KINDERGARTEN BLUES

Just wondering if anyone going through the same thing. Went to register Ryan for kindergarten at Whitehall. Yes I know he is going to be a "ZEPHYR". What a process this is. I think some criminals get evaluated less. It is definately a good thing though. The screening process of putting your child into school has come a long way. We went through five stations and an hour later still don't know if he is going am or pm kindergarten? But we had to make bus plans if we wanted him bussed and if it was to be am or pm? MJ maybe you know more about this?

Teenagers or soon to be one

How many of you out there have a teenager or soon to be one?

Is it me or is there some mystical power that overcomes these kids at this age that takes over their abilities to remember things and to carry out simple tasks in a timely fashion?

We weren't this forgetful.............................were we???????

Maybe it's just a girl thing? (Just a question, don't go ape shit on me)

I grew up (still to be determined) in a household of boys so I'm not really sure how girls at this age really act.

I am grateful that she is a good kid with a great personality and is extremely funny. However the ability to remember little things totally escapes her mind and thinks nothing of it? This is the part that drives me crazy! (it's a short trip if you haven't made it yet)

So that being said is there any "good" advice from those of you who have similar issues?

Oh Lord --- he's still there!!!

I knew the second that Ryan Seacrest walked out making fun of Sanjaya that he was safe. I think Chris did bad performances the last few weeks, but anyone is better than Sanjaya. I can't believe how many people are following "Vote For the Worst"!!!

I still believe Melinda and Latiska are the favorites, but Jordan has looked good the last two weeks. I hope none of these people get booted off before Mr. Can't Sing or I may have to quit watching American Idol.

I still read the blog!

Hey, I still read this thing about once a week. The switch to the new blogger gave my computer, maybe it was me, some problems but it appears that they have been taken care of. Kristen, my dad told me that Amanda Gerhard will be coming to VT in the future although he did not know that it was Chris' daughter. Please tell them if they ever need anything I will do anything that I can for them. Just have them call or email. I like our soccer coach and I hope that Amanda will enjoy it here. We can never have enough people from the borough.

My team in the tournament got beat in the second round. At this point I do not care who wins as I dislike all four of them. Sorry Jeff. I loved Donovan as a player but not as a coach and I just can not find it in me to like Noah.

Is Andrea still reading this? I am heading to Arizona in June for a conference and want to know all the good places to see in Phoenix.

Amazing Family Viewing

If you are a loyal Oprah viewer (MJ), you may have seen her show on The Discovery Channel's new mini-series called The Planet Earth. It starts this Sunday, 3/25 at 8pm., and runs for 11 weeks. You can go to http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/planet-earth/planet-earth.html for a preview. The scenes that were shown on Oprah were absolutely amazing. There were cameramen who sat for days just to capture the perfect scene. It has been years in the making.

Some days, I catch myself remembering that there is a whole world out there that I have no idea about, or even that there are other people out there wrapped up in there own little world just as I am. My boys are really looking forward to this show. When we saw it on Oprah, I had to mark my calendar so that we would not forget about it. So even though it means that we have to tape The Amazing Race, I am sure it will be well worth it. Happy Viewing!

Missing the Sweet Life Already!

For those of you with school-agers, I'm not talking about Zac & Cody;)


Since this blog has been used to pass on info I'm in need of some tips. I just found out I have gestational diabetes and I'm in trouble b/c there's a strict limit on carbs which is my fave. Basically everything I eat on any given day is off limits and I must eat only foods w/less than 15g of carbohydrates. Help!! Anyone out there with food recommendations please share them!
Thanks, Terri

American Idol Chat

There has not been a lot of talk about American Idol this year?

We have been hoping to see "So Long See Ya Good Bye-Ya" (Sanjaya) get booted off but it has yet to happen.

Who do you like?

Who do you think will take it all?

Do you even care?

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Two funny things from this weekend I thought I would share with you: Yesterday, I went to the craft show at Ag Hall. Later, we were on our way home from my nephews basketball game (they beat Northampton by the way, sorry Gerry) and passed by the Kraft office building on Irving St. Lucas said, "Mom, is that where you went to the kraft show?"

Today, after dropping Lucas off at Sunday school Trisha asked, "Mom, can I be a Daddy when I grow up?" She is certainly learning early!

Happy New Year

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!!!
Sorry we are just a little late on the New Year greetings. We (Mary and Kim) are here, up at Elk, SNOWED IN!! Our kids got out of school early so we all decided to get out of work early too! Took us a while to get up here- driving was pretty bad and soon to get worse. 16" inches expected by tomorrow afternoon.
So- who are the skiers out there? What is everyone doing? Hating or loving the snow in March?

Gator Fashion

was laundry day?

Calling All Gator Haters...

I've been absent from the blog lately....but it's that time of year again to start thinking Championship AGAIN. The Gators are the #1 overall seed in the tourney (which means squat for now) -but are a heavy favorite to repeat. There's no doubt who I'm picking in my office bracket, but I wanted to see who everyone else is picking. I know it won't be Penn State -Did they make the Not Important Tournament?? Good Luck to all in their pools!





P.S. At this time last year Dan the Man was all over the blog...where has he gone? ???? Mullen -are you still out there? YOU always have an opinion -what up??

Jeff

Food Combinations

We all have read that Matt eats (or ate) Oreos with OJ, but did you know he used to eat (and still probably does to this day) peanut butter toast with OJ?

I still have to drink milk (be it skim now) with a ham/cheese sandwich. And my ham/cheese sandwich design has remained the same since my mom refused to make them for me as a young boy (due to my idiosyncracy - I know, which one) because I have to have mayo on both pieces of bread and then the stack must be ham, mustard, cheese (repeated two more times). It's funny, but my wife refuses to make them that way for me too.

