What did YOU get for Christmas?

Here's the re-cap:
Justin: couple of hoodies, cell phone, XBOX games, Dark Knight Movie, sports stuff,
Hannah: IPOD Nano, sewing machine, purse (not coach), makeup, PJ's, Wii Fit
Adam: Several Nerf Guns, Spongebob sheets and comforter, shoes, PJ's, XBox games, WallE Movie...

Me: who cares...boring
Bob: new watch, Nose hair clippers (he asked for them ?!?)

All in all it was a really great Christmas. I was stressing it pretty hard but it turned out just fine. We finally saw all the relatives as of Saturday evening. I feel like I have gained about 20 lbs with all the eating we've been doing. Low key day yesterday spent taking down the tree!! (my favorite thing about Christmas) Switched the seating arrangement around in the living room. I do that about 2x's a year just to change things up. Threw out a bunch of outdated Christmas stuff and sent a huge pile of old clothes to Goodwill. My OCD side was really happy about it too.

I'm posting some really poor quality pictures for some reason our camera is acting up or maybe it's just the person taking the pictures :)


Justin's homeplate shaped clock


Hannah's new purse (no cows harmed in creating it)


Tommy 20 Gun, not MY favorite toy :p


Wall-E


Pink NANO


Hannah getting her first sewing lesson from grandma, who also gave her the machine


CAT boots for Justin


I did not get a picture of Bob opening the nose hair clippers, maybe I can get one when they are put to use!! HAHAHA

It's Over

Christmas is over WOOO HOOO!!! One week left to de-stress before I go back to school. I'm taking the tree down tomorrow and doing a thorough house cleaning and re-organization/throw out stuff that we don't need or use anymore.

Our holiday was nice, I will post pics and the re-cap later. I, for one am just really glad it's over!!

Updates Abound

My father in law's cancer has not spread to any other parts of his body but it is in his skull and brain as the surgeon previously told us. He will undergo chemo and radiation beginning in January. This somewhat good news and he is in much better spirits today.

I have ALL the shopping finished and everything (except 2 last minute gifts that my dad bought my mom but I have to wrap) wrapped. I mean everything!! Yippee. The tree is up, the stockings are hung, WE are ready for Christmas!!

Looking forward to see my mother's side of the family tomorrow evening, my in-laws for brunch on Christmas day, my father's side of the family Christmas evening and Bob's extended family on the 27th. Yeah, these next few days will be BUSY!!

My previous post was a copy of our annual newsletter. I did not have time to mail it before Christmas so I emailed it and posted it on my blog. (I know, I know, HI TECH!!) I'll mail out a few to far away friends and relatives later this week.

But we do wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and blessed holiday season!

Copy of our Christmas Newsletter

Season’s Greetings from our family to yours. This past year we have seen a lot of changes in the Nixon home. First off, we finally moved to Affton in March. Four days later our basement proceeded to flood. After a three month process of installing a sump pump, drainage system and restoring the living spaces down there, we had the house complete. It’s a small 4 bedroom 2 bath ranch in an older section of Affton. But with the finished family room and other areas in our basement, we are making it work.

In June, I left my job in the St. Louis Public School District to teach 8th grade in the Mehlville School District at Buerkle Middle. It was tough leaving all my wonderful co-workers but the much needed change has worked out well. Bob also changed police departments in August. He left Crestwood after 7 years to take a job with the Kirkwood Police. So far, Bob reports that Kirkwood is extremely busy but he enjoys the change of pace.

Our kids are still doing well in the Affton Schools. Justin is in 8th grade at Rogers Middle. He and the Junior Cougars Football team had a winning season this year. He’s currently playing floor hockey for the Stealth and doing well with his monster hard shot from the point. It’s hard to believe but we just attended high school orientation with Justin in early December. As we toured the school that was our alma mater, we couldn’t believe how quickly the years have flown by since we were there.

Hannah is in 7th grade at Rogers also. She is still excelling on the softball field and holding her own on the floor hockey team with Justin and the 10 other boys. Just last week Hannah got her first hockey penalty for tripping. She doesn’t take anything off those older bigger boys. She’s also gearing up for another great basketball season. Both Justin and Hannah made the Honor Roll again this year.

As for Adam, he has grudgingly entered the 3rd grade at Gotsch Intermediate. He hates the early mornings but was happy to have his best buddy in class with him again this year. While Adam does get good grades, he will happily tell you that his favorite class is lunch! Again this year, Bob is coaching Adam’s floor hockey team the Mohawks. It’s been a tough season for them so far but they still have fun. Adam is also still actively involved in Cub Scouts. He even placed third in the Pinewood Derby last February.

Life has begun to slow down after the hectic pace we had during the spring, summer, and fall. We did manage to get to the Lake of the Ozarks a few times and went on a trip to Branson in late July. Recently we hosted 20 family members for Thanksgiving for the first time. All in all it was a successful holiday. In closing we ask that you keep Bob’s father, Richard, in your thoughts and prayers as he battles cancer. Don’t forget to catch us on the web at http://nixonfamilynews.blogspot.com.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
The Nixon’s

Prayers for Bob's Dad

Tomorrow my father-in-law goes in for a cat scan to see how far his cancer has spread. Richard was diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland in November which had spread from squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer. He had surgery about 2 weeks ago to remove the cancer on the side of his face and neck. It was an extensive surgery requiring a large skin graft. The doctor told us then that the cancer had spread to the skull bones and possibly beyond to the brain. Tomorrow Richard will undergo the tests needed to evaluate how extensive the cancer has spread. We are quietly optimistic that it hasn't spread too far although the surgeon did state that she gave Grandpa about a 5 year survival rate at this point. But she would further adjust that depending on how far it has spread.

