Miscellaneous Missives

Ikea has decided to start charging five cents for every bag at checkout. The hope is that people won't want to spend the money, so they won't get the bag. It's Ikea's way of being environmentally conscience. They will also take five cents off if the customer brings a bag from home. This idea was tried in Great Britain and worked!

I have the unique ability to say what I'm thinking even when I shouldn't say anything. This morning was no different. As J was throwing mini candy bars in the air, I blurted out, "Now all of you have gotten on my last nerve." Of course I modified it by saying all but L. This caused the final team member to go on the defensive. Since she was shocked, I gave a list of my annoyances. Yes, I know; I shouldn't have said anything. If you can't say anything nice... My list caused my fellow staff member to suggest that she changes places with another teacher. Of course I could've said that I didn't want that to happen, but this was the time I chose to keep my mouth shut and continued with school business. Besides, inside I was thinking, "Don't get my hopes up!" Earlier in the day, my principal also got my hopes up. I was asking about the chances of conferences being canceled tomorrow evening because of the impending snow storm. He hin...

Tonight was student led conferences. I love student led conferences because I want the students to be accountable in front of the parents. Most of the students I saw at conferences tonight were there because they were doing well. The students that should have stopped by my room basically didn't show. At one point I had a room full of parents belonging to three 'A' students. Among this group was a student who was writing down missing assignments from the grades posted on the door. The grades are posted by ID number from highest to lowest. As his finger followed one of the bottom three lines, I explained the way the grades were posted pointing out that he was at the very bottom. When the student came back to where his mom and I were sitting, I asked him when the last time he had paper and a pencil in my class. The mom barely responded when he said it had been a month. Need I say more? I will work with those students who are failing and care, but I will not spend ex...

The preview to the news today said there were over 1,000 towed. It looks to me like they could've towed a couple more!! I turned into my parking lot then backed up to take this picture... hee hee... funny stuff. From the looks of it, they had been there for some time. My gratitude list for today: 1) late Valentine (address mishap) from H & her piggy 2) supportive principal and a short staff meeting 3) a friend with a great idea about take-out

My devotional for last night said, "Go outside, whatever the weather. Bundle up if it's cold... Look around you and take specific note of five things of beauty created by God for you to enjoy..." Since I read my Bible and devotions before bed, I didn't jump out of bed to go outside and witness God's beauty. This morning on my walk I remembered the words and started taking a closer look (listen and touch) of my surroundings. "Five Things of Beauty Created by God" 1) evergreens still green against the white backround with intermittent patches of white snow 2) blanket of clean white snow covering the lake and sidewalks 3) the crunch of the snow mixture under my feet 4) bare branches of trees wearing a coating of snow 5) snow pinging against my face then melting snow clinging to my hair and clothing My gratitude list for today: 1) the beauty of the snow 2) fellowship with a small group in church 3) bounding through the snow to get to the lake

Even though I wasn't tired this morning, I had a difficult time getting out of my comfy covers. When I did my apartment seemed cold as it always does leaving my warm bed. After my walk and trip to the grocery store, my apartment still seemed quite cold. Getting into the shower was freezing. Stepping out of the shower was frost bite. I decided to grab the air conditioner remote, not because I needed to use it, because a thermometer is part of the remote. It read 64º. This is not OK. Getting assistance was more complicated than I had imagined. At first it looked easy; the building manager was entering his apartment as I went to get my mail contemplating whom to call. He came over and turned the zone valve to manual. Easy? Of course not! We spent the next 45 minutes conversing about everything from the apartment to sports. Plus I still need to call to get maintenance to fix the problem next week. My apartment is now at 67º. This is not OK, but it is better. My gratit...

