My week in review...

I'm sitting at my desk now, thinking about all of the things I'll need to do this weekend...and trying to figure out the best way to go about it all and succeed! This week has seemed pretty hectic, but hasn't really been. Here are a few highlights (I guess you'd say) from my week:

• On Sunday, I was able to accomplish something quite simple, yet terribly hard for me. I tried (and succeeded) to be really nice to some people I really didn't want to be nice to. Sometimes it's really hard to do that, but it just seemed like the thing to do. What would I have accomplished had I had an attitude or was rude to them? That's right...nothing!
• I had a post-conference (follow-up after an evaluation) with one of my supervisors this week. She was very positive and told me I was right on track and, in fact, excelling in my position. Whew! She noticed lots of good things I hadn't thought about, so that was nice!
• I have been watching a lot of tv and movies recently. I'm learning about new things that I like and things I'd just prefer not to see.
• I finally finished reading Inkheart, so I watched the preview for the movie. Definitely not the same. When it says it's based on the story, it means LOOSELY based on the story. Only small parts are taken from the book, but most of it takes the story in a different direction. Kind of disappointing. No need to see the movie now. :)
  
• I'm ready to start the second book in the series by Cornelia Funke. I'm beginning to really like her as an author. We will be starting another one of her books in class next week, "Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost." My kids seemed pretty excited about it today.
  
• This week was Read Across America week. We celebrated by wearing different themed items each day of the week (with picture day stuck in there as well). The kids enjoyed it for the most part. Not as many participated as I had expected. I read several Dr. Seuss books to the class, we had a special guest on Wednesday, and went this morning to read to one of the first grade classes. They loved being able to spend time with the younger kids and read to them. They did an awesome job. I'm proud! We also wrote about our favorite books and drew pictures of the setting and characters to go with the writing. See the photo above for the wall display! :)
  
• I found out that the photographer I was looking at for the wedding didn't have my date available. Now we're moving on to talk with some other people and check out some new artists. We shall see.
  
• I've been thinking a lot about joinging the YMCA. I'd really like to go and workout some in the afternoons after school or in the morning before I come into work. I'm kind of struggling with the decision to join because of the fees because I'm not really sure if I'd use it like I should. Grrr. That's something to think about.

Well, I'm sure there's more going on, but that's all for now. I really need to get some work done before I head home so it all doesn't have to come home with me. I would definitely like to enjoy my weekend.

Happy Friday!

Three Day Weeks and Bridesmaid Dresses

This week started out as a four day week - we were off on Monday for President's Day. It was nice to have the day off. The previous week was a short week as well because we had Parent-Teacher Conferences, but this one was better because we actually had the day off. I can't lie...I do love having a day off!
Since we had the day off on Monday, I made an appointment with the girls to go and check out some dresses for the wedding. Some days I absolutely hate wedding planning, but other times I LOVE it! Monday was one of those days...the girls really made me feel a lot better about my ideas! Thanks guys!
Tuesday was back to school for a tough day of work. I started feeling bad Monday afternoon and just got to the point on Tuesday that it literally hurt to stand up. Thank goodness my 5th graders are understanding! They're awesome like that! I sat down more than I ever do when I teach, but they worked just as hard! I ended up having a sub today though because I was still hurting when I left yesterday. Thank goodness they called a sub because I was hurting today as well. Even though I don't really feel like going back tomorrow, it looks like I'll be going just for my kids...I can't stand it when they have a sub who should not even be in a classroom in the first place! I can't handle it for even one more day! Hopefully I'll be feeling at least a little better by morning and can make it ok through the next 2 days.
So, the dresses I have picked for the wedding are red. We've gone through many different colors so far for the wedding, but I think the girls pretty much confirmed the color when they put those dresses on in the Apple color! If you want to see the dress, you can go here. I also ordered the dress (the one on the right) for my precious little flower girl. She looks so sweet in the little dress. I am so excited that that much is done! I'm looking forward to the planning we have left to do - there's so much!!!
I've also been moving through three different phases in the past few months - "I want a baby." was first, "I want a puppy" obviously came second, and now I'm in "house" mode! I'm really not crazy! I promise. I have been ready to have a baby since 2006 and I love animals, but I am stuck in house mode because I'm thinking about what would be most reasonable with us still on the road to wedding day. I've been looking at houses like crazy and I really hope something comes from my looking this time. I guess we'll see.

Have a great week!

