Mr. W. just came to pick up his class. He said...
"Happy Holidays, Or Happy Thanksgiving... Can we say thanksgiving?"
"Yes," I replied. "Pilgrims, Indians, no Baby Jesus. We can say thanksgiving."
"Baby Jesus? Isn't he at Christmas?" - A student asked
"Yes." I replied as they all walked out the door.
"Is he true?" asked another student.
"I think so." I replied.
If that is the only time I talk with that student about Jesus, I will be sad. I can't speak my beliefs unless the student's ask. Well... He asked so I answered.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thankful
Each year I find I have more and more reasons to be thankful. This year is no exception.
I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful for my friends.
I am thankful for the new life in J and E's family.
I am thankful to see S. this week.
I am thankful for the health of my family and I.
I am thankful for my Husband and the first holiday season we are married.
I am thankful for my in law family and how they have accepted me as one of their own.
I am thankful that I don't have to plan a wedding in 2009.
I am thankful for the way Technology has been able to keep me connected with the people I care about.
I am thankful that gas is $1.66 so I can afford to go visit friends.
I am thankful for this new school year. It has been so much better than last year. I thought I liked my job last year, but I didn't like it half as much as I have liked it this year.
I am thankful for the chance to conduct a church choir and stretch my abilities.
I am thankful for Husband's job and for his boss and her understanding and desire to see him succeed.
I am thankful for friendships rekindled.
I am thankful for God's gift of Jesus which gives me the ability to truly be thankful.
There are so many reasons to be thankful.
I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful for my friends.
I am thankful for the new life in J and E's family.
I am thankful to see S. this week.
I am thankful for the health of my family and I.
I am thankful for my Husband and the first holiday season we are married.
I am thankful for my in law family and how they have accepted me as one of their own.
I am thankful that I don't have to plan a wedding in 2009.
I am thankful for the way Technology has been able to keep me connected with the people I care about.
I am thankful that gas is $1.66 so I can afford to go visit friends.
I am thankful for this new school year. It has been so much better than last year. I thought I liked my job last year, but I didn't like it half as much as I have liked it this year.
I am thankful for the chance to conduct a church choir and stretch my abilities.
I am thankful for Husband's job and for his boss and her understanding and desire to see him succeed.
I am thankful for friendships rekindled.
I am thankful for God's gift of Jesus which gives me the ability to truly be thankful.
There are so many reasons to be thankful.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Decorating
I decorated my classroom for Christmas today. I was going to wait until tomorrow after school, but I am such an anxious kid I had to put it up over my lunch. I have a tree with actual ornaments this year instead of paper chains that I made myself. Instead I have the free ornaments that Dillon's sent over to the school after they couldn't get rid of anything else last year.
I am in the mood for holidays. I am so glad that thanksgiving is at the end of this week. I will have to post a thankful post soon.
Lets do it, If you have a blog then take time this week to write a blog about the things in life you are thankful for.
I am in the mood for holidays. I am so glad that thanksgiving is at the end of this week. I will have to post a thankful post soon.
Lets do it, If you have a blog then take time this week to write a blog about the things in life you are thankful for.
Friday, November 21, 2008
What do you call it
Ok.
This morning I had a crazy dream of something I want to do someday. Someday I want to have a women's ensemble of 20 voices or so. No more than that no less than 12. I want them to be college aged women from all different departments. During our concerts we would sing a huge variety of music from many eras. Our focus would be that all of these women from different walks of life who have different aspirations and dreams can come together and make beautiful music with great abandonment. They would be a group who would seek refuge within each other, our music, and most importantly our faith.
Our main message our first year of performing would be to treat every person as a people person.
Last Sunday the new associate pastor at our church spoke about how a Polish social scientist came to America and did a study of how Americans treat people. She said that there are three types of people.
The people people are the people who we deal with every day who we have meaningful conversations with. These are the people who are our friends and family and those we work with who we care about.
The Machine People are the people who are laborers. They are the McDonald's workers, the Bank Tellers, and the Dillon's cashiers. These are the people with whom we have non meaningful interactions. We talk about the weather. We talk around them while looking right at them.
The scenery people are the people who we pass and pretend that they are not people at all. This is what happens when two people walk past each other on the sidewalk and neither party acknowledges the other's existence.
Jesus wanted us to treat each person as a people person. He wants us to see everyone we come in contact with as a real person with feelings, life, spirit, and depth. He does not want us to have machine people or landscape people in our lives.
This morning I was dreaming about how my singing group would have the mission of singing songs with themes that would demand Christians to see people as REAL PEOPLE.
Then I packed my bag and went out to scrape my car. There was a woman outside scraping her car with her kindergarten aged son. They scraped their car right along side me scraping. Neither of us acted like the other one was there. It was only while both of us were pulling out of the parking lot that I realized that I had just made her into scenery... as she had done the same to me.
I did it without thinking. I did it as a habit. I de-humanized this woman and her adorable son all the while dreaming of the days when I would lead groups against this very attitude.
This morning I had a crazy dream of something I want to do someday. Someday I want to have a women's ensemble of 20 voices or so. No more than that no less than 12. I want them to be college aged women from all different departments. During our concerts we would sing a huge variety of music from many eras. Our focus would be that all of these women from different walks of life who have different aspirations and dreams can come together and make beautiful music with great abandonment. They would be a group who would seek refuge within each other, our music, and most importantly our faith.
Our main message our first year of performing would be to treat every person as a people person.
Last Sunday the new associate pastor at our church spoke about how a Polish social scientist came to America and did a study of how Americans treat people. She said that there are three types of people.
The people people are the people who we deal with every day who we have meaningful conversations with. These are the people who are our friends and family and those we work with who we care about.
