Camera Critters #4 - Hokie

It has not slipped my mind that I have not included Hokie in my camera critters thus far. He's our oldest cat. LMK calls him "The Old Man". He wants loved on his own terms. However, when he decides he needs love, look out because there will be no denying him. His favorite sleeping spot in UNDER the covers on our bed. Each day I have to remind myself that I didn't make the bed wrong, Hokie is the lump under the covers. He's crawled up there himself and curled up to nap.

He's our first cat and has dealt pretty well with us bringing in Ollie and Socks. In fact, he and Socks love to wrestle and play. It's a typical big brother/little brother relationship. Hokie is the cool one and Socks is constantly following him around trying to be like him.

I think they're best kitty friends.

Awesome

In a word, the field trip was awesome.
My favorite part of the whole trip, listening to my city kids "talk" to the sheep. There was a whole lot of baa-ing going on. They named them all and everything. I also enjoyed one lamb escaping, coming eye to eye with a group of my kiddos, and deciding that a life in a pen was better than the outside world with these yahoos.

Camera Critters #3 - Lucy

Meet Lucy, a.k.a. Lucy Belle, a.k.a. Sea-Belle, a.k.a. Lulu the Wonder Bagel, a.k.a. Puppercini, well, you get the point.

Lucy is our 4 year old beagle. We got her from LMK's uncle when his dog had puppies. Before we got her, Lucy's name was Killer because when she'd play with her brothers and sister she'd go right for the jugular.That's my girl.

Lucy currently lives in Ohio with my parents. That's right, when we moved to Virginia, Lucy didn't come. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I love my Lulu. I miss her like crazy. However, it meant moving a country dog to the city in a small backyard where should she escape (and she does on a regular basis) it's a very real fear she'll be hit by a car or hurt.

So she stayed in Ohio in the puppy palace (a.k.a. my parents 3 car garage of which she occupies 2 of the 3 bays). She gets regular truck rides and frequent house visits. She's quite the little princess.

She and my dad have become best friends. My brother and I have decided it's ok to have been replaced by a crazy beagle. They're both happy as clams. I can never thank my parents enough for taking care of her.

Miss This

Having dinner tonight with our "daughter" it hit me, I've only got another month with this kid around every day. Boy am I going to miss it. It's not just her though. There's so many. I can think of three off the top of my head that will absolutely break my heart to watch graduate. She's the biggie because she adopted us a few months after we moved here. I've never told her, but I think I needed her as much as she needed us. I know what it's like to be far from home and needing a mom from time to time. Nevermind, I'm only 10 years older than her. I'm still young and hip. Plus, it's easy to be "Mom" when none of the hard decisions are your's to make.

Every time I hear this song, it makes me think of her.

The other one that is going to break my heart is the one we offered our spare bedroom to for Spring Break. Monday it poured rain all day. He was out in it. When I came to pick up LMK after practice I saw a blur out of the corner of my eye. All of a sudden I'm enveloped in a wet, soggy, clammy, cold hug. I squealed and "ew'd" appropriately and I'll never tell him, but it made my day.

This song reminds me of him:


It just so happened I heard both these songs tonight. Right after each other.

"And you should really thank Mrs. Brinkman
She spent so much extra time
It's like she sees the diamond underneath
And she's polishin' you 'til you shine"

My little diamonds. I'm gonna miss these kids.

Camera Critters #2

Today I present my Cat in-laws. They're not as naughty as they look. In fact, they're worse. The naughtier the better I say. Right, Socks?

Jitterbug is in your face naughty. He looks right at you and misbehaves.

Tango is stealthy. She's wait until your back is turned, swipe your pop top, hop up on the table naughty.
They love to play with the cat toys. LMK and I enjoy having our own cat Olympics when we visit. I give you the vault competition.
Next week, Lulu the Wonder Bagel.

Camera Critters

My partner in crime, Misty, has started a new weekly meme called Camera Critters. How can I resist a meme about animals.
We are hardcore soccer fans in this house. Just ask us.

Thoughts?

So...I started the week with the firm commitment to being super positive all week. I made it two days.

I would love to share why I didn't make it. To really just get it out there, but there is not way I feel comfortable posting something that specific. If nothing else, this week has made me really paranoid about what I say and where I say it. I've been thinking about getting a domain name. That way I can get blogging software that lets me password protect posts.

Thoughts?

Good sites to go through?

I'm thinking Typepad.

Share your thoughts.

Spring Break Recap

Whelp some of us, like LMK, are still staring at 2 weeks of Spring Break (hate him). Then there is the rest of us who got three days. ^&#@%%$. But I'm over that. Really.

I'm such a bad liar.

Bastards.

Anyway...

This weekend we took the new car to WV. It's the first long distance trip we've taken with it and I'm impressed. Over the mountains we got 43 mpg - Wowee! LMK kept hitting the button for the screen and giggling when he saw the mpg going up. He's so cute.

Last weekend my in-laws came to visit and we drove to Harrisonburg to the Gr.een Va.lley Boo.k Fai.r. Oh my goodness. I died and went to heaven.

Before we left, LMK whispered, "Is this really worth the long drive?" I'd never been and didn't know. Um...after leaving GVBF, I'd have to say yes, yes it is worth the drive. Let's not even discuss the fact that LMK left with more books than I did. But he did.

Three HUGE rooms of books. Books as far as the eye could see. Cheap books! My MIL loves books like I do so we started in one corner and began looking. She picked up a book (looking unimpressed) and turned it over. Bo.x C.ar Chil.dren books - $1.50 My FIL got an $80 law book for $4. I was proud to make it through the cookbook aisle without putting all of them in my basket. Ohhhhh, the teacher books and regular books I purchased. I can't wait to go back again.

I don't want to talk too much about work (I'm always paranoid about being found out), but changes are hopefully in the works. We'll see. Fingers crossed in that department. We're planning a field trip to Mt. Vernon next month. That ought to be interesting. State tests are less than 2 months away and it's TERRIFYING. All I can think of is what I have to get through before then and what I need to review. Nevermind that half my kids don't know what the hell they're doing. Any suggestions for getting them to understand and remember 2 digit by 2 digit multiplication or long division? Because my "smart" kids just aren't getting it.

