I really do not like people who feel as though they can boss you around just because you are some young school teacher.
Today we had our big school wide meeting. I must say it is a pretty awesome thing our school does once a week. It is something I wish I could invite everyone to see. It is too hard to explain and if you experienced it, I am sure you would be amazed. Well anyways...you may have read in my last post that we have people from all over the US visiting our school this week. Our school wide meetings are Wednesday so of course the visitors got to experience the awesomeness that it is. We even had TV cameras there. I am sure this was due to the fact that we had the visitors in, because normally they are not there. Back to my point...I, along with another teacher, was given the task of setting up the library for some "debrief" sessions we would be having after school. So as we are going about our business a woman asked us, well more told us, that she would be having a meeting in the library. We explained that that would be fine but we were supposed to have a meeting with about 40 people in the room in about 20 minutes. She said that she just had to have this room and that we would need to wait for her. We asked if we could set up around her and she said that she was using the room and we would need to set up later. Come to think of it, she never told us who she was(we did figure it out shortly thereafter). So, as a host school, I did not want to piss off any visitors, so we obliged. Of course we reminded her that we would need the room for a meeting and she just snubbed us. So she set herself up and then had the camera man and audio man came in. When the woman(someone who works at my school) who was being interviewed reminded her about the room being needed she said yeah, yeah. And then went about her business. When my principal came in, she snubbed her, saying she just needed a couple minutes. I couldn't believe it. I guess that since we are not in the TV business we don't count and since she had a story or whatever to do that she could care less about what we had to do. God, I hate it when people feel as though they are owed something because of their job or position.
BTW...the meeting went fine and, at least, the people in my debrief session were totally cool with things running late.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Blog 365...
I guess I had really high hopes of being able to publish a post everyday. I mean really high hopes! I guess I never realized how much life would interfere with being able to do that. Those of you who can, god bless you. I am usually so exhausted at the end of a work day that I can bearly muster up the strength to cook dinner. So you can forget about posting a blog. I guess I could forgo eating, but I am not sure how much my husband would appreciate that.
This week, we have people from all over the country coming to visit our school. I am excited and nervous. We have been busting our butts to get the school clean and ready to have a major influx of people in it. And of course prepping the kids for people that will be wandering in and out of the rooms. Some of the students especially need lots of prep because any little disruption to the schedule throws them into a tizzy. On that note, I can't wait for Friday to come so the kids and the rest of the staff can just chill. Everyone is on pins and needles. It is not much fun with everyone on edge around here.
And as much as I would love to discuss more, I really have to get back to some work so that I can be ready for the students who will be here in about 30 minutes.
This week, we have people from all over the country coming to visit our school. I am excited and nervous. We have been busting our butts to get the school clean and ready to have a major influx of people in it. And of course prepping the kids for people that will be wandering in and out of the rooms. Some of the students especially need lots of prep because any little disruption to the schedule throws them into a tizzy. On that note, I can't wait for Friday to come so the kids and the rest of the staff can just chill. Everyone is on pins and needles. It is not much fun with everyone on edge around here.
And as much as I would love to discuss more, I really have to get back to some work so that I can be ready for the students who will be here in about 30 minutes.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Finally time for an update
I used to get disappointed when I would visit some other bloggers sites only to find out that they haven't updates their site in a couple days. I was like "come on people, how hard can it be to write a little entertaining entry to update the rest of us on what is going on" Well now I know. It is very hard to find the time and to figure out what to write. So I apologize for all the things I may have said under my breath to the people who's blogs I regularly read.
Matt and I decided on Friday night that we would try and get some stuff done around the house this weekend and that we wouldn't leave the house, except for my dress fitting for a wedding I am in in June and to run to the store to get some food for our lockdown. Well...it didn't go to well. Sometimes when you have the mindset of not being able to do something, you try your hardest to find a way to do it. So, Matt and I made and excuse to go to Target and Home Depot even though we were supposed to be on "lockdown." And we didn't even get done what we were supposed to. I am hoping that I can be more successful tomorrow with Matt at work and me with the day off. I'll let you know how that goes later.
BTW- for all you non-upstate New Yorkers that are reading. It is freezing out. I know it may not be as cold as it is in Green Bay for the playoff games but it is cold. Even the dog knows that there is no time for play outside. It is all business once that door opens.
