Torture

Correcting is not fun.  Grading writing is hard. Giving feedback is time consuming.  Grading 85 student's research notes and references is torture.  I can do one class a night and it takes about 4 hours.  I give these assignments because they need the experience.  We're only halfway there.  Over Christmas break I'll be reading 85, five page research papers on Canada or Latin American countries.  There are always good ones, and entertaining ones, but in the end, it's grueling.

Brent's Moving Up

Brent hasn't ever really liked living in SLC, and he's lonely.  His new job has given him the okay to work remotely, so why not work from Boise?  It was a fast decision, but there's no turning back now.  Terr and Bry will go down this weekend to help move him up to the room above the garage.  I think it will be good for all.

BSU TCU

Well this is a hard post to write.  We lost.  At home.  It ended a 35 game win streak on the blue turf.  It came down to one second, and Ty's friend missing a field goal.  I felt like all the air was sucked out of me.  Stunned.  People at the stadium felt the same way.  They said it was silent, and everyone just sat there for about 10 minutes.  Kellen Moore has lost 3 games in the past four years - one in overtime with a missed field goal, and two to TCU by one point. 

We had made plans to go to dinner with Mike and Stace after the game.  I really didn't want to talk about it, but we did.  Dinner was at Mickey Rays.  The place was packed, and everyone there was in blue and orange.  It was a quiet crowd.  I will say the food was good.  I should have ordered mac and cheese.  I needed comfort food.

Birds on a Wire

On the way home from school today I saw hundreds of birds fluttering around in a crowd.  They came to rest on the power lines overhead.  When they did, I saw that there were already hundreds of birds lining the wires - thousands!  It was a crazy site. 

Since I watched the Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds, I've never really liked birds up close.  I'd never have one for a pet, but I love watching them.  I love birds from a distance.  Someday, when I have more time, I'm going to be an official bird watcher.

Wrong Reading

Next Tuesday we're getting together for book club, and I'm leading the discussion.  For the past two months I've been previewing the book at our meetings, and telling everyone how much they'll enjoy it.  Yesterday my friend returned the book to me, and as we talking about it, I realized that I have never read the book!  I read the second book in the series.  I told everyone that I wanted to have breakfast with the badgers....and there aren't any badgers in the first book.  Now I have a week to read the book, and some explaining to do that night.

Sunday Services

Terry's new calling in church kept him busy today.  He started with meetings at 9:00, and ended with home teaching at 7:00.  The only time I saw him all day was at church.  I had a very quiet day.  It was nice.

Now that everyone has logged on to new.familysearch.com, and set up their accounts, we are starting real classes on family history during Sunday School.  Everything is making sense so far.  My friend Lyn taught the lesson and she's amazing.  She's been doing this since the 1970s.  I'm sure she'll help me once I dive in.   I need to go online and watch a couple tutorials.  I think I might do indexing right now.  It's easy, they need the help, and I'll get use to reading old documents.  Come summer I'll get together with Fredee and try to figure out my ancestors. 

BSU vs. UNLV

The game last night didn't start until after 8:00.  We were a little worried about being able to stay up until midnight, but Terry and I still have a bit of spunk in us.  We didn't even have to take a nap that afternoon.  The late start gave us a chance to go to The Green Chile and enjoy a meal with Rich and Karren beforehand.  We had a Groupon that expired that night.  Then we headed over to the big screen in the basement with our caramel corn and pumpkin fudge to watch our Broncos win.  Yeah!

Too Early For Santa

I went to the mall this morning to look for something to wear to my nephew's wedding.  I couldn't find a parking place!  It was packed!  I went in Penny's because they were having a sale, and I had a $10 coupon.  I also went in Macy's because I had a birthday gift card.  There were lines outside every dressing room and every check-out area.  People were everywhere.  It's only November 5th!  I'm not going back until next year.  My holiday shopping will have to be on line.  (I did find a skirt and sweater.)

PTC

In the old days, moms came to Parent Teacher Conferences during the day on a Thursday or Friday.  Now, moms, and dads, and step parents, and grandparents, come mostly in the evenings.  Wednesday is brutal.  You might have a couple conferences before school, starting at 7:30, then teach all day, then start conferencing as soon as you can get the kids out the door.  You're usually there until after 8:00, with a 15 minute dinner break.  You can't even think straight at the end, and you start saying the same thing at every conference. 

Thursday morning usually fills up with stay-at-home moms, and there's always one or two parents that you have to schedule during their lunch break.  This year I didn't have any conferences from 1:20 til 4:20.  I tried to catch up some things on the computer and put up a bulletin board.  From 4:20 til 8:00 it was non-stop conferencing again. 

I like meeting and talking to parents.  I learn a lot and we figure out things together.  The parents at my school are very supportive and fun to get to know.  But the whole thing usually gives me a sore throat, and sometimes makes me sick.  Since we work Wednesday and Thursday night, we have Friday off.  We need it to recuperate.  I usually lay around all day.

Honoring Our Veterans

The music teacher at school is experienced and wise.  She always plans the 5th and 6th grade music program early in the year.  The later in the year you wait, the harder it is to get cooperation from the very cool 6th graders.  I'm sure it's always great to get that program out of the way too.  The smartest thing she does is organize a Veteran's Day program, complete with invitations to veterans from the Veteran's Home.  The students sings some beautiful songs, dance to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", and recite the Preamble and the Gettysburg Address from memory.  When they sing the songs from each branch of the military, those in the audience who have served, stand for their song and receive applause. 

Smokey and Cheetah do their part.

Those from the Veteran's Home arrived about 5 minutes late for our final performance.  The boys who were dressed in scout uniforms for the flag ceremony helped all the men in wheelchairs in.  As each entered the gym, they received a standing ovation.  It was hard to stay composed during the military songs.  A couple of the men on the front row had tears rolling down their faces.  Even the self-centered 5th and 6th graders clue in to the dedication of our service men and women.  After the performance, the 6th graders hand out cards that they have written to the veterans.  Many stay and visit.  Our music teacher not only gets the program over with, she gets a beautiful sincere performance from the students, and they look outside of themselves and learn a few serious things. 

Trick or Treat

Just so that I remember next year, I'm putting it down here.  We only had 2 teenage girls come trick-or-treating.  We didn't need the 3 bags of candy that we bought. 

