Robin Cooper

Robin Cooper
December 20, 2006

Whose birth and death can in the same hour
You will never know the feel of Mommy's kisses on your face
You will never know your Daddy's strong embrace
Your hands we'll never hold
Your brother and sister's secrets never told
You were loved from the moment of conception
Love's perfect creation.

LIfe is never boring

Last time I updated this blog, life was great. A lot has happened in the last few weeks.
My mom was back in the hospital for yet another surgery. They took out a 4 inch tumor and now she will be going on chemo for the rest of her life. Its been a little hard around here dealing with all that.
I was sick all of last week. Missed the last week of school. Although, I have a good excuse. I would like them (my principal) to say something to be about not being in school and trying to take away my pay for the weeks of Christmas vacation. My excuse is, I was in the hospital. Hopefully, Everything will be fine, when I go back to the doctor on Monday. I know I will be getting test every other day for a bit then every other week. I will let you know when the doctors say I am all better.
Lilsis finds out on Wednesday what they are having. I can not wait. I am hoping for a girl. I get to go out and buy so much stuff when I know what it will be. (when I have the energy)
The kids are excited for Christmas. Ms. G knows what she wants. Mr. A has no clue. I already know what Santa is getting him. It is his sister that is giving me the problem.
Hell, everyone is giving me a problem. I have not done my Christmas shopping yet. If you are on my list, I am sorry you might just get an e-card, or jsut a really bad blog entry. We will see how much time and energy I have later this week.
Leave me some love. I really need it!

Auntie Jen?

I am going to be an aunt! I am going to be an aunt! I am going to be an aunt! I am going to be a an aunt! I am going to be an aunt!
Now imagine that is written in all different colors and sizes and fonts. I am excited that I am going to be an aunt! It is about time. I have been waiting to tell everyone for a while now, and now my sister says I can! She is due in early May! Baby, mom, and new hubby are doing great. Everyone is excited including my mom (A little surprise there). Now my kids are going to have a cousin. I loved the stories and the trouble my cousins and I got into as kids. Now it's their turn.
I know it's been a long time inbetween post, I 've been working. Is it time to say I hate my job? I am looking to do something else next year (come hell or high water) more on that later. For now I am going to leave you with...
I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT! And shame on you, who jumped to the conclusion I was expecting. I am not pregnant! I have to say that at least 3 times a day for people to believe me. Something about getting married and then you are to have a child within the next year. Well, it ain't going to happen that quick! I am going to enjoy my niece or nephew first!
~NIFER

Out of the Mouths of Babes

So, my family is talking at dinner Friday night when Little A starts talking about babies. How he wants a baby brother or sister. He wants mom and papa to have 2 babies. He is explaining how it could be 2 boys, 2 girls, or one of each. How the boy(s) could live in his room and how the girl(s) could live in Ms. G's room. AND, how he wants them now. He looks at me and said "Go ahead and fat that tummy up. You need to eat more." As if eating more and getting a fat tummy will allow him to have the young sibling he has always wanted.
He had us in stiches over the whole thing. Believe me when I tell you he has the whole thing already planned out in his mind. Unfortunately, I do not think he understands the fact that the baby will be a baby and not a toddler he could play with when it is born. OR the fact I am already not sleeping through the night b/c of Ms. G. I could not imagine adding midnight feedings to that unrestful sleep.
It is still very funny to hear the little mind of a 6 year old trying to get us to have another child. I can not wait to tell him in May he will get to play with a little baby. ( that is all I can say for now. )
Smile! The kids have no school Monday!

Getting over it

That was my phrase for so long. "Just get over it!" Now I'm doing just that. I thought I had but then little things just bite you in the ass and say look at me. Well, no more. I am getting over it. So read on but know I am getting over it.
I had been hurt (really bad) by a good friend. She was the kind of person I wanted to be friends with. She was very different from me. Almost the opposite of me.
I went through a time when I did not agree with her way of life. I was young and still trying to find my way and knew I didn't like the direction she was taking hers. I also knew I could not be around that lifestyle without letting it influence me. As it turned out, I needed a lot of grow up time. We later became good friends again. Later being when I knew who I was and her lifestyle was hers to live, not mine.
She helped me through a lot with the divorce and the moving to VA. I was trying to help her through her hell of a year. When I got engaged I though she would be happy that I was finally happy. I was where I needed to be in life and deserved some happiness. I was wrong. For what ever reason she got so mad at me she has stopped talking to me. She even took my link down from her blog.
This really hurt me deep inside. But I thought if I give her space and time we will find that friendship again. I gave her space and time. I did not really talk about what was going on with anyone. I didn't "bad mouth" her. I didn't go or hang around people or places I knew she might be around. I tried very hard not to put anyone in the middle of this fight. Including her cousins.
Turns out it was a bad idea. She was "bad mouthing" me. She was putting mutual friends in the middle. And trying to air my dirty laundry. Trying to get everyone to pick her side over mine.
I may not have agreed with most of what she has done with her life. But I was always there for her and supported her. And no, I will not air dirty laundry. Afterall, I was a true friend.
I spent many nights crying over this lost of friendship. Not any more. I am done. For those of you who have chosen to pick sides and have picked hers this also applys to you too.
Fuck you all! Friendship is no longer an option.
~Niffer

