Time to get caught up on my journeying once again. The days certainly slip away quickly with way too much to do and too little time.
Friday my "I Don't Like This Class" student struck again. This student aspires to be a teacher, so we had a discussion about that very topic. She said she's going to be one of the cool teachers that all her students will come back and see, and they won't do bookwork but hands-on projects all the time. She will also have a drawer full of gum so when her students want gum, she'll gladly give it to them. The voice of experience popped up to inform her that the gum she will so freely give out will wind up on the bottoms of the desk/table tops. She didn't have much to say after that. The whole conversation started because we are learning about buying a house, mortgages, taxes and insurance, etc. She doesn't understand why she needs to learn it now...why not wait until the time comes, yada, yada, yada.
Friday afternoon, the assistant principal called to see if she could "have" the sub I have scheduled for tomorrow (I'll be taking a group of students to FCCLA competition). I told her she could not, because he's the only sub I've had all year and he knows how I do things and follows my lesson plans. It seems he has accepted a long-term assignment for a teacher who is having a baby, and she was having contractions, so his long-term assignment begins tomorrow. The AP asked who my Plan B sub is and I simply don't have one, so I'm back to square one. It's such a bonus to have someone I can trust to do what I work so hard to put together for when I'm gone. Hopefully that will happen again.
Saturday morning, Jess and I worked the ACT test. When I was going to the test, I noticed that Mom and Dad's mailbox was mowed down, as were both of their neighbors'. I called her and she said they knew when it happened on Friday night...it sounded like a car ran into a brick wall...and when they looked out the window, they couldn't tell what kind of vehicle it was because by that time it was already a quarter of a mile down the road. It's a wonder the vehicle was driveable due to the damage it caused, and...the front bumper was left at the scene of the crime!
Saturday night I finally got my birthday dinner. We were both sick around the time of my birthday, so we finally made it to Joe's crabshack for seafood. Now we have Valentine's Day coming up...wonder when we'll celebrate that event??
Not much is going on today...just the usual Sunday cooking and laundry and preparation for the week ahead. I keep checking the radar and wishin' and hopin' for that snow and even sleet. Gotta have it at least once this winter!!
Happy Trails!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Another Day, Another Week
Every evening this week, I've been in my fall asleep on the couch after dinner mode. Finally today, I'm vertical and am going to catch up on my journey.
Monday I went for my bi-monthly labwork and my hemoglobin count was down (9.2 and it should be 10+), so I had to get an Aranesp shot. While I was waiting, there was a family waiting as well, and I overheard their conversation and figured out that one of them had recently been diagnosed with Carcinoid. I shared everything I could with them until I was called to the back for my shot, and learned that the patient's journey was quite similar to my own...his doctor kept telling him his stomach issues were stress-related, though I don't know how long he had suffered. It was long enough that the cancer had metastasized to his liver, and he suffered from flushing. He was waiting for his first Sandostatin shot, and the family asked how long before it took effect, and I told them it was immediate. When I took my first shot, I felt drunk, and my symptoms were quickly relieved. I wanted so badly to tell them about my experience in New Orleans, but didn't think that would have been appropriate given that I was in the waiting room at Mercy Oncology...they might have frowned upon that. Hopefully he will receive good care, but I just don't think his treatment will be very aggressive.
I took the baby quilt to work for show and tell with the Lunch Bunch, and got good feedback, so I'm feeling pretty confident that the recipient will like it as well. If nothing else, she can throw it on the floor for Sawyer to play on.
Wednesday, I went to my M.D.'s office for my monthly Sandostatin shot. I absolutely dread it each time, but it DOES do a lot of good, so I'm thankful it's available to myself and others in the same boat. When I got home Danny had to run a couple of errands and offered dinner out, so I jumped on that like it was a lifeboat! The cutest tale occurred as a result...on the way home Jess called and wanted to know where we were. Danny told her we went to eat. She said, "It's Wednesday!!" (We go out on Friday and Saturday usually.) Danny told her we sometimes get spontaneous...I guess you had to be there, but we got a chuckle out of it and were flattered that she was so concerned about our whereabouts.