The Machine People are the people who are laborers. They are the McDonald's workers, the Bank Tellers, and the Dillon's cashiers. These are the people with whom we have non meaningful interactions. We talk about the weather. We talk around them while looking right at them.
The scenery people are the people who we pass and pretend that they are not people at all. This is what happens when two people walk past each other on the sidewalk and neither party acknowledges the other's existence.
Jesus wanted us to treat each person as a people person. He wants us to see everyone we come in contact with as a real person with feelings, life, spirit, and depth. He does not want us to have machine people or landscape people in our lives.
This morning I was dreaming about how my singing group would have the mission of singing songs with themes that would demand Christians to see people as REAL PEOPLE.
Then I packed my bag and went out to scrape my car. There was a woman outside scraping her car with her kindergarten aged son. They scraped their car right along side me scraping. Neither of us acted like the other one was there. It was only while both of us were pulling out of the parking lot that I realized that I had just made her into scenery... as she had done the same to me.
I did it without thinking. I did it as a habit. I de-humanized this woman and her adorable son all the while dreaming of the days when I would lead groups against this very attitude.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Teaching tips
Question: How do you get permanent marker off of your white board?
Answer: Write over it with dry erase marker and then wipe it off.
Question: How do you stop kids from tattling?
Answer: Stop everything and suggest to the class that we take a vote on who is the naughtiest child in the class. (They will immediately look at you with shock and horror and then you can move on quickly to your next point.)
Question: What do you say when a child shows you a 2 week old boo boo and tells you it hurts.
Answer A (to be used when the child is a whiner): Ask the child, "Are you going to live?" and move on.
Answer B (to be used when the child is a hypochondriac): Tell the child, "I don't know what it is, and I don't know what to tell you. I am sorry that it hurts. Don't touch it and it will stop hurting." (in their mind it usually stops)
Yesterday I was in second grade and we were in a time of sharing. The students were raising their hands and I was calling on them accordingly. One student had both of her hands in the air one a bit higher than the other. Her posture was slouched and she looked a bit like a stringed pupped whose body strings were looser than her arm strings. I asked her, "Is your hand raised?" "No," she replied, "I just feel like sitting this way."
Sometimes they just have to sit like a tree.
Answer: Write over it with dry erase marker and then wipe it off.
Question: How do you stop kids from tattling?
Answer: Stop everything and suggest to the class that we take a vote on who is the naughtiest child in the class. (They will immediately look at you with shock and horror and then you can move on quickly to your next point.)
Question: What do you say when a child shows you a 2 week old boo boo and tells you it hurts.
Answer A (to be used when the child is a whiner): Ask the child, "Are you going to live?" and move on.
Answer B (to be used when the child is a hypochondriac): Tell the child, "I don't know what it is, and I don't know what to tell you. I am sorry that it hurts. Don't touch it and it will stop hurting." (in their mind it usually stops)
Yesterday I was in second grade and we were in a time of sharing. The students were raising their hands and I was calling on them accordingly. One student had both of her hands in the air one a bit higher than the other. Her posture was slouched and she looked a bit like a stringed pupped whose body strings were looser than her arm strings. I asked her, "Is your hand raised?" "No," she replied, "I just feel like sitting this way."
Sometimes they just have to sit like a tree.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
90's music in my head
This morning I woke up with a random play list of 90's music in my head. It is pretty awesome since most music from the 90's reminds me of my little crushes, my rage against the machine, or an important event that took place in my life.
I may be a child of the 80's but I didn't start listening to the radio until the
90's and man it was good when I found it. I found it the same time that my sister found the radio. Her tastes were a bit different though. She started in with the little boy bands and then... rap music. My parents detested it. But that didn't matter because she had more rage against the machine than I did.
I awoke each morning to the same rap song bumping through the walls for years at a time. She would pick a track on her favorite cd, and would repeat that track all morning. Her morning ritual started around 6:00 or so and lasted till 7:35. She even ate in her room because it was her sanctuary away from the machine that was her youth.
Now we joke about how I can do the worst impression of JaRule in the world because of all that I heard while she was in Junior High and High School. We also joke about our different rages against the machine and how mine manifested in the Emo genera and how hers was vested in rap and hip hop. I learned how to nod my head in Emo affirmation and she learned how to bump and dance like Beyonce.
How different we became two sisters living right next door.
And so this morning as my head winds around savage garden, the goo goo dolls, and eventually spins to dash board confesional. I am reminded of...
Put it on me - JaRule
Where would I be without my baby
The thought Alone Might break me
And I dont wanna go crazy
But every thug needs a lady
Girl In this life, you and I been more than together,
Inseperable you chose pain over pleasure
For that you will ever be a part of me,
mind body and soul theres no I in we baby
When you cry who wipes your tears,
when you scared who's tellin you theres nothin to fear
girl I'll always be there, when you need a shoulder to lean on
never hesitate, knowin you can your soul mate
and vice versa and thats why I'll be the first to see J up and frost your wrists up
now ya owe me, I know you tired of bein lonely, so baby girl put it on me
Where would I be without you, I only think about you
I know your tired of bein lonely, so baby girl put it on me..
