Just Ducky

Today, the temperature is 70 degress. That means the ducks are back. These ducks were a little scared, but soon they will see us coming with our little back of bread and greet us with quacks of welcome.

At Last

Good news. Season three of my favorite television show, Six Feet Under, is available on DVD on May 17. So, don't call me because I will be in a Six Feet Under euphoria.

Hickory Park

After a long day of test taking, I was rewarded with one of my favorite Iowa restaurants, Hickory Park. Everyone has their favorite item at Hickory Park. For some, it might be the Saucy Southerner, shredded meat with BBQ on bun. Some might like the Hickories, huge hamburgers served with great fries. But for me, it is the Patty Melt. It is terrific. Lots of cheese, onions, and burger. Once, I split the Patty Melt three ways it is so big.

Hickory Park is also special because of its dessert menu. They offer so many sundaes that they are listed on the placemat. There has to be at least 30 different sundaes. They make so many sundaes on the weekend that they have three sundae makers scooping and pouring treats all night. I like to go to Hickory Park and cross off the sundaes that I have tried. Tim laughs because he knows it is part of my routine. I don't always get a sundae because I overdo it on Patty Melt. If I do get a sundae, I always like David's Delight, two scoops of vanilla ice cream covered in hot fudge and caramel with malt powder sprinkled on top. So good.

The tests were not bad. I think I did fine on the teacher test, the writing test, math, reading, and social studies. I bombed the science test portion. Lots of words about matter, refraction, theory, and other science words that I worked four long years at college to avoid. Now, three of the six tests needed to teach in Pennsylvania are finished.

I Love You, Birkies

It has been a long four months, but I will break out the tried and very true Birk sandals tomorrow. My weather guy is predicting/forecasting 60 degree temps. Unfortunately, my sandals are the only thing that I have to look forward to because I have to take a crummy PRAXIS test tomorrow from 7:30 until 3PM. So, instead of walking outside in my well-loved Birks, I will be sitting in a classroom taking a test to prove that I can do the job that I have done for the past four and a half years.

No, I am not bitter.

Black Shoes

Taking advantage of clearenced fall items in the department stores, I scored myself four pairs of shoes! All together, I paid a mere $44! I'd say that was good. Tim doesn't understand. He simply looked at the two pairs of black shoes and said, "But, you already have black shoes?" I have given up explaining that people can have more than one pair of shoes in one color for a multitude of reasons. For example, I have black penny loafers to go with my shorter gray pants. I have black chunky loafers for my longer gray pants. I have black bowling-type tennis shoes for when I can wear jeans and I want to look casual. I have strappy black high heels for the more formal dresses. I have black high heels for the less formal outfits. I have high black boots for my skirts. I have black pointy shoes for my skirts and capris. We all could use a few more pairs.

Get Down Tonight

As part of my New York-Amy Style Tour of NYC this summer, we went to Spectrum, a bar in Brooklyn, but also the home of Saturday Night Fever! Yes, John Travolta danced and shook his smooth self on the same dance floor that I had the honor of shaking my groove thang!

Now, it is for sale.

If only I had a huge house that would only be made complete by a multi-lit floor that only came into its true glory with the Bee Gees pumping the background.

I could disco dance everyday if the opportunity arose.

The Perfect Song

As I have written before on this blog that I love NPR.org and All Songs Considered. I don't always have the time to listen to the entire program, yet the website offers highlights and full songs to listen to.

One of the programs that I was facinated with for awhile held very little facination for others as I tried to discuss this issue with them.

THE PERFECT SONG.

Is it possible to be a perfect song and if so, why is it a perfect song? I offer up my ideas today with little to no musical training, unless you count my stint as a band dropout and less than enthusiastic job as an alto in the high school choir. (I really only took these courses so I wouldn't have homework...I was stupid). I encourage you to disagree with me and/or offer your own suggestions.

I was glad to be affirmed by the listener's views of the perfect song since they stated that "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys is considered a perfect song. Now, I realize with varied tastes and styles, we will all have different views on this topic, yet I believe there are many perfect songs. Not only are their perfect songs, but some groups/artists have multiple perfect songs in my eyes.

For example, Queen. Oh, I love Queen. There is something appealling to me when a group has such musical talent and variation in style and song. From the rockibilly styles of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" to "Somebody to Love" with its gospel take. So, I find many perfect songs with Queen. Those are just a few.

A perfect song to me has to be timeless in melody and lyrics. Not everyone pays attention to lyrics, but I do. Sometimes they are the most important part of a song to me, but then again...I like words. People who prefer music may place more emphasis on the music.

A few perfect songs...

• Tangled Up in Blue-Bob Dylan
• Take Me to the River-The Talking Heads
• Into the Mystic-Van Morrison

That is just a start.

Credit Craziness

I love to say no to credit card companies. I have been on a anti-credit card rampage recently. I like nothing better than to call up the credit card company who just wasted 37 cents on mailing an application and telling them that I no longer want them to soliciate me through mailings.

Being the nerd that I am, I have been collecting credit card applications, not opening them, but simply just to see how many I might receive in the course of one month. I receieved over 25 mailings. Why us? We are the type to have a credit card for emergencies only, to buy airline tickets, and to make life simpler on a vacation. They are wasting their time with us.

However, it got me thinking...what a tricky business credit card companies run. They have your address for some reason, probably from the initial credit card you opened. They want you to open more cards, sinking you into more and more debt, only to come knocking on your door when you can't pay for them. An evil web. They would be happy if you had 15 credit cards.

When I was in my freshman year of college, I received my first credit card. I used it for stupid stuff like shopping and clothes. I soon realized that I had to pay for these things with my little work-study job at the public radio station. That didn't really work out. I had to pay it off over a year and learned an important lesson. Now, I understand that credit is a necessary evil. One must establish credit in order to get credit. For example, the necessary credit would be a car payment. Most folks do not have money laying around that they could buy a brand new car out right, but the people that sell the cars want you to establish some credit. So, you must have some credit. Ugh. So, now I know that credit is a balance. Use it wisely.

I make my car payment each month and I feel okay about that debt. But I never want to be in credit card debt. I won't. Everyone has different takes on this sensitive subject, but that is mine.

"Leave the gun. Take the cannollis."

I think I was given a compliment today. Maybe not.

My friend Ryan at work said that I was like the Godfather of my school. I asked him to explain this analogy. Yes, I have a bit of the raspy voice, but I lack the killer instinct and ancestry that would place me in this role.

He explained that I am the person that people go to for a variety of reasons. If people need a boyfriend, they see Sara. If people need professional advice, they see Sara. If people need to know what to do in certain situations, Sara tells them what to do. If someone needs some supper, Sara makes it for them. If someone has a question, Sara will have some sort of answer for them.

No, no one has to wait on line to see me, but I can see his point a little. I think it comes from something that I have discussed in length with my friend Jodi. We discuss how some people have confidence in their decisions and the advice they give out. My confidence comes from the fact that I can justify not only the decisions that I make in my personal and professional life, but I justify the advice I give. Normally, I wait to give the advice until it is asked for. Sometimes I do not. I need to work on that.

It's in the Details

I have very few fears in my life. I fear snakes, cancer, and going to a job that I hate everyday.

I had a taste for the dreaded job the other day. I am on a committee for my job where we help make literacy decisions for my district. Well, I am just not suited for making certain decisions where it takes sorting through the small details. We had to discuss the pros and cons for choosing books for the district. Unfortunately, I think all books are good. I had very little negative things to say. Instead of concentrating on my task, I started to think...

"This is what it feels like to hate your job."

These teacher were talking and I should have been listening, but that is next to impossible at 3:00 pm on any school day afternoon. Generally, I am spent by this point in my day.

I have a GO-TO GIRL at school when I need to know details. She knows dates, rules, and schedules like she has spent the night memorizing them. We all have our gifts and details never became a part of my way of thinking. Instead, I leave that in the hands of experts. I pay them off with ideas, banana bread, and burned CDs. So, it is a fair trade.

I made it through four and half years (I got a little distracted) of college and graduate school without ever using a planner. Yes, I owned a planner every academic year. The beautifully collegiate cover of the planner would convince me that it would be the year that I would actually jot down assignment due dates, work schedules, birthdays, and sorority functions. Instead, I would make it to the middle of September and be on my own. Thank goodness for repetitive work schedules, syllabus, and friends who did have planners. And birthdays, I have the same friends that I have had since I was fifteen so I have those dates memorized by now (Except Janelle's...I know it is December 3 or 4).

There is no way to avoid committee work in my line of work, but I know that I cannot sit and care about whether kids want to read about amphibians or weather more. I don't know? Both. Is that a good answer? Again, the details kill me. Usually, the people on the committee end up telling me that, "Of course we would want the weather book." Hmmm. That sounds good to me.

