Life of the Party

       As the state play offs start, we must remember that these are students (kids) who are playing. I love how my small town supports these students and really push them to do their best!  Robbinsville has always been known for its "title town" signs. I hope these young men achieve their dreams!        We drove around in town today, because school was closed and I didn't have to go in. I saw signs and banners all over. I guess from the outside, we seem like a "hick" town, but I love it all the same. I love this time of year, because we pull together as a community to support our players. I don't really attend games here due to the fact that I teach at a different school. It's nice to see some positive light being spread around here. Hopefully, they will win!         Best of luck! Go Black Nights!!!

     It's been a few weeks since Vegas, and it seems as if it was all a dream. Coming back into the middle of a work week was pure hell. Everything passed by so quickly, and I don't think I got to take everything in the way I wanted to. We went from hellish hot weather to freezing temperatures. I even purchased a hoodie. Wow!      I think the devastating that really hit me was the homeless situation. There were children everywhere digging in the trash for food. In our small town I have been sheltered from this. I handed my leftovers and snacks to these individuals. I just cannot see how you can just walk by people who are starving. It's a normal occurance there, so no one really pays attention to it. The cost of living is so high that the average worker cannot afford to survive on one pay check alone. I think this adventure has come to a close. I did have fun, but it was an eye opening experiece. 

    3 Doors Down played last night in Cherokee! It was a wonderful decision to purchase tickets to see one of my favorite bands play and the proceeds when to help Veterans! Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina often means that you have to travel great distances to attend live entertainment venues. I was glad the Cherokee Casino had picked a band like 3 Doors Down to play. I would have driven further out to see them anyway, but it was nice to have it close to home! 

     Due to unforeseen circumstances I will not be attending our ten year reunion. I have decided that I do not need to see anyone from my past. If they are still in my life its because I want them there. Besides, my best friend isn't even going.      I wonder if other people are thinking along the same lines? 

    As I watched the first leaves of fall slowly sway to the ground, I realized this would be my first Fall without dad. This is going to be my first hunting season without my sport system. I was raised to be a true tomboy, but it just doesn't seem possible without him. I have spend countless hours listening to my pack run, target practicing, and training my dogs. All the things he has taught me seem somewhat foolish now. Why in the world did we spend so much time in the woods?     As the leave continue to Fall, I will be counting down the days until October. I have hounds, guns, and a thrill seeking personality, but it will not be the same without him. Loosing a loved one opens up wounds that never seem to properly heal, and here I am trying to stitch it back together. So, I guess today I miss my dad the most.      I miss him yelling at me to hand him the correct tools, practicing backing up the boat, and sitting on the creek banks. 

    School starts back for the kids this Thursday and prepartations are on their way to welcome them back. Every year I stress out about the first day of school. The students are excited to be back and we are excited to see their faces. Teachers need to make a good first day impression. I don't know about you, but this is always my top prority. The first day back should be filled with fun interactive activities. Yes, I will go over the rules, but it will be followed by a movement activity.     I have never asked my students about how they spent their summer, because for some of them school is their haven. I was one of those kids. I counted down for school to start back. I didn't want to be home where I wasn't learning and life was stagnant. Personally, I will never disclose how I grew up, but knowing that school was my safe place should suffice. I dispise teachers who as the students to write about their summer adventures. Not all kids went on a vacation or had any...

    Oh, let me tell you about our upcoming event. My friend and I have decided that Vegas is our new destanation for Fall Break. Ummmmmm, I'm completely over the whole party scene, but this decision seems sound. There must be plently of things to do other than drink and gamble right?  She is the mother of three and I'm settled into the permanet single life, so this will be interesting.      Our personallities are somewhat simular, but our versions of fun seem to be drastically different. I think best friends are the best travel buddies because you get to be yourself. This will also me by first time flying. Yeah, I'm nervous to say the least, but it should be entertaining.      I have a little of a dare devil inside me and I love seeking out thrilling things to do. I think I'm going to do the free fall activity suggested by our hotel. I wonder how I'm going to convince her to do this as well? Do I have the ability to peer pressure her into ...

        It’s always funny to think about. At school I’m organized and I got my life together there, but at home I can’t even find matching socks. I spent at least twenty minutes this morning plunging through baskets of clothing. I wonder if everyone, lives two lives?  I seem to be a completely different person at home then I am here at school.  Adulthood comes with many challenges that you never foresee as a teenager. We never saw the struggles that her parents and grandparents had or their sacrifices. I set up four different doctors appointments today only to cancel them all because I forgot I had to drive my mom to her‘s.       Oh I have a personal planner and is very detailed, but I never seem to get it all in there and I always miss something. I even have a highlighting system that ranks events. It’s when you’re sitting in a doctors office and realize that you were supposed to be at a dental appointment instead that you reali...

    Listen up first year teachers lesson planning does get easier!  Unfortunately, I spent a majority of my day going over for different curriculums for this upcoming school year.  I’m very thankful for my hoarding tendencies to keep all curricular materials in designated boxes with labels.  It is always OK to use teacherspayteachers.com to look up lessons that you struggle with.       I spent some time setting up my classroom, enjoying towns with my coworkers, and getting organized.  Apparently, I over organize and have too many labels and too many boxes to the point I’m going to have to downsize.  I was so nervous for the first couple teacher workdays, that I forgot my keys phone and wallet at the house.  Being on able to open any of my cabinets was completely frustrating!  You know you’re becoming a veteran teacher when you have full folders filled with lesson plans from past years and you still have a hard time deciding w...

      Well, it’s  sad to say that it’s going to be my 10 year high school reunion. I thought this time wouldn’t come so fast! It’s like high school was just yesterday.  As I’m sitting here scrounging through my old high school yearbooks, I have discovered that maybe I don’t want to see all these people again. The ones I wanted to keep up with stayed friends and they stayed close. I didn’t follow the typical path that most of my peers.  Most of them are married, have children, and they are stagnant.       I want to avoid the bombardment of routine questioning from peers. Perhaps I should have a shirt made that says “I’m not married, I have no kids, and definitely don’t plan on it any time soon.” I was voted most outspoken in my class our senior year.   So, wearing this said T-shirt would have some justification.  Spending the afternoon with a fake smile and laugh isn’t my cup of tea.  I wonder if other people go through this s...