8.13.09

I am back! Back from France that is. The last time I posted here was....well....a long time ago!

Here are the highlights from the past few months:

• completed my National Boards; waiting for results which should be in November
• completed my 6th year of teaching
• went on the Alaska cruise with my folks and Richard's family in July
• left for France mid-July and stayed for three weeks

My summer has been AMAZING! It has been great to travel and see what the world has to offer. Above is a photo of me in France. Alex swoonhoggled these T-shirts from the local grocery store after he explained our love and fondness of their store! We went to this store several times in one day for several days in a row. We shopped and cooked for 27 people. That's a lot of groceries.

I have a few more weeks before school starts. Until then, our schedule is jammed packed. Camping, boating, visiting friends, company picnic, and just plain getting ready for school to begin.

Richard made me a wooden leg..just in case the surgery didn't work.

NB Portfolio DONE!

ACL and NB

On April 1st, I had ACL reconstruction surgery. Way back in Decemeber I was playing kickball after school with other staff members and to make a long story short and less gross, I tore/disconnected my ACL.

I think I am healing well. The first few days were miserable. Hobbling around on crutches is tedious. I am able to move around pretty well by now, but it takes quite a bit of concentration. It is hard for me to believe that I will be able to bear weight on my left leg in the next few days. The past few days I have had some cramping in my calf, but after talking to the nurse this morning, she reassured me that it was part of the process and as long as it is not swollen, hot or red, there is no need to worry. Instead, just keep taking the pain pills to get through it.

As of March 29th, I was done with my NB (National Boards) portfolio. After several long days and nights, I sent it off! It has officially been signed for and is being processed. I won't hear until November...painful. So, I have been forced by my ACL to recover from NB! I have to say it was touch and go for a while. A roller coaster ride that I don't want to go on again.

Happy Birthday, Mara!

Mara has become a dear friend of mine and it was her birthday today! Mara passed away in September from DIPG, an inoperable brain tumor. She was a student at AJ and was in my class up until her death. She was there on Friday, September 19th and passed away Monday, September 22nd. As her mom shared today at her birthday celebration, "Mara didn't come to school because she had to, she came because she wanted to."

The birthday party was grand in my eyes. My students have been anticipating this day for a very long time. They made butterflies and posters to decorate the gym. Family and friends added balloons, pink tulle netting, a banner....add some children and you have a birthday party! It was a beautiful sight.

The family dedicated a plaque to our school. It is amazing. If you are ever in the area, stop in to see it. It is worth the trip! A cherry blossom tree will be planted in Mara's honor on the school grounds. Under the tree, "forget me not's" will be planted.

An amazing day for an amazing child. Happy 7th Birthday, Mara!

3.2.09

March Already?

• STILL working on National Boards. I wonder what I will blog about when I am DONE?!
• Tuckered out because I have been working on National Boards so much.
• Still buying books for National Boards.
• Still need to video tape my classroom setup for National Boards.
• I will be taking my National Board exam in May.
• ACL being replace the day after I turn in my National Board portfolio.

Can you tell what is on my mind?

2.8.09

Quick Notes:

• I am STILL working on Nat. Boards as much as possible. March 31st is right around the corner. Eeek. I have to turn in my portfolio by then. Type, type, type.
• I am taping myself teach several times a week. This is a rough process. I sound like a man on every video. Great.
• I injured my knee in a mean kickball game in December. I will be having surgery in April. Not happy.
• I have one week of teaching left before mid winter break. One week off. Thank goodness.
• I had breakfast for dinner last night and again this morning. This makes me happy.
• I am looking forward to doing some small craft projects when I have time.
• I just signed up to be a captain for Relay for Life again this year. We will walk in memory of my student, Mara Adams.
• I need to get a haircut. Maybe mid winter break.

1.24.08

I am almost positive that other blog posters have more exciting news to share than what I am about to share, but please consider reading on in order to get up to date with the Jackson household....

As usual, time is flying by. I still can't remember the last time I was actually "bored." I can't wait until the day I get to post about being "bored."

I am constantly working or thinking about my National Boards. It doesn't seem to get any easier as the days past, but only more worry-some. After a day of teaching it is hard to come home to work on papers, videos, etc. On the weekends, I concentrate on getting work done, but weekends like this make it difficult. I had a district training today and am meeting with my cohort group tomorrow. This does not allow time to be "bored."

Thinking back, I don't recall Richard being bored either. He is busy with work and keeping tabs on the tenants. Recently, he has been working on site Mondays and Tuesdays and working from home the following days. I take him to the bus on Mon. and Tues. which always is a time crunch, but we seem to manage.

Looking forward to the day I am bored,
April

Office Door

Below are a few pictures of the shoe holder I am using for organization. I punched holes (using my new "BIG BITE" tool), inserted large eyelets, made tags and threaded ribbon throught eyelet to label each pocket.

1.2.09 Photos

Richard and I at Zoo Lights

Christmas lunch at Shari's...oh, the decisions!

Dinner at the Crab Pot in Seattle

Me, trying to escape....I'm okay.

Mom and Dad in front of tree at Zoo Lights.