Things have been busy. Very busy.
This weekend we had Mike's business holiday party. We stayed at the Copley Plaza Fairmont Hotel in Boston, right next to the Boston Library and a few famous churches. It was a lot of fun. Watching different cultures (American, Arabic and Greek mostly with some Canadians thrown in) dancing to Shakira and eating decidedly Middle Eastern food with an American twist. That said my stomach has been a wreck since.
It snowed, and Boston got about 2 feet of snow which is unusual, that amount normally falls out by us in the country. Boston area schools had off, as did NJ and VA schools. I however went to work. Meanwhile, Bailey had her first "hotel" stay. I was very nervous leaving her and she ran off without a look back. I almost teared up...what will happen when I drop of our child to school for the first time? No worries that will not happen for quite some time. Anyway it was a different story when we picked her up in the blizzard the next day. She was very happy to see us. I missed her so, that I romped with her in the snow for about 30 minutes when we got home. Mike was not sure who had more fun in the snow, the Bailster or me.
This week our friends Kurt and Allison had their first baby, a boy named Jasper. They are calling him Jazz for short which I think fits them perfectly! And it fits Jazz perfectly since it seems he sleeps all day and is partying like a rock star at night! We went to go visit them and holding Jazz was just wonderful. He is adorable and has that....smell...you know that delicious baby smell. All is right with the world.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I Got My Snow and Other Things
I wanted snow. I love snow. I like running in snow. Rolling in snow. I love to play in snow with my dog, Bailey. And I used to love to play in the snow with good old Maxi (my old dog :( who I loved dearly). Maxi, I used bury her in the snow and she would stay still until I was done then she would bound out of the snow and then rush back in the hole and wait to be buried again.
So while there was snow last weekend it didn't really last. Then Wednesday came. From what everyone has been telling me it wasn't a blizzard. But it looked like one to me. We got about 6 inches in two hours and all the schools around me and up in NH were closed. Except for Littleton. It was open and boy it took me 45 minutes to get there when it normally takes about 5-10 minutes. Watertown had school too, but they are by Boston and got considerably less. I will have to get used to commuting in very bad snow. But I am looking forward to my new job.
Mike was away for most of the week. So the Bailster and I just relaxed and hung out together. She follows me everywhere, which is really cute, until I accidently stepped on her tail. But she still continues to be by my side. I made a ton of jewelry and sold two necklaces on Etsy!
So 7 sales, 5 of which are from people I do know, and 2 are from people I don't know, which is fantastic. It is making me want to make more jewelry!
The tree is up and looks great, but I don't have a picture yet. See, I ran out of lights so the top 8th of the tree is a bit bare. So once I get the lights, there will be a picture.
Last night we had a great time with Kurt and Allison, and played Apples to Apples which is just one of the best games. Ever. Really.
So, aside from work, which is getting crazier and crazier (thank goodness I am getting out now), things have been pretty good this week. And I made a cake. And cake makes things thismuch better!
So while there was snow last weekend it didn't really last. Then Wednesday came. From what everyone has been telling me it wasn't a blizzard. But it looked like one to me. We got about 6 inches in two hours and all the schools around me and up in NH were closed. Except for Littleton. It was open and boy it took me 45 minutes to get there when it normally takes about 5-10 minutes. Watertown had school too, but they are by Boston and got considerably less. I will have to get used to commuting in very bad snow. But I am looking forward to my new job.
Mike was away for most of the week. So the Bailster and I just relaxed and hung out together. She follows me everywhere, which is really cute, until I accidently stepped on her tail. But she still continues to be by my side. I made a ton of jewelry and sold two necklaces on Etsy!
So 7 sales, 5 of which are from people I do know, and 2 are from people I don't know, which is fantastic. It is making me want to make more jewelry!
The tree is up and looks great, but I don't have a picture yet. See, I ran out of lights so the top 8th of the tree is a bit bare. So once I get the lights, there will be a picture.
Last night we had a great time with Kurt and Allison, and played Apples to Apples which is just one of the best games. Ever. Really.
