RE: November PPS Chat (Full Version)

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stampinlady -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/6/2008 8:12:29 PM)

quote:

I've also been dealing with election fall-out. It seems to have had a profound affect on many from my church, and may cause rifts in some relationships. I hope things can calm down and come to a middle ground


I'm curious as what folks are saying because we're not connected with a church, we're attending, but not close enough to hear opinions yet. [8D] I have read some post in the Election thread that had me bothered.

Kylie, I hope you have good luck getting J's elective chnaged too! I had to change R's last year from French to Spanish and had to wait 'till the end July.

Gasy, isn't your dad old enough to retire?



garsyt -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/6/2008 9:20:38 PM)

My dad could retire - but he wanted to work til he was 65. If he could manage 2.5 more years he would be able to retire at a higher retirement rate.

I guess he has applied for a few different jobs and signed up for a couple computer courses! My dad taking computer courses! That blows my mind! Ya got to know my dad!

I don't know if I mentioned it earlier - but they are laying off 21 more people where Brian works. If they go bottom up and keep the numbers under 25, Brian will be fine. But GM is announcing more layoffs and company shutdowns. There is also another company in the area that are laying off lots of folks. That's going to make for an extremely tight Christmas for some people. Brian's company is closing the doors from the 20th of December through the 5th of January.

I really wish the school district could afford to pay me to do what I do. I could walk in the building at least 3 days a week and have a FULL day of work on my hands just rotating between teachers, doing copying, helping with projects, sitting up the science lab, helping other volunteers figure things out, being a hall monitor and recess monitor, working one on one with kids, the whole shebang! Anyway - I was in school for 3 hours today - I took down three art displays and hung up two more, I sorted and filed all the projects that came down into the proper shelves in the art room, I helped two other volunteers figure out the laminator and how to do a special operation on the copier. I filed paperwork into kids' mailboxes for 3 teachers and went over what was needed for the program for the upcoming 3rd and 4th grade musical with the music teacher. Man if I could only get paid for this!

Blessings,

Garsy



PrincessDonna -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/6/2008 10:16:28 PM)

Garsy, I'm amazed at all you do for the school! I hope some way comes about for you to be paid for it.

So, I have a dilemma...I have surgery next Wednesday and will be there at least overnight. I'm not sure whether or not to send Noah to school or let him stay home. He is very sensitive and my worrier and in the past has been very moody and needed a lot of extra grace when someone was having surgery. If I do send him, I will send the teacher and principal both a note letting them know to be aware and to please give him a little bit of extra grace. I guess if he really isn't doing well someone could go get him?



garsyt -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/6/2008 10:34:53 PM)

Donna,

That's a tough call. Some of mine would likely do best at home, but my kids also thrive on routine and they KNOW that they have the support of well-loved teachers, staff and their friends at their schools.

If you do send him to school the notes are a must!

Blessings,

Garsy



Kath -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/6/2008 10:36:34 PM)

Well, if it were me I'd probably keep him home. He can help his dad out and such. If he's a worrier he might be too distracted to concentrate.


~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to sort of giggle, Larry is 62 and I just don't think of him as old.



PrincessDonna -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/7/2008 7:18:48 AM)

Brian won't be home Wednesday. He'll be at the hospital waiting for me to get out of surgery. He will be home Thursday and I don't know what time I'll get out. Maybe I'll have him stay home Thursday instead of Wednesday. He hates to miss school though, so it'll probably be a last minute decision.



momma_bee -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/7/2008 7:53:19 AM)

So, if he worries and fuss' on Wednesday, he can stay on Thursday. If he makes it, he may go again and see mom when y'all get back home.

You and Brian will know that morning - who is staying with the rest of your kids?



MrsTracy72 -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/7/2008 9:40:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PrincessDonna

Garsy, I'm amazed at all you do for the school! I hope some way comes about for you to be paid for it.

So, I have a dilemma...I have surgery next Wednesday and will be there at least overnight. I'm not sure whether or not to send Noah to school or let him stay home. He is very sensitive and my worrier and in the past has been very moody and needed a lot of extra grace when someone was having surgery. If I do send him, I will send the teacher and principal both a note letting them know to be aware and to please give him a little bit of extra grace. I guess if he really isn't doing well someone could go get him?


