Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I'm procrastinating...and I want to reenter the blogging world.  What better way then to join Wednesday's Hodgepodge?!

1. My hubs spent last weekend pheasant hunting. Are there hunters in your family? If so, what do they hunt? Which of the following have you tasted-pheasant, rabbit, venison, duck, goose? Which of those would you most like to taste, or be mostwilling to taste?
Vegetarians keep calm and Hodgepodge on.

My husband and oldest son hunt.  L has hunted deer, turkey, and pheasant. N has hunted deer and duck (that I know of). I've tasted venison (cooked it), dove (when I was much younger), pheasant, wild turkey, and bear (yes, bear!!).


2. What high spot have you visited that gave you a wonderful 'bird's eye view' of something below?

Last year during our sister weekend when we were in Sevierville TN we were pret-ty high up. (Didn't like getting there!) [Yes, I know I should have a picture but it isn't on my computer.  Sorry.]

3.  Do you have any birds in your home? These could be either real live pets or decorative, as in bird prints, knickknacks, fabric or pottery.

I have a woodpecker that my mom painted.  My favorite is cardinals.

4. Tell about a time you 'killed two birds with one stone'?

Does taking out the trash while heading to the bus stop count?

5. Your favorite song with a bird in it's title?

On Eagles Wings.

6. What most recently gave you goose bumps?

I watched the Today show yesterday and Natalie and Jenna were at a haunted prison.  They had divining rods and asked the spirits to cross the rods to let them know they were there...they crossed 90 degrees!

7. Halloween is this Friday...any plans? Did you trick or treat as a child? Carve pumpkins? Share your most memorable costume.

No plans right now.  The apartment complex where I'm living is having a family oriented party.  May just stay in and work on my research paper...or just relax after this gruelling week!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I've got to get back to my paper.  Hopefully, I'll write more soon

Helloo! Anybody There?

It has been over a year since I last posted and am not even sure if anyone will read this. That roller coaster ride in my last blog? It derailed...but it's back on track.  I've just been (a) too lazy (b) too busy (c) too tired to blog.  I haven't even been following many blogs. I've only read a few. I like to read about what my sister does.  When I looked to see the time of the last blogs, some of the ones I follow haven't updated in a while, so I don't feel as bad. I'm only blogging right now because I'm just procrastinating...I should really be grading papers and updating the electronic grade book.

So what's been going on?  Here's a quick update:

• As soon as school was out, I left town! I met L in Sevierville and we spent 2 nights in a cabin in Townsend. L brought our bikes. We got caught in a rain storm while we were riding.  We drank 2 bottles of wine in 2 days.  L rode his bike around Cades Cove...I walked 3 miles around. We also drove around the Cove later that evening.  It was a relaxing and enjoyable time.
  
• C left for Germany, his duty station, the first of June.  I miss him.  He has at least one more year there.  Because of the time he took after Ranger School, he didn't get to come home for the holidays.
  
• Summer was long. I didn't attend as many workshops as I had in the past.  I did attend one in Atlanta.  That was fun.  I went with a co-worker.  We stayed near a mall that had the Cheesecake Factory (yum!).  And we went to an IKEA store.  (Overrated if you ask me.  I did like seeing the furniture setup.)
  
• I did take an online class.  I was hoping we would offer the high school version and by taking the class I would be able to teach it.  That didn't happen. (We didn't offer the class.)
  
• N didn't get to play last summer.  He had surgery on his foot and was still rehabbing from his elbow surgery the year before.
  
• I got to teach Geometry first semester this school year as well as an Algebra I class.  That was fun.
  
• The holidays were quiet without C.  My mother-in-law had pneumonia at Thanksgiving and I contracted shingles so N, L, and I stayed home and bought the dinner offered by Cracker Barrel.  (That was good.  Well worth it!)  MIL was not feeling well during Christmas.  She only stayed over Christmas Eve and didn't attend Christmas mass with us. L took her home early afternoon Christmas Day.
  
• Second semester has me teaching Algebra II and Algebra I.  My classes are a good size (23 for Algebra II  classes and 15 for Algebra I).  I like that.
  
• TN is implementing the Common Core State Standards so we've been talking about that.  It's starting to get to me.  Can't I just finish this year first?!

Okay.  You are caught up!  Oh, wait.  N is back on the mound as a reliever in AA.  He pitched last night and had a relatively good outing.  He's about to finish his MBA! I'm so glad he decided to get it instead of wasting his time with video games!

If you have read this, please leave me a comment so that I know you came by.  I hope to write again...sooner than later this time!

Roller Coaster Rides

I've been playing on the computer for a couple of hours now and decided I'd blog about something. I wasn't really sure what until I saw the weather forecast for the next week. The past couple of weeks the temperatures (highs) have looked almost like a bell curve. Not sure what a bell curve looks like? Here is an example:

The temperatures start in the 30s/40s on the weekends, by midweek the temperatures are hitting high 50s/60s. then going down to the 30s/40s. Seriously, like a roller coaster.

Before looking at the forecast, I was reading some blogs. My nephew's wife blogged about their vacation to DisneyLand (weird typing Land instead of World...but they live out west closer to Land where I live East closer to World). Anyway, she wrote how her little girl enjoyed her first roller coaster ride.

My last roller coaster ride on a roller coaster was 14 years ago. I had been diagnosed with diabetes 2 years before and was still trying to get a handle on it. (I think I finally have a handle on it now.) My son's school had gone to Dollywood in Sevierville, TN. I drove down because they didn't need anymore chaperones on the bus. Actually, I think the student/chaperone ratio on this trip was 1.1: 1. I hadn't really eaten much because C had said the first ride was going to be the roller coaster. Ok. No problem. I was game at the time. After the ride, I was shaking like a leaf, only worse! Did not like the feeling! I have not gotten on a ride since then.

Oh, wait. I lied! (But not on purpose.) Well, I guess I could have edited that part. But I'm lazy.

I did ride some roller coasters a couple of years later when we were at Busch Gardens/Williamsburg. C had a friend who had a t-shirt that said "I rode the 4" or something like that. There are 4 roller coasters at Busch Gardens and C wanted to ride them all and get the t-shirt. (I had to buy it.) So we did...only I did not ride all 4. Two were the regular type of roller coasters...they had something substantial to put your feet on. The third had the rail above you, but there was a floor for your feet. That fourth ride, however, the rail was above you and your feet were dangling. No, thank you! I just could not make myself get on that ride. I did let C ride it on his own. (And, yes, I bought the t-shirt for him!)

Another roller coaster ride I've been on wasn't a ride. Life as a mom of a son in military college. It has been said that the student rides the roller coaster. They didn't tell us we would be on the ride! But four years of ups and downs were hard on us all!

And it continued with the second one, even though he attended a "regular" college. Only he opted to belong to the college's corps of cadets and go through ROTC. That was a roller coaster as well, only not as bad.

Now, I'm still on one. Oh, yeah! LIFE itself is a roller coaster isn't it! Silly me!

Tagged! Really?

My sister (dare I really claim her since she did this?) tagged me. I'll answer the questions because I don't always know what to blog; however, I won't be following all the rules of the game. Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the ques­tions the tag­ger set for you in their post.
4. Cre­ate 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tag­ging sec­tion about ‘you are tagged if you are read­ing this.’ Blah blah blah, you legit­i­mately have to tag 11 peeps!

I will not be following rules 4-6! But, here is an opportunity to get to know me better.

1. Who is your favorite singer/music group? I like all types of music; therefore, I do not have a favorite. Most of the time I do not even know who the singer or group is!

2. Do you have a favorite game to play on the computer/tablet/iPad/iPod? If so, what is it?
I am addicted to Drop 7!

3. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is "A League of Their Own". A movie about baseball and sisters.

4. How long did you know your spouse when you got married? If you're not married, what is the longest you have seen someone? I knew my husband for 9 months before we got married. He asked me to marry him 4 months after we'd known each other.

5. Were you involved in music in high school/college? Yes, I was in the band in high school and played a couple of terms in college.

6. What special group were you involved in during high school/college? I wasn't involved in any special group in college or high school.

7. When you're all alone, what do you like to eat for dinner? Pizza, L doesn't care for pizza so that gives me a chance to eat it.

8. Left or right handed? Right handed

9. How tall are you? I'm 5'5". (I used to say 5' 4-1/2" but the last time I was measured I was 5'5"! I think it had something to do with exercising.)

