Got my new school pictures

I wore better clothes but like the one from last year as bad at it was better. Let's face it. It does as much as possible with the subject. I liked my new hair cut till the photo's.

It is easier to dry after swimming and unlike last year I don't have anyone to please but myself. I thought I looked better. It's always sobering. I have never given out any of the 4 sets of photos that I got.

I went swimming this morning despite the fact that I'm still not 100 percent. I swam o.k. but with less energy. I only did one back stroke. I can't stay centered in the lane and hit the wall but a lady in the pool told me to look up at the ceilings and watch the lines and that will keep me straight. I'll try that tomorrow.

I have 2 weeks to do my Evaluation Exploratory Gal-Setting Work Plan for the year. Then my principal evaluates it and me and me sit down to review it.

Last year I thought I was going above and beyond by retyping the whole thing; then when I got in there he told me I did it wrong. Maybe the form is on the Intranet.

Well the good thing is I have no appetite. The bad thing is my head is clogged along with the sinuses and I need those Kleenex that have lotion on them. After a box of rubbing my nose it's sore.

Since I've been washing my hair every day one of the days I just rinse and just put conditioner on, Wash the rest of my and my suit, put on lotion blow my hair and I'm off.

Up my 5:30, dressed in my suit helps, in the pool by 6:15, out by 6:45, out of the locker room by 7:25, onto the freeway and at school by 7:50. Welcome to my morning.

Mess with the kids till 8:20. settle in with email them and we're off. I get lunch at 11 but after cereal at 8:30 I'm not interested so I sneak it in around 2.

Sent my first trade into Kingtrade. At 4.99 a trade. The told me Watchovia had suspended sale of stock. What does that mean? Why? tried to buy 25 shares last night, but I had no money in. Then I sent the money by check this morning. Even etrades take 7 days, and cost.

I want a way to transfer money that's free.

I guess cuz they got bought by Chase. Eaten like a guppy.

A contractor came today to discus the light replacement, counter resurface, electric, sick,disposal, fauet, new granite and ovens. I thought about putting track lightinh in the family roo, too. He sugested taking je popcorn off the ceiling. messy job. You have to make it wet then scrape it off.

He was from Kitchen Works and quoted 31k.

sick

After hacking and blowing my nose sucking lemon and water and taking a box of sudaphed every 4 hrs all night long I finally got some sleep around 4. Consequently I slept till 9 ish and got to the gym and the market and the store by 10. My throat is less sore but the headache and clogged head and nose are still there.

IT will be fun trying to swim on that.

It's another hot day here.

I got a large yellow and bronze mum to put out front.

I got a large container of OJ to feed my cold.

Tried to take a nap need 5 and woke up choking on my cough drop from sleeping on my back. I need to get sugar free. I see my dentist next week.

Today I could swallow so I deviated to have a piece of spinach and mushroom quiche to go with my cantaloupe. I've decided to pass on the cinnamon rolls and scones. Just too many calories by the time I add the berries and butter. If I could just stick to the blueberries or raspberries or strawberries being added that would be o.k. w/ tea.

I got the skinny Cow mini's today and discovered they have branched into drumsticks, mint and all sorts of others. Of course to lure you in they are 2 dollars off. I didn't look too closely.

Safeway has a product I like, mini carrots packaged 20 to a package w/ ranch dressing.

My cleaning lady cleaned out the frig and filled ip and wntire garbafe can with stuff including some I had just bought. It's nice to have it clean though. I have room. Or did.

I'm going to make this salad with orzo, feta, green onions, 2 c cherry tomatoes, pine nuts toasted...

Got some heirloom salsa.

Cantaloupes are nice and ripe. Nectarines, peaches are at the end of their season. Grapes are here and apples.

Opened 2 discount brokerage accounts with scottrade and tradeking. Last night logging into the latter forwarded and flipped me to the former. BAD

I got referrals today GOOD

Had some clam chowder for dinner thought it might break up the gunk but milk won;t.

Parl Neuman will be missed

Sad Paul Neuman died yesterday at 83. If you live long enough Cancer gets everyone. He was going to direct Of

Mice and Men

this fall.