Where would I be without you, I only think about you,
I know your tired of bein lonely, so baby girl put it on me
ANd I appreciate the rocks and gifts that you copped me baby,
and the house on the hill when you dropped like 80
on the down payment thinkin damn aint life crazy
and ever since for my hunny I've been twice the lady
What would I do without the nights that you kept me warm
When this cold world had a girl caught in the storm
And I accept when u riff, when you caught in the wrong
And respect when you flip cuz our love is strong
ANd when you hit the block, I watch for 10 fold
and when my pops asleep you snuck in the back door
baby beau we been down since junior high
so when life get hot as july its the world against you and I
We ballin tied forever and ever
Heart from the heart knew that it would last forever
When you told me, you would never leave me lonely,
so baby boy put it on me
Where would I be without you,
I only think about you
I know your tired of bein lonely,
so baby girl put it on me
Repeat: where would I be without you
Since we met its been you and I,
a tear for a tear baby eye for an eye
and you know that my heart gonna cry
when you leave me, lonely
cuz you not just my love you my homie
who's gonna console me, My love
I'm out a control hold me, My love
cuz I'm yours, and I dont wanna do nothin to hurt my baby girl
if this was our world, it'd be all yours baby,
the thought alone might break me,
and i dont wanna go crazy,
cuz every thug needs a lady
feelin you baby cuz them eyes aint right, wash away the tears
baby no more cryin baby,
and you complete me, and I would die if you aint with me,
so baby girl put it on me
Where would I be without you
I only think about you
I know your tired of bein lonely,
so baby girl put it on me
I may be a child of the 80's but I didn't start listening to the radio until the
90's and man it was good when I found it. I found it the same time that my sister found the radio. Her tastes were a bit different though. She started in with the little boy bands and then... rap music. My parents detested it. But that didn't matter because she had more rage against the machine than I did.
I awoke each morning to the same rap song bumping through the walls for years at a time. She would pick a track on her favorite cd, and would repeat that track all morning. Her morning ritual started around 6:00 or so and lasted till 7:35. She even ate in her room because it was her sanctuary away from the machine that was her youth.
Now we joke about how I can do the worst impression of JaRule in the world because of all that I heard while she was in Junior High and High School. We also joke about our different rages against the machine and how mine manifested in the Emo genera and how hers was vested in rap and hip hop. I learned how to nod my head in Emo affirmation and she learned how to bump and dance like Beyonce.
How different we became two sisters living right next door.
And so this morning as my head winds around savage garden, the goo goo dolls, and eventually spins to dash board confesional. I am reminded of...
Put it on me - JaRule
Where would I be without my baby
The thought Alone Might break me
And I dont wanna go crazy
But every thug needs a lady
Girl In this life, you and I been more than together,
Inseperable you chose pain over pleasure
For that you will ever be a part of me,
mind body and soul theres no I in we baby
When you cry who wipes your tears,
when you scared who's tellin you theres nothin to fear
girl I'll always be there, when you need a shoulder to lean on
never hesitate, knowin you can your soul mate
and vice versa and thats why I'll be the first to see J up and frost your wrists up
now ya owe me, I know you tired of bein lonely, so baby girl put it on me
Where would I be without you, I only think about you
I know your tired of bein lonely, so baby girl put it on me..
Where would I be without you, I only think about you,
I know your tired of bein lonely, so baby girl put it on me
ANd I appreciate the rocks and gifts that you copped me baby,
and the house on the hill when you dropped like 80
on the down payment thinkin damn aint life crazy
and ever since for my hunny I've been twice the lady
What would I do without the nights that you kept me warm
When this cold world had a girl caught in the storm
And I accept when u riff, when you caught in the wrong
And respect when you flip cuz our love is strong
ANd when you hit the block, I watch for 10 fold
and when my pops asleep you snuck in the back door
baby beau we been down since junior high
so when life get hot as july its the world against you and I
We ballin tied forever and ever
Heart from the heart knew that it would last forever
When you told me, you would never leave me lonely,
so baby boy put it on me
Where would I be without you,
I only think about you
I know your tired of bein lonely,
so baby girl put it on me
Repeat: where would I be without you
Since we met its been you and I,
a tear for a tear baby eye for an eye
and you know that my heart gonna cry
when you leave me, lonely
cuz you not just my love you my homie
who's gonna console me, My love
I'm out a control hold me, My love
cuz I'm yours, and I dont wanna do nothin to hurt my baby girl
if this was our world, it'd be all yours baby,
the thought alone might break me,
and i dont wanna go crazy,
cuz every thug needs a lady
feelin you baby cuz them eyes aint right, wash away the tears
baby no more cryin baby,
and you complete me, and I would die if you aint with me,
so baby girl put it on me
Where would I be without you
I only think about you
I know your tired of bein lonely,
so baby girl put it on me
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Should I stay or should I go
Should I stay or should I go...
Isn't that in a song somewhere? I think it is, but I can't place it and I don't have the energy right now to google it.
I probably shouldn't be posting, but hey... I am not on the clock yet so whatever!?!
What do you do when you want something, but you think that God wants something else for you? I know that I am supposed to do what God wants. I have known that for as long as I can remember. I just want to be able to do it with joy and with excitement. I could probably do it with peace... but joy, gladness and excitement??? I am not so sure I can get that far.
If you have been following... You may have surmised that husband and I are not always happy in this town. You may also know that we have friends in other places who are more than willing to help us get to them in a more permanent way than a visit. I honestly am at a place in my life when I would rather "get the heck out of Dodge," but you know... I think that God wants us here in Dodge. Stinking no culture no friends Dodge.
There are still things for us to do here, things that we need to learn and people who need us here. Yet, I want with all that's within me to move somewhere where I have a support system of friends to hang out with and to laugh with.
I was thinking the other day. Have you laughed as much as you did in college ever since then? In college I laughed my guts out at least once every other day. That is a lot of laughter if you think of it. I still laugh, but it is a ha here and a hee hee there and perhaps a he hum at a meeting where laughter is frowned upon. But I can't remember the last time I laughed my guts out.
For me... that is a huge deficit in my life.
