T.G.I.F.

Armando and I were up till 1 last night. We got a late start. Poor guy had worked hard all day and then has to get up at 5 this morning too. I have the day off and I slept in till 7:30 or so. He's better than a sleeping pill. No chemicals involved either.

I thought we might take a frig up to Trinidad this weekend and get my new stove.

Marilyn needs the fridge in her beach house and then in her other house afterwards. She is also flipping out with evicting Gail. We need to move her bed (K) and then to move boxes of her bottles off the patio into the trailer court across the ally.
No one in town will help Marilyn because they don't want to alienate Gail. Marilyn feels "ready to split a gusset" as she says. Since we are strangers, we might help out. I found out we have till August. That's her moving date. So much for "Blues on the Bay" this weekend. I guess I'll just continue on my list of things to do.

My Honey do list includes him painting the mailbox,or I may, lugging some soil from the front to the back, but I have a wheelbarrow so I may be able to mix it with the compost.
He just throws them over his shoulder two at a time....not me. Clearly he's stronger.
I'm fortunate he doesn't seem to mind helping. The sooner we finish the more time we have. I cook in return.

I also was not able to completely saw through a tree limb. Maybe he can finish that too and it's time to cut the grass again and on and on. Lot's of chores.

Today at the farmers market downtown I got some chicken sausage today, tamales, spring rolls, Indian spinach and potatoes naan, parthea, this great white dipping stuff.

I love going to the market I am truely entertained. Last week they had a chef introducing eggplant.

I'm out of chicken and vegetable curry and didn't see the guy with the tandoori oven today but I might have missed him. I ate that with naan all last week. I saw that there were some Indian marinades I may try next week. Since I still have nectarines, plums, peaches, raspberries,lettuce, radishes and tomatoes from last week I only got corn, green red and yellow peppers. zucchini, yellow squash, blueberries and strawberries.

I took a nap this afterboon and then went to the grocery store. We're going to see the Harry Potter movie tonight. I like going to the late show that empties at midnight and have it be foggy when you come out. That may be because the last release was a midnight show in Dec.

I've been making quizes for the kiddies as I read Farewell to Manzanar and Hatchet again. Since I still don;t have a printer I sent it as an attachment and print it at school where I make copies.

I was making up a quiz when Armando called and talked me into another visit. I started out saying no I was working.

Later he said "you like food don't you". Well, yes I know it shows thats obvious but we don't like to hear our men tell us were fat even if it is the truth which was his next line. It didn't matter that he told me I was pretty after that, all was lost. Their are realities to face I know but even though they are there doesn't mean I wanted to hear it in quite that way. He's seen my size for 3 yrs. Why comment now? Stupid man, it's a friday the 13th thing I hope. At least I didn't need a sleeping pill. That's an improvement.

S.H.I.T. So happy it's Thursday

I used to work for a company when we first moved back to CA from HI and we worked 10 hr. days 4 days a week and had the t shirt "so happy it's thursday". I need to find itagain,

4.5 hrs. resding papers,correcting quizes, recording grsdes and to sleep by 2 with thr little of a pill. After fighting with the active brain that just won't shut up for an hr, I gave in a popped one. Up st 7 with no dreams. My 6th period didn't do as well on there quizes. The writing was not too bad. A few need help but some is really good. With no text books they are whipping through their books and hungry for more. I have about other 1/2 hr. of recording grades to do this morning.

I planted my flowers they were wilting in their 6 packs. There was some humidity here and fortunately the fog has rolled back in to cool off the Bay area in our microclimates we are usually inland and hotter than on the coast and hour away.

There are new wonders of the world and I want to see Petra in Jordon, Machu Pichu, Rio, Christ the redeemer, The Great Barrier reef in Australia to dive. I've been to Stonehenge and Chichen Itza. I'd also like to visit Belize, Costa Rica and Tulum. All I need is time, money and my health. Clearly, I need to drop weight and get in better shape. It makes me healthier and traveling easier.

