Winter Break Relaxation? Decisions? Work?

December 23, 2017

Well the first day of break for me would not be a break for most people.  However, since I knew that I would be gone for most of break there was things I needed to get done.  I got up early and went for a walk to really get some thinking done and be able to organize my thoughts about things that I needed to do over break.  For me, either washing my hair or walking are the two times that I really get a lot of thinking done to make decisions.  To be prepared to leave and come back, I decided there was stuff that I needed to get done which included the following:

• Laundry from work week
• Change sheets on the bed
• Meet a friend for breakfast or lunch
• Iron clothes which have been piling up for 4 weeks (since Thanksgiving)
• Clean the floors
• Vacuum
• Write Thank You notes 
• Write Congratulations notes to students
• Clean fridge
• Get car cleaned
• Pack for trip
• Cuddle with Husky

Husky Cuddles

The only thing that did not happen was meeting my friend for breakfast or lunch.  Other than that, I got it all done before going to bed at 12:00 am and was very proud of myself as I laid down and then could not fall asleep until about 1:00 am because I kept thinking, what if I oversleep and miss my flight or what if there is a lot of traffic and I don't leave early enough for the airport!

Needless to say on December 24th, I did get up at 6:45 am and got ready.  By the time I made the bed, checked on a few things and had everything packed in the car it was 7:50 and I was leaving at 8:00 am to run to the post office before I left.  So...I was right on time...Way to Go Iacuone!  Now, let me say how guilty I feel about leaving Husky for 10 days and knowing when I get back, I will have about 24 hours with her and then will probably introduce a new cat.  I am wondering if she is going to hate me.....  

I made it to the parking garage when they told me they would upgrade me to Valet Parking, which is code for we overbooked the parking garage so we will park your car somewhere for you!  However, it got me to the terminal about 15 minutes earlier.  The van driver made me even happier that I did not fly out on Saturday since he said that both Friday and Saturday were crazy with huge lines and parking issues.  I was flying American Airlines, which I normally do not do, so I was in a different part of the terminal this time.  The flight was smooth and we actually made up about 30 minutes only to sit on the Tarmac in NC for 35 minutes waiting to be able to get to a gate since we were early.  Bonus for the flight - the seat between me and the other man I was sitting with was empty the entire time which gave us a little more elbow room.  I did get some pleasure reading done and watched Superman vs. Batman on my phone.  I cannot believe I had not seen that one yet.  The beginning looked familiar so I wonder if it is one I was going to watch and fell asleep or stopped it and did not go back.  Who knows!

So I had a direct flight from SAN to Charlotte, NC, which was very nice!  I usually fly Delta and go through Atlanta so this was a little different.  While I was waiting for my mom to pick me up, there were a lot of others waiting to be picked up and I promise you Santa came rolling up in a Toyota Camery!  The guy I was standing next to and I looked at one another and we both agreed that Santa must have traded in his sleigh for the car!!!  It was a 75 minute drive to my mom's house in SC where it is chilly but not any colder than what it has been recently in SoCal!  However, they are calling for some snow flurries at the end of the week!  So we will see.....

Well my mom has decided to take a few pages from my book.  She has a written out agenda for us while I am here.  LOL!  She also put flowers in my room and had a little table set up for me to put things on.  And she picked up Mickey and Minnie carolers as room decorations.  LOL!!  Mainly because I want to do a Disney tree next year and she was thinking I could use these but they have wooden pegs inside them for them to stand up so I it won't work the way she was thinking.  But A+ for trying!

Christmas day was the traditional holiday for my mom and I.  When she started working at AMC theaters she would always have to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas for at least 3-4 hours so that everyone had a short shirt. So, I would meet her at the movies and see something I wanted to see and then we would see something we both wanted to see together since we were there.  Today we say CoCo and The Greatest Showman in the new recliner seats at the theater closest to her house. 

Tuesday was the traditional shop for 50%-75% off Christmas stuff for next year.  This is when I get all my bags and tissue paper for the year.  I take the white, green, blue, red and such out and use the printed ones for Christmas - just in case you did not know.  LOL!!!  Big Lots, Wal-Mart, and Target were big scores for me this year!!!  Hooray!!!!  I tried to get Amanda to wear Christmas leggings with me next year but she told me to leave them on the rack.  However!!!!! Wal-Mart had some great Ugly Christmas sweaters and I did get a few to bring back, but of course we will most likely not have to wear ugly sweaters next year at all.

