Remember...

We Are Here (I Hope)

If you're reading this, then we are camping. (Yes, I'm taking the risk that you will not rob us blind, now that you know we're gone.)  If our karma is good, we will have found a campsite somewhere in the Nicolet National Forest, and I will be forcing the family to help me recreate this photo (Wish me luck!)

I leave you with a short bit that I found in my journal from 2003 (and the camping trip in which the above photo was taken). Kyle was 13 in this shot, Kendall ten.

A funny thing happened after Cooper went swimming. He came out of the water soaking wet, of course, and we all know what dogs do when they're drenched! Since I hate getting wet, Kyle enthusiastically says, "Cooper! Go by Mom!" As if the gods were watching, Kyle then slipped and landed flat on the ground (in front of Cooper) who promptly soaked him with a good shake!

Paybacks are a beotch, LOL!

Friday Fragments, Episode #96

 

Yea! It's Friday!! You know what that means...Time to purge our minds of the bits and fragments from the week that didn't make it into posts of their own but continue to clutter our brains. Friday Fragmenting is oh, so satisfying. Why not join in this week?  [For the skinny on Friday Fragments and how to play, click here.]

***There's still plenty of time to enter my Gratitude Giveaway, with more than five different prizes, including a personalized birthday song from my mom. It's simple to enter, and right now, your chances of winning are 1 in 11.  Go for it!

***My Favorite Friday Fragmenter this week was Shannon, at The Gypsy Life. The fragment that hooked me was this one--"The talk" with her son about his changing pubescent body.  In this part, her husband (M) is doing the explaining to their son (C):

M: ...One change you will experience is getting hair all over your body.

C: Hair?

M: Yep, all over your body, in places that you don't have hair on even.

C: Will I get hair like you?

M: Yes, just like me.

C: Does that mean I will grow hair up my nose too? Just like you? Because I really don't want hair up my nose!

Priceless.
Shannon, the award is yours this week.

(And let that be a lesson to you, everybody--Do NOT be that guy/girl who has hair growing out of his/her nose. Buy a trimmer before you think you need one! haha)

***Mr.4444 grilled 600 hamburgers and 400 hotdogs on Tuesday at the "Senior Cookout" in Tinytown. It was 88 degrees at the park, with ultra-high humidity. He said that the kids were very appreciative.

***My mom loves the Karen Neuburger socks that I gave her as a gift years ago. That's why I'd love to win another pair to give her for her birthday in June. Not that you'd want to enter The Mom Jen's giveaway of Karen Neuburger socks (and decrease my odds of winning), but if you did, you'd go here.

***Did you know that three newly-hatched hummingbirds weigh about as much as an American dime?  I learned this while Googling Mr.4444's question, "I wonder how big hummingbird eggs are?" and finding How to Enjoy Hummingbirds.

***I found this entry in our local police records amusing (sorry, Mighty Mom):

05/05/2010 12:23 am - Assist EMS - S. August Street Severe Cut to finger while quilting. Transported by EMS to Bellin Hospital. Husband notified.

Who (other than MM, maybe) knew quilting was so dangerous?! 

***Okay, I can tolerate the single ad in between posts, but more than one? Yuck!! Don't expect me to return, sorry. I just don't like ads cluttering up a blog.

***I read this note in our Boy Scout Troop newsletter:

We need ice cream pails with lids for booyah sales. Each scout must eat four pails of ice cream by Sept. 30th.

Because I'm just that supportive a parent, I'm going to do my best to help with this.

***Anything fun planned this weekend? We're thinking of going camping! Wish us luck on getting a site this late in the game.

Okay, now it's your turn. Link up your FRIDAY FRAGMENTS post here.  Sorry. Non-FF posts will be deleted (and the offenders will be lashed.)

Now Where is That Y Membership Again?

If you get too close to sweet, little 6th grader, Jenny (who is on the autism spectrum), you will likely find your personal space invaded, as she eagerly seeks out sensory stimulation and will take it any way she can get it. My co-worker, Mrs. K, in fact, once found her breasts caressed (only once, mind you), because Jenny wanted to touch the front of her fuzzy sweater.  This morning, I had to laugh when I saw Mrs. K forced to give up most of her computer chair, as Jenny nudged her over, snuggling up and resting her head on her shoulder as she helped with a computer issue.

This afternoon, it was apparently my turn.  As I leaned over to guide Jenny in a writing assignment, she reached over, with both of her hands, to gently knead my bare, upper arm.

"Jenny," I admonished. "That is my arm, not yours."

"But it's sooooo juuuiicy!" she protested. "Like a nice big steak!"


5.5 school days left of having no excuse for not working out....

