The Fowler Family News

New Pictures

2009-10-24T08:40:00.001-07:00

A New Day

2009-10-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

I am tired of people acting like they are better than me. I was told I am immature yesterday. Okay, I am 35 years old. I am in grad school--way more education than the person who said that by the way. I also believe I am a better person that the one who said that. Let me explain...Why do certain people think you must be married in order to stay true to them? Why do these certain people think dating requires you to sleep with anyone you want? When you are dating someone and you date them more than once, you are true to them. You do not sleep with someone else for any reason. I don't care who you are...you should never have to share your man with someone else.
Anyway, I am better than that and will find someone who isn't so stupid and selfish. I have been asked out and have had a few dates with some great guys. Maybe I'm just not ready. I don't care what people say...I will do what I want.
I'm going to church tomorrow. I want to try a new church. Remove the jerk in my life and replace him with a feeling of not needing anyone. LOL. God will help me through this and so will my amazing family and kids. I'm going to hang out with my boys today and turn off the phone so I don't have to worry about stupid text messages today.

Welcome Back Blog

2009-10-21T07:22:00.001-07:00

I haven't updated my blog in a long time, but felt drawn to update it. I don't really care if anyone reads it, I just need to get some things off my chest.

First, I don't understand men. Males to be correct. I am constantly surrounded by all males. Male children, male pets, etc. I am completely outnumbered at home. I dated a great guy over the summer. I thought he was great. He was wonderful to me. We spent tons of time together and I thought he was so different from the other losers in the world that I have met. LOL. First sign of trouble, he cheats. What's that all about? Why would you solve your problems in someone else's bed? Makes no sense. I decided today that it was a blessing in disguise. What if I had stayed with this guy and he cheated on me then? I would be more than just devastated. I would be destroyed. Okay, so my brain knows I need to let him go. My brain knows he is not good enough for me. My brain knows I DESERVE SO MUCH BETTER. The problem has never been my brain--its my heart. I gave it to him and he used it and broke it. Why is that? Who knows. Friends tell me I deserve better and I will get better. I just wish I could forget. Unfortunately, I can't let him go even though I want to.

My job: teacher extraordinaire...

I teach high school English...Did you hear me? I TEACH 14 YEAR OLDS. I have a teenager at home who drives me crazy then I go to work and try to teach stuff like "Romeo & Juliet" to teenagers who could care less. I am doing so many fun things, they don't complain, but it is very very hard. They don't care what some old dead guy said. Even if that old dead guy is the amazing William Shakespeare...

So I went on a date with a guy last night. He is so sweet. Kept telling me how beautiful I am. He said he couldn't understand why the summer guy let me go. He said he was an idiot for not wanting to be with me. Oh well. We will see how things go. According to summer guy, I'm too emotional and clingy. I thought I was being loving and devoted. Men are very confusing creatures. Men think women are confusing....geez.

Life is so confusing...

2009-02-24T05:25:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted a blog in a really really long time. There are many reasons for this...1. I am going through a divorce and didn't want to burden you will the boring details. 2. I have so much crap running around in my head, I couldn't put what I was feeling into words. (not sure if I can yet).

The boys are great. Okay, that's not entirely true. They have been fighting like wild animals lately. They are currently grounded for a week--school and sports (that's it). So far, its been okay. They said some things to me this weekend that really hurt, so I am sticking to my guns with this punishment.

Jacob: He is now taller than his mother. I am 5'4" and he is 5'5". That scares me--why is my premie growing up so fast? Makes me crazy. He is on the middle school baseball team--first base. He is really loving it. Jake just finished middle school basketball and he hated it--I think because the coach wasn't all that great.

Gabriel: He is getting bigger every day. I look at him and it makes me want to cry. My last baby is growing up way too fast. I was upset last night and he wiped away my tears and was patting my back. I hope he never loses his sweet personality. Of course, he can be mean, but when I really need it, he is there with a hug and kiss.

I am so confused about my life. I guess that's because I'm trying to figure out who I am without Reggie. He doesn't make it easy to leave him, but I'm trying. Its hard to cut yourself off from someone you have been married to for 13 years.

School is okay. I still want to teach a younger age group. Ninth grade is not making me happy any more. I'm calling another school district today (I interviewed a while back). I have been driving about 25 minutes from the apartment to the kids' school, then another 20-25 minutes to my work. It makes me really tired and almost always late. At least I don't have students first period. The driving really sucks, but I want the boys to be able to stay at their school.

