Unless you have been living under a rock then you know that everyone is talking about swine flu. It seems that it is the latest worldwide health threat .
In the Dallas metroplex a school district has closed one of their schools for the rest of the week. I am surprised that they would do that considering that this is TAKS testing week. For those of you not living in Texas it is the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. I won't give my opinion of the test here, I will save that for another post. Just believe me when I say that I think that if Christ were to return this week the state of Texas would ask if it could be postponed due to TAKS testing.
Back to the swine flu. I heard this morning that it will be the story for the rest of the week, the number of people diagnosed with it will increase and that ultimately someone will die from it. At least the media is preparing us.
For some reason I am not a person that is scared of this. Maybe it is because of my age :). I remember about 30 or so years ago that there was another swine flu outbreak. There were all the usual jokes about having the swine flu and displaying pig like symptoms. Then there was a shot to lessen the chances of getting the swine flu that we all flocked to get. Eventually there was no more talk of swine flu, which is what I think will happen this time.
If there becomes a shot available I will be getting one, but until then I will just continue my daily routine (if I have one) until the next worldwide health crisis.
Liz
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
I Am Done
I am done, done, done,. . .with my long term job that is. I finished up yesterday and I was very happy. It was a pretty miserable 4 weeks. I just got so tired of the disrespect from the students.
The first week I cried every morning on my way to work. The teacher that I worked with wasn't also very helpful so I just had to try to figure out what I was supposed to do.
The second week I decided to listen to Rod Stewart (loudly) on my way to work. Normally I try to pray and then listen to somewhat mellow music as I drive to work. I decided I had to do something or I was not going to do a good job. The solution was to listen to Maggie May and other songs as I went to work. That helped immensely. I would be humming as I walked into the building.
The third week I only had to work 2 days because we went to San Francisco so I was just anxious to get there, get done, and get home. It was such a relief to be gone for those days that it made the last week bearable.
The last week and today I knew that I was in the home stretch and I could make it to the end. Today was the best day because there were very few students that came in to help due to preparing for state assessment testing the rest of the week.
The part I disliked the most during these weeks has been lunch duty. The students are even more disrespectful during that time and ignore most of what is said. Today I didn't even have to do lunch duty. What a way to end the assignment!
Hopefully I will get to have 2 days at home to get some things done before I go back to work. Thursday I already a job for that day-a Language Arts class. The teacher teaches both 6th and 7th grade. At least it will be a change in what I have been doing.
Liz
The first week I cried every morning on my way to work. The teacher that I worked with wasn't also very helpful so I just had to try to figure out what I was supposed to do.
The second week I decided to listen to Rod Stewart (loudly) on my way to work. Normally I try to pray and then listen to somewhat mellow music as I drive to work. I decided I had to do something or I was not going to do a good job. The solution was to listen to Maggie May and other songs as I went to work. That helped immensely. I would be humming as I walked into the building.
The third week I only had to work 2 days because we went to San Francisco so I was just anxious to get there, get done, and get home. It was such a relief to be gone for those days that it made the last week bearable.
The last week and today I knew that I was in the home stretch and I could make it to the end. Today was the best day because there were very few students that came in to help due to preparing for state assessment testing the rest of the week.
The part I disliked the most during these weeks has been lunch duty. The students are even more disrespectful during that time and ignore most of what is said. Today I didn't even have to do lunch duty. What a way to end the assignment!
Hopefully I will get to have 2 days at home to get some things done before I go back to work. Thursday I already a job for that day-a Language Arts class. The teacher teaches both 6th and 7th grade. At least it will be a change in what I have been doing.
Liz
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friends
As I had previously mentioned we traveled to San Francisco with our friends Patty and Robert and had a great time. This picture was taken while we were at Muir Beach. This is the one morning that had the typical morning fog.
We usually travel either alone or my mother goes with us sometimes. About 16 years ago we went to Santa Fe with another family and couple. That trip was a lot of fun but it is hard to arrange schedules so that others can come.
Our San Francisco trip was a year in t he making. I arranged the hotel and the rental car. When I do that I always worry that the others won't like it or that the hotel will be in a bad location. Believe it or not the internet pictures are not always accurate.
This time I managed to do well. The hotel was affordable with a hot cooked breakfast and was conveniently located 5 minutes away from the BART station, the only way to travel to downtown San Francisco. The rental vehicle was a midsize SUV, very affordable, and was just what was needed for 4 people.
We all had such a great time that we plan to go elsewhere, although it will probably be in a few years. With our children having babies we have to work around them.
Liz
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Pool Cleaning Day
Today was "clean the pool" day. Every year we say that this will be easier than last year but it never is. . .until. . .today.
We always say that we will run chlorine through the winter to make today easier. That doesn't seem to happen. It gets cold, the water stays clear, we don't see the need for chlorine, we have a warm winter day, and then BAM! the pool is green. I know it is hard to believe but it can get green overnight and then we realize that we don't have any chlorine and so it stays green. It doesn't help that we have trees in our backyard. Trees mean leaves that fall in autumn and many fall or blow into the pool. The chlorophyll leeches out of them into the pool water.
In the past we have spent a lot of money on chemicals to finally get the pool water clear and ready to swim. This year we got smart-we drained the pool. We realized that it might cost us $100 extra on our water bill but that was cheaper than all the chemicals that we have bought in the past.
It took almost all day to drain the pool. We had removed the leaves through the day to keep the drain clear so when the last water was sucked out we finished rinsing the sides and started filling it up. Easy, easy, easy.
Of course now that the water is clear we can see how badly it needs to be replastered. That will probably have to wait until next spring. My theory is that it holds water and I can swim.
Now if we can just remember to keep the chlorinator full this winter we won't be in this predicament again.
