The World According to Leslie

Although I haven’t written anything in about 2 months here, I did not fall off the face of the earth. I have, however, sat at the computer wanting to write. Some days it just doesn’t happen.    I have a writing job for the summer—$8/article and I can write at least 2 an hour.   That’s more than I make teaching!  No!  I’m not kidding!  lol  (It’s sad!)   I get to go back to work in just a couple of weeks.  Actually…..  two weeks from today!  WOW!  Same school! More kids.  This year, I’m teaching regular Freshman English and Mythology.  I’ll have about 35 kids in each class!  (I know, right?!)   We went to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge on Vacation last month.  We took Mom and Dad with us!  We love going there. We went to a few shows.  Maybe… just maybe…. I’ll do a post about that!    I am now a CRIMINAL MINDS fanatic!  I love this show!  I had never watched an entir...

This weekend, we finished some things. 1. The Girl Scout Cookie booths ended for the year!  I can’t say that I’m not excited.  This was a long year for Cookies!   2. The Princess finished up all her sales for 1000 boxes of cookies.  She earns the iPad Mini!   3. The Art Gala and Auction for the Princess’s school was Saturday.  From the initial numbers, we raised over $6000.  I’m impressed.  (Could have been better---could have been worse!)   4. We are now a week closer to SPRING BREAK!  This year, with Easter being so late (the end of April), we aren’t getting Spring Break until then.  Because of all the Snow Days we have had this year, we also don’t get any of the teacher workdays that we were supposed to get before then.  That means that from the beginning of March until the end of April, we are in school every weekday.  I know that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it’s the longest stretch of straight thr...

Considering that I feel as though I haven’t slept in about 3 weeks, Daylight Savings Time did not really affect me.    To be perfectly honest, we had cookie booths all day yesterday.  The troop is down to about 61 boxes of cookies to sell (total)!  The Princess is only 36 (total) boxes away from her iPad mini goal of 1000 boxes!  OMG!  I can’t believe it will be 2 years in a row with 1000 boxes!  She has worked her tail off….again!   Saturday, we started softball.  Which means that for one more weekend (this one coming) The Princess has cookies and softball.  Then it will only be softball until June….maybe longer.    Sunday morning, I had the alarm set for 8am.  I forgot to reset the clocks.  Tony always does that.  He forgot too.  We talked about it, but we both crashed before it was done.  So I got up with the alarm at 8am.  I came in here to the computer and started working on some t...

February has ended.  Here in NC, it ended with nice weather. March has started.  On Sunday, it was 70 degrees.  Yesterday started at 55, but by noon it was freezing.  Today is starting in the teens and will hopefully defrost during the day.   We had sleet and freezing rain last night.  I really thought we might get a delay this morning.  I guess not.   I was hoping.  I could have slept another 4-5 hours.   I picked up a writing job…30 articles.  I need to get those completed ASAP.    We are in the MIDDLE of cookies.  The Princess isn’t close to her 2500 box goal yet.   We are hoping she will still get 1000.  This year, for 1000 boxes, you get a free iPad mini.  She really wants it, but we shall see.  She’s still trying to sell cookies.    The countdown is still on for everything around here.   Countdown updates: 11 days until the Art Gala and Auction at the Pri...

It seems as though we may be in for a “normal” week here in NC.   I haven’t listened this morning, but I don’t think we are expecting any of that strange white precipitation (snow) to fall this week.    The Princess should be getting her softball info this week.  We should know (for sure) the coaches and the team name.  My brother should be one of the coaches, but we never know until after the draft.    Girl Scout cookies (and booths) are in full force.  I feel as though my world is surrounded by them!  And…that could be because they are in 2 of the main rooms of my house—living room and dining room.   I have a couple of meetings this week, so that makes it even more normal.   The countdown for everything is still on.  As soon as we get our softball schedule, we will get to add more things to it… like first practice and first game!    As long as we keep doing what we are doing right now, this w...

I couldn’t let Post 666 stay up all day.  That would have me freaked out forever!    So….  I guess I’m going to say that although I enjoyed all the snow days last week, I hate that we have to make one of them up today---ON A SATURDAY!   The person who came up with this idea must not have to deal with crabby teenagers at 7am on a Saturday morning!   Oh well!  It’s only a half day! Then we have a cookie booth at noon!   Then we get to do nothing (mostly) for the rest of the day.    I’m excited!

I guess since we didn’t have school on Monday, this week has flown by.  However, since we have to make up two of the snow days, we have school tomorrow.  It’s only for 3 hours, so I’m good.  (Just wish it would be later in the day….lol  I’m not fond of mornings!)   All of the girls have come and got their cookies from my house.  The Princess should be able to get her cookies delivered to people this weekend.  Last weekend was crazy and still had ice on the ground.  Yesterday was almost 80 degrees.    Yes, I do live in NC where you can have a snow storm and 80 degrees all in the same week!  The funny thing is that there is still some snow on the ground.  People (including the city and major shopping centers) plowed snow into huge mounds.  It’s melting, but only slightly every day.   We only have two booths this weekend, so it should be an easy weekend.   Countdown Updates: 22 days until the Art ...