Jinxed

We went to Stake Conference at the Columbia Village building.  We've been going there for years, and the past 6 or 7 sessions have been marred by a bad video feed.  It's not just jumpy.  Sometimes there would be no video for 20 minutes.  There were always technical difficulties, but it's closer than the Stake Center, and newer, so we just put up with it.  This time they decided to do two live sessions.  The talks and choir numbers would be exactly the same, but they would do one in the morning at the Columbia Village building, and then another in the afternoon.  We were sitting in the cultural hall and when they started, we couldn't hear very well.  Soon there were five men trying to get the speakers turned on in the back, but they never could figure it out, or maybe they were broken.  After straining to hear for about 20 minutes, we went into the Relief Society room to listen from there.  It was a little rowdy since the room is used by families with little kids, but you could hear over the kid noise.  There were several good talks.  I loved Annie's talk on obedience.  I'll have to ask her for a copy of it.  So conference was good, but the Columbia Village building is jinxed.

Girl's Get-Together

It was Santanna's bridal shower today.  We were extra excited because my mom, my sisters, and my sister-in-law were all going to be there.  My family could probably count on one hand the occasions when we're all together, so for the five of us, it was a big occasion. 

I drove Mom and Fredee there.  None of us can find our way around Nampa, but I had good instructions from Nan.  I thought I'd be picking Fredee up from Andrea's house, so when she met us at Mom's house, I had to get new instructions from Terry and Google maps, so I could find my way from a different direction.  Terry went over and over it with me.  I had everything memorized, and two maps.  The minute I got off the freeway at the second exit, I was lost.  I was told to get off at the second exit, but that was a mistake.  I had memorized the way from the third exit.  All of us were turned around in no time.  Fredee was checking out where the sun was so we could figure out what direction we were going.  We made it, but good thing it was kind of an open house shower, because we were and hour late.  Kim showed up 2 hours late.  She got lost too.  They had just finished.

Even though the shower was a brunch, we decided to celebrate the fact that we all made it by going to lunch.  I don't know the name of the place, but it was a French restaurant, in a little house, close to the old downtown.  It was very good.  I had the best ham and cheese sandwich on toasted cinnamon raisin bread, and a salad with the best house dressing, a very spicy basal vinegarette.  Everybody had good stuff. 

Afterward, Nan, Mom, Fredee and I decided to go visit Andrea and give her a report on the shower.  Fredee and I were following Nan, but followed the wrong car.  We were once again turned around and heading the wrong direction.  Thank goodness Nan called Fredee in time.  We circled around and found our way back to the restaurant.  Then we had to be led out of town.  I use to think if I just studied a good map of Nampa, I would get the hang of it.  Now I know that's not true. 

Poor Andrea wasn't a lot of fun because she couldn't laugh.  We didn't have anything too hilarious to report though.  We tried to just stick to the facts.  It was a great girls get-together.

 

Report Cards

Elementary teachers dread report card time.  More specifically, report card comments.  Our electronic gradebook is set-up with secondary teachers in mind.  It's not at all efficient for the elementary teacher.  Comments are to be individualized and data driven.  It often feels like a big creative writing assignment.  The first quarter grades require the most thought and effort.  The students have an early release on the last day of the quarter so that we have time to work on report cards, but that only amounts to an extra 2 hours.  I think I average between 12-18 hours on report cards.  A lot of teachers don't like report cards.  A lot of students don't like report cards.  The great students like report cards, and they don't need them.  This year I got a tip from another teacher on a little program that helps you with comments. 

On the last day of the quarter, I not only figured out the new program, but I was also able to get all my comments done in about 3 1/2  hours.  Next quarter I think I can cut that time down even more.  It was a pretty exciting day.  This is the first time ever that I wasn't working on comments all weekend.  I was able to celebrate by going to the Monster Mash Dance.

Monster Mash

The first sixth grade fundraiser of the year for EFT is the Monster Mash Dance.  Those who want to help have to commit to giving up 3 lunch recesses to make posters and decorations.  They also have to donate sodas or bottled water, and work a shift at the dance.  It's a family affair and everyone comes in costume.  We found the perfect DJ, had a photographer taking pictures for 50 cents, and sold 50 Domino's pizzas by the slice.  Keva Juice came and sold smoothies, and we had over 300 bake good items donated to sell.  The sixth graders didn't want to give up their work stations.  Those selling baked goods were really smooth sales people.  The clean up crew was amazing.  The big boys that really aren't into class work, definitely are into hauling tables and putting them on racks.  They vacuumed, put away chairs, took apart the stage, hauled cartloads of stuff, and didn't quit until every speck of straw gone, and the gym floor sparkled.  We had a big crowd all night, and they had a lot of fun.  The PE teacher had been teaching all the sixth graders the choreography to "Thriller".  We closed the dance with the whole floor moving in unison.  The best costume award went to a sixth grade boy that dressed up like his teacher, Mrs. McDaniel.  She wears a lot of bling.  In the end, almost all of the sixth graders earned $39 toward their EFT costs.  Not bad.  Quite a thrill actually.

A Quick Drop By

My sister Fredee dropped by this evening.  She had her cute, cute, grandkids with her and she didn't stay long.  She's a lot like my dad; a little hyper.  They never stay long when they come to visit.  Fredee didn't even sit down, but she did visit a bit.  She's in town to take care of her grandkids and Andrea.  She was delivering apples from the fruit stands down in Perry.  Good things can come from emergency surgeries.  She'll be here for about a week and we'll have more chances to talk.  When she leaves, I think Marice will be up to play nurse for a while.  I'm hoping Andrea has a full, but not real speedy recovery.  

Old Crows

I taught the RS lesson today.  It was on a conference address by Boyd K. Packer called Counsel to Youth.  It was a great talk, very hopeful.  I just wasn't teaching any youth.  The talk will be remembered by the Old Crow poem that he recited.  I guess the women in RS fit into the old crow category.  Here's the poem:

The old crow is getting slow.
The young crow is not.
Of what the young crow does not know 
The old crow knows a lot.


At knowing things the old crow
Is still the young crow's master.
What does the slow old crow not know?
--How to go faster.


The young crow flies above, below,
And rings around the slow old crow.
What does the fast young crow not know?
--Where to go.

BSU vs. Air Force

I wasn't at the game, but I was outside to see the four F10s from Mountain Home fly over the stadium.  It sounded and looked impressive.  This game was the first one that had us a little nervous.  They didn't have Air Force figured out.  We won the game, but they won our respect. 

