Hooray for Snow Days

Every school is closed, including colleges Libraries are closed, even trash pick up is canceled for today. It is drifty and with the wind chill it is -15 outside. We are both home. Hooray! I didn't feel very good this morning, so i am so thankful for a snow day. I got home kind of late from my shower and then had a bunch of phone calls to make, so i didn't get much sleep either. Now, i feel pretty good. There are four of us that are pregnant at work. Sara (the one on the left) was put on bed rest last week. She is due at the end of February. Then i have the next closest due date- march 25th. Then Jessica is March 29th (i think) and Shonda is April 1st. We are all so close. It is fun to share stories, especially with Shonda because this is her first baby too. This is a page from a book that i got at the shower. It is so funny. Someone took a picture of it for me!My shower yesterday was so fun and touching. I was surprised by how many people showed up. I got a little teary when i was thanking everyone, but other than that i made it without crying. Gertie got the most adorable clothes, cuddly blankets, wonderful bath products, cute books, and her car seat and all of its accompaniments.

I got home to a bunch of messages on the machine. My step-dad is in a drug induced coma right now. It was a yucky ending to a wonderful day.

Today, i am washing Gertie's clothes. I should start thank-you notes too.

Next Year

Next year I won't be. . .

• going on field trips
• writing the agenda on the board
• reading aloud Where the Red Fern Grows
• teaching arrays and area
• eating lunch with my friends everyday
• watching kids swish fluoride in their mouths and spit it up
• writing out name tags
• buying markers, colored pencils, scissors, and glue sticks for 26 kids
• entering grades
• taking attendance
• smelling pancake on a stick
• doing the lunch count
• writing biweekly newsletters
• cleaning the board
• meeting with parents
• attending grade level meetings
• getting "professionally developed"
• going out for recess duty
• conversing with adults on a regular basis (except for TJ)
  

Wow the list could go on. I just got back from the board meeting and they approved the superintendent's recommendation to give me unpaid leave. As i was driving home, it all became so real. I am looking forward to next year. I don't know what to expect, but i am definitely willing to give it a try. I might love it, i might not, but at this time i feel it is right for Gertie and for us. I am just so excited!!!

Immigration Gumballs

This is kind of long (9 min.), but interesting. You have to be patient to get to the gumball part. . .Just wondering what people think. My friend pointed me to it.

Happy Birthday!

Today TJ turned 29. I thought of him all day at work, hoping that he was having a great birthday. We worked at school for a little while and then went out to eat. We have kind of been celebrating his birthday throughout the week. I made him Fred cake on Tuesday (i remembered to make a cake this yea) and gave him is present on Sunday. Today he got his card. And cards from family came. He is loved.I really can't begin to write about how God has blessed me with such an amazing husband and friend. I love all his weirdnesses. I love his heart and his mind. I love the good that he does with his hands and with his words. I love his compassion for people and his nonjudgmental ways. I love the way he listens intently to others. I love the way he makes me giggle until i cry. I love the way he kisses my forehead and wipes away sorrowful tears. I love his long hugs and his lingering kisses. I love how he talks to Gertie and stops at meijers almost daily to get me Simply Apple Juice, so i can drink it with crushed ice. I love when he rubs my head at night as i drift off to sleep and i love his TJ laugh that shakes his belly as he holds it. I could go on and on. . . I love him.

Snow day for both

I think over the last 6 years, TJ has only had one snow day and i have had too many to count. So, when i looked on the TV this morning i ran into the bathroom to where TJ was taking a shower and i made up the best song and dance to announce that we did indeed both have Snow Day. I was hoping and praying for one. Today, i was supposed to leave school at 8:45 with 26 students and take them to the muskegon museum, eat lunch there and then go straight to pool school at the Y. I was in for an exhausting day, one in which i wasn't sure if i would make it. But now i am eating a warm orange roll with a cold glass of milk. The sun is pouring into the house and the sticky snow looks amazing stuck to the branches. I am not sure if i am going anywhere. Well, i have to go to school to drop off sub plans for the morning tomorrow because i have a conference to go to in Muskegon tomorrow. Our driveway is pretty crazy. TJ's truck got stuck in the driveway after we got back from Shelby last night. We (mostly TJ) was out there until 8:45 trying to rescue his truck while i made the S10's clutch cry. I haven't driven a stick since about 12 years ago when i cruised around in my moldy chevette. I stalled the truck once and spun the tires a number of times, but finally the truck was freed. I think on our way to school and the secretary of state we are going to stop at pikadills and have some warm homemade soup. YUM!

