Has this ever happened to you? You start looking at one thing and you end up totally wrapped up looking for something else?
I was watching the ball game, Red Sox loosing badly (what a surprise), so I started listening to some stuff on You Tube. I started with some Alan Jackson, then moved on to some oldies from the 60's. The Beach Boys were never a big thing with me, but I clicked on a Carl Wilson song, what a voice. Ok so now I'm searching for songs he sang, love Darlin. So I start to wonder who sings it now that Carl is no longer with us....well it's the drummer....and who is that drummer, none other than John Cowsill, yep from those Cowsills.
Now I start to remember all those songs the Cowsills sang. I start looking for their songs. Which leads me to a Canadian Country group from the early 90's, The Blue Shadows. Billy Cowsill is the lead singer. What a group...Love the song Deliver Me...having "discovered" this wonderful group I find Billy passed away a few years ago, hard living and addiction were major factors in his death. All this because the Red Sox are playing horrible baseball.
FIELD TRIP
Lynda and I went to Royalston to hear Brett's band play. They were very good. It was open mic night and I now know where all the old hippies went! They are alive and well in the woods of Royalston. I couldn't believe all the people there. This is a little New England town in the middle of nowhere, the venue is upstairs in the town hall. Like most small towns everyone knew each other and they all wondered who we were until Brett from on stage introduces us as his groupies, woot woot Brett. It was fun, one of Lynda's many ideas to get me out of the house...she feels I spend to much time at home alone with my thoughts.
There was a man there, mid sixties I would say, so reminded me of Gee. Moved so smoothly over the floor, like he felt the music instead of just hearing it. Gee loved to dance and would dance with everyone. As I watched him a wave of such sadness over came me. Lynda must have been watching me because she says...He reminds me of Gee......its always right there, just under the surface.......
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Knugg
Ok, I had no idea what it was either. It is a music piece Steve, Rachel's boyfriend, played last night at his fraternity recital. All I really can say is WOW! I had no idea that kind of music could come out of a tuba! I had only heard the om pa om pa sounds. Rachel said something about lower resister, blah blah, I really don't understand, but it sounded like singing, mixed with the sounds of an Aborigine instrument, just amazing!
There was guitars, piano, singing and even bagpipes. They have a tenor who's voice was so beautiful, almost took your breath away. All the guys were great!
Rachel will be home in less than 3 weeks, last final for her is May 9th. The final push to get everything done on time. Her stress level is through the roof. She never leaves anything to the last minute but she still stresses on getting everything done. She is still looking for a job, had an offer of an internship, unpaid internship but turned down. It wasn't in her field of social work and she would like to get paid this summer...
Clayton has a new job! He is now working at Mass General Hospital. What he is doing I have no idea, something with computers, and the chance for advancement is there. Which wasn't at Winchester Hospital, where he worked before. He's very excited. Can't believe he will be 29 on the 28th of April! Where did that curly haired boy who lived for Tae Kwon Do and flying over a high jump bar go. I used to worry about my carefree son, always ready for a good time, an adventure, never taking anything very serious. I have always felt Rachel would be the one looking out for him, not the other way around. Well he has become so much like his Dad, Gee was/would be so very proud of him, I no longer have that worry. A true family man in the footsteps of his father.
There was guitars, piano, singing and even bagpipes. They have a tenor who's voice was so beautiful, almost took your breath away. All the guys were great!
Rachel will be home in less than 3 weeks, last final for her is May 9th. The final push to get everything done on time. Her stress level is through the roof. She never leaves anything to the last minute but she still stresses on getting everything done. She is still looking for a job, had an offer of an internship, unpaid internship but turned down. It wasn't in her field of social work and she would like to get paid this summer...
Clayton has a new job! He is now working at Mass General Hospital. What he is doing I have no idea, something with computers, and the chance for advancement is there. Which wasn't at Winchester Hospital, where he worked before. He's very excited. Can't believe he will be 29 on the 28th of April! Where did that curly haired boy who lived for Tae Kwon Do and flying over a high jump bar go. I used to worry about my carefree son, always ready for a good time, an adventure, never taking anything very serious. I have always felt Rachel would be the one looking out for him, not the other way around. Well he has become so much like his Dad, Gee was/would be so very proud of him, I no longer have that worry. A true family man in the footsteps of his father.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
FIRE ALARM
At 7:15 AM the fire alarm went off today at the middle school. One of the classrooms was full of smoke, the smoke alarms didn't work so Chris the principal pulled the alarm.( I believe he's always wanted to pull one). Most of the students weren't even off the bus yet, so we all gathered on the soccer field. Doesn't it start snowing! Not knowing what was going on we head across the field to the high school, all 610 students. Eighth grade to the cafeteria, seventh grade to the gym, and 6th grade to the auditorium. The kids were great for the most part, there is always one or two. After about an hour we find out it was a shredded heater belt, and over heated motor. No Fire....
