As odd as it sounds, I do not like doughnuts or bacon but the doughnut was not that bad. It was nice to spend time with my cousins. We talked about nothing and yet the trip flew by. I am hoping to maybe go up in July. I have already looked up tickets and they are cheap! How could I pass up a cheap ticket!?!?!?

Of course, the trip depends mostly on if I keep my job. Right before break I heard that the district had plans to let 66 teachers go. I am 61 on the list. Not a good place to be! I am not too worried. I think I will be okay. I know some teachers will not be asked back and some teachers are taking early retirement. School has to open in August and parents will flip if their are kids crammed into a classroom. If I do lose my job, I have a few ideas to keep me busy and the money flowing in. Getting a new job will be difficult and I do not think I can qualify for unemployment. What stinks the most is that I will most likely be pink slipped. The district is supposed to vote on the new budget with the changes this Tuesday. It may be postponed since California finally voted on a budget.

This weekend was a quiet one. I played with friends, went to the movies twice, and tried some new restaurants. Most importantly, I made sure Val was happy. She has been very lovable lately. Usually, she says hi to me when I walk in the door and checks on me throughout the day. She used to spend most of her time in the backyard or on her couch. Now she follows me around the house and wants to be in the same room with me.

I have no complaints. I like sharing the couch with her. Maybe age is catching up with her and she realizes that being in separate rooms is boring! Getting scratched behind your ears makes it all worth it! Maybe she just really likes the new couch!

Tomorrow I have to return to school. I always like getting back into the everyday routine. Too bad everything it so tense. Teachers are worried about their jobs. The students are stressed. I think they have it worse. They have the stress from their parents worries and then the stress from their teachers. No wonder behavior problems are at an all time high this year. Next year I am sure it will be worse. Parents will probably will be more stressed and classrooms will be crowded due to less teachers.

Posted in California, School, Val, Weekends, Travels, Rants | 1 Comment »

Last night when I closed it I guess I used a little too much force, so when I closed the bathroom door the drawer bounced back out. This is what made it impossible for me to open the door this morning. Back to 6 AM Saturday morning, I was in a panic. I leave for Portland today and I need to get into my bathroom!! I tried taking the screen out of the for the bathroom window. The window is too skinny to crawl through, but at least I could put something through the window so that I could push the drawer back. That did not work out since the window was locked. I tried using a spatula and a wooden spoon, through the slot under the door, to push the drawer back. Still no luck!!!! By this time I was thinking I was going to have to take an axe to the door! I decided that before I did that, I would try to pry the door open one more time. The door opened like it supposed to. And now it is just after 7 AM and I am showered and packed for my trip.

About the drawer, you found my dirty little secret. As organized as I am I cannot keep this drawer tidy. I figure everyone has at least one messy drawer. I organize it all the time and in a few days it is messed up again. Oh well! I have more important things to take care of!

And Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!

Posted in House, Holidays, Val, Weekends, Travels, Rants | No Comments »

I have read many books by James Patterson. I love his Alex Cross series and Women’s Murder Club series. James Patterson writes a great mystery that always has the read on the edge of his or her seat. I was a bit hesitant to read Sundays at Tiffany’s. It is a whole different genre for the author and the story sounds absolutely ridiculous. But I have to say that I loved the book. I had a hard time putting it down. The story is about Jane and she longs to have her childhood imaginary friend, Michael, back in her life. By chance, Jane and Michael cross paths. The story is beautifully told and made me believe that James Patterson can write a novel that does not involve a common mystery.

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Last night, I stayed up late to finish reading Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. I was not to excited about this book at first, but it came so highly recommended that I felt I had to give it a try. It is by far one of the funniest books that I have read in a long time. I caught myself laughing out loud. The book takes place in London and it gave me a chance to catch up on my British slang. The book is just as silly and ridiculous looking as the movie. It was a nice change of pace from the previous book I read. I do have to confess that I think Sophia Kinsella is a new favorite author of mine. I am sure that I will be seeing the movie and comparing the two. I would not be surprised that I will probably like the book more than the movie and I am sure that I will let you know!

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Yesterday we had a tremendous amount of rain. At one point, we had hail!

When we went to look out the window, we saw this!!

There was a river of serious rapids running past the house. The house was safe and we had no concerns of the rapids coming to get us. Still, it was an amazing site. California’s weather is usually boring. For once, it was exciting and worth talking about!

Posted in California, Weekends, Family, Rants | 1 Comment »

About two years ago, I read My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult and I quickly fell in love with the author. Her books are thought provoking while being a page turner. Jodi Picoult never picks a light, easy topic. But she has a way of making the reader relate to each character. Change of Heart was no different. It is the story of a man on death row for killing a young girl and her father. The prisoner wants to give his heart to the the murdered girl’s sister, who is in desperate need of one. Of course the request is declined. In come an ACLU lawyer and a Catholic priest that are fighting for the prisoner’s rights. Like I said, Jodi Picoult never picks a warm and fuzzy topic. As I read I felt like I knew the characters and I could feel their pain. I was rooting for the prisoner, but at the same time I was rooting for the family of the murdered victims. It made me think about my views of the death penalty. It got me thinking of my own religious beliefs. As I read the book, I found myself crying and laughing. I could not find a character I disliked. And as depressing of a topic as the death penalty is, I did not end the book feeling deflated. I was eager to read more. I wanted to know what happened to the all characters a year after the book ended.

If you have not read a book by Jodi Picoult, you must do so! You will not be disappointed.

Posted in Weekends, Books | 1 Comment »

Zicam Intense Sinus Relief is the worst thing you will probably ever put up your nose, but it is worth the discomfort twice a day. I highly recommend it. Get the one with the cooling menthol and eucalyptus.

My weekend was fairly uneventful. I slept a majority of it away. I had some fantastic plans that had to be postponed. At the time I did not care, but now I regret that I stayed home. I know it was better to rest. Oh well! I did see Milk with Sean Penn. It was awesome. I really enjoyed it. I thought it was better than Slumdog Millionaire. The movies are completely different, but the message is the same. Both are inspiring in their own way and remind you that giving up should never be an option.

I have a busy week ahead, so I should take it easy again today. In 41 days I will find out if I will have a job next year. I am not too worried. Still, the threat and worry hang over my head. Every one is worried and stressed. I think I am okay, but I will not know until March 13. All I can do now is pretend that everything will be okay. It could always be worse. I hate when people say that!

Posted in School, Weekends, Movies, Rants | 3 Comments »