Today was easier at school. I handed back all the papers and my lesson time seemed too short. I thought of another essay just for my 7/8 class and maybe 6. A trust walk and essay on disabilities to make them aware.

Glad to be done and off tomorrow.

Manic

I went to bed at a reasonable hr. after a bath and reading till I conked out. I was up again at 3:30, stayed in bed/sleep/rest mode till 5.30 and grabbed the computer.

Now it's getting light out and the birds are chirping.

The dictionary just got a new word, ginormous, meaning extremely large. I'll give it to my classes as a vocab. wd.

My mind is running replaying scenes and planning lesson plans. I can't turn it off or slow it down. It's time to align my chakras and meditate. I could water, garden or go for a walk.

I have some sleeping pills that expired 6/04 that I've been taking, they are less potent than the new ones so I'm using them first. It's only 15mg so they are real light.

I'll try reading first. I like to read the NYPost Page 6 and the Washington Post. My reading time is about to be seriously infringed upon.

Lacey just came over to snuggle next to me so that nay lull me back into sleep until the Today show and The View come on.
She rarely does, she is not a lap can and unless it's cool and Iv'e stopped all movement she stays far away. Today I got 3 more hrs. of sleep. Usually she likes to sleep in a box top on my bed or on a cushion in the hall or the top of a cushion on the couch I covered with a sheet in the living room.

I gave my tests, graded one and one set of essays. So far they are all 100 percent.
One class took too long with their presentation to have their reading test so they will have it tomorrow. I was too scattered the first two days and two girls complained so today I put the objective and agenda on the board along with the homework. I know what we are going to do but I like to wing it. Most of the writing is good with a few exceptions. One boy in 5th grade may just be sloppy, lazy and careless. So far his work is coming in late and torn out sloppily of a notebook unevenly.

They are whipping through the books so I may add another book to their reading. Many are through but didn't understand anything in Night. How is that possible?

I've even been wearing makeup.

My face has been breaking out for the last year or so on the right side yet it's dry? I think it's a symptom of menopause. I'm just about there.

I took my 2 hr nap today from 6-8.

The Fruits of Summer

The Fruits of summer yum...
For breakfast I'll have sugar in the form of cantaloupe, strawberries, raspberries, apricot and blueberries. who needs bananas? I prefer them straight but the diet says to liquefy 5-6. Who would want to ruin this bounty at its peak by blending and liquification. I'll let the colon and stomach do the work.

I'm taking my calcium. Two woman I know have osteoporosis already! One is my age. There is no cure or reversal. One patron, male, came into the library to do research on it' His spine was really curved.

My mind is so filled with lesson plans I had to take a sleeping pill at 1 to shut down and here I am up again at 6. Clearly, I'm manic. A lot gets done during these periods. I feel like I can leap tall buildings, or plant plants et al. I'm up to plant zinias, impatients and snapdragons.



I learned yesterday do it in the a.m. in the afternoon after school I'm dead till after my nap.

Well the second day was better. I was collecting money for books. Had one new student and one dropped out. I eased up on them a bit. I got most of the essays turned in but conveniently left them behind.

I go in and hr. early and that is not enough time to get everything done then I go 3 hrs straight.

I got 3 more hrs sleep this morning so I'm not so tired today. I like working only 3 hrs in the afternoon and only 4 days a week.

I went to a mystery writers pannel discussion and the library but was so tired I left after 30 minutes to come home and compaose 4 quizes for tomorrow. No nap yet.

Insanity

Insanity has taken hold...
why when I'm dead tired and my back and feet are yelling at me am I up making raspberry jam at 12:00? (because the fruit might go bad.)

