Zee Birzday Extraveganza

I thought that I would simply give a photo display of how my birthday dinner extravaganza went...

Yanaj welcomes us to my favorite restuarant.

Grand Openning in Salt Lake- lucky me! The wait was a tad long...
...maybe too long for some?
I think my toukus looks fabulous!!

The traditional wait staff rendition of Happy Birthday

Of course I look happy...I'm about to partake of some fabulous cheesecake!What was left after we all tried each other's flavors
Apparently I did not receive the "wear black" memo. Oh well!

Intervention Dimensions

My First Dinner Party

What is the best thing about Thanksgiving?....besides the paid days off of work?...besides spending time with the family?...besides crazy early shopping the next morning? Guessed it yet? While all of those things make Thanksgiving a wonderful holiday, the best thing I can think of is the leftover goodness. Unless, you are not the one to do the cooking. Then it is one day of yummy goodness, and then back to your own skimpy cooking. That is why I came up with this ingenious plan. Why not cook my own "Thanksgiving Goodness Dinner"? So I did. November 2007 became the month that I cooked my FIRST turkey.

Boy is it a process.

The Before

The After

I had the house to myself, and was excited for my first Dinner Party to be a success. I had Christmas carols playing in the background, holiday lights twinkling their hearts out, and a table all set for a frolicking time.

I pulled out all the stops by finally unpacking my own dishes and silverware. We toasted the holiday by using my snowman goblets for the first time this season.

Some of the guests were unsure

what to make of the napkin rings...

We enjoyed the food that we all brought and each other's company.

Each time I cook for others, I like to try out at least one new recipe. This year that recipe was the Herb and Cheese Bubble Loaf, from Betty Crocker. It was a winner!

P.S. Do you let the girls-who brought the Green Bean Casserole using 6 cans of green beans for 5 people-near the pumpkin pie? I guess I should have thought that through a bit more...

Thoughts from the Cook

The Consensus; I would definitely do this again. But if you ever find yourself on a guest list to one of my Fabulous Dinner Parties, it would be a good idea to ask some of the veterans how they felt about it.

when is it a compliment?

I was sharpening pencils in my classroom this morning when a student came up behind me. (Normal student behavior- to be a teacher you have to have minimal personal space!) But the kicker was when this student paid me a compliment...I think.

"MMm. Miss HPLuvr," the student said sniffing. I pause my pencil sharpening and look at the student, "You smell good!"

"Thanks! Thats nice of you to say." My pencil sharpening continues.

Then I hear, "Just like my grandma."

you see...Compliment...I think.

You might be a teacher if.....

24. You believe the staff room should be equipped with a Valium salt lick.

23. You find humor in other people's stupidity.

22. You want to slap the next person who says "Must be nice to work 8 to 3:20 and have summers free."

21. You believe chocolate is a food group.

20. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.

19. You believe "Shallow gene pool" should have its own box in the report card.

18. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today.

17. When out in public you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior.

16. You have no life between August to June.

15. Marking all A's on report cards would make your life SO much simpler.

14. When you mention "Vegetables" you're not talking about a food group.

13. You think people should be required to get a government permit before being allowed to reproduce.

12. You wonder how some parents ever MANAGED to reproduce.

11. You laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the "lounge."

10. You believe in aerial spraying of Prozak.

9. You encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling.

8. You believe no one should be permitted to reproduce without having taught in an elementary setting for the last 10 years.

7. You've ever had your profession slammed by someone who would "Never DREAM" of doing your job.

6. You can't have children because there's no name you could give a child that wouldn't bring on high blood pressure the moment you heard it uttered.

5. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.

4. You know you are in for a major project when a parent says "I have a great idea I'd like to discuss. I think it would be such fun."

3. You smile weakly, and want to choke a person when he or she says "Oh, you must have such FUN everyday. This must be like playtime for you."

