Morning Ladies,
I am glad to be home with you all again. I had a wonderful visit with my sister. We went to see Suessical the Musical on Saturday evening. It was wonderful! Even the parts in the show, where three males danced around the stage in black leather tight pants and black leather vests. I never associated black leather outfits with a Dr. Suess book before. Yesterday I went to church with my sister and then we sat around and talked for awhile. Then her friend came over and we all went out for a late lunch/dinner. Came back to her apartment and talked some more. When I was getting ready to leave, the phone rang. It was my dh asking where I was and letting me know he didn't want me to be driving in the dark on Rt. 35. It is a two lane highway in WV, traveled by a lot of semis and it is cuvry in spots. So I came home to him in a good mood. We had a nice relaxing evening together. I guess it makes up for the comment he made to me on Saturday at lunch before I went to my sister's. I just loved it how he made plans for us to do something with his one cousin and his family on Thursday evening and I had to tell him that was fine but I wasn't going to be able to go with them. I am teaching VBS all of this week in the evenings. So I am going to have another busy week.
Sounds like we all had a busy but nice weekend. I will come back and be more personal in my next post. I have to go workout now. Talk to you all later.
Have a wonderful day!
Kerry

Oh, Kerry! I'm so jealous! I love Seussical! I was going to go see it in Baltimore, but found out about way too late to get tickets. They just don't advertise these things very well! They are starting to, though, because of the new Hippodrome Theatre.
I have the CD. I interned at a camp for kids who use voice-output to communicate (they can't talk with their mouths), and the theme for the closing ceremonies that year was Broadway... My group did Suessical, and used their devices to read bits of the books to the audience. We had a really young group, about 6 years old, so that was pretty good... I think we combined One Fish, Two Fish, and Green Eggs and Ham... then wrote other rhymes to cover the combinations. :) It was kinda fun.
The reading specialist at my last school really liked it too. I'm not sure if she ever saw the musical or not. In fact, I was just listening to some of the songs on my computer... I have iTunes, and have lots of my CDs on my harddrive.
:mouse:

Hi ! I tried to sneak on here this am.....but had some errands to run.

Robyn-you had me howling too......love your sick sense of humor. Have you ever seen Muppets Treasure Island???? Tim Curry is in that too.....he plays a rather fruity pirate and it is an adorable movie. All 3 of my kids (even the teenagers) love watching it. But of course, me with the sicko mind, all I can see is him strutting his stuff as that sweet transexual. Oh well, on to a healthier topic. Done moving now, I hope????? Does the new classroom feel like "home" yet? When is your big return to the Citizen of the year role?????

Mouse- throw the pager out.....or at least stuff it under your mattress!!!! Glad to hear that your hand is improving. I sure to hope that you can crank out those last reports.....gosh, don't you hate stuff like that! Almost as bad as getting ready for income taxes. Do you think you will be able to get some swimming/workout time in???

Kerry- I hope you got your workout in!!!!!! Sounds as though you had a much deserved break from routine/getaway! I am so happy for you. And then to have to face VBS this week? My church does VBS in the evening too...and then when you finally get home it is 9pm (or later) and the kids are all hyped up, rebounding off the walls and sleep is the last thing on their minds. Hope you have a good week with that. What age group are you teaching?
I am glad to hear that Dh was concerned about your safety on the trip home.That must have made you feel good.

Ran up to Sam's this am for an assortment of things- some college supplies- other general stuff and a box of Air Heads for me to hand out on the trip home for the first day of school. I have decided to draft a short welcome to/welcome back letter to my kids parents. I have no opportunity to speak to most of them (kind of tough to do as I can't leave my seat on the bus!) and feel that if I start the year out with a friendly hello and explanantion of some of the rules that it might make the year go easier......that is if anyone reads that stuff! (one biggie is that here in NY it is mandatory for me to drive at least 5 mph slower during any inclement road conditions, even a drizzle and I do get tired of the mom's who are glancing at their watches as I pull up in the pm a few minutes late because of crummy roads). Think anyone will read a short note if I write it???
No walk for me yet.....hopefully I will get one in after dinner. Kind of tired right now so I guess it is time for another cup of tea!
I think I'd better go do something productive. Hope everyone is having a good day. Summer- how are you doing?? It seems strange not seeing a post from you!
Ginny

La de da de da........... I'm singin' in the rain......just singin' in the rain...... :dizzy: Ok, its just me in one of my wacky moods....been hanging out with the cat too much- or maybe not enough!

