Bravery Defined

My dearest friend Alice saved my life from a baby tarantula tonight. I know, I'm as shocked as you are to find out that Northwest Indiana is full of trantulas, but it had to be. It was the BIGGEST spider I have ever seen! As we were leaving work she threw herself between me and the frightful beast so I wouldn't be attacked. She shielded me from its venomous bite by spraying it with deadly poisonous carpet cleaner. Not only did it not die, it walked away leaving a trail of poison behind. It slowed down and she was sure it was dead so, being the brave friend that she is, she poked it with a stick. She flipped it on its back but it wasn't dead and it flipped back over and started to walk away again! She decided not to play any more games and grabbed the Windex. Everyone knows that Windex to a spider is like sunshine to a vampire (which in fact spiders and vampires are very much alike because they both want to kill people). I ran for my car and locked the doors. I have never seen a truer display of bravery in all my life. I love Alice Merrill.

Senate Fail

While our great Republic is imploding, the US Senate has decided to create a committee to discuss the dangers NFL players take when they plow into each other's heads. Mind you that these aforementioned, willing adults, are well compensated for the deliberate agreed upon head butting behavior. Our nation is in a financial crisis, the president wants to socialize anything he can get his hands on, our free speech is being stripped away on a daily basis and these "leaders" (I use that term loosely) of the US decide to spend their time and waste my money drilling NFL players, coaches and the commissioner about head traumas. Wonder how many of the senators played in college?

Shocking

I'm heartbroken. I'm losing the job I love. I've known for a few weeks but my heart is not healing. Someday I'll be able to write about it. Today is not that day. What I do want to write about is my outrage with the average American citizen. You see, as Pages is liquidated, we are running a contest. Customers get the chance to win points and fabulous prizes. I have learned that they take this contest very seriously. Every Monday is trivia day. This past Monday I was embarrassed. The questions were so easy I thought we would offend each and every one of them. Here they are: 1. Name the first American president 2. How many stars on the U.S. flag 3. What are the colors of the U.S. flag and for 10,000 bonus points...What is the name of our national anthem. I asked my 7 year old and she was able to answer these. What amazes me, no OUTRAGES me is that several people did not know the answers. What kind of country do we live in when we don't know the name of our first president or our national anthem?! The absence of patriotism is both shocking and sad.

I Love Teaching!

I really love being a teacher. I was born to do this. I feel completely satisfied when I'm teaching. I have the privilege of working in Gracie's classroom once a week. Her teacher and I work very well together. The kids in her class are delightful. When I am there my heart is warm. I've been staying for lunch and get to eat with Grace and her BFF. I am treasuring this time with my daughter. Today she told me that she will always want me to eat lunch with her at school. I'll remind her she said that when she's 16. Fall is here, the fireplace is crackling and I want to sharpen pencils!

Miracle Midnight

This is one lucky toad. In fact, he's a miracle toad. The kids were outside and decided to do a routine check of the window well to see what wildlife they can free from the "pit of death." I heard a scream and new it couldn't be good. There were toads, 6 of them to be exact, all dead. 5 of the toads were stiff and a bit on the crispy side. As we picked up #6 his little arm twitched. I told Grace that perhaps he was only little bits dead. We rushed him into the house and I ran warm water over his back. He opened one eye and then stretched his arm. We could not believe it! Seriously, the thing was as good as dead just moments before. His tummy was sunken in and his skin was dry and shriveled up. He sat in my hand with the warm water running over him so I decided to see what would happen if I warmed it up just a little more. As I did, he moved. If he'd had the energy I'm sure he would have jumped. As it was though, he just moved his little arm. I told Grace that she needed to prepare her heart for his impending death. I was 100% sure he wouldn't make it another hour. She gathered grass for a soft bed and threw in some rose petals just for color and we put him in a little water and waited. We stop to check on him every 10 minutes to see if he'd died yet . About 30 minutes later I saw what looked like him trying to drink. He actually drank almost all the water I gave him. He is now hopping around his box! One minute we were ready to bury him and the next he's enjoying life. Grace named him Midnight Light (after her desire to have Native American ancestors). I figure that name is fitting because before the evening is over he will be the newest occupant of my garden. Truly amazing!

Because I'm the Mommy

This is being written several days after I first started a firestorm at school. I've had time to reflect and calm down. Yesterday, I stood my ground. I had resolve. I wasn't the only one, but it was a lonely crowd. We did what we felt was the best for our kids. The passion is still here, but I'm weary. I've lost a little steam but I'm still hot. Wish I could have written in the midst of it because the writing would have been more intense. I probably would have used a few more all caps.
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I have no problem with people who want to encourage my children to be the best they can be. Who doesn't need or want encouragement? The fact that the President of the United States of America thinks it's his right to be streamed live into every public educated classroom in the country is unbelievable. The fact that the Department of Education thinks it is appropriate to send lesson plans to teachers and have them ask the kids how they can help the president is a slap in the face to both teachers and parents. His speech was good, he has smart writers, but it was changed. Only after the parents of America stood their ground and said, "Not my kids" did they decide to change things up. Our family believes Obama is harming our country. Why would we want our kids to write an essay saying how they can help him? WE DON'T. We are their parents. We have the authority. Not Obama, not the DOE and certainly not their school. One of the teachers said, "I don't see what the problem is but I will grant your wishes", as though she is some magical fairy and I'm at a wishing well. I know you don't see what the problem is. That's the problem. We are the parents. We make the decisions and you (teacher) do not have any parental authority. It wasn't a wish, it was a command. My children WILL NOT participate. Because I'm the Mommy.

President O says about Ted Kennedy, "I valued his wise counsel in the senate, where regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support for my race for the presidency. And even a he waged a valiant battle with a mortal illness, I've profited as president from his encouragement and wisdom."

Hey, Mr. President: You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. I wouldn't brag about being buddies with one of the most evil men in America, but then again (just to add to the cliches) birds of a feather flock together.