A Long Two Months

It has been a long two months since I've updated our blog.   So much has happened that I don't quite know where to start.  I'll try to give it to you in a nutshell, but it is still going to be long.

APRIL

*Workworkworkwork - and more work.

That's all April is about for me. My fourth graders take the Reading & Math TAKS tests at the end of every April, and it was quite a task to fully prepare them this year.  Between teaching, planning, evaluating, communicating, reports, conferencing and meetings almost every day, April is tough.  April is also a lot of work for Todd, too, although he doesn't administer the actual TAKS test.

Good news though!  Todd's students did *awesome* on their EOC (end of course) exams.  His passing average was over 90% which is amazing!  I was so proud of him!  I learned at the end of May that my students did well on TAKS.  I was especially thrilled that 100% of my students passed the TAKS Writing test in April!  Over 1/3 of my class received perfect scores which thrilled me as well.

As far as next year, Todd will be teaching 8th grade Science.  This will be a positive move for him because the 7th graders he has this year will basically loop up to 8th grade with him.  I will continue teaching 4th grade, but I will only be teaching Math, Science & Social Studies.  This will be good for my workload, or at least I hope it will be!


MAY

May was tough - and that's putting it lightly.

* We lost my Grandma on May 6.  She had been on hospice since Christmas, and her health declined quickly.  She was a strong woman both emotionally and physically, and she could cook anything well.  Thankfully she shared her chicken salad recipe with me (from memory of course) several years ago, and I can now do one thing well that she could.  The matriarch of my Dad's side of the family is now gone, as is that entire generation.

A photo of us from ten years ago:

Grandma left behind four children, one preceded her in death just a month before, eighteen grandchildren, and even more great-grandchildren.  My Dad, Step-Mom, sister, and I traveled to Oklahoma for her funeral.  Here is a photo of a few of the grandchildren that were there:

* On May 8th, only two days after Grandma passed, our hearts were shattered.  I don't even know how to write this (and the tears begin), but we lost Mackey.  Our precious, cute, strange, goofy, sweet, boy had to be put to sleep.  It will be four weeks tomorrow, and Todd and I are still reeling from Mackey being gone.  Todd's best friend of 14.5 years is gone.  His ashes are home with us, where we wish he still was.  For being the calmest of our three dogs, it sure has been a quiet house without him.  The big dogs have felt the absence of his presence as well.  We are all still devastated and many tears have been, and surely will continue to be, shed.  It still doesn't seem real, and it seems like forever since he's been gone.

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Now that I've dried my eyes (some), I'll continue.  May also brought us some proud moments and smiles.

* My sister, Cindy, was inducted into the Hall of Honor of the school district where she ran track and cross country in high school.  She was the first track star to be inducted.  Her beautiful and heartfelt speech had us all in tears.  A photo of her with a former teacher & coach:

Cindy, while giving her speech:

 

* I, along with my work team, took a bajillion (okay . . . maybe only 65) fourth graders to Austin for the day.  We met at te school at 6:00am, took chartered buses to Austin, toured the Capitol building, explored the Bob Bullock State Museum, and returned to the school about 8:30 that same night.  Talk about tired!

* Our niece, Whitney (a junior), went to prom. Luckily I was invited to take photos.  She was amazingly gorgeous, and I was so proud!  I can't believe how grown up she is now.  Man, I feel old.

With her date ("friend"), Alex:

A full-length view of her dress:

And with her double-chinned aunt:

* Todd finished his first semester of graduated school and did really well.  He is taking two other classes this summer, and has about a year until he graduated with his Master's Degree in Educational Administration.  I'm so proud of him!

* Our annual Memorial Weekend in Tyler with Todd's cousins was a wonderful time as always.  Although not everyone was able to join us, we still had family there from Boston to Colorado and all over Texas.  There were 24 of us, I believe; eight of whom were aged 10 and under!  Lots of fun, water, eating, drinking, and relaxing - just what we needed.





