Diffusers, Diffusers, Diffusers!

So, I think I have a bit of a problem....I have a diffuser for my classroom and every bedroom in my house (if you're counting, that's a total of 5).  There's something about a great smell but knowing that it's keeping my family healthy or helping us feel better that makes me keep buying them.  I have 2 that I purchased from Amazon and they work fine but don't hold a candle to the sq ft that my YL diffuser covers.

The problem is, now my friends are starting to love all things oils and so I am running out!  I currently only have 2 diffusers in my home (one in each of the kids rooms).  So I'm left with the temptation of buying yet another diffuser from YL (I mean...come on, you get 2 free oils with it, lol) or just waiting until my friends are done.

Well, I tried the latter...and then I had more friends want it.  So, I think I'm going to purchase yet another one.  I'm laughing as I type this because it seems completely excessive yet necessary at the same time.

The past few months, the success of the company that I'm supporting has skyrocketed.  I'm not sure if it's just that people are raving about essential oils more or what?  I know I certainly am.  The downside??  The demands on my favorite oils are thru the roof so the shipping has had a bit of a delay (a LOT of a delay in some cases).

So, I guess I'll have to wait a little bit longer for the next addition to my obsession.

Classroom calm

So my class after lunch is rowdy as most classes are in the afternoon.  I normally diffuse lemon and peppermint (2-3 drops lemon and only 1 drop peppermint) in the morning as it's a happy and alert mix.  I diffuse it intermittently so it goes off every 30 seconds.

This afternoon I decided to add in a little Peace and Calming (2 drops) and the kids noticed it immediately.  I had questions from, "Hey, I want a diet coke" to "it smells like my grandma's purse."  Apparently the combo reminded them of an old lady drinking diet soda (although I thought it smelled great, haha).

Regardless, guess who got to work and had the best class???  Yep, they did.

We will experiment to see if we have the same results with a different combo...maybe I could make that a science lesson but you can bet my diffuser will pay for itself this year!

#oilyteacher

note to self

Don't reuse your NingXia Red bottle for lemon water. 

Here's why....people will think you're drinking Vodka straight from the bottle!!! 

I started teacher training this past week and had a genius idea to reuse an empty NingXia Red bottle for lemon water.  I was going to be gone all day and my normal mason jar wasn't going to be enough H20 to get me thru the day.  I washed and refilled the bottle with lemon water and went to work.  (Side note: I'm in a new district this year and no know one).  I walk into training and before I sit down someone said, "Girl you're crazy, we need to be friends."  I had no idea what she was talking about and I smiled, laughed and sat elsewhere.  I was assuming it was because I got there with about a minute to spare.

Fast forward to day 2 and instead of being at new teacher training, I'm with all of the other elementary teachers.  I was stopped 8...yes 8 TIMES by random groups of people saying something like, "ok we've placed bets on what's in the bottle" or "why would you bring the good stuff and not share?"

The best is when my new Assistant Principal said something.  (thankfully it was really funny)

Not exactly the way I wanted to make a name for myself but I got to talk about oils....alot.

Holy Bug Bites!!!

So I had no plans to post anything about this topic.  However, my husband and I just returned from a trip to the Bahamas.  I had every intention of traveling with a whole supply of oils.  However, I had to get the kids oils ready and instructions written for the grandmas who are not oil familiar with which oils to use for what.  This meant I wrote a small book for them and after getting everything ready to go, I didn't go to bed until 1:30am and had to be up by 3:15am.

Needless to say, in my sleep-deprived state, I left with only the oils I had in my purse.

Fast forward to day 4 of our vacation and we had dinner at an outdoor pizzeria on the resort property.  I noticed the hostess stand had multiple bottles of Off on the counter.  (Some regular and some deed free).  Well I haven't used bug spray since we started on our oils so I didn't think anything of it.

About 20min into dinner I was slapped on the arm by someone who saw a mosquito on it.  She got it and I got up to get bug spray.  I opted for the "deet free" as I'm trying to be more natural.  I sprayed it from the knees down and on my arms.

