First Week of School :)

My schedule didn't change, but I got my teachers :D

1st period: English III AP. Mrs. Rasmussen (Ms. Raz). I REALLY like her. She's not too strict or too lax; just right :) I have like 36 people in that class so we are VERY cramped for space. I set in the very back corner of the class (for right now, cuz I don't know if she's gonna move us) and I love it. Right now we are prepping for writing a major essay/research paper thingy about the American Dream. Anyone up for an interview?? :P Seriously call me if you want your opinions heard. In class, we're watching Miracle (that hockey movie) and I'm loving it. I'm in there with Matt, Phillip and Kristen :)

2nd period: Scholars. Here's the interesting thing: My teacher switches everyday. One day I'm with Ms. Raz (don't even have to move classes) and the next I have Mrs. Clifton. So far, we haven't really done anything major, just vocab. and a little practice math test. Again, I like Ms. Raz. Mrs. Clifton is really awesome... more to come :) Kristen (from my first period), Guillermo, Rene (teehee), Margaret, Taha, and Lindsay (she's going out with Davis).

3rd period: US History AP/Dual Credit. Mrs. Hoover. She's fricking amazing and hilarious to the nth degree :) Not to mention a great teacher. She really gets us thinking. We've had to read/take notes on a chapter pretty much every two nights and have a quiz on it the next day. The first two quizzes are group quizzes so we can get an idea of what to expect. Monday will be the first individual quiz on Chapter 3. I really like the textbook. It's not a super challenging read; it almost reads like a regular book. And it's smaller than a normal textbook, so I don't have to carry around this HUGE book (although for it's size, its HUGE; it weighs about 5 pounds). Guillermo and Alexis are in it with me.

4th period: Precalculus K. Mrs. Clifton (told you more to come :)) She's tiny and skinny and she's got a really interesting way of teaching. She's one of those teachers that doesn't just know one way to solve a problem (like Mrs. Rodriguez from last year); she can teach you like seven different ways. She's really quirky and blunt and she doesn't care. We've done distance formula and midpoint and functions so far, which is easy-peasy stuff. Phillip, Casey, and Matt are in that class with me.

5th period: Biology AP. Mrs. Gill. She's really sarcastic and blunt and funny and weird and really enthusiastic about what she teaches. I really like her. She kinda looks like Mrs. Piggy which is so ironic to know because it looks like pink threw up in her room. Oh, and there's a little piggy bank that gives you a pencil for a quarter. :D just funny. We did a Pillbug (Roley-Poley) lab on thursday and the paperwork is due on Friday. I only know one girl in there and she sits on the other side of the room and I don't know her that well.

Lunch: I have the last lunch with Kim, Arryn (like Erin), Sarah and a few other people. I don't have Ashley (my bestie) in anything, not even lunch which makes me sad, but I talk to her through Kim, so it's all good :)

6th period: CHAMBER Orchestra :D :D :D. Mrs. Robicheaux (Ms. Ro). I really like it so far because it's challenging and not boring. And I really feel like a huge family with all those people unlike last year where it was like I only felt kin to a few people. I have it with Arryn, Gabriel, Jacob, An... gosh just so many awesome people in there that I'm proud to call my second family :)

7th period: Physics K. Ms. Raju (R-agh-shoo). She's very strict and very young. She has an INCREDIBLY thick Indian (like the country) accent and she can't say my name correctly, even though there's another Amy in the class and I've corrected her about five times. So far, it's been really easy. We've done one lab. I've heard from other people though that you have to read the textbook because she doesn't really teach anything. So it should be like last year in Chemistry: self-taught. I think I can do it.

Dad's gotten a little better. But I think he's just really lonely despite the fact that Mom's been home the past week basically. I feel for him, but I'm just tired of it at the same time. I'm trying my hardest not to piss him off or be short with him but I'm afraid I'm just going to snap one of these days. :(

That's about it. I'll try and hound Colt to give you a day in his shoes, but I'm not making any promises :)

Love you guys :)

P.S. Thanks for the advice about Rene. I'm just working on being friends right now and maybe working up the guts to ask him to go to homecoming with me (JUST AS FRIENDS, I SWEAR!!). If he says yes, and something happens, then we'll see.... :)

Crap on a Cracker!

