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.