I've Been Twilighted

Count me in. I'm on the Twilight bandwagon.

If you had told me at any point in my life that I would have gotten hooked on a book about vampire love, I would have laughed in your face. My 5th period class (a.k.a. "the dream class) told me I MUST read it, so I did. (Now, I did start the book at the end of the summer just to see what all fuss was about, but I didn't get very far in the book before school started.)

Last week, I read the book. Now, it is a bit melodramatic and full of angst--very Young Adult fictionish--but I enjoyed it. I am a SUCKER (no vampire pun intended) for stories of forbidden love. Edward is a tortured vampire who is completely in love with the girl he most wants to kill for her blood. (I'm actually chuckling as I write this. It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?) I'm already reading the second book in the series, New Moon, and I'm enjoying it as well.

I also saw the movie yesterday. I have mixed feelings about it. I liked the actors, although Edward wasn't what I had pictured. I thought the movie downplayed some of the emotional stuff in favor of the special vampire powers stuff. I realize the novel had to be edited down to a couple of hours, but the movie misses some of the more tender moments of the book.

So is the book life changing for me? No. Is it one of the best books I've read? No. Did it keep me interested? Yes. And look...I've seen Stephenie Meyer on a couple of talk shows, and she has three kids--all fairly young--and she said she literally wrote Twilight with one hand while holding a baby in the other. I have to give her props for that, for sure.

(An interesting note...one of my former students posted on her Facebook "status" that after reading Twilight, she wants to know where she can find a vampire to love. I know she's joking, but I think vampires just got a big popularity boost, courtesy of the Twilight series! Oh, and when I bought New Moon Friday night, the checkout clerk at Barnes and Noble said, "Looks like they got you, too!" Craziness, I tell you.)

December Scrapbook Album

One of the projects I took on over the break was creating a mini-album for the Christmas season. I got the project idea from this post (I think the project is "formally" called the "Daily December Album"), and there is more explanation for it on this site.

Anyway, the point is to get the album ready first, so that all I need to do is add photos, journaling, etc. I took a tip from the first blogger I linked to and prepared and envelope with stuff that would be easy to add--stickers, buttons, and so forth. I called mine--as you can tell from the photo--"31 Days of Christmas." Now, do I plan to do something exciting and Christmas-y for all 31 days of December? Heavens, no. I do have some fun things planned, though: Amelia's first trip to see Santa, Christmas lights, Christmas card photo sessions, holiday baking, and so forth.

I think most of the albums I've seen on other blogs end on Christmas Day, but Darryl and I are planning to go to Florida the day after Christmas to see family, thus extending the season for us a bit.

Tim, I know you are totally rolling your eyes (if you are still reading, that is), but Jen asked a question about it, so I posted a couple of pics.

The cover...


Here are a couple of shots of the inside pages...nothing too elaborate.


This is my first attempt to try something like this, so we'll see how it goes. Anyway...

Thanksgiving Week, Thus Far

I haven't blogged very much this week because of one of these two reasons: either I was busy, or I was exhausted from being so busy. I'm exhausted right now, so this post will be somewhat short.

While this week has been busy, it has been a good break from work. Here are some tidbits from the week:

1. I spent some fun time with Amelia, Darryl, and my family.
2. I caught up on Friday Night Lights while doing some Thanksgiving cooking. (I have DirecTV, and DirecTV customers are getting the first run of this season's episodes, which will air on NBC in 2009...I think. I'll have to post my FNL thoughts another time.)
3. I'm about five pages away from finishing Twilight. (Again, my thoughts on the book will be detailed in a separate post.) I hope to see the movie this weekend.
4. I made Thanksgiving dinner all by myself, and it consisted of turkey (well, Darryl fried the turkey...delicious), dressing, sweet potato casserole, pineapple casserole, peas, corn, rolls, carrot cake, and pecan pie. It was a complete carb fest that involved lots of butter. Paula Deen would have been proud.
5. I made a December scrapbook that just needs to be filled with photos and journaling.
6. Darryl and I just got back from a date night. We were home before 10:00 because we were tired. Rock on.
7. I did some Black Friday shopping. I stayed clear of the mall and stuck to strip malls. The crowds weren't too bad.

As for school stuff, I've graded zero tests and zero papers. I know that means the next couple of weeks will be hectic, but frankly, I think I needed this break to gear up for the end.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a wonderful, high-fat, cholesterol-laden Thanksgiving!

Scrapbooking Hell

So Saturday night, my friend Sabrina and I met up at a "crop" and were all prepared to get some major scrapbooking done. At this particular place we go, each table seats four people, so chances are you will sit with one or two people you don't know, but it all works out fine because everyone is there to, you know, scrapbook.

Not Saturday, though.

Imagine the most talkative person you know. Then multiply that person by about 100. She was one of our table companions. Her friend was someone who was making engagement announcement even though she's not engaged yet.

