Saturday, September 27, 2008

Pancake Breakfast

This morning the ACA PTO had its first breakfast "eatsie's night". In case you don't know, "eatsie's night" is when ACA converges on a restaurant and the place donates a portion of the proceeds back to ACA. As the name would imply, they are usually at night, during the week. However, Applebee's has a deal where you sell tickets, give them back $2 and you keep the rest. It's all you can eat pancakes, sausage and drinks. They only give you 1 sausage per plate but, it was enough to last through the pancakes. Teachers, staff and PTO Board members served as waiters/waitresses, busboys, table cleaners (as well as some 6th graders - Carter Poe rocks as a busboy) greeters, floaters and money takers. A good time was had by all.

We showed up earlier than we wanted to on a Saturday but it was for a good cause. Madeline got to try on Mr. Simon's chef hat...
And here's Mr. Simon (the Principal) all dressed up in his chef gear.
One of our first grade teachers, Mrs. Sullivan, trying her hand at waitressing.
I have to say that all our teachers and staff who volunteered their time on this Saturday morning did a great job. I heard no loud crashes, no complaints and everyone really enjoyed the "eatsie night". Thank you, everyone!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Wow!

OK, so there's alot of stuff going on, most of it making me very tired.

First, the new job. Very wonderful job. It's fast paced. I answer phones, questions, "cure" sick children or send them home (what I wouldn't give for a school nurse) help the teachers with stuff, it's just never ending and that's the way I like it. I love the people I work with, I get an occasional hug from my kids or those who I know and in general just enjoy the heck out of it.

It hasn't been without controversy but I won't get into that. Hopefull it's passed but you never know. And, just for the record, it's nothing I have done but the actions and offensive (toward me) words of others. My mother and husband wisely suggested (demanded) I not get in the thick of it and I am the better person for it. The controversy has shown me who my friends are and what wonderful friends they are. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right?

On to bigger and better things.

Anna has adjusted well. She loves going to Elaine's house. Her name comes out more like "Lynn" than Elaine but I know who she's talking about. She loves Ben and Gavin and in general loves being over there. Maybe because she can walk in the house without tripping over something. I hope to remedy that here tomorrow.

Conrad starts working Saturdays tomorrow. Yeah for the paycheck, boo for the time away from family and help with the house. We'll survive that. His birthday was Wednesday.

If I were to write him a letter or a memory page like I do the girls, it would go something like this:

Dear Conrad,

Who knew when we met 16 years ago that our lives would be forever entwined? You are the love, strength and light of my life. The person I go to when things get rough, my shoulder to cry on, my favorite friend to laugh with and I would rather spend time with you than anyone on earth. My favorite times with you are when we are sitting outside "talking story". I never get tired of hearing about your life before me, shocking though some of it may be, and am glad you decided to make me a permanent part of your life 11 years ago. I haven't regretted one minute of it.

Never once have I doubted your love for me. That's HUGE.

I love the fact that when I really grumpy for no reason you know I probably need to eat or sleep. I appreciate the fact that when I do need to sleep, most the time you let me. Well, I guess I understand why when faced with the alternative.

I also appreciate the fact that now that I'm working you're not overly upset at the state of the house. Probably because you know I'd tell you if you don't like the way it looks, you're arms aren't broken - clean it yourself. I also appreciate the fact that you knew it was important to me to work and this job (although a couple of years early) was the perfect one for me. Thank you for your support.

You make me laugh. You make me want to be a better person. You make me see the good in me. You even make me see when I'm overreacting to something stupid. You also accept my apologies when I am less than who I can be.

If I can even do half of what you do for me, I will consider myself a success. I love you and am glad you love me.

All my love,
Your wife.

Well, it would go something like that anyways. Hope you're all not going into diabetic shock right now. If so, drink some orange juice. Or better yet, hoist a margarita in my darling husband's honor.

Madeline lost another tooth this week. Yep, the tooth fairy made a visit to our house.

