I received something in the mail today.
When I saw that it was from Chicky, I couldn’t wait to tear into it.
Here’s what I found…
Oh my…I wasn’t sure what I was going to find on the inside…
Yeah.
I think this was payback for the little shoebox surprise I sent her a couple of months ago.
What can I say?
We share the same warped sense of humor.
Like mother, like daughter!
😀
Filed under: children | Tagged: childrearing | 1 Comment »
Whew! It was a long week! We had to prep for nine week exams while gearing up for the FCAT that is bearing down on us.
This made for some tired and cranky students, which led to some tired and cranky teachers.
After grading two of my classes’ exams, I sighed in disappointment. Many of my students had failed.
What to do, what to do?
After talking to my friend, Barb, I analyzed each question, decided to throw out six, found one error on my key, and went back through the Scantron answer sheets that my students had filled out. I gave credit to the students who’d correctly answered the incorrectly-marked question and added bonus points for each of the six thrown out questions they’d answered correctly. This helped tremendously but left me feeling exhausted! I didn’t leave my classroom until 5pm! On a Friday!!
It didn’t take much brainpower to decide what kind of pick-me-uppper I needed…
I almost fell asleep as the girl fixed my nails, but I got to work during my pedicure, fixing those test grades (I’m a glutton for punishment) while the spa chair massaged my back and the gal prettied up my toes.
All-in-all, I feel a lot better.
Good thing.
I have a LONG weekend of work ahead of me.
I’ll think about that in the morning though. I’m going to veg in front of the TV for the evening, admire my fancy hands and feet, and knit a while.
Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: pedicure, teaching | 1 Comment »
I have a couple of funny “oops” teaching moments from the week.
The first one happened a few days ago. One of my students had been acting up, so I wrote his name on a sticky as a reminder to call his mother. He saw me do this and fumed the rest of class. My students are very aware that once they get their names written down, the axe is going to fall.
Well, I got sidetracked or, more likely, too busy and did not make that phone call.
The next afternoon, when the student walked into class, he paused and asked, “Mrs. AuburnChick, did you call my mom yesterday?”
“No, I didn’t have a chance to,” I replied.
“Well, since you said you were going to, I went ahead and told her what I’d done in your class,” he said.
Oops.
heeheehee
😀
The other oops was not exactly funny…um…just different.
It happened the day before yesterday.
One of my students just would not stop talking during class, and I finally got fed up and dialed his mother’s number right there in the middle of class.
I’d gotten her cell phone the last time this child had been acting up.
The phone rang and rang and rang. Finally, she picked up…
“Hello,” she said very groggily.
“Hello, Mrs. Mom. This is Mr. Talkative Student’s reading teacher, and I’m having a problem with your son. Um, did I wake you up?” I asked.
“No, you didn’t. It’s just that I just had outpatient surgery, and I’m in the recovery room,” she said.
AWKWARD
I seriously wanted the floor to open up and swallow me.
“Oh, Mrs. Mom. I am so sorry,” I responded.
Shoot, I thought, what do you say in a situation like this?
I continued…”Mrs. Mom, I’m going to call back when you’re feeling better. Please take care of yourself. I’ll be praying for a speedy recovery.”
Oh.
My.
Gosh.
I turned to Mr. Talkative and asked if he knew his mom was having surgery. He told me that he thought it was scheduled for the next day.
Well, apparently it wasn’t.
I admonished him, warning him in the strictest of voices to be kind to his mama and take care of her.
Oh yes. Teaching is the perfect place for interesting moments such as the above.
Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: oops, teaching | 1 Comment »
I thought that having nearly grown children would slow down the emotional roller coaster ride I’ve been on for the last twenty or so years.
Wrong-O.
After being on a high of having my Chicky girl home last weekend, I’m hitting the lows again.
First of all, when Rooster picked me up from work yesterday (we were dealing with car problems), his face bespoke of his less-than-great first day at his new job.
He was terribly disappointed and discouraged, and even as I type this, I’m finding myself battling conflicting emotions of empathy and suck-it-up-ed-ness.
Rooster drove me to the car place to pick up Chicky’s vehicle, which I’ll be driving until she comes home in May since she had to leave it here to be repaired. I called Chicky to gloat about driving her baby.