Our Bird's Ready to Fly

Tonight, Kyle graduates from high school. For his party last Saturday, I made a slideshow of photos from middle school and beyond, and I've narrowed my favorites down to a handful that tell you just what this kid young man is all about:

Having fun... 

Loving his sister...

Making little kids giggle til their smiles hurt...

Being confident...

And, of course, being popular with the ladies...

Here's to another 18 years of smiles this big.

Looks Like We've Left One Behind...

For at least three weeks, we've been studying Ancient Roman civilization. for two days, we've prepared for the big test via a study guide.  Today, we had the end-of-unit test. One of my "star" students was struggling with one of the essay questions. I prompted her,

"Come on. You can get this. What was one big thing that the Romans had to trade that everyone else needed?"

"Shoes?"

Um...no.  (I was going for "salt.")

I pressed. "Nope.  Think really hard. What natural resource did they have a lot of that was very important and they could trade?"

"Their lives?"


8.5 more school days...

Update: Mimbles sent the perfect video to accompany this post.  I give you....What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?! (from Monty Python) Thanks, Mimbles!!

A Heartfelt Thank You

In September of 1999, our Kyle was a gap-toothed, bright-eyed second grader. At the same time, a beautiful young woman was entering her second year of college at U.W.G.B.   She had recently shared her plan to declare a major in the humanities field. She thought this path would meld nicely with her plan to join Americorps (the national volunteer program.)

This came as no surprise to her friends and family; they knew Kathy Majewski as a very caring, involved person. She enjoyed life to the fullest; involving herself fully in every opportunity, be it school, clubs, community service events, or many part-time jobs she'd held over the years. A graduate of Tinytown High School, Kathy had run cross country and track, played piano, and worked on the school newspaper. She also wrote poetry and was a talented pianist. She was a real go-getter, and her community was a brighter place because she was in it.

Kathy's dad, Jim, warmly told me about the time she (the youngest of three) was in 8th grade and he asked her, "Do you want to do the dishes, or come outside and rebuild an engine with me?"  She chose the latter, which tells you a lot about her; doesn't it?  Kathy was a young woman who loved life, her family, and her community and was poised to make her mark in this world.

Sadly, she never got the chance to realize her dreams; Kathy's life was taken from her, leaving her family and friends heartbroken and a community in mourning.

Jim and Mary Lou, Wade, and Wendy, you have chosen to make a difference in this world, in Kathy's memory.  I want you to know that the scholarship gift you've awarded our son will be used wisely; you have given it to a hard-working, caring, independent young man who, too, is a light in his community and lives life to the fullest.

Thank you.

Sundays in My City: Celebration Food Edition

Sundays in My City is a little photo slice of Americana, yes, 

but also some delicious slices from all over the world. 

It's hosted by Unknown Mami.

This week has been crazy-busy for me. It started with this...

And ended with this (graduation party:

Now, here's something you don't see every day...

Are you thinking what I was thinking?  

Did the bakery make a mistake? 

Was someone trying to make a sick joke?

Whew!

And finally, because food is good, but without friends, 

we would also go hungry...

(And if you think that's a big grin, you should have seen him

open his graduation cards!)

Busy, Busy!

Tonight, I'm sick, but there is no time for laying around--Kyle's graduation party is tomorrow!  While he and Kendall attended the Choir/Band Awards night, I grocery shopped and cooked with Mr.4444.  Here's part of the menu for tomorrow:

taco dip (a no-brainer, right?)
guacamole (Lawrey's--I'm too lazy to come up with my own seasoning mix!)
cupcakes (Note to self:  Don't forget to pick these up tomorrow!)
barbecued beef
pasta salad
Theresa's beans (Thanks for making this, Mary!)
chocolate eclairs (Sam's Club)
rootbeer floats
s'mores

I'll add more photos of the finished products later (you know--in my spare time), but you can find the recipe posts at Mrs.4444 Cooks now.)  I'm very grateful that Mr.4444 is handy in the kitchen; I couldn't have done it without him!

The Choir/Band awards was the first-ever event of my kids that I missed (they both understood, given the fact that they know I'm dragging here and have so much to do for tomorrow.)  Still, I'm bummed that I missed it, because Kendall was awarded the Outstanding Freshman award for Choir!!  Had I known that, I would have cloned myself or just told everyone to bring their own food tomorrow!  (Okay, not really, but how cool is that?!)

Have a great weekend!

Friday Fragments: Episode #95

Seeds are to spring like fragments are to the gifted writer; given a little light and nurturing, they hold beautiful promises. Or if you're like me (who probably won't get around to putting a garden in this year), you just throw the seeds out there and hope the birds enjoy them. Here's hoping my fragments this week feed you (at least a little bit.) [For more about Friday Fragments, click here.]

