Been a really long time

It has been almost 3 years since I even thought about this site. Sitting here at 2:45 in the morning, it just occurs to me that I even have one. Alot has happened in the past few years, way more than I can write at one time. So I will just hit the highlights and hopefully discuss the rest at a later time.

First and foremost I lost the love of my life a little over a year ago. We would have been married for 25 years this past October. It was sudden and completely horrible. I miss him so much and would do just about anything to have him with me again.

As a result of his passing, I really got to see the true side of his family. I was basically ignored and not acknowledged by most, not all, of them. I have still been in contact with his father and the only reason for that is Sabrina. If she had not been here, they probably would have never talked to me at all. I would never have guessed that a family that accepted me for all those years and acted like they truely loved me would have acted that way. Oh, well the way I look at it is one day they will have to answer for it.

I now have three grandchildren with another on the way. Skyler and Seth will be four this year and Miss Sydnee will be two in a month or so. I love them very much and spend as much time as I can, which has been a lot this summer, with them.

I got down in my back this past Februray and have been seeing a Chiropractor ever since. At first it was everyday and now it is just once a week. I haven't been doing really well since I went to once a week, so I think I will have to do it more often.

Sabrina, my beautiful and talented daughter, will be ten next month. I can't believe how she is growing and maturing. She is still quite small for her age and she is very self conscious about the fact, but she is beautiful. She can still wear a size 6x-7 in clothes, which makes her perfect for her new sport. She has joined a competition cheer team in Princeton, West Virginia and I am very proud of her progress. We have traveled the 45 minutes one way three to four days a week for practices, workshops and clinics and she is blossoming. Her first competition is not until December so I know she will be ready at that time.

I am looking at moving away from Tazewell soon. I need a change and Sabrina is going to be finishing elementary school this coming year, so it won't be too rough on her to move. I have been looking southward, the only thing that bothers me is my sons and my grandchildren. I know that moving away will leave them on their own and I am not sure that they can handle it on their own. My mom keeps telling me to cut the cord and let them make it on their own, but I really have a hard time letting go.

Well its now 3:15  a.m. and I really should be in bed, especially since I have my two grandsons that will be up and raring to go at around 9 in the morning. Love my kids, my grandkids, but uncertain about my life and the direction its going. Decisions, decisions, maybe I will dream of him and he will help me choose the right path. Love you Stacy Bennett!

How Things Have Changed

Over the past year, my life has taken many twists and turns. I became a grandmother to two wonderful grandsons, Skyler and Seth, in the last few months and have found that life is never easy. I love my family with all of my heart and would do anything that I could to keep them from harm. I hate to see my children in pain or having to worry about life in general.
I know that they must venture out on their own and find their way in this world. I only wish that life would take it a little easier on them. I hope that one day they will understand all that I try to do for them. I only want the best for them and their new families.
I am still very much in love with my husband, even after all of these years. He can make me soooo mad at times, but I know that if needed he would die or even kill for me. As he grows older, he has mellowed and isn't the wild child that he once was.
Boy am I glad, because our daughter has taken that job for him. She continues to grow older and, based on what she believes, smarter than her parents. She is wide open most days, but very caring as well. I love her more and more everyday.

Looking Ahead

I wonder if anyone even looks at these posts anymore, considering I haven't written in a really long while, but I will write down a few of my thoughts tonight.

I have worked pretty hard today and this evening trying to rearrange my house tonight for the new arrivals that are going to get here really soon.

My two grandbabies, Skyler and Seth, are quickly approaching. My daughter in law Lisa has been working right along side of me all day and she is still going. I on the other hand am worn out.

Joe and his girlfriend Mandy moved in last week, so we now have 7 people living in our home. When the babies get here, it will boost the total to 9. Talk about little bitty living space, we are going to see how it really feels.

I have often wondered how people in other countries have multiple generations living under one roof. How the get along with each other, where they all sleep, etc. and now I guess I will be living it myself. So I guess I will let you know some of the answers to my previous questions soon.

I would not change it for the world, though. I will be able to play a larger part in my grandchildrens lives if they are living with me. Well I guess I have written as much as my mind can think of right now. I will write again, just don't know when that will be. TTFN

Been a While

It's been a while since I wrote anything here or anywhere for that matter. I have been swamped with the day to day grind of living. All of this will change in the next couple of days though.

I will be heading to the local hospital on Wednesday for the dreaded hysterectomy. No! not because I am having problems, but as a safety precaution.

It all started about 17 years ago when one of my yearly exams produced an abnormal pap. I just ignored it and about 5 years ago or so I got pregnant again. My new doctor did the pap and again it came back abnormal. I waited until after my daughter was born to have any further tests. I had a small biopsy taken and the doctor stated that for the following 3 years he wanted me in the office every 3 months for another pap.

Well during this time I finished school and began my career. I did not return for any of my follow up appointments. Finally 4 years later, I decided that I might need to return for a year exam. I was hoping for a normal pap this time, HA! Same as before abnormal. I returned a month later to have a small biopsy, which turned out to be inconclusive.

About 2 months later I underwent a leep procedure (cone biopsy) under general anesthesia in the hospital and the week before Christmas I was told the results. Its not really bad, I quess. I have severe displasia (or pre-cancer cells on my cervix). I doctor states that where it is and how much of the cervix is affected will be hard to track changes, so he recommended a total hysterectomy.

