Skunked!

Hubby and I were sitting here last night minding our own business watching Law and Order when we smell the unmistakable odor of skunk. He had believed Big Dog had previously gotten it, but this time we were sure. Oh boy, were we ever sure.....
So, we looked online and found this recipe: 4 cups of hydrogen peroxide, 4 tablespoons of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of dish washing liquid. So I go traipsing to Target at 9:15 to get the peroxide and bathe both dogs. And amazingly enough, it worked!!
Now, how to get the smell out of the house!? It's faded, but still noticeable when you come in from outside.
Hubby's afraid Pepe Lepew lives under the shed. This is not good!

On other random notes:
1. Obviously I don't teach any of my readers' kids since the overwhelming response to the games/puzzles question was positive. You warmed my heart....there is hope.
2. Thanks for helping me decide which shoes! Don't you love random polls? I know I do!
3. Two Words on the tattoo issue: Peer Pressure. You guys are *not* helping! :)

The Great Shoe Debate

I need your help! We are going to the Navy Ball Saturday night and I can't decide Which Shoes (which is my name on MySpace~LOL)!











Cast your vote in the side bar! Thanks! I don't know what the deal is with this second picture...we weren't concentrating on the picture taking at that moment!













Strap or no strap? Conservative or more risque?
Votes need to be in by Saturday morning, please!

Tattoo

I want a tattoo. Sometimes. But, there are many reasons why I don't have one. First, I'm chicken. That first needle would hit me and I'd scream like the girl I am and ask them to stop. Secondly, I'm kind of fickle and I don't know exactly what I want, I mean I know right now, but would I still like it in 5, 10, 20, 40 years? Hmmm. Plus, I want it on the top of my foot, and that's gotta hurt even worse and how professional would I look as a teacher with a big tat on the top of my foot? Doing my research that's a bad place to get one. I signed up to go on Miami Ink...woulda been a great girls trip. We had big plans....can't wimp out on TV...but, they never called. So, I don't have one. And now that I'm old, I probably never will.

But lately, I've seen these designs 'etched' in to hair:

Do they freehand them? Is there flash you can look at to decide what design you want? This would be a great alternative for me!! I could have what ever struck me at the moment, and wouldn't have to worry whether I'd continue to like it or not because it'll be grown out in a few weeks anyway. But I think the key here is having pretty short hair in the first place, and I'm not sure I'd look all that great with a buzz cut.

The State of the Union

Calling all parents of young children!! I love games. One of my favorite games to play with my students is Sorry! This is actually the Disney version of Sorry! I got a few years ago at the Wal-Marts (and Holy Cow, it was *not* $80!!). When I started teaching, all kids could play the game with ease. Many of them had played it at home before with their families.
A few years ago when I taught a classroom with Emotionally Disturbed kiddos, we had a lot of social skills to learn that were conducive to game playing. I haven't played it a whole lot in the past couple of years, but in honor of Fall break this week, I figured we could have a 'game day.'

Obviously children don't play board games anymore. They can't count squares, they can't wait their turn, they get angry when someone else is winning and pout or want to quit. I am bothered by this. I also had some puzzles out for some of my first graders last week to work on for the last five minutes of class. They couldn't do them. They had no concept of spatial organization, edges, matching of colors to give them clues.

I am very saddened by all this. These are life lessons children need to learn, as much as reading and math facts. Learning to wait your turn in life, losing (and winning) gracefully, good sportsmanship, following the rules.

So, those of you with children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews, little friends, and small dogs, I ask you....Do you play board games with the child in your life?

She's Baaaack!!

Greatness made it here safely. We all had dinner and made plans for the week. Glad all is well so far.

The Prince Bed

My prodigal child will be returning home tomorrow. Those of you who know us know that it is with mixed feelings we welcome her back. She left us about 15 months ago, and has decided now to come back. Hopefully it will turn out as well as the Prodigal Son story.

Since we gave her bed away, we had to go buy her a new one today. This will be more comfortable than her futon anyway.

The other night hubby and I were talking and he says "I've been wondering about something." Uh-oh...no telling. He says "There are King sized beds and Queen sized beds, why aren't the next ones down called Prince sized?"
Good question. We got Greatness a Prince sized bed. Hopefully she'll love the pink!

Huh. How do ya like that!?

Silence is Golden....