We start fractions tomorrow. Heaven help me.

PSA

If I have one more in-service about di.fferentiation with the SAME EXACT information I am going to seriously

LOSE

MY

SHIT.

Four times in 4 months is my limit.

That is all.

The best of intentions

I know, I know, I promised pictures. But I've been corrupted by the R.uby P.ayne philosophy so you really shouldn't expect me to do homework. Mwahahahaha.

Did I mention I'm taking a graduate course? Yes, I am that stupid. Basically, if we get technology certified then we earn money to be used for equipment in our classrooms. I want need my own SmartBoard so I am killing myself in a college class again. Last night was webpages. I love webpages. I taught myself basic HTML at 17. I have 7 webpages that I can think of off the top of my head. I heart webpages. I don't think I know it all, because there are definitely webpage bells and whistles I want to learn. Java. PHP. Graphic design. Blog Template design. etc.

However, I do understand the basics of webpage creation especially when using a website composing program like Dre.amweaver. So I still believe spending 3 hours making a basic generic webpage was not the best use of my time. I spent most of the class staring into space while listening to the instructor or helping my classmates with their pages. I tried really hard not to be "that person." I hope I hid my boredom.

Anyway, I digress. So those pictures...yeah, they're coming. However, it's icy and cold - so don't expect them today. I did do some excellent google searching (Mo Mom should be proud) and came up with some pictures.

First, Carrie was right. We bought a Prius. A 2008 Prius with 200 miles on it (ok, now 250 because we've been driving it like crazy). It's purdy. I've decided to name her the Silver Bullet. And soon, very soon, I will be able to walk up to my care without whispering "Hello, my precious." Really...soon! I'm working on it.


My favorite features so far include the key fob and push button start. Hello! I don't have to spend 5 frantic minutes searching through my purse for my keys. I zipped the key into a pocket and haven't searched for them once. Plus, how cool is it that I just push a button and the car starts. Of course, I have to make a conscious effort to be sure I actually turn the car off. So far, I've remembered, but I'm sure I'm going to forget soon.

I also love the dashboard. Digital speedometer? Cool! I think our favorite feature is the little lcd screen in the middle of the dash. LMK loves to watch the battery charge or the gas mileage sky rocket. I enjoy coasting and seeing that I'm using no energy or gas, but charging the battery at the same time. It still freaks me out when the car shuts off at a stop light. Normally, that's a bad thing. Now, it's a good thing! It's nerve-racking!


I am also fascinated by the backup camera. I make LMK watch it while I back because otherwise it makes me queasy. I love being able to see behind me as I back up and I'd like to think it will help me drive more carefully.


Now to be honest. Several colleagues at work have accused me of being a "tree-hugger." Here is my confession. I think it's great that my car is good for the environment or BETTER for the environment, but that's not why I bought it.

Gas mileage was a HUGE selling point. I'm getting 45 miles to the gallon people and evidently the gas mileage is worse when it's really cold out. I can't wait to see what it does in the summer. I also liked the affordability (is that a word?) of the Prius. I didn't cost much more than the used 2-3 year old American made cars we were looking at with 20,000 miles on them.

So go explore. Before you know it. You'll want one, too!

Commence Panic

LMK and I bought a car yesterday.

All by ourselves.

It's BRAND new. 202 miles on it.

It's not the kind of car I thought I would ever buy and much more expensive, but the benefits out weigh the costs.

It's our first big, "adult" purchase on our own.

Anyone want to guess make or model?

Pictures coming.

Frackin' snow days

They've officially taken any fun out of snow days. We're now going to school through the 3rd week of June! The 3rd week!! Are you frickin' kiddin' me!?



What do we have today - SNOW DAY.

Oh, I am so pissed.

Meme-riffic

So, Misty posted a challenge that is really up my aisle. For some reason, it fascinates me to look at other people's desktops. That and I'm procrastinating.

How to Play:

• Capture a picture of your computer's desktop.
• Post it on your blog along with a link to who tagged you.
• Tag some people.
• Run and hide from them.

I have about 3 desktops that we rotate between. So I thought I would post them all. Along with a little ditty about when they're used and why.

The first is one I've had up for several months. It's actually a picture taken by Leesa. I love her pictures and this one just cracks me up. It could be Hokie. He loves his paper bags.


The second is one of the desktops on my school computers. It's actually on the "teacher" computer. The one that I use to do email, attendance, grades, etc. The kids love it and everyone comments on it when they see it. Plus, I like seeing my Lula-belle on a day to day basis. It makes me giggle when I'm having a bad day.


The third is the desktop of my Smartboard cart. The kids love this picture and so do I. I caught it on a fluke when were visiting the in-laws. They're kittens are adorable. Tango is on another computer, but I couldn't resist this picture of Jitterbug.


The last one is what our desktop looks like now. As I've been told several times since February began (by the girls, not just LMK), soccer season starts soon. Nine days, if you're counting - which they are. So our desktop is an ode to women's soccer. Such is my life.


I don't tag. If you do it, let me know so I can come see. :o)

Rub.y Pay.ne Hell

I am stuck in Rub.y Pa.yne hell.

I work in one of the poorest counties in NoVA or so I have been told. That's fine with me, poor kids still deserve a good education. Out of all the elementary schools, evidently I work at the poorest. Again, poor kids deserve a good education. I have a wonderful group of children. I can't imagine any "rich kids" being more compassionate, caring, or thoughtful. That being said, some days it pisses me off that we consistently lower our standards for these kids.

According to R.uby Pay.ne (or Ru.by Pay.ne according to my administrators), students should not be expected to complete homework. If in the event you give students homework, it should not be part of their grade and they should be given time in school to complete it.

`Scuse me?

So far, I'm bucking the system on that one, to a degree. My math kids have homework from time to time. They are rewarded for doing it, but not punished. That being said, the kids who have done the two digit by two digit multiplication and long division homework actually understand 2 x 2 multiplication and division. Wonder of wonders!

