the weekend.
how i love it.
i really didn't do too much this weekend. lesson plans (blah), grocery shopping (blah), a little cleaning (blah), signed up for my first sock class (WHOO-HOO!!!!!!!), and football (bittersweet, end-of-the-season games).
i thought about baking for my kids, but i didn't.
i did go to brunch this morning. i was sitting in the diner, eating my rye toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, and scrapple, when all of he sudden i hear, "hi, miss olsen". DANGIT?!?! is *no* place safe from students anymore?
;)
i actually think it's kind of funny when i see kids out of school. they kind of look at me like they can't believe i have a life outside of the classroom.
miss raven is doing well. she's sleeping now and i think she is adjusting to me being back at work. we had a few puky days on wednesday and thursday, but she seems to be ok now.
my brother and sister-in-law got about five inches of snow in texas. AFTER I LEFT. i don't mind that they got the snow, but i do mind that we haven't gotten any yet. i would like a good snow day. or two. or three.
have a great monday!
:)
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
a favorite thing...
i have decided that children begging me to continue reading to them is one of my favorite sounds.
i hope that doesn't sound too strange.
or cruel.
right before christmas we finished a series of books. the kids LOVED the books and i loved reading to them. i was in a quandry as to what to read to them next but decided on a new series.
yesterday we started reading The Mysterious Benedict Society. saying that they loved the first chapter would be an understatement. they begged my continue reading yesterday...past the 30 minutes i usually read to them. of course, i didn't. i want them to be eager to hear the next "installment", if you will.
one of the best things, though, was that the main character, Reynie Muldoon, is tempted to cheat on a test he is taking. most likely, he wouldn't get caught. i could hear my kids whispering, "No, don't do it." "Don't do it, it isn't worth it." my heart swelled with pride. when they found out that Reynie resists the temptation and doesn't cheat, they actually cheered. they were so proud of him and i was so proud of them.
having this class for two years in a row has been such a huge blessing. i love them like they were my own. i am absolutely DREADING the end of the year. the end of last year was tough, but i knew there was a chance i could have them again. the end of this year, though, signals the end of my time with this group and thinking about it makes me so sad.
they are already plotting together to get me to move up....
;)
i hope that doesn't sound too strange.
or cruel.
right before christmas we finished a series of books. the kids LOVED the books and i loved reading to them. i was in a quandry as to what to read to them next but decided on a new series.
yesterday we started reading The Mysterious Benedict Society. saying that they loved the first chapter would be an understatement. they begged my continue reading yesterday...past the 30 minutes i usually read to them. of course, i didn't. i want them to be eager to hear the next "installment", if you will.
one of the best things, though, was that the main character, Reynie Muldoon, is tempted to cheat on a test he is taking. most likely, he wouldn't get caught. i could hear my kids whispering, "No, don't do it." "Don't do it, it isn't worth it." my heart swelled with pride. when they found out that Reynie resists the temptation and doesn't cheat, they actually cheered. they were so proud of him and i was so proud of them.
having this class for two years in a row has been such a huge blessing. i love them like they were my own. i am absolutely DREADING the end of the year. the end of last year was tough, but i knew there was a chance i could have them again. the end of this year, though, signals the end of my time with this group and thinking about it makes me so sad.
they are already plotting together to get me to move up....
;)
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Creative Christmas present...
So. What's a teacher to do about Christmas presents for her class when she has the same class two years in a row?
Last year, if you remember, I made each of my 18 students a scarf. The boys got team colors and the girls got bright, cheery colors.
Obviously I couldn't do the same thing again this year.
I thought and thought and thought and thought. I was starting to get a wee bit panicky about it. Then the idea came to me and, oh, what an idea it was!
I had a class picture taken, bought each kid a white t-shirt, and transferred the picture onto the shirt. Now, don't worry. Between fantastic after Thanksgiving sales, a teacher discount, and a gift card, I spent a grand total of about fourteen dollars out-of-pocket.