I told him that I would think about it and let him know soon. I worried over Christmas break and I am still worrying, but I made a decision. With my family's and co-worker's support I have decided to dive in to the world of getting older and have my first major surgery. I returned to the doctor's office last week and told him to set it up and do it quick before I change my mind. He did not hesitate, so I go in Wednesday.

I am still terrified, but at least I know that it will soon be over. I have my pre-op appointment at the hospital today. You know, sign the papers, talk to the anesthesiologist(not sure about the spelling), and do the lab work. It has been snowing for the past couple of days and we are expecting more. I hope that I will be able to get there.

Anyways my life for the next 4-6 weeks will be moving at a snails pace, so I might actually get time to write on here. It will probably be a welcome release and a boredom quieter.

What a "Great Start" to Summer Vacation

My last day of work at school was June 10th and I was looking forward to having time off. "Yeah, Right" I've had one relaxing, do nothing day so far and that was June 11th.

On June 11th, my sons received their final report cards for the year. I reluctantly opened them, knowing that I was not going to like what I would find. Shane, my oldest son, did decent (not great, but passing). His report card stated that he would need to take English 10 during summer school, before he could advance to a senior next year. Yes I said English 10. He was a junior last year taking his 3rd year of English 9 and 2nd year of English 10. He finally passed English 9 with flying colors this year. He even received an award for being top of his class. He should after 3 years of the same material.

My youngest son, Joey did very poorly on his report. He took 7 classes during his freshman year of high school. He passed (with a D) in only one of those classes. Want to guess which class it was? GYM! He is going to be retained in 9th grade next year, but I am still making him take World Geography and Algebra 1 part 1 during summer school.

Two days after my last day of work, I begin my second job. Taxi Driver! I roll out of bed at 7:00 each morning Monday - Friday and force the boys out of bed. I make the 20 minute drive to the high school to drop them off and return home. Then at 2:00 I make the trip again to pick them up and transport them to work unless I get lucky and they both have the day off. Most days I am not.

Depending on the day, I will make at least one more trip to town to retrieve them from work. More often than not I will have to make two more trips, when one gets off work at 9 and the other gets off at 11 or 12. I have spent more time driving and waiting than I would have in a regular full time job.

Shane will end his summer school term 1 next Friday, but Joey will be in for term 1 and 2. His last day will be July 16th, so it looks like my summer vacation will be quite a bit shorter than first anticipated.

The Home Stretch

I am in my final week of classes through Marshall University and WV learns. I have learned many new and interesting ideas through these classes.


One class that I am taking is called Special Students in the Regular Classroom. It is a course specifically in helping to implement UDL - Universal Design for Learning. If you would like to read about UDL here is the website: http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/chapter4.cfm


In the course of the class we have had the opportunity to try many new software products that could help us in implementing UDL. Here are three that I especially enjoyed and feel would be a wonderful tools in my classroom.

• CleverKeys: a software programs that allows individuals to have instant access to definitions, synonyms and facts. This can be used with teacher and student created work as well as web pages and email. This will help to boost comprehension for all students. http://www.cleverkeys.com/
• Textaloud: Uses voice software to convert text into spoken language. I can also be used with teacher and student created work as well as web pages and email. This is a great program to help students who have a difficult time reading and it is also a great proofreading tool. http://www.nextup.com/
• Intellitools Classroom Suite 4 features: Reading instruction aligned with national standards, Math instruction targeting number sense and automaticity, Writing templates across many genres, Creativity tools for whole class instruction and student presentations, Early Learning activities for emergent learners. Students have access to many graphic organizers and learning activities to help increase learning. http://www.intellitools.com/

The other class that I am taking is 21st Century Teaching and Learning in Science. Since I was a science major in college I felt that I would have some background knowledge in this area. I found that many technologies exist that I never realized were available, but 21st Century learning is not just about technology.

It includes collaboration and communication (teach students to do both of these), Thinking skills and assessments (used to see if learning is occurring),Evaluating and applying instructional models (research based teaching) and teacher roles (changing what a teacher is in the classroom). All schools are working toward 21st century learning and I think that with the completion of this class I have a better understanding of what this includes.

Although these classes have taken a great deal of time to complete (about 4-6 hours a week for the past 6 weeks) I feel that I have learned material that will help me in the future.

Computer literacy training

At the ripe old age of 3, Sabrina has begun her computer training. I introduced her to my laptop this week and she loves it. She likes to play playstation and her v-tech game, so she took to the computer like a fish to water. She fusses now to get on the computer on a regular basis. I purchased Thursday preschool software for her to play on the computer.

The software includes skills that deal with color and shape recognition, letter and number recognition, and following directions. The componet I like the best in this software is that it introduces basic computer skills. She amazes me. She can manipulate the mouse and left click and drag items that she wants. She knows how to start, end and change activities. In just 2 days she can do more than I could when I first purchased my computer.She has more advantages than I ever had and most children her age have.

As schools integrate technology into the classroom, and the workforce demands technological skills in jobs, children who are not computer literate and technology integrated will have a disadvantage in life. I am only 37 but in that span of time, our society has traveled light years in technology. Knowing what I have seen, WHAT WILL SHE SEE AND DO! It is up to me to start her off right and give her what she needs to excel in the world of tomorrow.

