is one of the ten finalists for teacher of the year at her school?


ME!!!!!

(I'm really excited about that because I'm not friends [although I'm certainly friendly] with many teachers at my school, so it wasn't just a popularity contest.)

Back at work after a lovely 4 day weekend. Now I just have to get through four ten-hour days. Blah. It is freezing at work. I have my little blanket over my lap and will probably end up with my gloves on. Serioulsy.

So, this weekend I started making little glass bead candy cane ornaments. I plan on giving some to John's mom and dad. They are looking pretty cute. I'll post pics later if people want to see them. Nothing ZOMG amazing but I like them. I feel like such a goof making ornaments.

Every high school and college student needs to watch at least one episode of the History Channel's WWII in HD series. Hell, everyone needs to watch at least one episode of this.

And then they need to go out and thank a vet.

It starts with grading crappy notebooks. We do a ton of things in class that are supposed to be in the students' notebooks. Every day I say what page they should be on, etc etc. I give them time in class to glue their handouts in and number pages. Today I graded absolute CRAP. My third period students are supposed to type their essay in the computer lab but hardly anyone did. Before that even, they had 3 days in class to write their rough draft and it was due at the end of the day yesterday. 6 kids who were in class didn't turn theirs in. Today at lunch I had to confiscate a girl's cellphone (we have a zero-tolerance electronics policy). I warned her earlier in the week but she still got pissy and practically threw the phone on my desk. I don't even have to open my room at lunch-most teachers don't-but I'm nice so I allow them to come in. AND then, 5th period wouldn't shut up. I told them "I've asked you nicely to be quiet more than once. If I say it again there will be consequences." And without even pausing this girl starts talking. So I lay into her and tell her to stay after class. The whole class is completely silent then and she proceeds to SOB for the rest of the class. And I ended the day with an English dept. meeting which I loathe because none of us get along and I have to leave early to pick up Kinsley every time.

My face/neck is an acne-filled mess thanks to the stress of the last month and it's freezing here. It snowed on Tuesday and there's still some on the ground.

My Aunt Barb died this morning. Her sister Becky died a short time ago and Barb just gave up. I feel so bad for her kids and grandkids.

She was a good aunt. She lived across the street from the first grade school I attended. I would go to her house for lunch from time to time. I vividly remember her kitchen and sitting there for hours. She had one of those houses where people were always coming in and visiting. I wish I could go to Chicago right now and be there for my cousins and their kids.

my jinxy cat just climbed under a blanket and started purring for no reason. He must be cold too!! too cute (=>.<=)

I think this year I will make resolutions for each month instead of a year long one. Maybe I can develop some good habits. I just need to think of 12 good ones.