Half-Past Kissin' Time

Friday Fragments: Episode #199

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:00:00 +0000

I can't believe it's Friday already. It's about time my weeks started to fly by!
My mind is always fragmented, but I figure I'll be out of teaching fragments soon,
so I'm going to unload a bunch here tonight.
Thanks for joining me! This weekend, I will actually have some time to catch up with yours :)

***

There are many people who think I'm crazy for enjoying my job. After all, who would sign up to work with people who can be disagreeable, hostile, irrational, and demanding on a regular basis (and no, I'm not going to tell you whether I'm referring to 6th graders or their parents,haha). Truly, though; I do love the variety and the challenge. I also know that I am doing what I'm supposed to be doing in life, and that is satisfying.

***

In case you don't already know, I'm a special education teacher with about 25 years experience working with adolescents with emotional-behavioral disabilities. Half of those years were spent in residential facilities for juvenile delinquents. The other half have been in education, teaching middle schoolers with learning and behavioral disabilities. The past three of those have in fully-inclusive classroom settings, and I love it.

***

This week was bizarre at times, but mostly enjoyable. My new favorite "teaching method" is the question: "Do you know what a 'Disorderly Conduct' citation is?

***

7.5, but who's counting? (I only counted for you, I swear :)

Here's your chance to join in the fragmenting fun! :)

Home Sweet Home

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Until you live somewhere else and come back, you don't appreciate many things about your home town. For example; until we lived for three years in Upstate New York, I didn't appreciate my time in a little podunk town called Hoopeston, Illinois (basically in the middle of a cornfield) the two years prior to that.

The same could be said for Green Bay, though I've always appreciated my home town. Where else can you walk through a parking lot full of tailgating football fans and get offered a beer or a brat by at least one perfect stranger? Where else can you take your kids to an amusement park, park for free, pay no admission, and put your kid on a ride for 25 to 50 cents each? All the road construction in Green Bay right now? As inconvenient as it is, it means our tax dollars are hard at work (and so are a lot of construction workers). Wisconsin roads and highways are wonderful.

Our state parks are gorgeous. No, we don't have any mountains, but we do have many green forests, lakes, and lots of places to take the kids. Neighborhood bonfires are a regular events out here, and if you don't know your neighbors, you are probably not from around here. It didn't surprise me at all, last winter, when not one but three different neighbors stopped over to help remove snow after a particularly big snow storm when Mr.4444 was out of town; that's just the way people are around here.

Wisconsin has many things to attract people with families, but its true value is not its things; it's its people. My neighbor (who is a world traveler) moved here with her husband and two young kids a couple of years ago, from Texas. Last weekend, she was talking about how her company has a hard time getting people to move here ("It's cold." "It's boring.") and how they need to sell it better to potential employees. She said, "There's no place like it--the family values, the school system, the way people are not just friendly but neighborly." She recently got a new job and had the choice to live anyplace in the country, and she chose to stay here; I think that says a lot.

You can say what you want about Green Bay; our winters are tough, and our Wisconsin taxes are tougher. We aren't a huge city; you can get through all three museums in a half a day (not counting the Hall of Fame, of course!:), and you'll be disappointed if you're looking for a Saks 5th Avenue store, but there's something to be said for Midwest values...

....not to mention those amazing cheese hats.

photo credit

Summer School Qualifier

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Back when I was a student, "summer school" meant that you were a naughty kid and failed a class. Today, though (at least in Tinytown School District), it means you are in for a lot of fun (and maybe a little remedial math/reading, too, but mostly fun). Kyle shared this exercise with me, and I've decided that it would make a great test to find out if you should be going to summer school....

10 Brain Teasers to Test Your Mental Sharpness is the source of this assessment. (Let me know how you do!)

1. Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child’s name?

2. A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?

3. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?

4. How much dirt is there in a hole that measures two feet by three feet by four feet?

5. What word in the blogging language is always spelled incorrectly?

6. Billie was born on December 28th, yet her birthday always falls in the summer. How is this possible?

7. In British Columbia you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why not?

8. If you were running a race and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place would you be in now?

9. Which is correct to say, “The yolk of the egg is white” or “The yolk of the egg are white?”

10. A farmer has five haystacks in one field and four haystacks in another. How many haystacks would he have if he combined them all in one field?

