Monday...Again

Back to work...not quite excited about this. However, I'm planning a day off on Wednesday...sick day. I need to take a day before the autistic dude starts on Thursday and I figured Wednesday was the best day to plan. That should make my week a little more manageable.

Not much to talk about. Jim's off today...it's that time of year where business is slow. They're trying NOT to lay him off (others have been laid off so Jim's been lucky), which means he may have a couple weeks where he doesn't get his 40 hours in. That's okay...I can deal if it means he isn't laid off and once we're solidly into March, things should pick up. And of course, I can find lots for him to do. For example, today he's being given the jobs of cleaning the house and starting to prepare the mudroom for renovation. I only want him to take out the shower as best he can...we'll see how that goes. Additionally I'm sending him to the store. Oh, and of course our other keg blew yesterday so I believe he'll head to Newport or Hidelberg for another one. That should keep him busy.

Speaking of the mudroom, I'll start making purchases for it next weekend. My goal is to get the flooring and toilet next weekend. I think that will be about $100 or so. I'm still trying to decide about the washer/dryer part of it.

I got my PIB quilt laid out yesterday and I managed to sew half of the top. I like it but sometimes when I look at the pieces for too long, it starts looking jumbled to me. I'm sure it will be fine. And I may just have enough pieces left to do a smaller quilt. We'll see.

And that's all I've got. I need to get to school and grade papers since I was out Friday for our professional day. Did I talk about that? Oh, well, all is pretty much settled for next year (but if I know my principal, he'll change things up without telling). I'm happy to say that as of now, I'm NOT co-teaching. I'll probably have three Guided Interventions which means I'll have other teachers' kids in my study halls but that's okay. There was one point during the meeting when my principal asked me, "So, Muir...can you tell me why we have you in a co-teaching World Studies class...I mean, what was the reasoning for putting you in there?" I thought he was joking. I think I had him repeat the question 3 times. Seems he forgot all about last year and the fact that it was HIS idea to do it and I made no bones about the fact that I'm not a fan of co-teaching. I also told him that HE was the one that effed that whole thing up by putting me and my colleague in the same history class at different periods. Dumb ass. Oh well.

K - well I'm out. Happy Monday. Later!

Seasons 52

What a nice day we had yesterday. So relaxing and best of all, delicious! We started the day just hanging out, drinking coffee, eating breakfast, drinking mimosas/bloody Mary's, playing Wii. From there, we both went our separate ways and did our own thing. I walked Sami and did the last cuts for my PIB quilt then took a nice hot bath and napped. Jim cleaned the garage (he actually did more than just move things from one side to the other! He actually filled two trash bags! #proudwife). Around 4:00, we headed down to Party Source to get a new keg for Jim's tap (my tap is still running). He just got the same beer he had previously: Great Lakes Conway Irish Ale. From there we went to dinner at Season's 52.

Dinner: I had never been to Seasons 52 before but I had a gift card from very generous parents so it was time. Maggie told me it was good and they had a healthier menu with smaller (normal) portions. We sat at the bar and here was the fare we enjoyed (I'm itemizing to show that it was a LOT for a LITTLE!): I had 2 glasses of wine, Jim had two gin and tonics. We shared a flat bread with braised short rib and aged cheddar. Jim had a Greek salad. Our entrees were, for me, pork tenderloin with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans with shaved Brussels sprouts. Jim had shrimp and grits. We basically shared our entrees because they were both amazing and seriously, the portions were perfect. Nothing went to waste and we walked away pleasantly full - not uncomfortably full. Oh, and I finished off my experience with a Godiva double espresso martini. All that for $104! Not bad. And since I had a $100 gift card, I only spent $30 after tip. Nice. I will definitely go there again. We were home by 7:00 and just hung out. Really I hung out because Jim was getting the keg set up. 

Today it's going to be lovely temp wise but we're under a wind advisory and this doesn't thrill me. Actually, the counties to the north of me are under advisory but I'm at the northern part of Clermont, just south of those counties so...ugh.  I know everyone thinks I'm a freak and worry wart but the high winds from a week ago took several the the neighbors trees out (behind us) and a couple even hit their houses. UGH! I'll be on pins and needles all day. 

