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.