Robin's Top Ten List (a la David Lettermen)

So I get paid on the 1st! Only teachers would understand the feeling of not getting $$$$ since July 1. Now, this year, I've actually done OK, my summer paychecks from the Credit Union were pretty good. There are times when they are pretty sparse as I've already taken the money out and been left with a few hundred dollars to last a month. I have a list of places to visit and items to buy when I FINALLY HAVE MONEY!!!

This top ten list is an homage to my late night comedian of choice, David Lettermen. He just sends me and I want no comments from the Peanut Gallery about THAT!

Robin's Top Ten Things she'll buy when she gets paid!

#10 Take the car to Jiffy Lube.
#9 Have a shopping spree at Target (tons of stuff there!)
#8 Buy some Partridge Family CD's (you know you want some too!)
#7 Go to Zappos.com and buy some new shoes!
#6 Buy a Glider Glider Pro, half the size of the other ones and it has some green on it! Refills are very reasonably priced too!
#5 Buy some Princess House catalogs for the Christmas season and some samples.
#4 Order from Stampin' Up's new catalog, including that yummy straight scallop punch.
#3 Visit Buck A Roos (it is a local thing, you've probably never heard of them before. They have a store on my way home from work in Pico Rivera and for some reason, they've been closed. But there is a sign in the window that says they are coming back on OCT 1! They have lots of fun stuff for the classroom and crafting but what I really want is 12 x 12 bags both for school and for my home projects. I bought some a while ago that had a zip lock top that would be perfect for my little K students.)
#2 Sign up for Jessica's class in Ontario so I can do the acrylic albums justice.

AND THE #1 THING ROBIN IS GOING TO BUY WHEN SHE GETS PAID...

#1 Some CRICUT cartridges!

Sing along with me, "I think I love you, so what am I so afraid of? Afraid that I'm not sure of, a love there is no cure for." DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH "I think I love you, isn't that what life is made of? Though it worries me to say, I've never felt this way!"
Musically yours, Robin

Go Dodgers! Go Dodgers!! Go Dodgers!

The ORIGINAL Los Angeles baseball team!!!!!

Back To School Night was today. Had parents of 12 out of 19 students come. OK odds I guess.
Our wonderful, awesome Media Center aide is leaving us tomorrow. I had a special fondness for her because I got to be involved in the interviews for her position. She not only took care of the library, she also was responsible for the Computer Lab. Good bye and good luck Selenia. I will miss you tons!

Dancing With the Stars!

I'm in Heaven! Three nights of Dancing With the Stars! Misty May will be my favorite, she hasn't danced yet so I hope she does well and Susan Lucci my second favorite, I am a long time All My Children watcher, almost since the beginning. We used to have season tickets to Long Beach State's Women's Volleyball and watched Misty a lot. Don't know how she's had time to practice since the Olympics but GO MISTY!!!!

Happy Birthday Nevin!

Nevin celebrated his birthday, it was very low key this year. I took him to Steak and Stein in Pico Rivera, always a nice dinner from them. I had plans on going to the School Board meeting later that night, thus dinner so close to Montebello, but our Board presentation by our principal was cancelled two hours before it was to begin! How screwy is that? She was nice enough tho call me so I wouldn't make a trip for nothing. Nev and I had wonderful rib eye steaks and all the usual, decadent fixing on everything. That cheese toast is to DIE for. His birthday doesn't come at a particularly opportune time for me. Since I haven't received a regular paycheck since July 1, things at this time of year get a little lean, not me, just my wallet! I really rely on our Credit Union to hold my money because if it was up to me... I got him either a corner unit for the TV in the bedroom or I contributed to the TV in the bedroom which technically we don't have yet. Confused? Basically, I'll give him money. Not my favorite gift to give or usually to get but I am appreciating its usefulness more and more.

Nevin had been watching the Ryder Cup all weekend. He doesn't usually watch golf but something about this event really grabs him. I find it confusing, it is constantly switching back and forth and I'm not super familiar with the sport.

