anticipation

I am waiting on a baby in 2012, not my own baby but his arrival will mean that I will be putting on my "teacher panties" for the next eight to ten weeks. It will also mean recording grades, filling out report cards, organizing parent conferences, recess duty on snowy days, recess duty on snowy days and more recess duty on snowy days. Please don't read me wrong, I feel it is a great honor to be able to teach these kids, even for a short amount of time. Here's something I've found out; my progression a a substitute teacher has helped me to be a better teacher. Dealing with the behaviors of autistic kids has given me more strategies and options for dealing with regular kids. I will still need to say my daily prayers for patience and guidance thought.

mileage and mya

It was a beautiful, bright, sunny day. The temperature reached 60 this afternoon and I took advantage of it by walking 5.17 miles in the hood. While I was walking I met a real sweetheart, a black lab named Mya who is staying with her "human" grandparents for a couple of days. Anyway, I enjoyed walking in just a sweatshirt and scarf. Outlet shopping tomorrow!!

plain and simple

I'm going to stop hating George Bush in 2012. I think he personally caused the Iraq war and was responsible for killing thousands of people and I think he should be put on trial for these crimes but it's time for me to release this hatred and move on. As a Christian I can't live with hate in my heart. I have already started. Last week Jenna Bush Hager was on the Today Show and I didn't switch the channel.

it's over

I 've started packing up Christmas stuff (decorations) and lugging them upstairs to the attic. I think I will wait until tomorrow to tackle the tree. Santa was good and I am very appreciative of my loot. This year I got:

• a diamond necklace from hubby
• a Brighton bracelet with a snowflake medallion which I plan to wear as my signature bracelet through January
• a Vera Bradley IPad cover
• various gift cards

I don't ask for any new clothes as practical me, I like to shop at the after Christmas sales. But not today, it's too crazy out there, even at our "little mall." Later I will wrap up on the couch and continue to read Washington on my IPad. Oh, I got a really, really soft throw too!

under the weather

I've been on the couch pretty much for the past two days suffering from the flu bug I guess, although I dutifully took my flu shot this year. I am thankful that I have time to recuperate now before Christmas gets here. I have been doing my share of reading, watching politics, knitting a fancy headband and making a pair of mittens (I use old wool sweaters) for my dental hygienist. I have an appointment on the 28th. I have the best dental hygienist in the world! I'll post a pic of the mittens when I have them finished, until then, here's a pic of the amaryllis I have blooming.

cookies

I'm out to buy more candied fruit today, we're making more leb cookies tonight. Why? Hubby has been eating them like crazy and we only have two bags left. Plus we like to have extra so we can give away a bag or two at Christmas time.
I pray for the eleven people who lost their lives in the snowstorm that covered the Midwest.  What a sad Christmas it will be for their loved ones. Dear Jesus, Please hold them in Your almighty hands and fill them with joy and peace knowing that Your Son was born at Christmas but he also died at Easter to save us all. Thank you for Heaven and thank you for the real reason we celebrate this season, Your Son's Holy Birth!

rubber glove count: four pair

I worked this morning in the Autistic Room; plenty of wet britches but that's okay cuz I wanted to see my little friends one more time before vacation. While I was out, I finished all of my Christmas shopping and now I can wrap presents the rest of the day. I don't get too fancy with wrapping and I usually use stick-on bows... love being home on a rainy afternoon. I might watch Mr. Popper's Penguins, I loved it as a book; I hope the movie doesn't disappoint!

potato soup

Occasionally I like to share recipes, not because I'm a great cook, but just because I find one that tastes good. This potato-bacon soup recipe is easy (except for frying bacon, I use my mother's technique of flouring it first to cut down on the splatters) and the ingredients are things you already have in your pantry or refrigerator. I am thinking maybe adding clams to this recipe and serving it for New Years.

