Visitors

Well I had some surprise visitors today on their way back north after a long trip. It is always good to see familiar faces.  I didn't have much time to say hi because I had to go pick up my bountiful basket. I had big eyes when I ordered my basket and ordered 36 pounds of pears. Uh ya that's a lot of pears. They had a mess up on the shipping order so I didn't get my basket but I did get the pears. I opened the box and they smell amazing! They have some ripening to do. Pear smoothies are coming my way.  I had some hamburger defrosting in my fridge so I decided to make a pot of soup to freeze. I doubled the recipe because I find myself eating soup from my stash on the weekend as well.  I made another pot of Taco Soup. This is a super easy recipe to make.

Taco Soup
1 lb. lean ground beef.
2 cans Pinto Beans, (undrained)
1 can whole kernel corn, (undrained)
2 cans diced tomatoes, (undrained)
1 pkg. Taco Seasoning
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
1 1/2 Cups of water

It may not be the healthiest soup with the packages of seasoning and canned tomatoes. You can look up how to make your own seasoning mix if you are worried about preservatives. It is my favorite "stuffy nose, got a cold" soup. It makes your nose run. It is also yummy to add a little cheese or sour cream when you are serving it.

I am also working on stuff for school next week. I am very grateful this is a long weekend. I have a lot to do!

Week 1

I started an online class I need to take to renew my licensure in this state. The class officially started on Monday but I knew I didn't have any assignments due until Sunday. So I logged in for the first time last night. I was a little irritated by the professors requests to us. Most online classes they ask us to do a brief introduction of ourselves, why we are taking the class, what our expectations are.  This prof apparently finds himself quite amusing took these questions to a whole new level. He asked that we not give a canned response to any question and suggested the aliens made us do it as a response. Okay I get you're trying to be funny... but for me it fell flat. I thought his entire thing was unprofessional. There is a way to use humor that is appropriate I just felt this prof didn't get there.  I am always amused by the questions for what our expectations are for a class. I probably sounded snooty when my response was this " To have a quality educational experience".  My first impression of this class is that I'm not going to get that. Hopefully, things improve. I really don't care what my prof's favorite TV show is, nor do I care what my online classmates favorite TV shows are.  I also don't have the time to read all of these ridiculous introductions.  So we'll see how the rest of this class goes. It is a class about U.S. History and our states constitution.   I'll keep you posted.

I also start another class soon. I am looking forward to it because I've had the instructor for several classes now and I always learn so much from her. She is in a lot of classrooms has a lot of experience and is always learning more. She has a very great approach and is very understanding and meets people at the level they are at and is supportive in growing from there.   So every Monday I have a district required Professional Development, on Tuesdays Grade Level Meetings, on Wednesdays Expert team meetings, and no meetings on Thursdays. Then on Fridays I will be taking this other class. So, our days are very much taken up with other things. It can get overwhelming. But it seems like the meetings are usually beneficial.

I survived the first week of school and the students survived me. I felt a little discombobulated and disorganized. I have a lot to work on this weekend to organize for the following week. I asked for a little help from a friend. I have had some help from my grade level team but there is some gaps I need filled. Hopefully, I can get there this weekend or at least make some progress.

I don't know why but it seems like it isn't long after I move somewhere I am immediately invited to a baby or bridal shower.  This time a baby shower. It was a lady on my 2nd grade team so I felt I should go. It was good  I did but baby showers are one of these Women Rituals that make me wish I was a dude. I don't mind the cake  part (they even had gluten free), I don't mind the lemonade (unless they serve sickeningly sweet punch), I don't mind the opening of the gifts, the part where you have to play painfully silly games that's the part I am totally over.  It seems like it is the unwritten baby shower rule that one must have silly games. Luckily the hostesses at this one kept them to a minimal number. Anyhow, I got that done and checked of my list for the weekend.