I never know for sure whether I'm doing it right or not. You have to use exact quantities. I like to use the low sugar,sure jell. Anyway, 7.5 jars are on the counter waiting for their lids to pop. If any don't pop then they are not sealed right. I can't tell if they did or not. I never know until I open the jar and hear the pop on the lid seal when I open it. I just know raspberry is my favorite. According to my cook book I got in high school that I finally read this morning, I need to write to the USDA for their brochure on canning. If sure the price is not 15cents that it was in 1972 (the year Emily and Mario were born) but I'll see. Maybe today I can even download it on the web. I just didn't have the energy to pull the book out last night. I can also read in Mom's Joy of cooking later. Nothing tastes as good as home made and in Jan. when they cost 6.00 a pint not 2 I love some on a scone.
A case of 12 was 12.00. Individually they are $2.00.

I may put up some green beans and bread and butter pickles too if I get reall ambitious.

After cleaning yesterday, the spiders and ants have all been uprooted and I just found a spider in the kitchen and in my bedroom tonight. They think all normal people are asleep and I wouldn't notice. Last week I had ants in the bedroom. I don't freak to find a spider in the tub I just remove it. They eat bugs.

When Bob came to CA, I mistakenly recommended a place in Big Sur, very rustic, in the woods. They had a spider in the shower, she freaked. The Holiday Inn is not in Big Sur or
Pacific Grove. Monterey maybe. Now I know not to recommend anywhere without a t.v.

My neighbor told me she found a black widow in the garage though and the one in the kitchen had a big body. I think daddy long legs eat black widows like the gecko we used to have living in our light fixture in the guest bathroom in HI used to eat bugs.
I like hot tubs, woods. dramatic ocean views and no phones or t.v. if I'm going away for a romantic weekend.

Different strokes....

I'm having cantaloupe, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and a nectarine with fresh squeezed o.j. for breakfast. yum!

I'm looking at the Martha's Vineyard liquid diet where you eat every 2 hrs...a detox.
Breakfast is 6 fruits. 10 am is tea with lemon and veggie, more veggies at lunch more veggies at dinner and more at dinner. 21 lbs in 21 days, all liquid. hummmmmmmm....

Allegedly it works faster cuz everything is liquidified and the body doesn't have to break it down. I'm sure it will clean you out.

This is not for Mickey who never met a veggie he liked except corn and an occasional pea buried under mashed potatoes.

The first day of school three classes, 50 kids. I overwhelmed them I'm sure. I gave them an essay to do during their study hr. and 30 min. of reading for homework and another small assignment. One mom came and told me I gave him too much.

The kids were good. A few were squirmy. When I was talking too much they looked at their watches. I passed out and introduced their books. They are reading
Night in my 9th,10th and 11th grade class, along with To Kill a Mockingbird Flowers for Algernon in 7/8 and Farewell to Manzanar and Hatchet in 6th. That class is the smallest, only 10. There was no break and I'm pooped. A few kids came afterwards to ask me to explain what the survival essay was about. had just spent 30 minutes describing it and had a handout too. That confused me. I practically wrote it for them in class. I was frustrated. But, there are some eager and interested in learning.

I need my nap now. My feet hurt and my back is going. I'll be better after that and ready to grade papers...but tonight I don't have any. The kids were supposed to turn in their essays before they left but nary a one did. I guess I didn't make that clear enough. You just can't say something once, you have to repeat and write it because at this age they daydream.

I won a pair of theater tickets, popcorn and a drink and a $5.00 coupon from my library for reading. (2 libraries):-) I want to go see the new Harry Potter movie and Ratatouille.

I really like this Indian chicken curry, tomato bhaji, made with tomatoes, raisins, onions,ginger,garlic,tumeric to put on the potato and spinach naan that I got at the farmers market. Then add tomato chutney or tamarind yum.

Then there is the roasted chicken salad of the deli with almonds that I add celery and green onion to and occasionally for a change of pace curry powder and mango chutney. I sometimes make this, but when I get busy I don't mind paying 4.00.

I like this broccoli salad too with sunflower seeds, red onion, and rasins. I make this sometimes too. The deli one puts in bacon.