Okay well I'm out. I'm sending Jim to the store and he needs lots of direction. Happy Sunday. Later!

Damn That Kelly Clarkson!!!

I just watched Kelly Clarkson's performance on American Idol last night...holy shit...get some tissues! I was crying regardless (guess I should redo my makeup) but then SHE started bawling and it was all over. I'm pretty sure all the judges and audience were crying too. I loves me some Kelly Clarkson!!!

Here's a funny (got this from Becky last night - a perfect reason why I should clarify who I'm talking about when I refer to "my kids" at school):

A guy goes to the supermarket and notices an attractive woman waving at him.
She says hello.
He’s rather taken aback because he can’t place where he knows her from.
So he says, "Do you know me?"
To which she replies, "I think you’re the father of one of my kids."
Now his mind travels back to the only time he has ever been unfaithful to his wife and says, "My God, are you the stripper from my bachelor party that I made love to on the pool table with all my buddies watching while your partner whipped my butt with wet celery?"
She looks into his eyes and says calmly, "No, I’m your son’s teacher."

Hee hee. And by the way: Wet celery? Interesting.

So I'll be headed to Perkins here in a bit...so excited for Perkins pancakes!!! They are the only pancakes I ever eat at a restaurant. From there the group of us (sped department) will head to central office for a day-long meeting to prepare for next year. I expect no issues (we're a pretty cohesive department) but there may be a bit of a tug-of-war in regard to my co-teaching assignment next year. I have a feeling I'm going to be made to co-teach English 11 and I'm not going to be happy about it. We'll see what happens. 

And that's about all I've got. I'm going to blow dry my hair since it's COLD out there and I've got the time. Happy Friday...so happy I made it. Later!!!

Is It Friday Yet?!

Man oh man I just didn't want to get out of bed this morning. I was sleeping like a little baby rock too so when my alarm went off it was quite a shock. Well, I'm just one day away and even though I have to get up at the same time tomorrow - I'm happy I'll be out of the classroom. Normally I wouldn't say that - I usually hate being out for professional meetings but I need a day away from the kids. Not that they're being bad or even annoying but I just need a break...something to break up the monotony.

Sami got sick this morning. I dont' know what's going on with her. She's also been belching like a sailor lately. It's kind of weird. All of a sudden lately, she'll drink water and then - burrrrrp. I mean loud. Little weirdo...I love her!!!

So I have this kid on my caseload...she's a bit of a dud...a bit of a weirdo...probably shouldn't be on an IEP because her only issue is "organization" (lame!) but in reality her issue is laziness. Well, about a month ago, she fell and apparently hit her head and got a concussion. Her mom keeps sending notes from the doctor to continue restrictions, one of which is NO TESTING. Not sure how this is going to work out but then I don't have to deal with that...I'll let her gen ed teachers deal. I question her headaches because I'll tell you every time I see her throughout the day - 3rd period and 7th - she's just fine. Yucking it up with her friends and doing what's expected - for the most part - in class. Maybe she's putting on a good game face but I've never once seen her ask to go to the nurse with a headache (part of her protocol). I think she's manipulating this situation and trying to get out of work but who knows. I'm sure I'll get emails today when this latest note gets sent to the gen ed teachers. Not my responsibility to send it out, however so we'll see what the principal says.

And that's all I've got. Guess I should get going. Shouldn't have any issues today in regard to roads (knock on wood) since they're too warm for the snow to stick. I'll definitely need a fire tonight, however...brrrrr Winds are high again though...hate that. Dreading Spring!

Happy Thursday...later!

Total Downpour

It's POURING out there. It's not just raining cats and dogs, it's raining lions and wolves...dire wolves! And it's going to continue All. Day. Long! Yuck. And then turning to snow overnight which of course won't stick until later in the day Thursday...you know, while I'm at work. Stink.

