Teachers work hard. Long after the final bell rings, we're setting up the next day's labs, tweaking activities, and grading an endless mound of papers. That said, these past two weeks have been pretty darn sweet.
January 14-18
Monday: Beginning of exam week. Students took their first period exams from 7:25-10:25. I don't have a first period, so I spent these three hours in silence, planning my little teacher booty off. My 2nd period students came to me after that for an hour of review, and then students went home for the day at 11:30. I spent the rest of the school day (til 2:18) in silence, planning my little teacher booty off.
Tuesday-Thursday: Students took an exam with me (three hours of silent babysitting, with the exception of an occasional question that needed answering or a pencil that needed sharpening). Students left at 11:30, and the rest of the day was spent planning.
Friday: Two hour delay due to the "winter weather." No students at all that day, so basically a teacher workday!
Are you mad at me yet for my awesome schedule?
January 21-25
Monday: Martin Luther King Day... no school!
Tuesday: Teacher workday to give us time to enter grades and switch over before the new semester.
Wednesday: 1st day of second semester. Little tiring. Made Jason make dinner (which meant HE had to microwave bowls of Mom's Brunswick stew instead of me doing it).
Thursday: Normal day. We have Open House tonight, so I'm typing this while waiting on parents to show up and all ask for their kids to sit on the front row. I'm also eating free Chick-Fil-A (thanks, PTA!)
Friday: I just heard that we are being dismissed THREE HOURS EARLY tomorrow because of the threat of winter weather. Sure, it sounds pretty ridiculous (and REALLY screwed up my schedule for tomorrow), but the last thing they want is another ice storm where students are stranded at school until late into the night like it was several years ago. So yeah, my weekend begins at 11:18 tomorrow.
Ok, you're definitely mad at me now, aren't you? Sorry, I just had to brag a bit.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
40 Years
Forty years ago today, Sandra Williams and Grady Davenport said, "I do."
My parents are awesome. They were high school sweethearts whose relationship survived them attending different colleges. They've been with each other through the deaths of their parents and the births of their daughters. They've fought over the volume of the television and they've danced together to oldies playing on the radio. They moved back to their hometown from Raleigh, but were never the "typical" Jamesvillians. They valued small-town living, but exposed their children to the world of possibilities awaiting them. All these years, and we still catch them smooching in the kitchen. That is love.
So happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. Your faithfulness and love for each other has given us stability, a loving household, and an example of how to make a marriage last through the decades.
Here's to 40 MORE years! :)
My parents are awesome. They were high school sweethearts whose relationship survived them attending different colleges. They've been with each other through the deaths of their parents and the births of their daughters. They've fought over the volume of the television and they've danced together to oldies playing on the radio. They moved back to their hometown from Raleigh, but were never the "typical" Jamesvillians. They valued small-town living, but exposed their children to the world of possibilities awaiting them. All these years, and we still catch them smooching in the kitchen. That is love.
So happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. Your faithfulness and love for each other has given us stability, a loving household, and an example of how to make a marriage last through the decades.
Here's to 40 MORE years! :)
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Space, the Final Frontier...
In case I didn't geek you out enough yesterday...
A fellow science teacher showed me this poster. How cool is it?!? Really puts things into perspective, doesn't it?
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Elated, then Heartbroken
A few days before Christmas, Jason shared this picture with me:
Oh my goodness, they're awesome! I started making my list -- I want Marie Curie (duh), Mendeleev (how can the world's biggest fan NOT have an action figure of the Father of the Periodic Table?), and Blethe (whom I've never heard of, but with that hair, I.must.have.him).
Then, Jason found the website where it came from (here if you want to read more about them), and some of the most heart-breaking words "This image in fan art... and I will not be pursuing making these figures into a reality." Whaaaaaaaat?!? You dangle this collection of awesomeness in front of me only to snatch it away and tell me it will never come to fruition???
Anyway, it's still awesome, and I still wanted to share it. For real, the interview is funny (for instance, he explains why Bill Nye the Science Guy isn't a character). Check it out if you're a science nerd. Or if you know a science nerd. :)
Oh my goodness, they're awesome! I started making my list -- I want Marie Curie (duh), Mendeleev (how can the world's biggest fan NOT have an action figure of the Father of the Periodic Table?), and Blethe (whom I've never heard of, but with that hair, I.must.have.him).
