26 Hour Day

I need a couple more hours each day. I was thinking maybe two more between 5pm and 7pm. What do you think?

I haven't posted in a few days. I've had a constant headache and not much to say, lol. I think my jaw is causing my headache. Apparently I have TMJ and my jaw is acting weird. Hopefully lots of Tylenol will help.

Made an awsome dinner last night. It's become a favorite of ours. Well, Dylan can't stand it, so I'm not counting him.
This is very easy and very healthy and very good!

Jen's Souvlaki
chicken breasts
onions
Italian dressing
oregano
Greek yogurt
cucumber
garlic
pita bread
olive oil
lettuce
tomato

cut chicken breasts into 1 inch cubes
cut a couple of onions too, cut into chunks
marinate all in some Italian dressing with a little added oregano
grill

Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
plain Greek yogurt (I can find it in the regular grocery store. It's just like plain yogurt only thicker)
peel and seed one large cucumber
grate cuke
add to yogurt
add 1-2 cloves of garlic (we only do 1)

You'll need pita bread, with our without the pocket. If you have a pocket, make holes with a fork all over pita
add a little olive oil to a pan
add pita, lightly "cook" both sides (this softens the bread)
put it on your plate
slather with Tzatziki
add chicken and onions
top with lettuce and tomato
ENJOY!

Stardom

Being a teacher is like being a movie star. Ok, the pay is a lot different, but the fans......
I've stopped for coffee on my way to school each day this week. Yesterday, when I walked out of Dunkin Donuts, there was an SUV with the rear passenger window down and three little faces were beaming at me from their car seats - a family from school. I waved and said HI! They just kept beaming but didn't say anything. When I got to school, 2 minutes later, I saw the mom and she said, " I had just been in there, They saw you go in and wouldn't let me leave until they saw you come out."
Tuesday a first grader ran up to me and yelled, "I saw you getting coffee!!!!!!"
Monday, another first grader said the same thing and now I'm her best friend, she hugs me whenever she sees me.
Last weekend, we were out to dinner and I spotted her first....a second grader across the restaurant. She didn't see me until they were leaving. She stopped dead in her tracks and just stared like a deer caught in headlights. Then she smiled this huge smile. I waved, but she just stood there frozen. She ran to her mom and pointed me out, then started jumping and waving.
I'm a star.

Hello Broadway!

My husband is making his Broadway debut tonight in

The band is onstage the whole time and Paul will be sitting with the band. (I couldn't make this image larger. It's a pic of the band. They sit in upstage right in the middle, they're part of the show.)

He's the conductor's agent and also handles all the music for the writers and has to be there to check some things out tonight. How cool is that???

Being Appreciated.

I started a new job in September. I'm the art assistant at my son's new school and I LOVE MY JOB! I just miss having days where I scrapped all day long. On a good note, I feel more motivated on the weekends and I've been getting a lot done.
My boss paid me a wonderful compliment yesterday. She told me she's so happy to be working with someone she can depend on, that she doesn't have to worry about anything if she's not there, she knows things will get done and she can be absent one day and know I'll be fine teaching the classes. I thought that was wonderful. It made me feel great. It's nice being appreciated. She's the one who gave me my fab LUCKY BRAND GREEN SUEDE BAG. She has one and I would say how much I loved it, so...bingo...Merry Christmas, a green bag for me!!!!! Hmmmmm......you know, she just got a new Hummer. Maybe I'll start admiring that too.......

Fun Day Monday! (not really)

Monday is Fun Day because Jen and I do an after school class for the little kids and we do "fun" things. Anything from working with clay to playing tag outside.r. We have about 20 kids! Hence, Fun Day Monday.

I went to bed with a pretty bad migraine last night. Thank God for

It really is a miracle medicine.

I was supposed to participate in an online crop this weekend with my friends Milissa, Jen and Cynthia. I couldn't do it on Saturday, but I did make some stuff yesterday. I need a laptop that I can have on my computer desk. I wasn't able to chat with them while I worked. Plus Dylan had a friend over and they were playing with the Webkins online. (I need my own computer).
Here are the things I made. The are assignments for WORLDWIN PAPERS.
A little Thank you card

I love this next card. I used the new paper from Frances Meyer. It has an Indian theme.

And this is my favorite. I make a lot of these journals but never use them. This one I'm going to use.

