I Am Woman!

I once worked for a superintendent who wouldn't allow you to complain or criticize about anything unless you provided ways to improve upon the problem or had alternate strategies. My husband is this same way, and to an extent, I am as well... I say all of this to warn you... This post may have complaining and criticizing and IT WON'T have solutions! :) But, because this is my blog, I have a right to vent.

If you have kept up with my blog then you know I am getting anxious about going back to school. Well, Wednesday we had our school wide planning day (which was fantastic) and I took a moment to peek into my classroom. Here is what I saw:


Each year, a "floor crew" comes through and waxes and cleans our floors. I know it is a tough job...one that I do not want. But from the looks of the second picture, they had a fun time TOSSING my things on top of each other and making it very difficult to make heads or tails of what was where. I don't get it. I had a lamp broken, computer wires twisted together, magnets strewn across the floor, etc...I felt like my room had been vandalized!

Again, I know this is a tough job...moving furniture and cleaning and then moving it again and cleaning... but come on! A team of 3 to 4 MEN come to do this and they leave a room in this shape....in which, 1 WOMAN is going to have to re-create a visually appealing and effective learning space.

Instead of letting this make me even more anxious and stressed about beginning of school, I decided to TAKE CHARGE! :) My co-worker and one of my best friends Wendy and I went to school yesterday and we, with the help of her 18 year old son, got our space back to normal! Now I can focus on planning, decorating, organizing, etc. So, are you ready....here are the after pics!

Wordless Wednesday - Butterball to the Rescue!

You know, these wordless Wednesday posts kill me...because it's hard for me to be "wordless"... Anyway, we ran into Rusty (my bestie's husband) on the waterway Saturday and we "rescued" him! How funny that we were there when he needed us...Sorry for the pics Rusty, but I knew Kira would appreciate this!

School Mode

My mind is operating in school mode.  I get like this every year.  Normally not this early, but nevertheless, it happens.  I can't sleep, I can't focus on anything but school, and I feel anxious. Some people call this "habits of a good teacher"... I call it FRUSTRATING!  

I love my job...absolutely love it.  I love the challenge of working with 6 year olds, the glimmer in their young eyes when they are excited about learning new things.  I love the fact that I get to sing, dance, read, and sit Indian style every day of the week.  I love meeting new parents that are just as excited and fearful as their children on the first day of school.  I love field trips and playgrounds and I even love the intimidation of "testing" and "meeting standards".  I love children and I love seeing them reach their potential and beyond.  (Notice that I didn't say "I love having my summers off..." - This is because I work summer camps during my "off" time to make money... yes for those who think we just "have off" in the summer - WRONG - we don't get paid!  Off my high-horse now and back to blogging...) 

Having said all this...I HATE beginning of school jitters and planning.  Partly because it CONSUMES me and my mind and partly because I am just as nervous as the children.  

Each year I think, next year will be easier (preparation for the first days at least).  And each year, it's just as difficult.  I am the type of teacher and person that likes to keep things fresh and new.  I constantly evaluate my programs and methods during the year and tweak or change things for the following year....yes, I know this is what "good teachers" do... but it always makes for long hours and drained minds come August!  

I feel better having written this out... If there are other educators out there in the blogging world or parents with great resources, I would love your ideas for beginning of school, classroom layouts, routines, etc.  

Until then, I will be here, at my computer, searching for great ways to teach writing and exciting ways to integrate technology, and ways to end beginning of school nerves ;).  Happy Learning to All! 

 

Happy Anniversary...

To Us!

Six years ago today, I married the love of my life...and it's so nice to report that I only love him more today... I know, I know, mushy...but true! We have accomplished a lot in 6 years...we both have careers we love, we have a loving and healthy extended family (and dog), we bought our first home, and we invested in a turkey farm. I hope that this is just the start of the many wonderful things that life has to offer for us. We love each other and enjoy each other's company...and these days, what more could you ask for? Here we are 6 years ago today.


Jim and I had the best weekend at the coast celebrating our anniversary. We took a long boat ride Saturday where we explored the Morehead City waterfront and Adam's Creek. It was the perfect day for boating. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch came along with us and we all had a great time.

Saturday night we headed to Beaufort to eat at the Spouter Inn. We had never eaten at this particular place before but it was very good. We were drawn to this restaurant because it offers waterfront deck dining and boat docking. The original plan was to drive the boat to dinner, but the weather interfered with that. It was a nice, cool evening...perfect for dining outside. Here are a few pics from dinner.

After dinner we walked around the Beaufort waterfront. I love how everyone at the coast lives as if there is no time restraints...there were bands playing, crowds enjoying the evening on huge sport fishing boats that were lit up like Christmas trees, and couples walking hand-in-hand... just a serene, peaceful place.

What a perfect day and evening. Happy Anniversary to us!

Wordless Wednesday: Robotics Camp!