Purrelln'

So, Hubby is back. A week wihout him has been very hard. I have been working long hours at work (like 12-14 hour days). This is what happens when your school doesn't meet AYP. (No Child Left Behind) I am upset with what is being done about it but then again I am not the administrator. I am actively looking at other schools in the area. (and out of the area) If you know of any good ones that need a Kindergarten teacher, let me know.
For the most part life here is good. Ms. G has a sprain thumb. She has been in a brace for the last 2 weeks. She has one more week left. If the swelling goes down. So far it is still very black and blue and very swollen. I am worried about her. The doctor said it could take as long as six weeks to heal. To top all of this off, it is her right hand. So no writing with her hand. She has been trying to write with the left. I know her teacher is loving that. (NOT!)
Mr. A is doing well in Kindergarten. He loves his teacher, I love his teacher. She is wonderful. He still is not sure why he is in kindergarten again. It has been hard to explain it to him. I am hoping soon he will just let it go and not worry about it any more.
The NUT is still being an ass. Although, he did pay child support. $25. He is more than a year behind and I get a check for $25. I do not know if I should look at it as a slap in the face or as "well, at least he is trying." He been telling the kids lies about Sean and me. I believe he is the whole reason Ms. G is having a hardttime sleeping through the night. I also believe he is the reason Mr. A is being so moody with Sean and myself. I tried to tell The NUT it is inappropriate for him to sleep with the kids. He said, "I don't think it is." (Roll eyes) That !@#$%^&*()_ has no idea what is and is not appropriate for anyone. I found out he is also dating a women with 2 young kids. I am not sure what to think of all that. As long as it is not hurting my kids. Maybe it will make the NUT eaiser to deal with.
Ok back to the grind of school work.
Leave me some love!
~niffer

Mr and Mrs.

I have worked all afternoon on lilsis' wedding pictures. I have had a lot of fun doing all this. I made some black and white, changed color settings, antique,and even (dear I say) cropped a few. I wish I could do this with my pictures! I guess that is what happeneds when you hire a professional. I have posted 2 fairly good ones. I will post my favorite 2 later.
~Nif

One hell of a week

Yes the first (official) week back has been hell. It all started with my exhusband having the kids for only 5 days and screwing them up. G is so scared of "ghosted" she will not sleep. It's been 3 weeks since she has slept through the night. One night , she screamed for 2 hours before she feel asleep. She was screaming, "God, send your angles to protect me!" It has gotten so bad she will not even go the bathroom by herself. She also will not be alone for any reason. I am at wits end with her.
A is just being a little brother, starting fights, yelling at her when she is too bossy, the norm. He however, is sleeping through the night. ( once he gets to sleep!) It takes him a good hour of tossing and turning before he is asleep.
Thank you NUT! Such good partenting, letting the children stay up to all hours of the night. And then letting them get up at noonish. As always he gets to be "disney dad" and get to be "mean mommy"! I want to be the cool mom. Or at least the mom my kids to not see as being mean for always having to say no b/c their nutball father gives them anything. I know if I cared less or not at all for them, it would be a helluvalot easier for me. But I do care.
Then last Friday J lost her dad. Gene was a good friend and like a father to me. I loved him very much. When J called me at 6pm I could not believe it. This was a man less than 2 months ago read at my wedding and danced with me. Just a few days before teased me at church. I went straight to the hospital to give my support and love to the whole family. It continued throughout the weekend. The family, as well as many of us, was hit hard by this lost.
Then I had to get up and go to work. I always work 10-12 hour days the first 2-3 weeks of school. This week was no exception.
Monday brought long hours and lots of moving big heavy things around. I come to my Dad on his way to the ER for tummy problems.
The hardest day was Wednesday. I went to hear stupid speeches for an hour then went to the funeral, then came back to work to teach my colleges. (yes, I was in charge of the workshop) Then, I worked in my room for another six hours. When I finally got home I went straight to bed only to find I could not sleep. It's been a good 3 weeks since I have slept through the night. Oh God I want sleep!
My lilsis calls me on Thursday night to tell me she is getting married. Well no duh! But here is the kicker she and Kevin are getting married Sat morning. ( and your own choice words here. Mine were way too much) So Friday I worked then after work went with lilsis to get the stuff for the wedding.
So today I went to my sister's wedding. And just a call from my mom who is going to the ER again.
I told you it was one helluva week!
~niffer