A winter storm is coming. All week the weather forecasters have been warning of snow, ice, rain, or a mix of all three. This weekend we will supposedly get six to ten inches of snow. Obviously more people believe this than me since the lines at the grocery store this afternoon were crazy. I went to the grocery store next to the bank for one item. The lines were long especially the express line. Taking a chance I stood in one of the smaller lines holding my single item. Typically I don't like to talk to people in line at the grocery store, but the lady behind me was nice enough to let me go in front of her. Assuring her I had my cash ready, I made some comment about the long lines. "People are getting groceries before the storm," she started. "I hope we get snow instead of ice," I followed. Conversation started. She retired in January and was going to bake oatmeal raison cookies for a family from church. Her hope was for the light fluffy snow. We talk...

For many years I have been part of various teams taking seventh graders to a "Courage Retreat." This year was no different except I was concerned about how today would go with the current group of students. The retreat went well. Most students were engaged and seemed pleased to be a part of this retreat. At the end students participate in "Pebble in the Pond." Students sit in a large circle. Placed in the center is a large glass bowl of water and small pebbles. Individual students take turns coming to the bowl, stating his/her act of courage, and placing a pebble in the bowl representing a stone in water (the ripple effect) symbolizing how one act of courage can make a difference in the school. As usual, students stated their act of courage such as: I will not gossip; I will do the right thing; I will help other people, etc. As students left the large room which held the retreat and moved to the bus, I stood watching and listening. A group of four girls (M...

Today is Ash Wednesday the beginning of Lent. This Lenten season I am not going to relinquish anything although I had thought of soda. My Lenten plan is to enhance. I will enhance my church giving, and I will enhance my days with my list of gratitudes. Personally Lent will start tonight with the Ash Wednesday service. When I was younger, I was always jealous of the Catholics who could walk around all day with the smudge of ash on the forehead. Last year was the first year I had the smudge of ash. It reminds me of the importance of my Christian beliefs. Tonight as the pastor places ash on my forehead I will be reminded that I was born from dust and to dust I will return. As I am posting, it is cloudy and grey with a sliver of sun shining through. With perfect imagary, the Lenten season has begun. My gratitude list for today: 1) the imagery outside (clouds with a sliver of sun) 2) leftovers 3) T from the gym who always is bright and cheery at 5:45 am

I've known about love languages for some time. Although I wasn't quite sure about my main language, I guessed it was physical touch. Today a friend sent a quiz for love languages, and of course, instead of doing what I needed, I took it. The results aren't shocking. I need it all!!! My Profile Results Score Love Language 7 Words of Affirmation 7 Quality Time 5 Receiving of Gifts 2 Acts of Service 9 Physical Touch How to interpret your Profile Score: Your highest score indicates your primary love language. Your second highest score indicates your secondary love language. If two scores are identical, you are bilingual (you have two primary love languages). If the scores of your primary and your secondary language are close (for example, 10 & 9 respectfully), it indicates both are important to you. Whatever a significant other does to express love in either of these languages will get emotional points with you. The highest possible score f...

Treehugger.com has an article about the environmentally friendly haircut of Britney Spears. I just hope she donated her hair to Locks of Love . Actually, I feel sorry for her because she's obviously "going through something." It's shocking that they would give her new tattoos when she was "distraught and disturbed." Actually it's disturbing that I know this. I know it's early, but here's my gratitude list for today: 1) conversation with my dear friend, L, whom I don't talk to enough 2) J who ALWAYS helps me out 3) having the opportunity to spend time with K who is in town for the weekend

Yesterday I went with a friend to visit a sweet three year old. She had a "gratitude rock." Today as I sat through my progressive church service and listened to a woman speak of the history of women's place in the church, I realized perhaps I need a gratitude rock. I take many things for granted such as how women throughout history have worked to give me the rights I have today. It is easy for my to get frustrated reading/listening to the news. It seems ignorance abounds. Maybe it is better to focus on gratitude. I am thankful for the results (most) of the last election and the stance the country took with their vote. I am thankful that it most cases knowledge still defeats ignorance. I am thankful for the power of people and the power of words. I am thankful that I can make small changes. A few years back I kept a gratitude journal. The students in my prime time are writing down three things gratitudes per day. For Lent instead of giving something up, I am go...

