12/28/08

Christmas...



We finally had Christmas on Friday. They Meyer Nuthouse was here(my seester's family). It was an adventure as always. We had to, at the request of Rebecca, open presents as soon as they arrived. The pajama pants I sewed for everybody were a hit. Everybody wore them at least once during the weekend(by the way everybody had their own pair, they did not have to share just one pair like the last sentence may have implied!)! After we opened presents, we had a great lasagna dinner. I always get lasagna when I come home, I love it!

Yesterday and today we just hung out mostly. We did make a trip to the grocery store and to Goodwill yesterday. Good times. Last night, most of us played a game all together. It is always fun to spend time with family. We had a lot of laughs.

Today half of the Meyer crew headed back to Madison. I already miss the dog, Divot. Okay, I miss my nephews and brother-in-law too. Divot was a fun addition to our celebration. He was funny because he kept getting on the counter and stealing food. He loved to help "do the dishes" as you can see by the photo of him searching for treats in the dishwasher. I had fun playing pull with him and he took me for a walk yesterday. Yes, I did say that he took me for a walk. I was guided where to go by him and he even pulled me on the ice a few times. Adventures everywhere!

Today has been a quiet day filled with breakfast with family and watching the Packers win! Yipee. It as fun to just lounge around and watch and read my book as the commercials were on. I am currently reading Yes, Man. It is the real life story that the new Jim Carrey movie is based on. I am enjoying it. I do not know why I favor non-fiction, I just do.

Well, not much else going on here. The winter sunsets have been wonderful lately. At work two weeks ago, I made co-workers stop what they were doing and go outside to look at a fabulous sunset. The one here tonight was awesome too and I enjoyed just vegging in front of the computer and taking it in. Pausing and loving life in moments is very fulfilling. Try it sometime.

Well, until later: Cheers!

12/26/08

Meet Gabby!


This is a picture of my cousin's daughter. She made me smile and laugh quite a lot in the last few days. When Shannon told Gabby that she had to get ready to go to Nana and Papa's to go see them and Alice, Gabby said: "Alice won't be there mom, she lives in wonderland and wears a blue shirt." Shannon convinced her that I would be there anyway and it was pretty funny when they arrived and I actually was wearing a blue shirt. Funny thing, it was the only shirt I had with me on the trip at that time. Cool that it was blue. The funnier part of this story was when Shannon was getting Gabby ready to leave Gabby said: "We can't leave mama, people will miss me." Shannon then asked who would miss her to which Gabby responded: "Nana, Papa and Wonderland." This is really the first time ever that I have not been offended by somebody refering to me as Alice in Wonderland because it was just so honest and cute and new. Wonderland is a great name. I may, in fact, legally change it. I won't even keep my last name either because of all the misspellings and I will just go by one name, Wonderland. I will be a part of the elite group of people who go by one name: Madonna, Jewel, Prince, Diddy, etc.

Another cute thing about Gabby is that when she was about one and was being explained the concept of Christmas, she decided that for Jesus' birthday there must be "happy cake." Each year my aunt and uncle buy a cake for Gabby so they can sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and blow out candles for him. I would think this were a weird tradition if the kids weren't involved but I highly enjoyed singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus yesterday. Here is a picture of the cake:

It was funny to watch as Shannon's other kid, Thomas, tried to blow out the lighter every time Shannon tried to light the candles, which said 2008. We did not help matters by all laughing at him when he tried this. He thought he was pretty funny and kept blowing the candles and lighter out about four times. So cute! I had a lot of fun playing with those kids while being in Green Bay. Really, when it boils down to it, I am sure I was supposed to be in Green Bay early. I honestly believe you are always where you are supposed to be. I really enjoyed seeing my cousin and aunt and uncle and of course seeing my Grandma Rita. It as a nice experience to have them all to myself for a change seeing I usually am sharing them with other family. It was a fun experience.

Enjoy a picture of my cute grandma when I surprised her the other day when my uncle went to pick her up for a hair appointment. She is so cute. I just want to fold her up and carry her everywhere with me in my pocket. Okay, so that is a bit morbid but I would like that thought, if we really could fold people up and carry them everywhere with us.

And here is a picture of the snow across the street from my aunt and uncle's, it was very high:

Well, I am off to have the family Christmas party in a bit. It will be so awesome to see everybody. I like that Christmas gets to be about a week long and not just one day. Good times! Cheers.

12/24/08

Green Bay Times

Today it was snowing. I think it does that a lot around here seeing the snowbanks are about at my waist in most places. Some are so big that the mailboxes look as if they were meant to be held up by the snow. It is weird. So, Utahns, you cannot complain about the little snow you have had so far(yes I know some of you are going: "but we just got six inches the other day"). The total here in Green Bay is about 36" and that is just in December alone! Crazy. I am regretting not bringing boots along.

Many of you did not get the end of my story of my flying adventure. I did get on a flight to Green Bay, obviously. The little ticket counter lady was very nice to me. I thought I would just come here seeing my parents had planned on driving here today. I figured I saved myself a bus ride(the only way to get to Rhinelander last night was to get on a chartered bus) and a car ride. The total of all the driving would have been about five hours. It was a good deal to get on a GB flight seeing that many flights were booked. My aunt and uncle picked me up and took good care of me. I am even without clothes because my luggage went to Rhinelander without me. Apparently, the luggage would fit on the later flights just not the people. My aunt and uncle provided me with pajamas and I just wore the same clothes today. It as nice to have an easy choice when it came to what to wear today! Ha.

I got to surprise my grandma because she thought I would be with my parents today. (The parents have not gotten here btw. They decided not to brave the weather and drive.) I went with my uncle to take my grandma to get her hair done. When she was getting in the car, I said: "Hi, grandma!" Luckily, that did not startle her and she was delighted to see me. Her appointment was in Walmart so it was convenient for me to go and buy a few things that I needed, like deodorant and a few shirts.