Okay, so there is more that I want to say, but I still can't get it out...so, I'll stop now.

So, wish me luck and pray for us that things work out.

Grrrr.

2008-10-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

You know, I am so tired of people always hurting other people. Why do people think just because they "blog" about something that it makes it okay to say hurtful things? At least when I complain, you can' t figure out exactly what I am talking about unless I am talking about the kids I teach or my own immediate family.

Well, today is my birthday. My students were really bad today! I am so tired and irritated. I have a ton of schoolwork for my graduate class and I just don't want to do it. I also have a ton of schoolwork to do for my job. Don't want to do that either. Oh well. My very best friend, Patty called me tonight and wow! I was so glad she did. You know, when you get older and move away, people get so involved with LIFE. I miss her so much. She reminded me--we've been friends for almost 30 years. wow. Well, that's all for now...Bye all...

Monday Again

2008-10-06T10:14:00.001-07:00

I am surrounded by ignorance today. Why is it that teenagers think it is okay to act stupid? I swear, you say something and they act like they just don't understand. They push and push and then wonder why you are always mad. Grrr. You give them directions and even when you read the directions and remind them of the directions, they still don't do things right.

I am taking a graduate class called Psychology in Education. It is very very boring. I am working ahead so when my other class starts in 2 weeks, I will not fall behind.

At home, life sucks. No, I don't have much to say that is good today. Sorry. The boys had sports all weekend. Gabriel's football team won the mid season superbowl. Jacob played in a weekend tournament. They won 2 out of the 4 games. The games were all they way in Easley (which is a little over an hour from the house.)

So, I have a lot going on right now and it is all personal problems. I don't want to bore you and list the problems, but if you could pray for me that I make the right decisions to solve my problems, I would be greatly appreciative.

New School Year

2008-09-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

A lot of stuff has happened since my last post. Well, duh--the entire summer. I didn't think my summer needed to be on the blog. My summer was great except for a few things. We were in GA a lot, we went to FL, and to Myrtle Beach. Even though school has started, I miss having my boys all day. I won't mention the bad parts of the summer...

Well, school has started again. Jacob is a 7th grader this year--YIKES! He is excited because he got all of the classes he wanted and is in honors Math. He told me the other day that he wasn't sure if he liked the class because he had to work harder--that's funny. He isn't used to having to open the book to get help. Gabe is in the 2nd grade. My baby is growing up way too fast. He is sooo smart. He has been reading books at a much higher reading level--and understanding them. He is also great at Math--he doesn't have to think--the answers seem to just come to him. Weird.

My classes are okay except for a couple of kids I want to strangle. I hope this is the last time I have to teach 9th grade. I start my Master's program here in about a week. I'm excited. I am getting certified in elementary ed. That will let me teach K-6 grade. I can already teach 7-12 grade. I want to go down to 5th grade I think. I'm tired of drama!!

So, other than being exhausted, all is well. Gabe started football yesterday and is playing tackle football--scary for mom, but good for him.

Hope all is well with you...

2008-05-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally made it to the last day of school. I wasn't sure if I could, but I made it...I am now sitting in my last class of this school year. They leave in 1 hour and 24 minutes. Thank goodness.

I want to do a happy dance...

Everything is graded and there isn't much left for me to do, so I have no idea what I am going to do this afternoon (I have to be here until after 3pm). I also have to be here Monday and Tuesday. I guess when I am done I will be reading a book.

So, have a happy day!

2008-05-06T09:32:00.000-07:00

It is finally May. I wasn't sure if I would make it, but I did. I only have 18 more days of school left--yaa hoo!!

The boys are playing an enormous amount of baseball. We are at the field 2xs per week and sometimes all weekend. I love baseball, but I'm going crazy.

Jacob with his braces.

Pictures of the boys playing baseball...

I'm doing okay on Weight Watchers. I lost 9 pounds in 2 weeks, but I had a busy baseball weekend and now I have to weigh in tonight--I hope I didn't gain. YUCK.

That's about all to report because I have about 60 research papers to grade--FUN!

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day!!

Crazy People

2008-04-16T05:55:00.000-07:00

I don't have a lot of time to write today because work makes me have no life. I am so behind in grading papers. Oh well. They don't turn stuff in, so I guess we are even. There is a lot of drama going on in the family. I'm not going to explain because I just don't want to get into it--again.

