The turkey is served.

I guess the best Thanksgiving I ever had was the one where we didn't even have turkey. Mom and Dad sat us kids down and explained that business hadn't been that good at Dad's store, so we couldn't afford a turkey. We had vegetables, bread, and pie, and that was just fine. Later I went into Mom and Dad's bedroom to thank them, and I caught them eating a little turkey. I guess that wasn't really the best Thanksgiving. -Fuzzy Memories by Jack Handey

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I am in charge of the yams this year, so those attending our feast might want to bring some vegetables of their own. I'm contemplating just bringing a big ol' economy-sized can of yams and plunking it down in the middle of the table, just to remind everyone that Candice should not be put in charge of real food. Baked goods, however, I can do like nobody's business! I also boil edamame like a champ.

I love my job: reason #108

I know it is easy to enjoy my job when a four day weekend is in the near future (five day, really-the kids just don't show up the day before break begins, especially when school lets out two hours early) but it is stuff like the picture above that keeps me entertained. The star of the photo decided that, for her senior picture, she would follow the example set by others, in which they bring along their favorite pet to share their yearbook memories. Why? Couldn't tell you. We all know I am not a big animal person, as evidenced by the fact that I bought a dog a few years back (from the SPCA-just trying to do some good!), realized I didn't want the yippy thing about when I came home from a classroom of yippy things, and dropped her off at my parents' house, never to take her back. I know, I am a deadbeat pet owner. Ho-hum. I also voted no on Prop. 2-screw the chickens and baby cows! (A special place in hell awaits me.)

But I digress...The gal in the photo thought it would be a good idea to purchase a hideous Christmas sweater, the type of stuff elementary school teachers wear around the holidays (usually accompanied by a a chunky necklace with big wooden Santas), and on her way to the portrait studio spotted a chicken statue in her neighbor's yard; so she swiped it, posing with it the same way a fellow student might pose with their beloved cat or dog. LO-VING IT.
Bangarang, Kristen.

YESSSS!!!

While I love love love all things about Miss Gwennie Gwen Gwen, her music with No Doubt tops her solo efforts. You can imagine my excitement when I found out that, while they are working on their next group album, they will also be touring. Ahhhh..."Sunday Morning", "Underneath It All", "New"...it's all coming back to me now. (And now I have that stupid Celine Dion/Meatloaf rip-off song in my head. Ugh.)

Perks of the job.

Two of my great loves are dark chocolate and ice cream. Combined? Heaven on earth. Awhile back one of my students mentioned he worked at Cold Stone Creamery, and I told him to keep me updated on when their amazing After Dinner Mint (dark peppermint chocolate ice cream with Oreos, marshmallows, and chocolate pieces) would be available, as it is a seasonal treat. Winter is an odd time to indulge in cold desserts, but thankfully it remains warm in Bakersfield, and not even residing in Antarctica could keep me from After Dinner Mint. My student did better; not only did he let me know it was now in stores, but he brought me an entire half gallon. Yay! I know some people get cash bonuses, company cars, and clothing allowances at their jobs, but these are my perks, and they are fan-freakin'-tastic. Bangarang, Kaleb.

For the Facebookers!

My classes are in the school computer lab today working on their second quarter project, which includes participating in a stock market game and researching a Dow 30 company. I have heard lots of whining about how the game is "stupid", as their stocks are decreasing in value. Really, guys? No crap! The game is tied into the real stock market, and our economy is not doing so hot. I am at a loss in regards to what else I can do to help them retain the information. Perhaps if I sent it via text message to their phones?

While they were working, I had the chance to browse the Internet alongside them, and have made two new fun discoveries: I can access my blog and cracked.com. Yay! Something tells me I might start wasting my 40 minute lunch, though. Hmmm...

I found "The Ten Commandments of Facebook" on the aforementioned site that some might enjoy; anything to make me laugh on a Monday is always a good thing.

13 Things

Those who know me well have come to realize they really don't know me at all, as I tend to not talk about myself a whole lot...I have friends and family who do it enough for everyone. However, after reading one of my favorite blogs ("Meghan" on my blog list) I found a challenge of sorts had been issued in which I was instructed to write about myself. The catch is that you must have as many entries as the date you write it, so hold on, world! You're about to get to know Candice in 13 different ways! You think you know, but you have no idea...(Did I really just quote an MTV show? Kill me now.) Do the same on your blog (quickly, before it is the 30th!) and leave me a comment so I can check out your shady past.

1. I have a serious addiction to pictures, paintings, posters, etc. I am constantly on the hunt for cool new stuff to hang on my walls, and nothing is off limits. I scour vintage magazines, art websites, and antique and thrift stores in search of the next great thing. My newest obsession is finding sewing patterns from the 50s, 60s, and 70s that I frame, while saving the patterns for the day I finally learn how to sew. At last count, not including the art that sits in my spare bedroom closet, I have 82. 82. I am cutting myself off.

