My Husband Thinks I’m Ridiculous…

May 8, 2012 4 Comments
crownbutton

There will always be certain things we don’t understand about our significant others.  No matter how long we date, live together, or are married, certain things stand out as “odd.” But we love these people and their quirks, none-the-less.

My husband never fails to let me know when these things happen, when he fails to comprehend my motivation or sees the outcome as ridiculous.  He laughs and says, “You’re ridiculous!”  (with loving approval, of course).

Take the other day, for example.

There’s a huge sewage disaster in our small, 12-unit condo building requiring 8 foot holes (amongst other repairs) in the first-floor units.  Thankfully we are not displaced, but the jack-hammering & special assessment costs leave much to be desired.  This also means flushing TP was a no-no for a couple weeks.  After finally getting the clear to use TP as normal I used the restroom one day to find NO TOILET PAPER.  Who does that?  Who can’t replace a single roll of TP after finishing another roll?

So, because I felt I might forget to wag my finger at Mike when he got home (because, duh, follow-up), I tweeted at him.

Direct. Succinct. and also a funny tweet:

I mean, I admitted it was not the best way to go about it, with my hashtag of “classy.”

But it’s 2012 and social media proves to be a great way to communicate – maybe not for all our marital disputes, but for ones that leave me err, high and dry.  I see this “ridiculous” way as successful.

(And I will leave his ridiculous habits alone, for now)

 

Now that we have new phones, I earned “you are completely absurd”  while tweeting this Instagram picture & caption:

“How I feel now that I have a brand new, working phone (!)”

I think the word is “proud.”

Does your significant other think you do anything “ridiculous” ?

Filed Under: awesomeness, dorklove, Mike, newlyweds

My Own Personal Hell

May 3, 2012 4 Comments
crownbutton

This post makes me sound totally spoiled, shallow, and addicted to convenience.

And I’m ok with that.

 

About two weeks ago I noticed my phone had trouble charging.   I hooked up a clever little rubber-band system to help the contacts meet.  It looked silly and worked only most of the time, so I strolled into Tmobile where they reminded me I chose not to buy phone insurance.  Luckily, our contract is up in about 7 weeks.  But seven weeks is a long time in non-working-phone-land.  Mike and I looked at some options and decided to wait things out with my selectively working phone.

Yesterday (after the onset of a migraine aura and before I laid down to nap through it) my lovely phone refused to charge no matter what I did to it, how many rubber bands I hooked up to it, whatever new charger I tried…. no charge.

Meanwhile Mike’s exact phone, purchased on the exact same day, holds up fine with a weird smirk on it’s stupid touchscreen.

Thanks to Tmobile’s amazing customer loyalty program and our new two-year contract, new models are on the way! But since these new phones are a hot commodity and back-ordered, we need to wait a week for their arrival.

 

In the meantime?

I’m back in the stone age of phones.  I might as well be using the Zach Morris monstrosity, because my little POS does just about nothing but make phone calls.  What kind of phone is that?!  After about 18 months of smart phone privileges complete with twitter usage (some might call addiction), Facebook notifications, Instagram pictures, emails read/typed/sent, music played, maps, apps, and the occasional downloaded game — I’m lost!  I went from smart phone everything to a loaner flip-phone from the past.

::ahem:: Here are my fancy phone tricks, currently:

There are 25 major cities to chose from as your locale, NYC being the closest to me.  Is DC really not worthy of the list?

I can check current weather!  But only for NYC, as it is my “local” city.

I text by pressing numbers repeatedly to choose the next letter in the alphabet.  Average text takes seven minutes, including accidentally deleting the whole thing and starting over (which happens often).

I would use the slide out keyboard if it didn’t cause me to loose the entire text I already created deleted created.

It runs on 1G if I want to try to access the internet through some DOS-looking program, then wait 2 minutes for any page to load.

There is one default ring-tone (but 8 alarm sounds!).

Don’t even ask me about the “camera.”

 

A week is a long time in flip-phone land.

I’m in my own personal phone hell.

