Teachers and Candles Burning

Tonight we went to a candlelight vigil in front of the Capital.  They were held in about 20 different cities all around Idaho, even little Buhl and Cascade.  It was snowing in Coeur D' Alene and schools were closed, but they were out with their candles up there.  Teachers are mourning the loss of their contracts and due process rights.  We're also pretty scared for what might happen to education in Idaho.  Two of the three worst bills for education are headed to the house.  These senators have heard from thousands - email, letters, phone calls,- 90% against this madness, but they sent it through.  Why do they want to eliminate 770 + jobs in this state so they can pay for laptops and out-of-state online courses?  Teachers, students, parents, district administrators, and school boards have spoken against these.  Mr. Luna, the governor, and 20 senators, don't want to listen to educators.  One of the senators speaking against the bill said, this is a slap in the face to every teacher in the state.  It's more like a blow to the head.  I felt sick this afternoon.  Things were better after the vigil.  We signed recall petitions for Tom Luna.  And we'll fight on.

I told Terry I would feel better if he took me out to dinner, but I'm on this diet.   

Sugar Free

I've been really good on my diet.  I haven't had sugar for 10 days.  I am keeping track of all my temptations.  Today there were donuts left over from the boys basketball party this morning, and a student brought Haagen Daz ice cream bars for her birthday treats.  I wonder how long you would have to go without before the desire lessens?  I'll keep you posted.

Rally!

How did I spend Presidents Day?  In the park across from the state capital at a pro-education rally in opposition to the anti-education bills put forth by our state superintendent.  They had intelligent speakers who spoke the truth.  It was good to hear.  Speakers included a long time member of Boise's school board, parents, Boise Education Association officers, and the one who stole the show, a Timberline student.  He must be in debate.  He must have had some good teachers.  It raised my spirits enough to keep on fighting. 

Mike looks like this except with a tall hat.

Just a side note, my teaching partner was at the rally in his Abraham Lincoln outfit.  Each year he grows a beard, dresses up, recites the Gettysburg Address, hands out pennies, and talks to all the younger classes at our school.  He said he was a embarrassed to show up like that, but it was Presidents Day.  It just called for it. 

Spiritual Decline

I noticed that on Sunday when I caught up on my posts, I didn't have anything remotely spiritual to say - no gratitude, love, service, prayers answered, good speaker, or anything that struck me during a lesson.  My problem yesterday was that I had read the morning paper which got me all fired-up and my stomach knotted-up about the lunacy that is going on concerning education in the state of Idaho.  It took any virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy thought out of my head.  For the next while, I've resolved not to read the Sunday paper until Monday.  My spirit and my stomach can't take it.  I've further resolved not to read any more full page ads from the ignorant Meleluca man on any day.  This might not completely restore my spiritual health, but with a combination of prayer and scripture reading I'll pull through.

Saturday's Decision

We went to dinner with Bry and Amee on Saturday night.  It was a nice time and the food was great.  We ended up at one of my favorite places for seafood, Fresh Off the Hook.  Now I have the inspiration I need for my Academy Award dish.  I'm going to take shrimp cocktail.  I can eat that on my diet.  It's good.  Everyone likes it.  And now I just have to think how it ties in with my favorite movie last year.  Right now I think I'm going with Toy Story 3, because all the kids at the daycare are shrimps.

Diet and Exercise

I've been whimping along with P90X.  Everyone in my family is powering through these DVDs with Tony Horton's extreme exercise program.  We have a chin-up bar, yoga blocks, and room to work out one at a time in Ty's old room.  We check in with everyone's progress.  I think Ty is probably killing all of us.  He was doing workouts like crazy during Christmas break and soon after that he started doing doubles (twice a day).  Stacey and Mike are probably in second place.  I'm definitely in last.  I do the two bonus workouts on the introduction DVD.  They're shorter than the real thing, and I modify.  I've done the KenpoX, but all the kicking and punching is too violent for me.  I've tried the YogaX twice, but I only like the last 42 minutes of the 90 minute workout.  The first 48 minutes are crazy-town; and I thought Yoga was calm.  So the only workout I really do is the XStretch, which I like.  I get up around 5 to workout whimply.

Part of my problem is that I'm dieting at the same time.  I think I need more calories and more energy.  But what I really want is less fat and less weight, so something has to give.  I am sticking with it though until I get back to my Weight Watchers goal of 2008.  I'll be ready for summer.  I think all the P90Xers in my family will stick with it too.  They'll be ripped in 90 days.

