Quote

"Mrs. Steele, I have some bad news. I didn't do my spelling homework. But I did save a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico."

Storm update

Apparently we weren't the only ones with storm damage. We only lost power for about 60 seconds (right before our friends came over for dinner). Some friends about a mile away were without power for the entire night. As was our church--the air conditioning didn't come on until halfway through the first service. Talk about HOT. We saw some broken signs around town. Apparently part of the gym roof at my school has blown away, too. I'll have to report more on that tomorrow when I see it firsthand. Yikes. I guess I shouldn't whine about a tree branch!

As far as the hurricane goes, our meteorologists are just predicting windy & 30% chance of rain for tomorrow, so nothing exciting. Oh well.

Storm (no, not the hurricane)

We'll probably be too far northwest to experience the hurricane, but we did get quite a storm this afternoon. There was tons of thunder & lightning, and the wind was blowing hard. I was trying to get a picture of how the water was blowing sideways off of our porch awning. We also lost a tree branch.

Funny School Stories (because it's not you)

These will someday be chapters in my best-selling book.

Yesterday this student, Monique, walked into my 6th-7th period class. I hadn't seen her before, and she was carrying a printed schedule, so I figured she was new. I asked to see her schedule so that I could copy down her name. I put her on the seating chart, entered her in my gradebook, paired her up with someone who could help get her on track, gave her a spelling list, etc. She sat there through all of 6th period, doing warmups, spelling, nouns, and half of 7th, while we worked on skimming & scanning. With about 20-25 minutes left in 7th/school, the girl next to her says, "She's supposed to be in Coach France's class right now." I tell her no, she must be reading it wrong, we're all in here for two periods. They insist, so I look at her schedule. Yeah, she has Coach Ward for English/Reading during 3rd & 4th (special ed), and was supposed to be in Mrs. Sparks's class during 6th. Apparently since both Steele and Sparks are spelled with "S," we must be the same person. Even though she teaches Social Studies and I teach English. And she has about 50 pounds on me. And 15 years. Good thing it's the third week of school. Wow. That's all I could say. Wow.

The student who I sent up to the office last week (JoMario) had another stellar week this week. He was back in the classroom on Tuesday, but was caught skipping in the bathroom during 4th period--ran from the teacher who caught him out into a field full of 8th graders who were more than happy to stop him. Anyway, after that suspension he was back in class today. After our class trip to the bathroom (if you take them once, they can't ask to go again, and they don't miss anything) I couldn't find him. Now, we've been back for at least 7 minutes--I can tell thanks to my countdown timer on PowerPoint, so I'm guessing he's tryng to skip again. I go out to see that he's locked himself in the women's faculty restroom and is refusing to come out. The janitor is banging on it, and I'm banging. We again call Sgt. Dement. My class again thinks that he's being hauled off to jail.

TGIF!!!

I added our church website to my list on the side, basically because I believe it's the greatest church ever. Check out the cool stuff, whether you're into the mission statements or just the photos. Sorry, we haven't made it into any of the pictures yet, but they're pretty old. Jon and I have both been in the video vignettes that go along with some message series'. My big debut is this week. Oh, and did I mention we had 25 kids in Sunday School this past Sunday? It was insane. We desperately need backup--anyone want to move here to volunteer with us? They really are great, we just need a few more big kids in the crowd.

It's Hot

Yesterday it was 104, and today it's supposed to be 103. Some of you are thinking that it's not that bad, but you're forgetting a few things. With our humidity, the heat index hits somewhere around 115. But that's in the shade. If you're Jon and you work outside, the direct sun puts it around 125-130. Neat, huh? Remember when I said you should be jealous about living in Louisiana? Yeah, that was before it was 85 on my way to work yesterday at 6 am.

We did get our car back, but it cost a lot more than I expected. Let's just say my little raise won't cover it. By a long shot. We're tossing around the idea of selling it because once you can't trust your car, you don't like it very much. But then, we've probably fixed most things and it shouldn't break down for a while. We could also buy another car with just as many problems, unless we bought a new/newer Hyundai or Kia or something. But really, in the 4 months we've had it, we've basically had like $600 monthly payments--I could have a brand new BMW for that! Anyway, if I got the after school job, I could quit Sylvan and we could run on one car again, and make up for this car damage. Again, we're still deciding, weighing all the options, etc.

