SOCIAL MEDIA

2 multi vitamins, airborne, and a ton of other holistic meds will hopefully keep swine flu away

August 31, 2009

3 comments
Sick teacher + sick kids + informal observation day = most lathargic class known to man

On another sick note...it is reported a kid in our parish has swine flu, oh yay I can't wait to get it. Also after hearing this news I immediately made all my kids bathe in germx and when they left the room I sprayed the place down in lysol{a totaly of 3 times today}.

And another sick note...the university is offering flu shots for $15 to all students with a ULM id. Guess which deathly afraid of shots student is going to get poked Wednesday. I figure a few minutes of pain is worth not getting what ever disease these kids are attempting to take me out with. And yes, when I say take me out I do mean the adult version of hiring a hit man. These munchkins just can't afford it so they do you in in hopes of getting a sub by smearing all sorts of bacteria on you and your belongings. It may sound like I am hating some kids at the moment, but this is my sarcastic way of dealing with that fact that 45 sick kids got me sick and ruined my weekend/made me turn in grad homework slightly high off medication.

Looks like this could get interesting. Oh and for all my worry about classroom management the principal said my heathens kids were good, surprise surprise...but when he walked out of the classroom one immediately chirped "We were good can we have a treat now." Slightly reminds me of training dogs, oh well if it keeps them quite.

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An apple a day keeps nasty kid germs at bay

August 29, 2009

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I should have known better and started drinking Airborne days ago.

But instead I am gargling hot salt/cayenne pepper water once every hour to get rid of this sore throat. It is also clearing up my stuffy nose to that is a huge plus.

This only further proves my point that children are disease carrying sponges who soak up every drop of gross and sick they can. I have had a class of runny nose sick kids all week, and thanks to a bunch of 5th graders I am now too sick and runny nosed.

..............................

On another note...do any of you teacher people have good classroom management tips. I have them trained to raise their hands for everything{well most of them, there are the 3 or 4 that I am convinced don't speak english because otherwise they would understand the rules}, but they still like to chatter. Chatter is not a problem till it gets to loud, or I am teaching and they are talking still. We do an exercise video between subjects if they are looking antsy and have a lot of class discussion where they don't have to raise their hand so that they can get any talk out of their system by focusing it on our story.

I was so ignored one day that I started speaking Spanish to a kid who wasn't paying attention. All of the kids immediately started paying attention and asking what I was saying. I quickly replied with "Oh, you don't speak Spanish? Well I guess we will keep trying new languages until we find one you guys know. Now stop talking."Yesterday I rolled up my papers like a megaphone while we were collecting test papers in order and started saying "Earth to number 13! Are you in there number 13? The rest of us need your paper so we can move on number 13." I have managed to get their attention better with humor but it isn't gonna last long, starting Monday Hitler will look nicer to the Jews compared to the amount of persecution the 5th graders are about to endure. They have already lost both recesses Monday, and since I a duty teacher during every recess they get to stand on the wall and watch. Thankfully it is not just me, apparently everyone has had a problem with this class.

They have already recieved their death threat for next week though since observations start Monday, I will gladly send people to run their little hearts out in P.E..

Wow it only took a week to break me in. Oh and if you really wanna screw with a kids head sign the wrong name to something. I was really tired and used my maiden name one day and completely threw them for a loop.

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the name change

August 28, 2009

6 comments
Just a random thought rant.

In my first real live graduate class the other night a girl I know, who was sitting next to me, was discussing the BIG name change that all new brides have to go through. She talked about how she was changing her name and having problems with the university having everything under the same last name and was complaining because she wanted to drop her maiden name and said:
"I am just not one of those girls who can't let go of her last name and I just wish everything would just say my new name."