Scary Mess and Liars

Mom and Dad weren't at the hockey game because they were taking care of Andrea, who was in a mess.  Her husband was in Seattle, the kids had gotten themselves off to school with snarly hair, and Andrea thought she was passing a kidney stone.  Thank goodness her Grandpa took charge.  They picked her up and took her to the emergency room, dropped Uncle Tad's name so that she got gold star treatment, and then stayed with her (without eating) for what ended up being a 14 hour ordeal that ended in emergency surgery.  It wasn't a kidney stone.  She wasn't fine.  Her husband made it to Boise right before they wheeled her into what the doctor described as a terrible, terrible surgery. 

The rest of the family enjoyed the evening at the hockey game.  You'd think we'd communicate better in this age of texting.  You'd think that Mom and Dad would ask for reinforcements, or at least have one of us bring them something to eat.  You'd think we could get updates.  Not this family.  I went to see Andrea this morning and she just kept saying "I'm good", while pressing the pain medication button.  Her sister in Denver and an aunt in Utah had already sent flowers.  Her supporting loved ones that watched the hockey game, five blocks away, while she was in surgery, didn't even know what was going on. 

Andrea was a bit out of it this morning, but she was worried about her grandparents.  I went to see them next.  They said they were fine.  They said they didn't even think about being hungry, or tired, or without medicines, or oxygen.  So many people in my family don't communicate...and they lie.

BYU vs. BSU - Hockey

Terry did not have fun.  He was cold.

My nephew is a freshman at BYU and is on their hockey team.  Who even knew they had a hockey team?
All the fam made arrangements to watch their games against BSU.  Who knew they had a hockey team?  Terr and I met Nan and Jim, and all Tate's family and friends at the game.  We asked where Grandpa and Grandma were, but that's a whole other story.  For this post, I'll just stick to hockey.

I don't really get hockey, but it amazes me.  I love to see all the guys gliding around on the ice.  It's impressive.  Then there's the little puck that they're all chasing and trying to control.  It seems too small.  Anyway, I like to watch it.  Tate wasn't a starter, but he was in a lot of the game.  We even got to see him get sent to the penalty box.  He didn't deserve it, but he ran into, or over, some guy and it looked bad.  I think it was legal though.

Tate's in the middle of this fuzzy pic.

BYU lost, but they played a better game.  They were ahead right up to the end, when they weren't ahead any more.

Kim and Tad hosted the whole team, about 25 of them, to a spaghetti dinner at their house the next day.  They had another game on Saturday night, and more of the family went, but we stayed home.  There was a BSU football game against Nevada that afternoon.  I just couldn't fit anymore sports into the weekend.  BYU lost again, only this time it was a solid loss.  Tate's mom said the BSU crowd was mean and rowdy the second night, so I'm glad I missed it.

Here's the whole team.

There will be plenty more hockey games to watch.  The season runs until April I think.  Tate will take a few years off for his mission, but he'll probably be back to play in 2014.

I forgot to mention that I made a batch of pumpkin fudge and put it in snack size baggies for the game.  I filled my purse with fudge and handed it out to everyone.  It was a lot better than the pretzels or nachos they were selling there.

Potluck and Prose Society

Book Club was at my house last night.  We were few in number (4), and even fewer had read the book (1).  I had looked up some information on the internet, and Terry had shared with me information from when he heard the author speak once.  We had a good discussion, and it's a good book.  I'd like to get it and read it sometime. 

Fore refreshments I had tried three different recipes from Pinterest, but I'll only make one of them again.  I'd been looking forward to these peanut butter brownies with pretzels on top.  They weren't very good.  But the pumpkin fudge...was fabulous!  As soon as I polish off the first 2 pounds I made, I'm going to make some more.

OMSI

The Micron Foundation paid for all the 5th and 6th graders in Boise to attend an assembly put on by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.  We joined all the schools from southeast Boise at Capital High to watch an amazing juggler explain laws of physics.  He was pretty funny.  I don't know if anyone learned anything, but some might remember the jokes, and some might try their hand at juggling.  It was an entertaining morning.  Once in while you need some serious entertainment at school.

Too Many Pears

The cannery announced that they were selling pears and apples - cheap!  They had too many.  I sent Terry out and he came home with 71 pounds of pears.  He wasn't able to get close to the apples.  Apparently the Mormon moms weren't acting in a humble Christian way.  They were grabby, forceful, and scary.  I was glad I wasn't there, and I was happy with just pears. 

We gave away sacks and sacks of pears to friends and relatives.  They were ripe, and so sweet!  I ate about 6 a day.  I couldn't get through all 71 pounds though - too many.  Something had to be done.  Terry loves applesauce and got on line to find recipes for pear sauce.  I ended up canning 8 pints.  I'd never heard of pear sauce, but it's a yummy, healthy treat.  I wish I had taken a picture of the bottles all filled up.  They were very pretty.

The Visitors

Most of one of my favorite little families came to visit today.  Hudson chose to run errands with his other grandma, but Hadley came and let me read books to her.  Pretty little Maycee came and didn't make a peep.  We got to hold her though.  It was good to visit with Mike and Stace.  They came to pick up their mail and stayed an hour.  It was probably good for them to get out and about.  I also have to mention that Hads was wearing the hand knit sweater we gave her.  Even if we hadn't given it to her, I'd say it was mighty cute.

RS is always fun.

It was Fun Friday at Relief Society last night.  Each year they plan an evening of crafts, projects, classes, quilting, dinner, and a cookie exchange.  I didn't sign up for any of the crafts.  I didn't make cookies or eat dinner.  I didn't listen to the "how to make a pie crust" mini-lesson.  I helped tie the humanitarian quilt for a while, and sewed a couple hooded towels for someone who was sewing machine challenged, but mostly I just chatted with the sisters, and laughed, and got filled in on a little scoop.  I stayed til the bitter end and helped clean up.  I got home after 10:00, with nothing to show for it, but it was fun.

EFT Parent Meeting

EFT stands for Environmental Field Trip.  We take the sixth graders at the end of the school year.  We didn't have to think about over the summer, but as soon as school starts, we start thinking about it again.  We talk to parents about it at Open House on the first week of school.  We've been to the PTO meeting to thank them for helping with the cost, and our team has discussed it at several correlation meetings.  Last night we had our first EFT Parent Meeting.  Mike did the opening and overview.  I was in charge of putting together an exciting slide show from last year's trip, and discussing costs and fund raising. Vonnie, as always, explained rules and expectations - both for students and our parent helpers.  She can say things that nobody else could get away with, and everyone is entertained. 

