Gayla's Goings On

Selmer Oboe For Sale

2011-09-03T18:46:00.001-04:00

I have a 2000 Selmer 121 Oboe for sale. We are selling it because my daughter upgraded to a Loree' model. This is a great oboe for a middle school student or a beginning oboe player. Both of my daughters played it until they upgraded to professional models.

Year: 2000
Model: Selmer 121 Oboe
Description: Grenadilla wood body, silver-plated key mechanism, full conservatory system, range to low Bb, fork F resonance, Ab-Bb trill, G# -A trill, double ring D#-E and left-hand C-D trill, auxiliary C, vinyl-covered French-style case.

New: over $2900
Price: Appraised value is $1500, will sell for $850. Will consider all offers.

The oboe has just had an annual maintenance inspection that included replacement of pads.
Please feel free to contact me to make arrangements to try the oboe. I am located in Lexington.

Gayla Webb 859-576-9921

French Style Case

Includes a reed case.

It's a Boy

2011-08-05T22:58:00.001-04:00

Courtney and Ryan will be having a little boy in December. Riley Carter currently weighs approximately 1 lb. and 3 oz.

Junior Prom

2011-04-30T21:58:00.025-04:00

Tonight was Lafayette High School's Prom. This was Sydnee's first year to go to the big shindig. Her date was Aaron Weithenhiller. He is a friend from band/school. They went with three other couples out to the Chop House for dinner. We went to Willow Oak neighborhood for the pictures.

Aaron and Sydnee

Sydnee

Aaron and Sydnee by our neighbor's tree.

Aaron and Sydnee

Side view to show Sydnee's updo.

One more of Aaron and Sydnee.

Brian Frick and Mackenzie Ball, Cole Morrison and Jordan Royalty, Ben Meade and Shanda Rackley, Aaron Weithenhiller and Sydnee Webb

The girls - Shanda, Sydnee, Mackenzie, and Jordan

Shanda, Sydnee, Mackenzie, and Jordan

Their heels were getting stuck in the dirt.

The handsome boys.

Cole, Ben, Aaron, and Brian

They felt the need to pose like the girls.

Jordan, Mackenzie, Sydnee, and Shanda - the back has to look as good as the front.

And the boys look great from the back/side too.

Everyone is in heels except Sydnee. She pointed out that she wasn't having any trouble walking in the grass and that her feet wouldn't be hurting by the end of the night.

The boys can't be left out.

Sydnee and Shanda and their craziness.

Aaron and Ben won't be outdone!

Who can hold out the longest?

Aren't they adorable?

Aaron and Sydnee

Brian and Mackenzie

Shanda and Ben

Cole and Jordan

Wow, It's Been Forever

2011-04-10T19:11:00.003-04:00

I haven't posted anything since last November.....bad blogger. Well, spring break is about over and I feel like I have done a lot of nothing. So, I'm going to make a list to make myself feel better.

Finished my last grad school paper!!!!!

Completed 3 tax returns (okay that was a day and a half)

Went to the movies

Went out to eat lunch with friends and family

Did some window shopping therapy

Had Orange Leaf with friends

Cleaned my house

Did laundry

Got my hair cut and highlighted (3 1/2 months is way too long to wait)

Paid my bills (ughhhhhh)

Balanced my checkbook from January of this year (yuck and a little bit scary)

Scrubbed my bathroom and replaced the shower shelf

Watched several movies at home including Black Swan

Read way too many books on my Kindle. Being able to just buy a book at the push of a button is not good......my credit card wasn't very happy with my Amazon charges.

Started the Clays Mill renovation blog

Good Things In Life

2010-11-05T21:21:00.003-04:00

Good Thing in Life #35

Just when you are ready to quit teaching and find a new job......a former parent e-mails to tell you their child scored distinguished in reading on the KCCT test last spring. And they give you credit for helping him learn how to read and for developing a passion for reading. In other words, I did my job. :)

A Typical Morning

2010-10-09T06:33:00.003-04:00

Driving around UK campus early in the morning can be very interesting at times. College students with their newfound freedom mixed with alcohol can be quite a mix. Here is what I saw just this morning alone:

A drunk student that couldn't find his dorm when he was standing in front of it.
A male student peeing on a tree in his front yard.
A very tired/drunk, well-dressed young man sleeping in the grass by the Singletary Center.
A gentleman from a fraternity that was escorting two young ladies home on their walks of shame. Chivalry is not dead.
Same trio asking me for a ride. I ask why they would want a ride from a total stranger. His reply, "You look safe." Gee, thanks. I interpret that as old.
Intersection of Euclid and Limestone (one-way) one car turns the wrong way down Limestone and hits the car coming up Limestone. Both cars have quite a bit of damage but they get out and look at the cars, talk for a second and then drive away. I'm guessing that they both were drinking and didn't want to call the police.
I'm by the UK baseball field and hear a very loud crash, the sound of something metal falling. Two unidentified figures immediately take off running and jump the fence.

The only thing that could have made this morning any more interesting would have been to have had the police pull me over.

Good Things in Life

2010-10-09T06:31:00.003-04:00

#33
Iced coffee from McDonalds - I love it as much as Starbucks but it's much cheaper for a bigger size. Great at 4am when I'm getting a bit dozy on the route. Sugar-free vanilla is my fav.

#34
Dinner with my favorite girls.

Homecoming 2010

2010-09-26T21:24:00.005-04:00

Homecoming 2010

Junior Year

Sydnee went with Aaron Weitenhiller as friends. They are in percussion together.

The whole group went out to eat at O'Charley's before the dance. Aaron learned that you don't eat anything with a tomato based sauce when wearing a white dress shirt. This resulted in a trip to Walgreens for a Tide-To-Go pen.

The whole group

Ben and Shanda

Aaron and Sydnee

Brian and Makenzie

The Many Instruments of Sydnee

2010-09-19T21:39:00.009-04:00

Saturday was the first Lafayette Band competition of the season. Lafayette marched as an exhibition in festival class. This means that they didn't compete but were scored by the judges. They performed in both the prelims and finals. This gives the band some experience with performances before we really begin competing.

I have loaded some pictures below to show the different instruments that Sydnee is playing this year.

She is playing the Marimba.
This is a shot of her marimba, but notice the cast iron skillet she also plays.

This is just to prove that she does know how to smile.

Cymbals........

I refer to this instrument as the cow bells. Officially it is an almglocken. She plays a feature in the second movement. It is a piece from the Exorcist movie. Really cool sounding.

She starts off the show playing the chimes.

What happened?

2010-09-19T21:26:00.001-04:00

My blog had the cutest template design that I set up during a grad school class one night. What has happened to it? Did Blogger get jealous that we were using another website's designs and just block it. They now have their own designs for us to use. Phooey to Blogger!!!

Good Things in Life

2010-09-19T21:24:00.003-04:00

#31 - Band competitions. Watching your child do something that you could never do is amazing.
#32 - Sore muscles - It makes me realize that there are parts of me that I definitely do not use enough and motivates me to be more active.

