I seriously love the teacher who let the kids do this:
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
paging dr freud, paging dr freud
I've had this thought stuck in my head for awhile. It's a weird one, but it's there. Actually, it's probably not so weird. But here it is.
So, usually, they say that girls want to find guys like their dad. The theory is that you will grow up to be like your mom, so you'll want to find a balance like your dad. Unless, unlike me, you had a crappy dad. Then you don't want a guy like him. Well, your subconscious might. But you'll eventually learn that you don't.
But back to me. I'm just curious. What do you do when you are a girl who grew up to be like your dad, and you have no clue who your mom was?
So, usually, they say that girls want to find guys like their dad. The theory is that you will grow up to be like your mom, so you'll want to find a balance like your dad. Unless, unlike me, you had a crappy dad. Then you don't want a guy like him. Well, your subconscious might. But you'll eventually learn that you don't.
But back to me. I'm just curious. What do you do when you are a girl who grew up to be like your dad, and you have no clue who your mom was?
Friday, October 17, 2008
devil, thy name is chicken salad
It's been two weeks since I launched my cash cook challenge. I've spent $52.41 on groceries in a two week time-frame. I've had every meal - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks - at home. Some of those, I managed to glean from others (yay! for having Kat home and being invited over for steak dinner) and some I managed to, um, steal (sorry co-workers!) but all in all, I made it. I even lost three pounds!
So, today I am faced with a dilemma. After all this time, I'm really out of ideas for lunch. I've got basically little to nothing in my fridge and freezer. I got paid today. Can't I just order from the deli like I always do on Friday? Don't I deserve to treat myself to my favorite chicken salad sandwich on a buttery croissant?
Well, when I usually order my lunch, I pay $5.50 for a sandwich. That's 10% of what I just spent on food in the past two weeks!!!
Talk about an eye-opener. Talk about a wallet-closer.
(but damn, that chicken salad croissantwich is sooooooooo good!)
So, today I am faced with a dilemma. After all this time, I'm really out of ideas for lunch. I've got basically little to nothing in my fridge and freezer. I got paid today. Can't I just order from the deli like I always do on Friday? Don't I deserve to treat myself to my favorite chicken salad sandwich on a buttery croissant?
Well, when I usually order my lunch, I pay $5.50 for a sandwich. That's 10% of what I just spent on food in the past two weeks!!!
Talk about an eye-opener. Talk about a wallet-closer.
(but damn, that chicken salad croissantwich is sooooooooo good!)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
trade you
Among the other fabulous tips I get on my favorite news-lite morning program, here is a fun site I found on The Today Show: www.swaptree.com
Swaptree let's the swap your old books, dvds, and cds you have for the ones you want! The site hooks you up with someone else in the U.S. who has what you want if you have what they want. You don't have to dig and search like on ebay. All you pay is shipping! So far I listed some of my books and dvds, just waiting to see if there are any bites.
Some other sites include: zwaggle.com (baby stuff) or freecylce.com (gets rid of stuff for free).
have fun! let me know what you think.
Swaptree let's the swap your old books, dvds, and cds you have for the ones you want! The site hooks you up with someone else in the U.S. who has what you want if you have what they want. You don't have to dig and search like on ebay. All you pay is shipping! So far I listed some of my books and dvds, just waiting to see if there are any bites.
Some other sites include: zwaggle.com (baby stuff) or freecylce.com (gets rid of stuff for free).
have fun! let me know what you think.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
tag: I'm it
A. Attached or single? Single, although I am attached to certain things (my pets) and people (my friends and family) and places (my couch) and ideas (my own).
B. Best friend? Hilary
C. Cake or pie? both with ice cream, please
D. Day of choice? Sunday. It's always okay to be lazy on Sunday.
E. Essential item? Deodorant. I am smelly.
F. Favorite colour? Lately, I've been enjoying orange.
G. Gummy bears or worms? Mike & Ike, original favors
H. Hometown? Ocala, Florida
I. Favorite indulgence? letting myself order something really expensive on the menu
J. January or July? July! July is not working, Montreat, and barbeques. January is grey and ick.
K. Kids? I have 100+ thirteen-year-olds on any given day. It's the world best birth control. But maybe someday...
L. Life isn’t complete without? something silly happening to me that I can retell complete with outrageous voices and exaggerated, yet hilarious embellishments
M. Marriage date? Um, I hope I don't bring a date to my marriage
N. Number of magazine subscriptions: 1 - Glamour. I miss Jane. I wish I could afford Real Simple.
O. Oranges or apples? Oranges
P. Phobias? not being able to breathe underwater
Q. Quotes? Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
R. Reasons to smile? watching my kids enjoy The Giver, having Kat home to watch Gilmore with me, thinking about going to DC to see Levana, finding time to talk to Hilary, getting text messages from Janine, volunteerings, making travel plans, the list goes on...
