In one car...
My children drove to school together today - for the first time. It was LLB's choice to ride with #1. They are in Mr.'s car which is a full 11 years newer than #1's. LLB told me that she thinks he'll be far more careful with Dad's car. She may have a point.
As they walked out to the car, #1 said, "I call driver's seat!"
LLB giggled and replied, "Gee, I was gonna sit there!"
I told them to call when they get to school.
They'd better not forget!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Things that make me go GRR!
I've had kind of a long week and yes, I know it's only Wednesday.
I am a handbell teacher at a nearby private school. I had a perfect replacement lined up for my recently retired colleague. They replaced her with a guy... Not my choice - But whatever... This is who they've wanted since before they hired me. I sure hope they know what they are doing. The person I wanted has better classroom control than I ever will, is a true perfectionist and accepts nothing but the best from her students, works harder than I ever have, and is an all around wonderful person. Alas, I am not the boss.
GRRR
I got an email from LLB's English teacher. It had her grades for all of her assignments including a big fat ZERO - for classwork not turned in. I couldn't believe that she'd not turn something in as she likes that class AND there's the fact that if you don't turn in the work, you get a big fat ZERO which makes all the other 100%s you have absolutely worthless -- As in she should have had an A+, but instead has a big old C sitting there.
I emailed the teacher and asked as nicely as I could what the ZERO was all about and what exactly was missing.
Her response was "The missing assignment was an in class assignment, and I am assuming that one of her group members must have accidentally failed to turn in the paper. As soon as it is turned in I can give them at least ½ credit for it."
WHAT?? So, I emailed again and asked to have LLB removed from that group because I would not have her grade ruined by an irresponsible student.
That got the ball rolling inside the classroom - as I knew it would. See how slick I can be?
The teacher went to the students and asked if they had, in fact, turned in the assignment. And, of course, they had. Come to find out, the TEACHER had it the whole time - it was in the bottom of the paper collection box. She had missed it when she took all the other papers out. Because it was on the bottom. Because it was the FIRST ONE turned in... The teacher then told them that they would get full credit since it was her mistake.
Yeah... I'd think so.
GRRR
I went to Costco today. The young and very strong lad loaded up our grocery items in boxes. He must have been delusional. Why does he think we can lift what he can lift? He can probably bench press my car! We are old. We cannot lift 50lbs of food and the laundry detergent he has placed on the top - not only can't we lift it, we can't lift it into the car. We are weak. We carry eggs and bread at the same time. That's it. He did this with all of our groceries - mine and Gram's.
My tip for the day: Buy stock in Ibuprofen.
GRRR
Oh and one more thing...
I'm particularly pissy today.
GRRR
I am a handbell teacher at a nearby private school. I had a perfect replacement lined up for my recently retired colleague. They replaced her with a guy... Not my choice - But whatever... This is who they've wanted since before they hired me. I sure hope they know what they are doing. The person I wanted has better classroom control than I ever will, is a true perfectionist and accepts nothing but the best from her students, works harder than I ever have, and is an all around wonderful person. Alas, I am not the boss.
GRRR
I got an email from LLB's English teacher. It had her grades for all of her assignments including a big fat ZERO - for classwork not turned in. I couldn't believe that she'd not turn something in as she likes that class AND there's the fact that if you don't turn in the work, you get a big fat ZERO which makes all the other 100%s you have absolutely worthless -- As in she should have had an A+, but instead has a big old C sitting there.
I emailed the teacher and asked as nicely as I could what the ZERO was all about and what exactly was missing.
Her response was "The missing assignment was an in class assignment, and I am assuming that one of her group members must have accidentally failed to turn in the paper. As soon as it is turned in I can give them at least ½ credit for it."
WHAT?? So, I emailed again and asked to have LLB removed from that group because I would not have her grade ruined by an irresponsible student.
That got the ball rolling inside the classroom - as I knew it would. See how slick I can be?
The teacher went to the students and asked if they had, in fact, turned in the assignment. And, of course, they had. Come to find out, the TEACHER had it the whole time - it was in the bottom of the paper collection box. She had missed it when she took all the other papers out. Because it was on the bottom. Because it was the FIRST ONE turned in... The teacher then told them that they would get full credit since it was her mistake.