So, aside from work, which is getting crazier and crazier (thank goodness I am getting out now), things have been pretty good this week. And I made a cake. And cake makes things thismuch better!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Snow...
I got my snow. Saturday night the wintry mix turned into lovely powder soft snow! We had dinner with Allison and Kurt on Sunday night ( I mixed up the days) and had a really good pumpkin/sausage penne pasta dish! With fantastic garlic bread!
Bailey and I got to romp in the snow. We found a tree. It was a good day.
Bailey and I got to romp in the snow. We found a tree. It was a good day.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Snow on the Horizon
So the weather forecast calls for SNOW. Our first real New England snow storm. Only its a "wintery mix"; sleet, freezing rain, a little snow and some lovely hail. Currently, it is snowing in NJ and Virginia. Mother Nature has a sense of humor.
Things have been a little slow, down right boring lately. Mike has been traveling a lot, and is home for the weekend! I am wrapping things up at work, making more work for myself, I do not want any one saying I didn't do my job. So of course I made a few errors this week, like sending a progress report home in the wrong envelope to the wrong parental units. That went over really well and I made a human mistake. But it is common knowledge that teachers are not humans. We are whipping boys and while held to the expectations that we will never make a mistake, we aren't as smart or respected as doctors.
Whew. Thats done now. On the plus side, I have made a TON of necklaces. I just need to take pictures and list them on ETSY. I took a few but they just are not turning out ok.
Oh and I discovered free downloadable software, GIMP, that is a free and much simpler, slower yet effective version of Photoshop. So I made a new banner for my etsy shop.
The good thing is that I get to spend all weekend with my husband and the Bailster. Tonight we are going to see our friends Kurt and Allison up in New Hampshire. Maybe we will see snow up there.
Things have been a little slow, down right boring lately. Mike has been traveling a lot, and is home for the weekend! I am wrapping things up at work, making more work for myself, I do not want any one saying I didn't do my job. So of course I made a few errors this week, like sending a progress report home in the wrong envelope to the wrong parental units. That went over really well and I made a human mistake. But it is common knowledge that teachers are not humans. We are whipping boys and while held to the expectations that we will never make a mistake, we aren't as smart or respected as doctors.
Whew. Thats done now. On the plus side, I have made a TON of necklaces. I just need to take pictures and list them on ETSY. I took a few but they just are not turning out ok.
Oh and I discovered free downloadable software, GIMP, that is a free and much simpler, slower yet effective version of Photoshop. So I made a new banner for my etsy shop.
The good thing is that I get to spend all weekend with my husband and the Bailster. Tonight we are going to see our friends Kurt and Allison up in New Hampshire. Maybe we will see snow up there.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
New Job!
I am very excited to say...I HAVE A NEW JOB!
I will start in January 2010. Its a pre-school Autism class in the A.M. and an intergrated pre-school in the afternoon. Its just a really nice set up. And I am just really excited to be in the classroom again.
I will start in January 2010. Its a pre-school Autism class in the A.M. and an intergrated pre-school in the afternoon. Its just a really nice set up. And I am just really excited to be in the classroom again.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Big Day
So it is 9:23pm. I thought I had an ear infection and felt like crapola. Turns out just a cold with fluid in my ears. I thought I felt slushy.
Anyway. Tomorrow two big things: A visit to the Department of Education to try to get my licensing all done. Long story short my old job hasn't sent the referral letter yet. BUT I was not aware they needed it until this month. Then onto my interview with Watertown to see if I can get a new job. Its much further away but I have the possibility of being happy again.
I know that in these hard economic times, I am very lucky to have a job. Its been pointed out that not everyone likes their job. Thats why it it is called work. BUT until now, even though I had bad days and had an assistant from hell that made me have breakdowns, and marathon IEPS with very angry parents that thought I could cure Autism, I always always loved my job when it came down to it. Not so much right now. So for my own sanity, and Mike's who has to listen to my misery, I searched for a new job, that seems like the ideal position. It will be in a pre-school Autism class; in the AM a self-contained setting and in the PM an intergrated preschool. It seems ideal. They want me to help forge a new program, which I sorta did in Alexandria. My class was the district model for the new ABA program and I piloted the reading program as well.
