I have to admit, book reports aren't on my list of favorite things to do. Not even on the bottom of my favorite things to do list. It isn't anywhere NEAR the list.
And to be honest, we have missed 2 book reports this year.
It is so hard to read a book with a child who not only struggles with reading, but can't seem to say the longer words. And it is so hard to read a book with a child who wants to read what he wants to read - which isn't necessarily bad, but not good when he wants to read Star Wars and Bionicles and Transformer books. My favorit? Bionicles because they have all these weird names that I can't pronounce - so then I can't keep them straight.
We did one book report on a Bionicles Book. We didn't do so well. For one, I couldn't keep who was the bad guys and who was the good guys straight. And, Ster had in his mind what he was supposed to do and I'm sure it wasn't right. But after arguing about it, I let him do it his way. That was in October.
Fast forward to last Monday. I notice that Ster has a book report paper that he needs to fill out and it was due on Friday. Crap! The only books we have are military books (Ster has actually WANTED to read since we have transferred him to North Point Elementary - and he reminds me it is time to read). Well, since the military books tell about all of the different planes and tanks and helicopters, I realized that it would be hard to fill in who the main characters were and what the main event was - but it would be easy to answer if he liked the book.
So off to the Library we head. Ster being stubborn, had to pick out a 100 page book. I tried to get a 50 page book that he might like, but he was insistent on a star wars book. Fine - but I told him we had lots of reading to do! After 2 hours of math and Time For Kids, we couldn't read much. Tuesday was a disaster, too. Wednesday I was gone that night. So we get to Thursday and I realize that we would have to pick another book - so I dug through his book pile and found a really short Star Wars the Clone Wars book. One that we have had for a few years but Ster wouldn't read because he doesn't like to mess up his books.
Anyway -
We start to read. And I ask questions after each short chapter. And he answered them - easily. I started to get excited. Part of why he is at a 2nd grade reading level is he can't retell the stories as well as he should.
After Chapter 3, I was super excited because he was still re-telling the story like no other!
And then he started to tell me the difference between the movie and the book.
Come again?
Yep, this was part of the cartoon.
But he could tell in detail what was in the movie and what was in the book.
So I let him finish and answer the questions (with a TON of help writing the sentences).
Whew! One out of the way!
On a bright note - we moved Ster just in time. His last book report at Mount Mahogany was supposed to be on a person. He picked George Lucas (go figure). So glad I didn't have to attempt to help him with that one!
(on another note: not only does Sterling struggle with re-telling stories, but he struggles with forming sentences and remembering what to right. Can we say FRUSTRATING?!?)
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Olden days
I remember asking my mom if they had cars when she was little and if Abraham Lincoln was president when she was little.
I don't think I like payback.
Sterling asked if the tvs were in color when I was little or if they were black and white. He also asked if we had the old fashioned cars when I was little.
Little punk.
I don't think I like payback.
Sterling asked if the tvs were in color when I was little or if they were black and white. He also asked if we had the old fashioned cars when I was little.
Little punk.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Its official
Well, we finally got our notification that the furloughs will take place. We have to take off 176 hours between April 26 and the end of September. And it can't be taken off all at once. We will be losing about 25% of our pay. Ouch.
And I freaking out? YES!
We should have been better prepared.
And I freaking out? YES!
We should have been better prepared.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Hermit
I am a hermit. Seriously. But I don't want to be. I want to be one of those ladies who is friendly and always has someone to talk to. I want to be like dear sweet Sister Conley who everyone loves because she can talk to anyone and make anyone feel good. I tried it once. I went out of my shell and invited a new sister in our ward to a Stake RS get-together. I was so proud of myself! But that was the ONLY time I have done that. In our old house, I had very few people that I would talk to. I would stay mostly in our house and didn't visit with others at church and pretty much felt like a loner.
So when we moved, I had hoped and prayed that I would be able to get out of my shell and talk to people. I wanted to be able to feel comfortable coming into Relief Society and sitting next to any sister there. I was determined to enjoy this ward.
It has been pretty good here. There are a TON of new families in this ward. And they have a tendency to stick to talking to their neighbors - because they know who they are. I am falling into the same trap - I will sit by those in our subdivision. (Our subdivision is kind of off on its own anyway)
I got my Visiting Teaching list a couple of weeks ago and decided that I would take around banana bread or cookies to the ladies so I would know who they were. I made some bread and bought some cookies. And off we head to deliver them.
No one answered at the first house. But there was a car off to the side and Tim thought that maybe the lady lived in the basement. Hmmmmm. Something to think about but I was not about to start walking around the house.
