GOOD AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS

It is another lovely day here and Cowboy just washed my car and it sparkles. There is the parade of lights tonight that we are going to watch. Where the sailboats and yachts go around the harbor all lit up with Christmas decorations.

JEAN I love cucumber sandwiches - makes my mouth water. Do you fine grade the cucumbers and mix them in with the cream cheese? I do that so I can put the mixture on crackers also.

GLORIA let us know if your son arrives safely. Your idea of feeding the group cat food had me laughing. Some of Turns food looks and smells good enough to spread on crackers.

Everyone have a nice Saturday.

GOOD EVENING MAGNOLIAS

DS could not make it. His original flight out of Raleigh was cancelled due to a mechanical problem so he had to take another flight to Reagan International in Washington then change planes to get to Boston. He called and said the he would be so late that he was not stopping here. He had to get to his hotel in Boston for Coctails then the group was going to Boston's North End--think Little Italy--for dinner and then to Fanueil Market on the waterfront to a Comedy Club performance by one of the cast of the "Sopranos". I don't remember who he said it was. Tomorrow they have brunch and if he has time before his flight he will stop by. Told him not to worry we are flexible and it is employer's Holiday bash that is more important. It has been raining all day and the traffic is terrific so the less driving he does the better.

Most of the preparation for the Holidays is complete. Last few packages to wrap and need to do a little baking for neighborhood gifts. Also will make something for DD#2's Christmas bash. Haven't the foggiest what I will make but I will think of something.

Gloria in MA...think I will reread John Grisham's "Skipping Christmas" and listen to Christmas music on the stereo. Good night all!

Good Evening Magnolias:

I am echoing in here but I understand you all are busy with last minute things for the Holiday. To update.....DS was able to get away this Am for a short visit. He had his breakfast and then checked out and was able to whip down the expressway in 15 min. We had a lovely 2 hour visit before he had to leave to make his flight back. Said the evening was a real success and he hopes that next year his wife will be able to make it up here for the Holiday bash. It was great to see him and to chat. It was more than I expected as of last nite. Now I am finished with the wrapping and just have to concentrate on baking this week.

Gloria in MA.....wishing you all a great last week before Christmas.

GOOD AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS

Good day today. I survived the pot-luck at noon and came home and made a delicious no fat no sugar vanilla cappuccino. We had some rain last night and expect more this evening. It sure greens everything up.

GLORIA that is so nice that your son was able to spend a couple of hours visit with you and his trip has been enjoyable. I do hope that next year his plans to bring his wife along to enjoy that Christmas bash will work out.

EVERYONE have a good afternoon and just try to maintain through these holidays.

ps I notice I jumped a bunch of numbers when I started this thread.

Good Evening, Flowers!
I need to finish wrapping MIL's gifts so that they can be in custody of the US Postal Dept. tomorrow. That is a scary thought since we are missing 7 pieces of mail over the last few weeks. Hopefully, they can get the package to AZ before Christmas. I don't know what is wrong with me this year but I feel like I am moving in slow motion!

Beth brought her significant other (??) home for the first time today. She had asked to bring him home for Christmas Day so I am glad that we got to meet him beforehand. He seems like a nice guy. It was nice enough that we grilled turkey filets outside. Ian was the entertainment for the day although he slept most of the afternoon away. He changes from week to week; DH says he looks like Mr. Magoo with his funny faces.

Maggie -- I just sliced the cucumber and laid them on top of the spread of cream cheese and Italian seasoning. Then I sprinkled a little dill weed on top of the cucumber. I love 'em! There were no leftovers to bring home which was good. I agree that some of the catfood smells pretty good. However, there is some that smells not-so-good also!

Gloria -- I'm glad that your DS was able to make a quick visit. Let us know what goodies you make for you daughter's party. We will expect a full report!

Tomorrow begins another week. We have two and a half days of classes, then the rest of the week is semester exams. I will be reading exams to individual students so hope my voice holds out.

Have a marvelous Monday!

Jean -- from Iowa!

GOOD MORNING MAGNOLIAS

It rained some Saturday night and then no more since then. It is missing a good chance for the sky is all cloudy. The wind is kicking up some so it is NOT a top down day. We have our Christmas shopping done but are going to brave the crowds at Wall-Mart today for some things my folks need then go visit them some today.

JEAN do you have OBE where you teach. What ~ the kids can't read to take the exams? You read it to them so then they don't learn how to read and thus graduate not knowing how? School sure has changed since I was a student. That is scary that you are missing some mail...... wonder what is going on with the post office.

Everyone have a good OP Monday. This is an 18 point day for me so I am treading lightly.

Good evening one and all,

Mike arrived safely from FL Saturday night.........it was blowing a gale, and he said it was pretty hairy from Charlotte to Roanoke. About 20 miles from home it started with the snow and freezing rain, but we made it home safely.
Up early Sunday to drive back to VA for the funeral of a dear friend's mother. There were 6 of us from camp who came from various places in VA and WV...........our group is really supportive of one another. As we were leaving the church, a woman stopped me and tentatively said, "Bubbles?" I looked at her, and she looked vaguely familiar. Somehow her name came to me, and we both were amazed, to say the least. I hadn't seen her since 1955! Crazy!

