I've Done Everything in the World Today Except Grade.

I got a good workout in this morning. (I'm into Queer as Folk again, so I am watching it from the beginning. I do an episode whilst on the elliptical and am almost through Season 1. I love it.)

I biked to campus, renewed one library book, returned another, then met the Fry family for lunch at Viejo.

I biked home, put the dishwasher on and made the kitchen (floors and all!) sparkle.

I biked to Hy-Vee (with my reusable tote in tow, because I am so, so, so white) and bought cornbread mix, pineapple, and asparagus.

I biked home, changed lightbulbs all over the house, wiped down the bathroom, ironed my white skirt for work tomorrow, painted my toenails, and thought about vacuuming.

I have dinner all planned out: barbecue chicken, pineapple, and asparagus on the grill; cornbread in the oven. Oh yes I did.

I cannot think of much else to tackle today, so maybe I should grade? I've got a stack of 5,000 word business reports to go through. GD it. But, honestly, it's not so bad. I have 16 more to grade before Monday. And that's my only grading for the week. Quit complainin'.

I had super mucho plans for yardwork this weekend, but it's supposed to rain? Seriously, I have got to mow.

Since I've been blogging just now, I haven't been able to grade. That's a win-win.

My last class of the week meets in one hour. My lesson plans and handouts are all prepped and ready to go for next week, my D2L and course blogs are updated, and I'm caught up on my grading.

My car is 409'd and vacuumed. My bags are packed.

I am leaving all work-related things tucked away snug in my office until Monday.

I am headed to NoDak this weekend, specifically Fargo, more specifically, West Fargo for my new niece's baptism. My grandma, Flo, and great-aunt, Bernie, are coming up with my parents, and we'll all have blast playing Yahtzee and Catchphrase and playing around in the pool.

I need a vacation. Somewhere a tish more exotic than North Dakota, if there even is such a place. B needs one, too. Arizona is lovely ...

One of my students brought up those old make-up/accessories carriers, Caboodles, today, and the whole class went nuts (believe you me, Caboodles were actually germane to our discussion. I'm such a wacky and hip teacher!).

I am beginning to like my Tuesday classes again. Though they have drained my soul most of the semester, we've had a couple good runs. Perhaps it's because our days are numbered. And that's fine.

Tonight, I get to stay with BFFs in SuFu, then I hit the road tomorrow.

Audi 5000!

Things are a'growin'

Peonies, daffodils, mint, chives, bleeding hearts, tulips, hens and chicks.

Things I actually planted last year? They are coming back! It's beautiful.

I wonder if this is how my dad felt when the first of the winter wheat sprouted. Or when the sunflowers came up. Or when the oats poked through the soil.

Things I Use Too Much Of:
Shampoo
Toothpaste
B's patience
The word "absolutely"
Gas
Whiskey

Things I am Tired Of:
The wind
Grading
The alarm
The misuse of the word "farmer"
Lazy students who refuse to think
Wearing socks

Things That I Have To Do:
Clean the garage
Vacuum the bedroom
Get "Single Ladies" out of my gd brain
Grade
Wrinkle Release all my clothes
Lay in the sun with a good book next to a pool before I lose my effin' mind

Good night.

It's a bright Wednesday evening, a Netflix awaits us, Bridge is making pizza dough, and I am crushing my grading.


Holla.

At.

Your.

Boy.

The last month of the semester always bring a whirlwind of grading; also, my mind is a whirlwind as I try to devise ways to not grade:

can I just have them write some ideas on some post-its? can those post-its just then be tossed to the wind?
can we just discuss the prompt? can they just nod or accidentally make eye contact with me so I can give them credit for doing the assignment?
can I ...

Oh, gotta go decorate the pizza! Turkey pepperoni and lotsa different kinds of olives. The meal is complete with Sam Adams Summer Ale and a mixed Spring salad. Totes yums.

This is Stupid.

I have this blog, and I am writer.

Ignoring it is stupid.

Easter weekend was lovely. My bro, Michael, and sister-in-law, Kelly, came for a visit, and I learned this:

Hot saki at Chae's is good and strong.
I rock at shuffleboard.
Michael and Kelly are my fave people.