The next lady I stopped by was my partner. I knocked on the door and smiled and introduced myself as her new visiting teaching partner. She looked really weird at me so I asked if she was Julie. Nope! Julie lived in her basement. At least I got to meet another Sister.
The third house I stopped by, Tim suggested I start at the basement because it seemed like all the huge houses had basement apartments. Whatever. Well, I should have. The kind lady who answered the door sent me around the house. No answer.
The last house, Tim told me to forget the house and go to the backyard and go to the basement apartment. Again, my reaction was whatever! Ha! Once again I was sent around to the basement.
It was too funny. All four ladies live in basements of huge houses. I only met my partner, but found out that the first lady is a renter, too. So next time I'll know better!
On another note, there are rumors that they will be splitting the ward by the end of the month. Can't imagine why - there is only 239 families in the ward and TONS of potential houses in the ward boundaries. Maybe that explains why we haven't go a calling yet - no need to fill any and they would be changing soon anyway. It will be interesting to see what happens!
So when we moved, I had hoped and prayed that I would be able to get out of my shell and talk to people. I wanted to be able to feel comfortable coming into Relief Society and sitting next to any sister there. I was determined to enjoy this ward.
It has been pretty good here. There are a TON of new families in this ward. And they have a tendency to stick to talking to their neighbors - because they know who they are. I am falling into the same trap - I will sit by those in our subdivision. (Our subdivision is kind of off on its own anyway)
I got my Visiting Teaching list a couple of weeks ago and decided that I would take around banana bread or cookies to the ladies so I would know who they were. I made some bread and bought some cookies. And off we head to deliver them.
No one answered at the first house. But there was a car off to the side and Tim thought that maybe the lady lived in the basement. Hmmmmm. Something to think about but I was not about to start walking around the house.
The next lady I stopped by was my partner. I knocked on the door and smiled and introduced myself as her new visiting teaching partner. She looked really weird at me so I asked if she was Julie. Nope! Julie lived in her basement. At least I got to meet another Sister.
The third house I stopped by, Tim suggested I start at the basement because it seemed like all the huge houses had basement apartments. Whatever. Well, I should have. The kind lady who answered the door sent me around the house. No answer.
The last house, Tim told me to forget the house and go to the backyard and go to the basement apartment. Again, my reaction was whatever! Ha! Once again I was sent around to the basement.
It was too funny. All four ladies live in basements of huge houses. I only met my partner, but found out that the first lady is a renter, too. So next time I'll know better!
On another note, there are rumors that they will be splitting the ward by the end of the month. Can't imagine why - there is only 239 families in the ward and TONS of potential houses in the ward boundaries. Maybe that explains why we haven't go a calling yet - no need to fill any and they would be changing soon anyway. It will be interesting to see what happens!
Friday, March 15, 2013
ALERT! ALERT!
Who loves getting new fonts?
I DO! I DO!
Well, I have a few blogs that I check out occasionally that have holiday fonts.
Love. Them.
If you love fonts, you gotta check out:
http://www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts
They are FANTABULOUS! Now if anyone can explain to me how to use those fonts in this blog, I'd be forever grateful!
I DO! I DO!
Well, I have a few blogs that I check out occasionally that have holiday fonts.
Love. Them.
If you love fonts, you gotta check out:
http://www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts
They are FANTABULOUS! Now if anyone can explain to me how to use those fonts in this blog, I'd be forever grateful!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Hard Work Ahead
I'm not one for lots of hard work. Hello - I'm 40 pounds over weight. Of course I don't like hard work! (Plus I'm not one who likes to get hot and sweaty - so outside work doesn't happen very often). But who knows - things may change. Heck, I've started to wash the dishes daily and cook so maybe I'll like hard work!
This summer will be full of fun for me! It was beautiful weather last night so we started to work in our yard to attempt to clean it up. I don't know if it is because we moved in in the middle of winter or if we pissed the contractors off by complaining - but there sure is a lot of construction crap in our yard! So I started to clean up a small area next to our porch (about 8' by 8' or so). I picked up two 5 gallon buckets of stuff. Rusty nails, concrete chunks, pieces of the masonry, soffet pieces, etc. I was amazed at all the crap there. On the bright side, the mound of dirt is leveled out.
Tonight's fun: raking up the gravel and picking up rocks.
Fun!
You know, this may be the first year I actually get some color in this pasty white body of mine! (and I hope it isn't just the color red!)
This summer will be full of fun for me! It was beautiful weather last night so we started to work in our yard to attempt to clean it up. I don't know if it is because we moved in in the middle of winter or if we pissed the contractors off by complaining - but there sure is a lot of construction crap in our yard! So I started to clean up a small area next to our porch (about 8' by 8' or so). I picked up two 5 gallon buckets of stuff. Rusty nails, concrete chunks, pieces of the masonry, soffet pieces, etc. I was amazed at all the crap there. On the bright side, the mound of dirt is leveled out.
