Merry Christmas to all (2) of my readers!!!

I am the first one up and I can hear the trees cracking and popping from the cold. Brrrrrrrrr. The Haradens are here. Santa came early to their house in Seattle .... quite an understand guy that Santa Clause!!!

I have few worries these days. My biggest now is that the slippers I got for Connor will be too small... he's growing so fast!!!

Oh. Well worrying about Danielle has been a life long endeavor ... the fact that she and Zack were repelling down waterfalls in Ecuador yesterday and have readily admitted that some of the South American treks they have taken on have been crazy dangerous just ratchets the worry up a little bit. Skype is the best thing ever for reducing concern for them. They will be back in time for Danielle's 30th birthday, February 28th.

Hey all.... I am on a leave of absence pending board approval. Having it approved is a formality... the paper work through HR is completed. I gave my permission to post my position for a long call sub.

My personal responsibility professionally has now officially taken a back seat to my personal responsibility to me. ... to take care of myself and get some semblance of both physical and mental health restored.

There is no timeline on that and the leave gives me a cushion of transition for which I am forever grateful. Someday YOU might need a leave for whatever reason and each case is different ( so don't ask me for specifics... it is very case specific) and so know that it's there... but I'd suggest taking care of yourself better than I did so that you can avoid it. Although I did my best and have no regrets thankfully...

It will be baby steps forward and maybe some will be backward but I'll find my way back to me eventually. It's been awhile!!

I may be back to teaching and I may not ( more likely not) but for now teaching is not a part of my life. Thought you should know and go ahead and spread the word... Housman-Meyer is on a leave.... not retired!!!!


 Yo & Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!!!

Mary :)

Well for crying out loud.

I came into the c. lab today and the whiteboard that distinguishes for the students which side to go to according to their instructor said "Ms. Housman - Meier".

I pointed it out to Nancy and she said, "oh! I took it off of the teacher extension list". And sure enough, my name is listed as Mary Housman-Meier" on the Apollo extension list.

That is the fourth way that my name has been misspelled THIS YEAR!!! I do believe, and I am NOT kidding, that my name has been misspelled ONE time since 1995.


If that isn't a sign ( get it? sign... whiteboard sign..never mind) then I don't know what is.

I'm still loving Apollo.... that has made a HUGE difference!!!

Mary

ps

Danielle in Nicaragua ...

Did I give you this link? If I did, I don't mind re posting. 

Last Sunday Jamie, Danielle and I skyped all at once. Seattle-----------> MN -----------> S. America.

Cool. Danielle and Zach are in a very weird zone. I mean like zone in their heads. Their lives are moving very slowly. It took them 7.5 hours to travel 50 miles total to there destination on what is called a "chicken" bus. And when she told me this there was not one comment of dissatisfaction. I kept waiting for it. And waiting ( I am patient.... she can't blame the following on me) . Danielle was the most impatient baby I had. I had to stop breast feeding this child because she would scream before my milk would let down, I would get uptight, the milk took longer then and she just turned red in the face screaming screaming screaming. Danielle did a LOT of screaming ( at me) like .... until she was 22yrs. old. She is THE most IMPATIENT person I have EVER known!!!!

SERIOUSLY??? It took you 7.5 hours to go 50 miles????? I think I would have screamed at everyone!!!  Things are slow in Nicaragua I guess....

These buses are old American school buses. They break down frequently. They are collectively called "chicken" buses because people carry any and everything in the bus and on top of the bus including chickens.

The bus stops to pick up people on their way to work . There is a man who rides on TOP of the bus to whom the people on their way to work throw their satchels, packages, tools, etc. And as the people get off the bus to go to work,  they yell at the man on top to throw their posessions down to them. The man always gets the right item... never makes a mistake.

The bus is as full as three to a seat with people standing in the aisles. This sounds crazy to me.

But go to the link. There is a pay out. They are living a dream. I sure wish I had done some of these things when I was young enough and physically fit enough to look a volcano in the eye!!!

Equador is next. I swear, my spelling is getting worse. The crazy thing about traveling to Ecuador ( got it) ? It will be cheaper for them to fly to Miami, stay overnight , and then fly to Ecuador from there. So things are slow and don't make sense. The only thing that comes to mind that is similar is the Alzheimer's unit my step dad is in. But yet they are at the opposite end of life as Bill.

