Well, it's been a long time since I've written, but at least I'm still keeping in touch.  I hope everyone in Niangua is well.  Nattassia is in Lakeland Hospital, and she's been there for 2 weeks.  It's a scary place, and I hope none of you ever find yourselves there.  She's supposed to come tonight.

School is nearly over.  Thank God.  Only 7 weeks left.  It's a good thing too, cause the kids are really getting to me.  There is this one girl I'd really like to hurt.  Don't worry; I take deep breaths and remember she's just a 13 year old snot.  I can wait until she turns 18, right??  :)

We're MAP testing this week, which is really no fun at all for me.  I'm sure it's less fun for you guys, but I'm not happy at all about the disruption of my schedule.  I'd rather just be teaching than walking around proctoring tests for hours.  It's boring and makes the day last a really, really long time.  Worse still, I'm paired with one of the few teachers I don't really care for.  Worse even still, we're in HER room, so it'll be like I'm a guest.  It only lasts for 2 days, so I'll get over it.

Well, first Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope yours is going better than mine.  I'm at home, sick as a dog.  My whole body aches and hurts.

But, the distress I have to share is about being a parent now of a 14 year old, I wrote to you earlier about.  I had no idea what a conservative parent I would be, or how protective and controlling of a mother.  It's a little scary.  However, she's been through a lot, and I don't want her to be hurt any more than necessary.  I have to tell her today that she is not allowed to see her "boyfriend" anymore.  She was going to break up with him yesterday, but he was able to talk his way back.  The thing is, he cheated on her with another guy.  Yes, another guy, and her friend to boot.  I don't want her to associate with either anymore, and I know she's going to be really upset when I tell her this today. 

As always, I welcome your thoughts and opinions.  I hope all is well with all of you.  I hear there's pregnancy going around in Niangua, so I hope you all are avoiding it.  It's tough to be a parent.

What's up???  I haven't written in so long, you've probably quit checking for an update!  It's strange how fast time passes, and it seems there's never enough time to get anything done.  I hope all of you out there are getting your stuff done.

Well, the only major news I have is that I now have another child, sort of.  I'm the foster parent to one of my 14 year old students.  It's been okay so far, but I'm really surprised at what a conservative parent I am.  I had no idea I'd feel the way I do about things!  I told her I didn't want her to wear makeup or have a boyfriend until she was 16.  Is that unreasonable?  She wants to go the mall with her friends this weekend, but I won't let her go unless I go also.  She didn't want to go if I was going, so there you go.  So, basically I'm telling you I've become old and crabby. 

I'm going to go now and read some of your blogs.  They better be more up to date than mine!!!  Take care all of you, and drop me a line!  I'm leaving you with some words from you know who!

i'm no heroine

you think i wouldn't have him
unless i could have him by the balls
you think i just dish it out
you don't think i take it at all
you think i am stronger
you think i walk taller than the rest
you think i'm usually wearing the pants
just 'cause i rarely wear a dress

well...

when you look at me
you see my purpose,
see my pride
you think i just saddle up my anger
and ride and ride and ride
you think i stand so firm
you think i sit so high on my trusty steed
let me tell you
i'm usually face down on the ground
when there's a stampede

i'm no heroine
at least, not last time i checked
i'm too easy to roll over
i'm too easy to wreck
i just write about
what i should have done
i just sing
what i wish i could say
and hope somewhere
some woman hears my music
and it helps her through her day

'cause some guy designed
these shoes i use to walk around
some big man's business turns a profit
every time i lay my money down
some guy designed the room i'm standing in
another built it with his own tools
who says i like right angles?
these are not my laws
there are not my rules

i'm no heroine
i still answer to the other half of the race
i don't fool myself
like i fool you
i don't have the power
we just don't run this place

Well, school life is better now.  I hope everyone is getting along alright.  It's so good to hear from you all out there.  It makes me feel loved!!