Car update

So we have to replace the radiator and then engine mount. I guess the engine was "sinking" because the mount was old, and that put strain on the radiator hose and caused the part on the radiator to break.

It shouldn't have been a shock to me, but God provides! Friday I found out that teachers are getting a $600 raise. $200 will be permanent and spread out into our monthly paychecks (I know...less than $20/month), but $400 will be a lump sum paid on Sept. 27. Hey, it'll probably pay for the car. Also on Friday right at 2:30 (when school gets out) my principal emailed me and asked if I'd like to be involved with an after-school program. She wanted an ELA teacher who was good with computers/technology. She thinks it'll be Mondays & Wednesdays, and it pays $25/hour. I don't know how many hours it is, but that's equivalent to working 2 1/2 hours at Sylvan! Anyway, I'm excited because it'll probably be a resume-builder, too. Maybe I should see what it involves first before I get my hopes up, but it's bound to be good.

Space Shuttle

See, now you are jealous that you don't live in Louisiana! The shuttle is stopping here until the weather clears up in Florida. Let me tell you, it's AWESOME. I still can't believe I was looking at something firsthand that was just in space. Weird. Some facts to share--that thing on the back of the space shuttle weighs some obscene amount like 20,000 pounds, and is put on to make it more aerodynamic when it has to fly on top of the 747. Also, it can only fly at 1500 feet at 300 mph. Poor pilots, going so slowly. Those things sticking out of the tail are for balancing. It's kind of nuts how big it is when you compare it to the 747--somehow I thought it was smaller.

I realize it's been several days since I've posted anything, but I'm not sure I have anything exciting to report. Well, I guess that depends on how you look at things. Jon was sick Monday through yesterdayish. He still doesn't feel great. Monday when I was going to get him a blizzard the car overheated--turns out we need a new radiator. Yippee. How do things know when to break? It seem like right when I get some money to put toward credit cards, something happens. Jon said he was thinking of getting a little job on weekends to help out, but I said no--think of what would happen then!!!

School seems to be going pretty well. The students are coming out of their shells a bit more. I had quite the run-in with a student today, and it was all pretty silly in my opinion. He was talking, I warned him, he was talking again, I told him to move to a different seat, he refused. I tried to call his mom and he wouldn't give me his home number. I called the office & got it from them, and left a message. I gave him a choice between changing seats or going to the office, and he wouldn't move or talk to me. So, I called the office and Sgt. Dement came and removed him. Most of the kids thought he was getting arrested, which was kind of funny. I hope that rumor circulates--maybe then we'd have the best attitudes ever!

Random

So, can anyone tell me how to get rid of those "advertising" comments. I know that I can make it so that only bloggers can comment, but that eliminates a lot of people. I just don't know why Direct TV can now comment on my site. Maybe because I'm not paying for it. And that random Buddha thing. Can I delete comments? It just freaks me out--I didn't mean this site as a billboard, but as an update for friends and family.

Second Day of School

I have this eerie feeling that this group of students may actually be good. I know, it's really creeping me out. I do have 1 or 2 in my last block that I can tell are troublemakers, but 2!?!? That's it!?!? I mean, I've acheived everything in record time the past two days. Moreover, my students worked in GROUPS today! Yes, groups. Well, except the last class, because they were talkative. They have more students, anyway. The one who I know is a troublemaker (she's already been talked to by the principal more than once) is this large girl who we all thought was a boy. I felt so terrible when I said, "yes, sir?" when she had her hand raised and the other students had to say, "that's a girl." Isn't that one of those unwritten rules, like never asking a woman when she's due? Oops. Anyway, I've already requested a parent conference--let's get her on the right path before too many days go by.

