Ocotber 31, 2010

It's Halloween!!! It's been a pretty good day. We did not go to church. Michael wanted to work on painting the house again today. I did laundry and worked on uploading my pictures. The kids did their chores and played.

This afternoon Michael helped the kids carve their pumpkins. He even got out the drill. They thought that was really cool. He is really good at helping them with stuff like that.

During the pumpkin carving the kids started getting ready in their costumes, too. Caleb wanted make up for tonight and Michaela needed help with hers again. They both ended up looking really good. I got some really great pictures of both of them.

We took them to mom's first. I showed mom my wig and she's sure she'll be able to help with it. Then, we went to Michael's parents' house. While we were there the kids went across the street to Mrs. Mazanec's house. They both just love her. She's a wonderful teacher and woman. I talked to her some. On the way back to Michael's parents' house they stopped at the house next door to see if Michaela's friend was there. She wasn't but they got a special treat from them.

Then, we came home. Michael took the kids out trick or treating and I stayed home to work more on laundry and pictures. We had a few trick or treaters, but not a lot. I finally turned out the lights when the trick or treaters looked old enough to have their own apartment.

The kids got another small grocery bag full of candy. Holy cow we have TONS of candy now. There's not enough room in the candy bowl for it all. It's crazy.

October 30, 2010

It was another busy Saturday. I had to go to Wal-mart this morning because we needed three birthday presents today. We also needed some necessities. The kids went with me so we could stop at the produce stand to get two pumpkins. Michael said they should get them so he could help them carve them. He's such a good daddy.

Michael worked on the house most of the day. Caleb and I went to Chase's birthday party. It was at this place called Matteson Square Gardens. It's a sports complex. It has an indoor soccer/football field, a futsal field and an in-line hockey rink. The kids got the use of the football/soccer field and lots of balls and stuff. There were two big inflatables on the futsal field that they could play on, too.

When we got home from the party, I did a little bit of laundry. We had to go to my mom's tonight for October family birthdays. Mom had shrimp spaghetti, bacon spaghetti and lasagna for dinner tonight. The shrimp spaghetti was pretty good. Then, for desert she had a strawberry cake, blackberry cobbler and gingerbread with caramel sauce. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm gingerbread with caramel sauce... LOVE IT!!!!

October 29, 2010

I enjoyed today so much. I only had to work three hours because it was PT conferences day. The three hours we do on the Friday goes by so much faster than the four hours the night before. So, I got to leave work at 11:00.

I went to Wal-Mart to get a few things before I grabbed some lunch at Arby's and came home. Caleb went to Chase's house after school so I didn't have to go get him until around 2:00. I had about half an hour at home before Michaela got home from school. It is kind of cool that she gets off the bus and gets home by herself.

When I got Caleb home the kids got into their costumes. I did a great job on Michaela's make up if I do say so myself. We went down to Main Street for trick or treating down there. It was fun, but boy was it packed down there. There were so many people down there. I am glad I took them. We all enjoyed it.

We had to go straight from there to the YMCA (well, after stopping at the gas station to get something to drink). Caleb and I got to swim for about an hour before swim practice started. I spent a few minutes in the hot tub before showing and getting dressed. After that I sat and talked with Stacey and Jen. Michael had come while Caleb and I were in the pool, so he was there too.

Then, Michael and the kids and I went out to eat at Applebee's. It was really good. However, I am so tired I cannot keep my eyes open.

October 28, 2010

Tonight was PT conferences after school. It meant working a 12 hour day. I am so glad we only do this twice a year. These long days are so hard. I had a great turn out, though. The parents I'm working with are really great this year. I am enjoying all of them. I feel very blessed with the class I have and with their parents. However, I am glad this day is over.

October 27, 2010

I am so glad there was no where we had to be tonight. Michael went to do the grocery shopping. I had TONS of stuff to get done for PT conferences tomorrow. I needed to make sure I had at least some papers for my parents to look at and I did that. I feel as ready as I'm going to get, but I am really tired. I will be glad when PT conferences are over. I am so glad we're getting off work at 11 a.m. on Friday.

October 26, 2010

I am a lot less tense this Tuesday than I usually am on Tuesdays. We did not have any formal staff meeting today. We were given time to work on things for PT conferences. I managed to get some things done. I am completely caught up on my grades. They are to date as of RIGHT now! That's a first for me this early in a quarter. I'm so proud of myself. Now, if I can just keep it up, next marking period will be so much easier for me.

Michaela had swim practice tonight. I wore sweats and went up on the track again. I did 2+ miles. I did it the same way I did it last week, but I kept track of my laps this time. I am pretty proud of myself. It makes me tired, but it's a tired that feels a lot more healthy than not exercising.

October 25, 2010

It's Monday and it's going to be a long week. We have PT conferences at the end of the week. I still have so much I need to get done before then. I will be glad when we get to the weekend. It will be busy, but not as busy as some and at least PT conferences will be over. I'm glad we did not have girl scouts this week. I really needed the time at home to work on things.

October 24, 2010

It was wonderful to just be at home today. We did not go to church and I stayed in comfortable clothes all day. I did run a couple errands, but that is about it. I worked on laundry and got a few things ready for PT conferences. They are at the end of this week. It was such a relief to not have to be anywhere today.

October 23, 2010

Today was Caleb's last football game of the year. They lost again. I feel so badly for them. Caleb says he's had fun all season, so that's important. I'm glad he's still having fun.

The head coach's "wife" took the kids to another park close to their house to play for a while. We went down there after we came home for something to drink. We sat around and visited with them and had pizza for a couple hours. It was a nice time. I'm glad we went.

This evening we went costume shopping for the kids. Michaela is going to be Cleopatra and Caleb is going to be Dracula. Now, I have to do some research on how to do Cleopatra's make up. I hope I can find something that's not too difficult to do.

October 22, 2010

Yeah! It's Friday! I am really glad the week is over. Caleb has his last football game tomorrow, but that is the only place we have to be this weekend.

Tonight, we went to the Y early so Caleb and I could swim before Michaela's practice. It was fun. It was some great mommy/son time. We don't get a lot of time that's just for the two of us and this was perfect. I got to exercise some and we had a lot of fun with the ball. Caleb is just amazing to me. I am so glad God blessed me with him.

Michael came up to the Y while Caleb and I were still in the pool. He stayed around for Michaela's practice. After wards we went to Trailhead and had a late supper. We had nachos. YUM!!!! It's been a while since we ate there so it tasted really good.

October 21, 2010

Michaela had swim practice tonight. I changed into sweats before we went. I spent about half an hour on the track at the Y while Michaela was swimming. I had my iPod and turned it up loud. I did a fast aerobic type walk for the first song. I slowed down for the second song and then sped up again for the third and so on. I followed this pattern through 10 songs. Then, I stretched out for another song. It actually felt good to do this. I am really glad I did it.

I am going to try to do this at least once a week from now on. In a couple weeks I start water aerobics again, so if I do the track once a week, water aerobics once a week and Caleb and I swim once a week then I will be getting a lot more exercise then I am used to. Hopefully, that will help me lose at least a little weight.

October 20, 2010

Sometimes I stop and look at my life and seriously cannot believe I am where I am. I grew up dreaming of having my own family. It really was my biggest dream. I thought about it all the time while I was growing up. I worked hard to do the right thing most of the time because I did not want any of my actions to come back and bite me in the butt and keep me from having the life I wanted.

Now, here I am living that life. Michael and I are getting close to our 16th anniversary and I love him so much. I am in awe over the fact that he loves me. He is an amazing person and a super husband and father. How I got so lucky to find him so early in my life, I'll never know. God really did bless me in that area.

Michaela is 11 and Caleb is 8 so I've been a mom for well over 11 years now. My life is amazing.

October 19, 2010

It's Tuesday. I hate Tuesdays. I hate staff meetings. I'm glad this Tuesday is over.

Michaela's swim practice was tonight. There's a very obnoxious man who is there now. He irritated me tonight. It's a good thing I had my iPod with me.

October 18, 2010

This year is mid term elections. In Missouri we are voting on Proposition B which is calling itself the "puppy mill" bill. They have been showing horrible pictures of abused and neglected dogs in horrible living conditions on commercials supporting this proposition. They even have Tony Larussa on television supporting it, although what he has to do with it I don't know since he doesn't even LIVE in Missouri. I guess it's that "let's use a celebrity because people are persuaded by them" tactic. Not sure why people think celebrities are so much smarter than other people.

I'm really tired of these commercials. They have put TONS of money into this campaign. It's so ludicrous. If a person reads the proposition, REALLY reads it, they will see that the wording in the actual proposition DOES NOT limit itself to dogs/puppies. It is written vaguely which means it addresses ALL animals that are owned by humans. There is a reason for this. It leaves the door open for HSUS and other such entities to enact strict restrictions on law abiding animal owners.

