Dear High School Principal,
Thank you for your educational efforts. I am happy to report that utilizing videos in Adaptive PE to occupy the students when the Adaptive PE teacher isn't on site is definitely improving my son's coordination. So glad they didn't take a walk or do something physical. Yes, sitting and watching a movie is definitely a good idea.
In addition, the capable substitutes that were placed in my son's classroom last week presented the students with a rousing example of basketball when they partook of watching the game (I am sure they were able to relate it to math skills). Oh, and the online research of basketball scores was very enlightening to my son. He is ever so thankful for the increased knowledge he has now. Your substitutes are top notch.
Please thank your substitutes for the wise use of my son's educational time.
Sincerely,
Me
Friday, January 25, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Spam rocks....seriously!
Not long ago, my friend Kimber, suggested I send some writing samples to a Canadian magazine. She thought my writing would match what they were looking for in writers. So I did. I collected a sampling of material and sent it on it's way. And I waited....and waited....and then, a few days ag I found IT. In my spam folder. IT.
"Hi Cynthia,
Your creative writing samples came across my desk last week. You have a beautiful writing style and we would love some more information.
Of the writing that you sent us, how much of it is published? Have you worked with other designers before and paired your writing with their artwork? Is this something that interests you?
I will thank Kimber for telling you about Scrapbook & Cards Today.
I look forward to hearing from you and to reading more of your great writing."
Eeeeeeeeekkkkkkk, how exciting is that? I'll be pub; in the Summer or possibly Fall issue, pairing with Kimber for art work!
Sometimes SPAM rocks!
"Hi Cynthia,
Your creative writing samples came across my desk last week. You have a beautiful writing style and we would love some more information.
Of the writing that you sent us, how much of it is published? Have you worked with other designers before and paired your writing with their artwork? Is this something that interests you?
I will thank Kimber for telling you about Scrapbook & Cards Today.
I look forward to hearing from you and to reading more of your great writing."
Eeeeeeeeekkkkkkk, how exciting is that? I'll be pub; in the Summer or possibly Fall issue, pairing with Kimber for art work!
Sometimes SPAM rocks!
Friday, January 11, 2008
It's about friendship...
So, you know that feeling you get, the sick to your stomach, can't do anything about it but move forward feeling? That's how I spent yesterday. A close friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, not too bad, but it has spread to one lymph node. We've spent the last two weeks discussing doctors and treatment options, how to handle well meaning friends who are flocking to her side certain she needs broth, while in reality she is as healthy as me. Except she isn't.
Plans are made , chemo first, then surgery, then we'll see. Prognosis is good. She's going to lose her hair, she's going to get sick, really sick.
Will you go with me for chemo, she asks. Instantly I reply yes, how could I not. We have been friends for years, I get her, she gets me. I am not panicked by medical stuff, I have far too much experience with that as the mom of a medically challenged child. She knows this, she picked me on purpose. I'll go with her and hold her hand only if she needs it, I'll ask intelligent questions of the staff, I'll know what to pack, what to do, how to ask for help.
We head out early in the morning, a long drive ahead of us. Our first stop is the wig shop. I have never been in a wig shop, never contemplated such a trip. As we walk into the hospital, headed for the wig shop I wish I had taken a few minutes to do some research, to ask some questions, to prepare myself. We round the corner and there we are. She stops just inches inside the shop.
I pause behind her and wait for her to move. She doesn't. I am uncertain. What must it feel like to be in her position? She feels fine, really fine, and yet this cancer, this horrible disease, is spreading inside her. How does one contemplate themselves going bald? How does one contemplate what to choose? It isn't really about hair, it's about identity.
She begins to move into the shop, cautiously at first, and then with a sigh, a sense of resignation. Resignation to the reality that is her life. We move about, looking at wigs perched on styrofoam heads lined on shelves. She looks at me, with a glimmer of panic. "How does this work," she says. I am unsure what to suggest, I feel woefully inadequate, totally unprepared.
I look at the shelves and say I don't know. I grab one that looks similar to her hairstyle. We look at it, we touch it, we put it back. We move about the room, pointing, touching, putting back. Slowly a pattern emerges. I am looking at wigs that remind me of her today, she is looking at wigs that will be her after treatment, when her hair is short, in the growing back stage. I realize she is right. We can't hold on to now, we have to look at where we will be when she is done. I am hanging on, she is letting go.
We chat with the shop's owner, a woman who has guided many women through this stage. She is kind, she is soft spoken and encouraging. She guides us in some wig selections and leads my friend off to the side of the shop to try them on. As I stand there and listen to her offer gentle instructions, I am overcome by emotion. Turning away, the tears roll silently. I let them.
Soon she is ready to show off her new "do". I like it, looks better than I was expecting. She is pleased and yet not sure. She tries on more and then she puts on the "one". You know that feeling when you found your wedding dress? It was THE ONE! When she slipped that wig on and turned to me for approval. I beam. She looked so good! I told her so, the wig shop lady told her so. She turned and looked at herself again, happiness spreading across her face. She realized she did look good. "This is good," she says. "Really good."
