Bron's Blog II

Knock, Knock, Knockin' On Heaven's Door

My FIL isn't religious, but it fits.

We're taking him off antibiotics and fluids. It could be any time in the next couple of weeks.

This is happening faster than we anticipated - I really shouldn't have taken time off from my studies this weekend. Every major project for two of my classes is due in the next 5 weeks. I should have worked for awhile because now I'm busy making lists of people who need to come say goodbye when we get him set up in hospice and writing down notes for his obituary.

Keep your fingers crossed that he goes quickly. We just don't want him to suffer.

 

Two Posts In Two Days

I know, I'm freaking myself out too.

But even though some things are still pretty dismal, I found myself in a much better mood this weekend. I finished all the pressing school work I HAD to do for my classes on Friday & left my OTHER school work (grading) at school. So the boys and I were able to do a little decorating yesterday:

It was a lovely, cloudy day and then it quite literally rained all night. It sucks for the Balloon Fiesta but it was great waking up & hearing it pour. :)

Hopefully it will stay dark & rainy today. I love this weather!

I've told you that Doug got promoted and opened a new store in Rio Rancho. During the grand opening last week he was interviewed and photographed for the paper. This is a copy of the pic, Doug's on the left:

He really doing well at the new store despite the worry over his Dad's condition.

Today I need to sort & organize my craft room because tomorrow we're having new windows put in the house. (Our air-conditioning/heating bills are astronomical because these windows are original to the house - 1962 vintage.) Right now you can barely walk into my room, let alone get in here for windows installation!

But before that I'm off to breakfast with a teacher friend of mine. She & I are both new teachers this year, teaching on an intern license & taking classes from the same alternative licensure program. We really hit it off & are now good friends. It's nice to have someone to vent to who's going through exactly what you are. :)

Hope everyone's having a great weekend! I'll show you scarf progress next time.....

In My Case, Small And Steady Wins The Race

Small projects are all the rage around Casa De Verde:

I wanted to start something new during the premiere of "Sanctuary" last night and this scarf won the coin toss. The pattern is by Doris Chan in the newest IC. You can expand or contract the pattern as you like to make anything from a scarf to a shawl to a throw. It's mindless crocheting and looks very nice. :) I think it will go in my Christmas present pile when it's finished. I might make one from bulky yarn too. This is CE in the new "Cactus" color.

I had a really great day at school yesterday. My VP came in for her monthly observation (there are 8 "snapshot" observations of all teachers, then one large one that lasts an entire period, over the course of the year.) They not only look for the standards being posted and certain classroom procedures being followed but they want the children to actually know what they are and why they are there.

The VP (my de facto mentor whom I've mentioned before) sat down with two of my students and asked about our current project (making their own fable books), data folders (something that's required at our school but only about 60% of the teachers do), and standards.

One of the girls led her over to the posted standards, pointed out the one we were on and explained it to her! Another girl got out her data folder and led her through all of the graphs we're doing of their graded work. She then explained her entire fable, the moral, and showed her the grading rubric I'd handed out and explained that!

You'd have to be a teacher to understand how rare all that was, even in a gifted class. You never really know how much they are absorbing until something like this happens. My jaw dropped and my VP said, "I'm so proud of you!"

When the VP left the girls turned to me and said, "So, did we do good Mrs. G?"

Bless their little hearts. :)

Moments like that make everything worthwhile.

Hey, Ma! School pics!

It's been awhile since I got that little envelope at school.....

And surprise! It didn't suck! I have several lovely sizes to share amongst my cadre of friends (when I find them) and I take comfort that I look semi-cool on my ID.

Honestly, I think I look like a intelligent, middle-aged teacher, trying to make it through the year, don't you?

That face! That calm, smiling face. No-one but another Mother would be angry with me. Very angry.Angry enough to warrant a half hour phone call with the woman while her son is being put away from the situation for a little while. Angry enough to want to file a grievance with APS.

But I managed to talk her down. Just call me the people-whisperer.

I look on this as an intense learning experience.One that I want to get through & never experience again!

To change notes, here's a Halloween goodie:

More to come since this IS my favorite season!! We're late putting up stuff outside so I told the boys they have to help me with setting everything up on the weekend.

Yes - time out for frivolity. Yah!

For  those who are curious:

• Don is semi-stable with a dead 3rd toe and no immediate plans to amputate. We're seeing now if he can be moved back to assisted living for awhile.He doesn't want the leg gone yet and we're trying to respect his wishes.We'll see how long this lasts.

• Dylan didn't get his license - they don't do road tests on weekends any more. We'll have to take him in after school. What fun.

• School is stressful beyond measure but at least I'm turning assignments in & feeling ahead of the game at times. It's the little bits that help so much!