I'm pissed

So, I called home on one of my students today. I'm kind of dismayed. This kid has behavior issues. He won't sit still, he won't pay attention, he won't stop talking. Granted, he is in a less-than-stellar class. By far, he is not the worst. However, he is not making it better.

His mother's response?

"He's such a sweet boy. He told me that you let your class run all over you and that he feels bad for you. I asked him Why you don't discipline them more?"

Give me a break.

Is he a sweet child? Yes, I am sure he can be. But I wouldn't call home if there wasn't an issue. If he feels sorry for me, why does he add to the problem? Furthermore, I challenge this parent to come be in a room with 33 teenagers and not have one single issue.

Lately, I feel like they have been running all over me. I'm just tired. I tried positive reinforcement. I tried being strict. I tried giving them boundaries and setting expectations. I did everything every expert has ever written or said. Nothing works. This class is just too full of kids who won't behave. And I am over it.

I am embarrassed that this student noticed it and pointed it out to his parents. These kids have left me no choice. I called 10 parents, emailed 4 more, and went to the dean to let her know I'm not playing around.

I hope it gets better. Because I'm starting to hate my job, and I hate that.

wg

me? compromise?

It's weird. Chef Boyardee and I are moving in together. Well, I guess that isn't so weird. What freaks me out is the fact that I am excited about it.

When I first moved to this town (oh, this glamorous town), it was so I could live with my boyfriend. I didn't want to. I didn't speak up for myself, either. I convinced myself that it was a good idea.

Well, it wasn't.

Living with him was HORRIBLE. Do you hear me, world? HORRIBLE! The first night we moved in, we got into a huge fight and he didn't talk to me for three days. It just spiraled down from there. I didn't help the situation by not taking care of myself and ignoring all the warning signs.

When I left, it was the best feeling ever. EVER. I remember sitting with Puck and Zoey, my dog and cat, and telling them, "This is how it was always supposed to be." I swore I'd never live with a boy again, unless I had a big, diamond ring and pre-nuptual agreement.

And I did.

Sure, it's great, at times. I love living alone and making a mess and walking around in the nude. I love being 100% responsible for me and not having to compromise on what tv show to watch or what to eat for dinner. It is all about Me! Me! Me!

But that gets old.

You can go the entire weekend and realize the only conversation you've held since Friday night is with the cat. If the electricity goes out, there is no one around to hold the flashlight while you try to cook dinner. And don't even thing about being sick. No one brings you ginger ale or a cold wash cloth. You have to drag your sick ass up off the couch and do it yourself. Not fun.

So, along comes this boy.

And it is So. Completely. Different. I find myself wanting to be a person who shares things. I want to take care of him and let him take care of me. That doesn't mean it is easy. I still don't trust him to get things done. I don't trust him to put my feelings before his own or remember to clean out the cat litter.

But, I think it will be okay.

I really think it will be okay.

wg

why it is easy to love him

Me: My animals make me so happy.
Him: Don't I make you happy?
Me: Ehh...
Him: Oh, I see.
Me: Don't take it personal.
Him: Well, one day I will buy you a big house so you can fill it up with animals. Then you will be super happy. And why? Because of me!
Me: Yes, booboo. That would make me happy.
Him: Or a hoarder.


wg

real housewives of jacksonville

If my life was a crazy (staged yet addictive) so-called-reality tv show like the Real Housewives, what would I say to the women I've met in Jacksonville? If we were all on one stage, champagne glasses in hand and guns at the ready...would I be able to articulate how I feel?

Here goes my say at the reunion:

1) Tara - I wish I had seen through you sooner. You told so many lies. You were horrible to Tonya and I don't know how or why. You did hurtful things to me and were then suprised when I didn't want to be your "facebook friend" anymore. Maybe it's because you didn't have sisters, maybe it's because you had a shitty childhood, but I think you need to stop and consider why you don't have any long-term girlfriends. I hope you find whatever you are looking for in life, and stop screwing over the people who were there for you.

2) Stephanie - I'm sorry. Really, I am. I am sorry that I was dramatic and insecure. I am sorry that things were so misunderstood. I am sorry that I said judgmental things to you and that I didn't call you out on the judgmental things you said to me. It has taken me awhile to figure out that I can't expect people who don't know me to understand why I act a certain way. I wish you all the best and hope that you and FP sail off into the sunset together.

