Want to Still Read Me?
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Happy Sunday! Life

I know it is Sunday and I don't blog, but I have been shocked at the friend requests since I announced some of my school blogs would only go to friends.  As I just said it only once, I thought I would send this out as a reminder.  

If you haven't already done so, you lurkers out there need to friend request me to read any further children factory blogs.  The others will stay public.

One thing has been nice; I get to meet a lot of the lurkers out there.  Thanks for reading!

Oh, and Mr. Blurter has a new name.  He is nose picker.  YUCK!  Upcoming blog on that one.......

Post Note:
Special notice to Rick today.  He finally made a mistake.  Check out  Rick's Blog for further details. lol

NUT

1:04 PM - 82 Comments - 58 Kudos - Add Comment

Don’t Make Me Go Up There
Current mood: tired
Category: Happy Saturday Life

Soon the Nuts were heading to a restaurant called, "The Crossings."  It was on the exact opposite end of the ship from where they'd lunched at the Palace.  Since Norwegian Cruise Lines lets you eat whenever or wherever you want, they sailed right in and got a nice corner table over-looking the ocean.  The ship was moving at a quick pace and NUT was proud of herself for not being sea sick.

NUT looked at the menu.  At first glance it appeared to be quite gourmet, complete with 4 different courses.  But as NUT surveyed the offerings, she saw some of the lunch items she had seen earlier in the other restaurant.  She would soon find out that the two free restaurants served the exact same things.  It was just the décor which appeared different.  Naturally the menu and choices changed, but it was just a matter of which end of the ship you preferred.

The first dinner on the cruise wasn't the biggest success.  Mr. and Mrs. Nut's meals were over-cooked.  The waitress was so attentive NUT didn't want to upset her by telling her the steak was too well done.  In the middle of dessert, (ice cream) there was an awkward silence between the two of them.  It was one of those silences that last forever and both parties know someone should be saying something.  Finally NUT broke it by saying, "So what will we talk about the rest of the cruise?"

Mr. Nut said the perfect thing by claiming he had no idea but he guessed they would find out.  NUT put her faith in that as he wrote his signature on the check.  The meal might not have been perfect, but it was already paid for with the cruise price.  

Since the next day was the official anniversary, the decision was made to splurge and make reservations for 7:30 at the fanciest restaurant on the ship, Le Bistro.  NUT had called earlier and this fine establishment had been suggested.  It was 15 bucks extra a person.  All the other specialty places were 10.   As it ended up, this would be the last time the Nuts ate in one of the 'free' restaurants.  One taste in the French joint and they were sold.  It was worth the extra money to eat in the specialized restaurants.  

The Stardust Lounge, where the big show was showing, naturally was on a different floor at the opposite end of the ship.  The Nuts take off, now prepared for the long hike.  NUT was already thinking of the next night in high heels and how difficult that walk would be.  The thought also occurred to her the dress she was wearing was practically sewn to her body.  Not exactly jogging material… She could only hope the French Restaurant was in the middle of the ship somewhere.

As they head down a long corridor to the show the Nuts run right into a madhouse.  WTF was going on?  

Then NUT realized what it was.  They found themselves in the Photo Gallery which was where all of the photos taken by the professional photographers were displayed.  Yeah right, only 2,000 pictures to go through to find hers!  NUT was pissed.  Couldn't they put these in some sort of order?  Before NUT can blow her top, Mr. Nut points out a big ONE, TWO, THREE and FOUR.  Since they were in the first group to get on board that was the logical place to look.

Wrong.  The Nuts couldn't find themselves anywhere in group one.  This was the picture NUT really wanted because it was of them getting on the ship.  Perhaps after the show they might take another look.  NUT had cried when she stepped foot on the cruise ship for the first time and wanted documentation.  Plus she had saved that bright yellow and turquoise beaded shirt for almost a year.  She wanted a shot of that, thank you very much.  Thankfully, the photo was found the next morning.

The Nuts walk into the Stardust Lounge and look for a seat.  

NUT

11:59 AM - 67 Comments - 56 Kudos - Add Comment

Lotion All Over My Body and......
Current mood: giggly
Category: Happy Freaking Friday!!!! Life

NUT was freshly done with the Lifeboat Drill and didn't want to see those bright orange life jackets again the rest of the vacation.  The zip lock bags were all emptied and wardrobe put away as best it could be in such a small space.  She was ready to move onto the good times of what a cruise is supposed to be.  And any activity done the rest of the day would be inside.  It was too hot in Miami for NUT's particular sweat glands.