Doctor Professionalism

On Friday, I awoke at the same time to prepare for a long day at the hospital. I got my things and Sabrina ready for the days activities. I drove the 20 minutes to my mother-in-laws and placed the still sleeping child in bed, before heading to Bluefield Regional Hospital in Bluefield, WV.

I arrived at 8:30 to find that my grandmother had already been taken down for her procedure. I sat quietly in the surgical waiting room, listening to another family discussing their relatives problems and current surgery. A short time later my father, grandfather, and uncle appeared around the corner. We finally found my other uncle a few minutes later in another part of the hospital, in another waiting room. My grandmother's procedure was finished by 9:30.

We returned with her to her room on the third floor of the hospital. She was doing great. She had to lay flat for a couple of hours and if everything went well she was told she could go home in 6 hours. She was happy, she doesn't like hospitals much. Little did we know what was to come later.

Here recently Bluefield Regional Medical Center has been getting a lot of print time in the local newspaper. These articles claim that the service provided here have been below standard. I have to give them praise this time. I was concerned that we would be waiting all day just for the staff to take her down for her procedure. I was happily surprised when I arrived at 8:30 to find she was already having the procedure. The nursing staff was prompt and helpful. The nurse who took care of my grandmother was very nice and professional. She should be recognized by the hospital as an outstanding employee. I had no complaints about the nursing staff or hospital in general, and if you know me and hospitals that's saying a lot. I did have another problem, one in which I have never encountered before.

At around 11:30 or so, we were visited by a doctor. He was not the doctor that had performed the procedure, but seemed to know about it. He came in to ask some questions. He seemed quite intelligent, but there was something about him, I could not put my finger on it, that I just did not like. He continued to talk on and on and on until finally he said it. "I think we should keep you here tonight and run some more tests to find out what is going on." Now my grandmother is visibly upset. The reason for her being so upset is because about 3 weeks ago she spent 4-5 days in this same hospital undergoing a battery of tests only to find out very little. She speaks up and tells him this. He states he will need time to look at her testing records to find what he can do for her.

I finally speak up and ask him how long he would need to look at those records and when could we expect him back to talk to us. I do not feel that what I said or asked is out of the ordinary. I mean it seems to me that he should expect this type of question and reaction from patients and patient family. He glared at me and stated around 3 o'clock. I said OK and turned to my grandmother and told her not to get upset, we will just wait and see what he has planned and decide later whether she should stay or not. By the look on his face, I don't think he liked this.

We all had lunch and began the long wait. At around 2:45, I left to meet my mother-in-law to pick up Sabrina. I brought her back to the hospital. I knew that having Sabrina there would give us all something to do and brighten every ones outlook. She has that effect in this family. Time keeps marching on - 3, 4, 5 o'clock. No doctor. I finally ask the nurse. She informs me that she will do her best to find him, but he is the doctor on call. About 30 minutes later she returns to tell me she can't find him. I politely state that he was supposed to look at her records and discuss what he plans to do or ,if there are no other tests, release her. She states she will beep him.

About 30 minutes later she calls the room to tell us that the doctor will be in shortly. Now here comes the moment of truth for my reason for titling this post Doctor Professionalism. This doctor walks into the room, my grandmother says quietly and kindly "I want to go home." and the @#@& hits the fan. He has the gall to throw his hand up, in the way you would if you were a teenager stating talk to the hand, in the direction of my grandmother and states "I can't deal with someone like this". Holy Crap!!!!! OH NO, YOU DIDN"T!!!!!!

I let it go, I did not fly off the handle, although I should have. He informs us that if we want to know what's going on (referring to my father, grandfather and myself) then we needed to walk outside into the hallway. I stand up and walk out with them, Sabrina in tow. Within 3 minutes, I would be mad enough to kill this man in the hospital hallway. Sabrina is 3 years old and active and at this time she chooses to scamper over the man's feet, while he is talking.

He has another unnecessary outburst. I reach for Sabrina as he informs me that "This is a hospital for adults, that's why he never brought his children and I should control my child! This he states is not the pediatric ward!" I felt fire emit from both of my eye balls, I say not a word, but I have had it with this Man! I continue to listen to his explanation of my grandmothers condition. All the while watching that Sabrina is CONTROLLED!

He speaks to my father and grandfather, but never again makes eye contact with me, until..... After listening to his drawn out explanations and examples (treating us like we have no clue about simple human body functions) and still not hearing anything about what new tests he would like to have done, I speak up again. "So, what you are saying is that there is no other tests you can perform, and you can give her the medicine that she needs and send her home!" If looks could kill I would be dead. This "professional" reiterates "Well if I was not so rudely interrupted I could explain what I think should be done." "That's all I need to Know! I'll get granny ready to go home!" I state and return to her room to help her dress. We sign her discharge papers and leave a short time later.


Here is my problem. I do not feel that this doctor ever planned on returning to discuss results that afternoon. When I pressed the nurse to his where abouts and she beeped him, this ticked him off. When he entered the room, he was already pissed off at me at calling his bluff. He has no private practice that I can find on record in Bluefield WV or VA. He is new to BRMC, because it still states on the VA state Board of Medicine website that he works in Roanoke. He has only had a license to practice in WV for 6 months according to WV Board of Medicine website. His specialty is Internal Medicine at both websites and that he has been a board approved medical professional for 25 years.

