Being a Union Rep

So I know that most of you aren't teachers, and most of you also aren't in unions. Six years ago when I started teaching, I could have cared less about my union. I joined it because everyone else was in it and it sounded like the right thing to do. When the opportunity was posed to me to be a building rep in Sidney, I begrudgingly said yes because another teacher in our department told me that it was a highly enlightening job. I quit my job up there before I ever got the chance to do it. Then, last year I was asked to cover the job for my building in my new district. And everything that Sara said about the job was true.

I've learned so much gossip from our school district in the last 18 months! And I've also learned a lot more about the system and how it works. And how to get around it. And, most importantly I've learned what our contract says we do and don't have to do. All of the things that I wish I had known as a first, second, even third year teacher. Things I wish I had known in Sidney that would have possibly made me job easier and better. Things that I could have busted my boss for up there.

It's time to start deciding if I want the job for another two year term. HELL YES! I get all the dirt before it's even dirt! And it's just fun to get to go into my bosses office to discuss issues with the excuse that I'm there for the building. It's a very convenient way to voice my own opinions in an anonymous way. Because I don't have to tell him who I'm there on behalf of. And I know what he can and can't get away with. It's given me a lot more confidence in myself and my job.

So here's the question in my mind....am I....Abuse of power? Or using the home court advantage?

Giant Bottle of Fruity Wine

First let me start by saying that the Erdahls were very disappointed that the Eutslers did not sleep over at their house. Kendall was looking forward to some cuddle time with Jim. *sigh*

I could write paragraph and paragraph about all of the crap that we're doing to our house and how we're not really ready for this weekend, but that would be incredibly boring, and I would hate to bore you. So I'm going to write about my giant bottle of wine that I bought today.......booze always makes for a great story!

So, first of all, I bought this "giant bottle of fruity wine" because I've now had my period for 17 days. I know, TMI. My stupid cyst won't die I guess. So I've decided two things.
1. I'm not doing any more of this stupid infertility drug crap, it's what gave me the cyst in the first place.
2. I'm going to drink a very large bottle of wine over the next several days and hope that it resets my body. Not that that would ever work, but at least I have an excuse to drink!

So, as I was buying my "giant bottle of fruity wine" at the grocery store today, I didn't get carded. Actually, I haven't been carded like the last 5 times I've bought booze. And it made me think that one of three things had to be the reason why.

1. I'm starting to look really old. But then I thought, "No, this can't be true, because I know I look fabulous! I'm not even thirty yet!" Safely eliminated that option.

2. I looked confident. I didn't avoid eye contact with the cashier, and I made polite conversation. She admired my Vera Bradley wallet and I chatted about how expensive they were.

3. I only bought one bottle. If I had gone through with several bottles it might have looked suspicious. Who buys more than one "gbofw"? (I got tired of typing it out...)

It has to be a combination of options 2 and 3. Which makes me think, "Why wasn't I doing this years ago when I was under 21?!?!" Because I KNOW it can't be that I'm starting to look old.....RIGHT??!!!?!?!

I HATE Cleaning!!!!!!

Grrrrrrr......I'm ready to call Merry Maids to clean my house. I'm so freaking tired of doing this! It's gross. And I'm getting dirty....Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!

Okay, that makes me feel a little better.

Sometimes it just feels like it's never going to end. The cleaning. And prepping. We have to be ready by next weekend. OMG! We have to be ready by next weekend??!?!?!?! Okay, I really should get back to work....

But first, a funny picture of Karen I came across in said cleaning....

The Amazing World of Google

So after all of the fun I had with Sarah Ford's name, I started researching the possibilites of other people that might become slacking bloggers. Here's what I found. I only researched some names now....I might be inclined to research others later...IF they become slackers! MWAAAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Sarah Williams:

• Did you know that you have official quotes? There's a whole page of them on the web! You also have a short Wikipedia entry that says this: Sarah Williams (1837 – 1868) was an American poet, the author of The Old Astronomer to His Pupil.
• There is also a Sarah Williams who is an actress. She just finished a movie about Jane Austen's life. Which I would actually like to see!
• There are also numerous images of Sarah Williams.