Potato Bacon (Clam) Soup

8 slices bacon, chopped ( I use more)
1 cup onion, chopped
2 1/2 cups potatoes, cubed ( I used maybe three or four medium-sized spuds)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cups milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Fry bacon till crisp. Add onion and saute 2 to 3 minutes. Drain. Cook potatoes in 1 cup of water for 10 to 10 minutes. I used a masher to smash them up somewhat although the recipe does not say to do this. Stir in soup, sour cream, bacon and onions. Add milk gradually, stirring constantly. Add salt and pepper. Heat to serving temperature. DO NOT BOIL.
Now I'm thinking maybe using the crockpot next time.

fruit

 I eat only fruit in the morning, oranges, bananas, cherries or any fresh fruit that's in season. Someone told me (or maybe I read it in a magazine) that prunes are especially good for you. Because they are a dark fruit they have a lot of antioxidants, potassium and fiber in them. So lately I have started each morning with a serving (five or six) of prunes. And maybe this is TMI but I always eat them "Rainman" style, straight out of the can with a toothpick!

facinating

I realize I overuse that word when I am posting about books that I am reading, maybe I should just use very good once in awhile. The Man in the Rockefeller Suit by Mark Seal is a very good book. I am halfway through it and hope to finish it today. I hate to leave "very good " books unfinished even overnight. On my new IPad (a birthday gift) I have Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. by Sam Wasson. Only so-so but maybe it will pick up as I get more into it. I also have the book, The White House by Vicki Goldberg which I pretty much finished in one night as I am a big history buff and The Idiot's Guide to Algebra Practice Problems by Jane P. Gardner because I want to keep my skills sharp.

decorations

My wreath wasn't looking very festive so I added some ribbon 50%  off at Hobby Lobby. What a deal! The holly trimmed from my bush in our front yard appears on our mantel this year.

The deer were purchased from Kohls several years ago. Since we have numerous "real" deer in the woods behind our house, I like to use them in my Christmas decorations.

third grade

I was called early this morning to sub in third grade. The teacher left a huge pile of work. I just love it when they do that because it keeps the kids busy and I get to blame the teacher. So we read and checked out new library books from the school media center. We played math games on the SmartBoard and practiced their Christmas musical. We had a phonics lesson on "ou" and "ow" and a worksheet on plants and energy. Here's a cute math game to teach rounding: Pass out number cards, 0, 10, 20, 30 to 100. Pass out nine sided dice. With a partner the kids take turns rolling the dice. If the number is 14, they pick up the 10 card. If the 10 card is missing, they can turn the number into 41 and pick up the 40 card. Play continues until all the cards are gone. The kid with the most cards is the winner.

westminster

Over the weekend I visited the Westminster campus and snapped a picture of a very famous church. St. Mary the Virgin Aldermanbury, designed by Christopher Wren in 1667. This church was taken apart stone by stone and rebuilt on that campus in Fulton, Missouri to commemorate Sir Winston Churchill who made his famous "Iron Curtain" speech there in 1946.

sell the house

For years I have wanted  a house with a river view. These houses rarely come on the market in this town but this past week a realtor called to tell me about a perfect little brick rancher on a very desirable westend street with an amazing backyard river view. The house is small and needs updating and that's fine. Most of these "river view" houses were built many years ago and anytime you buy a house you always want to make it your own. But, do I really want to give up my big house for a small one. I love my walk-out attic  and my downstairs exercise room.  I love my over-sized bedrooms and my new stone patio which overlooks the woods. And the creek where I hunt for arrowheads, I couldn't do that anymore. Plus, we would really miss our four garages. No, we are not hoarders but we do have three vehicles and a boat. I'll probably never get another chance at a little brick rancher with a genuine river view but I think I'll have to pass on this one.

the little mall

I call it the little mall because that's what it is but we are very fortunate to have it as lots of little malls just like it have closed due to the downswing in the economy. There are three department/anchor stores, Dillards, Penneys and Sears. Then there are dress shops, candy stores, sporting goods and even a Golds Gym in one corner. I walked over four miles there yesterday and now have huge blisters on both of my feet. Maybe that is due to changing to a different pairs of walking shoes which was a big mistake. I took a mental survey while making the rounds: The stinkiest store would be Victoria's Secret, smells like cheap perfume. The prettiest storefront is Bath and Body Works, lots of shine and glitter; and the busiest store has to be Hallmark, pretty obvious at this time of year. I love Hallmark ornaments and have collected quite a few from students over the years. Here's a picture of the oldest Hallmark ornament that I have. I received it from a little boy named Marc during my student teaching days. Wow, that goes way back. It's a golden dove and I always place it at the top of my tree.