S. Season of choice? Autumn, though like Kim, I wish it was a bit more noticeable here in The South.
T. Tag 5 people. Emily, Jamie, Levana, Thomas, Neighbor Natalie
U. Unknown fact about me? I sing "Oops, I Did it Again" in the shower. Yes. I really do.
V. Vegetable? Asparagus, brussel sprouts, green peas
W. Worst habit? I suck my thumb when I'm extremely tired, bored, or deep in thought.
X. X-ray or ultrasound? Neither, ew.
Y. Your favorite foods? Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green peas, and Sally's triple chocolate rum cake.
Z. Zodiac sign? Scorpios, unite!
...
So, I survived the expired brinner, although I ended up not having enough maple syrup to make my pancakes worthwhile. Oh well.
I hit Publix again, and this time extended my budget to $30 and only went over by 72 cents. I managed to stock up on some good sales to help me in the weeks to come.
I liked this challenge so much that I might just extend it. Right now I'm thinking I will go at least one more week, but I'd like to keep it up until I leave for DC on the 1st.
I am saving up money to party with my sisters (or, to be more specific, be a huge tourist dork and hit up all the stuff I didn't pay attention to on my 8th grade fieldtrip!) One favorite memory of this trip is a certain someone getting caught with a certain other someone underneath the seats on the train! What's your favorite Washington trip memory?
I hit Publix again, and this time extended my budget to $30 and only went over by 72 cents. I managed to stock up on some good sales to help me in the weeks to come.
I liked this challenge so much that I might just extend it. Right now I'm thinking I will go at least one more week, but I'd like to keep it up until I leave for DC on the 1st.
I am saving up money to party with my sisters (or, to be more specific, be a huge tourist dork and hit up all the stuff I didn't pay attention to on my 8th grade fieldtrip!) One favorite memory of this trip is a certain someone getting caught with a certain other someone underneath the seats on the train! What's your favorite Washington trip memory?
Friday, October 10, 2008
cash cook challenge update!
Well, I almost made it! I'm down to my last weekday of not eating out. So far this week, everything I've consumed has come from my fridge, freeze, pantry, friends, or unsuspecting co-workers. Here are the high-lights:
Moment to remember: My delicious chili! I've never made chili before; it was surprisingly easy, healthy and scrumptious.
Moment to forget: Forgetting my Nalgene and filling up an empty water bottle with OJ from the fridge in the faculty lounge in order to prevent using the vending machine for a drink.
So, it's nearly the end of the week and I'm running really low on supplies. My only option for dinner is pancake mix. While I love the idea of brinner (breakfast for dinner), I am a little nervous that the expiration date on the pancake mix box reads Sept. 2007.
If I post again soon, I'll be living proof that expiration dates are nothing but cheap threats from major food processing companies to discourage penny pinching teachers such as me.
Moment to remember: My delicious chili! I've never made chili before; it was surprisingly easy, healthy and scrumptious.
Moment to forget: Forgetting my Nalgene and filling up an empty water bottle with OJ from the fridge in the faculty lounge in order to prevent using the vending machine for a drink.
So, it's nearly the end of the week and I'm running really low on supplies. My only option for dinner is pancake mix. While I love the idea of brinner (breakfast for dinner), I am a little nervous that the expiration date on the pancake mix box reads Sept. 2007.
If I post again soon, I'll be living proof that expiration dates are nothing but cheap threats from major food processing companies to discourage penny pinching teachers such as me.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
a happy day
This morning:
blissful thirty minutes of alone time, outside in the courtyard, with a nectarine, lesson plans, and a plenty of refreshing October sunlight.
This afternoon:
After reading about "special" dreams in The Giver, one of my students says:
This reminds me of this movie called 187. Have you seen it? It's this movie where they don't let people have intercourse unless they are wearing intercourse helmets. And the helmets let you have intercourse, but not with a person, it's like you're having intercourse with the helmet. Ms. L have you ever seen this movie?*
This evening:
delicious cup of homemade chili, made from ingredients in the house and purchased on $20 budget, about to watch Obama face off against McSame...
oh, happy day!
*and yes, this is totally true! I can't make up the things my kids say.
blissful thirty minutes of alone time, outside in the courtyard, with a nectarine, lesson plans, and a plenty of refreshing October sunlight.