It wasn't without stress, of course. I was still transferring pictures onto shirts and ironing up until the Thursday before the break. The first picture I had taken was AMAZING. I loved it and still do. The problem was that the kids were a little too far apart and when I went to print out the transfer I realized that two kids were being cut off. (Don't ask how many transfers I went through before I figured it out.) I had to take a second picture and, while it was ok, it wasn't my favorite.
The best part, though, was their reaction. I was anxious because I wasn't sure if they would like it but when they opened their bags the next day....well, priceless would be the word I would use to describe how they reacted. It made me so happy that they were so excited by it.
Next year I will have a different class, sadly, and will more than likely go back to the scarves. Just in case I do move up with next year's class, though, I will have a standby for a second year present. :)
Last year, if you remember, I made each of my 18 students a scarf. The boys got team colors and the girls got bright, cheery colors.
Obviously I couldn't do the same thing again this year.
I thought and thought and thought and thought. I was starting to get a wee bit panicky about it. Then the idea came to me and, oh, what an idea it was!
I had a class picture taken, bought each kid a white t-shirt, and transferred the picture onto the shirt. Now, don't worry. Between fantastic after Thanksgiving sales, a teacher discount, and a gift card, I spent a grand total of about fourteen dollars out-of-pocket.
It wasn't without stress, of course. I was still transferring pictures onto shirts and ironing up until the Thursday before the break. The first picture I had taken was AMAZING. I loved it and still do. The problem was that the kids were a little too far apart and when I went to print out the transfer I realized that two kids were being cut off. (Don't ask how many transfers I went through before I figured it out.) I had to take a second picture and, while it was ok, it wasn't my favorite.
The best part, though, was their reaction. I was anxious because I wasn't sure if they would like it but when they opened their bags the next day....well, priceless would be the word I would use to describe how they reacted. It made me so happy that they were so excited by it.
Next year I will have a different class, sadly, and will more than likely go back to the scarves. Just in case I do move up with next year's class, though, I will have a standby for a second year present. :)
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
New Year, new beginnings...
This is the time of the year when everyone makes resolutions. I usually don't make any because I am pretty much a Type-A personality. If I make resolutions and then don't stick to them, I feel like a gigantic failure and that spirals into a host of other issues, including depression and (for me) its best friend...overeating.
This year, though, I have decided to make three, fairly reasonable, resolutions:
Happy New Year from miss raven and I!
:)
This year, though, I have decided to make three, fairly reasonable, resolutions:
- Blog more. I have not been a good blogger. There are reasons for this but they are mostly just excuses. I am not committing to blogging EVERY day. Sorry, BFF. I am going to commit to blogging at least three times a week. Maybe more. Hopefully not less. I want to speak my mind a little more and am feeling like I am in a position where I can do so now.
- Be Healthier. Notice I did not say lose weight, although that is certainly an end goal. I just want to be healthier. Make better choices in what I eat and how I exercise. Healthier includes relationships, as well. I made some changes at the end of last year and, while not easy, it has proved better for me mentally. Oh. This one also includes drinking more water. blech.
- Try something new. Last year I tried knitting. I am hooked. The sweater that I made for my niece was beautiful and fit her like it was made for her. Which it was. ;) I can't even begin to tell you how proud I was of myself when I saw how well it fit her. Not proud in an "I'm-all-that" kind of way. Just proud that I accomplished something like that. I don't know what the new thing will be. I'd like to learn a new language, I'm taking a sock knitting class (however, because it is knitting, it doesn't qualify as something new), I'd like to travel, and I'd like to learn how to play an instrument. Who knows? Any suggestions? No, BFF, no Tae Kwan Do. :op
Happy New Year from miss raven and I!