On the coffee table had been placed the daily newsletter, The Freestyle Daily" telling what was available on the cruise ship to do each day.  Unpacked and safety trained, NUT got the feathery, fluffy pillows just right on the bed, lay herself down and got out the much awaited newsletter.  Looking at the Freestyle Daily became on of her favorite things to do in the morning.

The first thing NUT checked was where and when the AA meeting was to be held.  "Friends of Bill W."  was in some room called Island A.  NUT also noted there was a "Friends of Dorothy", too.  How nice of them to have separate meetings for men and women!  NUT wrote down the meeting room and showed it to Mr. Nut.  Mr. Nut was busy trying to memorize all the channels offered on the miniscule TV across from the hot pink couch.  He currently was overjoyed at finding ESPN and couldn't wipe the humongous grin off his face.  Brother, whose idea was that?  NUT couldn't even get away from sport's TV on a cruise?  NUT was already thinking about the review she would fill out at the end of the cruise.  She was going to write in take out ESPN immediately.  How dare they put on such a thing during a cruise!

Next NUT lathers gardenia scented hand lotion all over her feet, puts them up on another downy pillows and does some serious planning.  NUT engages all brain cells, reminding them there would be no idiots allowed that night.  She figured it was too much to ask for the whole cruise, but tonight she wanted everything to go well.  It was the very first night on their very first cruise.  NUT had no idea if she would ever be able to go on another one, so this was big time critical.  The decision of where to eat dinner needed to be made and the plans for the rest of the evening required taking place.

Dinner seemed an easy one.  They would eat at the other free restaurant.  There were 7 specialty places to eat, but they had a cover charge evidently because they were so good.  NUT had loved her chicken salad sandwich at lunch and assumed the other dining room was just as good for dinner.  It appeared the "main show" started in the big theater they had seen briefly on their early tour of the ship before everyone arrived.  From the back it looked alluring and glamorous; the seats padded nicely in a golden color.  NUT decided this was the ticket.  They were doing a montage of all the entertainment the ship provided and the Cruise Director, Matt, would be the MC.  NUT had already heard from Matt on the loudspeaker on the way back from the horrid life boat drill.  He sounded like a squirrel on speed.

After NUT clued-up Mr. Nut regarding the plans and  he was ready to go.  Thank goodness his wife was in charge of this stuff!  He'd taken one look at that newsletter and his eyes glazed over. It reminded him too much of work.  Who wanted to do all of that reading and planning on a vacation?  Mr. Nut looked again at his wife.  Well……..he guessed some people thought it was fun.  Then he had a magnificent idea.  Surely there was a TV some place on this boat.,,,

I'll give you your first hour of the trip, NUT.  I'm outta here.  Have fun!

NUT had a blast getting out all her magazines and picking out the selection of attire she would wear for dinner.  Having Mr. Nut leave like this was just like going out on a date!  And after that horrid life boat drill, NUT needed some quiet time in a major way.  She squeezed more lotion all over her body, with special attention to her toes, and smiled like she hadn't in years.  NUT got out her iPod and went to town serenading herself as she relaxed and then got dressed.


This is a series of blogs.  Tomorrow is out to dinner and coming up after that will be the disaster of a show we saw.  Actually, the first night on board was probably our worst for a variety of reasons.  You'll get to find out……

Nutsville Class Assignment:
It is a Friday, so you don't have one.

Post Note:
I'm not sure what to do about my school blogs this year.  For the past 2 weeks I have been making the Top Blogger List again.  At first I thought it was a fluke, but myspace must have fixed the issue where my blog didn't slide into the counting.  In any case, I have been in the top 100 of all blogs for 2 weeks and a couple of times in the top 30.  This past week it once got to 20.  This is wayyyy too public for my taste.  I felt a little more protected in obscurity.  This way anyone could happen upon it.

So, I'm open to ideas as to what to do.  I guess I could just open it to friends each time I write about school, but then no one new would ever get to see the blog.   In any case, it is too bad.  I finally thought of nicknames for my top 2 behavior problems………….Mr. and Miss Blurter.  They both blurt out all the time, quite inappropriately.  Miss Blurter has a more loud and high pitced voice, though, so she wins.  ;-)



NUT

12:03 PM - 131 Comments - 74 Kudos - Add Comment

A Murderer From NUT’s Life
Current mood: confused
Category: Life

NUT had just stumbled out of bed, ranted to the Gods as to why this was a Monday, tied together her fluffy pink bathroom, and headed outside to get the morning paper.  It was early spring of last year.  The front yard was just awakening to a promise of its annual theater of color and scent.  The Jasmine had a head start, and NUT took a minute just to indulge in its spicy scent.  Suddenly, the dreary Monday was looking better.  