Why i love being a teacher. . .

My students got to choose to write a fable or a tall tale. I am just getting around to correcting them and i had to share a sentence from one of them. . .

"She traveled really far far away. She traveled to texas, tokieo, indeana, Mrs. Sipie, and last but not least Japan."

It was the Mrs. Sipie that got me laughing. I love kids. They make me smile.

Getting Ready

My friend started going into labor six weeks before her due date. That got me thinking. . . how ready am i? I am only nine weeks off. She is a teacher friend that teaches across the hall, so i was left to help out the sub. She didn't have time to get ready, to leave instructions, to leave some sort of a plan on what needs to be taught while she is gone. So, i just spent an hour typing out a "Helpful Hint" paper my long-term sub/friend. I have along way to go, but i already feel better. We have different user names and passwords for our e-mail, gradebook and attendance program, and telephone. Just having those ready for him saves three phone calls once little Gertie is with us! Because he has been a teacher for 30 years, i don't have any worries. I wrote that he can follow my plans, or do what he wants, as long as he does the common assessments for the report cards. He should have fun. There is all that little junk to explain like the monthly book orders, what kids expect on their birthdays, what books we have already read from the third grade book closet, how to pack up my room at the end of the year, etc.

I officially hand delivered my FMLA leave paper and my letter to the superintendent requesting a child-care leave for next year. I am anxious to hear back. This is all so real, yet so not.

Anyway, i am sure i will blog more today, but for now, i am returning to my ' helpful Hints.' I am sure i will 'nest' in my classroom as well as in my home. TJ is, of course, in the garage working away. We did find a bullet heater for the garage that takes Kerosene or Diesel for %50 off at The Home Depot. Good thing because it is 7 degrees out. Lowes and The Home Depot have been out of them forever, but i guess that was a good thing because now they are on sale. I also notice $5 dollars off a gallon of paint now until Monday, so now would be a good time to make a final decision on paint colors for Gertie's room.

Sticky Snow

Snow is stuck on each and every branch and power line and i am sure that is why Montague doesn't have power. Yes, i am home on a day when i should be teaching 26 little kids. I am so relieved, excited, and thankful. I woke up at 4:30 and could not go back to sleep. I looked outside and by looking at the roads knew we had school. Little did i know that school did not have any power. Hip Hip Hooray!! I was up from 4:30 - 6:30 and went back to bed. It was wonderful.

Last night, while driving back from a friend's house, i thought i was going to die. I have never been in such a snow storm with such sloppy roads and terrible visibility. I was driving in unfamiliar roads in an unfamiliar rental car. TJ was driving ahead of me, thank goodness, and he even said it was absolutely terrible. By the time i got home after nine, my stomach was upset, i had a headache and i was so stiff. TJ had to stop to clear the headlights because he knew neither one of us could see where we were going, and there was deep ditches on both sides of the road. Yuck! It felt so good to be home. And it feels so good to be home. Kim was right~ thanks Kim!

Will this Week Ever End?

This first week back is a killer. Maybe because of the humid pool school that made me feel sick on Tuesday, or maybe the IEP that i had during planning today, or maybe because it is the first week back after freedom. I am tired. I don't know how much longer i can take this week. Will it ever end? I also have so much going on after school that is not allowing me to keep up with correcting papers or with sleep.

But, i learned today that the white car is fixed and ready for pick-up and i am scrapbooking with friends on Friday. I also learned yesterday that these same friends are throwing a shower for me for people at work at the end of this month. Exciting! My first shower. . . i wonder how many times i will say "cute"? I truly love the people i work with. I am going to miss them so unbelievably much next year. It is really starting to sink in, especially when i look around the room and file things away to use again. I still have to get it okayed, but the word is out. . . people know and are giving me their opinions. My principal now knows, not by my doing, but that is okay. It is not like it was top secret. I was going to tell him right before i filed the paper work, and that is still my plan, unless he brings it up. Time is going by. Things are good. We are both (meaning me and TJ) so exhausted. And i know TJ is just a little stressed about building this built in. It will all work out. That i am confident about.

