Hey! How was your Thanksgiving? (I ALMOST wrote Turkey Day... that is one of the things that embarrasses me about myself. Yes. I am the kind of person who sometimes says things like Turkey Day. Also, sometimes, at the end of the week if I am talking to work people I don't know very well I say something like, "Hey at least it's Friday." NERD!)

After an initial hiccup, our break was great. The traffic Wednesday was horrible. Joel and I were not filled with much gratitude as we navigated the Illinois Toll roads on our way out to Wisconsin.

Thursday morning we drove the rest of the way to Minneapolis to stay with Joel's step-brother and family. It was so relaxing. I avoided Black Friday, but am going to sign off now to take advantage of the free shipping of "Cyber Monday".

I am sick with Bronchitis...and seemed to have coughed out any creative ideas I have. In the meantime, here is a picture of the CBE.

The second time's the charm...

Finally! I found out a few days ago that I achieved National Board Certification. Mostly I am just relieved to be done, and that I will get more money soon. One side bonus is that my teaching certificate is no longer called "Type 9". Instead I am an Illinois Master Teacher. That has a much better ring to it, but don't feel like you have to call me Master Barr. But if you insist...

You must be smelly and constipated...

because there are a lot of scientists and engineers making amazing advancements in pro-biotic yogurt that "helps with digestion" wink, wink, and don't get me started on Glade! Thank goodness I can get air freshening night lights and plug-ins that let in puffs of air!

Joel says I should stop playing dress up with the baby. When he brought it up the other day I summarized some of the finer points of labor with him. (He did SLEEP for part of it so I think he just needed a refresher.) I didn't have the world's worst labor, but it was still "labor". Thirteen hours of it = a minimum of 13 years of dressing him up in funny hats, right?


Pelmo, my stepdad, will probably also have something to say about the hats. But I think that is because he is only familiar with the big, white, cone-shaped hats you have to wear in a corner.

Walking baby!