My cousin also came to visit with her two kids today. I had a fun time coloring with them and playing. They are so very cute. Unfortunately, I do not have my camera cord so you will not be seeing any pictures until that gets here. I am glad to know where my suitcase is but am frustrated about all the stuff I do not have. Sigh, oh well.

By the way, Happy Christmas. I hope that the warmth of the holiday is settling into your soul. I hope you feel the love of God and how amazing the gift of His son truly is. I hope you know that I know Christ is the Savior and that I also know that he still lives. He not only was born for us but the greatness of his life and the gift of his death was for us. I know that life's journey is all about learning and drawing closer to our Creator through Christ. Please take a moment and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. I am saddened by the loss of that true meaning of Christmas. Some people might as well just call it Mas, because Christ is lost in all the presents, decorations, and food. I feel so blessed to know my Savior and to celebrate his birth at this time. I hope that all of you have a very merry Christmas and that you are surrounded by love and peace. Cheers!

12/23/08

The Traveling Alice Update

Here is the latest in the long saga. I read my ticket wrong and actually was booked on a flight to rhinelander for tomorrow. That would have made for difficult times because my parents are planning to drive to Green Bay tomorrow. Well I got on a flight going to Green Bay tonight at seven. My wonderful aunt and uncle are going to take me in for the night, saving me a five hour bus ride tonight followed by a two and a half hour car ride tomorrow. This is good news. I am hoping that this next flight will have no problems. If it does, I may just request a flight to Fiji and say sorry family...I got a better offer.

Here is to all of you having the Christmas spirit and to me getting it back! Cheers!

Alice's Hellish Traveling Tales

Here I sit in the Minneapolis Airport. If you were to talk to me about an hour ago, you would have encountered an optimistic traveler who was almost home. See yesterday I was supposed to fly out of Salt Lake and be in Rhinelander at ten last night. Obviously, that did not happen because my flight out of Salt Lake was cancelled due to "flight crew" issues. I was okay with that because I figured the snow was going to make me not fly anyway and I had mentally prepared for spending an extra night with the Bills.

I was excited to get to Minneapolis and see that the weather was clear and that my flight was on schedule. I was then even okay when my flight changed gates. Then I was completely angry when I found out that yet again my flight was cancelled. Looking back on it my mad panic was funny but I was not a happy camper. Luckily, I was quickly booked on a 9:15 flight to Rhinelander because all of the other people who were supposed to be on my flight were told that there were no flights to book them on until Christmas day. There was chaos everywhere and very angry people yelling at the counter lady. The Christmas spirit was high.

So here I sit after calling all the rental car companies and being told they have no cars available and finally accepting my fate to miss the dinner with friends from high school and blogging. Note to self: get pilot's license and a new plane soon!

12/20/08

Break Starts!


Friday was an eventful little day. It was the last day of school before Winter Break. We had a good time during our half day of school. The only class I had was Leadership. I really do love my students. Aren't they cute in their new sweatshirts? Each year it is a tradition at our school that our students are gifted a sweatshirt. For many of the students, it is their only present for the holidays. I really like the design this year. It is actually a zip up which is awesome. It is also not Navy like the twenty other sweatshirts I own.

After the students wrote some letters to former students who now serve in the military(also a tradition at our school), they then headed to the gym or cafeteria for some fun activities. I was over the basketball tournament in the gym. The students could also go watch a movie or play games. It was a fun time.

Then at 11:30 the kids went home. I went to lunch with some of my co-worker friends. At 2, we played a basketball game. We lost and only scored 3 points. It is turning out to be a frustrating season so far. The boys' team won though so that was good.

Last night, I got to go to dinner and a movie with one of my friends that I haven't seen in a few months. It is weird that you can live minutes away from somebody and not see them for months at a time. It was good to catch up.

I saw Four Christmases, which turned out to be a good movie. It is pretty funny. I didn't really love the morals that were taught at the beginning but it was an entertaining movie. I am hoping to watch a few movies while home too. There are always good ones out over the holidays.

Today, I got to sleep in which was glorious. I haven't been doing much of that on Saturdays thanks to basketball. I am about to get ready to head to the school to work on the sewing projects. It should be thrilling. I head out in two days and I am excited. Have a great Saturday!

12/18/08

Sometimes you just have to blog...


We are in Pac-Man right now.  This means I have five students in my Health classroom working on makeup work.  Pac-Man is the new name for OPAC.  OPAC stood for Operation Pass All Classes.  Pac-Man is not the video game but stands for Pass All Classes, MAN!  Silly huh?  But really this new program at our school has helped many of our students get their grades up.  Hopefully, we will see some improvement in our graduation rate as well.

Last night, I did some cleaning and got my laundry done.  I am trying to make my weekend a little less stressful, seeing I have to be ready to head to Wisconsin on Monday. I also have to get some sewing done so I will be a little sewing girl the next few days.  

It is snowing a lot today.  Man, when winter decides to show her pretty little face, she really gets it out there.  I am hoping that it will NOT be snowing on Monday when I head home.  I hate the whole delay stuff.  It does not make me a happy camper.

I really do not have a whole lot to say.  I am excited that today is the last day of real classes and tomorrow is a half day and then I get a two week vacation.  What do I plan to do with my time, you ask?  Well, I really want to spend a lot of time in front of the TV watching movies.  I like to do that.  I would also like to read a book that is always fun.  What else?  Hmmm.  I really haven't gotten that far.  I really do like spending time with my family.  They are cool cats.  I will also love getting to see my little grandma.  She is so cute and funny.  And seeing my favorite aunts and uncles is always good.  (see how I was sly to not say aunt and uncle...you gotta keep your favorites to yourself sometimes.)  

I also have plans to get together with a few of my friends in Wausau.  I have awesome friends all over the globe really.  Okay, so I don't know anybody overseas right now but coming in January I will know somebody in Denmark.  And next summer, I will know somebody living in England.  

I am just rambling.  Do you like these kinds of posts?  