Yeah... I'd think so.
GRRR
I went to Costco today. The young and very strong lad loaded up our grocery items in boxes. He must have been delusional. Why does he think we can lift what he can lift? He can probably bench press my car! We are old. We cannot lift 50lbs of food and the laundry detergent he has placed on the top - not only can't we lift it, we can't lift it into the car. We are weak. We carry eggs and bread at the same time. That's it. He did this with all of our groceries - mine and Gram's.
My tip for the day: Buy stock in Ibuprofen.
GRRR
Oh and one more thing...
I'm particularly pissy today.
GRRR
Monday, September 07, 2009
We are worried about "the cow" when
It is really all about the 'Ice Cream'.
I received this from a friend and it made sense...
The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade this year.
The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president.
We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote.
To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members.
We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have.
We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot. The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids.
I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support. I had never seen Olivia's mother.
The day arrived when they were to make their speeches. Jamie went first.
He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best. Everyone applauded and he sat down.
Now it was Olivia's turn to speak.
Her speech was concise.
She said, "If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream."
She sat down.
The class went wild. "Yes! Yes! We want ice cream."
She surely would say more. She did not have to.
A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream?
She wasn't sure.
Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it.
She didn't know.
The class really didn't care.
All they were thinking about was ice cream. Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a landslide.
Every time Barack Obama opened his mouth he offered ice cream and 52 percent of the people reacted like nine year olds.
They want ice cream.
"The other 48 percent know they're going to have to feed the cow and clean up the mess."
Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone -- which they have not first taken away from someone else.
I received this from a friend and it made sense...
The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade this year.
The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president.
We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote.
To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members.
We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have.
We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot. The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids.
I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support. I had never seen Olivia's mother.
The day arrived when they were to make their speeches. Jamie went first.
He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best. Everyone applauded and he sat down.
Now it was Olivia's turn to speak.
Her speech was concise.
She said, "If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream."
She sat down.
The class went wild. "Yes! Yes! We want ice cream."
She surely would say more. She did not have to.
A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream?
She wasn't sure.
Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it.
She didn't know.
The class really didn't care.
All they were thinking about was ice cream. Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a landslide.
Every time Barack Obama opened his mouth he offered ice cream and 52 percent of the people reacted like nine year olds.
They want ice cream.
"The other 48 percent know they're going to have to feed the cow and clean up the mess."
Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone -- which they have not first taken away from someone else.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER
A dear friend sent me this and I had to post it. I'm sure I'll end up on someone's naughty list for this, but... So be it.
Two Different Versions! -- Two Different Morals!
OLD VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!
MODERN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.
CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast.
How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'
Acorn stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Rev. Jeremiah Wright then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it.
The ant has disappeared in the snow.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2010.
Two Different Versions! -- Two Different Morals!
OLD VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!
MODERN VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.
CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast.
How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'
Acorn stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Rev. Jeremiah Wright then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it.
The ant has disappeared in the snow.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2010.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Are you ready for some...
Marching Band?
Tonight is the second game. The kids worked very hard all week to perfect the show and add in the second movement. I can't even wait to see it. They sure do sound good - you can hear them all over campus when they are practicing.
I just wish that they would march in the daylight so that my pictures weren't so dark... (It's all about the pictures, you know.)
The kids like marching band because it's fun. But, really, it's all about what they are going to eat next. They go out for dinner before the game. They eat homemade goodies, chips, and fruit during the game. They go out for pancakes after the game. Do you see what I mean?
When I asked the kids about the quantity of food that enters their bellies on a Friday night, they said, "Mom... We are HUNGRY! We expend a lot of energy. Besides, it's fun!" They do have a point. We have a great time with all the parents - especially at pancake time. That's when we are off duty (even though it's almost midnight) and we can laugh - a lot!
So, tonight I'll pass out uniforms, fix hair, fill water bottles, set out goodies, and generally follow the kids around snapping pictures.
I wouldn't have it any other way!
