Sweet Baby Girl

Anna and Blair had to deliver their baby girl at 33 weeks. Through all the confusion, worry, and unknown a beautiful baby was born. Emma Kate was born weighing 3 lbs and 14 ozs. I had the pleasure of spending the weekend attending the previously scheduled baby shower and holding that baby girl! She was able to come home last Tuesday and now weights 4 lbs 13 ozs! All are doing well and figuring this family thing out a little earlier than expected. Anna and Blair waited for such a long time to be blessed with her that she just couldn't wait any longer to meet her wonderful parents!

Another Half

I began training back in January for a half I would run on March 17th. This being my 3rd race I thought I knew what I was doing. Well, it will go in my books as "worst race" so far. I had knee trouble on my left leg the last week and half. This caused me to change my gait, which in turn caused terrible chaffing especially on my left leg. I had no trouble during training and was typically the one leading the pack (maybe thanks to Pattie). The 2 girls I was training with finished 10 minutes and 16 minutes ahead of me. Awesome for them as it was their first half! I also tried getting in the St. Patrick's Day spirit by wearing my green headband instead of my normal one, long green socks which were ridiculously hot, and I even changed my energy chews. Rookie mistakes all around!
So, I took myself to the doctor Monday after work; which is not something I generally do. My attitude is usually wait it out, it'll get better. Lucky for me I was able to practice my cowgirl walk for a week while having gauze, tape, and destin (yes, you read that right. I was sticking baby butt ointment on my legs) stuck to my legs. I'm almost back to normal and hoping for a good run tomorrow after work. What a mess! I might be done with long distances...maybe! ;) At least this race is finished and the crazy part is I really want to go running again.

Heading out at 5:30 Sunday morning:

 Finally finished and ready to get warm. I didn't even stick around for the free beer!

Initiated

Friday morning I walked into my classroom to find it covered with NC State "trash". There were red and white streamers stretching across the room, red and white balloons, magnets, jerseys, t-shirts, flags, banners, chairs, pom poms, etc. This school year I have enjoyed "discussing" Carolina vs. State and how Carolina is the better team. ;)
One parent from each of these families went on the 5th grade field trip getting back to school around 8:00 Thursday night. Upon arrival, the rest of their families came up to school armed with red and white and got to work. One of the parents asked if anyone got my reaction on video. I told her no but it started something like this: " Oh my goodness! hahahahahaha! Holy crap! hahahahahaha!" I quickly took it all down, through it into trash bags, put it in the hallway and labeled it with a large "trash" sign so the parents could see it when they walked their kids in that morning.
It was by far the best EVER prank by parents. I believe I was "initiated" into the school and finally "belong"!
This picture doesn't do the room any justice:

Wordless Wednesday

Snow!

Music

Had the pleasure of seeing Chatham County Line last night with free tickets! Our seats were next to the stage. I could see the chords (well, what I think was chords) they were playing and their facial expressions!

Little Fun

This ugly Duke sign was delivered to my room Thursday afternoon (following a 5 point loss by Carolina to Duke Wed night) while I was in a meeting with my principal to go over my observation. I decided to have a little fun after taking a good guess my principal was the one who had it planted there.

 The following day, I recovered the sign with beautiful Carolina blue. My class and I delivered it to him while singing "Rah, Rah Carolina, Lina!"

Go Heels!

I got invited to attend a Carolina basketball game...for free! I joined my friends Jon, Caitlin, and their baby girl for an exciting game. Or at least an exciting 2nd half and overtime!

Visitors

A few weekends ago, Ann and her dog Chloe came into town. Pattie and Chloe haven't seen each other since July! They arrived Thursday evening and stayed until Sunday. Friday turned into an early dismissal due to the ice and sleet, so I was home by lunch and back in my pajamas! We spent time relaxing, catching up, and shopping for some pregnancy clothes for Ann! She is just starting to get that little bump..I love it! I can't wait to meet that baby boy!

Happy Birthday...

dear Mom and Pattie, Happy Birthday to you!!! I was lucky enough to spend the weekend celebrating Pattie who turned 4 Friday and mom who turned 65 Saturday. I'd say mom is lookin' good!

 

What happens when you come to my classroom near your birthday:

 

 Laura joined us for breakfast Saturday morning:

Old News

It's all about passion folks...not the money. That's what I tell myself! Here's a little math lesson for you:

Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - baby sit! We can get that for less than minimum wage. That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan -- that equals 6 1/2 hours). Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children.

Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day. However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations. LET'S SEE.... That's $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 15 children X 180 days = $140,400 per year. Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here!

There sure is! The average teacher's salary (nation wide) is around $50,000. $50,000/180 days =$277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!

