From the Mouths of Babes

Today's journal topic was "write a letter to Ms. Casey".

Here are some of the entries:

Dear Ms. Casey,
It is such a surprise to have you be our teacher. I like the snake you have brought for class. You are so nice and helpful. I like what you teach us. I especially like homework. Your games are so much fun. I like when we dance in the classroom.
Love,
Munazza

Are we going to have a math test Friday? Will we do a spelling test on Friday? I wonder who will get the caught being good prize? I wonder what table will get a prize?
Sincerely,
Ella

You're nice. I wish that I could stay after school.
Sincerely,
Antonio

Thank you for teaching us lots of things. You care about us. Thank you with all your hard work. We thank you. You are very nice. We care about you. We love you. You teach us math. You teach us science. You teach us about dogs.
Sincerely,
Megan

I have lots and lots and lots of questions for you (like usual). Please answer them beside the letter A. What is your favorite color? A How old is your son? A. How old are you? A.
Sincerely,
Ian

I wish you would bring your dogs today and go to the computer lab. I want to go to the computer lab because I want to play my favorite game, club penguine.
Sincerely,
Zach

I like your book. I like your snake. I like your classroom. I love you.
Sincerely,
From.
Jasmine

Ms. Casey,
I am sorry. I can rescue you my princess.
Andrew

Thank you for all those stars. I really liked it. Thank you so much for the stars. I like you so much. You are my best friend. I am sorry for calling Andrew gay.
Love,
Diego

I love you so much. You're so beautiful to me. I know you like me. I like it when you work. I like your hair.
From,
Alex

How to Drive a Guy Crazy with Desire

Simple. Ignore him.

At least, that is what Tikka does on a daily basis and Roman is out of his mind with desire for her...whining, licking, sniffing of the butt, etc. Tikka, she pretends he is simply not there. If she is on the couch with me, he will approach slowly...Tikka turns her head away with disdain...

(maybe it's the bandana?)

Roman stops, whines, then turns in a circle once and lies down with a disappointed sigh. Some might say this is the perfect relationship.

As far as this working on human males, the jury is still out. I'm too old and attached to actually try it out. I'm pretty sure if I ignored a guy now, he would not even notice since he is going crazy with desire over the 22 year old down at the end of the bar there - the one who is ignoring him ;)

Even if I was single, I'd probably just stick with dogs at this point, anyway-humans are so much work! The more I ignore Roman and Tikka, the more they absolutely love me and do whatever I ask. It's all about groveling to the alpha bitch.

How Many Friends?

So, to the four people who read this blog, how many friends do you have?

According to Erik's MySpace profile, "Eriknthepimps" (flanked by a picture of him, Roman and Kovu when Erik was 11 and still innocent-is he saying Roman and Kovu are pimps?!), he has 189 friends! WTF? Included on his friend list is "Frisco's Finest". Looking at her picture, she is more like "Frisco's sluttiest" (sorry, Erik, I know she is your 'friend' and all...but, realize that any girl in your world right now is a slut, period).

Dane Cook has over 2 million friends. I'd hate to be him at Christmas time.

Well, what is a friend, really? When all is said and done, I have a lot of acquaintances but only a handful of people I call friends...and a few of those aren't even human. But, I am also an introvert-getting my energy from quiet time alone. Erik is a true extrovert, getting his energy from being social. I'm glad he has a lot of friends. Really. I am. Just wish some didn't have such deep cleavage.

Wishful thinking

Since I arranged for a sub yesterday, I was relishing sleeping in today. Wishful thinking. Roman has had a cyst on his back, which decided to burst during the night requiring him to lick the wound raw. I brought him to the vet first thing and $200 later, he's clipped, cleaned and on a round of antibiotics and scheduled for surgery to remove said nasty cyst. He also has to wear a cone when I'm not around, which he is not crazy about. Luckily, he is so good at the vet.

Tikka, on the other hand, has gone several months without a vet visit (my bank account is so grateful!). She's keeping my feet warm as I blog.

The snakes remain indifferent and sort of self centered throughout my ordeal with various illnesses and injuries.

Cob concentrates on shedding, while Stella, the introvert, hides most of the day.