There are lots of statements I've heard from Rub.y Payn.e that make sense. I've seen it.

For example, in families of "poverty" the priority to make sure your child has a PSP, an iPod, and a cell phone even though you can't pay your bills. My mother taught me you pay your bills first, then you can get non-essentials. Call me crazy!

I just don't see how making excuses for these kids is going to do to help them in life. Nothing is done about chronic absenteeism instead we celebrate those who come to school all the time. Whatever happened court dates for children who miss too much school? People look at me like I'm crazy here. Get your butts to school. Period.

What kills me is all the excuses we make for these kids and then we have a meeting and are basically told, "you can have 12 kids fail" their state test and still make AYP. You have GOT to be kidding me. At least 50% of the 4th grade is below grade level. Most are improving, but I don't see some miraculous pass rate coming in. Why do I have students reading at a 2nd grade level, yet are supposed to pass their state test because they did it in 3rd grade? Something is not right.

When does Ru.by Pay.ne's work stop being an excuse and start to help these kids? Why are we not challenging these kids? Who is failing who around here? I'm not sure it's them that's failing me. I think it's the other way around.

If today's educational system doesn't do some changing we're going to lose some kids. Kids are falling through the cracks and I can't catch all of them.

Literacy

Books. I love books. I love the smell of them. I love the look of a brand new book. I love the excitement of having a book I am dying to read yet saving it for a "special occasion".

Last year, I decided to attempt to read 52 books in a year. I did pretty darn well. By July I had read 37 books. However, when I started my first year of teaching time for reading was nonexistent. From August to December I read one book and it was a required reading for work. How depressing is that?

My current count is at three books. Considering it's only January, I think I am doing well. Anyone have any books that I might want to start looking at for the beach in July? I'd like to get a start on finding them now.

This year's goal:

Actually read 52 books. I'm not making any restrictions on books this year. As long as it has pages and is bound, I'm counting it.

Technical Difficulties

Please excuse the mess. I'm looking to change my template around, but I promised some of LMK's students that I would come watch their basketball game this evening.

In the mean time, uh, Misty, how the heck did you do that? My template doesn't have the areas I evidently need to edit.

Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiix it.

Carry on.

Why I love Virginia

Two words:
Snow. Day.

Two more:
Number 2

Five day weekend, woohoo! LMK got to witness my snow day dance twice this week. Of course, he shared it with his kids but luckily, I like them so I don't mind.

Please remind me of my joy in March when we have no spring break.

I've spent the last day catching up on DVR stuff. Yesterday I watched this:

Today I plan to finally finish this:



Oh yeah, there will be some schoolwork thrown in, but today I just want to relax. Maybe clean my house. It's nice to be able to take a breath and just relax.

That is all. Carry on.

TGIF

Love
Originally uploaded by h0kieerin.

Another student's mother died this week. What a horrible thing to happen to a nine year old. My heart breaks for her.

The other new 4th grade teacher (really gotta come up with a good nickname for her) lost track of the time this afternoon and her entire class missed the bus.

Poor thing. I can picture the look on her face when she walked out the door and saw all the buses leaving.

It could have easily been me.

It's still pretty funny when you think about it.

Weekly howdy-do

Don't have much time math and science assessments are calling. Anyway, my kids did their first podcast today. I'm more than a little excited about it. Click the title of this post and it should download. They did a great job.

I'm spending less and less time teaching and more and more time doing required assessments. Again, that's another rant for another day.

I will leave you with a quote from one of my little darlings this morning. It will be replacing my kids quote post haste.

Wise Beyond His Years: "Mrs. my stomach hurts."
Me: "Oh?"
WBHY: "Yeah, I think I have cramps."
Me: snort

Currently Listening: "Ever, Ever After" Carri.e Un.derwood - Enchanted Soundtrack

(They had me at Disney. Add a princess, a love story, and good music and I didn't stand a chance.)

First Week of a New Year

IMG_0199
Originally uploaded by h0kieerin.

Confession: My kids have me completely hooked on Ha.nnah Mon.tana, the Jo.nas Brothers, and the High School Mu.sical songs. So much so that those are the songs I'm buying with my iTunes Christmas gift cards. What can I say? I'm a Disney girl through and through. If you make it a Disney musical, I'm done. I had no chance of resistance.


The first week of a year is over. I had school for 3 days of it. What a crock. All this V.irginia bull-shit paperwork is really getting on my nerves. I don't know if it's the state as a whole or just my district. The instructional time being wasted is criminal. But this is a rant for another post.

In other news, I actually missed my kiddos. I was shocked, too. They came back Thursday sleepy eyed but smiling. I love it when they're tired. They behave. They're too tired not to. Mwahahaha!

Two of my kids have yet to return to school. One I wouldn't be surprised to hear she moved. She's a nice kid, but her moving will boost my test scores. (How depressing that I've been driven to this type of thinking!) The other we heard from today. Her grandmother died last night. I'm heartbroken. Not only because I think most people can sympathize with losing a grandparent at a young age. I lost my grandmother when I was about this age. It's heartbreaking. What makes it worse is Grandma is more like a mother to this child. She lives with her. Grandma is the stable one in her life. Dad is in jail. Mom is a flake and in and out of jail. I'm watching the paper so I can go to calling hours. Sometimes, especially as a kid, life isn't fair.

Notifications, expectations - whatever

Hello? May I help you?
Originally uploaded by h0kieerin.

A New Year’s meme, swiped from Leesepea.

