As You Get Ready To Vote

Just a quick reminder what a great job Obama has done. Oh I'm sure you heard it's all George Bush's fault, however, last I checked Obama's been President for a couple of years now.

The choice is yours. Do you really want more of the same?

Happy Halloween

Have a safe and Happy Halloween.

Farmville Murder

Alexandra V. Tobias pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the murder of her son.

Tobias told investigators that she shook the baby, smoked a cigarette to compose herself and then shook him again. She said the baby may have hit his head during the shaking.”

She will be sentenced in December. State guidelines call for 25 to 50 years, but a prosecutor said it could be shorter than that

Investigators say she was angered because her three month old son was crying while she was playing the game FarmVille. The baby died at the hospital from head trauma.

I mean I just don't get it. Really. I get requests for Farmville games and people giving me things from Farmville but I just ignore them and pretend I don't know what the heck it is.

When I think of things that signify "I have NO LIFE WHATSOEVER" I think of Farmville. FarmVille is a real-time farm simulation. That's right a FARM simulation. What's the matter Dancing With The Stars or Sixteen And Pregnant not on?

I'm shocked by this story but I suppose I shouldn't be. People become addicted to games as if they were heroin. We've created a society of digital dependence, and now we're reaping what we've sown.

Day 12 Of Forty Days Of Gratitude

Today was another long day. I had to stay after school for our semi-annual meeting with people from the business community. I like how the meetings run now that we began inviting kids from our classes to talk about what they have learned. I actually thought of that idea a couple of years ago and I think it really hits a chord with everyone who attends.

Today I received a box with new Hershey's Dots. I haven't tried them yet but they look like M&M's without the candy shell.

I heard an interesting challenge today. The challenge was to complete the sentence I AM ___________. What am I? Am I generous? I feel I am. I try to be generous with my possessions and my time. I often go out of my way for others.

I am a good wife. Darryl says I am and I try to be but is that true?

I need to concentrate more on what I am and not what I am not. I need to concentrate more on becoming a better person. I need to define what it is I want to be.

Today my moment of gratitude was some smiles from students. I made a special point today to pay more attention to kids I normally don't spend more time with. They seemed so flattered and each of them smiled. This is a lesson that I should put into practice more on a daily basis.

Angel Caught on Camera In Hospital

I believe in angels. I know that there are those who don't but I have been touched by my guardian angel several times.

Day 11 Of Forty Days Of Gratitude

The day began with a heavy downpour. Despite that my drive to work was uneventful.

I found if I ate my lunch very quickly I could just about run over to the gym to to my walk. I can then make four complete loops. I forgot to bring my pedometer but hopefully I will remember to do that real soon.

Today is our "favorite" day of the week because it's duty day. Every Wednesday we do morning duty and bus duty. Due to a faculty meeting after school, our afternoon bus duty was cut short.

Today we watched disk three of the Ruby Payne series, our boss decided that disk two was not necessary to watch. I try to look for one interesting story on the DVD and today's story was her story about taking a photo of a man in Haiti. The person in Haiti was handed a photo and he didn't seem to understand how his photo did not represent him in a 3D manner.

After school today I ran over to Walmart to buy my Halloween costume. It's a sort of witch costume with a big purple hat. Just as I was headed for the check-out I ran into a former student. I asked what he was doing and he told me that he was working and going to school. I was so very happy and grateful that I got to hear the my encouragement to further his education helped make a difference.

Day 10 Of Forty Days of Gratitude

This afternoon, just before my husband and I went for a walk a slight mist filled the air. I had stepped out with the dogs before we left and I looked up to see a rainbow. I stared at it for a moment and decided to dash inside for my camera.

In a matter of minutes I was back outside with my camera but the sun had moved ever so slightly and the rainbow had disappeared. In that moment I thought about how fleeting time can be and even the smallest shift in our paradigm can change everything. Then just as suddenly, just as unexpectedly, the rainbow once again graced the sky and I was able to take some photos. I was grateful for the beauty I was able to behold, if only for a few moments.

Darryl and I did go for a walk. I've been worried because my clothes seem to be fitting me different even though the scale is telling me that I weigh the same. For example I took out a pair of size five slacks that I have warn in the past but just as I got to my hips I had to give them a slight tug and a jiggle before I was able to get them on. I was able to zip them up and button them without sucking anything in but it just didn't feel right. Not too tight but not the way I liked for them to feel.