 

Filed Under: dorklove

Tickle Me Tuesday 4.17.12

April 16, 2012 7 Comments
tickle_me_tuesday

Well hey there Tuesday disguised as a Monday.
What, not everyone gets off from work on 4/16 for DC Emancipation Day?!  It’s an obscure holiday, but I’ll take it – especially on the eve of standardized testing week.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings my seven and eight year-old students will test from 9:30-noon with a 15 minute snack break.  This teacher has to sit and proctor with no computer, phone, or content related material open.  I can’t approach their desks individually and may only speak in blanket terms (“everyone, be sure to check every answer to make sure you didn’t skip any!”).  I feel badly for my kiddos but I can only imagine how bored I will be sitting and staring… (this does not tickle my fancy)

On that note, a few things that tickled my fancy as of late:

  • I love trashy reality TV, especially my new fav:  My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

I’m in awe of the gypsy/traveler lifestyle portrayed in this show.  The girls get married as early as 16, in the biggest/most gaudy dresses imaginable (think cats on dresses).  The women adhere to certain stereotypical gender roles while the men complain about getting arrested for racing horses on open roads.  This show is not as much of a train wreck as Toddlers and Tiaras, but maybe that’s why I like it? (TLC, Friday nights at 10 – set your DVR.  It won’t disappoint)

 

  • this new migraine medicine: Sumavel Dosepro

This supposedly clears up migraines so fast because it’s inject-able without a needle. I have yet to use the sample of this medicine my neurologist gave me, because I’m holding out for the world’s worst migraine. Weird, right?

Taken from their website: “The unique design of SUMAVEL DosePro makes needle-free subcutaneous drug delivery possible. The medicine is delivered by a compressed nitrogen gas-powered ram and piston, which provides the biphasic pressure needed to first push the drug through the skin and into the subcutaneous tissue. This occurs in one-tenth of a second. The medicine is then absorbed into the body’s bloodstream.”

Amahzing.  I can’t wait to try it, but then again… I can.

(disclaimer: I was not paid to write the above. My doctor prescribed the sample for me due to my fracking stupid migraines.)

 

  • Warmer weather is here to stay!

After a very flippant spring, I’m confident that flipflops, sandals, skirts, shorts, and most importantly no heavy jackets, will be happening on the regular.

It’s time to do what we call “the great clothing swap” – which happens twice yearly, as the fall/winter clothes trade places with the spring/summer attire under the bed. Let’s hope I still fit into most of it…

(my personal photo –>)

What are you excited about on this fine Tuesday?

Filed Under: awesomeness, dorklove

Very Pinteresting

April 3, 2012 6 Comments
crownbutton

Like many other women, I love Pinterest.  Don’t follow my boards yet? Well clicky-click and let’s do this thang!

 

I find what gets pinned and repinned very “pinteresting.”

Some pins get repinned many, many times, like “Outer Space themed bath” with 209 pins & “Cute outfit” with 2852 pins!

There are certain pins, like the “clean your shower with only baking soda” and “zombie wedding photos” which get repinned but only because people “steal” the content and repin it themselves.

 

And then there’s my personal popular repins.

Some say a Pinterest rule is: thou shalt not post your own content.

But I love our wedding photos and think it will bring inspiration to others.

So I pinned a few to My Real Wedding board and I am amazed at the repin notifications! So. many. repins!

Like my wedding updo pin, with 30 repins.

 

Or the picture of my bouquet with peacock feathers with 95 repins!

Source: studiojuno.com via Vicki on Pinterest

 

Our hotel welcome bags also got attention with a few (15) repins.

 

But the wedding programs (which we purchased at Michael’s Craft Store and my mom DIY’d it) takes the cake with 115 repins!

 

I say one can pin their own content so long as it’s useful and helpful to others. I think my repins prove my point!

 

What are some of your favorite pins??

Filed Under: awesomeness, crafty, dorklove, the big day

Wordless Wednesday – Big Top Family Fun

February 8, 2012 1 Comment
IMG_7908

Filed Under: awesomeness, dorklove, family, photography

Shit My Husband Says

January 30, 2012 1 Comment
Miscellaneous Pics 017

I love watching these comical (and somewhat overdone) videos which parody the typical statements said by groups of people. From Shit Girls Say, to Shit Christians Say to Jews (a personal fav) and even the local Shit People in DC Say, inspiration fell to me.

However, even though Mike owns a dress and a wig, he refuses to indulge me and make a “Shit My Wife/Vicki Says” video.   I also lack the ability to film and act in my own video. That ruined my own chance of making a video.

Instead I bring you a list of Shit My Husband Says.*

*I love my husband very much. This was created with love and humor and with no meaning to do harm.  Just for funsies.  And he’ll probably want to do one back at me, which I accept and welcome!