2. Your personal life comes to a screeching halt at report card time.

1. Meeting a child's parent instantly answers the question "Why is this kid like this?"

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Mary. Be honest. What do you make?" Mary, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental. You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English, while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Mary paused one last time and then continued.)

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

What do you make Mr. CEO?" His jaw dropped, he went silent.


SICK OF THOSE HIGH PAID TEACHERS?


I, for one, am sick and tired of those high paid teachers. Their hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work nine or ten months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do. . . baby-sit! We can get that for less than minimum wage. That's right. . . I would give them $3.00 dollars an hour and only the hours they worked, not any of that silly planning time. That would be $19.50 a day(7:45 AM to 4:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch). Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers tobaby-sit their children. Now, how many do they teach in a day. . . maybe 30? So that's 19.5 X 30 = $585 .00 a day. But remember they only work 180 days a year! I'm not going to pay them for any vacations. Let's see. . . that's 585 x 180 = $105,300.00 (Hold on! My calculator must need batteries!) What about those special teachers or the ones with master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage just to be fair. Round it off to $7.00 an hour. That would be $7 times 6-1/2 hours times 30 children times 180 days = $245,700.00 per year. Wait a minute, there is something wrong here! There sure is, duh!

Step 1: Planning MY Summer

Synopsis: "Who but Rick Steves can tell travelers the best way to visit Etruscan caves in Central Italy's hill towns, shop for cheeses in Avignon's open-air market, or catch an accordion performance on Amsterdam's city streets? Travelers can experience the best of everything Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland have to offer — economically and hassle-free. This guide includes opinionated coverage of both famous and lesser-known sights, friendly places to eat and sleep, suggested day plans, walking tours and trip itineraries, and clear instructions for smooth travel anywhere by car, train, or foot."

One of my life's goals is to one day travel to Italy. Is that day closer than I think? Anyone I've talked to has always told me that to really visit Italy you must plan for a trip longer than the -one week wonder- so as a teacher I am already looking forward to my summer vacation this year. I have a friend who is applying to spend a term abroad in England. Now this term would be for May and June 2008; which works beautifully into my school year ending the beginning of June. I've told this friend that if she wanted to, I could meet up with her at the end of her course in England and we could spend the month traveling throughout Europe. Now England sounds incredible to me, but I am attempting to spread the love to include Italy :) Enough to offer the use of a "family home" in the Black Forest of Germany as a home base as we become travel bums this summer.

To avoid the grandiose planning of plans previous, I have taken my 1st step of researching and planning my trip... buying a travel guide that comes highly recommended. As I sat in Barnes and Noble this evening, reading about suggested packing lists and trip costs, I could almost hear Italian men shouting Ciao Bella. Either that or I was just day-dreaming again.

Does anyone have traveling tips to offer?

Plan for Step 2: Fill out Passport documents, have acceptable photo taken, and send in packet to apply for my passport. Is that actually three plans?

Miss HPLuvr in the News

Museum on the move:

Program takes fossils, rocks to Utah schoolsBy Laura Hancock Deseret Morning News
Published: Friday, Oct. 26, 2007 7:32 a.m. MDT

SANTAQUIN — The eyes of the four fourth-graders were fixed on the gigantic fossil of the dinosaur jaw. On desks before them were pictures of jaws of nonextinct animals.

"How would looking at the picture of the black bear, the coyote or the elk help us learn about dinosaurs?" teacher Miss HPLuvr asked.

"Maybe it has the same teeth," student Michael said.

"Maybe it has a bigger jaw," student Taylor said.

Through observation and data-recording, the young scientists concluded that the dinosaur jaw was most similar to the elk's jaw. And so they inferred that the dinosaur must have had a similar diet as an elk, grazing on plants.

The 50 fourth-graders at Santaquin Elementary on Tuesday played with fossils, thanks to the Utah Museum of Natural History's Museum on the Move, which has been operating for 12 years.
The Museum on the Move is made up of two minivans loaded with rocks, fossils and assignments — all to get students across the state inquiring like a scientist.