Jean,
Been there done that with the exams, and worst of all those Achievement tests! I would be hoarse by the end of the week. However, it was rewarding when we saw how much their scores improved when we did that. After all, it wasn't a reading test, but an instrument to test their knowledge in a given subject area. I also would often write the answers for my kids, to save them time and anxiety. We had a student once who is now in college on an Art Scholarship, who is so Dyslexic you can hardly read a word she's written. She's brilliant, and has a mother who is reasonably proactive. She obtained an extra set of books for her to keep at home, and a set of books on tape so she could read along as she listened. It obviously paid off. One of the real success stories. To meet her, you'd never know, as she's very verbal and has a strong vocabulary.

Gloria, glad your son was able to make it home, if only for a brief visit. Was he out of power too? A friend in Durham just got hers back on Saturday...........she said the house got really cold. Fortunately, they're all campers and have warm sleeping bags.

The WW website has a Pork Tenderloin with a Pear Chutney glaze which sounds divine..........check it out.

Snow's almost gone. Took Jimmy to the trail today for the first time in about 10 days. It was still slick in the shady spots, but it was nice to be out again. Jim found a deer leg someone apparently had pitched in the bushes, so he picked it up and went trit trotting proudly down the trail. I knew there was no way he'd let us near him, but he stopped to try to bury it, and I was able to put on his leash while he was distracted. I also had a couple of treats in my pocket, so that helped.

My dining room table is covered with wrapping paper, etc. The tree is up, and the lights are permanently installed, so it looks great. Guess I"ll have to decorate it sometime this week

Tomorrow's my date with the Iron Monster...........hope I do better than I did last week!

Off to bed.
Bubs

Good Morning

I know everyone is very busy this time of year.. take time to enjoy it for yourself too. So many people here at work are so wrapped up in making sure that everything is done and done right, they are worn out.

I have all the stuff I'm buying bought and given to the grandkids. We are going to be out of town so we exchanged gifts early so they could enjoy them when school break starts. I don't buy stuff for my boys anymore. They each seem to need something during the year that costs so much, we decided if they needed/wanted something during the year, we would do that for them. They seem to appreciate that. One got a set of weights, the one in Alaska wanted snowshoes, and the other one wanted our old truck when we got our new one.

Maggie - I have heard there are some terrible storms in CA. Are they affecting you? (Or is that effecting you?) Talk about schools That is one grammar usage I can't ever remember how to use.

Jean - A couple of years ago, our son saw someone going down the street taking mail out of mailboxes. He called the police and she was arrested. She had lots of mail tucked into pockets and the waist of her jeans. DS didn't have to go to court to testify because she was caught redhanded and confessed it all. I hate that nothing is safe anymore. Hope yours is just slow in getting to you since the post office is so busy right now.

Saturday, I woke up with a sore throat. I think I must have gotten run down more than I thought while we had company. I think it's turning into a head cold. Don't feel like doing much of anything. Trying to get ready for a trip though. Going to Big Bend NP in TX for a few days then go to see DH's family in TX. I'm looking forward to this trip. Getting away from work for a week will be nice. And it will be the first trip with our new trailer. Nothing in it but we can "camp" in it. We have lots of camping gear.

Well, I've chattered enough. It is so quiet around the office this time of day. I can get in a chance to visit.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY

GOOD MORNING MAGNOLIAS


It is a sunny day once again but a bit on the chilly side. We did get some rain yesterday ~ the kind that comes down nice and easy and gets a chance to soak in. I know the news is saying that we are getting hammered out here but not in this area. The state does need rain to lift that fire ban. I got a notice yesterday in the mail that my personal car tags are in and I can go pick them up today. Bout time!

JEAN do you rent a PO box? We do because of the fact that our mail was missing when we had it deliverd to the mailbox on the street. I was having the paper mailed to me and never received even on issue. We just kept the box because here the mail is delivered to open cubicles in a large mail room. Mail tampering is a federal offence but the person has to be caught first like the one Joyce spoke of.


BUBBLES that is so neat for you to have run into an old acquainance from way back in '55. Did she know you as Bubbles way back then? I am so glad that Mike made it home safe through all that stormy stuff. You be careful now during the slippery ice times ~ stay inside a spell and get your decorating done .

JOYCE it does seem nowdays that grown ups do have everything they want already so Christmas buying is mainly for the children. Have fun in Texas. When we were living there we got a bumper sticker that said "I'm not from Texas, but I got here as quick as I could." We fit right in.

Have a nice Tuesday folks. I am off to get my new license plates.

Good Evening, Flowers!
It has been a very foggy day and tonight the drizzle began! The weatherman says it will turn to ice during the night so I'm hoping for a late start tomorrow. We start semester exams tomorrow afternoon so I don't want to miss a whole day.

