tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62011518855741263412024-02-18T20:42:04.190-05:00Pink and Green TeacherJust a little insight into my crazy life as a first year teacher balancing marriage, a furbaby, and possibly graduate school!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-50094099941471184742013-11-23T07:59:00.002-05:002013-11-23T08:00:18.199-05:00Day two of NCTEDay two of NCTE... I'm hoping to do a run down of what I learned from my sessions in the future but for now, I'll tell you what sessions I'm heading to today:<br />
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Session One: Fake Readers, Distracted Writers, Higher Expectations<br />
Session Two and Three: Volunteering (Local Committee)<br />
Session Three: Rigot without the Red Ink<br />
Session Four: (Re)Thinking How We Teach Movies<br />
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Highlights thus far:<br />
Networking! In person and also social media (Twitter has been vital this conference)<br />
Seeing Carol Jago, Jim Burke, etc in the flesh!!!<br />
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<br />kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-21584736257588768182013-11-22T09:00:00.000-05:002013-11-23T07:54:45.340-05:00Wiping the dust off....Hello all...any...me?<br />
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I dusted off the old blog to journal my experience at the National Council of Teachers of English Conference here in Boston. It has been an amazing experience thus far and having it in my own "backyard" makes it that much more special. Let me set the scene. Large conference rooms. Endless rows of black chairs. Teachers from around the country in one place to talk, to share, to learn, and to guide each other to greatness.<br />
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It's a pretty amazing thing to be apart of!<br />
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I'm so excited to share this experience here to my peers back home and anyone that may still creep around here.<br />
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Session 1: Academic Writing as Participation<br />
Session 2: Engaging and Motivating Struggling Learners<br />
Session 3: Lesson Planning and the Common Core<br />
Session 4: Aiming for the CorekSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-68934813124613330032010-07-27T13:02:00.006-04:002010-07-31T12:22:44.007-04:00In a few days....<div>
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKVbJz_4MQ1EfZBbeM5QwVnFX40x-CdNkHjzIGX_wo-zwMHCKjVhqLqQyYiFxfy4FuWCC0pCNlnuFHp_H-ky1PKWyjwW1B9TvhWt-lbD0CRiMzJY6qkCgCyy9Yq6OvUyXmiTjFn4eIg4/s1600/disney.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 167px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498634317498940370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKVbJz_4MQ1EfZBbeM5QwVnFX40x-CdNkHjzIGX_wo-zwMHCKjVhqLqQyYiFxfy4FuWCC0pCNlnuFHp_H-ky1PKWyjwW1B9TvhWt-lbD0CRiMzJY6qkCgCyy9Yq6OvUyXmiTjFn4eIg4/s320/disney.bmp" /></a>
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<br /><div>We're staying here....</div>
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<br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498633946547337570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyIJHcNjXjs55tcdJLcIV5RV41IOJjdzHZ8pMHp1qvjwOlxwkJSoJYjlcb-laZyxVpm9DmLsYd0C-ikjVQGF-vdTv9lUtAmZ-TmWWvs5yqDyhLnm8CONn1Ae7GGSTqBWVRA_6YJZClw4/s320/pop+century.jpg" />
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<br /><div></div>Looking forward to....</div>
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<br />~Space Mountain
<br />~Splash Mountain
<br />~Fireworks at night
<br />~Dinner at Cinderella's castle
<br />~Drinking around the world at Epcot (thanks for the dare, Ash!)
<br />~Afternoon tea at The Grand Floridian
<br />~and much more!!!!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-71861520513833723712010-07-24T17:30:00.003-04:002010-07-24T17:49:42.213-04:00Summer update...Summer update time....<br /><br /><ul><li>Got a new job for the new academic year. I'm moving from an urban/low income middle school to a suburban/upper middle class middle school. I'm also moving up a grade to 8th. I'm very excited to try something new and teach books that are higher level. </li><li>On the fitness kick! Noticed a few things I didn't like about myself so I've been eating healthy, exercising every day, and kicked the soda and junk food habit. </li><li>Hubby and I are getting away for a bit the beginning of the month to..... Disney World. We have a bit of an addiction to Disney so I'm uber excited about going. We try to get in a least every other year and this is the year!</li><li>Fell in love with an awesome website called paperbackswap.com. I'm able to get my preppy read on but also get to trade in the books I've already read and don't want to keep. For every book you trade, you can receive one in return.</li><li>Two words... Mad Men! Catching up on season 3 this weekend and getting ready for the season 4 tomorrow night!!!</li></ul>kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-92122880618059216922010-03-14T21:27:00.003-04:002010-03-14T21:34:07.275-04:00I'm still alive!!!Don't know (or expect) anyone to respond but I'm still alive! I don't want to be that girl that lists the 10 million reasons why she hasn't posted...blah, blah, blah. Instead I will tell you that I'm in graduate school (with a 3.8 gpa!!!) and close to completing my second (successful) year of teaching at urban middle school. I heart my 7th graders and feel so blessed being a teacher.<br /><br />Don't have much more to report... just teaching, class, and trying to be the best wife/dog mom. I'm on the hunt for preppy wellies (considering all the freakin' rain we've had up here in New England the past two months) and thinking Target might be the place for them (Liberty of London, anyone!?!?!). I'll keep you posted on what I decide on.<br /><br />Hope all is well with everyone and look forward to getting back into the swing of things.kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-84874892065940093442009-08-02T21:54:00.003-04:002009-08-02T22:00:35.047-04:00I'm leaving on a jet plane....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_QBjUosdgt_ZOLkpYWcHIPqllJeeNyyR2f9FB8viAmeLqLv5rkOy8vevPr7xnJQG0gA4x3A34ucAFLQOXhIhs3HuW8DFucgDl-WffQSKXVAeR2EEnLkrK4bRDuqW6zbRt6fhXslSIWg/s1600-h/suitcase.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365550964942841634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 106px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_QBjUosdgt_ZOLkpYWcHIPqllJeeNyyR2f9FB8viAmeLqLv5rkOy8vevPr7xnJQG0gA4x3A34ucAFLQOXhIhs3HuW8DFucgDl-WffQSKXVAeR2EEnLkrK4bRDuqW6zbRt6fhXslSIWg/s400/suitcase.