I'm a Nerd!

I was at a workshop today, and the presenter showed this clip. It is a single guy, singing four different parts, paying tribute to John Williams's music and telling the story of Star Wars. I completely loved it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk5_OSsawz4

The Dog Days of Summer

I really don't have any fun pictures to share or any fun anecdotes that have happened, but I thought I really should attempt to blog since I've been so bad at it recently.

Summer is getting into a good rhythm. Last week, Braden and I got to spend some quality time together. We pretty much played outside, played the Wii, played at the park, and watched Phineas and Ferb... a lot. We also took a special day and went to the movies, just the two of us, to see "The Prince of Persia." Let me just say that Braden and I absolutely loved this movie! It was like the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" when it came out. So fun!

The boys both go to their summer programs every weekday. Landon is at his pre-school and is having fun every day. This week he is the story helper- not sure what this position does, but he was excited. Every Friday they have "Water Day," which basically means they are playing in water hoses and kiddie pools. This Friday, they do get to go to the Mickey Mouse pool and have fun splashing around in the city pool. How would you like to be in charge of fifty 3, 4, and 5 year olds?

Braden is attending T.R.A.C.K.S. at his school. It's a character building educational summer program that helps bridge the gap during the end of one year and the beginning of the next to help students not loose too much of what the teachers gave them and have fun in the process. He gets to spend the day reading, playing with a lot of the kids from his class, and doing special programs. They get to travel two days a week with this program. This week, they're going to a petting zoo and then a picnic and play time at the river. Sounds kind of fun to me!

As for me and mom, we've been working on creating a bedroom for the boys to share. Since we are all staying in mom and dad's house (my house is basically stripped down to studs in most areas, and Jonathan's work schedule keeps him out at weird hours), the boys really don't have a space of their own. Mom finally decided that she was forgoing her formal living room and turning it into Braden and Landon's room. We've gotten bunk beds, moved all the "adult furniture" out, and started setting up a cool play/bed/activity room for them. They seem really excited about having their own beds, at least until bedtime. For the last nine months or so, they have been sleeping in one of our beds. I guess we're going to have to work hard to get them used to sleeping in their own beds again!

I'm meeting with my new principal tomorrow to go over my staff development plan for the summer and to see one of my new classrooms. I'm really excited about working at Batesville again. The elementaries are set up magnet style- meaning each elementary focuses on certain aspects to allow students a chance to better meet their interests. Eagle Mountain focuses on Health and International/ Multicultural Interests. I can't wait to do all the World Drumming and other programs I've always wanted to do. Central, the other elementary I'll be at, focuses on math and science. I can't wait to start coming up with lesson plans that relate to all the fun subjects these schools can bring. It's going to be fun!

I guess that's all I have to share right now. I really didn't mean to type so much, so I guess I had more going on than I thought I did.

Change is a-comin'

Well, since I haven't posted since the beginning of March (bad blogger!), lots of things have happened. We've had lots of concerts and several graduations, including our own graduate!

First, at the end of April, the band director and I took a couple of our ensembles to Branson to compete in the Music in the Parks series. The band placed second with a good rating, and the Chamber Choir placed fourth with a good rating as well. Which meant we brought home trophies. Yeah us!

The next weekend (what poor planning on our part!) was the 2nd Annual ICC Talent Show. We had fun with over twenty entries in the competition. Congratulations to the winners!

The next Monday, I did something really intense. I interviewed for an elementary position in Batesville. Apparently Helen Musgrave is retiring, so her position at Eagle Mountain and Central will be open for next year. After going through the interview process, I was offered the job and accepted. There were just too many pros and not enough cons to not take this job. So a week later, I resigned at ICC. I was able to prepare a couple of students before I made the announcement, so it wasn't a total shock. However, one of my students recently asked her mother who my sub was going to be until I came back!

On May 24th Braden graduated from Kindergarten. And Landon had his Spring program too. I'm so proud of both of them. Braden even did most of the motions this year, rather than standing there looking mad! Landon, on the other hand, looked scared to death the whole time he was on stage. At one point he even tried to escape.

We've made it to the end of another school year, and am looking forward to relaxing and reading a few books. Braden and I have three days by ourselves this week. Everyone else is in school through Thursday!

A Day Gift Wrapped with Tag that Says Love Satan

So, I have had one of the WORST DAYS EVER!

Let's go back a few days, shall we...

Saturday morning, I woke up with a rather sore throat. I thought nothing of it; it is the beginning of the worst part of the allergy season for me, so I just made a note to remember to take my Zyrtec that night. I had gotten up early. I had an appointment at the Ford dealership to replace a turn signal light. Nothing big or dramatic planned for the rest of the day.

As Saturday went on, I started feeling really bad, and noticed my throat kept getting worse... and worse... and worse. I finally broke down and started gargling with warm salt water with a dash of peroxide, to kill all the nasties I knew were growing in my throat. Apparently, it didn't work.

When I awoke Sunday morning to the beautiful trilling of my mother yelling at Landon to get dressed for church, I knew something was not right. My throat was on fire. I could not swallow, nor could I breath through my nose. I felt like I was drowning, and thus began expelling volumes and volumes of mucus, not in a tissue, no that would be the easy, polite way to do it. Since I could swallow, nor do much of anything, I mostly spewed (sorry for the graphic nature of this post!!!) from my mouth any time there was any kind of liquid build up in my mouth. I have never been so miserable in my life.