With my mother-in-law having just recovered from knee surgery in October, Barbara and Richard were planning on doing more traveling this year. The cancer diagnosis coming this close to Christmas has really zapped our spirits. I ask that you keep them in your prayers tomorrow as they find out the results from the tests.

Adam's Birthday part 3 and 4

(the birthday boys, ages 9 and 5)

We celebrated Adam's actual birthday by going to Chris' Restaurant. We've been going there for years. He received an XBOX game and a Nintendo DS game from the Geiler grandparents. He's all about the video games!! Then Saturday night I had extended family over to celebrate his birthday and my 5 year old cousin Nick's birthday. We had fun eating pizza and playing games like Pictionary Man.

(We also snuck in a visit to Culvers Friday night which is Adam's favorite place)

Where I'm From

Here's another poem that was created in my writing class. It's based on a poem of the same name. This is a teaching technique when you have kids copy the style of a poem but sub their own words.

Where I'm From

I am from acorns
and apple butter on a crisp fall day
I'm from the cub cadet tractor
parked under grandpa's carport
from Vine Avenue
and metal swimming pools
that glistened in the sun

I'm from 3 Eds and a Vicki
and grandma's dumplings
I'm from 5 hour car rides to Cloud Nine Ranch
with Pinkie the bear
and a station wagon with no air
I'm from Atari, VCR's and MTV
from the 82 World Series
and the Challenger Explosion
from the smell of money
on trips to AB
to see where dad worked hard

I'm from softball and hockey
and basketball and more
from sprained ankles, broken fingers
and trips to the sporting goods store
I'm from "You can do better."
to "Have another plate."
From "take care of your brother"
to "I Do" in the blink of eye
I'm from little girl to woman
how time flies.

They Will Never Know

Did I mention that I am taking a writing class as part of ongoing professional development? I think I did! So we have been working on creating a body of work in that class. Last time we were asked to take a group of words and write a story, a memory or a poem with those words. I chose these words: car, chrome, polish, grandpa, smile, treasure.

As I sat and looked at the words, I remembered that as of January 25th my beloved grandfather Ed Reidel passed away 20 years ago. I was just 16. This got me to thinking about my much younger cousins who never knew their grandpa and how he never met his 5 great-grandchildren. So this poem, while not totally true and will probably make my mom and Aunt Sandy cry, is my recollections of truly memorable character!


They will never know
his goofy smile,
through the unfiltered cigarette
that seemed to stretch out a mile

They will never know
his love of rusty tractors,
that seemed to shine
like an old protector

They will never know
how he polished up my bike,
so I could ride down hill
and didn't have to hike

They will never know
his big old boxy car,
with two chrome exhaust pipes
that never went far.

They will never know
how he treasured Sunday fun,
when grandpa's creaky voice
said there's my favorite one.

Snow Day>> that's right people!!

You heard it, the first official SNOW day of the year. It's a teacher's second favorite day of the year with the last day of school being the best!

Not sure why school was called off but I am wondering if those meteorologists aren't getting a kick back from the teacher's unions. You know kind of like the Blagoveich scandal. Who will pay the most for a a really nasty forecast??

Thanks a lot to those meteorologists who did predict tons of ice when in actuality we got very little.

I did manage to just about finish my shopping, do about 10 loads of laundry and bake cookies! Yippee!

Adam's Birthday part 1 & 2

Adam has a December birthday which if you ask me should be outlawed. It's really not fair because you get lumped all in there with Christmas. I've tried to convince him for the last two years to pick a different month to celebrate it but he says that would be cheating. SO I can't really argue with that logic. But I do have him convinced to celebrate it a week or two earlier than his actual birthday.

Last Sunday, December 7th, we went to dinner at Happy Joes with the Nixon grandparents. That is our normal family tradition. Adam received boots and money and a nerf gun blaster. We also gave him Kung Fu Panda the movie and XBox game. Then yesterday he had his friends over for his kid birthday party. I had a scavenger hunt and a treasure hunt all planned for them along with pizza, cake and Kung Fu Panda viewing. The party was a big success.

Adam's actually birthday is the 18th when we plan to go to Culvers, his favorite restaurant. Then on The 20th we are having the Geiler grandparents, great grandparents, and other extended family over for pizza and games to celebrate Adam and his cousin Nick's birthdays. So Adam actually gets a 4 part birthday. But I think it's only fair for December babies.







(note the Christmas tree in the bcakground, it did get put up)

Holy crap it's mid December already.........

When did this happen? How did December sweep in and already get to the 11th? Wow, I need to get in gear. My OCD side is starting to really panic/FREAK out. I still haven't gotten our Christmas newsletter/card started let alone printed, addressed, and mailed. (New Years newsletters are okay right?) I have not wrapped ONE gift yet. (Gifts stuffed in Target bags are just fine under the tree, RIGHT?) I'm still not finished shopping. (Is there anyone that I won't see until after Christmas?) And to top it all off we still haven't put up a tree or decorated other than to put some crappy icicle lights on the house. Just talking about how behind I am is making my skin crawl.