This afternoon my friend S and I went shopping. First we tried MOA which was Christmas season crazy. We next drove to The Hub, but I really didn't know where we were going. I'm directionally challenged. I was commenting on how someone had no clue while she told me to go north. As I proceeded to go South, she said, "North." The realization was quick; I was the one with no clue.

I need to admit that I am utterly pathetic. Even though the Grey's on television was not last night's episode and was two previous episodes, I watched it. I not only watched it, I also watched the download of last night's episode at the same time. While I watched and listened to the download, I watched television with the captions across the bottom. Now that's pathetic!

Last night my father and I were going to go out to eat after his meeting at 8:00. Since this is the same time as Grey's Anatomy , I decided to tape the show. After arguing about how to set up his VCR and trying my way first, I followed Dad's instructions to tape the show. Thursday is the only night I always watch TV. First I watch The Office ; then I watch Grey's Anatomy . Last night I followed my Thursday schedule. Because I switched over to NBC, I recorded NBC instead of ABC, no Grey's. Tonight I was excited to see Grey's Anatomy was on at 7pm even though my TV schedule said it wasn't going to be on. Soon I started watching only to realize it was a past episode. Miranda is having her baby. This is not what I wanted to see. I wanted to see what was going to happen to Meredith.

the flu again, someone is going to pay!

While standing in line to go downstairs at the church this afternoon, my father and I mingled with the people in line. The gentleman in front of me heard us talking to the people behind us. "I came from Minneapolis today," he started the conversation and explained he was a truck driver. He continued with, "You teach school?" I answered questions about what grade and subject. "Do you teach English to Americans or Spanish?" the man asked. "Whether they speack English or Spanish, they're still Americans," I replied, but I'm not sure that he caught it. Needless to say, it was the end of our brief conversation.

It seemed when I was younger I attended more funerals than I do now. When I went to my grandfather's funeral, looking at the open casket was so upsetting, I had to walk home. Today I felt the same sick feeling as I glanced briefly at the body. Open caskets literally make me sick to my stomach. In my opinion, the body never looks like the person. I struggle every time then regret I looked. As I probably mentioned before, I prayed for God to take Anna home, but now it seems strange that she won't be around to visit. Today I learned I was correct in the assumption that my card made it to her before her passing. When I realized I would need to take personal days to attend the funeral, I debated attending. Deep in my heart I knew it would be something I would always regret if I didn't go. Today I'm glad I took the time to come home and say goodbye. Yesterday I contemplated returning tonight after the funeral. At 5:45 I know I wouldn't feel comfortable making ...

This evening I was working on an idea for a research project which would be authentic for the students. After talking to a dear friend and colleague, I decided to come up with a list of questions to give kids an idea. I want them to research something they want to know. Since I am having a difficult time sleeping, not a good plan with hours of driving ahead of me tomorrow, I started a list. *Why is it difficult to sleep when someone needs it the most? *What makes hunting good for the environment? *What are renewable fuels? *Does the United States have a national language? *What are the major causes of childhood obesity? *What are sweatshops? *When are immigrants called illegal aliens? *How did Pythagoras get his theory? *Why do we dream? *What is the healthiest way to grow plants? *What is the significance of the Jim Crow laws? *What is the best way to catch a walleye? *How did "Stomp" become a dance form? *How does the Red Cross help in time of disaster? *What causes a h...

Typically I'm not a fan of Valentines' Day. This year was a bit different. Although I still don't have a man to share this day of love, I was humored by the students. Student's carrying little valentines and pieces of chocolate full of smiles and giddiness brighten up the day. In years past I remember it being a hassle... "Put the stuffed animal away. Don't eat candy in class. Please place the flowers on the floor." This year our rough group actually handled the sugar hype and gifts of love well. I especially liked the boy who rarely shows emotion smiling at his little bear, tossing it up in the air, and gently placing it on the floor next to his desk.