I called this morning to find out what I needed to bring in to get my dysfunctional computer fixed by the Geek Squad. Just the tower.

The lame person at Best Buy then explains to me, like I am an idiot, that the information is incorrect. They need to recovery discs that came with the unit when I purchased it. And, did I back up the computer? Because if and when they do the recovery, it will wipe all the files and data I have on the unit.

Well, no, your people did not tell me THAT when I called this morning! Oh, and if I want they will back up the data files for $150 for me on a separate hard drive that runs $99. How about that?

NO, I can back up my files. All I want is for you to restore my ability to use Internet Explorer on a Vista System and block any further downloads to upgrade to IE8.

I walked out with the unit in hand.

Guess what I have been doing all night. Transferring files to backup drives offline of this stupid machine.

Photos to the Kodak gallery for off site storage. Music files are gone - too much data to put on a USB or disc. Everything else on a flash drive.

Biggest issues is the Outlook Email files. I have no idea how to manage saving those to a storage file elsewhere. Any suggestions??

Momma, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up....

I'm off to buy the stuff that the kids need for school. Didn't know what was needed until they got home from school yesterday.  Going now while the little monsters are still in school. Okay, Big Monsters.
Gotta turn in my computer for some repairs - I have Vista and it does not like Internet Explorer so I had switched to Mozilla FireFox but now the computer has decided it does not like FireFox either. So I am taking it to get 'fixed'.
Also on the prowl for some kitty behavior modification agents. Ezzie (esmeralda also known as evil black kitty) keeps marking someone's bed with urine - Gross - no it is not my bed - Thank Heavens!
And need to get my vehicle registration tags. New fridge (6 months old )needs a new water filter.
Need a new headlight for the CRV.
And finally back home to greet the monsters.
School just keeps getting more and more expensive. We have spent over $200 on school stuff - fees, club dues, laptop, yearbooks, lunch fees, and it just keeps coming.
I need to work more to pay for it all!

Now! When I Have the Time :) *WARNING: may be very long*

School starts tomorrow. I haven't been on here in a LOOOOOOONNNGG time!! Just thought I'd give updates. :)

OK, so first; my schedule (subject to changes tomorrow, hopefully not though):

English III AP

Scholars (1st semester)/PE (2nd semester)

US History Dual Credit (it's basically AP curriculum)

Pre-calculus K

Biology AP

Lunch (should take some big changing into since it's two hours after I always had lunch before)

Orchestra III (CHAMBER HOMIES!!!!! :D)

Physics I K

Hopefully it'll stay in that order like a good schedule :) Colt's schedule is Cross Country, meaning he'll be going from one end of the school to the other with every other class :'( I feel bad for him but that just means he'll be focused on getting to class rather than getting into trouble with upperclassmen.

2nd: Events :)

Wow. I haven't blogged since June!! DUDE!! No wonder I'm pouring everything out to Mom!! hahaha just kidding :P

Alrighty then. Let's see..... Scholars was in July, so I guess I'll start there :)

Scholars is Advanced SAT Prep for those of you who read this and don't already know. I had to take a two week introductory (I guess that's what you'd call it) class of sorts. I got this HUGE binder and SAT book. When I take it first semester, I will have to have it EVERYDAY except the first day because they love us :) I got to spend a few more weeks than other people did with one of my good friends Puneet, who is moving to Dallas to go to Texas Academy of Math and Science (TAMS). I'm gonna miss her dearly :'( But I'll stay in contact via Facebook.

Speaking of, if you have one and you REALLY want to, send me a friend request :)

Anyway.... for Scholars, I have to do vocab. flashcards from 36 lists, 10 words from each list. It wouldn't be that bad if I didn't have to do sooo fricking much per flashcard. I have to draw a picture, write the definition, write my own definition, put it in a sentence, synonyms and etymology. For. Every. One. (O_O) I'm gonna go insane. I've done up to list 20 where they told us to, so I'm not concerned, I just REALLY don't want to spend an hour every night doing vocabulary.

That's pretty much all of July, so AUGUST!!!!