Christmas Leggings at Wal-Mart

We also attempted to make Mashed Cauliflower, which came out really well.  It had spinach in it as well so I guess it was Mashed Spinach Cauliflower!  It is definitely something I would make again, but I would add in garlic and leave out about half the spinach.  I forgot to take a picture of it, but it was really good!

As my Thursday, December 28, 2017 began, let me just say that it is absolutely FREEZING!  I checked with my mom to see what the weather was like and she said normal weather and to layer.  However, apparently the weather has changed and it is going to snow.  It is so cold and I do not have the correct clothes!  I do have my King scarf and my ear cover headband but I only brought two hoodies with me!  Ugh!!!!

So my mom decided that she wanted to take a trip to Savannah.  Now, let me back up and say that we had decided that we were not going to buy presents this year for each other because she does not want more stuff to add to her house and we end up just getting each other the same gift cards year after year.  Instead we were going to take a trip somewhere together like New Orleans or such. However, due to the dates associated with my winter break it became extremely expensive to do this, so we decided to do a summer trip and she was supposed to come to CA.  However, as the time got closer she stated that her knee replacement, which was done in June, was giving her "fits" and not healing as well so she did not want to take a chance flying and falling in the airport.  Instead, she wanted me to fly to SC.  So....now the trip to Savannah comes into play.  So we left on Thursday morning and stopped at Bojangles so she could get a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit.  I went with grits.  Now....for those of you who do not know what grits are, you can see them below.  You cannot order a grit (1 grit), there are many individual grits to make up a cup / bowl of grits.  They are best with butter and cheese (in my opinion), but hey...many people like bacon and shrimp in them in the south!

Bowl of Grits - Can't order just one grit.

As we made our way down to Savannah there was a lot of traffic on I-95.  And nothing has changed, still the same packed Interstate with nothing on it as far as places to stop or things to see.  Reminds me that the Corridor of Shame still exists in South Carolina and I am hoping the state is working on changing things for these children and families in the area.

We did a walking tour of the River Front shops in Savannah when we got here and then walked in the historical area a little bit.  One of the sights I wanted to see was the Juliette Gordon Low birthplace.  She is credited with starting the Girl Scouts of America, of which I was a Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior.  They did not have Daisies when I started, you could only start as a Brownie.  But I can tell you...I sold some Girl Scout Cookies!  I typically earned two weeks of camp free each year with the number of boxes I peddled!

Dinner was at the Savannah Taproom which was very good.  I really need to remember to take pictures for my blog but I am honestly not a selfie girl or a foodie picture girl so it is not something that I think about!  Sorry!!!

New Year's Eve brought with it a trip to Dancing with the Stars in Greenville, SC.  My mom loves DWTS and I don't usually watch the show.  However, she always lets me know when it is Disney night on the show.  This means that all the dances are to Disney songs and usually the Disney Characters are present.  She also let's me know when it is Pitbull night as well.    So this year, Disney Night came on and I watched and saw Jordon Fisher on.  He did his dance to the song he sung from Moana - "Your Welcome."  He was REALLY good and I did YouTube search his other dances and I have to tell you - he is so talented.  So....it was really cool to see him dance on New Year's Eve at the show!

Took this only because it said Furman Entrance - Go Paladins!!

Jordon Fisher on the right; Frankie Muniz on the left. Not all my pics came out great.

New Year's Day brought with it the typical resolutions for me - 1 health, 1 professional, 1 personal:

1. Heath - Eat healthy and clean.
2. Professional - Create a dynamite master schedule with the barriers put in my way and do what is best to make sure the majority of kids get what they need.
3. Personal - Do something each weekend on my list of CA Things to Do.

Mom and I spent the day at the movies seeing Jumanji and Star Wars - if you have not picked up on it, this is a somewhat of a holiday tradition.  My mom use to work at a movie theater and on holidays, everyone had to put in a few hours so we would meet her at the movies and say hi then watch a movie together since we were there.  

