Oasis in the Desert Right Here.

I have a good tribe. I was the last one to arrive at a lunch I wasn’t expecting to go to and was so happy to be with them (instead of the crowd I had meetings with) that as soon as I walked in I insisted on a picture.and I love that everyone is looking at me for real.

Belligerent, that's me

A series of events between yesterday and today

1. a leadership team meeting where the only thing discussed was scheduling dates and times for make up evenings for early out during holidays for parent conferences, assigned book studies and how she will collect lesson plans next year.

2. A morning spent skim/reading a book called the BOLD school which is all about combining old practices with new and using technology only when appropriate

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3. The high school band director came in and told me of the 30 kids in my appreciation class, two of them are students that I taught at elementary juvey school who regularly conflict with each other.  (see what happens when you're nice to the bad kids)

4. A presentation of next years schedule where her method of scheduling and fixing is like a kindergarten class trying to fix a circle at the beginning of the year- instead of moving in to close a gap, they just keep scooching around and around and moving the gap.  

5. The tech person presented the idea that there were 7 basic math competencies and I was put into a group with the art teacher and the physed teacher (who you may recall has moron like qualities.) and we were supposed to create a poster on math competency number 5- Utilizing tools strategically.

At this point a lost it in a big a$$ way.  Instructions weren't clear- it was a subject I didn't teach and I was partnered with two others who had no math teaching experience. I looked at the tech person and said (while everyone in the room stopped and stared) what am I supposed to be doing- I don't teach math.  Why am I being asked to explore math competencies that I know absolutely nothing about.  I don't get it. I don't teach math.

Come to find we had to copy what was on a web-site- to demonstrate the competency- make sure kids knew to use a measuring cup to measure milk instead of a ruler- which is what our poster essentially demonstrated.  Because clearly no one has figured that shit out yet. 

I worked like an adult, I apologized to her personally (she said it was really embarrassing for her WTF? Oh, you mean like being a music teacher talking about math competencies?) and to the group for the outburst.

6 hours of meaningless drivel.  And tomorrow I get to do the same thing with music teacher colleagues. Bring a breakfast item. I am taking a vow of silence with the hope that it will get me through the day- otherwise I will leave early.

I've told the new special ed teacher (who had the wedding to weeks ago) that I have a crush on her and will she be my girlfriend.  She drops the f bomb like a pirate and we share a higher expectation of humor which means everyone thinks we're both hilarious when we are barely trying.  I taught her when she was in kindergarten through sixth grade.  Same with her new husband.  The crush is because of this delayed present-

A gratitude journal for tired-ass women.  The plan was for them to write in it while I was home recovering.  Because that never transpired she gave it to me yesterday.  It will give us something to look forward to when school starts- a group journal that includes categories of Assholes of the day, People I managed not to harm, etc.  As it will be a shared written item, it required a brown paper wrapper that doesn't invite investigation.  Because I am the music teacher I often have to fix xylophone bars.  Also my girlfriend likes bars and saying the f bomb- hence the xylophone bar with an f.

Today I tried a new recipe- refreshing carrot apple salad carrots, apples, olive oil, lemon, salt, sugar and walnuts (except I forgot the walnuts). It was amazing.

Lots of adventures coming- perhaps something to write about.

Last Day of School

The rant/vent-

Today we had a leadership team meeting.  The intended purpose of these meetings is to make use of the knowledge of faculty to improve the school.  The previous principal, while he had many flaws, was more than ready to give up the reigns and anyone who wanted to take initiative was encouraged. The group dynamic of the teachers at that time was such that initiatives rarely happened.

Yesterday's meeting involved selecting dates (which were essentially pre-determined by tradition) to have parent conferences, meetings and staff development.  We were however invited to create a committee to plan the open house- another tradition with pretty clear guidelines as to structure.  No one volunteered for this.  I'm guessing because it felt like it would be too much of an exercise in "mommy can we do this? can we? can we?"

While our counselors and behavior specialists came with an outline of ideas written down to share, the only individuals who got to speak were ones complaining about the meeting dates because her son plays football and another complaining about planned book studies (all books picked by admin) because she doesn't read.

The dinner gang that is full of smart agreed with my coup attempt in that we will gather, hash out the details of the good idea the is brewing and present it once complete.  Normally this would be an above board process with a summer stipend to cover our time.  That involves the poor leadership dictating guidelines.  This way we can blow up the idea into reality and she can either take it or not.  If nothing else people who like each other and laugh together will get a chance to hang out in the summer.