The next morning I woke up with a vicious itching sensation EVERYWHERE!!!  My ankles were swollen from itching in my sleep and you can see some of the bites in this photo.

By the end of the afternoon I'd counted 52 bites from the knees down (we were in the pool/ocean most of the day so I had plenty of time to count).  Thankfully the saltwater helped a bit but at one point I just stuck my legs out in the sun (from the knee down) and actually hoped my legs would burn because I'd rather have pain from a sunburn than this itch!

All I had with me was Panaway and Lava derm sunburn spray.  I applied these and the lavaderm helped but I still itched.  My husband bought benadryl creme and it did nothing.  I walked around barefoot as much as possible because my flip flops made the bites itch.

Anyhow, I'm now on day 5 of bites and day 2 at home with purification and my bites are slowly going away but I can go without itching finally!!!!  Never again will I leave without purification.  It now has a permanent place in my purse!

Potty Training Testimony!

I should start off by saying I'd accepted the fact that my 3.5yr old was going to graduate in diapers.  I rationalized by saying to myself "at least she won't graduate pregnant" (depends=chastity belt?).  Potty training was a LOOOONG journey for this family so this is a long post but hang in there because it has a happy ending!

When she was 18mo old she would come to me and say "pee pee" and I was NOT ready for potty training, plus I thought there was no way SHE was ready.  Regardless, I ordered supplies: disposable potty liners for non-home pottys, toilet seat with potty seat attachment (I was not doing a portable potty...gross), step stool for getting on/off the potty and washing hands, potty training book, sticker chart, etc.  Talked to my pediatrician who said to wait until she was old enough to pull her pants up/down so we decided to wait.  The summer after she was 2 we started talking about the potty.

We started changing her diapers in the bathroom, talking about where our pee-pees and poo-poos go and bought big girl panties.

She was also at daycare and they requested pull ups and said she'd potty train with all of the other kids as she was moving up in classrooms.

She did great at school, very few accidents.  Home was a different story.  She HATED the potty.

I did the 3 day potty training during a break from school.  It turned into 5-day before we quit.  Basically they go nude from the waist down so they learn what accidents feel like and start to become aware of what is happening.  Well my kiddo could care less!  She'd pee/poop on the floor and either point it out like it was no big deal or just leave it and keep playing.  She started whining and saying she wanted her diapers, she didn't want to be a big girl, she was still a baby, etc.  (Side note: I should mention that I was 4 months pregnant at this time).

Around November she started regressing at school and EVERY DAY would come home with multiple soiled outfits from school.  We were about to put our house in the market and I was 6 months pregnant and having to deal with this at the end of the work day was too much.   I'd heard about regression with potty training whenever life changes and we were about to move, our dog passed away and a new baby was on the way so this momma said "Forget it!"  We will worry about it when all of these things are behind us.

Fast forward to spring.  New house, new dog, new baby brother and she's now 3.  I was home on maternity and we talked about the potty alot.  All of our friends/family knew to encourage it.  Our neighbors had a 3yr old as well and he was fully potty trained.  She would occassionally pee in the potty but only for candy and only after a negotiation and 30 min sitting there...she HATED the potty.  She'd have dirty diapers around her friends and not care, even when they said "whats that smell?"

Summer and now I'm into oils.  I'd read that peppermint oil was good for constipation (I drop in the potty) and I shared this with my husband (Side Note:  peppermint oil is also good to help you breathe again when someone spends some quality time in the loo).  We get home from a weekend trip and he decides to take her potty.  I gave him the "voodoo oil" and told him 1 drop.  She pee pees in the potty and she washes her hands.  I'm in the other room and she runs in naked from the waist down asking where Daddy is and it turns out she pooped in the potty after he left her.  "maybe it was a coincidence, maybe it was the oils...either way who cares Woohoo!"

