Tuesday, October 30, 2007

A Life-long Obsession is DEAD!!

I have always had a mysterious attraction to cookie cutters. Everywhere I went, I found a gift shop with random shaped cookie cutters. I had to buy them because for some odd reason I believed that I would use them. Well, I got rid of my collection a few years back when I realized that I was moving them from apartment to apartment and had never touched their little metal blades to any form of dough.
So, I should have been prepared with the temptation that struck me in JoAnn's not too long ago. I saw a bag of Halloween shaped cookie cutters and the rest is history. They came home with me and sat on my countertop for weeks as I prepared myself for tomorrow. This time I was determined to use them.
So, Friday night with John gone to Michigan for computer stuff, I set to work. I used my no-fail cookbook and whipped up a batch of cookie dough. Reading through ALL the directions has never been one of my strengths, so you can imagine I was a little annoyed when the directions said 'roll dough into balls and squash with a cup to flatten.' Hmmm..I had picked the wrong recipe. Apparently the one for cookie cutters is different and has to be stronger to withstand the rolling and cutting. So, I made my little ball sugar cookies and munched away.
Well, tomorrow is Halloween as you all know and as I teach little Munchkins I felt the need to do something festive. I usually don't get this urge, but since all the other teachers pulled it together and assigned a Room Mother to plan and carry out classroom parties, and I neglected all of the above, I needed to do something to show that I am worth my weight in flour at least. So, I found the correct recipe and started this evening.
Again, not having read the directions all the way through, I was not so happy to read the 'roll dough into balls and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.' So, either next time I am going to read all the directions before cooking or I am never going to cook again. I have not really decided how to go on this one yet.
Well, after waiting the appropriate time for the dough to chill, I began the process of rolling and cutting. At this point, and no sooner, I realize that I do not own a rolling pin. Nice. For some very obvious reason I did not register for one when I got married. I was wishing tonight that I had.
So I pulled out the largest plastic cup that I could find. I'm just going to say it. Making sugar cookies sucks!!! What is the point? They don't even have chocolate in them. What the heck! I wasn't thinking. I just thought about how fun it would be for the little kids to decorate these cookies tomorrow after we cut up our pumpkin and count seeds, etc.
After rolling out my first piece of dough and moving the cookies to the cookie tray, I couldn't even figure out the shape of the cookie anymore.
I have officially finished making my first and last ever batch of sugar cookies. I really don't love anyone enough to ever do this again, so don't ask.
Next time a Holiday approaches, remind me to get a Room Mother. There has to be at least 1 out of 17 moms that likes making sugar cookies. Ya think?
So, my cookie cutters are looking for a new home and I think the urge to buy cookie cutters is gone forever.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Tag I'm It!

So, who is the most popular girl ever? That's right, it's me. I have officially been tagged again by Bronwyn. There is a slightly different format, so here I go!
5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:
1) I wish I could remember. I think I was at Ricks. I'll pretend this was the year.
2) Meeting Bronwyn!!!
3) Crushing on boys
4) Listening to Chris LeDoux and feeling a little country.
5) Bon fires at the sand dunes

5 Things on my To-Do list:
1) Make sugar cookies
2) Finish topping the apple trees
3) Spend the weekend reading and crafting
4) Watch the episode of The Office that I missed last night while chaperoning a youth dance. Ugh!
5) Get brave and make visiting teaching appointments for Oct 30th! :)

5 Snacks I enjoy:
1) Brownies
2) Chocolate chip cookies (right out of the oven, all gooey and warm)
3) Rocky road ice cream
4) A glass of Egg Nog with some gingersnaps! Yum!
5) A bowl of Captain Crunch Berries

5 Snacks I should like:
1) Apples
2) Celery Sticks
3) Pretzels
4) Baby carrots
5) Guacamole- I have lost many friends over my hatred of all things Avocado. Don't worry the best ones stuck around.

5 Songs I know the lyrics to:
1) Karma Cameleon
2) Just Kiss Me- Harry Connick Jr. (I love you if you read my blog! What a dream!)
3) Happy Birthday
4) Can't Hurry Love
5) Love is a Battlefield Wo-o-o-o-o-oh!

5 Things I would do if I had a million dollars:
1) Quit my job
2) Create some sort of trust and live off the interest FOREVER. I don't know if $1 million is enough to do that with? How about 2 million? Okay, so with $2 million.
3)Buy a plane and have John get his pilot's license so he could chauffeur me all around the world. 1st to visit my friends whenever and 2nd to take you all on wonderful vacations
4)Go shopping- clothes, jewelry, slipper socks. You name it!
5) Pay Wendy's mom to come and decorate my house

5 Bad habits:
1) Leaving clean clothes in the hamper. I hate folding. The other day John was looking for some socks. He was frustrated that he couldn't find them in the normal spot of laundry basket and instead I had folded them and put them away! Sneaky girl. I'm always keeping him on his toes.
2) Not listening to voicemail on my home phone. #1 I assume it is a phone call for Adam Tevis, who used to have this number. If you are out there Adam, please call those people and give them your real digits!! For the love! or #2 I figure it is someone who wants me to do something and I don't actually want to talk to them because then I'll have to say yes or think of an excuse really quick. Don't get me wrong, I like being helpful sometimes, but just not when I'm in my jammies. Since I get in my jammies by 4pm, you better be quick.
3) I don't make my bed. Sad because we have a beautiful duvet cover and cute throw pillows that sit in the corner of the bedroom.
4) I don't exercise!
5) I don't floss! :( I once had a dentist tell me 'Only floss the ones you want to keep.' No nagging, just that one little statement. Thanks Dr. Allred, I still hear your voice in my head almost daily. That really should motivate me. Doesn't.

5 Things I will never wear again:
1) Plaid flannel shirts 5 sizes too big
2) Side ponytail. Although now I am kind of wishing I had long hair just so I could wear a side pony for the evening. I would make myself smile. John is away on business so no one would have to know. Except that I would probably take a picture and post it on the blog. Good thing I have short hair.
3) Lee Press On Nails! What a waste. Anyone ever have luck with those?
4) Jumpers that scream 'I'm a missionary and lost my waist!'
5) Ugly shoes. Life is too short!

*One thing I wish I could wear soon: A cute pair of striped toe socks. I'm in the market if you see any.

5 of my favorite toys:
1) My sewing machine
2) My computer. My current favorite thing to do is to make photo collages. Happy girl.
3) Water filled hula hoops. My goal as a little girl was to be able to hula hoop. I was a total failure, but never gave up hope. Then one day about 5 yrs ago, I discovered the world's most important invention. The Water Hula Hoop! I pulled it out of the box at Wal-Mart and started to Hula Hoop. As the hoop went around and around without dropping to my ankles, I actually cried. Yep. Lifetime dream accomplished.
4) Bop It
5) Dice and cards for all sorts of fun

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Oh, I get it!

So, I didn't get what being tagged was about. I thought it was just her way of saying 'Update your blog, Woman!' No, really it was her way of saying 'I want to learn more about you than I learned in the time we were roommates.' I know, Rachel, You just can't get enough, you just can't get enough. Know that I am singing and dancing in my chair right now.
Okay, six things about me...

1) Unlike Rachel, I think there are many things cuter than Primary kids. I of course spend enough time with Sun Beam age kids all day, so when the weekend comes I try to avoid small children at all cost. So here it is. I dread the day that I will get called to serve in the Primary. I know the day will come, but it will be one of those 'I am saying yes because I don't say no, but not because I really wanna do this' moments.

2) I sing into a glitter microphone daily and dance on the carpet with my kids. I also shimmy in front of 5 yr olds and at church. Rachel taught me that there is no inappropriate time to shimmy. I hope that was the message.

3) I am someday going to win Best of Show for a quilt that I made. It is not a pipe dream folks. I'm gonna get talent one of these days.

4) I have spent an entire day sitting on the couch watching the Marathon America's Next Top Model. Then I spent the evening practicing faces and poses because I got brainwashed into thinking it was all reality. Well, I guess it is reality, just not MY reality. Remember me at my bridal pictures Rachel and Heather? The photographer told me to give him a sexy look. I am pretty sure that I looked anything but sexy.

5) I am in love with Paula Deen! Who doesn't love anything made with lots of butter and heavy cream? I drool during each episode. P.S. I don't really like to cook!

6) My idea of the world's best invention/product, aside from the shower and running toilets is the individual Nestle's Tollhouse Cookies!!! I hate making cookies because I just want a few and by the time I have made one batch, eaten half of the dough and burned the rest of the cookies, it is too long of an evening. Way to go Nestle's!

There you have it. Two posts in one day! I hope I get extra points for this.
Love you guys!

Barnacle!!

Sadly, my kids are not as funny as in previous years. Perhaps because they are native English speakers, they don't make so many of the comments that leave me howling. Today I did luckily have a moment that at least made me chuckle.
We were playing abc BINGO. One little table of kids seemed to not be having much luck. Either I gave them BINGO cards with numbers on them, or they just weren't that skilled at recognizing letters yet. So, after almost every letter that I called out, they would sigh and get a little frustrated that they didn't have it. After a few of those, my little Drama King started saying 'Barnacle' after every letter. So soon the whole table was excitedly calling out 'Barnacle.' I let them keep at it because it made me smile.
It was one of the few reasons I had to smile today. Too bad this next part happened today also or I would have two blog worthy items.
NEWSFLASH...I am not certified to teach kindergarten in Wisconsin!!! Aren't you all shocked? Yeah, me too!
So, here's the story. Yesterday, my principal met me in the hall and asked when I had prep time to chat with her. I went to her office during prep time but she wasn't there. So, I ran into her in the hall after telling a co-worker that she wanted to talk to me and thinking that my friend said 'I'm sure you'll be fired' as opposed to what she really said 'I'm sure you'll be fine.' So, I related this to my principal chuckling and she unfortunately wasn't chuckling back! YIKES! So, then she asked me 'Are you licensed to teach kindergarten?' Um...is this a trick question?
Come to find out, the state Department of Education has me listed on the computer as only having a license to teach 1-8. Well, as you can imagine I got a little confused and scared out of my mind. Well, I remembered that my license listed PK-8 and also a certification for 1-8, so I felt confident in applying for this position. AND I need to add that my school district hired me, so they must have been convinced.
So, as the state agency informed me that the first 'certification' of PK-8 was a joke and that it is just the general category that my license falls under and the second 'certification' of 1-8 is the specific category. Hmmm... well, there is no reason looking at the license that anyone would understand that. I didn't get it, my principal didn't get it, the district people didn't get it, but now they are trying to screw me over!! Nice.
So, this only came to their attention with me because they are apparently changing the name of the first 'certification' to just state Elementary. So, the licenses will read something like: You are licensed to teach Elementary grades 1-8. Won't that be so much nicer. I was talking to the semi-grumpy lady at the state and I asked her if this 'general' label had created many similar problems and this is why they were changing the name? She hesitatingly agreed.
So, I know you guys are dying to know what I am going to do now? Well, they are going to issue me an emergency license, and if they think I am paying the $100 fee that goes with that, they are insane. I am going to finish out this year with my kiddos and then either a)teach another grade at this school b)teach another grade at another school or c) become a full time domestic goddess! Okay, domestic goddess is never going to be possible, but maybe domestic priestess. I think you only have to do 1/2 as much housework for that title.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Crying Like a Weee Baby

I am sure I am one of the 13 million people who cried like a wee babe as I watched and listened to Elder Wirthlin speak at Conference. Not only was it a wonderful talk, but what an incredible moment of pure charity when Elder Nelson stood with him to steady and support him. I am so grateful for Conference! The very message he was sharing was of giving help and love in the small moments of life. Could it have been exemplified in any better way? Fantastic Conference! I feel like we should have a favorite Conference talk blog. Anyone?

Friday, October 5, 2007

I just can't help myself


Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!
What can I say? This is so much fun. I will stop at some point. Probably now, because what could be funnier than this?

I couldn't resist


Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!
Andrea, you are too cute!! Gotta love the shimmy!!

Good Ole' Fashion Fun


Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!
All I have to say is Hayden is a great dancer for such a little guy and Gina, have you heard of modesty? As I tell my kindergarteners, No one wants to see your chonies!

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Yummy Pumpkin Stuff

Katie emailed me the recipe!!!! Here it is:

3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 large can pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
Mix all ingredients together. Spread in a greased 9 X 13 pan. Sprinkle 1 box of yellow cake mix over the pumpkin mixture. (I actually only use 2/3 of the cake mix, because I don't like the 'crust' too thick.) Pour 1 cup melted butter over the dry cake mix, making sure it covers the mix completely. Sprinkle with 1 cup chopped pecans. Bake at 325 for 40-45 minutes. Enjoy!

The Beauty of the Over-share

Well, I am sitting here wondering if I should type what I am about to type and I can't stop myself. This is a story about one of my students. I have this hidden fear that even though my last name does not appear anywhere on my blog and no real clear identifying features that would be google-able, that a parent will find this blog and be upset that I was sharing a story about their child. I will of course leave names off of my hilarious stories, but I really must share.
So today, it was rest time and one of my students asked to, and went to the restroom. Not two minutes after returning he wanted to go again. I asked him to come over to my desk. I said 'little boy, you just went to the bathroom 2 minutes ago, why do you need to go again?' He responded 'well, sometimes when I fart really hard, my underwear gets wet.' !!!!!!!!!!!
So, off he went to the restroom. Who am I to get in the way of that. I really had all I could do not to fall out of my chair. The funniest part was that he was so matter of fact about it. It was a good and funny day, so I am remembering again why I am a school teacher.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Two Good Days

Well, this is the second day in a row that I have come home from work and said 'Wow, that was a great day!' Aaaaaaahhhhh! It's a good feeling. We even had Open House last night and it went well. I have really nice parents so it is always fun to see them and I refrained from saying to them 'I love your child, but sometimes they drive me a little crazy.' I just said the first part. After I took my game face and high heels off, I came home to veg! Isn't cable a beautiful thing? I think my DVR has currently 137 America's Next Top Model episodes taped. I tried to select 'only record the new episodes' option, but I still have several everyday. Hmmm... No hablo DVR!
So, tonight we are headed off to the Corn Maze with the YM/YW. We have been adequately warned by the owners that the teenagers must be watched carefully as they have had several church groups that have been quite naughty! I'm already aware of which of our kids might fall into this category. Through my mind races the 'I'm not a teacher after 4pm' mantra, but then I realize that my stewardship over them consists of not allowing them to cut through and cheat in the corn maze. Yada yada yada. We want to be sure to get invited back next year- I think.
Well, I have a request. Rachel, I need you to post the yummy pumpkin stuff recipe on your blog. I think it is technically Katie's recipe, but she doesn't have a blog yet, so help a girl out.
I am pretty sure that we are having a workplace bake-off for the holidays and I have allowed my ultra-competetive, but not highly talented side come out. I WANT TO WIN!!! The only chance I have is if I steal that recipe and woo them with the heaven that is Yummy Pumpkin Stuff. Can't wait to show off my blue ribbon or Best In Show!