Pick on someone your own size

I have been optimistic. I have tried to be understanding. I have had sympathy and patience with this whole bad economy situation. I am done. I am now officially mad. I am no longer happy that I will get a smokin’ deal on a house (stay tuned) nor am I happy that I can find great sales because people aren’t buying the way that they did a year ago. I would gladly give those up if the economy would stop picking on the people who don’t deserve it. I am talking about the people who bought a reasonable house within their means because they had a stable job. I am talking about the people who don’t have the average credit card debt of $10,000 (YIKES!) because they figured out how to say, “We can’t afford it”. I am talking about the teachers who survived the huge budget cuts (like me, barely) who next year will have even bigger classes, pretty much no money in the supply budget, and no substitutes. I am talking about the small family owned businesses. I have an idea; let’s tell the economy to pick on the ones who created the problem. The ones who bought a house that had mortgage payments they never could dream of affording. The ones who want everything now and just put the bill on their credit card. The ones who saw the real estate “bubble” forming and knew the future (because they saw this coming) and didn’t do anything about it. How about the ones that can run to Uncle Sam because they have the means and the clout to get what they want? They take the tax money and seem to run their company deeper into the ground. Yep, they are the ones that deserve to be picked on. That’s right economy, pick on someone your own size. Stop punishing the people who did nothing to contribute to this awful situation. Stop killing the American dream. Don’t you dare take that away. Don’t you dare let the people at fault get off free and don’t you dare start picking on my family.

Help solve the mystery!

Yesterday when I went running I came across a yellow sign right beside the sidewalk in a yard with black lettering that said “I like fries”. Huh, interesting. About 6 or 7 houses down there was a similar sign that said “That is why”. This got me interested. They were very professional looking signs. I picked up my pace and looked for the next sign. How fun! It was like someone was speaking right to me! I am sad to report that there were no more signs. What does this mean? I like fries – That is why. Or is it That is why – I like fries (if I was going the other way down the street)? It is really bugging me. I have been through every possibility; is it a prom ask/answer? Advertising something? Maybe it’s a gang thing that I don’t know about.

Sidenote: this reminds me of a story. The other day I saw that someone drew a picture on one of my tables at school. As it was getting cleaned up I asked if the drawing was some sort of gang sign. My students laughed at me and one replied, “No Mrs. Martin, that is just a drawing of an octopus.” Hey, last week someone tagged the boys bathroom with Mexican gang signs in a purple sparkle pen. You never know! (just trying to keep myself up to date!)

If anyone has any insights I would love to hear them. It is bugging me!!!

Random thoughts from Martinville

1. It does snow in April in some parts of the world. I didn't see snow this winter until this happened and we just happened to be in Eagar. We lucked out.


2. The Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple starts at 8 not 7. What ever you do, don't show up extra early, get all cozy, and be all ready for the show at 7. Nope, one more hour of restless leg syndrome and watching all the strangers around you eat yummy food.

3. Cats do not like to be rescued from the roof. Even if they have been stranded up there for 2 days with no food or water (how did it get up there anyway?) they will run away when you try to help. Also, odds are that your wife will forbid you from going up on the roof to catch the dumb thing.

We don't know what happened to the cat. It either got down some how or is cooking on the roof everyday...gross.

4. Sams Club. Even better: Sams Club on a Friday night or Saturday. Samples at every corner can be a full on dinner if you hit it right. My strategy: slip in there, grab the sample, move on. The less time spent there the better. If they don't remember you (or see you) it may be possible to go back for seconds (don't judge you know you want to do it too). Bryan's strategy: wait in the "line", take a sample, thank the cute old lady, and eat it standing right there by the table. I am surprised that these differing strategies have not caused major marital problems. Maybe we should work out a system where I leave and he catches up with me in the next isle.

5. If you ever lose head phones, check the washer. I know, I know, one should check the pockets before putting clothes in the washer. I am just happy things get in the washer. Bryan left his headphones in his pocket and they ended up in most logical place, the washer. Good news, they work. Bryan says, "Well now I know what to do with them when they are dirty."