Cleaning out the garage

I was up at 6 watering.

It took 3 of us almost 20 hrs to clean out the garage. It yielded treasures and 6 bags of trash and recycling. We started at 7. Fortunately, it was cool till about 10. Miriam came at 10 for 6 hours and by half past 6 we were done. One of the perils of living in the same house for nearly 27 years is accumulation. I saw things put in in 1983. I found papers I was looking for just in time for summer school and got rid of things I just didn't need but once found so important. I need to file some inside in my office filing cabinets for better access. I found my watches I had looked for 3 yrs. my carpool sticker and transponder that I was seeking for 9 mo., money, unmailed wedding cards, 2 returned cards one to Bob that were returned undeliverable, a radio, my adding machine to name a few. I save so much stuff. The garage was cleaned out right before I got Gloria and we tossed tons then. Now, I can actually put my lawnmower in it again!

I helped my friend Kim clean out her mom's garage after she died with a shed and house after they had lived there for 50 years. I guess Mom and Mary Helen did that with grandpa's house too. She said she was going to throw out incriminating things.
My friend Marilyn in Trinidad, has already tossed stuff because she was convinced she was dying and didn't want others to see stuff. I have journals I want tossed unread. Even Oprah had made her friend vow to toss her journals.

I marinated green and yellow peppers and zucchini, BBQ ed corn and marinated pork chops. YUM! It was so good. It was 2 or so though and too warm to be grilling. I got this new BBQ fork though that helped. I also used a light the bag charcoal. While I went to the farmers market for more Japanese eggplant and long beans it was ready.

I also got a case of raspberries to make jam and a peach, nectarines and apricots.

I was so tired I laid down and conked out for an hour from 7 to 8. I ws actually on the computer with my laptop on my tummy and was out. Now I'm up again and after my bath ready to make jam.

My Spanish is improving.

Summer school starts tomorrow. I start at 1:30. since I'm a creature of the night and have a hard time with mornings, I appreciate that. It will be different having kids that "pay" to come and Vietnamese on top of that.
I certainly am more prepared for these classes than ever before. I guess I may have missed teaching. (Did I say that!?)

My vacuum cleaner belt broke and the store I went to for years closed. Then I went to the grocery they only have the one I have. Now I need to find another vacuum cleaner store or maybe Sears. Who has carpet in their garage anyway? Just me.


The mornings have been gloriously cool. The breeze picks up and the fog rolls in. It had burned off my 7 but still....SUMMER IN ca IS NO HUMIdiTY WHICH i STILL AM THANKFUL FOR EvERY DAY. I THOUGHT I would roast in SC in April!

George Herman W

Born in NYC 7/7/21 to Bessie and Jacob. They owned a soda shop in the Bronx till it dies with the crash along with grandpa from a heart attack and grandma from breast cancer shortly thereafter. Older brother Leonard, and George, Florence and Harold were sent to the Hebrew Orphan Asylum. Harold was in foster care. Aunt Francis came to visit and take them out occasionally. Dad was a strong, athletic boy and a great dancer. We have a picture of him as a teenager lined up as shower monitor in the hall of the HOA. (see www. HOA.com)

Out they came one by 1 at 18, and dad followed Leonard to DC where he had married and set up a boardinghouse. Dad went to work for the government and later for Equitable insurance which took him to FL, and MI. He met mom at a dance in DC where she was a secretary. He married Jean Catherine Cavanaugh of Des Moines in DC. They lived in DC and had a rooming house for awhile. Mom cooked meals for boarders. They moved in with John Edward for awhile at 1614 22nd st. in IA. Bob was born in Chicago, IL. in 43 Mickey in Des Moines, IA in 47 and Jane in D.C. in 53.


They raised their children in DC and VA. He became a grandfather of Bob's Emily and Mickey's Gwen and Michael.

He read the same book over and over again to Gwen and walked her to the park to play.
He loved the sleep overs and babysitting.

Sadly, we lost him to a stroke in August of 1985 in Durham N.C. Bob, Mickey and I gathered to take him back to VA. His last sad drive in the beautiful green summer.


We miss you.

Feliz Cumpleanos a ti mi papi.

Today the housekeeper comes yeah!

What a difference 10 hrs of house work makes. Sadly, she just did the kitchen,family and dining room,LR,MBR so far.

The heat has eased off and this delightful breeze comes in about 7 to cool things off to about 65 until it burns off at 11 or so.

Happy Birthday Dad!

You are 86 years young tomorrow where ever you are. I'm think about you. I miss you a lot. There is no substitute for your mom and dad. They were too young gone and I had them for too short a time and didn't appreciate them enough. We were lucky they were very loving. Your granddaughter may even give birth on your birthday! Summertime and the living is easy.

Went to the farmers market today. The one downtown is bigger and better in addition to selling fresh fish, Indian food, crepes and to order Indian food including Nan right out of the tandoori oven I got corn, blueberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, nectarines, my personal favorite, apricots,tried my first fig,tomato's,organic romaine, zucchini, yellow squash, a yellow and green bell pepper and radishes. Yum! I could live the summer long on fruits and veggies. I also got potato and spinach nan and some sun dried tomato stuff to put on the samosas. I'm gonna put up some raspberry jam next week. This is the height of their season and they still are 2.00 a pt. :-(

I went to Gilroy early this morning to the outlets. I had to stock up on undies for the new school year. If you go v. buying online they take 20 percent off and there is no shipping then I found an impulse buy of pants a t and shorts that made up for not finding anything at Coldwater Creek.

I need a trip to Big Sur. Maybe I'll take Yessica or Richard.

I filled out the loan papers for my kitchen remodel today. Hum, I guess that means I have to take everything out of the cabinets since I'm getting new cabinets and counter tops. I can have a pantry built too. I have the building permit process and the remodel always takes longer than you think it will.

I don't know if I have the energy to be the general contractor on this one. My bathroom was hard enough.

I went to school today to do some copying for Monday. It took over 3 hrs. I always underestimate the time it will take. It's funny to me that they five you 5 hrs to prep. I take at least double that. Looks like I have 10 6th graders, 20 in 7/8 and 20 in 9/10/11. 6weeks, 3 hrs. a day, 4 days a week. Then, the joy of being an English teacher is I get to grade all that writing and there will be lots of essays.

I just got back from a walk to the park. Considering my feet ache from doing copying and shopping in flip flops it was a herculean effort but one I need to begin again especially after seeing myself in the wedding pictures. We three are on our way to a massive coronary. Let's amend and not do that.

Service

After another night of no sleep I took the car in at 7 for its 30k service

then at 9 I got a call to ok a hepa filter and a fuel injection tuneup and a this and a that to the tune of almost 600.

Does the car really need all that or are they jerking me around?

Then, in 97 degree temps I got a tutorial on the navigation system....sorta.
ok I concede I need to spend the 139. for the fuel injection tweaking and I will once Bob's birthday comes around on the 27th and I get my 1st summer school pay check.

I'm gonna take out a home equity loan and finish redoing the oven, counters sink, faucet and lighting in my kitchen oh yeah the new cabinets too,

I thought it would only be 10k but I'm adjusting my estimate upward to 25. 10 was approved today.

I want to be back in Trinidad where its cool and foggy till noon and then 70.

Marilyn says the weather is perfect. I'm jealous.

I ordered the prints I wanted from snapfish of m and m wedding pictures.

One of Richard's math tutor was on a motorcycle and a drunk 61 y o MD ran over him in his SUV killing him at 22. Since they are Muslim, the men took the body, washed it and wrapped it in a cotton cloth and had a direct burial.
So young. Such a waste. So stupid.

I hadn't realized the Muslim religion again like many others Jews included of course believe in simple preparation and immediate interment.

I think we're gonna have a community garage sale to raise money for his family.