Again, I am overcome by my emotions and turn away. We leave the shop, wig in hand. "That was so surreal," she says. Yes, it was, it most certainly was.
She is hanging on...to hope. So am I...
Plans are made , chemo first, then surgery, then we'll see. Prognosis is good. She's going to lose her hair, she's going to get sick, really sick.
Will you go with me for chemo, she asks. Instantly I reply yes, how could I not. We have been friends for years, I get her, she gets me. I am not panicked by medical stuff, I have far too much experience with that as the mom of a medically challenged child. She knows this, she picked me on purpose. I'll go with her and hold her hand only if she needs it, I'll ask intelligent questions of the staff, I'll know what to pack, what to do, how to ask for help.
We head out early in the morning, a long drive ahead of us. Our first stop is the wig shop. I have never been in a wig shop, never contemplated such a trip. As we walk into the hospital, headed for the wig shop I wish I had taken a few minutes to do some research, to ask some questions, to prepare myself. We round the corner and there we are. She stops just inches inside the shop.
I pause behind her and wait for her to move. She doesn't. I am uncertain. What must it feel like to be in her position? She feels fine, really fine, and yet this cancer, this horrible disease, is spreading inside her. How does one contemplate themselves going bald? How does one contemplate what to choose? It isn't really about hair, it's about identity.
She begins to move into the shop, cautiously at first, and then with a sigh, a sense of resignation. Resignation to the reality that is her life. We move about, looking at wigs perched on styrofoam heads lined on shelves. She looks at me, with a glimmer of panic. "How does this work," she says. I am unsure what to suggest, I feel woefully inadequate, totally unprepared.
I look at the shelves and say I don't know. I grab one that looks similar to her hairstyle. We look at it, we touch it, we put it back. We move about the room, pointing, touching, putting back. Slowly a pattern emerges. I am looking at wigs that remind me of her today, she is looking at wigs that will be her after treatment, when her hair is short, in the growing back stage. I realize she is right. We can't hold on to now, we have to look at where we will be when she is done. I am hanging on, she is letting go.
We chat with the shop's owner, a woman who has guided many women through this stage. She is kind, she is soft spoken and encouraging. She guides us in some wig selections and leads my friend off to the side of the shop to try them on. As I stand there and listen to her offer gentle instructions, I am overcome by emotion. Turning away, the tears roll silently. I let them.
Soon she is ready to show off her new "do". I like it, looks better than I was expecting. She is pleased and yet not sure. She tries on more and then she puts on the "one". You know that feeling when you found your wedding dress? It was THE ONE! When she slipped that wig on and turned to me for approval. I beam. She looked so good! I told her so, the wig shop lady told her so. She turned and looked at herself again, happiness spreading across her face. She realized she did look good. "This is good," she says. "Really good."
Again, I am overcome by my emotions and turn away. We leave the shop, wig in hand. "That was so surreal," she says. Yes, it was, it most certainly was.
She is hanging on...to hope. So am I...
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Corn Chowder
Seriously one of the yummiest soups. You must try it! It's from Paula Deen!
Chef Jack's Corn Chowder Recipe by Paula Deen
Paula's Home Cooking
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 small onion, diced
1 small carrot, finely diced
1 small celery stalk, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups white corn kernels, fresh or frozen
3 cups chicken stock
2 cups half-and-half
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Melt 1 stick of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and saute for 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Cook until the roux is lightly browned; set aside to cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, combine the corn and chicken stock in another saucepan, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the boiling stock with the corn (a little at a time) into the saucepan with the roux, whisking briskly so it doesn't lump. Return the skillet to the heat and bring to a boil. The mixture should become very thick.
In a small saucepan, gently heat the half-and-half; stir it into the thick corn mixture. Add the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste. Just before serving, cut the remaining stick of butter into large chunks. Add it to enrich the soup, stirring until the butter melts.
Chef Jack's Corn Chowder Recipe by Paula Deen
Paula's Home Cooking
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 small onion, diced
1 small carrot, finely diced
1 small celery stalk, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups white corn kernels, fresh or frozen
3 cups chicken stock
2 cups half-and-half
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Melt 1 stick of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and saute for 2 minutes. Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Cook until the roux is lightly browned; set aside to cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, combine the corn and chicken stock in another saucepan, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the boiling stock with the corn (a little at a time) into the saucepan with the roux, whisking briskly so it doesn't lump. Return the skillet to the heat and bring to a boil. The mixture should become very thick.
In a small saucepan, gently heat the half-and-half; stir it into the thick corn mixture. Add the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste. Just before serving, cut the remaining stick of butter into large chunks. Add it to enrich the soup, stirring until the butter melts.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
A conversation...
I was working a Preschool fair today, representing a local Charter School. I spent 3+ hours chatting with generally lovely, inquizative parents and delightful children, that is, until SHE came by my table.
