Kontan’s Place

kontansplace

I’ve spent the better part of my day playing with this. There are lots of neat little tools that you can use and it has kept me entertained. I don’t like the top image, that will be changing. Right now I just do not have time to spend creating a more suitable image. This wasn’t all I did today. I DID get something else accomplished. LAUNDRY. blah. I hate folding. Two more loads to put away and then I will move on to the exciting world of grading papers! ooo.eee.

Check out my new play place…if you do, leave a message tell me what you think.

Double Decker Festival

We spent the morning at the Double Decker festival. Djembe had plans to play with the community band so we decided to make it a family outing. After searching for a place to park we made our hike to the square where all the vendors and stages were set up. The ultimate in a family day experience…shopping and festival day food! First we watched Djembe play. Very enjoyable for everyone. The arrangements were recognizable for young and old. It was also amusing to watch the musicians try to play AND keep their music from flying away. We assumed the day would end with dropping of much rain. There was a tiny bit of spitting rain, but for the most part it was just wind. A LOT of wind. After Jem finished playing we searched for lunch. It’s a town festival, it would be wrong not to have BBQ. The girls had their favorite, ribs, and Jem and I chose something more suitable to eat in public, a BBQ s’wich. I just think eating ribs is one of those things you should do in the privacy of your own home where if you make a mess, no one is watching! Same for hot wings. The BBQ was pretty decent. It was a nice day out and we’re still waiting on the rain.

gameday 3/state test day 4

We won last night, 22-1. Game was called in the 4th. Don’t be too impressed by the score, we didn’t play that great. They just couldn’t pitch. OMG I made some DUMB plays. I always think of where I’m going to go with the ball if I get it. In this particular case it was get the ball out on 2nd, then first if possible. Sooo…ok…really stupid move here. Ball is hit…I catch it…runner on first is halfway in between. So what do I do? No…NO…NO I did not do the obvious. I did not step on 2nd base I threw the $%^& ball to first! WHY?!?! I don’t know why. I just did. There were a couple other just dumb things throughout the game. Obviously it didn’t matter. I think I was just keyed up b/c my husband was there and we were playing the team of our old church. I would say it was a fun game though…but it wasn’t. It was pretty boring.

State testing for us is over. The elementary guys have testing next week. Today I had my study hall from 7:45-10:45. Joy joy. We played Crack the Case for two hours and I listened to them whine for another hour. ARGH!!!!!! My patience was gone by the end. This is where I should say the rest of the day went well…but that would be a lie. The rest of the day was hectic. My students were finishing their portfolios. Several whined about not having enough time. Here are the instructions. It was NOT a difficult assignment.

Ugh. I’m just glad it’s the weekend. Happy blogging.

Thursday Thirteen

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1. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

7. The test of a good teacher is not how many questions he can ask his pupils that they will answer readily, but how many questions he inspires them to ask him which he finds it hard to answer. Alice Wellington Rollins

Testing and game day 2

I started this post a little after 8:15 this morning. Since I can not access blogger at school I was posting through photobucket. Anyway, photobucket timed out and there I was without a post. Took an hour too. Ah well, here goes again…

Second day of state testing. (collective ugh from teachers.) I love teaching but this whole testing thing is obnoxious. Anyway, I had to babysit my second period from 7:45 until 10:30. On long test days 9th grade is kept until 10:45 but non-testing upperclassmen stay until 11:30. ARGH! Enough to drive you nuts. Yesterday was great. First period worked well and almost finished. Today…mmmm not so good. I had eleven of my 31 kids. The rest were either taking the Biology I test or didn’t bother to come to school. Can’t really blame them if they didn’t have to test. So me and eleven wonderful individuals spent the morning together. They were supposed to be working on their current event assignment, summarizing and responding. They were not horrible and they didn’t get loud, but since they didn’t have other members of their group present then they couldn’t complete certain aspects. Plan B time…

Tomorrow I administer the US test. JOY! I get to stand from 7:45 until the last tester is done. (It was at this point that I planned to link to a previous post where I discussed high stakes testing and realized that my Archive has nothing for this blog b/c everything is at the other place. So I guess if you want to know what I think of state tests then you can go here and scroll to 3.23.2006 at the bottom. Gotta hate when the blog breaks.) So, I administer tomorrow. Since I’m yawning I guess that means hustle up and get in the bed soon. Gonna be a long day.