Maggie -- What OBE? If it's funded by government money, then we probably have it! We just got $750,000 because our standardized test scores are so low. That is mainly because the school has so many students that can't read. The reasons behind reading the exam to students varies. If the student is a fairly good reader, they often miss the "always," 'never," "only," etc., part of the questions. If there are short answer, often there are two parts to a question or several things are to be listed in the answer. If they can't read English, then they can at least follow along as I read. Part of the test taking strategy is to answer the questions they know for sure and mark the ones they're not sure of and go back to those later. On multiple choice, you can eliminate the answers you know are wrong and then figure out the best answer. We have several students who are moreauditory than visual -- once they hear the material, they've got it. We try to give them every advantage in order to pass the class which is patterned after the "regular" classes. I've thought about getting a PO mailbox but we'd have to drive into town every day to get the mail. Plus when IBP and BilMar have payday, you can't get within a block of the post office because the workers are lined up to send money back to Mexico.

Bubbles -- We have had some of our students go on to college. The junior college here offers tutoring help for their students. Your walk sounds good -- I need to get back to walking again. I've missed it but just don't seem to make the time when it is dark at 5pm.

Joyce -- I think I've caught your sore throat. I keep swallowing just to check and that makes it even worse. I'll bet it's kind of nice to have at least part of your Christmas over with. I've often thought it would be nice to celebrate over a couple of weekends rather than all at once.

Well, it's my bedtime! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Jean -- from Iowa!

JEAN OBE is Outcome Based Education ~ graded on no set standard and the students get passed without being able to read etc. and are just moved on when it is time. Like if Johnny can't do the work ~ to not make him feel bad just pass him on anyway to the next grade. That has caused many schools to have low standardized test scores. NOT a good system Is that what you have there? I helped a friend of mine to fight against having it (OBE) move into a school system once and it was quite a fight but we kept it out. Got it voted down and were so happy for it and the students were better for it.

GOOD EVENING MAGNOLIAS

It has been a busy few days and I hope when I say I am done nothing else crops up. Just as soon as I think it is complete I find something else that needs doing. Finished the baking for the neighborhood and have decided on an Orzo, Asparagas Salad for DD#2's party. Checked with her and she has all her main courses complete so only needed appetizers and desserts. Opted for the salad as I have been trying not to have sweets around. But.......on that subject someone on this thread was talking about using Phyllo Dough for a crust on a Pie or something and I don't remember what it was. I would love to have that recipe. That I wouldn't mind making. Maggie if it was you would you email it to me.

Jean and Bubs: All that talk about how difficult it is to teach school makes me glad that I never went into that profession. It was difficult enough doing homework with my kids and they really were good students. Actually, I think I learned more trying to 'help' them with their studies than I did when I was in school. I typed more assignments on such a variety of topics while they were in high school and some during their college years. I feel like I should have been given a partial degree!!!!

Joyce: We also do not give gifts to the grown children only to the grandkids. Even then we have been given the hint that they don't need any more toys...they have enough from 'Santa'. This year it is clothing and a book for every one.

Jean: DS lost power only for a couple of days but they have a gas fireplace and stove so life went on. His home office has an AC/Heater and a Printer/Fax and he thought he had lost both but after a couple of days he tryed them again and they worked fine. He was lucky.

Gloria in MA....Been on my feet most of the day, cooking so tonight will be and early one. Take care, all.

GOOD EVENING LADIES

I'm trying to keep up with you, Maggie, with your fancy print. Took a quick break from the Marshall Bowl game to check the mail.
Maggie, I got the name of Bubbles when I was 13, and have had it ever since........just one of those crazy things that stuck. People with the camp connection, probably couldn't tell you my given name(Joan), unless they know me well. At least when I answer the phone and someone says, "Hi Bubbles", I know it's a camp person. Actually, when I'm at camp, I don't answer to Joan, because I've always been Bubbles over there.

Very slim pickings at the At Work mtg. tonight. However, one of the gals reached her goal, and two others hit another 10 lb. mark. We're meeting again next Monday, so they won't have a full week in between. I suspect attendance will be low until after the first. We start another 10 week session Jan.9, and I bet we won't have enough room for them all.

Back to the ballgame.
Bubs

I clicked on "reply" and couldn't get into it so will try this and hope that it works.

Just when I think I am gaining on my "to do" list, more seems to appear. Where does the time go?

Maggie -- Yes, we've had to OBE but now they are focusing in on the "No Child Left Behind." We are having a meeting tomorrow for the IAs pertaining to our "part" in this project. I'm almost positive they are going to suggest that we take classes and become certified as IAs which will cost us money but without any pay increase. Since I already have my BS and teaching certificate, I'm not too interested in pursuing any additional certification. Actually, I could easily just retire and enjoy every minute of it except that I think I would miss the adult interaction on a daily basis. I resent spending the time and energy on a student who has absolutely no interest in putting forth any effort on their part. I figure I passed all of my HS classes by myself; no one dragged me through the class spoonfeeding the information. I will keep you posted.

Gloria -- What makes me upset about the education system today is that ALL of the rights seem to be in favor of the students and the teachers are left with all the restrictions of what we can and can't do. Some of these kids need to be backed into a corner and shown just who is in charge and if they don't like it, then leave.

Hope you all have a terrific Thursday. I am ready for 3:27 pm on Friday to be and then I will be FREE for two whole weeks!

Jean -- from Iowa!