Halloween Madness

Awww man delegating IS NOT always the best idea. For instance you ask for help making a  tri-fold stand alone plywood "divider" to use as a fish pond. Then they make it so short you have to have a oompa loompa sitting behind it on a really short chair to be hidden while hooking the prizes on.  Then the smooth side that you would paint to look like a pond.... they put the hinges on. So it folds in the wrong direction. UGGH!  Then you ask teenagers to help you paint it. Usually not a bad idea. Ummm it looks kind of like a pond. I will be repainting it for next year. It still looks better than what we had last year though. So there ya go. I am grateful an effort was made. The teenagers did run home to get a drill to put the hinges on the correct side... so They are problem solvers!


It has been such a roller coaster lately. I have been feeling pretty discouraged. Today I had an observer come from the state. It was so wonderful. I heard about so many things I was doing right.  I got so much positive feedback I almost didn't know what to do! I can't even tell you how much I needed that. I feel like this class I am taking has done so much positive  for me on so many levels. I am soooooo glad I signed up for it!  The observer was very impressed by how eager to learn my students are as well. They are awesome. If anything they get upset when they don't feel like they are getting to participate or share their thoughts. I have awesome students. They are seriously AMAZING!

Tomorrow is our Halloween Carnival. Ready or not here it comes. I also have to get the clean clothes off the guestroom bed so my parents have a place to sleep.  :)  Aww laundry... never ever ends.

2 Months

Almost two months into school and I still haven't received my handwriting books. The kids are perpetually bugging me for them. I don't know why they aren't here yet and I am tired of asking the question. It is great the kids want to work on their writing though. Sigh.

I look back on last week and talk about a busy one. I was fighting getting sick and didn't really know it till Thursday afternoon when vomiting seemed like the best idea ever. I never managed it but I did manage to get a low fever and have the chills. I went to bed early which was good because the next day I had to get up early to leave for a training.

What I see happening here is the same I have seen in other districts. Administration gets stressed about test scores. So they decide a million trainings is the best idea. So you go to all the trainings and become a master of none of the strategies. I wish they would focus on one area. Give you tons of support on improving in that area and then move on to another.  The brain gets overloaded.

I talk with a good friend quite often and we dream of our "dream school" when we when the lottery and build it. LOL. I know if I gave my students that many different strategies in one sitting. They'd be wandering out to recess with glazed over eyes much like I left the meeting.  It is also a problem that some people are so resistant to the changes and insist they already teach this way they don't listen at all. They already know it. Oh dear.  They predict with the changes to the Common Core Standards a lot of teachers will go into retirement. Change is hard.

I started painting our "fish pond" for the Halloween Carnival. I only have a coat of primer down. I need to get it done before Thursday so wish me luck! I also have an observer from the state coming to my classroom on Wednesday! Oh me oh my! 

I had the joy of talking with a former colleague this week. It was so good and so encouraging to chat with her. She even e-mailed me some of her wonderful ideas and lessons I remembered from her class. I now wish I had spent more time in her classroom. She ran into one of the parents of my students and heard a glowing report. It was nice to hear because the past few weeks have been decidedly discouraging.  It is all a tad overwhelming right now. I have hope this week will be a good one. If not the parents are coming down to see me. Wait till they meet my list of chores.  :)

The Jack Rabbit Hour

So I left at prime time to class and came back during prime time. Prime time for RABBITS that is! I only clipped one I think. So that went well. I had a wonderful class. We had a professor from Colorado School of Mines lead us through another PBL. It was fun. I could see a lot of us teacher have had a stressful fall. It made me feel better that I wasn't alone. What all of us in this class have in common is we really, genuinely care about our students. We want to do better for them. I've been feeling like the joy is being sucked from a job I truly love.  I think changes are needed in the Education System but I think government goes about it allllllll wrong. I need to when the Lottery so I can open up a private school and hire motivated happy people.

I have had a serious job offer in another county. It would start after Christmas break. I love where I am at in so many ways but I feel like I have to seriously consider this offer. We'll see there are a lot of pros and cons. I think the stress I've been experiencing is making me look at it closer than perhaps I usually would.

Back to class. IT was great! I left it feeling up beat encouraged and like I could tackle some good stuff. I AM SOOOOOO glad I signed up for this class last year. I had no idea how much I would need it when I signed up for it. It gets me "off the island" so to speak and broadens my point of view a little. I really, really, really, need to stimulate my brain with things outside of work more. It is just that I care and love my job so much I can't turn it off.

I bought two pumpkins today to decorate for our Halloween Carnival Pumpkin Raffle. I don't know how I will decorate them yet but that will be fun In my oodles and oodles of Spare TIME! HA! I sold some raffle tickets for our "lamb raffle" today. For our field trip fund. I have a big idea for our field trip this year. So hopefully we can raise enough money to make it happen.

The parents are coming down in a week. This means I will have to remove the mountain of clean clothes from the guest bed before they come. :) Hey at least it's clean clothes :)

one of those

This is one of those times when you just have to let go and hope it works out okay. I am absent tomorrow for my class and I have a sub. The sub said she will sit back and let the aide do the work. Ummm Okay... I said I'm not sure that will work. Oh my .... I don't ever want this sub again. We have a new sub but my colleague is gone for 2 days and so they put her in there. I have another person who just got her sub license but now has to wait for the paperwork to go through the county. I can't wait for that to happen. Having a good sub here is just the BEST THING EVER! I just try to be glad for progress.

 I've been under a lot of stress lately. One of my friends said I don't know how you are handling this so well. I don't know either. I know part of it is having good people to talk to. Wise people who give good advice. I know I am flawed, imperfect, and all. But I know my priorities are in the right place. I did a lot of thinking this weekend to prepare my mind for another week. I could step back and look  inward. I realized I just need to remain true to what I know is right. If I can do this and still be kind it will all come out okay.

Tomorrow I drive about 3 1/2 hours for my STEM class. I am so glad to have this to attend right now. It gets me around people who are excited and motivated and working to be better at their job. I came back energized and revived last time. I hope it does the same for me again. I really the refreshment.

I got a lot done this weekend but little was work related. I focused on projects at home for a nice change. I got a lot done and felt good about it. Part of me felt guilty that I might be neglecting work. It was good for my brain to move elsewhere for awhile.

My former aide and amazing person made a great suggestion to me. She said next time I have to be absent assign an Junior Substitute. She knows my students well and they LOVE to be bossy and in charge. I could give them a task list and have them help the sub in anyway they can. I think it is a great idea. They know the routine better than anyone. I will have to put that into action next time.

I've been making Tin Can Jack-O-Lanterns. At first I just looked at the picture and made the assumption that I could make them without directions. Wrong. Try to punch holes in a tin can without a solid surface behind it and well NOPE! So I went back and read the directions (bummer)! LOL So Freeze them full of water and then hammer nails or punches into them. It works. I have about 6 more to do. Then I will paint them.

Gas!

Welllllll..... Internet died, decided to work again, died again, is working again! (knock on wood). Luckily I have access at work or I wouldn't have worked on my online class, paid bills, and a variety of other exciting things. So I'm behind on the news.  I probably forgot some of the news...bummer.

Over the weekend as a truck was going up the road and I was taking my trash to my car I heard a yell " That's MY Miss C"  the truck pulled over a child jumped out and gave me a huge hug. Then they took my trash and drove off. That worked out well for me! :)  So don't argue with a 1st graders ownership of their teacher or you may end up taking the teachers trash to the dump.

I drove the cross country team and the day after they ran 13 miles 2 of them beat their personal records. That is awesome! We took them out for Mexican food where I broke my own rule and ordered a Hamburger. I just didn't want to drive kids home in a van after eating beans. It was a delicious Hamburger but you know what.... next time I am having the beans anyway. That's why they put roll down windows in cars right?

Ummm it is Hunting Season which means a lot of hunters driving through with trailers, atvs, and camouflage gear! It is interesting to watch. You can tell "city" folks because they park their trailer right next to whatever highway and then drive their ATV's miles up to the mountains.  The locals camp in the mountains, or at least well off the highway. Interesting. Dad was excited to hear about a 4 x 6 Mule Deer. Although the nagging has become incessant about me getting my hunting license. Sheesh!

A parent with their Agriculture Ed. degree came in this afternoon planted herbs with my students and discussed what things need to grow and where they grow best. It is great. She went home and her husband said "You look awful"! She really appreciates how much hard work teaching is! It is really nice to get that respect. It takes a lot of energy.

Speaking of that. I know that there is a lot of talk about teachers their vacations, not working much etc. I will be the first to say their are a lot of teachers abusing the system that are in it for the wrong reasons and aren't doing what they should be doing!....... Tonight I go to the gas station... the owner keeps asking me if I want to work there. He's had good luck hiring teachers. He's desperate for help. 1 day a week he says.  How hard is it to get help, and how poor is your help, when you are recruiting teachers to work at the gas station? Not that we aren't capable... it just amazes me that people are so unwilling to work! The Math teacher works there on weekends at least a couple of shifts. Anyhow, I just had to shake my head, If I need a 2nd job....look for me at Chevron :)!

How did I???

Today was one of those days that when I got home I thought to myself... "How did I do all of that in one day?"   I don't know but I did! Taking my vitamins to get through the rest of the week. I had no classroom aide this week which made more work for me but was a lot more peaceful. We worked on the Halloween Carnival after school, the big run coming up, and then our girls had a home volleyball game. I heard one of our girls after the game telling her mom off for not getting there on time. She kept telling her she was there (she wasn't) but the girl kept telling her you weren't I didn't see you and I couldn't hear you cheering for me. The kids notice people! They know when you show up. They may act like they don't notice but they do! So show up!