So tomorrow is an adventure. Throw in a possible showing of NEW MOON (go TEAM JACOB) and cleaning the house before my husband comes home and I have a full day. Yet a day NOT at work. So that is always a good thing. I just hope the DOE is nothing like the RMV...I better bring a book. And possible tainted Kool-Aide.
Anyway. Tomorrow two big things: A visit to the Department of Education to try to get my licensing all done. Long story short my old job hasn't sent the referral letter yet. BUT I was not aware they needed it until this month. Then onto my interview with Watertown to see if I can get a new job. Its much further away but I have the possibility of being happy again.
I know that in these hard economic times, I am very lucky to have a job. Its been pointed out that not everyone likes their job. Thats why it it is called work. BUT until now, even though I had bad days and had an assistant from hell that made me have breakdowns, and marathon IEPS with very angry parents that thought I could cure Autism, I always always loved my job when it came down to it. Not so much right now. So for my own sanity, and Mike's who has to listen to my misery, I searched for a new job, that seems like the ideal position. It will be in a pre-school Autism class; in the AM a self-contained setting and in the PM an intergrated preschool. It seems ideal. They want me to help forge a new program, which I sorta did in Alexandria. My class was the district model for the new ABA program and I piloted the reading program as well.
So tomorrow is an adventure. Throw in a possible showing of NEW MOON (go TEAM JACOB) and cleaning the house before my husband comes home and I have a full day. Yet a day NOT at work. So that is always a good thing. I just hope the DOE is nothing like the RMV...I better bring a book. And possible tainted Kool-Aide.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Three Mikes, a Kat and a Bike
Sunday we had breakfast at Papa-Razzi- the brunch is great and I highly recommend the Tuscan Benedict (eggs on crostini and a tomato in a parmesan cheese hollandaise sauce) and roasted potatoes. Then Mike took Kat for a ride on the Harely. I think she was won over and her husband Mike couldn't be happier about that!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Happy Birthday Sesame Street!
Sesame Street has hit the big FOUR O. Yup Big Bird, Bert and Ernie and the gang that was PRE-ELMO is 40 years old.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love Sesame Street. And Mr. Rodgers, but he is a whole other topic of wonderfulness. Having a bad day at work? Feeling sad, blue or frustrated? Turn on PBS or You Tube and Sunny Days are here and you are On Your Way to Sesame Street. There, things can be sad, but you always know why and know that things will get better. You can be a happy and learn to be a good friend. On that magical street I learned Spanish thanks to Maria and Luis, and that was the only Spanish that stuck because I barely passed it in school... I learned sign laguage thanks to Linda. I learned that our friends could be hispanic, black, white, feathered, or use a honking nose to talk. Sesame Street had a profound affect on my life. Sesame Street, Mr. Rodgers and my parents are the three things that shaped my life and made me the person I am today.