So, the meteorologists are all saying we're going to have some snow Sunday into Monday, so I'm praying for it AND a snow day! I went to the library today and got 3 new books just in case. Tonight it's misty and dreary and I'm loving it...
Happy Trails!!
Monday I went for my bi-monthly labwork and my hemoglobin count was down (9.2 and it should be 10+), so I had to get an Aranesp shot. While I was waiting, there was a family waiting as well, and I overheard their conversation and figured out that one of them had recently been diagnosed with Carcinoid. I shared everything I could with them until I was called to the back for my shot, and learned that the patient's journey was quite similar to my own...his doctor kept telling him his stomach issues were stress-related, though I don't know how long he had suffered. It was long enough that the cancer had metastasized to his liver, and he suffered from flushing. He was waiting for his first Sandostatin shot, and the family asked how long before it took effect, and I told them it was immediate. When I took my first shot, I felt drunk, and my symptoms were quickly relieved. I wanted so badly to tell them about my experience in New Orleans, but didn't think that would have been appropriate given that I was in the waiting room at Mercy Oncology...they might have frowned upon that. Hopefully he will receive good care, but I just don't think his treatment will be very aggressive.
I took the baby quilt to work for show and tell with the Lunch Bunch, and got good feedback, so I'm feeling pretty confident that the recipient will like it as well. If nothing else, she can throw it on the floor for Sawyer to play on.
Wednesday, I went to my M.D.'s office for my monthly Sandostatin shot. I absolutely dread it each time, but it DOES do a lot of good, so I'm thankful it's available to myself and others in the same boat. When I got home Danny had to run a couple of errands and offered dinner out, so I jumped on that like it was a lifeboat! The cutest tale occurred as a result...on the way home Jess called and wanted to know where we were. Danny told her we went to eat. She said, "It's Wednesday!!" (We go out on Friday and Saturday usually.) Danny told her we sometimes get spontaneous...I guess you had to be there, but we got a chuckle out of it and were flattered that she was so concerned about our whereabouts.
So, the meteorologists are all saying we're going to have some snow Sunday into Monday, so I'm praying for it AND a snow day! I went to the library today and got 3 new books just in case. Tonight it's misty and dreary and I'm loving it...
Happy Trails!!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Where Did the Weekend Go?
Friday was a pretty uneventful day except for a bit of a downpour after lunch. I happened to walk through the foods lab and noticed water dripping from the vent hood over one of the cooktops. A sizeable puddle had formed by the time I saw it, but the matter was addressed quickly by the front office and maybe the problem will be taken care of soon.
By the end of the day, I was on my last leg and after our usual Friday night date dinner at Poquitos, I crashed and woke up toward the end of the first half of the Thunder game. Fortunately, the outcome was good, but not so much on Saturday night. They were just no match for Parker's 3 point shots. I'm sad this week because their games are out west and "late" so there's no way I can watch beyond the first half. I guess that's better than not being able to watch at all.
Saturday I took a carload of recycling to the center, and that always makes me feel good. I usually have a dumpster's worth and am glad to know that the landfill will be short that much trash. My students recycle as well, though not as dilitently as I would like, but I try to make an impression.
After having turned off the alarm at 5:30 this morning, (I knew Danny would soon be getting up and I didn't have to be up for church until 6:30) I awoke abruptly at 6:15 in a panic. I thought it was Monday and I was going to be late for work. Was my heart ever pounding!! I hope that wasn't a premonition of the near future!! I know it's bound to happen...it's just a matter of when!
