Taking my mind off the homework...

I randomly found this on another blog. It seems like fun. We'll see what happens.

THE RULES:

you need 2 internet windows open to do it
1. Go to www. photobucket. com (don't sign in)
2. Type in your answer to the question in the "search" box
3. Use only the first page
4. Copy the html and paste for the answer.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST NAME?

This is a very random thing to show up for my first name.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY?

WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP STATUS?





WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?




WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?




WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND?



WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PAST TIME?

WHAT IS YOUR JOB?

I found this one for "mom." Then I decided to search for "Student Mom" and found this:

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE?



WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?





ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF

Me? Obsessed?

Maybe Jessica will disagree, but I could not resist ordering this one on-line. Maybe I am obsessed with this movie, but did you know that I have not ever actually owned the movie? I just bought this wonderful edition though. Love it!

I hope that when I am making an actual living (i.e. have a positive rather than negative income) that I can have a room devoted to The Wizard of Oz collectibles that I have so far (and plan to keep accumulating). Hmmmm. Maybe it will have to be my "office;" how great would that be. I could grade papers in with all the happiness and brightness of the collectibles and pictures. Something to think about.

School Woes, Revisted

Remember this list? Here's the updated form!

1. Turn in 5 different documents, (Complete)
2. Take Praxis II test (Complete, $130)
3. Register with our Career Services department (Complete, just update resume)
4. Complete scholarship forms (Uhhhhh... didn't do. That's OKAY!)
5. Complete background check (Haven't rescheduled, but will soon, $52.50)
6. Complete 50 hours of observation (42+ done, 8 or so to go!)
7. Pass all my classes (Doing great so far!)
8. Finish thesis paper...(Need to get to work!)
9. Apply for grad school
10. Turn in observation forms

Mid-Terms

Do you want to know the most frustrating grade that I have ever received on a mid-term exam? I'll tell you anyway: 179/200. One point from an A. How dare he! I studied and studied and took notes and was in class every day that I could be (considering out bouts with the flu), and I got a B+.

I just finished my last English midterm yesterday. And I don't mean just 'last' as in last of the semester. I mean that was my last undergrad English midterm. Ever. Me? Excited? Maybe.

While I was on spring break (poor planning on my part), I took the Praxis II, English: Literature, Composition, and Content Knowledge. I paid an insane $130 for this test, for 120 multiple choice questions, mind you. And it was like taking a regular classroom exam. Not as insanely difficult as most standardized tests are. I think that I did very well on it, but it will be three more weeks before I know for sure.

BTW...

Regarding this post. All is well now. I don't think that she suspects a thing!

A Typical Morning

Some days are just better than others. I'm not trying to discriminate against all the "other" days, but some days are just more easy going than others.

For example, Mondays. Do you really need me to tell you that Mondays are not in the favor of most people? Mondays are the biggest fight in our house. Tuesdays are not far behind.

She wants cookies for breakfast (really just the creme filling out the Oreos). I say no; suddenly, there's a screaming cry erupting from a person who should not be able to yell that loudly yet. She wants to wear the sparkly red shoes. I don't know where those are. "Go find them," I say. "I just can't, Mommy! You have to find them!" she retorts. Really? Is this how this being three thing will always be? Will being four be any better?

Finally, we're dressed and brushed and washed and out the door. Well almost. Opening the storm door has always been "her job," but today she "can't do it!" My hands are full. I push the handle on the door as three text books fall on the porch. "Madeline, pick that one up for me please." Was that nice enough? "Mommy, I just can't. You have to do it." Where does this come from? And when will it be over? (and don't tell me age 20, that will make me want to give up!)

Okay now it's time to head down the 7 steps toward the car. "Madeline, hold my hand," which is really just my little finger, because the rest are holding up all the crap that I must take to school. "Mommy, you have to carry me!" O, jeez. Seriously, kid? "Madeline, my hands are full; just walk down the steps; Mommy will help you."

As we approach the car, I open a door in order to dump all my stuff into the car. Then I open Maddie's door in and begin to pick her up to put her into her car seat. "MOMMY! I want to do it! Put me dooowww-ooowwwnnnn!" This you want to do on your own? "Okay, Madeline. You don't need to yell. Just hop up into your seat, and we'll get going to school." Patience. Keeping it. "But, Mo-Om! I don't want to go to school!"

"Just get into the car!"

And this is a "good" morning. Usually, there's more fighting to get her out of bed. Maybe I should look for a new school. Maybe I should be, over-all, a more positive person. I don't know where all this "I can't" comes from, but it drives me crazy. Seriously.

Fun Maddie Stuff, etc.

***

Me: Look, Maddie! Grandpa fixed your shoe!

Maddie: Wow! I'm actually surprised!

***

Maddie: I don't want to go to school today, Mommmm; it's boring!

(I cannot believe that I'm hearing this already... she's three!!)

***

Maddie: Mom, just let me sleep, ok?

(anytime I ask her to do something, when she's not asleep)

***

Maddie: (Singing) Girls are good, boys are bad, girls are good, boys are bad... Mom, is that right?

