Homecoming and Appreciating Good Health

October 2, 2011

Homecoming

Marisa and Kayla went to LM Homecoming yesterday. They went with a large group of girls. Bob and I bought them corsages to celebrate Marisa’s last HS Homecoming and Kayla’s 1^st HS dance. They went to HuHot Mongolian Grill for dinner and spent the night at a friend’s house. They looked stunningly beautiful as always!

Recognition Night

Alayna had Activity Days Recognition Night this week. It was an indoor family picnic. Their leader shared a neat analogy as she had the girls’ line up like geese in flight and shared these neat ideas.

http://www.hobnobia.net/content/content/leadership-lessons-geese

Tennis

Tyler had another meet this week and he and his partner won 4-2. Go Tyler!

Appreciating Good Health

Ok, so my antibiotics didn’t work, so they had to call me in a new one. For the record, if any of you are with me if I’m ever in the hospital, it is YOUR job to make sure they DO NOT give me Azithromyacin because it will KILL me! I was deathly ill and I don’t ever want to feel like that again. They put me on another one and I am FINALLY feeling better after a month of being very ill. Still not 100%, but I would KILL for perfect health until the day I die. Sickness and germs are for the birds!

Loving the Library

I truly enjoy my job! It is so weird actually being excited to go to work each day. I will start my Field Experiences class in January. I’ll drag through getting this Master’s but it should be worth it. I’ve been working hard on this HUGE series project and I just love it.

(Part of display I helped with for Banned Book Week)

Tell No One

Ok, my new favorite book is called Tell No One by Harlan Coben. I found out there is a movie as well and can’t wait to see it. If you like mystery and suspense, this is a good one. I’m reading another one of his called Gone for Good but I don’t like it as much because of the language and background story.

Being a Trekkie, the Cardboard Dancer, and Guess who got asked to Homecoming?

Being a Trekkie, the Cardboard Dancer, and Guess who got asked to Homecoming?

The Cardboard Dancer

Alayna has an obsession with cardboard lately. She made a cardboard costume and ran around dancing through the house. It was pretty hilarious. She still has her cardboard home set up.

Being a Trekkie

This week at the school I work, it was Homecoming week. On Thursday, it was “nerd day” and all of us teachers dressed up like Trekkies. I got the staff picture (but I wasn’t there). We looked pretty cool! I wore red and we were told that the red guys are always the ones that die. Oh well.

Red and Black Track Attack

Alayna ran in the track attack this week and got a bracelet for every lap she did. She did 12!! So proud! The school is raising money to put in a new track.

Guess who got asked to Homecoming this week?

Nope, not Marisa. Guess again! Nope, not Kayla, try again! Me! Bwaahaahaa! There is the student at school that thinks he is a charmer. He kept showing me this note across the library asking me to homecoming and begging me to go. Dork! When I came back from lunch this sign and his drink cap was on my desk. I bet he was dared to make an old lady’s day…lol!

The girls are planning to go to homecoming next week with a group of friends which should be fun. They started altering dresses for it yesterday.

Stupid Cold

We are still fighting this bad cold and Bob ended up with a respiratory infection which has knocked him flat for a few days. Hope the antibiotics start working faster.

Banned Book Week

Hopefully I will get pics of our display this week, but I thought you all might be interested to know what the 10 most frequently challenged books of 2010 were:

Below is a list of the 10 books that were challenged most often in 2010. Fortunately, few of these books have been removed from schools or libraries, due to the efforts of First Amendment advocates. (Source: ALA Web Site)

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group

2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: offensive language, racism, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence

1. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
   Reasons: insensitivity, offensive language, racism, and sexually explicit
2. Crank, by Ellen Hopkins
   Reasons: drugs, offensive language, and sexually explicit
3. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
   Reasons: sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence
4. Lush, by Natasha Friend
   Reasons: drugs, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
5. What My Mother Doesn't Know, by Sonya Sones
   Reasons: sexism, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
6. Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich
   Reasons: drugs, inaccurate, offensive language, political viewpoint, and religious viewpoint
7. Revolutionary Voices, edited by Amy Sonnie
   Reasons:  homosexuality and sexually explicit
8. Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer
   Reasons: religious viewpoint and violence

The Lysol Fairy, the Guardian Angel, and the Sickies

The Lysol Fairy, the Guardian Angel, and the Sickies

The Lysol Fairy and the Sickies

And so the sicknesses have begun. I was very sick last weekend. I’ll admit I blamed it all on stress and worry from a new job. I had a migraine so bad I would have bet money that my head would explode and I was extremely nauseous. Finally after about a week of feeling that way I went to the walk-in clinic where he said I had a massive sinus infection. OH! So, that’s what that was?? So, I got some antibiotics and some hardcore pain meds (which make me happy) and I thought all might be well. Until 2 days later I came down with the cold from heck. Then, Alayna got it and came home early on Thursday and missed school on Friday. Then Tyler got it and missed school Friday. I didn’t take off any work although I should have since I feel hideous. The last 2 nights I have slept 14 hours each. It would have been heaven if I hadn’t been sneezing, coughing, and blowing my brains out through my nose.