My next bountiful basket order I also ordered about 20 pounds of pears. Ummm what was I thinking. They are Oregon and California Bartlett pears and they just sounded so DELICIOUS.  I am not canning them. I will cut them up and freeze them for smoothies. Yep the smoothie phenomena continues. My colleagues have been quite impressed by my Mason Jar Salads at Lunch time. They are going to try it out themselves. It is pretty easy and the mason jars wash up so nicely to use again.

Did that happen today?

This is a great example of how exhausting the first two days of school are.... "Miss Carpenter did we do the bus visit today?"  when we were writing about things we learned today.  We practiced bus behavior today... it happened today. Towards the end of the day it felt like it happened a week ago.  I had some behavior issues today. I realized I really have to up my behavior plan. They need the structure from me. So I went and started a new ClassDojo class. It is an online behavior program. Parents can login and look up how their students did at school today.  I had a crazy situation today with a student. I am still kind of in shock that it happened.  There are some very lost little people in this world because there are some very lost parents in this world.

The school changed it's pick-up, drop-off, walking/riding home, busing procedures this year. You can find out really quickly who hates change whenever you majorly overhaul procedures. The new plan is soooo much safer for the students. I just wished all the parents realized it isn't to make things inconvenient for them but to make for a safer situation at school. The PTO really spearheaded the changes which is great.

I wish I could remember all the craziness I have been through this week... but I can't. I realized today my expectations are higher than a couple of my colleagues. They have some skills I don't have but their expectations for what they are able to learn is lower. I'm having mixed feelings about this. I know I have things to learn from them... but I feel they need to raise the bar too. We'll see how this goes. I have a lot of work to do this weekend to make for a better school year. I also have to work on my online class this weekend. Wish me luck w/ my ever growing "to-do" list!

First Meeting

First meeting of the year. I can't emphasize how polar opposite my experience was before and this one today. First of all they fed us three meals. Real meals with good food too, not  donuts and fruit and good luck for the rest of the day.  It wasn't in a room of a stark building on a nice summer day. It was at a campground under a covered picnic area on a nice summer day. There was that one thunderstorm but it just made it perfectly cool.  Even better was they had planned it well, managed it well, thought of the people who were coming. We accomplished meaningful things.  I felt refreshed not pressured, discouraged, and tired before school even started. We talked about our school and things that we needed to do there, and not district wide goals. Those do have a time and a place but not every year for two whole days. The PTO was involved and supportive and gave input. It was just amazing.  I feel like I will have support and encouragement in this work environment. It is just soooo different. 

What was funny we were assigned a "not a secret" secret pal!  I got the principal. OH BOY!  I'm going to have to carefully consider that one! The principal has me though so hopefully it will even it out.  This principal seems on top of it. There has been some criticism of her but I know what she walked into. She had some cleaning up to do and they have come a very long ways!

Anyhow I have a lot to accomplish in the next couple of days. Back to School night is Thursday so in between meetings I have to finish "purtyizing" my classroom!

Printing, Cooking, Back-to-School

Well you never know what you'll end up doing in your life, where you will go, or what machines you will learn how to use. I worked at a print shop for a day. I am an old master at the copier from when I worked for the Ed Department at the community college, to the registrars office for my bachelors degree, and of course as a teacher. So I did more copy machine work it was very familiar work. I also worked with a paper folding machine, shrink wrapping (fun),  a paper shaker, and a computer program I was unfamiliar with for publishing. It wasn't the most fun I've ever had working, it wasn't the hardest job either, and I earned a little extra cash which never hurts.   I could've worked more days but I really had to work on school stuff.

I have been procrastinating a little on school stuff. I think it is because I lived and breathe my job sooo much the last couple of years that I was kind of relishing the separation from it. I have a kitchen I can cook in and all my kitchen machines, utensils, and more that make cooking fun. I am enjoying having something that feels more like a home and I don't feel like a visitor. That has a lot to do with having my own things again. I still have a gazillion of boxes to go through of stuff I haven't seen in two years. My "yard-sale" pile is growing. Now I just need to find someone who is having one :)!

