105!

We had 105 adults and children come to our Halloween party!! We had to have it at the local wings place due to the rain, but we still had a great turn-out. Now to enjoy some time with Noelle, Chuck, and the Mission Year kids. Happy Halloween!!!

Neighborhood Halloween Party

Noelle and I just went up and down the street inviting everyone to the Hillside Halloween Party. Hopefully lots of kids will show up!

Happy Halloween

I started out my Halloween by watching Shaun of the Dead and working on Nate's Christmas present. Next we're off to Walmart to purchase that last thing Nate needs for his costume.

Blog-iversary

I didn't even realize it, but I've been doing this blog for over a year. It's been a great outlet for me as well as a good way to keep everyone on the internet informed of the minutia of my life. Thanks for reading!

Stupid Body Clock

My internal clock says it's time to be awake and get ready for school. It doesn't know it's Saturday.

Alex's Dinner

We just enjoyed a yummy dinner with Noelle and Chuck- something our friend Alex from Mexico made us once. Brown ground beef, add a potato or two cut in chucks, a green pepper sliced, and enough tomato sauce to cover it. Simmer covered for at least an hour (unless you microwave the potato a little first) and serve over rice. Delicious and filling.

Moldy Pumpkins

I had to throw away our pumpkins, the day before Halloween. The combination of warm, humid weather and carving them 2 weeks early... it wasn't pretty.

Best Tie Ever

Nate bought this tie at Goodwill today. First, it was awesome because it's black and has neon dinosaurs on it. Then, it became even more wonderful- it has a Bible verse printed on the bottom!

Deal of the Day!

Discount Grocery had Ben and Jerry's ice cream for just 98 cents!!!

FRIDAY!!!!

Rarely have I been so happy it's Friday for no other reason than to get a break from work.  I love what I do, I just don't love what everyone else does or what they tell me to do.  Why can't I be the boss of the world?

The System

Sometimes it really feels like the school system is oppressing me.  The system tries keep me down with documentation and meetings.

Meeting and Trivia

First another meeting with DASH (hoping to get the first grant written) and then off to Trivia at Mighty Joe's.

Cell Phone Alarms

I have helped about a dozen 7th and 8th graders set alarms in their cell phones to remind them to return library books or pay fines.  Guess I'll know tomorrow if it worked.

Sometimes I Wish

Sometimes I wish that my calling was something that made a lot more money.  Oh, well.  I guess happiness and fulfillment will have to be enough on their own.

Sleeping In

I stayed up too late last night so I planned to sleep in this morning.  Simply by eating my breakfast once at school, skipping my quiet time, already having my clothes picked out and my lunch packed, and taking a record speed shower, I was able to get ready in just 15 minutes.  I don't think I'll make it a habit. 

Waffle Cake

I made devil's food cake in the waffle iron for church pot-luck. Just like my mommy used to make us for our lunches.

Wisdom

I wish I knew what to do when I see people I care about hurting. God grant me wisdom.

Red Ribbon Week

It's Red Ribbon Week.  Teachers get to wear jeans if we participate in the dress-up days.  Today I'm wearing Grandma N's pink hat for "Put a Cap on Drugs" day. 

Fog

It's 10 AM and there's still this creepy thick fog all around the school.

Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch meeting tonight. I'm feeling really hopeful.

Code of Ethics

Just sat through an hour and a half long meeting on our code of ethics and sexual misconduct.

Sick?

My throat hurts.

Student Council Speeches

Today a dozen students in each grade are making student council speeches in the library (I'm broadcasting it live to the school).  Here are a few of the promises I've heard made:

• Pizza every day for lunch
• An hour long recess every day
• Lower prices on ice cream
• New playgroud equipment
• Less homework
• More field trips
• and my favorite...  Getting the locks on the bathroom stalls fixed (I didn't even know this was a problem- it might be the only reasonable promise!)

doughnuts

Last night, Nate and I drove to the gas station just to get doughnuts.  This morning, there were doughnuts in the teacher workroom.  God must know I need them :)

Dream Confrontation

I dreamed I had a show-down style confrontation with my administrators in the lunchroom.  It was not pretty.  I hope it was not forshadowing things to come.

Meg's Chicken

We're about to enjoy a yummy dinner I call Meg's Chicken because Megs made it for us once. It's chicken that's cooked in a mixture of Russian dressing, apricot preserves, and onion soup mix. So good!

Goals

I gave a speech about setting personal AR goals 5 times today and I think it got better every time.

Bible AR tests

I just found out that I can get an Accelerated Reader test for every book of the Bible (NIV).  How interesting.

Bye Bye Bookfair

The book fair is packed up and being taken out today! 

Dark

I don't like that it gets dark so early. And it's only going to get worse :(

Meeting My Neighbors

I know, I've lived in my house for 2 1/2 years, I should know my neighbors, but I don't. That's why I really enjoyed going door to door today with Noelle to invite our neighbors to a Neighborhood Watch meeting.

Chilly Weather Bonus

The colder it gets, the more the cats are willing to snuggle with us.

My Bed

I love my bed in the winter. I love the heavy feeling of 4 blankets.

Pictures

Here I am in Wisconsin. You can tell because I'm wearing a sweater and a cheese- head hat.

Here are our pumpkins from Family Fun Night!

Biscuits

I had so much fun hanging out with Amber and Noelle. We even made really fun shaped biscuits for dinner. (Thanks to Bisa for the cookie cutters from all those years ago!)

Dr. Amber

I get to spend some time with Amber this afternoon!

Stubborn

I kind of hate Nobby right now. He pawed and meowed at our bedroom door for several hours this morning. Even after opening the door and spraying him in the face with water a few dozen times, he persisted. This is one stubborn cat.

Roller Skates

I have a sudden urge to get out my roller skates.

Whip It!

I'm going to see Whip It this evening with some girl friends.  Horray!

SPAM

I am thankful for gmail and its ability to block Spam.  I just went to clear out my Spam folder and I'm so glad I don't have to look at those subject lines every day.  Ewww.

Community Center

After the PTO meeting, I went over to see the possible space for our community center.  Even just the thought of a communal meeting space gives us limitless ideas of what we could do in it!

Open House

5-7 PM.  PTO Open House.

Shopping Spree

Today is a good day.  I just found out I have a hefty amoutn book fair dollars to spend! 

MASTER key

I thought my key only opened one door at the school.  Found out today that it opens ALL the doors.  Somehow having a master key makes me feel really important and powerful.  I'll try not to let it go to my head.

VHS

Mr. B (the library assistant) just showed me how to repair and splice VHS tapes.  I really want to be the kind of person who fixes things rather than just throwing them away and buying a new one.  I'm glad that today I was able to do jus that.

Hands

I have cuts all over my hands.  A paper cut, a scratch from a cat, a slice from a 3 ring binder, another 2 scratchs from a pumpkin stem, and a pretty deep cut from the trunk in our hall.  My poor hands.

Fall Cleaning

I'm glad to have a few pleasant days so that I can get some fall cleaning done. Today I got the fans cleaned and packed away for the winter.

NAP!

Since I stayed at school until 4:40 yesterday (waiting on a parent that was supposed to be there at 4:15), I'm leaving ASAP today.  I'm going to take a nap.

Family Fun Night

Last night the Amy, Todd, Noelle, and Chuck came over for dinner and pumpkin carving!  Pictures to follow.

Grandparents' Day

Today is Grandparents' Day.  The halls, cafeteria, and book fair (which is in the library) are quite crowded.  Seeing all these grandparents makes me extra glad I got to see my grandparents just a few days ago.

Not Missing

Whew.  He's here.

Missing

Our library assistant is not here.  He's always here.  Always on time.  He didn't call in sick.  The phone number we have has been disconnected.  I'm worried.

New Scarf

I'm wearing my new red scarf today. 

Root Beer

My uncle gave us locally brewed root beer when I was in Wisconsin. I was able to get it back to LaGrange in one piece and we just enjoyed it with dinner. Thanks, Uncle Eric!

Fumes

The gym floor was refinished over the weekend.  The fumes are so bad, my throat and eyes burn, my head hurts, and I gag when I walk closer to the gym.  I think it might be eating the enamel off my teeth.  Ok, that last one was an exaggeration, but really, it's bad.

So Much To Say

The conference was amazing.  I feel so empowered and inspired to work in my neighborhood.  I imagine that I will have many posts in the future abotu the changes we are working towards.  Also, I got to see my family and it was more wonderful than I can express.

Flying

I love flying. I love the window seat and watching everything get smaller and smaller. I love wondering about all the people we're flying over and what they're thinking and doing.

Milwaukee!!!

In a few short hours, I will be on a plane with Noelle headed to the great state of Wisconsin. We're going for a neighborhood leadership conference and I'm really excited about the great workshops I'm signed up for. I'm also very excited to be in Milwaukee because most of my extended family is there. I get to see Grandparents D. this afternoon and the N. family on Saturday night. Yay! Yay! Yay!

Caramel Apples

Every fall, I become obsessed with obtaining a caramel apple on a stick. Still haven't gotten my fix for this year, but to tide me over, I'm bringing apples and caramel dip to church potluck.

Promise

If God hadn't already promised not to flood the world again, I'd be worried.  So much rain!

Watermelons

Some teachers wanted a Watermelon Party... in October.  They wanted to have a seed spitting contest.  Only problem is, there are NO seeded watermelons to be found in LaGrange.  Solution:  black beans to spit, seedless watermelons to eat.

Sinking Feeling

I hate that sinking feeling I get when I can't find something.  I hate being disorganized.  I hate losing things.

Pirates

Working on Nate's Christmas present and watching Pirates of the Caribbean.

Wiped Out

Today was intense, but good. So thankful that tomorrow is the last day before fall break.

What I've Been Doing Today

I have popped 35 bags of popcorn today.

Sad News

One of my favorite teachers here at West Side just told me she's retiring.  I will miss her so very much.

Good News

The car is going to cost less than $1000 to fix.  Praise God!

TODAY SUCKS!

