The Avett Brothers

Funny how you find bands that touch a chord with you. I had never heard of this group, but heard this particular song on 95.9 The Ranch and had to buy it. They are currently opening for Dave Matthews Band in concert, but I would place them in alternative country/folk/bluegrass as their genre. I believe their roots are bluegrass, but you can tell that they are transitioning to a more mainstream sound. I read up on them and of course they are getting hammered by a few hardcore fans for selling out. I think the bluegrass/banjo has traditionally been more prevalent in previous albums. It does still show up in a few songs on their latest album. If you like this kind of music you should give them a try. Enjoy!

Thanks for the Broccoli

"What are those things they give the Medalists?  It looks like broccoli."

Catnap

Clean floors = sleepy cat.  :)

Fat Tuesday

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  We've had much discussion in the Scroggins house as to what to sacrifice.  Last year, it was Diet Coke.  I know this is a horrible statement, but I just can't do it again.  For me, life isn't worth living if Diet Coke is not a part of it.  I'm pretty sure that's the definition of an addiction, but I'm ok with it.  It's my vice.  Good thing I only have one.  :)  The kids few around a few things-slushies, cookies, candy...but settled on Super Mario Brothers-this one as a family.  I've decided that game just makes people be mean, and everyone needs a break.  Todd and I are giving up red meat, which might be more of a sacrifice for him than me.  He stopped on the way home for one last indulgence for the next 40 days....

Pacific: March 14, 2010 on HBO

Iwo Jima Preview

I'm going to have to break down and get HBO...maybe I can be cheap (because lets face it...I am...although I prefer the term "frugal") and get the 3 months free plan. If this is anything like Band of Brothers, we are in for a really good series. If gives me chills just thinking about it.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Saturday Madison and Todd had their annual Daddy Daughter Dance Date.  We had a dress picked out, and spent the afternoon with the girls getting all spruced up at Sweet and Sassy.  It was a little chaotic with post-snow power outages, but the girls seemed to have fun anyway-and just look at that hair!

When we got home, it was time to put on the dress and head out to dinner.  Madison and her friend Peyton cooked up the idea of a double date with their daddies, so Todd picked them up on the way to Chili's.  Madison said it worked out great because the girls talked about girl stuff and the boys talked about boy stuff.  I guess that's a good lesson no matter when you learn it.  :) 

Once they arrived, Madison was all about the dancing.  I cheated a little, and since I worked the dance, I was able to see them in action.  She told me it "was the best Daddy Daughter Dance ever because Daddy had so much fun being silly and dancing with me."  Toward the end of the night, the raffle items were drawn and she won the cozy blanket she wanted so badly.  Cloud 9 isn't high enough to describe how she ended the night.

Snow Day Sustenance

Francis Coppola Petite Sirah.  Yum-O!  Definitely a 5 on our 5 point scale!!  Todd was a little annoyed I drank more than my "share."  All I can say is it was payback time for all those diet cokes I "shared" with him only to reach for my sip and suck ice.  Hmmph.

I made STEW!  I've made it before, but I tried REALLY HARD this time, and it was super yummy.  Well, I thought it was anyway.  :)  Not only did I make stew, but also cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, eggs, and peanut butter cookies.  You can call me Betty Crocker now.  I can take it. 

working from home. :)

I can't stop taking pictures! It's too pretty!

and it was the minivan to the rescue!!!

Todd not only got his own truck stuck in the snow, he also got his dad's truck stuck.  He would argue that his dad got his own truck stuck, but it wouldn't have been out there if Todd wasn't stuck in the first place.

Catch all that?

So, me and the minivan braved the roads from here to Becky's house to retrieve my family.  I made it no problem, because I'm obviously the go-to person when it comes to driving in the snow.  I picked up Todd and the boys-Madison opting for a sleepover with Gran.  I guess Todd didn't get enough vehicles stuck, because when we got home, he proceeded to get the lawn mower stuck in the snow.  Don't ask.  Sean texted me asking if his name was Griswold, and it might very well be!

The boys can't get enough of it though.  They frolicked despite their frozen hands...and paws.