I'm happy to say that I FINISHED the quilt (except for sewing on the label, which I have already made)!!!! What a relief to finally have it done! Now I can start one of the other 37,000 projects lurking in my mind. I certainly hope the recipient likes it...Jess still isn't convinced that it's as cool as I perceive it, and Danny has had the wisdom to keep his remarks to himself. I guess beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
Danny and I tried the "new" Japanese hibachi restaurant which opened in Yukon recently, Tokyo Moon. I thought it was good, but Danny wasn't quite as impressed, especially for what it cost the two of us to eat. I was just worried that my wig had gotten singed when the chef lit the grill on fire!! Fotunately, all hairs were intact and unharmed.
So while reading the "Tuscan Holiday" I mentioned to Jess that we should take a mother-daughter trip this summer and visit some places in her book, "1000 Places to See Before You Die" (or something like that). She excitedly began researching and came up with a couple places she was interested in and today we decided on Chicago, for their annual food festival. We're both really excited and anxious to go...Danny is apprehensive about the 2 of us alone in a car for 10-11 hours. I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!!
Happy Trails!
By the end of the day, I was on my last leg and after our usual Friday night date dinner at Poquitos, I crashed and woke up toward the end of the first half of the Thunder game. Fortunately, the outcome was good, but not so much on Saturday night. They were just no match for Parker's 3 point shots. I'm sad this week because their games are out west and "late" so there's no way I can watch beyond the first half. I guess that's better than not being able to watch at all.
Saturday I took a carload of recycling to the center, and that always makes me feel good. I usually have a dumpster's worth and am glad to know that the landfill will be short that much trash. My students recycle as well, though not as dilitently as I would like, but I try to make an impression.
After having turned off the alarm at 5:30 this morning, (I knew Danny would soon be getting up and I didn't have to be up for church until 6:30) I awoke abruptly at 6:15 in a panic. I thought it was Monday and I was going to be late for work. Was my heart ever pounding!! I hope that wasn't a premonition of the near future!! I know it's bound to happen...it's just a matter of when!
I'm happy to say that I FINISHED the quilt (except for sewing on the label, which I have already made)!!!! What a relief to finally have it done! Now I can start one of the other 37,000 projects lurking in my mind. I certainly hope the recipient likes it...Jess still isn't convinced that it's as cool as I perceive it, and Danny has had the wisdom to keep his remarks to himself. I guess beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
Danny and I tried the "new" Japanese hibachi restaurant which opened in Yukon recently, Tokyo Moon. I thought it was good, but Danny wasn't quite as impressed, especially for what it cost the two of us to eat. I was just worried that my wig had gotten singed when the chef lit the grill on fire!! Fotunately, all hairs were intact and unharmed.So while reading the "Tuscan Holiday" I mentioned to Jess that we should take a mother-daughter trip this summer and visit some places in her book, "1000 Places to See Before You Die" (or something like that). She excitedly began researching and came up with a couple places she was interested in and today we decided on Chicago, for their annual food festival. We're both really excited and anxious to go...Danny is apprehensive about the 2 of us alone in a car for 10-11 hours. I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!!
Happy Trails!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Love is in the Air (or Maybe it's Severe Weather)
Yesterday was 2-1-12, a "fact" I find worthless but cool. The weather has been in the upper 60's, which has been nice, but I'm sure wanting a snow day!! Instead, there's a chance for severe weather tonight and tomorrow with a good amount of rain on the way. Something's going to happen...I came home and was dead to the world for nearly two hours this evening.
Today is Groundhog's Day, and I never have heard whether he saw his shadow. Either way, I'm doubtful that any snow is in our future. Good thing I took a picture of the "drift" on the deck...that's probably all I'll get to see this year!
Had a bad tummy day today thanks to the tacos and jalapeno dip we had for dinner last night. I know what the next day brings, but sometimes I just crave that stuff! This, too, shall pass, and I made it through the day so everything is good (or will be in a day or two!)
