Pit stop fail

During the summer months I usually can be found rocking a pair of flip-flops (if you can even "rock" them as they are just two pieces of foam).  I hate wearing socks in the summer.  There are times, however, that I become extremely cognizant of the closeness of the germs on the floor to my little piggies.  Like today.  We took a little roadtrip to a small town to our south in order to check out their camper dealership (we currently have a small pull behind, but the monkeys have to share a bed and they no longer care to be anywhere near each other at night).  We didn't find anything we liked, so we stopped for snacks, drinks and a restroom break.  I should have known I was in trouble when a whole biker gang was in the parking lot when we pulled in.  But, we were all thirsty/hungry/needing a bathroom.  The next sign of trouble was that the women's bathroom was out of order.  The Kindergartner had to go (evidenced by her wiggles), so into the men's room we went.  About the time we locked the door behind us, I told her, "Don't touch anything."  I even put my purse around my neck so I could help her better.  Just as we were washing our hands, there came a knock at the door.  I said, "Just a second."  Then we went out.  The lady in line said, "I didn't hear anyone in there, so I knocked."  I thought, "Creepy that she was listening," and said aloud "Good luck." (because she would probably need it in the restroom of horrors).  We made it out of the convenience store ok, but honestly, I put Germex on my feet when I got back in the truck.

A Goodbye

Dear RGP (Really Great Principal):

We have worked together in some capacity for 12 years, years where you gave me so many opportunities and advice.  You helped me develop into the teacher I am today.  I cannot describe how much I am going to miss seeing you every day.  While I am truly excited to tackle this new challenge, I am really sad to leave.  I want to thank you for all you have done, and all you haven't known you've done.

Sincerely,
Frau M.

P.S.  You should have know when you told me to "blog it", I probably would do just that.

This is not what I meant

when I said I wanted the school year to be over. I meant that I wanted the year to end with the usual talent show, awards ceremony, field day and 4th Grade Walk.  You know...the general "how can I fill 7 1/2 hours of time with things that will engage the unengageable" mode that we teachers go into during the last week of school.  However, what I got instead was 2 1/2 hours in the basement of my school and the subsequent cancellation of the remainder of the school year due to damage within the district. 

Yesterday, I went to school.  It was a little muggy when I was putting my own monkeys on the bus, but the sky was relatively clear.  I hadn't watched the weather (thanks a lot alarm clock for being so very easy to reach and forcing me to hit snooze three times).  I got to school and started my day with my class.  The new teacher who is replacing me came to check out the room/what was there during specials.  I picked up my friends from PE, and we headed back to the room.  We had just settled in for just one more go at subtraction with regrouping.  A few of my friends finished early and we reading relatively silently when the Title I teacher next door flung my door open, and said, "You need to get your class to the basement NOW!" (said isn't the right word because there was an intensity to her voice that without a doubt implied the seriousness of the situation).  I happened to be near my desk so I, in one swoop, grabbed my purse and the hand of student next to me.  I headed to the door with the one lucky enough to be by my side while using my "Mama don't play" voice (the Cubscout calls it my scary voice) telling my friends to line up.  We headed out the door immediately.  Thankfully when we got to the basement, everyone was accounted for (I tend to have some friends who don't really hurry).  And there we stayed for over two hours.  The kiddos didn't really act scared until the second warning came and the support staff came in our room telling everyone to get on the floor (by everyone I mean all of us).  Seeing your teacher duck and cover with you is scary.  After the all clear came, we went up to the room to eat our lunches (kind of an anticlimactic end).  Each of my students got picked up by a parent (the buses weren't able to run).  Later, the word came that there would be no more school this year.  I hope they all can come to pick up their things tomorrow so I can tell them goodbye properly (you know, without the uncertainty of what awaited them at home).

Winning!

I know, I know that word is totally played out, but I couldn't resist because of what happened today at the grocery.  My DH and I were discussing finances, and I mentioned that we had gotten out of practice with the use of coupons at the store.  Now, I'm no "extreme couponer" or anything close to that.  You won't find the spare bedroom stocked with enough ranch dressing and marinara to have spaghetti with salads every day until the end of time.  But, I do enjoy saving my dollars for things like shoes and new shirts.  So this week, instead of just making my grocery list from whatever tickled my fancy, I scanned the ad for sales and matched my coupons with said sales.  It took about 15 minutes.  Flash forward to today...my cart was full (really, really full).  I got to the register and the checker began scanning.  I got that little anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach as the total surged on past my usual budget.  Then I handed over my shopper card and coupons.  Grand total saved?  $52.00.  I said, "Woohoo!", and the checker said, "Impressive." (not in a sarcastic way either).  When I got in the truck I made my DH guess the total.  He couldn't, so I told him to which he said, "Nicely played."  Maybe I should teach a class.