Veterans Day

I spent today with 300+ 7th graders celebrating and honoring Veterans of today and yesteryear...

I can't begin to tell you the treat we had as students pulled together as a team to work towards a common goal AND show their love for their country.

We've been working very hard on explaining to our students why patriotism and respect for our country and the current people who are fighting for it is so important. We also wanted to make sure that they realized tomorrow isn't just another day off from school and a reason to BBQ.

As I'm recapping the day in my head and remembering the kids shouting out thanks and standing out of respect.

They got it.

....and my day is done.

My final challenge to you is... will you remember why tomorrow is important?

Wordless Wednesday.

A Classroom in Ecuador

Another Classroom in Ecuador

My Classroom

My Classroom again

I remember a time (like 2 weeks ago) when I was stressing over my classroom and the way it looks.  I took a break from all of the decorating to go through my Ecuador pictures only to find some of what I took specifically for this purpose:  Don't forget how good you really have it.  God provides in AMAZING ways!

For more Wordless Wednesdays go  here.

So many wrongs...and it's still RIGHT!

Yesterday....was....GREAT!  

It was a No Worries day, regardless that I was unprepared.

I didn't even print my rolls until the first bell rang for the day.  (That's pretty BAD!)

My Flipchart for my SmartBoard was completely messed up so I had to redo it.  I absolutely forgot the reason why I leave my house so early (TRAFFIC) and arrived later than I had planned.  I was 5 minutes late to duty.  I had 2 visits from the Principal and one visit from the AP.  

Overall though?!!  It was a wonderful day.  My students think I'm absolutely NUTS.  I saw my students from last year and they were telling the new students how cool I am and that they better behave.  (Is that threatening?)  Even my more "challenging" students found a reason to see me yesterday.  My mother-in-law was like... "I told you so... "

I must say this.... When you are doing what God asked you to do... there is a Peace.  Alicia pointed it out perfectly.  I got a good dose of it on my drive to school.  I also had the Boot to the Head experience early yesterday morning.  

So, regardless of what went wrong.  It WAS a good day.  I'd forgotten WHY I do this until I saw my students. 

Off to wake up kiddos!

Not Enough Coffee.

I've had 3 sips and I log-in and find my dashboard discombobulated. (if it's not spelled correctly, Sound it out...you'll get it)

Well...I hit my wall... Emotionally and Physically.

I'm tired and worn out.  This 4:30 wake up and summer late nights (10:00) are killing me.  Combine that with stress attitudes from co-workers (my clash has backed off) and it makes for and ibuprofen or acetaminophen day.  I still have a list of things to finish and not enough time to get them done.  Seriously.. I stood in the middle of my classroom looking at the chairs trying to COUNT them for 10 minutes due to the fact that I couldn't focus on that simple thing. Even WORSE.... I walked out of the house without my wedding bands on!  I had every other accessory...watch, earrings, necklace, belt, matching purse... NO rings.. and those are the FIRST things I put on after I get beautiful. (They're already on for today)

Today starts the students.  We have an open house/orientation for the new students.  They don't know who they have yet due to schedules being handed out on Monday...but, they still get to visit.  I had a couple visit yesterday from last year.  I didn't realize the nostalgia I'd get.  Not to mention looking at the combinations of the students from last year in this year's rolls for other teachers.

Okay... I need to wake up the kiddos.

  

Happy Dance!!!

My Classroom is DONE!

That being said, we're keeping our prayers up and fingers crossed that the double sided tape stays stuck to the wall 'cause I don't think I can handle any more time on a ladder. 

I'll attach pictures later.. (when I remember to bring my camera)

Things I have left to do to prepare for 2008-2009.

1.  Plan for the first couple of weeks.

2. Make copies of syllabus, grading policies, blah, blah, blah.

Good news!!  

• My largest class is 25.  Last year's was right at 30.
  
• I FOUND my 4GB Flash drive.
• My smallest class is 18.

School Year 2008-2009

...Starts today for teachers.

