I miss greatness... students.

Don't worry... the best is at the bottom:

For my own record/ milestones of sorts:
1st and last time I was obviously given the finger by a student ? Once on 11/ 21/2012. Pretty good.

The number of times I have carved the word "fuck" into the word "book" on the old wooden lab science tables .... probably five. A old custodian ( plumber crack Pete) taught me that trick :)

The number of times I felt physically threatened? Once by a student last year 11/ 2011 & once by a drunken Dad at conferences in 1997 so that would be twice. Not bad. I sent the drunk Dad to Marty Longsdorf. I'm sure that she rehabilitated him right there on the spot :)

The one and only time I was LOUDLY called a bitch? Once last year 11/ 2011. I had a pencil thrown at my head by the same girl during the same "incident". She apologized sincerely two days later and we got along famously after that. She was way beyond her years because of family crap. A survivor for sure.

The number of times that I KNOW that I was called a bitch under someone's breath? Probably 4.

The number of times I've had something of value ( money , phone etc) stolen from me NEVER!!! WOW!

The number of times I have a student say "this SUCKS" and walk out of the room? Probably about 6.

The number of times I have stood my ground under above or similar circumstances with a student and asked them " Do you REALLY want to do this? Do you REALLY want to go there ? " Probably about 8-10. Never a good situation.

The number of my former students murdered? One that I know of. She is one of the still unsolved appalachian trail murders. It hit me hard when I heard about it. She was a true gem.

The number of my former students charged with murder? One that I know of. .... just two weeks ago. He is 17 and will be charged as an adult..a part of this "knockout game" crap sweeping the country. Sad. He was a really great kid..in 7th grade.

I have had two former students that I know of die before they were 17.. one by suicide one from an allergic reaction to something.

The number of things that I have witnessed students doing or saying or written that struck me as amazingly thoughtful, filled with love and caring innocence? Countless times. Nearly on a daily basis. I miss those times and I miss being around emerging greatness and love.

I was cognizant the entire time that I was teaching that I had received a great gift by virtue of simply being a teacher of being a very small part of God's plan for the future.

Here is what I wish for you:

I encourage you to consciously think of the things that you do as you go about your daily routines and responsibilities as gifts of goodness that figuratively change into angels; that these angels of goodness are cumulative and will someday, when needed, make this world a better place.

Teachers themselves are angels IMO. Have a great rest of the week!

Mary

On a much more positive note.

Sleepy travelers after sledding, skiing, fishing & riding the 4 wheeler at G & G Dan's!

I don't want to lead anyone astray in thinking I have mostly been having negative thoughts and my days are dark. I have not and they are not. Not by a long shot.

My "time off" has first and foremost emptied my brain of nearly all stress related to having a full time job with perks. The perks being a full time job with a bonus of extra extra large additional work and responsibilities. Any of you who are consider as being a "1" FTE know exactly what the heck I am talking about. One full time equivalent in education has actually become a 1.5 with the only saving grace being the wonderful, like- minded adults who fill each of our lives with comfort and understanding and support.

Connor just turned 7. Grace will be 5 in April :)

Jess & Matt's new kitchen!

Dan still calls her "Baby Grace".

The deck is large and plenty of back yard!

Split level... the basement is roughed up already. Good deal!

I have to put all of that aside with the exception of a few transitional detours and my life has other priorities. Like uh, me doing whatever I want , whenever I want and however I want. And I'll talk about that in a bit more detail another time but here is a family update:

Jess and Matt bought a house in Becker and are steeped in wedding planning. Jessica is happily back to school at Anoka Ramsey working on her PT assistant degree. Matt is now part owner in Shulte Transmission. Their biggest worry is figuring out how to keep Matt's bird dog, Bugsy, with them at the new house without a fence. Now instead of Matt and Jess sleeping between two houses poor Bugsy is!

Danielle and Zach are going to be back in the states soon and then may well be heading to Turkey to base the rest of their travels by using cheap(er) train transportation throughout Europe. Lord only knows where they will land and put roots down but in their happy & carefree state that is on the back burner and I say "good for them!".

Jamie has been working for nearly a month now. She is the director of a medical clinic based in a retirement community called Emerald Heights not far from their home. It's a bit more responsibility than she originally was seeking and for a bit less money than what she earned at the Mayo clinic but she likes it and that is what matters. She doesn't "have to work" and speaking from personal experience that will take a significant amount of edge off of any work- related stress.