Improper Charge????

My mom has a computer and printer that she purchased from a local store. The printer has run out of ink, and she needed to replace it. However, the only place to get the ink is from the company that manufactured it (A well known company whose name rhymes with well). How crazy is that? Well, that isn't as crazy as what happened next! After spending $114 for ink, she received a box of business cards that can be printed on the printer. She did not order said business cards. After calling the company, she was told they were "A free gift" since you ordered the ink. When she received her credit card statement in the mail, there was an additional $12.50 charge from this company. She called the credit card company, and they couldn't help her. She called the computer company back and found out that it was NOT a free gift. And since it has been over 20 days, she can't return them.

THIS SUCKS!

She has contacted the local state's attorney and has filed a complaint against this company.

Just thought I would share.

Guilty Pleasures????

I am addicted to a few reality shows. Why? I didn't really start out watching them. I just kind of started and now I can't get enough. My favorites? American Idol, The Bachelor, and Dancing With The Stars. I watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for a while and stopped. I've started again. I don't start voting until near the end of AI or DWTS, if at all.

Don't I have better things to do with my time?

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

The 16th is my mom's birthday. Happy Birthday!!!! She was all bummed because she wouldn't receive any birthday cards in the mail on her birthday this year--due to President's Day. However, one of my aunts told her "The whole country is celebrating your birthday with a holiday!" How lucky is she????

(Personally, I think this post is better than any birthday card could be. I'm sharing her day with the whole world!!!!!!)

(Couldn't find a good picture of just her, so you get my dad with her. Mom--you'll have to take a picture with your new camera and send it to me.... HA HA HA)

President's Day

Before I get on this subject, let's just say I boycotted last Saturday's "event." Usually, I'm all about sending Valentine's etc. However, this year I decided--NOPE! Not recognizing it. It's a HALLMARK holiday after all!

I am going to recognize today's holiday. I don't ever remember celebrating President's Day as a child. We either got George Washington's Birthday--February 22 or Abraham Lincoln's Birthday--February 12 off. We never got both. In my school district, they did wacky things. For a while, it alternated--one year the 12th, the next teh 22nd. Then, for a while it was just the 12th--since we lived in The Land of Lincoln. When I moved to Texas, we didn't get either !

I think this is the first year I have been off of school for President's Day. Crazy, right?

Sick...

Sick, as in ill, not sick as in cool. I have a cold. I don't feel bad at all. I have a slight cough--at times worse than others. However, I sound like I've been screaming at the top of my lungs for days on end. At times, I can speak only barely louder than a whisper. I am not having a hard time breathing--unless I start laughing. So, I guess I won't laugh. I just don't know how long this is going to last. I hate sounding like this. Hope all of you are healthy!

Something I learned last week....

Get a Voki now!

Santa's Village

My friend, that girl, wrote a post about this great place. After reading it, I wanted to share my memories. However, I didn't want to take up all of her comment space. So, I'm posting here.

Many summer, and winter, days were spent at Santa's Village. Some were happy, some were sad, and many were just memorable.

As you walked into the park on the right was the snowball ride. It was like the teacup ride at Disney. I remember taking one trip to "the village" where we never got past this ride! All my sisters and cousins kept riding it over and over and over and over--until everyone was throwing up. We left then.

In the middle of the park was the Polar Dome--a place where you could go ice skating in the winter. When I was about 5, my mom took me and some friends to go skating. All I remember from this trip was this TALL, BALD man who tripped me as I was skating. I swear I have a permanent bump on the back of my skull from this--my mom says I don't.

There was a pond down near the cross roads where they had a ferris wheel and paddle boats. One time my mom and I were going to ride the ferris wheel when I freaked out. All I remember was screaming at the top of my lungs to get off. My mom didn't have to work too hard to convince the high school kid to stop the ride and let me off. To this day, I do NOT like ferris wheels. This part of the park offered up another memory as well. My mom and I were watching the people in the paddle boats one day when these two...hmmmmm, how do I put this???...rather solid women decided to paddle while their rather tiny kids rode in the front. We watched from shore as they paddled out to the middle of the pond. We continued to watch as they started to sink into the pond. The entire back end of the boat was going down while the front was going up. I know it isn't funny, but it is funny. Thankfully no one was injured.