My biggest worry this whole time has been what this will all do to Bob. I became the Lysol Fairy this week (I LITERALLY wore wings, ask the kids) and I skipped around spraying everyone and everything with Lysol. But I don’t think it worked. Bob came home early from church with this same dang cold. Dangit! We need to get him in a plastic bubble- anyone have one we can borrow?

The Guardian Angel

My mother and grandmother have always said, “Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly”. This week all 4 kids were coming home from YW, YM, and AD and Marisa was driving. It was late and dark and as she went to cross an intersection she didn’t see a car come flying. Kayla screamed, Marisa slammed on her brakes, and they missed the car literally by inches. They were all scared to death with adrenaline pumping by the time they got home. Here was Kayla’s summary:

“wow i just saved all my siblings lives. i feel like a hero! well i actually saw the car speeding across the intersection and i was like what the heck why is marisa going into the intersection? so i ran out of the car and pushed the car out of the way. i realized i had time to spare so i went to the nearest mcdonalds and grabbed a smoothie. when i got back in the car we had enough time to brake before she almost hit it.”

I’m just grateful that Marisa didn’t drive faster than their guardian angel could fly!

Lots of odds and ends

*Kayla took the ACT last weekend and we hope to get the results soon.

*So, I missed the Primary Program today where Alayna sang a solo, did sign language with the activity day girls and had a speaking part. I have seen all the rehearsals (thank heavens) but I heard she did a fantastic job!!

*The girls headed up to Cedar Falls for the Stake Youth Activity and dance.

*Tyler won his challenge match in tennis this week as well as his meet in Prairie! Go Tyler!

*Alayna made cookies all by herself for the very first time. The first batch didn’t work so well since she accidentally put in 1/8 cup of salt rather than 1/8 teaspoon( slight difference there). But her 2^nd batch was great and she was so proud she could do it all by herself.

*Bob bought me a new vacuum yesterday which actually sucks! In a good way! Whoohoo!

*Remember how I’ve said that Alayna is one of the most creative people I know? She created a huge “cardboard house” out of the vacuum and misc cardboard. She had a mail slot, a TV, a bed, a thumb printing machine to gain entrance, etc. It was very cool!

(Pancake alayna made of a mom, holding a baby, on a carriage?)

Question of the week- How is work?

I absolutely LOVE my job except for 1 thing (which I’m not exactly ready to talk about). The library is definitely my place of solace. I’m surprised how busy I am the entire time and how much I have learned. I’m a bit bummed I took the semester off of school but I have no idea how I would fit it in this schedule. The commute is lame, but I probably just need to get books on tape to listen to the 25 minutes there and the 25 minutes back. It’s funny, you wouldn’t think a town like Cedar Rapids has any traffic…

I’m pretty sure the library hasn’t been cleaned or organized in about 10 years, so I up totally up my organization and cleaning alley and kicking butt. Sometimes I even impress myself. I’ll have to take pics when I’m all done.

I do love high school students overall, better than middle school. But Jefferson is a rougher school than LM and so sometimes I am surprised by stuff, like the fight that broke out in the library this week. There is no way I will break one of those up when its between 2 football players twice my size. But overall I love working with the kids there. One guy even gave me his business card. My hope is that I can get an actual library job next year. Keep your fingers super crossed for me!