Karen Eutsler: (Although she's the last person that would slack at blogging....)

• Did you know that you are the treasurer of the Grottoes Fire Department in Grottoes Virginia?
• You are also the recording secretary for the Kellogg PTA.
• You also finished 22nd in the 20-24 age group in a 1/2 marathon in Cincinnatti. Here are your official stats: #22 305 Karen Eutsler Age: 21 Town: Franklin OH Finishing Time: 1:57:51 Pace: 9:00

Viki Johnson:

• Did you know a link to your actual blog pops up in the top 5 entries on Google?
• You are also Dr. Viki Johnson, Assistant Professor of Sociology College of Arts and Sciences, Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota!
• AND you are an Ex-Jehovah's Witness!

Lisa Erdahl: (See! I even put myself down as a potential slacker!)

• I was part of the 1994 Farm Family of the Year in Minnesota.
• I also saved Betty Halligan from her evil son who was trying to steal her home from her through fraudulent paper work.
• I also own a Spa/Message Center in Renton Washington.

I obviously have way too much free time on my hands. Actually, I got today off of work! We had too much ice and fog! Hooray and Boo at the same time! While I appreciate the time off, I also now have to go two extra days to make up for going over our 5 calamity days.

This was SOOOO Much Fun!

So I've been dying for Sarah to slack and not write in her blog. She's been so freaking diligent about posting within a week's time that I haven't had the chance to play this game yet.....UNTIL NOW!!!!! HOORAY!

This girl's name is Sarah Ford. She's riding a pretty pony.

So is this girl's. She's a senator on her school's council.

This Sarah Ford is almost brand new!

This Sarah Ford dances ballet.

There's even a Sarah Ford who's written a book!

But where is our Sarah Ford? Probably doing some Tae Bo when she should be writing in her blog! Write in your blog Sarah Ford! Write in your blog!

My New 'Do

So it's just a little edgier and a little darker. But I love it! Here are two decent shots and then one I messed with in Picasa.

I Have Nothing to Blog About

Really! Nothing! Had three snow days, it was awesome. Had a two hour delay today, got to sleep in. Sweet. Went to work and the kids were wound up. What's new?

The next two weeks prove to be just bizarre at work and home. Only like a week til we put the house up for sale. It's going to sell in the first 30 days....it's going to sell in the first 30 days. Chant with me now!

Maggie and Morrie's Day in the Snow

So I don't have real kids yet, so this is as good as it gets. Some of them are pretty funny. Morrie thought it was necessary to stick his entire face in the giant piles of snow. He took a while to dry off. At one point, Maggie got her sweater off and stuck around her butt! Her back legs actually got caught in the front leg holes and she was dragging her butt through the snow. HILARIOUS!

Weather Maps and Ovarian Cysts....the Title Caught You, Didn't It?!!!

This map makes me SO happy. I really hope they're not full of crap! I would LOVE another 2 day work week. Hell, I'll take a three day work week!

I went to the baby doctor today because my period started....for like the millionth time. Anyways, that's not the bad part. They do an ultrasound on the third day of your cycle every month that you're on Clomid to make sure you're not growing any cysts. In my case, they worry, because I already ovulate on my own and I guess my risk is greater because the Clomid HYPERstimulates my ovaries.

For those of you who aren't as familiar with your ovaries as I am (we're best friends), your ovary makes cysts every month all on its own. That's where the eggs can burst out from. One usually grows bigger than the rest and then, BOOM! The egg pops out of that one and all of the other ones get small again. The cyst that your egg popped out of stays large and produces progesterone, and that is what will keep your fetus alive if you get prego. If you don't get prego, the cyst goes away and the cycle starts over again. That's how normal women work.

In the case of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients, you have too many follicles that can become cysts. This leaves the potential for the cyst to grow large and then never go back down.

