Wedding and Mother's Day

Three day weekend, all thanks to Debby and Jack. I will enjoy being out of school tomorrow to celebrate your marriage! I hope the weather is great, the guests generous, and the love abundant.

My students wrote letters to their mothers today for Mother's Day. The following is my favorite:

Dear Mom,
Happy Mother’s Day. I hope you have safe trip. You are the best mom in the world. Thank you for everything you buy me. I like when you cook ribs. Love, ---------

Its the simple things, isn't it? I'm starting to wonder what kinds of letters Grant will come home with in a few years. What will he thank me for? What will he love about me? What sorts of strange things will he tell his teachers about home? I know all sorts of things about my students' families that would probably make them blush. I hope Grant and our other children have some sense of discretion.

Today I learned that a game of Monopoly with the assistant principal can make a student's day.

My Cutie Pie

I bought Henry a new toy recently- its made just like a tennis ball. Not the same shape, though. He just loves it. It comes up to bed with him every night- I keep stepping on it during my many trips to the bathroom.

Henry taking a break- its such hard work to keep a wild toy under control. Its like watching a rodeo.

I love this one- he put his paw through and started gnawing on the toy. Then he couldn't get his paw out. Bless his heart- he's not all that bright.

Gas Update

29.8 miles per gallon. Ha!

Nursery Photos

Just for you, T...
Poor Henry. He's so confused by this whole thing.

Scary Man

I heard about this on the radio today, and I laughed so hard. I wonder where I can find my own weird folk singer for my classroom...

Bob Dylan reportedly scared the children at his grandson's kindergarten after treating the class to a live show.
The "It Ain't Me Babe" singer has allegedly been dubbed the "weird man" by children in the class, in the Los Angeles suburb Calabas, where his son Jakob Dylan's child attends.
A source told the New York Post newspaper: "The kids have been coming home and telling their parents about the weird man who keeps coming to class to sing scary songs on his guitar.
"He's been visiting the school just for fun, but the kids don't appreciate they are in the presence of a musical legend. They just think of him as the weird guitar guy."

We've had a nice weekend. Very low key. We went to a Cinco de Mayo get together on Friday at a friend's house. Yesterday we put up the changing table in the nursery, and I've been rearranging it every two hours until I have it how I think I want it. Which lasts for another two hours until I go back and move more stuff. I'm looking forward to the next week at school. Tomorrow is a work day- no students!- and Friday I'm off. Three days with the kids- not too bad.

Today I learned that Troy still makes awesome banana bread. There's nothing quite like the heel with butter. Mmmmm...

Happy Weekend to All!

Its Friday. I survived another week. Grant spent about twenty minutes this afternoon trying to come out my belly button. My students were all nuts. The teachers are tired and cranky. But we've made it again.

Not much planned. I went to bed at 8:30 last night since we're going to a party tonight at a friend's house. I might stay awake until ten or so! I need to get to the library tomorrow, since I have some books that are due Monday. I've been reading up a storm. I liked "A Good Year" by Peter Mayle. It was a quick, fun read. "Ella in Bloom" was also good- I can't remember the author. I'm almost done with "The Ballroom on Magnolia Street" by Sharon Owens. Its been cute so far.

I've also been doing some Hardanger work again. I don't know why the mood hits when it does, but I just go with it. I'm hoping that this project is one I'll finish. I think I have too many started.

Today I learned that most dogs don't like the sound of rocks or coins shaking in a metal can. This can be used to discipline them. I'd never heard it before.

Gas

I've been driving my Civic for nearly a year. Gas prices here are at $2.89 a gallon for 87 octane. I'm turning in to a miles-per-gallon snob. I set my little trip meter each time I fill up, and after I've put more in the tank I get all excited about my 34 mpg or disappointed with my 27 mpg. Is that sad? I'm beginning to wonder.

Its raining here, which we need greatly. However, it has caused Field Day, the day I dread most of all, to be postponed from tomorrow to next Friday. Yippee! I'm off next Friday to attend a wedding. I GOT OUT OF FIELD DAY!!!

Today I learned that my dad's new chemo pills are sized for horses. Yuck.

Relay for Life

We had a lunch at school today to raise money for the relay team. We made a lot of money, but it was a lot of work. I helped with cookies, salad, and distribution. I think I'll discourage any coming lunches. I'm too tired, or too pregnant, to deal with this! However, the money is helping us get really close to our goal.

The kids have lost their minds. I want no more writing about bodily functions! It may be terrible that they're done with their portfolios- there's not all that much that we're needing to get done in my room. We are reviewing for their math SOL test.

Henry has done well staying out of his crate while we're at work. This is his second week of being all grown up, and he seems to be handling it quite well. No accidents or mass destruction.

Here's Henry, wearing an old sweater of Nana's with my assistant Gwyn. He's so much cuter than my sister's cats.

Today I learned that my principal doesn't trust the other staff at the school not to eat each others' lunches. We had to write everyone's names on their bag. Just in case.

Its been awhile...

I've decided to try this blog again. I started the baby focused one, but there's not all that much to write about. However, I do enjoy being a member of the blogging community. So here I go. If this fails this time, I'll give up. I promise.

Its hot and my ankles are huge. Guess what my OB told me? Its hot and you're pregnant. Its normal. Lucky me. My blood pressure is fine, though. So I'm in good shape.

Work is going well. I'm getting things all wrapped up, which helps me sleep at night. Boy do I sleep well at night! I wake up a lot to use the bathroom, but I'm dreaming and all. I had a dream last night that was reminiscent of Titanic. Boats sinking really quickly into the ocean. There were several other extremely surreal moments, but the boat sinking thing was really freaky. I felt like I was free falling in my dream.

Today I learned that sometimes kids with really big learning problems don't qualify for special education. Even if they really need it.

Spring Break

It's about darn time. Today is a workday until about noon, then we teachers get to officially start our spring break. I love my students, but I need these ten days away from them. We even had an episode of angry spitting on Wednesday. No, I don't work with llamas. I've been spending the morning getting things cleaned up in my classroom so that I'm ready for school to start fresh in a week.

I have a good bit of stuff to do over spring break, so don't worry about me getting bored. I just can't believe I'll be completely finished with school and grad school in less than two months. I've also been adding to my summer schedule by offering to work with more kids over the summer. I'm up to four definitely, one tentatively. Five kids should keep me busy.

Wednesday I learned that I can have my students mop the floor if they spit on it.

Better Day

We got so much done today! I'm very proud of my students. Behavior was much better after talking to another teacher and coming up with a plan. The kids, thank goodness, will buy into just about anything.

Tonight should be busy. I'm meeting a professor, baking cookies for a "spring table" at school tomorrow, and grocery shopping to bake aforementioned cookies. I guess busy is good. No chance to get bored. People keep thinking I'll be bored this summer. First of all, I don't think I will get bored. Second, is there anything wrong with being bored?!? I happen to think it might be welcomed to wake up with an empty day ahead. I know Henry would like that very much!

Today I learned that I'm going to have to raise a stink if I don't want to play golf this weekend.

Forever

I'm feeling the need to vent, so I figured this would be the place to do it.

I'm FED UP with my job right now. I'm desperately hoping that spring break (next week) does something to alleviate my suffering. The kids are nuts. The teachers are nuts. The administrators are nuts. I'm (you guessed it) nuts.

The weather is beautiful. Henry is great. Troy is wonderful.

Today I learned that measuring with beans is easier than using water.

My Special Valentine

One of my students gave me a valentine story.

"Once apon a time there was a girl and boy named Olivia and Darius Smith. They was going to the beach and they kept staring at each other while they were hanging with there friends. They were about to get a divorce but they madly couldn't resist each other and happily married each other and she became a smith."

You should see the drawing of Olivia and Darius that came with the story.

One Month...

...Left until comps. Fourteen weeks left in school. Only a small ounce of sanity left in my body.

School and school are going well. I'm busy with studying and paperwork and educational testing. The kids are ready for some snow days, but I don't know if we'll actually get any. This weekend I intend on studying and sewing. That always makes for a funfilled, exciting break from the daily grind.

Nothing new... Henry's fine, Troy's fine. I'm fine. Today I learned that kids can be hateful and then best friends and cruel and sweet- all in thirty seconds.

Long Time

I know, its been simply FOREVER since I posted. Right now I'm avoiding work, so I figured I'd do this. I fell down the stops last night due to ice, so my back is hurting. We got about six inches of snow on Saturday, which was beautiful. It was unfortunate that it happened on a Saturday. We had a one hour delay this morning, but I want some full days off. We still have six.

I've been dieting well, and I'm down to 180, ten pounds lost since returning from the cruise. I'm four pounds shy of where I was when I fell off the WW wagon. I'm proud that I'm doing it my way, and my way is pretty easy to stick to. Mom- have you found what your goal is yet?

Henry still has runny poo. He's also being a booger by wanting to sit on my lap in my orange chair. Its hard to do a crossword puzzle with him on top of me. We're waiting for the results of his latest fecal film.

Not much else is going on. Four months of grad school left. It seems like that's forever away, but I know its a blink of an eye. I just want to finish up so that my time is my own again.

Today I learned that every couple of months, you simply have to throw stuff away. Otherwise, your classroom becomes a junk pit.

Work Day

Today there were no students at school. I don't think I accomplished as much as I'd've liked, but I'm ready to teach again tomorrow. Its pretty boring at school with no students. I'm not really looking forward to going to class tonight, but that's one class closer to graduation, so I'm up for it.

