each day of the week. And I really do feel a bit better. I'll have to get more specific next time.

Just like in Lubbock ...

I told one of my students at the beginning of the year that in Lubbock, it rains mud sometimes. She didn't believe me. Maybe I was getting a little help at convincing her that it's possible when it happened here. Here's the story on WOAI.com.

There are warrants issued in these locations.

Make your own here.

It's so right, it's scary

What stereotype do you belong to? Your Result: geek/nerd smart, straight A's, high GPA, band member, unpopular, would rather spend time on the computer than with friends, wears glasses, has been wearing the same clothes for years
Loner
No stereotype
Emo
Preppy
Punk
Gamer
Jock
What stereotype do you belong to?

The graphic isn't showing up the way I want to, but you get the picture.

Visit to the ER (long post, sorry)

I am not a morning person. Keep that in mind while you read this.

Thursday morning, I woke up at 5:30. Fed Baxter. Took pills. I was still rather asleep. Hit the shower. Once I had gotten dressed it was 6:30. I took my pills. While walking into the living room, I stopped in my tracks. Um. Oops. My brain suddenly realized what I had done. Crap!

I yelled at Sarah in the shower, asking what she thought I should do. Call the pharmacy. Okay. The pharmacist says that I should be alright, just to eat some candy to counteract the double dose of metformin (normally a diabetic drug) and not to stand up too quickly since the double dose of blood pressure meds will lower it more than usual.

Fast forward. I'm about to teach my first class, but I'm feeling a bit weird. So I come up with an alternate lesson plan (War Games). We're not supposed to show movies. Unless they're tutorials or Hamlet or something. Dang English and Social Studies teachers. Just as the students are finishing up the warm up and I'm ready to start the movie, in walks the principal. Some students were still working, but others had moved on to perusing the web. (Also a big no-no.) And of course, I was sitting at my desk. I could feel the bad evaluation coming. Luckily, a student asked me a question and it naturally got me off of my butt. I could then circulate the room and attempt to redirect them to another assignment. The principal left, had apparently counted the students off task, and I just about collapsed from embarrassment.

My cheeks start burning, so I ask the teacher across the hall to keep an ear out while they start the movie. Just a quick jaunt to the nurse to double-check my temperature, just to be safe. 99.3 or something. No biggie. I don't remember if I volunteered the information or was asked why I was worried, but before I knew it, the nurse was on a crusade.

When she asked if I could call someone to take me home (I was a bit too dizzy to drive), I figured she'd hand me a phone and let me take care of everything. Yes, I could try. What's a number you can call? My dad at ###-####. She dialed ... and didn't hand me the receiver. She actually talked to my father herself. Like I was a student. I'm not feeling so great, so it takes me a while to take control of the situation.

Long story short (really - it could be longer) ... no one is able to pick me up. They just happen to have their own lives, imagine that. We (meaning the nurse) finally get to talk to my doctor. She recommends going to the ER, just to be safe. Since I can't get there any other way, some nice gentlemen in a square white truck with sirens get to drop me off. At least I didn't have to sit in the waiting room.

I ended up getting a bag of IV fluids and a hospital meal. That's it. And I got to sit in the ER for between 4 and 5 hours. With 30 channels of daytime talk shows and soap operas. Alone. I found it rather amusing that they kept on asking me if I had taken the pills twice on purpose. Um. No.

Good news is that everything is alright. I just didn't have to take my meds Thursday night. After about 24 hours, it was all out of my system. Of course, it threw me off a bit. I take some stuff that messes with your brain chemicals. I ended up showing the movie on Friday. (Screw the rules. I have a continuing contract.)

Checkin' In

Nothing huge has happened lately. I'm feeling pretty cruddy today. It's tempting to just call in for work tomorrow, but it ends up being more work to be gone. So I'll probably go and just feel cruddy all day. I'm sure my students will appreciate it. Enough for me. We've fed the cats, the litter boxes are scooped, the trash is on the curb, and I'm pooped. G'nite world. Be nicer to me tomorrow.

Minorities and Cool Stuff

Two Items Today:

1. There is a group of men who always pointlessly banter about the presidential election in the teacher's work room. Today, of course, was no different. I have gotten quite skilled at ignoring them completely and continuing with my work, but today my ears were perked by a comment one of them made. "Nothing like this has ever happened before. Not only do we not have an incumbent running, but there are two minorities running for president in the Democratic party." *ahem* Since when did women become a minority? I seriously must have missed that one. I'm adding that one to my quote collection.

I came across a really neat company, Otterbox.com, that sells water resistant/proof cases for electronics. They all look rather neat. I was especially impressed with the case for a video iPod like mine. It would be really cool with the armband accessory and waterproof headphones they sell. A swimmer would be able to jam out during laps. Personally, I'd just float in a pool with a snorkel sticking out the top a la The Graduate, minus scuba capabilities.

60 Questions

I'll do anything to procrastinate ...

