UNE class----UGH!

Hey ladies....I miss seeing you guys in my new (and last) UNE class...Lynds-Are you taking a course right now???...I know Ms. Cin is DONE--lucky girl....I was really concerned when I got my instructor and saw that this is her first time teaching an online UNE class...It turns out that I was correct in my "bad feeling"...Firstly, I only got 4 pts for the first week of discussion (we only had to introduce ourselves, how bad could it have been-ha!)...I responded 8 times during the course of the week....I'll get over a "point"...Obviously, others had some concerns over their grades as well, b/c she posted online that it was only "one grade", they'll be other opportunities for grades (yep-we know that sister...it's only week 1)....What I'm most concerned about is her comments throughout this week have been VERY evaluative, and have a curt edge to them...One girl explained what literacy looks like in her classroom...The instructor commented back that maybe she should look at the "other posts" (I think she thought she was too brief, and "what exactly is your role in the classroom?"--ouch!....I commented on 1 girl who has the parents fill out a reading log weekly...I said that many of my kids don't read at home and would love to borrow that idea to get some more involvement...My comment from her was "Funny, I consider myself a literate person, but their were times when I was too busy to read Quinns (her kid) Rosy Reader. Parents are busy so don't just make assumptions. But it is great to get parent involvement."...What?....I mentioned b4 about the community that I work in...There's LOTS of neglect, unfortunately....I certainly wasn't talking about a missed few nights of reading w/mom and pop...I mean NO reading whatsoever....Maybe it's the lack of sleep that's making me overly sensitive...It's just that ther's "edge" to everything she says, and I wanted this last class to be just as good as my past 4....I wanted to finish off saying that i got a 100% in EVERY class...Now I just want to make sure I get an A here...I had such a great experience w/Courtney and Karen....This is kind of a downer...Thanks for letting me vent....Miss you guys

Hawaii 2010

Steve and I hanging under the umbrella at the magnigicent beach....Hundreds of dolphins visited the beach daily...People were actually surrounded by them! (NOT me...I don't like feeling anything brushing by me in the water) This is paradise for sure.

Hawaii 2010

Hey Ladies.....Back from Hawaii today...What a trip!!!...I have never stayed at such an upscale hotel...It was WOW from beginning to end....Steve's company really went above and beyond...We had 2 free nights prior to the rest of his colleagues arriving...There were great events every evening, culminating in mini for-2 picnic tables and adirondack chairs with picnic baskets sprawled across the lawn to seat about 600!...The Gin Blossoms performed as we sipped wine and had our own little smorgasborg...This is a pic following my very first snorkling experience...The big line across my forehead is the indentation from my mask-not a big 43 year old wrinkle-ha!!!!

Too much free time....

Well, this "little" gem arrived on my doorstep this week, courtesy of Pottery Barn....WHERE the heck am I going to put this monster?!....I dig the restoration feel of the piece....I'm thinking either over my loveseat or my bed...Is there a rehab for shoppers????....As for the weekend, Steve took me out last night to a lovely restaurant called 55 Degrees in Fairfield to celebrate my birthday (which is on Weds.)...He also told me that Kyle, his sister, and he want to have a little cookout on Thurs. to celebrate...I feel like the queen!...I'm a minute away from 43 OMG!...I sure don't FEEL it...I guess it's all a state of mind-and the "magic" potions you slather on your face-ha!....It's ALL good.

Daisy

The camera has arrived!!!!! I will be practicing ladies, so bare with my novice skills....Here's Daisy...She is a one person cat and the rest of the world can disappear as far as she's concerned!...Notice the messy left eye...I cleaned her up for the photo-ha!....Purrrrfect match for Scotty-no?!....She's had a drippy eye since she was a kitten....It doesn't hurt her so it's no big deal....More pics to come!

Another year, and all's well!

Hey Ladies....I just got back from my yearly pulmonologist appointment...I am always a nervous wreck for a few days prior, not knowing what you might hear...He said my lungs look good (no worse than last year), and my breathing is great...WOO HOO!....I don't have to go back for another year....Just WAIT for a few more weeks....My blog will be getting a "makeover"...Pictures etc....I just ordered my antiquated self my FIRST digital camera (pitiful, I know)...A hot pink Canon SD1400 ELPH (whatever THAT all means)is coming my way...I'll be able to get Daisy in the "picture"-ha!, and take some Hawaii pics.....Don't expect Lyndsey fancy smancy expertise, but certainly better than what I've got going on now...Only 8 days left to teach summer school...I'm trying not to wish the time away so quickly because that just means that summer will disappear before I know it....Chat soon, girlies.

Weekend News

Hey Girls....I spent the weekend in Rehoboth beach, Delaware...Steve's son Kyle had a baseball tournament there....It was an INTERESTING weekend....I am the most non competetive person alive, so the concept of these hardcore sports parents (Steve included)is difficult to wrap my head around.....I sometimes wonder if the kids even WANT to be there...There's just so much pressure on them....It's a ballgame, people, not a life and death situation...Steve gets quite intense when he's actually watching the games, so he really doesn't TALK alot during them....That's a long time not talking when you have a double header....I was thankful his ex(Martine) was there to chat with and share some Mike's hard lemonades with... (Also ladies-I am digging the drink "Sweet Tea vodka and lemonade"...BIG yum...Anyone had 'em?)....Seeing that Martine's boyfriend wasn't there, she was kind of alone because Kyle was off with the kids all the time....I felt compelled to include her in everything with Steve and I... Sometimes it's a little odd, but I would feel aweful if someone didn't extend an invite if I was by myself.... The other tough factor of the weekend was the HEAT....Sitting outside in in was rough (I'm wimpy like that).....So, the weekend certainly wasn't one of our better ones, but the idea was to be there for Kyle-and that's all that counts....Love ya. A.