I have been sick for a week now with a cold. I have felt absolutely awful this whole time--except for Wednesday--I honestly thought I was getting better Wednesday, but I was fooled. Since Monday I haven't been able to use my "teacher voice." I had a talk with the kids on Monday about my voice sounding funny and scratchy, and the rest of the week I had kids telling me that they thought they were getting a cold too because their voices were scratchy too--it was cute.
Normally I don't go to the doctor for a cold because I get colds all the time, I teach Kindergarten--it's going to happen. Thursday morning I was awake from 2-5 because I couldn't lay down and breathe without feeling like I was drowning on all the stuff in my lungs, so I decided it was probably time to go to the doctor for this one. Turns out I have bacterial infection in my respiratory system, probably from the cold (duh). I was given an antibiotic and sent on my way. I took a sick day half of yesterday and then today as well. Today is an inservice day at WM, so I at least didn't have to get things ready for a sub. I slept in until 11 today, and I am hoping the medication starts clearing out some of this stuff from my body soon. We are heading to Harlan this weekend for Ashton's 2nd birthday party, so I am hoping to feel better for that.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Quiet! There's a Canary in the Library
Today I had a moment of pure happiness. I was in the library with my class for their weekly check-out time when a student asked where the Corduroy books were. Mrs. Pelfrey, our librarian, was busy checking kids out, so I said I would look for the Corduroy books. I found the Corduroy book right where Mrs. Pelfrey said it would be, by the Don Freeman books. After I pulled out the book, I looked at the book beside it, and I saw the book Quiet! There's a Canary in the Library--I couldn't believe it!! I immediately pulled it off the shelf, and it looked just like I remembered it. When I was in about 1st grade, this book was my favorite book. I would check it out almost weekly from the New Park School library. I would bring it home, and my mom would say something like, "Quiet! There's a Canary in the Library, again?!?" I absolutely loved that book!! Until today, I had not seen that book in probably 20 years (I can't believe I'm old enough to say I haven't done something in 20 years). Like a child I got really excited and told Mrs. Pelfrey all about my find, and I had to check out the book.
This afternoon, I sat down with my class and told them all about why the book was special to me. We had a talk about how they have favorite books the like to hear over and over again, and Quiet! There's a Canary in the Library was my favorite. Then I read them the story, and it was just like I remembered it. I was so happy to read it to them! Later, I texted my mom a photo of the cover and asked her if she remembered that book, and of course she did. She asked if I told them about how much I loved that book when I was a kid, and I said of course I did.
I don't want to sound completely cheesy when I say this, but finding that book made me feel all happy inside. It just flooded me with memories of being a kid, and reading the book with my mom. There aren't very many things that can bring that kind of simple joy.
This afternoon, I sat down with my class and told them all about why the book was special to me. We had a talk about how they have favorite books the like to hear over and over again, and Quiet! There's a Canary in the Library was my favorite. Then I read them the story, and it was just like I remembered it. I was so happy to read it to them! Later, I texted my mom a photo of the cover and asked her if she remembered that book, and of course she did. She asked if I told them about how much I loved that book when I was a kid, and I said of course I did.
I don't want to sound completely cheesy when I say this, but finding that book made me feel all happy inside. It just flooded me with memories of being a kid, and reading the book with my mom. There aren't very many things that can bring that kind of simple joy.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Life Lately
It's been a while since I posted.... We've been busy, but we haven't really been doing anything. Let's see... what have we been up to...
I tried a few new recipes, chicken tortilla soup, a sweet and snappy chili, and shrimp Alfredo with mushroom, and they were all amazing.
I have fallen in love with avocados. I mash avocados with chopped tomato and red onion, then mix in a little salt, and I am in heaven--I could eat the whole bowl every time I make it if Mike didn't insist that I save some for him.
The number of mosquitoes has finally dropped so it is once again enjoyable to walk the trails through the wooded area near our house. Mike and I went on a walk last night--I absolutely LOVE this time of year, the leaves are changing, the temps are cooler, and did I mentioned the mosquitoes are finally starting to die down.
I have a great class this year. I absolutely love my job!! Anyone who knows me knows I love my job. I am amazed all the time at what the kids learn and say. When the year started I wondered to myself how the kids make it so far by the end of the year, but they do, and my kids are already on their way. The kids have already begun reading books and writing sentences, and both are things that they weren't able to do a month ago.
Now after explaining how much I love my job, I am going to say that today was not a good day, and you will have those. Since the first day we have been talking about good choices and bad choices. Today there were a lot of bad choices--way more than normal. At one point I felt like giving the kids my crazy eyes and yelling, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" But of course I didn't, I just stayed calm and firm and let them know that their choices were bad choices. Every teacher has these days, and today was mine.
I have conferences next week on Monday and Wednesday (I think.. maybe its Thursday--I better check on that). I really don't mind conferences--I like talking to parents, and they go really fast because they are one right after another... the only downside is not getting home until 8:30 and then having to go back 11 hours later and teach again--I just end up feeling exhausted by the end.
The political people came knocking a few weeks ago to see if we were going to vote. I told them that I probably wouldn't in this election, and somehow the man talked me into signing up for a mail ballot--it was probably the most annoying mistake I have ever made. The candidates call all the time--seriously, all the time. I get several calls a day from candidates. I never answer them, so they leave prerecorded voice mails. We keep getting mail saying who we should vote for. I understand that I am an American, and this is my job, but to be honest, I don't want to deal with all the "I say this,and I'm the best candidate because..." and the "They are bad because" campaining that gets thrown at me all the time. I will make a choice based on research, not annoying phone calls.