OKAY< that's it tomorrow evening we WILL put up the tree and the other decorations. I have pretty good coupon for JC Penney that's only good on Saturday so hopefully that will help finish off the shopping. We are having Adam's birthday party Sunday afternoon so that is yet another thing to check off my ever growing to do list.

Did I mention that I also have to give a final exam at school and then grade it plus an essay that I assigned. too, much, can't breathe, need a chill pill..... (do they really make chill pills and where can I get one?)


There, I feel a little better now, time to watch ER. (yes it's really terrible this season but it's the last and i have been a loyal fan for 15 years so i must watch)

Thanksgiving came and went

I forgot to blog about Thanksgiving. So here goes, it was fine. I cooked my turkey and stuffing and they were really good. It was tight in my house with 20 people though and everyone wanting to be in the kitchen at the exact time I was putting out the food. My turkey was finished by 2:30 but my mom's turkey breast wasn't finished until about 3:30 so there was a little lapse in time in which I felt like the rest of the food was getting cold while she ran home to get her turkey breast. Then when I said time to eat, everyone was kind of hem hawing around not wanting to be the first to eat. Bob said I sort of got a little stressed out about it :) He said he felt like it was D-Day and I was yelling go, eat, sit. WHATEVER!! But after that things settled down while everyone ate. The food was delicious! We had another little glitch when cleaning up. I was running the garbage disposal and it shook the pipe loose on the drain and caused water to pour out from under the sink AND drip down the basement wall in the utility room. Thankfully we were able to catch it in time and fix without too much damage and mess.

The rest of the evening we played charades and ate pie. All in all it was a nice day. Don't know if I will want to do it again next year but we'll see.

Shopping Fever

I'm in the groove now. The shopping groove that is. Every year it starts with me having no idea what to get the kids or my parents or anybody for that matter but then some how I end up thinking up 100 different ideas for each person. I have hit the stride now. I know what I want to get and where to find it my only problem is having the money to get it. It is only 29 days till Christmas. Tick Tick, time's a wasting.

Adam's birthday is also this month. BUT>>>> first it's Thanksgiving. At my house this year for 20 people. Am I crazy or what?? YEP, that's what my husband keeps saying. So I say to all you readers, Happy Thanksgiving. It seems like there isn't much to be thankful about with the economy and the war etc but I know just looking around the table on Thanksgiving, I'll find 2 or 3 or 20 things to be thankful for.

Lot's of Gas

Can anyone believe how low the gas prices are now? I just drove by the QT up the street and gas costs $1.33 per gallon. I filled up last week when it was $1.69 a gallon and only spent a little over $30.00. I never thought I would see gas this low in my lifetime again. What a crazy world!!!!!



Picture taken with camera phone and then touched up using picnik.

But seriously

These first two weeks of November have literally just flown by. I mean I can't quite believe that it is Nov. 14th already. I have been really busy at work trying to be super teacher. Staying late, thinking up super cool assignments that kids will actually WANT to do, volunteering for committees, going to workshops, its EXSHAUSTING!

Anyway, we've also been shuffling kids back and forth to sporting events, the end of one season the beginning of another. Basketball starts next week so that will be another night of practices and games. We've got something every night of the week.

And then I have to start Christmas shopping. Have I mentioned how much I HATE doing that?? UGH,UGH,UGH, buying a bunch of stuff that will be broke, lost, or stained by Easter is just not my idea of a good time. Plus I have been spoiled by all this great weather we are having so this gloomy, rainy, weekend does not sit well with me. And is it just me or does everyone else HATE Daylight savings time?? For mom's it's not an extra hour of sleep, it's just a day that starts extra early. Like instead of kids getting up at 8am on Sunday they got up at 7. And yes, techinically my kids can take care of themselves but will they>> NO!! I always hear the fights over the TV or the calls of there's nothing to eat. SO FUN! Then there's that lingering feeling that I should be in bed at 7pm because it looks like midnight. I am all thrown off.......

And on top of ALL that, I really, honestly think I need glasses. We just got a new 50 inch TV and yes it's awesome but it looks blurry to me. I used to think our old 27in looked blurry but thought it was just too far away to see. NOPE, it's me. I am getting old. I give myself a headache watching it too much. I can see fine up close, it's far away that gives me problems. Does that make me near sighted or far sighted?!? IDK!

So much for my rant. It's 6:30 and feels like 9:30, there is nothing on TV on Friday nights, it's rainy so I don't want to shop and I am bored. hmpf.....

too...busy.. to blog..

nuff said, whew!

Halloween Bliss

Another fine Halloween was had by all at the Geiler grandparent's house. Mom made her famous stuffed pepper soup and white chicken chili. It was a perfect night, temps in the 60's, glowing fire in the pit, roasting marshmallows and hotdogs, candy, kids, there's nothing better.

But alas, October is over. Now begins the countdown to Christmas, BAH HUMBUG! Adam made out his Christmas list today and is already wanting to make a paper chain to mark off the days till the big day. Yuck, too soon.... The older I get the more I can't stand Christmas.

Here are the Halloween pics

Adam the WWII soldier

Bandit the devil dog (sitting on my dad's lap)

Hannah the nerd.

Justin was too cool to trick or treat.