I actually am enjoying the snow lately.  Part of this has to do with the fact that it is still a new thing for me right now.  Usually, by January, I am sick of snow.  I am going to try to be better about not being a hater of snow this year.  Wearing my wonderful pink jacket helps me to feel the love for cold and winter.  I will just have to start wearing it around the clock to have the love.  

I do not love how people drive in the snow, especially the first few snowstorms.  They are dumb...'nough said.

So, what are you getting me for Christmas?  I really would like a Wii.  I played Guitar Hero this morning and got the Wii itch back.  I would also like world peace but really I don't think that will happen for a long time.  Not until the guy we celebrate Christmas for come back at least.  Don't forget about Christ this Christmas.  Unless you are Jewish, then just ignore everything I just said.  I kinda felt like that was sacrilege there.  Really, I love Christmas for the reminder it gives me to be a little more Christlike.  I sometimes struggle with being nice to people.  Especially those that I find to have less of an IQ than I have.  Like those idiot drivers and my silly neighbors who still throw trash onto the law hoping the garbage fairy will come and take it to the dumpster.  Maybe I just need to carry a handful of candy around to throw at people.  Maybe that is not a good idea because even a nice gesture like candy can be ruined if you totally hit the person in the head hard!  I know that with drivers and neighbors that is exactly what would happen.  Then I would start buying bigger and heavier candy and would probably then be in the Utah County Jail instead of Rhinelander, Wisconsin for the holidays and I really don't want that.  

I would also accept any kind of iTunes gift cards.  I am addicted that that little iPod.  His name is Iggy and he pretty much is my husband.  Okay, so not really because that is sick and wrong but really I love him.  If he were a man I totally would marry him.  Don't tell my bike though, he will be jealous.

Really, you don't have to buy me a present.  Your presence is present enough for me.  Hopefully, I will get to see you this holiday season. If not, I really hope it is good for you.  I am hoping you also get to be surrounded by loved ones because that is really what the season is for.  I feel bad for people who are far from their families and don't get to celebrate properly.  I really am a blessed person and don't need anything.  Really, I have so much.  A good job, a warm(well at least everywhere but my room) place to sleep, enough food to eat(actually too much food), a car to get me places, great and I mean amazingly great friends, an education, mad driving skills, a testimony of my Savior(which is the most important thing and which brings me so many of the things that I am blessed with), a calmness(see previous), and many many many many many more blessings.  

So, instead of focusing on the things you want and lack this Christmas, reflect on the things that you do have and how blessed you are.  

Well, gotta head to teach.  I am not editing this right now so excuse any of the mistakes.  Later!

12/17/08

Two Days!



Well, well, well, here you are reading my blog again. I am picturing you sitting by a warm fire with hot chocolate in one hand and the computer right next store. It is finally winter. We have been having some wonderful warmer weather the past week or so. I have loved it. There was no snow here until this past Saturday. Now it is cold, cold, cold. I pretty much just feel like shutting down and laying on my couch under a blanket in front of the TV every night.

I did managed to convince a couple friends to go out into the cold with me on Monday night and partake of the lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake. It was so fun. I love that place, even if there are less lights than usual this year. My ward had a little get together with hot chocolate and donuts. I still don't know many people in the ward so it was awkward as always but it was well worth it to have some yummy hot chocolate and donuts.

We had our work party yesterday. It is weird to think that it is almost Christmas. I really keep thinking that it is still November. It is weird. Time is going by very fast these days.

Tomorrow is the last day we have real classes. Then on Friday we have our traditional half day where the kids go to their leadership class to start the day and write letters to military personal. Then they go and play in the gym and other areas of the school and then get sweatshirts as their Christmas gift(which to some of them is the only present they get) and then they head home. I like that day. We also have basketball games that afternoon. It will be a good day.

It really breaks my heart that these kids don't have stuff and really often don't even look forward to break because of it. One of my basketball players actually got caught shoplifting because she wanted to have presents for her family. It breaks my heart! I wish I were rich and could give them presents. Oh well. I guess the love will have to do it!

Well. Off to finish laundry. Have a great day or night!

Temple Square


Enjoy some pics from Temple Square.  The lights were pretty as always and I had great company.  I must go teach so more later!

12/14/08

SNOWY



Hi. This will be pretty short because I am being very lazy and am also very tired. I am about to head to bed and it is only ten o'clock. Go me!

This weekend was a very busy one which made it go very fast. Friday night, we had an away game for basketball. We lost but my team is improving so very much. I felt a little sick, so I just went to my house and slept on the couch at about ten when everything was done. Saturday morning we had another game. The girls again lost and it was a disappointing one because I truly think that if they were to play like they do in practice, they would have been able to pull off a win.

After the games were done on Saturday, I headed down to Lynndyl, Utah to spend some time with my friend, Moo. The drive was atrocious because of the snowy weather but we made it safe and sound. Unfortunately, it took twice the time it usually does to get there but we had plenty of time to eat good food and play games. It was a fun weekend down there. The favorite librarian came with me too. We got back to Provo about five this afternoon.

I spent tonight on the couch in front of the TV like most nights. It was nice to take a little nap and just chill.

Tomorrow starts the four and a half days of work before I go home. I am a bit excited for it. Awesomeness. I still have a lot of work to do on the presents for everybody. I hope I get get it all done before leaving.

I wish I would have taken some pics from the weekend to post on here but I don't have any. It was a pretty snow and I was actually excited for the storm. I wish I could keep that excitement throughout the whole season. Unfortunately, by the second storm I am already done with the snow and cold. At least I have a nice new coat that I love to wear and that makes my attitude toward the weather much better! Maybe I will take a quick picture of it to show you all. You will love it!

Have a great night and a good Monday!

12/11/08

Bored at Conferences.


I am writing this as I sit in the weight room at school for Parent-Teacher Conferences.  I have had about fifteen parents show up, and over three and a half hours that isn't much.  I have been pretty bored, actually.  I hope you enjoy the pic of me in the weight room.  I did get to have a fabulous dinner provided by the school so that is a bonus.  I do not know if it really makes up for the boredness.

