Thursday, May 29, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
How to Stay Awake During a Meeting
Actually, I should have titled this "How Do You Stay Awake During A Meeting?" I have dosed (thankfully with my head up and the drool IN my mouth) for two meetings this week. (And one was kind of important: I'm in charge of a new grant and I was being trained on how to qualify students for it).
I once had a history class in college that I couldn't stay awake in, either. I did everything in my power to concentrate, and couldn't for the life of me. I would eliminate all sleep-promoting activities. I made sure I went to class with a full bladder, a Dr. Pepper, I sat in the front section of class, and still fell asleep. And it was not a pretty sight when my snore woke me up, I got disoriented, and my papers and Dr. P fell off my desk. Thankfully I didn't pee my pants. And the nice, kind professor, despite his monotonous voice, really did give me every chance to succeed. If he hadn't let me take the tests 2 or 3 times each, I wouldn't have passed the class.
And now I'm having the same problem at work, but just during meetings. I did find that if I had a coughing fit, I could stay awake a little bit. Any other ideas, though? I'm kind of desperate.
Friday Five:
1. I called in sick yesterday (I had a migraine) and my daughter asked if it was because I was homesick. She's so cute!
2. My nice ex-neighbor (Hi Ange!) who I can drop in on anytime and feel welcome. You are the best!
3. Birthday parties this weekend! I'm really excited: we're doing a girl party and a boy party on Saturday. I can't wait!
4. Walking. I've probably already mentioned walking before, but really, what better way is there to relieve stress, bond with your daughter (if she's your walking partner), get a little exercise, and notice potato bugs? There are so many benefits!
5. Snickers. Peanuts really satisfy.
I once had a history class in college that I couldn't stay awake in, either. I did everything in my power to concentrate, and couldn't for the life of me. I would eliminate all sleep-promoting activities. I made sure I went to class with a full bladder, a Dr. Pepper, I sat in the front section of class, and still fell asleep. And it was not a pretty sight when my snore woke me up, I got disoriented, and my papers and Dr. P fell off my desk. Thankfully I didn't pee my pants. And the nice, kind professor, despite his monotonous voice, really did give me every chance to succeed. If he hadn't let me take the tests 2 or 3 times each, I wouldn't have passed the class.
And now I'm having the same problem at work, but just during meetings. I did find that if I had a coughing fit, I could stay awake a little bit. Any other ideas, though? I'm kind of desperate.
Friday Five:
1. I called in sick yesterday (I had a migraine) and my daughter asked if it was because I was homesick. She's so cute!
2. My nice ex-neighbor (Hi Ange!) who I can drop in on anytime and feel welcome. You are the best!
3. Birthday parties this weekend! I'm really excited: we're doing a girl party and a boy party on Saturday. I can't wait!
4. Walking. I've probably already mentioned walking before, but really, what better way is there to relieve stress, bond with your daughter (if she's your walking partner), get a little exercise, and notice potato bugs? There are so many benefits!
5. Snickers. Peanuts really satisfy.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
What I Missed Yesterday...
1. My bus pass. Right before I walked out the door to go to work yesterday, I realized my bus pass was nowhere to be found. It was a moment of sadness: no morning and evening nap, no comfy seats, no tour of the Avenues, and a $50 replacement fee. The good news: my sister lives close to the U so I could park at her house and she gave me a ride (thanks Liz!), and I had a valid excuse to get a Diet Coke. And, last night, I found my bus pass. It had somehow got squeezed into my first aid kit in my purse.
2. Hairsray. Yesterday I had to go without, and my life wasn't the same. I gelled my hair back into a pony tail and suffered through the day as best I could. Which was awful because I had to conduct job interviews throughout the day and I was too self conscious about the greasy looking hair. The good news is that I got more hairspray last night, and, despite the greasy looking hair, I was able to find someone to hire.
3. Family Night. You all know I'm a lover of the good old FHE. Last night we decided to take picts for the upcoming triple baptism we have. The kids were so silly, and could not stop bugging each other long enough to get more than one picture. So hopefully that picture will work.