She gathers up the newspaper, happy the weather has changed enough not to warrant one of those stupid plastic bags covering them.  While they make good portable dog pooh containers, she already has way more than enough.  As is usually the fashion, NUT opens up the newspaper and glances at the front headlines as she journeys back to the front porch.  At first peep, NUT sees nothing untoward.  By the time she reaches the inside kitchen, however, she stops in her tracks.  The color drains from her face, and poor NUT feels like she is going to faint.  Staring back at her from the front page was something she had always thought would happen.  It wasn't thought about very frequently because the whole possibility of it happening was too horrifying to imagine.  The day she had dreaded her whole teaching career had arrived.
 
The headlines read:  "Murderer Caught Yesterday After Hostage Event."

Right beneath is what made NUT's heart stop for a few seconds.  Staring back at her is the murderer.  A former student.  One who looked almost exactly like he did in 6th grade so many years ago.



I really shouldn't have been so shocked.  It is a rare teacher that doesn't play the "prediction game."  I have played the game for 21 years now, so I'm pretty good at it.  The way it is played, the teacher tries to predict who might end up being the president of the company, successful and intelligent.  I've even had students I know will be politicians, possibly even the President of the United States.  I can easily guess which 5th or 6th graders will be excellent fathers and mothers.  Sadly, we also make the prediction of who will end up in prison, or a gang member.  "David" was one of the people in the latter category.

I had David my 3rd year of teaching.  He started off as a challenge for my very young, non-experienced, new and naive self.    During the first month of school, I caught him pretending to be sniffing cocaine on the top of his desk.  He graduated to hitting and bothering the other students.  I kept David in for many a recess and tried to connect with him.  About the 4th month of school the connection finally happened.  I seemed to understand David, and David now respected why I had the rules I did.  David could tell I actually cared about him.

For the next month or so, we had no problems with David in the classroom.  He was almost a model student.  While way below grade level, he was an extremely bright young man.  When not obsessed with causing trouble in the room, he was able to catch up in most of the subject areas.  The young idealist NUT had big expectations of what David could accomplish in this world. 

Unfortunately, what was going on in the classroom wasn't transforming on the play yard.  David got himself into one scrap or another.  Usually it was fighting, or not being a good loser at the recess type games.  At this point, David was huge for his 12 year old body.  He had been kept back in Kindergarten, so he was older than most the other 6th graders.  David was NUT's height, and obviously his body planned on passing her by the end of the year.  He was Native American, and huge.  David wasn't fat, it was all muscle.  He intimidated not only the kids on the play ground, but some of the teachers and aides as well.

After his latest fight, the principal came to visit NUT's classroom.  She had the bad news.  If David got in one more fight, he would be expelled.  David promised every way he knew how that he would behave and obey the rules.   He wanted to stay at this school.  He could actually see his house (if you can call it that) from the front of the school bus line.   He didn't want to be there anymore than necessary.  NUT had high hopes he had learned his lesson.  Again, she had many conversations with him regarding strategies he could use on the yard to avoid trouble.  David seemed to listen and appreciate all of NUT's advice. 

About 2 weeks after the meeting involving the principal, David went out to morning recess.  He didn't come back, and NUT intrinsically knew he probably never would.  Thankfully, he was able to come back for a short minute.  The principal escorted David to the classroom to gather his personal belongings.  As he was doing that, NUT was informed David had literally thrown a 4th grader about 10 feet on the play yard's hard blacktop.  The child was scratched up pretty bad.  But all agreed, the little boy could have died if David had thrown him harder.  He had turned exceedingly too dangerous for an elementary school.   I conceded it was time for David to go. 

The principal waited at the end of the walkway, as I walked out of the classroom door with him.  We just stared at each other for a minute.  I think we were both lamenting the fact he had let me down.

Finally, I broke the silence and said, "David, I tried everything I could."

Very quietly, almost at almost a whisper, David quivered, "Mrs. ----, please don't think it is your fault.  You made me feel special, and I will always remember it."

Then David was escorted out of view.  That was the last time I saw David until his mug shot was staring back at me in the morning paper.