1. Will you be looking for a new job? I hope not! But if something comes up at LMK's school, I'm going to apply. This b-s paperwork is ridiculous.
2. Will you be looking for a new relationship? Sure, new friendships. As for a new hubby, nah. I've spent all this time training this one. Why would I throw it all away now?
3. New house? I wish.
4. What will you do different in 08? Save money. Be adults. Lose weight.
5. New Years resolution? Save money!
6. What will you NOT be doing in 08? Getting any more cats. Drat.
7. Any trips planned? We're going to Myrtle! I'm already excited. LMK's dad was talking about it over break. He's excited too. He promised a whole grocery bag of flyers of stuff to do after their Spring Break trip. I must be entertained!
8. Wedding plans? For Twin, hopefully.
9. Major thing on your calendar? Uhhhhhhh...last day of my first year of teaching?
10. What can’t you wait for? My next school break....which isn't for 3 months, if I'm lucky.
11. What would you like to see happen differently? See money saving and lack there of.
12. What about yourself will you be changing? Hopefully my weight.
13. What happened in ‘07 that you didn’t think would ever happen? I never thought we’d move 5 states away. However, it's been a great thing for both of us.
14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about? That would always be a good thing, especially for me.
15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 07? More professionally. You have to when you're teaching 5 days a week.
17. Will you better your relationship with your family? I wish, but to me, that means living closer.
18. Will you do charity work? Ewww...I really need to do that. Must get on that.
19. Will you go to bars? Nah, I don't much care for drinking.
20. Will you be nice to people you don’t know? I have to be nice. Never can tell who is related to a student, parent, colleague, or boss. Gotta love education.
21. Do you expect ‘08 to be a good year for you? Let's hope so!
22. How much did you change from this time last year til now? Let's see, I'm a Virginian. I'm employed. I'm an adult. I'd say a whole hell of a lot.
23. Will you plan on having a child? Yep.
24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now? And then some, I hope.
25. Major lifestyle changes? Motherhood would be nice.
26. Will you be moving? God, I hope not. I hate moving.
27. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 08 that happened in 07? Again, moving!
28. What are your New Years Eve plans? LMK's surgery. Yeah, that's how we roll.
29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight? Yes, AND he can't run away. Mwahahaha!
30. One wish for 2008? Motherhood or on the road to motherhood.

Every Dang Year

Last Thursday, I was starting to get sick when LMK's kids came down to meet my kids. My kids had a ball. I think LMK's kids had a ball. We made snow globes, drank cider, and chatted. After LMK's kids left my kids asked if they could come back tomorrow. So I think my kids were impressed.

However, it never fails. Every year around Christmas, I get sick. One year it was pneumonia. The next it was strep. Another it was the stomach flu. EVERY DANG YEAR PEOPLE!

You guessed it, I'm sick again. I made it three months without getting so much as a sniffle. Through kid's illnesses. Staph infection outbreaks. Everything. And now, I have bronchitis. Of course.

I'm not dumb though...well, by the end of this story, I may have changed my mind about that. I went to the doctor Monday hoping for antibiotics and something for the coughing. My doctor didn't give me any antibiotics (I have some leftover ones that I'm contemplating taking anyway) but she gave me some cough stuff with codeine. Me likey. She also finally switched my blood pressure medicine because my old one made me cough.

I went home, took my meds, and went to sleep. I woke up like this:
LMK assured me that it "wasn't that noticeable". In almost 7 years of marriage the man has learned the appropriate times to lie to me. It didn't really matter anyway as I was going to school. Yesterday was gingerbread house day. If I wasn't there, they didn't get to make their houses and they'd by heartbroken. I knew I was in trouble when everyone I greeted said, "Oh my God, what happened?" As the day got on, it got bigger and bigger. I sent LMK a picture message and he decided we were going to the ER after school. I felt so miserable at that point, I was ok with that.

The ER doc knew exactly what the problem was. Evidently, it is a classic reaction to blood pressure medicine. They pumped me full of steroids and Benadryl (which do NOT make me tired, unfortunately) watched me for an hour. One hundred fifty dollars and a script for prednisone later, off I went.

This morning, my lip still looks puffy, but it's feeling better. I'm not staying home today either. It's movie day! I'm taking my class to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. Like hell I'd let a sub take that job. I've been looking forward to this for a month. I'm going to the movie.

And so begins another Christmas season.

Sporting Update

So.

The students got wind of the "let's cut the soccer program" idea. Parents have been calling and complaining. Looks like soccer with remain next year. Ha! It's times like this that I love LMK's school. Rich people threaten to pull money and the administration rolls over. Heh.

LMK and I went to the girl's basketball game this evening. We left after a quarter. I have no problem going and supporting several of his girls who are playing basketball. However, I cannot stand the girl's basketball coach. He's a whiny little bitch. There really is no other way to phrase it.

First, the student fans were shouting "shoot it" to a girl standing outside the key. She was open. She shot the ball and missed. He freaked out. He started screaming at the students. "Hey, you don't coach my team! I coach my team." He looked incredibly stupid and very childish. Me, I just bit my lip. LMK later said he was proud I didn't say anything. I've become a soccer fan. I can harass a coach with the best of them. It took a lot not to say anything.

One of the girl's on the team is also a soccer player. Her parents were there. They made a comment to LMK about how glad they were that he didn't scream at the kids like that. He's nice and calm. That's because he's a good coach. (Don't worry, I didn't inform them of that little fact. I'll let them draw their own conclusions)

But the end of it for me was when they got a technical (whatever that is) because one of the girls had a different number on than the number listed on the roster. He screamed at one of the managers (from another country) because it was her fault. Uh, `scuze me? Who is the head coach? It didn't help that this girl is sweet and wonderful and I love her to death.

It kills me that the administration thinks this guy is a "great coach". He's a prick and whiny bitch.

Bad coaches, just like bad teachers, give everyone a bad name.

Again!?

Twice in one week, you say. There must be extenuating circumstances. You're right! Long live the snow pony! Our first snow day of the school year. Even though I know we'll have to make it up, it's wonderful to be able to bum around the house. Clean the house. Wait for my new clothes (which all fit) and generally relax for a day. And those lesson plans for next week. Finito!

The update list:

• My new clothes arrived. They all fit and I only got one thing that I didn't order and don't want. Hello...me and white pants do NOT mix.

• I spent about $30 on books from Scholastic's Dollar Days sale. I ordered them Saturday and they're still processing. I WANT MY BOOKS!

• I found a cockroach in my room last week. G-R-O-S-S. Luckily, the other new teacher was nice enough to come take care of it for me. Ewewewewewew.

