Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Things I'll miss...and things I'll remember...

I know I will be adding more to this list...but this is what I have come up with so far. Feel free to add your own.


The constant "badgering" if we've done what we're supposed to do

Counting trees in the field

Wagon rides

The little green pedal tractor

"Dark Castles" on the Mac Plus

My introduction to Benny Goodman and other swing classics

Listening to the Annie soundtrack over and over in the car

Housesitting while he's on vacation - watering plants, indoors and out

The meticulous care of his lawn and landscaping

Sharing stories of our lives with each other

Interviewing him about his service in WWII

Listening to the touching story of how my grandparents met

The exercise bike

Washing his car (and mine if it was too dirty)

Aiming for seagulls in the "Grey Gull III" (don't call the MSPCA, we never hit one)

Taking the boat up and down the Merrimack River

Walking in the day glo orange vest

Volunteering together at AJH

Never missing a school function (especially the band concerts...they LOVED going to those)

The Navy hat in the back window of the Caddy

Showing me how to shell peanuts while watching the Sox

Talking Red Sox stats

Candlepin bowling instead of Saturday morning cartoons

Watching the little tiny TV in the shop

Naming every old-timey car's make, model and year when going by in parades

Staking out the best spot at the Training Field to watch the Memorial Day Parade

Finding the longest "short cuts" I've ever travelled in my life

Never taking the same route to get somewhere twice

My inbox always being full of forwarded emails

Getting the same emails over and over

Sitting on the front porch watching the cars go by

Riding in his lap on the John Deere tractor

Riding in the tractor's trailor

Getting the tractor stuck in the mud with 7 grandkids in the trailor and having to walk all the way through the field in the mud

Getting to drive the tractor

Learning to drive on my permit - "Rachael you can go 35 through the center of West Newbury, they won't stop you, you're in a Cadillac"

Asking if he could walk me down the aisle on the day he met my fiance 6 years ago

Asking when the boy was going to pop the question for the next 6 years after that

Getting to finally tell him that he did

Being his "Number One"

My grampy




Arthur E. Fernald II, Retired AT&T Employee

York , ME : Arthur E. Fernald II, 80, of 11 Orchard Farms Road, died Friday, April 20, 2007 at the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover , NH after a short illness.

He was born in Haverhill , MA on May 3, 1926, son of the late Harold A. and Leona (Horton) Fernald. He was a graduate of Haverhill High School in 1944 and the University of Maine , Orono in 1951. He was a World War II Veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy Armed Guard on convoy duty in the North Atlantic and South Pacific. His awards included: American Theatre medal, Asiatic Pacific medal, European Theatre medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and Victory medal. Mr. Fernald retired from AT&T, Merrimack Valley Works in 1987 after 31 years as a former Business Methods Specialist. He was a member of the Union Congregational Church in York Beach , ME and a former long-time member of the West Newbury Congregational Church where he served as head usher for many years. He was a member of Saggahew Lodge, AF&FM. He was former chairman of the West Newbury Water Department, former chairman of the West Newbury Boy Scout Committee, former member of the West Newbury Fire Department and a volunteer at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport for over 30 years.

He leaves two daughters, Deborah S. Fernald, York , ME and Jill F. Godin and her partner, Raymond “Rock” Dower, Groveland , MA ; two sons, Bruce A. and his wife, Anna Fernald, Coeymans , NY and LTC (retired) Scott A. and his wife, Denise Fernald, Manassas , VA ; and 8 grandchildren. He also leaves a brother, H. Allen and his wife, Sally Fernald, Camden , ME and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife of 54+ years, Jean (Booth) Fernald in Nov. 2004. He also had a sister, the late Janet E. Fernald, who died in infancy.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2007 at 3:00 pm at the West Newbury Congregational Church, 308 Main Street .

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made in his name to Pentucket Regional Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 36 , Groveland , MA 01834 or to Union Congregational Church, P.O. Box 969 , York Beach , ME 03910 .

Arrangements are under the direction of Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Service, 655 Central Ave. , Dover , NH . For more information or to sign our on-line guestbook, please go to http://www.purdyfuneralservice.com/


Monday, April 23, 2007

whose idea was this?



Oh sure, just take the cactus home and repot it...it will be good as new...

Ok...have YOU ever tried to repot a CACTUS???
IT HURTS!!!!
And each little branchy-thingy is a different set of roots. I had to pick up 6 prickly cactus stalks and hold them upright to bury them in the soil.
And don't tell me, I already know I need more soil in the pot, but that's all I had here at the apartment, I'll get some more to bury the little suckers in...don't worry.
OW!

one of my favorite restaurants







We were having fun playing with the camera while we went out to eat last night at Ken's American Cafe in Littleton Commons. For the first time this season, we were able to eat outside on the patio. It was a GREAT meal, and we had a blast.

We got to watch the cars go by (Grampy would have loved it...everyone was out in their fancy cars enjoying the weather, more than likely heading to Kimball's Farms).

could it be true?

