Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
For Sale...
2006 Pontiac G6 in great condition. Approximately 61,000 miles. Not recommended for areas in which snowfall exceeds 3 feet!
Yesterday's 45 mile drive to work was slow but steady as a huge snow storm settled into the San Juan mountains of southwestern Colorado. Throughout the day snow continued to pound down on Telluride, and Jeremy and I knew that the drive home was NOT going to be easy. Literally 2 and a half hours later we arrived home to a driveway filled with 12 inches of the fluffy white stuff.
Since we knew it was supposed to snow all night, we set the alarm for 5am and tried to get some sleep. By 5:30 this morning we were ready to shovel out, but when we opened the garage door there was a bank of snow up to my hips! Over three feet had fallen! According to the HOA breakdown, most of our winter dues go towards snow removal, but we have yet to see anything of that nature...grrr. So Jeremy grabbed the shovel and got to work. We took turns shoveling (with our one shovel) for nearly an hour and a half and then were able to use the car to "plow" the rest of the snow out of the way. The car performed far beyond our greatest expectations, but we've decided we probably need a second all wheel drive vehicle (the other one is still at the "car spa" recovering from the deer incident). Once we got to the road, the drive wasn't bad... it just wasn't my favorite way to start the day!
Pictures to come soon :)
Yesterday's 45 mile drive to work was slow but steady as a huge snow storm settled into the San Juan mountains of southwestern Colorado. Throughout the day snow continued to pound down on Telluride, and Jeremy and I knew that the drive home was NOT going to be easy. Literally 2 and a half hours later we arrived home to a driveway filled with 12 inches of the fluffy white stuff.
Since we knew it was supposed to snow all night, we set the alarm for 5am and tried to get some sleep. By 5:30 this morning we were ready to shovel out, but when we opened the garage door there was a bank of snow up to my hips! Over three feet had fallen! According to the HOA breakdown, most of our winter dues go towards snow removal, but we have yet to see anything of that nature...grrr. So Jeremy grabbed the shovel and got to work. We took turns shoveling (with our one shovel) for nearly an hour and a half and then were able to use the car to "plow" the rest of the snow out of the way. The car performed far beyond our greatest expectations, but we've decided we probably need a second all wheel drive vehicle (the other one is still at the "car spa" recovering from the deer incident). Once we got to the road, the drive wasn't bad... it just wasn't my favorite way to start the day!
Pictures to come soon :)
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Thanksgiving Break!
This has been one of the most relaxing and fun breaks I've had since I began working as a teacher! I didn't have to travel, since mom and dad (and the boys) came out here. We relaxed, ate good food, played tons of games, put up the Christmas tree, explored Colorado National Monument, and crossed a few things off the never ending wedding checklist! Below are several pictures of our time together.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Disappointment
So not succeeding has never been a favorite result of mine, and I'm not very good at dealing with it... but I'm trying to get better. I, unfortunately, did not pass my National Boards. While I always knew this was a possibility (only about 50% of the candidates certify on their first attempt), after 6 months of exhausting work and a large sum of money, I was hoping that I had achieved my goal. On Friday morning I found out that I had literally only earned 274 points, and I needed to 275 to get my certification!
My first feeling was disappointment... why did I waste so much of my time and energy? How was I going to stand up in the Palm (our auditorium) and present to the rest of the district about how I use 21st Century Skills in my classroom when they would all be staring and wondering how and why I didn't pass? How was I going to tell all of the people who loved and supported me. After all, they were the ones who kept saying, "Sure, you'll pass... no doubt about it!"
The second thought was "does this mean I'm not a good teacher?" Would my kids be better off in some other teacher's classroom?
And the third thought was how am I going to get through the day teaching when all I really feel like doing is curling up in a ball and crying?
However, 36 hours later, I am in a much better place. Not only did I make it through the day with my kids, but they were supportive and more well behaved than any teacher has a right to expect on a Friday before a ten day vacation. They were quiet and obedient, and even freer with their hugs than normal. It was also a great teaching point... even though you work your hardest, sometimes the reward is still just out of reach. It just means you have to keep working a little bit harder until you can reach out a grab it. Great for the end of the trimester as report cards go home and awards are given out.
I also spent some much needed time with my colleagues, who assured me that their minds had already been made up about me as a teacher and team mate. They say that two and a half years of working together means much more than NB certification, even if my scores aren't "adequate."
