Vindicated/Valentines

Now I know that Vindication and Valentines don't usually go along but that was my day yesterday. I have been having some issues at work and I now finally feel vindicated. The stuff going on was just plain wrong and I finally got someone to see my side. That is a good feeling. The only struggle I have with those situations is that I cry very easily. I know that it is not a good thing, and I know that it is counterproductive when it happens. I just don't know how to fix it. It isn't that I am sad...I just get so mad that I start to cry. Nothing says strength and conviction than a blubbering idiot. Gotta work on that...let me add it to the list. That list is getting quite long.

Anyway so I have this meeting with my administrator get vindicated, and get to go to my daughter's Valentine's Day party in her classroom a few minutes later.

Now one of the things that I find very interesting...in a curiosity about people sort of way...is the fact that at the school I teach at and my kids go to is that there are quite a few celebrities that send their kids to our school. Those celebs fall into some pretty clear categories: there are the ones that you never see...they send their kids to and from school with nannies and you get to know that nannies really well...those kind I am just not sure about. They just don't seem involved and I just can't understand that mentality. Then there are those that are just as big of a star, but are at EVERYONE of their kids events. One of those kind are in my daughter's class. Brad Garrett (From everybody loves Raymond) is one of those guys. He is at every event that his children are in...goes to every party...and is just the nicest most generous guy there is. I remember the first time I met him. I was teaching at summer camp and his kids were there. His wife told me at carpool in the afternoon that their son left his lunch box in one of the classrooms, I told them that I would get it and make sure it was safe. The next morning Brad shows up to claim the lunch box. As you know he is a big guy and very recognizable. He walked up to me stuck out his hand and introduced himself to me...now I knew who he was the second he walked up to me, but the fact that he didn't presume that I knew him was what impressed me the most. I have to tell you that I do not go gaga over celebrities. I really think that they are just as good as I am, but just happen to make an insane amount of money. I really hate people who kiss their butts and try to get in good with them. I am very polite and say hi and chat when the opportunity presents itself, but mostly I leave them alone. Brad is just such an approachable guy and would do anything for anyone. I must say I am impressed. He was at the party hanging out in the back enjoying watching his daughter and just being a dad.

My daughter Bella

Bella with her yummy rice crispy treat heart.

My sweet girl and her big foreheaded mama...

Things I Noticed:
1. I really wanted to do the Big Mama Fashion Friday link...I had a really great addition but because of all the crazy at my work...I just didn't get to it, maybe next Friday.

2. Teenagers sometimes exaggerate situations...I know isn't that the definition of teenager?? Glad someone else finally realizes that.

3. Valentine's day sucks when you can't eat chocolate...I mean really sucks.

4. I love free dress days...love bein in my jeans and sneakers!!

5. I really look forward to three day weekends...hey wait...this weekend is a three day weekend YES!!!

6. I love tortilla chips, salsa, and bean dip...yes I know that it is bad for you but oh so yummy...and yes I know that eating those things make me feel guilty...but just couldn't help it.

7. You can't run when you are upset...your stomach just churns and that is not conducive to running...and yes it makes me mad when I can't over come it and that someone else's stupidity causes me to not be able to finish my 4 mile run...

8. Teenager's are scatterbrains...I'll need to add that to the definition...but I am sure it already is.

Things I am Grateful For:
1. Three day weekends.
2. Being able to stick up for myself and not cry.
3. Being able to be articulate and get the job done.
4. Generous people.
5. Valentine's Day parties.

More later

- A Ro

It's Been Awhile

Not sure why but it has been awhile since I posted. I have not been particularly busy just haven't gotten around to it. I have been following my favorite blogs and helping a friend start a blog.

My kids had a great time in Vegas...they were kind of dreading it, but they ended up having a great time, I was so happy to hear it. My ex sister in law told my ex that she thought our children were just wonderful, so well behaved, polite, kind and so much fun to be around. That really made my day. It is good that my kids know how to act around other people, now if I could only get them to act that way around me.

So I think that one of the most embarrassing things to do is to fall in front of someone. Nothing is less graceful than or less diva-esque than falling. I LOVE watching Americas Funniest Home Videos of all the falls...they just crack me up. Anyway it was icy and cold here on Monday morning...about 32 degrees...I know crazy!!! Not only that it was an assembly day and I had to dress up...heels nylons skirt. I was going to my 7:00 am class and I noticed the upper deck of our building was very slippery and I was walking very carefully...and then WHAM!!! I fell on my knees. Ripped my nylons and had a very bloody knee...but more embarrassing was the fact that this freshman saw me bite it. She very slowly came up to me and said very slowly and quietly..."are you OK". I said yes I fell so that you wouldn't have to. So embarrassing.


