Home Video

Nate's parents sent us a DVD in the mail. It's home videos of him and his cousins at his grandparents' house in 1987 and 1988. So far, I've seen Nate hit his brother twice (once while yelling about "He-man!") and run around the kitchen in his underwear. Looking forward to watching the last half an hour tomorrow.

Grandparents

Nate and I are headed up to Mom and Dad's for the night to spend a little time with them and my grandparents who are passing through on their way back to Wisconsin from Florida. Looking forward to a yummy dinner and an evening filled with card games and Speed Scrabble.

(s)Mall

From 12:00-3:00 today, I will be in the mall (also called "the hall" and "the small"). It's Children's Day and we're taking the opportunity to try and register some kids for our school.

You are getting very sleepy...

Sometimes I wish I was more of a night owl. Even in college, I never pulled an "all nighter" and rarely stayed up past midnight hanging out with friends. Not even the shame of feeling like the party-pooper can keep my eyelids from drooping. 25 years old and I'm ready for bed at 10:30 on a Friday night.

Protocol

Got my hand slapped again for not following protocol and didn't cry.  Thankful that I'm totally passed caring what certain people think.

Dream Big

If a fairy godmother came right now to grant me one wish, I would seriously consider wishing for a box of powedered doughnuts.

Daydreaming

Some friends of ours took their son to interview at the Waldorf school in Decatur. I am so disillusioned with the public school system. I have been daydreaming (aka surfing the internet) about teaching at a Waldorf school all day.

Is this day over yet?

After an hour and a half of Crochet Club with 35 kids (just 3rd and 4th graders), it's time to lead another parent information meeting.

Parent Meeting

In 1 hour, I will be leading a meeting for parents of prospective students.  My usual confidence is gone.  I am very nervous.

Looooong

I am going into this day knowing that I have already worked 3 10-hour days and that today will be a 12-hour day. At least I can mentally prepare myself for the marathon of work and meetings.

Recipe for Disaster

Take a rough faculty meeting, stir in some rumors that have been floating, and put it all in a day where I have a meeting with the superintendent and I'm going to be doing my best all day to keep the anxiety at bay.

Boo

After a real downer of a faculty meeting, I have to make 32 parent phone calls about overdue books and fines.  Good thing I have brownies and mint chocolate chip ice cream to look forward to.

Sent Mail

Several teachers were not aware they had outboxes.  They were not aware that every email they had ever sent was saved.  Some had 6,000 dating back to 2004.

Email Police

Today I get to go around and tell teachers who are using up too much space on the server to clean out their email.  Some people have 11,000 inbox items!  IT didn't know they picked the perfect person for this job.  I hate clutter- even in my inbox.

Extra $

Teaching after school CRCT prep for a little padding in the paycheck.

GS Cookies!

My thin mints are here.  Today is a good day.

Brother's Birthday

Today is my brother's birthday and I'm planning a spectacular birthday dinner for him to celebrate. Happy 19th, Todd!

I have big plans

The weather today is supposed to be gorgeous. I want to go to Callaway Gardens this afternoon. Not only will the weather be perfect, but there's free admission this month AND a teacher friend of mine is playing the organ in the chapel. Then I want to have chili and corn bread for dinner and watch a few episodes of Rome with my handsome husband.

Today is Fun!

After a wonderful yoga class and a very enjoyable brunch of chocolate chip pancakes with Nate and Marc, Nate and I are off to Auburn for to see a basketball game with Chris for his birthday! What a great Saturday!

Angel Food

This morning I went and picked up my Angel Food box. If you are on a tight budget or know someone who is please check out Angel Food Ministries, where you can get a great box of food for very little money. There are no income restrictions and you can even order online!

What a day

We had our QAR visit, our principal was dressed like a Seuss character, 7th grade had an Asian Feast in the cafeteria, and 3rd grade just finished reading The Chocolate Touch, so of course, they had a chocolate fountian.  Today, like most days, was just the perfect amount of crazy.

I think it worked

I think drinking 3 liters of water a day plus 9 hours of sleep each night worked.  No runny nose, no swollen lymph nodes.  I'm so proud of my body for fighting off that nasty cold.

Sweet

Today we are having our Quality Assurance Review.  This is a big deal.  Also, today is the day our principal is dressed like Cat in the Hat (complete with tail).  Oh, my.

Block Gathering

We're hosting a block gathering tonight. I don't want to call it a party because I don't want the neighbors to get the wrong idea and think this will be a rowdy affair. We're going to make a small bonfire and roast marshmallows. I hope a few neighbors come.

One Down

I'm trying to drink at least 2 liters of water at school today (trying to flush this cold out of my systm).  11:30 and I've finished one.  1 more liter to go before 4:30.  I can do it.

