Movie Night...alone.

So tonight no kids, GS at work, so I decided to go see a movie...by myself. There are two types of people in the world...those who don't like to go to movies by themselves, and those who LOVE to go to movies by themselves. I am one of those people who don't like to go to movies by themselves or for that matter, eat at a restaurant by myself...am I wierd? If I do eat by myself I have to bring something to do...so I am not just sitting there staring into space...eating. I have wierd thing about watching people eat and people watching me eat. Eating is just a weird kind of primal thing...i don't know...

...I know I should call my therapist.


Anyway I went to see a movie by myself...and no it didn't have Chevy Chase in it or even the word "vacation" in the title, but it WAS an Amy movie...Confessions of a Shopaholic.

I just LOVED that book...now I know it wasn't War and Peace or anything but a very entertaining chick book...as a matter of fact I loved the whole series. But this movie couldn't have been any more different than the book...with the exception of the character names (and even a few were added), the shopping problem of our heroine (and her problem was way more serious in the movie), and the...oh wait that was it...

this movie should have been titled...

"Confessions of a Shopaholic: Loosely based on the book Confessions of a Shopaholic...and people I mean loosly based...so don't get your hopes up"

I enjoyed the movie anyway...eating my popcorn...by myself...feeling very primal...

Things I Noticed:

1. When your school has a faculty party never agree to lip sync for prizes...

2. When your school has a faculty party and you randomly pick the song "I Kissed a Girl" fein the stomach flu and run for the bathroom.

3. When your school has a faculty party and do decide to go ahead and play along and agree to lip sync "I Kissed a Girl" make sure you don't do it completely sober...never mind that I don't drink.

4. When your school has a faculty party and it is your turn to lip sync "I Kissed a Girl" try not to look at your headmaster, principal, or your dean of academic affairs.

5. It is funny how people change with the addition of an open bar...and I don't necessarily mean funny ha-ha.

6. My dog doesn't do walks very calmly...

7. My dog doesn't mind wearing a bicycle helmet...picture to come later.

8. I am not looking forward to adding a half of a mile to my run tomorrow...5 miles YIKES...

9. I think it is important to constantly turn over new leaves.

10. I am not ready to take my trip...

Things I am Grateful For:

1. A fabulous job.

2. GS who also thinks it is important to constantly turn over new leaves.

3. My daughter who calls me up to tell me that she misses me...aawww.

4. My son who calls me...sometimes.

5. My mom who calls me...just because.

More Later

-A Ro

Lying

Like the old children's saying: Liar, liar pants on fire, or as Patrick on Sponge Bob says "Liar, liar plants for hire" no one likes a liar...


...or do they??


Now I know you are wondering why am on this particular soap box today...well it started with me trying to lie to myself this morning...I know that sounds crazy but this is how it went:


Alarm goes off 3:45 am (I know...stupid)

Me: Well it is time to get up and go run

Liar me: Well if I just say that I have a headache I could go back to bed.

Me: What are you crazy you don't have a headache?? Get your lazy butt out of bed and go run.

Liar Me: ...well since you put it that way...OK

Now realize that I was sleepy and irrational but that is how it went down. I actually tried to lie to myself. This made me think about lying. I have had some situations lately where I have been the victim of lying...and it makes me so mad.


...but I got to thinking...do I really want the truth all of the time? Think about what the world would be like if we only told the truth...


First: "Do these jeans make my butt look big?"

C'mon...why do I ask the question...I know these jeans make my butt look big...because my butt is big... I guess if my loved ones say "no of course not" it would be like me lying to myself about having a headache this morning...makes us feel better. I would be really upset if they said "As a matter of fact they do make your butt look big...because your butt is big." moral of that story...lie like a rug.


Secondly: "How are you?"

Finally: How many times do we ask someone "How are you?" Now we would all like to think that we really want to know how people are. But think about how many times you ask that question and how many times do you really have time to find out. I have made it a personal goal to not ask this question unless I am ready for the whole truth...


Lastly: "Do you want fries with that?"

I mean really if we had to tell the truth always...this would would get me everytime...Of course I want fries with that....the more the merrier...duh. But if i had to be honest about this one...


...then my family might not be able to lie when I ask them about my butt looking big...