The guest speaker from earlier this week came back today to talk to my marriage and family students about housing and mortgages, etc. Tomorrow they will be going to the computer lab to find a house for the family they are creating in class. So far, they've only drawn for their careers/salaries and those of their spouses, and they bugged me everyday after that about when they would get to draw for how many children they have. I sprung it on them yesterday and they were so excited. Some have twins, some have 6, and they were still talking about it today. I'm glad they're having so much fun with it, and am glad that they were so inquisitive of our guest speaker. 99% of them had no clue about down payments, or utility deposits, etc. Now if only they can/will remember what they're learning and apply it when the time comes, they'll be in good shape.
I had two students bring packages of diapers for the "Diaper Dash" we're having this month to collect diapers for the Youth and Family Services agency. My classes are in competition to see which one can bring the most diapers to support the cause. It warms my heart when the students reach outside themselves and show compassion.
Happy Trails!
Today is Groundhog's Day, and I never have heard whether he saw his shadow. Either way, I'm doubtful that any snow is in our future. Good thing I took a picture of the "drift" on the deck...that's probably all I'll get to see this year!
Had a bad tummy day today thanks to the tacos and jalapeno dip we had for dinner last night. I know what the next day brings, but sometimes I just crave that stuff! This, too, shall pass, and I made it through the day so everything is good (or will be in a day or two!)
The guest speaker from earlier this week came back today to talk to my marriage and family students about housing and mortgages, etc. Tomorrow they will be going to the computer lab to find a house for the family they are creating in class. So far, they've only drawn for their careers/salaries and those of their spouses, and they bugged me everyday after that about when they would get to draw for how many children they have. I sprung it on them yesterday and they were so excited. Some have twins, some have 6, and they were still talking about it today. I'm glad they're having so much fun with it, and am glad that they were so inquisitive of our guest speaker. 99% of them had no clue about down payments, or utility deposits, etc. Now if only they can/will remember what they're learning and apply it when the time comes, they'll be in good shape.
I had two students bring packages of diapers for the "Diaper Dash" we're having this month to collect diapers for the Youth and Family Services agency. My classes are in competition to see which one can bring the most diapers to support the cause. It warms my heart when the students reach outside themselves and show compassion.
Happy Trails!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
January 31, the Thirty-first Step
With January coming to a close, I reflect upon my journey thus far,and I think of how I have grown throughout the past month. I've spent some quality time with Jessica, and while I will always be her mom, it's nice to be able to be her friend now as well. She has certainly made us proud!
I think of perseverance when I reflect upon the stolen printer power cord fiasco (I now lock it up each and every evening when I leave school) and how the issue was finally resolved. It was frustrating but it all worked out in the end. It also makes me think of the daily grind of being a teacher, dealing with the same issues of students talking when I am, not turning in their assignments, and being less than respectful. And then one day the bulb lights up and it's clear that I've hit a nerve and they comprehend the relevance of what I'm trying to teach them. Yesterday I had a guest speaker come to my rowdiest class, and I was really concerned about how they would respond to his topic and presentation. I had warned him that they could be less than stellar, and by golly, they surprised me and were extremely attentive and the speaker actually commented on that after the students left. There was one exception, however; the young man who is extremely intelligent but not doing well grade-wise because he doesn't complete or turn in his assignments. He put his head down and appeared to sleep during the presentation. Afterward, the presenter mentioned him and summed it up quite well, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink". Sometimes it seems like there's an entire herd of them hanging out by the water! Iif only I had a crystal ball for them to gaze into their futures!
I think of patience and how sometimes I have a minimal supply of it. I hate myself for it after the fact, but some situations are just difficult to observe and cause me to lash out when I should practice what I preach and be respectful.
I think of how I'm still running behind with the "better late than never" frame of mind. For example, the baby quilt project. If only I can make it home early tomorrow and get the binding sewn around the outer edges, I can do my handstitiching while the Thunder plays tomorrow night. If only. We'll see what happens!
