Summer Fun

Daniel, Rachel, Alex, Lauryn, her friend Zach and I took a trip to see some of the family. My mom met us in Caldwell, Idaho the night before. We rented two rooms, thinking people would actually sleep...should have rented the pool as that is where most of the night was spent.
Next morning we woke up to rain.....a little disapointed but nonetheless undaunted, we met up with uncle Steve and family in Boise, then caravanned to Cascade.
After unpacking and staking out our bedrooms in the large house Kristen found, we drove to Gold Fork Hot Springs. Uncle Paul and some of his family were staying at his place in McCall, which was close by---so they met us there. Five pools ranging from cool to 'too hot baby' lots of laughter and a little mischief provided by the Skeens.
Friday it was still raining, (I loved it). However, Uncle Steve managed to round up several willing participants to brave the chill and take a ride in the boat. I'm not sure, but I think Steve took the boat out at least four times that day.
Saturday, yes it was still raining, but we heard a rumor it was going to clear. Again, Steve had several willing participants to brave the chill. While they were out skiing I decided I couldn't leave the lake without a quick dip in the lake.My quick jaunt turned into an hour of swimming. The water wasn't too cold after getting used to it and the sun made an appearance about halfway through.
Grandma Skeen made a fabulous zuchinni/sausage dish, Teri made a killer beef brisket, Kristen and Kevin brought their wii to entertain and the cute babies kept us all vying for their attention.
Sincere thanks to Steve and Teri for inviting us on memorable vacation.

Oh A Hiking We Will Go . . . .

Several of us tree-hugging, granola women decided to create our own little trekker club. We leave at about 6:00 am on Saturday and go hiking. We've completed four hikes thus far. I never knew Utah had such beautiful, pristine forests. We've encountered mud, swift-running rivers and some rain---which I think makes it more stunning.
I just wish I were in better shape...this last hike was a tiny bit easier...but I've got a long ways to go.

YEAH LO---we knew you could!

Isnt she lovely
Isnt she wonderfull
Isnt she precious
Still less than ninteen years-old
I never thought through love there would be
A daughter as lovely as she

Isn't she pretty
Truly the angels best
Gosh, Im so happy
That I was heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
Through mortals He gave life to one
Isn't she lovely, Lauryn Susannah

HAPPY GRADUATION TO MY U OF U STUDENT!

My oldest grandaughter, Cait turned eight on April 20th, and was baptized, by her dad, last Saturday. We drove to Hyde Park to attend. Cait was adorable and I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She is such a sweet, kind, helpful young lady.

We had a nice lunch at Erin and Ryan's house and enjoyed a nice visit.

Lo, Rach, Erin

Cait and Alex

A WICKED NIGHT

Almost a year went by and I almost forgot I'd bought a ticket. I only went because my friend Angela thinks I'm not a lot of fun and wants me to live a little. So, blah, blah, blah . . . . . got ready and went hoping I'd have an inconspicious seat where I could get some shut-eye.
BOY!!!! Did I ever stay awake! I even rummaged through my purse, retrieved my contacts, and successfully placed them in my eyes (without a mirror), so I could see the production clearly.

L'EGGacy of My Life

These are some of my kids, grandkids, relatives, spouses, significant others and friends.
Just know, there's a lot of us and we're LOUD!














Ha, ha, funny play on words. That's what my lesson for Young Women's was about today...so I gave them all a plastic egg filled with candy and a quote about the Legacy we have as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I thought I was so clever and funny I just had to use it again to describe my wonderful family and friends. We had a fab Easter dinner, great conversation, lots of laughter and, although not everyone shares my religious beliefs, I felt the spirit of our Savior looking upon us with love.

Top Ten Ways To Avoid Catching Student's Germs, hence, wasting five days in bed!
10. Keep a box of disposible rubber gloves and face masks in desk drawer.
9. Teach students the Safety Kid's song, "Stay outside of My Space"
8. Follow the previous song's admonitions or receive White Slip.
7. Begin practice of 'bumping hips' to replace a 'high five' or 'hello hug'
6. Keep a fresh stack of phone passes on center of desk already filled-out so when ill child approaches desk, I can point to preprinted note and minimize virus-infected-air-filled exposure.
5. Visit Home Depot for construction-worker's utility apron. Fill it with can of Lysol, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer and sticky notes to post on offender's foreheads that state: 'Signs Of An Ill Child!'
4. Offer Free Homework passes to those who miss school and bring back a note stating that they were ill and thought it best not to infect others.
3. Threaten an F-for-the-day to anyone caught wiping their nose on their sleeve.
2. Place tip jar on desk with sign stating, 'Donations for Flu vaccination welcomed'
1. Purchase a webcam system hooked up to each student's home so that I can remain bacteria-free whilst I spew forth colossal amounts of information, and allow their parents to gain-back their well deserved role as overlords.