I know in this day and age there are parents who frown on TV and I can get that. I myself, hate watching then news. Too much violence, too much sadness. But Sesame Street is an exception. It IS the place where you can come and play and everything is A OK! While there have been changes: Elmo who I do love as much as Ernie, Maria and Luis' daughter is an adult now (I SO remember them getting married on TV), Mr. Hooper is gone (Big Bird and I had trouble with the first exposure to death) and yes some of the voices sound funny. Big Bird now sounds too high, too young. Ernie, Bert, Cookie and Kermit sound like they have colds, Oscar seems just too damn happy to be a grouch and the theme song has changed from this folkey, children's song to a hip-hop version that makes my skin crawl. But underneath of it all IS the Sesame Street that I remeber; the ladybug picnic, the pinball counting, the crocodile and his seven sons, Bert and Ernie singing about pigeons, bottlecaps, living on the moon and taking a bubble bath, seeing how crayons were made, when everyone thought that Big Bird had schizophrenia and thought Snuffy was imaginary, when Super Grover ruled the roost and, "munuh ma nuh doot do di doo", "La la la la la" were lyrics in songs. Sesame Street just comes across differently now, to reach a new generation of pre-schoolers that can already log on post to Facebook, but they underlying theme is clear, be a good friend. Be a good neighbor and that we are all different. And that is more than ok. It was with a sense of pride that I would show my students, at the end of each day, 10 minutes of Sesame Street (circa 1979-1985). Many times kids that wouldn't speak to me, would whisper "la la lala" and thoes with echolalia would imitate Grover and Madeline Khan in "Be My Echo" in a very appropriate way. At the end of the day, just remeber that no matter how old or young you are, you can always find your way to Sesame Street.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love Sesame Street. And Mr. Rodgers, but he is a whole other topic of wonderfulness. Having a bad day at work? Feeling sad, blue or frustrated? Turn on PBS or You Tube and Sunny Days are here and you are On Your Way to Sesame Street. There, things can be sad, but you always know why and know that things will get better. You can be a happy and learn to be a good friend. On that magical street I learned Spanish thanks to Maria and Luis, and that was the only Spanish that stuck because I barely passed it in school... I learned sign laguage thanks to Linda. I learned that our friends could be hispanic, black, white, feathered, or use a honking nose to talk. Sesame Street had a profound affect on my life. Sesame Street, Mr. Rodgers and my parents are the three things that shaped my life and made me the person I am today.
I know in this day and age there are parents who frown on TV and I can get that. I myself, hate watching then news. Too much violence, too much sadness. But Sesame Street is an exception. It IS the place where you can come and play and everything is A OK! While there have been changes: Elmo who I do love as much as Ernie, Maria and Luis' daughter is an adult now (I SO remember them getting married on TV), Mr. Hooper is gone (Big Bird and I had trouble with the first exposure to death) and yes some of the voices sound funny. Big Bird now sounds too high, too young. Ernie, Bert, Cookie and Kermit sound like they have colds, Oscar seems just too damn happy to be a grouch and the theme song has changed from this folkey, children's song to a hip-hop version that makes my skin crawl. But underneath of it all IS the Sesame Street that I remeber; the ladybug picnic, the pinball counting, the crocodile and his seven sons, Bert and Ernie singing about pigeons, bottlecaps, living on the moon and taking a bubble bath, seeing how crayons were made, when everyone thought that Big Bird had schizophrenia and thought Snuffy was imaginary, when Super Grover ruled the roost and, "munuh ma nuh doot do di doo", "La la la la la" were lyrics in songs. Sesame Street just comes across differently now, to reach a new generation of pre-schoolers that can already log on post to Facebook, but they underlying theme is clear, be a good friend. Be a good neighbor and that we are all different. And that is more than ok. It was with a sense of pride that I would show my students, at the end of each day, 10 minutes of Sesame Street (circa 1979-1985). Many times kids that wouldn't speak to me, would whisper "la la lala" and thoes with echolalia would imitate Grover and Madeline Khan in "Be My Echo" in a very appropriate way. At the end of the day, just remeber that no matter how old or young you are, you can always find your way to Sesame Street.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Bailey, Byl and Boston
Three nice things about this weekend. Bailey dressed up as a squirrel. Byl coming to visit Mike and I. Boston and lunch at a trattoria in the North End.
Bailey is the best dog. She allowed me to dress her up (even though I hate Halloween) as a squirrel. She even tolerated the mask part for about 2.5 seconds. She sat fantastically as if she knew..."If I let Sara take my photos she will take this ridiculous costume off of me." More than once she look at Mike as if to say "Save Me! Good God man!" Here she is in all her cuteness.
After dressing her up in the morning we went to Logan Airport and picked up our friend Byl. I had been looking forward to his visit for over a month! We drove around Boston, giving him a tour and then settled down by the Harbor, on the North End. We walked around what I call, Little Italy (North End), and Byl observed that the streets are so narrow and the buildings old, with flowers and laundry hanging, that it DOES remind one of Italy.... We ate a trattoria, and I had a fantastic mushroom/truffle sauce concoction. We then headed home, humiliated Bailey once more with dressing her up to show Byl, we vegged out and then tried candlepin bowling.