Jersey Boys

Anyone who knows me knows that I love singing, dancing, and family...and last Thursday night I was able to enjoy all three when we saw the Broadway hit, Jersey Boys at The Progress Energy Performing Arts Center. Before going any farther in my post I must tell you that it was incredible! After every musical, I leave the theater saying that it was the best musical I've ever seen. Well, with Jersey Boys I didn't say that...but I can tell you it was the best MUSIC I've ever heard. It amazes me how these performers can sing, dance, and act and do so without any imperfection. The sound quality of their voices is stunning. When watching pop stars and such on live award shows or even watching them in concert, they NEVER sing perfectly, and RARELY bring chills to your skin. But, the cast of the Jersey Boys did just that.

I can get ahead of myself so quickly on here! (haha) My mom, my aunt Alice, my mother-in-law, and my aunt-in-law Gina (is there such a term?) all met in Raleigh for this fun evening. We had dinner at Cafe Luna, one of my favorite Italian restaurants downtown. We had a quaint little corner table with a great view. The food was wonderful, as always, and the wine and conversation was even better! You know, I'm very lucky. My mom, Alice, and I have always had a special relationship...best buds, shopping partners, etc. But I can say with all honesty that I share these same relationships now with my mother in law and her family. It's great!
Here we are at our table.
Now back to the musical. Jersey Boys is a rags-to-riches tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It takes you from the beginning, the slums of Jersey, the gangster lifestyle, to quick fame and the pain, addiction, and loss that can come with money. As I said in the beginning, it wasn't the best overall musical I've ever seen...at times a hard to follow storyline and language. But, the music was phenomenal!
Some of the songs that I recognized and sang along with were: "Sherry", "Can't keep my eyes off of you", "Big girls don't cry", "Oh what a night", "Walk like a man", and "Workin my way back to you babe". These are true classics...most any person over the age of 25 could hum or sing along.

Wonder what songs from my era (90's - today) will become classics? What do you think?

Wordless Wednesday: No Dune Swimming!

Happy Birthday America and Captain Zane!

Jim and I spent July 4th with family and friends at the Crystal Coast. It was a weekend full of fun, great weather, and boating! What could be any better than that?

On Friday, Jim and I got up semi-early geared up to go fishing. The wind was out of the North, which sets up for a calm day on the ocean...nothing better! I guess my excitement got out of hand because while untying the boat, I twisted my ankle and had to skip out on the perfect day of fishing. Instead, I had to stay inside with my foot elevated and ice packs galore! Leave it to me, huh? Here's a pic of my nice swollen ankle (left one).
Thankfully, it wasn't a horrible sprain and I'm doing much, much better! Jim went fishing own his own and didn't have any luck...he says he was 30 minutes too late! HA! He would love to blame his lack of luck that day on my accident.

On Saturday, we had a the pleasure of boarding a 45 foot catamaran sailboat to celebrate the 90th birthday of Captain Zane. Captain Zane is Jim's aunt Gina's father-in-law....digest all that info for a moment. Do you have the connection now? Ok.

As you can probably guess, we are a close family and that also includes extended family. All of Captain Zane's children, spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were along for the celebration. We had about 35 people total on this awesome sailboat! Here is a group shot. Captain Zane is on the far left.
We boarded ship at 12:00 noon and sailed in the ocean to the Cape Lookout lighthouse and seashore...it was beautiful! The boat was huge and had plenty of shade and spots for us sun-lovers. My favorite spot was the netting at the front of the boat. While laying here, you felt as if you were gliding on the water...amazing. Here is a shot of my favorite spot and a view of the sails above.

While visiting the lighthouse, Jim and I stopped for a photo that we find very funny! The sign reads "No PWC within 150 feet of shore". The guide on the boat said that PWC stood for "People With Children". We thought it was comical and we were the only adults on the boat that could relate, so we opted for a photo! It was a perfect day. Perfect for celebrating America and our freedoms and perfect for celebrating the amazing 90 years that Captain Zane has had on this Earth. I will leave you with more pictures of our fun day. And if you're interested in taking the sailboat out as we did, click here for the link.

Our nephew and niece, Jackson and Grayson. Grayson had the most fun...she had better sea-legs than any of us!

Jim and I posing in front of the lighthouse.

I don't know if you can see all the boats docked up, but this island was packed with boats! Look how beautiful this beach is...we went shell hunting and swimming here.

Here is Jim's Aunt Gina and her daughter Sarah. We all loved the netting!

The American Flag that flew from the top of our sails...Happy Birthday America!

Wordless Wednesday: Green Thumb in the Making?

I know I said "Wordless" but I feel it necessary to explain the hole on the right side...I dug, and dug, and dug until I couldn't dig anymore when planting these impatiens...There were too many roots to dig through on that one side...I wish you could have seen them 3 weeks ago...little babies. They are filling in nicely though, and soon the hole won't be there. Next year, I will plant them earlier so that by this time they will be even fuller.

My new Sego Palm! I love these plants!