Big Shout Out To Tough Judges and Fourth Grade Teachers

I've been following the Casey Trial, and was actually not that surprised that the young man was stupid enough to give the finger to the attorney on the stand. As a teacher over the years I have been told by children to "F--- Off", "Shut the F--- UP", "F--- You", and given the middle finger, or as the judge said the "sign of affection." I was happy that the judge gave him 6 days in jail and fined him $400.00 plus court costs.  I had Rob watch the replay of the judge giving the young man his judgement and told Rob I thought every parent and child should watch this segment.  Why???  Because I think ALL of us need to return to a certain level of decency. This young man had read the sign, and had the rules explained before court started.  As I watched him say his action was stupid and he was sorry, I sensed that like many young people he thought that was the end of his problem.  As Rob was watching the replay, people's Twitter remarks were flashing across the screen on Channel 6.  Rob said, "Did you read that?" "What?" I said.  Someone just Twittered that the Judge reminded them of their fourth grade teacher. "YES" I said.  "There is another me!"  Most of my former students can attest to my lectures. Lectures that at some point in their lives that they will be held responsible for their actions and Mom and Dad will not be able to get them out of it. I care deeply for my students but part of caring is teaching respect and responsibility.  Too many kids do not think they should be held responsible for any of their actions.  They will tell teachers that they can't do anything to them, that they will tell their parents and get the teacher in trouble. that they are going to sue you, and their parents always get them out of trouble. The young man in court today obviously thought that the sign, the warning, the rules did not apply to him.  Maybe he thought he would just get by with it. Maybe he thought court would be as passive with punishment as the public school system has been in the last 20 years. I don't know what he thought the Judge would do but I don't think he was thinking jail. I'm not totally innocent myself but I know that none of us should really be giving anyone the finger, especially your elementary teacher or an attorney or judge in court.  People do yourself and your kids a favor. Teach them appropriate behavior and the consequences of bad behavior and poor choices and foremost let them suffer consequences before they are say 26 years old giving the finger on national TV in a court room.  One of the last lectures I gave my students before school was out was at the Preston County Courthouse on the fact that there are cameras everywhere. I guess the young man in court today wasn't paying attention when his fourth grade teacher gave that lecture.

Double Date Night

I thought if Rob and I went on a double date with Kathy and Barney, Rob may be just a little more classy with ideas.  I have no idea why I would think having two men together would make it better. The evening started out OK with shopping, but rapidly digressed when ROB said he was hungry. Wouldn't you know, right at the same moment, a bill board appeared for wings at HOOTERS, yes I said HOOTERS. Now, I am not stupid.  I know you can get wings a million other places, but Barney insisted that you could get fat free, low cholesterol wings at HOOTERS. Kathy had never been to a HOOTERS so she had no idea about the decor. Not to seem slutty but I had been to a few so I knew what was coming, but I will do anything to stick to my diet. We walked into HOOTERS and quickly found a table. Rob and Barney seemed happy with our choice immediately. Kathy not so. Quickly our waitress appeared and Kathy asked her if she was old enough to be serving beer. She said yes, she had just turned 18 fifteen minutes earlier. OK, good to go.  I preceded to ask about the fat free, low cholesterol wings. She looked at me with that stupid "I just turned 18 look" and laughed. I knew I had been had, AGAIN. Rob insisted the wings were really good and it was all you could eat. So we ordered. Rob and Barney seemed preoccupied the entire evening choosing to spend their evening looking around, paying very little attention to me and Kathy. Our wings were finally served with were OK, but the fries arrived late. The boys didn't seemed upset at all over the service but continue to call Samantha's name over and over, while Barney did Rob kept calling her Amanda and wondered why she didn't come to wait on him. I found this rather annoying.  There was at least 15 minutes during my 17th summer that I probably could have fit into the HOOTERS uniform, but Rob didn't know me then, and I have no desire to starve myself to death for him now. Actually, I have very little desire to do anything for him. So on with the story, Samantha informed us it was her first night on the job.  Barney and Rob took it upon themselves to explain to Samantha how to get bigger tips, at this point I was just so ready to leave. Rob preceded to leave a big tip and I preceded to plot my revenge.