A new season, a new sport~ HOCKEY

Yep, that's right, Fall is here and so is the latest sports season, Hockey. No not for the St. Louis Blues, sure they play, but I'm talking about the Affton School Hockey League. It is a floor hockey league for kids in grades 1-12. Justin starting in 1st grade, Hannah has played for 3 years now and Adam is also in his third season.

The first games of the season were held on Saturday. Justin and Hannah play on the same team it's called the Stealth. They won 7-2 with Hannah scoring a goal!! It was great because she is the only girl on the team and she feels a little intimadated by all the boys. So we were totally psyched about it! Adam's team, coached by Bob, lost 5-1. The Mohawks are probably going to have a re-builing year as they moved up to the midget division and they are now the youngest team in the division. It's a fun sport thought, fast paced, short games lasting about 40 minutes.

Both Bob and I played when we younger too. The league has been around for 30 years. We can't wait till next week to see how they play.

They say it's MY birthday

Well I'm 36, I don't think there is really much more to say. BLAH!!

Bob took me to brunch at the Bevo Mill on Sunday (which was the day of my actual birthday.) It was pretty good, I love German food so I enjoyed the saurbraten, red cabbage, and potato pancakes. The breakfast stuff was so-so but it was just the two of us so that was enjoyable. He gave me a box of dark chocolate covered molasses puffs from the Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company. They are my favorite candy!! I won't even share with anyone! He also washed, vacuumed and armor all ed my mini van for me which was exactly what I wanted. Then he had to go to work from 3-11 which is a crappy shift. But my mom barbecued steaks and baked potatoes, YUM-O! My parents gave me some cash to buy my own gift/pay bills. My sweet grandma sent me $20, kind made me feel ten years old but it was the thought! And that's about it folks.


sweet goodness

More Freakin Pink Eye

I can't even fathom how I have come to get pink eye again but yes as of 2:30pm today I was diagnosed with it. I have the pain, the swelling, the gunk flowing from my eye you know how it goes. Seems like only yesterday (or 4 months agobased on this post) that I got rid of my last case of it and now here it is again!! I mean I wash my hands and I keep germex in my purse, the car, the table next to the front door and in my classroom so WHAT'S UP???

Man does this hurt!

Affton Cougars Football 2008

These kids played great all season long and they are definitely champions in my book.

Justin is wearing #72..

Hockey Fight

Adam had a little accident at hockey practice Monday night that required an emergency trip to the dentist.

see what I mean (pic taken with my camera phone, not great quality)





All better now with a cap on the tooth, he won't let me take his picture of the new tooth for some reason, he says it's no one's business but his. Too bad Adam, mom can't let that slip by without posting!


(no it wasn't a fight, someone shot a hard puck and hit him in the mouth, just glad I wasn't there to see the initial reaction)

Sparky got a haircut!

Isn't he handsome!!

Happy Birthday Justin

Justin turned 14 on October 12th and I really can't believe how quickly the years have gone by. This year he actually asked for clothes for his birthday, I mean CLOTHES!! Good God, he's a teenager through and through! So that's what he got, new jeans, and hoodies, and sports team shirts. He also got NFL Madden 09 for XBOX and has been playing it non-stop. We went to Red Robin for his birthday. Tomorrow night he and his friends are going to a Haunted House then having a bonfire in our backyard and spending the night. Hannah camping with her friend Kelly and her family so I thought this would be the perfect weekend for his party. Tomorrow morning is his last football game of the season and I WILL take pictures and post them ASAP. I haven't taken many pics lately because our camera is on the fritz but I AM going to get football pics.

I came across some old baby photos of Justin that I thought I would post because they sure bought a lump to my throat when I thought of how quickly he will be grown up.


Newborn Justin


Justin at age 5


Justin at age 11


Justin today.

7lbs 2oz. when he was born 14 years ago now at 6 ft tall and 200+ pounds, on his way to becoming a man.......... so proud of who he has become!

-2

Down another 2 lbs. Not bad. I keep trying.

So much to say so little time

I can't believe it is mid October already. I was hoping October would linger for a while but NOPE it is flying by. I am going to attempt to do some major catching up in the next few posts. WHEW!

But, don't you just LOVE this weather!! UGH I wish it would stay this way with highs in the mid 60's and lows in the 40's for a long time instead of just a few weeks. The leaves are starting to turn, it's so pretty on our street.

October Bliss

Can't believe it's October already. Seems like I was just posting about it being labor day and boom we are 7 weeks into the new school year. October is my favorite month of the year. WHY?
Justin's birthday (10/12 he will be 14), my birthday (10/19), my dad's birthday (10/24) and Halloween, my favorite holiday of the year.

And mother nature sure has provided some awesome fall weather to ring in October. It's been cool, sunny and wonderful. Yesterday I took Justin to his football game and even got a little sunburned, but it was a great game with the Cougars winning 39-18 and Justin doing a fantastic job at center all game!

The leaves are just starting to change, ahhhhhhh FALL!

-3

Nothing more to say, after a two week hiatus from weighing, I lost 3 pounds.

No Big Deal!