I also made pea soup last night. You know, maybe THAT'S what gave me the migraine....It was a dry mix, never used it before. Had some funky seasonings, like curry - to go with my India inspired creations. Hmmm,something to think about.
Have a great day! Think of me at "Fun Day Monday" Blah. Lol.

HoooRay!

I got a great bag from my boss for Christmas. The drawstring broke 3 days later. I was SO ANGRY. I took it back to Lord and Taylor to have it repaired. This was...Dec. 18. I JUST GOT THE BAG BACK YESTERDAY!! I called and even went in to talk to the manager, "Oh, well you know with Christmas and all...." "Hey, bud, fix the bag.".
I tried to find a pic of it online, no luck. It's a mix between these two;
This color:

This style, but mine is green suede, not leather. This pic is not very good.

It's a Lucky Brand Drawstring Hobo. Have I mentioned that I love it? I kept admiring the one my boss had, I wasn't asking for it or anything, lol, and she got me one! I have the best boss, the best job.
I'm charging my camera battery. I'll take a pic of it later.
Love this bag!

The "L" word - and I don't mean "love".....

Why does it happen on my watch?? If you read my blog entry yesterday - yes, I'm talking to both of you - you'll know that I taught the art classes yesterday. I thought 8th grade would be tough. I was wrong. The 4th grade had finished up their projects and had free art time. Here we go...Somewhere along the line one little girl told another little girl that she loved her. One of the boys then shouted..."Are you a lesbian?" I told him that school was not the place for this discussion. The two girls then started saying "I'm not" "why did you say that", blah blah. I told them that school was not the place. I didn't make a big deal about it. Then I hear one little girl asking another, "what does that mean?" and the other one starts explaining and I said...
"HEY, this is not the place for this discussion. You can talk about it at home." I told their teacher just in case she got some phone calls, lol.
These kids are 9.
9 years old!
I don't care what a person's sexual preference is. I felt bad for the little girl who was expressing her feelings and then got teased. It's the teasing that I have a problem with. When did 9 year olds start discussing sex? Have I been living under a rock? I guess so.
What do you think?

I am running the show. It's MY show.

Ok, I am a teaching assistant. I'm an art assistant. What does that mean? It means I get to play all day, then go home. I don't have to plan a thing. I LOVE MY JOB!! I have the best boss! I'm at the best school. All is GREAT! Well, today, Jen, my teacher will be out. I get to run the show. I have the fourth grade - love them, and the eighth grade - kill me. They are tough. I'll be able to handle them, but think of me, ok?

This is my new favorite cereal. I highly recommend it, but a word of caution: DO NOT EAT A WHOLE BOWL OF IT! Get my drift??

Whirlwind Wednesday

I hate Wednesdays. Well, no, that's not exactly true. I don't have any classes until after lunch however, I have to be at school by 8 for morning duty. Morning duty consists of telling kids not to sit on the tables and chatting with the 5th grade girls (I have a 5th grade boy, lol). Then after school we race to violin. It's really not a big deal at all, just a longer day than usual.

Dylan has been nominated for People to People. It's a very cool program People to People Student Ambassador Programs provide international educational opportunities for grade school, junior high school, and high school students. Our journeys combine hands-on cultural experiences; behind-the-scenes access to fascinating people and places; and amazing outdoor adventures to create life-changing educational experiences (from their website). He is so excited. The school sent 4 kids last year. I think it's pretty cool that he was nominated his first year there. We're waiting for more info, like where they're going, lol, and then we'll decide.

My new favorite thing:

I've never been a lip gloss kind of girl. I'll wear Blistex at night, but that was the extent of my "shine". I always wear lipstick, but school just doesn't seem the place. I know, it doesn't really make that much sense but trust me, in my head it does. So I've been throwing on this Clinique lip gloss. I like it! Not a good idea on windy days though.
Oh, and Winter has finally arrived on Long Island! Woo hoo!! I love the cold weather!!

Tuesday is all about Paul

My husband says I never mention him on my blog. Well, here you go honey.
This is my husband, Paul.

He's a terrific dad.

He's a wonderful. husband. Who else would watch hours of Law and Order with me??

Love you!

Monday Musings

Here are some cards I whipped up today. My mother wanted me to make a set for her, just little note cards.I really like these, just have to make a few more sets.


Remember that box of paper I got the other day...well, here it is. I had to pack it up because I don't have anywhere to put it right now.


