The World According to Leslie

I guess it's better late than never, right? HAPPY EASTER! Spring Break started here on Friday.... Good Friday.  The day care was also closed, so the Princess and I didn't even have to set an alarm!  IT WAS AWESOME!  She's out all this week.  That means NO ALARMS all week!  So nice! It also means that when she goes back to school on April 24, there are only 34 days of school left! You all know how I love my countdowns!  (Yes! I still do them...even though I'm not in a classroom full time!) I may even put it up on the wall in the house.... this has been a tough school year! Anyways.... Saturday, we went to a few yard sales. Then we went to find the Princess a semiformal dress for some stuff she has coming up. Sunday, EASTER, we went to church. Since everyone was all dressed for Easter, the pastor had it set up for one of the ladies at church to take pictures of families. Since my parents and my sister and brother (and all most of our kids) we...

Today begins that last quarter for the school year.  I’m kind of excited!  Actually…. I’m really excited.  With all the snow days and, therefore, snow make up days, we haven’t had a break since February.  It gets kind of tiring for the teachers and the students.  But, now, we are in the home stretch.  If we can survive 9 more weeks, we will make it until Summer Break!   This weekend, the Softball Fairies were not on our side. We didn’t get to start the season as planned. We are hoping that there will be no rain this coming weekend so we can get the season started!  Our team is starting to shape up very well, I think.  I know that we are going to have some tough games, but we are going to have a good time doing it.   Countdown Update: 6 days (counting today) until Softball Opening Day 14 school days (counting today) until Spring Break 9 weeks until Summer Break

So, I haven’t written lately. Well, it feels like forever since I have written.  It’s only been a couple of days in real time.   There’s nothing really going on around here right now. We are waiting on the date for the 500+ cookie celebration. There may be a Daddy-Daughter dance this year after all for Girl Scouts. My troop is working on their Bronze Award tomorrow night.  (I hope they bring in enough shirts.)    My brain is on overload.    I can’t believe that we have fewer that 10 weeks left in school—9 weeks and 3 days (counting today).  With Easter being so late this year, our Spring Break is late!  It’s a bit nuts.   This is probably the most random stuff I have ever posted.  BUT… if you think about it, it clears my head to get to the stuff I have to do today.  In that way, this has been helpful!   Now….  to get ready for the day! 

Many of the countdowns in my world are slowly getting smaller and smaller.  It’s exciting.  This time next week, I will be able to say that we have SINGLE DIGIT weeks left in school.    This week, we have a snow make-up day.  We were supposed to be out of school on Friday, but we are having a snow make-up day instead.  The best part is that it is only a HALF day!     What is 1025??  That is the number of boxes of cookies that the Princess ended up selling.  She earned her iPad mini!  She will get it at the beginning of May (supposedly) at the celebration for kids who sold more than 500 boxes of cookies!  We are excited!  For us, it will be the first (personally owned) i-anything in the house.  We are Android people, except for Tony’s work phone.      Our softball team is pretty cool.  We have a couple of girls who have never played before, but that comes with any rec team.  This ye...

Yesterday, I couldn’t get my Windows Live Writer to work.  I tried in the morning and last night.   Yesterday, March 12, was a morbid anniversary. On March 12, 1997, my Grandfather died….my mom’s dad.   I was a freshman at Appalachian State University. I was about 2 hours from home, and it was the first time I had ever been away from home that long.    That morning, mom called to wake me up, as usual. I went to all my classes, but I couldn’t get ahold of mom during the day. It was before cell phones were so readily available, and not everyone had one.  So, I would use payphones on campus to call collect. I tried a million times—or so it seems.   As I was getting ready to head out to my concert band class for the night, my phone rang. My dad told me to come downstairs and let him in. When I got downstairs to let him in, I saw our pastor with him. I knew something was wrong because as soon as I saw mom’s face, I could tell she was crying....

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...

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...

