so bad

Often people will see my tribe, grin and say "Oh, you must have your hands full," in a jokey kind of way.  I return the grin and s...

the worst part about having insomnia

is knowing in your gut that the school secretary's going to call you by 6:00 in the morning asking you to sub.  You went to bed late aft...

preparations

A big blizzard is due our way tonight--just in time to disrupt the last day of school before Christmas break.  I've wrapped and stashed ...

today we detox

My weekend of being a party girl kicked off with bolwing Friday night and I had the most strikes of the season--finally found my mark!  I al...

put down the paintbrush

I've got so many questions today.  Where does paint go?  I mean, I bought a GALLON of paint (in "Baby Buttercup" for those of ...

under there, back there, around here

Only a couple small-ish mold colonies were destroyed in yesterday's biannual Cleansing of the Fridge.  What always stymies me, however, ...

hoo boy, do I owe you pictures

of that vigorously blooming prairie, baseball players, wetland restoration projects and other fun stuff.  But I'm busy with Olympic view...

revealing

Well, the only person to say a word to me about the election results was Mr. D.  And I didn't even hole up at home all day.  It pleased...

true

*  I'll have a teenager by the end of the week.  Good grief. *  Mr. G told me the other day he knows where he wants to go for his birthd...

all done

All the window screens are on, all the windows are washed. All the tree seedlings are planted. All the mulch is spread. All the curtains are...

running late--frazzled contest

I used to run late--chronically. This character flaw has actually gotten better over time, which seems statistically impossible after addin...

3 not-so-great things about spring

Daffodils bloomed yesterday. It's ridiculous here, really. I shall post photos tomorrow of all the loveliness in our world. But spring...

would you rather fight lice or zombies?

Yesterday Team Testosterone came barging through the door shouting "We don't have school tomorrow!" Gleefully they began stri...

she'd talk your ear off if you let her

It's Monday and if we were sitting on the rug in Kindergarten this morning having sharing time, I would totally monopolize the conversat...

3 things

I subbed for 3rd grade today. I came home and slammed down a cup of coffee before pouring myself a glass of Road Slush. Then one of my boys ...

if you give a green girl a paint chip

She'll decide to paint her living room walls. The point where two colors meet is where a giant shark bares its teeth. Which will in turn...

tales of a fifth grade surprise

You know that little substitute teaching gig I agreed to? I've logged 16 hours this week alone --silly me! I totally thought it would ...

of giants

I felt like one all day yesterday--the PS called me in to cover 3rd grade and I was the tallest person in the room-- looming over the studen...

of subs

Oh, you are all so sweet to worry about me, but I'm fine. No spitballs in my hair. No sore throat from yelling. No new wrinkles, grey...

signed, sealed (by a notary public), delivered

True story: until about 8 years ago I thought "notary public" was a "note republic," which made sense in my mind since ...