We start the potty training process with a LOT of accidents...EVERYWHERE.  She was embarassed, didn't want anyone to see, ashamed, etc.  I started applying 1 drop of Stress Away and 1 drop of valor on my index finger and rubbing them on her wrists.

The days I forgot...we had hidden accidents...GROSS.  The days I remembered she wanted to show me what was in the potty...oh great, haha.  When she started showing pride in the potty I switched to just Valor.  She never had a poop accident, THANKFULLY, and a month later we only have diapers for the baby...WOOHOO!!!

I use Valor when she is having a fussy day/tantrum, when we're going some place she doesn't want to go, when we're about to have a playdate.

This momma loves some VALOR!!!

Superwoman!

If you're my friend on facebook you've already heard this story, but it's a big enough deal for me to post it twice.  This is my testimony on how Stress Away helped me in a REALLY stressful situation.  I use this EO on myself when my baby is teething or when my daughter is being 3, haha.  I apologize in advance for the long post but I tell long stories as I really want you to "feel my pain."

Picture this.  You're a mom of a 3.5yr old, a 3 month old (who doesn't like their carseat) and a dog who suffers from seperation anxiety/throws tantrums (like ripping the curtains off the wall) when he's left alone.  You plan out the day:

1. get all 2 legged and 4 legged children changed, pottied/diapered, fed and have a toy for the car.
2. get diaper bag ready for 3 mo old and for newly potty trained/nervous in public restroom 3.5yr old
3. load the car with 3 tubs of clothes to take to consignment store
4. get coffee (should've been #1)
5. get items 1-4 done by 9am so you're not all in the car when it's hot outside.

I accomplish items 1-5 beautifully and we all are in the car.  I attempt to start the car and it won't start.  I hear a few clicks and I roll the windows down to hear again. "Oh no....no no no...come on...puhleeeeeeze"  Nope.  Lights don't even turn on.  Ok...plan.  Step 1...APPLY STRESS AWAY.  One drop on my wrists and rub together like perfume, rub the excess under/behind my ears.  Step 2...call husband.

I should mention that we have a 4 car garage.  I know...it's excessive but whenever I get pregnant my husband buys an old car.  I should also mention that I have an irrational fear of jumper cables as I was burned when trying to start a sea doo in high school.  Leak in fuel injection system+spark from battery when cables were attached=fire and me rushed to the ER with 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree burns on hands, face, neck.  (I didn't have eyebrows, lashes or nose hair for awhile)

Ok, so I call husband (who was 45 min away) and he explains where a spare battery is in the garage.  WHAT!?  I don't even know how to check the oil.  I follow instructions and manage to hook up the car battery to spare battery without freaking out....shaking, yes...but i did it.  Keep in mind it had just rained, it was comfortable temp in the garage and the windows were down so my kiddos were fine and asking me a gazillion questions.  

It didn't work.  It charged enough for the headlights to come on but thats it.

I turned on the battery operated fan attached to the 3mo old carseat as he was starting to remind me that he hates his carseat.

Husband suggests putting the Tahoe in neutral and pushing it into the driveway.  I'll give you a moment to stop laughing.  Husband offers to come home and I said, no...I'm going to figure this out.

Yeah, that didn't happen.  I called 2 neighbors to see if their husbands were home and one was on his way, SCORE!

In the meantime, I try again with the jumper cables and realize they can reach to husband's camaro parked next to me.  I try to start the car again...nope.  I ask husband, "isnt' the other car supposed to be on?"  he said it doesn't have to be.  Neighbor arrives and we take the kids out of the car and she takes them inside (his camaro has a different engine in it and its SOOO loud).   And he suggests turning the camaro on (like I said in the first place...duh).

It starts!!!!  Holy moly I AM AMAZING!!!!  I thank neighbor profusely, load everyone back up in the car and start the day.  Shockingly this whole process only took a little over a half hour and I was able to go about my day.

I kept giving my husband the opportunity to say what an amazing wife/mom I am as I think most women would say, "honey, you better come fix my car!"  I think I got a high-five later, haha.  It's ok, I constantly remind him that he married a superhero.