Tomorrow after school I go post the miles for the run, and work on other set up details. I have a lot of community volunteers as well as parent volunteers. So hopefully it all goes smoothly. It also sounds like I will be driving the cross country kids to their next meet this time it is about 2 1/2 hour drive away. I will probably do it just so they can attend. Saturday I am hosting a "painting party" at school to paint hopscotch, and four square on the playground!  WHAT WAS I THINKING?  I have to get ready for my STEM class, and work on my online class this weekend. Oh and Laundry so I can wear clothes to school. Anyone want to come be my chef, maid, organizer etc? I don't pay well but you won't be bored!!

Almost a Full Moon!

I had a four hour training on SMART Board technology yesterday. It was one of the rare trainings set up by the school district that actually held a lot of value for me. I was quite excited to finally get my hands dirty with this technology and learn more about how to navigate it. I also feel like I can start creating some of my own lessons on there which was my goal! What was even better is we had a lot of fun while learning. That is huge. At first I was worried because most of the application was about high school and a program they use that we don't in elementary. Then they switched and got down to the brass tacks of it. It was pretty fun. We also got some access to some lessons already created. YAY!!  So that was good to attend a training that didn't make me say " why did we attend that if no one intends to implement it?" or "why did we attend that if we have to beg for the supplies to make it work?" or "why did we attend that when there are way better programs out there?".  Those are the most common questions I ask. Luckily this time it was about practical application of technology we have.


After training I had a quick lunch attempted a quick nap and then went back to school to make sure they had what they needed for a home game. Then I hid in my classroom and worked on things until it was time to leave for our field trip. It was a cute play. The Missoula Children's Theatre came down to a local town auditioned students and helped them put on a play. We had a few giggles. The town asked us to audition next year. I am not sure what that would look like so I will need to gather more information. It was fun for the kids though. On the drive bag home near the top of a mountain summit our lights started flickering. If I had more confidence in the bus driver (age 73) I probably would have experienced a little less anxiety. Unfortunately just the act of riding on the bus is anxiety inducing.  We managed to pull off and figure out that for some reason his overuse of the dimmer switch was making the connection not work. So he had to with a virtually full moon in a vast desert, not use his "brights".  So we made it home again. The excitement on the bus rides is a little too much for me. It is always something that makes you dream of  a younger bus driver say maybe 60 years old :)!

We got in late last night and i quickly greeted my pillow. I am waiting to find out from some parents if they are going to the big city. I hope they are we need some supplies for our 13 mile run and I really don't want to make the drive to town. Especially since I need to buy new tires. I just don't want to tempt fate.

Another Day of Controlled Chaos!

It was such a busy day I really am not completely sure how I got through it! The kids have been so excited about participating in a run we are having next week they are begging me to train. The high school students are running 13 miles, the middle school 3.1, and the elementary 1mile. They are amazing. Seriously, do you know any elementary school kids (let alone a whole class) who beg you to train for the mile run??? So we've been practicing when possible at the end of the day. They are quite motivated! I just love my students. We also have been preparing to go on a field trip tomorrow. It is about  1 1/2 hours away, by bus add  1/2 hour and some nausea. Oh man I forgot to buy ginger!  Okay so we are going to see "The Tortoise vs. The Hare" play. It really went hand in hand with preparing for this race. I read them the story and then we watched a couple of Tortoise and the Hare videos online. I wanted them to see the different versions  and realize they all have the same message. After watching these they really started to strategically plan their run. 

Today our cross country team left for a meet. They one 1st and 2nd in our Division. I was so proud of them. They have really pushed themselves to make this happen. They were pretty proud of themselves as well. After school today our volleyball team had their first home game. They lost all three games but the first and third were very very close. It is the first year in awhile they've been pushed to do well. I've seen so much improvement in them so that is good. Only a couple of them are super competitive. One of them has NEVER played before. I think living where we do can be a good thing because they really have to learn to overcome obstacles.

Ummm what else is new? I have a training tomorrow morning, will attend the beginning of tomorrows volleyball game, and then leave for the field trip. Sometime this weekend I have to get ready for next week. I am sure there is more but honestly... I can't remember..
G'nite

Singing the Procrastination Song...

I am taking a  4 week class this fall. It isn't that it is boring just dry. Reading the laws and cases. It is a good thing I decided against law school. Not that I even considered it. I am learning quite a bit from this class. It is interesting to find out what laws have possibly been violated, or not. I have just been procrastinating on my homework for this class!  I got it done in time though. I will drum up some motivation and try to get ahead in it because the next several weeks are going to be nuts!

I was looking through my "to-do" list and everything that is coming up in the next few weeks. It gets a bit overwhelming quite quickly. I found out today something that surprised me. Another teacher who rarely says anything was frustrated by some of the speed bumps thrown in front of us. I don't know how we can overcome this issue. I was surprised because normally this teacher is a little wishy-washy. When you don't get the basics taken care of you just get sooo frustrated. It really impedes progress!

I knew we were short of substitutes but until paperwork goes through I am not sure what will happen. It is crazy. It makes a teacher nervous to leave when their is nobody remotely competent to oversee a class. Well I think I will hit the showers and look forward to a new day.

Orange Cones

This state has a unique gift of distributing orange cones generously for miles, and miles down the highway. It is really great because it lowers the speed limit 20 mph. Such torture! I don't understand their methodology for road construction. 

I drove the kids 4 hours away for a cross country meet. It was fun to see them compete and find out more about this sport. I am thinking I may need to organize a meet in this town if we have kids competing next year.  It was a very long day though. I also found out if you eat at a buffet on friday, it might be a seafood buffet. YACK!  Check it out first. Yep yep.

The negativity is wearing me out around here. I have been turning around and walking away. I sometimes think if they could see themselves, what would they think. It is sooooo frustrating to want better for students when everyone around them is like "why bother?". UGGH! It is a obstacle for sure. At the beginning of this year we got this story about we're all pushing the same wheel and to move it forward we all have to be pushing it. Well I think there has been some speed bumps and some folks throwing obstacles in front of the wheel. 

On the way home from the meet this evening I took out two jackrabbits, spotted one coyote, and a few hundred bugs. Stinking jackrabbits. Seriously you need to drive through here just after twilight. It is like the signal went on to run into the road. Then in the morning the vultures and hawks are sitting in the road eating the carcasses. Yummy!

I had a tire issue this week. It needed to get changed till I can get to town and buy new tires, get an alignment, etc. Thank goodness for teenagers that live in the boonies. I set out the spare tire, and came out after school the tire was changed! Awesome!

I am sooo sleepy so I will sign off for now... G'nite

Reflections..

If I reflect back on the past few weeks I can pretty much sum it up like this. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
Yep yep! I've made it though. Some things were a serious pain in my behind. (Sarcasm alert)  I LOVE how this town embraces incompetence. Yep drives a soul batty. It is nice to get verification from other people once in awhile.... "Have I lost my compass for what is normal .... or does this sound nuts to you too?". 

Tonight I met the other teachers and high-school students on the mountain side to paint the first letter of our towns name. It hadn't gotten a refresher for a couple of years so it was definitely needed. The kids were fairly controlled in their painting. Not too much paint on one another. They demonstrated a bit of self control.

In other news I found out our cross-country coaches paper work had not gone through. Somehow I think it was one of those deliberately lost files. It happens once in awhile. So I am driving the team 208 miles one way to their meet on Friday. What I do so they can compete. 

I had a parent volunteer in the classroom today. She is awesome because she dives right in. I don't have to ask her and she comprehends what the students are doing. It is absolutely fabulous. YAY... then our principal, school counselor, and a interventionist came it. The counselor I had invited to do a "good touch bad touch" lesson with the kids. Of course the student I  wanted to have this lesson the most was pulled from school. OF COURSE! Sigh!   Then this is irony. Playing soccer out at recess one girl gets a soccer ball kicked at her and she has an amazing shiner. Then another one slips and slams her forehead into a bookshelf. Big bruise in the middle of her forehead. So I have this lesson and send them home bruised and banged up! Sheesh! 

I started my school law and constitution class this week. I will have a lot of homework every weekend but it will only last 4 weeks. So hopefully I can get this all done without too much headaches. I found out about a new teacher that moved to a community south of here from the other side of our country. I am going to try to meet her because I think she left the green green grass of home for the sagebrush sagebrush land of sagebrush.  Well my pillow is shouting at me...

G'nite

Happy Birthday TO ME!!!

It has been a lovely weekend! I got to hang out with some friends in the country and breathe some fresher air. Every time I go out that way I think I need to find a place to rent out here. It is a longer drive to school but is so peaceful out there. At nighttime the stargazing is just beyond what you imagine. Most nights you can even see the Milky Way. I  love how peaceful it is out there. There are a couple of places for rent and I am going to seriously consider it.

I was feeling soooo much stress the end of last week I really had to consider how to let it go. With a lot of prayers and getting out of town it made a huge difference. I really want to start my week off with a positive attitude and a smile. So that is the plan. If it gets to me I need to go and watch the stars for awhile! I spent some time with some great people this weekend  which was really beneficial.