Things I Noticed Today:
1. It is funny how things just sort of take hold of your day and before you know it the day is gone. Today was one of those days. I had some issues at work that kept my mind busy, and my good friend had some issues at work that kept my mind busy too.

2. I do have will power. Even though my knee hurt real bad I got up and ran 4 miles the last mile with up hill repeats. I was SO proud of myself.

3. I have really good friends to help me through the day.

4. That I really hate it when GS is sick...it makes me feel so bad.

5. I fell much better when I get up and run.

Things I am Thankful For:

1. The safe return of my kids.
2. My morning run...did I say how proud I was of myself.
3. A great set of administrators.
4. My puppy Maggie
5. Advil

More Later

- A Ro

People Sometime Make Me Go hmmm

This past weekend my school hosted an honor choir festival. About 70 high school singers from around our area came to rehearse and perform 6 selections. They rehearse about 3 1/2 hours on Friday and 5 hours on Saturday and then the performance. Now I don't know if you know about choirs but there are four sections: Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass, and each student knows what part they are before they come to the festival. They sit in their sections for all of the rehearsals, and they even rehearse on the risers for the performance and they know where they stand on the risers...they get to practice that part. I know this sounds very redundant but I am getting somewhere so just bear with me. So ANYWAY it was just about time to line up to go sit in the audience (the band and orchestra performed first) but we needed to be in our riser order before we sat down. So I lined everyone up and we "snaked" our way into the theater so that when it was our time we would "snake" our way up on stage and onto the risers. I worked it out perfectly. The first girl in the theater to sit was the last girl on the risers and everyone else would just fall into place...well almost everyone. 80% of all the students did exactly what they were supposed to. But after the second piece the conductor realized that about 8 people were in the wrong place. Now this is the part that made me go hmmm...Did it really take those 8 people two songs to realize that they were in the wrong place?? Not only were they located on the wrong side of the risers (which they should have noticed after sitting for 8 hours in the same place...but there were people all around them singing a different part??? I really can understand the line getting all screwed up in the transfer, but it is an easy fix...you just walk to the correct place...there was a nice big hole for you because YOU WERE IN THE WRONG PLACE...Now I tell my students if something goes wrong before we start a song ie: you don't get the right pitch, you don't know which song we are singing, you are in the wrong place, I don't care what it is and I don't care if you have to yell MS. R. You sure as heck better tell me before we start the song and certainly not TWO songs into the program. It messed up those two songs...hmmmm I just might have to add another section to my blog. These types of things seem to happen to me often.Notice the large "hole" on the right side of the picture second riser.

Things I Noticed:
1. I enjoy meeting new people.

2. I really enjoyed getting my kids back safe and sound from Vegas and I am sure they grew 2 inches over the weekend. They had a really great time and all my worries were for nothing...but in my own twisted mind I figure that they only reason they didn't happen was because I worried about it.

3. I really need to work on walking Maggie. She is such a crazy walking dog, pulling here and there. I think that if I would just walk her daily she would get so much better.

4. I really like the library...I am not sure if it is leftover from my days of working in the music libraries at the colleges I attended, but they are just quiet peaceful places!!!

5. I am just going to have to live with the fact that I didn't get as much done today as planned...oh well...(sigh)

6. I have so many pictures that I want to post, but I can't find the cord to my camera...dang it.

Things I am Thankful For:
1. Safe car rides that deliver my kids to me.