2013

Happy New Year!!!

Vote!

I got a call this past Wednesday from Mrs. Stepp. She called to tell me what craziness she had been up to and to ask for my vote. I promised her I would pass this information to others. I had the pleasure to work with this wonderful lady my first year up in the mountains and the last year before she retired. She continued to come back to sub and began tutoring. All the kids loved her and you just never knew what creative ideas she would share or what funny story she had to tell! She mourned the loss of her husband with us, shared the pot belly pig she had at her house and sometimes in the classroom with us, and was always creative in her dress (as I like to say, be confident and you can wear anything!). Here is the email she sent me from her daughters. Feel free to vote!

 

Hi---

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Our MOTHER entered a nationwide contest with Ford Motor Credit Company. She was chosen as one of the 10 finalist!!! OMG can you believe that....She is in the running to win a NEW 2013 Ford Escape. She just needs your DAILY VOTE.
The web site is--

1) https://ford.promo.eprize.com/escape

2) Register your e-mail and a little more information.

3) Look for the finalist pictures, the lady sitting in a car with a sign on the side and a striped shirt...That’s MY MOM!!

After the first time you VOTE, you will ONLY have to put your e-mail in. You will not have to register again. It is easy and fast. I added the site to my favorites so it would be even easier. You must be 18 to VOTE. THANKS! for all of your help!

The VOTING ends on January 13...WINNER announced on Jan 14
START TODAY !!You can only VOTE 1 time a day !!
 Get your friends and family to help out. Forward this... every VOTE counts and SOMEONE will win!! THANKS....SO MUCH!!

2013

Going Green and Staying Lean in 2013!

 

Again, my new year's resolution is to do something. It's fail proof and treated me right last year. So, I will stick with it again this year and see where it takes me. For now, I have signed up for the Tobacco Road Half Marathon on March 17th. 

 

My training plan had me running these past few days but as I decided to give myself a concussion Sunday before church "my doctor" didn't clear me for running yesterday or today. Thankfully I had finished my run on Sunday before the concussion. I've never had one before and man, they don't mess around! Still feeling a little of the aftermath today. Back gate to my brother's car- 1 Me- 0.

Ornament

Introducing you to the 2012 ornament made by my sweet, creative mother:

If you look closely, you can see at least one of the men that came to help me move. The other man is on the other side of the truck looking out. Thanks to Uncle Kyle for helping create this one of a kind! What an adventure it was and has been!

Christmas Eve

We headed to Grandma Gribble's house to spend Christmas Eve together.

Heartbroken

I learned of the school shootings during my lunch Friday. By the afternoon, I found out it involved "the babies". So many thoughts began and tears flowed that evening. You practice the lockdown drill a few times a year; everything goes as planned. Lights are off, kids are huddled in the corner playing "hide -n-seek", door is locked, cards are placed in the window, and you wait while they check the doors. The door handle jiggle makes my heart jump. You are brave because small faces are looking up to you for comforting. You hear the all clear and it's back to normal.
Tears flowed with sadness for those families and tears flowed out of fear. My job is to protect those children. What if I don't get the call in time, what if I don't get the door locked quickly enough, or what if I think the door is locked but it's really unlocked. You believe it won't ever happen but truth is I have to be prepared. However, I can't live in fear. So, the children are running on high levels of adrenaline and this will require extra coffee to survive. There are 5 more wake-ups until break and I'm going to enjoy every minute I get to spend with my classroom full of wonderful children. I am thankful and blessed.

Just another day

Here are 2 things heard in the classroom that just makes these last two weeks of school manageable with a good laugh!

1. "My grandpa is in jail for making moonshine". WHAT?! I would expect that from my old school in the mtns but here?! Then I thought, maybe I'll get some for Christmas! ha!

2. After the child was walking and just fell down: " I must have just had a foot fart". I tried so hard not to laugh but couldn't keep it in. I almost cried from laughing!

Parade #2

It excites me to see how this holiday season is unfolding. When I moved I wondered what I would do to replace the famous Gingerbread houses or the downtown lights. Yesterday I ventured out to a second local parade and will be heading downtown to the History museum this afternoon for some free holiday music with friends. I add this to a staff holiday party, a neighborhood cookie exchange/wine party, and of course watching Christmas movies with only the tree lights on. Lucky for me the festivities aren't over and there is more entertaining to be had!

We had several comments about our gear...and might even be in the local paper!

Campfire Music

Here are a few clips from the campfire evening. It just took awhile to upload.

Get your tissues...Phillip wrote this song for his son:

 

 

 

Here are a few more to enjoy: