Bambi is BACK!!!!!

Hello,
First let me thank Jimmckee.com for encouraging me to start blogging again.
I am excited to be back and tell you all about what has happened in the last few years, besides life getting in the way...
I'm excited to hear from old friends and meet new ones.
~waves~
TTYL
Bambi

My Book club

I am recommending this book to be your next MUST read.

For the last 5 weeks of school, I decided, as I am the head of my LA department, that the 9th graders would need to read a nonfiction book. *sigh* I went through the usual list. ~scoffed at choices~ Since i also teach the World History to the little darlings, I decided on Africa.

Yeah, no conflict there right? HA

Anyway, stumbled on this book in my favorite section of the Barnes and Noble, during the 25% off educator week. Bought the last 7 copies and then went to another store and bought their last copies so the whole class could have a book!

Anyway, on with my review.

The book is about his life in Sierra Leone. His struggles and how he becomes a child soldier. It's gripping, it's attention getting and I am loving that my students won't put it down!!!

Have a great weekend!

~waves~

Anyone already read it??

The *gasp* Scale!!!!!

This weeks inspirational post from Momma Kat:

1.) “I’m mad at myself. I’m embarrassed. I can’t believe after all these years, I’m still talking about my weight.” Poor Ope. What are you mad at yourself about?

Actually bloggers, I am pleased to report a 25 lbs loss! That is right, there is more of me NOT to love! I have a goal to lose a total of 70 by July. Being that I am half way there, I feel pretty good. PHXMan has lost 50LBS, so of course "we" are "hating" him right now....~rolls eyes~ *sigh*

Girls? Can I get an AMEN??? Seriously. ~shakes head~ I can't believe how much easier it is for men than us ladies. GRRRRRR but Yeah for both of us loosing weight!

I am not embarrassed to be talking about it. I am not mad...anymore. The question is why was I so mad at myself, that I DIDn't take better care of myself???

I recently had a friend that came to visit. She put on about 70LBS to her small 5'4'' frame. I asked her, why was she so mad at herself? Why didn't she love herself and SEE herself for the wonderful mother, wife and woman she is?'

You would have thought I asked her to write a paper applying for the Nobel Peace Price. *chipping crickets* Stunned I couldn't believe that I am the first woman to remind her how beautiful she is, no matter how much she weights.

~Steps up on soap box~

All the women reading this: You are a beautiful, intelligent and wonderful person. Make time for you everyday. Love yourself, because no one can love you more than you can!

~steps off~

So who agrees? Who disagrees??? Talk too me people!!!

My father's quirks....

I have been on sabatical...but here is my homework Momma Kat:
My Dad is for SURE the #1 Dad in America. That being said, he also came with his set of idiosyncrasies....
1. Ever payday (This used to be every Friday) he would go to the bank, with his check in hand, wait for a teller and physically see her count out the monies. When I suggested he could save time using the "direct deposit" method...he laughed and said. "Not a chance in H-E-double hockey sticks, I want to see all of it...sometimes just to see if the hot blond behind the counter can count that high." He would then pause for dramatic effect, look around and then start laughing again. ***He still doesn't do the direct deposit transactions***
2. Collects bargains. I am sure I come by the whole clipping coupons from my Father on this. He will pick of any item that is used when it's on sale. Then he stores it on an "inventory shelf" in the basement. Bottom line, is that I hope if a bomb goes off and I need a bomb shelter, I hope I am close enough to his house. The man has 7 tubes of toothpaste....
3. Checks. What can I say, it's like the direct deposit idea? He still writes out checks to pay bills. I was asking him if he and his wife had set up the bill pay on line, and he looked at me as if my face had just grown another eye! "Why would I do that?" he says. "The check writing works just fine". ~folds arms~
4. Flannel shirts. SWEAR to GAWD people, he even wears them in summer. He and his wife came to AZ in the mid March time. The weather was unseasonably high 80-90's. He is sitting in the outside dinning area in a long sleeve flannel. ~shakes head~ Really? Seriously!!!!
5. Iron: Who in this day and age irons their underware? Oh that would be my Dad. He irons everything. If it looks like a wrinkle...it gets the iron. He irons his jeans, pillow cases (I get that more than the under ware), shirts, sheets, and even socks! I think he just likes to iron...


The best thing about my Dad is how he hugs. He has always made everything better. His hug could take away the bumps and bruises of learning to ride a bike, better than any bactine spray. How about the rest of you????

Teacher/Parent rant....beware

Dear Parent who wants to be your childs BFF:

Thank you for your time today. Yes, I know we have had several conversations about your childs behavior...What? You are in a VERY important meeting right now? I am very sorry to "bother" you with your childs' behavior problem, however what he did is unacceptable behavior at school. WHAT? You can be interrupted with "THIS" right now?

Please let me remind you about the contract that you signed when you enrolled your child whom, according to you, NEVER acts this way at home, and you are SURE that is all the fault of the teacher. Yes, I know that you have tried to redirect the idea that your child would NEVER say or call anyone a "N" word. Yes, Mrs. ChildsBFF, I know how horrified you allegedly are. UMMM HMMMM yes, we will need a parent meeting right away...Yes, both you and your ex-spouse need to be there...No, we will not be providing you with a police detail, because you and your previous spouse can not get along. Yes, Ms. I should have thought about having kids, and how they would RUIN my important business meetings BEFORE you had him...I know the condom broke...yes you showed me the pictures last time remember?.....

*sigh*

UMMM, NO, the teacher is not the problem. You see as I have been saying, the teacher that you are accusing of being the "problem" isn't even here today...you see she is in Puerto Rico. AHHH yes, the school rules didn't change because she went on vacation. NO, assignments are being graded ON TIME...NO, your son needs to stay home until the parent meeting with all the parties involved. Yes, I understand that little darling is not old enough to stay home alone.....UM no, no, I am sorry, that we do not provide "daycare" for that age, as we run a school for education. NO, we do not offer in school suspension for your son, as this is not the first time his behavior has him suspended...Yes, bullying is against our state laws...and yes, we do not allow that here under any circumstances...

so what time should I expect you to pick him up? Yes, it's 10am now....you know, I could always call the police to have them....OH my, you are on your way? That sounds delightful. We look forward to scheduling that parent involved meeting, Mrs. Imtoobusy being my sons' friend rather than his parent, and setting boundaries....

Ok then,

talk to you soon!

Bye now...

*sigh*

I feel better now!

~Bambi~

I went to Puerto Rico!!!

This was the view from our room. AHHH the great vacation! PHXMAN won it from his uber awesome company, and of course I had to go with.
I bet most of you haven't even noticed I was off the "lower 48"!!!
~waves~
Bambi

Here is a newsflash!

I just got an e-mail from my boss, telling me to "tone down the sarcasm"...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Oh, oops. That was my outside voice again! OPPPPPPS!

Seriously???? Give me a brake! I teach middle school kids, at a first year charter school, teaching 8 hours a day without a break. I am teaching Language Arts and History at a mastery level...this means lots of written assignments, that need grading.

"You are a great teacher"...is the comment that always starts the conversation. Next, it's BUT, blah, blah, blah, sarcasm.
How do others cope? I can't do sappy sweat and hugs, which is why I am not, repeat, NOT a lower grades teacher...I don't do hugs and sweet, tooth rotting sugar cavities...*SIGH*

Any Advice from my few followers????