Okay so call me crazy but I am that girl. I held onto my maiden name for dear life and still use it constantly. I was born with my maiden name, I graduated college with my maiden name, I am my maiden name and I am proud of my name and where I came from. I feel like I achieved something in my family, and when someone sees that I graduated college{or whatever else} I want them to see that I did it as my birth name, because that is who I am. Sorry to say but I don't owe anything to the Babb name, I don't know them, and I probably will never know many of them. Why should I make my achievements in a name that means nothing to me.

I have had several people ask "oh are you related so so-an-so Babb?" And every time I reply "No I am not, I am related to {insert maiden name}!" This is not me trying to disrespect my husband by any means, I love him but I want people to say oh that is {insert maiden name}'s daughter. Not "Oh, are you related to so-an-so Babb?"

Call me crazy, but I am that girl who clings to her birth name for dear life because frankly...it is who I am. Honestly, when I see girls who are so happy and willing to drop their name like it never existed it makes me sick. Don't be your husband, be you. Yes, in my classroom the kids call me by my new name, but it was very tempting to hyphenate that sucker and make them call me both. Because dang it...I got this degree, not someone else! Disagree is you choose, I know most probably will, but let me know what you think.


As a side note, I am thinking about going to some fake name on here. I had a student's parent try to add me on Facebook and frankly I don't think it is their business what I do or say on here or Facebook. That is just to personal for me, this blog is just to personal for someone who I only know exist through my job to read. Any ideas for a new name?
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Sunday Lunch, finally

August 26, 2009

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Has anyone else seen Bobby Flay's new show Grill it with Bobby Flay? Maybe I am just the only Food Network geek but it is good, and I am not a huge Bobby Flay fan. The other day Bobby and his guest made dishes with pork shoulder...and his guest made the most awesome looking bbq pork sandwich on jalapeno corn flat bread. Well as you can tell I made it, or I wouldn't be posting about it. I did make a few changes to save money and time. The bbq sauce in the recipe looks good but I love love love Pig Out Inn bbq sauce and have a lot left from the reception so I just used it, I also couldn't find a pork shoulder to save my life so I just used a pork roast and slow cooked it over night.

The flat bread smelled so good on the grill that when I walked outside to check on it the dogs were sitting in front of the grill staring at it. In the second picture you can also see the side I made to go with it, roasted sweet potatoes, they were super easy. Just slice up two sweet potatoes and a few green onions. Season with salt, pepper, bacon salt, cajun seasoning, olive oil, and garlic. Roast at 400 degrees until done.

BBQ Pork Sandwich on Grilled Jalapeno Corn Flat Bread

Ingredients

Jalapeno Corn Flat Bread:

  • 2 1/4 cups bread flour
  • 3/4 cup masa harina (or any comparable corn flour)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • About 1 1/4 cups water, room temperature
  • 1 jalapeno grilled with top on, skinned and seeded, coarsely chopped
  • Oil, for coating dough

BBQ Sauce:

  • Oil, for pan
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 small jalapeno, seeded and diced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 (20-ounce) bottle tomato ketchup, or combination tomato paste and sauce
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses or cane syrup
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar, plus more to adjust acidity
  • Hot sauce, to taste (recommended: Crystal)
  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle dark beer

Slaw:

  • 1 small head green cabbage, shredded
  • 1 to 2 medium carrots, grated
  • 1 bunch green onions, coarsely chopped
  • 1 small bell pepper, coarsely chopped
  • 1 small bunch parsley, leaves coarsely chopped

For the Dressing:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise (preferably homemade)
  • 1/4 cup coarse ground mustard
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, plus more to adjust acidity
  • 1 teaspoon celery seeds
  • Salt and fresh ground black pepper

Rub:

  • 1/2 cup chili powder (preferably ancho)
  • 1/2 cup smoked paprika
  • 3 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (adjust to personal preference)
  • 1 tablespoon salt, taste for level
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Pork:

  • 1 (1 1/2-pound) pork shoulder steak, no more than 3/4-inch thick, not trimmed

Directions

For the flat bread:
Combine all dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the honey and water and mix on low for 3 minutes, then medium for 1 minute and then gently fold in the jalapenos. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a towel and let rise for 1 hour. Punch the dough down, roll into a ball and let rest for 15 minutes. Punch the dough down again and roll into a ball, then let rest for 30 to 60 minutes.
Heat grill to medium.
Roll the dough into desired shape, approximately 1/2-inch thick and coat it with olive oil before putting on the grill over indirect heat. Grill to desired level of color, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
For the BBQ Sauce:
Coat a large saute pan with oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeno, and the powders. Briefly saute and then stir in all the remaining ingredients. Bring to boil and immediately reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes. Cool and puree in a blender. Set aside.
Cook's Note: This sauce will keep for 10 days covered and refrigerated.
For the slaw:
Combine all the slaw ingredients in a large bowl and set aside until ready to serve. Add the dressing immediately prior to serving.
For the dressing:
Put all the ingredients into a bowl and whisk to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
For the pork:
Preheat charcoal grill over high heat.
Combine all the rub ingredients in a bowl and coat the pork liberally with the mixture. Set aside for at least 5 minutes.
Sear over hot coals (with a little hickory - NOT SOAKED). Turn and move the pork to the side of the grill. Cover the grill and cook for about 15 minutes for medium and medium-well on the ends. Remove the pork from the grill to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil, to rest. Chop the pork as desired.
To Make the Sandwich:
Divide and mound chopped pork on the flat bread, 4 pieces for an open face sandwich, top with generous serving of the slaw and drizzle with BBQ sauce.


 Notice the picture to the right. Maddie begged until she was dead asleep, Ellie was asleep too but when Jeremy picked up the camera she woke up and started begging again. Oh and don't judge...yes we were being lazy and eating in the living room.


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August 23, 2009

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Fahrenheit 350 is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100th post! She is giving away a $100 gift certificate to the Fahrenheit 350 Confectionary and a few other lucky winners will get a sample of her pecan sweet log. Go check it out, the contest ends 8/31/09.

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another belated post that is becoming Flashback Friday

August 21, 2009

2 comments
As usual, and in no particular order thanks to blogger uploader thingy here are a few photos from when we went to Rock City back in February. We had a great time and it was also the first time I got to meet his Dad and Sandy.


{two of the Mother Goose poem figurines, I was surprised at how well the pics came out since they were in black light}














{if I remember right this was Lover's Leap}



{Jeremy and I sitting under the mushroom shaped rock}





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one big sigh of relief

August 20, 2009

7 comments
To my surprise the first day of school was great. Granted I am missing a few teaching materials, and am seemingly clueless about a few thing, I am having fun. I'm not gonna lie though, I am scared to death and more lost than I prefer to be. I am unorganized for a change and can't seem to get organized, but it will all work out. The fact that the staff is awesome and more than willing to help with any and everything is giving me a ton of confidence, and being able to call my Mom with questions is great. It is so nice to have someone you can talk to about anything and who has already been through this. I am just so excited...I have a career. No more restaurant or random jobs.

ULM finally got their act together today and I got to register for classes, not exactly the classes I wanted to take but I have to take them eventually anyway so why not take them now. I just wish someone would explain to me how I can register for graduate classes but my status is pending graduate. Maybe that has to do with the fact that I called and bugged everyone for education to graduate studies yesterday till something seemingly got done. Classes start Monday so I don't feel at all bad about being rude with the woman on the phone when she told me there was nothing she could do about my information being processed quickly, but if she hadn't opened my account to register for classes I would be pushed back another year in graduating from grad school.

Ahh to finally see things fall semi into place.

Oh and this is totally out of character for me but with all the busy bee stuff going on I haven't been able to think of something to cook for Sunday lunch this week...any ideas?

