A really fast school year.

After this week, we have 7 more teaching days; finals begin on June 7!  This year has been such a good one in terms of the level of students and their engagement with the literature.  We're reading Kafka's Metamorphosis, and even though they don't really get it, they're fascinated by it.  We look at surrealistic art as we read and discuss existentialism on a very superficial level.  I think it's something they've never thought about, so they're really interested in it. 

On another note, Sam's college girlfriend received her doctorate this past week -- I'm so glad for her.  I'll never forget how people used see us together and think that she was my daughter.  I'll also never forget Jess and Chrissy telling me about what they said to Sam after meeting me for the first time:  Your girlfriend looks like -- YOUR MOTHER!! 

Creative journal entry!!

This morning I had my first period draw the place they would like to be at this moment - then we had a gallery walk around the room to see what people had drawn - worked great, great fun!

Mother's Day...

Bob is home for this year's Mother's Day - we joined Frank and Chris for dinner in Peddler's Village last night - it was a fun evening.   Bob and I went to  Peddler's Village by way of Horsham. Since Dad passed away, I don't have any reason to go to Glen Mills, where there is a Fresh Market with really good coffee beans; there's also one in Horsham with all the same good stuff.  I also bought a really cute maxi dress at Chico's in Peddler's Village; I had actually seen the dress online in the morning, but supposedly no one had it in my size...

So today we're just lounging around playing Words with Friends, reading the paper, and doing laundry.  We're due at Mrs. Roselli's house at 4PM for a little surprise party for Fran and Perry - it was their 25th wedding anniversary this past week.

Miss the emails with the message on the subject line and "see above" in the message part from my California baby.

Another week is history.

This was the week that I finalized the probate stuff at Delaware County Courthouse.  This was also the week that decisions were made about staffing at my school.  Because the gifted coordinator position does not require any special gifted certification, it seems to be the new dumping ground for teachers who would otherwise lose their jobs.  While I certainly wouldn't want to see anyone lose a job, the ultimate burden of training said coordinator rests with me because I'm the only one left standing -- all the other GIEP writers have moved back into the classroom.  I'm lucky that my principal understands that and is willing to keep me in the classroom with all gifted students, but it's still very time-consuming, especially at the beginning of the school year.  This year's crop of kids is so wonderful - I'm truly lucky.

I'm reading Game of Thrones per my brother-in-law's recommendation.  It's compelling, I must admit. I'm also playing - badly - Words with Friends... strategy is obviously not my forte.