I do not defy gravity

I am at work listening to the Wicked soundtrack in between classes, laughing to myself about the fun afternoon with my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. We went to Portland to see the musical (Job stayed home with kids and cousins) and since we got there early we thought we should buy souvenirs first; or rather attempted to. I had never heard or seen the story and was hesitant to buy stuff in case I didn't like it. By intermission I had to have a T-shirt so out we went to the lobby, again. I couldn't decide which one to buy. The one that was pink and said, "POPULAR" didn't seem to be my style; too cutsie. The other one said '"GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK" was too environmentally friendly for my taste. Then the cashier said, "what about this one?" Across the chest of the T-shirt it said, "DEFY GRAVITY." I explained to the barely 20-something boy that after two children and a lifetime of bad, ill-fitting bras (Oprah says we are all wearing the wrong size), unless the shirt came with a boob job I could not wear anything across the girls that said, "DEFY GRAVITY." It would just be wrong. I bought the green one that says, "WICKED" and went back to my seat and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the show!

46 days left

There are only 46 days left in the school year and while I am ready for a break (not that we didn't just have one) I am sad about the likelihood of my not returning to CV Elementary next year. Our current political administrations are not seeing the necessity of funding reading programs so I am out a job, THAT I LOVE! Sure we are getting bigger bridges, light rail, wider highways too bad all those street signs and transit schedules won't be able to be read! And we can bail out private companies but can't manage to scrape together enough for public education. We can give bonuses, buy jets, provide complete motorcades for imbecile politicians, but can't afford a barely above minimum wage, part time employee to teach reading? I guess not.

a war is a war is a war

Driving down I-5 today I'm not sure if it was the bad mexican pizza from Taco Bell, the bumpy roads or the plethora of pro-Obama bumper stickers that made me loose my lunch (or maybe a combination of all three) but either way I am nauseous.
When I commuted for work a while back I drove through the little town of Carnation, WA. Outside Pete's Pub there would inevitably be war protesters. I am fine with war protesters. What I am not fine with is the fact that under this new administration they are gone. Our war is not gone; sure it has a new name (Overseas Contingency Operation) but B.O. just requested $83billion and 70,000 troops. Seems like a war by any other name is just a war. Oh, and promises meant to be broken, right?

Little Miss Sunshine- Uh- Junior Miss

So, after driving through the night Thursday after school/work, a bad Jack in the Box burger and a snow storm in the Blue Mountains we made it to Pocatello around 6a.m. We dumped ourselves and our stuff on my sister's door (looking quite hideous) just in time to send her off and meet the new boyfriend. The reason for our trip, the Pocatello/Chubbock Junior Miss Pageant. Ever see the show Toddlers and Tiaras? Okay this wasn't that bad, the girls were all juniors in high school, but the moms they were all quite into the whole thing. I was able to go back stage for rehearsal and for a few minutes before the actual pagent and there was a lot of hair spray, sequins, and big hair. We are convinced that Idaho is the new New Jersey! Anyway, our niece did great. She won talent, scholarship, and interview (she was robbed of the fitness category). She, in the end, won the overall title of Pocatello/Chubbock Junior Miss. We were all so excited for her and the scholarship money. Not sure we'll make it down for the state pageant but we hope she kicks butt (not just sprays it with hair spray)!

I'm a "them"

Ever find yourself in a situation that's divided "us and them?" Usually I don't mind except this time I was a "them." I haven't been a "them" in a really long time. But in this situation I was for sure not part of the "us" crowd. It was like high school all over again sitting on the outside watching the popular kids from a distance wishing they would notice you and include you. All of a sudden I was transported back to the days of fat jokes and bad hair (and I have great hair!) except this time I couldn't play sick, skip class or hide in the school bathroom. What did I do you may ask? Did I build up the nerve to say anything? Create my own fun? No, I didn't rise to the challenge, I sulked like a two year old. In a time when life seems a little overwhelming I let it be the proverbial straw. This camel just did what she does best, internalize with a side of passive aggressive. Sorry everyone...