Ok. I'm done. Life is strange.

Mary :)

FOR example....

I will never EVER have to feel any sort of obligation and will never ever be personally persecuted
 (ever again) because of someone else 's vicious, intentional misinterpretation of my person hood simply based on said individual's selfish fear of failing a personal agenda that is either directly or indirectly related to the following depiction:


Confused? Tru dat. Peace. Fuck that. Up yours. Yo.

How about "Please pass the butter and may I be excused?'.

Peace.

Mary 

I am not only Thankful but Grateful today!

I've heard. 

That the school that I used to work in is in chaos and that 
" I picked a good time to leave".... as if I had a choice.  I believe that God intervened and saved me from losing my soul from the depths of despair believing that education was heading for the nearest rock to flounder upon an sink forever never to be resurrected  for generations.

I was wrong. I have been working under the first administration ( of my career)  that is competent.

I am working in a place that is quiet and respectful and empty of fear.

I am working in a department where working cooperatively and without dysfunction is the norm.

I am working in a place where everyone knows what the expectations are and they meet them gladly because they are presented with purpose , make sense,  are clearly for kids and not for greed or to feather a cap of some sort.

Of course all of my perceptions from my new "placement" are at first blush and I am not so naive as to think that there are not underlying currents of filth and disgust where I am as well. I just haven't seen any evidence of it. 

In my heart of hearts I have a palpable  feeling of uneasiness that this bliss is short lived and simply a result of not having the filth and disgust catch up with them yet. This is based on some very specific observations.

For example, in my new placement they are just BEGINNING to look at rubrics but they have  camoflaged the term rubric with "scales" . Why do they find it necessary to rename rubric and why doesn't anyone around me have the faintest idea of what a rubric/ scale is?

I attended an IEP meeting a week ago and people seemed surprised that a mainstream teacher showed up. I even had 3 candy bars in my PO in appreciation for my insight. Is it possible that the feds haven't caught on to this oversight?

I met with a counselor and a student who was giving me problems in school. The counselor was overjoyed that I would take the time to try to develop a positive relationship with this child. What has been happening with misunderstandings between tutor and student in the past? Does it just go on?

At the beginning of the year our school's AYP data was presented to the staff. There have been gains in some areas, losses in others but the achievement gap narrowed for the very first time. This phenomenon  was presented by the administration in a celebratory fashion followed by a round of applause. It was an after thought, a flippant , joking notation that the  narrowing gap between the lines on a projected graph showed that in fact the gap is narrowing but not because the low has gained significantly thereby catching up with the top, but that the top for the first time has lost ground more closely mirroring the gains but in the opposite direction. How are we supposed to feel good about that? And why do our leaders seem happy about it?

Yes. I am glad that I am not wallowing in what sounds like difficult muck to navigate through in my old school but my gut is telling me that the water is about to be muddied in my new school.

The good news? I won't be around to have to re adjust my navigation systems. For now I am thoroughly reveling in what feels like bliss and taking full advantage of it by not worrying about what the future holds and working hard and in the moment with my new colleagues, school and mostly wonderful students :)

I have a LOT to be thankful for today and my heart is overflowing with gratefulness. :)

Wishing you all a very happy and restful Thanksgiving.

Mary :)


  

Will not be mad forever.

"When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness."

- Eckhart Tolle

This is so strange.

My "baby" , Jessica , is asleep on the couch. My colleague, Jen, is only 4 months older than Jessica. I just left school after having consulted with Jen regarding some important topics coming up. I very much view Jen as I would any accomplished , veteran teacher , as if she were 40 years old yet Jen is only 26. She IS an accomplished, veteran, tenured teacher.

Jessica is my baby and is sleeping peacefully with Buster wrapped around her feet. I think Jessica is darling. I think she is precious and cute, needs her sleep and should eat supper when she wakes up.

I like it that Jessica is here and I wonder if Jen's mom feels the same way about Jen. I sure do hope so because I'm not nearly as comfortable thinking about Jen sleeping on my couch as I am about asking her a million more questions tomorrow about what I am supposed to teaching.

