Time for the bell

You are judged...

2008-10-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

by the company you keep.

This saying is one I often use as a guide.

Today I was listening to an interview of a local man who is a retired military person and has become a leader in the community. When asked about his political stance, he admitted that he is a registered democrat, however he had never voted a straight ticket. (Good for you, sir.) He stated that he uses this same saying as his measurement tool for who he should vote for.

This makes a great deal of sense. It goes along with the leopard and spots. It just reminds me that I am voting for the best person for President of the United States.

Aah, a little rain is needed, thanks Fay!

2008-08-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

So much for a hot August. The weather here in central Florida today has been gray. TS Fay passed just to the East of our home--in our county. We spent most of the day with tornado watches and gray skies. We were supposed to be on the back side of the squalls but we have only had sprinkles. I really was hoping we could get the rain that we so badly needed. Oh well, back to school tomorrow--how strange, day 1 and a day off. Hmm...

What a hot one!!

2008-08-10T21:03:00.001-07:00

Today was going to be a fun day of planting flowers in our investment property's newly constructed flower beds...but then I got the call.
"Hey, I need someone to fill in for my scheduled referees, can you do it?"
"Sure, what time?"
Well, at 1:00 p.m., in central Florida, I knew it was hot! It was wicked hot!!! At the beginning of the second half, standing at the mid line, I felt like the heat was radiating up from the ground, and there was no movement in the air. After leaving the soccer field, and running errands, I passed a bank sign that said at 4:47 p.m. the temp. was 102 F.
It was hot enough for me.

Tomorrow I head back to school. Where did the summer go?

See you in 2 weeks

2008-08-08T21:44:00.000-07:00

That is the running joke around my house today. It seems that everyone in the house knows that Mom loves the Olympics. I am so hot excited about this that I have decided to begin my school year with my room decorated for the Olympics.
When the students and parents come for orientation, I have a gift for them. I have made little 2" X 2.5" chinese take out boxes from scrapbook paper--inside is the "3rd grade survival kit". I am so excited to see the students get their kits. Tomorrow I will post the information on the survival kits.

Professional Development

2008-08-06T19:01:00.000-07:00

Why is it that people who teach classes to professionals think it is a good idea to put a slide up and then read it to us. Hello!!! I learned to read fourty years ago. When I worked in Philly it was included in our contract that we wouldn't be "read to". I hate the fact that this class will be 2 days long. Ugh!!

And we're teachers??????

2008-08-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

Our school has been blessed with new thermostats for each classroom, what this really means is the administration is hoping to limit the temperature settings in the classrooms. I don't mind this because I prefer to have my doors and windows open as much as possible. One of my co-teachers informed me today that she was concerned about this new item. It seems she doesn't know how to operate it (it is a rather basic model if I do say so myself). She was working in her classroom today--it isn't very hot, maybe 88 degrees F. She went to the office to complain about the fact that her AC isn't working--it is "HOT" in my room she says--guess who had the heater on, not the AC?

It's coming Wednesday!!

2008-08-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

The girly has just told me that the "hottest movie" is coming out on Wednesday. She is so excited to see the second Traveling Pants movie. The first one is on TV tonight, and she is happy to be reminding herself of the story and characters.

I finally read the 4th book this summer and I am looking forward to seeing it too. I am a bit disapointed that books 2-4 will be put into the movie. This does mean that I shouldn't have to worry about too many steamy situations, even though (Spoiler if you haven't read the books!!!)I am sure they will keep something about Lena sneaking out and her painting sessions with Leo. Those can be really Hot!!! (See, I am getting the hot stuff in for the August Blog challenge:D).

Crispy --red and crispy

2008-08-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

Today was a great time in Orlando!!! OH, yeah, and it was pretty hot!!

Today was day 2 of the 3 day Challenge Sports National 3 V 3 soccer tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sports. What a busy place it was!! Along with the 30+ soccer fields busy with kids, parents, coaches, etc. there was an AAU basketball clinic and tournament and the Tampa Bay Bucs spring training workouts.

I applied sun screen ever other game (roughly every hour) and I still ended up with crispy looking legs (between just below the knee and mid thigh where my uniform shorts hit. It is really pretty behind the knee. My face is red, but not uncomfortable, except just around my eyes where I couldn't put the sunscreen for fear it would run into my eye and mess up my contacts.

The Challenge Sports program is so outstanding, I hope to be a part of it again next year.

How you feelin'?????? Hot, Hot, Hot

2008-08-01T09:05:00.001-07:00

Oh my, I really needed this to get my mind ready for the school year!!

Last night I was feeling pretty "hot". Hot as in angry. My MS has a friend who spends more time looking for an argument than listening. He just turned 17 and for all of the time I have known him, he has treated me as if he is my equal. He doesn't understand that I am more than twice his age, and I am not interested in what he thinks about the rules of our house.

