Well everything went really well. The eleven kids were wired for sound today because of the party and the upcoming 3 day weekend.
So we played a warm up game. I had them draw a blind bunny. They had to close their eyes and draw a bunny following my instructions. There were pretty interesting pictures when they were finished. Then we played scatergories. Apparently they had played this in Science, so it wasn't a new an unique game! I like to be inovative. So it was the boys against the girls. At first I didn't time them and then the girls wanted it timed. The boys were trying to figure out an "F" country. So one of them got out a book (they were cheating) and the used the obvious answer France and didn't get any points (as the girls had the same answer). So during one of the other games this boy announced "Guys we could have said Finland!" And I'm liking saying, "Great but we aren't doing that one anymore." All through the game this same kid kept saying, "When are we going to eat?" Yep, that food and drink is the important part of the party. I got them noise makers and the teacher got them candy and bubbles. What a party! It was the teacher's final party as she is retiring this year!
We are currently have a spring snow. It's looking like rain around here but in "Mac" town there was already 6 inches of snow on the ground! I guess I'll have to bring up my space heater tonight. Brr! Where's my beautiful sunshine and warm 80's? I want it back!
Departings---Mr. One and Done, Bob Huggins is leaving K-State basketball for West Virginia University. What an un-class act! What kind of coach stays at a program for one year? The sportcasters say of him "what a great recruiter!" Yeah, whatever. The man doesn't even measure up to Bill Self's little finger. Huggins...what a loser! K-State officials aren't too happy with Mr. Huggins decision. They shouldn't have hired him in the first place. So now this fabulous recruiting class that "Thuggins" created will probably be leaving or will have to stay. Nothing like having a team in limbo.
So who could K-State get as their coach? Would Quin Snyder be available? Would he want to come back and coach in the Big 12? My guess is no. Maybe they could find some unknown assistant who really wants a head coaching job (like Roy Williams did when he became a head coach at KU back in 1988). Good luck K-State, because you guys are going to need all the luck you can get. Say goodbye to Huggyville, cats!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Happy Birthday L!!
It is "L's" Birthday today! He is 361 days older than me, he is 636 months old! : -) I baked him a couple of cakes yesterday for his office. Now I wonder how much will be left??? Now his mom has baked her yummy chocolate cake for us and we will have to get cake over there within the week!
Looking at "Birthday Calculator"...L was born on a Sunday. He was born in the Chinese year of the Horse. Popular songs during his year were "Mr. Sandman," and "Sh-Boom." People born on his day are: Craig T. Nelson (Coach), Maya Angelou, and John Cameron Swayze (of Timex fame, "it takes a lickin but it keeps on tickin").
They say people born on that day are artistic and has good taste. I'd like to think so! ;-)
Happy birthday L...I love you! <><
Looking at "Birthday Calculator"...L was born on a Sunday. He was born in the Chinese year of the Horse. Popular songs during his year were "Mr. Sandman," and "Sh-Boom." People born on his day are: Craig T. Nelson (Coach), Maya Angelou, and John Cameron Swayze (of Timex fame, "it takes a lickin but it keeps on tickin").
They say people born on that day are artistic and has good taste. I'd like to think so! ;-)
Happy birthday L...I love you! <><
Baking Cake Eggs
I am the head of "J's" Easter Party Committee. I am actually a committee of two people. The school's Easter Party is tomorrow. So I am baking cake eggs. I found these aluminum egg shaped "pans" and making cupcake eggs. I am currently watching them bake and not sure if I will use these or not for the party. If I do not, then I will have to make Easter cookies. My guess is that I will probably do the cookies. I think I overfilled this first batch of Easter Eggs...hmm, not good. Oh well...
I like to cook, but I do not have a good track record when it comes to cupcakes. I'm sure that my family will enjoy the extra "eggs." My cookies, however, are pretty good. I'll decorate those and take them to school.
The other person on my committee will need to bring a drink. He's got it easy. "J's" teacher said that she would bring Easter candy. If she doesn't that's okay, kids get too much sugar anyway!
I have the game and the party favors ready. Now I just hope the kids will enjoy the party!
