It is amazing what a little vision will do when it comes to decorating for a party. Joe, you did a fantastic job putting those lights together. Dougie and Rodney, you did a wonderful job with the front of the house. I will post a few pics so those of you that missed this wonderful party you can share with the rest of us. Rodger, I will need to get the pics from you, I am especially wanting are the pictures of the front.

Saturday was a wonderful party and I just don't know how that will be topped in January. Start thinking boys............

The next party is Brian's but it won't be in my backyard. It will be someplace warm since it is in December.

Lightening Things Up A Bit

What is it that I have to do this weekend? I know I have to be somewhere for something but I just can't, for the life of me, remember. Can anyone help me?


RODNEY CAN YOU HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT I AM SUPPOSE TO BE DOING ON SATURDAY NIGHT?

WAIT!!!! IS A POOL TOURNAMENT?

OR IS IT A DART TOURNAMENT?

DAMM.... I JUST CAN'T THINK RIGHT NOW.




Well the food has been ordered, the beer has been ordered, the decorations are all over my house ready to be put up........ I so do not have a vision for this decorating session that is going to happen Friday afternoon. I have also conned Brian to come over to help because I will be on no assistance to the boys. I guess when my mom dropped me on my head as a baby, that part of my brain was permanently damaged.


SEE YA ALL ON SATURDAY....DON'T FORGET YOUR MASKS.

Younger Generation- What are we doing to them?

Here is my next topic. When has the schools had the responsibility for everything? How old do you think a student should be to start being responsible for their own work? Classwork and homework?

This is my main issue. I had a writing assignment due yesterday and only 40% of my students had it completed to turn in. This is something I have talked about and devoted a class period and a half to work on it and they had a 3 day weekend to work on it. So, needless to say, I was very frustrated yesterday. So I sent out an email to my parents to inform them how frustrated I was and I was also suggesting to each parent to ask their child for their school planner. This is where the students write down their assignments, but I guess that is really only theory. Because if only 40% turned in my writing, that means that 60% don't use the planner.

I received 2 emails from parents before I left school yesterday. One asked if her child turned in the assignment and I said yes and other email thanked me.

Now, this morning when I got to school, I was told about another email. The email was mainly asking why, as a school system or a building, do we not have a place that teachers post the homework. I understand that theory. But I understand my stance better. When do the students get any consequences for doing what they are suppose to do for 6 hours a day? When does it become the students responsibility to complete the classwork or homework?

We can not BABY this generation anymore. We will lose out in the long run if we continue this practice. This goes back to one of my earlier posts about 20 something year olds. The younger generation seems to depend on the older generation more so then I have ever witnessed.

Please do me a favor........ make the young people in your life accountable for what they must accomplish. If you always pick up after them, and I mean that global not literally, they will never learn to learn.

BOSS

So What Do You Think?

So what do you think of Mizzou losing on Saturday? What do you think about the Rams winning on Sunday? Yea you read that right!!! The Rams actually won!!!!! But they also almost lost it on a stupid unsportsmanlike penalty. But you know what? I was not able to watch that game or any early game on Sunday because I had to help my partner clean out her mother's condo.

If you know me at all, I am the type of person that will help out whenever I can. BUT, I have had my fill with my partner's family and their lack of being a "FAMILY". I grew up with knowing that if my grandparents needed anything we would help anyway we could. SHIT my grandfather lived with us for several months after my grandmother passed away. I have that memory in my head because he and I shared a room and man could he SNORE.

My partner's kids have done some things to help out but the oldest one who is well in his 30's has done nothing to help his grandmother out or his mom out. My partner's sister keeps calling to find out what is happening but not showing up to help unless it is to her benefit. How can you call them your family? You should be able to call on your family when you need them the most. Your family should not be calling the person, who now has sole responsibility for financial and medical care of the mother, to find out when things are going to be sold. It seems as if her sister and her sister's family always have a hand out. I have learned their TRUE COLORS through this whole process.