It has been said that my family is crazy and I think we all need a swift kick in the butt!!!

Crazy person

I am so ready for summer!! I am tired of school and need a break. I started Weight Watchers last week (again). I am doing really good and hopefully by the time summer gets here, my hard work will pay off.

What I feel like....

What I want to look like...

Angie is trying to find a townhouse to buy. She bid on one, but the owners took a higher bid. I told her that I would have had the two bidders fight for the house and I would get more money, but they didn't. Hopefully she will have luck finding another one that she likes. She is bummed and I don't blame her--she was so excited about this one.

My husband is back to work. He is feeling better after being off his foot for a few days. He is driving me crazy (as usual). He was home for 4 days and claims that he did all of the laundry. When I took a shower last night, there weren't any clean towels and I'm wearing my last pair of clean pants. What's up with that???

Our dirty clothes??

Jacob will be 12 next Wednesday--I'm hoping that he gets over the "tween" crap because he is definitely acting like a teenager.

2008-04-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

Reggie is on "light" duty at work because he sprained his foot, ankle, and leg. Nice, huh? He wouldn't listen to me and go to the doctor last week and his foot was killing him yesterday. Now he has to sit in the Coke warehouse and do boring work for 8 hours a day for 1 week. Fun.

Gabriel goes to music guild tomorrow. Pray for him. He is very good at playing the piano, but doesn't like to study music theory and that is on the test. He also has to play a piano piece in front of judges. Yikes!

Jacob is his same self. He is changing every day. He keeps growing up! His grandpa got him a cell phone the other day. I didn't want him to get one until 7th grade, but it seems to be working out okay. He doesn't take it to school, so I am okay with it. He is really responsible for his age anyway.

I'm okay. I am really tired since this is the week after Spring Break. I am so ready for summer! I had a great time during Spring Break! Angie, Gabe, and I went to Momal's and Janet's. We had so much fun!! We are planning another trip down to FL in the summer! I have 7 weeks of school left--gag. Well, that's it for now.

Oh, and we got an offer on the house--my prayers have been answered! Hopefully it will work out and we will finally sell the house!

Ok, one more thing. My cousin is letting her oldest daughter come stay with me over the summer! I am so excited. We are planning some really fun stuff for her! Until next time.

2008-03-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

I feel like every time I get on my blog, I am in a bad mood. I wonder if it is just because I want to complain and don't want to bother anyone around me. I kicked a kid out of my class today for talking back. They gave him suspension (in school) and he was sent back to my room--that was a mistake. He started cussing then. That was fun.

I worked on my resume this week because I am tired of high school. I want to work with younger kids. I am tired of being told that everything I do is "gay" or "dumb" or "stupid"...Well, I would like to see them do better. I want to teach kids who actually get what I am doing and don't complain every second. So, other than that, everything is okay.

We still have stuff at the other house and maybe one day my husband will help me move it. I am going to go over there every day and work and see how long it takes before someone helps me. My back is killing me, so hopefully it won't take too long. Oh well. Short one today.

2008-02-27T09:27:00.001-08:00

The last few days have just sucked! There is no other word for it...

Males irritate me! Men (husband), Teenagers (my students), Preteens (Jacob), and boys (Gabriel). You know, the dog is irritating me too. My husband is driving me crazy because he never wants to do anything. He has at least 3 days off a week. He doesn't think he should do anything on his days off. He also doesn't want to do anything on the days he does work. What is left? NOTHING. So, in other words, he never never never wants to do anything. He asked me to make some phone calls yesterday. Ok, I was at work (teaching) and he was home (on his behind). Hmmm.

I had a flat tire on Monday and I thought he was going to make me leave during my planning period to get it fixed and he was off Monday! Grrr. Our washer is not hooked up yet (since the move) and I have been going to the laudromat. I worked Monday and then had to go do laundry (it took a couple of hours) and he was off all day. Where is the justice? Women should get paid to be wives and mothers because we are slaves, errand girls, and problem solvers.

My students are annoying me just like usual. I had a student texting someone during class. I can't even take the phone until they get a warning first. What kind of crap is that? When I was in school, you would never have seen your phone again. I also had a student cuss out another student. He is "special" so he will probably get detention. I hold detention so I get to see him again!