So Lord, if you want me here in Dodge, stinking, no culture, no friends, dodge... then I need a good laugh now and again. I need a good laugh and a friend. A friend who is not husband because husband is a good husband and I don't need in that area. I need in the friend area.
I am not writing this to complain, but I am writing this because I think that there are lots of people all over who need to hear that they are not alone in their desire to be somewhere else. If we were all honest about it, then I believe that our lives away from our friends would feel a little closer. We wouldn't constantly be thinking... "If I could only make it a little longer then I can go somewhere else and be happy." We might have half a shot at being at peace with our situations.
Honestly, I can't move right now. I want to but I can't. God wants me here, and I am learning to be obedient and joyful right where I am.
Isn't that in a song somewhere? I think it is, but I can't place it and I don't have the energy right now to google it.
I probably shouldn't be posting, but hey... I am not on the clock yet so whatever!?!
What do you do when you want something, but you think that God wants something else for you? I know that I am supposed to do what God wants. I have known that for as long as I can remember. I just want to be able to do it with joy and with excitement. I could probably do it with peace... but joy, gladness and excitement??? I am not so sure I can get that far.
If you have been following... You may have surmised that husband and I are not always happy in this town. You may also know that we have friends in other places who are more than willing to help us get to them in a more permanent way than a visit. I honestly am at a place in my life when I would rather "get the heck out of Dodge," but you know... I think that God wants us here in Dodge. Stinking no culture no friends Dodge.
There are still things for us to do here, things that we need to learn and people who need us here. Yet, I want with all that's within me to move somewhere where I have a support system of friends to hang out with and to laugh with.
I was thinking the other day. Have you laughed as much as you did in college ever since then? In college I laughed my guts out at least once every other day. That is a lot of laughter if you think of it. I still laugh, but it is a ha here and a hee hee there and perhaps a he hum at a meeting where laughter is frowned upon. But I can't remember the last time I laughed my guts out.
For me... that is a huge deficit in my life.
So Lord, if you want me here in Dodge, stinking, no culture, no friends, dodge... then I need a good laugh now and again. I need a good laugh and a friend. A friend who is not husband because husband is a good husband and I don't need in that area. I need in the friend area.
I am not writing this to complain, but I am writing this because I think that there are lots of people all over who need to hear that they are not alone in their desire to be somewhere else. If we were all honest about it, then I believe that our lives away from our friends would feel a little closer. We wouldn't constantly be thinking... "If I could only make it a little longer then I can go somewhere else and be happy." We might have half a shot at being at peace with our situations.
Honestly, I can't move right now. I want to but I can't. God wants me here, and I am learning to be obedient and joyful right where I am.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Good weekend
This weekend was wonderful... Probably because last week was so hard. I was so tired that by the time I got to the weekend, I didn't have much to say or much energy to do anything. Husband and I went to W. to hang out with friends. We ate out with friends from College on Friday night. The highlight of the conversation was probably when one friend from college offered to shellac my pants to my legs.
Yah...
The next day we slept in and then took the parents to Sam's club. Has anyone noticed how Sam's pulls out all of the bells and whistles around Christmas. There are always so many new appliances and gadgets available. There are also Christmas ornaments sold in bulk... BULK... So much bulk that you would need 30 Gallon bucket to hold the bulk of Christmas balls that Sam's has to offer.
It is a Sam's load.
In the evening we went to Brother's church fund raiser. We heard a family sing as our entertainment. They sang a song called "One Voice" that made me ball my eyes out because I miss my singing friend who is thousands of miles away from me right now. It was a tender moment... It was a difficult moment.
You can hear it here. It is Beautiful...
http://www.thewailinjennys.com/merchandise.aspx
Then we drove home... all the way home... we still can't find the warp button in our car. It really needs one.
Sunday went like Sundays do. My mom came up in the evening and we went shopping. we each got a turtle neck and a sweater. It was a good time.
It was a wonderful weekend to just relax and rest.
This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singin' with you
Helpin' each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices three
Singin' together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of all of us
Singin' with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind, it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice
Yah...
The next day we slept in and then took the parents to Sam's club. Has anyone noticed how Sam's pulls out all of the bells and whistles around Christmas. There are always so many new appliances and gadgets available. There are also Christmas ornaments sold in bulk... BULK... So much bulk that you would need 30 Gallon bucket to hold the bulk of Christmas balls that Sam's has to offer.
It is a Sam's load.
In the evening we went to Brother's church fund raiser. We heard a family sing as our entertainment. They sang a song called "One Voice" that made me ball my eyes out because I miss my singing friend who is thousands of miles away from me right now. It was a tender moment... It was a difficult moment.
You can hear it here. It is Beautiful...
http://www.thewailinjennys.com/merchandise.aspx
Then we drove home... all the way home... we still can't find the warp button in our car. It really needs one.
Sunday went like Sundays do. My mom came up in the evening and we went shopping. we each got a turtle neck and a sweater. It was a good time.
It was a wonderful weekend to just relax and rest.
This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singin' with you
Helpin' each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices three
Singin' together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of all of us
Singin' with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind, it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Exhaustion
This morning I am exhausted. Yo Tengo Exhaustion.
The programs went well last night. The parents and grand parents were quite impressed. I only wanted to pinch a couple of kids heads off. They just can't stand still between songs. They must talk and tell each other to SHHHHH loudly shhhhh-ing is not a little thing.
Anyway....
Words of wisdom are going on, so I should probably get going.
bye
The programs went well last night. The parents and grand parents were quite impressed. I only wanted to pinch a couple of kids heads off. They just can't stand still between songs. They must talk and tell each other to SHHHHH loudly shhhhh-ing is not a little thing.
Anyway....
Words of wisdom are going on, so I should probably get going.
bye
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Programs
The third and fourth grade programs are tonight. I dressed up for today to inspire the students to look nice.
