WHEW!!!

10 o'clock late start
PLUS...
199 projects
PLUS...
30 tables in which to set up said projects
PLUS...
260ish kids
PLUS...
over 50 volunteer judges
PLUS...
a well oiled machine called organization and experience
EQUALS...
A successful science competition!

We did it! Even though we started at 10, and were scared we might not even come close to finishing and might have to continue judging kids tomorrow, we did it!!! We even finished in enough time to tally the scores, double check them, and give out awards TODAY! We invited 62 kids to the regional competition in February at ASU. So awesome! The hardest part is now done!

WHEW!!! A HUGE weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I am sooooooooo ready to start the next thing... planning Caleb's 4th birthday party.... it'll be on a Saturday - either on Valentine's day or the 21st... I'm thinking Valentine's day...2 ish, at the park, again. What do you think?

Busy

Not gone.
Not forgotten.
Just, crazy busy!

I'm still here. I have a ton on my plate right now. This includes:

• New student teacher, nervous about losing any of my "control"
• Glenn science competition is on Wednesday, if you know me... you know I am WAY stressed about that
• Brant is starting back at school, so I'll see him in June
• My friend did have her baby, tiny (5 pounds, 1 ounce) and just released on Saturday. I spent the day at their house on Saturday, helping them get reacquainted with the house (I shopped, did dishes, made a meal or two, helped get the new mommy adjusted with breast feeding/pumping/etc, ran baths, walked dogs, changed diapers, etc.)
• Playing with my boys, fun as both are quite mobile and in need of much attention
• House junk, cleaning, laundry, food prep

So, I am behind on my fun stuff... as in I hadn't even read ANYONE's blogs since last Monday (when I had a day off!!!), and I have taken even ONE picture of my beautiful babies in that amount of time either. I hope to get back into a routine soon. 'Cause I need to add another bullet to that list up there - finding my waist. I need to slim down and exercise is going to be the only option. *sigh* Oh well. Read about ya'll on the next go 'round. Ta-ta!

Uggh! Back to school

I. Don't. Wanna.

This means I should stand in the corner, according to our newly imposed rule for Caleb. If those three words are uttered about ANYTHING, to the corner he must go. So, I will gladly join him there... if I don't have to go back to school.

I have LOVED my time off. I mean, really LOVED my time off. I wonder what job is out there that I could make as much money as I do now... and not have to work 5 days a week? Don't need benefits, Brant has great insurance... yah. I can't think of one that is legal, either.

So, Here I am. Typing a blog instead of getting myself and my two boys ready for school. There are showers to be had, breathing treatments to give, makeup to slather on, diapers to change, daycare awaits us (but not until 7 am...), instructions to be given, and students eager (HA!) to learn. So, I must bid thee adieu. Until next we meet again!

STILL!!!

Email is still down, district wide! I feel so lost! and yet...
I am able to get SOOO much more work down around my room. My grades are up to date, the final is complete! I am *cough* interacting with my students, like a good, effective teacher. (not that I wasn't before or anything!)

Oh, and there are only 5 days left until the break! Hallelujah!

Bring on the presents, trees, lights, family time, and all that jazz!

My tree is going to be decorated tomorrow, come hell or high water!

AND - one final note -


TGIF!!!

Email down

Our school email is down for the count. So, if you've tried to contact any teacher/friend within SAISD, then... sorry 'bout 'ya. It's down district-wide. But, I did want to say,


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! (to Crystal)

Don't be jealous... but...

I am skipping out of school early tomorrow! YESSS!!!!!!!!!

We are headed to...


Wait for it...


see my seester...


For Thanksgiving...


Where?


LAS VEGAS!!!


That's right. I am 32 and taking my first, EVER, trip to Lost Wages. My Dad, bro, two offspring and I are headed to Amarillo (not by morning, but by 7 pm) tomorrow night. Then, we'll get up by 5am to drive (yes, I said DRIVE) the rest of the way to see my lonely, little seester. Brant will fly out on Tuesday. So... I know I've been absent as of late, but, I will be even more, ummm, absent-er this next week. Probably. Who knows. I may actually have time to post while doing... ummm - NOT school work in Vegas. I'll take tons of pics and get those posted.

So, have a wonderful, safe, happy, joyous Thanksgiving, ya'll. Enjoy your family time and love and kiss on those people you miss when they're gone, but love to see 'em leave. Just kidding! Loves you guys!

Random bits

So, if you are looking for something to do next Wednesday at 9:30... may I suggest joining my team of girls at my school? We're having a contest to see how many parents/teachers/community members will walk with us at the stadium. We are... ahem ... in LAST place. We desperately want to beat the other two teams, as they are OVER-ACHIEVERS! You know who you are... or were (LOL - Jenny!).

