Realizations With Darcie

:EDIT:  I took off the picture because I just realized how inappropriate it was.  Oops.

1. There are certain songs I can't listen to at certain times.  For example, take "Keep Breathing" by Ingrid Michaelson.  I listened to this song while driving to a doctor's appointment a few weeks ago and felt like I was in a scene from "Grey's Anatomy."  All of a sudden I was a dying patient surrounded by residents trying to revive me.  Ridiculous? Yes, but I'm still not going to listen to that soundtrack on my way to the doctor's ever again.
2. It is not necessary to take pictures of every single thing a tour guide points out.  Today I began putting my pictures in and album and realized that I took twenty-one pictures of boats in Seattle.  Was that really necessary?
3. I still love Anne Taintor
4. I have only had three cups of coffee in four weeks.  I once called coffee my cocaine. Prepare yourself for world implosion.
5. I have a new mantra.  Actually, I can't say new because I'm not sure that had one to begin with, but in the words of Sara Groves:  "I can't say your life will always go like it should, but I can say that God is always good."  

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm

(I dug into the recesses of my mind to find a school story)

One thing I've noticed since working with kids with disabilities is that after spending an extended amount of time with the person, the disability fades away.  Many times this is great because the more you can see past the disability, the more you can see the strengths and beauty of the individual.

I'm am also noticing, though, that frequently in special education good things can be carried to the extreme and become not so good. When you begin seeing past a child's disability, you can begin to forget how the disability affects the child's behavior and treat them too "normally."

Case in point:

Remember that my school's name has the word "handicapped" in it.  Yes, I know that is very politically incorrect, but I didn't name the place.

Picture a girl who recently had major surgery, has cerebral palsy and cannot stand up straight, trying to climb on a mini trampoline.

Student:  "Help!  Help!"

Adult (with an encouraging voice):  "You can do it!  You don't need my help!"

Student (struggling quite a bit):  "Aaah!"

Adult:  You can do it!  Come on!

Student (obviously needing help):  Eee!  Eee!

Adult:  You can do it!  You're not handicapped!"

Hmmmm......

Happy St. Patrick's Day Hillary!

While you will not find this blog to be a political forum, you also won't find me ignoring politicians. I will call politicians out when they are ridiculous. No one is safe. My own governor received criticism for an awful dye job back in '06. 

I enjoy celebrating holidays subtly.  Today, in celebration of the holiday I wore green socks. Subtle and simple.  That's how I roll.  

Maybe I'm too judgmental, and I guess Hil doesn't share my philosophy of simplicity.  Seriously, though, what is up with the scarf?  Did she give her image consultant the day off?  How can anyone trust a person to be president when she wears something like that?

Signs You've Been Watching Too Much TV

Dear Faithful Readers, 

If you've been wondering why my school stories have been MIA as of late, it's because I have spent the last three weeks stuck at home (I had surgery).  What does one do when she feels like doing not much of anything?  Well, some might read.  Others might knit or do needlepoint. I watch TV.  Way too much TV.

In case you were wondering if you have been watching too much TV, here are some of the signs:

1. You know it's dinner time, not by the rumbling in your stomach or by looking at a clock, but by the overwhelming amount of commercials for KFC and McDonalds.
2. You tear up as Snoop renews his wedding vows to his new song "Sensual Seduction" on his show "Father Hood."
3. You can distinguish seasons of "America's Next Top Model" by Tyra's hair.  What was she thinking in Cycle 3?
4. You can't quit watching "Celebrity Rehab."  In other words, you're addicted (pun intended)
5. You've watched Britney's "True Hollywood Story" on E!.  Twice.

Ok, I'm off to watch "Oprah's Big Give." 

(Unfortunately, I'm serious.)

Every Single Woman's Fear

I have become a lazy blogger lately, gleaning my posts from other's material, but this

is pretty funny.

(beware of the last three seconds)

I Wanna Be a Winner (Lauren Winner, That Is)

This woman is one of my idols.  She's an amazing author, speaker, and genius.  She coined one of my favorite phrases: "I'm a selective feminist."  To top it all off, she wears some amazing glasses. 

So, in the pursuit of all things Winner:

(can you tell I have way, way too much free time right now?)

Mr. Funny's At It Again

Just in case you haven't seen this yet:

Bush performing for the masses while waiting for 

McCain's arrival.

(the first 40 seconds is where all the action is)

As much as this man's decisions

can drive me crazy, I'm going to miss the humor

he's brought to the presidency.

The Post You've All Been Waiting For

(Ok, so probably Rachel is the only one)

How A Trip To the Elk's Dental Van Parallels Death

• Just like death, you never know when your time to visit the dentist will come, and when it is your time, a large man in a robe (who kind of resembles the grim reaper) comes to get you.
• Like David Crowder says, "Everybody wants to get to heaven, but nobody wants to die." Everyone desires clean teeth, but no one wants to go to the dentist.
• As Marie Antoinette marched toward a guillotine, one marching toward the dental van knows his or her inevitable fate.  He or she can choose to march bravely with dignity or attempt to escape the unavoidable exam by darting between cars in the parking lot (while the teacher chases him or her)
• You can maybe cheat death once or twice in your life, but your fate from the beginning of time is certain.  My students may think they've outsmarted the dentist by missing her the first time she visits, but if you didn't see her the first time, you will see her the second time she comes around.
• When you die, you either go to heaven or hell based on choices you made in your life. When my students go to the dentist, they either have an easy visit (just a cleaning) or a difficult visit (getting a filling).  This is determined by the choices they made-to be thorough brushers or non-brushers.
• And finally, death can be a pleasant experience, but that is a rare occurrence.  Typically, it is not pleasant for the person dying nor his or her family.  A visit to the dental van can be pleasant, but more often than not it is awful for both the student and teacher.

And that my friends, is how my weird mind parallels a visit to the Elk's Mobile Dental Van to death.