If you celebrate the holiday, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable one! For those of you who don’t, Happy Monday to you! ;o)
I was on my way to work this morning, thinking to myself how dark it was and also enjoying the walk in the cold, misty rain. We’ve had a break in the wind this morning.
A car pulled up along side me and stopped. I looked in the window and had to laugh. It was my step-mother. She waved me in, even though I was just a few yards from the back door of the school. I opened the door and she said, “Get in. It’s not everyday you’re picked up by a witch!”
Being that she is my step-mother…there were plenty of come-backs I could have said, but I bit my tongue. Besides, we get along really well.
She’s in full costume; long black dress, pointy hat, green and purple hair. I didn’t ask if she had a broom. Hehe
My step-mom is the town secretary. The daycare kids are going to the municipal building to go trick-or-treating today so she dressed up for them.
Today is going to be a long day at school. The classes are having Halloween parties, but not until the last hour of the day. So they’re going to be antsy with anticipation All. Day. Long. I wish we could fix it so that Halloween always fell on a Friday. That way we’d have the entire weekend to recuperate. Haha
The first bell just rang. That means I have class coming in about 5 minutes!
Monday, October 31, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Enough Already...Please!
We’re in for another day of 60mph gusts or better. The rain is freezing cold and we’ve actually got snow at the top of our mountains! We normally don’t get these heavy rains and winds until November. I’m hoping that all these storms mean we’re getting it over with early and not that we’re going to have an extra long rainy season.
Actually, we don’t have a rainy “season”. We get rain all year round. Most years we average around 150 inches of rain. But we always get a lot of storms in November. I can’t remember a Thanksgiving where we didn’t have heavy rains and gusting winds. A successful Thanksgiving dinner is one prepared without the interruption of a power outage.
I received one detention while in high school. Just one…and it honest to goodness was not my fault.
My mom had already been living out of state for a few years by then. My dad works in construction. He often had long hours starting before daylight and ending after dark. Because of this, I and my sister had to walk to school each day. Between our home and the school was a hill. It’s not very steep as hills go (it’s rather flat compared to, say, a San Francisco hill) but steep enough that we used to go sledding down it during the winter.
One particular morning, I had a clarinet sectional before school. I was first chair so needed to be there to lead the sectional. I got close to the top of the hill and with the wind blowing so hard, I couldn’t make it up. The wind was pushing against me and as hard as I tried, I wasn’t moving forward.
I was “stuck” there for what felt like an eternity. Cars were passing by, one even stopped to watch me. Nobody offered assistance. By the time the wind died down enough for me to get to the top of the hill, I was late.
My band director wouldn’t accept my excuse of “the wind was stronger than me” so I received a detention. Needless to say, when we got even stronger winds a few weeks later and a tree fell on her car I was not very sympathetic.
I’m crossing my fingers that our stormy season is almost over. I’m tired of chasing down my garbage can. I’m tired of listening to the howling wind when I should be asleep. I’m just plain tired.
Actually, we don’t have a rainy “season”. We get rain all year round. Most years we average around 150 inches of rain. But we always get a lot of storms in November. I can’t remember a Thanksgiving where we didn’t have heavy rains and gusting winds. A successful Thanksgiving dinner is one prepared without the interruption of a power outage.
I received one detention while in high school. Just one…and it honest to goodness was not my fault.
My mom had already been living out of state for a few years by then. My dad works in construction. He often had long hours starting before daylight and ending after dark. Because of this, I and my sister had to walk to school each day. Between our home and the school was a hill. It’s not very steep as hills go (it’s rather flat compared to, say, a San Francisco hill) but steep enough that we used to go sledding down it during the winter.
One particular morning, I had a clarinet sectional before school. I was first chair so needed to be there to lead the sectional. I got close to the top of the hill and with the wind blowing so hard, I couldn’t make it up. The wind was pushing against me and as hard as I tried, I wasn’t moving forward.
I was “stuck” there for what felt like an eternity. Cars were passing by, one even stopped to watch me. Nobody offered assistance. By the time the wind died down enough for me to get to the top of the hill, I was late.
My band director wouldn’t accept my excuse of “the wind was stronger than me” so I received a detention. Needless to say, when we got even stronger winds a few weeks later and a tree fell on her car I was not very sympathetic.
I’m crossing my fingers that our stormy season is almost over. I’m tired of chasing down my garbage can. I’m tired of listening to the howling wind when I should be asleep. I’m just plain tired.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Warning, Oven is HOT!
My mom left home when I was 12 years old. I've been cooking for about 20 years, give or take a few. You'd think I'd know how to remove food from an oven without hurting myself. Wouldn't you? A grown woman....cooking for more than half her life.
Click photo to view larger.Not so...2 days in a row now...TWO DAYS IN A ROW...I've reached into the oven to remove my dinner and burned myself. I'm just lucky my reflexes are fast enough that I haven't blistered or anything. Sheesh! This is why we need a nice take-out restaraunt on this island.
Frustration
Another day, another storm. At least I was able to walk to school today. The wind calmed down but the rain was freezing cold.
I just had a long talk with the science teacher. She had a couple parents show up at conferences who were quite upset about their child’s science grade this quarter. Trouble was, judging by the work turned in, these kids actually deserved F’s but were awarded D’s for “trying”.
I can understand a parent not wanting their kids to have low grades, but they were not asking their kids “why” their grades were low. They just went to Ms. H and asked her why she didn’t do more to help them.
Well, when your kid is not turning in their work, not asking for help, and not making an attempt to catch up when missing school, there’s not a whole lot you can do. Kids are given the opportunity to come in after school. They are given extra-credit opportunities. When they don’t take these opportunities, somehow it’s the teacher’s fault.
I felt bad for Ms. H because this is her first year here. I know she would like to do more for these kids, but having 144 science students, you don’t always have the time to hunt them down or call every parent. Not only that, she’s also the Title I math teacher. She’s a busy lady. Parents don’t realize how much she actually has to do.
In that respect, I’m glad I don’t give grades for my computer class. I would most definitely have parents in here upset with me.
Parents are not involved enough at the elementary level. They don’t bother to come in and see how their children are doing throughout the quarter and then they are surprised when they don’t have the straight A student they think they should when report cards come out.