My toilet has no water. I heard some strange shift last night while on the pot but that toilet in the new bath always shifts a bit this morning it barely flushed and not not at all. I'll fill it with water from the tub tap but what's the deal? I went to fill the tank and it was full?

It's such a beautiful day. My throat is really sore. I spent the afternoon and night sucking on lousenges some sometimes swallowing them depending upon which of my 3 positions I was sleeping in. I could not swallow a Triscuit last night--too scratchy almost made me choke. I slept in to 8:30. I need mint tea with lemon.

It hurts to swallow tea and eat which might be a good thing. Toast was too hard. Eggs were OK and I threw in a handful of zucchini pulverized too.

I'm making zucchini bread for school to use up 2 large "gifts". I have 2 loves done cooked some for dinner cuz it was soft too. Now that I've run it thru the Cuisinart I should freeze the remaining one along with blueberries for winter baking. My freezer is full though.

I'm on my second cyle of Sudafed. I'm all runny and ate only soft for dinner cuz it hurt to get the second cup of tea down. Yogurt and Skinny cow pops feel cool.

I gave myself the day off. It's 99 out.

I may go to the Frieda Kahlo show in S.F. it closes tomorrow.

It was already warm out when I went out to the mailbox and to turn on the sprinklers. My red peppers are getting bigger and the tomatoes may get another crop, but I doubt I'll see any more Roma tomatoes. The ones at the market are better though. I like the cherry ones v the grape.

It's fire season until we get 3 inches of rain in Nov.

Decided to go swim later. or not. There is an 8 a.m. water aerobics class I like on Sat. though. It just works better for me to go without thought in the morning. Then I ho, swim, hit the store on the way home. I also log my workouts at the Y. Someone analyzes them and sends me messages and sometimes email. I need a lock.


I also need one of those fancy swim caps.

Increased my laps

I have a sore throat.

I look forward to not having to get up at 5:30 to get my laps in. The weekend is here. Gas is 3.63 and I am on fumes. The light is blinking and the alarm spoke to me telling me to add fuel. I hope I can get to the gas station near home before it runs out.

I made it to the station on prayers and fumes and put my 25 dollars in. Then went to the library to pick uo 3 books and return 1.

I'm reading Tribute by Nora Roberts.

My commute took longer today. For some reason yesterday I was a wee bit earlier and got here 15 min. early. Today, I was later and the line to get on to the freeway was longer so I was 5 min. behind.

I added one more lap today a backstroke and am all over the lane so I drove my lane partner out of the lane. I don't want to hit the walls and I need to go down the middle not to do that.

It's hot and humid and will be 90 again today.

I may do the literary magazine again this year.

I discovered that keeping a food and ecercise log on a regular computer is a lot easier than on a laptop.
I think after all the time I discovered it's a 2 weel free trial.

I spend a lot of time and in 1/2 an hour after school yesterday at a higher band width, or modem speed, I got as much done as it took me an hour or 2 last night.

I gues I'm tired of dial up. The price is right though.

I'm having 3 estimates for kitchen remodel next week.

Took a nap.

Starting to smell like chlorine again

I started at 6:15 and knocked off all 12 laps free style without stopping. Time to increase the number and on weekend vary the strokes. I found out 12 laps is not a mile but only a 1/2 mile unlike HI. ther pool is not as big. oops popped my balloween o.k. I'll work for 24.

I learned that my alarm is not set properly for 5:30. I got up but was running late then I couldn't find my suit in the car and was convinced the kids took it.

It was so hot yesterday that the towels, my pareo and suit all dried in the car during the day until I left at 6:30.

I looked in the car when I got home at 7 but it was too dark and I didn't turn on the extra light. I went out to look for it this morning.

I started this log of food and exercise that Michael turned me on to yesterday. I keep a log at the Y o they will track me and give me gifts as motivation but this was something new. It took forever to enter the food. I may just set up a spread sheet do my entries and email them weekly to my friend Marilyn who is a Nutritionist.

Weighed in this morning I'm going down. Not like Karen but slowly. Michael's program said that to hit my goal it would be 3 lbs a week and too fast so we'll see.