Then, Jason found the website where it came from (here if you want to read more about them), and some of the most heart-breaking words "This image in fan art... and I will not be pursuing making these figures into a reality." Whaaaaaaaat?!? You dangle this collection of awesomeness in front of me only to snatch it away and tell me it will never come to fruition???
Anyway, it's still awesome, and I still wanted to share it. For real, the interview is funny (for instance, he explains why Bill Nye the Science Guy isn't a character). Check it out if you're a science nerd. Or if you know a science nerd. :)
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Fish Cakes
Experts say you're supposed to incorporate more fish into your diet. Well, that's fine and good, but I have a hard time making fish tasty. I occasionally do fish tacos... or just season it with S&P and citrus. I don't know, they're both kinda lame.
A little while ago, I took a risk and made fish cakes. Know what? They're pretty tasty! Here's the recipe I followed. My comments are in parentheses.
4 tilapia fillets (I use frozen, since most "fresh" fish was shipped frozen)
1/2 cup mayo
2 eggs
2 Tbs fresh dill (I used 1 Tbs dried dill instead)
1 Tbs dijon mustard
3/4 c panko breadcrumbs
Cook the fish at 400 degrees until done (8-12min depending on the fillet size)
Let the fish cool, and flake with a fork
Mix the mayo, eggs, dill, and dijon together
Fold in the fish and panko
Make cakes and refrigerate 20-30 min
Coat a frying pan with oil and fry the cakes for 3-5 min/side
Note: this recipe made six really large cakes. Jason and I ate 2 each. I think I'll make a smaller recipe next time.
Yum! This is a bit time-consuming since you have to cook the fish and let it cool. Next time I make it, we're going to have regular fish fillets on Night 1 and then I'll make the cakes, let them cool overnight, and it will be a really quick meal on Night 2.
Let me know if you give a try!
A little while ago, I took a risk and made fish cakes. Know what? They're pretty tasty! Here's the recipe I followed. My comments are in parentheses.
4 tilapia fillets (I use frozen, since most "fresh" fish was shipped frozen)
1/2 cup mayo
2 eggs
2 Tbs fresh dill (I used 1 Tbs dried dill instead)
1 Tbs dijon mustard
3/4 c panko breadcrumbs
Cook the fish at 400 degrees until done (8-12min depending on the fillet size)
Let the fish cool, and flake with a fork
Mix the mayo, eggs, dill, and dijon together
Fold in the fish and panko
Make cakes and refrigerate 20-30 min
Coat a frying pan with oil and fry the cakes for 3-5 min/side
Note: this recipe made six really large cakes. Jason and I ate 2 each. I think I'll make a smaller recipe next time.
Yum! This is a bit time-consuming since you have to cook the fish and let it cool. Next time I make it, we're going to have regular fish fillets on Night 1 and then I'll make the cakes, let them cool overnight, and it will be a really quick meal on Night 2.
Let me know if you give a try!
Monday, January 14, 2013
29 Awesome Things
Saturday was my 29th birthday, and I have to say, it was a pretty stinkin' awesome one! Here's 29 things that were awesome about it.
1) Jason cooked breakfast and washed the dishes.
2) Breakfast was tasty -- scrambled eggs and liver pudding. If you didn't grow up on liver pudding (or liver mush like Western NC people call it), it's probably not something you wouldn't try on your own as an adult. That said, it's delicious, we both love it, and it's great cubed up in scrambled eggs.
3) Saturday morning was foggy and warm, perfect weather for a photo trip. Jason says fog is nature's diffuser and makes for really cool photos. I agree.
12) Birthday cards from my family.
13) Birthday calls from my family.
14) Being serenaded by my sisters with creative birthday songs.
15) The fact that singing to each other is a Davenport tradition, though none of the D-port girls were blessed with good singing voices.
16) The fact that it makes the serenades that much more fun. :)
17) Birthday wishes from Facebook. Sure, FB alerts people that it's my birthday. That doesn't stop me from feeling like a rockstar as people continuously write on my wall.
18) Relaxing in the study, reading HP 4 while Jason edited photos.
19) Dressing up (well, dressy for me) for dinner
20) Wearing last year's birthday present -- my polka dot pumps
21) Getting to Firebirds at 5:20 (with the rest of the senior citizens), but not having to wait at all before getting a table (unheard of at Firebirds).
22) Delicious gut-busting dinner at Firebirds.
23) Being home in my pj's when most people were getting ready to start their night.
24) Birthday shopping at the mall on Sunday.
25) Birthday (and leftover Christmas) cash making me feel like a high roller at the mall. "Here, lemme pull out some bills to pay for that..."
