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AuburnChick Needs Noseplugs

Posted on May 20, 2010 by auburnchick

One sign that the school year is drawing to a close is the playing out of senior pranks.

This morning was the first of two week’s worth.

Something smelled fishy when staff members arrived at school this morning.

Some not-so-smart students had thrown chum into the pool and stuffed dead fish into the bleachers and air conditioning vents of the locker rooms.

To make matters worse, tonight is Senior Recognition – a four-hour ceremony during which the seniors are honored for their academic achievements and scholarship awards.

Plus, this is Florida.

It is hot.

It is humid.

It will be stinky.

Attendance of the senior student body, in full cap and gown attire, is mandatory so that they can participate in commencement exercises in June.

To say I’m looking forward to what lies ahead tonight is like saying I cannot wait to go bungee jumping.

Yee Haw.

Filed under: children | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Random Dozen – ONE Question at a Time

Posted on May 19, 2010 by auburnchick

I love the theme for this week – ONE!

Don’t forget…if you choose to play, go back to Linda’s blog, link up, and visit others!

On to the questions!

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart “go-to” meal to fix in a pinch?

Chicken Parmesan.  It sounds hard, but it is so easy and non-brain-cell-draining!  It is also a meal that makes a bunch…perfect for a table of teenagers.

2. What is one item you won’t leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)

A sweater.  I am cold-natured and never know when I am going to find myself in a room that is chilly.

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?

This is a difficult question for me because I am a homebody.  But, I guess I’d have to say one place I never tire of visiting is the yarn store that is 45 minutes away.  It is the only “real” yarn store close to me, so I do not get to visit often, but when I do…oh boy…I am in heaven!

4. Share one factoid of your family’s history.

My great grandfathers fought on opposite sides of World War I.  Hence, when their children met and married, they hated each other and were against the marriage.

5. Complete this sentence: “Once upon a time I ….”

…was taller than Rooster.  Now, my shoulders reach his armpits.  Lovely image, eh?

6. If you could win a one year’s supply of anything, what would it be?

Dog food.  I have three larger-size dogs that go through 50 pounds of food a month.  Not having to purchase this stuff for a year would be heaven-sent!

7. “One quirky thing you may not know about me is ….”

I read magazines from back cover to front.  I do not know why.

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?

A candy bar from the vending machine.

9. “One thing that always makes me laugh is ….”

My dogs playing.  They are like small children.  Each of them has its own personality.  Get them together, and you’ve got quite the show!

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?

Stop buying candy bars from the vending machine.

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?

Do one of their chores.

12. What is one thing you’re looking forward to soon?

Getting Chicky’s graduation behind me.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

Playing Catch-Up

Posted on May 17, 2010 by auburnchick

I love blogging, I really do.

It just seems like it has been hard to find the time the last few days!  So, I’m making this a catch-up post.

As you know, last Friday capped off a two-week AP Exam frenzy.

The way the exams work is that all exams usually have two sessions, with two exams being administered, per a national schedule, each day.  Session 1 is around an hour.  Then, students and proctors are given a ten-minute break.  Session 2 then begins, and it lasts anywhere between one hour and two and a quarter hours.

I think my rear end has wood grain marks from the non-cushioned chairs I was planted on (when I wasn’t walking around on patrol).

Exams were administered around 8am and 12pm.  Sometimes, we had only seven minutes between tests – not a lot of time for lengthy breaks, although everyone managed to get small breaks thanks to wonderful, thoughtful school administrators.

A few of the AP teachers provided their students and us proctors with snacks…

Bags contained such goodies as these…

Oh yeah.  I think this was my favorite goody bag…loads of chocolate…my favorite!

Although proctoring was not physically tiring, I was mentally wiped out each afternoon.

Hence my retreat into brain cell oblivion this past weekend.

The Mr., Soccer Chick, Rooster, and Guy Friend went to see a movie on Saturday.

I chose to stay home, relishing the quiet.

Honestly, I cannot remember what I did.

Oh wait.

I remember.

I did NOTHING.

So lazy…that’s what I was.

It was d-i-v-i-n-e.

Sunday was busy, though.

My church had Senior Recognition Day.  Coupon Queen and Grand Pooba drove over to share in the day’s festivities.

Chicky was asked to speak before one of the services.

She did a lovely job, sharing how her relationships with her youth-group friends have been one of the main things that has kept her from the secular pitfalls that fellow students of her’s have fallen victim to.

She was well-spoken and never once said, “Um.”

I was very proud of her.

After church, we attended a luncheon in the fellowship hall.  Younger members of the youth group served us.  The food was delicious…prepared by the same gentleman who cooked Chicky’s high school soccer team’s pre-game meals.

After a short visit with the in-law’s, they left.

Chicky departed for some place that I can’t remember.  She’s had so many engagements lately that they are all starting to run together.

