Are you ready for some Christmas?
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Happy T-Day!
Are you still full? We are and we still have lots of pie!
Bob and I made it through the first two days of work this week. We did a little Christmas shopping and got ready for our Thanksgiving guests.
Mom came up Wednesday and was just thrilled to see those great grandchildren. Veronica always loves it when Grandma Martha comes to visit! She got to read Grandma # 1, as she referred to Grandma Martha. Cash figured out really quickly who the soft touch was! He is now crawl, scooting everywhere and he loves to dance.
Wednesday, it snowed. It was like 70 the day before. Then it was COLD!
On Thanksgiving, my sister and my brother and my sister-in-law came and we all had a good time. I cooked (yes, I can) and we ate and visited. My brother's grandsons came over in the evening. They are 2 and 1 and for awhile we had 4 kids here playing. They were all adorable. Cash was a little bewildered but I can tell it won't be long before he is in there.
Friday, we did a little house shopping and looking for my mom who is getting ready to retire and move up here. Didn't find the "one", but we did look around.
Friday night featured the annual Christmas Craft night. Mom, Bob, Drew, Rachel, Veronica, Cash, me, and my friend Robin crafted our way through some multi-cultural angels, personalized gift bags, and some very interestingly decorated cookies. Drew was especially dedicated to the cookie decorating and one of the snowmen has been named Leftie for his shifty facial features. This will be our first holiday season without Robin's mom, Frances, and she is missed.
There was also a rematch of the game Twister featuring Rach, Drew, and Veronica. It was interesting as always.
Drew has spent the break with us and it was nice to have him home. He only lives 20 minutes away, but he has been working out at his Dad's and it is easier and cheaper for him to go from here. He and Bob went to a movie the other night. They miss each other and they needed to get away from the women.
Rach has been here when she wasn't working at Sonic. That job keeps her very busy. She enjoyed getting to see her Grandma Martha.
On Saturday Mom left early to miss some more snow. Bob, Drew and I lolled about in our p. j. s and watched movies Oceans 13 and We are Marshall. Those are some pretty men on Oceans and I already loved We are Marshall. I don't even like football.
Sunday will find me paying bills, going to school to grade and update the computer grades, doing laundry, and helping Drew with an English paper. Almost back to the grind.
Sunday, Bob will probably spend in bed. Now he has a cold!
Hope your holiday was good and your week is great too!
Bob and I made it through the first two days of work this week. We did a little Christmas shopping and got ready for our Thanksgiving guests.
Mom came up Wednesday and was just thrilled to see those great grandchildren. Veronica always loves it when Grandma Martha comes to visit! She got to read Grandma # 1, as she referred to Grandma Martha. Cash figured out really quickly who the soft touch was! He is now crawl, scooting everywhere and he loves to dance.
Wednesday, it snowed. It was like 70 the day before. Then it was COLD!
On Thanksgiving, my sister and my brother and my sister-in-law came and we all had a good time. I cooked (yes, I can) and we ate and visited. My brother's grandsons came over in the evening. They are 2 and 1 and for awhile we had 4 kids here playing. They were all adorable. Cash was a little bewildered but I can tell it won't be long before he is in there.
Friday, we did a little house shopping and looking for my mom who is getting ready to retire and move up here. Didn't find the "one", but we did look around.
Friday night featured the annual Christmas Craft night. Mom, Bob, Drew, Rachel, Veronica, Cash, me, and my friend Robin crafted our way through some multi-cultural angels, personalized gift bags, and some very interestingly decorated cookies. Drew was especially dedicated to the cookie decorating and one of the snowmen has been named Leftie for his shifty facial features. This will be our first holiday season without Robin's mom, Frances, and she is missed.
There was also a rematch of the game Twister featuring Rach, Drew, and Veronica. It was interesting as always.
Drew has spent the break with us and it was nice to have him home. He only lives 20 minutes away, but he has been working out at his Dad's and it is easier and cheaper for him to go from here. He and Bob went to a movie the other night. They miss each other and they needed to get away from the women.
