Here's my latest project.  I tried to learn how to do an ombre paint effect on this scalloped shelf.  I give it a 7 out of 10, for a first try. 

So much has happened since 2014:

I lost Dayle to congestive heart failure and a host of other medical problems in June 2015.  That was a year of pain and confusion. 

Moved to Hana in June 2016, to teach at Hana School.  I was there until June of 2018.  Too many things to mention happened during those two years.  It really opened my eyes to how Maui has changed since the early 90's...

Lived in Haiku until March of 2019. Decided to leave the islands.  It's too expensive and just too many sad memories for me to spend the next twenty years or so. 

That's it in a nutshell.  I am a private person, so I won't go into too much detail. Suffice to say, it's been a long, rough road. 

1.  

   I ONE DOVE 'MADDAH!' 

    

   I am fostering these fledgling doves that blew out their nest on Saturday.

   I don't know if they'll make it, if I'm doing things right, except for keeping them clean and warm. I'm making formula for them with protein shake, baby rice cereal, water, egg yolk and walnuts. 

   
   Seeing these little cuties reminds me of a story my friend, Marianne, told me.  Her brother used to love to wade in the stream near their home on Maui.  One time he caught a crayfish and put it in a gallon bottle to keep. To his surprise, the crayfish had babies while in his care.  Thrilled beyond measure, he ran up to his Mother and exclaimed, "Ma, look!  My crayfish had babies!  I one 'faddah' crayfish!'

   I don't have much affinity for fresh water shrimp, so I guess I'm happy to be one dove 'maddah!'

I made it to tenure!! Thank you,Lord! 

I'm exhausted and I am told the MRI shows a deteriorated vertebrae in my neck(old injury) and it's pinching the nerves. 

Yuk. So, not good.

Just wanted to put forth what I know so far. 

Back to work tomorrow.  Gearing up for ELL testing.  It's a yearly thing and federally mandated. Another log on the fire that needs to be tended...

Working towards tenure

In January 2013, I hope to achieve tenure as a licensed secondary education teacher for the State of Hawai'i. 

Strangely, the closer the date looms, the worse my health becomes. 

Have to wait six weeks for an MRI because, I have such horrible claustrophobia, I need sedation.

Will post occasionally about this turn of events.  Also, interesting to note that 'the nearer your destination, the more you slip-slide away.'

Why is it so hard to keep kids from hurting themselves and each other?

When is 'horseplay' OK? When is too much rough housing too much?

As a teacher, I find it puzzling that NO ONE observes what is happening with our kids on the lower campus. Once in a while, a security guard is camped at the bottom of the campus. However, most times there are no adults and it is CHAOS!

Mom and Dad, did you know that your children go bonkers when they think no one is looking? Did you know that they push each other down the hill, put each other in headlocks and try to steal each others' money? I see it all day, every day. And when I step in, I am seen as the mean teacher by both students and other faculty members. Luckily, I don't care what they think.

I am also a mother of four children of my own. I KNOW the sound of over excited laughter, I know the meaning of high pitched screams that have gone from 'fun' to...uh-oh, someone's going to get hurt.

I know we're all overworked and underpaid. I know that public school students need more and more and more instruction time. However, please.....I repeat please...tell your children to chill out and treat each other with some humanity and respect. I promise you, it will pay off at home and as your children mature into, hopefully, responsible adults.

And isn't that what teachers and parents are being asked to do? Help create a responsible group of new citizens?

Just asking...

I have a full time job

I am now a full time ELL teacher at a school not far from my lair.

I love my students and think they are the best kids ever!

The meetings after school every Wednesday....them I don't love as much.

However, I am still a L.O.S.T. I used to be a member of the Legion of Substitute Teachers. Now I am a member of the Legion of Super Teachers. So, while I am still L.O.S.T., I am no longer a SUBSTITUTE.

Si vede? (you see?)

Women In Pain Petition

Women In Pain Petition