Monday, February 27, 2006

Such a Typical Monday...

I walked into school today, tired.

It wasn't because I hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before-- I had. But I'd planned to wake up early, do my lesson plans, and then grade some papers. (MANY papers, I should say--since I'm behind, and I need to catch up. And last week--well, I just didn't feel like it. Thank the Lord I'm healed of that nasty cold!)

Instead, I woke up at my normal 6:00--and tried to pray through, and read some. Got up at 6:30, got my shower, had the "morning pill parade" (did I tell ya'll I'm doing a Liver cleanse?--lol--it works!) And ran through my morning routine to get done what I needed to do for the day.

Problem No. 1: It's Monday. Need I say more?

Problem No. 2: I hadn't done my lesson plans yet. Fortunately, the plans fall out of my pen, as soon as I walk to the board and start writing. It just happens-- I automatically know what we need to do next. BUT-- I wasn't teaching the lesson today-- our Media Speciallist was kind enough to come and do it-which saved me from exhaustion today.

Problem No. 3: Because I didn't get up early, I was just plain-out tired. At least, I think that's the way it works. As in, If I'd gotten up early, I would have drunk more coffee--and then I would have been more alert (at least for the time being.)

But I really can't complain. Today was a good day-- I'm finding (by God's Grace) a better balance for control in the classroom--between "Ms. Emelda Trunchbull" and "Ms. Honey". For a while, I could be either nice or mean. I couldn't figure out the balance. But I'm finally figuring out that love--even in the classroom--Love is always corrective. (Teachers should know that by heart.) So when you must correct a student, if you can do it with love in mind, then they take it as it should be taken.

Lately, I've had so many "wake-up calls" to reality. I had to turn in a (mucho offensive) note to the assistant principle (written about me, and found in my classroom). And it really made me reevaluate the way I treat my students. And it made me realize--all over again--that my students are a product of their environments--including the one I create in the classroom. And that is more important than all the knowledge I can pump into their heads (although I'm still trying to pump it in--lol!).

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Hmmm.....

Blue Skies, shinin' on meeeee.... Nothin' but Blue Skies do I seeeee....

The weather's starting to get beautiful
(though that can change in a skinny minute, this time of year...)
and makes me wish for spring and sandals!

Yippee! No wool tomorrow!



I don't usually do this, but I feel it's a necessary part of my life---lol!
I'm going to post a recipe. (Thank me later-- )

Super-Easy Peanut Brittle.
(I'm not kidding--it IS easy.)
'K--sooo...

First, spray or grease a large cookie sheet .
Then, in a large Pyrex dish (that will still fit in your microwave), mix together until combined:
1 c. white sugar
1/4 c. dark corn syrup
1/4 c. light corn syrup
2--3-finger pinches of salt (pour some salt in your hand, put your first 3 fingers together, and pinch out the salt--twice--it makes a difference!)

Microwave on HIGH for 3 1/2- 4 minutes, and then mix in:
1 1/2 c. lightly salted, roasted peanuts.

Reduce the microwave power to 80%, then microwave for 3 1/2- 4 minutes.
Add/mix in:
1 1/2 teaspoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

And microwave (again) on 80% power for 3 1/2 minutes.

While you're waiting for the microwave to finish, make sure you have the greased cookie sheet handy, and measure out:
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

Once the microwave's finished, thoroughly mix the soda into the candy, and immediately pour the brittle onto the greased cookie sheet.

(Now's the fun part--Shake-SHAKE...)

To make the brittle thinner, shake the pan back and fourth. If that doesn't work, then you can leave the brittle in a warm (300° F) oven for a couple of minutes while you begin to soak the sugar off the glass dish... and then try again.

** One note-- I have a 1100 watt microwave, and cook the sugar for 3 1/3 minutes on High, then cook the sugar/peanuts for 4 minutes on 80% power, and then cook the butter/vanilla/peanuts mix for 3 1/2 minutes on 80%. Depending on the power of your microwave, you'll have to increase or decrease the times. The easiest way to test if it's "done" is to do a hard-crack test with some ice water: if the candy will form a ball that will crack--not smush--in ice water, then it's firm enough.

LOL-- There!

Posted via web from marielenora's posterous

Monday, February 20, 2006

Wowee! Sis. Sam!

Okay--this is a note to anyone who might be involved in reading both of my blogs--my nearly nonexistent blogspot, and my dying xanga....

About 2 months ago, my school district blocked xanga. I don't think it was just because of a silly first-year teacher, but I think it was also because of the volume of students using it. Sooo... I'm going to start posting on blogspot again, and then copy/pasting into xanga. Because (sadly) the majority of time I used to spend on xanga was actually at school.. And I know why. It was a great diversion to clear my head after a long day at work.

So here I am at school, once again typing away--they haven't blocked blogspot yet! --lol-- Hopefully, they won't.

I don't think I'll try to catch you up on every solitary thing that's happended since the Christmas holidays--suffice it to say, I've been pretty busy... but God is so good. He meets our needs when we don't deserve it--in spite of ourselves.

~~About this weekend~~

I had a great time this weekend--and got to meet a dear friend! Sis. Sam, you are such a wonderful gal--it was terrific to spend time with you and Bro. Ben--and singing, discussing God's Word, laughing, plain Chat-Chatting, and just generally having an awesome time.

Next time, hopefully we'll get to spend more time together--and hopefully Heather can make it next time! We missed you.

May God bless you both!

Hope your trip back wasn't too icy--we didn't get a thing here, despite the fact that I really wanted a 1/2-day or 2-hour delay today! I coulda caught up on some sleep that I lost!

(I wish I could think of more right now--but my mind's kind of blank after teaching 60 students today--some are out.)

~I just realized.... I forgot to do a valentines post.

Funny things that happened:

  1. I forgot that it was valentines. I came into school (late--not so unusual) wearing black and grey-- the only red I had on were my burgundy Dansko (teacher) clogs--!
  2. My students are such gimme monsters... their response to Valentines Day is, "what did you get me, Ms. R?" --at least I don't teach elementary school--it would have been a sure-fire disaster if I'd forgotten what day it was there!
  3. Sweet stuff--one of my students gave me a rose. (well, actually two, but her big sister came back to claim one of them so that one of the other teachers could have hers--lol!)
  4. Hilarious stuff--one of my students gave me a valentine marked to Mrs. (big black line over Mrs.) Miss R------ !!!
  5. I ended up playing with Isaac and Samuel all evening, so that Will could take Beth out--fun, but unusual for valentines' day! (grin)