Since the amazing Mrs. Kennedy has kicked off this is National Blog Posting Month and there are many visitors here for the first time, I thought it would be a great time to take stock of what’s going on in my life, introduce (or re-introduce) myself, and add some things to my bio that I haven’t posted about before. When I combine this with my love of lists then I’m just giddy to be writing. Biography + lists = an easy read.
There was a time when I could remember jokes well enough to tell them on command. That time was when I first learned about knock knock jokes. I’m really sucky at telling jokes.
Music can make my day. Right now I can’t get enough of “Cocaine Blues” by Johnny Cash. My tastes know no bounds. Because the other song on constant rotation is “Lucifer” by Jay-Z. That would make a wicked mashup.
I have four kids aged 14 to 23. Being a teenaged parent doesn’t ever NOT get talked about when people see my children. Originally, being the youngest parent for pre-school night was a novelty. It’s worn off now.
My mother lives with me and the kids. She has purple hair and is tatted up. Nobody’s gramma is as cool-looking as she is.
I have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s and a half. The half one is pointless but I still like saying I have a half a master’s degree. Especially since no one expected me to get a bachelor’s degree in the first place.
There are many sayings I use, but I think a really simple mantra is just “Be nice.” You’d think I wouldn’t have to keep saying it, but I do. Being mean to people just for the sake of being mean is a crappy, lazy way to go through life.
When I first started my career I taught high school English and went on to work at a middle school teaching Language Arts. I’ve read some books so many times over that I can tell what side of the page a quote is from. I can also quote the beginning of “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton and once wowed a classroom full of 8th graders when I walked in to talk to them about something else entirely. Then, they got all 8th-gradery on me and talked about farting. It was awesome.
Now that I’ve counted, I have read “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, “The Giver”, “A Prayer for Owen Meany”, and “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” more than 50 times. Each.
Blogging for me started about 5 years ago. It’s fun to look back, but sometimes it’s also painful. I don’t regret saying what I’ve said (or writing what I’ve written) but I wish I had tempered things a bit better.
Politics are horrible. But I’ll play them when I’m forced to do it.
Last year I got really sick with mono and I read a book on healing your body and how what’s happening in your life manifests itself in the physical. Now, I try to be really good about being healthy all the way around.
When I talk on the phone I have to walk around. It helps me think. Sometimes, I also clean. I’m sure my mother wishes more people would call me on the phone so I’ll clean my house better.
I’m the middle child of all girls. Every middle child syndrome ever written about applies to me.
I like warm brownies, homemade pico de gallo, and tasting foods in restaurants that I later try to make at home.
November 7, 2009 @ 4:42 pm | Filed under Does This Confession Make My Ass Look Fat?, NaBloPoMo | Permalink | Comments (13)
Lori E Said,
November 7, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
Well I have been around here for a while but still learned new things about you.
Your Ma sounds like a secure, down to earth woman. Is that where you get it from?
Linda Said,
November 7, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
Love your comments about teaching novels year after year. Isn’t it amazing that the words speak to you in different ways each year, depending on the kids in each class? I’ll bet you were one heck of a teacher!
Becky Said,
November 7, 2009 @ 6:09 pm
I always clean when I’m mad or when I would fight with my ex husband. Even now, when he calls looking for a fight, I automatically get up and start cleaning. By the end of our marriage, our house was spotless.
Daisy Said,
November 7, 2009 @ 6:24 pm
“…they got all 8th-gradery on me and talked about farting.” You know teens oh so well!!
I can only impress my 4th graders by reciting The Cat in the Hat. They’re wowed every March 2nd when I do it.
Mocha Momma Said,
November 7, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
Lori E – I get nearly all the good parts from my mother. She’d tell you so herself.
Linda – Just recounting that made me miss teaching in the classroom. You’re SO right about how they say different things year after year. Sometimes, when a kid would point out something I’d missed in the past I would be so impressed with them.
Becky – Mad cleaning is always fun, isn’t it?
Daisy – I’ll have to visit your classroom next March just to see you do that!
Meg Evans Said,
November 7, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
Love the list. My mom was a high school English teacher, and she still admonishes my brother and me to “be sweet.” We now say it to each other when we talk on the phone.
I never read The Outsiders, but I saw the movie about 50 times when I was in the eighth grade.
Stay gold, Pony Boy!
Swistle Said,
November 7, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
I totally pace and clean while on the phone. The last day or two I’ve been on the phone way more than usual, and my kitchen is VERY TIDY.
Headless Mom Said,
November 7, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
I pace while on the phone, too. It’s funny to watch my kids imitate that, since they don’t know any thing different. I remember watching my mom sit in the same chair, around the corner from the phone, on every phone call she made.
Average Jane Said,
November 8, 2009 @ 6:45 am
What a good idea! Even though I’ve been reading your blog for years, I still learned some new things. Don’t be surprised if I steal your post idea sometime next week when NaBloPoMo has started to wear me down.
White Hot Magik Said,
November 8, 2009 @ 8:37 am
So glad to “meet” you.
Mrs. Sowell Said,
November 8, 2009 @ 7:43 pm
I am the middle child also!! We are the shit. Nuff said. lol
mommymae Said,
November 8, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
i’m the middle child, too. same thing with the middle child rules for me, too.
KC Said,
November 13, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
It’s been a long time since I stopped by girl… in fact it was probably right around the time you got sick with Mono! Apparently lots has happened since then… I have to get myself all caught up.
Hope you’re doing good… missed you!
I’m just getting back into the swing of things – doing it a bit differently these days but so far, so good. I see the same with you!
I will be coming by a bit more often… and I hope you do the same too – don’t be shy… and feel free to leave a comment whenever you like on whatever subject you wish. You know I’ll be happy to have you!
KC