Wednesday, May 28, 2014

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday? This Teacher Transistions from School to Summer...

Ahhh, summer time...summer livin'...

We were invited to join friends for a Memorial Day Cook-Out.
I love to make appetizers, so was quick to volunteer for that assignment.

But first, the true meaning behind the Memorial Day holiday.
We spent the morning with family brunch and a trip to the cemetary to visit my hubby's father's gravesite.

We honor and pay tribute to all who serve.

By late afternoon, we joined friends for good food and great fellowship.

Alan and Kari had roasted the baby back ribs 
in their oven for most of the afternoon.

The clouds burned off and it was a beautiful evening 
to go out to the patio to the grill.

Thank you, Grill Master!

It was the perfect kick-off to our summer.

But again, first things first...
Next year's budget needs to be submitted.
Final grades need to be posted.

Thankfully, my assistant approves!

Take care,
~Natalie

p.s. one of my appetizers was this Cowboy Caviar.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Blessings to all Family and Friends on this Memorial Day

Today we honor all of the brave men and women 
who gave their lives for our freedom.
Also sending prayers to their families who sacrifice so much.

While we were in Boston for Christmas vacation, 
we took a little day trip to 

 Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. 
-John F. Kennedy

Enjoy this unofficial first day of summer with family and friends...
and take time to remember those who have given so much.

Love and Hugs to our Amy and Nick.

Take care,
~Natalie

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Another School Year Comes to a Close & a Message to my Super Sophomore Super Study

 
Yesterday, I turned out the lights in my very empty classroom.
My 36th year of teaching is now in the books...
(just need to post final grades by 5/27
and submit our department's budget by 6/1)

We finally got nearly everyone in our Super Study together for a photo.
Next to impossible, as students are absent for club meetings, math tutoring, doctor's appointments, and extra-curricular activities.

Here they are in August of 2012, their Freshman Year.
I recently read a student quote in a school yearbook...
"What will you miss most about high school?"  
I will miss super study...it is the one time during the day when you can chill for 25 minutes,
and everyone from all the other groups and cliques just get along.

Google image
Does this remind you of anybody else?

So, this last week we took care of business...
finishing final projects and studying for end-of-course exams.

But we also spent some time celebrating with sweet treats,
taking photos, and sharing hugs and high fives.


Have a great summer, everyone.
Make good choices...Stay safe...

Take care,
~Natalie

Monday, May 19, 2014

Monday Mania ~ So Much Curriculum...So Little Time...

Yes, it was our last Monday of the School Year.
Yes, I am counting down the days that I need to wake up at 4:30 a.m.

While my schedule was most difficult, 
I was blessed with some of the sweetest students this year.

My Foods Class seems to always step up to the plate 
and make our Turkey Dinner a huge Success.

And the walls of my classroom are dripping 
with the results of our class discussions!

 Last, but certainly not least...
I was proud to mentor a new teacher in our department.
While I could offer words of experience,
she challenged me to try new things.

Here, we have combined our Super Study Groups.
We can project a topic, or sentence starter on the screen and our students can use their smart phones to text a response...

This was way beyond my wildest imagination 
36 years ago, when I went to school early
to prime the ditto machine!

Take care,
~Natalie

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

My Mother's Day Diary

Such a different Mother's Day, it was.
I fought off the urge to just stay in bed and cry.
I guess I was missing my mom and our daughters.

But that would have gotten me nowhere...
I would have just felt worse, instead of better.
And, thanks to technology,
(texts, skype, facetime, snapchats, and phone calls)
 I was able to visit with each daughter...Twice!

While so much was different,
much was the same.
We have always had our Mother's Day Celebration
with my hubby's sister. She is a wonderful hostess and makes a delicious dinner.
She has two delightful cats...this is Ella.

Plus, there was weekend mail!

The tissue and ribbons were so pretty that the packaging alone made me happy!

Such a pretty card...
along with special gifts.
Thank you, Emily.

I have a perfect place for this, right here.

And you know how much I love to wear bracelets...

I have a perfect place for this,
right here!

My forever thoughtful hubby
found this gem of a card...

With four more cards inside!

There's an inside story to his gift...
but this is already too long, so I'll save it for another day.

Thank you Amy and Emily for your texts, calls, facetimes and skypes.
Thank you to my hubby, his mom, and sister for spending family time together.
And thank you to some special friends that sent facebook messages and shapchats to make my day brighter.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.
Take care,
~Natalie


Road Trip ~Day Three ~Burger Battle ~Sweet Shopping Highlights

Our last full travel day took us through four states… Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Including some Big Bridges over some Big ...