Cheryl

Tonight I am serving as chaperone to my friend Cheryl and a friend she has made on Match.com. She was a little nervous to meet this man by herself so she has asked me to join them. I will be a third wheel, but that is alright. I want to encourage Cheryl to go out there and meet people. I will not be doing this often, but this will be fine.

I am very proud of Cheryl. I have known Cheryl for two years, but not until recently have we connected. I feel like we are both helping each other. I am encouraging her to step out of her comfort zone and try new things. Right now, we are talking about joining a dance class this summer. She wants to wear a leotard, but I will not.

Twin City Shananigans

After promising a return to the great, white north of Minnesota, we finally returned with a BANG!

We knew that Caribou Coffee, a coffee shop like many others, originated in Minnesota, yet it remains a sight to behold when you can guarantee a sighting of Caribou every two miles in some strip mall or grocery store entry. Tim, always the gambler, challenged me to the SUBWAY challenge…not the Jared one, but rather seeing if we would find more Subways in Minneapolis or Caribou Coffees. We really only played this game on Friday since we were on our own during the day, but I am proud to say that Minnesotans love their coffee more than their sub sandwiches.

Since IKEA created a stir over a year ago and we usually are AT LEAST one year behind the times, we decided to check out this mega, Swedish furniture store. I enjoyed it. We purchased nothing. We have no business buying any furniture since we have no idea the size of our future home in Philadelphia. We are in the business of getting rid of stuff.

A trip to the Twin Cities, always includes a trip to the mall, yet we were able to include a special time at the local casino. After throwing a few nickels, Tim bellied up to the Blackjack table. He lost. We left. He let the casino how he felt.

Over margaritas and enchiladas, my friend Stephanie and I rekindled our always laugh-ridden friendship. We shared stories of school, families, past laughs, and a promise to keep in better touch. Not only did I take that special memory with me, but also the strong, over-whelming stench of the Mexican restaurant followed me for the next two days because my purse was super-absorbant and allowed us to "enjoy" the smell of fajitas for days.

We returned to our friends, Dr. Rick, T, and always friendly Emily (age 4). Most were in bed, but Rick, Tim, and I stayed up to watch Triumph, the Insult-Comic Dog. Very funny.

On Saturday, long story short. Shopping with Sara and Amanda. Eating with Sara and Amanda. Hanging out with Julia (age 1.8), her mom, Sara, and Amanda. Eating out with Rhiannon and Kirby, gals from high school along with all listed from above. Karaoked. Rhiannon and Kirby were first time karaokers. I insisted on singing new songs. Some were a hit, like the well-chosen "Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon, and some were wrong in so many ways, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross. Way too much sing/talk.

Janelle and I were very proud of our geographically charged shirts. I liked her best. If you can't read it, it says "Not everything in North Dakota is flat." We are fun girls. Janelle also won a free drink for singing some karaoke. The following were are stage names...

• Me-Dixie
• Amanda-Roxy
• Rhiannon-Ruby
• Kirby-Sunshine
• Sara-Frisky...which I insisted was a cat's name.

It was a terrific weekend. I am tired and feel like I need an additional day, but to work I go again. There is always next weekend.

Dig it.

Reasons I dig my job.

• I played BINGO three times today. Once, to review the states and capitals. Next, to celebrate Valentine's Day. Finally, as part of my games club after school. At after school club, we played four corners, the Z, the T, and regular BINGO classic.
• We ate apples and explored the exciting grammatical world of adjectives as we compared the different textures, colors, and tastes of apples.
• I received three hugs today.
• The school cook, Bernice, brought the leftover sugar cookies into the teacher's lounge.
• We started to learn division today and, yes, division is fun.

Cinnamon Park

I downloaded Cinnamon Park by Jill Sobule. This song reminds me of summer. The lyrics talk about summer...oh, and drug use, but I wouldn't know about that. It is a catchy tune. A gem.

You'll have to choose Cinnamon Park on the link to have a listen.

I Heart Olivia Newton-John

Even though I might have moved toward the modern musical trends of this millennium, I have a tendency to have my incredibly-guilty, and embarrassing pleasure for earlier decades' pop incarnations. Some artists began when I wasn't even a thought in my parents' minds, yet somehow, as a twist of musical kismet, these artists found a way to my sentimental heart.

It could be the magic of Xanadu or the beauty of the numerous Grease songs, but I have a love for Olivia Newton-John. I could stay in hiding and be semi-ashamed of this fascination, but I can't help it. Her pop songs are gold to me. I love hearing them and I am quite sure that it stems way back when I would listen to her Physical album with my older cousin Jenny.

I had this habit of dancing in the basement when I was 6-9 years old (by myself, thank you very much) to Michael Jackson's Thriller and the entire Grease album...all four albums. I think I used to dance to my parents' Tom Jones albums too. However, I wasn't the owner of Olivia Newton-John's Physical album, but I wanted it...bad! My cousin owned it and even though we would listen to it at her house, I never felt like she loved it and appreciated it as much I did. She never seemed to get excited about it like I did. This pattern repeated once again when we grew a bit older and started to purchase tapes. My first tape was Madonna's Like a Virgin. Jenny owned Madonna's Holiday album. Oh, I was so jealous of her tape. I wanted that tape even though I think I possessed the better of the two. What it came down to is that I wanted to own ALL of the music that I could get my grimmy little 8 year old hands on.

I am sure my cousin Jenny loved her Olivia album and Madonna tapes, but I also loved them. Because of this introduction to pop music, and even though I have moved on to more interesting and diverse musical tastes, I still have a taste for Miss Olivia, and of course, Madonna. I don't fancy the new stuff from either of these artists, just the classics.

As I search through the itunes, I am drawn to the Olivia Newton-John songs. Sick! I can't help it. I have to have a version of "Make a Move on Me". I might just have to purchase every song on The Very Best of Olivia Newton-John. I need help.

A Scrabble Nerd's Boast

Okay...this is a nerd's boast.

Tonight on Yahoo! Literati, I earned 85 points in one play.
Let me explain the complexities with a maneuver like this.

I laid PUBERTY, all of my letters, next to OF to make the word OFT. PUBERTY was a double word score with a score of (2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1+ 3) x (2 x 2).

Beautiful.

Rhiannon can appreciate this.

So Good

Did I say how awesome Take Me to The River is?

My Adoptions, Only the Beginning

In the course of one week, I have drank more Diet Pepsi than Diet Coke. I cannot go a day without drinking at least one diet soda, but my alligence has shifted. I am such a sell out/sucker for free music.

This might be as close to a gambling habit that I ever encounter in my lifetime. Imagine for a moment, I walk into the local convience store. It is hovering around the 7 AM hour. Still dark. I walk to the soda and bypass the cheapo coffee that usually tempts me and heads directly for the Diet Pepsi. I do have the self-control to wait to twist that beautiful yellow cap until I am in my classroom. Then, the moment comes...will I be music shopping on Pepsi's $0.99 tonight, or find an obviously better use for my time.

Luckily, five out of the six sodas provided me with one of the simple pleasures in my life. I have downloaded five new songs thanks to this little promotional event. I drink too much diet soda anyway, I might as well benefit in more than just the caffeine high.

My friends at work believe that I have just added one more item to my list of quirks that make me quirky. Quirky...could be worse.

The Five Lucky Songs That Have Been Adopted By Sara's Computer

• Take Me to The River-Talking Heads
• Solsbury Hill-Peter Gabriel...Thanks, Melanie, for the suggestion.
• God Only Knows-The Beach Boys...Thanks, Dree, for reminding me how much I adore this song.
• Naked As We Came-Iron & Wine
• Goodbye Is All We Have-Alison Krauss
  

I have some pretty eclectic taste...I like a little bit of everything, except for commercial country.

Feel free to leave me some suggestions for tunes.

Our Movie Pathologies

One of my favorite movies is Fargo. I don't believe that my own North Dakotan heritage is the sole reason for this appreciation, but it definately plays an important part. There are many others who have no ties to the state that hold an appreciation for this film. "Margie" was one of the AFI's 100 Heroes. So, they get "it".

I recommended Fargo to one of my friends. She watched it. She hated it.

What am I supposed to think about this?

I could jump to the conclusion that it was a fluke in our cinematic schema. But upon further investigation, I realized that we have completely different movie taste. She didn't like Garden State, Amelie, and, this is the worst...doesn't like Six Feet Under. She found it too depressing. Instead, she enjoys movies like Cold Mountain, 13 Going on 30, and My Best Friend's Wedding. These movies are not bad. But when placed on the top of a person's favorite movies list, it is a natural reaction to ask this question, "Does this person get me?"

I think music, movies, and books are a revealing part of a person's personality. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate most National Lampoon movies (Animal House, Vacation), and I will spend two hours watching Men in Black, but these movies do not stick to the skin. They are excellent examples of a movie that I will watch when I don't want to think, analyze, or understand human emotion and motives.

I hate to sound so judgemental based strictly on a person's cinematic taste. I am not a snob. I just get confused when a person's entertainment pathology does not match their shown behaviors. Maybe, I am easily shocked when I hear statements like, "I could watch The Cutting Edge over and over."