I have a 7:00 AM meeting this morning for the autistic scholarship student that's coming to my school. PFFT!  Annoying. And I'm telling you right now - if this kid somehow makes it onto my caseload - after FW already told me he'll be on Slacker's - I will have the biggest hissy fit! Just a warning. Anyway - the parent and kid will be there so it should be interesting. I know I mentioned that this kid has toileting issues. He has OCD and his "escape" mechanism is to go clean his ass, apparently. At first we thought it would me the installation of a bidet. Then we found out it was just basically an addition to the chosen toilet (in the nurses office) - like the squirter you have at your kitchen sink. THEN! the dad sends an email to our principal and says that things have improved and he isn't as kooky about it anymore and he does well with...wait for it...a garden watering can. And the dad sent a photo (like the one at left) in the email. Surprisingly, the student is embarrassed to carry the can around so it's best if he can leave it in a specific bathroom...according to dad. Yowza. I won't get that picture out of my head anytime soon. Kind of sad...makes you wonder what kind of shit (no pun intended) this kid went through to trigger this.

K - I'm out. Neighbor (husband) just sent me a text to watch his house for the next 10 minutes because the kids are alone at their house (sleeping) until the grandmother gets there. Apparently neighbor wife is headed to the hospital...been vomiting since midnight. Yowza.

Happy Wednesday. Later!

Accomplished

My energy level is high but MAN do I have a pounding headache. I'm sure it will be gone by the time I leave for work - as per usual.

Did I mention I had my post observation meeting last Friday? It's basically the final step in my evaluation this year and I managed to eke out an "Accomplished". (Levels are: Ineffective, Developing, Skilled and Accomplished) My admin gave me high praise (not to toot my own horn but you know...beep beep) and said that when he went back to the office after his observation, he had to share what he had just seen with the other admins. As much of a pain in the ass as this process has been, it's nice to get feedback and accolades from the "higher ups".  That rarely happens for teachers and principals anymore...we're always stuck in our room, doing our own thing and bogged down with everything that has to get done.  He also said he thought the sped coordinator needed to come and observe what we're doing in the classroom. I'm just glad it's done and I've made it and it really wasn't that big a deal and I'm accomplished. Woot!

My soup was amazing last night - Creamy Chicken and Rice. It got a little too think at points but I just added some stock and it was fine. The lemon is what really gives it that something special. I highly recommend. And bonus - I was able to save some to freeze. Best thing about soup!

Had dreams last night about former students. So weird. What puts the name Willie Baker in my head in the middle of the night? So crazy. I woke up wondering if he had made it to California (his dream) so I looked him up on Facebook and found that he did and he's in the navy. Proud. He was a fun kid.

What else? Hmm...ooh, we get to go to Perkins before our Friday meeting. Isn't it nice that our babysitters  administrators are letting us pretend to be adults?! I have a gift certificate for Perkins too and now I get to use it! YAY!

And that's all I've got. Best finish getting ready. Last nice day today before three days of shit. Happy Tuesday. Later!

What A Tease!

This weekend's weather was such a teaser and made me jones a bit for spring (which for me is unusual considering how much I enjoy winter and how little snow we've had). It was so nice to sit outside Saturday night with the neighbors in front of a fire and hang after many months of not really seeing them. And of course there were probably 6 too many shots consumed by me. Made for a tough day of outlet shopping yesterday. But I managed to power through.

So yes, I did that. Cari (my next door neighbor) asked me Friday if I wanted to go to the outlets with her and so we headed up there around 11:00 Sunday (the Monroe outlets). The weather was perfect and I really did feel surprisingly good (considering I did 6 shots on Saturday night). As the day wore on, however, and I got loaded down with shopping bags, my get-up-and-go, got up and left. We didn't get home until 4:00 and by that point I was ready for a nice lay down. Jim offered for me NOT to cook (I was all ready to make a delicious soup) and so pizza it was!

I managed to get some good deals on a few things. I got some of the jeans I love from the Gap. Yankee Candle had a sale on their large candles - 5 for $50. But the best deal of all was a Banana Republic coat for Jim that was originally $170 and I got it for $28! BAM! I was pretty happy about that and Jim really likes his coat. And now that this week is going to be cold again, he can wear it!

This week: Normal until Friday when I have an all day sped meeting with our department. It's our yearly get together to plan for next year - figuring out caseloads and placement of students. We'll also talk about teacher placement and I'm going to do everything in my power to get out of co-teaching World History. Should be interesting because I know that my principal will want to stick me in co-teaching English 11 and/or 12 and I say - HELL NO! I'm NOT teaching with the teachers currently in English 11.