I like to cook, but I do not have a good track record when it comes to cupcakes. I'm sure that my family will enjoy the extra "eggs." My cookies, however, are pretty good. I'll decorate those and take them to school.
The other person on my committee will need to bring a drink. He's got it easy. "J's" teacher said that she would bring Easter candy. If she doesn't that's okay, kids get too much sugar anyway!
I have the game and the party favors ready. Now I just hope the kids will enjoy the party!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
April Elections
I went to vote in my little town today and went to the normal place. I wondered if the election was even being held as there were no cars parked in front. Alas, I saw a friend's truck who I recognized and knew he was in there voting. There were more workers than voters. The election concerned voting for mayor, a representative in my district, and the ever popular school board decision.
I know of people who aren't even registered to vote, they have an opinion but for some reason they have never voted and so they are not in the habit of voting. I never can understand why they don't. I plead with them that if an issue is near and dear to their heart that they should register and vote. Voting priviledges should always be exercised. Now granted, some people cannot vote if they are in jail, but if you can then do.
Because of this apathy maybe this is why things are the way they are. If people would get out and vote their opinion maybe things would change. Maybe your vote would help a person get elected to a post and maybe that person would believe in the same ideals that you believe.
I remember when I was in college and I couldn't make up my mind what party (Democrat or Republican). So my friend told me that I should vote but I could register as an Independent, which I did. So I registered at my local library and even voted by absentee ballot that year. Of course I did make a decision to change my party from an Independent to another party that I won't mention, but I think if you read my bio you would know. :-)
I can remember the different ways I voted. Pencil and paper, coloring in an opening spot with a black marker, flipping down levers (in W town), and the latest touch screens at H town. Not all of the times has my candidate won, but many times they have.
So I try to encourage everyone to vote. So far it has fallen on deaf ears. I can bet though that "S" will be wanting to vote when she turns 18. She knows the importance of voting. :-)
I know of people who aren't even registered to vote, they have an opinion but for some reason they have never voted and so they are not in the habit of voting. I never can understand why they don't. I plead with them that if an issue is near and dear to their heart that they should register and vote. Voting priviledges should always be exercised. Now granted, some people cannot vote if they are in jail, but if you can then do.
Because of this apathy maybe this is why things are the way they are. If people would get out and vote their opinion maybe things would change. Maybe your vote would help a person get elected to a post and maybe that person would believe in the same ideals that you believe.
I remember when I was in college and I couldn't make up my mind what party (Democrat or Republican). So my friend told me that I should vote but I could register as an Independent, which I did. So I registered at my local library and even voted by absentee ballot that year. Of course I did make a decision to change my party from an Independent to another party that I won't mention, but I think if you read my bio you would know. :-)
I can remember the different ways I voted. Pencil and paper, coloring in an opening spot with a black marker, flipping down levers (in W town), and the latest touch screens at H town. Not all of the times has my candidate won, but many times they have.
So I try to encourage everyone to vote. So far it has fallen on deaf ears. I can bet though that "S" will be wanting to vote when she turns 18. She knows the importance of voting. :-)
Monday, April 2, 2007
Expired License to Teach
On my birthday my substitute teaching license expired. :( Not that I didn't get a lot of use out of it! I obtained the substitute license in 2001 and had it for six years, expiring on my birthday. Oh well. I'll probably never work as a teacher again, but that's okay.
I also saw my original three year standard license listed. It has been expired for almost 26 years. I was planning on being a History teacher, but that didn't pan out. I had a miserable time student teaching at a high school near that other H town. I didn't get along with my mentor teacher in fact I had to call in my prof to help clear the air. The mentor teacher would correct my outlines over and over. Why couldn't he let me do it my way?
Then after I graduated I had many letters sent out to high schools throughout Kansas and only got one interview in a small town. Even then, they told me upfront that they were looking for a coach and then a teacher. Like I would/could coach football, why did they even bother interviewing me? So after that I substituted around the R county area for a few months. Did I enjoy it? No. Some early mornings I refused to go in and work. When I moved to the W town for another higher paying job I was still getting substitute job calls even though I had moved. They were desperate for subs.