The kid got mad when my husband wouldn't engage in conversation and told him over and over to go home, and then helped him get into his car. So, the kid decided to call the local authorities who were more than happy to let us know that they have a file with a list of things this boy has been doing. The mother of the boy decided to tell me that she knows what a "bad" kid my MS is and that her son was a wonderful influence on him (Hmm, does that mean it is a good influence is a 16 yr old kid who hot rods and snags your child from the bus, etc so they can cruise after being told that your child isn't allowed in the car with the "good influence"?)

Anyway, today is a new day, and that child has been informed by the powers that be that he is not to show up at our house again.

And I am hot because I forgot to hit the publish post button, I only hit the save button. grrrr...oh well, I am still going to keep working on August's theme.

2007-12-26T07:17:00.000-08:00

Thank heavens I left New Jersey. They start out with the most liberal governor you can get (who bought his way into his position) and now they are doing the typical "I know what's best for you" form of government. This guy is far from what I would trust to make such major decision about my family and I.

A few months ago they added a laundry list of new immunizations to the list of those already required before your child can attend school. Now they are pushing new legislation to require HIV testing for all mothers and newborns.

I am not against immunizations--well, most of them. I had my children protected against the major illnesses DPT, Polio, HIB...but I drew the line with that lousy varicella vaccine. My children each had the chicken pox, they have natural antibodies. My niece has missed school twice with forms of chicken pox--and she had the shot. She also was more miserable with one of the strains than any of my children were with full blown chicken pox. I am drifting off....

What gets me is that the people in New Jersey are just letting all of this legislation happen. Why are they allowing this to be forced down their throats. It would be nice if the general populations would stand up and say, "enough already!!" New Jerseyans need to take back control of their lives. I hope things change soon, my family there shouldn't be pushed around like this.

very sad

2007-11-25T20:32:00.001-08:00

Greed makes you loose football games...and the Pats should have gone down tonight :(

2007-11-22T15:45:00.000-08:00

Hmm...this is interesting.

I don't know if I agree with all of this. It sounds so sweet and nice and well, I don't know if I agree with all of that. I know I would go out of my way for anyone--even someone who treats me like sh*t if I knew they really were in a bad way. It's the way I am, but I don't forget when I am treated badly, and it takes a lot for me to forgive. (G*d knows, we have had many discussions about this flaw of mine.)

2007-11-21T20:29:00.000-08:00

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I can't help but look back and think of all that I am thankful for. Alto2 tagged me to describe myself through the alphabet--ugh, me??? Anyway, I will do it, I promise. However, I am working on a take off of that for tomorrow. (I know you can think of it yourself with that little hint, can't you??

It's been a tough month--finally being released from the doctor after surgery. The follow up was a lot more stressful than the actual preparation. Then I was lucky enough to have parent conferences with the parents of all of my students. (That went better than I thought it would--I only had a few parents who were unhappy that I didn't wait until next summer for surgery.) It ended with the announcement of scores for National Board Certification. My scores were what I expected. The one portfolio that I expected to re-write is the only one that scored where I expected it to. The good part was it was also the only portfolio that scored low enough to be eligible to attempt to re-write it. I will bank all of the other scores for next year. All in all, I know I am an accomplished and successful teacher...but it would have been nice to have this behind me.

This week has been a nice relaxing one, for the most part, and tomorrow I will spend the day with my husband and the kids celebrating all that we are thankful for. I pray you all will be with those you love physically or in spirit. Know you all are loved very much!

Crafty find

2007-11-20T20:54:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I have been spending the week trying to figure out what I can make for holiday gifts for my co-workers and family members. I like hand made when I have the time--and energy.

Yesterday I found a new ceramics shop about 2 1/2 miles from my home. I love it! I haven't painted ceramics in years--I first started painting when I was expecting ES as I was making everything for his nursery (bedding, etc. ) and I wanted a lamp in his room.

So, today I found these really nice candle holders that look like a ring of holly. ES was with me and had to indulge my looking when all of a sudden he exclaims from across the store- "Mom! Look...you made this for grandma and grandpa--but I think yours looked nicer." Oops, son, didn't I teach you to hold your personal comments for when you weren't within ear shot of others? I do agree with him though :).

If these go well, I am going to make the dragon fly baby for my new niece--due to arrive in the world the end of January. I may also make the butterflies :). Keep watching, if I get these done and they look nice, maybe I will post a picture.

What kind of person is excited by this?

2007-11-18T19:24:00.000-08:00

Most of you probably don't know that I can sew. My mother taught me to sew on her sewing machine when I was 6 years old. I now enjoy sewing for relaxation.

This is a store I walked in to in Herrenberg (Germany) and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. If you haven't figured it out yet, those are buttons. Well, tubes of buttons with a sample of what is in the tube attached to the top of it. There were buttons of every size, shape and color. I couldn't decide which ones to buy and I never got the chance to go back and look again. Next time I am there I intend to get some. I have never seen so many different buttons in any one place. Oh, the other side of the store was just as exciting, it had zippers . Not just one or two, look at them! The funny part was the store didn't have any fabric in it, just notions. I think next time I go I will have to take patterns along. There were also decorative stitchery edging also.