My children are annoying me because they are lazy. There isn't much else to say. They are good kids who are lazy. I wonder where they get it...

Oh, and the dog won't stop pooping on the darn floor...grrrrrr

So, that has been my lovely week! I am also reading "Romeo and Juliet" with a bunch of teenagers so, pray for me... Oh, and thanks for listening to my complaining...

The "ILL" Bug

2008-02-18T09:30:00.000-08:00

Reggie is sick. Gabriel is sick. Jacob is sick. All three are going to the doctor today. Reggie is really sick--he has had a fever for 2 days and stayed home from work. Gabriel is sick without a fever and stayed home. Jacob (my trooper) went to school with a bad cough and runny nose. I, on the otherhand am not sick--yet. I am going to get some Lysol for the house and spray everything in sight. I do not want to get sick. Ever since the kids at school started to get the flu, I have been spraying my classroom down. I have also been taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C everyday with the hopes that I will be okay.

My students asked me today if I "was ill." Okay, how do you define this word? Ill usually means sick, but that is not what they meant. They wanted to know if I was irritated. Why not just say that? Then, they used improper grammar. HELP. Yes, I am ill darnit.

These pictures were under the word "duh" in google. I feel like sometimes we are surrounded by "duh" people--don't you?

My students wrote an essay (that we have been working on for an entire week). The essay (with research) is to be typed today. If they did not finish on Friday (they had 90 minutes to write 1 1/2 pages and I gave them an outline), they needed to finish over the weekend. Did they? Of course all of them are perfect and finished--NOT. They don't understand why I am "ill". You tell me.
So, I will leave you with this prayer...Lord, please help me to not be "ill"--sick and irritated. Amen.

Not A Good Day

2008-02-14T13:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope my Valentine's Day gets better because it hasn't been that great. Okay, it was only bad because of certain students. I don't like to talk bad about students, but dang. I have this one class that drives me crazy sometimes. They are so distracted by this one student that I am always telling them to be quiet. I don't feel like I can even teach. This kid has something off about him, but I am losing my patience. I have had to ask for help with him. We will see what happens.

I have been tired all week. Packing and moving are making me nuts. I think this crazy thing might be contagious so be careful. There have been a ton of students and teachers out with the flu--for a week at a time. I have been taking a ton of vitamins with the hope that it passes by me. I have also been the Lysol general here in my class.

2008-02-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

Things have been crazy in our life. The boys have basketball every weekend. Jacob is training with a traveling baseball team (twice a week). He is lifting weights and everything. Gabriel loves basketball. He is so cute out there. Jacob, of course is great at everything. He has straight A's right now and Gabe is doing great in school too--he is reading on a 3rd grade level (he is still in 1st). They must get it from their smart mom. Haha. Too bad I don't still look like that--too fat now...

School is okay for me, but I have been making stupid mistakes lately. I have been getting tongue-tied and I have been leaving typos on papers. It really bugs me because I am just not like that! I don't think I am getting enough sleep. Oh well. We are still getting ready to move into the old house again. It looks really great. I am actually kinda excited about the move. It is just scary to move again. And...none of the boys want to help clean or pack (wow. that is a surprise. not).

Today is my baby's birthday. Gabriel turned seven this morning. It really scares me. Time is going by way too fast. Jacob is almost 12 and now Gabe is 7. Why can't they just stay little and sweet forever?

New Beginnings?

2008-01-15T12:41:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of the new semester. Jacob started advanced Art in place of the P.E. class that he loves. Most of my students left and were replaced with new faces. 11 students from last semester are still with me. I taught a strategies class last semester and I am teaching them English I this semester. I guess it is kinda neat. Only, a lot of those students were lazy today. I had about 5 or 6 kids who failed English first semester (someone else's class) and now they are my problem. I told all of them that without English, they cannot be in the 10th grade. I really hope this semester is better than the last.

We are having a lot of major changes in our life. We are moving from our new house to our old house. Confused yet? Reggie and his dad own our old house--the one Reggie grew up in. This is also the house we lived in for the first 10 years of our marriage. We brought our babies home to this house. The new house is our first house. It is great! We love the house, but not the payments. We cannot fix the things we want to fix because after the mortgage, we are broke. The house has an unfinished basement. We have the walls up and some of the other stuff bought. We just can't afford to ever have it finished. The move will be better for everyone. We are going from a brand new house to a really old one, but the old house is nice. Jacob is the only reluctant one in the bunch. Of course, I don't want to give up the vaulted ceilings, dishwasher, and spa tub, but oh well.

