Why So Many Chiefs?

Why does everyone want to be in charge? Why can't there be more compromise so that we can actually accomplish more? I'm quite weary of everyone wanting their own ideas pushed forward and their own agendas followed even if it's not in the best interest of the majority. Does anyone else struggle with this?

Road Trips

Hubby and I went on a fun road trip over the past weekend because I had a four-day one to celebrate our presidents. It was fun, but I was so worn out that I slept sitting up most of the 700+ mile ride ride. The scenery (what I saw of it) was so cool - very mountainous, deserty and very little green. The weather was nice, even somewhat hot. We went to see the Hoover Dam, the London Bridge, but the most fun was visiting a pastor and his wife in Quartzsite, Arizona. They were a blast. The house was full of delightful animals - two cats, two dogs, and two gigantic noisy birds. What a riot! We actually stayed in a little cabin they were redoing about a block from their parsonage. Church was fun, too, because this is the time of the year all the snowbirds are visiting trying to find a bargain on gems. What an interesting place! I LOVE traveling - just wish I didn't get so tired. The troops wear me out! I wonder if THEY ever tire? Doesn't seem so.

New Jersey Girl

You can take the girl out of New Jersey, but you can't take New Jersey out of the girl. I can't believe how much joy, comfort, whatever I get out of reading books by authors from the east coast and NJ in particular. These are books I wouldn't normally read because of language and more sexual content than I normally like. But because they are about the east coast I read. I just finished Harlan Coban's book "Just One Look," which was set in NJ and now I am reading a new one by Janet Evanovich about again NJ. There is something about the language or something that speaks of home to me, even though I've been gone for almost 34 (wow) years. I also noticed this when I went home for my 30th high school reunion. We just picked up from where we left off - in many ways. I can't believe how important that background is! My mom is the same way. She gravitates to people from NJ in Kentucky! There seems to be quite a few. I don't meet many out here, but then again out here is where the Beach Boys are from and Hollywood! Oh well, just a thought.

Aren't they cute?

Drama, Drama, Drama

I feel like life is full of unnecessary drama. I see it at work - with the students AND the staff, I hear about it at others' work places, I see it in traffic, at the store, etc. Why do we make life so much more difficult than it has to be. Ok, so Anna Nicole Smith - can we escape her tragic life? Not very easily. After all, these people with weird lives seem to fascinate us. Why, I ask, why? Does anyone know? Do WE want lives like that? NOT ME! I'll take dull and boring anyday!

On the positive note, Friday night Amy and I learned how to make beaded watch bands. It was EASY, and we may have found a new hobby. Watchbands don't take much time either - productive!

Today is Sunday, the day before a week of "holidays." I am sitting here overwhelmed with things I want to do and search out on the web for my class - fun things, things that will cause creative and critical thinking. Activities that will focus on others and friendship. The problem is I won't have time to do these cool activities because I am dictated by a pacing chart and standards and an already overfull schedule. So, I decided to ramble on about my frustrations instead of looking those things up and wasting my precious time. We will have a party on Valentine's Day, and we will exchange cards. We are skipping P.E. that day, so that we have an hour to play a little. We have already done a Scholastic News on Lincoln, although I have so much more I can do. My kids need to think about "others" on Valentine's Day. They need to get their mind off of themselves. I'll try SOMETHING. Wish I had more time.

I feel like it's about midnight and it's really only 9:31. I'm going to bed to read a book by Harlan Coben. He is an awesome author - lots of twists and turns and keeps me hooked until I absolutely have to stop. Tomorrow is Friday and Saturday is coming again. This has been a week. Seven year old girls are sooooo emotional - and they haven't even hit puberty! Unbelievable!

Then again I get wonderful news of my 5 1/2 year old granddaughter who is reading at a high second grade level, my almost 10 month old granddaughter who is almost walking and has FOUR teeth and the four year old little missie who loves playing mommy AND cooking! Life is good!

Ahh - Saturday mornings

I LOVE Saturday mornings - no rushing, I can read a chapter or four or five of my book, I can make muffins or not, I can stay in jamies for a while. Oh, for more Saturday mornings...
School has been intense. I have had three SSTs this week for super struggling kids that may need retention. It breaks my heart, I don't know how to reach them. On the other hand, I am seeing growth, albeit slow in others. The life of a teacher is multifaceted.