Everyone should have a Mother who thinks he/ she is her baby. My Mom still does. When I answer the phone my Mom says "Hello. This is your Mother". Oops. That reminds me. Mothers don't live forever.... tell your Mom that you love her....kkkkkkkkkk?

Let me Up. I've Had Enough. Tom Petty

Work 20 years and they'll take care of you
They'll buy you a diamond, they'll send you on a cruise
Give it all your money, give it all your time
Then wake up one morning and wonder why

Let me up - I've had enough

TOM PETTY - LET ME UP. I'VE HAD ENOUGH.

Exciting day.

Danielle and Zach's delayed and informal marriage reception with the Meyer's is today at Hidden Lake Park just up the road. We are expecting about 45 people. Starts at 3 pm, Mexican Village catered taco bar at 5.

I love what is happening in  my house right now. Grace is sitting at the kitchen table eating a sandwich singing, "I'm going to a par ar ar arrrrtyyyyyy in my new ew ew sweater dressss ahahahhhhh.

Danielle has tried on 4 different outfits and I'll post the one she picked. Let me just say it includes bright pink tights and only Danielle could pull it off.

Jessica and Matt just got back from hunting so they are burying duck and squirrel guts. 

Zach is pretty much all by himself watching the Viking's game, cheering to an empty living room
(exception me) and wondering how the Vikes are managing this fantastic feat. I'm trying to act amazed and interested....not my strong suit.

I love and am so proud of my family; my girls, the men they've chosen..so perfect for each of them and so very different from one another yet such a cohesive and bright group. I love my life today.

I am proud of us. Dan and I. We done did alright. :)

M

Dan's quirks.

Over the years and especially the last few Dan and I have gotten to know each other pretty thoroughly especially when it comes to boundaries. For example, last month I bought Dan a package of 6 pair of cotton boxers off of Ebay (yes they were new....duh) and 6 pair of white briefs. When they arrived he kind of made a "hrummph" about the briefs because he said they were "too thin".

The  meaning of the " hrrrrummmph"  depends on the context of the conversation (if you could call it that) and sometimes I literally never know unless he follows up with a comment like the one he made about the briefs: they were too thin. I shouldn't have ordered underwear on line. He could get a better deal himself. He would prefer to buy his own underwear. All of the previous statements combined or taken independently or in some other combination there of was the meaning of the "hrumph".

If there is no follow up I have learned that is an indication to just let it pass. It is not a big deal and it is nothing personal.

There was a non- response or pause regarding the boxers. Different meaning entirely.

 There was definitely something amuck. He didn't like the briefs. I would return them. How about the boxers? pause. pause. pause. "I guess we could keep the boxers". The boxers passed inspection. They would not be returned and I unpacked them and put them in his drawers sand as I did I admired how soft they were; and thick cotton. He had made a good choice!
The very next morning I was sitting in my chair and he came out of the bedroom in a pair of his new boxers. The brightest, blue & yellow pin striped pair of the bunch!!! I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair!! I couldn't help it!

Earlier in our marriage Dan would have been offended and (mostly) embarrassed but he said "WHAT?" , smiled and sat down in his chair.!! We've come a long way. Ha.

There are two things that Dan did ; one was earlier in our marriage and one now that if I mentioned  it to him in a teasing way he would respond with a strong hrrruuuumph followed by a snappy response in defense of his actions. The first was that when the kids were little and we all would get ready for church, Dan would insist that they clean out the corner of their eyes of the morning "gook" with a warm washcloth for lack of a better term.  I always thought that was weird. And he insisted. He didn't care if they had a hole in the knee of their tights ( or more likely if Danielle's were twisted around her toothpick legs) or if their hair was perfectly in place but by God, their eyes did not have any crust in them!!! Weird. I think.

More currently he does this.  If we are going to have company he will organize the silver wear drawer. Perfectly. The mirror in the bathroom can be streaked or there can be dust bunnies in the corner of the kitchen floor but by God every piece of silver wear will be in it's place in case anyone would open that drawer! I dare not say anything about it. For one I would get a hrrruuuumph ...but worse it would be followed by a resounding WELL YOU DO THE CLEANING THEN!!!. Uh. I definitely wouldn't want to go there!!!