2007-11-17T09:39:00.000-08:00

I should have known that I wouldn't be able to blog every day of the month. I got home last night from soccer only to find that my internet service was "out". It just was repaired about 30 minutes ago. Grrr. Oh well, I am still going to stay with it--I need to ket my mind back into the groove of writing for me:).

2007-11-15T20:14:00.001-08:00

This week is so crazy busy--yeah, you noticed with the posting of pictures not once but twice :). Tonight ES had a soccer match (We won 7-0), TG had her second middle school dance and we still were able to watch my Thursday night TV shows. (I only watch 3 shows, one on Wed. and two on Thurs.)

Tomorrow we will play soccer against one of the toughest teams in the district, wish us luck!! I am looking forward to going to the game. I will get to see my SSDi (step-sister Diana). I haven't seen her since last spring. I am very lucky that she and her SO winter an hour from my home. I love to spend time with her.

The weather has turned COLD and it's really sad because I prefer the Warm of Florida--that is why I moved here :). I need to go now and find my wool socks and blankets for tomorrow's game.

2007-11-14T20:13:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share what my children are looking like these days... From Left YS (youngest son), ES (Eldest Son), TG (The Girly), and MS (Middle Son). The two in the back are standing on an 8 inch retaining wall. This is the picture we took to Germany to show the relatives how they have grown. The last time we took any of them ES was 23 months old and MS was 4 months old. Everyone agreed that they have changed a lot! :)

2007-11-13T19:38:00.000-08:00

A fellow August Mom has a daughter (one of my cyber nieces) who will be refered to as Wipperwill just received wonderful news. She is a featured singer for her all county chorus. This is such exciting news, I can't help but shed a few tears of joy! This sweet songbird has emerged from a small girl hiding in her nest, nervous and anxious of so many things in life. Now, she is a shining star!!! I am so very proud of her and her family and all that they have endured and grown through.

Have a wonderful time Wipperwill. You are loved by so many!

2007-11-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of DH and I at a cafe in Ulm last September. It was a beautiful day, even if I was exhausted.

Traditions

2007-11-11T20:40:00.000-08:00

For the last 3 years I have been taking the classes I need to add ESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) to my certification and many classes have included looking at traditions and cultures.
Well, tonight I am putting the finishing touches on my last project for my last class. (Can you hear my heart do the happy dance?) In the middle of this--it is 9 weeks of lesson plans in one subject area. Mine is Social Studies and includes the beginnings of communities, etc. and it just happens to include the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving used to be my favorite holiday. It began with church and then the rest of the day was spent with family, sharing what we love about one another, and a toast to one another for another year filled with health and love.
The thing I recognized this year is how few traditions my family currently seems to have. We have no real set events that happen on holidays, outside of going to church. Don't get me wrong, I love to worship with my family present...it just seems that there is something missing. Hmm, I guess I am going to have to chew on this for a bit. It's up to me (and DH) to change this.

That reminds me, I need to check with Alto2, isn't it about time to get together with Mimi for our yearly dinner? If you only knew how much I cherish that time.

2007-11-10T18:23:00.000-08:00

Have you ever tried to limit the amount of weight you lift at any given time? Do you know how hard it is for mother to stick to the doctor's rules when she says "lift no more than 2 lbs." LOL, are you kidding?

Since my surgery in August, I was not to lift more than 2 lbs., not supposed to do anything that would cause me to hold my breath, not walk faster than 2 m.p.h. and sit with my feet up as much as possible. Well, that last one didn't last more than a week or two. It's hard for me to do that little. It was driving me nuts.

Thankfully I have been allowed to do more, but I still am supposed to take it easy and slowly get back to picking up things that are heavier than 2 lbs. Grocery shopping is the place where I feel it if I try to pick up too much. Now, before I get letters from the Aug. moms telling me to "listen to the doctor", let me tell you I didn't pick up the cat litter or the cat food, I had the kids do that. I didn't even pick up the 5# bag of potatoes. I did pick up a 4# bag of chicken breasts, and that was enough for me. Pushing the cart was hard though, my belly felt it. So, next time, someone else pushes the cart, until I can begin to exercise my stomach muscles a bit.

My pilotes is going to start this week--as soon as I get rid of the parent teacher conferences. :)

2007-11-09T16:38:00.001-08:00

I used to feel bad that my boys didn't want to go to school functions unless they were directly involved. Well, tonight Middle Son is at his first HS football game. I just dropped him off--It is such a zoo, and the stadium (not ours, the other team) is in the middle of town with next to no parking so people are literally parked in any lawn they can get their vehicles onto. I am going to have him walk a few blocks to the hospital to be picked up--much less traffic.

It's been a long day--only onemore night of conferences, thank heavens.

