Some things that make me want to crawl under a rock:
- Two students talked to me about private *stuff* today; one just moved out of her house because of the *bad* situation there, and the other has an ex-girlfriend who has a late period. In both cases, it was a little TMI, although neither student probably realized that I wanted to rip off my ears was feeling uncomfortable. Yes, I am THAT good an actress. But, EWWWW.
- The good old IRS sent us letters about our daughters' 2007 tax returns; I didn't have a clue what they meant. The amount that we had already paid for each one was listed (huh?), but it almost sounded like they were accusing us of some malfeasance. So, I showed them to Mr. Stargazer who took them to our (very expensive) CPA who informed him that the IRS basically LOST TRACK OF THOSE RETURNS. So, Mr. CPA-who-does-nothing-for-free made copies of our already filed returns and of the two checks that the IRS cashed--dated March 21, 2008. And let me tell you that this sort of screw up makes me very, very, very pissed.
- I still have no word from the district on my leave--the one I asked them for very nicely and logically in November. My principal asked them to make a decision last week, but I've heard nothing. I've even offered to pay for the substitute for all three days I'll be gone. It won't cost them a frigging dime! The same district that touts how much it values diversity and multi-culturalism is probably going to say NO to the leave or make some ridiculous condition that I can't do. "In order to do this,you must prepare a 5000 page report and a 10 hour presentation with power point and refreshments flown in from Senegal." Some have said that I should just buy the tickets and go anyway, but did I mention that my husband isn't getting paid very regularly these days? Thus, I can't jeopardize my job and have to bite my tongue, which would run away with me and say many cutting and horrible things. HOWEVER, I don't have to mince words on this blog--and I am furious, frustrated and every word you can think of for angry about this. Don't you think it's disrespectful?
- Some members of my family are making me a little crazy. My SIL actually asked me today to babysit my nephew on Monday night, so she can go out to dinner, forgetting (or not caring) that Ashley leaves for Senegal on Tuesday. Her words: I really want to go out to dinner and I already need your parents to watch him all day on Wednesday." It must be *nice* to have that much free time! Of course, I said no very tactfully, while grinding my teeth. And Mr. Stargazer made the most revolting dinner while I was gone to a high school gymnastics meet last night. It smelled like fishy grease, there were dirty pots everywhere, yet he expected me to clean up since he was suffering greatly (and very dramatically) from the common cold. The whole house stank (or is it stunk?), I was tired, had two sets of quizzes to finish, etc...I tried not to be pissy about it all, but couldn't help saying a few nasty words about the dinner. (mashed potatoes, canned chicken, broccoli, and cauliflower with this icky gravy over it) It probably doesn't help that I don't like mashed potatoes or that the dinner blob looked like somebody threw up on the plate.
OK, my sprained ankle really is better, which doesn't show in this photo. The swelling is way down, as is the pain. I don't notice anything when I'm walking, but it is still uncomfortable to bend it too far up. Isn't it lovely colors?
One of my senior students handed me his Western Washington University "University residences" booklet today, and slyly told me to look on page 30, so I did, AND...
there was College Daughter/Younger Daughter beaming in the photo! It was from her early days at Western helping people move in. So, there's lots of positive stuff going on too; I just wish sometimes that I still drank carbs in a can Hef during the week. I guess popcorn will have to do.