I walked through the gym this morning and my fourth grade girls started gushing.
"Oh, you look so pretty."
"I love your high heels."
"Can I hug you? I want to hug a pretty girl."
"You are so pretty Mrs. Music."
So on and so forth. I told them that when you look good, you perform better. It is true. I know from experience.
The only problem is that when you look good... sometimes your feet hurt. I am switching between these shoes:
and
I am going to lunch in the crocs, we'll see what Principal says...
Talk to you after the judgement of parents and scrutiny of grandparents.
I walked through the gym this morning and my fourth grade girls started gushing.
"Oh, you look so pretty."
"I love your high heels."
"Can I hug you? I want to hug a pretty girl."
"You are so pretty Mrs. Music."
So on and so forth. I told them that when you look good, you perform better. It is true. I know from experience.
The only problem is that when you look good... sometimes your feet hurt. I am switching between these shoes:
and
I am going to lunch in the crocs, we'll see what Principal says...
Talk to you after the judgement of parents and scrutiny of grandparents.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Eeeeeewwwwwwww
I am not one to air my dirty laundry in public. I much prefer writing about happy happenings, goings on, and other such trifles. Today however, I am going to air my laundry in the hypothetical sense of course. (or maybe not, you be the judge)
Yesterday was a day fulled with wonder and excitement as well as terror and indignation.
I worked a normal school day which was preceded by a staff meeting. After work I went to Target because I was out of my favorite hair product. I also walked around target for a while and then smelled the Christmas display. Have you ever noticed that every store has a distinct smell to their Christmas display. Target is no exception. I found the Christmas tree that I want (Slim Cashmere Pine) to buy after Christmas when I can get it for cheep as free, and then I went to meet Husband at work.
We had a meeting after his work, to which we were late, which made us late for our next meeting. The evening was all summed up with a late drive home much past 9:00 (when Grandma music over here goes to sleep) to eat dinner. Yes, dinner. At past 9:00
I walked into the kitchen, flipped on the light and screamed at the top of my lungs. Husband who was in the bedroom had the thought, "that was not a spider scream," and came out to see what had happened. I beat him to the hall way.
"There is a dead mouse in the middle of the kitchen floor. I am calling Lenkie RIGHT NOW."
So as Husband went to dispose of the varmint. I called Land Lord L.L. (Literally, but Lenkie for short.)(He does not know that I call him Lenkie so don't tell him.) and informed him of the intruder. He was quick to explain the supposed problem,
"They are coming through the front door when people leave it open." he stated.
"Are you sure they are not living in the walls? Yesterday I heard something that I thought was the wind but it could have been scratching in the walls." I questioned.
"No, that couldn't happen."
Couldn't happen my butt!!! I found a hole in the wall between our kitchen cabinet and the wall that was a brilliant idea in the whole "lets cut the hole for the cabinets larger than it has to be so that we know they will fit" construction of our building. I would rate it right up there with the..."Lets put out some cute little street lights on the walk way that will not work that people will flatten, bash, and use as Frisbee goals on the weekends." line of thinking.
Anyway... after talking with Lenkie, Husband and I went and got 17,000 sticky traps at WM and set them out. We finally ate dinner, and then we tried to go to sleep. It was difficult to sleep when every other 5 minutes one of us would violently shudder to think that we are sharing our little abode with who knows how many little friends.
Whoever told that mouse to keel over dead in the middle of the kitchen floor so that we knew there were mice about was a genius.
We are not dirty people. Our food has not been tampered with. We have found no evidences of mice anywhere until the kitchen corps. Why the hecks do I have to deal with this right now?
I'll tell you why... because when it isn't a sprained ankle or the flue, something has to happen to make things exciting.
Yesterday was a day fulled with wonder and excitement as well as terror and indignation.
I worked a normal school day which was preceded by a staff meeting. After work I went to Target because I was out of my favorite hair product. I also walked around target for a while and then smelled the Christmas display. Have you ever noticed that every store has a distinct smell to their Christmas display. Target is no exception. I found the Christmas tree that I want (Slim Cashmere Pine) to buy after Christmas when I can get it for cheep as free, and then I went to meet Husband at work.
We had a meeting after his work, to which we were late, which made us late for our next meeting. The evening was all summed up with a late drive home much past 9:00 (when Grandma music over here goes to sleep) to eat dinner. Yes, dinner. At past 9:00
I walked into the kitchen, flipped on the light and screamed at the top of my lungs. Husband who was in the bedroom had the thought, "that was not a spider scream," and came out to see what had happened. I beat him to the hall way.
"There is a dead mouse in the middle of the kitchen floor. I am calling Lenkie RIGHT NOW."
So as Husband went to dispose of the varmint. I called Land Lord L.L. (Literally, but Lenkie for short.)(He does not know that I call him Lenkie so don't tell him.) and informed him of the intruder. He was quick to explain the supposed problem,
"They are coming through the front door when people leave it open." he stated.
"Are you sure they are not living in the walls? Yesterday I heard something that I thought was the wind but it could have been scratching in the walls." I questioned.
"No, that couldn't happen."
Couldn't happen my butt!!! I found a hole in the wall between our kitchen cabinet and the wall that was a brilliant idea in the whole "lets cut the hole for the cabinets larger than it has to be so that we know they will fit" construction of our building. I would rate it right up there with the..."Lets put out some cute little street lights on the walk way that will not work that people will flatten, bash, and use as Frisbee goals on the weekends." line of thinking.
Anyway... after talking with Lenkie, Husband and I went and got 17,000 sticky traps at WM and set them out. We finally ate dinner, and then we tried to go to sleep. It was difficult to sleep when every other 5 minutes one of us would violently shudder to think that we are sharing our little abode with who knows how many little friends.