• LMK is having knee surgery on the anniversary of our move to Virginia. Oh how far we've come.

• Am I crazy for making LMK take me to the store this weekend to buy a cheap little doghouse for the stray cats that live under our porch? I'm going to put some wood chips in it for them to stay warm. They're cold and hungry. I'm not totally crazy right? I just cannot stand to see an animal cold or hungry.

• Twin got a promotion at work. She's going to be making more money. I'm so happy for her. She's getting away from the part of the job that is stressful and unappreciated and moving into management. Way to go, Twin!

• LMK is going to Baltimore in January for some soccer conference thing. (I listened, I just heard blah, blah, blah) Who is going to get me up for school? Start my car for me? Start fires to keep me warm and otherwise entertain me? I need entertainment, damnit!

• I was complaining this morning because the cancelled school after I showered. Until I got a call from my colleague who had no idea school was cancelled and was already at school.

• They're trying to cut the soccer program at LMK's school. It's such bullshit. Half of me thinks they'll never be able to do it. The other half of me almost wants them to do it so I can see the parents throw a fit and the administration roll over. True colors are being shown all over. It's all about football. Just like always.

• LMK's kids are coming down next week to meet with my kids. I'm so excited. My kids are so excited. Now, if I can only get enough baby food jars so we can make snow globes. Back up plan. Making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

• I have little to no Christmas shopping done. LMK doesn't get paid until the 14th. Looks like we may be charging some gifts this year. I hope we can do it and not go overboard.

Happy snow day everyone!

Reading?

I finally picked up a book yesterday after a 5 month dry spell. It's the longest I've gone without reading since 4th grade. Honestly, I'm so busy and so exhausted most of the time I just can't concentrate on a book. However, I ordered this book as a fluke in my class's November book order. What can I say? The title caught my eye.

I knew the author was familiar (I finally figured out she wrote S.hiloh, which I can't bring myself to read after LMK confessed S.hiloh dies). Well, I read the back cover to see if I could figure out what other books she's written and I read the following exerpt:

"There really is a annual Stawberry Festival in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia, which serves as the model for Buckman in this series."

Holy hell! LMK is from that town. You better believe I'm making it my goal to get every one of these books now. It's really neat reading about places I've actually been. It's almost as cool as when I found the name of where we're living now in a S.isterhood of the Traveling Pants book.

Back to grading math quizzes. Joy.

A Tale of a Kitty

Actually, it's just a tale of one kitty. Hokie. Hokie tends to get neglected in the picture department because he doesn't generally like to "pose". He's happy sleeping under the covers or on LMK's red blanket and coming to be petted at night as LMK falls asleep. However, he was interested in the new camera, so I was able to get some pictures of him. Click `em to big `em.

Hey, Mom, what is that you have? A new camera? It sure looks pretty!

All right, you can take my picture while I sit in the box it came in - don't tell Socks or Ollie.

This is my happy face.

All right, Mom. A little personal space, please.

MOTHER! Enough!

Thankful

Better late than never.

Things I am thankful for (direct from the activity I did with my students):

• LMK
• My parents - who are here, thus why I am so busy
  
• My brother - who I miss because he's not here. Good luck next week, Little Brother!
  
• My other family
• My friends - who I also miss
  
• My job - even though some days I just want to bang my head against the wall
  
• My colleagues - especially the other new teacher, I'm so glad I have someone who knows how I feel
  
• My students - they make me laugh, they make me smile, they're a good group of kids
  
• Target
• Olive Garden
• My new camera - she's purdy

A Little About Us

Since LMK is still swooning from his trip to the MLS finals yesterday and I'm off to school to worry myself into an ulcer until my meeting with the administration today. I leave you a meme. Stolen from Erin.

A Little About Us
The basic facts:

Who is your significant other? Lawn Mower King

How long have you been together? We met when I was 17 and he was 19. We've been together ever since. I'm 27 now. You do the math.

Dating/Engaged/Married? Married

How old is your S.O.? 29, going for the big 3 - 0 next February

What’s his/her middle name? James

Who eats more? It's usually a toss up. Depends on what day you catch us.

Who says “I love you” first? Him. He says it all the time. I'm very lucky that way.

Who weighs more? Sigh... me

Who sings better? Me!

Who’s older? Him. Ha!

Who’s smarter? Him, definitely. Not feeling too smart lately.

Whose temper is worse? Mine. I rant and rave. He seethes silently until he finally blows.

Who does the laundry? We share those responsibilities most of the time. Lately, him more than me due to busy-ness.

Who does the dishes? Usually me, unless there is a huge pile. Then he usually makes them disappear for me. He will also unload the dishwasher - which I hate.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does.

Whose feet are bigger? We wear the same size which means I can wear his shoes and he can wear mine. I'll give you a minute to picture that in your head. Hehehehe.

Whose hair is longer? He works for a military school. Mine.

Who’s better with the computer? Depends on what program you're talking about. Mathmatical/technical - him. Creative/ froufy - Me

Who mows the lawn? He does most of it now. Lawn Mower Queen HATES push mowing.

Who pays the bills? I do. I can work the online banking and Quicken faster. However, when I get really out of sync, he balances the checkbook.

Who cooks dinner? The crockpot! We take turns otherwise. He's a pretty good cook, except for chili powder in the spaghetti sauce. Ick.

Who drives when you are together? Me. I'm a control freak.

Who pays when you go out to dinner? Me, but the money all comes from the same place.

Who’s the most stubborn? Me, hands down.

Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong? LMK, even when he doesn't think he's wrong.

Whose parents do you see more? His. In fact, we've seen them more since we moved to VA then we saw them in the 4 years we lived in Ohio. We're the exact same distance away. Things that make you go hmmm.

Who named your dog? Me! The funsucker wouldn't let me name her Ariel Belle (I was going through a Disney phase), but he would agree to Lucy. He also wouldn't let me change Socks' name to Mickey. No fun, I tell you.

Who kisses who first? Me, he's not much for kissing. He's a hugger/cuddler.

Who asked who out? I talked to him first and drove to meet him first, so I guess me?