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well, not really... Instead I'm driving across Massachusetts for a week long teacher workshop tomorrow. I'll be reconnecting with co-workers, learning more about urban students, and earning my first 3 graduate credits towards my MAT. Hope everyone has a great week and I'll be back Friday with what I learned (for those preppy teachers out there).</div><div> </div><div>P.S.- Was able to pick up the L.L. Bean argyle tote in a medium (no larges in store) but I think its the perfect size for my petite frame. I'm bringing it with me so I have a place for my binder, pens, and whichever book I decide to bring :-)</div>kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-69170416343397878612009-07-29T19:12:00.003-04:002009-07-29T19:15:05.994-04:00My latest craving....So I start grad school in the fall at local state college for my Masters so obviously I'll need a new school bag. Here is what I'm jonesing for:<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364024424047499474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 330px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_43ElgFF-EQlvCbOeHw_emVnzH5HJtRLX5xNJAF0aMOgjyVzrx9srAjRWeVlg_wEVr3SHjqdXbnkx0_gxBR0X1O_QgCeX42Vf6Jj4WgbVzzVsaqUues_sM0uVvqhVw-3WcMO4txyurBs/s400/llbean.jpg" border="0" />L.L.Bean Argyle Tote<br /></p>kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-24611264804674225342009-07-21T18:02:00.003-04:002009-07-21T18:16:12.336-04:00Ah.... a quick break in the craziness. How is everyone doing? I'm great. I'm working hard teaching summer school (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MCAS</span> testing prep) and getting this house in shape (only 10 more boxes to go until we are unpacked) and I just finished getting my office/study organized and set up. Once the house is complete (curtains and all) I'll give you a virtual tour of the house :-)<br /><br />So yeah, this summer is very different from last! Last summer I was a bump on a log stressing about finding a job and spent more time in my pj's then in real clothing. This summer I'm getting ready for year 2 at awesome middle school, making mad money teaching this summer, and getting ready to start grad classes in the fall. That's right.... I'm making the jump and starting grad school. I plan on taking one class this fall while I apply and hopefully I'll be accepted for the spring term.<br /><br />Honestly, that's about it for me. It's been work, work, work this summer and gearing up for school. I was so depressed when school ended but I quickly realized that I needed the break as much as my kids did. And now I'm recharged and eager to try new lessons, rework my unit plans, and get ready for another successful <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MCAS</span> session!<br /><br />Hope all is well with all of you and you are enjoying the summer!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-44990108852988613132009-06-07T16:52:00.009-04:002009-06-07T17:09:41.963-04:00Pics of the house!Whew, just finished the last weekend (fingers crossed) of painting the interior of the house :-)<br /><div><div>Here are a few exterior pictures to tide you over until next weekend when the hubby, the bulldog, and I move into the homestead.</div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344692014705662770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicavDPSNOdwe8g2glyF8c0SieyWNfPGH06ND0_TAYEoW4BeGgq2WraL4-OfVEpeU9nSzxHMz3Kw8LkT4mmj3tt197GkeRvbgE9TewRWbZvcTbYTS-Z-6cym5xSEPBM8A7Zs7juhT8CF4/s400/June+7,+2009+030.JPG" border="0" />This is the far right side near the mailbox. That's my new car (2009 Ford Focus). You can see the double garage stall, cozy and cute breezeway, and white entry door that will lead you into the kitchen. Green bush jumping into the picture on the right is no longer there (thanks Mommy!)</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344692874816016082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3qZSqlrER0GRk6Cej7E6kaxdqQsVDJ3rWQWTfbyPRRS2rpU03Hn_4k9XP2wwLhd1ARMVSMerBqUhoLKpMVrF3gow5WCBA46kzwNT3WpMpF1yPSlC0p_xK9lGhnZ5QtmaRabDzMV3o84/s400/June+7,+2009+031.JPG" border="0" />The front of the house... beautiful Japanese Maple tree, a lovely picture window in the living room, and I adore the black shutters (Can't have a cottage/ranch without them).<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344693479349948530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uUmmKYasOnDrGmrn66wl7lqzSeidt5iMFgCtbTfoQXusK6KYS0XoINCyEhHW6zGyu_hDKcGtrk0uyLpeMker6cVEtymtzafryuHCYsRG3HyOzaGrCGlLzSV0oiIOfBk4lSFfUno_sDI/s400/June+7,+2009+032.JPG" border="0" />The far left side of lot. That's a Rose of Sharon bush blocking the master bedroom (far left of house) and the guest room/nursery (when the time comes) is the middle room on the left side of front door. Wonderful sunlight during the day!</p></div><div></div><div>And just to be goofy, here is a picture of hubby and I next to our Sold sign that we made the seller's agent put up the day we closed (I look extremely tired in this pic for some reason).</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344694755694244146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xowTAAT-9kSv7GLHW7pfC2DIgHisoUlxMZJAqwK0Ve1clT7arcsBHYpgMhcAXcKpJO1KI15w7XnCiHSeUg1nY9aoJl8FU2HBpwsNOKl6OR8Vp8lTdWuUjb0n7AkPtfjlbvhyphenhyphenlLzDY3M/s400/June+7,+2009+019.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><p>Interior pictures will be up next weekend once we have moved everything in and are more settled. I will say that the interior colors came out great and I can't wait to show you all!</p><p></p>kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-17521085085966085532009-05-25T08:44:00.003-04:002009-06-07T10:15:24.122-04:00Quick Update<ul><li>Bought a house!!!! A cute ranch with three bedrooms, a screened-in porch/breezeway, beautiful yard with peonies, roses, burning bushes, rose of sharon, and much more. We've been working on the trim the past two weeks (it was a hideous dark wood color... its now a cottage white color) and we will be starting the walls tomorrow. I have pictures in my dig cam I need to download.</li><li>Golfing today with my husband and a couple we adore. So pumped</li><li>My first year of teaching is almost at a end...can't believe it! Lots to talk, I'll probably create an individual post/reflection.</li><li><strong>Kappa Prep</strong>!!!! My husband did something to the computer and now I can't read your blog. Can you re-invite me? I don't think I can have a very preppy day without reading your blog!