I'm supposed to be at my GT class, but I came home, to rest, because I started feeling sick about halfway through the day. Quite impressive, actually, since I haven't missed any days of work yet this year.
Funny, I finally sit down at my desk and try to finish out the day from that vantage point, as my legs and head really ache, and I'm thinking to myself, "Man, I could just put my head down and be asleep in a couple of minutes."
Then, I hurry home in order to lay down and I can't sleep because I'm worrying about all the stuff I should be doing.
Today, I wish my mommy were here to take care of me. She would bring me the 'hot water bottle', Lipton soup, and maybe a coloring book. Sometimes, growing up isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Nick 'Tagged' Me

1. I am far too old to play tag.
2. I HATE my jaw, I wish it could accidentally break so I could get it fixed.
3. I have a reoccurring dream that I'm flying and whenever I try to land I can't seem to keep my feet on the ground. (Interpretation . . . . . anyone?)
4. I always wanted to be a professional singer and dancer. When I was four I sat next to our bathroom heater and pretended it was a beach bon fire and I was Annette Funicello.
5. I looooovvvveeee the ocean and wish I lived within walking distance.
6. I am fascinated by unusual words and try to find ways to use them.
7. I wish I was 3 inches taller.
8. I hate fish, deer meat and small game....probably because my dad would make me clean up the blood and guts after he gutted them.
9. I wish I'd moved back to Bend ten years ago.
10. I'm afraid that I will die alone.
11. I'm big-time jealous of Rachel and Lauryn's beauty.
12. I'm jealous of Nick's excellent writing skills and Devin's creative drawing skills.
13. I'm jealous of Daniel's brains and Tyler's willingness to undertake adventure.
14. I'm jealous of Lauryn's dancing skills and Rachel's tenacity.
15. I want to run for public office and become the first honest politician.
16. Sometimes I'm really baffled by student's behavior---then I meet their parents and remember that the fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree.
17. I want to rid the world of mosquitos, flies, and lawn mushrooms.
18. I HATE the way our public school system is run.
19. I want to swim the English Channel or some channel that's not too cold.
20. I want someone to fall head-over-hills madly in love with me (I know who he is, but I'm too chicken to do anything about it.)
21. I want my body to be in the same shape as it was 20 years ago.
22. I want to travel to Scotland and England.
23. I want to travel to a third-world country and help set up a school.
24. I'd like to open an orphanage/school/farm/selfsufficiency home where children could be loved and learn how to become whole.
25. I am anxious to meet the Savior.

Now what? Am I supposed to say, 'tag you're it' to someone? If so, then Rachel, you're it!!!

I'm trying to delve deep inside myself for something profound to put in writing, but, I guess I'm really not a deep thinker.
6:00 am this morning I turned the news on to listen and was somewhat intrigued by the masses of people crowded together on the 'Washington Mall'. Slightly amused at the extreme excitement of spectators. Slightly bewildered when one particular spectator exclaimed, "I don't need to worry about having enough money for a house payment anymore!" Jealous, when my son in Maryland stated he had work off today because of road closures in D.C. and then somewhat confused and apprehensive when the press began comparing Obama with President Lincoln.
Currently, my fifth-graders are studying the Revolutionary War and the Constitution. My testimony of our founding fathers is strong, I have no doubt their penned writings were inspired.
Since I'm feeling a little insecure . . . I feel that following the prophet's counsel to pray for our leader(s) is wise advise.

HAPPY NOTE!!! My brother Steve's son . . . Andrew and his wife Rachel had a little girl today.

These are pictures of Lauryn, my youngest, performing for a drill team competition. She is adorable! She is a busy girl with dancing, working, and school. I am so proud of her for working so hard at the things she loves and values. And...I LOVE to watch her perform!

Today, my friend Angela and I were invited to our mutual friend, Dawna's, for a Christmas luncheon. After all the food and small talk we got down to the real reason we had met.....the gift exchange. Dawna anxiously gave Angela and me our gifts and told us we had to open them at the same time. Imagine our delight and surprise when our eyes beheld a gift that was both attractive and multifunctional. Now, I know what you all are thinking, "How can I too, enjoy a striking, versatile pair of those padded cuties?"


Simple. You'll need a package of extra long, extra thick maxipads, several of your favorite motifs, and glue. Hope you receive as much pleasure from yours as I am from mine.

I wish every day could be Christmas. Except for the cold weather . . . . . I love the music, lights, people, food, colors and reverence for goodness that the season brings.

HA!

YES! I finally figured out how to alter my background layout. Yeh, yeh, I know nearly all other bloggers figured it out long ago . . . . . . . but, nonetheless, I'm proud of myself.