Snow Day #3 for the year was Thursday of last week.  We actually still had snow falling.  Then all of a sudden, it stopped.  Every school in the 22 surrounding counties (and most all of the schools in the state) were closed that day and Friday!    We ended up with about 8” of snow total!  It was crazy!   Snow Day #4 was Friday!  OMG!  After being stuck at home Wed and Thurs, I was pretty sure that the Princess was going to go nuts!  But, she didn’t. Her teacher sent home assignments. She completed them.  All is right with the world.   Friday night, we had our first Girl Scout Cookie booth.  Saturday we had 3 booths.  Sunday, we rested!     Then….Monday…..  President’s Day.  Wow! That was a heck of a week off!  The Princess had my niece over Sunday night.  That kept her entertained yesterday!   Now….  I’m awake (or so I keep telling myself)!  I’m getting ...

Yesterday was snow day #2. Today is snow day #3 for the year.  On Tuesday, we got out of school early because the snow was coming. It came.  It accumulated. It melted. It was pretty.  By 4pm on Tuesday, most places didn’t have a bit of snow on the ground.   Yesterday, they canceled schools because the snow was coming.  So we waited.  We waited some more.  Finally about 12pm (NOON!) the snow started.  We could have gone another 1/2 day and wouldn’t have to make that day up on a Saturday….but nooooooo!  Once it started, it started accumulating quickly.  We got about 1” of snow per hour.  It snowed until about 7pm last night.  Some times it was slower, so we probably have about 5-6” in my yard.    About 7pm, the sleet and freezing rain started.  That’s what it is still doing now.  So schools called to cancel around 3pm yesterday afternoon for today!   Today, I’m “working from home”.  I do ...

Sometimes, I feel like it has been forever since I have written here.  I wish I could get my fingers back in the habit of writing ever day.   On top of that, I wish I could get a few writing jobs going so I’ll be set up for this summer.  I don’t want to have to scramble for jobs this summer.  I have some applications in, but I’m just waiting.    Here are my countdowns: 1 day until I pick up about 1000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies—It’s tomorrow.  However, the weather people are calling for snow and ice.  We have been told that we have to pick up cookies no matter what, but I’m not sure I’m “risking my life” to get cookies to my house! (LOL ) 4 days until cookie booths start (2.14) 5 days until my birthday (2.15) 32 days until the Art Gala and Auction at the Princess’s school ~11 weeks until Spring Break starts (April 18th) ~11 weeks until Easter ~14 weeks until EOGs start for the Princess ~16 weeks until Memorial Day ~17 we...

Today we have 2 booths.  Tomorrow we have 1 booth.  Then that will be the end of Girl Scout cookies for this year.  Of course, I will update on total number sold! :)  Other than that.... this is the END OF COOKIES! :)  (Anyone else excited about that? I know I am!)

Are you tired of reading about Girl Scout cookies yet?  I'm tired of talking about them.  However, they have consumed my world.  Maybe...just maybe...after next weekend, I will get my world back! It won't be long after that, though, that softball starts! :)  Then we will be crazy with that! :) However, people say some really weird things when they buy cookies from you.  Like on Friday night, we had a guy come up and ask a really strange question, but I had been told people would ask it. Man: "Are these cookies made with genuine Girl Scouts?" Me: "Yep.  This year they ground them up a little better than in the past though." Man: "Good!  Last year they got stuck in my teeth!" Gross right? However, I was prepared and it shocked him.  He thought he was funny! :)  The girls thought it was DISGUSTING!  lol

Cookie season is going well.  We have had at least two booths (sometimes 3-4) every weekend.  Last night, we sold about 100 boxes at WalMart. Today we have a booth we set up as a troop.  I'm really hoping it will go well.  I'm a little nervous.  The place is normally PACKED the first couple of weekends a month.  However, I think that the threat of "snow" will possibly hold some people back.  Why is it that every weekend during cookie booths there is a threat of "snow"?  Why "snow"?  Because in NC we don't get the large amounts of every where else.  We get little bits of MESS that causes traffic issues for DAYS after a 1/2" falls! :)  Of course, after it "snows" here, it's 60 degrees the following day so it goes away!  RARELY do we get anything REAL in NC.  Bring on the "snow"!  I'm ready for it! :) 