Tagged

I've been tagged by Sarah for my very first meme game. It's called "The Cook Next Door".
1) What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own? I think it was bringing my mom or dad breakfast in bed for mother's/father's day--probably warming Entemann's in the microwave or something. Next would be baking cookies after church with Diana Hart.
2) Who had the most influence on your cooking?My mom & Grandma Hale--she always prepared a feast.
3) Do you have an old photo as "evidence" of an early exposure to the culinary world, and would you like to share it? Well, there is one from when I'm an infant and I'm "eating" a peach betwee my feet.
4) Mageiricophobia - do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat? Not that I know of.
5) What would be your most valued or used kitchen gadgets and/or what was the biggest letdown? I love my Kitchen Aid, of course, and also my cheese grater from Ikea. Weird, I know. I also love my huge PC pizza cutter. Let down--the last two apple peeler/corer/slicers I've bought--none of them work as well as the one sitting in my parents' cupboard.
6) Name some funny or weird food combinations/dishes you really like - and probably no one else! Ummm...frosties & fries--I know lots of people that like that.
7) What are the three eatables or dishes you simply don't want to live without? Pizza, kabobs, and mozzarella sticks.
8) Your favorite ice cream...tough one--cookie dough or anything involving a caramel swirl.
9)A food you will probably never eat...I like the brains answer – anything anyone could consider gross – I don’t have a strong adventurous stomach at all (yes, I copied Sarah's answer, but mine is the same).
10) Your own signature dish...pizza on foccacia bread, apple pie
11) You were tagged by...Sarah
12) Three people you'd like to pass this meme on to...larisa, (no one else would do it)

Staff Sgt.

HOORAY!!!! Today Jon received word that he passed the test and made Staff Sgt. For those of you that know, it was a months-long battle to get him on the list to even take the test, so we all consider it a huge success. Only the top 40% of Sr. Airmen that tested were awarded the promotion, and no one that he knows made it, so I'm extra-proud. Guess who gets McDonald's for dinner! Sometime next August (we're guessing) he'll get to sew on, and we'll get a pretty decent raise.

First Day of School

I survived the first day...only 177 more. I think things went well. It felt like I had some pretty good students, and I've already seen a few I know I'll need to keep my eye on. I have two sets of identical twins, but luckily they're in different classes. At this point they could do whatever they want to trick me, and I'd have no idea. I don't really have any hilarious stories yet, but I'm sure they'll come. Today they were just lost, confused, and scared out of their minds. Sadly this, too will pass.

So, now Kronk may get to keep his toe. This morning the vet made it sound like letting it heal would be preferable, even though yesterday I got the impression that he didn't think it would. So we're back home with some pain meds and more antibiotics. He was very pleased to see all of us. We won't be able to call him stubbs yet.

Update

We got our car back today. It was all of the wiring--the starter & everything were fine. They had to pull all of the old stuff out and rewire it. Yippee.

Kronk's going to lose that toe. It's a break in the joint, and apparently a really weird one. Our options involved taking him to Dallas for surgery (yeah, that's convenient, and cheap, I'm sure--maybe I can miss the first day of school?), a splint (he'd keep that on for 5, maybe 10 seconds), letting it heal and see how it does (but it probably won't heal the way he plays on it with his 110 pounds of puppy power), or amputate. Seems like amputating will get him healed and feeling better the quickest. So poor Kronk is going to lose yet another body part (he's an it already).

Update on the car--it's now at the shop to check and see whether or not it's the starter, or something along those lines. Jon was able to track down a dealer of the alarm, he told us some tricks to disarm the kill, and it still wouldn't start. We had it towed Friday evening, so yesterday was the first day they've looked at it. Jon tried calling once, but we haven't heard from anyone.

On another note, yesterday was my first day of school. Today we finish our meetings, get our class lists, and have an open house from 3-5 when students can come pick up their schedules & meet their teachers. This may signal a slow-down in blogging--we'll see. It may also mean more blogging, depending on my students.

I have to take Kronk back to the vet today--his toe looks the same, if not worse. Great. I got permission to miss part of my meetings, so pray that I can get an appointment at that time!