Bohemian Rhapsody, Morgan Freeman and Hershey's Kisses

So I had this bright idea that I would have my students write a compare/contrast essay about Hershey's Kisses and Skittles. I wanted to do it in stages to kind of draw it out and get more lessons out of it. I started day one with a quote from the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

"I can't do without it [gum]. I munch it all day long except for a few minutes at mealtimes when I take it out and stick it behind my ear for safekeeping. To tell you the truth, I simply wouldn't feel comfortable if I didn't have that little wedge of gum to chew on every moment of the day, I really wouldn't." ~Violet Beauregarde

Then I asked the kids to write about what they can't do without. I got some pretty cool responses but the two I liked best were Bohemian Rhapsody and Morgan Freeman. The kid who said he couldn't do without Bohemian Rhapsody said that it was his favorite song and he listened to it and sang it every day and he couldn't imagine not being able to hear it. The one who said Morgan Freeman wrote about all the great movie roles Morgan Freeman has played, specifically his role in the Dark Knight.

Sure they wrote these responses to be funny but in reality the points they made were actually pretty thought out, so I guess my little assignment did have some impact. We barley even had time to talk about Hershey's Kisses so we will be continuing that tomorrow.

Twilight

Just finished the novel Twilight by Stephanie Meyer and all I can say is WOW! It was breathtaking. I had seen several of my female 8th grade students reading it at school and many of them had commented on how much they love it so I thought I would give it a try. Well I was blown away. It's target audience I guess would be teenage girls but it was so well written that I was enthralled for the whole 500 pages. It is also being made into a movie to be released in November. I put a widget at the bottom of my blog containing movie facts etc. It is an incredibly dark novel about vampires, which usually isn't my thing but it's not the standard blood and gore you usually find with these types of novels. READ IT, now!

Writing Project

I volunteered to go this workshop called the Gateway Writing Project. It's through my school district and it is supposed to help us teach better writing skills to our students. Yesterday was the first class. I admit I had some mixed feelings about going, I mean mostly these types of things are really boring and just go over the same old tired techniques that everyone knows. So I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this workshop. The instructors made us write just like we make our students write and they connected writing to literature in a way that makes it seem interesting not the same old boring read a book and write about. Since I like to think of myself as a "good" writer as evident by this incredibly wonderful blog that I write ;) it was challenging to try to write some interesting and creative things to fit the goals of this class. Not sure why I am putting all this in my blog but it's my blog and so here it is.

Also, today is Wednesday and I am NOT weighing in for the biggest loser, Justin has a football game tonight and I have to meet Bob at the car dealer to sign the papers for our new truck. Besides it has been a terrible food week and I really don't WANT to know if I gained or lost. If I relent and do actually, secretly weigh myself and I actually really lose some pounds then I'll blog about it, if I don't then I won't. Hmmmm sometimes it's good to be your own author.

+ 1

I can't FREAKING believe it but I gained one pound this week. I mean I have to tell you that I have been really, really, good. I have eaten more fruit this week than in the entire month of August. On Tuesday I ate a pear, a cup of grapes, a bannana, a glass of o.j. and a raspberry yogurt. Good lord have I been in the bathroom a lot and still I gained 1 pound? HOW, HOW, HOW can this have happened?????

I have even started exercising 2-3 nights per week. I mean COME ON!

That scale is rigged, I must've had heavier clothes on, I was retaining water. ARG!

Hurricane Ike Damage in Affton

We live far, far, from any ocean but we still felt the damage from Hurricane Ike which made it's presence known here in Affton yesterday. It rained, no it poured, 4 inches in about a 3 hour period to be exact. We also experienced the gusty winds of over 30 mph. (the basement stayed dry, thank God for sump pumps)

Our local ballpark didn't fair so well. Hannah is playing fall softball at Affton Athletic Association. The same place she has played since kindergarten, the same place I played for about 12 years of my childhood. The same place that my dad was president of for about 5 years back in the day. It is not only a ball field but a hockey complex that is home to the award winning Affton Americans hockey club.

Here are some pictures of the damage. The storm got so bad that 18 people had to be rescued from the ice rink by the fire department. It swept away several cars in adjacent Gravois Creek which is normally a little trickle of water but surged up over it's 8 foot banks to flood the ice rink, 12 ball fields and concession stands.



Car floating down Gravois Creek

Flooded ball fields

Busted up concrete next to concession stand

As the rain came down


Needless to say, I think the season may be over.

- 4

Okay, to make friends at my new school, I joined the Biggest Loser club. Today was the first of our weekly weigh ins and I lost 4 lbs. I joined Weight Watchers online and I have been following the points system and trying to walk the track at the high school a couple nights a week. Not a bad start although I was hoping for more. I'll try to keep you updated on Wednesday.

Sick Day Part Deux

Yes, I took my second sick day Tuesday. Adam still wasn't feeling well enough to where I thought I could leave him with anyone but me or his dad. And since we both have new jobs, I had to do the duty again. He still had fever and sore throat and vomiting. Today, even though he didn't go back to school, I went back to work. And much to my surprise my classes were fine in my absence. In SLPS if you were lucky enough to get a sub they usually left the classroom totally messy and they hardly ever followed the lesson plans. Well these Mehlville subs were great they followed my plan even gave out extra assignments to keep kids busy. My room was still clean and things were still organized. I couldn't have asked for more!