Time to go...the Amazing race finale is on.
Matt and I decided on Friday night that we would try and get some stuff done around the house this weekend and that we wouldn't leave the house, except for my dress fitting for a wedding I am in in June and to run to the store to get some food for our lockdown. Well...it didn't go to well. Sometimes when you have the mindset of not being able to do something, you try your hardest to find a way to do it. So, Matt and I made and excuse to go to Target and Home Depot even though we were supposed to be on "lockdown." And we didn't even get done what we were supposed to. I am hoping that I can be more successful tomorrow with Matt at work and me with the day off. I'll let you know how that goes later.
BTW- for all you non-upstate New Yorkers that are reading. It is freezing out. I know it may not be as cold as it is in Green Bay for the playoff games but it is cold. Even the dog knows that there is no time for play outside. It is all business once that door opens.
Time to go...the Amazing race finale is on.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
I found this on best-of craigslist and thought it would be appropriate for yesterday's post
To the people of *fill-in-the-blank with your own town* post office:
1) Middle-Aged Clueless Woman of Japanese Descent: OK, the USPS website said you could ship that package to Kyushu for $6.75 and come to find out, from two clerks at the counter, that it actually costs $37. Do you really think that 10 pounds of anything will ship Priority across an ocean for $6.75? Do you?? How about this. . .use some common sense, step up and realize you read the information on the website incorrectly and trust the clerks that do this for a living. I say this with a smirk, but they are EXPERTS and I KNOW they were actually right this time! Dumb. Ass. Casting a request-for-sympathy-gaze to the rest of us in line got you nothing. In fact, I think I witnessed an 80-year-old woman mouth the words, ‘Eat Shit’. I saw you again just the other day on Capitol by the Thai restaurant. Sweet Jesus, woman, you live around here??
2) Trailer-Trash Wannabe eBay Businesswoman: Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s clear you got some postal game. I mean, you had at least 10 packages prepaid, all ready to go and have obviously mastered Click-N-Ship. Your shit is tight. But ya gotta stick with what ya know, and assisting the clerks in dealing with Middle-Aged Clueless Woman of Japanese Descent is obviously NOT what you know. In fact, that effort was downright futile. You should have known this. After all, you’re here every day with your Goodwill-fodder turned eBay treasure. (although I will give you props for being certified WT and under 200 lbs). Anyway, you were really annoying in saying repeatedly, the same fucking shit the clerks were saying, but with an Estacadian’s command of the English language. C’mon! Middle-Aged Clueless Woman of Japanese Descent was getting uber-agitated and the longer she was agitated, clearly, the longer she was going to camp at the counter until attaining some degree ‘respect’ or validation. Did I mention that while you were ‘helping’ the hapless clerks, you were yourself at the counter being assisted by the ONLY other clerk not involved in the fray? Oblivious psycho. You sort of recognized me during your righteous attempt at ‘helping’, and you cast yet another request-for-sympathy-gaze. You were not indulged. I maintained the eat-shit expression recently conveyed by the wise and elderly madam behind me. You know, you were nice to me one time when you held that door open, otherwise you would have been at the top of this list.
3) The Yeller: Now I haven’t seen you before, but you were on a freakin’ MISSION. I could tell you were a jacked-up Type A in about. . .a second. It’s a good thing you weren’t here Friday, dog. I mean, some shit went down with this crazy lady that. . . Anyway, things were moving pretty good, but obviously too slowly for you. Think, man. . .if you commit to a line that has 12 people in it and two clerks at the counter, what do you expect? Obviously you expect either personal service or a hand job because waiting 5 minutes ANYWHERE is not your strong suit. I was down with the people in the line that day dog, I mean, there was some respectful and sweet old people, a smiling soccer mom and even a non-screaming kid that was actually capable of independent play. There was a 1 for 2 clerk situation (one good one) and overall things were looking pretty good. Until of course you mouthed off, “Can you guys get some help out here? Fuckin’ A!” I’m all for more counter help. In fact, I might even send a letter to management to report how painful this station is, but saying what you said and then doing all your posturing, sighing and slamming your flat-rates on the counter just wasn’t cool. The FuckinA was especially uncalled for, and frankly, it really wasn’t on par with your $75 Magnum Opus haircut and designer clothes you were sporting. I firmly believe that a simple, “Jesus!”, with an emphasis on the ‘Gee’, befits a man of your caliber. Seriously, your reckless tirade left one clerk speechless for a least five minutes and should have resulted in the postmaster booting your ass out the door. I was embarrassed because we share the same generation. Here’s a recommendation: your time is far too precious to expend at the post office, please send your trophy wife in – me and a couple other regulars wouldn’t mind checking out some fakies once in a while. And dude, what the fuck are you doing out of Lake Oswego anyway?
4) Forty-Five-Year-Old Cell Phone Tard: I’m not spending a lot of time on you. Others have. Your ilk is well-known and well-hated, like on that trip to Salzberg during the fortress tour where you talked over the guide on your cell phone about some fucking t-ball game your brat played in, or at the Beaverton Nissan dealership when you were buying the convertible Z (gag), or even in the milf-infested Pearl District Starbuck’s. So you think you have a really cool job? Well let me tell you. . .people could give a shit when they’re well into their 20th minute standing at the Multnomah Post Office! We really aren’t impressed that you’re part of the ‘CG effort’ for the next Dreamworks production. I mean, YOU SELL COMPUTER PARTS ferchrissakes (memory modules I think?) to the Techs that run the computers that support the Creatives that bust their ass in a very non-glamorous sweat shop hell of a job. Come to think of it, you’re NOT really part of the ‘CG effort’ at all. You’re just some nominally-educated, self-employed consultant dickhead that believes he’s getting his 15 minutes of fame by name-dropping ‘Dreamworks’ fifty times to some pissed off people in a line at the post office. I guess I did spend a lot of time on you. And that’s because I hate you.
5) Sighing Milf: I don’t have a clear picture of you, because you come in droves. You are all shapes, sizes and flavors. 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, blonde, brunette or redhead, you have truly perfected the art of The Sigh. I’ve come to appreciate and respect you, for when I hear your call, I’m about to have a great moment. Now, The Sigh indicates that I’m moving a lot of merchandise and I’ve got a formidable stack of packages with me. Capitalism at work. Money in my wallet. I’m already having a good day. I want to let YOU in on a little secret Sighing Milf. . .your sweet sigh will almost always preclude one or all of the following: a slower than normal process of placing the packages on the counter, my apparent confusion with a receipt or customs form, or, if I’m feeling especially wicked, entry into a light-hearted and prolonged banter with Pete the clerk. You may not be subjected to these atrocities though if Sweet Old Lady or Smiling Soccer Mom are in front of you. But, mind you, I’m here almost every day and you’ll be back too because I’ve seen your road-weapon Navigator with the lame stick-family sticker in the parking lot before. It’s a slippery slope, The Sigh, and it may eventually elevate you to Cold-Hearted Bitch someday. Just sayin’.
To the people of *fill-in-the-blank with your own town* post office:
1) Middle-Aged Clueless Woman of Japanese Descent: OK, the USPS website said you could ship that package to Kyushu for $6.75 and come to find out, from two clerks at the counter, that it actually costs $37. Do you really think that 10 pounds of anything will ship Priority across an ocean for $6.75? Do you?? How about this. . .use some common sense, step up and realize you read the information on the website incorrectly and trust the clerks that do this for a living. I say this with a smirk, but they are EXPERTS and I KNOW they were actually right this time! Dumb. Ass. Casting a request-for-sympathy-gaze to the rest of us in line got you nothing. In fact, I think I witnessed an 80-year-old woman mouth the words, ‘Eat Shit’. I saw you again just the other day on Capitol by the Thai restaurant. Sweet Jesus, woman, you live around here??
