Crazy like a Champion

I woke up this morning with this song in my head; and I thought, "I feel like a champ! And, I made it!" Well, almost anyhow - I still have to sub for 4th grade today but that'll be fun and keep me on my toes.



Just as I was thinking that song was actually a little anticlimactic and I obviously still have a some 'climactic' in my day, this song popped into my head as I grabbed my Rith mug full of coffee (Gary Rith made it for me and it holds my entire 4 cup carafe) and headed to the bathroom to dress and paint myself pretty. And, after all, this song is a little more befitting an early Friday morning and pre-Friday afternoon:



I mean if Elton John and Billy Joel can't get you jumping then you mine as well just crawl back under the covers and hide your face with a pillow.

As most of y'all know today is my first day to sub at the Intermediate campus and apprehensive at first, after meeting with FJ's teacher whom I'm subbing for today I thought, "I got this." Because at the end of the day? I rock my life and I'm a champion.

And, yes, I might be a little crazy. [That's the only way to balance the other side of myself - you know, uptight? Ducks in a straight line? Ts crossed and Is dotted?] :-P

I'm witty, odd and love to throw out all my colloquialisms (big word for 5:30 in the morning don't y'all think? ha ha) in the end - I own it. All of it. Because tis the crazy champion I am.

Okay, enough rambling and introspect. Which are you today? Are you a champion or are you crazy or are you like me and just the right amount of both?

Happy FWFD OTW! Squeeeeeeee!!

Crazy like a Champion

CALLUM: The Cursed Clan

Sounds good already right?

I've had the awesome opportunity to review several ARCs from this author, Melissa Schroeder. Some of which were quite x-rated, erotic reads. This book is an exception to that. Meaning, it is more of a sensual romance novel - but no worries, Melissa went heavy on the sensual. :-D

Callum Lennen is basically the leader of the McLennan clan. Although he's generations old due to a curse put on his clan, along with his cousins who are his only remaining family, he's ageless. Or, at least he's stopped aging.

He has other talents too, I mean gifts, that come with the curse. [Don't worry, he is quite talented but those have nothing to do with the curse, if you catch my drift.] And that Scottish accent? *Swoon*

The curse is something he and his family have been researching to find a way to break once and for all. So they can all lead normal lives and not be trapped like this forever. Enter Phoebe Chilton. An expert in the field of archeology although her true love is the study of celtic relics and their legends.

Callum needs Phoebe to interpret a secret diary he has come to own; a witches diary. Phoebe is hoping this is her big chance to break out on her own - away from her parents rule and away from archeology so that she can finally make a career studying her true passion. Both have secrets they aren't sharing.

Of course, in the beginning their working relationship is quite restricted and obstinate. He's a hard@$$ who's used to being in charge and is skeptical of Dr. Chilton. Though, Phoebe doesn't buckle under his hard eyes and tone. Callum hates this as much at it intrigues him.

I loved this story by Melissa Schroeder. If you like romance novels with a twist and some mystery and some 'sensual' then this is the book for you! But be prepared, one read of Melissa Schroeder and you'll be hooked - her books are like 'sensual' addictions. :-P

Thank you to Melissa Schroeder and her wonderful PA, Brandy Walker, for sharing another great novel!

CALLUM: The Cursed Clan

Mom's Cervical Surgery: Corpectomy

Mom is having surgery next week. Kind of out of the blue, at least for me. She had a cervical fusion about 15 years ago; but opted out of the full thing due to a) it was a newer procedure, and b) my brother was only about two years old and she didn't want to chance being a quadriplegic.

This is still a fear and concern. But, my brother is now 17 and mom can't tolerate the pain anymore. Mom has a lot of pain issues. Most of which were exacerbated or added to when she was thrown from the ambulance she was working in as an EMT one morning about 11 years ago. She wasn't only thrown from it but as it continued to roll it actually smashed her into a ditch. Think cartoons where the character leaves an impression in the dirt/floor. Yeah, like that.

It is amazing she even survived - I can't believe it still myself. It shattered her pelvis and her one wrist. It put her whole body in a frenzy. Fibromyalgia along with any other flaming issue that one could incur.

She's dealt with this as best she can however over the years she has become more and more degenerated. This is difficult for her because a) she's very independent and doesn't like not being able to do things for herself and b) its freakin' painful. She's in a power chair and sleeps on a hospital bed. She's never completely out of pain - and anyone can tell that just by being around her.

So, I understand and am proud that she is making the jump to have at least something done that the doctors and surgeons are offering as a solution and some relief. There are still extreme risks though. Quadriplegia and/or the worst - something goes wrong while she's on the table. We've discussed all this.

Here is pretty much what they are going to do (warning, some of this is really graphic):



Pretty incredible. Pretty scary. With mom, her disks are in such delicate condition that they could burst - I'm sure they are more than bulging at this point in time. We are still unsure of what her range of motion will be after having this done. Her biggest hope though, is that she can get the use of her arms back without the never-ending degenerative pain.

Now that she's decided to have this done she says she can hardly stand to count down the days. I don't blame her. My tendonitis acts up in my left elbow and I have a small pity party for myself because I can't pick up a gallon of milk. So, I can only imagine - no. Not really. I really can't.

This is what is on the agenda at the end of next week. It will be hairy because mom also has extreme sensitivity to a lot of the additives used in so many drugs. Some make her sick while others make her loopy and I mean like crazy loopy not goofy loopy. It's the lesser of two evils, I guess.