I'm so glad to have my guys here with me.  :)  We have a fire, and are about to whip up some soup and hot chocolate.  Oh, who am I kidding.  I already uncorked a bottle of wine! Cozy-ness awaits.  :)

ya, ya, so it's snowing again.

What a cluster of a day.  Todd and I didn't think the weather was supposed to get bad until tomorrow, so we were completely thrown by the winter wonderland we woke up to.  But, we got the kids dressed, planned for them to stay with his mom, and I planned on making the drive to Dragon Country.  Todd called from town about 10 minutes after I dropped the kids off, and told me to stay home, call a sub, whatever I had to do, that the roads were crappy.  But, that totally put me in a bind!  Who seriously is going to pick up the sub day at 8:00 in the morning when it's freaking snowing buckets outside?  It makes me stress and feel like a total slacker.  So, I made the trek to the city, only to have one class before school was cancelled.  So, I got back on the road and got home safely, because Todd told me to go STRAIGHT home.  He said he would be home ASAP, and he would get the kids from his mom.  Now I'm home alone, and everyone is stuck in the snow at their house.  I'm thinking of suiting up and making the hike over there.  I should be revelling in my alone time, but who wants to hang out by themselves on a snow day?

Bonus:  I just got the call that I have a snow day tomorrow.  :)  No craziness for us!  Maybe we will all be reunited by then!

Ipod Todd has a problem...

and it's called Words with Friends.

Definitely don't play his games for him.  Just a heads up.

Girl Scout Field Trip-Ronald McDonald House

Madison's girl scout troop took a field trip this weekend to make dinner at the Ronald McDonald House.  The girls really did a fantastic job!  I was unexpectedly surprised by their willingness to jump in and get their hands dirty de-boning the chicken and scrubbing the dishes.  It's kind of amazing how much they've changed in just one year.  I'm interested to see what kind of teamwork will occur on the campout!  As we left, the manager talked to the girls about the purpose of the house, and how their service helped the residents that day.  The girls were proud of themselves, and it was neat to see the look of accomplishment on their faces.

But that may just be the sappy me talking again.  :)

Bad Mom USA

So, tonight was Math and Science night at Madison and Tanner's school and I TOTALLY blew it off.  I mean, I knew it was happening, drove right by the school, and kept on driving.  AND I'M A SCIENCE TEACHER!!  Instead, I came home, put on some cozy sweats and bribed the kids with some Chef Boyardee and extra Wii time.

So, this is my confession.  I need absolution.

the roller coaster of teaching

A few weeks ago, I was devasted when I received an email from a parent telling me her child thought I was a mean teacher, wished she would fail, picked on her in class...you get the idea.  It affected me so much because it wasn't the first email I'd received on that topic this year, and I began to question my teaching style and personality.   Yes, I'm hard on my kids.  I make them turn in their work, and hold their "feet to the fire" so to speak.  Sometimes, 25 "tweens" in a confined space just isn't a good idea, and I have to call them on it.  I'm sarcastic with them, too-maybe a little too much.  But, I don't want to be a meanie. Today, that same child gave me a sealed note, and asked me to read it after she'd gone.  Here's what she wrote:

For an Unforgettable Teacher

When I began your class, I think I knew the kind of challenges you'd make me face.
You gave me motivation to pursue the best, and to reject the commonplace.
Your thinking really opened up my mind.
With wisdom, style and grace you made me see that what I'd choose to seek, I'd surely find.
You shook me out of my complacency.
I thank you now for everything you've done.
What you have taught me I will not outgrow.
Your kind attention touched my mind and heart, in many ways that you will never know.
I will remember you my whole life through.
I wish that all my teachers were like you.

I'm not sure what prompted her change in attitude, and maybe she copied this poem off the internets.  But, I have seen a change in her lately, and that's a good thing.  And yes, Sappy Danielle totally teared up when she read that.  Because I do this teaching thing for more than just the spam it puts on the table.

Lost

The last season starts up this week, and so we are watching last year's finale tonight.  It's just too much to try to remember over the course of one year.  I don't know if I have the brain power to keep up with this.