Menu for January 22:
Frosted Cheerios 1.5 1 serving 165
Milk, nonfat, fluid, with added vitamin A (fat free or skim) 0.75 1 cup 64.2
Chicken Club Panini 1 1 serving 320
Luna Lemonzest Bar 1 1 serving 180
Margherita Pizza 1 1 serving 320
Sandies Snack Bag 2 1 serving 200
Milk, nonfat, fluid, with added vitamin A (fat free or skim) 1 1 cup 85.5

Today I learned that sometimes, there's no good way to arrange furniture in a room. Sometimes the room is just bad.

Food

I've lost eight pounds since Christmas. I'm doing it by keeping my claories at 1450 per day, give or take. I have 1 1/2 cups of frosted cheerios with 3/4 cups skim will for breakfast. (About 225 calories) I have a Luna bar for a midmorning snack- 180 calories. I have a Lean Cuisine meal for lunch- 240-280 calories. I have a Pria shake for a midafternoon snack- 170 calories. I have another Lean Cuisine meal for dinner- 240-380 calories. Then, I have skim milk and cookies (90 calories and 100 calories- I use the prepackaged cookies) for an evening snack. I haven't had much trouble with the hypoglycemia.
My favorite Lean Cuisine meals: any of the new paninis, the margherita pizza, four cheese canniloni, beef portabello, basil chicken, chicken with peanut sauce, thai style chicken... I really do like them. I've gotten used to eating the smaller portions. I used to be okay with them for lunch but not dinner. It seemed so small!
Tomorrow we're going to a Chinese restaurant for a coworker's birthday. I'll be having egg drop soup, thank you. The least unhealthy things there have cooked veggies in them, and I can't handle veggies. So the soup is pretty low calorie.
This weekend has been pretty slow. I've gotten lots of work done for teaching and grad school, which is nice. I'm working on doing lesson plans far in advance so I'm sure to get the VGLA done. However, tomorrow I'll be getting a new student on my caseload- woo hoo! Another eligibility meeting!
Today I learned that Henry thinks I'm a jungle gym when I'm lying on the sofa. He has no inhibitions about climbing all over me.

Marlarkey

The week is... sigh... over. I'm pooped! Things are really starting to get crunched here with classes and assessments and behavior and IEPs. However, I'll get plenty of rest and do lots of work this weekend. That will help a lot, I think.
Henry is feeling better. He's pretty well back to normal, so he's just obnoxious, instead of stinky and obnoxious. Boy do we love our dog! He'll have a good weekend- he likes it when we're both around to keep him occupied.
I think that's about it. I can't think of anything interesting.
Today I learned that you should never teach children the word "malarkey." They will use it to describe EVERYTHING.

Cold Day

Today I've been so cold!  When we arrived at school, we discovered that the power had gone out Saturday, causing our heating to stop working.  The school was freezing!  They had to get a part and fix it this morning.  It came on around 10:30.  At 11:00, our power went out for about 45 minutes.  The heat worked after that, but my fingers still haven't thawed yet.

 

I got a letter from the school administration building today informing me that I'm highly qualified in all areas of elementary education.  I knew I was, my coworkers knew I was, my principal knew I was.  Now I have the official paperwork that secures my title as "highly qualified," one of the biggest loads of bull#%$& to ever hit public education.

 

Now Troy and I are just spending a quiet evening hanging out with Henry.  I'm still cold.

 

Today I learned that its nearly impossible to schedule meetings with some parents.  Especially divorced, antagonistic parents that travel all the time and leave raising their emotionally scarred children with other people.

All is Right

In my little world.  Troy is home, Henry is being treated for worms (thank goodness for our new vet- we're switching permanently), and classes are starting.  I'm on the road to graduation!  I'm not too nervous about this semester.  It'll be a lot of work, but I'm prepared.  I've been scared of Dr. Polloway, but now I know how he is.  No surprises.  Work will be hard with IEPs and assessments coming up, but I'm in good shape, I think, to handle it.

I've lost 7 pounds since returning from the cruise.

This weekend was pretty uneventful.  I went to Walmart and Target just to get out of the house, watched 8 hours of Jane Austen movies in two days, and crocheted up a storm.  The one thing I didn't do as much of as I'd like was sleep.  Henry got me up between 5:30 and 6:30 every day.  (I do love him.  I'd love him more if he wasn't sick all the time.)

Today I learned that someone is passing a petition to reinstate the pledge in public schools.  I was very surprised- we say it every morning at my school.

Long Week

This week felt like it lasted a year. Nothing too bad, just so much work and stress already. I'm nervous about grad school starting because I don't know that I can handle something else. However, I've done it three semesters before and I'll do it again. This weekend is devoted to comps and crochet. I want to finish this afghan I'm working on. Hopefully Henry's tummy will be settled and he'll sleep through the night. I swear, I love that dog, but he's always got an upset stomach. If its not coming out one end, its coming out the other.
On a more pleasant note, I feel like I got a lot accomplished at work this week. The kids are starting to get worn down from the work of the year, even though we just came back from winter break. I'm motivating them with marshmallows. We're also reading about marshmallows, writing about marshmallows, and throwing them around a lot.
Today I learned that Friday afternoons are not a good time to do educational assessments.

Ahh... Vacation

We are all finally home again and enjoying vacation time. Poor Troy had to go to work yesterday and today. Henry and I are just hanging out around the house. I did seven loads of laundry yesterday. Henry has been very cute about wanting to be right by us since we brought him home from the kennel. He'd been very healthy, but this morning he puked up his whole breakfast. I don't know what the deal is with that.

We enoyed the cruise very much. Too much good food. I've been working on my eating since we got back. Between going to the dietician awhile back and finding foods that really work for me, I think I'm making my own diet plan that'll work well.

Today I learned that Henry may just always be a very pukey dog.

I have to go to work?!?

Although my coming week consists of two days of work, it is going to be hard. First, we've been out for four days (two for snow, two for the weekend). Second, the kids aren't going to want to do anything. Third, I'm excited about the break!

We had a good visit to Raleigh. We always eat too much, but we had some fun shopping. Becky and I have been watching too much Oprah. We went today to get bra fittings- both of us were wearing the wrong size.

We also saw King Kong today. It was okay, but very very intense.

Today I learned that the life of a bra is about 100 wearings. I guess my bras from high school are a bit old, then.

Cute, Bizarre Story by My Student

My nutcracker's name is Nicole. She is a ballerina nutcracker. She has a mom and a dad, and she lives with her sister and her brother. She has a big sister. Her big sister's name is Janelle. Janelle is nine years old and Nicole is seven years old. They live together and they share a room. They don't always like to share a room because they argue and fuss all the time. Sometimes they get in trouble with their mom because their mom does not like them to fight at all. When they start fighting, their mom makes them hug so they'll never fight again.
When Nicole left the house to walk, she discovered something from the woods and she walked down to the woods and she saw this thing that has magical powers. It will give her any wish that she wants. She wished that her sister was gone. Then, when she went home, she went upstairs to her room and she looked for her sister. Her sister was nowhere to be found. She started to worry that if she didn't get her sister back she would be in big trouble.
She went back to the forest to see if the tree would give her another wish and the tree began to think. 'Should I give you another wish?'
She told him that he should because she would get in big trouble if she didn't get her sister back. The tree told her that first she had to do something, and then she could have her sister back.
The tree said, 'You must go to the prince's house and meet him and dance with him at the ball tonight.' She said, 'How am I going to get to dance with the prince? I don't even know him.'
The tree said, 'That's why you have to go and meet him. If you don't dance with him, I won't give you another wish.'
She asked the tree where the prince lived. He said, 'Go two blocks from your house and you will see the big castle. That is where the prince lives. Meet him and ask him to dance.'
She met the prince, and the prince said she was very beautiful. Then the prince said, 'Sure, I would love to dance with you.' They danced and then she went back to the tree.
The tree said, 'Since you have danced with the prince, you can have one more wish.'
She said, 'I wish to have my sister back.' She went home, went up to her room, and saw that her sister was there. She was so happy that she hugged her sister for a long time. The End.

** Makes you want to give your sister a hug, doesn't it?!?**

We Love Katamari!

Hi, My name is Marie, and I am a Katamari addict.  So Troy bought this video game where the character runs around rolling stuff up into a big ball.  I am obsessed.

 

I spent most of today doing laundry and studying for my final tomorrow.  I also ran for an hour this morning- 4 miles.  I'm going to back off next week.  I just wanted to see if I could do an hour.

 

Henry appears to be feeling better.  No accidents in the house and no puking.  We like that.

 

Today I learned that Andy Kaufman was on the first episode of SNL.

If only every week was a three-day week.

Yes, the ice did come through and school was cancelled today. I shouldn't be so pleased about it, I guess. I'm as bad as my students, if not worse. I don't think I'll pray for snow days so feverishly once grad school is over with.

I used the extra time to run for 47 minutes, watch a Tivo-ed movie, and meet with my study group for Monday's final. I sure home I get some studying done this weekend. I don't feel very prepared right now. And I don't have much motivation to get prepared.

Henry seems to be feeling better after three meals with his pancreatic enzymes. I'm hoping that takes care of the problem. He eats the pills with his food and doesn't seem to notice that I've snuck medicine in. No peanut butter or other hiding substances. He's been sleeping well and no recent accidents. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Today I learned that Henry growls at little girls who want to take his chews. Henry learned that when he growls at little girls, he immediately goes to his crate.