Musical Tag

Like all things blog, there are some interesting things to be learned. My fellow Iowa blogger, Matt, has tagged me with this survey on my musical tastes. So, here it goes.

1.) Last CD you bought...

Gavin DeGraw. I only knew that I loved his song, I Don't Want to Be, on the pop radio station but was unwilling to put myself through numerous pop songs to hear it. You can listen to the entire song and others by clicking on his name...mmm...Gavin.

But as a sidenote, my friend Sara sent me the Garden State soundtrack. She advised me that I would enjoy the music after I had seen the movie. I accepted her challenge and listened to the CD sans the movie. Then, as part of my recovery weekend, I watched the film...I love it more today than yesterday.

2.) Last song listened to before this message...

Last Dance by Donna Summer

I always think that people love to receive a burned CD with a variety of songs when they are down in the dumps, so I was working on a collection for my pal, Michelle, at work. She had a bummer of a day so I was creating a collection specifically for smiles.

3.) 5 songs you listen to a lot or mean something to you...

Come Together by the Beatles

This song never gets old to me as I listen to the lyrics. I love the idea that it was so creative and ahead of its time. There is something really haunting, yet fun about this song. A great message too.

Ghost by The Indigo Girls

Sometimes there is a song that brings you back to a certain time, room, moment and this is that song.

Woodstock by Joni Mitchell/Eva Cassidy

I first heard this song on Six Feet Under. It was a song that I immediately went online to find out the title and the artist. Originally done by Joni Mitchell, I prefer the Eva Cassidy version. I never get tired of this song. I love how I came upon it. When a television show can introduce you to something important like a song, that is terrific.

I've Got a Rock & Roll Heart by Eric Clapton

When I first met Tim, we used to listen to this CD. I didn't share a lot of the same musical taste with him so he always made sure this CD was playing when I would come to his place. It was his first Christmas present to me because he wanted me to have my own copy. I've Got a Rock & Roll Heart is my favorite song on the CD.

Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry

I know. Disco. I love Disco. I dance with my girlfriends at every wedding we attend together to this song. We enjoy it so much. It has gotten to be a little embaressing since we now have "moves" to the song.

4.) Who am I going to pass this stick to?

Well, I would say Mathman, but Matt already challenged him.

So, I will tag Fredette and Dree! This will let me get to know them even more. Feel free to comment, Fredette and Dree if you do not want to post your list.

An All Around Good Day

In the course of one week, I have traveled the emotional and health spectrum of which I am capable.
I am a hearty person who rarely falls ill. In the course of my four and a half years of teaching, I have taken three sick days. Unfortunately, Tim shared his cold with me and I contracted a heck of a head cold. I was tough though. I stuck it out when I should have stayed home, but we had tests at school and other responsibilities. I just happen to be so self-absorbed to believe that I MUST be there. Terrible.
After a weekend of recovery, I am back on track. Thank God for Vicks. It allowed me the ability to take in oxygen.
Emotionally, I was feeling a tad sorry for myself, but I am over that too. I realize that perspective is a powerful human tool. When I was able to see the forest through the trees, I recognized that I have more than most people could dream of in the area of opportunities.
It all came to a head when I realized, with the help of others, that it is perfectly acceptable to not know the future. It is reasonable to feel vulnerable. As powerful as perspective is, I think acceptance of the unknown is equally meaningful.
I had a great day at school. My students were engaged and ready to learn. We were back on the learning wagon. I came home, cleaned a little...only a little, made some supper for myself, and hoped on the treadmill. Good for me!

Future Travels

I have started to compile a list of things that I would like to see or do when I move to the east coast. My knowledge of the area is so limited that my list is pretty small. It doesn't even include places in Philadelphia only because I know nothing of Philadelphia, except Rocky lived there and our nation was founded there. Boy...that made me sound dumb.

Well, here is the beginning of my list in no particular order. They are spread out over several states.
- Smithsonian
- Holocaust Museum
- Lincoln Memorial
- Washington Memorial
- Metropolitan Museum
- Civil War Museum
- Williamsburg

That is it for now. Feel free to tell me where I should go. Really, I have no idea.

Sensitivity

I think my cover has been blown.

I have worked hard from the early age of 15 to convince people know that I am a rock. I am tough. I am not sensitive. I can pinpoint exactly the moment when I became tough...but that is a whole other post.

Over a discussion with my principal, I mentioned that I am not sensitive. He looked straight at me and said, "Yes you are."

WHAT?! How did he know? I was trying my very best to hide this fact from the people that surround me on a daily basis!

I continued the conversation without missing a beat in hopes that he would not notice my shock over his assessment of my sensitivity scale.

Shock has a lot to do with when and where my sensitivity will be displayed. Today, after having a tough few weeks (which were only revealed to a few chums), I received a pick-me-up gift from my pal, Jodi. I got teary-eyed because I wasn't expecting a token of friendship this morning. AHA! You got me, Jodi~I am can be sensitive given the right situation.
Yesterday, I went to the mailbox only to find a burned CD from my dear friend, Sara. She must have known what I needed that day. It was accompanied by a lovely card that expressed exactly what I needed to hear.

My cup spilleth over with love and affection from my friends.

I have the best friends. It is so worth it to build these relationships. They yield the support and love that one tough cookie needs in her time of fluster and frustration. I only hope I can do the same someday when they need me.

Game Time

For the past two years, I have been a teacher for the after school clubs offered at my school.

The first year, I taught stamping and scrapbooking to students, ages 6-12. Kids loved it. They loved to be creative and come home with something to share with their families. However, it took me forever to develop the materials for each day's lesson. My paper materials were paid for, but the actual stamps and pads were my own. I didn't mind sharing because I do have an embaressingly large amount of stamping materials. It just took so much personal time.

Last year, I did art club. We explored ideas of depth, value, color, texture...all things art. I tried to connect each project with a familiar piece of art by a master. However, the students had no idea who these masters were. By the luck of the lottery, I received a rather rowdy bunch of artists and spent much my time managing behavior rather than cultivating these future artists.

You should be catching on to a pattern...I love stamping, scrapbooking, and art...so this year is another passion of mine.

This year, I am offering a games club. I have noticed in my own teaching that students are not familiar with board games. They know a lot about XBox, GameCube, and Nintendo, but very little about the classics. Scrabble! Sorry! Gin Rummy! Connect Four! So, this year, my objectives are to teach these games and more, but also, teach good sportsmanship. Kids are not used to losing. I am not sure why. I have a feeling that at home, some parents 'let' their kids win. I have a kindergarten cousin who has a history of behaving poorly if he loses. I played "Guess Who?" with him, but warned him that I was not going to let him win, that I might win and he might lose. He needed to prepare himself for a loss...but, he did beat me at "Guess Who?". But my point remains.

So, what are some other games that are excellent, fun games that I should teach?

V-Day...What Do You Think?

Ok...what do you think?

Valentine's Day is one of these commercialized holidays (like everything else), but do you like it?

Do you like the one time a year besides anniversaries that men have a reminder to be romantic, thoughtful, and considerate?

And if they do, does it mean as much as if they would do something thoughtful on any other day of the year?

Am I being to harsh on men? It is just my opinion that men do not think of doing the little lovey-dovey things except when they are reminded to do it on days like Valentine's Day.

I am interested in everyone's opinion on this...so, everyone who reads, please comment.

Shop, Crave, Want

Does this ever happen to anyone else?

In the course of one hour, I feel like I want so much. Stupid stuff, too. I want to go shopping TONIGHT! and get a new pair of jeans, the pair of brown shoes that I have been putting off, a new CD that I have been craving, and a bright, new colorful watch. Why tonight? It is a little like PMS for the shopper.

But no. I will not go out tonight to do this. I will wait until the weekend and buy a new pair of brown shoes. The need for a new pair of jeans will have then passed. The CD will probably be bought before the end of the week because I have priorities, people.

I think it started this morning when I opened my closet and said, "I have nothing to wear." Tim has no comprehension of this idea "nothing to wear". His simple, yet uninformed solution usually includes the advice, "Well, wear that," pointing at something I would never consider wearing and should have donated long ago.

Standardized Tests

My students are taking their standardized tests today.

I feel sorry for them. I know that it is a "right of passage" for all students age 8-18 to take these uber-boring exams, but I just think they get to a point where they are spent. They don't care about inferring, drawing conclusions, compare and contrast, and main character after 25 minutes. Yes, 25 minutes is an awfully long time for a 10 year old. I do my best to help them keep the test's importance in perspective while keeping their spirits up.

Thankfully, our school helps celebrate learning during this week with fun themes. Today, we all wore YELLOW because of the theme, "CAUTION: Brains at Work!". Tomorrow, along with the children, I will wear sweats and sweatshirts because we DON'T SWEAT THE TEST.