Donna,

Maybe school would be a bit of a distraction for him, and you are right, someone can always go and get him. Plus, it might be good for him to know that things are ok and he will get through it and see you later that night when you feel like having company.



debilyn -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/7/2008 10:15:35 AM)

Garsy, I think it's great your dad is going back to school. When my in-laws took a computer course, I was thrilled for them, too. They only took one, though. I think any older person (even if they learned computer on the job) could benefit from computer courses. Many folks who barely graduated high school and go back to school later in life do really well. They know what they want and why they are there. (Since I am taking a few classes myself, I can pretend to be an expert. [;)] Seriously, I've noticed the older students at our college are more attentive and better prepared for class.)

And I hope things work out for Brian. A local industry here is laying off 40+ people for up to 6 months. [sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif] We thought "surely that's 6 weeks," but no, it's 6 months - unless the economy takes a drastic turn-around.

Donna, where will your kid's be? Would that make a difference in how Noah reacts? If he is busy helping take care of the younger ones, that may be a distraction of its own. Then again, school would definitely keep him occupied. I'll pray for wisdom for you all, and for your surgery, as well.

Dana's mom, praying for your surgery, too. MIL had surgery for hernia two years ago. She kept wanting to put it off, but was glad to get it taken care of.

Hope everyone has a good day today.



emjayzee -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/7/2008 10:25:10 AM)

Garsy, I hope the layoffs work out for Brian. My FIL worked for a GM company and he barely survived years of cutbacks. He went from salaried to hourly, office to floor, whatever he had to to keep his job each time. He finally took a buy out this past year, and then they announced the plant closing.

Donna, I think I would send him to school, as long as there is someone available to pick him up if there is any problem.

Deb, I'll send you a pm.

Hoep everyone has a good Friday, and a good weekend! We're painting our kitchen this weekend. It's the first major thing we're doing to the house. We're having our realtor (who is also a friend) over next weekend, so we kinda feel pressured to do some of the things we talked about doing! [:D]



PrincessDonna -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/7/2008 4:23:23 PM)

Wednesday, the kids will be at my SIL's (might actually spend the night Tuesday, depending on what time I have to be at the hospital). My brother will be spending the night here Thursday and hopefully staying that day with Brian, Hannah, and Levi. A friend from church will be here with all of us Friday, and after that, I don't know.



MrsTracy72 -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/8/2008 8:41:00 AM)

Donna, I hope everything goes well with your surgery. You sound like me with your kids though. I get to the point where I have no clue what I am going to do with them under circumstances like this but in the end, it all works out.



momma_bee -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/8/2008 9:05:28 AM)

Last night was rough. My friend and I went to the funeral home for the young man who died this week.

His dad is taking it tough. Of course, I know him and can see what is 'off' in his mannerisms. Not unexpectedly off, but it just shows. It was so little to go, but it seemed to mean a lot to him...

Now, I should be cleaning house but I'm so tired and my head hurts and I'm cold and don't want to do anything. Why can't I have a whiny day.



garsyt -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/8/2008 3:08:05 PM)

We just got home from taking the girls to a "meet the author" event at a local Barnes and Noble! The girls got to meet Patricia Polacco! She's written books like My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother, Pink and Say, Thank You Mr. Falkur and others. We found out about this on Thursday and Aryn was so excited! So much fun! I'm going to update my blog later! We saw Zoe's 2nd grade teacher there and the man that was the principal of two of the schools Ty and Aryn attended.

So today we spent WAY to much money on books as we also bought Aryn a birthday present - a new cookbook, along with a couple of Polacco's books.

She was amazing to listen to!

Tonight I have to work on the program for Ethan's upcoming musical, but I REALLY want to work on a project that's in my head scrapbooking wise! I need to finish Aryn's birthday present too.

Blessings,

Garsy



momma_bee -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/10/2008 10:56:30 AM)

That is cool - the only local authors we have write books the kids won't read...

My kids got their report cards. BigBee has all A's except for the B in English. Considering he failed EVERY test on clauses and has a ZERO on a group project, a 90% in that class is scary. The rest must have been really easy. But, if he had turned that stupid thing in, he would have made principles list. As it is, his GPA is 3.85.

DeeDee did get straight A's. I'm rather annoyed at her teacher though. She wrote on her report card. "Principal's List - Great Effort!"