Today, my team has lunch with loved ones. We're doing this outside. It should be nice weather. A bit chilly, perhaps... but nice. THEN... we are having each child make ice cream. It's like shake and bake ... only shake and chill. It's yummy! I am nervous about how we'll do it on a 130 times scale... but, it'll be okay.

Oh! And... tomorrow is my birthday! I love my birthday! Yeah ME! (you must say that in London Tipton's voice - go ahead... try it out.)

The problem I have is...

The problem I have with the restroom CRAP - because that is apparently the problem in the BOYS room - is that the girls room in question is right by my room. There have been ZERO issues. But, I guess since the boys' room will be locked, the girls will be too? I don't know. It's too aggravating for an already aggravating day.

Anybody want a margarita - or ice cream? Both would work for me, right now.

Ridiculous

This is what we've come to in dealing with middle school restroom abuse:

• All paper towels will be removed - they can use the hand dryers.
• As soon as we get a new shipment, you will be given a roll of toilet paper to give them when they go - we'll take the jumbo rolls out. This way you can monitor if they're stuffing the entire roll in there.

Should that also read... count out 5 squares for a #1 and 15 for a #2?! geez!

I win

You might go pee before you read this blog. I don't want you peeing on yourself. That would just be icky and gross.

Also, it is recommended that you not take a large drink of any beverage prior to reading the following post.

Now that you have taken my advise, you may proceed.













So, I'm in fourth period. There are less than two minutes to the end of class. I am standing at my computer on a cart. 12 or so students are behind me... at their desks. They all start busting out laughing. I look around like, what? Is my bra strap hanging out? Do I have a excessively large booger peeking out? What?!

A student in front of me says, Mrs. F... your skirt.


Yeah... the waist band of the skirt was down just above my knees. I was wearing Assets (like Spanks - but the cheaper version, or like pantie-hose without the legs... to hold in my still-existing-baby-tummy), and could not feel them drop.

So, there I was... exposing my big white panties to my classroom.

At least I had on panties.

At least they were full butt covering panties and not thongs.

At least I was not on my period.

At least they were clean.



So, I win. (and am using is as a teachable moment about how to handle embarrassing moments with grace...aren't I a great teacher?! They will always remember me, huh?! YIKES!)

Long time

It's been a long time since my last post. SIX days! But, I haven't had much time.

Here's what's been going on:

Owen is starting on cereal. Otherwise, he's eating nearly 30 ounces of milk a day... and not keeping it all down. While he's fighting the first few bites of cereal, I've noticed a big difference. He seems much happier. But, he's now hungry in the middle of the night. We had 3 weeks there with full nights of sleep. Now, it's up every 3 hours, again. Hmmmm...

Caleb is for sale. Seriously. Three and a half year old should go for a six month time out. He has a few moments of pure like-ability. The rest of the time... let's just say... he's testing his boundaries. On good notes: He is SUPER smart. He's started writing his letters and can recognize numbers and letters without prompting. It's awesome. He's had a few funny moments. For example: "Mommy, I can feel my heart beep. It's beeping really good." There is another one... but I can't remember it right now.

School is... well... school. Work. My job. EWWWW! I am not supposed to feel that way! It's supposed to be fun and a wonderful experience each day. Um... not so much. I was ready to walk away and join the circus on Wednesday. It is tough. I don't feel adequate or prepared for this year's students... to say the least. But, I am fighting through it. And praying... A LOT!

Brant is in nursing school... the jeep is in the shop... and he's also working 40 hours a week... so... yeah. I never see him.

So, that's a quick update on the life of me. I need to start training for the walk/run. But, when? 4 am? Maybe that's a good idea. No sun... maybe no mosquitoes? Hmmm, something to think about, for sure.

Anywho. I am off to bed. For a few hours. See you tomorrow night, for football... I HOPE!

wow. tired.

nine days down. one hundred seventy-one to go. i think.

i am pooped. for the first time, EVER, i don't wanna teach. at all. i wanna stay home with my little boy. (the big one is testing our patience and his boundaries quite a bit right now... he's for sale... cheap. any takers? :) j/k).

it's not like Owen is keeping me up at night. it's the type of students we have this year. they are sweet... but they demand so much of our attention and time. i am worn out at the end of the day.

and yet... at the end of the day, i am still needed at home for playing with heroes and bad guys and teaching during those MANY teachable moments to mr. blondie; snuggling and nursing and giggling and cooing at mr. blue eyes; coming up with, making, cleaning, and serving dinner; thinking about needing to be intimate with my mate (sorry if tmi - don't wanna do that, either... who has the time/energy?!); AND, being the lving ear/shoulder for my seester and dad since they are both lonely. (jeff officially jumped the pond to go to iraq, yesterday. four or more months alone for seester, in lost wages - i mean las vegas.)

also, i hate being on the bottom of the blog-roll. so, if i have time - when not sleeping or loving on my boys - i WILL keep it better updated. i have pictures. i plan to share them with you this weekend. but, for now. it's time for bed. two small foster boys must be tucked in.

so... this tired-old-sock feeling... is it going to go away soon? will i be able to WANT to teach again? will i ever use capital letters appropriately in this blog? i suppose only time will tell. g'night.