The Reading Fiend

One drawback of being in the library is that I find stuff everyday that I want to read. I have read like 7-8 books since I started. I’m happy to give reviews if anyone is interested. The series I have been really into this week is Streams of Babel and Fire will Fall by Carol Plum-Ucci. Here is a review:

From School Library Journal

Grade 8–11—In 2002, high school outcast Cora Holman's mom dies of a mysterious brain aneurysm, preceded by flulike symptoms. Then Cora, Owen Eberman, and two of their friends gradually come down with a similar ailment. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, 16-year-old computer genius and cyber-spy Shahzad, who is working for the U.S. government, has uncovered information about a terror threat called Red Vinegar, and he is taken to New York in order to follow the terrorist chatter more directly. Through the alternating narratives and interwoven lives of six teens (including the child of a terrorist working on behalf of North Korea), Plum-Ucci offers a compelling tale of bioterror. It is, however, unclear why she chose to depict a group of religious terrorists celebrating by "popping champagne and drinking forties," unless, perhaps, it is to indicate hypocrisy in their ranks. The characters, particularly Shahzad, are well drawn and have unique voices, and the unresolved ending leaves a lot of room for t hought and discussion. Ultimately, this is a tautly paced thriller that will force readers to think about the complexities of living in a post-9/11 world.—Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System

I loved the stories but the language is bad. If I were to ever buy the books I would go through with permanent marker and block out lots of the language. Just thought I’d warn you if anyone was thinking about reading them.

Sometimes it's nice to recognize that life is good WHILE life is good...

Sometimes it's nice to recognize that life is good WHILE life is good...

Several weeks ago my brother posted the above quote on facebook and I found it rather profound. I was thinking this week that it really fit. It is nice to recognize when life is good when it is actually good, instead of in hindsight.

I LOVE my new job!! I love it! I actually wake up in the morning excited and looking forward to work. How weird is that?? I have learned to check in books, check out books, cover paperbacks with the plastic covering, create barcodes and spine labels, work the new computer system.

Basically, I TOTALLY rock and I think it fits me perfectly. I really like working with the high school students. I love being able to help them and the short interaction times. I love data entry. Who knew? I entered 35 spreadsheets into the computer this week and enjoyed every minute. There could be things to complain about like the commute and no AC but its funny how even those things don’t matter as much when you actually love what you do. So, maybe I found my thing??

We have had to work hard on the logistics of where everyone is going and when. My awesome organizational skills and I came up with a cool way to keep track of this week which works great!

Other Happenings

*KROAR- Tyler auditioned for and made KROAR which is the on air announcements for the middle school. Once a week he gets to go on the intercom and read the announcements for the day. He loves it.

*Tyler started tennis last week. It has been brutally hot, but he has been doing awesome. When I pick him up each day he’s as red as a cherry tomato!

*Alayna started the new Linn Grove running club. They are training to do the Turkey Trot in November. I told her I would run it with her and she said “No thanks. I don’t want to run it”. Why won’t anyone run anything with me??

*We spent yesterday making 14 jars of salsa and our very favorite chocolate raspberry pie.

*Alayna built an awesome “fort” during the BYU game and slept in it last night. She also races through it and has us time it for a “challenge”.

*Other than the massive heat days (with a heat index of 105!) we did have a few nice evenings where Bob and the kids went out to play football.

*Do you like Kayla’s new shirt?

*Alayna’s new birthday dress and bow

*Alayna painted her jewelry box and it looks awesome. She loves to do crafts!

*Tyler renewed and redid his blog. Its totally cool so hop onto the link and go read it. Way to go Tyler!

*Hart grandparents came to celebrate Labor Day with us. We have fun plans tomorrow.  Transformers anyone?

Happy 9th birthday Alayna

Happy 9^th birthday Alayna

(Alayna wrote this song-to the tune of Happy Birthday- for me to sing to her to wake her up on her bday. Original spelling kept to save the integrity of the poem.)

“Penguguins live in a zoo,

There also meant for pets to,

But im not getting one for your birthday,

And remember that for Christmas two!”

She invited lots of friends over for her birthday party. We were originally going to get “Mr. Poppers Penguins” but it didn’t come out in time, so we went with Alayna’s favorite movie, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”. I let her pick out her decorations (she is very particular), her cake (we had the lady there put on her name for free), and the rainbow cupcakes for her class. She LOVES being able to pick all that out on her own and decorate her own way.

The kids watched the movie and had lots of popcorn. Then we opened presents, had cake and ice cream, and then played outside. Overall, I think it was a huge success. Her daddy even bought her flowers!

Fantastic and Exciting News

I have never once regretted my decision to resign from teaching at the middle school. I felt strongly I needed a change and a “new direction”. I’ve been searching diligently for a new job for several months now. I was offered one, but turned it down due to some concerns I had. I was offered a possibility on another and turned that down as well. Then, I thought “Maybe I’m being too picky”? But then I have LOVED being home and stress free. I always knew if I could start feeling better and have no stress I would be a force to be reckoned with.