Meanwhile, Rooster and I headed back to church to a farewell reception for my associate pastor and his family.

I sure am going to miss this amazing little group of people.  The wife was my Bible Study leader, and her husband is simply one of the most gifted young men I’ve ever had the honor of listening to.  Their new church is very blessed to be welcoming them into its fold.

I left Rooster at church so he could attend youth group, and I headed home to watch the Survivor Finale.

Take a look at the following picture…

Do you see Russell’s face?

That’s the face of exasperation…or rather the look that one gets after taking a bite of Humble Pie.

He had to sit and listen to Jeff pull out vote after vote for Sandra and Parvati, when all along, he was sure that he was going to win this time.

Fortunately for smart, non-flirty-to-get-ahead girls everywhere, Parvati did NOT win either!

I love the way Sandra played the game.  She was smart, recognizing the troll that was disguised as Russell, and hung in there.

Nice girls do finish first sometimes!

Next, I watched the newest installment of Celebrity Apprentice.

A couple of seasons ago, I promised myself that I would not watch another episode.

Donald Trump is such a pompous man!  Ugh.  Dirty-minded too.

However, I allowed myself to be sucked in.

I love challenges and watching as people rise, or fall (as the case may be) to the occasion.  I’d like to think that I would do well in these challenges too.  Heck, I’m a mom.  Winning challenges is the name of the game that’s called Motherhood.

But I digress.

I’m rooting hard for Holly Robinson Peete, who’s playing for her autism charity.

Monday morning came all too quickly.

I had a subbing job for Rooster’s English teacher.

Yay, him.

Seriously.

He’s a good sport.  We tend to ignore each other when I am his teacher.

Today was an important one for the seniors at the school.

Their caps and gowns were ready to be picked up.

I brought Chicky’s home and hung it up for her…

Graduation is May 1st…two days after Rooster turns 16.

Yeah.  I know.

I have an eventful two weeks ahead of me, eh?

I mean, in addition to the above, Dancing With the Stars will have its finale, as will 24, Celebrity Apprentice, and Flash Forward.

Sigh…

:::AuburnChick fans herself:::

Oh well.  Might as well get a bunch of stuff out of the way at the same time, eh?  Nothing like being efficient!

Filed under: children, This-n-That | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Presents from Molly

Posted on May 14, 2010 by auburnchick

Nearly every night, when I head to bed, I find the following…

What are they?

Why, bones, of course – from my sweet Molly…

I throw them under the bed, and the gift giving resumes the next night.  I think it’s Molly’s way of letting me know I’m loved.  Nothing says love like a chewed up bone!

Not wanting to leave out the other dogs, I’ll share a couple of other pictures.

Rooster and I got home the other afternoon to give snuggles to the dogs.

Pele, being his easy-going self, rolled over on his back…very relaxed as Rooster gave his tummy a rub-down…

Later, I caught Aubie looking quite comfy on her bed…

Now that AP exams are over, I think I’ll make myself comfortable for a laid-back, relaxing weekend of my own.

Filed under: Pets | Tagged: , | 3 Comments »

A Conversation About Candy

Posted on May 13, 2010 by auburnchick

A sign of a candy connoisseur is when said person can have the following conversation with a convenience store clerk:

Clerk:  (As he’s ringing up my purchase, which includes Reese’s Cups) “Have you ever tried a Fast Break?”

Me (i.e. connoisseur):  “Yeah, but I don’t really like them.  They have too much air.”

Clerk:  “What about Take 5?”

Me:  (without skipping a beat)…”Naw…I don’t like the pretzels in them.  They change up the texture too much for my taste.”

The clerk nodded his head in understanding.

Rooster, hanging out beside me, got a good laugh from the conversation, shaking his head in disbelief as we exited the store.

Rooster:  “Wow.  I can’t believe you just had a conversation about candy.  And you knew what you were talking about.  Well, hey, at least he was friendly.”

We candy connoisseurs are friendly people!  It’s the sugar that makes us so sweet (said tongue in cheek…or should I say “candy” in cheek?)!!

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

Random Dozen

Posted on May 12, 2010 by auburnchick

The Random Dozen is following it’s own theme this week…random (go figure…LOL).

If you want to play, post your answers on your own blog and then hop on over to Linda’s blog and post your link.

1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great!

I attended a very small, private school.  My graduating class was HUGE…18 students.  heehee

I graduated high school in 1988, so I’m really having to stretch the memory a bit.  I think I remember one of the lights on the football field blowing out with a loud pop.  It scared everyone.

One of my favorite moments from the night, though, came when the Valedictorian and me, the Salutatorian, were the last to file off of the field.  We held each others’ hands as we walked off.  With a class that small, you couldn’t help but be close to everyone.

2. What is one “emergency use” item you keep in your vehicle at all times?

Soccer chairs.