We take about 30 parents with us every year.  They teach classes, lead campfire songs, help on the ropes course, and much more.  This year we must have really sold everyone on the great EFT experience because more than 54 parents have signed up to come along and a few more have e-mailed their interest.  We're probably only taking 80 students.  That's a lot of supervision.  We're not sure how we can trim down the list to be fair, and at the same time, take the parents we want, without offending some, or hurting feelings.  I don't think it can be done, but we're going to have to do something.  Stay tuned.  

Big Day

Yesterday was a big day!  Besides Maycee's arrival, I went to Nampa to have Kierra cut my hair, which I really needed.  We had a good visit too.  Also, BSU played Fresno State.  We whipped them, of course.  Terr and I went to our friend's for the game; projected on the back of a big white sign.  It should be noted that we also had take-out from Cafe Rio.  It's hard to beat that - a baby, a haircut, a win, and a favorite dinner. 

Happy Birthday!

Our brand new grandbaby came into the world at about 6:00 this morning.  She came quick.  What a good little girl.  She's named Maycee Harper and is beautiful.  Actually, she looks just like her brother and sister did when they were born - a little dark hair and a cleft chin.  I'm betting she'll lose that hair, be bald for a good year, then blond with blue eyes.

We went to visit her and Mom and Dad in the hospital.  You always forget how sweet and soothing it is to hold a newborn bundle - soft and warm.  We didn't hear much out of her, except a sneeze.  She only opened one eye.  It will be fun getting to know her.  It was a happy birthday.

Look how tiny she is! 

Inservice Days Minus One

The first Thursday and Friday in October have always been inservice days for teachers.  Growing up we always had those two days off school.  I've taught in Utah, California, and Idaho, and every state has inservices on the same Thursday and Friday.  I've been to some excellent trainings on those days, and there have been years when I can't wait to have two days in my classroom to get caught up.  

This year our principal organized a workshop just for our school.  She did most of the Thursday presentation herself, and then brought in help for the afternoon session on engaging strategies to use in lessons.  Friday was a furlough day for Boise teachers, and many other districts around the state.  There were some professional organizations that offered workshops on Friday, but I bet they weren't very well attended.  I just made the most of Thursday, and then slept in on Friday.

I did spend time that afternoon setting up Shutterfly websites with my teacher friend Pam.  We're going to ramp up the old pen pal idea and have our students work on group blogs.  We're hoping to teach writing, computer skills, and social skills.  Pam teaches in a small town a little more than 2 hours away.  The plan is for both of us to take a field trip at the end of May and meet halfway.  It's a ton of work getting everything ready, but it's going to be a great project.  The kids are excited.

Conference Weekend

All Mormons look forward to General Conference, which takes place on the first weekend of April, and the first weekend of October.  It's a chance to watch church on TV, in your pajamas if you want.  It's also a time when we can receive guidance from our prophet and church leaders.  It's always a spiritually uplifting weekend. 

This weekend there was also a BSU game.  This was an important one - Nevada.  They're the ones that beat us last year in double overtime.  This year it wasn't even a contest.  The game was during the Saturday afternoon session of conference.  We don't have the ability to record the game, so we watched it live and recorded conference on the computer.  We also tuned in during half-time.

Sunday afternoon, Bry and Amee came for dinner and watched the last session with us.  We had chicken enchilada soup, and a real good visit.

Manhattan Short

Every year at the Academy Awards party when we have to vote on things like best short subject, everyone takes a stab in the dark.  Not this year.  Some of the party faithfuls attended the Manhattan Short Film Festival.  Ten short films (10-15 minutes) are chosen from hundreds that are sent in from all around the world.  These films are shown in cities in 200 cities, across 6 continents, on the same week.  One place showing them was The Flicks in Boise.  Everyone is given a ballot which is collected as you leave, and the theater sends their results to the people in Manhattan, and you can check the website for the winners at the end of the week.

The winner told the story of a man running from Nazi soldiers, who hides in a German Shepherd's dog house.  The the farmer who owns the dog discovers him and helps him escape.  At the war's end, the fugitive is able to help the farmer who is in the custody of the American or British army.  That's a lot of story to tell in just 12 minutes.  The dog was a good actor too.

I didn't vote for the winner, but I almost did.  The very last short was filmed during the uprising in Egypt this past spring.  I was swayed at the very end.  I also liked a Swedish film about two bystanders that watch bumbling bank robbers on a moped.  It was a recreation of a real event, and it was pretty funny. 

First Day of School

This was Ty's first day of college.  He moved into a small apartment in Eugene last September on the 19th.  The plan was to work for year to get residency.  It's been one year and eight days exactly.  He's had 3 jobs and talked 3 friends into moving to Eugene too.  But the important thing is he made it.  He's officially a duck!

What a Blessing

Today at church Little Tess was given a name and a blessing.  She was born at the beginning of the year; late January or early February.  She holds the record for being the smallest baby ever born in Idaho - 1 pound, 1 ounce.  Her parents kept a blog that tracked miracle after miracle.  It was faith promoting for our whole ward.  She came home from the hospital in July without any special monitors or apparatus.  She is amazing.  So are her parents.  Needless to say, her blessing was beautiful.  So was fast and testimony meeting.

I wish I could say that RS was, because I gave the lesson, but it was just okay.  I need to work on more questions and class involvement next month. 

All Day Date

Terry and I went down to the Twin Falls temple on Saturday.  We had to leave a little after 7:00 to make our 10:00 appointment.  I had been through the temple at the open house a couple years ago, but I had forgotten how much I liked the decor.  The furniture has modern lines.  The colors scheme has a lot of green, blue, and gold, with a lighter wood finish.  While waiting, I tried to think how I could implement the decor into my house.  It would have to be more casual.  I wouldn't want a house that beautiful.

The session was really nice.  I'd missed not going to the temple.  Actually the drive down and back was nice too.  I read information for my RS lesson, and Terry gave his input.  We also had some lunch at a good Mexican restaurant right on the main drag.  We didn't make it back to Boise until after 3:00.  It was a very nice all day date, but our fun wasn't over.