I fit somewhere in the middle. I have more potential cysts each month that normal women, but not enough to be labeled PCOS. Plus, like I said, I'm weird in the fact that I'm not taking the Clomid to force ovulation, I'm taking it to make extra eggs pop out. So I produce like 3-6 eggs that pop out of cysts each month. Like I said, we're best friends.

Anyways, I have a freaking cyst this month that didn't go down! This is the first time I've ever had a cyst that didn't go back down after my period, which is kind of a bummer. That means we stop all "treatment" and go to the tried and true method of....good old fashioned sex, and nothing but. While Kendall is thrilled, I am slightly disappointed. We still have a chance to get prego, because I'll still ovulate, but I really wanted to avoid the whole sex 10 times thing. UGH!

The good news, we don't have to spend any of that money this month. It costs close to 1K a month. We also don't have to pay for today's ultrasound because it's billed as a health concern. The best news is that the cyst is small enough that it will go away on its own. Jessica has had some that are so big she's had to go on birth control to get them to go back down, which would mean we couldn't try at all this month.

Now that I've educated you all on your ovaries and the joy of cysts.....I'm going back to my Venti Carmel Macchiatto (Women with cysts on their ovaries deserve a Venti) and my obsession with the snow that is supposedly coming. I need to go check at least two more weather sites....

Why I Love Dogs

I didn't have the best day today. The kids have been crazy the last two days because of all of the days off. And my period is starting, so another 1000 bucks down the tubes. UGH. Needless to say, by the end of the day I felt drained. Then Kendall called to say he would be home late. So I sat down to the computer and checked email, paid my bills, IMed with Karen. I was still kind of in an icky mood.

When suddenly, we shows up? My dogs. Maggie smiled at me, no really, smiled, and hopped into my lap and Morrie is laying at me feet. Little dogs are nice because they can snuggle with you. Maggie is the best kind of snuggling dog because she truely wants to be near you. It's not about warmth. She doesn't care if she's uncomfortable. She just wants to be there. And that makes me feel loved. When she turns her head up to look at me and make sure I'm still okay, it's a nice feeling.

Even if dogs can be dumbasses and pee on your bed, they make up for it in the extra love they give on bad days like today. Not my best post, but a heartfelt one.

Third Day Off

So Kendall stayed home with me today and it was wonderful! We slept in until 10:30 and then lazed about until lunchtime. Then we met his brother for lunch at BW3s. Deeeeeelicious! When we got home we actually did some cleaning and reorganizing. Our closests look incredible! Very neat and organized. When people go to walk through our house they will be amazed at how neat and clean we are! HA!


Seriously though, I'm pretty proud. But it also makes me question why we don't live this way all the time? Part of the problem is that our closets are very small. If I had a better organization system I'm confident that they would look better. The other problem is that we own too much crap. It's been very cathartic pitching things and donating things.


The big event of the day....someone, we don't know who, peed on the bed while we were gone at lunch. We suspect Maggie, but the markings could indicate that Morrie lifted his leg. Grrrrrr....we haven't had this problem in a LONG time. *sigh* So now we have to get our comforter to the laundromat.


Oh, I was telling Karen about our "front runner house" this afternoon. If our house sells fast then this is the house we will probably end up buying. The only thing Kendall doesn't like about it is the fact that it has no basement. Other than that this house is incredible! If anyone wants to take the virtual tour, let me know! The picture is tiny, but you get the idea.....

5 Day Weekend

I have off again tomorrow. It's a little unbelieveable to be honest. And the worst part is that I've gotten nothing done in the house! I really need to dedicate tomorrow to doing some cleaning.

Sorry I haven't had anything exciting to post lately. I'm not having a baby like other people, and I don't have any kids at home already to talk about, and I'm not taking any fun trips! I can't even say we bought a house! Everyone else seems to have more exciting things to talk about than I do! Oh well, I'm sure my time will come.