And most importantly, I've been thinking about why I went through the process to begin with. I can't lie and say that my goal was not achieving NB certification. But more important than that was to be more invested in the classroom. It was a tool I used to challenge myself to better understand my students and the curriculum I teach... to stay on top of the "best practices" of educating our future generations and not fall into the survival mode of teaching. And in this area, I did succeed! I know that in my heart. I look at my classroom and my students in a much different way now than I did one year ago. I see their differences in several variances of beautiful light instead of shades of gray.
Obviously, it's been a rough few days and I'm sure their are more rough spots ahead as I rework the parts of my portfolio that were not "proficient." It's not going to be easy to wait once again until this time next year to find out if I have earned the elusive 275 points. The bright side is that I will only have one entry to be working on this time... I can spend much more time perfecting it!
Thanks to everyone who called or emailed with love and support. You're what has me smiling on days like today! It's all going to be okay...
My first feeling was disappointment... why did I waste so much of my time and energy? How was I going to stand up in the Palm (our auditorium) and present to the rest of the district about how I use 21st Century Skills in my classroom when they would all be staring and wondering how and why I didn't pass? How was I going to tell all of the people who loved and supported me. After all, they were the ones who kept saying, "Sure, you'll pass... no doubt about it!"
The second thought was "does this mean I'm not a good teacher?" Would my kids be better off in some other teacher's classroom?
And the third thought was how am I going to get through the day teaching when all I really feel like doing is curling up in a ball and crying?
However, 36 hours later, I am in a much better place. Not only did I make it through the day with my kids, but they were supportive and more well behaved than any teacher has a right to expect on a Friday before a ten day vacation. They were quiet and obedient, and even freer with their hugs than normal. It was also a great teaching point... even though you work your hardest, sometimes the reward is still just out of reach. It just means you have to keep working a little bit harder until you can reach out a grab it. Great for the end of the trimester as report cards go home and awards are given out.
I also spent some much needed time with my colleagues, who assured me that their minds had already been made up about me as a teacher and team mate. They say that two and a half years of working together means much more than NB certification, even if my scores aren't "adequate."
And most importantly, I've been thinking about why I went through the process to begin with. I can't lie and say that my goal was not achieving NB certification. But more important than that was to be more invested in the classroom. It was a tool I used to challenge myself to better understand my students and the curriculum I teach... to stay on top of the "best practices" of educating our future generations and not fall into the survival mode of teaching. And in this area, I did succeed! I know that in my heart. I look at my classroom and my students in a much different way now than I did one year ago. I see their differences in several variances of beautiful light instead of shades of gray.
Obviously, it's been a rough few days and I'm sure their are more rough spots ahead as I rework the parts of my portfolio that were not "proficient." It's not going to be easy to wait once again until this time next year to find out if I have earned the elusive 275 points. The bright side is that I will only have one entry to be working on this time... I can spend much more time perfecting it!
Thanks to everyone who called or emailed with love and support. You're what has me smiling on days like today! It's all going to be okay...
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Updates
No pictures today... just a few updates. The car is still in the shop, but not totaled! There was approximately $4000 worth of damage. Luckily we only have a $250 deductible, so it won't be too bad. Unfortunately, the body shop is taking their time fixing it. We're hoping to have it back before December.
So we're now driving my car to and from work everyday. That wouldn't normally be a problem, but the week after we hit the deer it decided to snow 12 inches! Jeremy had taken my car hunting over the weekend and I didn't have time to get my snow tires put on! For two days the drive to work was a bit nerve racking and extremely long, but my car fought valiantly and never let us down. Last weekend we finally had time to go into Montrose and get the tires changed, so now I'm not as nervous about it. Not to mention the fact that once the snow tires were put on it ceased snowing and rebounded to 50 degrees again.
One more week of school before Thanksgiving break. The kids get the whole week off, but teachers have to go in for meetings on Monday and Tuesday. Grrr... Also, National Board scores should be released any day now, so I will be happy to finally know either way. If I made it, there's going to be a BIG party! If not, I suppose I have some more work to do before the retake is due in April.
Mom and dad are coming out here for Thanksgiving. I'm so excited! And then it's three weeks of the most fun time of the school year before winter break! This where time starts flying 'cause I'm having fun ;)
So we're now driving my car to and from work everyday. That wouldn't normally be a problem, but the week after we hit the deer it decided to snow 12 inches! Jeremy had taken my car hunting over the weekend and I didn't have time to get my snow tires put on! For two days the drive to work was a bit nerve racking and extremely long, but my car fought valiantly and never let us down. Last weekend we finally had time to go into Montrose and get the tires changed, so now I'm not as nervous about it. Not to mention the fact that once the snow tires were put on it ceased snowing and rebounded to 50 degrees again.