I went to Bobcat Express and got my schedule and all my books (well, most anyway) and took my yearbook picture which I think looked very nice, but I don't know for sure :) While I was there, I got to see my fwends that I hadn't seen ALL SUMMER LONG!! Very exciting. Oh, and I straightened my hair which freaked everyone out :P

Then we went and got my permit, FINALLY!! Five hours at the DPS and not sitting down once is not my ideal day, but... that's life I suppose :)

Then we went to Fish Camp for Colt. By we, I mean Dad, me, and I. I went because I wanted to drop off my HUGE binder so I don't have to worry about it tomorrow :) Bummer: I have to angle it in my locker cuz it's too deep :( I saw/talked to Melissa and Guillermo. Guillermo's was a more interesting conversation which shall be my fourth topic cuz it's happy/interesting :) *hint hint: guys hint hint, stay tuned :)*

Then mother and I went driving for the very first time last Thursday :D :D :D :D :D It was soo nerve-racking (sp?) and exciting at the same time. It still feels like I dreamt the whole thing :) I'm pretty good at left turns (better than I am at right turns), and I can't back into a space to save my life. Well not yet, anyway :) She was going to take me again today, but somehow I don't think it's going to happen :( We'll see.

This past weekend, we went clothes shopping because of Tax-Free hoopla (I love that word, don't you???) We started at JCPenney. Since Colt already got his clothes before he went to A&M, he didn't need a whole lot, but I haven't been true clothes shopping in a couple of years and most of my old shirts have holes in them like you wouldn't believe (thanks, gatos), so we were mainly shopping for me. I got some lower-cut stuff than what I usually do and I think it scared the crap out of Dad when he saw :P teehee. Get used to it, old man; I'm not eight anymore!!! *more further in part three and four* I got a couple pairs of black jeans cuz (Colt just went "You're typing like 40 pages!!!!" hahahaha) cuz the ones I had from last year faded to a dark gray. I got a jacket that I am wearing now cuz it's kick-ass. You know the dangly string thing-a-ma-bobs that the jock messes with in the Breakfast Club??? Yeah, those things have earbuds threaded through them so I can listen to my musica in them!!!!! :D :D :D I love it so!! Anyway, then we went to Kohl's cuz neither one of us have long-sleeved shirts, but little luck there for me. Colt found some button-ups he likes. Then yesterday we went to Hot Topic where I got some more shirts and some hair bows (scared Dad too, but they're cute, so what-EVA!!) Then we went to the outlet mall for my underwear (pronounced in a German accent) and some socks for me and Dad and a watch for me :)

And now we're at today!!! :D I have to serve today, so.... :( I guess.

3rd: The Incredibly Horrible Captain Obvious

AAAAAAHHH!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!

Yeah, it's Dad. You guys thought I was lying???? Now Mom's getting a good dose of it and she hates it as well.

****PAUSE TO HELP CHALLENGED BOY MAKE QUESADILLAS****

And I'm back!!! I'll have to leave for occasional checks to make sure he's not burning anything...

OH! yes. and Mom's hating it has led to us being confidantes about it. It's driving both of us up the wall (which I'm sure would be really interesting to watch if it weren't a hyperbole) I'm glad schools starting so I won't have to spend as much time with him as I have been, but now that he hasn't found work I have a feeling Colt and I are going to get home tomorrow and he's gonna demand hugs and say "I missed you!!" *rolls eyes* Oh Lord, he's such a woman. And a lonely woman at that. :P Don't get me wrong or anything; I love the man, but for heaven's sake! I can only take so much of his crap!!!

4th: What You've All Been Waiting For! Le Guy I Likey :P

His name is Rene (pronounced Renee) __ ____ (yes he's Mexican, but he acts white)(and you guys can look him up on Facebook: Rene ****** ** **** {edited to preserve the innocent}). He plays varsity soccer @ school. I talked to him once in school this past year and then when I got a Facebook, I sent him a friend request. He sent me a message that said "do I know you?? lol" and we started talking. I like him a lot and I think he's thought about it. We've been texting all summer (which pisses of the parentals (although we have unlimited, so I don't fully understand that)) and I've gotten to know him pretty well. He's that shy kid that sits in the back of the class cuz he hates school but he's really awesome once you get to know him. We've seen each other three times and all three have been quite fantabulous, if I do say so myself. :) We've established we're just friends, but more like close friends, which is cool with me cuz it says "I like you, I want you to stay, but not like that". Which I can work on.