And that’s just academically. Let’s not mention the behavior problems parents don’t believe their angels have. We’ve got kids who think it’s okay to mouth off to other students as well as teachers. I asked a kid one time to stop yelling at the kid next to him. You want to know what he did? He went home crying and said I threw his headphones at his chest really hard. I had the parent come in and show me how that could even be possible. The computers in this lab are all against the walls. When I’m talking to a student I’m standing behind them. If I wanted to throw something at them, which I would never do, it would hit them in the back of the head and not their chest. And the headphones? The cords aren’t even long enough for them to stand up while wearing them. It’s not possible to throw them.
I’m sorry, it’s just frustrating sometimes and I needed to vent. I’m done now. *Taking deep breaths.*
I just had a long talk with the science teacher. She had a couple parents show up at conferences who were quite upset about their child’s science grade this quarter. Trouble was, judging by the work turned in, these kids actually deserved F’s but were awarded D’s for “trying”.
I can understand a parent not wanting their kids to have low grades, but they were not asking their kids “why” their grades were low. They just went to Ms. H and asked her why she didn’t do more to help them.
Well, when your kid is not turning in their work, not asking for help, and not making an attempt to catch up when missing school, there’s not a whole lot you can do. Kids are given the opportunity to come in after school. They are given extra-credit opportunities. When they don’t take these opportunities, somehow it’s the teacher’s fault.
I felt bad for Ms. H because this is her first year here. I know she would like to do more for these kids, but having 144 science students, you don’t always have the time to hunt them down or call every parent. Not only that, she’s also the Title I math teacher. She’s a busy lady. Parents don’t realize how much she actually has to do.
In that respect, I’m glad I don’t give grades for my computer class. I would most definitely have parents in here upset with me.
Parents are not involved enough at the elementary level. They don’t bother to come in and see how their children are doing throughout the quarter and then they are surprised when they don’t have the straight A student they think they should when report cards come out.
And that’s just academically. Let’s not mention the behavior problems parents don’t believe their angels have. We’ve got kids who think it’s okay to mouth off to other students as well as teachers. I asked a kid one time to stop yelling at the kid next to him. You want to know what he did? He went home crying and said I threw his headphones at his chest really hard. I had the parent come in and show me how that could even be possible. The computers in this lab are all against the walls. When I’m talking to a student I’m standing behind them. If I wanted to throw something at them, which I would never do, it would hit them in the back of the head and not their chest. And the headphones? The cords aren’t even long enough for them to stand up while wearing them. It’s not possible to throw them.
I’m sorry, it’s just frustrating sometimes and I needed to vent. I’m done now. *Taking deep breaths.*
Monday, October 24, 2005
Rain, Rain, GO AWAY!
This rain just will not go away! It storms all night and morning. It will calm down usually around 3PM only to start up again in the evening. We’ve had storm after storm for days and days.
I actually called my step-mom for a ride today because, even though I’m 2 blocks from work, I didn’t feel like fighting the wind and rain. I don’t usually ask for rides, but I’m glad I did this time.
Yesterday was my sister’s birthday. If you ask her, she’ll tell you she’s 29. I find that hilarious being that I turned 29 five years ago and she’s 22 months older than I am. I tried to call her but got voice-mail. I’m sure I’ll get in trouble for not calling back. I had a message from her on my phone this morning. She tried calling after I had gone to bed. I don’t have the ringer on in my bedroom so I missed it. Oops!
We have a short day today. There are parent/teacher conferences today so the kids are being dismissed an hour early. Same thing will happen tomorrow. If we get a turnout of 90% or better, the kids get pizza and ice cream. Incentives like that really work. Last year we only had one parent miss.
This is also Red Ribbon Week. (That is so much easier for me to type than it is for me to say.) We wear red ribbons all week and the kids participate in drug-free activities with the guidance counselor all week. We also get stickers and pencils. Yay! hehe
I received Michael’s next itinerary from his boss last night via e-mail. He will be home an entire week for Thanksgiving. I’m so happy! There are 10 days till his next visit home. I try so hard not to count down, because it’s never-ending, but he asks every time we talk. I count down to his visit home and before he even steps foot on the island, I’m already counting down to the time he leaves. Then I start all over again.
I’m so glad this is not a permanent situation. Maybe I should get my CDL and insist they hire me, too. That way we could travel together.
I actually called my step-mom for a ride today because, even though I’m 2 blocks from work, I didn’t feel like fighting the wind and rain. I don’t usually ask for rides, but I’m glad I did this time.
Yesterday was my sister’s birthday. If you ask her, she’ll tell you she’s 29. I find that hilarious being that I turned 29 five years ago and she’s 22 months older than I am. I tried to call her but got voice-mail. I’m sure I’ll get in trouble for not calling back. I had a message from her on my phone this morning. She tried calling after I had gone to bed. I don’t have the ringer on in my bedroom so I missed it. Oops!
We have a short day today. There are parent/teacher conferences today so the kids are being dismissed an hour early. Same thing will happen tomorrow. If we get a turnout of 90% or better, the kids get pizza and ice cream. Incentives like that really work. Last year we only had one parent miss.
This is also Red Ribbon Week. (That is so much easier for me to type than it is for me to say.) We wear red ribbons all week and the kids participate in drug-free activities with the guidance counselor all week. We also get stickers and pencils. Yay! hehe
I received Michael’s next itinerary from his boss last night via e-mail. He will be home an entire week for Thanksgiving. I’m so happy! There are 10 days till his next visit home. I try so hard not to count down, because it’s never-ending, but he asks every time we talk. I count down to his visit home and before he even steps foot on the island, I’m already counting down to the time he leaves. Then I start all over again.
I’m so glad this is not a permanent situation. Maybe I should get my CDL and insist they hire me, too. That way we could travel together.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
My Weekend
There isn't really a whole lot to talk about regarding my weekend, but since I've been asked 3 times already today, I guess I should say something.
I had a long weekend because I don't do report cards and had no reason to be at work on Friday. I have a cold but it's not even half as bad as the last one. Bad enough, though, that I've wanted to stay home.
I missed the kids' basketball trounament this weekend but don't feel too badly as it was the first of many, many games they'll have this year. Our little league season drags on forever, not ending until April or March. I heard Lucione's team placed 3rd in their division.