Here's to hoping/wishing! We might be going to Aruba for our honeymoon! :-)

WOOT!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

WOW!!!

4 home runs in a row!!!

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

it's official

June 28, 2008

Mark it on your calendars!

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Not ready for Monday to come...

My grandfather passed away on Friday, and I spent the last two days with my family. I want to be with them, and not at work on Monday. The memorial service won't be until June, which means I get to go through all of this again.

I miss him very much. At least he's with Grammy now, he's happy.

Friday, April 20, 2007

I love you Grampy




grrrrrrrr

It's midnight, and I STILL CAN'T LOG ONTO YAHOO! MAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know if I can sleep without checking my email.

I can log onto Yahoo!, I just can't access my email. I know I have emails...I just can't access them...

uggggggggggh

Thursday, April 19, 2007

I'm having withdrawals...

Help!

I can't log into my yahoo mail!

Help!

What do I do?

What if there are important emails?!?!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!

Happy Birthday Sis!


She'll totally kick my ass for this...

Today's lunch

and by the way...

I found a Long John Silver's in Massachusetts....so I had to eat at it today!

New favorite salad

1 head romaine lettuce
1 green apple, sliced
handful of blue cheese
handful of dried cranberries
handful of glazed walnuts
toss with Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette

YUMMY

I heart old people

The YDDB played at a nursing home tonight. We played well, and everyone had a good time. Everyone in the audience (residents and staff alike) enjoyed the show, and we had a great time.

We even got free punch!

Successful Day!

We went to the two reception halls, and met with the caterer. We're definitely leaning towards the Groveland Fairways at this point.

After talking to the caterer, this is the menu that we're thinking of: (remember we're having a cocktail reception, and that nothing is set in stone yet...just our ideas)

Passed Hors d'Oeuvres
Shrimp with zesty cocktail sauce
Scallops wrapped in bacon
Skewered tortellini with Pesto Cheese Sauce (sorry Amy and Debbie) :-P
Stuffed mushrooms with goat cheese, spinach and bacon
Cucumber cups with boursin and dill
Chicken lollipops - half cajun flavored, and half oriental flavored


Stationary Hors d'Oeuvres
Cheese and Cracker platter with fruit (TONS of different cheeses and crackers, ie. brie, gouda, swiss, cheddar, etc)
Quesadilla station (you pick fillings - cheese, chicken, peppers, and spiced spaghetti squash, they make it for you)


Carving Stations
(These come with condiments and bread to make sandwiches)
Roast Top Round of Beef
Roast breast of Turkey


I seriously can't wait until NEXT JUNE!

seriously

:-)

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Things I'm doing tomorrow

1). Drop off the boy's car at the garage to get an oil change and tire rotation
2). Drive to the Bradford Country Club to meet and greet with the important people to ask questions about how wedding receptions happen
3). Drive to the Groveland Fairways to do the same
4). Meet up with the caterer for pretty much the same
5). Stop by mommy's house to drop off some stuff and say hi if anyone's around
6). Come home
7). Pick up the boy's car
8). Meet with Greg at 5:15 to head off to the YDDB gig
9). Play my clarinet with the YDDB to no doubt hear some lady screaming "let's go! play something!" at the nursing home
10). Come home

...what a long day...







PS - SAYONARA SANJAYA!!! :-)

NVCB

Tonight was MY night! I conducted! Me! woot!

I worked them too! We got through all but two of the songs for the upcoming concert in May. That's including a lot of talking by some of the board members (not me!!!) about upcoming events, etc. I thought we did rather well!

Then of course, came O'Hanlons, where I am still trying to get rid of the onion breath from the nachos!!

it's starting to come together

We're scheduled to go check out Groveland Fairways and Simply Elegant Catering tomorrow. I'm also waiting to hear back from the Bradford Country Club and from the pastor at the West Newbury Congregational Church.

We're looking for a June 2008 wedding...boy is this a lot of work! :-)

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

my pier 1 finds



The bunny was too cute to leave behind...and he was only $3. The vase is supposedly an Easter egg...but who could tell? It was only $2.50...too good to pass up! So I bought a small bouquet of flowers at Trader Joe's to put inside it. I love bargain hunting!
(I also got some other things, but since they are gifts, I can't post them for fear that the recipients will get a peak!)

A little late...




Here are some pics from Easter weekend. The hydrangeas are from Chip, the roses from Mom F., and the froggy from Dad F. The froggy sings...he's so cute!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Excellent Leftover Veggie Casserole

I made this tonight. I used veggies I had around the house, but I'll give you the original recipe. In my version, I used a bag of assorted veggies, a can of diced tomatoes, and I sliced a zucchini. I also sauteed the garlic with the onions. I also only needed to cook mine for about 40 min.