I recall my ACT exam when I was a junior in high school. I knew that I was not smart enough to receive a score that would allow me a scholarship to my state school, but I wanted to do well enough to get in. I knew I would because you only needed a score of 19 to get into the University of North Dakota. I remember wanting a Diet Coke...needing a Diet Coke and they wouldn't let me have one. I believe this led to the direct result of receiving a medicre score of 24. No embaressment though. I went to college, graduated in the under-average time of 4.5 years. I got a job. And VIOLA! I am a success!!!

Iron & Wine

Call me old fashioned, but I still buy CDs.

I don't download music from the internet, but I do buy some songs from itunes. I love to listen to radio online. Sometimes, artists will have full versions of their songs available at their websites.

Recently, I have been pining away for Iron & Wine. I have not brought myself to the music store to purchase it because I have been enjoying the music I've found on the internet to listen to. I have provided a link to one of my favorite songs (see Obsession of the Week).

If you like Wilco, Nick Drake, and Elliott Smith, you'll probably enjoy Iron & Wine. When I went to In Good Company a week ago, I heard a song that I needed to know the artist. I came home, punched in the soundtrack on Amazon.com and VIOLA!! Iron & Wine...my new love.

School Christmas Party Highlights

Highlight #1: My husband and my friend Ryan wore the exact same shirt. It wasn't a shirt that nobody would notice. They were made fun of for most of the night. Pretty funny.

Highlight #2: Watching grown men sit in fear that they might be forced to karaoke.

Highlight #3: Watching grown men sing karaoke for the first time in their lives.

Highlight #4: Singing a duet with my friend Ryan "Play That Funky Music" for the first time. Terribly fun.

Highlight #5: Watching my co-workers trying to emulate gang signs in their pictures.

Highlight #6: Seeing my co-workers run and hide when they see me coming because they know it means two things, they are about to have their picture taken or they are going to be asked to perform a duet.

Highlight #7: Paying $2 for a beer. I love Ankeny.

Highlight #8: My co-workers chanting my stage name, "Dixie" (What?! Doesn't everyone have a stage name?!). So, yes, my co-workers did hound me, but I did not fight it. I can't help it. I think karaoke is so fun. And so funny to watch. I am so glad that so many people tried it and found out how ridiculous it can be.

Highlight #9: Getting to hangout with a bunch of people that I love to work with and having a great time on a cold January night! Awesome fun.

Friday

Thankfully, it is Friday tomorrow. Let me list the reasons why tomorrow will be a lovely day.

1. I get to wear jeans to school.
2. I get to wear my red Merells to school. They just happen to be the most comfortable pair of shoes that I have ever owned. I recommend a pair to everyone.
3. Our work Christmas party is tomorrow night and I anticipate loads of fun. A teacher's husband is a DJ and he is bringing his karaoke machine. I have already told people at work that three people HAVE to sing before I will sing. Otherwise, they will hound me because they know I am a karaoke junky. But it is not going to be Sara Variety Hour.
4. I bought groceries today so I have lots to choose from for lunch...not just fiber bars like today.
5. I am giving a new mixed CD to my pal, Jodi, at school. It will make her day.
6. I am visiting the chiropractor again for my second visit. I love the chiropractor. In two days, I feel great. My lower back pain, hip pain, and shoulder pain is minimalized.
7. It is Friday. There is just something about Fridays. I love them.

Cartoon Me

Because of Melanie's smart blog, I was able to construct an image of myself. I did my best, but I am really one of kind. It was a fun, great waste of time. Try it. It was like going shopping and going to the hair salon at once. I was tempted to put myself in a bikini, but let's be real. I am more comfy in my loafers and jeans.
I am feeling much better today. I am not in the January Doldrums. Today, I am feeling so much better. I think it has something to do with the fact that my good friend from college called me today. I haven't heard from this woman for at least a year and a half. It was great.
We had the best time together in college. Even though I was a sophomore and she was a senior, we hung out all of the time. It was sad that we only had one year together before she graduated, but it was the kind of year that was memoriable.
We had so many laughs together. We have plans to get together when I go to Minneapolis in February...weather impending.
I really like my cartoon's hair color.

January

I am knee deep in the January BLAHS. You know them...no good holidays to look forward to. I didn't have a proper day off in January. I can't plan to go anywhere because the weather won't agree with you. Sure, it is nice all week and the weekend comes and it snows. DRAT.

I know that I am not the only one to experience this. However, I am not in the depths of despair. I have some bright spots. I have the school Christmas party this Friday. That should be fun. Last year, we went to the Crow's Nest, a local bar, that is attached to a lube station. It has some flavor. I saw my first official bar fight there with tables being tossed and shirts being ripped off to ensure full testostrone strength. We sang some karaoke. It was great. Well, people are saying it is in the cards again because we started a great tradition.

I bought a new CD which always makes me happy. They are small, but make me so content. I purchased Gavin DeGraw. Even better was the discovery that it was a bonus CD with a live version of the complete album...FREE. Now, I can listen in my classroom and in the car.

I went to a movie, In Good Company, tonight. It was terrific. I like those types that move slowly, some humor, some story, and very little action. The music was great and I will probably purchase the soundtrack.

So, I guess things aren't so JANUARY after all.

Weekend

Well, I stayed home and did not venture to the snowy Minneapolis. I do not regret my decision since they did receive tons of snow. I guess, I feel a little cheated. We did not get a snow storm. Really, I am only interested in snow if it makes us have an early out at school.

Instead, I stayed home and did very little. Friday night, we grocery shopped. I love to grocery shop. Saturday, we cleaned. Tim worked on his computer. I visited my friend who is still on bedrest. She is 32 weeks and has seven weeks to go hopefully. I have introduced her to scrabble. We worked on a puzzle of Times Square in NYC. That was fun. We sat there for two hours and said very little to each other, but we finished the puzzle. I love puzzles.

Then, my friend came over and we got her set up on Match.com. She has been thinking about it for awhile and I encouraged it. I think it is a great idea. It is something you have total control over and can weed out anyone you are not interested in. I am going to be in two weddings this spring that are the direct result of online dating.

Today, we plan on going to the book store to find books on Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, George Washington, and whatever strikes us. Tim is inspired this weekend to begin reading biographies on the Presidents because he has been watching the history channel with the Presidental specials. I say, "Good for you!" I am glad because he usually reads chemistry and science related books with the exception of Lord of the Rings. I have been a neglectful reader. I usually read in the evening, but I have been so tired that I didn't read at all last week. I need to start limiting my tv and start reading more.

In a nutshell, there was my weekend.

My eyes are burning. I can't decide if it is from my exhaustion or the lingering sinus infection that has been toying with my immune system. All I want is for my husband to walk through that door and say, "Honey, let me pick up the messy kitchen. Let me call out for some dinner. Let me throw in some laundry." Unfortunately, he is not home yet. He is working late and the countertop is such an annoyance that I will probably have to do it. Also, Tim is not a mind reader. I would have to ask him and then I would sound naggy and I hate that. I hate sounding naggy. So, I keep it inside and just do the dirty work.

Uh...so tired and partially not feeling well. I might have even considered taking a sick day tomorrow but I have to do some crummy assessments and they have already hired me a sub for that. Tomorrow is that last day to do the assessments. This week has been so difficult. I had stuff going on everyday after school. Today, while teaching math, I wanted to just lay on the commercially uncomfortable carpet in my classroom and instruct laying down. I don't think it would have worked.

So, tonight. I will lay on the couch and watch Wickedly Perfect. I will call my friends in Minneapolis and tell them that I am not coming because I am not feeling well. I am under the weather. This is sad because I want to see them as much as possible since I will be in Philadelphia soon.

Minneapolis

Wow. I have had an exhausting week. I won't bore you with the details, but it had to with chili, baby showers, and a not-so-fun professional portfolio that I won't even need when I move because it goes along with all of the Iowa Teaching Standards.

I feel recovered. However, I am getting a little nervous because I am to travel to Minneapolis to see my chums and they are predicting snow. I hate to drive in snow. I am trying to convince Tim to travel with me. He is considering it.

While in Minneapolis, here is my agenda...

Friday Night
-Hang out with friends Steve and Jolene.

Saturday Afternoon
-Go pick out a bridesmaid dress for one of three weddings that we are in this spring.

Saturday Night
-Hang out with Amanda and Sara!

Sunday
-Drive home.

Sounds, fun, huh?

Testing Hindsight

A 16 year old Sara!

Today I received my high school transcripts. I need this for all of my Pennsylvania job stuff. Very revealing...not really. It turns out that I was a B average student with pretty dismal standardized test scores. However, my extra-curricular activities list was outstanding! I am bit embarrassed by my obvious attempt to be good at something and obviously mediocre at it all.

Also, my transcript states that I am MALE. Hmmm.