Miss my readers. I'll make coffee one of these Fridays. Not next Friday for sure but soon.

M

Subtle differences between South and Apollo. What do YOU think these things say?

1) The "S.O.A.R" passes , the equivalent to the PAWSITIVE passes are 1/3 the size and one S.O.A.R pass gets a big warm cookie from Iggys store.
2) The hall passes are big and green and have a ton on blanks to be filled in as the hall passes at South are tiny, orange things.
3) There is one, tiny, old, copy machine that you a) need a DOOR key to get into the room to use and b) you need your own code for and c) there is a limit of 3,000 copies per YEAR for each user.
4) There is a bell for every single period including one for every lunch period.
5) You are not allowed to use colored paper for any reason unless it is a necessity for the lesson and you talk nicely to Susan, the person who runs copies.

For the first time since 1995 my name has been misspelled.

Look at Apollo's web site under Staff.  Hausman-Meyer, Mary works there. I hope she gets a lot of
e mails.

As for ME, it will save me from doing all that exhausting, unnecessary aerobic exercise  I've been doing in recent years;  using my index finger to  delete  - delete -  delete- delete.

Another I'm older than you .... be careful story.

I have been relatively open about using medication for depression and anxiety. After some personal experiences this summer, experiences of both my sistas and some reading I have new insight for you. So listen up .

1) FIRST. Don't read shit off the internet. It will either scare the shit out of you causing more stress./ anxiety or , if done long enough will give you a butt the size of Saturn, including the rings.

2) Long term use of anything can be considered chronic use. Look up the definition of "chronic" add it to "prescription" and put in an = sign and see what YOU get.

3) The world is full of stressors. Our brains have only evolved as far as responding to short term stress  ie. hmmm. buga buga. Big cougar .... run, run run.... see everyone run FASTER than average. Thank you God for adrenalin, cortisol and for that slow guy. num num says cougar. Ahhhhh says the survivors. I think I'll take a nap!!!

4) Introduce "chronic stress" add to it our whimpy response with short term adrenalin/ cortisol put in an = and see what you get. I get left over or + stress.

5) So. Start with (+ stress) - ( X ) = neutral stress or "normal". What ARE the possibilities for "X" ?

a)  X= exercise, meditation, vacation, acupuncture , any self - help  strategy to reduce the extra fight or flight chemicals cruising the BODy.

b) X =  eliminate  the additional stress ( + stress) altogether or reduce it and add in some of a).

c) X = DRUGS.

d) X = any combination of above but must include good sex. Good sex is what would be called a CONSTANT in this math ( and I was taught using "old" math) .

6) Sometimes choice (c) has to be used but use it as conservatively as possible. If your Doc. recommends an increase or a change or an additional something .... question it.


The long term effects of SSRI s use is just being studied because it is just emerging. It is the first time in human kind's history that there are people who have been on SSRI s over an extended period in time.  Although all brains are different, there is some evidence that using SSRIs for a long time ( thus changing the chemistry in our brains for a long time) MAY universally result in changes that MAY take a very long ( and sometimes very uncomfortable)  time to resolve.


The medical community has very little experience with this emerging problem of  chronic SSRI use and so SOME Docs. are understandably hesitant to admit that what they have been prescribing for a long, long time may have at least SOME serious consequences.



SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!!! AND HAVE A LOT OF GOOD SEX!!!

Signed,

"yer loving colleague.

I'm researching this.

This is Yusuf Islam or Cat Stevens of the 60,s/ 70.s. I listened to his music. He dropped out . Is back recently and has written a musical. It premiered in Australia. I am looking for a copy.



I'm very intrigued with his story. I think he is the "real deal" when it comes to peace, happiness and finding more to life around every corner and under every adventure. Perhaps it is where I need to be right now. Who knows.

Sweet Jesus They are transfering all my account info. to APOLLO!

And I am PUMPED about it!!!!  They transferred Lynn Johnson to ALC too!!

Looks like all the big mouths, perceived "power" folks, the I'm not gonna jump on ONE MORE  mother fucking band wagon people are  GONE FROM SOUTH!!!!