1.  I've already "misplaced" several items - including my 4 GB Flash drive purchased especially for this year!

2.  My room isn't finished.

3. I'll be in meetings all day.

4.  My kiddos will be ruling the school with other kiddos from other teachers from the school.

Starting Chaos on the right foot... Don't you think?!?!

Wanna know the weird part?  

I'm in a very peaceful mood.

No stress.  No bitterness.

Yup.  This is the stuff I'm supposed to be doing.

...I'm alive...

For the record....

Yes, I'm alive.  My brain is about to explode but, I'm alive.

Yesterday was better than Monday.

I might  be able to say nice things about the week by Friday.

I'm still struggling with having the unbiased face in a room full of WAY biased people.  Some of the lessons are asking us for our opinions - I'm choosing to stay quiet.  More so for observing purposes but, also because of fear.  Yesterday we talked Presidential Candidates and Vice President options as well as debating the First Amendment.  Today we're actually going to the Supreme Court to watch peers argue the Fourth Amendment.

Off to get the kids up... 

**Sing With Me**

(clink. clink. clinkclinkclinkclinkclinkcliiiiiink...)

Hii Hooooo!!

Hi Ho! Hi Ho!

It's off to work I go!!

Hmmmpf.Hmmmpf.Hmmmpf.Hmmmpf. Hmmmpf. Hmmmmpf. Hmmmpf.Hmmmpf.

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! Hi Ho! Hi Ho!

I'll post later tonight.

TTFN!

Hip! Hip!

Hoooooray!!!

Today is a visit to the Hair Goddess.  All things wonderful will happen regardless if the sun is shining or not.  A visit to the Hair Goddess is like NEW free comfortable cute shoes.  I CAN'T WAIT!  Buggy is getting a trim too!  She's only staying for the haircut and then Mimi will whisk them both away so that I can have 3.5 hours of child free time.  Monster begged Mimi to get there early to rescue him because I told him that it was a Fancy Nancy kind of place and if he embarrassed me I would remove his toenails one by one.

.....Ahhhh...... Just me, the Goddess, and a salon atmosphere.  I know some are freaking out about the 3.5 hours of hair.  The Goddess and I stretch it out as long as we possible can with out interrupting her opportunity to make additional money.  No to mention it's a guaranteed amount of time that I can  be an adult.

Why do I call her THE Hair Goddess?!?!   

Because she makes wonderful things happen to my coarse, thick hair.  She changes the color each visit and expertly hides the "stress blonde"(Ahhem. GREY) that I earn sacrificially in mass amounts.  Not to mention, I never tell her what to do, and she makes it perfect EVERY TIME!!!  Surely, only a Goddess can read MY mind and understand the hills, valleys, and plain 'ole blank spots to interpret a stylish, non-mommy-like, hair do!  I only give her guidelines.  For instance-  Shorter-makes me lose 5 pounds- and a little less red.  OR  I think I might like it a little longer but not so it makes my face look long.  I've never said like So- and-So or cut here-here-and-ummm-here.  So she's the Goddess. 

**Change of Subject**  Still cheering though.

Last night was WONDERFUL!

I got to put a 1,000 piece puzzle together By. My. Self!  While that may confuse some that I can sit for 7 hours and focus on little things like that... It was very rewarding.  NOT TO MENTION I CAN SIT FOR 7 HOURS AND FOCUS!!!! Plus, the purpose of the puzzle was for my classroom.  Hubby took the kiddos to VBS so that I could have some time alone and focus.  So it was me, Michael Buble and THIS puzzle.       

Today I'm working on license plates and signs for my room before I visit the Goddess so that I can laminate them AFTER I visit the Goddess.  

Then all I have to do is hang the license plates and signs, sew the fabric skirt for a desk and glue my puzzle together and I'll be finished with the decorating part of my room. Mind you I can't put anything IN my room because I can't return until pre-planning week due to some training that I'll be doing.  That being said.  I'll get to the school early enough and get that done pretty quickly.  (I hope)

Okay off to make license plates!