I loved that fact that my standardized test scores illustrate my life as a B student. I am in the 80th percentile for everything...except science which I scored a less than impressive 76. The most interesting part of the test scores is that in Language and Expression, I scored in the 59 percentile. This is the largest part of my life. That is all I do. I do it for a living. I do it in my hobbies. My life as a B student never made me sad. Actually, I kind of prided myself on the fact that I was in high school to have fun. I took the classes that would not require too much energy. I survived. I got by.

This may seem strange to some of you that I am writing about this, but I thought it was very amusing to read all of these test scores because I deal with it everyday at my own school. I know what these test scores "mean" to teachers. I know what teachers infer from them, and tonight, I learned a very important lesson...

Do not judge a student based on their mediocre test scores...they might just turn out to be a successful person.

What Should I do?

I have six months to think about, consider, and contemplate my professional future in Philadelphia. In order for me to obtain a teaching license in Pennsylvania, I will have to take an exam, do a load of paper work, get two criminal background checks, and more paper work. Right now, I am considering substituting for a year until I can get my barings in Philadelphia. However, I have been creating a list of other possible job opportunities. Here is my list and my reasons for it. IF you have any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them. Let me give you some background so you know what I might be qualified to do for a job...

I have a master's degree in elementary education. I have taught elementary school for four and half years. I love to learn, read, create, and be with people.

So, here is my list.

1. Teach in a classroom of my own.
2. Substitute.
3. Tutor
4. Nanny...one that only goes during the day and goes home at night.
5. Work in a candy shop and learn the ropes.
6. Work in a library.
7. Corporate training...that education aspect if I have any idea what I would be teaching and training...not like insurance or anything like that
8. Working in some creative environment.

I have been looking at non-profit and regular job adds just seeing what is out there. So, what should I do for the rest of my life?

Nutrition Market

How is it that some people can just have charisma and some just don't. Tonight, I met Steve, the Nutrition Marketplace Guru. He cracked me up. The minute I walked into his organic grocery store, he was calling me "Girlie" and running me around his store ripping bags of food open so I could try it. First, he had me trying some soy ranch chips...awesome. Then, he had me eating these super high fiber snack bars. He heated them up and they were terrific. I have plans to eat them for breakfast with my yogurt. He GAVE me a bag of high fiber tortillas to try because he told me that I would love them and be back to buy more. Every person that entered his store he acted like he knew them by name or face and welcomed them back. Really, I think his charisma is really a little bit of ADHD, but it still worked on me. Normally, when a person refers to me as "Girlie", I wouldn't like it. But coming from Steve, Organic Man, I was okay with it.

I started to spread the news about our big move to Philadelphia. I got three reactions. First, I got, "Uh, no. I am so sad. Are you sure he can't find a job here in Iowa." Next, "Oh my gosh! That is terrific! I am so happy for you." And finally, the most surprising reaction, "Oh, I am so jealous. I would love to do that." Really?

Philadelphia Freedom

It is official! We are moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Sometimes it is hard to get my mind around it, but we will be heading to the east coast in August. If you would have asked me a few years ago if I could imagine my life in Philadelphia, I would said a strong NO. However, with this kind of move, a person can't help be excited. Sure, with every move there comes change, good-byes, and certainly miles, but the opportunity for change is very exciting.

Tim has been offered a faculty position at Villanova University. After eight years of hard work, he will now be able to be an official professor. When Tim and I got married, we knew that this is where our lives would go. I knew that I would have to quit my jobs to follow him because I have a job that I can do anywhere. I don't feel resentful towards Tim as I leave a job that I love because I can find another job that I love. Sure, I will miss my midwestern friends dearly. I will be sad when we leave the midwest and will be homesick for my family and friends, but I am not worried. I call my friends and family everyday as it is. I can hop on a plane and see them when I want to.

This is going to be a new life for Tim and me because we have never lived in a big city. We have never lived in a city with so much history and culture to offer. Every weekend can be filled with museums and sightseeing if we choose.

Hearty Girl From ND

Grand Forks, North Dakota was 39 degrees BELOW ZERO today.

There is something about that which fills me with great pride. I have never been one to dog on my hometown or rush to leave it. I love that I come from a place that makes me hearty to the elements. I love that today, even with the snow day, I can make the honest statement, "This isn't that bad." If we lived in ND, we would be going to school today. However, one has to realize that it gets much worse than this up there, and if we called off school for this winter storm, we'd miss a lot of school. It pretty much has to be called a blizzard and then, only then, will they consider calling off school.

Let me give you some perspective...

Once in my sophomore year in college, we had seven blizzards. We had so many blizzards that the weather forcasters started naming them. The last was called Blizzard Hannah.

When I was teaching in ND, we had a blizzard on October 24..I remember because it was my friend, Amanda's birthday. I walked to work before it started to blizzard. Then, we let the kids out early. I walked home. I got to my apartment door and realized that I had forgotten my keys at work. UGH. So, I walked back through waist deep snow to my little trailer which I taught in and back to my apartment. I later took a great nap.

I realize that I have written about the weather for three posts now, and I promise...this is the last one.

I am knee deep in weather related denial

I am just not sure that I am buying it.

The local media likes nothing better than to get their panties in a ruffle over weather extremities…PLEASE! They discuss snow accumulation and send their overly animated reporters wearing their stations winter gear out in the snow to report…guess what…it is still snowing. They talk, ramble, and fester-on about the possibility of 10-12 inches. I doubt it. Never…and I mean NEVER, have their predictions ever been right when it comes to winter weather related news.

Ed Wilson, the weather man, is now becoming a bit of a gambler. He has put his money where his mouth is. If he is wrong, he will give away a brand new snowmobile. I have no need for this since I do live in a basement apartment, but I am signing up anyway. I would like nothing better than to tell Ed Wilson, “I told you so.”

So, try as they might, I am not biting. I am not going to get my hopes up for another snow day to have to wake up to my alarm rather than the phone ringing with my pal, Ryan, on the other end telling me to go back to bed.

On an entirely different note, I had this $20 gift card to Target. I thought about buying a new CD, but I would buy that with or without the gift card. I thought about buying a new shirt, but I am not buying new clothes until I lose at least 15 pounds…11 more to go. I thought about buying a DVD, but I rarely ever rewatch them. So, I bought make-up brushes and some bronzer.

WHAT? Sara is wearing make-up? Sara is using more beautification product than just the standard brown mascara and chapstick?

Yes, it is true. Along with my list of NEW ME Resolutions, using make-up on a more regular basis is one of them. Do you think this lame? Do you think this vain? I don’t know.

I am not quite sure where this idea came from, but it has been lingering in my mind for some time. I would never go over board because I am still getting over my sophomore year in high school when the captain of my cheerleading squad who happen to be Miss Teen North Dakota suggested in her not-so-subtle way, “Ummm…maybe you should put some makeup on?!” Then I saw it, the look of a vulture approaching its prey…she saw a makeover canidate in me and there was no where to run because my only means of transportation was the big yellow bus. She colored me with make-up to the point I looked like a two-bit and wanted to crawl under a bleacher and die.

So, be assured. I will not go overboard and I will try my best to not look like a two bit.

A Strong Woman

I remember where I was when I first learned of Shirley Chisholm. I was driving north on Interstate 35 to Minneapolis. Tim and I were listening to NPR. It was an interview with a documentary film director who had created a movie about Shirley Chisholm and her 1972 Presidential campaign.

There were interviews with Shirley Chisholm and through these interviews, I learned that she was the first African-American woman elected to the House of Representatives in 1968. Can you imagine? Not only was this citizen doing her civic duty, but being a role model for two minorities rarely given a chance in that era in the political arena.

Shirley Chisholm passed away on Saturday. Thankfully, the movie Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed by Shola Lynch exists to show people about Shirley. I don't know much more than what I heard on that interview, but I know I'd like to know more about this woman. I think I will watch this documentary.

An Extra Day

After two and a half years of teaching in Iowa, I received my first snow day. Well, technically, there wasn't any snow, just freezing rain which turned into trecherious ice on the roads.

First, my alarm clock went off at the exact moment that my phone began to ring.

I was confused...bewildered. My phone never rings before the sunrise. Then, I heard Chad, the PE teacher, on the other end. He was informing me that school had a two hour delay. JOY! This was terrific news because I couldn't get to sleep the night before and now I would not be a beast this evening because of my lack of sleep. I would be able to enjoy two extra hours of sleep.

I woke at 8:30 to get ready for my return to the workplace to continue my fight against ignorance, when I took a chance. I check online to see if school was still on. Then, I saw the magic words CLOSED. CLOSED. I never believe my own eyes so I checked on television. The ticker told me it was closed too. Having a flashback to when I was supposed to be at work at TCBY Yogurt but wasn't, I called my friend Toni for a last confirmation of this supposed closing of schools. She confirmed it.

I was so happy. I had just told Tim the night before that I needed one more day of vacation.

So, I spent my day playing online scrabble, watching a few episodes of Six Feet Under, and doing some research on a project.