Rach has been here when she wasn't working at Sonic. That job keeps her very busy. She enjoyed getting to see her Grandma Martha.
On Saturday Mom left early to miss some more snow. Bob, Drew and I lolled about in our p. j. s and watched movies Oceans 13 and We are Marshall. Those are some pretty men on Oceans and I already loved We are Marshall. I don't even like football.
Sunday will find me paying bills, going to school to grade and update the computer grades, doing laundry, and helping Drew with an English paper. Almost back to the grind.
Sunday, Bob will probably spend in bed. Now he has a cold!
Hope your holiday was good and your week is great too!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Lucky Bugs!
November 18
It's invasion of the Asian Beetle Bugs. They are little, they look yellow lady bugs, they're supposed to be lucky, and they are everywhere. The incredibly warm fall has led to plethora of beetles and now that it is sometimes colder, they are moving into everyone's home. It is so bad, it was on the tv news.
Other than that exciting development, I survived my cold. However, it took me sitting at home all day Wednesday on the couch.
Bob worked a couple of days locally and then worked on making Drew's bedroom into his Man Loft full of geeky Bob things. I think he and a friend are going to a World War II museum today.
Friday, we watched Baby Cash. We took him out to dinner with us and he was well-behaved. He has figured out what food is and I could tell he was much more interested in my steak than his green beans. He is learning to crawl. He has mastered getting up on all fours and moving forward. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten it all together. He gets up on on all fours and rocks. Then, he lays down and scoots forward. It isn't going to take long. Rachel can't decide if she is happy or not.
Rachel took the kids out yesterday and Veronica got a Clarice (Rudolph's girlfriend-not Hannibal Lecter's friend) at Build a Bear. Then they ate at her favorite restaurant. I-HOP! She has been practicing for her upcoming Christmas concert. She is leery because she is afraid she might have stage fright. She is visiting me this morning and is all dressed up in a black velvet dress ensemble. It might be a bit much, but it makes her happy. She is such a happy little girl!
I haven't talked to Drew much this week. I know that he got a doe out hunting.
Last night Bob and I went to my sorority Thanksgiving dinner. It was a good time with good food and nice people. Most of them think Bob is quiet, but he got to talking and didn't shut up. I think they were shocked. He had a good time.
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving. Everyone is coming here. My mom may not last until Wednesday, because she really wants to see those great-grandbabies.
I was reading the local paper this week when I saw an editorial from someone I knew. Bob's former mother-in-law gets a subscription and she wrote in about our mayor's legal problems. He has been accused of favoritism in hiring. Of course in small towns, it is hard to hire anyone that you are related to in some way. I guess if someone halfway across the country can tell how stupid the situation is, then our state ought to get it too.
Have a happy week and remember to be thankful. And to eat turkey.
It's invasion of the Asian Beetle Bugs. They are little, they look yellow lady bugs, they're supposed to be lucky, and they are everywhere. The incredibly warm fall has led to plethora of beetles and now that it is sometimes colder, they are moving into everyone's home. It is so bad, it was on the tv news.
Other than that exciting development, I survived my cold. However, it took me sitting at home all day Wednesday on the couch.
Bob worked a couple of days locally and then worked on making Drew's bedroom into his Man Loft full of geeky Bob things. I think he and a friend are going to a World War II museum today.
Friday, we watched Baby Cash. We took him out to dinner with us and he was well-behaved. He has figured out what food is and I could tell he was much more interested in my steak than his green beans. He is learning to crawl. He has mastered getting up on all fours and moving forward. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten it all together. He gets up on on all fours and rocks. Then, he lays down and scoots forward. It isn't going to take long. Rachel can't decide if she is happy or not.
