my busy life

Expensive!

2010-07-19T22:55:00.002-05:00

I found these euro pillow shams at Crate and Barrel and fell in love with them. I just didn't want to have to pay $50.00 for them. My mom offered to help me make them for my pillows I want to use on my new couch and chaise. I just hope that I can find some fabric that is really, REALLY close to it.

Another day older and less in debt.

2010-01-26T15:55:00.002-06:00

Today is a good day to look back at the past year. Today is my birthday. I'm another day (year) older and still feeling good. I'm also a little less in debt. I paid off my car. I've been working really hard to get our finances in check and it is working. Now from what I learned a long time ago is that I take all of that payment and move it to another debt.

So my goal is to pay off our debt by my next birthday, if not sooner. My motivation is that I'd like to go on a small vacation this summer and I really need new furniture. I've got the urge to start looking, but don't want to find something and be disappointed if I can't afford it.

Well anyway, I'm glad my car is paid off and I've got my health.

Putting the New Year in a positive perspecitive!

2010-01-01T09:53:00.002-06:00

Today, I read a blog from The Scrap Artist. I stumbled across a blog post on their Feel Good Monday theme. I found the post called "The Paradoxical Commandments" quite interesting. It somehow puts into perspective that even if you're trying to live a positive life by doing good things that there will be those to bring you down, but just do good anyway!

Here they are.

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Does it help you feel good about all you do? I don't know why, but it helps to confirm to me that all I'm doing is really the right thing, so I need to try to keep doing all I can.

Happy New Year!

Getting in that Christmas spirit!

2009-11-08T12:14:00.003-06:00

Already, this isn't usually me not at all. I'm usually a bah humbug, but not this year, I'm wanting to do so many fun things with my students and I'm getting in that crafting mood too. I want to sew myself a fleese coat. I'm searching for some fun, inexpensive decorating projects too. I found one I really love today on Martha Stewart.

I've got a pass through window from my kitchen to my living room. I can just imagine this little decoration sitting on that little windowsill.

I'm trying to get my Christmas list of items to buy all planned out. There isn't much extra cash here this year, so I want to make my gifts extra special.

Hope you're getting in the gifting and decorating mood too!

Be happy, stay healthy!

A great beginning to a school year

2009-11-05T19:47:00.002-06:00

the first quarter of the year is over. 1 down, 3 to go. I'm quite a lucky girl this year, I've got a very managable class size, 20 now and I've got really, REALLY nice kids. People are amazed how nice, polite, and kind they are. A total 180 from last year. Last year there we so many low kids who had so many needs. There were bullies, horribly misbehaved students, clicky girls who would get their older sisters to beat the other girl up.

This year, I'm trying to be home earlier, keep my mind on other things rather than school. I'm enjoying being home at night and not having to run from one teaching job to another. That being said, not teaching at the college this semester has put quite a dent into the ole checkbook though. I keep trying to believe that God is telling me that less is more sometimes. Use what you have and enjoy people and not things.

It has been a stressful start to the school year in other ways. Don wound up with a kidneystone. He needed surgery and was in the hospital almost 3 days. He had two other surgeries and we still think there are still stone fragments in his kidney.
After that, he was getting out of his car and his foot slipped on some wet pavement and leaves. He reached around into the car to try to catch himself from really falling. When he reached back into the car to grab inside, he ripped his intercoastal muscle and dented the cartledge between two of his ribs. Now after visiting the urilogist again for a check up, they found he has double hernias and he'll be headed to the surgeon next week for a consultation. We need to have this done before the end of the year for deductible purposes. So it appears that sometime soon, he'll be having another surgery.

Ok, so I know you take the good with the bad. I think that it's just crazy. When something slows down in my ife that something else gets crazy. I've been trying to knit to keep busy and now I've also pinched a nerve in my hand. I'm trying to not knit quite as much to try to let the swelling go down. It's been a couple weeks and it's not working either.

So now that you've gotten an update, I want to say thanks for stopping by!
I'm always glad to see a comment from a friend or two!

Peace people!

It's that busy, busy time of year

2009-10-17T15:09:00.002-05:00

That time of year from the last week of August through December seems to always be busy. Then it is again from April through mid June. But right now, I'm busy but not crazy busy. I know, so unusual for me.

I've been extremely tired lately. I mean on Friday night, I was falling asleep at 8:30 with the laptop on my lap. I can't stay awake past 10 on any night. I don't know if I'm trying to fight off any germs floating around, my diet, or something else. I know I just worry a lot about tiredness because of my previous experience with a close call with lymphoma. That was one of the symptoms I exhibited.

I've got a ton of papers to grade and the first quarter is almost over already. We, my grade level team, is in charge of planning October's positive behavior celebration, and report cards are due soon.

Well I'm going to split. I think I'm going to get a jumpstart on getting ready to go out tonight with Don and some friends.

Also, I don't think I mentioned that it's been about a month since Don had a kidney stone and finally, just this week he's been almost completely pain free.

Hope all is well with you. Enjoy this fall season. The trees have been beautiful. Some trees have been two colors, one color on the outside and the inside close to the trunk is a different color. I've seen trees that look rose and pink colored and just a wonderful mix of colors. We've had winter weather already and there wasn't any heat at school all week. I attribute that to me also being tired. When I get warmed up, I think I just get extremely tired.

Well hope you have a good week!

We interupt your regularly scheduled life...

2009-09-13T17:34:00.002-05:00

to help you remember that God's in charge...not you!

I found that out Friday. We had discussed dinner and a video, a quiet Friday night at home. A trip to meet my dad at the stained glass store Saturday, and just a calm weekend. That didn't happen. A wrench, or should I say scapel and a kidney stone got thrown into the mix.

I got a call at lunch that my wonderful hubby called the school office to report he was on his way to the hospital. Not sure why or by whom, but he was on his way. The message was to call on his cell. Good plan if the dumb hospital would have had cell signals. So after a phone call to the hospital, transfered to the ER, then to the triage, then to a nurse's phone, I finally found out what I suspected...a kidney stone.

I've never seen anyone in so much pain, personally. I do have to say that I'm a little horrified that when they give someone a drug and it's not working, we got the answer, "Sorry, you have another hour before the next dose." Obviously, although super strong, not effective on the pain from a kidney stone. He went about 7 hours without effective pain control. I would liken it to heavy labor without any pain drugs. That I have done twice, so I do understand the pain of that. Many who have had babies and kidney stones say however, the kidney stone is worse.

After a good dose of new medicine from the urlogist, the pain was gone within 10 minutes not to return for over 24 hours. Now that was some good stuff!

So Don had surgery, a stint, half the stone come out, and is now finally home after almost 3 days in the hospital. I then had to juggle my house, my son, my dogs, the trips to the hospital, the phone calls all around, and then the trip to the pharmacy for all the drugs. Thankfully, Don's home and on the road to recovery, tomorrow is Monday, and I can get back to my regularly scheduled life.

This makes me Very happy!

2009-08-24T22:50:00.003-05:00

Ever since I saw these wind turbines in Copenhagen, for some reason they make me happy. I guess it's green energy and sustainable.

Now in Illinois there are two large wind farms. They are about an hour west of Chicago. I was shocked at seeing them as we passed them on our way out of town, and knew I needed some photos to add to my wind turbine photos from Copenhagen. These were not active yet. Some had no blades, some had 1 or 2 blades, and some were fully built, but not yet active. I can't wait to drive down by there again when they are doing their thing.

I kept looking around thinking...a turbine could be there. Now, I understand these photos are far from professional. They haven't even been edited. They are sotc or straight out of the camera. Also note...they were taken while driving 85 MPH. Not be me...I took them, but wasn't driving! OMG that would be scary to think I was driving that fast AND was looking off the road taking pictures. Enjoy!

a last weekend before school getaway

2009-08-24T22:43:00.003-05:00

Last weekend we dropped the dogs off at my mom's and headed for a short weekend getaway to somewhere in the midwest. We went to see Don's dad's grave since it was the 5 year anniversay of his death. We saw his only living male relative from his dad's side of the family. We also went to see a national monument. Here are some pictures. Guess to see if you can figure out where we went.

We were in St. Louis. Don's family has lived there for a very long time. His uncle has actually lived in his house for 45 years. I had only been to St. Louis for his dad's funeral and burial. In all the times Don's been there, he's never been to the Arch. The three of us got to enjoy a little afternoon of fun seeing the Arch together for the first time.

Some photos to share

2009-08-24T22:28:00.005-05:00

I still don't have any photos of my kitchen redo, but I have a few fun other photos. First are a few of where my son lives at the university. He and 2 other guys have moved into an apartment.

A great shot from out the back door of the place where he got a job YES!!! I said got a job! Also of one of the taller university buildings.

Here are two helpful movers taking a rest, Brian and his girlfriend.

Wow...has it really been that long??

2009-08-12T12:23:00.003-05:00

Yep, it's been nearly a month since I've been by to post up the daily happenings of my life. Well, I guess that I've been trying to lay low. Some may say that I've fallen off the face of the earth. Not really, but I have been immensely bored and haven't been doing much. I've been thinking about school, and how I want to try new things this year. I've been thinking of how I didn't like the teacher I was last year. But last year is over and luckily, each year, I get a brand new start.
Just like each year brings me brand new students, I get a chance to be a brand new teacher. Luckily, one with more and more experience. So I did my very best with what I was dealt last year, and now I get a chance to do my very best again, and also get to recreate myself into someone with more experience. Someone who is able to try new ways, better ways to help students learn more and love learning.

Ok, so much about my private soul searching and personal teacher recreation. What have I really been up to. Well nothing. Absolutely, really, nothing. We have gotten the kitchen 95% finished now. It is painted, appliances in and working, new shelves up, new rails up (wall rails) and we are trying to decide what else we need to do.

I also am sending condolences to my brother-in-law whose mother passed away. Last week we went to the wake.

We also moved my oldest back to school. He moved into an apartment with 2 friends this year. There were very few slotted dates to move in so he had the early one or two that were after school started. So he's moved in, living there alone. One other guy has been out there a couple times, and the third came to help move furniture and hasn't been seen or heard from. We've been on a hunt all summer for things for his apartment. Thankfully, we have some really good friends who have 2 older sons who have finished college. They kindly gave Doug a matching couch and love seat, a captain's bed that he built for his son's dorm room, and a tv. Then they've also been on the look out for other things and called with a chair he got. We were able to find silverware, dishes, a desk, and other things to get him started.

We've also (especially Don) have been having fun with keeping our pond. Unfortunately, we had a raccoon get into the pond and snatched out our turtle and now several of our fish. At garage sales, I found a fish tank that I was going to use to take the turtle in for the winter. I'm either going to have to give up that idea or buy a new one. Haven't decided on that yet.

I've also found a lot of good stuff for my classroom at garage sales. I actually found a retired teacher garage sale. I got classroom/school related chair pads, some great posters, books, teacher books, plastic bins (which you can never have enough of, and 2 easels. I've already looked up the lexile level of my books to have a jump start on getting them leveled and labed for my classroom library.

So now as summer is ending, I'm patiently waiting to find out if I'll have enough students enrolled into my college class. If so, they all usually register the last week as a prerequisite class that they don't know they can't take other classes until they register for this or pass the test. I have 2 now and usually they require between 10 and 20. I also start back on the 24th for 2 days of training. I also have a full day of training on August 20, then we will take a short weekend trip to St. Louis that weekend before school starts.

Anyone been to St. Louis? Got any must visit locations? We will for sure see the Arch. I'm thinking maybe the botanic garden or the zoo. I'd love to go to the Anheiser Busch brewery, but with Brian going, all tour members must be 21.

He starts school on the 26th so this will be his FINAL year. Finally, locked up, secured to be a senior. We've had to fight and make up class after class but he's got all the credits he needs to be able to finish this year. This will be quite a year, the year that all of my kids finish public school. I'm getting excited about that!

Well it seems like I've been able to ramble on about a bunch of nothing really. Considering I feel that I've been laying low, this seems long. Maybe I'll snap a few shots of my finished kitchen and add on here before school starts too!

The summer's ticking away

2009-07-15T10:33:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a fun and yummy lunch at The Olive Garden, with coworkers from school. Some I've gone to class with, taught with, and other staff members from my school. Of course the food was good and I even splurged on dessert. The conversation was the best part. You know gossip of the position changes, and what others have seen and heard, and what's happening with everyone over the summer.

I've not really been doing much, but have been getting things done. I've cleaned and decluttered my bedroom, deep cleaning, like I tore the bed apart and cleaned out the under the bed boxes. I've been working my way through the book, The Kite Runner.
I'm happy that Harry Potter is out in the theaters now and we're planning on seeing it rather soon. I'm actually considering seeing it at the drive-in theater.

Today we also got some good news, Don has a job interview. If this jobs works out, this job will allow Don to also continue with school.

Well it's July 15 and i've already been to the teacher store to get a few things for the beginning of the school year. I have 1 month and 5 days before I have a beginning of the year workshop. I hope we will be able to still have a few fun weekends. I can't believe summer is flying by.

4th of July Weekend

2009-07-05T18:08:00.006-05:00

At first it looked like our 4th was going to be a rainout. We were empty nesters. I guess this is practice for what is soon to come. As my boys get older, I can only expect that their independence will keep them away from home whether they live away or not. Both boys were at different lake houses, with friends. One in Wisconsin, the other in northern Illinois. So that left Don and I with time on our hands.

It did rain 90% of July 4th. We went out around 7:00 and tried to do a bit of geocaching. The mosquitos were horrible and kind of ended that. We got up early today and decided that instead of working on things like the kitchen or laundry, we would go out and enjoy the weather. It was another day of geocaching. What is funny is that with more and more loaded into the GPS, we are finding less and less. With the mosquitos, we have been refusing to do any bushwacking.

I've been playing farmtown on facebook. I've been planting and harvesting my crops and finally decorating my farm.

It seems like I've been reading less, and just doing less. I've become accustom to sleeping in more and more. I'm worried that when it comes time to go back to school that I'm going to have a hard time getting up. I guess just enjoy what little bit of sleeping-in time I have for now and cross that bridge when I get to it.

Now while I was at my scrapbook weekend I made a motivational thing for my aunt who has breast cancer again. I'll end with a few pictures of that. This was made from 4 Martha Stewart coasters, a couple motivational rub-ons, flowers, flower gems, and ribbon.

busy doesn't stop over the summer

2009-06-25T14:04:00.002-05:00

It seems like the past 2 weeks have not only flown by, but they've been really busy. What else would you expect from me? Well it has been productive busy. We've got the countertops ordered, the sink is in the garage, the refridgerator is changed out, the wallpaper is completely off, the old stove is out, the walls are cleaned and ready for spackling holes and then a coat or two of primer, then paint. The new counters will still take another 2-3 weeks. Bummer, but new and finished will be worth the wait.

I've also been asked to edit the literacy standards for my school district. That has been a lot of work also. I'm working with 2 other colleagues, and they hopefully want them next week. I've been reading, editing, moving things to different order, and then I've said I would type and change the edits. The bad thing is my laptop is giving me fits. It had better not have a virus.

Last weekend I also went on a well deserved, scrapbook weekend. I should have finished a project that is about half finished (yes, the Oprah book,) but decided to start on the photo carousel project for my Baltic Capitals trip from last summer. This is really a "right up my alley" project with all the little doo-dads on it. I'm afraid that I'm actually going to run out of the different elements I want to use. I guess then a bit of shopping will be in order. A lot have been things I've been collecting and holding on to for years.

I also worked on a little spirit lifter for my aunt who had surgery for breast cancer. I have photos of that, but as I said, the laptop is having a temper tantrum.

It's been a flurry of activity here, but I've managed to maintain my Farmtown farm on Facebook. I guess since farming is in my blood, I'm doing pretty good. In one week, I'm almost to level 25. Do you play Farmtown on Facebook? If so, I'd love to see your farm. I'm saving coins to upgrade to the largest plot of land then I plan on doing some major decorating. There are so many great farms on there, I hope I can do my own farm justice.

I've also been reading need to update my book blog with all my newest titles.

Hope your weather is not as scorching as it is here. We went from 60's to 90's overnight. So many people were complaining about it not feeling like summer, well it does now and the air is running all the time. Hope it cools down just a tad.

Take care everyone and enjoy these lazy,hazy summertime days.

If I only had a hammock

2009-06-15T17:07:00.004-05:00

I'd be hanging around in hammock heaven. Today's weather has been gorgeous! Absolutely perfection! Around 80, soft blowing breeze, sun most of the day, with some shade, and the best kind of hammock day you could ever imaging. I had to do just that, imagine. We used to have a hammock, that was until it shreadded to pieces. Rope does that you know, but today, I can remember the bliss of a snooze, a cold drink, and a good book while gently rocking back in forth under the shady trees.

Ahhhhhhhhhh to have a hammock again.

Do you geocache?

2009-06-14T21:45:00.002-05:00

If you ever look down the sidebar of my blog, you may have seen this little icon. If you've looked closely lately, you might have noticed that the number of finds is on the increase.

Today we stopped, and finally found one that had been eluding us for about a month. Third time's a charm though, I found it and we didn't even have the GPS with us. It was the elusive nano cache. A nano is as small as a pill capsule. Probably about the size of an ordinary Tylenol caplet. Tonight we actually loaded up a few new caches into the GPS and found 3 of those microscopic nanos! 4 was our total finds tonight, but we found a travel bug too. Now it is our responsibility to get it moving to a new cache and closer to its goal of making it to Florida. It originated in Wisconsin. It has made it one state closer.

Anyway, if you have a portable GPS or even I think a blackberry or Iphone, I think there are now aps available to use that to geocache. Get out there and have fun. It's a treasure hunt. It's cheap, once you have your supplies.

6 and counting

2009-06-11T22:11:00.004-05:00

6 scrapbook pages in less than a week??? Yes! Can you believe it??? I certainly can't. It is almost starting to sound like the title of a TLC television show. I haven't seriously scrapped since either spring or winter break. Probably more like winter break. I think over spring break I helped my girlfriend get ready with packages for her scrapbook weekend; of which I am going to be lucky enough to attend.

So I guess I'm trying to get my groove back, and 6 pages is quite a start. So here is another for your viewing pleasure.

plus one

2009-06-11T17:57:00.002-05:00

Another simple page. If I keep up with Jacque Larsen's idea that no page should take over 1/2 hour, I could get a lot of pages done. She also suggests that using white or light backgrounds because it focuses on the photos. This one I just love. Could it be the adorable little animals or the handsome man in the photo with me?

two more

2009-06-11T14:22:00.003-05:00

This is our church's softball team. They play in a christian softball league and my son has been playing for a couple years since finishing high school. Each August there is a tournament.

A quick page to document a wonderfully, peaceful koi pond at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

another page

2009-06-09T17:47:00.003-05:00

This has been sitting on my hard drive for a while. I was looking through my layouts file and saw this title and thought, why don't I have a preview picture of it. That's because I only had the 3 images in it, I didn't have any paper or elements with it. I guess I was supposed to be waiting for the perfect paper. I got that perfect paper in a kit called Triple Dog Dare. The whole kit has been retired, but you can get Jacque Larsen's pieces at the lily pad

So 2 pages in 2 days, vacation is good!

look

2009-06-08T16:07:00.002-05:00

I did a scrapbook page. Albeit I scraplifted a layout from a Creating Keepsakes magazine I borrowed from the library, but it's a done page.

THis was a scraplift of Meg Barker. I am certainly not in the mood to list the supplies I used, and don't know if I'm even going to post it anywhere else online.

But here it is.

Help Laura get her groove back

2009-06-07T14:15:00.002-05:00

Now I know there are a few people who read my rants every once in awhile, just no one hardly ever posts replies. While that is saddening, I also have to remember I'm doing this for me and not the replies.

WELL THIS TIME I NEED YOUR REPLIES!! I need you to give me some ideas that will jumpstart my creativity. If you've been reading, I've had a difficult year. I feel at times if I've had the life sucked out of me. I really feel I've lost my creative juices. I know creativity is an ebb and flow; that sometimes you've got tons of creative ideas and not enough time to get them all out and other times you've got nothing. Well this is where I feel I've got nothing.

What really is worrying to me is that in about 15 days I'm going off to a scrapbook weekend. I have a couple of projects I need (want) to get finished but they're a bit lackluster or as I'm feeling right now..boring. I don't want to work on that darned Oprah's Favorite Things journal. I don't have the urge to finish the Miraval spa trip digital book. I don't even think that I can muster up the courage to work on the Europe cruise photo carousel.

I need to get my creativity back, I want to do arts and crafts. I want to something fun and creative. I just don't have any ideas where to start. Please, PLEASE, I'm begging any of you to give me some ideas that will jumpstart my creative juices again.

If something works, I'll be happy to start posting some photos of my creative endevors.

Vacation....ahhhhhhhhhhh. Finally!

2009-06-05T17:38:00.002-05:00

Vacation started today at 10:00 am. I didn't go out with teachers to celebrate. I've been sick and just wanted to get home. Packing and closing up a room isn't too fun when you feel horrible. It just figures that the last week of school I get sick. What a way to start vacation; sick. I don't dare mention it to too many people because they'd start thinking H1N1.

So my last thought of the school year was this: I hope I never get a class this bad ever again. It makes me feel really sorry for the students who where kind and did everything I asked. They had to be the buffers between the naughty kids, the constant talkers, and the overall problems. Those are the students who just didn't get their fair share of attention; I feel. Those are the kids who will just plain succeed because they've got it together and get lots of support from their families.

Now I don't know if I mentioned the fact that the major behavior student has been gone for a month. He was suspended with his brother for a racial remark. Instead of coming back after the 1 days suspension, they never come back. About a week later, the mom is in the office to talk to the principal. Are her kids with her, no. She's there to dispute the suspension 1 week after it was done and over with. The whole week that she never sent her kids back. I asked her if the children were coming back and her response was, "the last 3 weeks aren't important." Ok, so that's when we post test students, collect textbooks, and put closure to the whole year. I also mentioned that was not the first racial remark from her son, and that she should be concerned with the language that was coming out of her children's mouths instead of worrying about the punishment for the other child who got called the racial name. She only felt that those racial remarks weren't coming from her house.

Well I have to say that the last 4 weeks without the "problem child" were a Godsend. The classroom was much more peaceful and those "good kids" got their attention.

Jump ahead to today. The mom is now worried about her children's report cards. Not about the fact they were truent for 20 days. Not that her children lost out on more learning, not that she owed me 2 textbooks (to the tune of about $120), she was worried about their trashed up and completely used folders and notebooks. She also wanted the report cards. Would you have wanted to see those report cards with 20 days of missing assignments? Well just imagine, at least the one I issued wasn't any good.

Well off of this rant. This student is gone and this year is over. Now I'm going to relax and enjoy my summer vacation. Hopefully I'll break out the camera and take a few photos to make this blog more fun to look at.

clouds, clouds, go away

2009-05-30T12:35:00.002-05:00

I was looking forward to a weekend with no plans and sunshine. Well, I got one of the two, no plans. I've really got nothing major scheduled. Can you believe it, me, busyizzie, has nothing urgent pending??? I've got a sweater I can knit on, some scrapbook mags to read that I picked up for the library or an orchid book or two to read up on. A trip to the grocery store is needed for a few things, but that's about it.

I'm thinking about getting out the GPS and the geocaching for dummies book and seeing about going geocaching for a few hours. I know Don wants the lawn cut but I think we can have 2 boys handle that. He stayed in bed until after 11. Lazy bum! Me of course was up early. Not as early as normal, I did sleep in a bit too, but not until after 11.

About to think what's for lunch and then plan my day. I do need to write each of my students their person, end of the year note. I always try to write each student a note so they know that I think they're growing up, or how smart they are, or just a nice note that allows them to feel special. Some students it is difficult to find just that special complement but if i write a few each day, I should be done before Thursday night so they can get them on Friday, the last hour of school.

Enjoy this last weekend in May. Since starting to type this, I saw a peek of sun.

Yipee!! 3 days off and 9 to go

2009-05-24T18:16:00.004-05:00

The three day weekend is the calm before the storm. The storm of getting the students through to the end of the year, packing up the room, and getting on to summer vacation. Ahhhhhhhhh, summer vacation! I can't wait. This has been a long, hard year. I've had so many low in ability students and BIG discipline/behavior problems. I've dealt with bullying, group girl fights, and boy out of control.
I was asked if I wanted to go up to 5th grade. NO WAY!! I want to distance myself from this group of students. I'd rather go down to 3rd grade, which was an option, but I really wanted to stay just where I was, 4th grade. So luckily, that is right where I'm staying.

I think I mentioned before, I am going to work my way through the Rebecca Caudill nominees. This weekend, I've gotten through 2 more. These two were good ones too.

This one, The Motzart Question was my favorite so far. It was about a violinest who tells his life story and his parents' life story. You fall in, and feel you're right there in the room while he's talking. It is only about 70 pages, has pictures, and is a fast read. I highly recommend it for child or adult.

Emma Jean Lazarus fell out of a tree talks a lot about problems of that many young, junior high girls go through. The clique, when sometimes you're in and often you're out kind of problems.

Emma Jean is someone we can all relate too.

Moving on next to Naked Mole-Rat Letters. Also been trying to spend some time outside and did a bit of knitting. I've also totally been addicted to Bejeweled Blitz on facebook. Playing that WAYYYYYY too much.

Enjoy Memorial Day or your weekend where ever you are!

I love May 16!

2009-05-16T13:09:00.006-05:00

Today is such a special day in my life. 22 years ago today, I was married to the greatest man! Then 5 years later I gave birth to my wild child.

This is my wonderful husband!

This is Brian, my wild, stubborn child. Don is crazy to let Brian jump over him.

Happy Anniversary to us. Happy Birthday Brian!

Only 17 more...

2009-05-12T22:26:00.002-05:00

wake ups before I'm officially on vacation!

Finally a few photos

2009-05-08T19:12:00.007-05:00

I've been really swamped trying to get everything done to finish up the college class. Next Thursday is the last class. I've also been trying to work ahead and get a bunch of grades into the computer for the 4th graders so that when it gets down to crunch time, I've got grades done and it will make report cards a cinch.

I've also taken a bit of a break from knitting. I finally finished the kimono and booties for a friend and coworker. I've even got photos! I've also been reading. I'm going to try to read all the 2010 nominees. If you are interested, this is the master list of titles and other important information.

My first title was Kimchi & Calamari.

As much as I wasn't sure if I would like this book about a Korean boy adopted from birth into an Italian-American family. It captured my heart from the beginning. I'm actually glad I got to know Joseph and his everyday problems. He's a boy in junior high but the things he went through weren't too difficult or too junior highish.

I've also finished up a knitting gift. This was a little cotton kimono with a simple pair of booties.

I've also found a photo that shows just how big my boys are getting.

I never really figured that Brian would be as tall as Doug, but there is just a chance that he's going to pass him up. Let me tell you, that just bugs Doug to no end.

Well the weather is getting nice around here and the trees finally have almost gotten all their leaves. The grass is green and with the rain keeps needing mowed.
I can't wait until school is out and I can start putzing around and just doing what ever I feel like it.

I guess that means I need to start thinking about my summer to-do list.
We are also considering a vacation. Although I'm not a sand and beach girl, for some reason the beach is calling me. I'm thinking outer banks, east coast vacation of just relaxing and enjoying what we can do for cheap.

Hope you also treat your mom extra well on Sunday. She deserves it. I am going to go cut some lilacs off of a huge bush at an empty house and give them to my mom with her card. I already gave her some pillows for her new glider.

Update

2009-04-29T21:26:00.002-05:00

Still haven't finished the kimono.
Still haven't sewn on the button on my finished Finnish vest.
Need to pay bills again.
Oprah book is at my friend's and so are my supplies. I need to get some creativity.
Still reading Old Willis Place.
Picked up 2 more books and 2 Reading Teacher magazines from school.
Have 5 more college classes.
Still need to finish Don's business cards.

Lots to still do at work to finish up the school year.

Can't WAIT until School's out.

Major hand washing going on and no more high fives at school. Swine flu watch.

Finally saw A League of their Own again. Thanks library for a free 2 week rental.
Also watch Harold and Maude. They say it has a cult following. There were times Don and I looked at each other and chuckled. Rolled on the floor laughing when Maude refers to the Commie Jap Pigs! (Private joke around here!)

Ok, bed is calling and it's not even 10. Maybe if I get to bed early, I can get to work early and get filing and grading done, maybe. I also have to decide what to teach tomorrow night at the college. Something, I'll figure out something.

Until we meet again!

Back to the grind

2009-04-19T12:22:00.002-05:00

Yes, today is the very last day of spring break. It was a nice week weatherwise at the end of the week. Today is drizzly, gloomy; kind of like my mood of returning to work. I have plenty of people who have counted the number of weeks until summer vacation. 7, there are officially 7 weeks until school is out. Now with the weather getting sunny and warmer, keeping 22 fourth graders focused on school gets much more difficult. There are about 3-4 more weeks of teaching the college students. That will be a nice change not to have to grade double papers, tests, etc. It just gives me a couple more nights to get caught up and ahead for the crazy last days of school.

I have enjoyed relaxing this week. I found the button for my finished Finnish vest. I just need to break out the needle and sew it on. Now that it's done, it's almost going to be too warm to wear a wool vest. I've also got a little Kimono done, just needs ends tucked in, blocked, and cords tied on. I'm swatching the yarn for a pair of booties. I love knitting, especially since I'm getting better at it, with new techiniques and pattern reading. I just hate swatching though. I've got 2 projects I want to finish up with that too. UFO's for you knitters!

I've got plenty of UFO's related to scrapbooking. I'm heading to my friend's house to work on one of those UFO's. I've got my Oprah's favorite things book to put together and journal about. I've also got the digital urge to work on my Miraval spa book too.

Before I do that though, I need to finish up Don's business cards, write bills, and finish a book I started called The Old Willis Place.

Well as you can see, way too much going on and way too many weeks before summer vacation. I've also got to plan a family birthday for Brian, there's also Mother's day, and placement of students for next year. That means I also have to have all the folders updated and in place before that happens.

Hope you have an enjoyable week. When I get a picture of that little kimono and booties, I'll definately post along with a picture of my finished, Finnish vest!

Ciao!

Great test results

2009-04-11T19:54:00.002-05:00

The biopsy came back as NOT cancer. I couldn't have asked for anything better.
I have been so happy since hearing that. I really have had a lot of wonderful friends and family praying for these results. I can't ever thank them enough. I can't ever thank God enough. When you give the problem to God, he handles it.

Thanks be to God. God is so great!

sick days over

2009-04-05T23:17:00.002-05:00

by my own choice. I'm going to work tomorrow. Things have been healing quickly and I feel good. Well, better than I could have ever expected.

Just thought I'm tell you out of all the movies I watched all weekend, Mama Mia was my favorite and I also enjoyed Nim's Island. Both are highly suggested. We used the sign along extra after watching Mama Mia. Don enjoyed it too, so it's just not a chick flick.

I was bummed that the disc for A League of their Own was so scratched it wouldn't play.

I did like A Weekend in Rodanthe, but I guess I was looking for a happier ending. Didn't quite expect that ending.

Well I need to get to bed because tomorrow's commute to work is going to be long. It's snowing here and I know it's going to create havoc with rush hour.

On the recovery front, drainage band removed, no bandages needed any longer, stitches should be coming out on Tuesday. Please keep praying for good results on the biopsy results.

Four days of work this week, 3 are teaching days, one parent-teacher conference day.

Adios!

My mind made it worse than it actually was

2009-04-03T18:56:00.002-05:00

Surgery that was. Luckily, I was scheduled for 9:00 surgery and I was on time. We had to be there at 7:00 just in case I had to have any tests before the surgery. Well can you believe they actually made me take a pregnancy test. Guess what..... it was postive...........NOT! Could you imagine dealing with a new baby in the midst of all this crazy busy life????

Well I was very nervous about being fully put under and was considering twilight and once the doctor said that my neck would be tilted backwards that was it; I went fully under.

Don said surgery was a little over an hour. I remember going under, and I remember coming out. Why is coming out worse than going under? I think I woke up crying, coughing, almost felt like choking because of sinus drainage, and with the most horrible instanteous headache that wouldn't go away. After throwing up, a dark room, my ipod's relaxing songs setting, a bit of rest, and strong drugs to get rid of the headache, I was feeling better. That was until after the ride home. Sick again, bed for a nap then up until 10 last night.

I really can't believe that I was so stressed out over this. Today feel really good. I hope I'm not cursing myself by saying that, but I do feel good. I'm glad I didn't decide to teach today, but being up, showering, went out with Don for a couple errands and a couple movies. I feel a bit tired but hey it's 7:00 pm.

I am really pain free, but it itches to the point it's driving me crazy. Not sure if it's the incision or the tape that has been holding on the gauze to catch any drainage. I just know having the bandages off feels so much better. LOL I look funny with a little drain tube hanging out of my neck but this should be coming out tomorrow.

Anyway, I have a huge pile of movies we've rented this weekend for my viewing pleasure:
Slum Dog Millionaire (sort of disappointed, not as good as I thought)
Marley and Me (pretty people to look out, but brought back sad memories of putting my pets to sleep)
Nim's Island (in my queue)
Michael Clayton (in the queue)
Mama Mia (in the queue)
A League of Their Own (waiting just to hear Tom Hanks say "there ain't no crying in baseball")
Night's in Rodanthe (still in the queue, but I hope it's somewhere as good as a combination of Pretty Woman and Under the Tuscan Sun and I'll be as happy)

Now it's Friday night and there isn't much on that ever interests me. I love What not to Wear, but not so much in the mood and I absolutely cannot stand the Howie Mandel show, This is Howie Do it.

I'm going to say adios for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Midweek Date night

2009-03-28T11:39:00.003-05:00

Very rarely, until recently, have Don and I had date night. We've had extremely busy schedules, and with growing boys, date nights seem to go by the wayside. With the boys almost grown, date nights have been more accessible. We have been able to do more together. Well Don and I had a mid-week date night. Don rode the train into the town where I work, then we drove to the Garfield Park Conservatory. They were having a spring flower show and I thought that might just be a good thing to help keep my mind off of my upcoming surgery.

The great thing about going here is that it's free. They suggest a donation, but it's not mandatory. They have a great palm house, fern house, the show garden, a children's garden, a sugar garden, succulent (desert) garden, and a houseplant garden. The palms were huge. The ferns and mosses were green and beautiful. Two of the gardens had pools in them with fish. The one garden still had Chilluly glass in the pool with large koi in it. Then at the end was a waterfall. Oh I could have sat there and just chilled out for hours. I actually told Don that would be a beautiful place for a hammock.

Anyway, here are a few photos.

This is the relaxing pool with the Chilluly glass.

They had beautiful hydrangas.

Spring was in the air.

They were said to have over 700 azelas.

How could you see this cactus and not laugh? We had to take a photo of it.

That was our date night. Not fun for all, but enjoyable for us. We went for pizza at Ledos and had salad and pizza. I gotta tell you, I'm not as young as I used to be because date night wore me out. Not used to being on the go from dawn to dark.

Weekends just aren't long enough

2009-03-22T21:12:00.002-05:00

especially when the weather is great. I've finally spilled the beans to a few friends about the status of my health and that I've scheduled surgery. I keep feeling my throat and I think it's getting smaller, but people keep telling me to get it out. I am still having mixed emotions about it, but I still have a bit of time before the day.

I've got a lot coming up soon with parent-teacher conferences, report cards, and grading college papers while on spring break from the college this week. I've finally got my hair appointment rescheduled thatI had to cancel from a couple weeks ago to go have some medical tests. Don's off school this week and I've talked him into taking the train into the city where I week so we can go to the spring flower show at the Garfield Park Conservatory. I can only imagine how excited he is about it, but I know tulips, daffodils, crocus, 800 azaleas, and 400 hydrangias can only perk up my mood.

I've bunches of paper work to file and organize and it's supposed to be mostly rainy this week so maybe one evening-not Thursday, ER night- will be for filing and organizing.

This weekend I went to my friend's scrapbook day. She hosts a scrapbook day once a month and her husband fixes a great lunch. I actually met my goal of having my Texas album done. It was quite liberating to just go with the flow and not have any true rule other than 7x5 album. It probably has about 12 pages and was quite fun to work on. Hand journaling, some photos back to back, transparancies, laser cut paper, and notebookesque paper. No rules, just freedom to be creative. I've been working on theme albums lately to get them finished that worring about a lot of embellishments for each page. I am trying to decide whether or not to finish up some half-finished pages next, find, edit, and print some Oprah's favorite things pictures that I thought were lost, or begin on my Europe trip photo carousel. Just not too sure where to go.

I know I've got some time before I get to scrapbook again because I don't go on spring break until April 9. I just hope my spark of creativity doesn't leave before then.

Hope everyone who stops by has a wonderful week and hopes your weather is better than the rain predicted each day this week.

Too much going on

2009-03-12T22:26:00.002-05:00

I've been quite busy and believe me nothing I want to happen. Truly, my mom says she doesn't think I could function properly unless I was busy. Today we were talking about the fact that as each day passes I get more and more grouchy. Today I said I should get out the "banana gun." Yes it's my private joke with a few teachers at school. The kids are getting really crazy at school and it's driving me nuts.

Maybe I should take you back for a bit of catch-up. Two weeks ago I found something growing on my throat. Inside, like the size of a large grape. I went to the doctor and had my thyroid checked since sometimes I feel just horribly run down. Everything came out clear and normal except this thing on my throat. Went for an ultrasound, and that ruled out that it wasn't my thyroid, but that sent me on for a CT scan. CT scan showed it wasn't a blood vessel and looked like a lymph node. That got me an appointment with the ENT. He was stumped and scoped my nose, sinus,and the inside of my throat looking for any indication of what could make this mass start to grow. Nothing points towards anything being wrong, except this mass growing on my throat. That then led to a biopsy. It's been the waiting on the results that is continually making me grouchy. I'm under way too much stress and it's hard not to think about it and whenever my phone rings I jump. I'm quite worried yet they keep saying it's new, nothing indicates there is any visual problem, you're young, so we expect it to not be cancer. But then again, the tests can come up inconclusive or negative, or positive. It's just not having anyone know how it got there, why it got there, and what it is caused from that is driving me nuts.

Then add in the fact that I've had very few planning periods away from the students last week and this week just is making me a bit overwhelmed with kid issues. It is just that some of them are back to their old tricks too. There are just too many days between now and spring break.

So add all of that along with teaching night school, having Doug home from school (it's great, but extra food needed here), and the giant fight that comes up next week with the high school about Brian. It's just incredible and I just am so sick and tired of dealing with issues that are just wrong.

So I'm just feeling overwhelmed, under appreciated, over worked, under paid, and worn out. I'm nervous about phone calls tomorrow. They said if I hadn't heard any results I should call on Friday. Of course when will that happen without any time away from the students? As a teacher, I totally hate Fridays.

I'm really feeling I could use some prayers and something to help destress myself. I need spring break!

Well now I hope you realize why I don't post too much because truly, there is too much going on.

FAT Tuesday!

2009-02-24T17:14:00.002-06:00

Or some call it Paczki (poonchki)Day for those fattening, yet delicious little Polish snacks that are consumed on Fat Tuesday. I certainly celebrate in a paczki or two when available, but as for the Ash Wednesday celebration to follow, I'm not Catholic so there won't be any services at my church tomorrow.

I can't believe that in 40 days it will be Easter! Then again, yikes it's 40 mor days until Easter?? My school district takes it's Spring break from Good Friday through the following week. Doug will be home in another week, Don's college and my second job is off starting March 23, Brian is off the last week of March, and I have to wait another 40 days. Can you see that there is no simultaneous breaks here, so therefore, there is no vacation to anywhere besides here.

I think there has only been 1 time that any of us had spring break together since I started teaching years ago. I think it happened to be last year, but only with my high-schooler.

We've been so lucky to have 2 straight days of sunshine. Although it's still been cold, at least the students have been able to get out, run around, and the sun always makes the day a little bit better.

Well I decided to take a bit of a break while getting my things ready for teaching at the college tonight, but unfortunately I have to get a bite of dinner and head out.

Happy Fat Tuesday, hope you get a paczki!

Ahhhhhhhh...3 day weekend!

2009-02-16T11:52:00.004-06:00

Some weeks at school are very long. It feels like 7 days long squeezed into 5. This past week was one of those; a very long week. I've got some kids who are making bad choices about gossiping and some choosing not to do their homework. That calls for consequences and one day this past week I had 6 kids in detention. Then there is a group of "mean girls and boy" who continually cause drama and talk about one another. This quite often takes place outside of my classroom and therefore gets handled by the office. Thank goodness, I've got enough to deal with inside of my classroom. So it wasn't until Thursday afternoon that a valentines party was a go because of behavior. Friday went fine, but an assembly and a party was thrown into the schedule which for some students makes it a bit off and things get crazy.
Thankfully I made it through to get to my 3 day weekend.

Saturday was relaxing and a bit quiet because Don slept all day because he worked Friday night. I went and got my hair colored, a lighter shade of brown, and then went out scrapbook shopping for a browse around a store I rarely go to. Then we went back to her house and finished...yes FINISHED my cow album. I've use a Maya Road Lunchbox. Then I designed around 90 pages of cow themed pages. Each page was 7x5 and has embellishments based on the 1999 display in Chicago called Cow's on Parade. The outside of the tin needs a bit of decoration, but there are a lot of cow pages done inside. I've been able to complete my Christmas journal, my Believe book, and now the cow album this year. Now I'm going on to my Texas album from my November visit to see my friend Helen. I can't wait to work on this, it is going to be relatively simple and I think somewhat based on how Ali Edwards does her preplanned Christmas albums and such.

This weekend, I also paid my fees to attend a scrapbook weekend in June. Just after school is out, I'll be able to go Friday through Sunday to scrapbook. I'm going to hopefully be working on my photo caruosel for my European Baltic Cruise vacation from last summer. I also have tons of pages that I need to finish for other photos and my Oprah album about when I was on Oprah's Favorite Things show. Believe me, I have plenty to work on. I also have 3 H's I want to alter for a display.

I've also been feverously trying to finish my vest I've been knitting. The back pieces are finished, not sewn together, but finished and now I'm about 20 rows into the front right. I'm hoping before summer comes, to have it finished and wear it. I have plenty of stuff that also needs done as far as knitting projects lined up too. I've also found some delicious wool that is being recycled so those projects are forthcoming too.

So I need to go do a bit of laundry, go get new dog tags, I want to look for a yarn winder, and should do something about grading some papers (yes, my favorite job) in order to get grades posted to do progress reports for this week.

Hope you have an enjoyable President's day and a great week ahead.

A Two Post Weekend

2009-02-08T19:56:00.002-06:00

Can you believe it??? I truly can't. I have had a really nice, relaxing weekend. I got a few things done. I wrote all the bills for the entire month, scheduled the online payments and now when I can get into my room to file them, I'll get them filed and finished up for February. The wonderful thing is that even with an added car repair, Don needing to buy books for school, and student loans starting again, God provided us with the funds we needed and just a bit extra to save for a rainy day. If I'm able to save some each month, I'll be able to go to my girlfriend, Marybeth's scrapbook weekend in June. It's very local, but weekend away with friends, scrapbooking, challenges, and delicious food. It also provides another opportunity to catch up on a few projects that are unfinished.

Another beautiful day in Chicagoland. I heard the weather forcast and Tuesday they are calling for 62 degrees. Remember it's February people and we should not be that warm. We are going to get hit again, I know it.

On Friday, I stayed at school with 3 others and we did Billy Banks' Boot Camp video. Those squats have me still feeling it in my hamstrings. Tonight I might hop on Wii Fit for a bit of aerobics and balance exercise. Anyone else out there do Wii Fit? My favorites are Advanced step, ski jump, and boxing practice on Wii Sports.
I'm finding I need a yoga mat for the strength and yoga exercises. Next thing to save for, I guess.

So what made your weekend special? Mine is that Don's home tonight and not working. Although he's asleep, it's always nice to share the bed. (Well sometimes having the bed alone is a simple pleasure too!)

Toodles

I see some friends have been here

2009-02-07T19:05:00.002-06:00

but no comments? I'm so sad. I do try to update this old blog as much as possible, but sometimes I want to post but I don't want it to be a posts of whining. Today, there is no whining! Today, February 7th in the Chicagoland area was 50 degrees! Fifty freaking degrees! Ok, from previous experience, 50's in February means two things: One, everyone, especially school children, will get early spring fever and it will be hard to keep them focused through state testing in mid-March, let alone until April's spring break. Two, this is always a sign that we're going to be hit with a huge snowstorm again before spring gets here. After all it is February and there is still lots of snowtime left in this old winter.

I've also been knitting. I finished up a scarf for my son away at school. It would be a nice thought that since it was finished on the warmest day of the winter season if it would ward off any more bitter cold days. I've got to get started again on my vest. I can't wait to finish it and wear it before the winter is over. This is with my yarn from Finland. I've also gotten bit by a bug to recycle yarn. Today for less than $10, I got two 100% wool sweaters and a lambswool & angora sweater. I have to deconstruct them, but I really am thinking a pair of cute fingerless gloves might be an upcoming project with something from the wool. I did find a 100% cashmere sweater, but the condition was a bit felted. Not much worth buying and not in the best shape either.

So I've got spring fever a bit today and with the vase of stargazer lillies on my table is making me long for the sweet smell of flowers. I've got a butterfly project I started late in the summer season last year that I think soon I'm going to hang up and enjoy. When I get them hung up, I'll try to snap a couple pictures of them. Just trying to decide how to hang them, find a stick or hang them individually from my lamp in the dining room?

Well I hope you've had a great day, beautiful weather, and are enjoying your weekend. I'll try to be back soon!

Will another blizzard ever hit on January 26?

2009-01-26T21:33:00.003-06:00

How many birthday blizzards does one girl get?? Aparently January 26 is a pretty popular day for blizzards. Apparently, I've been born on a blizzardable (Is that even a word?)day!

This is a story I hear year after year. Do you realize you were born on the same day as the Blizzard of 67? Yes, I've heard it so many times, seen so many pictures, and the news usually mentions it each year. Blizzard of 67.

The crazy thing is that if I had lived in Chicago I don't know where I would have been born. Home, car, taxi, hospital??? Looking at the highway and the impassible snow, I just don't know. Thankfully, I was born in Ohio. My mom talks about wearing short sleeves, the 60 degree temperatures, and walking outside without a coat the day I was born. What a crazy coincidence, isn't it? I live now in a town with the largest 1 day snowfall, 23 inches and only 4 were predicted.

Another funny blizzard bit of trivia is that on my 11th birthday, I was in a blizzard in Ohio. It had hurricane force winds and the lowest barometric pressure. I remember my dad, who worked for the City of Columbus, got called in to work because it was payday. Granted no one could get out to the banks, the stores, or into work to get their paychecks, but the city sent a huge snowplow to come pick him up and take him to work.

Here is an article about that blizzard in which 51 people died. Blizzard of 78 I remember I was going to have homemade pizza and wound up having it I think, but we were without electricity for a long time. Can sterno cook a pizza?

Each year, I still curiously watch the weather almost anxiously awaiting to hear the weather reporters forcast another blizzard for January 26. Until then, I'll continue to try to have just a normal birthday.

Happy Wednesday!

2009-01-21T20:00:00.002-06:00

I've been finding some peace and tranquility in the car in the ride to and from school by listening to a CD that a friend gave me with a variety of Christian artists. I find it gives me a happy feeling. I try to listen and sing along each day. I don't know why, maybe my prayers, maybe the Lord is hearing my needs, but it seems like the past 2 days at work have been a little bit more productive. It is always a bit more productive when the behavior/discipline student doesn't need discipline.

Mr. B started his new school and seems to be going ok. I hope this is what he needs to be successful. I can only pray for good things for him. This is his consequence for issues, but I can only hope that this is his/my answered prayers to help him be successful.

Big D is coming home this weekend for my birthday celebration. I went out to see him at school last weekend and enjoyed spending just a couple hours with him and giving him my full attention. That doesn't happen much when they get older, especially living away at school.

I guess by the time I get around to posting again, I might be another year older. Age is a state of mind and body. Let me tell you that my body feels OLD.
I am looking forward to eating my favorite birthday cake....german chocolate cake! Wish I could have you celebrate with me an have a piece, but I'm kinda a cake hog on my birthday. I absolutely LOVE German Chocolate Cake!

Trudging through a cold and snowy week

2009-01-18T10:53:00.002-06:00

This week was unbelievable. Last weekend we got another 4-6 inches of snow on top of what we received earlier. I've got about 12 inches of snow on the ground. Then we had a blizzard warning on Monday night into Tuesday. That was cancelled due to lack of blowing snow, then the bottom dropped out. We had wind chills of -30 to -40 for about 2 or 3 days. Many shcools cancelled due to the dangerously,cold weather, but not my school. My district had teacher in-service on Friday so we were all over at schools taking classes. I was not at my own school, I traveled between 2 different schools. That meant I didn't go back to my own school or my classroom, I went straight home Friday afternoon and enjoyed a sunshine filled afternoon. Cold but sunny helps a lot.

Yesterday, the weather warmed up a bit. If you call tens and teens warmer, yes it felt about 50 degrees warmer than the previous wind chills. It snowed another dusting and it's white, iciclely and cold out still. The dogs don't want to go out to go potty. Well, I should clarify that, my big dog, CJ loves going out and frolic in the snow. He is the snow dog, the one to put that snout into the snow and root around. The little princess (aka PITA) thinks she's too good to go out and poop in the snow. "I shall not poop in snow up to my butt." is her motto. We've had to pick up a pile from the rug in front of the door. She's truly a "female dog."

Getting through this week was different. Brian has been suspended and transfers to a new school next week. Difficult to accept, but with God's help, I'm starting to understand it's not a reflection upon me. He must accept and deal with his consequences for the choices he's made. Then this week was also finals week. He was allowed to take the finals, although suspended, but he got incredibly sick and was down with a high fever for several days. He's still recooperating, but should be back and ready to start school next Tuesday. We'll have to find a time to make up all those finals but he gets out of school earlier than the high school so we could work that in or maybe they'll just send them out to his new school.

The colleges (both NIU and COD) started this week. Don's going back for a few more classes, Doug's new semester started, and the class I'm teaching started also. I have more students this semester and a few are probably going to be a challenge.

I'm also dealing with an upcoming birthday. I've got a family situation I've been struggling with and trying to make a decision about. I've got more praying to do with this one. Still a bit torn as to what I need to do.

Yesterday was a fun day to end the week. Don's added another night into his work schedule for a couple weeks so that means nights alone without my honey and days alone while he sleeps. I took advantage of his sleep time and went to scrapbook at my girlfriend's house. She's back into having her once-a-month scrapbook day. We had good conversation, a delicious lunch and snacks, and I got much closer to having the cow album finished. I've got about 8 photos tops until I've got the pages done and then a little bit of outer decorations to add to the can. Yes, each page is 7x5 (landscape), contains a picture of a Chicago decorated cow, the cow's number, name and a few decorative elements. Marybeth has been keeping me on track about getting unfinished projects done. Not sure what I'll be moving on to next, maybe my Texas album from my visit to my friend Helen's house. I also have a couple puzzle pieces to finish for an altered puzzle, I'd love to put together a tag book made from tags my Tipster friends made me, some letter H's I want to continue to alter for a shelf I need to put up, and I still have my Oprah's Favorite Things memory album to finish. I've also got hundreds of photos I need to continue to edit and print from my Baltic cruise for the photo carousel I want to make. Lots and lots of projects to do and just never enough time or space to get them out to work on them.

I've also got the everyday, mundane list of chores and jobs to get done. Tomorrow is an extra day off to celebrate and remember Martin Luther King, then I wish I could sit and watch the inauguration on Tuesday. Also a haircut is on the calendar for tomorrow and maybe I can talk my friend into playing beauty shop and to color my hair. I need a little perk up for this upcoming birthday. Gosh, getting old is hard!

Take care, stay warm, say your prayers, and try to enjoy your week. I'm going to try to find something to be thankful for each day. Peace!

Betcha thought I wouldn't have another post so soon!

2009-01-06T21:12:00.003-06:00

Fooled ya! I can't believe I'm actually still awake and able to post actually. Returning to school after 2 weeks of vacation is exhausting. Thankfully I think my students are still a bit lethargic and still getting back into the swing of school. It's a constant battle with the structure and discipline but it's best for this class. Today during reading, I sat and looked around while the students were reading a short part of our story. All the students were actually working, quietly, independently. I hate to say this and jinx myself, but this group works best in partners and individually.

I also mentioned before I think that I'm in a biggest loser contest at work. I just need to get back into my weight watcher mode of journaling and focusing on the water and fruits and veggies. There are 3 others on my team and it's nice to feel a bit supported. I have become a "hall" walker. I've set up a route to walk in the halls at school. Today I got 2 other competitors to walk with me. We walked for almost 3 minutes. I'm going to try to walk about 30 minutes 4 days a week. We have an hour meeting on Wednesdays each week so I think Wednesdays will not be a walking day. Now if I can only find that Wii Fit game too. I did come home and had a few Wii sports punching bag sessions.

Tonight I got to sit and watch the premier of the new season of Biggest Loser. I should be able to watch next week also, but then I start teaching again at the local college on Tuesday/Thursday evenings. When the teams weighed in the first time I sat there and almost broke into tears. I feel for each of them and know I need to do the same thing they are doing. When they weighed in after the first week, it was amazing to see them be so successful. What really brought me to tears was the fact that 9 teams had to send one of the teammates home. 9 teams lost their partner, friend, or family member. They have to be brought back by the remaining team member losing enough weight to remain at the campus. Each time I watch that show I'm so motivated, but I really, really need someone like Bob or Jillian to push me. I know that I need to have the motivation to do it myself and I can only do it when I'm ready. This time I'm making sure the BIG GUY is on my team. I am going to try to pray daily for the will power, motivation, and the ability to do this. I lost 30 pounds last year on weight watchers and have kept most of it off. I want to make it even more.

Well that's about all that's going on so far this week. We have plans with friends on Saturday night. I also need to get some things done to prepare for the college class. I also want to get everything graded for school and be ahead for when grades are due for report cards; which will be here sooner than we think.

Thanks for dropping by! I hope you're having a great week and are trying to keep your resolutions. Adios!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T22:36:00.002-06:00

Welcome 2009! Glad you here. I can't say that 2008 was horrible, but there are parts I'm definately glad are over. I couldn't go around them, just had to barrel through them head first.

I've been having an enjoyable break. I really needed this break and unfortunately it's a long push until Spring break. We've not nasty state proficency tests to get through and I'm sure my class isn't yet prepared. I'm finding myself a bit more focused to get down to business.

Now for my one little word...I still haven't picked one. While thinking about it and praying about it something popped into my mind. I rearranged the order and it came out like this: Balance, Harmony, Restore, Serenity. Then this came to me. Balance and Harmony restore serenity. Hmmmmmmmm so does that mean my would should be balance? Still trying to decide, this will need some serious thought.

So did you make any resolutions? The only resolution I've ever made and kept was 2 years ago when I said I wouldn't drink soda any longer. I've done that for 2 years.

We are doing a biggest loser weight loss team game at work so I know I've got to get back into a healthier lifestyle again. I really need to balance work and home so I can schedule exercise time and hobby time. I know I can easily squeeze in a few minutes to knit each day. Now I have to find some exercise that I want to do and a place to do it without spending tons of money. I am seriously wanting Wii Fit so I can add some fun into my exercise time. I can also use the stairs at school, the track at the college, the halls at both schools, my mom's treadmill, or just bundle up and put on the Ipod and just go.

Hope you all have a healthy, happy, prosperous New Year!

Return to one little word

2008-12-30T00:03:00.002-06:00

Today I went out with my girlfriend, Marybeth. She has a calming effect on me. She's a Christian, down to earth, honest, and a happy, loving person. She's one of those people whom you wish you could be just a bit more like. I guess I also like that she's a very optimistic person too. She always sees the good in things even if things seem not so great. She's always supportive and caring. She always gives more than she takes, and I enjoy spening time with her and her family.

Well after I came home from our little scrapbook shopping trip, I could have been a bit more like her and did my work. Marybeth you did do your bookkeeping work today right??? Well I came home and had another quiet afternoon. Brian slept until after 2, when I actually woke him up, and Don slept until almost 5.

I worked on a CD calendar with images from my Baltic Cruise vacation from last summer with my mom. I'm all ready to print them and trip them up. Couldn't finish because you'll never guess where my paper trimmer is...that's right Marybeth's house!

Later we went to see a decorated house Brian had told us about and then stopped by the mall to see the lights that were in sync with Trans Syberian Orchestra. The tree in the center of the mall and snowflakes on the outsides of the stores were flashing on and off to the music. It was a bit short, but it was fun to see.

Then I came home and worked on some knitting. As I was about to go to bed (yes it was before this blog post actually,) I got beat into the bathroom by my son, then my husband. I decided to check my facebook and saw someone else had posted about their word of the year. Well I've mentioned this before and it made me come to my blog, look up my list and go to look up the meanings of the words. I've got the appropriate definitions written, I've looked at the synonymns for the words and they keep leading me back into a circle because they all seem to have some similarities. Anyway the list is narrowed to:

Harmony, Serenity, Restore, and Balance. I did have simplicity on there, but when I read that it means the absence of luxury I decided no. I'm able to splurge and have a bit of luxury in my life. I take care of 22 students, 2 children, 1 husband, 2 dogs, and a fish. I'm the only girl in my house and if I want to pamper myself with a bit of luxury like a pedicure then I can't choose the word simplicity. Simplicity in other areas will lead to harmony, serenity, restore, and balance.

I will review the definitions again tomorrow and of course think and pray about the word I should choose.

Until next time...Ciao!

Vacation: Week 1

2008-12-27T13:24:00.002-06:00

This first week of vacation has been quite busy and crazy. It first started with my personal snow day last Friday. Then on Saturday, we celebrated Christmas with my family. We had a fun day, a good meal, and good company. It was quite different than most of our previous Christmases because my parents are now divorced. We also decided to draw names instead of buying for everyone. It was nice to not spend so much money, but it was just different than usual.

Then on Sunday, the bottom fell out in the weather department. I was hoping to go to church, then go shopping for the rest of my gifts. But when the windchill was in the -20-30 range, shopping and walking through the outdoor mall and to and from the parking lots at stores like Target and Walmart seems a bit ridiculous. So I just did a bunch of nothing. Sat, relaxed, watched tv, goofed around on the computer.

Monday came and the weather was still frightful, but I bucked up, bundled up, and decided that since the sun was out it was a fine day to shop. I also went scrapbooking with my friend Marybeth. We discussed that maybe we would scrapbook everyday over our vacations. We've done pretty well with that so far. So far I was able to accomplish finishing the Christmas journal I started 2.5 years ago. I finished the "believe" book. I also finished 2 more monogram letters that I want to display on a shelf that needs put up in my livin room.

I then started working on the cow album again. Each of the 2 days I've been working on it again, I've set goals of 6 pages for each day. On day 1 I accomplished 5 pages and on day 2 (yesterday) I accomplished 6 more pages. The number of photos I need to finish is probably about 20 more. I've got some ideas, but I'm finding that my letter/number stickers are dwindling. I have a lot of them still, but I'm finding the nicer ones, or the ones I want to use are running out. My goal has been to use up my supplies because they are becoming outdated and not used because I have been digital scrapbooking.

I also want to try to finish my Texas mini-album from my trip to visit Helen. I also have my Oprah's favorite things album that needs finished. I also want to work on my Baltic Cruise vacation photo carousel. I need to finish editing all those photos too. Wallgreens is having 10 cent photo developing and I should send some for printing.

Well today I've been a bit of a lazy daisy. I have played a bit of Wii. I read one of Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson books. I've been trying to decide if I should work on a calendar or start knitting a sweater. Both need done and I want to do both.

Well as you can see, there has been a lot going on over vacation so far. Doug left today to go watch Northern Illinois University play in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LA. He went with 3 other guys from school. I'm a bit nervous for him driving all that way. They left this morning at 3:30 am. I just hope they make it safely, act wisely, and return home safely. I know they are going to have fun, but as a mom, I worry from the time they leave until the time they walk back in the door home safely. If you could, please say a prayer for their safe arrival there and home and for safe and sound judgements while there.

I still have a week and a day left on vacation. I want to make the most of it and get things finished. I know that next Sunday evening I'll probably grade papers and get back into the swing of school. I'll be back soon with a few Christmas photos.

Enjoy your last week of December/first week of January! Happy New Year!

Snow Day....My Way

2008-12-19T18:34:00.003-06:00

Well it wasn't an official snow day for my school district. See my district never calls a snow day unless Chicago Public Schools do. Seems crazy that our administrators won't make a decision that looks out for the well-being of their staff that needs to travel so far, especially considering the superintendent lives further west and south than I do. Anyway, my policy on snowdays is this...If I will have to leave over 2 hours early to make it on time, if the schools in my area close, and the majority of schools on my route to work close, then the roads are probably too bad for me to try to trudge along at 15 miles an hour. So today was my unofficial snow day.

What did I do on my snowday? Not so much; and it felt great! Made a phone call to the college, made chicken, noodles, and mashed potatoes for dinner, took a shower, scrapped up some dirty dishes, clogged the sink with potato skins, and that's about all. I do need to make some Jello-Pretzel salad for dinner tomorrow and wrap all the gifts for our family Christmas tomorrow.

I should also be finishing Christmas cards, I have about 10 left. I need to make cookies. I also need to balance my checking account. I just have little things to do over winter break, unless you consider decorating for Christmas and finishing shopping little things.

This weekend is going to be busy, but what else do you expect hearing from my blog. I guess I don't know what to do unless I'm super booked and busy. I'm really out of sorts when I don't have plans. That is what I need to learn to work on.

YIKES!!! I just remembered I have a knitting project that I need to finish by tomorrow too! That's it, I'm done, that project MUST be done!

Adios!

A wedding and a narrowing of the list

2008-12-16T19:06:00.005-06:00

This weekend I went to my cousin's wedding in Columbus. He was in from Virginia to get married to his high school sweetheart. It was great to see him and finally meet her. I've been around but never met Lacey. Matt is my cousin who I continually brag about as he was the one who played football for the Naval Academy.

I haven't had time to edit these photos, sorry. You can see a few more from the photographer on Heather Claypool's blog.

Also, after considering what I want for my life next year, I've been narrowing down the list. Here is what I'm down to:

Harmony
Serenity
Compromise
Restore
Breathe
Balance
Simplicity

I'm also thinking of removing breathe and compromise. I need to breathe every minute. It's something I don't want to have to stop and do. I'm also tired of compromising. I've compromised a lot this year and it's not about me compromising anymore. It's about taking my life back into my own hands and taking care of myself, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

So now I've narrowed it down just a bit, it helps to sit and type things out so when you reread it you see it right in your face.

Hope you are having a wonderful week. There are only 3 more wake-ups left until break! YAHOO!!!! Considering that yesterday morning I drove to work on ice and tonight it took amost 2 hours to drive home through the snow, I'm in a pretty ok mood. Of course there are a few children at school whose neck I'd like to wring, I'll try to get a few things done and then maybe I'll feel better. Tomorrow is a looooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggg day with a meeting during my planning period, an after school meeting, 2 assemblies we are performing in during the day and the evening performance for families. So I'll say another prayer to get through another day.

Ciao!

Almost that "one little word" time

2008-12-05T20:41:00.002-06:00

Last January, I posted on my other blog that my one little word was BELIEVE. I needed to do a lot of believing. Believe it or not, it was a good word, especially over the summer. It took me quite a while to pick that word. I've been just now starting to think about my word for 2009. I've actually just been talking to my good friend, Marybeth about it.

I've come up with a list that will need to start narrowing down. Here it is:
Harmony
Serenity
Compromise
Stop
Restore
Breathe
Shed
Less
Balance
Simplicity
Prioritize

I usually look up each word in the dictionary and make sure what I need is in that definition. Sometimes I even use the thesaurus to find what I'm looking for. Then I'll start looking or making things that will be around to help me remember.

Are you picking one little word to help you next year?

Ufo in Texas

2008-11-29T12:45:00.004-06:00

I saw it with my own 2 eyes. I snuck into it and my friend Helen didn't get out of the car. So after snapping a few pictures of it, I saw Helen had found a bit of information about it so I started looking into it too.

Now here are a few links that will explain about this UFO.
Here are a few photos.

This one has an interesting video.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T20:26:00.002-06:00

Today is Thanksgiving. There is so much in my life I have to be thankful for. I've got a great husband and two wonderful sons. I have two adorable dogs who greet me everyday at the door. I even "have" a cat I guess. My husband has started feeding the stray outside. I have a great family. I'm lucky to have a job that isn't affected by the economic downturn in the stockmarket. I also am grateful to have a second job that helps pay the bills also.

I have some really great friends. My friend Marybeth and I are supposed to spend our black Friday in our own little scrapfest. I can't wait.

I also have a wonderful friend Helen, who lives in Texas. When she knew my life was a bit stressful, she offers me a free ticket to come down to visit. He opened her home and her heart to give me a weekend of fun and a bit less stress. The weather was beautiful. Meeting her kids was a lot of fun. Her husband fixed a great dinner on Sunday of homemade BBQ pulled beef brisquet. Her house is new and beautiful. She's got a wonderful space that she's working on turning into a scrapbook room that when finished will be so inspiring and cozy.

Helen, I can't thank you enough for the wonderful weekend you gave me. She also sent me home with some delicious minty, chocolatey Austrailian cookies. I was nice and shared with my lunch group at school. They thought they very much tasted like Girl Scout Cookies.

I know there are so many things I have to be thankful for. There is so much God has provided for us and so often it is simply an afterthought. God has blessed us with such a great life and great friends. If we fail to thank him for his bountiful blessings, then we forget the whole meaning of Thanksgiving.

Thanks be to God for the wonders he continually provides.

So again, I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. It should be something we actually remember to celebrate each and every day.

Next projects

2008-11-16T19:53:00.004-06:00

I'm a never ending source of next projects. I'm horrible about starting something and not ever totally finishing it. Like now, my hat, made with yarn from Finland is sitting 95% complete. I only need to finish those i-cords. That is if I truly feel I want them on there. I must think I do because I keep wanting to finish them.

I also have a sweater in process. I've lost interest in that for now; partially because I'm having problems getting the sleeves started and I don't know 100% how to connect them or that I'm sizing things correctly. I'm seriously considering taking another knitting class about sizing things properly and reading patterns.

For now, I've also got 2 new projects sitting on the back burners. One is this sweater. It's called the Amhurst cardigan. I also have yarn from Finland for this. It's all knitting so it should really go fast. I just am not sure which size to make it in. I think I'll take my yarn, and buy the pattern online, and take it to the knitting shop for a bit of help. I've been trying to find a knitting group but I just haven't yet found the right one for me.

I've also got this in mind too. This one was made by Lisa McGarvey at 2 peas in a bucket. I had a difficult time deciding what size I wanted mine in. 7 Gypsies first created a 2x3 altered trading card size (which is what the photo was) and now they have a 4x6 size. The 4x6 was more expensive by $10.00 but It would give me more room. I don't intend on using the photo sleves, just putting on the photos and the pages and the journaling. I've taken over 600 photos on my cruise and I want to squeeze as many of those puppies on as possible.

But until my Christmas journal is finished, I can't really start on either project. I'm having an all day scrapfest with my friend Marybeth on Black Friday! I'm so excited I just can't wait. I'm excited about all the time off in the upcoming future. I just want to sit and be creative. I guess I'll need to budget in the cost of printing all of my photos too. Maybe I'll start small just do one country at a time.

Until then, I've got Christmas shopping to do. I did accomplish getting 3 gifts today. I've got other ideas and that's the best part, I'll just be able to accumulate the money and make a big shopping swoop. I'm actually getting excited about also putting up some Christmas decorations. It will be simple again, but I can't wait to get the icicle lights up in the living room and warm up the cold, dark nights.

Well I've got pumpkin bread half made and now Don brought me the veggie oil I ran out of. I can get it made and in the oven so I can hopefully get to bed at a half way decent time tonight.

Not such a downer

2008-11-15T21:41:00.003-06:00

Lately most of my blog posts, to me have been such downers. My life lately has been in a state of influx or turmoil, but althought today I was a bit lazy, it felt good to be lazy.

School is still school. Each day is difficult. God doesn't let me sit down on the job, especially on Fridays with no planning period, he continually pushes me to be better and be on my toes. I admit it, I have an extremely difficult class. I have a handful of great ones, they're all great in their own way, just sometimes I have a difficult time seeing the good for the bad. I have some difficult ones, and then there are some really difficult ones. The difficult ones are really quite needy.

I got a new boy last week. I thought he was slacking off, making excuses. I called mom and she told the secretary that he is lazy. Well the word lazy didn't translate well because she meant slow. She graciously came in the next available afternoon and we had a 30 minute meeting. Through a bilingual teacher I found out that he was involved in an underwater accident that involved him being revived. He's got a brain injury from lack of oxygen. So now I've found myself trying to help another child who needs more than I can truly give. I know I can help him, but with 5 discipline issues and other low students there isn't enough of me to go around. I don't have the special education background I need to help way too many of my students. So I know God has put him with me for a reason, maybe to test my patience, or push me to be better at modifying and differentiation. Maybe because I have the littlest bit of knowledge about special education and the fact that he needs it and I'm the one to finally help him and his parents. I don't know, I just know that working with this boy is going to make each day a bit harder.

Anyway, I mentioned this post wasn't going to be such a downer. I have to say I'm trying to say "no" a bit more often and "yes" to myself more. Like today, I could have stayed home all day, wrote bills, laundry, graded papers, cleaned my room, and a bunch of other things, but I went out and ran a few errands, that weren't too tedious (like buying 6 yards of fleece for a school Christmas project and a trip to Archivers.) Picked Don up, went and ate a quick bite at Wendys and went to the grocery store. For as long as it's been since we've been to the store and it being a Saturday, we were there, back, and had it put away in about an hour and a half.

I've also been putzing around on the computer for a while tonight. But when I got online, I gathered up my bills and put through some online payments. then I decided to throw in a bit of laundry so I don't have to do it tomorrow. I also bought some songs from Itunes with some leftover money from a giftcard I had. Don was out with friends for dinner and he came home and heard I was poking around on Itunes and realized I was bored. Yep, bored is right. I don't want to sit and watch television, or grade papers. I want to sit and scrapbook the Christmas journal from a Christmas past so it gets done. I want to start on another project. The photos from my European trip. I figured I can grade papers tomorrow night. I also could sit and knit on some i-cords for my hat. I think knitting is why my little finger hurts a lot and it's really just starting to feel better. I know that's an excuse.

So I have a bit of time before I will go to bed. Have to wait for Brian to get home and then I'll turn into a pumpkin.

So on that note, I hope you can see that I'm a bit more positive and then there are a few things I'm just not dealing with much related to Brian so that relieves a lot of stress and pressure from me.

I should try to get a few things put on Craig's list tomorrow. I'm sure someone might like to buy the 3 coats I'm going to try to put up. They're in really nice shape. Cross your fingers!

