Monday, January 24, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Attack of the craaaazy PTO lady....
I often wonder how other people see me. Last night our charter school had a "Parent Training Night" which basically helps parents know what to expect from our school and hopefully alleviates some unneeded concerns.
Well, towards the end the Principal/Administrator (yes they are the same guy... that is how Charter Schools work) asked me to get up and introduce myself and tell the parents a bit about what the PFA (aka a fancy acronym for PTO... oh, wait, that's another acronym!) was doing and what we need.
I knew that I would be doing this for a couple of days, which probably made it worse. I have never gotten up and talked from any other position than "hi, I'm here, and I have a question" in a largish meeting before.
I was nervous.
I think, and I may be wrong, that most people don't think I'm the type of person that gets nervous. I'm loud, I like to talk, I have no problem walking up to strangers and saying "Hi!", heck I never had much of an issue at church with giving talks (though they never asked me to! Some people just have luck. Mwhahaha ... or it could be a distinctly "I say what I think" attitude that scared them off... I dunno.)
Anyhow, on my Facebook status I put something up about rambling when I get nervous (which I do...among other things, like saying "um" waaaaay to much!). I always hope that when I do that ... you know... broadcast any feeling other than uber happy, that people don't think I'm fishing for compliments, cause I'm really not. I was nervous.
My stomach was even upset over it.
So the time came for me to get up and talk, and I did, and I took a friends advice... "just pretend that you aren't nervous" and everything turned out okay. I forgot one thing, but it was kinda minor... and my hair is admittedly unnatural so I wondered the whole time if people thought I was a nut, or if it made me more approachable.
How many people do you know with punk colored hair that aren't teenagers? (oh I hope people don't think I'm trying to be a teenager... ugh... NO THANK YOU!).
Anyhow, I think I got done what was needed... and hopefully soon I will get over my nerves.
P.S picture of the "hair"... I just had it done on Monday, and yes, anything dark in the picture is actually purple. (and no, I did not get a neck tattoo... that's an earing!)
Well, towards the end the Principal/Administrator (yes they are the same guy... that is how Charter Schools work) asked me to get up and introduce myself and tell the parents a bit about what the PFA (aka a fancy acronym for PTO... oh, wait, that's another acronym!) was doing and what we need.
I knew that I would be doing this for a couple of days, which probably made it worse. I have never gotten up and talked from any other position than "hi, I'm here, and I have a question" in a largish meeting before.
I was nervous.
I think, and I may be wrong, that most people don't think I'm the type of person that gets nervous. I'm loud, I like to talk, I have no problem walking up to strangers and saying "Hi!", heck I never had much of an issue at church with giving talks (though they never asked me to! Some people just have luck. Mwhahaha ... or it could be a distinctly "I say what I think" attitude that scared them off... I dunno.)
Anyhow, on my Facebook status I put something up about rambling when I get nervous (which I do...among other things, like saying "um" waaaaay to much!). I always hope that when I do that ... you know... broadcast any feeling other than uber happy, that people don't think I'm fishing for compliments, cause I'm really not. I was nervous.
My stomach was even upset over it.
So the time came for me to get up and talk, and I did, and I took a friends advice... "just pretend that you aren't nervous" and everything turned out okay. I forgot one thing, but it was kinda minor... and my hair is admittedly unnatural so I wondered the whole time if people thought I was a nut, or if it made me more approachable.
How many people do you know with punk colored hair that aren't teenagers? (oh I hope people don't think I'm trying to be a teenager... ugh... NO THANK YOU!).
Anyhow, I think I got done what was needed... and hopefully soon I will get over my nerves.
P.S picture of the "hair"... I just had it done on Monday, and yes, anything dark in the picture is actually purple. (and no, I did not get a neck tattoo... that's an earing!)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Silly Kidlets
Okay, I know I haven't posted in a while... but I was just uploading pictures to my computer and thought I would share... because I find some of them amusing. :)
Often, after Jer comes home from work, I will walk through the living room to something like this:
I hit my "wall" at about 1-2pm and feel like I need a nap... he hits his right after dinner.
On this day Turbo was making a weird face... often. Jer and I were trying to figure out what was up with it.
He would even do it upside down...
Then Missy decided she wanted in on the action... and Turbo decided he wasn't done apparently.
Then it turned into the "Duck Face"
Jer and I got laughing pretty hard about this... you know how some girls pull this face thinking it's somehow sexy? Yeah? well... we don't get that and think it's absurd and a little atrocious looking.
The other night we went up to my parents house... the kids were having a lot of fun and at one point Jer used my parents washable markers to make a mark on Missy's face. Missy got upset and Jer had to show her that it washed off... then the boys saw it and decided they wanted to be "Spider man!"