walking

Yesterday I walked on the treadmill for 53 minutes, a total of three miles at an incline of 6 to 7. Supposedly I burned 511 calories. I also did some upper body weight training. Today the roads are cleared of the ice and snow so I feel like making my way to the little mall on the other side of town to do my walking. Even at Christmas time it's not very busy and easy to get around. I'm going to try to do four or five miles. I only wish I could be outside but the temperature is 13 degrees and that's too cold for me. We have a red-tailed hawk that has started to visit us. I saw him yesterday in our backyard, I hope to get a picture of him soon. He's quite large and a very handsome bird.

the ugly cookie

Last night Hubby and I ate leftover chili and baked leb cookies. Last year's batch was very good but lacked in candied fruit as he only dumped in one cup. This year he make sure to put in plenty fruit and walnuts and pecans. So how did they turn out? Not the greatest I'm sorry to say, and I've never seen an uglier cookie. We choose not to ice them as we've found they freeze better naked. Next year instead of our grandmother's recipe we might just choose one from the Internets. Here's a five generation picture that I display in my dining room. That young girl is my mother, the little boy is my oldest brother, my grandmother and her mother are standing and great, great grandfather is seated next to my mother. My grandparents were German Lutherans. I love this picture as it really shows my mother's 'Mona Lisa'  smile.

Leb Kuchen

Yesterday while Hubby mixed up a huge batch (12 cups of flour) of leb kuchen. I did some decorating. Since both of our grandmothers came from Germany, this is a cookie that we both grew up with. No picture of the finished product yet as they are still resting. Yes, the cookie dough has to set overnight. He uses a combination of both recipes and they both say to do that. So this weekend we had a fun trip to Kansas City to see family, got some decorations up and of of course, the leb cookies are waiting to be baked.

I know this doesn't show much effort but I have accumulated lot of Christmas decorations through the years and this wreath made of jingle bells is one of my favorites. This year I put it on my pie safe which sets in the corner of my kitchen.

little by little

My rose bushes has been trimmed back, some over-grown crepe myrtles have been dug up and Christmas garland decorates our doorway. Okay, most of this has been done by my amazing hubby but it has helped to raise my spirits and besides that, he's going to fry fish for dinner tonight. Yes, I know I have a keeper, I love him so much! Even though I feel depressed inside I'm going to try not to let it show on the outside. I think that's called "compartmentalizing." Is that a word? I should not feel bad about my wonderful life. God has given me so much. Please help me be more mindful of this.

peaks and valleys

With me it's always been peaks and valleys, highs and lows. Today I feel my spirit has lifted somewhat. I have already hemmed a pair of gray flannel pants that I want to wear to a family get-together on Saturday, washed, dried and put away a load of dark clothes and planted an amaryllis. I can't handle Christmas decorations yet so I'm telling myself not to worry about it. I have always had three particular sad periods, the beginning of the schoolyear, the end of the schoolyear and Christmas. Since I have retired, school has not bothered me. Even with subbing, that dark, empty feeling has gone away. Christmas is still hard to handle and I don't know why.

seasonal depression

I am fighting depression. My brain is telling me to get my house decorated for Christmas but I still have pumpkins on my dining room table. I know there is shopping to get done. I had planned to walk at the little mall today and do some shopping after but I couldn't get out of my pajamas. I keep telling myself that it's okay to be lazy one day. Tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow I will wake up with a positive attitude. Tomorrow I will exercise and shop and decorate for Christmas. Please dear Jesus, help me get out of the dumps.

could this be...

the last rose of summer?

thanksgiving

God, we thank you for this food.

For rest and home and all things good.

For wind and rain and sun above.

But most of all for those we love.

white cactus

My white cactus is now blooming. That's a good thing! 

they're done

Seven dozen cookies ready to be delivered this morning for the big cookie sale tomorrow. I say big because they usually sell more than twelve thousand dozen. I'm serious, that's alot of cookies!