Back to Talkative Girl. She talked the entire 6 hours we were there, and she was scrapbooking about a Disney trip, so she felt compelled to relive every single moment of the trip. And apparently she goes to Disney quite often because she is a Disney MANIAC. Now, I can appreciate Disney and I look very forward to taking Amelia there one day, but c'mon. This girl, who was college-age at least, still gets the Princess makeovers at the boutique and still gets the autographs of the characters. Every time.

At one point, both girls--who apparently have serious boyfriends (who must be INSANE)--were imagining what their marriage proposals would be like, and Talkative Disney Girl said, "Well, I just want Dave to take me to EPCOT Japan, get a pearl, and have it put in a ring." And then Sabrina and I tried (kind of unsuccessfully) not to laugh, and it was like those times you try not to laugh in inappropriate places like church, weddings, funerals, and so forth.

So I got only 3 pages done in my scrapbook, and two of those look terrible. I couldn't focus. Very frustrating.

Darryl said he would have just left, but A) I already had my scrapbook stuff spread out, and B) I was hoping the girl would have to shut up at some point just to catch her breath.

Not so.

What I'm Looking Forward To

Yes! I'm out for a week for Thanksgiving Break. For that, I am truly thankful.

Here are some things I'm so looking forward to, starting tomorrow:

1. Spending some time with my girl.
2. Having my family here for Thanksgiving. I'm cooking the meal for my parents this year for the first time. I've done the Thanksgiving meal before, but not for them. I love holiday cooking and baking.
3. Scrapbooking with my friend Sabrina tomorrow.
4. Using my spa gift certificates for a massage Sunday.
5. Shopping for Thanksgiving groceries. (That may sound weird, but I love shopping for the ingredients for T-giving dinner.)
6. Reading Twilight. I actually started it at the end of the summer, but realized I had to give it up when teaching took over and I couldn't finish a page of "fun" reading without nodding off. (Seriously, I fall asleep within 45 seconds of my head hitting the pillow. Is that normal?) Also, I feel I missed out by not being a Harry Potter reader. I'm getting on the Twilight bandwagon. Sue me.
7. Watching Good Morning America. I hope Robin and Diane aren't on vacation all week. I'll be sad.
8. Burning my Harvest- and Pumpkin Pie-scented Yankee Candles all day long. (I'm not a huge scented candle person, but I love these.)
9. Not getting up at 5:00 every morning.
10. Watching Food Network in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. This is my favorite time for Food Network.

I'll stop at 10. I don't want to get too giddy, you know?

Update

Well, I don't think I'll be on the evening news for race riots in my classroom, so that's good. There were actually two "gangsta" presentations (in two different classes--but one had already shown me a script to make sure they were not being offensive), and both were fine. They were pretty funny, actually, and everyone seemed to enjoy them.

As for the problem student, I've come to the conclusion after another email from the mother and from a conversation with another teacher who is having similar issues with him that I'm not the problem. This is extremely comforting to me because I so don't want to be one of "those" teachers.

I've mentioned my "dream" class--5th period--before, so here are a few pictures of this class from today. LOVE this class:

Someone make me feel better...

...especially if you are a teacher. I have two teaching situations right now that have me frustrated, worried, and down on myself.

Situation 1: I have kid in my Honors class who is very disruptive...not "mean disruptive," but "class-clown-no-self-awareness disruptive." The problem is that he doesn't know when to stop. I love funny students as much as anyone, but this kid constantly blurts out ridiculous things to get us off track, and what's more is that he is in a class with other extroverted, obnoxious personalities, so it doesn't take much to get everyone off track. I've talked with other teachers who have him, and they say that he hardly says a word in their classes and are shocked when I tell them these things. Well, I've just tried to deal with it as much as possible, but today I had enough and emailed the parents. The mother responded to my email, telling me how shocked she is and how she has never received any kind of notification like this (and I believe her, based on what other teachers have said). So here is my fear: is it me??? Have I done something to make this kid want to be this way in my classroom? Do I not exhibit any kind of authority to him? I am really, really down on myself about it. Has anyone been in this situation? I truly have a pretty good reputation of being liked by students (not to toot my own horn), but seriously...what's the deal here? Why me? Why my class? Is it possibly the combination of personalities in that class? Has anyone been in this situation?

Situation 2: In an attempt to be creative and different, I've assigned my honors students different parts of a Greek play to perform with costumes, props, etc. But the problem is that one of my classes (the same one the kid mentioned above is in) is made up of kids who can be very offensive and kids who are easily offended. So now one of the groups with several "offensive" kids in it has decided to do a "gangsta" interpretation of their play, and I overheard a couple of kids who are "easily offended" say that they are, indeed, offended. I have tried to reel in the offenders (I do think it is possible to do "gangsta" without crossing the line), but who knows what will happen. I'm just praying now that I don't get any parent complaints. That's the last thing I need. And this all just makes me mad because my intentions were to think outside the box and do something different. I've done similar projects before with no issues like these whatsoever. Now I feel dumb for trying something new and seriously hope I don't end up being on the evening news.

