It is a GORGEOUS day!

After so many gray, yucky days, it is absolutely gorgeous here today! The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and the temp is perfect. These kinds of days make me happy!

We got the boat hooked up to the truck yesterday afternoon so we'd be able to leave as soon as John got in today. Before we put the cover on, John forgot to raise the motor, so he untied the sides enough to be able to get the key in and work the controls. He got the motor up, and decided he would make sure that it would go back down. Push the button...nothing. No click, no hum, no movement. Hmmmm. John looked around, but unfortunately he isn't a boat mechanic, so he had no idea what it could be. Fortunately, though, Rodney IS a boat mechanic. :) John called and left a message. When they got in, Rodney called him back. John told him what was going on (or rather what WASN'T going on), and he said he thinks he knows what the problem is. He's going to stop by on his way home this afternoon. Hopefully it won't be anything major. Rodney doesn't seem to think it is.

That's about it for me. I'm going to take the paper and sit outside in this beautiful sunshine. Have a GREAT day and a GREAT weekend!

A fun day with my best friend

A couple of weeks ago, John had me call Dr. Howard because he had a tooth that was bothering him, and he wanted to see about getting in. They worked him in and filled the tooth, but Dr. Howard said he didn't know if it would work. If it didn't, he told John he'd probably need a root canal. He went ahead and gave him the referral for one just in case. Over the next several days, John's tooth kept bothering him, so he finally called and scheduled the root canal.

We got up early this morning so we could be in Birmingham a little before 9. He got the paper work done, and right at 9 they called him back. Since it was going to take about an hour, I almost left. Good thing I didn't because at 9:15, he was finished. The endodontist (I never did ask John what his name is) felt like a root canal really wasn't necessary right now. He said that probably what happened was that the filling inflamed the root, and that is why John's tooth kept bothering him, but now it has settled. So, for now, no root canal. Yea!!!

Instead of coming straight home, we went to Dick's, Academy, Restoration Hardware, and a few other places. One of the places we went was called Walton's Cabin. They have lots of "cabin-y" kinds of stuff--signs, frames, pictures. I found a cute Smith Lake sign for $24.95, but I think I can recreate it. I'm going to try anyway. :)

For lunch, John wanted to stop at The Fish Market. YUM!! He had jambalaya and a Greek salad, and I got grilled tuna with Greek spices and a Greek salad. It was delish! We don't go there much, but I would say it is probably one of my favorite restaurants.

After we got home, we cleaned up the boat, so it's ready to go. Yea! We are SO ready to take it out for some late afternoon rides.

I love spending time with John. We don't have to be doing anything "important" but every minute is one that I treasure. He really is my best friend. :)

That's it for tonight. Unless something changes, I'm going to get a pedicure tomorrow.

Have a GREAT Thursday!

A rainy weekend at the lake...

is better than a gorgeous weekend at home. No, I really shouldn't say that because I love my home. It's just that if we'd been home on a gorgeous weekend, we'd have found "stuff" that needed to be done instead of relaxing. However, I am definitely ready for a gorgeous weekend at the lake! We've been up four of the last five weekends, and every single one, including the one we didn't go, has been rainy. I know I shouldn't complain about the rain because we've been without for so long. I just wish it would rain at night. :)

We didn't go up until Saturday. Friday night was graduation, and I fully intended to go, but Jess called to see if she and Lance could "house sit" for us over the weekend. She said they wanted to go to Oskar's for dinner, and since it was rainy, dinner with three of my favorite people beat out graduation. So, John and I got up early Saturday and headed north.

I was pretty worthless all day Saturday. We got to the lake about 10, and I did pretty much nothing. I told John once that I didn't feel GOOD, but I didn't feel BAD. And I was SO tired! I don't know if that was because we had gotten up so early, or if it was because I finally let myself feel how tired I really was from the end of the school year, or if it was a combination of the two. I'm going with a combination.

Danny and Linda got there about an hour after we did. They had Audrey and Jessica. And Scrappy (A & J's chihuahua.) We visited with them for a while, and then I had to take a nap (a 3 hour nap.) I said I was pretty worthless!

Amy, Allen, Will, and Maggie came up yesterday. You know, it just occurred to me, but I don't think I ever saw Allen. He was napping when I got over to Danny and Linda's, and he was still napping when I left. (A LOT of napping takes place at the lake. LOL) Maggie is growing like a weed, and she laughs ALL the time! Will has hit 7 home runs (I think...) this year, and he has been asked to play on a travel team! Way to go, Will!! I hate that we don't live closer so we can watch him play ball.