Rob Tries to Make Up For Last Nigt's Date

I gave Rob a second chance today to make up for the Goodwill/Tool Store Date Night.  This is how today went.  Up early and breakfast at guess where?  You got it, Checkers!  Then on to Old Navy Tank Top sale. He told me I could buy all the tanks I wanted.  Big spender! It was the $2 Tank Sale, but I did buy 8 for me, 4 for Brandy, 2 for Korin and matching outfits for Justin and Cassie.  Justin didn't seem too excited but I told him David and I dressed alike for years and look how we turned out. I also found a cute skirt. I really don't look too good in tank tops but when it is 100 degrees I really don't care how I look.  Plus no tan lines on the arms, and one good thing about 53 is no one is really looking at you unless there are looking for their Mom or in Julie's case, grandmother. OK, back to date make up day. Next, on to Sam's Club where I bought Lady GaGa's album (CD) "Born This Way", Blue Crab Dip, because it was good and I miss Julie, and an apple pie, because I have been craving apple pie. Rob actually found the CD for me to try to make up for the tool store. Lunch was at Sam's.  We walked around and tried the free food. Which allowed Rob to get buy with little money and no clean up. He even treated me to a free sample of wine, which I usually hate wine but this one was good enough we bought a bottle. The wine sample came in one of those little cups you rinse your mouth out at the dentist when you have dental work done. On the way home I listened, sang, and did a few dance moves to my new CD. That was until Rob said someone at the bus stop was watching me. They probably had never seen someone with such remarkable talent just randomly driving by their bus stop. Once home, I had a piece of my apple pie, and then I took a nap because it was too rainy to go to the beach. I think Rob let me sleep because he thought that would be a good end to our date, but I don't know who that gift was for exactly.

Tips for wanna be Diva's, recipes, and photos

I need to do a little more with my blog. Justin will be visiting in a couple of weeks and I'm going to have him help me update and reinvent my blog.  First, I need photos, not for every blog but some.  Dan was hoping that there were photos with the blog" Rob and the wet tee shirt contest", but Dan changed his mind after that special "look" from me and said he had errands to run. I think a couple of photos would be nice now and then but the writing needs to be the main focus. Justin, from the beginning, has said that I need recipes with photos.  That would involve cooking wouldn't it?  I guess I can try.  I want to start including tips for Diva's because this just comes so naturally, being a Diva and giving advice. My first bit of advice I stole from the Diva site.  Tip 1 ........  Don't compare or compete. Divas just are!!!! I mean really do you know anyone else exactly like me?  Chris, please, no comments are needed from you at this point. I think I should also, maybe, start including shopping tips, good reads, just the right thing to say (not that I ever do this), but we can all learn together. Landscaping tips would be good don't you think or how to name your pets.  Julie and I have always dreamed of starting a company. I could give tips on starting a business, because I really don't want to work. Movie reviews would be good but I have to warn you I don't like any of the movies that
Rob does. Candy, now I know candy. Tonight I have been obsessing about toffee. Organization tips. I might show you a photo of how Brandy and I organized my jewelry, which could also fall under Diva, if it was all real. Thunderstorms and lightening safety ........ really my tips could go on and on.

Circle of Life

Most folks my age have begun to understand or experience the circle of life. I've been the kid, the rebellious teenager, the young adult, the parent, now in middle age my brothers and I are in the stage of life of helping out our parents more and more. I don't know about others but I just feel like  you are never really ready to deal with this part of the circle. Our Dad is no longer driving and living in a very rural area requires both parents to be driven to all appointments and activities.  They have also reached the point where housework, yard work, shopping and many other chores have to be done by someone else. This is not easy for their kids to accept, and I don't think any of us were ready or realized how much it entails to take care of aging parents. First, everyone had to accept Mom and Dad's physical decline, which was easier for me living down the street, seeing them almost everyday, and watching the decline for the last 10 years. Second, everyone, even them, had to accept that they need help.  This is not an easy phase and my brothers and I tend to disagree and ague just like we did when we all lived in the same house, which is one main reason our parents are so tired. I don't know who this stage is harder on the aging parents or their children. It is hard for the parents to admit they need help and to depend on their children, who they still probably view, somewhat, as those irresponsible teenagers that drove them crazy for years. My Dad thinks I'm bossy when I tell him he needs to do something.  One of the most difficult decisions that all of us had to make was telling Dad he couldn't drive anymore, plus we knew it would all change our lives because it meant us doing the driving for them. This is not a quick or easy process or at least it wasn't for us. It took months of conversations between us and his doctor. We started out limiting his driving and then finally saying enough is enough.  This decision had to be made not only for our parents safety but the safety of others. We are lucky in the fact that all of us live within 40 miles of our parents and that there are also grand kids willing to help chip in.  On the other hand our parents own multiple properties that need to be checked on and kept up and our goal is for our parents to stay in their own home as long as possible. One great help has been to get additional help for my parents. They have someone to help with cleaning and laundry and someone to check in on them a couple of times a day for meals, meds, general up keep and chores. Senior citizens also delivers meals at noon. The big plus is Justin and Cassie across the street from our parents, that allows someone to be there in seconds if needed. This circle in life takes some getting use to from all parties and is an eye opener to what our future may hold. Aging also brings on short term memory loss for some so we have found ourselves going to the doctor with our parents to make sure medication, and other health concerns are being followed correctly. We also call and check in daily and make frequent trips to our parents home. We schedule vacations so that someone is always available to our parents, and we generally have daily e-mails and phone calls to update everyone in the family as to what is going on with our parents.  We also have come to realize that you have to plan ahead and we have already started looking ahead to the difficult Preston County winter. I know young folks who may read this may find this blog boring or distant to them but some day you too will be there with your parents. The best advice I can give anyone is find yourself some support because it is very difficult to do it alone.

