Ramblings

What's going on?

2012-02-08T14:55:00.000-06:00

Long time, no write. I have been busy - but I see I haven't written since before Mom got sick, so I haven't been that busy, just not in routine. School is the same except I have had some substitute associates and one new hire, so we've been training. My right hand has been out all week, she suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome. I let her get run down while I was taking days off. Her sub had to learn all the tricks my students use.

We enjoyed the Super Bowl game last weekend. One of the Giants is an Oskaloosa native, you know. We actually saw him in a couple of plays. Of course, the gathering of friends is the best part of the game. This year we went to Terra and Jay's in Centerville. It made it pretty late getting back for a school night, but I survived. We all went in one vehicle and we noticed we're getting old enough to not enjoy sitting in the way back and having to crawl over things to get in and out! Dan and I also went to see REDTAILS at the theater - another war movie, but well done. He especially likes all the planes, etc, which he knows way more about than I do.

I am taking classes to renew my teaching certificate. Let me now if you hear of anything really interesting online :)

Happy New Year

2012-01-11T06:53:00.000-06:00

Quick, everyone, knock on wood! Many folks here have had the flu - stomach type sometimes with respiratory as well. I got a call from an associate last night saying she wouldn't be in today. BUT, our household has been safe. I hope it stays that way! When you work in a building with 2000 people, it is sure to be full of germs.
I have been re-doing at home. We changed where the table sits in the kitchen and re-arranged the living room so we might actually use the fire place. (Doubtful, though unless we have an ice storm). One of the cats is still confused, he can't figure out how to get on Dan's lap since his usual approach is blocked. It is sort of funny to watch - but at the same time you feel sorry for him.
Our routine is pretty much the same, nothing to write about. We did use our movie gift certificate to see "War Horse" last weekend. I liked it very much. We have been having movie night at home every once in a while thanks to another Christmas gift.
The weather has been unbelievable - it sounds like I might need extra layers for bus duty tomorrow, though. Who can complain?

Where do the days go?

2011-12-11T13:21:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to all. So much has been going on. I enjoyed a very successful Pampered Chef party with Chelsey showing her stuff last Monday. She said she was nervous, but she did really well. The stuff should arrive tomorrow. Last weekend we celebrated Dallas' birthday with family.
School is pretty normal for the month that contains Christmas - noisy and unsettled. The excitement of Christmas + storm fronts + a full moon = kids who sometimes need to spend time with the principal and teachers who have to call for help! At least when I needed help on Thursday they needed to page a principal, so the kids knew he was coming! I'm suspecting that some meds were not taken that day. Friday went better.
Tomorrow I am at central office for half the day and my room associate is gone for a personal day. Please cross your fingers for us.
At home I've been busily sewing and mending and hemming. I hope the people I work with like their gifts. I had fun making them, and I think they turned out pretty well. All the purchased gifts are wrapped except for the one that hasn't come yet.
We're going to celebrate family Christmas in Greg's garage. It is big enough, will be warm (he has a furnace) and we'll have tables and chairs to eat at. It will be cold enough outside for things that need to be cold and we'll have crockpot or roaster things to eat. I hope no one will miss the tree. If you will becoming, bring snack foods and drinks. The girls and I will furnish a main dish - possibly taco related with choice of chicken or beef.
The weather looks like snow - but temperature says rain - really cloudy/gloomy out.The snow is rapidly leaving - what is it like where you are?

Quiet Sunday afternoon

2011-11-06T15:05:00.000-06:00

I was in the middle of a Christmas present, but had to stop and wait for a part that Dan is bringing home. My stomach is telling me that it is near dinner time, though I know that is not true. Why is it, again, that we mess about with daylight saving's time, etc? The kids at school will have issues for a few days - breaks will not be when their bodies expect them, I will keep waking up too early.

After church this morning we went to a local restaurant to eat breakfast - one of our group was celebrating landing a new job. I am tickled for him, he was only unemployed for two weeks. I hope we are the next to celebrate.

Our new pastor really does a nice job. We celebrated All Saints today and lit candles all over the place. My bell choir played. We had a guest director for our regular choir.

Charley sure was cute at Halloween. He was a little confused about how to sit in a chair with a tail, but discovered blowpops!

Weird Weather!

2011-10-12T16:01:00.000-05:00

It has been dry here so long and right now this very minute we are having a big thunderstorm with a little hail mixed in. I don't have an after school duty this year, but right as three o'clock rolled around, it started to rain and hail. We held kids inside briefly so they wouldn't be struck by lightning, and you guessed it, some parents complained!!!

Tomorrow is parent teacher conferences - such a long day. I will put in about 14 hours. I have only 7 parents to meet with because I have just had staffing with them, or they are scheduled for next week. I should be able to get lots of work done. There are always reports and planning to accomplish.

I have started playing in bell choir again this year, I really enjoy it but don't like to stand an hour after a full day at work. I really get stiff. Some tylenol seems to take care of it. Our rehearsal is at 5:00. Regular choir is at 7:00 so Dan and I have date night and go out to eat in between. Usually just a fast food place.

I sure have noticed that fall is prettier this year than many - is it because it has been so dry?

Homecoming week

2011-09-23T06:10:00.000-05:00

I've been furiously working to catch up on what I missed when Dan was in the hospital. After a few days back, things finally seem more stable with the kids and our routines. In talking with other spec ed teachers, it seems they think so too, and most of them weren't gone a whole week. Soooo if it takes 6 weeks to get into school, maybe we shouldn't take such a long summer vacation?

This week is homecoming. The staff and kids get to dress up in different ways to show school spirit. Monday was pajamas. I don't participate in that one! Tuesday crazy socks, that was easy and you wouldn't believe how many different kinds of stripey socks I saw on bus duty that day! Wednesday was hat day. I only own one and didn't know where to look, plus hate hat hair. Thursday was super hero day - our school has a young man who has been in the hospital since last January - he had a bone marrow transplant to help with a skin disease which causes his skin to slough off and is extremely painful. That part went well, but with reduced ability to fight things off, has been extremely sick since. Many students and staff chose to honor him by dressing in Super Nick items (a take off on superman, with N in the emblem instead of an S) and I was pleased that my students understood why they were doing this. Today will be Osky colors.

We are looking forward to more time with Charley and to babysitting for ISU games and seing Emily play soccer. Dan still tires easily and is restricted from "heavy" labor until after our appointment with neurology on Oct. 5.

school

2011-08-26T18:45:00.000-05:00

school has started and we have a week done now. The first two days were designed as early outs to help us with inservice. In other words, we took the state's money so we had to do the time. It was great for kindergarten, they could ease into the year, but hard on the rest of us because we wanted to get planning done but we had to go to meetings instead! Finally all the materials have arrived (new math materials, so new that they supposedly weren't done being printed! I have worked with most of my groups a couple of times but still have a schedule glitch. I asked for help from a principal but he and his wife had a new baby on the second day of school. Maybe next week.
We installed wireless Internet here at home so now I don't have to be tethered to a wire and can sit in the recliner and work at the same time. Great idea!

Retirement

2011-08-13T08:49:00.000-05:00

I was surprised to be honored at the last band rehearsal for my retirement from the secretary/bookkeeper/librarian position. The band doesn't get cake very often! Then at the last concert they did it again, this time with a public announcement and a plaque. I have finished my duties there, I think. I'll miss it, but am ready to just play every week without the headaches!

Summer's over :(

2011-08-11T12:15:00.000-05:00

Well, almost. I have been going in to school for a few hours a day this week, I really don't know why, there isn't much I can do until we get duty schedules, etc from our principals, and they won't give them until Tuesday (official start for teachers) at least. I have written down some ideas and I have looked at some of the materials I plan to use. We are getting new math materials but they haven't been distributed yet. I have a new office space which I will share with 3 other spec ed teachers. One of them will be new as one of our team took a transfer to the middle school. Amanda has been in a couple of times while I have been here, but with Carver in tow, he's a month older than Charley. Kathi has been in, but not when I was! We have to get the catching up out of the way, then plan the use of our shared teaching spaces. Can't really do that until we have schedules, so we're back where we started!

I went to Lowden on Tuesday to visit with Mom and Cheryl and Jim and got to see Ashley, Sue and Bill as well when I was there. I hope Mom is feeling a little better by now. The driving was uneventful but it was one of the prettiest drives I've done in a while. Everything looked fresh and clean and it wasn't so beastly hot.

I get to sit with Charley a little later today for a little while , then tonight will be our last concert for the year. Tomorrow I will sort music for the last time and submit a payroll. I have quite a few things up in the bandroom that are mine, I guess I should move some of them home as well. My replacement as secretary/librarian will do a great job, and I'll miss the job a little, but not too much.