One more week of school before Thanksgiving break. The kids get the whole week off, but teachers have to go in for meetings on Monday and Tuesday. Grrr... Also, National Board scores should be released any day now, so I will be happy to finally know either way. If I made it, there's going to be a BIG party! If not, I suppose I have some more work to do before the retake is due in April.
Mom and dad are coming out here for Thanksgiving. I'm so excited! And then it's three weeks of the most fun time of the school year before winter break! This where time starts flying 'cause I'm having fun ;)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
My 1st Buck
In the battle of Deer vs. Car, no one was victorious :(
(No humans were harmed in this incident.)
At precisely 6:55am on Thursday, October 30, 2008, Jeremy and I had just departed Ridgway on our way to work. I was driving, while he worked on waking up with his cup of coffee as usual. It was still extremely dark, and there weren't many people on the road. There were, however, several deer, and since it is mating season the boy deer had something else on his mind other than looking both ways before crossing the street. I slammed on the anti lock breaks and slowed from 60mph to 35ish in a heart beat. Although I know it is better to hit deer/elk head-on, what's the first thing you do when you see something coming at you from the corner of your eye? That's right! I swerved! There was no one coming in the other lane, and although we spun around, I did not hit anything else but the deer. He died almost instantly, but not before rupturing the radiator, caving in the wheel well, and crumbling the hood in an accordion like fashion. Jeremy got a ride back to the house to pick up my car so we wouldn't be stranded. And after locking myself in the car I commenced calling my father so the rednecks (which apparently have radar for when a 5 point buck is killed on the highway) arguing over the deer wouldn't think I was completely alone. A very nice man also stopped and stayed with me until the other idiots left the scene (without any deer meat). The state trooper and Jer arrived approximately 10 minutes later. Between the insurance, the state trooper, and the tow truck, we were going to be late for work anyways. We ended up both taking the whole day off. Jeremy, who was supposed to go hunting this weekend anyway (for elk, not deer) decided that since the buck had injured his beloved $16000 car, he was at least going to get some meat out of it. So there I stood on the side of the highway feeling like as much of a red neck as the idiots who had previously been arguing over the meat. We ended up with two of the quarters (from the side that didn't come into contact with the car) and the back straps... not to mention the five point antlers. It may have been an unexpected day off, but I'm not sure it was worth it!
(No humans were harmed in this incident.)
At precisely 6:55am on Thursday, October 30, 2008, Jeremy and I had just departed Ridgway on our way to work. I was driving, while he worked on waking up with his cup of coffee as usual. It was still extremely dark, and there weren't many people on the road. There were, however, several deer, and since it is mating season the boy deer had something else on his mind other than looking both ways before crossing the street. I slammed on the anti lock breaks and slowed from 60mph to 35ish in a heart beat. Although I know it is better to hit deer/elk head-on, what's the first thing you do when you see something coming at you from the corner of your eye? That's right! I swerved! There was no one coming in the other lane, and although we spun around, I did not hit anything else but the deer. He died almost instantly, but not before rupturing the radiator, caving in the wheel well, and crumbling the hood in an accordion like fashion. Jeremy got a ride back to the house to pick up my car so we wouldn't be stranded. And after locking myself in the car I commenced calling my father so the rednecks (which apparently have radar for when a 5 point buck is killed on the highway) arguing over the deer wouldn't think I was completely alone. A very nice man also stopped and stayed with me until the other idiots left the scene (without any deer meat). The state trooper and Jer arrived approximately 10 minutes later. Between the insurance, the state trooper, and the tow truck, we were going to be late for work anyways. We ended up both taking the whole day off. Jeremy, who was supposed to go hunting this weekend anyway (for elk, not deer) decided that since the buck had injured his beloved $16000 car, he was at least going to get some meat out of it. So there I stood on the side of the highway feeling like as much of a red neck as the idiots who had previously been arguing over the meat. We ended up with two of the quarters (from the side that didn't come into contact with the car) and the back straps... not to mention the five point antlers. It may have been an unexpected day off, but I'm not sure it was worth it!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Weekend with the Family
This weekend Jen, Riley, and I descended upon Omaha simultaneously. We played tons of games, had a party with neighbors, went shopping, and just hung out. It was just what I needed! The quickly growing Riley also kept us entertained with all of her baby talk and cute little clothes!
