A grateful explanation...

I'm a little slow on this entry, as I've had the Swine Flu - Fun stuff!! I'm over it, except for the 1-2 hours of coughing every morning, which the doctor said could linger for 2-3 weeks. Fantastic!

To the point:

*Disclaimer: I hope this is not taken with an air of ungratefulness. I am grateful. I love my students and their parents, and all the joy they bring into my life, but some of them should stop there.

Things NOT to buy your teacher for Christmas:
1. ANY box of chocolates purchased from the Dollar Store. If you're only going to spend a dollar, buy a box of crayons, they would taste the same.
2. Anything ceramic, especially if it has "gold" on it
3. Is there some sort of theory out there that teachers are excessively dry? Because lotion seems to be the #1 gift. I could moisturize the marines.
4. Decor, I can't even find anything that matches my style, I'm doubting you can either.
5. The classic canister of Cocoa. I like cocoa, drinking it now, but I am not the proud owner of 4 canisters of Candy Cane Cocoa, I don't like candy canes.

So, you're thinking, awfully negative. What was my FAVORITE gift this year? The hand made pop-up penguin card with a very sweet note written from my student. That is what Christmas is really all about.

I Pulled a Penny...

Yesterday, as cleaning the bathroom, I dusted my soap.



First, I have to admit that I do in fact have decorative soap. After much teasing and hassling my mother gave me an extra decorative soap she just happened to have on hand. I am normally foursquare against decorative soap. What is the point of having a bar of soap in pretty paper sitting uselessly on the counter? However, my husband found this really cool marble soap dish, that he says you can't put soap in because it will ruin it. So what do you do with a soap dish you can't put soap in? Fill it with decorative soap.
And then, when you clean the bathroom, you might notice that a bit of dust has settled atop the decorative wrappings, and that is when you dust your decorative soap. Penny, you should be so proud.

A Day of Silence

I'm sitting here hacking up my left lung. I am sure it's my left because I can't breath out of my left nostril. Ok TMI - already.

Today was an interesting day of teaching, as I had to do so with no voice. This morning they were sympathetic, patient, and a little disbelieving that I really couldn't talk louder than a barely audible 12 inch whisper. But as I struggled to explain they did their best to jump in and help.
- They made random announcements, "SHE says we only have 3 minutes and it's too loud! Right? (he turns back to me) that's what you wanted me to say?"
- They read my lips as I handed out books - a choral of voices trying to distinguish between "Hannah" and "Madi", apparently those look the same when silently mouthed.
- They read my hand signals
- Took over the class novel
- And sent the kids out to recess when their work was done....

By the end of first recess their sympathy was generally gone, and Art became a bit of a fiasco attempting to teach using only pictures (thank heavens I had my slide show ready to go). And I
am not sure any of them know how to properly say "Achromatic" but oh well, who could correct them....


Things seemed to get worse after lunch and the throbbing in my sinuses wiped out my brain function. After 5 minutes of whispered explanation (we really looked silly gathered in this incredibly tight group trying to explain my notes on the board - not really good for the germ thing) I went to typing the rest of the days instructions. They read aloud as I wrote, they got really close to me to listen to my one word answers, and took the liberty of shouting out, " It's just too loud!" without me having to say a word.

But I survived, I even survived a whispered rehearsal this morning where everyone got so used to hearing me whisper, they started whispering their lines - I had to remind them they could actually talk.

Now, if only it was Friday and I didn't have to attempt to do this for two more days... I could call in sick, like most people do if they're sick. But I'd have to start making lesson plans now, and drive to school tomorrow to get out the papers and make copies, and make 10 phone calls to find a sane sub, and scratch the day for any possible learning, so I guess I'll just go to work.

2 Issues...

1. For some reason my dashboard is not updating with everyone's new blog post, and it's irritating. And I don't think it's showing my posts on others dashboards either - stupid! And I don't know why.

2. I feel bad for Thanksgiving! I am NOT one of those people who decorate early (or hardly at all), or turn on the lights mid-November, or get out the Christmas music in October, or start shopping in August. I'm not. Because I feel bad for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that focuses on food and family, yes food in the forefront, but always enjoyed by family. I think it is ridiculous that we have become so overly obsessed with Christmas that we no longer take the time to appropriately celebrate Thanksgiving. Instead we (mostly meaning my overly-decorated Mother) put away the Thanksgiving decorations away the week before Thanksgiving and fill the house with Christmas. Then on 'the day' we spend hours enveloped in Black Friday ads, pushing the start of the Christmas season to a ridiculous 3 AM.
I enjoy the spirit of Thanksgiving. I like spending hours cooking and preparing in a crowded kitchen, busying the kids making paper turkeys for place cards, and lounging exhausted on the couch afterward. I also enjoy Black Friday, and the beginning of the holiday season. But I sure to do wish that Christmas would wait its turn, and let Thanksgiving have its moment in the spotlight.PS - When I searched "Happy Thanksgiving" to find above picture, there on the screen were a smattering of turkeys, and a big fat "Merry Christmas".

Such a slacker....

Yup, I've become a hypocrite. Hassling people about not updating their blog, and then not doing it myself. I've thought about it, many times, but always found something more important to do. In fact, right now, I have many more important things to do, but I just don't want to.

