Something Funny I Heard Today...

You all know I am a high school teacher and I hear some great things...but today I got my first winner of the year! I couldn't resist sharing it with you.

Let me preface this by saying that I am changing names to protect the not so innocent.

Today I gave the kids some time to work on a handout. I was hoping to make it so they wouldn't have homework on a holiday weekend (aren't I nice?) As I sat at my desk putting names in my gradebook (which is a milestone in the school year--you aren't truly organized until the names are in the gradebook!) I noticed Fred sitting at his desk doodling on his paper, drawing on the desk (with his eraser), doodling some more. After about five minutes of watching Fred, I told him to get busy. He got busy--with more doodling and eraser drawings. I again (politely and quietly) told him to get to work on his handout. He resumed working on wasting time. Finally, after four more prompts and miles of frustration from me, I told him to come to my desk with his paper.

He arrived with his blank paper and I asked him what he had accomplished. He shrugged and smirked (I hate the smirk..it's like saying "kiss my ass, lady...you can't make me do this"). I told him he had precisely one minute to get something other than doodling done on that paper or I was sending him out with a referral for defiance.

Fred heads back to his desk, looks right at me, and begins his eraser antics again. I about lost it. But, being the calm and rational person I am, I simply (politely) asked him to take his paper and step in the hall. I followed.

I found Fred leaning arrogantly against the wall, still blank handout in hand. I was thinking he maybe didn't understand it and was embarrassed to ask question in front of class, so maybe he would admit to being confused in the hall and break down and beg forgiveness for his sloth-like behavior...(okay, so I knew that wasn't even close, but I was giving him the benefit of the doubt)

Instead, here is our conversation:

Me: Fred, why aren't you doing your work? You have nothing written down and you had nearly thirty minutes.

Fred: Well, it's Friday and I just don't feel like working.

Me (after a brief internal thought of "What? we've gone to work optional Friday and no one told me?!?!"): Well, Fred, we all have to do things we don't like...like me, for instance...I have to watch you do no work because you think you don't have to because it's Friday.

Fred: I plan on doing it at home this weekend

Me (internally saying "riiiiight): So you are going to tell me that you won't do work on a Friday BUT you will do it over a three day weekend?

Fred: *shrug*...*smirk*

It was the smirk that did it. I wrote him up right then and there (I did give him the opportunity to tell me why he shouldn't be sent to an administrator and he didn't have a good reason...I guess that was too much like work)

The funniest part of all? Fred had a three hour Friday school today because of a discipline issue from last week.

Ain't irony grand?

A Little Help, Please :-)

Today I enlist your help...

Over the summer, my skin was perfect...not oily, no major problems...nada. Glowing, even, as my husband said.

Then work happened and my face (especially my forehead) gets oily and shiny during the day...I can't stand it. The funny thing: it isn't bad at all during the weekends.

I have tried everything I can think of--cleansers for oily skin types, oil eliminating astringents, oil absorbing masks--the whole bit...but nothing seems to work. I don't wear foundation...only mineral powder (which is oil free).

Does anyone have any remedies I may be able to try? A product that you love that keeps your face matte and shine free? It can be a home remedy, a product--anything. I have been looking at products online, but I am afraid that they won't work. If I have some recommendations from trusted bloggers such as yourself, I may stand a chance.

Unconventional post for me, I know, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask, right?

Thanks! :-)

Wordless Wednesday...

Tagged...With a Virus?

Skittles' tagged me with a new meme this afternoon (and I still think she is nice)...

Mother's Home! has started a new and innovative meme! "Remember passing 'round a piece of paper when you were a kid, and everyone had to add a sentence to make up a story? Well, we did that, anyway...Why not try that as a meme? I can't say that it's a new approach to viral linking, I don't know if it's been done before, but there should be plenty of Linky Love for everyone as the story grows and moves around the Blogosphere!"

Rules:
1. Copy and paste the story below, and the rules, on your blog.
2. Find out who you're going to tag. (2-3 people, or more, if you wish)
3. Write one or two sentences to continue the story, and use the titles of the blogs you're tagging or any word(s) associated with them as keywords in the links you include in your part of the story.
4. Remember to tell your taggees that you've tagged them!
5. Feel free to use this and start your own viral link story.

I'd very much appreciate a link back to Mother's Home if you do. (Or a tag, if you prefer!)

Sounds like fun! Here's what we have so far...

Once upon a time, after the evil stepmom had put up a Barbed wire fence around everything, the Empress came and shouted: "I've come to give you A little piece of me mind!"

The evil stepmom, Shelby, came out to see what all the Rambling from this Crazy person was about.

I am adding...
The cranky, evil stepmom watched in horror as the insane person began to parade around singing "A Boy Named Sue."

So, I tag...
The Cranky Librarian
My Dogs Keep Me Sane
The Turtle Parade

Have fun and be sure to tag others so this keeps moving!

Honored Once Again...

Skittles never ceases to amaze me...not only is she one of the strongest and honest women I have ever "met," but she also takes the time to pass kind words and thought to other people...and she got me again today. She has given me the "Nice Matters" award...see:

This award is reserved for people who are, well...just nice people. Usually I wait to pass these along, but because we all need a little niceness in our day, I will pass it on now:

To Beth at I Should be Folding Laundry: I have wondered by her site numerous times and her posts are always upbeat and pleasant--not only that, she also takes a lot of time out of her busy schedule to help others (her latest was a 5k Run/Walk in the rain). I think she highly deserves this award.

To Marci at The Myriad Musings of Marci: Marci has been through a lot lately, but she stills remains a strong spiritual leader, an optimist, and a downright amusing blogger. Her post about PostSecret was enough to make me feel she deserved this award. I have also never seen a bad word about anyone on her site. She is quite nice indeed.

To Andrew at Random Acts of Kindness: This kid sis doing great things everyday. He seems to be a nice person in the blogging world and the real world. I know the award is kind of frilly and pink, but it's the thought that counts, right?

So, bloggers. Visit these nice people...you won't be sorry!

What's Wrong With People?

In an earlier post, I talked about the man who abused his dog, China, only to get her back in the long run. I wondered for a long time what was wrong with him and the judge because I think both are crazy. Then, just as a thought that I had heard the height of insanity, I read a story Friday that made me nauseous.

Scott Braunstein, operator of House of Reptiles in my great state of Kentucky, traveled around to schools and festivals with his many reptiles. He did this in hopes of educating people about them. Let's face it--reptiles have a bad reputation all around, so he was trying to make people see that they aren't all that bad. One of the "stars" of his show was Popcorn--a two year old, ten foot long albino Burmese Python. The snake was calm, loved attention, and usually was content laying in the sun at festivals and enjoying the attention.

Last Sunday, all that changed.

Braunstein was sitting in the petting zoo area while Popcorn lounged in the sun. People walked by and pointed and laughed about this huge animal just lying there. Then a boy wandered into the petting zoo area and stood next to Popcorn. He proceeded to tell Braunstein that he hated snakes. Braunstein told the boy that that was okay (since he was used to that kind of thing). He asked the boy just to leave the snake be because it wasn't bothering anyone.

Instead, the boy lifted his foot and brought it down on the python's head.

Popcorn went into convulsions. As Braunstein tended to his python, the boy's father appeared, grabbed him, said "This is why I can't take you anywhere," and rushed off through the crowd. He didn't apologize, ask if there was anything he could do...nothing.

Popcorn later died because the blow severed his head from his spinal cord.

I can't believe the boy took such drastic actions just because he doesn't like snakes. Honestly, I hate spiders, but I'm not going to do to the insect house at the zoo and try to kill them all. I just stay away. I also want to know how the father could have just grabbed the kid and walked away. He has taught his son nothing except how to get away when you commit a crime.

Braunstein is hoping that someone saw the pair and turn them in, but it hasn't happened yet. He also plans to try to use this tragedy as an educational opportunity for the future.

