I can not believe it's Thursday already! Where has the week gone. More importantly ... where has the month gone?? Tomorrow is the last day of April. Four months of 2010 have already come and gone. Sheesh. Plus, it being Thursday, I only have THREE days left to read Book 2. Oh golly ... More on that in a minute.
I am loving my interim position with second grade. I think I could see myself teaching second grade. I had a not-so-good experience in college and pretty much detested anything lower than fourth grade. And of course I never wanted to teach anything higher than fourth. So that pretty much only left my narrow search for a fourth grade position. Thank the Lord for this opportunity!
So today we went over a reading comprehension passage the students did yesterday. It was a recipe on how to make bluberry muffins. In the passage they talk about beating the ingredients together. Well, J sits beside me because he has a hard time staying focussed. He has been tested and approved for special needs assistance so now we're just waiting for that to take place. He can't really read anything we do in class because he's on a low first grade level and has already been retained twice in second grade so he has to move on to third grade next year. He's really smart and can comprehend reading when read to him and he's on grade level in math, he just can't read anything.
Well anyway. He was having a hard time staying with the rest of the class and wasn't checking his work or following along. I had already gotten on him like twice to stay with us. We got to the part in the passage about beating the ingredients and as another student read it, I hear J singing under his breath, "let the beat drop, do do doooo, let the beat drop, do do doooo'. Over and over, the Black Eyed Peas. He had his little shoulders popping and heading bouncing. I didn't have the heart to tell him to stop so I just smiled and started singing the song in my head along with him. =) These are the types of moments in teaching that make it worth it. The joy of working with kids!
So yes .. back to book 2. The Physick of Deliverance Dane. It's taken me longer to get into this book but I've finally gotten there. It's a pretty clean book so far. I just want to get to the end to finally figure out who Deliverance Dane is and what she has to do with a college student in 1991. Like I said before, I enjoy historically based books so this is a good one! I just wish I had more time this week ... I'm getting nervous I won't make my deadline. It's crazy how much I want to meet each deadline and it's just a personal thing. I wish I was this into deadlines in college. Haha.
3 Days, 235 Pages
Book 2, Week 2
4.29.2010
4.24.2010
Book One is Complete!
That's right. I have met my first goal and I did it two days early. =) I've already been to the libray and picked my next book, but I'll get to that in a minute.
Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. I would give it 3 1/2 stars out of five. I have to warn you that it does use explicit words and a brief sensual section in on chapter but other than that, I really enjoyed it. I liked picking up with old characters and getting back into their lives. As cheesy as it sounds, I really felt like I was part of the Friday Night Knitting club. This book deals with loss and forgiveness and moving on. It's an easy read that won't make your head hurt after reading it. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more talk of knitting in this one as there was in the first one but that's okay. A free knitting pattern at the end and two recipes made up for it. Give Knit Two a try! =)
My next book will be The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe. I first heard about this book when the author was doing an interview on the Today Show. It is an infusion of the present and the past of the Salem Witch Trials. A college student begins research for her dissertation and discovers she is much closer to the past and history than she knew. I was hooked! I love novels that include history and fiction, especially art history. I have already chosen another novel, to come soon, that deals with fiction and art history. Yipee!
So ... Book 2, Week 2
9 days (since I finished two days early), 362 pages
P.S.
We have hatched baby birds in our mail box! They are so tiny and cute. Will post pictures of that and the mutantpillars when I am home. I am posting from the parent's computer so I can start my next book.
Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. I would give it 3 1/2 stars out of five. I have to warn you that it does use explicit words and a brief sensual section in on chapter but other than that, I really enjoyed it. I liked picking up with old characters and getting back into their lives. As cheesy as it sounds, I really felt like I was part of the Friday Night Knitting club. This book deals with loss and forgiveness and moving on. It's an easy read that won't make your head hurt after reading it. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more talk of knitting in this one as there was in the first one but that's okay. A free knitting pattern at the end and two recipes made up for it. Give Knit Two a try! =)
My next book will be The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe. I first heard about this book when the author was doing an interview on the Today Show. It is an infusion of the present and the past of the Salem Witch Trials. A college student begins research for her dissertation and discovers she is much closer to the past and history than she knew. I was hooked! I love novels that include history and fiction, especially art history. I have already chosen another novel, to come soon, that deals with fiction and art history. Yipee!