Sydnee's Big Surprise

2010-07-03T20:32:00.013-04:00

Today Sydnee got home from a week long trip to Disney World with her aunt and uncle. She was tired and just wanted to sit on the couch and recooperate. I came home from work and told her that she had to go outside in the back yard and look at the landscaping that her dad and I had done during the week (big fat lie but it got her outside). She grumbled something about why did we do landscaping but got up to go out anyway. As she crossed the patio, looky at what she saw..........

2009 Hyundai Accent

This was at 2:30 today. Sydnee and her dad went out for a ride. It's 9:10pm and they are still not home yet.

Sydnee

2010-05-15T13:39:00.002-04:00

Every year the band kids have to audition for the upcoming school year. This audition determines what concert band they will be in for the year. There are three bands based on playing ability. The top band is Wind Symphony, middle is Symphonic, and the lower band is Concert. Sydnee had an audition for oboe and percussion. She made 3rd chair oboe in Wind Symphony and 1st chair percussion for Symphonic band. This is fantastic.....she has to be in two different bands because she obviously can't play two instruments at the same time during concert performances......I'm very proud of her.

Grad School

2010-04-21T19:39:00.002-04:00

I got my final grade for my grad class today. I have a 100 = A. I should be happy, right? Well, it really kind of ticks me off because I know I didn't deserve this grade. Now, I figured I deserved an A, but not a 100. I was thinking more along the lines of a 93 or 94. The big part of the grade was for the final paper that covered my action research project. There was this big rubric that showed all of the criteria you had to cover in the paper. I didn't do all of it!! I was already tired of the working on the paper and so I just quit. After looking at my rough draft, he suggested that I check the rubric. I did and only added 1 paragraph to the final draft. I did not do the work that was required!!! The paper was only about 18 pages long - just a drop compared to my classmate whose paper was 35 pages long.

This just further justifies my aggravation with Georgetown College and it's lack of instruction in the graduate program. I'm just throwing my money away.

Why?

2010-04-18T16:50:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I have to ask, "Why?"

Why do stupid people have a driver's license?
Why do people say, "May I ask you a question?" Don't they realize that they already did?
Why do people jam the copier and then just walk away?
Why do we park in a driveway and drive on a parkway?
Why does the potential for change cause such turmoil?

Good Things in Life #30

2010-04-04T21:46:00.001-04:00

Knowing that my sins are paid for by the greatest sacrifice that could ever be made.

The Rest of the Week

2010-04-04T21:32:00.002-04:00

Well, the rest of spring break looked like this:
Monday - chiropractor, eye doctor (have to get bi-focals), ran errands, Bar Louie's with the girls. We had a martini party in celebration of Shawna's birthday. Bowling and then karaoke to finish out the night. I got home at 12:30am.....I'm not cut out for late nights any more.

Tuesday - lazy day, I never got out of my pajamas. I cleaned house, did laundry, was on the computer, watched a movie, and did a bunch of piddly little stuff around the house.

Wednesday - chiropractor, took Sydnee to lunch at Hanna's on Lime. It was really good home cooking. It's just a little hole in the wall restaurant but worth the time to go. They are only open until 2pm so you have to go for lunch. We then went shopping and stopped at PetSmart so Syd could play with the puppies. I then took Sydnee to church and I did some shopping for me.

Thursday - I spent the entire day at the scrapbooking store. Jenn and Gayla C came by for a little while. I got sooooo much done. I have about 40 pages ready to put together during our next scrapbooking session. The store employee was impressed at my own 'kits' I was making for later use.

Friday - early chiropractor visit, came home and got Sydnee up and went to the grocery store. We then went to see "Dear John". It was a "meh" movie.

Saturday -I took Sydnee to orchestra practice at church. Then we went to a funeral because Michael's Uncle Bill passed away. It's sad that the only time you get to see some of your family is when there has been a death. I then went to Target to finish Easter basket shopping. Picked up Syd and we went to the Goodwill stores to 'treasure hunt'. Sydnee found a new PacSun shirt with tags still on it. She also hit Plato's closet. We then went to see "Bounty Hunter" with Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston. It was a very predictable plot but was a good movie. I actually thought Jennifer did a good job with this one. Not to mention that I just LOVE Gerard Butler.

Sunday - Church for two services. Was expecting a full nursery but we only had 6 babies between both services. We then went to my dad's for Easter dinner. They had some of my stepmom's extended family come in to visit. It was nice to meet new people. I then came home for a nap and then on the computer.

Well, it's off to school tomorrow!! Good-bye, spring break.

MLIA

2010-04-04T21:27:00.003-04:00

I have discovered the MyLifeIsAverage website. I enjoy reading it. It's just everyday things that are kind of, well, average that happen but you then realize the humor in it. Here is something that I would post to the site:

I went to the store and bought a reusable shopping bag. The clerk proceeded to put my items and the new bag into a plastic bag. MLIA

Spring Break Days 1-2

2010-03-28T17:11:00.002-04:00

Saturday-
Scott opened the building so Maria and I could work on our grad school papers that are due. I intended to get there at 9am but it ended up being more like 10:45. I stayed for 8 hours but got my action research project paper finished, conference proposal finished, school presentation finished, and reflection paper finished. HUGE load of my chest. Now I can enjoy the rest of the week and I don't have another class until April 26th.
Then Sydnee and I went to Amstar and saw Shutter Island with Leonardo DiCaprio. It was not what I expected it to be but it was really good. Can't tell you much because it will give it away. Definitely worth seeing.

Sunday -
Headed to church and worked the nursery. We only had 2 babies and 1 of them left early. Very easy day. Next Sunday will be crazy because of Easter. Came home and had lunch with Sydnee. Then I had to play taxi and take her to her Sunday School teacher's house. Home again for a nap. Then back to pick up Sydnee. I am now updating my blog. I think we may go to the cheap movies.

Well, so much for my first two days........looking forward to the rest of the week.

Good Things in Life #29

2010-03-03T22:27:00.001-05:00

Having a God that watches over your child when she's driving 70mph on the interstate and the lugnuts come off her front tire!

Scare a Mom to Death

2010-03-03T22:09:00.002-05:00

So, during the last batch of ice, Courtney slid and hit the front end of her car on a tall curb and did $3000 worth of damage. All of the damage was to the front passenger tire and the surrounding area. Glenn Hyundai did all of the repair work and it took 2 weeks to complete. She got the car back today and ended up driving with her friends to Louisville to go to a concert. About 5:30 pm she calls and said that the front passenger tire was about to fall off of her car!!!!!! She was running 70 mph on the interstate!!!!!!!!!!!! My baby could have died had she not been in the right lane and had the good sense to pull over as soon as she felt the shaking. Michael told her to call someone and get the tire back on and then get it somewhere to get it fixed. He also called Glenn who graciously offered to pay for any repairs. (Seriously? Did they think we expected anything less?) Not sure what else we are going to discuss with Glenn. I am not happy to say the least.