I wrote a grant to the Santa Clara School Foundation asking for money for our Teen Read Week to purchase Books. That in addition to School Site Council may get us some money. I certainly don't have enough money to put this on with out their help. I need to boost the circ. statistics.

I've been messing with the library web page. It's scary to have that power. All I want to do is add a list but I don't want to take the rest down like I did the first time.

Gas is 3.65. and it was 91 today and hot when I left at 4.

I'm good

Got up at 5:30 sorta and got to the gym by 6:10 and in the pool swimming my 12 laps 10 free style and 2 backstroke straight till 6:50. Off to school at 7:30 at here by 8. It was tight. I was reluctant to go to sleep even with my nap because my book was getting interesting.

Today in the faculty meeting I get to present my proposal for Teen Read Week in Nov. when we present books to classes all week long at the rate of 2 per class period. Each presentor does a book for 10-15 min. and I buy 3-4 copies of the books. The principal, superintentent, mayor teachers etc. I need to ask the teachers if they would be willing to support this where we close the library for 1 week and each teacher offers to give up a prep period and do a presentation or more. It cost about 5k.

I'm disapointed at my faculty. 3 said no 26 said yes and they would present the others said yes have it but they would not present.

After I get their approval I will present to Parents at School Side Council where I ask the parents for their support and their money. I want 2500. Another Middle school got that last year.

We'll see what happens. I officially changed my alarm clock so I can swim before school. I feel so much better.
It's another really warm day in the upper 80's. I just changed from my pants to shorts and still have on my croc flip flops. I'll change back to pants for the parents meeting.

Got home at 7 a long day. Finished my book.

I tracked down the pumpkin nabbers

The usual suspects nabbed it during lunch then were tossing it in the cafeteria until it smashed. They are going to replace it and have lunch detention with me tomorrow.

My cleaning lady came this morning. I'm looking forward to going home to a clean house.

It's another really warm day. There was a meeting in here for the classified employees so again I got no lunch. My aide unknown by me sat and did nothing all period. I thought she was skipping.

I ate 1/2 a cantaloupe and had a scone with cranerries and orange and fresh strawberries on it for breakfast with tea.

I got up at 7 to meet with the maid so I can get up at 6 to go swim in the morning.
I was up every 15 min. watching the clock all night it seemed. Her husband is my gardner and he brought her at 7 then left and she works at Pollo Loco after from 4 to 8. They are from San Salvador and have been here for 30 years.

The first day of fall

It is very hot. Hot Hot Hot. It may reach 81 from a low of 54. I am so spoiled.
October and September are the best months in CA along with April and May. So lucky to live here.

I guess I should have prepared a bit more.

I took a pumpkin to school. I put it on the table in the lobby. I thought it might get ripped off. It lasted till lunch. I'm ticked. I went to add a black cat and it was gone.
I called the secretary to moan and she said she's make an announcement.

Why try to do something nice for these kids? Most of them appreciate it. I realize some of them want pumpkins and can't afford one and I was going to make it a prize in a contest anyway but gee whiz! The usual the bad apples ruin the bunch.

I finally got out to lunch today and went to the public library. I've had no lunch time since school started and I really appreciated not being on call.
I got my book and tapes returned and they were 6.75 in fines. I'm going to take it out of library fines. If I ever got an email notice I would have taken the time to renew these things until I could get over there. I don't remember receiving one.

I thought about swimming today and almost put my suit in the car. To get up at 6 just didn't happen. Even though I got up at 7 rested that was enough. I read until midnight and napped a lot yesterday.

Yesterday was beach clean up day. A teacher I work with picked up 70 lbs. by herself mostly dog poop. Then she went home and came back an hour later and there was more. Pick up your dog's poop. I don't like changing litter boxes but I do and scoop the poop for Lacey.

I did a strange thing

I was feeling guilty for using 1/2 and 1/2 on my cereal so I bought 1 percent and mixed them together. Things I ponder...Math us never my strong suit but does that make it 2 percent or 1/2 and 1/2 and 1/2?