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one day left till school starts

August 18, 2009

5 comments
I'd say with only 4 days of going to meetings and hanging around the school board trying to get things done I have finally gotten a taste of what my mother goes through everyday...and totally understand why she is so tired. Okay so I haven't taught a single class yet but the amount of information they throw at these teachers is insane. I honestly don't know how to remember it all. I was nearly floored when I saw the schedule for this week and noticed that kickoff events started at 6:45 am, and yes I was at school from 6:45 until after 3:30.

All of this has made me realize that as a kid you don't understand what all these teachers have to do to get ready for school, and what all they have to spend. Who knew how expensive class decorations are! I honestly have a ton more respect for all of my teachers after two hardcore days of inservice. Who cares about pay, school staff don't get nearly enough respect for what they do.

I hope I can get a class that is sweet and willing to follow rules at least the majority of the time, and parents who are willing to work with me and not against me. Needless to say I've heard stories about kids this age and I am scared{haha}, but at least the school board is keep me so busy that I haven't had time to even think about being nervous about teaching for the first time.

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Contest

August 17, 2009

2 comments
I saw this contest on Casey's blog and once I saw the prize I had to enter. So go enter too! And don't forget to mention my name.

http://endeanmom1.blogspot.com/

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Happy B-Day Mom...or D-Day, whatever you call it at this age

August 15, 2009

2 comments

Happy Birthday Mom!
I'll be nice and not mention her age;) I have a wonderful mother...so wonderful that on her birthday she is coming to see me to help me get my classroom together. I thought about making her cupcakes, but then the leftover would likely be left her and consumed by me so instead I am just going to take her over to Curls Cupcakes and let her pick out what kind she wants. Plus if we each have one cupcake we aren't tempted to eat another...being that we don't have another! So Happy Bday Mom, I promise I won't treat you the way your parents treat us and take you out to eat only to have someone sing to you against your will{haha}.


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Flashback Friday

August 14, 2009

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I realized the other day that I never posted about going to Graceland, so I decided to save it until today because if you are an Elvis fan{and I know you all are haha} you know today is the anniversary of his death. So in no particular order thanks to the blogger uploader here are a few of the millions of pictures I took at Graceland{with no flash because I followed the rules against my will}.

{the Lisa Marie plane, we got to walk through both of Elvis's planes}

{Jeremy and I in front of the wall outside Graceland, I can't remember if we signed our names or not}

{the famous pink Cadillac}

{a few outfits from Jail House Rock to the left and I can't remember what movie that is to the right}

{Priscilla's veil}

{the jungle room, it was hard to get a pic with all the light coming in through the window}

{me standing in the white room with(pictured below). I had to have proof I was in there haha}

{the first room you walk into at Graceland, it was honestly the most fun ever...but then again I'm a huge Elvis fan}



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{don't you just love good news}

August 12, 2009

3 comments
I finally got to hear something that I wanted to hear this summer. Not only were grades posted today but I got the grade I needed in the history class from hell and get to sign my program plan and get my practitioners license Friday. Whoo hoo! And tomorrow I have a new teacher orientation at a school where I get to teach 5th graders. Aren't answered prayers the best. Now maybe that newly wed curse will at least wait a few months before it strikes again.

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Sunday Lunch..a little late

August 11, 2009

3 comments
I haven't ever made whole wheat pizza crust but have wanted to for quite some time, and I think it turned out well. I tried it out first on Jeremy and the MIL but didn't get the reaction I like...so I made it for the whole family Sunday when I went home. I'd say it went over well. Although I was asked to not put mushrooms on one pizza{I rarely comply with whiny people who don't eat certain things} the other two tasted almost how I wanted{I didn't have the bbq sauce I prefer}. For my pizza crust I found this one from Eating Well and loved it, I added garlic and other seasoning to it. I also have two go-to toppings, one that my lovely mother makes everything she makes pizza.