2) Trailer-Trash Wannabe eBay Businesswoman: Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s clear you got some postal game. I mean, you had at least 10 packages prepaid, all ready to go and have obviously mastered Click-N-Ship. Your shit is tight. But ya gotta stick with what ya know, and assisting the clerks in dealing with Middle-Aged Clueless Woman of Japanese Descent is obviously NOT what you know. In fact, that effort was downright futile. You should have known this. After all, you’re here every day with your Goodwill-fodder turned eBay treasure. (although I will give you props for being certified WT and under 200 lbs). Anyway, you were really annoying in saying repeatedly, the same fucking shit the clerks were saying, but with an Estacadian’s command of the English language. C’mon! Middle-Aged Clueless Woman of Japanese Descent was getting uber-agitated and the longer she was agitated, clearly, the longer she was going to camp at the counter until attaining some degree ‘respect’ or validation. Did I mention that while you were ‘helping’ the hapless clerks, you were yourself at the counter being assisted by the ONLY other clerk not involved in the fray? Oblivious psycho. You sort of recognized me during your righteous attempt at ‘helping’, and you cast yet another request-for-sympathy-gaze. You were not indulged. I maintained the eat-shit expression recently conveyed by the wise and elderly madam behind me. You know, you were nice to me one time when you held that door open, otherwise you would have been at the top of this list.
3) The Yeller: Now I haven’t seen you before, but you were on a freakin’ MISSION. I could tell you were a jacked-up Type A in about. . .a second. It’s a good thing you weren’t here Friday, dog. I mean, some shit went down with this crazy lady that. . . Anyway, things were moving pretty good, but obviously too slowly for you. Think, man. . .if you commit to a line that has 12 people in it and two clerks at the counter, what do you expect? Obviously you expect either personal service or a hand job because waiting 5 minutes ANYWHERE is not your strong suit. I was down with the people in the line that day dog, I mean, there was some respectful and sweet old people, a smiling soccer mom and even a non-screaming kid that was actually capable of independent play. There was a 1 for 2 clerk situation (one good one) and overall things were looking pretty good. Until of course you mouthed off, “Can you guys get some help out here? Fuckin’ A!” I’m all for more counter help. In fact, I might even send a letter to management to report how painful this station is, but saying what you said and then doing all your posturing, sighing and slamming your flat-rates on the counter just wasn’t cool. The FuckinA was especially uncalled for, and frankly, it really wasn’t on par with your $75 Magnum Opus haircut and designer clothes you were sporting. I firmly believe that a simple, “Jesus!”, with an emphasis on the ‘Gee’, befits a man of your caliber. Seriously, your reckless tirade left one clerk speechless for a least five minutes and should have resulted in the postmaster booting your ass out the door. I was embarrassed because we share the same generation. Here’s a recommendation: your time is far too precious to expend at the post office, please send your trophy wife in – me and a couple other regulars wouldn’t mind checking out some fakies once in a while. And dude, what the fuck are you doing out of Lake Oswego anyway?
4) Forty-Five-Year-Old Cell Phone Tard: I’m not spending a lot of time on you. Others have. Your ilk is well-known and well-hated, like on that trip to Salzberg during the fortress tour where you talked over the guide on your cell phone about some fucking t-ball game your brat played in, or at the Beaverton Nissan dealership when you were buying the convertible Z (gag), or even in the milf-infested Pearl District Starbuck’s. So you think you have a really cool job? Well let me tell you. . .people could give a shit when they’re well into their 20th minute standing at the Multnomah Post Office! We really aren’t impressed that you’re part of the ‘CG effort’ for the next Dreamworks production. I mean, YOU SELL COMPUTER PARTS ferchrissakes (memory modules I think?) to the Techs that run the computers that support the Creatives that bust their ass in a very non-glamorous sweat shop hell of a job. Come to think of it, you’re NOT really part of the ‘CG effort’ at all. You’re just some nominally-educated, self-employed consultant dickhead that believes he’s getting his 15 minutes of fame by name-dropping ‘Dreamworks’ fifty times to some pissed off people in a line at the post office. I guess I did spend a lot of time on you. And that’s because I hate you.
