Thursday, May 28, 2009

ANOTHER LOSS

we lost an 8th grader today...moped accident, three others involved not injured. Acting like 14 year olds and got hit by a dump truck. On the first day of summer break. Heart breaking for all of us. You talk and talk, but it's never going to happen to them, they are invincible. Only yesterday I warned them to be careful as they left school. I wonder if they even heard me.

This erases the stress of the long year, the tutoring and monitoring, the worry. We won't have another chance with him again, he is out of our hands now, in wiser, kinder hands...he will be cared for in a way we couldn't give him here. But he will be missed and grieved over.

I hope you all are out of school soon. I finish June 5. I'm really looking forward to some time away from work, time with Stephen King and the kiddos. Our principal said today in our last meeting, "I cannot lie, it's been BAD." Maybe it is bad all over, I don't know, but I do know this has been our most difficult year in a long time. Our staff is so dissatisfied with admin that a gray cloud hangs over us all. I met with my middle school teachers on Thursday and thought they were staging a mutiny. I had to remind them we were here for the kids and they pick up on our negative vibes. I think it trickles down from the top. Hopefully, a long break will help everyone recover his/her spirit.

Stephen King and I went to Portland over the weekend for our niece's wedding. It was so nice; nice hotel suite, wonderful weather, being with family from far away, walking the city, seeing the wild green mountains and rivers around Portland. Such a nice 4 days. And then we return to Houston and Continental's HELL HOLE; THREE PLANES, 6 HOURS AND SEVERAL MILES ON FOOT later we finally take off. The plane we flew in on lost a door! the first plane we boarded had mechanical issues, the second was coming in from Mexico City (swine flu) but suffered electronic problems shortly after we boarded, the third was blowing fuses and had no lights for the first 30 minutes we sat in it, but eventually took off with a load of praying passengers. We were scheduled to get home at 10:30, that became 3:00 AM. I had to be at work at 7:00. Looking like death on a cracker, I was on time. I love road trips...when you use a road. And Courtney thinks I'll fly to OZ, wrong.

We have been eating from the garden this week! yummy. Lettuce, cauliflower, green onions, rhubarb. Everything looks wonderful, but poor yardner weeds daily.
Ladies, I cannot be chipper any longer, gotta go cry awhile and pray for the family that lost their golden boy. Talk later, Love you all.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY, LADIES

I so wanted to write this is a girlie pink, but it just would not show, so we have this instead.
I hope you all enjoy tomorrow as your special day; Anna and Kirstie, too. I am not too much for "days" except birthdays. Everyone should have one special day just for herself once a year. I was much better at celebrating my friends' birthdays in my other life. I made cakes, planned surprise parties, lots of cool things. Now I just attempt to remember the day. Usually I don't even send a card anymore. Where do those 24 hours in a day go??? They used to be plenty, now they don't last as long.
Twelve more days to turn our students from uneducated, feral creatures into refined, educated boys and girls. I don't think we'll make it. They have too great an advantage on us...we are outnumbered and they don't have any desire to learn. Last week the whole sixth grade tried to turn in their textbooks. The seventh graders just lost theirs. Fifty percent of the 8th grade will never be mature enough for high school and the rest of them think they're already adults. It's been a baaaaaad year. I laugh somedays and look around for the hidden camera; we have to be on a TV special. Speaking of cameras; I spend an hour after school watching ours for the theft of the day. My next career will be CSI. Is it the same for you? Please, lie and tell me it is.
We are getting our yard and gardens looking decent this week. Stephen King has mowed twice and we bought new hydrangeas for the front porch beds. I've wanted the Endless Summer variety since Kirstie and Pat's wedding. Had to buy them for my Mothers Day gift today. At least I get what I want this way. Of course he will plant them for me, he is useful for the heavy work. My Mom, sister and I shopped at a new greenhouse last week, the best flowers I've ever seen. The woman is a wonder with bedding plants. Everything was so healthy and full and the pots she had filled where beautiful, so creative. We wanted one of each, but held each other back and just got a car full! Deb's been back twice for more. I love springtime flower shopping; every plant offers such promise. I'd have lots more, but Stephen King hates mowing around pots and beds and lawn furniture. Have to keep the yardner happy.
Anna, let us know about the interview. I'll keep you in my prayers for a happy resolution. I was so glad to hear you were called back for a second one, that sounds promising. Maybe you won't have to trick Brett into supporting you, after all, Sweetie. Although you might want to rethink this career choice we've all made while you have an out. It is a tough way to earn a living. Maybe you can find an interior decorating job instead. Or landscaping. Maybe Kirstie's goodlooking dad could use an extra hand? Oh, yeah, Jill wants that job, I forgot.
I had a nice chat with Mellissa on Facebook earlier. I wish we lived closer, she is so fun. She was the first person I spoke to at ISU during those interviews, such a nice lady, she took pity and befriended me. Next get together, we must remember to ask her. I've just discovered the chat button on FB and like it so much more than the commenting thingy. Mell was so impressed with my techno savvy, don't ya know. I had to admit someone else taught me how to use it. Courtney, actually and I had to email her before I could respond. DUMB. Did any of you watch that YouTube video of Staci's? I couldn't pick her out of the dancers, but it looked like fun, she is a crackerjack.
Our vice-principal and I are working on a proposal for an alternative school, any suggestions? Do your schools have one? How does yours work, if so? We want a true educational environment, not just a holding tank for JDs. We had those. Too many of our kids are not being educated and are creating such chaos that the others are suffering, too. I think most of them could be successful if the situation were right, but $$$$ seems to stop with those kids. I'm excited about a workshop we are attending on Wednesday; the principal at one of Bloomington's alternative schools is presenting along with some online curriculum people. Let me know if you have any terrific ideas, please.
The kids and I have our summer house rented and the boys are counting down the days. Gavin has an Alabama Countdown Calendar on the fridge and he crosses off each day. We have to wait til Mackenzie gets out of drivers' ed on June 19th before we can leave. I know it will be more difficult to schedule each year as they get older and busier. Of course, they may decide to take off without Grandma one of these days, too. Our week together is a bright spot for all of us, I hope. I know the 2 Mommies love it. Nina and Shawn danced around the table when we picked the house this year. They, too are ready for a break.
I best get back to the kitchen, I'm fixing desserts for our cookout tomorrow. Our rhubarb has been so good this spring, I'm baking a big pan of rhubarb crisp and some orange/coconut cupcakes. I hope the weather stays pretty so we can be outdoors. I have to scrub my front porch and wipe down the furniture out there before they get here, too. I'll do that while the big guy digs the holes for the new plants. He likes company while he works ;0).
Everyone take care this week. Talk to me. Love, Hedy