Over the years I heard his mother tried to knife the step-father.  She did some jail time for that, and was trying to get a nurses license or something.  I always hoped she didn't get it.  David went to a reform school somewhere in our county.  I heard rumors he had been in and out of jail over the years, but could never say it was completely accurate or documented.  David continued to be in my mind for years.  I just couldn't get his face out of my mind as he told me it wasn't my fault.  Through all of his faults, I had seen his sensitive side and knew it was there.

David is facing the death penalty.  He was arrested last spring.  He held his ex-girlfriend hostage, after killing the current boyfriend and one other bystander, who wasn't involved with either of them, or the situation.  David had no drugs or alcohol in his body at the time of his arrest.  What he did was cold and cal

I've tried not to think about it.  Yesterday everything came tumbling forward.  David's picture was again staring at me.  He had pleaded guilty and would serve a life sentence.


Nutsville Assignment: 
Have you ever known someone who took the wrong road in life after you tried to convince them not to do it?  What ended up happening to them?


Post Note:
I wanted to thank everyone for their amazing behavior on the political blog  yesterday.  It was interesting to do, but exhausting for me.  I have no idea how those people in the political section do it all the time!

For one, I'll sure think of Miss Alaska in a different way after reading some of the comments.... oh, and the pictures.....



Post, Post Note:
I'll see everyone on Friday.  I'll use the time to pick out some nick names for the current crop.  One girl especially deserves one….;-)

NUT

 

11:01 AM - 104 Comments - 78 Kudos - Add Comment

Miss Alaska for President?
Current mood: awake
Category: It is already Tuesday.... Life

I tried very hard to not write a blog about this subject, but I can't stand it another second.  I know a person can lose readers over political blogs, but how often does something like this happen?  I thought when I first heard the news on Friday it was a joke.  I had to turn on CNN just to double check and was flabbergasted upon finding out it was true.  So, here I go……………..


Can someone explain the thought process of John McCain in picking his VP choice of Sarah Palin?  I mean he had one conversation with the former beauty queen and was sold on her intelligence and political power?  Someone from Alaska no one has heard of?

He ignored all the choices of experienced, seasoned politicians and went for someone still breast feeding her special needs baby?  Sarah was bragging about being a hockey mom in her acceptance speech and who was impressed?  Certainly not me.  I've been a soccer mom for years, only have 2 kids, but hardly think this sort of thing qualifies a person to assume the presidency in an emergency.

I don't get it.  I think it is a slap in the face to most women.  What woman is not going to see this for what it really is?  

A man is using a woman to get what he wants.  It has been going on for thousands of years and appears to be still going on loud and clear in 2008.

Does he think Hilary voters are going to swarm to his side now that he has this woman who was PTA president and doesn't even know the answer when asked what the VP job entails?  Did you see that interview?   The powers that be in the Republican center are putting down women all over if they think we would just go for any ole woman they threw out there.  Certainly it is a huge cut to Hilary.

I can just see the conversation going on.

Hey, let's get a woman for the VP spot.  We need someone with strong family values, Pro-life, and an individual who doesn't support or believe in evolution.  God made the world in 7 days and they need someone to spread that word in a major way.  We need the most conservative woman on the planet to appease all the folks upset Mc Cain is too middle of right.    We need a woman with strong family values.  Maybe we could even find a good looking woman who no one has heard of??  Eye candy and unknown would be good.  It would take them until the election to find out any dirt on her, if there was any.

I have so many problems with this choice I don't know where to start.  

I think the thing that bugs me the most is she is all about her supposed family values.  Her idea of a creating a strong family unit and excellent parenting is to work full time, have her husband work full time and hire nannies to raise the kids?  I personally think anyone who has 5 kids should stay home with their kids.  Mom or Dad, but one of them should be home sharing their values and goals, giving playful bubble baths, reading stories, playing games, etc.  This woman does not have family values.  Grabbing the crew for a photo op each Sunday going to church and phoning the nanny during the day to see how her offspring are doing does not count.  The more kids you have does not make you a better mother, nor a more solid family.  It is all about the parenting and time you spend with your children.  Family values are about love and creating a solid unit in which a parent leads the way to the core values of caring for one another more than yourself.  Five kids, two parents working?  Who exactly is teaching the family to be a core unit of love?  How much time will each child get with either of the parents with that kind of combination?  I had a hard time with 2.

She knows nothing about foreign policy, seems shaky on economics, and is proud of being governor for 20 months' experience leading a state with 670,000 residents.  Yep, this is someone I want one breath away from the red button.  Isn't anyone else concerned about this?