* And now, here we still are, in June of 2010.  Best of all, it is now SUMMER!  Ahead of us is work around the house (decorating, more landscaping, cleaning & organizing), relaxing, Todd's birthday, traveling to both coasts, and recuperating from a looonnnnggg school year.  For today, Steve sums it up for both of us :
 

 

No Pants Day!

There are many mornings when I get ready, give Todd a kiss goodbye, tell the animals I'm going to work, and head to the door . . . sans pants. Or shirt. I'll tell Todd that it's "No Pants Day" at my school.

Don't worry. This only means that my pants/jeans/shirt are in the dryer or folded in the laundry room. I don't go to school nekkid.

Exhaustion

Weekends are supposed to be for rest, right? If they are, then our weekend wasn't very restful. Saturday morning began with a visit from my grandfather, Fritz. He brought me photos of Mary that I can scan for a slide show I'm making for her memorial service in June. I enjoyed visiting with him, but it was hard for us to look through the photos only four weeks after she's been gone. From there, I spent much of the day organizing and working on Mary photos. It made for an emotional Kristin.

Sunday was spent with us digging an 8-foot trench under our sidewalk along the front patio. We laid a long PVC pipe which will case wiring for outdoor lights. It was difficult, laborious work but we got most of it finished. I made a yummy lasagna, and I was proud of my first homemade lasagna in a few years.

After enjoying our dinner, we relaxed for the evening and got ready for bed. About 10pm, Mackey was not doing well - disoriented, not using his front left leg, panting, heart racing, etc. We carried him (literally) to the ER vet, and the wonderful doctor gave him some injections and pain pills. We're pretty sure it's lower back pain and arthritis. Poor guy. We got home after 11, and he was still having a tough time. We went to bed around midnight, and I awoke to Mack crying in pain about 4:00am. The crying sounds were so terrible to hear, and I hurt for him. Worried about his brother, Steve even rushed into our bedroom to make sure I'd get up. I called the ER again to ask if we could give him another pain pill so soon after a shot. After I gave him the pill and settled him down, I finally got to bed around 5.

Up & out of bed at 6am, I rushed to school in the pouring rain to enjoy the final day of school before TAKS testing begins tomorrow. Todd headed out not long after I did. Mackey is doing a little better today, but he is still hurting some. Thankfully, he has some meds that are helping for now.

After a weekend of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion, we're spent. Tonight's fancy dinner will be BLTs. It will be all we can do to stay awake until bedtime.

Working in an Elementary School

The people I work with are truly amazing. I am often awestruck at what we are all able to accomplish and achieve with the student population we have at my school. No, we aren't inner-city. We are a suburbian school with an inner-city population and feel. The women and men who work with all of the children here are dedicated to the teaching profession and determined to help every student become a success no matter what it takes. To become a "Recognized" school with our population, you have to be a teacher - and an excellent one at that.

We are really and truly a family here. Everyone cares for one another as much as we do the kids. We help each other, lift each other up when needed, and cheer in our successes. You'll often see attaboy emails, requests for help, prayers being given, high fives in the hall, or simple smiles that say, "You can do it!"

Today I took my typical mid-day restroom break (usually the one break I get), only to find an inspirational message awaiting me. You can only find such messages in the trash of the teacher's restroom at an elementary school.

My question: Was it left as another sticker to trash, to inspire me to stay in the restroom for a while, or to just simply help us make it through another day? :)

Of course, I had to include this as today's photo on My Shuttercal.

Today's Morning Commute

It was not pretty. It usually takes me about 25 minutes to get to school each morning. Today it took me 75 minutes. I didn't stress out because there wasn't anything I could do about it. Instead, I tried to entertain myself.

School starts at 7:55. It's 8:20 - Do you know where your children are? Hopefully someone was watching mine!

I made friends with lots of others while sitting in the parking lot/highway. They weren't entertaining themselves like I did.

Then, XM/Sirius helped me out. Milli Vanilli!

No. I was not speeding. How could I when I was just sitting there? (Notice that I need gas & an oil change.)

Finally . . . OPEN ROAD!!!!

