Silly and in Love

Well, I think it's official, my student is gone and she's left behind one broken heart. Prior to her departure. One of my little boys had become quite taken with her. It was actually hilarious to watch. He would get behind her and giggle and laugh and he had the biggest grin on his little face. I really wanted to bust out laughing watching him sometimes. I guess it finally struck him today that she was gone and he came and asked me if she was coming back. When I told him that I thought she had moved, he looked completely disappointed and slumped back into line. Ahh, now there won't be anyone to stand behind and giggle like a fool in love!

Mama said there would be days like this

Today, definitely qualified as a "MONDAY." The trouble started with a 7:30 call over the intercom for me. Ever since my first year of teaching I have hated to hear my name called over the intercom. In my first year it never meant anything good! So of course, I started reviewing in my head everything that had happened on Friday and breathed a huge sigh of relief when I found out that it was only an IEP meeting. However, that put me about 10 minutes late in getting back to my class. When I did arrive, I was greeted by a wall full of students waiting patiently but one of them had untreated ringworm. Yikes! "Off to the nurse with you." She was sent back to class with bandaids and all the while, I'm thinking..."Isn't it contagious? Doesn't she need to go home?" So I went and straightened that out with the nurse and got the child sent on home and then the day seemed to get a little smoother. At the end of the day, our parent coordinator stopped me in the hall and delivered some really bad news. I have a student that arrived in October and was incredibly low. This student could barely read and was incredibly far behind in Math. This student barely communicated in any way. I have been working hard to get this student the help he/she needs and he/she finally got picked up by our Reading Recovery teacher for one on one help. He/She is finally showing progress in reading and is finally communicating in full sentences. I've been excited to see positive things happening for this student. But our parent coordinator told me today that the mother had decided that they are pulling up and going back to where they came from TOMORROW. No closure for this painfully shy child. Rug ripped out! No chance to finish the year on a positive note! I'm frustrated and disappointed for this student and praying for a change of heart and a whole bunch of wisdom for his/her mother.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Testing time - it's the most wonderful time of the year! (note the hint of sarcasm in my voice) I had to post this e-mail my principal sent out this morning. I started reading it and thought, "These are just scandolous enough to be real suggestions" and then I read a little further along and realized that it was a big joke. If you are a teacher, they'll make you laugh because you know the element of truth within them.

Severe Weather Testing Protocols

Happy Birthday! Cha, Cha, Cha

I think my kids were more excited about my birthday than I was. Yesterday, a couple of them actually suggested that I should take the day off! :) This morning, they were popping into the room excitedly with birthday wishes on their lips. One of my students went out into his garden and picked some flowers for me and brought them in a vase...no dandelions for me this year. One of the flowers opened wide in the light and closed up when I turned the light off so of course, that added to the mystique and excitement of the day. They sang "Happy Birthday" and guessed my age and they just couldn't stop talking! Just to prove I'm not too old, at recess I picked up the jump rope and had some skipping contests with them. Took me right back to my K.A. days. I ended the day by enjoying a free hockey game with my friends Jen and Leonard. Good times!

You Better Start Running

Richelle tagged me and so now I'm it so you better start running cause I'm giving you a head start.

Here are the rules:
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 Things To Know About Me

1. I love long road trips all by myself that's why I never dread the drive back and forth to Canada from Atlanta. Lots of time to think and listen to music.

2. I am spontaneous...in fact some times I probably don't plan enough. I like to leave all my options open until the last minute. Case in point - at the last minute I have hatched a plan to fly from Pittsburgh to Manchester, NH to go and see my friend Chelly and the Stars on Ice show with the Rideouts. I'll fly back the next day and drive back to Atlanta. CRAZY or what?

3. I'm a huge figure skating fan. I have old tapes of all my favorite old performances that I just can't get rid of...Kurt Browning happens to be one of my favorites.

4. Friends are incredibly important to me.

5. I've watched Pride and Prejudice and Bride and Prejudice a gazillion times in the last year or so.

6. I don't dust my house very often.

7. I used to never go anywhere without my nail clippers. I am now actually broken of the habit but there are many times when I wish I had them with me.

Now, you're it!

1. Cindy at Chats with Cindy
2. Faye at A Quiet Place
3. Marion at Around the World with K & M
4. Krista at Life in the Frying Pan
5. Amy at The Wagner Family
6. Elizabeth at Bella Blog
7. Jen at Two and Two

The T.P. Letter - Otherwise known as the Toilet Paper Letter

Have you ever received a letter written on toilet paper? Desperate times call for desperate measures. Back in my boarding school days, there was apparently a toilet paper shortage. My mom decided to make sure that I was well provided for so she wrote me a letter on toilet paper just in case...


Hi Beth!

We heard T.P. is very expensive in Nigeria now and that you are only allowed a limited amount os we're sending you this little "Care packet"! I even found pink for you being as you are a "dainty lady." Tried to find blue for Kent but had to be satisfied with white. Oh well, I think he'll forgive us! We certainly hope so. It may depend on where he happens to open this letter!! :)

I'm writing this in the pharmacy so everytime I hear footsteps I quickly hide it because I'm not sure what some people might think about your dear ole mom if they see her stationary!

Two days later and the plane will soon be coming so I must get this very important letter in the mail. Please, please use it very, very carefully.

Love you!
Mom & Dad


I guess there must not have ever been a need for "Mom's Emergency Supply"!

The Botheras Family "Sayings"

My Dad has all these little "sayings" that he learned from his dad who probably learned them from his dad. Sayings like "Bring it up again and we'll vote on it!" (used most effectively after someone has burped) or one of my favorites which I frequently use as parting advice, "Don't take any wooden nickels." Sometimes I like to try using these out on my students to see how they react - usually lots of blank faces.

Anyway, I was reading a bunch of letters that my mom saved from my time in boarding school and it made me laugh to see myself as a fourth or fifth grader using these phrases. In one letter that I wrote to my dad, I inquired after the growth of our new puppy. I told my dad that if he was growing to big he should "put a rock on his head." This was a favorite Botheras suggestion whenever it was mentioned that either my brother or I were growing too tall.

I make fun of my friend Amy for her weird family words but I guess the Botheras' have some pretty weird family sayings too!