What does it mean

when the highlight of your week as a teacher was probably not getting picked to be a juror during jury duty?  Yes, it was that sort of week for me (in case you haven't noticed my M.O. of not posting during less than stellar weeks).  So here's the breakdown of my whole entire week...

Monday:  Holiday :)  So it doesn't really count because who doesn't love a day of hanging out with the family?

Tuesday:  Had a meltdown at home after an incident at school.  The Cubscout's patch glued "securely" with Liquid Stitch fell off his arm roughly 20 minutes before we had to leave the house for the Blue and Gold banquet (where he had to be in his Class A uniform...with the right patches).  So, I quickly sewed it on.  By sewed it I mean I stabbed my finger no fewer than three times, and did minimal stitching (just enough to hold it on until I can sew it for real).  I don't know if you have every sewn through a patch but it is hard.  For real.  After that, everyone endured two hours of willy nilly banquet business.

Wednesday:  I had jury duty.  As I have mentioned before, my DH is in law enforcement.  It was a forgone conclusion that I would not be selected, but you still have to go.  So when the question was asked of the jury pool, "Is anyone related to someone in law enforcement?"  I raised my hand with about 10 other potential jurors.  I listened to everyone tell how their brother's wife's second cousin was a highway patrolman in Alaska (while thinking, "I have all of you trumped.").  Finally, the prosecution got to me.  I told the court that my husband was a detective.  The whole jury kind of chuckled and I heard someone whisper, "She's out."  And I was.  When we reconvened they started seating the jurors.  I was still a little nervous because, if selected, this would take me out of school for two more days.  As luck (or my definite bias) would have it, I was not selected.

Thursday:  I did had three students absent (this is odd for us).  I had a filling at the dentist during my lunch "hour", leaving half of my face a little swollen and numb for the remainder of the day.  I hate that.  My own monkeys got an early release due to the weather and I had to call my mom to make an emergency run to get them (meanwhile, the sleet fell and covered my truck).  Any sort of winter weather occurring while I am still at school makes me a nervous wreck (that's what rolling your car on the way home from school one time will do to a girl).

Friday:  I hit snooze one too many times in anticipation of the late start that never came.  I ended up being five minutes late because I didn't realize that it would take me 10 minutes to get into my vehicle (frozen shut).  I ended up getting the rear driver side door open, getting in the backseat, and climbing over the console into the driver seat.  School went by without incident.  I got home and started the flurry of cleaning necessary when people are staying with you for the weekend.  But as it ended up, they couldn't come after all, which was just as well because as soon as I hung up with my friend, the kindergartner said, "Mom, I don't feel so..."  She wasn't able to finish the sentence.

So that has been my week.  Awesome, I know.


 

A different perspective

Yesterday, after I had walked my students to their "designated areas" and hugged each of them goodbye, I returned to my classroom to find I had missed a call from the elementary where my own monkeys attend.  For me, that usually means that either someone has vomited (sorry Mr. Bus Driver, I didn't believe the Kindergartner when she said she didn't feel well) or injured themselves in some way (seriously, how many ice packs can one child use during the course of the year).  So, with a little worry, I dialed the number to the school (while packing my bag in case I had to make a hasty exit). 

The secretary answered and explained why they were calling.  The conversation went a little something like...
Me:  Hi, this is the Cubscout's and Kindergartner's mom, I just missed a call from the office.
Secretary:  (with worry in her voice)  Yes, yes, we were just calling to let you know the Cubscout was involved in an incident with another student today.  He was punched hard in the stomach by a student with special needs.
Me:  Oh dear.
Secretary:  The principal wanted us to call and let you know that it will be dealt with on Tuesday.
Me:  These things happen, thanks for calling to tell me.
Secretary:  Thank you for understanding.

I'm pretty sure that secretary was expecting me to come unglued, and was really relieved when I didn't.  But, how could I when I have made that same call in the past?  The only part that really concerns me is that my Cubscout said, "It happens, I wasn't hurt and he really didn't have control of himself."  That's talk from a future public servant...not a doctor.

 

Hellllllooooo Random

Sunny over at The Caffeinated Teacher tagged me with a 7 Facts award, and so I will provide you all with seven random pieces of vital information about me.  Lucky you, especially because when I'm done I am supposed to tag 15 friends with the same award/task (I really wish right now that a few of you had a blog, too...you know who you are).

1.  I made a New Year's Resolution to give encouragement, time, or a gift to someone each day.  So far, I have had the opportunity to do it every day this year.  Although, on days when the opportunity doesn't present itself clearly to me, I just run by Aldi and put a quarter in each of the front carts so people don't have to pay the deposit (I think it still counts).
2.  I have some sort of weird contest in my head involving couponing.  Each week, I match the ads from our local grocery to the coupons I have in my box (they are all categorized and alphabetized within the categories).  Today, my bill was supposed to be $98.87, but it ended up $65.41.  I win!! Yay!!
3.  I have a touch of CDO (it's like OCD, except the letters are in alphabetical order the way they belong...see #2)
4.  I want to be a building administrator (I even have the degree and certification, just not the experience).  When I get to sit in for my building principal, I totally feel like I'm in my element.  I love it.
5.  I enjoy watching UFC fights.  I can't really explain that.
6.  Even though I said I wouldn't watch American Idol this year without Simon, I have been.  I still love it.  I also really like TVline.com's commentary by Michael Slezak.
7.  Even when I was young, I knew I wanted to be a teacher.  My sister says I wouldn't ever leave school in a timely fashion.  In 5th grade, I used all my "bonus bucks" in order for Mrs. W. to let me teach a lesson about maps to my class (nerdy much?).  I loved grading so much I volunteered to do it for my 6th grade Reading teacher.

So there you have seven random things about me.  Who else would like to give it a go?  Maybe...
Well, Shut my Mouth!
A Place to Share
What the Teacher Wants!
LetterSoup
Elementary, My Dear, or Far From It

I know I was supposed to tag 15, but 5 will have to do it.