okay

Well, I haven't blogged as much as I hoped. I'm not as chatty writing as I am talking but I'm trying.

As I write this, my darling children are home from school. Illness? No. Teacher prep day? Nah. It snowed.

Those of you who are from a typically snowy state can understand why a school district would shut down for a snowstorm. White-outs, snow drifts, icy conditions. And so on.

Not here. It has snowed a total of 1/4 of an inch. With a slight breath, I could blow the snow off of the railing on my deck. This state totally FREAKS when the slightest bit of snow falls. Farther south (Seattle, Edmonds area) there is about four inches of snow but still, I do remember going to school during snowstorms.

However our school district is FAR away from the four inches and still, some brilliant person has decided to shut down the district for the day. Unbelievable.

All of us stood with opened mouths, looking at the "snow" and then at the school report of closures. Seriously. Absolutely pathetic.



It also snowed on Saturday (same type, same amount) and the kids were up and in snow pants and snow coats ready to make snowmen. I guess when you're a kid, any amount of snow is cool when you don't have it a lot in your area.



Also as I write this, I realize that I should be driving to school myself but I'm not. I've decided to quit my job at MMSC Dayschool. It was a hard decision; one not made lightly. I think the drive plus preparing for 10 classes was taking a toll on my brain and my attitude. No sleep and an hour or so drive can make you crazy.



My last day was Wednesday, January 23 and it was a sad one. My 6th and 7th grade girls threw me a going away party complete with potato chips and candy and soda pop. They also gave me my own portable dictionary/thesaurus. So sweet!



My high school girls took me out for lunch at Noah's (one of the few kosher places we can walk to) and it was even during class and approved by the Rabbi!



Now ......... well, Thomas has asked that I work for him for a few hours a day to help get our home office organized. The other days will be spent subbing and getting my dang foot in the door here in Arlington.


The kids are doing great. Felix just got over a weird case of chicken pox. I say weird because she had about 20 on her torso and no real illness, thank goodness. She was home from school for one day - which happened to be Friday - so she had the weekend to heal. Robee's front teeth are FINALLY coming in. They've been out since last April. He's been the toothless wonder forever. As a mom, I can say this, but I will miss his gap.



All the animals are still hanging out. I thought I was going to lose Zeke a bit ago. He is almost 18, after all. But once we got a heater in the cat room, he perked right up. According to CatAge.com, he is actually 83 years old. Hmmm.... I guess I'd move slow too.



I'm going to post some pics but I'm on the wrong computer. The main floor computer doesn't have my stuff. I just wanted to write.



Gotta go. I have to help Robee clean his horrible room. I made a deal with the kids that none of their toys had to go to thrift; I would put them all in storage. Now they're more willing to clean if they don't have to get rid of anything; even if they haven't played with a toy for two years. Bee- ruther.

Oy Vey! The Holidays!

Well, the day came and went. I do believe that my favorite time during the holiday season is one week before Christmas. People still are excited and stress isn't outlining every corner of their minds quite yet. The lights still look fresh and the decorations aren't nearing tear-down mode.

We have had more Christmas parties this year than before. ATA, church, 4-H, and a piano party are just a few. Each time, I've had to rack my brains for something really cool and exciting to bring to eat. Ha.

Thomas, Robee, and Santa Ben

Our ATA party was great. Ben was "Santa" and did a terrific job! Our instructor, Mr. Alonso, asked Thomas to be Santa, but he was afraid too many of the kids would recognize him as he has a very distinctive personality. And we're at the school three days a week. But Ben ...... well they don't see him enough. He was perfect. A bit on the skinny side but it worked.

I received an award for adult Black Belt Attitude for the year. I guess since I'm the only other adult in the school, it was sort of by default. :) But I'm a Brown Belt now and I'm still suprised I made it this far. Thomas nudged me and it's been great.

Owen at the ATA party (and me too!)

On to the new year. I hope that things will be better and this life and economy can change for the better. I'm looking forward to November 2008!

What a day!

Wow wee! What a drive!

As some of you know, I teach part time in Seattle at a private Jewish school. That is approx. 40-50 miles from my house. Theoretically, it should - going 60 mph - take me no more than say, what ... 40 minutes? Maybe 45.

Today, I left at 8:50 am and finally pulled into the school at 10:35 am. The rain was coming down in sheets and other people were flying by me like I was parked, chucking water up on my windshield and there were lakes all over the freeway.

The way home was no different. This weather has been amazing. Really.

It snowed Saturday and the kids were psyched about that (as all kids will be with snow) and played in it for an hour or so. I will admit; the snow was pretty on the cedars and the Christmas lights that I finally put up outside.

My school will be on Chanukah break for the next three days (make sure you pronounce this correctly! I've been schooled on the proper pronunciation of Hebrew words!) and I'll try to finish doing some decorating in the house.

I would love to get some actual shopping completed but I never do. And I would love to send off cards and photos but I never do. And I would love to have legs like Cindy Crawford's but I never will. Hmmmm. I see a pattern here.

Okay. I'm off. This is all for my second posting. I leave you with a quote from Joe Biden, presidential hopeful: "Every time Rudy opens his mouth, it's a noun, a verb, and then '9-11'."

TTFN

First time for everything

This is attempt number two to create a blog. One more time and I'm out of the game.

My first duty is to post some pics of my kids.

This pic is Robee at our karate tournament during October. He was in the first round and I think he placed third in forms, which didn't make him too pleased.

I'm trying to download a video of Felix sparring. She knocked one girl to the floor with a punch. Quite surprising. Right after the girl fell down, she looked over at me and grinned. I think she placed second that tournament. She is in the red gear.

During this same tournament, Rob placed second in sparring (even after being severely wounded due to a savage kick to his ribcage) and I placed second and third in forms and weapons, respectively. Sparring ........ well that's not my forte'. I'm not one who really enjoys beating the stuffing out of others.

Rob bowing in before doing his form.

We just finished a tournament on November 3; last of the season. Robee place first in forms (he was thrilled), Felix second in forms and Rob didn't place this time.

I placed second in sparring, which is a bloody miracle because I'm always in the ring with this woman who spars like a praying mantis. She is five feet tall and stands perfectly still with her leg straight up in the air. And whenever I take a step towards her, her delicate leg comes flying out and whap! Bops me in the head. I can't even get close to her. But I did get second, so that helped my confiedence in sparring anyway.

My new hair-do.

Whew!! That was mentally draining. I've got to quit for a bit. I hope to be more animated in the future.