Busy day

2011-07-15T22:06:00.000-05:00

I was busy today! I spent the morning with Charley. He is fun to have a conversation with! I must say, I'm getting pretty good at 13 month talk. When I got home, Dan and I dismantled our bed frame - it hasn't been taken completely apart since I moved in here -18 or 19 years? We are getting a new bed finally and this one had to go. It was the old water bed frame we've been sleeping in for years. I remember Bill helping to put in some of the screws and we had to work to get them out. Then, we went to the movies to see the last Harry Potter. The movie was good, and I'm going to miss the series. When we got home I fixed dinner then we went uptown to see a band concert. A group called the Windjammers put on a concert on our bandstand that was supposed to re-create a typical performance of the Municipal band of the 1920's. It was great fun to watch others do what I had done just the night before! Tomorrow I get to sit with Charley again.

I'm working on a patchwork scrap quilt of 2 inch (finished size) squares. It has made a dent in my scraps and small pieces, that is for sure. I didn't cut into anything I had at least a fat quarter of, so that will tell you how long I've been keeping bits. Right now it is 36 squares by 30 squares = 1080 squares. Oh, and none of them were solids. It will need to grow a bit more before it is usable. Next big project is new curtains for Greg and Chelsey's new camper.

More Summer

2011-07-01T11:28:00.000-05:00

Gee, July already - means I really should start on my summer projects pretty soon. But - I'm having too much fun! I continue to visit with Laura, Emily, Dallas and Noelle on Wednesdays. This week Emily and I tried making a decorated box while the little ones slept and Laura went to the grocery store. We always read a lot during these visits. On my way home I swung past Lynne's and had dinner with her. This morning I went to breakfast with the crew of people from Lincoln school - half are retired now. We plan to have breakfast every first Friday of the month, but sometimes we don't carry through very well. At least today we met at 8:00, not 6:00 as we do when school is open.
I've decided to retire from my band jobs for next year and just enjoy being a musician. I told the band a week ago to offer the chance for interested people to job shadow before elections in August. I know it is strange, but we elect a director and a secretary every year. At least one person wants to follow me around on Tuesday when I sort the music.
I don't have a real routine of watching Charley during the summer but work in a short visit every once in a while. Soon I will have a regular date with him again. He learns something new every time I see him. This past week he played in the dogs' water bowl and giggled and giggled. We were outside, so it didn't matter when he dumped it, mostly on himself! Chelsey keeps saying he can get dirty if he wants to, so I let him do just that!
Dan and I are planning to go to the movies this afternoon or tonight - have to see Cars2 and could choose 2 or 3 more.I'm working on a new quilt for Dan to use when he's cold watching tv, and will get rid of the 18 year old knitted afghan he uses now. Should look nicer thrown over the couch. Its a scrappy quilt - using up lots of little odd and ends.
We met the new pastor and his family on Sunday when we were greeters. They seem really nice - haven't heard him preach yet.

A typical summer week

2011-06-06T09:45:00.000-05:00

It's Monday. I'm going to babysit for Charley while Chelsey goes to the dentist a little later. Then I have to finish putting out music for tonight's rehearsal, then maybe a dr's appointment - I seem to have something going with my eye - not pinkeye, maybe a sinus infection right there under my eye?

Last week I spent Tuesday with Charley and Wednesday with Laura, Emily, Dallas and Noelle. Thursday was our first band concert of the season. Friday evening we had a reunion of staff from Lincoln School at my friend Vicki's - they cooked pork roast and we all brought food. It was hot, but we all had a great time.Last year it stormed during our reunion.

Tomorrow night Mae's brother and sister in law from Georgia will visit her and we're all going out to dinner. They will take her along on their travels for a few days. The rest of the week looks quiet until Friday when we get to babysit for Laura's kids again. And, yes, the kids are planning something for my birthday on Saturday.

I hope everyone is able to stay cool -

Last 2 days of school

2011-05-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

No kids around today - trying to get things done - am on lunch now, so its legal!
I was also disappointed in Dancing with the Stars. I was rooting for Kirstie, even voted on the last night I could. Hines did a nice job, though, he seems sweet. I keep saying if the right people don't win I'm not watching those stupid shows anymore!! This is true of Survivor - I am just not going to watch anymore!

Another sign of getting old?? I got a blister on my thumb sharpening colored pencils with a hand sharpener - Gee Whiz!!!

Rain again. Need to plant rice.

2011-05-15T17:32:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday tomorrow, Charley! We had a grand party in Greg's new garage with lots of good food and enough presents to keep everyone happy!

There are 9 official days of school left - but I won't work with kids much the last two days. It has been a long year, but I have officially finished my evaluation and survived. We will start the year with two new principals (again) and quite a few teachers are changing positions. My department is going to set aside on of our little rooms for a shared office and use the rooms for "focus" areas. My friend Kathi convinced me that I was supplying most of the distractions so these focus areas will have no decorations, just an area where students can really cue in and learn. I will still teach mainly in my teacher's lounge changed to classroom, but may use the focus rooms at times. I will still serve three grade levels.

I'm hoping this summer to see my grandchildren regularly, sew some and use one day a week for school things. It is nice to be in a point of the year where I can really think about summer. At church this morning a friend asked if I could remember the last time the district was completely finished with the school year before June - and I couldn't.

Happy Easter

2011-04-23T13:52:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone has a great Easter. I am looking forward to having Lynne here for lunch and Charley and his parents to join us later. I'm feeling a bunch better but still missing a cylinder or two early in the morning until I've coughed a while. Got a haircut this morning, Thanks, Chelsey! Be sure to take a minute to look around at all the beauty outside!

feel yucky

2011-04-18T14:40:00.001-05:00

I'm sick. Don't feel well at all. No fever, big time cough, from my toes! TIRED!

new week

2011-03-28T18:39:00.000-05:00

Nothing much going on here. We started giving Iowa Tests of Basic Skills today. Spec ed needs to do well or we will be a school in need of assistance next year. I don't hold out much hope. My kiddos took it very seriously but they just don't know that stuff on grade level.
I am gathering ideas about new curtains for the bathroom and sewing room if any one has some to offer. I like it to be sunny in the studio, but need something for after dark. That's the stuff I think about when I can't sleep!

On Vacation

2011-03-16T12:54:00.000-05:00

Wow! The weather is great! Makes you want to get things done. Can't keep up with Laura, though. We have cleaned/straightened a few things. Dan spruced up the front yard this morning while I did the taxes. I worked for a while at school yesterday and then went to the library. My sewing room is in better shape and I just need some supplies for a project. Going to see all the grandkids this week. I hear Charley has a new tooth.

My friend Kathi is coaching me in some autism strategies. She convinced me that I am supplying some of the distractions my kids experience by the things I display so I spent some time stripping down the room. The information on posters I had hanging up is now on index cards that I can give if they need it. I even took down the alphabet. Some things will still be on charts, but they will be visible only when we need them. The distracting area is now my desk and I don't know quite how to fix that yet. I went to a training last week where they used pvc pipe and fabric screens to eliminate some distractions. That will have to wait until next month. It doesn't look like I will get a classroom anytime soon. Good news for the district - it looks like we will need 9 sections of kindergarten - over 220 kids signed up so far. Better even if we had 10 sections, but we don't have that many classrooms. It seems a shame to bring in mobile units for an almost new school.

Enjoy the weather!

A Few Quiet Moments

2011-03-01T15:56:00.000-06:00

Today was a "normal" day. Yesterday we had a late start because we had a half inch of ice on roads. It covered cars, sidewalks, etc but didn't seem to cover trees ? probably saved us all kinds of power outages but made for really dicey driving. Even when the kids came in at 10:30 they described some scary bus trips! Yesterday was the first official day of the trimester and I was trying to put into place some new expectations. I tried, and we did better today. You'd think I asked impossible things:)
I wanted first and last names on all papers, no more blurting and start to work on their new reading goals. I did change the schedule a little bit and everyone HATES that!

On the home front, I finished a baby quilt for a baby whose mom is on bed rest; made some funny shoelace toys for Charley at Chelsey and Greg's request (seems he likes to chew on hooded sweatshirt ties) and tried to make chenille to made wall hanging with a chenille bunny on it.

We are going to have our first school Parent reading Night on Thursday and my job is to babysit with 2 to 5 year olds. I made some coloring pages with Dr. Seuss characters on them and have some books to read, other babysitters are planning for the more active part. We will be using the gym so there will be soft gym items to try out.

Have a physical on Friday afternoon then Dan and I are going on a date night sleep over in Des Moines before we go to Ames on Sunday. I hope to do a little shopping and a lot of relaxing!