I bet you all are as ready for break as I am!  One more full week to go, and then it'll be off for almost 2 weeks!!  I can't wait to stay home and do nothing all day!  It seems like I never get a chance to relax anymore. 

I'm going to go now and read some of your blogs, so they better be up to date!!!  I just had to put up a new blog, so the sad one wouldn't be on top. 

I drove 3 of my students to her visitation, and it was one of the saddest things of all time.  I hope it's nothing any of you ever have to experience.

Yesterday, one of my students was killed.  She walked out of my class, and she was dead 15 minutes later.   You probably saw it on the news, or may have read it in the paper today.  Her brother was driving too fast, spun out in the snow, the passenger door came open and she was thrown out.  The car ran over over her, hit the fence, spun back and came to rest on top of her.  It was such a hard day to go to school.  I'll write more later when I feel up to it. 

Be safe.

So, it's been a long time since I've written, but the blogs of yours out there haven't been updated in a very long time.  I know it's that you are all working hard on your math homework, so I'm going to forgive you.  I'll try to lead by example and keep mine updated for the 3 people out there still reading it!!!

So, the big news is that I'm going to be a foster mother to one of my students.  It's a 14 year old girl who is currently at an emergency shelter.  Her story is long and sad, and I won't go into it.  I'm really nervous, but it felt like what I had to do.  She probably won't be able to move in until after the first of the year, so it'll be awhile before I have updates.  The paperwork is pretty serious.

I hope all is well in Niangua for all of you.  School is moving right along, and it's hard to believe Halloween is already here.  Remember how much fun we had last year?  I won't dress up this year for school, because it wouldn't be fun.  I'm sure that kids won't dress up.

Last thing: I saw 2 boys in a tongue lock on the stairs as I walked to my room this morning.  I know I'm pretty liberal, but I don't think I'm that liberal.  I was horrified, and the image will be forever burned in my brain.  If I'd had my camera, I would have taken a picture so it could also be forever burned in yours!!

Today, I woke up thinking today was Friday.  I was not happy to get to school and learn it was Thursday.  Worse, I've got a terrible cold and my throat hurts.  I feel like I do nothing but yell at those kids all day.  I have to tell you all, I've turned mean.  I have to be.  Those kids won't let me be nice; I think they'd prefer a mean teacher!  I feel at least somewhat better for not taking any crap.

However, Wednesday, this girl in my Algebra 2 class made a comment that Madeline is "weird just like her mother."  I forgot I was the teacher, and I said, "At least we're not bitches."  I will see that girl tomorrow, and I'd rather not.  I feel bad, because I should have been the bigger person.  But, say whatever about me, but don't mess with my kids.  The claws WILL come out.  You guys forgive me, right?

Love to all!

Well, I made it through another week!  The kids are getting a little better, or maybe I'm getting a little meaner.  Either way, it was a better week than the last one.

The cool news is that I've been asked by some students to sponsor a punk music club.  Doesn't that sound like fun??  I'm going to make sure we have a great time.  We have 35 kids there who want to be members of the punk music club.  Firstly, I'm going to have them design a timeline of the evolution of punk music.  (You knew I was going to sneak the math in there, SOMEWHERE!)

So, Ms. Barner is getting the thumbs down, it sounds like.  Be nice to her, and maybe it'll make a difference.  Get loose leaf paper, so you don't have fringies on the edge.  Maybe it won't work, but still be nice.  I hope she's at least a caring teacher that is nice to you all and appreciates you.  Everyone of you deserves it!!

I'm glad to see people still read my blog.  Pass the word around that I still keep it up, and maybe more people will read.  Maybe they won't, but do it anyway.

I heard they found someone with one of the stolen calculators!  Maybe they'll find the laptop!  I told the school I would donate it to them, if they can recover it.  Let's keep our fingers crossed!!

I love you guys!  Have a great weekend, and stay safe.  Drop me a comment!!