You would think after all of those years of education and experience he would know that pissing off people will only hurt yourself. As a consumer, we have the right to ask questions and expect answers in a prompt and respectful manner. This man did neither. As a consumer I would think that BRMC as a business would want to hire and keep only those that will increase business not deter it. I will never again see this doctor, as a patient of his, or allow him access to any other member of my family. If this is a problem, then I will not use BRMC every again and neither will any of my family members,

WHAT A DAY!

Returning to school today was hard on me and the baby. She did not want me to leave her with mama and I really did not want to either. I quess it won't be much longer till I can stay home with her on a daily basis.

We had an IS day today at school. No students showed up, but we spent all morning on benchmark analysis for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. After lunch, we returned to a faculty senate meeting which lasted only 1 1/2 hours today. I guess I get to go home at 3:30 today instead of the usual 4 o'clock.

I have no major plans for tonight other than grading a few papers that I did not get to this weekend. I have only 2 more workdays before spring break. Well, really 3 but I am taking Friday to spend the day at the hospital with my grandmother. We get a whole week off for spring break and I fiqure I am going to need it.

I have to spring clean my house. I have been putting this off for a while. I have had a good excuse, I HAVE TO WORK! Next week that excuse will not work. I will have to take a trip to Wally World and purchase cleaning supplies this weekend.

SO Sorry!

I have been rather busy the past month and haven't had a chance to post.

I began taking a class on WVLearns in February and that took up a lot of my computer time. I am now taking 2 of them and that results in me on the computer for at least 2 hours a day. I will be finished with both of these classes at the end of April and I am not taking another until September.

The reason that I am taking these classes is for my re-certification. As a teacher, we are never really finished with school. We have a certain number of professional development credits that we have to have every three years and a certain number of college credits as well. If you have a master's degree you can forgo the college credits, but as for now I only have a bachelor's.

I am hoping in September to begin a graduate program offered through Walden University to work toward my Master's degree. We will have to see, I guess it takes money to make money!

My husband began a new job about 3 weeks ago, so now he is on day shift. This has not helped a whole lot. I have to be on the computer for my classes of an evening and he feels that I should be spending time with him. He just does not realize the work that I have to do just to teach.

My oldest son just turned 18 and we are going today to order his tuxedo for his prom. I can't believe that he is so grown up. He agreed to have his hair cut yesterday. He now looks like a fine young gentleman. Long Hair is Gone!!! My youngest son also cut his hair. He now has a mohawk that is fire red. OH BOY! He is definitely a unique child.

I also had my hair trimmed yesterday and spent about an hour last night dying it to remove the stray gray hairs. I can't believe that at 37 years old, I am having to worry about graying hair. I guess I will be fighting this battle for the rest of my life.

I took a day off of work today to try to catch up on a few things here at home. Tomorrow I have school but most of my students do not. It is a IS (Instructional Support) Day. I have invited several students to come in and receive remediation. Most of them will not show, but maybe a few will.

My daughter is fine, she is as rotten as a 1 week old egg that's been laying out in the sun, but she is fine. I never knew how much a child like her could change my life. I am a little biased, I know, but I don't believe that God could have given me a better gift. She is my world!!!

I guess I should get off her and get ready to pick up my oldest from school. We have a lot to do today! Until next time!!!

Tuesday January 15th

Tuesday was the day of the big trip for the girls. I awoke this morning excited, but also dreading the day. I awoke my little girl with a smile and informed her that we were going to see Elmo! She had been screaming everyday since I told her about it. When I decided to take her, I also decided that this might be a great time to try potty training. I told her we would go see Elmo if she started to use the potty! IT WORKED! As of today she has only had 5 accidents in almost a week and none in the past 3 days. As I was saying! I woke her up and took her to the potty. I got ready for work and traveled the 20 minutes to my mother-in-laws. When I arrived, it had started to snow pretty heavily. She was asleep so I had to wake her again to go in. She began to cry and shouted "I don't want to be here, I want to see Elmo!" I told her that we would go after I got off work. I dropped her off and continued on to work. The roads were getting bad, but I made it. Only one bus picked up kids in our area, so I only had 4 fifth graders and 6 fourth graders.


I used today to average grades and attend a collaboration meeting with my boss. I left work at 12:00, taking half a day for the trip. The roads had cleared; smooth sailing. I walked in the door at my mother-in-laws to the waiting arms of Sabrina. She was hollering "Go see Elmo!" I left, drove to the Tazewell Co. Courthouse to pay $117 for my oldest sons tickets and then to McDonalds to grab lunch for us.


I got home around 2:00 and called my mom. She decided to keep Sabrina that night and the next day for me. I gathered her things, including her potty and headed to my moms to pick her up. We got on the road around 3:00. Sabrina slept the entire way to Johnson City. I was so so glad. We had a little difficulty finding Freedom Hall with the Internet map that I had printed and had to stop to ask directions. THE INTERNET MAP WAS WRONG! Shame on you Yahoo!


