I've officially had the worst morning ever. You won't believe it.
I have a cold so I was up last night from 1am to 5am because I couldn't sleep. You'd probably be amazed that I spent most of that time watching the "Feed the Children" infomercials on TV which are AWFUL. Really, how does only $9 a month help take care of all that horror and poverty?
I digress.
So this morning I was exhausted. Maelin has some sort of funky sickness: a huge sore on her tongue and a weird rash on her diaper area and her tummy. I'm thinking it might be a repeat of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease or a yeast infection so I make a mental note to call our doctor later. Meanwhile, the poor baby can't drink her morning milk because her tongue hurts and she's crying and screaming and whimpering "Mama" because she doesn't want to get into the car.
I'm feeling awful at this point: exhausted and sad that I can't stay home with my baby like she clearly wants me to. We get in the car to drive to daycare and she's sad and whimpering the whole way. She makes me hold her hand the entire time which doesn't leave me much good for driving.
It's now 8:22am and I'm still about 10 minutes away from daycare, I have to be at work by 8:30am because I have morning playground duty. I'm driving in and out of traffic around all the semi-trucks that are in my school district to try to get to daycare as quickly as possible. Maelin is still holding my hand and crying when I look in my mirror and see a cop behind me with his lights on.
For real??? I pull over and Maelin is still crying. I start crying too. Perfect, I think. Just what we need. As soon as the cop comes over, I start crying and tell him I'm so sorry: I know I was speeding, weaving around the trucks, etc. but I have a sick baby, I'm a teacher and late for the kids, and just hurry up and give me the ticket. He gives me a lecture for a few minutes and I hand over my license and stuff and just keep repeating how sorry I am. He looks at me and asks me what school I work at and I tell him and he says to be more responsible and take it easy and he hopes I have a better day and LETS ME GO!!!!
Crazy!! I say thank you and I apologize again (I think Maelin crying in the backseat helped prove my story) and pull (very slowly and responsibly) away from the curb and continue on my way to daycare. At this point, it's 8:29am and I'm trying to get my school on the phone to tell them to send someone else out for duty (which someone else will love) until I can get there. Then I look up and what do I see??? A train. A very slow moving train. I can't believe it!! I stop and wait....what else can I do at this point? I start crying again.
After about 10 minutes, the train is gone and I finally get Maelin to daycare. I show up at 8:40: I'm usually there at 8am. I throw Maelin at Sandra and try to tell her about her sores and how cranky she is as quickly as I can. Maelin doesn't really want me to leave at first, but then she settles down and is fine.
I finally get to work. My new student teacher is there (why she didn't go outside and fill in for me is another post for another day...let's just say she shouldn't really be a teacher) and I run outside and call Maelin's doctor.
She says she can get us in at 6pm tonight, which is awesome. She thinks Maelin has a yeast infection and wants to look at her sores and her rash. I have to call her back because she might give us medicine over the phone which would be great because today is Kevin's Halloween Parade at work. We don't want to take the little baby if she isn't feeling good.
That was my awful morning. I can smile about it now, but it was horrible and I'm still exhausted and dealing with my very incompetent student teacher and feeling guilty for leaving my sick baby. I know she's in excellent care at Sandra's, but sometimes life is super hard.
This is one of those days. I need a drink. Is it 5 o'clock yet???
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Playing at the Pumpkin Patch
Gosh, I love fall. I just love the cool air, the smell of the leaves and how pretty everything is. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful state during this time of the year. I can't imagine living somewhere that doesn't have the seasons like we have!
We've started a small tradition with Mae Mae. Last year was our first trip to the Cottonwood Farms in Boulder: a great pumpkin patch with farm animals, hay rides, child-sized corn mazes and much more. We took her last year with Grandma Lea and Granpy Larry and we were commenting on how much better it will be this year when Maelin has grown up a bit. Click here if you want to see the pictures from last year when we went...it's crazy how big she's gotten!
We were right. We went last weekend when the weather was perfect and about 68 degrees and she had a blast! She got her first-ever ride in a wagon and she was giggling and screaming with laughter throughout the entire ride. Then we were trying to find the "perfect" pumpkin for a Pumpkin Carving Party we were going to this weekend so we were busy running around the fields putting pumpkins in the wagon which Miss Mae Mae promptly took out and threw on the ground and laughed. What a fun game!