10. What is your favorite pair of shoes? Good grief! I'm going to be thrown out of the sisterhood! I don't have a favorite pair.

11. How long have you lived in your house/apartment/condo? We have been in our house for 20 years! Gosh, that seems like such a long time! I remember when we moved in, C was 2 years old. The house has the bedrooms upstairs. L and I were upstairs. We heard this little, frightened voice coming from downstairs, "Daddy, where are you?" L called back, "Where are you?" C: "I don't know!" (He was so cute! C, not L.)

Now, 11 "random" things about me. (This is going to be difficult!)
1. I have been married over half my life. (I was 22 when I was married.)
2. I got married 30 years after my mom and dad.
3. I am 30 years younger than my mom.
4. I played the French horn in high school and college. (So did my mom.)
5. I marched with a different instrument each year of high school: single french horn, double french horn, mellophone (I think I spelled that wrong), drum major.
6. I was in the flag corp two marching seasons in college.
7. It took me 25 years after high school to finally do what I always wanted to do -- teach!
8. I am an Army mom (N served in the Army and C is now in the Army)
9. I enjoy mystery movies/tv shows.
10. I'm a Zumba instructor (ok, I think you already know that one).
11. I've lost 40 lbs. since April 2009.

I do not consider myself a rebel; however, I am rebelling against the rest of the rules! So you are safe!

HodgePodge Wednesday

I'm back for the first HodgePodge Wednesday of 2012! Don't forget to link up at Joyce's blog.

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?
I would say:
unusual due to the fact that this was the first summer since I started teaching that I had so much time on my hands;
life-changing because my son graduated from college and headed to Officer Training leaving my husband and I to a truly empty nest;
stressful also comes to mind with reasons that include my work, subbing for Zumba instructors, and breaking a bone in my foot.

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?
Shrimp is probably my most favorite seafood. There was a place in Knoxville, TN, called "The Half Shell" that we would go to that served stuffed shrimp. It was so good!! (I really liked their grouper also.)

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?
I "de-Christmased" on the 30th this year. Usually I wait until either the first or shortly thereafter. I did it a little earlier this year because I needed help with getting the tree back to the attic and C was the only one healthy enough to do it and he left on the 31st. However, my candles are still in the windows and the wreath is still on the door, so I guess I'm not finished.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?
Not the movies that are out now. There is just too much blood and gore in them. I can stand to watch some of the older movies (before 1980).

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?
I would have to say sledding because I have only ice skated twice in my life and have never been skiing or snowboarding. I used to sled all the time when it snowed enough growing up. There was a great hill just across the street from where I lived. I remember having so much fun!

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.
I don't remember having a childhood hideout. I do remember when we played hide-and-seek there was a dogwood tree that had branches leaning over enough to hide under. And across the street there was a park (yes, where we would sled) that had good places to build forts. But I don't remember an actual hideout. Does that mean I was deprived?

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?
Tough question. I have never really thought about a place or space motivating me. I love the mountains--looking at them, being on them, even looking at pictures.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I read a blog yesterday about the blogger's "last first kiss" and was thinking about it today. Then I heard a message from the Proverbs 31 lady (I don't remember exactly what it is called) on the radio station I listen to. She talked about how her husband prayed for God to send him a wife. I got to wondering: my husband and I were at the university at the same time but didn't meet until a year or so later when I moved back home and he moved to that area. While we were at the university, he dated a girl with the last name "Fletcher" and I dated a guy with the last name "Fletcher". Do you think we were suppose to meet at school but we took a different path so that we couldn't?

Thanks, Joyce! These were good questions this week.

Didn't I Tell You?

Happy New Year! Did you make any resolutions? Mine was to not make any! If I had, I probably would have included to blog more. I didn't realize that I hadn't blogged since August. Wow! Of course, I did tell you that when I kept a diary I usually didn't do a very good job writing in it.

Once the school year started last August I found it difficult to blog. The first semester was really strange. Tennessee started a new teacher evaluation system which includes how the students do on their end-of-course assessments. That lead to some very stressful meetings. I taught Algebra II semester long, Algebra II year long (I will have most of the same students this next semester also), and ACT Prep. We had new textbooks which meant changing some of my SMART Board files (powerpoint type files). (The publisher gave us an iPad so I've been playing with that.) ACT Prep was new for me so I was always trying to figure out what to do for that class. Three teachers taught it so we combined the three classes and split them in half. Two of us taught each class for 45 minutes each day which meant a total of approx. 60 students during that class period. And of those 60 students, about 1/3 of them really wanted ACT preparation. Now do you understand why it was hard to figure out what to do?

