Back to School

My teacher-friend, Sarah, shared this on Facebook (Thanks, Sarah!).  Tomorrow being the first day of school, it makes for a perfect post. It was written by Krista Ramsey, a columnist for Cincinnati.com.


Dear Teachers: Thanks for Loving Our Kids


This is the first of much correspondence you'll receive from us this year.


We'll write to beg for an extension on our children's math assignment.


"Soccer practice went late last night and there was no time for homework and we're sure you'll understand because it's Jake's first year in select and it really matters."


We'll scribble a note to ask that you move our sensitive Lucy away from domineering Evelyn - but not near chatty Suzy and as far away as possible from mean Renee.


We will write to remind you of our children's orthodontist appointments, allergy shots, physical therapy sessions for the torn ACL, early dismissals every Thursday so we can get them to ballet classes on the other side of town.


And please note that Aaron will be gone the entire week after Thanksgiving since we couldn't schedule our winter vacation any other time.


We'll email a request for extra science homework for our Anthony, who you'll recall is gifted. But could you lighten up on that weekly vocabulary list? Asking fifth-graders to remember eight definitions every week is just too stressful.


And could you stop requiring outside reading on weekends? And we don't think it's fair you took Jenna's cell phone away since she was just talking to her mom. And please make sure Darren brushes his teeth after lunch. And Michael says he's never called on. And don't forget to remind Andi that she takes Bus 12 to her grandma's on Wednesdays.


And what's up with the A- in social studies? As you'll recall, Anthony is gifted.


These are the messages you'll get from us.


Then there's that one we'll keep forgetting to send.


Thank you for letting Ellen sit outside the circle. She's been really quiet since our puppy died.


Thanks for nominating Troy for the choral award. He's never been nominated for anything before.


We appreciate your staying after school to go over law of cosine with David - for the seventh time.


How kind of you to stop by the hospital to see Leah. It took her mind off of her treatment.


Thanks for knowing Micah didn't want you to mention his perfect score in front of everyone else.


Thanks for your last class newsletter, reminding parents it's no fun to be the only one not invited to a birthday party.


Carlos said you think he should step up to accelerated language arts next year. We agree.


Thanks for inviting Nick to try ski club. Kids with hearing impairments often get left out.


Trey's in at Vanderbilt! Thanks for writing the recommendation letter.


These are the letters we will mean to send. But somehow we won't find the time.


To be honest, sometimes we just don't have the right words, or maybe the emotional composure, to say thanks for loving our kids.


For seeing through their bad behavior to their good hearts.


For pulling the one thing they're fantastic at out of all the things they stink at.


For protecting the tender little kid who's hiding inside the sulky adolescent.


For hacking through their failures to make a path for their successes.


For knowing what they love before they do.


As you start the school year, know this: You will change someone's life this year.


You will say a kind word to a child that you'll forget the next day, and the child will remember for the rest of his life.


You'll be the safe place for the child beaten down by bullies, the stable place for the one losing his home, the hopeful place for the kid who sweats out every assignment.


So thanks for touching their lives this year, along with our hearts. You really do hold the future in your hands.


Krista Ramsey's column appears Friday and Sunday. Email her at kramsey@enquirer.com.

A New Little Someone to Love

Dear *Little One,

Welcome to the World!

How blessed you are to be born to parents who so carefully and intentionally chose your unique name...

Cypher: n. (si-fer): A creative, collaborative, collective energy.  Origin: Hip Hop cultural terminology circa 1978.

Cypher, but I have no doubt that you are going to be one of the coolest kids on the planet.  No pressure, but with parents like yours, you are destined to change the world in some way, or at the very least be someone very special.

You have no idea how lucky you are to be born into your family. Your mom? She's amazing-- Smart, beautiful, strong, healthy, creative, loving, wise. Seriously--You are going to absolutely love her.

And your dad? You hit the jackpot there, Kid; he's brilliant, creative, generous, nurturing. This man is every kids' wish for a father, and you will admire him and love him greatly.

And the two of them together? Wow--They are a powerhouse of love, brains, and fun.

Your life? It's going to be truly rich. I can pretty much guarantee that you will have more love than you know what to do with, but that will be balanced with lessons on healthy boundaries and respect for yourself and others.

You will also be raised with respect for this planet. You will be kept safe, but you will also be encouraged to stretch your wings, discover your talents, and share them with the world. You will be surrounded by some very inspiring people; artists, writers, musicians, many free spirits, as well as nurturers.  You are going to love your life.  Just look at you--less than a week old and already blissfully happy....

While your extended family (this branch, anyway) is not nearly as hip as your parents, you can be assured that we will help round out your character with Wisconsin influence. I have yet to find a miniature cheese hat, but you do already have your first bit of Packers fan gear, so you're on the right track.

