Birthday Conspiracy

In August, my school district announced that it would be piloting the ipod touch with administrators. My principal, Becky, immediately put in the request for all six of us to be in the pilot group. In September, I got an email that instead of 35, the district was only getting 20 to pilot, so I wouldn't be getting one. I was a bit bummed. I wanted to try the WiFi in various places in the building and see what kind of functionality it would have for doing classroom walk throughs. Plus, it would be fun to have one to play with for myself.
A few weeks later, I received an email that we got in a second shipment so I would get one after all. Yippee!!!! Then two or three days later, I got an email that one of the itouch's in the second shipment was damaged, that a name had been drawn out of a hat, and that I was the unlucky person who wouldn't get one immediately, but that when it was replaced I would get one. I graciously emailed the director of technology back telling him thank you for letting me know what was happening and that I would be patient.
Monday when I opened birthday gifts, Dave had bought an itouch for me. I was excited. Then, the confession of the conspiracy came.
Evidently Dave had ordered my itouch the same day I learned that I would get one to pilot for 30 days after all. He emailed my boss asking her not to let me get one since he'd bought one for me. (Now what would it have hurt for me to play with one for 30 days?) Becky contacted the director of technology and the plan was hatched. (In retrospect, I can't believe I bought the "name out of a hat" line.)
Poor Becky had to be gracious when I whined that I wouldn't get a district itouch after all. She was as anxious for me to open my birthday gifts as Dave was.
At least I know Dave put a lot of thought into this gift. Now, maybe I'll get some time to play with it. (I've had about 45 minutes the past two nights; maybe I'll get another 45 minutes tonight.)

Happy Birthday to Miranda

Miranda and I celebrated her birthday yesterday. We did our usual birthday thing. We went to work, opened gifts after we both got home, then went out to a nice dinner. She now has a new gadget to use. I got her an ipod Touch that she has been wanting for quite some time. Now she just has to figure out how to use it....

After opening gifts, it was dinner time. She selected Truluck's for dinner. Truluck's is a seafood restaurant, and all the food was excellent! Miranda (and baby Mac) had the snapper, and I couldn't pass up the stone crab claws. We ate too much, then proceeded to slowly walk back to the car for the ride home. All in all it was a low key birthday celebration - but else would you expect from the two of us?

Happy Birthday Babe!

The "Line" Part of Book, Line & Sinker

I had to share these lines from Larry the Cable Guy. They are pretty good...and I even haven't even received them in e-mail before.


The wisdom of Larry the Cable guy

1. A day without sunshine is like night.

2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.

10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?

21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'

22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapeno's. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

Finally Fall

It has finally gotten actually cold here in Texas! The last few mornings it has dipped down into the 40's with daytime highs in the 70's. As nice as weather can get in my opinion. Miranda would strongly disagree on this point. Since my fishing days of summer are dwindling, I decided to make a trip to Lake Texoma for some kayaking and fishing.

The leaves on the oak trees around the lake were already in full fall color. Keep in mind that this is Texas, and anything other than brown for leaf colors is a really good thing. The funny thing about the tree colors was that while the leaves on the lake had changed, trees 20 miles west of the lake were still all green....Mother nature is a strange lady sometimes.

I paddled the lake for a few hours. The wind was blowing much harder than was forecasted, and I was taking waves over the side from time to time. But the wind died down around noon, and paddling in the sun was a treat.

Around 1:00 I headed to the spillway of the dam to fish the river. As I was having my lunch snack, I saw an air boat captain launch his boat and then beach it to park his truck. Evidently he didn't beach it well enough because it was drifting before he got back. I had to come to the rescue in my kayak. The boat had already drifted about 100 yards downstream by the time I got to it. I got a fishing line from one of the bank fisherman and took it out and tied it to the front of the air boat. As they gently pulled, I pushed, and we got the boat back to shore. Crisis averted...The captain was much appreciative, but I just wish that I had asked for a ride on it.

After all the excitement I finally got to fish for a little while with some success: 8 stripers and 2 channel catfish were the total for the afternoon. Not a great day as the fishing goes, but not too bad either.

Cell Phone Lamentation

Daily we battle cell phones at the high school. Our cell phone policy prohibits the use of cell phones during the school day. Students caught using their phones to call or more likely text have their phones confiscated; phones may be picked up the following day after school with a $15 fine. On the second offense, parents pick the phones up the following day after school and pay the $15 fine. Third offense, repeat #2, plus add disciplinary consequence. Most kids don't make it to 3.

Today a girl did. She had her phone in use during the Math TAKS test, despite 3 pleas I had made for all phones to be at the front of the room turned off lest a test be marked unscored. Remember, we're only in the 9th week of school--or is it 8th? Her aunt was up at the school shortly after she finished her test. Yes, I made her finish the test. We'll decide whether or not to score the test after the phone's log is checked. Anyway, clearly she knows how to use regular phones in case of emergency. She and her aunt came back at the end of the day to talk to me. She can pick her phone up tomorrow; she'll be in ISS for 2 days, and she'll pay her $15 fine. I think I'll draft an agreement with her that subsequent confiscations will be at a higher cost. I just have to check to see if I can do that.

This is not the most extreme case. Kids take out their SIM cards; they carry "fake" phones--old ones they no longer use--to hand over. Parents argue and plead the case of their child. Parents demand that their child must have a cell phone. Ye gads!

