Merry Christmas!

Wow, a beautiful bluesky christmas day! The family is all here (mom, dad and the bro' and the pips). Dad likes his new arcade PacMan, the Pips loves her new tug-a-war toy and I think mom likes her book of 'gift certificates, I hope Tim likes his war movie . . . and I got a surprise. First time in years! I figured they were getting me something, but I thought it was going to be something silly or whatever . . . oh no, it wasen't silly. It was a set of Bose headphones I was wishing for. My brother . . . what a bro'! told mom I really would like them. So yeah, wow! and I got new Headlights for my car! I'm feeling a little spoiled! Hehe, and the gift I gave mom, year round gift certificates for differant things . . . day of pampering at a solon, a meal of choice (anywhere, home or whatever), and a few others, I think she liked them, but hey, we'll all benifit from that (ok, at least mom and I will) :) And it was fun watching dad play pacman. When I was little, and the few times we went out to eat, at family places, some of them would have those archade games, and the favorite was PacMan. Dad and I would play it, and so when I saw it, I just had nastalgia . . . it's the funniest thing to see my dad with the rocking chair pulled up in front of the TV with joystick and hand, focused like any other video-gamer. It's nice, to do just one gift or whatever, and then play games together. We're in the middle of a Mexican train dominoes game, with double 15's and so we're breaking it over time.



What is it going to be like in a few days though, one week from today . . . a new decade of my life begins. I pray that it is filled with all sorts of joys and blessings. That I can be a source of joy and a blessing to others. Yesterday, and previous days I've been feeling, oh a little sad in a way. Lonely and left out. It was nice to talk with a chum, a guy who's very dear to my friend "Happy" better known on the blog world as Ladyboyd. A- has always been a sweetie, and has a way of providing encouragement and I just wanna say THANK YOU!!! You brightened my day, and reminded me, God has His time and place for me. Love you guys!

Ok, enough meloncholy! Today's Christmas! Got food to eat, dog to play with, family to laugh with, and a blessing of this year and a new home and Christian friends!

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!

Yippee!

So it's Christmas break, and what am I doing sitting at school while a student works to catch up. I've got my classroom is looking a little better . . . and supposedly it's suppose to snow again this evening. Tomorrow I'll be back here again, with students, and then! Finally!! I'll be away from the school for a few days. I'll have to come in and be here again with the girls. :)

So goody! WEDNESDAY!!!

:D

Ahh, Sabbath!

The Christmas program went well, and I've heard lots of rave 'reviews' from the families and friends of the school. It's always exciting when that happens. The kids did alright . . . I was stressed out about it, but once I said, I don't care anymore and decided to no longer allow myself to feel responsible for students' irresponiblity . . . well it went off with out to much of a hitch or two.

The play had people laughing, the chimes had parents bursting with pride, the singing was decent . . . much better then I was hearing and dealing with for the days before. Now, I'm exaughsted! Even if I had bought tickets to go to Hawaii over Vacation, I think I'm to exaughsted to even pack or travel. Haha! Naw, I'd be so wired to go about now. :)

Now for a nice nap. My eyes are drooping as I'm typing. Actually, I think I dozed off here in between sentences. I best go.

Happy Holidays all!

GRRRRR!!!! Such a Grouch I am

We've two days of practice/prep before the Christmas program and I am so stressed . . . and I am soooo exaughsted. Last night I was up till about 1:00 am working on these table decoration things. I'm not getting any sleep tonight I'm afraid. Then mom's knee gave out on her. Pinched nerve or something, so the help that I had there, that I was counting on, is no longer there.

Hmph, I'm having a pitty party. Yes I'll have some cheese! :-p

Oh goodie, school pictures just arrived (the proofs) Yikes! I gained 10-15 lbs for the picture, but I look pretty decent. ERG! I need to get more active (besides the daily stuff I do with the kids at P.E.). Can't seem to get rid of the excess wieght, it's another one of those family curses. Probably could do it, if I lived on my own again. Then I wouldn't be surrounded by the wheats and such that seem to linger in the house. We can't have corn in the house because mom has problems with it, but I have problems with wheat, we still have to have all the breads and pastas in the house because everyone else wants them. Bread is one thing, just regular loaf of bread, I can resist, but bagels . . . that's tough. Whenever I cook, I get harrassed as well. "What's in this?" "Is there anything else" It's not because it isn't good, in fact it is usually very good, and good for you, but it has "to much" (just a pinch is to much) of some herb or seasoning that even without a taste gets a turned up nose. I guess . . . living with parents again is . . . I love my parents, and I get along with them pretty good, It's just. I like being independent, I like to do what I want to do when I want to, not depending on everyone elses schedule, or put into theirs without being asked if I would be interested, just assumed, etc. It works out though to live at home becuase I'm able to put more down on my student loans and such. After this school year is up though, I'm thinking I've got to get my own place again. Oh well, it will take longer to pay off those student loans, and I will have to do without some 'luxuries' . . . If not for my weight alone, but for my independent sanity. I'll have to get a roommate though, living alone can be . . . it's nice to have someone to talk too and not have to be on the phone or on the computer to do so . . . and do I continue here? There is so little in the means of singles, or young adults. I never wanted to settle, but it seems that's what I'm doing right now. So many dreams and plans, and a feeling that I'm called for something, but it's not working out right now. HA! a friend of mine says I just need to marry a wealthy man. Sure! :)

I guess I'll just put the going back to school for a masters aside. It seemed like that's what God had in mind for me, but now it's not working out, so what is the plan? Only He knows, and I really wouldn't mind a little hint about now.