I also received a kid bite on Thursday, the third one of my teaching career. I was fortunate because it did not break my skin. If there was blood I would have had to be tested for HIV and everybody knows how much I hate needles!

dying sugar

I have to make several dozen Christmas cookies for a "cookie sale" at a local retirement home. No, I'm not a resident there but I may be someday. It is a restored mansion built along the Missouri River and the view is amazing. Today I am dying the sugar that I will use to roll the cookies in. The recipe also calls for Hersey's "candy cane" kisses which I found yesterday at Target. I will be subbing the next two days so these will be baked after school on Thursday. Maybe my amazing hubby will help me!!

two poems

WASH THE DISHES
Wash the dishes,
Wipe the dishes,
Ring the bell for tea.

Three good wishes,
Three good kisses,
I will give to thee.


APPLES, PEACHES
Apples, peaches,
Pears, plums,
Tell me when your
Birthday comes.

I love poems and always used them alot when I was teaching full time. Both of these poems could be used to teach a lesson on plurals.

trees & leaves

Nature Center pictures from last week. I could go out there again today but I feel like being around people for some reason so I'm heading to the Green Way, then maybe TJMax!

sexual harasssment

I was a victim of sexual harassment during my first two years of teaching. At a time when I needed encouragement and mentoring, my principal called me "bedroom eyes," told me crude jokes and threatened termination if I told anyone. All this time has gone by and I don't think about it anymore but it was very hurtful. I was only twenty one years old. I believe Herman Cain should be put in jail for what he did. He should not be running for President.

cleaning day

I'm cleaning this morning because it's windy, more than windy, blustery. But the sun is out and hopefully I can make it to the nature center this afternoon. Earlier I made some hot chocolate mix, my own recipe.

FITNESS PIGGY'S FAMOUS HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

16 ozs. non-fat dry milk, I used Carnation, I don't usually buy dry milk but I found it at
           Walmart
I/2 cup or a little more of Hershey's Cocoa, also at Walmart

I use 2 tablespoons in a mug and instead of sugar, I use a packet of Truvia. Truthfully, I use Truvia and a scant teaspoon of the real stuff. This recipe tastes a lot better than the mix you buy and I know it has less calories because I use hardly any sugar. It's a good thing!

come celebrate with me

It must be a Thanksgiving cactus! I have three and it's the only one blooming so far. My German grandmother and mother always had at least one blooming during the holidays and I am proud to carry on the tradition.

i'm reading

I picked up two new-release books from the library last week. Right now I'm into David King's Death in the City of Light, The Serial Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris. Very interesting and well-written. I'm also working my way through Barron's Painless Pre-Algerbra by Amy Stahl. What does that say about me? I'm seriously into serial killers and algerbra.

day 13, subbing

It turned out to be a pee and poop day and I am so glad it's over. I'm taking a long, hot shower and my sweet hubby is frying fish for dinner. The best part of the day was the nature walk we took but when we got back to the school they all had wet and dooty pants!

it's raining

I've decided to take a break from walking today. Earlier I took some books back to the library. One was the tell-all about Sarah Palin written by the guy who lived next door while he was digging up dirt doing research on her. In his book Mcginnis more or less states that Sarah is a rather neglectful mother who spends alot of afternoons shopping at Nordstroms. I had already figured that out. Working out/running takes time. I am able to do this because I am retired semi-retired with no children at home. He also mentioned how much he liked his new treagor grill. As a matter of fact, he mentioned it often. Hubby and I are planning to purchase a treagor grill next spring when we finish the new patio.

I also stopped at Target and bought some new work-out pants. They carry the c9champion brand which I feel are very comfortable.

 If it stops raining, I will walk.

a warm fall day

Yesterday I walked 4.47 miles. Today I walked 4.51 miles. In the hood. Did I mention that "naked man" sold his house and moved across town.
 Here's a recipe that I made this afternoon. I don't often eat meat but I know that Hubby enjoys it.