This afternoon:
After reading about "special" dreams in The Giver, one of my students says:
This reminds me of this movie called 187. Have you seen it? It's this movie where they don't let people have intercourse unless they are wearing intercourse helmets. And the helmets let you have intercourse, but not with a person, it's like you're having intercourse with the helmet. Ms. L have you ever seen this movie?*
This evening:
delicious cup of homemade chili, made from ingredients in the house and purchased on $20 budget, about to watch Obama face off against McSame...
oh, happy day!
*and yes, this is totally true! I can't make up the things my kids say.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
cash cook challenge
Did you know I started this blog to try and blog my way out of debt in one year?
I quit blogging about money and had to give up that goal. I discovered that my goal was unrealistic and it became increasingly uncomfortable to blog about my finances on the internet. However, I did make progress and paid down one card by 30%...not 100% debt-free, but at least I didn't totally give up!
Motivated by the recent financial, um, DISASTER on Wall Street, I've been reading about finances and found a lot of interesting articles on ways to save money. None of them sound that appealing to me. Most of them require a dual income. Because I'm naturally competitive, I've decided to create my own challenge to pay off my debt. I'll post more about that later. But in the meantime, I need short-term challenges, and little perks along the way to keep me going.
My first mini-challenge will be a grocery store challenge. I looked at what I've spent each week at Publix for the past three weeks. It ranged from $30 to $50.
My goal is spend only $20 on groceries this week and try to subsist off what is in the fridge, pantry and freezer. The rules are:
1. Any food item must come from the $20 budget.
2. Meals must be healthy and balanced. This is not your roommate's ramen noodle diet.
3. Make it fun! Look for recipes and don't just rely on easy-to-cook frozen foods.
The first $4.03 of my $20 budget has been spent. Tonight, I went to Super-Target and purchased 2 Weight Watchers yogurts, 4 Dan-Active cottage cheese containers, and 1 can of Black Beans. After surveying the interior of my freezer and pantry, I've decided to make chili this week using a recipe from my WW "Pure Comfort" cookbook. Tomorrow I will make a shopping list and spend my $15.97 at Publix.
Tonight, I used 1 red bell pepper, leftover chopped onions, frozen peas, 1 can of tuna, mayo and mustard to make these stuffed peppers for my lunch tomorrow. All of which was in my fridge! Looks yummy, no? (Well, they taste good, even if they don't look super appetizing to you.)
Here's to putting my belly on a budget!
I quit blogging about money and had to give up that goal. I discovered that my goal was unrealistic and it became increasingly uncomfortable to blog about my finances on the internet. However, I did make progress and paid down one card by 30%...not 100% debt-free, but at least I didn't totally give up!
Motivated by the recent financial, um, DISASTER on Wall Street, I've been reading about finances and found a lot of interesting articles on ways to save money. None of them sound that appealing to me. Most of them require a dual income. Because I'm naturally competitive, I've decided to create my own challenge to pay off my debt. I'll post more about that later. But in the meantime, I need short-term challenges, and little perks along the way to keep me going.
My first mini-challenge will be a grocery store challenge. I looked at what I've spent each week at Publix for the past three weeks. It ranged from $30 to $50.
My goal is spend only $20 on groceries this week and try to subsist off what is in the fridge, pantry and freezer. The rules are:
1. Any food item must come from the $20 budget.
2. Meals must be healthy and balanced. This is not your roommate's ramen noodle diet.
3. Make it fun! Look for recipes and don't just rely on easy-to-cook frozen foods.
The first $4.03 of my $20 budget has been spent. Tonight, I went to Super-Target and purchased 2 Weight Watchers yogurts, 4 Dan-Active cottage cheese containers, and 1 can of Black Beans. After surveying the interior of my freezer and pantry, I've decided to make chili this week using a recipe from my WW "Pure Comfort" cookbook. Tomorrow I will make a shopping list and spend my $15.97 at Publix.
Tonight, I used 1 red bell pepper, leftover chopped onions, frozen peas, 1 can of tuna, mayo and mustard to make these stuffed peppers for my lunch tomorrow. All of which was in my fridge! Looks yummy, no? (Well, they taste good, even if they don't look super appetizing to you.)
Here's to putting my belly on a budget!singleville: the update
As I blogged yesterday, I went into last night's events with a "What's-the-worst-that-could-happen" attitude.
That all changed when I pulled up to a house covered in McCain-Palin signs. My brain went into panic overload. Abort! Abort! Abort!