BBQ Chicken Pizza:

2 grilled chicken brest
1/2 cup bbq sauce {I prefer Pig Out Inn}
1/2 red onion
1/2 bell pepper
2 cups mozzarella cheese{or gouda}

Saute onion and bell pepper in salt, pepper, bacon salt, and worcestershire sauce. Shred grilled chicken. Top pizza dough with bbq sauce, shredded chicken, sauteed veggies, and cheese. Bake till dough is done and cheese is melted.

Mushroom Hamburger Pizza:

1/2 lb extra lean ground beef
1/2 red onion
1/2 bell pepper
1 can of mushroom slices
1 can of fire roasted diced tomatoes w/ garlic
2 cups cheddar cheese

Saute onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Add beef and brown. Meanwhile, puree diced tomatoes and add italian seasoning to taste. Top pizza dough with 1/2 of tomato puree, beef and veggies, and cheese. Bake till crust is done and cheese is melted.

If you also have picky people you can leave off the mushrooms. Had I known before I got to my grandmother's to bake I would have put the veggies in a food processor and forced people to eat them. But that is just me...and I have no problem telling people they are crazy, and I sure as heck would have lied about adding them. Call me nuts but once you're in your twenties you should branch out and try something you don't like, I personally have noticed my taste has changed because I use to not eat raw tomatoes and now eat them in things all the time. Moral of the story...try it once at least every 5 years. But enough ranting and more food.


And for dessert...a easy, and much healthier choice than chocolate cake...angel food cake.

Mom's Angel Food Cake:

1 angel food cake
1 pint whipping cream
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar
2 cans mandarin oranges

Whip cream, sugar, and vanilla till it has stiff peaks. Cut angel food cake in half. Place mandarin oranges and whip cream on bottom half of cake. Place other half of cake on top, top with more oranges. Ice cake with remaining whip cream and decorate with remaining oranges.


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Ellie the frog hunter

August 10, 2009

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The entire time we have been in Vidalia this weekend Ellie has been on the hunt for frogs and fish. On Friday she discovered that the fish pond had been restocked with fish and proceeded to bark at them until...well she is still barking at them. Saturday and Sunday she ate every frog she found and my grandparents house. After she decided that frogs live in monkey grass she has spent every waking minute {while not barking at fish} searching for frogs.

{She has been perched here while she barks at the fish, I'd love to know what she is trying to tell them.}

{On the hunt for more frogs to eat, I'm surprised she hasn't puked yet.}


{Maddie of course never hops on the band wagon, she just eats grass.}



{Watching tabpoles and fish.}
Who knew fish could be so entertaining. She has been covered in mud and grass for days...and wet because her big head keeps causing her to fall into the pond.




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I haven't dropped of the face of the earth just yet. I've just been out of town all weekend, I actually still am. But when I do retrieve my camera from my Mom's car I will have a lot to post. It is so nice to not be in North East Louisiana, so nice that I am tempted to just never return. But that can't happen because I have a to-do list a mile long for when I return. Well, now I'm off to get ready for my favorite twice a years activity...the dentist. Love the feeling of just cleaned teeth!

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August 5, 2009

4 comments
I ran into the nicest rudest secretary today.

Makes me rethink the career path I'm attempting to take.

Any other job ideas for someone with a B.A. in Psychology?

Oh and death tests finals are tomorrow. Hopefully I get the grade I need so I can start grad school even though I was told I was accepted into it in April in August.

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Happy Birthday Jeremy

August 4, 2009

4 comments
It old Jeremy's Bday today...and he is the big 25! In no time 30 will round the corner. So Happy Birthday Jeremy while you are still 25, in no time I'll put you in the "home."

Even though P90X forced me to make his cake two weeks ago I really want to break in the mixer and make a batch of cupcakes. Maybe I'll be nice and wait two months to make his B-Day cupcakes...but I guess you'll find out if I do or not, right?

Oh who knew that if it's your birthday you can do what you want, last time I checked eating off someones plate instead of fixing your own is a huge fatty crime. I personally believe vegetarian taco theives should be put in jail.

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