We spent about 30 minutes finding our pumpkin then we went and visited the rest of the farm. Maelin got to pet her first sheep and she was a bit nervous at first, but she thought it was pretty cool. She loved standing by the fence where the tractor/hay rides went by and watching the tractor pulling all the people in the hay. The farm dog was even trotting right along beside! She would holler and point and scream and wave to all the people and say "dog" as they'd go by.
She did one cool thing that proves (to me, her proud mommy) how smart she is. One of her favorite books is by Sandra Boynton (great author for little kids) and it's called, "Moo, Baa, Laa, Laa, Laa." It's all about animals: in particular, cows, sheep and pigs. Mae Mae will sometimes ask us to read her this book by name. She'll come up to us and say "Moo!!" Then we'll say "Baa" and she'll finish with "Laa, Laa, Laa." It's pretty cute. Anyway, there was a cow amongst the animals there and it kept mooing at us. A few times, we were standing right next to the cow pen and it said "MOOOOOOOOOOO" and Maelin looked up at me and yelled, "Baa, Laa, Laa, Laa!!" I thought that was precious...she knew the "Moo" was part of her favorite book so she finished it for the cow! :-)
Here are a few pictures of our precious girl enjoying her pumpkin patch time. It was so pretty there...Boulder is right by the mountains (which you can see in some of the pics) and it's only about a 30 minute drive from our new house. We had a great time!
I LOVE this picture of Maelin...I love how happy she looks, I love the fall colors behind her and I love how you can see the mountains in the distance. This is the best shot I've gotten of her in a long time because she never stands still!
Maelin with Grandma Lea and Granpy Larry
Mommy, those sheep say "Baa!!"
Playing in the dirt is so much fun!!
Maelin and Daddy searching for the perfect pumpkin...and enjoying the ride!
Very excited little girl because she just heard the cow go "Moo!"...just like in her book!
Here's a picture of part of the farm with the barn and the mountains. The hayride and the pumpkins and the animals are to your right. It's so pretty there and we can't wait to do it again next year!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Off to Disneyland!!
My mom will be turning 60 next year and I was talking to her about it a few months ago. She was a little bummed out about it and we were talking about what we could do to celebrate the fact that she even made it to 60 years old.
For those of you who don't know, my mom has been troubled all her life by a myriad of health problems. She's battled many different diseases, landed in the hospital a few times and came pretty close to dying twice. We are very lucky and so proud of her that she is as healthy as she is today!
So anyway, we decided that celebrating her 60th birthday in Disneyland would be the ideal place to have a party. Not only is it impossible to be sad while you're there (it is the Happiest Place on Earth, after all...) but Disneyland has always been my mom's favorite place in the entire world. If she could live IN the park, I think she would. She's talked about moving to LA when she retires and getting a job...any job...at Disneyland and she would be happy as a clam. When we were growing up, my mom struggled and saved to take us there and we managed to go at least 5 times as an entire family. Those memories of being at Disneyland as kids is one of my happiest of our childhood.
We're off to Disneyland as a group in February! Kevin has decided to stay home: he's not a huge Disney fan so he said he'd save his trip for when Maelin is a little older and will be able to remember him being there. I think that makes sense. Kat, Jeff, Maelin, Nana and I are going for a nice long weekend! I wish my sister and her boys could come, but they decided to save it for when the boys are a bit older as well. My other sister in Seattle is going to try to make it but she has to wait till it gets a bit closer to see if she can get the time off of work.
I'm so excited we get to spend this time with my mom. I know it means the world to her to be at her "Happiest Place on Earth" with her kids and grandchild. I know I'll look back on this and be so happy I was able to give the gift of time and memories to my mom. She deserves it for all she's been through and I really am happy and proud of her for all she's overcome! I know Maelin is a bit young and won't remember much...but there will be pictures and no one can take the time spent and the memories away from me or Nana.
That's money well spent!
My mom and I together at our favorite place...
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
McCain's "Troops to Teachers"???
I have a question for the Republicans and/or McCain supporters out there. I hope you can answer something for me that has been bothering me since the last debate but I don't know enough about his beliefs to figure out what he meant by this statement.
McCain stated in the debate on Wednesday:
"We need to encourage programs such as Teach for America and Troops to Teachers where people, after having served in the military, can go right to teaching and not have to take these examinations which -- or have the certification that some are required in some states."
It sounded to me (and to many others) that McCain was saying that just because you served in our military, that somehow qualifies you to be a teacher. You don't need any training, classes or certification.