Anything with Dwayne Johnson is good to see.  LOL!

Lots of emotions from this movie.  The last one will be interesting and determine my feelings about the last trilogy.

Monday night and Tuesday I spent with friends who I have not gotten to see a lot of the last few times I have been back because I was there to help with my mom's surgeries.  Jamie and I got together for dinner on Monday night.  Now....maybe this is only a SC thing but if you are going to open up on New Year's Day, then it would seem you would keep regular hours and not just close because it is New Year's Day.  Panera - really - why close at 6:00 pm?  We did not let Panera closing stop us - we went to Del Taco!!!!  LOL!!!  But they were closing at 8:00 pm as well!  Ugh!!!! Short night, but it was still good to hang with Jamie before leaving for CA.

On Tuesday, I got to spend some much needed and appreciated time with Amanda Lloyd at her house in Greenwood.  She is an angel and someone I greatly admire and love.  It was wonderful to spend time with her son Tanner and yes Libba and Erin, I did play Laser Tag with Tanner!  You don't have to wear the darn vests anymore with the new Laser Tag guns.  However, it is so easy to cheat, you just hold the gun behind you because that is where the target is.  Technology......!!!!!!    After spending time catching up with Amanda about all things going on at school and in Greenwood, we decided that we need to have a Laurens Science Dept reunion sometime.  Anyone who has ever taught in the science dept would be invited!  We think it would be great!!!!! 

That evening I hung out with Benetta, Stacey, and Erin as we planned the upcoming Alaska trip!  It is always good to be with my ATC girls and spend time with three ladies who had a similar college career, career path, and have extended out in different directions professionally over the years.  25 years of friendship is precious and I treasure each of them.  Again, please notice no pictures because I am not a selfie girl!  Sorry!!!  Maybe next time.

South Carolina decided it needed to remind me why I love SoCal.  SC was in the 20's and 30's most of the time I was there and I was not prepared.  As I believe I stated earlier, I asked my mom the weather forecast and she said - typical SC in the winter 50's - 60's during the day and cold at night.  Needless to say - I did not take warm enough clothes!!!  The day that I was to fly out they were calling for snow and wintery mix!  I was lucky and flew out of Charlotte so I missed everything by about an hour or so.  Lucky me!!!!!!  

In addition, to needing a few days when I got back to just get things together, I was also giving a Forever Home to a new cat, Salem.  She is a female, short hair domestic and was a stray that was turned in at Squeak's cancer vet.  Now....you know how hard it is for me to even talk about Squeak and if I go to her vet California Veterinary Specialists (CVA) I cry just thinking about Squeak passing away there so going to see this cat and picking Salem up was very hard.  She is home with me but is really scared right now.  I am hoping she becomes friendlier and relaxes but she is eating so that is a good thing.  

Husky has been a little pain in the tush since I got home.  She will not let me out of her sight and if I am sitting down or laying down she has her cold nose all over me and is crying.  Well I guess that is better than hiding and ignoring me.  :)

As I am working on the blog.

While I was unpacking.

Well the new cat is here.  Here name is Salem and she is so cute and pretty but scared to death.  I am not sure what happened to her prior to her coming to live with me but she was turned into the animal hospital as a stray.  She lets me pet her and will cuddle next to me.  She does not like to be picked up and is tense all the time right now.  When she got to the clinic she was having trouble with her back legs but they think that was because of lack of protein.  She is fully capable of moving now and is not having trouble.  They also wondered if there was something going on with her eyesight, which I am  thinking could be an issue which is why she is so tense. 

Salem first at the apartment

Salem on her blanket

Bright Eyes

For some reason she likes laying in a clean litter box

Salem is going to take some work and patience.  I think she will be a good kitty but will be one that runs and hides when people are here.  When you sit and pet her she will cuddle up to you and nudge you for more love.  I am just wondering how long it will take her to get use to her new surroundings.  I put Husky and her together on Sunday and Salem decided to go hide behind the chair and Husky is sitting on the bed.  So...at least they are not fighting.  We will have to see how the next few days go. 