</li></ul><p></p>kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-58095734954095326812009-04-06T21:46:00.003-04:002009-04-06T22:01:54.868-04:00Quick updateHi everyone~<br /><br />Very quick update since I need to go to bed so I can fight this cold/sore throat/sinus thingy I have currently. All I can say is thank goodness April vacation is on the way. I already have plans to visit the Cape to visit my favorite aunt and our favorite tea room, while also finding time to relax and correct any pending material.<br /><br />On the school front, we are in the midst of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MCAS</span>, which seems to be going well. After the session today, I asked my students for their honest feedback on how they were doing, how prepared they felt (we did so many practice session and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dissecting</span> of open response writing I think they were ready), and what they could do better the next day. Keep your fingers crossed the next two days go smoothly.<br /><br />Remember how I was saying I couldn't wait to be done with this year so I could go back to teaching at the high school level.... well, I'm ready to eat those words. I am having such a blast this year with my students, the staff, and the material. As each unit progresses, I find more exciting and challenging things to do and find myself looking forward to Monday mornings (go figure). I can't wait for next year so I can build on what I did this year and make it so much better. I think its official... I'm a proud middle school teacher (I never thought I would say that!!!!).<br /><br />The next two months will be crazy. Lots of church stuff going on which Holy Week and then Easter, plus teaching, plus other personal stuff going on at home (nothing horrible, just interesting), and looking forward to end of June/early July since I'll be teaching the 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> grade session of Vacation Bible School at St. Anne's Parish (Doug's aunt helps run the program and asked me if I could volunteer!!!!).<br /><br />I think that is pretty much it. I've been slacking again on my Thumbs Thursday but I promise to make an effort to get those started again. I'm even going to remind myself in my email calendar.<br /><br />Hope all is well with everyone and wish you all a blessed Holy Week and Easter season~kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-20385074595345117542009-03-21T10:22:00.005-04:002009-03-21T10:52:03.807-04:00In a funk....<div>Sorry everyone! I have been in a total funk so not in the mood to surf the net. Basically it is a combo of school burnout (MCAS are about a week away plus I'm swamped with correcting plus my little darlings would rather aggravate me than listen to me) and stumbling blocks on the house hunt.<br /><br />I haven't been very vocal about our house search in fear that I would jink our attempts and also because we want to keep it on the downlow just in case things don't work out. However, I am tired of having no one to complain to (not including the DH.... he hears it all the time lol). We've put four offers in on four different houses since the New Year and they have all fallen through for some reason or other, which is very discouraging. We have our eye on one property right now in an older part of town (a cute ranch that needs a little TLC) which is quite different from the cute and charming capes we have been focused on (I have the dreams of living in my own cottage someday, right down to the beadboard in the dining room and a stone fireplace in the sitting room). This house that we have our eye on now does have alot of charm and potential in terms of my "cottage dream" so keep your fingers crossed. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Other than that, it has been pretty uneventful. Lent is flying by (as usual) and I am looking forward to Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Now that I am a Eucharist minister, I can sign up for these special events in the Church, which is very exciting!<br /><br />In my class we have been working on our poetry unit. I am using a similar technique I used last year with my sophomores called TYPCASTT. It is a fun and interesting way to analyze poetry. Each letter stands for a different thing to look for in the poem:<br /><br />T= Title (Write down what the poem is about based on the title only<br />Y= Your dictionary (look up any words you are not familar with)<br />P= Paraphrase (put poem in your own words)<br />C= Connotation (looks for poetic devices, imagery, symbolism, etc)<br />A= Attitude (The mood of the poem and tone of the speaker)<br />S= Shifts (Where does the poem change either in tone, topic, rhyme scheme, etc)<br />T= Title (Look at title again and write down what you think poem is about now)<br />T= Theme (What is the moral or lesson of this poem)<br /><br />I'm sorry to say I don't know who originally created this amazing tool. My advisor last year at the high school I worked at gave it to me to use and I borrowed it again this year. Of course I have made it appropriate for middle schoolers and I don't expect them to get everything out of the poem. I am most interested in their paraphrasing because they have no idea how to put something in their own words!!!!! It has been a great activity in class. We finished our second poem yesterday (<em>The Road Not Taken</em> and <em>Sonnet 18</em> we did as a class) and next week they will be working in groups of three to TYPCASTT a poem (I've selected 12 different poems for them to choose from) on their own. It should be fun!<br /><br />Well, I'm going to get back to cleaning the apartment and finishing my tea and warm blueberry muffins I just made. Hubby is off to the golf course with our neighbor so I'm a single gal for the day. It is too early for me to start golfing... I need at least 60 degree weather!!!! Hopefully I'll be taking my pink clubs out very soon!!!!!</div>kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-44784799854705015192009-02-26T20:49:00.003-05:002009-02-26T21:09:55.638-05:00Thumbs ThursdayHope everyone had a lovely Ash Wednesday! I know I did! I was asked to do the second reading at Mass last night and my cross came out really good. Not your typical smudge like most get. It was very dark and very defined. Thanks Father Art!<br /><br />This has been a strange week so I may have more thumbs down than up. But I promise to always try to find at least one thing to be happy or grateful for.<br /><br />Thumbs up:<br />Beginning of Lent: Like I mentioned earlier this week, I love this time of year. It is a time to draw closer to Jesus and to improve ourselves spiritually. Even my husband sees the difference in me and can appreciate how important this time of year is for me.