I did have an awesome conference with one of the kids in my leadership class and her mom.  She has basically changed her story since coming to Independence.  Last year, she would hardly ever talk and she failed nearly every class.  This term she is passing on her classes and working on some make-up packets to catch up.  She is also so vocal and just cheery.  She basically said that I was a part of her motivation because I have gotten up in front of class and shared things and encouraged each student to be more open and not care what other people think of them.  It was very sweet to hear this come out of her mouth! :)  

Attitude truly is everything.  This year has been amazing at school thanks to me having a more patient and loving attitude.  I also have tried to remain positive.  (Granted, I am not always great at it!)

I did not sew at all during conferences.  I didn't think it would be too good of an idea.  I have done some grading and lots of wandering.  I am glad tomorrow is Friday but it will be a busy weekend again.  We have an away game tomorrow night and then a game here on Saturday.  Then I am heading down to Deltaish.  That means close to Delta, Utah but I can't remember how to spell where I am really going! 

Goodnight!


12/10/08

MIDWEEK!


"Hi....Happy Midweek!" I say that a lot to my classes on Wednesdays.

Today was kinda Blah! Just another day. I worked and that was cool.

After work, I worked on some sewing. I am making my family their Christmas gifts this year. I have not sewn since 8th grade. It is pretty much an exciting and new experience. I am getting better as I go, which is good. In the time it took me to do three projects tonight, the home ec. teacher finished about seven. Crazy. Slow is good though. With each stitch, love is pouring intp these presents.

Tomorrow is Parent-Teacher Conferences. This means it will be a really, really, really long day for me. Sometimes it is boring because not many parents show up. I have plans to set up a sewing machine in the weight room so I can sew in between visits.

Not much else here. I think that will be it for now. Only 11 days and I fly home. YIPEE!!

12/8/08

Sharing is Caring!

I love my job. I was just driving across town and I actually was almost in tears because I thought about how lucky I am to be coaching The Independence High Girls' Basketball Team this year! The group of ladies I am working with this year really are special and have so much potential both on and off the court. Today, they showed great leadership as they made the decision to not let one of the former teammates continue to play because she has missed a lot of practice and a few games, is not doing well in classes, and is not being honest. We had a little team meeting and they came up with good reasons not to let this girl play anymore. I then told them that I was not going to give this news to said girl because it was not my decision but theirs. I was so impressed with their leadership skills as they calmly communicated with this girl.

Well, I have been meaning to write a post requesting something of my readers. This is not something that I am expecting from each of you but if any of you are feeling charitable and would like to sponsor one of my wonderful basketball players, there is a need for your help. Each of the girls has to pay 50 dollars to play. A few of them can afford this, most of them cannot. Today I told them that I would like to have at least 25 dollars from each of them. One was very worried about just 25 dollars.

Anyway, for safety issues, if you would like to sponsor basketball player in need please shoot an email to: softballrita@gmail.com and then I will send you details of how to send the check. I just worry a bit about safety on here. Also, this would totally count as a charitable contribution so it is totally qualifies for a tax deduction. Yipee! Any amount would help by the way. Do not think you have to sent the whole amount to sponsor a girl!

Thanks guys. I truly believe programs like this help the troubled youth! :)

12/5/08

I Love Fridays!!!

I do have a pretty great job. Not only do I get to wear basketball
shorts and a t-shirt everyday to work but I also get to wear jeans on
Fridays. Sweet deal!

This has been an extremely good week. My students so far seem to be
stellar this year. I love when my job is easy because they do so well.
I was talking to another teacher this morning and I mentioned how I
have not made countdown chains to Christmas Break this year because
the time is going so fast that I have not even thought about it.
Crazy. Maybe basketball has kept me so busy that time is flying.

I will be pretty busy this weekend thanks to basketball. My girls play
tonight and again tomorrow morning. I will also be working on
Christmas presents for my family. It is kinda weird that I am going
all out and sewing. Weird.

Well, I must finish my day as teacher Alice. Happy Friday everybody!

12/3/08

Free Dinner is Definitely a Highlight

Time seems to be going very fast this past week. Tomorrow is already Thursday. Fantastic.

I think today will be summed up in a list. Here is what happened today:

1. Woke up at 5. I usually get up at 6:30, but because I went to bed early last night, I think my body decided it had the normal amount of sleep an hour earlier.

2. Got ready for work. The usual: shower, read scriptures, eat Frosted Mini-Wheats, watch Sportscenter.

3 . Went to Smiths to get eye drops. One of my eyes just freaked out this morning.

4. Drove to work. It takes about three minutes to do so, I am very glad for that seeing I was late, late, late.

5. Taught for seven hours. I like my kids this year. Highlight was my Boys' PE class. They were so very funny today. I don't know how to explain it. They were just silly and funny. Two in the morning humor explains it. Low point was when one of my students came to get work to take with him because his step-dad had died of a heart attack earlier in the day. My heart went out to him. He is one of my favorite students. He reminds me of my nephew Kris! I told him that he seemed to be taking it well but I thought he was just keeping his real emotions in because he was a boy and he said that was true. I then asked him if I could give him a hug and he said, "please." It was cute and sweet.

6. Exercised with a student. Two of my students and I have been doing the P90X exercises. We worked our arms and shoulders today. It was intense.

7. Went to the Provo Temple. I had a hard time focusing. I was sleepy for the first part and then I really had to go to the bathroom because I had drunk lots of water after exercising.

8. Went to Smokehouse for pizza and macaroni. It ended up being free because they burned our pizza and it took a long time to get the second ones cooked. Nice! MBC was with me.

9. Came home and talked with my friend, Marla, from back home. We are very excited for the holidays and being able to spend time with each other. I also called Kerri and we chatted for a few minutes. I really do have great friends.

10. Checked Facebook and blogged. Exciting isn't it?

11. Now I will head to bed. I like my bed!

12/2/08

Friends are Awesome!

