The End.

As I write my last blog for the class I wondered were the time has gone. I will soon be blogging because I want to get better at writing. I seem to take forever to put my thoughts on paper. I  will miss all the blogging with you ladies. I hope that you keep up you blog from time to time.  I may never meet you all, but I feel like I know you all just a little bit. I wish you all wonderful classrooms and perfect students. I have learned a lot from the literacy classes I took this semester.  I have enjoyed working with you all. I am working on my writing skills and my self-confidence to share with other and eventually with my students. Here is to our future and never giving up on a student.   Good Luck!

Today I read a book , well more like a few chapters in a book called, Positive Psychology. What I found to be very interesting was I have heard bits and peaces about this theory over the last 20 years. This was the first time that I read about the negative effect of optimist  p .  It was amazing. I wondered if what could really be wrong with an optimist? Basically, the only thing they could say was, they don't always take issues that  are serious, seriously.  Such as government problems etcs.

What I really found interesting was the section about education. It was amazing. It pointed out that while students have issues at home. If they receive positive reinforcement it will change their thinking process. So, this was a gift to me. I have decided that no mater what grade I teach or what class I may teach, I will always encourage optimism.  I will not give up on the pessimistic students, I will work hard to make the difference. Children who have optimistic teacher learn more than students who don't.  It  make perfect since to me.  I am not sure what took me so long to realize it. I can't wait to read the rest of the book... Happy Blogging.

Student will tell you anything.

So, I am not Art Linkletter.  However, I think I should write a book about what students are willing to tell teachers and staff.  Children so say the funniest things. I asked a student if she was staying warm during this cold spell. The reasoning for my questions was she had a hat, mittens and her coat on while in the gym, trying to jump rope. This is her reply.

Student: “No, I am always hot at home; my dad built the biggest fire in the living room and my mom toss wood on it.”

Me: “Do you have a wood stove or a fire place.”

Student:  “I am not sure but it’s a big box”. 

Me: “How can I help you get warm? Maybe, if you move around more you will warm up.

Student: “Can’t you just build a fire in here that’s how my dad would do it.”

The conversation was a little entertaining and I wish I could tell her parents. She is just five years old and school is new concept to her.

These are the thing I here before school.

Male student: Mrs. Odell, my sister stucked her tongue to the metal window in the bus.

Me: Is she okay?

Male student: Yah, she just jerked her head back fast and pulled it off.  It looked like the kid who sticks his tongue on the goal post in that Christmas movie.

Me: Are you sure she is okay, is she bleeding?

Male student: Mrs. Odell, she pulled it off the window.  Not out of her mouth.

Later I talked to the little third grader to see if she was ok.

Girl student: “I’m fine; it just feels like I burned it on hot cocoa,” before I could say anything she stuck her tongue out and said, “Thseeeeeeeeeeeeee”, while holding on to her tongue.

Me: Why did you stick your tongue on the window?

Girl student: I wasn’t trying to stick my tongue. I was trying to see out the window and I was licking my lips cause they were dry. Then bam, my tongue was stuck and I panicked and pulled.

Me: are you ok now.

Girls student: Sure, but you can bet your fanny I will never to that again.

I wish I had it recorded. All the children in this family talk the same. They talk fast and have a speech impediment.  While, it is not funny, to make fun of a person’s disability, and in no way am I doing that, I am just saying it added to the comical story I heard. These students used to be my neighbors, so I have a closer relationship with them. They are the sweetest kids in the world. Their story will make me smile for year.    I guess in this case you really had to be there. 

Difficult student

I have been seeing so much negativity lately. I think it just comes from my current state of mind.  Everywhere I look I see students who disrespect staff and are not paying attention.  I know that the majority of the students are doing the right thing. But, I am not sure why the 5^th grade class I work with feel it have the right to be rude.   A quarter of the class is students that are behind. We have usually 2 paraprofessionals and a teacher with 23 kids.   I see kids talking, writing notes and drawing during teaching time. As soon as they are given the assignment hands go up like telephone towers in a new country. No one knows what is going on and doesn’t know what to do. It’s driving me nuts.  

There is one little boy who has dyslexia and he refuses to listen.  I catch him day dreaming and being rude to the other para and the teacher. The thing that really gets to me is that his parents don’t want him to have special services. They believe he is gifted.  He is great in other areas but is unable to write. They feel that the staff needs to make accommodations. I catch this student drawing guns of every type. For the last six weeks I have told him this isn’t appropriate time to draw. I have told him out right not to draw guns that it is against school policy. Oh, I forgot to mention his father is a state patrol officer.  Long story short, I like the kid. I think his parents are not doing him any good by keeping him out of special services.

The moral to this story is I need help. Do any of you have an idea on how to keep him focused without him feel like he has educational boundaries.  I have to say from the psychiatric point of view, I believe he is autistic.  He has so many of the signs. But again his parents will not get him tested.   How do I deal with this? Someday soon I will have my own classroom and I am struggling with the fact that parents can be so neglectful to their children. 

Writing

Wow, I feel a little rusty. I never realized checking out for a week would cause such confusion to my brain.  I have been trying to regroup all afternoon.   This semester has been such a struggle for me.  I am so thankful that we all can see the end in sight.  I keep trying to be a creative writer but for some reason I get blocks.  I try all the methods they talk about in Painters book.  I have come to the conclusion that next semester I will be taking a creative writing class. So if any of you have an idea that would be great.

I am so embarrasses to admit this but, I think it’s time. My son in-law, Mark Booth is an Associate Professor at (creative writing) Chicago Art Institute. Mark is also a world renowned Artist.  He teaches classes of different sorts. I would never ask him for his help.  My husband has a journalism degree and my step-daughter Kathleen Odell has her PhD in Economics. She is also an Associate Professor at Dominican University in Chicago.  If I could just tap in to their talent I would be a better writer. 

I am going to try and keep Blogging after this class. I want to be a better writer. I have a long way to go.  I guess I am a slow learner. I couldn’t read until the 5^th grade.  I struggled to read so writing was like torture to me.  I never want my students to feel that way. It is my goal to teach every student to read and write with confidence.  I look forward to writing stories with a purpose and may be that will keep me focused enough to teacher. I want to be an excellent teacher who can share her thoughts and lessons with students that are eager to learn. 

About me!

Okay, ladies here are a few things about me. 

1.  I attended college the first time in 1992 and earned my Bachelor Degree in General studies and Majored in Education and Graduated in 1997.

2.  I was a single mother who raised two beautiful daughters.

3.  I have spent 15 years working at none profit agencies and providing PSR (Psychosocial Rehabilitation. to the mentally ill.

4.  I am only 8 credits away from having my Masters in Psychology.

5.  I married my soul mate 3 years ago.

6.  I live 9 miles from the Canadian Border

7.  I am a licensed hypnotherapist. I work on-call at the local Pharmacy as a Licensed Pharmaceutical Assistant. I currently hold a Washington State Substitute Teachers License. I work 20 hours a week as a paraprofessional at the local school. Sounds like a lot but it really isn't.