The only thing that could make it better would be a Diet Coke. I am out and will have to walk to the store. I will have to walk in the grass and carefully avoid the dog poop that no one in town picks up. The sidewalks are too icy.

My morsel of insight today goes something like this...snow days are like crumpled up money one finds in their jean pocket once it goes through the laundry...it just makes you happy.

Photo Reorganization

There is something special about a selfishly lazy day. Surprisingly, I did shower and get out of my pajamas yesterday, but barely. I showered and put on comfy clothes and spent the day hanging in my apartment with Tim. Where he spent the majority of his day playing XBox and his new Lord of the Rings game, I started a new organizing project.

It was one of those projects that seem small when you start and gets larger as it goes. I have a box of photos that date back to the ninth grade. Some of these photos are doubles and do not require to be placed in albums and others are high school photos that need to be sorted and put in albums.

Like anything, this project has seeped into today. I will continue to place the photos in albums, but I get so sidetracked just looking at photos. I love them. I have so many photos from high school, but I realized last night that I have hardly any from my college years. Strange. I have a few from a party here and there and of the semi-fun spring break trip to Cancun.

Thankfully, my photos started to increase after college. I have many images of weddings, showers, trips, and more. With the digital camera, I take three times as many photos as I used to take. Even going out to an anniversary dinner with my parents, I was taking pictures. I took pictures New Years Eve. I don't think I have photos of any other New Years Eve except 2000.

So, as part of my New Years Resolutions, documenting my life is one of them. I will take pictures. I will develop the pictures. I will scrapbook or place them in organized albums. I think I can do this.

2004

Since today is the last day of 2004, I decided to take a minute and reflect. Deep...I know.

2004 reveiled itself as the year of semi-change. Somethings changed, somethings remained the same. New experiences, old experiences. I have to say that even though I have experienced loss and sadness in 2004, I have also experienced happiness and success.

My idea of success has nothing to do with professional or financial success. Instead, it has to do with personal success. 2004 was the year that I went beyond what I thought I was capable of doing and doing a handful of things that I've always wanted to do.

Like anything in the media, I thought I would share with you my lists of 2004. Enjoy.

10 Things that Remained the Same in 2004
1. I still live in a basement apartment in Iowa.
2. I still adore my husband and everything we do together.
3. I still teach elementary school.
4. I still adore my close friends and make a point of talking to them at least once a week.
5. I still struggle with weight loss.
6. I still have an addiction to Diet Coke.
7. I still long to do more (personally, professionally, artistically, emotionally, spiritually, educationally, geographically, atheletically) in my life.
8. I still talk to my mom everyday.
9. I still enjoy grocery shopping...a little too much.
10. I still loathe airports.

10 Things That Have Changed or I Have Tried in 2004
1. I started to write my blog.
2. I took the pottery wheel class that I have longed to do since 1999.
3. I traveled to New York City by myself to visit my dear friend, Amy.
4. I have made a couple new chums, Jodi who likes to dish with me, and Julie who likes to teach me about scrapbooking.
5. I teach 4th grade after teaching four years of 3rd grade.
6. I have a new hobby, scrapbooking.
7. I went to a professional baseball game.
8. I volunteered my time with a political action committee and went door to door trying to get John Kerry elected.
9. I lost two of my grandparents to cancer.
10. I tried goat cheese and liked it. I tried hummus and loved it.

I Need A Break

Dear Blogger Friends,
I am putting my blog on hold until January 4. I will return from ND with lots of adventures to write about. I considered (AGAIN) for a moment about ending this blog. I decided not to end it. I decided to continue but to give me a needed break. I think this will give me lots to write about when I return. Also, I plan to write more and write better...(hmm...not a good start) when I return. I also plan on writing with some more spice and opinions, so be warned...your opinions of me could drastically change.
So, even though I was going to quit, cold turkey, I am going on a break. I will return January 4. I hope you have not given up hope with the Midwestern Position.
Sara

Christmas Baking

Like everyone else, I am busy preparing for the Christmas holiday. Today, I baked up a storm...or rather, dipped up a storm in some cases.

I made roll-cutout cookies. These are the best. They are so soft and have a yummy almond taste. It is the same recipe that my mom has made for years, and I swear, they are the best cutout cookie.

I dipped some pretzels. I know you can now buy white dipped pretzels anytime of the year at the grocery store, but that takes away the special-ness of the this treat.

I made some buckeye balls. I have no idea why they have been given this name, but they are so rich and creamy. Delicious. This was a new recipe for me and it turned out. It will go into my holiday repetoire.

I made some maple fudge and some toffee, yet the toffee did not turn out. Toffee is tough because you have to boil it to a certain temperature. Obviously, I did not boil it hot enough. I even used a candy thermometer.

Finally, I made peanut brittle. This was a sentimental thing. My grandmother who passed away last month made a great peanut brittle. She was also an avid letter writer and in her last letter she mailed me her recipe. I thought that was very special and I'll always keep her handwritten recipe. She use to say that her secret was that she shelled the peanuts herself rather than buy them already shelled. If her peanut brittle did not turn out, she was known to say, "Well, must have been a bad batch of peanuts." Funny. Mine turned out so the peanuts must have been okay. I plan on giving it away as gifts just like Grandma used to do. I know realize the hard work she put into each batch of peanut brittle because for one recipe, it only filled one pan and she gave peanut brittle to everyone at Christmas. She must have had to make a lot.

There is something special about Christmas baking. I have the strongest memories of my mother and her two sisters spending an entire Saturday at our house doing the Christmas baking. Mom always rolled and cut the cookies. Sandra always baked, watched, and took out the cookies, and Joy always sprinkled the cookies. My mom would make homemade peanut butter cups, peanut butter blossoms, and melting moment cookies, which are like shortbread. Sandra always made fudge at Christmas. I think I learned a lot just by observing during the annual bake-a-thons. I can use a rolling pin pretty well and I think it comes from years of watching my mom yield one.

I think baking is a family traditon that will remain strong in my generation. Baking connects me to my family and to the past. The idea that I use my grandmother's recipe and who knows, maybe it was her grandmother's recipe is endearing to me. Maybe someday, I'll teach someone else how to bake like I have been taught by the women in my family.

Bedrest

My good friend is on bedrest. She is six months pregnant and cannot do anything but use the bathroom. Her blood pressure is an issue, along with her swelling.

I feel for her. Tonight, I brought her ginger ale and ice cream. We played Frogger and ate spaghetti together. We dished about work. We were also trying to brainstorm how she can be entertained for the next three months as she waits for her bundle of joy to appear. Some might think that bedrest would be excellent. You could rest, read, watch TV, just veg out. She is restless and needs some new entertainment. I offered her my seasons of The Sopranos. I have also recommended Six Feet Under.

Can you give me some ideas that I can suggest to her.

Boob Tube

Sometimes my husband will say after watching a television show, "I am now dumber for watching that."

Isn't that the truth?! Not that he is dumber, but that we can sometimes spend time watching television that has no intelligent or significant qualities. Don't get me wrong. I am guilty of this on a number of accounts. For example, tonight on Storm Stories on the Weather Channel, they documented the 1997 flood of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Um...I was there. Why did I have to watch it on television? I felt like I had wasted an entire hour, but by the time I had wasted it, it was gone. Gone forever. An hour that I will never get back.

My only consulation is that I spent about two and half hours watching PBS on Sunday about the Lewis and Clark expedition. I actually learned something during that television time.

My new fall resolution was to watch only one hour of television a day with the exception of news at 10 PM. Also, this rule does not apply to Sunday nights since I have far too many shows at the 8 PM time slot...it ranges from the absurd, Desparate Housewives to the smart, Significant Others on Bravo.

If you have never seen Significant Others, I recommend it. It is an improve comedy show about four couples in therapy. It is totally unscripted and I laugh out loud. This show also is special because it is one that Tim and I watch together. We only have a few of those now. I have sort of cut myself off of Law and Order because NBC has enabled my addiction to this genre of television. I can only thank my lucky stars that I did not fall into CBS's drug, CSI.

I am never embaressed by my television watching. I have come a long way since my years of watching Growing Pains and Doogie Howser. My mother always says that I was like a walking TV Guide in my early teens.

My Favorite Shows (in no particular order and some that are no long on the air, but I wish they were)

1. Significant Others-BravoTV

2. Pioneer Quest-PBS

3. Colonial Life-PBS

4. American Dreams-NBC

5. Scrubs-NBC

6. Desparate Housewives-ABC

7. Biggest Loser-NBC

8. Seinfeld

9. Family Guy

10. Six Feet Under-HBO

11. Sopranos-HBO

Apartment Living and Complaining

Things I dislike about living in an apartment...

1. I have no place to put my drying racks. I know that sounds like a nitpicky thing, but who wants to stare at clothes drying.