BSU was playing Tulsa so we went over to my parent's to watch with them.  Our pregame eats included Dad's special burgers.  He remembered his dad making burgers for a fundraiser back in Ashton.  He'd tried his own version of half hamburger, half sausage, and a bunch of cheese mixed in the patties.  They were mighty good.  We also had spicy humus dip with Fritos, dill pickles, Snickers and cinnamon bears.  Awesome eats!  BSU was awesome too.

The Ladies Auxiliary

That's the title of our latest book club read.  I didn't finish it, but we had a great discussion last night in Sue Ann's back yard.  I always love sitting out there.  It's very inviting and she was born to be a hostess.  We had a good turn out.  The book is about a free-spirited woman that has converted to Judaism, and moves from New York into a close-knit Orthodox community in Memphis.  We made a lot of comparisons to Relief Society, and small town communities.  It was an insightful book, and an insightful discussion. 

Since the book dealt in part with teenage daughters that rebelled against rigid society, one of the new mothers asked how you can keep your children from rebelling.  That brought on quite a long discussion.  In the end, you can't.  I personally always liked Ty's determination to be independent.  It drives me a little crazy sometimes, but I want to love and support him as he finds his own way.  We had a lot to talk and think about that night.  We also had some very good carrot cake made by Mary Jo.

I Can See Clearly Now

I have three pairs of glasses that I rely on more and more.  One pair slides down my nose.  One pair falls off my face if I look down, and the last pair has two lost screws so it's actually in three pieces.  Today I finally took them in to be fixed.  It only took about 20 minutes, and now, the quality of my life has vastly improved! 

Logged On and Ready

Last week in Sunday School I signed up for the new Family History class that's being offered.  I'm so excited to get started.  I'm determined to figure it out this time.  I've never gotten beyond filling out a pedigree chart.  I know I'll love this once I get going.  Terry is taking the class with me.  I know Fredee will help me out.  I really need to find a week when I can get with her and go through all the genealogy stuff she has. 

Today at church I got logged in to new.familysearch.com.  I've set up a password and my homework assignment is to watch two short videos and explore the site.  The amazing thing is, Brent starts work at Family Search tomorrow!  I can't go wrong.  I have an inside connection. 

Since I'm on the family history subject, I'll just put down what one of the speakers said in church a few weeks ago.  His mother was very involved with genealogy.  He said if Family Search was like Facebook, his mom would have millions of friends.  That's my goal.

Eat and Run

Brent came up for a visit!  He's between jobs and was able to stay for a week.  This was only the second time I've seen him all year.  The plan was for it to be a relaxing week.  I think is was a bit for him, but I was busy at work, and he was back and forth visiting his Mom and others across town.  In the end, he was here 6 days and I only saw him a couple times at dinner, and right before he left.  Terry's going back down with him to stay a few days in Salt Lake.  It will be a good for them.  We just need to stay in touch with our kids better, even the ones that live in town.  I think we all need each other more than we think.  

BSU vs. Toledo

We're determined not to miss a game this year, but not one will be broadcast on our TV.  We have to be friendly and forward, and invite ourselves over.  Our lucky friends this week were the Farnsworths.  Rich and Karren live in a log cabin, in the middle of a regular subdivision.  They have a projector so we could watch the game on the big screen, or more correctly, the back of a sign that use to advertise Karren's school.  Their son Aaron joined us.  We all had Boise State T-shirts.  It was a good game, not tense.  There were great snacks, and of course the Broncos won.   

Mom's Gift

It's my mom's birthday.  My sister and I usually scout out Arts in the Park and find something we can go in together on.  This year I went to Arts in the Park with Mom.  The only thing that tempted her was a booth where an artist, Julie Peterson, painted little birds and flowers.  Later that afternoon, I went back and picked up a couple little prints for her - one for summer, and one for winter.

The next morning I returned to Arts in the Park, early, so I could find a good parking place.  A lot of the booths weren't even opened yet.  I had just ordered a scone for breakfast when I spotted my sister and her husband across the way.  Nan had already found the perfect gift for Mom, a print of little chickadees and roses from Julie Peterson.

It was freaky!  I guess Nan just knows Mom.  I'm sure she'll love the gifts.  I just need to order another frame so that the little collection will be cohesive.

You Learn Something Everyday

I have my sixth graders interview each other and then introduce their partner to the class.  They're suppose to make their introduction interesting and tell us things that we might not know about their partner.  Today was very interesting.  This is what we learned:

6 1/2 toes on each foot

 

 

 

Wow!  That's interesting!

Ever Been to PA?

On the way home from work today, I was behind a car with a Pennsylvania license plate.  (I would have taken a picture, but my camera was in the backseat.)  It was mostly plain white with big letters and numbers in the middle.  The top had a blue band with just the word Pennsylvania.  The bottom was a yellow band that said, visitPA.com.  Interesting.  A plain, simple plate that motivated me to visit PA virtually.

Family History

This is the year that I get serious about family history work.  Little things have been spurring me on all year.  Progress is slow, but I'm on the path, headed in the right direction.  At church I signed up to start the family history class next week.  I've taken this class two or three times and I've gotten nowhere, but this time they are teaching it different.  I'm positive that I'll be able to figure out some way to do some kind of family history work.  My greatest desire would be to actually do everything that you have to do to get a family name ready to take to the temple.  I really, really, really want to know how to get one of those pink cards on my own.  It might be a ways down the road, but by the time the Boise Temple reopens in a year, I want to do the work for a name that I have found.

The Relief Society lesson was on temples and family history work.  A couple comments really struck me.  One person said that as she learns about her ancestors, she begins to know who she really is.  I need to know more about who I am.  Our RS president testified that doing family history work is a way to save your family.  I think that's a good deal.  Spend time doing something that's interesting and fun, and you can rescue some family members in the process.  I'm doing it!

Happily Ever After

She's a beautiful bride who use to be one of "my Laurels".  He's a tall and handsome groom that returned from his mission in July.  They're both solid, talented, hardworking, strong, positive, kind people.  I went to their wedding reception last weekend and could stop smiling.  I love their love story.  They are my favorite happily-ever-after couple.

Arts in the Park

This is my favorite Boise Event.  I love the art.  I love Julia Davis Park.  I love the big shady trees, they long grass, and the rose garden.  I love the time of year and the weather.  I love the kettle corn, roasted nuts, and caramel apples.  I love going with my family and going alone.