I feel for my partner, I really do. I had my father act like this after my mom died. My mom had a small business with our neighbor. They did not make a bunch of money but it kept them going. So after my mom died, the business was dissolved and the money was to go to her three kids. That did not happen, immediately. My father had his hand out, so the assets were split 4 ways. I went to my mom's partner and asked her about this and she told me that my mom did this for the three kids not my dad. So I went to my brother's with this information and they said, well just leave it the way it is, we don't want to make any waves. FUCK THAT!!!! I made waves. I had my father give up his portion and we split the assets 3 ways. Yes that caused waves between my father and I but I did what I thought was best. I have had to stand up to my brothers and my father many times but I did it because that is what he and my mom taught me to do.

I know my partner's parents did not teach her sister to act like this. I hope, in time, her sister will see all that my partner has done for her and her family and thank her sometime. I hope I am around to hear that because my partner at least is OWED that.

BOSS

Classroom Behavior

Classroom management is probably the most important aspect of teaching that is hardly ever touched in undergraduate degree programs. I remember when I was going to college and believe it or not, my graduation date will be 20 years in May. That is crazy to me. Anyhow back to my topic, we had one semester on classroom management. ONLY ONE SEMESTER!!!!! That is crazy for me to even fathom at the present time. I really wonder what the program calls for now. I would not be shocked if it has not changed.

My classroom management has never been an issue. My students learned that I was stern but at the same time fair. For some reason, that is not happening this year. And I don't know why. It is not that I am not trying to make adaptations to my management. I am hearing what the kids are asking for and I am doing my part but it does not seem to be working. Yes, I know, give it time. See where I am in a week from now or two weeks from now and then try to tweak the system. It just seems that when I think it is moving smoothly, it falls apart right in front of my face.

I will try even harder tomorrow to make sure all my students are on task and respectful but I must say, it is starting to be more about controling behaviors then it is about teaching and that is unfortunate.

Election

Check out this site if you are still undecided on who to vote for.


ABC has a test at the below address to see
> who's
> > campaign statements,
> > >
> > > McCain's or Obama's, you agree with most.
> They
> > don't tell you who made
> > > The statements, of course, but a statement made
> by
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> > > The same topic (economy, immigration, judiciary,
> etc.)
> > will be side by
> > > Side. You just pick which statement you agree
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> > > selecting all 13,
> > > You'll find out which candidate's
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> > >
> > >
> >
> http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/MatchoMatic/fullpage?id=5542139
> > >

The things that race in my head

So my brother called me yesterday and asked me what was going on with me that I was not saying. Well I totally unloaded on him. I understand the need to get things moving in the right directions whatever topic is being refered to. My problem comes in with everything needs to be done ASAP. Or at least that is how my mind works.



I know I have so much that I have to get done in a course of a school day and it never fails that when all of those tasks are completed, 10 more come to you in the last hour of the day. Anyone else feel that way?



Then there are the items that are on the "Honey Do" list that is always growing. It just seems as though there are not enough hours in the day to get this all completed.



Does anyone feel that life gets in the way of our relationships? And they suffer? How can it be avoided? I am trying to learn to say NO to some requests and invitations. But it never fails that I seem as though I over book myself.



I so want to sit on my deck and read a book or lay in the sunshine and read a book. But I can't seem to find the time or ease my mind away from everything else I need to do. I started thinking about this entry this morning when I woke up. I guess I need to get this out.

I don't want to be 5th in line of things that need to be dealt with. I need to take care of ME first and then see where everyone else fits in.

I don't want to try and fit in my 6th year anniversy into my partners secondary work schedule.

I want to spend as much time at lunch on Saturday with my father and Betty because I have not seen them in a few months.

I am starting to learn patience...... I am at least trying....... I sometimes have the philosophy, I want it now and I need it now. I am trying to slow down but it is difficult.

I am off to yet another meeting.......... I hope to see all of you this weekend. "I'm coming out.... " and you all better watch out.

BOSS