September 9, 2009

1. First day is easy. Second is where things get tougher.
2. But first day is tiring, and I was about out of my mind mad when we got to our group training, and they wanted us to do the scary workout challenge on the first day.  I’m worried the three new people are going to be so sore today they will never come back.  Also I was tired, and didn’t want to.  I got everything done except the laps, My achillies is hurting.  I need to go see my foot guy.
3. I’m feeling very worried about our exchange student from Kenya.  He is in my sociology class, and even though they have an independent assignment today for a discussion Friday, I hope he comes.  I don’t know if he even has a login for the computer system, or what his experience level with computers and library research.  I’d like to get hime a one on one tutorial with the librarian.  I hope he does come, and if he doesn’t I’ll go looking for him.  Having a “Lab Day” could be pretty different from his usual experience.  I wish I knew what his experience was.  They should give us some sort of dossier on exchange students, that very specifically describes their circumstances.  After the experience in Tanzania, I imagine it could be very very different than what he is experiencing here.
4. AB and her parents came over for the newly reinstated “Dog Swim” in the last hour of the Fairlington pool season on Monday.  I love the dog swim.  The seem to get so excited and before they get the courage to jump in, they all run around the edge of the pool and shimmy with excitement.
5. I want a balanced life.  Also a balanced diet.  Need fruit delivered to my desk.

August 13, 2009

1. All the time when I am away from the computer I think of things to write, then when I get here – nothing!  Think, Eleanor, Think!
2. Getting ready for the trip.  Just a few more things to buy, it seems like I have spent a ton of money already.
3. I’ve been laying off the cardio days of my workout for the last week, since my heel has been hurting.  It’s so easy to fit those workouts in, but also shockingly easy to leave them out.
4. Desperate for a cupcake just now. I may try making these, a lovely portion controlled cupcake activity, this weekend.
5. The most fabulous cakes in the world, however, can be seen on Cakewrecks!  I spent most of Monday and Tuesday “resting” my foot and my mind and attitude, looking at the archive of the entire sight.  This sequence got me laughing out loud. It’s even funnier if you are familiar with the Bud light “Salute” adds and read the captions that way.  I really got the giggles, and it felt good.  I haven’t laughed out loud like that in a long time.

July 21, 2009

1. Paul and I had a fine trip to the wedding party in New York.  I received many compliments on my dress, and am very much in love with it and will be wearing it everywhere.  The new car gave us a lovely ride.
2. In Northport there is a lovely little park by the water, which seems to welcome activity, except for the do not enter sign on the gazebo and the “No skateboarding, no ball playing, no horsing around, no nothing but walking in soft shoes and talking in low voices” sign.  Odd.
3. Took Michael to see Night at the Museum at the Smithsonian, but the film broke or something, halfway through, so we had to leave.  I’m very sorry, as we were enjoying it.  Perhaps another attempt on Wednesday.
4. I was simply attempting to up the bidding on the naming rightsfor an Itty Bitty Kitty (Though I really did want to win in my heart of hearts) in a fundraiser for the Humane Society.  I did win and am now eagerly awaiting the posting of the name I gave this charming little man. 
5. I would like to be more intellectual and to be involved in scintillating conversation.  Must work on this.

July 6, 2009

1. I have single handedly destroyed the church.  The “High Dusting” has brought down 30 years of black crap that is currently all over the floor!  Ahhhh!  It better look amazing when this is done, or at least like it used to be!
2. I feel like I have spent alot of time at church lately, which I suppose I have, what with the cleaning, and the July 3rd crew and the July 4th service and regular church on Sunday.  I’m ready for the cleaning to be done and to go to some movies.
3. Oh speaking of movies!  Paul and I did go to Whatever Works today, and it was great!  Though the Post panned it, we both liked it very much.  Nice afternoon.
4. I sat in the window in my attic room, and could see the fireworks just peeking above the treeline.  There was a very good breeze on July 4th, in fact the weather was phenomenal.  Somehow our entire state has been transported to Canada or something.
5. Working out is kind of kicking my behind. I suppose that is good, but it certainly takes more mental energy than I was anticipating.

May 10, 2009

1. Who is it out there who keeps searching “5 things eleanor?”  That is the most popular search leading to this blog.  People, please, bookmarks!
2. I was a scone making machine yesterday! 12 coming out of the oven every 15 minutes for four hours.  Reviews were very good.  Having the  girls prep all the dry ingredients into bags was very handy.  The food processor and I worked though our getting to know one another issues and are now boon companions.
3. This play is in four days. AHHHHH! (I have tickets.  Call me!)  I don’t feel very ready, and need more practice.  This week is going to be pretty tiring I think, but I hope fun.  One of the problems is that I don’t want to be a teacher backstage, but I can’t help but notice things like people leaving trash around, or not being ready to go.  I just need to let the stage managers handle that stuff and try to losen up.  On the other hand, I think the director is hoping I will ride herd a little.  But I am tired of people looking nervous when they see me coming!  I don’t want this to be more of that.  I want to be happy fun time girl.
4. My dear kevin the cat hung very close today, as I hung pretty close to home, napping beside me or on me, and that was very comfortable.
5. I did go out to have coffee with my mother for mother’s day.  We talked about The Magnificent Seven, which was on PBS last night, and both agreed that that Yul Brenner was one fine looking fella.  Also he went through the whole movie and never got a spec of dust on his snappy black outfit, not one spec, for the whole movie.