Why can't kids just, you know, BEHAVE??????

The cutest thing...and scrapbooking

My favorite thing Amelia is doing right now is this: when I pick her up (or when anyone picks her up, I guess), she'll rest her head on my shoulder and pat my back. Seriously, nothing makes me smile like that little hand giving me a light pat on the back. We all need a pat on the back sometimes, don't we?

I'm very much looking forward to plowing through this week to get to Thanksgiving Break. I'm going through a little scrapbooking withdrawal because I haven't really scrapbooked in almost a month. A friend and I are meeting up Saturday for a little scrappin' action.

Speaking of scrapbooking, I put a button/link to a site that is offering "The Best in Baby Scrapbooking." Jessica Turner--a person I don't actually know but who is a gifted scrapbooker--is showcasing some products and ideas specifically for baby-centered projects on her blog December 2-8. (I know you don't want to miss out on that, Tim!) Anyway, probably most of you are not interested, but if you know someone who might be....let her know. (I say "her" because I have yet to meet a male scrapbooker.) I'm also eligible for a drawing for free scrapbooking goodies by posting that button. :)

Happy 1st Birthday, Amelia!

I can't believe my sweet girl is a year old today.

This time last year...



And here she is today, 1 year later, after enjoying a VERY pink birthday cupcake...



We celebrated her birthday this past weekend with a small family party. My parents were here ("Nana" and "Papa") as well as my cousin Vicky and her husband Robert; and Darryl's sister, Ashley, came up for the weekend with her two girls, Madison and Avery.

Amelia seemed to have a good time, but she was a little on the tired side because the party was during the time she typically naps. (I know that all the books say not to schedule a party during nap time, but oh well.) She was pretty pleasant, though, until the end...she just wasn't extremely smiley or chatty. Here are a couple of pics from the occasion:

Here we are with our birthday girl.



Here she is with her oh-so-cute cake, not really sure why people are singing to her:


And here she is with her special "smash" cake. She really didn't eat much of it, but she enjoyed smearing the frosting on her face and squishing it between her fingers:


I can't even begin to describe the ways she has changed our lives. We love you, Amelia, and we're so thankful you are ours.

Happy 1st Birthday, sweet girl!

Let's just slow down for a minute...

I have probably composed about 15 blog posts in my head this week but haven't had time to post any of them. Here's a sample of what went on this week. Some of these deserve the attention of a full blog post when I get a chance...

--We have a new president!
--I saw an outstanding production of Big River performed by our high school's musical theatre class! (Great job, Kim!!)
--I got red highlights in my hair! (They have since "calmed down" a bit, but the day I got them, I was thinking "Lucille Ball" when I looked in the mirror.)
--Our high school won--after years of 1-point losses to our arch nemesis--the regional One Act Play Competition for that great production of Big River!
--One of my problem students is probably gone for the rest of the year!
--We celebrated Amelia's first birthday with a family party! (Her "real" birthday is this Wednesday.)
--Darryl and I went out on a date tonight!

And...we have reached yet another milestone. Drum roll, please...

After a year of mixing up hundreds of bottles of this...



...we can finally switch to this!

The day after 35

Thanks for the happy birthday wishes on my blog and on Facebook. I really appreciate it!

The day was pretty low-key. School was the same as usual, but when I went home, Amelia had a present for me (a spa gift certificate--yes!!), and the three of us went out to dinner. (D's present for me is supposed to be arriving in the mail today. I think it is a camera bag I wanted, but I guess I'll wait and see...) Originally my birthday wish was to lie on the couch and watch TV (something I don't really get to do any more), but I was so tired I was in bed by 9:00. Festive, yes?


Let me switch topics to something completely unrelated...as I was doing my morning internet surfing, I stumbled across this article from People about Jennifer Hudson's family's funeral. The part about Fantasia singing made me tear up a little. I can't imagine what Hudson must be feeling right now. Poor girl. Poor family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!!!

As her husband I felt I needed to hijack her blog this morning to tell her - Happy Birthday!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful day.

This is a picture of Amy protecting her child during 1 of 2 tornado warnings in the Spring of 2008.

This time last year...

I had just ended my last day at school before my maternity leave and celebrated with a dinner with Tim and Max at Shorty's. It was my birthday weekend, and D and I spent the whole weekend just enjoying the last few days of it being just the two of us. We were excited about Amelia's upcoming arrival, and I watched TV and lay on the couch without even a touch of guilt about it.

Present day: I have that weekly "Sunday afternoon depression" that I get when I think about a full week of school ahead, and my birthday falls on a Monday. I'm sitting here with my lit textbook beside me, trying to figure out how I'm going to get my students to love Walt Whitman tomorrow.

Where is my time machine???