Hoping for Others

One of our teachers had a massive heart attack over Thanksgiving break. He had 100% blockage in one place and 90% in another. He survived and should be getting a different room soon, and I think at that point we'll get the information to visit and send cards.

One of my knitting friend's has a brother who had a massive stroke Wednesday morning. They were in New Jersey at the time, and he's in Trenton at a really good hospital. They went into his brain and removed the clot, but he isn't stable enough to be moved. His speech and expression area was affected, but he has been able to say a couple of words. He also has existing heart trouble, which is making things even more difficult.

When I first started teaching in the county, I was an assistant soccer coach, and one of the girls who was a senior that year committed suicide Tuesday or Wednesday. She had a four year old daughter, and I feel so sad for her family. Especially her daughter. A four year old knows enough to ask, "Where's Mommy?" and I can not imagine being the person who has to respond.

I'm overwhelmed by how much happens to people, to families. It's hard anytime, but around the holidays it seems even worse, if that's possible. Thanksgiving will never just be Thanksgiving anymore for some because their loved ones passed away or had severe health problems. It will be a marker as time passes. Of course, if healing happens, then I guess next Thanksgiving will be that much more special, because of their recovery. I hope they do all have tremendous recoveries, and I hope that the girl's family will hold each other up.

Insert title here.

It's a full moon. When I first started my current job, people told me the kids are worse around a full moon and any sort of vacation. I sort of snorted at that, but I really think there's some truth in it now. So, I'm really curious about the kind of short week we will have, considering both those are going on. Should be interesting.

I also have a birthday this week. I will be 29. I got to celebrate early on Thursday with some friends of mine, and we had a great add a dish meal and they gave me a huge bowl of assorted chocolate goodies. So, 29 is off to a sweet start (cheese overload pun intended)!

Education Here Needs a Good Bra

As in good support. I have had it with everything being the school's dilemma. Case in point: This week I had an out of school suspension guy with longish hair. It wouldn't have been an issue at most schools, but our dress code is that no one can have hair in his or her face. So the first day I gave him two of my own bobby pins so he could fix it, and told him to come back the next day with it out of his face. He didn't, so he had laps for violation of dress code. Another teacher told him that a high school boy had come in like that and had it cut at school. She never said that he had to do the same; she just shared that little tidbit.
The next day his mother wrote something on the daily report to the effect of, "I don't see why he has to cut his hair when he's only there for five days."
So I wrote, "He doesn't need to get it cut; he needs to find a way to keep it out of his face all day. Bobby pins or hair gel would be fine."
Her response? "Gimme a break!"
I shit you not. She even spelled it like that. I cannot express to you how very badly I wanted to staple a Kitkat to his daily. But I fought the urge and didn't write a response. You just can't argue sometimes and accomplish anything.

My point is this: How can we convince the kids it's important to follow rules if their parents so clearly don't give a shit? How can we change a child's behavior, work ethic, or attitude when we often get them in their teen years and only see them from 8-3ish? Some of our parents are stellar at backing us up and setting goals and limits with their kids, but then we get some like this guy's and it really depresses me.

My inner being today

Sometimes I just get in a foul mood. Today was one of those times, and most of it centered around the apartment. Clutter really influences how I feel, even though I know I shouldn't let it. When I moved in with Nathan, I thought we'd have more space than we really do, plus the rod in the closet has been broken for a couple of weeks, plus laundry had piled up, plus my vac's belt almost melted this morning. . .and so it goes. Nathan tried so hard to lighten my mood, and I tried not to direct any of my toxic aura at him. I hope I did okay on that end. He helped me clean the bathroom and fold clothes, and that was sweet of him. Right now it's only seven by the new time, and I wish it were eight because then I could just go on to bed. I might anyhow, actually, and try to be in a brighter mood tomorrow.