Rachel took the kids out yesterday and Veronica got a Clarice (Rudolph's girlfriend-not Hannibal Lecter's friend) at Build a Bear. Then they ate at her favorite restaurant. I-HOP! She has been practicing for her upcoming Christmas concert. She is leery because she is afraid she might have stage fright. She is visiting me this morning and is all dressed up in a black velvet dress ensemble. It might be a bit much, but it makes her happy. She is such a happy little girl!
I haven't talked to Drew much this week. I know that he got a doe out hunting.
Last night Bob and I went to my sorority Thanksgiving dinner. It was a good time with good food and nice people. Most of them think Bob is quiet, but he got to talking and didn't shut up. I think they were shocked. He had a good time.
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving. Everyone is coming here. My mom may not last until Wednesday, because she really wants to see those great-grandbabies.
I was reading the local paper this week when I saw an editorial from someone I knew. Bob's former mother-in-law gets a subscription and she wrote in about our mayor's legal problems. He has been accused of favoritism in hiring. Of course in small towns, it is hard to hire anyone that you are related to in some way. I guess if someone halfway across the country can tell how stupid the situation is, then our state ought to get it too.
Have a happy week and remember to be thankful. And to eat turkey.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Two for Tea and Everything Else!
November 11, 2007
Note from Cash...Don't tell anyone about the whole baby doll thing...
Oh no! A cold.
Heldo. I habe a cod. I do not like cods. It makes me crankaby!
This week has been very busy and probably why I am run down enough to get a cold.
Bob worked a couple of days in St. Joe. He has done some major work at we move around furniture and re-orient some our now empty bedrooms. Ryan's room is a guest room. Drew's room is now Bob's study/man loft/geek den. The downstairs office is now officially a room for the grandkids. Veronica is overjoyed as she has repeatedly asked for a room that is hers when she stays here. We used to multipurpose the room, but now we have dedicated it to the babies. Bob is most thrilled I didn't require him to move the huge entertainment set upstairs.
I had student led parent teacher conferences this week for two days from four to eight each evening. It worked well and the students actually had the responsibility to sit down and explain their work to their parents. For some kids that was a good thing. For others, it was upsetting to me that some parents were so negative. Poor students.
At school we are reading Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys. I have taught it for years and the students still love it. They get so irate when the main character is treated poorly by others because of his lack of intelligence. The story is so well written that it shows the students how people who lack intelligence and those who have an abundance live with prejudice. I hope that some will apply the idea to their own lives.
Thursday several of the MS and HS teachers went to a restaurant. It was great fun.
Friday was a day off. I enjoyed it. Saturday I went to my writers group and was the emcee. It was a good time and I am meeting editors, writers, agents. I felt confident about my writing and I have shared some of it with family and friends. They said they liked it and I think they meant it.
Veronica and Cash are well. Cash, like Veronica, has asthma, but as my friend put it, "He is the happiest asthmatic baby I have ever seen." Veronica is going with my sister to see the BEE movie today. Their whole family went to a hayride last night and had a great time.
Drew is probably sitting in the woods right now trying to get a deer. He has decided he needs one for food.
Ryan and Mike had a disagreement this week. Bob spoke with Ryan. Sometimes the transition is hard. I hope they work it out.
It is like 45 days to Christmas. Good grief!
We another tank top and shorts day yesterday. We have actually had a frost this year, but the weather continues to be unseasonably warm.
Have a great week!
This week has been very busy and probably why I am run down enough to get a cold.
Bob worked a couple of days in St. Joe. He has done some major work at we move around furniture and re-orient some our now empty bedrooms. Ryan's room is a guest room. Drew's room is now Bob's study/man loft/geek den. The downstairs office is now officially a room for the grandkids. Veronica is overjoyed as she has repeatedly asked for a room that is hers when she stays here. We used to multipurpose the room, but now we have dedicated it to the babies. Bob is most thrilled I didn't require him to move the huge entertainment set upstairs.
I had student led parent teacher conferences this week for two days from four to eight each evening. It worked well and the students actually had the responsibility to sit down and explain their work to their parents. For some kids that was a good thing. For others, it was upsetting to me that some parents were so negative. Poor students.