One of the folks I visited with was getting ready for a sermon this Sunday. He was asking me about my thoughts on forgiveness. Here I've been going through this situation and forgiveness wasn't at the top of my list. We discussed it for quite awhile. One thing that we have a tendency to do is judge others for their lack of forgiveness. It is such a process and needs to be done in peoples own time. You can't push anyone to forgive. Sometimes someone else doesn't know they've done something, or need forgiven. Also, sometimes you think you have forgiven, but all you've gained is a little distance. Then when confronted with it again all those feelings come back and you know forgiveness hasn't been achieved. Then when you think about God's capability of forgiveness and the breadth and width of what or who he has forgiven. That is too phenomenal to big for words. We finished our conversation with the fact that  we know we've forgiven when there is peace. It was a great conversation.

This very peaceful weekend allowed me to take several steps back and breathe and let go. I really think it will give me the opportunity to start off a new week with a good attitude! This weekend I also met a young lady who just moved here to be with her husband. She finished her teaching degree this summer and wants to volunteer. I had a long talk with her and she was soo excited and asked me a lot of questions about education and school. It was refreshing and rejuvenating for me to chat with her. It brought me back to why I really love me job. It is those little faces that greet me every morning ready to go. It is awesome! She is going to volunteer at least a couple of days a week and then will be subbing for us sometimes. So things are moving in a positive direction.

So Happy Independence Day to Mexico hopefully, you can find some Independence from the strong arms of Drug Cartels! And Happy Birthday to ME!! Thanks for all the phone calls and messages! It has been a great birthday!

P.s. the saloon got a little noisy this weekend for a coyote roundup! I don't know what is more scary that I am learning to sleep through it or that I think it's normal!

p.p.s a good friend of mine had a healthy baby today so that is my best Birthday Present yet! Congrats to them!

Bats, JackRabbits, Coyotes

I've noticed this fall especially a lot of bats flying in the evening around the lights eating bugs! One night at the gas station I thought good thing Mom isn't here she wouldn't have exited the car and probably wouldn't let me either! I kind of like watching them.
I had a class in 142 mile away town today! It was such a good class. So engaging and fun. It was really great to hang around some positivity and learn some great stuff. It was a busy fun day.

I left long before sunup for my class which is at prime Jackrabbit time. I nailed a couple, saw a coyote slinking away, saw mice running across the road, and an owl catching something. The stinking jackrabbits though! You might be surprised at what those buggers can do to a car. Anyhow I get to the town my class is in driving my school car. Lights flashing behind me pulling me over. Yikes getting pulled over in my work car! "do you know why I pulled you over?"  Classic officer question., I was thinking did I do something wrong, I was a little lost, maybe I missed a stop sign or something?   I said "no". " you have some plastic hanging under your car". I got out to look and sure enough the jackrabbit had not only taken his life but the life of the plastic air flow thing-a-ma-jigger under the car.  He told me to just drive to my destination because I was just a couple blocks away and have them help me.  I got there they had me go into the school bus shop and one of the mechanics rolled under there and removed it. Had a little rabbit fur and a lot of blood spray on it. Those stinking jackrabbits!

I hadn't been grocery shopping for a month so after class I did the grocery run. I probably should've gotten two carts but I managed with the leaning tower of groceries and made through checkout and to the car without losing anything. I feel like I can go another month now!

On the way home a coyote was in the middle of my lane eating the jackrabbit roadkill dinner special. I had to come to almost a complete stop before he decided it wasn't worth it and ran off the road! Yikes! I got home and had to unload all of those groceries. That is always the worst part. I apparently wasn't unloading them with a lot of grace or silence because one of the barflies offered to help me unload! I took him up on that offer. Just to get them to the top of my stairs!  I appreciated it. He is a barfly that respects my boundaries so I was okay with it! Then I had to find a spot in my fridge for everything. Somehow that isn't a factor when I am buying the groceries :)!

My mistake of having such a great learning day was to check my e-mail when I got home! Don't do that!  Seriously! If you've had just a day that made you smile and you feel good about it. Don't get on that FB, don't check your e -mail! I had a e-mail requesting I attend another meeting with the staff member who doesn't want to work! Seriously! WHY DID I CHECK MY E-MAIL!  I don't know how I am going to handle this yet! I am sooooo done with this situation! If I made as many excuses I would be in huge trouble. UGGH.

For a little while today I forgot the significance of today's date. It wasn't that I forgot completely. it just went to the background for awhile. Which I think was a good thing. When I saw all of the postings I remembered so much of where I was, and all the emotions I felt. I was too close at that time for it to ever be surreal, it was far far to real.

Anyhow, it was a great day for learning had a professor with a degree in physics and civil engineering teach us today. It was engaging and fun!

We Couldn't Understand This Location

Alright Google Maps you've let me down. It isn't like I am going to a ranch in the boonies. Nope I'm going to an actual town with Grocery stores, multiple stoplights, Big R,  fast food chains, casinos, boot barns, and more! I have to go near the Jr. High school, and Google maps says "We couldn't understand this location"!   The map the school website had posted had 3 possibilities and none of them labeled. They also linked to google maps. Sigh....

Luckily I just got a text message with directions! If I can find East 4th Street in this booming metropolis I should be fine!

It was a busy day, and I had to get ready to be gone tomorrow for my class. I will  have to get up about 4:30 to leave on time!  I am driving the school car (a retired police car)! It is quite easy to speed in it. What is more fun is driving up on someone and have them slow wayyyyy down!  A little entertaining! The police drive wayyyy nicer and newer cars than this one so  I guess people are just playing it safe.

A local had a birthday party at the park today. So I went up for a little while before heading home. It was great for me because dinner was provided and tomorrow is grocery store day! It is getting pretty boring in my fridge! They had four kinds of homemade ice cream yummy. They also had a singing cowboy from one of the ranches. Honestly though I really was most excited about a dinner I didn't have to cook! I get so sick of my own cooking :)! That's why preparing some freezer dinners is a great idea. You aren't sick of it by the end of the pot! Almost every weekend I've been trying to cook a freezer meal.  I have class tomorrow have to drive 142 miles one way to class. It will be a long day tomorrow. Hopefully, I've written a good list for the store because by the time I arrive I probably won't care!

I need to hop in the shower get my coolers and grocery bags by the door! We have a professor from a Colorado University coming tomorrow to teach us something about Asteroids!  He sounds delightfully nerdy and passionate about his area of expertise! Should be fun.

G'nite

Lazy Day

I spent was somewhat lazy today. Decided not to go in to school today, and got a few things done at home. I managed to wear my pajamas most of the day which was just what I needed! Then I got a phone call. One of my friends from the town I lived in before was driving through and wanted to meet me for dinner. So we had some good laughs, talked about movies, and more. It was a fun break! It was funny because I was just thinking I'd make a pot of Taco Soup..a little unenthusiastically, and he called to have me meet him for dinner. I really loved working with his wife a the year before last ! She is pregnant with their first boy and due in the next couple of weeks. So I expect to hear very soon that she had the baby!  I often visit their family when I go back to that town. I really enjoy hanging out with them. He has pretty much gutted and remodeled their entire home. It is fun to see what he has done every time I visit. The funniest story he had to share was stopping at Wal-Mart in the town where I go grocery shopping. He said when he was going into Wally-fart a very attractive woman was setting up a "kissing booth" in front of the store. He was kind of surprised to see that at a store and was wondering how desperate for money she was that she would kiss Wally-fart customers! So he went in and came back out and the price for a kiss was 1.00$. However, the kiss recipient wasn't the attractive woman but a Great Dane. He said he giggled about that for many miles down the road.

Today the town had a "wine walk"! It was a good day for me to hide out. They don't really need an excuse to drink here! I heard sirens going a couple of times. I don't know if it was "wine walk" related but I will probably find out later. Tomorrow I have a lot to do at school but it was good to take a day to check out!

Epiphany!

Had a realization today. Sometimes you need to stand back and let someone sink or swim. Time to get out of the way. I was attempting to control the outcome. It will probably be the same but I need to get out of the way and let it happen.What I will do is invite help to my classroom that care as much as I do about learning. I will use them for interventions, and areas of need.  I feel better about these choices than the ones I was making before. I can't make someone else do their job, and if my boss won't take care of it, I really have no power. I was attempting in my own way to make sure something was done. It wasn't working, so I need to get out of the way and invite people in who are willing to make the work get done! 

I went in to school for a few hours today and got quite a bit accomplished. I will probably go back this evening when it is cool and quiet and work some more. I have class next week so I have to prepare to be gone. We do not have any sub's right now. I am not sure who will end up subbing for me but I am fairly certain it will be the bus driver. Yikes! Seriously YIKES!  I have asked a parent to come in and teach the morning lessons to the students! She is a little nervous I think, but I feel good about her coming in. She understands how animated you need to be and how to make it exciting. She also has healthy boundaries for student behavior.  She is working on getting her sub license and it really can't happen soon enough! I have another parent coming in for the afternoon. I think this will help make sure everything gets done!

Not so great day... but a nice ending!

What can you do when someone makes it okay for someone not to do their job? I don't have the answer! I hold myself and my students accountable. Why can't I hold my aide accountable. It is so annoying. I have learned a lot from this experience. I was going to change my  plan..based on the horrible meeting today. Then I thought NO I'm NOT!  Why am I being asked to make it okay for you not to do what I ask of you? Forget it! I am going to focus on the kids, and you're either with me, or not! If you're not don't expect me to make it okay for you and I won't be sitting down with you for a meeting again. GRRRRR

I came home pretty disgusted and frustrated. I talked to one of my students parent tonight. Most of my girls are way, way, tougher, stronger, and more independent than the boys in my class. They are amazing young ladies. Well this parent was telling me her daughter was out helping her Dad round up some cattle. Something broke and the Dad had to run back to the truck. When he got back she at 7 years of age had kept the herd together and drove them several miles closer to where they needed them to be! Isn't that awesome? Her mom told me I don't know where her future will take her but if it takes her to New York City at least I know she can castrate any perverts hassling her!

It was so great for me to chat with this mom. She's a strong, practical, independent woman raising a daughter with those same values! It was a great finish to a not so great day! It put my focus away from this other nonsense and back on these kids who are amazing! I have the privilege of being their teacher! It is awesome. It motivates me and excites me

Have a great Day, Night, Afternoon...

Question answered!

Awhile back  I asked the question "If you fire someone when you're drunk, and don't remember firing them, are they still fired in the morning?" I found out that you're not fired, but your boss does have to call and ask you to come in to work!  Also if you are wearing a very colorful multi-scarve turban upon your head. It may be because you believe aliens are trying to steal your thoughts. If there are aliens I truly hope they are looking for more worthy candidates to steal thoughts from.

My pregnant aid, who is making me crazy, had a good day the other day. Ahem. Our janitor who unlocks all of the school doors was unable to come in one morning. The first teacher who arrived just propped the front doors open with our heavy piece of old rail road track. It makes and excellent doorstop. So we went about our day. I took my students out to the bus and the wind was blowing so it was blowing the door closed even with that doorstop. I kicked it out of the way and went inside. Then I had to call one of my coaches. So to make sure I had service I went up by the windows at the front of our school. I saw the aid approaching the door and before she gives me a chance to get to the door she starts banging on it and yells at me to let her in literally it took maybe 20 seconds for me to walk over and open the door then she makes a comment about me not opening it quickly enough.  I was still on the phone with the coach so I am not responding to her. She walks  about 4 yards into the school and tells the janitor (who just got there) " you locked me out!" The janitors eyes are huge and she says "uh no I didn't I just got here", " You locked me out the door was locked.!"  I had finished my call so I say " I'm not sure the door every got unlocked today".  Then I start walking away (out of target range). I hear the janitor say " see it probably never got unlocked just propped open from the inside, I haven't been here today" I keep walking so I have no idea if there was more to this crazy conversation.  I have been walking on eggshells around my classroom. I really hope she decides this is too much for her and decides to move on. Pray for me to have some patience, and wisdom in my words!

I had a great day today. I went out to one of the ranches and made a 6 loaf batch of homemade bread. Sooo yummy! It is one of those mom's who makes a fresh batch of bread every time they run out. They never buy bread. So then we had fresh from the oven bread with honey on it. Ohhhh  yum. We also went out and picked beans from their garden. I also helped them move some furniture around. They had a flash flood that filled up their window-wells and ended up breaking a window and flowing into their basement. They had fans and humidifiers and were trying to clear it out. Then another flash flood came through.  So they are still in process of cleaning up the mess.

I also had a nice time yesterday. Drove about an hour to have a good hamburger with  one of my friends here. It is good food and was very relaxing. So I was able to get away from school for a bit. I did go to school on Friday morning and discovered one of my coaches left her keys in the door of the school when she left for the game. Luckily I was there in time to take care of it. The computer guy also came on Friday. I can only hope he took care of most of the issues. I know one he wasn't able to because I tried to get on the SMART exchange website and still couldn't. So I will submit another help ticket and hopefully this will get taken care of.

I have a mountain of laundry and dishes to do! Hope you are having a good Labor Day Weekend!

I have this... but not that...

Ever play "I have this, but not that, so I can't make this" in your cupboards? Eventually all you can do is just eat cereal. ha ha. I also frequently play "I'd make this, if my dishes were clean". Sometimes it just isn't worth doing dishes, or even doing the dishes after you make it. :) What I do to avoid doing dishes.  It is time to go to the grocery store. I'm not going for another 12 days or so. There could be some creative cooking between now and then. I just really have to remember my list when I finally go. That's the worst to forget your list..or leave that one thing off your list you really needed.

Something else great happened today. A few of the girls from the volleyball team thanked me for my efforts getting them games and making it happen while we were on summer vacation. I thought that was really sweet. I didn't feel like I had gotten them enough games but it was much more than they'd had in the past.  We ordered them new uniforms this year. They really liked them and were pretty excited. They fit them better than the old ones and they fit them. I know that was repetitive but you should've seen the scary uniforms from last year. I was embarrassed for them. So they have new ones that look really nice and they don't look like streetwalkers ahem.

I have been requesting black ink for my printer since April of last year. I asked the secretary to only order me black. I said color is a bonus but just get black and get extra. The order came today with one black cartridge. UUGGH! Seriously. I can't figure out why she ordered some of what she ordered. Things like pens, and ink, and tape we ordered the minimum.  I don't know.... what can you do.

The superintendent came to our school today to look at our portable. They are talking about donating it to the town clinic. The secretary thought they should have the clinic at the portable at the school. I do NOT think this is a good idea. The kids out at recess, the public going into the clinic right there? I hope this doesn't happen. I guess if I needed an antibiotic I could go on my lunch 1/2 hour lol. Nawww, kidding. They already have land the clinic presently sits on but the building itself is pretty scary. I really don't know what to think about it, we'll see what happens.

I mentioned that I have two student aids. Thank goodness for them because they are getting way more done for me that my classroom aid. They also come in with a really positive attitude and are willing to help. What more can you ask for? I need to do some desk re-arranging this weekend. I think most teachers do this about a gazillion times in a school year. :)  

I'm gonna make it!

Day three of the first week of school. I think we were all feeling it today. I've been getting to school at six in the morning and leaving at five. This catches up with one pretty quickly. My students requested last year that we begin every morning with patriotic songs. I thought "Why not?". So I made a play list of some of the shorter songs along with lyric packets for the students. We started this morning with "This Land Is Your Land." One of the high school students comes every morning to pick up one of the elementary students. They say the pledge together. It is pretty fun for both of them. Every week a different student does it. I think the older and the younger students look forward to it!

It needs to keep cooling down. We left the lights off in the school building today, and left them off in my classroom all day. It keeps the heat down but it is still miserable in the afternoon.One of my classroom aides told me today she can't wait for winter! How often do you hear that? That's how hot our classrooms are!
Makes it pretty hard to keep everyone going. I've really had to make sure the kids are drinking enough water. My new kindergarten student has fallen asleep at his desk both of his school days in the afternoon. It is a long, long, day for the little guys. 

Our principal was at the school for awhile today. She said I could move the amplification system into my room.  So I am excited about that. I don't know how soon it will happen but I am glad. It will save my voice especially in the winter, and I can make sure all of my students can hear me. It is an issue in my room when the fans are running to beat the heat.

I am feeling spread a little thin in my classroom. My aide isn't even attempting to help. yay! I keep sending kids to her. I realized on the math today she didn't know the math to help them. Other than that though she isn't even trying. Pray for me to have patience, or her to move on, or both! 

I've been making my students write a lot more in every subject area. Some of them are NOT enjoying this. It is important they do it, but some of them really, really, fight it. We are doing math notebooks this year. I can tell this is really challenging them because they are not adapting very quickly to the concept. That makes me glad I am doing it. I also mentioned yesterday I tried a different strategy on them. I realized yesterday it works well, but I need a little more prep time. Good thing this weekend is a three day weekend so I can look ahead and get some lessons in place.

We managed to get six computers working so I was able to give my students one of their pre-assessments this morning. I have about six help tickets into our tech department. Hopefully, he can get it done on Friday. I I was a little disappointed that more wasn't done. However, when you're one guy trying to get the whole district going with newer computers it isn't easy. I haven't learned yet not to have expectations. I can't get on the SMART Board exchange site which is really bumming me out. I find great lessons on my home computer but don't have access at school. Which makes perfect sense doesn't it?

I am reading "Red Sails of Capri" to my students. I think their favorite character in the story is the mom  Signora Pagano.  The father says she doesn't cook by smell, by taste, or by sight, but by talking to the food. Today their was a great part about cooking macaroni. My kids laughed so hard I imagine they will be telling their parents  "Macaroni is Jealous, it likes all of your time and attention, turn your back on it and just for spite it turns to mush, sticks to the bottom of the pan, or burns." This is paraphrased but my students loved it! I love how they can get into a good story! It was funny when I asked questions about the story I didn't expect my new kindergartner to answer any. He was paying closer attention than I realized and was able to answer some questions! Fantastic! We are reading such a variety of stories this year. It will be interesting to see which ones the kids really relate to.

Welll I think I am working my way to bed time

G'nite

Shared by one of my parents!

http://www.hooves-and-horns-cowtoons.com/

What I learned today!

I learned some cool stuff today. I tried a different strategy for teaching math to my students. Trying a different method on your students is a little bit scary. It didn't go perfectly but I saw such an increase in their understanding so I was glad I did it. I figured out from this experiment how to reorganize it to make it work better during the next lessons! I wish I had been brave enough to try it earlier but so goes learning. If you're not learning from your students... you need to go do something else. Luckily children are so forgiving and don't always know when you did an oops, or if they do they're forgiving!

In the usual style for this district. Only  two of my classroom computers would turn on. They turned on but you could not log in to them. A couple of them the screens didn't work and one didn't have any cords to plug it in. Why do I trust in other people that they will get it done and that it will all work? WHY?? Oh well even if I could've had the students log in to the computers, none of their names or I.D. numbers had been entered. So we couldn't use our online assessment programs. On the upside I have been BEGGING for a voice amplification system for my classroom. I have a tendency to lose my voice fairly often, or stress it. I had one of these systems at my previous job. The research says it helps with teacher fatigue, and student understanding. The students do not miss as much information. They found one for me in the school. The OTHER part of this equation is that It needs to get installed...yes I am probably optimistic about this happening. Anyhow, I am excited by the possibility of getting this.