<br /><br />Last week of February: This has been the longest months of my life. I think it might also have to do with the vacation they took away from the students this month to make up for some of the snow days. All I can say is I'm looking forward to March and the beginning of Spring!<br /><br />Thumbs down:<br />Not feeling 100%: I feel like this week my body has been fighting some sort of bug. My appetite has been off and the feeling that I'm going to be sick is not fun. No, I'm not expecting (let's nip that rumor in the bud!!!) I just think since I'm a teacher, I'm exposed to lots of gross little germs and this is one of them.<br /><br />No February vacation: I know I shouldn't complain... Teachers and students do get two vacation this time of year. I will say, though, that they are well deserved. This time of year is extremely stressful with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MCAS</span> exam just a month away, on top of everything else I'm trying to work on this year. It breaks up the month and helps give the students a final push towards the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ELA</span> portion of the test. Thank goodness its behind us and we survived that week.<br /><br />Cancer: My mother-in-law's cancer has returned again (the "good" one, not the really bad one she fought back in '03) so that has been tough on the family. Luckily it is something she can take care of with only one day and night in the hospital, but it is still a hard thing to deal with every 6 months or so. We're praying that this will be the last time and that the doctors can find a more permanent solution.<br /><br />Okay, back to correcting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MCAS</span> packets and then folding laundry. What a life I lead!!!!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-74329173025448771072009-02-25T17:57:00.003-05:002009-02-25T17:58:23.769-05:00Ash Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0-1WWYA7KLcJ_rt-1OJOGb-KAyu0vIQoAeanlkeAmlAVI8kEUETdKvluTHihkYopmJ297Jju7-WXkDG61fmL-Ts6VuR3iNDle2wJeQagt4KUHWRtZjQpliUxO3lEi0smqM7RlfqAjJY/s1600-h/ash+wednesday.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306873020721823826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 78px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 119px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0-1WWYA7KLcJ_rt-1OJOGb-KAyu0vIQoAeanlkeAmlAVI8kEUETdKvluTHihkYopmJ297Jju7-WXkDG61fmL-Ts6VuR3iNDle2wJeQagt4KUHWRtZjQpliUxO3lEi0smqM7RlfqAjJY/s400/ash+wednesday.jpg" border="0" /></a> Off to get my ashes! Hope everyone is having a blessed Ash Wednesday. Update tomorrow!<br /><div></div>kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-60046392396495298002009-02-24T14:22:00.010-05:002009-02-25T18:00:13.757-05:00What a couple of days its been....Hi everyone!!! Internet has been a pest the last few days. Last Wednesday-Friday we didn't have it at all and the last two days it has been touch and go. I figured while it was still working I would try to get out a quick post.<br /><br />I was home sick today from school. It bummed me out since we were going to start our poetry and figurative language unit today. The students worked on some intro material, including a poetry pretest and a intro packet to figurative language. I'm hoping to go over those tomorrow and then go forward.<br /><br />Happy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Shrove</span> Tuesday, or as some of you might know it better as Fat Tuesday. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. I don't know why but I always look forward to Lent and Easter so much. Ever since I joined the Catholic church almost two years ago, I can't help but get excited about the journey the next 40 days will bring.<br /><br />Some of you may be interested in what I am choosing to "give up" for Lent. I know there are many people who feel we shouldn't share this information but since I am always so interested to hear what others are doing this time of year, I will tell you mine. First, I am starting a swear jar. It is a horrible habit and unbecoming of a lady. Do you think the Blessed Mother swore when she got frustrated or upset... I don't think so. So since she is one of my religious role models (along with my patron saint, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton), I wanted to try to change something in my life so I can be closer to them. Every time I swear, I put any spare change or bills in the jar. At the end of Lent, I will donate the money to Catholic Relief Services.<br /><br />In addition to giving up, I like to take up a couple of things to bring me closer to Jesus. Every year I read from the "Little Black Book", a devotional that I spoke about last year during Lent. I also have added daily scripture reading from the women's devotional Bible I got this winter. I hope to start my day with reading a chapter of both the old and new testament and the devotional passage that goes along with it. Of course I intend on doing the normal Catholic things I always do: penance at least once during Lent if not more, Eucharist Adoration, Wednesday night Mass, and following all fasting and abstinence obligations.<br /><br />I also forgot to mention that my application to become a Eucharist minister was approved and I begin training next month! I have been added to the schedule to participate in the Mass and my hope is that I will be one of the E.M. participating at the Easter Vigil, since that is a special night for me.<br /><br />Okay, I'm off to work on some correcting and cleaning this apartment a little. That always makes me feel better after I've been sick!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-5651250314203094892009-02-16T16:08:00.003-05:002009-02-16T16:14:13.878-05:00Monday night excitementAs you may know, I'm a bit obsessed with <em>The Bachelor</em>. It is the only thing I look forward to on Mondays! This week it is down to the top three which happen to be my favorite three of the season. I've been rooting for these girls since day one so I'm excited to see which two Jason sees a future with. I will say gut-wise I think Melissa will be going home. Jason has yet to meet her parents (which he said was important to him) and I feel she is the less mature one of the three. I could be totally off base but that is my guess. We'll have to wait four more hours to see!<br /><br />Anyways, back to finishing up 2nd term grades and then relaxing because I cleaned the apartment top to bottom!!!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-70896860823431191552009-02-15T20:56:00.002-05:002009-02-15T21:11:19.129-05:00Happy Belated Valentine's Day and my last thumbs postHi everyone!!!! Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day :-) My honey and I celebrated with a visit to one of my favorite tearooms and I was surprised with a beautiful bouquet of red long stem roses. I'm so spoiled! We had a wonderful day and relaxed last night together on the sofa. We are such an old married couple <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lol</span>!<br /><br />Today was another busy day... visited my mom and poor Rosie got swollen eye while we were there :-(. We are keeping an eye on it and hopefully its nothing serious. Did some stuff around the house today (laundry, sweeping, and other wifely things) and then corrected some quizzes from Thursday while the boys (Dougie and his buddy next door) played video games.<br /><br />Now my thumbs post from Thursday that I completely forgot about (I have my reasons but you'll have to wait and see!!!)<br /><br />Thumbs up:<br />* Girl Scout cookie time: Got my girl scout cookies this week and just the right time. This has been the week from you know where so I'm been munching my stress away. My favorites are the Peanut Butter Sandwiches and Lemonades. Yum!<br />* Grading is just about done: Term 2 ended last week and I have all but one class entered. I just have to finish averaging grades and then I'm good to go!<br />*My new pink and green skirt I won on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ebay</span> from a fellow blogger: It looks like it needs to be altered (darn my petite frame) but I can't wait to wear it. A perfect spring/summer skirt! It will look so cute with a pink cardigan and white <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">cami!</span><br /><br />Thumbs down:<br />*Full moons/School vacations that are taken away: Kiddies out of control this week. I think its a combination of a full moon and that our February vacation was taken away to make up for snow days this past December. Either way, so glad that the week is over and next week is a short week (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">yay</span> President's Day!!!)<br /><br />Anyways, off to get ready for bed and enjoying one more day off!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-50712587293228840012009-02-08T15:24:00.008-05:002009-02-08T16:02:35.222-05:00Reponding to Ms. GeorgeYikes, a long weekend this is turning into. My poor Rosie the bulldog has a nasty bladder infection so I'm been taking care of her (and the mess she is leaving around the house) and trying to work on my 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> term grades which are due a week from tomorrow. But I wanted to take a moment to respond to some questions Ms. George had left me on her extremely helpful and enlightening post <a href="http://msgeorgemsenglishteacher.blogspot.com/2009/02/to-answer-your-question.html">http://msgeorgemsenglishteacher.blogspot.com/2009/02/to-answer-your-question.html</a><br /><br />So here we go:<br /><br /><em>Are you happy in your position? </em>Yes and no...I love the 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> graders because they still respect (and fear sometimes) their teachers so in terms of classroom management I'm happy. My team members and principal are amazing and supportive. I also enjoy my student's enthusiasm and drive (they haven't lost it yet!!!)<br /><br />The things I don't like is the content. I want to teach more novels and love the fact that high <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">schoolers</span> have more life experience to use when reading literature. I also miss that at the high school level I would be teaching multiple grade levels and ability levels at the same time and the constant change in courses each semester and year. I don't feel challenged sometimes at the middle school level because I'm teaching the same class three times a day. I do like that I learn from my mistakes and improve my lessons as I go through the day.<br /><br /><em>Are you happy with your team (if you have one)? </em>My team is great! I'm part of a three person team and we are diverse in terms of experience, personality, and age. I feel like it makes us a more balanced team and the kids really respond to us because we get along so well.<br /><br /><em>What makes you wonder about the HS position? </em>I student taught last year at two local high schools and loved it. The only things I had a hard time with (and I'm wondering if time will help with these) is classroom management (my seniors made my life a living hell but it was the last two months of the year and they didn't want to do any work anymore) and all the prep (I taught four different classes with three mentors). Although it was exhausting at times doing all that prep work and reading all those novels at the speed of light, I felt such a sense of accomplishment at the end of the units. I've only felt that way once this year and that is because of the play I just taught.<br /><br /><em>Is it something you could do next year? </em>My unofficial game plan (which could change with this economy) is to keep my eyes open for any local opening at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hs</span> level and apply but also assume I'm returning to my current school. If something does come my way, I will give my<br />resignation and move on from there.<br /><br /><em>Is there a way you could observe a few classes in the HS to see if you are a fit for the culture/department? </em>See my response on student teaching.<br /><br /><em>Do you see yourself continuing in the MS for one, five, ten years? </em>I could see myself doing ms level for a while but I don't know how fulfilled I will be. Believe me, I realize how lucky I am. I'm having one of the smoothest first years and I'm afraid that my experience at another school or district could be completely different. For example, my school is pretty casual. They trust us. I don't turn in my lesson plans and I don't have administration breathing down my neck. If I was to get pregnant (and that is something in our future to think about), my principal would hold my job for me and let me take as much time as I needed.<br /><br /><em>Do you plan to keep teaching or do you want to be in Administration? </em>At this point, the only interest I have in administration is to one day be a department head (again, this was my daydreaming of my career as a successful high school teacher). But I can't imagine myself being completely out of the classroom.<br /><br /><br />So there you go! Hopefully that is more helpful, Ms. George. I also have a few more things on my mind (is it better to stay at your school a couple of years in terms of your resume or should I make the jump before I'm labeled as a ms veteran? Also, my husband and I are looking to start a family within the next couple of years... how should that affect my decision to leave my school and start in a new district?). Thanks for taking the time to listen to me and for all your help!!!