I shared texts with a 5th grade teacher who wants to begin a recycling program with student leaders.  My role in the communication was to suggest ways of going about it without needing to ask for school-wide permission.  Start small and expand rather than beginning an entirely new initiative.

We finally have a staff that is energized and we have a leader who is defensive and defeatist.

Enough of the complaining rant- on to the last day.On this last day, the few kids I had got to play with scarves and puppets.

Normally I like to blur out the faces of kids before I post their pictures. I am making an exception today because the faces are what makes the pictures the best. (along with the scarf costumes and puppet baby carriers.)  What I notice the most about these picture is the confidence of their chosen look.  Kids asked to have their pictures taken and immediately wanted to see them.  I had them look up to better catch the lighting in the room.

And finally, I am attempting to crochet another Atlanticus.  It is an enormous beautiful mandala and I've had some inspiration regarding color choices and the use of yarn in my stash.  I hope I follow through on this.

Coming events- today is professional development at school. I will be knitting a sock to hide my resting bitch face.  The only thing worse than being ignored as a specialist is being given meaningless busy work.  Tomorrow it's to the big city with a similar day with music teacher colleagues and while the subject matter will improve, the feeling of been there, done that will not.  Friday is finish closing up the room day.  We received an email from our fearful leader indicating that while she will begin checking people out at 2:00 that day, we may not leave until 3:00 (normal quitting time being 4:00.) and no one should ask to do otherwise.

Not really giving a shit any more, I immediately went to see her and informed her that I would be taking a 1/2 day on Friday as I have a dr. appt. at 3:00 pm.  She grimaced.  I considered having the dr. office send a note with the appointment listed on it but thought better of it.  I'll get a dr. slip when I am finished that day.

In #irony category.  There are two categories above "mediocre" in the teacher evaluations.  They are "accomplished" and "distinguished."  Accomplished allows you to pass go and collect $200.  Distinguished is the highest category but requires paragraph descriptors and documentation.  The activities the 5th grade students did for the six weeks I was out this year lend themselves to consideration for distinguished.  Yes, you read that right.  My evaluation will be higher this year because I did less actual engaging.  Welcome to the world of WV education. sigh.

on tonights menu

I'll start with this- Its called Iskiate and originate with the Mexican Tarahumara Indians.  It's contributes to endurance energy.  Good to drink pre or post- workout.  Another advantage is that it looks like frog eggs.  Ingredients are water, chia seeds and lime. Chill and drink The recipe can be found here.  As I drink I realize that I forgot the sweetening agent but I like it without anyway.

For dinner tonight some haluski-

While the recipe called for 2 sticks of butter- I stopped at one.  Some onion powder, garlic powder and lots of pepper.  I've made it before when I had an electric frying pan and 14" cabbages from the neighbors garden.  A smaller head of grocery store cabbage made it much more manageable.  Also, a gift from the internet- after combining it I baked it at 300° for 30 minutes which allegedly combines the flavors, cooks off some butter and makes it a little crispy on top.

I can't remember for sure- my grandma must have cooked cabbage when we were there.  I'm pretty sure I never ate it then but the smell of it cooked is like entering a time machine.

In response to the bipolar nature of those two foods there is this.  We get an extra check in the mail (secret savings sort of) right before Christmas and summer break.  Today's check just about covered the cost of 10 50-minute individual training sessions at the gym beginning June 3.  It's time to get real.

Yesterday's cousin adventure.  We went to a local clothing overstock store in the same plaza where we usually get Chinese food.  Also in this plaza is a new Italian café that I suggested we try. I surprised her with dinner because if you tell her she'll ask about it all week.  I took her clothes purchase to the car and pointed her in the direction of the cafe (a few stores up.)  She walks slowly so I thought we'd get there at the same time. I turned around and she was nowhere to be seen.  Either she walked fast or was abducted.  I check in the cafe- not there.  I check in the stores between the clothes store and the cafe in case she didn't realize they weren't restaurants.  Finally I realize what happened and there she was having already ordered a pepsi and anticipating the sweet and sour pork.

And finally- Aunt's tomorrow, a free day on Monday- kids at school on Tuesday, one day of closing shop, two days of stupid staff development and summer begins on June 3.

16 years a festival

I remember the first one. SouthAfricaAnna came to visit from Philadelphia having just recovered from two knee replacements and gastric bypass surgery.  We bought needles and railroad track yarn and really had little idea about what we were doing.  It was the worst possible fiber to start with- but then again it made everything else feel easy.

I like to take a canvas bag for my purchases rather than carry around multiple bags.  I had to remove yarn from a canvas bag to find one.  This gave me pause about actually buying any yarn. (which I did not do.)  Instead I bought hand sewn bags for yarn, stitch markers, a handleless coffee mug, some soap and lotion, and some silver jewelry and buttons.

The lady with the silver jewelry (made from vintage silverware) was my most favorite.

It is absolutely the ring I've been looking for.  And it's made of silverware. In the center are buttons that will be used on a sweater I will knit someday.

So while I refrained from fiber, I did my best to encourage quality vendors to return by not going for the cheapest item and paying in cash.  

Last weekends wedding on the mountain in the rain left me with some bronchial distress- that combined with a morning of retail therapy requires a hearty nap.

Life's Wheels

A little more than 25 years ago there was a kindergarten student who decided that I mostly walked on water.  I got a huge hug every single morning (all the way through 6th grade).  When she was in 2nd grade she made me a puppet from what appeared to be a mattress cover pad shaped like an oven mitt without the thumb.  It was two pieces sewn together with yarn.  Mismatched buttons for eyes and a mouth made with magic marker.

It is no accident that she was selected to wear the uniform when I was connected with the guest musicians presenting at our school. She got to be the conductor of the brass quintet.  This is as close to playing favorites as teachers can get.

When she was little and asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would (from as early as 2nd grade) reply "I want to be a doctor. An oncologist."

Fast forward x number of years.  She's an RN, her sister is a drug addict who has had 3 children in the last 5 years and she, a single girl with the heart of an angel is now the gaurdian of all three (and a couple of dogs, well, because dogs.)

Greathusbandbob had to visit a pain management clinic in the cancer center for his knee pain.  If he has knee pain he can't walk.  If he can't walk, he gets short of breath. He was dreading this visit- fearing they might look at him as another guy trying to get easy access to drugs.  He went there armed with the above crux of the issue but never needed it because this adorable angel was his nurse.

In spite of the casualness of the conversations the normal everyday business, it was all just beyond the realm of the mundane. To me it was magical.  Every time I think about Megs taking care of greathusbandbob there is a wave of well-being that surges through me.

What a wonderful world.  Now it is she who is doing the water-walking.

Just Say No

Here is a list of advantages to a Zumba glow party-

It's dance.

It runs for an extra half hour.

It raises money for a good cause.

Here are the reasons a Zumba Glow Party might not be for you.

It's dark.

There are swirling disco lights.

There are three times as many people there.

It's loud and you forgot your ear plug.

I went.  I wore my glow stick bracelets.  I made jokes with zumbafriend Amy about paying attention to personal space.  We laughed at the girl who always takes selfies in front of the mirror before each class. She had clearly spent some time decking herself out in glow.  We tried to follow the guest instructor even though it was too dark to really see anything.  Then we followed our regular instructor. And though we mostly knew those moves, it was much more difficult in the dark.  Then I went home.  After 1/2 an hour.

I like childlike fun as much as the next person.  In fact, possibly more, but this was a contrived version of someone's version of childlike fun- in a "I wish my glow sticks were as cool as hers" king of way.

When I looked at it abstractly, there we were, 40+ adult women standing around in the dark trying to copy the dance moves we couldn't see and yelling and cheering on command.  I just couldn't buy into it.

Suffice it to say that my next birthday party will not be a glow party.

Wake up Wake up

or not.

I took the day off for a 3:00 doctors appointment in Morgantown today.  I fell asleep at 11:45 and didn't wake up until 2:45- too late to make the drive to the appointment.  Ugh.

I did get my car inspected this morning- it must have worn me out.

Last week I gave the bride-to-be her champagne mini-bottles and knitted wedding dress.  I'm going to try to leave something for her to laugh at this week.  Also if I were getting married, I'd want people to be excited for me at work too.

Here is Monday's something blue (also her wedding colors are Tiffany blue and gray.)

It reads- "Calm UR Tits."  It's from the get well coloring book that I am certain she picked out for me.