Better late than never, that's what I always say!! I spent that morning (as I have every morning since I began the task) painting the outside of the house. It looks really nice and I'm aghast at how badly it looked before!! Unfortunately, I'm going to have to put two coats on the west side where the sun beats down on it everyday, and will probably have to do two on the east side as well. I'm really close to having one coat all around, and will start on the trim after I have the second coat on where needed. I also have to restain the deck and I'm running out of summer! I could certainly grow accustomed to this lifestyle and am loving puttering around (and being up and around) on my own time. What a difference a year makes!!
So back to the 4th of July. Rather than grilling at home, Danny decided he wanted BBQ from Bad Brad's (I told him they would be closed, and they were). Instead, we went to Chili's for appetizers, not realizing they were 1/2 price during happy hour and we both ate for $10!!! It was an awesome find! On the way home, we saw a huge plume of smoke out our way. The color indicated it was a grass fire, and as we got closer to home, we speculated on just where the fire was burning. It was wheat stubble in a field 2 miles northwest of us and the flames were getting dangerously close to a house on the property. It was very windy, very smokey and very scary, especially since there had been a grass fire a mile east of that field within the past week. Then on top of that, there was another stubble fire a half mile east of us later that night. It's sad that people are so careless with fireworks and/or cigarettes. Fortunately, I don't think there was any serious damage involved, but it's unsettling just the same.
Can't believe it's Friday again! They seem to roll around a lot faster during the summer than they do during the school year!
Until the next time, Happy Trails!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
The "Lazy" Days of Summer
Summer break is quickly flying by, but it's soooo great to be up and about after having spent the past 2 summers recouperating from surgery and chemo! So many things were neglected during that time, so my to-do list is quite long, and I know I'll never get everything done, but I hope to at least make a dent in it.
I'm happy to say that I'm enjoying my real hair, and I've had it cut 3 times now!!! I'm not sure what to do with it exactly...I like having it short because it's easy to fix everyday, but Danny wants me to grow it out. We'll see who wins that debate. I'm more of a 7 a.m. riser, but have to get up at 5:20 during school and don't really want to have to get up any earlier just to do my hair...time will tell!
We finally opened the pool last month, and was it ever gross! The water was black and sludgey and never in my wildest dreams did I think the water would be anywhere near "blue", much less clear! It's coming along quite nicely, although it's not quite company-ready just yet. Danny and I have been swimming the past few evenings and it's a great way to cool off and relax after the sweltering heat we're experiencing.
One of my major tasks is to paint the outside of the house this summer, which I began this week. It's a very slow process because I use a brush - yes, a brush - because I have to put too much pressure on a roller to get even coverage and it wears my arms out. Plus, I'm not really in a hurry or on a time constraint, and there's something theraputic about the whole brushing process. The color is called "Whispering Wheat", but it looks more creamy than it did on the paint chip, so it's not quite the tan color we expected. We like it, though, and it will give our house a nice little facelift. I'm on hold today, though...the guy who farms the land across the road decided yesterday to work his ground, and cream paint and red dirt aren't really the look I'm going for, so I'm doing other things until he finishes.
We have a guy pruning the holly bushes and removing the scraggly Rose of Sharon bushes, Crepe Myrtle bushes (which have taken over a corner of the house and deposit a zillion petals into the pool on a daily basis), and the photina shrubs which acquired some type of disease while I was down for the count. That will make it sooo much easier to paint 2 sides of the house, and we're going to replant with a prairie, natural theme (i.e. low maintenance!). I just hope our mockingbirds and hummingbirds don't have nests in those shrubs and that lack of cover won't scare them away!!
I've spent a lot of time in the backyard pulling weeds and planting flowers. It looks SOOOO much better than before with 2 years' worth of weeds growing everywhere. I also have zucchini, cucumbers, banana peppers and tomatoes planted. So far I've harvested everything but tomatoes. They have lots of blooms, but no fruit yet.
I finished a t-shirt quilt for Jessica for which I was rewarded with a huge smile and a big thank you. It made my day. Now if only I could get the other 200 shirts I have stashed made into quilts, I'd be doing great!! The 4th nine weeks of school, my freshman class made a t-shirt quilt for Mr. Melton (our principal) as a going-away gift. I emailed the staff and asked for specific colors of YHS shirts, and my students did the cutting, sewing, ripping, sewing, ripping, sewing, and so forth. In spite of all the ripping and re-sewing, it turned out well and hopefully he will enjoy it.
Health-wise, I'm doing great!! I feel good and had a PET scan the end of March and one a couple of days ago. I won't find out the recent results until the 16th of next month, but hopefully all is well. It occurred to me that my doctor hasn't ordered a urine test or an Octreotide scan for over a year (both of which track carcinoid), so I called and asked about that. He said that a PET scan is more suited to my case (rather than an Octreotide scan) but that he would order the urine test. I wasn't comfortable with that bit of information, so I called New Orleans and talked to the Carcinoid Coordinator. She confirmed that a PET scan is indeed the best course for me at this point. I told her that I had begun flushing again about 2-3 months ago (which was the reason for my concern) and she said than many times it is stress-induced. I have noticed that I do tend to flush when I'm thinking of my to-do list or other things that raise my stress level, so I feel better knowing that. I was afraid the carcinoid was on the go again. She said if the flushing gets really bad, I can do a booster shot of my Sandostatin mid-month. As badly as those things hurt, I'll have to have a really BIG flushing problem before I'll consider that!
In September, Danny and I will be going to New Orleans for a carcinoid patient conference (at a hotel on the French Quarter!) hosted by Ochsner Clinic, and I'm really excited for it. My surgeon will be one of the presentors and and I'm anxious to hear what they have to say compared with what we learned at MD Anderson last fall. I've been on a drug called Afinitor for over a year now and no longer itch, which was a HUGE problem when I first began taking it. It seems to be working for me and other than getting tired, I feel like I'm doing great on it. Insurance scared me last month though. I received a letter stating that it would no longer be covered as of June 23rd, and a one-month prescription costs thousands of dollars. My doctor's office contacted them, and we're good to go for another year. I'm also (fairly faithfully) drinking my black raspberry tea each day, which was recommended by New Orleans. I read in a magazine recently that something in black raspberry DOES kill cancer, so I'm making a consicous effort to drink it daily.
Jessica and I will be going to Chicago next month and it's getting close enough (that I'm not wishing away my summer) to be really excited about it. We're leaving on a Monday and driving to Hermann, Missouri to spend the night at a bed and breakfast and spend a little time in "wine country". Even though I can no longer enjoy a glass of wine due to my liver issues, I'm hoping to be able to buy some good grape juice to bring home and drink from my wine glasses and pretend. On the internet, Hermann looks like a really charming old German town and I think it will be really relaxing to spend a few hours brousing and visiting a winery or two.
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The next day, we'll head to Chicago and a very packed schedule. We're going to the food festival, (Taste of Chicago), taking a boat ride on the river, doing a 2K walk, going to a Cubs game and I'm not sure what else. We're staying within walking distance of everything we're doing, so we won't have to worry about driving or traffic. We may have to take a jaunt to Indiana and Michigan just because we'll be so close, and there are lots of museums and architecture to experience. Whatever we wind up doing, it will be a special time for the two of us.
I think that sums up my life since February. Life is good, and to my fellow teachers who get bored in the summer - you're crazy!!!
Happy trails!
I'm happy to say that I'm enjoying my real hair, and I've had it cut 3 times now!!! I'm not sure what to do with it exactly...I like having it short because it's easy to fix everyday, but Danny wants me to grow it out. We'll see who wins that debate. I'm more of a 7 a.m. riser, but have to get up at 5:20 during school and don't really want to have to get up any earlier just to do my hair...time will tell!
We finally opened the pool last month, and was it ever gross! The water was black and sludgey and never in my wildest dreams did I think the water would be anywhere near "blue", much less clear! It's coming along quite nicely, although it's not quite company-ready just yet. Danny and I have been swimming the past few evenings and it's a great way to cool off and relax after the sweltering heat we're experiencing.