Happy Valentines

2011-02-10T15:19:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to sister Sharon! Hope it was fun!
School is celebrating Valentine's Day tomorrow instead of Monday so excitement abounds around here! Plus, the kids might actually get to go outdoors tomorrow because it is supposed to actually be above zero. Our policy is indoors if real temp or wind chill temp is zero or below. It was a long week!! Don't tell anyone but I brought a food valentine for the kids in my class. Of course we aren't supposed to give anything but healthy and I don't suppose cupcakes fit that bill, but they were cheaper than buying valentines for everyone.
I am about to leave for Greg and Chelsey's for my regular session with Charley. I wonder what he has learned this week? Last week clicking his tongue was new along with a new tooth. I was disappointed to not get to go to Laura's to babysit because we are making up snow days :(
Every other kids is blowing noses or coughing - and I'm trying really hard to avoid them. Hard to do - but I'm trying. Looking forward to messy streets and warm temps!

Anything Happening?

2011-01-25T06:14:00.000-06:00

There is absolutely nothing exciting happening around here. I guess it's like that joke about birthdays - better than the alternative? January is like that sometimes, I guess.
Yesterday was 100th day of school. Only 80 to go - 79 today. Will the goals be met? Will my fifth graders be ready for middle school? What will next year look like? Will the governor take away more money from education?
Sounds like I need a good dose of grandchildren, doesn't it?

Snow Day

2011-01-11T08:34:00.000-06:00

We're having our first snow day. I didn't know how our new superintendent would handle this. It is still snowing, but very lightly and we didn't get any until late afternoon yesterday but I suppose they are worried about the prediction of the wind coming up later today. I knew last night we would have a 2 hour delay so I stayed in bed an hour longer, then got up and hemmed two pairs of jeans for a friend at school, so I could take them back today. Since then, I haven't done anythign worth while but have coffee! We will be making this day up next week on Martin Luther King day.

We had a sleepover with Charley this past weekend while Greg and Chelsey had a night out. He knows when his parents are gone and misses them, but eventually got back to being his usual cheerful self. He was a big hit at church. He was gentleman but I fear the people in the rows behind him spent more time watching him than listening to the sermon!

Hope everyone is warm and safe!

accomplishments!

2011-01-01T15:11:00.000-06:00

This afternoon I was by myself since Dan went to Ted's and I decided to try to make sense of all the cords in and out of the computer. Long ago, Lynne left a little yellow step stool here. The PCU unit is now sitting there and I have access to both ends, the cord end and the CD side. Everything is off the desk except the monitor and key board. I should have done this LONG ago!

I have made some little duckies for Chelsey and knitted two hats for Dan. The first one was too small, so it will get donated at school. He said the second one was "perfect" although I was enjoying a bottle of wine during construction!! Well, not the whole thing!!

Here are some shots from family Christmas. Nothing much else going on. Church tomorrow, school on Monday (no kids).

pictures from Sunday

2010-12-21T15:07:00.000-06:00

free

2010-12-21T15:04:00.000-06:00

I just finished my final conference with my supervisor with positive ratings across the board. I got a chance to vent a little, and now I can put that behind me.

Weather wise, we won again - no bad weather anywhere near.

Only one more day to get through with kids. I did a hot chocolate party with my kids today and one of the fifth graders upset her cup of cocoa onto the floor. Carpet, of course. I bet that will leave a mark! I gave each child a personalized mug for Christmas. Tomorrow I will try to do business as usual, except we are to wear Christmas hats, oh, excuse me, winter holiday hats.

I wrapped some things yesterday, finally. Have a few more to do and Dan's gift has not arrived yet. I hope he will be patient :)

guess what?

2010-12-09T14:39:00.002-06:00

My administrator is home sick today so I "get to" postpone my second observation yet again :) I taught a very good lesson today, too bad she didn't get to see it !!

Stress free?

2010-12-09T06:39:00.000-06:00

As you may remember, I am sort of on probation here at school because of two administrators making decisions about me without knowing who I am or how I function (best way I can think of to state that I was punished unfairly and without getting to stand up for myself) and one of the results is that I am being evaluated. You get evaluated every three years in a formal way and it was my year anyway, but it was moved up. I was supposed to teach lessons two days in a row and have a formal observation last week on Thursday and Friday. Thursday came and my room associate and an associate that works in the general education classroom with my students with autism were both out sick. I was able to hire a substitute but didn't feel comfortable having a principal watch my class dissolve because there was a person here they didn't know and who would do things in a different way. My principal agreed it would be better to wait and we would try for Friday and Monday. Friday - almost the same situation - the sub I hired Thursday could come back for my room this time and at least my students had met her the day before. But - It was decided to move the observation again to Tuesday/Wednesday. On Monday this week I got an email asking to move it to Wednesday/Thursday. Meanwhile, I'm holding on to these same two lessons in math so I don't have to re-do all the paperwork. Yesterday I finally got to have my first observation and the kids even cooperated pretty well. Today is the second observation. I am curious to see what the end result will be. The person evaluating me didn't have anything to do with the "punishment" and I trust her.

I have been shopping but not yet wrapping. I need to get started on that. There isn't much time left!

pictures

2010-11-28T13:16:00.000-06:00

Ok, found my camera, only had to think about it all day! These pics were shot on Charley's special day, but seems I don't have one of him, only Greg, Lynne, Noelle and Emily.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-27T15:00:00.000-06:00

What a pleasant weekend! We ate dinner with Mae at Maple Ridge on Thursday and have kind of puttered ever since. I have the tree up (just lights so far) and have worked at school some. I have an evaluation observation this week and want my ducks in a row. I had hoped to post some pictures taken after Charley's baptism last week but I can't find the camera. I hope it is in a bag at school, but really don't know what I did with it.
Chelsey cut my hair yesterday and reminded me I haven't updated in a while. Seems like though we are always busy, nothing is going on. I'm THINKING real hard about Christmas, can't say I'm doing more than that:) I'm enjoying the weather today - have outside duty this coming week, so hope it continues!

2010-10-31T17:48:00.000-05:00

Sorry for not updating sooner. I have been going through some stress at work and couldn't think well when I came home. I was assigned a very difficult student, whom I had no idea how to serve. I was told, it is all there in his iep (I suppose it was) but what I put into place was not what the parents wanted. I was the subject of a meeting with parents, principal and superintendent. I was not asked to represent myself- end result - they punished me by taking the student off my roster (woot woot) and for the rest of the year they will monitor me and watch if I am "unprepared". Never happened to me in all the years I've taught. But I am trying to be graceful in my acceptance. - we just had a great sermon on leggo my ego at church.

Meanwhile I get to babysit my wonderful grandchildren and my blood pressure goes back down and I feel refreshed! Here are some of the latest pictures.

Happy Birthday Lynne!

2010-10-10T15:05:00.000-05:00

Ah, I remember it well - had a dr's appt and he said we could meet Lynne the next day and to check in the hospital at 6:00 AM the next day, and so we did -

I refuse to feel old just because my babies are all grown up - I wouldn't trade any of them for any amount of anything!!

Wow

2010-09-26T16:26:00.000-05:00

Don't you love the "new and improved" weather? Compared to yesterday? I'm feeling productive today. After church I started some laundry (had some shoes to wash) and put some soup in the crock pot, then patched some jeans, cleaned the bedroom, washed by hand my broomstick skirt, cleaned the tub, and straightened up the sewing room. I only had to work 4 hours extra at school this weekend, too. Do you suppose I am forgetting something crucial??

We watched Charley for a few hours last evening but he either didn't like us, is teething, or had a tummy ache or all three. He cried and cried and cried. He would calm every once in a while, listening to Dan tell him stories or singing to him, but didn't want his pacifier or blankie. I hope I do better with him on Thursday!

more pics taken while we waited for Noelle to come home

2010-09-18T16:37:00.000-05:00

I have pictures!

2010-09-18T16:29:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to upload some of my pictures of Noelle, but my computer and I have not been agreeing. Looks like I finally got it right! I spent Tuesday through Thursday this week in Ames, and Thursday through Saturday last week there. School went pretty well, better the second week as I found out what was missing from my generic lessons plans the first week. The whole having a new grand daughter process is pretty hard to explain to my class!

I tried to be generally helpful while visiting but my main job was playing with Emily while everyone else napped. She has a set of pop beads that she got for her birthday (she calls them snap beads) and we created jewelry every day. They are just like the pop beads we used to have only more shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. They still just "pop" together. Fun and we did something different with them each day. They couldn't be used while Dallas was awake.

Noelle is very sweet and had learned new things just from last Saturday when we left to Tuesday when I went back! She stays awake for a while now, really studies things with her eyes and really, really listens when you talk. She knew it was not Laura when I was talking to her and she would get very still if you sang to her.

When I got home Thursday I was able to spend an hour with Charley. He looks big compared to Noelle! He is talking up a storm and giggles at about everything. I got to stay with him this morning as well, they were supposed to raise the roof on the garage, but the rain cancelled that. I stayed with Charley and Greg went back to sleep. When he got up I went to the shop and got a haircut. I missed my appointment when Noelle was born.

