wrote at 3am when awakened in the night by....

Sung to the 2nd section of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" ...the part that goes "Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah"

"Something's in the attic a munchin

Something's in the attic a mun un un chin

Something's in the attic a munchin

Munchin on the ol' wood beams and singin'

He Haw munch crunch gnaw

He Haw munch crunch gnaw gnaw gnaw gnaw

He Haw munch crunch gnaw

Munchin' on the ol' wood beams"

I called the handyman at 9am.

limping

I think I broke my toe.

I was trying to use some smelly thing that one of my friends bought me for Christmas and I couldn't read the fine print directions on the back of the box so I went down to my room to get my reading glasses and on my return trip--whomp! the ottoman jumped out into my path.  Wham! went the toe on my "good" foot.  Crunch, bang and argh. It's been an hour and it is still talking to me (not saying repeatable things) but alas I am going to see Dr Lu today so maybe he'll have some instant cure ;-) if not--I'll just be hobblin for a while.

Darn! There goes my Zumba lesson.

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Thursday already

So enjoying NOT going to school, NOT getting up at 5am (though Muffin has been trying to stir my bones at that time.)  

What a pretty day, actual sun shining out my window.  

I did return the bag of cat food and start over with a new bag.

Jan called and asked if I would attend a class for her tomorrow (since she is busy with family). I have a pedicure to reschedule but then I'll try and attend. I'll take notes for her. Her class tomorrow is History of the Salem Witchtrials.  Interesting eh!  It is at the CRC so I'll be sure to dress in summer wear (they like to put the temp at 96 degrees.)  I've sweated there before.

Juggling with some success, figuring out bills, where to slam the cc balance now that the 0% is disappearing, scheduling more appointments, considering beginning work on my Beethoven and the Ottoman Empire lecture, and perhaps delving into some of those cleaning projects I have so successfully put off. ;-)  Life is good.

I peeked at Nicole's website this morning--great media coverage!  I'm excited for her.  If my feet were behaving I'd think about wearing some high heels but for now, I'll stay grounded.

Considering investing in another cat.  Muffin is sweet and retired.  I need something that keeps mice away.  Last night about 1am (oh, okay, this morning about 1am) I could hear mice gnawing in the attic.  I wrote a song to it.  Eh, it's time to get movin' on that.

In the daylight I can see I really really really need to change the kitchen paper (get rid of it, paint) and the bathrooms however being cc conscious, this just isn't the time to take on more debt.  Actually, once I pay the last installment on my Hawaii chaperone trip (due in March) I'll need to set aside some fun money for the trip.  

I'm enjoying listening to my iPod on my Bose station. What a GREAT sound!

Will finish sorting mail, brainstorming money, run to A2 on errands and doctor appointment (yes, the famous Dr. Lu) and hop back to call Dad and see NCIS at 5pm.  I thought about going to the movies (The Reader, SlumDog Millionaire) but it was such a nice day yesterday I thought--nah!  Very much looking forward to seeing Jeanine, Brad and Hunter this weekend.  

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from a letter to Mark

and all true!  

Subject: one in a million

Mom always said I was special.

I went to Meijer to buy another big jumnorous bag of cat food because the cat didn't like the pink bag's flavor I got her.  I brought it home, propped it up in the pantry then worked on my computer notes in the kitchen--but I could hear a scratching and shifting around sound coming from the pantry area.  I thought it was Muffin so I said snide things like "You'd better wait until I open that bag Muffin!" When Muffin came from around the living room door I thought, "oh oh!"  Being the big chicken that I am, I got up on a chair and watched as the big jumnorous bag of cat food was shifting about as if something on the inside was trying to get back out.  ARGHHHHHHH!!!! In a moment of heroism/insanity, I jumped off the chair (ouch on my heel spur!) did a Wonder Woman lunge on the bag, grabbed it and tossed it out the back door.  It has been sitting out there in the sun for a half hour.  I am perched in the kitchen with my boots on in case it manages to open the door and run back in.