I was up at 5 AM trying to finish last minute grading and getting report cards ready to print.... 3 and a half hours later is was the start of a busy day including making one dessert (I really should try planning and a recipe, oh well), grocery store, gas, acquiring 60 binders for the bargain price of 70 cents a piece, and relaxing for a couple of hours while "showering" Jessica with baby fun (or maybe traumatizing her, geez hens, you don't have to share ALL the gory details...) I came home to mud and tape the "shop" (AKA 4th bedroom) while Art put up the last sheets of dry-wall, fortunately I'm a fast mudder than he is dry-waller so I got to clean the upstairs while I waited for the next sheet, all this while managing to get 5 loads of laundry done (how two people produce 5 loads of laundry I will never know), which I just folded while I ate dinner.
And that is why I don't want to do the more important things, like prepare for the presentation on Monday, or write the three papers I need to, or finish my SEP forms, or plan the next week, or block scene 2, or write the 5 pages I am not behind on... or... or.... It just goes on.
And that is why I do not update my blog, because it always becomes a giant vent, and who really wants to read that...
My next entry: Why the 5th Grade team is considering early retirement? Or moving to Guam.... (Libbi you may want to skip this one, it's not good for your future career.)

And the chaos begins...

Tomorrow begins the first day of my 13th school musical...
It is always an exciting and terrifying endeavor that takes much planning and a whole lot of of chaos.
We begin with our 2nd through 4th grade auditions. I have 117 kids signed up to attend. They will be showing up around 7:30 to sign in and begin learning a one minute song and dance. We then perform in groups of about 10, followed by a minute of standing in line while I madly write down notes. Having done this quite a few times, I have a pretty good system, but no matter how organized or prepared I am, it never works out exactly as planned. There are bound to be papers that are forgotten, resulting in kids that can't audition. Mom's that wait anxiously at the doors the ENTIRE audition so their 2nd grader can come out and say, "it went fine."
Thursday I audition 5-6th graders, about 70. And Friday anyone brave enough to sing a solo brings their big 30 seconds and gives us their everything.
The casting process is never easy. Cutting a 7 year old is heart breaking no matter who you are. But I'm one person, with my faithful assistant (another teacher I've suckered into helping me) and we can only handle so many kids. The hardest part is explaining to parents (yes, parents, not kids) that life is actually not fair, and sometimes you don't get what you want.
In real life, not everyone gets a trophy.

Meetings...

I had 12 meetings last week.
12.
I don't work in the business world where you might have a meeting before lunch and another after lunch and then call it a day.
I work in the education world where you say, "Sure I'll come in at 8 for a meeting and then stay until 6 for another meeting, and yes I'll still work for 8 hours somewhere in the middle there."
I had 5 meetings on one day.
I didn't get home until after 9 - twice.
And that's just meetings... I taught, important stuff... like 5 part essays, 4 strategies to multiply, the routes of the top 12 most important explorers, how to discuss a book in 5 minutes, and lots of other things that I can't remember because I can only remember stupid meetings!!!!
And it was midterms.
And 5th grade is hard.
MUCH harder than 4th grade.
And 5th grade teachers are too hard on students. (Revise that - I (the mean Mrs. Reina) am too hard on 5th graders.)
Deal with it. 5th grade is hard.

So when you're scheduling your meetings, don't pick "the second Tuesday" or "the second Thursday"...try a different week, or try an email, or just skip the meeting idea all together.

Sorry to complain, I would report on other aspects of my life, but I don't have any.

I grew a watermelon!
It was my first, and it's real, and tastes good.

I am a gardener. I love to plant, and dig and all that stuff. I have had very succesful tomato plants, and even grew some peppers this year. I've been able to take lunch from the garden every day this year, and take homemade salsa to Sunday dinner several times.
I planted the watermelon on a whim.
I have a LARGE yard. I have a SMALL flower budget. So I stretch with lots of 'starts' and fill with the garden. I had a large blank spot in a hard-to-grow area, so I decided to try a watermelon, if nothing else the vine would be green and lovely.
This morning Rudy and I were out playing ball when I noticed my watermelon vine had finally frozen, but there in it's blackened remains was my only melon. It was about the size of a cantoulope, and had great green color. I wasn't sure if it was ripe, or ready, but I knew it would rot if I didn't pick it, so I did.
Tonight I cut into it to find a beautiful little melon, sweet and delicious. I grew a watermelon! Hooray!

Do you know...

Do you know how many times I've written a blog post in my head?
Do you realize how many clever ideas I've had, and just told Rudy about them?
Do you comprehend how much writing I've done lately, but not on here?

You probably don't, and I'd tell you, but I'm tired of typing, so I'm not going to.

If I never blog again, it's Jamie's fault.

But I'm going to try, because I hate to be one of those people who never updates because they are just too cool for blogging (hint hint - I am kidding about the 'too cool' part, but not about the being lame for not updating).

It's been another crazy week (I really shouldn't say that, because they're all crazy. So really are they crazy if that's how all weeks are, shouldn't I just say "it's been another week" and you all know, 'hey it must have been crazy, because that's how all her weeks are'.) (That... writing analysis... Jamie's fault too.)