The state of MO ALREADY HAS laws in place to address the problem of puppy mills. There is no need for extra legislation. Piling legislation on top of legislation does not create situations where those who do wrong are brought to justice more or faster, it just takes away the rights of the people who abide by the laws.

It really is disheartening how so many people in this country are so willing to hand over their rights that so many people died for so we could live in our own way. There is going to come a day when we no longer get to vote because we voted that right away, too.

October 17, 2010

It was a stay at home day! We did not even go to church today. I did go to Wal-mart and do some shopping, but that was something that I could do whenever I wanted. It was so nice to have a whole day where we did not have to be anywhere at any specific time.

I did a lot of laundry today. I also swept and mopped all the mopable floors in the house. Tonight I made pork chops for dinner. I have a roast beef in the crock pot for tomorrow night's dinner. And, I got caught up on uploading pictures to one of my picture web sties. At least from what I had on my hard drive. I have some pictures on one of my cards that I need to upload yet, but not tons.

The kids did their chores today, too. The rest of the day they just hung out and did kid things.

Michael worked out in the yard most of the day.

It was just a normal day at home and that is a great thing.

October 16, 2010

It was another busy Saturday. Stacey dropped Lauren off at our house this morning so we could take her to the football game with us. Caleb's game was in Chesterfield this week. I just really don't like it when we play them. They lost again. It's very sad to say, but I'll just be glad when this season is over. It's been painful to watch. But, Caleb still has been having fun. Just one more week of it.

We met Lauren's grandparents at McDonald's on 94 and Mid Rivers so we could give Lauren back to them. Then, we headed home.

When we got home Caleb got in the shower and I went up to my mom's. She is letting us have a basket to donate for Michaela's swim team fundraiser.

Then, it was time to take Caleb over to Chase's house. He is spending the night over there tonight. I stayed around and talked to Lisa as long as I could. I really enjoy talking to her, she is a lot of fun.

When I got home, it was time for Michaela and I to leave. We went to see "Night at the Wax Museum" at the community college. It was a really good play this year. Much better than last year. I really enjoyed it. Michaela did too. They did a great job with it this year.

Michael was on his own tonight. He went out to work to get pictures taken of the equipment they are putting on auction online. He's such a party animal.

October 15, 2010

I am really glad it's Friday. Michaela did not have swim practice tonight because there is a swim meet this weekend and the coaches are there. We probably should have gone in and swam anyway, but we took advantage of the fact that we did not have to go anywhere tonight.

We ordered a pizza from Stefanina's. That way I did not have to cook and we still got to stay home. We all just vegged out here at home for the evening. It was nice to not have to hurry off somewhere.

October 14, 2010

I did not go to work today. I took a personal day. This morning I went with Michaela to her school. They were having pastries with parents this morning. Last year I tried to do this with her before work and it just didn't work because I would have been late. I promised her last year I would do my best to be there for it this year. So, I was able to keep my promise on that. It was cool going in to school with her.

When I left her at school, I went to the grocery store. It took me less than an hour to get the grocery shopping done. It goes so much faster when I'm by myself. It was busy because it's Thursday, but it wasn't as bad as it will be tonight.

After I got home and put away the groceries, I paid some bills. I also got the bank statement reconciled. It felt good to get that done.

By then it was lunch time. I went to Taco Bell to get lunch. I came home with it and turned on Haven to watch it while I ate. I remember eating, but I don't remember lying down. I woke up an hour and a half later and had not even realized I'd fallen asleep. I really think I needed that nap. I'm just really emotionally and physically spent from work this year. I haven't felt this kind of stress since the second principal we had at this building.

This evening was Michaela's swim practice. Michael got home in time to take Caleb to football practice. I talked with the mom who is a first grade teacher, too a lot tonight. I really like her. It is her daughter's first year on the swim team, too.

I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow, either. But, at least it's Friday tomorrow.

October 13, 2010

My baby brother turned 34 today.

Michael had to stay at work late tonight. The kids and I just hung out around the house. I decided to not do the grocery shopping because I'm not going to work tomorrow so I can do it tomorrow.

October 12, 2010

The first miner in Chile has been rescued! The world has been waiting weeks to see this happen and I'm so glad I was watching the news when they brought the first miner to the surface. It is so great to see him come out safe and alive. His family was there to greet him. He's been trapped for 69 days. They say it will be about another 48 hours before they are all out. They are drinking a high calorie diet thing donated by NASA to keep them from throwing up on their journey up the evacuation tube.