My friend, Becky, heard that I did not have a Christmas tree and she decided to pack her five kids up and drive to Provo from Manti to deliver me a fabulous little tree.  I was so happy to see her and her family.  It had been five years.  Becky and I were roommates at Utah State and she really is one of my favorite people on the planet.  Her kids are also so very cute.  It was fun to have five little ones in my apartment and they were also very well behaved!!!!  I love the pick of Andrew and my sunglasses.  It is a classic!

I don't have much else to say.  Still getting over the fun of the holidays and trying to get back in the swing of things.  Luckily, my students rock and are doing as they should be today!  Yipee.

11/29/08

Thanksgiving!



The holiday was much fun. It went much too fast as well. I spent the day with the Bills like every year and it was great as always. I made too many potatoes but that is tradition. We had the annual bingo game and it was fun even though there really weren't any kids around this time around. Weird.

We then headed to Manila, Utah yesterday and we just got back today. I love not working. It went fast, but I guess that just means that Christmas Break will come faster, right?

I don't have a whole lot beside that. I am tired and will be glad to have a bed to sleep in tonight rather than a couch. Not that I am not appreciative of the couches I have been sleeping on, it is just nice to have a real bed!

I am not looking forward to having to go back to work. SIGH!

11/26/08

Let the Festivities Begin!

I am now officially on Thanksgiving Break. This is indeed one of the things I am thankful for right now. I do love my job and am very thankful that I have it because I know there are a lot of Americans don't have jobs right now. I also do have a pretty awesome job. I get to be around the future everyday. I get to have, even if a small part, an opportunity to make a difference in kid's lives. That is pretty awesome. I do not touch every kid, but I do touch some and that is amazing still! I love my students and even if it is hard sometimes because of how broken their lives are, it is so worth it. I think I need to tape what I just wrote up on a wall in my house and look at it every day before I go to work. Seriously, it is hard to have a positive attitude at work sometimes and I am not always who I should be there but each day is a learning experience for me.

So, wanna know how I will spend the first day of break? I knew you would. I got to sleep in which was magnificent and needed. My eye flared again yesterday so I am again on antibiotic drops. It worries me a little. Sleeping helped a bit. I am going to head to the grocery store and buy potatoes for Thanksgiving. I then will go to the laundromat which is one of my favorite places on the planet (feel the sarcasm!). Then I plan on watching some DVRed shows and just chilling.

I have gotten to see Ben the past few days and it has been fun. Last night we went to dinner at my favorite Indian restaurant. It was fun. We also watched tons of The Office because he is trying to catch up. Yeah, it is really a sacrifice for me to watch The Office as you all know. I did sleep through most of the ones we watched last night but I had good reason. We may watch more tonight. Good times!

11/24/08

More Thankfulness!

Continuing the Thankful week...

I am so thankful for all the awesome friends I have. Sarah shouted out to me in her blog yesterday and I was very touched by that. She is one amazing person and without her, I would not be the person I am today. I am thankful for her courage and example. I am also thankful for all of my work friends. Today the home and consumer science teacher helped me make a present. (It is scary when Alice sews btw). Janette made me dinner tonight, she is always amazing. Of all the people in my life, not only is she one of them but she is one of the ones that keeps me sane. I can always vent to her about anything. She always listens and understands. It is always nice to have these great friends who know what I go through every day with the students I teach. I really have noticed that I have always been surrounded by amazing friends. I do not know why but I always have good friends. They always help me with everything. Today even one of my friend's emails made me not be as nervous as I had been. MBC is amazing. She is also quite the librarian who always recommends good books.

I am very tired and if you are reading this and you have not been mentioned please do not be offended. If you are one of my friends, I am thankful for you and for all you do for me. You people are pretty darn special.

I must sleep now. Only one more day to get through before break. YIPEE!!!

11/23/08

I Think I Can Last Two Days!


This pic is funny because I bought some nuts to eat this week remembering how much I loved eating these kinds of nuts with my grandpa at his house. I went all out and bough some and even a new nutcracker. Well, I am allergic to peanuts as a lot of you know. Well, I am also allergic to other tree nuts apparently because I had a reaction to one of these kinds too. Sad day! It was good to remember Grandpa though!

Yeah, I think I can do it, I think I can make it through two days of work this week. That is just fantastic. I am so excited.

Today I didn't do much. Went to Church then came home and read for a bit and then had dinner with two friends. I like when friends come over and make dinner for me. If anybody else wants to do this, please feel free!

I decided that in each post this week I will write about something I am thankful for seeing it is Thanksgiving week! Here is number one:

I am thankful for knowing my creator. My faith in God is something very dear to my heart. In fact, most of my decisions in life involve Him. I also feel that I am a much calmer person because of my knowledge of who I am and my part in Heavenly Father's plan. I know that even my trials have reason and that through each of my experiences here on earth I am made stronger and basically God is shaping me into who I am supposed to be. The journey is pretty much one of the awesomest things about life. I am so thankful that I can see God's hand in my life and that I know that everything will always work out as long as I have faith in him! What a wonderful thing to have and to know!

It is later than I wanted to go to bed. I hope you all had a great weekend and are looking forward to one great week.
Love ya all. Unless I don't know you very well, but even then, I think I probably would learn to love you though time!

11/22/08

Geto!!!



Morgan once blogged about living in the Ghetto (http://ingfamily.blogspot.com/2008/11/proof-i-live-in-ghetto.html). Well, if one shopping cart makes it so you live in the ghetto, I live in the Ghetto times seven. There are a total of seven shopping carts in my yard. (One is on the side of the house so it is not included in the picture) I will never understand the mentality of people who take shopping carts from the store and bring them to where they live. I just don't get it. If you live only two blocks from the grocery store, it does make sense to walk there. The part I do not get is why are you buying so much that you can't comfortably carry it? Seriously, the place is only two blocks away...you probably could go there next week, or even tomorrow if necessary! Another thing that I do not get about this mentality is why don't you take the cart back the next time you go to the store. Apparently, you go multiple times if there are multiple carts. Wouldn't it occur to you that "wow, I could take this back with me so it would not become an eye sore." Hmm. Maybe they do not understand that there are other people in the world. "If this cart doesn't bother me, then it isn't a problem." They do not have to walk past the graveyard of carts everyday, do they?