However, we were at "the village" for two events that were far from funny. I remember the August day when I was riding the antique cars--you pretended to drive them, but they were on a track--when my mother returned from a concession stand with the news that Elvis Presley had died. Shortly after finding out, we left--with my cousin J in near hysterics. The other event happened as we rode the train around the grounds. A young girl was on the bumper car ride and didn't listen to the instructions. She stepped out of the car before being told to do so and was electrocuted. The train came around the bend by this ride just as the paramedics were showing up. Isn't it amazing that we remember such things?

I also remember the good times-riding all the crazy rides, getting my picture drawn wearing a sailor hat, rubbing my hands on the "North Pole"--which to my surprise no one really licked, sitting on Santa's lap in his house, riding the ski-lift type ride and the roller coasters, walking through the game booths, and eating cotton candy.

Thanks, that girl, for reminding me of a fun part of my childhood--bad times and all! (Mom--I'm expecting a comment here!!!!!!)

Take Me As I Am

I got this from here and here (Yeah, I'm a thief...but this sounded fun!)

something fun to do...
1. put your iPod, iTunes or Windows Player on shuffle
2. for each question, press the next button to get your next answer
3. you must write that song name down no matter how outrageous it sounds!

IF SOMEONE SAYS, "IS THIS OKAY?," YOU SAY?
Making Love Out of Nothing at All by Air Supply
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Rise Above This by Seether
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Salsation by David Shire
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Drop It Like It's Hot by Snoop Dogg
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
The Happening (The Happening) by The Supremes
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Tonight the Heartache's on Me by The Dixie Chicks
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN?
El Cayuco by Tito Puente y su Orquestra
WHAT IS 2+2?
Voodoo Doll by Fergie
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
It's Still Rock &Roll to Me by Billy Joel
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Joy to the World by Three Dog Night
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Born to Be Wild by Mars Bonfire
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Rock & Roll Party Queen by Louis St. Louis
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Love Is Like a Butterfly by Dolly Parton
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Candlelight by Gary Lamb
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Back on the Road Again by REO Speedwagon
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Piece Of My Heart by Faith Hill
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Space Jam by Quad City DJ's
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Slipping Through My Fingers by Siobhan McCarthy (Mama Mia! The Musical Soundtrack)
WHATS THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
I'll Be True to You by The Oak Ridge Boys
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Dream on Texas Ladies by John Michael Montgomery
WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU REGRET?
I Can't Do It Alone (Reprise) by Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago Broadway Soundtrack)
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday by Boyz II Men
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
The Night I Called the Old Man Out by Garth Brooks
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Time for Me to Fly by REO Speedwagon
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Mild Cow Blues by George Strait
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Sirius by The Alan Parsons Project
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Fame by Irene Cara
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Take Me As I Am by Faith Hill

**Disclaimer: It looks as if I mainly listen to Country music--I DON'T!!!!!!

I'm back!

YEAH!!! I'm back to the real world--just slightly busy instead of OVERLY busy. Let me catch you up on my happenin's.

This past week I spent a few days in Austin, TX, attending the TCEA Conference. This is a very large technology conference held every February. This year, I had the pleasure of being one of the presenters. OMG WAS IT AWESOME. But more on that later. There were two keynote speakers that were Absolutely Amazing! (Can you tell I am excited?????)

The first was Lisa Ling. Many of you might know her from The Oprah Show or The View. I know her from ChannelOne News, a news program that airs in middle and high schools around the U.S. She was very interesting--and made me think. She told of her experiences in foreign countries, and some of the people she met. She is my new hero. And, she was kind of funny. If you want more info about her, let me know.

The second was Dr. Robert Ballard. He is the founder of the JASON Project--or better known as the man who discovered the Titanic wreckage. He was fabulous. I went in thinking I would be bored--you know, he is a science guy. He is so fascinating. He showed us a sketch he made 28 years ago when asked about his "dream". It is becoming a reality ANY DAY NOW. How awesome is that?????? If you want more on Dr. Ballard, let me know. (That girl--you need to look into the JASON project for J. He would be a PERFECT candidate!!!!!!!!!)