School year has begun

2010-08-18T06:52:00.002-05:00

I'm all settled into my new "new" room and feel pretty important to have a separate office. Of course, it's only because my desk wouldn't fit in my classroom :). We had open house/meet your teacher night last night. I had several of my families stop in. The building was very busy. That is a good omen for the coming year. Today we have professional development and tomorrow the kiddos arrive for the first official day. Part of my day today will be CPR training. I haven't been certified in several years and I have a student with a seizure disorder, so I need to be certified. Hopefully I will never have to put practice into reality.
Also yesterday I got to have coffee with an old teaching buddy who was in town. She lives near Branson now, for 12 years or so. I tried to fit in a visit between meetings and open house and also got to watch Charley while we were having coffee. He was a perfect gentleman, but he put my arm to sleep while he napped. I felt young, all the others at the table were retired.
The rain hasn't affected us personally, but we know plenty of people with serious water in their basements. Highway 92 east of town has been closed for days and the way the pictures look, some serious reconstruction may need to happen on the road. I don't know how this will affect the start of school. There are other routes, but buses will certainly have to backtrack a bunch.

Lynne or Laura

2010-08-11T17:07:00.002-05:00

Can you tell me how to move things in my blog so you can see the title? Be detailed, please.

Another opportunity

2010-08-11T16:54:00.002-05:00

I got called to the office again today, and again, just as I was walking out the door. It seems since the president signed a bill giving some education money back, our district can hire some teachers. Our fifth grade teachers won't have to have 31 students in their class, but they will get to have my room. I have two days before school starts to move (again, sigh) and this time to a teacher's lounge, not a classroom. I will need to be creative! Plus side is I'll be close to my best school friend again. And, BTW, it is dry at school, although parts of Oskaloosa are pretty soggy. I heard Ames has a boil water order, I bet we will too in a day or two since the water treatment plant is sure to be under if all that water comes downstream. Never a dull moment.

end of summer as I know it

2010-08-08T10:03:00.002-05:00

I still have pictures to publish but they are on the MACbook and when they updated, they put blogspot on a list of firewalled items ( no social networks are allowed on school computers during school hours so kids can't be off task) so I will have to figure out how to transfer so I can post them here.

I have spent several hours at school trying to do what I can ahead. Got to babysit with Charley several times as well. He changes every time I see him, has learned many new things. It sure is fun to watch him talk to the toys! Only one more band concert for the season as well, then I can start babysitting Thursday nights.

Sweetcorn Serenade went well. Last year and this we have had the Celebration Iowa Jazz band and Singers perform. We used to know them as the State Fair Jazz band and Singers. It brings a good crowd as does the rest of the celebration (corn, pork burgers, vendors, kids' games, crafts, etc)The night ends with our band concert - our biggest audience of the year but also the noisiest, I'm not really here for the music audience. MUSCO lighting donated new lighting for the park and the bandstand, state of the art LED lights. Now I don't have to have a secret stash of light bulbs for when the teenagers steal the light bulbs just before the concert!

Nothing else happening here.

Staycation

2010-07-14T17:05:00.002-05:00

Well, I've been waiting to post until I could include some pictures but my camera and my computer are not on speaking terms right now, I guess! Dan and I celebrated our 15th anniversary by spending a couple of days in Des Moines. On Friday we went to the Hall of Pride. Very interesting but I think high schoolers might enjoy it more, maybe middle schoolers. We went to see "Knight and Day" the movie at Jordan Creek as well as a little shopping and ate dinner at Fazoli's (hadn't been there in a really long time). Saturday we slept in, drove around at Saylorville Lake, went to visit the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge, visited a VW dealer (we need a part for Vera) rested a bit, then went to an Iowa Cubs game. Sunday we shopped a little before coming home. One thing we always do is great breakfasts - did a Village Inn and an IHOP.

Tuesday is my regular afternoon to babysit for Charley for a little bit between when Greg goes to work and Chelsey comes home from work, and he slept pretty much the whole time. Today Dan went along for a while and Charley was awake the whole time. He is starting to coo and is darned adorable!

I have dinner in the oven and waiting for Dan - he is having a needle removed from his foot - it has been embedded for a couple of months. I think it is probably my fault, so I'll try to wait on him a bit tonight!

I will post pictures, especially of the military museum if I can get the camera/computer figured out.

still on vacation

2010-07-07T16:09:00.002-05:00

Nothing going on here except occasional rain showers as usual. I took Dan's mom to her Dr.'s appointment today - we were supposed to be there by 11:15 and left there at 1:30, then we went to lunch at Wendy's before I took her home. I finished an entire book while there:) I guess the morning was busy, but there weren't very many people in the waiting room.
Last week one day I spent in Ames so Laura could go to a Dr.'s appointment. Waiting there was more fun :). It is always good to see her and the kids, didn't run into Robert, then went to Des Moines to meet Lynne for supper and a short visit. I like those kinds of days. Yesterday I spent a little bit with Charley between when Greg went to work and Chelsey came home from work. He changes every day.
I had an eye dr appointment last week - for Sherrie - I have posterior vitreous detachment - means the fluid in the eye gets cloudy once in a while and acts like a floater. Nothing they can fix, and your brain covers it up after a while so you don't notice. I'm sorry Sherrie's was more serious, how's it going now? I didn't need lens changes.
I just got my school computer back from updates so now I can't put off doing school work very much longer. Wish I could get a schedule in mind, that's the biggest concern I have right now about the new job.
Other than that, I have been doing city band work, a rehearsal and concert each week. This week we have a substitute director, I hope it doesn't rain so we need to move the concert indoors, the director usually handles those arrangements and he's in DC. I've been reading a lot, so look for updates on my list soon.

vacation

2010-06-16T14:36:00.002-05:00

School is out and I haven't had much time at home yet. Thursday and Friday I spent moving things at school. Monday and Tuesday I did committee work for school. We splurged and met at the local coffee shop so good lunches and beverages were available. We got lots done, so it was a good thing. Today I went back to school for a bit to organize shelves but couldn't do much as my laptop (ok, the school's laptop) is in getting updated and I couldn't get any of the room computers to recognize me. Then I worked in the band office. I finally finished creating the spreadsheet of all the pieces of music we have (was supposed to be a winter project) so all that remains is proof reading and editing. I washed the kitchen floor and now I'm doing this.
Sunday I attended a baby shower for Charley and got to hold him for a while. I always look forward to this.
I made two little quilt type wall hangings for Mae's door, but she hasn't seen them yet. I got the air conditioner installed in here, but this room really needs a good cleaning, especially after I dragged out the dust bunnies where the air conditioner was :). Maybe tomorrow?

This n' that

2010-06-01T06:25:00.002-05:00

Happy June! It is Greg's birthday and Sharon & Bill's anniversary.
Dan and I did the Memorial Day cemetery concert yesterday. A bit more of a challenge to haul all the needed band equipment there in the car, than in the truck! The weather was beautiful and many people came. The cemetery is always so beautiful, especially with all the American flags flying. Very peaceful, as a place like that should be. The concert went ok, we didn't have enough chairs and the tubas are not used to playing standing up. After the concert we headed to Williamsburg for a little shopping. I got a couple of tops, an outfit for Charley and a birthday present for Greg from Harry and David's.
There are seven days of school left. It is hard to keep going when everyone around us is out. This week we will do final grades and in general finish testing for the year. My teachers have special projects going - in reading class we are acting out reader's theaters - fun to watch who likes to act and who can memorize lines and who thinks they are directing!
A lot of the stuff I don't use every day is packed in boxes awaiting the move to my new room. I "found" some things while cleaning files and cupboards.
I finally got my tomatoes up in the topsy turvy planters. I decided they needed to be higher this year so Dan put some hangers on the window frame of the downstairs bathroom. I got Greg to take out a storm window so I can water them from inside! I couldn't reach them from the ground, so couldn't be sure the water I was trying to give from the hose was going in.
Sunday we went to see the last Shrek movie. As we were waiting, Greg called to see if we wanted to babysit so he could work outside. We rushed right home after the movie and did get to spend about an hour with Charley. He is growing so fast and is pretty amazing. I hope he will be in a good mood when everyone gets to met him on Sunday.

Meet Charles Randel

2010-05-17T06:21:00.002-05:00

I had a feeling yesterday was going to be the day. I took my phone to church, even. Got the first call before noon, that Greg and Chelsey were going to the hospital, but didn't know if they would stay. Greg was good about giving updates as Dan and I were at City hall, painting and cleaning in the band room. Finally got the call and got to meet the little guy. He's very special and the second of my two grandsons to be born on a Sunday.

Can you teach an old dog (er, gal) new tricks?

2010-04-30T13:14:00.002-05:00

I had a surprise after school yesterday when I was called into the principal's office. She said, come in with an open mind. She preceded to offer me a "new" job. The administrative team wanted me to transfer to teaching a level 2 class for next year. For those of you not real familiar with special ed and levels, I have been teaching level 1, and most of the help has been in the general education classroom with a little bit of pull out. The new position is longer times of pullout and I'll be teaching the student's whole reading curriculum, or math curriculum, perhaps not using what the classroom is using. Groups will be small and the students will still go to a regular class for social studies and science instruction. The students are more handicapped than those I see now. As a matter of fact, I helped move several of these kids from the lesser restrictive environment to the more sheltered one this year, as these kids were just not making progress. The teacher currently leading the level 2 class is retiring and we will split the kids by grade level into 2 classes for next year.
I thought about it, weighed the options and decided to go for it. I will get a regular sized room in the fourth grade hallway with windows!!!!! I will have a program associate and hopefully they will grant my wish for which one. I lose co teaching with my favorite person, but at the same time don't have to co teach anymore with one I don't like as well. They pretty much told me I could keep this position until retirement.
So... I have to think about moving sometime during the summer. Hopefully this is a positive move for everyone involved. I always enjoy a new challenge!

Finally rescued

2010-04-20T07:03:00.003-05:00

I think I am above water again, at least for a while. I have only two individual education plans still to write out of 23, and our visit by the state department of education is over. Apparently we passed - no citations at the elementary. We have hired a new superintendent, so that process is over. We still need to hire a principal here at the elementary and I may be involved with that, as my department usually is not good about volunteering.
At home the yard is looking better all the time with Dan spending some of each of his days out there. I wish I could think of something to make with creeping Charlie as we have tons of that. Spring truly has come and the trees look so pretty around town with all the beautiful blooms. Luckily no one at our house is bothered much by tree pollen.
Church activities also are waning. No more Wednesday night choir rehearsals, though we will still sing on Sundays and the last bell choir practice is this week, with a performance on Sunday. Kids Quest is over because of Little League.
We have begun saving money and looking for a second vehicle. Having just one has been inconvenient, but not impossible. It just cuts down on impulsive moves. My biggest problem is needing my jacket, which is in the car, which Dan has!
Counting down to Baby J's arrival!

Help! I'm drowning!

2010-04-02T06:17:00.001-05:00

Lots of things I could post, even some pictures but am buried in school paperwork, so just know I'm still alive and I'll get to this soon.

Back at work

2010-03-24T15:35:00.002-05:00

Vacation is over :( This is the first time in many years when I haven't been really bored before vacation was over. I guess I am getting more ready to retire. I had just learned to sleep later again, now its back to getting up just after 5:00. It's not that I accomplished too much. But, just enough to keep busy. I spent one whole afternoon uncrocheting a rug. I've been making these for several years out of cotton yarn and when they get a hole, I just undo to the hole and crochet it again. Wouldn't you know, the hole is always close to the beginning , not the end you unravel from. Now in the evenings I am putting it back together.
I have read a few more books, but I forget to log them on my list before I take them back to the library.
Anyone out there remember Mr. Popper's Penguins or Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary? I am teaching both these books in small groups right now. It is fun to have the kids get to read something a little out of their reach to do independently. I took my laptop home yesterday to finish up some planning for these books, and forgot to bring back the power cord. The MacBook Pro is a great machine, but you do have to plug it in sometime! Dan was nice enough to drop it off for me.
Tonight as usual, I have bell choir at 5:00. One of our songs has me playing the REALLY BIG bells. It is like lifting weights - you feel it in your ribcage. Dan meets me at six and we go out to eat before Chancel choir at 7:00. We are down to one car again, so this week he has to come or I have to stay here!
It rained all day today. Lucky us!

Nya nya, I'm on vacation!

2010-03-15T17:56:00.002-05:00

Vacation! what a wonderful word. I have already accomplished a few things, because this week is going to be too short! I finished completely the baby quilt for my friend at school. Baby J's baby quilt is pieced and will be finished when I get some more flannel. I went to the library, then to church to give blood. I even let her wiggle the needle a little! I know Chelsey will appreciate that!

Last week I spent some time in the dr's office. My foot was really giving me fits, I thought maybe I had broken it, without an obvious injury. Well, after xrays and tests for gout, I was given a diagnosis of arthritis and a prescription for pain/ anti inflamatory. It may be mental tricks, but boy, it feels better than in a long time.

The back yard is devoid of sticks and limbs, courtesy of an afternoon's work by Dan. Looks much better. I was worried about the limb that fell in the lilac bush as it was stuck upright there and was about 8 inches around. The lilac seems none the worse for wear.

Best part of this week so far? Sunshine!

odds and ends

2010-03-03T06:46:00.002-06:00

We are half way through our second week of school with no snow days! This is so great the district rewarded us with a mandatory Saturday work day! Joy, joy! I actually have some things that need doing, so I guess it's ok. My student teacher is done and I'm working the new schedule which includes 10 minutes of playground duty with second graders. Yesterday I noticed a 9 foot long icicle hanging from the north side of the building. Even though no kids should be over there, I thought I'd better tell the principal and he had a great time pulling it down from the drain spout. Unfortunately the ice was blocking water behind it so he got a little shower as well. He even came to my room to thank me!
I've had a cold this week but feeling better each day. I needed to get to the Dr for a physical but they weren't making appointments - the computers were down. For two weeks. Must be hard to get things done in those circumstances. Way harder to do things the old fashioned way!
This week I am helping to interview candidates for the superintendent's job. She is retiring. We are considered to be a rather large district, so want someone with experience. Should be interesting. It extends the day quite a bit so I hope I don't embarrass myself by yawning too much!

Will we or won't we?

2010-02-21T19:01:00.002-06:00

Well, it's snowing. We're not getting as much as they first predicted, still, if it does this all night ...

All the travelers are home, safe. I imagine Lynne will share some of her adventures, and Chelsey and Greg also had a great time.

Tomorrow we start a new schedule at school - the associates are gone. I also have a completely new plan as I added a student who needs pullout services. I wasn't doing any of that. I will be on the go all day long, back and forth to classrooms, then my room, back to classrooms. My student teacher has completed her work so I will have to actually work! There is a possibility of three more students being placed this month which gives me as many students as our smallest classrooms. So much for extra help and attention! I told my principal that I am good, but don't know if I am THAT good!

Tuesday at home

2010-02-09T08:39:00.002-06:00

Guess what? It snowed again! Still is, but nothing like earlier. I guess the wind is supposed to pick up and we'll have more drifting. Anyway, I'm home again. Today I will mend jeans for Greg and then I have baby quilts to work on. I think I'll put something in the crockpot so I don't have to stop to cook. Yesterday we got out early. Chelsey had invited us for dinner, so we got to see the new furniture and enjoy a very good meal.

Basic skills are over except for four students who missed tests because of absences. I got some caught up yesterday. My student teacher has another week to teach before I take things back from her. The school district still hasn't decided how to make up the 6 remaining days of the 9 snow days we missed. If they have a board meeting tonight, a decision should be made. Next week we try working without most of our support staff. Lots of hard feelings, sadness and low morale.

I hope everyone is inside safe and warm!

Whew!

2010-02-02T13:55:00.002-06:00

I am celebrating for a moment. I am on the downhill side of ITBS! Most groups have only four tests to go, then I have some make up tests to do for kids who were absent.

Busy night tonight - after school meeting, have to bake a cake for a funeral tomorrow, have a city band meeting, then back home to frost the cake. Usually I have nothing to do!

Lincoln School Redo

2010-01-28T07:04:00.002-06:00

Most of you know I taught at Lincoln School before the move to the new elementary. When we moved, the building was sold to a group who planned to remodel the building into apartments for elderly housing. The old building had numerous problems including rodents and bats, leaky pipes, poor water pressure, antiquated heating system, on and on. Yesterday afternoon was an open house for the remodel and I still can't believe how wonderful it is!
The building now has 15 apartments in it. Each one is one or two bedrooms, full kitchen, lots of closet, wonderful original hardwood floors and a tiny bit of the feel of the old classrooms. The gym is now 4 apartments with the original high ceilings and shorter walls. The custodians room is a workout center with a treadmill, etc. The building is on the register of historic places, so the outside is restored to the original look. I was ready to move in! It is great when someone has vision of what could be and then is able to carry it out.
We gathered as many of the old crew from the building and took a picture - we'll see how they come out.

addendum

2010-01-25T11:23:00.001-06:00

We are going home early - one hour. Don't know what good that does but maybe visibility is better at 2:00 than at 3:00?