Well, I've got 30 minutes before all the students will be meeting me over at the church for a quick run through the program pieces they are performing tomorrow night. God give me patience, I'm seriously lacking right now, and the exaustion can't be helping any. As evidence of my pitty party above. This is going to be an interesting two days.

Late nights . . . I can't wait till friday!!! :D

.002 cents? or .002 dollars? what? there's a differance?

I just heard the funniest, but at the same time most disturbing thing. The bro' came accross this today and shared it with me.

Apparently this guy is having math communication trouble with the reps from customer service at Verizon Wireless. Ok, I use them, but I've been mad at them before because they over charged me what from what they quoted, but I guess I should have had more patience. This guy's got so much . . . LOL you gotta see his blog about it, and listen to the phone call too.

verizonmath.blogspot.com

All my math major and teacher friends . . . how would you apply this lesson in your math classes? LOL

LOOOvLY Thursday night!

One more week, and it's Christmas Break. I haven't yet decided what I'm doing over break, but I was talked into helping out some students the first few days of the first week of Christmas Break. We'll probably have two students coming in to get some extra work done. Great for the girls coming in . . . not so much for the teacher who is there. I'm hoping to go Albuquerque and visit friends that are home over thier furlough, but I haven't been able to contact anyone yet about getting together.

Tomorrow is Friday! what a relief. I'll sleep in, and then meet a couple kids at the school to finish the backdrop for the Christmas Play they are doing next week. Four day school weeks . . . gotta love them!

And now my eyes are drooping, and my mind is getting cloudy. Goodnight! :)

Ahh, a blissful morning! I'm still in my 20's!!!

Happy Birthday Ladyboyd!!!

Lot's of best wishes headed your way! and may your 30's be even better then your 20's!

Yikes, I'm getting there soon too . . . AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Stalkers and 9th Grade

I am sooooo well disturbed by the latest debacle in my 9th grader's life. Yesterday she told me she was recieving emails from this guy, who she didn't know who he was, and she was a little uncomfortable with it. She let me read the email, and shoot, I'd be uncomfortable about it too. This guy has been 'in love' with her and she's been 'teasing him' for the last year according to his email. He believes God is "bringing them together." and they will have a wonderful relationship if they follow God's plan.

hmmm . . . . this guy I think from limited info he's given about himself, is at least 19, and he has been to her house, knows her family, and she has no clue who it is.

So yeah, something to pray about all!

Dizzy! Busy! or I'm just Crrrazy!

Everyday for the last week, I haven't made it home very early. AND certainly, this week will be this bad, if not worse. As Thursday approaches, my nerves will get more and more pulled tight. Pre-teens and Teens make for some interesting actors. But hey, they shall do fine, and hopefully everyone will enjoy the dinner theatre. :)

Will I be done? NOPE! not until the next week's Wednesday. The all school christmas program. Oh boy! what a crazy time of year. I'm not sure what it's going to sound like! I'm actually down right scared what it will turn out to be. The "band" is . . . well it isn't. Choir? ok, not to bad . . . Kindergarten? they'll be fine and cute as all get out. Grades 1-4! and General 5-8 music? who knows, I've got a little over a week so they'll do fine. Just got a nervous feeling about it all.

I'm looking forward to break! What will I do? Haven't completely decided yet. Hope to see some friends from academy that are all meeting down in Albequerque over break! That'll be nice :)

Well, it's that time when the stomach growls, and hey, mom made supper! woohoo! I'm off to have a yummy bowl of chili!

Christmas Christmas Time is Here!

Christmas music, "christmas sales", Crazy songs . . .

I do love this time of year, but . . . maybe I'm getting codgety . . . but does each year seem more and more superficial?

GOOoooooooOOOOD MORNing!

So, it's not a very lovely morning in all actuallity. The sky is heavily overcast, it's cold and dreary out, and yet it is a lovely day. I think that crazy stomach bug that was effecting everyone has finally gone away! WOOHOO!!

Another wonderful event has occurred this morning as well. My morning classroom visitor is not strung out and wired as he has been the last few times he's come to my room to do his math. He's quiet and busily working on his math. MARVELOUS!!! I'm soooo happy for him :D and for my 9th grader who has had to deal with his shenanigins (sp?), she's able to concentrate better as well.

I've got a norfolk pine sitting on my desk, decorated all christmassy too. I'm sitting here looking at it, and at my hard working students and feeling rather pleased. I should be stressed. We have a play in a week from thursday, we have a christmas concert two weeks from thursday, and do we know our lines and music? nope . . . but no worries. It's all good
:D

I'm off now, to rescue a befuddled ninth grader in her english.

Happy Thanksgiving

This is Thanksgiving, and a fairly nice day. Woke up without the sound of my 'lil bro throwing up. Poor Timmy, he was so sick yesterday. He couldn't keep anything down until the end of the day, and he had some soup. Course, with his constant need to visit the restroom, he needed something to help ease the nausea. Mom went out and got him Pepto, but that didn't seem to help to much. So I ended up looking for some Charcoal, we were out.

I had to go to a couple of differant places to find him some. Everyone was out. Then I got to Walgreens . . . oiy, they were so slow, and such poor service, till the pharmacist heard me asking the front girl person about charcoal who had no idea what I was talking about (come on! what are you doing working in a pharmacy, and know nothing about charcoal?). He came out and told me where to look, I went, couldn't find it. So, going back to the counter, he was busy, so I started to talk to the other girl, and he popped out. "couldn't find it?" He came out and turns out, the pharmasist not only was fairly attractive, but also almost a foot taller then me. Oh well, not important. However he was really nice. Helped me find what I was looking for, smiled flirtatiously (which was something since I was decked out in frumpy clothes and my hair pulled back and I felt rather blah) and well, wished me a great thanksgiving and, well everyone got what they needed. Tim feels better, none of the rest of the family got sick, and we had mom's famous, and most wonderful 'roaf' or is it 'loast' . . . . hehe, her meatless holiday loaf. :) YUMMY!!!

ok, I'm off. We're enjoying watching a movie . . . I don't like Tom Cruise, but I like mission impossible. :)

My Space

I caved, and finally set up a myspace blog thingy . . . wow! soooo many friends, classmates, people I knew from gradeschool through my students. CRAZY!!