Dylan's All County concert was last night. It was held at the Tilles Center, which seats 2000. It was sold out. The place is huge. I've never performed in a place that big! Dylan said he was nervous but they were fantastic. I was so proud of him!

This is the conductor and assistant conductor. They worked so well with the kids.

Today is MLK Day, so no school. My plan is to catch up on laundry, hit the grocery store and scrap. Hopefully, I'll have some pics to upload later.
Have a great day!

PSA for Curly Heads

I've gotten a few emails asking about my curls. I am more than happy to share my secrets. I hated my hair for the first 38 years of my life. Then I found this book:

As sappy as this sounds, it solved all my curly hair dilemmas. The author, Lorraine Massey, has two salons in NYC and I've been to both of them. I use all her products. Love all their stuff. I've converted many curlies including my good friend Donna Downey (who has since gone straight, but that's ok).
If you are a culry girl, I seriously suggest you get your hands on this book and take a look. It's about $10 on Amazon and B&N.
Trust me...you will see the light, lol.

Saturday - GO!

Rehearsal this morning. Dylan has to be in his seat at 8:30...and he has to stay there until 12:30! This is the last rehearsal before the big concert on Sunday. I think we're both glad, lol.

I have a TON of paper on my table. I got another huge box of paper from WORLDWIN!!! Love them. I also got a big box from Frances Meyer. When ordering paper from them you have to get 5 sheets at a time. Well bless the person in the stock room. I guess they didn't feel like counting out 5 sheets so instead they gave me all the paper I wanted.....in packs of 25! When I say I have a TON of paper on my table, I'm not kidding! Frances Meyer has been going through some changes. They purchased The Scrapbook Travelers Club, which is -now this is where it gets fuzzy - paper that is made by, or distributed through Scraps Ahoy, or something like that. Bottom line is.....they sent us all the Scrapbook Travelers Club kits. The paper is really nice!!! Thick pattern paper, cool designs, nice to work with. Our dt submission requirements have become very laid back, which actually makes me want to create more. Go figure.
SO, today, after rehearsal, I'm going to load all the paper on my table back into their boxes and wait for the vertical storage I ordered from Serendipity (link on side - the best kit club in the world) and I'm going to scrap all weekend!!

Free Friday

I'm treating today as a "Free" day. School lets out an hour early, no violin, no appointments, no nuthin'! Hurray!! I need a day like this.

So, Dylan has been having these marathon rehearsals right after school - 3.5 hours of violin. Last week the headmaster sent an email to all of his teachers letting them know about the concert and that he is exempt from his homework this week - but will make it up over the weekend. One teacher came up to me and said, "What's going on with Dylan? He never misses homework, I'm concerned". Um, email....remember???? Actually, she was wonderful, when I mentioned the concert she apologized and asked how it was going. So I decided to ask D about his other teachers. They all gave him zeros for no homework. I'll speak to the headmaster today and I'm sure it will get cleared up. Why didn't Dylan tell me? You got me . Boys. (please add exasperated sigh. thank you.)

I. LOVE. WORLDWIN. PAPERS!!!!!!!!!
I received another 20 pounds of cardstock and crafty board yesterday!!!! They sure take good care of their design team!!!!
Oooh, and I found out that one of my projects for CHA will be featured at the WORLDWIN reception and offered as a classroom project for scrapbook stores!!! This rocks!!!!!

Hope you all have a FREE FRIDAY!!!

Tooting My Own Horn

Good Morning! I have some exciting news, two of my WORLDWIN PAPER projects will be on display at CHA. (for you non-scrapbooking folks, that's the Craft and Hobby Association's big convention in Anaheim at the end of Jan.)
I love working with WORLDWIN. Not only is their paper terrific, the support the design team is getting is wonderful. It just makes me want to make stuff all the time - which is good, lol.

Dylan had his first rehearsal for the All County Concert. There are about 100 kids in the orchestra. I thought they sounded amazing. Dylan hated it. He's playing second violin and was seated next to the first violins and said he couldn't even hear himself play. During the break he said he wanted to go home, that he wanted to quit. I felt so bad for him. I made an executive decision and moved his seat to the back and seated him with a girl he knows from our violin group. Now, before you start thinking I'm one of THOSE mothers, let me explain that this was a very laid back rehearsal and their seats are not yet assigned. I'll speak to one of the conductors today and explain the situation. I'm sure they'll let him sit there. Anyway, on the way home, Dylan said he felt much better and would go back today. It's a very long day. We left school at 3, went straight to rehearsal and got home after 8. Same thing today.

On a very positive note - I did not fall down yesterday.

That's it - I'm done!

It was only a couple of weeks ago that I posted - RIGHT HERE - that I love my Dansko clogs. Well, I've had enough. Since Christmas I've FALLEN OFF OF THEM THREE TIMES, and not just a little, "whoops, I stumbled". I mean FALLEN, like kissing the ground fallen. Yesterday was the last straw, right in front of the second grade classrooms, lol. Ok, I can laugh about it but it HURT! And my knee was bleeding!! I am just too klutzy to wear these and I'm afraid I'll break my ankle the next time. So both pairs will be listed on ebay. I really liked them, when they weren't trying to kill me.

Made amazing pork chops last night. After the osso bucco incident I think the family was a little gun shy, but these turned out the best I've ever made them.
Recipe for Jean's Pork Chops
trip fat from chops
place in cold deep frying pan
generous slice of onion on each chop
pour can of diced tomatoes over all
cover, bring to boil
reduce heat and simmer till meat is falling off bone
remove chops
add Worcestershire sauce to taste
reduce liquid
put chops back in to warm
EAT.

I had a little energy left around 9pm and made this, it's for an assignment:

Dylan and I have a marathon day today. We head right to rehearsal after school, until 7:30pm. I don't know why I'm complaining, he's the one rehearsing, lol. He's excited!
Hi Jodi!

Winter is back...

Winter is back, at least for the next two days. I was actually cold last night.We've had above average temps for the last 30 days. Come on now...I need to wear my sweaters!

Dylan was back to his old self last night, yes, he's going to school today. I did have a very productive day yesterday. Not only did I clean out my closet, but I made this,






This is a fun little journal that you fill out when you get back from your trip. I love the cardstock. It's WORLDWIN - great paper! I have made the switch from Bazzill to WORLDWIN. The pp is from Frances Meyer. They now have kits with this terrific thick pattern paper, really nice to work with. The mojo is flowing and I can't wait to get home tonight to create something else!

Fasten Your Seatbelt, It's Going To Be A Bumpy Week

Well, it's a good thing we're home today, there is a leak in my closet. I'm taking everything out, blah.
I also did this. (the color is kind of weird)

update - *Well, we're off to a great start....Dylan is home sick today,lol.
We have a busy week coming up. Dylan was chosen to play in the orchestra of the All County Concert on Sunday. This is a biggie. I don't know how many students are involved but it's at least one from each school in Nassau County. They have 3 marathon rehearsals this week from 4pm to 7:30 pm. Since one interferes with his regular violin lesson, we rescheduled it for today at 5:30. Now, try to fit in History extra help - which he doesn't think he needs but I talked him into going to - and homework and it will be a fun week. Actually, the headmaster let the teachers know that 3 of our students are performing and that they should get a "break" on homework this week due to the rehearsal schedule. I'll be going to the rehearsals....can anyone recommend a good book for me to read while I'm there? Seriously - this is prime reading time!

Osso Bucco

I'm making osso bucco today. Want to know why? Someone sent us a box of veal for Christmas. Not veal cuttlets or chops. Veal shanks. What the hell am I supposed to do with four giant veal shanks??? Make osso bucco of course. I've never had it, don't even know what it's supposed to look like, but I can follow a recipe. We'll see what happens. Everything is in the pot and has to simmer for a few hours. I'll let you know what happens.
*update; the osso bucco turned out fine but we decided we don't like veal shanks - too fatty, blech.

Today is laundry day and I tried to get the lights off the tree but I can't reach the top, so I have strands hanging all over the place, waiting for Paul, lol.

I'm also watching Stephen King's The Stand. It was a terrific book and I've seen parts of the movie, so it's on in the background while I run around and hopefully soon, I'll settle down to scrap.

Lazy Saturday

I am having a very lazy day - and I'm allowed ok?
We're taking our tree down this weekend. I still have presents underneath it and LOTS of needles. Ugh.
I ended up taking a little nap this afternoon. I've gotten pretty good at napping, Actually, I've always been good at napping. It's the waking up I wasn't very good at.

Look at what my boys gave me this morning. I love it!

