Long over due...

Thanks Kat and Iain :)

As you have probably noticed this post is overdue.

Since I last updated...I had a birthday. Many thanks to all who sent birthday greetings; I was truly blessed. :) The night before my birthday two sneaky people were in my classroom decorating--Thanks Kat and Iain it was a fun surprise. Maat and Sylvia baked a cake and made jello; Maat had the kids sing. Ehab was the first to greet me "happy birthday" :) Jacki called and we talked for nearly 2 1/2 hours it was wonderful to catch up on the happenings in their lives.

Some of my girls and I bake each Friday as a part of their class. This is what we made on my birthday...emmm...YUMMY!!! Good "Cooker-errrrrrrrrrs" ;)

The weather continues to grow cooler by the day; I'm eagerly awaiting snowfall :):)
As Kat and I go out walking in the morning it is now pitch black and a flashlight comes in very handy. This morning was frosty and though a bit slippery it was so beautiful!! I love being able to be outside. The rain has ceased, and we've had flurries on two occassions.

A sunrise Kat and I saw on one of our walks about a month ago

The workload is steadily picking up; I am getting to the point where I'm swimming in paperwork. I work for awhile in the room after school but like to bring the work home, I find late nights and early mornings very productive. Nearly everyday after work I have meetings and visitors this month.

I've found time for me this year as well :) :) I've been doing some more reading; a novelty I've missed over the past few years. I am making great progress in my scrapbook. I did a few pages at a girls get together on Friday and did an several pages Sat. night--all pictures of this summer.

I've been fighting mice :P :P I really detest the dirty little buggers. I have figured out where they are coming in and disenfect everything at least once daily. Brings back memories of all the things they ruined at home growing up!!! I have ordered a natural mouse deterrant that should be in the mail any day :) and have set up a trap (though my sink/dishwater seems to be the most effective trap) I've also tried putting peppermint oil on the counter tops and in the bottom of the garbage can.

More Birthday decorations/my classroom

I think that's about all, time to wrap up this post. Hope all of you are doing well and staying healthy.

My classroom--the little things on the doors that I made to help with number recognition

Enjoy the rest of your week and have a nice weekend :)

This rainbow was taken outside my back steps. I've seen 5-6 rainbows in the past month and a half :)
We are going into our 5th week of classes already; it is hard to believe how fast the time goes. :)

I'm enjoying my own classroom this year the atmosphere is very different. Once again we have nearly a complete turn over in the specialists from the district office.



The new OT came out last week, she is very sweet. Originally from the midwest she attended a Christian college in MI, and she has a Dutch last name. Curiousity got the best of me and so I asked what school she attended. Lo and behold she attended Calvin; this started us on a conversation discussing the Dutch people the Reformed Church and TULIPS :P neither of us was familiar with anything Dutch, or the Reformed church before attending college. I told her I attended a small reformed college in Iowa and she said "Dordt or Northwestern?" it's a small world :) I'm blessed to have the co-workers I have both in school and from the district office.

This year I've continued to learn how to make time for myself. I've found time to enjoy more scrapbooking and craft stuff as well as reading enjoyable books. :) Kat and I and the dogs (Rocky and Mia) have gone walking every morning before school starts--what a great way to wake up and enjoy the surrounding beauty. It's also a nice time to get out of the house without being bombarded by the kids.

The days are getting much shorter, the sun is now coming up around 8 or a bit after and it's dark by about 9:30-10:00 pm. Winter will soon be upon us.

Many people keep asking what my plans for the coming year are...right now it's time to take things one step at a time. I have checked into a few positions elsewhere but am not sure it's time to move on yet. Time will tell and I have time to figure that out.

Have a wonderful week :)