One of my major tasks is to paint the outside of the house this summer, which I began this week. It's a very slow process because I use a brush - yes, a brush - because I have to put too much pressure on a roller to get even coverage and it wears my arms out. Plus, I'm not really in a hurry or on a time constraint, and there's something theraputic about the whole brushing process. The color is called "Whispering Wheat", but it looks more creamy than it did on the paint chip, so it's not quite the tan color we expected. We like it, though, and it will give our house a nice little facelift. I'm on hold today, though...the guy who farms the land across the road decided yesterday to work his ground, and cream paint and red dirt aren't really the look I'm going for, so I'm doing other things until he finishes.
We have a guy pruning the holly bushes and removing the scraggly Rose of Sharon bushes, Crepe Myrtle bushes (which have taken over a corner of the house and deposit a zillion petals into the pool on a daily basis), and the photina shrubs which acquired some type of disease while I was down for the count. That will make it sooo much easier to paint 2 sides of the house, and we're going to replant with a prairie, natural theme (i.e. low maintenance!). I just hope our mockingbirds and hummingbirds don't have nests in those shrubs and that lack of cover won't scare them away!!
I've spent a lot of time in the backyard pulling weeds and planting flowers. It looks SOOOO much better than before with 2 years' worth of weeds growing everywhere. I also have zucchini, cucumbers, banana peppers and tomatoes planted. So far I've harvested everything but tomatoes. They have lots of blooms, but no fruit yet.
I finished a t-shirt quilt for Jessica for which I was rewarded with a huge smile and a big thank you. It made my day. Now if only I could get the other 200 shirts I have stashed made into quilts, I'd be doing great!! The 4th nine weeks of school, my freshman class made a t-shirt quilt for Mr. Melton (our principal) as a going-away gift. I emailed the staff and asked for specific colors of YHS shirts, and my students did the cutting, sewing, ripping, sewing, ripping, sewing, and so forth. In spite of all the ripping and re-sewing, it turned out well and hopefully he will enjoy it.
Health-wise, I'm doing great!! I feel good and had a PET scan the end of March and one a couple of days ago. I won't find out the recent results until the 16th of next month, but hopefully all is well. It occurred to me that my doctor hasn't ordered a urine test or an Octreotide scan for over a year (both of which track carcinoid), so I called and asked about that. He said that a PET scan is more suited to my case (rather than an Octreotide scan) but that he would order the urine test. I wasn't comfortable with that bit of information, so I called New Orleans and talked to the Carcinoid Coordinator. She confirmed that a PET scan is indeed the best course for me at this point. I told her that I had begun flushing again about 2-3 months ago (which was the reason for my concern) and she said than many times it is stress-induced. I have noticed that I do tend to flush when I'm thinking of my to-do list or other things that raise my stress level, so I feel better knowing that. I was afraid the carcinoid was on the go again. She said if the flushing gets really bad, I can do a booster shot of my Sandostatin mid-month. As badly as those things hurt, I'll have to have a really BIG flushing problem before I'll consider that!
In September, Danny and I will be going to New Orleans for a carcinoid patient conference (at a hotel on the French Quarter!) hosted by Ochsner Clinic, and I'm really excited for it. My surgeon will be one of the presentors and and I'm anxious to hear what they have to say compared with what we learned at MD Anderson last fall. I've been on a drug called Afinitor for over a year now and no longer itch, which was a HUGE problem when I first began taking it. It seems to be working for me and other than getting tired, I feel like I'm doing great on it. Insurance scared me last month though. I received a letter stating that it would no longer be covered as of June 23rd, and a one-month prescription costs thousands of dollars. My doctor's office contacted them, and we're good to go for another year. I'm also (fairly faithfully) drinking my black raspberry tea each day, which was recommended by New Orleans. I read in a magazine recently that something in black raspberry DOES kill cancer, so I'm making a consicous effort to drink it daily.
Jessica and I will be going to Chicago next month and it's getting close enough (that I'm not wishing away my summer) to be really excited about it. We're leaving on a Monday and driving to Hermann, Missouri to spend the night at a bed and breakfast and spend a little time in "wine country". Even though I can no longer enjoy a glass of wine due to my liver issues, I'm hoping to be able to buy some good grape juice to bring home and drink from my wine glasses and pretend. On the internet, Hermann looks like a really charming old German town and I think it will be really relaxing to spend a few hours brousing and visiting a winery or two.
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I think that sums up my life since February. Life is good, and to my fellow teachers who get bored in the summer - you're crazy!!!
Happy trails!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Back to the Future
It seems like it has been forever since I last blogged, but I've been busy, under the weather, and sometimes just plain lazy! So here's what's been going on:
Monday, February 13 was regional FCCLA competition at Metro Tech Springlake. After finally having been "blessed" with the snow I so desparately wanted, I dreaded having to drive a "Monster Van" (huge Chevy van) with five students that far. We were to have left school at 8:30 a.m., and at precisely 8:30, one of the students frantically needed copies of pictures for her presentation...another needed page protectors (after having punched holes on the wrong sides of her pages) and by the time we got out of there, I was beside myself! The highway was in great shape and we had no trouble getting to OKC, but before we actually got to Metro Tech, one of the other Yukon teachers called me to let me know that the competition had been cancelled!! Supposedly an email was sent to all of us, however, the 3 of us at Yukon and a couple other teachers did not get the memo, so we made a wasted trip. The worst part of it was that the 3 judges I acquired for one of the events all made the wasted trip as well. I felt terrible! So much for the email sent to us the Friday before which stated that if Metro Tech was open, the competition would go on!!
Another low of the day was that we lost our cat, Daphne. We added her to our family when Danny's sister moved to Colorado several years ago, and she eventually worked her way into our house and hearts (she started out living in the garage). Although we're not sure exactly how old she was, we know she was up in years, and she suddenly began a downward spiral the week before. I'm glad she's out of her misery, but I still expect to see her walk out of the bedroom and sometimes think I see her walking across the kitchen. It's hard to get used to the quiet, but I must admit, I'm not going to miss all the cat hair and having to clean the litter box...
Tuesday, February 14 was Valentine's Day, and a good one it was. There were so many hearts and flowers at school...love was definintely in the air!! No hearts and flowers for us, though...we bought new dishes and serving pieces. I've had my eye on Fiestaware for a few years now, but just couldn't take the plunge because the plates looked too deep and not flat enough. I showed Danny a picture of them and he was agreeable, so I went for it. They are scarlet and really pretty, and I finally have a gravy boat!!
Friday, February 17 I suddenly became nauseous and had to go home. It was so bad I wasn't sure I could drive myself home, but by the time I got things rounded up for the teachers covering my classes, I felt better. I went straight to bed when I got home and stayed there the rest of the day. I had to make my trip to buy groceries the next morning, but once that task was done, I was back in bed for the rest of the day, and rested a lot on Sunday as well. I never threw up, but had other issues, so I guess it was just something going around. I couldn't believe how quickly it hit me, though!
Monday, February 20 was staff development day, and as long as we had a certain number of points for the year, we didn't have to participate in any training...we could work in our rooms. I got to school at my usual 7:10-ish and it was quiet and peaceful and I was able to concentrate on a report I have to submit to Career Tech. It all broke loose after 8 a.m. when several teachers came to "work" with their young children in tow, screaming and bouncing balls and disrupting the quietness. There is such an echo in the building that children LOVE to use their outside voices. Fortunately, the entire day wasn't like that and I DID manage to get a lot of things done (there's still plenty to do, though!).
Tuesday, February 21 was Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras. Since I decided to let go of the negative and focus on the positive for Lent, let me just say that you just can't fix stupid. Period.
Wednesday, February 22 was Ash Wednesday. Jessica came home and the 3 of us went to the ash prayer service at 6:30 a.m. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would make it to anything that early in the morning! I guess all things are possible, though...
