Multi-Teaching

I guess I shouldn't write when I just wrote yesterday, but I feel I must...

Today was quite an interesting day. About 2:00, Brandi (my teammate), came into my room through our connecting door. She looked pretty pale and didn't look like she felt well. She's almost 7 months pregnant and I knew something was up. Sometimes she tells me she gets dizzy during that class, and I wondered if that was it. She asked if I could watch her class because she was about to faint/be sick. Of course I'd watch her class! I always tell her that. There were about 20 minutes left in the class and I ended up teaching her class and my class during that 20 minutes. It was the greatest thing. I was MULTI-TEACHING! I have multi-tasked before, but I usually don't multi-teach. I mean I taught two subjects last year, but that's different. During one class period, I was teaching 2 separate classes 2 separate subjects. I look back and just laugh at myself. I stood between the rooms in the doorway and talked. To my math class I taught how to subtract fractions with unlike denominators. To the social studies class, I discussed the platforms for McCain and Obama because the kids get to vote tomorrow. They read a magazine article on the senators and then we talked about their views on economy, Iraq.... It was really funny because last night I talked to Brandi on the phone and she told me what she was doing today. I don't know what her plans are every day, but she was out yesterday and called me last night. We randomly got on the subject because we had a big electoral college thing today. Anyway, Jeremy told me I needed to sit in one of her classes today and learn about the candidates. Instead of sitting in on the class, I actually taught the class. Once I started teaching, one of my students sitting near the door heard me. She had already gone to social studies and asked if I wanted to see her notes! What a lifesaver this girl was! The kids really helped out wrote on the board, answered questions, and worked hard. My class probably didn't do what they were supposed to, but I was more worried about the students learning about the issues in the campaign because they vote tomorrow. Near the end of the class, the office called my room and told me they were getting coverage for the classroom. An 8th grade teacher came in and I told her what to do. Once we changed classes, I told my new class that if they ever see Mrs. Pelphrey getting sick/hot/dizzy to come and get me. They said they've seen signs of that before. I explained from now on to come get me. One boy asked, "She's pregnant?!"

The story gets better though. If kids stay after school they usually go to Mrs. Pelphrey's room to wait for after school activities students to be dismissed. Well, today she wasn't in there so I kept them. Then they asked me to come to the office. I was like hm... what do I do?! I said, "Ok guys we have to go to the office." They started walking behind me like little ducklings. It was great! I ended up seeing another teacher in the hall and asked if he could watch them for a second (in the hall) while I went to the office. I went in there and the nurse said Brandi wanted to see me. She looked so sad. She had been sick about 10 times. Our principal kept coming to check on her, the nurses called her doctor, and they let her rest. She asked me to take her home. I said I'd have to find someone to do my Academic Team. I asked Peavey, Webb, and Guillebeau. Webb and Guillebeau ended up coming to the rescue. I was so thankful! I felt so bad, but I knew Webb knew what to do. I took Pelphrey home (by the mall). We waited for her husband to get home, and then he rode back with me to the school to get his car. It was quite an experience. Brandi kept telling me she owes us (me and Jeremy) a dinner. I was like NO. I didn't think twice about taking her home. Of course I'd do that- I just had to find coverage for my team. 

What a crazy week these kids have had. Red Ribbon Week (buying suckers/ribbons/balloons, bringing stuffed animals). Tuesday=advisement. Wednesday= 2 subs and a halloween dance. Thursday= 1 sub, teacher gets sick for last 2 classes, bake sale, electoral college/campaign managers speeches. Friday=Halloween, 1 sub, bake sale.......sigh... I need a weekend after all of this!! I know the kids need a break from me because I'm about to go crazy!

