Well, I've been playing around with the new camera for the last couple of weeks, but today, Molly sat still long enough for us to do a little "photo shoot". I was also able to get outside and play around with the different lenses and settings. Here are some samples...

I've decided to take up a new hobby...as if I don't already have enough "stuff" that needs to be done. We thought it would be a good idea to upgrade our camera for when the McBaby arrives, and I decided we might as well make a BIG upgrade! I decided on the Olympus EVOLT 510. It is a 10.0MP digital SLR camera with 2 lenses. Now I just have to figure out how to use the damn thing! Hopefully I'll be posting some beautiful new pictures soon!

(p.s. Happy Valentine's Day...I guess...)

Even though tomorrow is one of the worst days of the year, today has to be one of the best. As BCB put it today, "Pitchers and Catchers Report Today!" Just those words bring a smile to a Cub fans face. Once again, hope brings thoughts of winning and this is OUR YEAR. Even though Chicago is still in the winter mindset, the boys from the North Side are in Arizona getting ready to defend the NL Central.

We here in the world of junior high school are bracing ourselves for one of the WORST days of the year...Valentine's Day! Similar to Halloween, kids feel this is a day to get all jacked up on candy and drive their teachers crazy. They even expect US to participate in this nonsense. I have pity for the next kid who asks me if we are going to "have a party" tomorrow or if they can bring food to my class. My answer..."This is NOT elementary school!!!" And don't think this is limited to just the classrooms. The poor office staff have to rearrange their whole day so that they can deal with all the crap (umm, I'm sorry, "displays of affection") that are delivered to the office throughout the day! Oh, sure, you don't have enough money for lunch or to pay for that $50 textbook you lost, but momma sure has the extra cash to drop on balloons, candy, and stuffed animals the size of small children!! This is a classic Ruby Payne example...if you're unfamiliar with Dr. Payne you might want to check this out.

Anyway, those are just my two cents. Honestly, if I didn't need to conserve my sick days, I'd seriously consider being "sick" tomorrow!

I HATE being sick...therefore, I don't get sick. But this year's flu seems to be running so rampant that I'm scared it's hunting me down!

Darren, on the other hand, seems to catch everything that comes along. So, naturally, I wasn't too surprised last night when he said he thought he was running a fever and didn't feel very good. Normally, I wouldn't get too alarmed, but this year is different for a very obvious reason...I currently have a "tenant" keeping residence in my body. (Okay, I know that's not the best description, but it's how it feels right now.) Needless to say, it wouldn't be just me getting sick if I catch something!

I know that schools are breeding grounds for sickness, but it seems like lately I can just "smell" the germs swarming in the air. Why is it that 9th graders don't know to cover their faces when they cough and sneeze? Yuck! These pictures are a good representation of what it feels like in my classroom these days!

Thank goodness for Lysol and Germ-X!!

Well, it seems perfection was just a few minutes out of reach...Can't say I was pleased with the final outcome of tonight's game, but I've decided to take it like a true Patriot...with class and humility. I'm definitely sad that football season is over, and can't wait for pre-season in August. Guess it's time to hone up on my Cubbies for this season...pitchers and catchers report in a week. Time to start reading VineLine!

As far as my Pats go, it's been a thrilling season and I'm definitely sure it won't be the last.

Congratulations to the New York Giants...It was a hard fought game! Glad to see Strahan do it after 15 years...