Stress Away is one of my favorites and to me it smells like vanilla.

If you're my friend on facebook you've already heard this story, but it's a big enough deal for me to post it twice.

Picture this.  You're a mom of a 3.5yr old, a 3 month old (who doesn't like their carseat) and a dog who suffers from seperation anxiety/throws tantrums (like ripping the curtains off the wall) when he's left alone.  You plan out the day:

1. get all 2 legged and 4 legged children changed, pottied/diapered, fed and have a toy for the car.
2. get diaper bag ready for 3 mo old and for newly

funny story

so my sister and law and 6 year old nephew were talking before christmas and she asked him if he was excited about Santa coming and getting to open all of the presents under the tree. their conversation went a little something like this:

Nephew:"Yes Mom but Christmas isn't only about presents. It's about celebrating Jesus."
Sis: "Thats right honey!"
Nephew: "Because it's Jesus' birthday, right?"
Sis:(feeling so proud) "Thats exactly right!"
Nephew: (pauses to think)"Exactly how old is Jesus going to be this year?"
Sis: (not wanting to get too deep)"He looks like he's in his mid 30s."

Can you say Classic!
I just about lost it I was laughing so much!

Merry New Year!

We are back from a whirlwind trip from Sin city. We went to visit my nephews for New Years and had a blast.

It's really hard for me to believe that it is 2009. I wonder how long it will take before I stop writing 2008 by accident.

During the trip I noticed several things. Here is my top ten list.

10-The strip is REALLY long and made of concrete yet women everywhere were in stilettos....this..i don't understand.
9-They have slot machines in grocery stores. Awesome.
8-We took the nephews skating on a floating ice skating rink at Lake Las Vegas....it's a must see. So much fun.
7-BF and I had every intention of really gambling this time, eating at a fancy dinner and buying one of those enormous drinks to walk around with. We spent $5 on the wheel of money, $1 each on penny slots, ate at The Cheesecake Factory and bought 99 cent margaritas and had a blast!
6-Every major city is getting a naked or nearly naked man. NYC has the naked cowboy, Austin has "Leslie" and Vegas had a man in a bikini, tiara, miniskirt, makeup and heels (we saw him 3 times in one night.)
5-I always thought those people on the side of the strip that flip cards and try to hand them to you were handing out advertisements. I learned exactly what they were advertising this year. BF was more than happy to grab several examples to show me.
4-I greeted everyone today with a "Happy New Year" and they looked at me like I was slow. Does that greeting expire on Jan 1st? If so, I missed the memo.
3-This is the first year in many that I didn't wake up with a hangover on Jan 1. It was so nice! We all toasted with sparkling cider, sparkling pear, etc and it was just as fun!
2-Never give BF a noisemaker on new years eve...I'm just now getting my hearing back.
1-I saw SO many military men and women at the airport today. During all of the madness of the holidays, we forget about those who are serving our country and were not able to see their families this year. Say a prayer for them and thank them the next time you see one.

I didn't make a new years resolution this year. I think mine will just be to be a better version of myself.

A better girlfriend, friend, neighbor, teacher, student, christian, daughter, sister, aunt and person.

Happy New Year to all of you!

Don't Wig Out

There are no words...and no need for them. Sorry, I don't know how to rotate the video:

crazy lights

In a neighborhood near ours lives this man who goes all out when it comes to Christmas lights. And I mean ALL OUT. He has his own small radio station that he broadcasts from his home and his lights are hooked up to the music. He adds more each year...this video is from last year. Check this out:

Welcome back lights!!

While driving home last night, I noticed that my neighborhood light display is growing as each day passes. It reminded me that I have not gotten a single holiday decoration down from my attic and I am behind big time!!! (notice, I did not say I have a big behind....I said I'm behind in a big way....don't confuse the two)

Anyhow, as soon as I can get my lazy behind off of this sofa, I plan to begin the process of transforming this home into a holiday masterpiece since my momma will be visiting us on Saturday.