Back in the Grind

My post today stems from Momma's comment on my last post- "I'm back in the grind." Yes, I am back into the school mode again. Well, maybe my MOOD is still wishing for fall break, but I must go back to school. The rest of my fall break was nice. I was able to hang out with some friends, do some reading, spend time with family, and do some shopping. I finished up a Master's course and made an A. I also started another course and did some reading/writing for that. Jeremy and I played Monopoly. I came out as the champion. He will say it's because he kept landing on the chance and community chest cards that gave him junk things to do, but it's really because I'm the best. I had park place and boardwalk with a hotel! He went bankrupt because he kept landing on my property. I didn't do any "school" work though. I didn't want to think about my job while on fall break. This week I've adopted the attitude, "Leave right at 4. Take papers home to grade. Don't grade them!" It's a sad attitude to have, but I guess I have to get my mind back into the groove of things. 

The kiddos had their first taste of advisement Tuesday. Advisement is a middle school concept. The students should be known well by at least one other teacher they do not come into daily contact with who can be their mentor. Here is a strange thing you should know about adolescents, especially 6th graders, when they have any change in their schedule, they go WACKO! I was drained by the end of the day. Not only was yesterday crazy, but they thought it would be a great idea to have a halloween dance today after school. Oh, but to make things more difficult, two of my teammates were out today. Sigh.... I am feeling like I used to feel after normal day last year. DRAINED- NO ENERGY! I haven't been worn out as much this year and I love that. Well, I guess my day had to come didn't it?! :) I think fall break got the best of me. I enjoyed resting. I actually got to sleep late. I also got off my schedule by going to bed late and taking naps. Oh well. This week is almost over. One more thing about my kiddos.... they LOVE recess. They get 10 minutes to play after lunch. They love every moment of it. They usually complain when we stay in the lunchroom too long because they want to be outside playing. Things have changed. It's getting colder and they ask to stay inside. It's funny because I'd rather be inside in the cold, but they "must" have sun exposure (school thing).

My weekends are pretty much packed from now until the end of December. I have at least one or two showers every weekend whether it be wedding or baby. So, my weekends that I have so looked forward to are slipping away. I'm really excited about the showers. I know they won't take the whole day, but it's pretty crazy to know that I have that many things to go to. Most of the time I don't have plans, so it's out of the ordinary to have SOOO much. 

On another note- You'd also be proud of us. We are eating at home more. Well... we always get on a kick where we say we will eat at home more, but I think it will stick this time. We went and got some yummy things from the grocery store. I'm probably more likely to want to stay home now because it's so cold. Once I'm inside I don't really want to leave. My winter attire at home is usually my sweats and then a blanket around my neck (like a cape) or over my lap. I think Maverick likes us being home too. He loved me being at home during fall break. He didn't know what to do with himself. Maverick loves this weather. Instead of sleeping in his house, he sleeps in a bed of leaves by the pasture fence. I think the leaves provide a nice cool bed for him. He's black so he gets HOT in the sun, but this weather is better for him. 

Pumpkin Patch-Fall Break

Even though I do not like cold weather, I like fall activities such as bonfires

with s'mores, pumpkin patches, hay rides, carving pumpkins, watching the leaves turn colors and fall, and dressing up for halloween (the last time I dressed up was in college-I was Betty Crocker). During this time of year, I've been chased by a person with a chainsaw at a haunted house when I was in 8th grade and I've had my share of candy from the churches fall festival. However, I still haven't been to a corn maze and that's still on my list to do (I've been to a maze made out of big bushes and trees). Some friends and I tried to go to one but we got there too late and they wouldn't let us in. I guess they were afraid we'd get lost if we went in at that time. Who knows?!

Yesterday, we (Momma, Ethan, Miriam, Stacy, Micah, and I ) went to Washington Farms. We enjoyed our time doing all the farm activities. They had a cow train, a cornbox (not to be confused with a sandbox), petting zoo, hay ride, pig race, slides, strange little tricycles... We all enjoyed ourselves doing all there was to do. I took way too many pictures, and now have to sift through them to post some of my favorite. Sigh... I guess that's okay though because I don't have anything better to do on my fall break. 