One More Thing

2010-02-17T19:31:00.002-05:00

So I'm at Starbucks enjoying a coffee treat with some of my favorite people when I get a phone call. I hate phone calls that interrupt my girl time. I especially hate phone calls that use the words car and hit in the same sentence. Long story short - Courtney slid on ice in a 90 degree turn and went up over a tall curb. She was fine but it bent the tie rods, wheel, fender, strut, and some other parts that I can't name on the passenger side of the car. Final total = $3000 worth of damage. Thank God for providing insurance.

Stuff That's Been Goin' On Around the Webb House

2010-02-14T16:52:00.009-05:00

Sydnee is 16!!!

She turned 16 on Thursday, February 11th. She is so proud of her driver's permit.

Funniest part is that it says, "Syonee Webb".

Sydnee made the All-State band. She is in the center of the picture - 3rd oboe player from the end. They had a concert on February 6th in Louisville. It was amazing to hear the two bands. When you take the best musicians in the entire state and give them some amazing music, the results are phenomenal. It really was a musical treat.

This is Sydnee's birthday cake.

Melissa McDaniel, a teacher at Clays Mill, made it for her.

I love the piano keys around the sides.

Sydnee and Adam celebrated their 1 year anniversary on January 23rd. She bought him customized Jones Soda drinks. She had their homecoming picture printed on six bottles of berry lemonade. Yes, he drank them rather quickly but did save the bottles.

This is Adam and Sydnee.

This is Courtney and her new beau, Ryan. We met him for the first time at Sydnee's birthday celebration. He seems really sweet and rather intelligent.

Good Things In Life #28

2010-02-14T14:45:00.003-05:00

The show, Glee, is one of my favorites. I am a big fan of musicals and this offers a mini-musical each week. As my friend, Jenn, would put it, "It's glorious!" Well, I just used up some credit card points and downloaded the soundtrack to my ITunes. Yea!!! Well, then I was entering the Coke Reward points that I've been collecting for several months. (Yea, Michael drinks enough soda to keep Coke in business.) I had 1513 points - that's a lot of Diet Coke at 10 points a 12-pack. Anyway, I just checked to see what was available to purchase with the points. They have just recently updated the selections and guess what was there........yep, Glee Season 1, Volume 1 - The Road to Sectionals on DVD. I immediately redeemed my points and bought it. I was disappointed that it said it would take 6-8 weeks to get it but I can't wait.

Good Things in Life #27

2010-01-23T18:14:00.002-05:00

Scrapbooking with friends and even friends who just come to visit.

Good Things in Life #26

2010-01-20T05:55:00.002-05:00

It's a good thing in life when you get to school and they make an announcement that the PTA is providing a soup/chili lunch for the staff that day.

Feels Like a New Kitchen/Dining Room

2010-01-18T19:29:00.010-05:00

Well, I have spent my three day weekend staying busy painting. Our beautiful purple (called Grape) was chosen about 8-9 years ago. It was during the prime of the show Trading Spaces on TLC. They were always choosing bright, bold colors and we decided to do the same. We have always loved the color but it had become very dated. My sister, Suzette, said, "Gayla, it's time to get rid of the purple." So.....voila' it is now Cozy Neutral. It was hard to choose a color that didn't clash with the living room, bedroom, or the bathroom but I finally found one that was a few shades lighter than the living room. Another bonus is that my curtains still match so I don't have to do any sewing!!!!! So now I have a freshly painted and CLEAN kitchen and I'm ready for my girls to come over to do some scrapbooking!!

Good Things #25

2010-01-04T18:28:00.002-05:00

Coming home after a long day at work....it's cold outside.....so cold at school that you had to actually turn on the heat for an extended period of time.....your toes are cold.....you walk through the door to be met by the smell of a big pot of chili!!

Bathroom Makeover

2010-01-03T19:34:00.006-05:00

Since my kids at school gave me several Target gift cards, I decided to do a makeover on my bathroom. First, I gave it a good cleaning. Then I redid the grout on the floor tiles. Some of it had crumbled a bit and needed replacing. Then I hung a new shower curtain and got new rugs and towels.

Thanks to my kiddos!!

Before

After

Good Things In Life #24

2010-01-03T19:33:00.001-05:00

Getting to watch full seasons of Friends over Christmas Break

Virus

2009-12-13T15:43:00.002-05:00

Last Thursday my internet wasn't working so I did the "power up and power down" just like the Insight commercial says to do but it didn't work. So I began my 45 minute process of sitting on hold - getting disconnected - and sitting on hold again with Insight. Come to find out, they had stopped my internet access for excess spamming!!?? What?? I was transferred to the abuse department (really?? abuse?) and they informed me of my violation. Apparently I have a Bognet virus on my computer and it sends out spam from my e-mail without me knowing it. Of course I ask where it could have come from and they said probably Facebook. After many more questions they informed me that it was probably from one of the quizzes that I took since I don't do Mafia Wars or Farmville. Yuck! Apparently this virus is very difficult to get rid of so now I have to completely reformat my operations system. Do I know how to do this? No. So I will keep my internet turned off until a friend of mine who does this type of work can help me.

WARNING: BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU DO ON FACEBOOK THAT COMES FROM A 3RD PARTY!!

Yea for Sydnee!!!

2009-12-13T11:52:00.002-05:00

Sydnee just found out that she made All-State Honors Band. I'm not sure which she is more excited about....the fact that she made it or the fact that she made it and her sister never did.

Pictures of the Girls

2009-12-01T21:51:00.011-05:00

The Webb grandkids had their picture taken this weekend and here are some of the results:

I Am Completely Crazy

2009-12-01T05:59:00.002-05:00

I just realized when I got home this morning that I have just completed my 15th year of delivering newspapers. I started December 1, 1994.

Thanksgiving Weekend

2009-11-29T21:08:00.002-05:00

Well, the long weekend is about over. Only about an hour before I head to bed and start the first of three weeks before Christmas break.

So, what has gone on this weekend?

On Wednesday I just watched movies all day. Totally and completely lazy.
Thursday, got up and cooked some food, headed to the in-laws to eat. Then Courtney and I headed to see New Moon again.
Friday, debated about shopping but ended up doing laundry, paying bills, and cleaning house.
Saturday, more laundry, baked a pie, went to see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Opera House (one of Syd's best friends had the lead), headed to Mom's for Thanksgiving #2
Sunday, church, lunch at PF Changs, nap, took kids to JCPenney for pictures, Christmas shopping with Sydnee, quick Wal-Mart run, and updating on computer.

The upcoming week is a little busy as well. Sydnee has several things going on that I have to run her back and forth. Courtney and I are going shopping on Thursday and then I need to pack because we are headed to Chicago on Friday night.

Things I Hate In Life #3

2009-11-26T11:04:00.003-05:00

Smokers. Well, not the smoker but the act of smoking and the grossness that it forces upon everyone else.

Good Things In LIfe #20-23

2009-11-26T11:00:00.003-05:00

Going to someone else's home for Thanksgiving dinner
Having a daughter that loves to cook!!
My family
My friends

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Lafayette Band at BOA Grand Nats

2009-11-15T16:47:00.003-05:00

After a long weekend in Indianapolis, Lafayette competed and placed 14th out of 91 bands. This is wonderful. They had to compete against bands that are much larger than we are and put in almost year round work on their shows. Just goes to show how well the staff and kids do at Lafayette.

