So, not to brag ...

But it is a great feeling to have all my bills paid and still have a good deal of moolah left over. Struggling all these past years has blown, but the pay-off is wonderful.

:D

Major suckage

Today sucked.

I woke up in a foul mood which was only compounded by the fact that, when I got to school, my projector's bulb had blown which prevented me from doing what I had planned. And, of course, the kids were acting like obnoxious pre-teens (Big surprise there. They are 10 and 11.) and couldn't follow directions to save their lives.

I managed to piss off some of my team members when I shared my opinion which, clearly, a few people didn't want to hear.

When I get home, Bailey is a pain in the ass and refuses to listen to anything I tell her to do.

And, to put the cherry on my day, The Boy just called to tell me that he isn't coming over until late tomorrow. That was the one thing that was getting me through the day without crying. And, now, an hour before Meet the Teacher night -- which I am dreading more than the plague -- I'm ready to freakin' break down.

Everything, taken separately, would have been fine. It's just the combination of crap that wears a girl down.

The only good part of the day was that my outfit rocked. But that can only take a girl so far.

(I still love my job and feel incredibly blessed and lucky to have it. It's just one of those days where I just want to curl up into a ball and die. We all have those, right? Sadly, I'm not even premenstrual.)

Oh well. In the words of Scarlett, "Tomorrow is another day."

My two laptop life

In a vain effort to keep my work life at work and my home life at home, I've decided to never bring my Mac to school. However, the school computer makes a regular appearnance in the house every night. So, my office looks like this every night ...

The all-important Facebook, iTunes, and goof-off distractors on the Mac.

The serious grading, emailing, planning work on the tablet.

Such is my life. I've succeeded in keeping home at home. But work has invaded my home office. I'm somewhat productive (although the prospective progress is embarrassingly slow.) and am really happy with the new job and all of its related perks. I just wish I was better at leaving work at work. But I guess that is the nature of teaching, right?

I love you, Ava?

I promised The Boy a visit to the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, NC (of all places!) for Christmas. Now that I live in the Triangle and only about 25 minutes away, we finally got to go. Turns out that she was born just outside of Smithfield and is buried there as well. Since I have always been a huge follower of the glamour and glitz of the Golden Era of Hollywood, I was pretty excited. The museum was small but fascinating. It was a great day.

One of her many costumes form one of her many movies.

I like this photo because of the reflection that appears on her bodice. This chick had an 18 inch waist!! I'm not even sure if that is humanly possible!!!

The only role she ever earned an Academy Award for. And she got to star with Gable, her childhood movie crush!

Isn't she beautiful?!

I hadn't realized that Ava and Frank were married. In fact, both claimed (in life, of course) that they were each other's "one great love." It took many years for their separation to become an actual divorce, and, even after their divorce, they remained close friends.

Another gown with an impossibly small waist.

This photograph is the one that started it all. She had just arrived to NY to live with her sister and brother-in-law. A local photographer snapped this photo and displayed it in his shop window. A MGM exec passed by and instantly knew she was star-material. A few months later, she was on her way to Hollywood to become the icon that she is today.

A sleeping gown. I wish all of my "sleeping gowns" were made of lace and silk.

Some of her famous bathing-suit shots.

Her embellished cape from The Barefoot Contessa. She had over 40 pairs of shoes for the role. Just another reason for me to adore her!

If you ever get the chance, you should visit the museum. It is small and in a nothing little town, but the display and exhibit is interesting. Of course, I wouldn't plan an entire trip around the museum (it is Smithfield, after all. A place known for hog farming), but if you are in the Raleigh area, it is worth a stop over!

6th Graders are SMALL!

This week was my first week with students at CA. I've been in faculty training for two weeks, so I was more than ready for my kiddies to show. and when they did, I was astounded at how small they are. I guess being surrounded by college students for the last four years had made me forget how little and vulnerable these little guys and gals are. I mean, a few of them only come up to my hip!!! Now, granted, my hip is higher than most, but still! They are so small.

BTW - My first period class has 5 -- count them, FIVE! -- young gentlemen straight from England. Seriously?! All five in one class? I'm thinking it was planned that way, but now I spend my early mornings enjoying some awesome English accents.

The teaching thing is going well too. Of course, the first three days of school are pretty low-key and are filled with get-to-know-you games and basic information, but I think I've made some honest and solid connections with my kids. I start real teaching this coming week, and, by next week, we will be in full swing.

I'm really so excited with all of this!!!