So here’s a run-down of yesterday. Babysat first period, went well but the rest of the day was shot b/c of the testing. Project week! Then took my oldest to an audition for Annie. It was her first play audition. She would like a supporting role, but will be happy with making chorus line. They audition in groups. She was called up with four other girls. They sang Tomorrow. Then they had to sing individually. She did pretty well. I could tell she was nervous but I don’t think it came through as much as I expected. Then they read dialogue. She read the part of Molly. I think she would make a great Molly…or any other of the orphan girl parts. Heard today that 100 kids tried out Monday. I really hope Froggy is selected to be a part of the summer production. It will be work, but I think a lot of fun for her too. She will have to eliminate other after school things b/c the rehearsal schedule is pretty demanding. She understands and is hoping for a part.

After her audition it was ball game time. Leg still hurting so I did A LOT of stretching. Started out on second again. Didn’t take long for us to get the three outs and head to bat. I didn’t bat first round, but did second time in. Didn’t have to run to first b/c I was walked. Had to run to second then third and thankfully got to stop. OH THE BURN! Fortunately next hit was a good one and I didn’t have fast sprint in. That round of batting went well, then back out to field. Quickly got the three outs needed and back in to bat. Got to my turn again. Decent hit, made it to first. Thankfully got to stop. ouch ouch ouch. The thigh muscle was burning. Got to second then got hit in the uninjured legs ankle. OUCH!!!! It wasn’t horrible, and it did take my mind of the pain in my thigh. Ran to third, got to stop. Next bat went home, then in the dugout to sit. Soon time to field again. Went on out. It didn’t hurt much to play second. Had to move but it wasn’t that run stretch motion. Back in to bat and time for substitutions. The bat got back around to me so I had to go up. Got to first and took the bases one by one, back in to sit, glad it was over. I couldn’t have gone back on the field, the thigh was burning pretty bad. We kept getting hit after hit. You know where this is going don’t you. My time again. WHAT! Got my bat, went to plate, and waited for the first strike. Then prayed for balls. Something even better happened. Time was up. We were up 14-2 so the ump called the game! I could have given him a big hug. Great game, we played well.

I’m loving this team. Everyone gets along and they encourage each other. There isn’t that jealousy factor or blame factor that you many times find. We are there to have fun. It just works out that we play well together. Next game….tomorrow against our old church. Don’t plan on missing and my leg is much better today. Amazing what stretches can do for you.

Take me out to the ball game…

Batter up! We had our first game today. Great turnout. Church league is usually a scheduling nightmare. Most of us have a lot going on and it is hard to make every game. Tonight almost all were there. I sarted on second, we fielded first. The first 4 innings were great and we got ahead. Score= 5-1. We were playing “The Chicken Store” Dodges. It’s a gas place here that has great chicken too. My first bat was decent but I strained a muscle on my run to first. Ouch. When we went to field again, back on second. The muscle wasn’t too bad. Quick three outs, two at second and one at first, and then back to bat. My second round at bat I chose to take the second good pitch, decent hit, OH THE PAIN when I ran. What wasn’t hurting that bad was burning pretty bad. When we went back to field it was time for switching out and I was thrilled. Not so sure I could have gone on to field. Rest of the game was ok, but due to stupid mistakes we gave it away for one point. Score= 6-5, no free chicken for us. Tomorrow is another day. All in all, we had fun, and there were even some good plays.

Had to wrap my leg when I got home, but I think it will be better tomorrow.

Fellow teachers…state testing week begins tomorrow…ew.

chitter chatter

I haven’t been blogging much. I’m trying to take more time for other things. It’s also spring semester, which for some reason is more busy than fall. State testing starts next week and the tension can be felt. I’m not teaching a subject testing area, but I do have to administer the US test. I’m also playing softball, three games coming up this week. The girls have their after school activity. Tweety sprained her ankle Thursday. She just can’t catch a break. Head scans at one, cath/dye test for bladder at 2, allergies are a mess during season changes, broke her arm the day after her 5th birthday, scrapes and bruises because she has little fear, and now the sprained ankle. I’m worried about what the future holds for her. She’s dying to get on the neighbor’s trampoline. NO. NO. NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT! She’s content to play with the ducks or new puppy while the others jump. My kids are NOT allowed. I just can’t afford it. (Yes, it has the net around it. But she didn’t break her arm falling off. Her arm broke when another child fell on her.)