Then the phone calls, kids were texting their parents that the school was on fire and they were at the high school....come get me! Well some did, many called the high school office or the middle school, sorry no fire today most stayed at school. All in all everyone, students, staff, and fire department did their jobs. Good to know the evacuation plan works.
I'm glad it all worked out....my stuff was in my desk on the 3rd floor. Car keys, jacket, house keys, I'm thinking, well I can walk I have an extra house key hidden, no wait Clayton left it on the hall table and didn't put it back, did I put it back??? S#$% no...ok Laureen's got a key, I'll just call her...S$#%, she works on Wednesday, David's off today I'll call him...SON OF A B&*^H, Laureen said yesterday he was working overtime today....
Once back in classrooms I find out Jamie has a meeting, and then she is going home, she told me last week...damn, like I remember.Three days before vacation, they are off the wall. A was as always great, F and V fight like an old married couple, about everything and anything, tossed F to the office he had a fit because the nurse wouldn't let him go home he knew he had the plague or something.., V thinks she's going to yell at me because she's upset that her schedule has changed for the day. Remember who you are talking to, I do not yell at you, you will not yell at me. Next she pulls out her cell phone to call her Mother...give me the phone. She actually said "You can't take my phone", yeah I can, and did, she can get it back when her Mother comes to get it from the office. At dismissal she tells me she's leaving, taking the bus home...no you walk everyday, not leaving...
So as I was leaving for the day and stopped into the main office to drop off the phone..."by the way, just so you know, I feel the plague coming on and may not make it in tomorrow"....
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Sleep, School and other stuff
The darkness of sleep has comforted me since Gee has passed. So often I have lost myself in that warm blackness. I seldom remember my dreams, most of the time they are a safe place to hide from the world. Lately however sleep eludes me. If I fall to sleep easily I wake up very early, have great difficulty getting back to that elusive reward. I guess the strain is starting to show. The Dean asked me if things were alright with me, I looked very tired. So as always I told her what she wanted to hear...I'm fine.
I will soon be starting a class on curriculum modification. It's a graduate level class the Principal, Chris, is offering. My friend Lynda is taking it too, we have been modifying class work for our students for years, inclusion needs a helping hand every once in a while. It will be great having some direction for what we are doing. That and she thinks I spend to much time home alone.
Next week she is dragging me to watch Brett, another teacher, and his band perform. We had planned on going once before however the night we were supposed to go we got one of the three snowstorms we had this winter! Another attempt to get me out of the house. I always have a good time when we all get together its just getting motivated to go.
There are changes coming at the school next year...Jamie, my new teacher, is hoping to go back to the little kids, the RISE teacher is looking to go back to pre-school also. I would be very happy to get out of the behavior room. I would like the RISE room, this is the place I've always wanted to be. I did my internship in this room, though it's name then was Life Skills. I have enjoyed working with the kids I work with. It does take it's toll on you though. I'm tired of the endless roller coaster I walk into everyday. I guess this year more than any other year I feel unsuccessful. The kids don't seem to have made any strides into getting back into the main stream classrooms. If anything a couple of them have gotten more needy. Other than A, I feel we have made no progress this year at all. Very discouraging.
Rachel has less than a month left of classes. She will be home the 9th of May. She is still looking for a job but hasn't had much luck, neither have I for that matter. I was hoping not to do summer school this year. I ended up at the pre-school last time and I'm just not suited for it. We will just have to wait and see what comes along. As Gee always said things will always work out in the end...
I will soon be starting a class on curriculum modification. It's a graduate level class the Principal, Chris, is offering. My friend Lynda is taking it too, we have been modifying class work for our students for years, inclusion needs a helping hand every once in a while. It will be great having some direction for what we are doing. That and she thinks I spend to much time home alone.
Next week she is dragging me to watch Brett, another teacher, and his band perform. We had planned on going once before however the night we were supposed to go we got one of the three snowstorms we had this winter! Another attempt to get me out of the house. I always have a good time when we all get together its just getting motivated to go.
There are changes coming at the school next year...Jamie, my new teacher, is hoping to go back to the little kids, the RISE teacher is looking to go back to pre-school also. I would be very happy to get out of the behavior room. I would like the RISE room, this is the place I've always wanted to be. I did my internship in this room, though it's name then was Life Skills. I have enjoyed working with the kids I work with. It does take it's toll on you though. I'm tired of the endless roller coaster I walk into everyday. I guess this year more than any other year I feel unsuccessful. The kids don't seem to have made any strides into getting back into the main stream classrooms. If anything a couple of them have gotten more needy. Other than A, I feel we have made no progress this year at all. Very discouraging.