8.  I volunteer as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children who have been neglected or abused.)

9.  After moving to a place that is so rural I became an AmeriCorps member and worked two years in the local schools.

10. I went back to school to get my teaching certificate this year.. When I attended college in 1992 we were just starting to use email and internet.  I loved education and have always been in the field of education even when I didn't work in a school setting. 

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  It has been great learning with you all.   

IF

I haven’t been keeping up lately with my posts on my Blog. I try to write and find my mind wondering.  I think of my daughter and her future. The loss of my grandchild and the what if’s in life.   My father used to say if is a small word, but it makes people ponder a lot.  “If is the biggest little word I know”. That is what my father used to tell me.  I asked him what he meant. He told me, if I would have gone to college I wouldn’t be working in the woods. If I would have made better financial choices as a young man I would have saved money. If I would have known my body would have turned against me, I would have made better choices.

As I look back I wonder what life would have been like if I would have done things differently.  I started the, what if thing and decided that I am happy for the way things are and I know I got hear from the choices I made. What if I hadn’t gone to college? I would still be working at the local five and dime.  Life is so short for the, what if thing.  I loved my father and I wonder if he took a positive approach to life he would have live longer.  See, that I did the, what if thing.  

I have been trying to avoid the, what if, scenario.  When things are stressful and you are down, what if, sneaks up on you and will suck what little energy you have and make things more difficult.    I loved my father and I totally understand what he was saying.  I am just having a difficult time getting back into life after a wrongful death.  I can set and wonder what if.   Positive or negative the pain and loss of a grandchild is terrible. Watching my daughter and her husband deal is painful.  The word “IF” (noun) can be used as a possibility, condition, or stipulation.     That is why “if” is such a large idea.

Good-bye

For those of you who have been following my blog. I have some very sad news.  I was called yesterday at 11:30 A.M. from my daughter.  My daughter lost her remaining Twin.  So, last night at 9 p.m.  I was able to hold my precious little granddaughter.  She was so perfect.  She weighed 4. 5 pounds and seemed to be resting peacefully with the angles in heaven.  He parents are broken hearted and very sad. Baby Madisyn will never now her parents or grandparents.  It truly is a sad day.  I held her and loved her while my own heart was breaking.  

I keep telling myself God has his plan but right now, I truly don’t understand.  I think the worst feeling in the world knows your child is hurting and having no way of making it better.  The only thing worse is losing a child. 

Jump Rope

Everyday, I have morning recess duty in the MPR and the students play and have a great time. This morning while at work I had the privileged to witness memories in the making.  For the past week I have been observing the play time with the jump rope games between the Kindergartens and the older students.  The older students keep creating games and the little ones seemed to be pushed out.  This morning I found a large jump rope gave the extra one to the kindergarten students.

This was a magical moment.  The three students who couldn’t jump with the older student were teaching each other how to jump.  It was an amazing moment. I heard one on the little girls singing jump rope songs like a pro. She stopper and showed the smaller girl when to jump. I watched for several minutes then offered to hold the rope. The girls were excited to have the attention and to show me what they learned. The three girls made me smile and changed my whole outlook for the day. 

The best part of this experience for me was the joy on the girl’s faces when they were actually able to jump without being told by the older students that their time was up. The girls were able to make their own rules. They decided it would be more fun if everyone knew how to jump rope learning to jump rope is fun. So, each child got to jump until they could do it three times without making a mistake. The students used the alphabet and numbers in their songs. They have no clue that the game songs were actually helping them with the phonics of reading and the counting for math.  This really made me make the connections between learning and having a good time. You can have both if done properly.  I look forward to being a teacher and sharing the magic of learning. 

Dog Days

The talk about the dog days of summer and I could never understand what they thought was so great about lying around when it’s hot. Well, today I think was the dog days of winter.  Let me clarify that.  The day had gone to the dogs.  

At 2 am this morning our dog Jake felt the whole house and neighborhood had to be awake and aware the moon was shining bright.  He barked his fool head off for almost 15 minutes underneath the bedroom window until he woke are 9 year old black lab. The poor old dog got up to tell him to shut up. He let out a bark in the bedroom that could have woken the dead.  The blasted dog had to go out and chase the night creatures.  So I get up to let out Mack and Jake meets him at the French doors and dog wrestling  peruses as if no one is sleeping.

I head back to bed and think maybe things will quiet down now that Jake and Mack are outside together.  I must have been having delusional thoughts of uninterrupted sleep.  I lay back down and get comfortable and close my eyes and my little dog Pete wanted out of his kennel.  The little Shorkey needed out to take on the world. He has little dog syndrome.  I got up put on his jacket and then he barked for the next thirty minutes.

As I lay in bed now counting sheep to go back to sleep, I am wonder why every dog in the neighborhood is barking. Now, I say neighborhood like I live in a subdivision in a large city.  It is more like in a there are 6 houses in a half mile radius.   Anyway as I get up to empty my bladder I look out and discover that there is a full moon or near a full moon outside and I can at the top of the hill the silhouette of a deer just hanging out in the horse pasture.

I realize the night has gone to the dogs. I go back to bed to see that my husband is sleeping like a baby. He is so oblivious to the sounds around us at night. Then my mind starts to wonder as the dogs bark and moon shines into the room illuminating it like I turned on a nightlight.  I place the pillow over my head and drift off to sleep.

Stress

Stress! I have found that while I like to think stress doesn’t really affect my life, I am so wrong. After working in the mental health profession as a PSR(Psychosocial Rehabilitations) specialist I could recognize the symptoms of stress. I do in everyone but myself. 

I can say that my cup is full and I want to empty the cup into a stream taking my stress far away. I am glad that this semester’s classes are starting to slow down.  I feel like I am starting to catch up. My children are adults and I still worry about them. I have no control over their lives yet I feel for them when they call just to know that I am there to listen.  Just listening stresses me out.  So I have to decided to compile a list of things that stress me out that I have no control over and then send it down it stream of stress relief.

1. People who drive below the speed limit.  
2.  I cannot run my children’s lives, even though I want to help. I will not stand in there way of success of failure.
3. I will do my best and get the grade I earned
4.  I will not continue to obsess over things I cannot change
5.  I will look for the positive even when I feel negative
6.  I will let stress of other peoples, be just that other peoples.
7.  I will not stress of my daughters pregnancy even thought I love her, I will only think positive thoughts.   
8. I will love my husband because we are soul mates.
9.  I will enjoy reading again soon 
10.  I will relax over the holidays and enjoy my family 
11. I will love my dog the way he loves me, unconditionally
12. I will clean house because I like the way I feel when it is clean

Stress and anxiety lead to depression. I know the signs.  It is my job to distress and enjoy life.  Take care of myself and have fun. Life is short and stress doesn't have to be everyday life. So, I will be posting my blog and burning a copy so I can move forward and leave my stress behind.   I stress over everything and I have since I was a little girl. My mother used to say that when I'm six fee under I will stress. She is gone to heaven and I am sure she is telling me to let my stress of.  So, this is for you mom and me. Good by stress and hello world.

