Venting...like an Alaskan Volcano

"Never plan ahead more than, oh, 6 months."

"Okay, sounds like a plan."

"Training will cost us, oh, roughly $13,000 for that one teacher."

"It'll be worth it. She'll be a powerhouse for us, moving mountains and setting interventions into play that will rock the frickin' educational world. The people she will have to deal with may be difficult, but she'll manage to find a way to get things rolling..."

Fast forward approximately 2 years:

"You seem unhappy with your job, so we want to move you somewhere you'll be happy."

"I'm not unhappy. What makes you think that?"

"Well, you said things aren't going well in several areas at your school."

"I'm not unhappy. I am looking for support."

"Yes, that's why we're moving you..."

Fuck!

Springing Spring Springs to Life!

The Galaxy Magnolia goes insane! The False Spirea is crazy bloomin'!

The front bed is exploding with joy!

The camillia is bursting out of its Winter darkness.

5K Fun Run for Kids

Man, was it chilly on Saturday! I joined a group of co-workers from one of the schools I work at to help Corvallis Public Schools Foundation earn a little much-needed cash! The Fun Run for Kids was a blast! Of course, for me it was the fun "trot" and fun "fast-walk." It was great to get out and burn a few calories with a bunch of local-yocals!Me and my peeps!
A couple of great teaching buddies!

Folks from my school!
Local tagging. Not exactly as fancy as the big-city gets, but very effective in deliving a clear message.

Holding in Being Pissed-Off

The title says it all. I read in a "How to Get Karma" book last week that it is important to quit apologizing. So, no apology for anyone offended b the title.

I am sick of so many things. I smile as I walk through my days. I laugh as often as possible, tease my son and husband, pet the dogs, read, write, help people, and try to leave places cleaner than when I arrived.

Today, I was approached by someone who told me our custodian was "upset" because I asked him to please sweep our floor. Mind you, the floor hadn't been swept in 2 weeks and, as I work in a multp-purpose room, was FILTHY! The level of dust, alone, made me ill.

I work with a bonehead who says the most insecure, self-centered, idiotic things. I smile and walk away, knowing I cannot have a positive impact on this person. But, inside, I WANT TO SCREAM!

My family....ah, nevermind.

My weight? Well, all that was good is beginning to go bad. I have to get going, but, since I'm wasting a lot of time smiling instead of screaming, cookies and ice cream call my name!

I am almost certain that it is very unhealthy to hold it in. I know it is...we all do. However, I decided to do a little "google" research on the topic. Here's what I've found:

**“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” --Buddha WHO CARES!!!???

**http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/09/980925024527.htm Women Who Hold In Anger At Risk For Atherosclerosis
ScienceDaily (Sep. 25, 1998) — Women who are hostile, hold in their anger, and feel self-conscious in public show greater thickness of their carotid arteries, an early marker for the development of atherosclerosis throughout their bodies, new research shows. Now, this is more like it! I'll save my life by being pissed! I'll start expressing my piss-offed-ness!

**http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/05/000501081252.htm Hostility, Anger Linked To Chemical That May Cause Heart Disease
ScienceDaily (May 1, 2000) — COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A new study has identified one possible reason that people who show high levels of hostility and anger are more likely to develop heart disease. Yes, yes, yes! THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout!

**http://www.collegenet.com/elect/app/app?service=external/Forum&sp=15017 mzsmith850
Vote for this candidate!
Joined: Jul 13, 2008Location: Midway, FLPosts: 171 show all posts
Holding Anger In......
I can walk around here wit my head up instead of down...laugh with you all the time but little do you know how I feel on the inside!! I happen to be one that can hide my feelings really good.But I think now im learning now to release some stress off of me cuz when it steady builds up you gonna release it in a massive way then it's gonna seem like all hell breaking loose. Im not to good at explaining stuff like this. I wish I really knew how to go to someone and talk to them about how I feel at times other than GOD even though he's the best one to go to. But everyone need someone on earth to talk to!!!Ughhh any tips on how to release stress that have built up on me over a period of time....from school down to family problems??? You say it, Sister!

**http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-1422888_ITM BOSTON--Blowing off steam may be one way to ease chronic headache pain. The extent to which headache sufferers hold in their anger is a significant predictor of headache-related disability, even after controlling for factors such as headache frequency and intensity, trait anger, and depression, according to a study from St. Louis University. DAMMIT! I need to blow off steam...and I wat to blow it off inappropriately! Totally!

Give me a bottle to throw against a brick wall!

Give me a bullhorn to yell through!

Let me kick someone!

Let me tell a few people what I REALLY think!

AAAHHHH!!!!!

Last Day of the Races!

After a long season of driving up into the Cascades, XC racing has come to a close for high schools in Oregon! This past weekend, we were in Bend on Mt. Bachelor for the 2009 OHSNO State Championship Nordic Races! The photos will tell so much more! In this shot (one of many I took during the melee) kids from different teams are attacking one another. The mass snowball fight lasted more than 45 minutes, involving more than 100 skiers!
My handsome husband, George, and I rarely have photos of us together. We scored on this one!

My view after a hard day out, on my way back up to the lodge. Mt. Bachelor ahead...

My son and his friend. Erin and Collin have been competing together for several years.

Night Races and Hot Pursuit

Last Thursday, we sped up into the mountains, again, after school. It was "Night Races" time at Hoodoo! My son and 11 other kiddos bucked up, scrambled to finish homework during the drive up, and braved a cold night to race against some of Oregon's best XC skiers in the dark. It was magic. Last year, the course was blinding. There was a blizzard, with snowbanks 19-23 feet high. We couldn't even see the lower windows of the lodge. This year...cold, but no wind nor snowfall.

Start of the boys' race. Lined up and ready!