October 11, 2010

Gosh my students were off today. One of them was so stubborn I had to call his mother twice today. His attitude was just horrible. Another one just refused to pay attention. When I finally turned her desk around so she could not play in it and asked her to pay attention to something she sat with her hands over her face. Another one decided to throw a temper tantrum like a two year old. All of this and I had one absent and two gone to the gifted program. I'm just really glad this school day is over.

I spent a little over an hour at Caleb's football practice tonight. It was nice to sit and watch for a while. I have not gotten to do that this year before now. I just wish this had been a better experience for Michael and Caleb this year. It really hurts that it hasn't been a great experience for them.

October 10, 2010

Today was the first time in three weeks that we went to church. One of Michaela's friends she met at swim team went with us. Michaela spent the night with her last night and she came home with Michaela so she could go to church with us. She went out to eat with us, too. She's a very nice girl and she seems to really like Michaela. Michaela adores her. I enjoyed having her with us.

This afternoon I worked on laundry and work stuff. Michael worked on taking down the pool. He actually destroyed the pool. It was getting ready to fall apart anyway. I don't think we would have gotten another summer out of it. The liner was disintegrating and the poles were rusting.

I made toasted ravioli for supper tonight. I also got stew made for tomorrow night's supper. I like it when I can do that. It's so nice to know that when I come home from work tomorrow I do not have to make supper.

October 9, 2010

Caleb's team lost again today. It's really sad. I feel so badly for those boys. I think they are really confused at this point.

Michaela is spending the night with her friend from the swim team. She was very excited about this. I hope she has fun. The girl and her mom both seem like very nice people.

Tonight, Michael, Caleb and I went to Red Robin for supper. Yum! Then, we went to Wal-mart. Michael got to exchange his boots for the ones he wanted. He looked at the hats but did not find one he liked.

Now, I'm lounging in my pj bottoms and a comfy shirt watching the Mizzou game and switching to the Blues game during commercials. Mizzou is beating Colorado U. 26 - 0 with only a couple minutes left to play. The Blues are tied 1 - 1 early in the 3rd.

October 8, 2010

The substitute that was in my classroom yesterday is useless. He let my students tear up my room and some library books. I'm not sure what he did to try and control them, but he obviously did not let them know he was in charge. I am just not happy with that person at all. He said my class was the worst class he's ever seen. He needs to see them when they are with me. They don't give that many problems to the art, music, and gym teachers, or any of the other teachers in the building. It is kind of sad that a grown man cannot control 19 first graders.

Michaela had swim practice tonight. She is having her period and had to learn to use tampons this week. It is distressing her, but she does not want to miss swim practice. She is still learning to deal with this and how to manage it as it is only her second one. I feel badly for her because it can be stressful, but it is something she has to get used to. Both her coaches were very kind to her and helped her through the night. I really like them both, they are great with the kids.

October 7, 2010

Today I had training all day for DIBELs. At first I thought maybe it was silly for me to be there because I already know how to administer DIBELs. But, I did learn some new things and found out I had been doing one of the measures not completely correct. I also found out I was not there to learn how to train the other teachers in my building but to be on a "swat team" that will be responsible for administering the measures to ALL our students. Oh joy.

Tonight Michaela had swim practice and Caleb had football practice. There's only about two weeks of football left now. Since Caleb's team has not won a game yet, they do not have a chance to be in the playoffs.

I talked to one of the other moms at swim practice tonight. She's a first grade teacher, too. I really enjoy talking with her. She's also got a little girl who is deaf that is so much fun to talk to. I got a little work done on my presentation for our staff meeting at the end of the month, but not much.

October 6, 2010

I found out today that Mr. Coleman was moved to the other building to teach 6th grade there. I also found out that that building is going to become a 6th grade center next school year. Everyone seems to think that Coleman will become the principal there. Interesting developments if nothing else.

Caleb went to Chase's house after school today so I had to pick him up from there. As usual, I passed up the street to turn on to go get Caleb there. I don't know what I do that, but I do it EVERY time. This time I caught it before I got too far, but still I had to turn around.

Michael had to go out to the old building for his work to take pictures of the equipment they are going to auction off tonight. So, the kids went with me to do the grocery shopping. That's all we had to do tonight. No practice for anyone.

October 5, 2010

Well, we were told today that we are not moving to the new school in January. It was like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I have been so stressed over having to pack up and leave and move in the middle of the school year, especially since they would not tell us who was going or what the selection process would be. It seems anyone who wants to go will have to apply for a position there. It may be that we all have to re-apply for our jobs. That would suck.

