Last week was another busy week! It started with me having to go to the Dr. I have fluid in both of my ears, but in my right one the worse. It still hurts!

Work was hectic while we prepared for a fund raiser call Winter Wonder Land. Our hall looked great! Maybe I will post a picture of the igloo. Even with all the work, my grade only made about $100. I know myself I spent almost that. I guess next year I could just donate that money and not do the extra work.

I had to work Saturday in Trenton. It wasn't to bad. I only had 8 full tester and 3 re testers. I came home to an empty house. Paul is gone to his mom's until Monday. We miss him!

I was ready to curl up and read a book, but Jeff called. He wanted to play cards. We went to mom's and dad's to play Shanghai. It was fun, and I didn't lose!

Today, Jessica and I went to church, and then we all went to mom's and dad's to eat. We had taco soup and green chile chicken potato soup. It was good, as always!

I don't think anything great is to happen this week. I do go to the Dr. to get released from my foot surgery. That appointment is Monday, and I plan to walk as soon as I get home.

Hope everyone has a great week!!!!

The igloo-these were taken with a cell phone, so the quality of the pictures stink. The faces of the Eskimo are pictures of teachers that work on the red hall.

The kids' faces are on skiers.

Here I am as a giant Eskimo!

Paul and I went to Paducah last night. We had dinner at a steak house, and it was good! I hadn't had anything for lunch, so I was starving. I had steak, salad, and apples; that I ordered but didn't eat. I don't usually order steak, but they had a small one and it was what I was really wanting. Usually we go to Olive Garden, but I suggested a steak. I didn't have to twist Paul's arm to go. Next, we went to Sams to get laundry stuff. We also stopped at the grocery. We got home around 10. I really had fun.

I woke up this morning with a sore throat and stuffy nose. I had big plans to clean up the house today, and I have slowly finished.

Paul is working tonight, and he will be busy because the flea market is here this weekend. That always brings in more business. I have not been to the flea market since it reopened. I wonder if it is the same old stuff that it was years ago.

He was just home for an early supper. I made homemade chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese. Now I am ready for a nap, but it is to late in the afternoon.

I got all my things in for the grant that I received. I will hopefully teach electricity and magnets starting Monday. I am really excited about it and maybe it will help me be a better science teacher. I know it won't hurt!!!

I don't know why I even watch movies on regular channels. I was watching When Harry Met Sally. I just wanted to see my favorite scene which they cut. It was one of the best scenes, the one where they were eating at the diner.

There is an old man that lives behind us, and every evening he beats on a metal trash can lid to scare off all the birds. I wish it worked on the squirrels, they are taking all the pecans before they even fall to the ground!

I voted early, so today I didn't experience the lines like many people did. We voted at school, and it was no surprise that the students voted McCain by a large percent. I am sure he will have TN, but I did my part. (well, they just announced it and McCain did get TN)

My babies voted today for their first time. Jess said she didn't have to wait more than 20 minutes.

There is not anything on TV tonight except election coverage and House! You think they would have been kind enough to at least have Wheel on!

There is a boy that was in my class, he is now a junior, and he is suffering from testicular cancer. I read a little of his blog and sent him a note. My heart goes out to him and his family. They are on the last chemo and then will do scans in December. Please pray for that family.

Is it Friday, YET????

I am so ready for the week to be over. I have not worked a full week since the last week in September. And the earliest I have left the school this week is 4:30. That is 6 hours with out pay! My reward: we get to break the dress code and as long as we tuck in our shirts to dress pants, we will be allowed to wear a Halloween shirt! Wow! How luck is that! (I don't even own a Halloween shirt!)

Halloween is tomorrow and that means a party at school. The kids really don't behave if their parents are there, but maybe this year will be different.

Last night I made my class some homemade brownies topped with marshmallow cream. I was going to make a chocolate drizzled spider web on top, but I couldn't even draw one. So, I didn't want to chance messing it up. Instead I topped it with orange and brown M&Ms. I gave it to them today because they will have so much junk tomorrow. They loved it. One boy said, "Ms. Darla, that was so good that you will probably get to go on TV and show everyone how to make them."

