SOL: 4.3.12

Writing a slice of my life...smells

Clanking of the keys as I walk past the boys loo
My nostrils squeeze blocking out the stench
The smell assaults me like screaming animals in the zoo
My head is a spinning wrench

Emails I send to those concerned about this crisis
No reply is sent in return
Shaking my head in disbelief therefore I should shake off my niceness
I send in my comrade to explore and she comes out and understands my scorn

Who is to blame for this outrage
Looking left and looking right
My annoyance switch is off the gauge
My concern is for the health of my students therefore I must fight

My comrade takes up my cause
She takes a bow and receives the applause


Every morning on my daily rounds I open the toilet doors to the boys and girls toilets.  Today is no different and my dread is no different.  But the boys toilet is almost always smelly.  It was only the other day that I gave my boys a lesson in how to pee into the toilet bowl.  I must have looked ridiculous because I did a step-by-step break down of what they should do.  I told them how it was like playing a game of soccer or playing rugby.  Your aim is important.  When you play soccer you've got to aim correctly to get the ball into the goal.  And, peeing into the toilet bowl is just the same!  You have to get your AIM right!  For goodness sake!

Once, I was crazy enough one day to take to the boys toilet with the fire hose.  I know it was crazy but the smell was disgusting.  You must be wondering, yes, there is a cleaner but she swears black and blue that she can't get the smell out.  We have a wishlist that we fill out each year and you guessed it!  On my wishlist was, could we please have our toilets cleaned properly!

We had a bit of a rough start this year and unfortunately I had to complain.  But things are on the improve.

The fear hasn't gone away as I do my daily routine of opening the toilet doors.

SOL: 3.3.13

Writing a slice of my life...Gratitude


The gratitude I feel when I look at you working in our backyard.  Mowing the lawns or taking our dogs swimming at the river or playing rugby with our grandson.

I thank God He chose you to be my mate in life.

Once there was just you and I and then our children.  For a while we lost each other as we became busy being parents. 

You provided us with a home and security.  The children left home and you provided them both with a home while they studied.

I thank God He chose you to be my mate in life.

You’re still tall and strong.  Your skin is darkened from the love of the outdoors.  You’re still my boy.

You provided us with a home and security.  The children left home and you provided them both with a home while they studied.

Each morning your routine is the same.  I love the way we travel to work together.  We pass the school buses.  We pass the children walking towards the bus stop.

You’re still tall and strong.  Your skin is darkened from the love of the outdoors.  You’re still my boy.

I kiss your cheek and you jokingly wipe my lipstick away.  But secretly I know you enjoy that quick embrace before we leave each other.

Each morning your routine is the same.  I love the way we travel to work together.  We pass the school buses.  We pass the children walking towards the bus stop.

Lately, as we grow older together I catch myself wondering about our lives in the Autumn years.  I want to savour every moment with you.  My heart feels slightly afraid.  But, I thank God for you and perhaps I don’t say it enough.

I kiss your cheek and you jokingly wipe my lipstick away.  But secretly I know you enjoy that quick embrace before we leave each other.

Once there was just you and I and then our children.  For a while we lost each other as we became busy being parents.   

Lately, as we grow older together I catch myself wondering about our lives in the Autumn years.  I want to savour every moment with you.  My heart feels slightly afraid.  But, I thank God for you and perhaps I don’t say it enough.

The gratitude I feel when I look at you working in our backyard.  Mowing the lawns or taking our dogs swimming at the river or playing rugby with our grandson.

SOL: 2.3.12

Writing a slice of my life...Bedtime

It's 11.35 and my Saturday is nearly over.  I've had a busy day today but hubby has had an even busier day.  I tend to chill and relax but he spent most of his day painting our deck.  He is already in bed but as usual I struggle to put myself to bed at a reasonable hour.  It's the way I've always been.  

When my children were younger, night times were my time to relax.  It was ME time.  The children are now young adults and are no longer living at home. But I still stay up too late.  Hubby goes to bed early and is up early.  During the week I go to bed late and I'm up early.  At the weekend I go to bed late and get up late.

Well, I really must go to bed but before I do here are my 2 little poems.


Poem 1: Bedtime

The old bed whispers
Enveloped friendship stirs
The call to a night of rest

Poem 2: Warm and soft

I am warm and soft

I wonder where do my dreams take me
I hear silence
I see clouds
I want rest

I am warm and soft
I pretend to count sheep
I feel sleep eludes me
I touch the furthermost stars
I worry about not being rested
I cry when rest escapes me
I am warm and soft

I understand sleep regenerates
I say peaceful rest gives strength
I dream of my homes long gone
I try to squeeze my eyelids tight
I hope my mind will be tricked into sleep
I am warm and soft

SOL: 1.3.13

Writing a slice of my life...