We can't wait to meet you...






*Cypher is the son of my dear niece and her husband (whom Kyle and I visited in San Francisco this summer).

Funny Monday: Confetti Cannon Gone Wrong

We have a wedding to go to soon. I wonder if I should bring a "confetti cannon"?

Have a Happy Monday!

Sundays in My City: Prayer Request

With the first day of school just around the corner, another tragic event has befallen one of my students.  This Sunday in my city, there are a couple of families who need your prayers.

A few days ago, 11-year-old G touched a power line with a metal pole.  He was flown to Milwaukee Children's Hospital and is in good hands, but he is facing an extremely painful, long recovery, due to significant burns across his entire body, but especially his chest. G's sister tried to pull her brother to safety and was also hurt. She, too, is in the burn unit, being treated for numerous exit burns to her extremities, and is expected to be released in a couple of weeks.

My student, Brennan, who was hit by a car while riding his bike on a country road July 29th has miraculously fought back from near-certain death but still has a long, long road to go.

I am also very worried about the cousin (and next-door neighbor) of J and his sister, who also happens to be Brennan's best friend. JW has had a horrific August, to say the least. He, too, is suffering and will need a great deal of support this school year.

These kids and their families are going to need an incredible amount of support and prayers. Thanks for all of your care and prayers so far. Please keep 'em coming...

PLEASE--Wear a bike helmet, and make sure your child does, too.  I have lately been stopping my car to talk to kids wearing helmets while bike riding (and those who are not).  I'm going to get a reputation for being "That crazy lady who obsesses about bike helmets," and I'm okay with that.

Teach your child about the dangers of power lines, too, especially if you do not have any near your home (because you never know when they will come upon one, at a friend's house or elsewhere).  A single conversation could save your child's life one day.

Saturday Sampling, August 27th, 2011

Have you brought your dish to pass? Thanks! Now, grab a plate and step up to the buffet!

[Wondering what the heck I'm talking about? Click the Saturday Sampling tab above for more info.]

Friday Fragments, Episode #160

There are many, many fragments I could write this week (My head is full of them!), but I'll spare you the largest majority (which relate to going back to school--students start on Tuesday) and stick with the stress-free ones. You're welcome, and thanks for being her :)

***This is kind of fun:

***Lots of socializing on the docket this weekend; I'm looking forward to it.

***The Creative Crumb is having a cake-pop giveaway! The reply with the most "likes" wins. (Of course, I'm partial to Kathy Tennant's post--Us teachers deserve cake pops, right?) Please vote (or enter)!

***So happy to read that NieNie is pregnant! She also continues to share some of the best photos on the internet, but it doesn't hurt that her kids are incredibly adorable...

I don't check in with the NieNie Dialogues very often, because it's easy to get sucked into her incredible story, but it's very inspiring.

Speaking of inspiration, my sister Geri is a Christian who does not consider herself a "writer," but I begged to differ after reading a powerful poem that she was recently moved to write. No, she does not write often. She had been admiring the music of Bryson Andres, a little-known violinist who lives and performs in Anchorage, Alaska. Geri bought one of his CD's (self-produced, I think) after hearing him perform at a free, outdoor performance and was so moved by his music that she felt a divine inspiration to write House of Bread.  The link is to a public Google Doc (anyone can read it and leave a comment).

What kind of fragments do you have this week? I'll enjoy "inspiring," but I also appreciate "humorous," "entertaining," "newsy," "heartwarming," "odd," and....heck, I like 'em all. No pressure...Link away!

Just Checking In...

Saw the above cartoon on Google+ and don't think the person who shared it created it, but when I find the source, I will share it. I thought of you knitters out there and knew you'd appreciate it.

Other random tidbits I want to share (and don't want to hold til Friday)...

***For some reason, I stopped receiving comment notifications via email last Friday or so. Consequently, it is much more difficult for me to reply to your comments, so while I try to figure out what's going on, I thought I would post a little catch-up stuff, some of which is in reply to your comments.

***For those wondering, pseudonyms are not (at this point) allowed on Google+. They want you to use "what people call you in real life." When I joined, I signed up as Mrs Fours (to sneak around the rule, which also does not allow numbers or symbols). They caught me and threatened expulsion (haha, not really, but I like that word) and gave me four days to change my name "or else," so I'm now Barbara Jean. What?! Some people do call me that IRL. I'm not going to give on this issue--I'm just waiting for them to change their policy.

***Other than that, I love Google+. It will not replace Facebook for anyone (at least not at this point), but if you are a lifelong learner who loves meeting new people, learning about stuff you are otherwise clueless about (culture, art, photography, politics), and/or enjoy networking on topics of importance to you (especially those about which your friends/family could care less), then you will love Google+.  It is NOT the type of place where you go hang up a profile and wait for stuff to happen, though; the only way to enjoy Google+ is to interact, engage with people you find inspiring, entertaining, etc.

***School officially starts for students on September 1st. I have been working for weeks (home visits, IEP stuff, planning).  My official start day is the 26th (I think.)

***I'm having my Difference Makers kids over tonight for a little "reunion." Since we're not going to meet until October (September's too busy for me.), I wanted to be able to catch up with them, see how their summers went, and do a little bit of planning for this year. I'm looking forward to it.

***Brennan (my student who was hit by a car) didn't so much as "snap out of it" as he did move into what I'm told is a "new phase" of coma--He is wide awake, looks around, moves a bit, but does not communicate.  I saw him yesterday, and he clearly did not recognize me but did look directly at me a couple of times in a mildly-curious manner.  It's kind of like the lights are on, and somebody's home, but he's sitting in the LazyBoy, watching TV and ignoring the doorbell. Still, this is a major improvement--waaay better than was predicted for him a week ago, so I'm impressed. Today he starts a six-week, intensive therapy program at the hospital. I know he's going to keep making progress. Keep those prayers coming, as they are working!

***In response to my share of Dear Photograph on Friday, Dave, of 42North, recommended How to Be a Retronaut. It's great!  I especially loved the Back-to-Their-Future shots, like this one:

***By the way, Kyle has received all of the textbooks he rented from Campus Book Rentals and is very happy with the speed with which they arrived, as well as the quality of the books--Some are brand new, and others look "just fine." Thought I'd mention that, in case you were wondering.

Okay, I'm happy now--Just had to check in. I hope this finds you all enjoying what's left of your summer. (If you're in the path of Hurricane Irene, I'm keeping you in my prayers.)

Have a Happy Tuesday :)

Funny Monday: Dog Eat Dog

I usually post something on Mondays to make you smile. I posted our camping photos late last night. In case those didn't cut it for you, I give you another funny prank from JustForLaughsTV.

Karen (biggest dog-lover ever), don't worry--No real dogs were harmed in this prank! :)

Hope you're having a happy Monday...

Sundays in My City: Franklin Lake 2011

Sundays in My City is a wonderful weekly photo meme hosted by the equally-wonderful Unknown Mami.

Our summer (which is almost over, obviously) would not be complete without a family camping trip to Franklin Lake, in the Nicolet National Forest. 

I'm putting a few of my favorite shots here, followed by a slideshow (for the curious in the bunch)

with those and the rest of my favorites.

This one is of Cooper, at the beach, where we may or may not have seen 

a sign that read "No Dogs on the Beach."

Hey, take it easy; there were only five other people on the beach at the time,

and we at least kept him out of the water,

which practically killed the poor thing.

Don't worry--he did have his own water fun, which you'll see in the slideshow.

By the way, we didn't shower for three days

(though four of us went swimming, once).

That's the explanation for the shot of Mr.4444's hairdo, 

which he cheerfully declared that he had "worked on all weekend."

"Picnik Show"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

So, we're all unpacked, the gear's still got to get stowed, and the laundry pile is

And, or course, there's that little matter of a shower!

Hope you had a great weekend, too! :)

Visit Unknown Mami for more summer scenes from around the globe!

Saturday Sampling, August 20th, 2011

Got a favorite post that hasn't quite had the play you feel it deserves?

Stumbled upon a post from a blogger who inspired, amused, or entertained you?

Saturday Sampling is a great place to share!

[First time here? Please click on the tab above to learn more.]

Friday Fragments, Episode #159

Did you know that too much brain clutter causes irritability and incontinence? LOL, not really on the incontinence thing, but that was fun to write.haha  Welcome to Friday Fragments! (Not sure what you're doing here? Click on the Friday Fragments tab above to learn more.)

***You may have noticed that I didn't post a lot this week. Don't read anything into that; I just didn't have much to say. (You're welcome.haha) I've also met 10 of the 11 students on my caseload for this year and started getting my classroom ready, so that has kept me busy!

***Kendall shared Dear Photograph with me this week. It's a website on which people share old snapshots combined with their current-day settings and a little quote to go with the photo. It's hard to explain, so here's an example.

Dear Photograph:  Did they lock us in, or did we just lock everybody out?

The site is really compelling.(Just a warning--Many people find it sad to stay a long time.)

***My sister Geri is 60-ish. Recently, her six-year-old granddaughter made this observation:

"Grandma, you don't look old at all. Well, you look a little old, but not very old".

Pretty cute.

***I have met so many inspiring, interesting people on Google+. It's really opened up my view of the world. Still almost no IRL friends or family over there, but it's a very rich environment for me, in terms of intellectual stuff (culture, art, photography, politics, education, tech). I think the comparison to Facebook, at this point, is akin to comparing apples and peanut butter; they're both delicious but really couldn't replace each other.