At school we are reading Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys. I have taught it for years and the students still love it. They get so irate when the main character is treated poorly by others because of his lack of intelligence. The story is so well written that it shows the students how people who lack intelligence and those who have an abundance live with prejudice. I hope that some will apply the idea to their own lives.
Thursday several of the MS and HS teachers went to a restaurant. It was great fun.
Friday was a day off. I enjoyed it. Saturday I went to my writers group and was the emcee. It was a good time and I am meeting editors, writers, agents. I felt confident about my writing and I have shared some of it with family and friends. They said they liked it and I think they meant it.
Veronica and Cash are well. Cash, like Veronica, has asthma, but as my friend put it, "He is the happiest asthmatic baby I have ever seen." Veronica is going with my sister to see the BEE movie today. Their whole family went to a hayride last night and had a great time.
Drew is probably sitting in the woods right now trying to get a deer. He has decided he needs one for food.
Ryan and Mike had a disagreement this week. Bob spoke with Ryan. Sometimes the transition is hard. I hope they work it out.
It is like 45 days to Christmas. Good grief!
We another tank top and shorts day yesterday. We have actually had a frost this year, but the weather continues to be unseasonably warm.
Have a great week!
Monday, November 5, 2007
The Boys Survived
Talked to Ryan and Mike yesterday. They survived the tropical storm or hurricane Noel. Just a little rain. Both are enjoying school. It was good to talk to them!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Pictorial Evidence of Halloween
Big Bobby and Goldieano of New Jersey. Bob is a mafia hitman. I am his uni-browed and moustached Mafia Princess. And yes I did bring a lasagna.Ahoy there Rach and the babies!
And now we know, "Scooby Dooby Doo. Where are you?" and where Velma is too!
November 4, 2007
Happy Next to the Last Month of 2007
A beautiful day outside, people in shirt sleeves. Again. We did have some cold air, but flowers still blooming and tomatoes still growing. Crazy.
Not nearly as crazy at the weather Ryan and Mike have been experiencing in CT. We'll be checking later today to find out how they fared with Noel.
Halloween is done. Candy was passed out, our trees were t. p. ed, and the kids were adorable. It was actually cold on that night.
Bob has been at home this week and he spent a couple of days at his parents'. Toni is doing better, but did have another fall. Bob did get a really nice of nice restored photo of his mom when she was young. His dad is well.
I have been teaching as always. Kids have really changed. They don't do homework anymore. I really mean that. It isn't just one or two kids who forgot, it is common for 40 or 50 kids out of a 100 to just not do anything at home. It makes it hard. I gave an assignment to read a story and gave them time in class to read and then read the rest at home. I let them take notes and use them on the quiz the next day. Most of my students failed the simple content quiz. Then I had 8 different students in different classes tell me my class was gay or retarded or stupid. My class...not the fact that they chose not to prepare for the class. That is what is frustrating because they choose not to see that their lack of action might have contributed.
I thought about everything for a couple of days and then took action. What I did was this. I told them that sports were stupid. Then we went to play a quick game of basketball. I didn't bring a ball. I told them to use a paper wad. They protested and then we had to waste time to get the ball. Then my team didn't follow the rules. We did our own thing and ran a football play with the basketball. Then I argued with the other teacher about the rules and kept interrupting the game with useless comments. Then I got mad and told the other teacher that the game was stupid and he was too. Then I got sent to the office and the principal made me apologize.
Then I took the students back to class and we discussed how hard my inappropriate behavior made the game. I think that most of them got that the whole thing was a set-up to show how hard it was to have class when they didn't come to class with their supplies, got off task, argued about everything, and chose to call something stupid or gay or retarded.
I guess it was innovative, but it is disheartening when the kids don't come ready or willing to learn. I will tell you this. After 21 years of teaching, I am working harder than I ever have before. I tell them they are lucky to have a teacher willing to do that.
Drew made us a new computer this week. It is shiny blue.
