A Newsworthy Fieldtrip

First, thanks for the suggestions on the vacuum and toilet. I had Micah helping me with housework on Sunday and he also agrees that our vacuum has succumb to Dodger's hair. I suppose that will be on my wish list.

As for the title, last month my classroom kiddos and I, along with the other fourth grade teachers took a fieldtrip to Caprock Canyon. The point of the trip was to give them some memorable experiences to draw upon for the writing TAKS as well as integrating science, social studies and peer relations. I filled out a questionaire about our experiences, and we made it onto the PISD website. It was also submitted to the newspaper; I'm not certain that we will make it into the paper.

http://www.plainview.k12.tx.us/Portals/0/docs/jan.seago/News/Highland_Fishing.pdf

Much love,

Domestic Questions

Help! I have two domestic dilemmas.

My first problem is the vacuum cleaner. Mr. Dodger is quite the hairy thing and has basically ruined my vac cleaner that I bought just two years ago. I bought a new hose for it, but still it cannot handle the volume of hair that he sheds. I need to find a GREAT pet hair cleaner. Does anyone have a recommendation for a vacuum cleaner that you love? I'll also take recs for those you don't recommend because seriously, who wants to spend money on a vacuum cleaner only to have to break down after the first few passes...

Domestic problem #2 is the toilet. I clean it. Really, I do. It's been cleaned with comet and vinegar separately (we have serious hard water). It has this smell. This strange gaggy smell. I don't really want to leave anything in it like a drop in since Dodger occasionally likes to take a slurp out of the potty...desperate times calls for desperate measures, I suppose. Anyone else experience clean, yet smelly toliet in their homes?

Much love,

Week in Review

I have been quite lax in my posting lately. I'm really trying to think what to say...I mean really...I'm kinda at a loss.

a. Made delicious veggie-cheesy soup this week. Soooooo good! Micah even ate my leftovers...this is huge!

b. Went to the ophthalmologist this week. My prescription stayed the same, and I'm the same in both eyes...yeah for easy contact wearing!

c. Got my teacher evaluation back...always a relief to hear that I do not, in fact, stink at what I do. Kidding aside, I did well.

d. Dodger had to go the vet last weekend and is taking new drugs and food and seeming to feel considerably better!

e. The cotton was stripped this past week. I get kinda bummed when all that is left is the sticks. I really like the white sea of fluffy cotton.

f. I watched The Proposal this weekend. Cute movie. I am eyeing another Sandra Bullock movie that I want to see, Blind Side. I love a good heartwarming movie; at least that's what it seems like from the commercial.

g. Micah got his car back from the repair joint. Both cars fixed!!!

h. This week, on November 9 we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. I remember being only seven years old and watching the wall come down. A boy at school brought a piece of the wall. Powerful words by President Ronald Reagan, "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Much love,

My Salt Obsession

I crave salt. I really, really, really like salt...the good salt. My potato chip purchasing ways have been transformed after my Friday afternoon grocery store trip. I suppose when the house runs out of toilet paper, and then you begin looking around for Kleenex, of course, none and then you are scrambling to the kitchen for paper towels, none, and then you are resorting to option number four to "toilet paper" in the form or paper dinner napkins...you know it's time to head to the grocery store. And this disappearing toilet paper cycle using happens once every month before I go to the store. I never thought of the grocery store as a great shopping experience. It usually ends up that I have bought nothing and I spent too much. Well, I was tired and just grabbing stuff here and there trying to make it home to start the weekend and I grabbed Lay's Kettle Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Chips...oh my, tasty! So very tasty! Enjoy!!!



Much love,