I took my FCCLA students back to Metro Tech for the postponed competition, and two of my three judges were available again, so all that worked out OK. The teacher from Piedmont and I were the chairpersons for the Job Interview event and I always enjoy watching the students compete and am always amazed at how "together" some of them are. They know who they are and where they're going and I have no doubt they will accomplish their goals!
As for the competitors I took, three of them took third place in their events, and the last two were a team. Their event took a lot longer than everyone else's, and we waited an eternity for them to finish (we didn't leave Metro Tech until 3 p.m. and didn't get to go to Hideaway Pizza as we had planned) but they took first place and will advance to state competition next month. Definitely worth the wait, and I think they shocked themselves!
Due to the competition, I had to miss the baby shower for Erin Brown, which was during both lunches that day, and I was one of the hostesses. That's just the way it goes sometimes, but I hated that I had to miss it! It sounded like everything went on without a hitch...
Thursday, February 23 was a red letter day for me. I got my real hair cut and colored and as of the next day, I am wig-free!!! It's so liberating and wonderful and (with the exception of my bangs being really short) it doesn't look a lot different than my wig. It doesn't take but a few minutes to fix it, so I'm guessing short hair will be in my future. It has a natural curl to it, and that makes styling sooo much easier than I am accustomed.
Friday, February 24, Jessica came home to have dinner with us, and we made our hotel reservations for our Chicago Holiday this summer. We're both really excited and very anxious to spend the quality time together, and I know it will be a lot of fun. On the agenda is the Chicago Food Festival, but beyond that, we have no plans. We're staying at a hotel with a view of one of the Great Lakes, so that will be cool.
Somewhere in the shuffle, Danny found out that he has diabetes, so he's on medicine twice a day and has to test his blood sugar. When he first found out, his blood sugar was 300+, but now it hovers around 125-ish. Wow!
So what's with all the dead skunks on the side of the road these days? I certainly prefer them that way, but it seems I can't go anywhere without seeing a half dozen or more scattered here and there...
Today was an uneventul Monday, and I think I'm caught up on recent happenings, so with that I say, "Happy Trails!"
Monday, February 13 was regional FCCLA competition at Metro Tech Springlake. After finally having been "blessed" with the snow I so desparately wanted, I dreaded having to drive a "Monster Van" (huge Chevy van) with five students that far. We were to have left school at 8:30 a.m., and at precisely 8:30, one of the students frantically needed copies of pictures for her presentation...another needed page protectors (after having punched holes on the wrong sides of her pages) and by the time we got out of there, I was beside myself! The highway was in great shape and we had no trouble getting to OKC, but before we actually got to Metro Tech, one of the other Yukon teachers called me to let me know that the competition had been cancelled!! Supposedly an email was sent to all of us, however, the 3 of us at Yukon and a couple other teachers did not get the memo, so we made a wasted trip. The worst part of it was that the 3 judges I acquired for one of the events all made the wasted trip as well. I felt terrible! So much for the email sent to us the Friday before which stated that if Metro Tech was open, the competition would go on!!
Another low of the day was that we lost our cat, Daphne. We added her to our family when Danny's sister moved to Colorado several years ago, and she eventually worked her way into our house and hearts (she started out living in the garage). Although we're not sure exactly how old she was, we know she was up in years, and she suddenly began a downward spiral the week before. I'm glad she's out of her misery, but I still expect to see her walk out of the bedroom and sometimes think I see her walking across the kitchen. It's hard to get used to the quiet, but I must admit, I'm not going to miss all the cat hair and having to clean the litter box...
Tuesday, February 14 was Valentine's Day, and a good one it was. There were so many hearts and flowers at school...love was definintely in the air!! No hearts and flowers for us, though...we bought new dishes and serving pieces. I've had my eye on Fiestaware for a few years now, but just couldn't take the plunge because the plates looked too deep and not flat enough. I showed Danny a picture of them and he was agreeable, so I went for it. They are scarlet and really pretty, and I finally have a gravy boat!!
Friday, February 17 I suddenly became nauseous and had to go home. It was so bad I wasn't sure I could drive myself home, but by the time I got things rounded up for the teachers covering my classes, I felt better. I went straight to bed when I got home and stayed there the rest of the day. I had to make my trip to buy groceries the next morning, but once that task was done, I was back in bed for the rest of the day, and rested a lot on Sunday as well. I never threw up, but had other issues, so I guess it was just something going around. I couldn't believe how quickly it hit me, though!
Monday, February 20 was staff development day, and as long as we had a certain number of points for the year, we didn't have to participate in any training...we could work in our rooms. I got to school at my usual 7:10-ish and it was quiet and peaceful and I was able to concentrate on a report I have to submit to Career Tech. It all broke loose after 8 a.m. when several teachers came to "work" with their young children in tow, screaming and bouncing balls and disrupting the quietness. There is such an echo in the building that children LOVE to use their outside voices. Fortunately, the entire day wasn't like that and I DID manage to get a lot of things done (there's still plenty to do, though!).
Tuesday, February 21 was Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras. Since I decided to let go of the negative and focus on the positive for Lent, let me just say that you just can't fix stupid. Period.
Wednesday, February 22 was Ash Wednesday. Jessica came home and the 3 of us went to the ash prayer service at 6:30 a.m. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would make it to anything that early in the morning! I guess all things are possible, though...
I took my FCCLA students back to Metro Tech for the postponed competition, and two of my three judges were available again, so all that worked out OK. The teacher from Piedmont and I were the chairpersons for the Job Interview event and I always enjoy watching the students compete and am always amazed at how "together" some of them are. They know who they are and where they're going and I have no doubt they will accomplish their goals!
As for the competitors I took, three of them took third place in their events, and the last two were a team. Their event took a lot longer than everyone else's, and we waited an eternity for them to finish (we didn't leave Metro Tech until 3 p.m. and didn't get to go to Hideaway Pizza as we had planned) but they took first place and will advance to state competition next month. Definitely worth the wait, and I think they shocked themselves!
Due to the competition, I had to miss the baby shower for Erin Brown, which was during both lunches that day, and I was one of the hostesses. That's just the way it goes sometimes, but I hated that I had to miss it! It sounded like everything went on without a hitch...
Thursday, February 23 was a red letter day for me. I got my real hair cut and colored and as of the next day, I am wig-free!!! It's so liberating and wonderful and (with the exception of my bangs being really short) it doesn't look a lot different than my wig. It doesn't take but a few minutes to fix it, so I'm guessing short hair will be in my future. It has a natural curl to it, and that makes styling sooo much easier than I am accustomed.
Friday, February 24, Jessica came home to have dinner with us, and we made our hotel reservations for our Chicago Holiday this summer. We're both really excited and very anxious to spend the quality time together, and I know it will be a lot of fun. On the agenda is the Chicago Food Festival, but beyond that, we have no plans. We're staying at a hotel with a view of one of the Great Lakes, so that will be cool.
Somewhere in the shuffle, Danny found out that he has diabetes, so he's on medicine twice a day and has to test his blood sugar. When he first found out, his blood sugar was 300+, but now it hovers around 125-ish. Wow!
So what's with all the dead skunks on the side of the road these days? I certainly prefer them that way, but it seems I can't go anywhere without seeing a half dozen or more scattered here and there...
Today was an uneventul Monday, and I think I'm caught up on recent happenings, so with that I say, "Happy Trails!"
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Wishin' and Hopin'
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!
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!
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!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
January 26, the Twenty-sixth Step
I've kept journey-ing, but haven't been able to sign in on my blog for several days, and I can feel the tension building. Talk about frustrating! Sometimes I get so mad at Yahoo I feel like heaving my laptop off the Devon tower!! But, I'm up and running (at least for the time being), so I'm going to get caught up on the excitement that is my life...
Jessica and I went to the Home and Garden Show last Saturday afternoon (big mistake) and was it ever crowded!! My intent for going was to pick up some current information to use in my housing and home furnishings class. Between all the strollers and scooters and boozers waiting in line for samples of the frozen wine concoctions, I couldn't see many displays (or get to them) and all I wanted to do was get out of that place fast. I think we made it through four of the five buildings and called it quits in less than an hour. It was nice to spend time with Jess but we were both tired and frazzled.