The weather has been awful. Heavy rain and gusting winds All. Weekend. Long. It's not going to be stopping anytime soon, either. The wind has finally calmed down a bit for the first time today, but they've already issued a high wind watch for Monday. It will be gusting up around 60mph tomorrow. Not fun.
I've basically been a home-body all weekend. I bought plenty of groceries when Michael and I went to town so had no need to venture out. That has made this weekend feel especially long which isn't always a good thing.
It helped to relax and probably helped my cold...but it allowed me too much time to think. By yesterday I was an emotional wreck. I'm better today...just had to cry it all out and get over it.
It's quite a coincidence to think of the fact that of my small circle of acquaintences here in Blogland, 3 of my regular readers have husbands who travel on a regular basis for their jobs. I applaud you women, you know who you are, because you've done it longer than me and are doing so much better at dealing with it.
I swore I would quit whining and complaining on here, but y'all wanted to know how my weekend was going...so there ya go.
I had a long weekend because I don't do report cards and had no reason to be at work on Friday. I have a cold but it's not even half as bad as the last one. Bad enough, though, that I've wanted to stay home.
I missed the kids' basketball trounament this weekend but don't feel too badly as it was the first of many, many games they'll have this year. Our little league season drags on forever, not ending until April or March. I heard Lucione's team placed 3rd in their division.
The weather has been awful. Heavy rain and gusting winds All. Weekend. Long. It's not going to be stopping anytime soon, either. The wind has finally calmed down a bit for the first time today, but they've already issued a high wind watch for Monday. It will be gusting up around 60mph tomorrow. Not fun.
I've basically been a home-body all weekend. I bought plenty of groceries when Michael and I went to town so had no need to venture out. That has made this weekend feel especially long which isn't always a good thing.
It helped to relax and probably helped my cold...but it allowed me too much time to think. By yesterday I was an emotional wreck. I'm better today...just had to cry it all out and get over it.
It's quite a coincidence to think of the fact that of my small circle of acquaintences here in Blogland, 3 of my regular readers have husbands who travel on a regular basis for their jobs. I applaud you women, you know who you are, because you've done it longer than me and are doing so much better at dealing with it.
I swore I would quit whining and complaining on here, but y'all wanted to know how my weekend was going...so there ya go.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Mikayla
It’s time for some happy thoughts. I’m tired of getting myself all worked up about things I can’t change here at work.
I’ll give you some Mikayla quotes. She always manages to make me smile.
Last Friday she was here in the computer lab. To give you an idea about how she normally behaves, here’s a conversation I had with her teacher.
Her teacher was in here trying to do assessments with her kids while they were completing their tests on the computer. Mikayla was being her normal chatty self and the teacher noticed I was taking it in stride.
“How do you handle that? She’s not bothering you?”
“No,” I said. “She’s actually mellow at the moment. You should see her at family dinners!”
***********************************
Mikayla had her headphones on so couldn’t hear very well. She finished her test and said, “Aunty Kerri, I’m already done!”
“Good for you, Smarty Pants!”
She heard me wrong and said, “Hey! Don’t call me Farty Pants!”
I said, “I didn’t. I said Smarty…I can call you smart if I want.”
I don’t know what she thinks it means, but she said, “Oh no you can’t!”
I said, “I can too, Missy.”
Then one of he classmates asked, “Did she kiss you?”
Mikayla said, “No! But my mom kisses my dad!”
To which they both replied, “Ewwwwwwwwww!”
*****************************
Later that day, while in her regular classroom, her teacher’s husband stepped in for a couple minutes. He had something to show his wife, talked with a few of the students, and then went on his way.
After he left, the teacher asked if anyone knew who that man was. When they all said no, she said,”That was my husband.”
Mikayla wrinkled her nose and said, “Ewwww! You have a husband?!?” She has never been afraid to speak her mind. I’m glad her teacher found it humorous and not insulting.
***********************************
Here’s one more. Mikayla was in science class on Tuesday. One of her classmates said he needed to use the restroom. As soon as the words left his lips, everyone else needed to go, too.
Mikayla said, “Excuse me, Ms. H. I need to go to the men’s room.”
“No you don’t, Mikayla.”
“Yes, I do. I need to go to the men’s room.”
“Mikayla, only boys go to the men’s room.”
“Then I need to go to the girl’s men’s room!”
I cracked up when she said that and Ms. H looked at me and said, “You better write that one down, Kerri!”
Here she is last Halloween dressed as a puppy. It took forever to get her picture because she was busy crawling around acting like a puppy.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Technological Headaches...AGAIN!
I have a short week this week because it’s the end of the quarter. Since I don’t do report cards and the kids won’t be in school, I don’t have to be here on Friday. I’m so glad today is Wednesday. I can handle one more day if I can just make it through today.
We’re still having problems with the testing software. The program has the students listed as a grade higher than they actually are so their results are skewed. For example, a 3rd grader testing at 3.9 (the equivalence of a 3rd grader in the 9th month of their 3rd grade year) should have a high percentage and be scored as above average. But since the computer sees them as a 4th grader, they are getting a low percentage and are scored below average.
Even knowing this, the principal still insists I continue testing. The teachers are irritated because even when the problem is fixed, there’s no guarantee it will fix scores already recorded. So all this testing I’ve been doing this year may very well end up to be null and void.
That’s not even what’s bothering me, though. It’s the principal. He asked me to call customer service and report the problem. I did. He didn’t like the answer they gave me so wanted me to call back and “rattle their cage”. He said, “Call them back and tell them your boss is upset. Tell them your boss is spending money on training and I want to know if it’s even worth it because we’re getting incorrect data. Tell them your boss wants to know when this will be fixed and let them know that we’re very unhappy with their product.”
I didn’t feel like it was my place to make the call. One, because I am not the Technology Coordinator and so shouldn’t have even made the initial call to customer service. Two, because HE was the one upset. HE should have been the one to tell them so. And three, just because I’m not good at rattling cages. It’s not in me to be mean even the words I’m saying are not my own.
He ended up telling the tech guy to call so I’m off the hook as far as that goes. Not totally, though. I still have to get together with the tech guy in his office (wherever that is) to try and figure out what’s causing all the problems.
I also have to go to a Tech Committee meeting today. I’ll be there all day and I am not looking forward to it. I’m sure they’re going to tell me I’m not teaching enough. But you know what? I only see these kids once a week. With all this testing going on, I don’t have time to teach anything. They’re only in here for 40 minutes (35 for Kindergarten through 3rd grade) and the tests take close to 30 minutes of a lot of the kids.