2. My neighbors who like to smoke marijuana.

3. My upstairs neighbors who let their alarm clock go off at 5 AM and don't wake up to shut it off. Then, they turn on the snooze, get up, get in the shower, the alarm goes off, but they are in the shower so they don't turn it off until they are out of the shower, then they run (boom, boom, boom) to the alarm clock. UGH.

4. No window in the bathroom.

This sounds negative. That is okay...somedays I feel negative. Yesterday, I felt positive, today...negative. Catch me on a positive day and I will go on and on about how much I like my little basement apartment with it's white cupboards, big living room, and cozy feeling.

PS...after reading my post from yesterday, I realized that I may have sounded a bit like I was living in the past...I am not. I like the present and can't wait for the future. However, I think it is always interesting to think about where we came from and how it has shaped us today. Thanks, Mathman, for helping me think about that.

Ol' Days

Does anyone ever look back on high school and say, "I'd do everything exactly the same. No regrets?" I wouldn't. There would be lots of things that I would have done differently. Some that I would have done the same.

The reason this comes up is because I was part of an important high school ritual this evening...the high school formal dance.

My youngest friend, Kelley, prepared for her formal dance. First, I am very proud of Kelley for going against the idea of having a date and instead, going with a group of girlfriends. This is what I am talking about when I say "regrets". Kelley will probably have a terrific time with her girlfriends without the pressure to get along, spend time with, or entertain her date. My friend Amy and I often speak about how we should have gone to our senior prom together and leave our male dates at home. We would have had a better time.

My date was a former boyfriend who had started dating a new girl from school. So, he spent the entire night dancing with her. I actually did not mind because I just wanted to dance with my other friends and talk with people. Amy went with our friend, Rimon. This was fine, but it was probably like any other Saturday night out with friends...just better dressed.

My point in all of this, with my youngest friend, Kelley, I try to share with her my mediocre wisdom about high school. I am glad that she went to her dance without a boy. There is plenty of time for that...but, maybe people who never dated in high school regret not dating...maybe they wish they would have dated more people. I don't know. Maybe the grass is always greener.

There are many things that I do not regret about my high school experiences. I made the best friends in high school. I know this because they are still my closest friends.

Some might think it strange to write about this topic, but tonight as I watched Kelley take her pictures and show her anticipation for the evening, it got me thinking about those days and everything that goes with them.

Sweet Baby James

"Sara, you listen to TOO much James Taylor to ever get angry."
-Annoying Boy in High School

It was a shock to my system to receive such a judgment from a boy my senior year! Could it be true? Could it be possible that a love for Sweet Baby James could have mellowed my feisty spirit to a point of disrepair? What about Paul Simon? Can Paul Simon affect my soul and sense of angst?

Whatever the answer was, I did not spend too much time thinking it over because I would never give up my love of the 70's songwriters. I have continued to feed my habit of part bluegrass, pinch of blues, and with a slice of pop thrown in for good measure. Tonight, I picked up my James Taylor Christmas CD from Hallmark. Every year, they offer a special where if you purchase three cards, you can buy a CD for $6.95. The CDs are usually artists of mediocre standing. I have purchased Amy Grant and Natalie Cole. So, you could imagine my pleasure when I was presented with my James Taylor CD. Ooooo...good listening tonight.

Holiday Treat Recipe

Try this yummy, easy holiday treat! It is a great gift giving idea. Make it and put it in a holiday bag. Homemade gifts are the best!

Toffee Popcorn Crunch
8 cups popped popcorn
3/4 cup whole or slivered almonds
1-1/3 cups (8-oz. pkg.) HEATH BITS 'O BRICKLE Toffee Bits
1/2 cup light corn syrup

Heat oven to 275°F. Grease large roasting pan (OR two 13x9x2-inch baking pans). Place popcorn and almonds in prepared pan.

Combine toffee bits and corn syrup in heavy medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until toffee is melted (about 12 minutes). Pour over popcorn mixture; stir until evenly coated.

Bake 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from oven; stir every 2 minutes until slightly cooled. Cool completely. Store in tightly covered container in cool, dry place. About 1-1/2 pounds popcorn.

"Bells Will Be Ringing"

Things I noticed while ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at the local grocery store...

People are generous. One lady put in a 20 dollar bill! I tried to keep track and an average of 3 out of 5 people put money in the bucket. Plus, at 6 pm, the bucket was plum full with bills and change.

People avoid eye contact if they don't want to put money in the bucket. All I was offering was a smile, a 'Hello', and a constant ringing of the bell, yet some people didn't say 'hello' back.

Sometimes people hug strangers. I never start the hugging, but I was hugged twice for just standing there ringing the bell. Anyone could do it, but two women thought I deserved a hug.

I was called SANTA twice...do I look that big?

The burliest and manliest men put lots of money in the bucket.

People will stop what they are doing even though they look very busy and put money in the bucket...at one point, a woman's cart started to roll away from her and she was too busy looking for change in her purse. Luckily, I grabbed it or it could have been ugly.

Little kids love the bell. Little kids love to put money in the bucket. Little kids love to hear grown-ups say "Merry Christmas" to them.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Salvation Army this Christmas, check out ringbells.org.

Finding My Religion

Growing up, I attended church and Sunday school on a regular basis. As a child, I proudly sang the songs "Jesus Loves Me" and "This Little Light of Mine" in the front of the church in my very best dress. The youth group and summer Bible camp influenced many years of my teen years. Every summer, I went to Bible camp where I had met friends and looked forward to seeing them every year. My friends from school also attended camp with me so I had the best of both worlds at camp. Every Wednesday night during the school year, I would go to church for youth group where we'd play games, discuss issues, and enjoy that special time together. As an adult, I attended school and even taught Sunday school myself when I lived in North Dakota.

I lived a charmed childhood and adulthood where I had experienced very little loss and was given very few times to question "it all". On mother's side of the family, they had their faith tested through the loss of their father when they were just children and the loss of their brother when they were adults. They continued to believe and trust in God. My mother and her sisters held true to their faith and taught it to their children.

Since moving to Iowa and experiencing loss several times since the move, I have come to question the purpose and the belief in organized religion, and more importantly, my place in it. I wondered if there was a place for me in organized religion with my views and beliefs. All I see on television is fundamentalist Christians that judge and criticize the way others live their lives. I have found hypocrisy in the lifestyles of the people around me who claim to be "good Christians". I didn't want to do that. I wanted to belong to a church that I truly believed in. So I waited. I didn't even search for this church. I just wanted to think, plan, and organize what I truly believed in before I began the search for my place in religion. I have been to extremes with religion. I have thought "maybe we are just here without a plan or God?" and the other extreme was when I was in the prime of my adolescence belief in youth group.

Even though others have heard me question and think about religion, I am ready to begin a religous journey again. No, I am not a Bible banger...not even close. What I mean by that is that I am ready to go to church again. I am ready to start to educate myself and build my philosophy of faith.

I believe that God does work in mysterious ways because just as I was thinking about this idea this past week, the major television networks decided to not show a commerical from the United Church of Christ because it illustrates their all-inclusiveness of families of all types...including homosexual people and families. This is unfortunate and sad for the United Church of Christ because their message is important and won't reach as many people, but there can be a slight silver lining for me. Because of the publicity this received, I found a church that believes in the same open-armed ideas that I believe. I have had such a bad taste for organized religion and the stance they take with gay rights, abortion, and many other ideas, that I haven't found a church with my ideals. So, on Sunday, I plan on attending church at the United Church of Christ.

Weed

I think my new neighbors across the hall are smoking weed tonight. We have never had problems with smells coming into our apartment until tonight. And of course, it is weed. Since we are overly reasonable people, we do nothing about it the first time. But we have discussed it, and we will act if it happens again. (Good of us to be so strong, right? Putting our foot down and all.)

It is not that I am against weed. It is not that I don't want people to do what they want with their lives/brain cells/intelligence, but I just don't want smells in my apartment. Last year in our old apartment, we lived above a family who only cooked smelly garlic and vegetables. I wanted to die. It was as if garbage lived with us. We've had no problems until tonight. I want the smells to stop, please.

Making Copies

It is amazing what a little neon paint will do for a business. Take the newest copy shop to my little Iowa town. I noticed the neon pink "3 cents a copy" months ago and remembered it when it came time to copy my Christmas letter. My copy shop is in a semi-abandoned strip mall. I walk in not really expecting a KINKOS, but getting so much less than that.

Now, I don't want to sound negative because this is my new favorite place in town for so many reasons. First, I am a rescuer. It is in my nature to help others when they so desperately need help. This little copy shop needs help. Let me create a mental image for you...

You walk in. There is a young man, early twenties working behind the counter. He is a tad hairy on the face and in need of a good combing. I can see and hear that I have interrupted some sort of video game on the computer...probably a role-playing game. The copy shop does not have signs clearly labeling the capabilities of this copy shop. Instead, it has multiple copies of all sizes of Asian animation. A customer must admire these animations in order to understand that lamination, enlargements, and color copies are available. The rescuer in me wants to put up clear and concise signs stating what is available in services at this strange, little copy shop.

Part of me believes that this copy shop cannot be real. It has to be "a front" for something else. It is as if this young man bought himself a copier, some ASTRObright paper, and a sweet laminator and said, "Hey, I'll open my own business and make some copies while I play my wizardy type games all day."

He was so pleased when I returned today with as he calls it, "The biggest order that he has ever filled." All I wanted was 23 copies of my Gift-From-the-Heart cookbook that I had compiled for some Christmas gifts. I wanted the covers laminated, and the book bound. When he showed me the first copy, he was as proud as my ten year old students showing me their work. I said, "Good job!" Just like I say to my ten year old students showing me their work.

I am glad that I found my Asian Animation-I just opened my own copy shop-local copy shop. I will always give him my business. Plus, it is 3 cents a copy!

Rocky Mountain High

This is the view from Tim's parents backyard...nice.
The View
Originally uploaded by midwestern.

I have returned from my Thanksgiving holiday in Denver. Being my first time to Colorado, I had high expectations. First, I'd like to say that people who visit Denver try very hard to dress the part. For example, I saw so many women who wore these very faux furry boots and faux furry vests with some jingle-jangle hanging off them. There is no way these women were going skiing in these get-ups. I did not wear any Denver-ware.

Here are the highlights from our trip to visit Tim's parents...

Delicious Thanksgiving dinner cooked by Deb, Tim's mom. She made turkey, chestnut stuffing, salads, and pumpkin squares. Javier and Erin, our college friends, were also invited for dinner and it was great to catch up with them. We played dominoes which was our favorite game back at UND.

On Friday, we went shopping and had a fantastic meal at an Italian restaurant. We shopped and spent the day just checking out the shops in Flatiron. We came home and took a brief rest before we ventured downtown to eat and see a comedy show.

Dinner was at the Capital Grille where I ate the yummiest au gratin potatoes I have ever eaten. The comedy club was just around the corner. The headliner was Rocky LaPorte, but several local comics warmed up the audience (doesn't it sound like I know what I am talking about when I talk about comedians?). He was terrific. The best part, besides it being funny, was that it was smokefree.

Saturday, we went to the Denver Museum of Science and Nature where we went to an ancient Egypt exhibit. Besides being facinating, it made me aware of how much of this world I am unfamiliar with. I know nothing about ancient Egypt. Now, I know a little. It was a long, but fun day.

Finally, our vacation with family came to an end on Sunday when we returned to the airport, home of people dressed in funny little ski outfits. I tried to go on an earlier flight back to the heartland, but it was of no luck. That flight kept getting delayed because of weather, but I was entertained by the crabby men who didn't realize that life goes on even if their flight is delayed. I wanted to shame these men. They kept going up to the ticket agents and yelling and giving them dirty looks. Don't these people realize that they are so lucky to inside a warm place with plenty of food. We were fine. They tried to talk to me and get me wrapped up in their disgust, but I would have none of it.

"Relax. You're fine," the level-headed girl said to the exasperated man.

Finally, I arrived back in Des Moines at 10:00. Luggage here? Check. Toni and Bill here to pick me up? Check. Groceries in my fridge so I have a breakfast tomorrow? Nope, two out of three ain't bad.

It was a terrific time with family.

YEAH~

Hey, my dear blog friends! I developed a quiz to see how well my readers, friends, and family know me. Good luck. I would also love to take a quiz on you! Thanks to Amy for introducing me to this lovely way to waste time.
Take my Quiz on QuizYourFriends.com!

Quiz Time

I am sometimes suckered into taking online quizes that only affirm my total self-absorbed nature. Try this one. Here is what I came out as...does it sound like me?

You are a XPIT--Expressive Practical Intellectual Taker. This makes you a Manager.

You are cool, thoughtful and intelligent. Your approach and your sense of humor are under-the-radar, your charm is undeniable. You keep everything under control. You have distinctive vocal mannerisms. You may not have much interest in approaching strangers, but when you do, you are successful.

Your greatest asset is that you tackle conflict as it rises -- you don't ignore it and let it brew. If you have a partner that *does* let it brew, it will make you crazy! You can find yourself fighting for two -- trying to anticipate your partner's needs and draw their feelings out -- which is exhausting and, well, not your job.

You would never cheat. You would make an excellent spouse. When your spouse's friends met you, they would think, "Crap, why couldn't I get that one?"

I would have to say that the part that says I do not let confict brew is very correct. If you ask my friends or family, they would tell you that even though I sometimes make things uncomfortable, I tell it like it is. The part about never cheating is true because it is not in my nature and I have the best husband in the world. He is a gem. He is the rare breed that encourages me to improve myself without being threatened by that. He encourages my independence and creativity without feeling like it is taking away anything from our relationship. I think my vocal and speech mannerisms are strong. My friend, Amanda, says that I instant message the same way I speak. She always says that she can hear me saying it as I write it.

So, take the quiz and tell me what it says about you and if you agree or not.

PS...I am going to Denver for the holiday weekend so you won't be hearing from me for a good four days.

Shelly and Sara

As a little blonde haired girl, I walk down my street just two houses down with my mother. It is time to have coffee and visit with the neighbor lady, Maxine. My excitement is high because I will play with Maxine's daughter, Shelly. This is special because Shelly is older and smarter and plays more fun games than my other friends, like Jason across the street who makes her play Star Wars action figures or Kristi who always cries.

Shelly makes up the best Barbie stories. I dress them and she narrates. She likes to pull the cushions off the couch downstairs and make a fort. She isn't afraid to climb the trees behind our houses or argue with the boys. Where I might not want to join the wiffle ball game in progress in the middle of our street, Shelly jumps right in.

There comes a time when my mother and I go to Maxine's for coffee, but Shelly is not there. I am told that she is at school now and won't be home until 3:00. So I wait. I wait for two whole years until I can go to school with Shelly and ride the bus with Shelly and have after school snacks with Shelly.

Over four years had passed since I saw Shelly this month. Living on the same street, so many of our childhood lives mirrored each other. Our older brothers were partners in crime and made it their quest to torture and commit acts of childhood cruelty upon us and any of our friends. Our mothers coffeed together until we went to school and then, worked at the same business. Our fathers enjoyed the pride they felt standing by their grills most summer evenings outside in our front yards. Shelly is present in most of my vivid childhood memories.

Since Shelly was older, she had a ten-speed bike a few years before I did. Shelly was there the day I finally received by baby-blue Schwinn 10-speed bike. I am sure she was there the day that I got my hot-wheel when I was a pre-schooler. Shelly shared her wisdom with me throughout her life since she was two years older than myself. I recall my first junior high dance where there were so many unwritten rules and so much anxiety. I am not sure if Shelly shared the etiquette of teenage dancing with me, but I am sure that I felt better having her there.

After four years passing and 28 years of knowing each other, we connected with old stories and new laughs.

Pre-Winter Remembrances

Well, I think I will continue my blog. I will try to update it at least every two days. I will not feel pressured to update it everyday since I have been reassured that I do not have to do this. I will try to write interesting and meaningful, yet self-absorbed blog posts.

Today is one of those dreary type November days. The ones that are cold, yet there is not a flake in the air. It is hard to appreciate such chilly weather unless there is the beauty of snow to back it up. Since I was raised in North Dakota, I am no stranger to winter weather. I am not talking about 10 degrees "Oh, man, it's cold" weather. I am talking "the wind chill is 80 below zero and we are calling off school until it warms up to 60 below" weather.

When I was teaching in North Dakota, I did recess duty everyday. I did my best to maintain an attractive winter wardrobe, but it was tough. Most of my colleagues knew me by my large navy blue wool coat, red plaid scarf, and big boots. We HAD to go out to recess unless it was less than 30 below zero. I tell my colleagues this fact and they can't believe it. Thank goodness for multiple sources for information because I would check several weather websites until I found one that said it was less than 30 below. I could bear the cold, but some days, I just didn't want to. We'd stay inside and play boardgames together and that was fun too.

One element to winter that I miss in regards to the recess field is the big, huge pile of snow that is created by snowplows every morning that they plow the parking lot. Students would create slides and steps. They had strict justice to what the rules of the hill were. They were never allowed to play "King of the Hill", but we knew that once the dismissal bell rang, they were pushing each other off left and right. Who wouldn't?

My second year of teaching, we had our first blizzard on October 24. I walked to school so I was stuck walking home when school got let out early with snow up to my waste. I couldn't even walk in the streets because they were not plowed yet. It was great. I loved it. Then, you take your winter clothes off and lay down on the couch and take a big nap.

Quitting Time?

I am thinking about ending my blog.

I just don't have the time to write everyday like a blog requires. I also do not have as much to write about as I did before.

Maybe I am going through a busy phase right now where I need to prioritize how I spend my free time. It could be that the holiday season with travels puts me into this frenzied mood where I have to prioritze, but I need to know what you think? Should I stop?