The Day After.

I think my soul has left my body. I am devastated beyond words and I had to hold my hubs while he wept in the fetal position all night. Sadness engulfs me and I find it hard to type, but I will battle on. CATS, we love you. What a year! The magic that filled this team was something out of a fairytale. I was just hoping for a better ending. Another year, maybe? Another lifetime?

Good Students and Cupcakes!

Never would I make my students these cupcakes. I teach middle school and a few have not discovered manners yet, so I tend to have to limit the frosting.

However, I have one stellar group that truly stands out, but the problem with that is THEY know it. They, also, know they're my faves. I have 10 students in my 1st period math class, 5 boys and 5 girls, and they may not LOVE math (In fact, Travis is always reminding us he HATES math.) but they "get math" and the importance of it.

I think they "get it" too, that my job is directly related to how well they do on state testing. I could care less about scores as a reflection of my teaching ability, but I love that fact that it shows what they can do. What they will score...I have no idea, but what they CAN score--they all have potential to blow the test out of the water.

Back to my "fave class", I do not love one student more than another, but I do like a classroom that sits and listens to my instructions, participates to the fullest, and makes a conscious effort to learn something EVERY day...that is this class. So...I reward them. I give them candy. I let them work in groups. I make them cupcakes. I show them shortcuts on the calculator...because they get their work done on time with time left over...NOT always...LOL, but most of the time...and it is my favorite way to start the day.

Mrs. B

I LOVE it when they HATE on US!

Cornell wants the world to hate us.

They are the SUPER smart guys playin' the "dumb thugs" from the bluegrass state.

Get over it.

They don't offer athletic scholarships at Cornell because like most Ivy League schools--you either get there b/c of money or family...not always because you're smart!...

but like Big Cuz says,
"We ain't here for no Spellin' Bee."


C-A-T-S...now, I can spell that!

Nation of Blue

I pledge allegiance to KENTUCKY BASKETBALL, as part of the BIG BLUE NATION, and to the 8th NATIONAL TITLE, for which we will win, one COMMONWEALTH, under CAL, with BOURBON and BLUEGRASS for all!!!

March Madness

It's that time of year again. Time to fill out those brackets. (Provided you're finished bitchin' about who did and didn't make it into the tournament...like me with Mississippi State. (They totally should have made it.) So, here goes my money picks...and remember I am not certified by ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo Fantasy or even that Milam guy over at WYMT--your mountain sports leader...LOL.

Final Four:
Pitt, Kansas, Duke, and those Wildcats from the University of Kentucky...
with the champs being...you guessed it...the Cats.
C-A-T-S. Cats! Cats! Cats!
Go CATS!

CBB

The Essential 55

Ron Clark. A man that's changed my teaching strategy and helped me become the leader I want to be in the classroom. Is there room for improvement? Heck, yeah! But I am on track. I have made it clear that I will probably not be teaching, in a classroom environment, for the rest of my life, but I believe we are all teachers to children in some way...all the time.

I'm not going to go on and on about his credentials and accolades. I merely want to introduce to you his Essential 55. You can find a copy of them at the following address:

http://www.cmaakicks.com/pdf/55rules.pdf

or visit his website at:

http://www.ronclarkacademy.com/

Some of the stuff seems like common sense, but you'd be surprised at how many youngsters are mesmerised by what he has to say. From a personal viewpoint, I have three students that wanted copies of the "rules" and are trying to live by them at school. These kids are in 8th grade--the perfect age to catch them before it's too late.

As a person that can influence the future of our world, I believe I can make a difference...even if it's only three students out of 88. Next week, next month, next year...it may be four.

Mrs. B

spring is a comin'.

I really don't have much to say except...I NEED SOME SUNSHINE, PEOPLE! (I'm sorry. I don't normally scream, but I had to get that out!)

My bones are aching and my whole body is "jones-ing" for a bit of those heavenly rays. Are you feelin' it?

Somewhere in my mind, I am running outdoors, listening to CCR on my iPod, dreaming about being anywhere but running...LOL.

It is warming up, though...and time will "spring forward" soon...I guess I will just have to wait a few weeks longer to take it all in.

CBB

School Lunches

Wow! School lunches have come a long way.

I was a poor child. I always got free lunches. I didn't realize that everyone wanted to get them (and to be honest, now that I am a teacher...EVERY child should get free lunches) because I was too embarrassed that I did...not so much in elementary school, but definitely when I got to the public high school. (I later left, but not b/c of the free-lunch thing...LOL. At JBS, no one had to know who was poor and who was rich...back then, we were all smart...or talented...or both. When you went through the Hunger Den line, no one had to pull out money, or put in a number, or swipe a card. It was the first time in my life I felt financially equal to others.)

Back to my story, my daughters don't get free lunches. I pay dearly for meals that I think are not really worth what I pay for them--either cost wise or nutritional value. For once, I want someone to explain to me how pizza and peaches equal a healthy lunch.

However, when I say school lunches have come a long way, I'm not really talking about the food. I'm talking about the lack of real utensils to use in the cafeteria, eating off of styrofoam instead of a BIG rectangle chunk of hard plastic or was it resin (I'm not sure what it was, but I know Superman brought it to this planet from Krypton), and finally the fact that I pay for my girls' lunches online. Yes, ONLINE! (and they don't take Discover...only Visa or MC...LOL.)

Have times changed or is it just me? Hope I didn't put you to sleep...just wanted to get you thinkin' about your kids' lunches. Do you know what they're eating...or what they're eating with?...LOL....that's what I thought. Tomorrow's menu: Bosco sticks. Doesn't that sound yummy and nutritious?

Mrs. B

Home

Home. I love this song. Regardless of the singer. It's such a warm, loving song. It makes me miss my husband...the way he smells, the words he says, the way he looks at me.
It makes me long to have him near me...cuddled up on the couch, sitting in the floor, talking in bed...it really doesn't matter.

When Buble' sings it...I see MY dreams: the two of us dancing under the Eiffel Tower, sippin' good champagne, dressed to the nines and watching the world pass us and staring with jealousy at OUR happiness.

When Shelton sings it...I see HIS dreams: the two of us sitting on the beach somewhere, drinkin' Bud Light, barley dressed with our toes in the sand and watching the world pass us and staring with jealousy at OUR happiness.

The song conjures up such good vibes about my marriage that I believe I could sit and listen to it over and over--everyday. I am happy that I found the one God lead to me. The one to humble me yet care for me in a way I have never been cared for. I just feel so blessed today. I hope all of you have that feeling today, tomorrow, and always. It's a great feeling!

Mrs. B