Seriously.  You never know when your car is going to break down and you’ll need to take a load off while you wait for help to arrive.

3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar?

Hmmm…I don’t know.  Even though Chicky is graduating June 1st, I have no idea what people around here do.  I do know that several of her classmates are having graduation parties.  I think she’ll be attending a couple of them, but overall, I don’t think my area does open houses.  And my “events calendar” is quite full, thank you very much, of NOTHING after June 1st.  I’m not exactly a socialite.  Happy Dance Time!

4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood.

Motherhood is not for the faint of heart.  It encompasses an array of emotions:  unbridled joy, intense worry, fear, excitement, disappointment and hope.  Motherhood is a journey in which every gray hair that appears at the end is hard-earned and well-deserved.

5. What was the last thing you broke?

The last thing I broke was a picture frame that housed Chicky’s prom picture.  It was sitting on top of the DVD shelving unit.  When I moved it to sweep behind it, the frame fell on the floor, and the glass shattered.

6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily?

I receive very little junk mail these days.  I went to a website (I can’t remember the name) and removed myself from some mailing lists.  The junk mail has been reduced to almost nothing, except for the things coming from colleges.  Even that is slowing down now that Chicky’s graduation date is fast approaching.

7. Do you like to shop by catalog?

I do not like shopping by catalog only because I do not have the money to!  If money were no option, then I probably would do a little more shopping this way!

8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a “his job,” a “her job” or “his/her job” or “that’s why we have teenagers” job?

Lawn maintenance has been a “my” job for a number of years.  However, during the last couple, we have paid Rooster to take care of the yard.  He needed a way to earn money, and my carpal-tunnel syndrome-like hands appreciate his help.  When Rooster goes to college, the job will once again fall to me.

9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home?

Rooster’s bedroom.  Chicky’s got a makeover a couple of years ago, but Rooster somehow got left out.  He’s due.

10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line?

The only time I read the paper is during high school soccer season.  To save money, I unsubscribed from home delivery, and honestly I don’t really read the paper when I buy newsstand copies on Sundays.

11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

I believe God uses everything in our lives to glorify Him.  There is nothing that happens outside of His will.  Everything is a part of His plan.  Thank goodness!  Honestly, I don’t know how people who don’t have a relationship with God get through the hard times without having this trust.

12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

I am more worried about doing things right.  I am a perfectionist.  Having the job I have (substitute teacher/regular teacher wannabe) and doing things correctly and ethically is a MUST.  As far as doing the right thing, I know I don’t always make the correct choices, but I think, for the most part, doing the right thing comes much easier for me.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 4 Comments »

An Interesting Voicemail

Posted on May 10, 2010 by auburnchick

Today, while I was administering the AP Biology Exam, Chicky’s third period teacher paid me a visit.  In her hands was a note that read, “Chicky needs Midol.”

I looked at her and mouthed, “Does she have a headache?”

“No,” Ms. H. said.  “Her stomach is not feeling right, and she has chills.”

Ugh.  I thought she might be getting the flu, with the chills and all.

I wrote a note to Chicky:  “Check out, cancel your internship and babysitting for the day, and take your temperature.”

The teacher quietly left, and I finished up with the exam.

I headed to the office to sign out for the day, turning on my phone as I walked.

I had the following voicemail from Chicky:

Mama, I’m not sick.  I just need Midol.  I’m not gonna take my temperature.  I feel fine.  I’m not canceling internship, and I’m not canceling babysitting.  I just need to go poop and take Midol.  I’m fine.  Alright.  Goodbye.

Um, yeah.  I guess you could say she didn’t mince words, eh?

When I got to the office, I looked at the student check out log and saw she had checked back in shortly after checking out.

I guess she wasn’t kidding.

Indeed, she was alright.

Filed under: children | Tagged: , | 3 Comments »

An Example Worth Following

Posted on May 9, 2010 by auburnchick

I don’t know if you read comments that people post on blogs, but it can be fun and interesting.

I want to share the comment that Coupon Queen posted on my post from yesterday:

I loved you before you & our son got married as we seemed to click from day one. When the harder times came, God used them to show me that real love doesn’t stop when things are tough but it sees us through the tough times. As I taught my kids, I might get aggravated with one of you, but my love will never be withheld because of that. If I can’t love when things are tough, it’s not real love at all. My love for all of my children – the 2 boys as well as their wives – is unconditional and will continue on and on. Love you bunches, girl.

Yeah.  For a fairly non-emotional gal, I’ll admit that I cried when I read it.

Coupon Queen has been the ultimate Titus woman.

Not familiar with the verses from the Bible?  Allow me to share:

Titus 2:3-5

3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Coupon Queen and I have had our issues over the years.  I believe the bulk of the blame lies in my half of the court.  And yet, she and Grand Pooba have always been there to welcome me back in the loving folds of their arms.