Long day

2007-11-08T03:11:00.000-08:00

Today will be a long day and I am afraid I won't have time to post anything after the soccer game, and I won't be home before it.. (Love these days when I leave at 6:30 a.m. and return home around 11:00 p.m.)
I have parent conferences today--and let's just say that those scheduled today are not quite the ones I long to talk with. "I am sure Mrs. A that your son/daughter is a creative child, you'd be amazed how many tragedies I have learned about your home this year--to explain why homework has never been completed." and "I am sure your child would have a better chance to understand the new material if she hadn't already missed 13 days of school. Maybe next year you could try to schedule your vacation to the islands before the beginning of the year." How do those sound? There are days I really want to use those kinds of responses to the parents who can't understand why their child isn't getting all A's.
Maybe I should just bite my tongue :).
There is a mother who asks almost daily "When can my child re-take this test? He/she wasn't able to do their best because they were upset that you made them put their books away. My child didn't deserve to get a C so they should be allowed to better their grade."
How would you respond to this?

Season

2007-11-07T19:12:00.000-08:00

Soccer season is officially started for High School boys in Florida. Tomorrow I get to spend a few hours at the field of a local High School, waiting for my son to run onto the field and chase a black and white ball around for an hour and a half.

Actually, I love soccer season. This year has been harder for me, I usually get to spend the fall months (Sept. to Jan.) running up and down the field with the kids, whistle in my mouth, and cards (red and yellow) in my pocket. I missed it.

The good thing is I have been able to see my son play from the sidelines instead of sneaking peeks during breaks from another game. Next year I will be back to my referee tasks, but this year I am milking my "recovery" for all it's worth.

Speaking of recovery, the doctor finally gave me my walking papers. I asked if I was free until June--she said, gee, we'll miss you. To this, I laughed and said, if it gets bad, call me and I'll meet you next door at Applebees for a drink :). She thought that sounded like a good plan. I wish I liked all of my doctors as much as I like Dr. G. (Too bad she can't be my PCP.)

What do you use to select a doctor? Location? Reputation? or luck of the draw?

The trouble with teaching...

2007-11-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

...is dealing with the parents who think their children do no wrong. Oh how tired I am of these kinds of parents this year. How many times will these parents ask "Can my child re-take this test, they only got a 70 % and I know they know the answers." If that were the case Mom, why didn't said child perform that way the first time they had the test? Or, the one I really like, my kid wasn't at school yesterday when you had the test because they were sick, how were they to know that they would have to take the test the next day? That isn't fair!!! So badly I want to look the helicopter mother straight in the eye and say, "Too Flippin' bad, life isn't fair, deal!" But, no I don't, I just remind them of my class policy that all students will be expected to make up all tests the first day they are back from an illness, unless the test was assigned while they were absent. The other one I like is--"My child was sick on Thursday, why do they have to take the weekly spelling test on Friday, they can't be prepared after being out for a day.
(FWIW, the new spelling list is given to the students on Friday for the following week.)
No one needs a license to procreate, darn!

I'm walking

2007-11-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

Yes indeed, I''m walking...

While I was on medical leave at the beginning of the year, my school created a fitness center for the staff. It is great. We have two treadmills, two eliptical machines, a stationary bike, another thing similar to the bike, and two machines like bowflex machines.

I am only allowed to enjoy the stationary bike and the treadmills as per the doctor's orders. (I hope she doesn't mind that I am walking "hills" for 30 minutes.) I started out with just 20 minutes of flat walking at 2 miles per hour. I am up to a wopping 3.5 mpr.

The best part of working out every day after school is it takes me out of my room for a bit, and I get to chat with whoever is in the fitness center. The first few weeks it was open there was such a crowd that people quit going. Now, I can always go after school and there are usually no more than 3 other people in there. We have a flat pannel television/dvd player and a huge fan to keep it comfortable. We have found if we don't want to watch fitness videos, we can still play our music CDs through the tv. It's great!!

Anyone want to join me??

Wishful thinking or planning for June

2007-11-04T17:22:00.000-08:00

I wish I knew for sure which I am doing. I have spent a few hours this week looking at all of the places we want to go in Germany this summer. We need to take our children to meet their cousins. The last time we took the children, we only had half of them (Eldest son was not quite 2 and Middle Son was 4 months old), and it was 15 years ago.

So, if you have any suggestions of things to see and do in Germany--esp. near Stuttgart, I would love suggestions.

4 things Meme

2007-11-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

One of my friends, the Aug. mom at the Testosterone Zone has tagged me -- so, here goes :)

4 Jobs I have had:
Recreation director in a Nursing Home
Assistant manager of a Deli
Youth Minister
Teacher

4 Movies I love to watch over and over
Top Gun (Great volleyball scene)
West Side Story
Signs
Field of Dreams

4 Places I have lived
Belvidere, IL
Delran, NJ
Lakeland, FL
Leaf River, IL

4 TV shows I enjoy watching
ER
Grey's Anatomy
Private Practice
Ace of Cakes

4 Places I have been
Herrenberg, Germany
New England, USA
Mt. Rushmore (South Dakota)
San Diego, CA

4 Web sites I visit daily
blogs of my friends
Hometown newspaper
Wall street journal
CNN.com

4 favorite foods
Tanute Sieglinde's Egg Nog Torte
fettuccine Alfredo
Taunte Friedel's Maultachen
Bavarian Weiss Wurst
(boy do I miss Germany)

4 Places I would rather be
Germany (Herrenberg, Stuttgart, Ulm)
San Diego Zoo (with Christina and Howie)
Pocanos (to look at the leaves)
Washington DC

Well, I guess that's it :) Hmm, who do I tag now? I would love to read the response from One Feather Tale and Doc Thelma.