This week has been a good one, and has gone by the class. Never would I have thought of telling one of my teachers something like that, much less say it, and especially in the middle of a discussion!! My how students have changed over the years! The "Lunch Bunch" constantly discussions situations just like that one and the lack of tact is not limited to one or two classes...it's across the board. Teaching is NOT for the faint of heart!!
I've been working diligently on the baby blanket I had hoped to have finished over Christmas break. I have now advanced to the outside borders (I have one sewn on) and once I complete those, all I have to do is sew on the binding, make the label, and sew it on. Jessica did not like the fabrics I chose at all, (she said the main fabric looks like 80's graffiti) so I was somewhat apprehensive about using it, but I must say that the colors are coming together quite nicely. It will be colorful if nothing else, and hopefully the new mom and baby will enjoy it. Her doctor was inducing labor today, but I haven't heard if she has had the baby yet. As usual, my gift is better late than never!!
That's about the extent of things, so until the next time, Happy Trails!
Jessica and I went to the Home and Garden Show last Saturday afternoon (big mistake) and was it ever crowded!! My intent for going was to pick up some current information to use in my housing and home furnishings class. Between all the strollers and scooters and boozers waiting in line for samples of the frozen wine concoctions, I couldn't see many displays (or get to them) and all I wanted to do was get out of that place fast. I think we made it through four of the five buildings and called it quits in less than an hour. It was nice to spend time with Jess but we were both tired and frazzled.
This week has been a good one, and has gone by the class. Never would I have thought of telling one of my teachers something like that, much less say it, and especially in the middle of a discussion!! My how students have changed over the years! The "Lunch Bunch" constantly discussions situations just like that one and the lack of tact is not limited to one or two classes...it's across the board. Teaching is NOT for the faint of heart!!
I've been working diligently on the baby blanket I had hoped to have finished over Christmas break. I have now advanced to the outside borders (I have one sewn on) and once I complete those, all I have to do is sew on the binding, make the label, and sew it on. Jessica did not like the fabrics I chose at all, (she said the main fabric looks like 80's graffiti) so I was somewhat apprehensive about using it, but I must say that the colors are coming together quite nicely. It will be colorful if nothing else, and hopefully the new mom and baby will enjoy it. Her doctor was inducing labor today, but I haven't heard if she has had the baby yet. As usual, my gift is better late than never!!
That's about the extent of things, so until the next time, Happy Trails!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
January 20, the Twentieth Step
It was payday, jeans day and Fri-day, so it just doesn't get much better than that! My second day back this week found me with a scratchy throat and sinus pressure, but enough energy to get me through the day and get some good things accomplished. As usual, I stayed until nearly 5 p.m. entering grades until I became cross-eyed and had to give up the ghost. When I got home, I asked Danny if he was ready to go eat, and he told me "not just yet". Usually he's chomping at the bit to go the minute I hit the door, so his response surprised me. I was surprised yet again when the door opened and in walked Jessica! It was pretty cool.
My freshmen began cooking today, making homemade biscuits. There were 6 students in 2 kitchens and I must say that both batches turned out great! Both were very tasty and the texture was great, and BEST of all, they did a great job cleaning up their messes! Two more days of lab next week, then we'll begin making pies with homemade crusts. They're a really good group, and I enjoy them a lot.
The lunch bunch celebrated January birthdays (there are 2 of us) and in addition to a really sweet card and wishes, I'm the proud owner of a Sonic gift card!! Lots of Route 44's in my future!
Until next time, Happy Trails!
My freshmen began cooking today, making homemade biscuits. There were 6 students in 2 kitchens and I must say that both batches turned out great! Both were very tasty and the texture was great, and BEST of all, they did a great job cleaning up their messes! Two more days of lab next week, then we'll begin making pies with homemade crusts. They're a really good group, and I enjoy them a lot.
The lunch bunch celebrated January birthdays (there are 2 of us) and in addition to a really sweet card and wishes, I'm the proud owner of a Sonic gift card!! Lots of Route 44's in my future!
Until next time, Happy Trails!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thursday, January 19, the 19th Step
Day 19 found me back at work (a few minutes early, no less!) and jumping in with both feet. Other than some sneezing and coughing, I felt like a million dollars. It was good to see my students, and I have to admit, I could get used to a 2-day work week! I don't see that happening in my near future, though. Everything went well today, and assignments were done while I was gone, so we were able to pick up and carry on without skipping a beat.
In my mailbox was a HUGE package (not in terms of size, but in terms of importance) which will make my life SOOOO much less stressful---I got my printer power cord!! It fits my printer!!! My printer works!!! And the cord is locked up for the night and will be every night hereafter to stay out of harm's way, aka sticky fingers!
My journey today led me to gratitude for something so simple as a power cord!! Until next time, Happy Trails!
In my mailbox was a HUGE package (not in terms of size, but in terms of importance) which will make my life SOOOO much less stressful---I got my printer power cord!! It fits my printer!!! My printer works!!! And the cord is locked up for the night and will be every night hereafter to stay out of harm's way, aka sticky fingers!
My journey today led me to gratitude for something so simple as a power cord!! Until next time, Happy Trails!
Wednesday, January 18, the 18th Step
Step 18 found me down for the count. My hot shower cleared my head temporarily, but I just couldn't find it in myself to go to school. I wasn't sure I had all the codes and numbers needed to submit an absence, but with some Divine intervention, I was able to get the sick day entered and acquire my go-to sub. With all that handled, I settled in for what I had hoped would be a long, healing nap. Instead, I got a fitful one and woke with a start around 9:00 a.m. thinking I had slept in and was very late for work! What a relief to realize I was where I was supposed to be!
I called my oncologist's office and my MD to see if they could suggest something over the counter that I could take to relieve some of my sypmptoms, and both suggested Mucinex, which worked really well! How nice to get rid of the headache, pain behind my eyes, and the sinus pressure! By evening, I felt like I was on the road to recovery! Danny still had to cook his own dinner, but he suffered through it.
Epiphany of the day: sometimes you just have to give in and let your body heal. Until next time, Happy Trails!
I called my oncologist's office and my MD to see if they could suggest something over the counter that I could take to relieve some of my sypmptoms, and both suggested Mucinex, which worked really well! How nice to get rid of the headache, pain behind my eyes, and the sinus pressure! By evening, I felt like I was on the road to recovery! Danny still had to cook his own dinner, but he suffered through it.
Epiphany of the day: sometimes you just have to give in and let your body heal. Until next time, Happy Trails!
Tuesday, January 17, the 17th Step
I met the day with my throat a little more sore than the day before and was glad I had taken the day off to take Dad and Mom to Dad's cataract surgery. I did a little handwork and a lot of napping before I had to pick them up. Wouldn't you know it...they were swamped at Dean McGee and we were there three hours for a 20-30 minute procedure!! It went well, but I was more than ready for a nap by the time I got home, and I know Dad was on pins and needles, but unfortunately, we don't have a bit of control over those situations.
By dinnertime, I felt really rough and Danny was on his own. I just couldn't shake the headache and pain behind my eyes, and with my liver in the shape it's in, I can't take Tylenol, so I suffered through it. Not much fun...but I know this stuff is going around like crazy right now.
No major break-throughs in my journey today, so until next time, Happy Trails!
By dinnertime, I felt really rough and Danny was on his own. I just couldn't shake the headache and pain behind my eyes, and with my liver in the shape it's in, I can't take Tylenol, so I suffered through it. Not much fun...but I know this stuff is going around like crazy right now.
No major break-throughs in my journey today, so until next time, Happy Trails!
January 16, the 16th Step
Monday (the 16th) was a professional development day for us, but I took a personal day. I was glad, because I woke up with a slight sore throat and felt blah. I suffered through a necessary trip to Walmart, then spent the day working on the baby quilt currently on my plate. I made decent progress, but there is a good amount of handwork, so I have my fingers crossed that I'll have it completed before little Sawyer James makes his debut. Thunder games make for a great opportunity to do my handwork, (I LOVE to have the games on, but I'm not glued to the TV...just like to check the progress now and then) but their schedule is rather sparse this week.