A Vegetable Cornucopia
1 small yellow onion
1/4 c. butter
2 small ripe tomatoes
2 c. frozen whole green beans
1 clove garlic, peeled
2 c. frozen whole-kernel corn
2 c. frozen sliced zucchini
1/2 tsp. salt
Dash pepper
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
2 slices white bread
2 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese

Peel onion and chop coarsely. In a skillet heat 2 Tb. butter over moderately high heat until melted. Add onions and saute about 5 min., stirring frequently, until tender and translucent.

Wash tomatoes, remove cores, and cut each tomato into 8 wedges. Cut frozen green beans in half crosswise if they are very long. Cut garlic clove in half, rub over bottom and sides of a 2 qt. casserole dish.

In casserole place sauteed onions, green beans, corn, zucchini, and fresh tomato wedges. Toss gently to mix thoroughly. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and basil; toss again to mix.

Cut remaining butter into small pieces and place on top of vegetable mixture. Trim off and discard crusts from bread; cut into slices into 1/2 inch cubes and arrange around the outer edge of vegetable mixture next to dish.

Shred cheese coarsely in a food processor or by hand and prinkle over the bread cubes in casserole. At this point, vegetable casserole can by covered with aluminum foil and refrigerated until 1 hour before you are ready to serve dinner.

Preheat oven to 350. Uncover casserole and place on center rack in oven; bake 60 min. or until vegetables are tender, cheese is melted, and bread cubes are lightly browned. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

This makes me even more interested

After hearing about people in India burning effigies of Richard Gere, I now HAVE to see what this is all about!!

I bought the Bollywood movie Bluffmaster, and I haven't had the chance to watch it yet. I want to see what the big deal about Priyanka Chopra is! I might have to watch it without the boy, and just watch it again when he's around!

Saturday fun

Jenn and I spent the day walking around Boston on Saturday. We went to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, walked around to many stores, around Fenway Park (didn't get into the game though), Copley Place, and the Pru. We shopped A LOT!! We stopped to listen to many street performers, some of whom were musicians, and others were entertainers.

Things I bought while out on Saturday:
-a pair of sunglasses
-a barette for my hair for my wedding day
-an ENORMOUS duffle bag at REI (way cool store) to put our tent into, since we can't get it back into the bag it came with
-envelopes for bridal shower invitations (I bought the invites for real cheap at a flea market, but they didn't come with envelopes)
-a Bridal Shower Game book
-2 pairs of gym pants (one of which was only $2.99 - yay clearance racks)
-a bottle of bloody mary mix for the boy that I bought at Cheers
-a new laptop bag, since my old one barely holds my laptop and cord, forget anything else
-and a few other various items that I can't quite seem to remember right now

Things I ate on Saturday:
-Dunks for breakfast
-Indian for lunch
-Cold Stone Creamery for a snack

We were gone for 12 hours. It was great. :-)

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Bohemian Rhapsody with Mnozil Brass

Thanks to Steve for showing me this!

Thursday, April 12, 2007

I need vacation

so badly...you have no idea...

I plan on checking out some places for wedding receptions, like these:

Groveland Fairways
Bradford Country Club

We're thinking of having an afternoon cocktail reception.

I'm so excited! :-)

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Grampy update

I went to see him today. He looks a lot better, but still seems to be in some pain. He'll probably be there for a while, before he is transported to a rehab hospital. We watched some of the ballgame together with my mom and aunt. My mom, my two aunts, and my uncle and I had lunch in the cafeteria of MGH (which is huge, btw). I'm glad I got the chance to see him today. He seemed to be in better spirits (but so is everybody when they get a shot or two of morphine).

I should be back to work tomorrow.

wedding page

My Wedding Page has been updated! Thanks to Jenn for showing me the really cool Wedding Map. Right now I'm just using it to show our possibilities, since we have no idea where we are going to have our reception. :-)

Monday, April 09, 2007

Update on Grampy

He's out of surgery, and seems to be doing well. He's still at Mass. General. I'm going to try to visit him tomorrow.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

what a weekend...

This weekend has been a mix of emotions.

Saturday was the memorial service for my grandmother's sister. (my mom's aunt, for those of you keeping track). It was a great remembrance. Everyone sat in my aunt's living room, sharing stories and memories of my Auntie Dot. After we were done, my grandfather went to stand up, but couldn't. He didn't look good, and was very unsteady on his feet. His right leg wasn't working the way he wanted it to. We called an ambulance, which took him to the local hospital in York, ME. We continued on with the rest of the day, with the aunts and uncles taking turns staying with him at the hospital. He didn't seem to be too bad, so I came back home that night.

Sunday the boy and I went down to see his family on the south shore for Easter. When we got there, his family had a surprise get-together for our engagement. I found it very difficult to focus and be happy, thinking of my grampy. I kept receiving updates throughout the day from family members, which made it even harder to keep a smiling face with his family. His relatives are all great, and understood, but I felt bad for not being able to share in their joy.