So ... Book 2, Week 2
9 days (since I finished two days early), 362 pages
P.S.
We have hatched baby birds in our mail box! They are so tiny and cute. Will post pictures of that and the mutantpillars when I am home. I am posting from the parent's computer so I can start my next book.
4.22.2010
Alright, first things first. I have pictures of my crazy, ugly caterpillars but I took them using my cell phone and I'm not sure how to upload them. I know it's probably something simple but simple things tend to be tricky for me, especially when technology is involved. I would get Sam to help me but she's sleeping already. He's a sick little boy tonight. =(
I am about half way done with my first book of the challenge. It's a good one! It's the sequel to Friday Night Knitting Club, so if we decide to read this one, I would suggest reading the first book first. You really don't have to. It's not that kind of book that you miss out on a whole lot by not reading the first book but the first one is so good that I suggest reading. It's especially good if you're a knitter. Holla to all my knitting gmas out there! (Yes, I just used gansta slang in my blog ... last time, I promise). When I was reading Friday Night Knitting Club it made me really long for a group of women that I could sit with and just knit and talk and drink coffee/tea and laugh with. I still want that ... who am I kidding. The only knitters I know around here are all seasoned grey-haired women. Not like back at school.
Anyway ... this week has flown by! I can't believe it's almost Friday already! This school is just about over. So many mixed emotions. I emailed the principal of the school that I'm at right now and thanked him for the great opportunity to sub for a maternity leave and threw in a hint that I want a full-time job next year. He emailed me back this morning saying that he would definitely keep me in mind when hiring for next year. Whoopie!! He said he would know more going into May and June. Keep those prayers coming!! Well, I'm off to get ready for bed and to read some more! Hopefully pictures will be up tomorrow.
4 days, 176 pages to go
I am about half way done with my first book of the challenge. It's a good one! It's the sequel to Friday Night Knitting Club, so if we decide to read this one, I would suggest reading the first book first. You really don't have to. It's not that kind of book that you miss out on a whole lot by not reading the first book but the first one is so good that I suggest reading. It's especially good if you're a knitter. Holla to all my knitting gmas out there! (Yes, I just used gansta slang in my blog ... last time, I promise). When I was reading Friday Night Knitting Club it made me really long for a group of women that I could sit with and just knit and talk and drink coffee/tea and laugh with. I still want that ... who am I kidding. The only knitters I know around here are all seasoned grey-haired women. Not like back at school.
Anyway ... this week has flown by! I can't believe it's almost Friday already! This school is just about over. So many mixed emotions. I emailed the principal of the school that I'm at right now and thanked him for the great opportunity to sub for a maternity leave and threw in a hint that I want a full-time job next year. He emailed me back this morning saying that he would definitely keep me in mind when hiring for next year. Whoopie!! He said he would know more going into May and June. Keep those prayers coming!! Well, I'm off to get ready for bed and to read some more! Hopefully pictures will be up tomorrow.
4 days, 176 pages to go
4.20.2010
Second graders vs. Caterpillars
So today in science we were talking about the differences between humans and caterpillars. No, this was not a random question. We are studying the life cycles of butterflies. Well, most students stuck with things like, caterpillars have fur and humans have hair. Caterpillars have 16 legs and humans only have 2. Caterpillars change into butterflies and humans just stay humans. Caterpillars eat leaves and humans eat food (apparently leaves are not food).
Well then we got around to how caterpillars are born. A little girl raised her hand and answered that humans were just born alive and caterpillars came from eggs. Silly me decided to correct her and tell her that humans come from eggs as well. The whole class erupted into a chorus of "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!" I let them all know that they would learn more about that in either middle school or high school when they learned the life cycle of humans. But today we were going to just talk about the life cycle of butterflies.
Then, a little boy raised his hand and said that he was different than his caterpillar because humans were peach and caterpillars were different colors. Before anyone could catch on to what he said, I changed the subject and decided we talked about life cycles long enough for one day and took the class outside to play. Who knew the life cycle of a butterfly could be so controversial in a second grade class?