What I'm missing today: my keys. And my mind...
Tuesday Five:
1. Hairspray
2. Bus pass
3. Three happy normal kids
4. A very patient husband
5. A turkey avacado sandwich for lunch
2. Hairsray. Yesterday I had to go without, and my life wasn't the same. I gelled my hair back into a pony tail and suffered through the day as best I could. Which was awful because I had to conduct job interviews throughout the day and I was too self conscious about the greasy looking hair. The good news is that I got more hairspray last night, and, despite the greasy looking hair, I was able to find someone to hire.
3. Family Night. You all know I'm a lover of the good old FHE. Last night we decided to take picts for the upcoming triple baptism we have. The kids were so silly, and could not stop bugging each other long enough to get more than one picture. So hopefully that picture will work.
What I'm missing today: my keys. And my mind...
Tuesday Five:
1. Hairspray
2. Bus pass
3. Three happy normal kids
4. A very patient husband
5. A turkey avacado sandwich for lunch
Friday, May 16, 2008
Possibly the Best Phone Call I've Ever Had in My Career
Note: names, ID numbers, and genders have been omitted to protect the identity of the student. Plus it's illegal for me to tell you that information. Plus you don't care anywhay.
Phone rings. I answer it. Professionally.
Student: "Yes. I would like to specify my gender please."
Me: "Can you hold please?" Put student on hold. Laugh hysterically. For awhile. Dry my eyes. Do meditation practices and deep breathing to calm myself down. I am professional once again.
Me: "Thank you for holding. What is your name and Id number?"
Student: Gives me that information. Plus states gender.
Me: "Thank you. We will get that changed for you - I mean...fixed...er...bye." Click. Laugh hysterically once again.
Yesterday was a great day.
Here's my five:
1. B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. weather. Love it!
2. It's FRIDAY!
3. My sister is bringing me a diet Dr. Pepper for lunch. I'm thankful in advance. For my sister and for diet Dr. P.
4. The Second Grade program. We went last night to watch the kids. They did a great job!
5. Birthday invites are out. Once less thing to think about.
Have a great Friday everyone!
Phone rings. I answer it. Professionally.
Student: "Yes. I would like to specify my gender please."
Me: "Can you hold please?" Put student on hold. Laugh hysterically. For awhile. Dry my eyes. Do meditation practices and deep breathing to calm myself down. I am professional once again.
Me: "Thank you for holding. What is your name and Id number?"
Student: Gives me that information. Plus states gender.
Me: "Thank you. We will get that changed for you - I mean...fixed...er...bye." Click. Laugh hysterically once again.
Yesterday was a great day.
Here's my five:
1. B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. weather. Love it!
2. It's FRIDAY!
3. My sister is bringing me a diet Dr. Pepper for lunch. I'm thankful in advance. For my sister and for diet Dr. P.
4. The Second Grade program. We went last night to watch the kids. They did a great job!
5. Birthday invites are out. Once less thing to think about.
Have a great Friday everyone!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
My Feet Stink
And that's all I'm gonna say.
Except here's my five:
1. At least I don't have BO.
2. Plus there's ice cream in the freezer.
3. And fudge sauce in the fridge.
4. And I'm gonna have some.
5. But just a little bit.
Except here's my five:
1. At least I don't have BO.
2. Plus there's ice cream in the freezer.
3. And fudge sauce in the fridge.
4. And I'm gonna have some.
5. But just a little bit.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
"I've got two speeds, and the other one is slower."
I over heard an older sister missionary say that this morning and it made me smile. She always gets off the bus with a cane and a grin. It made my day.
I haven't done my five thankful fors lately. So here goes:
1. Good health. Thankfully I have a faster speed, otherwise I would miss all my busses.
2. Mother's Day. I know I'm a bit late on this, but my mom and mother-in-law are great. I love them so much. And my kids made the cutest cards for me. One was a tank shooting hearts, another said she was glad to be my "douter" and another wrote: "roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are u." And my husband took me to dinner and made me the prettiest bracelet. Thanks everyone!