"How is your school different?" she asked.
I waxed on about whole child learning, arts enrichment, community teaching etc. She listened patiently, seeming interested, until these words crossed her lips....
"Do you let those Special Ed kids into the classes with the normal kids?" Stunned, it took me a moment to formulate my answer...
"Yes, special education students are a part of our school and are integrated into our regular classrooms as providedfor and directed by federal law."
Her scowl grew as I spoke...
"We have a Special Education teacher on site as well as other support staff who assist not only the students but the teachers. They also provide intervention for children at risk."
Looking up at her face I realize, this is clearly a battle I will not win...
"Well, THOSE kids shouldn't be in a classroom with MY kid!"
No answer.....none....
I am thinking, I cannot be rude, I cannot speak my mind, I can not challenge her. I can only answer politely, calmly, and in a manner fitting my responsibility to the school. But, in my head I am SEETHING.
As the mother of a very Special Needs child I am stunned that she would lump all Special Ed students into the THOSE kids category. Those kids have needs that range from DS #1 who is in a self contained Special Ed class most of his day, to DS #2, who simply needs extra reading intervention and support, to DS #4 who has a speech impairment. All of my boys are delightful...how rude of this woman. She didn't care about the bullies or the foul mouthed kids or the kids whose parents expose them to violent media and allow them to duplicate it. No, she was full of hatred, and really, disgust for children like mine, children who are kind and loving and delightful to be around.
So, my reply...
"We are a caring community, fostering the individual learning of EACH of our students. We rely on a strong family partnership to help create this environment. We are bound by federal and state laws, but aside from that, we embrace EACH child and their unique abilities."
Thankfully she walked off after this. I walked off too, but in the opposite direction. We were, after all, very different people, with very different views...
"How is your school different?" she asked.
I waxed on about whole child learning, arts enrichment, community teaching etc. She listened patiently, seeming interested, until these words crossed her lips....
"Do you let those Special Ed kids into the classes with the normal kids?" Stunned, it took me a moment to formulate my answer...
"Yes, special education students are a part of our school and are integrated into our regular classrooms as providedfor and directed by federal law."
Her scowl grew as I spoke...
"We have a Special Education teacher on site as well as other support staff who assist not only the students but the teachers. They also provide intervention for children at risk."
Looking up at her face I realize, this is clearly a battle I will not win...
"Well, THOSE kids shouldn't be in a classroom with MY kid!"
No answer.....none....
I am thinking, I cannot be rude, I cannot speak my mind, I can not challenge her. I can only answer politely, calmly, and in a manner fitting my responsibility to the school. But, in my head I am SEETHING.
As the mother of a very Special Needs child I am stunned that she would lump all Special Ed students into the THOSE kids category. Those kids have needs that range from DS #1 who is in a self contained Special Ed class most of his day, to DS #2, who simply needs extra reading intervention and support, to DS #4 who has a speech impairment. All of my boys are delightful...how rude of this woman. She didn't care about the bullies or the foul mouthed kids or the kids whose parents expose them to violent media and allow them to duplicate it. No, she was full of hatred, and really, disgust for children like mine, children who are kind and loving and delightful to be around.
So, my reply...
"We are a caring community, fostering the individual learning of EACH of our students. We rely on a strong family partnership to help create this environment. We are bound by federal and state laws, but aside from that, we embrace EACH child and their unique abilities."
Thankfully she walked off after this. I walked off too, but in the opposite direction. We were, after all, very different people, with very different views...
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!!
Well, another new year is here! What are your New Year's Resolutions? Mine are simple, some are probably on your list as well.
1. Lose another 25 pounds. 25 down...let's see where we can go.
2. Write more often, here, to ones I love, to be an encourager.
3. Play with my kids more, really play, on the floor, puzzles, art, etc.
4. Continue to make dietary changes. Doing great, but still room for improvement.
5. Organize. Let this be the year of change. I have it in me to be organized...really!
6. Improve my personal relationships. Take the time to enhance these relationships!
7. Pursue my Usborne books work with more vigor. I passionately love these books!
8. Continue working on my writing. I am good, I can be better, I can be great!
9. Finances, we're doing well, but I want to do more. Build more and give more away. Share the blessings.
10. One day at a time...practice patience with persistance!
1. Lose another 25 pounds. 25 down...let's see where we can go.
2. Write more often, here, to ones I love, to be an encourager.
3. Play with my kids more, really play, on the floor, puzzles, art, etc.
4. Continue to make dietary changes. Doing great, but still room for improvement.
5. Organize. Let this be the year of change. I have it in me to be organized...really!
6. Improve my personal relationships. Take the time to enhance these relationships!
7. Pursue my Usborne books work with more vigor. I passionately love these books!
8. Continue working on my writing. I am good, I can be better, I can be great!
9. Finances, we're doing well, but I want to do more. Build more and give more away. Share the blessings.
10. One day at a time...practice patience with persistance!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