To be honest I used to walk about 10,000 steps per day and I have no earthly clue what I walk now but I'm certain it's not that much. I'm spending so much time on the computer trying to get caught up with all the stuff they want me to have accomplished with these new requirements.

I decided to try to do more walking but yesterday's rains prevent me from walking the school track. Instead I've been doing the inside gym walk. I wound up walking around the perimeter eight times today while at school and then I walked with Darryl on our usual walk. I think I should wear a pedometer to get a better idea of how far I'm really walking.

The Rent Is Still Too Damn High

Jimmy McMillan is now at Superstar status because as you can see he is being parodied on Saturday Night Live. Climb on by the Jimmy McMilliam Express. Hold on tight because it's going to be a wild ride because the rent is.....TOO DAMN HIGH!!!!!

Day Nine Of Forty Days Of Gratitude

Today began with a big bang.

I had just taken the dogs back in after they had done their "business" when I heard a loud crack. It took me by surprise but almost immediately afterwards it sounded as though the sky opened up and the rain began to pour. I can only assume that my dogs were glad to have gotten back in before the rain began to fall because they both hate getting wet.

Sadly the weather was a factor in two wrecks right outside the front of the school. One of the cars was being driven by one of our teachers. She is doing fine and that's certainly good news.

Thankfully today I finished the PowerPoint that Mrs. F had asked me to update. I'm glad that's off my plate.

I was able to take a walk around the gym today. One of the secretaries told me that walking around the gym twelve times equals a mile. I was able to walk around six times during lunch. When Darryl got home he and I took a walk. The evening was warm without that wonderful breeze but it was still great walking weather.

I am grateful for my two dogs who always greet me as though I'm walking through the door carrying steaks. We got them both from the shelter years ago and they have brought me much happiness. Even as I am writing this they are both lying by the couch as though they can't bear for us to be apart.

Who Decides What Actually Is Freedom Of Speech?

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

Funny. While Juan needs a psychiatrist these NPR employees do not have such problems. It's fine to call people in the Tea Party the sexually derisive term, Tea baggers. Boy or boy you guys really know how to yuck it up. I mean gosh darn it, how stupid must one be not to realize that the public option and socialized medicine have nothing in common. Those tea party people are just so st..... hey wait a minute, isn't the public option a form of socialized medicine? Well heck I mean wouldn't that mean that they really are correct when they say it's socialist? Nah, can't be. I mean NPR and the elites told me that those "tea baggers" are all ignorant.



Of course Nina Totenberg chuckled while she hoped that Jessie Helms or one of his family members gets AIDs. Yes, chuckle, chuckle, that was a real belly laugh. Ha Ha that certain does rise the measure of hate speech that Juan's opinion did



While I do believe that NPR can absolutely decide who they want to have one their station, I also believe that it is one of the cuts we can make in our bloated government. After all they do get a small percentage of their funding from the Federal Government. What if Fox got a small amount of that same government funding? Wouldn't the left be storming the castle with torches in hand?

Does NPR slam Jessie Jackson for slamming Obama for "Acting Like He's White" ? (9/19/07) Did they say anything negative about the Reverend Jackson when he said "There is nothing more painful to me at this stage of my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery — then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved." when speaking at the PUSH convention in 1993.

No I believe that this has much more to do with Juan not holding the party line, oh and that little tiny weeny donation made by George Soros.

Oh you didn't know? I mean George only contributed $1.8 million to NPR so it can hire political reporters across the country.

The left-wing Open Society Foundations is donating the large sum to NPR for a project being called “Impact of Government.” The project is planning to add at least 100 reporters across the country to cover local state house politics to fill the holes left by the firing of so many local reporters due to the contraction in the field of journalism over the last decade.

So much for journalistic integrity and it's looking more and more like so long to freedom of speech.

Day Eight Of Forty Days Of Gratitude

I usually don't spend much time thinking about Darryl's Dad. He was very hateful and he lived in our home almost ten years almost the whole of our marriage. I don't know why I asked Darryl how he Dad was doing but I did ask him. He told me that he didn't know because his father never calls or reaches out to him. "I guess Dad's getting his mail now so he has no reason to call." Darryl said. I laughed and when he asked why I asked I shrugged and just wondered if he was going to be one of those old people that dies in their trailer and not found until months later.

Around 3:30 this afternoon we heard a loud bang at our door. Then we heard a knocking. "Who is that?" I asked. Low and behold it was his Dad. Out of the blue he blue telling Darryl that he had figured out how Darryl should organize his workplace. Weird. Darryl's doing so well there and has it working just fine. He stayed only a few moments and then left. It was all so very weird.