I think of something that has puzzled me for quite some time. It's not a new observation, but just within the past few days I noticed a single shoe in the middle of the road. How does someone lose one shoe in the middle of the road??!!
Until tomorrow, a new month, a new day and a new set of steps in my journey, Happy Trails!
I think of perseverance when I reflect upon the stolen printer power cord fiasco (I now lock it up each and every evening when I leave school) and how the issue was finally resolved. It was frustrating but it all worked out in the end. It also makes me think of the daily grind of being a teacher, dealing with the same issues of students talking when I am, not turning in their assignments, and being less than respectful. And then one day the bulb lights up and it's clear that I've hit a nerve and they comprehend the relevance of what I'm trying to teach them. Yesterday I had a guest speaker come to my rowdiest class, and I was really concerned about how they would respond to his topic and presentation. I had warned him that they could be less than stellar, and by golly, they surprised me and were extremely attentive and the speaker actually commented on that after the students left. There was one exception, however; the young man who is extremely intelligent but not doing well grade-wise because he doesn't complete or turn in his assignments. He put his head down and appeared to sleep during the presentation. Afterward, the presenter mentioned him and summed it up quite well, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink". Sometimes it seems like there's an entire herd of them hanging out by the water! Iif only I had a crystal ball for them to gaze into their futures!
I think of patience and how sometimes I have a minimal supply of it. I hate myself for it after the fact, but some situations are just difficult to observe and cause me to lash out when I should practice what I preach and be respectful.
I think of how I'm still running behind with the "better late than never" frame of mind. For example, the baby quilt project. If only I can make it home early tomorrow and get the binding sewn around the outer edges, I can do my handstitiching while the Thunder plays tomorrow night. If only. We'll see what happens!
I think of something that has puzzled me for quite some time. It's not a new observation, but just within the past few days I noticed a single shoe in the middle of the road. How does someone lose one shoe in the middle of the road??!!
Until tomorrow, a new month, a new day and a new set of steps in my journey, Happy Trails!
Monday, January 30, 2012
January 30, the Thirtieth Step
After a night of tossing and turning, I was fairly worn out today. I'm a little concerned because I had a few incidents last night where I "flushed". All of a sudden I would become really hot and the heat traveled up toward my head. If it was in fact flushing, that's not good...it means the carcinoid is active and/or my Sandostatin shots aren't working, and/or my Afinitor isn't working. Of course I don't go to the doctor until April, so I'll just have to see how it goes between now and then.
My freshman class is cooking this nine weeks, and we're having some good times! Today there were 3 groups making pie crusts from scratch. One group obviously missed the memo on how to read and follow recipe directions as well as measurement equivalents, because their crust (before they added large quanitities of additional flour) looked like cooked oatmeal before they rolled it out. I asked them how much water they put in the mixture and they put an entire cup, or 4 times what the recipe called for!!! It looked pretty pathetic after it came out of the oven and is quite thick. I'm not sure it will be worth filling tomorrow...they may have to eat the chocolate pudding separately! Hopefully it will be a learning experience for them. Needless to say, it was pretty entertaining for the rest of the class!
My classes are having a Diaper Dash during the month of February. What is a Diaper Dash, you might ask? The Youth and Family Services agency is in need of diaper donations for foster children, those at the emergency shelter and for single moms in dire straits, so my classes are having a competition amongst each other to collect the most diapers for the cause. Hopefully there will be good participation and we'll collect a lot of diapers for those unfortunate babies.
That about sums up my journey for today, so until tomorrow, Happy Trails!
My freshman class is cooking this nine weeks, and we're having some good times! Today there were 3 groups making pie crusts from scratch. One group obviously missed the memo on how to read and follow recipe directions as well as measurement equivalents, because their crust (before they added large quanitities of additional flour) looked like cooked oatmeal before they rolled it out. I asked them how much water they put in the mixture and they put an entire cup, or 4 times what the recipe called for!!! It looked pretty pathetic after it came out of the oven and is quite thick. I'm not sure it will be worth filling tomorrow...they may have to eat the chocolate pudding separately! Hopefully it will be a learning experience for them. Needless to say, it was pretty entertaining for the rest of the class!