More later
-A Ro

Going Out of Town

My school is very generous about sending its teachers to professional development events. This is my 6th year working for this school and I have only gone to one professional development conference. For some reason the organizations that I belong to seem to not have my schedule in mind when planning their conferences because each time I wanted to go to one I had a major school conflict.

Not this year...

This year there is a national conference that falls right before my spring choral concert...YIPEE...I get to go to Oklahoma City for three days...no kids, no cooking, no making the bed, networking with people who understand ME...I did a major happy dance with my rose colored glasses on...

Then reality set in...

Here are the top 10 reasons going to this conference is turning into a headache:

10. I am going to miss my daughter's third grade play...I know...how could a mother not have that in red letters on her calendar...I don't need your guilt...my daughter is giving me enough.

9. Trying to find somewhere to put the dog...now maybe I procrastinated...maybe I should have thought of this more than 2 weeks out...but in my defense I had GS all lined up to take care of the dog until he suddenly has to go out of town...alright...alright 2 months is not necessarily "suddenly"...don't think I can't hear those lectures about why it isn't a good idea to procrastinate...you just need to stop it already.

8. Trying to find somewhere to put my kids...now I know that sounded sorta harsh...but when you are a mother, this is a very tough task. Now I know that they have a father, and trust me he will be doing his part, but he is a very busy man...so I arranged a few play dates with friends. Moms you know what I am talking about...I know you do...and dads...you just need to accept your limitations.

7. Packing...I really hate to pack...I am a horrible packer I end up packing so much more than I need...I am the "what if" person...what if Oklahoma gets a snow storm and I need a parka...what if I suddenly lose 25 pounds and want to wear my bikini...ok that was just plain stupid. BUT not only do I have to pack for me I have to pack for my kids...and this is where it gets tricky. Trying to predict what they will need while I am gone is just next to impossible.

6. Missing classes and lesson plans...Now this shouldn't be too tough. I have a great accompanist that is going to take most of my classes...but we have a concert the week I get back...and I just get so worried.

5. Being away from my kids for that long...I know that it is a mother's dream to have some alone time, and I will tell you that I will be looking forward to that hotel room without kids. But I am a worrier, I am not sure you know that about me...(if you don't you haven't been paying attention). I just need to trust in the plan...Ok now I'm really worried.

4. Running and diet plans...now I know that it is really easy to lose weight and diet when you are out of town...and the hotel DOES have a fitness center...ok I'll try stop laughing now...

3. Meeting new people...I am a very social person...and I think that I get along with everyone I meet, and I am a very personable kinda gal. But man that takes hard work...it isn't easy. I really hate meeting new people, I hate small talking and chit chatting...most would say that I am good at it but it takes work and isn't something that I look forward to...maybe I'll just make a card with my blog address and hand it to them and walk away.

2. Driving and dealing with LAX...I know that this sounds fun to most...and I can feel that green monster coming out...ok really. The thought of dealing with the nightmare of driving to LAX, using the self serve kiosk...(which never seems to work for me), checking baggage, and finally security. Now I know that I should just not check baggage and just carry on a suitcase, but I'll refer you to #7 above. PLUS when I don't check baggage I worry about not finding a place to put my carry-on...I know very silly.

1. Getting to the airport in Oklahoma and having to get a taxi...now I know this seems silly to all of you "normal" people. I have never ridden in a taxi, and it scares me to death...so much that it is the number one reason that going to this conference is turning into a headache.

...I know I need to call my therapist.


More later
- A-Ro

Bad Day Gone Good

I don't want to seem like a complainer...and I really do make lemonade out of lemons most of the time, but sometimes things build up and even the best lemonade, after awhile, just doesn't taste so good.


I have been sailing in kinda rough waters lately...nothing life changing just annoying stuff. Anyway, last night was sort of the straw that broke the camel's back. I went to bed sort of early, but then Andrew couldn't find his cup...and I'm not talking coffee cup...so I woke up to try to brainstorm where it could be...and it wasn't in the cupboard...now mind you I didn't GET up, but was awake none-the-less. So I was off my sleep schedule already (and you know what being off my schedule does to me). Then our dog Maggie, my precious pup, decided that she would channel a newborn and wake me up every 3 hours scratching at the door. So I hauled my tired butt out of bed to walk her down and put her outside...to which she sat on the patio and stared at me...go figure. The silly thing is that I did it again a few hours later...but I tried to yell at her and get her to lay down...no avail.