Answers

1. Johnny.
2. Meat.
3. Mt. Everest. It just wasn’t discovered yet.
4. There is no dirt in a hole.
5. Incorrectly (except when it is spelled incorrecktly).
6. Billie lives in the southern hemisphere.
7. You can’t take a picture with a wooden leg. You need a camera (or iPad or cell phone) to take a picture.
8. You would be in 2nd place. You passed the person in second place, not first.
9. Neither. Egg yolks are yellow.
10. One. If he combines all his haystacks, they all become one big stack.

More than 5 correct--No summer school needed, but crack a couple of books, at least, this summer, okay?

Fewer than 5 correct--Summer School AND Time to hit the crossword puzzles!

To read about the brain's curious idiosyncracies and why you got stumped on some of these, click the source of this assessment.

Thirsty Work

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:16:00 +0000

‎"Thirsty, huh? Starting to work up a sweat?!" taunted the naughty, naughty 6th grader who was literally trying to mentally push me over the edge yesterday afternoon.

I had stopped to take a big drink from my water bottle, hoping the momentary distraction would also be disarming. (In case you're wondering, it wasn't, but I did need the drink.)

Another student helped matters a little by observing,
"Mrs. 4444, you have a lot of patience!"

10.5 more days....

Quick--Make me laugh; I need the distraction!

Monday Mumblings

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Mon, 21 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

This just in: I do have a life! I discovered it this weekend, after I worked late Friday night (1am) but then managed to fit the rest in:

*Slept in on Saturday morning til 9am!

*Ran (well, drove, actually) to the post office to deliver Karen Zemeck's cake pop prize. Karen, it should arrive today, and I guarantee that you'll be thrilled :)

*Worked with a group of neighbors to beautify the entrance to our development with 13 yards of mulch. It was at least 80 degrees right off-the-bat, and I drank at least three quarts of water while busting my rear end with the others. Here's an amusing photo that I posted to Facebook with the caption, "I said a little off the top!"

(In the end, we decided to pull it out. I say "we" loosely, as I did nothing but observe.haha)

*I then ran to my nephew Caden's first-ever drum recital, during which he performed to Michael Jackson's Black or White. It was the cutest thing ever, and I'm so glad I went! In case you're a fan (of Caden's, Michael Jackson, or drums), here's a link to the video of Caden's performance. Way to go, Caden! :)

*After the recital, I rushed home to make Allan's incredible guacamole, clean my kitchen, and then head to a neighborhood birthday party. This is kind of remarkable, because Mr.4444 was gone for the weekend (with Kyle, now home from college!), and I'm not a big partier, but I went and actually stayed most of the night! The company was great, and a neighbor reminded me how lucky we are to live in Wisconsin. (stay tuned for a post about why)

*I got to sleep in again on Sunday morning and then picked the grandmas up for Tinytown high school's band and choir spring concerts, during which I was again reminded that I would like to strangle people who attend concerts but talk through half of them, as well as people who think letting their small children run all over the place during the concert is perfectly acceptable. What is wrong with people?!

*Of course, the best way to celebrate after a choir concert on a hot day is to check out a new frozen yogurt place! I highly, highly recommend a trip to Smart Cow if you ever get the chance! You get to serve up your own choices and add all the toppings you like. Then you put your bowl on a scale and pay by the ounce. It's a really fun experience (the grandmas had fun!). The company is apparently only a year old and has just three locations, but I'm pretty positive Smart Cows will be popping up all over the place in no time :)

*When I got home tonight, I decided to look at my calendar for the week. Thank goodness, because I suddenly realized that I'd forgotten that ten people would be arriving at our house within 70 minutes for a Neighborhood Watch meeting I'd set up over a month ago! Thankfully, no one was coming for dinner, and the meeting was quick; I'm now sitting down to relax and reflect on a perfect weekend, which involved almost no computer time. (I think that's a first.)

So, how was your weekend?

Friday Fragments: Episode #198

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:00:00 +0000

I feel like I'm not getting anything done lately, so fragmenting is a wonderful way to feel accomplished. Isn't that hilarious? Thanks for joining in the fragmenting fun :)

***Recently, I asked my mom (age 83 in June) about her days working in a pickle factory. She said she was about Kendall's age when someone invited her on a date with the company owner. Because the man was married, Mom declined the offer. The next thing she knew, she had been reassigned from the assembly line to a crappy job back in a warehouse.