Not Too Cool for Coupons

I use to do coupons before I got too busy with work and Justin's activities but now I'm finding myself back into coupons, in part, thanks to Cassie and Justin who take it very seriously. Now some of you may think you are too cool for coupons or saving money. I am very cool but I love coupons and saving money so I will start sharing some of my deals on my blog.  This may sound cheap but saving money has allowed me to get things I really want like a beach house. Today's first bargain I discovered on line last night.  It was a free meal at IHOP, so I took Rob there for his Father's Day breakfast.  Rob eating free saved us $8.00.  I had their 400 calorie Smart Diet breakfast of eggbeaters, turkey bacon and pancakes. Remember I am watching fat and cholesterol so you will also be hearing about that. Exciting isn't it??? My present to Rob for Father's Day was I took a nap for 2 hours which gave him 2 hours of quiet. This evening we tried out Giovanni's Restaurant.  Rob had Shrimp Diavola and I had a veggie calzone, which I only ate 1/2 because of trying to eat less and better. We came home and changed clothes and went for a walk on the beach. I called Dad a couple of times today and he asked me when I was coming home.  I told him when he quit saying I was bossy.  His reply was I guess I won't be seeing you for awhile. My Dad and I use to do all kinds of things together, now we mainly talk.  Do things with your parents while they are still young enough to do them. Time goes by so quickly and before you know it you have time to cut out coupons and write blogs. Need to go cut out some coupons for Centrum Silver.

A Day in the Life of Debra

Very surprising to myself and Rob, I got up at 7:30 AM. Breakfast consisted of toast and milk. Not too exciting or fattening. I decided I should probably clean so I swept and damp mopped  the tile floors, did a little laundry and had Rob hung some pictures. Julie came over at around 10:00 or so to borrow the car.  She needed to take Karma shopping for Father's Day.  She asked me to go with them but I needed to stay focused.  I called and checked in on Mom and Dad, and them finished some more chores around the house. Julie came back from shopping.  Karma and Julie bought me a starfish ornament which is hanging in my living room.  Rob got the beach cart ready.  I chose snacks for the afternoon and off we all went to the beach.  There are new sunscreen recommendations so I'm just sticking with 50 SPF and 70 SPF on my face.  I also wear a cap and sun glasses to protect my face, which is showing signs of aging and sun damage. My beach chair always has a drink in the cup holder and sunscreen in the bag compartment. We stayed at the beach for about 4 hours and then had to come back to take Julie and Karma to the airport. Things were going pretty good loading Julie  until Karma wasn't allowed to go to the dumpster with Julie and then she had a meltdown.  Julie is not having good luck today because there is a storm in Atlanta and their flight is delayed.  I think she is probably in the air to Atlanta right now, maybe not. She has a lay over in Atlanta until around 11 tonight and then hopefully on to Pittsburgh. I'm glad I'm here and she is there on the plane. We did a Checkers stop for a quick sandwich before heading to Walmart for groceries. I don't like to shop hungry because then everything looks good.  We picked up enough for dinners for a couple of weeks. When we came out of Walmart it was raining, which is good because I don't have to water plants tonight. I called Mom and Dad on the way home to check on them, then I called Justin.  I like checking up on people. I really like checking up on people from a distance. We put all the groceries away and I had a snack of Ritz crackers, low fat cream cheese and pickles.  I'm going back on my low fat, low cholesterol eating regimen Monday. I thought I'd better write a blog before Chris complained but nothing really happened today so I thought I would bore him with this and maybe he would get off my case for a couple of days. Rob is now watching the Dark Knight for 100th time but that reminded me that Cassie mentioned on Face book about a Batman movie being filmed in Pittsburgh today.  I think that is something I kind of want to do when I retire is be an extra in films.  Rob just informed me that I'm having yogurt for breakfast in the morning.  He had to get up off the couch because Midnight is chasing the second hand on the wall clock and then jumped up on the kitchen counter. He finally came out from underneath our bed.  Midnight that is not Rob.  I allow Rob to sleep on top of the bed with me but he has to stay on his side. I still have to wash my bathing suits tonight. I just finished the menu for the next two weeks and we are having a thunder and lightening storm here now so I'm not going to start laundry until it is over. I think I'll have some more crackers, cream cheese and pickles.  I got the pickles at the flea market, which will be a blog someday, but not today because I didn't go there.