C.C. Volunteers

Thanks to my front page article, I've had several phone calls about people in the community who are interested in helping with the Crochet Club!  It's 7th and 8th grade today, so I'll probably have a small group.  I'm feeling thankful for that since my cold is still working hard to kick my butt.

Stage 4

This cold does not play by the rules. It has skipped Stage 3 and jumped right to Stage 4 which if you didn't already know includes body aches and lymph nodes so swollen that it hurts to chew or turn my head.

Hello Mr. Superintendent

Yesterday I had a meeting with the UM District Superintendent.  This afternoon, I have a meeting with the school system's superintendent.  I am just about superintendented out.

Tap

Here is yet another reason why my school is the best:  all of our kids (and teachers!) just got to see a performance of the history and evolution of tap dance.  It was so cool.

Stage 2

My runny nose has turned into a stage 2 cold- we've added a cough.

Front Page?

Maybe I should start getting the local newspaper because apparently, my Crochet Club was the front page story today.

VOICE!

I was just voted in as a member of our school council (1 of 2 teacher positions). I have a voice and now it will be heard!

Change Challenge

If we raised over $300 for Haiti, the administrators promised to dress like Dr. Seuss characters for a day.  The totals were just announced- over $800.  Awesome.

Grants

Today I started what will probably be a long and frustrating (but hopefully rewarding) journey of writing several grants. Oh, the hoop-jumping.

Runny Nose

Yuck.  I have a runny nose.

He's Back!

My library assistant is back!  I'm so glad!

4 Day Week

This has been an awesome 4 day weekend. It's much easier to psych myself up for school tomorrow knowing that thanks to the 4 day weekend, this is yet another 4 day week.

I am an idiot

My head still hurts though my headache is gone. Here is why: There was a particular spot on the back of my head that hurt, so I massaged it. It made my headache feel a little better, so I did this for about half an hour. Now I have a large, tender bruise in that spot. I am a total idiot.

Sucky Vday Present

I woke up with a monster skullcrusher that will not go away. What a sucky Valentine's Day present.

Yesterday

Our time at Columbia yesterday was so much fun. I got to sit in on Nate's preaching and worship class and listen to the 12 people in it give 5 minute sermons. The follow up comments from the class were just as encouraging, insightful, and eloquent as the mini-sermons. It was an incredible blessing. My other favorite part of the evening was dinner at Brickstore Pub. Not only is this Nate's favorite place to eat and drink, but we had the great company and conversation of 2 friends. We even got to play in the snow a little! What an amazing day.

Dishwasher Fairies

I want to write about our day at Columbia, but it's late and I'll do it later. Right now, I just want to quickly recognize that my brother, for some sweet reason, came into our house and unloaded our dishwasher while we were gone. Such a nice surprise!

Furlough Day

Today is a furlough day and I'm making the the most of it. I'm up and ready to go at 6:15 so I can go to Columbia with Nate. After his first and only class (8-10) we'll hang out with his friends, bum around Decatur, and finally have dinner at Nate's favorite place in the world- Brickstore Pub.

Muffins

I just baked 2 dozen muffins to take to Nate's class tomorrow. Can you tell that I really want his friends to like me?

Crochet Club, Take 3

I had 15 5th and 6th graders in Crochet Club today.  That number, along with 5 adults was very managable and even pleasant.  Almost everyone learned how to single crochet, so I feel it was very successful.

Lunch in the Dark

I'm eating my lunch in the dark library.  If I don't lock the door, I'll never get to eat a bite and if I leave the light on they'll bang on the door.  Shhh... the librarian is hiding.

Scratchy

My throat is scratchy and sore today.  I'm hoping it's from talking so much and so loudly yesterday and not because I'm getting sick.

Compliment

This is what my principal had to say at the end of my observation:

 

"Are you awesome at everything you do?"

Observed

I'm being observed while I teach my lesson to 4th grade today.  I'm looking forward to showing the principal what a good teacher I am.

Fun, Fun, Fun

Yesterday I refinanced our mortgage. Today I am disputing false late charges that are making my credit score low. Being an adult is so much fun.

Ouch

While going door-to-door to invite neighbors to the Valentine's Day party, I slipped on some wet steps and landed with all my weight on my shin that slammed into the brick steps. That's going to leave quite the bruise.

Things I Am Looking Forward To

1. Eating a soft pretzle for an afternoon snack
2. Teaching a research lesson to 4th grade tomorrow
3. Crochet Club on Thursday
4. Being off on Friday

Spinach Lasagna

I might start posting a few of my favorite recipes when I make the dish. Tonight we had my spinach lasagna. If I lived alone, I would eat it 3 nights a week- every week. It's not exact at all since I made it up, but I'll try my best here.