26) New tops like this one from Loft and this one (in green) from NY&Co.
27) Teacher discount. Seriously, that thing is sweet. I saved at least $15 yesterday just by showing my teacher ID.
28) Knowing that my birthday isn't over. Jason bought me these shoes, and they should be delivered any day now. Spread out birthdays are awesome.
29) Having 29 reasons to celebrate!
1) Jason cooked breakfast and washed the dishes.
2) Breakfast was tasty -- scrambled eggs and liver pudding. If you didn't grow up on liver pudding (or liver mush like Western NC people call it), it's probably not something you wouldn't try on your own as an adult. That said, it's delicious, we both love it, and it's great cubed up in scrambled eggs.
3) Saturday morning was foggy and warm, perfect weather for a photo trip. Jason says fog is nature's diffuser and makes for really cool photos. I agree.
4) Saturday morning was just cool enough to justify a post-photos Caribou. I don't go as often as I used to, so when I go, I splurge on the "girly" drinks. My favorite? Mint condition, a minty mocha where you get to pick which type of chocolate you'd like. I went with dark chocolate.
5) We got home in time to watch State (ranked #20) play Duke (ranked #1).
6) State came out with their A-game.
7) The game was really exciting, with the lead going back and forth all game, and no team leading more than 10 points the whole time.
8, 9, and 10) Final score, 84-76. State wins! Yes, this deserves three numbers on my list. It was that good of a game.
11) Birthday cards from my mortgage broker, insurance agent, and dentist. I feel so loved.
13) Birthday calls from my family.
14) Being serenaded by my sisters with creative birthday songs.
15) The fact that singing to each other is a Davenport tradition, though none of the D-port girls were blessed with good singing voices.
16) The fact that it makes the serenades that much more fun. :)
17) Birthday wishes from Facebook. Sure, FB alerts people that it's my birthday. That doesn't stop me from feeling like a rockstar as people continuously write on my wall.
18) Relaxing in the study, reading HP 4 while Jason edited photos.
19) Dressing up (well, dressy for me) for dinner
20) Wearing last year's birthday present -- my polka dot pumps
21) Getting to Firebirds at 5:20 (with the rest of the senior citizens), but not having to wait at all before getting a table (unheard of at Firebirds).
22) Delicious gut-busting dinner at Firebirds.
23) Being home in my pj's when most people were getting ready to start their night.
24) Birthday shopping at the mall on Sunday.
25) Birthday (and leftover Christmas) cash making me feel like a high roller at the mall. "Here, lemme pull out some bills to pay for that..."
26) New tops like this one from Loft and this one (in green) from NY&Co.
27) Teacher discount. Seriously, that thing is sweet. I saved at least $15 yesterday just by showing my teacher ID.
28) Knowing that my birthday isn't over. Jason bought me these shoes, and they should be delivered any day now. Spread out birthdays are awesome.
29) Having 29 reasons to celebrate!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Christmas with Addison
Much to Addison's delight (and her parents' chagrin), Addison got lots of small things from her aunts and uncle for Christmas. Her big present was a new easel and some art supplies. We even bought her a smock (which may exceed your level of cuteness today, I should have warned you), which she asked to put on each time she played with the easel.
She also got some blocks. Uncle Jason learned very quickly that Addison enjoyed violently destroying things he built rather than building things herself. (Don't worry, his black eye went away... eventually...)
I think Addison's favorite gift was a new train set. The pieces fit together really easily, so she was able to change up the track by herself.
She also loved sitting or standing in the "holes" of the figure 8.
She also got some blocks. Uncle Jason learned very quickly that Addison enjoyed violently destroying things he built rather than building things herself. (Don't worry, his black eye went away... eventually...)
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She also loved sitting or standing in the "holes" of the figure 8.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Visiting the East
I don't know what it is about my parents' house that makes me forget I own a camera, but I do have a few pictures to share, I guess...
Opening presents:
I didn't get any pictures of Kara or Jason because they were sitting beside me.
On Thursday, the J's and I (that's Jill, Jodi, and Jason) drove to a Wildlife Trail Jodi wanted to explore in her Jeep. We saw a lot of birds and some turtles, though no bears like we were hoping. It probably didn't help that we were there around noon on a really cold day, not exactly prime time for bears.