***If you're following the story of my former student who was hit by the car, you can see the very interesting (miraculous, depending on your faith), rollercoaster-like updates on his (public) CaringBridge site, here.

***The 4444 family is going tent camping, and I am excited. Mr.4444 said, "You know, I think it's remarkable that our kids have never once asked if they could bring friends camping with us." Come to think of it, I agree; that's pretty cool.

***I went to the pre-reunion party for my 30th (class reunion), last weekend. It was so great to see my friends, Dorothy and Ellen for the first time in that many years. (We had previously only visited via Facebook.) Other than that, I could really care less if I never went to another class reunion.  As I see it, if our relationships are worth keeping up, we won't wait five years to do it.  I hesitate to say that "out loud." I can't be the only person who feels this way, though.

That's it for me. How 'bout you? Friday Fragments link-ups welcome!

Funny Monday: Free Food Gone Wrong

Many, many years ago, my mom worked in the mall, for Wisconsin Research. That reminds me of a funny story she shared one night when she got home from work.--She said that while questioning a middle-aged man, she asked if he had a job. He replied in the affirmative, and Mom then asked,

"Is that pull-time, or fart-time?" LOL!!

Anyway, this video made me think of Mom's days at the mall...

Have a Happy Monday! :)

Sundays in My City: Mary's Blooming Beauties

In my city (or thereabouts) I have multi-talented sister, Mary, who has my mom's (and grandma's) green thumbs and an incredible flower garden to prove it. Having a gorgeous flower garden that blooms all summer is an impressive talent.  This year, Mary's photo show of her garden (a show our entire family looks forward to on Facebook) did not disappoint. This time, she focused on the flying creatures who visit her blooming beauties. I promise--You will be impressed. 

I'm so proud of my sister's talent, as well as her willingness to share its fruits. Thanks, Mary!

Visit Unknown Mami to see other amazing photos from around the globe!

Two Reasons to Smile

Thirty years ago, I wrote a check for around $495 for my first semester at U.W.G.B.

Can't we stop here for just a second. THIRTY years ago? WTH?! That's CRAZY!

And now, back to our regularly-scheduled post:

This week, Kyle paid about $7200 for his fall semester tuition at UWGB. So...when I was contacted by Campus Book Rentals and asked to check out their site, I was very interested, of course! I actually had Kyle check out the site, and he was very happy to see that he could rent his books ($250 through the UWGB bookstore), instead of buying them, for just $108 from Campus Book Rentals*.

I could tell you all about the great services Campus Book Rentals (CBR) offers, but you can find those on their website. One of the things I liked a lot about CBR is the fact that they have teamed up with Operation Smile, an incredible organization that changes the lives of children with cleft palates and/or other facial deformities. They don't just change patients' lives, though; there are many powerful stories on their website from volunteers, like Jack Smith.

There are some seriously-heartbreaking, yet inspiring, stories on Operation Smile's video page. As a mom, I got choked up seeing each of those kids' mothers see them for the first times after their surgeries. Can you imagine if this were your sweet baby?

I'm not gonna lie--looking at some of the photos on the Operation Smile website was unsettling, but can you imagine being on the receiving-end of people's reactions to facial deformities?  In many, many cases, these poor kids live lives as social outcasts, living on the streets, when a simple surgery that could take less than an hour could correct their deformities. Operation Smile has provided 200,000 free surgeries to children and young adults around the globe. They have made an incredible difference in the lives of patients, as well as thousands of volunteers and medical professionals. You can't argue with the value of a program like that.

Campus Book Rentals is committed to donating enough profits to pay for 1,000 Operation Smile surgeries. If that's not a good enough reason to check them out, consider these additional reasons:

*You'll save a lot of money! (renting used books costs less than half the price of new)
*They pride themselves on their Customer Service.
*Their book selection is huge.
*You send your books back through a postage-paid envelope.
*If you change your mind, you can return the book within 30 days for a refund, without issue.

For more information, visit Campus Book Rentals and Operation Smile.



*In addition to the killer savings every student gets, we received a discount coupon in exchange for my helping get the word about Campus Book Rentals' work with Operation Smile.  The $108 does not include the additional coupon savings.

Saturday Sampling, August 12, 2011

Bummed that you just can't seem to keep up with your Reader?

Wondering what you've been missing?

Saturday Sampling is the place to catch up a little.

Link up a favorite post from your own blog.

Link up any number of posts from other bloggers who've inspired you.

[If it's your first time linking up, please read the Saturday Sampling tab above.]

Then, sit back and enjoy!

Thanks~

Friday Fragments, Episode #158

Welcome to Friday Fragments, where we unload the mental miscellany from our minds to relax for the weekend.  First time here? You're more than welcome to link up your own fragments! (FF specifics can be found by clicking the tab above.)