***If I had a nickel for every f-bomb or sh-word I heard from one particular student this week, I'd be able to buy.... a gas station Diet Coke!

***I haven't been home before 6pm in two weeks; lots of after-school meetings, and next week will be the same. I work at home until 10pm nightly and still feel like I'm drowning in responsibilities. Keeping up with email is like trying to put a fire out with an ice pick. Forgive me if you haven't heard from me in a while.

***It is greening up so beautifully in my neighborhood; I feel like I'm getting a big green hug when I pull into the driveway, as we live in a wooded neighborhood. Little things like that are the "little things" that mean a lot.

***I would really, really love it if I could turn my phone's GPS and search for bloggers nearby, instead of gas stations, hotels, etc. Wouldn't that be cool?! Because there is no such thing (that I know of), I've created a Google Map with my blogging friends on it. If you've added yourself, thank you! Let me know if you'd like to given editing privileges so you can add yourself! [To learn how to add yourself to the map, watch my tutorial.]

***Speaking of maps, Mr.4444 gets to go to Atlanta next week. I'm jealous! (Brainella lives there :)

***As much as I'm looking forward to summer, I'm actually getting a little excited about next year--lots of change in store, and it's all good for kids, so that's something to look forward to. It's all going on the back-burner, though; I really need a break.

What's new with you? Your fragging fans await your linky!:

Happy Birthday Kyle!

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

It seems like just yesterday Mr.4444 and I became parents for the first time.

This little cutie?

Today is his 20th birthday!

Let's hope he's not making his own birthday cake...

Happy Birthday, Kyle!!

I love you :)

Funny Monday: Shopping Cart Crash

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Did you do a little grocery shopping last weekend?
I hope it went better than this....

Here's hoping your Monday is crash-free.

Have a Happy Monday :)

Sundays in My City: Glitz Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:56:00 +0000

Yes, Unknown Mami's weekly photo meme celebrating cities all over the globeactually takes place on Sunday (and today is Saturday),but I might to busy eating bonbons and getting pampered tomorrow, so I'm posting mine early.
***

Tonight is Prom Night in Tinytown.

Kendall borrowed a gorgeous dress from a friend.

Seems like just last year, these girls were Brownie Girl Scouts!

Kendall does not have a boyfriend right now,

so she happily accepted the invitation from a boy-friend who was in the same boat.

Can you guess where this next photo was taken? (and yes--that is a wedding party)

It's apparently a tradition, these days, to also take prom photos at a Green Bay landmark.

I'm not really sure why they go to the Lambeau Field Atrium,

though the kids do look great,

but really, who wants photos with beer signs in the background

and random tattooed people in shorts and ripped-up t-shirts walking by in the background?

I guess it's better than the beer in them or them getting random tattoos.

Here's to a sensible-yet-fun, safe prom night!

Full-Circle Mothering

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Sat, 12 May 2012 02:59:00 +0000

photo credit

This is just beautiful....

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter:

"My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If, when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "

Happy Mother's Day!

[Found via Spring in the Air]

Friday Fragments: Episode #197

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:00:00 +0000

By Fridays, I am pretty exhausted this time of year, but never too exhausted to un-clutter my mind; it's so satisfying. Thanks for joining in the fragmenting fun :)

***Seventeen--That's how many days of school I have left, plus five days of a teacher training after that, but

***I plan to do some traveling with Mr.4444 this summer (when he drives). I would really love to meet some of you along the way if we happen to be in your neighborhood (Think within a few hundred miles of Green Bay.) If I haven't already recorded your info on my Keeping in Touch spreadsheet, let me know, and I'll share it with you so you can add your info and possibly look you up this summer. (Don't worry--I'll call first.haha)

***We have new neighbors, and they are beekeepers. I'm very curious about that and look forward to learning more about beekeeping.

***A kid can learn a lot in the classroom, but the lessons he can learn in the 6th grade Olympics are every bit as valuable. Today was an extremely exciting, taxing, rewarding, exhausting day of work. Something happened that filled my teacher heart back up again, too; I hope to share the story with you next week.