Kudos to cousin Bruce on his new job. I know a lot more house can be bought in Charlottte than NY. What a difference it will bring. Fortunately you have cousins close.

Happy 4th of July

My pictures were bad I need access the wedding proofs on snapfish to order.
Then I want to learn how to upload pictures to my blog.

Off to see Michael Moore's documentary on health care and to see fireworks at 9:30 with ribs and corn and coleslaw with apricots, cantaloupe, cherries, strawberries and my personal favorite raspberries. NO WATERMELON thank you.

Happy 4th of July everyone. They are illegal here because it's so dry. We have planned public shows though.

Breakfast Club

Well after being up all night I went out to celebrate Peggy's birthday, She is one of 4 members of our breakfast club. We went to Hobees. I left an hour and a half early even though I was going over surface streets because when I took the freeway at a similar time last week it took be an hour then I got lost for nearly another hour.

Amazing I still got a job offer!

After returning fron Humbolt I am so aware of the processed food choices here v Santa Cruz. You really have to go way out of your way to find places in San Jose that serve vegetarian or natural food.

I love the coop up there I bring all my empty bottles to fill up on everything bulk from spices to laundry detergent, oil,flour,oatmeal to nuts.
So why don't they recycle in Trinidad and we do?


On the way home I stopped by the car dealer to see if they could do my 30k service to learn it takes 4 hrs.
I thought I would have them drop me at the library but 4 hrs was too long for me sleepless. I guess I could have had them take me home too but eventhough it wasn't I got it in my head that it was too far. I'll go back thurs-sun.

Summer school starts on the 9th.

Still haven't heard from Bev. regarding my letter. After my lessons from Lynn, I actually noticed today that yes we too have digital photography here at rite aide like cvs. Now all I need is a digital camera.

Everyone is heading to Columbia to be standby birth people and to watch Clare.

We may have an Independence day baby.

Maybe 2 will make it to dad's bd. Cool!

New Job

Back from Trinidad

I miss the cool sea air

I don't know how I's do living in a small town.

Traffic here is unreal.

I got a job offer for the next school year to be a librarian.

I like that better than teaching.

Summer school starts on 7/9-8/16.

I'm glad I took a break.

I may go down to Big Sur, take my car in and see about getting a new oven to complete my kitchen. Then the countertops and lighting need doing.

How exciting to have Gwen be about ready to give birth

Trinidad Fish and Jazz Festival

Grilled halibut, fish tacos, petrale sole sandwiches, clam chowder and everything in between was offered along with live jazz on the village green.

The grocery was offering grilled BBQ chicken and tritip and corn.
Yum!
Fun in the sun and cool ocean breezes, Fantastic!

In the afternoon if Marilyn can make it we try and walk over to the cafe so she can lie on the couch, read the paper and get out.

Today we took her 1st trip in 2 yrs to the azalea grove with a view of the ocean wildflowers as far as the eye could see, elk and a big growth redwood forest complete with a tinkling brook. Awesome.

Arcata Oyster Festival

Sat. was the bivalve festival and farmers market. There were every kind of grilled oyster you can imagine: tequila and lime, vodka and cranberry, watsabi and soy, BBQ, blackberry,jalapeno on and on. Marilyn eats them. I stand in tine. There is philly cheese steak, fish tacos and grilled chicken and limpia.

Then, after rocking out with the family friendly crowd a flash back to the 60's and all the kids from Humboldt State I dashed to the coop for organic everything; loaded Marilyn on her mattress in the back of her station wagon for the trip home.

Trinidad

6 hours later at 9 p.m. I watch the sunset over the Pacific as I drive by the ocean on Clam Beach and pull in exhausted, to Trinidad. This tiny coastal fishing village perches above a lovely cove and lighthouse with two rock formations, little and big head and a beach. It is exquisite. The morning is cool and the days have a breeze and temps. are perfect around 70.