This thought brought me back to our last holiday where the formerly nice old man across the street transformed himself into "that guy" and turned his sprinklers on during the trick or treat night of sweets. I'm telling you, his meanness is the reason we didn't have as many ghosts and goblins at our door.

So I'm wondering, as each day passes, if he will continue this streak and become a bah humbug neighbor. He didn't put lights on his house and I don't remember seeing a tree. Hopefully I'm wrong, but if I had to guess what goes on behind that red door of his....I'd think it goes a little like this:

Visa Keychain

So, as you know I had to change all of my account info because of the virus I got last weekend. After waiting for what seemed like weeks to get my replacement card, it finally arrived.

Thankfully, my bank was able to provide me with a temporary card that looks exactly like my credit card just with the name "Preferred Customer"

The genius at my bank decided she needed to write "Please See ID" on the back of this card.

um......

Sorry, but the name on my drivers license is not Preferred Customer. Here's your sign.

Back to this week....I get my new card and the fine people at VISA or my bank (I'm not sure which) have created an easier way for you to spend your money, A keychain VISA card.

I'm not even kidding...for those of you with laptops, its smaller that the touchpad on your laptop and you're supposed to attach it to your keychain.

Am I the only one who thinks that you have to be a complete idiot to utilize this?

Are you really that stupid to hang your credit card on a keychain??

Here's Your Sign. Happy Monday!

I-Scream for Ice Cream

Why is it that when you crave some ice cream and you know you shouldn't indulge....at that very moment the ice cream lid decides to suction cup itself to the ice cream container? So, you proceed to pry open the side while rotating the container in 1 inch incraments so many times that you actually go around the container twice. Finally, after you're exhausted and your hand and forearm are cold and sticky, the lid is removed.

At this point, I'm so irritated that I don't even want ice cream anymore.

But you can bet I eat it anyway.

Infected...round 2

Last time I was infected was this past summer with the sinus infection from Hades that just wouldn't go away.

This time...it's different.

Since joining the masses in the unemployment line, I've been spending a large amount of time on my trusty laptop. It's seriously shocking...I take it with me out in the front yard attached to an extension chord and set it on top of the bushes while painting the house...I've become obsessed with One Tree Hill. (Never watched the show and I've caught up all the way thru Season 3.)

Since I don't have a tv hooked up to Fios in the kitchen, I am on my laptop while cooking, flipping back and forth between a recipe online and catching up on the shows I missed the previous week (90210, Brothers and Sisters, Desp Housewives, Greys, Private Practice, Fringe...you get the idea.) I've been a good girlfriend and willingly missed my favorite shows realizing I can catch up online.

ANYWAY...back to the point. Last week I ran a full system scan on my computer with both McAfee and Windows Defender. During the scan, Windows Defender popped up and said I had spyware on my computer but didnt have spyware protection. I followed the suggested link and purchased XP Antispyware 2009. This is where things started to go wrong.

I scanned with XP Antispyware and found all kinds of Adware and Spyware and promptly clicked "Remove" and continued on my way. This happened every day for a week. Sunday night I started getting every fake pop up known to man. Things saying I was infected, I needed anti-adware, the server was busy and I needed to try again. When I hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete it said that my task manager had been disabled by the System Administrator. (Um...note to hard drive.. I AM THE SYSTEM ADMIN...I didn't disable ANYTHING!!!)

So, I downloaded an online system scan and found 345 infected items...none of which could be removed unless I purchased the program.

SH*T

I called geek squad and the convo went something like this:

Me: "Um, hi. Something's wrong."
Geek: "Ok, what happened."
Me: "My background says I'm infected instead of the picture of me with a beer like it's supposed to be. I keep getting popups and it says I have Trojans, Spyware, Adware and something called a Rogue."
Geek: "Ok, when and how did this start?"
Me: "Well, last week I bought XP Antispyware 2009"
Geek: *Large Gasp*
Me: "What?"
Geek: "You bought a virus."
Me: "Sh*t. Oh, um...sorry. I mean crap."
Geek: "Do you have the Geek Squad protection plan?"
Me: "Of course not."