In my lifetime, this has been the worst and most serious of times.  The economy is in the toilet.  Everyone knows someone who has lost their home and others who have been laid off.  In my life, it is getting very close to home.  Russia is acting up, we are at war in two different countries and others appear to want to start up at any point.  The Middle East is as hot as it ever has been with no sing of cooling down.  What does this woman know about being Chief of Command?   I'd be willing to bet the farm she doesn't even know how to salute correctly.  I don't either, but I'm not running for Vice President of the most important country in the free world.  However, I bet I could beat her on a World Geography Test….

McCain turned 72 on the day he announced this.  He has a history of melanoma, a potentially deadly skin cancer.  It would seem obvious it would be essential that he choose someone of critical presidential caliber.  If McCain was Joe Blow,  do you know of a  life insurance company  which would sign him up?  I sure don't!  Even life insurance companies know he should have picked better a better VP choice than this.

I was able to keep quiet except with some of my good friends.  But yesterday when I found out her 17 year old daughter is 5 months pregnant, I couldn't stand it.  For one, someone needs to have a good sit-down with the whole family and teach them what birth control is all about.  And the question begs asking, would this young girl have become pregnant had there been a parent at home to hear about her day after school?  It is hard to share problems bothering you when the parent is not home.

The daughter and her boyfriend will be getting married and live happily ever after.  While I don't want to be a spoil sport, the statistics are not to supportive to this outcome.  More than likely, Grandma and Grandpa will end up supporting not just another baby, but a son-in-law to boot.  Guess she will do all of that in-between pumping her breast and meetings at the CIA.  So in my eyes, she now has 7 'kids' to take care of.

I think all the mothers need to look at this scenario.   Who among you thinks you could have all of this family stress and responsibilities and then tack on being VP with an elderly fellow who includes a cancer history?  I'm pretty sure you can't keep being a hockey mom if you are going to play at being a vice president.  

Most upsetting is the special needs baby she just gave birth to.  Many of my readers have special needs children.  I grew up with a girl whose sister was special needs.  She is still dealing with all the wealth of attention her sister took away from her parents, how much the focus was on the sister, and how her brothers and herself wished they had as much time and concern from their parents.  A special needs child is about the same as having 2 kids or more.  That in itself should have made her say no to the offer of VP choice.

The most telling to me of all was when McCain was introducing her……his body language spoke volumes to me.  He looked extremely uncomfortable and was certainly not acting jazzed about her little speech.  I could actually see the thought bubble above his head with the words, "Man, I really fucked this one up.  How much did I have to drink last night?"  He looked the most uncomfortable I've ever seen him and that is saying a lot.  Thet guy is by no means Mr. Natural, so this is saying a lot.  He looked like he was trying to have a bowel movement and it wasn't behaving the way he wanted.

I want Obama to win, but it wouldn't ruin my life if McCain won.  Until these past few days.  Now I am scared shitless Miss Alaska will be at the switch while she has breast milk still leaking out of her nipples.  

Really, the whole thing could be a sitcom.  I'd laugh if I weren't crying in fear.

Nutsville Class Assignment:
OK you Republicans now is your chance.  Tell me while I should feel safe having this woman a heartbeat away from the most powerful position in the free world.  Please!

NUT

11:55 AM - 202 Comments - 111 Kudos - Add Comment

The Queen Of The Idiot Club Keeps Her Title (Cruise Blog)
Current mood: enlightened
Category: Life

NUT gazed at all the zip lock bags lovingly packed in her suitcase.  The problem being; how was she going to put the contents of this field of plastic into the tiny closet plus 2 drawers she had available in the cruise ship cabin?  There weren't even enough hangers for everything she intended to wear.   To be completely honest double the space in this cabin wouldn't be enough.

Brother, her next career would be designing and decorating cruise ship cabins.  These people needed help in a major way!  NUT wasn't saying anything, but she could think of much better colors to use than bright orange and hot pink.  Understated was not the way of a cruise ship she guessed….

 

NUT

1:40 PM - 136 Comments - 78 Kudos - Add Comment

Can’t We Please Leave??? (Cruise Blog)
Current mood: blissful
Category: Happy Labor Day Weekend! Life

Yesterday, NUT was able to carve out some time to write so you will get some cruise blogs coming up next week.  This is the first one.  They won't be in any sort of order.  I hope you enjoy it.




NUT was worried.  She should be excited to go on her very first cruise, but the same issue kept creeping up into her heart and soul.  No matter how she tried, NUT couldn't shake it.