Oh yeah, I'm on my fall break right now. I enjoy not having to get up early and deal with kids all day long. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but it's nice to have a break! I also enjoy just sitting around the house and doing whatever I please. I envy those people who get to do that every day. I know sometimes they may get bored, but sometimes it's nice to know you don't have a set schedule every day. You can't very much run errands when you are stuck at school until 4 PM Monday through Friday. I don't have many times during the year where I just STOP. From school, to superWOW, to vacations, I stay busy and do not have time to just sit and be bored. That brings up another point. I have never enjoyed being bored either. Growing up, I always kept myself busy or tried to get others to do things with me so I did not have to sit and be idle. I don't know what to do when I don't have anything to do- I think that's my problem. Although, I seem to have this idealized picture of staying at home, I know I would often become bored unless I had things to do like writing papers for school, reading books for fun, or running errands. I'm sure the house would never be dusty or dirty, there wouldn't be a pile of clothes to wash that now waits for the weekend, and I'd be able to make some yummy dinners (oh I love to cook, I just don't have time/energy)--we'd never go out to eat if I were home all day long. For now all my energy goes to keeping students following directions for 6-7 hours a day. Maybe one day, in 10 years, when we have kids I will be blessed with being able to stay home... but until then I will work and take classes and enjoy my time doing so. My life usually wears me out and I sleep really well at night, so that's a positive thing that comes out of it!! However, this week, I'm going to enjoy my time not doing anything! Maybe I'll even be able to stay up late and sleep in, if I'm lucky! But, hey... if you want to do something- don't hesitate to call because I'm always up for having some fun! :)

About Me

Okay, Miriam tagged me and told me I needed to give more information about me. I am finally getting around to telling about myself.... brace yourself, here goes... Stop reading if you get bored.

 

Places I want to go

1. Europe (all over- especially to France, Germany, U.K., and to the middle east)

2. Australia

3. Africa (Kenya and Egypt)

4. Ireland

Things I want to do (this is just a few things off my long list)

1. Go skiing out west or to see the Grand Tetons

2. Go on a transatlantic cruise/Mediterranean Cruise

3. Visit all 50 states and travel overseas

4. Go up in a hot air balloon (but I'm afraid I'd be scared of heights floating around in the sky)

5. Go to a ball (where you dance) like in movies/books

Favorite Activities/Hobbies

1. Running/playing sports (b-ball, flag football, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, swimming)

2. Sleeping

3. Reading

4. Journaling

5. Spending time with family and friends

6. Playing guitar (if I ever have time)

7. Being outside (especially in the sun)

8. Taking pictures

Favorite Foods

1. CHICKEN! (anything with chicken in it)

2. Fries with honey mustard (yummy O'Charlie's honey mustard)

3. Chinese (sesame chicken, crunch rolls, egg drop soup, crab wontons, rice...)

4. Desserts (especially anything with peanut butter!!!)

Favorite Restaurants

1. P.F. Changs

2. Maggianos

3. Cheesecake Factory/Cheesecake Bistro

4. Chick-fil-A

Favorite T.V. Shows/Movies

1. 24

2. House

3. My Best Friend's Wedding

4. Shrek I, II, III

Favorite Books/Authors

1. Bible

2. Stephanie Meyers (Twilight series)

3. Boxcar Children series (when I was little)

4. Any classic literature novels (Jane Austen) or educational books

5. Roald Dahl 

Dislikes/Pet Peeves

1. People being rude or making fun of other people (especially when Jeremy makes fun of me for wearing my retainer)

2. When people tap pencils or drum on desks (My senses are heightened to noise and I can't handle it!)

3. Burping/passing gas

4. Being cold (My fingers and toes go numb when I'm cold)

5. Burger King or McDonald's (Those are the last places I want to go!)

6. People that don't care.

7. Yelling/arguing. 

8. Going into STINKY bathrooms (especially the ones at school- I have to hold my breath)

9. Driving at night (I can't see) or driving long distances (I get tired)

10. Being bored.

Random Facts About me and What I Love

1. I would love to start painting on canvas but I've never been extremely good at art.

2. I love to travel.

3. I love being in school (I'm such a nerd) and wonder if one day I'll have my PhD or EdD or be a college professor.

4. I have scoliosis in my lower back so my back hurts quite often.

5. I beat a track school record for hurdles back in high school.

6. I'm clumsy (I always trip over my feet. I've fallen down the stairs so many times and had the breath knocked out of me, my family stopped coming to see if I was okay! It's a funny thing that I could hurdle!)