I also had a chance to have a chance with our "new to our school" teacher. I was curious about what he thought about our staff meeting. It was the biggest relief to hear him voice his thoughts which so matched my own. "That was the most unprofessional staff meeting I have ever been to". Unfortunately after the year last year it was NOT the most unprofessional staff meeting I had ever been to. He also said that the principal didn't really want to be involved, didn't want to hear of or deal with any issues. The principal just wants us to do our jobs and not ask anything of her.  Luckily the majority of the staff is self motivated. However, it makes it extremely difficult to get those holding us back to do anything! It also gives power and control to people who mishandle it. Sigh. I finally decided today it would be much easier to work with this kind of principal that a micro-manager. I do wish the principal cared.

It was so great to see all the kids again! Four of my students read 100 books this summer. That is one-third of my class. It really is huge! I had to go get their ice cream certificates tonight so they would not be disappointed. The ladies at the cafe were pretty excited about it. They will give the kids thumbs up when they go redeem them. So that is a great thing!

It is supposed to cool off a little next week! That will be good because we were all dreaming of swamp coolers today. My classroom stays the hottest year round. I think it is because it is in the middle of the other classrooms and has the most windows! It is nice in the winter but this time of year, not so great! I decided to make my day a little easier by giving my classroom aide a daily task list. That way if she has any free time she knows exactly what do to. Especially if I get pulled from the room for something else. I am noticing her patience with the kids isn't great. It wasn't great before pregnancy though. I know we aren't always teaching them things that are exciting for us. We have to be excited about their learning because it is very important to them. If they find it fun they will learn a little quicker.

I am sooooo tired after the first day. I plan on going in early tomorrow. G'nite all

Here they come....

Ready or not here they come! First day of school tomorrow. I worked most of last week and all weekend. I am starting way more organized than I started last year, but I still feel there is room for improvement. My classroom aide came in for awhile. She is barely pregnant, told everyone, it is a high risk pregnancy, and is hormonal as heck! She couldn't control herself at all in the professional setting so I can only imagine what she is like at home. Pray for me to have some patience. Generally the majority of my patience is reserved for my students. If you want to suck it away from me... you're way, way, down on the list!

I rearranged my classroom and I am much happier with it and feel like the students have more room. I also feel it is more functional. My aide is cranky about it. I think it is a much more workable plan for my students and that is what counts! I just want to improve on my skills every year. If you aren't helping me get there please get out of the way!

I tried to be optimistic after our school meeting with the staff and the principal. I am not feeling very optimistic though. Some of the things the principal had to say sounded good, some did not. The principal likened us to a group of people pushing a wheel. A wheel that has been sitting for a long time and takes the whole team to get any kind of movement. The principal doesn't want to hear about any impediments or obstacles in front of the wheel, we all just need to push. This was a little frustrating for me because we have staff members throwing speed bumps, and other obstacles in the wheels path. They constantly do this. If the principal doesn't deal with those people the principal is in the way as well. I will share more of the meeting later.

I am very excited to have my students back tomorrow. All the other stuff aside, they are the most important thing! They are why I keep showing up! One of my students in second grade this year made it to the national finals rodeo for kids! She is phenomenal! I can't wait to hear about their summers. I gave the students a 100 book challenge at the end of the school year!  I know a few of them made it and read more than that, but it will be interesting to find out about the rest. Of course the teacher's kids barely read this summer. That makes perfect sense doesn't it? How can you preach the value of reading and not have your kids reading? I don't get it! I am starting our first read aloud book tomorrow "The Red Sails of Capri". 

We have a cross country team this year but I can't seem to get a hold of anyone about cross country meets! Sheesh! Wish me luck! I will just keep asking until SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE, can tell me SOMETHING! I start my online class soon, have to finish getting my STEM project together, and well... I am signing off to hit the showers!  Wish me luck on the first day back to school!

Getting Ready..

I am not sure if a teacher is EVER completely ready for the school year. I have A LOT to get done  in the next 7 days. Three of those days I am TRAPPED in meetings. I hope they are worthwhile. All I can do is HOPE!

I rearranged a lot in my classroom to make it more functional... I think. :)  We'll see how it works... when you rearrange something though you have to make a mess to make it happen. I spent most of today trying to get it put back together. I still have a lot to do but I did get a lot done in between procrastinating. I finished over the weekend copying all of my tests for the whole school year, and dailies. I hoped to get all the homework done...but hey... I did get a lot done! I even spent time laminating. I hate laminating... I'm glad we have a laminating machine though. It is a tedious job. You have to wait for the machine to heat up, then you laminate, then you have to haul your mountain of plastic to your classroom, and then you spend A LOT of time with scissors. I have given others the laminating job only to regret it. They overlap things etc. The cutting part seems to be more manageable for most.

I have a high school classroom aide again this year. Maybe she can catch me up on things! I pay her in lollipops and goldfish! The goldfish cracker folks...not actual goldfish. It is amazing what the H.S. kids will do for food.

In between all of my classroom work I have been working on the girls Volleyball Schedule. It is difficult to get them enough games because we have to play independent. We have to play independent because last year the girls forfeited to many times. I heard a lot of complaining about the old A.D. but I am getting more and more of the picture that he was virtually successful in killing the athletic program at our school. I made a phone call this summer and got a friend to come and do a volleyball camp in this town. He did a great job and I got a lot of positive feedback. One of the girls refused to go to the camp because "I know everything there is to know about volleyball". "really? You don't have room for improvement?"  "Nope". Okay how do you argue with that bad attitude. To have a team we have to ask everyone to play. I think we have enough girls we can bench this one and her attitude.

I have 2 classes I am taking this fall. Well one goes all year but they both involve a lot of work this fall. I can do it! One of my student's mom makes the BEST homemade bread. She invited me over for a Making Bread day. So I MUST find time for this! I also managed to clean out our "Ball Room" the place where we stored all of our athletic equipment and P.E. Supplies. In the past it was a "free-for-all" organizational method. The kids were allowed to play with anything w/o supervision. To retrain their brains, the staffs brains, etc. I had to go the other extreme. Take it  all away and slowly let them earn it back. The room is now off limits to students. However, to make sure they understand that I knew I couldn't leave anything in there. Sooo....It has been emptied. This process will also allow me time to go through it all when I have time. Then I can see what needs replacing, is broken, missing, etc. 

The guy who will be coaching boys basketball is driving me a bit batty. He seems to be under the impression a gym only exists for Basketball. He told me to arrange the P.E. schedule so the kids would be ready for basketball right after school. I gave him that look. He got a little sheepish. I said I know the world revolves around basketball. Luckily for him... P.E. had already been scheduled at the end of the day! However, it wasn't planned with Basketball practice in mind. I also had to tell him the Volleyball net would be going up soon. When It went up they could still have open gym but the net would STAY UP!. He pouted a little. Basketball!! I am sure my Dad thinks this is reasonable! Thbbbttt!!! Every other sport is just a way to stay in shape for Basketball!

I really miss the classroom aide I had at the beginning of last year. She was invested in the students and me. She wanted to see us all succeed. The aide I have now... it is just a job to her. She doesn't have a clue how much time, effort, and energy it takes to do it well. I have a lot of training to do...but I do wish it came more naturally to her. I love what I do and if it isn't for her I hope she decides that and moves on. Sooner rather than later.

I am hoping our district shares our Tech Guys with us before school starts. They tend to pull them away from us and then we are waiting to get issues taken care of weeks into school. It is really hard to tolerate. I hope our Tech guy will be here Friday as planned. He was helping me move computers to make it more functional for the students.  The poor guy has a 197 mile one way commute to get home to his family every weekend because the house he was renting was sold. So he comes through our town on Fridays when not pulled to the other schools. I don't know how he will do that in the winter.

Well.. I shall keep on keeping on getting ready!

Universal Sayings By Moms Everywhere

Remember your mom saying "Stop that before somebody gets hurt", "you'll poke your eye out", "don't make me stop this car". Well I haven't found  myself using any of those sayings lately. However as an observer in my apartment on the second night of fighting  out in the street. You really want to say "hey dummy, what did you think was going to happen". I am not sure if it is the hot weather that  brings out the dummies or what! Running out in the street after one another seems like a really bad idea.  Remember mom saying to "look both ways before you cross the street". Well that applies when drunk as well, even if you're angry and need to beat somebody up.

Also, if you're pregnant you may want to avoid the saloon scene. Just some advice. That way you can avoid any possible brawls that could put you or your child in danger. Even if you think your boyfriend is "man" enough to protect you. Even if your mommy owns the saloon. Find another hobby. 

I have a question for you if you fire someone when you're drunk, and don't remember firing them, are they still fired in the morning?

Saloon Problems!

I've posted saloon problems before...but the saga continues. When you live over a saloon and your neighbors are saloons. Well it gets more entertaining than necessary.  Tonight was one of those hot summer nights. I got home at 10 and saw they were still drinking I was pretty sure drama would occur. It did! I dialed the emergency number. I hope I don't get to know the dispatchers by name. It's bad enough I know all the local law enforcement.

Saloon problems: I think one of the problems might have been the guardian of a student. Yay! It's really what you don't want to know. I also think the individual works or owns a local dining establishment. Yay! It was pretty funny when one of the comments hollered by someone not involved in the fight but found it amusing said  with a chuckle " I hate your food and your hamburgers suck"!

Anyone want to come sit on the porch with me in the summertime?

Update:
Officers loading up drunk people in their patrol cars...it is like loading a giant wet noodle. Not fun for them entertaining for me.

What's Cool!

You know what is cool? When you can genuinely be happy for someone. So I'm very excited my friend from back home is expecting her 2nd little whippersnapper!

It has been the craziest week. Every time I make some progress I feel like I am five steps behind! I will somehow, someway get it done. I was expecting to have some help but that has gone out the window. It is going to be a busy busy fall!  I told my secretary that I was probably going to have to cry a couple of times so just hand me a kleenex and tell me this too shall pass! :)

Copy Machine

Ahhh a brand spanking new copy machine! This is teacher candy! Fantastic! I managed to get through about a quarter of one grade levels math tests in about 1 1/2 hours instead of hours and hours and hours later! It made me happy. I came back to an overwhelming amount of work! What else is new.. and of course there were a few things I forgot to get while shopping for our concessions! I will somehow, someway... get it done!

Whirlwind

I feel like the past 2 weeks I've been trapped in a vortex whirling across the desert. It has been busy. I had a week long Project-Based Learning STEM class last week. It was very interesting and I learned a lot. What was good about it is I feel I have a better understanding of PBL. I still think I have a long way to go but I have a better grasp of what it would look like in my classroom. To learn it though I think you have to do it. So I will have my first PBL project this fall.  What was a bummer about the class was there was a bit of a not so hidden agenda. Typical of government ran classes I suppose. However, I could overcome that and scoot around it to what I needed to learn from the class.  Is it any wonder that our students come out of college regurgitating what they where taught when the professors don't ask them to think but tell them what to think?

I also got to visit with my cousin about a project I started but never followed through on. I am excited to get back to it this winter and feel it will provide me some stress relief in the up-coming school year. It is good to have a little project outside of my school world to work on and think about. 

I got a file from my principal with articles to read and the plan for this next year. I was fighting getting discouraged after reading through the packet. I feel like the principal is trying to force some things. I have planned to make a lot of changes this school year,  now I am wondering how many I will get to implement. I am just going to move forward and try to do what I know is best for students. I am not saying there isn't room for improvement but based on those articles sent to us it made me nervous. We'll see where the principal runs with this. Some things cannot be forced on to people no matter how much you would like it to happen. Especially relationships. You can have two close friends who don't relate to each other. You can't make them be friends because they are your friends. One of the articles was about professional learning communities. I thought well I hope my principal read this as carefully as the principal wanted us to. As the leader of our PLC's the principal sets the standard and the example. Last year it was pretty frustrating, discouraging, and not motivating. Maybe the principal will make some positive changes. Who knows.

 There were many other articles as well.  What I find interesting is that our administration focuses so heavily on test scores but does not focus on providing the teachers with support, coaching, or help in areas of need. Every time I have asked for help in a certain area I ended up wishing I never had. I also just found out... well let me back track. In our state we have professional development coordinators who are experts in their field. (Math, ELA, etc). They are supposed to keep up on the standards, state expectations, teacher needs, etc and provide classes or support when requests are made.Well, I just found out that you must send in a request form to them to get some help. All of the times I asked my principal for help or ideas not once was this ever mentioned. It doesn't cost the school district, it is a state ran program. I feel like I was patted on the head and told to go do my job with out any constructive help. UGGH! If a teacher is asking  why wouldn't you give them the best chance of being successful. I am glad I am proactive about my own learning. Otherwise I would've sunk my ship a long time ago.

I also had an interesting conversation with a gas truck driver at a gas station in the town where I get my groceries. He delivers two tankers of 113.5 thousand gallons of gas to this station every day. I know you are wondering how I started talking to this guy. Well, this happens to me at random times like airing up my tires. I must've looked like I was struggling because he offered to help. Then I asked how much one of the tanks held. and it went on from there. Curious minds leads to interesting conversations. Anyhow, he had rented the movie "Waiting for Superman". He got it thinking it was a superhero movie he could watch with his son. Then found out it was about the education system in America.  He told me I couldn't get fired and made 85,000 a year. Well, no sir I don't and yes I can get fired. Our state no longer had Tenure, and our evaluation system has changed. So based on our evaluations, and more we can be fired.  So I let him know of some of the law changes. However, at the same time I realize our system still needs improvement. He told me some stories about what his son was experiencing in school. I told him call the principal, call the superintendent, I said as a parent you have a right to be heard. I feel it is extremely important for parents to be proactive. If there is going to be serious change society needs to change and get involved in their students education. I'm not in my job to babysit your kids, I want them to learn, I want to learn and improve my teaching. If more parents were involved I don't think it would take long for it to change. It would  have to be a majority of the parents though. Anyhow, I am part of a system that I don't believe works. However, I am doing what I love to do. I wonder though...how much better could I be with better managment.

I spent 2 hours shopping in Wal-mart to stock up for the next month. It is a very special kind of torture. I always end up forgetting something!  I really dislike Wal-mart. For so many reasons. However, my options are limited. After I went there I ran in to Safeway to get a few things you can't get from Wal-mart. I was over shopping. I went to town also because my Uncle and Aunt and adorable cousins were in town. It was really fun to hang out with them. I hope that the kids like Horse and Cow Tunes for kids. I am sharing the love of those cd's with all my favorite short people!

Well, I am procrastinating on alllllllll the chores I need to get done at school and at home... More later

R and R

Got a little time away from the "grind" thanks to my cousin. She invited me up to the lake for  a couple of days. It was really nice to spend time with her, her kids, and the water. I have a tendency to begin to crave the sight of water after awhile.  After I met with her I met up with Mom in the big city! I picked her up and dragged her around on my errands. Had to do a Costco run and a few other things. Of course on the way home I still had to hit up Wal-mart, Safeway, and Jiffy Lube! I've put quite a few miles on my car this summer. 

Today Ma helped me get some work done down at school. I met with an assistant this evening who helped me organize 30 years of school uniforms so we could figure out what was new, old, and otherwise! What needed to stay and what needed to go!  I finally feel like I have a handle on that. I have A LOT to get done in the next few weeks and really not enough time to do it in. I guess we all feel like that sometimes. Ma also helped me go on another couple of dump runs. YAY!  It is finally getting to the point in my classroom I can see what I need...not just whatever is sitting in front of it!

With my new title comes more planning  for an up-coming Volleyball Camp, a town team B-Ball Tournament, Fall Volleyball season, A 13 mile Run, and .... Let's see! Oh yes it sounds like we will have enough students for a Boy's B-ball team, a Jr. High Co-Ed team, and a BIG maybe on the girls B-ball team.

I also have 2 Brand New Curriculums to tackle, a year long STEM class,  a U.S. Constitution and School Law class. Yikes... I need more vitamins!!!!!!

What I miss from the South East

Mmmmm MMMM

Thanks for....

One of the nicest things about summertime is you get to spend a lot less time with people who live and breathe negativity. I will post a picture a staff member left another staff member at work. I actually had to laugh. There is so much complaining that nothing constructive gets done. I think the difference between getting criticism and hearing a whine is what happens when possible solutions are offered. If solutions are not even attempted in any way shape or form, its a whine. If solutions are not offered it is also a whine. There are two sides to the coin.  This town is so resistant to change that they really disable themselves from positive change. I think stubbornness can be a great quality if channeled in positive directions.  I like that they hold onto a lot of their traditions and ideals. When I spoke with the staff member about the note left with them I had to laugh. We were able to have a good chuckle over it and now it is our "catchphrase"!

I have been taking a brain break from school "stuff". I needed to physically and mentally. I pretty much hit the wall with my immune system. I think I had too much stress for too long. My body finally went from warning flags to shutdown! I will be taking a lot of vitamins and getting it built back up for another busy year. I quit drinking soda which was a huge shock to my system. I was definitely addicted. I was using soda as fuel. Eventually, something had to give. I am fairly certain I am done with soda for life. I keep being offered alternatives like flavored soda water etc. I really don't want a soda substitute, I don't want anything similar to it. It makes the craving for it worse because it reminds me of it. So please no more soda substitute suggestions unless they are nothing like soda.

I have been thinking about a family friend up in Oregon who has been battling breast cancer. I don't think she knows how much she's been on my mind so this is for you J.H.!  You are a special lady and I hope you heal quickly, and will be cancer free!

Something I value more everyday is people who are "real".  If you are real you are honest, truthful, and you are who you are. I find people who are perpetually worried about appearances exhausting. You find yourself wondering what is true and real. So for all those characters in my life who are "real" thank you! I may not always agree with you but I really appreciate your honesty.

Our new math teacher will be down tomorrow. I am a bit nervous for him because the former math teacher decided to leave all of his stuff and not come back to get it until November. I think we will help the new Teacher box everything up and put it in storage.  We being the English teacher and I.  It will be hard enough to go through the rest of the stuff that is a disaster in that classroom w/o having to go through the old teachers stuff. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

 I hung out with a 3 year old recently and asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up and here were her responses!

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A:  An Elephant
Q: What are you going to do when you're an elephant?
A: Eat peanuts!
Q: Where are you going to live?
A: With you!
Q:  I will have to build a barn for you Elephants are big!
A: Yep
Q: Elephants are expensive to feed, they eat a lot of food, and it costs a lot of money.
     How will I get money to feed you?
A:  At the bank
Q: Maybe I will let children ride on your back if they pay me money. Would you like that?
A: Yep!


Sooo there ya go.... when you are thinking about what you want to be when you grow up... Choose something that requires eating peanuts LOL

Driving...