Sick Time

I am taking my first official sick day today. It's a bit earlier than I would've liked but poor Adam has been sick all weekend. He kept saying he had a headache Friday night so I gave him some Tylenol. He didn't really mention it much Saturday morning but I was out running errands and didn't get much of chance to talk to him. Then Saturday night, Bob was working 3-11 and I was working part time at this restaurant that I used to work at before I became a teacher called the Fatted Calf. (I started working there about a month ago just one or two nights a week as a manager, basically to help out the new owners and because my friend Larry was working 55 hours a week and needed some time with his wife and new baby, plus it's a little extra grocery money. And I only work like 10 hours a week.) Any way when I left home at 3:30 he was fine when I returned home at 9pm he was running a 103 degree fever and my in laws who were baby sitting said he had been sleeping most of the evening and hadn't eaten anything. So I thought, FLU< great it's starting already.

So here I am on my first day off school, luckily as teachers we get 10 per year. Took Adam to the doctor and it is strep throat, not the FLU< thank goodness. He still has fever but I am hoping that antibiotics will hurry up and work so I can go to work tomorrow even though he will probably need to go to grandmas.

LAZY HAZY LAST DAZE OF SUMMER

To me Labor Day has always been the unofficial last day of summer. I'm sure this lingering heat will remind that summer isn't really officially over for a few more weeks but I am looking forward to fall. It's my favorite time of year.

You may be wondering how it's been going at school. Well, much to my surprise it continues to get better! My 3rd and 4th hour classes are fantastic! I would say my 4th hour is my somewhat excelerated class but the 3rd hour kids are all really nice and well behaved. My 5th hour class is the hardest. It's also the biggest with 32 kids and it is right before lunch. My 6th hour is talkative with like 4 boys who are class clowns but they aren't disrespectful like 5th hour. My 7th hour is a combined push in class with the resource teacher and it is challenging due to all the kids who receive special ed minutes. It is by far the class that I have to slow things down.

Justin has his first football game Wednesday night against Brentwood and he is super excited. I'm going to try to take some pics, although it's hard up in the stands.

This weekend is pretty lazy, no plans, just hanging out at home. Bob has to work all weekend and the rest of us don't have much going on. I'm happy about an extra day that I don't have to wake up at 5:30.

Another Baby Born

The last of my preggo friends/former co-workers has just delivered her baby. Andrea worked with me at Monroe 2 years ago but we first met way before that when she taught at Hope Lutheran and was the second grade teacher for both Justin and Hannah. She and her husband welcomed their daughter Jillian Mae a few days ago. All are well and Andrea is adjusting to life with a newborn and a toddler. (her son Nate is 2 1/2)

This marks the end of the last 5 month period when babies Bruno, Jane, Sophie, Ethan and Jillian were born. 2008, what a year to remember!

Congratulations to all!

Mom says "Update your blog!"

Here you go mom, it's updated for the week! I probably won't get another post up until next weekend. She emailed me some pictures of fun times at the lake from this summer so I thought I would go ahead and post some here. Some are actually from last summer but it's pretty much the same thing, boating and swimming. It's still our favorite place to go.


My crazy father tubing on the "hotdog"


Hannah, Adam and my niece Megan on the tube.


Swimming in the lake.

School Daze

It's been really hectic this last week with the kids starting school Monday, Bob starting his new job and me in my first full week of school. I have been totally exhausted! We had open house at my school Thursday night and except for leaving for an hour to grab some dinner I was at school from 6:45am till 7:30pm. What a long day!

Bob so far is enjoying his new department and the change of scenery. The kids liked school this week and seeing all their friends. Adam wished he could be home schooled so he didn't have to get up so early :)

But, for me it has been hard dealing with my change. I miss the familiar territory of my old school and I miss all the really great friends I had made. Although they have reported how crazy SLPS has been in it's first week, I still wonder if I have made the right decision. With 150 kids in my classes at Buerkle, there is a ton more grading. Plus I feel like I don't know anyone, I haven't even met the whole staff and only know about 1/3 of them by name. I do really like the two ladies that I team teach two of my classes with, one is the speech pathologist the other is a special ed teacher. Both are very young and enthusiastic and we have a good working relationship in the classroom. I also have been getting to know the woman next door who is new to Buerkle and has children about the same ages as mine. We have a lot in common and we have started to depend on each other for information when needed.

Justin is playing football and practicing two nights a week, Hannah is playing fall softball with practice once a week, pitching lessons once a week and double headers on weekends so we have been going non stop!

Baby Boom #2

In past posts, I blogged about all the friends that were preggers. Well now two have had their babies and I didn't even post about them. How terrible a friend am I?

So here goes.

Bridget and Drew from Texas had their daughter Sophie LeighAnn on July 22. Bridget is a good friend from college, Hannah's Godmother and my Godson, Luke's, mother. Mom and baby are doing wonderful. Sophie was kind of a big one at over 8lbs but from all the pics I've seen, definitely gorgeous.


Bridget, Sophie and big brother Luke


What a head of hair she has!


Our other friends, Larry and Kim, had their baby on August 18th. Ethan Alexander weighed just over 7lbs and has a spray of light brown hair. He is absolutely adorable! Ethan and Kim are doing fine, even though he was born via c-section. Larry reports that Ethan is nursing like a champ!

I have cell phone pics but they don't show up very well when I email them to myself and then download them to the blog so I'll wait till I get some good shots of him and do another post.

Too Busy to Blog

Been crazy busy this last week and have really been too busy to blog. But just a quick update before the stuff really hits the fan tomorrow when my new school starts.

