Friday, February 27, 2009

Happy Weekend!!!

I survived another week in sixth grade land. This has been a busy week, so I apologize for not posting earlier. I had a great observation with my principal and successfully laid the foundation for fractions. What more could I ask for!?!? Well, I think the second is true. Time will tell. Sometimes sixth graders really amaze me (in a positive way). Once a month, we work with a kindergarten class. This month we met them in the computer lab to work on some basic reading and writing skills. The sixth graders were perfect mini teachers. They were very patient and worked hard to keep their buddies on task. I always secretly smile inside when they tell me how difficult it was to keep their buddies focused. Welcome to my world!!

It's time for Gilmore Girls.
Cheri

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Literary Essays!!!

I guess its has been a few days since I last posted. This is a very busy week at school. I took Monday off for some appointments and I must say it is more work to be gone than to be at school. I'm not sure it was worth it. Cavities or crazy class? I think crazy class scares me more. I also have my second observation with the principal on Thursday. I have decided to do a writing lesson, so I am taking a big risk. I would say that writing is my most challenging subject to teach. Writing with 6th graders is so different than with 1st graders. We are working on literary essays which is just loads of fun. Of course, the dreaded AIMS testing is only 5 weeks away!!!!

I have become a little stressed and perplexed by 6th grade girls lately. We are having issues in the cafeteria with playing with each other's food. This encompasses everything from throwing the lunch into the trash to strewing it all over the tables. This is the girls doing it, not the boys!! Unfortunately, no one has been caught doing the crime. Girls can be very mean. If anyone has any suggestions, please let know.

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!
Cheri

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Cat Timer

Well, it's been a Gilmore Girls weekend marathon. I recently become a fan of this show, so I'm trying to get through all the seasons over the weekends. I hope to be finished with season three today. I am ashamed to admit this, but I have become a blogging addict. In fact it has become so bad, that I will lose total track of time and get nothing else done!!! I'm sure someone out there can relate!!! Well I have come up with the the solution that appears to be working for me. I have a cat timer that I set for 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, I get up and get one other thing done. I know this is sad, but I had to do something. When that job is done, I get back to the computer and start the process over again. So far, two bathrooms are clean and the family room is dusted!

I came across a familiar verse today that I wanted to share. I think it speaks volumes to the times we are living in today. I know that has brought comfort to me and will continue to do so.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Keep looking up!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

Cheri

Friday, February 20, 2009

Sleep and More Sleep

It's the weekend!!! I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and just having a relaxing time at home. It's getting harder and harder to get up in the morning even when I have gone to bed earlier. Hopefully some extra sleep this weekend will do the trick.

We headed over to Sam's to pick up my glasses. I have been wearing my contacts this past week, so it was very interesting hearing both kids and adults alike say, "There is something different about you," but having no clue what it was!!! They had me try then on before I left, and I swear I could see even better wearing both my glasses and contacts at the same time. I know it's weird.

I also purchased some school supplies at Sam's. I have $100.00 to spend by next Friday that can be reimbursed by the PTA. I know the school will not be able to buy these things, so I thought it was a good time to get them. Education is really suffering in Arizona. Hopefully things will improve.

Talk to you later!
Cheri

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Sunburn

I survived field day!!!!!! Unfortunately I do have a lovely sunburn on my neck. I should have been better prepared, but sunburning did not even enter my mind when I left home this morning. It was interesting, however, watching the kids compete in the different events. Some of them could have a career in high jumping. There were a lot of them who are very competitive and others who could really care less. All of them should sleep very well tonight. I know their teacher will!!!

Doug met me at Chipotle for dinner. I love their soft chicken tacos. Chipotle has always been a special place to us. We ate their every Friday night in Ohio.Then I headed to Walgreens to find something to relieve my sunburn pain. I guess it's time to put some on.

Have a good one.
Cheri

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Start Your Day with a Donut!!

I hope everyone had a great Tuesday. It was a little difficult getting started this morning after having yesterday off, but after one Dunkin Donut I was ready to go. I have to blame my mom for this one. Sorry mom! When I was growing up, we always had a donut for breakfast. Of course you had to eat your cereal first, but a donut was always waiting for us. I'm actually surprised I don't weigh a ton!!
I know this is terrible, but I am already counting the days until spring break!!! Tomorrow is field day, so that will pretty much take up all day. Can you believe we are having field day in February!?!? That was usually something you would not see until at least May in the Midwest. I guess I will have to keep time for some of the events. That should be interesting. I will be dressing in layers tomorrow. It gets pretty cold in the morning, but hopefully by noon we will be 70.
I'm sure there will be lots to update on this tomorrow.

I guess I should think about some dinner. Talk to you later!

Cheri


Monday, February 16, 2009

Follow-Up Post

Can I just say that Pillsbury is my hero!!!!!
Well, it's 8 a.m. on my day off and I should be still in bed, but a furry friend decided to get up on our normal day schedule. I guess she did not get the memo about it being President's Day. Oh well, I have been able to get some work done. I needed to schedule some appointments, so this was a perfect time.

I saw a great movie this weekend. Fireproof starring Kirk Cameron. I rented it, but I think I will be purchasing it soon for my own collection. The message is awesome and inspiring.

I'm not sure what is on our agenda today. Actually it's kind of nice not to have an agenda. I'm sure some school work will figure in someway. Right now I am making some biscuits for breakfast. They are from Pillsbury and are in the frozen section. We bought them at Sam's last night. My mom and grandma have been raving about them, so I took the plunge and got some. I love anything that requires little preparation and tastes great!! So hopefully these fit the bill. I guess I better go get them out of the oven before I burn them!!

I hope everyone has a great day!
Cheri
Psalm 91:1

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Verse for Memory

Well, it's that time of the month to choose a new verse for my LPM Siesta memory work. I have chosen John 14:1.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

I believe it is a scripture that everyone could relate to no matter what season of life they are in. I know that it means a lot to me. If you are not familiar with the LPM site, it is Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministry. I have committed with others to memorize two verses every month for 2009. Beth Moore is an awesome Bible study leader. I encouraged you to check it out.

Have a great day!
Check Spelling
Cheri

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Valentine's Day Three Days Early

Well, it's Tuesday night and I'm wishing it was Friday. I guess it will come. My father-in-law is visiting from Kansas this week. Tonight we ate dinner at Rumbi's and made a couple other stops at Michael's and Bed Bath and Beyond. Michael's really surprised me with their dollar aisle. I found some really cute note cards and magnets. I will have to remember this and check back often.

We had the sixth grade Valentine's party today. It was a half day, so this may it an ideal choice for the party. The students decorated canvas bags and ate pizza. Believe me when I say life could not get any better for a 12 year old. We then went outside for them to exchange Valentines. I had to chuckle when I thought about being outside in February. Definitely not something you would see in the mid-west.

I guess I need to get some work done.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

I am so tired tonight. My literacy conference was very good today. I enjoyed getting to meet Ralph Fletcher and hearing him talk about the need to improve the writing process for boys. However, something did happen today that I am not very proud of, but I guess I should come clean. I had to be a Gena's house at 7 this morning since she was our designated driver to ASU. She is one of our reading specialist who I have enjoyed getting to know this past year. Judy, the other reading specialist also joined us. I remember thinking as we got into the car that someone had put on way too much perfume. It smelled absolutely awful. It smelled like something a grandma would wear that was 20 years old and should have been thrown away. I had put on some of my Ralph Lauren perfume earlier and was a little concerned it might have been going bad. After completing some smell tests I knew my perfume was safe. It was too bad I could not smell it, but oh well. The horrendous smell just seemed to follow me wherever I went. Well, we arrived back at Gena's and I got into my car and thought, "Great, the smell is going to be in my car." I drove home with my windows down hoping the smell would just float away. After getting home, Doug thought he needed to go to the Bass Pro Shop. I was like ok and we loaded back into the car. Guess what? Yes, the smell was even worse. As I was looking for my phone in my purse I realized the smell seemed particularly stronger. Upon further digging, I came across an empty bottle of perfume my mom had given me a few weeks ago. The bottle had broken sometime in my purse!! It had smelled bad then, but for some reason I had not taken it out of my purse. I swear the smell was worse today. As I was shopping, I was so self-conscious I knew everyone in Mesa could smell me.
So the moral of this story is to not keep cheap smelling perfume in your purse. Sorry I have to go....I need a bath!!

Friday, February 6, 2009

It's the weekend!!! Well kind of for me. I have to go to a literacy conference tomorrow at ASU from 8 - 3. So it is a little short, but I'm still looking forward to it. It is suppose to rain and turn cooler this weekend, so there goes the flip flops. I guess I should not be too disappointed. I mean it is still just February!!! On a bright note, I get to wear my winter crocs one more time!

Today the sixth grade launched their balloons they had made in science. It needed to be cold, so the launch was scheduled for 7:30 this morning. It was pretty neat to see how high they would go. They were basically made out of tissue paper with some wire around the rim. The best part, however, was the donuts. In fact, there were so many I got to take a box of crispy creme donuts home. Don't worry - I shared them with my family!

Well, I have had a little interruption. I had just sat down to write my blog tonight, when I realized I had not locked up the laptops at school. So, we had to hurry and run back to school to take care of them. We then met my brother for Thai. Thai House has the best food. They make the most delicious sticky rice with mango. It was a perfect way to end a great meal.

I guess it's time to read and then get ready for bed. 5:00 a.m. will be here before I know it!

Cheri

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

A Little Grading and a Little Costco

I can't believe it's Wednesday already! I was very relieved to get a lot of grading done before I left school this afternoon. Interims go out on Friday, so I want to be as accurate as possible with their grades here half way through the nine weeks. I probably should do some more work at home, but I would rather just relax and watch t.v.
It was so exciting to hear that Harper is going home from the hospital tomorrow! That is a big answer to prayer. What a testimony she will have when she gets older!
We had to make a run to Costco tonight. I needed the snack mix to take to a meeting after school tomorrow. It is so yummy! I highly recommend it. I also picked up the book, Confessions of a Shopaholic! I want to read it before the movie comes out next week. Costco is fun place to shop. Maybe not when you are overly hungry, but a great place to try new things.

Well, I guess it's time for a little reading.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

It's Time for Candy!!

Well, I survived another day in sixth grade. I was a little concerned after a few hiccups yesterday with the seventh grade math placement test. After a few minor adjustments, everyone appears to be content with the decisions. I can now breathe a sigh of relief.
After dinner, we made a run to Walgreens. I was needing some candy for Valentine's Day. This is, of course, a dangerous holiday for me. As I have previously mentioned I love sweets. Now if only peas would taste as good as a Godiva chocolate I would be the healthiest person around. I'm also trying to come up with some clever and not to babyish Valentine's cards for the class. If anyone has any suggestions, I am very open to trying them.
Well it's time for a little NCIS.
Cheri

Monday, February 2, 2009

Clothes Rod Failure!!!

Well, yesterday my husband and I had "the talk." I had been concerned, but had not wanted to bring the subject up. Of course, it was only a matter of time. I had to face the music whether I was ready or not. He told me that he had waited until the right moment, so I guess in the middle of DSW was the "right time." The bowing of my clothes rod could not be neglected any longer!!!! It probably did not help that I had moved clothes over to his side, but that is a whole another story. Now, I have a rather nice size closet. Which I have taken complete advantage of, but it can only do so much for me. I now had to purge if I wanted avoid complete rod failure. Two sacks later, the problem is better. I'm taking baby steps. I am also happy to say, I left DSW empty handed (not for a lack of trying).

Sunday, February 1, 2009

It's February!!!

I can't believe it's February already. I am excited to be through with January. When I was living in Ohio or Oklahoma, it always seemed like the month of January just would never end. Each day was cold and dreary. You thought that Mr. Sun had forgotten about you, especially in Ohio. Living in Arizona, you wonder where is winter? Oh well, I'm still glad it's February. I mean where else can you get a pedicure and put on flip flops in the middle of the day??

We went to the Tucson Gem show yesterday. I think I can speak for everyone and say we were a little disappointed. They need to change the name to the Tucson Bead Show because everywhere you looked there were beads!! My family is not into making jewelry of any kind these days, so we were drawn to the already made stuff which was few and far between. My mom and I did find a few treasures.

Today's post would not be complete with out a special cheer for the Arizona Cardinals. Most people are not giving them much of a chance. However, they have been the underdogs most of the season and it has worked out quite well for them. So, "Go Cardinals." Bring the Super Bowl trophy to Arizona!

Cheri