I would also take pictures of all the trash that they have on "their" porch, but I have a fear of them getting out baseball bats and chasing after me. Apparently, the walk to the dumpster is too far, so they just chuck the garbage out onto the porch instead of walking the fifty feet to the dumpster. Again, they are not realizing that this is a shared space and everyday other people have to walk past junk alley to get their mail.

Morgan, I think I win. I live in more of a ghetto than you! I will even dare say I live in the "geto." That is how my students grafittized our sidewalk at school one year. They thought our school was ghetto but really were so ghetto that they actually could not spell ghetto properly. I kinda take humor in all of this but at the same time am irritated by the lack of education around me on all fronts right now. I go to school and teach people who struggle so much then I go home and am bombarded by the same crap. In fact, the other day when I confronted one of the neighbor children about said shopping carts and suggested the next time they go to Smith's they could actually take a few back he responded by saying: "Oh those aren't our carts." Hmm. Funny that I often see him with his mother parking the cart there and taking their groceries out of it. Yep, they must not be yours. One of my students does a similar thing every time I confront him on inappropriate behavior or language. "Please do not swear." "I wasn't swearing, it was my mouth." No responsibility for anything. Very annoying.

So there you have my rant on the "geto" I live in!

Life has been very, very, very busy these days. A typical day has me teaching for about seven hours, coaching basketball for an hour and a half, exercising for an hour, doing some grading for about a half an hour and then going home about about six-thirty. Once home all the energy I have is to plop myself down in front of the TV and veg until about ten-thirty. Sometimes I stay up later because I feel I have not gotten enough Alice time. This is bad because then I do not get enough sleep and I am Grumpy Alice at school. I have found myself yelling at students a few times this last week. I don't like when I get like that. I don't want to be Yelling Alice either. She is not nice. The kids like the Alice who is funny and positive not angry and negative. I am aware of all these things but am having a hard time changing. I guess that is the project for me in the next few weeks.

I am very much looking forward to Thanksgiving Break. I don't have too many plans except for hanging with the Bills forThanksgiving and the day after. My friend, Ben, will also be in town from Austin, Texas and I am excited to see him. The last time I got to see him was in March while he was living in Des Moines. It will be fun to re-connect again.

This weekend I am going to the movie Twilight and cleaning. I am procrastinating getting down to the cleaning. The biggest challenge is going to be the mound of clothes that has appeared in my room. I have been so tired lately that Tornado Alice just throws clothes in piles when she is done wearing them. Non-Organized Alice has also not put the clean ones away so the hampers are out of commission for dirty clothes because clean clothes are inhabiting them. I better get to it so I can go to the movie this afternoon. I hope you are all having a fabulous day. I like weekends!

11/20/08

More Carrie



Today went fast, which is always good. Okay so you shouldn't live your life for the future but until Thanksgiving break I am on coast.

The wait for Carrie Underwood is over and the concert went by too fast. I thought about it a lot today. That is why you will get to see a few more pictures from the concert.

Tomorrow is our next basketball game. Today the girls looked lots better at practice. I hope they can remain calm during the game. I think they just get too nervous.

We went to burgers tonight. I sure do love Red Robin and good people to hang with.

I went to the library for the first time since February. What is wrong with me that I haven't been to the city library since them? Weird.

I also watched The Office. It was awesome. Thirty minutes is just not enough sometimes!

It is late again. Going to sleep now!

Carrie Underwood Rocks!!!



It is late and I am tired, but it was all worth it. My friend, Aimee, and I went to see Carrie Underwood in Salt Lake City tonight. It was an awesome concert.

Ms. Underwood puts on a great show. She first appeared from a lift in the stage and the show was energy filled from start to finish. I have a few videos but I don't have the time to post them right now. It was a complete blast and I am still on a little of a concert high, but I must go to bed or I will be grumpy with my students. Poor, poor children having to deal with me and my bad attitude all the time.

11/17/08

25,013

I am a slacker writer but half way through my novel. It doesn't seem that good but at least I am writing.

A pretty non-exciting day.

Basketball practice was awesome. I think my girls finally got our play. I am hoping they will be able to use it in the game on Friday.

Started a weight lifting unit in Phy Ed. Good times.

Exercised and went grocery shopping after leaving work. Thrilling day.

Only two days until Carrie Underwood! YIPEE!

11/16/08

Winterizing.




I decided to put plastic over my windows in order to save some heat. It seems to be doing the trick so far, but I guess I will notice more when it is more cold. I refuse to credit it as winter yet, even if it is cold in the morning. It has been pretty warm this weekend and sunny. I like that weather. By the way, thanks to Megan for the hair dryer to put up my plastic. You are a gem.

Megan stayed with me this weekend and we had fun shopping(as we always do!) and eating and going to a movie. We saw Quantum of Solace. It was okay. Not the best Bond movie if you ask me. I spent a lot of the movie feeling dizzy because of the cinematography. It was fun but I don't think I would buy the movie. See it if you want!

I have taken a two day break from the novel. That is not good. I did write a bit tonight. I have to get on it again this week. I now have 24,201 words. Not bad but I really wanted to be ahead. Now I am playing catch up! SIGH! OH WELL.

Well, I must be going to bed. Not excited to go to work tomorrow, but who is?

Night

11/15/08

So People Don't Worry!



Here is the history of my eye infection. It has been a week and it is almost perfect now. I just didn't want you all to worry about me going blind and having my eye then fall out. That would be embarrassing.