2007-11-02T03:06:00.000-07:00

Aaah Friday! This is my day to catch up with my friend. We have not had the chance to sit and visit, other than in the lunch room at school, since before school began. It will be so nice to visit at her house with a cold drink in hand.
My friend is another teacher at our school. She is an amazing source of information both professionally and personally. She doesn't tell you what she thinks you want to know, she tells you what you need to know. I am so very lucky to call her my friend. So, she and I and her hubby and their 4 legged son are scheduled to drink, laugh and re-connect. I have missed talking with her.
That may sound funny. We see each other every day at school, and we even sit next to each other most days at lunch, but we don't get to talk--you know, really talk. When we did get to talk, she was usually telling me that she thought I was doing too much after surgery. She is so protective of me. She knows what it's like to have a hysterectomy (although hers was a total, and mine was partial--her recovery took much longer than mine did).
Last year my friend and I got to know each other. She mentored me as I worked on National Board Certification (and no, I have no idea how that went, won't know before Christmas). Through that process we got to know each other and I value her as a friend so much. I know I can talk about anything and everything and never will she judge me. She will voice conerns when she has them, and she will make me laugh at myself if I take things too seriously. I love my friend and I am so lucky to have her a part of my face to face life every day.
I have many many friends, and many who began as online friends who are now real life friends as well. Stay tuned, you may recognize yourself one day on this page.

Happy Nov. 2nd, Happy Birthday Step-sister Janell.

2007-11-01T03:13:00.000-07:00

Where did they go???????? Last night the weather was beautiful for all of the ghosts and goblins to come begging for candy at my door. We had warm weather (74 degrees) and no rain, and I probably saw 50 children. In years past I ran out of candy. This year I have too much left over--more than half of the candy I bought is still on the dining room table. Do I need this temptation?
My goal this month is to limit my sweets, work out in the fitness center at school every night, and to type something here everyday. Shouldn't be too hard to do, but then again, let's not put the cart before the horse.
Have a great month!

I hate writing lesson plans

2007-10-30T18:06:00.001-07:00

Oh the necessary evils of writing out my lesson plans--I have everything all thought out, written down in my own personal shorthand, more than I need to write for administration...but it is in my shorthand. Now I have to go back through my notes and write it out all pretty with color coded hightlighted areas to show where I use all of my ESOL strategies, where I work with my ESE students, and where I incorporate my cooperative learning skills. And, if that isn't enough, I then get to go through every lesson and include every teaching standard the state can assign to each lesson. (Can I complain when a math lesson has in the area of 18 standards touched on?) Oh yeah, and why is it that the new policy at school is to have them on the AP's desk by 8:00 am on the last day of the month--even if it is the middle of the week? Did I mention that it is Halloween, and even though we don't "celebrate" it, the day couldn't be more crazy with extra treats and parents who show up in costume for lunch with their children. It really gets crazy.
Oh well, have a great time with all of the cute pumpkins who dress up as something or someone else and beg for candies. Everyone needs to play pretend once in a while, don't we *wink* LOL

2007-10-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am coming up for air. It has been so long since I have posted much of anything. The second half of the summer really blew past me. My mom had to have surgery and it left her with major problems (I promise I will explain that soon) and I spent my free time running from doctor to doctor for myself before I had surgery at the end of August. (That will be covered also.) Now, after a trip to Germany, I am back to school. My mind is full of so many things right now I don't know where to start...so I am going back in time and unloading a lot of the things that have been swimming around in there. It should help me organize my thoughts and hopefully, will allow me to deal with some of it that has been put on a shelf with a smiley sticker--so I can pretend everything is fine.

Hmm, fine, that's the code word. It means, anything that could cause an increase in stress for our mother, that she can't do anything about and that we are taking care of isn't to be discussed. (Please G*d, don't let her read this.) My mother is a terrific woman. She wants us to keep her informed of what's going on, but I won't put her through some of the headaches. It is alright to let her in on things, after the fact. I don't mind doing that at all. As long as it's past the "worry" stage. Thankfully, I haven't had anything that fell into that category for a long time. Is that bad? Hell, there are things I don't tell lots of people. That's what we pay therapists for, isn't it? LOL

closest book meme

2007-07-10T06:46:00.000-07:00

Well Doc Thelma challenged, and who am I to ignore a friend?

The rules are:
1. Pick up the closest book and open it to page 123. Find the 5th sentence on that page, copy that and the next 5 sentences. It doesn't seem so bad--remember: the closest book.

Slide that decimal point down along the diagonal line. Write a decimal point at the end of the diagonal line. Work as a class, students use the lattice method to solve several multiplication problems in which at least one factor is a decimal.
Multiplying Whole Numers and Decimals by the Lattice Method
partner activity
After partners have solved the problems on their own, they check each other's answers.