2. That the library had the books that Andrew needed.

3. Having the gumption to get up and run my 4 miles.

4. A rained out Football game...don't tell Andrew.

5. My wonderful generous mom...I love her sooo much.

More later

- A Ro

Being Late - Yesterday

I know that I have posted before about my craziness with being late. I hate to be late. I hate to be behind schedule, unless of course it doesn't really matter, I mean I can be flexible, but if others are depending on me to be on time I need to be on time. Anyway my kids are not in town. They went out of town with their dad so they were not home this morning so I didn't have to get them ready. As I posted yesterday I forced myself to go run this morning...which I did...4 miles...thank you very much!!! I didn't have my zero block class today so I didn't have to be to work until 7:30. However my plan was to leave my house around 6:40 so I could avoid traffic...now I don't drive the three digit concrete paths to hell on my way to work, but there are two high schools on the way and they can get to be busy. I was actually running a bit off schedule today got to the gym at 4:35 instead of my planned 4:30, but I knew I didn't have kids to get ready so I was not too stressed. Well as it turned out I was sitting ready to head out the door at 6:10...an entire half hour early. Now my kids are 8 and 13 so they don't need much "help" getting ready...so this "extra" half hour was unexplainable...except that my kids need to GET THEIR BUTT IN GEAR in the morning. I am just gonna have to tell them that...that is all their is too it.

Things I noticed:
1. I didn't get this blog done yesterday...so it is really today.

2. I really miss my kids.

3. I really love my job even the days that I have four classes in a row with a 10 minute break to use the bathroom...sometimes I actually use that 10 minutes to use the bathroom, most times I find something else to fill that time.

4. I love eating lunch out. I like leaving school and just recharging, and as crazy as it sounds I like the people I work with.

5. I really like watching men work with men singers. It is hard for me as a woman to really show the guys in my choir how it is done. I like watching men singers work with men singers.

Choral festival at my school...guys sectional

6. Even though it is hard work I like having this choral festival at my work...more on that later.

A few of my students

Things I am Thankful for.
1. My job

2. My colleagues

3. My students

4. Getting my butt out of bed and running

5. Fine singers

More later

- A Ro

A Funk

I think that I have been in a real funk for the past couple of weeks. First I had that nasty head cold...that should be the new biological weapon of the future...just knock um out with that...trust me they won't want to do anything but lie in bed. Then this week was my favorite week of the month...nuff said. However after watching Oprah's show on menopause last week (while I was only wanting to lie in bed) I decided that I shouldn't complain about that favorite week...it is WAY better than what those women were going through...and couple it will all the confusion about hormone replacement and the horrible cancer risks...please I never want to go through that. However, I know it is as avoidable as death and taxes, but I should warn all of the people that I love, work with, know casually, drive on the roads with, pass on the street, buy Starbucks from, etc that it will be a doozie. I fear that I will end up living alone in my bathrobe or bathing suit depending on the hot flashes...just watch out. I know that I am almost 40, but I hope they figure out what to do with me by then...Geez they can put a man on the moon, clone a lamb, impregnate a woman with 8 babies (when she already has 6), make my eggs not stick to a pan, but they cannot figure out menopause give me a break...ANYWAY I am coming out of my funk whether I like it or not...starting with a 4 mile run tomorrow...do you hear that A-RO a 4 mile run tomorrow...Ok there I'm better.

Things I've Noticed:
1. I need to remember my post about driving on the three digit concrete paths to hell before I try to go to my son's basketball game having to drive on two of them during rush hour...wasn't a pretty sight and pretty much ruined me for the rest of the evening.

2. My kids going to Vegas with my ex to see his nephew (I guess that would be my ex-nephew but that just sounds so wrong) compete in a gymnastics even doesn't make me happy. I hope Andrew keeps his phone near.

3. My little sister is growing up.

4. The barista who made my venti iced passion tea with sugar free vanilla got the perfect amount of each ingredient...yummy...not as good as my iced venti sugar free cinnamon dolce non fat latte did, but I'll be ok.

5. Did I mention that I am going to miss my kids this weekend.

6. I really wish I could take away heartbreak from my high schoolers...I remember how much that pain is and in reality how much it really doesn't matter in the scope of real adult life...then again maybe it does...I'll get back to you on that one.

7. I am a very lucky girl.

8. I get to go to a convention for free (thanks to my job) and get to see an old friend too...cool...note to self gotta get those plane tickets bought.

9. Anger, hatred, and misery are just not good emotions to feel...they don't do anyone any good.

10. I will have no time to miss my kids this weekend...as if that is possible...I have a honor choir event at my school...yeah not going to work...I'll still miss them.

Things I'm Grateful For:
1. That week every month...keeps the M word at bay.