Can you help me figure this out?
As a public school teacher, I find this outrageous. To imply that ANYONE can teach well: without years of training and qualifications, is insulting. What's next: "Troops to Nurses" or "Troops to Doctors"??? Why is teaching perceived as so "easy" that you can do it without any sort of training whatsoever???
I tried to find some reasoning for McCain's statement over the last few days and I can't seem to find any. Oh sure, there's a few folks out there (mostly military families) who think it's a great idea because they know just how hard their family members work to preserve our freedoms abroad. I have the utmost respect for them and the tremendous sacrifices they make for us and I don't want this post to diminish that in any way.
However, I went to school for 7 years to get my Bachelors Degree. I worked 2 jobs most of the time and I took highly specialized classes focusing in Child Psychology, Literacy, Special Education and Math. Then I worked for 2 years in a low-income school district as a student teacher while taking Masters classes. I now have my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Child Psychology. I owe many thousands of dollars in student loans that I will be paying back until I die. I've attended many conferences, including the International Baccalaureate Program training in New York, Lynda Franco's "English Language Learners: How Best To Reach Them?", the Literacy Conferences each year in Denver where I've taken classes on writing, reading, special education, science and vocabulary. I'm certified in LindaMood-Bell literacy techniques and I've volunteered for Teach for America. I am the Gifted and Talented Cluster Teacher for my 2nd grade school and have attended many trainings and workshops for this cause. I even taught English as a Foreign Language in Tortona, Milan and San Remo, Italy for 3 months where I recieved my T.E.F.L. Certificate after intensive training. I mentor new student teachers and I constantly attend professional development opprotunites throughout the summer and the school year in order to perfect my skills and knowledge. I've tutored kids after school, held open houses and communicated with families of my students for over 8 years now.
Even with all that, I still find myself struggling at times. With all that education and experience, TEACHING IS HARD!!!! I have over 18 combined years of experience and training and I still don't have all the answers. To assume that just because you put in your time in the military qualifies you to just walk into my classroom with out ANY training and to be the best teacher you can be for our kids is crazy!
That's why I need someone to explain this to me. I'm confused on how just because you know how to hold a gun, clean a weapon and drive a tank, you would be a qualified teacher in today's world...where our students are struggling with poverty, 2nd languages and budget cuts. Where special-ed students are included in the regular classroom and you are expected to meet their every need. Where N.C.L.B. has forced all the resources out of your building because schools need to concentrate on "teaching to the test."
In trying to find an answer to this baffling question that McCain raised, I came across this message from an Independent Voter: I think she says it best.
The teachers at my school are the cream of the crop—passionate, dedicated, unbelievably hard-working, and fully committed to the success of their students. These are highly qualified, highly certified professionals who have worked through years of college, internships, and second jobs in order to train and prepare for their invaluable role as educators to our children. I am proud to be one of these people. So it is an insult to these hard-working professionals when John McCain says that we need to push programs that allow military troops to “go right to teaching and not have to take these examinations -- or have the certification that some are required in some states.”
It baffles me that John McCain feels these troops should be exempt from having to pass licensing exams or receive certifications in order to become teachers while hard working citizens like me and my colleagues have spent thousands of dollars and years devoted to education in order to earn these jobs. I committed myself whole-heartedly to my undergraduate years and received my bachelor’s degree with honors. $40,000 dollars later I applied and was accepted to one of the top 25 Graduate Programs in the country for education and I have devoted my heart and soul to training for this profession.
Forgive me if I am enraged by the fact that John McCain completely discredits my years of hard work and thousands of dollars worth of tuition money by claiming that certain people should be exempt from the standards that the rest of us are held to. Forgive me if I’m outraged that John McCain belittles my knowledge, passion, and qualifications for such an honorable position. --Molly Gum
Again, if anyone out there has a reason that makes any sort of sense regarding John McCain's statements, I'd be glad to hear them. Right now, I'm just confused.
McCain stated in the debate on Wednesday:
"We need to encourage programs such as Teach for America and Troops to Teachers where people, after having served in the military, can go right to teaching and not have to take these examinations which -- or have the certification that some are required in some states."
It sounded to me (and to many others) that McCain was saying that just because you served in our military, that somehow qualifies you to be a teacher. You don't need any training, classes or certification.
Can you help me figure this out?