John put up our new hammock chair. We need another one so we can both have one. That will be my favorite place to sit from now on, especially on a rainy day with a good book.

The sun finally started to shine today, but we had to head home. I guess I could have stayed, but I didn't want to be left without a vehicle. I'm sure I'll be up for an extended stay soon. :)

We stopped by to see the Pates today. We had gotten Sam a life jacket to have at the lake, but they are going to the beach Wednesday, so we thought they might want to take it down there with them. He is walking all over the place, and he is SO happy, too! With the exception of Zac, all of Billie's great-grandkids have been very happy babies. Poor Zac cried over everything and nothing. He HAS outgrown that, though, and he's a pretty happy kid now.

John is standing here staring at me, reminding me that HE has to get up and go to work in the morning, so I gotta go. Poor guy!

Have a GREAT day!

Out of town

We're out of town for the Memorial Day weekend. I hope everyone has a GREAT holiday. God Bless America!!

We have a winner!

I used random.org to generate my winner. Number 49--Little Eagle--was the lucky commenter.

Thanks to everyone who commented! I hope to "see" you all again soon. I'm trying to think of another contest--maybe one for the return to school. LOL

Have a GREAT day!

Senior prank

COMPLIMENTS OF THE CLASS OF 2009!

This is what I saw as I entered my hallway from the stairwell this morning. Actually, I saw it from the other end. This is what I saw AFTER I crawled across all of the desks to get to my class room.

My first thought was "Why in the hell did they empty out the rooms? We still have tests to give today!" As I was climbing across the desks, praying that the tops weren't loose on any of them, I saw Gene, who is the custodian for our hall. He asked me if we had exams today, so I knew then that the desks being in the hall wasn't a "planned" happening. At least not by anyone in administration, faculty, or staff.

As I began the crawl over more desks to get water for coffee, Gene came back upstairs and said that the seniors had done it. They left their mark ("Seniors '09") on the trophy case downstairs. Once the coffee was brewing, I began lugging my 30 desks back into the room. Thank goodness I got here as early as I did this morning (6:10--Why? I have NO clue!) Of course, the custodial staff would have done it for me, but I try my best to be a team player. I look at it like this: if I do my part and THEN some, when I need something done, others will be more likely to help me out.

OK...I need to get busy. This period will be over and my 4th block class will be here for their exam before I know it. I'd really like to get EVERYTHING done today so that tomorrow can be SHORT and SWEET!

Have a GREAT day! Oh, and don't forget to enter my contest. Today is the LAST day! I'll be choosing a winner first thing tomorrow.

Almost over

One more half day with students, and only one more exam to give. Work day on Friday, and then we're done until August 4th when teachers report for inservice.

When my seniors all left today, I felt sad. Many of them I've known since they were freshmen. It is so funny to look back at the old yearbooks and see how much they have changed and grown over the four years. I love teaching seniors because they are right there on the cusp of adulthood yet they are still just kids. Early in the year, many of them are talking about their plans--where they are going to school, who has filled out applications, and stuff like that. Second semester, they are finding out where they got accepted, who was offered scholarships, who is going with whom to prom...This is a priceless time in their lives. I hope they realize it and take advantage of every opportunity they have!

I feel sick...this is completely off track from what I was writing about, but Kristen and several other non-tenured teachers JUST got called to the office. Oh, please God, DON'T let this be a pink slip notice for her. For ANY of them! Hurry, Kristen! Get back in here with your big, bright smile on your face!!!!!

One of my moms just emailed me to see how her son did. It was so nice to be able to email her back and tell her that he passed. I have two guys who didn't. One just completely blew off this term. He has a 7 for his term average. A 7! HOW in the world does someone get a 7??? Well, actually if you don't do your research paper, that will pretty much take care of it. However, I give tons and tons of chances for students to earn points. The other guy turned stuff in, but he just played around too much and didn't have the grades.

Kristen is back--end of year evaluation was all. Whew! I didn't even think about that.

Grades are done, but I'm doing some straightening up. I've got to put textbooks away AFTER I inventory them. Yuck. Time to turn the volume up on my playlist and get busy.

Have a GREAT day!

Congratulations Libby and Jay!

My beautiful niece Libby and her wonderful fiance Jay are getting married tonight, and I SO wish I could be there! They are having their wedding tonight because Jay is in the Reserves, and he will be shipping out to Iraq in the next week or so. Please keep this young couple in your thoughts and prayers as they begin their new life together, and pray for Jay's safe return to his beautiful bride.

