Thursday, October 4, 2012

Friday Fragments: Episode #217


Mommy's Idea

Welcome to Friday Fragments, where bits and pieces from our weeks come together to help us free our minds for the weekend. Thanks for joining in.
[First time fragmenting? Read more via the tab above.]

I have to be honest with you; when I drafted this post last night, I was empty--I had nothing to say.  I felt beat-up by my work week and didn't feel like I cared about a single thing. I'm not trying to be melodramatic; I'm just being real--I have some really challenging students on my caseload this year, and my days are filled with almost constant student contact and no breaks, including my lunches. Yesterday, I told Mr.4444 that I hate my job, and I meant it.  I've never said that before. I'm just so worn out, and it's only October. 

Today, though, my boss came over to the middle school just to see how I'm doing and what she could do to support me.  That meant a lot. My principal insisted on taking my lunch duty; that meant a lot, too, and my difficult students were a little less-difficult today.  After school, my Difference Makers met for the first time this year, and something really wonderful happened--I was reminded of how being with those kids brings me joy, makes me laugh, and fills me up; I love being around them.

I thank God for these blessings today, because I've been kind of hanging on by my fingernails, here.  Kyle's coming home this weekend; just Saturday, but I'll take it, and we get to meet his girlfriend!  Kendall and Maren will be going to Homecoming, so I'll be losing some sleep, but I otherwise have no plans, and for that, too, I'm grateful.

Not really fragments, but since I kinda know the boss around here, I think I'll get away with it this time :)  Have a great weekend....

34 comments:

  1. Hugs to you! I hope that your challenges become blessings soon... The linky isn't showing up for me so I'll just leave you my link and Wayne's here in the comments - poor guy has already gone to bed - he's been up since 2:30 this morning...

    mine: http://www.actingbalanced.com/2012/10/friday-fragments.html
    his:
    http://www.waynewsmith.com/2012/10/friday-fragments.html

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  2. Thanks for posting and hosting this even with your energy running low. Good to hear things turned around for you at least one day and there will be more good days to come. I certainly don't have the combination of compassion, motivation, energy, training, skill, peanut butter (I'm lost for words now) that you possess. Maybe you could use the energy peanut butter gives you. Be sure to take of yourself while you are caring for the world.

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    1. You're sweet. Thanks, Bill. I'll do my best :)

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  3. So sorry about your challenging students this year, but I'm glad you got some encouragement this week. May God continue to bless you in that way!

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  4. Sometimes you just need a break... I'm not linking up today either. I don't know about y'all but with the switch to new curriculum this year, we are all feeling spent.

    I threatened to quit this week too, which prompted an interesting text bewtween Lawn Boy and I were I quoted what I would have to tell people, "Family, friends, I'm going against every value I ever said I had and moving in with a man because I hate my job and he is okay with my quitting." AT least it made us laugh!

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    1. That is awesome. It truly helps to know that you know what I'm talking about--I had a meeting on Thursday that made me realize I'm not the only one. You're right about the curriculum kicking our butts. This year, fortunately, I've been given the blessing to back off from that and just worry about getting my three, particularly-difficult kids stabilized. Hopefully that will take place sooner than later.

      Quitting would be so tempting. I'm not stupid, though; as hard as it is, you can't beat the benefits.

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  5. I really like your aqua background color! I will pray that God will help you develop a good relationship with those challenging students and that you would get some support to help you out. I know it only takes one to wreck a class. Just know that you are doing a good job, probably better than most would do under your circumstances. Have you prayed for those challenging kids yet? Sounds like you could use some supernatural power in this situation.

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    1. Thanks, Karen. no, I haven't prayed for them, though I have prayed for guidance with them; they are definitely not cookie-cutter types, which is what makes them so challenging. I was told last week that I can get a sub just to have some time to problem-solve. Keeping fingers crossed that I'll figure it out sooner than later.

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  6. Thank goodness for the "difference makers" then....when you day seems less stressful and you're made happy...this counts a whole lot!!

    Love the change in your background color. Really makes the white blog itself stand out and looks professional.

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  7. Glad your week improved ... praying that things will continue to improve for you. {{hug}}

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    1. Not sure if linky is working properly ... I linked up, but it's not showing up with the others. :-(

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    2. Never mind ... just took a lot longer to show up. Can you tell that I didn't even get 4 hours of sleep last night? Ha!

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    3. No worries...Thanks for the prayers :) I hope you had a restful weekend.

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  8. Wow, what a week! You have a great boss, both at school and here! :)

    Here's to a better week next time!

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    1. Thanks, Nancy. I hope all is well with you :)

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  9. What a wonderful boss you have! Glad you got a bit of a break! It always helps me "deal" with the unpleasant stuff when I can get out of myself and concentrate on others. I'm so glad you have your Difference Makers group! What a blessing, as well as, a great service example for the kids!

    Wishing you a great week coming up!

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  10. I too was on empty last night. I was amazing I even got a post up.

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    1. It helps a little to know I'm not alone. Here's to a better week for both of us! :)

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  11. I'm glad you got support when you needed it. Hope your weekend is restful.

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  12. 'Dang if we all haven't had THOSE years before and here I popped in to wish you a very happy World Teacher Day!!!

    Now it that doesn't float your boat it's also National Do Somethin' Nice Day so you can have those 'stinker' students do somethin' nice for you!

    God bless and enjoy your weekend sweetie!!! :o)

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    1. haha Be glad you got out when you did, my friend; the new Common Core standards are kicking everyones' butts. Add inclusion to that, and you have the perfect storm!

      My weekend was great, so thanks for the prayers :)

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  13. It's so nice when you get those blessings when they are needed the most. I'm glad they came for you! Enjoy your weekend!

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  14. Hugs my friend! You give a lot and that can be draining. I'm glad you got some back.

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    1. Thanks. The hug helped, as did the weekend; don't know what I'd do without them!

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  15. Themed fragments. I hope it gets even better for you. You need time to enjoy Kendall's senior year. Her senior year will zoom by before you know it.

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    1. You know, I have never been that "It's flown by so quickly" folks until now; September is already a blur. I don't know what I'm going to do without her when the time comes. Guess I'll just enjoy her now.

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  16. I will pray for you and pray for this year. Our homeschool year has been very similar. I know at this moment you don't feel it, but you are making a difference in those children's lives. Enjoy your Saturday. Cling to the good moments. And allow those moments to help you coast through the others. Thank you for hosting us anyway, I know I enjoy it!!

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    1. I very much appreciate those prayers. Thanks so much. At least I have the weekends off! Have a great week.

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  17. I can only imagine how difficult your job is! That is why I am not a teacher! :) But those kids are so lucky to have you and I'm sure they will figure that out one day. I think you should reward yourself with a spa day soon! And maybe a nice destination vacation next summer. :)

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    1. Actually, Mr.4444 and I are starting to talk about a nice little vacation--He's been traveling enough to rack up the points, so we should be able to do something nice. The tough part will be deciding....

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