I asked his Dad how he was doing and he said that he was fine. I asked if he was happier and he told me that he was happy in our home but truthfully it never seemed that way.

Today I was watching the History International Channel and I got to watch a Haunted History about Edinburgh. We had gone on the Mary King's Close tour while we were there. I have lots of photos of our trip that I had won. It was our first and only trip to Europe.



I was able to buy another song I had wanted to buy in the past but being too cheap to do so I never did because I didn't absolutely adore it. Don't get me wrong I loved it but I actually had to adore something. I hadn't heard it in a long time but I did today so I took some of my gift card money and bought it. The song is called Under The Milky Way By: The Church. The movie came from the soundtrack of the movie Donnie Darko.

We won 60 more MyCokeRewards points from the McDonald's Monopoly game. I always love winning so I am grateful for that.

The thing I'm most grateful for is gentle tonight's gentle breeze. The temperature got up into the 80s today and that's pretty good for an October day. It wasn't hot or humid just warm. I went outside around 7 PM to throw something in the trash can because trash day is tomorrow. Just as I stepped out the door a warm breeze gently played through the air. It was the kind of breeze that I always associate with Merriweather Post Pavilion summer concerts.

I stopped and closed my eyes and allowed the breeze to caress my bare arms. I opened my eyes and stared up at the sky. It was dark save the bright North Star. I went back inside to get my husband to share the feeling. Even though he didn't seem to "get it" he put his arms around me and said, "I love you." For the breeze and his love I am grateful.

Jennifer Petkov Loses Custody Of Her Children

Lest you missed this story, Jennifer Petkov decided to post disturbing pictures on Facebook of a neighbor's seven year old granddaughter who is dying of Huntington’s Disease. The girl's mother had also died from the same disease.

Jennifer being the kind of girl she is decided to post photos of the young girl being held by the grim reaper clutching the young girl in an effort to punish the neighbor's Grandmother who has been raising the girl.

Kathleen is battling juvenile Huntington’s disease, a progressive, genetic disorder that destroys the brain and causes death. There is no way to stop or reverse the disease, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website.

Jennifer seems to have been very busy this week as she was arrested this week. She allegedly attempted to hit a neighbor with her car. The woman pressing charges wasn’t related to Kathleen Edward, the little girl Jennifer was taunting, but she was on her way to visit the family.

Meanwhile there has been an outpouring of support, and this week Kathleen went on a $2000 shopping spree at Tree Town Toys in Ann Arbor, thanks to generous donations made by people who have learned of the story.

As for Jennifer, well she has lost custody of her own children recently as the the father of the children filed for emergency custody. Let's hope this is a better situation for these children. While the neighbor girl is the obvious victim in all this, the Petkov children are really the invisible victims in this entire sad affair.

Don't look for Jennifer to be canonized for Sainthood in this lifetime. Don't worry Jennifer, there may well be a special place in hell reserved just for someone of your caliber.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Erection

This is an instance where a picture is worth a thousand words.

Perhaps the one question I have is, "What happens if this erection last more than four hours?"

The Road To Serfdom In Five Minutes Or Less

Running a planned state from a central headquarters is clumsy, unfair and inefficient.



Planners never have delivered, never will be able to. It's all a tragic farce.



In a dictatorship there is no room for difference of opinion. Posters, radio, press, all tell you the same lies.

Day Seven of Forty Days of Gratitude

This morning I woke up around 2:00 feeling as though someone was pressing down on my chest. I am claustrophobic and in my dream I had been placed in a coffin and buried but I was alive and I Was trying desperately to get out. Just as I opened my eyes I wondered if I shouldn't have been cremated so my soul could be set free.

I glanced around the room that seemed to be bathed in moonlight. It was almost light enough to read by and I stared at the ceiling thankful that it had been just a dream. I turned to look over at my husband who was snoring almost in unison with our dog Blitz. I then curled up next to him and tried to go back to sleep.

Unfortunately for me, sleep just wouldn't come. Finally around 3:30 AM I decided to stop fighting it and go downstairs.

I began entering sweepstakes and writing blog posts for Thrifty Maven when I found this amazing story of a woman who had been pronounced brain dead. Amazingly before they began harvesting her organs they discovered that she was very much alive.

This story is so amazing I want to share it with you.



I didn't make the connection with my dream but when I told my husband about it he asked me if I had heard about this story the night before but I hadn't. I felt the coincidence was important enough to document it.