I guess being 15 years older than these kids has caused me to be a bit out of touch: I just don't get their cell-phone addictions. Though, I don't know that I can blame it all on age. I know people my age who are just as addicted to their phones and being "connected". I think many lack true human connections, so they try to substitute electronic connectedness in place of a real connection with people. Does sending 50 1-sentence text messages or replies truly constitute a conversation and a relationship? Maybe these snippet conversations are more than the actual conversations that people have with their families at the end of the day.

As I drove to school yesterday, I thought about cell phones and pondered at the rate we're going, will I be sending Baby Mac to school with a cell phone in six years? I hope not. Even if the other kids have one, I hope I can be strong and resist the "if you really love me you'll give me a cell phone" guilt trip that I'll probably get. But, I'd like the boy to know how to remember a phone number, how to seek out land lines for use, how to survive without a cell phone.

Then, when I got home from work, I had this email from a friend. How timely.

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CELL PHONE VS. BIBLE

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone.

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to our kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go... hmm...where IS my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry
about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid
the Bill.

And no dropped calls!

When Parents Visit

Mama and Daddy just left this morning after staying for a week. I'll miss having them around.

Mama had dinner ready when I got home: a blessing after a long day at work. Mama made potato salad for me. I just can't get mine to taste just like hers. I know that it can be done with my light mayo and red potatoes since she did it. It must be the mustard; I don't think I get that right. Sunday when we got up, Mama had breakfast ready: biscuits, gravy, bacon, and eggs.

Mama hemmed 2 pairs of pants for me--twice. They weren't quite short enough the first time. She and I agree that too long is better than too short.

Mama and I were able to shop together. I found a few maternity shirts to get me through the still-don't-look -pregnant-stage. No shoes for my growing feet, but I'll find some. We bought a few outfits for Baby Mac.

Since I'm saving my days for maternity leave, I didn't take any time off from work, but Mama and Daddy are self-sufficient guests. They puttered around each morning, taking a walk before heading out to explore. They shopped at Grapevine Mills, in Roanoke, in downtown Grapevine, and in Denton. Daddy says next time they'll go further west to explore. Mama laughs and says they'll have a baby to entertain them next time.

It was great to get to see them.

Zing

Friday morning during football practice one of the coaches and players had a conversation that went something like this. . .

Student: Coach, who's the gay quarterback in the NFL?

Coach: I don't know of any gay quarterbacks. Tuoalo came out a few years ago, but he wasn't a quarterback. Why are you so interested in this? Are you going to be the first gay quarterback?

Student: No, coach, I don't play quarterback.

Wait for it, wait, wait . . .

Student: Wait, Coach that didn't come out right. I'm not gay.

Wonder if this kid's been hit too hard a time or two.

A Father's Intuition

From day one Dave has insisted that we're having a girl. He's been so sure, that we've discussed many more girl names than boy names.

Monday, we went to the doctor for the big sonogram. I had no idea that so many things could be measured. Everything looks good. The heart has four chambers. The lungs, liver, kidneys, and stomach are developing. The face was measured for a cleft palate or chin. The spine was examined; I had no idea you could see all the little bones. The length of all the major bones was measured.

The baby was sitting with its head just to the left of my belly button and its legs were tucked beneath. I hope the little one has enough room to stretch out in there. Right now the baby is still quite small weighing maybe one-half pound.

And with all the measuring, we were able to find out if Daddy's intuition was right. Turns out this time, not so much. We're having a boy! The third picture is a look from below. You'll see his bottom at the top, with both of his little legs below him. And in the middle, his manhood.

I think the gender explains my recent inability to properly navigate to a new destination; you know guys--they never ask for directions. I think Baby Mac's testosterone was blocking my usual savvy navigation skills.

Dave will have a fishing buddy. He's decided he'll be buying the Scooby Doo rod and reel combo. I'll have a football watching buddy; the sad thing is, I'm sure Baby Mac will figure out how what the flag is going to be long before I do, even though I've got a 15 year head start on watching football.

Dave doesn't have to paint the nursery; the soft blue we have in there will be perfect. Now we just have to come up with a theme. And a name . . .

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In case you need some help with the sonogram pictures . . . first let me say, the print quality is terrible compared to what we see on the screen.
The top picture is the baby's face. He's looking at us. You can see the left eye socket distinctly. You can also see the arms.
Picture two is self-explanatory.
And, I've already explained the third one.

Raised Right

When I met Devin in 1997, I knew I was in the presence of SuperMom. Throughout the years, I continue to hold my opinion of her. Today I received another example of what she has done to ensure that her children have been raised right.

Last week was Sutton's birthday. Dave and I sent a birthday gift, complete with homemade brownies, to her college dorm in Virginia. The day the gift arrived, Sutton emailed me to tell me thank you. Today, I received a handwritten thank you note in the mail. I am so impressed. I have given many gifts to adults over the years, sometimes without receiving a thank you via email, let alone two thank you's.

Sutton, thank you for reassuring me that children can be raised right and that they will carry good manners with them when they leave your home.

Many days before deciding to embark upon the journey to motherhood, I grappled with the question, "Do I want to bring a child into this world?" My response has been that I have a moral responsibility to society to ensure that a few kids are raised right to band together with all the other good kids to outweigh those kids whose parents haven't taken the time to instill good manners and a code of ethics and morals in the very fabric of their being. But I digress . . .

Thank you, Sutton. And thank you, Devin.

Hmmm. . . now the Miss Manners in me must wonder, "Is a blog thank you adequate?"

A Little Financial Crisis Humor

What's the difference between an investment banker and a pigeon?

Wait for it............







A pigeon can still make a deposit on a Ferrari!