I finally figured out why I not an Obama fan, he reminds me of someone who used to just irritate the heck out of me. I took me a while to put my finger on it. I have been doing a lot of reading this week but still haven't made a definitive decision as of yet.

Back to School Night this Thursday! If you talked to me at all last school year, I'm sure you heard how hard that class was, I didn't want to be in second grade, felt I wasn't being utilized in the best way and there were some students with, shall we just say, issues. This year I have an interesting K class, a few issues here and there, I just got a bunch of new ones and gave up more to the new teacher who I know, Margie! I am looking forward to being next door to her, she starts in a week at her new assignment.

We lost our substitute attendance clerk who had been with us for a long time and I found out the Media Aide is leaving soon also, so sad! I hate changes.

Friday Night was our monthly "Dinner and a Swap". The format is similar to the old swap club I was in, a hostess picks the project we make at home and we trade or creations. But now, the hostess also picks a restaurant instead of a potluck and it has been so fun to go to every one's picks. This time, it was an Italian place in Downey, good food!

Go Dodgers!

Happy Anniversary Aunt Joan and Uncle Ed!

Yesterday, Nev and I went to a 50th anniversay party for his Aunt Joan and Uncle Ed. It was so nice to see so many family members on such a happy occasion. Cousin Rita made great food, she has a knack for arranging food so it looks elegant and inviting on the trays. She picked some foods I had never tried before like Armenian string cheese that looked like pasta and Polish cookies that consisted of an apple filling, gingerbread surrounding that and the whole thing dipped in chocolate, yummy! Anyway, the point of this story is that everyone was able to get together on a beautiful So Cal day to congratulation Joan and Ed. Here's to you!

My Uncle Raoul underwent triple bypass surgery and I am happy to report that he is back home! My cousins have done a great job keeping us informed. I have some really nice cousins and every time I see them, I am sorry I haven't been able to spend more time with them. Same thing as Nev's family, family get togethers tend to be for weddings and funerals. Quite a lot of them did come down to Whittier for my mom's birthday this summer and also for 4th of July, one of my family favorite events.

Still on the fence with the election business. I am watching and reading a lot. Looking forward to the debates.

See you!

Congratulations Laurel and Dean!

We just got back from our favorite place, the Central Coast. Our friend Laurel married her Prince Charming, Dean in a Catholic Mass in Paso Robles yesterday. They had a really fun casual reception in her back yard. We met some nice people from Whittier. Laurel lives in Creston and near as I could see, they raise horses out there. The weather was HOT, 105 to be exact. If anyone knows how to make the little circle to show the degrees sign, lmk. We stayed in Cambria because it would be cooler and we just love it there. Didn't do too much shopping but bought some preserves, lavender lotion, TimTams (Aussie cookies) and the cutest little frog salt and pepper shakers! Took our time coming home. Stopped at the Cotton Ball. a quilt shop in Morrow Bay, shopped at the Royal Doulton store in Camarillo, ate in Malibu at a very good restaurant we discovered last trip and got home about an hour and a half ago.

I had a post all ready to go last week then I tried to insert some photos. Well, that was the end of that post, it disappeared and the pictures, while saved on my computer, never made it to the blog. I'll work on that.

The gist of that post was that I thought the Sarah Palin was a terrific choice for the Republican Party. I don't agree with her views, but what a bright and interesting women she is, I thought she delivered a great speech. Some of my friends seem almost angry that I'd even consider not voting my usual but but I figured I'm allowed. I'm just checking it out folks, I invite you to do the same.

Dirty clothes await! Robin

Happy Birthday Rita!

I just got back from dinner with my friend Rita. She is one of my very oldest friends from Whittier College, I have known her for 32 years! Amazing, isn't it? We had swimming together 1st semester and her sister said that only a Freshman would do that! We later pledged together, she was in my wedding, done a little traveling together and she just always has been one of my very good friends! There were 7 of us that pledged as freshmen and this is the year we are turning 50. Rita's attitude about it is much better than mine. Since she is the youngest of 5, now she is like her brothers and sisters. But I am the oldest of my sisters so when I turn 50, I'll be the only one and for quite a while. Can't say that I'll really looking forward to the big 5-0.