So, the snake stomping boy and his father have been added to my list of people who make no sense to me whatsoever. How people can harm other living things like that is a mystery to me...and how people can watch it happen and say nothing is a greater mystery.

Just Call Me Sugar Britches.

My friend The Cranky Librarian posted herself as an M&M and I couldn't resist playing along (distraction from cleaning my house and the other many things)...so, allow me to present...

The One...The Only...Sugar Britches from Down Yonder!

Please notice that she is holding a coffee cup (one of my needed things throughout the day) and she is wearing sandals (I boycott actual shoes from spring until September). Also, since TJ was in Florida for a week and I was so very jealous, I decided that I would virtually go somewhere exotic as an M&M. Never fear, however...the tropical sun won't melt me. I am using sun repellent :-)

If you want to play, go to Become and M&M and create you...and post it for all to see.

Later I will post myself as a Simpson's character...another welcome distraction.

Have a great Saturday. I am off for more cleaning and TJ comes home today (hooray!)

Keep Me in Your Thoughts, Please

Hello all. It has been a rough couple of days in Rambling Shan Land.

Last night my mom told me that my dad was in the hospital. He had been feeling poorly for some time and finally went to the hospital. They ran some tests and admitted him, saying he had diverticulitis. He was supposed to be in for 24 hours and go home. I found out this morning that they wanted to keep him for another day to run more tests. When I just talked to my mom, she said now they are thinking of keeping him through the weekend. I don't know why...they say it's for more tests.

Then, as I talked to Mom, she also informed my that my dad's dad died this morning. He had been in a nursing home for over a year and it is a blessing, but I worry that my dad feels guilty that he didn't get to visit him yesterday (he always saw him on Wednesdays). So, it is all crazy here. My grandpa and I weren't actually close, but he's family, so it's still hard.

I am still going to yoga tonight (something to distract me for the next couple of hours) and TJ is in Florida until Saturday, so I am feeling a bit out of sorts. I may not post for awhile (or maybe I will--it will help with the distraction).

Thanks, fellow bloggers.

Wordless Wednesday!

(For those who read the cell phone tower post, the proposed tower is going in right in front of the large white barn in the photo...grrrrr...)

Inspirational Blogger...

Long ago (in a land far, far, away), Skittles bestowed upon my the lovely inspirational blogger award. I am now passing it on.

I pass this award to my fellow blogger and work friend, The Cranky Librarian. I pass this along to her because she is an inspiration. You see, my friend Cranky is a cancer survivor. She battled through quite possibly the roughest time anyone could ever go through and she has come out strong. She has a raised a fabulous daughter, organized Relay for Life at our school for the American Cancer Society and still finds time to blog.

For some people the ordeals that she has endured would break them--for her, I think they made her stronger.

So, Cranky (AKA Library Lady), please accept this inspirational blogger award. Post it proudly on your blog and feel free to pass it along if you wish.

Heads or Tails Tuesday!

It's another installment of Skittles' Heads or Tails Tuesday! And today the lovely lady called tails...our task this week: list ways that luck has played a role in your life...

Luck.

Funny how one word can be both good and bad, isn't it? Since Luck is the topic of the day I feel it is only fair to look at both sides--after all, you can't have one without the other, right?

Let's start with the bad (since good things are worth waiting for).

1. I am notorious for liking some product (be it food, haircare, face care...whatever) and having it suddenly vanish from store shelves forever (does anyone remember Cookies and Cream Drumsticks? Those were amazing--and they vanished.) This never happens to my husband...ever.
2. I am also notorious for having TV shows I like go off the air in the middle of a season (most recently The Nine, Daybreak, and Pirate Master). In a stroke of semi-good luck, The Ninecame back on a few weeks ago--but it's been so long since I saw it that I am totally lost (sob).
3. If there is a severe weather/breaking news alert, they will always interrupt in the most important part of a show that I am watching. Although there are many people saying "Oh, come on...this happens to me all the time" let me elaborate: A few weeks ago I wanted to watch the finale of The Next Best Thing and there was a house fire about 20 miles north of us...so they broke into the show to let us know. They broke in three times in a half hour...and told all the same stuff. After the show was over, we changed channels and were watching something stupid--no interruptions. Then, something came on that interested me, so I said "Oh, I think I will like this." As soon as the words came out of my mouth, here comes the interruption. TJ couldn't believe it...
4. The Cell Phone Tower. Enough said.