(and I hope you will comment with some of your hubby’s isms, too!)

  • I need a nosh.
  • There’s no good games on TV right now.
  • “Oh Bagel, doo doo doo” (<–There’s a song about bagels?!)
  • Grab me a beer?
  • I need to do my reading for class, first.
  • I guess I’ll take the dog for a walk.
  • At least someone takes care of the dog.
  • Is it really my day to empty the litterbox?
  • Etsy will survive without you.
  • Why can’t we sit after dinner? Why must we clean right away?
  • That’s dirty?
  • Oh, the Mets!
  • Damn the Packers!
  • Really, Mets? Really?!
  • Your face is ________ (a retort to whatever I just said)
  • This level is so hard to beat.
  • [Random yelling at the TV]
  • How can you go to sleep before 1:30?
  • I hate mornings.
  • At least the dog likes to cuddle.
  • Why is there Scentsy everywhere?
  • Bathroom time! (Why do men announce this?!)
  • Son of a motherless &@$%!
  • That’s what you get for making me put away the laundry.
  • You’re tired? Really?
  • Turn it up!
  • Does this match?
  • You’re just jealous of my style.
  • Shuttupa your face!
  • The Mets are doomed.
  • I just got killed [in this video game] because you were talking to me.
  • Ew, vodka?
  • Tequilla tastes like old socks.
  • You spent how much?

Hrm, when I think about it – most of these things are about me! huh!

Does your husband have any tag lines?

Filed Under: dorklove, future, Mike, newlyweds

My Kindle’s Name is Katniss

January 19, 2012 10 Comments
Just Write

Hello, my name is Vicki and I’m obsessed with The Hunger Games series.

And if I’m being honest here, I’m more into The Hunger Games than I led on with Twilight.

If I’m being super honest?  I loved Twilight, but not like I love The Hunger Games.

{source}

So what’s the hype all about?  Honestly I always found myself drawn to books about futuristic dystopian societies (ie: The Giver, Iron Heel, Fahrenheit 451;  and  Running Man is on my list to read).  This series takes the futuristic, fallen United States and sees it from younger, impressionable eyes.  Katniss’ fight to the death through the televised Hunger Games mimics much of viewers lust of reality TV these days, death aside (maybe?).  The focus on politics and how government runs a nation in need, and oversteps boundaries, intrigues me.  The heroine’s fiercely independent side makes her look far better than another leading lady in a young adult series ::cough cough Bella cough:: And let’s not forget the love triangle as Katniss “chooses” between Gale and Peeta.  Oh Peeta.

These Hunger Games, the unbalanced power of the Capitol, the poor people starving while others thrive, the feeling of loss.  All this could happen.  There is just so much I could say.

That idea that a young adult book drives me to think beyond surface value, really forces me deeper into these books.  Suzanne Collins weaves a stunning plot line with twists I honestly didn’t see coming.  And while I might still be slightly bitter at the ending of the series, I am still pleased that a book caused me to be angry, caused me to cry (the part with the cat!), and caused me to want to write this post and move on from Twilight.  (I think we can all rejoice on that last one, no?)

Sure, maybe Mike and I are jointly reading The Hunger Games Companion and continue our discussion by forcing the book on friends in the form on holiday presents…but one thing’s for sure — I can’t wait for the movie in March!

(And I love my Kindle.  Best multipurpose toy ever.)

 

So, those of you not under a rock:

  1. Gale or Peeta??
  2. Were you satisfied with the ending?
  3. Can you believe they are written for 12+ ??  or does that make sense?

 

And, may the odds be ever in your favor…

Filed Under: dorklove, favs

Let’s Get Physical

November 30, 2011 2 Comments
Salamon Day After-0053

…therapy that is – Physical and Occupational therapy.

My silly index finger thankfully does not need surgery, but it does need a good amount of bend-point-and-straighten working out to slim it down and allow for better dexterity.
Oh to make a fist again…

My gimpy finger, now taped to my middle finger, uses the buddy system.  Gimp finger follows the third finger around and bends when it bends and such.  Basically it’s showing my non-working finger the ropes again.  It does make giving the bird harder, though.

And then there’s the sensation aspect.  Aparently when you slice your nerve and it grows back, touching things makes you want to crawl out of your skin.  Let me tell you how much I despise sliding my hand through the sleeve of my jean jacket or wool coat. AHHHHH ::nails on the chalkboard feeling:: !

