Home Schooling

I started home schooling yesterday. Actually, she was still in the hospital, so we started there. It felt so right. That was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. I felt like a hero! I am sure that I make the same difference to all of the students in my class, but I just felt different.

I felt like she really wanted to be there. She wanted to learn. She pushed on, even though she was in pain.

What a tough, strong, brave little girl. I admire her so much!

Also, I must admit, there is some pride going on, knowing that she was in my class last year and that she was able to work through all of the beginning of the year stuff with no problem...especially in math! It made me feel like i did a good job last year!

But most importantly, it makes me feel good to know that I am making her happy. Let me tell you, she laughed out loud once during a story, and I am living to hear that laugh now. It was one of the most honest, good sounds I've ever heard.

Big Brother 6

"As for Maggie... Sure, you may consider your blank stares, and apathy a strategy but I assure you that it is not. You, Maggie, represent those in our society who sit around quietly and watch the good people of this world go down in flames. And when the dust begins to settle you feast on what’s left."
- Kayser Big Brother Blog

Thunder Storm

We are having a true, honest to God thunder and lightning storm!!! I can't think of the last time we've had a lightning storm here like this...

Its funny,at physical therapy today, we were commenting on how mice the weather is, and someone said that the weather was reporting possible rain for tomorrow. We were all, yeah, right, clear skieswarm weather...

A few hours later I looked outside and it was gettin' all cloudy...I laughed and passed the story on to Grant...and now, sure enough...

Poor Kanga, though. She is wiggin out!!!

Speaking of "Patriotic" issues...

Our school sang "God Bless America" during a flag ceremony last week. It got me thinking. How could singing such a song during a school wide ceremony (not performed in an artistic or cultural sense, such as at a concert or performance) not be considered endorsing a certain belief system? True, no one forced the students to sing the song. Students could choose not to sing it. But still, it just seems odd, in retrospect.

There are many patriotic songs that mention God or have religious overtones, but my specific thought regarding "God Bless America" is that the song is essentially a prayer, is it not? The singer is talking to God, making requests..."stand beside her, and guide her..." Is this an appropriate song to sing in a public school? Does express the ideals of freedom and patriotism that we want to teach our children in a civil setting?

But is sure is a pretty song to sing. And I love to sing.

Old Friends

Yesterday afternoon, I went to see an old friend from high school. It is so funny. In both of our lives, so much has changed, and yet, to me anyway, our time together was just the same. We were good friends for a while, and our time yesterday felt very much like old times.

It got me thinking. Alot. I talked Rob's ear off last night. Then I talked Grant's ear off when he got home from work.

My water is boiling. As a side note, for those of you who have read my honeymoon blog, I found that really good Lipton orange, passionfruit, and jasmine green tea that I discovered on our cruise. They sell it at Vons and at Walmart.

Anyways...

There are some core values that my friend and I both have stuck to, and I think that makes a difference. We can relate, still, in many ways.

I think that if I bumped into other people from high school, our time together would be very strained. And would leave me feeling very sad. My meeting yesterday didn't make me sad. I feel very hopeful.

But also, I feel very introspective, as I often do after hearing news from the past.

It is so odd, becasue I feel like that wasn't my life. I don't know that person that went to Edison, played in the band, sung in the choir. Its like that whole part of my life is a hazy cloud. Rob keeps me grounded in this aspect. He REALLY knew me in high school, and he knows me now, and I think that what he tries to tell me all the time when I get into this mood is that, deep down, I am still very much the same person that I was in high school. I just don't think very many people knew who I really was. I don't think I let it be shown very much. But Rob saw it.

But still, the person I was, outwardly, is the mystery. I wish I could remember, so I could understand why...alas, I don't know if this is making any sense at all. And as I am sure a lot of people who are asking...does any of this really matter? Who cares who I was 10 years ago? The time has past. move on.

I know.

But its like this big hole that I don't remember, but I feel like I should be able to.

How can I figure out the big mysteries of life and the world if I can't even figure out the tiny mysteries that exist inside my own head?

Don't you love when I get in these introspective moods? Hee hee.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter got a rating of PG 13.

Not too worried...so did Star Wars...

Physical Therapy

The range of motion on my wrist is almost back to normal, which is nice. Connie, my wonderful therapist, says I am doing awesome. The one thing that is interestiong - when I first sat in there I saw this peg board that looked like a pre schooler puzzle...with different sized round pegs that fit into appropriate sized round holes. I thought it looked kinda fun...

I have to use that contraption now. I have to use this gripper thing to pull out each peg and put them back in. It looks so simple. It sounds so simple. But it is a pain. Sigh. I hate that thing!

Back to School

I am so excited to be back to school! So far I love my new class. It is so hard to feel like you fit in at a new school but I know it will happen eventually.

I introudiced some GATE strategies and I think I did a pretty good job with them! I am a bit stressed about how I am going to get everything done but I'm sure it will work out!

Big Brother

I am so proud of Janelle. I hope she takes it all. If not, she still kicked butt with all of the prizes and America's Choice. We love you Janey!

School starts Thursday

I hate this time of year...its always the anticipation that kills me.

School starts Thursday...