Been a strange afternoon. Dd has been blowing hot and cold....typical hormonal teenager. One minute strangulation seems a good alternative, the next minute she is lovable and charming...... Can you tell I did not get out for a walk yet???? :lol: (the rain stopped, so I will be donning those shoes soon). Dh has a tummy ache.......but is snoozing on the couch so at least he is pleasant. My mom went to the surgeon this afternoon- who is insisting that she go for an xray of her head, his concern is that the basil cell has spread (it is not known for doing so, but she really let this go too long).
She and my sister and nephew (18) are probably coming up to visit tomorrow. My sister lives in Ohio- I get to see her once a year. We are not terribly close- no biggie to either of us- just different interests/different people. Tomorrow is her bday......so I guess I'll have to run out in the am and pick up a gift for her. We usually just exchange cards.

Well enough of me babbling!OHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Before I forget- Dd went to go into the pool this afternoon...only to find........drum roll...........a dead bird!!! (Was it Kerry or Summer who had the same thing happen???)
Please get back to me about what the board of health said. Of course, I disposed of it- and am half inclined to drain the pool and call it quits for the summer. Does "shocking" the water kill all the organisms???? So, it has been one of those days....when the going gets tough, the tough get walking- so I am out of here.! See ya later.
Ginny

The hand is still looking good. Its mostly healed except the deeper part where his fang went in. I think I mentioned the monster tried to get me again last night when I put on the earphones to work on those reports! And... speaking of reports... I'm down to 4. Once those last 4 are done, I'm going to cut and paste them all into one document, make sure they're all the same font and same font size, add a table of contents and zap into a PDF file.
I didn't get exercise in this weekend, but I made up for it today... I hit the gym at 2:30, and didn't leave till 6! The towel attendants told me I'd been there long enough when I dropped off my locker key, and I needed to go home! ;) I exercised MOST of that time, though I did spend 30 minutes chatting with a friend who is a swim instructor there. She and I try to do email, but she has AOL and AOL won't let me send her email the normal way. I have to use one of my web-mail accounts.
So, a total of 35 minutes lifting weights, 10 minutes on the bike (did .85 miles today in two sessions!), and 90 minutes swimming.
I actually had a pleasant conversation with my father on the telephone: that's pretty rare, he and I haven't gotten along very well since my parents divorced when I was 16. I'm trying to talk him into joining a gym. He is REALLY REALLY REALLY overweight and gets ZERO exercise. So, I looked up a gym that was a member of the same program my gym is. Found one, and told him that if he joins, when I come up on weekends I'll go with him to the gym. I can use any gym that is part of that network as long as I pay the guest fee because my gym pays dues to the network.
That gym has more aquatic options than my gym does, and more pools... but I think its just 2 small ones and one lap pool. My gym could really use another pool or a larger one; it gets SOOOO crowded, and nobody wants to share lanes. They especially hate sharing with me because I'm so slow.
Okay.. I took my meds an hour ago and haven't eaten much of my dinner so I need to wrap this up and go eat!

:mouse:

Evening ladies,
I had a nice time at VBS tonight. I only had two preschoolers in my class tonight. So I might have a few more tomorrow. If not, these two are more than enough to keep me on my toes. Especially the little boy who kept asking if I would hold him up to touch the fire coming out of our volcano. So I did a nice quicky talk about we told play with fire before I could go on with the bible lesson. Then I came home and went for a walk with my dh.
Mouse, I loved Suessical. It was very entertaining! I might have to look about buying the cd and playing it for my kids at school. Sounds like you were busy today working on your reports and also going to the gym. I think you made up for not getting to workout this weekend. So are your reports done yet?
Ginny, I sure did enjoy my visit with my sister. It was nice to get away from everything and just relax for a change. What part of Ohio does your sister live? I hope you can get along well enough to make it an enjoyable visit. I think the welcome letters sounds like a great idea. Plus that way you would have proof that you let the parents and kids know your rules on the bus.
Robyn how is the room coming along? When does your school start anyway? My school starts next Tuesday. So I have to really kick my butt in gear to get everything ready for the school year to start this week. I plan on going in tomorrow for a while and doing some work. So how is the bathroom coming along? Glad to hear that you told your dh to wait a little while longer to get the stuff to finish the bathroom. Why is it when you are in the middle of a project they can never be bothered to go get what you need, but they feel that you need to stop everything and run right out for them. Glad to hear that you just got some rain and not a lot of damage from Charley.
Summer how are you? Recovering from the letdown of the nice family that is moving on you. The perfect family is out there somewhere just waiting on you to find them to become friends. You don't have to socialize with the late rude family.
Well ladies, I think I am going to go read for a little while and then go to bed. Talk to you all tomorrow.
Have a wonderful evening
Kerry

Left the house at 8:15am and returned at 8:45 pm......
spent the day moving stuff and arranging and topped it off with BoyScouts.......
spent nearly 2 hours tonight cleaning up after our ancient cat and her bathrooming issues.... ahem. I love her dearly..... but DARRRNNNN!