Work starts tomorrow after the holiday break.  I already have a laundry list of thins to do that I did not get done, that I wanted to do.  I am actually sitting at home tonight trying to get as much done as possible so that tomorrow is not as tough a day and this week runs smoothly.  Ummmm....we will see!

Winter Break is Finally Here!

December 18th - 22nd 

I think I can attest to everyone at King High School when I say, "We thought that Winter Break would NEVER arrive."  Most of the week I was a day ahead of the game.  So on Tuesday, I thought it was Wednesday, and on Wednesday, I thought it was Thursday, so of course this made for a really long week!  In addition, it was also Winter Rally Dress Up Week so that brought about new challenges as well.  So...let me explain a little. 

The day before Christmas Break King does a Winter Sports Rally where there is a them and storyline with the event.  This year, as an Admin Team, okay - maybe more Amanda and myself, really wanted to participate.  The problem became we were all so busy, with investigations, parents needing to talk with us, students who needed help, general Christmas Holiday items, and district meetings that we did not get the pictures each day that we hoped to of all of us together.  This was the week:

Holiday Spirit Week

Monday - King Gear - This one was not hard to pull off at all!  We did jeans and our King Admin shirts for the day.  We had our monthly Co-Admin meeting on Monday night which made the week start out long.  There was a lot of great information provided at the meeting about homeless and our foster youth so it was worth the time but when you are waiting for break and all the surrounding districts are out it makes being at school late in a meeting hard.   

This is from July but this is what we bascially looked like on Monday!

From the meeting I rushed back to Murrieta to see a potential new family member!!!  Erin from CVS (California Vet Specialists) contacted me to let me know a female black stay had been brought into the clinic and asked if I was still interested in a black female.  So...of course I rushed out at the end of the meeting to the clinic to see this beautiful cat.  I got there about 8:30 pm and this is the darling that was waiting to say Hi.

Adorable Stray

She will need to stay at the hospital for at least 10 days to see if anyone will claim her and for them to check on her and make sure she is healthy since I have another cat.  I told Erin I would be more than happy to provide her a home but I could not until I got back from SC on Jan 3rd.  I did not think I would have much of an apartment left if I put Husky and new cat together for 10 days without adult human supervision.  So Erin is making arrangements for this cute kitty (I am calling her Salem) until I get back!  I am so excited!  

Tuesday - Holiday Hats and Socks Day - Yes we all participated but we did not get a chance to take a picture.  Besides, kinda hard to take a picture of socks when we were all wearing pants since it was cold.  That evening was another late night for me because DeEtte, Lanna and I met for dinner just to talk.  I was so tired that I am not sure how much sense I made to anyone.  However, it is ALWAYS good to see these two ladies who helped me assimilate and adjust to CA and RUSD when I first got here!  

Wednesday - PJ Day - So....I blame Amanda for this one!  We decided that we all needed to dress alike, but that is hard with 4 boys and 2 girls as your admin team  AND we all have different tastes.  When we really started looking at different PJs we decided they were way to expensive and that we should do a t-shirt with PJ bottoms of our own choosing.  So...we started looking for the Believe shirts but everything would come in after Christmas and we needed it for the 20th so that was not going to work.  Never fear - Gina, my secretary to the rescue!  She went to target and got PJ bottoms and the next day we found a shirt everyone could agree on and therefore we all dressed alike!  Let me just say....everyday should be PJ day!!!

PJ Day

Thursday brought Session 3 of Ugly Sweater Day.  Admin dressed up in our ugly sweaters about a week ago to take pictures and then we had to wear one for District Leadership and the last day was today!!!  Needless to say - I think we should do Ugly Sweater Trade Day so we can have different sweaters next year or I need to go shopping after Christmas!!!

Friday was Admin Dress up day and I have to say that we all did well, but we never got a picture!  Amanda had on a skirt with a few different Holiday items on it, I had on a skirt with a Santa Face.  David wore red and dressed like Santa and Jeff had on a Christmas suit.  Of course we never had time to take pictures!  

In fact at the end of the day on Friday there was a report of a naked man walking to the school.  Jeff, Amanda and Dave immediately went out front while I was going to call 911 and alert Mike.  However, Jeff's secretary called 911 so I only had to alert Mike.  Sure enough, a tall skinny man was walking down the road with absolutely no clothes on.  At first we thought he would keep going past the school, but nope, he did not, he started walking on campus and it was fun to see Jeff and Dave approach him and tell him to go off campus.  In the meantime, the police were on their way and from what we heard, he got into the police car on his own accord very easily.  Needless to say ----- most of the week was this way with bright spots during the week.

1. I saw The Last Jedi with Christy, Jordyn, Billy, Katja, and Paige on Wednesday.

2. We were informed King is getting about 60 new projectors to finishing outfitting the school with the new presentation model.

3.  The Chromebook logging off when the top is closed was turned on so that students can close the top when they get up for any reason and know they are safe.

4,  The lovely Christmas cards I got this week from people!

I am looking forward to Winter Break for a variety of reasons......which will be in the next blog post. :) 

Week before Break! - December 10 - December 17

So....let me just say I am not good nor am I a huge fan of arts and crafts but when you say Disney Arts and Crafts, I am intrigued....Last year I went with Christy and her family to make Gingerbread Houses at Disney and we did it again this year.  Now, last year I just helped on a house but this year, Katja and I did a house together.  The gingerbread house did not come out much more artistically than the snowman painting a few weeks ago. 

The supplies!

Construction on Walls and Roof complete!

Peppermint Sidewalk Done!

Front of House

Back of House! Santa fell off the roof!!!
If you zoom in, he has a concussion and the reindeer are staring at him.

In the box and ready for the trip home.

Ready to go home!

The O'Rourke Family who have adopted me!

This past week was a little nutty.  It seems like we were all trying to get in the holiday parties and on top of that, I have been trying to fight off a head cold.  On Tuesday, December 12, I met the girls (Christy, Ali and Katja) after a district office meeting for dinner at Hero's.  This was out time to have our "Christmas" together due to all the events going on in the next two weeks and all of us leaving for events when school gets out.  It was a great dinner and we got to hang out together for a hour or so.  We exchanged our Christmas presents also, which is always fun because we know each other so well.  On Wednesday, December 13, Mike took us out to dinner as an admin team to celebrate.  We went to TAPs Fish House and had yummy food and a great talk.

King Admin Christmas Dinner!

On Thursday, we had our district leadership meeting which was a holiday celebration as well.  While that did not make it a really late day it does put the drive home a little longer because of the location of the school we meet at and the traffic.  On Friday, we had our King High School party at Romano's.  There was not a lot of people that showed up but I think many people who work at King had other parties and activities to attend as well.  After this event I went and crashed the North High School Math Department Christmas party at Christy's.  It was so great to get to see everyone and catch up with the math department.  Seeing Alina pregnant, getting to catch up with the Schive's about their kids, hearing how Jesse and his wife are doing, and hanging out with the Reed's was so nice since I don't see everyone on a consistent basis.  Before I knew it, it was close to midnight! 

Sunday brought Erin's 50th birthday brunch with her friends and family.  Her mom hosted at the Pacific Coast Grill, which is an awesome restaurant overlooking the ocean.  We had a little room off the main area and had a great time. 

The Girl's

Veggie Egg White Omelet

I was not feeling real great since I seem to be fighting a head cold this past week.  Good thing I got a flu shot a few months ago.....however, I have been wanting to go to San Diego and hear the Spreckles Organ which is played on Sunday's at 2:00 pm.  I decided today would be a great day since I was already halfway there.  I got there about 1:45 pm and found a seat where the sun was setting and therefore there would not sun in my eyes.  A very nice retired Air Force Fighter Pilot came and sat down next to me.  His name was Colonel Reagan and he lives in Maryland.  He is here for Christmas and is staying at the Naval base in San Diego and will spend Christmas and New Years with fighter pilot friends.

He has four kids but his one son passed away a number of years ago, he was a minister and had some complications with medication he was on.  All of his kids ended up going onto college and he has a lot of grandchildren, three of who are in college now.  He was so interesting to sit and talk with.  After the program, which consisted of Christmas songs and caroling, we were able to go and explore the organ area and see everything up close.  The Colonel did ask me to go to dinner with him but I had to come home and get some work done.  

Carolers on stage.

Organ Keyboard

This upcoming week should be interesting because it is also Spirit Week again!  I will keep you posted!

Beginning of December 2017

Week of November 27, 2017

You would think that after everyone had a week off for break that things would be calmer as we go into the holiday season.  Well, that was my mistake...thinking this week.  I believe the week would have gone smoother and I would have been less mentally exhausted if I would have just "gone with the flow," not planned on getting anything done, and kept my thoughts to myself.    Of course, a lot of this might have to do with the fact that I am back on clean eating so no soda, fast food, a drastic decrease in carbohydrates, and sweets for the third week now.  My body is adjusting and it is working but you know when the stress and feelings of being overwhelmed hit, we all reach for bad things to put in our mouths.

This week at work was hectic and I wish I could write more about it because I think the same things are happening at other schools but due to student confidentiality I don't want to type anything that a student could identify themselves or another student from reading.  But I will say this week has brought at least three new situations to learn about in one week!!!  Wow!!  We can slow down the learning curve, I will stay another year!!!

On Wednesday, I did have a pleasant surprise.   I got a phone call from someone who asked if I would be interested in a principal position because they were told I would be a strong candidate.  Needless to say I was completely flattered, honored, and humbled.  I am not that involved in the outside districts or state organizations for anyone to know me so one of my friends or co-workers made the suggestion to this person.  Needless to say, it is nice to know I might be a candidate for principal somewhere.  Now, let me say that while I am honored, I did tell the person that I was just moved to the school I am at and I am getting to implement a lot of things while I am working with a new demographic and I want to stay where I am for now.

So this week was also a test of my patience and perseverance.  The Jetta was in the shop this week.  Volkswagen fixed the emissions issue and then I had another issue.  If I had time I think I might be willing to look for another car but the Jetta would have to be fixed to be traded in so the cost of the bill was $1000.00 but that was after all the new warranties also that came with the emissions fix.  Thank goodness for my service guy at the dealership who looks out for me or it may have been more!

I really need to video Husky in the evening for everyone.  I cannot believe how loud this little cat can scream!  She will sit in the hallway and just whine when I don't open the second bedroom.  Or I should video her when she wakes me up at 5:00 am in the morning on the weekends for her wet food.  Such a spoiled little girl.  Good thing she is cute!

Saturday night I spend the evening with friends for North. I love the Galaxy Mission Theater in Riverside.  The reclining chairs just make watching a movie a bit more spectacular.  Christy, Katja, Ali, and I went to see Bad Mom's Christmas and then out to eat at Green Onion.  You have got to see this movie, if you are a girl, it is hilarious!!!

We had a great time and it was great to be back with my friends.  Seeing them each day is one of the things I miss. But I am developing new relationships and friendships!  Estella - if you read this, we still need to go see Coco!!!!


Week of December 4th 
On Monday and Tuesday, December 4th and 5th, I was with AVID for planning.  We were in Palm Springs at La Quinta Resort and Club and it was beautiful.  I think I need to come back here because it was so nice and pretty.  The rooms are in small pod like areas that each have their own pool area so everyone is spread out and it is quiet.

Also, I have decided that where every I live next I will have a huge bathtub and a shower with a seat in it.  This is the second hotel room I have been at that has a shower like this and I love it!

I want a shower like this!

Oversize bathtub

We got a lot of AVID planning done while we were at the event and now we have to put all that planning into place for the next year to be successful and make progress towards helping more students.  Some of it is just hard work and making time for getting things done and other parts will be looking for money to make things happen.

When I got back to work on Wednesday, I found my office with new decor.  Gina, my administrative assistant, decided to get me in the holiday spirit.  She did a great job and it is very festive.  It also teaches me not to leave for any extended amount of time. 

Needless to say, it is festive and she did an AWESOME job!  I can't say I would have thought about the ornaments, I would have just had my little Disney Princess Tree. 

Husky has decided she is cold and therefore can always be found curled up on the grey blanket near me.  But I mean, come on...look at how cute she is when she is sleeping.  How could you not love this face???? 

Two more weeks until we are off for Christmas. The next two weeks will be crazy and hard with the holiday items going on at school.  It is always interesting to see how schools do different things.  So...I will keep you posted on how King does things for Christmas!