That’s when she told me she’d sprained her ankle yesterday during soccer practice, and she has to take it easy for a week or two.
My poor girl. This is the third injury she’s had this season, and it’s killing me not to be there to force Motrin down her throat and tie ice to her bum ankle.
Sigh.
I’m wondering if I’m truly going through more ups and downs of parenting, or if I’m merely experiencing the onset of menopause and all of the emotional extremes that come with it.
It could, quite honestly, be a bit of both.
The parenting thing never really stops, or so I tell Chicky every time I feel a need to justify my overprotective nature (otherwise known as helicopter-mom-ed-ness).
I’m also a high school teacher, which means that I’m never far away from the teenage angst that sometimes leads me to question my own abilities as a fearless leader (yeah, right).
Sigh.
It’s too bad I don’t eat chocolate any more. This would definitely be a time to indulge in a monster size bar of it!
Filed under: children | Tagged: parenting | 4 Comments »
Hola people! It’s Wednesday, and that means it’s time for the Hodgepodge! Link up with Joyce to have a little bit of fun!
1. What’s the last job you did that required elbow grease?
I was going to say shaving my legs after a winter of being hairy, but I didn’t want to make you throw up.
Oops.
Too late.
heehee
Seriously though. I think that I last used a bit of elbow grease when I had to clean up my classroom to make room for the new technology we just got.
2. March Madness, aka the men’s Division I basketball championship, is nearing an end. What sort of ‘madness’ has your house seen this month?
With the kids getting older, the madness has slowed down a bit. However, Chicky did surprise me with a visit home last weekend. Sunday was a little crazy as we got Rooster ready to escort Dancing Girl to a pageant, take pictures, and then see Chicky off as she went back to school. It was a bit crazy that day.
3. What’s your favorite shop for browsing?
I’m not much of a browser. I only like to shop when I know I’m buying something. With that said, my favorite shop for buying (ahem) would be a yarn store. 😀
4. Is there ever a time when giving up makes sense?
Gosh. This is hard! I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in situations where constantly being nice to a person just never seemed to pay off. No matter what I did, that person did not reciprocate my efforts, and after a while, I just gave up. I think that when you constantly give and give and give and either receive crap or nothing in return, it’s probably time to give up simply so you stop wasting your energy on what would seem to be a hopeless situation.
5. What’s a song you love that contains the name of a city, state or country in its title?
Last week, I taught a lesson on comparing tone. To illustrate, I played two songs. One of the songs was Proud to be an American by Lee Greenwood. It mentions the names of several states. I can’t help but be moved every time I hear this song.
6. When did you first begin using a computer?
I began using a computer when I was young. My first one was an IBM that only had DOS. I really had no idea what to do with it except put in simple commands. When I was in high school, we got our first computer lab, and I learned how to write programs. Computers have been a part of my life ever since that time.
7. Did you buy girl scout cookies this year? What’s your favorite?
I, personally, did not buy cookies this year, nor did I eat any. In the past, my favorite flavor has been Thin Mint, stuck in the freezer of course.
8. My Random Thought
I have two funny teaching stories to share.
First, on Monday, I walked into a coworker’s class to get her students started on their work. She had a sub that day, but the sub didn’t show, so other subs were coming in during their planning to cover. The sub for second period (my planning when I went in there), had to go potty, so I stayed for a few minutes. I gathered money from one student for a field trip and promised to return with her change. When I got back ten or fifteen minutes later, a couple of the kids called me over to them. “Mrs. AuburnChick,” they said, “Please don’t leave us. Our substitute is mean.”
“Oh, you don’t know me. I’m mean too,” I said.
“Oh, you’re much nicer than this crazy lady,” they said. I felt so badly for them as I left…almost like a mama whose children were holding onto her legs. Still, it made me feel good.
My second story…
One of my students just finished reading the book Split, which I’d read and given a recommendation for. He loved the book so much (please remember that I teach struggling readers) that he talked about it to his friends who, in turn, are reading the book.
Yesterday when he came into my class, he went on and on about the book, so I offered to let him share his thoughts with his classmates. I even handed him the microphone that came with the new technology I just got in my classroom.
Oh boy.
Open mike.
This student was a riot!
He talked about how there was good action, love, and cursing in the book. He told the kids that there was even the “F” word int he book, and he turned to me and said, “Mrs. AuburnChick, I was shocked that you thought this book was good even though it had cussing.” I explained that almost every young adult book has something in it (isn’t this sad?????).