Here's the thing: He went to Washington a week ago and told me about this girl he likes. They kinda messed around meaning wrestling and tickling :/ I thought he went there to see her, but it turns out they did that stuff the FIRST DAY THEY MET!! So, I'm a little on the fence about me liking him right now. That's what I talked to Guillermo about. Guillermo's one of his close friends and he said Rene's been a little distant and I told him about the girl in Washington and he said that Rene's kind of a player but that he gets WAY to attached to each and every girl.

Right now, I feel like I just wanna be friends until I can talk to him in person about the whole issue. What do you guys think?? Any suggestions as to how to approach the subject when I DO talk to him??

That's about it!! I'm sorry it's so long, but I hope you enjoyed getting caught up!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Hope you have a wonderful Monday like I will!!!!

Shoes

My feet hurt. Yes, it is getting older but also the weight I am carrying. But on the other hand I was in orthopedic shoes through 11th grade. Plus, I have been using orthotics since before Amy was born.

So when my orthotics started making my feet hurt more, I knew it was time to reinvest in a new pair. Back to the orthopedist. I got new orthotics and they feel great! This is wonderful for the working nurse but what about the casual person who wants to not have to wear shoes that accomodate an orthotic?

I have despaired about finding sandals for the arch challenged feet that I have. I will get a pair of sandals and then have to switch to more supportive shoes that I can wear my orthotics with. Totally unsatisfying for cool feet in the summer. So going with the recommendation of the podiatrist, we meandered over to "All About Feet". At first we were stunned by the prices. Some shoes ran up to $335. No they weren't Jimmy Choo's (is that right?). Then as we looked at the quality of the shoes and how long they lasted. Even if wearing them daily, the price was justified - not quite $335 worth - but even $250 seemed reasonable when the shoes will last up to 5-10 years. Seriously, The shoes have replaceable shoe insoles and so the shoe lasts longer. The insoles are @ $40. How often have you bought a shoe and then can't wear it because it hurts so bad? I know I've bought more than $250 dollars worth.

So I splurged and I have a pair of sandals made by FinnComfort. These are the best shoes I have had since I stopped wearing orthopedic shoes. Really!

They also carry Dansko clogs which are primo for nurses. I'll be shopping here again.

Homework Already

Amy went to Bobcat Express today to pick up her schedule, locker assignment and textbooks. She also received homework for her scholar's program. She went for two weeks this summer to classes to help prep her for SAT/ACT/PSAT testing in this, her junior year of high school. 

Can you all believe it?! 11th grade! She picked up her class ring with Vernon last week. 


Vernon found his college ring and realized he was a SKINNY guy back then. Nothin' but an adam's apple and hair. Truly, even Amy is fat compared to Vernon in college. I am so glad he isn't 101 pounds anymore. He is getting skinnier these days. He has lost 15 pounds on the Jillian Michaels program. It is his and my homework to keep to the program to tone up and lose weight. So far I am down 6 pounds and three inches.

End of Summer

Yeah, yeah....we have been lax in blogging.

I had the opportunity to have a whole block of days off and I have just slid through them like I'm on vacation. No ambition other than getting up and getting my requisite exercise in each day. Reading books in a leisurely fashion. Hanging at the house indoors away from the heat. Shopping with the family.

I stood in line yesterday with the girl child to get a learners permit for FIVE hours. She then understood why I insisted on getting there as early as possible. We got to see EMS come twice for people who had gotten overheated @ 10 am at the DPS office. And one lady had a bit of a meltdown screaming for her husband to come to her at the information desk. Teens filled the DPS office to get their permits and licenses before school starts.

I have to admire those workers for the DPS. Day after day they deal with the insanity of working in an office that is too small and crowded for the type of crowds they get there now. The particular office we went to has been there unchanged for 35 years, despite the phenomenal growth of NW Houston. DPS needs to get a new office to handle the load of NW Houston's population.

Now, I get to start behind the wheel driver's ed. I'll be starting in the church parking lot. You all are safe on the real roads for now.