And the new TV seasons have started... I am watching Biggest Loser on Tuesday and 30 Rock and The Office on Thursdays. We only get one channel--NBC--so we are limited to what we watch. We talked about getting cable again, but really, I just want to spend as little money as possible. I want to save for a house, pay off my car, and focus on bigger goals. We have Netflix, and that keeps us entertained for $9 a month--I think that's pretty good.
So there you have it. A bunch of brief updates about our lives. :)
I tried a few new recipes, chicken tortilla soup, a sweet and snappy chili, and shrimp Alfredo with mushroom, and they were all amazing.
I have fallen in love with avocados. I mash avocados with chopped tomato and red onion, then mix in a little salt, and I am in heaven--I could eat the whole bowl every time I make it if Mike didn't insist that I save some for him.
The number of mosquitoes has finally dropped so it is once again enjoyable to walk the trails through the wooded area near our house. Mike and I went on a walk last night--I absolutely LOVE this time of year, the leaves are changing, the temps are cooler, and did I mentioned the mosquitoes are finally starting to die down.
I have a great class this year. I absolutely love my job!! Anyone who knows me knows I love my job. I am amazed all the time at what the kids learn and say. When the year started I wondered to myself how the kids make it so far by the end of the year, but they do, and my kids are already on their way. The kids have already begun reading books and writing sentences, and both are things that they weren't able to do a month ago.
Now after explaining how much I love my job, I am going to say that today was not a good day, and you will have those. Since the first day we have been talking about good choices and bad choices. Today there were a lot of bad choices--way more than normal. At one point I felt like giving the kids my crazy eyes and yelling, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" But of course I didn't, I just stayed calm and firm and let them know that their choices were bad choices. Every teacher has these days, and today was mine.
I have conferences next week on Monday and Wednesday (I think.. maybe its Thursday--I better check on that). I really don't mind conferences--I like talking to parents, and they go really fast because they are one right after another... the only downside is not getting home until 8:30 and then having to go back 11 hours later and teach again--I just end up feeling exhausted by the end.
The political people came knocking a few weeks ago to see if we were going to vote. I told them that I probably wouldn't in this election, and somehow the man talked me into signing up for a mail ballot--it was probably the most annoying mistake I have ever made. The candidates call all the time--seriously, all the time. I get several calls a day from candidates. I never answer them, so they leave prerecorded voice mails. We keep getting mail saying who we should vote for. I understand that I am an American, and this is my job, but to be honest, I don't want to deal with all the "I say this,and I'm the best candidate because..." and the "They are bad because" campaining that gets thrown at me all the time. I will make a choice based on research, not annoying phone calls.
And the new TV seasons have started... I am watching Biggest Loser on Tuesday and 30 Rock and The Office on Thursdays. We only get one channel--NBC--so we are limited to what we watch. We talked about getting cable again, but really, I just want to spend as little money as possible. I want to save for a house, pay off my car, and focus on bigger goals. We have Netflix, and that keeps us entertained for $9 a month--I think that's pretty good.
So there you have it. A bunch of brief updates about our lives. :)
Sunday, September 19, 2010
More Owls
I kinda went nuts on the Owl Quilt this weekend. Since yesterday, I have finished the applique--all 16 owls and 4 trees! My machine was a champ!
These are all my owls (and yes, I know the picture is sideways--it's the right direction on my camera, it's the right direction in the file on my computer, but for some reason when I upload it, its sideways. I've done it 4 times--still the same sideways picture. Its staying that way, I guess)
These are the trees for the center.
These are all my owls (and yes, I know the picture is sideways--it's the right direction on my camera, it's the right direction in the file on my computer, but for some reason when I upload it, its sideways. I've done it 4 times--still the same sideways picture. Its staying that way, I guess)
These are the trees for the center.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Owl Quilt
Last April, my friend Amy and I took an intro to quilting class at the Quilting Connection here in Ames, and I absolutely loved it! While we were taking the class, Amy asked the instructor if they offered any applique classes, and they did--and they happened to be making this adorable owl quilt called Hooterville.
So Amy and I signed up for the class and took it last May. But during the summer, even though I had all kinds of free time with summer vacation, I just didn't feel like quilting--something about making blankets in a 90 degree room doesn't seem right or comfortable to me. But now that the weather has changed to Fall-like, and I suddenly have a strong urge to begin quilting again. So here is the progress I have been making on the owl quilt.
These are all the completed owl blocks that I have so far.
Here is a close-up of one of the owls.
This is an uncompleted block that is ready to get applique-ed (if that's a real word) next to one that is done.
These are uncompleted and completed trees for the center of the quilt.
When I have it completely done, I will post the pictures. This one may take more time though--my sewing machine really doesn't like the zigzag stitch I am using to applique--it jams a lot, but I love love love this quilt, so I keep working on it.
So Amy and I signed up for the class and took it last May. But during the summer, even though I had all kinds of free time with summer vacation, I just didn't feel like quilting--something about making blankets in a 90 degree room doesn't seem right or comfortable to me. But now that the weather has changed to Fall-like, and I suddenly have a strong urge to begin quilting again. So here is the progress I have been making on the owl quilt.
These are all the completed owl blocks that I have so far.
Here is a close-up of one of the owls.
This is an uncompleted block that is ready to get applique-ed (if that's a real word) next to one that is done.
These are uncompleted and completed trees for the center of the quilt.
When I have it completely done, I will post the pictures. This one may take more time though--my sewing machine really doesn't like the zigzag stitch I am using to applique--it jams a lot, but I love love love this quilt, so I keep working on it.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Charles is so lazy...
Enjoying the open windows on the cat shelf.
He loves to lay on his back and sleep like a human.
He loves to lay on his back and sleep like a human.
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