:)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
it's more blessed to give...
than to receive.
i'm repeating that to myself over and over.
i participated in a Christmas swap on Ravelry again this year.
this is the fourth swap i have participated in and the second Christmas one. i have been pretty much pleased with the other three swaps. this one, though...not so much.
i was already disenchanted with this one because the person that i was supposed to be sending to posted little to no information about her likes/dislikes. i did the best i could and, in my opinion, sent off a very nice package today. i came home from work to find my very own package waiting for me.
i was excited. i LOVE getting presents and being surprised. i couldn't wait to open it and find out what goodies my person sent me. i had spent a lot of time making sure that i answered all the questions posted and had all my information up-to-date. i just knew this was going to be another good experience.
w.r.o.n.g.
the first thing to disappoint me was the unbelievable smell of cigarette smoke that assaulted me when i opened the package. i'm not kidding when i say that it literally made my eyes water. pretty much everything was wrapped, which was nice, and i decided to try to get past the smell and open the presents.
sigh.
it appears as though much of what i receive was re-gifted. there didn't seem to be much thought put in to my "gift" and, i have to say, my feelings are a little hurt. there were three redeeming things in the package:
needless to say, i am very disappointed with this swap experience. (i can STILL smell the smoke on my clothes three hours later and it is giving me a headache.) i wish people would think before they send things or even before they sign up to participate in something like this. i know this is the Christmas season and i probably shouldn't gripe and complain, but right now i am just a little sad.
i did send a message to the moderator of the swap to let her know about these issues. i made sure she understood that i wasn't seeking another package, just wanted to let her know about the lack of consideration in the one i received.
anyway.
the kids did a great job today at their Christmas program. i was SO proud of them, as usual. :)
only SIX more school days until VACATION!!!!!
time to knit!
have a HAPPY FRIDAY! :)
i'm repeating that to myself over and over.
i participated in a Christmas swap on Ravelry again this year.
this is the fourth swap i have participated in and the second Christmas one. i have been pretty much pleased with the other three swaps. this one, though...not so much.
i was already disenchanted with this one because the person that i was supposed to be sending to posted little to no information about her likes/dislikes. i did the best i could and, in my opinion, sent off a very nice package today. i came home from work to find my very own package waiting for me.
i was excited. i LOVE getting presents and being surprised. i couldn't wait to open it and find out what goodies my person sent me. i had spent a lot of time making sure that i answered all the questions posted and had all my information up-to-date. i just knew this was going to be another good experience.
w.r.o.n.g.
the first thing to disappoint me was the unbelievable smell of cigarette smoke that assaulted me when i opened the package. i'm not kidding when i say that it literally made my eyes water. pretty much everything was wrapped, which was nice, and i decided to try to get past the smell and open the presents.
sigh.
it appears as though much of what i receive was re-gifted. there didn't seem to be much thought put in to my "gift" and, i have to say, my feelings are a little hurt. there were three redeeming things in the package:
- a small jar of vanilla bean pods (useful because i do love to bake.)
- a tile Christmas coaster (it is cute and i do like it.)
- two stitch markers (i think they are handmade but am not sure.)
needless to say, i am very disappointed with this swap experience. (i can STILL smell the smoke on my clothes three hours later and it is giving me a headache.) i wish people would think before they send things or even before they sign up to participate in something like this. i know this is the Christmas season and i probably shouldn't gripe and complain, but right now i am just a little sad.
i did send a message to the moderator of the swap to let her know about these issues. i made sure she understood that i wasn't seeking another package, just wanted to let her know about the lack of consideration in the one i received.
anyway.
the kids did a great job today at their Christmas program. i was SO proud of them, as usual. :)
only SIX more school days until VACATION!!!!!
time to knit!
have a HAPPY FRIDAY! :)
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
it's the most busiest time...
of the year.
no kidding!
school has been crazy busy. my kids are wonderful and i love them so much. even at 1:37 when i feel like the day will never, EVER end and i don't think i can take anymore. they bring so much joy to my heart. they have such a good reputation in the school. not only are they freaking BRILLIANT, they are also respectful, obedient, and well-mannered. they almost make me want to move up to 6th grade next year. almost.
did i mention how freaking brilliant they are? they did an amazing job on our first benchmark testing and rocked the science test today.
i'm so proud of them!
on the knitting front:
have a great night!
