It's almost here.

I'm looking forward to this weekend even though it is filled to the hilt. Day off from school Friday to attend a national conference to hear major "playa's" in the history world, to learn something new and yes to shop. First meeting of the "sorority" and seeing my peeps. Now if I can just figure out how to get 80 essays graded, a week of lesson plans and paper filing done.

H and K
Leann

Grateful

I'm grateful I have a job, no matter how it sucks sometimes, and the fact that the pay while it pays the bills, there never seems to be anything left over. On top of that I've been informed I have to split my "Chair" stipend with another teacher and still haven't heard anything from Sam's Club about the stipend for being their teacher of the year. I'm grateful I have the ability to teach and that I have kids who need a good teacher even when it's like pulling teeth. I'm grateful that I have an undertanding specialist who when I take my anger out on her tells me it's okay and that she still respects me. I'm thankful I received a scholarship to the national conference here in Houston this weekend, only two of us got it in the district. I'm grateful I have a computer to type my "gratefuls" on. I'm grateful that someone takes the time to read this.

H and K
Leann

Wellll, I'm back.... for now at least. Let's see grateful:

G - great friends
R- real friends
A - awesome friends
T - tenacious friends
E - everlasting friends
F - funny friends
U - undescribable friends
L - lucky for me, I've got you for friends.

The weather

For anyone who still reads my blog. We survived Ike. No damage but some limbs down and a piece of siding that can be replaced. We were lucky, others on my street weren't so lucky, including the mayors house. Charlie set a good example and boarded up his windows, but Ike had other plans and tore the siding off pretty much his entire house and left a hole in the side of it as well. We lost power about 2 Saturday morning, and got it back about 7:45 on Monday. Thank the good Lord for the cool front that came through. We had plenty of water and food, and grilled out when we could. Both Fort Bend and Alief are closed thru Wednesday. Hope everyone else came through realitively okay.

hugs,
Leann

Summers gone...

Hey everyone -

First week of school over. Already had one fight in the hallways and a walk through. Except for about 5 Pre AP students who are pain's in the rear my kids seem to be pretty okay. No major bahavior problems yet. My team doesn't have to deal with Sped kids this year. We just got our secretary on Wednesday, but are still missing a couple of teachers and a whole lot of para's and support staff. My one AP left over from last year is wearing so many hats I don't think he knows which on is on at any given time. My room is way down the hall from the rest of my team and I miss not seeing them daily but I've got some very nice teachers around me and we're having a good time. Went to the Village Friday night and got a project done, so that's good. Rachel and I are just hanging at the house this weekend, both of us need the rest. She seems to really like her job so let's hope it continues. For all my teacher "peeps" I hope you start of school was okay, and for all my other "peeps" I hope that the end of summer and the beginning of fall is wonderful.

Hugs to all
Leann

I'm back

Just got back from my mom's in KC. As always I seem to spend one day too long, but all in all it was a nice visit. Ended up going to four scrap stores, a quilt shop and a stamp shop, not bad... For those of you who haven't read Kim's blog (thanks Kimmy since you know how I blog), Rachel does indeed have a "real job" teaching. She'll be a Hightower in Fort Bend, teaching 9th grade Biology. She's scared and excited all at once. This came totally out of nowhere and I thought she wouldn't get something because school starts in a little over a week. The HR person called Wednesday AM, they interviewed Wednesday PM, and after checking one more referenced offered her the job Thursday and she went to in-service on Friday. Hit the road running as I always say. She won't have time to think about it and worry or over-analyze too much. Well, Beth is settled more or less in California. All that ended up missing in the move was her pillows and her shams which matched her bedspread. They were in a big trash bag and evidently got tossed, so not too bad.

Well, gotta go. Hey to everyone.

Peace out,
Leann

Update on my life.

It's been a month since Able left us and still the tears come. Rachel and I are both having a very tough time with this and can't really figure out why since we've lost dogs before. He was such a part of us and who we are.

Taught at the Village Saturday and it was one long class. But really a pretty fantastic class. There were five of us and I must say I learned a few things myself, even from Suzanne. If you haven't met Catherine Smith once you get use to her quirkiness she's really sweet. She is a very talented artist and works outside the box alot. One of her projects was making a card using Perfect Pearls and a dress pattern, yep you heard right a dress pattern, who'd a thunk it... Already working out ideas for a couple of classes. One will be a black and white layout using a Technique Tuesday stamps, an acrylic album class and an acrylic card class (with Catherine). By the way if you've never looked at the Technique Tuesday Idea Book/Catalog it's really got some fabulous ideas in it. I've ordered one so when it gets here I'll share. Phyllis and I talked yesterday about doing an accucut class which is now in the works, just finding a schedule.

Trying to get things organized between school and the house. Beth is working at B&N at Pearland thanks to Rachel. Rachels actually there too for a couple of days to help out. Beth has a promise ring on her finger. Got it for her one year anniversay. Yeah, she's head over heels. What can I say....

Meeting Carol and Kim for lunch, seems like I haven't seen them forever. I'll try to do better about blogging, but there's a reason I don't make New Years resolutions.

Toodles,
Leann