Mix:
3 c mozzarella cheese
1 medium size container of cottege cheese (I think it's better than ricotta)
1/3 c Parmesan cheese
3 t minced garlic
1 of those square boxes of frozen chopped spinach- thawed and squeezed

Layer in a 9 x 9 pan- spaghetti sauce, uncooked lasagna noodles, cheese mixture, repeat 2 more times and finish with another cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 degrees covered in foil (make sure you spray it) for 50 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before you cut it.

It's amazing what you can do on the phone

I'm am refinancing our mortgage over the phone. Right now I'm on hold while they check my credit score. I hope this goes smoothly.

Gifted

As teachers, we are taught to accelerate students who learn quickly or have already mastered the content. Why do they not apply this to professional development? If I can understand the concept in 45 minutes, why do I have to stay for your 3 hour meeting?

S-L-O-W

This morning is moving so slowly.  The afternoon will not be any better since I have a long meeting.

Preacher Nate

I'm really looking forward to the sermon this morning as it will be delivered by my handsome husband. I'm also looking forward to seeing Roger and Rachel who are coming down to hear him!

Under the Oven

While sweeping the kitchen this morning, I thought to check under the oven for cat toys. I got the flashlight and found 3 stuffed mice which I painstakingly dug out. My bet is they'll all be back under the oven by the time we get home from church.

Here Comes Science

Nate picked up the science album by They Might Be Giants and we listened to it on the way home. I love it. It makes me want to have kids so we can sing along to "Meet the Elements" in the car together.

Totally Worth It

Those 2 hours of entering information into TaxACT were totally worth the larger-than-expected refund. Going out to eat with Nate to celebrate.

Tax Time

It's time to do my taxes. We're hoping for a big refund.

Dinner Guests

7 friends over for dinner- cornmeal quiche!

Evil Eye

On the way back from lunch, I silenced a class of 7th graders with my "evil eye."  I was thankful for the opportunity because if I don't give the evil eye every couple of days, I might develop an eye infection from the pent up evilness.

Reserved

I just reserved our camp site at Jekyll Island for 3 days of spring break!  I'm really looking forward to this little vacation with Nate and finally using the tent we bought 4 years ago!

I Miss Him

I miss Nate.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays he leaves before 6:30 AM and does not return until 11 PM.  He left this morning at 6:15.  Essentially, I have not seen Nate since Wednesday and won't see him until this afternoon.  I miss my husband.

my REAL dinner

I quickly at a left-over piece of pizza so I can have my real dinner- a big bowl of hot-out-of-the-oven apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. This is what happens when Nate is not here in the evenings.

30

Turns out that one teacher forgot to turn in the permission slips her kids gave her and we actually had 30 third and forth graders at Crochet Club. So much fun was had by all that I had to twice remind the students that crocheting is a calm, quiet activity.

Too helpful

My helpers are too helpful.  They will not leave.  They try to discipline the younger students for talking.  I've created little librarian monsters!

Reasonable

I'm looking forward to the 3rd and 4th grade Crochet Club today.  Not only do we have a more reasonable number of students (25), we also have a bunch of new and crochet savvy teachers!

Thank you, Digital Camera

Just spent the last hour sifting through (and photo-shopping) the 150 pictures I took of last night's Family Fine Arts Night.  I am thankful for digital cameras.

Helpers

I often have students ask if they can be my library helpers.  Today I took two 8th graders up on that offer. After they finished their work, they came to the library and shelved books for almost an hour.  I am super thankful for both the shelving that got done and for relationships that can be built with small group interaction with students.

Internal Clock

What is the point of going to bed early the last 2 nights only to wake up early?  If I go to bed at 8:30 PM, I wake up at 4:30 AM.  If I go to bed at 9, I wake up at 5.  Stupid internal clock.

Family Fine Arts Night

Tonight is the big night.  Art displays, theater showcase, performances by the band, orchestra, and chorus!

Shelving Music

If I have to shelve, I'm plugging my iPod into speakers and enjoying some new Vampire Weekend.

Trapped

One of my favorite parts of my job is the flexiblity I have to help teachers and students and run errands around the school.  But because my assistant is out, I have to stay here.  I am confined to the library and  I feel a little trapped.

Priorities

I really wanted to take a nap this afternoon.  There is little I want more than to be asleep between 3:30 and 4:30 today.  But then I got asked to teach the after school tutoring class today and the desire for a little extra income won out over sleep. 

Chili Breath

The down-side of having chili for lunch is that I now have horrible chili-breath.  No matter how many mints I eat, it lingers.

Please Pray

Please pray for a coworker.  He unexpectedly went to the hospital on Thursday and is still in ICU.  No word as to what's going on so just pray for healing and comfort.

5th Sunday

Last night we had our 5th Sunday Sing. One of my favorite parts about it was sitting next to an older woman in our congregation and discovering that we share many favorite hymns. I also loved that she sang the alto harmony beautifully.