Tonight's fun: raking up the gravel and picking up rocks.
Fun!
You know, this may be the first year I actually get some color in this pasty white body of mine! (and I hope it isn't just the color red!)
Monday, March 11, 2013
Hope of America
Have you heard of Hope of America? I have - but all I knew was that it involved singing. When Ster went to Quail Run, there was an after school program that he could have signed up for but I knew he wouldn't sing so I wasn't going to waste his time or my money to sign him up.
The first day at his new school, we were in the office talking to the secretary and she asked if we had heard about Hope of America. I mentioned that I had heard about it but didn't much other than it involved singing. She started to explain that the program would take place at BYU...and then I started to laugh. I told her that our family did not sing and so we weren't interested in it.
The secretary gave me a really really wierd look.
Now I know why.
It isn't an afterschool program. It is something all the 5th graders do.
Oops! I guess Ster will be standing there like a bump on a log while everyone else sings!
The first day at his new school, we were in the office talking to the secretary and she asked if we had heard about Hope of America. I mentioned that I had heard about it but didn't much other than it involved singing. She started to explain that the program would take place at BYU...and then I started to laugh. I told her that our family did not sing and so we weren't interested in it.
The secretary gave me a really really wierd look.
Now I know why.
It isn't an afterschool program. It is something all the 5th graders do.
Oops! I guess Ster will be standing there like a bump on a log while everyone else sings!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Idiots, continued
I like to joke around. I tease and say things jokingly. I want to tell you about this morning's conversation at work. But first, I need to explain yesterday.
I transferred Sterling to his new school yesterday. He had completed is IEP testing and evaluations and we had meet with the school officials - so it was time to transfer him. I was looking forward to not having to go back and forth between Lehi and PG daily. Instead of driving 45 miles a day, it would be down to 25 or so. (Since my gas mileage sucks in my Jeep, fewer miles makes me happy - especially with the furloughs about to take place). Unfortunately I couldn't get him in to Track A - so I have to depend on him actually leaving the house on time to make it to the bus stop. So, I took him to school after we saw exactly where the school bus will pick him up. I was a nervous wreck ALL day waiting to hear a report on how his first day of school went. After 4, I called home because I expected Ster to be there by then. He was home, alright. And boy was he pissed! I got on the bus, but it went a different way than he expected. He told a kid he lived in the Ivory Homes development but that kid kept telling him to get off the bus at a spot that I told him he didn't get off at. Who knows exactly what happened - except that Sterling got off at a bus stop that was not his and he had to walk a lot farther and he was pissed.
Let's now go to this morning.
I explain to the ladies that I needed to take a very late lunch so I can pick Ster up from school so we can follow his bus to determine exactly where it goes. Then I jokingly said that once we determine where the bus goes, he can tell that kid to go jump in a lake if he tries to tell him to get off the bus at the wrong spot.
Janet: That wouldn't be a good way to make friends.
(Seriously? I was JOKING for cryin' out loud!)
Me: Well, telling a kid to get off at the wrong bus stop isn't a way to be friendly either.
Janet: Well, he probably didn't know where Ster was supposed to get off and thought he was helping.
I wanted to smack her. She doesn't understand - after 3 years of working with me - that I am joking. I would NEVER tell Ster to tell a kid to jump in a lake. I would want to tell him that, but would be afraid that he would actually do that.
I am having a really hard time with this lady. She is always saying what is on her mind. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing - but the way she says it comes across quite rude. Sometimes people want to vent - but she won't let them vent and get it off their chest. She makes comments that should be kept to herself. Just listen to people for heaven's sake and quite giving unwanted advice! And if you do give advice - do it nicely!
And she says I can be rude.
Pa-shaw!
I transferred Sterling to his new school yesterday. He had completed is IEP testing and evaluations and we had meet with the school officials - so it was time to transfer him. I was looking forward to not having to go back and forth between Lehi and PG daily. Instead of driving 45 miles a day, it would be down to 25 or so. (Since my gas mileage sucks in my Jeep, fewer miles makes me happy - especially with the furloughs about to take place). Unfortunately I couldn't get him in to Track A - so I have to depend on him actually leaving the house on time to make it to the bus stop. So, I took him to school after we saw exactly where the school bus will pick him up. I was a nervous wreck ALL day waiting to hear a report on how his first day of school went. After 4, I called home because I expected Ster to be there by then. He was home, alright. And boy was he pissed! I got on the bus, but it went a different way than he expected. He told a kid he lived in the Ivory Homes development but that kid kept telling him to get off the bus at a spot that I told him he didn't get off at. Who knows exactly what happened - except that Sterling got off at a bus stop that was not his and he had to walk a lot farther and he was pissed.