More Snow!

I'm sure keeping my fingers crossed that we get some nasty ice and snow tonight. That would really rock. Henry got sick again last night, so I took in a "sample" to the vet and brought him to school with me to keep an eye on him. I didn't realize it, but he's lots four or five pounds in the last month or so. I hope the vet can find something out. I'm a little worried.

Today I learned that a Leatherman constitutes a weapon at my school. Good thing it wasn't mine and I wasn't the one found with it. Just one of my students- five day suspension.

Snow Day

Today was just a one hour delay, but yesterday was a whole snow day! It was beautiful, especially since Lynchburg College was closed and I didn't have to go to class. (Boy do I need to start studying for my final on Monday...) I did get some work done with my friend Meghan from school. I also watched a pretty bad movie, but it was so bad I couldn't stop (Chasing Liberty with Mandy Moore).

Our weekend was good- very relaxing with no big expectations or activities besides the tennis match. I did get schoolwork done for grad school over the weekend. That and laundry.

Not much else going on. I'm tremendously busy, but the semester is almost over and Christmas break is nearly here.

Today I learned that the kindergarten teachers at my school can be really selfish and not nice. I also learned that the fourth grade teachers are swell! (The kindergarten teachers had fits that I needed an aide for an hour and that the principal assigned me theirs... The fourth grade teachers gave me their aide instead. How sweet!)

Aaaahhhhh........

The weekend has actually arrived. I wish I didn't have so much work to do. We are on our way back from the Genworth charity tennis match. I didn't really care so much for the tennis. I thought it was boring. On our way back to the car I heard someone say my Oak Ridge name. It was one of Teresa's friends from high school. I'm amazed she remembered me. So that was pretty cool. So tomorrow is back to studying for me. Hopefully I can get a lot accomplished. Today I learned that Andre Agassi is pretty funny.

Procrastination

I ran two miles today.  However, I can't seem to get my act together to study for my final exam in a week and a half.  I've started, but my motivation is lagging.  There's also so much "stuff" to do for my job.  I feel really really really bogged down.

 

Today I learned that the flu shot always makes my arm hurt.

The Last Couple of Days

So I said I'd finish up with Thanksgiving.  Friday we went to Nana and Grandpa's house to do clean up.  We got tons taken care of, and we had lunch at Chipotle.  Just before Troy and I headed home, we went to visit Nana at Riderwood.  We were pretty impressed with the place.  I've been to lots of nursing homes, and this one is the best by far.  It didn't even smell like pee!  We left Maryland and headed back home, getting in at nine or so.  Saturday I did school work, and Troy's parents came to visit on Sunday.  They took us Christmas shopping- we got luggage and clothes for the Christmas cruise.

So far this week work has been okay.  I feel better having finished so much for grad school, but things are getting more and more intense with work.  I'm getting new students and I can't put off starting the portfolio assessments much longer.  I went to the neurologist today, and he seemed pleased with the progress in my face.  I guess most people can't tell.  I'm still not back to where I'd like to be, but I can make do with what I've got.

Henry appears to have gotten over his gastrointestinal bug, thank goodness.  That got old really quickly.

Today I learned that if the nerves in your face grow back wrong, you'll tear up while you salivate or twitch your mouth when you blink.  Imagine!

Thanksgiving

I should be working on some of my papers for grad school, but I've already put in over an hour this morning. Time for a break! Henry's in his crate in the basement and Troy's still asleep, so I have the house all to myself.

We drove up Wednesday evening to Debby's house. It took over five hours instead of the usual three and a half, but we got in around seven or so. We then drove over the Grandpa's house and had dinner with Jack, Debby, Mom, Dad, and Grandpa. (Kelly, Lauren, and I had several conversations about how we still call it Nana and Grandpa's house, although Nana doesn't live there anymore.) Mom had cooked some recipes that she learned from her cooking lessons, and they were so good! We talked and visited a lot, then headed back to Debby's.

Troy wasn't feeling all that great, and he slept until nearly noon on Thursday. I started the carrot souffle and oyster casserole while Debby and Jack went to the gym. I've never cooked with oysters before, and the dish was especially for Grandpa. I then just hung out for the day, helping Debby when I could. People starting arriving at the house around 4 pm, and we ate at around 5:30. Kelly and Lauren seemed okay about being at Debby's house, and Johnny was very much at ease. Debby's kids were around, too.

Nana was absolutely ready to eat. She kept picking at the dishes, although we were trying to get everything ready to have a little buffet. We got her to the table, and she was trying to pick the little pumpkins off the decorations to eat. I also had to get sharp with her to keep her from drinking my coke. I finally got her plate ready, and she dug in. When we went around and said what we were thankful for, Nana said, in a rather amusing tone, "This food!" It was rather tasty food. Good turkey, potatoes, veggies, rolls... Mmmmmm. Nana also had three desserts.

After dinner, we all kind of pitched in with dishes or Nana-sitting. I got really bored (I've found that since I'm over my three weeks of feeling like &#%$ I can't sit still much) so Kelly, Mom and I went to Grandpa's house and started sorting Nana's clothes. We did that for about three hours, then I took Kelly back to her dad's. We had a good long talk, and it was interesting to see Kelly's perspectives on her warped family life.

I'll post about Friday later. My fingers are tired!

End of the Week

Tomorrow is a half day workday, so today was our last day of the week with students. I really like school better when there aren't any children here.

When I was younger, I had a lot of obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Most of that has gone away, except for one small thing. I still have a really hard time with strange body noises. Let me tell you- this cold season at work just might do me in. All the sniffling and snuffling and hacking and wheezing- these kids are really gross sometimes! Not to mention Troy. I was really glad that he decided to work from home today. He probably didn't rest as much as he should- I told him to take a nap.

Today I learned, that when running reports on educational testing, you should use the correct birthdate. If you say that a child was born a year later than they really were, it skews your results. A lot.

Wonderful Monday

It was so nice to be back at work and not feel like a zombie. I feel like I got so much accomplished- I finished testing a student, wrote up his evaluation, was incredibly useful during math class... The kids seemed really excited to have me back in spirit and body, not just in body.

Troy's fever is at 100.3 and he is hacking and coughing and making the most obnoxious noises. Its starting to get on my nerves.

Today I learned that my SPED 644 paper isn't due in three weeks. Its due next week.

Also...

I forgot to mention in my earlier post from today that we went to the Harry Potter movie.  I really, really, really didn't like it.  I thought it stunk.

Dare I Say It?

Am I... gasp... better? I actually used the word "good" to describe how I felt today. I can't believe that its only been three weeks since the start of the Bell's palsy. It seems like forever, what with the face and the cough and all the icky medicine I've been on. I haven't taken any medicine since about 2:30 am on Saturday. I took some hydrocodone- BAD IDEA. I will never take anything else with codine or " cet" at the end. I felt so gross yesterday, just because of the medicine. However, I feel good today and got some homework done!

Unfortunately, Troy is now sick.

This week should be pretty low key. The students only come tomorrow and Tuesday, and the teachers only have to work half a day on Wednesday. I need to finish some educational testing tomorrow, write a couple of reports, and do my progress notes. Fun stuff.

I learned that Nana is now living in a nursing home. I'm so relieved- I was very worried about her. I was also glad to hear that Grandpa is feeling okay about the decision. Sixty years of living with Nana being aggravating must've been a long time. I'd've gotten tired of it myself. However, now that she's lost her mind, I find her to be quite pleasant.

Today I learned that clementines are out in the grocery stores. I bought a big box. Mmmmm.

Backslide

I felt pretty icky all day. My cough is as bad as it was on Monday when I went to the doctor. I took my last prednisone this morning, so I'm hoping to get that out of my system completely in short order.

Work tomorrow should be pretty stressful with the meeting I'm not looking forward to having. Hopefully I can get some sleep tonight.

Today I learned that I've eaten too much over the last couple of days. I need to get better and get out of the friggin' house.

Progress

I feel marginally better, probably thanks to the average of 14 hours of sleep per day I'm getting. I also got some work done on a paper and an IEP today. Not enough forward motion, but this weekend should be pretty bland. Poor Troy had a hard beginning to his work week, so he'll need the weekend to rest up as well.

The weather is turning, and I'm very glad. I'm ready for it to get cold.

Today I learned that my substitute has been following my plans too closely- she wouldn't let the speech language pathologist take the kids she needed to see because I hadn't left it in my plans. Sheesh.

More Ickiness

I slept until about 1 pm today, with an hour up and around about eight. So, last night, I got about 14 hours of sleep. And I'm exhausted again. My goal is to stay in the house until Friday morning when I absolutely have to go back to work. Most of the prednisone will be out of my system and I can get some more rest over the weekend. I'm scared that grad school isn't going to have such great rewards for me this semester. So much for straight As- I guess killing myself to get them isn't a good idea, eh?

The trip to DC, or what I remember of it, was good. There was an awful lot of medicine in me most of the time. Unfortunately, I cannot get the image of changing Nana's diaper out of my head. Poor Nana- its so sad to see her wearing nearly every piece of clothing she owns. She's always been kind of spacy, so that's not such a shock at this point. I really enjoyed hanging out with Teresa so much. I wish she lived closer, but I don't think the quality time would be so quality if I saw her more. I think the fact that our time together riding around and taking care of family is so seldom that we can really take advantage of it.