We finally found it at around 5:30. We still had an hour before they opened the doors, so we went to get something to eat. We found an Applebees about a mile down the road. My mom and I both ordered Steak and Shrimp. This was a new experience for my mom. I love their food, but mom had never eaten there. Sabrina ate 8 grilled garlic shrimp and a few vegetables. All the while yelling "Go See Elm0!"


We headed back at 6:15, paid for our parking and entered the building. As soon as we walked in there was souvenir stands and of course we had to get something. $45 dollars later, we had a stuffed Big Bird, Elmo and a t-shirt. We found our reserved seat pretty easily and waited. We watched the crowds as they filled the Civic Center. Sabrina began hollering she had to go to the potty. I carried her up the 3 flights of stairs to the restrooms and returned relieved that she went before the show started.


At exactly 7:30, the show began. I took 2 films worth of pictures, I hope to some how get them on here later for everyone to see. I was amazed! The characters, story line, lights and music were excellent. My daughter's eyes never looked away; she was mesmerized. I watched her several times and she would smile, open her mouth in amazement and follow the characters every move. There were lights, cannons firing confetti, and great music. My mom was having as much fun as my daughter. She laughed out loud several times during the show. Several times the characters walked down the aisle where we were sitting. Sabrina would look at them and then shirk away. She likes them she just did not want to touch them. I did not force it.


At exactly 9:00 the show ended. I figured I would be in traffic for an hour trying to get back to the interstate. I was wrong. I was back on the interstate at 9:15. Sabrina remained awake the entire way home. She stated 4 times she had to go to the potty. I'm glad I had packed the potty. We just placed her on it in the back seat of the car, no need to stop and find a bathroom. We did stop once for gas. I arrived at my mothers house at 11:30. We made excellent time. Sabrina cried not wanting to stay the night, so I just brought her home; at 11:45.


We were both exhausted, but happy to have seen the show. I would recommend Sesame Street Live to everyone of all ages.

Another Sick Day

Thursday Afternoon at around 3 pm my daughter awoke from a nap, screaming. She is not the type of child that cries when she is not feeling well. For example, when she was about 18 months old she began to run a fever she never cried or complained, but I took her to the doctor anyway. The doctor informed me that she had one of the worst ear infections he had seen in a while. So when my daughter screams in pain, she is really hurting.

I immediately call the doctor and set up an appointment for Friday morning at 9:45. I give her a double dose of Motrin and some ear drops. In about 30 minutes she calms and settles down. I call my boss and inform her of the situation. I then worked about 30 minutes typing up lesson plans to email to my colleague.

At about 11 pm Thursday my daughter begins to have secretions coming from her right eye. I don't know what is causing this for sure, but I guess it might be an eye infection. Friday morning at 9:30 I walk into "The Clinic" in Claypool Hill, VA. She has an appointment to see Dr. Thompson. When the nurse calls us back, my daughter begins to cry, looking at the nurse she says, "I don't like doctors!" The nurse laughs and I prepare for the fight.

The doctor walks in and she explodes; screaming, slapping, and kicking. He gives her a once over and announces she has a pretty bad ear infection and conjunctivitis(pink eye) in both eyes. He writes two prescriptions and sets up an appointment in two weeks. I pay my $15 co payment and travel to Walmart.

I drop off the prescriptions and walk around to wait. I go to retrieve them only to find out that although I have insurance, my part is going to cost me $60. It's no wonder many people have to choose between medications and food. Her eye drops were $20 and her antibiotic was $40 which is about half the full cost.

I get home at around 11:30 am, now the fun begins; figuring out how to get the drops in her eyes. I finally realize how its going to be have to be done. Here is the process:

• First I lay her in the floor on her back
• Then I straddle her pinning her arms to her sides
• Holding her head with one hand I place one drop in one eye
• Then take both hands to force her eye open so they can go in
• Finally I repeat the process with the other eye

The entire time she is fighting me and screaming. I don't really blame her, I can't stand eye drops either. I have to go through this process 4 times a day until the drops are gone.

Today she is much better, no secretions from her eyes, other than when she is crying when it comes time for her drops. She has not run a fever or complained with her ear. I guess I might be able to work tomorrow.

Planning a Girl's Night Out

I rarely go anywhere without the entire family in tow, but I have planned a day without the guys. WooHoo!!! I never go anywhere without my daughter and luckily she is able to attend this girl's night out. No I will not be drinking or bar-hopping. We are going to attend a performance of Sesame Street Live in Kingsport, TN.

I have been seeing an AD on the local broadcasting station out of Bristol, TN for a couple of weeks, but never really paid attention to it until about 4 days ago. I loved to watch Sesame Street when I was little and my daughter knows most of the characters by heart as well. I became interested. I have never been to a concert or major production in my life and I want my daughter to have these types of experiences.

On the other hand, Kingsport is a good distance from my home and I really do not want to travel that kind of distance by myself. So I asked my mom to accompany me. She enthusiastically said she would go with us. She has never been to anything like this either. So three girls will be getting their first experiences together.

I got online last night to check on tickets. They ranged from $25 to $12. The most expensive were floor seats in the first 10 rows A-J. All Sold Out! Crap! The next were 15.50, still floor seats but behind A-J. Oh! Well, it will have to do. I bought 3 tickets. January 15th, Section 2 seats K-1,K-2,and K-3. These are also aisle seats so if my daughter wants to get up an dance she will have a little wiggle room.

