Teaching at its best!

The past two days have been great in an odd kind of way. I've wanted to make the writing lessons be more interactive and hands on. Yesterday I read The Three Questions by Muth, this book is adapted from Tolstoy's work. LOVE IT!!!! Anyway the kids seemed to get it as well.

I've been struggling with getting this class to actually take the time to reread and revise their writing. So today I brought out playdough. I talked briefly about writing and the writing process and then told them, oh let's just have some fun. Everyone had a jar of playdough and they were suppose to make an object. They had 15 minutes, when the time was up, I said they had two minutes to make an addition, then I gave them two minutes to take something away. This was when things got interesting. The students who are excelling with their writing made objects with great attention to details, those struggling made a pancake, cookie, burrito. It was like a light went off in my head. This needed to have been done the first of the year to see their creativity. One who is struggling with me and I saw in a totally different light today made a bowling ball and bowling pins. Another who is struggling and I can't seem to reach, made a smiley face, then went and told the RESA woman, "I don't like to write, but it is okay. I'm in TAG, so I'll be in all the advanced classes in middle school." AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH

No wonder I'm not making any impact! I felt like a light had come on and a load had been lifted. That to me is a child I can't help, they don't want to be helped! I've struggled with months over her.

Now I need to make my mind up about my couches. Tax woman has encouraging news tonight! Dan will meet with her on Saturday. Plus looks like Dan may have a job!!!!

Porch and more

Okay, Matt isn't happy with the other furniture either, and F said it didn't look like me either. (I did find it on Craigslist. )

So tonight I looked again and came up with this...for the big price tag of $35. It needs cushions! So I'm wondering how do I come up with those. I'm thinking a futon mattress might work.

The more will come later.

More Porch and more

Okay, I understand the comments so far, but I need more help on this one. Is it the fabric you don't like or is it the design? I'm leaning toward Rattan instead of Wicker because we are a large family. Also, after pricing wicker yesterday, this one is lots cheaper! However, it is more than $100 so I'm having to really think about it.

More comments needed.

Also, I need to sell off some of my antiques that I love, but there is no room for them. So here goes...

First, up is an antique bookshelf I got in Pennsylvania. I'm thinking $30.

If you know of anyone looking let me know. I also have a 70" round oak table with 2 leather seated chairs, a wardrobe, and a buffet. More pics will follow.

Screened in Porch

I've been looking at all types of garage sales and personal sell items of late looking for outdoor furniture. I found this it comes with the couch, love seat, coffee table, and two end tables. My screened in porch is off my bedroom which is painted the green in the sofa.

So what does everybody think?

Guess what!

Is there anyone living that doesn't know that I'll be 50 in October? Is there anyone living that doesn't know I channel Bonnie Raitt? Guess What!! The stars have aligned and on October 24th, Bonnie Raitt will be in concert in St. Augustine, FL.

Are you still sitting? Jump up and down!!! Hollar!!! Be happy!! I'm seeing a memorable birthday in my future.

(Would be great if Dan can get a job or at least some judging jobs...2 per month...pray hard!)

Thanks Sarah

This week I finished reading Fair Weather by Richard Peck. LOVE IT!!!! I'm a sucker for historical fiction and this is a great one. I think it is odd though that I also read Andrew Greely's Nuala Anne McGrail Series (a new one came out this month!) and they are set in Chicago. I love it! Perhaps Chicago is where I need to go on a vacation.

So readers do yourself a favor check out some of Richard Peck's books, A Year Down Yonder and Fair Weather would be a great place to start.

At Last

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN1vd0dR_4E

Life in the country

Well, last night we lost power at about 6:50pm. We were eating supper. Then it started to hail and rain real hard. Little did we know...this morning Wayne called Dan to check on us, seems a tornado had touched down just a few miles away. So that's why those sirens were going off!! If you come down 36 going into Covington, the path is clear. It hit right at the High Point Community and then touched down about half way down Henderson Mill Road. According to the news it was jumping its way through Spalding, Newton, Jasper and Putnam Counties last night. F said Ricky was sent out at 9:30pm to Eatonton.