The day was a great one and I was glad I was able to spend it doing what I love...sewing. Danny is getting better everyday, except for a lingering cough. Until tomorrow, Happy Trails!
The day was a great one and I was glad I was able to spend it doing what I love...sewing. Danny is getting better everyday, except for a lingering cough. Until tomorrow, Happy Trails!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
January 15, the Fifteenth Step
Today is the fifteenth step of my 1,000-step journey, and things are good. I turned 56 today and had a really good birthday. Jessica came home and went to church with us, then after our biscuits and gravy we all snoozed until it was time to go to Mom and Dad's for my birthday dinner. We had a "gourmet" meal of ham and beans with cornbread muffins, and Mom made my favorite cake---German chocolate!
We didn't do much of anything this afternoon, so it was very relaxing. I finished cutting out the pieces for a baby quilt that I'll be working on this week, then made homemade pizza for supper and that's about all she wrote. Until tomorrow, Happy Trails!
We didn't do much of anything this afternoon, so it was very relaxing. I finished cutting out the pieces for a baby quilt that I'll be working on this week, then made homemade pizza for supper and that's about all she wrote. Until tomorrow, Happy Trails!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
January 14, the Fourteenth Step
Today was a really great day! Jess came home and went to the OKC winter quilt show with me. It has been a few years since I last went, and it seemed to be a lot smaller than what I remember. We picked our tickets up at will call and even though it was a few minutes before 10 a.m. (the official opening time) there were people milling about the exhibits, so we headed that direction. We were quickly halted by the Nazi at the will call booth, who demanded to know where we were going. When I managed to get a reply out, she informed us that the show didn't open until 10 and we were to have a seat "over there". After having figured out where "over there" was, we bought some over-priced nuts and had a seat to kill the 5 minutes remaining until the clock struck 10.
It didn't take us a tremendous amount of time to go through the booths, but an ink dye technique caught our attention, so after having seen everything we wanted to see we went back to the booth and purchased a kit. The results (of the demo) were really cool, so hopefully, we can figure it out.
We sat in on a lecture about fabric embellishments and the facilitator had some beautiful creations to share with the attendees. I bought her book and hope to implement some of her techniques in projects this year.
Jess and I had lunch at the Iguana Grill downtown (it was to die for!) then called it a day. Danny texted her during our venture and told her not to argue with me (we tend to butt heads since we're so much alike) and we had a good chuckle because we had a wonderful morning together. I took a long winter's nap when we got home, then Danny and I went out for Chinese food and are now settled in to Thunder up. This is my last day to be 55, and while I don't feel 55, it's kind of disheartening to be on the back side of middle age...
Until tomorrow, Happy Trails!
It didn't take us a tremendous amount of time to go through the booths, but an ink dye technique caught our attention, so after having seen everything we wanted to see we went back to the booth and purchased a kit. The results (of the demo) were really cool, so hopefully, we can figure it out.
We sat in on a lecture about fabric embellishments and the facilitator had some beautiful creations to share with the attendees. I bought her book and hope to implement some of her techniques in projects this year.
Jess and I had lunch at the Iguana Grill downtown (it was to die for!) then called it a day. Danny texted her during our venture and told her not to argue with me (we tend to butt heads since we're so much alike) and we had a good chuckle because we had a wonderful morning together. I took a long winter's nap when we got home, then Danny and I went out for Chinese food and are now settled in to Thunder up. This is my last day to be 55, and while I don't feel 55, it's kind of disheartening to be on the back side of middle age...
Until tomorrow, Happy Trails!
January 13, the Thirteenth Step
Friday the 13th! It was an uneventful day with the exception of my upcoming birthday. The principals always have the library deliver balloons, a beverage and a sweet treat to staff members for their birthday, which of course leads the students to ask when the big day is. I received many "happy birthdays" and my freshman class even sang to me! I was quite touched by their gesture...we've come a long way.
Monday is a professional development day, but I'm taking a personal day to get my life in order and give my tummy a rest from stress for a day. I'll be gone Tuesday because my dad is having surgery on his left eye, so I was scrambling to get plans and copies ready before I left school. Again with the locked principal's office, promptly at 4, and I had nowhere else to print what I needed to print. I will be soooo happy when my printer cord arrives and am going to be soooo disappointed if it doesn't work!
Danny has been under the weather the past couple of days. When I got home Thursday evening, he was prone on the couch and his face was beet-red. Fortunately, no stomach issues were involved, only head and sinus issues, but I could tell he felt pretty poorly. Friday he worked a few hours then came home to rest. There's a LOT of that stuff going around...and those who have it seem pretty miserable. Hopefully by the end of the weekend he'll be up and at 'em!
Happy Trails!
Monday is a professional development day, but I'm taking a personal day to get my life in order and give my tummy a rest from stress for a day. I'll be gone Tuesday because my dad is having surgery on his left eye, so I was scrambling to get plans and copies ready before I left school. Again with the locked principal's office, promptly at 4, and I had nowhere else to print what I needed to print. I will be soooo happy when my printer cord arrives and am going to be soooo disappointed if it doesn't work!
Danny has been under the weather the past couple of days. When I got home Thursday evening, he was prone on the couch and his face was beet-red. Fortunately, no stomach issues were involved, only head and sinus issues, but I could tell he felt pretty poorly. Friday he worked a few hours then came home to rest. There's a LOT of that stuff going around...and those who have it seem pretty miserable. Hopefully by the end of the weekend he'll be up and at 'em!
Happy Trails!
January 12, the Twelfth Step
When I finished blogging the other evening, a website link popped up for prontocharger.com, with info indicating that they sell HP printer cords. I clicked on it, and sure enough, they have a cord which they guarantee will fit any HP photosmart printer, and with shipping and handling, it was less than the basic price of the cord from HP! I was apprehensive and excited all at the same time, but I immediately placed my order (hoping all the while I wasn't going to get ripped off). I felt some comfort in reading that they accept school purchase orders (yea...I know anyone can put anything on a website), but I just really feel this is the ticket. I received a confirmation email the next morning with tracking information, so I should get it sometime next week...now if it will only fit!
The arctic blast that went through brought us the tiniest bit of snow...I even took a picture of the "drift" which accumulated on the back deck; it was maybe 1/2" deep. I have a feeling that's going to be the extent of our snow this year. :(
Until the next time, "Happy Trails!"
The arctic blast that went through brought us the tiniest bit of snow...I even took a picture of the "drift" which accumulated on the back deck; it was maybe 1/2" deep. I have a feeling that's going to be the extent of our snow this year. :(
Until the next time, "Happy Trails!"
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
January 11, the Eleventh Step
And the beat goes on...I called the office supply store in search of a printer which uses the inkjet cartridges I have stockpiled for my defunct printer, explained my situation, and the kind person at the other end of the line said she would check into it for me and see if she might be able to get a power cord for me for less than I had been quoted by HP. That way, I wouldn't have to buy a new printer and would be able to use the one I've had since August, 2011. I'm not going to hold my breath, nor am I going to get hopeful that this will be resolved anytime soon, but it would certainly be nice if she could pull it off.
I called the local Radio Shack to see if they carried any type of generic power cords, and received about as much care and assistance as if I had asked for an abortion clinic! Needless to say, I won't be going there.
On a positive note, the Miss YHS applications have hit the street, and I had several young ladies come by to pick one up. Hopefully we'll have around 20 girls, which will be a lot of fun.
On another positive note, I've noticed a HUGE difference in my demeanor since I've been on this blogging journey daily (sort of). I had heard that journaling is a great stress reliever, and it certainly works! Now that the artic blast has hit (sounds like the north wind is going to blow the house down!) I'm going to hunker down under a couple of blankets and watch the Thunder and Hornets play. Until tomorrow, "Happy Trails".