***Kendall is going to prom with a friend (boy friend, not boyfriend) on Saturday. Stay tuned for pics.

***Every now and then, I click on the blog visitors in the Blog Frog widget in sidebar. Last weekend, doing so led me to a blogger whose voice shines through her writing. A sweet example of this is Frozen in Time. I also loved Yes, It Made My Day, which made me laugh. Amy doesn't have a lot of comments on these posts, and she has just two Google Connect followers, but I predict she has many friends in her blogging future. Stop by and meet her, before she becomes famous! :)

Here's the place to start the breadcrumb trail to your fragments (Sorry--Only Friday Fragment posts welcome--No drive-by link-ups allowed) :

Thank Goodness for Humor

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:38:00 +0000

Some days are rougher than others. I won't get into details; let's just say that today, especially, I could really use a massage.

In lieu of a massage, however, I will appreciate this: a quote found in a student's email signature just now...

"If you want to impress people, show them your knowladge."

19 days left...

Funny Monday: Shark Attack!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Mon, 07 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Mondays can be a little like sharks, can't they?

This shark video from Just for Laughs Gags cracked me up.

Here's hoping your Monday is of the fresh-water variety.

Just Wondering

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Sun, 06 May 2012 20:02:00 +0000

Kendall again sang The Crucifixion, at State Solo and Ensemble last weekend, at U.W. Green Bay She did not receive a "First" but was happy with her performance as, of course, was I. Know what I find most remarkable about this photo taken during Kendall's performance?

Yes, that's an old-school black chalkboard behind Kendall in the photo. In this world of exploding technological growth and skyrocketing college costs, they are "preparing our students for the future" using chalkboards. Wow. I wonder what, exactly, is the cause of exponential growth of college tuition.

And speaking of college, I've been spending a lot of time researching potential colleges for Kendall. She isn't sure what she wants to study yet, but she really enjoys chemistry and is pretty good at math, too. When she hears the word "engineer," she's turned off. To be honest, when I think of engineering, I think of men with glasses and pocket protectors, so it's no wonder Kendall cringes a little when she considers the field. What I've learned through some other recent research is that we have stereotyped the field of engineering and need to learn more before rejecting it as a potential career area for Kendall.

My goal this summer is to expose Kendall to opportunities that will give her a little exposure to real-world examples of happy, dynamic, preferably female engineers who love their careers and could talk to Kendall about them. (She said she would really love that.) If she doesn't choose engineering, I'm certainly fine with that; I only want her to be able to make an informed decision.

In regard to college choices, Kendall would like to attend a school within a few hours of home (Green Bay, Wisconsin). Now, if she had a full scholarship, she would certainly consider other options! :)

Any other suggestions are welcome...

Friday Fragments: Episode #196

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Fri, 04 May 2012 02:00:00 +0000

I'm feeling a little off-center today. Defragging may help. Thanks for joining me :) To join in this mental-health exercise, feel free to link up (and for more information about FF, click the tab above).

***Did you hear? Unknown Mami is a little more known now! That's right; she revealed her true identity, and she's still brown but is definitely not a "bag." Check her out! Hey! I just realized that with the recent sebaceous cyst that suddenly appeared on my face (grrr!) I could use that bag of U.M's. Or maybe I could just take it and sell it on Ebay. Hm...

***My brother Tom belongs to a metal detecting club. Tom recently shared a great blog post about his experiences finding lost rings belonging to strangers. I found it interesting, as well as helpful (the comments, as well as the post itself). Check out How to Find a Lost Ring.

***If you remember this "phrase," you grew up in the 70's:

Two all-beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame seed bun!

***Super proud of Kendall, who scored a 30 on her ACT test! Go, Kendall! (but not too soon--One year left at home, thank goodness :)

***Come on, already-Does any woman on this planet actually "flush sanitary napkins down the toilet"? Seeing such "Please do not...." signs on the back of nearly every public bathroom stall door is getting a little silly.