Today four former students stopped in to visit while they were at school speaking to the current eighth graders about the realitites of high school. Two of the four were boys who seemed to spend quite a bit of time in my classroom last year instead of sitting in their eighth grade classes. One of the four was one of my favorites from last year. She remains sweet and conscientious. After she apologized for her brother's absurd behavior, she asked for help with her current text for English. Great Expectations is the current ninth grade English text. Although I understand the importance of teaching the classics, I would tend to question Great Expectations . Maybe it's because I've been away from high school for many years, or maybe it's just because I found Great Expectations to be a total bore! With all of the incredible literature, I'm sure they could find something more exciting in the canon. She was concerned about understanding the setting. From what I ...

Last night I found out that Anna passed away. Anna has always been a wonderful grandmother to me. It's amazing how many times I've prayed to God to take Anna to heaven. She has outlived her husband and all of her children with the exception of one. Even though I know Anna is in a better (much better) place, it was still difficult to hear and comprehend the news. A year or two ago she was placed in a nursing home. She missed her home immensely and had a few afternoon trips to check on her lawn. Soon she was no longer able to take those trips home. I would cut daffodils from her garden and bring them to her. She was always so pleased and proud of her flowers. Each time I visited she would ask about her house and lawn. At the beginning of her stay she was able to have her sewing machine which enabled her to work on quilts and various projects for her many grand and great grand children. I am blessed to have some of her projects. The nursing home had rules with her sewi...

I have severe food allergies. Although some people have refuted this statement, if I eat some foods, it is possible for my head to fall off. This may seem absurd, but I know it to be true. Most of the foods I am allergic to are vegetables. These include yet are not limited to: broccoli, brussel sprouts, beets, cauliflower, carrots, and celery. For lunch I decided to have the remaining chicken noodle soup. Because of my horrible allergies, I had to prepare the soup first by removing the carrots and celery. Once again, it's not easy to be me:)

In the last 48 hours I've had 28 hours of sleep not to mention occasional naps. This morning I finally feel among the living again. It's taken sleep, multiple servings of chicken noodle soup, glasses upon glasses of green tea, some Sierra Mist and similar soda with no color and no caffeine, and perhaps the miracle drug Mucinex. I decided to try the drug that gets rid of those little green mucous people who set up home in your throat with their pictures and furniture. Because I have no faith in anything for sinuses that can't be bought behind the pharmacy counter, I skipped on the shelf Mucinex and went straight to the counter. All of the little green mucous people aren't gone, but I think I've gotten rid of many family members. Maybe I'll have enough energy to actually work out sometime this next week.

Is Barack Obama the answer? I don't know, but I love to hear him speak. Twice today I listened to his speech on C-Span. The first time I listened to people call in after his speech. One caller asked if America was ready for the ramifications of having a Muslim president. The commentator mentioned that Obama was a Christiam, member of the United Church of Christ. Obama himself mentioned his Christian faith in his speech. Who lets these idiots through? This along with the last presidential election show proof that not all Americans are smart. My only hope is that America is smart enough to elect someone who will indeed make a difference for all Americans. At this point I would be happy to see either our first woman president or our first black (mixed) president. It's a long wait until 2008. During this next 633 days I look forward to watching both of these senators try to start making a difference for the majority of Americans...NOT the rich and religious right wing.

Although I've been extremely sick this week, I have watched some television. Last night I set my alarm to watch Grey's Anatomy . Sunday night I watched halftime of the Super Bowl. While I was watching, I wondered about all of the rain and electrical equipment. Was it safe? Why didn't anyone get electrocuted? Today while taking time to look at my Bloglines, I found the answer ...wireless.

Today I am a lake with waves of chills crashing against my shores. Even my cat is wary.

Today I am a cat chasing the sun from bed to couch and back again.

I hate being absent from work because it is more difficult to be gone. Everyone has a substitute story. Substitutes go through hell in most cases and especially with this year's students. Even though I still feel crappy, I went back to work today. I opened my door to see colored pencils broke in pieces all over my floor. The colored pencils were my colored pencils. Since I had been gone, I had several people I needed to see. When I returned to my classroom, two of my prime time (advisor) students were picking up the colored pencils and other garbage from my floor. They were doing it on their own will without my asking. This random act of kindness made my day!!