Now being from Oklahoma, I don't have much fear of the weather. Gabe who wasn't born in Oklahoma has an insane fear of the weather! My Daddy has an unbelievable fear of the weather. If someone could explain to me how a kid who has never been around their grandfather can have the same fears. It must be inherited and skips a generation. I was outside talking on the cell phone. Finally, went to bed to read (holding a flashlight) with the door open to my screened in porch.

Thankfully we are still alive and well.

Camera

Today while I was out with F enjoying Day 1 of Winter Break. We were having a lovely carefree day full of my favorite things Starbucks coffee, Mexican Food, a movie (Bride Wars), and some shopping. While I was out living it up trouble landed at our house. Dan and Gabe were finishing up the science fair project and the camera broke! We only have pics of the K Truss. Of course being men they did not wait for another camera, they just kept right on experimenting! Unfortunately, that makes it hard for me to make the backboard. Apparently Dan has an idea.

Anyway, I guess I'll be looking for a new camera in the next few months. Any suggestions and no I can't afford a Nikon D60!

Still Looking

I'm still looking for the perfect love song after 25 years of marriage. Why you might ask? I like to avoid hard work, so this is how I pass my time! So far George Strait's "Carried Away" is at the top of the list. What can I say...

I cut my finger at lunch today when I was cutting a lemon. It has bleed all day. I've changed bandages now three times. I swear this cut isn't an eighth of an inch. It is teensy!!!

I can't take off my clothes because the youth group is doing a drive by tonight and getting Gabe for the "Midnight Munchies". I'm impressed anytime anyone wants to drop in out here in the country. However, Gabe is the first one they are picking up and they will be here really early. So I'm not sure how to get him into his sweats right now. This wouldn't be a good night to sleep in the boxers only!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow F wants to take me out. How sweet is that!!!!! For lunch and a movie, we are also going to fit in her mammogram. Got mine last month!!

Devistated

I'm devistated! Today around 2:00 the mother of the little girl I tutor called and asked me to go let her teacher know she could go to the Valentine's Dance. Of course within the next five minutes, Dan texted he failed the driving part of the CDL. (Seems there's 50 checks you do before you get in the truck, he forgot one!) All I envisioned was how were we going to make it for two more weeks! Was he ever going to get a job! The para wanted to move out the desk. Then Drake and Ira got into a fit because Drake (who truly believes he is a ninja warrior) was meditating. Before I knew it I had Harper's class and mine to get to the dance. I forgot Devon!!!

Shelly shows up and no Devon. We are looking everywhere. Well Devon took herself to my room and sat outside the locked door. At some point the janitor saw her and went and got one of her teachers, who was busy trying to get her own children. She told Devon to go get me in the lunchroom (where the dance was). Devon didn't come get me.

Folks if you could have seen her mom's panic, the child's eyes, and my heart breaking all at once. I try very hard to never let my personal life intrude into my job! But, I was so counting on Dan getting a job...TODAY! Of course, the child has three teachers, I'm just a friend and the tutor. Yet, I was the one crying and cried all the way home. My heart broke. How do you make that up to the mother or the child!

All I can say is Satan is alive and well today. Dan is looking for some words of comfort from me and there are none. I can't say anything. So he is out in the barn and I'm in here and Gabe is in another room!

Talked to Shelly she is okay; however, we both wonder what was the child thinking during that time.

Life in the fast line...

...surely make you lose your mind.

Thank goodness tomorrow is a the beginning of a week long break! Wish I could be surprised by some unexpected money! Anyway, back to the craziness of life. I recently learned I was the county Reading teacher of the year. I'm pretty excited and tonight I got to speak on my favorite thing books! Then today I found out I was Teacher of the month at school. What in the world! I asked F. if I was fixing to die or something.