Landon, left, and other students study items from the traveling Museum on the Move.

(Stuart Johnson)

Museum staff will travel this year to all 40 school districts to give fourth-graders in more than 200 schools a hands-on learning experience. The staff is on the road five days a week during the school year, said Lorie Millward, the museum's manager of education and outreach programs.

"We listen to what teachers ask us to do and respond to the curriculum needs," said Sarah George, executive director of the Museum of Natural History.

Teachers told the Utah Science Core Curriculum Informal Science Education Enhancement — also called iSee and made up of museum officials — that they need more science materials to help make textbook learning feel more like the "real world" to students.

Money to get those materials, of course, was a problem.

In the spring, lawmakers gave the program $56,000 in new funds, of a total budget of about $300,000, for a second minivan and part of the salary of a teacher. The program will also provide each school district this year with $2,000 in fossils for classroom instruction. Curiosity and passion will take would-be scientists much further than brains, said Diamond Fork Junior High teacher Sharon Miya. Miya was named by the Natural History Museum as one of the state's three junior high science teachers of the year.

"Right now, as I look at you, you are the scientists, the engineers and the Nobel Peace prize winners of the future," Miya said to students.

The world faces challenges such as traveling to Mars, global warming and a fuel crisis. "We need you to solve these problems and take us into the future," she said.

**Note**

The kids in the pictures are my kiddos!! We were in our classroom, and they absolutely LOVED this opportunity. Definately exciting that my kiddos are once again recognized for the opportunities they have. My first year of teaching we were on the radio to start the morning with the Pledge of Allegience and spotlighted for our art exhibitis in "Sound of Color". (ps all the 2nd graders mentioned in this article were my kiddos!)

Cat Owner Morning

This was sent to me by Good 'Ole Dad.

Definitely someone who understands the delicate intricacies of attempting to "sleep in" when you have a hairy puppet master.

You know you want to look...

I recently was treated to the spectacular scenic drive that is known as the Alpine Loop. Of all the years that I have lived in Utah, can you believe that this is the first time that I've done this drive? Me neither...even though I was gripping the steering wheel so tight most of the drive because of those narrow roads. Most of the drive we were surrounded by these birch trees.

They just went on and on and on.

Then the star picture came as the sun was setting on the chilly September day...

The view outside the front doors of my school.

I looked down and laughed with glee the first time I noticed that I had reached 400 miles on 1 tank of gas!

So gleeful was I that I nearly missed the look at this homage to Strongbad :)

This Is What Happens When...

...you don't blog for a long time.

I have been tagged and must share 6 facts/habits about myself (6 for each time you are tagged by someone). Then I too must tag someone(or as many people as I wish) and leave a comment on their blog to notify them, and then they get to leave info about themselves and proceed to tag someone else.

#6 Teaching in a rural-er community I am learning more and more about the intricacies of hunting. So far I have learned when hunting season openning day was, the preferred type of weapon, and that the hunting trip is considered the Family Vacation of the Year. Funny thing about it- Family Vacation only lasts until "The Big Kill" is made. When that happenes you clean and gut it, strap it to the hood of your truck, pack the family up and head home. Is it strange that now as I sit here and see pheasants walking around outside my window that I feel as though I should go track and kill my dinner?

#5 I have named my 1995 Honda Accord Schwibbie. I am very proud of her because we are getting 400+ miles for every tankful of gas! I even took a picture of the gas gauge and odometer the first time we hit 400 miles.

#4 Whenever I type my full name into a Word document it tries to spell check it as Nickel Hole. That is until I whip it into submission and add my name into the dictionary- again.

#3 I am addicted to America's Next Top Model.

#2 I read and reread the entire series of Harry Potter at least once a year. In fact, I named my spoiled orange tabby, Ronald Weasley, in honor of the series.