Whoever told that mouse to keel over dead in the middle of the kitchen floor so that we knew there were mice about was a genius.
We are not dirty people. Our food has not been tampered with. We have found no evidences of mice anywhere until the kitchen corps. Why the hecks do I have to deal with this right now?
I'll tell you why... because when it isn't a sprained ankle or the flue, something has to happen to make things exciting.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloween Parade
This morning was our annual Halloween parade. Thank the Lord that it is a beautiful day this year. Last year it was unbearably cold. It was just the right temperature for a festive morning.
I paraded with Mr. W's class this year. I went to their room in the morning and the kids were running around excitedly checking out each other's costumes. A student named Gonzalo came up to me and he was wearing a black suit, black cape, and carried a black top hat and cane. He said, "Mrs. Music, You have something behind your ear." He reached a hand behind my ear and pulled out a mini snickers bar. "Here you go," he said handing me the candy. "That is awesome Gonzalo!" I said. "Of course it is... I am the great Gonzalo." he answered.
Of Course.... Why didn't I think of that.
I paraded with Mr. W's class this year. I went to their room in the morning and the kids were running around excitedly checking out each other's costumes. A student named Gonzalo came up to me and he was wearing a black suit, black cape, and carried a black top hat and cane. He said, "Mrs. Music, You have something behind your ear." He reached a hand behind my ear and pulled out a mini snickers bar. "Here you go," he said handing me the candy. "That is awesome Gonzalo!" I said. "Of course it is... I am the great Gonzalo." he answered.
Of Course.... Why didn't I think of that.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Cold Season
I had a cold two weeks ago. I stayed home from work one day and I felt much better. I got over the whole thing in just a couple of days. SUCCESS.
I have a cold again this week. I feel a bit worse than last time. I keep telling myself that I am much better off than last year, but I still feel like my immune system has been defeated.
Two down. (Last year it was four colds, the flue, and strep.) We will see how many to go.
I have a cold again this week. I feel a bit worse than last time. I keep telling myself that I am much better off than last year, but I still feel like my immune system has been defeated.
Two down. (Last year it was four colds, the flue, and strep.) We will see how many to go.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Out West
This weekend Husband and I went out west to see our friend in a midnight murder mystery. We left home at about 4:30 and got to our destination at around 8:00. We stopped at Starbucks and got some cafination before running around town a little bit. The show that Em was in was called And Then There Were None. It is based on the Agatha Christie novel Ten little Indians or also called And Then There Were None. I read it in high school just for fun, and I remembered the book being a lot different.
Em did an excellent job. She played the character Stella which lead to many reenactments of Street Car Named Desire during her rehearsals. The only beef that I had with the show was that the theatre was in the middle of being renovated so there was no heat. I didn't take off my coat and I shivered through the entire show. Not the best climate for theatre, but it was fun.
I have a reoccurring nightmare that I am back in college and it is opening night for one of Judy's shows. I am actor in an ensemble cast that is pretty equally important. The problem is that I have never seen the script before. I don't know any lines at all. So I fake it through the entire show.
It is terrible. I always wake up sweating and panicking. Here's the deal though... There was a character in the show who was living my nightmare. He played Douglas. He didn't know his lines and pretty much um-ed them through the whole show. I was impressed with the promptness and know how of the other players as they coaxed him through the performance. So here's to Doug, and I hope you take time to learn your lines for next weekend's performances! It will make your cast happier!
Here's to Em!!! What a wonderful performance.
Em did an excellent job. She played the character Stella which lead to many reenactments of Street Car Named Desire during her rehearsals. The only beef that I had with the show was that the theatre was in the middle of being renovated so there was no heat. I didn't take off my coat and I shivered through the entire show. Not the best climate for theatre, but it was fun.
I have a reoccurring nightmare that I am back in college and it is opening night for one of Judy's shows. I am actor in an ensemble cast that is pretty equally important. The problem is that I have never seen the script before. I don't know any lines at all. So I fake it through the entire show.
It is terrible. I always wake up sweating and panicking. Here's the deal though... There was a character in the show who was living my nightmare. He played Douglas. He didn't know his lines and pretty much um-ed them through the whole show. I was impressed with the promptness and know how of the other players as they coaxed him through the performance. So here's to Doug, and I hope you take time to learn your lines for next weekend's performances! It will make your cast happier!
Here's to Em!!! What a wonderful performance.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Change the Channel
When Jill and I moved to this town, we found out that it is nearly impossible to get any channels on the television without getting cable. So... we lived for a while without TV and it was alright, and then Jill got Cable because she needed it for football season. The Cable left when Jill left, and Husband and I have been without it for a while.
We got a digital antenna because that was supposed to fix the entire thing. Our converter box and antenna were going to be the monthly fee free solution to the problem. We found out that not even digital channels are broad casted at a high enough power level to reach this little middle of everywhere place.
We had Fox, NBC, and Occasionally (about once a week, after 6 P.M., when the atmospheric conditions were just right) we had channel 12... barely.
So I got used to changing the channel. That's it... one channel to change... then back to the first one... option a, option b, a, b, a, b... so on and so fourth.
Then the reception on Fox and NBC got dodgy... Chris got frustrated and made an antenna hammock out of my crochet yarn to hang in our large window in our living room in hopes that it would help... It didn't.
Long story short, we got cable. It is the most basic of basic packages. We get the first 6 months free and then after that we only pay $12.95 a month. It was hard to convince the cable guy that we didn't want to upgrade for 14.95 a month... we just wanted basic cable.
Last night I changed the Channels! It was pretty awesome... lots of political stuff, some home shopping network, and The Office of course.
Now I will be privileged to watch every Jerry Bruckheimer episode that CBS has to offer.
We got a digital antenna because that was supposed to fix the entire thing. Our converter box and antenna were going to be the monthly fee free solution to the problem. We found out that not even digital channels are broad casted at a high enough power level to reach this little middle of everywhere place.
We had Fox, NBC, and Occasionally (about once a week, after 6 P.M., when the atmospheric conditions were just right) we had channel 12... barely.
So I got used to changing the channel. That's it... one channel to change... then back to the first one... option a, option b, a, b, a, b... so on and so fourth.
Then the reception on Fox and NBC got dodgy... Chris got frustrated and made an antenna hammock out of my crochet yarn to hang in our large window in our living room in hopes that it would help... It didn't.
Long story short, we got cable. It is the most basic of basic packages. We get the first 6 months free and then after that we only pay $12.95 a month. It was hard to convince the cable guy that we didn't want to upgrade for 14.95 a month... we just wanted basic cable.
Last night I changed the Channels! It was pretty awesome... lots of political stuff, some home shopping network, and The Office of course.
Now I will be privileged to watch every Jerry Bruckheimer episode that CBS has to offer.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
God cares about Wyan
This week is going faster than last week did. That is surprising because last week I only worked two real days. That just goes to show how 2 days of really hard classes can make up for 4 days of good classes.
I had one of a few successful kindergarten classes today. The am kindergarten is having a difficult time getting settled because of a new little guy in their class.
He is from a split home. He just moved in with dad. Mom wants him back. Dad is not a good parent, but he wants to be with dad. Little brother is much more of a nightmare than this little guy. He is getting along well with his teacher as long as she is doing what he wants to do. There is not much structure in his life. Today he was forced to come to my class, and he stood gripping the handle to the door for most of class. He had moved 3 feet into the room throughout the 20 minutes he was with me inches each minute. He is a good little kid... his life is hard.
God cares about wyan (little guy can't say his R's).
His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.
I had one of a few successful kindergarten classes today. The am kindergarten is having a difficult time getting settled because of a new little guy in their class.
He is from a split home. He just moved in with dad. Mom wants him back. Dad is not a good parent, but he wants to be with dad. Little brother is much more of a nightmare than this little guy. He is getting along well with his teacher as long as she is doing what he wants to do. There is not much structure in his life. Today he was forced to come to my class, and he stood gripping the handle to the door for most of class. He had moved 3 feet into the room throughout the 20 minutes he was with me inches each minute. He is a good little kid... his life is hard.
God cares about wyan (little guy can't say his R's).
His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
This Town Hates Us
So...
This weekend we were invited to the young marrieds group pumpkin patch outing at our church. The young marrieds group is pretty active, and husband and I have been wanting to attend. We have not made it to anything on Sunday mornings because of Choir and other church commitments.
Anyway,
We were supposed to all meat at church at 6:45 to carpool to the pumpkin patch. Husband and I pulled in at 6:46. No one was there... Well I shouldn't say no one. Pastor M. was there. He sheepishly explained to us that we were the only ones who had showed up. He also told us that he couldn't understand why they didn't have a bigger crowd. Last time they all got together there were 36 people who attended.
I assured him it was because We had decided to come. All of our efforts for socialization have now been flushed. We are externally inflicted hermits.
Not My Style!
This weekend we were invited to the young marrieds group pumpkin patch outing at our church. The young marrieds group is pretty active, and husband and I have been wanting to attend. We have not made it to anything on Sunday mornings because of Choir and other church commitments.
Anyway,
We were supposed to all meat at church at 6:45 to carpool to the pumpkin patch. Husband and I pulled in at 6:46. No one was there... Well I shouldn't say no one. Pastor M. was there. He sheepishly explained to us that we were the only ones who had showed up. He also told us that he couldn't understand why they didn't have a bigger crowd. Last time they all got together there were 36 people who attended.
I assured him it was because We had decided to come. All of our efforts for socialization have now been flushed. We are externally inflicted hermits.
Not My Style!
Friday, October 17, 2008
From weekend to weekend
This week was bazaar. On Monday and Tuesday I had in-service. We learned more about Ruby Payne and her theories on Poverty. It is helpful information, but after a while it seems to repeat itself.
On Wednesday, I stayed home from work with aches and serious congestion. I felt like some one was pounding on my nasal passages with a large bass drum mallet. (the fuzzy kind that is hard as a rock inside)
Then I was back to work yesterday and had a pretty good day. For the most part the children were well behaved and enthusiastic. I still have some students who come to class testing me. One month I need to completely not allow anything at all to happen. After their warning I just need to clamp down and make them miserable for the rest of music. I think that is the only way to get through to a couple of these kids. They must have no structure at home. Either that or they are just that ornery.
I am looking into Friday thinking... I just want to pass out and not get back up. That is not a practical option because when I do that on the weekends I wind up board and grumpy. So... we may go to the rival high school game tonight. That's what happens when you live in a town with two high schools. They become serious rivals. Our school is dressed out for south spirit because someday our kids will feed into the southern most high school here. We are having the cheerleaders come for a pep assembly and everything. SUCH an exciting day. And I get to skip out on my Crazy last class of the day. (first graders at the end of the day... not my idea)
Well, the bell has called me into action. Off I go to conquer the world. Or at least the morning...
On Wednesday, I stayed home from work with aches and serious congestion. I felt like some one was pounding on my nasal passages with a large bass drum mallet. (the fuzzy kind that is hard as a rock inside)
Then I was back to work yesterday and had a pretty good day. For the most part the children were well behaved and enthusiastic. I still have some students who come to class testing me. One month I need to completely not allow anything at all to happen. After their warning I just need to clamp down and make them miserable for the rest of music. I think that is the only way to get through to a couple of these kids. They must have no structure at home. Either that or they are just that ornery.