All is Well

I rarely say "All is Well", so I thought I'd better hurry up  and write this post before something happens.  First, Rob fixed the computer by just blowing on the back.  I guess the fan was clogged up with beach sand. Second, Rob safely delivered Brandy to the airport and I stayed awake for a goodbye hug. Three, Brandy survived the plane flight back. I would have felt bad if the plane crashed because it was my idea that she fly back and personal assistants are hard to find in Rowlesburg. Four, we made it safely back to Ormond Beach from Orlando. Five, I got to spend the afternoon at the beach with Rob, Julie, and Karma.  I did miss Brandy because no one waits on me like her.  Six, I didn't have to cook dinner because I had left overs from Charlie Horse. Seven, Midnight is adjusting to the house and is almost finished shedding. Eight, my plants are looking better in the backyard after daily waterings. Nine, it is a beautiful evening. Ten, I have a really good cookie from Noahs to share with Rob for dessert. Eleven, David hasn't called me YET.  Twelve, managed to get through a week without a sunburn. Thirteen, I almost have a blog written so Chris can shut up.  Fourteen, I'm going back to the beach tomorrow.  Fifteen, I get to sleep in tomorrow.  Sixteen, my feet feel really good after my pedicure.  Seventeen, Julie is pushing a grand kid around in a stroller and I'm not. Eighteen, my finger and toe nails look really good.  Nineteen, Brandy helped me straighten up my jewelry. Twenty, the fan on the computer is still working, yes all is well.

Julie and Karma and the Lost Bags

"Pick Karma and I up at the airport at 11:15. "  Sounds easy.  I thought I saw Julie standing in the airport and wondered what she was doing, so I walked in and asked.  Bad idea. "Well everything was fine until we almost missed our flight in Atlanta.  I had to run through the airport pushing Karma in the stroller to catch our next flight but the language didn't make it." "Where is it?"  I asked.  "In Atlanta but I think headed this way."  The baggage attendant said it could be delivered at 6 to the house or Julie could pick it up in two hours. Seems simple. No, because Julie put her keys and meds in her check in bag not her carry on bag, like normal people. Julie with out meds is not pretty, plus she doesn't realize the reason that you buy a house is so you can leave all kinds of things there, like say a hair brush.  Now we have to call Deb and Allen to try to get a spare key for Julie's house. She also doesn't keep Deb and Allen's phone numbers in her phone.  They are the life line in Ormond but Julie doesn't have their numbers.  Rob does. Brandy at this point realizes that I am not the only needy person in this group. We get a hold of Allen, get Julie's key and get her in her house. Karma had to go to the beach in her pajamas. I try to explain to Julie about having stuff at both houses. She obviously doesn't get it. The only thing I carry back and forth is my jewelry, and of course Midnight. When we come back to the house from the beach still no luggage. Off to the airport to find the bags. Now the bags are there but Julie can't get them until the next flight comes in and baggage claims opens up.  By now, Karma is running around the airport informing Julie (Nana) that Debra said we will probably be camping here. Julie is not an easy friend to have but someone has to do it.  Karma is also still hung up on Christmas songs so we are now into about 7 hours of her different versions of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Finally, Julie gets her bags. Now on to Walmart. We always have to go to Walmart.  I don't know why but we drive for hours to Florida to go to Walmart. We are a strange group of people but we always find people, like Brandy, who are willing to come along for the ride.

