http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly recent pleonast.com entries by user summeraly en-us http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly?l=5&entryID=599109 friends are good, being busy is good, God is really good. 2008-11-13 http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly?l=5&entryID=598458 some days you just feel sad. this is one of those days. 2008-11-12 http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly?l=5&entryID=589133 So, I decided to baptize my phone yesterday... I was just chatting away with my dad...washing dishes...being productive...AND having a good time. I was so proud of myself--multi-tasking! Talking....washing....talking.....washing. And then, my phone decided to jump from my ear to the sink full of sudsy water to be immersed for the remission of overage fees. And really, what can I say? When you know it's time, you know it's time. I quickly retrieved my phone from the tepid pool and dried it as best I could. Unfortunately, my phone drowned before I could save it. I rushed it to the at&t hospital where they refused service due to the fact that I did not have insurance. The mean "doctor" informed me that I was not eligible for an upgrade until December of 2009. Being the savvy, albeit clumsy, girl that I am, I went to Walmart where I purchased a go-phone. This cheap shell of a phone will house my sim card until either my real phone rises from the dead or other arr... 2008-10-19 http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly?l=5&entryID=587239 I Sing the Mighty Power of God I sing the mighty power of God That made the mountains rise, That spread the flowing seas abroad And built the lofty skies. I sing the wisdom that ordained The sun to rule the day; The moon shines full at His command, And all the stars obey. I sing the goodness of the Lord, Who filled the earth with food, Who formed the creatures through His Word And then pronounced them good. Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed Where’er I turn my eye, If I survey the ground I tread Or gaze upon the sky. There’s not a plant of flower below But makes Thy glories known, And clouds arise and tempest blow By order from Thy throne; While all that borrows life from Thee Is ever in Thy care; And everywhere that man can be Thou, God, art present there. Rom. 1:18 – 23 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. BECAUSE: that which is known about God is evident within them; ... 2008-10-14 http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly?l=5&entryID=585263 My new mantra: "Peace in your heart." I find myself saying this to myself a lot lately, when some new stress rears its ugly head. It seems no matter how hard I try to achieve this lately, peace is not to be had. I could use this forum to compile a detailed list of my escalating worries, ailments, and assignments; but I don't think that would accomplish much...or at least it wouldn't help me achieve what I so desire right now. So, instead, a list of blessings: 1. My parents. No one could ask for a better cheering section. They listen to me rant and somehow keep me moving when all I want to do it quit. 2. My friends. You know the ones...they check on your when you're sick, they somehow know when something is not right in your world, and they do everything they can to make it better. 3. Rainy days 4. Homemade soup 5. The sincerity and honesty of children 6. Leaves changing color 7. Sleeping with the windows opened 8. Tight hugs 9. Singing with brothers and sister... 2008-10-09 http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly?l=5&entryID=563754 Well, I made it through my first week back teaching. It was quite an interesting few days. Highlights... The new principal has really made a positive impression on the staff. He's visible, positive, and open to suggestions. Yay, and sigh of relief. I have 23 awesome kids in my class. They each bring something unique and wonderful to the table. I can't wait to get to know them better. I have a student who is afraid to watch people eat. Have any of you ever heard of this? She has come in crying every morning except for Friday. I'm not sure what to do. This is going to be a challenge. I almost had to restrain a student who was having a melt down on the play ground. I was just trained in the proper techniques last week...was fun at the time...not fun in reality. I have another student who quietly rocks out to whatever music I am playing in the morning when they come in...even classical. :) I have the assistant principal's son in my class, the nurse's son, and three other ... 2008-08-17 http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly?l=5&entryID=561065 This past week has been incredibly busy. With school about to start on Monday, I've had meetings; I've been working in the room, planning, decorating, brainstorming....it's been busy. I have also been stressing about finishing up Portfolio 1 for grad school before Portfolio 2 starts this coming Saturday. I've also got a book to read and a presentation to prepare. Then there is the underlying dread that because this summer hasn't been the most restful, I will burn out early on this school year. Lots to think about and do, and yet, I feel overwhelmed with blessings. I have such an amazing family. My parents are a constant example of godliness and strength. They have dealt with recent adversity in such a humbly positive way. In the midst of their own hurdles, they support me; encourage me, and build me up. I have genuine friends. Acquaintances are one thing, true friendships are another. I am really blessed to have a few people in my life who are really making my walk so muc... 2008-08-10 http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly?l=5&entryID=554170 I just finished writing an autobiography (in the third person) for my portfolio. What a strange exercise! Alyson did not like trying to fit all of the events of her life onto three pages. In other news, I "finished" setting up my classroom yesterday after a shopping spree at Walmart. I continue to scare myself at how excited school supplies make me. Is this normal? What silly things make you happy? 2008-07-24 http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly?l=5&entryID=548751 This summer has been extremely busy. I started it off with a trip to IL to see my family for Memorial Day. Once back in town, I started my first grad school class of the summer, Portfolio 1. The class only met once, but I received a 68 page syllabus full of assignments to keep me sufficiently busy. A few days later I started my second class, School Innovation. This class was incredibly challenging. It only met four times, 8-5 each day, over the period of a week. During that week, I along with a few incompetent classmates (that's code for I did or redid all of the work) developed and presented a concept for an innovative new school. With that class complete, I started my final two summer classes: School Law and Financial Planning. I have also managed to throw into the mix a trip to Louisville to help mom pick out paint colors, door knobs, and light fixtures for the new house; a trip to Bowling Green for Jackson's birthday, and a trip to Huntsville for the 4th of July to see Mom, ... 2008-07-10 http://www.pleonast.com/user/summeraly?l=5&entryID=538045 still here... 2008-06-11