Our car

So, we have a problem with our car. When we bought it back in May, it came with two alarm remotes--one was the old stock one, and the other was one that presumably the last owner had installed. Neither of them worked, really, so we hadn't used them. When we took the car to the shop a week and a half ago, the battery had died while they were working on it, and it had to be jumped. Well, that must have caused a short or something in one of the alarm systems, because it was making this constant clicking sound, almost like you'd left you blinker on, only of course, not in time with out blinker. Yesterday I took it in to this alarm/stereo/tinting place that we've used before to have them just take all of the old alarm wires out, since none of them worked. Eventually I can get a new one so that I'll have keyless entry (spoiled). Anyway, when I'm explaining that to the guy and he asks about the remotes, I press the buttons to show him that they don't work. He goes out to move it around back while I go sit in the waiting room. He comes back in after a couple of minutes and asks if there's a trick to starting the car. Somehow, some way we have enabled a kill switch, and the car won't start. And yes, this morning, it's still there, not starting. Right now we're all trying to contact the various alarm companies (there was a third system in there, who knows what from/for) to figure out how on earth to disable the kill switch. Argh.

So the vet said he saw some little mark/indication that "something" had punctured his toe. Now whether that be a splinter, spider bite, or just a some random stabbing thing, we'll never know. He's got antibiotics, pain meds (which, as you can see, have knocked him out), and we're supposed to soak his foot in epsom salts. No, I am not kidding. So if any of you want to fly out here and hold our 110-pound dog's paw in hot salt water, go for it. In fact, I dare you. Anyway, if nothing's better by Monday, he's got to go in for x-rays to determine if it's something that needs to be extracted, or a broken toe. Neat.

Vet

It's kind of hard to make out, but Kronk's third "toe" is really swollen, so he's going to the vet today. He started limping last Friday (as every good animal does the day its parents want to go on vacation), but we thought it was a sprain or pulled muscle, because we couldn't find anything. Then yesterday afternoon I was looking at his foot and noticed that toe was twice the size of the others. Neat. I'll post the results later.

Our dogs missed us, I think. In a rare demonstration of pity, Jon let the ones that did not eat my washcloths up on the couch to snuggle with him, and they were zonked for many hours.
I secretly think they threw a doggie kegger while we were gone.

Vacation

Friday through Sunday Jon and I took a mini-vacation. After driving to Dallas and back on Thursday, we knew we wouldn't feel much like driving long distances, so we headed to Monroe, LA. It was an awesome, relaxing weekend. We stayed in a hotel (no chores), ate out, watched movies (they have a CHEAP theater--$2 matinee, $4 nighttime), shopped like crazy (like when you were single), ordered pizza, slept, watched TV--it was great. Sadly the battery in our camera died when we tried to take a picture of the "Pecanland Mall," where we spent the majority of our time. Luckily it was different than the mall we first found on the map, that turned out to be a medical mall--slight difference. Oh, and in case you can't read the bumper sticker, it says "
God Bless John Wayne." The store is an all-camoflauge store that I assume you'd only find here in the South.

Six Flags

On Thursday we took 12 middle schoolers and 5 adults (including us) to Six Flags over Texas in Dallas. Overall, it was a pretty good trip. Not to say we didn't learn some things to change for next time. For instance, even if the base says they have tons of $25 tickets, don't believe them, because they may sell out and you'll have to go to a grocery store and pay $30, and it's just weird asking parents for $5 more. Also, remember to figure in costs for gas and parking--again, it's weird to go back and ask for more money. Cell phones, while handy 99% of the time, can be irritating. Divide up into groups at the beginning (thrillseekers and wimps), and don't try to call after every ride to get back together--just meet for lunch and to go home. Screen chaperones, paying special attention to those with season passes--sometimes there is a thing as too much knowledge. And lastly, group trips to amusement parks are kind of like church volleyball--you cannot have extremely high expectations. 17 people cannot go on as many rides as a family of four in 7 hours, and they will have to use the bathroom more often. Also, they will go broke by approximately 1pm and you'll probably have to buy them dinner at McDonald's.