http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8 recent pleonast.com entries by user butterfly_8i8 en-us http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8?l=5&entryID=603697 October 3, 1863 The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God... Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper... 2008-11-27 http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8?l=5&entryID=602273 Can you believe Thanksgiving is already here? I am really excited but I will discuss that in a minute. First, my Thanksgiving plans... We will have school Monday and Tuesday. These will be pretty relaxed days. A lot of kids don’t even come because they go out of town or state to visit family. On Wednesday, my extended family will be coming into town. I will be taking my 18 year old cousin to see Twilight. That seems really odd to me with the 12 year age difference and all. And the fact that we don’t keep in touch except at during the holidays. But I think it will be good. She is struggling with the normal “I’m 18 and I know it all.” Hahaha, boy do I remember those days. I am looking forward to our little outing. On Thursday, I will have Thanksgiving with my mom’s side of the family. It will be a house full. I love being around family. On Friday, my dad and stepmom are coming into town from Oklahoma. They will be staying the weekend at my house. Their mai... 2008-11-23 http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8?l=5&entryID=598103 I would like to say Thank you! to all those who serve and have served in the military. You and your service to our country is greatly appreciated. Thank You 2008-11-11 http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8?l=5&entryID=591865 We went to the annual trunk or treat this afternoon. Camryn stocked up on lots of candy. Click here for a few pictures: 2008-10-27 http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8?l=5&entryID=586699 I really don’t have anything worth posting but I got tired of seeing the novel of a post I last put on here. School is….well, it’s going. The kids are great. The teachers are great. The administration…that’s a whole other story. The past two weeks have probably been the most frustrating weeks I have ever had while teaching. I tried hard to put all that aside and just focus on the kids. They are the most important thing, and I don’t want to let them down. If only there was a way to stay within the walls of my classroom. It is my safe place. My students brighten my day and remind me why I love the job I have. Seeing their faces and watching them succeed in different areas reassures me that it is worth all the frustrations that go with the job. Enough venting. Camryn has started gymnastics once a week. This is my attempt to help her focus her energy. lol j/k I have been wanting to enroll her for some time now and decided to go ahead after last Sunday when she came in the l... 2008-10-13 http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8?l=5&entryID=581620 I was actually looking forward to Monday when I woke up this morning. This weekend was tough. It wasn't necessarily bad but I am glad it is over. It started late Saturday evening when I discovered our little puppy, Sadie, had escaped from the backyard. :( She is a very tiny Pekingese puppy and can easily fit between the fence and the corner of the gate. I discovered her escape route about two months ago and fixed the problem by placing bricks in the holes so that she couldn't leave. Well, my Grandad so graciously came to mow my backyard and didn't realize the bricks were there for a reason. I didn't think to check and put her outside. Next time I checked....no Sadie. We put up Lost signs yesterday and knocked on some doors. I live in the country so there's no telling where she wandered or who picked her up. She didn't have a collar on since she is an inside dog. I haven't had the heart to tell Camryn yet. It continued Sunday night when I discovered we had a new pet in the house...a s... 2008-09-30 http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8?l=5&entryID=572291 Well, last weekend came and went too fast for me. I had a wonderful time with Mike. I flew in to VA Friday evening. On Saturday we spent the whole day at Busch Gardens. It was great! We rode all the roller coasters. The first one made me feel a little old but my body adjusted quickly and the rest were okay. Well, okay in that they didn’t make me feel like my body was breaking down. Not okay in that some of them scared me to death. One in particular but once it was over, I realized it was more fun than I thought it would be. Here is the description from the park's website: Set amid a French village, Griffon carries riders up 205 feet, then hurtles them 90 degrees straight down at 70 mph. And that’s just the beginning. Yes, it says 90 degree drop. Luckily I was allowed to pick which row we sat in because if it had been left up to someone else, we would have been on the front row. Even still, there were only three rows. And it dangles you over the edge for a few seconds before it dro... 2008-09-07 http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8?l=5&entryID=566561 Can I just start out by saying only six more days until we get to see each other again!! I am soooo excited!!! It was 3 months ago that I was there and it will be four months until he comes here. So this next weekend really means a lot to me. :) Now...school. Well, we had our “Meet and Greet” Friday late afternoon for the kiddos to come in and meet their teacher and see their new classroom. I had 19 out of 21 students show up. Let me just say, that is a record in the 8 years I have been teaching. That lets me know I have parents who care about their child’s education and should be helpful in working with me to help them have a successful year. I have 13 girls and 8 boys. That is unusual. In the past it has been fairly even. I am really looking forward to the new school year. Last year was my first year teaching 1st grade so I felt like I was still learning the ropes after teaching Pre-K for 6 years. This year I feel like it will be easier. I also have some exciting new things I... 2008-08-24 http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8?l=5&entryID=560698 Well this week flew by quickly. My brother and his family came in on Sunday. We have enjoyed spending time together. Camryn loves playing with her two cousins. I went to my classroom on Monday and began trying to put it back together. At the end of each year they make us empty book shelves and pack away anything on the floor or counters for summer cleaning. I was able to get a lot accomplished but began to stress out because I was told we wouldn’t be able to enter our hallway on Tuesday or Wednesday. They were behind on waxing the floors since they were short two custodians this summer. So I did not return until yesterday and was actually able to finish everything I was wanting to get done before inservice starts this coming Monday. I also received my class list. Looks good. :) I have three kids I taught when they were in Pre-K, and I also have three teachers’ kids. I took that as a compliment since I know teachers get to request who they want for their child’s teacher. However... 2008-08-09 http://www.pleonast.com/user/butterfly_8i8?l=5&entryID=557856 The trip was great! It was nice to get out of here for awhile and especially nice to visit family. The actual drive there and back wasn’t too bad. Camryn was perfect. No temper tantrums. She kept herself entertained the whole time. I didn’t even need the dvd player after all. And the trip seemed to go faster since I was actually driving rather than being the passenger. All I can say for the drive and Camryn’s behavior…Yay! It was nice to be with my dad’s family. I have 3 stepbrothers and 3 stepsisters. 5 out of the 6 actually live in the same town as my dad. We got together one night and cooked out and let the kids swim. There are lots of kids. My dad and stepmom were asked how many grandkids they have (because they have 3 on the way)…there will be a total of 18 by the end of this year! That’s a lot if you ask me. So Monday it will be back to preschool for Camryn and back to work for me. My brother, his wife, and two kids are coming into town some time tomorrow (drivin... 2008-08-02