Jimmy was home all day yesterday and night! It was good to see and talk to him for more than just a few minutes at a time. He sweet talked me into making another batch of brownies for him.

The yearbook rep came by today. He is really a great guy and helpful. We are doing our book completely online this year, and he stopped by to show us the program. I think our theme is an ipod -What's on your play list? and then have all genres of music throughout the yearbook.

It is time for Jessica's and my show: Grey's Anatomy

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Sometimes I say things that are completely innocent and they are taken in other ways. The latest example: I was talking to Paul about making muffins for breakfast and how I use to make them all the time. Then I said, "I don't know why I don't make them anymore, but it doesn't matter you don't seem to be much of a muffin eater." Paul was cleaning out the refrigerator, and nearly fell over laughing! I was embarrassed, luckily Jimmy wasn't in the kitchen.

We got rolled last night. The only consolation I have is that they had to step in dog crap somewhere!!! My hope for the vandals is that the poop stains the carpet in their car and the smell last forever!

I finished The Last Lecture and was completely moved by the book; how that man lived his life and the principles that he was taught as a child. It made me wish I could go back and redo some of the things I did with Jimmy and Jessica. I also reflected on childhood dreams and I can't really think of but one dream, to write poetry and books. I know I had to have other dreams but I can't remember them. I would suggest reading that book or at least watching Randy Pausch's Last Lecture on You Tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo It is really long, over an hour. If it is like the book, it will be worth watching.

I had told Jeff how much I was crying during that book and he suggested I put it down. I couldn't because I had to finish it. Then at dinner, he told me to read a book called 212 degrees. It is just a short inspirational book, mostly geared toward business people. It can be summed up like this: At 211 degrees water is hot. At 212 degrees water boils. With boiling water, comes steam, and steam can power a locomotive. With just one more degree, hot water can move a locomotive. With just a little more effort, attitude, perseverance, kindness, commitment and focus we can achieve all the things we want to achieve.

Paul and I went to early vote this morning. We only waited in line about 15 minutes. Well, at least it is done and we won't have to do it when we wait for over an hour. Jessica and Jimmy will both vote this time.

After we voted, we met mom, dad and Jeff for lunch. I had a really good vegetable soup.

OCTOBER - Jessica is turning 18 in a few weeks. I don't even remember turning 18. Of course, I had a little baby boy and was busy with his life. She is pretty excited about it. She has threaten to leave but I don't know what she will do. It is up to her. I also have a friend who will be 29 for the ninth year. Happy Birthday, to you both!

Paul has been so good to me these last few days. He has taken great care of me and has not let me just mope around. The pain pills did not agree with me and I know that is why I felt so bad Thursday and Friday. He made me get up on Saturday and I have been doing pretty good every since. I think I will be able to walk with just a cane. Or at least I hope the Dr. tells me that this afternoon. Then I won't have to depend on help for everything. Jimmy and Jess have helped out also! When Paul would be at work they would hang around.

Jimmy is here today because they are on fall break until Wednesday, so that should keep me occupied. He got his mid-terms in and they weren't all they should be. I don't know why he isn't working to his potential. Jessica and I are on fall break until next Monday. She is helping Jeff unpack.

I watched August Rush on Saturday night. I really enjoyed that movie. Even when you aren't with people, a common bond can still connect you. I have felt that over the years with my family and friends. Today I watched, Educating Little Tree , that movie made me cry like a baby.

I am getting really bored with TV so I guess it is time to pick up the books. My first one to read is, The Last Lecture, By Randy Pausch. After that, I have a few books that I got at Goodwill during the half price sale a couple of weeks ago.

My germ phobia kicks in when I think about reading used books or books from the library. It is really just gross. You don't know what other people do or touch when they are reading books or where they read them! They could have fixed chicken for supper and after touching the raw meat they never washed their hands. Or worse, and I think this is what really bothers me the most, what if, just what if they took them in the bathroom with them! That is just too much grossness!