Favorite time of year

2010-01-25T09:24:00.002-06:00

Well, it's my favorite time of year. God won't strike me down for lying, will he? Today I started giving Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. I have twenty kids to read to - spread out across their available day, that means 60 sessions or two complete weeks with testing 6 times a day. Such fun! I have one session completed and will begin another after the classes have music, pe, art, etc.

I guess the weather is pretty nasty if you had a commute of any kind today. The teachers who come in from Pella, Ottumwa, etc, needed more time than they thought so very briefly this morning I was a general education fourth grade teacher. She wasn't very late, but said it was extremely hard to see the road markings. Looks like I will get to work on my birthday this year which has happened only once before in all the years I have taught. Our Sunshine committe has a "birthday mug" that travels from teacher to teacher on their special day. The birthday person then fills it for the next person in line. Those of us with summer birthdays get a bonus birthday assigned to us so we can celebrate, too. Looks like I'll get the mug twice! Just a s long as I don't have to be two years older!

Stay safe

Wow! School at last!

2010-01-22T10:37:00.002-06:00

What a strange week. Monday it was work as usual. Tuesday I had an all day meeting with the curriculum director at central office, so not in the classroom at all. Wednesday and Thursday, no school because of ice. Today - late start so nothing is in its regular spot in the schedule!

We did indeed have ice - a half inch or so. We haven't lost power - yet. Since the ice is still on all the trees, it may still bring down power lines. Many buses were stopped today because either a tree blocked the road or downed power lines did. Some teachers didn't have power over night. Dan went to Walmart yesterday - they had lost power and were just reopening - but were in the process of throwing out all the meat and dairy.

I put on my new yaktracks this morning for the school parking lot, but someone did a great job of sanding and I didn't need them.

Hope everyone is staying warm and safe!

Sunday at the house

2010-01-17T13:54:00.001-06:00

I'm getting together my guest list for a Lia Sophia jewelry party. Any of you are welcome! I attended Lynne's and "won" my own party. I am looking forward to it, many of the people I work with have never been inside here. Nothing much else going on, and I like it that way!

Happy New Year

2010-01-03T09:28:00.002-06:00

Well, back to work tomorrow. I will have a student teacher for the first 6 weeks of 2010. There is so much for her to learn in so little a time!
Notice I have followed my daughter's lead and will endeavor to post what I'm reading this year. Both of the books currently on the list I started before the new year, but I did finish them in 2010!
Chelsey gifted me with a crochet calendar and requested some things for Baby J - I have worked an elephant, still needs eyes and a frog, still needs eyes and a baby bib. The calendar has a wide variety of patterns, some of which are in my capability range. My crochet talents usually lie in flat items, so making 3D objects is a challenge! I made a hat but used really loud colors, so took it apart again.
I was able to make several knitted/loomed hats during my vacation and will donate them to the school nurses' office, hopefully they will find a home. I finally got one the right size/texture for me to wear when we have outside duty - it gets cold out there! Hopefully I will have a bright red set and a mauve set, both of which should go with my black coat.
I hope everyone is staying warm!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-23T09:10:00.004-06:00

I didn't send holiday cards this year, but I sure enjoyed getting them from family and friends. Thanks, everyone! School is done for 2009 and I am officially on vacation. I am hoping that I get to spend some of it with family, weather permitting. I will have Mae and Tom here for Christmas day dinner, again, weather permitting and I haven't cooked the traditional meal myself in a long time. It's fun to plan! Saturday is for the kids and Chelsey is hosting. Sunday, hopefully, off to see my sisters and Mom.
This year has brought us some challenges but way more rewards. Seems as if when we are almost ahead financially, something breaks down, but we have managed. Our jobs are stable and we get to help others live better lives every day we go to work. Sometimes we even get appreciated! I was tickled this week when I got a gift from one of the kids in one of my reading classes and he wasn't a special needs kid. That has not happened to me in all the years I've taught.
We wish for and pray that each reader get just what they've always wanted this Christmas and in the coming New Year.
Some thoughts I received in a card this year:
Don't compare your life to others; you have no idea what their journey is all about.
Everything can change in a blink of an eye, but don't worry - God never blinks.
Get rid of everything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
If we threw all our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
Get outside everyday. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

More Birthday fun

2009-12-07T14:52:00.002-06:00

This time it was Dallas' birthday - I will post some pictures, but I took a ton since Dan found the new camera. Also thanks to the patron saint of lost items (there really is one, and my Catholic friends all were praying for him to show me where the camera was). Also you may be interested to know we have a second vehicle again and Dan doesn't have to drive Miss Shirlee around anymore. This grandma is driving a 5 speed Passat!
As far as the pictures go, can't you just hear the motor sounds? Brummm Brumm!

Where's...

2009-12-03T07:00:00.003-06:00

I've been waiting to blog for the new camera I ordered to arrive. I was going to take a few pictures and post them. Well..... the camera came and it is easy to use and takes great pictures. I thought I put it in my bag to bring to school to load the pictures and blog them, but yesterday I didn't have the camera. I can't find it anywhere. Brand new! Where the heck is it? Lefty and Pudge didn't take it! I HATE when this happens!
Tonight a haircut, then Dan's company Christmas party.

catching up, finally

2009-11-08T18:07:00.002-06:00

Gee, I'm getting as bad as everyone else, not posting! I have an excuse - I've been sick again. Pretty sure it started with the flu, WAY BACK on Labor Day, then I had bronchitis, now ear infection. I am taking antibiotics, but its not helping. My ear doesn't hurt, but very rarely clears enough for me to hear. I stayed home the first couple of days, but thought I might as well try to teach. The kids just have to speak up. I'll go back to the Dr as soon as the pills are gone. Maybe they can try something else.
This weekend I went to a little quilt shop in a home in a tiny town near here (Tracy) with a friend. The owner is everyone's grandma, you certainly get welcomed there. I bought some Christmas fabric to use on the backs of some quilts made with panels that I bought several months ago. I got a couple of them put together today.
We are one third done with the school year this week. Hard to believe, huh? Nothing else going on around here - just work.

BIRTHDAY fun

2009-10-13T15:23:00.002-05:00

Here are some pics from Lynne and Chelsey's dessert birthday party on Sunday. Dan and Emily are recovering from a giggle fest in this picture - something about jumping on the couch in a story or something.

This one is Dallas enjoying being served cheerios by both aunts at once!

Regular stuff

2009-10-06T09:47:00.002-05:00

Nothing much going on here. I went to the Dr and am taking antibiotics but still have a cough. It gets a teensy bit better every day. Other than that I am just keeping secrets. Lynne and Chelsey are going to celebrate their birthdays on Sunday and I am going to try a couple of magazine recipes for desserts.

new stuff

2009-09-24T14:54:00.003-05:00

I have just a few minutes before I get to go stand in the rain and watch students get picked up after school. Thanks for giant umbrellas. I noticed that when the other team did their two weeks it was sunny every day. In the 14 days I have had this duty it has rained 6.
I am trying a new adventure. Our church has had a very large set of bells for a long time, but no choir for about 10 years? Well, we are attempting it again. I just had to be part of this. We rehearse on Wednesdays at 5:00. I asked Dan to meet me at church last night and we went on a "date" for supper before we went back to church for chancel choir. It was fun and relaxing, so I think we'll try it again next week. Our plan is to share the "wealth" among all our fast food places. I am lead teaching in all four of my classes this week, and really enjoying the experience. It does make for a tired voice by the end of the day, though, something I don't usually have in my small group work.
Gotta go have fun in the rain---

finally better

2009-09-17T14:55:00.002-05:00

Today is the first day I feel like I haven't coughed nonstop. I was embarassed yesterday when I went to give blood, then ate a cookie and went to bell choir. I played away on one song and all of a sudden felt really woosey and had to sit and be fanned. It was awfully hot in there, but I think it was just too much after being sick. My white count was appropriate for giving blood, however. I'm feeling ok now.
Don't you just have to admire L for filming while her son sits in a puddle of dog dish water! I loved it! Poor Bo will probably have to go thirsty now that D has discovered the source of all that fun!
I want to give a public thanks to G for fixing the brakes on my car and ordering my new tires. He had to go above and beyond to get the brakes correct. My car acts like its proud to be seen in its new shoes!

doings

2009-09-10T07:08:00.003-05:00

Cough. Well, here's what I've been doing lately cough cough. I was sick all weekend - great holiday, huh? cough cough. I even stayed home Tuesday cough cough. I rarely run a temp, but did this time but the worst was the headache cough cough. I have only one symptom left. Can you guess?

There will be a big hubbub here tomorrow as the school prepares for Iowa State/Iowa game. Everyone is encouraged to back their team by dressing and advertising for their choice. Some teachers go a little overboard but it is mostly good natured. Can't wait for the real day as I get to babysit.