*I am so, so sorry for the mess-ups with the linky last night and with the funky order of posting. I was very distracted by some terrible news about my student (who got hit by a car on the 29th and is now not expected to recover), as well as by a couple of other things, and I goofed it up). Thanks for understanding.

*If you're wondering where I've been lately, I've been getting ready for school. As I type this, I reek of kittens, puppies, cigarettes, and filth. Can you guess why?

*I received an email this week from a young, teacher-guy who is trying to get a game off the ground and looking for exposure. I watched Joe's promotional video out of curiosity and agree to help him get the word out, because it looks like fun to me. I also read his bio, and it turns out he is not just some clown (no offense, Lisleman) who sits around playing games (or giving the Jersey shore a bad name)--He is a teacher with an award-winning, educational game called The Merbs, which helps kids get motivated about school work. Please consider supporting Joe's project, either PR-wise or financially.

*Brainella introduced me to the music of 2Cellos last week. They are two hot, young men (What?! They are!) who play rock music on their cellos, and they are phenomenal at it. Wow! Since she shared Welcome to the Jungle, I will share Smooth Criminal:

*A home visit--That's why I reek of poverty right now. The sad part is that it was all at one house (four hours ago), and I never even went inside.

*This photographic essay, Where Children Sleep, by James Mollison came to me by way of Jene's Google+ post. The photographer took snaps of children and their bedrooms, all over the world.  It's very powerful and well-done. (Thanks, Jene.)

*I read an article this week about how flashmobs are evolving (in some cities) away from just-for-fun entertainment to "Let's-cause-some-trouble" (as in the riots in Tottingham, England). At the end of the article, a police chief suggested that instead of for trouble, kids might organize to do a flashmob of something positive, such as cleaning up a park. Isn't that a great idea?! I can also see a flashmob at a nursing home or something like that; where a mass of kids come and sing some old-time melody that fills the old folks's heart up with love and nostalgia. I would love to be a part of something like that.

*If you haven't been here lately (I understand). Here's what you missed this week and might want to check out:  Videos of Kendall's "special" trick or Cooper, in What Dogs Do When They Retire. I also posted a cute story about my mom, so if you haven't had your Elsie-fix in a while, you can check out Elsie Mae, the ARP?!

*I met Kris Schirmer this week, when he shared my Colorful Massage audio post on Google+. (How nice was that?!) I haven't listened to it in about two years, so I tuned in again and LMAO. The story was written by my sister, Michelle (when she had a blog), and she graciously allowed me to record it. If you've never heard the story, I highly recommend listening, or heck--downloading it to your mp3 player! Be careful, though, you might fall off your bike/elliptical machine. [Write/reader not responsible for accidents that may occur.]

*I just received a message from a co-worker about our student who was hit by a car on July 29th. The news is not good. Only a miracle will help now. If you're the praying type, please pray for Brennan's family.

Link your FF post below. (Sorry--this linky is only for FF posts. All others will be deleted)...

What Dogs Do When They Retire

Some say dogs live pretty boring lives.

They spend a lot of time sitting around, waiting for something interesting to happen,

and our Cooper is no exception.

Of course, there is the occasional playful squirrel...always too high to reach

(even out of camera reach in this case)...

But if you think Cooper has nothing on his mind in this photo,

you are quite mistaken.

He sits like this every day, and no, he's not waiting for the mailman, the paper boy, or the FedEx guy.

Aw, heck--I'll show you...

I know, right?! 

This dog waits every day for the neighborhood kids whose mom takes them for rides through the neighborhood to cool off.

If he's not outside when they go past,

the kids sometimes stop by and ask,

"Can Cooper come and play?"

At the vet this week, I learned that Cooper is 66 in "human years."

When I texted that info to Mr.4444, he replied, "That explains the golf cart!"

[Note: Kyle is driving the golf cart in the video (which I shot on two different days, due to the humidity doing funky things to my camera and such), because the mom who usually drives would only consent to photos without her. (Hey, cut her some slack!--Would you like to see yourself on the internet, having spent all day with these kids?!lol  Just kidding--Only two are hers.)]


For another funny Cooper video, see Best Lei'd Plans.

Wanna See Something Sick?!

Now, don't say I didn't warn you.

It's not Rated R or anything like that,

but it is disturbing.

The star of this little video is my 16-year-old daughter, Kendall, 

so how bad can it be, right?

[shudders]

Elsie Mae, the ARP?

It's kind of a movie time-of-year, isn't it? (So hot, you can only go to the movies to stay cool!) I recently came upon this cute post about my mom from 2008, and I thought you'd appreciate it.