You get the idea.

Basically, this XP Antispyware 2009 is a scam. What makes it worse is that I paid for it!! Thats right, I put in my information and credit card number and asked to be infected!!!!

The bad news, the scam is so new that no antivirus software will pick up on it, remove it or fix it. And Geek Squad will charge me $199 to fix it.

The even bad-er news is that I had to go to the bank, change all of my account information and cancel my credit cards.

The good news is that nothing unusual had been charged on my credit card AND BF's cousin is a computer wiz and is fixing it for me (THANK GOODNESS.)

And to kick me when I'm down, I found that there was a monthly maintenance charge on my account for $5.95. When I asked what this was, I was informed that it was a fee charged because I don't have a direct deposit into my account anymore. So basically, they are punishing me because I got laid off. THANKS! Piece of ....

So, I'm all about having a moral for every story. Here's how you avoid this happening to you.

Are you ready?

This is BIG.

NEVER...and I repeat, NEVER run a scan on your computer while connected to the internet. Either turn off the internet button or unplug your cord. Because, it wasn't Windows Defender that popped up saying I needed to buy Anti Spyware, it was Spyware already on my computer that reacted when I started scanning it.

How I've gotten to this point without knowing this crucial information is beyond me.

I think I might arrange a seminar for young women and teach them the things I never learned but should have.

I'm thinking:
~How travel on your own (2001)
~how to paint (2001)
~how to use a lawnmower (2001)
~how to hang a light fixture (2001)
~how to check the dip stick(2002)
~how to start over in life and in love (2002)
~how to interview (2003)
~how to cold call (2003)
~how to manage 10 kids under the age of 10 (2004)
~how to check your tires to see if the strings are showing (2005)
~how to handle a stalker/crazy (2004 & 2006)
~how to groom a dog (2006)
~how to plant a garden (2007)
~how to cook (2007)
~how to cook healthy meals (2008)
~how to run a system scan (2008)
~how to handle getting laid off and how not to handle it(date to be determined)

I'm hoping it will help me fine tune my teaching skills. I'm going to charge $29.99 per person....are you in?

cyclical guilt

I sat here for about 10 minutes staring at a blank screen. You see, I have so much to say but can't seem to form it into a point. This week has been incredibly interesting for me. I'm definitely out of my comfort zone.

As I've been looking for a job, I've been busier than I ever thought an unemployed person would be. Yet as busy as I've been, I can't help but feel a little useless at the end of the day. And so I don't let myself have an end of my day.

When I was working, I was the type of person who could truly leave work at work and when I got home, my brain was free of stress/worry/etc hence why I could totally immerse myself in an episode of reality tv.

But now, even blogging, I'm overcome with guilt about the impact I should be making that I'm not...right here, right now.

I've never been the type of person who experienced guilt...mainly because I don't do things that I have to say I'm sorry for. And I didn't do anything wrong in this situation, yet I feel guilty.

ALL.THE.TIME.

So my first thought on how to end this time period in my life is to find a job as quickly as possible. However, I don't want to just take ANY job...I want to find another job that I love as much as I loved my last one.

And the circle continues....here's hoping something jumps out and stops me from spinning.

oh..and a big PS-please....under no circumstances, please do not baby talk me. I may be unemployed and it may suck, but I cannot stand to get voicemails or phone calls from those with the baby talk voice saying, "heeeyyyyyyy, hooooooww arrrrrrrreee youuuuuuuuu?" Nothing is more annoying.

"Life's a B*tch and then you get laid off"

This was the subject of an email I received today from a good friend comforting me after my first official layoff yesterday. It was the 3rd layoff I've been thru in my professional career but the first one that I didn't survive.

I was shocked. Maybe shocked isn't the appropriate word, I don't that there is one. I had absolutely no warning, no signs, no knowledge that the company, or my job, was in danger.

