hobby

So I'm pretty sure I'm getting a sewing machine for Christmas. I included this on the absurdly long list I made of items that would make me happy (which I sent to my mom, obviously). I pretended that I was going to let her surprise me with which ones she picks. However, after 30 years of being her daughter, I can now guess (with about 95% accuracy) which items she will buy me. (Sorry, mom. You're kind of predictable. But don't worry, I'm super excited about the sewing machine.)

I have big plans for this sewing machine. These plans may or may not involve Project Runway-type projects. Prepare to be amazed.

(I may have practiced just a little with Katelyn's sewing machine. And I may have almost broken it. But I think I have the kinks worked out. I'm ready.)

diy: how to make the best thanksgiving rolls ever

Step 1: Make Mom's homemade roll dough.

Step 2: Melt an entire stick of butter in the bottom of a bundt pan.

Step 3: Cut out the rolls and place them in the bundt pan so that they swim in butter. (It's fun for them.)

Step 4: Let the rolls rise. As they rise, they will absorb the butter (hence absorb delicousness)

Step 5: Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

Step 6: Consume. Go to the gym. Consume some more. Go for a run.

Dear Ear Doctor,

(otherwise known as Katie's husband),

When you first told me that Q-tips are evil, I kind of thought you were pulling my leg. Seriously. I didn't think it was possible for someone who loves ears so much (as you apparently do) could not love Q-tips. Bizarre.

But then, suddenly, I couldn't hear out of my left ear. And I completely blame Q-tips. Dang. Turns out you were right. I will never again doubt you or your audiological skills.

All the best,

Poodle

PS - Don't worry, thanks to a couple bottles of debrox drops I can hear again. Crisis averted!

blepharospasms

So, in case anyone was wondering, I can't seem to keep my eyes open these days.

I'm not tired, they just won't stay open. It's something neurological, apparently. So I can't drive. I sometimes run into things when I'm walking. My students think I'm weird because sometimes my eyes close when I'm answering their questions.

But don't worry, I have lots of friends who have all offered to drive me around, cook for me (okay, maybe I can cook for myself, but if anyone offered, I'd certainly accept) and help me out with whatever else I need. They're great.

overheard in the faculty room

So sometimes, if a kid's schedule changes, all of his grades get deleted from my online gradebook. (Annoying for me. Sometimes good for the kid. Sometimes not so good for the kid.)

So theoretically, if a student wants a fresh start, all he has to do is "lose" all of his old papers and change his entire schedule. How delightful.

We were obviously discussing this phenomena in the faculty room (because we had run out of gossip). And the math teacher pipes in:

So, if a student wants all of his grades erased, really, all he has to do is go find that room where we keep the internet....

3-day weekend

It was blissful.

I slept.

I read.

I organized my closet. (Still working on that one.)

I did not grade a single paper. I did not do anything I didn't really want to do.

Back to work tomorrow.

i moved!!!

After a month of sleeping on the floor, I have finally moved into a permanent apartment! It is delightful.

In case anyone was wondering, Katelyn and I have excellent style. Since my camera cord was lost in the move (along with my flat iron and curling iron) you will have to come visit to see what it looks like. But please wait until I have time to replace my flat iron. I am having some bad hair days recently. (How embarrassing...)

But the great news is, only two weeks left until my foot will return to full functionality. I am looking forward to my inaugural run (and inaugural bike ride). Everyone's invited. It's going to be a huge party.

Ragnar

I am not really sure why spending 30 hours in a car with no shower and no sleep is fun, but it really is. Except this year, I was not allowed to run because of my broken foot. Jack took my place. He was way faster than I would have been. But I came along anyway as van chauffeur/entertainer extraordinaire. I don't want to brag or anything, but I think I was a perfect fit for the job.

Except for when I thought that I had dropped the car keys in the porta-potty. I can laugh now, but I was less than amused when I was digging around on my desperate search. (Don't worry, the keys were found safe and sound under another team's van.) And I totally secured my prize as "most dedicated team member". Which makes it totally worth it. (Right?)

did you hear?

I broke my foot.

Which wouldn't be so bad if the weather out here weren't perfect for running and frolicking in the great outdoors. And if the Ragnar Relay weren't this weekend, and if my marathon weren't coming up in 6 weeks.