In any case, I have emailed Mr. Hudson asking for a letter of reference. I figure if I'm going to have to go through an application process anyway, I might as well try other places as well. I really don't think I'm going to apply for the new school, though. I just feel very stressed this year and feel like that stress would follow me if I went there.

October 4, 2010

I cried on my way to work today. I haven't cried going to work since Mr. Shields was principal. I just am not enjoying working with our new principal. She puts me on edge. I am not sure why. She has not said anything negative to me or done anything negative to me. I just am having a hard time trusting what she says.

On the other hand, I'm really enjoying my class this year. They are a great group of kids. I've had several pretty good years recently, but this group is even better. I got very lucky with them this year and I really hope they do not take them away from me in January. That would make me very sad.

Tonight was Michaela's girl scout meeting. They had it at Leftovers. We had to drop Caleb off at the park first because Michael was running behind. We also had to stop and get snacks for the meeting. They started working on their photography badge tonight. They will go back in two weeks to work on it again. Michaela used my camera.

While she was at her meeting I went to Wal-mart. I needed paper for work and was going to get some potting soil so my students can plant their beans tomorrow. But, Wal-mart did not have any potting soil out anymore. I guess I'll have to look somewhere else tomorrow.

October 3, 2010

Today was Michael's 43rd birthday. We got him Rams pj bottoms, Rams long sleeve t-shirt, Mizzou hat that does not fit, Boots he doesn't like and candy corn and twizzlers. We'll get him another hat and he can take the boots back and get what he wants.

We went to the Botanical Gardens today for their Best of Missouri Market. It was a cool day with some wind that made it chilly in the shade. They had lots of interesting stuff to look at and some really cool venders.

There was also a children's corner. Michaela got to build a battery organizer and Caleb got to make a football stand. They got to make hats and see alpacas and llamas. Michaela even milked a cow.

We walked through the Japanese Garden, English Woodland Garden and the gardens by Shaw's house. The kids went through the maze, too.

This evening we went out to eat with Michael's parents. When we got home from the Botanical Gardens, we picked them up and drove down to Chesterfield Valley to eat at The Old Spaghetti Factory. It was yummy!!!

It was a really good day.

October 2, 2010

Today was Michaela's first swim meet. Boy what an experience. It was exhausting, but a lot of fun. We had to leave the house by 6:30 because she had to be there by 7:30 a.m. We stopped to get money and breakfast and then we headed to Elsah, IL.

The sun was beautiful coming up this morning. We had a beautiful view as we came across the bridge into Alton. There is something peaceful about being out early in the morning before most other people are up and about, even if it is on a Saturday.

We got to the place where the swim meet was being held (Principia College) right on time. That is when I realized we were supposed to have brought chairs with us. Michaela forgot a towel (luckily I had one in the van) and her goggles. We bought goggles at the vender that was set up there. We also should have brought more than one towel, something warm for her to wear between events and maybe more food.

I ended up buying her flannel pants, a sweat shirt and two micro fiber towels between events. At least I've learned what all to pack for these things and will be more prepared next time around.

It was a whirlwind of activity today. By the time Michaela was out of the pool from her first event, they were calling for her second event to go to the staging area. She swam four events today. She got a DQ on her first but she finished it and it was 200 meters. She came in 5th out of 8 in her second and 15th out of 16 in her third. Not sure about her last event.

We were both really tired, but it she was done about 3 1/2 hours sooner than I had thought at first. This meant Michael and Caleb did not get to come see any of the activity. But, Caleb's game was over about the same time so we met them at Applebee's here in town for supper.

This evening we're just hanging out around here. I was able to get laundry started.

October 1, 2010

Today was a staff development day. Our principal conducted it. I really feel like she thinks we know nothing about teaching. It's getting a little irritating, but I guess it could be tons worse. There were a few very interesting things that happened during the day, things I'm going to keep a close eye on from now on.

One thing that really bothered me was that we started on time, but yet we did not end until half an hour late. Also, we were only given 45 minutes for lunch instead of an hour. We had a staff meeting on Tuesday (this is the first time ever I've had a principal that has staff meetings on the same week as a PD day) and we have another staff meeting on this coming Tuesday. The meeting we had this week got out pretty much on time. However, next week it's a combined staff meeting and we have yet to get out of those before 5:00.

Michaela had swim practice tonight. They practiced going off the blocks. She didn't do super great at it, but she was making progress just the same. It made her nervous and she's decided to go off the wall for her meet tomorrow.