Oh yeah, the excitement of it all, right? This is the Fifth grade teacher's edition Everyday Mathematics. I am tutoring a student whose parents fell down on the job of home schooling and I need to help her get ready for public school after a 3 year "break". I am not sure why some parents choose to home school. Not all people are cut out for it. This student didn't like going t school, and she refused to complete the workbook series her parents were given to "teach her". It is going to be tough for this girl, she has trouble with math and many social situations. I hope she does well.

Hmm, I've been tagged...Random Facts about Me.

2007-06-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

Players start with 8 random facts about themselves. 2. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts. 3. Players should tag 8 other people and notify them they have been tagged.
My 8 Facts:

I am the 5th child my parents had together...and I have 4 older brothers 4,7,8,and10 years older than me.
My father is shorter than I am, and he whistles or sings as he works. It's contagious
When I was 18 I drove through 12 states by myself, on a 2 week trip.
I enjoy working on house projects--setting tile on the backsplash of the kitchen, repairing dry wall holes, landscaping, changing lighting fixtures.
I have the best career anyone can have-I get to "be there" when all of these amazing minds suddenly click and the child says "I get it!!!!"
As an adult, I have really found a great group of people who I can call friends, and I know if there was ever a need, all I have to do is grab the phone and they will come running.
I love music of any style (except Rap--can't get into the foul words and images), and if I am alone, don't hesitate to sing along.
I am dying to see Wicked.

Those I'm tagging : anyone who has never seen this before!! Please leave a message that you have taken the challenge--:)

She's her mother's child

2007-06-20T00:56:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I am sitting at the computer typing at 4:00 am.
No, I am not just waking up, I haven't been able to fall asleep yet. Summer schedule does a number on my internal clock. It seems to have done that to my children, esp. my 10 year old daughter. I went to her room about 15 minutes ago and insisted that she put her book down and turn out the light. For the longest time, she hated to read...so what do I choose, no reading or reading all night long?????
Gotta love that kid!!

Hoops

2007-06-15T21:15:00.001-07:00

Have you ever felt like you keep having to jump through hoops?

As a teacher in this state, I am required to complete 300 hours of continuing education in ESOL (Teaching English to speakers of other languages). I have absolutely no problem with continuing my education--as a matter of fact, I have 4 times the amount of continuing ed. hours needed to renew my teaching certificate, and I still have a year before I do that.

My problem with these classes is the lack of content. The texts are at least 10 years old, they are written very basic, very vague, and for someone who has a difficult time grasping concepts. I think I get maybe 15 minutes of worthwhile information each day, from what is supposed to be an intensive 6 hr. a day class.

The instructors are there to collect a check because they know how dull and boring the material they are forced to teach is, and they don't hesitate to let you know this. It is sad, very sad indeed that I spend so much time sitting in these classes, writing up projects and assignments that I know will never be used in my classroom--not because I don't want to, but because they aren't relevant.

So, in order to maintain my teaching certificate, I take the 5 required classes, and wish I could take classes that I find interesting, and helpful to struggling readers, to students who have a hard time grasping new vocabulary, demonstrating number sense, etc.

Jumping through hoops, that is how I spent 2 of the last 3 weeks--what about you????? Which hoops do you hate having to jump through?

Little Boxes

2007-06-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

**Warning, angry woman rant** Read at your discression

I don't understand why some feel it is important to be PC. I don't really care what others think about how I feel. I resent the fact that "someone" has decided that anyone who has a bias suddenly, in blanket style, is not a good candidate for a job in Washington (or many other places in the world). Personally--I think that sucks. Excuse my blunt exclamation, but that's what I think.

The great thing about being born with a brain, is I can use it. I don't have to have an open mind for all groups. Take the terrorists, I don't have to be kind to them, and I don't feel bad saying I don't have a problem sentencing them all to death. Hey, at least I didn't' say cut their heads off on public television. Some days I would like to. Shoot, there are days where I would like to ask congress, "What happened to the days when war meant go kick butt ASAP and get it over with. The concern about civilians being caught in the crossfire is only held here, in the U.S. The population where the fighting is going on is more than happy to use civilians as shields, and to do the dirty fighting. So, why not go over, blast the hell out of the pockets of terrorists and get the hell out? There would be less civilians at risk and it would be done and over with. Screw the hand to hand combat. When we pussyfoot around all we are doing is giving the enemy time to hurt our troops, and have more time to plan more attacks against us--and bring the fighting back to our turf. Screw that!

So, those who think we need to be open and caring of those who are different from us--I say, go ahead, but don't expect the rest of us to. I refuse to cower or surrender to the evil that is invading the world. I was not born of Saudi decent, I know the love of the true G*d, and I was born with a brain. I do not need some idealist to think for me.

If hating the extremist muslims makes me a racist, then, so be it. I would rather be a racist for that than sit back and watch my family and country be wiped out or taken over. I hate drug dealers, and thiefs, and the scum who swarm around in packs killing people just for kicks and giggles. What does that make me? I don't care. Just don't make assumptions that I have to like people, and give them the benefit of the doubt because it's the PC way to be.