PORK CHOPS AND DRESSING

4 pork chops
1 pkg. Stove Top dressing (I use cornbread flavor)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can water

Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Brown quickly on both sides. Place in greased pan. Prepare dressing. Using an ice cream dipper, pat dressing on top of each pork chop. Mix soup with water. Pour around pork chops ( the recipe says not to pour over dressing but I do). Bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue baking for 15 minutes under tender.

a haunting invitation

to watch "Ghost Hunters" on the Sy-Fy Channel on Wednesday. You can bet I'll be watching/hiding under my blanket!

a great birthday present

The Cardinals won the World Series!! I couldn't be happier; especially because they beat the Texas Rangers, and we all know what I think of their idiot former owner George Bush (aka the worst president in the history of the world). Go Cards! Eleven series wins in 2011! How great is that!

patio





We have been blessed with beautiful weather. Here's the progress after four weekends.
More stone and gravel were delivered today. I can't wait for the columns and the floor.

fall roses, roses with bananas

My roses are surprising me every morning with new blooms and I keep picking them.

telling lies

Dear Jesus,
In the past two days I have told two lies. They were little convenient non-truths but let's face it, I know what a lie is and they were lies. First of all, I ask your forgiveness. I guess I should face the music and confess to the two people that heard these lies but I am not that strong yet. They might think I'm weird and they were not hurt in any way. It was just me getting out of something that I did not want to do. Help me to grow in my faith as I try to be more truthful with my friends.

cattiness

Yesterday the sun came out but it was filtered, the temperature stayed cool and it was very breezy. I had my share of recess duty. The buses were running late but I stayed outside making sure that all the wheelchair and autistic kids were loaded. When I came in, a facilitator/ co-worker said, "Hey, have you checked your hair lately?" Now, I was well aware that my hair was wind blown and I'm comfortable in my skin no matter what...but please keep catty comments to yourself, especially when I'm going out of my way to help you!

It's much warmer today. I walked 5.76 miles in the hood.

at home

  

Today I picked the last of the roses and made Ro-Tel Chicken Spaghetti for my hubby who has to work late. Later I will veg out in front of the television watching the first game of the World Series...Go Cards!!

Tomorrow I am back at school subbing as a facilitator. I'm thinking I'm going to be stuck with recess duty for at least part of the day...what's the warmest thing I can wear? 

braille

This morning I helped my missionary group put together braille books. We made seven 73 page books suitable for second graders. I fed the aluminium plates through the ancient braille machine so now I have done all the positions on the assembly line. We laughed and had a good time telling stories on ourselves. But there is one story that I am keeping a secret; they are all "tea party" republicans and I am a "closet" democrat. I just keep my mouth shut, you can learn a lot that way. 
Over the weekend my brother-in-law found a perfect arrow head in our backyard. The unwritten rule is "whoever finds it gets to keep it." I aways knew that there were Osage Indians living right here in this very spot where I am living now. It really makes me respect my little acre of ground more than ever. I must work on a patio prayer soon.

the story

He enjoys holding himself and does it often. When the teacher or facilitator tells him calmly to stop, he will. Last year in first grade he answered his facilitator with this, "Mrs. B. it got bigger." Pretty observant for an autistic kid.

day eleven: second grade

I had to wear my "mean face" most of the day as this is the second grade that I will be taking over in February. I don't want them to think that I'm a pushover. I've found it's always better to start as a hard nose and then ease up later. I heard a cute story about one of the special needs kids in my classroom today but it is a little dirty/nasty and I don't feel like posting it at this time, maybe later. I'm going to enjoy my weekend. My next scheduled subbing day is next Thursday.

patio pics

Because the patio construction will probably change this weekend, I wanted to post an update. Although I'm the cheering section, I couldn't be happier with the progress.

shut up and listen

It takes me awhile but eventually I get it. Last night I went to Missionary Society at church. We were tacking quilts and I wanted to learn how. We also had Bible study and a speaker who talked about the real need for diapers for little African children. This particular lady spends her time and talents making cute little pillow case dresses to send to Africa. Doesn't every little girl deserve a new dress. She also got to thinking she could cut up old tee shirts and with two seams turn them into diapers. This project is something I want to do too. From now on my sewing projects are going to be for someone else. I'm going to start to make pillow case dresses and also baby diapers. There are many, many ways to serve God and maybe this is my way.

mums

One rainy day in September we drove to Frankenstein, Missouri to buy mums at a favorite mum and pumpkin farm. It's not like Kansas; country roads in Missouri are hilly and very curvy but I don't get car-sick anymore so the hour-long drive was enjoyable. Of course, everything has gone up in price so the $6.50 mums last year are $7.50 this year. Even at that, they are beautiful. I want to try to put them in the ground later this fall and I'm hoping I can accomplish that before the ground freezes. I've heard that's the trick.