My classes are having a Diaper Dash during the month of February. What is a Diaper Dash, you might ask? The Youth and Family Services agency is in need of diaper donations for foster children, those at the emergency shelter and for single moms in dire straits, so my classes are having a competition amongst each other to collect the most diapers for the cause. Hopefully there will be good participation and we'll collect a lot of diapers for those unfortunate babies.
That about sums up my journey for today, so until tomorrow, Happy Trails!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
January 29, the Twenty-Ninth Step
The past three days have been busy ones, but I've kept stepping. Friday always brings with it a wave of exhaustion from pushing myself throughout the week. I DID, however, wake up from my post-dinner slumber in time to watch the Thunder play, having missed only a few minutes of the first quarter. They are amazing to watch, and I am certainly hooked! I'm not too happy about all the west coast games during the next few days...I just cannot stay up for a 9:30 game and get up at 5:30 the next morning for school!
Saturday was business as usual, meaning my weekly trip to Walmart (yea!). I was able to get my Saturday afternoon nap, which energizes me for the week ahead. I finished a book I began last Saturday, "Tuscan Holiday" about a mom and daughter who didn't see eye-to-eye. It was well-written, with short chapters and it was hard to put it down. Aside from the fact that after their Tuscan holiday, their relationship changed (for the better), two things jumped out at me: that a journey is made one step at a time, and one of the characters aspired to visit Maine to see a real, live moose. Hmmm...
Today I made the usual homemade biscuits for breakfast, homemade bread, and shrimp scampi for lunch. Jess came home, and I showed her the quilt I'm about to finish. She still is not sold on my choice of colors (they don't go together or match) and the main fabric still looks like 80's graffiti to her. Danny asked me what look I was going for and I told him I wasn't really going for a look and he told me I achieved my goal. Very funny! I don't care what they say...I think it's bright and colorful and coordinated and baby Sawyer will love it!! I'm finished with the borders, now all I have to do is put on the binding and I'll be done!
So, two more days left in January and 1/12 of 2012 will be history. I do not know where the time goes, but it certainly waits for no one. I'm feeling great and counting my blessings everyday, and have so many things I want to accomplish this year. I made a bucket list for 2012, but so far haven't been able to check anything off. I guess there's always New Year's Eve!!
Happy Trails!
Saturday was business as usual, meaning my weekly trip to Walmart (yea!). I was able to get my Saturday afternoon nap, which energizes me for the week ahead. I finished a book I began last Saturday, "Tuscan Holiday" about a mom and daughter who didn't see eye-to-eye. It was well-written, with short chapters and it was hard to put it down. Aside from the fact that after their Tuscan holiday, their relationship changed (for the better), two things jumped out at me: that a journey is made one step at a time, and one of the characters aspired to visit Maine to see a real, live moose. Hmmm...
Today I made the usual homemade biscuits for breakfast, homemade bread, and shrimp scampi for lunch. Jess came home, and I showed her the quilt I'm about to finish. She still is not sold on my choice of colors (they don't go together or match) and the main fabric still looks like 80's graffiti to her. Danny asked me what look I was going for and I told him I wasn't really going for a look and he told me I achieved my goal. Very funny! I don't care what they say...I think it's bright and colorful and coordinated and baby Sawyer will love it!! I'm finished with the borders, now all I have to do is put on the binding and I'll be done!
So, two more days left in January and 1/12 of 2012 will be history. I do not know where the time goes, but it certainly waits for no one. I'm feeling great and counting my blessings everyday, and have so many things I want to accomplish this year. I made a bucket list for 2012, but so far haven't been able to check anything off. I guess there's always New Year's Eve!!
Happy Trails!
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