Cabin Clean Up Day

Saturday we had "Cabin Clean Up Day". My Uncle Jim has done a lot of work in remodeling part of the cabin and so we were glad we were able to help out.

So far, the newer half of the main floor and all the bedrooms upstairs have new carpet.

So, we moved all the furniture that had been taken out of those rooms and stored on old carpet, back into those rooms plus all the other furniture so the rest of the carpet could be laid.

I guess they are going to put up a stone wall on the outside of the new bathroom addition, so we gathered rocks and cleaned them.

We also cleaned out all the stuff from underneath the cabin and got rid of that as well as sorted through other things in the cabin that needed to go/be cleaned/or get a new paint job.

This is the foundation for where the new bathroom will go. And in the cement hole, they will put the water heaters.

Hopefully with all these changes the cabin will get more use because it will be easier to go up in the winter and stay longer periods of time.

Concentration Pills

I have a certain student who I have had to develop a lot of patience with this year. Sometimes I think that ADD is over diagnosed but after meeting this kid, I realized that some kids really can't control their constant noises and movements. "I know I'm not supposed to do it, my brain just makes me" is what he'll say to me when we talk about why he had to leave the carpet.

Today he left around lunch. When he came back to school I asked him where he went. He said, "I had to go to the doctor. He gave me concentration pills. They will help me in school to concentrate."

Hopefully we'll turn a new leaf with him.

Organization Station

Some of you might remember that last year I received a grant for myself and 2 others teachers to purchase rugs for our classrooms. I have LOVED my rug ever since I got it and don't know how I managed without it.

Around the same time I found out about a website where teachers go and submit proposals for classroom items and then random people/companies fund the projects. I decided to ask for something that I really wanted but didn't really need because who knew what would actually come of it. I submitted my proposal on January 10th, 2008.

Nothing ever came of it...until yesterday.

I received an email saying that on September 9th (the day before my proposal expired) my proposal of $442 was fully funded and all I had to do was accept the donation and they would purchase and send me my order this month. (Really, my item only cost $299 plus shipping but this website tacks on a bunch of other "fees and donations which I think is kind of lame but I won't complain because I didn't pay a penny.)

Anyway, I am so excited! I pride myself on being one of the (if not the) most organized teacher in my school - having everything filed neatly, color-coded, and in their own compartments, containers, and "homes", and knowing where everything is. I know this donation to my classroom will only make things even better.

Stay tuned...I'll post again when I have all my literacy centers organized in this!

Coming Soon

Are you as excited as I am? September 25th!

A good Mom

A good mom knows how to bake good cookies. Ever since I was 10 and killed a fish with my cookies I've been convinced that I would be a terrible Mom because I have since, never been able to make a successful batch of cookies. Well, tonight my failing streak came to an end. After a TERRIBLE try on Sunday, I found a new recipe on the Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats blog. I made them and they turned out pretty good. I'm not sure I've quite found the best cookies ever, but I'm on my way and feeling like there is hope for me to be a good mom.