Home Sick

Was it the 11 hour days, runny nose kids or coughing teachers that did it? Fighting a case of bronchitis sprinkled with some nasal congestion with a side of sore throat. Fun times. With my cousin's assistance, I am taking a round of homeopathic remedies in order to nip this illness in the bud. We will see! I must say, I do feel a little better than I did upon waking. Will my little darlings miss me?

I got a sub named "Mr. Chewy"...hopefully not related to:

Long Week

Despite the holiday, it's been a very long week. Friday did not come soon enough!

Dozenyland

notice person in green behind Thea...

Something about 93 degree heat and a myriad of fast moving rides that causes people to simply drop where they are. Are they simply overcome with happiness?

Giving Up is Really Getting

For example, when I gave up my fear and kept my eyes open on Splash Mountain. What did I get? Water in my eyes and a really scary photo.

Rebels of the Sacred Heart

Erik's first football game is tomorrow. I'm a bit tense. He's covered in bruises and scrapes from practicing 3 hours a day, 6 days a week...but, he loves it and loves this school. He is playing for the 'Fighting Irish' of Sacred Heart Cathedral. There actually are quite a few Irish families still a part of this school. We feel at home! My people. Going to games, as much as I hate sports, is such a social event. Pretty cool and much better than the stuck up grammar school Erik went to.

Their unofficial rally song is by 'Flogging Molly'. I like it, which is good since it's all Erik is playing this week. Very Pogue-ish. (just please, God, don't let him break his collarbone for the third time!).

Gotta love a school that has a theme song like this.

Now I`m aimin' for heaven
But probably wind up down in hell
Where upon this alter I will hang my guilt ridden head
But it`s time I`ll take before I begin
Three sheets to the wind, Three sheets to the wind
Rebels are we, though heavy our hearts shall always be
Ah, no ball or chain no prison shall keep
We`re the rebels of the sacred heart
I said no ball or chain no prison shall keep
We`re the rebels of the sacred heart ...

Agility 101

Roman and I had our first agility class this week and he did amazingly, if I do say so myself. We did weaves, plank (walking over a narrow plank several feet off the ground), tire jump (jumping through a tire 'hoop') and tunnel. The tunnel was about 15 feet and when I let him go, he flew through it and did a lap around the whole facility, LOL. Other dogs were balking or walking through it.

I think this will be addicting, and a lot more fun than obedience. Plus, the instructor has German Shepherds, including a white male who looks so much like Lotte :(

Driving with Couches

I wanted to get a couch for my classroom to make it more 'homey'. While driving home one day last week, I saw a couch and loveseat set on a California Street sidewalk. I took the loveseat, and have been driving around with it for five days (I need a strong man to help me move it into the classroom, and said strong man has been having a work crisis, how dare he).

Every day this week, I drive by it's former companion.

The Honeymoon is Over

Today I had:

12 hours working
5 kids melting down
2 nosebleeds
2 temper tantrums
1 cut finger
1 pencil puncture
1 head injury
1 asthma attack
1 teacher melting down (no, not me)
1 hate note ("I hate you, you hate me, let's go get a gun and kill Barney...")

and an escaped corn snake in my truck (I had Stella in a tupperware on the passenger seat. I look over at one point and she was gone!).

Where IS that xanax, anyway? Anyone? Help?

Kite Culture

The kites were out yesterday fighting for their space in the sky. Watching the variety of kites swirling and swooping was quite meditative. (click the pic to see in more detail)

Berkeley Marina

Art?

I have a hard time appreciating some works of "art". For example, this sculpture at Cesar Chavez Park (Berkeley Marina).

Putting on Shoes

The simple act of putting on shoes around here is cause for celebration.

Waiting

I'm anxiously waiting for the snake eggs to hatch (any moment now)! I'm a bit worried I had the temp too high during their incubation. Hard boiled, anyone?

Going to the Beach

It's a three day weekend! I was so excited to sleep in...until 7:30 (been getting up at 5:30).

Now it's time to pack up the dogs and hit the beach so we can catch the last drops of summer...

On Having Nothing

Having no destination,

I am never lost.

~Ikkyu

I close my eyes,

In order to see.

~Pablo Picasso