Blogging

Each day I try and set some time aside to write. I start out with the best intentions and poof before I realize it the day is over and I am exhausted.  Like all of you my stress level is higher than usual. School seems to have taken a toll on my personal life.  All work and no plan make Nancy a dull girl.  Well, things are not as bad as “The Shinning”.  But I do feel a little estranged from family and friends. I am looking forward to the holidays.

Here is an update on my daughter who is experiencing acardiac twin pregnancy.  The will be taking the twins in the next few weeks. So, I am not sure exactly how much I will be on my blog or even in school. I will be traveling to Seattle to welcome my new granddaughter into the world and giving support to my daughter and her husband.  This is a happy and sad situation but we will make the best of it and pray that the healthy baby remains healthy.  

If you haven’t looked up acadiac twins and you want to please be aware that it can be hard to look at. In my daughters case the babies are not connected except at the umbilical cord. Baby A is healthy and baby b has formed, but not correctly because of the lack of Oxygen. The heart and other organs have not developed correctly.  Baby A is pumping blood to both bodies.  Currently baby A as doing okay, but the doctors monitor twice a week and plan to deliver her as soon as they feel it is safe or if she goes into cardiac failure.  So, if you ladies believe in the power of prayer please say a prayer for Baby Madisynn.   See will need all the support available to make it in this world. 

Hike Continued

Continued from Hike blog

The students are huddled together on the ledge above the ravaged creek beds that were eroding with each splash of water. The students are scared and petrified to cross the rope bridge hanging across the rushing water. With each passing moment the danger becomes more dangerous to pass. I encouraged one of the boys to cross to the other side in hopes that he would be able to get help or help if the bridge collapsed.  One by one the students found their enter strength and began crossing.  One, two, three, four and so on until it was my turn to cross the narrow rope bridge and I was suddenly petrified like the students. I looked up and saw fear in their faces.  I watched their eyes and followed them to the bank.

The fog was starting to lift and down at the edge of the rushing water was all the gear including the keys to the van.  I quickly went over the edge not realizing I was now pushed up against the rushing water. The sound was deafening. I tossed the bag and the supplies to the students standing on the other side of the bank.   I could see a wall of water rushing toward me with little time to react.  I could feel the ice cold water pull me in to the torrent rage. I went under once, twice and then found my way to the other side. I had made it to the and now I had to hike back toward the frighten students.

Hike

I remember seeing a volunteer sign-up sheet in the school cafeteria.  It read, “Chaperon needed for Alpine hike, enjoy the fall foliage with young Botanist from Mr. Wilson’s science class”.  I jumped on the chance to see the fall foliage and to work with children who wanted to learn about deciduous trees. What a great way to spend the last weekend of October.

Now, looking back I didn’t take into account the difficulty of the terrain and the inexperience of the new science teacher. He had read about this experience in a book and had never been to “Lost Lake”.  Lost Lake is wedged between the Saw Tooth Mountains in an elevation of 3100 ft. Not an extreme mountain for our area. But enough that we both should have thought that weather could play a part. Now I am stuck in a fog bank with six well-read students who have zero mountaineer skills and the foliage alone the ridge is scattered with wet slippery debris and it’s our only way out. To my right is a rock wall as far as I can see up. We stand on the narrow path and the left is straight down to a once dry creek that is now spilling over with fresh rainwater and mist. 

Christmas gift

I have been spending the last few days working on a Christmas gift for my Grandson Wyatt. I am so excited to give him his gift I hope I can wait until Christmas.  I have decided that I would make him a small cupboard with a plastic Indian.  I love the imagery in the book and I am hoping he will love the series.  As grandma’s go, I tend to spoil the grand-kids and I don’t feel a bit awful about loving them and being there for them.  My husband tells me I spoil them and they will not know what to do when they get older. I tell him they will love us and take care of us.  He said, you mean they won’t put us in a home. I said, “No they won’t put me in a home. They love me.” We both had a good laugh. He’s a good grandpa he just doesn't love all over the kids like I do. 

Each Christmas we try and make a gift for the kids so they understand that giving is way better than getting. As I get older I find it harder and harder to compete with the electronic age.  This year I have decided to find books that the kids like and make something from the book to help them make connections. I guess subconsciously I really want the grand-kids to love reading as much as I do.  Our six year old grandson and daughter I haven’t been able to decide what to do. I was thinking about books and I need to do more research. For our 3 year old granddaughter we have decided that it would be fun to make her a doll. Still haven’t decided on that book either. 

We will have a new addition before Thanksgiving our third baby granddaughter will be here and we are hoping she will be home for Thanksgiving.  Next week we will get the delivery date.  Her twin sister didn't make it. The doctors are hoping to wait as long as possible.  We are now at 30 weeks and she is about 4 pounds. This will be a bitter sweet birthday for her mommy.  We are hoping Madisynn’s little lungs will develop over the next few weeks, with the help of steroids.  She will be our blessing this year for Christmas and a very special gift.  I was hoping to have her blanket finished before she arrives but looks like it may be her gift this year. 

It’s Halloween and I am thinking of Christmas. I have been for over 3 weeks. I bought outdoor light last weekend. I have been designing my mountain retreat light show.  I basically have lights because I love the brightness and I love knowing I am sharing some Christmas cheer with the neighbors. 

Weekend

I have been so lazy with my Blog writing this last week. I think I have midterm blues. I have tried to sit down and write and I find myself drifting in thoughts of what needs to be done. I start stressing over things that really have no control over. I asked myself why am I feeling this way and realized I have been working over 40 hour weeks and having no time for family and friend.

So last weekend my wonderful husband took me to Spokane and we had a wonderful date weekend.  I was surprised by the purchase of a new car. We just stopped to look and before I knew it we had unloaded out old Subaru and came out with a new Crosstrex.  This is an awesome gift. Our driveway is up hill and about half way up the 7 percent grade there is a 90 angle with a gate. So in the winter time and a few feet of snow I usually have to walk.  The Impreza had no clearance. 

We had a great time and today I feel a little better. I am back doing the things that make me happy.  I so appreciate the small things in live and the people I work with.  School has consumed my every minute for so long I think I might forget what it is like to have a free moment. Well, I am rambling and I will sign off. I am hoping this week I will get my blog caught up…  Thanks for listening. Have a great Bloggers. 

Descriptive

I have notice that I need more descriptive words in my writing. I encourage students to write descriptive paragraphs almost daily. Yet, looking at my own work I have not been good at practicing what I preach. So, for the next couple of blog entries are going to descriptive.

Each spring I am awaken to crisp morning air with a cool breeze.  As the day warms I feel my covering warm with the brilliant afternoon sun.  My feet are rooted in unruffled stony soil that is watered with brief spring showers. On the warm spring grow longer and warmer I feel energized .I reach for the sky to heat my soul.  As my body in nourished by the sun’s emissions and the soil nutrients I feel changes happening to my being.  My shaft straight and my fingers are converging out and grow into broad shapes of dazzling shades of green. I feel the heat of the long summer days and I feel parched.  I long for a cool summer shower to cool my branches.

