Monday, October 11, 2010

Sunrises and Bulletin Boards

Recently, I've been pretty fascinated by the sunrises that Jesese and I see each morning, on the way to work. here's a couple of examples...




Once a year each teacher is assigned to create the bulletin board in the front office. This year I decided to use three assignments the students recently finished: Life maps (a prewriting strategy), cause and effect for "Rikki Tikki Tavi," and a timeline for "Titanic." Plus, I added a few "little people," that I made with the Cricut; they're ALL in uniform... Too cute!

In the classroom, since I'm the reading and writing teacher, and I instruct my students to read Newbery winning books, I created a bulletin board, with several Newbery titles. It reads, "Reel in a good book and read!" The fishing pole is real; the books are just copies of the covers. I thought I was clever!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

9/11/2010

Last Saturday was the 9th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center. Each year a group in Tempe has created a "Healing Field" by posting an American flag for each of the people that died that day, due to the attack.

Each flag had a card attached, with the name of a person, how old he/she was, where they were at the time of death, and a paragraph about their life.

Jesse and I took the train over to Mesa, where we picked up my mom. It was her first time riding the train.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Happy Birthday (sorta)!

A couple of weeks ago I had to take 2 days off from work, but this time it was for something fun (not doctor appointments)! You see, Jesse's family planned an 80th birthday party for their mom, Rosaleen. Her birthday really isn't until the end of September, but with half the family living in states that start school AFTER Labor day, they decided to have the party early. Just a side note: For me we celebrated 1-1/2 weeks AFTER school started.

Any way, Jesse and I left immediately after work, and drove as far as Vegas. Considering how stiff my knee still gets, and only being a couple of weeks after having knee surgery, it was a smart idea. Plus, it got us into Provo a lot sooner than we had anticipated.

Jesse's sister, Dora, and her husband, Phil, plus 3 of their kids, came in from Virginia.

His sister, Karen (whom I've met before) and her husband, Roger, along with their kids, came from Iowa and Minnesota.

We had dinner together on Thursday, pictures on Friday, a BBQ Friday afternoon, and the big day was Saturday. Faye and Tammy reserved a pavillion at the Lindon Park; which is across the street from Faye's house. There was a NICE turnout of family and friends, and I really think Rosaleen enjoyed herself!


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Who I Am?

The other day I was sitting and thinking and wondering, "Does anyone really know me?" I suppose any one could ask that question, but sometimes I really feel like a cypher in the snow (that's the title of a church video I once saw). Any way, they say everyone has a story to tell, and that everyone has a voice, but sometimes... more like most of the time... I feel like no one is listening to what I have to say. I have feelings, and opinions, but when I try to express them they seem to get lost in the shuffle of someone else's feelings and opinions. For now, I will share a few, and if I remember, as they come to me, I will share them here.

Pepsi... I think Pepsi tastes better than Coke. People keep trying to tell me they're the same, but to me, they're NOT!!! I don't like Coke, and I don't want to drink it. If I'm in a restaurant that serves Coke, I will find something else to drink, and it's okay.

Water... I drink it, but I don't like it. I've never liked it. As a kid I refused to drink it... It tasted like the pipes it came out of. As an adult I realized it's kind of a necessity, but I still don't like it. I insist on buying bottled water (in gallons) and refill my sports bottles as needed. Trust me, I can still taste the difference!

President Obama... We (as Americans) had a choice a couple of years ago, to vote for a president. The candidates were Barrack Obama or John McCain. I do NOT like John McCain. He's been a senator for the state of Arizona for as long as I can remember, and I don't think he's done anything in that time to convince me to vote for him as president. So, when it came time to vote, I voted for Obama. He may not have as much experience as some would like. He may not be the religion that some would like. And, most of all, he may not be the same ethnicity as some would like, which frankly, I believe is IGNORANT. But, I truly believe he is doing his best. Most of the crap that is happening these days is literally out of his control, compliments of the other whackos in Washington, who are trying to promote their own personal agendas. This makes me NUTS!!! We didn't vote them in so they can be a part of a popularity contest. We voted them in to get the job done. Keep what's best for the American public as the primary concern!

Insurance... OMGosh! If I go to the doctor and he says I need a certain medicine or a specific test done, where does the insurance get off telling me, "NO?" When several doctors write a note, explaining that a procedure needs to be done for my well-being, and not as a cosmetic procedure, then the insurance company (which is paid for by ME) should allow that to happen. Right now, I have a prescription for Singulair (which is used to help breathing), but my insurance will NOT pay for it. Why??? I have NO clue! GGRRRRR!

Cable TV... It is just plain too expensive! I watch about 5 stations on my TV, but you can't get just those 5 stations; you have to pay for a bundle of stations, that you don't watch. Since the cable company has to pay for the right to those other stations, they make people like me pay for all those stations I don't watch. If it weren't for Big Brother and Survivor, I swear I'd turn the TV off... Not sure how Jesse would take this!

Talents... I don't have any. Seriously, I can't think of one. Other people have so many; things that just come naturally to them, and I feel like I have to try so hard at everything. This is so frustrating, and maybe even why I feel like I'm a cypher... No one would miss me, cuz there's nothing that makes me stand out.

Knee surgery

For several months my knee was very sore. Looking at it hindsight, it may have been becuz I fell one day at school (I slipped on something in the lunch room, and landed on my left knee). Any way, it eventually got to the point that I decided to go to urgent care (that was April 23). Although they took an x-ray, they told me it was inconclusive, and suggested I go to my pain doctor for an MRI. Of course, the pain doctor couldn't save me a step and let me get the MRI before the appointment, so I went in for them to tell me I "need an MRI." Didn't I tell them that?!? So they set me up for the MRI, and then I went back in to the pain doctor. He said I would need to see an orthopedist. It was now June! I go to see the orthopedist, who looks at the MRI and says he's not sure what's going on, probably a tear in the meniscus (cartiledge), but it could also be arthritis, so he said, "Let's try a cortisone shot. If that doesn't work an arthroscopy would be the next option." Well, the shot didn't help and it's now July! So, when I went in for the follow-up we made the arrangements for surgery, on July 21st. There was a tear in the meniscus, plus arthritis. He (Dr. Sirounian) repaired the tear and did something to create scar tissue that should help create a buffer between the bones. I've been on crutches for a week...













This is what it looks like a week later.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Mexican Riveria 2010

Jesse and I spent our summer vacation on a Carnival cruise to the Mexican Riveria: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas, and had a marvelous time!!!

We drove over to Long Beach, on Sunday - July 4th, and left the pier around 5:30 PM. The first 2 days were "fun days at sea." That means there were no stops until we reached Puerto Vallarta on Wednesday. That night we met our dining room partners: Davor and Katie and Sam and Ilene... They were excellent company! We also saw an act by a comedian who was HILARIOUS!!!

Monday was COLD! Who would've thought a trip south, in July, would be so cold. But we found plenty of things to keep us busy on the ship, including attending Carnival's edition of "The Newly Wed Game." Very funny! Monday was also "formal night." I have been waiting for this night for a loooooooong time because I bought the prettiest dress about a year and a 1/2 ago, and this was my first chance to wear it.

Tuesday, the weather warmed up, enough to make it to the pool and hot tubs!

Wednesday, back on land in Puerto Vallarta! We took an excursion to the down town area, and then to the beach. We got to stop and go shopping at a couple of places, saw a beautiful 19th century cathedral and then we stopped at a restaurant on the beach.... Seriously, we walked around barefoot, on the sand, inside the restaurant. I also had my hair braided. OMGosh, I LOVE it!!! Talk about easy to take care of!!!























Thursday, we made it to Mazatlan. We didn't plan on an excursion, but when we got off the ship, there were several companies offering tours. We decided to take a van to some of the highlights of the town, including: the highest lighthouse, another
19th century cathedral, the "Golden Zone," and cliff divers!!!










Friday, was Cabo day. Since we had been there before, we decided to stay on the ship, which was wonderful! It was quiet, we pretty much had the Lido deck to ourselves, which meant the pool and hot tub; we even went down the slide on the 11th floor! It was a nice, relaxing, peaceful day!














Saturday, was another "fun day at sea." The trip back was cold and windy! We tried to lay out by the pool, but we were both covered up with clothes and towels... Tee! Hee!

Sunday, we woke up in Long Beach, again. The debarkation process was very quick, compared to past experience. On the way home we stopped to visit Cathy Flaherty. Such a special treat to cap off the end of our trip!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Members of My Family

I took some cute pictures of the cats, so I decided to share them here.
Bailey loves his niece, Belle!

Belle and Pierre hugging each other... Too cute!

Belle and Pierre

I don't know how Pierre kept from falling off the couch and onto his head... Silly cat!