#1 I always set my alarm AT LEAST 30 minutes before I have to get out of bed. Then I get to hit the Snooze button 2 or 3 times and feel as though I am "sleeping in".

Fall is HERE!

I was at New Teacher Orientation today, and afterwards I went outside to leave about 3:00pm. The air was still chilly (from that morning) and I paused on my walk to my car to look at the beautiful scenery. You know Fall is here when the reds and oranges begin to scatter across the mountainsides. Then...

...you turn your head to look at Mt. Nebo to the south and you see the snow dusting the trees. That is telling you that not only is Fall here, but winter is right on its heels! This is something that Houstonians certainly miss out on. Call out to those down south who are still "enjoying" humid 85 degree weather ;)

I am so excited! This is my favorite time of year, especially here in Utah where we get to enjoy, cool, wintery weather. Bring on the holiday season!

Craziest Date Ever?

So revisiting Bonnie Wedding week... I was at home in Seattle trying to figure out if I should arrive at the wedding with a date. Yup, you read that right. Seeing as of the SIX of us bridesmaids, 2 were married, 3 had at least one baby, 1 was in a "serious" relationship, and just 2 of us were Happy Singles, I didn't want to stick out like the out-of-town single friend. It ended up that my lil' sis had someone already in mind. Now who is the lucky one? So yes, Eneras and her bf called me up one night soon before the wedding to go out on a double date. Trusting that Eneras would not set me up with a dud, I said yes, and was ready by 10:00 to go out dancing. The boys said they knew exactly where we were going. Uh, or so I thought; when we drove downtown Seattle and arrive at a pretty busy nightclub. When we made it in:

"I think this is a gay bar." I lean over and whisper to my Eneras.

She skooms the crowd, "I have to go to the restroom. I'll be right back."

I skulk around the edges of the dance floor, and cement it in my own mind, that I am not looking for the same thing as the people around me. I try to catch the eye of my date, who was currently securing me a diet soda. When Eneras comes out of the bathroom and utters the words that will get us out of here;

"Yeah, its a gay bar. Lets get outta here."

THANK GOODNESS. But what to do next? Oh, yeah how could I forget the hookah bar. The what? Pretty much it is the place of the best gyro [year-ro] I. have. ever. eaten. And if you could forget the big "bong-ish" things everyone was sipping out-tuv, I could really appreciate the delish food that I was eating. I recommend. That and dating a guy whose name you could pronounce :) No worries, I finally got it down by the time I made it back to Provo and was telling my story to Yanaj and Bone Jr. Fondly dubbed "My Date and The Gay Bar."

Remembering Today

In remembrance of September 11th, I was in my classroom today, and was overcome when we were discussing what being a hero means. I asked the kids to write about what a hero means to them. I then put the words of this song by Alan Jackson up on the overhead and we discussed what the verses meant.

Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning
Written by Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stop turning on that September day
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stop turning on that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her
Did you dust off that Bible at home

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
And you close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Or speak to some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

My fourth graders were amazingly insightful, and as we got around to listening to the song, I looked around at each of them and thought "This is why we are working so hard keep the freedoms that we enjoy, these children deserve all that we can give them." Not to focus on the tragedy of the attacks on the Twin Towers, but to see heroes being born within a few minutes. That is what I really wanted my students to walk away thinking about. How can we each be a hero to someone?

Recently Accused

I have recently been accused of spoiling my cat. I don't know what people are talking about! Does it seem so weird that my cat comes running every afternoon that I walk in the door after school? Does it seem so odd that he "follows" me wherever I go in the house? Especially if that means literally being underfoot 98% of the time? I don't think so! But just in case...

You be the judge. Although remember pets of your own. How did you get along with them? And all I have to say is "No Judgement"

on your human-pet relationships.

And I am NOT the crazy cat lady. I have ONE Ronald.

No desire to get anymore.

