Who Says I'm Special

Yesterday my students were given the opportunity to view the Jr. High building and classroom as a way to dispell their fears of next year. I enjoyed it because I got to see students that I've had in years past. They greet me as a celeb and it is great. A couple caught up with me in the hall and told me that their year was going wonderful. I am always proud of them. Smiles for everyone.

We stopped in one of the Classroom and I saw my buddy Brock(named changed to protect the friends of Mr. Karr) Brock is the highest functionin Down's child I have ever taught. The students had a worksheet out and were studying science. The teacher gave the directions to take out a pencil. Brock looked around and said "I don't have a pencil" The teacher said Brock that is your responsibility when I done with my instructions you can sign your name and check out a pencil. The teacher handed Brock a pen and said "Use this until I get done" Brock put the pen up to his nose and said This is not a pencil. The teacher continued with his instruction. He said "the first word you will use one time. The second word" Brandon broke in. Two two two You use the second word two times. you use the third word three times. The teacher said no Brock the second word is used three times. Brock said that doesn't make sense. The teacher continued his instuctions. When he was done he said Brock lets get you a pencil. Brock walked up to the teacher podium and placed the pen on it. The pen rolled off on to the floor. Brandon continued across the room to sign his name for a pencil. He put the pencil behind his ear. The teacher said Brock where is my pen. Brock said your desk has issues. The teacher said "OK???" Where is my pen. Brock said I put it right here pointing to the podium. He said "The rest is a mystery". I am rolling inside with laughter and totally composed on the outside. I have to remain professional. Brandon sits down and starts to work but can't find his pencil. The teacher is picking up the pen and says "Brock you ear" Brock says "You talking to me" Teacher says Yes. Your ear" Brock says "I'm listening" The teacher walks over takes the pencil from Brock's ear and hands it to him. Unfortunately we had to move on to our next classroom. The other classes were wonderful not as amusing but wonderful. The kids noticed the important things. "Kids chew gum" "Lunches include chips" "Kids sit whereever they want" "The bathrooms are clean" "The principal is short" "They have computers" "P.E. every day" "The doors only open one way"

Did I lose something?

This morning bright and early I was walking the dog when I noticed plants breaking though the ground in my flower garden. It made me smile and my eyes began to examine all of my flower beds. The columbines are wonderful and I'm trying to remember what color they were. Then I see my bleeeding hearts. My Aunt Alyce loved bleeding hearts. As I bent to pull out a dandylion my mind rushed backs to walkes I would talke around Alyce's yard when she would show me the wonders of the beautiful plants. before long I was on my hands and knees pulling weeds and parts of last years plants that were no longer needed. I saw a plant I didn't recognize popping through and I laid down on my stomach to see if I could get a closer view. Nose to nose with an ant and I heard someone behind me say "did you lose something" I thought yes I did "MY MIND" but I rolled over taking care not to squash any plants. I couldn't tell him I was staring at plants. I thought quick. I said "just waiting for the grass to grow" har har har. The guy said "what ever trips your trigger" I said "beautiful morning isn't it?" The man said "nothing to complain about" He then walked on. Freeda this whole time was just walking the length of her leash sniffing and exploring. I asked her why she didn't warn me that a stranger was behind me. She said he didn't look as strange as I did.

I'm going to buy some concrete tonight. I want to make fake rocks or maybe a turtle statue for my yard. I down loaded information off the internet I'll see what I can come up with.

I'm dreaming of a water fall with huge rocks. Kristen my classroom aide said she would pose if I make them look like the playboy mansion.

I took a trip to turtle park in misouri> it was wonderful I thought I would make a big turtle. Of course it has to be something I can move if I move so that limits the size.

Bird Dog?