Great Effort? Seriously? You just wrote 'you tried your best' on a near perfect set of grades? When DeeDee passes the basketball and it goes across the court, but to the side of the girl who was supposed to get it and out of bounds, but CROSSED THE COURT, she made a "great effort."

I'm just thinking that she SUCCEEDED and should be commended for that.

But, what do I know about encouraging kids, I'm just a mean mom.



garsyt -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/10/2008 2:34:07 PM)

Pray for me later as I'm going to have to deal with two boys that are not going to like their mother to much.

Ethan left his science book at home this morning and called from school asking me to bring it in and I said no. The only reason I said no is that I had already told him three times just yesterday to put the book into his backpack so it would be available for science class today.

Ty on the other hand is going to be worse off then Ethan. We found out today that he is failing his biology class. Seriously failing. And it's not that he is incapable of doing the work, but that he is choosing to hand in half done assignments, making halfhearted attempts, and late work. Until he can show me that he has a commitment to bringing up his grades across the board and especially in this class, his computer belongs to me, phone privileges are revoked, and his guitar is off limits except on weekends. I might even start requiring him to go to tutoring sessions with his bio teacher once a week. He offers them so we may have to start taking advantage of them.

Aryn is a bit bummed as she is down to one maybe two girls that can come to her birthday party on Friday. It was going to be a slumber party but even that is looking like a no go now. Maybe I'll just change the plans and take her and her one friend out for a nice dinner and then dessert at our favorite chocolates and ice cream place. She should be happier tho as grandma called this morning and told me that she called our local Barnes & Noble and she has a gift card waiting for Aryn there.

Off to finish more laundry. I've got piles stacked high on the couch that kids will have to put away when they get home.

Blessings,

Garsy



MrsTracy72 -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/10/2008 2:42:53 PM)

Oh Garcy, I am so sorry about the boys and the party. I had to tell my exchange son no to bringing stuff to him because we have that problem daily. The first couple of times, I had noticed he left books at home and brought them right in. He was frightened enough in the beginning when he realized that he forgot, but got pretty comfortable with me bringing his books so I told him that I was not going to do that anymore. He forgets less now.

My kids are doing well so far. We are starting to settle into normal life with an extra child in the house and I am looking forward to basketball season. Sean is starting to get into a routine and Jake is starting to figure out that he is more of a brother than a friend.

Kali has a pom competition on Saturday and I really can't wait. I love watching her because she seems happiest when she is in front of a group of people on a stage.

Kay is just bouncy and 4 years old so things are good there.

Right now, I am sitting in a cold house because we had to turn off our heat due to painting near the furnace. I just shut the gas off until some of the fumes from the paint are gone. This is one of those bake something in the oven and stay under the electric blanket days for me. I am getting nothing done. But at least I have an excuse. I can't do dishes or laundry because the hot water heater is also off.



emjayzee -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/11/2008 9:17:14 AM)

Good morning! We're in home improvement mode this week. We are painting the kitchen, and went and bought a new bed and dining table at IKEA yesterday. Pretty excited about the table- it is regularly 399 but was on sale for 199! Between gift cards and coupons, we saved $150 on the total purchase. It's always nice to get stuff you actually want and save money too![:D]

Congrats to DeeDee on her grades, mbee! And BigBee, mostly [;)]

Garsy, I don't know how you stay on top of all your challenges and get so many other things done, too! A nice dinner sounds like a good alternative for Aryn's party.

Tracy, your Kay sounds like my Aria- bouncy, fun, loves life, and lives for hugs!

My boys seem to be moody lately. Han is feeling like he doesn't have friends. He switched schools this year and is just having a hard time connecting with people. But he slept over at a church friend's house Saturday and he has a birthday party coming up this weekend for a friend from his old school, so I think he's feeling a little better. I remeber 6th grade being a very unfriendly year, when everyone started to get clique-y, and maybe he's experiencing the same thing. And Gracen, well he's always moody, it was just in high-gear this morning!



garsyt -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/11/2008 11:13:33 AM)

Ethan dealt with things just fine. Ty on the other hand is thinking that his dad and I just don't understand and can't possibly KNOW how hard this biology stuff is. The truth is is that we KNOW it's hard - after all they wouldn't call it HONORS biology if it wasn't tough. We also know that he is not asking questions, we know that he is not taking advantage of the biology teacher that circulates around the room in his study hall, we KNOW that he has never asked for individual tutoring from his teacher.

Anyway.

I had a great teachable moment last night.

Ethan had the assignment of finding out why today, Veteran's Day, is a special day. Here's a snippet of the conversation:

Ethan: "Mom, Mr. D. wants us to find out why tomorrow is a special day and what Veteran's day is all about."
Me: "Okay, so what's it about?"
Ethan: "I don't know."
Me: "Do you know what a Veteran is?"
Ethan: "Duh, Mom! You know the people that take care of animals when they are hurt."
Me: "No honey! (stifling a laugh) That's a veterinarian. Find a dictionary!

So after looking up the definition of a veteran in the dictionary, and a short conversation about those he knows or is related to that have served or are currently serving and the branches of the military, he's good to go.[:D]

A great end to a stress-filled evening with Ty and his attitude.

Today I'm baking cupcakes and later I'm headed to school for the afternoon to help out in the Art room. Later Zoe has a Brownie meeting and Aryn has to decorate her cupcakes to bring to school in the morning for her birthday.

Blessings,

Garsy



danas_mom -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/11/2008 1:02:10 PM)

HA! That's too cute Garsy. Dana would probably be wondering why everyone didn't get a free pet for 'veteranarians day'.



MrsTracy72 -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/11/2008 4:10:21 PM)

You guys, it is FREEZING here. I don't know how I am going to get through winter. Today our carpool person had to duck out so I have to go out and pick up the kids. I spent the entire day doing laundry and dishes since we had to turn the gas off yesterday while the basement floor was being done. Now I don't want to cook dinner or help kids with homework. I just want to sleep. But I have kept the tv off all day just to have the house quiet. The girls were fine without it. Usually they watch a bit before lunch and Kay has to go to school. It didn't even go on in the morning. I think I might keep it off tonight too. We will see how the kids react to that one. HA!

Anyway, yesterday was the first day of the new quarter for the kids so all grades start over. I am happy for that because in 9 weeks, Sean will not have to endure American Government anymore this year and his schedule changes to all easy classes. They totally loaded him his first semester, and it is hard to come to anther country, speak another language in the first place. But then they gave him all of his hard classes first and all the "fluff" classes second. That seems backwards to me.



PrincessDonna -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/11/2008 4:46:53 PM)

Garsy, that's a great assignment Ethan has! Good for his teacher for not just making it a day off from school.[:D]

We're sending Noah to school tomorrow and if they have trouble, they'll call my mom and she'll arrange for someone to come get him (mom will be with me at the hospital).

Had a talk with the principal yesterday. Noah is behaving so badly in music that the music teacher practically begged the principal to not allow him in the concert this Friday. Which is more than fine because I don't know if I'll be up to going anyway. I let the principal know that we are planning on Noah coming back home for next year and may even do it sooner than that. She agreed that he is having trouble because of Brian's accident and recommended counseling, so I'll be looking into that. Also agreed that it may be the best thing for him to be home right now.



macokjc -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/11/2008 5:07:41 PM)

Praying for you and your family Donna. Hope all is well tomorrow.



garsyt -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/11/2008 6:48:50 PM)

Donna - I'll be praying for you tomorrow and Noah too. It does sound like he's just having a really tough time right now.

Oh and my kids had school today. We had last Friday off already for a teacher inservice and I don't think we've ever gotten Veteran's Day off, unless it fell on the same day as a scheduled teacher inservice.

Today I was in school this afternoon and helping out in Art classes. Two of these classes were 4th grade classes who were working on flags of different countries for their 3rd and 4th grade musical coming up. I was guardian of the book, as if we let the kids lose on the book there wouldn't be much left of it at the end of one period!

Blessings,

Garsy



MrsTracy72 -> RE: November PPS Chat (11/11/2008 9:01:26 PM)

Donna, I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow. It is good that you are trying to send him to school.

We had a fun night tonight. Jake had a friend from school over. We ordered Chinese food, but Sean had to talk to the owner so that he could get the real Chinese food and not the American kind. Jake's friend never had Chinese food in his life, so he got to try Lo Mein, Orange Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Crab Rangoon, Egg Rolls, and finally mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. This kid never had mint chocolate chip ice cream. So anyway, then the boys were messing around so we too out the Jenga game. It was an interesting night.



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