Better Late than Never...

Well, here I go again. I just realized it has been quite a while since I have written. Guess I have been a little busy with kids, life, teaching...what can I say, I know you can all relate!

I saw a really good, although very heavy, movie last week "The Kingdom". Whoa, it was about the terrorism in Saudi Arabia-e-gad! Not for the week hearted by any means lots of blood and violence and a bit of foul language. If you can get passed that, it really is a good message. Very much a thriller.

We also had the chance to see a GREAT dinner theatre but on by the youth in our "parish". The director of the parish youth wrote, produced, and directed it. It is called "Meet the Monsters" and it was so good. A five course meal was served during this five act play. It was about Count Dracula and his wife who are at an inn on Chill Mountain (in Colorado) along with Egor, Victoria (the monster-kind of a Frankinstein spin off), Werewolf aka Mr. Tait, a ghost named Flora, Dr Hyde and Mr. Jekle, an evil innkeeper, Van Helsing (who spends his time hiding in the shadows looking for the evil who lives in the dark) and couple of couples who find themselves at the inn when stuck in a snowstorm. Very very entertaining. The maid turns out to be homocidal as well. Oh yeah, and there was the Hag who was out to kill one of the boys to end a curse that made all the women in her family beautiful. All set in the 40's.

Well got to run, Smiley wants to use my computer and I have to get ready for another busy week.

Until next time, OneTeach

Graduation Frogs

Well, it is official. I have been released from the Wound Care Center-a fact that was officially marked by a cute little stuffed frog that the center gives to all of their patients who have "graduated". That and the wish that I never see them again-I know sounds harsh but meant in a good way. I have resolved myself to a life in "granny" stockings. I guess if it means I can keep my leg then it is definately worth it.

The best part was as I was leaving the center, I got a call from the elementary school I student taught at and they needed a teacher for the afternoon! I was so excited. I didn't see any of my former students but got an even better treat-I got to suprise my mentor teacher who is now the vice principal at the school. I hadn't seen her since June of last year so it was a very pleasant suprise for both of us!

Also this week I had a student from the school I had started out the year at tell me "I wish we still had Steps to Respect class, because I miss you teaching me". Awwww how can you not love these guys! My response to her "ME TOO, I miss teaching you!" I tell you, I am the luckiest person in the world-I get to do the best job in the world and I get paid for it.

Enjoy your Monday and for those of you in the Pacific Northwest-be careful in the snow that is coming tonight.

Busted and Behaving

Well, wouldn't you know that the doc I saw on Friday was in the office when I went to see my doc on Thursday for my yearly physical. My doc was not happy at all. Not to mention that my leg had a huge black scab like spot on the back and was very red and hot on the edges. He sent me immediately to the local wound care clinic. Boy did my day get long. Luckily they got me in right away and they are sooo nice. The took pictures of my leg-YUCK and basically confirmed what I suspected. The black was dead skin. Their concern was that under the dead skin I was either regenerating new skin or it was killing off the skin underneath. Because I had let the skin dry out-not knowing really how I should treat my leg at the time they wanted to get the skin soft and damp. To do this they put a vasaline type soaked gauze on my leg then wrapped my leg in a 4 layer wrap. It basically looks and feels like a soft cast from my toes to my knee.

The good news is that when I went in for a dressing change on Monday, the site had shrunk to almost half of what it was-Yeah. So now I go in on Thursday to see the nurse practicianer and she sets the next steps in treatment. I am assuming that they will be removing some of the skin that has softened. The nurse said she was also pleased that there wasn't a larger amount of discharge from my leg-looked nasty to me, green and gunky. There was still some swelling in my foot and leg so I still need to stay off it. Not fun but what can you do.

Speaking of health care-I just read my dear friend Esther is committed to lose 45lbs before August. I need to lose about 40-45lbs so I am thinking this is just the motivation I need.

For now, One Teach

Where were we...

Happy New Year everyone!

Well the kids are back in school and I am flat on my back again. Yes I have another bout of Cellulitis. Any ideas on getting rid of this once and for all??? I am so frustrated. I am supposed to teach tomorrow in a 1st grade class, luckily I don't really have anything else planned for the week so I can recover, but man, how much more of this do I have to take. I am definately discussing a referral to an endocronologist on Thursday when I go in for my physical with my regular doc. The covering doc on Friday mentioned something about a infectious disease specialist-geez-what next. Actually I am hoping we can come up with a workable preventative maintence plan as I really am going crazy being cooped up.

On the bright side, StraightGuy did come down on Stretch last night after he had told him to do the dishes and he ignored him. Later at bedtime he went in and spoke to Stretch about now that he is older he needs to take on more responsibilities especially now when I can't be on my feet. Nice to have a little back up once in a while.

Baking Day, Sick Birthdays, and What comes around goes around

Well, baking day was a blast. Poor Sissy had the flu so she was out of the picture napping and watching cartoons. Lovey on the other hand was a hoot. I think she must have sat and did sugar cookies with me for about two hours. We rolled it, cut out the shapes and frosted a double batch of cookies. I don't think she even moved from her booster chair. it was great getting some one on one time with her so I could get to know her.

On a bummer note, I ended up spending my birthday with a high fever and chills. Just want I wanted for my birthday! Luckily it really didn't last so by the morning I at least felt half human.