***I just spent five minutes typing a TMI fragment that my better judgment influenced me to delete. You're welcome.

***My friend Shawna posted this funny fragment on Facebook on Sunday:
Lost my Fitbit pedometer last night somewhere in the house. I found it this morning found clipped on Remmy's collar. Not sure how that happened, more disturbing since midnight he walked 2004 steps .86 miles and burned 570 calories and 3 flights of stairs! He should be sleeping!
(And for the record, the onomatopoeia was unintentional)

***I am not typically a count-the-days-til-the-end-of-the-school-year type. Apparently this year is different: 21.5.

Okay, it's your turn! Feel free to link up your own FRIDAY FRAGMENTS post below :)

Just for Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:54:00 +0000

Not much to say today, but my sister Michelle took this fantastic shot yesterday during our sudden heat-wave, and I knew I had to share it. Here's hoping you have a day just like this:

Funny Monday: Wedding Toast Classic

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000

This video wedding toast is heartwarming, and the ending is sure to make you laugh!

Grandparents Send Awesome And Awkward Wedding Toasts - Watch More Funny Videos

Have a Happy Monday! :)

Sundays in My City: Celebrate Fairview

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:52:00 +0000

In a tiny rural town in Wisconsin today,

a community came together for food, fun, music, and socializing.

(Oh, and to raise money to put more technology in the hands of elementary school students.)

I helped out for a while in the kids' area. It was (mostly) fun!

A couple of my Difference Makers kids volunteered, too.

As you may have noticed, it was a little chilly today (high of 49 degrees)

but our hearts were warm

(The fabulous chicken booyah helped me warm up. Boy, it was delicious!)

Here's just a handful of the incredible parents and teachers

without whose dedication the event would not have happened.

They don't look like they're having any fun, do they?

(And no, they were not consuming alcoholic beverages; that's pure volunteering fun, right there!)

The event was huge success (They raised more than $10,000 after expenses!)

As you can see, the kids are thrilled!

For more scenes from around the globe today, visit Unknown Mami's Sundays in My City.

Friday Fragments: Episode #195

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Friday Fragments, where disconnected thoughts are applauded. Thanks for joining in. [To learn more about FF, click the link above.]

***In a blogging group on FB last week, someone asked "What is your biggest blog-reading pet peeve? Overwhelmingly, responders said, "auto-playing music." The only other complaints were flashing ads and text color issues. (Just thought you might be interested.)

***I've coined a new word: endxiety ---That anxious feeling you get near the end of the show you're watching on your DVR, when you worry that the last minute will be cut off. (I know--It's perfect, right?!)

***I asked my doctor for some reading material on menopause, just so I know what to expect when the time comes (I know pretty much nothing about it.), and she gave me a booklet that makes it sound absolutely horrible! How do women survive it?! (or their husbands, for that matter, poor things!) Is it really that bad?!

***My birthday was very nice; Mr.4444 made Chicken Florentine Pasta for me and brought me a new computer! It's an "Ultrabook," meaning it's smaller, thinner, and faster but still has all the functionality of a typical laptop. I truly love that it weighs just over two pounds, but my favorite feature is the back-lit keyboard (The whole keyboard lights up when I press any key.)

***This was the longest school week ever, because Tuesday was incredibly exhausting. It would be nice if kids would create a schedule for acting up and stick to one kid per day.

***Thank goodness Karen Zemek is a patient person; she's still waiting for her cake pop prize, and it's taking me some time to get them made. Don't worry, though, Karen; they're going to be both beautiful and delicious, I promise! Thanks for your patience.

So...what's new with you? Link up your FRIDAY FRAGMENTS post below! (Sorry--Non-FF posts will be removed.)

Happy Birthday to Me

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000

I love this photo; it makes me smile, not just because nephew Caden is so sweet, but because of my mom's expression. She's the epitomy of "young at heart," bringing a joyful enthusisasm to every celebration, finding fun in mundane things, and always ready with a song.

For many years, on my birthday, Mom has called my house and left messages on the answering machine, singing "Happy Birthday" to me. (I think she just did it one time, out-of-the-blue because I missed her call, but I loved it so much, she's done it *every year since.) I absolutely love it; it's so sweet and makes my birthday truly special. My "big day" is never complete until I listen to my song.

I don't look forward to the birthdays after Mom is gone, so that's why, a few years ago, I asked her to let me record her singing to me (cuz I'm just that morbid!) Mom cheerfully agreed!

Before you listen, I have to give you a little background... Believe it or not, when I was a little girl, I was a real chatterbox! By the age of 5, my dad had affectionately nicknamed me "Barbara Jean, The Talking Machine." Click here to hear my song: Happy Birthday to Me!

And by the way, thanks for the gift! (Your reading my blog; it's such a pleasure to have your company :)

Barb

P.S. Here's an outake of the song, in case you also need to laugh today. Our Cooper (dog) kept whining while Mom was singing, and it was cracking Mom up to see me giving him stern looks and getting so irritated with him.

P.P.S. *Mom forgot to call me on my birthday last year. It was a good dry-run, though, because I was able to simply pull up my recording, and that made up for her lapse. I figure she's 83 this year; she's entitled to a few slips.

A Video Treat

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000

It's that time of year; the National Anthem (for the U.S.) is heard pretty much daily, at baseball games.

Rhema Marvanne is absolutely fantastic, both in voice and stage presence.

She is now almost eight years old and has at least three gospel albums

I truly loved this and thought I'd share.

Even if you don't give a lick about baseball, the U.S., or gospel music, this video is sure to make you smile.

In case you're interested in Rhema's story, here's more....

They Grow Up So Quickly...

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000

I so admire this father's dedication to this project.

He's created a beautiful gift for his daughter, whom he videotaped every week for twelve years.

This is the result:

I wonder if she's as talkative as she appears in the video; wasn't that cute?

Funny Monday: Cat Characters

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Whoever thinks cats are lazy creatures will be very surprised by these two:

Cats on a Treadmill - watch more funny videos

And to think I thought our Cooper on a treadmill was remarkable

By the way, in case you were worried about my lack of posting this weekend, don't be--

I just didn't have anything to say :) I had a great weekend, and I hope you did, too.

Here's hoping your Monday is more productive than that tiger kitty's!

Friday Fragments: Episode #194

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:00:00 +0000

Like sands through the hour glass, these are the fragments of our lives...
(Well, they're my fragments, and you're more than welcome to add yours, of course.)
[Click the tab above to learn more about FF.]

***So, The Bachelor/Bachelorette producers are being sued because there have been only 16 African American contestants (out of more than 600 in total) over the past 10 years. I think this is absolutely ridiculous. Feel free to disagree with me (so I can delete you from my friends list). Just kidding--Am I wrong about this?

***If you appreciate entrepreneurs, young women, Yoopers, fashion and/or outdoor clothing, you should check this video out. It was made by my friend's niece, on Crowdbackers.com, a site designed to help the "little guy" get a business started.

***I miss Kyle. And while I'm on the subject of Kyle (my college sophomore son) I should tell you that someone has been siphoning off $19.99 from his checking account every now and then, not so often to be noticed, but often enough to get a couple hundred bucks out of his account in the past few months. Have you checked your bank statement lately?

***I can't believe I wrote an entire post about handkerchiefs and then forgot to bring so much as kleenex (for even myself) to my Uncle John's funeral this week. I was fine until the music started (gets me every time). We're starting to say goodbye to a whole generation of my family; it's sad and scary.

***Thanks, Melisa, for sharing Creative Dad Takes Crazy Photos of Daughters; it made me laugh and smile and smile and smile :)

Okay, that's enough from me. How about you?

Ask a Dangerous Question...

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs4444) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Chuck is one of those kids who's constantly talking in class, sometimes on-topic, but often not. He loves to be the center of attention and grabs the stage every chance he gets. That sometimes gets him in hot water. Fortunately for him, though, he has personality plus, as well, and his charm usually softens the edges when we find ourselves losing patience with Chuck in class.

Now and then, when Mr. Principal needs a little personality to liven up the morning announcements, he calls on Chuck to be his sidekick for the "Lame Joke of the Day". Chuck is a standout during the Lame Joke in the morning announcements--He's always bursting with enthusiasm; you can't help but smile to hear his exuberance. On Monday, Mr. Principal offered up his typical, enthusiastic greeting to break the ice before the Lame Joke,
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"Hey there, Chuck! It's great to see you this morning! How was your weekend?!"

"My weekend was...well, not really that great, cuz I got hit in the..you know--balls with an airsoft gun!"

And that's the point where the Lame Joke ended, along with Chuck's career as a future broadcaster. There were some muffled noises as the microphone got covered up and Mr. Principal recovered, but we did not get to hear a lame joke that morning.

And Chuck wasn't laughing, either...