Rachel keeps on working at Sonic. She is doing some management activities and is doing a lot of the hiring. I have become an asset as I know most of the students. She is also continuing with her on-line classes.
Veronica was just thrilled to be Velma for Halloween because, "I have my hair cut like Velma's, I wear glasses, I am smart like her, and I love to figure out clues." She went trick or treating with Rach and Cash and then with Jeremy and she cleaned up.
Cash was just adorable as Scooby. Bob and I bought him a soft sided book with pages that crinkles and he adores it. He can sit up sometimes, is scooting but not quite crawling, and is trying to develop his hand to eye coordination. He has a blanket with little bears on it and he spends hours trying to pick up those little bears.
Saturday night Bob and I went down the street to our old house where my co-worker and our friends Pat and Cindy held the annual adult Halloween party. We had a good time and sang really bad karekoe. Obviously cannot spell that.
Have a fabulous Week!
A beautiful day outside, people in shirt sleeves. Again. We did have some cold air, but flowers still blooming and tomatoes still growing. Crazy.
Not nearly as crazy at the weather Ryan and Mike have been experiencing in CT. We'll be checking later today to find out how they fared with Noel.
Halloween is done. Candy was passed out, our trees were t. p. ed, and the kids were adorable. It was actually cold on that night.
Bob has been at home this week and he spent a couple of days at his parents'. Toni is doing better, but did have another fall. Bob did get a really nice of nice restored photo of his mom when she was young. His dad is well.
I have been teaching as always. Kids have really changed. They don't do homework anymore. I really mean that. It isn't just one or two kids who forgot, it is common for 40 or 50 kids out of a 100 to just not do anything at home. It makes it hard. I gave an assignment to read a story and gave them time in class to read and then read the rest at home. I let them take notes and use them on the quiz the next day. Most of my students failed the simple content quiz. Then I had 8 different students in different classes tell me my class was gay or retarded or stupid. My class...not the fact that they chose not to prepare for the class. That is what is frustrating because they choose not to see that their lack of action might have contributed.
I thought about everything for a couple of days and then took action. What I did was this. I told them that sports were stupid. Then we went to play a quick game of basketball. I didn't bring a ball. I told them to use a paper wad. They protested and then we had to waste time to get the ball. Then my team didn't follow the rules. We did our own thing and ran a football play with the basketball. Then I argued with the other teacher about the rules and kept interrupting the game with useless comments. Then I got mad and told the other teacher that the game was stupid and he was too. Then I got sent to the office and the principal made me apologize.
Then I took the students back to class and we discussed how hard my inappropriate behavior made the game. I think that most of them got that the whole thing was a set-up to show how hard it was to have class when they didn't come to class with their supplies, got off task, argued about everything, and chose to call something stupid or gay or retarded.
I guess it was innovative, but it is disheartening when the kids don't come ready or willing to learn. I will tell you this. After 21 years of teaching, I am working harder than I ever have before. I tell them they are lucky to have a teacher willing to do that.
Drew made us a new computer this week. It is shiny blue.
Rachel keeps on working at Sonic. She is doing some management activities and is doing a lot of the hiring. I have become an asset as I know most of the students. She is also continuing with her on-line classes.
Veronica was just thrilled to be Velma for Halloween because, "I have my hair cut like Velma's, I wear glasses, I am smart like her, and I love to figure out clues." She went trick or treating with Rach and Cash and then with Jeremy and she cleaned up.
Cash was just adorable as Scooby. Bob and I bought him a soft sided book with pages that crinkles and he adores it. He can sit up sometimes, is scooting but not quite crawling, and is trying to develop his hand to eye coordination. He has a blanket with little bears on it and he spends hours trying to pick up those little bears.
Saturday night Bob and I went down the street to our old house where my co-worker and our friends Pat and Cindy held the annual adult Halloween party. We had a good time and sang really bad karekoe. Obviously cannot spell that.
Have a fabulous Week!
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