Hmm, What I have done...

2007-05-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

I took the tag from some of my friends, and I am joining in the "What I Have Done" group. It goes something like this: If I have done this it will be in italics, if I have not it will be in regular type, if I wish to do it one day, it will be bold.

1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink (darned 21st birthday)
2. Swam with wild dolphins--they were in the gulf about 10 ft. from where we were swimming. I count that.
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said “I love you” and meant it!
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Drunk tequila
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Scored a winning goal
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Visited all 5 continents
40. Taken care of someone who was drunk
41. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
42. Watched wild whales
43. Stolen a sign
44. Backpacked
45. Taken a road-trip
46. Gone rock climbing
47. Midnight walk on the beach
45. Gone sky diving
49. Taken a train through Europe I have only been on a train in Germany
50. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
51. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table, and had a meal with them
52. Milked a cow
53. Alphabetized your CDs
54. Sung karaoke
55. Lounged around in bed all day
56. Gone scuba diving
57. Kissed in the rain
58. Gone to a drive-in theatre
59. Started a business
60. Taken a martial arts class
61. Been in a movie
62. Crashed a party
63. Gone without food for 5 days
64. Gotten a tattoo
65. Got flowers for no reason
66. Performed on stage
67. Been to Las Vegas
68. Recorded music
69. Eaten shark
70. Buried one/both of your parents
71. Been on a cruise ship
72. Spoken more than one language fluently
73. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
74. Walked a famous bridge
75. Had plastic surgery
76. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
78. Wrote articles for a large publication
79. Tried to lose weight seriously
80. Piloted an airplane
80. Petted a stingray
81. Broken someone’s heart
82. Broken a bone (mine as well as someone elses')
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Parasailed
86. Skipped all your school reunions
87. Shaved your head
88. Caused a car accident
89. Pretended to be “sick”
90. Swam in the Pacific Ocean
91. Saved someone’s life
92. Fainted
93. Been in the room while someone is giving birth--yes if my offspring counts :)
94. Hitchhiked
95. Adopted a child
96. Been caught daydreaming
97. Been to the Painted Desert
98. Called off a wedding engagement
99. Donated your blood
100. Had an out-of-body experience

Well, that looks much more interesting than it really is, honest!

My body?

2007-01-20T09:02:00.000-08:00

What are the 5 things I love about my body?? Some of the things I love about my body aren't visible.

1. I do not look like a physically fit person; however, I love the fact that my body is strong, driven, and doesn't reject my desire to keep up with my teenage boys and young daughter on the soccer field, or anywhere else we go. I can still bicycle 14 miles in an hour with my youngest son. I think I love the fact that my children expect me to be able to do it too--and how much they know most of their friends parents can't or don't want to. I believe I have a great relationship with my kids (well, maybe all but middle boy who blames me for the complications in his life)

2. I love my ears. They aren't too small, they don't stick out or hang down too much. They look great with small or large earrings. They have been nuzzled by my hubby and my children as babies. They hear the joy and laughter of those I love; they hear the pain, too. But most importantly, they hear when others talk to me. My ears have blessed me with the stories of those who have gone on before us--that we miss. And, those stories we I will always cherish.

3. I love my ugly abdomen with all of it's stretch marks. I have been blessed with 4 wonderful children. My body provided the miracle of growth and childbirth. It is such a gift, and I loved feeling them wiggle and stretch as long as I needed to hold them inside.

4. My hands are pretty cool. When I am not working hard in the yard, and I have my nails done, they are pretty to look at and to hold. I like the way they look.

5. I used to hate it, my hair that is; but now I love it. I used to perm it because I have such stick straight hair. Now, I don't bother--if I am supposed to have straight hair, I will let it grow out to a nice length where I can put it up, or let it stay down. It takes color wonderfully--thank heavens, because I love being a blond. I can't perm it. It never took much curl, and it would dry and break all the time when I tried. Now my hair is long, straight, smooth, silky to touch, and it turns my hubby on--I'll keep it! :)

Well, maybe more than you wanted to know, but hey, you're reading my blog! Have a great day and take some time to think about what you love about what you've got!
<3

I may be a football widow

2007-01-13T11:52:00.000-08:00

LOL, Only because I am the one who schedules their life around football in my household.

I don't understand why my children (other than the girly) doesn't care for sports. I can watch almost any sport and be as happy as a big in the mud.

If anyone is looking for me tonight--only call me during commercial breaks in the Eagle's game.

5 things

2007-01-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

Alright, I accept the "Tag"

Five things you may not know about me...

1. There are very few people who know I have blogs--or that I write for therapy.

2. The most longed for gift is a trip away from home and family with just my husband where we can just go "exploring".

3. I am very hard on myself. I expect better all the time, even when I know I have pleased everyone who has relied on me.

4. I couldn't imagine my life if I weren't an educator--my students inspire me daily.

5. I want to take my children to Europe, so they can meet their father's cousins.

O.k., so maybe they aren't the most exciting things--and they probably won't make you go "Hmmmmm" but it had me thinking. I will try to write more here--or at least publish more.