7. I sleep on my stomach with my head under the pillow and the sheets (and comforter) pulled over me.

8. I am a whiner. (Maybe that's because I am the youngest child!)

9. I love Macs (computers) and I have ever since I was little. (I was into Kid Pix, Oregon Trail, Number Munchers, Math Magic, and Sim City.... Now I'm into Aperture, iPhoto, iTunes, and Photo Booth)

10. I ate the same thing for lunch from kindergarten through twelfth grade (cheese sandwich, fruit punch Hi-C, zebra cakes, and chips (that went on my sandwich))---Now I eat a peanut butter sandwich every day and drink water.

11. I am convinced elementary school teachers are amazing because I couldn't put up with the same kids all day long and teach every subject (especially to 6th graders!)

12. I am a people pleaser and have a hard time saying no to people.

13. I love to laugh and make people smile/make their day.

14. I'm a perfectionist and am OCD (to some degree).

15. I love my Escape because I like being high off of the ground when I drive.

16. I am a people watcher.

17. I love doing administrative jobs with camps and with the GBC.

18. I love adolescents.

19. I am amazed at teachers who can balance teaching and family time without being EXHAUSTED! 

20. I am blessed to have a family that loves each other and loves me. 

I will end with these facts. I hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little more.

Older Still

         In remarking on a person as they have achieved a certain age its heard at times to denote that a person has lost a certain edge on their personality, that they have lost the fire that lay hold of them when they were younger. Often times this is remarked upon as a good thing, that with age and the toning down of passions it somehow has made that person better, that they are calmer and can think straighter now, and perhaps make better decisions. Even unto ourselves we say things like, "I have kids to think about", or "I have a husband/wife to worry about." and quietly push our old flames under sand and quench those fires with water from the river of time. I wonder what pushes us this way.

        Those fires, those passions for what we believe in, they are what drive us forward.  We have these dreams driven by passion for what we can do, for what we can be, and somewhere we have lost sight of them. We mention them in passing as something that we can just recall but they have gotten so far away on the horizon of our lives that they don't even seem to be our own anymore. We must recapture and not let go the passions and dreams we hold.  In the face of adversity against such passions we must not let them die, but rather morph and change allowing their essence to live on in us. 

       I do not accept that we should let our passions and dreams die when our life circumstances change, whether they change for the good or the bad. The people we call exceptional are the people who pursued their passion even in the face of change. Do not say "I have this wife/husband/child/commitment now i have no time for that" those things are with you because of that passion, because you were that way, they do not seek nor ask you to change but rather be incorporated into that passion with you, that they would be caught up in your journey and you in theirs. It is not the end of your dreams and passions but rather the next part of the story. Children need to see parents who are passionate about something, whether it is something in the home or out of it, but that is not to say the child is neglected but rather that they too are caught up in the passion and given the chance to partake. 

       It is here though that we must walk a fine line between passion and obsession. Passion seeks to fulfill and to sweep up those who are caught in its current and asks those who come to the edge to observe to join. Obsession is a solitary brook, who babbles to itself without care for the outside and seeking only for an end which may never come. Obsession neglects all those who come to observe and invites no one to join in. Passion invites others to join to become a part of this experience, obsession asks for no ones help nor desires for someone to share the experience except to only certify that the obsession is okay. 

      We cannot afford to let passion die in our lives. It is what moves us, and keeps us breathing in life. At least thats what I think for now...

