I've been tagged

Punky at BusyNightsRealFood has tagged me for the 23/5 meme.
What does this mean, you ask? Well, I am to find my 23rd post (about) and go to the 5th sentence.

This is the 23/5 Meme.
1. Delve into your blog archive.
2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to).
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog, along with these instructions. Ponder it for meaning, subtext, or hidden agendas….
Tag others to do the same.

I counted a few earlier posts as 1 because I was playing around and making multiple posts per day--school was out, I had too much free time, and I was still trying to see how this all worked.
So, my 5th sentence simply said, "What a huge relief!" Hmmm...what could that mean? Given my life, it could mean any sort of things. However, on this particular day, it was the relief of being done with my education for the 3rd time. :) That was graduation day (which I did not attend) for my M. Ed. in Special Education. No subtext, hidden agendas, or deeper meaning. I was just relieved.

Next, I am tagging Lula at It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time because I am wondering if she is still out there in blogland, Cara at CaNOpy Road, and Erika at Tummy Treasure.

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Next week is our Fall Break. A benefit of starting school so early (8/1 for teachers) is that we get a full week off for Fall Break. This comes at a much needed time--I can't wait!

I am leaving work ASAP and heading for the airport to board a plane for Denver. Two dear friends live in Loveland and I will be spending most of my time in CO with them. Midweek, I am going to Denver to visit relatives--I'll stay with my uncle and get to meet my baby 2nd cousin. I'll also have a day to visit other relatives that I haven't seen in several years--including my cousin's 2 children, one of which I've never seen.

Saturday, we are hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. I hope I can handle it--I'm taking my camera and will share pics throughout the week, because of course I am taking my laptop!

On another front, I am getting the new student I mentioned. I had an opportunity to observe him again today. I'm anxious, excited, apprehensive, yet am ready for this new challenge!

I haven't yet figured out a clear cut direction to take this blog. I'd love to do more of a food blog, but I don't think my nutella or pb&j sandwiches that I eat for dinner would hold much attention. I'll throw the food stuff in when I can, but I don't have time or motivation to cook after working late. THere are various classroom antics, but I'm not comfortable sharing those for confidentiality reasons. So, I'll probably keep on with the random stuff until I get bored with it.
Thanks for reading!

Quote

I like the following quote and thought I'd share.

Mother Teresa said, " We must know that we have been created for greater things, not just to be a number in this world, not just to go for diplomas and degrees, this work and that work. We have been created in order to love and be loved"

Nothing much

I guess my blogging has declined lately as I just don't have a lot to say!

A few points--the last couple of times I have talked to my dad, he sounded more like himself. He's not taking many pain pills (he doesn't want to get addicted--can't blame him) and other than serious cabin fever, is healing emotionally and physically. I think I've decided to give him my blessing when he is physically able to get on a bike again. I know how much joy it brings him, and like he told me--it's his therapy. Getting out and riding has provided him an outlet when those feeling of missing Dakota hits him. I'm sure it will also help him get over the loss of his dear friends. When it gets down to it, I'd rather lose him doing something he loves and is passionate about--when he's happy, than as a grumpy old man who isn't able to ride anymore.

I am probably getting a new student in a couple of weeks, which means I'll have to work a bit extra to prep and get things in order before he comes as well as during the transitional period. Ha--I work nearly 60 hours/wk now, so what's a few more? :) He is autistic and is mentally retarded--he will be quite a handful! We will hire a new teacher's aide to help with him, as he needs someone with him 1-1. I'm looking forward to the challenge and only hope I am up to it! His mom came and observed me today and we had some time to talk--I was told she loves me. :) It's not a done deal yet, but very probable. What makes me sad is that there has been a lot of discourse over where this child goes--his current placement isn't working out, and 3 or 4 other schools have been approached about him. Noone wants him! When my team leader and I observed him last week, she asked me what I thought. I said I'd take him. How could I say anything otherwise? This is what I signed up for when I decided to become a sped teacher. As he will be transitioning from an elementary school to a middle school, it is likely that he will be on our campus for at least 4 years. I hope it works out!

That's all for now--my bed is calling.

Weekend Dog Blog Issue 2

Go on over to Sweetnicks page to see links to all sorts of cute dogs out in Blog Land. Thanks for hosting, Sweetnicks!

I had a tough time getting a good picture of Harley. Here he is eating a chewy, closely watched by Miss Tilly, my classroom's pet who comes home with me occasionally.



Peanut is a happy dog!

He can set off metal detectors now!

My dad had his surgery Wednesday morning at 6:30 and was home by 11:30! That just amazes me!
They were able to put his ankle and leg back together, but it took 11 screws. I think all are permanent except for one that will come out in 6 weeks. They fixed one toe but will have to do surgery again to fix the other 3 because they were still so swollen.

I talked to Dad last night and he sounded well, considering. It's times like that this that makes me feel like the 3 hour distance between here and home is too far. :(

More to come this weekend...

Weekend Dog Blog Issue 1

Here are Harley and Peanut for the first issue of Weekend Dog Blogging, hosted by Sweetnicks. Aren't they cute?

