Explain Please

So, it was brought to my attention that perhaps I acted like a tease...well maybe just a bit. Of course I could also argue that I just needed a little processing time. The older I'm getting the more I value that "shut up and say nothing for just a minute" time. Whatever my reason (notice I did not say excuse!), I'm fully prepared to do the explaining that so many of you asked for.


I should warn that this could possibly be a long post.


The Car
In short...wrecked, totalled, absolute loan mess, new car...sigh! The details are boring, but frankly there was a huge delay with the loan process. I did what the bank asked me to do with having the dealership fax over the sales worksheet. They let it sit on the fax machine for a day (all they can offer by way of explanation is some fuzzy "We're sorry.") which pushed it back till after the weekend. Then once the loan was approved I needed to have some documents which if I'd kept them it would have been easy to get them faxed over to the bank. But, since I'm all for getting rid of "clutter" I'd tossed it out. Basically, after a week of "I don't believe it!" moments I finally got to go and pick up my car. It is a 2008 Kia Spectra that I lovingly call Spence. And, after all was said and signed on multiple dotted lines, I bought a car! It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be and that is directly because of some great advice/support/coaching from Josh (see...I told you I'd sing your praises) and lots of the same from my parents. Now, that is a lot to sigh about!


That Job Thing
A few weeks ago, my principal called me in and said that because of low numbers they were going to have to do some changing around. My heart nearly stopped. I thought I was being sent to another campus. Luckily for me, she just wanted to tell me that my AG (above grade learners) 2nd graders should begin learning third grade material so I'd have a section of AG 2nd and OG (on grade learners) 3rd. So, while I'm still teaching Language Arts and Social Studies I now teach 2nd and 3rd graders. It has been an adjustment, but I actually like the challenge. At first, a lot of the other teachers (let's just say there were many...many schedule changes to make this work) weren't very interested in this change. I can't blame them either...I hate change, but this time I went in with a positive attitude and it has been really...positive. Imagine that! So, yeah...I don't just teach 2nd grade anymore. I bet that is going to look so cool on a resume too!


I Finally Cracked...
For a while I've been having some pain in my foot. Okay, more than just a little pain...a lot of pain. It started months ago, but finally was bad enough to drive me to the doctor. I was pretty stunned when my family doctor thought it was a benign growth on a nerve and sent me immediately to an orthopedic surgeon. After several sets of x-rays and prodding around, it was determined that it was a much simpler affliction...a stress fracture across three metatarsals. I spent three weeks in the most unattractive and uncomfortable boot and now I've moved into the post operative shoe. Not a big improvement in the attractive footwear department, but much improved in the comfort one. I have to wear it for the next four weeks and then be re-evaluated. This truly has felt like the year of the medical mishap, but thankfully the year is almost over and this was the last one!


There have been a lot of little other things along the way, but those were the big things. I really should start blogging as things occur instead of trying to play catch up. Seriously.

And Now The After

Putting together a classroom (from scratch no less...if you're not sure what scratch means then look down a post) in one week isn't for the faint of heart! And saying one week isn't really a true description...try about 30 hours total. This week has pretty much been one of those "through the wringer" type weeks. I'll spare you the details and me the remembering. Actually I'll spare you lots of babbling as I'm wiped out.

From the door of my classroom, this is what it now looks like. The cabinets are in their rightful place and tables now dominate the floor. I wasn't sure I'd like these tables (as opposed to individual desks) but I love them! The X arrangement adds a lot of room too.

From the far corner, this is another shot of the room. In this one you can see part of my desk and that huge blackboard. I asked for a small easel to do writer's workshop at and this is what was delivered. I should have plenty of room!

I couldn't do exactly what I'd planned with that pillar because the computer connections are on the other side of it. But, with the back of the filing cabinet in that little nook it rounded out as a pretty good reading center. I decided to keep my jungle theme as I had the pillows and such. I think every kid at Meet and Greet last night had to pet it. Looks like a hit!

There is a lot more I could tell you and show you, but as I mentioned...wringer week...so if you're really interested in seeing more of the classroom, just email me and I'll send you the slide show. Now, if you'll excuse me a couch is calling my backside.

The Very Before

It is almost 11pm and I should be in bed getting some much needed sleep before next week starts, but I'm at the computer. I can't seem to turn my brain off even though I've been telling it to shut down for a while now. I suppose I have too many things occupying it. But, since I'm up I decided to get those pictures of my classroom posted. I warn you though...these are the extreme before pictures!

This is my classroom as seen from the hallway. I'm in a corner classroom. I think that window into the hallway is pretty nifty. I didn't have a window in my last room, so even if my view is just of the hall, I'm still impressed. I already have visions of valances and window clings. Very teachery of me don't you think?

So, remember when I said this was the extreme before pictures? This is why...my room is not finished yet. Those tall things in the middle of my room are the cabinets that go against a wall. I'm not sure what all that cardboard went to, but hopefully it will be gone too. The room feels fairly large (of course it is mostly empty) and I love that I have plenty of wall space.

This view is from the far corner looking toward the back of the room. I have this pillar that I'm not sure how exactly I'll work around. I've thought maybe my desk in that corner or a reading corner maybe. I'll just have to play it by ear. If you have any suggestions shout them out!

So, there you have the first tour of the room. It was hard for me to visualize it all ready for me to move in, but I think that it has a lot of potential. Tomorrow is the big move...well, I mean I'm taking my stuff out of storage and the movers are taking it to Spring. Hopefully (everyone please cross your fingers and say your prayers!) the room is ready. And by that I mean the cabinets are in the right place and there is furniture and all the trash is gone. If for some reason it isn't...well it is a good thing I'm practicing the art of letting it go!