I met Mom, Dad, and Andrea at 9:30, a half hour before things were really suppose to open.  We started at our traditional place, the cinnamon roll stand.  Later we stopped shopping and had diet cokes at a picnic table and watched the people.  Before we left for lunch, we picked up cinnamon almonds and pecans.  Dad buys everything.  We love having him come along.

Money Bags purchasing diet cokes.

We did make some purchases besides the food.  Mom found a necklace and earrings to wear to Cole and Santanna's wedding.  She doesn't have the outfit yet, but she's pretty sure the aqua jewelry will work.  I actually went to Arts in the Park three times this year.  Once with the fam, and twice alone.  I bought some half price earrings for $8, a set of glass plates for a wedding gift, four grandchildren Christmas gifts, a birthday present for Dad, and a birthday present for Mom.  I spent the rest of my food budget for the month, but I do have a big bag of kettle corn left over.

Mickey's Place

I can't remember if it's Mickey Dees or Mickey Rays, but there's a new barbeque place right down the street, next to Blue Cow.  Dad took us to lunch after Arts in the Park, and the four of us give it eight thumbs up.  Everything we had was really good - ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken salad, cold slaw, baked beans, fries - even the water was special.  The prices were good, the portions were big, the atmosphere was nice, and the help was good.  Besides that, it's right next door to the best dessert in town, frozen yogurt.  I need to figure out the name of the place so that I can recommend it.

On a side note, I went to the bathroom and it was really cute.  There were some design ideas and colors that I'd like to use in my own home.  Check it out.

Love these flowers with the long stems.

I

Sad Wednesday

I arranged for people to cover for me at work so that I could attend a funeral.  This is the second Wednesday in a row that I've attended funeral services.  This week it was a man from our ward.  Cancer.  He loved to help people, and he was good at it.  Whenever I picture him, he's smiling.  It was a beautiful and sad service. 

Fire Escape

Every year the Fire Marshall inspects every school in town.  This throws head custodians and principals into panic mode.  We know about the inspection date ahead of time and are given a checklist to make sure our rooms will pass.  The school secretary can't keep the fresh eggs that she has delivered in the nurse's fridge.  They have to be in the staff room.  Teachers can't have cords taped to the floor, electrical stuff piggy-backed on an extension cord, or tables on both sides of the hall.  I always pride myself on keeping a clutter-free classroom.  Most teachers collect stuff, and they put the stuff in boxes, and the boxes on top of cabinets, which are too close to the ceiling according to the Fire Marshall.

Yesterday, my room did not pass inspection!  I have a mirror on the wall back by the coat rack.  It's been there for six years.  Apparently, there have been studies done, and if you have a mirror too close to an exit, most people get confused and walk into the mirror instead of out the door.  Really?  I'm not buying it.

The work order has been sent in to remove the mirror.

Love Story

My reading time is usually just before I go to bed.  It makes me sleepy, so it's difficult to get through too many books.  I try to read one a month, usually the one for my book club, but even those are often half finished.  Even really good books take me forever to read.  Last weekend I devoured one.

This wasn't the best book I've ever read, and it's not the kind of book I usually read, but the planets just aligned.  I couldn't put it down and I've been thinking about it ever since.  It's written by Ree Drummond, a long time blogger.  I had visited her blog a few times, but now I want to keep up with her even more.  The book is The Pioneer Woman Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.

It's the story of meeting, falling in love, courting, getting married, and having a baby.  It's a love story.  She's funny and it's a feel good book.  It reminds you what falling in love feels like, and how you should feel about your man.  Besides, it's a cowboy story.

I hadn't heard about the Black Heels book, but just a couple weeks ago I had bought her cookbook for my friend's birthday present.  Before I gave it too her, I had tried a couple recipes.  They were very good.  I've been told though, that I tried the wrong ones.  Her cinnamon roll recipe is suppose to be life changing.  My friend took them to a church event and was asked to give up her job and just make cinnamon rolls for a living.  I'll have to give them a try.

Move to the Big House

Ty has been in Eugene for the past year, getting residency so that he can afford to go to a school with a good Ultimate Frisbee team.  He had been living in a funky, one bedroom apartment, above a Harbor Freight store.  It’s been hard for him to find friends since he wasn’t in school and there weren’t the best prospects where he worked.  He finally recruited a couple friends from Boise to join him in Eugene.  For a while all three of them were sharing his small space.

This weekend the guys moved into a six bedroom house.  Great!  Now he’s back to square one, where he needs to find more friends. 

Season Opener

BSU went to Athens, Georgia to beat the Bulldogs, 35-21.  The game was never close enough to make you nervous.  The Broncos just made us proud.  Ty’s friend from Liberty Elementary made the cut as the 1st string kicker.  He couldn’t believe that “our boy Dan is on ESPN, kicking PATs, against Georgia”.  Crazy!  Fun!

It’s hard to imagine a better night, but the meatball sandwiches and banana bread did add to the overall excellence.

My class has started the Bronco bulletin board collage, and a photo album of Trail Wind Bronco fans in Bronco gear.  The last few years we adopted my nephew, Matt, as our personal player.  Since he’s not playing this year, I think we may have to adopt Dan Boy.  We make a great fan club. 

Chocolate Mess

Mom took me to Salon J for a pedicure and out to lunch for a belated birthday.  Of course it was fabulous.  My toenails now have an orange/bronze tint for fall.  I’m pretty sure I want some sort of massage chair for Christmas.  I’ll get one for Terry, then share it with him.

Our first choice of lunch spots was closed for Labor Day so we ended up around the corner.  The quiche was fine, but we had a problem with dessert.  They squirted pretty caramel and chocolate squiggles on the plate and heated the caramel brownies, but it didn’t work.  At first, both brownies melted into batter.  The second try looked better, but still tasted like batter.  My mom doesn’t ever eat batter because of the raw eggs (I think), but I love cookie dough, cake batter, muffin batter, and brownies.  I did not like the batter brownie though.  My family is well-known for its sweet tooth.  We can polish off anything with sugar, but this day, both my mom and I left a melted chocolate mess on our plates.  We made it through more than half of our dessert, but later that night we commented on how it really made us sick.  This is a first in our family. 

172 Days to Go

This has been the first full week of school.  I’ve been getting there early and staying late.  Tuesday night was Parent Orientation.  I got home at 8:30.  There are so many procedures to teach, routines to establish, files to organize, lists to go over, and record sheets to set-up.  You’re dragging a whole class of 6th graders through all the training too.  We’ve had fire drills, art, birthday treats, kindergarten buddies, placement tests, computer time and Friday quizzes.  I don’t think any of us were prepared for how long the week was.  We need to build up our stamina.  