FRIDAY!

and homecoming...

There were some crazy things going on here at school during 7th period today. I was off...THANK GOODNESS! But with my door open. I should have been grading the volumes of lab papers that were done this week...instead I was finally responding to emails and reading blogs. oops!

Anywho, suddenly (scared the poo out of me, actually!) I hear classes screaming down the hall at each other - in unison - Central....(pause for other class to respond) - Bobcats!...(more pausing and repeat this over and over)...also were the chants of "Hey, Mrs. So-and-So, we're better than you!" And other such silliness that can only come with a zillion 6th and 7th graders cooped up in the same building on a homecoming Friday.

But, it is Friday! Yahoo! I hope to get some major "Fly-lady" action this weekend. (don't get all excited - that's a method of cleaning see www.flylady.net for more information). I'd love to find my bedroom floor and vacuum it. But, that's tomorrow.

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, all!

Swept

So glad that's over with! Done and done!

Just wanted to do a quick blog to say YEE-HAW! Dr.B was my sweeper. She wrote, "This is the best activity I have seen in SAISD." Told me that, too. Found out later, bless her sweet heart, I am not the only person she fed that line. But, it did it's job. It built me up and made me feel like a great, effective, positive teacher.

Still glad it's over and done. (for a month!)

My bad!

Yeah, so, I am so tired!

I feel pulled in like - 87 kajillion directions. Yes, that many. I have bunches on my plate...but, it's actually okay right now.

Today we had a "leaders" meeting. Tee-hee. I are a leader. Whatever. That cracks me up. Anywho, our principal (whom I respect, and admire FAR too much...just kidding. He's so awesome!) was talking about some people going to his office and crying because they are overstressed. Um. Yeah...shouldn't that be in MY job description? Let's see. What jobs does Sara have to keep up with...just for school?

• Teacher (of tiny sixth graders),
• subject leader (which is hysterical because my 2 peoples lead me more than I do any leading),
• team leader (not going to touch this one...I'll revert to EVIL pants),
• tech guru (which is annoyingly busy - I can't walk down the hall without SOMEONE stopping me and asking, "I think I have a problem...". I can't keep up with who's problems I have fixed),
• website weirdo (meaning, I push the button to make it updated...and pester those who don't do poo on it),
• awards coordinator (thankfully, that's not much until April - so see me then to cry - BIG time),
• science competition master planner (which I suck at this year, since I don't have ANY pre-AP kids - YUCK!),
• and something else, I am sure.

So, cry! You big babies! I am just kidding, of course. I just am lucky. I have ADHD...QRST...and don't take any (oooooh, something shiny) meds for it, since I am trying VERY hard to expand my family. So, everything just rolls off. If I was medicated, I might need more meds...for the super-psycho organizing way I end up doing things.

Anywho. My bad for venting...some days, it just feels good. Like ice cream, and being sore after working out. But, I digress.

What?
Pillow, did you call me?
Okay, I'm saving now...
Really, I am.
G'night!

First Week

Whew!
We made it!
The first week is done!

Sixth graders are so neat!
I feel like I am teaching kindergarten, when it comes to my 6th period....especially compared to my "hard core" 7th graders from last year.

Sixth graders are small, timid, shy (yes, I know that's the same thing), questioning, excited, easily pleased... I actually gave out stickers this week...to boys! And they asked for them! Weird!

But, THANK GOODNESS for the 3 day weekend. I need sleep. Not that I'll get it with my 2 1/2 year old waking up at 5:30 to play cars every morning...
BP and dad will go hunting this weekend - opening weekend.
I'll try not to do any school work or website junk.
But I know I will.
I'll try to cook and clean and have fun being a housewife.
I'll try NOT to test this weekend - a week early - with NO signs of being "stagnant" (as my funny friend Susan calls it).

But, it's good that we only have 175 days of school left, too. That means only 175 days working with the two men at school that don't always do what is asked of them. Repeatedly. Like - oh- I don't know - make the advisory kids come up with names for our team - 2 days in a row!

Enough negative...I will live to be the positive person I was made to be...most of the time.

I will try, anywho.