Halloween Clothes!
New shoes that match mommy's exactly!
Friday, October 03, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Updates...
It has been a crazy month of September! The first week of teaching (which is always crazy) gave way to a frenzy of assessment in the classroom, along with Open House on only the eighth day of school and the first round of parent/teacher conferences on only the 15th day. It was a whirlwind to say the least! I was also anxious to get some of the other school things out of the way just so I could get them checked off my list and settle in. Therefore, I've already completed my peer observation (to be finished by 11/20) and my formal observation which had to be completed by my principal before December. Not to mention our first field trip (see pictures above). Calmness and relaxation can now begin... ;)
This weekend Jer and I headed to Denver to visit friends and family, as well as begin the process of getting my bridal gown fitted. It was kind of fun to put it back on and pretend to be a princess! They ended up only having to hem the bottom (nearly four inches) and put in the items needed to bustle the train. I'll head back in about a month to try it on again and make sure everything was done correctly.
Fall officially began last Monday and the mountains are definitely starting to show it. The colors are almost at peak: yellows, golds, reds, and bruning oranges. Our plan is to stop on the way home this week and snap some shots. I'll post them when I get a chance.
Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful time of year! Love Ya!
Sunday, September 07, 2008
The first week of my fifth year of teaching…
It started out better than in the past, with a fairly good night’s sleep before the first day with kids. This was a good sign… On day one, however, I found that I had not quite mentally prepared myself for the vast change I was facing in my kids. I LOVE looping, but one of the hardest things to deal with is that in June you send off your kids to third grade reading, writing paragraphs, and following directions. Two and half months later your faced with 16 little one who can barely write their names, maybe read some very simple sentences, and absolutely cannot follow more than one step directions! I was in shock the first day, but things went MUCH better for the rest of the week.
All that being said, I had a WONDERFUL first week of school! My kids are incredibly sweet and sooooo little! When compared to my kids from the last two years (who are now in third grade) they’re only half the size! I do miss the others, but they have been stopping by before and after school to talk and attacking me with hugs in the hallway and at recess. It’s nice to feel loved…
Once again, I have sixteen students in my class, eight girls and eight boys. They are all very sweet with few behavior issues other than talkativeness. And who can blame them? Even I find myself wanting to delve into each of their very interesting personalities! I can’t wait to learn more about them and see how much they grow in the next two years! Hope everyone is having a great end to summer/beginning of fall!
All that being said, I had a WONDERFUL first week of school! My kids are incredibly sweet and sooooo little! When compared to my kids from the last two years (who are now in third grade) they’re only half the size! I do miss the others, but they have been stopping by before and after school to talk and attacking me with hugs in the hallway and at recess. It’s nice to feel loved…
Once again, I have sixteen students in my class, eight girls and eight boys. They are all very sweet with few behavior issues other than talkativeness. And who can blame them? Even I find myself wanting to delve into each of their very interesting personalities! I can’t wait to learn more about them and see how much they grow in the next two years! Hope everyone is having a great end to summer/beginning of fall!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sequoia National Park
After a few days on the beach, Jeremy and I met up with some friends of his and spent a few days camping and exploring Sequoia National Park. The trees which give the park its name are literally thousands of years old! They stretch hundreds of feet into the air and can be 20-30 feet in diameter. Amazing!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Laguna Beach
This morning we drove approximately 4.5 hours from Vegas to San Clemente, CA. After arriving at Jeremy's friends' house we spent some time shopping at IKEA and Trader Joe's. Then we drove back via the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). It was beautiful! Below are a few pictures of Laguna Beach...
Jeremy has a collection of pictures showing his feet throughout his travels. I thought these would add another dimension...
Jeremy has a collection of pictures showing his feet throughout his travels. I thought these would add another dimension...
Vegas
An average of 105-110 degrees on the strip made for some extremely long walks in the last few days... Luckily you can get from one end to the other by walking inside casinos and get air conditioning for almost half of the 2 mile stretch! We gambled a bit, but lost less than $25 between the two of us. We spent the majority of our time at the pool, walking, and eating good food. 
A few of Jeremy's pics...
A few of Jeremy's pics...
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