After receiving a $29 Amazon gift card I began spending it on some music downloads. I'm making a Halloween music CD so I bought the following songs for that: A Nightmare On My Street By: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha! Haa!! By: Napoleon's Ghost, Spooky by: Atlanta Rhythm Section,

I also bought some favorites from back in the 70's and early 80's like: So Into You by Atlanta Rhythm Section, Imaginary Lover By: Atlanta Rhythm Section, I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight By: Atlanta Rhythm Section , Whatcha Gonna Do? By: Pablo Cruise, and Don't Want To Live Without It By: Pablo Cruise

I love music and I am grateful for being able to finally be able to get these songs again.

We won 90 more MyCokerewards from the McDonald's Monopoly game and that's certainly something to be grateful for.

The thing I am most grateful for today is my health. Now that might seem odd considering I didn't get enough sleep and that made me very drowsy and sick early on in the day. I was finally able to take a nap after having some Mac & Cheese for lunch. I slept for about two hours and when I woke up I felt great. I realize that some people are dealing with real illness and they can't just nap off the effects like I was able to do. So for that I truly am grateful for my health.

Woman Drove Around With Mummified Body for Months

This is definitely a story to file in the "Wow That's Really Creepy" file.

Just in time for Halloween we have a story of a woman who was riding around with the mummified body of a homeless woman in her car. The driver of the vehicle did not contact authorities about her passenger's death because she was "concerned about telling the police about a dead body" in her car.

The investigation began Monday evening, when officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Tustin Avenue to follow up on a complaint that a 1997 Mercury Marquis was blocking a driveway.

"When they arrived, they attempted to locate the driver of the vehicle and during that investigation, they noted a strong odor being emitted from the vehicle," Beckman said. "Upon further inquiry they saw what appeared to be a foot sticking out from beneath some blankets in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. So they broke the window to get in and found the decedent seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle."

The driver of the vehicle initially denied knowledge of the corpse, but let's face it how could you not know that your passenger was dead? I mean the smell should have clued you in just in case her tendency to be stand-offish when it comes to conversation didn't clue you in.

The woman told police she had allowed a homeless woman whom she had befriended in December to sleep in her vehicle. She said the homeless woman had died for unknown reasons.

Authorities estimate the homeless woman, who is thought to have been between 50 and 60 years old, has been dead for between three and 10 months. Investigators also believe they know who she is, but they are are not releasing any information about her until they complete their investigation and notify the next of kin.

An autopsy that was conducted on the body earlier this week found no obvious signs of foul play, but the cause of death is still unknown.

Day Six Of Gratitude

Today I created my first test on Quia. I used to do all my tests online using a different program but that program stopped offering using it online. Very sad because it was easy to use. Well today I was able to create my first test and it was relatively easy to figure out even without using the directions. It only took me two guesses to figure out how to do it.

What I love about giving the tests online is that they are graded for me. It saves lots of time both on the grading side as well as on the copying side. Very green if you know what I mean.

I truly am grateful because I sure could use the help.

After work today we ran over to Lowes to pick out my counter top and sink. I will be getting a banjo sink. Instead of getting a double sink that's equal size, a banjo sink is one where one sink is bigger. Who knew? I liked the concept so that's what we are getting. I also selected a countertop today but I was surprised as at the one I selected. I thought I'd get one that was closer to a rose quartz but instead I ordered a different one that had not rose tint. I'm so very excited about this kitchen I can hardly believe this is finally happening.

Dinner tonight was at McDonalds and we won 60 more Mycokerewards. Now we have enough to get another magazine subscription. I am excited. We also have enough instant food wins to get two meals tomorrow from McDonalds.

Economics Goes Hollywood -Fear The Boom & Bust

I really liked this Rap video and meant to share it with my students when if first came out but I pushed it to the side. Then a co-worker sent me a copy and I decided to share it here.

Not sure who Hayek or Keynes are?

Friedrich August von Hayek, was an Austrian-born economist and philosopher best known for his defense of classical liberalism and free-market capitalism against socialist and collectivist thought. He is considered to be one of the most important economists and political philosophers of the twentieth century. Hayek's account of how changing prices communicate signals which enable individuals to coordinate their plans is widely regarded as an important achievement in economics.

John Maynard Keynes was a British economist whose ideas have profoundly affected the theory and practice of modern macroeconomics, as well as the economic policies of governments. He greatly refined earlier work on the causes of business cycles, and advocated the use of fiscal and monetary measures to mitigate the adverse effects of economic recessions and depressions. His ideas are the basis for the school of thought known as Keynesian economics.