(Libby, I would LOVE to post a sidebar picture of you and Jay to remind everyone to pray for his safety. Send me one, K? Love you, girl!)

Can you say CA-RA-ZY????

Oh. My. Word! These kids have driven me stark. raving. mad. today. They think that just because exams begin Wednesday, that there is NOTHING to do. True, we aren't doing anything new, but we are reviewing for exams. Lord, you'd think every last one of them is one Ritalin and intentionally didn't take it. They are crazy, I tell you. Crazy! But I love every last one of 'em anyway.

One of my dear friends, Brooke, learned this morning after she got to work that her grandfather in Iowa passed away. She said that he has been going downhill, but his death still was rather unexpected. She thought that she would have a chance to get up to see him once we were out for summer vacation, but she didn't. In addition to that, this is her last week here. Her husband is doing his vet school internship in Atlanta, so they are moving over there. She already has a lot on her plate with the school year coming to an end, packing up their house in Auburn, and moving to Atlanta. Now she has to learn to live her life without someone who is very important to her. She said that her students were very well behaved today, and for that, I am so glad! Even though they might be little snots on days like this, they do pick up on our moods, and they usually respond in the right way.

Be sure to check the next post down for the giveaway! It ends Thursday.

Have a GREAT day!

School's Out For Summer Giveaway!

I am finally doing a giveaway. I've thought about doing one for a LONG time, but the timing just hasn't been right. Until now.

As a teacher, I really and truly love my job. I love my subject matter, especially the British literature. I love the relationships I develop with my students. I love teaching teenagers because they keep me on my toes and keep me feeling young (most of the time.) I love having them come back to visit and keeping me up-to-date on their lives.

As a teacher, I really and truly love my vacations. So many people think that teachers work an 8-hour day, and that just isn't true. During the 4.8 hours of class time, I am constantly "on". There is very little "down time" in a normal day. If I'm not providing direct instruction, I'm walking around helping students, answering questions, making suggestions, etc. The other 1.6 hours that is my planning time is taken up with entering grades in the computer, making copies, and doing all of the other things that I can't do at home. This isn't just true of me; it is true of any teacher. And the day doesn't end at 3:15.

Once I get home, which is usually around 5:00, there are papers to grade or tests to make. Since we got our new technology, I have spent numerous hours on the computer creating PowerPoint presentations. While people in other professions go home and leave their jobs at work, teachers don't. Our 8-hour day often ends up being a 10- or 12-hour day. So, when it is fall break, Christmas break, spring break, or summer vacation (ESPECIALLY summer vacation!) I am READY for it! I need that time to recharge my batteries so that I can continue to do what I love.

So, with all that being said...the giveaway! Summer is my FAVORITE season of the year. I am definitely a summer gal. I love being in the sunshine, hanging out at the lake, and reading good books. For my giveaway, I have included things that represent my favorites. There is a CUTE beach towel/bag combo, Neutrogena Body Mist sunblock (SPF 45), Banana Boat After-Sun lotion, Banana Boat lip balm (SPF 45), a book (Don't Make Me Choose Between You and My Shoes), and a candle. (The scent is called Butt Naked. It smells coconutty.) There will ALSO be two huggers that are being made to match the towel/bag. One will be a can-size hugger, and the other will be a 20-ounce bottle hugger. I haven't gotten them yet, so that is why they aren't in the picture. :)

So. What do you have to do to win? First of all, post a comment for ONE entry. Become a follower for TWO entries. (Please leave two comments saying you are a follower.) Make a post about my contest on your blog for THREE entries. (Again, please leave three separate comments.) That is a total of SIX entries. I know that also means you are leaving six comments, but hey, it's a cute giveaway. Or at least I think so.

The contest will end Thursday night (May 21) at midnight CST. I will be using random.org to generate a winner. I'd love to do it the "old-fashioned way" and write out names, cut them up, and put them in a hat, but I don't have time! Especially if the winner wants to be notified on Friday, May 22, the day that SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

Good luck!

Love,

The light is getting brighter

Today was Senior Honor's Day and the official senior skip day, so I have gotten SO much accomplished! Once the honor's day program is over, all of the seniors leave, and many of the juniors do as well. Out of 26 students in my English 11 class, there are 10 here. I have graded all but 15 of my research papers, and they will be finished tomorrow! RELIEF!! Those grades will go in the computer Monday, and that will be it. Ahhhh.....