I love my mom. How can you not love a lady whose name is Elsie Mae and who says things like, "Oh My Stars and Garters!?" She has a childlike enthusiasm for everything life has to offer. However, I'm afraid my mom is a movie ARP! [my own term, short for Annoying, Rude Person]

I took Mom to see Atonement last week. It always happens this way; I ask her to the movies, and only on the way there do I remember how potentially uncomfortable it can be to be in a theater with Mom. As you can imagine (see sidebar), her sense of humor is sometimes a bit, well...different than some. At movies, she laughs out loud at the funny parts, but Mom also laughs out loud at parts that are only funny to her. She also has a habit of stating the obvious in a loud way. For example, in one of the beginning scenes of Atonement, you see two boys of the same age, with the same curly, red mops for hair, same outifts,etc. Mom announces (loud and clear) "They're twins!" [Thanks, Mom; I hadn't realized.]

Early in the movie, there is a very, very inappropriate word typed onto a typewriter. Let me just warn you; it rhymes with "punt," and it can be very alarming to see that right-off-the-bat with your 78-year-old mother sitting next to you. I threw my hand up over her eyes the second time I saw it coming, and she chuckled,"What kind of movie did you take your old mother to, Girl?!" (This lady is sweet, I tell you!)

When one of the characters later said a swear-word, Mom admonished out loud, "Watch your 'slanguage,' Young Man!" She is so funny, so cute, and so annoying all at the same time. Fortunately, we have never gotten any dirty looks (it may be too dark to see them?), and we've never been asked to leave, so maybe it's not as bad as I fear?

As annoying as these habits can be, though, I have to admit that hearing Mom belly-laugh and exclaim "Oh, my heavens!" every now and then is totally worth it. There will come a day when she won't be there to annoy me, and I'll wish she was there to remind me of what's funny, delightful, and charming about life.

So, if you are ever at the movies and you hear a lady talking out loud and laughing at odd times, imagine that she is Elsie Mae, and instead of being mad, smile.

This post is also linked up at Life, Music, Laughter: Tuesdays Gone Blog Hop!

Left-Over Laughs

Lisleman's Left-Over Laughs is a new venture that allows bloggers to link up humorous posts (new or old). Today, I'm joining in with a funny video from JustForLaughsTV.

Visit A Few Clowns Short to read more posts that will make you smile (and maybe even belly-laugh)!

Saturday Sampling, August 6, 2011

I'm posting early tonight because I don't think I'll be able to stay awake til 9pm, and I need to add my link. 

I look forward to catching up with your posts tomorrow. Thanks!

[New to SS? Please click on the tab above to get the skinny!]

Sorry about the technical difficulty yesterday. I guess Linky Tools was having a little issue.
Thanks for your patience.

Friday Fragments, Episode #157

I can't believe how much I have learned this week.

***I have learned how to hyperlink cells in Google Spreadsheets (an amazingly-cool trick!), which will allow me to go totally paperless when it comes to communicating with staff about my special needs students.  I also learned that I'll be able to use Google Docs to perform a normally-very-tedious task in less than half the time, and that makes me very happy, because that's one task I can't stand (It's a report I have to write a few times a year.)

***I learned to use Google Voice (which I hadn't even heard of until yesterday. It took a long time to set up but is a fantastic tool.  With Google Voice, I can now give parents a phone number that will ring on both my classroom phone, as well as my cellphone, without them knowing my cell number! This also means that I can make phone calls to parents from home or in my car on the way home from school without having to use a "Private Number" (which makes them not pick up). If enough of you are interested, I'll do a Tech Tuesday post on that.

***I learned that now, in a new version of Gmail, there are some amazing shortcuts. If you forget them, you just type "?" and the list pops up.

***I got connected with more than ten leaders in the field of education (on Google+) and therefore learned about the #140edu Conference, which I was able to watch via Ustream ALL DAY. Seriously--It was so inspiring that I couldn't tear myself away from it.  Except for the zits, bullies, and homework, I would SO love to be in about sixth grade right now--Kids are going to be doing such incredible things with technology and Problem-Based-Learning in schools in the next several years.

***I've learned that I have a new colleague (Mr.M), who I'll be working closely with at school (team-teaching three classes), and I'm excited to say he is young, full of enthusiasm, and loaded with potential. (He fits in nicely with our team!)

***I learned that I am going to have to work a lot of hours in the next few weeks if I want to hit the ground running (and not trip and fall on my face) when I go back to school in a few weeks.

***I learned that you can get a nice, digital camera for $20 on Craigslist. (Kendall broke hers.)

***I learned (purely through observation, mind you) that a lot of people can't stand gifs! Honestly, I rarely saw them until I joined Google+. Some people like to post them, and they don't bother me at all, but a lot of  people apparently abhor them. (If that includes you, close your eyes! Here comes a gif, just for fun!)