Spent over an hour looking for watermelons for the 3rd grade and couldn't find any. Lugged 18 cases of Coke back to school at 6:30. Nate got in a fender bender and the guy drove off. Today sucks big time.

Negative Nancy

I'm in a bad mood.  I need to get out of it before I head to this 2+ hour faculty meeting.

Sure Sign

Whispering directions and encouragements to myself is a sure sign that I am desperately seeking some sense of control over this crazy day.

Super Stressed

Thank God this week only has 3 days as they are going to be rough.  Book fair is setting up in the library, 6th grade is doing research, my first AR Celebrations, teachers not doing what I need, and 3 hour long faculty meetings. 

2nd Place

Our trivia team went to the state championship today and won second place! Goooo Team!

Hillside Halloween

Just got back from a planning meeting for our neighborhood Halloween party. Looks like we're going to have costume making stations (a lot of our kids don't have Halloween costumes) and then have games and candy. I'm really excited about it! If you have empty milk jugs, paper bags, or candy you want to donate, let me know. Thanks!

Margaret

We got to spend the evening with a friend from college who has been in England getting her master's for the last year. It was so wonderful to catch up and celebrate her homecoming as well as her birthday. Happy Birthday, Margaret!

Saturdays!

I love Saturdays like today. Sleep in, do some laundry, nice weather, run a few little errands, watch TV and read, and then something fun in the evening- dinner with Margaret!

Busy House

Todd and his roommate are coming over for dinner. The Mission Year gang is coming over for games in the evening. Lots of people coming over!

Points and Oreos

I'm going to tally AR points, then I'm going to walk home in this beautiful breezy weather, and then I'm going to eat oreos.

No Pity

Today is the end of the first quarter.  The library is full of whining, scrambling kids trying to meet their reading goals.  I have no pity for them.  I will teach them a life lesson today:  Do Not Procrastinate.

Extra Thankful

Today I am extra thankful for my friend Dr. Amber.  She and her husband Dr. Andrew work really hard in medical school and I am very proud to call them my friends. 

Book Sleuth

Today I am a Book Detective.  A student has been hiding (hoarding) some of our new books in the library, on the shelves behind the other books.  I found 6 already.  I have 2 more I'm still looking for. 

So Tired

I didn't get in until after 11.  Didn't get to sleep until midnight.  Oh man, I'm tired.

HIGH

I get to go to the High Museum of Art with some other teachers this afternoon for free :)  Then we're going out for tapas!

Food and Kisses

Nate and I enjoyed yet another wonderful potluck dinner at church. During our discussion time, one of the adorable little girls in the church walked up and kissed each of us on the leg. It's so nice to be part of a community of love.

Advice

I must need advice, because 2 people at school sought me out to give me some right after school. I will put it into action tomorrow.

All the 8th grade girls

My brother came to visit today.  One of his classes was helping at the school.  All day long I've heard 8th grade girls tell me how hot my little brother is. 

Don't Scratch

My tattoo and spider bites itch.  I'm trying not to scratch.

Winter Clothes

I've started unpacking my winter clothes and packing up my summer clothes. Good bye, tank tops. See you in a few months.

Meetings

Had a 2 hour meeting today (Health Services Advisory Committee) and I have a 2 hour meeting tomorrow (Parent Portal).  I know, I probably seem totally unqualified to be on either of these committees- and you're right.

Bed Bugs

I woke up with 7 red bites along my side from my hip to my armpit. Guess I'll be washing the sheets this afternoon.

Keys

I left my keys at my parents' house. My school keys, my car keys, my house key. Ugh.

Research

Today, I've been explaining to 8th graders that plagerism is stealing and lying.  Fun times.

Reading Rocks

We are celebrating Children's Book Week this week and to kick it off, I gave out reading rocks (pet rocks that must be read to every day) to all of our elementary students.  That was a fun way to spend my morning.

Riding in the Car

Today we were in the car from 2:30 until 9:00. We had a great time in SC, but I'm glad to be home and out of the car.

Football Game

We went to the USC football game. Besides my near anxiety attack (due to crowds and heights) it was a fun experience.

USC

Lasagna was delicious, Zombie Land was awesome and now we're off to USC to spend the weekend with Brian.

Lasagna and Zombies

In just a few hours I will be at my parents' house enjoying homemade lasagna!  Then we're all going to see Zombie Land!  I can hardly wait!

Real Librarian

Typing on my typewriter makes me feel like a real librarian. It also makes me think of the TV show Mad Men.

Leaving

I'm leaving straight from school.  Riding to my parent's house with Mary (we grew up in the same church and now she's an LC student), since Nate will already be in Atlanta.

Birthdays

Today is my sister's birthday.  It is also my father-in-law's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Laura and Ron!  You both rock! 

Sweater Update

No luck. Looked all the way home. :(

Beware of the Groove

I feel completely frazzled.  Something has thrown off my groove.  I think I'm going to watch Emperor's New Groove when I get home in an attempt to make this day better.

Favorite Sweater

I couldn't find my new sweater this morning.  I think I dropped it while wakling home yesterday.  All I can do is hope it will be on the ground, waiting for me when I walk home today.