I also joined Facebook (I have two pages...one is my Zumba page), so much of my spare time was spent over there. How do you find time to blog, write on facebook, and I see so many of you have a Twitter account?! I want to ask,"Do you not have a life?" but that sounds mean. So, how do you do it?

By the way, I'm writing today because we have a snow day! Yep, we were scheduled to return to school after 11 days off (not counting the weekends).

Doesn't look like much but it is now 11:30 a.m.

I hope to join in with HodgePodge Wednesdays, so I'll see you tomorrow.

This Week's HodgePodge

Don't forget to add your link at Joyce's blog.

1. What is something that bothers you if its not done perfectly?

Just about everything...although I am getting better. I've been known to redo some things if they aren't to my liking (see what I mean here).

2. Do you think a 6th sense exists? Explain.

I think it does...only I don't think I have it. I've not ever had "a gut feeling" which is what I think a 6th sense is.

3. Do you say your goodbyes slowly, quickly, or not at all?

Depends on who I'm saying goodbye to. My students I say it quickly...there have been some times when I have actually said to them "Please leave!" Usually with my family, it is slow. I've watched my boys pull out of the driveway, down to the end of the subdivision and then until I can no longer see them. Or telling my sisters goodbye...it can take 15 minutes or more after I've started heading toward the door.

4. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being hot hot hot, what level of spice do you like in your food? What is your favorite spicy dish?

I do not like spicy food. And some of it doesn't like me. So, I would say 3 and I don't have a favorite.

5. What is one of your all time favorite commercial jingles?

Hmmmm, that's a tough one. I'll have to get back to you on that one.

6. Plane, train, boat or auto...your preferred method of travel?

Ok, that again, depends...where I am going and for how long. I'd rather drive if I can get there within 12 hours. By the time you get to airport, report in, connecting flights, etc. etc., it's easier to drive. Plus then you have your own car to drive around in (then if you go slow in the left lane like you're trying to find a turn, with out-of-town plates, maybe you won't get too many dirty looks), and you're not tied down to someone else's schedule.

7. What is something you take for granted?

The love of my family and friends.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Busy week...quizzes to create, progress reports to print out, meetings, doctor appointments, Zumba (can't forget that! I led my own class for the first time Tuesday! So much fun!) and this is race weekend. (So maybe I'll get some things done at home this weekend since I won't be leaving the house!)

Wednesday HodgePodge

This week's questions and answers! Join in and don't forget to link up!

1. Using what's in your frig right now, what sort of meal would you be able to make for guests who are standing on your front porch this very minute?

If I have time to defrost, hamburgers. Otherwise, egg sandwich with bacon and cheese. Love breakfast anytime of day so my guests would have to also.

2. What is something about yourself that you hope will change but that you know probably never will?

My sensitivity...I'm so easily hurt and take too much personally.

3. What is something about yourself you hope never changes?

My good heartedness.

4. Do you usually send serious or funny greeting cards? Why?

It depends on who I'm sending it too...mostly funny though...if I send them.

5. Bird watching, shell gathering, star gazing-your choice for whiling away the hours?

Star-gazing...I love looking at the night sky, especially when it's full of stars.

6. Do you double or triple check things? If so, what?

I double check and double check again. Mostly if I'm packing for an overnight or when I'm taking something to work. I also double check my writing...but I think I should double, double check that also.

7. What's your favorite place for people watching?

Definitely not work (high school)! Hmmmm, anywhere really.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm going to be leading a Zumba class at work starting next week! I'm so excited! Today I went to Curves, then to an hour Zumba class. After a trip to JC, I worked on the routines. Think I need to work on it some more!

Hope you have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Copy Cat

I just read my sister's blog from the other day and decided that it was (almost) exactly what I would want to say. So I decided to copy hers.

8/15/2011

Where Does the Time Go?