Had my last grad meeting today. We had to share how we’ve used our grad knowledge in the classroom. Seeing everyone was great. Most all were there, a few had conflicts. But, it was sad saying goodbye again. I’m thankful that the grad part of my life is behind me, but sharing that experience with other teachers was really great. You learn a lot. I also have a grand appreciation for my school district. Many of my grad pals are from districts that do not have the support that we do. One guy has five preps! That is unheard of where I am. The most one will have is three, and that isn’t normal. (Preps are the different classes you teach.) I teach five classes a day, on an eight period day, and teach only one prep. Anyway. . .we discussed our lesson plans and benefits of the program then went to lunch. After lunch we were given our goodies. It was like Christmas! I have several videos on the Presidents, 20th Century events, Reconstruction, the Natchez Trace, Letters from Vietnam, Book of Lists, and other useful items. I wish I had thought to get a Bobby Horton DVD. He is a musician specializing in Civil War period, did the music for the Ken Burns Civil War series, Gettysburg, and a several other movies. Great guy, great musician. Actually from Birmingham, AL. We were fortunate enough to hear him speak and play during our Civil War class.

Not much else going on. Been trying to post every day on Mi Rezo. Yesterday the net was so slow and I had no desire to battle it. I’ll be back to that shortly. It’s been a neat little journey.

Thinking about creating a family blog. My Aunt mentioned having a desire to have a spot for family photos and such. May jump in to that sometime. I’ve also been working on my class website. It has a place for lesson plans, study guides, notes, and a forum page where they can respond to articles for extra credit. I’m happy with it and the kids seem to like it much better than the forum style site I used before. As you can imagine it has been a little time consuming.

Guess I have rambled enough…Thanks for stopping by!

rambling on

I missed Thursday 13 today. So sorry to those who stopped by! I have to say I am very thankful that it is a short school week. The students are still hyper. Many have decided the end of school is near and they do not have to keep working. I’m happy that, at this time, none of my students are in the position where they can not pass the class. I do have several who are on the borderline though. If they do not get it together they’ll be with me in summer school. At least they will know what to expect!

I did not get accepted in the first round picks for Lowell workshop. They did say I am an alternate. I do not think I will accept if it does work out that they bring in alternates. It would be great to go, but it is looking like my summer is pretty full. June is alread booked. I’m hoping for family vacation in July. The week of the Lowell trip is the perfect time really.

Saturday is the final meeting with my grad group. I have no idea what it is about. We have already completed the program evaluation. At least they are giving us class supplies. We were given a spending amount and told to shop on-line and catalogs for things we wanted, submit our list and it will be in soon. WOOHOO! A teacher’s dream, free classroom goodies! It was a lot harder than I thought it would be too. You want the money to go to good use, but you can’t preview all of the material. I purchased videos, software, and a few books. I can ask our media center to order anything that I really want for classes, but if I leave this school I can’t take it with me…so it’s really great to have my own now.

Softball is off to a great start…practice anyway. I’m playing second, short, and sometimes third. I have no desire to be in the outfield, but can if that is what is needed. The only base I refuse to play is first. I’ve never had a good experience on first. I’ve played it several times, but not well. When playing on a coed team I was run over by men who outweighed me a whole me! That was my only request when I signed up, no first. I like second the best. All in what you are comfortable with I guess.

That’s it for today…Papers to grade. Midterm grades are due tomorrow. Joy joy. State testing starts next week. The countdown to the end is on!