So there’s help for that too.
It’s called desensitizing and teaching my nerve that things feel normal.
This involves tapping, brushing, and rubbing pieces of moleskin, cotton, felt, velvet, towel, and working up to tolerating velcro loops, velcro hooks, my hair, denim [::shudder::], and upholstery.
I also get to stick my hand in containers of macaroni, dry beans, rice, and popcorn and force myself to not slap the poor, nice lady teaching me how to “feel” again.

It’s pretty much the oddest thing to watch.

Honestly, you should see the faces I make.
It’s pretty hysterical.

But I guess any time you slice your finger down to the bone & then  need occupational therapy to recover falls under a pretty comical, unbelievable scenario.

PSA:  be careful with knives, y’all.  As my 4 year old niece reminded me, “They’re dangerous. Use a butter knife”
Word.

Filed Under: dorklove, thats life

Just Write: Guilty Pleasure

November 18, 2011 7 Comments
Just Write

There’s this book I own which I refuse to finish reading,
because I never want it to end.
I’m drawn in and hooked, wishing I lived as the main character.

I can guess how things finish, because honestly the plot line is nothing too complicated.
In fact the plot line borders on ridiculous, unbelievable, and flat out silly.

So what is it about the Twilight series that causes me school-girl giddiness in anticipation of seeing the last (second to last, since they are splitting it in two parts) movie?

Let’s be honest:  Kristen Stewart’s acting makes me want to vomit.  I truthfully believe my childhood acting classes taught me more method acting skills than her pitiful sighs and that one emotion she knows how to display.  The movie is all glitz and glam and boom and nice to look, at sure (Jacob’s abs…..  oh yes…. we need to ponder his abs just a little longer….. but I’m not team Jacob), but it’s not winning any acting or screen Oscars. ever.  And if Edward uses that forlorn, pained, I-have-to-poop look one more time I will throw my Diet Coke at the screen (I would never do that to my Diet Coke, actually).

And as for the book itself?  Well we all know it’s the worst use of the English language, ever. And the plot lacks, a lot.

So what is it that caused me (and many others I know) to get sucked into something so bad?

Twilight is my guilty pleasure.
Edward is so strong, protecting, dangerous, amazingly talented (as all vampire are), and breaks headboards, like the high school boyfriend you dreamed of dating.
Alice captivates you, makes you want her as a best friend, and of course her ability to see the possible future is nothing short of awesome.
Jacob is tortured by his unrequited desires, has the body of a wolf* (literally…), and challenges his pack authority.  We all go through times like that. (right?!)
Bella might not have it all, but she gets what she wants. And what girl doesn’t want that?

The fantasy captivates you.

Andplusalso – there’s a happy ending.
Spoiler Alert!

I can’t wait to see their wedding!!!!!!!

And so, Twilight is my guilty pleasure.
It’s the book I can’t finish because I never want the fantasy to end.
It’s also why I will wait in line, on opening day, 3 hours prior to the movie showing’s start time.
Because I’m not alone on this one.
Twilight makes “normal”** girls believe in make believe.

*yes I know I mentioned Jacob’s body 2x in one post
**meaning of “normal” up for debate
picture credit from a blog of a 30-something woman whose guilty pleasure is also twilight.
case. in. point.

Filed Under: dorklove

Glee, Really?!

October 19, 2011 8 Comments

[edit:  mini-spoiler alert -- if you have yet to catch up on this season of Glee, you might want to do so first... or not... because that's what I might do..]

When Glee first aired I felt as though the series was written for me.  I sang in my high school’s show choir and pretty much thought I owned the place when I became chorus president my senior year. I felt like Rachel Berry, except with out the booming talent, just bossiness.

Accolades aside, Glee spoke to me.  I related to (most of) the simple high school drama and meaningful messages.  And I was thrilled to see it catching on, receiving awards, but I never, ya know, went as far to get all the catchy music from it.  No, instead I borrowed it from the library.

Anyways.

Now?
Where is Glee headed?!  Quinn and her recovering hate the world/goth/life is so unfair/yet ulterior motives to rejoin Glee? Rachel still wanting to take over but never being put in her place?  Blaine doing a fine job of being cute completely attractive, but honestly not singing enough for my needs. But Blaine leaving his private school for Kurt? in high school? Don’t get me started on Schuester & Emma… girl has issues.  And Emma’s parents? Ginger supremacists? are they really reaching that far to make an unlabeled connection to those who feel estranged from their own parents? With Ginger supremacists?! Really?!