I have finally decided to tie up the loose ends and finish my Gifted Endorsement, not that I'm gifted, just that I'm allowed to teach them. It involves going back to school and becoming a college student again. I forgot how meaningless some tasks are. I also forgot how horrid it is read from text books. I do not use text books in my classroom, we use a lot of other resources for expository reading, but I can't stand boring textbooks. It takes more work because there is no, "read ch. 4 then answer the questions", but I'm okay with that because my kids are not bored to death.
This week I am reading about the foundations of Gifted Labeling and classroom placement for those labeled kids. Here's my issue, I know that as a textbook writer you have to read a lot of research, and then you use that research to write your book, but do you (Nielson 1993) realize (Wood 2003) how hard (Nelson 2001) it is to read (Poffenberger 2005) with citations (Washington 1884) every other (Rigby 2000) freaking word!!!!

I do not like citations.

This will be my third endorsement (almost - I'm finalizing my drama this week). And let me say this; Dance and Drama endorsements are a lot more work (serious) but WAY more fun. I am interested in learning how to better teach the gifted, but I would still rather study the intricacies of Shakespeare than read article after article of citations.

I'm procrastinating.
I procrastinated last night and went to a football game.
(Which was really like going to a school function as the children stalked by to "see Mrs. Reina"...yes, teachers do go outside of the school building!)
I'm procrastinating by writing this blog - because, "I need to keep writing!"
I SHOULD be doing lots of chores and yard work and school work - and inputting 33 giant names & numbers in a new typing program (which is going to take forever!) But I don't want to. I want to sit here with my blankey perfectly propped in such a way I can suck my tongue (yes, I'm nearly 30 years old - I have a blankey and I use it - you got a problem with that??) and my Radio from Hell filling the background. Well, actually I want to be curled up in my bed sleeping - but Art's gone to work, and I can't sleep without him. so...

It's been a long week in the Reina Household. We had Art's cousin and his girlfriend come to visit from Spain. They have been traveling the west coast seeing the sights and came through to spend a few days with us. Here's a few things I learned while they were here:

• I can understand Spanish - I am not so good at the speaking part.
• Spaniards like to stay up WAY past my bedtime.
• My husband is so very much like his family - such a bunch of goofs!

We had a great time seeing the valley and the canyons, eating good food, laughing, and laughing some more.










However, I still had to teach. That sucks. But somebody has to bring home the bacon! And man has it been a long week! and year! already! To give you an idea of my school week...imagine with me here... Picture that page in the back of the book "A Cat in the Hat" where he's standing on a ball balancing arms full of books and cakes and umbrellas and boats and fish...
Only we all know I'm not that coordinated....so take that clever balancing act and start wobbling and rolling it about the room, as I holler and shriek as I grapple to hang on. All while trying to keep the cake upright (can't let things come crashing to a big mess) and the fish in the bowl (certainly can't let anyone get sloshed about...No Child Left Behind) and the milk on the plate and rake in hand (don't ignore the home just because you have miles of schoolwork).... And that's how I feel every day - sloshing - teetering - balancing - juggling - surviving...
so yeah, School's Great!

Friends....

I have to teach RS tomorrow and it usually takes me a little time and a bit of reading and then I quickly have an idea to take me through. But, for some reason, this lesson has been hard to plan for. The topic, essentially, is Friends.
I've got friends! I have great, wonderful friends. Most of them are related to me, and few survive the days with me, and a couple just shower me with licks. I was lucky enough to meet my best friends the day I was born, and spend all 29 years of my life hanging out with them - from Barbies to Backpacks, Thrift Town to Kick the Can... my sisters, and my cousins, have all been there. I recently found a picture of Jamie, Heidi, Belinda and I dressed up in sweats with fabric tied all around our heads, arms, etc. While I don't know what we were doing with fabric, I do know the caption on the picture was right "Best Friends". I spent a lot of my childhood passing up play dates, missing birthday parties, and avoiding friend sleepovers because I always had my sisters and cousins to play with, celebrate, and sleep-over (especially with Jamie's ability to spontaneously cry). I think this hurt me a bit in Jr. High when we were all in our "too cool" stage (Jamie is very familiar with mine). I didn't know how to make friends well and only gathered a select few that I ever really connected with. And of those few, I'm still friends with most.
As an adult, I still choose family over 'friends' often because they double as both. And although we rarely play Barbies (yes, that's rarely - you can't just leave Barbies naked!!) my family will always be the core of my friend group. I am also lucky enough to be married to my best friend. I never realized that my husband really would be a BEST friend, but we giggle like school girls, and have inside jokes, we can spontaneously start laughing with a single hand gesture, we listen and talk for hours (the joys of no children...).
It's been interesting in the last few years as life has become more crowded with things to do and my time to hang out with my sisters and cousins has grown slim, I have learned to make 'other' friends. I have the funnest girls at school who get me giggling every day, and accept my inner nerdiness. I've come to appreciate having friends who understand my profession and don't mind ranting over kids, and talking about curriculum as we hike up the mountainside.
So, I guess that's my problem, I have great friends. All around me, and so how do I make that a lesson? "Friends are awesome, let me tell you how great mine are!" I don't think that will work. I'll think of something, going to have to. But just wanted to let you all know that I'm thinking of you, and I am grateful to have had all sorts of friends in my life.

ummm...