Girl Friends

2006-07-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

Growing up in a family of 5 children, me being the youngest and the only girl (I know, my baby sister was born when I was 14--but I felt I was grown by then) I craved time with girls.

My brother was a year ahead of me in school, so I was always "Chris'sister".
I also was the home ec. teacher's kid. The only time the popular girls wanted to talk to me was when they had to turn in their home ec. assignments and they didn't get them done. I had lived home ec. at my house--I could Ace most of the tests for Jr. High and 9th grade by the time I was in 5th grade, without even batting an eye.

My family was large and a teacher's salary wasn't the best, so I was usually shunned by the girls in our town. It was great fun for some of the girls in my class to point out that most of my clothes had been made by my mother. So, when Calvin Klein jeans came out--they weren't seen on my legs.

As if that wasn't bad enough, between 7th and 8th grade we moved to the next town. Well, you know how that is, if you leave town "A" to go to town "B" you have the whole "you think you're better" headache to deal with. (I hate mean girls!!!) So, from 8th grade until I finished college, my best friends were guys. My last year at college, I had a some female friends. Wow! What a difference. Spending evenings drinking wine and talking about things girls talk about. Boys, classes, clothes, boys, parties, boys...well, you get the idea.

Now, I find myself some 20+ post undergrad and I looking back I still have many male friends, however the friends I cherish most are my girlfriends. Many of them I have connected with online. My girlfriends have been my rock and my biggest support system through all sorts of bumps in my life. Pregnancy, parenting, sports, getting my masters degree, moving half way acrosss the country...the list goes on and on.

Everyone needs a girlfriend or two. They help put focus on the really important things and they love you without expecting anything in return.

Thanks girlfriends, you're the best!!!

Family Additions

2006-06-11T05:23:00.001-07:00

My friends would say, "The last thing you need is more mouths to feed." But these two babies were just too cute to say no to. We are the proud new family (read servants) of Jethro and Whisper. The cutest kittens in the neighborhood, at least.
We picked them up from a rather "hick" looking home/farmette. The man who came to the door when we knocked inquiring about the "free kittens" sign was plesant and quick to show us to a shed out back where the two mamas and their litters were in a cage. I am sure this was for their protection. There were about a dozen to choose from and it was hard, but these two were agreeable to being handled so we said, "Ok, they're the ones."
Having kittens is more expensive than having children. Argue this point if you want but there is no insurance to care for new kittens who need to go to the vet because they have a respratory infection, an intestinal parasite and then there are the shots and worm treatments. Ugh!!! Oh yeah, and the fleas... Did you know you can't treat cats for fleas until they are at least 12 weeks old. (My kittens now know what a bath is--one of the few ways to get rid of those nasty bugs.) All in all, they will be so much fun as soon as they learn all the rules of living at our house. Including, no climbing the curtains. Hehe, but they sure are cute. I'll try to get a picture of them uploaded soon!

Passwords for boneheads

2006-06-09T05:35:00.000-07:00

I was so excited that I finally started a new blog/diary. My last one was so negative and full of an awful lot of pain. I didn't like to type there anymore because it just reminded me of that time in my life. So, I started this one, loaded my first entry and promptly forgot th log in and password.

Granted, it was during the last part of the school year and I have taken two classes for continuing education since then, but still, how sad is that?

So, passwords used to be the easiest thing for me. I always used the same one. That is, until some site added all sorts of rules: must be between 6 and 13 characters long, must have one capital letter, must include numbers, and must include your mother's maiden name (well, maybe not that last bit). If that weren't enough, my children started using MY computer so I wanted to keep my things private--thus another password...and the cycle began.

Now that I have my password again, I am looking forward to my opportunity to write. It has been missed for some time. I don't care so much if others read what I type/feel. I am not as vulnerable as I was and I am really excited about my life now. It makes such a difference.

2006-05-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

The end of the school year always brings mixed emotions. I love my students, they are totally great...but I can't wait to sleep in on a Monday!

This week has been Greek Week. We are studying ancient Greece. What fun is studying a culture without experiencing it? We have made clothes, wrote myths, tasted the fods that grew there and tomorrow we are having an olympics. We will be wearing clothes--not like the first olympians. It will be a great time!!

Third graders are so much fun. They love to learn and push the limits of lessons, rules, and to try new things. It is so truely amazing how I am so lucky. I get to see children realize when they learn exciting new things. What a gift.

School ends next week. The year has gone fast. My students came to me as such babies, so sweet and innocent and young. Next week I am sending out soon to be young men and women. They have grown up and matured in ways I didn't know they would. I have always taught students younger or older but this year I was introduced to 3rd grade. The learning to read phase is gone and the reading to learn is in full swing. The energy of this class is so much fun.

I know they are ready to move ahead and learn more exciting things. The teachers they get next year will love them and help them to grow and learn. I wish them joy, happiness, and a little challenge. I love them and can't wait to see what they will become :). Good-bye my children of other mothers--be good and have a wonderful life.