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
Bless your soul! You bought me a car?!
2. When was the last time you threw up?
Don't remember, but I've gotta be really sick to throw up.
3. What's your favorite curse word?
Damn. Or fartmonkey. Can't pick.
4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
At least two students and Sarah.
5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Driving from Sarah's school to mine. In her car, btw.
6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Posting a question to a crochet forum about how to use Susan Bates Regular Yarn Bobs. Let me know if you understand where to put the yarn on those crazy weird things. *Update - someone answered my question before I could finish this post. :)
7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
Sleeping. Please, let it be sleeping.
8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Stupid question.
9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
"The new boxy one. It's easier to drag to the curb."
10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Milk chocolate.
11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Diet coke.
12. What are you wearing right now?
Purple sleepshirt under a fuzzy royal blue housecoat and really comfy slippers.
13. What was the last thing you ate?
Cheesecake. Yummy, yummy cheesecake
14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
Nothing this week yet.
15. When was the last time you ran?
The last time someone chased me.
16. What's the last sporting event you watched?
My niece’s gymnastics competition in September of 2007.
18. Who is the last person you emailed?
An assistant principal at work asking for clarification on an issue.
19. Ever go camping?
Before high school at a Girl Scouts camp, even though I wasn't a Girl Scout. I currently hate it. The bugs and sun have it out for me.
20. Do you have a tan?
No, my skin doesn't tan, it burns ... with blisters.
24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
Sure, why not?
25. What did your last IM say?
cya
26. Are you someone's best friend?
Baxter's. Unless Sarah feeds him. Then she's his best friend.
27. What are you doing tomorrow?
Teaching, planning, grading, pulling my hair out ...
28. Where is your mom right now?
I don't know. I removed the tracking device days ago.
29. Look to your left, what do you see?
The front door ... oh, wait ... other left
30. What color is your watch?
Black and gray.
31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ?
The Olympics. My best friend in high school was in Sydney during the Olympics and she got me a neat key chain. I collected them back then.
32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
I'm planning on a boob job next spring.
33. What is your birthstone?
Pearl. Not alexandrite like some people want you to believe.
34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
Usually drive thru, but I generally prefer to eat inside.
35.How many kids do you want?
Not a question that really makes much sense to answer right now.
36. Do you have a dog?
No, but I'd love to have a dachshund again one day. (Long story ... )
37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Sarah.
38. Have you met anyone famous?
"Weird Al" Yankovic. More times than I care to admit.
39. Any plans today?
Scoop the kitty litter boxes, take out the trash, finish this looooooooong post, go to bed.
40. How many states have you lived in?
One state, one province.
41. Ever go to college?
Graduated from Texas Tech in 2003.
42. Where are you right now?
The living room / office / library.
43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Money and not having a car.
44. Last song listened to?
Not sure. There must have been something playing at the restaurant.
46. Are you allergic to anything?
Pretty much anything that isn't food. Or dogs.
47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
I have a pair of blue and purple platform flip-flops that I love. As soon as it gets to summer, those bad boys are out again.
48. Are you jealous of anyone?
Not lately. I'd rather just feel sorry for myself. (Woe is me!! Woe is me!!)
50. Is anyone jealous of you?
Who wouldn't be ;)
51. What time is it?
11:12 pm.
52. Do any of your friends have children?
Friends?
53. Do you eat healthy?
I'm not eating chocolate bars every day like I used to. I'm honestly picking one little thing at at time.
54. What do you usually do during the day?
Manage roomfuls of monkeys and attempt to compensate for my co-worker's incompetence..
55. Do you hate anyone right now?
Hate? No. But I strongly dislike some people right now - aforementioned co-worker, trashcan-stealing neighbors
56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
Yes
58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
27! The most magical of all birthdays in the world!
59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Yes. Did I mention that my skin blisters when I get sunburned?
60. How did you get one of your scars?
Surgery to put 2 pins in my lower-left tibia after I broke it. 7th grade. That's when I found out I'd be short for the rest of my life.

3 Mini-posts ... All in one!

That's Trash!
As Sarah discussed in her post, we discovered this afternoon that our neighbors had stolen our trash can. I tell ya, this is one of those things that makes me count the minutes until the second coming, or rather wish that I could.

Personal Service at Walgreens
I walk into the pharmacy and the lab tech says, "I'll be right with you, Miss Erickson." This is not the first time. I guess with all 13 prescriptions, they better know my name by now. Thank you, tax-free medical spending account!

What a Gay Evening
Once again I will address a situation Sarah discussed in her own post. The gala last night was ... amusing. Everyone kept pronouncing gala as gay-la. My camera's battery was dead, so I didn't get to take covert fug photos as I had hoped. I was expecting some ugly dresses, but there were some real doozies. Everyone there was so pleased with themselves. Blech. The food was fantastic, but if the $150 a head went directly to the foundation instead of food, decorations, and ballroom, they'd raise so much more money. I'm going to ask for some of it to buy some books, but geez people. Get over yourselves.