Now tell me, what are the chances of buying the bag with a critter in it???

yeah, one in a million

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Moments to breath

though I have a stuffy nose ;-)

FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY Mid Winter Break is here.  The kids were very ready!  Having taken the 13th off for a dentist appointment and to visit the Huron High School band in rehearsal, then students out on the 16th with teachers in for Professional Development Day, with Friday being Black History Month Celebration Assembly which ran 42 minutes late (yep, double the size) reducing 3rd hour (without "warning") to 4 minutes of class---things were a bit disruptive at Pi Hi.  By 2:28pm though we were all waving and rushing out the door!  Since the Double Assembly Day schedule occurred during my prep hour (2nd)--that meant I had 84 minutes of uninterrupted time to: grade papers, record grades, work on lesson plans for March when we return, clean my files, dust one of my classrooms, go out and buy a lunch, come back and eat the lunch--so my day was pretty swift--oh and factor in a planned 1.5 hour massage (working on that heel spur) which ran for 2 hours.  Well, I'm now ready for my week "off".

That isn't to say I am not doing anything.  I hope to clean the house, make doctors appointments, go to see Dr Lu on Thursday, finish up the loose ends with my taxes and get them submitted, spend time with the Bobenmoyers on Saturday the 28th, clean out the car, visit my Dad, attend a class (or two) at the Apple store, and work on my budget. 

Life is good.

I am going to rewrite my Beethoven lecture.  I love Beethoven!  I do think the kids would get more benefit from him though if they heard (over and over) the direct correlation as to how he fits in this time in history.  I will try and make the tie ins with Delacroix, Napoleon (easy one), the Ottoman Empire, and Lord Byron. hmm huh!  (Your Mom knows stuff!) 

DeNozzo must have gotten into some nasty dinner food because he left me some nasty "messages" on the front porch.  I tried removing it with the snow shovel--a small mountain of molded something--that wouldn't budge--so I covered it up with a pile of snow--hoping it would soften the subject (no luck)--so today before we receive our 7 inches of snow I hope to go out with boiling water and bleach and clear for the next meal.

Oh oh--here comes the snow, right on track!

Love you kids

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Mom

Life is good.

Busy School Week

But feeling a head of the game.

2nd week in the semester.  I think my duties will primarily focus on mothering.  I have a jumble of kids who just need someone to listen, care.  Skills in music will follow.  

My lecture on Friday went exceedingly well.  I had tried not to feel pressured, having to roll 3 lectures into one--Handel, and 2 Bach lectures.  The team is trying to compact the schedule to allow for more in May.  I'm not sure it has been so effective for music--BUT I still am planning a change next year so I am at my  "oh well stage".  The kids were awake yesterday morning--always a plus.  We flew through music but I highlighted terms I wanted them to have, remember, dissected pieces of music ala Humanities requirement and felt I really taught something. They applauded at the conclusion--and I don't think it was just because I was done. ;-)

I have to lecture Tuesday so it's a quick turn around.  This will be "Introduction to the Classical Era" --hmm.

Met my friend, Corrine for dinner last night.  Had a marvelous time reconnecting with her. Discovered her daughter Molly and Molly's husband both work with Mark. Interesting.  ;-)  Corrine is relearning computer skills, just bought a new Apple laptop and is eyeing my iPhone.  We had a great visit!  Zingerman's Roadhouse made us feel very welcome, even though we occupied the booth for over 3 hours.  (Yes, we tipped well)

This morning I met my friend, Linda for breakfast.  She is such a love! We've been friends for a long time as well. (Corrine 19 years, Linda 15 years).  Linda brought me up to date on all her life doings--dating very nice guy (Kerry) 16 months now (met him on Match.com) and her clinic (chiropractic) is going through some changes due to economy.  Always good to see, connect with her. She was delighted to hear that I have an eagle in my woods.  Linda also appreciated my turkey snow angel ;-)

TCF sent me a new card (surprise) because according to them one of the merchants security where I used my card had been "violated" (hmm, wonder what that means) --but when I went to activate this one, I couldn't remember the pin # or whatnot (they called it a different thingee-- like password account activation #)  so they locked me out.  WHAT FUN!  "they" (the voice on the phone) said to call Blah blah and blah # to get help--so I did, and then of course the person at blah blah and blah # was totally out to lunch (India?) and said I'd have to wait 24 hours to try again.  Really now?  I told her "they" had given me the # for help and it was her--but she said "I can't help you--you'll just have to try again tomorrow".  Some help.   Oh well.

Looking forward to cleaning the house today. I love cleaning when you can see the dirt!  I also am in a "pitching" mood so between studying for my next lecture--I think I'll clean out some cupboards.  I was looking for my sparkles and couldn't find them but found a lot of other junk--time to sort and toss!

Planning to go to Gpa's tomorrow.  I washed the car in celebration (Gpa likes a clean car).  Next I'll need to clean the inside out.  

My hockey guys invited me to their game 2night--but I discovered it is in Dearborn--I think I'll pass.

Off to play

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long time no talk

Sorry, once school started again it was push and push.

Just finished with finals and being lobbied by students for grades they didn't earn.  Interesting.  We have this "new" online grading program so every little comma, percentage, etc is recorded and the kids can see it.  Yesterday I had 3 different Humanities tests to administer (all makeups) for 7 different students (with 2 more still coming on Monday), heard 2 guitarists play pieces that were due in early December (sickness and "please please please Ms Martinez") and assessed a student's piano final (a retake because he didn't like the first grade he earned).  Yesterday was supposed to be a "makeup" day--but "we" are finding the kids look to it like an "option" day.  On Tuesday (Humanities final) we had 9 students as no shows..6 of the 9 said they were going to "wait" until Friday.  Really now.......  The team voted it was okay then realized what a pain that was.  

I spent time with Hunter last week.  He is such a love.  Makes me sad to see him so sick, having difficulty breathing.  The weather was wretched so school was cancelled on Friday (-37 wind chill and yes it felt it!) ..I offered and was GLAD to go be with the baby rather than take him out in the weather. Just brutal!  

Tuesday was a regular oil change at Palmer's but they also said they felt I needed 4 new tires. Huh?  Seems the Pyrelli's that came with the car were a "soft compound tire" (Mark's words) and thus did not hold up to the AWD features of the Freestyle.  I bought 4 new tires (Discount Tire) on Thursday--but they said I had a bent wheel from a pothole.  (That's next on the money list).  When they were all finished with the replacements, a young man behind the counter hollered out "Mrs. M&M you are all finished!"  Wow was I surprised (and delighted).  There was "little" Kevin (the twin to Audrey) at 6'3".  I had him in 4th and 5th grade about 12 years ago.  I smiled a lot.  I asked and Audrey is now a nurse at Mott Children's Hospital.  I am sure she is a good one, too.

It was a hard day in A2 Public Schools this week. (one of the reasons some of the kids didn't take their finals on time).  A senior Orchestra student, loving soul, giving and well known girl was killed by her boyfriend.  In an argument it would seem he took a hammer to her head.  The family opted for public visitation at the funeral home and private funeral service today.  

My Huron friends are reeling.

Life is precious.  LIve each day, enjoy all that you can.

I lecture 2x this week--Intro to Baroque, Composers of the Baroque Era.  I am looking forward to next year!

This afternoon I am joining Jan and her lady friends. We are going to the Purple Rose theater for the play and then to dinner somewhere in town.  We should have a great time.  Do I have time to do this?  You betcha!!!

Corrine Grace called me out of the blue last night.  She retired from Northside about 4 years ago.  She just wanted to talk, ask about getting together.  Corrine is in the market for a computer, buying an Apple this week at the Apple store.  I pushed her to consider getting an iPhone.  I think it is the 2nd iPhone I sold this week.  A retired gentleman next to me in Palmer's waiting room was curious about my phone.  I went on and on and on.  He was enthused as well.

Well.....I should go do some laundry so I don't smell at the Purple Rose ;-)

Enjoy the new picks.

Love,

me