Thursday

I drove to work on a sheet of ice.  The forester was sliding around and it took twice as long as usual to make the drive.  Our company left today, but by the time they got on the road, the sun was out and everything had melted.  Reed and Carolyn were the easiest guests ever.  They brought their own special food and Terry took care of all the cleaning, bedding, and everything else.  I left before they were up each morning, so I just visited with them for a few minutes each night.

I was exhausted though by tonight.  It's hard to start the week with a big deal like Valentine's Day, have company, be evaluated, go to book club, and get-together with family.  It felt like Tuesday should have been Friday.  This has been two weeks squeezed into one.  So tonight I just sat and watched American Idol.  I didn't even try to correct some paper during commercials.

Usually  I don't like country music, but I do like John Wayne what's-his-name on Idol.  He's made the cut so far.  And on Sunday the new Amazing Race starts and my favorite team ever, the cowboys, Jet and Cord, will be back on.  So I have a couple months to watch 3 cowboys.  Yipee ka yo! 

Wednesday's Stuff

My principal came in to do my evaluation today.  It's always a stress.  You'd think after 31 years it wouldn't be, but they're always changing what they're looking for, and we have a new principal this year too.  You're trying to hit a moving target, with 32 unpredictable 6th graders.  You want it to look smooth and easy, but you also want to wow them in a way.  It's usually a bit of an unnatural hour.  I think it went well, but we haven't gone over her report yet.

That evening we had a family get-together across town.  It was a time to check-in with the patient and visit with everyone that had come from Salt Lake.  There were 18 of us there and of course you always find craziness with family.  Both sides of our families are crazy, just in different ways.  I'm glad we all get along though.  Nobody ever fights and yells.  We don't get together often enough to drive each other crazy.  There are just crazy elements all over in our families.

This particular week I've noticed a big difference between Terry's family and mine.  Food.  Eating.  In my family, we always plan out the food for every occasion and we eat everything and it's always great.  Terry's family doesn't plan, makes no assignments, no decisions, and a bunch of them have special diet restrictions.  When the relatives said they were coming to visit, the first thing I thought about was food, and I started cooking.  Both nights they ended up eating a crazy combo of things at all different times, or in some cases not eating.  There were chicken tacos (without lettuce and tomatoes which were left in the sack) and beef stew the first night.  Then spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, and take-out Cafe Rio the next.  We blessed the food and nobody started eating.  Some were still ordering.  People just ate whatever, whenever.  Two hours later people were finishing their salads on the couch in the living room.  Kind of crazy.

Tuesday's Doings

My father-in-law came home from the hospital on Monday.  He'd had two small strokes, H1N1, and rehabilitation, all in one week.  For an 88 year old, I think he probably set some kind of record.  Family from SLC came up today for a visit and to lend a hand.  I sent some food over, but went to my book group for our February discussion.

I love my book group.  I always love being around women of all ages; talking, sharing, laughing, learning, and usually eating.  I also love reading and sharing book thoughts with each other.  This book was so interesting.  You can check it out here.  Between reading The Journey Takers and watching the DVD A Celebration of Family History I'm a changed person.  I might not get started on genealogy until summer, but I'm blogging right now.

Grade School Valentines

There is nothing better than Valentine sacks or boxes stuffed with cards and candy.  Something about this day makes kids sweet.  They're thoughtful, they're giving, they want to express just the right message, and the picture has to fit the friend.  They remember the custodian, last year's teacher, the lunch ladies, and there's always one kid that gets something extra special for a 'crush' which causes a ripple of excitement and giggles. 

There is nothing better than a good, soft, frosted sugar cookie, and I love conversation hearts (soft are best, but old hard ones are good too).  I also love the cinnamon gumdrop hearts.  In my more grown-up moments I like good chocolates from Lee's or See's - dark chocolate orange or coconut cream.  Mmmmmm!  Today I was dieting and didn't indulge in any of it, but it will all be the same next year.  I'll probably have another decade or so of grade school Valentine's Days and I'm glad.  There's nothing better. 

Today is the 12th anniversary of our sealing.  Brother Hessing, a long-time home teacher of mine, and friend, was the sealer.  He talked to us a bit about Emma Smith and Joseph, and read out of the Doctrine of Covenants.  Hearing about Emma was meaningful to me.  The most amazing part was Ty, in first grade, coming into the sealing room with big wide eyes.  He was taking in everything there was to see.  He remembered all the pictures on the walls.  I wonder what he remembers of that day now.