I simply love this video and I think my students would too. What do you think?

On The Fifth Day Of Being Grateful

On the fifth day of being grateful my true love said to me, Let's pick out a kitchen. This time it's for real. I remember when I had the house in Acworth and I just loved that kitchen. I love running around just touching the counters. Cooking in that kitchen brough me such great joy.

When we moved back to Cartersville my heart just fell because I couldn't stand that kitchen. Since we weren't going to stay there long we fixed up the kitchen but it wasn't my dream kitchen. I was still mourning my old kitchen.

Coming back here should have made me happy. My kitchen here was OK but the counters had seams where food and dirt collected. The cabinets weren't wide enough to put away some of my dishes. You kind of have to tilt the dishes to get them on the shelf.

I felt better about this kitchen but right now everything's been on hold because we can't put everything away. Well now the day is finally coming. I picked out the cabinets and I could just cry. I'll soon have a kitchen that I could really love.

I told Mrs. F that I was going to get her Powerpoint done this weekend. I told her that she didn't have to worry. She told me she knew that she could count on me and that's why she asked me. It feels good to know that she realizes that I'm good at what I do.

Yesterday Darryl won 90 more MyCokeRewards points from the McDonalds Monopoly game. That's great. It's almost enough to buy a magazine. He also won a free sandwich and a free fry.

I really have so much to be grateful for.

Day For Of Forty Days Of Gratitude

Today was the day that the Tech Department finally came to fix my room. I can now use my smart board and it will make it easier to teach new skills.

I was also thrilled to realize that I am a paid member of Quia. I've been thinking about joining but I haven't done it because it costs $50 per year. I asked the school if they would pay it and they told me to submit a purchase order. I did just that and I don't remember receiving word that my membership had actually been paid.

This will really make things so much easier for me. Thank goodness. I really am grateful for this. Quia is a site that lets you give students tests online as well as play games like Rags to Riches or Jeopardy with their vocabulary. I am very grateful that my students will now have access to this site.

After school today we had to watch a DVD that was made in conjunction to the Dr. Ruby Payne book on poverty that we read. She talked about how many people who win the lottery are broke five years later. She was using this in her discussion of how money does not necessarily make you rich. She then said "And you thought God wasn't answering your prayers." Then she laughed.

I decided to do some quick research about lottery winners and here's what I have discovered.

Winning $15,000 a year for 20 years - no major effect on your life

Winning $80,000 a year for 20 years - would affect your labor force participation, automobile expenditures, the value of the home you own,and your savings.

According to a recent study by Guido W. Imbens, Donald B. Rubin, and
Bruce Sacerdote:

“Winning $15,000 a year for 20 years would not have a major effect on your life. However, if you instead won $80,000 a year for 20 years, it would affect your labor force participation, automobile expenditures, the value of the home you own, and your savings.

The survey gives a uniquely historic insight into the lives of Lottery winners over the last five years. I have summarized the article.

55% - are happier after winning
43% - no affect on happiness
2% - are less happy

“The happiness of the winner is not affected by the size of his or her win.”

“Winning the Lottery appears to have very little impact on the winners’ perception of their social class or their political persuasion.”


According to Dr. H. Roy Kaplan author of several books on lottery winners, “winning the lottery doesn't change people's lives as much as is imagined.

“You can catapult people from one economic status to another overnight, but a lifetime of beliefs and experiences change more slowly.

People who were outgoing and gregarious before winning took it in stride," Kaplan said. "People who were shy and withdrawn before winning became suspicious and paranoid.

Most lottery winners keep their jobs, but find their relationship with co-workers changed. Most are inundated with requests for money, both from friends and strangers.

Money doesn't change a person's level of happiness, said Kennon Sheldon, a psychologist at the University of Missouri at Columbia. "We consistently find that people who say money is most important to them are (the unhappiest)," Sheldon said.”

I just thought that was interesting so I thought I'd share.

By The Way, The Rent's Too Damn High

Jimmy McMillan of the Rent is Too Damn High Party stole the show and you can certainly see why.

Of course if you are really looking for a long shot check out Alvin Greene.



So repeat after me. The rent's too damn high and Demint started the recession.

A Day Of Gratitude Trebled

As I think about the things I am grateful for I would have to start with the fact that the Internet came back up today during second period. How great! Now my students could work on their projects.