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-26907208937958489262009-02-05T19:53:00.010-05:002009-02-05T20:24:11.941-05:00Twice in one day!!!!Thank you Sweet, Sassy, and Always Classy <a href="http://mysweetandsouthernlife.blogspot.com/">http://mysweetandsouthernlife.blogspot.com/</a> , for tagging me for The Honest Scrap Award! And at the same time as I was singing your praises!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299481826177211042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 144px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYc5CjIFqi5wKdEXRwDCdC1F2VT6DhBvmoCx-k9opAKrd9y8H9CVP4a8MOfgToQq4qkn6p7Clxqj_xqxUOyg1QAI-4mqhQixwUG6Pw2_cmpOmSs80cpKw-rEX6tUHBdA6SLqb2SILV24/s400/Honest_Scrap_Award.png" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />The rules are...<br />(1) Choose a minimum of 7 blogs for brilliance in content/design<br />(2) Show the winners and let them know<br />(3) List at least 10 honest things about yourself<br /><br /><br /><br />I choose:<br />1. Danielle <a href="http://yelliebabi.blogspot.com/">http://yelliebabi.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><br />2. Kristen <a href="http://fijifruits.blogspot.com/">http://fijifruits.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><br />3. Kimberly <a href="http://kimberlypye.blogspot.com/">http://kimberlypye.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><br />4. Ms. George <a href="http://msgeorgemsenglishteacher.blogspot.com/">http://msgeorgemsenglishteacher.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><br />5. Kappa Prep <a href="http://kappaprep.blogspot.com/">http://kappaprep.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><br />6. Laura <a href="http://teachermuse.blogspot.com/">http://teachermuse.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><br />7. Barbara <a href="http://prayingforgrace.blogspot.com/">http://prayingforgrace.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />All seven of these ladies have inspired me through their words and their blogs! Sorry if any of you have already received this award... I'm hoping there are no repeats!<br /><br /><br />And now, my ten honest things:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1. I have some days where I leave my job and think, "Wow, middle school isn't too bad". I always dreamed of teaching high school so when I do have those days, I wonder how long I'll put off the move to high school and the novels I've always wanted to teach. It isn't a horrible thing but something that throws my plans off a bit.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />2. I can't wait to buy a house this year. My hubby and I have been looking on and off since 2005 so the suspense is killing me. We really think this is the year though because of the low house prices, the possible tax credit, and the fact we have a good amount saved up for the down payment. Let's just hope neither of us lose our jobs (darn economy).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />3. I have the baby bug! I have two friends who gave birth this past year and I'm starting to think I'm ready! Of course, hubby and I are waiting for a house but who knows!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />4. I can't wait to take classes towards my Masters. I'll always love the fresh school supplies, new textbooks, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">adrenaline</span> I feel when I write an essay or take test.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299488271102555810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 104px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QE7FxLQAhRB7Sl1qTI-aAByUy3xDX6Lu7ZjmKZqZWrCgoQ6X0_G4QwDvSAFL98NtsB3FXbqOs_Ep1D1UGT7knOVmoe14VgRxvLjkrsVm7Dg68zGTkJuLrpIJQoz3z6HCT8ihoeXBsFo/s400/book.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />5. I take a nap (almost) every day after work. A guilty pleasure, I know! And its not even a short one. It's usually at least an hour, if not more. Then I wake up, ready to make dinner and do all my teacher stuff.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />6. I am obsessed with Dave Matthews. I even got to meet him once! It was such an amazing night. It was the night before my birthday, too. I got to hug him and boy, I didn't want to let go!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299488003230368450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 89px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NCGLKN80tmFXDfQQYEegL23LteWbSVhkgZLr-skZN0OgXrj7bnH8D80rzByOpNagZEMqoilXRfPQE49cSxkc-lKtbBqmo1ISAfkL0xgFZPIKBmqyfnEOlA3hmw54XUqUy-XCEpTF0IQ/s400/dmb.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />7. I use Dove body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. I love the stuff, especially the body wash. Smells so good!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />8. I converted to Catholicism in 2007 and am so happy I did. I felt so lost spiritually and now I am so happy I found a home. I got involved right away and now I am a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lector</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Eucharist</span> minister (I start my training soon!!!!) at my parish.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />9. I wear my pearl earrings every day! I love how they dress up a casual outfit but also completes my more dressy stuff. Addicted!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />10. My 10 year high school reunion is coming up this fall and I'm a little excited to go. I honestly hated high school and had a crappy experience.... Remind me to tell you my yearbook story. Talk about ruining someone reputation because the wrong profile was put under my picture!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Boy, that was fun!!!! I hope you all enjoyed it and thanks so much for my very first blog award!!!!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-38974604472392114922009-02-05T16:20:00.007-05:002009-02-05T19:49:46.795-05:00Thumb ThursdaysSo since I'm in "I want to write more in this blog" kick, I came up with a way to at least make sure I would have a reason to write more in this thing. Thus the idea of thumb Thursday.... My way of sharing with you what is thumbs up and thumbs down in my life this particular week.