Typically the salespeople are safe in any company as they need money coming in. Apparently, things are bad at my former job because 20% of the entire company and 75% of the sales team were laid off...leaving one guy in sales and half the # of employees that were with the company when I started a year and a half ago.

Let me back up and tell you that I'm good at my job. (or I was good at my job). I'd never received anything but raving reviews from my bosses and I was just offered a promotion. Unfortunately for me, these layoffs were not performance based.

And, unfortunately for me, there wasn't anything "common" about my job. It was kind of a niche operation and mine was kind of a niche position. What does this mean? This means that there are no competitors to go to....no comparable positions, companies or salaries to fill this hole.

So, here's me.....at square one.

It's amazing the perspective you gain about the important things in life when you're faced with a life changing situation. Just two days ago I blogged about what I'm thankful for and thank goodness my #1 was what it was....because I'm going to be okay.

I have no idea what I'll do or where I'll land but something just tells me that I'm going to be ok. So...they say these things happen in 3s...I had 2 of them this week, bring it on #3!

Oh, and if you know of anyone wanting to hire an incredibly bright, witty and all around fantastic gal, let me know! Hook 'em horns!

High from High School

After I blogged yesterday about appreciating my age and the things I've learned, I went to the local high school during lunch. BF and I are going to the football game tonight and I needed to get tickets. Normally we buy them at the stadium but this is a fairly big game so I wanted to get them early. Now keep in mind that I went to high school with 172 other people in my class, probably a little over 600 in the entire school. This is BF's high school and he graduated with over 1500 in his class alone! Needless to say, it's quite a bit larger.

So, I call the school to find out where to buy tickets and where the office is located on the campus (over 7 buildings, each larger than my school). I arrive and quickly ask the first student I see to verify that I'm headed to the right set of doors. I enter and realize that I've arrived in the middle of the passing period as there are hundreds of students bumping into me and racing around me.

And these aren't the students that I went to high school with. I'm dressed for work and I'm underdressed compared to these kids. The girls have on heels and adorable straight-out-of-vogue outfits on, the boys have polos and popped collars, there are no backpacks in sight but they all have blackberrys and iphones!!! Is this 90210?? (starts Tuesday by the way Can.Not.Wait)

I finally find the student affairs office and wait for the student in front of me to finish. When it was my turn, I told the lady that I needed 2 football tickets.

"Student?" she said.
"Haha, oh I love that. No, 2 adults. Thanks"

At this time, the bell rings and students in the halls hurry off to class. I'm so relieved that I won't have to dodge them as I leave the school. As I'm putting the tickets away, another bell rings. I'd forgotten that there are two bells...the bell to tell you to get to class and then the tardy bell.

Anyway, I thank the nice lady, head out of the office (relieved that I'm the only one in the hall and I can now exhale) when I hear someone yelling at the students.

Things like "Miss, you need to get to class."

I can so remember being late to class and hoping I got there before the tardy bell.
And then I hear it again.

"Miss."
"Miss!"
"MISS!!!!"

At this point I turn around to see what idiot isn't moving fast enough. I realize that idiot is...ME!!

"Are you talking to me?" I ask.

"Um, YES. MISS, you are late, YOU NEED TO GET TO CLASS NOW" he sternly states.

[Insert laughter here]

Thats right kids, I was mistaken for a high school kid. After regaining my composure, I thank the gentleman for the compliment, explain that I'm not a student, just here on my lunch break, and quickly leave the school. A little lighter in my step, in fact, I think I might've skipped once or twice.

Motto of this story: If you're feeling sassy and put together, go visit your local high school, they'll show you up. If you're feeling overwhelmed, go visit your local high school during passing period, you might die. If you're feeling old, go visit your local high school, nothing like getting yelled at by a teacher to make you feel younger!