My two dogs are as goofy as I am. Pippen is a hearing impaired Boston Terrier. He weighs maybe 15 lbs. I call him the clap on clap off dog because you have to clap your hands to get his attention then he knows sign language. Last summer I got Freeda She is a Morky 1/2 Yorky 1/2 Maltise. She is all of 7 lbs and is Pippin's hearing/ear dog. When someone come to the door she goes and looks then runs to Pippen and barks at him until he runs to the door with her barking. She follows me from room to room as Pippens sleeps in my chair. When it is time for bed I put them in the utility room. I tell Freeda bed time and she runs barking at Pippen. She returns with Pippen and they both get a treat before going into their crates. Our evening walks (thank goodness for spring) are a one or two block walk for both dogs. After that Pippen is beat and we drop him off at the house then Freeda and I take our 2 mile stroll. The other night we returned for a walk and as I got in the house I kicked of my shoes and unhitched Freeda. I followed her through the garage to make sure there was water in the dish. When we got to the screen porch there was a bird in the screen porch. The door was wide open and the bird was flying back and forth and not getting out. Freeda ran out and jumped straight up 3 feet and caught the bird in mid air. I screamed Freeda no no. She took off like a bullet into the house. I stubbed my toe as I vaulted after her. She took the bird over to Pippen and put it down. I'm still screaming crying, running. The bird start flying around my living room. Now Pippen is in the act. Barking his fool head off. I trip over the coffee table. After I'm done blessing all that is holy. I see the bird has found the window. Freeda has brought Pippen to the bird and doesn't understand why he isn't jumping like she does. Freeda knows I'm screeming at her so she isn't jumping. Finially I get the poor little bird to the door and set him free. I now realize that I'm wounded and bleeding from my toe, leg and knee. In my scramble I left little red dots through the house. I bandaged myself (thank goodness for Earl Dickson, the inventor of the bandaid) I crawled from room to room cleaning spots Pippen thought this was his chance to like my face.

And what do I answer when someone ask "How was your evening" I say oh nothing unusual.

At what point do poor decisions become a lifetime.

Diet what diet, did I diet, isn't that a broad term that means meany things. see food diet?

My friend Debby went on a liquid diet this week. Dean you should join me she said. I thought it might be extreme enough to work. But I know how to lose weight what would make me do that for more than a day???

So if I make a decision every other day for 20 years to wait until tomorrow to start my diet. At what point does that become a lifetime. I think 20 years would probably be that.

The key is at any time I can change that mind frame the possibility is there.

I refuse to buy bigger pants so at some point all of the blood will be cut off from my lower half and my legs will get skinnier

I don't crave the food. I don't even like the food. I just eat the food.

Since I can't train myself (so much for a masters degree in behavior management) how on earth can I train my dogs. I can't or don't so I start each morning picking up their poo and mopping the utility room. just as I start each morning sucking in my fat guy and praying the button holds.

I'm excited about my new position as resourse teacher. of course at anytime the district could choose to put me back in a classroom. for now I'm looking forward to it. When I force myself to change change can happen.

Joel wanted to be a teacher but after traveling to Chicago to North Eastern and speaking with my sister Joann who is a full professor we were told that your lifetime gradepoint average had to be above 2.5 and Joel is not. He would have to take over 30 hours just to get his grade point up. So much for teaching.

Josh got Joel a interview with his firm. Joel had 5 interviews in one afternoon for an internship which may result in a better. Joel says they kind of offered him the job but he isn't sure he wants it. The age old concern money or joy.

Josh continues to thrive in Chicago. The real question is can Josh and Joel handle living together and working together. God love 'em

Joel had T-Shirt due to be printed and had to go to Chicago for the interviews. So my sister Elizabeth and I took ont he challenge. Joel had made the screens so the hard part was done. We were working with black ink. and one little spot gets everywhere. So I am thankful that Joel ordered several extra Yellow shirts. Liz was wonderful. And we got the job done.

I want to put a bar height counter in my kitchen. The cabinets made from two hotel dressers then I'm thinking about tiling the top. With Joel's new system he can put pictures on tile. So I was thinking a view of mexico. But after talking it over with Joel my mind is going crazy thinking of the dicision. to quote my sister Millie I don't want lots of suggestions I just want the right one.

1st week, pretty weak

Fat Tuesday

Well, today is the day. I begin today.

The best thing about a new diet is the day before you start. Every dieter knows that you need to eat everything you can the night before you start a new diet. And if you can eat all you can for three weeks while you put off dieting another day that works too.

Weight Watchers says only weigh once a week. The idea is that you won't see the ups and downs of your weight. But I'm not that bright. So this mornining after my mid night run to Steak n shake for a frisco melt, french fries and a chocolate shake. I weigh 225.4 lbs.

I brought my favorite glass to work with me this a.m. I'm working at the hotel. The idea is I'll drink water. Waters doesn't to a thing for me mentally. I love diet coke. but health wise diet coke is not good for me.

Now Weight Watchers gives a man of my age and weight 35 points for a day. but back in the day I lost all my weight eating 26 points in a day. So I'm starting there.
So it is oatmeal for breakfast 3 points. a piece of fruit 2 points. I brought a healthy choice lunch 5 points so lets see how my day goes.

diet time

I'm starting my diet tomorrow and I love the part on biggest looser when they pull off their shirt. So her is my before picture.


In 1985 I was at my goal weight of 165 lbs. I now weigh 224. I've all the equipment. I know how to do it. And now I'm gonna do it.