I will be taking a half of day off of work this day. I don't know if my boss will like this, but that's not going to deter me. My mom also has to work this day, but she gets off work at 12:00. I will leave work at 12:30 after my lunch duty, pick-up my daughter at my in-laws and be ready to hit the open road by 3:00. The performance begins at 7:30 and lasts for 90 minutes. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I told my daughter about it today, while the AD was running on TV. She has talked of nothing else since. She wants to go now, she is not old enough yet to understand that it is going to be a couple of more weeks. All she cares about is she is going to see Elmo. Bless her heart, there is nothing that I would not do for her.

Sorry!!!

I haven't taken the time to write in a while, but I will try to keep this a little more up to date.

Christmas is finally over and the New Year has been ushered in. Christmas was wonderful, despite the rush and hustle. My family and I spent Saturday 21st, with my mother and my stepdad. Also in attendance were my brother, sister, half brother and stepbrother and their respective families. We ate pizza, played pool and just reconnected.


Christmas Eve is reserved for my Dad and grandparents(Papa and Granny). My stepmom and others put together a wonderful Christmas meal and we spent about an hour opening gifts. Here the family was huge packed into about 4 rooms.
*my dad and stepmom
*Papa and Granny
*Uncle Johnny and Sharon
*Uncle Danny and Linda
*Great Uncle Bill and Aunt Margaret Ann
*Brother, Wife and 2 Nephews
*Sister and Husband
*Stepsister, Husband and 2 Nieces
*Cousin, Wife and 2 Kids
*and of course me, husband and 3 kids

Christmas Day my daughter decided that she wanted all of her mama's and papa's to come watch her open her presents from Santa. So we invited them all to have coffee and donuts. They all came except one and we invited her favorite aunt and uncle to come as well. We had a pretty good time. My mother woke early and made homemade ham, sausage, and bacon biscuits to bring along.

Later Christmas day we traveled to my husbands parents, my in-laws to celebrate with them. My oldest son did not go with us, he spent the day with his girlfriend and her mother. All together there were still 9 people. We stayed until around 7 pm and returned home.

For a couple of days I did nothing. I slept late and played with Sabrina. But finally Friday I decided I should try to wash dishes and clothes. Saturday I took down my tree and decorations. Yesterday I finally opened a book and completed my lesson plans for the next month.

Today I caught up on clothes and dishes. Still haven't touched a single paper to grade, but I have already been told that school is on 2 hour delay tomorrow. Maybe we will get another day off and I can do them then. If not, I'll get them this weekend.

Well until later, take care and Happy New Year!

Spare Time

Sorry I haven't written in a while, but time has been short for me. I had a rough thanksgiving weekend, Family emergencies and such and work has been hectic for a while. I've been working trying to prepare for Christmas and I'm still no where near ready. I at least have my tree up and decorated. I finally went out last night to buy a few gifts, 9 down and 11 more to go, and that's not including my children or my school children. I don't know if I will ever get finished.


I guess that we are going to be hitting the mall this weekend to try to get a few more. My in laws talked us into it. I would rather take a beating than fight the crowd. I am rather impatient with people in stressful situations.


I loathe people who go shopping just to go shopping. I get rather irate with people who just stand in the middle of aisles and talk, knowing people are trying to get by them or block the entire aisle with their buggies. The lines at check-out are also a hot button for me. I would think that store owners/operators understand that it's the holidays meaning more crowds, more people purchasing items, but it doesn't seem so. All check-out lanes should be open, but most of the time they are not.


It doesn't make sense to me but I guess they feel that since it is the holidays, customers have no choice but stand and wait. Well I won't 15 minutes is my limit. If its longer than that, I lay my items on the shelf and walk away. Just one less sale for the big department store. I've decided that next year I will do all of my shopping online, to heck with the crowds and the waiting in line.


So department stores beware I only spend around 1500 a year on Christmas, but unless you have an online store next year good luck getting my money. It's no wonder I don't have a Christmas spirit anymore. Spend! Spend! Spend! Wait! Wait! Wait! What a crock! I want it to return to the days when I was young, when Christmas was fun and exciting. Tough #$@&! Right! Christmas is for kids now, I guess I will just have to lump it, because I don't like it.


I guess I better leave it at that. Maybe after the holidays, if you want to call it that. I will have time to write more often.

The Last Day Before Thanksgiving Break

It all began the same way as any other day. I entered my daily work day as before, rushing to prepare materials that I would need for the day. I worked diligently until my colleague entered and informed me that I was going to be observed at 10:30. Wonderful, I did not know that.


5th grade reading went like clock work, we finished everything for the lesson before class change. 4th grade entered as well as my boss. My colleague went first, Spelling, it was supposed to take 15 minutes and turned into 30. Oh! Well it was time well spent. I jumped into the lesson, set up groups while my colleague checked fluency. At 11:15 my colleague left to go to another classroom. I continue with the lesson until 11:45 and my boss leaves the room. I finish all but the grammar and writing portion of the lesson. The extra 15 minutes of spelling would not have helped much in finishing.


I prepare my students for lunch and find my evaluation laying on my desk. Good Reviews! The day continues after lunch, nutrition class for 4th until 2:00. At 2:30, school spelling bee for 4th and 5th graders. I finally see my students again at 3:30. I prepare them for home, get them on the bus, and then the fun begins.