Any of you reading this, HI! been awhile since I have seen or talked to many of them. And then to see all my 'lil bro's friends from grade school and they are married, having kids, etc. OK! I'm feeling old maidish today! Then again, I'm not the only single and almost 30 or so out there!

I WANT MY PENNIES! I won the bet Janeen and Michelle! HA! hehe

Gradeschool and academy bets of a penny on who would get married first. For some reason, they thought I would, I knew they would, and wouldn't you know, they did, in the order I predicted. LOL

Anyhow. I'm thankful that it is the Thanksgiving break. I'm headed back to Albequerque tomorrow for a shopping trip with mom. And then who knows. I need to get out of here next weekend before we go back to school. Busy days ahead. Not sure where I'll go, but somewhere. :)

Angst

ERG! I'm feeling harried today. Wish the teenage angst, and the pre-puberty hormones would just take a day off!

AHHHHHHH!!!!

Slightly tipsy

WHAT IN THE WORLD!!! I just fell down half a flight of stairs. Had there been no railing, I'd have been seriously injured.

About 15 minutes ago, I took up my class' pizza order (grades 1-4 sell pizza on mondays) and I was standing half-way up the stairs, so that I could see the teacher, but not intrupt to much of the class time.

The teacher said to take the order to the office, since the secretary was from now on taking thier orders. I was taking a step backwards, which wasn't the best thing to do, especially on that stair case (it's steep, narrow, and the steps are a little odd) and with my hand on the railing, I somehow tripped backwards and then, in a slow motion, I rolled backwards down the stairs. Catching myself on the railing, sorta, flipped me around so my head didn't hit the ground, but OUCH! the railing is slippery, so my hand slid down the railing as well, rather then gripping. ERG!!! I may be klutsty at times, but HELLO! falling down the stairs? HMPH! my poor knees . . . rug burned . . . and . . . phooey! This is the second time in my life I've falling for no good reason. All the kids came running to the top of the stairs, "Miss Katie! are you alright?"

Yes, just a bruised ego, sore and scraped knees, and probably a bruised elbow. "Yeah, I'm fine!"

:P

MUAHAHAHAHAHA

You know, it's sad when the teacher gets the biggest kick out of messing with the minds of his/her students. But oh is it fun!

A couple days ago, I got one of the 8th graders pretty good. He was working on an English assignment on the library computers. We've got radmin on them, for several reasons, but in anycase, I popped up the computer he was working on, and moved the mouse around on him, typed him a message on Word, where he was working on his poem, related to his poem, etc. The rest of his class was out at recess at the time (he had to finish up his work before heading out) and so I walked down to the library to "check in with him". He had a puzzled, concerned look on his face. "Miss K, I was typing out my poem . . . then this message came across the computer . . . " Poor guy, he was so serious, and just a little freaked out. I couldn't keep a staight face to long. Told him I sent him the message, "PHEW! I thought the computer was possessed or something and was freaking out" Now the kids know that there is remote admin on thier computers. The kid who I played the trick on will look at me, playfully scowl and say "you're soo mean Miss K" and then he'll laugh and everyone gets a kick out of it. Many of the kids are so impressed by it. "show me how it works" "that is soooo cool" "you can see what we are doing?" "AWESOME!"

Timmy's Pretty Pictures

On the road . . . Pip's favorite thing to do is car rides with the fam








Ok Carly, you and everyone askes for pics of me . . . there's a pic of me, getting a shot of the Tips.








We thought this was an amusing sign.






And here is a scenic shot.








Big smiles on everyone!








on the road . . . scenic views of
colorful landscapes.

Away for the Weekend!

A lovely trip . . . I was blessed with not having to drive. :) Even the puppy had fun. Though being in the backseat between mom and I or Tim and I, was a little crowded. She's not a small dog. Though cute isn't she.


I wasen't the only one finding photo ops on our scenic travels. :)

Dad took us for a tour through his "office". He works one of the oil field companies, and spends his days driving from one oil well to another rigging up some computer/technical thing. His partner is the lay pastor of the other church in town. I think they have fun. He's pleased with his 'office' too.

Lake Navajo . . . we drove by so fast I only got a picture of an inlet. It's pretty, and rather good sized. :)

Just one of many uniquely placed chimney rocks

AHHHHH! we need to stretch!


Quite a veiw from our "rest stop" I was a little disgusted to see trash at the base of the tree and all along the gully like area. HMPH!

"Work it! Work it!" Dad had been suffering with some back pain and well . . . it was a funny moment. One of his more cheerful moments of the weekend.


Alright already! lets go!


ERG! I couldn't get it off black and white fast enough! but check out the size of that dumpster!


We hit Albuquerque near sunset, stopped by the Rio Grand Nature Center and Reserve. I'm not much for Mallards, but they did make it asthetically pleasing. :)


Fun with black and white!


This was a tricky shot to take, but fun. Tim the photographer! :)


And dusk, while we drove out of Albuquerque north again.

PHEW!

All done! but not to bad. Actually I'm pleased overall. I enjoyed meeting with and getting to know several differant parents.

And now RELAXING!!!

I'm off to bed. Going out of town this weekend. YEAH!!!

Parent/Teacher Conferences.