Yeah, I'm starting to think that "washable markers" should also be called "face paint markers".
And here is Goober's "Serious" spidey pose...
And Turbos "spidey" pose...
Peace out. :)
Often, after Jer comes home from work, I will walk through the living room to something like this:
I hit my "wall" at about 1-2pm and feel like I need a nap... he hits his right after dinner.
On this day Turbo was making a weird face... often. Jer and I were trying to figure out what was up with it.
He would even do it upside down...
Then Missy decided she wanted in on the action... and Turbo decided he wasn't done apparently.
Then it turned into the "Duck Face"
The other night we went up to my parents house... the kids were having a lot of fun and at one point Jer used my parents washable markers to make a mark on Missy's face. Missy got upset and Jer had to show her that it washed off... then the boys saw it and decided they wanted to be "Spider man!"
Yeah, I'm starting to think that "washable markers" should also be called "face paint markers".
And here is Goober's "Serious" spidey pose...
And Turbos "spidey" pose...
Peace out. :)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Holidays and the New Year coming
Christmas for us was great. The kids had fun and we had the general craziness of running around visiting family etc.
Due to a misunderstanding one of my siblings didn't come to the area for Christmas this year, feelings were too sensitive and the fear that the stress of the season would simply compound the issues was understandable. We missed her and her kids though.
My grandpa did come up though, and my other sister came to visit shortly after Christmas!
I always adore seeing her and her family! She really does inspire me to do better with my health and activity levels. Not in a "Your fat you need to take better care of yourself" kind of way... more in a "I'm cute and spunky and love life!" kinda of way that makes you want to be like her :)
This effect of hers made me do a double take on a cultural tradition that I usually find kinda dumb... the New Years Resolutions. Yes, I usually come up with something dumb and then halfheartedly attempt to do them for about a week and then right it of as a "stupid tradition anyways!"
Last year I resolved to "loose weight" which is normal... and which I did better at least year than I think I ever have... however about 3/4 of the way through the year I dropped the ball and gained it all back.
Soooo, this year I'm not resolving to loose weight. nope. I'm going to resolve to be healthier all around... and I'm going to drag my family kicking and screaming with me if I have to! (which I may literally have to do... I've decided that we should go hiking and camping more this year when the weather will permit).
So, my eating habits and exercise habits are going to get a makeover (I am still exercising, just not as much as I should be) and yes, I'm going to get away from town more often... even if it is just a couple of miles away.
Jer and I are pretty much homebodies, we tend to only leave town about 2-3 times a year... and by leaving town I mean going farther than my parents house that is 20 minutes away. Sad, that is going to change!
and for some reason, though this reads a lot like a regular resolution... it doesn't feel so much like one. These things are actually things I WANT to do, not just need to.
Hopefully that makes a world of difference.
Now it's time to research a book with good places to go hiking in the area!
Due to a misunderstanding one of my siblings didn't come to the area for Christmas this year, feelings were too sensitive and the fear that the stress of the season would simply compound the issues was understandable. We missed her and her kids though.
My grandpa did come up though, and my other sister came to visit shortly after Christmas!
I always adore seeing her and her family! She really does inspire me to do better with my health and activity levels. Not in a "Your fat you need to take better care of yourself" kind of way... more in a "I'm cute and spunky and love life!" kinda of way that makes you want to be like her :)
This effect of hers made me do a double take on a cultural tradition that I usually find kinda dumb... the New Years Resolutions. Yes, I usually come up with something dumb and then halfheartedly attempt to do them for about a week and then right it of as a "stupid tradition anyways!"
Last year I resolved to "loose weight" which is normal... and which I did better at least year than I think I ever have... however about 3/4 of the way through the year I dropped the ball and gained it all back.
Soooo, this year I'm not resolving to loose weight. nope. I'm going to resolve to be healthier all around... and I'm going to drag my family kicking and screaming with me if I have to! (which I may literally have to do... I've decided that we should go hiking and camping more this year when the weather will permit).
So, my eating habits and exercise habits are going to get a makeover (I am still exercising, just not as much as I should be) and yes, I'm going to get away from town more often... even if it is just a couple of miles away.
Jer and I are pretty much homebodies, we tend to only leave town about 2-3 times a year... and by leaving town I mean going farther than my parents house that is 20 minutes away. Sad, that is going to change!
and for some reason, though this reads a lot like a regular resolution... it doesn't feel so much like one. These things are actually things I WANT to do, not just need to.
Hopefully that makes a world of difference.
Now it's time to research a book with good places to go hiking in the area!
Really great thought
I came across this comment on a blog I occasionally check. I thought it was very true and needed to be shared... so I'm sharing it!