I called the local Radio Shack to see if they carried any type of generic power cords, and received about as much care and assistance as if I had asked for an abortion clinic! Needless to say, I won't be going there.
On a positive note, the Miss YHS applications have hit the street, and I had several young ladies come by to pick one up. Hopefully we'll have around 20 girls, which will be a lot of fun.
On another positive note, I've noticed a HUGE difference in my demeanor since I've been on this blogging journey daily (sort of). I had heard that journaling is a great stress reliever, and it certainly works! Now that the artic blast has hit (sounds like the north wind is going to blow the house down!) I'm going to hunker down under a couple of blankets and watch the Thunder and Hornets play. Until tomorrow, "Happy Trails".
January 10, the Tenth Step
My life is still engulfed in the "invisible cord" caper, which I thought I had licked once and for all. I decided to bite the bullet and buy another printer just like the one I currently have. I submitted the purchase order, felt a weight lift off my shoulders and knew for certain that life was good. Wrong! I got a phone call later in the day saying the office supply store either no longer sells that particular printer, they didn't have it in stock, or HP no longer makes it...I'm not sure of the exact details of that scenario, but no matter how you slice it, I was back to square one with no cord and a printer I cannot use.
On a positive note, however, we had a good FCCLA meeting during lunch, and are making plans for the 3rd annual Miss YHS pageant and the annual blood drive. I'm looking for non-Yukon related judges, so anyone who knows anyone, let me know!
And with that, I bid you "Happy Trails".
On a positive note, however, we had a good FCCLA meeting during lunch, and are making plans for the 3rd annual Miss YHS pageant and the annual blood drive. I'm looking for non-Yukon related judges, so anyone who knows anyone, let me know!
And with that, I bid you "Happy Trails".
Monday, January 9, 2012
January 9, the Ninth Step
Today found me feeling a little puny. I was glad I had doctors' appointments because I didn't feel well enough to go to work, yet I would not have called in. I got up early with great intentions of accomplishing something before my first appointment, but crawled back into bed after I got dressed. When I got home, I had plans to do something before I had to leave for my next appointment this afternoon, but again, I crawled into bed until it was time to leave. Guess you just have to do that sometimes.
My blood counts were low, so I had to have my Anaresp shot. My platelets are low, but not low enough to have a transfusion. Dr. Armor thought I looked good and since I seem to be doing good, I don't have to go back until the first part of April. Before my next visit, I'll have to have a PET scan to check the results of the bland embolization. All good news!!
This afternoon, I went in for my monthly Sandostatin shot. The needle clogged, so the nurse had to inject me a second time. I'm sure I'll feel those results within a day or so!
Mom also had an appointment with Dr. Armor, and he can't figure out why her blood counts are all out of whack. Of the options available to her, she chose to drop some of her non-essential daily supplements, one at a time, then have labwork done to see if there are any changes. Everything is the same as it was in November, so at least things are not getting any worse.
I'm happy to say that all my Christmas things are packed up and in the closet!!! Now we'll see how long it takes Danny to dismantle the tree and put it away! I also did some light cleaning, made "Steak Bombs" for dinner (I'll post a picture) and finished cutting out fabric squares for a quilt. One of my co-workers is due the last week of January and I'm now in baby quilt mode until I get it finished. It's a simple design so it shouldn't take too long.
Jessica and I are going to the OKC Winter Quilt Show this Saturday and I'm really excited for that! I haven't been in several years. I just hope she isn't bored to tears!
Going to call it a day, I think, so Happy Trails!
My blood counts were low, so I had to have my Anaresp shot. My platelets are low, but not low enough to have a transfusion. Dr. Armor thought I looked good and since I seem to be doing good, I don't have to go back until the first part of April. Before my next visit, I'll have to have a PET scan to check the results of the bland embolization. All good news!!
This afternoon, I went in for my monthly Sandostatin shot. The needle clogged, so the nurse had to inject me a second time. I'm sure I'll feel those results within a day or so!
Mom also had an appointment with Dr. Armor, and he can't figure out why her blood counts are all out of whack. Of the options available to her, she chose to drop some of her non-essential daily supplements, one at a time, then have labwork done to see if there are any changes. Everything is the same as it was in November, so at least things are not getting any worse.
I'm happy to say that all my Christmas things are packed up and in the closet!!! Now we'll see how long it takes Danny to dismantle the tree and put it away! I also did some light cleaning, made "Steak Bombs" for dinner (I'll post a picture) and finished cutting out fabric squares for a quilt. One of my co-workers is due the last week of January and I'm now in baby quilt mode until I get it finished. It's a simple design so it shouldn't take too long.
Jessica and I are going to the OKC Winter Quilt Show this Saturday and I'm really excited for that! I haven't been in several years. I just hope she isn't bored to tears!
Going to call it a day, I think, so Happy Trails!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Januay 8, The Eighth Step
Today we celebrated the Epiphany at church, even though Friday was the actual date. The 12th day of Christmas. Time to take down the decorations and store them for another year. Not enjoying the defrocking as much as the decorating, I put it off and off and off, but finally manged to get the decorations off the tree. Now it's Danny's turn to box it up and heft it into the loft in the garage. As for packing and storing the decorations, that's on tomorrow's to-do list. At least I've begun the process...
Beyond that, we shared the day with Jessica, and chilled since it was a cool, overcast day. She requested spaghetti and homemade bread, which I made, and she and Danny were both most complimentary of the results of my efforts. Sometimes things don't have much flavor to me and today was one of those days, so I'll just go with their opinions and say it was great!
I had nosebleed again today, which seems to be happening quite frequently. I'm afraid my platelets are still low, but I guess I'll find out all about that when I go to the doctor tomorrow. Jess told me today that on a recent episode of Grey's Anatomy, they had a patient with carcinoid. I didn't see it so I don't know how informative it was, but I'm glad it's becoming more public. People certainly need to become more informed and take their health into their own hands. We trust health-care workers to guide us in the right direction, but sometimes our gut feelings are more spot-on than their medical diagnoses.
That about sums up our Sunday. I had a couple of really good naps, so I'm ready to hit the ground running tomorrow. I'm still dealing with the printer power cord issue and can't decide whether to just get the cord (my invisible one isn't working) or spend a few more $ and get a new printer (even though I've had mine only a few months)...
Happy Trails!
Beyond that, we shared the day with Jessica, and chilled since it was a cool, overcast day. She requested spaghetti and homemade bread, which I made, and she and Danny were both most complimentary of the results of my efforts. Sometimes things don't have much flavor to me and today was one of those days, so I'll just go with their opinions and say it was great!
I had nosebleed again today, which seems to be happening quite frequently. I'm afraid my platelets are still low, but I guess I'll find out all about that when I go to the doctor tomorrow. Jess told me today that on a recent episode of Grey's Anatomy, they had a patient with carcinoid. I didn't see it so I don't know how informative it was, but I'm glad it's becoming more public. People certainly need to become more informed and take their health into their own hands. We trust health-care workers to guide us in the right direction, but sometimes our gut feelings are more spot-on than their medical diagnoses.
That about sums up our Sunday. I had a couple of really good naps, so I'm ready to hit the ground running tomorrow. I'm still dealing with the printer power cord issue and can't decide whether to just get the cord (my invisible one isn't working) or spend a few more $ and get a new printer (even though I've had mine only a few months)...
Happy Trails!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Seventh Step, January 7
Today was a day of reduction. I took a carload of recycling to the center this morning, then loaded it back up with a bunch of stuff to take to Goodwill next week. What a liberating feeling!!
I recently suggested to Danny that some weekend when the weather is nice, we go to Bricktown, walk around and eat. Turns out, this was that weekend! We went to Shepler's to exchange a Christmas gift, then to Bass Pro to do the same, then walked from there to Earl's BBQ for a bite to eat. That was the first time either of us had eaten there, and it was fabulous!! We really enjoyed the food and had talked about going next door to get ice cream, but that just wasn't possible. It was really a pleasant evening and we enjoyed the lingering Christmas lights along the canal and had just enough of a walk to settle our dinners.