What should I do? I didn't have Anne's number to call and cancel due to a sudden illness (conservatitis) It was too late to do anything but take a deep breath and walk to the front door. Immediately I heard a dog's ferocious bark (could he smell my liberal fear?) and began to sweat. This was going to be a long night.
Thankfully, the very nice McCain supporter who answered the door was not Anne, but rather her next door neighbor who politely informed me that I was at the wrong house.
Hoping that would be my only embarrassing moment of the night, I counted down two houses and found myself in the right place. There were some other women from work their with their husbands, so we made polite conversation for awhile. It was kind of awkward, because the deck could only hold so many people. Eventually, we wandered inside and ate (mmm...seafood).
Her son, R, was really great and tried to make me feel like part of the conversation. He looked a lot like Anne, which I found cute. He asked the requisite questions - where did I like to go out at the beach, do I like teaching, do I like sports - typical guy stuff. He told me bit about himself, where he lives, etc. One of his friends was there and they both seemed pretty interested in the baseball game, so I felt a little out of place. I tried to leave when the others did but Anne insisted I stay and chat with her. R disappeared and we found him as I was on my way out.
The one bad thing is that when we found him, he was smoking in the garage. I noticed this earlier in the night, too. I hate smoking. I've never even tried to smoke a cigarette, and I'm really susceptible to the smoke. I woke up coughing this morning. Gross.
Then, as if knocking on the McSame supporter's door earlier in the evening wasn't embarassing enough, I preceded to shove my gigantic (yet freshly exfoliated) foot inside my mouth.
R: Well, it was really nice to meet you. We'll have to go out for beers sometime, when my parents aren't around.
Me: Yeah, I'd like that. It was nice to meet you, too.
R: Finally. My mom has been saying, "You've got to meet my friend Lindsay" for over a year now.
Me: I know. It's a good thing I like your mom, because all the other ladies at work are always wanting to introduce me to their sons, too.
R: (Silence. Then crickets.)
Me: Soooo, um, I guess I'll get going.
R: Yep. Drive safe.
Not only did I manage to insult him by pointing out that his mom is setting him up, but I also pointed out that I'm the big loser who needs the moms of the world to introduce me to potential suitors.
I also didn't do the whole, "Yeah, you should call me," bit after he said let's go out for drinks, to which he would've said, "I don't have your number" to which I would have replied, "Let me give it to you" instead of "You need your mommy to get you girls."
Smoooooooooth!
I have a feeling I am destined for a long, long life in Singleville : )
That all changed when I pulled up to a house covered in McCain-Palin signs. My brain went into panic overload. Abort! Abort! Abort!
What should I do? I didn't have Anne's number to call and cancel due to a sudden illness (conservatitis) It was too late to do anything but take a deep breath and walk to the front door. Immediately I heard a dog's ferocious bark (could he smell my liberal fear?) and began to sweat. This was going to be a long night.
Thankfully, the very nice McCain supporter who answered the door was not Anne, but rather her next door neighbor who politely informed me that I was at the wrong house.
Hoping that would be my only embarrassing moment of the night, I counted down two houses and found myself in the right place. There were some other women from work their with their husbands, so we made polite conversation for awhile. It was kind of awkward, because the deck could only hold so many people. Eventually, we wandered inside and ate (mmm...seafood).
Her son, R, was really great and tried to make me feel like part of the conversation. He looked a lot like Anne, which I found cute. He asked the requisite questions - where did I like to go out at the beach, do I like teaching, do I like sports - typical guy stuff. He told me bit about himself, where he lives, etc. One of his friends was there and they both seemed pretty interested in the baseball game, so I felt a little out of place. I tried to leave when the others did but Anne insisted I stay and chat with her. R disappeared and we found him as I was on my way out.
The one bad thing is that when we found him, he was smoking in the garage. I noticed this earlier in the night, too. I hate smoking. I've never even tried to smoke a cigarette, and I'm really susceptible to the smoke. I woke up coughing this morning. Gross.
Then, as if knocking on the McSame supporter's door earlier in the evening wasn't embarassing enough, I preceded to shove my gigantic (yet freshly exfoliated) foot inside my mouth.
R: Well, it was really nice to meet you. We'll have to go out for beers sometime, when my parents aren't around.
Me: Yeah, I'd like that. It was nice to meet you, too.
R: Finally. My mom has been saying, "You've got to meet my friend Lindsay" for over a year now.
Me: I know. It's a good thing I like your mom, because all the other ladies at work are always wanting to introduce me to their sons, too.