***Can anyone tell me why I can no longer link photos in my posts? Hard as I try, it just puts the link next to the photo.

***I finally found a hanging basket that only cost an arm (and no leg!)  (This one was $30.)  Mr.4444 thinks that's a lot, but we saw some just like it last weekend for $60, so I'm happy.

My plan is that it will help distract graduation party guests from this...

***If you haven't already entered my Gratitude Giveaway, I hope you will. It's very easy to enter, and the prizes are awesome. There's a button in my sidebar that will lead you to the post (or you can find it here.)

***I love, love, love the PeaceLoveMom shirt that I won in Unknown Mami's giveaway. Unfortunately, the shirt is a little too tight. Can't decide if I should add it to my giveaway prizes or lose weight. (Never mind--it's too cute to give away. I'll try to cut back on the Snickers bars.)

***As I type this, Mr.4444 is preparing barbecued ribs for dinner, which should be ready in about an hour. The heavenly smell is pure torture. (Of course, I'm willing to suffer.)

***Honestly, I laughed all the way through Nancy's fragments inspired by her Colorado visit to her parents. Here's a taste:

I really feel like I could live in Colorado, because I've always been a fan of dressing like I'm hiking all the time. In the airport alone I saw hiking boots, several ponchos, and enough hemp necklaces to dock a large sailboat.

You made me laugh a bunch, Nancy (Away We Go), so the award this week goes to you :)

***BTW, in case you're wondering, I'm not crabby anymore. (Got a belly full of barbecued ribs!)

As anyone who has actually read a Friday Fragments post will tell you, now is the time to link up your FRIDAY FRAGMENTS post. (Please be polite and follow FF rules before linking up. Thanks.

Thousand Words Thursday: "Broken Heart" Edition

Language Arts class was interrupted by three boys from our house, saying they needed to talk to me.  I stepped into the hallway. In a roundabout way, they explained that they had been "practicing a skit" in my room (alone) when they "accidentally bumped into" the wall, where I had a ceramic plaque hanging. They were very apologetic and sincere. I wasn't sure how to respond at first, because in my line of work (my usual line, with juvenile delinquents) I am so unfamiliar with students taking responsibility for their actions that I was at first taken aback!

We walked down to my room, where I found the broken plaque and a stack of apology notes. (So cute.) (Not sure why Mikey thought it was heart-shaped, but oh well.)  Then, I watched as four 12-year-old boys set about gluing (even mixing paint to match the color) the piece of artwork to make amends.

Kendall lovingly made the plaque for me a few years ago.  It doesn't look perfect anymore, but really, it is.

For the record, I removed my name from the plaque for this post (it's still on the actual plaque and looks fine :)

Thousand Words Thursday is a photo meme hosted by Jen, at Cheaper Than Therapy.

Rants and Raves Wednesday

Rant and Rave Wednesday is the brainchild of Little Ms. Blogger (who is currently on a blogging hiatus.) This is the place to...well...Do I really have to explain? Here are my rants and raves this week:

***Our friend Mike (the CHIROPRACTOR) came over tonight. He was so impressed by my stress level that he made me sit right down and let him crack my neck (a BUNCH). Thank you, Mike. I love you.

***Attended a meeting tonight and learned that one of my students next year is a fan of dropping F-bombs, a lot, and saying, "F-you!"  I can only laugh manically at this, because I have already lost what sanity I had rationed for this school year. (Not sure if this is a rant or a rave!)

***Once again, I must rant about poor diction.  It's "Election," not "Ullection" and "Electricity," not "ulectricity," unless you live in the south (right, Amy?! :)

***Hurray to Brad, at the service station in Tiny Town! What a sweetheart--Brad replaced my brake pads today for less than $100!  He is the nicest guy ever and runs a very clean, organized shop. 

***Hello, morning DJ people. PLEASE STOP SINGING ALONG TO THE MUSIC!!! It's ticking me off, because every time I hear Katie's voice ruining a song, I have to turn the radio off immediately.  I don't care if it is a short clip to go along with the daily birthdays. I know you think you're charming (singing off key and all), but I do not find it entertaining, and because you know people hate it and do it anyway makes me want to choke you.

[What?! I told you yesterday I was crabby. It's that time of year, I guess.]

***The Scholarship Assembly is this morning at Tinytown High School, and I get to be there to watch my son receive three of them.  That really puts a dent in my crabby attitude, I tell you :)

***Mosquitoes. Really? Already? You couldn't wait til after the graduation party on Saturday?!

***Netipots. Nuff said.

Technology Tuesday

So crabby...
So hungry...
So stressed....
So angry about this stupid Enter key that no longer works! GRRRR
So freaked out about the number of end-of-the-school-year assemblies/receptions for my kids this week, when I have a graduation party to plan for Saturday.