Okay now that I've gotten that rant out...I should sign off and get to work. Jimmy's off today so he'll get to cuddle with Sami lucky dog (Jim, not Sami...well, Sami's lucky too). I'll make the soup I as going to make last night, tonight. K - I'm out...Happy Monday...later!

Wrapped Up

I got wrapped up in surfing the Net and almost forgot to post. Maggie would have been blowing up my phone had that happened.

So my observation went well, I think. I'll know for sure when I have my post-conference meeting within the next two weeks. The kids were amazing - raising their hands and showing their knowledge. I'm glad this observation lined up with my teaching of WWI...kids are definitely more interested in history when there's war involved. There was one snafu in my plans but I rolled with it and it wasn't a biggie...actually worked out perfectly because I had planned so much to do and would have run out of time. There was one part in the lesson where we were doing something, I asked for an answer to a question, Horshack raised his hand and answered correctly, "FRANCE!" I said, "Horshack, say it right." (He had said it normally with the long "a") and without missing a beat, Horshack says, " FRAWNCE!" (pronounced like an actual Frenchman would say). My admin cracked up. When I saw him later he said, "Great job today...you really threw me with the France thing." Hee hee. My kids make me so proud! I'll be stopping at Kroger on my way to school today for some donuts.

Had a couple drinks with Cari yesterday in honor of National Drink Wine Day. Only two glasses...maybe three...then we got Thai and that was that. Tonight we're going to a fish fry with Cari and Jordan. Jim's wanted to do this for 15 year and we've just never managed to do it. Jim's excited...I'm excited they serve beer. I mean, it's a Catholic church...of course there's alcohol.

Okay well, I have to stop at the grocery so I need to head out. Happy Friday. Windy and warm here today. Later!

A Mile-Marker

Today is my 2nd and final observation using the new Ohio teacher evaluation system. I have to say there was a lot of anticipation and angst leading up to this year knowing something new was on the horizon but it really hasn't been that bad. It's definitely been a learning curve and I could do without the added paperwork but being an organization freak and overachiever when it comes to doing things right, I'm comfortable with that aspect of the process. I think one bonus in the whole process has been having administrators (at least the 2 VPs, one of which was evaluating me) who are new to the process as well. I was worried about the admin who was assigned to me but he's been professional and helpful through the whole thing (though maybe a little flighty and scattered...thus his previous nickname ADHD). Recall this is the admin who got me written up several years ago.

On this observation I'm being observed in my World History class. (My 1st one was in my LA class). This was a choice of mine and I was hesitant because my admin is a former history teacher but whatever, I got this. We will be doing review games in preparation for a test tomorrow and if my kids perform today as well as they did yesterday (they were on FIRE) it's in the bag. Even if they don't...no worries.

I actually slept pretty well last night (1st ob I didn't) but was woken up by Sami at 4 AM. She usually heads to Daddy's side around 4:30 but this morning she was a bit early. So I've been up since then...or rather awake but that's okay.

I'm tres excited about the weekend. I'm hoping Jim and I will get to use one of our gift cards on Saturday...maybe Seasons 52? Who knows?

And that's all I've got. Best finish getting ready. Happy Thursday...so happy tomorrow is Friday!!! Later!

Young and Inexperienced

I've got nothing. Nothing to talk about. The last two days have been rather boring...not a complaint.

Jim got a raise. That's good. It was a "you've-been-with-us-one-year" raise.

We had a meeting yesterday about the autism scholarship kid who will be returning to school. He'll be starting 2 periods per day. They decided to start him in 2nd period math and 3rd period credit recovery (he has no high school credits at 16). I volunteered to do the 3rd period credit recovery monitoring and data collection lieu of my (pointless) co-teaching placement. When FW approached my principal to get the okay to do this, he questioned what wasn't working in my co-teaching position. Uh, dumb ass - it's not that it isn't working, it's not necessary and it's a waste of time. Just like we told you it would be. But of course, being new, you had to do your own thing and not take into consideration those of us who've been here over a dozen years may know better because we've TRIED things...we have prior knowledge. UGH! I hate it when people can't draw from others experiences because they have their own agenda and can't see beyond what THEY have to do. Annoying. A waste of time. Forces others to repeat mistakes. Produces resentment. And disrespect - because they don't respect you.