It's been a good day.  Everything was calm and there wasn't a rush about anything.  I like Sundays when we don't have 9:00 meetings.  I watched a DVD, A Celebration of Family History, while I ironed this morning.  I've been so moved by that DVD.  I spoke in sacrament and it was good and Terry was proud.  I sat between my two visiting teachers on the stand, one was giving the prayer, and the other was leading the music, so they did their visiting teaching.  Our ward put in a new RS presidency and they are amazing women.  I'm excited for them.  Now I'm going downstairs to eat strawberries.  It's a good day.

Who doesn't love freedom?

I think that I should take the time to note that after 18 days of demonstrations, the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, has given up power, and stepped down after 30 years.  Egyptians want a democracy.  It will be hard, but I'm hopeful for them.  It was scary watching the demonstrations, thinking that it could turn into a blood-bath, or another Islamic extremist state.  The Middle East is such a tumultuous area.  I do think that most people see the freedoms that we have, and want that kind of government.  I'm happy for Egyptians today.  The row they need to hoe now is as long as the Nile, but it's a happy day.  I'm thankful to be an American. 

Mad Scientist

On Wednesday a parent of one of my students came over from the junior high and taught my class for an hour.  He teaches science and was one of Ty's favorites.  I'm not very competent at teaching science, and this year I'm suppose to teach physics.  I've never taken physics.  The chapter in the sixth grade, actually the fourth grade book confuses me.  I can barely teach concepts of gravity, inertia, and Newton's laws.  Then there is always a student that is so curious and asks a question that I can't begin to answer.  So, the amazing Mr. Bowman came and led 32 sixth graders in wild and fun physics games and demonstrations.  He first handed out safety goggles and had them all prepared, because "this is physics and things will be flying around the room".  In short order, he had spilled water on everything, broke eggs, and bounced balls (including a baseball) all around my room.  He took them outside and set up a crate with a long board like a teeter-totter to launch anything they could think of - books, pencil bags, yo-yos, left-over lunches, and even a couple kids.  Then we came back in and had kids lay on a bed of nails.  One boy was on the nails with the board on top of him and a girl in the class standing on the board. 

It was a crazy-fun day of demos.  Actually several of the experiments didn't work, and I don't think I was any clearer on Newton's laws when he left, but science was exciting on Wednesday.  Today I had to teach another group a physics lesson, and being motivated, I tried some of Wednesday's experiments, and I ended up with a wild group, being goofy, and basically the whole lesson ran amuck.  It made me mad.  It makes me mad that Newton's laws are even on the state standards for 6th graders.

Possible Bags

I read Adaline Falling Star to my class, a book about Kit Carson's daughter by an Arapaho wife.  Adaline has a possibles bag which holds her most prized possessions:  a carved dragonfly (from her mother which signifies being able to dart out of danger), a science book called The Heavenly Bodies (which tells about her name and who she is), and a tinderbox (a reminder from her father to keep her fires low and remove all your tracks when you move on).  As an extension, I went to JoAnns for fake suede, took my sewing machine to work, and broke out the beads to make our own possible bags.  It's not easy trying to get 32 kids to thread a needle and tie a knot, but we did it.  Today most of them have finished their bags, which look like something out of the sixties.  They are all thrilled.  It's funny to see all the 6th grade boys with their "man bags" on their way to music or lunch.  Tomorrow I'll take pictures.

(I've also been to dentist and now I'm headed to a town hall meeting.  No rest for the wicked - or is it the weary?)

Not a Good Time to be a Teacher

It was cold and windy, but the hour I spent at a rally on the State House steps felt good today.  The battle between teachers, the legislature, and Tom Luna has been a beat down and it has just begun.  I feel deflated, demeaned, and disrespected.  I hate that the bashing and union busting is coming from our State Superintendent.  It felt good to listen to speakers that had good things to say about teachers, and wise things to say about education.  We heard from Ty's favorite teacher, Doug StanWiens (government teacher), a professor from BSU that cited solid research on learning, a parent, a democratic legislator from district 19, two Timberline students, and a PTO vice president.  Thanks to all of them.  Well done!  There are two hearings and a town hall meeting to attend this week.  I don't know how many of them I'll be able to make it to, but we're in a bad spot, so I'll e-mail my legislators and do what I can. 

Super Bowl XXVI

Domino's Panther #22

I don't know who played in Super Bowl XXVI; I'd have to look it up in Ty's baby book.  I do know I was in labor all day.  Ty was born on Monday, but there must have been some football in his blood.  He always knew all the stats, had watched all the old games on ESPN Classics, and loved that his birthday would fall on the Super Bowl.  But it never did.  When he turned 4, his birthday was on Saturday, but '96 was a Leap Year.  That meant that the next year, his birthday was on Monday again.  He would have to wait until he turned 10 for a Super Bowl birthday, however, 9/11 postponed NFL games by one week and ever since they decided the first Sunday in February worked better.  I always think about Ty's being a Super Bowl kid, but he really isn't.