I was coerced into staying after school to help run concessions at the Anawalt Idol. This program is like American Idol, students practice a talent and perform it in front of an audience of parents and community members. It was a fundraising activity for school trips and parties. I did not expect many people in attendance. Boy! I was wrong.


I was amazed, we probably had close to 100 people. The price for admission was 2 dollars for adults and 1 dollar for children. We made over 200 dollars. Concessions did equally as well. We fixed 80 hotdogs and when I left we only had about 16 left. I left as the last song was being played. We may have sold those, but if not we still made 64 dollars just on hotdogs. We also had nacho's, chips, candy, and drinks. I would guess we made around 150 dollars. I would call that a success in our small school and community.


I finally arrived home at 8:02, my mother was sitting in the drive way with the baby. I ran a load of things inside (Mom, brought me a lasagna for supper! Bless her heart!) and transfered the baby to my car. I traveled the 20 minutes to my grandmothers to pick up my youngest son. He walked to her house after wrestling practice to wait for me. I spent about 45 minutes talking to my grandparents before leaving for Foodlion. My oldest son clocked out of work at 9:30, I grabbed salad fix-ins to go with the lasagna and headed home.


Finally at about 10:00, I am home. I quickly reheat the lasagna, cut up the salad mixture and eat supper. At 11:00, my daughter and I move to the bedroom. After a quick book and lots of laughter and hugs and kisses I turn out the light. Thank Heavens above I don't have to work again till Monday.

Fun Friday

I awoke this morning, glad that today was Friday. I only had to work 4 days this week, but it seems like it has been 7 days. Sabrina woke up at 7:00 and I left her watching Franklin, drinking Chocolate Milk and eating dry Honey Nut Cheerios. I woke my husband and told him to listen for her. She did not cry, she just kissed me and said, "Bye Mommy!"


I knew today was going to be tough. Our resource teacher (gym) was going to take a half a day, so my planning period would be from 8:30 - 9:00. This was going to push my reading classes to 75 minutes long. The new reading series is tough to get in in 90. I did what I could, with what I had.


Today was also what we call Fun Friday. We participate in a behavioral program called "Respect and Protect". Students are give bifs (behavioral identification forms) when they break a rule. If a student has not received a bif in a 2 week period they are rewarded with Fun Friday. The R&P committee, plan fun things to do on these days. Today we had a concert.


Several teachers dressed up like rock stars and pretended to play instruments and sing to CD's. The students ran around the gym, dancing and laughing. I think they had a good time, but I am wore out. I am on the committee, but I was not a rock star today. I guess you could say I was the security/bouncer. I walked/danced around making sure students were not running full force or doing things that could get them or someone else hurt.


I also tried to encourage a few students to dance. I was about 75% successful, mostly with the older kids. They are at the age now that they are self conscious about doing things like this in front of others. I was actually surprised that a few boys began to approach me to dance with them. A couple of my students looked at me like I was crazy. I guess I might be sometimes.


All in all today was a fun friday, for the students and myself. I hope that the two days I have to work next week, will be as eventful as today just not as tiring.

What are we teaching!!!

I attended a book study this evening, arriving home at 6:45. After our book study, my boss had to speak with the group about a student in the school and not requiring homework for him and a few others. I found this hard to take.


I do not assign anything that the students don't already know how to do without help. Often I go over the assignment, giving answers to some and giving hints to others, before I give it to the students. I understand that sometimes students forget it at home or have things that happen to keep them from doing it one day. I do not begin to fuss or keep them in detention until it begins to become a daily problem.


I see homework as a way of reenforcing things that are taught in class. A way for students to remember what they learned during the day and a way for parents to help their children if they choose to do so. I grade homework for one reason, because often the grades received on homework are the only things that save many kids from receiving bad grades on progress reports.


Several of my students can do well with homework, but bomb on tests. This is not caused by them not knowing how to do it, it's because of what I call test blocking. They know the answers until the test is in front of them and then they go blank. I have had it happen myself. Many of my students will not do homework if they are not made to do so, but most do well on them.


I realize that most students today are not raised the way in which I was raised. I know that many students have very rough and tough lives when they leave my classroom, I empathise with these kinds of problems, but not requiring them to work toward their education is not going to help their situation.


When they leave elementary school, beginning middle/high school and eventually real life, people are not going to care what their homelife is like. They are going to expect them to keep up with everyone else. I do not really care for homework or paperwork either, but I can say I have problems that require me to be excused from it. I do not think I would have a job for very long. Do You?


Not requiring/expecting the same things from students that are having troubles at home, is only enabling these students to be a victim for the rest of their lives. I want to give them a way out of their situation by showing that I will not allow them to be one in my classroom. I want them to succeed and excel, and if you don't practice what you have learned you will loose it. It is not like riding a bike.


What are we teaching our kids? Do we really want a student to be judged on what they should do or accomplish by their what their parents/family do or accomplish? I don't. I will ask no child to do what I feel that they can't handle and I will not enable my students to slide through the system unchallenged.

KIDS

I love kids! I must I spend every waking hour with them. I have three of my own and 24 at work. I have yet to meet two children that are the same, though.