Well, I'm pooped now. Time to go lay down. Maybe I have mono. That's the last time I felt so tired.

Today I learned that my boss is pretty cool after all- she'll leave the PTO meeting at 9 pm and drop off a disk I need at the house. Just so I'll feel better and don't have to go out.

Ickiness

What a cruddy week. Hopefully I'll be feeling better and will stop whining soon. I'm just so tired of the prednisone and coughing. However, tomorrow will be an easy day at work, and then Teresa comes!

My face does look so much better now. I'm getting lots of compliments on the improvement, and I must say, its nice not to have Troy compare me to Quasimodo. (He really does love me...) Blinking is still very weak, and Troy told me today that I'm only blinking the eye when I put effort into it. When I just blink with normal force, its not closing.

On a really good note, I'd like to say that we are seeing fall foliage here. I really didn't think we would this year, after a drought and now temps in the upper seventies. The maples are pretty, and the tulip poplars have turned. I do love fall. Now if the temperatures would just drop by about twenty degrees...

Today I learned that I can actually do some stats. Not much, but a very little bit (variance and standard deviance- that's stats, right?)

Election Day

I voted in Virginia's gubernatorial race today. Its a pretty close race, and I'm interested in seeing who'll win. Voting was just one of several things I got around to doing today. I got all my new passport stuff together (for passport number four... man), went to the bank, had lunch with Meghan, and bought educational supplies. I relaxed this afternoon and stressed out a bit about my health.

I have developed a cough. This cough requires Dayquil and Nightquil. It makes my chest hurt and my ears pop. My cheeks are getting even more purple between the prednisone and coughing. Which reminds me... I'd better take my prednisone soon, or I'll forget.

My face has improved. I don't think I'm up to my contacts yet and my ear is still funky. However, I think most muscle movement is back and going well. Its much less noticeable, so I'm told.

On an interesting note, my friend Meghan and I got into religion a bit today. She refers to herself as a liberal, practicing Christian. She asked me today how I felt about death, considering that I think that when you die, that's it. I was a bit bothered that she doesn't really understand my religious beliefs. Its not that I don't believe in God and heaven and all that... I just don't know exactly what it is that I believe. I'm open to God or no God, heaven or no heaven, etc. I try to live my life in a manner that will get me into heaven if it exists. I just don't have a blind faith in one particular direction. I really wish I did, sometimes. It'd be nice to be able to believe for the sake of having a church to go to and a religion to call my own. I suppose one phrase sums up my beliefs right now- "We'll see."

Today I learned that its hard to spend a lot of money when you're trying to force yourself to spend a lot of money. Its when you don't have a lot that you want to spend a lot.

Exhaustion

What a day! It was so hard to get up when that alarm went off this morning. It didn't help that I didn't really know what to expect today. We get our weekly memos on Friday, so I didn't know if there were any surprise meetings today. There weren't any surprise ones, just an expected one that took over an hour.

After just an hour of being here, I was pooped. I stoically carried on, and the kids were good. The sub left good notes about the days I was out, which always makes a teacher really happy. We actually got some work done, and I got plans together for the rest of the week. The meeting that took forever was during my lunch time and past, so I ended up not seeing any students this afternoon. I had to leave the kids with their teachers so I could get some food in me. The meeting was bad because we couldn't agree with the parents about their child's disability. Mom firmly felt that he needed to continue services while we felt strongly that he didn't need them anymore. Plus, that little conference room got so hot! After I left, a little girl in my math class said, "Mrs. Mchenry, your cheeks are purple!" Sheesh. We think we worked out a compromise, but the next week or so could get pretty hairly around here.

I'm going to class this afternoon, even if I am tired. However, I may treat myself to a little frappacino on my way in. Something cold and sweet never hurt anyone, right?

Today I learned that special education law can really hurt feelings.

Plateau in Improvement

Bad Bell's Palsy, bad! This morning was the first morning since starting prednisone that I didn't notice any improvement. In fact, my eye bothered me a lot. I think an eye lash got loose and it took me too long to get it out. My blinking, although easier and requiring less effort to get the lid down, is still very weak. My ear is also still very sensitive. The only reason its really bothering me is that I have a cough, and coughing hurts my ear. Sorry to complain.

Tomorrow I'm going back in for a full day of work. I would probably try to do a half day, except that I have an important eligibility meeting at 12:30. That's past the half day mark, so there's not point in me going home before grad school. Maybe I'll take a nap in the clinic for an hour or so. I finished the rough draft of one of my grad school projects, which is a huge load off my shoulders. I just hope the prof likes it and doesn't want too much changed.

Henry has been just as cute as a button. I gave him a bath today since the weather was so nice (almost eighty degrees in November!), and he was pretty good about it. He hasn't had a bath in months. Since he stays indoors, he stays pretty clean. He's calming down some, but he's still got a lot of puppy in him.

Today I learned that lots of penguin chicks freeze to death in the Antarctic winter (we saw "March of the Penguins" this afternoon) and their stiff little bodies are quite depressing.

Yelling is not good for Bell's Palsy

As I discovered while quite angry at Troy. My ten minute tirade got me several hours in bed and a small set back. However, Troy says that he thinks I've improved by thirty to fourty percent. My left eyebrow actually moves a little bit all by itself! You can tell when I'm smiling and happy on both sides of my face. Pretty exciting, eh?

I've been working on a research project a lot today. I think I'm nearly done with it. I'm kind of glad that its just a "rough draft," although that means I'll have to do more work on it when it comes back with suggestions. I think I'd prefer to just turn the thing in when I think I'm done with it and have it come back graded. However, it is just one of three projects due toward the end of the semester. It is also the only one I've really started on.

I don't know what I'll find to occupy myself tomorrow. The laundry is done, reading is no fun with my glasses on (I did try my contacts today- no dice), I guess I'll have to play with Henry and actually talk to my husband. Hmmm...

Today I learned that public laws published on the Internet do not list authors.

Improvement Noted!

There is some minor improvement in my condition. My lip is able to smile a little bit, the muscles in my cheek are responding a teeny bit, and blinking is a little easier. The prednisone has given me chipmunk cheeks, but that's okay. I'd rather have chubby cheeks that move than thin cheeks that don't work right.

The pain is lessening some, as well. The hearing in my left ear is still terribly sensitive to loud sounds. I'm not sure how long that will last.

Henry has had a wonderful time staying home with me. However, he isn't too good at entertaining himself while I try to get some papers written (stupid grad school). So he's in his crate and out of my way for now.

Not much else to report. I'm in good spirits!

Today I learned that I think Jennifer Garner is a good actress. "13 Going on 30" was pretty cute.

More of the same.

That's about all there is to this. The pain is less today, thank goodness. My mouth is still funky, and I look pretty strange. However, I feel okay. I did lay down and take a forty-five minute nap in the clinic just to humor Mom. Its so much trouble to arrange for a sub. I'll just try to take it as easy as I can and still be here.

The assistant principal read aloud to my students to save my lips some work. After the conference and visiting with people today, my mouth is tired and I'm not ennunciating well.

Tonight was conference night, as is Thursday night. One parent signed up to talk to me, and they just left. It was pretty successful. I spent my extra time cleaning my room up. It looks pretty nice.

Tonight is also Henry's last night of obedience classes. Hopefully it will go well!

Today I learned that I have about a 48 hour tolerance for feeling crappy.

Watch for Falling Cheerios

The first part of this will be whining. My head hurts. My ear hurts. When Henry barks, it sounds like a gun firing by my left ear. When I chew or talk too much, the right side of my face works so hard that it pulls my nose and lips over, making my mouth very uncomfortable. There. I'm done.

No improvement today. Not that I expected it, but I laid in bed this morning taking an inventory. Eyebrows? Still going up unevenly. Lips? Still unable to whistle well or pull them over my teeth. Tongue? Still tingly. I had to wait until I took the eye thingy off to see that I'm still not blinking the left eye without a lot of effort.

While I was eating my breakfast, Cheerios kept falling out of the left side of my mouth.

School was okay. I stayed until 12:30. I was just really uncomfortable, so I came home and napped. I didn't want to miss my class this afternoon (reading comprehension week- woo hoo). Most people didn't notice that my face was funny; they just commented that I'm wearing my classes. Some people thought I looked sad. I said they just weren't looking at my good side.

When I came home from class at 6:30, the neighborhood was swarming with people. It was crazy. I can't even begin to guess how many people must've come through. I had to take Henry out for a walk, and he barked at all the kids in their costumes. I think he scared some people.

Today I learned that the doctor may not have given me prednisone because it can accelerate viral growth. (Thanks, Vicky!)

Damn You, Dr. Bell!

Maybe I shouldn't be so mad, after all, he didn't create this stupid paralysis, just described it first. The left side of my face isn't working so well, and it could take two weeks for it to even start to get better. In the meantime, no contacts, no normal smiles, and a really funny expression when I laugh. I have to remember- it could be worse. My normal functioning isn't impaired, and the only serious side effect to look for is an ulcer on my eye. I can avoid that with my super expensive eye drops.

I had a wonderful visit from Mom and Dad. We ate good food, watched good football (I think it was good football- I didn't really pay attention), and talked a lot. I wish they lived closer. Troy had a good time, too. Boy, he loves football.

I'm not excited about school tomorrow. First of all, I look a little odd. Second, its Halloween. That's a huge, crazy day for us. I hope I can maintain my sanity!