So I was tired and grouchy and didn't get up for my run...which made me even more tired and grouchy, and I had to deal with some really annoying situations, and was at work from 7:00 am to 5:45 p.m. so...recap...I was tired and grouchy.



But GS, once again comes to the rescue, he suggested that we go to our favorite BBQ place for dinner...OK twist my arm. And when we got there these were sitting on the table:



Daisies...my favorite, always have been my favorite...just something about the simplicity of daisies.



...he remembered that little tidbit of information...what a guy.


Things I Noticed Today:
1. When my students listen to me and have an open mind they really can accomplish some pretty amazing things.

2. When my students don't listen to me and give up they can really have a tough time of things.

3. The hard part about being a teacher is more of the second and less of the first.

4. People do actually read my blog...that is really cool...cause I like to write.

5. My day sucks when I don't run...really sucks.

Things I am Thankful For:
1. GS and beautiful daisies.

2. My friend Mandy...she is such a great distraction, and a good listener.

3. The Sharks, the Jets, Anita, Maria, Tony...they really kicked butt on "Tonight"

4. Did I mention GS and beautiful daisies?

5. Phone calls...


More Later

-A Ro

Midday Post - Movies

I am doing a quick mid-day post because I was reading another blog I follow (Second Cup of Coffee) and she did a review on the movie Slumdog Millionaire. She was not able to sit through the whole movie because of some of the violent scenes...and boy do I know where she is coming from.

As I commented on her blog, my family likes to say that if Chevy Chase is not in the movie and it doesn't have the word "Vacation" in it mom doesn't go see it. I am really not that bad...

Ok...maybe I am.

Here is my thing: If I pluck down $10.50 for a movie I want to be entertained...not horrified. I am a very sensitive person you know...now my ex used to wonder how I could be such a big opera fan (not Oprah as some of my student mistaken)...I mean opera, you know lady with horns singing "kill the wabbit"...no that isn't it either.

but...I digress.

Opera is full of violence and death and betrayal, and I love it so...but it is just different not "real"...I mean how real can it seem some lady is dying after being stabbed, but she seems to be able to sing another 45 minute aria...just isn't real.

My son saw Slumdog...and loved it, I mean said it was the best movie he ever saw. He bugs me daily telling me that I need to see it. I am SO surprised that he could handle it. He is like me in the sensitive department, but he could do it. I think he has a better skills in separating make believe and reality. I am not sure...I'll have to ask him about that.

Anyway...I really want to be that kind of movie goer, the one that goes to a movie is moved and works to be a better person...I really do.

C'mon though, I did learn some lessons from my kind of movies.... Here are a few:
1. If you want to go to Wally World you better make sure it is open.
2. Never eat yellow sandwiches.
3. If Christie Brinkley is naked in a pool run the other way.
4. Make sure the squirrels are out of the Christmas tree before you put it up in your living room. 5. More Christmas lights is not necessarily better.
6. Never let your crazy relatives park outside your home in their RV.
7. Don't let your crazy aunt bring the jello to the Christmas dinner.

...thanks Chevy Chase.


More later
-A Ro

Last Minute Project/Sportsmanship

Two part er today...an Isabella story and an Andrew story and I need reader comment so all 3 of you get ready to comment...

Part I:
First of all I am sure that I am not the only parent who hears "Oh my gosh I forgot to do this project" as the first thing that comes out of their child's mouth first thing in the morning...ok maybe first thing in the morning is unusual but I am not sure...as this is the first time I have heard it and I heard it from my daughter's mouth...the girl who doesn't forget ANYTHING...

Anyway she needed to make a fish puppet...and she remembered 20 minutes before we had to walk out the door...Isabella cut scales out of an old Mylar balloon.

I promise I will stop cursing her for wanting to save everything...

I put glue on the paper bag....this is what it turned out to look like:


This is me trying to take the picture at a red light and Isabella yelling at me that the light turned green...to funny.

So the first question is: Do you think I should have helped her this morning or let her not turn in the assignment? It is so hard to not want to save your daughter, but is it the right thing to do?