Lafayette Band 16th State Championship Title

2009-11-08T21:00:00.019-05:00

Well, Lafayette Marching Band has done it again! They have earned their 16th state championship title. It was a long and strange season with no stadium to march in, no football games to practice at halftime, lots of rain, cancelled competitions, and music/drill that arrived late. Not to mention illness and injuries that wove themselves throughout the band. Even a last minute oboe emergency (oboe solo is a feature in the show) could slow down the 2009 marching band. Below are some pix of the evening.

Sydnee pushing her instrument onto the field.

This is the beginning of the pre-show, which is played before they officially begin. The percussion members are playing hand chimes.

More hand chimes.

One of the many formations.

Another formation

All 20 of the finalist bands awaiting to hear the news!!

Sydnee with her 2nd State Championship medal.

Sydnee and Adam

Ewww!! Sydnee and Adam

Most of the girls from the pit.

Sydnee, Stella, Shanda, and Katie

The colorguard after the news.

The percussion and tubas create their own state trophy.

The band stands at the ready making a "ssssssssss" sound. It's really cool. Mr. Smith said, "Who is state champion?" Response, "Lafayette Band, Pride of the (Blue)grass, sir!"

It is one of my favorite things that they do.

We had a banner made, just in case!! It was hung up at the trucks waiting for the kids.

Courtney and Sydnee

Okay, I put this pix twice.

The Governor's Cup (rotates to winning band each year), the 1st place plaque, the Lafayette Flag, and a little sign to express how sweet it is.

Good Things In Life #19

2009-11-01T18:26:00.003-05:00

Lounging around the house in your pajamas all day because there is no where that you have to be.

Things I Hate In Life #2

2009-10-25T17:12:00.000-04:00

Headaches that won't go away.

Homecoming 2009

2009-10-24T19:54:00.011-04:00

Lafayette Homecoming 2009

Well, after a couple of date shuffles (Adam and Sydnee are back together) the kids were ready for the Homecoming Dance. Brian & Kenzie, Adam & Sydnee, and Mike & Shelby were all paired up for the evening. They were meeting more friends at TGI Friday's for dinner then heading off to the dance with the possibility of some bowling afterwards. I think the bowling will depend on the success and interest of the dance itself.

Kenzie and Shelby came over to the house and got ready because ...well..... that's just what girls do. They all ended up looking beautiful. The picture below is of Shelby, Sydnee, and Kenzie.

Shelby and Sydnee realized that they had bought the same shoes. Thank goodness for Payless!!

Their dates, Mike and Adam, didn't want to be left out and pointed out the similarities of their shoes.

ADAM and SYDNEE

Yes, he showed up with three white roses! Way to go Adam!!!

MIKE and SHELBY

Blind dates but I think they'll have a great time.

BRIAN and KENZIE

He purchased the matching tie all by himself.

The entire group.
As the kids got in the cars, every young man showed his chivalrous side and opened the door for his date. So refreshing!

Things I Hate in Life #1

2009-10-20T21:16:00.002-04:00

GRADUATE SCHOOL AT GEORGETOWN COLLEGE!!!
(I think it would be a safe bet to think that I would hate it at any university or college.)

Good Things in Life #18

2009-10-11T21:46:00.002-04:00

Sunday afternoon naps.

Can't Even Think of a Title

2009-09-20T19:04:00.002-04:00

Tidbits:

Interesting article in the Kentucky Kernel (UK's newspaper) - there is a company operating on campus that will deliver condoms. For an extra fee they can deliver in as little as 5 minutes (for those spontaneous moments). The company's name is Rubber Runners. First thought was, "What has the world come to?" and then it struck me as quite amusing.
Lafayette Band performed a good, albeit short, show yesterday. I did get to help push instruments onto the field. This was a first for me.
I woke up this morning feeling really weak and dizzy. Not a good sign!! Can't afford to miss work. Missing a day or two causes more work when you return.

Labor Day

2009-09-07T18:22:00.002-04:00

I had decided that today I would not sleep in late. I would make the most of every moment of this day off. Well, I changed my mind when I got in about 5:45 this morning. I slept until I was awaken by thunder at 11am. Apparently I had slept through the storm that had been going on all morning. I immediately got up and did not piddle around. I have painted one coat of paint on five doors. The only reason I stopped is because my carpel tunnel was aggravating me because I used the brush for so long.

Next I cleaned up the kitchen and made a grocery list. Sydnee and I made a trip to Wal-Mart. At this point I would like to mention my love for the reusable grocery bags. My investment of 50 cents for each bag is worth it. We can carry all of our groceries into the house in one trip. No ripped bags or bags falling over in the back of the car.

Now I am off to make dinner. Thanks to Alyssa I have had a craving for salmon croquettes. Michael and Sydnee have officially turned their noses up at them but ummmmm ummmmm good.

Posting

2009-09-05T16:02:00.002-04:00

I sat down at the computer and had some time so I thought that I would post to my blog. But I realized that I have nothing to talk about that is of any interest. I could share that I stayed at school until 8:30 pm last night. (Ok, I got TONS of work done for next week and for my grad class but it was still 8:30 on a Friday night.) Boring! I could share that I need to balance my checkbook. Boring! I also need to clean the house. Boring!

I am officially boring!!

Good Things In Life #17

2009-09-05T16:01:00.002-04:00

Pumpkin Spice milkshakes from Culver's. They taste just like a piece of pumpkin pie with ice cream.

Good Things In Life #16

2009-08-18T18:41:00.001-04:00

Peach milkshakes from Chik-Fil-A. Yummy, with pieces of peach and delicious whipped cream.

Ugggg.....

2009-08-18T18:35:00.002-04:00

We've now had five days of school and I have been sick since day #1. Not sick of kids or work or school...but literally sick. I have a horrible head cold that is making me feel exhausted. I'm really glad the pool has closed and that I don't even have to think about it.

What I do have to think about is grad school. I am taking an online course but I had to attend a 'town hall' meeting. That boils down to a 30 minute drive to watch a professor click on a syllabus and talk for 15 minutes and then a 30 minute drive home. He could have sent the link in an e-mail. What a waste. The class is not going to be easy but I have a couple of months to complete it. I was planning on taking it this summer in a 4 week session but ended up dropping it. I'm glad. This is the research methods class. I have to come up with a topic to research and implement and do some literature reviews concerning the topic. Yawn!! Boring!! I hate writing papers.

Courtney went to buy her books today. She already had a couple that she needed but still had to get 9 books. Grand total, $721!!!!!! Textbooks are such a rip off!!

Poor Sydnee

2009-08-03T22:01:00.004-04:00

Sydnee went to get a haircut and her regular guy wasn't in so she decided to go to another salon in the mall. She has a relatively simple haircut. Oh....no......apparently it was difficult for her stylist. An advertised $25 cut turned into a $45 cut because she charged $15 to use a flatiron to style it. Completely ridiculous. Here are a couple of pix.