Me: I have no idea, Madeline, what do you think?

Maddie: (Singing) Girls are good, boys are bad, girls are good...

***

Maddie: Just boys are mean, right mom? Girls are just nice.

Me: Not all boys are mean, Maddie. Boys can be nice, too.

Maddie: Are you sure, Mama?

Me: Yes, Maddie, I'm sure.

***

Me: Madeline, will you sing a song for me?

Maddie: No, Mom, my tummy just hurts now.

Me: Okay, I'll sing a song. (Singing:) On top of spaghetti...

Maddie: Stop, Mom! That makes my ears hurt!

Me: Thanks, Hon.

***

(At the park) Maddie: Hon, will you push me on the swing?

Me: Hon? Who's 'hon'? I'm Mama!

Maddie: (grinning) No, you're Sweetie Pie!

***

Me: Maddie, you know, you need to be nice to your teacher. She wants you to be good.

Maddie: I know, Mom.

Me: Did you know that I'm going to be a teacher soon?

Maddie: Mo-om! You can't be a teacher!

Me: And why not?

Maddie: Because you're four!

Me: No, I'm four and twenty!

Maddie: Four and twenty?

Me: Is that okay with you?

Maddie: I guess.

***

Me: Maddie, what do you want to do tonight?

Maddie: I just want to hang out with you!

Me: Ah, thanks, Maddie.

Maddie: Can we watch Dora?

Me: I though you just wanted to hang out. That means reading or going outside. No Dora.

Maddie: No Dora? No Dora? But, Mo-om. I want to watch Dora!

***

Me: Maddie, be a good girl at school today. Okay?

Maddie: Okay, but, Mom-

Me: No "buts." Just be good.

Maddie: But, Mo-om-

Me: I mean it. Be good!

Maddie: But, Mom, you forgot to hug and kiss me before you go.

***

I'm going to take the Praxis on Saturday. I'm very nervous, but I know that it will be okay. I have spent the last two years getting ready for it. It's just nerve-racking to think that I HAVE to pass this test in order to be certified, and that it costs over $100. There will be no money to re-do it.

***

It's Gotta Be Somewhere...

I consider myself a person in the "easy-going," "Type-B" category of people most of the time. There are certain situations that can really make me seem the opposite, most of them involve members of the opposite sex that refuse to acknowledge the blundering of their ways and the enlightenment of my way. Most of the time, I am a flexible person, and no one needs to worry about offending me or making me angry when they make an off-hand comment. I am not easily offended and would rather concern myself with putting energy where it matters, and that is NOT with being angry over trivial matters or upset over nothing or picky about details that I cannot change anyway. This is just who I am. Not everyone is like this, but I rather enjoy this. I think it helps me enjoy the little moments in life, like getting "cuddle time" with my daughter or a ten minute phone conversation with a friend. I would consider my mother the opposite type of person. I have very few memories of "cuddling" with her or just hanging out and reading a book. She is a very "goal seeking" person, and most of her goals involved a spotless house when I was a kid. Crazy, wonderful woman. We contrast in this way. She is the uptight personality, I am the more easy going one. However, this is not always the case. I do have "things" that really bother me. "Things" that I won't do, have, touch, be near. Everyone does.

I have to say that one thing that really bothers me is underwear. Not my own, or now my daughter's, but other peoples'. I am very weird about folding even my family's under garments. I mean, they're my family. I lived with them. I made a very big deal about folding other people's underwear until I was too old to be doing that. I don't know when I was traumatized or why this bothers me so much, but it does. Every time I think about it, I flash back to age eight or so at my grandpa and grandma I's house. I found an old skate board in their garage and needed to clean it off. My grandmother handed me some soap, water, and a pair of my grandfather's old underwear to clean it with. I refused to touch anything but the band to clean with. I hated it. Eww. I'm hating even typing this. Gross.

This all leads to the bags of clothes that my dear Aunt Beth passed on to my daughter this weekend. I'm very excited about them. I went through them and found lots of pretty summer dresses and cute shorts for my little one. Also in the bag of hand-me-downs were two pair of little girl underwear that I was going to throw away. They are used underwear. Eww. I have enough money to buy underwear for my kid. Maybe not everyone does, but I do. However, my mother does not feel the same way. Before I could dump the unwanted under garments in the trash can, she "rescued" them and put them in the washer. "They're just little girls, Rachel. Their underwear can't be that bad," she smiled at me like I was crazy. "I don't care, Mother; it's gross!" came my witty reply. "Well, I'll keep them, just in case of an emergency," she smiled again.

So, I ask you, what kind of emergency will keep me from driving 3.5 miles to the closest dollar store and buying her a new pair next time I forget to pack enough underwear? What kind of "emergency" would keep me from putting her pants on her WITHOUT underwear and driving the extra 5 miles to Wal-Mart if she needed underwear that bad?

Used underwear, beware. When I find you, you're so out in the dumpster. I'm the mom. I have to draw the line. Here it is.