Who’s more sensitive? That'd be me again.

Who’s taller? He is, by 4 inches. (The way he carries on you'd think it was 4 feet)

Who has more friends? We have a lot of common friends, so I'll say it's a tie.

Who has more siblings? I do...he's an only child. I've got a brother.

Who wears the pants in the relationship? LMK does a great job of letting me think it's me. He generally won't buck the system unless it's something he feels strongly about and then I usually defer to him.

Gotta love the Hokies

Just another reason to love Virginia Tech.


Well, this and they beat the stuffing out of Miami. Mwahahahaha!

I need your help

So, LMK finally got his fall coaching check. Ching, ching! I've been wanting a new digital camera for months. We (and by we, I mean I) decided we'd use this check toward a new camera.

Now that the time has come, I can't decide.

I've got it in my head that I want this one. But little brother has some great things to say about Canons.

Here are the things I KNOW I want in my next camera:

• Higher resolution - the one we have now is a 4mp and I'm not impressed.
• Plug in battery. - I've spent a fortune on those lithium batteries.
• The ability to take pictures at LMK's games. - I can sit pretty close (100-150ft) so I don't as long a zoom. If I can't get this in the camera, then I want the option to purchase a lens that will let me get in closer.
• I'm also not very steady handed yet, so something that helps me do that would be great too.
  

So, blog readers, any suggestions? Cameras to avoid? One you absolutely love?

Popping in

While my kids' first movie finishes saving I thought I would pop in here for a quick hi.

This week is going well. The school carnival is over (what a long day). I had a relatively nice day today, so I'm in a good mood. Smarty made my day as we lined up to go home. Check out her quote over in the left top corner.

First quarter tests are coming up and I'm getting nervous. It's like the dang state tests four times a year! Sheesh! Conferences next week. In-laws this weekend. Eep!

How is everyone else's week?

Keep on keepin' on

I'm still here. Things are better on a day to day basis. Some days are great. Others not so much. My first formal observation is over and I did well. So that's good news. Conferences are coming up and I'm the only one (besides the other new teacher) that seems to be getting ready for them. They're "optional" so it's up to us to schedule everything. Gee, thanks. Not too impressed with my team leader/mentor lately, but I'm sure I'll get over it.

I've decided we're going to read The Chocolate T.ouch in reading instead of the stupid basal (which is too hard for my kids anyway), so I'm gathering stuff for that. Any suggestions would be great.

Have a great weekend!

Bottoming out

Yes, I'm still here. Hanging by a thread.

You know that graphic they show every first year teacher about the stages first year teachers go through? Well, I think I'm ahead of the game.

I hit Survival really quickly and I'm coasting at, what feels like, jet speed into Disillusionment. People keep throwing papers and meaningless testing at me. Things I "have to do" yet, we don't use for anything. I hate doing assessments just because everyone does them. Couldn't we get some more definite reasons why I have to give these tests?

Plus, I'm supposed to test kids during class. Uh, yeah, not gonna happen. I have one of the lower classes and they constant supervision. They're not bad, they just get into trouble when they're not perpetually busy.

Everyone is busy, so it's not just me. However, no one can seem to take a second to explain things to the new teachers. Just because you're familiar with how to give the Smith test, doesn't mean I am. Don't even get me started on W.ords Their W.ay. I think it's ridiculous to spend hours and hours planning for spelling when it's only 15 minutes (at best) of my reading block. I don't have time to piddle around with spelling.

Speaking of reading class, that one is keeping me up at night. Right now, I have a really good group. I have a mix. They're all below grade level so I chose a 3rd grade book to read as my reading instruction. It seems to be going well. They're comprehending and everything (who woulda thunk it?). That being said, Monday they're switching up my group. I'm getting anywhere from 5 to 10 new kids and sending a few up or down. I'm terrified I'm going to be stuck where the other new teacher is - with a "wild" group of kids and no curriculum because they're all so far below grade level. Add to that the fact that none of my kids qualify for Title I services so I can't get any help for my kids and I'm scared.

Luckily, I have a friend in the same boat. I'm so glad there are 2 new 4th grade teacher. I don't know what I'd do if everyone else had their shit completely together and I was the only one struggling. As I told my friend last night, I'm a great actor. I may act like I've got everything together, but on the inside, I'm drowning. All I'm trying to do right now is keep my head above water.

My house is a mess and we're hosting a party at the end of the month. Laundry is backed up. My car is mess. I've got piles and piles of papers to grade. I don't have time to cook therefore we eat junk and expensive junk at that. I bet I've gained weight since school began not lost it like my colleague. Have I mentioned money woes? I did exactly what I figured I would do. I got lax about keeping track of the money we spent and thus Quicken is out of date and I have no idea where our bank balance is currently teetering. If the rough numbers I put in tonight at right, we're in trouble for the next week and a half. Time to start cleaning out the freezer! I really should just stop eating. I'd be saving money AND losing weight. Two birds with one stone.

Pay also really bums me out. Between insurance, NEA dues, 403(b) withdrawls, and random taxes over half of my check is deducted. $1000 a month (give or take) sure seems like crappy pay.

Bottom line. I'm really missing my mom right now. She could be such a huge help to me in the classroom. LMK tries to help and he's a good guy to have around (Except when he says, "Well, you knew you'd be busy and have to put in a lot of time when you went into this career." Not helping, honey.).

I just feel so lost. So tired. So overwhelmed. So inferior.

How is your week going?

Good enough

After school today, I grabbed my gear and raced out of the building so I could make it to LMK's soccer game this afternoon. The first one I've been to all year! Of course, I think I left some book order money at school. At least, I hope it's at school. Otherwise, I've lost it and that's just a whole kettle of fish I'm not ready to open right now. I'll worry myself an ulcer this weekend and find it first thing Monday.

LMK's game was pretty darn good. The guys played well and even though they only tied, it was a great game to watch. Yaaaaay, team. That being said, LMK has had quite a week. When I met him after the game, we immediately got into a conversation about soccer, his job, and his department head (**cough, cough** jack ass **cough, cough**). My usually observant husband never asked me about my day. So dear blogging world, you get to hear about it instead.