See I'm one of those teachers who isn't completely continent with the way things are going. I'm always looking for a better way! There are 8 days till the state wide writing exam and about 6 weeks till the CRCT. So I think of all the things I haven't taught that should of been taught....whoa is me!

I think I'll just play some Eagles.

Is it only Tuesday?

This morning as I was running out the door, I said, "Lay out some hamburger." Well guess what no hamburger got laid out. Dan suggested we eat the pork stuff. No problem except I've had it now 4 days in a row! (Okay the recipe made a lot). So Dan and Gabe are eating the pork stuff and I'm eating...I don't know what yet...

Have you tried the cake? I think I will eat more cake tonight!!!!!! With LOTS of ice cream.

PS. I understand the artistic photographer in our midst doesn't care much for my photography skills and I admit my picture of the cake does not do it justice. MAKE THE CAKE!!!! You'll love me for telling you about it. (Thanks for posting it Relyn!)

Holy Cow

You've got to try this!

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespooons chocolate chips (optional)

A small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.

Put in your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dagerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake any time of the day or night!

Fred's Caramel Glaze

2 tablespoons cream cheese

1/4 cup brown sugar

Mix and microwave for 30 seconds - pour on warm cake.

Go make one now! It's cold out, you deserve it...it's just one mug of cake...there won't be any leftovers to tempt you the rest of the day...you want to, you know you do...

I made 4 last night. It is definitely too rich for one person to eat the whole thing, especially if you top it with ice cream. I didn't spray PAM on the cup last night, but that would be a good idea. This takes a LARGE cup, I made two in soup cups and two in large coffee mugs. It needs to be tall, especially to fit in the ice cream!!!!!!!!

What is that sound?

I think it could be the Halleluah Chorus! Dr. R sent back Chapter 1 and finally...I only need to delete a sentence and add another! Thank you Jesus!!!!

Ta...Dum...I also have the taxes ready to go! How totally great is that!!!

Dan has worked out on the barn all day. It is really coming together. I made a GREAT supper. Jalepeno bread and stuffed jalepenos...yum! Wanted to make chocolate cake but too full.

Matt went to doctor. He hasn't got strep and apparently she didn't check for mono, but he is on heavy antibiotic.

Let the celebrations begin!!!

Is it Friday yet?

This has been a wild week. Progress reports. I'm sick thinking of the writing test in less than thirty days (and we are out for a week of that). The kids writing is not peeking, but seems to be doing just the opposite. Gabe has this science fair project due, with a major paper. Last night I was totally stressed with homework for him, tonight I just told him to get busy. We all did four hours of homework last night. Dan and Gabe are still at it tonight (into hour #5). If we loaded down kids like this and expected their parents to help they would haul our happy asses to jail! Or at the least to the unemployment line! Remember Gabe is extremely smart, what about those kids who aren't so with it!

Speaking of unemployment pray that Dan will know soon if he is getting a job. Pray hard! We need some money coming in.

OMG

Check this out! I think I'm in love! I'm going to try this and report back.

All is well. Voice is a little better today. Monavie came in the mail, so maybe my back will be feeling better soon. Progress reports are due tomorrow. Got to love this job!!!

More Crazy Tidbits!

Everyone is off to church, lunch is in the crockpot, I've had a bath and now I'm in my robe and slippers. I still can't talk! Not a good sign for a teacher. So I'm going to write today on Chapter 1. I wish you could know how many times I've rewritten chapter 1!!!!!

Super Bowl is a bit depressing at the moment. While I have a history with the Steelers, I like the store of the Cardinals and hoped they would win. Anyway, I got Chapter 1 sent to Dr. R today. Made me feel better about myself. I'm going to drink some hot tea and hope my voice is some better for tomorrow. I know everyone would appreciate HEARING their teacher tomorrow. I am trying something new tomorrow. If I can find enough basal readers! I'm going to teach a skill, tell them which story it is from and let them be responsible for reading the story, then I will test the skill. I'll update you on this one.