Oh well...that's what happens when you're old like me, working at a place where those younger than you take positions of authority. They have to figure things out for themselves...no matter how stupid it makes them look.

What else? Today would have been Zekey's birthday. Miss him.

And on that note...I'll sign off. Wearing jeans today since we have an "active shooter" activity to do after school - hate these things.

Happy Wednesday. Later!

Whoopsy Daisy

In the joy of my day off, I forgot to post yesterday. Sorry.

So my weekend was great! I got to Maggie's around 10:00 and we headed out to T.J. Maxx because Maggie needed some candles. Of course I had to get some too. From there we went to pick Eva up from school. It was so cute when she saw me - she came running and jumped up in my arms to hug me. I love that girl. From there we went to lunch at Rusty Bucket and then home for a nap. Dinner Friday was delicious - creamy chicken and rice soup (pinned and highly recommended). Saturday we went to COSI and then to lunch at the Pint House - YUMMY. Dinner that night was hamburgers. I left Sunday around 11:30 and came home to a really clean house! Jim went to town while I was gone - cleaned out cupboards and everything (Good boy Jim!). Valentine's Day dinner was braised short ribs and they were AMAZING!

Yesterday was nice and relaxing. I hung out in the morning and quilted. I got the top portion of my quilt almost completely sewn. YAY! I'll finish it up, probably this weekend and then start the top of my next quilt which I plan on taking to PIB. Other than that, nothing much to talk about.

This week at school should be pretty uneventful with the exception of my second observation on Thursday. I'm probably going to have to change my plans on that because I forgot to account for a day off yesterday. Oops...no big deal though.

What else? Nothing really. Walking Dead Sunday was a crazy zombie filled blood bath. Love that show so much but it definitely gives me heart palpitations!

Okay well, I have a lot to do at school - papers to grade - so I best get a move on. Later!

I Made It!!!

So happy I made it through last night and now get to enjoy some time with the Egberts this weekend. Not to mention I have Monday off! Woot!

Last night was fine - boring really. Academic Fair is usually a dud for the sped department. We had about 4 sets of parents stop by for a quick chat and we had a couple of parents stop by and say, "So what is the 'intervention specialist' department all about?" Me: "We're the special ed department." It's pretty comical how quickly they turn and walk away. Always brings a chuckle.

Here's a funny: I ordered Chipotle for dinner and Lisa was out and about so she sent a text that she could pick it up. I sent a text back which said, "It's paid for, under 'Muir'. I got chips and a butt iota." Hee hee...it auto corrected my misspelling of "burrito". Weird, huh? WTF is a butt iota?

When I got home last night I had planned to pack and have a nice glass of wine. In the end though I skipped the wine...how proud of me am I? I'll certainly make up for my abstinence this weekend though.

The newest buzz word: Game Changer. I challenge you to count how many times you hear it on TV. It drives Jim crazy (which is kind of funny).

And that's all I've got...I best go shower and get ready. I'm hoping to leave around 8:00. Can't wait to get there. Later!

Long Day Before A Long Weekend!

Today will be a long day as I'll be at work from about 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM - Academic Fair. The "night" part doesn't start until 4:30 so I'll run a few errands after school and grab dinner before heading back for a couple hours in my room - some much needed work time. (Seems I can always use a couple hours of required time in my room...so much shit to do ALWAYS!) After work I'll come home and pack for Columbus. I may even have a glass of wine since I'm not going to work tomorrow! I hope to be on the road by about 8:00 AM on Friday. No many plans for the weekend. Maggie and I will pick Eva up from school tomorrow and go to lunch. Maggie also mentioned possibly going to a movie Saturday...a little Kung Fu Panda! Sounds good to me!

Taxes came! Woot! That was, what? A week? Maybe 10 days!? Love it! Went directly into my savings. With that and my winnings from the Superbowl I'm ready to start my mudroom/laundry room purchases! I think I'll start that next weekend.