3. Work is slowing down. My desk at this current moment is clean! And yesterday I hardly had any students call to ask why they weren't admitted when they turned in their application the day before. (FYI: when you or your children apply for college, it takes more than one day to admit them. Even if we hurry. And if you keep calling and keep calling, it takes even longer.)
4. String cheese. It's such a good snack.
5. The video "Pop Goes My Heart" from the movie Music and Lyrics. This is made-up 80's at it's finest!
I haven't done my five thankful fors lately. So here goes:
1. Good health. Thankfully I have a faster speed, otherwise I would miss all my busses.
2. Mother's Day. I know I'm a bit late on this, but my mom and mother-in-law are great. I love them so much. And my kids made the cutest cards for me. One was a tank shooting hearts, another said she was glad to be my "douter" and another wrote: "roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are u." And my husband took me to dinner and made me the prettiest bracelet. Thanks everyone!
3. Work is slowing down. My desk at this current moment is clean! And yesterday I hardly had any students call to ask why they weren't admitted when they turned in their application the day before. (FYI: when you or your children apply for college, it takes more than one day to admit them. Even if we hurry. And if you keep calling and keep calling, it takes even longer.)
4. String cheese. It's such a good snack.
5. The video "Pop Goes My Heart" from the movie Music and Lyrics. This is made-up 80's at it's finest!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
I Love Gardening, Part II
Apparently many of you don't like gardening, either, because I got very few comments. But no matter, I STILL love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening...
For Mother's Day my in-laws gave me a CD with beautiful music. One of the songs talked about gardens, and I've been thinking a lot about it lately, since my mantra is - you got it - "I love gardening..."
It talked about how Adam and Eve started in a garden, how Christ atoned for our sins in a garden, and how He rose three days later in a garden. Isn't that neat? And then my kids started talking about how all the temples have pretty gardens, and how the prophet commanded us to have a garden.
Soooo, I love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening...
For Mother's Day my in-laws gave me a CD with beautiful music. One of the songs talked about gardens, and I've been thinking a lot about it lately, since my mantra is - you got it - "I love gardening..."
It talked about how Adam and Eve started in a garden, how Christ atoned for our sins in a garden, and how He rose three days later in a garden. Isn't that neat? And then my kids started talking about how all the temples have pretty gardens, and how the prophet commanded us to have a garden.
Soooo, I love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening...
Friday, May 9, 2008
I love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening...
I HATE gardening. But gardening season is upon us, so the last 3 days I have had a new mantra: "I love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening..."
One of my favorite parts of walking downtown each day between bus stops is the Beehive House garden. This morning I almost forgot to cross the street because I was so busy looking at the variety of that beautiful garden.
(I love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening...)
But truth be told, I hate dirty fingernails, have allergies that make it impossible to see or breath, and lack the funds to have the "dream" garden. These are just excuses, I know, but what do all of you out there in Gardeningville do to enjoy weeding? To enjoy fertilizing? To enjoy tilling hard rock dirt? To enjoy killing ant piles? To enjoy washing off caked layers of dirt? I REALLY would like to know.
(I love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening...)
The prophet has commanded us to have a garden, which is why I have always had one. One year, though I planted one lone pumpkin plant, because it filled up my garden and I felt like I was still heeding the prophet's council. Now that food prices are skyrocketing, and I'm trying to eat healthy and mostly organic, having a garden just makes sense. Plus I want pretty flowers and a place where I will actually want to hang out and enjoy.
So tell me, friends, what do you do to enjoy gardening season?
(I love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening...)
One of my favorite parts of walking downtown each day between bus stops is the Beehive House garden. This morning I almost forgot to cross the street because I was so busy looking at the variety of that beautiful garden.
(I love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening...)
But truth be told, I hate dirty fingernails, have allergies that make it impossible to see or breath, and lack the funds to have the "dream" garden. These are just excuses, I know, but what do all of you out there in Gardeningville do to enjoy weeding? To enjoy fertilizing? To enjoy tilling hard rock dirt? To enjoy killing ant piles? To enjoy washing off caked layers of dirt? I REALLY would like to know.
