Taking the Nearest Exit South to Florida

As if I need another reason to move to Florida - February did it.

Today was the last day of February.  It was 18* today.  

So these are final February stats:
- There were 3 days in February that reached average (average being 32*)
- There were 0 days that were above average 
- There were 15 days that the high temp was in the teens
- There were 4 days when the high temp was in the single digits
- There were 3 days when the temp was between 10* and 12* 
- There were 4 days the temp was between 20-25*

The forecast has a 50* day in it.

This is called a bait and switch and it is a tactic that is used during Wisconsin winters to keep people from going insane.  They keep the warm temps in the distant forecast and when that date get close, they postpone it to another date in the future.  

The Cost of Loving

I take my job very seriously.

Right now, as the computer teacher of 1st-8th graders, I have students filtering in and out at 30 or 45 minute      increments throughout the day.  The positive about that is being in contact with and making heart connections with all the students in the school.  The negative is not really being able to develop and nurture the tight bond that is created by spending an entire year with one group of students.  

When I was the 4th grade teacher I recognized the importance of bonding with all my students.  Lets be honest here, some students are "easier to love" than others.  Some students have character qualities that would drive you mad if you let them.  

I had a special procedure to combat that possibility:
For the first 6 weeks of school, before I left my classroom to go home for the evening, I would go up and down my rows of desks, placing my hands on each individual desk, praying for that child, and thinking of one positive attribute about them.  It could be the same attribute every day or it could different ones...it didn't matter.  The goal was, to hone in on the positives and use those positives to develop a loving soul-connecting relationship with that child.   The interesting thing was, by the end of the year, the characteristics that I thought were negative at the beginning of the year, were no longer that obvious.  They were just all part of a child I loved.

I think teachers, effective teachers, have an unbelievably large circle of love.  Each year is spent pouring your entire soul into teaching, loving, and nurturing this child placed before you...every child placed before you.  And that love doesn't turn off just because they graduate to the next class...or the next, or the next, or the next.  

But loving has a cost.  And occasionally that cost involves pain. I found out yesterday that one of my former (sweet sweet) students, now a junior, is very sick.  And oh how I cried for her.  I cried for hours and still am brought to the edge of tears just thinking about her and the road she has ahead of her.  I cried for her mom and her dad...two of the kindest, sweetest people you can the privilege to meet.  I cried for her brothers who I also had the joy of teaching. I cried because I love her.  

We hurt so much because we love so much.  It's a cost I'll pay every day if I have to.   Because I don't want to live without love.  

It's Now or Never

About a month ago I thought about taking to Zack to Minnesota during Spring Break.  Truthfully, it was mostly to just add another state to his list of states visited.

At the time I thought about maybe spending some time at the Mall of America...but this report changed my mind:

Mall of America Target

I'm not one inclined to live in fear of the what-ifs and the maybes but I know this is a serious threat because on February 14th I watched this:

Terror at the Mall (which was very good by the way)

So I came up with a better plan...why stop at Minnesota?  Why not go all the way to Mount Rushmore?





This will also add South Dakota to his list...

But why stop there?

We may as well take the extra two hours and visit Devils Tower in Wyoming - made more popular because of the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind


This much I know we will do.  I'm still contemplating whether we should venture up to Montana and then across North Dakota.  This would most likely be a very boring drive for the sole purpose of adding two more states to his list. I've already been in all these states so it is not new to me.  

I know once we move to Florida this summer, we will never have this opportunity again so it's now or never.  

This Just Made My Day

For some reason, Ollie was a nuisance last night.  He generally sleeps like a rock but last night he was up and down, pacing around, and looking agitated.  At 4:00 am I decided to take him out in case his agitation was "bathroom" related. He ran outside and proceeded to roll in the snow for 5 minutes at which time I made him come back inside so I could, you know, GO BACK TO BED!  

He seems to maybe have a cough - it's hard to tell with a dog - so maybe he's not feeling the best.  He has never been sick so I don't really know.  

Anyway, needless to say I was not the happiest person in the world waking up this morning...especially when the dog responsible for the worst sleep I've had in recent times, stretches out on the sofa and proceeds to sleep the morning away.

So... I'm trudging through my day - the toughest day as far as the number of classes I teach:

At 1:35 the cutest little 1st grader walks into my room and hands me a piece of paper.  

On this paper he has written:

Mrs S.
I kant wate for neckst compooter (with a backwards p) class.  Sea you laeter.  

That warms my heart

My Poor Neglected Blog

Trust me when I say that nothing blog worthy is happening.  Not. One. Thing.

First let's look at the high temperatures this month...now keep in mind these are the highs.   As in the highest it got that day.  Most days started out much colder than this.
Feb
1 - 17*
2 - 15*
3 - 17*
4 - 17*
5 - 12*
6 - 26*
7 - 33*
8 - 33*
9 - 21*
10 -27*
11 - 30*
12 - 12*
13 - 23*
14 - 19*
15 - 9*
16 - 17*
17 - 14*
18 - 3*
19 - 3*
20 - 17*
21 - 26*
22 - 15*
23 - 10*

Keep in mind the average temp right now is 32*  - so only 2 days have reached average this month.  When you really look at it (although I try not to because it is depressing) only 8 of the 23 days have even been above 20*.  

So basically all outside activities are a no go - especially since I detest temps lower than 60*

There is no basketball for Zack this year which was most of my winter blogging.  

So...life lately consists mostly of

Lighting scented candles

Trying new recipes (in this case fresh tilapia drizzled with olive oil and topped with a dash of garlic, salt, and pepper, wrapped in parchment paper, and cooked 450* for 25 minutes) YUMMY! Served with asparagus and chocolate milk...can't forget the chocolate milk.   

And my favorite activity - teasing Ollie with dogs on the TV.  He still doesn't understand where they are coming from. 

So...that is life lately.  

One the positive:
- Jon is coming soon
- March is coming soon
- I have a nice, warm, cozy apartment
- I never have to spend another winter here

It Finally Went Our Waaaaay

Extra Extra!!!  Read all about it.

Florida finally won a close game and, for once, was not beaten at the buzzer.

I must interject here that IF Florida could make their darn free throws they would not be in these close game situations.  However, they are a terrible free throw shooting team - maybe averaging 50% if it's a good night at the line.  

So...I was mindlessly surfing the net last night when Zack walks in the living room and announces that Florida had just gone up by 1 with 59 seconds left.  Being gluttons for punishment, we flipped through the channels until we found the game. And it was just in time to see Florida executing their stellar defense by allowing a straight, clear lane to the basket and allowing Vanderbilt to go up by 1.  

Florida was actually able to execute a nice play of their own when Casey Hill drove to the basket drawing the defenders to him and then passed off for a dunk that had the crowd on their feet!  

But wait - this is Florida and there was still a couple seconds left so lead-not-safe!  

Vandy was able to get off a  (not so) nice 3 point shot that really wasn't even close at all but it had both Zack and me holding our breaths because of past traumatic end of the game experiences.  

Game won

Very happy teenager 

Exciting Announcement

Typing something out does not convey emotions so...

***said in an excited voice***

JON IS COMING!!!!
JON IS COMING!!!!
JON IS COMING!!!!

I just found out yesterday that Jon is coming for a visit.   He arrives on March 7 and will be here until March 15.

I haven't really spent any time with him since the end of May.  When we were there at Christmas he was working a lot so I saw him for a combined total of maybe 3-4 hours.  

When Zack found out he jumped up and down saying, "my brothers coming" over and over.  He really loves his brothers so much and I love witnessing their bond.  

Gator Heartache

Geez...being a Gators fan is rough lately.  

Football has been a big bust for the past two seasons but basketball season last year was a temporary beacon in the storm.  They went 36-3 which included going 18-0 in the SEC, a 30 game winning streak before losing in the final 4, and a #1 rating through most of the season.

While Zack and I suffered through another lackluster football season we would look at each other, sigh, and say, "at least we can look forward to basketball season."  

I knew they would not be nearly as good as last year because they had started 4 seniors last year.  But I never in a million years expected what is now happening.  

Things started out well enough with a 2-0 start...then came this:

- November 17: lost 67-69 on a last second shot by Miami 
- November 26: lost in OT 65-66 on last second 3 point play by Georgetown
-December 30: lost 63-65 to Florida State on a last second 3 point play - which was tipped in by their own player!!
- January 24: lost 71-72 on  last second shot to Ole Miss
- February 12: lost 61-62 on a last second shot to Ole Miss (again)
- February 14: lost 62:63 on a last second shot to Texas A&M

That is SIX buzzer beating losses this season so far and They are a pitiful 12-13.  It's been rough.  

Wilbekin, Young, and Prather - we miss you




We're throwing in the towel already this season.  At least maybe we can get cheap tickets next year!

Scammers

So...for three days in a row now I have received a phone call from the "IRS" warning me that "I and my physical address are under federal investigation" and that there is "a warrant out for my arrest."  

Interesting fact: all three of these calls have been from different people and from different phone numbers.  Do they really believe I am that stupid?  Are they that stupid that they think I don't know what my standing with the IRS is?  Not only do I always pay my taxes, I overpay my taxes and get money back every year.  

So, when they called for the 6th time I answered the phone (as I was instructed to do by the local police department) and let them have it!!!  

"Look, I am a hard-working US citizen who pays her taxes which is more than I can say for you...whose "job" is to scam innocent people out of their money.  There is no warrant out for my arrest but there will be one out for yours when the police finally catch up with you.  NOW QUIT CALLING ME! Oh...and you might be a little more believable if you actually spoke English without a Nigerian accent! "  

Mia Familia

Queste sono le mie zie
(These are my aunts)

Questo e il mio zio
(This is my uncle)

E i miei due cugini
(And my two cousins)

Working on my Italian

I stole this from my uncle's facebook.

This is my mom's sister, brother, my uncle's wife, and two of my cousins.  

This was a big celebration as my cousin Lisa was visiting from California - which she only done one other time - ever.  She is the daughter of my mom's brother, Jim who is not pictured.  

Jim was diagnosed with colon cancer a few months ago and I don't think things are going very well for him.  I'm so happy his daughter was able to come and spend time with him.  

Happened Today

 These were the directions that I carefully and painstakingly took the time to type out today for my lovely 4th graders.

	Typing Master Lesson 5.7 Lesson 5.8 5 minute typing test – Psalms View and print results Staple new test on top of old test Compare net speed for candy  (at least 10wpm) Put in the 4th grade box Work on a PP for fun

 Questions that inevitably followed:
- What typing test are we supposed to do?
- Do we staple these together (holding up their two tests)?
- Which one goes on top?
- How many words do we need to get candy (asked 3 times)?
- Do we use net speed or gross speed for candy?
- Where do I put this when I am finished?
- Can I go on ABCya.com or do I have to work on a PowerPoint? (PP means PowerPoint) 


UGH

I Guess I Have More Work to Do

How is a person supposed to reconcile the anger and bitterness they have toward a person who is responsible for harming their child? 

How is a person supposed to forgive and forget when their child is living everyday with the effects of this harm?

This is the situation I now find myself in.  My son has been seeing a psychologist and today she informed us that he exhibits many symptoms of and she believes he suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.    

What is the Trauma... living in a house where he felt unloved and unwanted by one of the occupants - any guesses who that would be?  Hint: it wasn't me.  He has been opening up about how angry he would feel when he saw his brother's being mistreated and honestly, how he wanted to do things to "hurt" the person responsible. How he still thinks about doing things to hurt this person.  And that's my Jon...it hurt him more to see his brothers treated badly that when he was treated badly himself.   

How do I get rid of this hate I have for him (ex-husband) because of this?  The hate intensifies when I recall situations and dwell upon the fact that he has never, ever apologized for any of it. 

It would be so much easier to forgive if a sincere apology was expressed but I have to realize that that is never going to happen.  So I am left trying to reconcile the hate, anger, and bitterness I have toward someone who is responsible for hurting my children so badly but who will literally go to his grave believing that he did not do anything wrong and was completely justified in everything he did.  

I know there is probably a side to everyone who would say, "you have a right to hate him because of what he did to your kids." But I know biblically,  hate is wrong.  In fact, the whole point of the parable of the Master who forgave his servant's debt is that we cannot expect God to forgive our trespasses if we cannot forgive the trespasses of others.  

Somehow, I have got to work this out.  I have a lot of work to do.  

Super Bowl

No team has gotten "luckier" than the Seattle Seahawks this year. Time and time again if there was a roll of the dice or if there was a 50/50 shot...it would roll their way.

All things being equal, I probably could care less. But their team consists of a group of thugs who got worse with each win.  

And the worst of these thugs - Richard Sherman - who seemed to enjoy flaunting for the cameras yesterday after the Hawks went up 24-14.  He really thought they were unbeatable.

But it was all worth it in the end to see his expression on the final interception - the moment he realized that he and his team are not the best in the NFL!

The moment you realize maybe you talked too much smack