First Place

I posted this picture on Facebook and commented that Alan won a 10K in his age division last Saturday. Turns out he won the 10K overall, with a time of 45:42. It was around 40 degrees when he ran, not temps Alan likes to run in. Anyway, I'm just bragging on my husband!

Out of it

I've been in a migraine fog the past few days, but I'm not sure I would have had anything to blog about regardless. I knew before we went to the matinee late Friday that I had a headache coming on, and I knew going to the movie would make it worse. I'm not sure why, but it does - even renting a movie. Weird. Anyway, it's been a crummy few days but I'm hopeful today is the end of it.

On a positive note, 51 of our 55 students passed the state test, and 30% received "commended performance." And the four who didn't pass get a second chance in a few weeks.

By the way, the movie was "Taken" and it was really good. If you're a vengeful spirit like me, go see it!

What Rocks About Spring Break:

• Sitting down to eat breakfast.
• Not showering 'til 2:00 p.m.
• Having time to cook.
• Getting more than 15 minutes for lunch.
• Going to the gym at whatever time I want.
• Watering the yard.
• Wearing flip-flops.
• No makeup.
• No schedule.
• No kids!

If I remember correctly, it was Alan who found him and wanted to keep him.

I spent several months looking for a new dining table and chairs. I sold the old set on Craig's List back in October or November and started looking for a replacement that I could keep for many years. I quickly found the table, but it took longer to find the perfect chairs. Several weeks ago I found these gorgeous chocolate leather chairs from Overstock.com, and then a couple weeks later found the two rust-colored leather end chairs from Pier One. So basically I bought the whole set piecemeal, but it turned out really pretty and somewhat eclectic....just what I wanted.

I owned the previous set for about 13 years. It was so outdated - purchased when "country" was still the rage. This new set is anything but country!

So...imagine my dismay when 5 days after bringing home the end chairs and thus finishing the set, I discover this:

Yeah. Those are teeth marks. Anyone want a cat?

Fault

Last week one of my students popped off that the our state standardized test "is to show if the teachers are doing their jobs or not." I know she's not really the one who said it, that one of her parents probably said it and she just repeated it. Still, I didn't give the most polite response.

And yesterday as I walked around my students' desks as they took the test we've all been preparing for, I watched a nightmare unfold throughout the day as a child here and another child there rushed through the test, didn't use a single flippin' strategy I taught them, and basically failed the test before my eyes. Although most of them did fine and will pass, it's the ones that chose to do nothing that will do the most harm - to our district, our school, and to my credibility.

Alan reminded me that in a couple weeks when the results roll in, there'll be success stories to celebrate. But unfortunately, the system doesn't work that way. We'll focus on the failures, including the ones who tried so, so hard and just couldn't quite "get it."