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!