I got soul butter

Imagine this, My son "singing" at the top of his lungs and dancing around the family room. Ain't he cute?! Now listen carefully to what he is singing, "I got soul butter I am not a soldier!" Yes, you hear that correct. He's got soul butter. What the hell is soul butter I have no idea but Mr. A has it. NO, I have no pictures, I was laughing too hard.
Ms. G is doing good. Reading everything in sight. I told Sean there are some shirt he can no longer wear b/c Ms. G can now read them. I am so happy. She is starting to really like reading. I know it took me a while to get to that point. Bloody Hell, I did not learn to read until 3rd grade b/c of the dyslexicia. I still have the 1st book I ever read by myself, " The Seven Wonderful Cats".
School is right around the corner. I can not believe the summer is almost over. I feel like I have not had much of a vacation. Well, I have not. I have been way too busy this summer. Hopefully, everything will calm down when we get back into the swing of things for school. No Big life altering things are planned in the next year.
On the knitting front, I am doing a project for my "homework" for school. I will post something more when it looks like something. Right now, it looks like a huge potholder. I am very close to the first shaping part of the whole thing. I am a little worried about that b/c I have not knitted in a long time due to all the life altering events. So I am hitting myself over the head picking a rather long (but it looked easy) pattern. I just have to get it done in the next week. Did I mention I am a rather slow knitter. Especially when I am trying to unpack and get the house back in order. Oh God! Will it ever be in order again? Moving in stages SUCKS! Do it all at once and not over a few months.
I better go. I have to put a RX in Mr. 's eye b/c he has a scratched cornea. And Ms. G has gotten to the point of being afraid of everything. She thinks "ghosts" are out to get her. So I have to go save her from the her fear. Thank you Mark for being such a asshole father. I will explain that one later when I am not so angry with him.

They are in!

Can you belive it. We got the pictures back. They are, as I write, scrolling on the TV. I just love tivo! The "real" film photos are much better. I was worried that they would not be very good b/c I always get bad redeye. They are just wonderful. I will add the link in here as soon as I remember how to add links Go to this site to the wonderful pictures from the wedding! wedding photos I tried to add it to the sidebar but for some reason it did not show up. I will have to spend more time on it later. Again thank you!

~niffer

Fried Chicken and Champagne

Only 3 people in this world understand that! It was a great weekend. Lots of Friends and lots of family. Thank you to everyone that has helped over the last 2 weeks. Especially the ones who have stayed passed their bedtime over the last week. It made Friday the best. IT was absolutely gorgeous! I love you all.
~NIf

Howdy dresses and a late dad

With less than 23 days to go in school and almost 7 weeks to the wedding I have a lot on my plate right now. My Dad last week went into the hospital with a TIA. Basically a mini stroke. HE is doing much better now. But for a while he could not remember anything. He kept saying, "I have no recollection." My lawyer dad at work. That has thrown my whole balance of life off. I have until the end of the month to get my students ready for their big test and I am now a half a week late on getting out the invitations. But do not fear, they are being mailed this afternoon. Look for them in the mail. Just Remember my busy week last week and do not worry about the 3 days late thing.
HEHE! The bride's maid dresses are in and the look good on Sis, Ms. J, and Ms. G. Yes, she will be wearing the same dress as the others. It looks good on her too. I have gotten my dress and with no alterations it looks great. I just need to get a really good bra. I also found the headpeice, shoes, and the jewelry I will be wearing. Yesterday was a good day. I can not wait until Dr. M and Sis-2-b to try on their dresses. I am hoping sis-2-b dress fits somewhat close. I had to order her dress from measurements.
Oh, I have other good news. Sis, got herself a ringon her left hand too. This happened at 1 a.m. Friday morning. I knew b/c she called me first with the news. (thanks A) She is enganged to a very nice guy who happens to be a police officer. Good for her bad for my brother. (just kidding F) Ok for those of you wondering, this is not her boyfriend of the last 3 years. ( or is it 2?) She broke up with him sometime at the beginning of the year. She has only been dating this guy for a month and a half. Yes that is right folks, only 6 weeks. I am happy for her. I can seem to stop giggling when I hear her new last name. More on that later. There is a whole big story there.