Now, on to the good...

1. I met my husband in a grocery superstore store. Cliche, right? He was working for bigg's and I was working at the Gold Star Chili in the store. (I was 16 at the time). I am a habitual hair brusher (I don't know why), and, for some reason, I left my brush at home so I went and bought a new one--and went through TJ's line. So, I guess it was luck that I forgot my brush that day...I went back later that night for other stuff and ended up with a date. :-)
2. Since I was only 16 when TJ and I met, it didn't work out the way either of us thought and he moved to Indianapolis. Four years later I was cruising the Internet and somehow stumbled upon his email address...I emailed him, but he deleted it since he didn't know who the screen name belonged to. It just so happened that I was online at the same time that I saw he had deleted..and I sent him and instant message calling him a jerk for deleting my email. When he figured out who it was, he apologized profusely and we've been together ever since. I always thought it was strange that we were online at the same time...
3. TJ was never a dog person, but he finally gave in and said we could have a dog BUT it had to be a Shiba Inu (which, at the time, was a very rare breed)...I always figured that he was partially thinking we would never find one. Instead, we went to the paper that day and found a breeder and had Gizmo 24 hours later. We never saw another ad for Shiba Inus in the paper again--until two years later when we talked about getting a second one--and there was an ad...and we got Loki.

You can have the luck o' the Irish or dumb luck...good luck or bad luck...but, in all honesty, all luck comes into your life for a reason...whether you see it at the time or not.

Why?

I just found out today that the people who live three doors down from us have leased part of their land to a cell phone company--giving them permission to erect a 120 foot cell tower in their backyard. Why does that bother me? Because we moved out here because it was the "country." We were away from streetlights, electric lines, everything...and now, when I look out my back window instead of seeing trees, field and blue sky I am going to see a hideous 120 foot tall cell phone tower. They didn't think about what it would do to the rest of us--we will also be affected. We got the news via certified letter today. What a great way to start the week.

And I can tell you: if there are annoying flashing lights on that thing because of the airport, they will never hear the end of it.

So much for quiet country living.

Justice for China

I am a big animal lover. I have mentioned previously that TJ won't let me go to the animal shelter or Petsmart on Saturdays by myself for fear that we will have a new dog. I am a sucker for dogs that need good homes...and I can't understand why people can be so cruel to their pets.

This is why I am completely floored by what happened in Oxford, Ohio over the last few months.

Earlier this year a white German Shepherd named China was taken from her owner. Why? Because he had tied her up in the back yard and forgotten about her. Forgotten about her so long, in fact, that the chain he used to tie her up grew INTO her neck. She was taken to the humane society and had to have the chain surgically removed. It was bad...so bad they weren't sure she would make it.

But she did. Because of how bad this abuse was, it was all over the news. Hundreds of people called the Humane Society saying they would gladly take China and give her a good home. People were praying for her recovery and praying that her owner got the punishment he deserved--after all...how can you forget you had a dog? How could you let a metal chain grow into your dog's neck? And, although this was a horrible ordeal for China, everyone was happy that she was out of that environment and would be given a second chance to live a good life with people who would care for her, look after her, and welcome her lovingly into their family.

But we were all wrong.

The judge gave her back to her owner. Back to her owner who neglected her, left her, and obviously forgot to care for her.