Today I learned that 60-70% of Bell's palsy cases are believed to be caused by the same virus that causes fever blisters. Thanks, Mom.

Oooh! Oooh!

I'm trying to wait as patiently as I can for Mom and Dad to get here. I spent most of the afternoon cleaning house, and then Troy and I went to dinner and ran errands. The house is clean, and we're ready for our company. I wish they lived closer. I think Troy's parents live farthest way that I'd want Mom and Dad- two and a half hours. You can go down and back in a day if you have to, and if you just go for the weekend, you don't feel like you spent the whole weekend driving.

Last year, I had to put out lots of fires with the students. This year, I feel like I'm dealing with a lot of conflict with the legal side of my job. I ruffled feathers when I went to the principal about being asked to baby-sit a fourth grade student. Its illegal unless its in his IEP, and the principal has to approve changing the IEP. Then, I have to deal with labeling kids with various disabilities and being pressured to give labels that I don't agree with. My kids are great. Its the adults that are starting to get on my nerves.

We don't have much planned this weekend. The school's big fundraiser, a carnival, is tomorrow. I'm going to take the 'rents so they can see my new classroom. I probably should've cleaned it up, by I was ready to sprint out of the building today. I didn't think I could deal with anymore time in that room. So they'll have to see it messy. We may also go look at bathtubs. Big time excitement!

Today I learned that iPod nano tubes (a case for the nano) are impossible to find in an actual store.

Much Better

I'm not nearly so cranky today. I feel like I got so much accomplished! I started testing on a student that had been absent for a long time. I had a good math class with my co-teacher (after a sit-down- she didn't like my "on the fly" criticism of her treatment of a student). We're very mature about handling our differences. I like that. I talked to my principal about an issue I'm having over "baby-sitting" a fourth grade student, and she was very receptive and dealt with things well. Plus, I get to go home and make sugar cookie hands for a project tomorrow.

Class last night was, again, a travesty. That guy can't stay on task to save his life! I realize that ADHD shouldn't be an excuse not to follow your dreams. However, this professor isn't a capable teacher. He's driving me crazy.

What else... Not much. Henry and I will practice for our last class on Tuesday. He's getting better about things. I don't think I'll enroll him for class in the spring, but I will keep working on him out of class. Maybe when grad school is over, we can go on.\

Today I learned that my principal thinks I'm too agreeable and that people are trying to take advantage of me. (I, however, think I know my boundaries and when to say no.)

Pessimistic Post

I am tired. Why, I'm not sure. I went to bed at 9:15 last night. I did get up and run two miles at six a.m., but you'd think that nearly nine hours of sleep should be enough.

I love the haircut. The second day is always the day of truth- never the day that you get it done. I haven't been "styling" my hair in several months, so it was weird to actually work at drying it. I've been just tipping my head upside down and blowing it till its mostly dry.

I have my crazy-professor class tonight. I will be so glad when this class is over. I'm not sure I can stand much more of this!!! However, we're over halfway to the end of the semester, and I think I'll survive. Maybe.

Today I learned that some people will only be nice to you when they want you to do them a big, inconvenient favor.

100th Post

Quite a milestone! Yesterday was a good day. I got back my test from my instructional strategies class- an A. I think it was the hardest A I've ever gotten.

Today hasn't been quite so spectacular. I did get up and exercise, which I had to work hard to convince myself to do- bed was so comfortable. I was a crab apple with my students, and I scratched my leg on the car door. Then Henry got excited and scratched my face. He barely missed my eye.

I got a hair cut, and I think it looks nice. We'll have to see how it looks tomorrow.

Today I learned that Henry is easily "stressed" by his surroundings (according to the obedience teachers).

A Happy Birthday Week

Today was the best day of my "birthday week." The speech-language pathologist and I found out that we won a $1,000 grant to do a reading project. Its a big deal- only about half the people who applied got a grant, and we got a pretty big one. Our principal was so excited for us!

The birthday weekend wasn't so bad either. We went to Richmond on Saturday, where we ate at Chipotle and I picked out my birthday present- the iPod nano. I never thought I'd want one, but now I'm so glad I have one. I have an aux input in the truck, and Troy already had the cord. So I've been able to listen to my iPod in the car without taking the dash apart and buying expensive cables. (Teresa- bring your iPod on our trip- better than CDs!) We also went to Sarah Christopherson Howes' going away party. She and her new husband are moving to Venezuela for several years. He works for the secret service. I'm kind of jealous- I don't know that I have enough adventure in my life. I guess you could call grad school an adventure, but not really.

Troy got me a birthday cake from Dairy Queen. I hardly ever eat ice cream anymore! It tasted really good. I did so many loads of laundry yesterday and tidied up a bit. Nothing too exciting.

Today (yesterday, actually) I learned that twenty-six candles can make a small cake look like a forest fire.

Sheesh

I have a friend with too much drama in her life. I'm afraid, that in my attempt to defuse some of the drama, I've been added to her list of things to be dramatic about. On the funny side, she raised a fuss about something and the principal told her, "Don't be a Marie." I think I should be offended that being a ruckus-raiser makes me somehow bad in my principal's eyes, but I'm not. I've always raised a stink about things. Its just how I am.

I need to get started on my projects for grad school. So far, I've done nothing on them, and they'll be due in a month or so. I want to try and get most things done before my trip to DC with Teresa. It'd be no fun to do projects on my trip or at the last minute.

I got observed today, and my principal focused on one thing the entire time: my screen saver. It shuffles through photos of the family, but mainly Henry. Some of the pictures are great. Every time I looked at her while I taught, though, she was looking at my computer screen. Maybe I need something less distracting when she comes in next time.

Today I learned that one of my students is really ticklish when you try to paint the bottom of his foot. We're talking REALLY giggly-wiggly ticklish.

I'm getting really unoriginal with my titles, so I'm leaving it out today. I'm so tired. I think my exam went well yesterday, and work was good today.

Henry had a fun playdate just before his class tonight. He ran around with Stitch the corgi, Freckles the hound, and Blue the... big dog. He was so worn out that he actually behaved himself rather well! He should sleep well tonight.

I finally made an appointment to get my hair cut. Vernelle, my neighbor, is going to do it. She asked if next Tuesday was good or if I wanted to wait. She nearly had a heart attack when I told her that I hadn't had anything done to it since January. And I have the nerve to make fun of my sister's shoes...

Today I learned that I need to be more careful when entering scores into the computer for the WIAT-II, or else students will end up looking really low when they're pretty smart. (I'll probably never forget as I rewrite my entire report tomorrow...)

Nerves

I am not sure I'll sleep a wink tonight. For some reason, I am SO worked up over my instructional strategies midterm tomorrow. Its my first exam with this professor, and I've been hearing about how hard he is for a year and a half now. I've tried to study, but I'm afraid that I'll forget something crucial for the test. I'm so worried that this class will break my "amazing grades" streak. (I'll just keep telling myself that a B isn't that bad.)

We did have a good weekend in Cary. We left Henry behind, which allowed us to sleep in without fighting over who would take him out when he started to fuss. He was so glad to see us. Friday night, we got to Will and Becky's house around 7:30. Grandma (Becky's mom), Jerry (Becky's brother), and Tina (Jerry's wife) were already there. We had dinner at Bonefish, which was delicious. Saturday we slept in, and Troy and the other guys went to a sports bar to watch football. I went to Southpoint mall to look around for awhile and have some quiet time. Then, Saturday night, we went out to dinner. Will and Becky wouldn't tell us where we were going, and we arrived at an old Victorian house called "Sirios: Culinary Events." This guy bought an old house and uses it to host events. So the seven of us had the whole house, a chef, and a waiter, to ourselves for the whole evening. Crabcakes, seared tuna, salads, filet mignon, lobster, chocolate fondue, creme brulee cheesecake... It was phenomenal. It was something only Will could coordinate. Today we had lunch at Brier Creek Country Club and looked through some of Raleigh's Parade of Homes entries. We really liked the second one- 2.7 million dollars. We drove home, and have been hanging out here ever since. Trying to study instead of wishing I was still having a weekend.
Today I learned that its not a good idea to look into the neighbor's basement when Henry is there unless its unlocked or you have the key.

Yippee!

Okay. So the bain of my existance is the Lynchburg City schools six weeks assessments. Every six weeks, I have to read four 30-40 question multiple choice tests to children in two grades. Invariably, someone is absent or gets sick or just doesn't care. However, I finished giving the reading test today, and five of my seven third grade students passed. The reason I'm so excited? If they keep passing, I'm not allowed to do the Virginia Grade Level Assessment (a portfolio assessment consisting of tons of work) for those students. Well, I guess I should also be excited because it means I actually taught these kids something. I'm really happy.

The weather here is still kind of icky, and tonight I have my research methods class. However, that means that the week is nearing its end, and I like that. Tomorrow I'll be going with the fourth graders to Monticello. I'm in charge of a little boy whose favorite phrase is f*&$ you. Lucky me. At least there'll be nice scenery, eh?

Henry did not do well at class last night. He was the example for "sometimes dogs regress at this point in their training." Wild man.

Today I learned that I may be underestimating what my students can do.

More Rain!

I'm not complaining. Its been so dry here. Plus, I'm kind of an oddball in that I actually like rainy days. For some reason, the sunlight always seems to drain away my cheerfulness. I'm happier when there are clouds. I know- I'm weird.