There are other small plot elements that distract me, but one thing I always loved about Glee was their music.  The catchy tunes from top-40 hits, late night bar sing-alongs, and musicals I knew.
Now I find myself fast-forwarding (we DVR many shows) through songs, but then missing the side-eye Rachel Berry gives someone and still knowing she did it.

Glee, I hope you pick it back up tonight.  I’m a honestly considering pulling a Quinn and abandoning ship for awhile. (I would still DVR the show…)

Please, whatever you do, continue Brittany’s “witty” remarks…
I can’t live without those!

“Did you know that dolphins are just gay sharks?”

Anyone else out there feeling the same?

Filed Under: dorklove, wandering

Separation of Self and Me

October 12, 2011 5 Comments

I have an amazing career which allows me to be two people at once.
I can be myself while doing my job; I can be myself while at home.  But who I am in my personal life differs only slightly from the persona I capture while working. Still, there is a separation.

I teach.
Precious, young children are trusted into my care for 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week.

I am a normal person.
When I don’t bring my work home, I like to practice yoga, take pictures, shop, go to happy hours with friends, bbq and sometimes even run for fun (and I love mac n’ cheese).

Like separation of church and state, I am the separation of instructor and someone-trying-to-live-a-normal-life. 

As Mrs. S, I more patiently listen to my client’s needs than I sometimes do to my husband’s fantasy football stories.  Mrs. S also gets serious and down to business faster than Vicki.  Vicki tends to allow piles to accumulate at home, while Mrs. S attempts to keep up with the grading and filing at a much faster pace. 

I love working in a profession where I can really keep my personal life private, other than to my coworkers and what I choose to share with my students.   It is very compartmentalized, neat & tidy, and I like that. The parents and students are more like clients, and sometimes I don’t always want them get to know the real me.  I have an image to uphold as a role model, which I take seriously.  Less is more.
(sidenote: not that there is anything about the real me which would cause anyone to think twice)

I honestly feel like this blog was a part of me, as Vicki.  
And it still is, to an extent.

I know and understand that everything I write on this blog is public.
I accept that every time I hit the “publish post” button.


I thought it went without saying this is/was my Vicki-space.
I never write about what happens in the workplace (as no lawyer, doctor, or nanny would do, without first consulting their client).  I have no reason to write about the workplace, as this is a blog about Vicki, not Mrs. S.  Yes, Vicki plays into Mrs. S, but Mrs. S does not play into Vicki.


So when I heard through the grapevine that parents of students I teach/taught read this blog & was able to back that up with my Google Analytic results for visits to this site?  I was honestly heartbroken, defensive, mad, sad, and then proud.

Perhaps to anyone who clicks through this blog (and some local “researchers” did 10+ posts-worth) comes away thinking, “Gee, that Vicki girl sure is neat.”    
I hope they walk away smiling and laughing. 
(Not, “Gee, that Vicki girl sure is boring.”)


But do you really need to know what outfits the teacher of your student wears on Saturdays? Or recipes she favors? or that her husband spoils her?  Does that make her a better teacher?
Because the girl in this blog is not Mrs. S — It’s Vicki.
And she’d kindly like her public, yet personal, space back.


Yes, the 2nd/3rd person writing has thoroughly confused me.
CrowndVic, out.

Filed Under: dorklove, i complain because i can, teaching, wandering

Vlogtastic – Scentsy Sunday: Corner Cafe

October 10, 2011 3 Comments

I decided to try something new, at the advice of a friend, Emily (who, be tee dubs, was my first Scentsy customer!).  Huge thanks to Em for that and this idea!

Every once in awhile I will air a Sunday Scentsy Vlog highlighting some scents, sharing new info with you & maybe a surprise or two.  For this first vlog (in mah pajamas — surprise), I just wanted to get a feel for things.  Give me feedback, but I already know to slow down and sit up straight. 
Tell me if you like this idea, what scents you want to know more about, and any other details from my life that you need to hear about.

See if you can figure out my favorite scent!

But for now, here’s my stupidity, caught on camera.  And Scentsy, too:

Scentsy Corner Cafe Vlog Crowning Victoria from Vicki Wxxxxxxxxx on Vimeo.

Filed Under: dorklove, scentsy, VLOG

To the Top