What else? Oh, have I mentioned how much Horshack is driving me NUTS at school lately?! I don't know what's gotten into him but he keeps saying to me every time he takes a breath or a step it seems, "I'm having a good day!" or "I'm going to have a GREAT lunch!!!" or after I told him he could go do the mail (his "job" at school), "That's my FAVORITE job! I'm going to have a GREAT time!!!" One of the days I'm going to say to him, "I'm going to PUNCH you in the face and have a GREAT time doing it!" Oh, and then, yesterday, as he's walking out the door to go to Speech, he says, "Fare thee well, Lady Hanke!!!" I know, I know, it SOUNDS cute and I'm being an asshole but if you could just experience for one minute the CONSTANT shit that comes out of his mouth, you would get annoyed to. Oh, he also does this a lot, "Mrs. Hanke?!...Oh, never mind!" About FIFTEEN times a day.

Okay, now that I got that off my chest...I guess I should go finish getting ready. I really need to blow my hair dry as it's freaking FREEZING out there. K - later!

Back To The Grind

So far we're business as usual today...some surrounding districts are on a delay but not us. I'd love a delay but if they were to call it, they need to do it before 6:00 AM.

The Egberts are back from their vacation...I got a text that they landed last night (of course I didn't see it until this morning).

Yesterday was quite relaxing. I managed to do an hour of yoga, I got a bath in, read my book, watched many of my DVRd shows, cut the pieces for a new quilt and made a delicious dinner.

I'm keeping an eye out for the weather on Friday since I have plans to go to Columbus. There's snow in the forecast but it looks like it will possibly hit on Friday PM so that's good. I'll keep an eye out, however, because my car is not good in weather.

Not much else is going on here. So...I'll finish getting ready. Happy Wednesday! Later!

Snow Day #3

Of course I have an IEP scheduled. This is the 3rd snow day and I believe the 3rd IEP that I had scheduled for the same day. Definitely not complaining and I believe I have until the 14th to get the meeting complete so that I remain in compliance...not to mention I'm pretty sure the parent wasn't going to show. I'll deal with it tomorrow.

I got major sleep last night and boy did I need it (I did not sleep at all Sunday into Monday). I wasn't even pissed that the closed call didn't come until after my alarm went off. Of course Jim doesn't have to be at work until 10:00 so he's annoyed by me (I laid in bed after the call and watched the news and drank my coffee while Sami grunted at Jimmy) but it's not his birthday anymore so I don't have to be nice. Speaking of which - my sister Anne sent Jim a happy birthday text yesterday and said, "Tell my sister to be nice to you!" How RUDE!!!  Hee hee!

My plans for today: Yoga and playing with Sami. I might start doing to quilt cutting as well. I've been on a break from quilting since my 5-quilt marathon this fall but I think I'm ready to begin again. I'll do one for PIB and one for here. The first quilt I ever made is starting to fray so I'm going to start a replacement. Makes me sad.

Maggie, Charlie and Eva are headed home today. They should be fine to travel...snow isn't bad and I'm pretty sure Columbus isn't getting what we're getting. They're flight is set to land in Ohio at 9:04. I'm sure I'll hear from her when she lands in the states around 6:00. Safe travels!

And that's all I've got for today. I'm going to go eat breakfast and do my Yoga. Later!

Happy Birthday Jimmy!!!

48!!!  Man oh man he's getting old! Two years from 50, that's crazy!

So we did most of our celebrating on Saturday with dinner at Grand Finale and we had a great time. Dinner was delicious and the company was even better. Yesterday we managed a quick trip to Shooters and then came home to hang out and watch the Super Bowl. And yes, we won the first quarter pot in our Super Bowl squares!!! Woot happy birthday Jimmy! $450 will come in handy as I start planning and buying for the mudroom/laundry room redo. I was rooting for Carolina but I like Peyton Manning so much and I'm happy for him so it's really a win. Poor Cam though. Feel bad for him.

With today being the actual date of Jimmy's birth we will do a bit of celebrating tonight. I'm going to go get him a gift after school (his real gift is fixing his mountain bike but I'm also going to get him a portable locker for his work paraphernalia...huge plastic, lockable chest on wheels) and we'll have shepherd's pie for dinner. Yummy!