My oldest son, Shane, is now 17. He is working as many hours as Foodlion will allow him and going to school. He is a junior in high school. He has a girlfriend, Nikki. I rarely get to see him much these days. The days he works he does not see Nikki. The days he doesn't, he makes up for lost time. He is trying to grow up, but still needs me for important things, such as driving him to work and back, fixing him something to eat and occasionally I am his counselor. Prediction: He will get married young, finish high school barely and work a menial job that he will dread doing.


My youngest son, Joey, is almost 16. He is a freshman in high school and has just begun training for the wrestling team. He is very strong headed and independent. He needs me less than his brother. He is more mature, girl crazy, and unpredictable. He has never had a girlfriend for more than 6 months at a time. He changes girls more often than I would prefer. He tells me nothing about his life. Prediction: He will not marry young, he will finish high school although he will struggle, and he will attend a trade school, assuring himself a job that he will enjoy doing.


My daughter, Sabrina, is 3. She is a ball of energy. I written about her previously in another blog. She is the light of my life and I am so glad that God has blessed me with the privilege. I know that she will be my problem child when she becomes a teenager. Prediction: She will be a hard to handle, finish high school without even trying, and attend college (possible graduate school) to determine her calling.


Neither of my boys are the type that do well in school. School is not the most important things happening in their lives. Shane is capable of doing more, with a little effort. Joey on the other hand has learning disabilities that prevent him from doing more.


I noticed there was something wrong when he was in first grade. He was having major problems with reading. Many words in the English language, we are expected to just recognize. Words such as a, the, it, she, he, we, etc... Joey could not do this in first grade. I fought with teachers, principals, and Special Ed. teachers for 3 years to have him tested.


I finally had him tested during his second year of third grade. Now he was not only having difficulties in reading, but in math, social studies, and science as well. Surprise! Surprise! If you can not read, you are not going to do well in any subject. When he was tested, his reading level was that of a first grader. He has worked really hard the past six years to make up this deficit.


He is doing much better in reading, math, social studies, and science with the help of modifications. He has modifications such as extended time on assignments, the use of a calculator in math, word banks on tests and alternative assignments. He still covers the same materials as the rest of his class and is responsible for learning the same content. I just wonder how much better he would be doing, If I could have gotten the system on his side sooner.


My students at school are in many ways the same as my own kids. I have 3 students that I would consider Gifted. They are advanced in most of the assignments that they are given. I have 4 that have been tested and are considered Special Ed. The other 17 are supposed to be average learners.

The 17 are the ones that bother me the most. They fall in a full range of categories.

• Ones that try really hard and put forth everything they have; 8. These students will become my B/C students. They can and will succeed. They will graduate and attend a two or four year college.

• Those that are just like my sons, not really into school; 5. These students do not have the drive to do their work. They never hand in homework, unless made to. They only do the minimum to get a grade. They will probably become the teens and adults that will drop out of school and work menial jobs for the rest of their lives or get married and continue to pop out babies for welfare.

• Finally those that can't do, but have never been tested; 4. These 4 are the most problematic to me.Knowing what my son has been through, I feel that I should be pushing for a Special Ed determination. Two of the students mother's will not even talk about the possibility and the other two there is not enough documentation to warrant testing. I worry about these students and want to help them, but how? If I modify their assignments, it will most definitely help them achieve passing grades this year, but what happens next year. If I don't they will most likely fail this year and be retained, but I would have enough documentation to warrant testing. I am torn. I want to teach to the best of my abilities and to theirs. I am afraid that these kids will fall through the cracks in the system and will become a detriment to society as whole.

It would be so much easier to teach and be a mother, if all students were the same; They learn the same way, act and think the same. But what kind of world would that be, we would never have the diversity that the world contains today. We would never have greatness. We would never have choice. I'm glad we are not the same, but dang it sure is hard for a teacher.

THe next couple of days, good golly

It's about 7:45 and I have only been home about an hour. I had a professional development workshop (a book study) this evening dealing with how we teach math and what we should include in math instruction. I would not have attended, but Christmas is coming and the $25 per hour will soon come in handy. I have one more day of this workshop (next Wednesday) and a Math/Reading fun night (the last Wednesday of the month) before Christmas vacation.


Tomorrow it will be interesting to see how things transpire. Whats the big deal about tomorrow? Well I'll tell you, whether you want to know or not. As I have stated before I teach 4th and 5th grade. The school basketball team and cheerleader squad are made up of 4th and 5th graders only. They have an away game tomorrow that starts at 1:00. They will be leaving school at 11:30, but will have to eat and prepare before.


I teach 4th grade reading beginning at 10:30 or so. At 11:00, all but 2 of my 4th graders will be leaving. I have gained permission from the boss to not teach my 4th grade reading lesson, since no one will be there. But what will I do???? I'm really not sure with only 2 students. I guess I will just have to wing it. The afternoon will be just as difficult. All but 4 of my 5th graders are leaving as well.


Friday will not be much easier. We have a home ballgame starting at 1:00. The only work that will be done will be in the morning. I guess that will be fine, considering all grades at Anawalt teach their math and reading before 12:00. I usually have to teach the grammar and writing portion of the reading in the afternoon. I guess I will be rushing both days trying to get in as much of this as possible before 12:00.