OH, it's that lovely time of the Semester . . . P/T Conferences.

Thankfully, I believe, most of the parents are supportive of the teachers and thier students. But I never really know what to talk about sometimes. For instance, for grades 1-4, I have for PE, Music, & Art. So what do I say. The students should have taken home all the projects from last quarter . . . And then for music, we haven't had a performance yet. But the students are learning the differant pitches and notes. Beat and rythym. PE . . .well, "your child participates and does his/her best" "your child is a bully" hmph.

The 5 and up grades kids are easier, I have them for Social Studies as well, so I have projects to show and go over with the parents. It will be interesting. Thankfully, the kids have fairly good grades, except for a couple who just don't turn anything in! ERG! I hate giving F's and D's. I'd much rather do a pass/fail version. "Your child has passed up to this level" "Your child still needs to work on this level before moving on" No child left behind in some ways has tied teachers hands.

Ok, no ranting now, must finish putting up the current art projects on the wall.

OH what Fashion!

Today, Garbage Bag and Duct Tape, quite an aray of fashion. One of the girls in my mom's class was a court jester . . . it was amazing! her whole outfit was all bag and duct tape. She even had a goofy hat and shoes with bells on them. We had a couple of "brides" and "super heros" and then there was only my mom and I as the staff that dressed up. Tsk Tsk, such self-concious teachers. I made a fun hat and tie with a jacket as well . . . she looked so cute. In fact, I just gotta share a pic. :)

Here is mom and one of her students who brought her pet rats to share with the school. They are soo cute. I miss my rats. And my chinchillas

Anyhow . . . the week is done. :) I'm excited, one of my girls is coming back monday. We have a Fall Festival on Sunday, and a lovely couble days in between. SABBATH!!! woohoo!

typos, grammer errors . . .

Haha! I just looked at that post . . . what a typo/grammer . . . I could almost use it for a D.O.L. LOL

A Brighter Day!

This Week is School Spirit Week. And we've been having fun at school with that . . . though there is still an underlying sadness amoungst the teachers and staff (I've got my moments), The days are brighter . . . Monday was PJ day . . . WOOHOO!! I've got the softest, cuddliest, and very attractive Pajamas :) Yesterday, Crazy Hair and Hat. WHat a hoot! The kids here have really been helping in the process of feeling better about the whole mess from monday too. They're talking again, and sharing with me, and laught more. I missed it the last few weeks. Today was A Day in History day. You could choose to dress as someone famous from history, or a time period. I made a costume that was as close as I could come up with for the Ancient Mesopotamia/Persia eras. A roal Roble. LOL, all the girls "Miss Katie, you look so nice." "Where did you get your dress?" "Can you make me one?" "You look the best." LOL galk about an ego boost. I personally didn't think it looked that great . . . I had to pin it together in the back, because it was such a rush job, I made it tooo big. PHEW! better that then too small. :)

No, I'll not be posting a pic of me in it either . . . I don't have one for one. :D

Thanks for all the love and support everybody . . . it means a lot to me, and was such a comfort!

devastating

No matter how much you do, time put in, love and support. You're bound to get slammed by the ones you put everything out for. Such is today. Right now, I can't really talk, can't believe I'm actually typing, but it helps. Calming maybe. Today I discovered just how much my students have been breaking the rules of the school, lieing to myself as well as parents and principal, and was threatened by one through a chat with one another.

I keep asking myself, what did I do? how did I fail these girls? Because that's how I feel, I've failed. But no, that's the devil just trying to bring me down more and more. It's a battle that's all . . . God's got the war covered and already won . . . still hurts.

I should trust the insincts God gave me and acted on what I noticed earlier. AHHH!!! stop second guessing!

A few weeks back I knew something wasen't right, the attitude of the students was getting more and more negative. . . tense . . . long story short, I'm afraid I no longer have 9th graders. One may be allowed back, but they are all hurting so much and don't have an outlet except that which hurts themselves and those who care about them. It's terrifying and devastating all at the same time.

I cried so much today, after they left it was very difficult to not burst into tears. God helped me with it though, and I don't think it was to apparent to my other students how upset I was. I love my students . . . I care about them and about thier salvation. Oh to see the pain in thier parents faces. God help them all! Give them wisdom, patience. As my cousin, former elementary principal, said, "you send them away, but the parents have them for the next several years" I wish so much we didn't have to send them away, but for the safety and educational interests of the other students in the school, it had to happen. Policy not withstanding.

Please, friends, pray for my students and thier families. And for me too. I'm feeling rather sad.

And a word to my former students/campers who visit here . . . I love you all so much, and I'm soooo proud of you all. You're a bright spot in my day to know that you are out there, and you will succeed, you have succeeded through the toughest part of your teens. You're in my prayers guys! Please, never let me hear this happening with you! Stay strong and trust in God!

Color

My Art classes are learning about color and color theory . . . last week they did monochromatics. It's a fun art lesson actually. They draw a picture to paint, and then draw it again. So they have two of the same, then, with the first, they choose a color and do a monochromatic. Today, they will start the split complimentary, or complimentary based on the age group. They will look nice on our Wall of Masters!

Example of one of the monochromatic paintings . . . we had to mix the purple, and over two differant days. So it isn't perfect because of that.

We have the nastiest paint. It's . . . well it's just not so great. The colors are . . . not pure I guess is the problem. Oh and it smells like fermaldehyde. I would toss it out . . . only it is the only paint we have, and well, we've lots of it. And several new bottles, when we do more elaborate painting, I'll get some better stuff.

COLD WEATHER!