As a public school teacher, I find this outrageous. To imply that ANYONE can teach well: without years of training and qualifications, is insulting. What's next: "Troops to Nurses" or "Troops to Doctors"??? Why is teaching perceived as so "easy" that you can do it without any sort of training whatsoever???
I tried to find some reasoning for McCain's statement over the last few days and I can't seem to find any. Oh sure, there's a few folks out there (mostly military families) who think it's a great idea because they know just how hard their family members work to preserve our freedoms abroad. I have the utmost respect for them and the tremendous sacrifices they make for us and I don't want this post to diminish that in any way.
However, I went to school for 7 years to get my Bachelors Degree. I worked 2 jobs most of the time and I took highly specialized classes focusing in Child Psychology, Literacy, Special Education and Math. Then I worked for 2 years in a low-income school district as a student teacher while taking Masters classes. I now have my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Child Psychology. I owe many thousands of dollars in student loans that I will be paying back until I die. I've attended many conferences, including the International Baccalaureate Program training in New York, Lynda Franco's "English Language Learners: How Best To Reach Them?", the Literacy Conferences each year in Denver where I've taken classes on writing, reading, special education, science and vocabulary. I'm certified in LindaMood-Bell literacy techniques and I've volunteered for Teach for America. I am the Gifted and Talented Cluster Teacher for my 2nd grade school and have attended many trainings and workshops for this cause. I even taught English as a Foreign Language in Tortona, Milan and San Remo, Italy for 3 months where I recieved my T.E.F.L. Certificate after intensive training. I mentor new student teachers and I constantly attend professional development opprotunites throughout the summer and the school year in order to perfect my skills and knowledge. I've tutored kids after school, held open houses and communicated with families of my students for over 8 years now.
Even with all that, I still find myself struggling at times. With all that education and experience, TEACHING IS HARD!!!! I have over 18 combined years of experience and training and I still don't have all the answers. To assume that just because you put in your time in the military qualifies you to just walk into my classroom with out ANY training and to be the best teacher you can be for our kids is crazy!
That's why I need someone to explain this to me. I'm confused on how just because you know how to hold a gun, clean a weapon and drive a tank, you would be a qualified teacher in today's world...where our students are struggling with poverty, 2nd languages and budget cuts. Where special-ed students are included in the regular classroom and you are expected to meet their every need. Where N.C.L.B. has forced all the resources out of your building because schools need to concentrate on "teaching to the test."
In trying to find an answer to this baffling question that McCain raised, I came across this message from an Independent Voter: I think she says it best.
The teachers at my school are the cream of the crop—passionate, dedicated, unbelievably hard-working, and fully committed to the success of their students. These are highly qualified, highly certified professionals who have worked through years of college, internships, and second jobs in order to train and prepare for their invaluable role as educators to our children. I am proud to be one of these people. So it is an insult to these hard-working professionals when John McCain says that we need to push programs that allow military troops to “go right to teaching and not have to take these examinations -- or have the certification that some are required in some states.”
It baffles me that John McCain feels these troops should be exempt from having to pass licensing exams or receive certifications in order to become teachers while hard working citizens like me and my colleagues have spent thousands of dollars and years devoted to education in order to earn these jobs. I committed myself whole-heartedly to my undergraduate years and received my bachelor’s degree with honors. $40,000 dollars later I applied and was accepted to one of the top 25 Graduate Programs in the country for education and I have devoted my heart and soul to training for this profession.
Forgive me if I am enraged by the fact that John McCain completely discredits my years of hard work and thousands of dollars worth of tuition money by claiming that certain people should be exempt from the standards that the rest of us are held to. Forgive me if I’m outraged that John McCain belittles my knowledge, passion, and qualifications for such an honorable position. --Molly Gum
Again, if anyone out there has a reason that makes any sort of sense regarding John McCain's statements, I'd be glad to hear them. Right now, I'm just confused.
Monday, October 20, 2008
How Cool Is This???????
I get to go see Sen. Joe Biden speak tomorrow night! The principal of our school found out he was coming to Colorado and she got 10 tickets for any teachers that wanted to go. She is even getting coverage for our classes for an hour so we can get there early to be sure we're admitted.
I'm so excited!!! I think Joe Biden is a fabulous candidate for VP and a huge complement to the Democratic Ticket. I'm usually working during cool events like this so it's so cool that our principal got these tickets for us AND figured out how to make it possible for us all to attend!! I'll write a post on it tomorrow or Wed letting you know how it went.