Easter reflection

Since Djembe had three performances Easter Sunday I decided to take the girls home for the holiday. I knew what I was getting into…six girls under the age of nine. Easter is a very special holiday for me so I wanted to spend it with someone who shared the joy of it. I knew that if we stayed home Easter morning would be rushed. So off we went. It took creativity packing all of the Easter stuff where the girls wouldn’t see it. I got there about the time my Aunt was getting home from school. The girls were so excited to see Mawmaw and their cousins. My cousin was here with his other two. THAT was an experience. They are interesting characters with their own slant on the world. Socialism is attractive to them…but anyway…the girls were excited. Since it was almost ninety degrees they wanted to get in the pool. No problem…but no one was allowed to drowned because I had NO desire to get in the water. Too chilly for my tastes. So they swam the afternoon away while me and my aunt watched. It was great to be home. Saturday my uncle took a few of the girls out while the rest of us went shopping. Two more baskets had to be made since my cousin came home with his other two. So I entertained a few kids while my Aunt shopped. After completing Easter shopping we dropped the girls with Pawpaw and headed to get groceries. It takes a lot to feed our bunch. I think 18 was our Easter day total. We made it home just in time for Pawpaw to take the girls to lunch. Woohoo! An hour or so sans kids! We had time to make baskets! This was our favorite part. We set to work separating Easter goodies and manipulating it all into baskets. Baskets are a BIG deal! See, Gran was my Aunt’s mother and she raised me as well…so we have a similar appreciation for the joy an Easter basket can bring. Gran made everything in our baskets growing up. We didn’t have much money but she somehow managed to make a special Easter basket. The joy of creating a fun and happy basket for our girls is rewarding. We set to work and let me tell you it takes time to make six Easter baskets. Pawpaw made it back before we were done and the girls had to be entertained in the pool again. Finally finishing it was a trick to get six, filled fully full, Easter baskets hidden. While Mawmaw took over kid duty I started dinner. Hot wings! woohoo. OK, hot wings are not NEARLY as big of a chore until you are cooking for 5 adults and six little girls! I have a new respect for my Aunt who does this on a regular holiday basis!!!! Hot wings were a hit. Afterwards…time for eggs. Apparently egg dying is now a marathon event for kids. They finished in record time, then it was the adults turn. I seriously think we had more fun than them. Cousin Patches wins the award for best eggs. He is an amazing artist. Excellent at glass blowing, but a pretty good egg art creator too. Getting the girls to calm down and go to bed was interesting. Finally we were successful and able to begin arranging baskets. We had a little fun letting the pet rats inspect all the eggs. Great pics there…

Easter morning we awoke at the crack of dawn. OMG I was so groggy while the girls inspected their baskets. Baskets were a hit…then I went back to bed. First I curl up in my aunts bed, but she decides (just after I get to sleep good) to come in and discuss an Easter outfit. I would post part of that conversation or a description of the outfit, but I was WAY too groggy. Next I stumble into the middle bedroom because Tweety wanted to use the computer but could only do so with an adult in the room. A lot of good I did because while she was on the computer I went back to sleep with the covers pulled over my head. I woke to my Aunt talking to her daughter overseas while Pawpaw was uploading pics from my camera. She almost sat on me. Curled under the covers I had been enjoying such a sweet nap. But it was time to start the day.

Easter was a great day. More family came, the girls had a good time hunting eggs, and then spent the afternoon in the pool. I braved the water and it really wasn’t so bad. All in all…it was a wonderful weekend, but it was sure great to be home in my own bed last night.

Hope everyone had a great holiday…Smiles!

Life’s simple things…

I’ve been tagged by Tabz at the Blinking Cursor to name 10 of life’s simple pleasures. So here goes…btw, I will not be tagging so feel free to tag yourself…

1. Caramel. My grandmother used to make it for me every special occassion. She would make a cake and then pour caramel over the top. It would harden on the cake and just taste divine.

2. Cookie dough! I love to nibble at the cookie dough when making cookies for the family.

3. The sunset. I love the serenity of watching the sun set.

4. A walk on the beach, hand in hand, with your sweety. You can enjoy the sounds and smell of being near the water. Listening to the waves break and enjoying the company of someone special.

5. Rain on a tin roof.

6. Floating on a raft in the middle of the pool on a warm spring day. It is so relaxing and not too hot outside that you can’t stand it, but warm enough that the water is refreshing if it happens to touch your skin.

7. Relaxing on the patio with a morning cup of coffee. Where we are it is quiet…most of the time. The guinea hens sometimes make a ruckus, but for the most part the patio is a relaxing place to sip your coffee and wake up to a new day.

8. Sleeping in.

9. The last day of school.

10. A warm bath scented with relaxing lavendar.