Before I discuss my presentation, let me give you some background information. During this conference, there are concurrent sessions (free), workshops (you have to pay for), and the vendor hall. A co-worker, B, and I submitted an idea for a session. It was accepted, and we were in. There are approximately 15-20 session rooms plus a couple of ballrooms that are used for sessions. At every session I attended, I just walked into the room and had a seat where I wanted. None of the rooms were totally full--some were pretty full though. Then, there were the session times that were horrible--like 8:00 on Friday morning. This was after the After Dinner Social the night before. Yeah, not many people attended those! Also, there were several rude people in attendance. They would show up late and leave early--sometimes right in the middle of someone talking. It was bad. (More about rude people at the end.)

Our session was Thursday at 11:00 in room 13. When planning our session schedule, B and I decided we would not attend a 10:00 session so we could get into the room faster and be ready to go on time. The conference has strict guidelines about time, and WE were not about to break those! After much thinking, I told B I was going to attend a 10:00 session. She looked at me as if I was an alien. I told her the title, and she asked"Is that in room 13?" I answered "Sure is!" I figured that I could get credit for attending a session and still be ready to go...kill two birds with one stone. At one point during that session, I asked B "Is that man even speaking English?" She said she was pretty sure he was, but she was lost as well. I guess that is what we get for just showing up in a room to be there.

The session ended (YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), and we went to set up. One of the men before us acted like he was going to pour water on our laptop as he said "Water, meet laptop". (CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT??????) I was thinking "Dude, SO NOT FUNNY!!!" Then, he wished us well because room 13 had not been kind to them. (They needed the internet and had problems.)

At this point, we look up and can't believe our eyes. There is a lady dressed in black with a headset and walkie talkie directing people into the room and telling them where to sit. Another co-worker, J, comes in at that moment to assist us. She proceeds to tell us "There is a line down the hallway of people trying to come in the room." WHAT?!?!?!? To see us???? No, Way! OMG!!!! We didn't make a ton of handouts. What are we gonna do? After freaking out for a second or two, B and I took a deep breath and said "We can do this!"

Our assistant principal, N, and his wife, N2--who is also the director of instructional technology for our district pop in to wish us well as they had another session they had to attend. E, the assistant director of instructional technology, and two other technology teachers from our district, were also in attendance. No pressure there!

We get started to a room FULL of captivated people. Our session was on videos and projects to keep kids coming back for more. We didn't talk that much, but SHOWED video clips. During the entire session, maybe 10 people left. It was very calming. The end of the session the MOST AMAZING, MIND-BLOWING, LOSE-THE-ABILITY-TO-SPEAK thing happened to us.

A lady from a publishing company was in the audience and wants B and I to write an article for an educational journal. But, that's not all. She also wants to work with us on a BOOK. That's right, a book. I stood there speechless and even apologized to her that I didn't know what to say. She told us to check out their website and get back with her.

We are so excited and will be doing this definitely. I can't believe it!!!! Never in a million years would I have thought this would happen. I couldn't have dreamt this if I tried!

WOW! Sorry about all that, but I really wanted to share.

Now, for the rude people. I can't believe how people would talk during sessions. I found a fellow attendee who felt the same way...It was great! First, my story--we were in the opening general session waiting to hear Lisa Ling. Before she would come out, there were several meeting items that needed to be completed. During this time, the people behind me were talking, talking, talking! Not just a whispered comment here or there, FULL BLOWN CONVERSATION IN A NORMAL SPEAKING VOICE!!!!!!! I kept thinking They are going to stop in a minute. I'll give them until this person finishes speaking, and then I'll say something. Ok, I'll wait until this person stops speaking. I'll wait until Lisa Ling comes on stage. Did they ever stop??? Not without my help! As Lisa Ling is starting to talk, they are STILL in conversation. I turned around and said "Excuse me, if you want to continue this conversation, would you move somewhere else as it's very hard to hear over you. Thanks." They looked at me with huge eyes and never said another word! YEAH, ME!!!!!!!! And, several of them were volunteers for the conference. How rude!

My fellow attendees story: We were in the last session before the final general session, and the guys sitting next to me would not stop talking. She was sitting in front of them and turned around and said "Tell you what. Next year you can present and I'll come sit in your session and listen to you talk all that you want." They didn't say anything! When we were exiting, I made sure to let her know I appreciated it.

Man--is that a long post or what???? More later.....

Super Busy

Just to let my few readers know I am alive and well--JUST SUPER BUSY. I don't see an end in sight until next weekend. Until then, happy day!