It's late. I'm never up this late. It's at least an hour past my bedtime. But, I'm waiting for Art, who is still working. He's been there since 6 AM - that's16 hours, and he has to go back at 6 AM tomorrow. A few of the guys are working all night, mine better not be one of those guys.
I miss him. I'm not so good at being alone, and while the dogs give excellent love, they do not provide excellent conversation. (Ok, I actual converse with the dogs alot, in my own voice, and my impression of what I think my dogs would sound like if they could speak. It's a little ... um... crazy person, but I spend a lot of time with my dogs! And you can't look at Rudy in the eye and not know that he's got something to say!...) Anyhow, I thought I would use these moments to blog about my pathetic loneliness and inability to stay up past nine... on second thought, maybe I should write about school.

For all those PTA Mom's out there...Thank You!! Sincerely, we appreciate your love, energy, and creativity...However - don't plan Spirit Week on the 3rd week of school. And don't include Crazy Hair Day, and Backwards Day ...when we haven't even taught the kids to walk nicely forwards. It's been a crazy week, to say the least.
I am slowly gaining control over this bunch of kids. They are the most interesting group I have ever taught - and I've taught some interesting kids. There seems to be an all encompassing lack of self motivation.
(PS - It has just become apparent that the football game is over and Alta has won, as there is a significant amount of screaming and honking outside my window.)

umm. apparently I can't form sentences very well this late, as I have sat here with my fingers on the keyboard, but I am not typing anything....hmmm, maybe I'll just go sit on the porch and talk to Rudy while we watch the teenagers drive by and wait for Art.

I'll try for sentences again tomorrow.

Week 2...

I promise I won't post on a weekly basis.
No one - NO ONE - needs to read the 5th grade antics of my classroom on a regular basis.
BUT
I did survive.
Barely.
These kids - Wow.
They make Lacy look quiet.

Surviving the first week...

Ok. I survived.
It's been the longest, hardest, first week of school - ever.
But, we made it.

I was going to have pictures of my cute classroom when it's all clean and nice - I ran out of time.

My brain seems to only be functioning in short sentences.
That may not connect.
Or be complete.
Kind of like 5th graders at the beginning of the year.
Who can't remember how to make a cursive Q - and their name starts with Q.

Who can't quite get the concept of "First and last name, and date, on your paper every time!"
I get 'TR'. Literally, 2 letters. I know whose paper it is - but seriously is it so hard to write the 5 letters in your last name, and the date?? You could have a name like Musa Abdirahman, then your problem would be needing a second paper to get it all in.

I forget how much training it takes to get a classroom running smoothly, and with an AM and PM class (oh the complications of a split - we can't even afford a .5 teacher!!!) things have been difficult.

But I managed to get 33 students to spell Abdirahman and Claire, Clara, and Claira with the appropriate accompanying last names. We successfully played with mealworms (which I may kill over the weekend, as I am just now remembering they need a fresh piece of apple - this is why I have no class pet - except for Mo (who is a child)). We danced the Lethargian dance, and my new boy actually said "can we do it again?!" (new kids don't understand the William Penn way means we DANCE)

I learned the name of 80 5th graders and 20 4th graders - except those 3 or 4 refugees who have the most complicated names that start with K, but the first sound is a "b" sound - ???? - and they won't speak, can't speak in English - still struggling on those names.

So, we made it. And I'm not complaining - it was a good week. I'm proud we survived, but it was long and exhausting. But I can't complain about that either, I just sent Art out the door for his 12th straight day of working - he's already worked 60 hours this week, and will end it with 78. But he just keeps getting up and going, grateful for work, now THAT is surviving.

10 Things I've Learned....

1. Don't complain about long boring summers, or they disappear.
2. OCD organization can suck your life into a pit of labels and writing tiny numbers.
   
3. 15 year old boys don't have appropriate labeling handwriting - but they're very good at sorting, whether they like it or not.
   
4. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies don't freeze solid, and therefore defrost very quickly - in case of emergency
5. It's difficult to tastefully pack your crayons, markers, and coloring to get you through a 5 hour faculty meeting
6. Don't put names on things until the last possible second, the lists never stop changing!
7. Sometimes To-Do lists become To-Do novels.
8. Post-it sticky tabs are very expensive.
9. Penny deals are worth it.
10. I've worked 50-60 hours in the last 2 weeks getting ready to go back. I get paid starting today - classrooms don't come together in 12 hours - seriously people!

Vacation...Finally

This week we returned from our fabulous vacation to Glacier National Park. We stayed in an amazing barn in Kalispell, complete with indoor trampoline, swinging ropes, ping-pong, foos ball, horses, fishing, deer sightings from the kitchen window, down comforters, and a slightly precarious bathroom door. It was gorgeous! We spent 3 days driving and hiking (at a 3 year old pace) our way through Glacier. It was fun to hike some trails and get out of the crowds, also nice to ride the shuttle and not have to park! We took a day to go to Two Medicine and had a good foot soak, picnic, and fishing. It was 360 degrees of beauty - so much so that I have 417 pictures...hmm, hard to get all those posted. I am working on a movie, that should make it easier.

Summer Projects...

Summer is all about projects around my house - ways to keep myself busy, (I really ought to just get a summer job!) Anyhow, I've had some good projects this year... my favorite has been a weekly visit to the temple. After our amazing experience with the Temple Celebration, and the blessings that came from that event I felt my service was due. Besides, it's summer, I have hours to fill and there is no better place - and no excuse. So that's been fun, I've been to 4 different temples, headed to Bountiful next week and been able to go with my dad, Art, and Jamie - good times.