Tonight is the second game. The kids worked very hard all week to perfect the show and add in the second movement. I can't even wait to see it. They sure do sound good - you can hear them all over campus when they are practicing.
I just wish that they would march in the daylight so that my pictures weren't so dark... (It's all about the pictures, you know.)
The kids like marching band because it's fun. But, really, it's all about what they are going to eat next. They go out for dinner before the game. They eat homemade goodies, chips, and fruit during the game. They go out for pancakes after the game. Do you see what I mean?
When I asked the kids about the quantity of food that enters their bellies on a Friday night, they said, "Mom... We are HUNGRY! We expend a lot of energy. Besides, it's fun!" They do have a point. We have a great time with all the parents - especially at pancake time. That's when we are off duty (even though it's almost midnight) and we can laugh - a lot!
So, tonight I'll pass out uniforms, fix hair, fill water bottles, set out goodies, and generally follow the kids around snapping pictures.
I wouldn't have it any other way!
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Meet the Teacher...
Tonight is "meet the teacher" night at the high school. This is first time in a couple of years we've had to "divide and conquer". Mr. will go to #1's teachers and I will go to LLB's.
We like to go to this evening because very few parents show up at all and we can get to know these people who see our children for 90 min. a day. It also gives us a sense of what the teachers are really like.
There are some teachers I think are best left to Mr. #1 has an English teacher with whom I went toe-to-toe last spring over scheduling and lack of communication between the then pit orchestra director and home. We worked our issues out - he saw my point of view and accepted that yes, his employee was a toad. This particular teacher is the one who charged Gram and Grandpa to see the musical when their "Gold Card" issued by the county school system should have gotten them in for free. Let me be clear: Grandpa didn't mind paying the $20, but there are some seniors who may not have an extra $20 to see a high school play. Grandpa did get an apology and then let him keep the $20 as a donation. At that point, the teacher didn't know that Grandpa was related to me, the woman who had made his life miserable. I, of course, couldn't let it go and emailed the teacher to let him know that Grandpa thought the play was well worth his $20 donation. By then the whole thing was quite hysterical at our house - we have a really sick sense of humor around here sometimes. Those of you who know me well, know that I'm still giggling about this whole incident. This particular teacher, though, has my admiration because he is the ONLY teacher who sent us an invitation to tonight's festivities. He cares about his students and is willing to go the extra mile... It really is a good thing that Mr. is going to this classroom. I don't think I could look the man in the face without giggling.
We like to go to this evening because very few parents show up at all and we can get to know these people who see our children for 90 min. a day. It also gives us a sense of what the teachers are really like.
There are some teachers I think are best left to Mr. #1 has an English teacher with whom I went toe-to-toe last spring over scheduling and lack of communication between the then pit orchestra director and home. We worked our issues out - he saw my point of view and accepted that yes, his employee was a toad. This particular teacher is the one who charged Gram and Grandpa to see the musical when their "Gold Card" issued by the county school system should have gotten them in for free. Let me be clear: Grandpa didn't mind paying the $20, but there are some seniors who may not have an extra $20 to see a high school play. Grandpa did get an apology and then let him keep the $20 as a donation. At that point, the teacher didn't know that Grandpa was related to me, the woman who had made his life miserable. I, of course, couldn't let it go and emailed the teacher to let him know that Grandpa thought the play was well worth his $20 donation. By then the whole thing was quite hysterical at our house - we have a really sick sense of humor around here sometimes. Those of you who know me well, know that I'm still giggling about this whole incident. This particular teacher, though, has my admiration because he is the ONLY teacher who sent us an invitation to tonight's festivities. He cares about his students and is willing to go the extra mile... It really is a good thing that Mr. is going to this classroom. I don't think I could look the man in the face without giggling.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Windows...
Here is a picture of a family room window from the inside...
Here is a picture of the windows from the outside.
Once the doors are in, I'll give you a picture of the whole thing... until then, you'll just have to use your imagination...
Here is a picture of the windows from the outside.
Once the doors are in, I'll give you a picture of the whole thing... until then, you'll just have to use your imagination...
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