The Last Day

2009-07-29T10:59:00.003-04:00

Today is the last day that I won't be at school or at the pool. Since we're having to shift teachers and room assignments at school, I decided not to do anything else until it was finalized. My fingers are crossed that I won't have to move but if I do.........oh, well. In the meantime, I'm going to lunch with an old classmate from middle school. We haven't seen each other for about 25 years. Facebook is really good for catching up with people.

Good Things In Life #15

2009-07-25T12:22:00.002-04:00

Spending a relaxing evening with friends without being on a schedule.

What's Going On

2009-07-24T11:25:00.002-04:00

Two days in a row I am free from work - both pool and school.
Lunch with Lorri at 12:30, yummmy Panera.
Dinner with the girls at Harry's, yummmy granny apple and pecan salad.
My new doors are being installed a couple at a time.
I love the fact that Office Max gives a huge discount for being an FCPS employee.
I had to revert back to a paper calendar. My phone is acting crazy and I'm too scared of losing info.
Only two and a half weeks before school starts!

Pearl and Bandit

2009-07-21T13:06:00.002-04:00

I just got an e-mail from the lady who adopted Pearl and Bandit (my cockatiels). She said that Pearl is going to be a mommy! She has already laid 3 eggs so far. I really didn't know that Bandit had it in him. Terry said that Pearl was probably stressed from being with two males and now that Phil is gone she got down to business. She's going to call me when they hatch. It really makes me feel good knowing that the birds are doing well and that Terry is keeping me updated.

Good Things in Life #14

2009-07-18T13:12:00.002-04:00

You've been at work since 9am. It's now 8:30 pm. McDonald's is calling your name. Go through the drive-thru. Get to the window. Their credit card machine won't work. You don't have cash. Dissappointment and hunger hit you. Then you hear, "This isn't your fault so I'm going to promo your meal. Have a great evening."

Teenagers

2009-07-14T20:58:00.003-04:00

At my pool, all of my pool attendants and lifeguards range in age from 15-18 years. Even after having two of my own teenagers, I don't understand their minds.

Example #1 - The guards sit in the chairs for a two hour rotation. Then they come down and have anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour down from the chair before their rotation begins again. Apparently in the past they have had at least 1 1/2 hours down from the chair. I think that it is a waste of payroll money (hence taxpayers' money) and have tried to make it no more than 45 minutes. They still have to be able to get in their 30 minute unpaid lunch. They are pitching a fit about it and believe that it is totally unfair. So, they think that for an 8 hour day they should only have to work a maximum of 5 hours and still get paid for 8 hours. I can't wait until they get out into the real world!

Example #2 - The trash at our pool sits in trash cans in the hot sun all day. Use your imagination and think about how that trash smells once it is full......are you imagining it?........does it smell like fermented diapers?...........well, I don't have to imagine it. At closing one of the trash cans needed to be emptied.......the aroma was as you can imagine.......unfortunately, it was very full and the bag broke all over the floor inside the building. At this point, flies buzzing by started dying from the smell. I inform the 10 staff members who were closing that they needed to work together to get this cleaned up before we could leave. I walk away to speak to a parent. I turn and see all 10 staff members waiting out front for me to say that they could leave. I also notice that all 10 staff members chose to leave the trash in the lobby for the opening staff.

Now use your imagination and picture what it looked like when I started screaming and yelling at these staff members to quit being so lazy and clean up the mess. I don't understand teenagers!!!!!!

Working on the Classroom #1

2009-07-10T18:37:00.002-04:00

Well, since I dropped my grad class, I feel the need to do some work in my classroom. I want to get some of my units completed and finish scheduling the field trips for 2nd grade. In order to do this I must put my room back together. Since I did not have to move this year, the 3 1/2 hours that I spent there today were very productive. All of my furniture is moved, class library is out and ready, computers are hooked up, and my hallway bulletin board is almost finished. My stepmom, Pam, came by for a few hours and helped out. It was really nice to have her there. Thanks, Pam!!

No life for the next three days because I will be at the pool for 11 hours a day! Really stinks.

Only nine more days until Sydnee starts band camp. She's not so excited but I am. Of course I don't have to practice but I can't wait to see the show come together. I'm a true bandie!!

Crown Molding

2009-07-10T18:33:00.003-04:00

This is the before and after pix of my crown molding. I think it turned out great and it really makes a big difference in the room. Thanks to my dad for helping to install it!!!

Good Things In Life #13

2009-07-09T06:18:00.001-04:00

The aroma when the Jif Peanut Butter plant roasts peanuts. Early in the morning it wafts all over downtown. I think it smells like peanut butter fudge. Ummmm..

Caulking

2009-07-08T12:48:00.001-04:00

It is official: I HATE caulking. My new crown molding was installed in my living room on Monday. Today I had to fill the nail holes - not bad- but I also had to caulk the gaps between the molding and wall or ceiling. This part really sucks!! But it's now finished. I'll let it dry and tomorrow before work I will paint it.

A First

2009-07-07T10:43:00.002-04:00

Last Saturday I got to do a first. I fired an employee. The final straw was calling in sick but actually spending the day downtown at the parade. I was really ticked at him and it didn't bother me to fire him. He came in the next day to sign papers and it was obvious that he was upset about it. So I kinda' felt bad but he had to deal with it.

Good Things In Life #12

2009-07-05T10:31:00.003-04:00

Getting to go home early from work when you don't expect it.

A Day at the Pool

2009-07-04T19:03:00.003-04:00

July 4th - cloudy and rainy
We had a grand total of 91 swimmers between 10am and 4:30pm. Those crazy people swam in the rain! I also had to deal with a dishonest employee, a dishonest patron who passed his pool passes to friends through the fence and being pushed in the pool.

The boy who gave his passes to friends outside the fence got caught and therefore lost his pool passes. Our policy is that they have to repurchase passes. Well, in comes Mom wanting the passes back. I had explicitly told the teenager that the passes were being confiscated. She can't understand why we would do that. Well, when he uses his family passes to get his friends in with him and then puts the passes through the fence to other friends, he's being very dishonest. She didn't see it that way. No wonder kids are the way they are!

I also had fun pushing one of my guards in to the pool three different times today. It was hilarious and I cried I laughed so hard. But I do have to give them a little leeway so when I went out to watch them play in the water I made sure I didn't have my phone with me (which I always do). He felt pretty big because he pushed me in. Gotta' let my kids have some fun.

Good Things In Life #11

2009-07-03T22:53:00.003-04:00

Irish accents. Colin, the server at Applebee's, is Irish......aaaahhhhh.

Home Improvements

2009-07-03T22:51:00.003-04:00

Today Michael and I shopped Lowe's and Home Depot (Lowe's - best price - best selection) and purchased crown molding, interior doors, and a new storm door. Hopefully within a week or so everything will be installed as long as I get the crown molding painted on Sunday. Pictures coming soon.

Grad Class

2009-07-03T11:14:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday I got the syllabus for my grad class that begins on Monday. I almost had a heart attack. The amount of work that is required for this class is equal to the work that I've done in all of my other classes put together. I don't think that I can do this class in four weeks while I'm working 40+ hours a week. This may be a class for the fall......it'll just push me much later finishing my master's.