Soon the summer sun becomes autumn and I grow wiry with the crisp heat.  I can feel the sun’s energy decreasing with each passing day. The days grow shorter and I realize my body is transforming and preparing to hibernate. While I will miss summer my time to shine is the fall. My vivid broad fingers have become crisp and their pigment is no longer green but different pigments of yellow, orange and red. I long for the swift wind to release my summer growth.  I am preparing to sleep for a long winter.

My stalk is colorless and I stand naked and cold in the Vermont Mountains.   I wait for the first snow to blanket my feet and cover my extremities.  I am ready for a long winters nap. I will dream of the coming spring and vibrant colors it brings. I will stand with my fellow Maples through time. Year after year I will practice this process and until mother nature’s deems me perishable. 

Reading

As a child I struggled to read. I know I must have read some as a young child, but I can’t remember any books that I read myself. My sister read to me Sylvester and The Magic Stone when she was in the second grade and I thought it was just magic.  I thought she was so smart. I remember thinking she was so good because she understood all the symbols on the page. I thought the letters were special numbers that had meaning.

I read my first book when I was in the 5^th grade. I remember the panic feeling of knowing I had to read a book and I could hardly read directions on a test. It was my fear of failure that made me cognizant of the importance of reading. That was the year things change for me.  The world opened up to me and I was amazed that books to take me away without ever leaving the house.

It was so important to me that my children learn to read and not suffer the feeling of embarrassment when called on in class to read. I remember that I missed much because I was too busy counting down to the paragraph that would be mine to read. No wonder they thought I couldn't comprehend. I wasn't paying attention.  I never wanted my children to feel this way. My children grew up reading and loving it.

Now that I have grandchildren, I read to them every chance I get. My daughters read to their children everyday.  I am so proud of both the girls for promoting good reading habits. This last week my oldest grandson brought tears. My daughter called and said, “Mom you will not believe what Wyatt did today. He asked if we could stop at the library on the way home I need to get a book. He went in and I expected him to ask me for help, but he didn't.  He walked up to the librarian and asked for a certain book and he knew the author.  Mom, I am so proud of him. He is really growing up fast.”   We both talked about how proud we were of him and how he is becoming more responsible and making good choices.

I think it is a proud moment for any parent when your child learns to truly love reading.  I just hope he has the same passion for writing.  I will be writing him letter and mailing them to help encourage writing and the purpose. I am love being a grandparent and I am looking forward to communicating with all my grandchildren through writing. 

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is October.  When I hear domestic violence my first thought is the bloody woman in the hospital who has been beaten by someone she trusted with her heart. That is a case of domestic violence at the end of a long cycle. What I know about domestic violence is that it comes in a great deal of forms and it is not just limited to woman.  Domestic Violence is the mental and physical abuse that starts out simply enough but ends ugly. 

We all know someone who has been abused or is being abused currently and in the past.  Domestic Violence (DV) doesn't always seem obvious.  Like I said earlier it starts out innocent enough and before you know it you are in the DV cycle. If you know of someone who is being abused be kind and loving. Don’t enable them, but empower them.

What happens to the brain of a victim of DV is incredible.  The neuro-linguistic pathways are changed and this changes a victim’s way of thinking.  They become victims before they even know it. They start making excuses for the behavior, they change their daily routines to not cause fights, the  victim will begin to isolate themselves because they don’t want to deal with the jealously of the abuser. They start doing things that are not in the best interest of themselves.

 We do not always recognize victims of  DV right away.  First, do not enable the victim. Become their friend and be supportive. Do not agree with what they are saying and trying to justify about the abuser.  Ask them what they would do if you were the victim.  Take your friend to an abuse counselor or shelter. They are free and they are professionally trained to deal with it. Do not be surprised if the victim is in denial, this is how they got in this situation in the first place.  Think of them as cancer victims. They no longer are able to make normal rational decisions because their brain has become damaged. Your friend is no longer able to do what is best for them.  You wouldn't abandon a sick friend,so do not abandon the domestic violence victim. 

Being a family member or friend of a victim is hard.  You don’t have to do this alone. Get help so you are not drug into this cycle.  Never confront the abuser because, one they will think you have a problem and two they will abuse the victim in private.  If you see physical abuse happen, then report it to authorities. Calling the police and say that you witnessed the abuse may save a life. Sometimes that will help. Do not be a bystander who does nothing.

Domestic Violence is a silent killer. Learn more about domestic abuse at: http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7lKIAGRSXGcA01FXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzdGZ2cmQxBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNgRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1ZJUDI3MV8x/SIG=12ni03inp/EXP=1382314248/**http%3a//domestic-violence.laws.com/domestic-violence-awareness-month

Substitute Teaching

I had the most extraordinary experience today while teaching in a Third grade classroom. I have decided at about half way into teaching a math lesson that there has to me more to life than this. I love math and I really enjoyed it as student. However, I think as a math teacher I sucked. I do not say this lightly nevertheless I made a mistake somewhere along the way and I just hope I haven’t wrecked the students for life about math.  

I want to think that maybe it was because I was substituting and didn't have a lesson plan. Or perhaps it was because the students were out of control. It was a terrible experience for me and the children. The class has a mix of children. It was a good experience and I will learn from it. However, I can only hope that I didn't harm any of the children.

One little boy was so frustrated that he cried. I let him know that there were a lot of students struggling with the concept and that tells me as a teacher I need to reteach it in a way the students could understand. I assured him that I would talk to the teacher and let her know that everyone struggled. I let him know that teachers sometimes make mistakes to and we have to do it again so her students learn correctly.

This experience made me wonder was it really me or was it the dynamics of the class or both. I plan on chatting with the teacher tomorrow about my disastrous lesson. I also plan on discussing the children whom monopolies my time. There were four children who couldn't function at all and kept interrupting.  After some thought, I realize that things didn't go so well because I need to work on my classroom management skills.   

Scared

I could hear a ringing and couldn't understand why the church bell sounded like the phone. It wasn't making any since to me. I was ready to go to church to pray and suddenly I am in bed with my eyes open and hears listing for the sound; that familiar ring of the phone.

 The sound of the telephone woke me out of deep sleep.  I looked at the bedside clock to see that it was only 10:30 p.m. My first thought was who in the world is calling. There must be a problem with one of my children. Who is it?  I answer the phone to my daughter’s voice and she just needed to talk. 

I was so relieved that it wasn't more. She is scared and living on the coast away from her family. I try to comfort her racing thoughts and reminding her not to barrow more worry.  Tomorrow she will be at 27 weeks pregnant and we are hoping to for 32 so we pray a lot.  Her next doctor appointment is Tuesday for another stress test on the live baby.  I tell her I wish I could make it all go away and make things better. I remind her that while she feels we are far, far away her father and I will be there for the birth of our granddaughter.