I got my first bountiful basket yesterday it had bananas, mangoes, a pineapple, mandarin oranges, onions, green onions (icck), romaine lettuce, cucumber, spinach, avocados, tomatoes, and there may have been more but that is all I can think of. So now I have to figure out how to use it or lose it. Some of the fruit isn't quite ripe yet. If I don't eat it I can cut it up, freeze it, and use it in a smoothie. I may attempt gluten free banana bread if I am feeling brave.

Tonight I made a batch of Taco Soup. It is my go-to soup when I am feeling a little congested. It gets the nose running! It tastes wonderful on a cold winters night.  I set one bowl aside for me to enjoy and froze the rest. I have seen recipes for it online but mine is a gluten free option. My freezer is getting a nice stash in it. This week we have a day of "training" which they call a "retreat" it is not required as we are not paid for it. I can't really say what it will be like as I haven't been to it. We go up to a camp ground about an hour from town, lunch  is provided,  and we talk about goals and what not for the school year. On Wednesday I have to go to "new teacher training" which sounds like it is more about the dreaded paperwork than anything. It allows the district to have all the "newbies" get the work done at the same time. On Thursday we will have PLC's. Which I hope means we will have time to meet as a grade level, I'm not sure what it will look like. It is our first official "work day".  The 26th is the first day of school and our "Back-to-school" night. That will be interesting. I think that first week of school is always exhausting.

Anyhow that's what is new and it ain't much but there ya go ....

Paperwork

The day of Paper-WORK! Paper work it is one of the annoying aspects of a grown up life. I remember when I was little being fascinated by forms.  I got over that. Sending paperwork, receiving paperwork, requesting paperwork, gathering paperwork, delivering paperwork, and sometime later... shredding paperwork.  I had to set up my home-office to do this because I am not connected at work as of yet. I have more "paperwork" to do before that can happen. I did get a lot of it done today. It is sooo time consuming though. Since there are several "new" teachers starting at the same time a lot of it will be completed at our "new" teacher training. I didn't have this when I lived here before because I started after school had started.

I found out today that the mine here had brought in a lot of new people and was bringing in 40 more new people. It has made the housing situation pretty grim. It is a good thing I decided to move when I did.

I ran in to the grocery store today and the meat was back in town. I asked this time what happened and their refrigeration had stopped working in that section of the store. Since they had to move all of the meat products out anyway they decided to use that as an opportunity to clean all the shelving. So I could find my ham-hock to make cowboy beans. They are in the crock pot right now. I bet my dad is jealous just thinking about it.  After they cook for a day I will set some aside for eating and the rest will go in my freezer stash. I am contemplating what soup to make next... haven't decided yet. Maybe I'll do spaghetti. If you didn't know spaghetti freezes very well. On a really cold day in winter spaghetti just hits the spot. I have gluten free spaghetti noodles as well.  Hmmm decisions...

I ran to the school today and they are changing all of the locks. They left a couple of doors till the last minute so we could still get in. We can pick up our keys tomorrow, probably after filling out more paperwork. 
 

Chicken Take -2

On the left First Try
On the right Second and Success!




So I marinaded my chicken again grilled it almost left it long enough to scorch it. I don't mind a little charcoal. It turned out tasty and it is cut up, individually bagged, and ready for the freezer. Finally! I don't know what is going on at the grocery store but people have been posting about the "meat shortage". I don't know if there is a shortage, a lack of shipment, or something else. Hopefully, the newspaper will state something. I am going to pick up some jars for school lunches. I have been reading online about putting your whole salad in a jar for lunches and making enough for a week.  I finally read a blog post that explained it well. You can look it up HERE. It is nice because you can pre-make your salads for a week. Which is great if you are like me and work too much during the week and can't even contemplate making dinner when you get home.

In other news I got a short-time job for a day or two for a little extra cash. My neighbors dad owns a print shop. He usually has my neighbors husband ( who is gone to job training) and high school kids help him. He has something he has to print up every year for the horse races and county fair. I don't really know exactly what I will be doing I'm sure it will involve a copy machine and stacking or folding papers. I thought "Why Not" it isn't like I have anything to do but get my classroom ready for the year, finish putting stuff away, etc etc. HA! I will get it done. I always manage somehow! 

I got my list of students today and I have 20 kids in my class. I was talking to a teacher and we were discussing how some districts have high numbers of kids in their class. She said "yeah like 26 students". Um no lady like between 30 and 40. Anyhow one of the other teachers has 18 students so if we have any new students come in they will go into her room first! Woot Woot!  It seems like I have a lot of boys in my class... so it is going to be a Busy Room!

Okay Who has a Voo Doo Doll of me??

Virtually every attempt to do anything the past few days hasn't worked out. Today I was VERY optimistic about my ability to go into work and get a lot done in my classroom. I decided to laminate the alphabet and other  I want to hang in my classroom. I was warned when I said I was going to laminate to go and turn it on and wait awhile. You will find that isn't unusual in most schools when you see their ancient laminators. So I turned it on and left a note  in case any one should come in and think someone forgot to turn it off would do so. So then I went back in and I noticed the lights were off in that room. It was curious but it is a hot day and it gets toasty in their with the copy machines, laminator, etc.  So I went over to the laminator and saw the light was off. Unusual but some laminators have a light like a pre-heat button on the oven and the light goes off when it is heated. Then I attempted to run a paper through the laminator and realized it was off. Their was still a lot of residual heat so I didn't make the connection that it  was off. Then I looked at the lights on all the equipment and realized the power was out. I went to the office and the secretary was out to lunch and her assistant told me that when you run the laminator it often blows the circuit if they are using computers in the neighboring computer lab. They are installing a lot of computers so their are workmen in there.  I ran to the office after a bit to get my class list and the secretary said she flipped the circuit. I said I think I'll wait until after hours to laminate to be on the safe side.

So I go back to my classroom to work and decide to haul boxes out to my car that I won't need in my classroom. Since I taught four grades before I have a lot. I go to find a dolly/handcart whatever you'd like to call it I search the school and can't find it anywhere. I enlist help and we can't find it. So plan C. Maybe I'll hang paper up on the bulletin boards. Find the paper, tear the paper, bring the paper to the classroom, no stapler, can't find it anywhere. I SURRENDER.... Apparently I needed to go home and take a nap. So I did... I am going to attempt to set up my home office so I can print some stuff up here to use at school. Hopefully, my nap was enough of a re-boot to help my success at my next venture. 

Cooking Follies..

The Cooking Follies Continue:

So I was thinking of making a couple of different soups to add to my freezer stash. I was contemplating ingredients and what I could cook and ignore while I work on other stuff. I also knew I had to go back to the grocery store for sage and to see if they had more gluten free all-purpose flour. So I thought of my Mom's beans. Probably called Cowboy Beans by some folks. She keeps them pretty simple so I thought I'd make them. It requires ham-hocks or at the very least bacon. So I thought well I'll run to the store and see what I can get. So I got my SAGE finally there was one package left of gluten free flour. Which is soo expensive here I am thinking I will have to figure out cost difference ordering it online. Anyhow, I get to the beef, poultry, and pork section of the grocery store.... it is completely emptied. Not one single meat product left on the shelf. I don't know if their cold storage broke, if everything was ready to expire or what. I didn't stop to ask... I gave up.  I know I have all the ingredients for Hamburger Soup... maybe I'll just make that. Sooo just because I now have a grocery store five minutes away doesn't mean I can make what I want when I want to. 

Introverts and Footblah

One of my college friends posted this link on Facebook about introverts. Extroverted people often get very impatient and frustrated with introverts. They don't really understand how they feel in social situations, events, activities, or places with large amounts of people.  I tend to be introverted. Does this mean I can't deal with crowds? No but it does mean that I probably attend an event with someone I feel comfortable with. I also need time to process and like this list states re-charge. Extroverts are fueled and energized by crowds. While the same thing takes a lot of energy out of introverts. So if you have an introvert in your life if they come home from work or an activity and hide out or need quiet time they really need that to recharge from that social event. It might be surprising a person in my position is introverted. I have to talk to a lot of people every day and interact with parents, colleagues, administration and more. This does mean that I take a little quiet time during my lunches and when I get home I generally don't want to hang out with a group of people.  Anyhow I hope that post helps you to understand the introvert in your life a little better.

Uggh the American Football Myth. I am an American and proud of it. I enjoy watching some sports but usually in person. I don't really enjoy watching them on TV part of the enjoyment of a sport for me is the overall ambiance of being at the event part of the crowd.  Unless I am watching the Olympics I just don't really get into watching sports. As an American I like to eat apple pie and turkey on Thanksgiving day, I like hot-dogs at the ballpark, sparklers on the 4th of July, and standing with my hand on my heart for the National Anthem.  However, I DO NOT LIKE FOOTBALL. I would watch a game once or twice a year under pressure. It is just so boring. I am sorry it is BORING. Yep I said it I find FOOTBALL BORING! Does this make me less American. To some it would make me more of a "girl" than ever. I'm okay with that. Even attending a Football game I can't drum up much excitement. It is such a slow dull game. I just don't care.

 In the fall many wives become Football Widows. Really you're that invested in this sport that you abandon your family to sit on your heiney and watch a game. I'd rather be a golf widow or hunting widow. At least they are out doing something active than actively watching something. Why all this football talk?? Well for some reason my television service had me signed up for the NFL Sunday ticket. Meaning that every Sunday game this fall I would be paying to watch. UH NO THANKS.  It was only 4 payments of about 35$. Have you every tried to talk a TV provider into the fact that you really, truly, DO NOT WATCH FOOTBALL? Oh my goodness. I talked to three different people before SUCCESS! If you want to watch Football no need to come visit me. I'll see you after the fall season and I'm okay with that.  Sports have lost a lot of enjoyment for me because of the lack of values displayed by the majority of the most famous players, the performance enhancing drugs, the vanity of it all. I'll go watch t-ball, little league, and the like. If nothing else I will be entertained by how cute the kids are. Some would say I just don't like sports and that simply isn't true. I don't like professional sports.

Well... it is on my Bucket List to go to a Soccer Game in a country that is completely Soccer Crazy during a match that is "important" or a big rivalry.  That is more about going as an observer than the actual game though. The athleticism, endurance, of a soccer player is something to see. They don't have players that look like they prepare for their game by eating as many pizzas as they can in one sitting. NO that isn't why I don't like football. I just don't like it! If you feel that makes me less of an American that's on you... I am busy debating Chevy versus Ford, and Pepsi versus Coke!

Kitchen Disaster

Oh Goodness... Ever experience a Cooking Disaster?  Well I had the idea that I would grill some chicken to cut up for salads. I like a little protein on my salads. I thought I would freeze some in sandwich bags to pull out for school lunches. So I defrosted some lovely organic chicken breasts. I marinated them overnight. I grilled them on the grill. I brought them on a plate to the kitchen. I hit the edge of the plate and chicken greets the floor. Siggghhhh....   So I am on grilled chicken take two.

I was going to make this recipe for Grilled Chicken with Herbs. I discovered I had parsley, rosemary, and thyme but no sage. So what do I pick up when I go to the grocery store? Thyme instead of sage...sigh. So When I brought home new chicken breasts I through them in a bag with salad dressing to marinade overnight. Sage, Sage, Sage, must go on the grocery list. Of course the whole time I was going over this recipe I was singing Scarborough Fair in my head. 

I went to the hardware store today and picked up a dowel for my closet to hang my clothes on. I thought I knew what size to get they told me they didn't have it, asked what I was using it for, and gave me the size they thought would work!  I also forgot to measure the length so luckily they had a scrap piece that was longer than what I needed. So I got that. My neighbor is my assistant in all DIY jobs that I can't figure out on my own and he owns an electric saw.  So he trimmed it for me while I babysat.  So I got my clothes hung up in my closet.

Oh I forgot to mention... I HAVE CARPET in my Kitchen. If you every contemplate a carpeted kitchen, have someone smack you and call you an idiot. I had to get out the carpet shampooer and clean the floor immediately. I am hoping it took care of any possible grease residue. We'll see when the carpet dries.  Hopefully, tomorrows attempts go better than todays.... (knocking on wood) :)

Lentil Soup: Update

I made this Lentil Soup recipe I found online.  I really liked the overall flavor of the soup. I definitely recommend this soup. I like to get a bite of everything in one spoonful when I make soup so I chop everything up small. It really allows you to get the full flavor in a bite. It is some good stuff.  I happened to buy at some point Green Lentils. I didn't really like them as well as the lentils I usually get. They didn't soften up as well and despite all that cooking time they were still a bit chewy. So I don't think I will get that kind again. I was able to put away several containers in my freezer for this school year. It is nice to have a variety of different soups so that you don't get burnt out on them.

Soon I'm going to try my Homemade Chicken Noodle soup. I usually make the noodles but since I've gone Gluten Free I am going to try the Gluten Free All Purpose Flour to make the noodles. Hopefully they are delicious. I will post when I make that attempt. 

Fruit, Soup, and a Team!

Well we met as a grade level team today. It was interesting to be kind of an observer and watch the dynamics of the group. I could tell there were some things that fell through the cracks last year or the years before. I am hoping we can fill those up more this year. There are a couple of teachers on the team that were not last year. There are a couple of very good and experienced teachers on the team that I think will raise the bar. Which will be good. It is also very good to be working with ONE grade level and really focusing on the needs of that. I still have a lot to get ready in my classroom for the year but it will all come together. 

This time of year there are melons on sell and other fruit. I am just unable to eat a whole melon before it goes bad. So today I got a melon-baller and balled them and froze them. It would've been easier and faster to cut them into chunks so that is what I will do next time.  I don't know how well melons freeze but I do see them in the "smoothie" section of the grocery store so I will give it a try.  The best part about this process is you can do a lot of taste testing while cutting them up. I got some strawberries on sale and chopped them up and froze what I didn't eat as well. It will be delicious in December or January.

I am going to make a Lentil Soup Recipe I found online. I don't know how it will taste and I will get back to you on that. I will make up a pot and freeze the rest. Even if it isn't great it is a healthy choice and usually when I get home from work I am not too particular. I'll let you know if it is a recipe worth repeating. 

Can I borrow a cup of Sugar?

I got a few things accomplished today. I worked in my classroom for about 3 hours. Mostly sorting through what I thought I would need and setting the rest aside. I came home for lunch. I set up my garbage service... Oh the luxury of garbage service. Of course it does eliminate midnight trips to the dump ;).  I then had to go buy a trash can. The disposal company is a small local business it isn't part of a corporate division so their trash service is basic. It is still sooo nice though. I love it. I mean it I LOVE it!!!  I worked on unpacking and rearranging some more at home as well. I also worked on laundry. So it was a somewhat productive day.

We have a produce co-op here called Bountiful Baskets. You see it a lot in rural communities in the west but also in large cities as well. It gives the rural communities a chance to get good produce year round. Every two weeks they deliver it and volunteers sort and get it ready for customers who pre-ordered their produce. I missed the last one because it was in the midst of the move. The next one will be coming up soon. What is great though is I haven't completely missed out on the joy of it. My neighbor has been sharing. I've had some amazing peaches and nectarines. Tonight at about 10 p.m. I received a text message from next door that went like this:

"Do you have any sugar?"
"Yep how much do you need?"
"A cup and a half. Trying grape jam and ran out of sugar"
" I will be right over"

So I took my sugar over and she continued making jam. She traded me a bag of grapes for the sugar. She had bought a crate of grapes and was trying to use them up because she didn't think they'd last more than a couple of days. It was a large bag of grapes and I knew I wouldn't be able to eat them all in the next couple of days. I plucked all the grapes off their vines and put them in a freezer bag. Grapes freeze nicely and will go great in a fruit smoothie.

The borrowing a cup of sugar cracked me up. It is just the classic neighbor question. It reminded me of times I ran next door to borrow a couple of eggs when I decided to bake. I usually did this in the evening when everyone went to bed because then they didn't get in the way. I had one of our ministers tell me it was just "cruel" to bake at night. I had decided to make cinnamon rolls and I made them and baked them. The smell drifted through the house and you could smell them all night long.  I am sure it was torture waiting until morning.

It will be fun to start getting baskets of produce and seeing what I can cook up or do with the produce. I am sure there will be some that I am not so fond of. That is part of the adventure though. Have a good night!

Common Core

I've been reading a lot about Common Core Standards in the news lately. One of the perceptions of it is that it is a "cookie-cutter" approach to education. I see a lot of "this curriculum or that curriculum" or "this is the way teachers are teaching a concept". What is interesting to me is that Common Core has not endorsed a curriculum. The standards were created to identify what needed to be taught. They didn't really say this is how you teach it. I could be completely wrong in my understanding of the standards but I've read them. They are very general, each state, each district, and each teacher is responsible for going through the standards and deciding what curriculum they will use and how they will teach the concepts in the standards. If parents don't like the curriculum used or the way it is being taught, I feel that needs to be addressed at a local and district level.

 I feel the standards are less specific in some ways than the old standards in this state. What I mean by that is well for instance;  In the past you may have to teach the students about inference by reading a specific book or curriculum approved by the state. I feel that in some ways we have more freedom as teachers. As long as we make sure our students are learning the concepts we can go about teaching the concept using the method of our choice.  This is possibly unique to where I live. So some of the criticisms probably have to do with districts who are taking away all choice. This can really kill the soul of teaching. If teachers don't get to choose materials, curriculum's and  methods they believe in, it takes all the joy out of teaching. It also takes away that collaboration aspect. Another teacher may have a different method of teaching the concept that works.

The purpose of the standards was to raise the bar in U.S. education. To create more critical thinkers and opportunities to learn a subject more in depth. Another purpose was that if a student moved to another state or district that they should have the learned the standards at the district before. I can see how this feels like a grand experiment on students learning. Maybe after time I will learn more and change my mind. For now though when I see criticisms in the standards it is how local districts or states are executing the standards based on their understanding of them. If your school is doing a "cookie-cutter" or "one-size-fits-all" approach to your students learning then I would say you have a problem you need to address. I don't think that is a "Common Core" problem but a problem with how your teacher, school, or district has decided to teach the standards.  This is why parents  MUST be invested and involved in your students education. It is your responsibility as parents to assure the quality of your child's education. If you completely depend on the system to do it for you expect disappointment. Maybe this sounds  strange coming from a school teacher. I'm not denying the responsibility of the teacher the responsibility is HUGE and I feel that. However, I don't feel parents have the right to complain about any system unless they are involved in their child's education. Kind of like if you don't vote I don't feel you can complain about the outcome of an election. You have to be involved and educate yourself so you can do what is best for your children.

Strange things

Here is a list of a few things that seem strange and a little foreign to me: Seeing my own furniture after 2 years, Hot Water that comes IMMEDIATELY out of the tap, Sleeping in my OWN bed, neighbors taking my trash to the dump and bringing me fresh fruit, bare feet on green lawn, A complete Kitchen w/ every utensil I could need for cooking, a Grocery store 5 minutes away, Feeling at home! 

These may sound like fairly simple things to you but to me they'd become a great luxury. I feel safer at my new place because I feel like I have people looking out for me. They'd check on me and make sure I was alive, or if I was sick they'd check on me. It isn't that people didn't help me before it was just a rarity. Also because of the nature of the rural  area  it was an imposition to ask anyone to go out of their way. 

It was hard to say goodbye to my parents after they helped me move AGAIN and unload the piano AGAIN :)! I think mom felt like it was going to be toooo long before we saw each other again.  It is further away but for me I feel more everyday like I made the right decision. It is going to take awhile to unpack my stuff and organize. Sitting on my own couch, sleeping in my own bed,  finding my recipe box, it is a really good feeling. 

I know I will have struggles here just like any other place, what is different is I have a network of friends. It is important to feel connected in that way.