A Night of Recognition

Tonight my school district held its first Service Award Dinner, and it was much better than I expected. Employees - including teachers, auxiliary personnel, custodians, administrative staff, administration, & more - received $500 per five years of service (for 5, 10, 15 years, etc.). Over $335,000 were distributed to staff members at tonight's dinner. That dollar amount does not include employees who were not in attendance that have been with the district for five years. There was a man who received recognition for being with our district for 35 years. Wow.

One thing I did notice is that with all of the people there (over 250), there were only a couple of former employees from my building. I knew many others there, but they were from my time at another school, people I met in trainings, service personnel, etc. That alone showed me that our staff stays at my school for a reason, and the main reason we ever lose people is because they go on to bigger and better things.

With everything going on in today's economy and DISD, I feel very privileged to work for a district that truly values its employees. Tonight is one example that proved that to be true.

A picture of my assistant principal (in year 16), my principal (in year 15) & me (in year 11). A fun note: I graduated from high school w/ Lance (my principal)!

The only thing that would have made the evening better - wine with dinner. :) Guess goverment dollars don't pay for alcohol unless you're in the political arena!

Sunrise, Sunset

If you're cool like me, you're now singing that song from "Fiddler on the Roof." Uh, anyway . . .

Going home from school last night, I saw this:

Coming back to work this morning, I saw this:

Gorgeous full moon shots, aren't they? Don't know when I'll get to see the light of day again. At least teaching in a windowless classroom for the past 7 years doesn't get me too exposed to the outdoors. ;)

Very Quick Update

- My mom went back to work yesterday. She's on light duty, but she said it was nice to be back. I hope she doesn't wear herself out!

- Mary is doing okay. She's still on a lot of pain meds through hospice care. She is still very sharp in her mind, but her body is failing her.

- My brother and SIL will most likely both be laid off this next week. I'm not sure what they'll for their family to survive, so it's very scary right now. Both of them work for DISD, and they (like hundreds of others) have been screwed by the ineptitude of a defunct school district that needs to be put down.

- If I didn't have Monday off, I would need to take it off for mental health reasons. I'm so exhausted and overwhelemed lately. I hope I can catch up some this weekend.

Guess I Really Am Tired

Case in Point #1: Todd and I were sitting in the den early this evening just chatting & talking about our day. Apparently for no reason I told Todd to shut up - and I don't even remember it. Even right after I supposedly said it, I didn't know that I had. Todd's not one to make stuff like that up, so I had to apologize for saying shut up to him. Even though I still have NO recollection of it.

Case in Point #2: Less than an hour later, I asked Todd what the date for Election Day was in November. I asked him if it was the 11th & he said no. After looking at his calendar, he told me it was the 4th. I racked my brain over & over trying to figure out why I remembered Nov. 11th. (My brain stores up information like dates, phone numbers, etc.) I told Todd that I knew SOMETHING was on the 11th - like a holiday or something. He checked his calendar for me & said, "Nope. Nothing."

I kept thinking. Finally, he said, "The first date we had?" AAAHHHH! YES!!! The date of our first date in 2003. Geez. I always remember stuff like that. The fact that TODD actually remembered it first proves that I'm tired.

I'm in bed getting ready to do some school stuff & go to sleep. I'm sure I'll never catch up.

Lesson Learned

Last night I could have easily screamed, "KILL ME NOW!!!

For the first time in my memory, I went to an office supply store. After the first day of school ended. WTF was I thinking? Had I really not had a long enough day?

When Todd and I walked in, he called out across the store to two of his students. Todd suddenly said, "Hell no!" and turned around to walk out. That's when I saw the line. The HUGE, long line of people. (Is that lady in the white shirt trying to cut? I think not!)


You can't see the ones at the end of the line because they are hidden by shelving. Believe me, they were there. I swear there had to be at least 50 people. That's when I saw the other line - you know - the short line. The man in the tie was not the last person.


Because I (1) desperately needed binders for school today, (2) wanted to purchase them for $0.25 each, and (3) could buy up to 25 binders since I'm a teacher . . . I stood in said line. For about 25 minutes. And, yes, I sent Todd to get some yogurt down the street and come back later. I'm such a nice wife.

Kill me again for just thinking about it. Lesson learned.