Midnight Escape

I spent all day Thursday at Mom and Dad's washing clothes, organizing and complaining about my brothers, which left me little time to finish up packing for Florida. I did accomplish this and my well thought out and very precise schedule of events was flowing impeccably. Then Rob got up. Rob thinks you can accomplish 3 hours of activities in 30 minutes.  We have argued about this for years and of course I am always right, but never make a point of it.  So, he wanted to get up  at 5:30.  Brandy had already ordered me to pick her up at 6:00 and not to be late.  She obviously has spent too much time with me this last year. I woke up 2 hours early, instinctively knowing, that 30 minutes wasn't enough time to accomplish our morning tasks and then proceeded to work flawlessly through my mental list of last details.  I got Midnight into the house and ready for the trip, except for  giving him his mild sedative for the trip.  My family and friends tend to function better mildly sedated at all times, even our pets. Rob's job was to sedate Midnight and place last minute items in the car. He gave Midnight his "happy pill" and then proceeded to ACCIDENTALLY let the medicated cat outside. I went mildly berserk. Rob preceded to catch Midnight with a plate of food. Midnight is not stupid. He takes after me. Rob leaped for Midnight who had started for the food plate. Midnight ran and Rob ended up splattered face down, spread eagle on our driveway. At this point, I had a few choice words for Rob, which Crysti Hemrick could have heard if she had been out side on her front steps smoking, but she decided to go on the 12 step program for smoking cessation. Of course Crysti decides to quit smoking the morning she could of helped me catch Midnight. I know we only have 7 minutes before we have to pick up Brandy. The next few minutes are crazy.  Rob who came close to body slamming my cat is now headed over the river bank looking for the cat.  I am walking around Burke's house calling him with my soothing voice, Midnight not Rob. Finally, I think tuna.  Midnight loves Tuna, as much as I love mashed potatoes and M&M's. I ordered Rob to get a plate of Tuna. You have to remember Midnight can't be left outside because he is medicated.  I can't go to Florida without Midnight, and at this point I don't know if Rob is going to be allowed to go any place. Finally, after much pleading Midnight is on the porch and herded into the house and his pet carrier.  I sent Rob to get Brandy so she doesn't go berserk because I'm late.  I might add at this point that I could not take my Prozac because I was driving first.  Finally my jewelry, bathing suits, and the snack bag, that Cassie made us for the trip, is in car.  I drive the first 4 hours, take a bathroom break, my Prozac, Zanax, trade seats with Brandy and go to my special place.  When we arrive in Ormond 15 hours later, I comment that the trip went well.  Brandy said "Yea, after you took your meds and passed out."  I have no idea where she has developed that attitude in the last year.

When Did Things Get So Crazy

When I listened to my phone messages Friday evening and heard that if we let our classes have end of the year picnics, we would be fined $1,000.000 each, I knew that things had gone way to far in public schools. I am all for teaching kids about nutrition and eating right, but this isn't about eating right.  This is about money and power. The following is my opinion, which as a public school teacher, I am not suppose to have an opinion or an original thought in my head, but here goes. I figured this out a long time ago.  My job was not really about taking care of and teaching my class, but rather about making my direct supervisor look good, which happens to be the building administrator or principal. This generally entails staying in my room, keeping my mouth shut, having no thoughts or opinions, and not sending any discipline issues to the principal and ruining their day. The principals job is keeping the county superintendent happy with good test scores and few discipline problems.  The superintendent's  job is to keep tax payers and politicians happy which in turn keeps money flowing into the school system, which in turn keeps the state department and state superintendent happy.  The state superintendent has to keep the feds happy to keep federal dollars flowing towards West Virginia's 55 counties.  Kids not eating school lunch effects federal dollars coming into the county for free and reduced lunch. 4th grade teachers taking field trips and having picnics effect the school lunch program, that in turn effects money refunded to the county. I was trying to explain all of this to my doctor on Friday, when he asked me why school stresses me out so much.  He said, "Well you know, Debra, they say it all gets down to money or sex or both, so administrators get money and screw over kids."  Exactly !!!!!!! I'm not popular with administrators or generally people who don't want to hear the truth. Public schools need money to run.  They get that money by keeping adults in power happy not children. There is tons of favoritism in public schools and many unfair practices. I've been told since my early days of teaching that I would burn at the stake and many other things. One big problem I have is keeping my mouth shut. This gets me in trouble, which in turns creates stress. I might add into this equation that Preston County is a poor county and needs all the money it can get from the states and feds, but give me a break fining classroom teachers for having an end of the year picnic a $1,000.00 is a bit much. That was a month and a half salary when I first started teaching.  OH, I forgot teachers get paid too much anyway. I'm sorry but I'm really feed up after thirty years of this BS.  My doctor thinks I need to work. He doesn't like my idea of my job being watching sea turtles hatch at the beach. After this weekend, watching sea turtles hatch seems like a great job to me.  One more thing .......  if administrators REALLY CARED ABOUT KIDS, they would be in the classroom everyday teaching and having a picnic with their kids the last day of school.  JUST MY OPINION!!!!!!