Last week spent an entire week in new teacher orientation. BORING! I did get 3 days to set up my classroom which now has stuff in it, thank you very much. And it is brighter and cheerier than even I thought.

Then we went to the lake for our last little hurrah of summer. The last two days have been spent in the classroom/school preparing for our first day which is now tomorrow. YEAH>

Everyone was a little freaked out and unroganized today but not I, I have been the diligent teacher who has everything prepared. YEAH-RIGHT! No seriously, I am ready.

SO excuse me if I don't blog for a while but I do have some cool boating pics from the lake to get up sometime soon.

Another change 'round here

All summer long you have heard me go on about my job change. But I have yet to mention that Bob is also changing jobs. As most of you faithful readers know, he is a policeman in the city of Crestwood, a small suburb of St. Louis. He was hired as a dispatcher for them about 8 years ago and then they paid for him to go through the police academy and he has been on the road for 7 years now. Like most areas now, Crestwood is in a recession. Made all the more worse for them by the decline of the mall that has anchored the town and brought in the most revenue for the last 30 years. The mall was recently sold and big changes are in the works but it will take at least 2 years to see them come to fruition. That, coupled with Crestwood's aging population has also meant that although Crestwood has the lowest property tax in St. Louis County, they can't pass a tax increase. So needless to say although the salary has been adequate, no raises, not even cost of living raises have been given in 3 years. For the last year and half several long time, good officers, have left Crestwood for police work elsewhere. So we knew it was time to make a change. the question was where?

Well, Bob has accepted a position with the Kirkwood police department and will start on August 18th. Those of you familiar with Kirkwood know that it is actually right next to Crestwood, much larger and with several strip malls and large stores to help the tax base. However, Kirkwood has also been the scene of several incidents of violence against police officers. In the last 3 years, 3 officers have been killed in the line of duty. Two were killed just last February. So needless to say, we are all a bit apprehensive about this change. There is a much needed salary increase but with it comes more risk.

I am including links to articles about the two separate shootings that claimed the lives of three veteran Kirkwood officers. Sgt. Bill McEntee was killed July 5, 2005. Then last February, Sgt William Biggs, Officer Tom Ballman and several other Kirkwood city officials were gunned down at a City Council Meeting.

I ask that you keep Bob in your prayers as he begins this new chapter in his career and that you also keep the families of the three, brave, officers lost in the line of duty in your thoughts and prayers also.

My new classroom

I finally got to meet my new principal and some of the faculty of my new school and see my new classroom last week. The people are all very nice and I think I will fit right in. My only problem is my classroom. For all my complaining about St. Louis Public Schools, I did have a big, bright classroom. Well my one at Buerkle is small, windowless, and barren. I was really bummed, because although it is middle school I want it to be fun, bright and inviting for my students. So needless to say I have A LOT of work ahead of me. All that was in the room were student desk, a teacher desk 2 file cabinets, and a large locking cabinet with shelves. No teacher chair, extra table or book cases to be found and no, I repeat NO windows to the outside. The only window is a small one in the doorway. It can only be described as 70's architecture, need I say more?

I talked with the head custodian, a very nice woman named Polly, about at least getting a chairt to sit in and maybe a book case since I am teaching literature it would be nice for the books I have for students to be displayed. She told me she would scrounge up a chair and book case or two but couldn't guarantee the quality. I then asked one of the other teachers if we got a budget to spend in the beginning of the year on supplies and I was informed that no we did not get a budget. Supplies are ordered by department chairs and were placed last spring. BUM-MER! At my old school my principal would give us each a $500 budget that we could spend on supplies that would be ordered from catalogs. Unfortuntaly all of that stuff that I ordered the last few years then becomes property of St. Louis Public Schools, so I couldn't really take my good books shelf, steel stool, and moveable dry erase board with me.

Did I mention that my new classroom had a chalk board, UGH!

So if any of you teacher people out there have any cast offs you can throw my way, let me know! I will take any and all donations.

Vacation Pictures/Tales

I haven't really talked much about our vacation to Branson and the Lake of the Ozarks last week. So here goes. First off it was HOT! We were still in Missouri in July for gosh sakes so what did we expect. We started our trip off by stopping at Lamberts just outside of Springfield, MO. It is the Home of the Throwed Rolls. They literally throw hot rolls to you from across the room. It's a very homestyle place with rolls of paper towels on the table and servers walking around dishing out extra portions of what they call "pass arounds" which were fried potatoes, macaroni, black eyed peas, fried okra, and molasses for your rolls. (no it's not figure friendly) But needless to say it was a big hit with kids. At first they were a little scared to ask that a roll be thrown from way across the room but they really got into it as the meal progressed.

After that, we made our way to Branson and our hotel, the Grand Victorian. Lets just say the hotel was nothing to write home about. It was clean but very small, had and indoor and outdoor pool that were also really small and an absolutely terrible continental breakfast. But my kids didn't care they still swam and ate donuts from the breakfast. That evening we went to a new attraction called Branson Landing which is Branson's equivalent of Downtown Disney. Lots of shops and restaurants and ways to spend money. They do a have a Bass Pro shop which was fun with everyone getting t-shirts or hats in Adam's case. Justin bought himself a hunting knife and Adam enjoyed "riding" on all the ATV's parked all over the place.