She asked me, “Mom, will the fear ever go away? Will it all be better once she is born?” I told her we never stop worrying, but things will get better.  We chatted about her when she was a baby and how cute she was and how she grew like a little weed.  We prayed and then said our goodbyes.

It was hours before I could sleep my heart hurts so much for her and her unborn baby. I prayed to heavenly father for his guidance and then left it in his hands. As a parent we never stop worrying, the key is to remember we are not alone. 

Fossil Dig

 I had an amazing experience today with a group of young people on a school field trip to Stonerose Fossil Site and Interpretive Center. Stonerose was formed during the time of Eocene Era. The fossil site plants and animals lived over 40 million years ago.   Stonerose Fossil Site in located about 30 miles from Curlew School and the students visit the site often with their families. Even though the students have visited the site often their interest is still peeked.

It was amazing to watch the students. Why? Because the experienced students were paired with novice students and they were teaching them to use the tools. They were so excited to help and to teach it was amazing to watch them.  When a novice digger would find a fossil the other student who try and guess what the fossil was called.  The students had about 1hour and 15 minutes to dig and no one felt like it was enough time.   

After we came down from the dig site the students were allowed to pick an era on the time line that was painted on the street for the yearly Fossil Festival Next week.  Our school decorated Mesozoic Era and the Eocene Era.  Students painted and used chalk to decorate the time line for next week events.

After the students decorated their portion on the timeline they were able to visit and ask questions to paleontologist that came for next week’s event.  I was impressed that the students asked great questions and paid close attention to short 20 minutes presentation about the local site.

When we returned to school we used the smart board and overhead to see every fossil the students found and they told the name. Toward the end of the student presentations the students in the class were able to classify the fossils the students were presenting.  This was such an amazing time. One student was not allowed to keep his fossil because it was a rare fossil and was only the fifth time it has been found at the site. However, this student had taken a picture of the fossil and we were able to share it with the class. This was such a stroke of luck and an amazing learning process for me as a future teacher. 

Here is the website for more information. 

http://stonerosefossil.org/

Baby Madison

There is sorrow in our home tonight.  I am not sure were to begin. I think I just need to get it all out of my head. I have such great concern for my daughter and her unborn babies.  Well, I should say baby. It all started back in July when she learned that she was pregnant with twins.   We were so excited and couldn't wait for the ultra sound.  We talked about her having girls and how exciting it was going to be having two babies.

The day of the ultra sound came and I waited patiently by the phone for her call. Then Jessica called, “Mom, they couldn't find the heart beat in baby b”.  We talked about all the possibilities it could be but really felt that it was so early and that the other baby might have been in the way. She was scheduled for another ultrasound and still not heart beat but baby b was growing. She had the same legs and Arms as baby A so we were sure it was just a fluke. 

Two months ago they told us the baby B had died and her body would just absorb the unborn fetus. Then she was told that the baby was still growing and we thought God works in mysterious ways. Finally at 20 weeks they had a specialist look at the ultra sound and they found a hear beat.  This was the first time we had heard such good news. 

My daughter was scheduled to have another ultra sound and see yet another specialist.  They again say there is no heart beat and the twin will not make it if she is born.   They contacted a doctor that specializes in surgical procedures while child is still in the womb to see if anything could be done.  Then my daughter’s kidneys shut down and she was rushed by ambulance to Seattle.  Again they do ultrasound, after ultrasound trying to figure out what is going on.

My daughter had kidney stones and once they were under control 6 days later she left the hospital with yet another appointment to see yet a different specialist.  They informed her that the twins were a rare case called acardiac twin.  This was devastating news for her and our family. So last Friday, she again goes to Seattle who specializes in complications during pregnancy to only be told that she will indeed have to have surgery to terminate Twin B. They set the surgery for Monday.  Well, yesterday she was told that because she was so far along they would be better to wait out this night mare. The New Specialty doctor was horrified that they called her so late. She informed my daughter they could have fixed this month ago and never put the healthy baby at risk.

As a mother and a grandmother my heart is so hurt.  I wish I could take my daughters pain again and the grief that she feels.  My baby granddaughter only has less than a 50% chance of survival.  We can only pray that her little heart will not be affected by pumping blood to her deformed sister whom she will never know.  It’s just a sad day in our house old.   I will pray from my daugher Jessican and my unborn granddaughter Madison 

Student

Friday at school I was approached by one of my 6^th graders asking me why I never post on Kidblog.com.  I didn't have a good answer to tell the student. I told her I couldn't remember my password. She looked at me and said I can fix that. I bet it is the same as ours and then you have to change it. I was then given directions by the student to access my account.  

I guess that is my sign to start writing so the students can read how I write.  First, I have to tell you that I am a little embarrassed since I think they all are more creative than me.  Second, what happens if I goof up or share too much information?  And finally, what if they think I am bad?

I think that I can get over the embarrassment by just writing about how wonderful I think they all are.  I will have to filter my thoughts when I am on their site.  I think I will just have to learn from my mistakes. The students put themselves out there everyday. I think I can do it if it will make them better writer. So, I am about to serve myself some confidence and do some creative writing. 

Pine trees

Pine trees are called evergreens and I ask myself why? When in reality they lose their needs just like leaves of a deciduous tree. Well, OK that may be over generalizing. What I do know is that I am constantly raking pine needles.  So today while I was raking I started to ponder the idea of why are they consider to be conifers.  In my head I instantly made a Venn diagram.  I instantly have a thought about how school has taken over my life. 

As I rake and the piles stack up, I start to imagine the needles multiplying as I rake. I raked off the deck which has a total of two pine trees one on each end. I must have gotten three wheel barrows full. Last month when I swept the deck there were just a few. Where do these needles come from? The trees are still full of green needles and the deck seemed to have needles that are brown in color. 

With each wind storm between now and spring more dead needles will fall. When spring comes the trees will produce new growth and needles and without ever losing all there needle. However, the tree is always green: thus, the reason for their classification as conifer trees.   

While this blog is a bit boring and rattles on, I am trying to force myself to write. When I force this is what you get.  

My father

My father died at 48 because he didn't have insurance he was part of the working poor. One Saturday morning in mid-October in 1987 he drove by two hospitals that would have saved his life but said no it’s nothing. He drove on to his destination and entered my uncle’s home and went into full cardiac arrest.  He didn't want to have the extra bill. He wanted to make sure his family had enough money to pay the mortgages.  He left us that day with more than a whole in our pockets but a whole in our hearts.

My mother was billed $900.00 for the paramedics that transported my father 5 minutes to a helicopter pad.  The Heart flight was over $18,000.00. Let us not forget the emergency room visit of $8500.00 or the mortuary of $7,500.00. I wonder if he would have stopped if he would have realized the catastrophic effect it had on our family.

I was 22 when my father died and my life changed forever.  He was a proud man and he would have never wanted my mother to be burdened with the cost of his death.   She was destroyed and became a widow at 42 years old.  She had to work two jobs to pay her mortgage rent. It changed how she lived her life.

