I say we hit the cruise control

been a busy and crazy week. The kids seem nice. We had 2 not show til today, but we had everyone today and the ones who weren't there are gonna be fine (the boy is a sweetheart and seems bright and the girl I knew last year). I am officially sick AGAIN. Molly (keep in mind from now on Molly is the teacher I work with) was sick last week and I guess she got me sick. It was just my thraot until today. I feel stuffy and want to blow my nose but there's nothing in it. Which sucks.

It's been such fun so far working with Molly. We've had good laughs and told stories. Yippee! We have Back To School Night next Tuesday and I'm a little nervous. She says she usually doesn't have many show up and I have met 5 kids parents already and I have a feeling the girls' parents won't show (I haven't met them) and the other boy's mother probably won't either. So most likely, the ones that show will be ones I have met. But I wonder what we will do...we'll see.

I am very tired. It was a tiring day, though nothing overly crazy happened. Yesterday we had a kid come back from the bathroom (I took him--it's too far to send the kids by themselves) and a few minutes later inform us he forgot to wipe. HOW CAN YOU FORGET TO WIPE????? We ignored it a bit and then Molly goes "He has his hand in his pants. You better take him back". He's gonna be work, but he seems pretty bright.

Well, I guess that's all for now. Yay for football this weekend! I CANNOT wait.

In the stereo: Eric Hutchinson

Loving Eric's songs on his myspace page. Just can't get enough. So awesome.

Got to work this morning at 7:45 (after only 4 hours of sleep) and didn't leave til 5. What fun...Open house in the morning at 8:30. I wonder how many kids and parents will show. The room looks presentable, though not done. Stuff still not unpacked is under tables and in the back. Desks could be cleaner. And we can't find the names we printed last year and laminated for the lunch count, cubbies and supply baskets. And we got a new updated list today...with another kid we didn't know about. Up to 10 now. PRAY we don't get more. I don't think I can handle more than 10. I don't know if I can handle the 10. We'll see. Can't wait to see the kids.

Went to Target and Borders on my last day off yesterday. Spent $50 in Target and $60 in Borders. And I officially (finally, for me) started Christmas shopping, getting 2 gifts for Cari. I got 7 books, people! At Target, I got Bridge to Terabithia and at Borders, all in the "3 for price of 2" category, I got To Kill A Mockingbird, 1984, The Grapes of Wrath, The Guardian, Must Love Dogs, and The Devil Wears Prada. I was excited those classics were in that section since I''ve wanted to read some. Turns out, though, that when I got home and told mom, she said she has at least 2 if not all 3 of those classics from Borders. Oh well...now I have my own copies.

Big Brother is on tonight...and Rachel will unfortunately be leaving (I think). I will be taking sleep med around 8:30 and will turn out my light when BB is over. So tired...I'll write more tomorrow...

So was at school today. Had a breakfast at 8, which was ok. Nice to see everyone back. We started the meeting around 9 or so, beginning with introductions. And the principal decided to start with her left...which was me! We were in the cafeteria sitting at lunch tables, set up in a big circle (rectangle?) and I was the closest one to her left. How nerve racking to be the first.

Everyone seemed very happy for me to be working in the school. The media assistant was practically jumping around, twice. I got my picture taken for a staff badge and for the "bios" that we have up about all staff in the building. I have to write mine so I can turn it in on Thursday when I go in again. What should I mention in it? I'm thinking of mentioning my love for music...

Eric has added 4 new songs to his myspace page, which makes me so excited. I will probably be there every day now. He finished a new CD but it won't be ready for sale for a while. I can't wait. He'll be at Jammin Java October 1st. And Dean will be there Sept 24th and October 22nd. And Speechwriters and Alternate Routes October 14th. So nice of them all to be there on weekend nights so I don't have to get up early the next day. I bet they were totally thinking of me when they decided dates...

I know I have visitors out there...but I haven't had a comment in a while so maybe I'll stop writing...then again, I do like writing here. I can't believe I've had this blog almost 2 years. Feels like yesterday.

went to school today. what a mess the room is. but we lucked out and have a portable on the side. so we're totally parking next to the portable. Since we'd have to walk a mile otherwise...people were excited to see me and hear I am now working in the school and I did get a few "now there goes a good sub" comments, which makes me feel loved.

Tomorrow is a staff breakfast at 8 AM and I am going to stay all day to get the room in order. Molly had a meeting until like 12 so I guess I will be working by myself in the morning. Maybe I'll hook up the computer so I can play music. Or at least bring my iPod.

I don't get paid for tomorrow but I know Molly needs the help. Plus she's gonna let me leave early on the first Friday with the kids so I can go to Penn State. I am not doing anything on Wednesday but relax...and get ready for working every day for the next 10 months, basically. Hopefully, we'll have a good group this year. I can't wait to see the kids.