Happy Trails to You

I went to the funeral of my friend’s brother today.  He was 58, developmentally handicapped, a kind, hard working man.  He made the decision in life to be a Democrat… in Idaho.  He worked on every campaign.  Frank Church and Cecil Andrus knew him by name.  He also decided to be a Bronco, way before there was a reason to cheer.  He had season tickets to football and basketball games for almost 40 years.  He never missed a game.  He missed his sister’s wedding, but not the game.

It was a beautiful service.  His brother gave a thoughtful eulogy, very wise and witty.  The displayed cowboy boots and the Bronco balloons just fit.  So did the music, Morning Has Broken (my favorite Cat Stevens song), Let There Be Peace On Earth, and Happy Trails to You.  The music was happy, sweet, and perfect.

Happy Birthday to Me

I’ve had several birthdays on the first day of school, and those are my favorites, because it’s always a fun and exciting day – one of the best days of the year. My second favorite birthdays land on Sunday.  I never want a lot of attention or a big gathering, or a celebration.  I want a day when where I can do anything I want, and that’s usually not much.  I want a good meal, some cake, simple presents, and time to relax.  The day of rest is good for relaxing.

This year was great because church isn’t until 12:30.  I slept in, relaxed, read the paper, took time getting ready.  I taught the lesson in Relief Society and I was nervous.  It’s been many years since I’ve been in RS.  Everything went well and everyone was nice.  I heard an elderly sister say to her neighbor, “she’s so cute”.  That made me feel a lot younger than 54.

We came home from church and had a pasta dinner.  What can be better than pasta.  After dinner I made cupcakes for my school class, with caramel frosting.  Yum.

To top off the day there were visits from my parents and a couple good friends.  It was the best.  I like being 54.

Kuna Adventure

Entrance to the Kuna Cave, formed by a big lava tube.

It’s just a small town south of Boise.  You wouldn’t think there was much to see except farmland.  But my brother and sister-in-law moved out there with friends, who have explored the country for decades.  They invited us out for a picnic and grand tour.  It was fun seeing the sites with enthusiastic guides.  I hadn’t been four-wheeling since high school.  We went in two rigs – women in one, guys in the other.  It really is beautiful country – plateaus, the Snake River, the Owyhees.

We had to four-wheel up to Initial Point.  This is the point where they surveyed the whole valley.  You can see everything from on top of this hill.  There are medallions embedded in the rock that mark true north.  You can see all the way up Meridian Road, which cuts up the middle of the valley.

Last time Zella, our guide, came up here, she brought a bunch of cub scouts and a couple moms along.  She killed a rattle snake with a rock.  Pretty entertaining.  It was big too.

Overlooking the Snake River at the Birds of Prey Center.

Beautiful.  The Snake River just below Swan Falls power plant.  I wish I had a picture of the dam and the plant.  It brought back a lot of memories of the power plants where my Grandpa Cowley worked most of his life.  His family lived in the houses provided and we visited him "at the office" and saw all the big loud machinery.

Bill spotted an owl in the tree by our picnic spot.  We were at the Swan Fall dam.  He spent quite a bit of time getting pictures.

I did not spend much time, but I also didn't get a very good picture.  I think owls are cool.  It's pretty special to see one.

Terr, Blair, and Jo picnicing

First Day of School…Again

We started school on a Wednesday this year.  I’ve been going back to school every year since 1963.  The only time I didn’t have a first day of school was in 1992 when I substituted here in Boise, but didn’t have my own classroom.  They blur together, but it’s always an exciting day.  High hopes!

  Here’s my empty classroom.  It’s looks better when the kids arrive, in their new clothes, with new school supplies, and all their excitement. 

This year I have a BSU intern for the whole first semester.  She’s darling and will be a big help.  I have 19 boys and 10 girls in my class.  It might be a little more active.  Good thing there will be two teachers.  We hit the ground running.  We’ll be changing classes for language, writing, social studies, and math within days.  I have 90 names to learn and 90 kids to get to know.  It’s always fun.  Everyone is on their best behavior in the beginning.

Frisbee Fame

The Idaho Statesman had an article on Ultimate Frisbee that featured Ty.  It was a big article, 1/2 page on the front page of the sports, and a full page on the inside.  I was soooo proud.  It gave a good feel for the “spirit of the game”, the league in Boise, and told the story of the intense ending to a game in Minnesota, where Ty and his friend Josh saved the day.  There was a bad picture of Ty.  This one is better.

Ty (center red) playing on the Swordfish Team in Minnesota.

TyMez after Timberline won the state championship 2010.

Blessing of Cleanliness

I am thankful to live in a time and place where clean water is readily available and modern conveniences make it easy to live clean.  I love bathing every day, washing my hair, washing my hands (a lot), and brushing my teeth.  It’s refreshing.  It’s a blessing.  I love crawling into bed with clean sheets, clothes that are ironed crisp, scrubbed bathrooms, and the shine on newly mopped floors.  I like the tracks left from vacuuming, shampooed carpets, and washed windows.  I like to sweep the front porch and spray off the patio.  Being clean and being surrounded by clean, feels so good. 

I didn’t do much spring cleaning, but our houseguests moved out on Friday, so we moved back into our own bed this weekend.  I enlisted the help of Terr and we did two days of summer cleansing before we settled in.  It was good to move things, go through things, eliminate clutter, and organize.  I’m thankful for my home and all my things.  I appreciate everything more when it’s dusted, wiped, scrubbed, and polished.  We’ve worked hard and slept well the last few nights. 

Brand New Pair of Roller Skates

My sister-in-law got a pair of 1961 Sears and Roebuck roller skates, with a key, for her birthday. 

Hers were in better shape.  They had the original leather straps that went around your ankle.  For any youngsters that are reading this, you used the key to loosen and tighten the bolts underneath, so that you could adjust the size to fit your shoes. We put the key on a piece of yarn and wore it around our neck. 

I don’t want a pair of vintage skates for my birthday, but I saw her skates displayed on a trunk in the living room, and was immediately transported to summer days in the sixties on Cherry Drive.  I was a pretty good skater.  It wasn’t an easy feat.  There weren’t sidewalks, just rough blacktop, and the four metal wheels were a far cry from the rubber wheels on the roller blades that would be the rage 25 years later.  I’m sure I scraped knees, but seeing the old skates this week, made me smile – all happy memories of neighborhood friends and summer days on the best street ever.

