see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

VERY frustrating day. Another teacher and I went to sign up for insurance. We were to fill out health insurance online and it was going to take FIVE minutes. Only every employee in the district (10 elementaries, 3 middle and a high school, plus support) had to go through SIX people with laptops to finalize the paperwork.

Two. And a half. Hours. Standing, the whole time. When I finally got in front of one of the people with the laptop, I'm afraid I wasn't very nice. My back hurt and I was shaking. The worst thing was I didn't want to change anything. Everything was to be the same. And still two and a half hours???

The other teacher and I went to McD's instead of the fish place with the other teachers so we could go back and work in our rooms, which we hadn't done at all. So I call my beloved son to see if he'll come help me but he complains I left him too many chores (litter, laundry and unloading the dishwasher) so he couldn't do both. Well, an hour later he texts to say he's going to his girlfriend's. GRRRRRR.

And my computer is being a PITA again, last night's issue different from tonight's.

The good was that three of my ex students came by this afternoon to hug me and it was so good to talk to them. I dreamed about my new class last night. In my dream I'd forgotten to be tough and I was really paying for it.

I'm really blocked on my RS, too, because I've gone back to the suspense part and I'm not sure how to work it out. I've reached the reversal where they're actively investigating. I have my red herring, but I need them to take a step in the right direction before they get pulled away by the herring. Not sure what step to take there.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Another R, this one from Silhouette. I thought this one would break through for sure. She thought it was too depressing and overwhelmed the romance. Dude, I toned it down a ton, too. So I have 2 things out.

I am relieved that I don't have to push so hard on the paranormal. I emailed the other authors and they aren't as far along as I am. Whew! So I'm scaling back to 500 words a day on it, and will continue editing Texas and play with a short story.

2 1/2 more days with the kids. We're all kinda sad. I'll miss them a bunch. Today's our last day of doing work, and we should be done in the AM, so we can watch a movie in the PM.

Company arriving in 5 1/2 days. I bought new towels and welcome mats. The Molly Maids are coming day after tomorrow. Boy better have his room straightened by then.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Forgot how much paperwork is at the end of the year. I have to fill out 6 pages per child this week, not including grades (which are mostly done, to be fair.) Gah.

I met my writing goals, which is good since I spent the evening looking for blogskins.

I have Benjamin Button and New in Town coming from Netflix. Boy, how different, right?

And I need new music. I haven't bought any music since the Veronica Mars soundtrack I bought last summer. I'm listening to a 10 year old Nine Inch Nails album because the song from the Terminator trailer is stuck in my head. I don't even know what I'm in the mood for. Something sexy, I think, intense. What are you listening to?

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Who knew going to a movie and sitting in the audience at the talent show would be so exhausting. Yet, it was. Today will be a normal day, thank goodness. The more normal days, the better the behavior.

I may find out my fate for next year today. Either the new teacher or I will be moved out of 4th grade, probably to 1st. :::shudder::: My scores were better, but I may pray to go to first grade, seeing the behavior problems coming up to 4th grade.

I've done galleys on my short story, am halfway through my read-through of Surface before I send it back, and am 1/4 of the way through my paranormal. One of my students asked why I'm always wanting to write something else when I'm writing. Isn't that a good question?

see more dog and puppy pictures

This weekend we watched THE WRESTLER.



It was certainly not the feel-good movie of the year, but it was excellent, and had a good message. Interestingly, the dh and I took different messages from it.

Mickey Roarke plays an aging wrestler, one who had a video game character modeled on him, as well as an action figure. He’s no longer at the top of his game, but every weekend wrestles at local events. He barely has money, works part time at a grocery store, and lives in a trailer park. He’s estranged from his daughter, and has a relationship with an aging stripper, played by Marisa Tomei. (I say aging, though she’s just a bit older than me, because it was an issue in the story.) She’s the only “friend” he has, other than the other wrestlers, who mostly just look up to him. Mickey Roarke has to make a few choices, and he makes good ones, and bad ones.

The lesson the dh took was that Mickey Roarke was living on past glories. He hadn’t accepted that his life had changed and moved on.

The lesson I took was that he isolated himself from others, including his family, in the pursuit of his dream, and when he needed others, no one was there for him. I need to be careful of the same, since my tendency is to be a hermit anyway.

The second movie we saw was STAR TREK.