My newest duty has been breakfast supervision. The kids get a tray with a box on it. The box has cereal and a poptart, spoon and napkin. They are supplied milk and juice. Most days there is also a hot choice, yesterday was breakfast pizza. The kids can't open their milk bottles (not cartons anymore) and some can't take the lid off their cereal. Many just nibble and throw everything away. Some just throw everything away - makes you wonder why they come to breakfast? It is optional, so why are they doing that? Once they take it , it has to be thrown out, so no saving all those bottles of unopened milk, or poptarts, etc. What are we teaching at school nowadays? Some, of course, need and appreciate the breakfast they get.

still busy

2009-08-31T07:24:00.002-05:00

I have been keeping busy with one whole week of school over. I have been learning my new duties. One I have is making parents mad when they come to pick up their kids. My job is to not let them park where they want to and not letting their kid run to them (crossing in front of other cars, etc.) . The actual school part is going well, I have one third of the one hundred names down enough so I can call them by name when they are not in their desks. If they would just wear the same clothes all the time...
I visited Emily and Dallas on Saturday - here are some pictures

busy!

2009-08-15T15:28:00.002-05:00

Well, school is just around the corner and many teachers are spending days there. I have been over a couple of times but mostly to deliver stuff so I don't have to carry it all at once. I have also been spending extra time in the band office working on building a spread sheet with the music library on it. The band bought a computer for me to use but alas it is not portable. Has the newest bells and whistles, though, so I have to learn a few new things. And of course, now that time is short I am finding many things I would like to work on in the studio. Sharon and I went shopping at quilt places a week ago and so I have new things to try. I also have a new quilt frame that uses my regular sewing machine - sort of like a long arm quilter but you move the frame not the machine. I have just about mastered the meander stitch and I can do swirls. The tricky part is keeping the sewing machine speed and the frame speed even. My first project looks like I was just learning, but like anything else, practice will help. Today I sewed a bean bag chair for a gal at school using legs from jeans people have given me. The directions say it can be stuffed with packing peanuts. I started with a pattern and made it up as I went along. I guess I will wait to judge its success after it has stuffing. We are pretty much done sorting at Mae's house - no buyer yet. She keeps calling and asking for things I know I threw away. I am learning new patience, I hope. Looking forward to Tuesday when the municipal band will put on a concert at the State Fair!

moving day

2009-08-02T18:42:00.002-05:00

Hi all yesterday was moving day for Mae. She now is residing in an assisted living center just south of town. She has a beautiful two room apartment with the facility having everything imaginable except maybe a swimming pool. Moving her was a great adventure. Once I'm finished at her house I'm definitely coming home to throw out more stuff here. I was the only daughter in law present and Mae had not prepared for the move at all. Hadn't sorted clothes, done laundry, made decisions about what to take, anything. I also arranged everything in its place at the apartment. Today I cleaned out her refrigerator and freezer, plus packed her kitchen. It might seem small, but it had tons of storage. One cupboard remains, above the frig is maybe 30 of those little glass plates and glass cups the churches used to use for luncheons, etc. You know, the plate has an indentation to hold the cup? As I cleaned the kitchen I of course got to keep anything I wanted after the china was set aside for her place and the pfatzgraf for Tom (It used to be Linda's). I didn't pack much for myself but couldn't resist several nearly new Texas sheet cake pans (L&L, you can each have one - they're the good stuff.) I got the pantry contents as well, I'll never wonder if I have the right spice on hand! Much had to be thrown because of pantry bugs. The canned goods are going to the Ecumenical Food pantry. I brought home a mini food processor and food cutter plus attachments for the kitchen aid mixer. In tubs and headed for a storage unit until we can plan a sale is a complete set of Lifetime waterless cookware; lots of casseroles, the usual odds and ends of glasses and mugs, contents of the linen closet; electric appliances like crockpots, coffee pots (Need a percolator?) Coming here for now is a whole closet full of clothes most of which we won't sell. I told Mae she can come "shopping" here when she wants a change from what we moved for her. She has a pretty big closet, layered rods and it is completely full, but I know a lot of that won't fit or she doesn't like. We simply moved what was in the bedroom closet. Ted came again today and moved the furniture he was to get. Tom is coming this week to get his stuff. We need to have the house empty by Thursday so they can clean carpet and there is an open house on the weekend to show the house. I wish we had gotten more notice - there is a ton left to do, but we need to put it in the storage unit, I guess. One room was packed and organized but it is still in the house and has to go. I didn't even venture into the basement - but I know it doesn't have too much because Mae was afraid of the steps so didn't go down there. Tuesday I will go over and vacuum and clean the kitchen floor, still have to wash out the frig and a freezer. I realized that eight hour days of this type of labor is hard on a body!

Dallas

2009-07-26T16:51:00.003-05:00

Had a chance to take some pics of Dallas while at Em's party. He's getting teeth and chews everything but stayed good natured.

Em's third birthday

2009-07-26T16:42:00.003-05:00

Here are some pictures of Emily's birthday party. The theme was The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Laura did it up right having the kids make caterpillars and butterflies, and having a cake that looked like a catarpillar. Emily was delighted to have her two grandmas and three grandpas around and shared her time equally with us as well as the aunts and uncles and all her little friends from church.

What I've been up to

2009-07-08T15:06:00.002-05:00

Since I last entered something here I have been sewing. I worked on a wall hanging with watermelon slices to hang in the living room (not finished yet); have completed 51 back of the chair pockets for school; a complete baby quilt; some more coil bowls; and a toy/game for the grandkids. I went to Des Moines with the 4th grade teachers to help them spend their budget $ at the Learning Post. I went to Lynne's and we were "knotty" together and had a fun morning.Oh, I also shortened three Iowa jerseys for a friend's family. They are special as they have SASH on the back and his number (he's from Oskaloosa).
I also picked my first tomato. It's funny shaped and not very big, but I grew it myself!
Hope you are all keeping cool enough.

Happy Birthday Robert

2009-06-24T08:59:00.001-05:00

Hope your day is "swell"

Hot enough for you?

2009-06-23T15:41:00.002-05:00

I'll bet if you were out and about at all today you heard that! It's pretty miserable right here in the house. I am doing a whole lot of nothing to be sure. We need to purchase an air conditioner for the kitchen as soon as payday arrives.
Weird things have been happening to us. Last night when we came out of band practice the van started but nothing electrical inside worked. No radio, no air, no windows. It is a long way from city hall to this house if it is 87 degrees out, hotter in and you can't open a window. Dan said must be a fuse so when he went to work today I backed the van out, opened all the doors and studied the manual until I could find where the fuses are. (Not where I had expected them to be, either). I looked them over but really couldn't see if one was bad, unplugged a few, plugged them back in again, and must have hit something right, because things work again. Who knows?
Today I worked on the band payroll and rearranged some kitchen cupboards. I keep trying to make them bigger, but for some reason that hasn't worked!

Art on the Square

2009-06-13T12:30:00.002-05:00

We went uptown this morning to Art on the Square (always near my birthday if you want to plan a visit during this time some year). Many beautiful items displayed and for sale with more jewelry than usual. The biggest wow was the old Iowa building on the northwest corner from the square. It used to be a bank, someone along the way modernized it with slabs of marble looking facing. In recent years things started falling off and it became more and more of an eyesore. It has been under rehabilitation for more than a year now and at Christmas, before the lighted Christmas parade, it was wrapped in plastic like a giant present and has been out of sight ever since. The scaffolding and wraps came down in the middle of the night - well worth the wait! It is gorgeous! I also was pleased with the new flower planters that can be seen in several locations near the square. If you look closely at the planters, you can see photos of the bandstand.

June 11

2009-06-11T13:11:00.002-05:00

Today is the first day since school got out that I haven't had a specific job to get accomplished. I made five pans of brownies for treats for the city band after the concert tonight. I yell at everybody pretty regularly, so I thought I'd better create some good will while I can.

I'm heading for the studio now. Dan says we'll eat out, so I don't have to think about cooking.

more pics from Ames visit

2009-06-11T13:08:00.001-05:00

Emily posing.
Dallas, chewing spoon
Dallas being messy

Visit to Emily and Dallas, Laura, too

2009-06-11T13:01:00.002-05:00

I'm eating my rice but this thing on the ceiling keeps turning around and distracting me!
What are they trying to get me to do?
Ahha! I can reach my toes, then sit back up again. Mom thinks I'm pretty smart and so does Grandma!
Emily thinks she should help, too, but she can't resist a camera.
Look at us! I can do it for a little while, as long as someone helps me get into this position. Not like rolling over, that's easy!

School's Out For Summer!

2009-06-07T16:11:00.002-05:00

I am officially done with the school year. I have a meeting there Wednesday afternoon and a half day class the following week, plus a book study, but am not teaching this summer. The half day class is to build a web page for my classroom. I have some ideas, but will get to put them into action. I'm sure blogging is a good way to get ready!

