Friday Fragments: Episode #253

As you may know, I'm taking the summer off from blogging commitments, hence Friday Fragments being hosted by the lovely Unknown Mami for the time being. Visit Unknown Mami to link up.

And as long as I'm here, I'll check in with some fragments of my own:

***Our visit with Maren's family (from Norway) was wonderful. We enjoyed them very much and hope to return the visit one day.

***Here's a little-known fact: In Norway, you're required to take five weeks vacation every year, during which you are paid full salary. In addition, your taxes are significantly reduced during that time so that you can pay for your vacation. Maren's family visited us for three days and then headed to Florida, where they will relax for a while (and do as Floridian tourists do) until leaving on a cruise to Mexico, Haiti, and the Bahamas. I'm thinking about moving to Norway.

***In Norway, children do not begin school until they are six years old. They attend for 13 years, as we do in the U.S.

***I'm tutoring three hours per day at school this summer, and I feel really good about it; these kids need help, and they have hard-working attitudes. I appreciate that they are as dedicated as I am about making reading progress this summer.

***Kyle's internship is everything he dreamed it would be; he's loving working for Startup Buenos Aires. I video chatted with him tonight for almost an hour (via Google Hangout) and feel very happy about being able to talk to him while he's there and hear all about his experience.  If you would be kind enough to Like their page on Facebook, he'd be thrilled, by the way, as he is helping with their social networking right now as part of his internship.

***I'm 99% positive that Kyle will never live in Wisconsin again.

***Kendall is loving her full-time job, cleaning as part of the school district's Buildings and Grounds department. She also just bought herself a new used car (2001 Honda Civic) with insurance money (from her spring accident) and money from her graduation party. She's recently discovered how much fun doing the laundry is (yes, seriously; she likes it). I'm feeling pretty comfortable about her readiness for college.

***I've started a very challenging, twice-per-week fitness class called No Excuses. On the first night, after class, I Google-diagnosed myself with a torn meniscus and hit the ice packs heavily. If you'd have told me that the next day I'd be walking, with no need for knee surgery, I would not have believed you. Miraculously, I have fully recovered, though I'm feeling muscles I'd forgotten I have.  While I'm enjoying the challenge, I'm 100% confident that I will never be one of those just-have-to-work-out-or-I'll-go-crazy types.

***Miss you guys.... :)

That's it for me! Visit Unknown Mami to link up, share some fragments of your own, and make some new friends!

Friday Fragments: Episode #252

When I made that button a month or so ago, I had no idea how appropriate it would turn out to be!
(Read on to learn why.)
Welcome to Fragmenty goodness. Are you ready to unload your randomness? I am!

***I got my hair cut shorter. It feels great. I figured it wasn't doing me any good, and I was ready for a change. Sorry I don't have a better photo right now, but today was my first day of summer vacation, and I had a lovely massage (courtesy of my lovely daughter's Mothers Day gift), so my hair is a wreck right now.

***Poor Kyle headed off to Buenos Aires yesterday morning only to find himself stranded in Atlanta overnight and being rescheduled for a flight tonight (Thursday). Delta sent him to a hotel that had no vacancy. "Luckily," they let him stay in a "room" that was under renovation, which apparently meant that it had no toilet paper, towels, or pillows. He had to roll up his coat for a pillow and got three hours of sleep. Hopefully, by now he is boarding his flight and in for an uneventful rest-of his journey to Argentina. (Fingers crossed.)

***The University of North Carolina Department of Statistics shared some great infographics that I found entertaining and interesting. Here's one of my favorites.

You can find the rest here.

***Maren and her family arrive this weekend for a few-days visit before heading on to Florida. We are excited!

***This summer, I will be working every morning except for one week each month. I became a reading teacher this year (for the first time) with no training except watching some videos, and although all of my students made good reading gains, I want to improve my skills, so I figure I'll need students to practice on. I'm actually looking forward to tutoring, as I'll be able to devote my time to only one or two students at a time, and the kids are gems. I look forward to making great progress!

***I'll also be enjoying my last summer with Kendall living at home (though she'll be working during the day, full-time), and I would like to make the most of that, so I have some exciting news!

***Friday Fragments is taking a summer vacation to SAN FRANCISCO! That's right! FF is going to stay with her Aunt Claudya for a while. (Yes, FF is a girl!haha) Unknown Mami Claudya has invited FF and promises to take good care of her during the summer. That means that she'll be hosting Friday Fragments, but in case you forget, I'll post a link here to her blog. I may visit now and then, but I just want to focus on my family/home this summer and come back to blogging in the fall. Until then, I'll be around, just not blogging much, if at all.

***Unless I can't stand the absence, of course. After six years of blogging regularly, though, I think I'm due for a break. I will miss you, though, so expect to see me around, just not here.

***By the way, I still have three IndieFlix two-month subscriptions to give away. First come, first served!

Okay, that's it for me for a while. I'll be in touch, so you be in touch, okay?

Mostly-Wordless Wednesday

Guess what day it is.

We have a tradition at our middle school; 

on the last day, teachers and staff all head outside to wave goodbye 

to the buses full of students as they ride off into the sunset

 (or in today's case, into the rain).

Then we all go back inside and celebrate reminisce reflect hightail it out of there pack up 

before heading home.

Until the next school year...

I'm Still Here

Just checking in so that you know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I did nothing but graduation party-plan, cook, and carry it out the last two days, and now I have to get through the last two days of school, so I leave you with this delightful video. I hope you had a beautiful Monday and that nobody let you down :)

Friday Fragments: Episode #251

I'm so pooped.
Good thing I won't have to carry these fragments into the weekend.
Thanks for joining us! Feel free to link up your own random bits and pieces.
[If this is your first time fragmenting, please click on the FF tab above.]

***I'm trying to complain about someone from work at work. It's hard, because it's so much more satisfying to complain about someone to someone who knows that person. What's stopping me is that if I have a problem with someone, I usually just tell them (in an assertive, hopefully non-confrontational way), and I would really, really appreciate someone doing that if they had a beef with me, so I know I should practice what I preach. In this case, though, I know it wouldn't be received well, so I have to just bite my tongue.

***Look who graduated on Wednesday! Love this pic of Mr.4444, Kyle, Kendall, Grandma 4444, and me.

In case you're wondering, yes; I cried, but it had nothing to do with Kendall, specifically. I cried when the teachers processed in after the graduates. They were formally dressed, an impressive group, there because they wanted to be, not because they had to be, and it moved me to think of their collective influence on so many kids, including my own. 

***It's going to be strange, having no kids in the school district in which I've taught for the past ten years. Can't wait to stop receiving too-frequent emails from the high school, though.haha

***I am loving having Kyle home; he's the only one who gives me regular shoulder rubs, and let me tell you--I am really in need of shoulder rubs lately, what with the last day of school being next week (1/2 day on Wednesday).  I also appreciate more and more every day that he's here how he has suddenly become not a "kid" but an admirable young man I am proud to know, not just claim as my own.

***Milo, too, loves having Kyle home.

***I really would like to give away all ten of the free IndieFlix subscriptions I've have to share in my giveaway. Entering is simple; just comment and/or Like their Facebook page (and let me know) and you're in! Giveaway ends on Saturday. If you're not interested in independent films, what's wrong with you  you can always give the code away to someone you know who'd appreciate it!

***I made an amazing salad last weekend, which I pinned here and put the directions for on my cooking blog here. For what it's worth, I think my directions are easier and more clear than the original recipe. I'm waiting to add pics some time after Sunday, when I make it again for Kendall's graduation party; can't wait to have it again!