I'm heading to bed..... tomorrow I move ABSOLUTELY THE LAST of the junk in.... and finish MOVING the furniture. I start school (meetings) officially next Monday. Returning teachers return on the 30th. Students return on the 7th. There is already a grandparent ranting about her kiddo getting the new teacher! (That would be me.... ha! ME...the NEW teacher!)

Cat is pacing around the litter box again....ARGGGHHH! gonna run and pace her in the correct direction..... I love this cat. I love this cat. I love this cat. arggghh...

take care
Did you know that TimCurry is Nigel Thornberry?
WHAT song/story in the Suess musical had the guys dancing in leather??? ( I may not ever be able to think of Horton again in the same way! hehehe!)

Just a quick hello- got lots to do this am before my house is invaded. The biggest "problem" with my sister visiting?????? We do get along just fine- there is no hostility (at least not on my end!)- just that if you can picture a pendulum swinging....well she is at one end and I am at the other......in many realms....she is borderline atheist, by now you know that I have a firm faith and study the Bible regularly, her version of weight control is to eat whenever, whatever she likes so what if she is heavy (5'7" and most likely 250-260#) and just enjoy eating, we support opposing political views, oh my gosh the list goes on and on. But we do get along ok- there are just a ton of subjects that we steer clear of. Our kids however......could not be more different. Sometimes it is trying getting them to just accept each other as they are. Oh, well.

Mouse- you workout queen!!!!!! Making up for lost time- good for you. Bet all that gym time felt SO good. How sweet of you being an inspiration for your Dd. No matter what he decides to do, you did the right thing maintaining communication lines and trying to get him to take care of himself. Glad to hear that hand is slowly getting better- my neighbors wrist (cat bite) is still not "normal" in appearance- and her bite happened before yours. Bad kitty for going after you again.........

Robyn- bet you were pooped after yesterday!!!! Just reading about it made me tired.
Someday they are going to make "depends" for kitties..........I had one of them too, my kids still joke about him!

Kerry- how nice that Dh went for a walk with you. (I'm jealous....) VBS sounds like fun, even if your two charges are challenging!!!!! Hope you get some time today to regroup before tonight.

I'd better go get something done here.......Got 3 hours before they get here.
See ya later!
Ginny

(BTW, the pool drained last nite all by itself, so we are packing it up for the winter......and I do not have to deal with the dead bird issue)

Morning Ladies,
I am off to work in my classroom once again. I think if my aide and I can stay on task and work really hard we can get it all done today. Then all I will have to worry about is getting my lesson plans ready for next week. So that is my major task for the day. Plus I have to teach VBS again tonight. So I hope to accomplish a lot today. But that could all change at the drop of a hat. Plus I would like to do a walking video or ride my bike this afternoon.
As for the black leather boys, they were portraying the three Wickersham Brothers. Plus when they came out to dance on stage during the bathtub scene, they were decked out in lovely fancy leotards and their female parts were dressed in dull ones.
Well I best be moving my fanny to get to school and work for a while.
Talk to you all later.
Kerry