I discovered some great clam chowder, Ivers, from Seattle's Pike Place market that I love that is carried in the grocery fish station. It beats Red Lobster. It can be dozen or in frig and you add milk.

I have myself a manicure as well as a pedicure. It's rare that I do my finder nails but I usually have my toe nails painted. Tried that sand paper tonight and think even the fine was too rough or I have a split and an owie.

I want this pedicure thing from bed bath and beyond, as seem on t.v. called the pedegg. Looks cool. I need to put some sandpaper on a hand sander block with fine sand paper and go at my heels. I've been adding lotion but they are really rough. Wearing nothing but croc flip flops every day since June hasn't helped.

I'm off to swim, get more chowder, hit the farmers market and the water store.

More reading and Juniper bushes trimming are on the agenda for today. I need to wash the windows too.

I have either a tooth ache or an ear ache. Feels like an ear ache but earlier this summer I was sure it was a tooth ache. I called the advice nurse. She said to try heat and swimmers ear and a bulb thing and warm mixture of saline. The nurse called and set an appr for me but I hadn't gotten back from the market yet.

Remember that folk remedy from Bolivia Gloria did for me where she lit a cone of newspaper that was inserted in my ear and she lit it on fire? That helped pull moisture out. Do not try this alone.

See I hadn't thought about checking them online. They were 500. for the dining room now I'll compare. They are custom made and installed. Looks like some of the offers online are too. I did my floors that way.

I still need to do the living room floor. Clearly the brown carpet has to go. Then wood then a Berber carpet or area rugs. I's also time to re-do the fireplace front.

I got the front Juniper bushes cut back today. They look much better. It only took 6 hrs.

Gas is down to 3.69.

My fasting glucose is up from May by a bit. :-(

So proud of myself

Well I got up near 7 and on my time went swimming then did a water aerobics class.

I feel so good.

I was out by 9:30 and off to the store.

I got my pumpkin for the top of my wall.

It does clash with my red trim and door.

I have discovered these skinny cow frozen mini bars for 50 cal. They have a regular size fudge cycles (sic) for 90 cal.

I went to the hosp. for a fasting glucose. I was shaking. Needed to eat.

I'm reading Robin Cook's

Foreign Body

.

The weather here is ABSOLUTELY beautiful. There was no fog and at 9;30 it was perfect. Next week, the first week of fall, it is supposed to be in the 90;s

I went to the library. I ended up translating for someone who had a Spanish question.
Then since she couldn't answer he came back to me and I ended up having him follow me to the corner am PM and using the phone there since the one in front of the library was gone. Calls are 75 cents for 3 min! Then I had to give him directions and speak to the woman on the phone in English and translate to him in Spanish. He was about 70.

My neighbor came over and asked me if I wanted him to cut my juniper's I said sure, Then he said because they were overgrowing the sidewalk and you couldn't walk by. Interesting way to tell me. He's strange.

We've been neighbor's for 28 years. I walk with his wife and step daughter.

He is an accountant CPA, doesn't work, is a master Gardner,frequently fills their driveway with mushroom compost.

Then his dog peed on my foot.

Guess we're even.

I'll have them cut tomorrow.

Lacy is curled up on the deck looking so content in the sun and I am going to read.

Read and napped ate and read some more. Let Lacy in she cried and spoke and I didn't understand so she nipped me and led me in the bed room and jumped up on the bed where her trained human got a clue and gave her a treat for biting me? Why?

Now I've grown to like my plantation shutters in the dining room and am thinking of getting 2 more for the 2 of 3 living room windows as well.

Gas is 3.71.

Such spectacular weather

What in the world is going on in this economy. Federal rescue plan Bah Humbug. Is this what it was like in 29?

I got this weird letter today appeared to be handwritten asking of I wanted to sell my house and signed by a

Mary

who, I can't imagine. I'll pass it on to a woman on my street who is trying to sell. The one house that was empty from the lady who died got cleaned up, My neighbor changed realtor's and I saw someone looking yesterday. Took a week or so. The one on the next block is still sitting. Another next to it is for rent.

What is it about stealing copper and the cit of gold?

My aide had an interview today. I wrote him a really good letter of recommendation. Then they called for another job too.

