Slacking But Still Busy

I feel like such a slacker. I don't keep up with my blogging and I've done little to nothing school related. Well, I guess that's not entirely true, I have downloaded and created a few thing for school. My friend, Tara at Fourth Grade Frolics has been hosting a Made It Monday linky party every week. I stalk her page and look at all the cool stuff people are making. Now mind you I do get some great ideas and make notes but that's about it. I guess part of this goes back to last summer. Last summer I started blogging as soon as school got out. I downloaded, shopped at any Target Dollar spot I could find, made stuff, and planned all summer long so that by the time school started I was pretty much burned out and none of it seemed to happen. I don't want that to happen this year so I'm taking it slow.

Last week, we were dealing with my father in law passing away. He has been sick for years and about 7 months ago Hospice took over because the VA said he had 6 months left and there was nothing they could do for him. Well he made it longer than they said and went peacefully in his sleep. So last week we were working on making things for his Celebration of Life. One lesson I took from all this is that now days you can't even afford to die. I was just shocked at the cost of everything! He was a veteran and the VA will pay for the brass casket, burial in the military cemetery and the headstone or marker but will NOT pay for cremation. You would think they would like the lower cost but I guess it's cheaper to say no. Sadly enough, my nieces who were very close to their grandfather had lost their father just 11 days earlier.

On a lighter note, we head to Key West on Sunday for a week. My house/dog sitter will be here taking care of everything. Hopefully this tropical storm will have moved far, far away and she doesn't have any friends nearby. My hubby grew up in Key West so it's always like going home. While most people go for the fishing, bars, night life...we go for the cuban food (El Siboney), cuban coffee (5 Brothers) and cuban made sandals (Kinos). Last year we were picking spanish limes and avocados out of a friend's yard. We are definitely not your typical tourists and spend very little time on Duval Street. Maybe I'll be inspired to do something after we come back since my daughters will be at camp.

Long Gap

Well, a friend just asked if I still had my blog. I told her yes but hadn't posted in awhile. Imagine my surprise when I realize that my last post was in September. This was a very rough year for me and it seemed like everything just got away from me. I became a co-teach this year and I have to say that was the biggest mistake ever. There are too many reasons as to why it didn't work for me but that's not to say that it won't work for others. Anyway, since we could have up to 36 kids (in one room!) we got all the move ins and then they added 4 first graders to the mix. Needless to say I was chin deep in the RTI process for about half my class and getting nowhere fast. Relief slowly came throughout the year and I ended up with 18 kids by March. You would think with 2 teachers it would relieve some stress but it didn't. Now I'm looking forward to a fresh new start next year and getting off on a new foot with all new administration. Yup, our teacher appreciation gifts this year were learning that we were losing our Principal and then 2 days later finding out they were moving our AP with him. So in the fall we will have new administration and a new Lead Teacher. It will all be fine (I hope). So, 2 weeks into summer vacation, I've done some much needed cleaning and trying to make plans for next year's room. I got a Bamboo for Christmas so my goal is to learn how to use it and start making my own graphics. I can't wait! My daughter got certified in Photoshop this year before she graduated from high school so she can help me too. Now to just get back into the habit of blogging more regularly instead of just stalking everyone else's blogs. lol