My Adventures and Travels

Something funny happened as the Thanksgiving games were winding down for the evening...the couch started ringing! Of the 6 of us there, all of us claimed it was NOT our phone. Since Toni had 2, but had left, I sent him a text message to see if he had both of them. He didn't reply. It took a while for it to dawn on me (maybe it was the red wine?)...wait a second...if his phone is the one in the couch...maybe he didn't get the message....ah ha! So I called him instead, and sure enough, the couch started ringing. What makes this blog-worthy, you might be asking? Why not reach in, pull it out, and return it? Well, it was the extraction process. Apparently Andrew & Timi's couch is very high-tech with all sorts of secret compartments inside. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. First, Carl tries conventional methods. Then, he goes at it from above while my dad tries to get it from the floor. Soon, it becomes clear that more drastic measures are necessary. (I might...

Oh, don't get me wrong, the food was good. Really good. Problem is, we ate it too quickly to take any pictures. That happens, when you save your appetite for the big meal....when it comes, all you want to do is EAT! Timi prepared another wonderful Thanksgiving meal for us, with all the fixin's. This year, those in attendance were Timi and cousin Andrew, of course, my dad, 2 brothers, and boyfriend Toni. Brother Carl After the feast, we started playing games. First, there were several rounds of Uno, and most of us had a chance to win at least one. Then, we brought out the Clue, which dad won by default because everyone else guessed wrong! Andrew and Peter think Uno strategy, while Timi explains how Clue is played.

So, I was on dessert duty this year. Several guests, including our hostess, aren't into pumpkin pie, so first, I bought a cheesecake plate. Then there was the pie. Do I buy one or make one? Does it count to buy a crust and pour a can of pie mix in? Does the can have a recipe on the back? Clearly, I needed some help. I decided to consult my mom. However, with her being a wonderful cook, I had to lay down some ground rules. Mainly, I was not making a crust. I was also buying a can of whipped cream instead of making my own. She did give me my grandma (her mom's) recipe, and some tips, and also she reminded me to buy a pie pan, which she suspected I did not own. So, off I went to the store to buy the necessary ingredients, and, yes, pan. (Also, as a precautionary measure, and sister of 2 voracious 20-something brothers, a backup pie.) Thursday morning, I started cooking. With the crust made, it was pretty easy, and wasn't long until my house started smelling GREAT! Proud of m...

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm not sure if I'm behind, or just don't have much to blog about...who wants to read an entry about the trials and tribulations of entering report card grades, after all? The weekend before last, I had a little incentive to finish report cards before the weekend though...I had other plans! Once a year, my mom and I attend a Creative Memories scrapbooking retreat. It is always somewhere in the mountains, this year in beautiful Estes Park. We are fed and given large tables to spread out our gear. We always bring a couple bottles of wine and make a weekend of it! I FINALLY finished my Costa Rica scrapbook that I started last fall, and got started on Peru. My mom worked on her Africa pictures-getting most of Mount Kilimanjaro done, and starting on her safari pictures! Most "scrappers" are documenting their children's or grandchildren's milestones...but not us! I wish I had pictures of my mom and the room we were using, but alas, I think the thought of even MO...

Okay, I'll admit it...the World Series didn't go exactly as I would have liked. But come on. We made it to the World Series! Boston did it the boring, old fashioned way-they played great baseball all year long. We took a less traditional approach. By now everyone has heard of the winning 21/22 baseball games, where the first 14 of those games were Must Win, because in mid-September, we were 4 1/2 games back. It was exciting! I was lucky to go to many of the games toward the end of the season, and I may never see as exciting game as our playoff-playoff come from behind in the 13th inning, win. It was fun to be a part of, and the Rockies made history. So, another season over, time to recuperate and start looking towards spring training. My students have already assured me that "they will play again next year" even though guarantees of wins haven't been as plentiful. So, thanks for a great year!

Okay, you didn't think I'd want to post about the World Series at this point, did you??? I thought an update of hairstyles was in order, however. First, we have student #1 from a previous blog , with his mohawk dyed purple. Thursday was Rockies Spirit Day at school. The kids participated, even after getting whomped 13-1 the night before. Now, we have a new style from another student. If only the parents spent as much time reading with their kids as they do on hair....but that's another issue. And that's not all. My good friend Chris is a huge Red Sox fan (although he'll cheer for the Rockies any other time, as shown in previous posts). In the spirit of friendly competition, there have been all sorts of hi-jinx going on this week. First, there is the bet between Jim and Chris....if the Rockies win the series, Chris has to dye his hair purple, and if the Sox win, Jim will be a redhead for a day. Next (and most brilliantly, in my opinion) we (it was my idea) decided t...

You know life has been hectic if the Rockies made it into the World Series almost a week ago, I was at the game, and no posting has occurred yet! Okay. Monday. Got into a minor fender-bender on the way downtown which really delayed things. Then my battery died, from having the hazards on. At that point, I figured my day had to get better, because it really couldn't get worse. It did (get better, that is). :) The Rockies beat the Diamondbacks, 6-4, and SWEPT the series (again; more broom pictures to be posted later) to win the National League Pennant and a pass to the World Series, for the first time ever!!!! It was very exciting, needless to say. After the game, they presented the NL pennant and had a little ceremony. The game was really long, it started at 8:18pm and at 10:00 it was only the 4th inning. The only reason this was important was because...I had to pick Toni up at the airport AFTER the game! So that happened at about 1am, then I drove him up to his house in Lafayette. ...