While the cruise would no doubt be a once in a lifetime thing, NUT was still holding back her opinion on how it would go.  No, NUT wasn't concerned about Mr. Nut drinking.  Over the past months he had shown how very serious he was about his sobriety.  No, NUT worried because she had looked at the calendar.  She had counted days.

Hard to believe, but this would be the most time NUT had spent with her husband alone since her honeymoon 30 years past.  Sure there had been many romantic long weekends without kids over the years.  But anything important was always about family with NUT.  Even for their 25th wedding anniversary the Nuts had chosen to take their children along on the trip.  Nope, this was a long time for two people to spend together 24/7 who weren't used to it.

It would be a solid week.  What would they talk about the whole time?  How would they ever share a bathroom, and a small one at that?  Would Mr. Nut snore and NUT not be able to sleep the whole time?

But more than all of this, NUT was worried about one single thing.  

Alone time.

NUT is used to being alone; she always has been.

She grew up as a child in her bedroom with the door closed alone.  She was content with her glass animal collection, Floppy Dog and Little House furniture.  Even back then she liked to decorate.  It was peaceful in her bedroom.  She loved her bedroom.

In college, NUT was the same way.  While she had to share a dorm room, somehow she had lucked out and her roommate had a boyfriend in the neighboring town.  She was hardly in the minuscule room.  NUT would get home from her classes, spread out her studying and happily watch "My Three Sons" each afternoon in peace and quiet.  Mr. Nut was in the same dorm so if she got lonely, she wandered over to his place.

Anyone who is a stay at home mom knows alone.  At some point you usually lose yourself to motherhood and feel the polar opposite of sexy.  You imagine you've forgotten how to talk to adults and make sense.  You sometimes feel isolated.  NUT actually wanted to get out of the house and be able to talk to adults before she forgot completely who she was.  Alone was nice, but it hit a pinnacle at this particular point in NUT's life.  She was about to sink into an abyss if she didn't find a place in which she was not alone.  NUT revaluated everything she had thought about being alone.  Maybe it wasn't so healthy after all?

Soon after that, her teaching career started and the rest is history.   The alone part has adjusted itself over the years.  NUT spends enough time in the staff room not to be pegged anti-social, but for the most part is in her classroom on any recess breaks at the children factory.  She has good friends who understand her need for occasional privacy.

During the first year of marriage, Mr. Nut started off in sales and blasted forward to promotions.  He was successful and well-liked because of his 'no normal salesmen' persona.  People genuinely liked him.  With each promotion, the traveling increased so often NUT felt like a single mother.  It was hard, but she made it through.  After the kids went to bed she just got used to quiet nights and enveloped herself into books.   Alone was something she was used to.  She would adjust.

At its peak, Mr. Nut started traveling almost 3 weeks out of the month.  Naturally this occurred at the same time the last kid took off for college.  Now being alone brought about a whole new meaning.  It would be a defining force.  This alone got NUT to finally pursue therapy through counseling.   It would also mean an alone Mr. Nut couldn't deal with.  He quietly passed the line from heavy drinker to full blown alcoholic.  Once past that invisible line, it is impossible to go back.

While he doesn't travel as much as he used to, Mr. Nut is currently gone about 2 weeks each month.  NUT has adjusted and looks forward to not worrying about cooking and cleaning for someone else.  There are no dirty clothes on the floor, for one.  The laundry load diminishes and NUT can watch HGTV as much as she wants.  Best of all, no sports blaring.  Even the furniture doesn't seem to get as dusty.  What's up with that?

We all adjust to our lives and what is thrown at us.  If NUT didn't like being alone so much, her life would have become miserable and not worth much.  Instead, she has blossomed with it and appreciates the time spent with others all the more.

That currently leaves us with a very worried NUT.  

She was going to be on a ship with some 2,000 other passengers and 1,000 crew people.  Fat chance at being alone anywhere on the ship.  Even though she had booked a balcony room (only way she would be able to go), she had seen pictures of the room online and it still looked very small.  Scary small.  One thing Mr. Nut isn't is small.  He is 6'2" and a good 250 pounds he will admit to.  He might actually cover part of the room in NUT's eyes.

NUT thought long and hard about the situation.  How in the world could she carve out some alone time on a cruise filled with people?  Would she die of some crowd sickness or be sent to the Looney bin for having a tragic people disorder.  Or maybe she would end up in jail after killing the person who picked the wrong time to bump into her?

After much deliberation NUT came up with a great idea.  In fact it was such an outstanding idea, she felt the need to share it with her readers.  It involved a simple word……BOUNDARIES.




