magick musings…

…you’re barely hanging on?

But the important thing is to have the faith never to let go!

Have no clue why I am waxing philosophical this morning! :dunno:

~Sandy

Thanks to Dennie:

The sad truth is I look better this way!

~Sandy

I didn’t have just high school students my first day as a substitute teacher. I had kindergarten, first grade, AND high school. At different times, of course.

I got to the school, filled out the appropriate paperwork and was shown to ‘my’ classroom where I was promptly handed a stack of blank demerits and told to feel free to use them if I needed to. Whoa! To me, receiving a demerit I had to take home and have signed was like the worst thing I could get. So, I put them in a drawer and out of sight. No one would be needing those on my shift.

For the first hour, I had the kindergarteners. Cute, precious, and fun. Until the 20th person asked, “Can you get me on the Disney website?” The teacher I was replacing had written out a workplan and being the organized person I am, planned on following the plan. Easy, right? Wrong! Everyone wanted on the disney website which wasn’t on the workplan for the the day. No one wanted to play on Paint, or Kidpix, or the typing game CD’s that was left on the desk.

“Are you allowed to do that?” I asked. Unanimously, they said yes. I figured if it was a no-no, there would be one Margaret (think Dennis the Menace) in the bunch that would set me straight, but no one owned up. So, with only 20 minutes left in the period, I put everyone on the disney website.

Wanna know how fast I can now type www.disneychannel.com after the 20th time in a row?

Next period, I had a mixture of 8th graders and the high school yearbook club. I thought it was sweet that there were so many high school students willing to volunteer on the yearbook. I know I distinctly heard someone murmur they wouldn’t be caught dead volunteering and this was nothing but slave labor. So, my take on that comment is it is a required class.

Two guys in the corner kept eyeing me pretty regularly and since I know they weren’t thinking I was a hot babe or anything, I decided to check what they were doing on their computers. Now, I am not dumb. I have raised four sons. And I know what ‘start’ ‘D’ does on a computer, so I pretended not to pay any attention to them and slowly made my way around the room, catching them unaware.

Yep, playing online computer games.

“Are you allowed to that?” I asked? But, of course they are. I took the demerits out of the drawer just in case.

The eighth graders were doing a typing test. I know I told them which test to take. I know I did. If they weren’t listening and did the wrong one, hey, listen better next time. The groans and complaints weren’t that loud as they redid it. I pulled out my pen and laid it discreetly across the blank demerit pile.

Once they were through, they could play on the computer. I periodically patrolled the computer screens to see what they were playing. “Are you allowed to do that?” referring to the particular games they chose. Of course they were. I would think the school had controls blocking certain sites and since it was nothing I would balk at my kids playing at that age, I let it go. Just surprised me a little.

The last group of the day were the first graders. And guess where they all wanted to go on the computer? Wish I had a nickel for each time I saw Mickey’s ears.

Except for one boy in the far corner giggling with another. I could tell he wasn’t on the disney website and he was pointing to something on the screen so I walked over. Six year olds are not as fast as high schoolers in covering their tracks and this is what I found typed on notepad: “hey, baby. I love you”

“Are you allowed to do that?” He is only six years old! He ‘promised’ he didn’t write it and so I have now made a mental note to check the computers after each class.

So, recap for today:

Demerits: 0
Bathroom passes: 16
Nurse pass: 1
www.disneychannel.com: 4,680,500
experience to be a substitute teacher: priceless

~Sandy

Stolen from Mary D

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don’t just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

Speaking of films, we spent the evening with our good friends, ‘da Bears’, and went to see ‘The Inside Man’ with Denzel Washington (bald with a mustache), Clive Owens (what a hottie!), and Jodie Foster (who plays a nefarious individual). Loved, loved, loved the movie! It was complex with so many twists and turns that it isn’t until you leave the theater and think about it that you catch things and why they were done. One of those movies you slap yourself on the forehead and wish you’d have thought of it first.

Afterwards, we ate at Chili’s (I was good and stayed on my weight watchers) and then to Starbucks for a non-fat, seven pump sugar free vanilla latte. Better than dessert and only 2 points.

Today, part of our YR group met at Cheddars and talked writing, plotting, retreats, and more writing and plotting. Got a few good ideas on some problem spots.

Now if only I can get the dreaded Prez’s column done.

Thursday, while bemoaning the fact that my work schedule has lightened up to the point of being just a tad worrisome, I received a phone call from a school that, earlier in the year, I had signed up to substitute teach.

Why did I do that? I have no clue. When starting college, it had been a toss up between nursing and teaching. Nursing won. But I have always wondered what teaching was like. And when someone told me this particular school was needing help occasionally, I thought it was a good idea. Every so often, working in the nursing pool means there are slow periods with not much work available. But having not heard anything from them all year, I forgot all about it.

My first thought was ‘Hey, cool’. After all, I raised four sons, have twin grandsons, work as a pediatric nurse. How hard can it be?

I call my husband and give him the good news.

The first thing out of his mouth was “Will you get paid?”

Slapping my forehead quietly, “Uh, I didn’t ask.” Forgot that little detail. “What difference does it make? They need me.” I tried to sound as indignant as I could. Teachers are very important to young minds, ya know.

“What grade will you be teaching?” The school is small and goes from pre-K to high school.

“Uh, I didn’t ask.” I could visualize him shaking his head and tried to think back. “Oh, yeah, I think she said high school. A high school computer class.”

For a moment there was nothing but silence. Then I could hear him sigh loud and long. “They’re going to eat you alive.”

Yeah, right. They’re just kids.

I called Dennie on the way home. I think she is still laughing.

But, still excited, I cornered one of my sons when I got home. “Hey guess what I am doing Monday? Substitute teaching!”

“Kindergarten, right?” He asked, a look of disbelief that resembles one I see often on his father’s face.

“Noooo, high school. I think.”

“Mom, are you nuts? They’re going to eat you alive!”

What’s with this? I can handle it. I’ll just go in and stand in front of all those kids…uh oh, didn’t think of that…and make sure they do… as they are supposed to do.

Um, whatever it is…

And, uh, When they’re suppose to…

Like how they’re suppose to…

Where they’re supposed to… or…

Or else!

Or else what?

OMGosh, they are going to eat me alive.

~Sandy

When a friend of mine emailed this to me, I couldn’t help but roll on the floor laughing. I don’t know how she knew this morning had been so tough, but appreciated the gesture. Could’ve used some happy dust today. Everything that could go wrong, was pretty well going wrong at the office I was working today.

Lost really rocked tonight! :thumbsup: The writers are redeeming themselves in my book. Can’t wait for next week. I am now so worried about Sayed, Ana Lucia, and Sean because I just know it is a trap. Can’t they figure this out on their own? Will have to remember to listen to KSCS 96.3 tomorrow because they do a recap and discuss all those subtle signs I always miss.

But where the heck is Invasion???

I was very, very good at lunch today. What little lunch time I got, I spent out in my car working on my alphasmart. :typing: and ignoring the call of the ice cream store right next door. Have had such a craving for cinnamon ice cream.

Last night, my youngest son went to the Mavericks game. He kept text messaging his dad to look for him on television. Yeah, right! Watch the game, son, and get your money’s worth that you spent on tickets. And hot dogs. And drinks. And it better have been soft drinks. Your mother may have been watching.

~Sandy

Women’s Size Study

There is a new study just released by the American Psychiatric
Association about women and how they feel about their butts.

The results are pretty interesting:

1. 85% of women surveyed feel their butt is too big.

2. 10% of women surveyed feel their butt is too small.

3. The remaining 5% say they don’t care; they love him, he’s a good man and they would have married him anyway.

Finally got my taxes ready to send to the accountant. I don’t know WHY I wait so long to get started. It doesn’t take long, just some uninterrupted time, which is normally next to impossible to get, but once I do, it is a breeze. I swear…hear me now…I swear to get it more organized this year so next year will be just a few computer clicks away. Feel free to check up on me about that! (Note: see addendum below: just thought I was through!)

The contest is coming along nicely. A few stressful moments, but I am working with such a great group of women on it, and that makes all the difference in the world. Worked all night on judging and scores and feel pretty good about being close to wrapping it up. I have read some exceptionally good entries this time. Getting together with some of the coordinators this weekend to see how far we can go before having to decide on finalists this next week.

We are finally getting some rain. Heard a few claps of thunder, which I love. Especially at night when I am warm and cozy at home. :thumbsup:

Tomorrow is Starbucks day! :coffee: DH and I haven’t had our Starbucks Saturday date in forever! If he is a REALLY good boy, I’ll even use my gift card and buy this time 😎

But only if he is really, really good. :cowboy:

Addendum (Saturday pm): Found more receipts and stuff from guess who? DH, of course! Back to the taxes!!! After I murder him, of course. Or, at least, make him suffer a little. No Starbucks for him!:whip:

~Sandy

And from Brenda:

May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent.

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May you be in heaven 1/2 hour before the devil knows you’re dead.

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As you slide down the banisters of life may the splinters never point the wrong way.

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May the wind at your back always be your own.

~Sandy

Mik has her new book cover!

I have such talented friends!

~Sandy