Harley is a 5 yo 140# Alaskan Malamute/St. Bernard Mix. He's the man of the house! Peanut is 2, comes in a 100#s less than Harley, and my best guess is a border collie/Australian shepherd/blue heeler mix. She's a mess. My life would be very lonely without these mutts!

News

The OKC CBS affiliate did a story on Clayton and Cynthia last night. We just happened to be at the crash site when they came so my dad was interviewed.
http://newsok.com/article/1613912/?template=home/main is where the video is. You have to create a password and login to view it though.

I'm in it at the beginning, just a quick profile shot hammering in a cross.

It was a wonderful tribute to Clayton and Cynthia.

Happy Birthday Dakota

Dakota would have been 8 today.
We miss you!

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. We are all hanging in there. I'll post more later.

Sadness and disbelief

I can't sleep.
My parents witnessed the death of 2 close friends tonight. Six more feet, a few seconds here or there, and I could be parentless. By the Grace of God I am not.

I hurt for the children of Cynthia and Clayton, for Cynthia's mom and sisters, and for their grandchildren. They were wonderful, kind, caring people who were always ready with a hug whenever I saw them.

My dad has a broken leg and foot that will require surgery. It looks like his upcoming (next month) 59th birthday will be spent on crutches, but at least he'll see 59.

The details: They were riding the bikes (Harleys) and on their way to town to get something to eat. An old man (or woman?) ran a stop sign on a curve and broadsided one motorcyle at about 60 mph. They didn't have time to react. Their legs were severed and their bodies thrown. He died shortly thereafter, probably of internal trauma and blood loss. She died while be flown to Oklahoma City or shortly after arriving. He was conscious after it happened and was only concerned about his wife.

My dad was able to stop his bike in time, though did hit the back of the car barely. Somehow his leg got tangled and the bike fell, crushing it. He'll heal physically, but it will take them both much longer to heal emotionally.

Fortunately, I was fairly nearby in Oklahoma City at a party and able to make it to the hospital within an hour of getting the call.

I really hope they sell their bikes now. I've witnessed one wreck and now this. I can't take much more.

Still Counting...

We are up to over $7,500! I am beyond amazed at our students. I have heard stories of one girl donating 5 weeks allowance, 2 6th graiders raising $170 over the weekend, and more.
I should add (in case I haven't before) that my school is 6th-8th grade. We have about 950 students, so it's not a small school by any means, but that is still alot of $$$.

We were orginally hoping they would give more than they did last year for the tsunami relief. That sum was less than $1,000, so they have gone well above and beyond.
I'm proud! :)

On another note, I'm also exhausted. Too many late nights trying to play catch-up. Last night was also our first football game--I'm a cheer sponsor, so after a day spent in training (easy), I went to 1 1/2 football games, and then to my classroom until almost 10.
This morning I got a new student in one of my classes. He makes 9 students. I'm am beyond overwhelmed w/ this class (actually it's 2 instructional periods)--7 boys, 2 girls, with academic levels from 2nd-6th grade, one is ESL, one is austistic, one has asberger's, some are AD/HD, one has behavior issues, most are LD. Anyone have any words of wisdom???? My team leader keeps telling me I'll figure things out. I wish I was as confident as she in my abilities!

Have a nice weekend...I'll be back on Sunday with tales of a bachelorette party in Oklahoma City(not mine)!

Wow

My school has now raised over $5,000!

I hope to get back to blogging more next week...not enough time lately to do everything that needs to be done!

What a Wonderful Staff I Work With

We had an all school assembly today (6th-8th grade). Several faculty spoke, including one who is from New Orleans. It was very moving to hear a personal story. Though she is here and not there, she is still affected in a way that most can't relate to. She is still waiting to hear from family and friends. She has no idea if her childhood home is still there. Her parents were thankfully able to get out a couple nights ago. Her dad is a doctor, so he didn't evacuate initially but instead holed up in his office.

Faculty and staff then walked up to donate to a bucket. We found out later that we the total was $1,450 and the students haven't even contributed yet! All of our monies are going to the Salvation Army. Our district is also hoping to find a district-wide corporate sponsor. With over 50,000 students, we should hopefully be able to help out a lot.

I don't even want to turn on the news anymore. It's too depressing.

Today is Hurricane Katrina: World Blog Relief Day. I know everyone is probably getting hit at from all sides to donate. I hope if you are reading this, you donate to some organization somewhere. There are so many that have lost so much. I can't even put into words how this makes me feel. Here is a blog with a list of charities, if you'd prefer to find one you support to donate to. Please give something--every bit helps!

My school is having an assembly tomorrow. Teachers are going to donate cash to a bucket to show the students what we are giving. We hope they do the same. I am blessed to work at a great school, so I know these kids, many who have so much, will step up to the plate.
We are also trying to get corporate matches. I am going to contact my prior employer, The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas to see if they will partner with us and match what we raise.

Please keep all of those affected in your thoughts and prayers.