Is medical insurance important? Yes

My parents were hard working people who spent their lives loving and protecting their children. We didn't always have the best but we never went without. My parents scarified their health insurance policy to put food on our table. They never got government help. I wonder if they would be alive today if they had the insurance that would have enabled my father to live a longer life. Instead his grandchildren only know the stories that we have told them.

The changes in the government may not bring my parents back. But maybe it will save the life of the next person who will find a cure for heart disease or cancer. 

Insurance

I have to say I am tired of the way the Government is acting. When has it become so apparent that they don’t care about the people that pay them to run the government?  I am not sure about the government shutdown I just see that friends are become divided over issues that are clearly out of their hands.   

I am a people person and I really try to see everyone’s point of view before makes choices. I guess you can say I walk a fine line between them both.  I am so unhappy that others are so narrow minded in their thought process that they can’t see beyond their own thought process.

Our nation is sick. Sick because they can’t seem to see that we can’t save the world if we are not saving ourselves.  I want to say that I believe everyone has a right to medical insurance. I hear people saying they don’t think that they should pay for other who don’t.  The problem is we already are. It isn't the people on Medicaid or Medicare that soak the system. It is the uninsured worker who can’t afford to go to the doctor until it becomes a hospital visit.  They can’t afford to go and when they do its often so bad it cost more and they don’t pay. Sometimes it takes years to pay back bill. Often times people file bankruptcy and expect other to pick up the cost and they do.  We do!

Insurance companies make deals with hospitals so they insured get there bills paid at a cut rate. But the working man who doesn't have insurance usually pays up to 50% for the same service. I believe the Insurance Industry needs to be overhauled. They only insure the healthy.  I can’t afford insurance because I am diabetic.  If I get sick I will loss all that I worked for and my husband will be beside me losing everything.  I don’t believe in all of the new health care system but it is a start. We can tweak it to make it work for everyone. But health insurance is important.

A balanced government budget need to happen but not at the expense of health care. We will pay one way or another in the end.   The system is broke and it needs to be fixed. I am pretty sure we can all agree on that.

Twins

Sometimes in life we forget what really matters. We let the small stuff get in the way of living and make mountains out of mole hills. The last several months have been a real roller coaster for my family. I am going to write about it in hopes that I can let some of my stress go. 

In May of this year I found out I was going to be a grandmother of identical twin little girls. We all rejoiced and were thankful for this blessing. My 27 year old daughter had gestational diabetes with my 4 year old grandson so we have worried about her staying healthy to keep the babies healthy. When my daughter went to her next doctor appointment she was told that baby B had passed and her body would just absorb the baby. This was horrifying to all of us and we prayed for a miracle. At her second ultra sound they said that baby A is doing great, however, baby be was still growing. They told her that she needed to prepare to have two full term babies.  However, baby B would not live after it was born. We have been devastated by the news. I keep praying that they are wrong and the little one will make it. 

 My daughter has been a trouper. She has had 7 ultrasounds and each saying the same thing. Baby A is growing as expected and baby B is also growing but they cannot detect a heartbeat.  Last Wednesday she had her 9th ultra sound. She is now 26 weeks and she actually got to see baby A's face, then baby B was visible and she was able to see baby B's face.   It was so bitter sweet, the ultrasound tech told her they were not identical. This only caused more questions. Now we need to know what is really going on with the babies. She has an appointment with  a different Ultrasound Technician  in Seattle specializing in multiple pregnancies. Finally we will have some answers.

 Friday afternoon my son in-law called to tell me my daughter was in the local hospital with server pain and would call later with an update. He called me 20 minutes later tell me she is headed 80 miles to Tacoma by ambulance.  The babies at this point are fine. She is still having pain and they believe it to be her kidneys.  The tests have all come back as normal and tomorrow she will be seeing a urologist.  I am praying that her kidneys are good and there is no damage to her or the babies. 

The doctors have done several ultrasounds of my daughter kidney's and the babies. The good news is they have found the heartbeat of Baby B. So at this time they are planning for two babies.  They have concerns that Baby B is not growing correctly. They again are not sure if they are paternal or identical. Therefore, we will be waiting to get the test and then the results. I will be praying for them all. 

My daughter is scared and I wish I was able to be with her. We live over 400 miles away and I have a nasty cold.  I will be praying for healthy happy grand babies and a healthy daughter. I look forward to the Doctors seeing her tomorrow to find out if they are able to help her. Tuesday is the scheduled ultra sound and I look forward to see if the babies are good.   They say God, only gives you what you can handle.  I know she can handle this and I pray everyone is healthy and we can go to full term.

Time

I am amazed how time flies by. Where does it go? Can I add hours to a day?  I perplexed with the fact 25 years ago I had two small children and I found time for everything I needed to do. I made clothing for the girls. I would crochet them sweater. I had a garden and attended church without ever feeling like it took my Sunday up. I worked and still found time to can my own vegetables and read to my children.

What is different? I asked myself. What is different is I now have Television, Internet and a telephone. I must be spending too much time wasting time.  So, I have a goal. I think I am going to cut the T.V. time out and start doing things that I like to do. I really want to start exercising and I think I can do that if I just turn off the TV for an hour. I can do that. My friends at T.O.P.S. have challenged me to make the change.

I ask myself can I give up the internet. This is my real time waster. But, am I really wasting time if I am reading and researching papers.  I think I need to be a little more honest with myself and start skipping Facebook.  I want to learn about great ways to communicate with students in the classroom using Google docs, Kidblog.com and Edmodo.com.  I am challenging myself to use the internet for educational purposes only.

The telephone really isn't an issue for me these days. I have a flip cell phone. No internet serves to worry about there. My children are working during the day and so are most of my friends. I think I will start to direct my time saving strategies for the internet and T.V.

So, I think I may have found some additional time to work on my writing skills.  Will there ever be enough time in a day to do all I want. I doubt it, but I sure am going to try and make it happen.

I know my post are not always quality. I am still just trying to make myself write.  

Grandma Dorothy

I have been thinking back to simpler times. I was remembering what life was like before electronics took over our lives.  As I set and ponder the evening sunset, I wonder how many people missed it because they are glued to an electronic advice. Then I started thinking about the last conversation that I had with my wonderful Grandma Dorothy.

Grandma Dorothy lived to be almost 90 years young. She was an amazing farm woman. She grew a wonderful garden and canned all the food. She had the biggest cellar. She cooked on a wood stove and didn't have a dishwasher.  She didn't even have a bathroom in the house until 1973.  There was an outhouse out back that they used. She was a tough woman and yet so gentle. I wondered what she would think of today’s world.

I remember going to her house in the early 1970’s and they had a small black and white TV and they only got PBS. Today they could have satellite TV, Telephone and Internet.  I don’t think she ever used a computer. I am sure she never used a cellphone. She would have never picked the phone up while talking to others.  I remember calling her as a child and she had a phone address with numbers and oh my things changes.