5) Sighing Milf: I don’t have a clear picture of you, because you come in droves. You are all shapes, sizes and flavors. 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, blonde, brunette or redhead, you have truly perfected the art of The Sigh. I’ve come to appreciate and respect you, for when I hear your call, I’m about to have a great moment. Now, The Sigh indicates that I’m moving a lot of merchandise and I’ve got a formidable stack of packages with me. Capitalism at work. Money in my wallet. I’m already having a good day. I want to let YOU in on a little secret Sighing Milf. . .your sweet sigh will almost always preclude one or all of the following: a slower than normal process of placing the packages on the counter, my apparent confusion with a receipt or customs form, or, if I’m feeling especially wicked, entry into a light-hearted and prolonged banter with Pete the clerk. You may not be subjected to these atrocities though if Sweet Old Lady or Smiling Soccer Mom are in front of you. But, mind you, I’m here almost every day and you’ll be back too because I’ve seen your road-weapon Navigator with the lame stick-family sticker in the parking lot before. It’s a slippery slope, The Sigh, and it may eventually elevate you to Cold-Hearted Bitch someday. Just sayin’.
Monday, January 14, 2008
I was the one!
Have you ever gone to the post office, only to see there is someone with a ton of packages standing at the counter. Yep...that was me tonight. My lovely husabnd asked me to drop off some packages at the post office. Normall this would involve running in dropping them off(since most are already postmarked) and leaving. On occasion, we might have a couple that need to be weighed but tonight there was, I think, 15. Fifteen packages, all international, that have to be weighed and postmarked. Needless to say, I was certainly not everyone's favorite person, especially the lady that was glaring and sighing the entire time I was there.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
I love being a homeowner!!!
I don't know many people that would enjoy doing yard work in 40 degree weather, but Matt and I had a lot of fun doing just that today. See, we moved into our house when there was several inches of snow on the ground, so yard work was not in the books at that time. Well there hasn't been much snow lately and the yard is looking a bit shabby, so I went to Lowe's this morning and bought some yard work supplies and we got to work. Although there is still a ton to do, we made a lot of progress. My whole plan was to document it all but the battery is dead on the digital camera and I can't find the charger. So I guess you will just have to take my word for it.
I might have put the puppy into a very long sleep coma too. She was WILD this morning. The way she was running around the kitchen and family room doing laps, well let's just say I thought someone had slipped something in her food. So I took her for a 1 1/2 mile walk and then she spent about two and a half hours outside with us while we did yard work. She was given a nice warm bath afterwards because like little kids, little puppies are very curious and do not care when you say no to them. She was a very dirty, but still very cute puppy. If you need someone, or something, to dig a nice hole in some dirt for you, I have just the person(or puppy). And, by the way, she can dig pretty fast!
I might have put the puppy into a very long sleep coma too. She was WILD this morning. The way she was running around the kitchen and family room doing laps, well let's just say I thought someone had slipped something in her food. So I took her for a 1 1/2 mile walk and then she spent about two and a half hours outside with us while we did yard work. She was given a nice warm bath afterwards because like little kids, little puppies are very curious and do not care when you say no to them. She was a very dirty, but still very cute puppy. If you need someone, or something, to dig a nice hole in some dirt for you, I have just the person(or puppy). And, by the way, she can dig pretty fast!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
What should I do?
I would love to be outside cleaning up the yard from this week's past wind storm but a certain puppy gets into trouble while we are outside. She barks and barks and whines at the door. At least we know she is alive and can see her. Then she will just disappear and suddenly we hear a crash. That would be her crawling all over the furniture and the coffee table knocking things down. She hates being along. She even whines when I go downstairs to the basement to throw a load of laundry in. Can anyone else feel my pain????
Interesting story...this week was the State ELA(English Language Arts) exam. There is three parts. Since many of my children have test mods, I often have to test them alone and at a different time than the rest of the students. So one of my students is a poor reader, to say the least. The first day of the test is 28 multiple choice questions. The most she has gotten right in practice test, 7(yes, seven). So since I can't read a word to her, she was really struggling with reading the stories. She took so long on the first story that I told her she didn't have time to read the remaining stories. She would have to read the questions as best as she could and try to find the answer or guess. She decided that for the ones that she was really struggling with she would do eenie, meanie, minie, moe. Wouldn't you figure that she got 17(that is seventeen) correct. Can you believe the luck?
Well I am off to do some laundry since the little girls is sleeping. I don't dare to try and go outside. Not until Matt gets home, at least.
