It finally happened

When I student taught 15 years ago my cooperating teacher told me that teaching special education (EBD) is hard and I shouldn't be surprised if somewhere down the road my former students would appear on the news and/or in jail for doing something really bad.

Well.......it happened.

Last spring actually, but sentencing was yesterday for this 16 year old that (as a 15 year old) shot two people (gang related) and when an unmarked cruiser came and the officers identified themselves he shot two of three officers, one of whom will never be a cop again due to his injuries - most of which are psychological I believe.

60 years, 9 months.

A few years ago he was a punk kid in middle school. Cold and uncaring. But still a kid deep down inside. We wouldn't see that too often. Told us a lot that by the time he was 18 he would either be dead or in jail. Just like his father. Was sent a few hours north to live with relatives because he was starting to get into the gang thing. Didn't last.

Now he has a lot of time to think about it.

Tropic Thunder: A review

Tonight my hubby and I saw a movie. In the theater. First time in - oh, over a year. Neither of us can remember the last movie we saw. Well, I remember Munich but I'm sure we've seen *something* since then.

Tonight we went to see Tropic Thunder (our choice over The Dark Knight). BAD choice. People said how funny it was. Sure, there were some funny parts but overall I'd say it was a big waste of $8.50 and 2 hours of my time. Bummer for us, considering it might be a long time before we hit the theater again.

And when did movies get so dumb anyway? Are there any good movies out there anymore???

My recommendation: Don't waste your money on this one - wait until it comes to DVD or On Demand. Sure, Robert Downey Jr. was good and so was Tom Cruise, but overall, I'd say C- tops.

Goodbye Summer!

Today was a very sad day for me. I had to return to work. OK, it wasn't really all that sad but that early alarm was killer! I haven't been up that early since the last day of school in June *LOL* Today was a workday and tomorrow we have a staff breakfast meeting (MMmmm) and then meetings all day. Ugh.

Glad Friday and Monday are vacation days....I really need to get back into the routine!

IT IS FINISHED!

My DH has been on my back to make a pen for a while. Yes, you heard right. Make a pen. He took a class at a local woodworking store a while back and made one. It was pretty cool. He decided he needed a lathe. He also thinks I need to take up woodworking. I don't. I like to scrapbook. I am behind in my scrapbooking - I don't have time to do woodworking.

But I said, "Sure honey, show me how to make a pen!" We started a few weeks ago and cut the wood in 2 pieces and drilled the hole. Well, that was hard b/c we didn't have what we needed to do so and the hole was a bit off-center but workable.

DH bought whatever it was he needed to use with the drill press - the name escapes this wood-working novice - and he drilled the other hole.

Last Friday he took off of work, the 4 year old was at Grandma's for the afternon, so........we got to some pen-making. The fun part was when it finally got on the lathe! For a project that should maybe take an hour it took me/us longer but it was our first time!

And....drum roll please.......here is the final product:



What do you all think? I'm proud of it. I didn't do it all myself, DH helped a good deal, but I'd say I did a good 60% myself. I'm sure it will get easier when I do the next one ...... gotta get going if everyone is going to get a pen for Christmas! *ha*

Thanks for making me do it, honey!

Prayer Request, please

A friend of ours, John, is currently in the hospital after receiving word that he will most likely need to have some surgery. He has been through a lot, has already had a surgery, and recovery has had ups and downs. Please send your prayers and good healing thoughts to John and Jody. Thanks!

Happy Birthday

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Kitty who turns 4 and my hubby who likes to keep his age a secret! Here's to many, many more! Love you!

8-for-8

Last night it was by .01 of a second. Tonight his teammates helped him to another world record and a clean sweep. A gold medal in every event he swam. I don't know that we will ever see that again. WOW! Michael Phelps is king of the athletic world!

Question of the Day

Can someone please tell me why in the world the track stars want to have all of those chains banging around their necks?!?!?!

Not only would I think it is uncomfortable but it creates extra drag.

Inquiring minds want to know!

Oriental Salad Recipe

I've been posting a lot about swimming, so here is a recipe I love during the summer. There are a lot of oriental salad recipes out there....this one is very simple and delicious. (it also tastes great with splenda)

ORIENTAL SALAD

1 package coleslaw mix
1 small package sunflower seeds
1 small package slivered almonds
2 packages BEEF Raman noodles

Dressing:
½ cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
2 seasonings packets from beef ramen noodles
chopped green onion (optional)

Mix just before ready to serve so it stays crispy.

7 down, one to go!

You can't tell on the replays, but Michael Phelps did it. I'm not sure how he pulled that one out but he did and now we wait for tomorrow to see #8.

WOW!

There was a protest but it was denied after the Omega people looked at the overhead cameras and determined Phelps did out-touch Milorad Cavic of Serbia. Now please tell me how in the world you can see .01 on an overhead camera?!?!

Can't wait to see the Medley Relay tomorrow....US has to be a pretty big favorite. Will be so exciting! I hope everybody is watching ~ this is history and may never happen again!

Another pretty big swimming moment was Janet Evans' 800 M freestyle record going down - it's been there for 18 years!

And then there is Dara Torres. She is amazing. Just amazing! 41 years old and it is very likely she will win a gold medal.