I had a small bit of a voice left, so I called the secretary at the High School and quietly asked her for a sub for Monday please. She obliged. I went to bed. The plan was for dad to call the doctor's office Monday morning, since there was no way I would be able to be understood on the phone. Dad did so. I went to the doctor, got my diagnosis (Strep throat, of course), got my antibiotics, and was forbidden to go to work Tuesday. Dr. Oliver told me Wednesday would be pushing it. Man, I really should have listened...

Mom called the secretary for me Monday night, because by then, I would have had to use the telephone relay for the deaf in order to speak on the phone. I slept in Tuesday and really felt a whole lot better.

Wednesday morning, I planned to leave early since I had morning duty and hadn't been in my classroom for two days. I leftwell ahead of schedule, not believing my good fortune- what a dupe! As I drove into Melbourne, fifteen minutes from my school, I began having a scratching in my throat. I started looking for a place to pull over, because I didn't want to, for lack of a better word, spew all of the window. I grabbed for my coffee and managed to get the hack attack under control. At least I thought I did.

As I pulled into my parking space at school, I started the cough again. Only this time it's accompanied by the spew! How I managed to get out of my car before the stream began, I have no idea. As I survey the damage, praying there is none on the inside of my car, I realized that everything is out on the asphalt. Everything that is except the small spot about the size of my cell phone on my knee. I think to myself, I can manage that. A little water and a shout wipe, and we're all good.

I began puttering around my room, not used to having about 30 minutes before kids arrive. I should never count my chickens...

7:25 AM

Room's a disaster. Trash and chairs everywhere. Permission forms and t-shirt orders piled up on my desk.

7:40 AM

All's well. Chairs are set up. Computer is on. Piano is ready. Pile is under control.

7:45 AM

Andrew arrives early in class like usual. Since he's in a wheelchair, he likes to avoid high traffic areas. I begin getting ready to head to the cafeteria.

7:48 AM

Kiara walks in with a question about our up-coming field trip. I notice my stomach is doing a few flips. Not the upper digestive, but the lower digestive.

7:49 AM

Stomach still flipping, more insistently now.

7:50 AM

Rather than heading to the cafeteria for duty, I head to the teacher's lounge for the bathroom.

7:51 AM

I arrive at the teacher's lounge bathroom about 10 seconds too late. I will not go into details, but I will say that I will now always carry a change of clothes in my car.

8:02 AM

I walk into the secretary's office. I get her attention. She and several other teachers look at me and I very politely say, Ms. Juanita, I need a sub.

8:30 AM

Ms. Juanita's sister arrives to sub for me. I gather my belongings and head home.

I think the gift wrapping and the bow were just an added insult to the way I was feeling.

Little House on the Prairie

One of my favorite collections of books from my childhood is the "Little House on the Prairie" collection. I can remember reading those for the first time when I was a little girl. And then I can remember watching Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingles on the television series. It was a family affair.

Recently, the national tour of the "Little House on the Prairie- The Musical" has been making the rounds. It was in Memphis at the beginning of December, and mom made the comment she would love to see it. Especially since Melissa Gilbert is playing the role of "Ma."

So, I got two tickets for her and me as a Christmas present. It was kind of a coup! She had no clue I had even remembered she said anything about it. We are staying with my aunt and uncle in Siloam Springs and going to the show Saturday afternoon. (It also gave me a good chance to test out my new car on the highway!)

I really can't wait to see this production. I've only heard good things about it, and I get to see MELISSA GILBERT!!!!

Merry Christmas and Ho Ho Ho...

Christmas was really fun. Got lots of good stuff, gave some great stuff too! But the best thing I got was a present I bought myself...

A 2007 Ford Edge!

I'm Alive I Swear! Just Really Busy!

So I haven't blogged since the first of October. So what? You're still checking to see if I posted, right?

Alright, here's the update. And pictures will follow soon.

October flew by. I had several students compete in the State Fair Youth Talent Show. One act, Alli and Lucas, won their regional and got to compete in the finals. They didn't win, but totally should have. Aladdin and Princess Jasmine totally didn't deserve to win!

Halloween was fun. Landon wore his monkey costume again and was just as cute, if not cuter, this year than last year. I decided to stay home, hand out goodies, and watch the Razorbacks kill some random team for Homecoming.

November was rather busy. Lots of rehearsals for the Community Theater. Thanksgiving was fun, and Nana made some excellent turkey and dressing!

This last weekend was the ICFCT's production of "A Little More Off Broadway." It was so much fun! I have forgotten how much I like doing plays and things. We just put a whole bunch of songs together as a revue, and had a blast doing it. I made some great friends and can't wait to do it again, and maybe get paid for it!

My Christmas Concerts for school are scheduled for the 14th and the 17th. Right now, I'm supposed to be working on programs for the concerts, but as you can see, I'm blogging! School ends on the 18th and then it's two weeks off for the holidays. Gosh, that sure can't come soon enough. Well, got to get to work. I've procrastinated enough between blogging and Facebook!