The lodge glows at night. Brad and my son, Collin (right) after the race. Yeah, so the "Valley Kids" can't really compete with those boys who started skiing at the age of 2, but it's so fun!

Hot Pursuit!

A Hot Pursuit Race is spectacular. Racers have a mass-start, beginning on Classic-Style XC Skis. They race for approximately 2K on these skis, up a mountainside, essentially. On the slope of the mountain, they'll come across their "Skate Skis," stop, take off their classics, put on the skates, and continue on the course for another 3K. We were at Teacup Lake Nordic Ski Area on the edge of Mt. Hood. BEAUTIFUL!!! Our 4th trip here this year and it was THE BEST! Snow began falling just after the race ended and we relaxed in a warm, woodstove-heated cabin!

The race started at 11:00 a.m. The kids had to stand at the line for almost 15 minutes, which caused many of them to "meltdown" and get cold.
Here is my son, coming off of "Wahoo!" From this angle, you really can't tell how tall the hill is. I had to ski through the backcountry to get to the hill so I could catch some shots. He zipped by quickly!

Lunch in the lodge, but a warm fire. It's pretty primative, relatively speaking. No running water or restrooms. There are smelly outhouses outside that the kids try to avoid for as long as possible.

Another Skate Race Under His Belt

Drove another load of kids up to the Cascades today! We left at 6 a.m. and made it to Mt. Hood by around 8:45. Freezing fog was a big issue during the drive. As the sun rose, we came across this view...Here's Collin (my son) during the "transition"section of his race. It's uphill at this point, which requires an excellent skate stride. He zoomed by, heading downhill, much faster than I could imagine going. Ah, youth...
And, finally, here we are..."The Moms." We provided food for over 200 people! It was only 18 degrees out, so we were, at times, a little miserable.

I Wanted One. I Bought One.

It's a classic, too!

Leather seat.

Leather hand-grips.

Solid steel fenders. My New Trek Allant.
Came with a pre-installed rack!

I love it! Even though the temp. will only be around 34 degrees in the a.m., I'm riding this bike to work tomorrow!

The Differences Between My Son and My Daughter...

Similarities first:
1. Extremely intelligent
2. Very friendly and well-received by others
3. Thoughtful
4. Never said a mean word to anybody...outside of this house, that it.
5. Organized beyond belief
6. Creative and multi-dimensional
7. Handsome and beautiful
8. Excellent students and community members.
9. Able to handle change with a snap
10. Able to cook and bake like pros.
11. Both are very musical, playing multiple instruments and having huge music collections.
12. Both are stellar athletes
13. Both LOVE being outdoors, hiking, skiing, camping, backpacking, boating, flying, jumping, swimming, and more!

Differences:
1. She's chatty, he's not
2. She's demonstrative, he's not.
3. She argues, he rarely speaks.
4. She was involved with boys much earlier than he is involved with girls, in terms of "relationships."
5. She's very emotional and psychological, he's not.
6. She NEVER made curfew, he does.
7. She lives far away, he's here.
8. She still comes over to sit with me and hug, he won't.
9. She is all over the place, he's stable.
10.She would study for 6 hours each night in high school, he only studies for 5.
11. She frustrates me, and...hmmm...so does he.

I love them both to death.

Signed up for a Master's Program

After many long years of working my tail off to achieve success as a teacher in my school district...and raising 2 successful teenagers, I'm finally going back to finish that Master's Degree! I've decided to jump onto the "Read Oregon" program, which will also allow me to receive a Reading Endorsement from TSPC (Teacher Standards and Practices Commission). I won't receive any extra pay/incentives for completing this program, but I will feel stronger.

I figure I have at least 12-14 more years of a career in education. I'll never recover the cost of this program, but I better do it before my brain cells begin decreasing at an ever-increasing rate!

Go, Beavs!

A little late in posting this, but I am just so proud of the OSU Beavers!

Teacup Lakes Nordic Ski Area

We spent the last day of Winter Vacation skiing on Mt. Hood! The drive was uneventful, although we did have to take the "long route" in order to avoid the closure on Hwy. 26, due to slides. We left Corvallis at 6:00 a.m. and we out skiing on the trail by 9:30. My son and daughter were there! It was great to meet up with them on the mountain. They'd been in Antelope and had spent Saturday at Smith Rocks, participating in the Audubon Winter Bird Count.
I'm so happy Malory actually agreed to have a photo taken with me!

Hubby and I had so much fun together! He learned to XC ski in just one lesson! What a great guy!

One Lucky Woman!

I am so frickin' lucky! My son, my daughter, and my niece are the best! Thanksgiving Dinner was awesome this year!

My Daughter is in this Photo!

Can you see her? She's the blonde...in one of the letters...wearing clothes...near a bunch of other people...smiling...with a cell phone in her pocket...has on shoes, too.

Oh, man, that man can cook! I'm a lucky wife!

That man can cook! He can cook and then we can eat! He cooks. We eat. I gain weight! Oh, but I'm soooooooo happy, eating what he cooks!

Tonight, George whipped up a batch of beautiful fish tacos! He used fish he'd caught in the Mighty Columbia River...Sturgeon! He steamed it to perfection, with just the right amount of salt and herbs. The fish steamed in lime juice, garlic, and a touch of virgin olive oil. He threw in cilantro at the end, along with a tad of cumin! He made this awesome open-ended salad, spicing it with fresh garlic, lots of fresh lime juice, salt, and cilantro!

The throw-on's included chopped fresh cabbage, diced white onion, chopped cilantro, grated queso, and green onions! Topped it with a custom killer sauce, made from fresh herbs from our garden, Nancy's Organic Plain Yogurt, garlic, lime juice, and chopped jalapenos! Woo-wee! It was spicy and tangy!

This was the finished product! My plate was full when I sat down at the table and empty when I got up.