I thought bowling was hard. This was insane. 10 tiny ass pins the size of well pillar candles and a ball the size of a bocce ball. No holes or grooves and you just chuck it down the alley. Or at least I did. First round I beat Mike the next round Mike won. We ended with dinner at Scupper Jacks and vegged out watching "My Life in Ruins" (highly highly recommend) and "Fast and Furious" (not an Oscar winner but full of eye candy). Today, Byl the guy he is, helped us TRY to find a desk. No such luck so the two month quest of findng a desk continues. All in all a fantastic weekend!
candlepin bowling 
"My Life in Ruins"Thursday, October 29, 2009
Damn you Walgreeens!
I got the flu shot. My mother, as mothers can, surprised me a few weeks ago when I went home for a day. "Want to go to lunch?" said my mom with a smile. Sure I am always up for food. Just one thing...a short stop at Walgreens. Two sugar free Werthers Original candies, a sticker and a joyous mother later, the flu shot was administered and the subterfuge of Chilis nachos was in front of me.
Flash forward two months. While moaning on Facebook and to anyone who would listen, that I did not want to go to work a curious thing happened. It started with repeated sneezing and watery eyes. Seemed like allergies, but I was out of tree mold heaven that was Northern Virginia...I haven't had an allergy episodes since the move above the Mason-Dixon Line.
I get to work and while the sneezing stopped watery eyes continued. Two Functional Behavior Analysises later (is that the right plural?) I had aches but no fever. But lots of aches. Dizziness but again no fever.
As one of the women, that allows me to share their space, begins to lecture me on the N1H1 Flu that IS going around our district, and the other woman whom I actually DO like begins to spray me, my desk and the door handles with Lysol, it hits me. Do they seriously begrudge the fact that I am in their room and NOT the fabled office I was told I had in my interview? OH maybe I have the flu. The flu? Maybe just a cold...
As the day wore on I get the feeling that I might have the flu. Or I have a cold with no stuffy nose, no coughing and no fever. A cold that consists of dizziness, a surprising lack of appetite, and aches. Aches like I climbed Mt. Monadnock at dawn. Like I would do THAT. So yesterday I handed in my FBAs, the joys of my job, and went to CVS to get Nyquil. I realize as I pulled into my driveway with said Nyquil in hand... The fever hits me like a wall.
Damn YOU Walgreens!
I wasn't supposed to get the flu! But perhaps, the wretched Walgreens did me a favor. No chills or other nastiness that occurs but will not mention. Just headaches, yes, a fever, and tons of body aches...Maybe Walgreens was not the enemy I thought...
The rest is a blur. Bed. Covers. Open window cause I like it like a campground when I sleep. And the Bailey Monster. Bailey is a champ. First, she always knows when one of us is sick and is just the best puppy ever. Second, I slept from 11:30am until 6:30am the next day. She did not bark at me to go outside or to be fed (but I did both this morning). I do not even remember MIke coming home. So now, as I wait for Nyquil to take me back to the place called blissful unawareness of medically induced sleep, she lays beside me. Licking my face and protecting me from the maintenance men who are blowing leaves out side my window.
Good girl. Take care of mama.
Flash forward two months. While moaning on Facebook and to anyone who would listen, that I did not want to go to work a curious thing happened. It started with repeated sneezing and watery eyes. Seemed like allergies, but I was out of tree mold heaven that was Northern Virginia...I haven't had an allergy episodes since the move above the Mason-Dixon Line.
I get to work and while the sneezing stopped watery eyes continued. Two Functional Behavior Analysises later (is that the right plural?) I had aches but no fever. But lots of aches. Dizziness but again no fever.
As one of the women, that allows me to share their space, begins to lecture me on the N1H1 Flu that IS going around our district, and the other woman whom I actually DO like begins to spray me, my desk and the door handles with Lysol, it hits me. Do they seriously begrudge the fact that I am in their room and NOT the fabled office I was told I had in my interview? OH maybe I have the flu. The flu? Maybe just a cold...