One of my kiddos has been diagnosed with OCD. I'm not surprised at all. This student walks around with his arms up so that he doesn't have to touch anything, washes his hands constantly, and won't eat his lunch if he thinks someone looked at it crossways. They put him on a medication and all I can do is hope it makes a difference for the best. His mom doesn't know just how closely I've dealt with mental illness. I'm grateful I can be his teacher. Just another reason I had to get through LMK's illness. Maybe I can help this student.

My new student is proving to be quite the behavior problem. Yesterday, I sent home detention slips with him and another young thug-in-training (do the abbreviation.....ahahahaha, ok, moving on) because they were caught where they aren't allowed when they were to be at breakfast plus some other misbehavior here and there. I threatened them with loss of recess until I got the forms back and both showed up today. I no more than saw those than the principal came to get them, again.

Evidently, they've been "stealing" food in the cafeteria. I use the word stealing loosely because the aides have been allowing them to eat whatever food is left on the trays that are "pushed to the middle of the table". They're putting the kabosh on the food free for all, but the principal investigated further. My two darlings basically told her they're just hungry. Lunch isn't all that impressive - a protein and 2 pieces of fruit/sides. It's all to common in this country. One goes home to ramen noodles shared with two teenage brothers and the other doesn't have much either. Since our lunch is very late, we've been allowing the students to bring snack.

Well, now we have to have snack for the entire class. The principal made the comparison of inviting someone to your home, eating, and not letting them have any. I can understand that, but here's the problem.

Just where do I draw the line at providing for these kids?

I already provide notebooks, composition books, pencils, crayons, markers, science supplies, books, etc, etc, etc for the students who need them. It's a common teacher lament, I know. Now I'm supposed to get enough snack for the class, too?

Luckily, the principal is aware of the financial strain that causes and is looking into ways to supplement the snack, which I appreciate. Half of me feels sorry for these children. That's all they are afterall, children. I never had to sit through school and be hungry. They shouldn't have to either. No child should have to be hungry.

That being said, they are in trouble constantly. Constantly. Every class, the teacher is telling me how they were misbehaving. They don't do it in my class because I've come down on them. Hard. I'm even pulling out the "I'm so disappointed in you" speech. So I spend my day vacillating between wanting to strangle them and wanting to bring them home and "save" them from this horrible life.

In other news, I finally got a smart board in my room. It's not mine, I'm using one of the one's the school has for teacher's to checkout. I love it! How did I ever teach without this thing? How will I teach when they take it back? It's the bestest toy - EVER! There is so much I want to do with it. I'm already doing my morning journal on the Smart Board. The kids love to come up and correct sentences on it. Today, I found a spelling game where the kid's can click and drag computer magnets. I love technology.

Add to that new teacher responsibilities, house responsibilities, LMK's school responsibilities, and family responsibilities and I'm just zonked. No wonder so many teachers quit in the first three years!

Hand in hand with all the "bad" things about teaching are the good things. I like to think I'm pretty strict with my students regarding behavior. I expect them to be leaders in the school and make good choices. Nine out of ten of them live up to that. Then there are the kids who live to please you. The silliness. The laughter and the learning. The hugs - except from Touchy Feely Kid, I don't want to have my boobs nuzzled like my colleague. Eek. Teaching is the hardest, longest, best job I've ever had. I just can't wait to feel like I'm doing it well, not just acting like a teacher.

Thanks for reading through all this, if you're still here, I needed to share it with someone. Have a great weekend!

Chicago Sign

Chicago Sign
Originally uploaded by h0kieerin.

In lieu of a real post, I leave you this picture of a sign in Chicago. It has not been doctored in any way.

Heh. Twin swears she is going to print it out and put it on the door to her bedroom.

Ahahahaha.

I needed a laugh today.

How many more days?

Well, after almost 60 hours spent at school this week I am finally home! Tuesday was Open House until 8. Wednesday was staff development until 5. Thursday was new teacher stuff. Add meetings every day during my supposed break and I'm sick and tired of school.

I stayed until 6 tonight to get my lesson plans done. I'm very excited about them. They're my best ones yet. They won't make it until next Friday, but darn it, I hope one of the administrators comes in to observe me on Monday (I've gotten informal observations every week so far). I'm ready, dag nabbit!

Highlights of the week:

Had my first fight Tuesday. One of my kids got punched in the face by one of the other new 4th grade teacher's kids. Suspensions all around and the parents of my kid are pressing charges. Good for them!

As I was leaving tonight at six o'clock I ran into the new 1st grade teacher. "Oh, I figured I was the only one here." I commented. Then New 3rd Grade Teacher walked in. Soon after New Music Teacher arrived. Yep, the new people were the only ones left at school - and no wonder with all the meetings we've had this week. Sheesh.

I've got a grade full of five finger bandits. I caught three of them stealing candy from me on Tuesday. Want to know what makes Mrs. cuss like a sailor? Stealing. LMK will attest that I dropped a lot of F-bombs that evening. Today, someone stole another student's snack. They're gonna push me too far and then be in a world of hurt.

One of the other 4th grade teachers leaves as soon as the bell rings and takes nothing home with her. What am I doing wrong!?

I still feel like I'm floundering. I guess that's how I'm supposed to feel. New Fourth Grade Teacher feels the same way only she's got a cold, too. She's really down. It's no wonder so many teachers quit in the first 3 years. Good gravy.

I'm kind of annoyed because the two new teachers have the low reading group and then we have the opposite grouping for math. Sounds fair, right? Wrong. Our reading textbook is too hard for our kids. So we're having to dig up resources just to fill our 45 minutes of reading and spelling. Yes, you read that right, 45 minutes. Good luck getting anything accomplished in that amount of time. Even if we had the low math kids, we'd still have a textbook to use. Right now, my kids are doing a book study (which means I'm sure they'll fail their first quarter district test) and the other teacher is just trying to get her kids to read. I'm sorry, it just seems like we got the short end of the stick.

How was YOUR week?

