Legal jargon makes me sleepy

I need a dictionary to understand it. I'm currently sitting in a layoff hearing; oh the joys of receiving a pink slip! We've been here since 9, and the lawyers haven't gotten through anything past citing evidence. Over 500 teachers are in this room, and the max is 299. Someone needs to call the fire marshall!!!

So I've done nothing but sit on my bum all day. I did get some grading done, and I started reading Water for Elephants.

It's pretty good so far! I'm also keepin myself awake with sour patch watermelons and m&m's. Not the healthiest, but it will have to do. Here's to hoping I don't have to come back tomorrow!!

I'm so excited!!

and nervous...but more excited for this:
Big Sur is coming up in less than 2 weeks, and although it's been hard to get out and train, especially for the hills, I feel like I'm mentally ready!! I think I'm more excited that I'm doing this beautiful race with my two best and beautiful girls, M & K. It's going to be such a fun, just-the-girls weekend. I cannot wait!!

Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to do with all these medals I'm accumulating. :)

Oh technology, how I love thee

Because of you, I can blog from my iPhone! Coolest ever; just had to try it!!

The weather today is quite blah. It's super cloudy and pretty chilly out. I'm totally being a couch potato since tonight is girls night. Should be a fun time!!

Happy Saturday, everyone!!

Beamer VS the Dyson

Last night, Hubs and I decided that we had to clean the house at 9 pm. Ok, so really I was the one who decided to start cleaning, but he totally offered to vacuum as I cleaned bathrooms. We have a Dyson Ball vacuum (which I LOVE) and ever since we got it, Beamer has hated it. This is how Hubs found him last night as he was vacuuming the family room.

Beamer apparently decided to take refuge on the buffet table.

It seriously cracks me up whenever we vacuum, because Beamer's eyes follow the Dyson wherever it goes and he totally stares it down! It's like he's saying, "Hey yellow dude, this is MY family and MY house!!" Wow, check out that death look!!
Oh, silly kitty! Thanks for providing us with some laughs!

Funny, but NOT

Check out this funny (but not really) video about what education in California could be like with these continued budget cuts. Totally laugh-worthy, but it kind of makes you wonder how far these budgets cuts are going to be taken. In my district alone, we are laying of ALL librarians and counselors, half of our support staff, and over 300 teachers. We CANNOT expect these kids to succeed without a proper education...and these cuts continue to show that it's not the priority that is should be. Is this really the message we want to send to our children, who are essentially our future??

Teaching Moment Tuesday

Forgive me, I'm a day late; but I was so dead tired after I got home from my walk yesterday afternoon! It was dinner, shower, then off to bed at 8:00 for me. Yes, I'm lame, I know. :)

So yesterday, we began our new unit on Games. Every 3 weeks we have a themed unit in reading, and we learn about and read stories about these themes. This one is my favorite one, because we learn about types of games and how to play them. I always begin units by asking my kids what they know about the topic. Yesterday, we began the morning with, "What is your favorite game? Let's make a list!"

My students began raising their hands..."XBox360!"... "Nintendo DS!" ...Gamecube!" ...Playstation!" See the pattern?? So I asked them, "Do you have a favorite outdoor game or BOARD game?" One boys raises his hand and very matter-of-factly says, "Those must be BORING if they are called BORED games."

Friday will be interesting when I break out all the games for them to play! ;)

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Run for a Tiffany's necklace...YES PLEASE!

Ok, so that's not the ONLY reason for this half marathon. The proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which is an organization near and dear to my heart. My sissy-in-law, Trisha, passed away 5 years ago from leukemia. And even though she wasn't my sissy-in-law at the time, I loved her like one and miss her dearly. So anything that benefits blood cancers in high on my list!!

I registered for the lottery to enter this half marathon today...and my fingers are crossed hoping I get in! These half marathon fees are pretty hefty, especially this one ($115), so if I get in, I'm asking mom and dad for the fees as my early b-day present. :) This race is in October, nearly 5 weeks after the Disneyland Half Marthon, and I'm pretty sure it will be my last one for the year. However, a couple of us were talking about possibly doing a marathon relay...oy-vay!

All I know is this....if I get into this half, I'm going to have a blast and run (or walk) like the girlie girl that I am!

Lots of love!