Henry and I have class tonight. We haven't been practicing as much as we should. He's really good at the long down/stay. He usually only has to be "put back" two or three times, and then he gets tired of fighting it. THey says its a great way to let dogs know you're in charge. I like using it when he gets too wound up and starts barking a lot. He'll settle down quickly.

School is going along well. I'm enjoying the group I teach. Grad school has me a little worried. I'm afraid I'm not really getting anything accomplished, and that I'll end up rushing to do things at the end of the semester. My research class especially is a little iffy. The professor is kind of strange. However, I keep reminding myself that the worst of grad school is over. I'll get through it soon enough!

Troy just has allergies and post nasal drip. Nothing terribly serious, but he slept a lot yesterday and last night.

Today I learned that Elmer's school glue doesn't hold pipe cleaners to foam shapes. Especially Halloween shapes with little googly eyes and glittering pompoms.

About a month behind...

I think fall might actually be here. Its was chilly today, and Troy isn't feeling well. I really hope its not strep throat. I don't want to get sick this early in the year.

Today has been really quiet without the kids. I didn't get as much done as I would've liked, but that's the way it always is. I'm ready for a presentation I have tonight at grad school, and I've gotten a lot of studying done for my midterm next Monday. Hopefully I'm working well enough ahead so that there isn't a need to panic. I went out to lunch with three of the four third grade teachers. It seems like an awfully grownup thing to do, going to lunch with a bunch of teacher. I still feel like I'm ten years old and pretending to be an adult.

Last night, Henry jumped up on the sofa in the sewing room (the one covered in Nana's old clothes) and fell right asleep. He looked so cute curled up amongst the garrish fabrics and strange textures. He was really happy, though. We don't let him on the bed anymore, so he has to get comfy where he can.

Today I learned that I'm too suseptible to the powers of suggestion. As soon as Troy said he wasn't feeling well (headache and sore throat), my head started to hurt.

Grandmother Obsession

I have been dwelling on my grandmothers this weekend. Not so much Meme, because I've been dwelling on her for years. This weekend was more Nana's turn. After Mom told me Friday about all the decline in her health, I got really depressed.

So depression turned to action. I started washing and cutting up the clothes I've had in my basement. Not until after I'd gotten pseudopermission from Mom, of course! With me hoarding all the old quilts from Nana, I thought I'd put something out there for the family. Now my whole sewing room smells like Nana and Grandpa's basement, even though I've washed the clothes. Maybe that will add to the charm of the quilts.

Tomorrow is a teacher work day at school- no students. Hopefully I can get some work done! My list? Progress notes, report cards, and studying for midterms. Woo hoo!

Today I learned that it was a lot harder to chop up Nana's old polyester jumpsuits than I thought it would be.

Woo hoo!

I feel like I've gotten so much done so far this weekend- and its only halfway through! We bought a "Little Green Machine" last night- a small carpet shampooing thingy. I cleaned every rug/carpet surface in our house in about six hours of work. Its highly satisfying to see all the nasty water that gets sucked up. Our carpets look new again! We'd been talking about renting a machine, but I think I'll use it more if I can just get it out whenever I want to. Okay- so I'm nuts. I had too much fun cleaning my carpets.

I also cleaned out the craft room (Troy calls it the "crap room"). The closet was a disaster, and every surface had something (or several somethings) on it. Again, more satisfaction.

Its done nothing but rain here for two days. We've gotten over five inches of rain. We really need it here, but it makes for a crummy weekend. Especially when its pouring the weekend of the Garlic Festival! We may still get out there tomorrow for it. Mmmm. Garlic burgers, goat cheese, raspberry wine... Yummy!

On a different note, I talked to Mom some yesterday about Nana. I can't believe that she's been hitting the nursing assistants that come it, and now Grandpa. It makes me so sad to think about the decline that we've seen this year. I know we didn't get along, but I think I'll always feel guilty that I didn't like her better or treat her with more respect when I was younger.

Today I learned that six hours of using the "Little Green" will make all the muscles in your fingers and arms hurt.

Is it really Tuesday?!?

The really amazing thing about my life right now is that I'm so busy that I lose track of time. Time just flies! For example, I got up at 6 am, and have been going nonstop at work. Now its almost time to go home.

Henry has class tonight. We aren't practicing as much as I think we should, but I'm doing the best I can. He's really good at heeling when I walk in a circle because we do that at class when he's paying too much attention to the other dogs. He gets him focused on me again. I've been letting him chew on his vanilla rawhide chews, and that seems to be keeping him away from our socks. However, he's been waking me up with "kisses" at two o'clock in the morning. That's a ticket to his crate.

The Garlic Festival is this weekend. Its the neatest thing. We love the wine tasting, the food, the garlic, the music... They have great goat cheese there every year and people selling organic apples. Jesse and his girlfriend may go with us this year. Everyone needs to go to the Garlic Festival sometime- its just so much fun.

Today I learned that bullies can be good friends. It takes coaching and modeling, but it can happen!

Weekend...Over

I'm just sitting around watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with Troy. He's a little loopy. He pulled a muscle in his back and took a muscle relaxer. He says he feels the same, but he's out of it. It's awfully fun to watch him.

The weekend was lots of fun and very relaxing. Yesterday we went to the Genworth company picnic and saw "Batman Begins." Today we ran some errands and hung out at home. Nothing terribly interesting, really.

I've gotten so used to school this year that I haven't been too nervous on Sunday nights. However, since I wasn't at school Thursday and Friday, I'm a little antsy about returning. I haven't really gotten any plans together for tomorrow, although I know I can come up with things pretty quickly. Maybe it'll be really smooth. Or maybe it'll be crazy and I'll have good stories.

Today I learned that more than one person has had a huge tumor, weighing over 150 pounds, removed from their body. Ew.

Weekend! Weekend!

I'm pretty happy this evening. My Mandt training is going well. Its a program developed by a guy named Something Mandt. Its conflict resolution with some restraint built in to it, just in case. Today was boring, but maybe tomorrow will be more exciting when I get to hold people down. (Last resort... really.)
I'm also happy because I called my substitute teacher, and she said the day "couldn't have been better." I get SOOOO nervous. What if the kids are terrible? What if I didn't leave enough work? What if the sub didn't remember to come? What if What if What if... Anyway, my fears are diminished, and I can relax tomorrow.
I had an interesting experience yesterday. One of my students was making a planning web about his summer (they'll be using the webs to write paragraphs). He watched movies at home, and he wanted to know how to spell "DVDs". It was surreal. I knew he was low, but I couldn't get him to grasp the connection between the sounds for the word and the letters that make each sound. Its so sad- I have two that I don't think will ever be even just "below average" readers. I'm working so hard at the Wilson Reading System- I hope it helps. Maybe its just too soon to tell.
I went walking with Henry this afternoon all around the neighborhood. Since the weather is finally getting nice, I figured I'd give the treadmill a break. Henry keeps trying to eat anything he can off the sidewalk- even just grass and sticks and stuff. Its no wonder he's pukey. He eats the weirdest stuff.
I'm rambling, but I'm tired. I think its time to get some sleep.
Today I learned that adults with learning disabilities (like my poor colleague in Mandt training) can be humiliated by insensitive school psychologists.
Wait- aren't they SUPPOSED to be sensitive?!?

Tuesday

I'm running out of witty titles for my blog entries. Or maybe I'm too tired to be creative. Henry and I went to obedience class tonight. There's always around 40 dogs in the building, and they can get very excited. Its hard to keep Henry's attention. He's doing pretty well, though. He's super at heeling, and the other difficult things are coming along nicely. He has to settle down some when we get there, though. He shakes an awful lot at first.
School is going well. I had a veteran teacher come to me for advice on behavior management, which really made me feel good. I'm considered an educational specialist, as well as teacher, so having someone I respect and look up to ask me for help is an honor. I've dealt with some of the more difficult kids that have come through my school in awhile, so I guess they figure I'm qualified. One of my current students is having a really tough time (his dad just got out of jail, among other issues at home), and I'm not sure how long it will take to "fix" the problem. Right now he's being a pain the butt for attention. Its a fine line of giving him the attention sometimes and ignoring him at others.
I made another teacher's day by taking one of her kids while he was waiting for his bus. I'm assuming he's on ADHD meds, because his behavior today was abnormal. I guess he ran out (his dad died last week at twenty-seven). Anyway, the kid was crazier than any I've seen in a long time. At one point, he snatched two Sharpies off the teacher's desk and was drawing on his shirt with them. I observed for about fifteen minutes while I got another student ready to go home. I went to Joy and said, "Would you mind if he came with me and waited in my room for his bus to be called?" I had another student coming as a reward, and I didn't want him to play alone. Joy looked at me like I'd just given her a million dollars.
Today I learned that colleagues see my behavior management skills as positive and effective.

Let's try this again.

I thought I'd emailed a post to here from school earlier, but it didn't show up. I'm trying really hard, see, Teresa?
I'm pooped. I exercisted at six a.m. this morning, worked a long day, then had class. And here I am with nothing better to do. We did have chinese food for dinner, though. Mmmm. Shrimp fried rice. Yummy.
Today I learned that, if this morning exercise thing is going to work, my body has a lot of adjusting to do.

Another weekend...gone.