2. I have 70 first cousins. We Mormons don't mess around.

3. My reading obsession of choice when I was young was "The Baby-Sitters Club" series. My favorite part in each book was when the narrator (the author would trade off between the different baby-sitters) would describe Claudia Kishi's outfits, which included things like earrings of miniature baskets of fruit and suspenders holding up a pair of men's knickers. I still buy these books when I come across them at used bookstores...and sometimes read them.

4. My uncles gave me the nickname of Billy Idol when I was about 8 years old, as I had short, bright blonde hair and because they were jerks. They also referred to me as Nondus. Like I said, jerks.

5. My very first memory is of Nicole trying to drown me in the bathtub.

6. I have the complete set of Gwen Stefani dolls, including her Harajuku girls, that were issued following her first tour. They are still in their boxes, and there they will remain until FOR-E-VER.

7. I am a firm believer in the fact that people treat you differently based upon your haircolor. In the past five years I have been a blonde, brunette, and redhead, and am currently somewhere in between the last two; Loreal Preference calls it Medium Copper Brown. I decided to go to the dark side following a trip to Europe, where I received much unwanted attention due to my blonde locks. (Okay, maybe not all of it was unwanted.) Upon my return to America, I went to the drugstore and purchased a couple of boxes of hairdye (I have a ridiculous amount of hair), followed the instructions, and thirty minutes later was a new woman! For the first few weeks I felt as though I was wearing a wig, but soon loved the new look. Every now and then I come across old pictures of my blonde days and get a little nostalgic, but then figure it would cost a couple hundred dollars to have my hair stripped and come to my senses. Maybe I'll go back when I hit my midlife crisis.

8. I cannot stand when people use the wrong your/you're, their/there/they're, and it's/its. I also hate when they write "haha" in blogs, emails, and texts. If you need to let me know something is funny and that laughter should be occurring, it probably isn't that funny.

9. One of my proudest moments was opening my PG&E bill last December and seeing that I owed $3.91. You read that correctly. One of my life's goals includes getting charged an even lower amount; just doing my part to conserve, Al Gore.

10. When I was younger I wanted to marry someone whose last name started with either an "E" or a "B", as it would make my initials C.L.U.E. or C.L.U.B. I have since amended my list of things desired of my future spouse.

11. I count nonstop. Whether it is cars, letters in words I hear or read, items on my desk, or people sitting in a group, I count. I get excited when it totals in increments of ten.

12. I sucked my finger (righthand, pointer finger) until about the 4th grade. How I do not have buck teeth, I will never know. My parents tried everything (bribes, punishments, nasty tasting stuff on my finger) but to no avail. I think I stopped because I worshiped my 4th grade teacher (Ms. Elison, now Liz Sagers) and didn't want to ever slip up and do it in her class.

13. My favorite physical attribute about myself is my hair. My favorite personal attribute is my sarcastic sense of humor. Some might say I use it as a defense mechanism...they may be right.

Your turn-GO!

Happy Birthday, Logan!

L-dawg turns the big 1-5 today, and holy crap we are all getting old. When he was little he thought the Veteran's Day parade was for his birthday, and if the rest of the world knew him, they really would throw such a celebration in his honor. He is still the most talented athlete and beautful boy I've ever met, and I love being his big sister. Happy birthday, Logan!

No matter what...

It's quite a feeling walking out of a polling place with my head held high, an "I Voted" sticker firmly in place (which I had to ask for, making me feel like a third grader), and with the knowledge that I just cast a ballot for the candidates and propositions I have studied and support, all in the company of my fellow countrymen. Cue the music! "And I'm proud to be an American, for at least I know I'm free..." As the results begin pouring in, whether or not victory is won for your causes and candidates, just remember the following:

The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You don't blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny. -Albert Ellis

Election Day fun: If you needed further proof that P. Diddy makes the list of the "Top 5 Most Annoyingly Pretentious Celebrities", especially during elections (Vote or die? Really? That seems a little extreme, Diddy.) click here.

Getch yo hands off my money!

The first lesson of economics is scarcity: there is never enough of everything to satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of government is to disregard the first lesson of economics.

While at a Halloween soiree the other night, I got into a discussion about politics with a liberal friend; these are conversations I usually try to avoid with her, as this dead horse has been beaten many times, and I tire quickly of the condescending tone she uses when speaking to me about such things. She concluded by saying "Don't worry-I don't judge you because you're voting for McCain." I replied by telling her I DO judge her for voting for Obama. Bangarang Candice.

Thanks for the video, Mandee!