Life in the Stolzman house...

Saturday mornings are my favorite time of the week. After I finish the paper I walk over to the computer with my coffee, check FB and various BLOGs. Sticky notes line my computer with deeds needing to be done. Today's sticky note (they are labeled by day of week) says History-quiz and edit essays, I.S.-edit paper, and finally, library- Andrew's book.

Andrew started a series in his Academic Literacy class at school. He has 2 books left and is no longer able to check out books from the school library. Anticipating this, we requested them from the local public library. The call came yesterday to pick them up. He is camping this weekend with his Boy Scout troop so I'm going to head over there to get them. No real hardship for me, because I love the library. Especially the brand new library with the BRAND NEW books that is a mile from our house.

For questions about what an Academic Literacy class is...
His high school has a block schedule, meaning 4 classes a day, 90 minutes a class. They have classes for 9 weeks then switch. After another nine weeks they switch back to the original classes. To supplement the English program every 9th and 10th grade student has a 'floating block' English class, which gives them English for 27 weeks. They read, write reports, discuss books, learn how to do research...basically the class fills in the gaps the regular English class leaves. I love his teacher and she loves books. Any teacher that can get my son interested in books is the best teacher in the world!

After I dropped Andrew off for his BS camping trip (looks weird when I use initials) Jessica and I hit the mall. She needed a dress to wear when she helps at senior awards night and graduation. Plus, as ASB president she'll be attending school district board meetings and needed a nice blouse to wear with black pants. It has been a challenge to purchase dresses in the past (she hates them) but Macy's always has a good selection. She picked out a super-cute orange sundress with lace detail, and a very nice white blouse. Of course neither was on sale, but they fit and look good (besides after an hour and a half I'm ready to leave, no matter what it costs).

Every single flower is blooming in my back yard and it's supposed to be 83 today. Perfect! At 8 am Joe and I are heading out, with the dog, for our usual Saturday morning 7 1/2 mile course. Any later than that and it will be too hot.

Wonder what I should do after I get my work done??

Almost there...

Three weeks until I am completely finished with my coursework. Memorial weekend is the ending point. My degree course project is started, and my reading is on track. I'm beginning to breathe a little easier....

I'm working on it...

I am plagued with the disease of good intentions. Blogging is on the list of what I'd like to do more of, but it doesn't seem to be happening. Sounding like a broken record when I say, again, that I just haven't had the time! The joke at our house is that by Memorial Weekend my life will come to a crashing halt. I will be done with school (the one I attend) and with school (the one where I work). It's hard to believe that in six weeks I will be completely done with my undergraduate coursework. The summer is set aside for being a mom again, relaxing with Joe, hanging out with friends, and planning my next move.

Anyway, I just have to get through the next little bit. It's hard to be optimistic when the weather is dreary and raining. What's with that? Usually we're swimming this time of year, not turning the heat on.

I can hear Glee! is on in the other room. Have to run...

Tootin' my own horn!

California law requires teachers to pass an examination in the subject matter they want to teach, proving proficiency in order to be allowed to teach. Different tests for different subject matters. I took the Multiple Subject test(required for elementary school and special education) which is comprised of three parts. Passing all three parts allows me to enter into a teacher credentialing program. Like most other academic tests it was very long, and I chose to take all three subsets at once. I found out today that I passed all three subsets (very hard to do on the first try, most don't accomplish this). Yeah for me!!!

Feeling yucky and it's raining...

Last week I had the A/C on in the car...today I'm back wearing flannel pajamas. I wish Mother Earth would make up her mind about spring. 80 percent chance of rain today, thunderstorms tomorrow, and 25 percent chance of rain the rest of the week. Of course that doesn't mean it will rain, but whatever...

My sinuses are all clogged up, plus I'm (at times) hacking up a lung. I dislike those illnesses that make it uncomfortable to function yet you can still function. Does that make sense? I'm not in bed, just feeling yucky!

So, nothing on my spring break list gets done due to rain. My windows are so atrociously dirty....they will have to wait a week or two. I did get a new fern planted and some white bocapa. Much more to do though.

Jessica's appointment for wisdom teeth removal is the Friday of Memorial weekend. Trying to figure out a schedule to have that done was horrendous. The Dr. is a reservist and will be gone for a few weeks, plus he has two offices and we would like to have the surgery done at the closer office. In addition, we had to work around Jessica's SAT subject tests, ACT tests, and STAR testing. So, it was decided to have them out after school is over. I'm hoping the swelling and bruising are gone before we go to NYC.

Camping season has begun for Andrew's Boy Scout troop. Plus, they have at least one major hike planned a month. He told me he will start planning his Eagle Project this summer, to be completed around this time next year. He's motivated because we told him no driver's license or job until the project is completed, and that is one boy who wants to drive. All he talks about his cars...and his favorite new tv show is called World's Most Expensive Rides.

Joe is going to work today, but will be off starting tomorrow. Even with the rain I'm sure I can find a few spring cleaning chores for him to do :-)