I Have Seen It All

Setting up the scene:

You have seen everything when you are at a local IHOP

[International House of Pancakes-

for those of you who didn't catch on to the acronymn]

casually finishing your breakfast, when out of the corner of your eye you notice that the group of teenagers have left the table next to you. Their leftovers were left on the plates, just waiting for the waitress to clear them away. Not so strange. Until you factor in the small army of a family coming in. Like five kids march by our table. Then [this is the part even I can't believe] one of the adults most casually walks by the now empty, but not yet cleared table, and grabs one of the pancake plates! GRABS. THE. LEFTOVER. PANCAKE. PLATES! EWWW! I mean if you really are that hungry I bet even IHOP would not deny you a couple of packages of soup crackers.

And dedicated to Bone Jr.- who I have it on good authority- was treated to a Bone Family delicacy a couple of times at a young age.

Looking for an Eggs Benedict recipe in this book, I came across the rarebit recipe. So I TOO could enjoy the Bone Family delicacy.

Look carefully under the Winter Weekend Breakfast, first item...

As anyone who listened to me whine and complain this past year knows...I have regained my Teaching Soul by moving back to Utah. I KNOW! Who would have guessed, but I agree with the teaching methods more in Utah- for now. So after school ended, and my apartment contract was up, I was outta there. But instead of using Erik- a.k.a. The. Worst. Moving. Company. Ever. I opted to rent my own Buget truck and haul my own stuff. It was once again packing everything up. Ronald LOVED the 50-empty-cardboard-boxes part, but as soon as he realized that things were being packed and moved out, he got a little nervous and spent the bulk of his time in his Pet Taxi.

The drive from Houston to Provo, was fairly uneventful. Thankfully Ronald was a good lil' traveler and knew to keep quiet while being snuck into the hotels. Funny thing was that Ronald would roam about the truck cab during the day drive- but not too much, preferring to again pass his time napping in his Pet Taxi. He came to understand that once it got dark outside and we stopped that = Hotel Time. In fact, he was quite eager to welcome my Dad back into the cab so that he could run amok in a room.

Ronald came to understand that not all other cats were as into being his friend as the ones we visit at Christmas and Summer breaks in Bothell. Our temporary roomie- Regina was not quite as eager to be buddy-buddy with Ronald. But not for Ronald's lack of trying. We entered a Friend-Wanna-Be triangle. Ronald wanted to be Regina-the-kitty's friend, and Olivia-the-lab wanted to be Ronald's friend. As of now, Regina has moved out and Olivia is still attempting to be Ronald's friend but finding it difficult when Ronald has her cowering in the corner.

*Yes. You read that right. Ronald rules the roost here too*

Speaking of another Ronald Weasley... July 2007 was Harry Potter month. A new movie. The final book installment. It was almost too much. Almost :) Of course I purchased tickets many days before the movie released. My new roomie Sara, Yanaj, my Dad, and I all saw a 1 a.m. showing in Salt Lake City. We even got to reserve the actual seats! The movie was awe-some! But. Words. Cannot. Describe. The. Moment. I. Openned. The. First. Page. Of. Book. 7.

Bone Jr., Elizabeth, Yanaj, and I
2 hours before HP7 book release


We were customers 112th and 113th- waiting to get to the front of the line. We only had to wait 25 minutes. At least the CUTE eye candy in front of us kept us entertained.

5 p.m. the following evening.

Nearly finished after a 24 hour Read-A-Thon.

Will HP live? Do Ron & Hermoine FINALLY kiss?

Here is to the last 2000 BHS graduate still officially single. This past August I stood with 5 other bridesmaids and watched as Miss Bonnie said her "I Do's". I spent a week up in Bothell hanging out with my Mom. We had a Bachelorette Party on Saturday night. I gave one of the tamest gifts. Surprise! The big hit of the evening was not a slinky piece of lingerie but rather: this book.

About Wednesday night we got a call- "Can you find a wedding cake topper...but...not of people." Well, not much selection, although I came across the one I would use.