London

So, yesterday was the first day of school. It was AWESOME! Sixth graders are totally different from seventh graders. I don't really know how to explain it...smaller, sweeter, eyes wide with lost wonder... :) Cute.

It was a great day. Until. . .

I had duty after school...which means I stand around and kick kids out of school. A fellow teacher said, "Oh! You are wearing purple panties?" Now, we haven't had sexual harassment training this year, but ... doesn't that fall under that category? Nope, my brand new, most expensive piece of clothing, the cute brown skirt from Ann Taylor had torn at one of the seams...and my big girl panties were in view for all to see. GREAT! Luckily my shirt was long enough to pull down to cover my bare necessities.

So, if that's the worst thing about my first day, then I am blessed. Truly blessed.

Go ahead, sing the song...I see London, I see Franties...I can see ... you know the rest.

Dear God,
Bless our schools, colleges, and universities,
that they may be lively centers for sound learning,
new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom;
and grant that those who teach and those who learn
may find you to be the source of all truth.
Amen

20 days

OOPS!
It's been 20 days since my last blog.

I feel like I'm in an AA meeting.
MY BAD! I think I will follow J's advice...5 am to do it...or maybe during my conference time. hehehe!

It is 5:45...Caleb's been up for 15 minutes, playing, talking VERY loud...good thing I don't have a hangover! He'd be driving me crazy! Just kidding! It's so precious to hear him play totally by himself. By the way - he's playing cars and trains...sans underpants. Yup. In just his shirt (which he put on by himself - inside-out!). CUTE!!!

So, school starts today. YIKES!

Ready? Sure, I have to be...Oh! And, I signed up for duty on Mondays...what a dummy! Nah! I'll be very thankful, especially NEXT Monday - No school! YAHOOOIE!!!!

Alright, time to get ready. Time to stress over which super-cuter-never-worn-before outfit I should wear.

And a prayer. (Thanks Jenni, for introducing me to PaulAnn. I feel so much like a child of God. Walking in His steps, living His word. Thanks!)


A Teacher's Prayer by: James J. Metcalf
I want to teach my students how--
To live this life on earth,
To face its struggles and its strife
And to improve their worth.

Not just the lesson in a book,
Or how the rivers flow,
But to choose the proper path,
Wherever they may go.

To understand eternal truth,
And know right from wrong,
And gather all the beauty of
A flower and a song,

For if I help the world to grow
In wisdom and grace,
Then I feel that I have won
And I have filled my place.

And so I ask your guidance,
God That I may do my part,
For character and confidence
And happiness of heart.

Amen.

Why do they ask?

I must admit...I do it too. Why do people ask if we're ready for school to start?

What are we SUPPOSED to say?

No. I never want to go back. I think kids are horrid!

OR - are we supposed to say, "Yes. I am lost without the confines of four walls without a window; the aroma of dry erase markers, and stinky pre-pubescent bodies; the ever present gum issue; the paper trail left by middle-schoolers because they tear off the edges of their spiral paper and leave a trail they hoped would get them back to their house (like Hansel and Gretel)."

My usual comment is the same as most teachers, I think.

Yes and no. No, summer is too short and I really enjoy sleeping in every morning (sleeping in, of course with my two year old, means until 6:30 IF I am lucky). and Yes, I miss my ADULT friends at school. I see them some during the summer.

But, they - and me, too - are trying to pack in as much time and varied actvities with family and friends and other loved ones as possible. We also are trying NOT to think about school...but always thinking about it, too. Did I remember to do this? Do I need to buy more that? How much is in MY budget for the school supplies I will provide for the kids that either don't have the income to bring them, or don't give a rat's if they have them or about the condition (and therefor will not care about how they treat MY supplies).

So, Am I ready to go back to school? Simply, yes. I am ready to get back to school. What other job do you know that enables you to rearrange your "office" every year?

Just some things to think about. :)

Inservice #2

OMG!

I went to an inservice today. We felt like we were on the Oprah show!

First of all, we finished at 11:45. F O R T H E D A Y!!!

Just before we got the evaluations, the instructor said, "now we've got a little something for you."

L I A R!!!

We got big SOMETHINGS.

• A rolling teacher cart, FILLED with goodies that every teacher craves.
• every color of dry erase markers - the good, real, dry-erase brand
• every color of clicky sharpies
• a package of easel sharpies
• A ream of white card stock
• Minnie colorful gel pens
• highlighters
• mechanical pencils
• pencil lead
• A TI-84 calculator (which I promptly gave to my ever-calculating hubby)
• Package of extra batteries
• pens
• A flash drive
• AND - two easel sized post-it brand easels.

WOW. Enough said.
JACKPOT!