3) Summer - I wish I had stood up to you a few weeks ago when you made comments about my relationships. Jon is wonderful. Will it be that way forever? I don't know. But right now, I just love him and want to be happy. He is a big part of that for me, and it doesn't make me bad or codependent or naive. It just makes me happy. So be happy for me, and keep your opinions to yourself.

4) Erin - I just love you. You have been there for me throughout the years and you are the definition of a friend. I have never met a better secret keeper and I adore you for that! Truly, I hope we remain friends for a long time.

5) Tammy - I think you are crazy and fun and trustworthy and gorgeous. I wish you knew that about yourself. I want you to see how wonderful you are and let that person take over. No more mourning over your lost relationship, no more letting men treat you like shit. It's time for Tammy to step back in and stop settling.

Stay tuned for next season...
wg

adventures in fostering

Meet my third foster dog, Sharpie aka Charlie. He was going to be euthenized at the shelter. I drove down there to get him. He looked small in his picture, so imagine my shock when this fella walked out!



He is a one year old American Bulldog, Chinese Sharpei mix. He is as yummy as free chinee deliveree! He was found as a stray, but he obviously had owners. He knows how to sit and stay, walk on a leash, and he's housebroken. How did he end up on the street?

When I saw him, I was a little nervous. Charlie is a "bully breed", which just means he has some time of "bull" breed in him (bull dog, pit bull, bull mastiff, etc). These dogs makes wonderful pets, they just need a firm handler. Could that be me? But once I figured out that Charlie was willing to listen, I felt more confident.

He came to my parents house overnight, and it was a house full of dogs! Four dogs in total, and three of them were my fosters! My parents adopted Al, my first foster dog and I'm keeping Ruby, my second. Ginger, my sister's dog was there, too. Charlie was a powerhouse among the dogs, and his growl was really scary at first. However, it was obvious that he only wanted to play with his new friends.

After picking him up at the shelter, driving him to Ocala, spending the night at a strange place, putting him back in the car, taking him into my house and letting him meet the cat - you would've thought he would flip! But no, it was my calm little Ruby who let it all get to her. She growled and snapped at both me and Charlie. Then she had (another) stress-enduced seizure.

Switch into mama mode! I held my little baby as she shook and drooled. It lasted about a minute. I began to regret my decision to take in a foster dog. What was I doing to Ruby?

I called another volunteer from the shelter and she calmed me down. She encouraged me to give the situation another chance and be patient. Sure enough, when I came home from work the next day, both dogs were asleep in their crates. Later that night, they ran around and played like nothing had happened! New best buddies.



As much as I love Charlie, I know I can't keep him. He's too big for my house. He needs a home with a confident owner who can give him the space and attention he needs to live out his life. Now I am trying to find him that perfect forever home.

wg

UPDATE: Charlie found a great home in Tampa with a great couple. Will post a picture soon.

shouldn't i be in panic mode?

Step One: Receive giant blow to salary thanks to asshole governor in nation's dumbest state.

Step Two: Accept fact that, due to recent salary cuts, you can no longer afford to live in your measly one-bedroom condo.

Step Three: Imagine a scandal of Tiger Woods proportion for said Governor.

Step Four: Find a realtor and list condo for $90,000 less than financed.

Step Five: Clean! Clean! Clean!

Step Six: Have six showings in five days.

Step Seven: Have a cow when you get an offer on day six.

Step Eight: Discuss moving in with Chef Boyfriend.

Step Nine: Start searching craigslist for awesome new places to live in town that does not value my contribution to our community.

Step Ten: Dream about living at the beach. Sign paperwork. Pray bank doesn't hate me.

Rinse, wash, repeat.

wg

if you have kids, you must

read this blog.

It is written by a woman who wrote the definition for "best friend." Luckily, her BFF is me. Her blog is full of helpful hints for moms. She says that moms need a friend in their corner when they are being given advice from a million other sources.

So don't be scared to ask her a question. Trust me, Hilary is not a person who judges. (She leaves that up to me.) I plan to give her my children to raise them from infancy to age five. If they turn out anything like her three beautiful babies, I'll be happy.

I am also quite happy that her oldest, one Miss Kennedy Lindsay, is so much like her namesake. She's a tiny pig-loving, grudge-holding, emotion-emoting child.



Of course, she is also gorgeous and brilliant. Again, she gets that from me.

Her big heart? That's all from mom.

wg