Now, if only someone could pick up Maelin from daycare... :-)
I'm so excited!!! I think Joe Biden is a fabulous candidate for VP and a huge complement to the Democratic Ticket. I'm usually working during cool events like this so it's so cool that our principal got these tickets for us AND figured out how to make it possible for us all to attend!! I'll write a post on it tomorrow or Wed letting you know how it went.
Now, if only someone could pick up Maelin from daycare... :-)
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Our Busy Girl
So this post is all about giving the people what they want. I don't kid myself: I know you don't really check on this blog because of the insightful posts that I (don't) have time to write. I know it's not for the political jokes (slams) that I post that you keep coming back.
It's to see pictures and stories of Maelin. I know that and it's cool. So, here you go. In the coming weeks, there will be stories about the election, school, holidays, etc. but for now, you all get what you REALLY want:
Pictures of our little cutie! Enjoy!
This is a picture of Maelin running around the house in her tutu. We got it in the dollar bin at Target and it was a pretty good buy. Our little Prima Donna sometimes won't even take this off and we have to go to daycare, the store, out to eat, etc. with it on!
This is Maelin running around our front yard with the pumpkin our very sweet neighbor bought her. Maelin was trying to lift our neighbor's pumpkin one day and couldn't because it was too big so she went and bought her a small pumpkin for her very own. Maelin loves to throw it and watch it roll down the hill. Sigh...
This is Maelin giving me a version of her "Stink Face" because I told her it was almost time to go inside...
This is Maelin enjoying a healthy plate of spaghetti...too bad she's not having fun!
More spaghetti face...every dinner should be this good!
Plumb tuckered out...it's hard being 18 months old! Takes a lot of energy!
We were at the Children's Museum and Maelin was standing on the Lego table after I had asked her to get down. I was coming to get her off and she wasn't very pleased with me...
We had our first playdate at our new house this week! My friend Missy and her daughter Peyton (who is exactly 3 weeks older than MaeMae) came over to play and have dinner. They had a cute time together. Maelin was excited to have her over!
Maelin playing table hockey with her best friend in the whole wide world...Uncle Jeff. We're very lucky to have him so involved with her. Maelin adores him!
Playing on the food at the mall with Daddy.
So there you go. I know I was awful about posting pictures for a while there but I hope that made up for it. By the way, I'll be posting some ADORABLE 18 month pictures soon so check back if this wasn't enough for you!
It's to see pictures and stories of Maelin. I know that and it's cool. So, here you go. In the coming weeks, there will be stories about the election, school, holidays, etc. but for now, you all get what you REALLY want:
Pictures of our little cutie! Enjoy!
This is a picture of Maelin running around the house in her tutu. We got it in the dollar bin at Target and it was a pretty good buy. Our little Prima Donna sometimes won't even take this off and we have to go to daycare, the store, out to eat, etc. with it on!
This is Maelin running around our front yard with the pumpkin our very sweet neighbor bought her. Maelin was trying to lift our neighbor's pumpkin one day and couldn't because it was too big so she went and bought her a small pumpkin for her very own. Maelin loves to throw it and watch it roll down the hill. Sigh...
This is Maelin giving me a version of her "Stink Face" because I told her it was almost time to go inside...
This is Maelin enjoying a healthy plate of spaghetti...too bad she's not having fun!
More spaghetti face...every dinner should be this good!
Plumb tuckered out...it's hard being 18 months old! Takes a lot of energy!
We were at the Children's Museum and Maelin was standing on the Lego table after I had asked her to get down. I was coming to get her off and she wasn't very pleased with me...
We had our first playdate at our new house this week! My friend Missy and her daughter Peyton (who is exactly 3 weeks older than MaeMae) came over to play and have dinner. They had a cute time together. Maelin was excited to have her over!
Maelin playing table hockey with her best friend in the whole wide world...Uncle Jeff. We're very lucky to have him so involved with her. Maelin adores him!
Playing on the food at the mall with Daddy.
So there you go. I know I was awful about posting pictures for a while there but I hope that made up for it. By the way, I'll be posting some ADORABLE 18 month pictures soon so check back if this wasn't enough for you!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
My New Slippers
Had to make these pictures their own post...my little girl got new slippers over the weekend and boy, was she proud! She wouldn't let us take them off.
Here's some pics of our big girl running around the house in her new slippers!