T.G.I.F.

Yes, it was a short week, but I am GLAD it's Friday. It's difficult getting back into the swing of things. I'm tired. We had something to do every day after school this week - that equals a loooong day.

Ok, I'm finished complaining.

Sheila - my step mother who is the BEST - stopped by after work yesterday. We haven't seen her since before Christmas. We had a cup of tea and were serenaded by my son on the violin. Dylan was so cute, he pulled out all the stops for Sheila. He showed her each and every Christmas present he got, showed her how he could do a few pull-ups, ran his Lego train for her. I must admit, I was excited to show her our new bedroom.
We love her.

Field Trip

We took the 4th graders on a field trip to the Nassau County Museum of Art. I've lived not more than 5 miles from this place my entire life and I'd never been.(and being the good New Yorker that I am, I've never been to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island either, but that's for another time) It was wonderful. It's a Frick mansion, beautiful house, there are gardens and amazing sculptures all over the grounds. We were there for two exhibits; Picasso and Chuck Close. I saw this

Olga - Picasso
.....and this

Little Girl with Doll
and this was my favorite

Lucas by Chuck Close
The kids were amazing. They brought their sketch books, made wonderful sketches, asked great questions and they were so well behaved and polite. Buckley is a special place. I'm glad we're there.

Curse you, Danskos!

Danskos, oh Danskos, why have you forsaken me??
If you've been reading my blog - why of course you have, I'm fascinating (stop rolling your eyes) you'll know that I am in love with my new Dansko shoes. I have 2 pair. Well, I fell of the damn things yesterday!
I FELL OFF MY SHOES!
It was beautiful, I was hurrying to get ready for school, rounded the corner to my bedroom and the next thing you know, I'm tumbling to the ground. I just lay there on the carpet while the East German judge gave me a 4.5 for "grace". OW - it freakin' hurt! I've been tumbling a lot lately. July 14th, I fell at camp and broke my elbow. I wish I could tell you I was hanging upside down from the zip line when it happened, but alas, I was just walking. I fell about a month ago, at school. I was walking the kids to the bus, passing windows looking at my reflection thinking, "hey, I look gooood", then all of a sudden I'm not in the window anymore, I'm on the ground. It was all that first grader could do not to laugh at me. Of course being the drama queen that I am, I'm thinking, "Oh my God, I have some disease that affects my balance, (start the violins please)...." Well, I think I figured it out yesterday.
I'm a klutz.
Actually, I discovered that I tend to walk on the outside of my left foot. It's always the left ankle that gets twisted. I have to concentrate on walking, like I don't have enough to think about already!

Oh, and I have a migraine. I searched the house for something to take to help me. I found a little travel packet of Excedrin Migraine in the medicine cabinet. The expiration date was 2/01. Wish me luck. (it worked!!!! 20 minutes later I was fine!!!!)

National Day of Mourning

President Ford
I think I was in 4th grade when he became president. I remember when Carter won the next election, all the kids in my class were upset. We liked President Ford, why, I'm not sure. I guess because he was the President and some "unknown" guy was taking his job.

Welcome 2007

A quick little card I whipped up, and yes - all WORLDWIN. Love their paper! That is my sister-in-law Courtney - who rocks - and her twins, Holden and Grace. (they rock too)

I feel it is my duty to spread the word about these amazing candles.

Bluewick Soy Candles. The Blackberry scent in the Groove line is the best. $30 and totally worth it.

I've been playing with my WORLDWIN PAPERS and made these two cards. Paul had tears in his eyes with the Father's Day card. I should have saved it for June, darn.
Anyway, if you used to hate printing on vellum RUN to get some Digital Inkjet Vellum from WORLDWIN. It dries in seconds. I love working with it.



Happy New Year to one and all!
2006 was good to me.
New fab job.
New fab boss.
Finding a place where I belong, ahhhhh.
Discovering Ben Folds 5
Dansko clogs
MY CHAIR
new bedroom
loving my family

We had a wonderful New Year's Eve, we watched Apollo 13 and ate lobster and had a lazy evening. Dylan almost didn't make it to 12:00.

I usually don't make resolutions, but this year I have one. Drum roll please..............................................................................
I am going to scrap more.
There I said it.
I don't care how tired I am after work, I shall scrap.
There, I said it, it's out there. Wish me luck!!!!!!

*Michele, where is your blog???