Thanks to a wonderful friend and the school secretary, I stayed home today. It was definately a good decision. In fact I am debating calling in for tomorrow. I have the flu. Nothing goes well when I'm sick. For example, when the secretary called and told me to turn around and go home this morning, I became even more queasy a few seconds later due to car exhaust. How do pregnant women survive morning sickness? Last night I bought Sierra Mist as my friend suggested, but I skipped the crackers because I didn't have enough change. This morning I managed to drink a cup of green tea. Around two o'clock this afternoon, I decided to try Pop Tarts since I had a package in the cupboard. They burnt in my toaster. Around five o'clock I decided to try solid food. When I was in elementary school, my friend and her mom made mac and cheese from scratch. I remember Heidi cutting Velveta into cubes and mixing it with the macaroni. Since I had a little Velveta in the fridge, ...

During the church service I attend, we are asked during the offertory to give donations for the church to the heart shaped dish. Donations for infant formula or a similar hunger donation are typically given to the bowl. Today the bowl was appropriately named the "Super Bowl." As the pastor talked about the offering she mentioned that over five billion dollars is spent on Super Bowl food. This seemed crazy, so I searched it on the internet. " ...Big Game Spike " About $5.3 billion will be spent in restaurants and bars, on wagering, on hosting parties, or buying snack foods, drinks and pizza, according to BIGresearch, which conducted a survey on Super Bowl spending for the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, a division of the National Retail Federation (NRF). This afternoon instead of watching the Super Bowl, I helped at the church's community meal. When I arrived, I had flu like symptoms, so I was asked to help in the "give away" room i...

During this past year my mother has mentioned to my brother that I have a personality disorder. It was hurtful especially when it seems that she is the one with personality problems. Today, however, I realized that perhaps I do have a disorder. How else could I explain my actions today? First, I filled up my car today when gas costs more than it has in two weeks, and the weather is as frigid as it has been in years. Next, I decided to go purchase the book, The Tenth Circle , I've been listening to on tape since it was too cold to walk around the lake. What made my think it wasn't too cold to be walking around Uptown? Afterall once I was out in the cold, it seemed silly not to stop at other locations. As I was walking home wondering if my face had turned to ice and was going to crash on the sidewalk, I witnessed someone jogging on the Greenway. I guess there is always someone crazier than me. Besides, I have been anticipating the end of the book for over a week, so I ca...

Don't read if you don't want to view my stereotypical rantings. When I was in college, I took the appropriate coaching classes (most with a very handsome, very close friend). I took these classes to ensure that I would actually obtain a teaching job and to be around beautiful men. Actually I even helped direct a musical during my student teaching for the same reason (job not men). During my first five years of teaching I coached and even was editor of the yearbook to make sure I had a job. My primary concern was my classroom and teaching not the extracurricular activities. I made a decision when I moved to Minneapolis not to coach. Teaching was my career not coaching. Others teach, so they can coach. Recently the make up of my team has changed. Instead of having four teachers and one coach, we have three teachers and two coaches. Interesting enough the three teachers have their masters (one is actually a thesis away) while the two coaches have no desire for further ed...

Home visits are typically reserved for the elementary children and dying adults. This year our team is working with the Office of Equity and doing home visits. We chose twenty students who were failing in at least three classes. Responses from fellow educators were somewhat negative. One of our team members decided not to participate. Another teacher who is a friend of mine warned, "Be ready. You don't know what you will find." Honestly, she was correct. I didn't know what I woud find. Tonight I visited the homes of four students. At least three of these students talked to me today because they didn't want me to come. All three of these students were smiling and happy when we left. The parents were all receptive and thankful for our visit. ALL thanked us for coming to their home. It reminds me that as a society we are usually too quick to judge. If the parents don't show up for conferences, they must be a bad parent. If the student is failing, he...