What ARE these cool things on my feet??? They look like bunnies, but I'm not sure...
This is a classic Maelin face. She's looking at us like we're crazy and she's wondering who left her on our doorstep...
Okay, she's done with the slippers. She just wants to play now!
Here's some pics of our big girl running around the house in her new slippers!
What ARE these cool things on my feet??? They look like bunnies, but I'm not sure...
This is a classic Maelin face. She's looking at us like we're crazy and she's wondering who left her on our doorstep...
Okay, she's done with the slippers. She just wants to play now!
Swimming Lessons!
Finally...I got my camera hooked up and was able to post some pictures of Maelin's 1st swimming lessons.
Honestly, they are fun because they make us get to the pool but I think she's a bit young still. She is not wanting to kick or blow bubbles or move her arms AT ALL like the other kids do. (she's only 18 months old, after all).
Anyway, it's a fun Mommy-Baby time and I love how much she cuddles me while we're there. The water is warm and she has a great time...we'll just hold off on more lessons till after she's 2.
Enjoy!
MaeMae going into the pool..she's not real sure about this whole swimming thing
The only reason I got her to go in was because I promised she could eat the water...
Look everyone, I'm swimming! I'm a big girl!
Can you swim and suck your thumb at the same time?
This slide is so much fun...MaeMae loves it!
Honestly, they are fun because they make us get to the pool but I think she's a bit young still. She is not wanting to kick or blow bubbles or move her arms AT ALL like the other kids do. (she's only 18 months old, after all).
Anyway, it's a fun Mommy-Baby time and I love how much she cuddles me while we're there. The water is warm and she has a great time...we'll just hold off on more lessons till after she's 2.
Enjoy!
MaeMae going into the pool..she's not real sure about this whole swimming thing
The only reason I got her to go in was because I promised she could eat the water...
Look everyone, I'm swimming! I'm a big girl!
Can you swim and suck your thumb at the same time?
This slide is so much fun...MaeMae loves it!
Dear Red States...
I know we're all sick of the election coverage (only 21 more days!) but this was too funny and clever to ignore: enjoy for the light-hearted joke that it is meant to be!
Dear Red States...
We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States with us.
In case you aren't aware, that includes Hawaii , Oregon , Washington , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , Illinois and all the Northeast. We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country of New California.
To sum up briefly: You get Texas , Oklahoma and all the slave states. We get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get Elliot Spitzer. You get Ken Lay.
We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood.
We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom.
We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss.
We get 85 percent of America 's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You get Alabama .
We get two-thirds of the tax revenue, you get to make the red states pay their fair share.
Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch of single moms.
Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq , and hope that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our resources in Bush's Quagmire.
With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80 percent of the country's fresh water, more than 90 percent of the pineapple and lettuce, 92 percent of the nation's fresh fruit, 95 percent of America's quality wines (you can serve French wines at state dinners) 90 percent of all cheese, 90 percent of the high tech industry, most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools, plus Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT.
With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88 percent of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92 percent of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100 percent of the tornadoes, 90 percent of the hurricanes, 99 percent of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100 percent of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.
We get Hollywood and Yosemite , thank you.
Additionally, 38 percent of those in the Red states believe Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale, 62 percent believe life is sacred unless we're discussing the death penalty or gun laws, 44 percent say that evolution is only a theory, 53 percent that Saddam was involved in 9/11 and 61 percent of you crazy b ** ***ds believe you are people with higher morals then we lefties.
By the way, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt weed they grow in Mexico .
Peace out,
Blue States
Dear Red States...
We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States with us.
In case you aren't aware, that includes Hawaii , Oregon , Washington , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Michigan , Illinois and all the Northeast. We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country of New California.
To sum up briefly: You get Texas , Oklahoma and all the slave states. We get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get Elliot Spitzer. You get Ken Lay.
We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood.
We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom.
We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss.
We get 85 percent of America 's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You get Alabama .
We get two-thirds of the tax revenue, you get to make the red states pay their fair share.
Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch of single moms.
Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq , and hope that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our resources in Bush's Quagmire.
With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80 percent of the country's fresh water, more than 90 percent of the pineapple and lettuce, 92 percent of the nation's fresh fruit, 95 percent of America's quality wines (you can serve French wines at state dinners) 90 percent of all cheese, 90 percent of the high tech industry, most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools, plus Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT.