Anybody else have some food combos that you insist upon?

When I go to Perkins for my usual breakfast, ham and cheese omelette with buttermilk pancakes (that is how I ALWAYS order it), I have never tried the berry or apricot syrup for fear that I won't like it and it would ruin my whole meal. I have at least gotten away from having to order milk with the pancakes (I like COFFEE with A WHOLE lotta lumps).

I remember Tim C. used to put mustard on his fries and always drank the half/half tubs at the Rainbow diner (for all you that have moved away, they finally tore it down, but I heard the ground is permanently greasy).

Fire away folks. Also, who was the 10,000th visitor? Anybody know?

Retiring Teachers

Just in case anyone is interested, 4 (so far) of our old teachers are retiring this year...Mr. Angeline, 32 years...Mr. Stehman, 35 years...Mrs. Beisel (sheckler), 35 years...and Mr. Pail, 39 years....Wow how 'bout those teaching careers!

Oreo Personality Test

Psychologists have discovered that the manner in which people eat Oreo cookies provides great insight into their personalities. Choose which method best describes your favorite method of eating Oreos:

1. The whole thing all at once.
2. One bite at a time
3. Slow and methodical nibbles examining the results of each bite afterwards.
4. In little feverous nibbles.
5. Dunked in some liquid (milk, coffee...).
6. Twisted apart, the inside, then the cookie.
7. Twisted apart, the inside, and toss the cookie.
8. Just the cookie, not the inside.
9. I just like to lick them, not eat them.
10. I don't have a favorite way because I don't like Oreo.

Your Personality:

1. The whole thing.
This means you consume life with abandon; you are fun to be with, exciting, carefree with some hint of recklessness. You are totally irresponsible. No one should trust you with their children.

2. One bite at a time.
You are lucky to be one of the 5.4 billion other people who eat their Oreos this very same way. Just like them, you lack imagination, but that's okay, not to worry, you're normal.

3. Slow and Methodical.
You follow the rules. You're very tidy and orderly. You're very meticulous in every detail with every thing you do to the point of being anal retentive and irritating to others. Stay out of the fast lane if you're only going to go the speed limit.

4. Feverous Nibbles.
Your boss likes you because you get your work done quickly. You always have a million things to do and never enough time to do them. Mental breakdowns and suicides run in your family. Valium and Ritalin would do you good.

5. Dunked.
Every one likes you because you are always up beat. You like to sugar coat unpleasant experiences and rationalize bad situations into good ones. You are in total denial about the shambles you call a life. You have a propensity towards narcotic addiction.

6. Twisted apart, the inside, and then the cookie.
You have a highly curious nature. You take pleasure in breaking things apart to find out how they work, though not always able to put them back together, so you destroy all the evidence of your activities. You deny your involvement when things go wrong. You are a compulsive liar and exhibit deviant, if not criminal, behavior.

7. Twisted apart, the inside, and then toss the cookie.
You are good at business and take risk that pay off. You take what you want and throw the rest away. You are greedy, selfish, mean, and lack feelings for others. You should be ashamed of yourself. But that's ok, you don't care, you got yours.

8. Just the cookie, not the inside.
You enjoy pain.

9. I just like to lick them, not eat them
Stay away from small furry animals and seek professional medical help - immediately.

10. I don't have a favorite way, I don't like Oreo cookies.
You probably come from a rich family, and like to wear nice things, and go to up-scale restaurants. You are particular and fussy about the things you buy, own, and wear. Things have to be just right. You like to be pampered. You are a Prima Donna. There's just no pleasing you.

OREO

This one is for Randy and Kristen. Ran across it on youtube and made me think of them from some of their comments in the last post!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEVsxan3C-0

Upcoming Spring & Summer Events

What are some of your plans or goals for this year?

Some of my plans are to race in 4 to 5 bike races. The guys that I ride with talked me into trying a triathlon. My goal is just to finish it. The biking and swimming part should go okay. Any advice for a non-long distance runner? (If someone runs in front of me with a bag of Oreos could make it easier) The one we are thinking of doing is a 500 yard swim, 12 mile bike ride, and 5K run. It doesn't look so bad as I type it.

I always do the MS ride in September.

We hope to get to the beach for a couple long weekends.

Fishing season is right around the corner for those fishermen / women out there.

Golfing season hopefully will begin soon as well.

Two Mondays ago I got out skiing for the first time in two years (and still walking). I almost forgot how much fun it is. Two years ago my wife and I went out and on the first run down I cramped up and wiped out pretty hard. As I laid there in the snow (trying to figure out what just happened) she continued down the slope. I finally made it down to her (10 minutes later) and said "I'm done". That was the last time I had the skiis on. So I was a little nervous going out the other day.

Any of you hunters out there planning any big trips?

What are some vacation destinations this year?

Optical illusion

Focus on the center dot and move your head toward and away from the screen. The outer rings appear to be moving.

I need some guidance

So I teach Spanish, and the new thing now in classrooms is podcasting. My 10th graders (who are the most aweome class ever!) think this is an excellent idea and why aren't we doing it?!

Well, because I'm clueless, that's why.

Any advice from you tech-heads out there would be greatly appreciated. I should add, I don't own an i-pod but I do own an mp3 player, which I realize is a different format.

How long does it take you?

Doctors have concluded that if you find the man in 3 seconds, your right half of your brain is better developed than most people. If you find the man between 3 seconds and one minute, then your right half of the brain is developed normally. If you find the man between one minute and 3 minutes, then the right half of your brain is functioning slowly and you need to eat more protein. If you have not found the man after 3 minutes your right half of your brain is a mess, and the only advice is to look more for these types of exercises to make that part of the brain stronger.

The man really is there.

In fact, once you find him, you cannot miss him afterwards.

Good Luck!

Star Wars Humor

funeee