Cabin Fever

Today makes day 2 of being out of school. Yesterday was great! I woke up to a message saying we were out of school for the day. Of course, as the evening rolled around and I started thinking of all the things I would need to do at school the next day, I began hoping for another day. Careful what you wish for...we're out for a second day. It's now 7:37 pm and I've been thinking all day about how much I just need to get out of the house. Believe it or not, I actually hoped (past tense...I'm back to hoping for, at the very least, a delay) to go back to school tomorrow. I'm glad to get a break from the classroom, but I do miss my children when we're not in school.
I have honestly not used my time wisely during this surprise break. On Monday, I somehow deleted from my computer all of my lesson plans for Tuesday on. I have not rewritten them and I don't plan to. I know what it is I will be teaching and I know how I'll be teaching it. With only two days left in the week (if we go 2 full days), we will simply go with the flow. If this had happened last year, there is NO WAY I would have ever decided to "go with the flow," but this year my class is pretty cool with that. They can handle it, and thank goodness for that! They'll be bouncing off the walls after 2 days out anyway.
I could have also done a little bit of wedding planning the last two days. I did think about some things, but didn't really do any hardcore planning. We talked about cakes and flowers mostly. That was probably the most productive part of the last two days.
Speaking of the wedding...can you recommend a good florist? I know of a couple around town, but thought I'd check and see if anyone had any recommendations...someone they used who was fabulous! If you know of someone who is totally awesome (and is a florist, hehe), please let me know. :)

Happy Hump Day to ya!
Heather

My List

Edit: Can you see which ones are / are not bold? I can't on my computer...weird!

I got this idea from a blog I read. The bold phrases are the things that I have done. Enjoy, and don't forget to share your own.

Started your own blog
Slept under the stars
Played in a band.
Visited Hawaii
Watched a meteor shower
Given more than you can afford to charity
Been to Disneyland/world
Climbed a mountain
Held a praying mantis
Sang a solo
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris (TN :)
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Taught yourself an art from scratch
Adopted a child
Had food poisoning
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Grown your own vegetables
Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Slept on an overnight train (paris to nice)
Had a pillow fight
Hitch hiked
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Built a snow fort
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping
Been to a broadway show in NY
Run a Marathon
Been in three states at once
Ridden in a gondola in Venice
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset
Hit a home run
Been on a cruise
Seen Niagara Falls in person
Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
Seen an Amish community
Taught yourself a new language
Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
Gone rock climbing
Seen Michelangelo’s David
Sung karaoke
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt (not in person :)
Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
Visited Africa
Walked on a beach by moonlight
Been transported in an ambulance
Had your portrait painted
Gone deep sea fishing
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Been to Grace Kelley's grave in Monaco
Gone to a drive-in theater
Been in a movie
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Taken a martial arts class
Swam in the Mediterranean Sea
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen
Sold Girl Scout cookies
Gone whale watching
Gotten flowers for no reason
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
Bounced a check
Saved a favorite childhood toy
Visited the Lincoln Memorial
Eaten Caviar
Pieced a quilt
Stood in Times Square
Toured the Everglades
Been fired from a job
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Broken a bone (only toes)
Been on a speeding motorcycle
Seen the Grand Canyon in person
Published a book
Visited the Vatican
Bought a brand new car
Walked in Jerusalem
Had your picture in the newspaper
Read the entire Bible
Visited the White House
Killed and prepared my own meat
Had chickenpox
Saved someone’s life (DAILY ~ Ok, maybe I should unbold that one! hehe)
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous
Joined a book club
Lost a loved one
Had a baby
Seen the Alamo in person
Swam in the Great Salt Lake
Been involved in a law suit
Owned a cell phone
Been stung by a bee

Closing for COLD?!?!

"Closing for COLD?!?!" is probably the most common remark I've heard all weekend. It seems that because we, adults who were last in school (K-12) anywhere from 8-15 years ago, were never released from school for the cold we cannot believe that anyone would even have the notion to close the schools because of the cold. I mean seriously, when I was a kid, we played in the snow ALL DAY on days we were out of school! Why can't kids today go to school when it's COLD? So, here's the deal. There are two big issues that officials really (hopefully) thought about when determining whether or not to close for the cold (umm, seriously below freezing) weather. Here they are...(and mind you, these are really my reasons!:))
1. Waiting for the school bus for 1/2 an hour or more in freezing cold temps. (because your bus doesn't drive down your road) can lead to sick children. - I watched many kids leave Thursday afternoon without a coat. When I questioned them as to where their coat was, I was told they didn't have one. Some students' version of a coat resembled a jacket to go with a running suit...NOT something for standing out in 6 degree weather (the temperature at 8 am when I went out of the house ~ meaning it was cooler at 6:15/6:30 when the kids were getting on the bus). Imagine waiting for the school bus in frigid weather WITHOUT a coat, gloves, and a hat (which I'm sure most people had when they were kids!).
2. Classrooms without heat can lead to sick children.- I experienced two days of cool weather in my classroom this past week. We wore our coats, sweatshirts, or jackets for two days straight because the heating unit in my room wasn't working! It was hard for the kids to write because their hands were cold. Our noses were red because we were so cold. Where were we supposed to go? The hallway? No way...cannot crowd the hallway! Home? Heck no! Close for cold? I don't think so! hmmm...Every room is full all day long. There's nowhere to go.
I think both of those reasons really just boil down to one: Keeping our children from being sick in any way we know how. I am definitely not an official in any Tennessee district, but I can easily see what they might have thought about when deciding whether or not to close. So, I don't complain about the extra day off. I will be happy to return on Tuesday to a classroom full of children who were able to keep warm and well on Friday. I guess I just see it from a different point of view. Yes, I'm happy we got another day off from school - I'm sure most people would enjoy a nice break from work! But, I also see taking great care and concern for our students by trying to keep them out of bed and the doctors' offices as much as possible. I don't have kids of my own, but I sure do claim the 20 in my room as my own each day. I like to see them feeling well and keeping warm!