So I dyed my hair on Friday. It's dark brown. I'm getting used to it. At first it was hard cuz it felt like I was the Black Demon of Death. I thought it made me look goth. But now I see what Sarah called my natural highlights showing through so there is some light-ness coming through. It doesn't look as black to me anymore, it looks brown. And it looks much better than mine had before with the darker roots showing through...wonder what my roots will look like when they start to show. I don't necessarily know my exact natural color anymore so it might be darker than I think...

Got the phone call from the principal. I have the job. I don't want to get my hopes up until I have some like proof in paper form or something but it really looks like it. She told me I have it. And I just checked the vacancy database on the county's website and the position has been taken down! That was the icing for me to actually feel a little more security.

Going crazy over Big Brother. Kaysar was voted back, happily, into the house with 82% of the vote. And now it looks like he's back out tomorrow...which sucks. I'm gonna miss looking at his HOT face...

it's 8:12 am and I am watching the Big Brother feeds. Something is actually going on at this hour! They started the HOH competition last night at the end of the live show (so before 9 EST) and there are 2 people still going. When I went to bed at 11, everyone was still in it. Got up and turned on the computer and a bunch were still there but after walking the dogs, it's down to 2. Goooo Kaysar!

On my way home from the dogs, I passed a hot sweaty guy jogging shirtless with a baby in a stroller and a dog! How cute...

It's going to be another scorcher today...Why did it have to be so freakin hot the days I was in charge of the dogs? You know it's going to cool down like tomorrow just to spite me.

Should I go back to sleep? But I want to see who wins...

I'm tired of smelling like dog. And my car does too. I took a shower last night when I got home from the dogs at 8 or so cuz then I got almost 12 hours of not smelling like them. I think Saturday I will get a long overdue car wash. And I will change my sheets that day (it's time anyway, but they probably smell like dog too). And I will head to Cumberland and see Parsons and Tiffany and who knows who else. Saturday will be a busy day.

I am feeling better already today so I am sure I will be well on Saturday. I was worried I wouldn't want to go. Jamie, Cari and I played pool last night. Nice to get out of the house (and not just go to the dogs).

Crap I forgot to get gas again. I think it's cuz subconsciously I am protesting the raising prices, even though I do need gas to get to the dogs.

Dammit, the pop ups are starting to come more often again. I have gotten 3 while trying to type this so far. ok, 4.

Went next door yesterday and made an unknowns CD of musicians I like that are not well known. Been meaning to do it for a while. Wanted to make a total of 4 CDs while over there but (crap, number 5) one cd got stuck in the computer and then I had to go do the dogs. We'll see if I try again today or tomorrow. I like the unknowns one a lot. Been listening when going to dogs.

OK, lets go sit down and rest my back and relax and try to get healthier. And I'll do the puzzle in the paper.

I am sick. It's so yucky being sick in the summer. It's one thing to be sick in the winter, and you're hot and can sit by some fan to cool you off. But in the summer? It's not fun cuz the AC is already on yet I'm still hot. I can't handle it. It sucks.

I knew I was sick when I woke up Friday. Friday started my week of taking care of someone's 2 Jack Russells. She was the IA in the 4/5 class this past year at school. She is in Thailand. And I get to walk her dogs 4-5 times per day (depending on the people who are sleeping with the dogs--she has people spend the night with them). And to have to be sick and walk dogs in the HEAT that is August in Maryland is not fun. I was going to stay over at her house for an hour or so right now when I finished walking them but I was so worn out that I just had to come home. I was sweating and felt dizzy and thought I might pass out. Yet, I drove home. Smart, right?

We went to see tennis Thursday and Saturday. In all the matches we watched, the person we were rooting for won. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Ginepri play this year and he lost. BUt the final was what we wanted--Andy vs. James. And Andy prevailed. I kinda wanted James to win, since he has only ever won one tourney (which happened to be this one in 2002) and he's had such a rough year (shingles, broken vertebrae and his dad died). But he made the final so hopefully we'll be seeing much more of him.