My Boring Life Update

2008-01-08T13:23:00.000-08:00

Most of this blog is about my life right now. I feel irritated--just wanted to warn you. We had a great Christmas. The kids got way too much! Anyway, we haven't had much luck selling the house--not a surprise (can anyone sell their house right now?)

The semester ends in a few days and I get mostly new kids. I am not sure if I'm happy about that or not. I was looking at the kids in the classes and I am loaded with the kids who are always in trouble. Why do they always give me these kids?

I was given a student about a month ago. They switched her schedule because "she couldn't get along with the teacher." When I was growing up, if that happened, they would tell you "tough shi*"--know what I mean? Anyway, things have been fine with this girl until yesterday. She answered her cell phone at the end of class. When I told her that was against school rules, she told me it was an emergency and kept talking. I was in such shock because no student has ever done this to me. Well, anyway, she is in trouble, but geez.

I am really tired. For some reason, I do not feel as if I am sleeping at night. I guess I have too much on my mind--imagine that. As my mom says, everything happens for a reason. I hope the reasons are good though. :O)

Sometimes I feel like my life is like this poor bear's life. I always find out stuff after I've already screwed it up. HMM

Christmas is almost here!

2007-12-20T11:44:00.000-08:00

Well, today is the last day of school for the year of 2007. I am so happy to see today arrive. I only have the same rotten kids for a couple more weeks (when we get back). I only have 45 more minutes of class. Yes, instead of working, I am writing on my blog. Oh well. They are finishing up a project on poetry. They are also supposed to be making up work--only 2 students are taking advantage of that.

They will be crying when we get back from the break and see how bad they did on the end-of-course test (a state test). Oh well. I am ready for rest, relaxation, family, and plenty of good food!!!

I HATE HIGH SCHOOL! I hated it when I was there and I hate it now.

Oh well...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Is Christmas Break here yet?

2007-12-10T10:24:00.001-08:00

Well, just like all teachers, I am so ready for the break. I am almost ready for Christmas (presents and such). Here is what my kids have asked family and Santa to bring them this year...

Jacob: He has asked for an XBOX 360. Well, there is no way I am buying it, so Papa should be buying it. You know, only grandparents buy the stuff the parents refuse to buy. Parents want educational, but the grandparents want the fun stuff that will drive the parents crazy.

Jacob has been going to Circuit City with Pop. They go to play Guitar Hero- he plays for hours. He says that it is really cool.

Gabriel: He is so easy going that he is okay if he doesn't get what he has asked for. He is such a great kid. Jacob will be upset if he doesn't get what he has asked for, but Gabe was told that Santa is having problems finding his Transformer mask and he might not get it. He told me "That's okay Mommy." I asked him if he really was okay with not getting it. He said, "I really want it, but it's okay if he can't get it to me." I wanted to kiss him for being so honest and sweet. I hope he stays this way forever.

Gabe is really into Transformers this year. The mask he wants is on the right. It makes his voice sound like Optimus Prime. Cool.

New Pictures!

2007-11-20T09:43:00.000-08:00

Gabriel's school picture for this year--first grade. Isn't he cute? His teeth have come in since this picture, but he is still cute. Jacob's picture would also be up here, but he didn't like his picture and didn't want me to buy them. Go figure.

Gabriel drew this picture for me this week. I haven't been feeling very good. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be me or not. I just love getting artwork from my kids.

Well, I have no choice. I have to get my picture taken each year. Unfortunately, my picture will be in the yearbook FOREVER. So, if for instance I look terrible, then it will be recorded in thousands of yearbooks forever. :O)

I love this picture of mom and dad. They just got them back yesterday and I was one of the first people to get a copy. They look so great!

2007-11-20T06:15:00.000-08:00

Ok. So my house finally appeared on the real estate website. I need to figure out a way to get this thing sold. If you have any bright ideas, let me know. Here is the link to the house:

http://www.bluemoonproperties.net/Homes/165Hillcrest.htm

Yuck--is it only Tuesday?

