ETA: I just noticed that someone rated my journal. Hee hee! Thanks to whomever did that. Picked up my day a bit.

Today was so-so. There were good parts to it, and then stretches of time where I wanted to pull my hair out and scream. It started out just loverly with our principal getting on the kids' cases's for what I consider a non-issue, or at least not a hill to die on -- these colored arm bands/wristbands some of them have been wearing. Apparentally some parents feel these are jewlery, and our handbook does state "no jewlery". I was telling my dad about this today, and he thought it wasn't the best approach to take for it either. Personally, I don't really "see" what one of my kids has on (in violation of handbook) unless it's pointed out specifically to me by someone else. I guess I look at each kid as a whole person, and not whether they're wearing the "right" color uniform clothing, or on causal days if they're wearing sleeveless shirts, or if heaven help us, they would dare to wear nailpolish (of course, I DO think 6, and 7 year olds are too young to be wearing makeup/nailpolish - but just my humble opinon). Just another reason I'll be so happy to away from teaching and away from being under this system. I wonder if they'll bar me from campus if I get my ears pierced and wear those cool dangly hoop earrings after the school year is over? Hee! :evil smile:

The kids voted to have a party. Actually, one of them was absent today, and the vote was 6-6 for a party/fieldtrip. I cast the deciding vote. We're going to watch "Parent Trap 2". They gave me a whole list of possible movies, the other two that remained after the initial voting were "Shrek 2" and "Incredibles". I was pretty surprised that an older movie was the one that won. Our party will be on Friday after lunch.

I got an email from this Christian singles group I joined about 18 months ago or so. They apparentally are having this event in Cancun, Mexico the last weekend of May (26 - 29). I was going to call and find out if the price included airfare, and also exact leaving and getting back times, but got waylaid by my dad when I got home. If the price includes airfare, AND I can figure out how I could be virtually moved out of my apartment and classroom by the 26th, then I think I just might do this. I really don't see myself as having too much in common with most of the other singles in this group. I've been to two events since I joined, and both of them it seemed like most of the people there were drinking. Most of the events that have been advertised feature "drink specials" as a "come on" I guess. Not my cup of tea. But I figure at this type of thing, I'd be able to find enough things to do to keep me busy, and be worth the money (and time away from everything - Calgon, take me away!) And who knows, maybe I'll actually meet the man in the haystack (aka as the needle) who actually doesn't smoke or drink, AND doesn't mind that I'm overweight and clumsy and don't have a job lined up.

Dad called me right at 3:30 as I was about to blow my nose (thanks allergies!). I was just in the process of getting my room picked up for the weekend. (AKA hiding anything I don't want the Sabbath School people or Sunday church people to use and abuse!) He wanted me to get home as soon as I could so we could go out to eat. It ended up that when I got home my mom called, so it was more like about 45 minutes before we hit the road to eat.

We ate at Jason's Deli, and both got the salad bar. I'm actually not that big of a salad eater, even though I'm a vegetarian, but . . . at Jason's Deli they have this utterly scrumptious chocolate mouse pudding. And they actually do have a pretty good selection for their salad bar too.

During my phone call with mom, she asked me again if I would come to her dinner party tomorrow to meet her not-fiance Dave. At first I told her I would think about it, but then I got to thinking that I would like to see Heather and Joel and their baby (they're the people who got married on the cruise my family went on a year ago Christmas.) So, I finally told her I would go. I also asked her if there was anything she'd like me to bring from my stockpile. So, I'm bringing: peanut butter, pasta sauce, cream of mushroom soup, toilet paper, paper towels, Brawny Napkins, and salad dressing. All of which I paid mostly only tax for, and still have plenty for me. I love coupons!

Oh! I almsot forgot! Today was April Fools day of course. My kids were "fooling" me all day long (at least I let them think they were fooling me! LOL) Well, I got them good at lunch! The kids were pretty much seperated boys on one side of the table, and girls on the other side. I was sitting with the boys. About halfway through lunch, I stopped eating, and looked at the boys. "Oh my! I forgot to tell you guys! We're going to have to go right into Math class today and not have lunch recess or afternoon recess, because our Math project is going to take SO LONG!" You should have seen the looks on their faces - they were TOTALLY buying it, hook, line, and sinker! Of course I'm not a very good liar/bluffer, and I started smiling and laughing and they figured out I was fooling them. They were pretty impressed. I then went over to the girls side and did pretty much the same thing. One of my little girls looked up at me with HUGE eyes and said, "Miss N, y-y-your'e April fooling us, right???" It was just too hilarious. I even had my aide scratching her head. HEE!!

Happy April all!

Spending Log:
Car Wash (11th/12th grade fundraiser - but car needed it badly) : $10.00
Albertsons: $11.10 (various groceries, $.25 frozen cookie dough!)

Keeping It Frugal in Texas,
Laura