I've been really, really bad at blogging lately. I have no idea where my time is going, especially since school started back. It's not that I have nothing to say...I've been doing "stuff" lately, I just haven't been blogging about it.
Not only have I been terrible about posting; I've also been bad about reading. All of a sudden I have no time. What the heck am I doing? If somebody knows, fill me in! (And, no, I haven't been spending my spare time vacuuming!)
I finally started seeing students last Wednesday. I was so ready to just get started. And now I feel like I need a break! You laugh, but I'm serious. I was talking with another Speech Pathologist (SLP) the other day, and we both agreed that we just felt overwhelmed this year. Aside from the difficulty with scheduling, everything else is the same. Scheduling seems to get more difficult every year with the increased demands on the teachers to get in all of their instruction. Maybe it's just that the teachers are more stressed this year and it's filtering to us.
The state has a new teacher evaluation this year, which means more observations and a little bit more paperwork. Teachers that are used to getting the top rating will be lucky if they get a '3' (out of 5) this year. We've been told a '3' is where you want to be. Ms. Principal told us that if you get a '5', you're Jesus.
Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of blogging very, very soon. For those of you who are sticking with me, thanks!

Posted by my sister.

Meet Me on Monday

1. What is was the last piece of candy that you ate?

Rollo (chocolate and caramel...what a combination!)

2. Do you "read" in the bathroom?

Definitely! That's usually where I read my "Guideposts" magazine.

3. I can't stand when someone _________?

Lies to me.

4. Do you do daily, weekly or monthly grocery shopping?

Actually, none of those fits. I despise grocery shopping and will only do it when I have to. I go when we are out of most of the everyday items we consume. Which seems like it is daily.

Stormy Weather

You have probably heard about the storms that occurred in the south. Where I live, we received hail and thunderstorms. There was unconfirmed tornadoes (I think I heard two or three). The death toll in my area is 16. So very sad. School (work) was called off today and also in the neighboring counties. Greene County got hit the hardest. The devastation is horrible!

Here is a sample of what we received last night:

That's a hail stone in the middle!

I spent the night in the basement. L stayed upstairs. The sound was absolutely scary! But we are safe! There was damage to our house. We are going to have to replace the siding. (On the bright side, maybe we can have a different color!) One of our windows was broken. That was pretty much the extent of the damage. Our neighbor had two windows broken as well as the siding being blasted. Our neighbor two doors up had about a fourth of their siding torn off the side of their house. The siding was in the neighbors' yard across the street.

Reports are that this is the worst storm since the early 1970s. I wasn't living in the area at that time. This is the worst storm I have ever lived through, that I remember.

If you are in the south, I hope all is well with you. Please pray for all those who have lost family members and for those who will need strength to clean up after the storm.

Meet Me on Mondays

1. Crunchy or soft tacos?

Normally, I prefer soft, but here lately, I've been going after the hard, crunchy tacos.

2. Do you scrapbook?

I collect the stuff to make scrapbooks. I've made a few pages. I did an album for my parents 50th wedding anniversary that I think turned out nice. And I have a book of my son's travel baseball team when he was 12 and 13.

3. Do you take any daily medications?

Unfortunately, yes. I was taking 2 more than I do now so I'm happy that how many I take is decreasing and not increasing!

4. What is your favorite sound?

I have to say rain on a tin roof...but I don't have a tin roof. I like the way the rain sounds hitting the chimney cover. (Almost the same thing.)

5. Where were you born?

I was born in the same state that I now live.

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's Back to Work I Go!

Spring break officially ends today. So what did I do?

Catch up on grading papers. Check. (I was out the Wednesday before break so I had a lot of papers to grade.)

Put grades on the computer. Check.

Go to exercise class in the mornings. Check. (Went Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings.)

Go to Zumba! Check, check, check, and check! (I got to go 4 times! Monday and Tuesday evenings, Wednesday and Saturday mornings! Wednesday was free because I won a pass from Monday!)

Clean refrigerator. Check!!!

Straighten work room. Check!!!!

Attend Future Teachers of America Convention in Nashville. Check! (I'm co-sponsor of our high school club and took our club president. No one else could go or wanted to go. We started the club last school year but had trouble getting it off the ground. Going to the convention was good for our president to see what the other clubs in the state do. She's going to do a presentation at our April after-school meeting.)

Prepare for next week. Not yet.