The new-to-me camera is working, but the dock isn't, so tomorrow I'm going to sit down, in between cleaning, and post some pictures from Aaron and see if I can just connect the camera via the USB cable that I have. I'm sure it will work.

Be looking for a new post tomorrow! If I don't, you'll know I got really into the old housecleaning...awww who am I kidding? I'll be posting.

FYI: The song playing is the song Conrad requested to play when he calls me on my phone.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

New job pics!

As promised, here is a picture of me at the new job. I'm the first people see when they come into the school. For some, that's OK, and for some? I'm sure they'd rather see, oh...some beautiful blonde, buxom thing. But, I'll have to do.
Me at my desk!
This is my "partner in crime" Jackie. She is the sweetest thing and knows OH SO MUCH MORE THAN ME! She really is a fountain of information. And, the best part? She loves chocolate and Dr. Pepper! Were we a couple made in heaven or what?
One of the perks of the job is I get to see most of the teachers at some point during the day. We do have a wonderful staff of teachers at our school. I knew this because I've been the PTO President, however, working with them has been a great thing because I get to see them "in action". This is Mrs. Reller. She's a sweetie! And those things she has in her hands? Griffin Bucks. Just in case you've heard me talking about them before, that's a good look at 'em.
Oh, and news on the Aaron front. They posted the jobs for the first productions and he is Master Electrician for the first one and Master Carpenter for the second one (Romeo and Juliet). I can't remember what the first production is called. But, we'll be there!
WooHoo! Go Aaron!

Friday, September 05, 2008

pictureless musings

Another day, still no pictures. However, I understand my "gently loved" camera is on it's way. WooHoo!

So, tonight I did what I knew would be coming. What I knew eventually would happen someday, given my "plumpness up top". We went shopping for bras for Sadie. Oh, yeah. It's happening. My little girl is growing up. Share it with me, internet friends and family, let's celebrate. I think.

Let me tell you a little something about shopping for bras for 9 year olds. They don't size them like us wiser ladies. I felt so pleased that I had thought to measure her before we went. Very proud of myself, I was. Until we got to Wal-Mart (no, no Victoria's Secrets here - we're redneck women). The smallest they came in was a 30A (not what Sadie measured). However, we "tried it on" and it fit so we got it and another one. She's so pleased. I'm so unsure of my feelings. What a year for me with changes! One son off to college, one daughter off into bras...

...and then there's this little monumental change. I got a job! I will be working at the school (ACA) as the receptionist. I'll essentially have the same hours as the girls and Anna (as I've already told you) will be well taken care of. So it's an exciting yet tumultuous time. Lots of changes and growing.

I'll try to get Ms. Jackie to take a picture of me at the desk on Monday morning and post it here.

Be on the lookout!

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Anna's first day of school

Hello All,

Since my camera is broken I'm going to link you to my friend Elaine's blog so you can see Anna ready to go to her first day of school for this year. Elaine is keeping her while I work (no I don't know if I have the job yet, I'll keep you posted) so she took her to school yesterday along with Ben and Gavin. Here's the link Elaine's Blog

On the camera front, Auntie B has offered one of her many cameras to me so I can continue my bloggin. Thank you, Auntie B!

So, on another note: Don't you think I'm shooting low? I mean Sarah Palin was a PTA President and look at her now! She's the running mate of John McCain! Me? I'll be the receptionist at my kids' school. Not a lowly job, by any means, and not mine, yet, either. However, I'm going to have to give this some serious thought! I mean, Vice-President of the United States........

OK, also, I'm glad Louisiana is OK. Granted, alot of destruction but not nearly as much as feared. Way to go, LA! However, now I'm hearing grumblings that too much caution was taken. PEOPLE! DO YOU HEAR YOURSELVES? Too much caution? Get over it. That's all I'm saying about that.

That's all for today. I'll try to get the pics of Conrad "fixing" my phone on here tomorrow. I took them on my Iphone. Love that thing!