I long for Copenhagen

2008-11-09T20:41:00.003-06:00

I was just finishing reading my last post and looked up at my header photo. Oh how relaxing it would be just to pop into Copenhagen and just chill out. I'm sure it would be a real chill considering they are much further north and it's mid November. Can you believe it's really Mid November already? I can't. We picked grab bag names last night while at my mom's for her birthday. A bit early for her day, but it was the only open weekend for most of us.

On another happy note...I'm headed to Texas in a little over a week to see my friend Helen! I'm so excited to go. I hope the weather is a bit warmer than it is here and definetly a bit cooperative so I don't get stuck anywhere. I found a really cool project I'd like to work on but it would involve having a lot of stuff (as in scrapbooking) around and all my pictures from Europe edited. I know that isn't really going to happen. It's something I can keep in the works. I'm really not supposed to do any other projects until I get my Christmas Journal finished. That's according to Marybeth!

Speaking of my friend, Marybeth, I went to have a few hours of scrapbooking with her yesterday. I accomplished 2 things. One I finished a frame my sister asked me to make for my nephew. Second I accomplished one page in the Christmas journal. I know it doesn't sound like much but we sat and gabbed a lot about politics at the beginning. Then after getting one project done, we had a snack. I brought some banana bread I baked and a delicious Honey Crisp apple. Then we goofed around when we started discussing my new bra. We also set the date for our next scrapbook day. We'll be scrapbooking all day the day after Thanksgiving! I'm so excited, I just can't wait. I don't know if I'm more excited about scrapbooking, spending the day with Marybeth, or just being off for 5 days in a row! Anyway it's all good.

I've also found a new organizational tool for me. I found a desk divider that has 3 drawers, two mail slots and a top area. I've gotten my bills mostly organized into it along with stamps, calculator, and other odds and ends I need to write bills. Before now, they were just stacked in a pile on the corner of the dining room table or on the chest in the dining room. I have also been trying to file right after I finish writing the bills. I still have a couple of smaller piles I need to work though but it's slowly becoming an organizational tool that is working for me. Since I took over the bills, I found that if I write bills and pay them online once a week that I manage better. It was a disorganized mess when I took them over. I'm so glad that I got worked through the stuff while I was off over the summer because it makes things a bit less stressful during the school year.

So any big plans for Thanksgiving? We're not sure what we'll be doing. I'm sure we'll be doing something with my mom. My sister will I'm sure do something with her husband's family, my brother and sil will be in Florida, and that leaves us, mom and my dad. I'm not sure what he'll be doing though either. Doug will be home probably the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. NIU is playing Navy on that Tuesday. A big ESPN2 televised game and he'll take his free student ticket and go. Both teams are close to his heart. I'm sure now that he'd prefer NIU to win because that's his school, and my cousin no longer plays for Navy.

Have you got things in order for Christmas? We drew grab bag names last night at my mom's birthday. I got someone and Don got someone, but we didn't get one another. That was against the rules since we will already buy for our spouses. We should be getting lists out by the 15th. I've already started my list for what I think I might want to buy for Don and the boys. I've got ideas for my younger nephew, and sure my older nephew will want a gift card to somewhere. Trying to think of something fun to make for a friend at school as we always exchange something small or homemade. Anyone have any cute and fun little ideas?

Ok, I have to blame this on Marybeth yesterday. I've started listening to Christmas CD's. They are relaxing to me and I thought it might help me relax a bit. The radio station WLIT will start playing Christmas music 24-7 on November 20th. They even have a countdown clock on their homepage!

Ok, I've chatted about a lot of different topics. Can you tell I'm trying to avoid sitting and writing a final test for a book for the college students? As much as I like that class, it's getting difficult because it started with 8 students and now we're down to 7 and if they don't all show up, it's just a really small group that is hard to keep focused and teach. They are learning but it's hard to do groups or partners.

So here's hoping you have a great week, and I am able to get some work done, things done at school and get rid of some stress. It's been bad this weekend, it's going down my back where it usually stops at my shoulders. I need to find someone who can get me in for a massage.

Toodles peeps!

I can tell I'm still stressed

2008-11-01T21:41:00.003-05:00

Do you know when you are under stress? What is your typical response to stress? Well mine is junk food, mostly candy. So mix being under way too much stress and Halloween candy and you have a true problem. I've been eating way too much chocolate candy. I've also been drinking hot chocolate and eating chocolate frosted long john doughnuts. I feel totally out of sorts with my diet.

This was another stressful week. I go to work, my class has a lot of stressful students, I go to the college and that is another bit of stress because I worry am I really teaching the students useful reading strategies, then I was observed this week. Then I come home to my family. Although this week has been a bit better, with no yelling, we have my mom's dog while she's in Paris. I also have college tuition hanging over my head. We also had another IEP meeting and did get a few things cleared up with that. I hope things are on the downslide of stress.

One great thing that has come about is that my good friend Helen McCain is willing to host a stressed out friend for a long weekend. I've never been to Texas, other than a lay over at a Texas airport, so she's invited me to stay with her. She actually said, "stay as long as you want," but I really think that if I just permanently moved in and camped out on the couch for months would wear out my welcome! LOL! I'm so excited to go and tour around the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. I really just want to bum around and avoid as much stress and thinking as possible. I hope the ticket issue will work out for when I'd like to go.

Another bit of a stressful situation is the fact that report cards are due on Monday by 9:00 am. I'm so far away from getting those finished that I'll probably be working on laundry, bills, and grading & report cards for most of the day tomorrow.

I really just want to go hang out with my friends and do anything that avoids thinking. That is not really a good thing, the avoiding thinking, but I know that I'm exhausted and trying to avoid anything that is stressful. It is probably a mechanism my body is using because I'm either depressed or I'm trying to avoid being depressed. I'm hoping a good long weekend away will help me snap out of it. I'm truly anxious for Thanksgiving and that long 2 weeks of winter break. It can't come soon enough. But having that come means more stress of the holiday season and shopping.

Well that's not worth thinking about tonight. Tonight is for trying to get my things done and changing clocks. Maybe that extra hour of sleep will help snap me out of my funk.

Sending hugs to my friends and family.
Ciao!

More changes

2008-10-26T22:35:00.002-05:00

When I typed up the issues from this week's bad week, I forgot to mention that because my schedule is so hectic I made a very hard decision to leave my creative team position with Chirpi. I knew I couldn't give away more of myself right now, there just isn't much more to give. I also knew that my committment to her wasn't being fulfilled. I wasn't helping her business. I wasn't not scrapbooking on purpose, it's just something that gets pushed to the side when I am under way too much stress and pressure. I try for mindless, easy to complete projects and scrapbooking takes way too much time and thought.

I'm really sad to have to let my creative team position go, but I'm also finding that I truly don't like posting to online galleries too much anymore either. People only comment on layouts if you comment on theirs, or if you have a "big name" in the industry anymore it seems.

I do know that if you're looking for a great digital, creative team that Chirpi is looking for a few new Chirpi Chicks. You can check it out here on her blog!

One BAD week

2008-10-26T21:31:00.002-05:00

I know this blog has been full of downers lately. I think it feels that is a lot of how my life feels. About a week and a half ago I posted about my parents' divorce and my son being out of control. Well that went from bad to worse and I had lots to deal with last week. In a nutshell, Brian went with my dad for a week. We've called for a review of his IEP, and Brian knows that if things don't change, there will be a change in his permenant placement at both school and home.

He came home last night after several long conversations. Things are far from perfect, but he's at least a bit more respectful. Also, last week, he turned in all homework assignments.

We are taking things around here a day at a time.

While we were dealing with those issues, Don was in the middle of mid-terms, and we had our family birthday gathering. I am so behind with school. I know a lot of it has to do with the fact that I'm dealing with behavior issues with about 5 different students and I feel I'm dealing more with that than I'm teaching. When I came back from a couple of days off from dealing with family issues, I had to deal with new behavior issues. It's just never ending. Now I read in an email that I have to be observed by the university too.

So for as bad as last week was, there are things I need to deal with this week that are also going to be difficult. It is the end of the quarter and report cards need to be done. A week from Tuesday is parent-teacher conferences and that is dealing with many other issues to be dealt with. This has been just one difficult start of the year. I'll be glad for a few days off at Thanksgiving, and 2 weeks off at Christmas.

I just want to sit and do mindless things like watching tv, playing games online, knitting and crafting, and petting the dogs. I know it is because I've got so much going on, it's an escape from the problems.

So I keep going, and going, and going. It sounds like the Energizer Bunny but I don't feel like I have that kind of energy.

So I'm hoping for a bit of an easier week. If you can see it in your heart, please say a prayer for our family.

Columbus Day, Hubby's Birthday, Divorce, and child out of control

2008-10-13T10:41:00.004-05:00

As you can see from my title, many important issues have been happening. Thankfully today is Columbus Day and it's an extra day off for me. I've been a bit productive this weekend. I've got my candy corn hat, that Don wanted, half way done. I've gotten huge dust bunnies up and out. I have to clarify that with two black cocker spaniels, the volume of shedded hair is tremendous. I have black dust bunnies, or tumbleweeds as we call them all over. I can sweep or swiffer daily and they reappear within minutes. It's become a family joke that there is enough hair shedded for 3 dogs and we tease the dogs that they've invited their friend "Hairy" over for the day and he's left the black, hairy balls. I've also been doing laundry and and catching up on college class stuff. Tomorrow the students come for a 15 minute conference.

Tomorrow is also my hubby's 43rd birthday. He is just coming into the prime of his life but he hates birthdays. I'll probably pick up a pumpkin pie or cheesecake tomorrow after class and surprise him when he gets home from class himself. The candy corn hat is also a present for him. He saw the pattern and hinted he'd like to have one.

Tomorrow is also the day my parents finally go to court and officially get divorced. The splitting of assets took forever. They also stayed married until they both could get onto social security and then the medicare issue. So basically their divorce has been in the works for almost 3 and a half years. This has been a really rotten time for family get togethers. I almost completely dread family gatherings anymore and now I can finally say my parents are divorced. I wonder if this means that my dad's girlfriend will be coming to the parties now? She had nothing to do with the divorce and it is a long story that is finally coming to an end, but it is going to be odd to have my mom, dad, and his girlfriend all at the same place.

The last part of my title has to do with my youngest son. He's way out of control and has lack of respect for either his father or I. He left last night after he was an hour late for his time to be home and then came home an hour after the town's curfew. We see his therapist this week, but we are certainly looking towards alternative schooling. I'm ready to beat him with a frying pan and give up my parental rights to him, but I can't give up on him. It's unfortunate that a really smart kid is completely failing 5 classes in school and doesn't care about it. I think I'm just going to stick by the homework requirements we've set and if he chooses to fail then he'll have to suffer the consequences. I'm getting really tired of always being the "bad mom" for caring and being his advocate when he doesn't care about his own success.

Well enough of my downer blog post, but just getting some of it off my chest is my own form of therapy. I hope you all enjoy your Columbus Day and have a super week. I'll be busy and doubt I'll be back again this week.

Hey, thanks for stopping by.

Another week has passed

2008-10-05T18:09:00.002-05:00

already! During the week the week seems to go by so slowly. On the weekend, it seems to just fly by. Why couldn't they make weekends 4 days long and the work week 3 days long? I think my way would be much more fun and relaxing.

I've got about 3 different projects I need to get finished before the end of the month. I still have apples to deal with.

The major problem with Brian has only seemed to escalate. CALGON take me away!

I've got papers to grade. I also have tests and assignments to post for the college students. I just got the call Friday night that I was asked to teach another class next semester. Just a week and a half ago, I was told 5 of us were not going to teach due to class needs. Well I guess things changed and they need another class.

The weather here has been cool. There have been problems with our cable, thankfully not the internet. I've turned on the heat. Some mornings it's been in the 40's.

Ok, laundry almost done, no idea what's for dinner. Yikes again, the weekend's way to short!

Is it really Sunday already?

2008-09-28T15:16:00.002-05:00

Wow the weeks seem to be flying by. Before I know it, it's going to be Christmas. Yikes, no way I'm not ready for Christmas and really cold weather.

With it being Sunday, it also means laundry, lesson plans, grading papers and trying to get some things ready for next week. Unfortunately it is going to be an even crazier week due to the fact that a car we are borrowing from a friend won't start and it's something with the fuel filter or fuel pump. Now we are down to one car again.

Doug came home and was here for about 24 hours. He picked up his glasses that were replaced and has a trial pair of contacts. He has an appointment next Sunday again to have them checked. So we'll get to see him for a short amount of time next weekend again.

Brian, he's having difficulties in school. I had to take off a day from work to go to the school for a meeting. Based upon the meeting has forced me to play my hand and create a homework requirement rules. They are strict and to the point. They lay out the law and it makes the rules and Brian responsible and the consequences are laid out in stone. No arguements, no discussions. It will be, "What do the rules say?"

In school on Friday I got told that a student would be transfered into my class. Ok, that's fine, it's normal for the most part but this new child doesn't speak English or Spanish (not that I speak Spanish, but she would have been placed accordingly if she did) She speaks Arabic. Don't even ask me if I speak Arabic!

Yesterday we went apple picking right in our own backyard! Although we didn't spray the apples, many are consumable. I've eaten a few, I'll be making applesauce and some are good enough for apple pies. I wanted to get those done today but I'm just not too sure.

Well this post was just meant to be a short update. I don't really have any new pictures to post or much else to say. If you drop by please say a prayer that things with the borrowed car work out.

have a good week everyone!

Feeling horribly sad

2008-09-23T23:14:00.003-05:00

I just read on my friend Susanna's blog that there was another school shooting in Finland. Oh my that just brings back the feelings I felt during the shooting at my son's university last February. I feel so horrible for those students and the families. I just don't understand why people think there is just something "wonderful" about opening fire on innocent people, let alone students going about their own business at the school.

This just saddens me to no end.

My prayers go out to those people.

Although I do not know any of them and I've never heard of that town, I just feel a bit more connected to the Finnish people after visiting and seeing how wonderfully beautiful they are as well as their country.

Homecoming Weekend

2008-09-20T17:57:00.003-05:00

Another willllllllllldddd and crrrrrrraaaaazzzzzzy (said in my very best Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd voices) week. Long week, 2 jobs, picture day, lots of papers to grade, still no set schedule, and homecoming week.

Brian went to the dance today with his girlfriend. They looked cute, but teenage boys are still in that awkward stage where they don't quite fill out the dress pants and the shirts, they aren't used to a tie or dress shoes, and they try to pull off the dressed-up look with their long shaggy hair. At least my son did.

The picture plans changed so I went early and snapped a few then took myself down to the nail salon for a pedicure. Then I walked next door to Dairy Queen for a little ice cream treat.

Here are a few pictures of Brian and his girlfriend.

What a week

2008-09-14T23:40:00.002-05:00

The days of the week seem to slowly pass. Things are not normal here yet. Who am I kidding, things have never been known to be "normal" at my house.

I'm still working on organizing my classroom. Each day it gets a little better. I'm about to finish organizing my classroom library and let kids start checking out books. We played Scrabble with our 100 most commonly used words. Thanks to Linda, a teacher I adore working with, she drew up our own classroom version of the board. I wasn't ready to let the kids loose with the real boards and tiles. Not yet, maybe not for a few more times.

I got 2 new students last week, lost 2 students on Friday, and found out that I've just become the classroom with the second ESL cluster of students. We cluster so that they students can be serviced together by the ESL teacher. That's Linda, the ESL teacher; so I'm hoping that we'll be able to work together again. Things will hopefully pan out by Friday and then the "normalicy" will start with the schedule. Of course these students are coming out of transitional so they're used to 50% of their curriculum & day being taught in Spanish. I guess I don't know what I'll be expecting. We'll soon find out.

I've not been taking any pictures lately. I've not been doing any digital scrapbooking lately. I've not knitted much but have my yarn and needles for a hat I'm going to make. I did actually have it started before a couple stitches fell off the double pointed needles (dpn) and I decided to frog it so I could start over.

I did go hang out with my friend Marybeth and did some scrapbooking with real paper and scissors. OMG for those who know how into digital I am. I did 3 more pages in my Christmas Journal. Yes, that is the journal that I started almost 2 Christmas's ago and still aren't finished. Marybeth has forbidden me to do any other projects (that doesn't include digital or knitting) until I finish this dumb book. Woops...did I just call my project dumb? Well let's just say I'm quite tired of it and would love to move onto another project. So with all the rain we had yesterday and today... I decided to get my supplies back out and head to the LSS (local scrapbook store) and continue to work on it again. I got another 3 pages finished. 6 pages completed in the weekend. There are 35 different prompts and I've got over 20 finished. I'm trying to be postive about getting it finished. When it's finished I've got to find the album for it. That will be another big issue. I know what I want, but really haven't been able to find it.

Well it is really late here. Way past my bedtime actually and I didn't leave Marybeth's house until 2:00 am this morning. I've got a big week and I have to come home tomorrow and make up a quiz for my tuesday night class.

Here's hoping you have a good week.

It's been a while

2008-09-06T10:02:00.002-05:00

since I blogged. I can say that I have been busy. I know, that's the typical response, but it is truly my excuse. I guess I knew having my full-time teaching job was a lot, but when I undertook teaching night school I figured it wouldn't be so much of a big deal. It really is like preparing to teach just like I do during the day. I realize that my least favorite part of teaching is grading papers and maintaining the grade book.

Another thing I've been working on is trying to get my room at school organized. When I asked to change rooms, I knew I would have to pack up the old room and move and unpack. That I knew, I was prepared for that. What I wasn't prepared for was how many things were still in the room. I've been cleaning out and donating things to a bunch of new teachers. It feels good to start making this room my own, but I also felt really great being able to give things to new teachers.

I'm trying to employ the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)method and the OHIO (Only Handle It Once) method together at school. Right now neither are going too well. I've changed files from two file drawers once already, now I've got to do it again. But when you combining 2 classrooms of things down into one, I've got to pair things down and truly decide...do I need that? Have I used it? Will I use it..if so when? Is this book above my students' reading level? Is this in my curriculum?

By keeping this in mind I've been able to start to weed a bunch of stuff out and donate it.

In other family happenings, Doug is at school just as happy as a clam. Don is trying to find study times and get his homework schedule fixed so he'll be able to keep things flowing smoothly. Brian has started school and had his first behind the wheel day in drivers ed. We've been letting him drive and hopefully he felt comfortable when he had to drive in the big honkin car with the teacher.

The dogs are shaggy beasts and are in desperate need of grooming. The extra expense of grooming 2 dogs stinks. Right now that's not in the budget. Any ideas how to groom dogs yourself?

Well laundry and grading papers and placement tests is screaming for some attention. If I get it done, I'll be free for the rest of the weekend.

Toodles people!

Breathe Deep

2008-08-24T08:29:00.002-05:00

It all begins and now the schedules change. We won't have a set schedule for a couple weeks until Don's 12 week classes start. But we will have to get something set up with getting him to work and me getting home early so he can get to school.

Last week was hectic but not unbearable. Training for me was interesting. Lots of things about how the brain remembers and learns. Remember this was very teacherish, brain research talk. We talked about how the brain craves novelty. How the cooperative structures we use are novel, but then there are so many different learning structures that are so common to one another is because it also loves repetition. We also talked about that you can only hold 10 things in your working memory and they need cleared out/moved into other memory to remember them and learn more. We also learned that you remember episodes best and that is your episodic memory. The brain also remembers the first & last things best.

We also used a mnemotic device to remember 10 things our partner told us. It was a visualization thing but we both remembered 10 things each without seeing one another's list.

We learned about the 4 different types of memory too. We also learned 3-4 new structures for use with out students. Also about the aymegdale and how it can cause kids to be anxious and fearful. If it fires then you have a more difficult time remembering and learning things. The goal is to keep kids happy, fearless, and calm so they can learn more. If they are relaxed and not in a state of fear/anxiety they should be able to learn more.

I can see that if I can remember all of this when 25ish new personalities all come into a new environment. Not that the environment is conducive to learning just yet. That was what I worked on Friday, unpacking my class. I rechecked and had 84 boxes. Over 50 of them were larger boxes and were put up on the new counters. They were stacked 4 high and they needed moved. So I moved them all and opened them all and sorted them. They are now on the longer counter, 2 high, and sorted by contents. So when I get to work in my room tomorrow I can keep going. My desk is I'd say 90% complete. I need to work on bulletin boards, covering an old, yucky, green chalkboard, and before I can put away tons in the closet I need to clean out what the retired teacher left. She is a wonderful lady, but yikes she left a lot. I guess after 19 years in 1 school you acquire a lot.

Brief mention about a few other events of last week. We got Doug moved back to school. You could just see that he was back in his element. Everyone say a prayer that he finds a job.

Don worked 3 days last week as a produce guy at one of the local supermarkets. He also started college. He took his first math class. I could tell before we left that he was freaking out. I could tell that everything was good when he got done because he said, "I'm the teacher's pet." He chatted with the instructor for about 15 minutes after class then came by my class. Then on the way home he was talking, talking, talking. Chatty Cathy there, he was non-stop. More than he'd talk about something in a long time. We bought 2 of his books yesterday. Yikes 2 books, one used was almost $200. Books are such a rip-off.

For my class, I can't believe I only have 7 students. That is like an ideal scenario, but for book discussions it doesn't work as well as I'd like. Hey, deal with what we are given and I can help these 7 become better readers.

This next week Brian heads back to school. YIPEE!

I hate this time of year because there are so many expenses. I know asking for money to grow on trees is a bit much, but could my tree in the back just sprout about five 100 bills? Just enough to get Don's car fixed? I know the extra money would just make things a little less stressful around here. I'll keep praying and I know God will take care of us, but just not as quickly as I'd like. I know it's on God's time, not my time.

As things change and start falling into place, I know I just need to remember to stop and breathe. Some deep breaths and remembering to pray will get me through.

To all of you...breathe deep. You'll make it through too.

By this time next week...

2008-08-18T17:30:00.003-05:00

all the Henager's will be back in school. That's right I said all! Big D, who is my oldest son, who is a sophomore goes back to NIU (Go Huskies!) on Wednesday after I get home from training. He's paying the extra to go back a day early, and let me tell you, it is soooo much less hectic and well worth the $50 to take him and move him in a day early.

Mr. B, which is Brian starts his junior year of high school next Monday. I registered him today. You wouldn't believe how expensive high school registration is! So much for a free and public education.

Last but not least, Don registered for college today. Luckily things were filling up so fast, and were already full, he got into all the classes we wanted him to be in. Two are 12 week classes which start in about a month, 1 is a class where the classes are done at home, and 2 are on campus in the evenings. He's got about 15 semester hours, so he truly is a full time student.

Then there is me. I have part-time college faculty meetings tomorrow afternoon. On Wednesday & Thursday I have my full-time training. Next Monday and Tuesday are teachers' inservice days at my full-time job, then kids come on Wednesday. The college kids come this Thursday.

So when you see all four of us together and you ask how's school, you may just get a response from all of us.

2nd Place

2008-08-17T09:02:00.004-05:00

My oldest son plays on the church softball team. They play in a church league all summer. Well near the end of August is the league tournament which determines the winner of the league. Doug's had a lot of fun and a few injuries playing. I have to admit, it is a much more laid back team and it has been great being able to go and watch. As much as I don't miss the scheduled practices, 3 or more games a week, tournament after tournament, being the taxi mom to the fields, I do miss watching him play.

This is his life. He wants to play and coach sports. He loves it so much that he's determined that being a P.E. teacher is a way to take what he loves and help others find it meaningful too. I give him credit, I think we all need to find what we absolutely love and do it. Whether or not we make it our career, we all need to love something fun. I know I need to follow in his footsteps just a bit.

Well the tournament was yesterday. Don and I didn't get to watch the first game in the morning, although we did get to watch him hit. We had to drop some stuff off at the field before heading out to the college for Don to take some tests.
With 4 or so hours in between their first and second game, we were able to finish testing and get back to watch the final 2 games.

The outcome of the tournament was pretty good. There was 1 or 2 bad calls by the ump against us, which could have meant the game went the other way, but they came in 2nd. Pretty good considering the 1st place team only lost 2 games all year.

Well here's to the 2nd place team. They're all good sports and really nice people, so it's nice to be able to congratulate them here.

All the time in the world

2008-08-14T14:42:00.002-05:00

As if! If you read my to-do list, no where do I think it said to finish a scrapbook page. I was going to sit down and to the tentative class assignment list but read a creative team board and remembered I should do a challenge page for the new challenges over at the Chirpi blog. Use the link to check it out, there are some amazing prizes!

Well now I really must go and get work done!

So much to do - so little time

2008-08-14T09:08:00.002-05:00

Yikes, summer is flying by. August is flying by is more like it. Oh yikes, it felt like I had so much time off from the time I left for my cruise until school started again. Around mid-July I met with a co-worker to work on a project for school this year. Also in the midst of some stressful situations here at home, I was also thinking it was about time to get back on a schedule and get back to school. Then I applied to teach part-time at the local college along with my 4th grade position and now I've got so much to do and so little time.

I've got to go check out new phones and get a new phone plan. (Tomorrow I think)

I've got to get a tooth pulled a week from next Tuesday.

Help Don get registered for school.

Register Brian for school next Monday.

Take Doug back to school next Wednesday

Tonight is a paid discussion group about snack food. Thankfully it's a paying gig!

Doug has a softball tourney on Saturday.

I have a part-time faculty gathering at the college on Tuesday.

Next Wednesday & Thursday I have 2 days of training at my school.

I start teaching at COD next Thursday.

I have to finish my syllabus and send to the printer at the college. Hopefully by today or tomorrow.

Oh and how can I forget that there is a classroom that needs to have at least 75 boxes unpacked and set up. The office staff just got into the school yesterday and they don't have phones or computers. The principal has no idea how soon they'll be able to let us in the building. I guess I'm expecting that I can maybe get a few boxes unpacked the first couple days when teachers have meetings. Unfortunately that Tuesday before the kids come back on Wednesday I have to have a tooth pulled at 2:00 and then go teach at the college that evening.

Like I said, I've just got way too much to do. I know I have blocks of time where I have nothing planned, like today, until tonight. I think I need to do a bit of laundry, some work for school, and hopefully get a turkey cleaned and prepped because I'm going to be cooking it on the grill. That will free me up for 3 dinners this week and next week with leftovers.

I hope that you are able to sit back and enjoy the last few days of summer. I know many moms are ready for the school bell to ring and the kids aren't. The summer here has been tremendous. The humidity hasn't been unbearable and the temps lately have been in the mid to high 70's. We've had the airconditioning off for at least a week.

Make sure you get out and do something fun this weekend before the summer slips away.
Ciao!

I got the job!

2008-08-07T20:28:00.004-05:00

At today's interview, I was offered and accepted a position as a part-time adjunct professor at College of DuPage. I'm still in a bit of shock because it all happened so fast. I've lugged home a bunch of textbooks because I have to pick my textbooks to use for the course. The class starts 2 weeks from tonight! EGADS!

Also for more good news, Don got the part-time position at the grocery store. He'll be working part time and hopefully we'll be able to afford for him to start taking classes too.

I'll leave you with a couple of new scrapbook pages I've recently done.

full credits here

full credits here

Yikes what might I have gotten myself into???

2008-08-06T14:31:00.002-05:00

I know things here over the summer have been hectic. I officially have about 20 days left of vacation and in that time I have to get my hair cut, doctor's appointment, get a root canal, register my youngest for high school, take my oldest back to college, and at some point try to see if I'll be able to go unpack my new room at school. The last is very doubtful.

But on top of all of this, I've been looking for ways to subsidize the college tuition payments, especially since Don is still unemployed. Well I've been praying to God daily about the financial situation. I'd come up with a list of things I could do extra at school. Those seemed like good ideas. I've been trying to get Don to find a part-time job to supplement the unemployment. I also considered trying for a liason position for the new reading cohort through the school district. Then one morning I woke up and thought about something my girlfriend and I joke about, teaching at the community college. One of my professors I had during my masters program mentioned it. At the time my friend, Chris and I said yeah, we teach kindergarten and 4th grade, who would want us to teach college kids? It's just been an ongoing joke. That is until last week the idea popped into my head to try to find the professor's email and ask her if she was serious about us teaching at the community college.

She got back to me almost right away, she wasn't joking in the least bit. Well to make a long story short, I sent her my resume, which she forwarded on to the head of the department. They were actually looking for someone to teach a reading class, and that afternoon, while Doug and I were driving back from NIU, the head of the department called me. She said she'd love to talk more to me about the position but couldn't unless I had a job application on file. We detoured to the college and got the application. I was going to fill it out over the weekend but was too busy. I worked on it Tuesday morning and was going to take it back out Tuesday afternoon. In the mean time, I get an email saying they are wanting to set up an interview, could I make it today, meaning Tuesday. I could have easily except I had to bring a copy of my college transcript with my most recent degree. I didn't have one so I made the interview for Thursday and headed into work to get that copy yesterday.

So tomorrow, Thursday, I have an interview with the head of the department at College of DuPage about a part-time adjunct position. I've been thinking to myself, "what ever did I get myself into?" I asked my former professor what she thinks I'll be asked about, she told me some things, thankfully, and I've been rereading a bit of college textbooks. I've got 24 hours to prepare. The silly thing is that I wasn't nervous until I went out for a pedicure today with my friend.

She's under the impression that this job has my name written all over it. I made one email and somehow it snowballed into them calling me, emailing me, and setting up an interview; all without my application being in. This crazy idea popped into my head and the funny thing is...I didn't chicken out on writing the email! It's almost like God has known how many hoops I've been jumping though lately with our financial situation that his one is kind of being just handed to me. It's like he's managing all of this without much of my help. I know that is how he works sometimes, but it just really seems ironic that 3 years ago, I thought of this as just a joke, and it has been a running joke between Chris and I, but now it could become reality. I've never wanted to teach junior high/middle schoolers or high schoolers, but I could soon be the teacher of college students.

If things work out, I won't be leaving my grade school position, but I'll be adding college into my schedule. That last part really sounded funny. I've been going to school 7 out of the past 10 years. Now I could be going to college but not having to study, but prepare the lessons for others to study. Frankly, I could be teaching kids my oldest son's age. I could be teaching people my age, or I could be teaching my husband if he decides that he really wants to go back to college. YIKES, see what I mean...what might I have gotten myself into????

I love writing to authors

2008-07-26T23:45:00.003-05:00

I've written to authors of books I've enjoyed a couple of times. Each time I think, "nahhhh, they'll never write back." But each time they have. Today I wrote to Ellen Klages. Ellen is the author of the book I just finished.

So I've been trying to find a book with a strong girl main character. This does, it actually has two, but this is about things I know my kids have no background knowledge about; WWII and the building of the atomic bombs. I am hesitant to do it as a read aloud and I emailed the author explaining to her the make up of my class and the issues to get her feedback on doing it as a read aloud.

She was kind and gave me her feedback and that of what she's heard from others. I'm just not sure about the read aloud. I just don't know if I can expel that type of energy in conversations each and every day about the short amount of time we get to read.

I just want to say try writing to an author of a book you read lately, especially if you loved it. Tell them why, ask them questions about the book. Really, I had my students write to an author. They all asked about the questions the author left them hanging with. She not only answered all their questions, she sent her own photos of the town that inspired the book.

I'd really love to write to Kate DiCamillo. I LOVE her books!

Hello...is anyone here?

2008-07-20T23:26:00.002-05:00

I know I'm not one of those ultra exclusive, gotta visit kind of blogs but hey a girl needs a bit of love.

If you stop by, please leave a comment. I'd really love to know who stops by.

I'm trying to determine if I should put a sign up for an update thing on the sidebar, or if it will be a complete waste of time.

Do you watch your favorite movie over and over?

2008-07-19T19:54:00.007-05:00

I don't think I've ever blogged about favorite movies. I do have a list of my all time favorite movies. But I find that although I own most of my favorites on DVD, I usually find them somewhere on cable and watch them there. There are some movies I fixate on and will watch over and over and over. Most of my favorite movies are older movies. Some are from high school. Isn't that really when you really start getting into movies and start marking milestones? Oh I was a junior when that song was popular, or I saw that 3 times with friends my sophomore year. Don and I so that a lot. Well what has really inspired this blog post is one of my favorite movies...Remember the Titans.

The first time we saw this movie it was in the theater with both boys. I was so moved and emotionally upset by the movie that I had to stay in the dark theater through all the credits and still walking to the car, the boys kept saying, "What's wrong mom, why are you crying?" I still cry every time I watch this movie. Every time!

Don and the boys are used to it by now, but others I'm sure are wondering if this movie makes you cry every time, why do you consider it one of your favorites? Well it's an awesome, true story of how an African-American coach is put into one of the first segregated high schools in Alexandria, Virginia. The football team is given a new head coach, and becomes integrated. The white football team is forced to deal with new players, new coaches, and has to face race issues head on. I love it when the characters Gerry Burtier and Julius Campbell go head to head trying to learn about one another, in a not so positive fashion. Julius stands up to Gerry, the team captain, and tells him he's out for himself because the captain is the leader and he isn't leading. By the end of football camp away at college these two are begining to bond and a true friendship is starting to form. Gerry wants Julius to come meet his mom and stay for dinner. Julius is met in Gerry's neighborhood by the police. Julius thinks he'll be in trouble for being black in a white neighborhood, but in the end, the officer tells him he played a heck of a good game last night.

You know it is a true friendship when after coming together and winning the game, Gerry's girlfriend says why are you down here with "them" meaning the black guys and he chooses his "black" friends over his girlfriend.

This team comes together to pull out the state championship after facing the adversity of race and a tragic accident that paralyzes Gerry.

I absolutely love how the community supports this team after they begin to see if these boys can see one another as just people and not just by the color of their skin. I love how even the "dumb jock" raises himself up with the help of others to be successful. I love the relationship between Gerry and Julius. I love when Julius hugs Gerry's mother and she finally comes around. Even though I know this movie like the back of my hand, I cry like a big wus. If you know me well enough, I am just a big bag of emotions and this movie gets me every time.

Today I said to Don and Doug, "You know, this is the kind of movie that all people should be made to watch." If people can see how this team makes it through the difficulties and the adversity dealt to them, then the most of the world could too. It makes me hopeful that at some point the world can be a much better place. I almost see it starting to happen with Barack Obama and the potential of the first African-American president in U.S. history.

If you've never watched Remember the Titans find it on cable, borrow it from the library, put it in your Netflix cue, or rent it from the video store. It's the kind of movie that will make you laugh, smile, cry, and think. Take my advice on this one. You might find it's one of your favorites too.

Heck, I didn't even mention Denzel Washington is in it. I usually like his movies.

The Beach Boys with John Stamos

2008-07-14T23:46:00.003-05:00

Tonight we, Don and I, met my dad and his girlfriend at Ravinia to see the Beach Boys. We had lawn seats so we couldn't see the stage without moving forward towards the pavilion but we could hear perfectally. The lawn seats were sold out but the pavilion wasn't. As the Beach Boys start, they sing a song or two then they start talking. You know when some concerts are soooooo loud you can barely make out what they are saying, well even being outside of the pavilion it wasn't like that at all here. While they talk, they start discussing something, then all of a sudden they start talking about John Stamos Well low and behold, who walks out and then ends up playing with the Beach Boys most of the night.

I figure he's either got the summer off and has nothing to do or ER is filming in Chicago and he came out to play a gig with them. Wouldn't ya just know it that I was in a big hurry to try to get out of the house and I forgot my camera. My zoom could have had a couple nice shots; oh well.

Now I've got the hicups for the second time tonight and I'm really pretty tired. I no longer can keep those late hours any longer. Old age is setting in I guess.

Jammies Day

2008-07-11T14:57:00.003-05:00

Ever have those, a day where you stay completely in your jammies? That's today for me. I know if I decide to go to the softball game to watch, I'll have to get dressed that's for sure. I've been trying to get some things done I've been avoiding, like laundry. I know I've got to wash some rugs still and want to throw the shower curtain but that means shower first!

It's hot and humid outside. I have no real desire to go out. I should really bring the dogs in. I know they enjoy it outside but they're black and absorb the heat faster than other dogs.

Doug went to the theater and tried to pick up hours. The kitchen manager wanted him back desperately, but the facility manager who was originally the thorn in his side said they are rediculously overstaffed. I told him he's going to have to get mighty creative to make money the last few weeks of vacation.

Other than that, Don's gone and that car he was driving broke down a second time. Seems to be a huge suggestion that someone wasn't supposed to go on this trip.
I'm also thinking about taking the spiritual gifts class again. It is a 2 part class that starts on Sunday. I think Brian will be away next week also.

Enjoying summer and the decisions I can make to either do something or not do something. How about you, what do you have planned this weekend?

Another new scrapbook page

2008-07-10T20:14:00.003-05:00

Credits Here

I've done another scrapbook page today. I had it almost finished then things came up that I had to leave and go deal with. Today started calm, relaxing, the kind of day I thought I'd have all day then around 2 things got crazy. By the time I'd gotten home, it was after 5:30 and I said to Doug, "Is it really 5:30?"

Fixed dinner, took Doug to finally register to vote, and got home just before a horrible line of storms. Doug left with my car...whaaaa...then the hail started. Thankfully pea sized and stopped really fast.

Brian called into work and had to go work. Glad he's someplace safe during this storm too. He gets off at 9:00ish.

Ok, I think that's all for now. I will shut down the computer, although I think the storm is just about passed, and sit and knit for a while.

Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!

Cross another thing off my summer To Do List

2008-07-09T17:18:00.004-05:00

I can officially cross something else off my Summer to do list. I make a list of things I want to try to accomplish every summer. This entry has been on the last 3 To-Do Lists, and has not been crossed off. Actually the two big things that have been carry-overs have been crossed off.

The first I finally got crossed off was to have a garage sale. Here's the proof!

The second big thing off my list was to make jelly. I've grown up with homemade strawberry jelly. It is really the only jelly I will eat. If I run out over the winter, I'll force myself to eat store bought strawberry jelly but really hate it. My kids love this jelly too. It makes the BEST peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

Credits here

So now that two of the biggies are done, I'll have to start wittling down the list by trying to get done the little things. I'm waiting for a rainy day to backup all my photos onto DVD's. I've got a lot of scrapbooking projects on the list to get finished too. I think I need to give my girlfriend a little jingle to see if she's home and wants to get together and scrapbook so I can finish a Christmas journal she tells me I have to finish first before moving on to any other projects. Hear that Marybeth, I'm ready to tackle the Christmas journal!

New blog header

2008-07-08T17:39:00.004-05:00

Here is my new header. It is one of my favorite memories from Copenhagen. I couldn't believe how many bikes there were in the city. You didn't smell exhaust, see smog or feel like you were breathing in polluted air. Everyone rode bicycles. People had child seats and baskets. You'd see men biking to work in suits. Women would be in longer dresses, pants suits, or short mini-skirts with tights. Age wasn't an issue either. Young and old, everyone biked. I loved that they were the old fashioned looking bikes too. Rarely did you see the 15-speed mountain bikes. It would first appear that they didn't lock their bikes either, but after looking further, they have a unique locking device that would be back where a rear brake would grasp the tire, except it was a lock that went through the back tire.

One other observation I made in Copenhagen, most people I saw were in great shape and looked very healthy. I should take note of their exercise advice, ride a bike!

What a coincidence that the G-8 summit signed an agreement to lower greenhouse gas emmissions by 50% and I'm blogging about bicycles. What is so unfortunate is that the agreement won't be enforced until 2050, 42 years away. I guess that more people should visit Copenhagen to see how great it is not to have to deal with exhaust, smog, and car emmissions to understand why we should not wait another 42 years.

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-04T10:30:00.002-05:00

I'm glad to be home on the 4th of July. I think it would just feel a bit odd to be away from home on America's Independence day.

Not that we have any spectactular plans or anything. Right now, Doug's at work. Brian works from noon until close, which is 6 pm I think. Don is going to a car show with his hearse. I guess I can either go and sit at the car show ::::yawn:::
or I can stay home and do laundry. Super choices don't you think? Laundry is important because I'm just about out of summer clothes and definately underwear. This is what I dread, I hate being home alone on a perfect day. I love being up alone in the morning while it's quiet while everyone else sleeps, but I hate being home alone with nothing to do.

It is beautiful here today. Super blue skies, a little breeze, and temps that are in the 70's. I think this is PERFECT summer weather. Not too cool to sit outside and read and get some sun to try to keep up what little bit of tan I have started, and not too hot to cook yourself until you're a pool of sweat.

So I guess I'll end this post before it starts to have that "feel sorry for me that I don't have anything to do on the 4th of July" kinda feel. I hope you have a fantastic Independence Day. Lots of fun, food, friends, and fireworks!

Ok...I'm home, tired, and now have lots 'o laundry

2008-07-03T11:19:00.004-05:00

Monday night, around 10:00 pm the luggage was finally delivered. I have to say it was 100% in tact. Nothing lost, nothing damaged. It was just a good feeling to finally know you had all your stuff back. The kids & Don got their little souviners yesterday. We tried this candy my friend Susanna gave me as a little Welcome to Finland gift. I can't remember the name but it is a salty licorice. Well it must be an acquired taste or something you must eat from a very young age but we all got that look on our faces. You know that look...the one where you are shocked at the taste and you really don't like it. Well it was that one!

My in-laws made it into town yesterday and we got them to the airport for their flight on time. Unfortunately, their flight was delayed several hours after a storm passed through the area. They are safe in Las Vegas now.

Today I am getting a hair cut. I tried at the last minute before I left but she was booked. Today, I'll be a bit lighter on top. I'm sure it's going to be short and sassy. I'm to the point where I can't really stand taking the time to worry about my hair.

Trying to decide what to do on the 4th. We don't have any major plans. We've talked about where to watch fireworks that is about all.

I've downloaded all my photos but haven't done any editing on them.
But I'll include a few in this post for you to see where I went on my fantastic trip.

Technically I'm still not home

2008-07-01T15:17:00.002-05:00

that is according to Don. He said that since my luggage is still not here...3:17 pm on Tuesday and I arrived home Sunday at 6:15 pm that I'm not fully home.

So does this mean that I'm still on vacation??? I think not. Let me tell you why.
I've been on the phone with India, ummmm, I mean United Airlines at least 6 times because they can't get their act together and get me my freaking luggage. I never once had to call India, I mean United on vacation. Also, I didn't have to take any child to the ER on vacation. I was the child on vacation and my mother didn't even have to take me to the ER on vacation. Heck I didn't even hardly think about children on vacation! Then today a quick request from my mom "show me how to work the weed wacker" somehow turned into cutting/mowing/raking thistles and ground cover out of a huge garden plot. Loads of work and a sunburn too.

So I think it is plain to see that I am most certainly NOT still on vacation. Although I am not technically at school I feel that I'm not on vacation anymore either.

So if you are United reading this.... DELIEVER MY STINKING LUGGAGE THAT HAS BEEN IN CHICAGO SINCE LAST NIGHT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO TAKE CARE OF IT. EITHER THAT OR GET ME THE STINKING NUMBER TO THE LOST LUGGAGE CLAIMS DESK AT O'HARE AND I'LL PICK IT UP MYSELF!

Rant over...maybe

4:40 a.m. and I'm wide awake

2008-06-30T04:42:00.002-05:00

I am really tired, yawning a bit, but I have to jolt myself back into "real" time. Chicago time, central time that is. I've been through so many time changes in the past 12 days that I don't really know one from the other right now. It does feel a lot like Copenhagen time, which is 7 hours ahead of central time, so it feels like 11:40 a.m. to my body.

I got home last night and I swear the flight from Heathrow was the longest 7 hours, which turned into more like 8 to 8.5 hours. They lost one of my bags. Of course it was the one with all the souvineers in it and Doug kept saying "what did you get me?"
The boys are at the age where it is so hard to buy souvineers for. A tee-shirt is always good, but when the price gets converted to US dollars, paying $50ish for a tee-shirt is rediculous.

Well I'm cutting this post short. I seem really hungry or thirsty and I'm going to try to head back to bed to get back to the regular time things.

I'll update on the trip in the near future. Until then, please cross your fingers that my bag arrives today!

Hello from Copenhagen

2008-06-19T05:46:00.002-05:00

A quick hello from Copenhagen. It is 12:45 pm here and barely 5:45 am on the 19th in the US. We, my mom and I are nearly ready to head to the cruise ship. We got in on time and were exhausted. We did visit the trendy shopping spot Strøget. Unfortunately all the stores were closed. Things I have noticed close early here. I'm most impressed by all the bicycles and that it is pretty clean here. All the taxi's I've seen are Mercedes. Shocking to me, nothing like that in the least bit in Chicago. The airport was so Ikeaesque. Now there's a new word for you. The keyboard on this computer is also a bit different. Where the apostrophe is, is the ø.

I think I should end this as we are probably looking for a short jaunt (maybe) then grab our luggage out of holding, grab a taxi and head for the cruise.

BTW - the new fashion accessory is summer scarves! I'm on the lookout.

Bon Voyage

2008-06-16T21:04:00.004-05:00

In less than 24 hours I'll be leaving for my trip to anywhere in the world. You may remember that 3 years ago my mom gave me a wonderful Christmas present. She gave my sister and I a trip to anywhere in the world. They could be together or seperate. Well They are seperate, my sister went to Banff, Canada. I'm going on a Northern European/Russian cruise.

Not only will I get to see 7 magnificent cities, I'll get to meet my good friend Susanna. We've been online friends for quite a while now. We met at 2Peas and connected with a bunch of other ladies whose goal was to have pages published in scrapbook magazines. I've met a bunch of great people this way who I feel have all become best friends to me.

So I'm 99% sure that I won't be updating the blog until I get back. Then, I'll have a ton of pictures and stories to tell.

Until then...bon voyage!

the Garage Sale!

2008-06-12T18:17:00.002-05:00

We decided to take a garage sale working break most of the day yesterday and it felt good. Today on the other hand was garage sale mania. I had a meeting at work for 4 hours and decided to take the train versus driving. The price of gas man! So anyway I woke up not feeling so hot but Don was up and outside getting things started for the garage sale. We decided to have it for 3 days and start on Thursday. Garage salers know...good sales start on Thursday.

We didn't advertise in the local paper. We didn't even get the listing up on the local Craig's List. We just used some good old fashioned neon poster board and about 6 stakes. We've always had great luck with my trusty signs.

Well Don practically ran the garage sale himself today. Brian was around and Brian's girlfriend Liz helped a lot. She even brought homemade cookies! At one point Don said people were parked 7 houses down the street and on both sides. The old guy who lives next door was out watching almost all day. Don said Al was sitting there in amazement because he'd never seen that many people at a garage sale.

Well as I promised I said I'd post a couple pictures.
Good news is...we've cleared tables. We started with 13 tables and Don says there are some empty now. They'll be full again tomorrow because there was some stuff that was never priced and put out. Better news...I've got spending money for my vacation next week ;)

It's only the first week of vacation...

2008-06-10T21:29:00.002-05:00

and I'm lost on the day and date already. I've had to sit and think ok, it's Tuesday. I have plans on Thursday. It's not Wednesday. I guess I've been so busy getting up and going to class the past 3 summers that I really haven't had this problem.

Ok so we're working on this garage sale. Can I tell you, if you're close you NEED to come by and buy something. As of now we have 13...YES 13 tables of stuff. Saturday we started with stuff that was cluttering the main part of the garage and I did a whole table of adult clothing. Sunday Don started digging through deeper recesses of the garage. Yesterday the garage was totally cleaned out. Today we opened up the shed. We had 3 large rubbermaid bins full of older kids clothes and 2 storage boxes of little kids clothes. Can you believe I found 3-6 month old clothes in the bottom of a box??? My kids are 18 and 16 years old! We also dug through about 5 large rubbermaid bins and a toy chest full of toys. You know the toys they don't make anymore and you hate to part with? Well we kept the Thomas the Tank Engine stuff, the Darda track, the Lincoln Logs and army men, the Tinker Toys, Potato heads, Lite Brite, the train track with the mountain and the fisher price pirates with ship and cannons and stuff. Heaven help me that I'd better have grandsons to pass this stuff on to.

Doug cleaned out the sports bin and got rid of probably 15-20 soccer/basketball/volleyball/footballs. You know my kids are athletic and he kept every baseball bat, and adult glove. He also kept a few of each of those balls listed above too. I didn't get rid of the roller blades or wrist guards (see previous post) or my tennis racquets.

My list over things to do before I leave on the 17th is ever growning. I have errands I keep putting off. I skipped Doug's softball game. I did stop to read for about 45 minutes before starting the shed detail and that felt good. Today was absolutely beautiful and I've been wanting to sit outside and read in the shady backyard where just bits of sun splash over you when the breeze blows. Last year that didn't happen because of the cicadas. So today I stopped and took a bit of time for me.

Well I need to get ready and hang up some laundry. I guess I can manage one load a day. Literally I've been outside of the house for 80% of my day. Feels good with the weather being so nice and I know I'm getting one major job accomplished. It really does feel pretty good to purge.

So if I get my errands done tomorrow, I think I might go through some of my scrapbook paper and the games in Brian's closet. I knew when I moved into my smaller house that I needed to clean out and purge. My friend Ursula Page is really great at getting rid of stuff and purging.

So I'll try to update tomorrow with a picture or two of all the stuff I've got out on tables for sale.

Garage Sale anyone??

2008-06-08T10:59:00.004-05:00

That's been one of the first things to accomplish on my Summer To Do list.
I create a list at the beginning of each summer of things I want to accomplish. Sometimes I carry things over from the previous summer's list and there are times that I do things that aren't on the list so I add them to the bottom to see how much I did or didn't actually accomplish over the summer vacation.

This is my To Do List as it stands right now.

2008 To Do List

1. go on vacation
2. make jelly
3. read books
4. scrapbook
5. finish Christmas journal
6. back up all photos onto dvd
7. finish altered puzzle pieces
8. work on Oprah book
9. finish knitting sweater
10. file and organize paper work
11. have garage sale
12. put stuff on ebay
13. alter and create photo cubes with cubes
14. finish altering 2 more H’s
15. find a shelf and put it up over couch for H display
16. clean out the top of Brian’s closet
17. learn to roller blade
18. make “believe” book
19. exercise more
20. remove wallpaper and paint kitchen
21. move old stove out and new stove in
22. make mom’s scarf
23. find knitting pattern for boys’ hats
24. visit farmer’s market more often
25. use chalk/pastels to color floral drawing
26. update the new phone book

Ther are some fun things, some things that are mandatory and somethings I keep moving on from year to year. I think learn to roller blade has been a carry over for 3 years and make jelly for 2. Oh the Oprah book has been on there for a while as well. Some can be done in combination like read more/vacation/knit mom's scarf. I plan on taking my books and knitting on my vacation. The flight to England will give me good uninterupted time as will the sea days on the cruise.

I doubt the wallpaper/paint job will get done because Don's unemployed and that's just extra money we don't have right now. Hopefully the guys can surprise me by moving out the old stove while I'm on vacation.

I should just get some dvds and back up one per day. I have started my scrapbook more yesterday I did a page. Boy I'm out of the loop on this because it took me hours to finish this simple page.

Credits here

Other than that, nothing big and exciting happening since I started summer vacation on Friday. Just looking forward to getting out, doing things, and spending time with friends.

1 freaking hour!!! I'm so EXCITED!!!

2008-06-05T20:57:00.002-05:00

Everything is packed. 99% of all my stuff is moved into my new room! We have ONE hour until SUMMER VACATION!!

Yesterday Don came and helped me move stuff and finish packing up. He took the train in and we rode home together. Actually he was not only industrious with helping me, he walked to the train and walked to the school. Those were both about 30 minute walks too.

Today Don got roped into coming on the zoo field trip with me and my class. It was stormy last night and got really hot and humid today. We both have some sunburn too. The kids seemed to enjoy it.

I actually today something that has never happened to me. We lost a kid. Well actually I think he lost us. We were lined up, all accounted for and we literally walked out of the underground dolphin viewing center and around a corner to go eat lunch. I must be a really BAD teacher but the kids and I didn't notice that the boy was missing for almost 10 minutes. We back tracked, found another teacher and she told me that a third teacher had my kid. We rode the bus with his class so I knew eventually we'd catch up. We never did find the other teacher but did find him at the bus line. I really didn't worry after I knew he was safe and ok.

What is funny is what some of the kids told Don as to what should be this boy's punishment. One girl who is so nice, honest, and a cutie tells Don that this boy should get yelled at 8 times and have a detention after school today. Wouldn't that be a nice for me to sit through on the next to last day.

I'm so glad that school is going to be over. I'm overly excited!!! Can I just tell you that I'm EXCITED!!!! This is my first summer in 3 years that I DON'T have classes to stress over.

Life calls for ice cream!

2008-06-02T21:42:00.002-05:00

That's right, ice cream. Tonight I'm splitting a container of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough with Don. Although today was stressful enough I easily could have eaten a whole pint myself. Do you do that, binge on some sort of food when your life is stressed and crazy busy? I'm horrible about it. I also do it when I'm bored and God knows that does happen. For someone who's overly busy, I do get bored.

I have 4 more days until the class has to be 100% packed and until the end of school.
Today was the roller skating party and I hope we never go back. Kids wouldn't listen, didn't understand things, were dropping food all over the floor and not cleaning it up. I swear this particular field trip gets harder each year. I do have to say I think it wore them out because I actually called Don on my cell phone, on the bus on the way back, and he said you're on the bus, with kids?