Interesting story...this week was the State ELA(English Language Arts) exam. There is three parts. Since many of my children have test mods, I often have to test them alone and at a different time than the rest of the students. So one of my students is a poor reader, to say the least. The first day of the test is 28 multiple choice questions. The most she has gotten right in practice test, 7(yes, seven). So since I can't read a word to her, she was really struggling with reading the stories. She took so long on the first story that I told her she didn't have time to read the remaining stories. She would have to read the questions as best as she could and try to find the answer or guess. She decided that for the ones that she was really struggling with she would do eenie, meanie, minie, moe. Wouldn't you figure that she got 17(that is seventeen) correct. Can you believe the luck?
Well I am off to do some laundry since the little girls is sleeping. I don't dare to try and go outside. Not until Matt gets home, at least.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Awwwww crap!
I missed a day for the 365 blog nation. I hate making excuses but I do have a pretty good one. There was a pretty windy storm that passed through our area yesterday morning. Everything at the house was fine and dandy when we left for work but the power went out after I left and just went back on about fifteen minutes ago. So, no power means no internet and no internet means no post. No power also means no heat and no heat means a very cold little puppy. I felt so bad for little Layla. Thirty six hours with no heat can be hard on a little one. When we went to our neighbor's house to get some firewood and started up the fireplace, there was Layla right in the front row. I must say it was really cute. Even with the power back on she is still curled up in front of the burning embers. What a smart dog we have!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Give me a black and white stripped shirt and call me a referee
Call me naive but when I was nine or ten years old, fighting with other girls was the furthest thing from my mind. Maybe I called a girl a name or looked at them and stuck my tongue out a couple times, but I know for sure that I would not tell them that I would kick their $&! and I will see them on the bus. Geez. It is a beautiful day here and I decided to let the kids have about twenty minutes outside and then I have to break up fights. I was afraid one of the girls was going to kick my $#@. Ohhh the joys of being a teacher.
Monday, January 7, 2008
I almost slipped
Geez. It is only the seventh of January and I almost forgot to post a day. I am trying this posting everyday thing. I look at it as therapeutic in some degree. Now I can write and write and write, instead of chewing Matt's ear off about the things my students do to drive me crazy.
The trees are gone. We have a whole new backyard. It looks huge. I met the kids next door today. They are so nice. They were in shock that we took down all the trees. Then they asked me if I would get a job at the school behind us so I could be their teacher next year. I chuckled under my breath.
I will post some pictures later in the week of the before and after of our backyard.
The trees are gone. We have a whole new backyard. It looks huge. I met the kids next door today. They are so nice. They were in shock that we took down all the trees. Then they asked me if I would get a job at the school behind us so I could be their teacher next year. I chuckled under my breath.
I will post some pictures later in the week of the before and after of our backyard.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Hip Hip Hooray
Today Matt and I bought some furniture for our new living room. So we spent a good long time on three different showrooms sitting on many different couches and loveseats. We finally agree on a sofa-chair set, we pick out end tables and a coffee table to match and low and behold, they only have the couch in the color we want. They might get in a chair or loveseat in that color sometime but they changed distributors and weren't sure when or if they would have it again. Aaww crap! So we go back to look at the same set in a different color. The salesman said he would give us a nice little discount and the loveseat instead of the chair if we bought it in the lighter color. I had my heart set on the "mocha" color. But, we ended up going with "honey." And now that I think about it, I am sure it will look quite nice. I am excited. Now we just have to find an area rug to fit in with all the new furniture.
While shopping for furniture, the tree guy called and said they would start work tomorrow. Yipee! I can't wait for that. It will be so nice to be able to do our own thing in the backyard. We have five trees and three bushes coming out. We are also having the maple tree pruned.
And to round out the house stuff, we are having our chimney cleaned tomorrow. It will be so much fun to be able to use the fireplace.
Man...being a homeowner is fun and very expensive!
While shopping for furniture, the tree guy called and said they would start work tomorrow. Yipee! I can't wait for that. It will be so nice to be able to do our own thing in the backyard. We have five trees and three bushes coming out. We are also having the maple tree pruned.
And to round out the house stuff, we are having our chimney cleaned tomorrow. It will be so much fun to be able to use the fireplace.