Jason and I visited the Bowens on Thursday afternoon (pictures tomorrow). Friday was Daddy's birthday (happy birthday, Daddy!), and we surprised him by going out to breakfast. It was crazy delicious and cheap! I think my meal was $4 or something, and I was absolutely stuffed at the end of it!
It was quite a trip!
Opening presents:
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| my dad, who has all of a sudden become a shutterbug |
I didn't get any pictures of Kara or Jason because they were sitting beside me.
On Thursday, the J's and I (that's Jill, Jodi, and Jason) drove to a Wildlife Trail Jodi wanted to explore in her Jeep. We saw a lot of birds and some turtles, though no bears like we were hoping. It probably didn't help that we were there around noon on a really cold day, not exactly prime time for bears.
Jason and I visited the Bowens on Thursday afternoon (pictures tomorrow). Friday was Daddy's birthday (happy birthday, Daddy!), and we surprised him by going out to breakfast. It was crazy delicious and cheap! I think my meal was $4 or something, and I was absolutely stuffed at the end of it!
It was quite a trip!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, our house was just the two of us. We woke up, tried to find something Christmassy to watch on tv, and ended up watching holiday episodes of Mr. Bean.
After breakfast, Christmas Steve showed up, and we opened presents.
Jason took pictures of me, but I forgot to get any of him! Anyway, this year was a lean one since we've been spending like crazy since we bought the house. I got him two new belts, bedroom slippers, the new Jack White cd, and the Batman trilogy on bluray.
Jason apparently didn't get the message about the lean Christmas, so I really racked up! He bought be bowl fillers, a "triceraCHOPS" mug, a glass vase with a glass mum on it, and a new water bottle since I had recently broken mine. He also bought me these metal letters, which now sit on top of our mantle.
What did we do the rest of the day? Well, we watched some really really bad movies on Netflix and cleaned up the house after our guests had left. Early afternoon, I received another present -- straight from the FedEx guy! Jason said it was promised to come by Christmas, and he handed it directly to me. He got me a new black rain jacket, primarily so I could through away my old (at least 10 years, I'd guess) deceased jacket.
I had hammed out over the weekend, so we decided to go out for some Chinese food (very "fa ra ra ra ra" of us). We thought this was a good decision... as did half of Raleigh! The place was packed! When we finally got a seat, we ended up there for over 2 hours. Let's just say our waiter did not seem to be in any hurry about anything. It didn't bother us too much since we had nothing else to do that night, but it DID bother us because we were hungry!
Anyway, this was our exciting Christmas Eve.
After breakfast, Christmas Steve showed up, and we opened presents.
Jason took pictures of me, but I forgot to get any of him! Anyway, this year was a lean one since we've been spending like crazy since we bought the house. I got him two new belts, bedroom slippers, the new Jack White cd, and the Batman trilogy on bluray.
Jason apparently didn't get the message about the lean Christmas, so I really racked up! He bought be bowl fillers, a "triceraCHOPS" mug, a glass vase with a glass mum on it, and a new water bottle since I had recently broken mine. He also bought me these metal letters, which now sit on top of our mantle.
What did we do the rest of the day? Well, we watched some really really bad movies on Netflix and cleaned up the house after our guests had left. Early afternoon, I received another present -- straight from the FedEx guy! Jason said it was promised to come by Christmas, and he handed it directly to me. He got me a new black rain jacket, primarily so I could through away my old (at least 10 years, I'd guess) deceased jacket.
I had hammed out over the weekend, so we decided to go out for some Chinese food (very "fa ra ra ra ra" of us). We thought this was a good decision... as did half of Raleigh! The place was packed! When we finally got a seat, we ended up there for over 2 hours. Let's just say our waiter did not seem to be in any hurry about anything. It didn't bother us too much since we had nothing else to do that night, but it DID bother us because we were hungry!
Anyway, this was our exciting Christmas Eve.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Christmas with Sawyer
I hadn't seen Sawyer since May, and he's grown into quite the little man!
1) How cute is he in his little buttondown shirt?
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| I call this the teenager "Why are you taking so many pictures of me?" look |
2) He's obsessed with clocks. He loooooooved our giant red clock above our door and kept saying "clock!" He also likes pointing to people's watches.
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| A few seconds before he found Uncle Jason's watch |
3) He's quick to pick up on things. When we went out to watch the big boys play cornhole, he ran over, took the bags, and threw them in the hole... and was really excited about it!