:)
no kidding!
school has been crazy busy. my kids are wonderful and i love them so much. even at 1:37 when i feel like the day will never, EVER end and i don't think i can take anymore. they bring so much joy to my heart. they have such a good reputation in the school. not only are they freaking BRILLIANT, they are also respectful, obedient, and well-mannered. they almost make me want to move up to 6th grade next year. almost.
did i mention how freaking brilliant they are? they did an amazing job on our first benchmark testing and rocked the science test today.
i'm so proud of them!
on the knitting front:
- i finished the present that i was making for my niece. can't post pictures right now because it is a christmas present.
- i am currently working on a scarf. i totally love the pattern and am proud of myself because i am (successfully) following a chart.
- NEWS ALERT!!! i am taking a SOCK knitting class in february!!! so. freaking. excited.!!!!
have a great night!
:)
Monday, December 3, 2012
Tidbits...
Here I am again...
It seems like the last couple of weeks have flown by. It's amazing how fast time moves when you get older. I can't believe that the school year is almost half over!
Thanksgiving didn't end up being as lonely as I was anticipating. A friend of mine from work invited me to spend the afternoon with her family and I was so thankful. It was nice to not be alone. I'm really not a people person and I have a hard time making small talk with people I don't know. They made it really easy, though, and I did have a very nice time. And the food was wonderful. :)
The tree is up and, as usual, I love it. I got a couple of new ornaments this year and they have found their place quite nicely. If I could change one thing I would add more lights, though. Can never have too many lights on the tree. :)
I had to put FOUR new tires on my truck. I was only going to get two new ones and then I got to BJ's tonight to have the two new ones put on only to discover that the ones they ordered were narrower than the ones that were on the truck. Of course they put the fault on me and because they tires they ordered are a viable option for the truck they won't do anything about it. AND...since you can't safely drive the truck with mis-matched tires, I had to get two more to match the two I just bought. UGH. On the bright side...I did need two tires and was going to have to get the other two after the new year. So....better safe than I sorry, I suppose.
The Cowboys beat the eagles last night. SWEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even tell you how much joy it brings to my heart that the eagles SUCK OUT LOUD ALL DAY LONG THIS YEAR. I love it with a love so deep and meaningful that I can't put it into words. Because I'm passive-aggressive like that. ;)
Coffee's done, puppy needs attention (I waited at BJ's for TWO hours to get the tires put on tonight. miss raven is feeling rather neglected.), and I am tired!
Goodnight!!!
:)
It seems like the last couple of weeks have flown by. It's amazing how fast time moves when you get older. I can't believe that the school year is almost half over!
Thanksgiving didn't end up being as lonely as I was anticipating. A friend of mine from work invited me to spend the afternoon with her family and I was so thankful. It was nice to not be alone. I'm really not a people person and I have a hard time making small talk with people I don't know. They made it really easy, though, and I did have a very nice time. And the food was wonderful. :)
The tree is up and, as usual, I love it. I got a couple of new ornaments this year and they have found their place quite nicely. If I could change one thing I would add more lights, though. Can never have too many lights on the tree. :)
I had to put FOUR new tires on my truck. I was only going to get two new ones and then I got to BJ's tonight to have the two new ones put on only to discover that the ones they ordered were narrower than the ones that were on the truck. Of course they put the fault on me and because they tires they ordered are a viable option for the truck they won't do anything about it. AND...since you can't safely drive the truck with mis-matched tires, I had to get two more to match the two I just bought. UGH. On the bright side...I did need two tires and was going to have to get the other two after the new year. So....better safe than I sorry, I suppose.
The Cowboys beat the eagles last night. SWEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even tell you how much joy it brings to my heart that the eagles SUCK OUT LOUD ALL DAY LONG THIS YEAR. I love it with a love so deep and meaningful that I can't put it into words. Because I'm passive-aggressive like that. ;)
Coffee's done, puppy needs attention (I waited at BJ's for TWO hours to get the tires put on tonight. miss raven is feeling rather neglected.), and I am tired!
Goodnight!!!
:)
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