A Scary Thought

I was talking to my friend from ye olde duck and run this evening and he said that there actually was a key to understanding him. Hmmmm interesting. So what is this key? To understand him you have to think like him. What's the scary thing about that? I think I am beginning to understand him...lol.

Mr. Right's coming. But he's in Africa... and he's walking.*

I had to laugh when I read that quote. I found this page of quotations all about love. Some are funny, some are sad but after my last entry I thought the one above was hilarious. I have a warped sense of humor sometimes.

Well the weekend went a lot faster than last week, imagine that. Tomorrow is a teacher work day so we won't have any students. It also means we dont necessarily have to put in a full day, just go in do what needs to be done and then leave. We have an assistant for the fourth grade that we get one day a week. Mondays are my day this month so I will have her tomorrow, Im hoping we get some cleaning done. The custodians do a good job of keeping it swept and the trash out but I dont think they have ever dusted so maybe we can. I also have to do 3rd 9 weeks grades. Hard to believe there are only 9 weeks of school left.

Spring break is also only a week and a half away. We are out for Good Friday and then the entire week after Easter so I will be making the long trek to Indiana. Though it doesnt seem as long as it did at first. The plan is to leave early Friday morning and drive straight through, though a part of me wants to leave Thursday night. Guess I'll see how I feel on Thursday after school.

I havent really done a thing this weekend except go to church. It is always hard to make myself get up and go but once Im there Im glad. I did manage to get some laundry done and my winter clothes put away, spring clothes out and ready to wear. I meant to get my car cleaned up and when I went out this morning it was covered with that powdery yellow pollen everyone warned me about. Oh joy, my allergies are going to love that. We didnt have it in IN but I understand it plagues the South.

Well, it's time to go update my school webpage so I will leave you with a couple more funny love quotes...

*They say love hides behind every corner. Well, I guess I must be walking in circles.*

Love is like a tug of war, one jerk after another

Maybe there isn't a Mr. Right. Maybe there's just a Mr. Good Enough.

That's a depressing thought isn't it. I've settled for Mr. Good Enough once but time and time again I find myself close to doing so again. Maybe I'm too picky and Mr. Good Enough is Mr. Right. I just don't know. I think Mr. Right is looking in the opposite direction.

But anyway, on to other things. It has been one of those weeks that just goes on forever. Nothing bad has really happened, it's just been a long time since last weekend. This happens a lot to teachers and students this time of year. All through the fall you have all these breaks then comes the January - March stretch where there are no days off and you can see it in everyone.

To illustrate Ill share a couple of recess stories from today. I had a group come up to me and say "Johnny and Jimmy (obviously not their real names) have the kick ball and they are just bouncing it. About 20 0f us want to play kick ball." So I reply "Did you bring the ball out? Did they take it away from you?" "No" I had to proceed to tell them that if the boys brought the ball out they could play with it in any matter they wanted and no, they didnt have to play kick ball with it.

It wasn't five minutes later when 3 girls came up to me and said "Teacher, Joe had a piece of paper and he is blowing on it and making noise." I know that my look had to say 'You've got to be kidding.' It's 80 degrees out, beautiful weather, we are outside with 130 children and they are complaining about someone making noise? I was proud of myself though, I didnt lose it, I simply said "Dears...we are at recess, we are outside, it's ok that he is making noise" Yeah I think we all need a break.

I don't mean to say I don't love my students. I really do enjoy my job and sometimes I forget to write about the good moments and just talk about the "getting on my nerves" moments. I have a great group, I dare say the best of the grade and they do and say a lot of cute things. Im always proud when I have to be gone and the subs compliment them through notes. I had a meeting this morning and had to be out of the room for about an hour, one of the TAs stayed with my class and she said they were very good. They make me proud.

Well, I guess that is enough rambling for now. By the way, if you're reading this Mr. Right, give me a call.

What teachers make

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental...

You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.) I make kids wonder.I make them question.I make them criticize.I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.I teach them to write and then I make them write.I make them read, read, read.I make them show all their work in math. I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant...

You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT: "Teachers make every other profession"

What kind of soul are you

You Are a Prophet Soul

You are a gentle soul, with good intentions toward everyone. Selfless and kind, you have great faith in people. Sometimes this faith can lead to disappoinment in the long run. No matter what, you deal with everything in a calm and balanced way. You are a good interpreter, very sensitive, intuitive, caring, and gentle. Concerned about the world, you are good at predicting people's feelings. A seeker of wisdom, you are a life long learner looking for purpose and meaning. You are a great thinker and communicator, but not necessarily a doer. Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Kiss Me, I'm Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ok, actually its Scot-Irish but that's close enough isn't it? If it isn't you can just go kiss the blarney stone ;)

What a week. Id like to say it was all sunshine and roses, weather wise it was a great week, sunny, 80s, and gorgeous until the rain moved in on Friday. I have to say my students were great all week but it was long and stressful for all of us.

The week started with a tragedy in our community and school with a murder - suicide, one of the victims being a student at our school. I didn't personally know the student but something like that affects everyone. My prayers are with the staff that worked directly with the child, her mother, grandparents and the rest of her family.

Tuesday we had our dreaded state writing test. The students call it 75 minutes of torture and Id have to agree, another stressful event.

The rest of the week was fairly normal with the exception of two drills: tornado and intruder. Those can throw the day off. It just seemed like a long week, how many days can you actually fit into a week, sure seems like more than 7 sometimes.

The rain yesterday made it a lot cooler, it is only 45 degrees today but Im not complaining. I know a lot of places are getting snow and Im just thankful we aren't.

Well here is to a better week this week.

Your Irish Name Is...

Isobel Fitzpatrick

What's" your Irish Name?

Hurt Feelings

I think I must be getting over sensitive in my old age. Twice today, people have hurt my feelings. First, the man I've been seeing off and on since last October compared our relationship to one of those rent - to - own type of businesses. So now Im a piece of furniture? That's really nice. I laughed it off. He keeps asking when Im going to marry him, I keep telling him Im not ready so I guess he figures if he makes enough "payments" he will get me some day.

The second time I got my feelings hurt was when a friend just brushed me off because another friend came around. Story of my life, Im a good fill in til something better comes along.

I have to say that tonight I probably feel more worthless than I have felt in a very long time. Im sure it will pass but it still hurts.

what tarot card are you

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

I want to be a teacher like this

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling* her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for* believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today? tomorrow? Just "do it".
Random acts of kindness, I think they call it?
"Believe in Angels, then return the favor."

the wisdom of Erma Bombeck

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I would have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's" and more "I'm sorry's." But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it... live it and never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, we should cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us. Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. I hope you have a blessed day.

a funny

http://www.seanmorey.com/mansong.html

Field Trip Friday

We went on a field trip yesterday, I have to say it was the best one we had this year. We went to a Science museum called Imagination Station. It's a hands on Science museum and the students loved it. They got to do a lot of neat Science experiments and had a great program on electricity. I was very proud of them because Im the one that teaches the science unit on magnetism and electricity and the kids did a great job answering the questions. There were also live animals which I didn't care for but the kids were in awe of...snakes, turtles, other nasty reptiles...lol

After the museum we went to a park to eat lunch which was a good idea in theory but in reality not so hot. NC had got LOTS of rain the night before so it was more like eating lunch in a swamp, so we at on the tennis courts. The bus ride back to school was uneventful and we spent the rest of the day (less than an hour) with my reading aloud to them from the Little House series (we are on the 5th book) and then they wanted to play SPARKLE which is a spelling game they love. All in all it was a very good day but this old teacher was bone tired and my legs ached like I thought they would never recover but this morning they feel almost normal.

Today is looking to be a beautiful day. I think I am going to go out and explore the area a bit today. Ive been here since August and still don't know much about the state other than my own little 15 mile radius I live in. The winter isnt an inspiring time to go out and explore but today it is supposed to be around 72 degrees, the sun is shining, I can have the windows down the music on and just enjoy the day. I should be cleaning house but the housework will still be here tomorrow and it supposed to be cold and windy. Carpe Diem...Seize the Day.

Just as a tease/preview. Soon to come, some thoughts and/or questions I have about me. The thoughts will probably be short as I obviously understand so little about men and the questions many. I'll be looking for feed back. *laugh*

Until then, have a great one.

New Preamble to the constitution

To me this makes sense:

NEW PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION

This is probably the best e-mail I've seen in a long, long time.
The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Kaye
from GA. This guy should run for President one day...

"We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to
help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more
riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and
establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt
ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths
to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill
of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights."

ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen
TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally
acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This
country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not
just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different
opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will
be.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If
you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not
expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives
independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing.
Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly
help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing
generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve
nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional
couch potatoes.

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That
would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not
interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other
people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't
be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric
chair.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of
others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other
citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you
away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen
color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure
want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times,
but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education
and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.

ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an
American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the
way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of
idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of
Rights.

ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care
where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to
wherever you came from!

(Lastly....)

ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's
history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true
God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any
faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN
GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are
uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!

If you agree, share this with a friend. No, you don't have to,
and nothing tragic will befall you if you don't. I just think it's about
time common sense is allowed to flourish. Sensible people of the United
States speak out because if you do not, who will?