And for those of you just DYING to see me in the bridesmaid "dress"... Well, no one died of not seeing a picture.

Maybe in time.

But I AM trying to decide how I feel about the old addage

"Three times a bridesmaid..."

America's Funniest?

Of many happy - though undeniably LATE - memories of my Arcadia Nights, America's Funniest Home Videos holds a special place in my heart. Once the homework had been completed and outfits decided on for the next day, we would cozy up on our respective couches and prepare ourselves for another hour of fun hilarity. We began to hope that Tom Burgeron was the host, because we had learned that Daisy Fuentez was supposidly more looks than great commentary. Most recently I was watching an episode [though NOT as funny without the late night coma or partners in crime along] I snorted...SNORTED...outloud at the following 2 videos.

Video 1: because this little girl knows just what to try to get out of her punishment! She certainly tries hard, I'll give her that. But I wish I had been there to shoot the pretend gun. Bam! Bamm! You'll understand that once you've seen it once...or twice...or like me 3 times!

My goodness! Once she hits the ground she doesn't even MOVE!

Video 2: no other explanation is needed other than -can you say

"It Could Be Worse Ball, Uses of"?

Happy {long distance} Farters Day!

Oops! I mean Father's Day...but sometimes the case may be called for the above mentioned title. (This card is in the mail- I just laughed so hard that I didn't want to wait until you got it) That is what dads are for right? But really. I wanted to commemorate fathers day with some favorite recollections of MY wonderful Dad.

The TOP Three that I could think of that is:

1) This was the man who would come home from an early beginning and long work day to read books to me; that is before I could read, and whenever I could convince him to do so after I'd learned to. I distinctly remembering to "read" Cat and the Hat, Berenstein Bears, and most particularly when I had broken my collar bone, I, Houdini. This led to a whole new world of reading, and in fact a shared love for all things Harry Potter. In fact, the story of me becoming hooked on Harry begins with my Dad. I came home one summer from college to work one of those lovely summer jobs. I was comfortably moved into a basement room when a small, blue, paperback book mysteriously showed up on my pillow one evening. Now as most books go, I am willing to give it the good 'ole '2 chapter' try. Except the title "Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone" was not high on my list of sophisticated reading material. Thus beginning the Harry Battle. Starting with that first night I carefully placed the book on my bedside table and picked up other reading material. I awoke the next morning, paused as I looked at that little blue book, and continued in my morning routine. That evening I was surprised as I pulled back and rearranged my pillows and blankets for another night sleep, when I saw a small, blue book sitting comfortably ON the bed. "That's strange" I thought to myself as I less carefully deposited the book on the floor next to my bed. The next morning, same routine, but I definately made sure to remember exactly where the book was. As I came into my room later that night...yup...you guessed it. The book had made it back onto the bed; just waiting for me to read it. Now I know this was my Dad's work. Seeing as how he had been attempting to discuss plot lines [as many devout HP fans tend to do with each other] everytime we talked. Now as a good daughter I may has given in and just read the blue book, but it took nearly 2 weeks of this 'put the book [on the floor, under the bed, in the night stand, on the night stand, on my desk] you name it and have it returned to its place of honor on my pillow each day. Faithfully it continued finding its way back onto the bed each night. Thankfully persistance paid off, and as of the last book release, I braved a Borders bookstore midnight release party of the 6th book in the Harry Potter series. Good Thing too. Because as I arrived home that night, my Dad was waiting to pounce. So I compromised. Seeing as he had merely ordered the book on Amazon.com and wouldn't get his copy for a few more hours, I took pity :) We spent the entire night reading the book out loud to each other so that we could find out what happened next. Besides, who else can I discuss to the death the predictions and plot lines of Harry Potter than with my Dad. Who by the way I am really excited to see the next Harry Potter movie with in Salt Lake City.

