Why I'm single....according to my DAD

I really should be finishing (I mean STARTING) my lesson plans for my observations- considering I have a pre-meeting with my evaluator on Thursday.

But... My dad and I had a funny conversation this evening that I want to get down before I forget.

Dad and I were eating our beef pot pies- mom was sick today, so it was my job to make dinner (I picked the quickest and easiest item in the freezer).

We were chatting as I was thumbing through our weekly shoppers guide, looking at homes for sale.

"I'll never be able to buy a house." I lamented to my father.

"Well, the key is to have money saved," he answered and continued to explain the fundamentals of purchasing a home, the pros and cons of a 2 family home and finding good tenants.

Then he said....

"Really, you need to be looking for a handy husband- not a good looking one. He could fix a house up for you."
To which I replied, "Well Dad, I'm just looking right now for one that is alive."

Chuckling, he said, "You know, you went to TWO Bible Colleges- and you couldn't find at least ONE guy there to marry you?"

In reply I began to explain all the reasons why I never found my match (which might have been based on no one finding me attractive- but we are going to hope it was due to the high female to male ratio).

In his "profound" wisdom, my father said, "You just weren't praying the right prayers."

"No Dad, you weren't." I answered.

I don't know why I haven't met my match yet... it there is to be a match. I have a quote by my desk right now that says,

"Faith is recognizing that God is the LORD of Time

when my idea of timing doesn't agree with His."

Or my father's for that matter!

Back to Reality

Going back to school after a nice break is hard. Monday- my students were like zombies and I wasn't too far behind.

I have to say- I love what I am doing. When I taught before, each night I would dread the next day. Once I got to school it would be fine- but the anticipation was awful. Every Sunday night was "Ugh, I have to go to school tomorrow!". So far, I haven't felt that this year (minus this last Sunday- but we'll blame that on a great holiday break!). Overall, my classes are great- I enjoy each one. My students are pretty good- hilarious and they work hard- what more could I ask for.

What does stress me out is the pressure I feel- real or self-inflicted. There is so much for me to learn and everyday is a little game in catch up. I get frustrated when I find out information too late to plan or don't know what is expected of me ahead of time.

Monday- I just about wanted to cry by the end of the day (for me....very unusual- I never cry!). I took a much needed "sick day" on Wednesday- for doctor's appointments but it was as much for mental health. When I returned Thursday, it was one thing after another. My brand new closet was broken, pencils were stuck in my ceiling, and my student who is "practically perfect in every way" was suspended for 9 days! My goodness- you miss one day and everything falls apart!

Friday was a decent day- I enjoy Friday afternoons because I stay late and prep for the following week and try to put out whatever fires I can. My mentor met with me and we talked quite a bit- she is great for ideas, suggestions and encouragement.

Next week- the key word is observations! I have a Post-ob meeting, a pre-ob meeting and then a HUGE observation on Friday! Grades are closing in a week- so that always raises blood pressure. The following week, I will start my first round of testing. Testing and reports will now become the theme of my blogs for sure. Pray for me as a I test. I don't have a ton of experience and I want to be sure I have accurate and honest results.

In other news......
Christmas shopping is practically done! I love the internet! No Black Friday lines for me! Now I can sit back and enjoy the season- which I am. Christmas music has been playing since Halloween (my way of combating the holiday). Our praise team is working away on Christmas music and the Bethlehem Village went really well last Sunday.

The family is well- Bill is laid off from work at the moment. He has an interview scheduled for UPS- pray something opens up for him. More importantly , pray for direction. Mom and Dad are well- my parents are showing their age so much more now.

Teen activities are going well- we have a social on Wednesday- taking the teens to the Mall. That will be an adventure. The majority of our kids would be able to handle it, but we have about 5 who can't. Hopefully, I'll have no stories to share. The teens are hosting a church wide caroling outing on the 17th. That should be fun- pray for a good turnout.

Mhmmm- can't think of anything else. Hope all is well with you all.
Love to you all~
Elisabeth

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is good to have a break. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind between school and youth group. It was good to go to bed last night and know that I could just wake up "whenever". Granted, now that I'm getting "older"- my body naturally wakes up between 7:30-8:00am. Not those "wake up at 2pm" kind of days from my youth. Oh well.

It was a short week at school- but full. Monday was my 1st of 6 observations this year. I planned to teach a science lesson to my reading skills kids. They were well-behaved. I overplanned and we barely made it to the end of the lesson- but I think it went well overall. I have two more planned for December. They will be English lessons which shouldn't be hard to do in my reading class.

We had a 1/2 day on Wednesday- but I stayed late to wrap up some items. That way, I could go home and truly have nothing to do for school. Next week will be a short week. I'm taking a day off on Wednesday since I have to visit the dentist/doctor- haven't seen them in awhile- but now I have insurance!! Thursday will be another round of due process hearings- fun times.

Our church is doing something new this year. Instead of our usual Christmas program- they are stretching it out over 5 weeks. Using a VBS program called Bethlehem Village, each SS morning for the 5 weeks of Advent, will feature 1 day of the program. The attenders move through "Bethlehem Village" in tribal groups. They have a gathering time and the main teaching is done through a drama illustrating the Christmas story. They travel to various shops- the dye shop, music shop, toy shop, farmer's market etc... I like that we are doing something different and new- and hope that it will attract people from within our church to attend SS faithfully as well as create an opportunity visitors. I am in charge of the music shop. We will do the same thing each week- make a small flute. I have to put together a sample and get a costume tomorrow. I think the whole program will focus us more on the birth of Christ.

Otherwise- I don't have a ton of activities planned for the holidays. We'll take our teens to the mall for Christmas shopping. The teens are also holding an evening of Christmas caroling for the church. I signed up to be a secret santa at school with our staff members. At first, I declined- feeling a bit overwhelmed with to-do's. But, then I figured I'd miss out if I didn't. We are hosting a New Year's retreat for the teens- which should be a lot of fun but I will have to do most of the planning. Then, the new year starts with Snow Camp in Feb, Teens Involved around the corner! It never ends!!

Well-
I have that long to-do list that never seems to shorten. But, I do plan to take some time this weekend to read. Haven't done that in so long. And, to relax with the family and some friends.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day- I am truly thankful and blessed to have friends like you!
Love
Elisabeth

School happenings....

This has been a most crazy week at school- so here are some stories

- During homeroom, I have a crowd of freshmen boys that hang out in my room. They don't hang out because they like me- just that it happens to be their ring-leader's homeroom and I don't kick them out. Last week, they were mumurring about one of their group not getting along with a sophomore. I didn't pay too much attention to it.

Monday morning, before homeroom began, this poofy haired boy walked into my class and shoved the desk of the little freshmen- with him in it. I think words were exchanged but I didn't hear them. I went after the boy, and told him that he needed to go to the office- to which he replied, "what the F#*@!" I brought him to the office along with his little pack of cronies that were swearing all the way. When I told his case manager- she was surprised since he is the "sweetest, quietest boy"- well, he isn't. Now, everytime he looks at me, I think he is going to take out a knife and slash my throat- the daggers I get!

- I had to schedule a PPT meeting for one of my students. He has been suspended- oh I don't know, at least 30 days this year so far- so I have probably had him in class maybe 10? And that is being generous. After his last suspension, he just decided to stop coming to school (though he showed up on Halloween with really scary make up on and and even scarier friend - I escorted them both to the office an they eventually ran out of the building before homeroom). Still, we needed to have a PPT to decide what to do and get info from his mom. Scheduling PPT's are not easy because there are so many required players in the meeting, and everyone has to be able to attend. Finally I got it scheduled. Then, this week we heard he was arrested and in jail. No one could or would post his bond. Come to find out- he stole $11,000 from an ATM machine- worked 2hrs with a crowbar trying to get the darn thing open (now if he only put that time, focus and effort into his schoolwork). So- he is in jail and will probably remain there for awhile since he had other charges pending against him.

- On a lighter note- my Reading skills boys are hilarious (sadly in an off-color way). They totally misread a sentence in the book we are reading- and turned it into "Brokeback Mountain style"- all my good attempts to re-direct them and stop the giggling were fruitless. I have to admit I laughed....okay, I laughed a lot. They are so funny and too cute. It is a pretty funny story that I'll share when I see you if you want.

- There are more stories- but I'm tired. I still really like my job- but I am growing more aware of the challenges and LEGAL responsibility I have. Pray that I am able to manage my time to complete the things I HAVE to do. I have my first observation on Monday (first of 6 this year)- so if you think of me, pray for calmness- it also just happens to be with my worst behaved class- and that is a whole other blog!

Love to you all....