Just another Monday

Foggy, misty, and a little chilly around here this morning.  I sure love it.  Starting testing with 7th graders today, then 8th graders tomorrow.  High school testing is next week.  Once that is over, the rest is all downhill.  Still trying to figure out what to do about jobs.  I desperately need some guidance as to where to go...

Bad spelling...bad habit.

In this day and age, with the Internet, smartphones, dictionaries, MP3 players, computers, etc., readily available to pretty much everyone, there is no excuse for bad spelling.  If you do not know how to spell a word, LOOK IT UP.  If you continually misuse the words your/you're, they're/their/there, passed/past, or one of a thousand other possibilities, LOOK IT UP.  Every time I read a blog post, facebook update, etc., with spelling/grammar/punctuation mistakes, it makes me cry a little inside.  I don't for a minute believe that every person in the world is a super genius, but basic spelling and grammar are musts in today's world.  Kids need to stop expecting technology to do everything for them.  Someday I will meet my Prince Charming, and he will know how to spell and pronounce words, use correct grammar, and punctuate sentences correctly.  Be still, my geeky heart!

Crybaby

I have always loved this song, partly because it is catchy and I love oldies music, but also because I hate the stigmata attached to crying.  True or false:  People who cry are weak.  FALSE.  Babies cry because they want something and they cannot articulate that.  Children cry because they are hurt, or something happens that confuses them.  Why can't adults cry for the same reason?  There are so many different kinds of tears.  Sad tears, happy tears, mad tears, frustrated tears.  I am a hugely emotional person.  I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I cry at everything.  When I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING.  You know those heart-wrenching commercials designed by companies to tug at your heartstrings?  Yeah, I cry at those.  The season finale of Friends where everybody goes their separate ways?  Yep, cried at that.  The Notebook?  A whole box of tissue...for the book AND the movie.  It doesn't take much to loosen up my tear ducts.  Here's the one I hate the most:  When I get mad - like really, fiery mad - I cry.  I never have understood it, but it's kind of like I feel so lost and frustrated that I just cry.  I cry when I am happy, when I am sad, when I am mad, when I feel lost or at the end of my rope, when I am frustrated, when I receive bad news, when I see something heartwarming, etc., etc.  Why does this make me a weak person?  Yeah, I'm a fireball of emotions waiting to explode at any second.  So what?  Sometimes a good cry really makes everything better.  I hate to cry in front of other people, however; it is NOT pretty.  My face gets all red and splotchy, my eyes fill, my nose runs, and my makeup gets shot to hell.  Ever heard the phrase "ugly cry"?  Pretty sure that's named for me, 'cause let me tell you when I cry it is U-G-L-Y.  Sometimes, though, you just can't hold it back.  As blech as I may look afterward, I feel cleansed.  For a few minutes, it feels like the next cry is far off in the future.  I have cried so much at times it is a wonder my body has any tears left.  The thing I like so much about Lesley Gore's song is that even though it is about a spoiled little girl who is upset that her boyfriend has left with another girl, she is sending a message about crying.  "Hey, guess what?  This is my house and my party and if I want to cry, I will."  I think that should apply to the rest of life as well.  I should just say, "Hey, guess what?  I am really (insert emotion here) right now, and I am going to cry.  Deal with it."  Better stock up on the tissues.  This crybaby is here to stay. 

P.S. Just as I was wrapping this up, I was reminded of another "cry" song I love, so I'm adding it too.  Long live the great Janis Joplin.

What's in a word?

Did you ever notice how many different ways there are to say tired?  Weary...exhausted...pooped...sleepy...worn out...drained...dog tired...beat...spent...overtaxed...and so many more.  There are also so many different definitions of tired that it's enough to blow your mind.  There's the tired like sleepy, where you can't stop yawning and your eyes close as soon as your head hits the pillow.  There's body-tired, when your entire body aches and you can barely stand up because every muscle in your body is screaming at you to sit down.  There's exhausted tired, which to me is every kind of tired all rolled into one.  You can barely stay awake because you haven't had enough sleep lately, it feels like your whole body will turn to mush any second, and your brain is no longer functioning as it should be because of all the tiredness you are experiencing.  Here's what I have been wondering lately.  What's the best word to use when it isn't your body that is tired...it's your soul?  Have you ever experienced that?  These days, I feel soul tired...world weary...just plain achingly tired of nearly everything.  My soul feels like it could use a good long nap and a spa day.  I can barely make the smallest of decisions anymore for fear of making the wrong one.  I burst into tears for no reason at least once a day.  I, who used to be so proud of my stores of patience, have almost zero tolerance for anything even remotely annoying these days.  I have stopped doing so many things I used to love to do because I am just "too tired" to do anything.  The question is, how tired is "too tired"?  At what point do I finally say "ENOUGH!" and do whatever I have to do to figure out what is wrong with me?  I get headaches constantly, and I eat antacids like other people eat Skittles.  This tired carries over into my body and mind, but this time, a good nap is not the answer.  So what is?  If I can figure it out, maybe I can feel well-rested again for the first time in a long time.  Until then, I'll just carry a travel pillow in case I see the opportunity for a five minute catnap.  Zzzzzzzzz...

My brother the comedian...

Lyle's stand-up comedy routine at Bulldog Blitz at SWOSU last week.  Funny stuff!  So proud of that kid!  I am lucky to have him as a brother!

New beginning, or another disappointment?

Finished my application and turned it in today for an English job in Frederick.  Would love to not have to drive 11 miles one way to work every day!  Plus, Mason will be starting school so it will be so much easier.  Now I've done all I can do...we shall wait and see!  I have my fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eyes crossed!

TGIF

Watched my brother's stand-up comedy debut on Wednesday, and he nailed it!  He is the funniest person I know.  He didn't win, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.  He was still really good.  Going back to Weatherford tomorrow with Mason for Kids Fest 2011.  Games, prizes, food, etc.  Should be fun.  Still trying to wade through the master's degree thing and find the best option for me.  I've decided to apply to SWOSU and get the ball rolling on that.  Online school is still an option (I think) so I am just figuring it all out right now.  So far, it's a mess!  I am conflicted about going back to school.  On one hand, I hate school and was so ready for it to be over.  On the other, this will open up a whole new career path for me, and I will make more money.  So in the long run, I just need to suck it up and do it!  I just hope I don't suck at it!  Only a few more weekends until school is out for the summer.  TGIF!

The countdown

Counting today, there are 31 days of school left until summer vacation.  Be still, my heart!  There is so much to do in that time if I want to change jobs.  Planning to print the application today and fill it out by the end of the week for the job in Frederick.  Crossing my fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eyes.  We'll see what happens.  Also hoping to hear back today from an online school about qualifying for the master's degree in school counseling.  Not sure yet if I meet their prerequisites.  On a different note, my brother is making his stand-up comedy debut this Wednesday at the SWOSU talent show.  Super excited to see how that goes.  We are all driving up to watch.  Can't wait!