All that, and we got home just in time to watch Thunder basketball and call it a night. It feels good to actually DO something we've talked about instead of just talking, so I'd call it a great day!!
Happy Trails!
I recently suggested to Danny that some weekend when the weather is nice, we go to Bricktown, walk around and eat. Turns out, this was that weekend! We went to Shepler's to exchange a Christmas gift, then to Bass Pro to do the same, then walked from there to Earl's BBQ for a bite to eat. That was the first time either of us had eaten there, and it was fabulous!! We really enjoyed the food and had talked about going next door to get ice cream, but that just wasn't possible. It was really a pleasant evening and we enjoyed the lingering Christmas lights along the canal and had just enough of a walk to settle our dinners.
All that, and we got home just in time to watch Thunder basketball and call it a night. It feels good to actually DO something we've talked about instead of just talking, so I'd call it a great day!!
Happy Trails!
The Sixth Step, January 6
Well, I'm sad to say that the power cord would not fit my printer, but I'm still most grateful to the young man at Staples who took a moment to care. Meanwhile, I find it extremely stressful that I do not have the capability to print something in my classroom! The closest printer is not many yards from my room, but this is how things went down on Friday: I sent something to print (which I needed to give the students during that class period) and the toner was out. Another hour I sent something else (which I needed to give to the students that hour) and the paper tray was empty and the person printing the ba-zillion packets was nowhere to be found. At the end of the day, I was trying to get lesson plans ready for my sub on Monday (I have an oncologist appointment) and when I went to pick up my class rosters from the copier, I asked the secretary how long she would be there (5-10 minutes) and I hadn't even begun to type Monday's instructions!! And of course, my key won't unlock that office door, but the secretary graciously left the door ajar so I could go pick up my copy (nearly 30 minutes later). Something is definitely wrong with this picture!!
Happy Trails!
Happy Trails!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Fifth Step, from Zero to Hero
The fifth step of my journey focused heavily on trying to solve the mystery of my missing printer power cord. Over Christmas break, someone "borrowed" it, and no one seems to care. I called Staples to see if perhaps they carried them, which they do not, nor are they able to order them. The person I spoke with graciously gave me the 800 number for HP, which I promptly called so I could hopefully get up and running again in the near future. My first attempt led me in a "punch 1 for this and 2 for that" cycle where I somehow wound up back at the main menu. I slammed the phone down and attempted to find a cord on the HP website. There was only one that came up in my search, and its description didn't convince me it would work on my printer.
Back to square one, I attempted the 800 number again and hit pay dirt!! I actually made it to a human voice!! Trouble was, I could hardly understand what the man was saying, if you get my drift. I finally determined that the cost of the cord ($35) plus their standard shipping fee ($18) totalled over half what I paid for the printer to begin with (that explains why someone borrowed my cord) and when I complained to the customer service rep, he "generously" offered me a 15% discount ($5 reduction) which still made the cord cost half what I paid for the printer!! I never realized that the expense of a printer was in the cord and not the actual printer...interesting.
Apparently there are no provisions for all the losses many of us have experienced this year from someone permanently "borrowing" items from our rooms, and we are simply out of luck. Frustrating. However, the hero in this story is at Staples. I had some things to pick up after school, and explained my dilema to a very nice guy who went above and beyond in the helpful area. He asked me to wait a few moments while he went to the back to check on something. When he came back, he was carrying a cord that looks like it has the same configuration as my printer and the cost was much more reasonable. I don't know if it will fit, but whether it does or not, he cared and he took the extra step to help me, and I am very impressed with his integrity. He didn't have to help...he could have blown me off...but he not only helped but went above and beyond. Now that's state of the art!!
Happy Trails!
Back to square one, I attempted the 800 number again and hit pay dirt!! I actually made it to a human voice!! Trouble was, I could hardly understand what the man was saying, if you get my drift. I finally determined that the cost of the cord ($35) plus their standard shipping fee ($18) totalled over half what I paid for the printer to begin with (that explains why someone borrowed my cord) and when I complained to the customer service rep, he "generously" offered me a 15% discount ($5 reduction) which still made the cord cost half what I paid for the printer!! I never realized that the expense of a printer was in the cord and not the actual printer...interesting.
Apparently there are no provisions for all the losses many of us have experienced this year from someone permanently "borrowing" items from our rooms, and we are simply out of luck. Frustrating. However, the hero in this story is at Staples. I had some things to pick up after school, and explained my dilema to a very nice guy who went above and beyond in the helpful area. He asked me to wait a few moments while he went to the back to check on something. When he came back, he was carrying a cord that looks like it has the same configuration as my printer and the cost was much more reasonable. I don't know if it will fit, but whether it does or not, he cared and he took the extra step to help me, and I am very impressed with his integrity. He didn't have to help...he could have blown me off...but he not only helped but went above and beyond. Now that's state of the art!!
Happy Trails!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Fourth Day, Fourth Step
Today's step was tentative and tired. Yesterday I had bloodwork done and found out that my platelets are fairly low, which explains the constant nose bleed I had all day (yesterday) and well into the midnight hour. When I finally fell asleep, it seemed I had barely blinked an eye before the alarm went off and I met the day. It seems many of us had a cross to bear...so many people complained of being really tired today. I guess it will take a few days to get back in the swing of things.
At the risk of jinxing the situation, I seem to have a really good group of students this semester. My evlauating principal spoke to all my classes yesterday about my health issues and how to handle things if they feel sick in my class. "The talk" worked really well last semester and I got sick only once, with some type of sinus/head junk. I'm so appreciative of the support system I have at work; everyone has been and continues to be so kind, caring and concerned.
I'm excited to have a new class in my line-up...Housing and Home Furnishings. I've never taught it before, but given my love for decorating and HGTV, I'm anxious for the opportunity. My freshman class will be studying foods this 9 weeks, so I demonstrated how to make chocolate biscuits today. I saw the recipe in the paper recently and it sounded really good, so I gave it a shot. It turns out that the aide who went to Walmart to get supplies yesterday failed to put the groceries away, including the milk needed in the recipe, so after having sat on the counter all night I had to use water as the liquid. The flavor and texture were greatly impacted, plus I wasn't able to make the chocolate sauce to serve with the biscuits. Can't wait to discuss the results tomorrow!! Just goes to show that none of us is successful in the kitchen all the time.
I tried a new recipe for dinner tonight...meatball sandwiches. While good enough, I have some tweaking to do to improve the flavor, and am anxiousto do so. Jessica's opinion was that the meatballs were too big and I knew Danny wouldn't like them, so I made him a burger. We'll see what I can come up with.
Until tomorrow, Happy Trails!
At the risk of jinxing the situation, I seem to have a really good group of students this semester. My evlauating principal spoke to all my classes yesterday about my health issues and how to handle things if they feel sick in my class. "The talk" worked really well last semester and I got sick only once, with some type of sinus/head junk. I'm so appreciative of the support system I have at work; everyone has been and continues to be so kind, caring and concerned.
I'm excited to have a new class in my line-up...Housing and Home Furnishings. I've never taught it before, but given my love for decorating and HGTV, I'm anxious for the opportunity. My freshman class will be studying foods this 9 weeks, so I demonstrated how to make chocolate biscuits today. I saw the recipe in the paper recently and it sounded really good, so I gave it a shot. It turns out that the aide who went to Walmart to get supplies yesterday failed to put the groceries away, including the milk needed in the recipe, so after having sat on the counter all night I had to use water as the liquid. The flavor and texture were greatly impacted, plus I wasn't able to make the chocolate sauce to serve with the biscuits. Can't wait to discuss the results tomorrow!! Just goes to show that none of us is successful in the kitchen all the time.
I tried a new recipe for dinner tonight...meatball sandwiches. While good enough, I have some tweaking to do to improve the flavor, and am anxiousto do so. Jessica's opinion was that the meatballs were too big and I knew Danny wouldn't like them, so I made him a burger. We'll see what I can come up with.