As Fizzy would say, I’ve got collywobbles in my stomach because I don’t know what to expect.
Enough about work, though. I’m tired of it all. I’m so glad I have a long weekend coming up. Too bad it didn’t coincide with Michael’s weekend home.
We’re still having problems with the testing software. The program has the students listed as a grade higher than they actually are so their results are skewed. For example, a 3rd grader testing at 3.9 (the equivalence of a 3rd grader in the 9th month of their 3rd grade year) should have a high percentage and be scored as above average. But since the computer sees them as a 4th grader, they are getting a low percentage and are scored below average.
Even knowing this, the principal still insists I continue testing. The teachers are irritated because even when the problem is fixed, there’s no guarantee it will fix scores already recorded. So all this testing I’ve been doing this year may very well end up to be null and void.
That’s not even what’s bothering me, though. It’s the principal. He asked me to call customer service and report the problem. I did. He didn’t like the answer they gave me so wanted me to call back and “rattle their cage”. He said, “Call them back and tell them your boss is upset. Tell them your boss is spending money on training and I want to know if it’s even worth it because we’re getting incorrect data. Tell them your boss wants to know when this will be fixed and let them know that we’re very unhappy with their product.”
I didn’t feel like it was my place to make the call. One, because I am not the Technology Coordinator and so shouldn’t have even made the initial call to customer service. Two, because HE was the one upset. HE should have been the one to tell them so. And three, just because I’m not good at rattling cages. It’s not in me to be mean even the words I’m saying are not my own.
He ended up telling the tech guy to call so I’m off the hook as far as that goes. Not totally, though. I still have to get together with the tech guy in his office (wherever that is) to try and figure out what’s causing all the problems.
I also have to go to a Tech Committee meeting today. I’ll be there all day and I am not looking forward to it. I’m sure they’re going to tell me I’m not teaching enough. But you know what? I only see these kids once a week. With all this testing going on, I don’t have time to teach anything. They’re only in here for 40 minutes (35 for Kindergarten through 3rd grade) and the tests take close to 30 minutes of a lot of the kids.
As Fizzy would say, I’ve got collywobbles in my stomach because I don’t know what to expect.
Enough about work, though. I’m tired of it all. I’m so glad I have a long weekend coming up. Too bad it didn’t coincide with Michael’s weekend home.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Michael made it out this morning. I'm still waiting for him to call and let me know he's safely at his apartment. He was due in almost 2 hours ago, but he's a 30 minute drive from the airport and there's always a delay at LAX.
We had a very nice weekend together. I worked on Friday even though I didn't want to. I had to test (Which may have been a waste of time...more on that later.) so drug myself in.
Friday night we went for a drive and watched movies. Saturday morning, he woke me up at 6:00 and said that he was taking me to Town. I like to get groceries over there because they have a bigger variety of things and it's usually cheaper than over here. I was excited to have the chance to go.
We ended up spending a night over there. We didn't go to a movie, though. The theater only has 2 screens. He doesn't like horror movies so The Exorcism of Emily Rose was not an option. We weren't in the mood for Wallace and Gromit, either. We decided to go out to a nice dinner and then we just went back to the hotel and relaxed, enjoying each other's company.
We weren't supposed to come home until the 4:30 ferry, but I panicked because the weather had turned on us. We came home on the 10:30 ferry in case Michael had to turn around and go back on the 2:30 in order to make it out today. He decided he'd take a chance on the weather and I'm so glad he did.
It gave us another night together and the weather today was gorgeous.
When Michael first took this job, everyone told me not to worry. They said that every time he left home it would get easier. It hasn't, and I don't know that I want it to. I was as sad today as I was the first time he left back in July.
We've talked about it and he assures me that this is not a permanent situation. I assured him, that if it ever does become permanent, he better get rich quick because I won't stand for being left home all the time. He'll have to let me follow him wherever they send him. hehe
For now, I'm doing the best I can to deal with his absences. It's not as scary but it hasn't gotten any easier. I thank God everyday for whoever invented cell phones. If I couldn't call Michael everyday or had to pay for every call, I'd lose my mind and go broke in the process.
Speaking of which, I'm going to go and try to call him right now.
We had a very nice weekend together. I worked on Friday even though I didn't want to. I had to test (Which may have been a waste of time...more on that later.) so drug myself in.
Friday night we went for a drive and watched movies. Saturday morning, he woke me up at 6:00 and said that he was taking me to Town. I like to get groceries over there because they have a bigger variety of things and it's usually cheaper than over here. I was excited to have the chance to go.
We ended up spending a night over there. We didn't go to a movie, though. The theater only has 2 screens. He doesn't like horror movies so The Exorcism of Emily Rose was not an option. We weren't in the mood for Wallace and Gromit, either. We decided to go out to a nice dinner and then we just went back to the hotel and relaxed, enjoying each other's company.
We weren't supposed to come home until the 4:30 ferry, but I panicked because the weather had turned on us. We came home on the 10:30 ferry in case Michael had to turn around and go back on the 2:30 in order to make it out today. He decided he'd take a chance on the weather and I'm so glad he did.
It gave us another night together and the weather today was gorgeous.
When Michael first took this job, everyone told me not to worry. They said that every time he left home it would get easier. It hasn't, and I don't know that I want it to. I was as sad today as I was the first time he left back in July.
We've talked about it and he assures me that this is not a permanent situation. I assured him, that if it ever does become permanent, he better get rich quick because I won't stand for being left home all the time. He'll have to let me follow him wherever they send him. hehe
For now, I'm doing the best I can to deal with his absences. It's not as scary but it hasn't gotten any easier. I thank God everyday for whoever invented cell phones. If I couldn't call Michael everyday or had to pay for every call, I'd lose my mind and go broke in the process.
Speaking of which, I'm going to go and try to call him right now.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Monday Madness "This or That"
Which one?
1. Lemonade or Iced Tea?
At my mom's we make lemonade with lemon's from her trees but here at home, I drink Iced Tea.
2. DVD or VHS?
I own hundreds of VHS tapes, but have switched to DVD's over the past few years.
3. Gold or Silver?
I'll say gold only because all the jewelry I own was given to me by Michael and he buys gold.