We had our first band concert Thursday night and had good attendance and perfect weather. We'll be playing at the State Fair August 18. (the day before school starts for teachers).

Lynne came to town today and treated Dan and I to lunch for my birthday. As always, it is great to see her and hear what she's been up to.

This old house roses

2009-06-07T16:07:00.003-05:00

I've always loved my roses. Some came with the house and some were planted or special occasions. As you can see, some are very beautiful right now but I have three I transplanted last fall and they're not so good and one more is jsut plain dead :( Perhaps I need to spend more time talking to them this year and not ignoring them so much?

Tomatoes week four

2009-06-07T16:05:00.000-05:00

Still doing well even after thunderstorms last night.

Tomatoes week three

2009-06-01T06:46:00.002-05:00

I'm seeing new growth - still blooming!

My front yard

2009-06-01T06:44:00.002-05:00

My neighborhood

2009-05-25T12:15:00.002-05:00

Tomato Update

2009-05-25T12:13:00.002-05:00

Week 2 Please note blossoms on two of the three plants!

Why you should be in Oskaloosa for Memorial Day

2009-05-25T12:10:00.003-05:00

What a beautiful place to be on Memorial Day. It didn't start to sprinkle until we were moving things back to City Hall after the ceremony.

6 more

2009-05-22T13:37:00.002-05:00

days of school and one of them is "fun" day and doesn't count and another is the last half day with students and that never counts! I'm looking forward to a break with just band and whatever else I choose to do. I'm not teaching this summer or taking classes, although I will participate in a book study.
Today the manager of HyVee treated the teachers to Chinese food for lunch. During teacher appreciation week they delivered sack lunches but the elementary didn't get theirs until 12:15 when two lunch sections were already done and back in class. The manager felt so badly he treated us today!
Now I want a nap!

Out of Routine

2009-05-20T06:42:00.004-05:00

Here's the last of the pictures from graduation that I'm going to post - now in other news - yesterday I announced the annual 5th grade track meet. The track meet is held as a physical education event, so run by the pe department. The teachers work very hard to find volunteers to work at all the field events and to work the finish line for the running events. Every year it seems to get more difficult. Some teachers are released to help, usually special area teachers such as the TAG teachers, guidance counselors, etc. I was not supposed to go. I see kids from other grades in the afternoon, so I would have to not see students in order to go. My administrator struggled with this but after much begging from the pe department, gave in. Its not a hard job if you know what you're doing, and I've done it for a long time. This is a first experience for many of the kids in the area of track and field. Some of them should be runners when they reach middle and high school, there was some talent there!

more pictures

2009-05-19T07:16:00.003-05:00

Here are more pictures from the graduation party. The graduates, great grandma and two great aunts; the graduates and their grandparents Elijah, Caitlin and her bags from Aunt Shirlee and her quilt from Grandma Sharon.

topsy turvy

2009-05-18T14:34:00.003-05:00

My sister wondered if this thing could possibly work, so I agreed to post pictures every week of my tomatoes- first - the control tomato; other two are my hanging tomatoes. I bought plants that were pretty far along, so we'll see. This is week 1!

wonderful weekend

2009-05-18T14:25:00.003-05:00

We had a great weekend! It had been a while since we'd gotten away (last time we stayed at a motel was a year ago at Ashley's graduation). We stayed in CR, went to Mom's for supper Friday night and visited and laughed through AFHV with Sue and Cheryl and Jim, then came back to Clarence for the graduation party. We tried to generally make ourselves useful. It was good to see Sue and Ben and Caitlin and Ellen and Larry and sisters and brothers-in-law and other relatives even though I could only name three or four other guests. We did some pictures which I will add a couple at a time for the next few days. Saturday night we went back to CR in time to watch Star Trek at the theater. I recommend this movie! First picture - Ben, Great Granma and Caitlin; second picture -Ben with the quilt Grandma Sharon made for him.

mid week fun

2009-05-05T18:25:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited (not). We get to work with test data all day tomorrow while the kids get the day off. I suppose this is how we celebrate teacher appreciation week. My job is to analyze how many special ed students missed each question on the reading comprehension part of ITBS and then try to decide why they missed the questions. Can you think of anything more exciting?

I'm still struggling with a spider bite I got on Saturday. Yesterday it itched so badly that I went stocking footed at school and I had to repeat that today. As long as nothing touches it, its not too bad. I took benedryl last night but had to go to bed by 6:30, so I can't take that at work. My foot is slightly swollen, but not inflamed. The spider was hiding in the wheel of my office chair in the studio.

catch up day

2009-04-28T13:48:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I had a catch up day at school. My fourth grade students were gone to Des Moines on a field trip and I couldn't go, so I had extra time in my schedule. I did a few things I should have done long ago. We've been in our new building the better part of five years, now, and there are things I haven't used, so I probably won't. It was time to move them to deeper storage. I can't throw them out, as they really don't belong to me. I also did lesson plans and spent some time dreaming about how I'd like things to happen next year.
I was sick on Sunday, came home from church and just didn't feel well. After a while I gave up and went to bed and slept about 4 hours. Pretty unusual for me, and I was able to sleep pretty well Sunday night as well. Just a bug, I guess. I just had a third grader tell me "they" were going to close our school because of the swine flu. This is how rumors get started!
I am not excited about our latest round of spring weather. The pictures of the magnolia tree - well, there are bare limbs now, all the blossoms got rained off.

Yearning?

2009-04-23T07:54:00.002-05:00

Why are you there when I'm here?

What a diference

2009-04-23T07:50:00.003-05:00

April 22 - March 28

I WON!!

2009-04-21T19:06:00.002-05:00

ooh, ooh, ooh, I've been reading a blog that Laura recommended (Sew Mama Sew) and I won a $20 certificate from them!!!!!!! Not quite Mom's luck, not a car, but this is great! Thanks , Laura for recommending the blog.

All caught Up

2009-04-21T14:39:00.002-05:00

SH! don't tell anyone, but I think I'm all caught up, at least here at school. I have a meeting after the kids leave with a parent, but my paperwork is in order, I just checked. I have all the grades in my gradebook (I tend to wait until I have a stack, just to make it worthwhile). I could be reading an educational book, but what the heck, writing is just as useful, isn't it?
I am launching a second blog, this one to be all sewing related. I'm not very far yet but have put in some pictures of things I've made, which you're already seen, since you read this blog. To add pictures I need to use my laptop, where the pictures are stored, and so it will need to wait for the laptop to follow me home. I will also have a record of things made, which could be cool. If you are interested, it will be Shirlee Sews at this blogspot. Remember, I told you it doesn't have anything new yet.

Just the ordinary

2009-04-11T20:52:00.002-05:00

Lynne just scolded me for not posting - so here goes. I spent several hours today Spring cleaning but at school! I'm struggling with one of my students who is bi-polar and needed to change things up to accommodate him so while I was at it, decided to clean a cupboard or two. You'd think no one would be there on Easter Saturday, wouldn't you? There were three other cars there when I left around 12:00. This afternoon I changed around the sewing room. Darn, I just need a bigger room. The floor is clutter free at least. I'm between projects so no incentive to get things going.
I've been reading links from Laura's blog and found a recipe for scones. I was all set to make them but discovered I didn't have currents or raisins or dried cranberries (couldn't spell what they're called). Wouldn't be scones without fruit.
I went to the library this morning to get some books recommended by the ladies on my sewing forum. Brought home 4 - one I had already read but didn't recognize at first, two others are just not me - and I'm only three chapters into the other. I do better when I just randomly pick something.
So, you can see, just the ordinary. Looking forward to seeing relatives tomorrow for Easter!

Bits & Pieces

2009-04-02T09:55:00.002-05:00

We have early dismissal today and inservice this afternoon. That causes schedule changes so I find myself with a spare half hour - plenty of time to tell you what we've been up to. After last weekend's snow it was pleasant to see sunshine and warmer weather. Yesterday, besides being April Fool's Day was read a thon day here at school. Marcus McIntosh from KCCI morning news was here to read to students (we'll be on tv sometime between 5:00 am and 7:00 am Friday) and our principals all kissed a goat to help the kids celebrate raising $6000 for Jump Rope for Heart. It was also pajama day for the kids. Tuesday staff dressed as their favorite book character. Excitement, excitement!! We went to dinner at Greg and Chelsey's Tuesday night and I thought of Sherrie because Dan stepped in dog poo going to the door.
Tomorrow is another day of inservice and I get to visit a school in West Des Moines with a group of other teachers. Some teachers are going to the Iowa Reading Conference. middle school and high school teachers are doing parent teacher conferences. Looking forward to a quiet weekend -