It's Been Fun

But my summer is pretty much OVER. I start a week of Math curriculum training tomorrow and from there . . . they have me for another nine months! BACK TO SCHOOL!

No more sleeping in. No more staying up late. Back to long days, working hard, heat-stroke recess duty, noisy cafeteria duty. I'm actually looking forward to this year, but I'll miss my summer!

Fun While It Lasted!

Last week was my last full week before returning to school. This week I have two days of training for my ESL certification (that I won't even use). Next week I have a full, 40-hour curriculum training. zzzzzz.

So here's how the shit's gonna hit the fan for me in the four upcoming weeks:
- ESL certification training
- helping a friend pack her home to close in one week
- start setting up my classroom
- Steve & Mackey to vet
- Curriculum training
- a few trips to the airport
- 3-day Scrapbook Retreat
- making meals to freeze for us, grandparents, mom
- Mom having open heart surgery
- taking care of mom
- Staff Development
- Back to School Night
- finishing classroom
- first day of school

I know there's more, but I'm already tired. The best part? Todd and I will be able to spend some time apart for the first time in a couple of months! The worst part? I don't think my 1am - 10am sleep schedule is going to fly.

Stick a Fork in Us

We're done. With school that is! Todd was officially finished yesterday. Me today.

I am moved back into my old fourth grade classroom, semi-unpacked, stuff stored, and signed out for the year. The moving process was a pita, but I'm looking forward to being back in 4th grade.

But, until then, I shall summer. Not to be seen in my district until my August 4th training.

aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh

FINALLY

Today was the last day with kids. Two years with the same crew. Ugh. They are gone. I am glad. Checkout tomorrow. Summer begins.

'Nuff said.

Superhero Update

DeafBoy arose from the ashes (bed) this morning with his hearing restored. Fear not, for he shall continue his reign as DeafBoy. We're just glad UnDeafBoy received his miracle cure without coming under attack from other superheroes.

BurnGirl didn't fare as well. She is still in pain and wielding stupid questions from children. Examples would include:

Child: "Are you sunburned?"
BurnGirl: "No, I went crazy with the blush brush this morning."

Child: "Did you go to the beach this weekend?"
BurnGirl: "No, why do you ask?"
Child: "Never mind."

Child: "Did you get burned by the sun?"
BurnGirl: "No, I sat in an oven."
Child: "WHAT?!"
Other children: She's being sarcastic.

Ya think????!!!! :)

BurnGirl's colleagues said she was getting more purple throughout the day. Lovely. UnDeafBoy slathered more aloe on BurnGirl's swollen, hot burns after she fed him this evening.

Perhaps BurnGirl can become BurnGirlEggplantWomanSarcasticTeacher. What a superhero THAT would be! ::preparing comic books full of color, hawt & skinny BurnGirl -yea!, and lots of onomatopoeia::

POW! SINGE! ZAP! BURN! OUCH!

BOHICA!!!

In one of my past lives, I was a training consultant for an HR consulting firm. I was once leading a five-day workshop that trained the trainers from client companies on how to implement & train our products. A part of their tedious certification process was to present two different training simulations. During these simulations, my job was simply to observe and take detailed, copious notes of exact dialogue used and categorize it all into different behavioral dimensions.

During a presentation of one man, who had to be about ten years my senior, he used the term "BOHICA". (pronounced BOE HEE KAH) As I was trying to figure out how to spell it and what it meant before I wrote it down, another participant in the workshop asked him the same question running through my mind.

"BOHICA? You've never heard of it? Oh, we've all heard of it and experienced it!!!" he replied with some glee in his voice, "It's BOHICA = Bend Over Here It Comes Again. BOHICA." I immediately stopped my timer and put my head on my table while laughing so hard I was crying. I was not the only one in the room crying either - men and women alike! Yep - time for a break! It took us a while to collect ourselves and get back to work.

I've since adapted the term BOHICA into my semi-regular vocabulary and used it often - especially in stressful times or times when I know I'm being taken.

With that, here is today's BOHICA for me. See, we've all experienced it!

Damn gas & oil companies!