Let's Restart Again

I have left the classroom. It was not as hard a decision as I thought it would be. It simply wasn't a good fit. The problem was I made my decision in October and then had to finish the year. It was the longest school year of my career. The reality is I was burnt out and teaching was no longer the joy of my life.

I had some health issues, and got shingles on Christmas Day! That was the worst. So get the shingles shot it is worth it to not have shingles.

So now I get up when I want to, and I get to read and travel and I lost 20 pounds! I'm no longer stress eating! I now have a total of 7 grandchildren, 4 boys 3 girls, in three different states.

I still miss the TV show LOST. I'm a "Gleek" now. I'm reading George R. R. Martin's Songs of Fire and Ice aka Game of Thrones. It is like Harry Potter but for adults. I'm on Facebook. I feel calmer.

Sadly this summer we had to have Sasha the Wonder Dog put down. We'd had him over 13 years and that was a hard thing to do, but it was the right thing. He had cataracts, was losing his hearing, had a hard time getting up and down. I miss him.

Hubs and I are going on my dream vacation in December to the Southern Hemisphere and after we get back we will decide about getting another dog. Hubs has decided to learn Spanish, so we watch telenovelas with English subtitles. It's working.

There really is life outside the classroom! I no longer drive to work before the sun comes up. I no longer set an alarm, or write lesson plans, or worry about the scope and sequence, or testing. I go out to lunch and enjoy what I eat, heck I even get to actually taste it!

Just Another Frantic Friday

Still teaching at "new" school, but this year just social studies. By that I mean state history and world history/geography. Since I was not raised in the state where I currently live I am learning the history as I teach it.

This year as one of the "new" teachers, I received a rather large percentage of the students with extra paper (504 or SpEd). In one class 50% of the students are tested orally. Currently several of my "problematic" students are not attending my class for various reasons. One is now in the behavioral program, 2 are at long term off campus suspension, 1 has been suspended and when he returns will be at the on campus placement for suspension.



It seems that when one kid with too much attitude and control issues leaves, there is always another one to take their place. Case in point; Wannabe Super Star decided that yesterday was the day to push the envelope. Prior to class WSS was running around chasing younger students, and showed up for class late. About 10 minutes after WSS shows up an announcement is made regarding the use of the restroom. I choose to not allow this. WSS had a tantrum, and eventually stormed out of class, without permission. I make a note about this in the discipline file, and WSS goes ballistic. I kept my cool, mostly. The rest of the class is so tired of WSS, as am I.

Another incident Chatter Box Boy returns to my room after class has been dismissed and breaks into tears. It seems the Dress Code Kid, has punched him in the jaw,and DCK's buddy Island Boy, has played a part in this mess. At my school the counselors and Assistant Principals have the divided the school into two parts, A-M & N-Z. Which means DCK has one AP while CBB has a different one. Since I did not witness the situation I take CBB to his AP, but the AP doesn't want to handle it since DCK has a different AP. So CBB and I check in with the nurse, then go to the other AP. That AP sends CBB back to the other AP, because IB is one of the first AP's kids. ARGH!!!!!! It was after this that I had the problem with Wannabe Super Star.

I'm exhausted just writing this. I fully expect that I will be called on the carpet for not letting WSS have unlimited potty time. I feel as if I am in a no-win situation. Oh yeah, grades are due on Monday, Tuesday is State Test Teacher Training Day, after school, of course, and this weekend is flying by.

I'm back

After a year of enjoying the good life, not working, God in His infinfite wisdom dropped a job in my lap. I said I would not go back unless God dropped a job in my lap and He did. (Why doesn't HE make me a smaller size?)

So I am teaching 6th grade Science and Social Studies at new to me school. I know strange combination. I'm one of those teachers who has extremely broad certification!

The faculty has been great and I've been warmly welcomed. OH! I forgot to tell you that I started at the semester, as in mid-year, as in angry children who did not want to move from their overcrowded classes to the room of the unknown teacher. For the most part the kids and I have settled in and it is okay.

I did say for the most part. A few days ago, the teacher next door took away one of those paper game things that kids do from a student we share. She showed it to me and I briefly looked at it, and should have been alarmed, as it had Hit, Stab, Kill and a list of names. It just didn't register with me. So the thing was thrown away and I didn't think much about it. Later on the kid is in my class and is playing with a new version of that one. I just told the kid to put it away and get busy with the assignment. (I know I should have looked more closely)

Well another teacher found the thing and let the Assistant Principal know and the kid is now in an off campus placement. I found out my name was on the list more than the AP's! Now that I've had some time to think about it, I'm bothered. The kid will return to my class after the off campus placement time is up, becasue as I was told nothing actually happened. Or I can file a grievance to have the kid placed elsewhere. The Kid would really like to be back with the former teacher, and I would hate to think a hit list was a reward to return to a class.

I'm not afraid Kid. But I am unsettled. Has anybody else out there been on a "hit list"? I would love some experienced advice!

Other than that I'm enjoying being back and had forgotten how much I have missed teaching. It's never dull and never boring and never the same way twice!

Food

I love food and my friend over on Letters From Glome posted this and I thought it was fun and interesting, so here you go.

100 Things You Must Eat Before You Die

The directions:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

Here are the hundred foods.


1. Venison--.
2. Nettle tea - what the heck is that??
3. Huevos rancheros--Yes
4. Steak tartare--why would I eat that? I've seen Mr. Bean eat it.
5. Crocodile Okay so it was alligator close enough
6. Black pudding--Would NEVER eat it.
7. Cheese fondue--
8. Carp--daddy liked to fish
9. Borscht--
10. Baba ghanoush--What is it?
11. Calamari--Yes
12. Pho--.
13. PB&J sandwich--Of course
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns--Yes!! Yum!!
20. Pistachio ice cream--Yes
21. Heirloom tomatoes--Yes
22. Fresh wild berries--Yes
23. Foie gras--no but it fun to say
24. Rice and beans--Yes
25. Brawn, or head cheese--Would NEVER eat it.
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche--It's in my fridge right now.
28. Oysters--Yes, does the sauce count??
29. Baklava--Yes
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut--Yes
35. Root beer float-- Yes.
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat--
42. Whole insects- don't the parts count? probably I have swallowed a bug or two
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk--Yes
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala--Yes, so yummy...
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut--Yes
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal--Ummm, yes.
56. Spaetzle--Yes
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine--
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores--Yes
62. Sweetbreads--I would NEVER eat this.
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian--It is quite an experience
66. Frogs’ legs my mom likes those
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake--shouldn't those be separate as they are sooooooo goooood!
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain--
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette--in gumbo
71. Gazpacho--Yes
72. Caviar and blini--but not at the same time
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost--Yes, It's really sweet and caramel-y for a cheese.
75. Roadkill if I did I was unaware, maybe the high school cafeteria, or that guy I dated in collge
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie--Yes
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini--
81. Tom yum--
82. Eggs Benedict--Yes
83. Pocky--Yes, I have some in the pantry
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.--I wish.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare--I've eaten rabbit. Is that the same?
87. Goulash--Yes
88. Flowers--Yes, as in chrysanthemum tea
89. Horse--Yes, school cafeteria
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam--Yes
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa--
94. Catfish--Yes
95. Mole poblano--I've had mole & poblano
96. Bagel and lox--
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta--
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake does unagi in nsuchi count??

So there are my responses
How about you??

Dealing with change

I've been in my new home several months now, and have experienced a deep depression. Probably the worst episode to date. It is difficult to put to words to the despair that I have felt. And it is not a logical reaction to the situation. The house is lovely, the people here are friendly.

There are days I never get out of my pajamas, but spend the day on the couch watching countless reruns, or I sit reading. My favorite time of the day when I can fall asleep and I dislike awakening.

I did go to the dr and was once again put on medication.

Where Did the Time Go?

Let's see, it has been months since my last posting. So let me catch you up. No, that will take too long, so I will just restart.

I am no longer teaching. We have relocated. Hubs has a new job, and I am taking at least a semester off! Maybe forever off!

But here is a brief recap of the last few months and I am sure you will understand my lack of posting.

School ended, we flew out for Mom-in-law's birthday party she turned 90! Sadly 2 weeks later she passed away, while I was on my retreat with my gal pals. She was cremated so the memorial service was later.

I left from gal pal retreat and drove cross country to see son #3 and take him the cradle his grandpa made, all 3 of my boys slept in.

Drove back cross country and visited many historical sights. Fort Bridger, Keirney Arch, Winter Quarters, Iowa, Cabelas and more Cabelas!

Flew out to attend the memorial for Mom-in-law.

Drove out to Charleston to visit son #2, met up with my Internet buds in Savannah.

Flew my mom out and visited with son #1, took Mom to visit her cousin, and to Vicksburg. Mom left early because of a possible hurricane.

Son #2 moved back for a short time, (just long enough to go through a hurricane & not the one that Mom fled from)

School started, flew out for high school reunion, and grandson #3 was born (he's the 4th grandkid, but the 3rd boy). Son #2 moved out, son #1 takes a new job.

Finish first marking period, fly out to help with new grandson, Hubs accepts a new position with a new company.

Son #1 and family move closer and have Thanksgiving with us, house hunting, resigning from school, get the flu.

Find a house, buy a house,son #3 moves to a new place and he got a new job, Christmas, Mom's cousin passed away, New Years, pack up the classroom, movers pack up the house, movers unload at new house, more flu, find a doc, and a chiropractor, unpack, get a library card. Yes I have a lovely library in my new town, read, unpack, read, unpack.

Sit down and write this. Or should I say rewrite this, because I can't seem to make the other one publish.

Good Night all!

What the heck?

I just wrote a long post, it got saved,as a draft, I wanted to edit and now I can't figure out how to make it post! The help stuff was not useful either, the links did not wwork, so I feel very frustrated!

Learning to have car claustrophobia

Tomorrow I leave on the second of my summer get the heck out of the swamp trips. A friend and I are meeting some other people in Hot Springs for our first ever girl gathering! I am so excited! Sonic Sue, my pal, was a librarian, is a red head and cannot pass a Sonic Drive In without getting a Route 44 Diet Coke. I drink vanilla Dr. Pepper.

We plan on visiting the Southern Living house while in Hot Springs and enjoying non swamp weather. I only know 3 of the other 10 women who are coming, Sonic Sue only knows 2 of us and Margarita Prairie Rose almost everybody. It should be interesting.

After that Sonic Sue and I will drive to Utah to deliver the family baby cradle to my baby, whose wife is having a baby! Sonic Sue has never been to Utah so this should be fun. We'll do the touristy stuff, then drive back.

After that I have two days of workshops, and a day of defensive driving class. Then off to the lake for the 4th, then back home for a couple of days. Then off to South Carolina to visit Middle Man, my #2 son, and his son. Margarita Prairie Rose wants to come along. It would be fun.I have to go to the beach. I don't care what beach, just a beach! I need ocean, I need waves and sand, and a book. It soothes my overworked, underpaid, self.

Then my mother has the bright idea of me flying, we load up a rental truck of furniture and drive across country delivering to my kids. I had a better counter proposal, of drive the truck here to my place, via #3's house and then take some stuff up to #1's house and we'll see how Middle Man's life is and get him his stuff when he settles down.

Okay so why don't I just fly to all these places? Because I don't usually go to cities with major airports, and then I'd have to rent a car. So I travel by car. Even with fuel prices the way they are, it is still cheaper!

So by the time school starts I'll be fearful of any trip in a car longer than 10 minutes.

I'm changing departments when school starts and that will be interesting. Now if only the powers that be would tell me exactly what I'll be teaching. But that would be cheating!