It's getting colder here. Especially in the evening and early hours. Even Pips gets cold. One morning she was curled up on the end of the bed, quivering a little and cuddling up so tight. I took her blanket and wrapped it around her just to see what she would do, and she looked at me at first as shown here, then she tucked her nose in a little and went to sleep. Stayed that way for a couple hours. I swear, she actually looked thankful for the cover.

Wall of Masters

I'm about to change the Wall of Masters to new paintings and drawings . . . I've some interesting talent in grades 1-9

Students Dance . . . HA!

I got quite the kick out of my girls this morning. We have a fall festival coming up here at the school and the ninth graders have a booth. Well, today I showed them the Dance Praise game, and they loved it and want to do it for our booth for the fair. But the fun part was watching them try it out. They are awefully uncordinated . . . If the Bro thought I looked funny, he would have got quite the laugh watching my 9th graders.

Thier rythym is missing . . . well, lacking perhaps. they concentrated on stepping on the right squares, but forgot to listen to the beat of the music. I almost thought one was litterally going to fall over in her tangled mess of her legs. Another just used one foot to try to step in every square. At lunch break, I told them they could try it some more, I'm going to put it on medium hard this time . . . hehe. They got a good laugh out of it earlier, so they will probably get more with the increased difficulty

Yesterday's field trip was awesome. What an incredible rec center! I would love to go up there more often . . . to bad it's about an hour away. We need one in our town. Gotta find a place with a decent pool for swimming . . .

Photogenic . . .

I'm so not photogenic, and of course, today would be school picture day. I'm not looking forward to it. My college days friends know what school pictures can turn out to be with me in them. My freshman year of college, I looked like I was missing a few marbles, sophmore year I was . . . well, not much better. Only one year did I take a fairly decent picture. ERG! I'm not looking forward to this mornings event. I gain 10-15 pounds in the picture, and then the facial expression. I'm just praying that both my eyes will be open equally at least. My hair looks awesome right now, but who knows when the guy will get here. AHHHH!!!

I'm such a whiner this morning. :P

OK, so I did something goofy last night. I got one of those ddr games, exept not ddr, it is a christian themed one so that when I have kids over, there won't be questionable songs, but in any case. The Bro' groaned and made fun of me. I tell him he does so because he can't do it. :) But sure, it's silly, but wow, what a workout. Its fun too, trying to beat your last score. My mom likes the idea of getting a second dance pad and we can bring it into school when we have a class party. We're combining her class and my class when we have a class party. Tomorrow is our first one actually. We're going on a field trip up to a little town in Colorado not that far from here that has an awesome rec center. Climbing walls, swimming pools (lap and leisure), hot tub, fitness area, aerobic/dance room, gymnasium, indoor track, racquetball courts, youth games . . . and it only costs 3.50 or something like that for adults and 2.50 for students tomorrow. We get to use the whole facility. It should be fun!

Gotta remember the camera for yearbook pictures. 9th grade is in charge of the yearbook this year.

Oiy! Pictures!

Heartbroken and Soul Weary

I love my students. It never fails, no matter where I go, and how long I am there, I fall in love with each of them. And when you love people and they are in pain, you feel it too. From last Wednesday to today several students have had tramadic experiences.

Two of our kids (brother and sister) are wondering how long thier grandmother is going to live. Over last weekend, something happened that caused her to fall while she was at the store. In the course of the fall, she hit her head hard enough that it caused bleading inside her brain. She's in the hospitol, but not expected to recover. As I understand it she is basically brain dead. The kid's mother is my age, and grandmother about my mom's age. It's so young to die loose a mother and grandmother. The boy is having a very difficult time. He retaliates with everyone who asks how he's doing or how his grandmother is. "Don't call my grandma names!" or he'll call the person names "four eyes!" is the most tame. Yesterday he yelled at one of the older girls who also has found out something this week about her dad.

Yesterday morning I was informed that two of our older students (sisters) got some bad news the night before. Thier dad was arrested and is in jail. The charges? Kidnapping, attempted murder, and assult. Allegedly he pulled a gun on a guy and in the mist of a stuggle shot him in the leg. Reading the report in the paper, it sounds a little fishy to me, but in any case, he is in jail with these charges, and the girls are hurting.

And if that isn't enough drama for the week, it started with another student who's brother was arrested for stealing a car. The circumstances there are also . . . well he did steal the car, but who was the wise individual who left thier car unlocked with the keys in the car at a ranch for troubled boys? HELLO!!! Any how, the sister, one of our students, is sad at times, angry at others, with her brother. She loves him so much, and . . . I'm so proud of her though. She asks for prayers for him regularly. And for herself so that she shows patience with him when she talks with him. He's awaiting a second trial I guess as well.

When the devil strikes, he knows just where it will hurt the most and I pray that each of these families remain strong and close to Christ through these ordeals. These families touch every classroom in our school . . . myself and the other teachers need guidence with them. The right words to say, actions to use . . .

Please pray for 'my kids' thier families and the other teachers and myself.

Teenagers of 2006

So I will start with this thought, teenagers and trips mix like mentos and diet coke.


It can be quite explosive. haha

It was a lovely trip both up and back . . . Colorado is amazing. Such majestic mountains, and colorful landscapes . . . Horses . . .

It was amusing at times, eye opening at other times, and yet other times . . . well quite interesting. You know when your parents tell you how differant things were when they were your age . . . I KNOW life was differant when I was thier age. I definately remember having a better grasp on the world around me. The world is such a "me first" "gratify me" society . . . very self centered, and it is normal for them. They have no clue how they sound when they talk about . . . well it's a little disturbing how easily they use God's name in such crass ways. And refuse to believe you when you talk about it. And then all the times they choose to remain ignorant. Ok, not all of them. I was quite impressed with one of my girls who I know was thinking things through, and understood. I can see her going far with her determination to understand. I just pray that she pursues her education and doesn't loose hope with all that is going on with her life. She's a beautiful young lady, both inside and out and my heart aches for her . . . for all of them. Such beautiful girls, intelligent girls . . . I pray that I and the other teachers will be good examples for them and show them joy in school and in knowing God.