All that is left is reviewing for exams, giving them, and entering those grades in the computer. I have a few students who are in danger of failing, so I'll talk with them on Monday to make sure they understand that they MUST do well on the exam. I do have two guys who will not pass English 12. Neither of them has put forth much effort at all, and one of them didn't even turn in a research paper. That was a 0 out of 500. When I asked him why, he said, "I just didn't want to do one." Fortunately (???) for him, he is classified as a junior, so he wouldn't have been graduating anyway. I guess he knew he'd have the chance to retake English 12 next year, so it wouldn't matter.

We're not heading to the lake this weekend since it is supposed to rain. Watch it be a GORGEOUS weekend. LOL Maybe I'll have a chance over the weekend to catch up on all my blog reading. I'm seriously thinking about getting one of the air cards for my laptop so that I'll have internet access at the lake over the summer.

I hope everyone has a GREAT Friday evening! I'm planning on making John take me out to eat, and then I'm gonna veg on the couch with my pups. Doesn't that sound nice??

Do you want the good news or the bad news?

For weeks, rumors have been flying about who was going to be moving to a different school, who might be resigning, and who might be pink slipped. My non-tenured friends have been on pins and needles (to use a very tired cliche.)

A lot of those rumors have been put to rest, but there are still some others out there. First thing this morning, we had an email from our principal saying that he had tendered his resignation and will be taking the principal's job at Valley High School. His job was one of the rumors that had been flying. People were hearing that he was going to one of the elementary schools and that the principal from that school was coming here. Now, we know that at least half of that rumor is not true. Mr. Reyes could still be the principal here next year, but I have heard, unofficially, that he will be the principal at the K-2 school. The principal from that school went to the central office. So, next year will be a new chapter at BRHS. It's always scary to start over with a new boss. Will he/she be as good, better, worse? Of course, we should be pretty used to it. In my 16 years here, this will be my 6th principal. Before you start thinking that we have a problem at our school, please understand that every principal has moved UP, for the most part.

Sam and Kris both got good news. They are non-tenured, but they were told that they will be rehired for next year. Because all 2009-2010 freshmen MUST start out on an advanced diploma, we are having to add a foreign language unit. We did have two Spanish teachers until last year, but that is another story. Sam will be teaching French. She is SO excited! Kristen will be staying in English. We are losing one English teacher to retirement. With proration, I don't know if they will hire a teacher to replace her.

Scott, my across-the-hall neighbor, did not get good news. He and one other math teacher were pink slipped. Another math teacher was hired on an emergency certificate. Since her certification is elementary, she won't be back either. One of the middle school math teachers is supposed to come over here, but that's one of those rumors that is still out there. Well, it may NOT be rumor, but I haven't heard from anyone "official" that she is coming over.

Gene, our job coach, has also been let go. His wife is one of our special education teachers. Gene has spent several years working with our students who are on the Alabama Occupational Diploma. He has given them odd jobs to do to help them get their work hours, carried them to job interviews, and checked on them after they've been hired.

All of this just makes me sick, but that's life in the educational system. I guess people in education do have an advantage, though, because I know of no other occupation that has tenure laws. The sad thing is that there ARE some teachers who receive tenure when they shouldn't.

I've heard that there have been a few other non-renewals, but again I haven't heard someone in an official capacity verify them. I REALLY hate this time of year for this reason, especially when I am close friends with someone who has been let go. It is so hard.

I have several really close friends (and family members) in other systems. I pray that they are not receiving the same bad news that some of my colleagues have received today.

It's about time for 4th block, so I need to run. They are watching the rest of The Crucible.

Have a GREAT day!

How to stay young

You have probably seen this before, but I think it's worth sharing. I got it from one of the moms of my last advisement group. Like usual, I've added my commentary in parentheses.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Try everything twice. On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph: "Tried everything twice. Loved it both times!"
(This is great advice. Everything and everybody should be given a second chance. What if no one ever gave US second chances?)

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!
(Yes, I know that sometimes I am one of those grouches, but I try hard not to be. I can say that I have some of the most cheerful friends in the world. They help keep me positive when things seem awfully negative.)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
(I LOVE to learn! That’s one reason I became a teacher. I hope that I have instilled a love of learning in my students. And yes, the Devil’s name IS Alzheimer’s! He lives in our family, and I hate him!!)