Fast forward twenty-one years later...I would have taken all the jobs that were offered in H town but wasn't offered many jobs. I switched from high school to elementary ed thinking it would be easier. It was not. I would only get called for para jobs and be treated like a speck of dirt in one classroom. Some paras, whom I had to deal with didn't like me. On the other hand, there have been other paras I have worked with whom I have great respect for and thank them for making my job easier. A great deal of these paras have either moved out of the district or got out of teaching completely.
Now I am out of teaching completely. I feel so much better about my recent career choice. :)
I also saw my original three year standard license listed. It has been expired for almost 26 years. I was planning on being a History teacher, but that didn't pan out. I had a miserable time student teaching at a high school near that other H town. I didn't get along with my mentor teacher in fact I had to call in my prof to help clear the air. The mentor teacher would correct my outlines over and over. Why couldn't he let me do it my way?
Then after I graduated I had many letters sent out to high schools throughout Kansas and only got one interview in a small town. Even then, they told me upfront that they were looking for a coach and then a teacher. Like I would/could coach football, why did they even bother interviewing me? So after that I substituted around the R county area for a few months. Did I enjoy it? No. Some early mornings I refused to go in and work. When I moved to the W town for another higher paying job I was still getting substitute job calls even though I had moved. They were desperate for subs.
Fast forward twenty-one years later...I would have taken all the jobs that were offered in H town but wasn't offered many jobs. I switched from high school to elementary ed thinking it would be easier. It was not. I would only get called for para jobs and be treated like a speck of dirt in one classroom. Some paras, whom I had to deal with didn't like me. On the other hand, there have been other paras I have worked with whom I have great respect for and thank them for making my job easier. A great deal of these paras have either moved out of the district or got out of teaching completely.
Now I am out of teaching completely. I feel so much better about my recent career choice. :)
Biking in the Spring
Spring/summer is officially here in H town for one day then the temperatures take a plunge the rest of the week. It is 85 degrees! Tulips in bloom, lilacs (one of my favorite flowering plants), and flowering pear trees. The grass, the dandelions, and all the glorious (not) weeds with purple flowers are blooming.
I dusted off the old 18 speed bike today, pumped up the tires, and took a spin around a couple of blocks before the wind pushed me from the south. I forgot how out of shape I was pedaling against the wind! Whew!
I can remember (yes, I actually can remember that far back!) when I was a senior in high school and my only transportation was my 10-speed boys bike. I didn't have a car when I went to my high school. I lived in another H town and the high school was about a mile away. My insurance rates (becuase of my rather un-stellar driving record) was too high for my parents to pay for. So instead of driving to high school in my car I rode the 10-speed. It was pretty much the "in" thing back then as the school even had a bike rack. I had my locking chain so my bike wouldn't be stolen and this was my transportation until I was a freshman in college. I was lucky that my high school was in town and not 5 miles away in the country.
S is anxious to take driver's education but has to wait a year or so because of her young age. It is scary to think that when she is a senior in high school she will be able to drive her car to school. She thinks it is exciting. I think it is scary as her high school is out 5 miles away from any town. So many accidents has plagued CHS. One in most recent memory were the 3 girls driving to A town and they were killed instantly in a car crash. It was the saddest thing ever!! They were only 15-16 years old! Maybe that's why I fear when "S" will be able to drive out there someday.
Maybe there should be stricter legislation to restrict certain drivers at either ages or times of day. I wonder if perhaps Driver's Education classes could be offer during the school year not just the summer. To me if it was offered during the year, students would be taught how to drive on icy, snowy roads. Whereas D. E. held in the summer, the student would be learning to drive on rainy to dry roads only.
Oh, btw, I still have my old "car" (10-speed) still with me after all these years. I see it everytime I go outside on my patio. It reminds me of my senior year in high school! :) Here's to safer times!
I dusted off the old 18 speed bike today, pumped up the tires, and took a spin around a couple of blocks before the wind pushed me from the south. I forgot how out of shape I was pedaling against the wind! Whew!