So here is a brief synopsis of the weekend. 9 hour drive (several restroom breaks). Registered, girl's move in with a friend of thiers in the dorm, I and mom get a guest room, supper, rotating vespers at Faculty Families homes, Sabbath School, Church, Trip up to a beautiful park just barely into the Rocky mountains. WOW! that was awesome! it got up to 85 or more on Sabbath and Sunday. OK, where was I . . . Oh yes, return to school, supper, vespers program with the music department (they even have a guitar ensemble), Iron Man (a boys club thing, entertaining, especially if you know the boys involved I'm sure), sleep, breakfast, vespers, classes for kids, sponsers meeting for sponsers, tours, auction and return home. I'm soooo thankful it was only 7 and a half hours back . . .or we would have gotten in . . . well 9:30 is much better then 11. It was a nice weekend. Though I don't look forward to the drive, I am looking forward to taking the 5-9th graders up again for music festival. I haven't seen an academy like the one I went to in a long time. It was very encouraging. A spiritual atmosphere with lots of opportunities for the students to lead out.


Before they got sick from all the junk food they decided they had to eat on the 9 hour drive. Thankfully, they didn't eat as much on the way back and we didn't stop as often and got back in under 8 hours.







On the road north to the mountains and Campion Academy.






The Academy went to this lovely park that was about 45 minutes from the school. It was a lot of fun to see the academy students intract with each other and the guest students and sponsers. They were so nice. Such polite interest in the visitors on campus. I would send my kids there . . . though I don't have any. :)











A moment of peace at the park.









For a couple hundred miles there are these retired and rusting train flatbeds. It seems to be flatbed retirement home.









Sun down on the way back from the Academy about 100 miles or so north of Pagosa Springs I think.







My girls sleeping . . . or one sleeping, the others woke up when I took the picture. :)

They got that huge stuffed lion at the Academy Days "Auction".

October in New Mexico and random thoughts

I'm sitting in the dining room, looking out the back door and realized, there are roses blooming. It's October! All the roses were dead when I got here in August, now they are blooming? We've been getting a lot of rain the last few days though. I was told this is rather uncharacteristic the amount of rain we've been having. I'm not complaining though. We've got roses, and grass growing.

They are fairly pretty too.



This picture doesn't do it justice, but
there you can see the rocks we have. The poor
dog, she has very tender feet, and it is terrible, but amusing to see Tipsy, tip-toe out there to do those things dogs do.

Here's one more picture of a cute little bud.


Being Sabbath afternoon, one of those favorite activities, "lay activities" are currently being held, and my mother is to cute sleeping on the couch. You almost can't see her between the blanket and the stuffed dog that's over her as well.

She'll probably shoot me for posting this picture, but it's too cute. :) Especially since Tipsy decided to sit next to her at the same time as I took the picture.

That stuffed dog is bigger then Tipsy, and she's no small dog as you can see.

My mind is wandering over the last few weeks and wow, I can't believe I've been in New Mexico for two months!

I do like it here, though there aren't that many young adults here, there are many young families, and older ones that make you welcome. It's nice for a change. Of course, I wouldn't mind getting to know some nice single . . . HA! never mind that.

My "little" brother is working at the airport, and he comes home with some interesting stories. He's not that impressed with his boss, but his co-workers seem to be pretty interesting and friendly people. Close in age to him as well. I know it's a small airport though, because the security on the airfield is . . . well when I've driven over there, or anyone else in the family does, he drives over from the Hangers where he works, opens the gate, and we drive in and down to his place of work. The planes I've seen parked there have been everything cessnas to a WWII fighter plane someone personally owns. So though he's got a turkey of a boss, he does have good company and interesting adventures.

Yesterday, my bro and I went shopping. Mom and I had spotted a sale on laptop computers, and well, my computer was, well . . . it's been functioning on . . . well very little. So this sale was very exciting, and well, I've bought a new computer. WOOHOO!!! And my brother . . . he bought a new camera. Digital one. One I wouldn't mind having myself, but I needed the computer more then a new camera.
I'm thinking of calling him Samson . . . Actually I think his hair just might be longer then mine now after this new cut of mine. I've no pictures of me and my new do . . . later I guess. :)

Oh, so I haven't written about my trip up to CO yet . . . more to come. :)

YIPEEE

I got a new computer today!!! No more sssssllllllllow pc. I'm so excited. My old computer had so many problems, but now I've got a new laptop that I can take back and forth to school. YES!!! I can keep it all on here. Ok, just checking out my new computer . . . write more later, with pic too of course.

shuffle shuffle . . . drag

I'm soooo exaughsted from this weekend. It was wonderful, but very tiring. I've some interesting experiances to share, however at the moment, it's not going to happen. I've got a few pictures too, but not as many as I'd like. OH well.

I'm going to clean up my classroom a bit, and go home!

Loveland

I forgot that Campion is in Loveland, CO (or near it) . What a name of a town. I wonder how it got it's name. Was it named after a person? Or is it really a land of love? haha

Seriously though, it's reputed to be lovely, and this time of year fall colors are reputedly brilliant. Guess I'll be taking my camera not just for pics of the girls at Academy days, but the Rockies in the fall as well. Oh wow, NINE hours of driving on friday. Three Teenage girls, my mom and I all in one vehical. I do hope all our bags will fit. Hmm, we really need some guys in the 9th grade to balance out the craziness.