<br /><br />Thumbs up:<br /><br /><ul><li> A huge pink and green thumbs up to my swap partner Sweet, Sassy, and Always Classy <a href="http://mysweetandsouthernlife.blogspot.com/">http://mysweetandsouthernlife.blogspot.com/</a> for her amazing gifts I received in the mail just yesterday from our Pink swap through Kappa Prep's blog! All I can say is this girl went above and beyond. I can't find my digital camera right now (yikes!!!) but when I do, I need to put up pictures. First, a wicked cute white basket with pink and white cloth inside, a beautiful pink and green picture frame which will look <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">uber</span> cute on my desk at school, pink and green tissues, nail file, pink heart coasters, a cupcake-decorated spatula, pink kitchen towels, a cute pink mini book on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pampering</span> yourself, a pink heart container filled with pink Hershey kisses (yum!!!), a adorable pink heart with sequins and beads on it, and it the list goes on from there. Thank you so much!!!! You are the sweetest and most generous lady! Everything was wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a pink ribbon (how cute!!!!)</li><li>Winning one of Kappa Prep's skirts on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ebay</span>! Pictures to follow once it comes it. Its a cute silk spring skirt so I'm looking forward to getting it in time for spring (which we all know will take forever in New England).</li><li>Having an awesome teaching day today! We are getting ready for the <em>Our Town</em> test tomorrow so today we played a review game which went so well. I had 4 rows set up with 6 chairs in each row. The front seat gets a dry erase board and has to answer the question asked (I had 5 categories to choose from, one for each act, people, and potpourri). If the person gets it right, they get up and return to the back of the row while everyone moves up a seat. If you get it wrong, you have to stay until you get an answer right. Not only is it holding everyone accountable (which can be tough when you are doing any time of team games) but I can also use it for informal assessment. The students loved it and I can't wait to try it with my next unit! We also talked about themes in <em>Our Town</em> and I had the class split up into four groups (I choose four themes for this unit) and using their notes and the book, they had to come up with a moment from the play that is an example of this theme. Each group had a different color marker and I had poster paper around the room with a different theme on it so they had to walk around the room, see what others wrote, and come up with a completely different example. Again, it went so well and they did a wonderful job. After the groups finished, we went around the room to share what we wrote and how the example they choose showed the theme. They really did a great job sharing and explaining. </li></ul><p>Thumbs down:</p><ul><li>Things in three: I've had three wakes or funerals in the last 10 days so that has been a huge bummer. My oldest friend's mother passed away last week from a short but courageous fight with cancer at the age of 51, my best friend's grandmother passed away yesterday, and finally another of my closest friend's father passed away Monday. Its been a pretty sad week and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of them.</li></ul><p>Honestly, its been a good week overall. I feel very grateful for the wonderful things that came my way but also for the reminder that life is short so we have to appreciate life while we still have time (like <em>Our Town</em> tries to teach us!!!)</p><p> </p>kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-65103527232972405322009-01-27T17:21:00.002-05:002009-01-27T17:34:12.826-05:00I feel....I feel like a horrible blogger. I barely post anymore and if I do, I feel it lacks substance. I read so many other insightful or entertaining blogs and think, wow if only I could have a blog like that. And then I see blog awards passed around..... I'm not trying to have a pity party. I just wished I could make this blog better! To one day be worthy....<br /><br />Anyways, enough with the negativity.<br /><br />Did anyone watch last night's Bachelor!!! OMG :-) I don't want to spoil it for those who recorded it and haven't seen it but I loved the last five minutes. I think Jason made the best decision there! My top three are still in: Jillian, Molly, and Melissa. I'm really rooting for them and I don't think I'm alone. I'm excited to see what the Seattle visit will bring. I feel like they are doing it earlier in the season but perhaps I'm wrong.<br /><br />Teaching is rocking right now. We started a persuasive writing unit (yikes, teaching writing) but so far, so good. I really thought my low group would have a hard time with it but they did better than both my high and my average classes. I think its because I modified the lesson a bit and gave them the graphic organizer instead of them having to make it themselves. My goal of this unit is to tie it in with the "Our Town" unit we will be finishing next week. Since we've been talking about whether this book should be taught at the middle school level (I didn't read it until high school and even then I don't feel like I truly appreciate like I do now), I want them to try to persuade me whether I should teach it at this level (middle school vs. high school). It's still a work in progress but I would really like to hear what they think and see what they did or didn't get out of it.<br /><br />Well, I'm off to correct the "Our Town" Act II quizzes from today! I'm pretty sure we'll have no school tomorrow (darn New England snow storms) but just in case, I need to be prepared!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-66689889589010243622009-01-12T16:49:00.002-05:002009-01-12T17:01:51.341-05:00Gosh...<p>Quick recap: </p><p>Holidays were busy but great. Got to see pretty much any and all family members and got lots of cute preppy clothes, teaching books, movies, and a scone pan!!!! My goal of being a housewife is slowly coming true ;-)</p><p>Back to school and rocking out "Our Town". Act I quiz is Wednesday so I'm interested to see how the kiddies do. Tomorrow we are going over the study guide summary form they've been working on and then watching the first act.<br /></p><p>Went to last Thursday's Bruins game with my hubby, his best friend Jon, and one of my best friend's, Ashley (who happens to be dating Jon). Such a blast and they totally won. </p><p>The Bachelor is on tonight!!!! I watched last week's episode and teaser after the show and was shocked. DeAnna!!!!! What is she doing to Jason!?!?!?!?! Ok, freak out over. All I can say is this is the season to watch. Plus, how could you not love Jason! I was so bummed last season when Jason went home broken-hearted and I am so glad he has a second chance :-)</p><p>I think that's pretty much it! Have a great week!