Sunday, August 25, 2013

Puppy Love and Back to School

WOW!  I am back to school and it has been the roughest start I have had in my entire 17 years of teaching.  Our high school comfortably holds 3,700 students and we have enrolled so far this year, 4,200.  Quite a big difference let me tell you.  Not only are we extremely packed for space, we have almost 300 teachers on our campus and 65 of those poor teachers are homeless.  They do not have a classroom and have to float into other teachers classrooms. They get a rolly cart to hold all their supplies and push it from class to class. So, on my prep period, I have to leave my room so another teacher and their class can be in my room.  I have to pack up everything I might need to get taken care of during my 90 minute prep.  I can't go back if I forget something, I  just have to make it work!   Think of it like this,  you are in your office space and someone comes to you and says "Vickie, you have to leave your office space now and you cannot come back for the next 90 minutes.  Gather up everything you may need and then go find yourself a new workspace that is not being used by anyone else.  However, if someone needs the space you find, you have to relocate again to a different space."  Imagine that, and then realize I do this every day!  It really stinks.   We are praying the public votes YES for a new high school to be built.  

My stitching has really suffered.  I have come home these past 2 weeks of organizing my room and then the first week back just exhausted.  I come home, sit down and then promptly fall asleep.  Last week was really rough because Mark went out of town Mon- Wed and it was just me and the critters.  I came home the first day to a dead mouse and a lizard tail.  Which meant there was a live lizard somewhere in my house.  Luckily I found it hiding under my vacuum cleaner.  It is now hopefully surviving outside and growing a new tail.  Mark was really sweet when he came home,  because he fixed dinner for me while I slept.   I have been worn out.  

Bert, the mighty hunter brought a chipmunk in the house sometime on Friday, because Mark found him in my tablecloth drawer. He jumped out and the chase was on!!  All 5 critters and 2 adults was on the hunt looking for the little rodent.  I found him today, dead, under my chaise lounge.  He is now out of my house and I have a very angry cat who really wants his chipmunk toy!!!

On to Stitching...Here is my Puppy Love progress....I love it on the purple sparkly fabric



This is another Disney design that I am doing. I can't tell you anything because it is a secret Round Robin design.  

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There is a lot more to say, but it is time to go to bed because I have to get up early and do my weigh in on my Biggest Loser game.   I did not lose a single pound over the Summer.  However, I did lose several inches so I am proud of that!!!


9 comments:

CJ said...

All I can say is WOW, that is a lot of kids in one place. Keep you chin up, it will get better.

CJ

Kevin said...

I totally sympathize with you and the rotating classroom situation. I've been on both ends (teaching off a cart and constantly moving locations and then having to leave my assigned personal classroom so another teacher could occupy it). For sure, they both are stressful situations (although teaching off a cart and having no base classroom of my own to keep my materials was absolutely the WORST!) Can't even tell you how many of my personal supplies and materials went missing that semester. Ugh!
I love what I can see so far of the Disney "Puppy Love" you're stitching. Is that a chart/kit that's sold only at Disney? Definitely will need to research that as I'm a huge Disney fan.
Hang in there with this stressful school year. Hopefully they'll get that new school approved. The public really doesn't understand how stressful and disruptive it is when teachers are constantly playing "musical chairs" with their classroom space and materials. I don't miss those days, I must admit!

Meari said...

Puppy Love and your RR look great.

Too funny about the chipmunk jumping out of the drawer. Not funny finding him dead under the chaise. Yuck.

Pam in IL said...

Working in a school district, I totally understand what you're going through. The local high school that my DD teaches at just had a referendum pass to tear down the current building and build a completely new one. It passed by only 3 votes and is really a hot-button issue around here.

Your stitching is looking great!
Hugs

Linda said...

Loved the critter stories. Your Disney pieces are moving right along. I love Disney and have tons of kits/charts. I really need to start one. Good luck with school.

Linda

Vicky L said...

Wow, what a stressful situation you are in. I hope the school year gets better and the approval of the new school goes thru. Your stitching looks lovely as always.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry about what is going on with your school. Hopefully they will be able to get the new high school. Sounds like your critters are very rambunctious. Hopefully they will calm down soon. Puppy Love looks great!!! Congrats on the inches you lost.
Have a great day.
Betty in AZ (ILCS)

Keebles said...

Puppy Love is really coming along! It looks so clean and neat! I'm jealous!

SoCal Debbie said...

What a nightmare about the school! They need to set up a bunch of portable classrooms ASAP!

Your Disney designs look wonderful!