11/13/08

OPAC


OPAC stands for Operation Pass All Classes.  Today we started something new at our school and I am very excited for it, so you get to read about it.  Basically, during our Leadership class on Thursdays we now have each student assigned to a class that they are struggling with.  This means they go to that teacher and work on bringing their grades up instead of going to their Leadership class.  I had about six Health kids who I requested to come meet with me who were failing Health class.  Within about a half an hour, all six of these students had pulled their grades to Bs or better.  I thought that was pretty awesome.  

I hope we will be able to see a rise in our students passing all their class which in the end will mean there will be more students who actually graduate.  YIPEE!!!!

11/12/08

21,955


The eye is slowly getting less red. I hope the drops are working like they should. Funny thing about the drops. I was surprised that my eye wasn't getting better very quick. The funny part is that I was just putting drops in. Last night, I finally read the directions and I am supposed to put the drop in and not blink for two minutes. Yes, I was supposed to actually let the stuff have contact with my eye for a whole two minutes. Who would have thunk? Funny how somebody as literate as I am would neglect the written directions of my prescription. Sad!

The novel is coming along. I have been trying to write 500 more words than I should lately because I know that there will be days that I don't want to write. Thanksgiving break will be like that, for example. Also, the Carrie Underwood concert a week from today will probably be a day where I don't type. It seems to be going well. It is fiction. It is about a guy who just graduated from college in California and who goes partying with friends. He then kills one of his best friends in a drunk driving accident. It is about him dealing with this tragedy. It interesting. It is awesome how the words just roll off my fingers. I don't even know what I will write about most days. It just comes. Awesome.

I am tired. Life is busy with work and coaching and trying to exercise and write a novel. I guess it keeps me out of trouble or something.

11/11/08

19,736



I do believe that the eye is looking better. I think the doc was right that there was some sort of infection up in there. It is feeling better and I am glad. Eye infections are so overrated. You should not get one.

Today was pretty normal. Got up, went to work, taught rowdy kids, went to faculty meeting, exercised, graded, came home, wrote more novel, watched some TV.

My life is pretty much the excitement of the world. If my life were a reality TV show it would probably have negative ratings.

A bunch of teachers at school have decided to start a new workout program. That makes me pretty excited. We are all going to work together to get more healthy. I need all the help I can get seeing that I cannot say no to Alice lately. I eat anything I want to. My pants tell me it is true.

Well, gotta go finish Chuck and get to bed at around ten. New goal!

11/10/08

17,578



I decided I will take a picture each day of me and my red eye. You can be the judge as to if the antibiotic drops are working. The doc thinks it is an infection even though there was no puss. If it doesn't get better by Wednesday, I am supposed to go to the eye doctor, which will cost lots of money. Good times!

I stayed home from school today and it went to fast. I went into work at about ten to seven and got stuff ready for the sub. Then I came home and slept for another hour. Then I exercised and watched TV. I then went to the doctor and paid $25 dollars for a thirty second visit. I love how health care works...NOT! I then filled my prescription and did laundry. Then I watched more TV and took a nap and then went to Janette's for dinner. She is nice to me most Mondays and lets me partake of her crock pot meal of the week. We then did some shopping and went to the library for something she needed for her class on Thursday. I then came home and wrote more of the novel and put some grades in. Now I am off to bed. Exciting day, eh?

11/9/08

IDAHO




This is how pick-up trucks should look. My friend's brother-in-law took us to a cave on saturday night. While we waited for people to come and meet us, he found some puddles to play in with the truck. I loved it and laughed the whole time. Laura didn't like it so much and kept yelling his name. It was hilarious. The cave was awesome, unfortunately, I could not get a good pic from inside but it was huge and a great place for people to go and grafittize. I actually participated by writing: "Live 100% ARK." That is my life theme these days.

Other than just visiting and eating we did not do a whole lot in Idaho Falls. I did enjoy spending time with my old roommates. The drive went fast because I had Kerri to talk to.

My eye is really red. I am having a sub tomorrow and going to the eye doctor to get it looked at. Good times. NOT SO MUCH. I don't think it is pink eye because there is no puss. I am grateful for that but it is still a pain, literally and scary. I guess we will see what it is tomorrow. Enjoy the pic of my eye! :) I am taking a break from the novel today. It stresses my eye a bit and I will have time tomorrow to write more! :) I guess there is a good part of that! I do have over 13,000 words now though! Go Me!

11/7/08

10245

HI. It is way later than I should be awake. Seriously. I told myself all day that I would be in bed early. It didn't happen.

Basketball practice was today so I didn't get out of the school until almost six. I then came home and showered and ate and then headed to play pool with a friend. Then I came home and watched The Office with other friends. It was awesome by the way. LOVE THAT SHOW!!! Then, of course, I had to get my quota of words for the novel. So, I did it. Now it is after midnight and I really need to get to bed. Dang Alice!

Tomorrow, I will go to work and then one of my friends and I will be driving up to Idaho Falls for a weekend with my friend from Logan. We all used to be roommates. It will be a fun time.

Night!

11/5/08

8512

I am tired and need to get to bed. Today was good. I like my life. My students are so good. How did I get to be so lucky this year?

I didn't do much else today besides work. I did watch The Office a bit while exercising. I then wrote. I don't think I can have a life and write this novel. Tomorrow will be a challenge because I have basketball practice then I have plans to play pool at 7pm and then watch The Office with a friend. Where will I get my exercise and novel writing in? Sometimes there has to be sacrifices. It was nice to exercise today. I haven't been feeling like doing it lately.

I also was able to catch up with a friend from college via Facebook Instant Messaging. Good times. Man, I feel old when I think about how long ago I was in college! Weird.

Well, off to bed. Night!

Snow! NO!


These pictures say it all.  It is snowing.  The first one is from my classroom.  The second is my reaction.  I know it is not pretty but it is totally how I feel.

11/4/08

6820

Tired again. Wrote again. It didn't seem as long to write tonight. I think I need to start earlier in the night. I should be in bed right now, but as usual, I am not.