As the day wore on I get the feeling that I might have the flu. Or I have a cold with no stuffy nose, no coughing and no fever. A cold that consists of dizziness, a surprising lack of appetite, and aches. Aches like I climbed Mt. Monadnock at dawn. Like I would do THAT. So yesterday I handed in my FBAs, the joys of my job, and went to CVS to get Nyquil. I realize as I pulled into my driveway with said Nyquil in hand... The fever hits me like a wall.
Damn YOU Walgreens!
I wasn't supposed to get the flu! But perhaps, the wretched Walgreens did me a favor. No chills or other nastiness that occurs but will not mention. Just headaches, yes, a fever, and tons of body aches...Maybe Walgreens was not the enemy I thought...
The rest is a blur. Bed. Covers. Open window cause I like it like a campground when I sleep. And the Bailey Monster. Bailey is a champ. First, she always knows when one of us is sick and is just the best puppy ever. Second, I slept from 11:30am until 6:30am the next day. She did not bark at me to go outside or to be fed (but I did both this morning). I do not even remember MIke coming home. So now, as I wait for Nyquil to take me back to the place called blissful unawareness of medically induced sleep, she lays beside me. Licking my face and protecting me from the maintenance men who are blowing leaves out side my window.
Good girl. Take care of mama.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Welcome to a Blog?!
Actually I cannot believe I started a blog. I have been following a few friends' blogs for a while now. But this morning, as I played hookie from school (aka work), I thought ... Why not?
Maybe because I just came back from Mike's 10 year college reunion, FPC! Maybe because I spent a half hour this morning reading my friends' blogs. Maybe because I joined a few forums/threads on ETSY, ARTFIRE and IMAGEKIND and they all wanted to know where my blog was. And maybe just another way to keep in touch with friends and family besides FACEBOOK.
Where the fugwas I?
FUGARWI.
Like in my blog summary thingy, the idea of the Fugarwi Tribe or the word fugarwi was not my idea. Say it really fast, FUGARWI and I am sure you get the idea of what it means. The tribe was made of the bikers we rode with in Virginia. Which for one reason or another, has changed several times since I first took my first ride in September 2006 on the back of Mike's V-Star.
Many things have changed since then both the good and the bad. Yet through it all; births, deaths, marriages and moves, we still do our best to keep in touch. While my family and friends from home were not part of the Fugawri Tribe, our wedding in April brought all of us (or most of us) together. So now, the Fugarwi Tribe is completed by the joining of the Trampaho Tribe (yes my mom came up with that name a few years back).
Hopefully I will update the blog and add pictures on a regular basis. We will see. I hope that you stop bye, leave messages and keep in touch!
To the Fugarwi!
Maybe because I just came back from Mike's 10 year college reunion, FPC! Maybe because I spent a half hour this morning reading my friends' blogs. Maybe because I joined a few forums/threads on ETSY, ARTFIRE and IMAGEKIND and they all wanted to know where my blog was. And maybe just another way to keep in touch with friends and family besides FACEBOOK.
Where the fugwas I?
FUGARWI.
Like in my blog summary thingy, the idea of the Fugarwi Tribe or the word fugarwi was not my idea. Say it really fast, FUGARWI and I am sure you get the idea of what it means. The tribe was made of the bikers we rode with in Virginia. Which for one reason or another, has changed several times since I first took my first ride in September 2006 on the back of Mike's V-Star.
Many things have changed since then both the good and the bad. Yet through it all; births, deaths, marriages and moves, we still do our best to keep in touch. While my family and friends from home were not part of the Fugawri Tribe, our wedding in April brought all of us (or most of us) together. So now, the Fugarwi Tribe is completed by the joining of the Trampaho Tribe (yes my mom came up with that name a few years back).
Hopefully I will update the blog and add pictures on a regular basis. We will see. I hope that you stop bye, leave messages and keep in touch!
To the Fugarwi!
David, Margie, Mona and Anneie
Mike's Bday 2007
Old Town. Memorial Day Weekend
2008
Kerri, Katie and Sara
Teacher Pub Crawl 2008
Christmas 2008
Bridal Shower @ Work 2009
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