I want it! I want it! I REALLY want it!

I just saw the four door Jeep! I want it! I have always wanted a jeep but it is not big enough for me. Guess what, It is now. The new jeep wrangler is 4 door! WOW! I will have to see if I can find a picture on the web for you to look at. I think I found one Dirty Jeep Go check it out.
I will have to give you guys a news about the wedding later. I have two spring breakers in front of me wanting attention. Believe it or not I almost have everything planned. Ok it is not just me planning but everyone. We still have to look at wedding cakes. OMG! I will update later with details.
~Niffer

Writers block

I have actually had a great relaxing weekend. I have had no voice for the last 4 days. I taught one day and took a long weekend. Teaching k with no voice is almost impossible. Although, I will try it Monday due to the fact Spring break is almost here. I would hate to take a day off the week before Break. My sub would hate me. Mr. A is sick 102.6 fever this am. So the two of us have been hanging out on the couch for the last few hours. The only time my son is still is when he is sick. I have enjoyed this quiet time with him. It is nostalgic to have the little one (who is getting very heavy) to sit on my lap just to have mommy hold him.
With his fever he is generating so much heat I had to take a little break. I decided to blog a little. I have sat here ready to type with nothing to type about. I could do a ME, ME, ME, Me but I am not very instreresting. And for some of it, I have no real answers. I am so boring. I have so much going on in my life it is hard to sit and talk only about one thing at a time. I am hoping when I am done I will not be jumping all over the place. So here goes.
With work, I am trying to get into a different school. The one I am in is rough school and I butt heads with my team. However, out of the 4 I did not really get along with last year, the major one left. Next year our grade level chair is leaving. So now it is down to 2 that I do not get along with. And it really is not that I don't get along with them, it is that they are not open to any new ideas. So everytime someone opens their mouth to give an idea they just roll their eyes and act like you are stupid. And of course with 10 years experience, I have lots of ideas that I share and do not really caring if they like them (the ideas) or not. Well, last week my principal asked me if I would be the grade level chair next year. Wow, then I would really feel like I was making a difference in the school and with my grade level. But then, I have the commute and I know another hard year ahead of me. (out of the last 3 years at his school, I finally have a great class. Next year I know I will not be that lucky.) So I have some very hard disions to make. What DO I Do?
The last month I have been running around trying to get pack and move. HEHE! I have a new house. I have to get a picture so that I can show it off. I have all the main things moved but I still have the rental house for the rest of April. I will be slowly moving the shit out of the attic and cleanning it. OMG the dust in the place is ridiculous. The good side to moving is that my arms are looking prettier. Although I am sore as hell. I am living out of boxes for right now but hey, I am in the new house. Sean will not move his stuff down until he sells his place in Reston. Anyone want a $300,000 Condo? 2 Bed rooms! Oh crap, I need to find places for his things. I hate being a pack-rat.
I have also been running around trying to put together a wedding. In like 2 months. For those of you wondering, we are getting married in July due to family conflict anytime after that until July 2007. We are trying not to do that whole live with each other thing until we are married. It will be gorgeous, candles everywhere, my dress, the bridesmaids' dresses, wow! But, OH the work! I am actually enjoying every minute of it. I eloped the first time and really missed out on the whole wedding experience. My parents absolutely love Sean so that is wonderful. They are actually trying to help out. With all that is going on in their life I appreciate them trying to help out.
My mom is slowly recovering from her second surgery this year. She needs to really slow down and not do as much as she is trying to do. On top of that they found a major mold problem in the house. Apparently last year, when my dad tried to put the new microwave in he put a whole in the drainage pipe running behind the kitchen wall. Oh Shit, literally. The mold has been growing for over the last year. They have had to move out of the house for a little less then a week. Replace the wall and have everything cleaned top to bottom by the mold people. Who really threw most things out b/c they could not be cleaned. They lost all their pantry food, all their spices, and their kitchen rug. Mom is really pissed about that one. It was an ugly rug but hey she liked it. Right now, life in their house is getting back to normal. I am surprised mom has not blamed the mold for the cancer, yet. I am glad she is doing better and will not have to redo the Cemo right now. So all is good.