(I love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening...)
The prophet has commanded us to have a garden, which is why I have always had one. One year, though I planted one lone pumpkin plant, because it filled up my garden and I felt like I was still heeding the prophet's council. Now that food prices are skyrocketing, and I'm trying to eat healthy and mostly organic, having a garden just makes sense. Plus I want pretty flowers and a place where I will actually want to hang out and enjoy.
So tell me, friends, what do you do to enjoy gardening season?
(I love gardening, I love gardening, I love gardening...)
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Those Will Be Due in 2 Weeks
So today I felt like a librarian. In my 11th grade English class, I was voted most likely to be a librarian when I grew up. I don't know what that says about me. You see, if you are a teenager and a librarian, that's okay. But if you're a grownup and a librarian, I guess that means you're homely looking and not really smart enough to work in a busy, noisy environment. At least that's what I thought when my teacher told me I would be one when I grew up.
And today, I felt like one. I was a little homely looking, with a long levi skirt, brown flats, and a polka dot shirt that was a little too large for me. And my hair was flat. And my make-up rubbed off. And I couldn't function too well in a noisy, busy environment (which is my office in a nutshell).
On a side note, have you ever watched The Music Man? Remember when they sing the song "Marian the Librarian?" Today I sung "Maren the Librarian" to myself. At least I smiled.
Anyway, here's my five for today:
1. I can sing songs to myself.
2. My desk is half way clean and I'm semi caught up at work. That's huge. It was my goal to find my desk today so I could dust it. Mission accomplished.
3. The smell of rain (notice I didn't say the feel of cold wet rain on you when yet again you decide to wear a skirt on a rainy day). The smell, though, is great.
4. My bright pink umbrella. Somehow it made me smile today.
5. My husband. He really brings things into perspective. And he's way patient.
There will be a late fee if those books aren't back in time...
And today, I felt like one. I was a little homely looking, with a long levi skirt, brown flats, and a polka dot shirt that was a little too large for me. And my hair was flat. And my make-up rubbed off. And I couldn't function too well in a noisy, busy environment (which is my office in a nutshell).
On a side note, have you ever watched The Music Man? Remember when they sing the song "Marian the Librarian?" Today I sung "Maren the Librarian" to myself. At least I smiled.
Anyway, here's my five for today:
1. I can sing songs to myself.
2. My desk is half way clean and I'm semi caught up at work. That's huge. It was my goal to find my desk today so I could dust it. Mission accomplished.
3. The smell of rain (notice I didn't say the feel of cold wet rain on you when yet again you decide to wear a skirt on a rainy day). The smell, though, is great.
4. My bright pink umbrella. Somehow it made me smile today.
5. My husband. He really brings things into perspective. And he's way patient.
There will be a late fee if those books aren't back in time...
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sunday Five
1. Beautiful weather! We walked halfway to our Stake Center and back for Stake Conference, then took another walk later today. I LOVE walking and I LOVE beautiful weather!
2. Steak for Stake Conference. Mmmmm...
3. Kids that work together. Even if it's to move the swingset closer to the fence so they can climb the fence and hang from their knees. I love to see them working and cooperating and laughing together. What mother doesn't?
4. Sunday naps.
5. Good, cute, clean books. I just finished The Redheaded Princess, a historical fiction about Queen Elizabeth I. It's a young adult novel, an easy read, moves fast and is entertaining. Very cute book.
2. Steak for Stake Conference. Mmmmm...
3. Kids that work together. Even if it's to move the swingset closer to the fence so they can climb the fence and hang from their knees. I love to see them working and cooperating and laughing together. What mother doesn't?
4. Sunday naps.
5. Good, cute, clean books. I just finished The Redheaded Princess, a historical fiction about Queen Elizabeth I. It's a young adult novel, an easy read, moves fast and is entertaining. Very cute book.