2. Again GS for really picking up the slack during my funk.

3. My wonderful kids...really wonderful...despite my road rage, and the after effects.

4. My beautiful sister.

5. Dustin...

More Later

-A Ro

Chuck Something We Can Agree About

My kids and I LOVE Chuck...not really sure why we all like it, but we do. We plan our Monday nights looking forward to this event. It was on hiatus for about 6 weeks, but last night it was back and we were glued to our TV...this is partly why I didn't not post last night. However, it is on a rare occasion that we ALL like anything. You would think that going out to dinner would be a single mothers dream...no cooking, no cleaning, yada yada yada...but I dread going out to dinner. We can't ever find a restaurant that we all like. My son Andrew being the teenage son loves McDonalds, Burger King, you know the usual fast food that I despise and gosh darn it if I am going to pay I better be satisfied. My daughter likes pasta and rice, now that seems all so easy, but it really isn't. My son and daughter both like Chinese, but for me Chinese is so fattening, now they really do choose good for you things but even that for me is not worth the calories, so Chinese is out. My daughter and I love Italian she gets her pasta and I usually get a great salad, but my son doesn't really like Italian, he might eat pizza every now and then and sometimes he likes ravioli, but it isn't consistent enough to say that we all like Italian. Andrew and I like Mexican food, but not Bella...SOMETIMES she likes re fried beans...I know the oddest thing to like...not quesidillas...not chicken tacos...no she likes re fried beans...crazy I know. Now for awhile we all liked Quiznos....and I finally thought we have found our answer to our out to eat problem, but now all of the sudden Bella doesn't like it anymore. But I do have to say at the moment we have one restaurant that we can all agree...California Pizza Kitchen. Andrew loves their sicilian pizza, Bella loves their pasta, and I love their BBQ chicken salad...finally a place we all love...for now.

Things I Noticed Today (Yesterday):
1. I really dislike people who lie...I know that sounds oh so simple and everyone could say that, but so many people do it for whatever reason. Now I am not talking about the little white lie, ya know the "Does this make my butt look big" (but even the simple white lie can get you in trouble).

2. There were NO 3D Chuck glasses anywhere...so bummed.

3. Aunt Flo can come and knock on the door, but then I wish she would just go away. Not that I am welcoming menopause or pregnancy, but I just dislike that visitor.

4. Full faculty meetings can be very informative and scary at the same time.

5. Headaches really take over everything...gotta love Advil.

6. I really have the need for justice...I am so "that is not fair" oriented. Not sure if it is something that I need to change or get used to, but it does cause me a bunch of trouble on a daily basis.

Things I am Grateful For:
1. Advil
2. My warm bed.
3. My kids recognizing the I didn't feel well and getting themselves into bed.
4. Good for you chili cheese fries...I know what you are thinking but they were!!!
5. GS

More Later

- A Ro

Spontaneous

I am not usually a spontaneous person...I'd really like to think that I am, but I'm really not. I like to plan things and have a plan for most everything I do. I make list of what I am going to bring on a trip and even try to plan for the unexpected by packing lots of stuff that I probably won't need...but I just MIGHT need it so in it goes. So today when my friend called and invited me and my daughter to picnic in the park with her and her daughter, my gut instinct was to decline. After all I had a chore list a mile long and I really don't like going to bed on Sunday night with things left to do. But I thought about Isabella being stuck inside all day on a truly beautiful California day and then I thought about me being stuck inside on a truly beautiful California day...and doing chores no less...so I fought my urges and said YES!!! I am so glad I did. It really was a beautiful day so we packed a lunch and hung out at the park, and then went to the mall to run some errands. The girls had so much fun and my friend and I got a chance to chat and bask...in the shade. I truly had a wonderful time.

Isabella and her friend...see what a nice day it was!!

My friend with our two girls

I also got up and ran 4 miles outside. I am still a little sniffly but I got my butt out the door and ran. It was a personal best and I am very proud of myself. I think that I am back on track to my 10K goal.

Things I Noticed Today:
1. Getting myself to walk out the door is sometimes the hardest part.

2. I can play a little and still get chores done. I think that when you have all day to do something it usually takes that long. Work truly does fit into the time allotted.

3. Sometimes the grocery store is good to you...$10 off totally grocery bill coupon...free pizza with purchase of $25 or more...grapes $.88 a pound...bagels $.25 a piece...and some awesome double coupons. I like grocery outings like that.

4. I just love hanging out with my girl.

5. I had a really awesome weekend.

Things I Am Thankful For:
1. A spur of the moment phone call.
2. A beautiful California Day.
3. The ability to put food on my table.
4. Getting things done.
5. A great weekend.

More Later

- A Ro