A word of note: Virginia Commonwealth University has just upset Kansas to make it to the Final Four!

I hope you have a great week!

Hodgepodge during Spring Break

Time to blog so here are my answers to this week's Hodgepodge.

1. Sunday was the first day of spring. So they say. Ahem.

What is your favorite outdoor springtime activity?

Walking and baseball!

2. Who would you want to come into your kitchen to cook dinner for you?

Bobby Flay and Rachel Raye

3. When did you last fly a kite?

Hum...probably when I helped C when he was about 9...so 12 years ago?

4. What topic puts you to sleep faster than anything?

Just about anything right now...

5. Which flowers do you associate with specific people, places, or events?

Roses: Valentine's Day
Mums: Mother's Day
Jonquils: spring

6. What significant historical events took place during your elementary school days?

Is she trying to figure out how old we are?!?!
In fourth grade, a man landing on the moon.

7. Do you swear? Do you pseudo-swear? (You know crap, shoot, friggin'?)

Never heard it called "pseudo-swear" but I have been known to say "shoot" and "crap" a time or two.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

You would think I would blog more during spring break; however, my desire to share is just not there. I have been reading some blogs, but not very many. I think my third period class is really, really stressing me out.

Plus I've been spending some time in exercise class. I have fallen in love with Zumba! I don't like to sweat but I will sweat for Zumba! (Maybe it's because of my third period class.)

Don't forget to link up with Joyce!

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. Did you know there is a National Day of pretty much everything in the universe? February 23 happens to be National Inconvenience Yourself Day...when was the last time you were inconvenienced?

Yes, I knew there was a National Day for pretty much everything. The last time I was inconvenienced was 2 weeks ago when I had to get a refill for my medicine. I had to go to the pharmacy three times before it was filled. Why so long? The prescription was written by a doctor that I no longer went to! So I inconvenienced myself.

2. When a room in your house needs painting who does the job?

L and I painted the garage together but when we had all the upstairs rooms (4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms) painted, we hired a painter.

3. Are you friends with your cousins?

I would like to think so although I only keep up with them through Mom or facebook.

4. Do you use an alarm clock? If yes-is it an actual alarm, music, or something else?

I use one with three alarms or two. The three alarm sounds that annoying beeping noise, ocean sounds, and the radio. The other two: a beeping noise is one and the other is my cell phone which beeps also.

5. What do you put ketchup on?

meatloaf and french fries

6. What smells make you nostalgic?

fresh cut grass and rain right before it starts to fall...makes me think of baseball fields when the boys were small

7. Have you heard about the high school English teacher recently suspended as a result of some things she wrote in her personal blog? You can read the story here but in a nutshell she vented a lot of frustration onto her blog. She didn't mention individual students by name but she did make some harsh comments about kids in general and their parents.

What are your thoughts-If you're a parent is your child's teacher online and are you 'friend' or 'follower' there? If you're a teacher are you on facebook and do you accept or friend students on fb? How about their parents? If you're a student are you friends with your current or former teachers online? Do any of them have blogs you read? If you're a teacher or a parent do you ever use your blog as a place to vent your frustrations with our educational system? So much to discuss...

As a parent, I only followed the teacher's school webpage. As a teacher, I am on facebook but not as a teacher. When my students asked if I was on facebook, I told my students not to ask me to friend them, I am not a their friend I am their teacher. As for their parents, I do not have a personal relationship with any of them so I do not follow nor friend them.

I have tried not to vent my frustration about the educational system nor any frustration with my class. I know that I have mentioned my frustration a few times, but it was not the topic of my blog. And I would certainly not vent my frustration on my facebook page. (To be continued with #8.)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

(continued) Joyce started this! I will vent my frustration with our state political system and their attempt to shut down the state's education association. If you follow me, you know that I am not from Wisconsin. But some of our state congress people must be because they have started legislation that is very similar to Wisconsin: trying to get rid of bargaining power, changing tenure rules, eliminating payroll deduction for dues, making seats on retirement board political assignments, and a couple of others. These bills have nothing to do with improving the education of our children. I believe that it will hurt the education system in the long run. The governor of Wisconsin remarked, "We are in debt. I have nothing to bargain with." Money isn't the only thing that can be brought to the bargaining table. That isn't a reason to eliminate bargaining entities. I actually live in a "right to work" state so we don't have a union. We have a teacher organization. We can not strike (which I don't agree with as a teacher...I'm a teacher to educate the students). You cannot recruit good people if there is nothing to offer them.