Anyway, the 1^st week of August a job popped up for a media secretary at Jefferson High School, which is exactly the type of thing I’ve been wanting (I think?) So, I figured this was as good a time as any to try, right? Long story short, I thought the interview went great and they called (after several grueling days) and offered me the job. They said my references were “absolutely impeccable” and they were excited to have me. I start on Monday so wish me luck. I’m taking a break from my Master’s for a bit to lower the stress and make sure this is what I want to do. I have lots of worries about this new change and how I will fit in, but I know how happy I am in libraries, so we shall see.

Not such great news

I promise I am NOT being ungrateful here for the job, but I found out there is no air conditioning and the required dress is dressy casual, of which I have very little. See, NONE of my clothes fit anymore, which is a good thing, but fashion right now is hideous which is BAD! Fur vests? Really?? Can anyone picture me in a fur vest in an un-airconditioned library? I think not. Ruffles? Ok, some people can pull off ruffles, but I am not one of those. I look like a pirate and the ruffles go around my face like a picture frame, so not a good look. Also, shirts with HUGE arm holes. Really? Is that where we want people to look? After about 3 solid shopping days I came home with 1 pair of black pants and a sports bra. So, wish me luck on Monday! Maybe I should go into fashion design and make affordable cute clothes for people my age to still want to look young and don’t want to enter into a mid-life crisis. Is that too much to ask?

Kayla and the Drama of the Sophomore Year

Ok, so I won’t go into a ton of detail except to say sometimes high schools suck and I wish a charter school were here. Basically, Kayla has had a couple of health issues so she has had to miss PE and so I petitioned to get a waiver and have it dropped. The idiots at school won’t drop it til she has a dr note and the dr can’t see her again until Tuesday. Argh! So, they made her sit in the counseling office. I finally pushed and got this quarter waived until we get the dr note which hopefully waives the remainder of the year.

THEN, they said we missed the deadline to add a class by 2 days. They make NO exceptions. Ever. Did I say “idiots” yet? So, they can add a study hall. But she ALREADY has a block study hall. So, we went with a different option and ordered an interior design class from BYU independent study for high school students. She is SUPER excited so she will do that class during the 2^nd study hall.

Domestic Goddess of Awesomeness

*I probably should have put a disclaimer at the beginning of this entire blog entry to let you know most of it would be about me!

Now that I will be working pretty much full time (6 ½ hours a day), my previous job of “Domestic Goddess of Awesomeness” shall probably cease to exist. And I was on SUCH a roll! You would all be shocked at everything I accomplished this week. I probably should have relaxed more (and I did some like relaxing bubble baths to read during the day) but I felt like I had so many things that were needing to be done, I just couldn’t help myself. You know me.

I scrubbed the outside of the outside fridge which hasn’t been done since we moved here. I scrubbed the door going from the laundry room to the garage. It used to look black, now it sparkles white. I transferred almost all of the kids treasure boxes into color-coded bins. I made their awards binders. I started working on the blog for our 1^st year of marriage and Marisa’s birth (I should have been shot for the bangs I had!) I dusted and deep cleaned, I put up our new family picture. Let’s just say, so I don’t list and bore you to tears, that I TOTALLY rocked this week. Now I go back to survival mode?

Odds and Ends

●Marisa went on a temple trip on Saturday to Nauvoo. Tyler wasn’t able to go since he spent all Friday home sick with a fever and Kayla was sick as well. It’s starting already? Really? Kayla and Alayna even spent some time in the nurse’s office this week. Good grief, people! Do I need to send you to school with masks on? Bob is literally following everyone around with Lysol. He even squirted Tyler’s pillow when Tyler’s head was still on it!

●I have some more excellent and exciting news! BOTH girls (Marisa and Kayla) earned an academic letter for last year and will be awarded for it at a huge assembly this week. It means their grade average stayed above a 3.9. Kayla will get a special Honors Award and Marisa is getting a special Distinction Award. I am so very proud of them and their efforts.

●Alayna is one of the most creative people I know! She brought home her cupcake container after school and turned it into a housing area/spaceship for her squinkies. It’s awesome!

●Made more spaghetti sauce!

Private blog

After a ton of consideration, I finally decided to make our blog private. I had someone leave an odd anonymous comment and then someone try to advertise Abercrombie in my comments section, so I figured it was time. I sent invites out to those I know that read it, but if you know anyone who reads it and needs an invite just let me know. I promise I am not trying to exclude, just protect.