Man...being a homeowner is fun and very expensive!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Answer Sandwich party
In school, we teach our students to write paragraphs using an "answer sandwich." Basically the kids form their "top bun" which is when they restate the questions and give a gist. Then they must have at least three supporting details(the spicier the better). This is the meat, tomato, cheese, lettuce, etc. Then of course you must have a bottom bun to complete your sandwich. This is when the students say about the same thing as the top bun. So...we have been working on this since September. Next week is the big state test. The students have lots of reading and writing to do, so their "answer sandwiches" must be perfect. Today I went to one of my colleagues house to make some sandwiches for the kids to get once they have written a perfect paragraph. They have four opportunities to write. Each paragraph comes with its own treat. They get mini white castle burgers for one, crabby patties for another and then...check it out for yourself.
mini answer sandwich cookies
and a piece of the answer sandwich cake
mini answer sandwich cookies
and a piece of the answer sandwich cake
So think of me Monday afternoon when our students will be feverishly writing in order to get their treats. And then think of their parents as we send them home all sugared up.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Way to go Layla!
So, today was my day to come home at lunch and let the little girl out. I was nervous the whole ride home. I was super nervous opening the door. Matt and I's new ritual upon entering the house is to smell the air. We continue to stick our sniffers in the air all the way to the crate. So with my big honker in the air, sniffing my way to the crate, I was surprised to find that...(is the suspense killing you yet) NO ACCIDENTS!!! Awesome! We went outside and took care of business. Layla would have loved to play with her mommy but unfortunately, mommy had to go back to work. So it was back in the crate she went. I was telling myself the whole way back to work that she was going to have a big mess when I came home because I didn't play with her. So home I come after work and put my sniffer to the air, but once again NO ACCIDENTS!! I am so proud of her. Call me crazy. But she crossed over a big obstacle today. This was the first time our little puppy made it more than three hours without having an accident. She has made it overnights every night, but for some reason when we both leave the house she just can't make it. So everyone raise your glass and toast Layla.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Things that make you go hmmmmmm
What does it mean when you come back to work and in your mailbox you have a half used bottle of hand sanitizer? Hmmmmmm...is someone trying to tell me I have dirty hands? Does the fact that it is lemon-lime scented have any significance?
Today is the big test! Will the little girl make it to lunchtime with no accidents in her crate???? Hmmmmmm...I hope so. All you blog readers keep your fingers crossed. We played for an hour this morning and then went for a walk so I hope she is tuckered out and does nothing but sleeps. I'll let you know the verdict when I get home.
Oh yeah another hmmmmmmm moment. At our school on Tuesdays and Thursdays we have something called extended day. The students stay for an extra hour and a half to get extra help with reading, writing, and math skills. I am not sure if it is as beneficial as it sounds considering a lot of the times, the kids that need it most get sent home on the regular bus because they couldn't behave during the regular school day. So why in the world would you make kids(and teachers) who have been on vacation for almost two weeks now, stay an extra hour and a half on their first day back? Hmmmmmmm. I need to retire!
Today is the big test! Will the little girl make it to lunchtime with no accidents in her crate???? Hmmmmmm...I hope so. All you blog readers keep your fingers crossed. We played for an hour this morning and then went for a walk so I hope she is tuckered out and does nothing but sleeps. I'll let you know the verdict when I get home.
Oh yeah another hmmmmmmm moment. At our school on Tuesdays and Thursdays we have something called extended day. The students stay for an extra hour and a half to get extra help with reading, writing, and math skills. I am not sure if it is as beneficial as it sounds considering a lot of the times, the kids that need it most get sent home on the regular bus because they couldn't behave during the regular school day. So why in the world would you make kids(and teachers) who have been on vacation for almost two weeks now, stay an extra hour and a half on their first day back? Hmmmmmmm. I need to retire!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
First playdate
So Layla had her first puppy playdate today. She had a blast and is totally exhausted from playing with a big dog. She was doing really well till she puked the water she drank on my friend and then started to poop in their kitchen. Luckily we got her outside in time to finish her business. Not a great way to make a first impression. I am very thankful I have an understanding friend who remembers the puppy days and the lack of bladder or stomach control, especially after playing.