Rachel has less than a month left of classes. She will be home the 9th of May. She is still looking for a job but hasn't had much luck, neither have I for that matter. I was hoping not to do summer school this year. I ended up at the pre-school last time and I'm just not suited for it. We will just have to wait and see what comes along. As Gee always said things will always work out in the end...
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Old Dog and Other Things
I have just finished a book every dog lover should read, A Dog's Purpose,written by W. Bruce Cameron. My friend Lynda gave it to me. I laughed, I cried, couldn't put it down. I loved it.
My old dog earned his keep last night. It was about 10 pm I was putting him out before going to bed. I hooked his collar and he bolted off the deck, barking up a storm, there was someone in the front yard. Who ever it was took off quickly. Good old dog. He may be loosing his hearing, his eyesight is getting bad and I worry about him going down the stairs but he is still my protector. He was so happy with himself, prancing back up on the deck. Just like he does when he chases off the paperboy or the mailman. There has been some car break ins in the area, taking cash, GPS's and anything else that can be had out of a car. I can't say that was what was going on but I called the police. Nothing came of it, as far as I know.
It has been a very long week. First round of MCAS testing is finally over after two weeks. It's hard on the kids testing for 2-3 hours every few days. It's even harder on those who have to administer the test every day for two weeks. I have a kid from each grade that needs a 1 to 1 to test. Two of my kids need me to not only read the test to them but also scribe for them. One of the kids hasn't been in a regular ed classroom ever, but the state says he has to take this test, and his scores will be averaged in with the rest of the regular ed kids. Not fair to anyone. With 19 kids in 6th grade needing 1 to 1 testing and who knows how many small group testing is going on is there a wonder why the Middle School is in danger of being classified as under performing? With a student body with more than 40% receiving free or reduced lunch I think we have more issues here than test scores....
Rachel didn't come home this weekend, she is at UMASS. This is one of the few weekends Steve has free through the school year. It wont be as bad next year as he wont be involved in marching band. He is going to miss it, however his class load just wont allow the time required. His interview went so well the department head will allow him to triple major, performance, teaching and composition. It will be a five year plan for him but he's very determined. They will be home for the summer in May, Rachel's last final is on the 9th. She is still looking for a job, but no luck yet. We have a new grocery store being built in town she has filled out an application as did half the town I would guess. She will go to the Nursing Home where she interned last year to see if there is anything available. She would love to go back doing what she did last year but it wasn't paid.
Monday will begin the fourth marking term, the end is near. I haven't decided if I will apply for summer school. I really don't want to work the pre school, which was where I went the last time I worked summer school. I may have to ask for the Rise program at the Middle School and if I don't get it figure something else out. As Gee would say it all works out for the best...
My old dog earned his keep last night. It was about 10 pm I was putting him out before going to bed. I hooked his collar and he bolted off the deck, barking up a storm, there was someone in the front yard. Who ever it was took off quickly. Good old dog. He may be loosing his hearing, his eyesight is getting bad and I worry about him going down the stairs but he is still my protector. He was so happy with himself, prancing back up on the deck. Just like he does when he chases off the paperboy or the mailman. There has been some car break ins in the area, taking cash, GPS's and anything else that can be had out of a car. I can't say that was what was going on but I called the police. Nothing came of it, as far as I know.
It has been a very long week. First round of MCAS testing is finally over after two weeks. It's hard on the kids testing for 2-3 hours every few days. It's even harder on those who have to administer the test every day for two weeks. I have a kid from each grade that needs a 1 to 1 to test. Two of my kids need me to not only read the test to them but also scribe for them. One of the kids hasn't been in a regular ed classroom ever, but the state says he has to take this test, and his scores will be averaged in with the rest of the regular ed kids. Not fair to anyone. With 19 kids in 6th grade needing 1 to 1 testing and who knows how many small group testing is going on is there a wonder why the Middle School is in danger of being classified as under performing? With a student body with more than 40% receiving free or reduced lunch I think we have more issues here than test scores....
Rachel didn't come home this weekend, she is at UMASS. This is one of the few weekends Steve has free through the school year. It wont be as bad next year as he wont be involved in marching band. He is going to miss it, however his class load just wont allow the time required. His interview went so well the department head will allow him to triple major, performance, teaching and composition. It will be a five year plan for him but he's very determined. They will be home for the summer in May, Rachel's last final is on the 9th. She is still looking for a job, but no luck yet. We have a new grocery store being built in town she has filled out an application as did half the town I would guess. She will go to the Nursing Home where she interned last year to see if there is anything available. She would love to go back doing what she did last year but it wasn't paid.
Monday will begin the fourth marking term, the end is near. I haven't decided if I will apply for summer school. I really don't want to work the pre school, which was where I went the last time I worked summer school. I may have to ask for the Rise program at the Middle School and if I don't get it figure something else out. As Gee would say it all works out for the best...
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Home Again
Well we are home again. Spent Rachel's spring break in Washington DC. We had a great time visiting all the museums and monuments. We went to the zoo and saw the pandas, who weren't as big as I thought they would be. Our one disappointment, Mr. Rogers sweater wasn't on display in the Museum of American History.
The animals were fine while we were gone. Jack and Clayton took care of Buster here and Freddie went for a vacation to the vets. Extra walks, played with the other dogs, had a great time they tell me. He was very happy to see us.
Rachel will be going back to school on Sunday with less than 2 months left. I have MCAS testing for the next 2 weeks and then on to the last quarter of the year. With only one snow day this year we will be getting out June 12th.
Jack has 4 new babies, his cat Chloe has had kittens. They are in a "bucket" in Jacks room, "you can only look at them no touching them" Chloe being a rather small cat, can't manage getting the kittens and herself out of the box. She had moved them into Jacks bed at night, hence the bucket (plastic bin).
Rachel is already planning our next trip. She would like to head back to the Land of the Mouse. In 2 years to visit the new and improved Fantasy Land.Jack will be almost 5 then...maybe a family vacation next time...
The animals were fine while we were gone. Jack and Clayton took care of Buster here and Freddie went for a vacation to the vets. Extra walks, played with the other dogs, had a great time they tell me. He was very happy to see us.
Rachel will be going back to school on Sunday with less than 2 months left. I have MCAS testing for the next 2 weeks and then on to the last quarter of the year. With only one snow day this year we will be getting out June 12th.
Jack has 4 new babies, his cat Chloe has had kittens. They are in a "bucket" in Jacks room, "you can only look at them no touching them" Chloe being a rather small cat, can't manage getting the kittens and herself out of the box. She had moved them into Jacks bed at night, hence the bucket (plastic bin).
Rachel is already planning our next trip. She would like to head back to the Land of the Mouse. In 2 years to visit the new and improved Fantasy Land.Jack will be almost 5 then...maybe a family vacation next time...
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Road Trip
Well one of the teachers from game night has asked us to go on a two week road trip through the Rocky Mountains. Seems she has a two week time share in Vail Co., so it would only cost us shares in the rental, food and plane ticket. I so wanted to say sure. Unfortunatly Rachel likes to be warm in the winter and she likes to eat. Also my mortgage company likes the idea of getting paid every month. So I will remain here feeling very jealous of all those who can manage to go.
MCAS season is upon us. This is the state test that the students are expected to pass before graduation. I had a 6th grader for a one to one practice session. This kid is a Project Support kid, I follow him regularly to see if he has been keeping up with homework, classwork and anything else the teachers feel we need to make sure is taken care of. This was Reading Comp. today. Read, answer some questions and some short answers. The practice sessions are for us as staff more than anything...making sure everyone is covered, receiving the accommodations they are entitled to. Tomorrow is 8th grade and on Friday it will be 7th grades turn.
We leave on Saturday morning, early, for D.C, This is a Rachel led trip. We will be going to the National Zoo, a night tour of the monuments and we are going to visit Mr Rogers sweater. She would like to go to Arlington Cemetery, and any other museum along the Mall. We'll need to see what time allows. I am so very lucky, she still likes to hang out with her mother and her friends.
Another small bit of information....Jack's kitty Chloe has had kittens. He called me all excieted Saturday morning, "Gammie we have babies". I would love to take a kitten, but I really couldn't do that to Buster. He has been an only cat for 11 years now I doubt he'd be very hospitable to a new addition.
MCAS season is upon us. This is the state test that the students are expected to pass before graduation. I had a 6th grader for a one to one practice session. This kid is a Project Support kid, I follow him regularly to see if he has been keeping up with homework, classwork and anything else the teachers feel we need to make sure is taken care of. This was Reading Comp. today. Read, answer some questions and some short answers. The practice sessions are for us as staff more than anything...making sure everyone is covered, receiving the accommodations they are entitled to. Tomorrow is 8th grade and on Friday it will be 7th grades turn.
We leave on Saturday morning, early, for D.C, This is a Rachel led trip. We will be going to the National Zoo, a night tour of the monuments and we are going to visit Mr Rogers sweater. She would like to go to Arlington Cemetery, and any other museum along the Mall. We'll need to see what time allows. I am so very lucky, she still likes to hang out with her mother and her friends.
Another small bit of information....Jack's kitty Chloe has had kittens. He called me all excieted Saturday morning, "Gammie we have babies". I would love to take a kitten, but I really couldn't do that to Buster. He has been an only cat for 11 years now I doubt he'd be very hospitable to a new addition.
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