4. Enjoy the simple things.
(I love simple things--a flower, a baby's smile, sunshine. There is nothing like the little things in life.)

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.
(Laughter IS the best medicine. Don’t you just love laughing until you hurt? So many of my friends and family make me laugh. And I cannot NOT say something about my hubby. He is one big ole goofball! He makes me laugh EVERY day. I fell in love with his laugh before I fell in love with him.)

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.
(Unfortunately there are events in our lives that make us cry. I hope that your tears have been few and far between!)

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
(Not a day goes by that I’m not surrounded by the people and things I love. I have the best hubby, the best pets, the best friends, the best co-workers a person could have. My home IS my refuge. It is where I long to be when life throws me a curve.)

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
(John and I are very fortunate that we are in good health for the most part. His diabetes is now under control. YEA!! Our parents are, for the most part, healthy. Billie’s Alzheimer’s is the biggest concern for her. My parents are 71 and 65, and neither act or seem 71 or 65.)

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, To a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
(Guilt trips? Not on my agenda! A trip to England?? When can we leave????)

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. I love you, my special friend.
(My cousin NEVER hangs up the phone or leaves without saying “I love you.” We never know when, or if, we’ll see or talk to that person again. I can’t imagine knowing that the last thing I said to someone I love wasn’t “I love you!”)

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance.
(Forgiveness can be so hard, but like I said above, we never know if we’ll ever have the chance to see or talk to someone again.)

It's a fairly nice day here. I actually see SUNSHINE! First time that's happened in several days. :) I hope you have a GREAT day!

Hope you had a GREAT Mother's Day!

I got to spend the weekend with Mom and Dad out at the lake. It was the first time they've come out and stayed the whole weekend with us. Mom and I went over to the swim pier for a couple of hours yesterday and relaxed. It was overcast, but that was okay. It was so pleasant. Not long after we went back to the trailer, it started to rain, and it rained for most of the rest of the weekend. Even though it was a nasty, rainy weekend, the company couldn't be beat. :) Ali and Bama had a blast playing with Mule and Dingo. Ali and Dingo are just about the same size, and they have just about the same energy levels. Needless to say, they had a blast. I don't think Ali has ever been around another pup her same size.

We went to Hartselle today for lunch. Connie had to work, but the rest of the "kids" were there for dinner. Connie came over after work, so Billie got to spend time with all of her kids today. I truly wonder if this will be the last "real" Mother's Day we get to have with her. When we got there, she and Aunt Kat had cooked a boat load of food and had the table set, but every two minutes Billie was saying that she didn't know that everybody was coming, and then she'd start worrying about whether or not she had enough food. (She did--with tons left over!) Her memory may not be any worse next year, but I'll be extremely surprised if it isn't.

K and J both called me today. I'm such a lucky person to have such fantastic young woman in my life. :)

I've got to get ready for work tomorrow, so that's if for today. I hope you have a GREAT day!

ONLY 7 full days and 2 half days until SUMMER VACATION!

Three students

Today is the second "unofficial" senior skip day. In my 1st block class I have 3 students out of 31! One of the guys is helping out in the attendance office because the number of check-outs will probably be high. Once those kids who came see that practically no one else is here, they start checking out.

So far, I've seen one guy from my 2nd block class and two from my 4th block class. My 4th block is a junior class, but senior skip day means nothing to them. :)

It's kind of a nasty day to take a skip day if they wanted to get out and "play". It's all gray and gloomy, but that makes it a perfect day to hang out with friends and watch movies. That's what I'd love to be doing. hahahaha

I should be able to get TONS of grading done today--once I get my butt off the computer. LOL I'm ALMOST finished with my 2nd block research papers. If I get myself into gear, I should be completely finished with all of my papers by next Friday. Woo Hoo!!

OK--I'm going to grade. Have a GREAT day!

My parents are THE BEST!

This is Teacher Appreciation Week, and today is officially National Teacher Day. Every year, for the past I don't know how many years, my mom has sent me either a plant or flowers on this day to me. Aren't the ones I got today gorgeous? I wish the picture were better, but I took it with my camera phone. The pitcher has a rooster on it, which is PERFECT because my kitchen is decorated with roosters. The walls are yellow, too, so I know the pitcher will match perfectly! Mom, did you request this, or was it just pure luck?

Mom and Dad, thank you SO much for all that you have done for me throughout my life. I know that I would not be the woman that I am without your constant support and encouragement. You are the best parents a child could have ever hoped to have, and I am so fortunate that God gave you to me. I love you!!!