You all know I love a good countdown.  I countdown to Christmas, vacation, Friday, the end of the work day…. EVERYTHING!   Well, I think it is part of how I deal with stress.  When I am aggravated about something, being able to countdown to the end of it makes it easier!    So….here are a few countdowns (some are fun/others not so much)! (Some are vaguely close to the real dates….they will get more specific as the time comes!)   5 days until I pick up about 1000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies 8 days until cookie booths start 9 days until my birthday 37 days until the Art Gala and Auction at the Princess’s school ~12 weeks until Spring Break starts (April 18th) ~12 weeks until Easter ~15 weeks until EOGs start for the Princess ~17 weeks until Memorial Day ~19 weeks until school is out!   I’m a little stressed out this year with all the stuff I am doing.  I haven’t been able to scrapbook with my DIVAS since Sept. or Oct....

WOW!  It’s amazing how much frightening high school can be.  I was never afraid to go to school in high school.  I had great friends.  Some of them are still my friends today.   However, as an adult, I guess I am a little more (LOT MORE) conscious of how I look and everything.  I was terrified yesterday to go in with my farmer’s tan and raccoon eyes!    The kids did mention it.  Mostly, they wanted to know if I had gone to the lake or the beach or something for break.  When I told them it was from a double-header for my daughter’s softball team, they all wanted to know if she won or lost!  (One of each, actually!  Won one.  Lost one.)   High school is not as bad as I thought it was going to be for me yesterday!   Of course, I don’t know why I was worried.  I really do have the best kids ever where I’m teaching now!     43 days counting today!

Today, we have a pretty busy day! We have church this morning.  Lunch.  Then....  the dreaded getting ready to go back to school/work tomorrow!  I'm not looking forward to 4am!  However, if I look at it really well, I only have 9 more weeks to do that!  Then.... it's SUMMER break! Today is going to be a classic Sunday.  It's what we do for 10 months.  Church. Lunch. Get ready for school/work on Monday!!! I'm kind of excited to see what my kids did over the break!  :) 

I’m not sure it’s Spring outside today.    Right now, I can hear the sleet hitting my windows.    Earlier this week, it was 70 degrees.  Next week, it’s supposed to be 80 degrees.  I guess the sleet and cold temps just came to say good-bye.        I love the cold weather!  This year, I guess since I’m getting older, the cold has been harder on my body.  I have had a harder time getting warm than normal.  But, I still prefer cold weather to hot. My philosophy: You can add more layers than you can take off.  After a while, someone will call the cops if you take off too much!   Today I have two sleeping 9 year-olds in the next room.  When they get up, they are going to play and play and probably play some more!    Tonight, we have uniform pick up for softball.   Tomorrow we have practice.   Saturday we have our first two games!  (We have the double header thi...

Yesterday, I ended up getting up WAY TOO EARLY.  However, I did go back to bed for a little bit.  My Princess woke up at 11am yesterday!     Today, I slept until 7am!  I was hoping for 8 or 8:30 every day!  But, 7 is an extra 3 hours.  This summer, I will get more sleep.  I just have to get used to sleeping through Tony’s alarm.  (I can’t do that in a week because I will sleep through my alarm on Monday, if I do!)   The Princess is still asleep this morning.  When she gets up, we are going to eat breakfast (or lunch-fast, if it’s 11am again!)!!  Then we are going to work on her room.  Since we moved, we have not finished organizing stuff.  Plus, she has lots of clothes that are getting too small that I need to get out of the drawers.    Added motivation: If she cleans her room, her cousin can come stay over either tonight or tomorrow night!   (She might actually get some work done with that ...

So…this morning… the alarm went off, and I was awake.   This is NOT how I planned my Spring Break!  However, I can take a nap later.  AND…there is always tomorrow to sleep in!

As of 11am yesterday, I am on SPRING BREAK!  One rule for Spring Break is DO NOT WAKE ME UNTIL THE SUN IS UP (except Easter Sunday when we go to SONrise service)!!! This morning, I slept until 8:15!  It was so awesome!  The sun was coming in my window!  The alarm never went off--wasn't even set!  Now, we have softball at 11am! We have an Easter egg hunt (with a local church and 20,000 Easter eggs!) at 2pm!  Then we have to come home and get cleaned up to go to my parents for dinner.  Supposedly all the kids (Donnie, Lisa, and me) and our families are going to be there! In between those, we might go help my parents with some yard work if they want us to (if they are ready to do it today!)!!!!  It's going to be a busy day!  Can't wait to see the WHOLE family! :)