Tomorrow I will post pictures of the gross, mutant caterpillars in my classroom!
So all day long I could not wait to read more of my book. I read for about 20 minutes before my walk and I'm headed back to reading once all my clothes are picked out and things are ready for tomorrow. So far, so good!
Soo ... 6 Days, 263 pages.
Well then we got around to how caterpillars are born. A little girl raised her hand and answered that humans were just born alive and caterpillars came from eggs. Silly me decided to correct her and tell her that humans come from eggs as well. The whole class erupted into a chorus of "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!" I let them all know that they would learn more about that in either middle school or high school when they learned the life cycle of humans. But today we were going to just talk about the life cycle of butterflies.
Then, a little boy raised his hand and said that he was different than his caterpillar because humans were peach and caterpillars were different colors. Before anyone could catch on to what he said, I changed the subject and decided we talked about life cycles long enough for one day and took the class outside to play. Who knew the life cycle of a butterfly could be so controversial in a second grade class?
Tomorrow I will post pictures of the gross, mutant caterpillars in my classroom!
So all day long I could not wait to read more of my book. I read for about 20 minutes before my walk and I'm headed back to reading once all my clothes are picked out and things are ready for tomorrow. So far, so good!
Soo ... 6 Days, 263 pages.
4.19.2010
52 Great Books to Read
So I bought this little pocket sized box of cards when I was in high school entitled "52 Great Books to Read". Each card has a title with a summary of the book on it. And to be quite honest, I haven't read half of them. And I probably never will. I originally started this post with the goal that I would read those specific 52 books ... well I've changed my mind. Hey! I'm allowed to do that. It's my blog. =)
So here's the NEW challenge. 52 books in 52 weeks. That's a book a week. I will create my own list of 52 Books to Read .. in 2010. Since I don't know the future and how the books will turn out, it will be the best books to read of 2010/2011. I told you, it's my blog. I can do what I want.
So book number one: Knit Two by Kate Jacobs.
7 days, 318 pages to go.
Book 1, Week 1
So here's the NEW challenge. 52 books in 52 weeks. That's a book a week. I will create my own list of 52 Books to Read .. in 2010. Since I don't know the future and how the books will turn out, it will be the best books to read of 2010/2011. I told you, it's my blog. I can do what I want.
So book number one: Knit Two by Kate Jacobs.
7 days, 318 pages to go.
Book 1, Week 1
4.14.2010
4.13.2010
Just Another Tuesday
Alright, I promise not to be as down as I was the last time I posted. Sometimes I just have days like that. I may be Spirit-filled and blessed but I am still human after all!
Spring break is over and it's back to school! We have a little over 9 weeks of school left and then it's sweet summer time. To be honest, I'm not ready for summer. I just started in a classroom (somewhat) of my own and I only have weeks left. To me, it's still new and exciting. Plus, I don't have a guarantee that I'll be back to a classroom next year. I think deep down I'm afraid of summer. I'm afraid of what it will bring ... searching, waiting, searching, waiting ... sitting in the unknown, being unemployed. However, I'm not there yet. I still have 9 weeks. =)
Quilting has taken over two rooms in my house. Have I mentioned that I am now a quilter? I have put the knitting needles down for awhile and taken up lengthy dates with my NEW sewing machine. I have completely finished four quilts and actually sold one for profit. I am currently making another one for sale. I love it! I think I like quilting better than knitting ... shhh ... don't tell Ann, my lovely knitting teacher. I think I am going to try and sell quilts this summer to make some money. It's time I use my creativity for something other than a time passing hobby.
Golly ... The Biggest Loser is brutal! I'm sitting here watching my Tuesday guilty pleasure and these personal trainers insane. I'm not sure if I could handle being a contestant. They sweat so much! And they get yelled at constantly. I hate yelling. Doing it and hearing it. Actually, that's a lie. Sometimes a good yell just makes me feel good. But only when I'm by myself so that no one thinks I'm yelling at them.