After my grandfather passed away she moved to live with my aunt in Spokane. I it wasn't until the early 1980’s that she moved to Spokane and got cable. I think life was easier for her in town. We talked once about all the different things that she had experienced in her life and she had witnessed a lot. I asked her what her most memorable moments were. She told me that she remembered the joy on my grandfather’s face when he came home from a long day. She remembers the birth of my children and the death of three of children. I will never forget what she said next. “A parent should never have to endure the pain and loss of a child. You never get over it no matter how old the child. She went on to tell me that she remembered the birth of her grandchildren.

In all the things my grandmother told shared with me that day. She never once told me she was upset that her phone didn't work. She never complained about cable. She was content with the people in her life.  She did say it was nice to heat water on an electric stove, but that can make a person lazy.  

Grandma, if you can hear me know. I miss you and keep you near and dear to my heart. 

Wrong Place and Time

I go to town once a week to grocery shop and other errors and don’t think a lot about what is going on or what I see. I usually always see the same people. 

Being in the wrong place and the wrong time happens to me more than I would like. Last week I witnesses an interaction that I thought was completely normal.  I learned later that the interaction was not pleasant and that accusations of assault were being thrown around like baseballs.

What really was disturbing to me is that this confrontation was between two very dear friends. Yesterday, I was called by the local police department regarding what I witnesses. I learned that Sue was pressing charges against Shawn for striking her and knocking her glasses off her face. I also learned that she accused him of screaming at her and causing such commotion that her glasses ended up broke.

There is so much more to the story and I feel bad for all parties involved. So, yesterday on my weekly trip to town I stopped by the police station to give my eyewitness account.

On Tuesday September 10, 2013 at approximately 4 pm I drove into the parking lot of the Joytown Post Office. I was there to meet Ton, the owner of Leaping Sheep Farms. On this day he had his vegetable stand set up in the corner next to Main Street in Republic.  When I pulled into the parking lot I noticed the Little’s truck coming around the corner of main and onto East Delaware and waited to see if Shelia was driving. I remained in my car until I saw Shawn Little get out and approach Sue Smith (standing on the side walk about 50 feet from the corner of Main and Delaware). Sue was on the sidewalk outside the windows of Esters (the Mexican Restaurant) they spoke for a short time. I moved around to the back of my car watching them and thinking, I am glad they have worked their differences out. I then say Shawn step back and wave his hand, as if he was saying goodbye and Sue looked at showed at Shawn and then walked away.  I did not hear their conversation. I was directly across the street about 50 feet may 60 feet. I felt it was a pleasant conversation because everything seemed calm, the body language didn't say anything was wrong.  I really believed that he was talking about an upcoming baby show for his daughter Abby. I am friends with both families and didn't notice anything unusual.

When I approached the vegetable stand I saw Jim Goon sister and his nephew purchasing vegetables from Ton: The homeless woman and her dog walked up and asked how long Ton would be at this location. His reply was just a few more minutes.  Nothing seemed out of place and was quiet.

I hope the charges are dropped because nothing happened.  I will write more if it makes the paper. I have changed their names and the city to avoid any judicial problems.    

Warmer waters.

I am setting in a wonderful Adirondack chair, drinking merlot wine as the warm waters of the Gulf Coast of Florida sweep across my feet. I am relaxing and enjoy the warm sun’s rays as they dance in the water and across my complexion. I forget the day to day routine of life. I watch hermit grabs meandering across the hot sand looking for a tide pool.   The smell of the ocean is clean and crisp. The sky is a beautiful azure blue. In the distance you can see a small boat with tourist learning to snorkel of scuba dive.

The water of the gulf is bloated with colorful tropic fish.  There seems to be no lack entertainment in the underwater world.  The world seems to be at peace with all and it surrounding. In the distance I hear a fog horn. I seek out a light house or a boat, but nothing is in my sight. I sit up to look and nothing. The sound in louder and grows loader with every passing moment.  Then I feel a tapping and I turn and look. 

I awake to my husband’s gentle touch asking me to please turn off the alarm. As I wake from my slumber I realize that it’s Monday. I so seek the refuge of my dream and wish to return to the peaceful world I was so enjoying.  Here is to another busy week and peaceful moments. 

Classmates

I find that it is so much easier to attend online classes when you see someone you know in your class. It is as if everything changes. Sure, we chat on Facebook and keep up in each other’s lives. But to have a fellow classmate in a class it is like the world is good. 

So, today I am thankful for all the online classmates that I have and the ones I met this summer.  There are times when I doubt what I am doing and then BANG!  I see or hear from someone who is feeling the same way. Life as an online student can get lonely at times. 

I realize that all I have to do is remember to use my resources and keep going forward. I read everyone's blogs about their families and I think they are amazing. Some are working all day at schools, come home to families and then set down to do their homework. There are a lot of dedicated students in this program. Lewis-Clark puts out some amazing teachers and I am so proud to be part of the group. I look forward to having my own classroom someday, more over I look forward to making a difference in the life of my students.   Have a great day and I will see you online. 

With summer coming to a end and school going full force, I find myself with so many things to do and no idea where to start. The garden needs to be put to bed, the horse barn needs to be shoveled out and the dogs are feeling abandon. I think I have lost my motivation, mojo.  As  the days grow shorter so does my attention span.

I have been trying to think about what to say in my blog.  I have no idea, I keep hoping if I just keep writing something will come my way and I will have an amazing idea.

I wonder if this is how students feel during writing workshop.  Do they have writers block?  Are they stumped with all the mechanical issues of writing? Are they writing and rewriting or editing because they're not comfortable with all the conventions of writing? These are all questions that I would love to have answered.

As a writer or at least a blogger, I have to say, I feel like everything I write is being judged or graded. I feel like all  of  my inadequacies are showing. I feel so, exposed. The feeling is raw and I unpleasant.  I know the only way to become a better writer is to keep writing, so that is what I am going to do.

Pack Rat

Life on a farm has really changed my way of thinking. Yesterday, I wrote about my encounter with a wild pack rat that had taken up residence in the guest bathroom in my home.   Here is what happened next.

Upon finding the pack rat and realizing why the cat was so afraid to use her cat door, I understood I needed to catch the critter and remove it from the home.  I went outside and found my fiancé and informed him of the problem. He immediately came into the house and told me to wait in the living room. I asked, why?  What are you going to do? That is when he came out of the bedroom with a pistol and said, “I am going to shoot it.”

I thought, Wow! What have I got myself into! 

My next thought was has my honey lost his mind?  What was he thinking shooting a gun in the house? What was the bathroom going to look like? 

The next thing I hear is a BANG, BANG, BANG and then a final BANG.

The house was filled with the smell of gunsmoke. The first 3 shots missed and the last shot killed the rat. The bathroom was relatively untouched. There was only a small hole in the drawer and bird shot everywhere.

When my husband tells the story it is way different.  I married an amazing man and he keeps me laughing. It has been three years and we have just finished remodeling the bathroom. There is no longer a cat door because Miss Kitty has refused to ever go into the room again. My sweet husband had promised not to shoot the gun again in the house. 