I could have done without Spock and Kirk as kids, but once the crew were adults, the movie kicked into high gear. Pure delight. I only watched the show peripherally growing up, but my step-dad was a big fan, so I was aware of the characters, and how well Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban, in particular, absorbed their roles. Loved Scotty, too. The dh was more fans of the spin-off shows, so didn’t enjoy the movie as much, but I liked it a lot more than Wolverine, which makes me sad.

Have you seen either? What did you think?

I’ve cut 6000 words from the 7000 I’d done on the paranormal. I’m also rereading 30 pages a night on Surface before I type in the notes and send it back to my editor.

14 more days of school. Today is Awards Day and Thursday is a field trip and the talent show. How many movies can I show before the kids get restless??

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

The kids are getting eager for summer. It’s hard to keep them focused. Centers aren’t even doing it!

1) Field trip, which is scheduled on the same day as the talent show, which means it will be short. Poor kids. At least my class got to go on a good trip. We’re just taking the kids to see Disney’s Earth
2) Go see Star Trek
3) Work on Surface revisions (doing a read-through before I send it back, am finding stuff to change on every page, almost)
4) Work on Texas revisions
5) Work on paranormal
6) SARA?
7) Work in yard
8) Get dh and ds to work in garage and the room next to it before the company comes.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

This is JUST how I feel.

The boy's award ceremony was last night. With a class as big as his, they have to do the awards separately or it will be interminable. He'll be graduating Cum Laude, which, considering he rarely did homework, is pretty good. I told the dh, just imagine if we'd pushed him. He got awards in newspaper and video tech, and is a National Commended Scholar.

What I noticed partway through the ceremony (we left during the Ms) was that the dh made a point of clapping for the kids who got the award that all the kids got, Texas Scholar Candidate. That's what they get for completing the recommended courses, and all the kids graduating have done that, obviously. But back to the dh. I realized that while I knew how hard it was for the kids to get through school from a teacher's perspective, he knew from a student's perspective. It made me even more determined to notice every kid. Sounds easy when you have 21 kids, but it's not always.

Today one of my VERY noticeable kids will be absent. His dad, who isn't even 30, I don't think, is going in for brain surgery. He has a tumor the size of a golf ball. I'm worried about this kid, who worships his daddy. So if you have a moment, send a prayer Carlos's way.

I have to be fingerprinted today. Yes, less than a month before I complete my 20th year, they decide all the teachers need to be printed. We've had THREE meetings about it. Fer realz. And you know what they wanted? Our WEIGHT. One teacher said, "They don't have a scale, I'm lying!" Love that. Because I'm NOT putting my weight on any documentation!

I'm blogging at
Supernatural Sisters today.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

For one thing, it was 92 degrees yesterday! Miserable hot.

Also, saw my class for next year. All on the wall (in timeout) at recess. Oh, joy. Yeah, I'm not counting down my days with my sweet babies.

We get a treat at school today for Teacher Appreciation. After lunch, someone will come watch our class and we'll get to go to a movie on campus, complete with popcorn! It's a teacher movie, Freedom Writers, but still, a nice treat.

I had the house to myself last night. The boy had a gig and the dh had band practice. I got to stay home with the laundry, and got a LITTLE writing done. Am WAY behind my goals. Wonder if they'd mind if I took a notebook to that movie today?

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

No, my school isn't being closed for Swine Flu. Apparently the chances of that are over, according to the CDC. My luck, I would have been the one sick anyhow.

I'm frustrated about not being able to go see the summer movies this early. Our usual MO is breakfast and then a matinee, but it didn't work out last week for Wolverine and won't work out this weekend, either. The dh and I decided we'd go one night this week, but he's been working late because it's television sweeps (AGAIN. Yeesh.) I know there are a lot of blockbusters this summer, but I miss when they'd start coming out on Memorial Day weekend instead.

I cut my hair. Do Not have a good picture. We'll see if I can emulate the style this morning. All the damaged hair is gone, and what's left is really soft and fine. That has never been an issue for me. It's also like Teflon, in that it didn't hold any of the product I put in it last night :(

I'm frustrated at school. We had a field trip planned for Tuesday. I usually don't like them, as you know, but I was ready to get out of school after testing last week. When I got to school Monday (I was out Friday), I learned the trip had been cancelled. Why?

Another test, a district test this time. They couldn't put it off a day or let us take it early. Nooooo. They cancelled the trip.