Okay, that was random. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!

The school district I teach in is considered one of the most technogically advanced in our area. (Evidence of this is the fact that today, a HUGE group of teachers/administrators from schools all over the state came to our middle school today to see what we're up to.)  We're no High Tech High, but we can dream.  We have four computer labs, lots of SMART boards, many digital projectors, and a pilot program that uses iPod Touches in a math class. Tax payers have paid for only a small portion of the technology in our middle school, because we have raised the money ourselves through grants, government stimulus money, and donations from school clubs.  For example, Student Council donated $1000 to our building technology fund this year, and we were only one of many clubs chipping in to help move our students into the 21st century.

Recently, our spec ed teachers were given iPod Touches to use with students. Those of you who think of me as a computer geek may be amused to learn that this is my first iPod Touch--I am a newbie but am doing what I can to learn.  I've so far downloaded apps to help kids stay organized, plan with visual schedules, and practice vocabulary with digital flashcards. The possibilities are endless!  When I came across this article, I thought it was so useful that I should pass it on. So here you go: Why an iPod Touch in Education? The article (scroll down) offers tons of resources that both teachers and students can use.

If you are lucky enough to have an iPod Touch/Phone/Pad, I would love to hear some of your favorite apps. If you are not lucky enough, tell me what you would love one for. You could also tell me why you'd never want one, if that's the case, but I'll warn you....you may not want to ride on the information highway (beyond blogging, of course), but if you don't find a vehicle soon, you might find yourself run over!haha

Happy Tuesday!

How to Make a "Grab My Button Thingy for Your Blog

I was working on a post to tell you how to make a blog button when I remembered that Lena does a great job with tutorials. So...without further ado, I give you....Lena, at Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates.  (From her page, you can click on a link for making a "grab my button" thingy, too.) 

And remember, if I don't have your button, let me know, and I'll add it to my giveaway post and to my "Button Quilt."

Gratitude Giveaway!

The next few weeks for me are going to be insane.  School ends on June 4th, and as the year wraps up, I'll probably get even worse at keeping up with blogs. Because I appreciate all of you so much, I've decided to have a giveaway to say thanks for stopping by! I'm grateful for your friendship and for the fact that you are still my friend even when I don't visit as often as we'd both like. This giveaway will end on my last day of school, June 4th, and I'll announce the winners shortly after that (via email, so I don't have yours already, chop!chop!)

Here's how it's going to work:  At the bottom of my page, I always have a beautiful "quilt" made from buttons I've been collecting. (If you don't see yours, please let me know, and I will add it.)  I invite you to click on one of these buttons and meet someone new! (That's someone whose blog you haven't been to before.) Leave a comment on the person's blog, telling them who sent you, let me know who you met, and I'll enter you win something.  (No blog needed to win; just leave a comment saying who you met.)

Prize? How about PrizES?  So far, I have...
*One brand-new Go-Girl (never been used, haha) If you don't know what a Go-Girl is, you MUST watch my demonstration video!!
*I have a bunch of new (within the last year or so) fiction hardcovers that have never been cracked open. I'll probably give away a couple at a time.
*I also have ONE Draeger Descendants Cookbook left. (This is a treasure, People, seriously.)
*A free photography print from Kristin, from either one of these links:
http://ttelroc.blogspot.com/search/label/POTD or http://www.etsy.com/shop/kirby3131 (THANKS, Kristin!)
*A personalized birthday song from my mom to you!
*I'm sure I'll think of something else. I'll add more prizes if anyone wants to offer one up. (Plus, when I don't have a head full of snot, I'll be able to think straight and remember what else I have around here.)

(If you have a prize preference, you'll need to let me know that.) 

That's it; make a new friend, tell them I sent you, let me know who you met, and you're in. Don't see anyone here you don't know already? Find someone new to send over here, then, but I'm pretty confident you'll find a potential friend here (I have a LOT of buttons!)


Okay, and if you're dying for extra entries, promote this giveaway in whatever ways you see fit (I trust you) for other entries (and leave each as a separate comment, too.) I'll be using the Random Generator thingy, so be sure to put a separate comment for each entry.  

This giveaway will end at midnight on Friday, June 4th, and I'll announce the winners shortly after that.

Just for fun, I've included the buttons in this post, too. I'll be shifting them around regularly so that different ones are at the top. That said, do be a dear and take a gander at ones near the bottom, too, will you, please? Thanks. Have fun, and Good Luck!

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