I might also say that I am grateful for the fact that I found the cord that allows me to print from my computer. This really helps make things easier for me. You see ever since I had to move my desk I haven't been able to print anything so I had to save the documents and then walk down to the library to print it out there. Talk about wasted time.

Finally I was grateful for the cup of vanilla soft serve ice cream I enjoyed today. I loved the cream texture and I always love a treat.

Two Workers Killed In Henning, TN Post Office Shooting

Two gunmen opened fire Monday at the post office in Henning, killing two workers during what a survivor and authorities described as an attempted robbery.

District Attorney Mike Dunavant said the case involved "disturbing violence" but did not elaborate.

"We will determine who's responsible for this violence and bring those people to justice," District Attorney General Mike Dunavant said.

The United States Postal Service announced a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.

Henning is one of those places where people would say it can't happen here. Henning is so small that it doesn't even offer home delivery and the residents pick up their mail at the post office. It is located approximately 50 miles northeast of Memphis and was the boyhood home of Alex Haley.

police are searching for two suspects who left the scene in a maroon Chevrolet Malibu, another assertion that neither of the officials would confirm.

Gratitude To The Second Power

Lately my dog has taken to waking me up at 3:30 or so in the morning. This morning I was able to sleep in to 5::15 am. That alone should be a gratitude moment.

I began the day with a Starbucks Green Tea Latte and some oatmeal. I was able to get some sweeps entered as well as promote my blog before I had to head out the door.

Today should be listed as a bad day. Not a horrible day but a day with bad news that was doubled. It began with finding out that the server was done. The school's Internet servers had all gone down because an upstairs water fountain had busted and water had run down into the building taking the server out of commission. This meant that the kids did not have access to the Internet which means that they couldn't do their scheduled assignment in most of the classes. Thank goodness I had a Plan B.

I am looking upon this as a gratitude moment because I was prepared with a relevant Plan B and not some word search.

Perhaps I could have looked upon the fact that there were Otis Spunkmeyer cookies on a huge tray in the front office. I took a bunch to distribute to my department coworkers as well as some for my Sixth Period. I used the cookies to help get them to participate in today's activity about Business Organizations.

Maybe I should look upon the fact that the Internet wasn't working because I was actually able to discover a whole source of projects for use in Entrepreneurial Ventures that I never used before.

I had gone to the Georgia Real Workshop about five years ago and they had lots of great projects to use in my classroom. I thought I had been accessing all of them and already used some of the best ones already. Little did I know there was this whole other section and when I found it I was thrilled. So I would say that I was grateful that I found that section. Can you believe that section has been there that long and I never realized it?

By the end of the day I was anxious to leave but I knew I had a parent conference. This was going to be a good one because the boy was making an A in my class so I figured my time would be quick.

I was just getting ready to head down the hall when I talked to Ms. N. She asked where I was going and I told her that I was headed over to see the parent. She asked if I would be seeing any other parents. I asked why and that's when she told me that we had to stay until 5:30PM. That blind-sided me. She said this was the parent-teacher conference night.

Great. Just great. That threw me. I could have got upset but I tried to focus on the positive. I decided to go out to the car and retrieve a book I was reading.

While I certainly would have loved to work on lesson plans, I was grateful for the chance to read a book. The book I was reading is about Fark which is a really great site for stupid news junkies like myself. I wish I'd known about it a long time ago. I read about four chapters while I waited for parents to come to my classroom. I had a grand total of two. Yippee!!!

Finally, when I got home from work I discovered a FedEx package that contained my glasses. I had sent off the frames to have new lenses put in them for a review. The lenses were supposed to be lightweight and believe me they were.

Here is my chance though to show how stupid I can truly be. You see I noticed that there was those blue dots on the lenses that optometrists put on for measurement purposes. I was so anxious to see how they felt and see how they turned out I didn't try wiping them clean. Instead I plunked them right on and picked up an envelope from the table to read the return address.

The lenses seemed really fuzzy and I removed it to rub my eyes and then replaced them back on my face. I thought to myself, these glasses really need to be cleaned because this is bad. I took them back off to clean them and that's when I noticed that there was a thin coat of plastic on the lenses t protect the lenses. When I removed the plastic of course the glasses turned out to be just fine. So I'm really grateful to have another pair of glasses.

So in spite of all the bad things that happened I still found some things to be grateful for.

Elesa Annette Baker

This latest dissapearance of a young child is especially sad because the young girl is a cancer survivor. In the short time she's been on earth she already wears a prosthetic leg and hearing aids.