At least they are dark to go with the load... my mom will be so proud.

My first tag

This is the first time I have been tagged in the blogging world. How exciting!!

5 things I was doing 5 years ago:
1. dominating junior year at BYU
2. missing my family
3. interning at a local high school
4. breaking hearts (hehe)
5. searching for a husband (little did I know he was on his mission)

5 Things on my to do list today:
1. go to the gym
2. buy food
3. try not kill any students :)
4. review info about kidneys for lecture tomorrow
5. get to bed at a decent time (it's not looking so promising)

5 Things I would do with a million dollars:
1. buy a house
2. buy a truck
3. pay off multiple people's mortgage
4. go to Hawaii
5. quit my job

5 Places I have lived:
1. Provo, Utah
2. Rapid City, South Dakota
3. Ithaca, New York
4. Great Falls, Montana
5. Mesa, Arizona

5 Jobs I have held:
1. catering company
2. Mervyns cashier
3. BYU summer sports camps
4. high School athletic trainer
5. biology/anatomy teacher (aka crowd control)

5 things I want to be doing in 5 Years:
1. makin' babies
2. mowing a lawn that is my very own
3. running marathons
4. loving life
5. going to Hawaii...again

5 people I tag:
I am skipping that one, is that allowed? How about I just tag my sis Lacey 5 times!

I am exhausted.

It has been pretty busy around these parts lately. I looked at Bryan tonight and said, "Do I know you? You look kind of familiar." I have had late nights with school, meetings, track meets, and volleyball games. I actually have not been home when it's light outside since Sunday. Bryan is working on some major projects at school and trying to squeeze in a bit of electrical work. To top off the week I unknowingly took a computer virus from home to my school computer (via jump drive). Oopsies! Like I have time for that!! Thanks to some really smart computer boys both are back on the mend and neither computer ended up being thrown out the window (I am very proud of myself).

I am looking forward to a restful summer. My goal for the summer is to be bored. One day of pure boredom, that's all I am asking for. The chances of that happening are pretty much 0 but wouldn't that be great? I am guessing that most don't know what boredom feels like. I will let you know if I ever get there. Don't hold your breath - I know I won't.


Byproduct of a busy week. 243 papers to grade. Is it summer yet?

This one's a bit deep

It’s spring break and I am in a good mood so I figure now would be a good time to blog. I have made multiple attempts in the last few days but I have been suffering from a wicked case of bloggers block. I have an entire week of freedom ahead of me, free from bells, meetings, teenagers, and white boards. Life is good. I think sometimes I forget how good. Today I dedicate my post to good things that I sometimes think of as not so good. I encourage you to do the same with your life.

I live in an apartment. You might be curious what I can say good about that. However, I have plenty to say. For example, what if one came home and found herself hydroplaning in the kitchen because the dishwasher broke and now the entire kitchen is flooded with dirty water? This could cause one to stress as well as spend lots of money. Not if you are in an apt…just call the office and they will send someone to come fix it all for free. Thanks David. Also, my porch gets cleaned off every Friday while I am at work and the bushes around my apartment are kept immaculate. Thanks Jose (just kidding I don’t know his name, but thanks anyway)

I am a teacher. I touch lives forever. Oh gag me. Here’s what is really good about it: I love that I get to decide what I am doing each day. No one bosses me around. I am in charge, I am in control (well, most of the time), and I have my own classroom. I like that. Can anyone say major type A personality?

I have a 1997 car. I never have to worry about it getting stolen. In fact, I dare someone to steal it. It’s reliable and good on gas. Oh, and I have no alarm going off in the middle of the night; I think that’s my favorite.

I hope that this spring break optimism doesn’t wear off anytime soon. Sometimes it’s hard to realize that even though life isn’t perfect it doesn’t mean that it’s bad. In fact, life is good!

Ferris wheels...

everyone should go on one. They are so much fun. Be sure to bring someone's arm to have a death grip on in case you get scared (not speaking from experience of course).