***I also learned the value of presentation. Weeks back, I shared that my sister Judy started a cake pop business (and asked you to please Like her Facebook page, hint hint. If you did, thanks!) Since then, she has been very busy creating beautiful cake pops for all kinds of events. Last weekend, she brought these to a Home & Garden show in Tulsa, and I just had to share them, because the presentation was wonderful and resulted in long lines of people at Judy's table.   [Okay, I confess. I didn't just learn this one. I just wanted to find a way to say NICE JOB, Judy!!! WooHoo!]

***Finally (and this is serious), I just learned a few minutes ago that one of my students from this year got hit by a car last week and is still in ICU, not doing well. Please pray for B and his mom, J. Gotta run.

Mi Casa Es Su Casa! Or Is It?

This post is going to see oddly out-of-place for my blog, maybe, but you'll have to trust me. I have a lot of training and experience teaching skills for communication.  I'm not saying I know everything there is to know about communication, (and my students clearly don't always embrace my wisdom), but do my best.

***

If you are ever a guest in our home, I think you will be very happy; Mr.4444 especially loves to entertain (cook!) for company, and he is often heard saying, "Here is your first drink--From here on out, you know where everything is--Get it yourself--Our house is your house."  We always enjoy company but have never had anyone stay here more than a few days.

A friend of mine has invited a family member to live with her and her family because she is going through a tough time financially. These days, parents often agree to have their adult children move back in with them, too. Whether such an arrangement is made between friends or family members, things can go very well or result in strained (or worse--the end of) relationships if not handled well.  One way to avoid this is to communicate. Here are my recommendations for setting up a successful longer-term house guest situation:

Communication--

If possible, sit down before the move-in to talk about the issues I've outlined below. If that's not possible, have the meeting as soon as possible. Also, (and this is important) at that meeting, choose a date a few weeks out from the move-in to sit down and talk about how things are going. Agree that that meeting will take place no matter how things are going. That way, it won't be awkward to have the meeting. 

First, hold a meeting to discuss the important topics below. If necessary, put things in writing and sign it to indicate clear understanding for both of you (athough, if this is necessary, you might want to rethink this arrangement.) At the very least, you need to have this list (edited for your own needs, of course).

Calendar--
What is the time frame for this stay? A few weeks? A month? Three months?  Are you comfortable leaving it open-ended? If you have one, what is your must-end-by date?

Chores--
*Who will set/clear the table for meals? (which meals?)
*Dishes-Must they be done immediately? Do you share philosophies on this subject?
*How will laundry be handled?
*Hair in the tub? Who gets to handle that?
*Snow removal/Lawn Care
*etc

Schedules--
*Are you morning/evening people? How are you going to work that out?
*What about TV/Movie watching?
*Do you expect to inform each other of your whereabouts if you won't be home at night? [Worry factor--not just being nosy]

Privacy--
*Does the house guest assume freedom as any other family member? Are any rooms off-limits?
*Do you and your spouse/family have any expectations about having parts of your house to yourself sometimes? (living room, swimming pool, etc.) How will you communicate that?
*Is your guest welcome to bring overnight guests into your home? If yes, under what circumstances?
* What expectations are there surrounding the guest being able to invite other guests over (to join in dinner, to entertain themselves, to enjoy the pool, etc.?  (Thanks, Nota, for this addition!)

Finances--
*Is the house guest going to be responsible for any bills/expenses related to the house? Cable? Water? etc.
*If the house guest is not responsible for financial support, will he/she be expected to do anything else in exchange? i.e. babysitting, lawn work, errands, etc.
*Bathroom Supplies--Will the guest be expected to provide their own shampoo/conditioner/soap?

Food--
*Will the house guest be welcome to share all meals with the family?
*Who will shop for groceries? Pay for groceries? How often?
*Will the house guest have a special cupboard for his/her own favorite snacks, or will everyone just share everything? [Some things matter!  For example, I have a House Rule: Whoever bakes the cookies always gets the last one.]
*Who will cook meals? Will you share responsibilities?

Pets--
*If you have pets, how does the house guest feel about them?
*Does the house guest have a pet of his/her own? What are the expectations for that pet?
*If you both have pets, who will pay for expenses related to the pet? i.e. pet food, damage, etc.

Vehicles--
*Will your house guest be welcome to use your vehicles? If so, which ones? Under what circumstances?
*If sharing your vehicle, do you have any expectations regarding paying for gas, oil, etc.

Children--
*What role, if any, will your house guest have in caring for your children. Discipline? Babysitting?

Miscellaneous--
*Telephone-If you have a land-line phone, do you have expectations about how that phone is answered? [I find it annoying when people just say, "Hello?" when they answer someone else's phone.]
*Are there any pet peeves that either of you feel strongly about?
are there any house etiquette rules? putting down toilet seats? observing recycling? that need to be observed. We usually give each other 20-30 minutes of "wind down" time upon coming home before we get into any heavy discussions or mention to-do lists. That kind of thing. (from Nota)
*Is your house guest to be considered a member of your family? If so, does that mean they'll be invited to join  you on family outings or vacation trips?
*Who controls the thermostat in your house? [Hey--Some people really care about that stuff!]