What else? Nothing really. I've got an unexpected meeting today at 10:00 (popped up on Friday afternoon) but I think there's a 50/50 chance that the parents won't show up. I have an IEP tomorrow and Wednesday is my pre-conference for my second evaluation (the observation will be next week). Thursday is a late day at school for Academic Fair and then I'm taking Friday off to go to Maggie's. Monday of next week is President's Day so we're off...woot! Can't wait to get through these next two weeks.

Okay well, I best get going. Happy Monday...here's to the week flying by...later!

Almost There

I just need to get through today and I'm home free! I hate long weeks like this (and next) but last night was fine. I had one scheduled meeting and another set of parents pop in to talk. All went well and I managed to get a fair amount of things done. Today we're on an early release schedule because they're having a pep rally at the end of the day, which is good because it means shorter classes but bad because I hate pep rallies. Not that I attend them (I usually pop in for a minute) but the bell rings, it's Friday, I'm ready to go home and I have to sit there for another hour...wanting a beer!

This weekend Jim and I will do some errands, clean some house and then Saturday night we're going out to celebrate his birthday with friends. We'll be at Grand Finale (YUM!) and I've been thinking about their crepes all week! CAN'T WAIT FOR DELICIOUS FOOD!!!

I think I've figured out what I'm going to do with the mudroom/laundry room. I want to do something along the lines of what you see here -but I can't decide on color...white or the same dark colors as in our family room. The two rooms are attached to each other and there will no longer be a door separating them so all will be visible. I feel like it should be the same color. I'll rope Maggie (my stylist) into helping me decide. Additionally, our ceiling is low in the entry way so I have to see about the shelving height. I priced out flooring and that should cost under $100. I want to get a new toilet and vanity as well and then the biggie is, I want the stackable washer and dryer. Again, I have to see if that's even possible with low ceilings. I'll measure this weekend. See, I plan on winning the Super Bowl squares (at least one, hopefully more) to help fund this little project. I'm sure I'm going to win...I just have this feeling that if I continue to live my life like the money is mine - it will be.

Okay - well, I need to get a move on. Happy Friday! So happy to have the weekend in my sights. Later!

Toileting Issues

So during my planning period yesterday, my sped coordinator (for the district) came into Lisa and my room giving a family a tour (never good as this means it's someone who will be added to the sped population). I wasn't worried, however because I have 17 kids on my caseload and one of the other sped teachers in the high school has 13. This means that any new students would go on his caseload. (Sigh of relief). Anyway - the tour comes into our room and I walk in and the coordinator says, "Oh, Muir! This is a family that is looking to bring so-and-so to the high school. He's been on the Autism Scholarship and I think you'd really do well with this student!" WAIT!? WHA WHA WHAT?! But of course I smile and say, "Oh! GREAT!" They then leave. A few minutes later, I make the mistake of heading back out the door to make copies and of course they are in my path so I get roped back into talking to the family. Turns out this kid is a 10th grader with no high school credit. He's been on the autism scholarship since he was 13. They're thinking of transitioning him back into the public school setting a couple periods at a time. Of course that would mean my class and probably one of the math classes. And then the coordinator says once again that she thinks I would be a great person to "sit in" on meetings and help with the transition.

BULLSHIT!!! Once again, because I do my job (well) I get punished. After school, I ran into FW and immediately said, HELL NO!!! She then told me that one of the biggest issues with this kid is his toileting habits. Seems this kid can't "go" unless he has a bidet available. So, if he comes to the high school THEY WILL HAVE TO PUT A BIDET IN!!! WHAT! That's ridiculous! We'll see what happens. But I will fight tooth and nail NOT to have this kid on my caseload.

Parent/teacher conferences are tonight so I'll be at school from about 7:00 AM until 7:30 PM. UGH! I currently only have one meeting scheduled so I should be able to get LOTS done.

K - well, I'm running incredibly late. Best mosey. Later!

I SO Deserve Those Gift Cards!!!