In other news ... the semester is winding down. I feel like I can say that now without jumping the gun too much. A look at my calendar confirms this winding down. It is April. I don't have to teach in May. Yes, I love teaching, and yes most of my students make me happy and proud, and yes I have a big office and administrative help and support. Yes. This is indeed fantastic and I am grateful, lucky, blessed. I also work my ass off and will welcome the summer break with huge, open, ever-lovin' arms.

I had the weirdest dream last night, but it's only interesting to me, so I will not bore you. Perhaps it's too late for me to not be boring you. Ouch.

It's a rainy Spring day here, the first one in awhile, and my perennials will love it, especially my hostas. This downpour will green everything up and wash away the last, dusty, clingy remnants of winter.

I have my gf back. Not that she was ever physically away, but her comps are done (and she passed with high-flying colors, because she is just that awesome), her exams are done, and her student teaching is winding down as well. Her grad forms are turned in, and I finally have my gf back. It's been real nice and such.

Anywho, that is all. For now. Be back soon. I would proclaim intents on blogging every day, but you know me and my proclamations.

Audi 5000.

I'm So Vain.

I probably think this post is about me.

Don't I?

I won't deny that Mama (that's me; sometimes I like to call myself "Mama") likes to look good. However, I don't spend that much time on my appearance, which isn't to say that I don't put in effort. I do it all: the waxing, the shaving, the curling, the pedicures, the control top underwear. I do it for myself; I also do it for others. Each day, I stand up in front of an average of 40 people. I don't need to give these people (or "students" as they are called around here) another reason to judge me. Oh, I know they will anyway, but I figure if I am having a good hair day, that certainly can't hurt.

Anywho. Back to my vanity.

I have this personal theory about beauty: if you have shown me you are a warm, caring, intelligent, and thoughtful person, you are gorgeous. If you are mean, cruel, uncaring, and thoughtless, then you look like you fell out of the ugly tree and hit evey branch on the way down. I mean, yeah, I don't think I am hideous. Clearly, some people like the way I look. I also don't think I am a knockout -- I want these last 16 lbs. gone, I want this jawline softened, I want the dark circles beneath my eyes to go away. But, for the last few years, I have been fairly confident about my looks. I learned how to dress my body. I can pull off chunky necklaces. I have a complex and detailed oral hygiene routine. My legs are pretty strong, and I like the way my neck looks. I also have shiny hair, but that's just good genes.

This weekend, I had an allergic reaction to something. Maybe wool, though I read that true wool allergies are quite rare. Maybe seafood, but does fake crab, or Krab, count? At any rate, my skin reacted. All of a sudden, I had hives all over my body and face. While the body stuff drove me nuts and was uncomfortable, I could, at least, slather on steriod lotion and wear long sleeves. My face, however? That's a different story. For the first time in a loo-oo-oo--ng time, I was really embarassed about how my skin looked. It was splotchy and red and hivey. Plus, I had to teach on Monday looking like this. I only had to give a midterm, but a few students wanted further clarification on some assignments, and when they came up and sat down with me, I just felt really vulnerable. I realized that I am, indeed, a lot more vain than I had thought. My skin is finally settling down, and my face looks better, but it's been a yicky week.

I'm not sure what this revelation will do to me; however, I am quite sure I will never take a good, clear skin day for granted again. I'm also sure I won't buy any more super cute clearanced-out coats from Old Navy.

Oy.

This has been one tough winter.

And I know tough winters, man. I totally know them. But this one? It's been bitter and harsh and unrelenting and nerve racking.

I walked downtown this weekend to meet B and the in-laws for lunch, so I cut through Prentis Park.

Wet snow beat against my face, the wind rattled the trees, and the only thought that kept me going was:

Soon, green grass will be here, and I will be swimming laps at the pool. Soon, the sun will beat down on me as I lounge poolside with my latest, greatest book.

I don't think I'll make it until summer. I really think this winter may get the best of me. I really think I can't take anymore 35 mile-an-hour winds, frozen rain, slick roads, drifts, and the wind! thewindthewindthewind.

Stop.

Please.