Save the fucking world South. Make George look good. Drool and pander to  the "red zone kids" and we'll all just watch the majority of our youth (the middle) continue to lose ground academically. That will be the test. If you can  close the " Achievement Gap" at an accelerated rate AND maintain the data proven necessary slope for progress for the the average kid to reach his/her potential, then you will be Superman. Superman will be IN THE HOUSE if South can do that . Let me reiterate. IF you

1) can accelerate the "redzone" kids growth 

AND

2) maintain the slope for progress ( this is a data proven rate ) for the the average kid to reach his/her potential.

You will be Superman. George will be the head of Supermen. I sincerely wish you luck. And yes, I do say that with some sarcasm, but I will be proud of you if you can do it.

M

Mother fucking testing is going to be the bane of the 21st century education phenomenon. End of story. Mother fuckers. 

The time I called 911 three times in a row.

I have everything I need/ want from South except for one thing and that is the number for dialing a long distance number from inside school. Not everybody was given that number but I needed it and used it quite frequently to make orders for science supplies. It started with *54.......and ended in 91   and then you had to dial the number. You probably have figured out where this is going.

Yes. On one occasion under great stress I'm sure ( teaching is stressful. Duh) I dialed *54.........91 then 1-507    for example and the 911 dispatcher picked up and said "What is your emergency" and I hung up.
And then I re - dialed *54.........91  1-507  and the dispatcher
picked up and said "What is your emergency?" and I said "OH! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to call 911!" and hung up again.

Yes....a THIRD time I repeated the same damn thing and he picked up , asked the same dang thing and I responded with the same dang thing. I stopped trying to make that call that day and prayed no fire trucks would show up outside of door One. That would have been embarrassing.

M :)

Two more good books.

I finished The Pact by Jodi Picoult about two weeks ago and thought that would be the last book of the summer but I was wrong.

I'm reading Beachcombing for a Shipwrecked God by Joe Coomer which is turning out to be my favorite read so far. I picked it up at the public library yesterday. Jessica & I ate at The Whitehorse and then went to the library together. I signed up for a new library card and found I had a fine from 2004 of $3.00. Jessica asked what book it was that I had out overdue and I said that I didn't know, I never asked. I wish I had.

I ran into a teacher there that I had taught with for one year at ALC...1995. Her name is Mary and is a language arts teacher. She retired quite awhile back but has been teaching water aerobics ( I took a class from her about 7 years ago. It was held at South at 5:00 pm) and homeschooling for about ten years now. She told me a funny and intriguing story while we were standing by the doors of the library and I was waiting for Jessica:

One year during workshop week Mary was taking part in sessions at SJH but there were a lot of elementary school teachers there and she thought that perhaps she would be better served by walking to Tech where there were more secondary people so she approached an administrator. She explained how she felt and  he/ she approved so she started to walk from South to Tech.

She said "I got to Tenth Street and I was drawn to the river like a magnet! So I turned right and walked across the bridge!" Well, she wound up down by the Beaver Islands, found an old pair of tennis shoes and she "played in the river" all day!!!  Doesn't that sound marvelous?!!!

I can't wait until I can enjoy Fall days again without beginning a school year. I hope that it won't be too long now.

M:)

With every visit I feel more calm.

I went to Apollo for the third time since I found out that I would be transferred. The first was when I visited a class that was in session around June 1st or something...before anyone else at South knew and before Danielle's wedding. On that day Chris Ann Johnson offered me a textbook and I very reluctantly brought it home. I didn't look in it until last week.

The second visit was a week ago when I met with Heather Johnson to briefly go over the course outline & look in the classroom I will occupy. I noted that the five boxes of teaching materials that Dan & I had packed up at South were in the room. It was a brief meeting with Heather. I think I made her nervous. It must have been the glassy-eyed look I gave her when she started to talk about Ohm's Law & the four types of chemical reactions we'll teach. But when I unpacked the boxes the familiar touch of things like my bean bag hippo & water cup helped me relax.