I have a set of parents who, for the most part, make not a peep throughout the year. The exception is Open House, Parent/Teacher conferences and of course the IEP. These are the parents who gift me with very generous gift cards ($100 just this past x-mas). Now, Open House and P/T conferences are just usually then popping in, saying hello and that's it. The IEP is another matter altogether. This past IEP, however, was painless and truthfully, the only issues were with the speech therapist - not me (some people should read their "customer" and shut their mouth). Anyway - the IEP was held on a Friday, which had been delayed due to a snow day. I thus wasn't able to put the document in the outgoing mail until I got back to school on the following Tuesday (the 19th as Monday was MLK day).

Fast forward to that same week on Friday. I sent an email for another reason and the reply asked where the IEP was. I told them I had put it in the outgoing mail on Tuesday...it should be coming. They emailed me back on Tuesday of the following week saying they hadn't gotten it and could I send it home with their daughter. Of course I wasn't in the building that morning so I had to race around to find her. UGH! No word from them after that...until...

...I wake up this morning and have an email. Here's what it said: Guess what came in mail today?!Yes the IEP,posted Jan 21.Why are there no accommodations for "big tests", small group ,extended time,G needs that for ACT and other.

(I'm telling you they absolutely didn't believe that I actually put the document in the mail. I can't help that it sat in the outgoing mail for two days before the mail guy took it but I put it there!)
I thus went onto the IEP because I thought, "What!? Did I not put those items on the accommodation page?!" Here was my reply (this is copy and pasted directly from the IEP...that they JUST received!!!):These are the accommodations listed on the IEP - I've bolded the things your talking about:
Read test to student

Small group testing

Extended time (up to two days for lengthy writing assignments or projects)

Calculator

Copy of notes

Extended time for test and quizzes (1.5 periods)

Study guide for tests 

Word bank for fill-in or completion 

It isn't necessary to indicate "big tests" for ACT accommodations - it just needs to say there is extended time on tests and quizzes with an indication of the time allowed). 

These parents are driving me up a wall. They seem to think they know all in regard to IEP when they know nothing and their demeanor comes across so demanding. Annoying...so tempting for me to give this student up next year...I'm going to have to think about that.

Well, I did my taxes last night...easy peasy! So happy to have that off my plate and we're getting a nice chunk back...makes up for the giant check I had to write for our property taxes...yowza! 

Okay - well I'm on my way. Happy Wednesday. Later!  

I Might Be Psychic!!!

So I'm a Downton Abbey watcher...don't know if you knew. I was watching yesterday and Cora came on (Elizabeth McGovern) and I thought to myself, "Huh...I haven't seen Ordinary People in a while." (There was a time period where it seemed to be on my movie channels once a week.)  Fast forward to last night - I'm in bed looking for something to watch and I'm scrolling through the guide and I see "Ordinary Miracles" on some channel, which gets me thinking about Ordinary People again. So I just happen to start scrolling through all the channels...nothing...so I go to my premium movie channels and HOLY SHIT! It's starting at 8:00 on one of the Cinemax channels! Isn't that just the weirdest?!

I think this all stems from my watching Tyler Henry, medium. If you haven't watched him - you must. He's on E! on Sunday nights. He's pretty amazing. I watched an episode yesterday and he was reading Snooki (I know) and he had her uncle coming through and he said, "I'm getting the months July and October." So Snooki calls her mother (on air) and he tells her what he's getting and she says, "Ben (the uncle) was born in July and died in October." Then Tyler said, "I'm getting the name Elaine." This was the uncles fiances name. Now that's weird! And for you skeptics out there - he doesn't schedule his own readings - he has a manager that does it - so he has NO idea who the person is that he's going to read (half the time he arrives at someones door and doesn't know who it is even upon meeting them). Plus, you may everything you can about Snooki but what's the chance you'd know that she had a beloved uncle with a porn mustache (he mentioned that too) who mentions the months of July and October and a fiance named Elaine!? He's legit!

What else? Nothing. Boring. Oh, Maggie and Charlie are currently at the airport and headed toward the Dominican. Jealous! Of course Maggie had to send me a picture of the mimosa she's sipping - RUDE! I sent her a picture of my smoothie. She then sent me a picture of Eva (at left) and I sent her a picture of Jimmy. That'll teach her!

K - well I'm out...gotta head up and out to work (I can't just fly off to the Caribbean like some other rude people I know!) Happy Tuesday - safe travels to the Egberts...let me know when you get there!