Another Year Gone By

It's the close of another school year. Today marked the end of my third year here at JCMS. Both Mrs. Lane and I got to supersoak the kids today, as we have for the three years I've been here. It's a bittersweet moment. Next year Mrs. Lane will not be my neighbor any longer. She is moving rooms. I feel like I'm losing my best friend. We've become very close, and I hate to see her move into another hallway away from me. We're not even within shouting distance!
This year, I've felt like I accomplished something by meeting almost every single one of my standards. That's difficult to do in just 180 days of school. Continuity was a big thing this year; I felt disconnected at times due to snow days in early 2011. Overall, though, I felt it was a successful year. Our ISTEP scores might not show it, but I know in my heart I did my best, and that's all anyone can ask for. Tomorrow I will finish in my room and leave until August. That's a good feeling!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

Today is the greatest spectacle in racing here in grand old Indiana. The Indy 500 race is today. We will be watching it on TV along with several of our friends. We are also having a fish fry to add to the festivities. I see a little cornhole and frisbee in our future as well. I hope my migraine holds off. Yesterday I had an attack that did a number on me. I was driving, had to pull over, almost passed out/puked, and barely made it home. I've never had that happen before. It was quite scary, actually. I'm better today, but feel a bit of the residual effects. I'm getting ready to go take some Advil as we speak, then I'm going to church. Enjoy your long weekend, everyone!

Living Proof

I got four free tickets to the Indy 500 qualifying today. We got to see a driver get bumped with one minute to go in qualifying. It was great! We also got to witness a GREAT band -- Living Proof. They are a band out of Indy, and they play everything from Michael Jackson to Maroon 5 to Rick James. They were simply amazing. I could have stood there dancing to their music for hours! They were good enough that I want to go see them again in Indy sometime soon. I wish my girls were with me so that they could have danced to their music, too. They would have loved it! I had a great time at the track today. I'm excited to watch the race next weekend. It ought to be a good one. "The greatest spectacle in racing..."

PTSD

We just finished a novel, Soldier's Heart, about the Civil War. What I love best about doing this novel is that I get to discuss post traumatic stress disorder, fight/flight response, and relaxation techniques with my students. Today was that day! The last period of the day today, I had this one student who blew me away. After we turned the lights back on and I let them readjust to the light, RR said to me, "Wowwwww! That was awesome, dude! Tell me other ways to relax? Do you know any? It was like my legs were part of the floor. I was sooo relaxed! Thank you so much!" He just went on and on. He wanted a "copy" of everything I said during the relaxation time, etc. I was amused and flattered. I had no script; I just did it. I love it when one of those moments happens. Makes my year.

Johnnie

We picked up Johnnie today. He got through his surgery on the 12th wonderfully. He's jumping and running just fine. We asked if we could give him a bath, and the ladies at the shelter said not for ten days. Wrong! I had that look of amazement on my face and then the lady changed her mind and stated that if we covered up his incision with a plastic bag or something and didn't let it get wet, that we could bathe him. So that's exactly what we did. And he smells and feels 100% better. He's pottied outside so far! Very happy with that, I am. Here are just a few pics of him:
Also, here are a couple of pics of Mak at the prom last Saturday:

lessons learned

Over the past few years I've learned so many things about myself. Some of them are good, some are eye-opening. I've joined a new church, made a new address for myself, taught at a middle school for three years, and watched my girls grow up so quickly. Many of the things I've learned about myself aren't really for public discussion; they are really way too personal. However, I can tell you that I've done much praying, some soul-searching, and talked with many trustworthy people. Where I have arrived is much better than where I started. That much I CAN tell you. Now, I mean this on a personal level -- emotionally, spiritually, etc. I have grown immensely. That is a good thing. I needed to. I've matured over these past few years. I've forgiven, been forgiven, and have made amends with some people that were overdue. I'm glad I've made some strides in my life. For that, I'm thankful.

Five

Five more days and we get our little baby boy! I am excited and scared all at the same time. It will be a major adjustment, I'm sure. I hope all goes well...

Dang it.

I just had this long post about the 8th grade dance, prom, and mother's day. It was wiped away. Dang it. I don't want to type it all over again. I've done it twice now. So, just know that my weekend will be chaotic with chaperoning, prom for two girls, and mother's day. Happy Mother's Day to my mom who is on vacation with my Dad. We'll just have to celebrate when she returns. Love you, mom! Give your mom a hug this weekend and tell her how much you love her.

hmmmm

I hate it when it seems like some people have fallen off the face of the Earth. Makes me sad.

Death

I went to the funeral home tonight for a family friend's visitation. It was surreal. It was also like a reunion of sorts. I saw people I haven't seen in such a long time. Tomorrow I hope to have more time to visit with a childhood friend of mine who now lives in Tennessee. I miss reliving all of those childhood experiences we had. Too bad we have to come together because of tragedy. I don't like going to funerals, but I feel it is appropriate for this family. I know each and every one of them. I'm sorry for their loss.
He was a great man.