And, dear vegie Rachie, here's a very special Thanksgiving Jello turkey just for you!

Into the Woods

Rachel bought tickets for last night's play for Lauryn, Alex, herself and me. Lauryn couldn't get off work so we took Brett instead.

For those who've not experienced the show....it was wonderful. It began as a montage of amusing fairy tale adventures entertwining, and then ended without the expected 'happily ever afters'.

It was hard to observe families, lives and expectations dissolve because of choices made. My favorite, albeit, teary part was a song with words that stated, "People make mistakes. Fathers, mothers holding to their own, thinking they're alone. Witches can be right, giants can be good. You decide what's right, you decide what's good. You decide, but you're not alone, noone is alone".

NEED A NEW NAME?

So, I decided to find out what my name would have been if I'd been 'lucky' enough to have been born to Sarah Palin. Come to find out everyone would be calling me Mounty Bat. It's got kind of a small-town, scrubbrush, minty fresh sound to it, don't you think?
Additionally, I've decided that her names are much more inventive and befitting of my children than their bland, worn-out origonal names.
Ready-or-not here they are: Erin - Wesson Scalper; Ryan, (Erin's husband) Muzzel Mammoth; Daniel - Chin Trout; Emily, (Daniel's wife) Jeep Pike; Rachel - Pump Bust; Tyler - Pie Gallon; Nicholas - Cheney Wolfhound; Devin - Hose Hotrod; and Lauryn - Shove Maggot.
Realizing that these new names could be a mouthful to speak....it should behove any valued acquaintances to have them memorized by the next time you contact me----so get crack'n!
Please let me know what I should be calling you.
http://politsk.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah_13.html

Rumor has it......

I was innocently preparing for class ,this morning, as I can never seem to get it all done in the 1 1/2 hours they pay us to complete weekly preparation on Friday afternoons.

A woman walked into my classroom and began, "I've heard that you are a mean teacher."

Thankfully, after speaking to her for several minutes I understood that she meant it as a compliment. However, it annoys me that many youngsters associate structure, high expectations and compliance in the classroom as characteristics of a 'mean teacher'.

It further aggravates me that many children report their interpretation to their parents, and without further investigation parents are persuaded to believe similarly and the rumor spreads like the common cold.

Three-Day Weekend...Yeh!!!!! Let's see.......how long have I been back to school? Uh.....oh yeh, one week. Pretty pathetic, but there is just something about being back on the 7-6 work schedule that makes an extra day off seem heavenly.

My class seems somewhat better behaved at the beginning of this year than last year's kids. It took about six months to get my last-year's class to where they knew what was expected. I remember well, being frustrated and wanting to quit, even if it was to work at the dreaded Wal-Mart.

Funny, though, when I saw them last week I was overjoyed and felt sad that they'd moved on to sixth-grade----I missed them! Weird, yes, but that must be a characteristic that goes with those who teach.

On a similar but different note: Our rooms are HOT!!! Even with three fans going and windows open they average about 88 degrees. How come the district office and prisons get air conditioning, but the teacher of future generations is equipped only with a FREE district-provided 'squirt bottle'?

Ahhhhhh......my garden

I love gardens! All types! Both my grandparents were farmers so perhaps it's in my genes.

Summers were the best! I spent time helping my grandpa set cyphons in the ditch. He made it look simple, I ended up sucking on the tube to try to get some suction going and got a mouthful of muddy water.

Grandma sent me out to pull weeds and pick ripe peas, I brought her lots of pods minus the peas.

My brother Steve was the tree-climbing monkey, but when he wasn't available I got sent up to pick the apricots, I liked being in the tree--I didn't like going out on a limb to retrieve the fruit.

Canning was hot, tedious work...however, I loved listening to my grandmother tell stories as we peeled peaches and pairs.

My grandarents had an enormous lawn. They watered it by irrigation. It was remarkable that we were able to create countless ways to make full use of grass that was covered in 6 inches of water. I loved it as much as being at the ocean or pool.

Sometimes my uncles, David and Lowell, would stuff me into an old wooden barrel and roll me around the lawn until I was on the verge of throwing up.

Grandpa tried to teach me how to milk the cows--he made it appear easy. Try as I might I never got the hang of it. Instead grandma gave me the job of carrying a gallon of fresh milk to the neighbor in exchange for a dozen eggs.

My all time favorite memory is setting the table with all the fresh produce from the garden. It was difficult to exercise self control during the prayer as the food's aroma made me dizzy in anticipation.

My efforts pale in comparison to my progenitors, however, each time I dig up a weed, pick a cucumber or slice up a tomato I am reminded of my youth and the love, admiration and respect I felt for them. I'd like to think that ocassionally they catch a glimpse of me, and my efforts make them smile.