Does Everyone’s Brain Work This Way (Or is it Just Me?)

So, we were singing today in church and I was reminded of a few songs that always make me laugh because I get funny mental images when I sing them. One example: Kneel at the Cross. I always get this picture of Neil Diamond in my head, as in "Neil at the cross." Hanging out at the cross, playing Sweet Caroline or something. Another example: When All Of God's Singers Get Home. For this one, I always get this picture of sewing machines (you know SINGER sewing machines?) walking around in heaven.

Please tell me: am I the only one who thinks this way? Well, at least it is amusing in this head of mine…

Recession Era: Are We Doomed?

I was wondering about today's economy and how it will affect our national psyche in the years to come. (Yes, I kind of do think about these things, but not as seriously as you might think.) Here is what I am wondering. How will I know if my actions are based on wanting to save money or if I am just cheap? You know, our grandparents who grew up in the Depression Era are very unique in the fact that they will do anything to save a buck, whether it is buying all household products from the Dollar Store, or reusing paper towels. What? I need to replace the roof? Don't worry about it; I just did that a few years back (translation: 30 years ago.)

Well, I've been doing a few things that make me wonder if I am motivated by the bleak economic times or if I am just a tight wad. Two specific examples come to mind. Number 1: I take as many napkins as I can from restaurants (especially Chipotle, for some reason) and use those to supplement my own, bought napkin supply. Number 2: When I remember, I ask for ketchup from the drive thru (even though I have ketchup at my house) so that I can, again, supplement my own ketchup supply (aka, squeezing the ketchup packets into my big ketchup bottle.) Does this make me cheap, or am I trying to save a buck when and where I can? Maybe it means I'm trying to "stick it to the man" whenever I can (and I'm too chicken not to pay my taxes!) Don't even get me started about the "going green" aspect. Between wanting to save our planet's resources and wanting to save my personal cash, as a nation, we might be in for a very rocky and mentally unstable future.

Winter Thoughts

Why is it that milk is the thing to get at the store when there is a big snow storm coming?  "Oh, no.  Blizzard, I better make sure I have enough milk."  That doesn't make a whole lot of sense, and yet, I am running low on milk, and for a minute, I had this little panic inside my head.  "What?  I'm almost out of milk?  But how can that be?  I am in a snow storm.  I need to have milk."  Then I came to my senses and realized that I have a sink that gives me water anytime I am thirsty.

Another thing.  I've been looking for a new winter coat because the zipper on mine broke, and I cannot find them!  I was in Meijer today and I could not find coats or boots, but I could find bathing suits.  Now, can you tell me how that makes any sense.  7 - 10 inches of snow (on top of the other two storms within the past week and a half,) and I can't buy a coat or boots.  If I followed the logic of Meijer, I'd be out shoveling in my bikini! (Umm, actually, I don't own a bikini.  But if I wanted one, I know where I can buy one.)

Kids are the best

(Whoa, that title seems pedophile-icious, sorry about that.)
What I mean to say, is that I love being a teacher because every day brings a new insight into the mind of a child.  (I probably don't need too much insight into the minds of children, because my own mind basically functions like that of a thirteen year old boy, but that's a story for another day, I guess.)

Last week, I had a great "kid moment."  I have a new room, and the kids are really excited to play all the games that we haven't been able to play all year.  One of the most favorite activities is a game called freeze dance: turn on the music - dance, turn the music off - freeze.  In my first grade class, the kids always ask, "Can we play freeze dance?" and I usually say, "We may if we have time at the end," which basically translates into, "It's not in my plans for today, so probably not."

So, like every day, someone asked, and I said my usual answer. The unusual part about this time was that one of the little boys raised his hand and said, "I really can't do my funniest freeze dance today.  See, my leg really hurts and I use that leg for my funniest freeze dance."  He was dead serious, like I would be really worried if I saw him dancing and he wasn't being uber-funny. 

So I was serious right back, "Oh, I see," I said.  "That's OK, So you can't do your funniest dance because your leg hurts so you'll only be medium funny for today." 

"Yeah, I can only be a medium funny dancer today," he agreed.

So, funny and so darn cute!

Love her

Giant Picture on Truck

I was driving behind an Ice Mountain water truck a few days ago and saw this picture for a kids water bottle called an "aquapod." Except it really looked like, "aquapoo." Aquapoo!  Ha! I had that in my head all day.