I stayed up to watch the results of the election. I don't typically tell people who I vote for but I did a lot of that the past few days. Today, in the teacher's lounge, I was again reminded why I keep quiet when people are talking politics around here. I got tired of hearing how Obama is a slimy person. These people don't even know this man but because he is the opposite party from their own ideas, they feel the need to rationalize why it is okay to vote straight party and wonder why things don't change around this place. Okay, so most of them don't think like that but I totally feel as if it is that way sometimes. I am projecting as always. They did admit at one time that all politicians are slimy!

I was very impressed with McCain's address tonight. He truly stood up for Obama and told his supporters that he will do anything to help Obama. I like that. I was also inspired by Obama's speech. His recount of American history was awesome. I was in tears at many parts of the speech.

Sorry to all my friends who are starch Republicans. I know you are all good people. I did not mean to offend any of you during this post but I am sure some of you will take offense. Not all people around here are uneducated and vote straight party. I do tend to lean Democrat but I am unaffiliated and actually voted for a few Republicans this election. So there!

11/3/08

5214

That is how many words my novel has. Today was not an easy day to write. I think these 1700 words will be not so good. Oh well. The program is all about quantity not quality so I am okay.

I am tired. I hate Mondays. Time seems to be dragging right this minute. Is it Friday yet?

Did I tell you that I am coaching Girls Basketball at our school this year. We haven't had a team in about three years and I haven't coached in more than that. It is weird to coach. I must be getting old because I am not that excited about it. In fact, I am frustrated with how much time it takes. Me time, free time is sacrificed. Oh well. We will see if they are competitive or not. I forget how little skills the girls from our school have when it comes to basketball.

That is pretty much it. I had some good dinner with friends tonight. Pork chops, potatoes and pie. You should always have alliteration when you eat!

11/2/08

Sunday...quickly exits.

Man, I don't know about you but I really have a hard time with the time changing. I like that it is now a bit lighter in the morning but having it be dark before six is a hard thing for me. I hope I am not going to be filled with rage because of the lack of light. I guess it is normal, seeing it is now November, to be full of rage. That is just how Alice rolls.

Today I went to church and then headed up to the Bills for dinner. It was fabulous because we had pot roast and mashed potatoes. YUM YUM! Thanks Bills for having me, as usual. It was nice to be able to spend more time with Morgan and Derek. I have missed spending time with them. I was spoiled when they lived in Provo a few years ago. I am glad that I will also get to see them over Thanksgiving in a few weeks. Spencer gave me a little gift of strawberry juice on my pants. Normally, I would be a little upset that my favorite pair of pants got a stain on them the first time I wore them since washing them, but I love that kid and if he is going to hug my legs because he is excited to see me, I will sacrifice a bit of stain on my pants!

I even came home early enough to be able to add more words to my novel. I am now at 3,487 words. Not bad. It does take about an hour to get my 1700 words that I want to get in order to make the challenge. Hopefully, at least a day each week I will be able to get a few hundred extra words so I can get ahead for the slacker days I know I will have. This is a pretty fun challenge for me and I find myself actually enjoying writing again. It is fun to just write and not worry about editing. That is pretty cool stuff.

Novel

Today I started my novel again. I am participating in National Novel Writing Month. Basically the goal is to write a 50,000 word book in 30 days. If you want to learn more about the program see this site: I have 1700 words typed today. I think I have to write about 1667 words a day to get the whole thing accomplished this month. So far, so good. I am informing you of this in order to give myself a bit more of a push to get it done. When you talk to me this month, ask how the novel is coming. I need the pressure. It is going to be hard to give myself enough time each day to write. It will be interesting to see how the novel turns out. It isn't meant to be perfect, in fact, the program is set up purely to get quantity. I am excited for it. If any of you want to read the novel I will email you a copy of what I have so far. Let me know if you want it! You are amazing people and thanks for being you and liking me! Night!

11/1/08

Halloween and the Nightmare After!



I had a very enjoyable Halloween. I had fun being the Lion from The Wizard of Oz at school with a few of my co-workers. Then I went Trick or Treating with Morgan and her boys and my friend Christine and her boy, Aiden. They were so very cute. I am tired because I didn't sleep much because when I came home I discovered that my carpet was sopping wet in the corner of my living room. Same leak as the one that kept me from moving in at the beginning of summer. Slightly annoying, especially the wet smell.

I also had Aiden over night because his mom worked early this morning and she needed a sitter. I took him to babysit my co-worker's kids this morning. They had a blast playing. I had a blast playing Barbie with the girl as Aiden played with the older boy. I really think I need to make my own dolls that wear more clothes and actually look like real human bodies. I get depressed every time I see a Barbie. I also wonder why she is shaped the way she is; it looks so difficult to sit!

Well, I am off to Salt Lake to spend more time with Morgan. I like her. She is fun and her kids are so very cute.

By the way, Caleb did the most amazing Joker. I thought he was really Heath at times. It kinda creeped me out to be honest but he did an amazing job. Way to go kid!

Later.

10/30/08

tiredness!

I wish you could have seen me at the laundromat last night. It was
quite the specticle. I wore my duckie pajama bottoms and a very red
Wisconsin shirt. By that moment in my day I just wasn't caring enough
to send my very best. I had been running all over town looking for
fabric for my halloween costume and was frustrated because it was
already eight when I got to my favorite place. That was sarcasm by the
way.

I did not sleep nearly enough. I wish you could have seen me trying to
get ready this morning. I am sure that was a clumsy specticle. Let's
hope I will wake up soon and have a less of a groggy time.

--

10/28/08

Done!




I beat the lines and voted today. I bet you want to know who I voted for. Too bad, I don't tell people who I voted for. Well, except for the stranger in Church this Sunday who I told. Other than that, I don't tell people. I don't know if it is something I learned from my father or if it is actually me being scared of what all the other people around me will think because I may have voted against their candidate.

The days are going fast. Today just flew by. I am tired and I hurt my knee starting a new exercise program today. Silly. Hopefully, in the morning it will hurt less. Ouch. I think I am getting old.

Well, that is all I have for today.