This is something I have often rejected…too scared, I suspect, that it would fade.  In some weird way, I wonder if I’ve subconsciously been testing them.  You’d think, after 20+ years, I would have figured out that they are here to stay.

For a teacher, I sure am a slow learner, eh?

Anyhoo, Coupon Queen and I had a really long talk today.  Some of it was deep.  Some of it was about simple every day stuff.

It was a conversation any “normal” girl would have with her “normal” mom.

Imagine that.

I might actually be normal, in my warped kind of way.

Her’s is the example I want to emulate…focused on the Lord and service to Him by loving, unconditionally, those around her.

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

The Obligation of Mother’s Day

Posted on May 8, 2010 by auburnchick

Let me start out by saying that I am not a fan of Mother’s Day.

I know that sounds strange considering that I, myself, am a mom.  But, for many years, this holiday has caused me much stress.

I know that people wax poetic about the virtue of their moms, but I just do not feel comfortable doing so.

And believe me.  I am no faker.  If I don’t feel something, I don’t pretend I do.

For me, Mother’s Day carries obligations that I cannot honestly meet…at least with my own mom, as this post is in NO way directed toward Coupon Queen (hugs, Coupon Queen, because I know you’re reading this).

See, for most of my life, my own mom has been a stranger to me.

At first, it was her fault.  She was married and divorced quite a number of times.  She spent years here and there as a single mom, working multiple jobs to make ends meet.

When she did not have to work, she still kept herself busy on her own interests, rarely attending school functions and often forgetting to pick me and my sister up from school (a thirty minute drive each way).

Now, I know she is to be applauded for doing what she needed to provide, and I do not fault her for that.

However, I barely remember the time she did spend with me.  She would claim otherwise, but she played favorites.

I was never able to do anything that satisfied her.  She and my sister clicked.

After my dad and I reconciled, my mom became bitter.  Well, actually, she was bitter before then, resenting the relationship I developed with the Mr.’s parents.

They were different, though.  From Day 1, they accepted me as part of the family, and they always treated me equally.

Several years ago, I found out that another couple tried to adopt my sister and me when we were youngsters.  My mom had been very neglectful, leaving us with them for stretches at a time.  They finally took steps to formally adopt us.  I can’t remember what happened…I think my dad, estranged from my mom, found out and stepped in to halt proceedings.

Either way, I was shattered.

I talk to my mom maybe twice a year on the phone.  I see her once, the week of Christmas, each year.

We only live four hours apart.

In the seven years I’ve lived in my house, she has never been to visit, although she has been invited for Thanksgiving almost every year.

For my birthday this year…my 40th…she did not call or even send a card.

I cannot help but see this as evidence that our relationship is almost completely broken.

And so, on Mother’s Day, I am simply not the “Oh look how wonderful my mom is” kind of person.

Just as I am uncomfortable bestowing attention on my own mom, I am uncomfortable accepting it for myself as well.

My children know me well.  I am a woman of mistakes.  I am simply thankful that God is working these mistakes into the fabric of my children’s lives as they choose to follow after Him.

For those of you who DO have loving relationships with your own moms, give them extra hugs.  You are to be counted among the fortunate.

And to Coupon Queen, thank you for loving me despite my mistakes and for never playing favorites.  I love you for loving me unconditionally, even though I have been quite unlovable at times throughout the years.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 4 Comments »

Yo! Lock the Door!

Posted on May 7, 2010 by auburnchick

It was a long week.  I administered six AP exams, and I have six more to give next week.

When you spend six or seven hours a day watching students take exams, life tends to take on humorous undertones.

Such was the case today.

While taking a break during the U.S. History Exam, I, along with the other proctors, hurried to get snacks, drinks, and potty breaks.

I ran to the teacher’s restroom, and gripped the door handle.  Upon discovering that it wasn’t locked, I unbuckled my belt – ready to do my business in record time.

As I pulled open the door, I spied someone else in there…

Another substitute teacher…

A MALE substitute teacher.

He was standing at the sink, but my brain did not process it this way.

My eyes simply saw a man…

In the bathroom.

I screamed a girlie scream, pulling my shirt over my unbuckled belt.

As I slammed the door shut, I heard his normally deep voice scream a girlie scream.

I was mortified!

He exited a minute later, and I apologized.

He did too, but we both were laughing.

“I wasn’t doing anything,” he assured me.

“Why didn’t you lock the door?” I asked.

“I was only checking my hair,” he continued.

“Next time LOCK THE DOOR,” I implored.

We have five more days of testing to go, and I do not want this to happen again.

I learned a couple of lessons:

1) Next time I’ve gotta pee, I’ll knock.

2) There will be no unbuckling until I’m safely in the bathroom with the door locked!

Filed under: This-n-That | 2 Comments »

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