Not me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I am NOT stressed.

I did NOT dream last night that I was trying to bite a piece of hard candy in two, only to wake up and discover that I was clenching my teeth so hard that mouth guard was hurting my mouth. Thank goodness for the mouth guard. Otherwise, I probably would've broken every tooth in my head.

I am NOT wondering WHAT IN THE HECK I have been saying to my seniors about plagiarism for the last five weeks!!!

I am NOT counting down the days until summer, and I am NOT giving Ali and Bama a daily countdown each morning.

I am NOT going to grade one more research paper tonight...SERIOUSLY!!!!!!

An AWESOME giveaway and a VERY rainy weekend

First things first...Check out Karen's terrific giveaway for her 200th post. (You go, Girl!) Just don't get your hopes up 'cause I am going to win this. Besides, when I win, she won't have to mail it to me. She can just deliver it to my classroom. (Hear that, KK??)

I got home Friday about 4, and Aunt Kat was already there with bags packed. For those of you who aren't family or "real life" friends, Aunt Kat is a twin sister to my father-in-law, Carl. Carl was a character, and Aunt Kat is just the female version of him. I told John the other day that there was only one Aunt Kat, but I quickly added that until Carl passed away, there were two of them.

We got everything loaded up into the truck and headed north. Riding three hours in the backseat of the truck ain't fun! If John EVER buys a new truck, it will be one of the nice four-door trucks with a FULL backseat instead of a "pretend" full backseat. By the time we got to Sylacauga, my back and my hips were killing me. Aunt Kat talked almost non-stop, which isn't surprising. That woman would talk the ears off a billy goat. LOL

By the time we got to Hartselle, it had been storming some. Billie has never liked storms, but with her sundowning, her fear is even worse. If it is the least bit cloudy, she is terrified that there will be storms, even if there are none in the forecast at all.

Saturday, Connie brought biscuits over for breakfast, and then Aunt Kat and I went to the store. Billie swears she doesn't have anything to eat in her house, but the freezer can't hold one more thing, and her cabinets are full of canned foods. After Connie and I did the freezer, fridge, and cabinet check, we were able to mark off a good 3/4s of what was on her list. I did get plenty of snacks for her though. As long as she is eating something--even "junk food"--we're happy. With Aunt Kat there for the next couple of weeks, there probably won't be any problem with there not being FOOD.

I just re-read that last paragraph. Let me clarify because I don't want it to sound like no one is seeing that Billie eats. Every day, usually in the late afternoon/early evening, somebody takes food to her, and she will eat. Linda set up Meals-on-Wheels to deliver to her every day, but she won't eat that. It's almost like someone has to be there to make her eat.

John and I left after lunch and went to the lake. I had hoped we'd have been able to get the rest of the yard cleaned up, but it didn't happen thanks to the stormy weather. We did get a little fishing in before the storms started. We sat on the porch for a while, but it wasn't long before I was crashed in the recliner. Once I sat down and got comfy, I was out. So much for getting any research papers graded. LOL

Sunday was another rainy, stormy day. Susan and Tim came up and we grilled out. Good food and good company--you can't beat that!

I guess that's about it for now. I hope everyone had a GREAT weekend, and I hope that the rest of your day is GREAT!

I love...I hate

I did a LOVE/HATE post a while back. I decided today was a good day to do another one. :)

I love the fresh, clean smell of springtime.
I hate the pollen that comes along with springtime.

I love the end of the school year because it is the end of the school year. There are only 12 more instructional days and two exam days!!!
I hate the stress that come along with the end of the school year.

I love senior skip days because I can use the time to clean my room.
I hate the dust that will make me sneeze because I cleaned my room.

I love that my friend Kristen has turned the corner and I know she's gonna be okay.
I hate that she had to learn the hard way that the person she loved is a sociopath and that it is IMPOSSIBLE to live with a sociopath.

I love getting massages.
I hate not being able to get one every week.

I love that almost ALL of my students turned in their research papers.
I hate that six have not. :(

I love that I'm having a Zaxby's zalad for lunch. :)
I hate that I'll have to go get it. :(

I HATE that I have a stress-induced headache, neck ache, and backache. There is no love that I can think of to go with this one.


I guess that's about it for my love/hate list today. Now that my class room is relatively clean, and I've made a blog post, I'm gonna get started on grading. woo hoo. i'msoexcitedicanbarelycontainmyself. HA

Have a GREAT Friday and an even GREATER weekend!