I haven't been 'bloggin' lately from the road. I drove around in a lot of circles this month but I did get to see a lot of family and friends! So it was worth it. Granny and I got to go to the coast and soak up the salt air. We managed to get there on a day full of sunshine with smooth seas. We had a great time eating on a boat in the Bay! I was able to see some starfish in the tide-pools and stick my toes in the sand. Next time I will not forget to leave home or the hotel with a lawnchair and a kindle!

I had decided to quit caffeine and soda once school was out and my first summer course was finished. In the past this was fairly easy I'd have a few days of headaches and then feel good. This time my body went into some kind of shock. It was not fun and I felt pretty awful throughout the whole process. Sooo I think I am on the no soda for life plan. On my trip I was lucky enough to see my Aunt K. She took me too lunch and ordered a soda ... She thoughtfully asked me  if it was like drinking in front of an alcoholic :). I had a couple of giggles over that one.

I also had a nice visit with another Uncle and Aunt and my 2 wee cousins! I forgot to take them "Horse Tunes and Cow Tunes for kids" but they don't have to worry I will be sending it soon.  It was great to spend time with family and friends.

Ma and Pa came down south here for a visit and to help me with a few projects. The first one was putting together a couple of Ball Cages.. Dad really, really, enjoyed putting them together. He really hopes that I order a few more that he can come and put together for me.  He also helped clean out one of the athletic rooms. He kept saying "you wouldn't believe how much was in there"! I would believe because every single room I have cleaned at this school has had a phenomenal amount of "stuff"! It was exceptionally filthy as well.  Lucky Him. Mom helped me make sight word flash cards while doing a mountain of laundry. We worked on cleaning out the Uniform Room. The uniforms date back to the "80's"  I think! She was the "Queen of the Laundry" I helped both of them and also worked on the mountain of copying I have to get done. I finished one grade level of all their math tests for the whole year. I started another year but didn't get far before the copier was seriously cranky. I had to do some surgery with a paper clip, a small screwdriver, tweezers, some tape, and some help. A long time ago someone copied something that didn't get completely removed when the copier jammed. For some reason when I copied it worked its way out. I am glad I was able to remove it because it was getting crispy and may have caught fire eventually.  The copier and I are perpetually at war. It usually wins!

Since I had some help I also washed some windows. After the last dust storm the windows were really dust ridden. I had a taller person handy to reach those high spots which is really helpful.  We had to do a little roof climbing to get the outside but at least the roof is flat!

Hopefully we can get all the projects we started completed before they head back north.  I feel like I am making progress...which would have taken 4 times as long with just me doing it. Anyone else want to drive town and help??? You might enjoy a close relationship with the copy machine :)!  The weather this week has been great in the 90's during the day. A little bit toasty, but not too bad!  

Summer

Today felt like summer vacation! It was a beautiful sunny day on the coast. I was able to walk on the beach, stick my toes in the sand, see some starfish, and relax. Great day. I don't know why I left home without lawn chairs. Next time I'm bringing lawn chairs and my Kindle.  The weather was fabulous... the sea was calm. I think the rain is supposed to be back tomorrow. I hope so... it will make it easier to head leave!

Apple Cider Vinegar

If someone suggests Apple Cider Vinegar as the Cure for what ails you. Find every other option available and try that first. I don't think I've ever tasted anything quite as horrible. My eyes cried, my mouth cried, my stomach cried. I am using the word "cried" because I truly feel it was a step up from plain "ole" mouth watering. UGGHHH.  Home remedies are something I always take a look at being so far from the store and doctor.  Ohhh I oooohhh... ugggh....iiiccckk......yaccckkk.... Find out if you can get it in pill form. Don't subject your taste buds to such cruelty.

Saloon Problems

Saloon problems are problems you have only if you live over a saloon!  For instance if you get busy don't call home, your cell phone battery dies, you don't notice for quite some time that it died, then you have to charge it........
Your parents assume you have been stabbed/shot/eaten by the locals and they call the sheriff's office to come do a "wellness" check to make sure you're still breathing. Saloon problems!

Saloon problems also include a visit from your "favorite" deputy in the early morning hours!  He verifies life and leaves. Saloon problems.

Saloon problems include everyone knowing you're in town based on your car being home. Luckily they are still scared enough of you they don't show up on your doorstep without a prior invitation. What will happen when they aren't scared anymore? Well, that scares me!
 

I have been creating in my head a list of signs that you've been living in a teeny tiny town tooo  long.

1. You know every resident by their car.
2. You know every resident by their dog.
3. You know every resident by where they sit/park at the saloon.
4. You know every resident.
5. The local restaurant has your favorite meal named after you.
6. You have ridiculous urges to go sit on a bar stool and complain!

Don't worry I am not done with this list.... it will continue later....

Summer Class

My first class of the summer has me working down at the school all hours. I have 45 hours in total to complete. It shouldn't be hard...but when you are done.. you are done...and I'm done!  It is good because I am working on things while they are still fresh in my memory! It isn't good because I have gotten interrupted for other things a lot. It is good because I have gotten a lot done for next year. It isn't good because I am tired. This is good because it will give me time to play with a clear conscience! 

We had our first day of Pre-school today with seven students in total. That made me feel like it is really worthwhile! There are a lot of little kiddos running around needing to learn their letters. The location we are holding preschool at is well filthy. It shouldn't be filthy but everyone seems to have a different idea on who is responsible for the cleaning. So I spent about an hour cleaning with my aide before I had to return to class. She spent another couple hours on it and barely made a dent in it.

I need to go have dinner! G'nite

Ignorance ....

Wellllllll what you don't know CAN hurt ya! I called another A.D. in a nearby county to learn what I could learn. He is helping me clear up a lot of my foggy areas. I was mired in fog. He will be a great resource and helped to me. I told him that I was operating on a big basket of ignorance. He definitely is helping support me in gaining some knowledge of my new roll. Thank goodness we do not have more teams that we do. I need a little more experience. I am grateful to those who are willing to help me. I also spoke with a friend in my "old" county who is going to come over and put on a volleyball camp for my girls. So that is pretty exciting. I think they will appreciate it. I seem to be getting a "sigh" of relief from folks that I am doing this job. I don't know what it was like before but it seems like I could mess up pretty badly and it still wouldn't come near the previous messes.

I started a class today which is basically to help you prep for next year in a constructive manner. I definitely need this. So I have hours to do this week and next week. Even with all of those hours I am sure I will spend much much more time on prepping. This class provides some much needed structure.  This weekend is a local town festival... I am expecting the bar to be open and the noise to be significant.  Feel free to mail me some ear plugs.

A national agency rents out our school for this week to  do some training of their new recruits. They camp out on our field in tents, their are trucks everywhere, the gym is full of tables,  etc. My classroom has a tent at the back in the "classroom library". So here I am taking a class to prep for next year and working around .... all of that. Also, our school copier is running on its last toe. I purposely did not say last leg...it is way past that. I am praying for a new copy machine A.S.A.P. How can you "prep" without a copier? My printer at school is also out of ink, but no orders go out until July 1st.  So I have a lot of handicaps for prepping but that always seems to be the case down here. You just learn to do the best you can with what you have.

I have a house to clean, dishes, and laundry to do. The scary part is I haven't stopped since school got out. I am looking forward to heading North soon for a break. 

Graduation

Our graduating class of 2 had a nice ceremony today. What is great is they had to put the whole ceremony together themselves. It was a good exercise in planning for them. They made their own pamphlets, slideshows, order of events, speeches, etc. They served a very nice turkey and ham dinner with jello salads, macaroni salad, rolls, green salad, and more. The speaker was a minister who formerly worked in this community. He did a very nice job. One of the students began with a prayer. A future administrator sat next to me and said "that is against the law". I thought "SO WHAT?" to myself. They ended the ceremony with a prayer as well. The whole thing was created by those two students. If that is what they wanted then "why not"?  Their graduating class had a valedictorian and salutatorian :)  Yep they did! Made me chuckle.I was there most of the day helping set up and then was there most of the afternoon early evening helping clean up. So it goes at a small school.

Winding down...or UP?

Well... we made it through the crazy insanity of the last day of school. Somehow! Today was our teacher work day. I slept in a bit and then went in to work. I was sitting in my classroom unsure of where to start. My brain couldn't check in. I poked my head in my colleague's door. She was having the same trouble so we decided to go clean some of the areas that needed purging.  We purged! We got rid of textbooks from the 60's through the 90's.  We found rat poop all over the place, and completely outdated materials. I don't think that place has been that thoroughly cleaned since they moved in the building.  We also took about 6 loads to the dump. Our volunteer librarian came to drop some things off and couldn't stop grinning. She didn't think she would ever be able to get through all of that. So it was really good. We didn't accomplish much in our classrooms but we did accomplish things for the whole schools benefit. So there ya go. Our classrooms... another day.

I talked with the old AD today and he handed me off fantastic things like a starting pistol, and our school locker room combination list (written on yellow legal paper). Luckily I also spoke to a few other folks and found out that the fall volleyball schedule is usually worked on NOW! Yikes.... soooo I have to make a few calls tomorrow and find out who knows something.  The kids also told me they wanted to play more volleyball scrimmages. So I will see what I can do for them.   

All of the cleaning we did today reminded me of how much cleaning there is to do throughout the whole school including the  Athletic rooms. Oh dear! Does anyone want to come help me??? Please????  sigh....
Preschool starts next week so I met with my aide this evening and thanks to my friend from up north we were able to compile a list of great ideas.Thanks Barb!! I then had to beg and plead for a key to the building where we will be holding preschool. Hopefully, we get it before our first day. Oh my! I start my first class of the summer on Monday. So I will be gathering some materials together to do that. I have no idea what to expect for that the lady organizing it has seemed Very Disorganized..... so hopefully it all comes together.