Just An Update

Again, it has been a few days since my last post. I've just been so tired in the evenings.

The club's Prom Show went very well. We ended up taking in $138 which was all profit! The girls were so pretty. And I had to laugh at the guys...they seemed more nervous than the girls! But they looked great! I think we all had a good time.

We had a snow day on the 10th which meant a school day the following Saturday. I was afraid we would not have the numbers of students who attended to be able to count it, but we did. I brought donuts for my first period class. Half way through the period, we decided to walk off the donuts and walked around the school. Those who weren't there, really missed out! I went to bed that day around 9:00 and got out of bed 12 hours later! (Don't worry, I went to Saturday mass.)

This week was a full week of school. I signed up for a book club (staff development book club) which met on Thursday. I got so sleepy that I had to stand up so I wouldn't close my eyes. (I was embarrassed to say the least!)

Valentines Day was nice. I found the perfect card for me to give to L. On the front was a porcupine that said, "Do you know why I love you so much?" On the inside: "Because you love me even when I'm prickly." (I was upset with him the week before for a few days; however, it was mostly my fault.) I bought dinner from Applebee's and laid out the red tablecloth with red and white candles and (fake) rose petals. He had a big grin on his face when he saw the table.

It's going to be a busy week: faculty meeting on Monday, textbook committee meeting on Wednesday, club meeting on Thursday, and lesson plans to work on.

Have a great week!

It Must be Wednesday!

Time for HodgePodge with Joyce!




1. Would you rather be seen as a person who did their duty or forged their own path?

Oh, my! This is just the first question and I don't know how to answer it! Now I know how those contestants on the game shows feel when they have to use their "cheats" on the first question! And since we don't have any cheats with the HodgePodge, I am not going to answer.

2. This week's Wednesday Hodgepodge happens to fall on Groundhog's Day. In keeping with that theme, if you could have a do-over of any one day out of the last seven, which day would it be and why. If you haven't seen the movie Groundhog Day this question will make absolutely no sense but that's okay....you can answer anyway.

Another hard one. I'll answer this one since I copped out of the first one: Sunday. I tried to get up and go to church but turned over and didn't get up until 10:45!! Plus, we went to drop off a car for my son at college so I would get to go see him again!

You thought my question was going to be weather related didn't you?

3. Hot cocoa...yay or nay on the marshmallows?

Prefer whipped cream with chocolate sprinkles! (I refer to this as our Christmas "special hot chocolate.")

4. Do you wear makeup every day? What are the top two must haves in your daily makeup routine?

No. If I can help it, I won't wear it. I tend to get eye infections if I wear eye shadow so I never wear that. My must haves would be mascara and chap stick. (My lips seem to always be chapped!) I actually blogged about this very subject last year. If your interested, you can read it here.

5. Is it more important to you in a relationship to be loved or understood?

To be loved...doesn't love conquer all?

6. Parsley sage rosemary or thyme... your favorite?

Ummmm...I don't cook very often so I'm not sure about this one. Again, I used my pass on #1 so I guess I need to answer. I like the way rosemary smells, but don't like the taste...parsley has no special smell in my opinion and I've never used a lot of it to notice the taste...what is sage or thyme? You know what? I do like the color sage so I'm going to say my favorite is....SAGE!

7. What do you do when you feel angry?

Depends on the cause of my anger. If I'm angry because of my students, I do tend to raise my voice although I try really, really, really hard not to. If the cause of my anger is my husband, I just go to my room and watch tv. I've been known to have road rage a time or two. Sometimes I do something productive, like clean or exercise. (Hum, exercise and clean...maybe I should get angry more often.)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The club I co-sponsor is having a prom show next week. So far, we have not sold any tickets! I'm thinking we should change the title to prom fashion show because several people have asked, "What is a prom show?" I have been having a blast taking our models to the bridal shop to try on the dresses they will be modeling! They have been so excited trying on the dresses. My boys only attended their junior proms (they decided that was enough for them) and I don't have any daughters. The dresses are **so** pretty!! I can see why the girls are so excited!