Part II:

Andrew had his basketball game...now I know what you are thinking...baseball, football, basketball...I know I am quite sick of it all too, but what is a mother of an athletic kid to do. Anyway it was a quarter final game...The team had two things stacked up against them 1) their star player broke his hand this weekend and 2) the team they were playing had a kid that was 6'7"...now I know that you are saying "Amy...c'mon you can't really believe there is a 6'7" eighth grader". I know this because when Andrew told me I said "Andrew...c'mon you can't really believe that there is a 6'7" eighth grader"

They have a 6'7" eighth grader...

Now as you can see by the huddle of our team that my son (#50) is one of the shortest kid on the team...
Here is Andrew standing next to their 6'7" player...geez he's tall...someone check his driver license.
And these are the fans of the other team. And here is my dilemma...These fans were the most ugly, rude, obnoxious fans I have seen. Now I didn't point out yet that the final score of the game was 37 - 11...yes we scored only 11 points...and my son was mostly a bench player, but he has a good heart and works hard and plays smart. Those fans the ones in that picture...(and if you recognize yourself...shame on you) when my son came on to the court yelled "Hey #50 is in...he can't dribble so stay on him"...The heat in my face slowly rose and my ears started burning and I am pretty sure smoke was coming out of my ears...I couldn't believe that someone would say something so hurtful...

So my second question is: How does this happen? Now I know that it isn't excusable, and I am pretty sure that those people are probably nice on the inside...but how do sporting events turn fans into those kind of horrible creatures??? I mean you hear about it all the time...I just want to know Why?

and I'd take some winning lottery numbers while you're at it...

Things I'm Grateful For:
1. My son's basketball team for not ever giving up.
2. Old Mylar balloons...and knowing where the glue stick was.
3. Isabella once again being gracious and running around to another of Andrew's things.
4. Dinner out
5. Our fans

More later

- A Ro

Ordinary Day

Sitting here trying to think about what to blog and realizing that it was just an ordinary day. Busy but ordinary...so I decided to think about the ordinary and how it becomes extra-ordinary if you just take another look at it.

7:45 - Gym...4.5 mile run...usual, but when I really think about where I started 7 weeks ago with 2 miles and now I am running 4.5 miles...really extraordinary.

9:00 - Grocery Shopping - the ordinary, but enjoying the company of GS and having someone push my cart, load my groceries, and help me put them away. Sharing responsibility for this chore was never a part of my normal routine...

11:30 - Andrew haircut...buzz cut to be exact...normal event, but sitting watching my teenager get his haircut next to a 1 year old blond blue eyed boy and remembering my boo that age...heartwarming.

12:30 - Picture day for baseball...normal event. The lined up the boys by height and I watched all 12 of them waiting to go...my boy being the smallest. The other boys were just goofy...silly...obniouxous...and my boy was quietly chatting with his good friend (the next shortest one) being respectful member of this team. I was proud to have witnessed this part of my boy.

1:00 - Lunch at the mall...an ordinary event, but Andrew also did something that made me think. There was this guy that went around to all the tables and put little key chains/pens with a note saying that he was deaf and that for a $2.00 donation we could keep the pen. Andrew watched this guy walk around the food court. He couldn't concentrate on anything else. He was worried about this guy and he hurried us through lunch because he was getting upset that this guy had to do this to survive...extraordinary look at lunch at the mall.

3:15 - Andrew's Football game...ordinary Sunday event...this one when I looked back on it tonight could only think of Bella. She was drug around to all these events today for Andrew, but she was gracious, and brought things to do without complaint...it reminded me of something her friends mom said yesterday...she said that she just loved my daughter...that she was such a gracious child who was so flexible and a joy to be around...that mom is absolutely right...she is such a joy to be around...I'm so lucky that I get to call her my own.

5:00 - Rushing Andrew to orchestra...ordinary event. I am so lucky to have this son who is so talented at playing the cello. Last week sitting at his concert I realized that I have this boy that when I watched him play I thought my heart was going to explode with pride...I am such a lucky mom.

6:00 - Hanging out with Bella and getting chores done...Ok nothing extraordinary about chores...I mean I could say how lucky I am to have home to do chores in, food to cook for dinner, clothes to wash (even though I hate all my clothes), and a beautiful daughter to hang out with...ok enough said.

My ordinary day was filled with extraordinary things...I hope to put new perspective on other ordinary days. Because I think the true meaning of living life is just that living the ordinary days as if they were extraordinary...I have a big job ahead of me.


Things I am Thankful For:
read the above list...thank you

More later

-A Ro