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rosieross
Dec. 24th, 2006
07:01 pm - Merry Christmas!
Hi everybody,
Here we are, Christmas Eve, thoroughyly enjoying our time here with Candice and Jeff. Michael and Candice are buzzing around the kitchen, preparing Ciopino, Jeff has set out a ceese and rice cracker plate, I'm enjoying observing the saltwater acquarium and a glass of wine. (I'm drinking the wine, looking at the acquarium.)
We had a marvelous day skiing at Brighton resort for about 4 hoursw today! Wow how fun was that? Tons. the sky was blue, and there were dollups of snow on the pine trees. The only wait was the line for the bunny slope, so we moved over to the next challanging lift. woo hooo!
Our vacation started with a stay in Santa Barbara, including a stroll through a sidewalk art sale, the art museum, and State Street. A spicy meal at the Taj Cafe topped off the evening. The next afternoon we had a delightful visit with my Aunt Dorothea and her friend Ralph. We especially enjoyed the Mini Milanos manufactured by Maui Menehune.
We proceeded to Palos Verdes where we had a fun family festival featuring Greek Gyros at brother Rick's house. Michael wow-ed everyone with his Frank Sinatra style Christmas carols on Kareoke. He was accompanied by a chorus of cacophanous cousins.
The next day we drove to Las Vegas, but were too tired to gamble....there's always next time. We did have a marvelous Middle Eastern meal at the Alladin.
After that we explored Zion National Park in the snow, and were awestruck. We want to come back.
We look forward to a relaxing day tomorrow, baking and preparing our Christmas meal together. Max is joining us at 4:00, when we'll open presents.
This has been a marvelous vacation!
The day before we were in Park City and guess what? We ran into my cousin Tina in a ski shop! She and her family own a house up there. I knew that, but who'd have thought I'd see her then? Apparently we're meant to renew our relationship, after a 20 year hiatus, since we've seen each other 3 times in the past 6 months.
Nov. 22nd, 2006
03:51 am
Under pressure to move at an uncomfortable and unreasonable pace, to use only "approved" materials, to test what hasn't been taught, we're all pretty disgruntled. I saw an ad for help at Office Depot today...
Anyway, I came up with a 5 minute science-PE-art project. SNOW ANGELS. We could follow it up with one of those 6 word stories...
Hmm did I forget to "post"?
Anyhow, Thanksgiving will be quiet...With our kids scattered hither and yon, it'll be just Michael, myself, Tim, and later, friend Stephanie. There should be plenty of leftovers. I'm wondering what Sean will be doing, eating, thinking. FYI, Ginger's with Candice (and, I'm guessing, Jothom), Mike Jr is "not available" due to football commitments.
Tomorrow I shop, bake, decorate. Michael's doing the turkey and stuffing. So I'll bake yams, steam green beans and bake the traditional pies. Oh yes, crANBERRY SAUCE. I feel stuffed already!
iT'S SORT OF A LETDOWN TO NOT BE HAVING A HOUSEFUL, BUT SORT OF A RELIEF, TOO.
HAPPY THANKS GIVING, EVERYONE!
Nov. 5th, 2006
04:30 am - I forgot
I forgot I actually did post before--- Well does anyone have an old joke to tell me? Laughter guaranteed. You could tell it to me tomorrow, too.
04:26 am
This is my first posting on this new fangled journal method... and to think I threw out the piles and piles of college life journals before some move or another. there's probably someone's novel, somewhere--ha. My life wasn't that interesting---I was just working through piles of confusion...
And now--Sean tells me that this journal will be saved for eternity--amd who can read it? I think I forgot that part.
I've been having school nightmares for the first time since my first year teaching, 10 years ago. I'm not the only one. We're under scrutiny (hey does this program have a spell check?) for program compliance, since we're a "program improvement" school. Bottom line: our scores are too low, even though they've been climbing steadily for the last 4 years. 98% of our students are on free lunch, most parents do not have a HS education, nor do they speak English.
Anyway, the latest inspection revealed that room 22 (mine) actually had the NAMES of the pictures written on the "sound-spelling" cardson the wall. I was told to remove the printing. Can you believe it?
The pettiness of beauracracy has always infuriated me. Will I comply? NO. What can they do? Fire me for putting words on the wall?
I used to get a charge out of being observed, but now I just get nervous. Others also are having nightmares....Well, I'm 1/2 way to retirement... 10 years have seemed like 5, so another 10 should go by pretty quickly... I just have to find a way to get out of there by 4:00 again, so I can get some exercise and release the stress.
Michael and I had fun today. we went to the Farmer's market in Salinas, got some yummy fruits and veggies. Michael was inspired to set up a booth...hmmm we'll see. He thinks we could make a tidy bundle selling snow and moogie mo. He's probably right. Then we went over to the Salinas driving range and hit a bucket between us. I hit a consistant 80-100 yards, and they're straight. I wish I could get more distance in...I'll need something to occupy my time when I retire!
We're looking forward to spending Christmas with Candice. No plans for Thanksgiving, yet.
Hasta la pasta
Barbara
Oct. 15th, 2006
12:15 am - short note
Hi,
Just had a nice conversation with my son so I'm back on livejournal. I swear livejournal lost my password. I know I didn't, because I wrote it down!
Now I know to check spam when I don't get an email I'm expecting...
Anyhow, how funny to find out Sean was in Seattle the same time we were in Vancouver/Portland. Weather was PERFECT. I was the (old) maid of honor in my best friend Ginni's wedding, and Michael and I danced the night away...it was so fun, even if I did look like Peggy Sue in that bride's maid outfit. We had a terrific time with my sister and family. Also loved seeing old friends...no one has changed (much) in 16 years. amazing. May the trend continue...
Well, I love my work,(teaching 3rd grade in English) but am beginning to hate my job, with all the testing, pacing, observations, etc. that have been instigated. There's no time for fun or "teachable moments" antmore. Our scores have been steadily going up, except for last year there was a amall dip in math when they took away a program that works...
What the hell, I'm still going to teach weaving and Christopher Columbus and watercolor. (Did I actually say what the hell?...I blame it on my NY mother-in-law). So that's about it.
I try not to think about my son being in the terrorist infested jungle for a year. O course my prayers will be with him everyday...
Here's hoping Rin's liking Seattle and all it has to offer. Stay in touch, girl.
Later.
Aug. 22nd, 2006
06:50 am - mom almost always knows best
Wow Sean looks GOOD! I was having a hard time imagining him with no hair, but now he looks more, hmmmmmm manly, less studentish, and you can see his JAW! Hope that keeps those Thai lice at bay! I hear there's almost as ugly as those Bonny Doon cockroaches. What does Rin think???
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it's earlyAug. 21st, 2006
08:29 pm - the first time
Just like the first kiss, the first time on live journal is memorable.
Thanks to my genius son,Sean, I now have account. Maybe now he and I will "talk" more than evey 6 months. But, as I always have told him, it's quality, not quantity.
Thanks, Sean.