Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Same ole

I'm taking a few minutes for a break before my lunch duty starts today. The first day was pretty uneventful yesterday or at least we all survived. Hope everyone else can say the same. Our staff is starting out pretty with pretty good attitudes, except for those with over 30 students and only 25 desks in their classrooms. Educated people can be so sarcastic, have you noticed? Give them a chance and they pull out the BIG words. Apparently the teachers' idea of a counselor is someone who: a) can fix anything, b) arranges your schedule to suit her mood, and c) enjoys hearing adults whine. One did bring me a cute poster of a bird balancing on two poles with the message, "Be Flexible" . Quite appropriate.


Coming back was a good experience, I found I had missed the kids and the structure of my work day. Of course, sleeping late and reading real books was nice, too. I have discovered other blogs on line that I love checking into; mostly about decorating and raising kids and attempting a peaceful life. They use lots of photos of their homes and decorating finds, talk about their husbands and kids and even offer up recipes. I get all inspired to make-over my world. I have an old book shelf I'm sanding and painting right now to hold all my vintage flower pots. Most are McCoy or American and are figures of animals from the 40s and 50s. My grandad bought my mom and all her sibs cookie jars in 1955 that are the Yarn Doll pattern, I have Mom's and love it. Our family has few inherited items so this is precious to me. I have only seen one example of these jars in antique stores and a few on Ebay. They were only $3 or $4 when he bought them but they meant the world to those 13 kids and to us grandchildren who now own them. One blogger from Australia is really good, so funny and creative. I am lucky to have the time to fritter away on the computer at night. I know most of you are too busy with your families to do this. Happily Steve is pretty low maintenance after all these years. Feed him and place him in front of a TV with the remote, works for hours.

I must face the crowd in the cafeteria now...wish me luck.


7 comments:

Kirstie said...

Day one with students was a success. We had a "school supply drop off" time yesterday. Not all teachers were happy about giving up some of their work day but today I received many comments on how much easier the morning was.
It was a totally different feeling walking into the building today with a year "under my belt". Still had the back to school jitters last night though.

Pat is doing great. He loves school so much. He is coaching 7th grade football this year. That means games start at 5:30 instead of 7:30 and I am thankful for that.
I am helping my sister with a yard sale this weekend and also trying to get a few things out of my own house.
Hope everyone is going well. I know I am going to sleep well tonight.

anna said...

It has been a crazy first week and I am glad it is going to be Friday already! It hasn't necessarily been bad...in fact I am quite excited about this year and think it will be a great year, however it was CRAZY!!! Today my morning started off with parents in my office telling me they just found out their 8th grade daughter was having sex with her 16 year old step brother and what should they do about it...I'm not gonna lie, it wasn't exactly a comfortable meeting! I agree with Kirstie in that it is amazing how much things are different this year since it is no longer my first year. I however did not have any back to school jitters....that could be since I had already been back to work two weeks prior, but oh well. I think I have already had my share of crazy parent meetings and phone calls. Seriously I have met with all the parents that gave me trouble last year already....maybe its good I'm getting it out the way already. Maybe they will leave me alone the rest of the year...yeah right! Oh well, I still think it will be a good year since I know how to handle such situations now.

On another note, I have moved to Lafayette and I love it! I don't know why I didn't move here earlier. I feel like I actually have a life now. Also, my nonromance as Hedy put it is most definitely a real romance now :) Things are wonderful with the new boy! However it has been interesting since we work in the same building because he's all freaked out that everyone will know (even though everyone already does) so he tries very carefully not to make too much contact. It's fairly entertaining since everyone in the office already knows. Anyway...no complaints here about anything right now...I hope this continues throughout the year!

Milk House door said...

I received this obituary for Elena Veach today from my principal. Alan is principal at Bloomington's New Tech High and had been to Rochester to visit last year. Someone in the New Tech network sent this to us last night.

I can hardly function after reading and thinking about it. i'm in such shock. I can't imagine how Alan is feeling right now, especially with two little ones. How absolutely devistating. Hug everyone tonight ladies. I love you all.

Elena T. Veach, 27, of Bloomington, formerly of Vigo County, passed
away Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at the University of Chicago Hospital,
from complications arising from pulmonary hypertension after giving
emergency birth to a baby boy.

She was the loving wife of Alan Veach, and proud and happy mother of
Hallie Veach, and her new son.

Elena was born Jan. 8, 1981, to Rebecca and Elton Graves. She was a
vibrant and happy young lady who graduated in 1999 from Terre Haute
North Vigo High School, where she was an honor student and starred in
girls soccer and tennis. In 2003 she graduated from Butler University,
as an outstanding English major from the College of Education. She was
an English teacher at Bloomington High School South, where she also was
advisor to the Student Council, and had been coach of the Junior Varsity
girls soccer team.
Elena is survived by her husband, Alan Veach, her daughter Hallie, and
her new born son, all of Bloomington; her parents, Rebecca and Elton
Graves of Terre Haute; and her brothers, Evan T. Graves of Champaign,
Ill., and Eric T. Graves of Terre Haute.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in
Bloomington, with Jimmy Moore officiating. Visitation is 3 to 7 p.m.
Thursday at Allen Funeral Home, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation
of Monroe County Community Schools, 315 North Drive, Bloomington, IN
47401.

Hedy King said...

Girls, I am planning on driving up for Thursday evening. I'd like to pay my respects to Alan. I, like the rest of you, am sick over this news. Elana was so full of life, it is impossible to imagine this. Alison is right, hug your family close tonight, we never know what tomorrow brings. Love you all.

Janelle said...

I don't even know what to say....I would like to drive down Thursday evening, but now sure what everyone's schedule is like. Anyone else from this area going to make it down? Life is too short....and Elena was such a special person. My heart breaks for Alan....and for their little ones.

Kirstie said...

I am at a loss for words. I was thinking of that first orientation day at ISU. She was "exhausted Elena" but wanted us to know that usually she ws "excited Elena". My heart is with her family. I cannot make it to Bloomington on Thursday. Hedy, please let Alan know that they are in my prayers.

Unknown said...

hey gaggle. i can't get elena out of my head. i do not know why, but her death is hitting me very hard. anybody make any sense of it? my heart breaks when i think of alan and the babies.....

i want you all to know what amazing women you are. and if i would never see you again, know how much you mean to me. life is short and so unpredictable.

i was driving tonight...saw a gaggle of geese flying north...there were eight of them....naturally, i thought of all of you....

i know i am not the most religious one of the group (by far!), but may God hold each of you and your families tightly in his hand and keep you safe from harm.

jill