With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88 percent of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92 percent of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100 percent of the tornadoes, 90 percent of the hurricanes, 99 percent of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100 percent of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.
We get Hollywood and Yosemite , thank you.
Additionally, 38 percent of those in the Red states believe Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale, 62 percent believe life is sacred unless we're discussing the death penalty or gun laws, 44 percent say that evolution is only a theory, 53 percent that Saddam was involved in 9/11 and 61 percent of you crazy b ** ***ds believe you are people with higher morals then we lefties.
By the way, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt weed they grow in Mexico .
Peace out,
Blue States
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Nice Long Weekend
Since we spent 2 12-hour days at conferences last week, we had a 1/2 day yesterday and I have Monday off. Very excited.
Maelin is going tomorrow to get her 18 month pictures taken. Kevin and Uncle Jeff are going with us to be sure we get plenty of smiles out of our little one.
Kevin unhooked my computer to work on it and since it has all the pictures stored on it, I haven't been able to upload any onto my posts lately. He has promised to put it back this weekend so check back for new pictures of the little squirt!
We're off to swimming lessons this morning: they are fun. Maelin learned how to blow bubbles last week, so we'll see what we focus on today. I hear the little one yelling in her crib for me so I better go. Check back soon for pictures!
Maelin is going tomorrow to get her 18 month pictures taken. Kevin and Uncle Jeff are going with us to be sure we get plenty of smiles out of our little one.
Kevin unhooked my computer to work on it and since it has all the pictures stored on it, I haven't been able to upload any onto my posts lately. He has promised to put it back this weekend so check back for new pictures of the little squirt!
We're off to swimming lessons this morning: they are fun. Maelin learned how to blow bubbles last week, so we'll see what we focus on today. I hear the little one yelling in her crib for me so I better go. Check back soon for pictures!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Government Bail-Out
I don't agree with the bail-out package that was passed. This idea by "Jerry" is what I think we should do: follow this link to read about "Jerry's" idea...post a comment if you agree or disagree with his thinking!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Conferences and Crazy Times in Public School
Oh, the joys of being an elementary school teacher. We have Parent-Teacher Conferences this week which means only 15 minute blocks to tell each parent everything they need to know about their kid: behavior, academic levels, health issues, homework, challenges at home or in the classroom, etc. It's like a speed-dating episode...
Since I have such a large class this year (28), I don't have enough time in the 2 nights that we have to stay late to fit everyone in. We have to stay until 7pm on Wed and Thursday nights to get everyone in, but with 28 kids, that leaves 4 kids left over with no breaks for me to eat dinner, go to the restroom or even get a drink of water. Good fun.
I scheduled 3 kids during my plan time tomorrow (when I should be lesson planning, but whatever) and then one more before school on Friday. Whew.
Aunt Kat is picking Maelin up on Wednesday because of course Kevin has training all week and can't get there in time. She should have fun over there so I won't feel too badly about not being home till 7:30--just in time to put her to bed. On Thursday, she's going to Grandma Jean's house so she should have a grand ole' time playing and running her ragged. I'll miss her though.
In order to get ready for conferences, I've had to spend every waking minute (hence the lack of interesting posts lately) writing literacy plans for my 16 kids who are below grade level, entering progress report grades and comments, testing every kid every week to see if they are making gains, and a host of other minutiae that takes up a ton of time that I could (should) be using to actually teach the kids.
In addition, I have a really hard kid this year. We'll call him Pete. He is a big pill. I hate to say that about any kid, but it's true. He thinks he's way smarter than he actually is and he argues about EVERYTHING. Try keeping 28 kids in line and quiet and on-task and it's impossible with this kid. He questions and argues everything. Example: last week he got in trouble on the playground and totally argued with me about how he wasn't the one who was mean. I saw him being mean and he kept yelling at me "No, I wasn't!" over and over again. I sent him to sit on the wall for the rest of recess (which is the standard punishment) and he argued about how it was too hot over there (it was 75 degrees out) and then how the ground was too hard, etc.
Later he took off running because he was mad about something else and I had to chase him and literally hold him down to keep him from leaving the school. Totally ridiculous. Keep in mind that I have 27 other kids I have to keep safe and somehow manage to teach at the same time while chasing this little s.o.b. down the halls.