Today I went to Apollo to get my keys but the office was closed. A man who looked familiar walked quickly by me and he must have noticed the freakishly frightened look on my face and asked "May I help you with something?". I felt like saying "Yes you can. Hold me tightly & don't let go. I think I may die here." but I didn't. I explained who I was, we shook hands ( I wanted to keep holding his ) and we exchanged pleasantries as he walked me down to open my room for me. His name is Brian and he is one of the two assistant principals. He stayed to chat for just a bit and then I was alone. I brought my wooden name "tag" along and so I set it on the lab desk by the interwrite board, stood back and looked at it. It looked good! I searched for and went through some of the resource materials for the text and after a bit I could visualize how the curriculum proceeds.  It has been a looooong time since I have taught this stuff ...it will be work... hard work but I am hopeful. And more calm. Until. I'm afraid, 36 very tall boys and very developed girls walk in the room. It will be then that I will have to dig deep and resist the urge to RUN just as today I resisted the urge to jump into that guy's arms.

Baby steps.

M :)

Introducing Aunt Jessica and the very Talented GRACE HARADEN!!!!!!!!!!!

Any advice?

I am going to Apollo tomorrow to meet up with Heather Johnson whom I taught with at South a number of years back in order to go over the curriculum I will be teaching. She has been at Apollo for quite a few years now.

I am having feelings about the move. So. How should I handle these feelings? Currently I would describe them and not in any particular order as:

* scorn ( ok. scorn is at the top..... dumb fucks)
* uneasy
* determined
* scared shitless
* cautiously excited
* in awe
* relaxed
* resigned
* relieved
* skeptically confident
* hopeful


That's it. Those of you who have experienced a career move... which of the above did you experience? How did these feelings evolve? Did your pre- move include different feelings? Which ones? How did you personally handle them?

M

The windows are open!

YAY!!!!!!!!!

I am reading!!

It has been a few years since I have read three books one right after the other. I first read Queen Of The Road, a true story about two psychologists who took a year to travel the United States in a converted bus, the second, A Novel Pope Joan, classified as historical fiction but is more fiction and wishful thinking on the historical part but the fiction part made it a good read and I am half way through The Deep End of the Ocean....and my interest is peaked. I think I got lucky with the books that were just laying around the house!

What else can one do on such hot days other than read , clean, organize I say. Hopefully the heat will break ( it is supposed to tomorrow) and I will finish this last book and get back outside. I have things to do. Dan gave me a 2600PSI gas power sprayer for Mother's Day ( I requested one)  and I have gone through two , one gallon tanks of gas already. The deck, driveway and sidewalks are sighing in relief with the shedding of scum , mold, algae and God knows what else has been growing on them poor things.

Well back to my book. I don't want it to keep me from my power sprayer tomorrow.

M

A few Mountain Wedding Pictures.

Mountain Wedding

Home again from just the beginning of a journey of love between Zach and Danielle. It was truly an intimate celebration & not just between two people in love but a union of family and friends who have touched both of them so deeply. It was truly a spiritual three day experience. A gift!!

 Peeps... the above is the best I can describe Danielle & Zack's wedding. She was a beautiful bride. I may post more pictures later. There will be plenty to post!!

Their story published here 

Their new travel blog is here.

 

M :)

Been transferred!!!

To Apollo. hahahahahahahhahaha

FINALLY I can shake the sorely misplaced feelings of survivor's guilt!!! Damn all you miscreants who saddled me with the baggage of transfer envy!!

Do you have T shirts?

M :) 
PS. Don't they say "I DONE BEEN SCREWED" ?

I am very sad.

Jamie, Ryan and the kids are moving to the Seattle area. Ryan accepted a job with Microsoft. I do not know how I will survive this nor do I know how to express how I understand that it is likely a good career move for them especially since Ryan has not really been a happy camper at IBM.

Tears will be shed privately about this. It is inevitable. It doesn't matter that I can "hop on a plane" or they "can hop on a plane" or it would be a good excuse to " hop on a plane" after all I "hopped on a plane" for Seattle last Fall and enjoyed it very much.

It matters that Jamie will be far away for the first time ever. It matters that I can't even think about Connor and Grace being far away yet.

I can push things from my mind. I am an expert at it. This I neither can nor want to nor will push from my mind. I will learn how to deal with it and we will all be a champion Haraden/ Meyer/ Nowicki/ Shulte family because it is the only way I will allow my clan to be. Together in spirit always, and in person as often as physically possible.

I am sad. Very sad. But this. This I will get over.

Daughter # Three is engaged!

Matt proposed a week ago Friday. Yay!!!