Miss Kitty

I woke from a deep slumber to the sound of thunder pounding the sky above the small mountain cabin. Natures late summer night show of lights dancing across the sky and trumpeting sound bouncing throughout the mountain valley walls for almost an hour. The rain had been pounding the tin roof for hours and sleep was absent in the night.

Beneath the bedroom window I you could hear small creature’s surrey for shelter to avoid natures furry.  Moments later I heard the cat door open in the guest bathroom. I wondered if the cat was coming in to avoid the violent rain.  Soon I heard, Miss Kitty snuggle into her bed in the corner of my room.  The storm was starting to diminish and become tranquil with a cleansing rain.  I was able to drift into a slumber and sleep for a few more hours.

With summer storms sometime we get unexpected surprises that leave use wondering what happened and why.  This day was no different. I walked by Miss Kitty in the hallway and she was mowing up a storm almost equal to the night before. I wondered what her problem was. She looked like she had just seen a ghost. She was refusing to use her cat door. She wouldn't go into the guest bathroom and when I tried to make her she started to claw and gasp at the walls to get out of the room.

I wondered what it in world was going on with my cat. I started to reason with the cat, like that would make a difference. I finally picked her up and used the front door to let her out.  She spent the day outside sunning on the front deck. She was refusing to use her cat door or eat her food form the guest bathroom. That night she came and meowed at the front door to enter the house. I wondered what her problem was and went and looked into the bathroom again and found nothing usual. The cat water was full and her dish had been untouched.

This behavior, with the cat, went on for about three more days. On the fourth day I decided it would be a good day to clean and stock the bathroom. I was going to be getting married in the upcoming weeks and needed to clean the guest bath and get it reading for family I hadn't seen in years. I thought maybe if I cleaned the bathroom the cat might use her door.   I was putting away the guest towels underneath the sink and thought what kitty is doing under the sink. I was excited that she had decided to use the bathroom cat door to go freely to and from the house.  I opened the cupboard door and called to kitty and she meowed at the bathroom door.  I looked into the cupboard and to my surprise I saw the largest Pack rat I have ever seen staring back at me. I calmly shut the cupboard and looked at kitty and she seemed to have an understanding look on her face.  For the first time since the storm I understood what was causing her so much stress.

Pack rats are very cute little creatures. The have round ears like Mickey Mouse and there fur is camel color. However, they pack a smell that is retched and are filthy creatures.  I took a few minutes to sympathize with Miss. Kitty. I couldn't imagine what it must have been like for her when she saw the larger than life pack rat. The poor city cat had only seen small field mice when we lived in Idaho. She wanted nothing to do with the super size mouse and has never used the cat door since.  It has been three years since the pack rat incident and she meows at the front door to come in at night.  

Bear

O.K. so for those of you who do not know me I live in a remote area of North Eastern Washington. I live on a mountain overlooking a valley. It is amazing. We do not have grass because I literally have a house the sets on the edge so there is really no room for grass. I am south of the Canadian border about 15 miles and about 80 miles from the nearest Wal-Mart.

We have abundant wildlife and great seasons. With this said I have to tell you what happened today while sat down to get my homework completed, I got the a good old soul jarring fright. It took me about an hour to settle myself to get focused on my assignment. I have to say we have had our share of gun shootings in the rural area lately. In fact yesterday we had a hunter killed 30 miles west of me.

Anyway, I heard a gunshot and I felt like it was coming from below the deck of my home. I look out the window and I see cows everywhere. (We don't have cows, but it is open range here.) There was a truck parked in the county road with the passenger side car door open. Now, I own both sides of the road and I am thinking this guy hit a cow and is just putting it out of his misery. I watched from the window of my home with binoculars for about 5 minutes thinking he would just move on. When he didn't I decided I would head down and see what was going on or if I could help. I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't bring a weapon, only my cell phone. 

When I get down to road where he was at, I notice he was moved and turning to leave the area. I thought you are not going to kill a cow and leave it on my property to deal with the authorities. I am not buying a cow I didn't kill. I pulled up to get his license plate number and before I realized it I blocked his truck and  had gotten out of the car and confronted this man. I asked him what he was doing and his reply was I saw a bear.  He reported that he wasn't hunting, but his partner got out and shot at the bear. I then reminded him he was on country road and shooting on private property. He had the nerve to tell he had the owner’s permission. I said. I kind of doubt that because I was the owner. At this point I realized I was all alone and only armed with my cell phone. I was wondering where the person with the gun was at and had I made a grave mistake. 

I informed the man that he best be on his way and that he doesn't have permission to hunt either side of the road. 

I called my husband as the man drove away and gave him the license plate number in case there was a problem later and we needed to contact someone.  I came up to the house and proceeded to distress when I heard a truck come up the drive way.  When it gets up to the house, the passenger pops out and says hello Mrs. Odell, and low and behold it was the young man who house sites for us. He apologized to me and said he would call next time. Oh, the life and times of city folks trying to live on a mountain.  

Happy New Year!

When I walked into school today it took me back to the days when I attend elementary school. There is a smell that an empty school bouquets. I don’t know if it is the fresh waxed floors or the new paper. All I do know is it reminds me of simpler times.

I enjoyed watching students chat with their friends that they haven’t seen since last year. I thought of all the memories the walls of this school has seen.  It was a new beginning.  Students in new clothes and shoes with backpacks and supplies and I wanted to visit every class just to see how the students and teacher were interacting.

Wow, what an amazing day. School was so much fun. I have to say I love working and I almost feel guilty for getting paid for having so much fun. The school was buzzing with excitement as the students found their lockers and learned the new combination.   I can’t wait to see the students grow and become wonderful writers. I have a great job.

I heard the Special Ed Teacher tell her students, Happy New Year! What a great way to start the school year.

Tomorrow, the First Day of school 2013

Tomorrow is the first day of school and I will be working in the 6th grade with students that I had last year. I am looking forward to being an aid during Reading and Writing. I am hoping that the students will inspire me to write.

 I absolutely admire the teacher I work for during Reading and Writing. He is an amazing writer and he inspires the students to read and write. I couldn't ask for a better mentor. He has the students create Google Doc. and Edmodo.com accounts and that enable the students to respond to their classmates writing.

The classroom has an amazing technology piece that allows students to create vocabulary lists, spelling lists and online journaling. We use iPads to learn spelling words. Each student creates their own spelling words from their daily journal writing. The students use the free A-plus app on the iPads to create list, record and later take the test. This allows the student to hear, see and spell the words that they frequently misspell. At the end of the week each student takes a test until they are satisfied with score and then email the exam to the teacher. 

Oh, how I feel like I am rambling on about school. I am excited to see the students and meet the new students. I love school and the children. Here is to a wonderful year full of great students and wonderful learning experiences. 

Hello, classmates!

Welcome to my blog.  I am learning how this all works and am a little confused. I could really use some free advice. Have a great day.