Anyway, we're having an okay year. Most of my kids are really respectful and sweet and I really like most of them. They try soooo hard at this age...very cute. I have just this one kid who pokes at my nerves and my spinal column like no one's business, but I'm hoping after conferences (where I'm going to spend my 15 minutes with his mom telling her how unsuccessful and disruptive and disrespectful her kid is.) Should be fun! :-)
p.s. As Terri mentioned, I do have Monday off. I'm very excited. Can't decide if I should use the time to run around and do errands (I still need to go down to the Dept of Health and Human Services to get Maelin's birth certificate) or do something fun with Maelin. Something fun will probably win!
p.p.s. Maelin was 18 months old yesterday!! Little pumpkin...she runs around now saying "MINE!" and all sorts of babble. She is so crazy cute...we just adore her. As soon as I can (probably this weekend) I'll get some recent pictures of her up.
Since I have such a large class this year (28), I don't have enough time in the 2 nights that we have to stay late to fit everyone in. We have to stay until 7pm on Wed and Thursday nights to get everyone in, but with 28 kids, that leaves 4 kids left over with no breaks for me to eat dinner, go to the restroom or even get a drink of water. Good fun.
I scheduled 3 kids during my plan time tomorrow (when I should be lesson planning, but whatever) and then one more before school on Friday. Whew.
Aunt Kat is picking Maelin up on Wednesday because of course Kevin has training all week and can't get there in time. She should have fun over there so I won't feel too badly about not being home till 7:30--just in time to put her to bed. On Thursday, she's going to Grandma Jean's house so she should have a grand ole' time playing and running her ragged. I'll miss her though.
In order to get ready for conferences, I've had to spend every waking minute (hence the lack of interesting posts lately) writing literacy plans for my 16 kids who are below grade level, entering progress report grades and comments, testing every kid every week to see if they are making gains, and a host of other minutiae that takes up a ton of time that I could (should) be using to actually teach the kids.
In addition, I have a really hard kid this year. We'll call him Pete. He is a big pill. I hate to say that about any kid, but it's true. He thinks he's way smarter than he actually is and he argues about EVERYTHING. Try keeping 28 kids in line and quiet and on-task and it's impossible with this kid. He questions and argues everything. Example: last week he got in trouble on the playground and totally argued with me about how he wasn't the one who was mean. I saw him being mean and he kept yelling at me "No, I wasn't!" over and over again. I sent him to sit on the wall for the rest of recess (which is the standard punishment) and he argued about how it was too hot over there (it was 75 degrees out) and then how the ground was too hard, etc.
Later he took off running because he was mad about something else and I had to chase him and literally hold him down to keep him from leaving the school. Totally ridiculous. Keep in mind that I have 27 other kids I have to keep safe and somehow manage to teach at the same time while chasing this little s.o.b. down the halls.
Anyway, we're having an okay year. Most of my kids are really respectful and sweet and I really like most of them. They try soooo hard at this age...very cute. I have just this one kid who pokes at my nerves and my spinal column like no one's business, but I'm hoping after conferences (where I'm going to spend my 15 minutes with his mom telling her how unsuccessful and disruptive and disrespectful her kid is.) Should be fun! :-)
p.s. As Terri mentioned, I do have Monday off. I'm very excited. Can't decide if I should use the time to run around and do errands (I still need to go down to the Dept of Health and Human Services to get Maelin's birth certificate) or do something fun with Maelin. Something fun will probably win!
p.p.s. Maelin was 18 months old yesterday!! Little pumpkin...she runs around now saying "MINE!" and all sorts of babble. She is so crazy cute...we just adore her. As soon as I can (probably this weekend) I'll get some recent pictures of her up.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Swimming Lessons Today!
Hello everyone,
I know I've been MIA for a few days but it's been crazy busy and awful at work (had to actually restrain a kid for the first time yesterday...I'll post about it later. It was terrible. I cried all the way home), Maelin has been teething and been a little terror and we're getting ready for Parent-Teacher Conferences so I have progress reports, Literacy Plans and scheduling due at work.
Anyway, we're off for our first swimming lesson today! Can't wait and I'll post some pics of it later on so check back!
I know I've been MIA for a few days but it's been crazy busy and awful at work (had to actually restrain a kid for the first time yesterday...I'll post about it later. It was terrible. I cried all the way home), Maelin has been teething and been a little terror and we're getting ready for Parent-Teacher Conferences so I have progress reports, Literacy Plans and scheduling due at work.
Anyway, we're off for our first swimming lesson today! Can't wait and I'll post some pics of it later on so check back!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