July 7, 2006

Big Red Rejection Sticker!

Can you believe it? She is posting yet again. I have so much to tell and so little time. Let's start with my computer. You know the one I dropped off the cubbies, It was sent away to "fixed". My TST was hoping he could word the fix it ticket so that it did not come back with a big red sticker that says reject on it. My thought was Yes! I would love for it to come back with a red sticker that had REJECT written on it. What a great blogg entree that would make. At last, it did not come true. They ( the powers that fix the unbelievably broken) Fixed my computer. So they say. I got to use it at work and actually check the 25 emails I got over the last 2 weeks. Boy am I behind in some of the stuff I have to do for work. OPPS! That actually leaves me time to do fun things at home like blogging. Is that really a word or am I just making things up?
Well, As some of you know we (Sean and I) have been looking for a house. He has gotten permission to work from home and move to Richmond. (From DC) AND keep the NoVA salary!! He will start March 17. That means he needs to a place to live. My house, the one I am renting, is just too small. It can not fit us. (My kids have way too much stuff!) SO, house hunting has been filling the last month or more. Every weekend, all weekend. I finally got mad and upset Sat. Just pissed we could not seem to find anything that would really fit. A lot of houses look good on paper then you go see them and you realize that are not all that. I want it all. We ahd been looking in the westend as well as the southside. I really like Mr. R and Mrs. A's neighborhood. We even looked at a few houses in there. But, nothing seemed to fit just right. So this brings me back to my break down. I was upset thinking we will never find something. If I was honest with myself, I was really upset b/c we were not going to find anything in the westend. I love the westend. I grew up in the westend. Ok not really, I learned to drive in the Westend. That is where my parents are, that is where my church is, and that is where I live now. I know these roads. I know how to get to places. That was one reason I liked R&A's neighborhood. I know how to get to it and things near by. (my biggest fear is to be lost) So here I am making the most wonderful person in the world feel so bad b/c I realize I am going to be in a new place with no friends and no idea how to get anywhere. (Yes for once in my life I was being dramatic.) So we went out Sun to one last open house in the westend and the rest of the houses we were going to look at was in Chesterfield. This open house on Snowgoose. Was awesome! I feel in love with it. It was the perfect size, a great price, and it had windows! I looked at Sean and wondered what was he thinking? He turned around and said, " ilove this place!" that wa it for me, I told him I wanted that house. "well, then let's go do the paperwork!" was his response. Holly crap! I told him I wanted a house and he gets it for me?! WOW! Ok, it is not just for me. AND he did love the house. He knew he wanted it too. So we put a contract on the house!
OMG! I moving! And soon. I am staying in the westend of town. Sorry R&A! I will just have to cross the river and see you! I have no problem doing that. I know the way!
~Niffer!

Shirley top

In case you are not familiar with kids logic, that is a Shirley temple drink. We went out to dinner and as a treat I let the kids get a Shirley Temple. Ms. G kept calling it a Shirley Top. And yes she has seen the movie "Curly Top". I love my kids they say the cutest things even when they try to spell things they are afraid to say. For example the same little one today try to say she saw someone getting dress. She said "I saw his b-u-t." Isn't innocence wonderful. I hate to tell her she will see a lot of butts in this world. Some will be just people making themselves a butt.
So I will not be able to do all the updating of my life I need to do. I have destroyed my laptop. (oh, yes TST M, laugh at my pain and try to give me a typewriter I just dare you!) I wish I had taken a picture of it after it fell off the cubies at school. As it turns out they do not make my model anymore. So, I am going to get an "older model". I am not sure what that means but my TST tried to tease me that I was going to get a typewriter.
You laugh now but I will tell you it was a sheer panic when I realized my report cards were due Monday and the comments were on the computer. So I headed down to the local Apple store and got a new mini Mac. (thanks S! LOVE IT!) They were very nice and retieved my hard drive off the laptop and put it on the new computer. Great now I have everything. The only problem was It can not read word documents on it. F*&$! so I ended up retyping them using my laptop and a TV. It worked for about an hour or two. Just long enough for me to finish! All is well that ends well.
no pictures this time, I need to get back to work on the hat I am trying to knit. It is my first hat. Hats for some reason intimidate me. I have had to start over 2 times now due to stupidity on my part. I will post a picture if I can get it to look pretty.
~ niffer

I hate computers and guys and dips and anythings else that can get on my nervus. I have jsut lost the last 2 post. I will post again in a bit. I just wanted all to know I am alive.
~Niffer