Grampy is now at Mass General, where he is undergoing more tests. They found an aneurysm in his leg that had burst, and is slowly bleeding out. That would explain how awful he looked yesterday (his skin was gray). They're looking into surgery options, but I haven't heard anything for a while. The most important thing is for my Grampy to fight.

Fight, Grampy, fight...

Friday, April 06, 2007

I have Happy Feet!!

I bought Happy Feet today! Cute movie!!

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Bluffmaster - Say Na Say Na

I need to see this movie.

Funny cover

I laughed so hard when watching this! Alanis can make anything sound dismal and depressing.

invitations

We were looking at some invitations today.

What do you think?

Our current first choice

Our second choice

Our third choice

Let me know which one you like!!

new website

I have a link on the right to my wedding website!

There's not much on it right now, but I'll add more as I get more info

Check it out!!

Dice-K

Dice-K is

O-K

by me with his

10 Ks

Snow

Snow day!

4 day weekends rule!! I'll deal with the consequences in June later...

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

stupid New England weather

no jazz band

no Nashoba Valley Concert Band (aka Harvard Town Band)

no O'Hanlon's.......

sadness....

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

I think I live here....


This is me taking a time out at 6:10 p.m. to play with my camera. Yes, I am still at school.
Ugh...
I never leave...
Correcting papers, entering grades, school committee meeting....
ick

Monday, April 02, 2007

It's that time of year again...

Fall 2006 Frozen Food Fundraising from Cherrydale Farms

We're selling cookie dough, and pies, and pizzas....let me know if you're interested!! :-)

ouch



To look on the bright side.....We did lose the season opener in 2004 ...

Something new

I'm trying a new layout for my blog.

What do we think?

It's all mine!!!




I got my ring back this afternoon! Isn't it gorgeous?? We're really and truly engaged now!
I have a ring! WOOHOO! :-)

Sunday, April 01, 2007

happiness

I'm engaged!!!!! :-D

We ate our 6 year anniversary dinner at Gibbet Hill Grille last night, where we had an amazing meal. We walked around outside after dinner, where he led me over to a porch off the back of The Barn (where they hold functions, but it was empty tonight). He started to tell me about all the good times we've had together, until we both started gagging from the smell of cow. We decided to move before the fumes overtook us both. We walked back to my car, where again he told me about all the happy times we've had in the last 6 years, and how I have seen him through some harder times as well. We got to my car, and he got down on one knee and asked if I would marry him. Of course I said yes! :-)

I would show everyone the ring, but we had to get it resized. Since today is Sunday, we had to leave it at the store. Hopefully I will have it back tomorrow...I haven't even had it 24 hours yet, and I've had to give it back up!!!

It's beautiful. Simple. Emerald cut. White gold. I love it.

I love him.

Life is good.

More flute playing

You can check out more of Greg Patillo's music here.

Beatboxing flute inspector gadget remix

This guy is incredible

Getting to know me - a meme

I was tagged by Kelly, and since I have nothing better to do this beautiful Sunday morning...

What time did you get up this morning?
7 am, which is VERY unusual for me, since I usually sleep VERY late on weekends. I slept a lot yesterday, and I am just TOO excited to sleep anymore today.

Diamonds or pearls?
Seeing as how I got engaged last night....DIAMONDS BABY!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Oooh...that's a tough one....we don't go to the movie theater very often...I'm going way back here..."Stranger than Fiction" with Will Ferrell.

What is your favourite TV show?
I'm with Kelly on this one...it would have to be Grey's Anatomy or House. But if we're talking of all time, then the answer is Friends.

What do you usually have for breakfast?
On weekends, I make breakfast. We'll have muffins, or eggs, or bacon, or sausage, or pancakes, or french toast, or waffles, or something yummy like that. During the week it is usually just coffee from Dunks, but occasionally I'll buy a muffin or donut.

Favourite cuisine?
I don't really have a favorite food....I eat lots of different foods.

What food do you dislike?
I do not like raw onions. I love them cooked, and I LOOOOOVE onion rings, but don't ask me to eat onions raw, it ain't gonna happen....

What is your favourite CD at the moment?
The CD I listen to the most right now is the 2007 Grammy Nominees album.

Morning or night person?
If I could teach school starting at the time most schools end, I would be very happy. I HATE getting up early.


Favourite sandwich?
It's a toss-up between grilled cheese and grilled peanutbutter.

What characteristic do you despise?
People who are rude. Why can't we all just get along?

Favourite item of clothing?
Currently, my two pairs of fleece pants. I have a Hello Kitty pair, and a blue pair with frogs.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be?
France, Ireland, Italy, or the tropics

What colour is your bathroom?
Sage green....it's awful....

Favourite brand of clothing?
Whatever is on sale!!!

Where would you retire to?
Oh...that is so far away from right now it's not even worth thinking about....

What was your most memorable birthday?
My 21st was pretty memorable. We slept in a tent in my parent's backyard drinking beer the night before, a pool party the day of, and free drink at Uno's the night of!