And Ryan had an interview with Microsoft... there is a possibility that Jamie and the kids will be moving. I'm not very excited about that to tell you th truth, but I know that Ryan is not happy at IBM, that it has become a company that is not good to it's employees.... so I have to go with is right for them.

BUT JESSICA is going to go to Anoka Ramsey's 2 year PTA (PT assistant) school starting
in August!!!

We skyped with Danielle and Zach for the first time last night. We will have to get an account as that is how they plan on keeping us updated on their travaales. Wedding soon!!

Soooooooo much going on in the fam!!! But all good stuff. Buster approves as well:)

M

Are YOU a slut? I am!!!

What I did this vaca.

1) Dan & I made 28, 4 oz jars of raspberry jelly for Danielle's wedding. Tomorrow we will make the rest in 2 more batches. One batch makes 12 jars.








2) Went shopping for Dan today. We got him a pair of shoes, dress socks, a new belt, a black suit one dress shirt and a tie that I am returning tomorrow ( just the tie).

3) I went to Crafts Direct early in the week and bought two kits; one is for anyone age 9 -90 so you probably can guess how sophisticated they are but I have to sharpen my needle work somehow ...without getting discouraged.

4) I embroidered a pair of arm warmers I ordered from Etsy and will send them to my Mom. I was encouraged by how they turned out. Applique with felt I can do.

5)I took my armored motorcycle jackets to St. Cloud Tailor Shop to get some velcro added to keep the elbow armor in place. On that same day I exchanged a 7 for a 7.5 in this shoe. Aren't they CUTE? I can hardly wait to break them in.

6) I got a little work done at home and also spent about 5 hours at school.... mostly cleaning.



7) I made two no - sew blankets using 4, thin fleece blankets ( more like throws) that were on sale for $5.00 each at Kmart. I made one for Jessica ( Buster thinks it is his) and the other for Jamie. They are a perfect size... just the right length and width for cuddling with and not have any body parts hang out.


The weekend before break Danielle and Zach were home so we painted chalkboard pain onto Kerr wide mouth pint jars for their wedding. People will mark their "glass" for the weekend and can take it home ( along with the jelly!).






This is not my accomplishment but Danielle & Zack's.... they are making these paper flowers for the wedding and I think they are beautiful.



I'm ready for school again and ready for summer too! I hope that everyone had a good break!!

Mary

Why middle school e mails are funny:

We've raised enough to dress Larson up as a princess but we need your help! Do any of you own a tutu (size XL) or princess dress (size XL)? We've got a tiara but we could use some clip on earrings, fun jewelry, or anything else you'd like to see Larson wear. We'll paint his fingers, put on make-up, etc. Other suggestions?

If you have anything, please bring it on Monday. Heine's Homebase will be dressing him up during homebase on Monday.

PS

Today sucked :(

My first "good" full week for 2011/2012!!

I could look at it like "Cripe! It took until January 27th. regelfritzeen ragedorf$#@%"

But I'd much rather think. Hmmmm. It only took from Nov. 3rd when I hated going to school to January 27th that I really enjoyed going to school! Pretty good!". Because I am an optimist and a hard worker who is relentless when it comes to demanding respect so that I can do my job ( and Lexapro, don't forget Lexapro) kind of gal I feel successful this morning.

M :0

ps I wonder if the world knew that the drug companies are making a mint off of the teaching profession if the prices would come down?

Epic Failure.

Epic failure. I swore I wouldn't do it. I'm sharing one half of Dan's meticulously made sandwiches with another student teacher at lunch time. Did I ever go without eating from 7:30 -3:30? "kids"! :)

I'm back!

Hello! It's good to be back! Phoenix was amazing. It was a grand adventure. I'll post more picts eventually but I would recommend a pilgrimage by oneself to an "isolated" outpost to anyone anytime. Just bring your GPS.

Hiked every day. Sun every day. I managed to return to a silent place both metaphorically and physically on several occasions. I came back not necessarily recharged , but definitely with a new point of view of what it means to me to be over 50.

I'll be at Caribou sometime soon. I had two workshop days last week with my Science buds so lots of good adult teacher interaction but It's definitely not the same vibe as Coffee Fridays. See you soon.

Flash!