Monday, January 3, 2011

Monday Meandering

Well, I'm back to the "real world" of work tomorrow. Thought I would unload some randomness to start the new year.

***There'll be no reflection or resolutions here; I guess I just like to live in the here and now, rather than the past or the future. (Who am I kidding? I'm just too lazy.)

***The Green Bay Packers pulled off a win tonight to squeak into the NFL playoffs. As any Packers fan will tell you, it's a real bummer to get up on Monday morning after a loss and go to work. As any teacher will also tell you, going back to school on the Monday after Christmas vacation is a major drag. As you can guess, it's going to be a lot easier for me to get up tomorrow. (Thanks, Pack!)

***Kendall and I went with friends to see the movie, The Tourist, this week. I liked it just fine, but I can't tell you anything about it, because I have this strange "condition" that causes me to forget movies after I see them, unless I've seen then more than a couple times.  I do remember finding Angelina's beauty very distracting (for what that's worth). I've heard a lot of good reviews about True Grit, too, so that one is next on my list.

***I always read a book or two over Christmas and summer breaks. This time, I read ReThinking Homework: Best Practices that Support Diverse Needs. It's an eye-opening book that caused me to really think deeply about my homework philosophy. All teachers should read that book.  To learn more about it, read this and this.  I also read The Help, by Katheryn Stokett. I would rate it a 4 out of 5. The author did a beautiful job on this, her first book!  To read some interesting reviews on The Help, read them here at Amazon or Karen Zemek's review here.

***Last Tuesday, a handful of Kyle's college friends stopped by unexpectedly (around 10pm).  Always the perfect host/dad (of course) Mr.4444 insisted on preparing them a meal of grilled chicken breasts, mashed potatoes (boxed), and green beans.  On their way home, one of the kids sent a text:

"Mr. 4444, how do you manage to keep so much of the juice in the chicken?"

The reply... "Years of experience with breasts."

Ba-dump-bump!  He keeps me laughing, that man of mine...

Here's to a light-hearted week for each of you! :)

26 comments:

  1. I have that same condition - that I can't remember a movie right after seeing it. I'm also surprised at how many times I dislike a movie the first time I see it, but really like it upon a second viewing.

    Years of experience with breasts is so funny!!

    Congrats to the Packers!

    Kristin - The Goat

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  2. Hope you have a light-hearted week too.

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  3. good joke at the end - thanks
    I tend to forget movies that are only so-so but ones that are great and move me, I'll remember.
    I should show my Bears spirit and put down the Packers but since they are both in the off season this can be settled on the field.

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  4. The bears didn't need to win anyway. so :p. lol nice breastage use, men are great, but when they are good they are wonderful!

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  5. Woot Woot for your Packs! People around these parts are serious Bills fan and I don't get it! Hope your re-entry back to work is smooth.

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  6. Oh my gosh, I have that same condition too! I can't remember anything from movies, tv, or books. Yet my kids can recite dialogue years later!

    Good luck at work today!

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  7. I'm glad to have this extra day before school resumes, too!

    Wish our Rams would have done as well as your Packers! They did put up a decent fight, though!

    Too funny, Mr. Fours!

    Have a great week!

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  8. My condition involves conversations. It's as though my brain has become a vacuous space devoid of anything but a need for carbs.

    Hope your day back was GREAT and that Mr. 4444 has some lovely experimenting left to do when you are well-rested.

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  9. I really liked The Help.

    That homework book sounds interesting!

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  10. Good luck getting back into the swing of things!!

    That witty Mr. 4444! Gotta love him!

    No New Year's resolutions here either. I have some ideas, but I like to keep them to myself. If I don't do them, no one will know. If I do, I will brag! ;)

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  11. Resolutions, bah. The breast comment made me chuckle, and hey, I did see True Grit; it was very well done. And no, I didn't see the original, so to me there is no comparison. :)

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  12. I really liked "The Help" too! I feel like good stories that you can just snuggle up into are so hard to find. I loved Pillars of the Earth and now I'm reading something new from the same author and it's another massive book and I was so excited to have hours and hours of another world, but it's just kind of boring. So sad. What's next?

    Oh yes, and good luck on the return to school!

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  13. The whole resolutions thing is so over rated.

    Knocked My Giants out of the playoffs. Ah well. Go Green Bay!

    Amgelina - nice to look at - Better scenery in Gia.

    Were the books on your iPad?

    Mr. 4444 - good call! LOL
    Good thing you didn't make hot dogs!

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  14. Your 'man' needs be a stand~up comedian baby...funny stuff!!!

    Have and excellently blessed week sweetie!!!

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  15. I asked Annie if she thought Mr.4444 and I should compare notes about breasts... you know ... for informational purposes. After all, we both have so much experience. :)

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  16. I don't do resolutions either, but you knew that already! :)

    OH and YES were we excited about the PACKER win! :) A Packer win over the Bears makes for a happy Ski's!

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  17. HAHAHAHAHAHA - Mr.4444s is a trip!!!!

    Hope tomorrow goes smoothly back at school. My kids go back tomorrow too. I can almost hear the silence now.

    And I have the same condition as you - I forget movies before I throw away the popcorn in the trashcan sitting outside the theater door.

    By the way, my CSN order shipped today. I'll be sure to blog about it when it comes.

    G'Night!

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  18. I do love your honest attitude about resolutions! I believe the same
    kim

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  19. The Big Tuna is also a breast man. Good luck at school this week.

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  20. Hee hee! Happy New Year, Barb!

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  21. I just gave you The Stylish Blogger Award!
    Someone gave to me and I thought of you, come on over and check out the details!

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  22. LOL @ Mr. 4444 for sure. He needs to take that show on the road. :-)

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  23. Congrats on your Packers win!

    Thanks for the link to my review. I always hated homework all through school, especially just busy work kind. I hope you are not the kind of teacher who piles it on. A little bit goes a long way.

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  24. I also suffer from not being able to remember movies. It's really annoying as the only thing I can remember is if I like it or not and zero details why... unless we discuss it as we drive home

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