Needless to say, I am not running Ragnar. Even though I am the team captain. BUT my new coworker is probably running in my place, which makes me feel good that I could make the new guy feel welcome. Yippee.

first day

We went back to school today (finally). As wonderful as my summer was, it was great to be back discussing really important things like exactly how old Bill Clinton is (trust me, it relates) to why you can't win a track meet if you run in the wrong direction.

My juniors are delightful. So delightful, in fact, that even the most crotchety teachers can only think of good things to say about them. And when you can get Adam the history teacher to say good things about you, you have won a very hard-fought battle. (Again, you're going to have to trust me on this one.)

just in case

Just in case you ever wondered what teachers do before school starts, I will tell you.

First, we sit through hours of meetings that have no known purpose.

Then, just as we think we are going to die of boredom, we start playing pranks on one another. And suddenly, life is much better.

sad news

Okay, not only is this my last week of summer, but I also learned some terrible news today.

My copy of Mockingjay is not even shipping until the 30th!!! The copy that I pre-ordered so that I would have it the day it came out!!

(Okay, so maybe I pre-ordered because it was half price. But still!)

Life is hard.

holy cow

I only have one week of summer left.

Seriously.

Then I have to actually get up in the mornings. And go to work. And leave my house every day! Not sure what I'm going to do with myself.

But until then, I have been thoroughly enjoying the every last bit of summer by moving to Virginia, buying a bike, spending time at the pool, and convincing my former roommate that it might be time for her to pay the utility bill. (We're still working on that last one.)

inventory

Moving forces you to take inventory of the things you own, whether you like it or not.

Turns out my possessions fall into the following categories:

32% clothing

32% furniture

32% books

3% sports/athletic/outdoor gear (which will increase when I buy my new road bike this week)

1% everything else

I have my priorities, okay?

hehe

I just invited a bunch of people over for a barbecue Sunday night.

What they don't know is that Sunday also happens to be the day that my furniture will need to be moved from my room to the basement.

I'm sneaky.

you are SOOOO welcome

Hey, did you guys know that you can now pay your tithing using your bank's online billpay?

It's true. You can.

They announced this in my ward's Relief Society a few weeks ago. Out of the 200 women sitting in RS that week, I think I was the only person listening.

I might have started clapping.

But ever since then, every single person I have mentioned this to acts shocked. They all want to know where on earth I learned such a thing.

(In relief society, obviously. The same Relief Society that they were sitting in. (I think this might tell us something interesting about Relief Society "announcement time". Maybe. I'm just saying...))

And then they want to hug me. And be my best friend. It's almost like I invented it myself. (I didn't. I just know how to do it. And now I am exploiting it so that people will like me.)

dear bethany,

I made giant home-made oreos the other day. Thought of you. Wish you were here.

Love,
Poodle

3 weeks

Only 3 weeks of summer left. I can't say I'm ready for it to end.

But tomorrow I leave for Nashville to spend the weekend playing with Bexie and her kids. And hopefully taking in some good country music.

And then I get to dog-sit for my coworker. He thinks I'm doing him a huge favor, but really I get to spend 5 days playing with his dog, eating his food, and watching his TV (and scooping up a little bit of dog turd along the way). (He thinks I need to be a live-in dog sitter. People around here love their dogs. Fine by me.)

And everybody keep your fingers crossed that I will find a place to live by the 15th. Please, I would rather not sleep in my car.

Right now....

I am wishing summer would move just a little bit slower. I am really enjoying this whole no work and all play thing. Just over a month left.

I am looking forward to a trip to the rodeo this weekend. Nothing beats bull riding, mutton busting, and fair food.

On a more serious note, I am making steps towards buying both a bike and a house. I think the house is a slightly bigger deal than a bike, but both are stressful. I have a hard time with large purchases, in case you didn't know. But if I'm ever going to do a triathlon, I need a bike. And if I'm ever going to feel like a real grown-up, I need a house. (or condo. whatever.)

brother

I have recently been informed that I never talk about my brother. Apparently a few people thought I didn't have one.

I do. I like him.

We were totally partners in crime when we were little. Then I turned into a poodle, and as it turns out, poodles do not make the best partners in crime.

But now he has what might be the cutest child on the planet.