Heating Up

Our furnace quit working today.  Terry tried to fix it by vacuuming the filters and looking things up on the internet, but finally had to call Jim's Heating and Air Conditioning.  It always happens on the weekend.  We called our friend who works for Jim's, but he was winter camping with the scouts.  (That would be worse than getting called into work on Saturday.)  As it ended up, he was on call this weekend and showed up to help us out anyway.  I really like our friend.  I heard him say once that his hobby was doing service.  He loves to help people out.  That's a real good guy.  So, Terry wasted his whole day messing around with the furnace, but it only cost $100, and we're nice and toasty tonight.

Amazon Arrival

My two books arrived!  The first is The Journey Takers which is for my book club.  It's part memoir, part family history book.  I think I'll really like it, but I'm lending it to a friend first since she has to lead the discussion and I won't get it finished in time anyway.

The second is The Death and Life of the Great American School System -How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education.  Sounds dry, but I think it will just get me all fire-up.  Tom Luna, State Superintendent of Idaho Public Schools, has me all fire-up, and the legislature, and the Statesman, and the Katherine Albertson Foundation, but I'm really too busy teaching to attend all the hearings, town hall meetings, and forums.  I'll just read, pray, and e-mail my new senator, Mitch Toryanski.  Hopefully after reading the book, I'll be able to write an intelligent and persuasive e-mail, instead of just a hot one.

Coming Soon...

 

My Big Movie Ticket Invitatation on the fridge.

I met my friends at Cafe Ole today after school.  We usually just drink diet cokes, eat chips and salsa, and talk.  The conversation is almost always the same - updates on our kids (which is usually funny), our travels and adventures (this is usually just Lydia) reality TV (+ Glee, Modern Family), movies (again, mostly Lydia), and books.  Sometimes we talk about school and sometimes politics, but mostly we're trying to escape all that.  The best thing about today's get-together was receiving our invitations to the annual Oscars Party!  I'm busy thinking of a salad or dessert that goes with Toy Story 3.  I've won in the food category twice; once for a hollowed out "head" of cabbage (with veggie dip) for Silence of the Lambs, and then for a champagne glass with long curled celery sticks (with veggie dip) for The Devil Wears Prada.  I also received rave reviews for my upside down, mini chocolate cupcakes with caramel frosting, but did not win because there wasn't a movie.  I only have a month to figure this out.  I don't like potatoes, and I don't want to eat Mr. Potato Head in any way.  I might have to switch to Social Network, but without seeing the movie, it's real hard to come up with a salad.

Timing

We went to visit my father-in-law at the hospital last night.  He was in good spirits, and raved about the food.  There were four or six family members sitting and standing around his bed when my mother-in-law announced that she had finished paying for his burial.  I know that this was just financial information that she had on her mind and wanted to tell Terry because he helps with their accounts, but....seriously - timing!  My father-in-law is going to go home and be fine for a long time.  I don't know if he really heard the announcement because he didn't say anything, just smiled, but it makes me laugh every time I think about it. 

Ahhhh.....Grade School

There are a few things that you might miss if you don't spend time in an elementary school.  Groundhogs Day is a big holiday, with traditions, and coloring pages, and excitement.  A lot of people don't even have it marked on their calendars.  Another thing is grade school jokes.  They use to come from bubble gum wrappers, but now they're on Laffy Taffy wrappers.  They get passed around and I hear them almost every day.  Yesterday I heard one that came from somewhere else, but it was still elementary humor.  "In the kitchen, you're an American.  What are you in the bathroom?"  "EuRpeon."  Another student that was listening to the joke with me said, "That joke is so last year."  I hadn't heard it before, but those who don't spend time in grade school, definitely didn't hear it way last year.

It's a New Day

See what I mean.  It's hard to pick the best of the bad.

And a better one by far.  My three art moms taught my class all morning while I was at a meeting.  The best part was that I didn't need to plan anything.  I just took roll, told them to be respectful listeners, and left.  The sixth grade teachers had a productive meeting and the principal brought us a basket of chocolate to snack on.  I'm quite a fan of the new mint 3 Musketeers.  My class studied Egyptian art, which was pretty timely since the country is in chaos at the moment, and their museum was broken into yesterday, and treasures were destroyed and stolen.  The class painted Egyptian murals on plywood, stolen from the dumpsters at Micron.  They learned how to write their names in hieroglyphics and signed the murals around the edge.  It sounds pretty cool, but I think they needed more time, or more instructions, or maybe more talent.  I'll take a picture of the best one and post it.