Spring break is over and it's back to school! We have a little over 9 weeks of school left and then it's sweet summer time. To be honest, I'm not ready for summer. I just started in a classroom (somewhat) of my own and I only have weeks left. To me, it's still new and exciting. Plus, I don't have a guarantee that I'll be back to a classroom next year. I think deep down I'm afraid of summer. I'm afraid of what it will bring ... searching, waiting, searching, waiting ... sitting in the unknown, being unemployed. However, I'm not there yet. I still have 9 weeks. =)
Quilting has taken over two rooms in my house. Have I mentioned that I am now a quilter? I have put the knitting needles down for awhile and taken up lengthy dates with my NEW sewing machine. I have completely finished four quilts and actually sold one for profit. I am currently making another one for sale. I love it! I think I like quilting better than knitting ... shhh ... don't tell Ann, my lovely knitting teacher. I think I am going to try and sell quilts this summer to make some money. It's time I use my creativity for something other than a time passing hobby.
Golly ... The Biggest Loser is brutal! I'm sitting here watching my Tuesday guilty pleasure and these personal trainers insane. I'm not sure if I could handle being a contestant. They sweat so much! And they get yelled at constantly. I hate yelling. Doing it and hearing it. Actually, that's a lie. Sometimes a good yell just makes me feel good. But only when I'm by myself so that no one thinks I'm yelling at them.
4.08.2010
Looking for a Goal
So I'm sitting here, before church starts, wondering if this is what my life will look like all the time. I just reread my last entry on following the Holy Spirit so I feel a little strange typing this, but if I denied my doubt all the time, I'd be lying and saying that I wasn't human. Yes, I still choose to follow the Holy Spirit in any direction He leads but sometimes I wonder ... is this it? Even for now?
I'm subbing for a maternity leave that runs until school ends and I'm actually looking forward to getting back in the classroom. I guess the dazed and amazed stage of having "my" classroom hasn't worn off, yet.
But I look at my house and the mess that it's constantly in, and I look at our lack of funds, and my big desire to organize everything and I just don't see any middle ground. I hate cleaning. I hate picking up things every single day. I hate scrubbing counters each evening. Is this what it takes to have a home that I long for? I walk into people's homes that I admire and it's always clean and organized and smells good ... and then there's my home ... I wish I had an endless budget to ORGANIZE my house. I want file folders and plastic containers and baskets ... *sigh* I drool when I go down that aisle in Wal-Mart and Target. I love my husband but I didn't realize I was marrying all his habits as well. Oh well ... for better or worse, right? =)
Alright, so to get to the title of my post. I'm looking for a goal. I just watched Julie & Julia a few nights ago and I am inspired! Not to cook French food or anything but to do something. As you few readers of mine know, I'm not good at keeping up with this. So I'm thinking if I had a goal, like going through an entire cookbook, or something to that effect, it would help me stay consistant with this. Soooo, if you have any ideas ... please let me know. =)
I would try a weight loss blog, but I don't want to publicly show my failure. So anything besides that.
That is all for now ... I'm feeling a bit peppy so I might be back tonight. Who knows!
I'm subbing for a maternity leave that runs until school ends and I'm actually looking forward to getting back in the classroom. I guess the dazed and amazed stage of having "my" classroom hasn't worn off, yet.
But I look at my house and the mess that it's constantly in, and I look at our lack of funds, and my big desire to organize everything and I just don't see any middle ground. I hate cleaning. I hate picking up things every single day. I hate scrubbing counters each evening. Is this what it takes to have a home that I long for? I walk into people's homes that I admire and it's always clean and organized and smells good ... and then there's my home ... I wish I had an endless budget to ORGANIZE my house. I want file folders and plastic containers and baskets ... *sigh* I drool when I go down that aisle in Wal-Mart and Target. I love my husband but I didn't realize I was marrying all his habits as well. Oh well ... for better or worse, right? =)
Alright, so to get to the title of my post. I'm looking for a goal. I just watched Julie & Julia a few nights ago and I am inspired! Not to cook French food or anything but to do something. As you few readers of mine know, I'm not good at keeping up with this. So I'm thinking if I had a goal, like going through an entire cookbook, or something to that effect, it would help me stay consistant with this. Soooo, if you have any ideas ... please let me know. =)
I would try a weight loss blog, but I don't want to publicly show my failure. So anything besides that.
That is all for now ... I'm feeling a bit peppy so I might be back tonight. Who knows!
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