He told the class how there was one thing in this book that he would never do…hit a girl.
He recommended that everyone read the book.
As a reading teacher, my heart soared. It’s a teacher’s dream to inspire students.
I will not take the credit.
God gets the glory.
I am only His tool.
Filed under: Teaching, This-n-That | Tagged: teaching, Wednesday Hodgepodge | 5 Comments »
Today was…um…how shall I put this…interesting.
We were supposed to take our reading students to watch The Hunger Games; however, a power outage in that part of town led to a change in plans.
Because I’m in the middle of a unit, I just pushed on with my lesson plans, albeit a bit begrudgingly.
The kids were not pleased, and they were not shy about letting me know.
As my second class began, I began to realize just how crazy things were going to be. A few students in that class absolutely refused to settle down and stop talking.
I won’t go into particulars, but it was so bad that I called for an administrator to remove several students.
Yeah.
Not my best moment.
After they left, I taught my heart out and had a very productive class period.
Yeah.
One of my better recoveries.
At the end of the day, I walked up to the office to turn in the office referrals I’d written up for the students who had been removed. When I got there, one of the sweet gals who works in the front office told me the following story.
She’d seen two of my students waiting outside the principal’s office, so she asked what was going on.
One of my guys told her that he’d gotten in trouble for reading a catalog/magazine.
Surely he’d done something a bit more serious, she inquired, knowing full well that I would have a better reason for sending a student to the office.
This is where things got good.
This student told her that he thought I didn’t like tall people.
SAY WHAT????
He went on to ask if there was such a thing as HEIGHT DISCRIMINATION.
Really?
Now, if I had a thing against tall people, I’d hate everyone over the age of 12 because that’s about the age when people begin towering over me.
By the way, I should tell you that the gentleman making such claims is 6’7″.
I kid you not.
His partner in crime, the other fellow I’d sent to the office, stands over six feet tall as well.
My friend in the office called him the short one.
As my friend noted when I gave her the discipline referrals, “That boy should be given points for creativity.”
I had to chuckle.
He’s a charmer, and that’s why I’m going to ask the principal to go easy on him.
Oh yes…it was an interesting day indeed.
Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: teaching | Leave a comment »
Oh, my love of reading has definitely kicked in this year, despite the enormous volumes of work that I wake up to each day.
Last week, I finished reading TWO books!
The first one I read was Don’t Blink by James Patterson…
A friend had loaned me several books, so when I saw this one on the pile, I quickly put down the one I was in the middle of reading and began this one instead. I love anything written by him, but I’ve gotta admit that this one was not my favorite. Though it moved quickly, and it didn’t take me long to finish it, I found the characters somewhat superficial. It was as if Patterson didn’t want to allow his characters to delve too deeply into conversations (or rather to share those conversations with the reader). He skimped on describing a lot of events, running rough-shod over scenes.
I’m used to the blood and gore of his vicious criminals. I’m used to heroes (and heroines) who are deep in the throes of emotional turmoil.
Still, it made for somewhat light reading, if you like mobster kinds of books.
After finishing Don’t Blink, I picked up my other book…The Lady of the Rivers…by Phillipa Gregory. It’s the third in her series The Cousins’ War, and it follows The White Queen and The Red Queen.
This book goes back in time and tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville’s (aka the “white” queen) mother.
If you like British/royal history, you’ll LOVE this series. This book did not disappoint, although some of the political intrigue and backstabbing had me losing my way. Hey, don’t fault me. I loathed my English History class in college because I had a retarded professor (sorry, but he could have done better facilitating the class…just sayin’).
Anyhoo…I loved reading about Jacquetta’s devotion to her husband…how she left her lofty social position to marry the man the loved…even paying financially for this faux pas. Her faithful service to her country and queen were admirable, as was her love and longing for her children while she was away at court.
I think what I enjoyed the most about this book was reading the notes that the author included at the end of the book. She spoke of wanting to research women’s roles in British history…how historians have glossed over these particular women and the impact they had on history.
If you’re looking for a good read, I highly suggest this book, in particular, but the series as a whole.
Oh, and I have to share a funny.