I'd be very interested in other suggestions you would add to this list.

Check-In Point--
After a few weeks, it's important that you sit down and talk about how things are going, even if you think they're going just fine.  Each of you should talk about what's going well and what might not be going as well or as expected; talk about how your expectations (both of yours) have fit or not fit with the reality. Refer back to your list for reference points. If it's going well, congratulate each other on how you've managed to make something potentially-icky go well. Then make a plan to meet again in a month or two (put it on the calendar!).

Good luck!

Tech Tuesday: Kerpoof, Storybird, and Google Labs

Don't worry--You haven't lost your mind--It's actually Wednesday. I had this post scheduled for yesterday, but I hadn't factored in that I'd lose my mind and accidentally post Forgotten on the wrong day. By the time I realized it, the post had comments I didn't want to lose, so please pretend it's Tuesday if you like. :)

Last week, I mentioned the very-giggly "Surfer Boy" in my fragmented vlog. The day I noticed how much he giggled was the day I showed the kids Kerpoof, so I thought I'd share it with you today. Kerpoof is a free site  at which kids can create all kinds of fun stuff like cartoony-type movies and pictures, but the page that had Surfer Boy giggling out of his chair was the Spell-a-Word page, for some reason. You start to spell a word, and pictures pop up of what you might be spelling (I guess). He and his buddy somehow came up with "ROOT," and when a carrot (and later, a radish) popped up, they thought that was hilarious--"Hahahaha! I typed 'root' and it made a CARROT! And a radish!! That's so funny!!!"  I'm certain they had no idea they were having so much fun and learning how to spell at the same time. I'm going to miss Surfer Boy.

***

Another really great site that my summer school students loved is one that I just found this recently. It's called Storybird and allows kids (and adults) to choose beautiful artwork to accompany stories they write. Visitors can also simply read books others have written. I highly recommend it.

***
Finally, I really love this hilarious feature offered in Google Labs ("Some Crazy, Experimental Stuff"), which include features you can enable for your email. I don't drink, but I know a few people who mind need this:

To enable this feature in your Gmail account, go to your gmail Settings, click on the Labs tab, and find Mail Googles (They're listed alphabetically.).

Sorry--I have no idea how to fix the fact that I suddenly have a margin in my post. I do like technology a lot, but I don't know it all. Feel free to figure it out for me and let me know how to fix it! :) [UPDATE: THANKS for helping me figure that out, MIMBLES! :)]

Have a great day!

Forgotten

If you've been here before, you might know that I am not really into poetry. I am happy for those of you who enjoy it as a vehicle for self expression, but I don't normally appreciate it, though I try to. Four years ago, though, when I first started blogging, this one just kind of flowed out of me, and I found it cathartic.  Given how hot it's been everywhere lately, I realize you'll have to use your imagination to remember what it's like to be cold, but hopefully, you'll appreciate it.

This poem is based on a real-life event.

Forgotten


I stand against the school's brick wall, 
waiting for my ride.
It's winter. Saturday afternoon.
I'm ten.

Others twirlers and tap-shoe wearers
rush out to their cars to head home.
The heavy metal door clicks shut behind me,
the school asleep until Monday.

"I don't need a ride, thanks! My dad is coming."
"Are you sure? It's so cold out here!"
"Yup. Thanks anyway! My dad's picking me up."

I wait.
Alone.
It's bitter cold.
Where is he?
He'll be here soon.

I sing,
practice standing on one foot, then the other,
do a few jumping jacks.
trace the grout of the brick with my mitten.

The moisture inside my nose becomes a frozen, needly web.
I chew on the inside of my cheek, suck my dry lips.
Where is he??

My eyes tear from the icy wind,
a frozen sheen covers my cheeks.
Fingers that an hour ago nimbly twirled a baton
are now clenched inside my mittens; crippled by the cold.
I shiver in my threadbare coat and hand-me-down boots,
afraid.

Where is he??
I stamp my feet
clap my hands
adjust my scarf
swallow tears.

Strangers in toasty cars pass by.
He'll be here soon.
I count the cars.
He'll be here after the third car that goes by.
After the next red car.
After the tenth red car.

Where is he??
Daddy, please come and get me...
I'm only ten.

Whenever the weather gets this cold (zero degrees, with below-zero wind-chill), I can't help but remember the time my dad sat, drunk in a bar, and forgot to pick me up from a baton-twirling class. I don't remember how I ever got home that day. I only remember the bitter cold and my desperate fear...and that I was only ten.