Good Things In Life #10

2009-07-01T22:24:00.002-04:00

Holding a baby - big or small.

Good Things in Life #9

2009-06-26T15:47:00.002-04:00

After working 38 hours in only three days - sleeping in until 1pm on Friday.

The Transformation of the Living Room

2009-06-23T09:21:00.013-04:00

This is the transformation of my living room from the past week.

Before pix #1 - Notice new couch and chair but ancient everything else.

Before pix #2

This is the beginning of the wallpaper removal process.

Seven hours later the wallpaper border is down. Whew!

This is after the first day of actual painting.

Finally, the almost completed project. Please don't leave a comment about the stain on my rug. I know it's there but I'm just ignoring it.

What is the old recliner doing in here you ask? Well, I can't keep Michael from sitting in my new fabric recliner all day so I was forced to bring in Old Betsy. She is the most comfortable chair I've ever sat in and she's 10 years old. I'm still in need of knick knacks to put on the mantle and tables. Crown molding is going to be installed next week. That'll make a big difference. If you look really, really, close, you'll notice that the tie-backs for the curtains are actually cable ties! When you're in a pinch......................

From the viewpoint of Old Betsy.

Before ...........................................................................After

Fast Upload of Pictures

2009-06-22T21:47:00.004-04:00

My last grad class was a technology class. I learned many helpful things from my professor. One that I would like to share is how to resize pictures.

Have you ever opened a website and the pictures on the site loaded a line at a time? Well, it's because the picture has too many pixels and therefore takes too long. I want to share the steps to changing the size of your pix so that you can upload them quickly. The three that I uploaded in my previous post only took a couple of seconds.

Here are the steps:

1-Find the picture file

2-right click

3-'Open With" - Microsoft Office Picture Manager

4-On the top toolbar, click "Edit Pictures"

5-a right sidebar opens up - click 'resize'

6-I use the "predefined width X height" - "web large" or the ones below it are best for uploading (400-600 pixels or you can also do a percentage if you like)

7-I then save it under a new name

8-voila -

It really only takes a few seconds and will help when you are uploading or e-mailing pictures.

(Shawna, this will help when Debbie uploads all of our staff pix to the website.)

My Cockatiels

2009-06-22T21:34:00.007-04:00

Well, I finally made the decision to find a new home for my three cockatiels. It was a hard decision because I love them so. Birds are very social animals and with my crazy schedule I wasn't able to give them the attention that they needed.

So I tried out Craigslist.com and within an hour had a ton of responses. I talked to several different ones and ended up with a lady who worked at an animal hospital. She knew all about birds and already had a couple of exotic birds.

I was going to deliver them on Saturday afternoon. Well, Friday night I forgot to close the cage when I went to bed. When I came back in from doing papers, Phil and Bandit were sitting on the kitchen floor. As I opened the back door, Phil was startled and flew straight out the door. He hit the top of the garage and before I could turn my head back around he was gone. I searched and called for him for a couple of hours but finally gave up. Phil was the one that always whistled with me and came up and waited for me to pick him up every morning. He was by far my favorite.

I called the lady who was taking them and she still wanted Pearl and Bandit. I don't imagine that Phil made it through the day. A big storm came in around 6:15 am and then it was horribly hot during the day. I don't think he knew how to find water, much less how to find food. It was one thing to know that they were going to a good home but different to know that Phil is probably dead by now.

Most of you all know that I am not much of an emotional person - I don't usually get attached to things but I do have a little ping in my heart knowing that Phil is gone.

This is Phil.

This is Pearl.

This is Bandit.

Good Things In Life #7 and #8

2009-06-19T16:27:00.004-04:00

#7 - Glidden brand ceiling paint - goes on pink and dries white. You know exactly which spots you've missed.

#8 - The decision that paint rollers are not worth rinsing out and reusing.

My Living Room

2009-06-17T17:20:00.003-04:00

Today's plan - paint the living room. Sounds simple enough. No one but me and the dog in the house. No interruptions. No pool work. I begin at 9am to clean everything out of the living room and remove the wallpaper border from the walls. It took about 30 minutes to clear the room out. It has taken about 7 hours to remove the wallpaper border. I do believe that the previous home owners put it up with super glue and after 10 years it has cemented to the wall. My arm is so sore that I'm not sure if I can even start painting. So I take a break by getting on the computer.....but I can't dilly dally - it's gotta' get done.

Good Things in Life #5 and #6

2009-06-14T18:41:00.002-04:00

#5 - Going out to a belated birthday dinner at Malone's.
#6 - Watching storms roll in - reminds you that there is something bigger than yourself.

Good Things in Life #4

2009-06-11T12:07:00.002-04:00

Receiving a Happy Birthday $10 gift certificate from the Parent-Teacher Store.

Sleeping Late....Not!

2009-06-11T12:04:00.002-04:00

Today was my first day to sleep late before I had to go to work. What was I thinking? 9am phone call from a guard to tell me that our pool had been broke in to yet again. Stupid, stupid people.....was it really necessary to put a 4 foot hole in the ceiling of my office to try and get in to a safe that is clearly in the same condition it was in from the last time they broke in? Well, obviously it is. I really hate stupid people!!

Good Things in Life #3

2009-06-09T22:33:00.001-04:00

Smell of fresh clean laundry.

Typical Wednesday for Me

2009-06-09T21:01:00.002-04:00

10am - Hair highlighted - YEA!!!
11am - go to pool - redo schedule because we are going to start opening one hour earlier
12-230pm - work on stupid schedule
3pm - go to pool to deal with

3 rescues
vomit in pool
girls swimming in bras and panties
yelling at kids when they refuse to do what I ask. Sounds like this, "Do you understand English?! Did you hear me when I said not to run and jump on people in the pool?! Do you think that I talk just to hear myself?! Get out of this pool and sit by the guards until I say you can get up!"
people jumping the fence and I have to escort them out and teach them how to use the door
lock keys in my office!!!!!
Threaten Maria if she tells Scott!!
Got a belated birthday present from a dear friend.....ahhh

Don't you just love Wednesdays?

Another Good Thing in Life

2009-06-08T06:57:00.005-04:00

Poopy Ice. This is the tiny round ice pieces that you can get at Sonic. My concession stand at the pool has this kind of ice and it makes me very happy.

Pool News

2009-06-03T05:43:00.002-04:00

Well, I hope that someone is really happy after they broke into my pool yesterday and burglarized my office and concession stand!

Good Things in Life

2009-06-03T05:41:00.004-04:00

Sometimes there are some things in life that may be simple but they are really good:

After a day at Shillito Park with 130 kids in 90 degree heat, a 4 hour shift at a pool in the same 90 degree heat, it's really nice to come home and get in the frig and find a huge bowl of seedless watermelon - all cut up and ready to go! Cold and delicious.

My Hands Are Still Shaking

2009-06-03T05:31:00.003-04:00

It's a pleasant Wednesday morning. The rain has stopped. I am finishing my route in record time. Heading home to go back to bed...ahhhhh. As I make a turn onto Woodland Ave and throw a paper up to the fire station - I am almost rear-ended by a Lexington Police officer. I don't mean that he wasn't paying attention. I mean that he and a UK cruiser were coming down Maxwell behind me and were coming after me!! They didn't expect me to slow down to throw the paper and the officer had to stop - skidding tires and turning the cruiser sideways. The UK cruiser blocked my path and then both officers came toward the truck with guns drawn!!! My heart was about to explode out of my chest. All I could think was, "Did I turn right on red?" (it's not allowed there). I managed to point at the papers on my dash and mutter, "I'm just delivering papers - it's just newspapers - I'm a newspaper carrier." They talk into the radio and say, "This one's clear," and then tell me that I can go.

Okay, it scared me half to death - not being pulled over, because that's a fairly common thing for me in the mornings, but because they had guns drawn - and they didn't even offer me an explanation. I managed to get one block down the street before another cop follows me to see what I'm doing. He finally pulls away. They must have been looking for someone else but ended up wrecking my nerves in the process.

By the way - TODAY IS THE NEXT TO LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!!

The Last Friday

2009-05-29T21:53:00.003-04:00

Today was the last Friday of the school year. Yeah!!! The second grade presented our fractured fairy tale plays to the parents. It went extremely well but I'm glad it's over. Everything is put away until next year. Our last four days include field day, a trip to Shillito Park, Camp-Read-A-Lot, and pack up the room day. Our last day of school is on my birthday - that hasn't happened since I was in the second grade. Darn snow days!

Michael and Courtney have gone to my niece, Morgan's graduation tonight. Sydnee had mini-band camp this weekend so we couldn't go. It's hard to believe that Morgan's graduating already. My, how time flies.

The rest of my life is pretty boring. I have school paperwork to finish up and a classroom to pack up. I've got to work at the pool everyday but Monday for the coming week. My house is a mess but I really don't care at this point. As long as everyone has clean underwear I will consider my home to be survivable.

Update

2009-05-27T18:16:00.002-04:00

There are only 6 days of school left.
Pool opened on Saturday
I have worked 40 pool hours over the last 10 days or so.
There are only 6 days of school left.
My friend, Abby, is getting married next Saturday night.
Courtney is working at O'Charley's on Harrodsburg Rd.
There are only 6 days of school left.
My grad class is finished.
I start grad class again in 40 days.
Oh yeah, there are only 6 days of school left.

My Friend

2009-05-13T22:20:00.004-04:00

Alecia Ward

Monday I got terrible news that one of my dearest friends, Alecia, passed away. It was completely unexpected which makes it even harder. Alecia had been my friend for about 14 years. We've shared so much...laughter, gossip, vacations, laughter, tears, work, laughter, movies, shopping, and every now and then we would share a good laugh. We became confidants for one another. When we felt that no one else would understand the dysfunction of the things in our lives, we knew we could share with one another. No questions asked. She was the friend who would tell me to quit being stupid and mean it. But then hug me and say that she probably would have done the same thing. I'm really going to miss our movie nights with drinks afterward that ended up including hours of conversation.

Alecia was one of those people who knew somebody everywhere she went. She touched so many lives. From the people in her hometown of Nicholasville to people who were somehow a part of Porter Memorial. For almost 15 years, she was the go-to person at church. If you needed something or needed to know something, just go ask Alecia.

The tears that I've shed are totally selfish because I am going to miss her. I know that she is in heaven singing praises right now and that's what I need to focus on. But it's really, really hard not to have a huge ache in the middle of my chest everytime that I think of her. Alecia, I love you and will miss you so!

We stopped in Georgia on our way home from Hudson Beach, Fl.

Look at my Blog!!!

2009-05-04T18:26:00.001-04:00

How wonderful is my new background? Are you jealous? My nerdy friend, Maria, who claims she really isn't nerdy, showed me where to find it for free. Want to know? The clue is on my blog. If you can't find it - you'll have to ask me in person.

Just For Jenn

2009-05-04T17:58:00.001-04:00

Hey, Jenn…are you still having trouble putting your posts on your blog? I remember when you said you were typing in Word and then cutting and pasting. Well,…….Maria and I can teach you something new. Word 2007 has the most awesome features. You also need to ask me about the cool templates.

Grad Class

2009-05-04T17:20:00.002-04:00

I'm sitting in grad class. The professor has forbid us from posting any of our assignments during class or he will delete them. So....instead I am typing on my blog. We have learned how to create shortcuts on the desktop...yawn....oh, wait a minute, we've learned how to change the icons! How exciting.

100th Post

2009-04-26T07:25:00.002-04:00

This is my 100th post since I began in February, 2008. Looking at the blog shows that I had way more time on my hands in the summer than I did during the school year. But it averages out to about 1 post every 5 days....not too bad.

Well, I had my first meeting of the season for my pool manager job. I found out Friday night that I will be managing Southland pool. For those of you who aren't familiar with Lexington pools, Southland is the largest aquatic center in town. On a Saturday it's not unusual to have 4000 patrons show up. Much different from my old pool where 75 patrons was a busy day. I'll have a staff of about 30 guards and pool attendants plus a concession stand staff. It's going to be a busy summer but I'll end up with a great tan before school starts!!

New Vehicle for Mom!

2009-04-15T21:18:00.005-04:00

I left school at 4:30 today and headed straight over to Glenn Hyundai. It is now 9:18pm and we just got home about 30 minutes ago. But....I have a new gray 2008 Hyundai Tucson. After calculating interest rates, insurance premiums, etc. we went with a figure in mind on how much we could spend. I really wanted the Azera because it was super nice (equal to a Toyota Avalon). But the price just wasn't what we wanted. So we drove the Tucson and decided that it was the right price and the had more space than my Elantra ...so we now own it!!

The Final Day

2009-04-05T20:27:00.002-04:00

Well, today is the final day of spring break. Yesterday was great because I officially finished a year-long research project/grad class. KRP is over!!!!!!!!!!! Last week also marked the end of my regular grad class. Yea!!! I have a break until April 27th. My goal is to finish everything else I can before then.

Painting, painting, painting.

Taxes

2009-04-02T12:28:00.002-04:00

I hate taxes. I hate doing taxes. I hate Turbo Tax for telling me that the government is keeping some of my money!!

Day #1 of Spring Break

2009-03-30T22:32:00.003-04:00

It is officially spring break. My day went something like this:

Slept in from 7am-10am.
Got up and started paying bills and making those phone calls that keep you on hold for forever. One of them was to Michael's insurance company. We didn't get a W-2 this year. I called to have them send a copy. They sent us 2007 again. I mean really, how do they screw that up?!
Went to the dentist......bluck!
Turned in my paperwork for working at the pool
Stop at Walgreen's
Go home and measure windows in case I see the perfect new curtains to go with my new furniture.
Sydnee and I head to Wal-Mart.
Leave Wal-Mart and think it's about 5pm and it's really 7:30!!!! What? Where did my day go?
Come home and finish clearing off the paperwork on my desk. It's a never ending pile.
Funny moment today is when I realized that the closest thing I'm going to get to a vacation involving a beach, pool, or water park is when the hygienist accidentally squirted my face and arms with the water thingy. It's really, really, sad.
Via facebook, I did get in touch with someone that I graduated with....we were extremely close all during high school but lost touch after I got married.