It was a good one, though. Today I slept in a bit, then finished a needlepunch project for the school's silent auction. I'm going to try and do several more- supposedly a lot of businesses around here have donated for the hurricane relief and can't give much more.
I went to TJMaxx and shopped for a bit- a reward for studying so much this weekend. Bought a new shirt and skirt. My plan is to walk/run 30-40 minutes everyday, study 20-30 minutes everyday, and floss everyday. I've set up a check list for myself. My goal is 95% compliance. I think I've had too many graduate courses for one lifetime. I'm going to try exercising in the mornings. It didn't last too long last time, but I'm more motivated now that I've lost so much weight.
We watched the season premiere of "The West Wing"- my favorite show. Now I'm on here, and I'll be going to bed soon. This week will be really busy. I'll have class (mine and Henry's) three nights. I'll be away from school on Thursday and Friday, learning how to restrain people. So it should be eventful, at least.
Today I learned that acrocyanosis isn't supposed to cause pain. So those leg pains I've had all my life, related to bluish-purple legs at birth, isn't really related to the bluish-purple legs at birth.

Isn't it fall?

The weather is a bit cooler today (after 90 degrees yesterday). However, it is so dry here that our lawn isn't fairing well. We're not big on watering it- I guess it just seems like a waste of water. It'll have to rain eventually, right?
Henry got me up bright and early. The disadvantage to letting him sleep out of his crate is that he wakes me up by licking me instead of whining. I guess I'll take the licking, but I have to take him out so that he doesn't have an accident. He's been really reliable recently. He slept out at Mom and Dad's place, and he held it all night. Its not all sunshine and roses, though. He keeps chewing on our bathmats.
We had lunch at La Carreta, yummy Mexican food. Then we went to the mall where I bought... nothing! I told Troy that if I studied this evening I was going to go to TJMaxx tomorrow to reward myself. I put in over an hour at the books, so I'll shop tomorrow.
I want to be well prepared for my comprehensive exam. I'm going to try to put in 20-30 minutes each day, most days of the week. I think that's manageable. Plus, if I put that in now, I may not have to put a lot in later. I can just review what I have.
Laundry day- four loads. I was running out of stuff to wear.
Today I learned that my husband may never, ever, ever grow up.

One more try...

I'm going to give this one more shot at keeping up the blog. For your sake, Teresa. I've been so busy. Grad school on Mondays and Wednesdays, obedience classes on Tuesdays, school events Thursdays... Plus visiting Mom and Dad last weekend. Fortunately we'll be sticking around this weekend.
School is going well. My seven third-graders are settling in to the routine. We're having tons of trouble with addition and subtraction with regrouping, but we'll go down trying. Behavior has settled down, as well. I haven't had to write any referrals. My new room looks good.
I need to study this weekend to keep from getting behind. I'm worried that I'll stress out too much at the end of the semester. Plus, I may regret taking comps in March instead of June. I'd rather get it over with before I "walk" for graduation. That way, my internship is all I'll have left to take care of.
Henry is learning lots of interesting things at class. He hates the "long stay," where I make him lie down for half an hour. Its a true battle everytime I try. I think there's hope, though. He wants to be a good little boy.
Today I learned that it's good to go home if you feel like you're "going to throw up over the whole school."

I know, I know...

Sorry. With school and grad school starting this week, I have been busy busy busy. Last weekend Troy and I took care of errands and laid low, all to be bombarded yesterday. I had the first day of school, grad school right after, then a visit to Tony and Joann to see their day-old daughter. I was at home awake for all of two hours yesterday. Poor Troy left work at 6:30 in the evening only to be called in at 10 pm for several hours.
Today I had school again, but no grad school. I came home and walked on the treadmill. Poor Henry has had a lot of alone time. I'm a little angry at him for playing with the sofa cushions nonstop.
I like my students this year. There's an innocence to them that my last group was missing. Funny stories will follow, I'm sure!

Today's Adventure

Today was quite exciting! Jesse Hercules flew in from Mississippi through Gatlinburg last night. We hung out and chatted, then got our sleep. This morning, after Troy and Jesse went to get doughnuts, we went to the Lynchburg airport, hopped in Jesse's plane, and flew to Raleigh. Jesse has a Cherokee that seats four people. Its like a medium sized car with wings. It has a propellor on the front. I was terrified.

However, I sucked it up and went ahead. The flight was really smooth, since Jesse's a good pilot and I had my motion-sickness patch on. It took less than an hour, and we arrived to see Troy's parents. I went shopping for fabric with Becky while the guys tooled around. We had dinner at the grill at Briar Creek country club, then got dropped off at the airport. It was an uneventful flight home, and now we're back at the house.

It was a really small plane. I was really nervous, but now I'm excited that I did that! We had a great time and got to wear noise-cancelling headsets and see our area from the air. Woo hoo!

My Trip, Part 2

Ah, the beach. I love the beach. When we got to the condo, the new carpet was being laid. It looks so pretty! I'm very glad that Jack and Debby are working on the place. Its so nice to see improvements made. It's becoming less of a family place and more of a vacation place to relax. We did a lot of sunbathing, walking, and crafting. I went in the water nearly everyday, until it got too wild. It was a little lonely, since Mom only swam with me once.

We ate so much seafood- I still smell like Old Bay seasoning. Mmmm... Crabs... Its been nice being home, though. I'm starting to get wound up about school starting, so sleeping is getting difficult. I just lay in bed and all these thoughts gush into my mind. However, I'm happy excited about school starting, not scared.

My grad advisor told me that one of my summer school professors informed him that I "carried the seminar class this year." I was a little tickled, until my advisor, who I'll be taking my first class with this semester, told me he expected great things out of me. He's known for being tough. I'm a little anxious about that.

Well, its more needle-punch embroidery for me now. And kisses from Henry.

My Trip, Part 1

Okay, so I don't think I can post all about the trip in one day. My attention span is just not that great. So I'll break it down. I'll post about: grandparents, the beach, and etc. Today will be about grandparents.

I saw Nana and Grandpa when I got in with Kelly and Lauren on Tuesday afternoon. Nana had on a pair of pants, two skirts, two shirts, and nearly every piece of jewelry she owned. She didn't really recognize us, and she kept asking us weird questions. (By the way, I had a lot of fun with Kelly and Lauren- we finally finished Kelly's quilt!) Nana appears to have taken up the habit of wearing too much clothing, as I witnessed, or not enough, as Jack and the girls witnessed. However, Dad and Jack really worked things out. Nana and Grandpa will be moving, and a caretaker will spend four hours a day at their house until they can move. Nana improved over the course of the visit, so I was pleased. By the time we left, she knew us and was acting like her old self.

Meme, on the other hand, was completely wonky. She thought I was Kary's girlfriend and kept trying to cut and eat her napkin. I knew she'd keep deteriorating, but it made me nauseous to see her this time. She knew Mom some of the time, but she didn't make sense a lot. She also got really snappy and threatened to shoot several staff members over her footwear.

However, all my grandparents seem safe for now. I mean, they're old and feeble and sickly, but they are taken care of, which is important to me. Later today or tomorrow I will expound on the beach. Heaven!

Nissan Rocks

So I'm using the internet at the car dealership where they're changing the oil in my car. Not such a bad set up, I guess.

Kelly and Lauren are coming today, and I'm really excited! I really enjoyed having Kelly here last summer, so I'm happy to have both of them. We always have a good time- the girls are hilarious and fun to be around. Kelly and I are hoping to finish the quilt we started last summer, and I'm going to teach Lauren to knit. She mentioned making a quilt, and I worried about the time frame, since we'll only have three days together. Plus, I wanted her to have a different talent. I guess that's left over from my days as Teresa's little sister. I really wanted horseback-riding lessons when Teresa was taking them, but I wasn't allowed. I think it helped my issues with Teresa not to ever compete against her at hobbies and things other than school. You can't help school, since everyone has to do it. At least out of school we had our own interests.

My favorite part of having the girls here? Kelly, at least, loves Mountain Frost Creamery and I think Lauren will too! Mmmm... Ice cream...

Three Years

Troy and I went out tonight to celebrate our third anniversary. Its so hard to believe! Sometimes it seems like just yesterday, sometimes it seems like forever. We had dinner at our favorite restaurant, Isabella's. We highly recommend it. The food is delicious, and they give you free stuff on anniversaries and birthdays. Mmmm... Italian food...

I started getting my new classroom set up today. What a mess. I packed stuff in the wierdest places, but its kinda like Christmas. I'm finding things I forgot I had! So its pitiful that I packed it away two months ago and forgot about it, but that's me. I'll be going back in to do more tomorrow, so hopefully it'll be done soon. Then I can just go in and enjoy it without any kids there. I really like school when there are no students there. Funny, huh?

Our Trip, Part 2

On Monday, we visited the Case knife factory. We got there around nine a.m., and our tour (just Troy and I!) was led by Mary. She's worked at the factory for over ten years. It was... amazing. We saw EVERYTHING. We talked to guys punching out blades, ladies smashing metal under huge smashing machines, guys in crazy shirts buffing out scratches. The whole process takes weeks if you followed a knife through the factory. It was just the coolest thing to see.

Afterwards, we had lunch with Shirley, the Case historian and a friend of Troy's. We went to Beefeaters, a local hotspot. It was neat- the restaurant was near our hotel and a building we'd seen earlier. It used to be the post office- the architecture was really neat. We read the sign and noticed that it was dedicated to a man with the last name of Boser (Shirley's last name). It turned out Shirley's daughter owned the building, and we got to take a tour! Only in a small town could this happen, I guess. The building had secret hallways and lookouts since Bradford used to be the biggest town in the country's richest county. Back when oil was big, there was tons of money going in and out of the post office. And we got the special tour!

We left Bradford around two-thirty yesterday and made it back just after midnight. It was a really neat trip! Pictures should be on Troy's website, somewhere, if you'd like to see them.

I picked Henry up this morning, and he was so glad to see me! Man, I missed him so much. Teresa, just so you know, if something happens to us, you'll be Henry's guardian. Whatever you need to sell to support him is okay with us- we'll give you all our worldly belongings to take care of him. He's so cute.

Our Trip

Well, we are on our way back home, and I'm posting using Troy's Blackberry. We drove to Richmond on Friday morning, and Troy had some meetings there until two. We dropped Henry off before we left at the kennel near his vet. We didn't hear from anyone so we assume he's okay. We frove from Richmond to Lancaster on Friday afternoon and got stuck in wicked traffic on the beltway. We've been playing a sticker version of the state liscense plate game, and we saw Hawaii while in the traffic. It was worth the wait. In Lancaster, we went to an awesome craft fair and saw the downtown area. I really enjoyed the Amish quilt museum. We've picked up some tiles and a new painting for our growing art collection- they make good souvenirs. On Sunday, we drove from Lancaster to Bradford. It took about five hours. We were amazed by the number of rural farming and manufacturing communities. Some of the polaces were quite depressing. I'm going to save Bradford and the Case factory for tomorrow. Hope everyone had a good weekend. I hope Henry remembers me tomorrow!

Almost August

Ah, the bittersweet realization that summer is drawing to an end... However, I have plenty to keep my occupied until school starts again. Two trips, lots of visitors, and the bag project to finish up.

I went in to school today, and I moved some things to my new classroom. I have a lot of work to do to get my room back in order for students. Plus, I'm working with younger children, so I need to decorate differently. Its always fun to get the room in order before the kids come. I like school best when there are no students there. Is that bad?

Heat Wave

Man, its been steamy here! The weather is really obnoxiously hot. I've been trying to remember, when I take Henry out at eight a.m. and its ninety degrees out, how cold I will be in February doing the same thing. It doesn't help much.

I am getting ready for school again, already. Summer seems so short! I know I have several weeks before its time to go back, but I'll be traveling so much. I don't want summer to be over so soon. Oh well. Time flies, right?

I hear that daylight savings time is being changed to May through November. I think that's the silliest thing ever! First of all, the whole savings time thingy is a little screwy to begin with. Second, why should be honestly go through the hassle of changing it?!? Sheesh.

Well, I guess I should be relaxing some. No need getting all worked up on vacation, right?

Dogs

I took Henry to the vet today to get vaccinated against kennel cough so we can board him. While there, I visited with Nell, a nine-year-old pointer looking for a home. She was really sweet, and I think she and Henry could get along. There's a glitch, however. I was petting her and scratching behind her ears. She yawned, but it looked to me like what Katie did when she was getting ready to bite people. I nearly fell over trying to stand up quickly. I realized then and there that I will only be able to bring puppies into my home as pets. I have to have them from itty-bitty so that I can trust them. Nell was a sweetie, but she's not for me. I just don't know how she was raised.

On another topic, Meghan (the school's speech language pathologist) and I started decorating our bags for the "Reader's Tool Kits" that we're making up. We're trying to get literacy activities into homes to encourage reading instruction. I just hate seeing kids end up in my class simply because they can't read. Its not that they aren't smart- they just don't have the same advantages as other children.

Its been a long time.

Sorry to anyone who actually reads this, or tries to.

As I type, there are two very tired puppies in my house. One is Henry. The other is Angel, the corgi from across the alleyway. Henry is absolutely in love with Angel. She comes over to play sometimes. They go wild! Lots of chasing and tumbling and barking. They wear each other out, which is nice.

I watched the shuttle launch today. It was really neat. I remember watching one launch from the deck of a cruise ship in December of 1999. Very cool. What was neat this time, however, was that they broadcast views from a camera that was mounted on the biggest external fuel tank and pointed at the belly of the shuttle. The camera worked all the way into space, and they showed the shuttle disconnecting from the tank and floating away. It was... amazing. I tivoed it to show Troy later.

I am amazed by space. I've done so many projects on astronauts, read books, watched movies... I would love to go into space. However, as Troy knows and tells me, I'll never be an astronaut. I get too motion-sick. Oh well. I can dream.

It is really hot here. Not that I mind- I love my air conditioning.

Man...

I thought summer vacation this year would be laid back and relaxing. This week has been less busy, but no less stressful. I have a specialist's report due Monday about testing I have yet to actually do on a boy whose mother I have yet to get ahold of. Plus, I have a final exam a week from tomorrow!

It'll be okay. The stress has an end in sight.

Crises!

So a dishwasher leaking water all over the floor (my crisis) isn't as bad as your house burning down (Uncle Jack's crisis). However, I did not enjoy having to figure out why huge amounts of suds were foaming over the kitchen floor. Jack and Kelly both seem pretty okay about the house- all lives were saved, including Rascal hiding under a bed. I can just picture that poor firefighter braving the flames to drag out a bassett hound.

I ran 3.3 miles today, but I had an unhealthy-ish dinner- too much cheese, maybe five points over for the day, including my exercise. However, I was under a lot of stress from the leak.

My best friend Meghan is pregnant with baby no. 2. I'm jealous, but its not too bad. She'll let me borrow her kids as often as I need to. Erin, although sweet, is a terrible two, and she can quickly curb the urge.

I hope Jack gets things sorted out as smoothly as possible. I feel really bad for him, and especially Johnny who had to get out of the burning house. That has to suck.

later on the fourth

I am sitting in a big field waiting for the fireworks to start. Technology is truly amazing, as is Troy for letting me play with his BlackBerry. We got a lot of housework taken care of today- laundry, straightening, and mowing. I really didn't want to go to the fireworks tonight, but Troy coerced me. I really think my dislike of fireworks has to do with the wretched displays Oak Ridge always put on. They were really horrible! Hopefully Lynchburg can do better. Henry is still very happy to have us home- no accidents in the house today. The bugs and I say goodnight from our little corner of the Genworth field.

4th of July

We got back last night from Troy's parents' house. It was a good time. Lots of shopping and eating out. We'd left Henry here with a neighbor, our first time really away from him for long, and he was happy to see us. I think he never expected to see us again. We're going to just spend today getting things done around the house. I have school work and house work to catch up on.

Congrats to Teresa and Chris on two years of dating bliss! Troy and I are less than a month away from three years of wedded bliss, and we're starting to talk about how to celebrate. He knows to get me sparklies for anniversaries. I don't mind vacuums and powerwashers and scumbusters for other "special" occasions. However, anniversaries are different.

Pink Eye

Henry's eyes seem to be much better. He still panics when I come towards him with the half-chewed tube of antibiotics, but at least the yellow goop is gone. He enjoyed the chew he had while I ran another 3.3 miles today. 19 miles in one week! (Interuption- Henry is rolling his foodball around the computer room madly trying to get food out and neglecting to realize that there is no food in it.)

19 miles! I'm thinking of finding a map and slowly tracking my progress to somewhere. I'm afraid I'm going stop running and mess the whole thing up. I like my weight okay where it is now, and if I could eat what I'm eating now (mostly healthy with a little ice cream here and there), I'd be very happy.

I had to put Henry's e-collar back on. He's not a happy boy.

Not so good at keeping this up.

Whew. I really do have time on my hands, I'm just using it for other stuff, I guess. I can't believe June is nearly over! I miss work, and I'm afraid I'll get too used to being a lazy bum on vacation.

Henry is getting over his bout of pink eye. I knew something was wrong over the weekend, and he had to go to the vet yesterday. He's doing very well.

I've run 15.35 miles in the last five days. I may become a neurotic runner again. I've always been neurotic- I just needed a treadmill.

I'll post more. Really. I will.

My Day

I had class today from nine a.m. to two p.m. It is fairly painful to sit through four and a half hours of class (we get half an hour for lunch). We are learning a lot about No Child Left Behind and IDEA, all three versions of it.

Upon arriving home, I watched "Calendar Girls." It has lots of really witty dialogue and half naked British women. Older British women, I should add. It was very funny.

I make chicken Kiev and risotto for dinner, followed by a walk and playdate for Henry and Angel. Henry is now sound asleep on the floor after all the excitement.

My day was not very exciting. I kinda like that.

Two Weeks Later...

Ta-Da! My vacation, all week and a half of it, is boring me. But not bored enough to do anything productive. Two days a week I go to grad school, where I learn all about No Child Left Behind and IDEA 2004. Three days a week I tutor a petulant and tiresome child in reading for 45 minutes. I run about two miles everyday and pray that Henry and I catch Angel outside.

Angel is Henry's new best friend. She's a perky little corgi from across the alley, and she has a small fenced in backyard. Several times now Henry and Angel have had playdates where they run, romp, wrestle, and wear each other out. He loves it so much that if we go out at night to use the bathroom, he sits where he can see their backyard and cries for her. Its a little ridiculous, but he takes really long naps after they play.

I have no plans this weekend. Hoorah! I feel like this week I've been lazy because of all the traveling I did in the previous two weeks or so. Maybe after a real weekend, I'll get into stained glass or reading. But watching Judging Amy reruns on the sofa's not so bad, I suppose.