Alternate fuels

This week I had grades due again (sorta--I just had to know who would get honor roll or not). This meant, of course, that I would have to stay up late to get some grading done. The problem--we had Crispix but were out of Dr. Pepper. Jonathan proffered Wild Cherry Pepsi as the best alternative, and it worked; but it just wasn't as good as DP. The consolation was that we had a bag of crunchy Cheetos in the house. So the grading fuel for Tuesday night was Wild Cheery Pepsi and Cheetos, Wednesday night the same, and Thursday night back to DP and Crispix. To speak the truth, though, God was the one who helped me (as He always does) survive on less sleep and get my grades figured out to the point I needed them to be. Whereas sometimes grading takes forever, I could tell He was helping me speed up the process, especially in my worn-out, brain-dead state of exhaustion. Without His help, all the Cheetos, Pepsi, DP and Crispix in the world couldn't have kept me awake! Aint' He great! Last night, I crashed. Naomi couldn't help but laugh at me when I was too tired to crawl out of bed to get ready for bed. I think I could sleep for a week!

Goin’ to the ZOO, Zoo, zoo

. . . how about YOU, You, you? You can come TOO, Too, too . . . except that you can’t because the trip is over now. J My 5^th/6^th graders and I went to the St. Louis zoo today for a field trip. I love the fact that admission to the zoo is free! There’s so much to see and do for free! My grandma, Mrs. Brush, went with me to help chaperone, so I divided the kids into two groups of three, gave each group a camera and a list of categories of animals to find and photograph and let them loose. My group ambled a bit, but hers charged off as though on a mission to cover the entire zoo in the remaining half hour. By the time we met 45 minutes later, she was ready for a rest. Maybe I should have traded groups with her . . . ? I’m glad that she came with us—she made the whole trip so much easier on me and more enjoyable. I can’t wait to get the photos back and see the posters the kids put together. Seeing them learning and having fun at the same time was quite gratifying.

On the way home, I went the wrong way on I 170—south instead of north. Immediately, one of my students announced “we’re lost.” What would I do without my running commentary makers? Fortunately, I recognized the area and knew that I’d be able to get off and turn around at the next exit. It’s nice to know that I’m starting to learn St. Louis a little. All in all it was a great field trip!

Shoes and Sauciness

I received some information today on my qualifications for Miss Universe and other celebrations of womanhood. Apparently, I do not make a very good specimen of femininity because of two major flaws: I hate shoes, and I detest purses. Yes, they are a necessity, but I hate shopping for them because I can never find the perfect shoe—both comfortable and cute (in the minds of the various people whose fashion senses may be pleased or offended by my footwear); nor can I ever find the perfect purse—one that is lightweight yet holds everything I need on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Maybe I should opt for the original Mary Poppins bag in a trendier style.

So much for shoes. now for the sauciness: I was going to write about Esther’s latest story on me (my latest blonde-moment), but Es pointed out that I really started out on the wrong foot to include that one!

Oh, well—here it is: in the middle of shoe shopping, we stopped in the Sketchers store where I attempted to find a cute, inexpensive pair of tennis shoes in my size (unsuccessfully, I might add) but was interrupted and distracted by a cell-phone caller. So, Es and I made our way out of the store, me still talking on my cell phone. Halfway down the mall, I realized I had left my smoothie sitting on the shelf in the Sketchers store! Bother!

Give me a Dr. Pepper any day!

I've heard that when DP first came on the market, it was billed as something to be imbibed for medicinal purposes as well as for novelty. I can't see what is so medicinal about it, but I do know that I enjoy the flavor--I can't believe I'm blogging about the virtues of a brand of soda pop! Shouldn't I get some sort of comission for this? Then again, what is there to be said for it but that it tastes good with its tangy-rich flavor and that it (like all other sodas) leaves a nasty aftertaste? This is going nowhere.

My college roomie Shannon really got me started on drinking Dr. Pepper in earnest when she had to have one each night and added a small shot of vanilla to it. Yes, the new flavor of cherry-vanilla DP is pretty good, but I much prefer the richness of just plain vanilla.

When we went to Branson this past month, we had the opportunity to try the new berries and cream flavor. Again, the makers of Dr. Pepper are messing with a good thing. But I guess that they think they can make more money if they change things. Give me a regular Dr. Pepper anyday, and I'll be happy!

Crispix and Dr. Pepper

Did you know that Crispix cereal and Dr. Pepper are great tools for staying awake till grades are done and in? You should try it some time, but don't ask how late I stayed up! Now I can breathe something akin to a sigh of relief . . . until the next grading period when report cards have to go home =)

Just for the Record

OK, just for the record, I really hate grading! I know that some days I like it, in some situations I even love it! but tonight . . . yuk! Yes, it's progress report time. That's when it stresses me out. Maybe next week I'll like it again--naw! it's May, school's almost out, and there's TONS to do. Maybe next month I'll like it again =)