Zahra Claire Baker is a 10-year-old White female, approximately 5 feet 0 inches tall, weighing 55 pounds. She has brown hair, and blue eyes. Camouflage Army T-shirt, black knee-length tights and left prosthetic leg. Last known address:

21 21st Ave, Hickory, NC

It is believed that Zahra Baker сουld hаνе bееn a victim οf domestic violence. An investigator recently come by the home because DSS had received reports that Zara had bruises on her body and was being kept in her room most of the time.

Police said Elisa Baker has not been eliminated as a person of interest in Zahra's disappearance.

If you are nosey like me, here is some of her cyber-footprints

Elesa Annette Baker facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/elesa.young?v=wall Pictures of Zahra and family http://www.flickr.com/photos/54746494@N07/#!/elesa.young?v=wall

Interestingly enough she posted the following items back in May

Elesa Annette Baker people that live in those glass houses should remember their secrets aren't secrets anymore....

May 27 at 6:18pm via Facebook for BlackBerry.
Elesa Annette Baker You only live life once,so why cant ppl. get their own and stay out of mine......

I guess there will be a lot more people in her business now that her step-daughter is missing.

Here is her twitter link:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/fairygirl6668

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Elesa Baker was arrested at about 10:45 a.m. Sunday on nine unrelated warrants and charges.

Six counts of worthless checks in Catawba County
Six counts of worthless checks in Caldwell County
Failure to return rental property in Caldwell County
Larceny by employee in Burke County
Failure to appear on three counts of communicating threats in Caldwell County
Failure to appear on charges of driving without a license and unsafe tires in Caldwell County


Arraigned Offenses for Case Number: 2007052949 CR
Arraigned Defendant Name: BAKER,ELISA,ANNETTE
County: CALDWELL
Court Date: 11/18/2010
Session: AM
Court Room: 0001

Offense Code Description Statute
2636 Misdemeanor FRAUD DISPOSAL MORTGAGE PROP 14-114
------------------------------------------------------------
Arraigned Offenses for Case Number: 2010050756 CR
Arraigned Defendant Name: BAKER,ELISA,ANNETTE
County: CALDWELL
Court Date: 11/18/2010
Session: AM
Court Room: 0001

Offense Code Description Statute
2649 Misdemeanor FAIL RETN PROP RENTD PUR OPT 14-168.4

40 Days Of Gratitude

I was speaking to my students the other day about focus and I realize that it's been awhile since I focused upon the things for which I am grateful. I decided to spend a few minutes every day being grateful.

I have much to be grateful for today so narrowing it down to one thing was difficult but I would have to say I was grateful for a Scandle Massage.

My husband offered to give me a massage with Scandle Candle soy oil candle. I had done a review on this product before and I had given my husband a massage back then. The Scandle candle is all natural and are made from FDA approved ingredients including shea butter, cosmetic grade soy butter, jojoba, vitamin E, & body safe fragrance or essential oils. It had a wonderful scent and it made my skin feel soft but definitely not greasy.

I had always hoped to have a husband that loved and cared for me and I am so grateful for my husband. After the stressful week I had last week, I really needed a massage. While this is not a commercial for Scandle Massage Candles I would certainly buy them again as long as my husband is the one doing the massage.

It Gets Better

Reacting to a rash of suicides committed by gay teenagers in America who were bullied, a Fort Worth, Texas, city councilman Joel Burns delivered an emotional address.

It is NEVER right to bully. I was on the receiving end of bullying for years because I grew up in a poor family. I was called ugly, they laughed at my clothes, they laughed at my hair, and I would sometimes be chased home from school by girls who would beat me up when they caught me. One time I was sitting in music class and a girl sitting behind me put gum in my hair. Another time I was walking home from school and someone hit me in the face with a snow ball that contained a big rock. The person who threw it called me a pig. The taunts were ever present.

Eventually I grew up and my life changed. It does get better but it can be difficult to imagine that your life won't always be a living nightmare when you are going through it.

To be honest, I never really thought much about homosexuality for years. It just never seemed a pressing issue to me. Then a few years back I began hearing young people say "That's so gay." or "You're acting gay."

What does that mean exactly? I was told that was like saying "You're lame" or "That's retarded" None of these phrases should ever be used, not gay, not lame, not retarded. I've got an idea. If someone does something stupid say, "That was so stupid" or "You're acting dumb".

While I never allowed kids to say the whole, "You're so gay" comment in my classroom, it never really touched me until my nephew came out to us. Then I put a real face to what this really meant. It was not just the wrong thing to say I really began to say to myself, I'd hate for someone to say this about my nephew.

