It was the perfect day for an outdoor excursion. Djembe was kind enough to put together a picnic lunch and we headed to the TVA reservation for fall photo ops. (Outdoorsy nature stuff is really not his thing so this was an act of pure love. ~*~ ) The colors were absolutely beautiful. I’ve been wanting to make it back to the trails for some time now. Today was cool, but not cold, and was perfect for hiking and photos. The girls loved it. They enjoy being outdoors, and walking through the woods. It made it extra special that dad joined us.

We crossed the river and found the nature garden. It is a great spot to park because you can hang out there and view many native plants, or hit several trails. They all converge at the nature garden so it is a good central location. We chose to hike to the pavilion for our picnic. The pavilion is a stone lodge structure that overlooks the river. Its open spaces are ideal for tossing the football or just watching boats pass. The hike was less than a mile so it fit our time frame and wasn’t too strenuous that we would be exhausted after the days activities. While there we had lunch, tossed the football and took advantage of the scenery.

After enjoying the pavilion we decided to take another trail back to the nature garden. About the same length back, our total hike was probably just over a mile. I am very satisfied with the pictures we were able to take. There are some really great shots of the girls. Below are a few more favorites. One is me kneeling looking up hill, another is a favorite tree at the pavilion. It is a white tree that is just stunning when the light hits it. The girls rave over it and have a strong desire to climb to the top. I don’t blame them, but it is merely beautiful, and not conducive to climbing. Our neighborhood has several trees with vivid color so I decided to scare my neighbors by taking pictures of their foliage.

24 Cancelled?!?!?!?! OK, indefinitely postponed is what the article said. Here is the blurb in the article:

Show cancellation

There are now only two more original episodes to broadcast.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Fox’s 24 has been indefinitely postponed to avoid broadcasting a partial series.

“It’s not a decision we wanted to make, but it’s one based on how we feel the viewers expect us to schedule the show,” said Preston Beckman, Fox’s scheduling chief.

Say it ain’t so. See, this is why I don’t watch TV. You get attached to a show and they take it away. There is no resolution to the loss, it’s just gone. Granted, last season was not stellar. In fact, in many respects it was a let down. I am still not ready for it to end! I just jumped on the 24 wagon and now it has come to a stop. Blinkin’ writer’s guild.

So focused on work right now, I am really struggling to not pour out my frustrations to my blog. I know, it’s mine and that is what it is here for. I really do like teaching, but from reading one probably wouldn’t guess that! Life has become so focused on work! Too much so. Maybe some meme fun will help.

I found a new meme to do and it looks like fun. Found it here at Friday Fill-In which I found by clicking from Fond of Snape, who looks like a really fun individual!

1. Plans and schedules are so restricting.

2. I’m happy when things go my way.

3. The last thing I drank was grape soda.

4. One of the most valuable things in my life is Djembe. Without him I wouldn’t have made it this far.

5. I like the works on my pizza. (And I really prefer a bready calzone.)

6. Dear November, we hope you stay around. We have been awaiting your arrival and now the leaves are changing and the breeze is blowing. Please usher in the winter season and not turn hot again.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to curling up with Jem for a movie, tomorrow my plans include hiking for fall pics and Sunday, I want to relax and enjoy a day with the family, hopefully taking in a big band concert.

It is wonderful to be facing the weekend. It has come to the point where I am getting through the week by focusing on the next break. The semester has been terribly difficult. I feel like a first year teacher all over again. (Oh that was horrible and I can’t believe I continued teaching after that semester.) I love teaching at the college level and didn’t believe that I was ready to give up high school. I would give it up in a second if the opportunity presented. It isn’t the students, it’s all the other junk that goes along with being a high school teacher. I hate having to type up and submit lesson plans. I really hate the documentation required for students who are failing because they are flat out lazy. But this post isn’t about the frustrations of the job…actually I don’t know what this post is about because lately my mind is mush. So tired. Oh, Fridays. This Friday is grand because it represents the start of a three day weekend. This is the week that starts the downhill slope that is the rest of the school year. After this three day weekend we face the four day school week, Thanksgiving break and then the race to mid-term exams. The semester is almost over! Time flies…

Now for that first year- it was the semester from hell. Fresh out of college in December I started subbing in January. Stepping into a different classroom each day and not knowing the students is difficult. However, it is a great learning experience and there is minimal paperwork involved. Each afternoon you leave with exactly what you arrived with. Nothing to grade, nothing to complete for the next day. I still needed a guaranteed job and pursued every opportunity to land one. I didn’t have to wait long. By February I was offered a permanent sub position in a pretty decent high school. The class was government and economics…graduating seniors. (To the those who just went ew it was everything you think it was and more.) I was just barely older than my students, stepping in to the position of a teacher retiring for health reasons. The students loved him, the faculty loved him, and I was new. Let me say that there are some districts where newbies are completely on their own. I guess the thought is, why get too attached to the person who may or may not return? I don’t know, but I was totally alone with a group of kids who had no respect for anyone. My first and fourth blocks acted great and really worked with me. On a daily basis third block made me want to run screaming. They would not get to class on time, would not come with materials, would not remain quiet so I could teach. They literally carried on their regular speaking voice conversations for the entire class period. I issued detentions, gave zeros, and called parents. The parents didn’t see what they problem was…”he’s/she’s just talking.” Yes, but so much so that it is impossible to have class. First and fourth were pretty good, but they had a few instigators as well. At this particular school some classrooms were connected by a doorway. One student was so disruptive that I pulled his desk to the shared doorway and he stayed there for class. This kid would not do work, would not be quiet, would not leave others alone, and smarted off to me on a regular basis. When June arrived and he had a 69 average, needing a 70 to pass, he decided it was time to play nice. Hate it- failed. Now, before you think I amm terrible, he failed English too. One, I don’t give points. Two, I sure as hell don’t give points to someone who has made my life miserable for four months. Three, do your work and passing is more likely to naturally occur. Back to the block of imps, at one point it was so bad that I told the students who wanted to pass to join me at the front of the room…I reviewed them and gave credit where it was due. I must say the month before the end of school when graduation was iffy for some that class improved. I hated that semester and was so glad when it was over. Despite how horrible it was, during that short period of time I learned more than I did in years of edu classes.