Favourite sport to watch?
If you know me at all....BASEBALL!!!!!!!!! More specifically, the SOX!!

When is your birthday?
July 15

What is your shoe size?
I've got clown feet...I'm a size 10.

Pets?
I've got a lot of fish!! In one tank I have 5 pink and yellow danios and a snail. I have a betta in a vase, and a betta in a bowl, and a betta in my classroom. Someday, I want a dog though.

What did you want to be when you were little?
I must be crazy, but for as far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher. Except when I wanted to be a major league baseball player.....

What is your favourite flower?
Hydrangea and lilacs.

What date on the calendar are you looking forward to?
Whatever date it is that we decide to have our wedding!! Sometime in summer of 2008

What music do you like?
I listen to anything from classical to hiphop and everything between!

Your Favourite Book?
I like William Martin. Great historical fiction

Friday, March 30, 2007

Excerpts from a cat's diary


Day 683 of my captivity:
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and myself are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.
The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the floor. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. The audacity!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies. "I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage."
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around her feet as she was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released --and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded! The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. The captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe....... for now.......

excerpts from a dog's diary


8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - Walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with my master! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Idol

Sanjaya needs to GO! AWAY! NOW! GO!


Did Gwen even do anything? She was there, but did she do anything?

Does Phil know what Sting was talking about in Every Breath You Take?? He was way too happy...

Blake was boring.

Jordin...wrong song...don't suck up to Gwen

Chris...ditto

Melinda...you are incredible!



I need to stop having a glass of wine while watching Idol...I start singing along...it's a good thing I'm the only one home...

give me a P, give me an R...

give me an O, C, R, A, S, T,.......

procrastination....I didn't feeling like finishing...

laziness has also set in....

STACK of papers to enter into grade book growing....

you know you're putting things off when you'd rather balance your checkbook than do what you should be....

do some research


Has anyone else seen the latest ad for DSW shoes???
At the very end of the commercial they say that the newest location is at the Woah-burn Mall.
If you want people to shop at your stores, learn how to say the name of the city!!!!
WOO-burn
NOT
WOAH-burn

Sunday, March 25, 2007

one more X on the bracket

Ugh...well there goes one of my final four...

Ohio is still in it...so let's hear it for Florida and North Carolina tomorrow!!!

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Let's go Kansas!!


Well at least for tonight...

I know absolutely NOTHING about basketball...forget college basketball....

I have a vague understanding as to how the game is played, but that's about it.
Whatever success I have with this bracket is owed to a few of the guys at the Nashoba Valley Concert Band. If I win, I owe them a beer. :-)
I've got Florida, North Carolina, Kansas, and Ohio in the Final Four, with Florida and North Carolina facing off, and Florida going all the way.
Here's to complete guessing!!

Biggest crochet hook EVER



I bought the speed hook from Lionbrand the other day. I have finished a child's scarf, and I am almost done with the hat. I'll post pics of the hat when it's done. This is actually three different yarns held together. It's hard to see, but it's a pale yellow, and two variegated yarns that are pastel colors. Apparently since we're getting snow tonight, the hat and scarf could actually come in handy (if I were a small girl that is...)

so sad



I love flowers, but they never last long enough.


This bouquet is a mixture of three different bouquets. The roses and carnations are from my students after the show last weekend. Some more roses and the lilies are from the boy after the show last weekend. The daffodils I bought from a fundraiser at the school.
It was so pretty. I'll be drying the roses and babies breath to add to my rather morbid looking dried roses bouquet.

I wish I had my camera

The ONE TIME I forget my camera at home...

While driving down 110 in Harvard, the car in front of me stops short, which causes me to stop short.

The reason you ask?

There was a flock of NUNS running across the street! Seriously, 5 of them running with their habits flapping in the wind behind them.

They proceeded to all pile into a tiny Ford Escort.

Why didn't I have my camera?

Why? Why? Why?

the world needs to slow down

I have been caught up in a whirlwind this week. I thought it would be better now that the musical is over, but it doesn't seem to have worked out that way.

I am planning the spring concert (May 8th - mark your calendars), we have the festival coming up on June 8th, the fundraiser for said festival, and the end of the year concert and awards ceremony (perhaps June 12th...stay tuned).

Plans for next year have started to get underway (as awful as they may be). I am currently in the process of trying to convince administrators why teaching beginning band afterschool is a bad idea. Especially since it will increase my teaching hours beyond my contract...

This past week, I met with the superintendent, the HS principal, the MS vice principal, and my union rep. and president.

Next week, I meet with the HS principal, the MS vice principal, and perhaps the superintendent, the HS principal, the MS vice principal, the Elem. principal and the Elem. vice principal all together at once.

Wish me luck!

Sunday, March 18, 2007

aaah...

It's over. I'm a little relieved, and a little sad...

"Free to Be You and Me" was a success, take that Mother Nature!!! You can't hold us back!!!! We may have missed opening night, but you couldn't stop us from having fun!!