He decided the library job doesn't pay enough, only 32K so he's looking at other things in the district. He wants to be in a High School.

He wants school v public cuz of all the holidays and weekends off.

He's about my height and 300 lbs. His girlfriend 100 lbs pregnant and 5'2. She doesnt work.

I may do computer lab after school for 40 an hour.

This bail out is making me nervious.

Beautiful weather

Gas is 3.71 a gal. and I need a tankful every 2 weeks.

I napped 6-11 read till 3 took a sleeping pill up at 7 asleep and up at 7:20 rushing to get to school by 8. Made it by 8:15. Meetings till 6:30 including one with the librarians from 3:30- till 5:30. I met with the principal and introduced teen read week, Next week I'll introduce it to the faculty then afterwards present it to a parent group and ask for some money.

I almost got to lunch today not breakfast either.

Rupert,my asst.. is interviewing for a full time position. He has a baby on the way and is getting married and I understand he needs health benefits for his girlfriend.

They live with his mom but still even with no rent there are expenses.

I read a really good book

Trunk Music

by Michael Connelly.

I've started Faye Kellerman's

Mercedes Coffin

It kept me up late last night.

I talked to my friend Caro. We're going to see the play House on Mango Street, in Spanish. I read it last summer. I arranged tickets for one Ell class to go see it on a field trip.

I was too late to get 150 tickets for the whole 1/2 of 7th grade.

Fall is here

I woke up this morning shivering. Got up chanhed nightgowns to flannel, put on my slippers, dragged out my down comforter closed a window and went back to bed and finally to sleep.

During the say the mornings are cool and foggy by 11-12 it burns off and the afternoons are beautiful with a slight breeze.

I get busy all day move books, turn on my fans in my office and in the library.

Today I proposed teen read week to the English and History and 6th grade teachers. Seemed to go over well. I want to do it in Nov before Thanksgiving. Every 1/2 an hour class comes in and a person gives a book talk for 15 min then another and the group can check out books. I need to get my circ. statistics up.

I lost a TA today. He transfered out. I worked him too hard and he took his ADD self out. At least he could shelve when so inclined.

One other TA an autistic girl in 8th grade was put in a mental institution lockdown for 3 days for safety and observation after writing about her harassment and thoughts of suicide. Sweet innocent out of place socially inept girl, Doesn't bother anyone and she gets so hassled and bullied.

Despite Ike

Gas was down to 3.79 today and 26 dollars filled me up.

Clara Dora cake was cute. Gwen made me a birthday cake too one Dec.

I used to love going to Hot Shios with Dad to pick out my birthday cake and get an orange freeze and Big Boy. :-)

NO Jury Duty

and I'm excused through through next year.

My review is coming up and the circulation statistics are down so it's my help. I can come up with ways to get kids i here but I need to get them to check out books too.

Just keep on checking

No Jury duty yet.

3 days

Still no call for the jury. I call back at 5. It's getting closer to my number.

Because they want to use the library for the ESL gathering I don't have to be here.

We're at Tuesday no Jury duty yet

Well fortunately I called on the right week. Not to do so was a fine of 1500. dollars. I've had to call in 4 times so far and they are getting closer but so far I haven't been called.

May have forgotten Jury duty

I'll check in the morning

This is not working...

My ew assistant comes in at 7:30 and he leaves at 11:15 which means I take lunch betweem 11 and 11:30, closing the library for 15 minutes during 6th grade 4th period. This doesn't work. I haven't gotten a lunch yet.
Traffic has been slow so far because school just opened, so I have been able to eat something at my desk but, I'm getting cranky.

I'm glad today is Thursday and it is a short week.

Time to open the library to students

Well some kid started a fire in a bathroom today so we all evacuated. We stood out in the sun for an hour from 10-11. I need to bring an umbrella for shade, my water bottle, hat, sunscreen and the emergency bag next time. We had one scheduled for Fri.

I made blueberry scones yesterday.. It takes a pint to make them then you need more to put inside when you heat them up to heat.

I'm off a day because of the holiday.

Traffic is a lot heavier too in the a.m.