Please, if you use anti-gay terms STOP! Be the example for your kids. Let it begin with you. Let change begin with you.

Will Rich Whitey Win?

As a Business Teacher, I often explain to my students how important it is to Proofread. I tell them stories of how one wrong word in a contract can cost a company a great deal of money. In this case, a typo might just cost a candidate some votes.

It appears that Election officials in Chicago say Green Party candidate Rich Whitney is listed as Rich "Whitey" on some electronic-voting machines in Chicago.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the misspelling turned up on touch-screen machines in 23 wards and it can't be corrected by Election Day.

Wow. I mean who wants to vote for a "Rich Whitey"? Doesn't it seem that everyone is tired of "The Man" and in the voters mind the man is a "rich white man"?

Chicago Board of Elections spokesman Jim Allen says Whitney's name is spelled correctly onWhitney says he's considering legal action because he worries the mistake will impact the vote.

Let this be a lesson to us all. Proofread, proofread, proofread.

The $13.3 Trillion Debt is a Myth

You can rest easy because Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) wants you to know the $13.3 Trillion Debt is a Myth. Don't you feel better now?

By the way Rep. Phil Hare is the same Phil Hare that calls questions about the Constitutionality of bills “silly” and is a member of the Socialist caucus in the House.

The Dems keep saying put the car in D to go forward and R to go back, well keeping guys like this in office is like putting your car in P for Park.

Any Mother Would Put A Pillow Over A Babies Head

Oh my God! Oh My God! Oh My God! This woman is Virginia Ironside an advice columnist and journalist. Virginia has also written quite a few books. She also has some very "interesting" ideas as to what makes a good mother.


VOICE: And I think that if I were a mother of a suffering child, I would be the first to want I mean a deeply suffering child I would be the first one to put a pillow over its head. I would with any suffering thing and I think the difference is that my feeling of horror suffering is many greater than my feeling of getting rid of a couple of cells because suffering can go on for years.

VOICE: I'm sorry. I was just about to introduce the next guest, but that is a pretty horrifying thing to say.

VOICE: What?

VOICE: That you would put a pillow over a

VOICE: Of course I would, if it was a child I really loved who was any agony. I think any mother would.

PAT: It's about love.

VOICE: I think any mother would.

PAT: She doesn't even know what was outrageous.

VOICE: This would shock most people.

VOICE: I don't know any mother who wouldn't say if this was there was nothing else that could be done and it was

VOICE: That's just not true. That's just

VOICE: Do you think mothers would agree with you?

VOICE: I think a lot would. Maybe not any, but a lot.

VOICE: Dr. Peter Evans is from the Christian medical

Worthy of note, one of her books was: How to Have a Baby and Stay Sane (1989). Gosh, I wonder if one of her suggestions is smothering your child with a pillow.

I Won Again

My decision to buy lottery tickets with my buy one get one free tickets as well as my free ticket wins paid off for me in a small way.

I used the same strategy as I did last time, looking for a series of used scratch offs that were tossed away and selecting the next available one from that game. I lost on my first ticket but won $7 on my second ticket.

I was shocked to discover that I actually matched THREE numbers on Mega Millions, one of them the Mega Number. This netted me $10 additional dollars.

The funny story was a non-win. I checked my pick 4 ticket. I handed the cashier my coupon and just asked for 2 Pick 4 tickets. I wound up being in the evening drawing and since I don't generally play this game I had no clue about box or straight. She handed me back my tickets and they've sat in my purse all week. When I checked the number it turned out that three IF's stood in the way of me almost winning $1,200.

The first thing was the time of day I purchased my ticket. Had I purchased them an hour earlier I would have been in the morning drawing. Had I realized that I could have asked for box I could have had the numbers in any order and my numbers began 75 and not 57. The final problem was the third number was off by one. You see I ad three of the four numbers and for that I get Jack Nothing. Oh well, better luck next time.

The Green Police Are Blowing Up Children

No pressure!

No satire is not lost on me. As a matter of fact, I'm certain small children who saw this ad would laugh and laugh, or maybe not.

Imagine if a conservative group did a commercial in the similar manner about, oh I don't know Obama's Health Care package or abortion. You don't agree with us, fine, no pressure. Boom!

Oh I'm sure the liberals would laugh and laugh and see the parody, or maybe not.

Kind of brings the idea of Eco-terrorism to a whole new level doesn't it?