It is the morning of the cruise.  Well, technically it is the middle of the night of the cruise.  NUT is ready to go in mind and body.  Her mental game plan safely put in place and every zip lock bag in town sold out.

After getting into the car and just being told she had a chipped front tooth, NUT brought up the practiced conversation.  

She explained how excited she was to go on this cruise with Mr. Nut, how much she knew it would build a new foundation for the second part of their lifetime together, and enjoy numerous new experiences together.  NUT didn't want to hurt Mr. Nut, but felt there needed to be a boundary in place before they went any further down the road.

Mr. Nut glances over and just hopes to hell he still gets to go on the trip with these newly imposed boundaries.  Why did NUT wait until he was driving to the airport?  Would he have to turn around at the next block?  He knew he shouldn't have told NUT about the tooth as soon as she flipped down the passenger mirror.  Mr. Nut held his breath…………….

You know how much I need alone time, right?

Mr. Nut shakes his head faster than eggs scrambling.  Yes, yes, yes.  I will agree to anything.  Please let me go on this vacation with you.  I know you like alone time.  Hell, I am the one gone all the time.  Yes baby, you like alone time.

Well, I was thinking you need to give me an hour each day in the cabin alone.  It could be in the morning or afternoon.  I don't want you to get your feelings hurt, so if we talk about it ahead of time, I thought it might be a good idea.

Mr. Nut was so relieved he stopped the car and gave NUT a big kiss.  He was already ahead of her on this one.  He was planning to hit golf balls, play basketball or work out to let his wife have her alone time.  He had been thinking about this for a solid month before she brought it up.

Mr. Nut was glowing he was so proud of himself.  For once he had predicted how NUT would react to something.

Both NUTS rode down to the airport with big smiles on their faces.  They knew the rules going in and everything would be fine.


And it was.  
Way better than fine.


Post Note:
Mr. Nut ended up giving me an hour in the morning and another in the late afternoon each day.  In the mornings I usually sat out on the balcony to see the new port in peace and quiet.  In the afternoons I took the chance to get all pretty for dinner, just like I was going out on a date.  Mr. Nut ate, worked out, ate, sat to drank virgin Margaritas in the sports bar, ate, and then ate some more.

Nutsville Class Assignment:
Have you made boundaries with the people close to you?


See you on Monday.  Today I'm off to a soccer tournament Son Nut organized and then Sunday I'll be spending the day with Nancy Nut antiquing and wine tasting.  I'll tell her hi for all of you!  Monday's blog will be how NUT deals with the Lifeboat Drill…..

NUT

12:31 PM - 111 Comments - 62 Kudos - Add Comment

Who Is In Charge Here?
Current mood: blessed
Category: Happy Friday, Baby! Life

I was really hoping to have a new blog for today but time just didn't happen.  Anyway, even though this is a repeat, it is an important blog for all new parents sending their first ones off to Kindergarten.


Everyday NUT sees parents in her school office getting frustrated about something regarding their child.  They are upset with the teacher who gave their kid an "F" on a test, the principal because she won't have her son taken out of a class, or complaining to the secretary why can't the school understand she can't afford the school lunches?

NUT always shakes her head.  These poor souls obviously don't know how to get around an elementary school.  So, NUT is going to do a huge favor to all of you today.  Today, she is going to tell you all the secrets of an elementary school , and how to operate so you eventually get what you want.  What I have to say could, in most liklihood translate to a middle or high school, too.

OK, first it is best to realize who is really in charge.  It ISN'T the principal.  And it isn't the teachers.  The secretary or secretaries run the school.  They make most of the major decisions that will directly involve your child at some point.  The other key people are the cooks, bus drivers and custodians.  I'll cover each one so you can fully understand this.

The secretaries are in charge whenever the principal is gone.  Now anyone who works in a public school knows well the principal is at meetings, at minimum, twice a week.  At my school, it is more often three days.  So, if a new child arrives, the secretary is the one who places your child in a class.  Your child gets into a fight on the play yard?   The secretary most likely is the one who will be dealing with it until the principal gets back.  You want to get into see the principal quickly?  Guess who can make it happen?

Treated well, the secretary is a wealth of information.  You better believe she knows the best teachers at every grade level.  She can tell you which ones love children and which ones are just punching in time until retirement.  If your child loves art, she knows which 4th grade teacher does it all the time.  Your child is a budding writer?  The secretary can tell you which teacher always has up creative writing in the school hallways.  

The secretary can make sure your child gets a lunch if you forgot to give your child one in the car.  The secretary can put in a good word for you with your child's teacher or the principal.  When NUT sees a new student form in her box, she always heads to the secretary to find out "the scouting report."  A secretary notices EVERYTHING.  She can tell a teacher if the upcoming student was running around wildly in the office and the parent not saying anything.  She can tell us if the parent was polite and well spoken, or rude and offensive.  Treat the secretary well from the very first day, and you will be amazed at how smoothly things will happen for you.

If your child gets sick at school, the secretary is the one who will comfort and take care of your child.  We rarely, if ever, have a nurse.  The secretary has that role.  If you have a good relationship with the secretary, she will know immediately which number she can get through to you the fastest way possible.

 The secretary should be your best friend for the entire time your child is at school.  She should be spoiled and complimented at every possible time.  When my kids were in elementary school, I was lucky to know this information.  At Christmas, the secretary got a present right along with the teacher.  I complimented and always had a kind word for her.  Sometimes, I would just 'happen' to have extra flowers hanging around my yard and it looked like her desk could be brightened up.  I'd purposely go to Safeway and buy flowers that looked like they could come from my yard.  If I had to call the school, I used her name when calling and always asked how she was doing before bringing up whatever I needed. On Day of The Teacher in May, she always got a present because I knew she was doing her own sort of teaching there in the office.  She was teaching the kids, parents, copy machine repair men, teachers, aides, bus drivers, and anyone else who wandered into the school office.  

You should treat the school secretary as a God.  She can help you beyond any words I can use here.  And just remember, you piss her off, she can make your life miserable.

Next on the school hierarchy is for those of you whose children ride on a bus everyday is the Bus Driver.  The bus driver sees and hears everything.  Treat them nicely and with the respect they deserve.  If you do, you can be sure he/she will keep an extra  eye out for your child.  They have such a difficult job, and have the lives of your children in their hands each and everyday.  A kind word, or little Christmas/Valentine's gift would make their year.

Teachers that know what they are doing treat the custodians like superstars.    If a kid throws up in our class, if we are on good terms with the custodian, it is cleaned up fast.  Need a wire hung in your room?  It can make the difference between it getting done after school, or the next week.  I once wrote a blog some of you remember about the custodian who fell asleep in my classroom.  Since I never told a soul, I have the most pristine room in the school and am supplied with all the best cleaning products.

Parents should always treat custodians kindly, as well.  They deserve our respect just for having to clean the bathrooms everyday that some 400 small children use each day; most of which still can't aim correctly or remember to flush.  If your child leaves something important in the classroom, the custodian can decide to let you back in the room or not.  If he remembers a kind smile, your chances greatly improve.

Most schools have cooks, even if they don't actually do the cooking.  At my daughter's school, they actually did the cooking.  My daughter had some specific allergies and couldn't drink milk, along with many other things.  Believe me, I treated that lady like a queen!  She always had the juice ready for my daughter and had replacement foods for her if she knew she was allergic to them.  I trusted her with my daughter's good health, making sure she didn't eat things she shouldn't.  Each year on the last day, I made sure my daughter brought in a bouquet of flowers for her with a thank you card.  My daughter still talks about how much she loved the cook from her elementary school years.  By 6th grade they had formed quite a tight relationship.

It is just like my grandfather always told me, you get better results when you treat everyone with the respect you would like to receive.  People discuss teachers and principals all the time.  Try treating these other folks around the school well and see how fast doors open for you and your child.

Nutsville Class Assignment:
See below......

Post Note:
A couple of things today.
 
First, I am home.    Our school did another of our optional inservice days the Friday before Labor Day so the families could have a 4 day weekend.  I have not only taken the discipline class they are teaching today but was asked to facilitate if I wanted.  If they added some bigger change to the deal, I might have forced myself to try.  By the time taxes were taken out, I'd almost be in the hole.  No thanks!

The other thing that is back to irritating me is post dated blogs.  It seems to go away for awhile and then pop back up.  It always does it when I have the least amount of time to spend on myspace.  Can someone finally, REALLY HONESTLY tell me why you do this?  One person told me it was because of East/West Coast time.  Uh?  Doesn't it say new all the time zones?  Is it they want their blog at the top of the list?  Or is it because of trying to get on the top blogger list?  They think if their blog stays up on new for 2 days more people will read it?  My take on this is if they have to resort to things like that, they have no business being on the list in the first place.

If anyone could shed some light on this honestly, I'd really appreciate it.  I g