Now we're scrambling to reschedule, but we'd planned this back in March, and it's hard to get buses this month, AND it's hard to match them up with available activities. Plus, one of our teachers is gone to Japan for 9 days and we don't want to take her kids with the sub. Then we get to the end-of-year activities, like the talent show and field day that conflict. Sigh. I feel bad for the kids. At least my kids got to go on a good field trip. Now we're looking at going to see Disney's Earth and then coming back to school for the talent show. That stinks.

I need to get writing. I didn't write at ALL yesterday.

So, what's new with you?

more animals

Otherwise known as STRESSSTRESSSTRESSSTRESSBOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRREDDDDDDDDDD Day. Gotta get the tests, fill out a ton of paperwork, get the kids pottied all by 8:30. Then I wander around the room until I get dizzy, then I sit until I get bored, repeat. No computers, no ANYTHING all day.

Stopped at Payless yesterday because I liked the cork wedges they had in their ad and they were having buy one, get one 1/2 off. The cork wedges were not nearly as comfy as the wedges I bought last year and I couldn't find a second pair, so I left. Came home to my Chadwicks order, tried on the women sized capris. They fit terribly! Thighs way tight, waist snug, in between HUGE. They looked like very ill-fitting jodpurs (I know there's an "h" in there somewhere, not sure where.) The turquoise blouse was okay, and matched a bracelet I have, and the free tote is adorable. Everything else is going back.

I hope Australia comes today because I invited Baby Brother over to see it :)

Oh, and I've slid backwards into the story. Not sure my heroine should have revealed something yet. I did something I never do, though....I cut without saving as a different file. I hope I don't regret that.

I heart Evil!Sam.

see more puppies

I know, not Monday anymore, but this Monday will live in my memory awhile. It was awful!

I couldn't (still can't) find my leather coat. I know I had it Saturday night, so it's somewhere.

I stepped on Napoleon, hard, both feet. He was on the mat by the step and it was dark and I didn't see him. Couldn't find him for hours. Was certain I'd killed him.

Got to school after stopping for Starbucks (because I had traffic duty and couldn't find my coat.) Spilled Starbucks. Argh. Got to my hallway, and a sub told me some of the rooms had been broken into. Looked through the window of my door and saw my blinds were messed up....and the laptop from my desk was gone. Swore loudly, regardless of young ears in the vicinity. Walked in, saw the thieves had poured an entire bottle of green paint all over my desk, splashing some on the wall and floor, splattering photographs and the brand new school shirts for my class, which had been sitting on my desk. And I mentioned the laptop, right? GRRRRRRR. Cursed and stomped and cleaned the mess, foregoing traffic duty. Went to sign in to see a lovely drawing of a....well, one of the teachers asked who drew a tree on the computer monitor. Wasn't a tree.

About 8 classes had been broken into and damaged, a DVD player, 2 laptops and other stuff taken. They'd even stopped to EAT in 2 teachers' classes. Um, do we NOT have an alarm? I thought we did.

Apparently the thieves had caught, and were kids who used to go to our school, but the principal hadn't known about the missing laptop. HOWEVER, the laptops have tracking devices, and they were able to locate mine and another teacher's at the students' homes. Ha-take that, you little jerks. We're filing charges, and my laptop is home, locked carefully away this time. Little jerks.

I was asked to speak at SARA's Build a Book program in April on synopses. Not sure if I'll say yes or not. What do you think?

I'm blogging around again. I'm at The Samhelliontalking about music and looking for ideas, at Rose Marie Wolfand at Supernatural Sisters.

more animals

I've read through the first 100 pages of Surface and I absolutely agree with the editor's comment about the circular development of the relationship. Yeesh, I beat the reader over the head with it.

I read my Google Reader while on the exercise bike. I rode 18 minutes, but didn't make 5 miles. I guess I can't pedal as fast as I read. But I did multi-task.

TV last night-JDM on Kimmel (only watched the interview), The Office and Grey's Anatomy. JDM is really gorgeous. And I love Sloan and Callie's friendship.

Yesterday was interminable....the kids were taking a writing test. All but 7 were done before lunch. 2 were still working ten minutes before school let out. The rest of the kids were pretty good, so I gave them the night off, no homework. They thought I was awesome. Yeesh, I should do that more often :)

more animals

I'm going to wait until I wake up Saturday morning to pick the winner of Janet's book, so if you want to be in the running, leave a comment in her post before then!

I don't feel good. I don't feel bad enough to stay home, but I don't feel good. I ache and I'm tired, but I don't have a fever. If we weren't having the science fair and tutoring today, I'd stay home, but that's too much for a sub to do.

