The Long Winter

It has been a long tense winter.  I am not the only one feeling it.

Our online school system has been having difficulties for about 3 weeks.  Teachers, parents and students have been frustrated.  There has been an uptick in IEPs.  The state tests are looming. 

We had our online middle school meeting Friday morning.  We had not had it for a couple of weeks.  They attendees were split into grade band/subject.  Us ISes just picked one and attended.  I started out with 7th grade math.  There was one snarky teacher.  I listened for a while and copied a link for a math lesson that the math teacher I work with was sharing.  Then I moved into the 7th grade Language Arts room.  That was NOT pleasant. They were all attacking each other.  Accusing each other of being lazy, not doing as much as each other, etc.  UGH!  I listened in utter disbelief for a while then I moved myself to the room for my teaching POD.  By then, the math teacher in my group was there.  I relayed to her how much of a cat fight was going on in the 7th grade language arts room. 

I am STILL in disbelief about it.  If feels like the Middle School is falling apart. 

On a personal note, I had 2 different Reviews this last week...one on my IEPs and data notes, the other on my online classes.  I did really well on both.  Yes, there is some room for improvement but not a major leap.  Just slight improvements.  That relieves me a bit.

TJ's contract job that was initially supposed to be 3 weeks, turned in to 6 weeks, which he was happy about.  Now Monday he is going to Ohio Means Jobs and get signed up for unemployment and funding for classes.  The next phase.

My mom's sister, my aunt, Joyce, succombed to bone cancer in the early morning hours yesterday.  It was just a little over 2 weeks from diagnosis to death.  She had been pumped full of morphine most of the time.  I know it must have been AWFUL for her daughter Linda.  She had it all on her shoulders.  2 of her older brothers had already died...one from strokes, another from pancreatic cancer.  The last of her brothers has diabetes and sight problems.  She is the only one that is still in decent health.  That family has been riddled with health problems. 

Bethany and Jordan seem to be doing well.  If there is anything negative, they don't share it with me.  I continue to look for some place else to move to that they can also live in with me.  God will guide my direction.  I did find flooring for my bedroom that will cost me just under $250 and I can put down myself. It is self adhesive wood grained vinyl planking.  I feel it is the best option.  Carpeting would cost AT LEAST $450 and any other floor covering I would need help to put down.  This vinyl planking is easier to clean, less slippery....I am going for this.  My mom and older sister have wrinkled their nose up at it.  I don't care.  It works for ME. 

I have to fill holes and paint the room too.  Spring break.