We do have some interesting topics discussed. Our new student is very talkative and full of questions, and the class is a lot more conversational now. I get a kick out of them. Of course I was a little shocked to hear that my ninth graders did not know what a holocost was, and one of them had only just heard a story (on Oprah no less) about what happened in the Nazi 'work camps' to the children and elderly. They are in ninth grade!

"We don't talk about the Holocost because it causes people to become racist, right Miss K?"

My jaw quite literally dropped when one of my students stated that. Where could that thought come from? I've got some work cut out for me here. I'm putting together some 'extra-curricular' lessons to broaden thier understandings.

I'm being called to come the the aid of a confused student. She's struggling with an assignment. I know she'll figure it out, just needs a little extra guidance. ;)

Looney Pups

Tipsy, the family boxer/airedale, has everyone shaking thier heads. She has evidence of intelligence at times and many others not so much. She loves people. No one can be a stranger long, even if they desire to be. Her foot fettish has startled more then one person. I'm not sure what is so great about feet (in shoes or not), but they are so fascinating and tasty. Lick lick lick . . . yuck yuck yuck!

Of course she also can't handle dog food with food coloring. She's wired enough at times already, once she eats food with artificial colors . . . The ceiling isn't safe. Well, maybe the ceiling isn't in danger, but everything else is. Talk about ADHD children, we've got a dog that is a classic case. She can be calm, but when there's something new, BOING! watch out! Tipsy's coming through.

Sunday, pips came to school with me. I told her "let's go to my room pip" and she trotted to the end of the hall and waited for me at my classroom door. When I was done, "to mom's room!" You could have pictured a small horse galloping down the hall, turn the corner and disapear. As I came around the corner, there she was, smiling her dopey smile at just inside mom's classroom door. Mom happened to be in one of the other teacher's room at the time, so, "lets go get mom!" As if just waiting for permission to go, Tipsy charged out of the room and around the corner and up the stairs, straight to mom. She's not stupid, yet she will also do some of the most looney things.

Tim calls her "sus-tut-U-pup - I -dud" and many times, it is quite appropriate. I'll have to write some of her crazy adventures sometime, but beware, if you ever meet her, she's a brute of a love bug. She will "attack" with wiggles and stomping on your feet, with a few taste tests of your shoes/socks (if you are lucky enough to have them on). She'll love you, no matter what.

Egypt

My Social Studies class (the 5th through 8th graders) are studying Egypt the next few days. It's fascinating stuff, but I struggle with this area in social studies, I just don't know enough to make it REALLY interesting. :( Now if it was US History, yeah, I've got lots of stuff. Or Even European or Russian, but right now, I've not a lot in this area. I'm hoping to get this interactive game for the kids, but the problem is, we only have so many days before we need to get into Israel and most of these 'games' are spread over several weeks. HMPH! There just isn't enough time to get everything in to really get into it and learn. I hope thier Egypt projects will go over well. They are going to make a presentation on some specific topic related to Ancient Egypt using a computer slideshow materials and . . . whadda ya know, they are here to start Social Studies.
. . .

hmmmm

So I sat down to just blab for a few while my students are working on thier online assignments, and well . . . several students came in to get directions about differant assignments and I ran out of time. My first through fourth grade music class is coming . . .


AHHHHH . . . BAND NOW!!!



All done. Clean up and go home!

yeah!

Yeah! I'm feeling better!!! Still a little sore, but woohoo! I didn't wake up yucky this morning. Perhaps the second lapse of this bug that's going around the school won't get me. hehe!

Just another manic . . .

Colds, flus, crud . . . whatever it is, it's going around and kids and teachers are just struggling. I've been fighting something all weekend, and . . . HMPH! I don't wanna feel this way anymore!!! YUCK!

So I've not minded Mondays until today. Today when I just want to crawl back in bed and sleep or curl up in a blanket on the big comfy recliner with a steaming cup of herbal tea. It's difficult to keep kids focused when your own mind is out somewhere, taking a snooze. I'm thankful I didn't blow up at all at anyone. I can be such a grouch when I'm cruddy. God is really working hard on me today, and boy am I thankful.

Hmmm, I do hope this is gone before Friday. Driving the 8-9 hours up to Campion Academy with my 9th graders for Academy Days will be . . . eww, don't want to even contimplate that.

WOOHOO!! I'm going up towards Denver this weekend!. I've wanted to see the Campion Academy campus for quite some time, and Friday I will. I'm trying to remember if it is at Campion or Mile High that has a classmate of mine working there. It would be fun catching up, and maybe get to know others from the area too.

Well, I've got to clean up this classroom of mine and prepare for tomorrow. OH NO! Kindergarten music tomrorrow! I forgot to pick up somehting for the class on Sunday. Bugger! I'll have to revise the lesson plans, and do that next week, or maybe Thursday. OH! Band is tomorrow too. BAND! hehe, it's the most unique "band" I've ever been a part of. 4 flutes, 2 clarinets and 2 trumpets. Where do I get music for this group? I'm trying to order the same songs in ensemble/trio music for the three differant instruments, and praying that they will work with each other and won't have to be transposed. Any ideas out there? I'd love some. The kids really want to play music from such films as Star Wars and such, but how? Beyond the fact that they are beginners, the instrument arrangements for most of those types of songs has a few more instruments. OK, I need to get some tea or something and curl up for awhile. I'm starting to grump again!

Off I go to clean and home!

light headed, haha

Yesterday morning mom called me and asked if I was going to come down to the school. I had been planning on doing that, but I decided that I needed to work on the church bulletin I offered to do for a friend since she was going to be out of town. And I didn't really need to go to the school since I was planning to go down on Sunday. Then Mom asked if I woudl come down, and we'd go get our hair done.