ALSO FUN.... has been my summer bread project, which has spiraled into a summer cookie project, balanced with a bit of healthy cooking...a bit.
I wanted to learn to make really good homemade bread; wheat, white and french - after several batches a week and much patience and tweeking - I'm finally feeling confident in my bread.

It's a great summer project because you need rising time, perfect to coordinate with walking dogs or going to the temple. And it makes the house smell so good....


The problem is... I've also had this little cookie issue. I found this website (see earlier reference) to "the best cookie recipes". Well, what am I supposed to do, trust some strangers opinion? What if they're wrong? What is cakey is better than chewy? The ONLY way to truly find out, is to make a lot of cookies.Fortunately I have become a dough freezer, so I only cook as needed. That also makes it possible for me to share fresh cookies with various expert cookie tasters. I think I have found my preferred favorite recipe - it received HIGH marks from the tasters. The final challenge will be taking it to Sunday dinner for the vast opinion and, of course, Bud.
So we did do some healthy cooking - we made gazpacho - so yummy!














So that's not too much cooking right? ...well, except for that day that I had 5 desserts in the house at once. oops.









Ahhh summer - 2 more weeks. Bring on the butter...

Mulling around in the brain...

I've been writing a lot of blog posts lately, but I haven't actually gotten them from my brain to the computer. I am one of those people who narrate my life as I go about my daily chores, and often those narrations are in the form of what I plan on writing here. So in attempt to make note of my thoughts I decided I should probably really write...
(not that I have impressive or profound thoughts prepared)
We've had our share of challenges, especially this year. Loss, dog and child; lay-offs; frustrating house sell; not moving; losing funding for the dream job; and the list goes on... I have to say that in a lot of these moments I felt like we were at the bottom of the barrel - things couldn't get worse - "what have we done to deserve this?" But, I have a quote that resounds through my life and keeps rearing it's head in these moments of lowness... "You can't regret anything, it's all part of the experience."...It's not all that profound, nor do we have things we could regret, but moreso.. It's all part of the experience. As I look back over the events of my year, my life, I can see that these low times have been the most important. Doors have opened and closed at what seemed like horrible timing, but in retrospect I can see that opportunities missed or taken have been so very important.
For example, we wanted to move to Logan but the job lost funding. I was bummed, it was a dream job at an amazing school. I felt the need to change schools, and applied at a charter school in Daybreak. The interview went really well, I had all the right qualifications, but they were taking forever to decide. During these long days waiting for a decision I pondered the thought of leaving William Penn and came to realize how much I loved the school and my team. I was having the hardest time trying to figure out what to do if I got the job, it was stressing me out. I went to church and heard a talk about "praying for doors to open and close to help me know what to do." It made sense. I got home and there was an email that I didn't get the job. I knew I was where I was supposed to be. Going through something hard, helped me to know what was right.
I feel like my life has been blessed with these little opportunities so often. Moments when I think things are so bad, I stop and look at the whole picture and it's really perfect timing, or the best thing for us. I'm so grateful for the trials and challenges that make us who we are. Truly I feel blessed to have the life I do, though it may not be perfect, we may be poor, my husband may work 50-60 hours a week, our house may not be selling - but each of those things are a blessing in my life. We're poor - but Art's working a lot of overtime... our house may not be selling, but we don't NEED to move. The bad really isn't bad.
Take a step back and look at the whole picture - perhaps things are going well after all.

The Woes...

So we've been trying to sell our house for several months now. I know, it's a bad market, a terrible time to sell, the wrong economy - but the right time for us (we think). We wanted to go to Logan, but that didn't happen, so we were hoping to sell our home and rent or live somewhere cheap for a while so we can send Art to school. BUT, it seems that's not going so well.
We had the big realtor tour today where they come and visit and then leave comments. Pretty much the same thing over and over "curb appeal is not so good, but the inside is gorgeous!" As if I didn't know that! I know just how I would fix the curb appeal, if I had the money - do you see the problem here?? We would love to pour a new driveway, build a garage, put on new siding, and sparkle up the outside, but that's a pretty extensive, and expensive, project. If we could sell the house we would have money for that, but wait...that doesn't quite work....
So here I sit, eating entirely too many leftover delicious cookies taking out my real-estate frustrations on my blog. Stupid realtors.
(On top of that, I have Pandora on "funk" and the song "Freak-a-zoid" is playing - there is something wrong with this day!)

Lazy Summer Days...

I try to avoid lazy summer days. I really despise lazy summer days, but there is no way to fill every second of my day with chores. So, I try to get caught up on my reading during the summer (I fall horribly behind during the school year as I can not keep my eyes open!)
I began my summer reading with a Harry Potty rereading (that's what he's called in our house, it makes Roxy and Erik giggle). There is a movie coming out and I need to get the facts fresh in my head so I can give an accurate critical judgement of the movie - so why not reread the series. Harry Potty is great, that's just all there is to it! (and I'm so glad she put the romance in at the end, I do love the idea of Ginny and Harry having adorable genius wizard children....)

Next I discovered the 3rd book in the City of Ember series (Yes, there are 4 books total, but one is a really stupid prequel). It was an interesting story that kept me going with some pretty good twists and turns, but the details and explanation were just not as intriguing as The City of Ember. I am a fan of the series, I like the idea, and it's a great connection to our study of Electricity, (and I love getting kids hooked in a series because then they just keep reading!!) I also like kids to read this before they read The Giver, which can be fairly intense if you are not prepared - the City of Ember is a light warm-up to the idea.