At 8am this morning, I am going in to work for 3 hours.  :(  Then I am leaving.... claiming my munchkin from my mommy's house (since she had a sleepover there to avoid getting up so early this morning)...and going Easter SHOE shopping.  We have the dress, we just need cute little white shoes or sandals to go with it! Then I am going to come home....sit on my couch...and do NOTHING until time for softball practice tonight.  My Spring Break starts at 11am today!  I'm so excited to have NOTHING on the agenda (except some rest and munchkin time) for the next week!!!! :) Then the countdown is on until Final Exams and Summer Vacation!!! :)

I love when I get to plan easy days at work.  Today, the kids have a test.  Then they have study guide questions for the book we are reading.  Then they are working on homework.  I guess I will finish grading projects and getting those grades in.  I love easy days.  Tomorrow I will actually teach. :)  BUT... my last class tomorrow gets to leave early to go to the Faculty vs. Staff basketball game!  I'm good with that!  (I'll be watching...NOT playing!  I was never quite coordinated enough for basketball!) Friday is a Teacher Workday.....but only about 3 hours!  Then it's SPRING BREAK!  :) 

Depending on your actual position in the county, you may/may not have a shortened week this week!  If you are in elementary school (as my Princess is), then you have 3.5 days.  They get out early on Thursday.  If you are in middle or high school, you have 4 days. They do NOT get out early on Thursday.  If you are a teacher, you have 4.5 days.  We only have students for 4 days, but we have a Mandatory Teacher Workday on Friday.  It is only supposed to last 3 hours.  It is going to start a little later than the normal day, but still..... I wanted to sleep in!  Can't wait until Monday!  I get to SLEEP IN!!!!!  Spring Break is almost here..... either 3.5, 4, or 4.5 days left!  :) 

In our school system, we have this week (5 days) and next week (4 days) before Spring Break.  The kids get Good Friday off.  However, teachers have a 1/2 day planning day--REQUIRED!  Then we have an entire week off for Spring Break!  I'm excited!  After that, we only have 9 weeks left until Summer vacation.  (Our 3rd quarter ends the day before Spring Break!)  I'm excited!  (Did I say that already!?) I can't wait to sleep past 4am on Spring Break!  We don't have much (anything) planned, but I am looking forward to sleeping!  :)  Before then, I need to get my kids through the stuff we are working on so they don't forget it while they are out for break.  That means a tests and a research presentation are due NEXT WEEK for me to grade before Friday--when report card grades are due! :)  Let's hope this goes REALLY well! :) 

Well....this week is UNCC's Spring Break! So I have no homework!! BUT... I do have assignments that I can be working on, so I think I'll get to those a little later! However... I'm not spending my Spring Break as a BREAK! What all do I have to do? Girl Scout Cookie paperwork....YES! We are finished selling cookies and we sold them ALL! There are NO cookies left! Baseball practice...right now it's twice a week. At the end of the month, the games will start on Saturdays. That means that we will only have Tuesday practices. Gymnastics...every Wednesday! Chasity is loving it! I'm so glad! She rocks!! :) She is already talking about next year there! Girl Scouts...every Thursday. All of my girls survived through Cookie Season, so I'm thinking they are going to be here for the long haul! We are planning our end of the year stuff. We are looking at our overnight trip! We still have to plan the sleepover at our meeting location! I think we will be good to...

When I was in high school, I had a teacher that would say we were having a "mustard" day instead of a "ketchup" (catch up) day. Chasity and I had a great time last week during Spring Break. Thursday, we went t have our nails (hand and feet) done. I have pics to post of that soon! Friday night, I had a sleepover with the area Girl Scouts. I had to help them to get ready to Bridge up to the next age level. Now, I need to plan the ceremony that goes with it! That will be in a couple weeks. Right now, I'm trying to wrap my brain around how OSHA and NC Labor Laws do not regulate how long a person can work. That's right! In NC, according to the NC Department of Labor, (and I just spoke with them this morning) there is no law that says your employer has to allow you breaks and time to eat. Crazy right? Well, listen to this. My husband went to work around 8am yesterday morning. He hasn't come home yet! He's been at work (and working) for more than...