Sure, the judge put all these stipulations in place (he has to promise to take her to the vet, he has to promise not to leave her outside, the Humane Society will "pop in" for unannounced visits, etc.)...but he gave her back to the guy who abused her. Sure, the judge says he did it because the guy's kids loved the dog...but that still doesn't make it okay. The guy has learned nothing. He has learned that he can physically harm another living thing and he will only get a slap on the wrist. Here is what the judge had to say:

"First of all, Mr. Clark is a man, not a monster, as many have suggested,” Lyons said in a statement. “(He) was not charged with beating or intentionally harming the dog. His crime was one of neglect. The dog was a family pet and, if the dog was forfeited, I could not prevent the family from acquiring another pet.”

So, neglect is okay? What if Mr. Clark neglected his kids? Would that be okay? A doctor near here recently had the window of his car smashed out because he left his girls in the car while he ran into a store for five minutes. He was in huge trouble...but the guy who neglected his dog got her back. (I know...dogs and kids aren't the same, but I wanted to make the connection--neglect is neglect...regardless of whether you do it on purpose or not).

Do I hope the guy learned his lesson? Sure I am...but not for his sake....for China's.

Animal rights activists in the area have been protesting since the decision came out. They are trying to get a law passed that states that if you abuse (intentionally or unintentionally) an animal you are prohibited from getting the animal back and you are not permitted to own an animal ever again.

I, for one, am all for it.

Friday's Feast!

I'm playing once again...here goes:

Appetizer
Describe your laundry routine. Do you have a certain day when you do it all, or do you just wash whatever you need for the next day?

Honestly, I hate laundry--I wait until I have almost not underwear left and then I decide it's time to do it. (laugh if you must, but it's true--it is also why i own LOTS of underwear) :-) I also take forever to put clothes away (I have a basket that has been sitting for three days now...)

Soup
In your opinion, what age will you be when you’ll consider yourself to truly be old?

When I stop being carded at the liquor store. Or I could operate under my brother's old philosophy...99 isn't old, but when you hit 100, that's old.

Salad
What is one of your goals? Is it short-term, long-term, or both?

To make it through today--the first week of work and getting up early is always the hardest, so I think this short term goal is fitting.

Main Course
Name something unbelievable you’ve seen or read lately.

I am reading a book on chakras and I am finding out why my husband is so competitive--it is because he has an unbalanced third chakra. (For those who care, mine is perfectly balanced) :-)

Oh, and Skittles' dream post was also pretty amazing (really, it was...)

Dessert
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how happy are you today?

I will give it a 7. I am not happy about being up this early, but I am happy that it is Friday. I am also happy because I had yoga class last night and I slept great (I always sleep great after yoga). In fact, I was in bed at 9:30!

Wordless Wednesday (Early)

Heads or Tails Tuesday

Skittles has come up with a new meme for Tuesdays...Heads or Tails. I think it is a great idea so I decided to play along. She picks themes for each week--this week's happens to be "beginnings." Fitting, really, considering today was my first day back to work with kids...

Although I was up at five this morning, dressed in nice clothes and spent all day talking to 150 kids, the today's first day of school didn't really count for me. Why? Because the real kids don't show up until the second day of school...which then becomes the first day all over again.

Confused? Let me explain:

I teach freshmen. Usually on the first day of school they are shy, scared, don't know what to expect and are generally really good. They laugh politely at my lame jokes, they are quiet when I ask them to be, and they are very cooperative. They get through the first day calmly, quietly, and serenely--lulling everyone into a false sense of security....

...Until the second day of school...

...because on the second day of school, the real kids get there. They are no longer quiet, calm and serene. They loud, obnoxious, and ready to go. They are also rebellious because it has suddenly hit them that they are really back to school for nine months. It's not just one day--its 177 long days of six classes and they don't like it one bit.

So, really, we have two first days of school--two beginnings, if you will.

Day one: the "fake" kids. This is the day I go over a load of info, talk forever and welcome them warmly to school.

Day two: the "real" kids. This is the day I give them loads to do, keep them quiet, and teach them my "my way or the highway" philosophy.

All I have to say is bring it on, "real" kids. I'm ready to take you all one in our second first day of school.

And I will win, by God...I will win.

Way to Go, George!

Someone sent this to me via email and I thought it was funny, so I am passing it on to all of you. Hope you get a laugh out of it.

George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi, was going up to bed when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window.

George opened the back door to go turn off the light but saw that there were People in the shed stealing things.

He phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" and he said "No". Then they said that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be along when available.

George said, "Okay," hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again. "Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot them." Then he hung up.

Within five minutes three police cars, an Armed Response Unit, and an ambulance showed up at the Phillips' residence and caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the Policemen said to George: "I thought you said that you'd shot them!"

George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

Just goes to show you--don't mess with a man's shed!

When Did We Get to Hell?

Sorry if the title takes anyone by surprise, but it was the best fit considering the topic of the day:

HEAT!

Yes, ladies and gents, here in Northern Kentucky it has been no lower than 97 for the last five days. Wednesday we hit 99 and yesterday we hit 100. When I was driving home last night (at 5:30) by car thermometer said it was 102 outside. I believe it. Add to that the fact that we have had like 95% humidity...they said it felt like 110 on Thursday. Gross. I like hot weather, but I don't like this. It is oppressive. You break a massive sweat just walking from your car into a building. It's ridiculous.

Our poor grass is completely brown. We have our lawn treated for weeds and stuff and the last time the guy came out he was like "Uh, the yard looks a little dry. You should water it." Really? Dry? Just because we haven't had decent rain in three months and it has been scorchingly hot? (I think it has been in the 90's every day for over a month now.) Watering is the logical solution, but we have over an acre of lawn--that's a lot of water! We do have a bright green, lush oasis type patch of grass where are leech lines are for our septic system. It's actually hilarious...brown front yard, one very green strip.

On the bright side...it's supposed to cool down today. They said it will only be 90. Yes, you read that right. 90 is cool...

...in Hell.

Wordless Wednesday

(Good thing, too...I am not capable of words right now)

What I Really Learned in College

Sorry, readers, about my lack of posting this weekend. I was out and about most of the day Saturday and feeling under the weather most of the day yesterday (and well into the night, really--nothing worse than having to get up at 5:15 but you are already awake at 2:30 feeling quite ill...SUPER!)

Now I am up, still feeling a bit off, and I am about to leave for a fun filled day of meetings at work. I am sure that it will be more of "okay, so here's what you should be doing with your classes this year..." The problem? I am a planner--I plan WAY ahead for things, so, telling me to change lesson plans a week before kids get into the building is quite silly because I am already planned through December.

I didn't use to be a planner. I used to be the world's biggest procrastinator (really), but somehow I always pulled everything off. I would wait until the last minute to type a paper for high school or I would wait until the last minute to finish a project or something. Then I got to college and did the same thing for my first semester. It went well, so, when second semester started, I figured "I did it once, I can do it again."

I was wrong.

I had a history professor who was crazy (not as crazy as the professor I had who swore birds communicated through telepathy, but crazy nonetheless). He gave us insane amounts of questions to answer and his exams were horrible, but I managed. He told us at the beginning of the semester that part of our final grade was going to be to turn in a typed copy of all the notes and questions that he had given us all semester. Now, the smart thing to do would have been to type the questions as I went and have nothing to do at the end of the semester. BUT--I was a procrastinator who hadn't ever been bitten in the butt by the habit, so I thought "why waste time now--I'll do it all later."

So, the weekend before finals arrived and I started typing. And I typed, and typed, and typed. When I got tired, my mom helped (before you judge--she didn't answer questions, she typed my answers. Still horrible, but she could see I was struggling). I typed well into the night on Sunday...wee hours of the morning, actually. When I finally finished, it was nearly 4 am. I hit print--and I got nothing but blank pages. My word processor had run out of ink. I walked into my parents' bedroom, uttered the phrase "I'm dead" and proceeded to have a nervous breakdown right there. My mom had ZERO sympathy (I think because it was 4 in the morning) and she told me to figure it out for myself. I jumped into the car, went to the nearest 24 hour superstore and prayed they had what I needed.

They did.

I raced home and started printing. By this time it was after 5 am, and it was only at that time that I remembered that I also had a Political Science final that morning at 8:00. I tried to study, but I was exhausted. I decided that I would have to make due with what I remembered from Poli/Sci during the semester and I dozed off for a couple hours...

I ended up getting a B on my Poli/Sci final (pretty good, really, considering that I could barely make sense of any questions) and I got all my history questions turned in (and got an A), but I learned a valuable lesson. PROCRASTINATION IS BAD!!! To this day, I am a notorious planner...

Which is why if anyone tells me today to change my plans, my rules, or my expectations I may snap.

Humbled.

Today, Skittles bestowed upon me another award. Although I loved my last one (the Schmooze Award), this one touches me more. Here it is:

She says she gave it to me because I am a teacher and that alone is inspiring. As with any award, I get to pass this one on. Right now, however, I am at a loss for thought and a loss for words (in part because of the award and in part due to my previous post.)

Thank you, Skittles...that's really all I can say. I believe you, too, are an inspiration.

Ick.

To borrow a phrase from my blogging and work buddy The Cranky Librarian, this was the...

Shortest. Summer. Ever.

Yep, that's right folks--Shan is officially off vacation. Today is my first official day back and then I have meetings all next week (not to mention a super day of freshman orientation when 200 clueless kids come into the building and we have to make them feel at home) and then the rest of the happy teens race back with joy and rapture on August 14th (*snort*).

I have honestly never had to go back to work (or even college) this early! My mom still has three blissful weeks of sleeping in and relaxing on her back deck. AND...she gets out before we do! How fair is that?

Well, I am off to finish my morning cup of coffee (which doesn't taste near as good at 7:30 as it does at 9:30 for some reason) and then I am off to the place where everybody knows my name...

Enjoy your day (and have some enjoyment for me--I may be lacking later this evening).

No Pass, No Drive

Awhile back the slogan for Kentucky was "Where Education Pays." That slogan went out the window a few years ago (now we have the cheesy "Unbridled Spirit" slogan), but it seems we are finally living up to our old slogan...Kentucky has just passed a "No Pass, No Drive" law that affects teens that are 16 and 17 and looking to obtain a permit or driver's license.

According to a story printed on Channel Cincinnati, this law states that all students ages 16 or 17 may be denied a driver’s license or have a license revoked for academic deficiency. A student is considered academically deficient when s/he has not passed at least four courses or the equivalent of four courses in the previous semester, has accumulated nine or more unexcused absences, or has dropped out of school. Students have to provide documentation from the school that proves they are not academically deficient before they can obtain a permit/license.

I think this is a fabulous idea! Also, I think it is fabulous that Kentucky is making kids keep up their grades by adding to the law that a license can also be revoked.

My thought on the whole driver's license thing has always been this: How can you fail every subject in school, and yet, when it comes to your driver's test, you pass with flying colors? All you have proven to me is that you can study and pass, but you are choosing not to in school. Also, I told TJ last night that if a kids can't pass his classes at school I sure as heck don't want him in the car behind me on the expressway! Giving a teen a car to drive is a huge responsibility, and too often they think it is their right to drive when they turn 16--they don't see it as a privilege. I am hoping that this law changes that a bit.

I'm sure that there will be an uprising as a result of this (it went into effect on Wednesday), but I hope Kentucky sticks to its guns. I know that some parents and some kids are going to be upset and feel that this is unfair, but I think it is a smart (no pun intended) move on the lawmakers' part--we need to push these kids somehow and explaining the importance of state test scores isn't working. Maybe this will.

Does your state have a law like this? What are your thoughts?

Dance Your Cares Away...

When I was a kid I loved this show...And now, in the spirit of Skittles who has been posting her favorite TV theme songs, I am posting this one. Why? Because it is catchy and I have been singing it for weeks--and now it's your turn! Enjoy.

The Trash Heap has spoken.

Wordless Wednesday