If I Could Say One Thing . . .

If I could say one thing to my 6th graders, the end of this note would be it.


Yes, the "Stop causing drama, please!" part. That pretty much sums up my days.

A Teacher's Toy Drawer

Here is the infamous drawer of things lost and never to be returned . . . unless they're asked for on a Friday. Kind of reminds me of an I Spy book. Mind you, these are just the things that make it to the drawer. Some things just find the way to the garbage.

1. A heart slinky
2. Batman action figure
3. Spider-man helicopter
4. Two squishy eyeballs (my favorite)
5. Laser pointers
6. A mini-notebook
7. Plush football and basketball
8. Hacky-sacks
9. A comb and hair tie (This is school, not hair school). :)
10. There are things in here that will be lost forever . . . and some things, I have no idea what they are!

Fly Boy

This was in a book of notes I took away from a distracted student this past week. This picture continues to bring me great joy and much laughter! The original Fly Boy! My favorite part has to be his triangle shaped parts: eyes, nose, teeth, fingernails, toes, and hair. Heee Heee!

A Fun Reason to Like Canada

"First it's candy . . .

. . . Then it's gum!"

Empty Promises

So, the other day I was grocery shopping and started to freak out a little. Everywhere I looked were products that promise to plump old lips, add collagen and decrease wrinkles, moisturize dry/flaky skin, make lashes longer and fuller, cure under eye circles, and fix damaged hair. Yes, I was shopping in the cosmetics. Geez. If someone was looking at all these things they might think, "Is there anything right with me?" Seriously, what's a girl to do? The whole excursion just make me feel really old, even though I'm not. All the commercialism and power of persuasion was getting me a little down!

Then, hope.

As I was shopping, I could hear someone whistling a familiar tune. For those of you who are familiar, it goes like this, "No toil no labor fear, but with joy, wend your way." Yes, that is the exact part I heard someone whistling as I moved through the aisle. It made me smile and laugh. I proceeded to just go ahead with what I came for, and walk away feeling pretty silly. However, I did buy shampoo with this promise: "It's the reason you've dated a chain of Mr. Wrongs. Now watch as healthy, touchable hair lures many Mr. Rights." I'll let you know how that goes . . .

The Other Mother

So, a funny story for you.

A few years ago, actually I think it was like 5 or 6, I started getting emails from a lady who shares my same last name. She lives in the UK and last I knew, her daughter in Barbados. Now, the funny thing is, is that she thinks she's emailing her daughter. Yes, her daughter shares my name. Her daughter's email is exactly opposite of mine (last name, first name) and has a different domain, but I guess she just tried every one. I used to email her back to tell her she had the wrong email/person and that I wasn't her daughter, but that just caused her distress. I then received emails asking why I was denying my mother and what kind of daughter would do that. I forwarded the emails to her real daughter, and gave up trying to help her realize the truth. However, I guess she's just on my mind lately. It could be the two to three emails a week I still get from her . . . . Funny stuff. Well, at least the emails are usually funny (but mostly of the chain-type).

An Interesting Conversation

A sixth grade classroom in the late afternoon. A teacher is sitting with a small group of students who are working on math problems.

Student: Uh, teacher. I have something to tell you.

Teacher: About math?

Student: No, not about math.

Teacher: What's up? (The teacher says this with a look of curiosity).

Student: Well, you know that foot you gave us for "Stomp Out Tardies" week?

Teacher: Yes. What about it?

Student: Well, I kinda swallowed it. I was chewing on it, and then I just swallowed it. It got stuck, but then I had water and felt better.

Teacher: You what?!? You'd better hope that comes out the other end!

The Biggest Complaint of the Day

This is the biggest complaint by a student today. She couldn't make her book on micro-organisms because when she loaned out her scissors, they came back like this:



Loving sixth grade more each day . . . or something. ;)

Luckiest Day EVER!

Apparently, today is my lucky day. So says the email in my inbox. Who knew that I'd be the next British Lottery winner! It's true. The message said, "Your email has won you a lottery from the BRITISH TOBACCO COMPANY." All I have to do now is contact some doctor, give him all my personal information, and . . . oh, it doesn't say. Perhaps I've won a lifetime supply of tobacco products and millions of dollars in health care bills. Either that or a lifetime supply of identity theft problems and an extreme aversion to junk mail.