2) Who cares for you like a dad? As I have left for college and teaching in states other than Washington the weekly, sometimes daily calls from family have become the norm. In fact, with the technology of cell phones, I have come to rely on such close communication ties. And seeing as I have been in later time zones, and my family has warped into the late to bed, late to rise routine, I find that I rarely am concerned with the TIME of a call :) But I find it comforting to talk to my Dad (before being handed over to my Mom because she continues to ask questions through my Dad) to be asked -in this order- how is your car doing? how is school going? what's the weather like? how are you doing? Before any other conversation would sideline us to other topics. My Dad takes care of me. Or to put another way, first the car, then the possible needed school expenses, helpful weather tips, and then me :) But it has helped to make me independent and grow up with a feeling that "I can do this!" Which is one of the best feelings that one can teach others.

3) He has a sense of humor. He is someone that you just want to be around. After 26 years of marriage my Mom still wants to spend time with him, whether that is the traditional date and [NOT to Home Depot mind you]. I have never known anyone to NOT like my Dad. He is an interesting person to talk to, whether you are talking about the upkeep of motor vehicles, computers, or the best way to install new carpet. I have learned many things watching and helping my Dad. I learned that I could carry a roll of carpet big enough to at least carpet the LARGE family room in their house- his response - "You're going to make some guy a great carpet installer one day" [which of course is on my resume]. I learned how to change the oil in my car, properly replace a tire, how to drive a stick shift, and that sometimes smaller hands are easier to get into the small spaces in a car engire, but unfortunately those smaller hands are UNABLE to unscrew a bolt with those bare hands. He gives good advice, sometimes even if it is just to listen. He is a good teacher. I know he must get frustrated with people, but I hardly remember a time when he let a temper take reign. What more can you ask for? I am so greatful everyday to have a Dad that loves and supports not only me, but my Mom, sister, and those around him.

I saw this item and remembered that you were quite taken with this character :) was it not a desktop wallpaper for a time?

Thank You Dad for all that you do! It is appreciated and will be remembered and passed on to others. I hope that you have had a great day and am so excited to spend time with you when you come to Houston in July! AND of course to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix... so do you think Snape is really evil?

Catch UP!

It has been a LONG time. Seeing as how my "other" blog friends have recently outdone me with blog updates, here it comes. A review of what has been happening in my life since almost all of my countdowns have expired. Lets start with the job. I really really wanted the Newman job; unfortunately a master-degreed, well educated career teacher got the job. That left me with no job here at Metcalf *dry-eyed* *boo-hoo* and no job anywhere. What to do? Until the last day of school for teachers; May 25th. I am in my portable, clearing out the last bits of boxes and turning in lesson plans, when I get an unexpected call from the new principal at Santaquin Elementary in Nebo School District. She had gotten a gander at my resume and wanted to schedule a phone interview. Sure thing. Which in fact turned into a very positive interview and I got a good feeling from it. Problem was, she was in Utah and I was in Texas. Lets leave it at that for a moment.

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A big exodus out of Houston has begun. Kite Runner has decided to try her luck in greener fields- the greener fields of Georgia that is. So once again I found myself in a city with not many people to pass all this luxurious summer time off with. A tribute to one who goes before me... Everytime I go to open a new straw I will think of KR.

Here's to the straw "fortune telling" gig Paying It Forward.

What do you mean HPLuvr? The thing is first you carefully slip the straw wrapper off the straw, and then tie it into a knot. But DON'T pull the knot tight- yet. First pause and think about someone. Once you have that one person clearly in mind, quickly pull the straw wrapper tight in one quick motion. If the wrapper breaks cleanly in half- and I mean IN HALF as in there is no knot left to speak of -then the person you were thinking about is thinking about you right then.

Obvious attempts that continued to fail. But not for lack of trying.

Good Luck to KR!

