(no subject)

So the rest of my family is spending the week in DC -- it's just me and the animals. Which isn't so bad, really, although I keep forgetting that I don't have to worry about my brother coming home while I'm busy giggling at my computer (yes, I'm working on the last season of Charmed. You know Penny from Big Bang Theory? I had totally forgotten that she was a regular during S8. I keep waiting for the rest of the cast to show up).

The bank has agreed to my offer for the condo, which is pretty exciting, although I won't let myself get really excited until I have signed in blood. I got a cashiers check yesterday for the deposit; the next steps will be getting the inspections done and putting together the paperwork for my loan. I will try to remember to take some pictures during the inspection so I can show you what I'm getting into ;)

I went to the baseball game last night! We did lose 2-1 to the Dodgers (boo hiss) but the main reason I went was because it was JT's official last game. The crowd's reaction to him coming out was phenomenal, except of course for the very confused Dodger's fans. The pictures I got aren't fantastic or anything...


The view from my seat, part 1


The view from my seat, part 2

( 3 more behind the cut )

But I went for the experience, not because I'm a great photog.

In any case, if I want to enjoy pictures of JT, I always have this one. And this one. Oh and this one.

*giggles like a maniac some more*

Oh, and Kelly -- I found the rug I need, at least I think it should work fine... it's medium blue, pretty sturdy-feeling, and it was 5' x 7' for less than $40. aThe funny thing is... I had resigned myself to going to Wal-Mart, I drove down to the nearest one... and realized for the first time that it was no longer a Wal-Mart. It's a K-Mart, which is, you know, still a Mart, but these days it's not that much different from Sears.

Now I'm doing laundry, and I'm also going to do some stuff for school... after I doze for a little bit, I think. I've got a PMS headache trying to come on. Time for caffeine.

:D

ETA: Looking for more pictures of last night:


Game 161 began with former first baseman J.T. Snow's cameo appearance under a one-day contract, which allowed him to retire as a Giant. The tribute was as well-choreographed as it was brief. Having received a huge ovation when he was announced as part of the starting lineup, Snow sprinted alone to his position before the first inning, accompanied by a cameraman and more cheers. The other Giants joined him an instant later. After Snow's fellow infielders teased him with wild warmup throws, he jogged back to the dugout before the game started, prompting handshakes and hugs from the other infielders and Cain along the way.

Alli's Classroom Fundraiser

So, I didn't want it to come to this.

But the fact is that I am a teacher at a low-income school that's been having problems with cash-flow, both because of the state's issues and because of things going on at the school itself. I don't have enough chairs for all my students, and barely enough desks. We have no librarian at the school and therefore no way for students to check out library books, so my class library is extremely small. I have bought paper, sentence strips, activity books, binders, and many other things for the classroom -- today I bought a rug because my classroom has no carpet, just vinyl tile.

The curriculum I have to use is extremely dry and I'm doing what I can to liven things up so the kids - who are in general unmotivated remedial students - have a reason to want to go to school in the morning. I spoke to the VP on Friday and he's going to look into some options, but I don't want to wait for the administration. On Friday I went and bought some materials to make center activities. I also want each student to be able to have their own book bag, I would like an easel, markers and construction paper, red pens for correcting, and more things like the rug I bought to make the classroom more comfortable and welcoming. Plus, you know, books. But I'm also in the process of buying a home -- I just don't have the financial flexibility that I have had in the past. So consider this the official kickoff to

allisnow's Classroom Fundraiser

Basically, yes, I'm asking for donations. I definitely won't judge anybody who doesn't want to or can't contribute because I know that I'm not the only person in the world having financial woes. But I figure that every little bit helps.

To every person who donates I will write them a 300 word minimum fanfic for the fandom of their choice. I know it's not the greatest incentive, but at least I feel like it allows me to retain a little dignity.

So, here's what I'm going to do. Comments to this post will be screened. If you would like to donate, my paypal email is salmonczar@gmail.com. If you can't use paypal, comment and I will definitely be happy to work something else out. Just fill out the form below and consider your good deed done for the... oh, year at least. I just wish I could make it tax-deductible.

Thank you in advance,
Alli

How much would you like to donate to Alli's classroom?
Can you use PayPal?
What kind of fic would you like in return?