Here, barely

Second week of school is almost done and I'm still ok. I must be doing something wrong because I don't seem to be struggling as much as the other new fourth grade teacher.

I love my kids. They're wonderful. LMK and I spent the evening yesterday in the ER. One of his players was injured and needed medical attention. (We're afraid its a torn ACL, but we're hoping and praying its not. Please keep him in your thoughts.) So I mentioned to my kids that we were out late because one of Mr.'s soccer kids got hurt. I explained that his family lives in another country so we went to the hospital with him like his mom and dad would have if they were here. Pretty soon, I have kids coming up to me asking for paper. "What do you need paper for?" I asked.

"We want to make Mr.'s player a get well card."

Can we just stop a minute so I can gush about my kids?

They came up with this on their own! I'm so proud of them.. The cards are hilarious by the way.

Student #1: "What's his favorite color? Is it pink? Pink's my favorite color so I think I'll use that."
Me: "I'm sure he loves pink. Your card looks great."
Student #2: "What color is his hair?"
Me: "Red."
Student #2: "Does he have an earring?"
Me: "Uh no, they're not allowed to have earrings at his school."
Student #3: "What's his favorite animal?"
Me: "Ummmm, I don't know. Why don't you draw your favorite animal and ask him his?"


The only bad thing about the day was when I tried to share their wonderfulness with my team. LMK's injured player is from a middle eastern country, no, not that one, the other one. I was telling them how we had to take him to the ER since his ACL might be torn and Team Leader, trying to be funny says, "Wow, I'm surprised they didn't shoot him."

Everyone thought that was just sooooooooooo funny.

I'm sorry. I didn't find it funny. I still don't. This kid is 17 years old and just because of where he was born he's a bad person? Seriously!? He's a good kid. He's polite, well-mannered, and a hard worker. He made a point to tell me "they grow up to be bad people." ARE YOU SERIOUS!? Call me naive, but he's in this country trying to get an education so that he can have a better life. Doesn't that count for anything?

As I told LMK, this player is my official favorite. He's also the player I yelled at a few weeks ago because he was pushing and he's better than that. He and I have a bond.

How can people be so ignorant? It makes me really sad. Really. Really. Sad.

Only 176 days to go!

I made it through my first week of teaching.

Holy hell.

Bullets are a must!

• The first day went well. In fourth grade, most of the kids are still excited about being back in school. If you're nice to them, they'll love you. I also showed them my All About Mrs. movie, which they loved. Some of my kids have seen it 6 times and still ask to see it again. I call that a success. They really just love seeing the pictures of the cats, but I'll take it.

• I have a student that goes to the beach every year the first week of school. Mom asked me for homework a week before school started. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was taking things hour by hour and planning the second week of school, uh, not gonna happen. The first day of school she arrives early and asks if I have her daughter's homework ready. Uh, no. Just trying to make it through the day. "Well, we're leaving on Friday!" Yeah, yeah, yeah I'll get something to you. I got homework around Wednesday night, it'll just have to work. Good enough for government work.
  

• Another student suffers from a medical condition that makes him throw up randomly. Uh, I don't do throwing up. Luckily, there haven't been any problems...yet.

• Same student's parent asked that I refrain from giving him candy. Fine. I can understand that, especially with a kid with ADHD. HOWEVER! Every day, he has brought a different kind of candy from home. What the hell!? I can't give him a jolly rancher, but he can bring a container of Warheads with him? He's also the only one bucking the water bottle rule. My kids can have a water bottle with water in it. I told them, no powdered drink mixes for the water. Just water. First day, he brings Gatorade. I told him it has to be just water. "Okay, Mrs." he replied. The next day, he brings fitness water. Flavored fitness water. For the love of Pete, water. W-A-T-E-R.

• We've already got a problem parent. The kicker? She's another teacher in my school! Our team decided as a "goal" 4th graders have to know their multiplication tables. Since it's a 3rd grade standard, we figured that's fair. We are going to give timed multiplication tests at least once a week. To "pass" you have to get at least a 90% three times. If you don't know your times tables, you can't get an A. I think that's fair. Thoughts? She went to the administration about it. Too bad it was the administration's idea. Heh.

• For the first week we had to eat lunch with our children. Oy.. Vey. The kids love it, but really, I'd like a few moments to myself. They're going to be sad next week when Mrs. leaves them in the lunchroom and goes to put her head down on her desk.

• Friday just about killed me. I think I've mentioned my 0 tolerance of heat, right? Well, I get to school on Friday and the air conditioning in the fourth grade wing isn't working. WHAT!? They call the repair guy and I figure we'll just deal. I've got a fan, we'll survive. By lunch we were melting. I finally felt the air kick at 2:30. The kids leave at 3. Did I mention the bank clock said it was 108° today? I told the office I was seriously considering getting the personal air conditioners I saw at T.arget. I'd just take it with me wherever I went.
  

• Don't tell the other teacher's on my team, but I think I got the best classes. How do I know? Well, yesterday I had the team leader's class for science. Oh. my. goodness. It was bedlam! He has all the inclusion kids in his class and it was...in a word, bedlam. The special ed teacher was there as a co-teacher to help and that's the only reason I made it through the class. He's talking about having to teach another class during the afternoon. I told him after school, "Please, please don't leave me alone with these children. PLEASE!" He laughed. When is a good time to tell him, I'M NOT KIDDING!

• My homeroom is great. Sure, they get squirrelly. They're 9! However, they listen and they're kind. I'll plan four different subjects, just let me keep my own kids! After team leader's kids yesterday afternoon I love my homeroom!

• I was talking to Mo Mom about the bedlam in my room yesterday and she laughed and said, "Oh, it's like a class full of Wild Childs" (Wild Child is another nickname for her middle daughter). I told her she needed to go hug that little girl and tell her how wonderful she is because I would take a class of Wild Childs over this class, any day.

Right now, I'm doing anything to avoid finishing next week's lesson plans. Reading seems to be overwhelming me. I have the low average group and I'm just not quite sure what to do with them. Any teacher-y people have any suggestions?