Meet Me on Monday

If you notice the date and time of this post you'll notice I'm not at work today. Why? I think you know. ;) Therefore, since I figured you didn't want to hear about why I'm not working and, really, I'm getting tired of talking about it, I'd join "Meet Me on Monday" where you get an opportunity to learn a little more about me.



Never Growing Old asks questions that you answer, questions that your friends would probably know about you. So, for today:


1. What is your favorite kind of fudge?

Anything chocolate! except not with walnuts, any other nuts are ok

2. Is there snow outside your window?

Yep! Take a look at this:
This snow has been there since Wednesday, January 12! There's an old wives tale that says if there is snow after 7 days, it's waiting for more. More came last Thursday night and again last night. (Why is it waiting? To encourage the other snowflakes to fall on the ground: "Here they come boys, get ready! Yes, yes...here we are, over here! You're doing great! Grab my hand. I've got ya. Here comes another flake. Grab his hand. Great job! Now grab that one. We're doing great!") Wonder how long it will last this week?

3. What is your favorite meal of the day?

Breakfast...hands down. Especially if we eat out! (Love eating breakfast outdoors!)

4. Do you text on your cell phone?

Yes, but not very often because we paid per text. I'm sure that will change since we've gotten a package.

5. Waffles or pancakes?

I like the taste of waffles, but don't like making them because they take too long. I usually make pancakes. (Have you had the pumpkin pancakes at IHOP? Yum!! If not, you'll have to wait until next fall because they are seasonal.)

Join in...I hear a song: "Getting to know you. Getting to know all about you!"


Have a great week!

Footprints in the Snow

My sister showed a picture of her snow covered front yard on her blog. It reminded me of a time when I was younger.

When it snowed when I was growing up, my siblings and I couldn't wait to go outside and play in the snow. We'd sled across the street in the park, build snowmen, and make snow angels. Our front yard was usually the first yard in the neighborhood to lose the snow. Oh, how I wished our yard could stay pretty with the snow like our neighbors! Maybe, I thought, when I was older.

Well, older meant kids of my own. My boys enjoyed playing in the snow. Even last year, they were out building snowmen.


The other day, I looked out my back door and saw many footprints in the snow and had to laugh. We have kids that live next door and in the house behind us. They had been playing with some type of toy gun that shoots little green balls (about the size of bbs but plastic). They must have been going through our yard.

My pretty snow was walked over and soon would be gone before the neighbor's on the other side...the neighbor without the kids. But you know what? I don't care. They were not inside playing video games. I was glad to see them playing in the snow (even if it was with toy guns).

PS: Snow day #14 and holiday on Monday. Praying we go on Tuesday...

Four Letter Words

I like playing word games, especially crossword puzzles, word search, and word scramble. As a matter of fact, the first thing I downloaded to my Kindle was "Easy Word" where you are given 6 letters and you make 3, 4, 5, and 6 letter words from those letters. If you get the 6-letter word, you unlock the next level.

So, I was thinking...what 4 letter words can I come up that mean joy and anxiety at the same time?

B O Y S (or MALE...same thing)
My boys have been a joy to me. They are funny and intelligent, thoughtful and caring (for the most part anyway). Yet they do at times cause anxiety. They have different personalities. One finds humor in pranks and practical jokes. The other has a sense of humor, it just isn't found in the pranks and practical jokes (especially if they are played on him by his brother). I do worry that they are not close; however, there is 4-1/2 years between them. And all the pranks haven't helped. Hopefully, as they grow older they will get closer.


W A L K
I do enjoy walking for exercise. It does make me anxious that I have to exercise (another four letter word, huh?) but I almost always feel better when I do.

S N O W
Most people are probably getting tired of hearing about the snow. The news stations were reporting that yesterday 49 states had snow...the only one that didn't was Florida! (They said Hawaii had snow on the highest peak on the island of Hawaii.) Well snow can bring much joy. I love the way it looks. I enjoy watching it snow. I love the way it makes the air smell so crisp and fresh (like sheets freshly cleaned). But as they say, too much of a good thing isn't good! Today was snow day number 13. We have 10 days built in with 3 inservice days that can be converted to student days. Not sure what will happen after today (we're on a 2-hour delay for tomorrow as I write this).

What four letter words can you think of?