I really love the little notes, pictures, and letters I receive from my students!
They are always sweet and complimentary.
I have hundreds I have saved and collected over the years.
This is one of my latest.
Can I say it made my day?
JoAnn
P.S. Maybe it’s time for a hair appointment.
What a month of contrast.
Summer one day, fall the next.
Back to summer again.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Are you enjoying this crazy time of year?
I am!
JoAnn
Beginnings:
Our granddaughter Maddie just turned eight years old.
In our church, that is the age that most children get baptized. They are considered to be at an age of accountability and are responsible enough to make wise choices.
Maddie chose to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by being baptized.
Her mom took some really cute pictures to document the occasion.
We are very proud of her.
Endings:
My husband and I have spend the last three years serving as Inner City Missionaries in the Glendale area of Salt Lake City. Our responsibilities were to help people find services that might help them become more self-reliant. We didn’t take people’s problems away, but we helped them find solutions they could try. (Did you know the phone number 211 is a wonderful resource for someone with pressing concerns? They know all the right people to ask for help. Anyone, anywhere should be able to call that number.) We loved this opportunity and felt like we made some wonderful, lifelong friends.
I especially loved the older folks in the church ward. They were quite independent and didn’t need our help, but we enjoyed visiting with them every Sunday. They all sat together on the back row, and people passing by would all stop for a chat or a hug.
Sweet Donna is 96 and still mows her own lawn. She never misses church.
Maybe I like her because she reminds me so much of my Grandma Palmer.
Margaret is from Scotland and has the perfect Scottish brogue. She is also in her nineties.
Gus leads the singing (I often played the organ) and is one of the original ward members from the early days. His brief case was filled with candy for all the kids (and adults) who say hello.
Our service time is up, and I will really miss them all!
A new way of shopping:
This picture speaks for itself.
Zachary makes every ordinary activity interesting and fun.
What beginnings, ending, or unusual activities have you experiences lately?
JoAnn
P.S. School is getting a bit easier for me.
Knock on wood!
I often feel like I’m on both sides of the school fence- as a teacher and again as a grand parent who sees my little “grands” so excited to start school. I’ve witnessed the many debates on what to wear on the first day of school, listened to the worries about making friends, and shared in the joys of buying school supplies (Yes, I have those same emotions.)
This year we have a veteran entering third grade, and two very ready kindergarteners.
We also have two who get to go to preschool. No pictures of their beginnings, yet.
I am trying to balance my role to be a fun, kind teacher, and yet teach my students how to follow directions, perform multiple procedures, and push themselves to work hard.
Can I say it has been a tough start?
I have a really large class and a few resistant rule followers.
I’ve got some students who are having anxiety at being at school.
There are two with health worries.
Some have more energy than their little bodies know what to do with, and there are those who struggle with learning and keeping up.
I keep forgetting afternoon recess, wanting to send them out at last year’s time.
Some days our cooler doesn’t work.
I feel like I’m carrying the world on my shoulders right now, and I can barely drag myself home at the end of the day.
(Hence, a postponed goal of no chocolate or soda!)
It will get easier, but for the next few weeks I’ll probably be a little more grumpy than I’d like.
I guess I’m hoping I don’t dampen their excitement in the process.
Wish me luck-I need all the patience I can find.
Oh, to be Mrs. Landers, Beaver Cleaver’s teacher!
JoAnn
P.S. Their sweet hugs and little notes are pretty good therapy for me!