Let's now go to this morning.
I explain to the ladies that I needed to take a very late lunch so I can pick Ster up from school so we can follow his bus to determine exactly where it goes. Then I jokingly said that once we determine where the bus goes, he can tell that kid to go jump in a lake if he tries to tell him to get off the bus at the wrong spot.
Janet: That wouldn't be a good way to make friends.
(Seriously? I was JOKING for cryin' out loud!)
Me: Well, telling a kid to get off at the wrong bus stop isn't a way to be friendly either.
Janet: Well, he probably didn't know where Ster was supposed to get off and thought he was helping.
I wanted to smack her. She doesn't understand - after 3 years of working with me - that I am joking. I would NEVER tell Ster to tell a kid to jump in a lake. I would want to tell him that, but would be afraid that he would actually do that.
I am having a really hard time with this lady. She is always saying what is on her mind. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing - but the way she says it comes across quite rude. Sometimes people want to vent - but she won't let them vent and get it off their chest. She makes comments that should be kept to herself. Just listen to people for heaven's sake and quite giving unwanted advice! And if you do give advice - do it nicely!
And she says I can be rude.
Pa-shaw!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Idiots!
Some people are absolute idiots. I am not nice - I know that. But I am not a happy camper right now so I'm gonna be a bit mean.
Who can't figure out how to use correction tape? I have a co-worker that can't seem to figure out how to use correction tape. I have bought several different brands and types so that she would be happy with it (she uses it A TON).
She just came in to me and told me she refuses to use the correction tape because it just wouldn't work.
Really? I bought that exact one specifically for her. Because she couldn't stand the other ones I bought.
You know what? If I am using the tape and it acts up, I try holding the darn thing another way. I don't go to the person who orders supplies (which happens to be me) for the 10th time demanding a new type of correction tape.
Well, honey, I am out of brands to try. Maybe I should get white-out and let her use the liquid form.
So. Frustrating.
(Sorry - I am REALLY cranky right now!)
Who can't figure out how to use correction tape? I have a co-worker that can't seem to figure out how to use correction tape. I have bought several different brands and types so that she would be happy with it (she uses it A TON).
She just came in to me and told me she refuses to use the correction tape because it just wouldn't work.
Really? I bought that exact one specifically for her. Because she couldn't stand the other ones I bought.
You know what? If I am using the tape and it acts up, I try holding the darn thing another way. I don't go to the person who orders supplies (which happens to be me) for the 10th time demanding a new type of correction tape.
Well, honey, I am out of brands to try. Maybe I should get white-out and let her use the liquid form.
So. Frustrating.
(Sorry - I am REALLY cranky right now!)
Friday, March 1, 2013
a First for the Lurkers
Well, I did something today that doesn't happen very often. In fact, it never has happened to the Lurkers. And never will again!
I paid off 2 vehicles. In one day. In a matter of hours.
Yay!
Too bad we don't actually get the titles to both vehicles!
In case you didn't read my post a few days ago about everything that seems to be going wrong for us right now, we no longer have our 2007 Ford F250. Tim doesn't like to talk about it and I won't go into details. (I'll just say that Valentines Day was not a good day for us.) But it is no longer with us - we now have a 2008 Dodge Ram. Luckily for us, we had to only come up with $400 to pay off the F250 - which was a lot less than I thought we'd have to pay since we haven't had it long enough to actually not be upside down in it!
I have been saving money to pay off the Jeep early - and I was afraid the little snag on Valentines Day would change our plans. I had to save money in case we had to come up with more money that we thought we'd have to come up with to get out of our old house. Things worked out then and things worked out with the truck. So I was able to pay it off 6 months early. Yipee!
I paid off 2 vehicles. In one day. In a matter of hours.
Yay!
Too bad we don't actually get the titles to both vehicles!
In case you didn't read my post a few days ago about everything that seems to be going wrong for us right now, we no longer have our 2007 Ford F250. Tim doesn't like to talk about it and I won't go into details. (I'll just say that Valentines Day was not a good day for us.) But it is no longer with us - we now have a 2008 Dodge Ram. Luckily for us, we had to only come up with $400 to pay off the F250 - which was a lot less than I thought we'd have to pay since we haven't had it long enough to actually not be upside down in it!
I have been saving money to pay off the Jeep early - and I was afraid the little snag on Valentines Day would change our plans. I had to save money in case we had to come up with more money that we thought we'd have to come up with to get out of our old house. Things worked out then and things worked out with the truck. So I was able to pay it off 6 months early. Yipee!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)