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Then there is the night time. Lets start with SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER! So the last few weeks of class were fairly tiring. To say the least. The Nazi Regime team took back our textbooks and then told us to continue with the effective, standards-tied, objective-driving lessons. Babysitting the kids more like it. Well, we survived. But there was that one Friday night after I had changed out of my "spirit school clothes" and settled in to watch my DVR-recorded, ER reruns. When I am awakened by a loud, repetitive noise. Wait a minute I think to myself... why is my alarm going off? I looked out the window and it is still insanely dark outside. And I am not too out of it, it was Friday yesterday. I don't work on Saturdays.

*Confused*

This is when I sit up, rub my eyes, and notice that along with the loud annoying alarm sound, there is a coordinated flashing light. Uhhh?

Then I finally realize what it is:

I grab some public-appropriate pajamas, my purse, and Ronald and book it out of my apartment. Where I wait at 12am with all of my neighbors until 12:45am, by which time no firemen or anything has arrived. Does that make me nervous? 45 minutes of THAT sound going off? Good thing it was a false alarm. Or else I would have not only been homeless but all of my stuff would have been firewood. Marshmellows and a metal-coat hanger anyone?

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Continuing with the subject of waking up- without the aid of my alarm OR the fire alarm- the mornings of our first week of summer vacation; Ronald had a bit of trouble adjusting to the new schedule. This won't make much sense unless I describe our normal school year schedule. My radio alarm is set for 5:40am. Music softly begins the wake up process in which I can hit the snooze button until 6:15am, when the alarm takes over, again I hit the snooze button until 6:30am. At which time I roll out of bed and hop into the shower, all the while talking to Ronald who has followed me and is waiting for me to get out of the shower. And once out of the shower I finally feed Ronald and he is happy with me and out from under foot. I would scoot around and leave the apartment around 7:10am, by which time Ronald was usually ensconsed already in his early morning nap spot :) *waves of extreme jealousy* This worked mutally well for both of us. Except when summer vacation began. The sun would slowly peek through the hole that has been made in the blinds, and Ronald would 1) begin pawing my face to wake me up, and when that failed to get the desired results, he would 2) hop up onto the small table in my bedroom and begin to push off my sunglasses one by one. This usually got me out of bed by the 2nd or 3rd pair of glasses clattering to the floor. Thankfully by the 4th morning of me hopping angrily out of bed and picking up the sunglasses off the floor, Ronald Weasley finally got the picture that "We get to SLEEP IN. No need for the wake-up calls".

Case in point: Now I am the one making wake up calls.

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Now back to my job situation. So the ladies currently residing in Provo were so kind as to allow me to come crash their place and allow me access to their vehicles and time. I set up a few interviews with schools in the Nebo school district. Let me tell you the first interview I went to did not go so well; the principal showed up in jeans and was so rushed that I felt as though I should have shaken his hand and left as soon as I sat down. But the clincher was when he took an "important" cell phone call from his wife to reassure her that he would still be able to meet her at the Walmart for their family day out. Oh well. Afterwards I was able to continue my seemingly unsuccessful search for housing. I don't consider myself one with lots of baggage- both figuratively and literally- but that must be outside of cities within 15 minutes of Provo. All these beautiful apartments that I can now afford, and then those fateful two words *NO PETS* These issues kept me tossing and turning until 5:30am the morning before the BIG interview.

By the BIG interview I refer to the telephone interview that I had before I even left Houston. I woke up with time to spare to both get ready and find a school that is 25 minutes away. I drive out to Santaquin, get lost, and then proceed to make a frantic phone call to the school. "I'm lost, but if you can give me some directions I will be there ASAP". The response? "The principal will not be into this school until after July 1st. Try at her old school." Oops, something I should have clarified BEFORE driving all the way out to Santaquin. But before you get too worried, I called her old school, cleared everything up, and batta-bing I am now the newest employee of the Nebo school district. To report to my new job by July 9th. Santaquin Elementary 4th Grade Teacher.

Only one thing is still up in the air... Exactly what is the meaning of this?