4. Baseball or Tennis?
I don't really watch either, but will watch the World Series so I'll choose baseball.
5. Spring or Autumn?
I love the cool brisk air of Autumn. Someday, I'm going to travel somewhere where I can enjoy the colors of Autumn, as well.
6. Diet or Regular?
The only diet soda I drink is my mother-in-law's diet Pepsi and that's only because she won't take no for an answer. If I drink soda, it's regular.
7. Hearts or Stars?
I'll say hearts. I don't know why.
8. Snail Mail or Email?
I love sending and receiving snail mail. I send more than I receive, but that's okay.
9. Shop: Online or In-Store?
I live on a small island with only a few stores and very limited selection. I do most of my shopping online.
10. Credit Card or Check?
I'll say check, but only because the money I spend comes directly out of my checking account. I use a Debit Card most of the time.
1. Lemonade or Iced Tea?
At my mom's we make lemonade with lemon's from her trees but here at home, I drink Iced Tea.
2. DVD or VHS?
I own hundreds of VHS tapes, but have switched to DVD's over the past few years.
3. Gold or Silver?
I'll say gold only because all the jewelry I own was given to me by Michael and he buys gold.
4. Baseball or Tennis?
I don't really watch either, but will watch the World Series so I'll choose baseball.
5. Spring or Autumn?
I love the cool brisk air of Autumn. Someday, I'm going to travel somewhere where I can enjoy the colors of Autumn, as well.
6. Diet or Regular?
The only diet soda I drink is my mother-in-law's diet Pepsi and that's only because she won't take no for an answer. If I drink soda, it's regular.
7. Hearts or Stars?
I'll say hearts. I don't know why.
8. Snail Mail or Email?
I love sending and receiving snail mail. I send more than I receive, but that's okay.
9. Shop: Online or In-Store?
I live on a small island with only a few stores and very limited selection. I do most of my shopping online.
10. Credit Card or Check?
I'll say check, but only because the money I spend comes directly out of my checking account. I use a Debit Card most of the time.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Build Me Up Buttercup
When Lindsey was a little girl, I'd say between 2 and 4, she had quite a temper. She was extremely active and not really "bratty", but was quick to let you know she wasn't happy when things did not go as she expected.
She'd try to curse and call you names when she got mad. She'd cry really hard and then just start spewing all of her "bad words" at you.
Funny thing was, she didn't know any bad words.
She loved being at my house. When it was time to go, she'd get upset. "I don't wanna go! You let me stay you watermelon! You're a meanie, you candy bar!"
Her favorite one, when she was really mad at you was, "Leave me alone, you big buttercup!"
She eventually outgrew it but we often talk about it. Especially when we want to embarrass her.
Michael thought it was so cute and has taken to calling me Buttercup when he wants to tease me.
One day he heard "Build Me Up Buttercup" on the radio. He instantly fell in love with the song because it reminded him of Lindsey. He now calls it my song...because I, thanks to Lindsey, am his buttercup.
When he left to start work in California, he said he was going to find the song on CD so he could listen to it more often. He was never able to find it. He kept asking me to and I kept ignoring him.
He figured it was a lost cause and all but gave up on ever finding the song on CD.
I secretly ordered it while he was away this last time and it arrived the same day he did. I purposely did not put the garbage out so that he would have to take it to the dump himself when he got home.
I raced to the truck before him and slipped the CD in to the player. When the song came on, I turned the volume way up and all he could do was smile.
"You ordered it?"
"Yeah, that's why I was ignoring you when you'd ask me to look online. I didn't know if it would get here in time."
So we listened to it a couple times last night and reminisced about how Lindsey used to curse at me. hehe
*******************************************
Speaking of Lindsey, here's another story for you.
We were in the library after school yesterday. She was coloring a picture of a frog and I was reading signs on our local tv station. I was singing "Five Green and Speckled Frogs" to her while she colored.
A sign on tv came up from the local hotel/restaraunt. It had a list of their daily specials. I read their special for Wednesday.
"Rib eye"
"Aunty Kerri, frog's don't say rib eye! They say ribIT!"
I cracked up laughing and tried to tell her that I was reading the tv. By the time she turned around, the sign had changed so she didn't see it.
"No it doesn't."
I insisted it did but she wouldn't believe me.
"You're funny, Aunty Kerri. I really wish you'd warn me when you're going to be this funny."
She'd try to curse and call you names when she got mad. She'd cry really hard and then just start spewing all of her "bad words" at you.
Funny thing was, she didn't know any bad words.
She loved being at my house. When it was time to go, she'd get upset. "I don't wanna go! You let me stay you watermelon! You're a meanie, you candy bar!"
Her favorite one, when she was really mad at you was, "Leave me alone, you big buttercup!"
She eventually outgrew it but we often talk about it. Especially when we want to embarrass her.
Michael thought it was so cute and has taken to calling me Buttercup when he wants to tease me.
One day he heard "Build Me Up Buttercup" on the radio. He instantly fell in love with the song because it reminded him of Lindsey. He now calls it my song...because I, thanks to Lindsey, am his buttercup.
When he left to start work in California, he said he was going to find the song on CD so he could listen to it more often. He was never able to find it. He kept asking me to and I kept ignoring him.
He figured it was a lost cause and all but gave up on ever finding the song on CD.
I secretly ordered it while he was away this last time and it arrived the same day he did. I purposely did not put the garbage out so that he would have to take it to the dump himself when he got home.
I raced to the truck before him and slipped the CD in to the player. When the song came on, I turned the volume way up and all he could do was smile.
"You ordered it?"
"Yeah, that's why I was ignoring you when you'd ask me to look online. I didn't know if it would get here in time."
So we listened to it a couple times last night and reminisced about how Lindsey used to curse at me. hehe
*******************************************
Speaking of Lindsey, here's another story for you.
We were in the library after school yesterday. She was coloring a picture of a frog and I was reading signs on our local tv station. I was singing "Five Green and Speckled Frogs" to her while she colored.
A sign on tv came up from the local hotel/restaraunt. It had a list of their daily specials. I read their special for Wednesday.
"Rib eye"
"Aunty Kerri, frog's don't say rib eye! They say ribIT!"
I cracked up laughing and tried to tell her that I was reading the tv. By the time she turned around, the sign had changed so she didn't see it.
"No it doesn't."