Catch up

2009-03-14T15:48:00.002-04:00

Well, it's been almost a month since I have posted anything. Who has the time? I've had the flu (or whatever) and it pretty much got the best of me for about 10 days. The rest of the time has been spent working, going to class, homework, officiating academic matches, celebrating Granny's 80th birthday, newspapers, and a tiny bit of sleeping. No where in that list is anything about laundry, buying groceries, or doing my taxes. All of which are high on my to-do list today. But what have I done? Spent the day at school....but with good reason. We had a fire alarm yesterday at 3:30 and we couldn't go back into the building. Just a faulty sensor but I got NOTHING completed before I left. I'm on my way out the door to pick up Sydnee then it's laundry and taxes.

Oh, What a Day!

2009-02-16T19:08:00.002-05:00

This is how my President's Day went:

Delivered papers
Came home - slept until 9:00 am
Went to mammogram appointment at 10:00 am

If you don't want to read anything about smushed boobs....skip this paragraph:

Okay, I had nightmares about how painful this procedure was going to be. Stories from women who are older than me.....breasts squeezed to a miniscule thickness.......technicians telling you not to move....or breath......Oh my gosh - you all are a bunch of babies!!!!! It was nothing. The worst part of it all was having another woman handle your bare boob. She used a digital machine and the parts that did the pressing were plastic so they weren't even cold. Once the boob was in the correct position, the plastic thing just held it down......didn't even notice the pressure. It was harder to hold my head back from the machine and hold my breath at the same time. If you need a mammogram, I suggest that you schedule it at St. Joe in building C...not building B because they have the old machine.

10:30 stopped by school to look for book club books
11:45 - at Cindy Vandyke's house for a meeting concerning the literacy night we have to plan. Maria, Abby, and I were treated to a fantastic lunch. Homemade chicken salad on croissants, fresh fruit, wild greens salad with pecans and blue cheese, asparagus rolls, chips, and brownies. That Cindy sure does know how to put out a spread. I also had to join her in a couple of pomegranate martinis. Ummmm....delicious. After all, it was lunch time.
I then took Sydnee to the dentist. She was not happy.
Drove to Walgreen's to pick up Michael's prescription. Totally forgot NOT to drive down Clays Mill at 3:10 because Lexington Catholic had school and was dismissing.
Dropped off Sydnee at the movies.
Took Courtney's computer to Best Buy. She can't access the internet. The guy said he has fixed it and hopefully it will work. Best of all is that he didn't charge me anything!
Spur of the moment went to see Yes Man with Jim Carrey. Well..I didn't go with Jim Carrey but rather he was in the movie. The other three ladies and myself who were the only patrons in the theater, laughed our heads off. I fully recommend it. $1.50 at Lexington Green.
Come home - type on blog
Go deliver computer to Courtney
Pick up Sydnee from boyfriend Adam's house
Go to bed.
Productive day.

Just Random

2009-02-15T20:02:00.003-05:00

I love to eat at Qdoba.
I hate people who block intersections.
I dread my mammogram tomorrow.
I can't wait for spring.
I wish Jenn and Chris could go get Avery.
I feel really old.
I am beginning to have a lot of gray hair.
I dislike grad school with a passion.
I am counting down the number of days of school that are left (72).
I am envious that Shawna and Alyssa have little ones at home because I miss it very much.
I am tired of the pedometer already.
I need to go to the grocery store.
I feel like newspaper ink is in my veins.
I hate people who steal newspapers.
I need a pay raise.
I am thankful that my dad is helping to drive Courtney to school.
I want to restart HBO so I can watch Big Love.
I gave up my paper calendar- cold turkey.
I am using Outlook and my Blackberry for all my appointments, etc.
I want to start wearing capris again.
I would like to visit Pioneer Woman and see how she can do so much with only 24 hours in a day.
I dread parent-teacher conferences because I just want to be honest and blunt about their kids.
I wish Fayette County Schools implemented corporal punishment.
I love my 2nd grade teammates.
I need a vacation.
I need to organize my digital pictures.
I must begin Sydnee's scrapbook so it will be finished by the time she graduates.
I love my girls!!!!

Sydnee - Girl in a Band

2009-02-08T18:41:00.008-05:00

My fourteen-soon to be fifteen- year old daughter is now officially a member of a rock band. Leelam's Outfit has asked her to join as their keyboardist. It truly cracks me up. Last night she had her first practice. They didn't have the keyboard there yet so she played her electric guitar. They actually didn't sound too bad. I snapped a few shots of the members who were there before I left. They've asked me to take some official photos for their album cover. Ha..ha...ha...

This is the boyfriend, Adam.

This is 2/3 of the band,Leelam's Outfit, (clockwise) Sydnee, Chris, Dylan, and Adam.

Update on Courtney

2009-02-08T17:35:00.002-05:00

Update on Courtney. On Wednesday she went to Central Baptist to have surgery. It was supposed to be at 10am. She did not go back until 2:30pm. Great start to a very long day. After a quick 1 1/2 hour surgery, she had to spend 3 hours in recovery because they didn't have a room for her. (The hospital was completely full.)

The doctor said the surgery went well. He put in a metal plate and 10 screws. The plate and 8 screws are on the right side of her right leg and the other two screws are on the left side. He said she will always be able to feel it under her skin because the ankle is so thin and doesn't have any fatty tissue. Totally gross!!

She was in a lot of pain when the nerve block they gave her wore off. She described it as having a hot barbed wire wrapped around her ankle. Finally they were able to get her dosage of Percocet just right and she was able to go home on Thursday. She is still hurting and is really tired. She tried to go to Wal-Mart and Qdoba on Friday and it wore her out all weekend. She really wanted to go to Wal-Mart because she could ride in the motorized cart.

She has crutches and a really cool 'knee walker'. She rests her knee on it and can zoom around. Much easier than the crutches especially when she has to go to school. Michael will be driving her to school everyday since she broke her right leg and can't drive. We'll see how that goes. My dad has offered to help transport her.

Courtney's Broken Ankle

2009-02-03T18:17:00.007-05:00

Here's the update on Courtney's broken ankle...with pictures! First - she slipped on ice in the driveway and ended up breaking all three bones in her ankle. Matt took her to Central Baptist and they said that this was the 7th fracture like hers they had seen that evening. Ice sucks!

They have put a splint and a temporary cast on it. She went to the doctor and they are going to have to do surgery on Wednesday morning. She can have surgery so soon because the swelling isn't very bad.

Since Courtney had her camera in her purse, she got a few pix:

This is after they had 'popped' it back into place. When her leg was straight forward, her foot and ankle were turned 90 degrees. OUCH!

This is from about 16 hours later. She's not feeling much pain. Meds are so good!