Po Po Patrol

On my drive home yesterday I noticed 3 police officers standing at the end of my street. Thankfully I was going the speed limit and I was very pleased to see that they were running radar on people driving down the cross street. I quietly laughed to myself as I realized that I'm at the point in my life where I appreciate the police presence instead of hide from it.

Now I don't consider myself to be old by any means...BUT...I have noticed that I am older and with that age/time, has come the appreciation for different things.

So here, my friends, is a top 10 list for you.

Top 10 Things I appreciate NOW, that I didn't THEN

10. I appreciate the law and I respect it. In my younger years, I was always fearful of getting in trouble. I didn't really do much that warranted this fear other than speeding. Now I appreciate it when I see a police officer driving thru my neighborhood or several of them having a meal at a local restaurant. It gives me peace of mind.

9. I appreciate the look of a nicely manicured lawn. I secretly wish we had an HOA because I think I could win that award every once in awhile and because that guy a few streets down would NOT be able to have all of that crap in his yard.

8. I appreciate the news. Not because I used to work in TV, but because I actually enjoy knowing what is going on in the world (unless its a story about an animal being hurt, and in that case, i don't want to know)

7. I appreciate low gas prices. My parents used to always play a little game in the car where they'd teach me to point out low gas prices...I still don't know how they made that fun, but it was...and I play that game every day!

6. I appreciate coffee. I used to love waking up to the smell of it but I never liked the taste of it. I never drank coffee until I started working and experienced such a thing as an 8am sales meeting. Now I have coffee everymorning.

5. I appreciate photos. When I was younger, even in college, I always wanted to be IN the photos but I never took any. Because of this, I have very few photos of my college years as my mom wasn't there to take them and I didn't shell out the $5 for every party time sorority photo.

4. I appreciate the wisdom of others. Now, more than ever, I wish I could sit down with each of my grandparents and talk candidly with them about everything under the sun. Most of those questions start with, "How did you handle, how did you get thru, how did you know?"

3. I appreciate my education. I think the 4 years (okay 5) of college allowed me time and room to grow. I respect anyone who started working straight out of high school because there is no way I would've had the discipline to be a good employee. I learned so much about life and who I wanted to be. Most of what I learned from college wasn't in the classroom.

2. I appreciate good food and fine wine. I remember the days when we would eat anything if it was free and drink anything if it was alcohol (seriously, natty light? what were we thinking?) I don't always spring for the "good" wine but I definitely have a preference for what I like and I won't just drink anything I find. And now that I enjoy cooking so much, I appreciate it any time we go out to eat and I know that someone worked hard to put that food on my plate.

And the number one thing I appreciate NOW, that I didn't THEN
1. I appreciate a budget and a sound financial mind. So many of my friends do not make smart choices when it comes to their finances. I hate to see/hear that and I wish I could help but financial stability will only develop when you're ready to be disciplined. Current BF could write a book on financial responsibility and I'm lucky enough to be in a situation where he's able to rub off on me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rich at all but if you ever need pointers on where to pinch and save, I've got a ton!

Me llamo Mary.

I've taken 8 years of spanish. From middle school up thru high school. All of that studying and basically I can ask for directions or locations of certain places and I can understand other peoples conversations but not necessarily reply. Oh, and I can understand when people are cursing at me. I received this in an email today from my mom and just about died laughing. I hope you do too. (well..not die, of course, just laugh) Happy Monday!

Open letter To My Easy Drive To Work.

Dear Easy Drive to Work,

I just wanted to say that I'll miss you desperately. We both knew this day was coming and as I'm now over halfway thru my last week with you, I've never appreciated you more. The constant rain this week has made me dread what my future drive to work will be and its anything but YOU....Easy.

I imagine that a week from today, I will be stuck in numorous School Zones and traffic jams, the usual issues one has when school is in session.

So please know, Easy Drive to Work, I've cherised the 2 1/2 months we've spent together. I look forward to your occasional visits during fall break, christmas break and spring break until we're back together next summer.

Until then, I'll be thinking of you every morning and afternoon.

All my love,
MC