</p><p></p>kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-20172014285112005652008-12-21T20:41:00.005-05:002008-12-21T20:54:04.943-05:00Last minute Christmas suggestion?!?!?!So I'm trying to think of a last minute Christmas idea for a relative and I thought some sort of Catholic daily devotional publication could be a great idea. The only problem is there are so many to choose from. I decided on three that I like based on their website but I'm looking for advice from my fellow Catholic readers...<br /><br />My Daily Visitor<br />http://www.osv.com/MDVNav/MyDailyVisitorHomePage/tabid/440/Default.aspx<br /><br />The Word Among Us<br />http://wau.org/<br /><br />Living Faith<br />http://www.livingfaith.com/<br /><br />I personally have subscribed to The Word Among Us but found it dry at times and not as inspirational as I hoped (just to give you an indication, I really enjoy the Little Blue Books Advent devotions from the Diocese of Saginaw http://www.littlebooks.org/ ).<br /><br />Anyways, I know its late in the game so I'm not expecting lots of feedback, but any would be appreciated!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-59083871261719699362008-12-17T20:50:00.003-05:002008-12-17T21:08:46.795-05:00Wow... has it been a strange few weeks....Hi everyone... what a crazy few weeks its been in Pink and Green teacher world. First, I came down with one of the worst colds I ever had the beginning of the month (so bad that I actually called out of school) which then turned into bronchitis in time for my husband and my birthdays (sweet). During this time (last week to this week) New England has been hit with not only a crippling ice storm that has caused power outages and school cancellations (more on that later) but also a snow storm today and possibly twice this upcoming weekend. <br /><br />DH, Rosie, I were forced from our home because of said ice storm last week which caused/still causing major power outages and lack of heat. We had to stay at my mother's last Friday until Sunday because our power and heat was out. We finally got power back Sunday night but heat was on and off until yesterday. Knock on wood everything is finally working for us here, but there are so many others still suffering. <br /><br />On that note, I've been out of work since last Friday because of the damage from said ice storm. I guess my school district was hit hard (central MA) and school will out of session until next Monday (22nd) unless the horrible snowstorm they are talking about hits us as well. <br /><br />So, its been a strange couple of weeks. In the off time, however, I've kept busy. I've Christmas shopped, caught up on laundry, watched "Our Town" so I can use the film along with the play that we are reading in class, and all my correcting I was slacking on since my illness (I'm talking tests from THANKSGIVING!!!!!!)<br /><br />Back to birthdays... DH and I had a lovely birthdays. He bought me a beautiful diamond journey necklace (the one with seven diamonds that go from small to large in a bit of a curve), took me out to my favorite Japanese restaurant, and to see Four Christmases (which was a cute movie). We also decided to spring on new cellphones so I got the AT&T Quickfire and he got an IPhone. I can't say enough about the Quickfire... I love the keyboard for easy texting and the touch screen is a wonderful addition as well. <br /><br />Anyways, I'm going to work on some more correcting and then call it a night. Hope all is well with everyone and that you are all enjoying this wonderful Christmas season!!!!kSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201151885574126341.post-28832521623006777832008-12-04T18:27:00.003-05:002008-12-04T18:28:57.683-05:00Random...<p><em>Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...</em></p><h4>You Are an Ingrid!</h4><p><img src="http://vintagegriffin.com/images/uploads/mm.ingrid_.jpg" alt="mm.ingrid_.jpg" /><br /><br /></p> <div><p><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:medium;"><strong>You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"</strong></span></span></p><p> </p><p> </p>Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.<p> </p><p> </p><strong>How to Get Along with Me</strong> <ul><li>* Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.</li><li>* Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.</li><li>* Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.</li><li>* Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.</li><li>* Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><strong>What I Like About Being an Ingrid</strong> <ul><li>* my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level</li><li>* my ability to establish warm connections with people</li><li>* admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life</li><li>* my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor</li><li>* being unique and being seen as unique by others</li><li>* having aesthetic sensibilities</li><li>* being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><strong>What's Hard About Being an Ingrid</strong> <ul><li>* experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair</li><li>* feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved</li><li>* feeling guilty when I disappoint people</li><li>* feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me</li><li>* expecting too much from myself and life</li><li>* fearing being abandoned</li><li>* obsessing over resentments</li><li>* longing for what I don't have</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><strong>Ingrids as Children Often</strong> <ul><li>* have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games</li><li>* are very sensitive</li><li>* feel that they don't fit in</li><li>* believe they are missing something that other people have</li><li>* attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.</li><li>* become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood</li><li>* feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><strong>Ingrids as Parents</strong> <ul><li>* help their children become who they really are</li><li>* support their children's creativity and originality</li><li>* are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings</li><li>* are sometimes overly critical or overly protective</li><li>* are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed</li></ul><br /><p><span style="font-size:small;"></span></p></div><p><a href="http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/are-you-a-jackie-or-a-marilyn-or-someone-else-mad-menera-female-icon-quiz"> Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz</a> atkSmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176646255298295125noreply@blogger.com1