2007-11-06T08:45:00.000-08:00

I have been so tired lately. The kids are involved in Reggie's football team. They are gone all weekend and many nights during the week. I usually stay home. I don't understand or enjoy football. I like watching Gabe play though. I am very frustrated with my job lately. The kids are plain lazy. They don't want to do anything and are very vocal about their disgust. I can't wait for Thanksgiving break--everyone needs a break. I am at my limit for complaining and people asking me why. "Why do I have to do this?" "Why this, why that" I want to tell them to kiss my *** butt :O) Anyway, I am thinking about getting my Master's degree soon so I can teach college. I know I am always complaining about my job, but sometimes I feel like these kids are sucking out all of my spirit. All of the stuff I brought to the classroom--all the excitement and spirit is slowing dwindling out.

I have been trying some new technology in the classroom for the last few days. It went a little slow at first, but once I figured out what I was doing, it went well. The kids were patient though. We are working on the research paper--fun fun fun. The paper is on William Shakespeare--someone who I know a lot about. The kids don't like him, but who cares? I just act like "I CAN'T HEAR THEM!"

We still have our house on the market and a few people have come to look, but no bites. We will see. We would like to sell before the end of the year. It would be nice to have one more Christmas in the house, but we will see...

Here is a pic of our house:

Maybe we are asking for too much money???

Just kidding.

2007-10-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

My week has been kinda crazy. I have been making really dumb mistakes. I have been calling people by the wrong name, I didn't put enough gas in my car and I thought I had, and on and on and on...

I wrote up a student and meant to write up a different student. Nice--the wrong student got into trouble. I misguessed how much gas was in my truck (the gas gauge is broken) and I broke down on my way to work. That was fun. I have said some really stupid stuff too. Just ask the kids. They always hear the stupid stuff.

Jacob is having girl problems. He is in the middle of the "middle school girls drama" and can't get out. He broke up with his girlfriend yesterday and started going back out with his girlfriend from last year. I thought this stuff started when they were older. I am going crazy just trying to give him advice (good advice that is).

I am excited that tomorrow is Friday!!! Angie and I are going to see Jeremy Camp in concert Saturday. FUN! Hopefully when I get home from GA, my house will be clean by the three guys who will be staying home.

2007-10-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

Well, Skillet was great this weekend. This was Gabe's first concert (outdoors) and he loved it. He was singing loud and clapping. We had a lot of fun. My parents had a birthday lunch for me yesterday (today is my b-day) and their best friends were there. One of them asked me why teacher's complain about the work load when they are off during the summer. Wow. I have heard that a lot--from men of course. So, I figured it out:

Each day--8 1/2 hours (lunch is maybe 20 minutes)
Week--43 1/2 hours
My week (because I do detention)--47 hours
If you are a coach--I can't even think about how many hours
Week (if you take work home--lessons, papers to grade, etc.)--50+ hours

Week when English teachers have to read research papers--too many hours to add.

So, yes we do get Christmas off and Summer off, but think about how much of the summer we spend creating lesson plans, working on getting our rooms ready for students, and taking classes or seminars. If teachers got paid for the time they really put in, we would all be rich!

So, no we don't all leave early and sleep during our planning period--most of us are actually WORKING! Just remember: We are teaching the future leaders of America and you can't put a price tag on that...LOL

The "Whine" Fest

2007-10-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

There are many phrases for what I am about to do. "Whine Fest", Would you like cheese with your whine? And many others...
Teaching high school kids has been rough on me in the past year or so. This year, it has been better, but some days are like today. My teenage students WHINE ABOUT EVERYTHING.

I could give them free time--whine. I can put on a video--whine. I could tell them to sleep--whine. Geez--nothing makes them happy. I try my best to make English both educational and enertaining, but the bottom line is that this is high school, not elementary school. They want to be babied. Forget it. I am so tired of hearing these things...

"Why do we have to do this?"

"Does this count for a grade?"---duh, why give it to you if it didn't count?

"This is stupid, boring, etc."

I want to tell them to get a life and leave mine alone. Don't get me wrong--not all of my students act this way--just about 70%. I am also tired of repeating myself. I am going to create a device that attaches to every desk and records what I say. Then, the device with show the student what I said--and it could show them over, and over, and over...

My sister is taking Gabriel and me to see my favorite band this weekend--Skillet. At least the nightmare has a nice ending. Well, thanks for listening to me vent.

Skillet Music Video:::::http://myvideo-box.com/clip.php?id=d6ca0ee5

Watch out world...A future writer in the making!!!

2007-09-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

I am so excited!!! My son, Gabriel was chosen to read a book that he wrote on something called PAWS. He wrote a book about his cat, Abby who died and his new cat, Lilly. He had pictures and everything--it was so cute. Anyway, his teacher sent his book to the principal who chose his above others. He was chosen to read his book to the entire school (he was taped the day before). We are so proud of him!! To be chosen for PAWS is such a great honor. If you see my future writer soon, let him know how proud you are...

2007-09-25T06:40:00.000-07:00

Ever heard of David Crowder Band? The new CD is out today!! I am so excited. You have got to check this out. The songs are previewed for you and if you click on VIDEO--there is a funny cartoon video of the band. :O)

http://ecards.emicmg.com/dcb/remedy/

Help! It's only Thursday!!

2007-09-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

I resorted to using something in my classroom that I never thought I would use--a whistle. Let me tell you--the kids stopped talking when I blew the whistle. I guess because it is annoying to hear. Oh well. I guess if it works for coaches, it can work for me. There's nothing more aggravating that a talkative teenager. I had a talk with one class today. I told them that every time they talk when I am trying to talk, I lose respect for them. If they want respect, they have to give respect. That worked for about 10 minutes. Oh well, I guess a teacher of teenagers should try many things before finding something that works. Hmmm. What ever happened to the paddle and the ruler on the hand? Just kidding...

Freedom. Well, a mother only hears that word every once in a while. I just happen to get freedom once a week during football season. Thankfully, I have two boys who love football and a husband who takes them to games. I am not required to attend--thank goodness. Freedom. Oh yah, gotta grade papers and fold those clothes and cook dinner. What happened to laying around and being lazy??? That's right...all women are like Wonder Woman--all work and no play.

TGIF

2007-09-14T12:53:00.001-07:00

Thank Goodness It's Friday!!!

I am so tired. It has been a really long week this week. It seems like we are always going somewhere every night. Gabriel is playing football and Jacob is playing travel baseball.

Now that school is in full force, I feel like I am a chicken with its head cut off. I am trying to keep up with all of the papers I have to grade and Jacob started middle school and has more homework. Do you ever feel like you are running, running, running and going nowhere? Well, I am sure I'm going somewhere, but who knows where. My students are a lot better this year than they were last year! Thank goodness. They actually do what they are told and turn in work--it is amazing! HAHA.

Not much else happened this week except work, school, kids, husband, taxi service, pets, family......how many hats do mom's wear anyways? We do have a lot to be thankful for. The only thing I am worried about is this: We are selling our house. The realtor who sold us the house is going to come by on Wednesday to look the house over. I am really worried. My kids are maniacs and the house needs to be cleaned (major cleaning) and painted (forget that). So, you now know what I'm going to be doing all weekend. No sleeping. No grading the million or so papers that I have to grade by Monday (grades are due on Monday), but cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning. Doesn't that sound fun?

2007 Girls Only Disney Trip

2007-09-13T13:19:00.001-07:00

2006 Night of Joy

Angela and I just got back from Walt Disney World. FUNFUNFUN! We went last year to Night of Joy and had so much fun that we went again this year. Night of Joy is a weekend of Christian concerts with our favorite bands like Skillet and favorite singers like Jeremy Camp. This year, we saw Chris Tomlin and David Crowder Band at Disney and the next night we went to Universal Studios (for Rock the Universe) and we saw The Afters, Jeremy Camp, and Skillet. We had a great time. We flew down there this year--we learned our lesson last year--that drive stinks. Anyway, the food was great and the concerts rocked. We did have some problems though!! The hotel took 5 hours to get our luggage to our room. We had to reschedule dinner because with our luggage in limbo, we were not dressed for the restaurant that we had reservations with... When we got home, it felt like we walked, stood in line and in one place, and waited all weekend. We both had swollen ankles, hurt feet, and were very tired. Lucky for Angela, she had some time off, but I had to work the next day. It wasn't bad though--well, other than being exhausted. My students were actually good while I was gone. I am still in shock. It took me a couple of weeks to get my students back in line last year. HMMM. That's all for today. Thanks for hanging out long enough to read the blog for today!

Old, but still good pictures

2007-09-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

Gabriel and our dog Jack

The new cat, Lily

Dutchess "Maggie" Fowler