R: (Silence. Then crickets.)
Me: Soooo, um, I guess I'll get going.
R: Yep. Drive safe.
Not only did I manage to insult him by pointing out that his mom is setting him up, but I also pointed out that I'm the big loser who needs the moms of the world to introduce me to potential suitors.
I also didn't do the whole, "Yeah, you should call me," bit after he said let's go out for drinks, to which he would've said, "I don't have your number" to which I would have replied, "Let me give it to you" instead of "You need your mommy to get you girls."
Smoooooooooth!
I have a feeling I am destined for a long, long life in Singleville : )
Saturday, October 4, 2008
tales from singleville
Tonight, I'm being set up. My friend from work, Anne, is playing matchmaker and setting me up with her son. She's a guidance counselor so I trust her guidance, even though I am very aware it's guiding me towards her offspring. She's hosting a dinner party (low country shrimp boil - yum!) but I know the premise is for me to meet him.
She's been trying to get us together for over a year. I think Anne's invite is sweet. Also, it is much less terrifying than the time my stepmother tried to convince me to date my stepbrother. No, I'm not kidding.
There are a lot of ladies at my work who've offered to set me up with their son. "Oh, he's such a catch!" they say. "You are, too!" they assure me. I think they find it odd that after all these years (going on 27 of them) I am, wonder of wonders, still single. Occasionally, I've considered accepting their offers. One of them actually has a son who is Very Hot. But she is Very Crazy and I don't want to go down that road.
Last week, I went to church with a work-friend to meet her grandmother's neighbor. (Note: he was not old, he was exactly my age. And he goes to church with a little old lady - who doesn't think that sounds super cute??) Alas, he looked so much like a cuter version of one of my exes that I spent the whole service trying to remember if said ex had a little brother with a little old lady fetish. Sorry, God.
Dating the son of a friend you work with has it's pros and cons. Right now, all I can think about are the cons. Everything-Is-A-Possible-Tragedy Linds is taking over my brain. What if we don't hit it off? Will she hold it against me? Will things be awkward at work?
However, Oh-Shut-Up-You-Wimp Linds is trying to channel my anxiety. Honestly, I work at a middle school, so how much more awkward could my work atmosphere become? Also, I've known Anne for five years and know she is a genuinely caring, down to earth, realistic person. Chances of her slitting my tires over not giving him the green light are slim to none. Lastly, she even said that if I don't feel a connection to her son, she would love to set me up with one of his many friends! Who doesn't loved being pimped out?
I don't have any expectations going in to this. Honestly, I have not felt like dating at all lately. It's complicated and messy. I'm complicated and messy enough on my own - why add to that equation?
Oh well. Worst case scenario - I eat some free shrimp and Anne keys my car.
Right?
She's been trying to get us together for over a year. I think Anne's invite is sweet. Also, it is much less terrifying than the time my stepmother tried to convince me to date my stepbrother. No, I'm not kidding.
There are a lot of ladies at my work who've offered to set me up with their son. "Oh, he's such a catch!" they say. "You are, too!" they assure me. I think they find it odd that after all these years (going on 27 of them) I am, wonder of wonders, still single. Occasionally, I've considered accepting their offers. One of them actually has a son who is Very Hot. But she is Very Crazy and I don't want to go down that road.
Last week, I went to church with a work-friend to meet her grandmother's neighbor. (Note: he was not old, he was exactly my age. And he goes to church with a little old lady - who doesn't think that sounds super cute??) Alas, he looked so much like a cuter version of one of my exes that I spent the whole service trying to remember if said ex had a little brother with a little old lady fetish. Sorry, God.
Dating the son of a friend you work with has it's pros and cons. Right now, all I can think about are the cons. Everything-Is-A-Possible-Tragedy Linds is taking over my brain. What if we don't hit it off? Will she hold it against me? Will things be awkward at work?
However, Oh-Shut-Up-You-Wimp Linds is trying to channel my anxiety. Honestly, I work at a middle school, so how much more awkward could my work atmosphere become? Also, I've known Anne for five years and know she is a genuinely caring, down to earth, realistic person. Chances of her slitting my tires over not giving him the green light are slim to none. Lastly, she even said that if I don't feel a connection to her son, she would love to set me up with one of his many friends! Who doesn't loved being pimped out?
I don't have any expectations going in to this. Honestly, I have not felt like dating at all lately. It's complicated and messy. I'm complicated and messy enough on my own - why add to that equation?
Oh well. Worst case scenario - I eat some free shrimp and Anne keys my car.
Right?
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