Anyhow, fingers crossed and put some prayers up there? This is going to be a good thing. So long as everything goes according to the plan.

Well, it is Wednesday (WHOOP! Hump-day!) and time to wake the family and feed the kids and get out the door and all of that.

Remember to smile (and the whole world smiles with you, as they say) :-D

Mom's Cervical Surgery: Corpectomy

984

This is my 984th post since I began blogging in January of 2008. Most people wouldn't think to comment on such an odd number, but rather focus on a milestone such as 1,000. But this morning I saw that little number and thought, wow. Things have changed in the last four years.

When I first began blogging we had been living in the castle for about a month. My goals back then were to be a cross between June Cleaver and Betty Crocker with a little Martha mixed in. [I didn't know who Paula Dean was at the time or I'm sure she would have been included.]

Now, I am months from the big 40. Life has sped up. The kids are busy in school (*sigh* constant worry with FJ - he puts in the effort but he struggles in some subjects) and extra curricular activities and I feel like I'm rarely home enough to polish the castle like in the old days.

I've gone from housekeeper to freelance writer to now part time substitute, chauffeur, and over-achieving reader. I've gone from a 6:30 a.m. routine to a 4:30 a.m. routine that gives me the pleasure of extra time each morning but leaves me drained come Friday afternoon.

Some mornings I sit here and think I'd like to just play hooky. Other mornings I'm an obnoxious bundle of optimism and joy bouncing around the house.

As much as I do and get done I am consciously aware of all that I could still do or didn't get done. Like the laundry cart that is staring at me while I piddle my time clicking away up in here.  The things and people that get neglected along the way. In the end I have to tell myself that it is what it is and I remind myself to be sure I'm enjoying this rat race as I continue to spin my little wheel. Otherwise, what was it all for, right?

My mind plays various renditions of 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' and 'Red, Red Wine' as the background elevator music of my life. I have a really good life and I'm very blessed. And counting the blessings is what makes it all worth it.

So with that, I'm going to whistle my way through the day - leaving you with this:



[There could be worse songs to have stuck in your head, right?] :-P Happy Tuesday!

984

The Modern Substitute

Remember the days of substitutes back when we were kids?

They either gave you a lot of busy work or let you do pretty much whatever you wanted. Rarely did one come in that had a clue.

Although, when I was in high school there was a change in the teaching industry. Suddenly, teachers were in their mid twenties to early 30s and they were also typically good looking.

<----------- FYI, did you read the cartoon? Ms. Eggbeaters? BAWWW-HAAAA-haaaaa! Cracked me up! Ha! Did it again! Okay, enough of the egg jokes.

I remember sitting in class snickering with my friends about how 'hawt' the male substitute was. Oh, and that's another thing. There are WAY more male teachers now days then I remember back when I was in school.

Things have changed. Being new to substituting myself I've discovered that it is really pretty cool. Of course, I'm special because my first week long assignment has been in the library. Not just any ol'substitute can pick up a library job. :-P You have to be 'assigned' the job - and lucky for me, I've been well trained by both the kids campus librarians. Being a library sub is AWESOME! Non-stop busy but awesome!

Technology is so awesome in the subbing program. Last week when I'd wake up I'd go to the website that I'm signed up with to see what jobs in our district, across the campuses I chose to sub at, were available. Seeing as I'm up at 4:30, and check regularly, I'd see the first posts as soon as they became available. Unfortunately, I was already booked up and unable to take any of the assignments.

And, after this week, I need next week to get my household back on track. But, if I see a nice half day assignment I'll probably snatch it up. And, I can do that with the 'click' of my mouse. It's like I wake up and think, "I feel like working today. Oh look, there's a half day in first grade for Ms. So-And-So. [CLICK]" And, I'm working that day. The flexibility is awesome!

And, the schools need their subs. Friday Lil'Gal's campus was short subs. And, Farmer, Jr's class never got one for his homeroom teacher. I totally would have picked that up for her but I was already volunteering at Lil'Gal's campus and then she had a weird tummy ache and we both had to go home at half day.

Anyhow, if you are looking for some part time, flexible work, and enjoy children/kids - I'd suggest you check with your kids school district and/or campus and look into substitute teaching. [If you could land yourself a library assignment - that'd be the bomb! So get to know the librarian. And, believe me they need the help too!]

I've thoroughly enjoyed this week. It started out hectic-crazy. I was checking in  and checking out books faster than a concession stand rings up food and beverages at a Super Bowl game. Seriously. That busy. And, then in addition to that I had to finish up the bulletin board I had started last week for our Super AR readers, and Ms. M gets bus duty [hall monitoring as the kids make their way to their bus lines.] I love it when the kids look up at me with smiling faces. Or, acknowledge me in the hallway (they always know my name or at least who's mom I am but I often only know their face - after all, there's 1100 of them) with a 'Hi Ms. FW!' Or an, 'I saw you in the library!' Or even better, 'The book you recommended is so funny! I got a 100 on my AR test!' Yep. Love it.

It's been a long week and I'm super-pooped. Or, at least I will be when the day finally comes to an end and my duties are done. But it has totally been worth it. And, I have to say - FUN.

Welp. Time to wake up my own youngins and feed them and get us all out the door. It's FWFD OTW!
Make it a great one!

The Modern Substitute