At least I don't have to get up early tomorrow. Seriously, I'm on my way to a two day work week! RIDICULOUS! *grin*

PS

No school again tomorrow!

Random Thoughts in the Car

I was on my way to the outlet malls today (since I had NO SCHOOL!) and passed by one of those semis with the holes in the sides. You know, the ones that transport animals. The truck started this whole thought process about the animals that actually ride in those trucks.

1. It was really cold out today. So cold that they closed school. Fortunately there weren't any animals in the truck when I drove by it. But it made me think, don't they get frost bite too? Their skin would be exposed to the elements and wind too.

2. Do they know where they're going? Do the animals in the truck know they're going to be slaughtered? Of course not. They have no idea why they're in the truck.

3. Are they uncomfortable? Do they pack them in too tightly? Do they get to stand and sit and lay down? Or are they forced into one position the whole ride?

By the time I got to the malls I was actually a little sad. I love meat. I could never give up eatting it. But I really hate seeing the trucks with pigs staring back at me. I'd rather not know what my food looks like before I eat it.

Finally!

I FINALLY GOT A SNOW DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOORAY FOR BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Tired

It's been a long week. Since I last posted on Tuesday I've had a long day every day. I didn't get home til after 8 each work night which is just unheard of for a teacher! There were several basketball games that I wanted to go to, so it was my fault. I just really love my kids this year. I can't stay away from their after school events! And the kids can't stay away from us either! They love to talk to us and share things and bring us things. It's truely incredible. I've said it on my blog before, and I'll say it again, I'm going to cry when these kids leave.

On top of the late weeknights, we spent all day Saturday moving things out of our house and into Dathan and Natalie's and the Erdahl's house. Our realtor told us to get rid of a bunch of stuff before we put our house on the market, and we're actually taking that advice to heart. It is making our house look better. It's also taking a lot of time and physical effort. We moved TEN 68 gallon tubs of books, 4 tubs of DVDs, 1 tub of CD's and some bookshelves out of our house. Plus all of our Christmas crap. I was exhausted! And I didn't even have to carry the tubs! Kendall did! I'm very grateful to have such a brawny man for a husband! I think we're just starting to burn out though. We're tired of moving things out and we're ready to just give up and sell. I keep fantasizing that we'll sell it right away. *sigh*

I know that this sounds incredibly lazy, but since I spent almost an hour just going back to read everyones blogs, I'm going to actually post my comments about each one here....sorry....

Karen- Kendall said he talked to Jim and then I read about it in your blog- Your new house looks amazing on paper! I can't wait to see it in reality! SOOOOO exciting! I hope we find a house half as nice as the one you are building!

Sarah W- Your poor kid and that stupid cradle cap stuff! Hopefully the shaved head and treatments will make it go away. And like everyone else said, I'm sure that his hair will grow back quickly!

Sarah F- I left you a comment on your MySpace page. That's a sweet hat!

Viki- (I don't even know if you'll read this, but...)Super Bowl Shuffle is still in my head. It's been there since I wrote that comment in your blog.

Martha- Good luck on the major life decisions. This is why I hate being a grownup. Too much to think about. And as for the feelings about school lately, Kendall is feeling the exact same way. Ever since he got his job he's just counting down the days til he's done with residency. It all seems lame now that he's ready to start the rest of his life.

Anne- I was pleasantly suprised to see a bunch of new entries in your Live Journal. I'm glad you came back to the posting world.

Trey- I hope you're having fun in Texas!

Okay, I think that about covers it. I honestly don't know when I'll have time to post again. I feel like work has been crazy busy. I feel like home is crazy busy. I kind of just want to crawl into a ball and cry when I think about how much has to be done in the next three weeks. I'm definitely starting to feel overwhelmed by Kendall's job. I feel like our whole lives are changing way too fast when our original plan felt more transitional. I know that probably sounds lame because it's not like our lives are changing for the worse. I'm hoping I'll feel much better once we're finished cleaning and our house is actually "For Sale".