Thanks for all the encouragement about the houe I put an offer on. Well I heard yesterday that they had taken someone else's offer:( . They offered pretty much asking price and they accepted it. There were 3 couples trying to get one house. I didn't think we had a chance but I was still holding out hope. We don't really know what to do now. We really haven't found another house around here that we like and that we can afford. I guess we will just keep looking.

My students provided lots of laughs today and a trip down memory lane. Today I had to administer the physical fitness test for my class. This involved running a mile, sit-ups, trunk lift, push-ups, and some sort of stretching thing behind their backs. The mile run went just fine. Many of my students love to run. They would run all day if I let them. Of course I have a few who hate it. I identify with them.Read More...

Phew...I am so glad today is over. My kids were in rare form today. My two friends that challenged me the most are getting into a pattern of learned helplessness that concerns me. The worst of it is I sometimes feed into

it. They automatically say they do not understand the math I am teaching so they pout, say I don't help them, wander the room, throw their paper on the floor, etc. I just want to say to them, "You are in 3rd grade, grow up," along with some other things. This is the most immature 3rd grade I've had. Of course I do have

some wonderful students and I feel bad that I take away from them. I have struggled with this especially since spring break was over. I've also been struggling with a knee injury since December and have been doing physical therapy for the past month. I got so excited to be able to run for just a minute and walk for a minute because I have missed running so much. It is so hard for me to take things slowly which is how I got injured in the first place. Last week I tried to run for 4 minutes and walk for 1, per my therapist's progression suggestion. I didn't get very far and all I wanted to do was cry because I'm so frustrated. I am afraid I'll never be where I was again. My boyfriend, who got me into running, keeps trying to encourage me but all I do is get into a funk. My knee is starting to hurt a bit again because my impatience. I'm hoping this weekend of camping will help relax me a bit.

What is the purpose of the bumper badger? I see then all the time on the back of new cars and some older cars. Do drivers really think this will protect their car from fender benders? On my way home the other day, there was this car with a homemade bumper badger. The driver had tied these huge blocks of Styrofoam to both the front and the back bumper of his car.

I happened to be home today and watched Tina Turner and Cher on Oprah. Tina loves getting older. She says she is more in tune with everything going on around her especially because she has her health and she looks great. Cher thinks getting old *****. Oprah's producers didn't bleep it because she said it so fast but you get the drift. I think Tina looks amazing for 68! She is going back on tour this year after a three year retirement. I sure hope I look that good in a 18 years.

Wow! I cannot believe my DD is running for student body president. Sometimes I am in complete awe of her and her natural drive. She is an eighth grader at a large middle school and is running for president!! As a girl

in middle school I was chubby, broken out and terrified that someone would notice me, how on Earth I ended up with this beautiful, self-assured 13 year old is amazing. The thought of having to get up in front of the entire student body and not only make a speech, but perform a skit as well. I think I would get sick now

as an adult if I had to do that. :o I am on pins and needles and have called her school secretary twice to try and get results. This last time she told me not to call back until after 2:00. Isn't it amazing how different our kids are, not only from us, but from each other. My oldest is driven, self-assured and funny. My youngest is sassy, kind and full of imagination. They are nothing alike. Having a teenage daughter has been very interesting so far, she is not my drama queen, but the moodiness is becoming more frequent. She had a slumber party two weeks ago for her birthday. 10 thirteen year old girls invaded my house, and this may sound strange, but it was the most fun I've had in a long time. These girls were so silly and full of fun. I don't remember being like that at their age. Of course, I did sleep alot. Maybe I missed it. :)

I finally started to start a blog....at the end of the year. Unfortunately most of my good stories have passed and I'm just trying to make it through the last 26 days. My third graders are definitely wearing me out. Today was a day of drama about boyfriends/girlfriends and kissing. I can't believe that third graders are talking about this stuff! I still remember thinking boys had cooties in third grade. Sigh...kids are growing up way too fast today. So I figure this blog will continue with my adventures in teaching, graduate school, running, etc. I hope you enjoy!

This is my very first blog. I have entitled it "Only in New York". I work in Brooklyn, in an area with lovely brownstones. They are absolutely beautiful inside and out. I'd like to share some of my adventures about my ride home, about the people I encounter and about my job. Some of my stories are serious, some are funny, and some are frightening. But, I hope whoever reads my blogger will enjoy the stories that I tell.

I left off with my last post about my class writing such fantastic essays about the best gifts my students had ever received. We invited a second grade class to come in to hear us celebrate our efforts.:s) Here is the

catch. The second grade teacher had given her class the same prompt the day before. When they left our room they were so inspired that they wanted to "revise" their papers. Today, my kids went to their room and helped them "edit". It went so well. I have three other teachers who want to come to share their students'

work with my class now and another who wants my class to come help in first grade with editing:s) . Why did it take all year to figure out how well this can work? We plan to do this once a month next year. :s)

I think it is just this time of year. When the first flowers stick their heads out of the earth, you begin to think out loud. There are times I think this is because I have been housed with little munchkins all year and

it is nice to hear an adult voice (if it is only my own)or that I have just entered the realm of "I don't care who hears me, I am over the edge and liking it".........but with the first smell of lilacs you start...sometimes it is just about the weather, sometimes it is just about the messy house, the husband, the kids...Sometimes

it is about planning for the next school year...sometimes it makes sense and sometimes it doesn't. WHO CARES!:confused: I do know that it is comforting just to talk out loud. I might also add that once it starts you barely notice the bold stares and you toddle down the road to home....TALKING OUT LOUD! For those of you that have been following the wedding saga. Youngest son was married on Saturday. Everything went well and it was a beautiful wedding. Son and new wife are in Disneyworld and I guarrentee they are NOT talking out loud.....LOL