          -jeremy

October Fun

It's been an eventful week and weekend. This week I came home from school and heard water running. I listened and then went outside to see if the hose was on. It wasn't, so I came back in and listened some more. It was coming from near the sink in our kitchen. I opened the cabinet under the sink and didn't see any water, so I left the mystery case alone. When Jeremy came home I told him that it sounded like something was running. He went to the sink and saw that the kitchen mat was all wet. It was coming from under the cabinet. We concluded it must be one of the water pipes under the cabinet, so we cut off the water to the house and called Jeremy's uncle. He knows everything when it comes to house repairs/upgrades, making cabinets, and sports/PE. I'm glad he lives next door! Well, it's funny because we don't feel like we ever see his family. Two of their children are in college now with two other kids left at home. They seem to be home less than they have ever been. Well, of course they were at a volleyball game when Jeremy called. He said he'd come over later to work on it. There was no way we could stay there without water. I mean we couldn't go to the bathroom, brush our teeth, take a shower, wash clothes, or wash dishes. Since the cottage became unlivable, I called my parents. It's also a good thing they live so close! My dad told us to come on up. Since then we have taken residence in the Sims household. Daddy said he doesn't really see us though because our schedules have been so busy the past few days. It's true. With school/work, a pumpkin carving party, a reunion, a family dinner on Jeremy's side... we've not been around much, but we are grateful for their hospitality. As of this afternoon, we got a call saying our water was back on, so we can resume living in our cottage.

On a lighter note, last night Jeremy and I went to a pumpkin carving party at Maggie's house. We had so much fun. I don't ever remember carving a pumpkin. I mean I think our family carved some when I was little, but I don't remember actually helping with pulling the "guts" out or deciding which face to put on the pumpkin. I only remember getting a picture taken on the back porch holding a pumpkin. Since I had little experience with pumpkin carving, I was really excited about the party pretty much all week. Jeremy picked out the face. It's so HIM. It's a semi-colon and a parenthesis ; ) and it makes a smilie face on the side of the pumpkin. It's sideways just like you would type it. What dorks we are! Everyone else had really creative designs and theirs were so good! We had lots of fun catching up with people we don't see a lot too. Oh, I can't forget, we also had some yummy halloween treats to munch on while we were there. Micah saw our pumpkin and said, "Hot-po-bo Pumpkin!" ---That stands for October pumpkin. 

Before we went to our pumpkin carving party, we had a dutch oven dinner at my parent's house. Momma and my aunt Martha go to the BOW weekends (Becoming and Outdoor Woman). They take classes on all kinds of things (bee keeping, how to shoot a rifle, deer dressing, finding your way without a compass... This past weekend, one of their classes was on dutch ovens. It is where you have these big pots and you put coals under the pot and on top of the lid and cook the food in the pots. Last night we enjoyed some Coca-Cola chicken, garlic potatoes, and a German chocolate cake. Everything was really yummy. Since the pool is now closed and family swim cannot occur on Friday's, this may be our new Friday night activity! ;)

Today, we had a five year reunion at the park. I debated on whether or not to go. I mean it is a five year reunion... Most of the people that were going were people I still see though, so I was like why turn down a chance to hang out with people?! I RSVPed and finally decided we would go. Even though we have a packed weekend, it just gave us one more fun thing to do before another work week. We enjoyed our time catching up with people. It's was funny how many of my best friends from elementary school on through middle school and beyond were there too. 

One week until fall break! I am so excited. I am so ready. We had finals this past week and our grades have to be in by Wednesday. I haven't really done much to submit my grades yet. I am slacking on that. With all our house stuff, my schedule has been off too and I haven't really done much of my work for Walden that is due tomorrow. YIKES. I have two weeks left in this class. I've really enjoyed it. It's called "Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Part One" and I have learned so much. They moved me to another cohort. I am still trying to figure out why. I feel like I got to know the other cohort well, and they moved me. Oh well. 