Cutest Pillow EVER!!!

Okay, so i have spent my morning making another pillow. I am really enjoying myself. I act as though Gertie can't come until my pillows are made. . . it is a little strange i must admit. Anyway, this is by far my favorite pillow. I added pink piping between each stretch of fabric, green chenille ric rac on top of the microfleece, and purple pom pom balls for trim. The back is the softest chenille fleece fabric. TJ loves the stuff.Now, i should probably get some other stuff done on my list. . .this is my last official day of vacation. The next break is mid-winter break. It is going to be a long stretch.

Dear Truck

Dear Red S10 Pickup,

I know we haven't always gotten along. I know i have been known to complain about your grumbling and groaning and your shaking and rattling, and for that i am truly sorry. When i think back we have such a history. i still see the faded smiley face sticker i stuck to your dashboard to make TJ smile years ago. I still see the faded Taylor sticker in your back window. You used to be our date mobile, our main way of getting around. Sometime in my snobbiness, i lost appreciation for you, and for that again i am sorry. Although, you must admit that i was very thankful for you this summer during our landscaping project and treated you with utmost care.

You have over 100,000 miles and have been with TJ for almost 10 years. He truly loves you. He actually enjoys driving you. I must confess, sometimes i get jealous of you. Because you are a stick, you often take TJ's hand off of my knee. I guess i can handle that.

Anyway, this letter is primarily to thank you for all you have done recently. You really came through for us as now that you are our only source of transportation. With your rebuilt transmission and exhaust system, you really are a good little truck. . . a truck that has gotten my husband to work every day this week, gotten us to our ultrasound to see our baby girl and to Jo-anns to buy some fringe. Even though you don't have heated seats, a back seat, or a covered cargo area. . . i still love you and am thankful for you helping us through this tough time. You know, TJ has never doubted you. He is a loyal and faithful owner. . . me not so much.

Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Lindsey

P.S. Is there any way you can make it so the passenger side seatbelt doesn't lock on me more and more every time i move. I feel as if the seat is holding me hostage. If you can't, i understand. I am still thankful for you.

More Sewing

Today i finished two pillows. I had a problem with the pom pom fringe because it is so thick. The thickness made it difficult to pin the two right sides together. I intended the fringe to go all the way around the outside seam, but plans quickly changed when i couldn't pin the two layers together and still manage to make the raw edges line up. Anyway, here are some pillow pictures. . . i know. so exciting. . .

Yes, those are tiny honey pots and Eeyore buttons

This pillow turned out funny looking. The back is bumpy green . This is my first attempt at piping. . . there is green and pink piping around the pictures. It turned out much more boring looking than in my head.

Have I mentioned that I love my Sewing Machine?

Today, i started making a pillow that has a flap and three buttons. It helped me forget that i was carless today. Even if TJ was home, i still don't have a car that i can drive. I haven't driven a stick in 10 years. I changed my presser foot on my sewing machine by putting my button hole foot in. The cool thing is is that i put my button in the foot and then the machine automatically knows the length of the button hole it has to make. Of course my three buttons have little pictures of classic eeyore. I am making the pillow with plaid fabric that has pooh honey pots every now and then in the pattern. When cutting and laying out the fabric, i am proud to write that i was able to actually line up the lines on the button flap. I was very impressed with myself. The fabric seems a little boyish, so i think i am going to get some pink piping or pink poof ball fringe for the edge of the pillow. That will make it more girly and more funky. I love my machine. It is so easy to use and seems to love me back.

Today, the effects of the snowplow clearing our road was our very full recycling box launched across our driveway. I peeked outside to see Simply Apple Juice containers and newspaper scattered all over the yard, road, and ditch. I got my exercise today as i tromped through the deep snow to collect our trash. But, i went out after hearing from the doctor that my sugar levels are good, so i was in a good mood while bending and tromping and huffing and puffing.

Tonight, i am going to have to turn in early. I feel exhausted. I didn't sleep well last night and it is catching up with me. :) TJ is napping as i write, but he had a full day of school today. Tomorrow he is taking a half day off so he can go and see our baby girl on the ultrasound monitor with me. We are both so excited. Check baby ellis blog for pictures tomorrow!