On another note, we had lots of quotes on some tree work and have decided to take out all the trees in the backyard. We want a fresh start for spring to make the yard our own. The spruce trees that are there now, along with some bushes have taken over and grass does not even grow. I'll attach some pictures later on so that you can get a better picture of the monstrosities(did I spell that right?) the trees are. The tree guy said he will probably be over next week. Man, I am excited.
What I am not excited about is school starting back up tomorrow. I was not blessed with a wonderful class. I think my teaching partner and I were given a class to force us to up and move. They are crazy little boogers. Don't get me wrong they can say some pretty darn funny things, but they can also drive you to pull all your hair out. State tests start next week and that is not the most fun time in my life. Since I am the special ed teacher, I get to deliver(give) lots of test mods to students. That takes me out of the classroom for no less than two weeks. I feel horrible leaving my teaching partner alone to manage the class but you do what you have to to get these kids to do their best. Let's just hope they do. And since puppy training is still well underway I have to come home three days a week at lunch to let the little girl out, which means my partner in crime has to take the kids to and from lunch by herself. Don't get me wrong, she can handle it just fine, but sometimes it is nice when one delivers them to lunch and the other picks them up so that you get a small break from the whining, bickering, and tattling. God,I hope I was not a big tattler when I was their age.
So far 2008 has been great. I can't wait to see what else it brings.
On another note, we had lots of quotes on some tree work and have decided to take out all the trees in the backyard. We want a fresh start for spring to make the yard our own. The spruce trees that are there now, along with some bushes have taken over and grass does not even grow. I'll attach some pictures later on so that you can get a better picture of the monstrosities(did I spell that right?) the trees are. The tree guy said he will probably be over next week. Man, I am excited.
What I am not excited about is school starting back up tomorrow. I was not blessed with a wonderful class. I think my teaching partner and I were given a class to force us to up and move. They are crazy little boogers. Don't get me wrong they can say some pretty darn funny things, but they can also drive you to pull all your hair out. State tests start next week and that is not the most fun time in my life. Since I am the special ed teacher, I get to deliver(give) lots of test mods to students. That takes me out of the classroom for no less than two weeks. I feel horrible leaving my teaching partner alone to manage the class but you do what you have to to get these kids to do their best. Let's just hope they do. And since puppy training is still well underway I have to come home three days a week at lunch to let the little girl out, which means my partner in crime has to take the kids to and from lunch by herself. Don't get me wrong, she can handle it just fine, but sometimes it is nice when one delivers them to lunch and the other picks them up so that you get a small break from the whining, bickering, and tattling. God,I hope I was not a big tattler when I was their age.
So far 2008 has been great. I can't wait to see what else it brings.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
And the new year has begun...oh yeah!
So I may have only been awake for the ten seconds before the ball dropped to about five minutes, after but I am happy that 2008 has arrived. And the fact that I was almost asleep when the ball dropped does not mean that I was sad to see 2007 go. The year 2007 was a really good year. If you didn't read in my previous posts, a lot of exciting events happened in 2007. I got engaged and married to a wonderful man. I bought and sold a house. And we just recently adopted a little puppy that was abandoned outside a shelter.
I joined the Blog365 group. I am not quite sure what I have gotten myself into. I am hoping to learn a lot about myself and also meet a lot of new blogging friends. I am sure that with being a teacher, having a new house, and a new puppy that there will be plenty to write about.
I have a feeling that 2008 is going to be just as exciting if not more exciting. I look forward to telling you all about the exciting adventures of house-training a puppy, remodeling a house, and teaching. So with that being sad, I am off to wake up my husband and make him take me to breakfast to celebrate the new year(and for the fact that I have been getting up at the crack of dawn to let Layla(puppy) out to do her business in the backyard and not in her crate).
I joined the Blog365 group. I am not quite sure what I have gotten myself into. I am hoping to learn a lot about myself and also meet a lot of new blogging friends. I am sure that with being a teacher, having a new house, and a new puppy that there will be plenty to write about.
I have a feeling that 2008 is going to be just as exciting if not more exciting. I look forward to telling you all about the exciting adventures of house-training a puppy, remodeling a house, and teaching. So with that being sad, I am off to wake up my husband and make him take me to breakfast to celebrate the new year(and for the fact that I have been getting up at the crack of dawn to let Layla(puppy) out to do her business in the backyard and not in her crate).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)