Well, now it's off to another cookout. This time with Jeremy's family. I love the time we get with our families!!!!

What do you do when no one's around?

   

So these pictures really make me smile! It has nothing to do with what I am about to blog about, but I had so start off with some pictures that make me laugh... First off, Micah is at a great stage of imitating. He can pose for pictures and he can look all cool with his arms crossed! Then there's the cowboy/cowgirls. We look pretty intimidating don't we?! I can't help but laugh out loud!!! 

Reason for blogging:

On my way home from school today, they were talking on the radio about what people do when they are home alone. Some people don't get much time alone, while others get much more than they should. People were calling in and saying what they do when NO ONE is around. It was quite interesting to hear this conversation because I asked Jeremy just yesterday a similar question. I asked him what he did differently at the house before we got married. He told me he didn't care if the bed was made, so many days it would go left unmade. Now, he makes it every day when he gets up. He also said he left piles of clothes around the house not really caring if they made it to the laundry basket or not. He also watched lots of t.v. and played video games. Still when I am not home he plays world of warcraft or watches t.v. Jeremy also told me he'd eat sandwiches pretty much every night or go to QT late at night to get a coke and a snack. He doesn't think I'd enjoy that though, so we don't eat sandwiches every night or go to QT since I'm usually in bed. It was interesting to hear what he had to say and try to think of what I do when no one is around. I don't really have anything outlandish like the people on the radio, and I don't really know what I do other than school work or reading. I guess I'm pretty boring....... The people that called in talked about going to the bathroom with the door open, allowing bodily noises to escape constantly because no one would comment.... So I guess I will have to leave you with the question: 

What do you do when no one is around?

Some more S'mores?!

I absolutely LOVE s'mores. Yes, they always leave me asking for some more. I'm glad my family knows I love them too! Last night Jeremy got a call from his mom asking if we wanted to come over to their house for a bonfire. She wanted to have the family over to sit by their amazing fire pit, but more importantly she wanted me to enjoy some s'mores. :) Not everyone enjoys s'mores. Some people (like Jeremy) just like the marshmallows. He burns them to a crisp and then eats them. NO THANK YOU! I, on the other hand, love the s'mores part of a bonfire. A bonfire isn't a bonfire without s'mores. I have been perfecting my method of making the best s'more a LONG time, so thank you to all the people that have helped in the past bonfires. It's no good just to have warm chocolate. You really have to put the chocolate and graham cracker next to the fire in order to really get the best results. Last night we used Jeff's fish fry pan to put my graham cracker and chocolate in. We put it right next to the fire. Then I "toasted" my marshmallow. I don't like them burnt. I only like them a light tan. If you saw me, you would have laughed. I had to take off my sweatshirt that I had just gone down to the house to get because I was getting warm. I was getting warm because I was pretty much in the fire pit! Oh, but the process is worth it because the s'mores were the best I have EVER had! 

Well, not to say my other s'mores were bad, they weren't, but these were PERFECT, and I had a few. At family bonfires, everyone knows to get s'more items, because I enjoy them so much. They know I will have to have some! Last year when Jeremy and I went to Callaway Gardens for my fall break we had some. They were doing a fall festival and there was a place to make s'mores. You had to buy a bag full (well lightly packed) with one cracker, a little piece of chocolate, and a marshmallow. They gypped me, but I got a s'more out of it! Perfection of the s'mores process almost came at the beach this summer during our family vacation. They had some sand in them, but they would have been perfect if the sand hadn't of gotten involved. We had a little grill thing that I put the s'mores in and closed the lid. It actually pressed it together! Even when we were registering for our wedding, I wanted to get a s'more kit, but I decided we probably needed more of the NECESSITIES than wants. Thanks Momma for teaching me that lesson! Well, I guess I should end my story on s'mores. If only I had a picture of me eating the yummy s'mores last night. I had to stand over the grass and try not to come out looking like a mess! Instead, the picture from my beach s'mores is the best I have to share. Now you should go enjoy a nice s'more.