I am so sad that the holidays are over. (Of course, going back to school has nothing to do with my sorrow--sniff, sniff.) I loved having everyone at home--even if it was for only one night. Thanks to the ice storm in the MidWest, Traveling Man had 3 flights cancelled, was stranded in an airport with no rental cars available so took a 2 hour cab ride home, and finally drove the 16 hours from Madison to here. He left at 8:00 am on Sunday and arrived here at 4:00 am on Christmas Eve. Cathy arrived about 12 hours later--she had to leave late due to one of her families in a crisis-- and the newlyweds got here Christmas evening, but I can't really complain because at least everyone got to come. Anyway, it wasn't the Christmas I had envisioned, but once everyone was here I was so happy to be together and so grateful everyone arrived safely.
It was fun playing pingpong and beating everyone soundly--well, almost everyone. (and almost beating them , truth be told) It was also fun going to 6 Flags and riding roller-coasters (which I haven't done in years). Another highlight was seeing the travelers from down south. It was fun to do a little post-season shopping together, as we once did pre-season shopping together, but alas they had to get back to their own family in Houston.
I am happy to make the formal announcement that my New Years letters have been mailed. Please note that I did not send out Christmas letters this year, but intentionally sent out New Years letters, which are less than a week late. Go me! It's going to be a great year!!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Well, my blog reading sessions on Sunday afternoon are going a little faster than I'd like because there is not much new out there to read. I miss all of you! You don't know how much I love reading your blogs. It makes me feel so close to everyone.
I will admit, it did occur to me that it has been awhile since I blogged, so perhaps I should give it a try. It just seems like nothing is new here--two people in shows, band is over, and I'm just trying to survive a rather trying school year. Anyway...
Thanksgiving was wonderful. I loved having my family all home and it was so much fun. CJ even went shopping with me at 4:15 am on the day after. Of course, I was home in bed by 5:30, so I didn't sacrifice too much. When I got up at 4:15, the nicest surprise awaited me--a beeeutifully clean kitchen and living room. All the sibs were still up talking and they had cleaned it up for me and I REALLY APPRECIATED IT!! Following our usual tradition, some of us went to see "Enchanted" after Thanksgiving dinner. It was a cute little musical, but here's the ironic thing. You know Idina Menzel, the original Elfaba? She was in it --but she didn't have a singing role!!!! Go figure that out!
Moving forward, "Oliver" opened this weekend and I have seen it twice already. David is Charley somebody...I thought it was Charley Bone, but then I remembered that is a character in a series of books some of the kids are reading... I really like the music in "Oliver". This theater is not theater in the round (I would say persinium, but I don't really know how to spell it) so it seems very different to me. But I am enjoying it, and so is he.
"Meet Me in St. Louis" opened two weekends ago. Methedad is the trolley driver and a fine one he is, too. But what really steals the show is the trolley itself--which Methedad made. It is very creative, and hopefully I can post a pic of it for you to see.
Marching band is over for this year, but it was a great year. I hope they go back next year to defend their title, but it hasn't been decided yet. I thought it was odd that they didn't give the students a medal or patch for winning, but they didn't. However, never fear, we get to buy a rather expensive championship ring! The letterjackets finally came in this week, so now the poor boy has a coat to wear.
As for me, I'm just working hard at school. There is so much pressure this year for the famous (dare I say infamous) state test the students have to pass, that it is overiding everything else. For the first time, we now have to have the students make graphs of how many questions they answered correctly on each objective every time we have one of the practice tests. It takes class time from when we could actually be teaching. But at least we can do it as a class. When it was first announced, we had to have a one on one conference with every single student--I have about 120. Where was that time going to come from? Anyway, enough of my griping. I'm just so frustrated with it all...
On a positive note, I'm getting ready for Christmas. I got organized this weekend (which was a good thing because I discovered I actually bought 5 copies of one movie) so maybe I'll be ready this year. I love having my family home and I can hardly wait until they all get here. The weather turned cold, so it's finally starting to seem like winter.
Well, enough about us. Hope to read about all of you soon!
I will admit, it did occur to me that it has been awhile since I blogged, so perhaps I should give it a try. It just seems like nothing is new here--two people in shows, band is over, and I'm just trying to survive a rather trying school year. Anyway...
Thanksgiving was wonderful. I loved having my family all home and it was so much fun. CJ even went shopping with me at 4:15 am on the day after. Of course, I was home in bed by 5:30, so I didn't sacrifice too much. When I got up at 4:15, the nicest surprise awaited me--a beeeutifully clean kitchen and living room. All the sibs were still up talking and they had cleaned it up for me and I REALLY APPRECIATED IT!! Following our usual tradition, some of us went to see "Enchanted" after Thanksgiving dinner. It was a cute little musical, but here's the ironic thing. You know Idina Menzel, the original Elfaba? She was in it --but she didn't have a singing role!!!! Go figure that out!
Moving forward, "Oliver" opened this weekend and I have seen it twice already. David is Charley somebody...I thought it was Charley Bone, but then I remembered that is a character in a series of books some of the kids are reading... I really like the music in "Oliver". This theater is not theater in the round (I would say persinium, but I don't really know how to spell it) so it seems very different to me. But I am enjoying it, and so is he.
"Meet Me in St. Louis" opened two weekends ago. Methedad is the trolley driver and a fine one he is, too. But what really steals the show is the trolley itself--which Methedad made. It is very creative, and hopefully I can post a pic of it for you to see.
Marching band is over for this year, but it was a great year. I hope they go back next year to defend their title, but it hasn't been decided yet. I thought it was odd that they didn't give the students a medal or patch for winning, but they didn't. However, never fear, we get to buy a rather expensive championship ring! The letterjackets finally came in this week, so now the poor boy has a coat to wear.
As for me, I'm just working hard at school. There is so much pressure this year for the famous (dare I say infamous) state test the students have to pass, that it is overiding everything else. For the first time, we now have to have the students make graphs of how many questions they answered correctly on each objective every time we have one of the practice tests. It takes class time from when we could actually be teaching. But at least we can do it as a class. When it was first announced, we had to have a one on one conference with every single student--I have about 120. Where was that time going to come from? Anyway, enough of my griping. I'm just so frustrated with it all...
On a positive note, I'm getting ready for Christmas. I got organized this weekend (which was a good thing because I discovered I actually bought 5 copies of one movie) so maybe I'll be ready this year. I love having my family home and I can hardly wait until they all get here. The weather turned cold, so it's finally starting to seem like winter.
Well, enough about us. Hope to read about all of you soon!
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