Until tomorrow, Happy Trails!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Step Three
Back to school for a little while today, and it took nearly 3 hours to get all my grades entered and submitted. At least that's behind me for 9 weeks, and for that I'm extremely grateful. My dad had cataract surgery this afternoon in his right eye, and fortunately all went well. The nurse told him as she prepped him for surgery that he was going to be able to see so much better afterward. I'm sure his sight had gradually gotten worse and worse, to the point that he probably wasn't even aware of just how bad it was, so when the patch comes off and he's finished with his eye drops, he'll see a whole new world!
As I took the third step of my journey today, I couldn't keep from thinking about selfishness. So many of us focus on "me" and not "we", and that stifles our growth so much. Whether we're impatient with others, only in it for the benefit to ourselves, or only caring about our own feelings and not those of others, we cannot possibly complete our life's journey with a selfish attitude. We all have our crosses to bear, and how we embrace, understand and carry those crosses impacts us and those around us.
I recently read an article about a woman, probably about my age, who felt she had made nothing of her life since graduation (she's a nurse). Recently divorced, she was trying to get her finances to balance and trying to adjust to being single. Her thoughts wandered back to her junior high days and the "bright spot" in her life...her home ec class. She remembered the teacher making her feel noticed and she always found something positive to say about her students' projects. Thirty years later, she still used what she learned in home ec. No matter how tough things got, she could motivate herself by sewing, cooking or decorating. She even had a second career as a decorating consultant.
The woman decided to tell her former home ec teacher how much she had impacted her life, so she found her address and mailed her a letter to let her know just what her encouragement had meant to her all those years ago. Three days after having mailed the letter, the teacher called her at work to thank her for the letter and insisted that the woman visit her. The next night, she did so. Over a cup of tea, the teacher brought out her copy of the junior high yearbook and found the woman's picture. In it, she was wearing a skirt she had made out of her mother's old drapes, which were about to be thrown away. Mortified, the woman listened as the teacher praised her for her creativitity and imagination, then went on to tell the teacher that she was convinced she was a failure. The teacher pointed out that everyone feels that way from time to time, and brought to the woman's attention the fact that she works with people who really need her. Come to find out, the woman was a published author, and had saved a log cabin from being bulldozed down, fixed it up with antiques, and was living there.
What an inspirational story!! I left it for my students to read today in my absence with a note to let them know I want to be that teacher to them. I want to be unselfish in respect, compliments, encouragement, and most of all in successfully teaching them the tools they need to survive in a sometimes difficult and selfish world.
Happy Trails!
As I took the third step of my journey today, I couldn't keep from thinking about selfishness. So many of us focus on "me" and not "we", and that stifles our growth so much. Whether we're impatient with others, only in it for the benefit to ourselves, or only caring about our own feelings and not those of others, we cannot possibly complete our life's journey with a selfish attitude. We all have our crosses to bear, and how we embrace, understand and carry those crosses impacts us and those around us.
I recently read an article about a woman, probably about my age, who felt she had made nothing of her life since graduation (she's a nurse). Recently divorced, she was trying to get her finances to balance and trying to adjust to being single. Her thoughts wandered back to her junior high days and the "bright spot" in her life...her home ec class. She remembered the teacher making her feel noticed and she always found something positive to say about her students' projects. Thirty years later, she still used what she learned in home ec. No matter how tough things got, she could motivate herself by sewing, cooking or decorating. She even had a second career as a decorating consultant.
The woman decided to tell her former home ec teacher how much she had impacted her life, so she found her address and mailed her a letter to let her know just what her encouragement had meant to her all those years ago. Three days after having mailed the letter, the teacher called her at work to thank her for the letter and insisted that the woman visit her. The next night, she did so. Over a cup of tea, the teacher brought out her copy of the junior high yearbook and found the woman's picture. In it, she was wearing a skirt she had made out of her mother's old drapes, which were about to be thrown away. Mortified, the woman listened as the teacher praised her for her creativitity and imagination, then went on to tell the teacher that she was convinced she was a failure. The teacher pointed out that everyone feels that way from time to time, and brought to the woman's attention the fact that she works with people who really need her. Come to find out, the woman was a published author, and had saved a log cabin from being bulldozed down, fixed it up with antiques, and was living there.
What an inspirational story!! I left it for my students to read today in my absence with a note to let them know I want to be that teacher to them. I want to be unselfish in respect, compliments, encouragement, and most of all in successfully teaching them the tools they need to survive in a sometimes difficult and selfish world.
Happy Trails!
Monday, January 2, 2012
The Second Step
The second step of my journey created mass chaos. I made the mistake of going to Walmart and Kohl's, and while I was able to finally do some after-Christmas shopping for next year's supplies, my dining room table has once again become the catch-all for most of it. However, my to-do list this week includes taking down the tree and packing it all away, so that will help create some order.
I spent a good portion of the afternoon grading so I can input grades by tomorrow's deadline of 4:00. Unfortunately, the remote capability of entering grades at home won't work on our internet, so I have my work cut out for me at school tomorrow. The good news is that I have a sub all day because my dad has an appointment, so I'll have a couple of hours before the appointment to get things done.
Another chunk of my step today went toward completing a "Me Collage" to share with my students. I made it on a boot box and will encourage them to recycle something on which to make theirs this week, rather than using the usual poster board. It turned out well, but there's just no end...I keep finding things to add (and I'm about out of room) and keep thinking of things I left off (and I'm about out of room). It's fun to see how much mine has changed since the one I made 5-ish years ago. What a journey I've had, and I'm grateful for every step!
As my winter break comes to a screeching halt, I'm glad for all the things I set out to do and actually accomplished, but have no remorse for the things I didn't get done. The biggest task at hand (next to un-decorating) is to make a baby quilt for a teacher who is due in the very near future. Her baby shower was on December 10, but since I was unable to attend, I decided to focus on the project over break. However, between having to majorly de-stress and finish Christmas tasks and the bland embolization procedure (and recovery), I simply ran out of time. Perhaps the third step...
Happy Trails!
I spent a good portion of the afternoon grading so I can input grades by tomorrow's deadline of 4:00. Unfortunately, the remote capability of entering grades at home won't work on our internet, so I have my work cut out for me at school tomorrow. The good news is that I have a sub all day because my dad has an appointment, so I'll have a couple of hours before the appointment to get things done.
Another chunk of my step today went toward completing a "Me Collage" to share with my students. I made it on a boot box and will encourage them to recycle something on which to make theirs this week, rather than using the usual poster board. It turned out well, but there's just no end...I keep finding things to add (and I'm about out of room) and keep thinking of things I left off (and I'm about out of room). It's fun to see how much mine has changed since the one I made 5-ish years ago. What a journey I've had, and I'm grateful for every step!
As my winter break comes to a screeching halt, I'm glad for all the things I set out to do and actually accomplished, but have no remorse for the things I didn't get done. The biggest task at hand (next to un-decorating) is to make a baby quilt for a teacher who is due in the very near future. Her baby shower was on December 10, but since I was unable to attend, I decided to focus on the project over break. However, between having to majorly de-stress and finish Christmas tasks and the bland embolization procedure (and recovery), I simply ran out of time. Perhaps the third step...
Happy Trails!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
January 1, 2012
Happy New Year! As 2012 gets off to a rolling start, I am setting off on my inspirational "journey". For nearly 56 years I have woven my way through life, not appreciating as much or as deeply as I should have the people, places and things which I have had the good fortune to encounter. I don't know if it has something to do with being "middle-aged" or if I had an epiphany, but I have come to the realization that time is limited and most people don't get an advanced warning of when their time will come. I look back at all the time I've wasted, the clutter I've collected, the opportunities I passed up, and am now on a journey to utelize every minute, reduce, seize the moment.
I know it won't happen overnight, and when I take stock, I become extremely overwhelmed, but my motto today is, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." (Lao Tzu) How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you make a journey? One step at a time. Happy Trails!!
I know it won't happen overnight, and when I take stock, I become extremely overwhelmed, but my motto today is, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." (Lao Tzu) How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you make a journey? One step at a time. Happy Trails!!
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