ARRRGH! I was going to post that I was up all night because I was sore by the time I finally went to bed because of the work-out... but it seems to have suddenly, magically gone away. I am, however, tired because I was up late and brat-cat woke me up. I tend to keep his new bags of food in the trunk of the car because he has been known to open cupboard doors and get into the food. He won't eat crumbs, you see, and I want his bowl EMPTY before I put the new food inside. He has a self-feeder, and he won't eat wet food... he can't stand it. He won't even eat Tender Vittles. So I let him have his dry food whenever he wants it... And he's not a small kitty...10 pounds!
I have 4 more reports to do; and I want to start working on making the stuff for my certificate students work-boxes. Workboxes is a vocational task analysis program, and we divided it up by the 4 industries we have at school... Retail, Hospitality, Info Tech and Construction... to teach the kids sorting, packaging, filing, etc... all those "sheltered workshop skills" that they'll need to have. I may use it with some of my lower functioning diploma kids too, I'm not sure yet.
But, money being tight, I'm having to make a lot of it myself. And I'm NOT a craft-type person! I can't cut or paste or draw a line... Thank goodness for things like Boardmaker and shipping labels!!!! :)
Oh, and speaking of which, I swear that when I renewed my application in the various Pennsylvania recruitment areas, I said I didn't want the 4 inner city districts near my hometown to have access to my application. I've DONE the inner city thing, already... did it for 4 years. And I own lots and lots and lots of nice life-skills materials because they never gave me anything to teach with. I've got boxes of them in my closet and one on my floor in my living room! Edmark reading curriculum, Indoor/Outdoor sign sets, bingo games, etc. At one point, I owed Citibank $4000 that was mostly classroom supplies. I like teaching the inner city students, but I don't like the districts that the kids go to... my school right now is largely low-income and inner city students, so its a good fit. I can't see myself going back to an inner city, out of compliance district... I just can't. And of course, who calls me? One of the districts that I allegedly blocked my application from. :sigh:
This is the same district that, 6 years ago wouldn't hire me because it would have made the district I was with then (leaving them namelesss to protect the NOT so innocent twits that run the place!) mad. Yes, you read that correctly... it would have made my out of compliance district that almost cost the entire state their special education funding MAD. The district that was so out of compliance and the building that I was in was so out of compliance that they were target-monitored by the Office of Special Education Programs EIGHT TIMES in the 3 years that I was there. The district that had the last two superintendents ARRESTED or drummed out of office for improper use of district funds. Yes... that district. :rolleyes:
But now, they're falling all over themselves to ask me questions, and I'm too stupid to not return their TWO phone calls!
:mouse:

Summer is over for me...officially. Even though I don't have to report for duty till Tuesday, I am in deep already. Going into school now isn't just to set up my room. Now I have to deal with all the a**holes who waited until the last possible minute to register their children for preschool. I do all my own registrations so I am constantly being interrupted to deal with them. Half of these people don't speak English, and our translators aren't available till school begins, just to add to the frustrations. Then of course are all the reunions with all the teachers I haven't seen since June. Everybody has to chat and catch up. Sorry to sound *****y, but I can't help it. Normally, I am really friendly, a regular social butterfly. But this isn't the time for that. I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME!!! I wish I had put in more time last week and the week before instead of just a couple of days, cause now I can't get a thing done. Remind me...NEXT YEAR, I WILL SET UP MY ROOM TWO WEEKS BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS AND STAY HOME THE WEEK BEFORE. That way I can work in peace.

I sincerely wish I had time to read and answer all your posts, but I can't right now. I'm sorry! I will catch up with all of you as soon as I can!

Love ya all!

Hey you guys! YET another exhausting day at my new school. I officially start on Monday. But today marked the 1 week working in the room. OK.... now you must remember that I am changing classrooms, schools, districts, FRIENDS.... for the first time in 17 years! I have NEVER EVER put in this kind of time into a class prior to the beginning of school..... AND I have YET to put the first thing on the wall. BUT.... it will be done by Friday.... I am hoping!

Summer, I'm so sorry that your summer has come to a crashing END. We've been missing you! I know NO one at this new school.........but remember EXACTLY what you're talking about re:the "welcome home" from all the teachers! (Maybe next year I will experience it again! :sigh: (Don't get me wrong.... the new school staff has been very friendly....but... they aren't my SCHOOL BUDS..... I'm missing my old friends!) NEXT year I will NOT be putting this type of time into this classroom! ARGHH!
I thought of you this evening as my hair was returned to its "winter" color.... the blonde highlights were REALLY faded to nearly white....and looking REALLY dry.... my stylist recommended that we go ahead and change it now..... a few months early....
SOOOO.... I am sorta jumping at the sight of the stranger who is looking at me in the mirror! It is MUCH darker than it was this morning! ....it is also MUCH shorter! She used a photo of Ashley Judd.... (hehehe) I love the cut....and well, a little lipstick goes a LONG way with this dark hair! I'm hoping that you're adjusting to yours!

This cat is gonna drive me insane! Returned home after 7:45 tonight to 2 piles of puke and a BIG huge puddle right beside all the pads, litterboxes, plastic, etc.... BESIDES. I wouldn't kill off Grandma just cause she wets her pants....but.... I've actually looked at this BRAT sideways tonight! I've actually wondered about a little kittly depends.... THIS is getting OLD quick....Quick.ha...that is sorta funny considering that the poor pud is 17 nearly 18..... and has JUST been having "issues" since early summer..... I need to shut up and deal with the mess....

tomorrow I go to payroll and do paper work and then head BACK to the classroom.... I just want to get the JUNK in the desk drawers tomorrow!

Enjoy these last few days... weeks! Summer, hang in there!

(((hugs to all))) take care!