And I wasn't even wearing my blue shoes. . .

Strange and Silly Things That I Like

Smiles
Quilting
Warm Bread
Making lists :)
Contact Lenses
Cookies and cakes of all kinds
Singing along to the music in my car
The smell of a new book or fresh copy paper
Hitting the snooze button several times each morning
Pens, white board markers, and office supplies in general
Camping. Is it too early to go camping? If your answer is no, call me!
Reading in bed until I'm so tired the book ends up getting lost in the covers
Organizing things in silly ways (like this list--longest to shortest. Take notice)
Playing "Guitar Hero" in the basement (yes, the basement makes a difference)
"[!*(Punctuation)*!. , I love when it's used correctly. This post is a bit sketchy!
Blankets--all types of blankets. EXCEPT the woolish hotel ones. I despise them.
An interesting post, but a good way to let out the random thoughts of my mind.

My Dear Grandma

For the past year or so, I've had the chance to get to know my grandma in a way that I never thought possible. As she's been struggling with a debilitating brain disease, I've come to realize that the grandma I've known and loved for so long is no longer with us--almost. Even though she may not be entirely with it, I've had many chances to see her sweet spirit.



As I was sitting with her on the couch a month or so ago, just seeing how she has deteriorated made me cry. I just hugged her and rested my head on her shoulder. As I'm sitting there, crying for her, she reaches over, pats my leg, and says, "It's alright sweetheart." Which of course, made me cry even more. It was one of those sweet, yet brief moments where she maybe remembered who I was. When I look back and remember her, these are the times I will remember and cherish most. What a strong, sweet, and loving spirit she has.



As I was going through some old pictures the other day, I came across these pictures. They were taken just after I'd won Regional English Sterling Scholar my senior year in high school. Grandma and Grandpa were always so great to support me in every way that they could. I guess you could say that I'm just returning the favor as they enter this stage of their lives. This is how I always want to remember them--smiling and laughing--surrounded by those they love.

Let's Give Another "Hurrah" for 6th Graders

This wonderful message was written on last term's name tags. As I was putting in new tags, I saw this and it brightened my day because I also love Jesus Christ! :)

Misty, I know you will appreciate this! In fact, you might be the only one. :)

Funny Students

So, my class has been learning about microorganisms this past week. They've studied about bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and protozoa (which is my favorite because it's fun to say), and they even made their own replica of a type of bacteria that is common in everyday life.

About a week into this, one of my students wasn't in class. Someone questioned, "Where's Ian?" to which I replied, "How should I know?! Maybe he's home sick." This led to rapid responses by a few other students: "Maybe he has a virus," and "Maybe he has E-coli," and "Maybe he has
Salmonella." Last but not least, "Maybe he has African Sleeping Sickness."

Haa Haa! It was really a funny chain response. The kids who heard it, along with their teacher, had a good giggle. :)

P.S. Speaking of students, I just found out that the whole grade is going to bike the Antelope Island causeway this spring! I better get riding! :)

Kevin's Airforce Graduation!

We are so proud of you, Kevin! :) P.S. Blame Mom--she sent me these.

Equality for All

Now, I know today is a history day with the election and all, and it started me thinking about those silly things that are done so that everyone has "equal" access. Now, I'm not saying that people shouldn't have equal access, but sometimes the result is just ridiculous! For example:

*I drove up to the library book drop. The drive up book drop, not the walk up. There is braille on the bottom of the book drop. Now, first of all, I don't think that someone who is blind would be driving a car. Secondly, do public libraries even carry books in braille? If someone knows the answer, please inform me. Plus, I didn't really notice any other signs in braille. This seems as ridiculous to me as having braille on the ATM when the person obviously can't read all of the words on the screen. Really, I just think it's silly. I'm not trying to nag about the blind. I just think we've gone a little bit far sometimes.

Know any other examples? Comment, and I'll post them! I'm sure I'll find another one soon.