Came home to see Nevin watching the Republican Convention. Sounds quite enthusiastic.

School went well, we had a whole bunch of kids sign up last minute and I now have 25! The other two K classes are high also and hopefully, we'll get some relief in the future, maybe a new teacher? My students were so cute and most of them so little! I'm much more relaxed. Even a couple of parents commented to me that I looked so much happier today than I looked last year. I didn't think I was so transparent. Oh well. My whiskey barrel of flowers outside my classroom survived the summer quite nicely but I want to buy some bamboo for the inside of the class. Thay have always done well in that room, maybe that was what was missing last year. Off to shop, I hear the Dollar Tree has some good deals! :-)

Another school year

School starts tomorrow! I am much more excited than last year. If you recall, or maybe you didn't know the issues, I taught 2nd grade. It was a difficult year, very difficult. If I could have retired, I would have, mid year even. It was that bad. But now, as one of my Kindergarten teacher friends said, "Robin, you're back in the club!" So I am. It took hours of work to get the K stuff out last year and it has taken hours to put it back this year. Best part is that we will be going full day K after the first Parent Conference in November! I have wanted that for years, so much to teach and so little time to do it. In an ideal world, I'd have my aide back for three hours but those days are long gone. Mrs. Valentino was with me for fourteen years and I miss her terribly. We have shared classrooms off and on for the last 10 years. Not my favorite thing, no secret to anyone, I have been in my same classroom since 1985 and it is very hard for me to share that space. Finally, this year, we are able to be by ourselves and teach all day. It is nice to work with another K teacher, especially if you don't have to share the room, just your time and talents. But we will be unable to help in the same way this year so it will be a challenge with a new situation. No matter, I am just so glad to be back teaching K!

The hardest thing will be getting up in the morning, I am still on the "Olympic Schedule". I did get up kind of early today but took not one but two naps today! Hopefully, I'll be able to leap out of bed, (yeah right), and be out of here early! I have a few things to do before I greet my little ones in the morning. I'd like to take their pictures first thing which leads me to another subject. Photos...There aren't any here so far and Natalie, my pledge sister asked me "Where's the frogs?" I know they should be here but I don't know how to do that yet, something on my list of things to learn. That and get good at Excell. :-) Power Point too. OK, my computer skills are lacking but boy, can I shop on line!

So for all my teacher friends out there, have a great year! Dorothy, who already started, hope things get better!

Robin

Welcome to "A Frog's Life!"

So people, I thought I'd give this blogging business a whirl. My summer has come to an end and what better way to welcome the new school year in than starting something new and different. So here goes...

Hi there! It is the first day of Septmber, just one more precious day of vacation before school starts on Tuesday. I've been inspired to try a blog, mostly by reading Jessica Guthrie's. She's funny! I met her this summer, she organized the shopping bus trip from Southern Calif to Provo, Utah for CKU. I enjoy reading blogs, I love writing, spelling not so much, so bear with me. I hope you enjoy a little glimpse in my life.

Dh, aka Nevin, is watching Fox News in the other room. I must tell you, we have a "mixed marriage", he is a Republican and I am about as liberal a Democrat as they come. Politics are always a lively topic around here and this election is no exception. For the first time, let's just tackle the controversial topics first, I'm not sure who I will vote for. I watch and read a lot and I like both canditates for VP, just not thrilled about my choices for President.

My family is meeting for a Labor Day brunch in the instead of the usual barbecue so my nephews can be there. They are busy later at a birthday party for one of Elaine's kids. (my first friend I've mentioned!) I'm going to make a pasta salad. I'm good at those.

I am the oldest of five girls. My folks live right across the street and no, it isn't like Everyone Loves Raymond. We are all really different, well I think so, but things are generally pretty smooth. The bad thing about living across the street is that my parents' house is beautiful and their yard looks like a park and our doesn't. It needs work and we have a PODS parked in our driveway which probably isn't too pretty to look at. We're used to it.

Happy Labor Day!! Robin