I can remember (yes, I actually can remember that far back!) when I was a senior in high school and my only transportation was my 10-speed boys bike. I didn't have a car when I went to my high school. I lived in another H town and the high school was about a mile away. My insurance rates (becuase of my rather un-stellar driving record) was too high for my parents to pay for. So instead of driving to high school in my car I rode the 10-speed. It was pretty much the "in" thing back then as the school even had a bike rack. I had my locking chain so my bike wouldn't be stolen and this was my transportation until I was a freshman in college. I was lucky that my high school was in town and not 5 miles away in the country.
S is anxious to take driver's education but has to wait a year or so because of her young age. It is scary to think that when she is a senior in high school she will be able to drive her car to school. She thinks it is exciting. I think it is scary as her high school is out 5 miles away from any town. So many accidents has plagued CHS. One in most recent memory were the 3 girls driving to A town and they were killed instantly in a car crash. It was the saddest thing ever!! They were only 15-16 years old! Maybe that's why I fear when "S" will be able to drive out there someday.
Maybe there should be stricter legislation to restrict certain drivers at either ages or times of day. I wonder if perhaps Driver's Education classes could be offer during the school year not just the summer. To me if it was offered during the year, students would be taught how to drive on icy, snowy roads. Whereas D. E. held in the summer, the student would be learning to drive on rainy to dry roads only.
Oh, btw, I still have my old "car" (10-speed) still with me after all these years. I see it everytime I go outside on my patio. It reminds me of my senior year in high school! :) Here's to safer times!
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Gentle people start those engines!
I know the line is "Gentlemen start your engines," but I am not refering to "men. " Not just men like to mow. I love the start of mowing season and it's early this year. We've had a lot of rain these past few days and the weeds are thriving.
Now at my house we just got a new self-propelled mower. I want to see how well it works. Basically on self-propelled mowers is walking behind it and steering it. A lot of exercise involved in that. My riding lawn mower is in the backyard and I like using that. But the tires need aired up, the oil probably needs changing, and the gas tank needs to be filled. Everything on the riding mower is not working properly. Most likely we will need to get a new mower next year if not sooner.
Sure I do not like the smell of freshley mowed grass/weeds (I have to wear a pollen mask when I mow), but I do like the way the yard looks. Just that feeling of satisfaction to get those weeds mowed down and looking nice. I will probably do my lawn today and my inlaws tomorrow. They do not believe in working on Sunday, so I have to obey their wishes and not work.
I would love to mow at my mom's but she lives so far out of town that I cannot. We have often told her we would mow her lawn for free (if only we had a trailer and/or a truck to haul the mower). But she continues to have someone mow her lawn for 35 dollars every 2 weeks during mowing season. Mowing season will go from now until October...so we could save her some money around $500 or more. But she will not hear of it! It's hard to reason with your parents sometimes!
The times that I hate to mow is when there is a rose bush nearby and I get scratches on my arms and legs. Or near someones fence and risk water being sprayed on me when I'm trying to do my job because of the over zealous neighbor and his pool.
Now at my house we just got a new self-propelled mower. I want to see how well it works. Basically on self-propelled mowers is walking behind it and steering it. A lot of exercise involved in that. My riding lawn mower is in the backyard and I like using that. But the tires need aired up, the oil probably needs changing, and the gas tank needs to be filled. Everything on the riding mower is not working properly. Most likely we will need to get a new mower next year if not sooner.
Sure I do not like the smell of freshley mowed grass/weeds (I have to wear a pollen mask when I mow), but I do like the way the yard looks. Just that feeling of satisfaction to get those weeds mowed down and looking nice. I will probably do my lawn today and my inlaws tomorrow. They do not believe in working on Sunday, so I have to obey their wishes and not work.
I would love to mow at my mom's but she lives so far out of town that I cannot. We have often told her we would mow her lawn for free (if only we had a trailer and/or a truck to haul the mower). But she continues to have someone mow her lawn for 35 dollars every 2 weeks during mowing season. Mowing season will go from now until October...so we could save her some money around $500 or more. But she will not hear of it! It's hard to reason with your parents sometimes!
The times that I hate to mow is when there is a rose bush nearby and I get scratches on my arms and legs. Or near someones fence and risk water being sprayed on me when I'm trying to do my job because of the over zealous neighbor and his pool.
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