February 28, 2009

1. My hair is not looking great lately, and this disturbs me.  I seem to have some sort of Farrah wing center part happening.  This is not “assesptable,” as Supernanny would say.
2. I went to my first play practice Thursday.  It was fun being with the kids in a totally different context.  The only strange thing is that there seems to be a lot of stage business going on during the dialouge, and this seems a wee bit distracting to me, but I think there was a certain amount of improv happening, and maybe it will all settle down.  Also, no one talks lound enough.
3. I told the kids that we could get together in my room at lunch and run our scene, and that I would buy pizza, but I immediately realized that I had made a mad proposal, becuase of course all the other members of the cast, ALL 95 OF THEM, are going to want to get in on that.  Uh-Oh.
4. And I’m in charge of  some opening song and dance number, that I need to lay my creative brain on.  It’s got to be fast, peppy, and complex enough to make those kids feel like they are a real part of the show. (Basically everyone who tried out made the play, so there are lots of extra bits.
5. Seriously, my hair has not looked right for months now, what is up with that?

February 21, 2009

1. It’s all the chair’s fault.  I come home, eat something, and and fall asleep in the chair.  I wake up feeling very thirsty, think how much I would like something to drink, then fall back asleep in the chair.  It’s the saddest thing ever.
2. On the plus side, I got a part in the school play, and I think this could be great fun.  There is a Queen Eleanor, and the drama teacher wants me to play it.  I think this will be a great chance to connect with the kids in a new way.  And I get to yell “off with his head” and grab people by their ears, which is pretty much what I would like to do in the halls anyway.  The drama teacher has also asked me to take a group of about 20 and come up with some sort of song and dance number to open the show.  This could also be great fun.
3. On the other hand AM I CRAZY?  I can’t even stay awake and ahead of my work now, and Lent hasn’t even begun!  I keep visualizing my migraine medicine.  “OK, when the flashing lights start, go to your purse, open the blue box and get the little pill…”  I mean this can all be very fun, in fact it should all be fun, Altar Guild, school, plays, etc, but it is the all happening at once part that I find overwhelming.  And the fact that I come home intending to write emails and update my calendar, but instead I fall asleep in the big chair while watching the show “Supernanny” definitely complicates things. 
4. I have all the pieces for a wonderful fun life, so why does my head hurt and my shoulders feel all tense?  What is my major malfunction?
5. I saw Les Miserables again.  That show is like crack.  I even stopped by on my way home this evening, and asked  if they had any more tickets for tomorrow’s matinee.  I managed to walk away, knowing I shouldn’t spend another big chunk of money, but it was a near thing for a minute there.  I saw that show on Broadway years ago, and wasn’t at all impressed, but this production has made me see the light.  It is just such a great staging and very simply just a good time.  Even inspiring at the end when they sing :  Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?  I am just not sure if this means I should go sing in musicals, or help the poor.  Hmmm.  How to do both?

February 16, 2009

1. Here we are once again on a holiday Monday, and it seems I have just brought my school books for a ride home and not gotten any work done.  I felt a little better when I ran into another teacher and she had put her work off until Monday and then didn’t want to do it, but she at least decided to do it, whereas I have spent most of the afternoon figuring out how to get my blackberry to stop sending me my own messages.
2. On a whim I went to an open house yesterday, and I really ought not to do that.  It was a great place, and of course I wanted to buy it immediately, but the fact that I have no savings is somewhat of an impediment.  It was nice and sunny, with a tiny back patio.
3. I try to talk my self out of these things by thinking that if I would just get rid of stuff, and paint, and redo the kitchen I would feel cheerier about my house, which is really very nice.  New living room furniture too.  Also, Kevin the Cat, who has crisis in the outside world might be terribly disturbed by a move.  I don’t think the new homeowners would like it that a large grumpy cat conveyed.
4. Last weekend was some good theater.  West Side Story at school, then Les Miserables at the Signature Theater in Shirlington.  Both were excellent.  I was so inspired I bought season tickets at the Signature.  I also went with Suzi to a behind the scenes tour of the production.  I wish, along with my coffee shop dream I could open a small performance space for offbeat, and unusually staged productions.
5. Speaking of fine theatrics I am watching Galaxy Quest, which has, among its other great lines, “Constuct a weapon!  Look around you, can you form some sort of rudimentary lathe?”

January 26, 2009

1. Ok, ok, I haven’t posted my inagural adventures yet.  Ali is doing a good job.  I promise it is coming!
2. For example, if there a a little snow day coming my way I am all over that for an activity.
3. Along with cleaning my room, working on the Altar Guild schedule, and watching 24, which I missed tonight.  So it would be a full day.  I’d also have a nice coffee while reading the paper.
4. Paul, Pennie and I went to see Slum Dog Millionaire tonight.  Very good.  I liked it alot.  So eye opening about Indian, in terms of seeing the cities.  We talked about the slums when studying Mexico city.  I may have to show a few selected clips next year.
5. The annual chili bowl was last night at church.  I helped with the counting, but I should have let one of the newer parishoners who was helping run out with the number to announce it.  Spotlight hog.  Another reason I need to be sent to my room for a snow day.

January 2, 2009

1. I wasn’t sure which I was more excited about when the UPS man came, my TomTom GPS or the Stitch and Bitch “Happy Hooker” book about learning to crochet.
2. Paul has the car, so I started with the crochet, but as in other times I have attempted this, it feels all wrong, and I have set it aside for a while.  I would really like to master it, by my head feels very confused about the endeavor.
3. It’s yarn and a hook, why is it so hard?  Anyway, now I am updating the maps on the GPS.  I shall return to the crochet in due time.
4. Ab and I went to see “the day the earth stood still.” Ehn.  Not great, not terrible.  She didn’t really want to see it, but it was starting next so she went for it, and I promised I would go with her to a movie of her choice nexttime.  I turn her down on movies alot, so this is a notable promise.
5. I found myself a bit blue with the turning of the year yesterday.  I am a-fearing going back to school I think.