OOOOOOhhh! Well I desprately needed a haircut and oh yeah, I needed a wax. I was feeling furry cattapiller eyebrows. Soo, I'm feeling much lighter now on top of my head. :)

I've probably the fastest growing hair, and inch or more a month. I let my hair grow longer then it has been in awhile, and it was around mid-back length or longer, and let me tell you, it gets awfully heavy to have such long hair, as well as having lots of it. I think the girl who cut my hair took off around five pounds of hair. LOL I can still pull my hair up, but I've now got the closest thing to bangs I will ever have as well. a small amount of hair cut at cheekbone length. Any shorter and I'd be back in 7th or 8th grade with the Big Bangs. Crazy calics (sp?). It looks like I have short hair, and yet it still in parts is long. OH brother! I'm blogging nonsense . . . my hair cut? LOL such an exciting life I lead. :p Maybe I'll post a pic later . . .

This morning two of my students were baptized! That was awesome. They are a 6th and 7th grade boys who are quite talkitive and funny at times, and yet so serious at other times. So sincere are they, and I'm blessed to have them in my classes. My mom, thier homeroom teacher was just beeming today when they were baptized. She's awsome like that. She's had these kids now only five weeks, and she loves them so, and is already invested her heart into them. She really is a great teacher, if for nothing else, for her love and concern for her students success and salvation and a desire for each of them to feel loved and safe. Sure, she's an "older" teacher now (though I don't think she is), but she's a lot more open then most. It must be her generation. :) She has students emailing her, im'ing her and some calling if and when they can. They all know that thier teacher loves them and rejoices in thier successes and joys, and prays for them too.

God's really blessed me! I hope and pray through me maybe I'll be a blessing to others too.

mmmmm . . . sooo lovely

This last weekend I went out with one of the churches here to the Mountains in Colorado for Sabbath services and fellowship. My students invited me to go, and though I wasen't feeling all that great (some yucky virus or flu bug that's going around), I'm glad that my family and I went. It's so amazing what only an hour north of here has. Well, it is the Rockies!

So we went to the La Plata Mountains and I got a few good shots of the area with my 35mm slr that I need to develope, I can hardly wait to see! However, I did get a few on my digital camera.

The differance in landscape from an hour north of this little town in the high desert to an hour south. Both so unique and beautiful.

Here's a picture from the drive to the La Platas.


Here is a shot I got as we entered the La Platas



We had a nice informal worship service with about 20 others who came up this weekend, and had a lovely picnic like lunch. It was very cold though, and the wind . . . wow! I had several layers on, and wished for a few more. It's only September!!! My brother though . . . yikes! I don't know how he missed me mentioning that it was going to be cold up there, he got it in his head that it was going to be warm. (not used to sunshine and cold I guess, or he forgot what it is like to go up into the mountains) He didn't bring a coat, and only had a shortsleeved shirt and thankfully jeans. Crazy boy! he brought shorts to change into. Oh I laughed when he said he probably wouldn't be changing. I tried to share my windbreaker at least with him, but he said no. All the church family there were asking if he wanted a blanket, a jacket, a sweater . . . he just said no.

A portion of the group decided to then drive up to the top. At first I wasen't sure if I should. You see, you can only go up if you have a four-wheel drive vehical, and not a low riding one at that. So with that in mind, I had a feeling it would be a bumpy ride, and so my aching back (that wierd bug thing we think) didn't realllly want to go, but my heart did! Then one of the guys mentioned his was probably the most cushioned vehicle, I was there, and in the front passenger seat! Mom came in the same vehicle and the three of us, and the suv made our way up the mountain. What a ride!

A pic half way up, looking back a ways, you can't see the road more then that, it zig-zagged up. This is probably the last place that we had that was a childs rollercoaster, after this stop, it was a VERY bumpy ride :)

There's my brother in his thin, shortsleeve shirt as well. Oh yeah, after this place, you prayed you didn't run into anyone coming down the mountain in a truck. The road was barely wide enough for one to go up.

Here's another shot of some of the scenery going up the mountain.
A little waterfall, that actually eventually made it down and crossed the road we were on.



We finally made it to the top of the mountain area, well, as far up as I thought we could go in a car and we walked down to this area that was just spectacular. I wish I had the pictures from my other camera to show, but this will do I suppose.



That picture with Tim, well where his right heal is , that is the end of the world! Well, it is actually a drop off to several hundred feet of sheer rock face. It is a little scary in a way. You can go around a little bit and see part of it.

Here's my 9th graders sitting at that place where Tim is standing in the above picture on the cliff.


As we got back to the trucks, I thought oh, we're going to go back down. Then my 9th graders hopped in the SUV I was riding in, and said they were driving. I laughed, thinking they were kidding. Shoot! thier only 15, and maybe have thier permits. And then the driver got in on the passenger seat and said we're going up to Notch, the highest point you could drive on this mountain side, and on of the girls was driving up there. I don't have any pictures of that drive, I was VERY nervous to say the least, but I will describe it for you.

On the left, the rocky mountainside went strait up a few hundred feet, on the right, strait down. And the width of the "road" . . . barely wide enough for narrow truck.

Well, with careful guidance by the driver, and one bump on the head on the side of the car (my head :p) we got to the Notch. Three vehicles, I wish I had a picture of that, but I don't have it on my digital camera, it was amazing to watch them turn the vehicles around.

Here's my girls on the top of the Mountain. (for some reason, all my pictures are coming out dark on here, but they aren't on anything else)

Both of them took turns driving down the mountain, back to the campsite. I was nervous at times, but they both did a very good job. A little practice, and they will be excellent drivers someday.


And one last picture. Similar to another, but slightly more colorful and . . .