What is it about sports? Why do we pay athletes millions of dollars to play a game? Why do we act as though it's the end of the world if "our" team loses? And we party in the streets when they win, even with all of the other problems in the world and in our lives? Even living in a big sports town, I never really got it (especially football!). It's a diversion. Probably anyone else could have told me that, had I asked. But what better way to forget about your lousy day at work or really tough week, than to watch a baseball game as if your life depends on the outcome? Maybe there's a reason my last 6 posts have been about baseball! (Well, that's how I've spent my time, going to baseball games and going to work. You really don't want me to blog about work.) Oh, I still think professional athletes are grossly overpaid. I still don't get football. But we could all use a little diversion from time to time.

Note on the video: this was not the game ending and the win. I think the pitcher threw a strike or something. That is just how loud and excited the crowd was! The Rockies came home from winning 2 games in Philly to sweep them at home! They are going to be playing the D-Backs next in the NLCS. Wow! Julia and I had a great time sitting in the Rock Pile and watching our guys win. And I tell you what, they really go all out for these playoff games! They did the huge flag on the field for the National Anthem, and released hundreds of balloons afterwards. There were fireworks before and after the game! The best part of all, though, was all the fans and energy at the game (except for the 14 minute power outage). The Rockies have never made it this far in the playoffs! Before the game, we were entertained by people all over Denver casually carrying brooms around with them, on the light rail, and through the streets. There were also vendors with hundreds of brooms for sale! Thank goodness we wo...

My video from the 13 inning playoff - playoff game is too big. Until I figure out how to edit it, here are some pics from the big game. Tomorrow: Game 3 vs. Phillies. We are up 2-0, coming home, and I. Have. Tickets. :)

Pictures, video, and details to follow but.... WE DID IT! 162 games weren't enough so we had 163. 9 innings weren't enough either so it went 13 innings. We came back from being behind 8-6 in the 13th inning to WIN! I have never seen anything like that game!

Wow. That was the best game I have EVER been to. After Friday's devastating loss, there was only a slim, slim chance of us making the playoffs. Basically, the padres had to lose both of their remaining games, and we had to win both. It was pretty sad. Well...go figure....WE DID IT! I was pretty disappointed, getting to Coors field to find San Diego winning 3-0. Because what we did didn't matter unless they lost. Well, everytime the score was shown for the san-diego-milwaukee game, the crowd went totally wild....milwaukee came back to win 11-4!! and the Rockies won in a great, 4-3 nailbiter! YAHOOOOOOOO! Even better, we are going to the tiebreaker game tomorrow for the wild card spot with the Padres- Thanks Chris! Yippee!

"Who woulda thunk?" That's a quote from mlb.com The rest of Denver just remembered that we have a baseball team. All it took was 11. Straight. Wins. And tonight, my guys are coming home to play the division leaders...AND I'll be at the game! I also heard on the radio that Vegas's odds on the Rockies WINNING the World Series are 15-1! Okay, guys, let's keep this up for 3 more games, shall we?

After last nights game, I have to celebrate (especially in case my parade is rained on soon). Padres: in 1st place for the wild card in the National League, on a 7-game winning streak, and at home. Rockies: 4.5 games back, on a 5-game winning streak, and on the road. Rockies were up 1-0 until the Padres hit a single homer in the 9th to tie it. Finally, in the 14th inning, the Rockies win it! Woohoo! Way to go, guys! Sunday update: this parade hasn't been rained on yet! Rockies swept the Padres in San Diego, winning 8 straight and moving within 1.5 games of the wild card-yippee!

This is a test blog, to see how the video upload works. The video is from the Inti Raymi celebration that went on when I was in Peru. Don't bother getting out your Spanish-English dictionaries; the ceremony is held in the Quechua language. Try not to get sea-sick! I was sitting on quite a steep hill.

I just got an email from my mom that she and Mark successfully summited Mt. Kilimanjaro-Africa's highest peak at 19,340 feet! Way to go, Mom! Next, a day off, and an African safari. Wow.

Not much is new. I've been sick for the last week. "Student A" got a hair trim, so his spider web is even spiffier, and red with blue tips (patriotic!). Also, my mom left for Tanzania, Africa on Saturday to climb Mt. Kilamanjaro! Not sure how that is spelled. So, I am dog-sitting my favorite dog, Lucy. The good: it's an excuse to leave work early, and get out and walk! The bad: she wants to walk, even when it's raining! But, she's a doll. And, watching her every now and then reminds me why I don't have a dog, though I love 'em...no yard, not home enough. Oh, also, I am actually interested in baseball in September, so that's new, the Rox are holding their own! This is unusual. And, I decided to re-read all 6 Harry Potter books before diving into #7. I'm on the 4th one. That is all, I think!

You asked, Deb. "Student A" has a different color mohawk almost every day! I think it was red the first day of school, blue the next, and then red with blue tips. Variety is nice! Today it was brown. "Student B" just showed up with this new design today. There are also plenty of pigtails, straight hair, curly hair, buzz cuts, and even a couple redheads, but no photos!

"Working is hard, that's why they call it work, and that's why they pay me to be here." That's what one of my coworkers always says, instead of complaining. She's right. Tuesday was my first day back...a half day of school, and back to school night. Then, I had to keep on going back every single day! What a shock. It's been pretty good, and totally exhausting. The beginning of the year always is, as you try to get to know the kids and build a good relationship, but not let them walk all over you, and get to know the parents, and which kids they go with, and whatever is going on with them. Oh yeah, and then there's the fact that my classroom has had standing water in it the last two mornings I have come in to work. Apparently, the drainage from the roof comes down right outside my room (it is supposed to) but then it just sits there...seeps under the building...and up through my floor. Gross, huh? And then there's the mold factor. Our custodian has...