Ready or Not

Today was my first day back on the job.  I arrived on time and stayed until about five thirty, but didn’t accomplish much.  I wandered around the school aimlessly.  I bounced from one task to another and completed nothing.  My mind was mushy.  I’m sure the room will be ready when students come for a sneak peak on Tuesday afternoon.  I’m sure I’ll be ready when the real thing starts on Wednesday morning.  I’ve never not been ready.  I just need to do something about my mushy mind.

New Obsession

Stacey told me at the beginning of the summer that I needed to get on Pinterest.  You can save and organize all of the ideas that you come across on the internet in one place – recipes, crochet patterns, crafts, thoughts, or anything that you love.  You don’t have to download to the desktop or bookmark or put in your favorites anymore.  You set up little bulletin boards for whatever categories you want and then start pinning things on your boards.  Now when you click on one of your ideas, you’re automatically linked back to the source (the tutorial, the blog, whatever).  You can also look at all of the amazing things that other people are putting on their boards and repin them on yours. 

The only way to get set up on Pinterest is to go through Facebook or Twitter.  This presented a problem for me.  I’m not doing FB.  Finally I opened a Twitter account and put nothing on it.  I can probably ditch it now that I’ve set up my Pinterest site.  It’s already apparent that this new obsession will be a time sucker, but very useful and fun.  Check it out.  I can send you an invite if you want.

Mom's Gift

It's my mom's birthday.  Every year my sister and I check out Arts in the Park for the perfect gift.  We usually go in on something together.  This year I went with Mom to Arts in the Park, and the only booth that she was tempted by was an artist, Julie Peterson, who painted pretty little flowers and birds.  I went back to the booth later that day and bought Mom a couple little prints.  One for summer, and one for winter. 

I returned to Arts in the Park the next morning, early, so I could get a good parking place.  A lot of the booths hadn't even opened yet.  I had just ordered a scone for breakfast and I looked across the way and saw my sister and her husband.  They had just arrived too, but Nan had already bought something for Mom's birthday - a little print of birds and flowers from Julie Peterson!

It was freaky!  I guess Nan just knows Mom.  I'm sure she'll love her birthday gifts.  I just need to order another frame so that the collection is cohesive.
 

Yo Yo

I’m battling my weight this summer and so far the pounds are winning.  Here’s the problem:

• I’m cooking dinner every night.
• I’m trying new recipes.
• We have left-overs for lunch.  That makes 2 big meals a day.
• The cookies, whoopi pies, buttermilk muffins, buttermilk syrup, and caramel frosting have been big hits.
• We had a 3 day family reunion with 5 big meals.
• We went to Education Week and Big Sky.
• We went camping and ate well all weekend.

But I’m really tired of seeing the same pounds creep back on, so I’m doing Weight Watchers (unofficially) with a friend.  The accountability and support help a lot.  She’s doing great!  She’s also writing down everything she eats, and trying harder.  I’ve been up 3 times and down once.  Hopefully I’ll get fully engaged mentally with this process because:

• Our summer guests are moving out and I won’t be cooking so much.
• School is starting and I won’t have time to try new recipes.
• A different routine and schedule has to be better than the one I’ve been on this summer.
• I won’t be traveling or celebrating as much.

I’m putting it down in writing here to help get me on track.  I’m sure all three readers of my blog will be waiting anxiously for updates.  I’ll keep you posted.

This is What Summer’s About

I’ve been wrapped up with family, cooking, and a little sewing this summer.  It’s been great, but we arrive at the middle of August, I realize I’ve been to lunch once with friends and once with my mom and sister.  That’s just not right!  Now in the four days before I report back to school I have to squeeze in what I’ve been missing. 

Monday I went to lunch at Willow Creek with old teacher friends.  We spent 2 1/2 hours on the patio.  Also on the patio were teacher groups from Liberty and Valley View, and a couple colleagues from the district office.  (Everyone must be thinking the same thing I am.)  I came home long enough to get something ready for the family dinner, then left for the movies.

It was perfect.  I love movies in the late afternoon.  I love the Flicks.  I love Woody Allen.  Mary and I went to Midnight in Paris.  I loved the movie - the shots of Paris, the clothes, the humor, the music, and Earnest Hemingway. 

This is what a school teacher’s summer day should be like.

First Annual Family Camp

It started out as an experiment to see if we could do it, if anyone wanted to do it, and if anyone had fun.  As a whole, we weren’t very experienced.  Terry has done several backpacking trips with the boys in the wilderness, but that’s different than camping with girls and kids.  I have camped a few times with my dad, who did everything, and I’ve been to Girls Camp many times.  Again, that’s different.  We have a picture of Bry, Brent, and Stace, when they were grade school age, camping.  That was the only time they went as a family.  Mike was a boy scout, but that’s not the same.  Thank goodness Amee joined the family.  She was the only one with real experience. 
Amee suggested a beautiful spot, Pine Flats, up by Lowman.  It’s a small, shady campground above the river.  There’s an easy trail, about 1/2 a mile, to some hot springs.  The campground also had 2 hand pumps for good well water and 2 outhouses that didn’t smell bad at all.  That’s a good thing because Hadley needed to make many trips a day to the potty.
We did it up right; three tents and three coolers, chats around the camp fire, tin foil dinners, s’mores, dutch oven dinners and cobbler, hot chocolate in the mornings, hikes, and the hot springs.  We came back with funny stories about our camp neighbors, ideas for next time, and good memories.  The only thing we need to improve is better shoes for the McClure kids.

 
 Mike in his GQ camping clothes, Our fire crew, Kids help with tents, and Bry with 4 tinfoil dinners

Hudson’s first roasted marshmallow was a burn-up dud.

Bry lost his wedding ring down by the pump.  It was found, and they’re still honeymooning.

Omelets in a bag, Sticks were big, Water boys, Hadley’s hangout

Entertaining the troops, Cars in the dirt, Amee’s magic bag that held everything for kids, Group crossword puzzles

Hiking to the hot springs, Haddie soaking it up, Haddie drinking it up, Bry’s fam reaches one of the upper pools

Dutch oven cooking

Tent clean-up

Last one out - He didn't want to leave.