I DID wake up to some good news! I placed third in the Barclay Gold contest! On the bulletin board in what was going to be my office is a printout of the first contest I ever made the list in. I placed 7th (I know!) with my very first book in the Barclay Sterling in 1997. And now this is my first published contest against the non-e-pubs. Oh, and Barclay is my maiden name. The list should be up today here.

more animals

I thought that picture was appropriate since SPN is on tonight (though a rerun.)

Report cards went out this week and yesterday I had a phone call, 2 emails and a handwritten note. Nothing negative, just concern, which is good, but parent conferences are my least favorite part of the job. I feel helpless, ya know, and walking a fine line between being honest and not hurting their feelings. And we had a meeting during planning (for which everyone but me and the woman conducting the meeting was 20 minutes late...grrrr) about a new task we have to do that is redundant and overwhelming. I went to talk to the union rep because there's a law about not too much paperwork which takes us from our teaching.

And after dropping $40 at B&N this weekend, I got a 25% off coupon for this Saturday. It wouldn't bug me except that I haven't even read the books yet!

And I got rejected from Sourcebooks. Form letter.

And then I read about Black Wednesday, which makes it feel like I'll never get picked up by NY.

At least the boy got his driver's ed completion certificate.

I also found this, which is pretty cool: Rose's Colored Glasses Calendar

And a cold front came in. I love cold fronts.

And this came up in my Google Alerts this AM: Where There's Smoke review

What are you feeling positive about today?

more animals

Man, will there be a lot of red on the graph today. I think I wrote 300 words. I can't look. I wanted to take an early out, come home, sleep, then get up and write. I can't take the early out, but I think I'll still nap, then get up and write. Hey, after 3 late nights, I deserve to leave as soon as the last kid is gone. I don't get much work done after that anyway.

Tutoring went well, though. I like working with small groups. I get to know the kids better, and that's always good. We went over word problems and operations and played a game. They loved it.

So, watched The Office (loved the end), then the back half of Grey's. JDM looked GOOD all looming and stuff. Then watched my Tivoed Supernatural. Interesting, again not a favorite, and the Tivo kept freezing. PLEASE let it be the CW messing up an NOT the Tivo! (Speaking of technology the dh did call about my laptop but the guy hasn't called him back! GAH!)

Okay, half an hour to write before I get dressed. I'm off to work!

more animals

Though I'm going to try ;)

EDITED TO ADD: OMG, look what I found in my Google Alerts!!! A review for HOT SHOT Boy, did she get it!!!!

2008 was going to be the year of revisions for me, and for the most part, it was, though I cheated with Bull by the Horns and my other novella, which together equal a full length book. It's exciting to be writing new again.

I don't know how to find out when names came into use. Any hints? Right now they are Trace and Kit (short for Katherine.) And I learned that the fort that inspired this idea is still somewhat intact. It would be nice to take a road trip.

Marianne found these Nano icons. Fun! I like this one:



I have to tell you what my boss made me do yesterday morning. They're having a competition between teachers to see who collects the most box tops each month, and they give free rewards. Last month the winner got to wear jeans on a day when no one else could. (I won.) This month was a free early dismissal, an hour early. But it was a tie between me and Cindi's husband, who's across the hall from me. The VP announced that whoever got to the office first would get the early out, and we had to RACE from our rooms to the office. I was out of our wing and going into the next when he saw me, then he caught me by first grade, then let me go ahead! They gave us both an early out anyway, but when I got back to my class, all the kids were outside cheering. Goodness, as if they weren't rowdy enough! But dang, for 50 years old, Cindi's husband is FAST! The other teachers said they'd NEVER seen me move that fast.

Now I have to figure out when to use it, since tutoring is starting this week.

Survived the carnival, though applying cheap tattoos to little kids is one of the layers of hell, I am convinced. Came home and the dh and I went for pizza, and saw a TON of trick-or-treaters coming. When we got back, we'd missed them. We had some whiskey after dinner-he'd had American Honey after a gig and wanted me to try it. That's probably why I'm up at this godawful hour.

Today, get the son to the SAT, get to the grocery store, clean the bathrooms, hit Lupe's booksigning, hopefully, and WRITE. Chris Baty pointed out that we have 5 weekends in November and an extra hour, too! Good thing, because I usually take a day or two in November, and since I used two days I hadn't planned on using last month, I'm hoarding my days till the lonnnnnng months of February and May.