I walked over four miles this morning in the neighborhood. While I was walking gray squirrels ran across my path twice, I think that's a good sign...Go Cardinals!!

day ten, first grade

This actually happened after school today. I was at Barnes & Noble using a 30% off coupon to buy a cool, glow-in-the-dark Halloween book called Light's Out, Night's Out and I ran into one of my former students. Well, I didn't run into her but I happened to see her there. After we hugged and talked about what grade she was in now; second year of high school, I asked her if she knew what she would study once she eventually got into college. She said she really liked cooking and baking and she would probably become a chef some day. She even made scones for the first time over the weekend. Hey, I'm impressed, I've never make scones in my life. Maybe years in the future I'll have a world famous chef knocking on my door with a basket of warm scones for me. Or cupcakes would be good too! 

this has happened twice

I have been driving down the street and noticed that the price of gas has gone down to $3.08  a gallon. That's really cheap gas I think, but I'm busy so I'll stop and fill up tomorrow. Then tomorrow comes and the price of gas has risen to $3.18 over night. I get mad at myself for missing out on the cheap gas. I get mad at our country for being so unstable.  

patio update

So this is what our new patio looks like so far. We will continue to work on the wall tomorrow and the pictures should look different by Sunday. My job is to have plenty of food in the house for hungry workers. The weather continues to be beautiful. Go Cardinals!!

a project

Yesterday I walked a whopping 5.87 miles in my neighborhood, that is to make up for the day before when I only clocked 3.57 miles on the Greenway trail. Both days were simply gorgeous but I just got lazy. I also cleaned both the hard and soft surfaces in my house and now everything shines. I did get called by Shelley to sub in one of the autistic classrooms but I had to decline...I have a had time saying no. Anyway, yesterday I got the urge to start a new sewing project; a "Fall" runner for my dining room table. I could go to TJMax but I think I could make one just as pretty with a pattern of course. I let you know how it progresses!

retirement

I'm a subber but I'm also a retired teacher. I receive a very nice retirement check at the end of every month. I feel grateful but let's face it, I did earn it through many years of teaching. My retirement system has a rule that I may sub in a public school only so many hours/days in the current school year or I may be penalized by having my benefit check stopped and making me repay all the money paid to me during the period I was ineligible. I keep track on my calendar how many days I sub month to month. Because I am planning to do a "long term" subbing assignment next February for a friend who is having a baby I need to "save up my days" so to speak. This subbing assignment will last through the end of April and that will use up alot of my days. So that means I am on "subbing hiatus." I plan to walk and go biking today! 

the corn maze

schedule

This afternoon I am scheduled to sub in the "big kid" autism classroom. I've been there before so I know what to expect or what not to expect. But first I have to take Sam for a morning walk, read the daily newspaper (that's a habit for me) and maybe catch the Martha Stewart Show. I love my Martha!

the weekend

On Saturday we walked 4.19 miles on the new part of the Green way which connects to the KATY trail. I didn't have my favorite NIkes on and I was afraid my toes would get sore again but the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Earlier that morning we met with brick and stone people to go over ideas about our new patio. Here is a "before" picture of the back of our house. The patio will be on the right side. It's going to be somewhat of a "work in progress" and we planned no steps but to just extend out from the porch area.

After our walk, we came home showered and went to Saturday Church. We ended the day watching HBO and eating Chinese take-out from our favorite neighborhood restaurant.

I should have walked Sunday (yesterday) but I decided to take the day off and curl up with my new "true crime " book by Ann Rule. She has been a favorite of mine ever since her first book, Small Sacrifices, the story of Dianne Downs who killed one of her kids.
Later on, we started sampling some of Hubby's homemade wine. Three kinds of raspberry, a plum wine which reminded me of Kool Aid and a combination of plum and raspberry which was awfully good. I'm pretty much a lightweight when it comes to drinking anything alcoholic... I must admit I was feeling pretty good. We drank wine out of plastic glasses and listened to the guy who lives below us cut and bale his hay.