I'll step down off my soapbox now I guess. :) Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

It's been a while...

Well, the last time I posted was in 2008, so I'd say it's time for an update. Enjoy!

*Christmas was great! We enjoyed spending lots of time with my family. I'm sure things could have still been better if we'd had the chance to spend some time with Aaron's family. Things happen the way they do for a reason, though, I guess. We did get to see his sister and bil the day after Christmas before they made the trip back to Alabama. Looking forward to seeing them again!

*We are now within 9 months of the wedding day. I am so very excited! I found my wedding gown last week and BOUGHT IT! As it happens, it's the first dress I saw that I loved and it was the first and last one I tried on. I cannot wait to wear it. Other plans are coming together...we're working on finding a photographer now [Thanks so much to the awesome people who have sent me links and names over the last couple of days!], have decided on the location, and are planning to meet with the lady who will be making the cakes pretty soon. The bridesmaids are (hopefully) going to begin looking at dresses pretty soon and I'm ready to find a dress for my precious flower girl, Princess Grace! :) I am enjoying planning the wedding! Maybe one day I'll teach and do some wedding planning on the side. [Key word: maybe.]

*School is in session once again. Over winter break, I slept way too much! It was really hard to get back into the swing of things once the kids returned to school. They have been slightly on the weird side since we've been back, so I think it's about time for "the teacher talk" to present itself. My students have done really well this year. I'm impressed that this is the first time I've really had to think about having a talk with them about attitudes, behavior, and other such things. They're totally awesome, and I'm confident that after we have a small discussion on the situation at hand, they will return to their normal "awesomeness!" Can't wait for that!

*I really want a dog. I know this isn't an update really, but I do. I see pics of other people's dogs and I just want to visit them and play with the dog. Wonder why I'm on a dog kick. Could be because our cat hates me! (She's currently laying beside the heater in as much of a relaxed position as I can imagine her in. She'd eat my hand if I touched her though. Sigh.

Back to the updates...

*I'm taking the semester off from Grad School (I had initially typed Grade School...not so sure my principal would enjoy my taking the semester off! hehe) so I can focus on the last half of the semester and do some major wedding planning without having to worry about classes. Aaron, on the other hand, started Spring semester classes Friday. He is taking classes at weird hours this semester, so I doubt we'll see each other very often [read: as often as I'd like]. He is getting several classes behind him this semester though, so that's great! I'm really excited about that. I am so very proud of his drive and determination toward achieving his goals! He's such an inspiration! Lucky me! I get to spend the rest of my life with him! YES!!!! :)

*I have been reading some great blogs lately! I, somehow, managed to stumble across the blogs of great women in our country! I won't post all of them that I read ~ you'd get really tired, I promise! I'll post links to a couple of my favorites:
Angie Smith over at Bring the Rain will make you laugh, cry, want to hug someone, and get up off your behind and do something for other people! I love reading her thoughts!! Then there's BigMama, also known as Melanie. I'm new to her blog, but she's quickly becoming one of my favorites! Visit her; you'll like her! I also follow several different adoption blogs. Adoption has been on my heart for a long time now, and it's a blessing to read the experiences of others around me! One of the adoption blogs I read is Brea at The Adventures of Breagirl. I actually grew up close to her husband's family, so they're a little more "close to home." From any of the blogs I have shared, you can find links to other amazing people out there! I love reading (and connecting) with people from around the country! It helps me to see what things are going on in other places and how other people struggle in the same ways as people right next door to me. Connect with someone today!

Christmas Already?

I really can't believe Christmas is next week! This entire year has simply flown by! WOW! I'm really excited, and can't wait for Friday (the 19th). The 19th marks the last half day of the semester in our county and the students / teachers will all go home for the holidays. We (teachers) go back the 5th of January, so we have a nice little break. I am extremely thankful for the 2 weeks off. We only have a day and a half to go!

As the year is coming to a close, I am beginning to really buckle down and plan more for the wedding. Up to this point, I have been so overwhelmed by the planning process that I've just kind of put it on the back burner. I know that I (we) have to get it done, but I haven't really wanted to do it. Isn't that awful?! Actually, I don't really see it being a big issue. Things will get done...we will plan - in our own time! I think the most overwhelming thing has been other people trying of offer their thoughts and advice. Ugh...just let us plan our wedding, please! (haha)

Believe it or not, I've actually spent a lot of time looking around online at different weddings to find things I like / dislike. That has really helped a lot because I'm finding that I really want something really simple. We've decided on colors, and now we're working on other things. I'm getting more excited (not that I'm not excited about marrying Aaron - I totally am! :) and ready to plan more and more. I guess it's about time I get ready to plan! :)

If I don't get the chance to talk to you personally, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas! I pray you are blessed this holiday season!

Heather