On the Irony front, I have spent the last two weeks substituting for the teacher that I did my first student teaching with. I was within 8 days of completing my student teaching when he decided he was bored and wanted back in his classroom. His students never excepted me as an equal and had difficulty when we made the transition from my practicum experience to lead teacher. To make a long story short, I ended up having to redo my student teaching quarter as well as spend my summer taking classroom management classes and having to spend $4000 extra than I planned for. The good news is I got a fantastic mentor teacher the second time around and am so happy for it. Anyway, I purposely did not substitute for this teacher as I wasn't sure that I could trust this teacher. So I show up to sub in a fifth grade class and am told that I would be in a 1st grade class for a week. Unfortunately, there was no lesson plan and I had 15 minutes before the students showed up. Well we survived the first day, but the second day the assistant principal calls me in to tell me that the teacher I am subbing for is on paid administrative leave for misappropriation of school property/funds. Oh boy, I was really not happy after this little bit of info. All I can say is that is was an interesting two weeks. I had a great time with the kids and would have continued but, it looks like it is going to be a long haul and the parents are a bit hostal. Not my idea of a good time. Back to subbing here there and everywhere.

Baking Day cometh

I am so excited! Esther and I are getting ready for our annual baking day. I am thinking of trying to find some new goodies to make with some of our standard favorites. Especially since StraightGuy and I will be hosting our extended family traditional Christmas Eve dinner at our house this year. Any suggestions????? All are welcome

My life in Old Lady stockings

Due to some really strange, unknown computer issues, I have been unable to get into my page, hence the long pause in writing.

Now that I am back to work, albeit a bit slowly, I have these wonderful knee high stockings that hold in everything. Compression stockings are what they are called. They remind me of things that my grandma would wear to help with the edema in her ankles. Hence the name Old Lady stockings! Hopefully I haven't offended anyone by that. I am thankful that I had the person I did to fit me. She was very charming and very thorough and as she has to wear support stockings all the time she shared some great knowledge about custom orders and how they come in different colors, sport socks, etc. This is a good thing as I will be wearing these for the rest of my life. I can't complain however, because they are actually really comfortable and I find that my ankles and feet don't ache like they used to before life with Old Lady stockings. My dear friend, Esther, reminded me of when she was pregnant with one of her boys and had to wear them-I think hers were pantyhose however and I understand that is a whole nother ballgame. She had quite the time getting them on and they were quite restrictive. I am VERY happy that this is not the case for me. I will take my knee highs any day over full on pantyhose compression stockings! Not to mention I get a kick out of showing off my "sexy old lady hose".

I was reminded last night of how much people missed me (that felt really, really good) since this was the first CoOp Council meeting I was able to attend since getting sick. It also mad me realize how blessed I am to regain my health and how wonderful it is to have people who care and pray for me. I was also reminded that I had neglected my duties as chairperson of the multiple committees that fall under my job-opps. I felt a little guilty but have put together a game plan to get on it first thing in January. Not to mention that the Co-Chair of the counsel is a complete blessing and has offered to help me with it and help with anything I need-I love that lady. She is a grandma who has offered her time to meet her daughters obligation to the CoOp while her daughter goes to school, so that her grandkids can benefit from the CoOp. She is cool and goes by Mimi (her grandkids word for grandma) by everyone at the school. She reminds me a lot of a younger version of my own beloved Grandma B., loving and kind and concerned about everyone as if they were her own children/grandchildren. I wish more people like that lived in this world so that those who long for and deserve a loving grandparent/parent relationship could have one. I guess that is what makes it nice when we can create our own family of choice.

I was reminded of this when I was talking to Esther yesterday about issues with her selfish sister and neglectful parents. I do not say that lightly, and I do not say these things to be mean. I just cannot honestly describe her childhood with these people as anything but neglectful emotionally and in some cases physically. My heart was breaking as she was telling me about how "put out" her sister was when she called her on the carpet about some of the selfish crase things she has done and accuses her of "constantly bringing up hurtful, spiteful childhood issues from the past." Part of me is callous and reminds myself of the mean nickname I had given her sister when we were in high school because of the rediculous sacrifices Esther made in order to make her sister more comfortable and "special". In reality it was just another example of how two messed up parents allowed their extremely selfish younger daughter run their lives as well as deprive Esther of the basic human necessities and love most healthy people get as teens and young adults. The funny thing is. Esther has processed out of all this and has grown tremedously into an incredible human being and it is the rest of the family that feels threatened by her happiness and trys to blame her for their own unhappiness. Luckily, Esther is so much healthier that she does not allow this garbage to become her own, but gentle puts it back where it belongs, on them. Unfortunately, this results in limited relationship for Esther, but as I pointed out to her yesterday. This truly does free her to focus on her immediate family and her extended family of choice who love her unconditionally, pray for her, and support her in her triumphs and struggles.

I guess that is why God puts people like Mimi in our lives. So that we know that there are people we can count on to help us through, to celebrate our victories, to lift us up, and give us someone to lift up. I still believe in praying for those in our bio family, even if we don't have a healthy relationship with them, but that doesn't mean we need to be pulled down into their self made mire.

Wow, I guess I have had a lot on my mind tonight. Cheers to all and remember to take time out for you this busy season.

As wonderful, spiritual, giving, and loving Mother Teresa was, as it shows in her personal diaries, she had no living person to fill her up when she was empty. She turned to her diaries to give honor to her doubts and shortcomings (or at least what she thought were her shortcomings). Even someone as pure and wonderful as she had times when she needed to get out the negative things that plagued her.

Find something that fills you back up so that you can be ready to be a beacon of light to others and so that your pitcher never runs out.

Love and Prayers for now...