Saturday is our school graduation. We have two students graduating this year. I will be down at the school tomorrow and  Saturday helping them get set up for that.  So when you think things are winding down for summer.....not so much! 

Field Trip

We survived another field trip! Whew!  Of course on the day we decide to go swimming the weather turns colder. Luckily I made arrangements at both the indoor and outdoor pool. We played at the park and went to the indoor pool. Our bus driver is best described as elderly.  He did some creative driving today that had all of our stomachs in our throats and a little shaken. I keep begging parents to get their CDL for at least on field trips.  I came home to have some dinner. I need to finish stuff for our awards assembly tomorrow, our field day, and I don't even know what all.  It was a good day. I am pooped but don't have time to be pooped. So I'll get it done and collapse later.

Dust in the Wind

So I drove North and East for my first day of a class I will be taking all of next year. I left quite early this morning and got there quite early. It did give me a chance to stop at the office supply store though. I picked up another teacher who was dropping off something to get worked on. Then we went. It was a bit of a ho hum beginning. I think this is going to be a very challenging class for me. It is different that what I thought and I really don't know what to expect. I, yes me, volunteered myself to take a class called STEM. S.T.E.M. is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and MATH!  What was I thinking??? A little ignorance when you sign up for a class is BLISS. It will be interesting to find out how those disciplines can be taught all at once to say Kindergarteners. I am SOOO In for a few headaches. I am proud of myself for stretching myself. I am stretching myself like "Stretch Armstrong"! Wish me luck and say a few kind words about me when my brain explodes.

The drive home was a little eventful. We get a lot of windstorms this time of year. Windstorms bring dust. Dust and wind equals Dust-storms. It gets quite exciting on the road. Inside your car you can taste the dust in the air. It was blowing about 50 miles an hour. So then I start heading south and it rains just enough to turn the dust to mud on the windshield. So wind, dust, rain, wash. Wind, dust, rain, wash again. That's how it went. Then for a lovely but short while the rain came poring down. Then back to wind, dust, rain, wash. I pulled in the parking lot at school in my school provided vehicle and the dust was amazingly thick on the car.  So I made it back home. 

Yesterday when I left my house my key turned in my lock and turned, and turned, and turned. Last night when I came home it turned and turned and turned til.... it popped out. I had complained about the lock a long time ago but it wasn't taken care of. I really think someone had attempted at some point to break in and damaged the lock but wasn't successful getting inside. So, I had to make a call leave town and trust that it would be taken care of in a timely manner. Scary eh? I came home to a new lock and a new key in the door.

Tomorrow, we are leaving for a field trip. I have so much to do to get ready for our last day of school and our awards assembly. Somehow, someway... I will get it done. We should find out by the end of this week if our carpet in the classroom is being replaced. This weekend I will be finishing cleaning the classroom.. and preparing for summer preschool, and preparing for a different class that starts next week. Overwhelmed much? Yep YEP! I won't be bored this summer. Granny I am planning on being pleasantly bored for a couple days at the coast with you and a GOOD BOOK!  :) Something to look forward to!

Weekend and Bicycles

I forgot in my last post to share how our Bicycle Day went. All of my students but one had bicycles. Another student brought an extra from home so that everyone would have one. I made an obstacle course on our playground pavement. They loved it. I learned a lot from that and if I have it again I know how to improve it now. Then I let them go ride around our track. They wore themselves out. A community member brought their snow-cone machine and syrup. The kids loved that treat. What was very interesting is I had a 7 year old student who did not know how to ride  a bike at all. This student is athletic and constantly moves. I don't think balance was a skill that he's worked on. I was very surprised. Hopefully, he will have opportunities to learn. It was overall a very successful day. They had a great time.

I went to town this weekend for my current aides Bachelorette party. It really isn't my scene and isn't something I enjoy doing in any way shape or form. I went to be nice. Luckily most of the plans fell through. I was relieved it ended up being shopping and hanging out rather than partying partying and more partying. I really dislike the mall... ALOT. I think I was over mall shopping in the mid-90's. Uggh.  We also went to see the dueling pianos. They were good that night! I have been a couple of times and you never know how skilled the players will be. These were pretty good.

I was talking with my former aide about the weekend. I had come to the conclusion... I don't have to be nice and attend these things.  My former aide seemed really uncomfortable. I talked with her and realized from our conversation she has completely changed her lifestyle. She felt like attending was a retrograde step for herself. It represented a self she never wanted to be again. I have very strong boundaries and refuse to go do something I am uncomfortable with or feel doesn't match my moral compass. So I didn't feel uncomfortable because of where I am at as an adult. So we chatted about the idea of a bachelorette party. It seems a very unhealthy concept. If you are looking forward to your marriage why is that party something you feel you need? Is there security in your relationship?  My former aide said that at the most she would like to have her girl friends over for dinner, chatting, and movies.  I will not be attending a bachelorette party again. It was dumb, unhealthy, and pointless. I think my current aide was disappointed we weren't into it more. I think she has some maturing to do.

I am trying to get ready to head to a bigger town for some training tomorrow. I've been trying to check my e-mail to get the place written down I need to go. Of COURSE, for some reason the school e-mail isn't working. Print when you receive information you need!! UGGH! I am being loaned the school vehicle to drive there. YAY! I don't have to pay for gas. YAY!  I have a lot of last minute stuff to do before heading that way tomorrow so I'd better sign off.

Honesty

The strange and horrible thing about a dishonest person. Is that they can make you feel like you are as dishonest as them, even when you aren't. I weary of dishonesty. I just wish people could do things the right way and nothing would be tainted. It is something I want to be more conscious of. I want to always be sure to go out of my way to do things the honest way.

We had a long arduous staff meeting today. All of our staff meetings make me feel as though nothing I do is valued or makes a difference. I literally have to fight to get my students services that should be given. The excuse I was given today was we have at least a hundred kids at our big school with the same issue. Why is that an acceptable reason to NOT provide services. The other teachers are just as frustrated as you. Okay then why aren't we helping these kids. The answer was dodged artfully and carefully. I am sure it comes down to money. This is part of the reason why public school fails. You say this is an issue again, and again, and again. You are saying the system is broken again, and again, and again. The only response you get is yes it is an issue but you have to follow this system. Even if the system is either broken or doesn't work in certain circumstances. If virtually all of your teachers are saying this doesn't work.. why don't you listen? It isn't one or two who refuse to use it or have bad attitudes. The majority are saying it doesn't work. UGGH  As teachers we get the blame if our students don't learn. Period. However, sometimes we are fighting soooooooo unbelievable hard a system we know is broken to get our students what they need to be successful. That is the frustration. We KNOW we should be doing more. We WANT to do more. We just are  flying a kite in a hurricane. The hurricane is going to win. The kite might be seen but the hurricane will be seen and HEARD.

I have a tendency to take on too much responsibilities. However, I think we all need to at a small school. The staff simply isn't large enough to spread out the responsibilities. Lately though I've looked around and wondered am I the only one still working? The fact is I have been. I've walked out of my classroom at 3:45 and it is silent. Not a single person in the building. Apparently we don't worry about contract hours here. I think to myself how can they have everything done? Am I less organized than them? Nope I'm not but what I do is actually grade papers not just the "important ones". I  don't see how education is ever going to not involve grading. Some of my colleagues seem to think the switch to C.C.S.S. will involve less grading. When I read them and then listen to my Principal... I wonder if we are reading the same sets of standards. I think we all can easily get stuck on one aspect of a new concept instead of looking at the picture as a whole.

Speaking of taking on more responsibility. I was made Athletic Director. I had been asked by our superintendent to do it. I told my principal. My principal didn't share it with the staff. I didn't feel like it was my place to do so. I got a lot of attitude about this. It was being manipulated to go to a certain person. I had a feeling it was being manipulated but I didn't know which person. I was proud of myself when it was brought up I stayed silent. My principal said actually the "super" already promised it to her. The principal then said " he overstepped his bounds by doing so" "that is the principals job". That didn't make me feel very good.  The principal wasn't doing the job but allowing others to do it. I was asked, I shared that with my boss, and left it alone. I was letting the chips fall and wasn't going to argue it. It made me feel like I was doing something sneaky. I didn't bring it up to the "super" it was asked of me. It is this kind of stuff that stresses me out. So I will be doing that job next year. It will involve scheduling, hiring coaching staff, organizing athletic events, etc. I will have some learning to do  but I am up for the challenge.

Everything I've been through this last year I hope I have learned from. The things I need to work on like keeping my mouth shut :). I was thinking how important it is to have people around you that you respect and value their opinion. The respect is a key component. The more I see with some things the less respect I have. If we all did our jobs to the best of our ability every single day....we'd make great strides. I am glad that I have so many people I can call on to get ideas from. They have the experience and expertise to back up their suggestions. I think I've been yelling out "HELP" and have been instead greeted with criticism, excuses, and avoidance. The people who are doing it and doing it well. I really appreciate their help. Sometimes I feel like my little town is a little island and I can't seem to build a boat and paddle fast enough!

I wish I could stop going to these meetings... see how discouraged I get after one? I need some positivity around me. I have to go into town tomorrow for some car maintenance and a wee bit of shopping. I'm headed to the big city for one night this weekend. Then I have to be in a training on Monday. Tuesday we are going on a field trip, and Wednesday is the last day of school. Thursday is a work day. The following week I am in a class and preschool begins. Here we go summer! Here we go!