I Wish My Kids Would Put on Their Big Girl/Boy Panties!

I still have a lot to blog about, but I really need to write this before I go to bed. Work has been hell for the past few weeks. A decent percentage of the kids have had *horrible* behavior. Tonight, for example, one of our kids on administrative lockdown (because his behavior has been that bad) had to be wrestled...again. He's supposed to be earning his way out, but blew it tonight. I really don't care about this kid, but his acting up prevented the two kids who earned really good grades this week from getting their privileges...staying up late to watch a movie with pizza and pop. That pisses me off! I'm so tired of this shit-bag behavior. And it's not outright aggressive behavior...I can handle that. No, they get caught breaking the rules, they get consequences, then they throw a baby fit about it. AND THEY KNOW THE RULES BEFORE THEY BREAK THEM!!! I don't freaking get it. And I don't really care anymore. We just have a handful of *cancers* that we need to get out of our building. Some are leaving early next week, so I'm hoping behavior improves. It's just ridiculous. I had a kid lie to my face tonight. There's nothing I hate more than a liar! And I promptly told him that. I know that it can't be easy to be in detention, but these kids causing the trouble are repeat offenders....they knew what they were in for, and still broke the law to be arrested. I don't feel sorry for them! I really don't. And most are headed to prison...this shit will not be tolerated there. Hopefully they figure that out sooner rather than later. I did, however, get to use my favorite line today. A kid accused me of being racist. I told him to not think he was special, as I'm not racist, I just hate everyone! Totally not true, but he didn't have much to say after that! Thank God I still have a sense of humor! Thanks for listening...I'm sure there will be more to follow!

Some Things Never Change

I'm not sure if I've talked about it on here (which really surprises me because I always talk about it), but I competed in track and field while at Carroll. And I loved it! It was pretty much what kept me at Carroll after a very traumatic freshman year. Well, that and my new pal Kate! Anyway, I like to think that Carroll Track is a big part of what formed me into the *person* I am today. I don't know if I could ever describe the friendships I made while on the team, but I can explain that for roughly six months of the year, the majority of the team was together at least 6 days a week. We ate meals together, practiced together, some of us lived together, travelled together...well, you get the picture.

I'm still pretty close with most of my Carroll Track buddies. In fact, one of my friends turned 30 last week, and I went to Milwaukee for his surprise party. It was so much fun! I could go on and on, but I'll spare you the gory details. What I do want to tell you is that the title of this post never ceases to amaze me. While at Carroll, I always had my camera around, especially for meets and post-meet functions. Somehow, every roll of film (yeah, I said film!) I developed had a blurry picture of genitalia on it. Seriously. The first time I saw this, I think I turned 5 shades of red. Eventually it became a game. You know, guess while driving to pick up the pictures who's "junk" will be there. I have a somewhat photographic memory, so I could usually tell who it was by the clothing/shoes in the background. And I only had 2 real culprits, so the identifying wasn't too challenging.

Fast forward to Friday, May 1, 2009: My camera disappears and eventually returns...with 2 photos of genitalia. I thought about getting mad, but it was way too funny! Needless to say, I wasn't really surprised. Those guys crack me up! It was a great night with great friends in my favorite city...what more could a country girl from the middle of nowhere ask for??? I have a ton more to blog, but it will have to wait...my new pillow is calling! Oh, and I'm not uploading the pictures!!!! (Just in case you were wondering.)

The Wait Is Over

I have a ton to blog about, but it's going to have to wait. Today, we reached about 85 degrees. It was AMAZING!!! I'm typically a fan of 75-ish degree weather, but after all the cold/rain we've had, I'll take anything sunny and warm! Now, I'm not sure how popular the activity I did today is in your neck of the woods, but I shall remind you that I live in the middle of nowhere in Western Illinois. That being said, check out what I did today:

That's right, I went mushroom hunting! I know, how can you hunt something that doesn't move? Well, I like to think of it as an art, really. These little buggers are hard to find, as they look like the fallen leaves that carpet the timber. I was really excited to find this many, as it is really early for them. They are quite small, but that's okay. For most people, they are a delicacy. For me, it's all about the challenge. I don't really eat them. I try them every once in a while, but they're just not for me. I bet I covered 3 miles of timber today looking for them. Quite a workout! My legs and butt were feelin' it! Lots of hills and climbing over downed trees.

I love mushroom hunting, but I'm fairly new to the "sport." I've only done it for a few years, but my family has done it for as long as I remember. Today was a little weird. My dog, Butch, usually goes out with us. Actually, he usually doesn't let you leave without him if he sees that you have the collection bags. However, he's getting really old and can't/won't get into the truck, let alone run around the timber. My other mushrooming pal was D. I half-expected him to pop out of the woods today. I know that isn't realistic, but I was hoping. God I miss that kid! I'm hoping I can steal his nephew for a few afternoons and take him out there.

On a lighter note...

Wow...my last few blogs have been pretty intense! I want to thank all of you for your comments. You guys mean the world to me! It felt so much better to get all of that stuff out, especially to people who are so encouraging.


In a few weeks, I'm headed to WI once again. Last time I went to WI, I didn't get to spend too much time with my Goddaughter, E. When she realized I would be gone when she got home from daycare, there was a MAJOR meltdown. I bribed her with an "AJ and E." day the next time I come up. E. has an amazing memory for an almost 4 year old, as she asked me if we could have our day and go see "Hannah Bontana Mobie." I'm a sucker, so of course I said yes. Apparently we'll also be visiting Build-A-Bear, too. She saw me coming a mile (or hundreds of miles) away!


At the beginning of this year, I posted some things that I wanted to accomplish this year. I've started on my list, but still have a lot of work to do. I'm excited about this upcoming summer. I will be spending lots of time with friends (probably on the lake) and hopefully will get to golf a lot. I'm hoping that I stop taking things for granted and live my life the way it was meant to be lived. I'm also hoping that spring is good to me, and this blessed season renews my spirit. This is, after all, my favorite time of year.

"No one ever said it would be easy, just that it would be worth it."