The first year was all about survival. The last month or so the principal gave advice that I have never forgotten and have always followed. Get them on the first day. Meet them at the door with their assigned seat and an assignment ready. It sets the tone and lets them know you are prepared for class. It also gives you the advantage of being able to call them by name without having to ask them to identify themselves after they have chosen their own seat. Mr. and Ms. work well too. The formal tone gives the impression that you will take nothing from them and have high expectations of them. Now, I can’t keep this up for too long, but it is long enough that students get the idea.

What a great weekend with the family! We went to Auburn for the homecoming game and had a great time. It was nice to to get away from school and the stress of the past few weeks. The weather was really great for tailgating, but sitting in the stands was too toasty for comfort. Being the first week in November you would assume that it would be a comfy cool. NOPE. H-O-T! Still, hanging out with friends watching the kids toss the football or climb trees is what makes tailgating fun.

From Tiger Walk, to the eagle flyover, or the rolling of Toomer’s corner after the game AU is set in tradition. I can see why Jem loves it and am really glad that he has made it a big part of our family. ~*~

We really aren’t “in” to Halloween that much. There are just too many dangerous wackjobs out there. However, I do not want the girls to miss out on the fun so we attempt to partake of a few adventures. This year my oldest was invited to a Halloween party. “Big bit” was all kinds of excited about this. For ideas we made a trip to a local seasonal store. Shocking! There were aisles that we could not allow the girls to visit because the costumes were so trashy. I am not about to let my child dress up like a prostitot! (That term is lifted from the news article that I read here.) Granted, the one’s we avoided were adult costumes, but many of the children’s were just as bad. After much discussion and decision “big bit’ decided it would be cool to go to the party as Tonks. For the unknowing Tonks is the metamorphmagus from the Harry Potter series. I think it is the purple hair that sealed the decision. We found the cape and cool black boots for ‘big bit’ to wear. Honestly, the outfit had goth wizard tendencies. The model on the hair dye must have had white hair because it was not nearly as bright on the dark blond hair of ‘big bit’. It was night, so no matter. She went to the party and ‘little bit’ was invited to stay too. I knew that this would be the ultimate in uncool so I had to decline. (Oh, how great it would have been to have a few hours!) ‘Big bit’ was actually supposed to stay the night, but around 10 PM they started the ghost stories. Nope, ‘big bit’ does not “do” scary.

When I dropped her off I made certain that it was very clear that her cell was to stay on the entire time and she was to call home if she felt uncomfortable. When the call came I was not terribly surprised, and I must say there was relief as well. It is hard to let go, even to the oldest. She has stayed with friends before…no problem. The problem is how new we are here and how little we know everyone. I wasn’t uncomfortable, but it still feels better to have her home. Besides, I don’t “do” scary either!

Halloween night did not hold much excitement. The “bits” dressed up, Tonks and a cute witch with a pointy hat, then we took them to the mall to make trick-or-treat rounds. When we came home Djembe was the ultimate good guy and grilled steaks for the fam. The steaks were great, but mashed taters and corn on the cob made the meal. While he cooked we visited a few houses in the neighborhood then came home to answer the door for our treat seekers. It was sufficient to appease our girls and plenty of candy was accumulated.

Many of my students missed today. It was likely the result of a late night rolling houses. They were not as hyped on candy as I thought they would be either. This made my life tons easier and was a great relief. Today was an observation day for me. As a non-tenured teacher I am on full cycle this year. Observations usually do not make me nervous. I have an open door attitude about my classroom. I’m confident in what I’m doing and the door is open for observation any time. However, this was my first formal observation here and I had NO idea what to expect. It turns out that my students were absolutely wonderful and helped make it easier for me. They kept questions relevant and gave full participation. There was no slacking in that class. That period is pretty great anyway, but they helped ease the nerves today. It proves that they are fully capable of reading the board for instructions and then following them without being told several times! I had them working on a group project where they could create a news headline, talk show interview, or movie promo based on the topic. They really got into it and I’m looking forward to presentations. Much to my delight the principal loved the concept and enjoyed the lesson. Yes! Validation! It feels good to know I am doing something right when everything has been so frustrating.

This week has been tremendous prep for both my high school and college classes. I’m glad to take tonight and just relax for a bit. I’ve been offered the opportunity to teach a high school distance learning course. I’ve declared interest, but I have to wonder if it will be too much. We’ll see what comes.

Off the cruise blog land…have a great weekend.