Liz
We always say that we will run chlorine through the winter to make today easier. That doesn't seem to happen. It gets cold, the water stays clear, we don't see the need for chlorine, we have a warm winter day, and then BAM! the pool is green. I know it is hard to believe but it can get green overnight and then we realize that we don't have any chlorine and so it stays green. It doesn't help that we have trees in our backyard. Trees mean leaves that fall in autumn and many fall or blow into the pool. The chlorophyll leeches out of them into the pool water.
In the past we have spent a lot of money on chemicals to finally get the pool water clear and ready to swim. This year we got smart-we drained the pool. We realized that it might cost us $100 extra on our water bill but that was cheaper than all the chemicals that we have bought in the past.
It took almost all day to drain the pool. We had removed the leaves through the day to keep the drain clear so when the last water was sucked out we finished rinsing the sides and started filling it up. Easy, easy, easy.
Of course now that the water is clear we can see how badly it needs to be replastered. That will probably have to wait until next spring. My theory is that it holds water and I can swim.
Now if we can just remember to keep the chlorinator full this winter we won't be in this predicament again.
Liz
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
San Francisco
Last week we met our very good friends Patty and Robert in San Francisco. We had the best time. How could it not be a great time since we were in one of my favorite cities with favorite friends.
My husband and I had been to San Francisco before but Patty and Robert had not so it was especially enjoyable. We spent a whole day in San Francisco seeing all the sights: Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, sea lions, Ghiardelli Square, Chinatown, Union Square, the Golden Gate Bridge and of course there were all the unusual people.
The next day we drove down Highway 1 south through Big Sur to Lucia Lodge. We made a drive through Pebble Beach and stopped at the Pro Shop before going on. As usual it was absolutely beautiful-the blues and greens of the water are breathtaking.
Our third day we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge on to Stinson Beach and then to Napa. The water at the beach was a little cold and we were amazed at the number of people that were there. The grape vines in Napa were just beginning to leaf out.
We ate good food and laughed a lot. A vacation shared with good friends makes great memories.
Liz
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
A Prisoner of Birth
Picture by FlickrI love books written by Jeffrey Archer. I have read many of his books and love the twists and turns throughout them. A Prisoner of Birth did not disappoint me. This book like so many of his others take place over several years. When I start them I always wonder if I am going to be able to get through the 600 pages but the more I read the more I want to find out what happens in the end. Isn't that how a book should be?
Liz
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter
Photo from FlickrToday is Easter. I will be spending the day with some of the people that mean the most to me, my parents, my brothers, my husband, my daughter, and my son in law. My son, daughter in law, and my grandson will be in Houston celebrating Lincoln's first Easter. We will miss them but maybe next year they will be able to spend Easter with us.
Everyday I try to thank God for the blessings that He has bestowed upon us. I know that I am very often negligent in turning my eyes to Him and being thankful. Today I am most grateful for a Savior that loves me, that gave His life for me, and for being patient with me. I know that no matter what happens I am saved by the grace of God and the blood of Jesus Christ.
Liz
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
March Madness Update
March Madness is over for another year. Even though I was the only one in our pool to correctly pick the NCAA Basketball Tournament winner I didn't come in first. I came in second. . .by 2 points. It seems that I didn't correctly pick enough of the winners in the earlier games. At least I achieved my goal of not coming in last. In fact I think that this year was my best.
Liz
Liz
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wind, Wind, Wind
Another windy day-the fourth in a row. I am so tired of the wind and today will be worse than the others. Today wind gusts could be 45-50 mph.
There is nothing like spending 45 minutes in the wind with 300 middle schoolers waiting for their teacher to come and take them back to the classroom. They are usually wound up and talkative. That has to be one of the longest 45 minute time spans of the day.
This is the end of the first week of my long term job. I already had plans for tomorrow so someone else will be there next week. I hope that next week will be less windy and more enjoyable.
Liz
There is nothing like spending 45 minutes in the wind with 300 middle schoolers waiting for their teacher to come and take them back to the classroom. They are usually wound up and talkative. That has to be one of the longest 45 minute time spans of the day.
This is the end of the first week of my long term job. I already had plans for tomorrow so someone else will be there next week. I hope that next week will be less windy and more enjoyable.
Liz
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
My Long Term Job
This week I started a subbing job for 4 weeks. I am filling in for the Content Mastery aide while she is doing her four week training for the Army Reserves.
This is not a position that I would normally do but it was several weeks of consistent work during a month in which I will be gone and there is also TAKS testing so I knew that subbing could be sporadic.
Content Mastery is part of special education. This is a room for students with learning disabilities. They can leave their regular classroom, bring their papers, and get individual help. Most of the students are at a very low reading level and can be discipline problems in the regular classroom because they try to cover up the fact that they are unable to keep up.
I do not take the subbing jobs in this room because these kids get used to the teacher and the aides that are in there consistently and they do not accept a different person helping them. There are many that already do not like me because I am the sub that tries to make sure they do the work that the teacher leaves for them and so they are not wild about me doing anything to help them. Maybe that will change during these four weeks.
Liz
This is not a position that I would normally do but it was several weeks of consistent work during a month in which I will be gone and there is also TAKS testing so I knew that subbing could be sporadic.
Content Mastery is part of special education. This is a room for students with learning disabilities. They can leave their regular classroom, bring their papers, and get individual help. Most of the students are at a very low reading level and can be discipline problems in the regular classroom because they try to cover up the fact that they are unable to keep up.
I do not take the subbing jobs in this room because these kids get used to the teacher and the aides that are in there consistently and they do not accept a different person helping them. There are many that already do not like me because I am the sub that tries to make sure they do the work that the teacher leaves for them and so they are not wild about me doing anything to help them. Maybe that will change during these four weeks.
Liz
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