Somewhere in here I read a couple of REALLY STUPID romance novels, jeez, seriously - how do people tolerate such nonsense... (sorry if you love a romance novel, maybe I just pick terrible ones, but they are always so empty - I'll stick to kids books)

Next up, a lighthearted, easy Mormon reader. It's a cute book that Jamie sent me to read on a day "when you don't want to think". It is the story of a year in high school as told by various characters. They come from a variety of groups and find themselves intertwined in peculiar ways. It is a great book when you don't feel like thinking.

Last, but certainly not least, Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. This story is based on the life of the authors Great-Grandmother. It is a rivetting tale of life on the Montana prairies, and paints such beautiful pictures of nature, and the relationships within. The main character is a cross between Anne of Green Gables, Laura Ingalls, and Sarah Plain and Tall - she's quite the character. I was most taken by the voice in this novel which truly puts you in the story and fills you with emotion. A fantastic read!

Next up, going to try some adult books (adult - as in they don't come from the children's section of the library. Grown-up books are so hard for me - cut the rambling details and get to the point!)... As well as eat away at the pile of books that are "must reads" from my students. So many books, so little time. (And yes, there is so little time, because when I start reading I usually fall asleep so my reading usually occurs in tiny bursts.)

weakness....

I've been up since 12:30 AM (see prior post about the evil dentist)...
During my long hours I have drank gallons, literally, of water, but have not been able to find anything to eat. So here I sit, waiting to go to my dentist appointment (thankfully my dentist is kind enough to find space for me!) and clicking about on the internet. And this is what I stumble upon....Good Grief. Normally, I would just start baking, because - why not? But I have to go to the dentist, he's thwarted me again!
So I head off cookie-less, finally finding something worth eating, but having to leave with an empty but watering mouth. But I'll have you know, I'm leaving the butter on the counter - there are cookies in my future....
So much for eating healthy....

Dumb Dentist...

I went to the dentist last week for a regular check-up and cleaning. No problems, in and out, easy right??
Never.
Of course I have Nielson teeth, so they suck. I have fillings and a possible root canal - that is not pleasant, but I can handle it.
The thing that gets to me, is ever since I left the dentist - I've had a TOOTHACHE! Remember, before = NO problems, After = Stupid aching mouth.
Dumb Dentist....

Jamie, You're not alone....

It was a good morning...5:45 am - Lunches had been made, Art had been fed and sent off to work, the dishes were done, the bread was proofed and rising, the laundry was started, the bed made, and I was just getting ready to sit down and eat my breakfast before we (the dogs and I) went walking. Just as I got the water added to my oatmeal, I turned around to put it into the microwave, whacked the dish against the fridge and sent the oatmeal flying. Yes, oatmeal flies.
It's hard to see in the picture, as oatmeal is beige (had it been hot fudge it would have been a better picture...) but from the above perspective, oatmeal covered the floor, garbage can, railing, wall, stairs, all the way up to the picture hanging above the stairway!
I don't know if you've ever had the opportunity to clean up oatmeal, but let me tell you this. It is not easy. It is neither dry, therefore flaking off; nor is it sticky, therefore easily wiped up, it is instead a vicious version of both...falling off the walls covering the stairs, while wedged into the cracks of every orifice.
So, now I've wiped up the kitchen floor, walls, railing, etc., vacuumed the stairs and succumbed to eating Apple Jacks - it was of course, the last packet of oatmeal...my walk is now running late, but at least I got to make Jamie feel better about herself (only makes sense if you regularly read her blog), and I don't even have pregnancy brain to blame.

sleep....

So it's summer, which means staying up late to enjoy those cool evening hours, and slowly crawling out of bed far into the morning. Well, that's what it means to MOST people...but me - not so much.

You see, Art is working a new schedule - his day starts at 6 AM and he works until 4:30, Monday-Thursday; then on Friday he works from 6-3:30; and on Saturday he works from 6-11:30... And with a 30 minute drive to work...that means we're all up at 5 - every day (and I mean every day, because by Sunday, my body and my dogs are so used to getting up at 5, that's what time we get up.)
I really don't have a problem with the morning - I'm an early bird. I function at 5 AM, however, I do not function at 9 PM, and this schedule is making it truer than ever.
Proof in point, last night we crawled in bed, cozied up in the blankies, shut all the blinds...and the room still sparkled with sunlight. As I got back up to find a way to block the light beating through the bathroom window, I glanced out to see that shining golden orb far from the horizon, over the fence the neighbor boy was mowing the lawn, out behind us the neighbor kids were busily scrambling up the ladder and going down their slide, a family rode by on their bikes, a few teenagers went skating past laughing, the world was still on the move, and we, well, I, was climbing in bed to join my already soundly sleeping husband....it was 8:30, and the young married couple with no children were off to sleep.

Sustainable Arts

I have spent the week at a class at the University of Utah called, "Sustainable Arts". I signed up for the Arts portion but was so fascinated by sustainable end of it, I was sucked in. We danced, painted, acted, and sang about the importance of saving the earth, and the principals of sustainability.

