I've wanted to use this word in a message title for awhile now, I've haven't really had anything happen that would fit the definition. I could try to make something work, but in the end, I'd sound like an idiot.

I mean, more than usual, that is.

But finally. I can. Use it, I mean.

This last weekend, the whole fam trekked to Des Moines to do what I call "Christmas looking". You know, compile ideas for the grandparents, ogle the latest toys, clothes, and other materialistic items, and in general, participate in all that goodwill-towards-men-and-peace-on-Earth crap.

To preface this story, let me provide you with a bit of a weird flashback. In college, I got to be friends with this guy (in between boyfriends), who was about three or four years older than I. We both worked in the cafeteria. Anyway, he graduated, entered the real world, and I lost touch with him.

But then...contact begins with him again many years later...although I do not remember how, when, where, or why. Periodically, I receive emails from him, and you know, OK. He's married, kid, etc. I wouldn't say we've even really got a correspondence, because he sends the mass emails and I never really respond back.

OK, back to present. I'm in DM and the thought "How crazy would it be if I saw J up here?" pops into my brain. He lives relatively close to the DM area, but c'mon, seriously...out of all the shopping areas in DM??? The odds would be astronomical. I'd have a better chance at getting down to a size four.

Anyway, after hitting ToysRUs, a teacher store in Urbandale, and lunch at some microbrewery place (with three kids, no doubt), we make our last stop at Target. As Brent's in the truck changing Elliot's poopy pants, Kirby and I walk into the store, and who do I see coming in behind me?

Yep. J. I freak out.

I recognize him instantly, even though it's been a few years. However, he appears not to recognize me...so like a stalker, I sneak several sidelong glances to make sure it is him and quickly decide not to say anything. I mean, really, what would I say to the guy?

So I go about my merry way, spending a few minutes in the purse section trying to get my wits about me. But, because this store is NOT a SuperTarget...the odds that I'll bump into him again are considerably reduced. Sure enough, there he is in the toy section with his family, and at this point, I don't care if I sound like a weird stalker, because I am GOING TO SAY SOMETHING!

As far as I'm concerned, my end of the conversation after that was lame. Maybe it was an awkward moment, who knows, but it was all small talk (ie "Gawd, don't you just hate the insane crowds at this time of year?" Blaargh). I didn't ask any of the important questions like "What are you doing now?" or "Are you still a StarWars freak?"

Damn. I've come so far, but yet...not. Still, it was serendipitous. It was a serendipitous moment. Full of serendipity. Mmm-hmm.

OK - the first day of a new grading period started today. You know what that means for me? Nothing to grade! No homework!

I don't even really have lesson plans I could be doing, because I'm set up through next Thursday! No homework!

Two more days of school and then Thanksgiving Break - I get two days off!

It's almost December!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you enjoying my exuberant use of exclamation points?!

EDITED FOR STUPIDITY!

Is that...? What is it exactly that I am feeling right now?

It feels a tetch like irritation. There is definitely an undercurrent of something like restlessness. However, I have a strong sense that I should be doing something different. Oooh, and I cannot forget that feeling of indecision.

Hmmm...let's backtrack. Teacher workday at school today, so I spent most of the day getting my room and lesson plan book ready for the new grading period next Monday. I typed up several worksheets and sent them to the copy room. I threw out all my old, last trimester copies. I created and printed new seating charts. I came home at 2:20 this afternoon...then I took my two oldest children grocery shopping before picking up the youngest at daycare right around 3:45. Brent left the house around 4:30 to go see a show at a casino. The kids and I ate a light dinner around 5:30. We then puttered for another hour, me doing laundry and other onerous house chores. About 6:45, we watched a movie together. About 9:20, the four of us went out for a drive and stopped at McDonald's for a snack. All three kids conked out on the drive back home. The kids have now been asleep for about an hour. Husband has not arrived home yet. Hmmmm...

There's no schoolwork I can do. All laundry is caught up. All rooms have been vacuumed. Fridge and pantry is full. There's nothing on TV that I have a mad desire to watch. I don't feel much like surfing the Net, reading a book, playing a video/computer game, going to bed...

Wait. I know what it is. I'm bored.

WTF?????? It's been a long time since I've felt that emotion.

Yeah, it's hit again. I'm up at 1:45, unable to sleep. It's expected at this time of the year.

We just finished our first trimester at school yesterday, so that means today (by that, I mean later this morning) is a teacher workday. It's a chance for teachers to not only get their grades submitted, but a chance to prepare for the new trimester.

Many of my fellow colleagues will spend the workday still grading assignments, some will spend it walking around, talking to others, because their grades were done last Friday, some will post grades early on in the morning and then have the rest of the day to clean their rooms, make copies, etc.

And some might even be in the same boat as I. Posted their grades last night, and have so much to do for the new trimester that their brains couldn't handle the stress overload and is spilling over into their precious sleep time and now they're awake at two o clock in the morning because their subconscious decided to start thinking about lesson plans.

I probably don't even sound coherent and I can barely focus on the computer screen...but dammit it all, my mind is not tired.

So, what do I do now? I feel like I should be making the most of it and do some schoolwork (although what schoolwork I'd do exactly is unclear). I could play a computer game...that might be help sleepiness to come back. I could do some more typing on a story I've been working on lately. I could browse the Internet for interesting stuff.

Oop...actually I'm going to go use the toilet. I doubt it will put me back to bed, though.

And, I'm going to leave this post as is, unchanged and unproofed, so you can all read for yourselves what a rambling, work-obsessed, sleep-deprived fool sounds like at two in the morning.

I first became familiar with this silver-maned crooner in the early to mid 80's. See, my parents were (are) country music fans...and I'm talking Country-Western. I'm talking Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, etc., etc. I'm now talking about the crap now about sexy tractors (WTF is that about?).

Anyway, I've tried to deny my heritage. For the longest time, I've tried to cover up my CW past by listening to the likes of Tori Amos, NKOTB, and Paula Abdul.

Well, it's all caught up with me. It first started about four weeks ago when I got the Netflix itch to watch "Coward of the County" based on Rogers' song, because I remembered that flick when I was a kid. Well, from there, it's blossomed into a full-fledged rediscovery. And not only that, but Brent got caught in the Kenny undertow, too.

In fact, he just purchased the CD "21 Number Ones: Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits". And the songs are awesome...I mean, we've got:

- Lady
- Lucille
- The Gambler
- Islands in the Stream
- She Believes in Me

and on and on and on. The only bummer: No "Reuben James".

And so now, I was just browsing through iTunes and came across this gem: "70's Country". OMG!!

We're talking:

- Rhinestone Cowboy
- Convoy
- Take this Job and Shove It
- Rose Garden
- Mama, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
- Coal Miner's Daughter
- If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body, Would You Hold It Against Me?

AND MORE!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just can't believe I may possibly be reverting to music from my childhood. Next thing I know, I'll be watching reruns of "The Waltons".

G'night, John Boy!