After we got back we chilled with a bit of a read aloud. One of my end of the year stories is You're a Brave Man Julius Zimmerman A great book because it starts with the boy starting his own summer vacation, goes to intense summer language school, starts a baby sitting job and have many other situations arise. Definately not my all time favorite read aloud but I'll save that for another day.

There were other situations come up today with my own child, but that is too long and too drawn out to put into this blog. Let's just say, if the field trip wasn't enough to drive me to the ice cream, my child did!

I have some scrapbook pages I need to work on but I have to make it through the week. Tomorrow is the ice cream sundae party I used as an incentive for the kids to really learn their multiplication tables. Believe me, I owe at least 40 scoops of ice cream. Lots of sauce, candy, sprinkles and about 18 cherries. Had to buy 2 of the big gallons of ice cream.

Ok, the ice cream is gone and I feel my pillow calling my name. Have a good week!

Long overdue

2008-05-26T17:25:00.006-05:00

Wow I didn't realize it had been so long since I updated my blog. I can't say it's been because I've been relaxing or staying off the computer. I can say that it's been because May is always an extremely busy month at my house.

Since my last update:

Don and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary.

Brian turned 16.

Don and I went to St. James Farm the dairy and horse farm from the McCormicks who were the orignal owners of International Harvester.

and Don and I went to the zoo.

We are also trying to get ready for a big garage sale. I have 9 more days of school.
I'm trying to pack my entire classroom because we are getting air conditioning (YIPEE), I'm changing classrooms, I've been working on putting together a movie for a co-worker's retirement party this Friday, trying to keep up on grades, and trying to get some movement in each day aka exercise.

If I'm not back until June, you'll know why!

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T09:20:00.003-05:00

Today is Mother's Day and here it is such a gloomy, rainy, windy day. It's pretty yucky actually. It's so dark, not the day you want to spend doing something fun in the warm weather. I don't know if our long, cold winter is ever really going to loosen it's grip from our weather. We get a warm day or two then a string of cold days. I have one window in my classroom that opens, and I've only really needed to open it maybe 2 or 3 days. We're in the middle of May and still we've had only a handful of nice days. I keep seeing flowers for sale everywhere and they are tempting but I don't usually buy flowers until my anniversary. So I can start looking at flowers on Friday. I'll probably only buy a couple of hanging baskets because flowers are so darn expensive and I really can't justify flowers when Don's not working.

Doug will be finished with school this week and he's started bringing stuff home. I'll be glad to have him home but that means double the food bill and more garbage. Those are the two things that we significantly noticed by having him gone. The food lasts longer, we eat healthier (he won't eat fish at all, and is a very picky eater), and we only have to take the garbage out every other week. We do put out 3-4 recycling bins each week though. He will be working, hopefully a few days a week and for sure weekends.

Brian wants a job too, he can start looking after Friday, when he turns 16. Friday is Brian's golden birthday. He turns 16 on the 16th birthday. That is he'll turn 16 on the 16th if I don't kill him this week first. He's on the bubble of earning driver's education for first semester next year. He could have had it this year,
2nd semester, but he decided that the number of credits he earned last year wasn't important enough and the school punished him for not having at least 7 credits before taking it. He will have enough if he passes all his classes this semester, but now he's failing 2 classes and d's in two more. He's got 2 weeks left of school and he'll have to raise all the grades AND pass all the finals to pass. We also found out that he's been ditching his last period resource. A mandatory class, but since his advisor was out on maternity leave with his wife, that Brian felt that meant it was optional and blew it off. Don said last night that Brian should be sent to summer school without any choice but again, here goes that money thing. For a whole semester of summer school it was $360 last year. One semester is $180 and last year we made Brian pay for most of summer school as his punishment. He was right on track to NOT to have to go but again he's totally screwed up passing school. This whole thing makes me sick, but Brian is Brian and he'll never change to be the responsible kid that Doug is. Can I feel safe letting him behind the wheel of my car? He doesn't get that it's a responsiblity thing. Don also feels that Brian isn't going to put in the effort to study the Rules of the Road book to be able to pass his test on the 20th. They want kids to have some driving time over the summer since they'll need 50 hours of behind the wheel practice and have successfully passed the class before the kid can get the license.

Oh well, we missed our normal 2nd church service so we've got to get going to make third service. Then we are going out for lunch somewhere, I haven't decided yet.

So I hope that if you are a mother, that you have a Happy Mother's Day.

I'm not a counter...

2008-05-09T18:53:00.008-05:00

but today I did count how many more days there are of school. There are 19 days and 18 with students. I sat down with another co-worker to figure out what we were doing the last week of school. Then I worked out next week's lessons. After that I'll have 2 short weeks to plan for. Next week will be end of the year testing to show progress. I've also planned a couple of fun things for next week. We'll be starting a project that has kind of evolved out of several projects, and a science activity that is more like a game of rolling dice.

So my activity. When I student taught we did these comic strips that got copied onto transparancies then colored and each student did a presentation on the overhead.
My first year at Roosevelt, we made shadow puppets from cardboard and went behind the sheet so it looked like a play and we did it with fairy tales and reader's theater scripts. Last year I don't remember if my class did a big end of the year fun project, surely we did but nothing as sophisticated. Well I read in the Reading Teacher about doing shadow puppets in a smaller scale and put on popcicle sticks for the overhead.

Well in my afterschool reading group, I merged the two activities. The students got into pairs, they wrote stories, then they drew the characters and setting. I ran them off on transparancies then they colored them in and read their plays with the stick puppets. I'm going to have my classroom students do the same thing. They will pair up and write a story and kind of turn it into a play/puppet show for the overhead projector. I haven't decided if I'm going to do the transparancies or if I'm going to do it as solid shadow puppets. Both are cool, the kids love to see how the transparancies evolve, but to have them all color them takes forever because I only have one set of Sharpie markers. Those are the only ones that work, and they are expensive.

Ok so now that I've totally rambled on about a goofy school project, I've got a couple of pictures to share. LOL, I don't know if you've heard but the ladies of our bunko group (we don't play bunko, and we get together as couples) we've been having a traveling martini bar. We've been trying a lot of different flavors, even mixing our own "purple" martinis. I bought good vodka this time and the 4 or 5 martinis kinda put me in a happy mood! So I thought I'd give you all a good chuckle with these pictures.

I have to clarify the last picture. My girlfriend, Carmen, and I came across this car once not too long ago that all of a sudden the window was cracked open and a gloved hand shot out and pointed. We looked at each other shocked and just laughed. Then we got behind that car, it happened again. We figured out that the guy was using hand signals because he had no turn signals. While both cars were driving in the left lane, the gloved hand popped out again and signaled to change lanes. By then we were dying of laughter in the car. Well a few weeks later, my friend Carmen emailed me saying she saw the same guy using hand signals again. Well we were reliving the story at my house last Saturday and this picture clearly shows I know how to hand signal! Yes a bit sloshed, and you definately can tell, but yet still signaling.

This group of people have been getting together for about 13 years. Each month we move to another house and have so much fun. There are certainly some subjects that we reimeinice about more than others, but there is always fun and laughter.

Ok on to other news: It appears that although U-Haul tried to fight Don's unemployment, the adjudicator seems to believe our story and we're pretty sure he's ruled in our favor. He said if there were any more problems he'd call back and he never did. Also, Don's been cast as an extra in Johnny Depp's movie "Public Enemy". He'll be a prisoner. My brother, who is also out of a job, other than waiting tables, has also been cast too. It's a period piece so costumes are given and sizes were very strict. I'm going to try to get Doug to apply too. The director Michael Mann hand picks his extras so Don's picture got him selected.

If you read my post and said prayers for us about unemployment and other things thanks so much. I won't even get into the fact that a man who was angry that I wanted in his lane to turn left threw a big rock at my windshield tonight. I'm just so glad that it didn't break. I swear how has our morals got to the point that if you're mad at someone you throw a rock at someone's windshield. So I said a prayer for that man.

If I'm not back here over the weekend....please mothers, have a Happy Mother's Day.

Almost to Hump Day

2008-05-06T21:16:00.002-05:00

Yes, I've been known to refer to Wednesday as hump day. Not my favorite name for it, but sometimes just making it to Wednesday and getting over the middle of the week hump is so exhausting and this week has been one of those weeks.

This is my last week of extended day reading so I'll be free from students one hour earlier on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We still have mandatory teachers' meeting on Wednesdays but I think something is cooking for tomorrow's meeting. We were told to bring socks. We're thinking sock hop or bowling since it is teacher's appreciation week.

I've got a million and one things on my schedule and it seems like not nearly enough time for it all. I can't even imagine how I ever got things done when both boys were in sports, I went to school, and worked. Now there is more free time, or time that I allow myself to slack. I have a zillion papers to grade, and I'll tell you that is the absolute WORST part of my job. I hate to grade papers. Usually I have the students correct their work as part of our period but there are just some assignments they can't. Of course they are usually the big projects that are so subjective and take forever to read and grade. Well there are about 3 big stacks of those in my school bag tonight. I'll let you guess how many I'll actually be grading tonight!

Earlier tonight, we, Don, my mom and I, took the money and donations over to the family shelter. It is a brand new facility that has offices, counseling, and a live in facility. It is really nice and for women who need that time to heal and get on their feet, the facility allows someone to live there up to 6 months. We did get to go into the living quarters, but we didn't go upstairs to the bedroom areas. I talked to the head of the facility about my volunteering idea and she loved it. It probably won't start until July, they said they'd like me to go through some training and I need to get through school and then take my well deserved vacation. My idea for them is that I would come in and read the kids a story and do some type of activity that is related to the story. I also figure I could ride my bike there and get some excercise in too. I've got some time to sort this all out but if things work out, this is something that could even last through the school year.

Last night I went to a friend's house. We played "beauty shop." It was quite relaxing. I put highlights in her hair and she helped me color the gray out of mine. Mine is slightly lighter and a bit more red. No one even noticed so I think we did a good job.

This post does sound all upbeat doesn't it?? Well in an earlier post I mentioned that Don was fearing losing his job. He did in fact lose his job and we are waiting to hear the outcome of unemployment. We should find out tomorrow. I hope it comes through because this is his pay week and we are used to having a paycheck each week. Please say a prayer that he's able to find something he enjoys and pays what we need.

Well I need to go take a picture of Don, he's applying to be an extra in the new Johnny Depp movie that is shooting locally. My brother already has an extra part so he told Don about it.

Hope you have a good hump day!

News Article about the Little Give

2008-04-30T20:39:00.001-05:00

Yesterday the photographer came to the school for the newspaper article, today it was in the paper.

If you're interested in reading a bit more about my experiences with the little give, the Downers Grove Reporter has published an article. You can read it here!

200th Post

2008-04-27T12:22:00.002-05:00

Who would have guessed that when I started this little ole' blog that I'd have 200 posts. I didn't that's for sure!

Let me give you a bit of an update on my Little Give Experience. It has been quite a week. I was on the radio again Tuesday morning to report how much money I was able to raise. You can download the April 22, Eric and Kathy Podcast to listen to me on the radio here!

I can't remember if I mentioned how much I earned in my last blog post, but I was able to raise $4,000!!!!! In 24 hours I was able to do more than I thought I could. People were amazing. This even caught the attention of the local newspaper and one of the ministers at church. Today he brought up my email and the amount I was able to raise in church.

I need to finish collecting the money, just a few people more and a couple more schools to collect from, get everything together and go to the facility.

Things are getting crazy-busy at school. It always does between April and June. I have am volunteering at the book fair tomorrow for a bit, then into a meeting (all after school), Reading group for 2 more weeks on Tuesday and Thursdays afterschool, Wednesday meeting too, and I've got to start getting organized to pack up my entire room. I wish I knew if I was staying put in that room or moving. I have requested to change rooms to the front hall but don't know yet if I'll be moving. We should be knowing soon, usually by Memorial Day.

We also have a difficult situation facing us, Don has the feeling that his time with U-haul is nearing an end. Often the case with middle management when a new president comes in, he tries to bring in his own people and with Don being so qualified and really should have gotten that job, the new 24 year old boss feels that Don is a threat and has demotted him and has told his new manager to get rid of him. This is truly an unfortunate situation but I feel that God will reveal a plan and somewhere a window is open for Don to find. Thankfully the college and high school tuitions are paid and we have a bit of reprieve from those. If you are the praying type, please keep us in your prayers that Don can find a job that pays pretty decent that will help us stay afloat, and that it is something that he likes and can do well.

I've got to go start on some papers to grade or starting my grocery list for a quick trip to the store. Tons to get done because we are thinking of volunteering at St. James Farm. This was the private, farm retreat of the McCormicks, of Chicago and International Harvester riches. Their farm has been purchased by the county's forest perserve and it's about to open to the public for the first time ever. You can read more about the interesting history of this in this newsletter. I was quite surprised at how much I learned about Illinois and Chicago history that I didn't know.

I hope you've found something intersting in this 200th blog post. I guess that is about an average of 100 posts per year or once every 3.5 days. Hey not so bad when you consider that the title of my blog is "My Busy Life." I think I sort of let you know that I'm pretty busy. I hope you're not too busy to leave me a little comment.
Thanks!

Give Big with a Little Give

2008-04-21T22:51:00.002-05:00

Today was an emotional roller coaster. But before I can tell you the story I've got to give you some background. There is a radio station here WTMX 101.9 that did a promotion the first week that Oprah's Big Give started. Eric and Kathy, the morning show hosts, I think DJ's are not the appropriate job title any longer, did something called Eric and Kathy's Little Give. They gave 3 "players" $100.00 each to do something good with; donate it or help someone else out who could use just a little. Their objective was to do a similiar thing to what was happening on Oprah's show. After hearing them give away the money and hearing the outcome of the three people's gives I felt compelled to write the radio station to compliment them and tell them that this should be something to continue. A week or two later, I heard they were going to continue it but were changing it slightly and were picking communities to focus on. Jump ahead to today. I got up and on my way to work earlier than normal. Next they, Eric and Kathy, were talking about it being the last time they were doing their Little Give project. They were taking text messages to determine the community but I missed that part. Low and behold the community that was selected was mine, Downers Grove.

What a coincidence that just last night I was spreading the virtues of this great program with my mom. We talked about it so much that I actually missed the finale of Oprah's Big Give. Well after they announced my town and they said they were looking for 2 callers, I called. First I got a busy signal so I hung up and tried one or two more times. Sure enough, I got through and was selected!
I was put on the radio and one of the two people who were going to be given $100 to use and try to grow to make more. I was picked and now I had to scramble to figure out what organization. I selected the Family Shelter Service

Once this was actually put on my shoulders I immediately felt I wasn't going to be able to do as well as some of the others have done. I had to teach all day. How could I make this $100 turn into more in 24 hours? I swear do you know how quickly 24 hours is? I started to freak out and one of my close friends at school told me just do what you can. I called my family and asked Don and my mom to help me out. My mom called my brother whose field of work is donations! Geesh how could that have slipped my mind? I think it was a foggy, Monday morning brain. So I started sending out emails to everyone I knew. Sure enough I started getting some back saying I'll give you $25 or $100 or some other wonderful amount.

I got the kids in my class involved. Hey we did a bit of spelling, reading, and math today. I figure they got a chance to go above and beyond a "normal" day at school. They got to be involved in something big that was titled "little." It wasn't little. Can you believe that all my students went room to room collecting donations from all the teachers at Roosevelt School? After that my class worked all afternoon and popped popcorn to sell after school. We popped close to 200 bags. Try keeping some sanity with 18 kids and 200 bags of popcorn! I laugh now thinking back. Well tonight I came home and had over 40 emails from teachers from other schools.

Jump ahead to right now, I've finished calculating how much we've earned. I say we because I could have never done this without my students, the staff of Roosevelt School, the teachers of Cicero District 99, my mom, dad, brother, and husband. I have such wonderful friends who are willing to go above and beyond. The ladies who work at Beauty Company of Chicago who graciously donated $175 after my haircut. The people at my Weight Watchers meeting tonight gave over $50.

Ultimately, as of right now, I am going to be able to tell the Chicagoland area that my peeps were able to provide Family Shelter Services almost $4000.

To my peeps, YOU ROCK!!!! I cannot express my gratitude and thanks. If you feel you can contribute and the first 24 hours is over, keep it going because this shelter can always use "stuff" besides money. They can also use you. Consider being a volunteer there. Give them some time, sometimes that is worth more than money.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

A Saturday and a layout

2008-04-19T13:47:00.004-05:00

I took yesterday off earlier in the week as a personal day because Don was going to be off and we were going to have a garage sale. The week got crazy and they kept calling for rain on Friday and Saturday. So we decided on Thursday when they kept saying rain, rain, rain that we would hold off for a couple weekends. Well yesterday was beautiful and although it rained a bit last night it's been cloudy but dry again today. I guess the weather people aren't always capable of predicting God's weather. So I'm thinking I should go out and price stuff to get ready for when the right weekend does come along.

I have been such a slacker with my Creative Team duties. I've been so swamped with work, which only gets busier from now until the end of the year, that I've not been doing much scrapbooking. Well today I was feeling super guilty and instead of going out, or actually going to my girlfriend's to scrapbook on her monthly scrapbook day, I just sat and did it in my quiet house.

The fruits of my labor are here:

Credits here

So I hope that you are having a funfilled weekend. I'm happy to see spring is here. We finally have some dafodills and a few tulips. Next week the tulips at the mall should be in full bloom and might deserve a little trip to see them, and maybe some shopping.

sometimes you feel like a nut...

2008-04-13T13:20:00.002-05:00

and sometimes you don't! Well I decided to figure out what kind of nut I really was! Some will say I'm seriously cracked, some know I'm just a bit nutty. Then there are my close friends who I love to be around and the nuttier the better!

You Are a Brazil Nut

To most people, you seem exotic, unusual, and even a bit scary.

But you're really quite normal. You're just hard to get to know.

If people leave you alone and let you do your thing, you really shine.

But you tend to get lost in a crowd, especially if it's filled with big personalities.

What Nut Are You?