I have to say that it was kind of hard to find the motivation to get up and drive across the valley every day, but it was so worth it! Yesterday was our culminating project where we all taught an earth friendly mission that included all 4 art forms. It was so interesting to watch how these complicated concepts became simplified for kids and moved in such a creative way. We danced and moved for 7 straight hours yesterday, it was exhausting, but so incredible all at the same time. We began and ended with this song called "Save the Earth", which was beautifully sung by our Drama Chair, and danced by us!! Imagine 30 grown women, dancing, singing, and moving this song - and when it was over we all cheered, "Let's do it again! do it again!!"
The Arts work.

(Video will be posted later, when we get the DVD of our work.)

Summer Boredom = More Blogging....

Well, at least that's the idea of summer boredom, and it is working for Jamie!

So it's been rainy, in case you haven't noticed, quite rainy.

Art has a couple of days off because he's starting a new job on Tuesday, we were going to go backpacking in the Uinta's, but it's rainy, quite rainy.

So we've been filling time around the house, pretending we're on vacation. Yesterday began with a trip to the temple, then I came home to walk the dogs, but it was rainy. So errands came next, and then we ate lunch, and alas - a break in the clouds!

(Not actual break in the clouds)

So we threw on our walking shoes, leashed up the dogs, and headed to the park. As we walked over, we noticed the dark skies building in the west, casually mentioned that it might be a short walk. Half way around the park - it began to sprinkle, we decided we better turn around; walked three steps - it began to rain; started to run - it began to pour; ran much faster - it started to hail!

(Not actual hail storm - but in my clouded vision, this is what it looked like, only wetter!)

Lulu does not like being wet, especially when it's by torrent bullets of hail and drowning rain. So when we ran, she seriously ran (while simultaneously wiping her face with her paws -very talented dog). We ran from tree to tree trying to get a short reprieve from the intense water. Let me just say, by the time we got back around the park, we were soaked - water sloshing in the tennis shoes soaked. Nothing like running in soaking wet jeans with a panicked dog. It was fun! We finally made it home, left the dogs in the carport, went in and stripped off our dripping clothes. We toweled off the dogs, then put on some dry clothes.

(Not actual wet dogs - ours are much cuter!)

Art was standing in the front door watching the rain STILL pouring down, when he noticed the small lake building in front of the neighbors house. Then he noticed the neighbors son out trying to unclog the storm drain as the water rushed down their driveway. Art hollered, "We have to go help the Thompson's" and was off into the rain. I pulled on the dripping wet jeans (not easy to do...) grabbed the big push broom and headed out. The neighbors were madly pushing water away from their garage, and attempting to unclog drains all the way down the street. That's when Art noticed the neighbor two house in the other direction had a LARGE lake in front of their house. We ran down and began pushing water away. The water was 6-8" in front of their garage, had filled an entire window well and made a lake around the front door. Art went to unclogging the drain (which was covered in a piece of cardboard someone had neglected to throw away properly!) I began pushing water away from the house. Rain water is cold - very cold. I had on Keen's - my toes were frozen!! But I just kept pushing. Finally the rain started to let up and so we could get ahead of the water. It took about 45 minutes to push the water away from their house. Then we went inside, where they had several inches of water covering the entire basement! We rounded up some ward members and pushed water, and emptied the basement, and sucked a lot of water up. Art got on the phone to Sandy City, on behalf of the neighbor and entire block, and expressed our concerns. They were there in minutes with 10 guys, a truck of sandbags, and a very nice city worker. They sandbagged the neighbors, then we had them do us (we have a very nice finished basement that we don't want covered in water-this rain is going to last another week! (I'm not complaining, just preparing)) About three hours later we finally came home, dried off, and enjoyed the rest of the day inside, because, alas, it was rainy, quite rainy.

(The sun is shining this morning, I better stop blogging and go walk the dogs - you never know when it might rain again!)

Ahhhh Summer...

Take the aforementioned "Ahhhh" in a variety of ways to interpret my feelings on summer:

• "Ahhhh", as in the refreshing moment of realizing I have no school chores to get done before the sun comes up.
• "Ahhhh", as in the terrifying scream knowing it's just going to get hot.
• "Ahhhh", as in the questionable shrug I give as response when people ask what I'm going to do to fill the time.
• "Ahhhh", preceeding a giant "Yes!" because the freedom has come.

If you were trying to guess which one of these isn't true, unfortunately it is the last. I'm not good at summer. I hate to say it, because it seems so wrong, but I just can't stand not being busy! Usually I am fine during the summer because I have a lot of projects to keep me going (painting, building, flower beds, trimwork, you know - projects!). Last year I was finishing my Dance Endorsement so I took classes all summer. I've even looked into getting a job - but in this market, and I do have some classes and vacations that screw up the schedule. So what to do this summer...house is pretty much done, except for big expensive projects; classes got expensive this year, and the district doesn't have money to help fund, so I am now dreading filling the long days. I have some plans...walking the dogs a lot, hiking with my friends once a week, finishing my drama endorsement, writing, reading, keeping the house and yard nice, learning to bake delicious bread and well, that's all I got.

So here I sit, the first day of summer, got up at 5:30 (my four-legged alarm clock apparently didn't get the memo about sleeping in during the summer). And already, I'm bored. So I guess I'll put on my grubbies and go getting the weeding done, so I can mow at 8 and then come in and clean the house...(I considered putting it off until Monday so I would have "plans" but then what would I do today...) What a glorious start to summer...I guess I'll have cake for breakfast, that will have to suffice.

Our 5th Grade Play...

