I've relocated WYWH and my food blog (RENAMED) to blogger.com.

I guess I'll cease operations here for the most part, but I will post links to my new blogs here...at least, until April 30.

The New Wish You Were Here

And...Neophytes Who Drink Wine has been renamed to To Thine Ownself Be Food at To Thine Own Self Be Food

Thanks!

We're in Heather's Pretend World today, and I will be riding on the coattails of the Oscar hoopla...total parody, of course...but not really.

First of all, the Rev. Fred Phelps would be presenting this award because he may be one person in the world that I detest.

Here goes:

Rev Fred: And in the category of "Worst Day Ever", the award goes to...March 14, 2011.

***Massive applause***

March: Oh my goodness! What an honor! Well, first, let's thank the Academy, and Satan, and The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. But really, I wouldn't even have this award if it were not for one person: Heather!

Because of that damned git William Shakespeare and his "Et tu, Brute?" and "Beware the Ides of March" BS, nobody cares nor remembers the 14th of March. And it's a crying shame.

However, I suspect it will be several years before Heather forgets ME...March 14th, 2011.

The day started off poorly. Heather was on a week-long Spring Break, so the odds were rather stacked against me, I daresay. But then, in the morning, her husband points out to her a survey administered by an online group. The question? "If you were the Superintendent in your school district, what would you change?" Of course, the husband tells her not to waste her time reading it, and that is where the avalanche began. Of course she read it and become promptly furious at the ignorance of the respondents.

I really could not have tapped into a better wellspring of negativity.

Heather takes all things education very personally, and this particular survey hit an especial nerve, because one of the frequent posters is a student of Heather's. While he said nothing against her personally, he committed several errors in logic and reasoning. Because she considered him to be an articulate, intelligent student, she was sorely disappointed. In fact, I overheard her saying to her husband, "I've just lost a little faith in young people today."

Not to toot my own horn, but how many days in March can brag about being able to accomplish that??

So, all of a sudden, the morning was looking pretty bright and chipper for yours truly. Then, while Heather was out running various errands, her iPod was thefted from her minivan! Does it get any more better? Then her husband (because she was too wrung out to do it! Brilliant!) was forced to spend several minutes on the phone with Apple and the police. It's utterly likely that she'll never get it back!

However, despite this truly awesome day of mine, there are dark clouds looming. Heather's naturally buoyant nature might perhaps get her through this difficult day. She'll remember the "People, Not Things" mantra from her friend and be able to relinquish her iPod. She will heed the wise words of another wise friend who reminds her to "ignore the idiots of the world".

Ultimately, my fear is that all my good works of the last 12 hours will be undone. But, I can't let that dampen my spirits, dear audience...so I will just try to ride this wonderful March 14 out the best I can!

Again, thank you! Thank you!

I know the focus is on Japan right now with the huge earthquake and ensuing tsunami, but I can't help feeling that my world is little rocked as well...

I have to relocate my blog! It's been nearly a week since I saw the Important Message here at Blogstream's home page, and I must say...I feel a bit like a refugee who's being evacuated from their homeland against their will.

I know, I know, it's nobody's fault and it is what it is. Still, though, I am a bit lost.

I suppose eventually I will make my way to blogger.com. I suppose I should.

More like eight to four, really.

My first week back to full-time work has passed and I am exhausted. It's been nearly two years since I've spent eight straight hours inside one building working one job. I've also forgotten how teachers utterly live and die by the bell and how they sneak in bathroom breaks during passing time.

Perhaps the single most profound item I've rediscovered is how much I am "on" during the day now. When I was only working three or four hours a day, I had plenty of down time to decompress. Now, I feel pretty shot by four - in fact, I've had trouble keeping my regular workout routine and an even tougher time finding energy to fix dinner for my family.

It's going to take a little readjusting, that is for sure.

I've learned that money certainly is not everything...in my case, I'll be making more money than when I was part-time, but I'm paying for it with a little bit of my sanity.

Briefly, here's what you need to know:

I believe in religion and sprituality, but I'm not really a fan of the church...I believe that institution has ruined religion for many throughout history.

Anyway, because my husband feels the need more, our family attends a Quaker church, and we have for close to four years. The current pastor (three-ish years) is big on Missions. People from our church have gone to Kenya, Jamaica, Belize, etc.

Much of the energy that surrounds fundraising is for overseas missions...it doesn't seem like much is devoted locally. In about two weeks, a group of eight is going to Belize to assist a family who relocated there over a year ago to run a Friends school. Naturally, money-raising has been fast and furious...most of the $$$ gathered is going towards plane fare. Everyone's focus and energy is on this trip.

And, I just don't know how I feel about that. I don't think I'm okay.

Those of you who are Bible-savvy...I need passages from the Bible that particularly condone/encourage missionary works to distant lands. Help!