I took all three books to school, along with the new book that I began reading (I read during my students’ silent, independent reading time). One of my students said, “Mrs. AuburnChick, you finished ANOTHER book? You read a book every weekend!!
That’s what I do, folks…model good reading habits to my students who struggle.
It’s a win-win for everyone!
Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: books, Don't Blink, reading, The Cousin's War, The Lady of the Rivers | Leave a comment »
In the blink of an eye, Chicky appeared, bringing with her a teammate and a huge smile that spoke of the joy that she had in surprising me by coming home for the weekend.
We packed a lot into the day and a half we had together.
First, she got to meet Gambit, who had become an official part of the family after Chicky had returned to school after New Year’s…
Gambit quickly won her heart over. He is one of the sweetest dogs, as you can probably see from the look on his face in the above picture.
She and her friend went to the beach. When they came home, we met my mom, her husband, Super Sis, her husband, and one of my nephews for dinner at a local restaurant…a favorite of all who visit my town.
One of the best things about this place is the view you have while you eat dinner…
After dinner, we drove to the beach and went go-carting. What fun! Super Sis and I got in a two-seater, and I drove. Despite my NASCAR prowess, we got beat by a couple of girls in front of us who had a knack for blocking.
After a good night’s sleep, we got up, ditched church (sorry, Lord, but our day was crazy, so I hope you’ll forgive us), and watched as Rooster donned a tuxedo.
He was going to escort Dancing Girl to a local pageant. It’s a traditional one, held by our garden club. Girls dress up in hoop dresses, going all out with all of the accessories, including pantaloons!
Chicky, her friend, and I had followed Rooster to Dancing Girl’s house so I could take pictures.
After Rooster and Dancing Girl left to get pictures made at the Garden Club, I took Chicky and her friend back home.
It was time for Chicky to begin the long drive back to school.
The goodbyes were hard.
I think it’s getting harder as she gets older. I thought it would get easier, but as she gets older, I see her less and less, and the time between visits gets longer and longer.
I gave her an Easter gift before she left…
You really can’t tell from the picture, but it’s a musical bunny (I stuffed it into a soccer ball-Easter basket). I thought it would keep her Valentine’s elephant company. The bunny’s ears move around as it sings. 😀
Chicky chuckled as she left, with the bunny sitting in the middle between her and her friend.
It was a GREAT weekend. Watching as my girl interacted with her “little” brother in such a grown-up way…hugging her every time she came into the room…oh my, but I’ve got tears spilling over as I type this.
In the blink of an eye she appeared.
In the blink of an eye, she was gone again.
Filed under: children | Tagged: childrearing, children | 2 Comments »
The sweetest sound that will ever enter a mama’s ear is the sound that goes something like this…
That sound must, of course, come from a college-age child who a mama hasn’t laid eyes on in three months.
The words will come from said child as she enters the house full of glee because she spent a week planning the surprise.
This mama is one happy lady who feels a little like the cat in the picture below…
Filed under: children | Tagged: children, parenting | 1 Comment »
Last week, during Spring Break, I found myself with a bit of time on my hands and a goal in mind…to finish a project I’d been working on since December
I had pulled, from my stash, the following yarn, which I’d purchased in Juneau during my cruise to Alaska…
It’s dyed right there in Juneau!
I had spent a couple of days with Chicky in October, and one of her roommates had asked me if I’d make her a pair of socks. She’d been on Facebook admiring my handiwork.
Well, she was so sincere that I couldn’t say no. I took her measurements, told her not to hold her breath as I was swamped with work, and then cast on a couple of months later.
I decided to use a pattern from Cookie A’s book knit. sock. love. No surprise there, eh? I’m probably one of Cookie’s biggest fans!
I used size 1 1/2 (2.5mm) needles to make the small size. Once I got used to all of the increases, I flew through the pattern (“flew” is probably not very accurate…the pattern wasn’t difficult…finding the time to knit was).
Anyhoo, here is the finished project, in all of its glory.
I was so excited when I put these in the mail. Chicky sent me the following picture of her roommate after she opened the package…
The socks are a PERFECT fit, and Chicky’s roommate is very happy.
Hence, I am happy. 🙂
Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: a tree hugger's wife sock yarn, Cookie A, Juneau, Knitting, rhombus, socks | 4 Comments »
AuburnChick's Adventures 