I would post some pictures of the beautiful bouquet, the chocolates, and the signed picture they gave me, but I am too tired.

After the show, the boy treated myself and his parents (who came up for the show...thanks soooo much!!!) to dinner at the Devens Grill. Then I came home, changed into my pjs, got into bed, turned on my "Friends" DVD and hunkered down with a nice glass of wine.

It's too bad I have to work tomorrow...

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

how is this possible?

How can I guy with FIVE OUIs be able to hit and kill a woman? Granted, he didn't have a license, so at least we know that someone was doing their job...

He BORROWED a car, and was drunk when he struck Diane Carhart's car, killing her.

Who lends a person with no license their car?? What was he thinking??? I think someone needs to go after the person who lent this guy the car. He needs to be held responsible too.

I don't know anyone involved....I'm just appalled.

Check it out.

feeling Eeyore-ish...


Good day to you, how nice of you to notice me
Looks like rain, wait and see
Likely rain all over me
Guess that's just the way that it has to be
Here in my gloomy place

Monday, March 12, 2007

Eagle Ceremony




stress

I think I might be dead from a stress-induced heart attack by the end of this week....

Think happy thoughts....

Anyone have any pixie dust?

...seriously...


.....help......

The show



COME SEE THE SHOW

AYER MIDDLE SCHOOL

FRIDAY AT 7

SATURDAY AT 7

SUNDAY AT 2




It's cute, fuzzy, and adorable!!!

and I have been working like HECK to get this done!!!

Friday, March 09, 2007

This lady is sooo old....

How old is she???

Holy crap

'nuff said

and he has a name

My classroom pet is named:

Puppy.

This way, everyone can say, "Come see Puppy", and everyone is confused when we point to the fishtank.

haha

it's STOOOPID

but I love it!!!

Finally!


It took us long enough, but we finally got the chance to see "Man of the Year". When it first came out, we tried to rent it at the ridiculously small Video Signals in Boxborough AND Stow, but neither one had it. The Boxborough store only had ONE copy!! Stow had about four or five, but they were all out. The boy tried again to rent it tonight, and it was rented out again...so he bought a copy. So it's a good thing we liked it, cuz we now own it!
Bottom line..."Man of the Year"=cute movie, Video Signals=SUCKS BUTT (not to be confused with the sackbutt, the ancestor to the trombone) - I know, I'm a geek...whatever...

Craving fulfilled...

Sorry guys, but I had a better offer...

As I was leaving school this afternoon, planning on heading over to the usual Friday afternoon hangout, I noticed I had a voicemail. It was the boy. He told me he was playing hooky from work, and wanted to know if I was up for The Outback for dinner tonight.

Hmmm.....Devens Grill vs. THE BLOOMING ONION!!!!!!

Guess what won....

leftovers....

yummy

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Colder than...

Barry Burbank just said we are colder than Iceland, Moscow, and Vancouver....


brrrr....

Thursday, March 01, 2007

tag...I'm it!

I've been meme tagged by Kelly!

BOOKS!

Hardback or paperback: It doesn't matter to me...whichever one the book I want to read is published in

Amazon or brick and mortar: This one is tough...I can spend hours in either place...

Barnes & Noble or Borders: Hmmm.....Borders is closer to me, but I like the coffee at B&N better

Bookmark or dog ear: I like to use a bookmark, because (like Kelly) I feel really bad when I bend the pages down

Alphabetize by author, alphabetize by subject, or random: That would require organization....who do you think you are talking to here???

Keep, throw away or sell: keep...again...getting rid of things would requre some sort of organization...I keep EVERYTHING!

Keep the dust jacket or toss it: How could you throw that away? It's part of the book!

Short story or novel: novel

Collection (same author) or anthology (different authors): I guess it's both. I have a lot of books by the same authors (JK Rowling, William Martin, Michael and Jeff Shaara), but I also have a lot of anthologies (Baseball, Civil War)

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket: I will have to say Harry Potter, since I have never read Lemony Snicket.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks: when I get tired, I read until the next chapter break.

“It was a dark and storm night” or “once upon a time?”: definitely both!

Buy or borrow: buy...again...why return anything when you can squirrel it all away in corners of the apartment for the boy to trip over and curse at??

New or used: both

Buying choice: if something new comes out by a favorite author, or whatever looks good

Tidy endings or cliffhangers: My books need to end...I despise cliffhangers...I've already pre-ordered the next Harry Potter book from Amazon, because I can't wait to find out what happens!!!

Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading: Nighttime reading

Stand-alone or series: both

Favorite series: I love Harry Potter, and I also own all the Winnie the Pooh books (you're not alone Kelly!)

I tag Derek

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Evolution of Dance

How many of these do YOU remember?

Clarinet Marmalade

I think the Yankee Doodle Dixieland Band should get these outfits for our uniforms...

ooowie....

Dull headache all day turned into sharp pounding pain this afternoon after school. I could barely drive home, every bump hurt my head. I walked through the door, and the Glade Plug In scent that I usually find so comforting, I found completely nauseating. I lay down in my bed, wishing that my heart wasn't beating so darn loud, and I slept from 5:30 - 7:30. Now I am up eating a bowl of my favorite cereal, Quaker Oat Squares, drinking some juice, and downing some Excedrin, while I watch America's Funniest Videos.

Owie

:-(

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Comfort food at its best....


Last night's dinner....


Homemade macaroni and cheese with hotdogs!!!


YUM!!!!

Does Barbie live in Harvard????


A pink house....seriously.....

Pretty views



While doing some errands yesterday, I ended up on the back roads of Harvard (over by the Fruitlands museum and farm). I had to stop to take a look out my window. The pictures don't do it justice...it was breath-taking...

ugh....

SOOOO MUCH LAUNDRY!!!

So much, in fact, we went to a laundromat. It was seriously 10 washing machine loads of laundry. We wore dirty socks today, since we had no more. Surprisingly, we apparently have enough underwear to last us 10 loads worth and still have a clean pair....at least I know my underwear were clean....

Seriously....one hamper, two laundry baskets, and three pillowcases full of clothes....

It was a ridiculous amount....matched only by the ridiculous amount of quarters pumped into the machines...

We did make the most of it though! We played poker and walked to the Wok n' Roll next door to get take-out, which we ate inside the laundromat. So, if you ignore the giant piles of laundry and the hideously loud washers, and the one particular machine that decided to rock back and forth while beeping hysterically that the load was unbalanced, no matter how many times we fixed it and rearranged the clothes inside...........it wasn't so bad!

Saturday, February 24, 2007

yummy muffins

I made these muffins with Basic 4 cereal...really good!

Raisin Bran Muffins

1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 1/2 c. raisin bran cereal
3/4 c. milk
1/2 c. whole-wheat flour
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 c. packed dark-brown sugar


Preheat oven to 400. Line muffin tin (recipe says 6, I made 12) with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine cereal and milk; let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

Stir oil, egg, and sugar into cereal mixture. Fold in flour mixture. Divide batter among cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool in tin 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack; let cool completely, or serve warm. Store up to 5 days at room temperature in a resealable plastic bag.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Budding Photographer

This pictures doesn't do it justice...AT ALL....I tried though...

This is a picture of the Sankaty Head lighthouse on Nantucket. I took this photo, standing at the bottom, and looking up. There's a lot of play with the sunlight.

I got the photo blown up to 11x14 for only $2 thanks to Shutterfly.com.

It is now hanging in our bedroom....I LOVE IT!!!!

New addition to my classroom


I'll have to think up a name for him later. Maybe I'll have a contest with my students.
The best part of this whole thing though....the oyster's shell opens and closes with the bubbles!!!!

Oh what a beautiful morning....


Oh what a beautiful day!

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Mardi Gras Dinner



My very own concoction of peppers, onions, sausage, and sauce. (it will be a little less New Orleans when I serve it with garlic bread, but who cares?) :-P

mmm....yummy....


The Roche Brothers near my apartment now has an OLIVE BAR!!!!


Ok...I had to limit myself....I could have EASILY spent $15 on olives....
(I also have to limit myself on how fast I eat them....)


SO YUMMY!!!!

Monday, February 19, 2007

Chili's Adventures, Round 2

Ok...this one had to be separate, because the onion deserved an entire post to itself.

After our onion fiasco, we decided we were still hungry. The waitress informed us the soup of the day was a baked potato soup. We decided that sounded really yummy, so we each ordered a cup.

The soup arrived, and it looked an awful lot like this:


which at least to us, did not appear to resemble baked potato soup, which we thought should look more like this:


And, after tasting the soup, our suspicions were confirmed.... instead of baked potato soup....we were eating CHEDDAR AND BROCCOLI SOUP!!!! President Bush beware!!!

It's all good though...we like Broccoli cheddar soup anyways...

I guess it was just not meant to be....


Met up with my college roomie in Lowell today. She lives in Nashua, so it is a pretty good halfway point. Anyways...

We wanted to go to the Outback to eat a Bloomin' Onion. It was a yummy idea, but apparently the Outback doesn't open until 4 pm, and we were there at 2.

So, we ended up at Chili's instead, where we ordered an Awesome Blossom, a cheap rip-off of the Bloomin' Onion. However...because of the recent frigid temperatures in California, there is a shortage of giant onions...

...so they have to make something that resembles a plate of onion fries. There seems to be less on the plate, and it's just not the same...

Sadness...

Sunday, February 18, 2007

oh the joy...

Being the first "weeknight" of February vacation....I am basking in the joy of not having to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn tomorrow morning!

Tonight was a rehearsal of the YDDB...of which there hasn't been in many months...

I haven't looked at this music in a while...and I am ashamed to say I was underpracticed...but I still had a lot of fun. Both Steve and myself had arranged some songs for the group to play which we took a look at tonight. I think both went well. He arranged "Just A Closer Walk with Thee", and I arranged "Clarinet Marmalade" (talk about opposite ends of the musical spectrum).

The boy came along and listened (I think he was bored to tears for most of the rehearsal...I told him to bring along his trumpet). However, we both had a lot of fun at the end of rehearsal. John's homemade brew was DELICIOUS!!! We imbibed in many a glass...nut brown ale and New Castle....mmmmm.....(Peter would be proud)

I have learned that it was not just in my imagination....there is a certain member of the group who seems to look at me more often than not. I didn't mention anything before or after rehearsal to the boy, and as a matter of fact, he actually mentioned it to me first. In a way I am glad to know it's not just in my head, but I am also skeeved out to find out that it's not just in my head at the same time... (the guy is old enough to be my father...and then some...)

eeeew

Yesterday was Yangtze River buffet night...mmmmmmmmmm......

Today was lunch/dinner (linner? lupper?) with the boy's family, whom we met up with in Braintree for a lovely meal at JJ something-or-others. I had a personal pizza (2 slices left for tomorrow, woohoo!), with peppers and pineapple (they ran out of ham....who runs out of ham???). I also had some Blue Moon....yummy!!!

Anyhow...I am looking forward to the week's vacation, and I assure you that I will have more entries in the blog too keep you apprised of all the details.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

My teacherly duties...

Tonight was the school dance. It really is hilarious to watch the students interact outside of the classroom.

And I am proud (or maybe I'm not) to say that I danced to "Cotton Eyed Joe", "The Chicken Dance" and "The Cha-Cha Slide".

So my students can't say that I don't do anything at these dances.

I shook my tail feather!

Snow?

All I have to say is....

...if I have school tomorrow...

...I'm going to be seriously pissed...

...

...

...

Monday, February 12, 2007

A blast from the past...

I can't seem to log in to my blog through Google Video...

...so I will just have to post the link to bring you over to the video...not as sophisticated, but it will have to do (still gets the job done)

Click here to watch a video of my goofy college friends acting in still frames to Frank Sinatra's "Jealous Lover".

It's funny to me, probably just strange to you...

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Only my family...

Brunch with the family was great this morning, but I have to say that the highlight of the morning was my Grampy.

Before leaving, my grandfather went to use the restroom. We waited for him outside the door. He came out and immediately says "I need some tissues" and turns around and re-enters the restroom. He comes back out...

...with the entire box.

And hands them to my aunt, instructing her to take them to his car.

...the entire box...

...from a COUNTRY CLUB...

...we might not be allowed back inside...

Seriously....

Since watching every episode of Grey's Anatomy known to man, I have found myself saying "seriously" a lot...seriously....

Taken from wikipedia:

"The characters often say "seriously", usually at the end of a sentence, as a question or as a pronouncement. On the "Frequently Asked Questions" page on the show's website at ABC.com and the audio commentaries, creator Shonda Rhimes explains that one of the writers, Krista Vernoff, used the saying all the time and it spread to the writing staff, and eventually, to the dialogue. "

Seriously...

food

We are food junkies, we admit it...

Saturday, we had it in our heads to go to the Outback. We drive to Leominster, only to find out that everyone else had the same idea. It was going to be a 65 minute wait! We decided to go somewhere else.

We end up at Chili's, where there was only a 20 minute wait. We order yummy drinks and appetizers, and our meal....WAY too much food. We brought our main courses home.

Saturday afternoon I made a Boston Creme Pie (don't get too excited, it was a box mix - I made it in the Bake and Fill pan). I had the intentions of having dessert after we came back from dinner, but we were stuffed to the gills.

This morning we met Grampy, Debbie, my parents and Steve at the Portsmouth Country Club for a brunch buffet. Again...WAY too much food. And mimosas...mmmmm

We came home and had a slice of the cake in the afternoon. It was good.

Food is good.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

What happened to peace and quiet???

All I wanted was a peaceful, quiet Saturday after a very very long week. But no...I was woken up at 9:00 to the unending, loud, shaking the apartment construction of the neighbors upstairs. I don't know what they are doing, but they have been doing it for the past 7 hours...

It's starting to peeve me off...

grrr....

When will we be able to afford a house again?????

Thursday, February 08, 2007

creeeeeeeeeeepy

It's almost three minutes long, but you HAVE to watch it through to the end....SCARY!!!

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Indian Rap

Ok...it sounds like it would be bad...but it's really not...I kinda like it!

Super Bowl Commercials

I can't wait till this year's super bowl commercials!!!

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Callie O'Malley

HAHAHA

I LOVE GREY'S ANATOMY!!!!!

Hi! My name is...

My new fishies now have names.

I named the two orange ones Tropicana and Sunkist.

The boy named the three pink ones Flo, Mary and Shirley. Which, if you look closely, rhyme with a certain favorite trio of his. (He said since they were pink, they had to be girls).