Today I am totally not ready for this years slice of life.  I have a new syndicate leader at school and there are obvious changes at school that I'm coming to terms with.  March has just snuck up on me without me even knowing it.

At school today, my day started with opening up my class and preparing for my day.  But, something has happened to my brain.  It's just not remembering to do everything.  Take photos of the last 6 students who missed their silhouette photos.  Put labels on students books.  Label pencils and red pens.  Mark homework.  Prepare guided reading.  Get the maths work ready.  Duty at the gate.  Have I got enough fast writing worksheets.  Write up a seating plan on the mat.  Make a board for children who remember to bring their book bags. 

The list goes on and on and on.

We have been at school now for 4 weeks and things are starting to settle down, I think.  Most of my students have their stationery so we have started using our books.  I'm a little disappointed that I'm not more organised with my SOL challenge.  It's a little rushed but I think I'll participate and write with my students everyday of the school week.  For the month of March I will write everyday and my students will write everyday of the week.  When I get to school tomorrow I will print of the SOL labels for my students and we will write everyday.

I will use my publishing books for the students SOL books.  I like this book because there is space at the top to draw a picture and ruled lines underneath.  The timetabling of our writing time can be done in the afternoon.  If this time doesn't work, I'll have to think of another time during the day to write.

As for myself I like the ideas starters that were posted last year so I hope these ideas will be available this year.  If not I can always do a google search of daily ideas for writing.  I'm the worse editor and what my brain is thinking and what is written doesn't always make sense. 

I'm surprised that as I sit and make time to write, I've got a story in this brain of mine.  I have to be honest I was dreading the challenge this year because of not being very well organised.

My students wrote their first SOL entry and I was pleased.  We wrote at the end of our school day so they had ideas from their morning tea time and lunch time.

Last year my students and I had a SOL party.  It was the best!  We had our shared feast of goodies and then a presentation of prizes for all students.  I had other prizes for students who managed to write everyday.

So far so good.  Not much else to add.

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Procrastination

Well, her I am finding another reason not to get some unfinished work finished.  I suffer from procrastination!  I found every reason and activity to do except for the job that needs to be done.  I've prayed because I really do need some divine intervention to get this work done and completed.  I've found pinterest, and oh my goodness, I just love it!  I scroll through all these fabulous ideas and it inspires me to create and craft.  So far, I've refashioned a skirt and made myself the cutest apron.  I've refashioned an old baby doll dress and added a singlet shirt to the top and made myself a sweet new dress.  I've recovered a box with fabric, such a wonderful idea and cost saving (I see myself later recovering old boxes with fabric). I've moved furniture around to make room for a new sewing area in my lounge.  I've found a use for my son's protein container, I soaked the container to remove the sticker and now the beautiful container holds my felt tips.  I've had a nap.  I cooked fried rice and venison for lunch.

And, now I sit here writing in my neglected blog... I really need help.  I posted, 'Just Do It' notes around my working area and yet, I still have not completed my work.

Time to log off.

Tuesday 27 BUT...

Tuesday 27 but I'm a day a head and it's Wednesday 28. I've been gone awhile and I just don't why? I enjoyed being part of the SOL earlier in the year. I loved thinking about writing.  But I've been gone too long. I've neglected this blog and I can't believe that 2012 is nearly over.  Where did the time go. I'm sorry that I didn't participate more. I even stopped taking pictures.  The pictures were great because I could add them to my blog.Where to start?  I have no idea what to write about.  I'm just rambling I suppose. I find writing a list easier and it kind of clears my head:

1. I was sick for about 6 weeks and not a happy time.
2. Hubby and I still travel 2 or 3 times a month to see our children who live 2 hours away.
3. I survived winter, barely.
4. I'm drowning in a sea of paper work.
5. 3 meetings a week after school and I'm here to tell the story.
6. I'm really proud of my students who have experienced success at school in reading, writing and math.
7. Summer is here and it warms my heart.
8. Week 7 now, Week 8, Week 9 and it's the end of my school year.
9. 6 or 7 weeks holiday.
10. The thought of more meetings next year looms like a bad omen.
11. A colleague is leaving this year and I'm sad.
12. Taking my nieces, nephew and grandson on a mini road trip.

Mother's day

Wonderful weekend with the family

Drive with hubby to see our children and grandson

We have the best chats:

Life and death

Our parents are getting older

You need JC

Work chatter

This trip hubby was very chatty.
If only it was March...lol