Well, another play is done, and thus I know the year is almost over. It has become a tradition to do a 5th grade play at the end of each year that puts together all that we have learned in some creative culminating way. This year I was dissuaded from doing "another one" - not by my team, but by those who didn't want me to work hard, and others who didn't want toes stepped on - but I couldn't resist. Even with our goofy bunch of kids, I knew they needed the chance to shine. So I looked at the dances they've learned and songs they love to sing and put together a show called "eMTV". It was basically the story of the kids breaking into the Faculty Room and discovering the teachers have a TV. They question what the teachers would possible watch, and then bravely turn in on. They then watch a series of videos that miraculously make them smarter. Some of the 'videos' were live, and consisted of kids dancing and narrating their learning experience. Other videos were actual music videos created and performed by the students themselves (I did the video editting - they're not that patient). At the end they realize they are watching "eMTV", what's that 'e' stand for? Educational, of course!!!

The show came together beautifully and the kids were quite adorable. One of the reasons I always push to do these plays is because of they change I see in kids as they perform. Our naughtiest boys volunteered to be in an extra dance because they saw the joy in being on stage. They were all so proud of themselves and excited to shine.

The show was very well recieved and we may even do an encore show in a couple of weeks so the rest of the school, and a few more visitors can come.

(Uneditted, and it cuts off the wonderful ending!!)

When I watch faces light up, wiggly bodies hold still, shy voices bellow out, timid dancers explode, and kids shine proudly - it's worth all the effort.

Lucky Lilac's Day

It's a little shaky - but that's because I had to use Highspeed to get all the fun in!

Lucky Lilacs truly is my favorite holiday, and when I tell people that, they look at me really funny!!!

In need of an update...

I need to update, but frankly life is pretty boring these days...I'll try a bulleted list to add excitement!

• We got a new computer! We've been struggling to share the laptop, so we decided to use part of the tax return for a nice desktop, it's pretty sweet - sitting over there on the desk - all shiny and new - while I sit here using the old laptop, I''ll get my turn!
• The house is still for sale...know anyone that is looking? Send them our way!
• Our fifth grade informance (it''s a fancy made up word that means a performance that shows we're learning something!) Anyhow, our informance is coming up in 2 weeks and most grades just dance a dance and call it good. Somehow I always seem to end of writing a play for ours, (how does that happen?) I always have fun coming up with lines and connections between curriculum, dance and song. This year our group is a little 'different' so I wasn't sure we could handle a full live performance so I wrote a script that involved making music videos with each of the classes. This week each class made their first video, have to say, they turned out so cute! I got to take each class and spend an hour taking their ideas and a favorite song and making eMTV (that's educational Music TeleVision). This week we are filming the second videos so we'll be ready for our show next week. I'm feeling hopeful and excited because not only are our videos cute but my class gets to dance my two favorite choreographers and they do it so well!
• Tomorrow is a big event, Rudy will be turning 1!!! I only know this because a year ago today I tried to take a very pregnant Lulu to the park for a walk, she got half way around and just couldn't go any farther. We came home and I knew puppies were pending. I spent the night with her as she labored, (Even dogs need a Dula) She was pretty miserable all night and so neither of us slept too well as she stirred and nested and fussed. By 9 when Art was headed off to teach primary she was in the heat of labor. About 9:30 she got up and started turning around, I sat by her and gave her pets, the next time she turned around out popped puppy #1. I helped her clean off the first puppy, she and I were both a little nervous, and about 10 minutes later she had puppy #2. I had Heidi come up after #2 to assist in birthing because I was nervous without Art home yet, Roxy got to watch a puppy be born which was pretty cool. It took until about 4 in the afternoon for all 9 babies to be born. (5 girls and 4 boys)... The cutest one of all was our Rudy, who is now a big loving loud-mouthed goof!
• 
• It's bed time - I think that's enough excitement.... (I'll be sure to post pictures from his One-Year-Old party with all his doggie friends - ok, I'm kidding, I'm not that nuts...I think I'll just steal him a tennis ball from school...)
  

Life in a Nutshell

So the play is over...WAHOOOOO! It went really well, the kids were adorable, and the superintendent started our standing ovation...can't complain about that! I don't have ANY pictures because we have a Mom who is a professional photographer who took our pictures and I didn't have to! I've seen some, but the rest will be proofed on her website (www.amandalewisphotography.com) starting tomorrow. The only bad part about the play being over (I really do love the chaos) is the clean-up! I never realize how much crap I've hauled to school until I begin loading my car and it fills completely to the top! Thank heavens my Mom has such a lovely costume/prop room, but I'm afraid we're going to need more space!

Other news in life..yes there is life outside of the play...
The house is STILL on the market. Things are slow, which is expected, but not enjoyed. So if you know anyone who wants a great house in a wonderful neighborhood.... Check out the house blog: http://perfectsandyhome.blogspot.com/

Art and I went camping this weekend, sort-of, it's a long story. We took some beautiful pictures and saw some amazing things. The dogs had the time of their lives and wonder if we can go camping every day?? I am working on the video and then I'll upload.

CRT's approach, summer vacations are being planned, we are trying to live "Penny-clean" (just in case we need to show the house), I'm thinking of taking up gardening, and I'm off to make a sugar-cookie cake (you've got to do something fun and creative on the last day of spring break!) -and that is Life... in a Nutshell.