days 5,6,7

Okay I 'm exhausted! I have spent the past three days with snotty nosed three year olds and I mean that literally. Watching them mess around with their food three times a day, breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack is a great way to stay on a diet. Add to that the fact that they choose not to cover their mouths when they cough or have any inkling to wipe/blow the knot flowing out of their little noses...well, it's enough to make you ill. Oh yeah, I did fall in love with a little Vietnamese boy named Joseph who is one cute kid!

walking

Today was cool, in the 60's. Because of the wind I needed a jacket. That's okay, I like this kind of weather. I walked 5.61 miles and did not get sweaty! When I was getting into my car a man stopped me and asked for directions. I'm a landmark person and terrible about giving other people directions, however I was able to give him a new city map which I had in my car. Then when I tried to start my car, my keys were missing! I had to get out and search the parking lot. I finally located them under my seat.  Talk about a little scatter-brained today!
Later I went shopping a bought a new pair of earrings!

the irs office

This morning I paid my third quarter taxes at the IRS office. It's located close to Our Little Mall and also the Greenway trail. I hate paying taxes and I hate the armed guard on duty there. He is fleshy, condescending and has an affinity for FOX news on the office flat screen. I  wore my nicest walking outfit and tried to look past him through my sunglasses. I realize that acting like a bitch is not a Christian thing to do but I consider it my own little way of protesting. Later I walked 5.61 miles.

i really wanted to

go biking this morning but I committed to helping with quilts so that's what I did. After lunch I decided to force some hyacinth bulbs for next Spring. I try this every year. Sometimes I have luck and sometimes I don't. This is my first attempt at hyacinths. I used what I had: a mixture of peat moss, perlite and cactus soil mixture. I figured that qualified for sandy soil. Then into the downstairs refrigerator for ten to eleven weeks.

oh no

That was my first thought this morning. It was raining and I had a long walk planned but then it stopped and I was able to walk 5.91 miles on the Greenway. I turn around on this trail at the fire station which in right around the corner from the elementary school where I sub. I can always hear the kids playing on the playground. While I was walking I started praying for all the little old ladies of this world, especially the poor ones. God please give them extra care. I think it would be hard to be old and poor in this country without anyone to look after you. Thank you for providing me with a wonderful, funny husband and a loving family.

shes having a baby

I'm going in at noon today to sub for a friend who is having a baby. I will be taking over her class in February for six to eight weeks while she is at home with it. This will be a good opportunity today to see if her kids know how to behave. Generally, I love second graders, they know just enough about school to make it easy!

devils backbone

Yes, there really is such a place and it's fairly close to where I live.

today and tomorrow

Today I got my hair cut. Tomorrow I work in the new "big kid" autistic room. I hope I have some hair left!

day two, duties

When I sub in one of the autistic classrooms I always assume the duties of an aide. Even if the teacher is absent, the aide assigned to the class will take over the teacher's duties. A facilitator is hired to shadow a student with especially severe problems. I have done that as well. When I work with the autistic kids I never wear my good jewelry. Here are some of my duties:

• Meet the students getting off the bus and lead them by hand to the classroom.
• Remind them where their cubby is and assist taking off backpacks. Check inside for notes.
• Try to get them interested in playing: kitchen, dress-up, crafts, cars and trucks, train set, sensory table, blocks, puzzles and books, and so on.
• Remind them to focus on Teacher during Group Time. Try to keep them in their seats if they are using chairs. Sing, dance and march with them.
• Assist with using the bathroom or change diapers/pull ups.
• Assist with hand washing and snacks.
• Clean and sanitize tables.
• Assist on the playground. Make sure they have a helmet on if riding a trike. Watch for any unsafe behavior. Lead them by hand back to the classroom when outside time is over.
• Assist with backpacks and lead them by hand to their bus.
• Sweep up glitter, rice, noodles. Get ready for the second group. 

wild flower

These flowers were just so dainty, I just had to take a picture. I don't know the name but I might have to do some googling to find out. Today the temps were in the low to mid 80s. I walked 6.41 miles. Yes, I was very hungry when I got home. That's 14,544 steps and that does not include the "dog walk" I took with Sam earlier this morning. He's a big sniffer and has to stop at every tree or bush in the neighborhood.