4) He's easy to amuse, which is both a blessing and a curse. After presents, we played together for a while on the rug. His favorite game? He'd put his hand over my closed mouth while I hummed "mmm" and then when he'd pull his hand away, I'd slick out my tongue and say "Booga booga booga!" We played this for a really long time. A really long time! Long after Aunt Meg was done, he'd come over and go "mmmm!" and wait for me to say "booga booga booga!" If I didn't? He'd just keep repeating "mmm" over and over again. Ah, games with toddlers. A blessing and a curse.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Visitors from the West
This year, we hosted the Selfs at our house. Sara and Adam hadn't seen our house, and it seemed like the best time for everyone to get together. Hosting nine people for a holiday? I have to admit, I was a bit worried, but it all went really well!
Jake and Beth came Friday night and watched several movies with us. Beth had never seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, so it was really fun watching her experience it for the first time.
The Cartwrights arrived shortly after breakfast on Saturday, followed by the Benny and Jody a few hours later. Lunch consisted of whatever goodies people wanted (cookies, peanut butter balls, truffles, chipotle peanuts, and jalapeño poppers), while Jason and I prepared dinner.
Dinner consisted of ham, sweet potato casserole (thanks to Jody), roasted veggies, and smoked cheddar biscuits (thanks to Jason). Dessert was either more goodies or Jody's pumpkin pie.
After dinner, the guys went in the backyard and played cornhole. Sawyer and I joined them outside to play in the crunchy leaves.
Then, it was presents time!
After presents, we watched "Dark Knight Rises" (an early Christmas present from me to Jason), and everyone but the parents headed back west. But not before some excitement...
Back when Kara came over to help me decorate, she noticed some birds had taken nest in the wreath on the front door. When Jake and Beth were leaving, Jake noticed the same thing... but not before the bird flew into our house!
Luckily, we got the little guy back outside safely, thanks to Jason and Adam's calm thinking in the midst of the chaos.
Sunday, Benny, Jody, Jason, and I went to church and then they headed back west as well. Jason and I relaxed the rest of the day. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty successful holiday!
Jake and Beth came Friday night and watched several movies with us. Beth had never seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, so it was really fun watching her experience it for the first time.
The Cartwrights arrived shortly after breakfast on Saturday, followed by the Benny and Jody a few hours later. Lunch consisted of whatever goodies people wanted (cookies, peanut butter balls, truffles, chipotle peanuts, and jalapeño poppers), while Jason and I prepared dinner.
Dinner consisted of ham, sweet potato casserole (thanks to Jody), roasted veggies, and smoked cheddar biscuits (thanks to Jason). Dessert was either more goodies or Jody's pumpkin pie.
After dinner, the guys went in the backyard and played cornhole. Sawyer and I joined them outside to play in the crunchy leaves.
Then, it was presents time!
After presents, we watched "Dark Knight Rises" (an early Christmas present from me to Jason), and everyone but the parents headed back west. But not before some excitement...
Back when Kara came over to help me decorate, she noticed some birds had taken nest in the wreath on the front door. When Jake and Beth were leaving, Jake noticed the same thing... but not before the bird flew into our house!
Luckily, we got the little guy back outside safely, thanks to Jason and Adam's calm thinking in the midst of the chaos.
Sunday, Benny, Jody, Jason, and I went to church and then they headed back west as well. Jason and I relaxed the rest of the day. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty successful holiday!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
So Tired of Being Flingin' Flangin' Sick
I took pictures over Christmas. Really, I did. I had a good time, and had such great plans to edit the photos and blog about all the adventures. And then it hit.
I'm sick. Again. For the FOURTH time in about two and half months. What the what?!? How is that even possible?
I'll spare you the gross details about the sound my coughs make and then festive colors of my snot and share my newest symptom -- no voice. Yep, I'm working without a voice today people. It's quite entertaining educating and managing 70-some teenagers without the ability to talk.
So stick with me, folks. Blogs will be coming. Ya know, when I don't drag myself home from work, immediately put on pjs, and hide on the couch under a blanket all evening.
I'm sick. Again. For the FOURTH time in about two and half months. What the what?!? How is that even possible?
I'll spare you the gross details about the sound my coughs make and then festive colors of my snot and share my newest symptom -- no voice. Yep, I'm working without a voice today people. It's quite entertaining educating and managing 70-some teenagers without the ability to talk.
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| Ok, this is a bit of an over-exaggeration, but I'm a bit melodramatic when sick. |
So stick with me, folks. Blogs will be coming. Ya know, when I don't drag myself home from work, immediately put on pjs, and hide on the couch under a blanket all evening.
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