I insisted it did but she wouldn't believe me.
"You're funny, Aunty Kerri. I really wish you'd warn me when you're going to be this funny."
Thursday, October 13, 2005
I Stand Corrected!
Akeskileut challenged me to take this US Citizenship test at Blogthings. She said, "You'll probably pass it with flying colors." I told her that, although I got high grades in History in high school, it's been a while and I didn't think I'd do well at all.
Weeelllll.......
I guess my memory isn't as bad as I thought.
******************************************
Just on a whim I tried this one:
Why am I not surprised, you ask? Michael's due to arrive home tonight! :o)
**************************************
I'm glad to know I made the right choice!
******************************************
Okay, enough fun for now. Michael just called me. He's on the ferry ON HIS WAY HOME. I better start cooking!
Weeelllll.......
| You Passed the US Citizenship Test |
 Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct! |
I guess my memory isn't as bad as I thought.
******************************************
Just on a whim I tried this one:
| Your Mood Ring is Dark Red |
 Love Passion |
Why am I not surprised, you ask? Michael's due to arrive home tonight! :o)
**************************************
| Your Career Type: Social |
 You are helpful, friendly, and trustworthy. Your talents lie in teaching, nursing, giving information, and solving social problems. You would make an excellent: Counselor - Dental Hygienist - Librarian Nurse - Parole Officer - Personal Trainer Physical Therapist - Social Worker - Teacher The worst career options for your are realistic careers, like truck driver or farmer. |
I'm glad to know I made the right choice!
******************************************
Okay, enough fun for now. Michael just called me. He's on the ferry ON HIS WAY HOME. I better start cooking!
Action Sports- Surf industry taking off in Alaska
Hey, Sandy! Come on up! Surf's up.....in ALASKA! (Click the title for a link)
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
An Eventful Day
What a day I had today! I started off at work but then had to go across campus to the high school for a workshop.
I got an extra long lunch (not really, just 15 minutes extra) so came home and did my dishes AND laundry before going back to the workshop.
In the middle of our afternoon session, we had a fire drill. Not a simple little fire drill where the alarm got pulled and we all filed out the doors. This was a practice run for the fire department. It is, after all, Fire Prevention Awareness Week!
Both of our fire trucks showed up along with an ambulance and a couple of police cars. They actually hooked their hoses to the hydrants and sprayed the building for about 10 minutes.
That was fun to watch but it got a lot of passersby all shook up. They thought there was a real fire.
After the fire trucks left, we went back in, did another half an hour or so of training and then went back to our own building to get ready to go home.
I let my sister-in-law talk me into getting into her car and she drug me to the Open House at the firehall. They had a barbecue and although I don't particularly enjoy eating in big crowds like that, it was delicious. Macaroni salad, black cherry soda, a BLACK hotdog (grilled hotdogs don't taste right unless they're well done!) and FRESH grilled salmon. They had hamburgers but I didn't eat one. They were taking too long to cook them. hehe
Now I'm stuffed. My house is clean because I cleaned up at lunch time. So now I just have to figure out how I'm going to spend the next 4 or 5 hours before I go to bed for the night. I can't wait for the vehicle tours to be over so I won't have to listen to the sirens anymore.
Tomorrow at this time, I'll be cooking chicken stir-fry because that is what Michael requested. He insists on cooking for me when he's home but I always cook what he wants the day he gets here.
There hasn't been a lot of substance to my posts lately. I'm going to try and do better. Not tonight, though. It's been a long day and I'm glad to be home.
I got an extra long lunch (not really, just 15 minutes extra) so came home and did my dishes AND laundry before going back to the workshop.
In the middle of our afternoon session, we had a fire drill. Not a simple little fire drill where the alarm got pulled and we all filed out the doors. This was a practice run for the fire department. It is, after all, Fire Prevention Awareness Week!
Both of our fire trucks showed up along with an ambulance and a couple of police cars. They actually hooked their hoses to the hydrants and sprayed the building for about 10 minutes.
That was fun to watch but it got a lot of passersby all shook up. They thought there was a real fire.
After the fire trucks left, we went back in, did another half an hour or so of training and then went back to our own building to get ready to go home.
I let my sister-in-law talk me into getting into her car and she drug me to the Open House at the firehall. They had a barbecue and although I don't particularly enjoy eating in big crowds like that, it was delicious. Macaroni salad, black cherry soda, a BLACK hotdog (grilled hotdogs don't taste right unless they're well done!) and FRESH grilled salmon. They had hamburgers but I didn't eat one. They were taking too long to cook them. hehe
Now I'm stuffed. My house is clean because I cleaned up at lunch time. So now I just have to figure out how I'm going to spend the next 4 or 5 hours before I go to bed for the night. I can't wait for the vehicle tours to be over so I won't have to listen to the sirens anymore.
Tomorrow at this time, I'll be cooking chicken stir-fry because that is what Michael requested. He insists on cooking for me when he's home but I always cook what he wants the day he gets here.
There hasn't been a lot of substance to my posts lately. I'm going to try and do better. Not tonight, though. It's been a long day and I'm glad to be home.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
It's A Blustery Day
My lungs hurt. I almost feel like I’m asthmatic or something.
No, I’m not sick. I walked to school. A whole 2 blocks away…but it’s extremely windy outside. The road I live on, acts like a wind tunnel. The wind whips down the street and makes it extremely difficult, even for someone like me, to walk up the little tiny hill. You just have to charge right up because if you dare to stop or even hesitate, the wind will catch you and send you backwards.
The fact that it was raining…cold, freezing rain…didn’t help matters any at all. When I got into the building, my body felt light. I couldn’t catch my breath for a minute and my back was tired.
It’s only October. We get these kinds of winds all fall and winter.
I do have good news, though. Michael just called me here at work. He said that the ferry on Thursday is delayed 2 hours so he’ll have time to go from the airport to the ferry and will be home by 8PM! Yay! No stressing about boats and weather!
I have to run off to science now.
No, I’m not sick. I walked to school. A whole 2 blocks away…but it’s extremely windy outside. The road I live on, acts like a wind tunnel. The wind whips down the street and makes it extremely difficult, even for someone like me, to walk up the little tiny hill. You just have to charge right up because if you dare to stop or even hesitate, the wind will catch you and send you backwards.
The fact that it was raining…cold, freezing rain…didn’t help matters any at all. When I got into the building, my body felt light. I couldn’t catch my breath for a minute and my back was tired.
It’s only October. We get these kinds of winds all fall and winter.
I do have good news, though. Michael just called me here at work. He said that the ferry on Thursday is delayed 2 hours so he’ll have time to go from the airport to the ferry and will be home by 8PM! Yay! No stressing about boats and weather!
I have to run off to science now.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Columbus Day
I never saw the point of celebrating this day. I hated studying it in school. Columbus' "discovery" of America was the beginning of the end for so many natives of this land.
1504-1540: Mass slaughter recorded by Bartolme de Las Casas.
1512: Indian organizer Cacique Hatuey burned at the stake, refusing baptism.
1519: Cortez coordinates mass extermination of Indians.
1598: Invaders terrorize the Inca people and begin their total destruction.
1637: King Phillip declares war on American Indians.
1680: The people of Pueblo launch an insurrection and revolt against the slave masters and occupying forces.
1823: A rash of legal decisions are passed down, some of the worst for Indian people came in this time period, beginning with Johnson vs. McIntosh, then the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which lead to the Trail of Tears and the removal of Indians from their homes.
1831 and 1832: The Cherokee Cases turned Indian nations into “domestic and dependent nations.”
1864-1865: Sand Creek Massacre and the Powder River Invasion.
1875-1876: The War for the Black Hills.
1876: The Battle of the Little Big Horn.
1878: Exodus of the Cheyennes.
1890: Massacre at Wounded Knee. 153 Indians murdered at Pine Ridge by the Calvary.
None of that would have happened if Christopher Columbus hadn't "discovered" an already inhabited land. I don't know about you, but being a full-blooded Indian, I don't feel like celebrating.
1504-1540: Mass slaughter recorded by Bartolme de Las Casas.
1512: Indian organizer Cacique Hatuey burned at the stake, refusing baptism.
1519: Cortez coordinates mass extermination of Indians.
1598: Invaders terrorize the Inca people and begin their total destruction.
1637: King Phillip declares war on American Indians.
1680: The people of Pueblo launch an insurrection and revolt against the slave masters and occupying forces.
1823: A rash of legal decisions are passed down, some of the worst for Indian people came in this time period, beginning with Johnson vs. McIntosh, then the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which lead to the Trail of Tears and the removal of Indians from their homes.
1831 and 1832: The Cherokee Cases turned Indian nations into “domestic and dependent nations.”
1864-1865: Sand Creek Massacre and the Powder River Invasion.
1875-1876: The War for the Black Hills.
1876: The Battle of the Little Big Horn.
1878: Exodus of the Cheyennes.
1890: Massacre at Wounded Knee. 153 Indians murdered at Pine Ridge by the Calvary.
None of that would have happened if Christopher Columbus hadn't "discovered" an already inhabited land. I don't know about you, but being a full-blooded Indian, I don't feel like celebrating.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Secrets
Jayleigh has a post on her blog about being expected to do something and then not doing it and the guilt that ensues. Her “something” has to do with money. She was given money for a specific purpose and used it for something else.
She asked us to think of a time when we did the same thing and tell her about it (as a way to appease her guilt, hehe). I tried and tried to think of something but couldn’t remember a time where I was given money for a certain thing. I’ve received money, but never with the instruction to use it for anything in particular.
I do have a huge secret, though. One that haunts me from time to time and I have no idea what to do about it.
When Michael and I first married, we spent about a month living with his parents. We had a house lined up before we got married but the move-in date was pushed back due to unforeseen circumstances so his parents offered to let us stay with them.
It was during this month, while Michael was working night shift, that his mother shared a secret with me; a secret that she hadn’t shared with anyone, including her husband and their children.
I was sworn to secrecy at least until the time of their deaths. She said, “If you decide to tell my children, please wait until Dad and I have passed because Dad doesn’t even know and I don’t want him to know I’ve kept this from him.”
Talk about being put on the spot. That was 13 years ago. I still haven’t told anyone. Not even Michael. Every time I think about it, it kills me because I don’t keep secrets from him.
This isn’t a small secret, either. It’s major; something that will change the lives of Michael and his family completely should they find out.
I thought I was going to be able to tell it here, but part of me doesn’t want to. If I let myself tell it on here, would that make it easier for me to tell someone before it’s time? Will I even be able to tell them once their parents are gone?
I sometimes wonder why she put this on me. I’m wondering if she didn’t want to be the one to tell and thought for sure I’d tell Michael. Then the burden would be on him to tell the family and not her. After only being her daughter-in-law for one month, could she have really trusted me enough to follow through with her wishes?
I don’t mean to tease you with it. I’m just trying to come to terms with it. Not that I expect his parents to die soon…I’m just trying to figure out what the right thing to do is. I mean, they’re a happy family without knowing. How different will it be for them to know? What if they become unhappy…and I’m the one who delivered the news? I don’t know that I can live with that.
She asked us to think of a time when we did the same thing and tell her about it (as a way to appease her guilt, hehe). I tried and tried to think of something but couldn’t remember a time where I was given money for a certain thing. I’ve received money, but never with the instruction to use it for anything in particular.
I do have a huge secret, though. One that haunts me from time to time and I have no idea what to do about it.
When Michael and I first married, we spent about a month living with his parents. We had a house lined up before we got married but the move-in date was pushed back due to unforeseen circumstances so his parents offered to let us stay with them.
It was during this month, while Michael was working night shift, that his mother shared a secret with me; a secret that she hadn’t shared with anyone, including her husband and their children.
I was sworn to secrecy at least until the time of their deaths. She said, “If you decide to tell my children, please wait until Dad and I have passed because Dad doesn’t even know and I don’t want him to know I’ve kept this from him.”
Talk about being put on the spot. That was 13 years ago. I still haven’t told anyone. Not even Michael. Every time I think about it, it kills me because I don’t keep secrets from him.
This isn’t a small secret, either. It’s major; something that will change the lives of Michael and his family completely should they find out.
I thought I was going to be able to tell it here, but part of me doesn’t want to. If I let myself tell it on here, would that make it easier for me to tell someone before it’s time? Will I even be able to tell them once their parents are gone?
I sometimes wonder why she put this on me. I’m wondering if she didn’t want to be the one to tell and thought for sure I’d tell Michael. Then the burden would be on him to tell the family and not her. After only being her daughter-in-law for one month, could she have really trusted me enough to follow through with her wishes?
I don’t mean to tease you with it. I’m just trying to come to terms with it. Not that I expect his parents to die soon…I’m just trying to figure out what the right thing to do is. I mean, they’re a happy family without knowing. How different will it be for them to know? What if they become unhappy…and I’m the one who delivered the news? I don’t know that I can live with that.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
OMG!
I just walked out of the science room. Holy cow, that 3rd grade class is enough to make me want to go into early retirement!
We had an experiment to do today where they were supposed to see whether soil or gravel absorbed water better.
It was pretty simple, put some gravel in one cup, soil in another. Add water, let it drain, and then measure to see which one absorbed more.
This class is full of a bunch of know-it-alls and all they did was bicker back and forth.
I gave so many lectures I was ready to run out of the room crying! Not really, but I was extremely frustrated by the time the period ended.
I don’t think most of them even learned the concept. It was all “We need to do this! No, we need to do this! It’s my turn! It is not, it’s mine!”
What made it so frustrating is that each kid in each group had a job. One was in charge of gathering materials, one was in charge of setting up the experiment, one was in charge of implementing the experiment, and one was in charge of recording the results.
They fought over each others jobs. I’d explain that they needed to stick to their own job. That made them pout.
Pouting kids don’t concentrate well so we had a lot of messes.
Sheesh! I wish it was Friday.
We had an experiment to do today where they were supposed to see whether soil or gravel absorbed water better.
It was pretty simple, put some gravel in one cup, soil in another. Add water, let it drain, and then measure to see which one absorbed more.
This class is full of a bunch of know-it-alls and all they did was bicker back and forth.
I gave so many lectures I was ready to run out of the room crying! Not really, but I was extremely frustrated by the time the period ended.
I don’t think most of them even learned the concept. It was all “We need to do this! No, we need to do this! It’s my turn! It is not, it’s mine!”
What made it so frustrating is that each kid in each group had a job. One was in charge of gathering materials, one was in charge of setting up the experiment, one was in charge of implementing the experiment, and one was in charge of recording the results.
They fought over each others jobs. I’d explain that they needed to stick to their own job. That made them pout.
Pouting kids don’t concentrate well so we had a lot of messes.
Sheesh! I wish it was Friday.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Thank God For Kids
Well, after a rocky start, this has turned into a pretty good day. I was all ready to be in a bad mood because of these never-ending technical glitches. Then I had the 1st grade class.
One of the boys, August, came in and was smiling from ear to ear. He said, “We missed you!”
“You did?” I asked.
“Well, I know I did!” and he gave me a really big hug. He then asked, “Did you miss us?”
“I sure did!”
His smile couldn’t have gotten any bigger when he said, “Guys! She missed us!”
How can I be in a bad mood after that?
Every time I think things couldn’t get any worse, something like that happens and I’m reminded once again about why I love this job.
Having summers off helps, but it’s the kids. They’re so honest and innocent. They’re not afraid to show you they appreciate you. They say the cutest things and always manage to make me smile.
One of the boys, August, came in and was smiling from ear to ear. He said, “We missed you!”
“You did?” I asked.
“Well, I know I did!” and he gave me a really big hug. He then asked, “Did you miss us?”
“I sure did!”
His smile couldn’t have gotten any bigger when he said, “Guys! She missed us!”
How can I be in a bad mood after that?
Every time I think things couldn’t get any worse, something like that happens and I’m reminded once again about why I love this job.
Having summers off helps, but it’s the kids. They’re so honest and innocent. They’re not afraid to show you they appreciate you. They say the cutest things and always manage to make me smile.
Mr. F...Where are you?
When I first started here in the computer lab, the tech guy was a former teacher of mine, Mr. F. I thought it strange that he switched from being a music teacher to a computer tech, but he was great at what he did.
When I had a problem he not only fixed it, he showed me how so that I didn’t need to always depend on him.
He left us for greener pastures around the time we switched from Macintosh to Dell computers. I’ve learned through trial and error how to fix a lot of the little problems, but have yet to get another tech guy who is willing to allow me to learn.
This is the 5th tech guy we’ve had since Mr. F. left and they are all the same. They find themselves extremely busy and because I am all the way across campus, I always get left for last.
I’ve learned to deal with it, but there are times when it is so frustrating. Nobody likes being the low man on the totem pole, but there are times I feel like I’m the part buried in the ground. The part nobody ever thinks about because all of the artistic stuff is right there in plain sight for all to enjoy.
I guess you might have guessed by now that the current tech guy has, once again, let me down. Remember back in August when I was supposed to start testing and the software wasn’t working? It was because the license had expired and needed renewal.
Well, guess what? He didn’t renew. He signed us up for a 30-day free trial.
Guess what else? The free trial expired over the weekend.
So here we are, 3 weeks away from the end of the quarter. The day I’m supposed to start testing and I can’t because the software doesn’t work.
I have Mr. F’s e-mail address. I sometimes wonder if I wrote him and asked as nicely as I can if he would come back to us.
When I had a problem he not only fixed it, he showed me how so that I didn’t need to always depend on him.
He left us for greener pastures around the time we switched from Macintosh to Dell computers. I’ve learned through trial and error how to fix a lot of the little problems, but have yet to get another tech guy who is willing to allow me to learn.
This is the 5th tech guy we’ve had since Mr. F. left and they are all the same. They find themselves extremely busy and because I am all the way across campus, I always get left for last.
I’ve learned to deal with it, but there are times when it is so frustrating. Nobody likes being the low man on the totem pole, but there are times I feel like I’m the part buried in the ground. The part nobody ever thinks about because all of the artistic stuff is right there in plain sight for all to enjoy.
I guess you might have guessed by now that the current tech guy has, once again, let me down. Remember back in August when I was supposed to start testing and the software wasn’t working? It was because the license had expired and needed renewal.
Well, guess what? He didn’t renew. He signed us up for a 30-day free trial.
Guess what else? The free trial expired over the weekend.
So here we are, 3 weeks away from the end of the quarter. The day I’m supposed to start testing and I can’t because the software doesn’t work.
I have Mr. F’s e-mail address. I sometimes wonder if I wrote him and asked as nicely as I can if he would come back to us.
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