THIS IS A TAG GAME...CHECK BELOW TO SEE IF YOU HAVE BEEN TAGGED
Please give three answers to each catagory....

Things that scare me: Being alone when all is said and done, creepy movies while alone in the house and lizards.
People who make me laugh: My kids, Stephanie and my Hubby
Things I don’t understand: Money mismanagement by governments, algebra, why Marty Schottenheimer insists on making PR handoff the ball instead of THROW the ball
Things I am doing right now: This meme, listening to The Arrogant Worms and thinking about my special someone.
Things I can do: Tie a cherry stem with my tongue, make people laugh, listen...really well
Ways to describe my personality: bluntly honest, loyal and independant
Things I can’t do: Run a mile, Fix everyone's problems when asked, see without my glasses
Things I think you should listen to: children's laughter, waves crashing on the shore, to the meaning behind a sincere persons words.
Things you should never listen to: politicians, drunks and insurance agents
Things I’d like to learn: Gourmet cooking, how to fix my own car, html coding
Favorite Foods: Sausage Balls, Chicken, peppermint sticks
Beverages I drink regularly: Water wth Lemon, Coke Classic, Milk
TV Shows I watched as a kid: Emergency, Adam 12, Battlestar Galactica

I TAG Aleta, Susan and Mary :o)

I think I will go find some memes to take...this blog is getting boring...anyone seen any good ones lately??? Let me know~

I spent the weekend in beautiful San Diego. California. I LOVE San Diego. The air is clean, the breeze is bountiful, the temperatures in the mid 70's almost all the time, And the men~OMG~ the men. They must have a no ugly policy there. Between the football players, the Navy men and the UCSD students...MMMMMmmm

We went to the Chargers game, which we won 31-20...YAY. Philip DID NOT have a good game unfortunately. He fumbled 3 times, got sacked twice...just where was his line?? They sure weren't helping him any...and he bruised his throwing shoulder. The word is he will be fine but still...hey Offensive Line...your job is to keep him from getting HIT and to give him time to release the ball...Nate Kaeding had a good game...he's the punter and he is just so cute... in a little brother kind of way.

I took several pics and if I can remember how to post them I will do that sometime this next week.

I need to get the kids into bed...I'm tired..we walked A LOT in SD. It is definitely a walking kind of town.

~toodles~

To those I know who are going through medical issues...a few words.

Stephanie: REST, Baby, REST

Susan: Hang in there Sweetie. There are more false positives than the labs want us to know about.

to the one who wishes to remain anonymous: Yes, it's going to be a battle. You've been there before...you know what you're facing. Stay strong and remain positive.

{{HUGS}} If you need me, I'm here for you!! I close this blog with a few words from a courageous man who battled cancer.... Jim Valvano...former head coach of the N.C. State B-ball team and a pretty wise man IMHO~

"When people say to me how do you get through life or each day, it's the same thing. To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special."

Words to live by~

Today was a good day. The last day of the summer program came and went and I said "goodbye" to my summer babies, I really enjoy my summer kids. The ages are varied with the average child being 8 in my class. That is such an awesome age. They've developed a sense of humor, they're still fairly respectful and they have also developed an independence so I have to do very little for them. We had alot of fun this year and summer flew by.

Talked a bit to Pastor today. He and I get along pretty well. Ya'll know I am not a crier. I hate crying in front of people, well, apparently I am comfortable round him cause I have cried twice in his presence. He must think I am a big ole baby. It's just nice to have someone other than my immediate circle I can trust and know nothing will be "shared" with anyone else. I even gave him the address to this blog...so ya'll behave yourselves ;oP (waves "Hi" to Pastor)

The last few days it has hit me that I will not be in the classroom this year. It's harder than I imagined it would be. Part of my identity is teacher and now, I have to change who I am. I really don't like changes...least not big ones. But, I am not "only" a teacher. Maybe it's time to find a new part of me that I've repressed or haven't discovered yet. Don't get me wrong, I am not suddenly going to start jumping out of planes or base jump or anything like that...but maybe I can look into cooking classes or something along those lines. I haven't used my hands creatively in such a long time, maybe I should look into pottery, knitting or something that lets me relax and create all at the same time.

That's all for now...I am off to Target to finish up on the school supply shopping. We're down to needing a trip to Victoria's Secret for the girls and me needing to check and see if Abercrombie and Fitch has started their clearance sale. They usually have great deals on last year's sweaters.

Keeeeeses and hugs to all.... TTYL~

Know what?? Sometimes you just have to close your eyes, picture the person you love in your head and SMILE~ That image can go a long way towards making your day brighter!!

I was re-reading some old posts and came across this bit I had written a little over 2 years ago. If anything, it is more appropriate now:

Sometimes I think we, as women, tend to forget a very powerful word. Yes, there have been magazine articles galore reminding us of this word. Yet, I read friends blogs and see that they haven't learned it any more than I have. We need to say, "NO!". There comes a time when we just need to let everything go. Tell your closest friends, "you know, I KNOW I owe you a Thank You card, but right now, I am so behind, I just thought I would tell you in person and hope you understand how behind I am." TRUST ME, if they are your true friends, they'll understand. The same can be said for school events that don't directly relate to your child's scholastic life, for parties on Friday nights when you just want your pajamas and a bowl of Ben and Jerry's, and yes, even for church on Sunday mornings. Sometimes it's easier to just talk to God while you rest at home. I believe He listens regardless of my own location. I am trying to simplify my life right now. The stress is getting to be too much with family issues going on.

LOL If only I had known the stressers that were coming...I might have pulled the covers over my head and never have come up for air. "No" has always been hard for me to say to people. I am a pleaser. But lately, I have used it with the people in my life who know me and know I try my best. They've seen me at my best, some at my worst, and they love me anyway. It has helped. So...to you all who have my back...much love back at ya...I've got you covered too ~MWAH~

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL???

I am! I decided I was going to go to a pre-season game or two. I went to my fave ticket broker and acquired 4 tickets to see MY Philip Rivers play his first games as the starter for the Chargers. Yes, I said MY, I have watched that boy play for 4 years...maybe 5. I never was interested in the Chargers before he was drafted. I held on with him as Drew Brees kept his position on the team the last few years...and I was EXCITED as hell when I heard Brees had not been re-signed. Sure, Philip will have a few things to learn taking control of the game, but he led at N.C. State for 4 years and won all of the bowl games he went to...3 years of 4....Give him a few weeks to settle in and lets just see what he can do.

The added benefit is that it is in San Diego. I LOVE SD. It's cool and always gorgeous. Beaches, pretty boys to look at, all those football players in tight little pants. Pretty boys....oh yeah, they have Sea World too. If I had the money, and liked the state I live in, I would move to San Diego.

I've rambled enough...I have to take the kids back to school shopping now...not that I want to....I just HAVE to. I'd rather have surgery while awake than go back to school shopping....but...t must be done..time for the annual trek to the mall.....GAG~

Still sick....

My throat is still sore. It is becoming worse. I thought I had gotten over whatever it was I had. Guess I need to go back to the doc and be seen again. I may have to do that tonsilectomy after all...grrrrrr.
I don't have time for this...but i sure hate feeling this bad.

This was a VERY LONG week. I am glad it is the weekend, though it means LOTS of chores for me. I am so behind. I am going to tackle the laundry pile and clean my bedroom. The shower is getting slippery, though I am the only one to notice such things. How s it 3 of 5 people can shower in the same area and only one notices that the yellow tiles have a slightly greenish tint to them near the floor?? Ewwww. I think I will try Susan's way of cleaning...1/2 hour cleaning...1/2 hour relaxing. At least for tomorrow.

In other news, I will be starting my new hours on the 21st. I will only work 4 hours a day and only in the office. It will be so strange to not be in my classroom. The new teacher is very sweet. She is also very leary of taking on the responsibility of preparing this years class for Kindergarten. I've offered my services for the frst few weeks to answer any questions, help her with lesson plans, arrainge a class schedule, etc. I'll have to remember it is HER class and keep my opinions to myself.

Finally, I have insomnia. I am up most nights at about 3 a.m. I stay awake a few hours, get another hour then get up for work. It is getting old. I've cut out caffeine and afternoon naps, relax in the hot tub, listen to soft music, try and clear my head...nothing works. If it goes on much longer, I do believe I may go a little crazy.