Archive for the 'Work' Category

Sign o’ the Times

Published by Scott on January 8, 2008 in Environment and Work. 5 Comments

usgs_drought_map.gifMy school, like most elementary schools, has an annual carnival. It’s usually in the spring but some of the other local schools have their versions in the fall. I’m sure they’re all pretty much the same- cake walks, raffle baskets, pony rides, bouncy castles, a dunk tank, face painting, crappy games with crappier prizes, and lots of junk food. The kids love it and the school rakes in a lot of cash.

I found out today we’ll be crossing dunk tank off the list of “fun” things to do this year. Because of the prolonged drought and prohibitive water restrictions, we’re not permitted to have one. How crazy is that? Not that I don’t completely agree with the decision. It’s a waste of water. I find it remarkable the considerations we now have to take into account compared with just a year ago. It’s been such a radical change in mind set that I now find myself giving doubly disapproving looks at most drivers of gargantuan SUVs- one for the gas guzzling, the other for having a sparkling clean vehicle!

Overheard At School

Published by Scott on December 17, 2007 in Work. 1 Comment

Student 1: I’m smart. I went to magnet school.

Student 2: (incredulously) You did not go to magic school.

Student 3: Oooh! Show us a trick!!

(Mr. Pepperman snorts and then quickly pretends he wasn’t listening in on the students’ conversation.)

TCB-

Published by Helen on December 11, 2007 in Crafts, Gardening and Work. 1 Comment

It is really nice outside - I’m making the last xmas stocking (mine) since I decided we should all have handmade co-ordinating stockings this year - but sewing up felted wool stockings while sitting on the deck in 80 degree temps just seems wrong. ~Pictures when I’m finally finished.~

I did put together the gifts for Scott’s class - paperwhite kits that we’ve made several times before. They each have a little bag of soil, a cup to use as a plant pot, a bulb, and growing instructions. The nursery where I usually buy the paperwhites is closing, the drought pushed the whole company into chapter 13 and they are closing their unprofitable stores. This means that Home Depot and Lowe’s will have the only garden centers in the two cities near here. Either a really good time to open a new garden center in the area, or really bad. . .

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Anyway, this year I made a few more paperwhite gifts - I put grass seed all around the bulbs and it should sprout and grow a few inches by the time I’m ready to give them away.

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