Good morning!!
Got up this morning......had to drive in to take students in for freshman orientation- they won't need me to take them home, which is just fine by me!
So I have the rest of the day off- at least until I go to the cardiologist this afternoon.

Summer- hugs to you!!!! Hang in there......I feel bad for you. Sorry about the last minute morons and all the hassles you are facing. Not a pleasant way to start off the year!! Close your eyes......take a deep breath and bring back a favorite memory from Disney World.......Hope today goes better for you.

Robyn- good for you getting your classroom set up...I can imagine this must be awkward in a new setting. With your great disposition, you will have new "buds" in no time.....and I am sure you are still in touch with the teachers from your former school. Sorry about kitty, a true senior citizen. Hope this does not become a major problem for you once the school year starts. I love my kitties, but hate it when they get that way. Glad you like the "new you!!". Great way to start a new school year.

Mouse-now what state is this wacko district from?????? The humor of this situation has to make you laugh- hope springs eternal- in terms of them wanting you. Hope you get those last 4 reports done. (you'll be so happy!).
And as far as brat cat......gee they sure are odd balls to live with! Yesterday (which was my Ds's bday) I ran into a gift shop (praying the whole time that I would find at least a passable gift for her, I have no idea how she decorates/lives and our tastes are so different so this appeared to be overwhelming) and took a quick scan......hoping to find something remotely appropriate. I stumbled upon (in less than 3 minutes) an adorable picture frame with paw prints on it and a text. Above the picture it read "Purrfect kitty", below "Spoiled Rotten!". Knew I had a winner........got it gift wrapped.
My sister loved it! Sounds as though you could use one too!!! :lol: Ever wonder why we put up with these darned felines? I know, sucker for a furry face- and they are so cute. BTW- happy crafting.....(dont' hate me for that one).
Kerry- I hope you can get everything done today that you want to. VBS must be wiping you out (it would me!). Did you get any additional students?

Guess I'd better quit blabbering.......have to go check on Dd who woke up with a tummy ache last night. Then some outside work.....and take down the pool. Stinks- I did not get as much done this summer as I wanted to, had no idea that getting Dd ready for college was going to be as time consuming as it was. I'll let you know how it goes with the cardiologist. Also, Dm is going for an xray of that basil cell patch today, she is a nervous wreck over it.
See ya later- have a great day.
Ginny

Cardiologist appt went well, after a 2 1/2 hour wait!!!!!!!!!! But he told me I was "normal'! Hey- someone thinks I am normal!!!!!!!! :) :lol: .
Now Miss Piggy, aka as the cat is throwing up......I needed this????? Out to buy hairball meds, I suspect that is what it is. See ya later! (probably with a glass of wine in my hand too......been one of those days.) And of course it is PMS time.......
Ginny

Hi, all. I'm still here. I went into the Red Cross chapter to do some welfare inquiries today. I love the ones where they haven't talked to the relative they're seeking in 2-3-4 years!
I have exchanged two more phone messages with the guy from PA. Its in York... so near enough to Lancaster to make me happy. I could live in Lancaster and be just fine.
But, its still an urban district. I told the gentleman that I wasn't sure that I was interested in going back into the inner city districts... And so he pulled out all the stops... Its a high school (I don't do little kids, sorry!) life-skills position. Life-skills is my specialty. I LOVE doing it... its all about vocational education, independent living skills. You do cooking and take the kids to the community... He says, "You have what I'm looking for; you have the technology experience and the community instruction experience that I'm looking for, you could really shake this program up!"
Oooooo! Magic words to my maverick ears... You guys know the song from Guys and Dolls,"Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat"... yea, okay... I'm overboard.
But its a INNER CITY DISTRICT! They lie. They cheat. They steal. I don't know of ANY good inner city districts! He could tell me everything I want to hear, and I go in there and find out I've got a closet with no supplies again!
And bluntly, assistive technology and community instruction cost money. That's why so few places do it, or if they say they do, its not done correctly. They call field trips community instruction or say that stuffing envelopes for the front office is a vocational program.
Okay... on other news: I swam 1.25 miles, walked 1 mile in the water, and rode 1.25 miles on the bike today. I also lifted weights for 35 minutes.
And I weighed... first time in the 2 weeks... and I've been going to the gym about 2.5 hours a day... and haven't LOST ANY WEIGHT! I haven't gained any, but I haven't LOST any. :( :( If I sit up straight, you can see that my stomach is flatter (above the whole pannus-endocrine thingy), and my arms and legs are definitely more muscular (people are commenting, people I dont even know), and my face is thinner... but I haven't LOST any WEIGHT!
:mouse: