Mama De’s Place

We made a quick trip to Amarillo to celebrate Papa’s 95th birthday ( which is actually on the 12th). He is in a nursing home for a few weeks recovering from a burn on his leg. It was a BIG surprise to him. All of his children were there (except Karen–the youngest who lives in Florida) and a lot of grandchildren and great grands….his sister and girlfriend, Mary, were able to come, too. The nursing home provided a nice room with some details like tea, plates, etc. We brought ham, beans, potato salad, and of course, a birthday cake. Not thinking–even with all of the nurses in our family–we lit candles with him wearing oxygen…..Could have been bad, but someone caught it quickly and he had made a BIG puff by then and out went the flame. So all ended well. We visited all afternoon and then Eddie & I headed south to see Tulia (Ed’s home time) and then came on to Sunnyvale. We arrived about 12:15 and fell into bed. We were very glad we did drive all the way today when we had a lot to do before returning to work tomorrow. Papa is so alert and does so well for 95 years young. It was great to see him and all of the other family for such a special occasion.

School has started and so has the race. Staff Development proved to be fast and furious. I had to present 2nd grade math ALL day on Thursday. The other days were interesting to say the least. Now one week of students has come and gone and we were all ready for a 3 day weekend. It has been a long time since our district has had a full week the first week of school. Usually we start on Wednesday, so the week is short. I did not see students the first week, but hope to start sometime this next week. With schedules being the biggest problem, I am not too sure when I can get going! I worked with new 4-6 teachers on subjects such as math and science, I worked with K-2 teachers with literature problems, and I just “helped” wherever I was needed at the time. It was a fun week, but I am already seeing a lot of needs that I may not be able to meet, yet feel these needs are very important to help this school become what it needs to in order to meet district expectations plus my own expectations.

Every year summer seems to slip by a little faster. As my mama used to say, “The older I get, the faster it goes.” I would just laugh because I was too young to really even understand. BUT now I do. I have had a GREAT summer–very very busy. I worked on curriculum for June, had new floors put in my house (wood most places, carpet in our bedroom),10 days in Penn. And places east, 4 days in San Antonio (math), kept the 3 M’s a couple different times, on & on & on. I have read 18 trashy books, unteen dozen professional books, several children’s books. Moving to a new school has not been easy.. The physical move alone almost killed me.about 120 boxes plus+++++++++ I still have not been up to unpack. I am sharing a room with another Title 1 person and it is hard to work around that—especially when you have 22 years of stuff—you know????? I went to La. yesterday to see my mom & sisters & cousins, spent the night, back home today and off to the races again–just 3 shy days before I start staff development and then face the students on Aug. 27. I accomplished a lot over 11 short weeks–a lot more still to do–but hopefully it will or (may not) get done sooner or later.

I have always wanted a nice piano, so when Jonathan decided to moved to California to live with James, they said I could “keep” their antique baby grand piano. On the way west, they dropped off the piano, in pieces, stacked in the front hallway. I called some piano movers to come set it up and they did just that today. It looks great. Monday someone is coming to tune it and then a group of four are coming on Aug. 9, to refinish it and get it shined up… I am toooooooo excited. Now, my plans are to find a nice, gentle, patient person to teach me how to play the thing. (I cannot even read music.) So I really have something to look forward to in the fall. YEA!!
Oh, and Thanks so much Jonathan and James.

After four LONG days of dirt, grime, noise, strange people, things out of place, the floors are finished–almost…
They still need to finish my closet–was short on carpet.
I was “holed-up” in my bedroom for 2 1/2 days, with not much of a way to get to kitchen or outside, while the wood flooring was being put down in the kitchen, den, game room. Next came the carpet and vinyl boys. They were in and out in a dash, but–a few problems–not enough carpet. They had cut it the wrong direction and came up short. So they must come back.
We worked all weekend putting things back in place and still have another few days to go. I am not sure where all of this stuff came from and why do we have it???? Eddie and I are trying to sort through, throw away, reorganize, clean, etc. before putting back in place. It is not an easy task after 21 years in the same house!

A month later now and I LOVE MY FLOORS!!!!!!!!

I started my summer job yesterday and am not too sure I need to continue. I know I will, but at 6:00 am each morning–I wonder. A group of “selected” teachers work from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm Monday–Thursday.
We write Language Arts curriculum for Mesquite ISD. No big deal–right???? But as I work with other teachers I have to wonder why I am there. I do have 22 years of experience, reading is my passion (should see my own library) and I love teaching. Most days I think I can hold my own, however, other days I just go HUH????
It is so interesting to see other points of view, learn new tricks of the trade and just laugh with people of my own profession. Yet when I think that what we are doing will be used by our whole district next year again–I just shake. I did this same thing last summer, but it was new and innovating and I really didn’t think much of the impact until school started and I started hearing all of the moans and groans and questions about this little piece or that little thing…..It really makes you want to do the BEST job because student’s education might depend on it. Now I also realize a lot of the teaching is up to the teacher, and she/he must take our plans and implement them in the BEST way she/he can. So it does take all of us–so why am I feeling so much of the responsibility???? I don’t know–maybe age and experience..
Best laid plans of mice and men………

This time next week we should have new floors…YEA!!!!
We are putting laminate hardwood in most places, with carpet in our bedroom/bath.
I am a little anxious (not sure of colors, etc.) but think I have make some good choices.
Also some new wallpaper in the kitchen plus cleaning out clutter and we will feel like we have a new house.
I love my house and just need to update a few things after 21 years on June 15th.

Now–if the rain will just stop for a while, I can get outside and mow, flowers, and clean up patio
to get ready for summer…Can’t wait.

We had a great weekend. The 3 M’s came over for a “sleep over” as they call it. Friday night, we had dinner, (Sonic– compliments of PAPA), then read a lot of books, and finally went through our routine of snacks, movie and on to sleep at about 10:30 PM> We all slept until 9:00 the next morning!!!! Papa helped them fix waffles for breakfast and then we watched a little T V and mostly played around the house.
After a sandwich lunch and rest time, we headed to TARGET!!! (Our favorite store.) We ran into some friends, bought a “few” things and came back home. We ordered pizza for dinner and then back to bedtime routines. Sunday was a working day of mowing, trimming trees, and playing outside. Matthew made a jell-o & gummy worm dessert for dinner. (It came from the book How to Eat Fried Worms.) About 4:00 the grands thought it was time for a swim and they thought the water was plenty warm..BRRRRRRR!!!
We finally found enough swimming suits and gear for them to go for a quick splash. They lasted about 2 hours. Again BRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!
Steven & Cynthia came about the time they started swimming and it was very nice sitting outside watching. We had dinner and then they left. Hopefully we will see them again next weekend. AHHHHH….

Oh My!!! How we all hate changes, but the older I get the more I hate change….My school is going through changes right now and it is so hard…My beloved principal is being moved to another school for next year. She is so wonderful and has done such a GREAT job leading this school to the max, that she was asked (told) she needs to move to another low performing school to help get their TAKS scores where they need to be. It seems that anytime you are good at something, someone thinks you need to spread that “goodness” around. I am one of the very fortunate ones to be able to go with her, but she can only take a few. Therefore, some super people are being left and even though some people had planned to leave anyway, it is very hard to see and hear about all of the changes. Nothing will ever be the same again. Yes, we all say we will stay close, but when you are not with each other every day, things change. We will all survive and grow and become better for the changes, but it still hurts. Nothing in life ever stays the same. Grab each day and live it to the fullest and hang on to all of the memories….

This week has been filled with nothing but testing…
I tested fourth graders on TAKS math on Tuesday.
Wednesday, I did fifth grade reading redos for the ones that did not pass the first round.
Thursday, I tested fifth graders in TAKS science.
Today–Western Day–suppose to be fun day–I am testing one sixth grader make-up math and one fifth grader make-up reading.
I just hate all the testing…
Yes, we need an accountability system, for teachers and students. No, not so much pressure should not be put on the students to pass. It makes them sick and hate school and does the same for teachers. We are losing teachers at an alarming rate!
Pressure from the top down is felt through out the state of TEXAS.
There has to be a better way. If the lawmakers would put educators on the committees that make the laws, things would be different and better. Maybe that is what I will do when I retire…Whenever!!!!

” What was once educationally significant, but difficult to measure,
has been replaced by what is insignificant and easy to measure. So now
we test how well we have taught what we do not value.”
— Art Costa, emeritus professor, California State University