Yesterday was my jury duty day. When I walk the dogs, I have to walk them at 7:30 so I am up about 7. Well, for jury duty, I was up at 6:30, so I wasn't too happy. Got in the "jury lounge" around 5 of 8 and was among the first 30 or so there. (The night before you have to call and see if you come in and the recording said numbers 1-260 had to report. I was 174.) Got a comfy seat by the wall (I'm sick and I want to be away from people--and I want it quiet so I can read). At 8:25, 2 ladies came in and said they would start checking people in. That meant everybody rush to get in line to just stand in line until you finally manuever your way to the front to get checked in. Meaning, I lost my seat. I was at the back of the line (really, what's the point in rushing to get in line?) but I ended up getting a seat by the wall. The seats were like old movie theater seats, attached with arm rests (you know, nowadays movie theaters have the high backs so whatever). We started watching a movie a little before 9. Of course, people keep showing up until probably 9:15 or so, despite having to be there BY 8:30. Some lady came in in the middle of the movie and took the seat next to me. We were told there were 5 trials on the docket that day and none would be more than 2-3 days. At about 10, they called the first group of 40 some people. My row of seats was 3 people and the lady on the aisle left then. So I was left with the lady next to me. The row in front of me was clear as was the row behind me, off and on. But the lady stayed next to me. And she proceeded to remove her shoes. Now, we all know my aversion to feet. She put her feet up on the armrest between the chair in front of me and the one in front of her. I was so grossed out, I started texting Cari (we had texted a few times already). WHILE TEXTING CARI ABOUT THIS WOMAN'S FEET, SHE KICKED ME WITH A FOOT (while adjusting her position or something). AND SHE DIDN'T APOLOGIZE. So I immediately tacked onto Cari's text "Shit, she just kicked me". I told Cari I might move and after they called another 40 or so people, and she kicked me AGAIN, I did move. I moved to a seat by air, which was cold, but better than being by naked feet. They called a group of 30 or so people (up to #110) about this time (11:15). At a little before noon, the lady came out and said the other 2 trials decided not to go with a jury so she was sending a bunch of us home and those who had to stay (in case trials at other city courts decided to change to jury trials ) would get a 2 hour lunch. I was like "I better not have to be back here in 2 hours or I will be pissed." Cuz I would've wanted to drive away and may not find a parking spot again. She started calling numbers of those to leave, in what seemed to be the order we checked in in, cuz it was random, and when she said "174" I lept (on the inside--my pants were kinda big and trying to fall down). SO I was outta there about noon. And that was my first experience with jury duty.

One final thing, since this is so long already. My neighbors are crazy, and I don't mean Jamie and her mom. The others. First of all, they still have their Xmas star and lights in the pine tree out front. And the kicker? The lady was on a ladder working on that tree weeks ago, yet while she was up there, she didn't decide to take down the lights? And, they have 2 dogwood or cherry blossom trees in their yard, like most of us on the block. Instead of hiring someone to trim the trees to make them look nice, the lady busts out the old fashioned saw herself and cuts off huge branches. One of the trees now has just 2 big branches (with littler ones growing out of them, of course) and at least 4 "stumps" coming out from the trunk of where she cut branches. The poor tree. It's looks UGLY.

By the way, I looked in my 99 yearbook and figured out Brandi Monroe was who we were trying to think of. And I figured out the name of the girl who was in 105 my freshman year (I was in 103 first semester).

The principal was VERY nice. She lived up to and maybe exceeded what everyone was saying. I really really want this job because working with such a nice principal on top of everything else would make everything easier.

I need to go shopping. But I don't feel like leaving the house. I don't like it when it's so humid. It's already 84 and it's supposed to get to 92. And heat index will probably get to about 100. Yuck. So many stores had things in their ads this week I want but I just don't like this heat.

Finished The Undomestic Goddess last night. Not as good as Sophie Kinsella's other books, but I didn't hate it. It was cute. I didn't cry a bit, cuz it wasn't sad or overly happy, and I only laughed a little. Now I'm reading The Dirty Girls Social Club which Parsons recommended. It's about 6 latinas and they say a few words in Spanish every so often, so we'll see if my lack of Spanish will at all hinder my thoughts on the book. But it is a New York Times best seller. I have realized I have gotten quite a few New York Times best sellers recently, which makes me happy that I am actually reading books other people have read. After this one, I think I will read the last Laurie Notaro book I have yet to read, I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies). I wanted a break from laughing out loud so much and wanted to read fiction. But I may need it again.

The Barnes and Noble bag I got this weekend made me think. I kinda want to read these famous books everyone talks about from years ago, that even kids had to read in school. I never read some because I wasn't in the high reading group. To Kill A Mockingbird is one that's on the bag that triggered my thoughts. I can't think of others right now. It did make me happy to have read 3 of the books on the bag--Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby, and Death of a Salesman. Any others you all can think of I should read? Even though I have so many other books to read, I may have to go to the library and read some others first...

i can't believe august is here already. summer has gone fast.

i am going to school today to meet the principal. then i have to work at 2 :P

parsons is doing well. she's got a job at home for a month so she'll be in cumberland during the week and may come to bmore on weekends. apparently, laura is working a lot of days in cumberland so they will see each other. we didn't do much--just reminiscing and what not. we were trying to think of people who lived in particular rooms in college. one completely escapes us, but it's the year before you all (sarah, amy) were there so you wouldn't know. and it's still driving me nuts that i can't think.

sarah has something on her computer that somehow bypasses the anti-piracy on cds. so she was able to put bsb and rob thomas on her itunes and make me a copy so i could too. yippee, too bad i didn't have foo fighters with me.

i got STP's "thank you" cd, which is like greatest hits. i got rid of all my stp cd's years ago and have been pissed recently, so getting this for 9.99 was good.

sarah has read laurie notaro's first book--it was good finding another fan! she didn't know laurie had 3 other books out so we went to barnes and noble and she got the 2 we could find.

well, i better get ready to leave...see yas later...