San Francisco

I keep forgetting what a great city this is. Going through and across the Golden Gate Bridge I was blown away by the views. It is so beautiful. Marin is cool as is the city and green not golden. It was such a pleasure to drop into the 60's from 91 when I left San Jose to drive N at 1:30.

The last day of school was a joy only 3 8th graders called me a bitch and threw things at me.....I took their diplomas to the office.

When did we have cops on campus and 8th grade diplomas? I don't even remember a trip to King's Dominion.

Things they are a changing.

Too darn hot Heading N to Trinidad

Another day of scorching temps. I'll risk it and drive up to see friends on the ocean in Trinidad.

Even when it's warm here the ocean and the fog help a lot. I watered, planted a few black eye Susan's and some more sunflowers then went into school.

I can't believe how much prep 6 weeks of 6 classes is. I was always amazed before when a teacher came with all his handouts done for Algebra, Now I'm not done but after 2 days, I've got a close handle on the material. My books are ordered,

The dictionary order went in today.
I was going to rent a truck and drive a refrigerator up to her but for a 6 hr. drive on windy roads thru the redwoods I think I'll pass.

I'll be back on Thurs. in time for a teachers luncheon.

Summer is here

IT WAS 95 TWO DAYS SO FAR THIS WEEK. AS GWEN TOLD ME WHEN SHE WAS VISITING THE HILLS ARE BROWN NOT GOLDEN. I MISS THE GREEN. With a lot of water my garden is growing.

One the other hand the farmers market is open cherries, apricots and strawberries are in season. Jicima and Japanese and globe eggplant is out and Green Beans are ripe.

The kindergartners are practicing their graduation songs. Funny and cute. Their choreography is the best.

Today I was in 8th grade history and they were tired of movies while all their classmates went off to Great America so we did trust walks where I blink folded one and assigned a partner and had them walk around and see what it would be like with a disability then answer questions and write a paragraph.

Surprisingly for the last week of school I've gotten 3 calls.

I'm glad I don't have to do the end of the year checkout!

Then I had them list important events 2000-2007 and make a collage.

My feet are aching after standing making copies to prepare for my summer school classes.

Summer School

I am teaching 6,7,8,9,10th and 11th grade English this summer.
I have ordered my books and am now doing the lesson plans so that the 80 kids will have their syllabus and stuff mapped out against standards.

Taught 6th grade on Fri. 1st today and Kinder tomarrow. Last week I had a pre k sdc class and a 3 y.o. who ran away screamed and said no all afternoon. Magnify that by 5. (for me, without my aide) We went in from recess early had they lie down on the rug, seperate and put on soft music for time out. They are in diapers and all have special needs. There are some non verbal and some almost normal. yikes!
Today I had a first grader who said no then preceeded to empty his desk, ponds his feet against the desk and cry while sucking his thumb. We tried to ignore him until I took away his recess gave him time out and ignored his tantrum. School is out on Friday.

I'd like to carve out a week to go to Trinidad and see a friend before the marathon starts. First 30k maintenance.
I was sad to read Honda will discontinue hybrid production. I think I would have liked it better.

Come on people global warming remember!?

In the meantime, I had a huge cavity filled for $200. and hope it will not become a root canal. Ouch. It was hurting and sitting on a nerve. Get out the dental floss!

I'm reading a great mystery by John Sandford called Invisible Prey.

Memorial Day

I remember going to my brother Michael at age 26 or so and assuming I had learned all I needed to know. wrong.................

and he told me so
my epiphany wasn't all.

Since then, there have been many lessons by life and trial and error.
1. Of course we know, you can choose your friends but not your family
2. life holds dissapointments
3. happiness is illusive and fleeting
4. friends provide love and support
5. women tend to support each another despite relationships and everything else
6. I am blessed to have 4 or 5 very good friends I can always count on
7. I lost my parents too young
9. I wish I had known them better
10. We can only control ourselves and our expectations of others. How we react to their actions is our choice.