The next day, we rode the Ducks, which are vehicles that go in land and water. This was probably my favorite part because I sat with Adam and this was something he really wanted to do and then when we got into Table Rock Lake, they let him drive. He was so cute up there.

Later that afternoon we went to Silver Dollar City at about 4:30 because if you go after three the next day is free. But we didn't' realize that the park closed at 7, so that didn't leave us a whole lot of time to do anything. But we rode some rides, ate funnel cakes (the whole reason to go to Silver Dollar City) and watched the glass blowing demo. Not too bad. I for one was pretty much done. But ofcourse we had to go back the next morning. So we did. Well it was HOT, I would guess the hottest day of the year so far. And Silver Dollar City is all black topped. Yeah, you can guess how miserable we were. We split up because Hannah suddenly decided that most of the rides made her stomach sick?!? So she and I went to a couple of shows, explored the overpriced craft areas and hung out in a super cold ice cream parlor while the boys rode all the water rides that got them completely soaked and miserable. At about 3pm we had all had enough. However this was Wednesday and we had already checked out of our hotel so there was no where to go and we had Dixie Stampede tickets for 5pm that night. So we did end up going back to the hotel during their tea time to eat cookies and go to the public restroom and just sit in the lobby where it was cool. Bob's parents who also went spent the day shopping because his mom isn't too good on her feet. (not sure how she did shopping with her knees but?) We met up with them at Dixie Stampede.

The Stampede was fun, I for one will never go again as I discovered that I must be allergic to either horses or hay because what I thought was me having a claustrophobic panic attack turned out to be an allergic reaction to something there. The food was pretty good and the show is like a rodeo with songs etc. But it's hard to clap and get into it while you are trying to also eat. Kids liked it though.

From there we drove to the Lake which took about 2 hours and didn't get there till after nine by which time we were all EXHAUSTED! We did they usual lake things like swim and shop and except for a mayonnaise incident that I won't mention here, it was fun. WHEW, can you tell how tired were where by Saturday when we came home?


(Justin enjoying a roll at Lamberts, his favorite part of the trip)


(Hannah at the Bass Pro on Branson Landing)


(Adam outside of Bass Pro on an ATV)

(Adam drives the Duck)

(Posing with our tour guide)

(The cop goes to Silver Dollar City Jail)


(everyone on the suspended bridge at SDC)


All in all we had a good time but Branson has become somewhat rundown since the times I went there as a kid. Plus there are no big name entertainers there anymore, just a bunch people I've never heard of. Bob and I both agreed that the next time we go to Branson and Silver Dollar City it will be with our grandchildren. (hopefully about 20 years from now)

Home, Home on the Range!!

Yep, we're home. Went to Branson and the Ozarks last week and had a pretty good time. Although it was HOT! Since returning on Saturday, we have been busy with a capital B. We've had two softball games, friends over for dinner and many phone calls and errands to run. WHEW! This is also a busy week. I am finally getting to meet the new principal at my school and meeting with the other 8th grade teachers. I start next week with new teacher orientation. YIKES! Yes, that means summer is O-V-E-R for me! But I'm excited about it. I have a few vacay pics (our camera was kind of on the fritz) that I will post and talk more about vacay soon. Just wanted to get some kind of update before people think I have fallen off the planet.

out of office reply

sorry this blogger is out of the office (er, I mean couch) all week long. don't you just hate it when you get that repsonse from an email? not sure why but I find it annoying. anyhow, I will be gone all week with the fam on vacay. not sure why I'm not capitalizing my sentences but I have seen lots of other blogs that do this but I don't know why they do it. come to think of it I really shouldn't be capitalizing my i's either so i guess i won't

WAIT! The teacher in me can't do that. In fact, I feel uncomfortable not capitalizing the title either. I mean that is like a 3rd grade skill, you capitalize the title of a story. DUH! So I guess I will just do the right thing. Like always! (oops that's not a complete sentence)

But to all my adoring public readers, check back next weekend for the vacay update.

passed

No it's not gas or anything crude like that, I passed my Praxis exam that I took in June. I got a 190 out of 200 which is like a 95%. So I guess I did allright. But all I can say is WHEW!! One less thing to worry about. So now all I have to do is apply for Middle School Language Arts Teacher Certification through the state of Missouri and send in my score and I will be able to add that to my resume and ofcourse guarantee my job at Mehlville. YEAH!

(Buerkle Middle School Mascot)

too cute for words

My friend Jacki had baby Jane in April and has since become quite active with blogging and posting pics for all to see. I came across this one on her blog and thought it was so cute that I just had to post it also. (with her approval ofcourse)

view the enitre album

2 4 1

2 4 1, get it Two for one! Clever eh?

Anyhow, as the boredem increased today I decided to go ahead and make a slide for Hannah's birthday and for Kim's baby shower so I made two separate ones the first is of Hannah. Note that the picture of her entitled texas hannah is taken with my cell phone camera and cropped etc with picnik a photo editing online software that is pretty cool. But the quality of that pic is pretty poor, the rest are cute though.

This next slide is of the only three pics I have of the baby shower, Kim's mom took lots more and maybe I can get her to send me some of those. My friend Kim and her husband Larry are expecting their first child a boy, to be named Ethan in August. The have also asked me to be the Godmother.

(note the really cute baby shower favor I made filled with hershey's kisses that say it's a boy> thanks Elise for the help)