a little extra work time comes along

Two hour delay due to the bitter cold 

gave me the opportunity to work on my ever -ending list at school. 

Although it feels good to check off items on my list,

this list will not stop growing until the last day of school.

Onward and upward!

Denise

light at the end of the tunnel

Oh my!

Walking in to this crazy mess of a room

made me doubt I could get everything unpacked 

and put away in a couple of days.

Many numbered each box so they would know

if any were missing.

I was not one of those.

Although I pitched last spring as I packed up,

I continued to pitch this time around with a visit to

Goodwill, car filled to the brim.

But, it looks like the unpacking gods were with me.

No missing boxes (that I know about.)

Unpacked boxes in two and one half days.

Less storage, but much easier to manage.

Clean, bright room, filled with light.

I can't ask for more.

(How long will that wire will be hanging down from the ceiling?)

(That is 6:40 PM not AM.)

Bring on my students!

Denise

Bradford Woods field trip

Early spring = beautiful trip to Bradford Woods.

cabin groups

gear

  

staff from all over the world

hiking

SWEET MEMORIES!

Denise

A job to love

I remember pulling my car up to school and thinking I was the luckiest person to have a job that I loved.

This happened often.

I was telling a young teacher this story one day and she absolutely couldn't believe it.

I realized it had been a long while since I had thought it.

But, I still do like my job.

I enjoy the children.  

They can be so funny.

Teaching science and social studies is often my favorite time of day.

I just graded some reading tests that amazed me. 

They are learning!

I work with the best staff.

Administration is mixing us up in other buildings next year.

Thursday we will find out who will go and who will stay.

It is tough to have our school family split up. 

Thanksgiving vacation will be welcome.

Take care,

Denise

Friday

Random pictures from today...

Breakfast at 6:45 with friends at Panera.

Quiet hallways

after school.

Papers hung.

Desk cleaned off.

Paper tray emptied.

Ready for the weekend!

Take care,

Denise

Therapy

Lately, most of my time is spent working on school work.

Grading,

Recording grades,

Writing tests,

Emailing,

Grading,

Planning lessons,

Grading,

Learning new technology,

Recording grades...

Although not quite finished, I spent a good part of yesterday with school work.

My reward?

Scrapbooking.

Scrapbooking what?

tubs of saved notes,

pictures,

letters,
and certificates

from twenty-one

years of teaching

first, second, fifth, and sixth graders.

Everything makes me smile.

Of course, music is playing.

This is my therapy.

Take care,

Denise

finding a balance

School has begun for both Michelle and me.

Michelle seems happy to be back in school.

Speedway High School does a nice job giving the seniors some perks

(like being able to leave school a little early when there is a convo that

they don't need to attend at the end of the day.)

Me?

Well, so far I have not been such a happy camper.

But, I know things will get better.

I love the people I work with.

I just need to find that balance between work and home.

My first thought at going to the high school football game last night?

No way, I have so much to do this weekend for school and won't be

home much.

But I needed the football game.

Friday night football games in a small town are fun.

I saw friends and neighbors.

Michelle and Steve were there.

Erin, Eric, and Gus were there.

To survive the year, I must find this balance

between schoolwork and family fun.

One day at a time.

Take care,

Denise