Today, February 23, 2013, is a teacher workday. :(  We had a snow day in January.  Unfortunately, the snow melted.  Actually, I'm pretty sure that if you check clock times for the two days, the snow melted before I will get off work today.  I have to work until about noon.  The snow was gone around 10am that morning.  (We totally could have had school!) In order to make up the day without having to have the kids come to school on a Saturday, "they" turned Monday (2/18--President's Day) into a school day.  Then "they" (the people who do NOT have to work on workdays) turned today (SATURDAY!) into the teacher workday. So... I have to be there at 9am.  We should be finished around noon (or 1pm).  I'm glad I didn't have a cookie booth set up for this morning! But...we have one tonight! :) 

Yesterday morning, before I could get awake good, it started snowing.  On Friday, it was 60 degrees, so nothing STUCK!  We did out cookie booth at Lowe's Home Improvement and sold a fair amount of cookies.  It was cold, but the sun was out; so it wasn't unbearable. Last night, we had a booth at 5pm at the OTHER Lowe's Home Improvement in town.  It started snowing as we were leaving the house.  It was snowing so hard (and directly into my windshield) that it was hard to see.  So we got there, about 10 minutes away, and there was already about 1/2" of snow on the ground.  It was freezing outside.  We stayed until the booth was over at 8pm.  My legs and hands were so cold that I slept with the electric blanket ON most of the night. My feet and hands are still a little numb this morning.  Hopefully they will warm up today.  If not, I might have an issue. :) :( 

In case the title didn't scare you off, I am not going to have a political rant here.  I typically keep my politics to the voting booth.  Although, sometimes, it is impossible not to say something....one way or the other. Here is what I am going to say about the speech last night.  I did not watch it.  I had some things on DVR I wanted to catch up on.  In all honesty, I forgot about it until the news broke in for a "Special Report" at 9pm.  I was already on the way to DVR land by then. :)  I did flip through a few times, but I did not listen to more than one or two sentences.  So that makes me pretty unqualified to have an opinion of the speech. I will say, I personally think the state of our union is in a mess.  We have soldiers stationed and fighting all over the world. We have rich people who keep getting richer and never have to pay taxes or face consequences for their actions.  We have poor people who are getting poorer an...

Some days I feel like I have nothing to say.  I feel like what I'm writing isn't really relevant to anything that is really happening. Some days I feel like I can't write what is on my mind.  I'm afraid I will hurt people or make them mad. Some days I just don't know how to say what I want to say.  (Ever had those days?) Today, though, I have lots on the brain.  My brain is completely full.  However, the things on my brain are trivial, trite, random things. For example, my parents are having an issue with the neighbor's dog. It's a really aggressive pit bull.  If it comes up and tries to attack either of my parents, they wouldn't be able to get away from it.  So, they have called Animal Control a few times already.  However, my dad is going to warn the neighbors that if the dog is in his yard again, he's going to shoot it.  He can't get away from it.  Mom can't run from it.  My parents have too many kids and grandkids (and t...

Today has been a great day so far.  :)  It's 10:45am and I have only been awake for about 45 minutes.  I haven't even made it downstairs yet.  I love weekends.  The SUN wakes up before me.  I love my job, but I hate getting up before sunrise to go to work. Now...  what am I doing this weekend? Laundry Cleaning Unpacking (still...obviously) Setting up Cookie Booths (hopefully!) Sleeping Getting this headache and dizziness to go away (hopefully!) Hanging with the family! (MOST important!!)

For my entire life, I have had the same 24 hours every day.  12 midnight to 12 midnight.  How is it that now, I don’t seem to get anything accomplished in those 24 hours?   My Schedule: Mondays: Work Cheerleading (for Chasity) Homework and Lesson Planning (for me) Tuesdays: Work Homework and Lesson Planning Wednesdays: Work Class (for me until 8:15pm) Gymnastics (for Chasity—which I have to miss) Homework and Lesson Planning Thursdays: Work Girl Scouts (for Chasity and me) Homework and Lesson Planning Fridays: Work CRASH! Saturdays: Cheerleading (for Chasity) Sundays: Church Homework and Lesson Planning Grocery Shopping   Granted….. there is always something else added to the Saturday and Sunday schedule.  For example, this Saturday, I have to work.  Beginning on Feb. 18th, we have Girl Scout Cookie Booths on Friday-Sundays!    I just feel SO behind!  Some days Most days...

First, I would like to say welcome to all the new readers/followers that have joined recently! I'm glad you're here. Hopefully you'll enjoy what you read. If you have any questions, please ask. I'll try to answer most anything I can. Since I live in NC, we don't usually get a lot of snow. However, two weeks ago (the weekend of Jan. 31) my Girl Scout troop planned to do a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. It snowed 6" that weekend. School was cancelled on Monday and Tuesday of that week. We had to make up last Saturday and are supposed to make up a day this Monday (2/15). However, last night, it snowed again. We got another 2". We might have 3", but it's just that the roads are really bad. Right now, it's officially Girl Scout cookie season. So, the girls have cookie booths (outside stores and stuff) every weekend until March 6th. We were supposed to have one last night and all day today. :( I guess you can say it's cancelled....si...