I am looking into Friday thinking... I just want to pass out and not get back up. That is not a practical option because when I do that on the weekends I wind up board and grumpy. So... we may go to the rival high school game tonight. That's what happens when you live in a town with two high schools. They become serious rivals. Our school is dressed out for south spirit because someday our kids will feed into the southern most high school here. We are having the cheerleaders come for a pep assembly and everything. SUCH an exciting day. And I get to skip out on my Crazy last class of the day. (first graders at the end of the day... not my idea)
Well, the bell has called me into action. Off I go to conquer the world. Or at least the morning...
Friday, October 10, 2008
In celebration of the lower gas prices...
Thump thump thump thump
Thump thump thump thump
Dun da dun dun dun dunnnnn dunnnnn
Dun da dun dun dun dun da da dunnnnn
Chick chick chick chick
chick chick chick chick
chick chick chick chick
chick chick chick chick Waaaaahhhh
I'm goin to Wichita...
Far from this opera forever more!
I'm gonna work the straw
Let the sweat drip out of every pore...
but seriously I am going to Wichita. So if you read this some time today, Friday, the 10th, and you are in Wichita, I might just see you.
Got Coffee? Saturday night. Be there or be square.
it's where all the attractive people go.
P.S. did you watch The Office last night? Did you or did you not think to yourself....
"I steal from my job all the time, (like right now)"
or perhaps.... "How can Angela do that? She has such double standards." ...
and finally..."I never want a steak ever again."
Thump thump thump thump
Dun da dun dun dun dunnnnn dunnnnn
Dun da dun dun dun dun da da dunnnnn
Chick chick chick chick
chick chick chick chick
chick chick chick chick
chick chick chick chick Waaaaahhhh
I'm goin to Wichita...
Far from this opera forever more!
I'm gonna work the straw
Let the sweat drip out of every pore...
but seriously I am going to Wichita. So if you read this some time today, Friday, the 10th, and you are in Wichita, I might just see you.
Got Coffee? Saturday night. Be there or be square.
it's where all the attractive people go.
P.S. did you watch The Office last night? Did you or did you not think to yourself....
"I steal from my job all the time, (like right now)"
or perhaps.... "How can Angela do that? She has such double standards." ...
and finally..."I never want a steak ever again."
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Family Reunion
Going to family reunions has never been a part of my life before. I think in my entire life I may have been to two on my mom's side and two on my dad's side. Once every ten years or so, and that's about it.
Sunday I got to go to my first In-law family reunion. It all started with Great Aunt Ruth's 90'th birthday party. It was held at the activity center at the old folks home in her home town. It was quite the display of fresh flowers, four different kinds of cake (white, lemon, chocolate and strawberry), mints, nuts and the other kind on nuts.
Since I happen to be from the small town that Aunt Ruth is from, I knew more of my husband's family than he did. However I did not acknowledge the fact that I did know them.
It was interesting at the party that all of the people looked like the cake, there were four distinct different kinds of people. People directly in Ruth's family, the outer circle of Ruth's family (which was the largest group), the I married into Ruth's family (there's me!!!), and the friends of Ruth and her family.
After the Birthday bash we ran around town and then made our way over to "the church" for the big reunion. (Which was pretty much the same people who were at the birthday party minus the friends of Ruth's family flavor)
Again, I knew more people than my husband. Husband, brother in law, and I were trying to think of clever things to write on our name tags instead of the traditional... "son of so and so." "Married to what's her face." statements that we were seeing.
Here are some of our best
Hello my name is Clinton "I am here for the food."
Hello my name Jen "I married in."
Hello my name is Husband "Antisocial"
Hello my name is Clinton "Mute"
Hello my name is Husband "No questions please."
Hello my name is Jen "I may say I remember you, but that is a lie."
Husband and I got to leave after about an hour and go hang out at my family's. Chris crashed, my sister and I talked. We ate wonderful food and that's about it.
My Sunday and my first in law family reunion.
Ahhh the memories.
Sunday I got to go to my first In-law family reunion. It all started with Great Aunt Ruth's 90'th birthday party. It was held at the activity center at the old folks home in her home town. It was quite the display of fresh flowers, four different kinds of cake (white, lemon, chocolate and strawberry), mints, nuts and the other kind on nuts.
Since I happen to be from the small town that Aunt Ruth is from, I knew more of my husband's family than he did. However I did not acknowledge the fact that I did know them.
It was interesting at the party that all of the people looked like the cake, there were four distinct different kinds of people. People directly in Ruth's family, the outer circle of Ruth's family (which was the largest group), the I married into Ruth's family (there's me!!!), and the friends of Ruth and her family.
After the Birthday bash we ran around town and then made our way over to "the church" for the big reunion. (Which was pretty much the same people who were at the birthday party minus the friends of Ruth's family flavor)
Again, I knew more people than my husband. Husband, brother in law, and I were trying to think of clever things to write on our name tags instead of the traditional... "son of so and so." "Married to what's her face." statements that we were seeing.
Here are some of our best
Hello my name is Clinton "I am here for the food."
Hello my name Jen "I married in."
Hello my name is Husband "Antisocial"
Hello my name is Clinton "Mute"
Hello my name is Husband "No questions please."
Hello my name is Jen "I may say I remember you, but that is a lie."
Husband and I got to leave after about an hour and go hang out at my family's. Chris crashed, my sister and I talked. We ate wonderful food and that's about it.
My Sunday and my first in law family reunion.
Ahhh the memories.
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