"People pull each other to respond in ways they find predictable. We all see through a lens that is based on answers to basic questions such as “Can I trust other people?” “Am I worthy of the care or attention of others?” and “Do I have something to say / Am I capable?” If someone has generally negative answers to those questions (often due to poor parenting) they will pull others to respond to them in ways that confirm those answers… The challenge for the rest of us, and the “really hard question” is to recognize this and NOT respond the way they are pulling us to. As one author put it, we need to “give better back” rather than just reacting."
I currently am in amazement as to what people sometime project onto others. Things like "I can't trust you" really become "I can't trust myself" and sends a huge warning sign to everyone around them that everyone else probably shouldn't trust them either.
Anyways, interesting... and I thought I would share. :)
"People pull each other to respond in ways they find predictable. We all see through a lens that is based on answers to basic questions such as “Can I trust other people?” “Am I worthy of the care or attention of others?” and “Do I have something to say / Am I capable?” If someone has generally negative answers to those questions (often due to poor parenting) they will pull others to respond to them in ways that confirm those answers… The challenge for the rest of us, and the “really hard question” is to recognize this and NOT respond the way they are pulling us to. As one author put it, we need to “give better back” rather than just reacting."
I currently am in amazement as to what people sometime project onto others. Things like "I can't trust you" really become "I can't trust myself" and sends a huge warning sign to everyone around them that everyone else probably shouldn't trust them either.
Anyways, interesting... and I thought I would share. :)
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wow... just wow
Okay, so apprently I had no clue what I was getting into...
No.... I knew I was clueless, I just didn't realize HOW clueless!
Apparently parent organizations for charter schools are a lot more involved than regular public schools. This is probably because charter schools don't have as much background support. You see, charter schools function as their own district, that means that the "principal" is also the "superintendent" and that the "school board" oversees more than just the school, but all the district level type things too, like making sure that the snow days are okay as far as state guidelines etc.
What this means for the PFA (Parent Faculty Association... because PTA is copyrighted or trademarked or something that makes it illegal for us to use it...) is that just about anything the school/district needs a volunteer for, they go to the PFA. So, for instance, the school needs to set the calendar for next year... there is a deadline.... well, they want parents to have a very big say in how that is all hashed out. Sooooo, guess who it's put under? Yup, the PFA.
Add to that the fact that the PFA was organized late, as in the middle of last month late, which means we are scrambling to get things done. Book fairs, spring carnival, community nights, the holiday fundraiser (which is done thank goodness... well, except for giving the top sellers their prizes... but that will be done on the last day of school before Christmas Break) ...
And add to that the fact that we had no funds to start out with! Most schools parent organizations have a small fee that is paid at registration... like $3 or something, that and a form to fill out with what you are willing to help with, and permission things to sign allowing for things like student directories etc. Ya, well... we didn't get any of that, because we weren't 'born' yet.
Talk about a crappy time to have a birthday! That and I still don't have Christmas done.... oh, I got my kids done, just not everyone else! AHHHHHHHH!
If you hear a big "POP" coming from my general direction in the world... well, consider it a sign! My brain probably exploded.
________
Update: actually, I think I'm going to discuss and possibly decline doing some of the stuff the administrator wants the PFA to do... they seem too "administrative" for a parent organization...
No.... I knew I was clueless, I just didn't realize HOW clueless!
Apparently parent organizations for charter schools are a lot more involved than regular public schools. This is probably because charter schools don't have as much background support. You see, charter schools function as their own district, that means that the "principal" is also the "superintendent" and that the "school board" oversees more than just the school, but all the district level type things too, like making sure that the snow days are okay as far as state guidelines etc.
What this means for the PFA (Parent Faculty Association... because PTA is copyrighted or trademarked or something that makes it illegal for us to use it...) is that just about anything the school/district needs a volunteer for, they go to the PFA. So, for instance, the school needs to set the calendar for next year... there is a deadline.... well, they want parents to have a very big say in how that is all hashed out. Sooooo, guess who it's put under? Yup, the PFA.
Add to that the fact that the PFA was organized late, as in the middle of last month late, which means we are scrambling to get things done. Book fairs, spring carnival, community nights, the holiday fundraiser (which is done thank goodness... well, except for giving the top sellers their prizes... but that will be done on the last day of school before Christmas Break) ...
And add to that the fact that we had no funds to start out with! Most schools parent organizations have a small fee that is paid at registration... like $3 or something, that and a form to fill out with what you are willing to help with, and permission things to sign allowing for things like student directories etc. Ya, well... we didn't get any of that, because we weren't 'born' yet.
Talk about a crappy time to have a birthday! That and I still don't have Christmas done.... oh, I got my kids done, just not everyone else! AHHHHHHHH!
If you hear a big "POP" coming from my general direction in the world... well, consider it a sign! My brain probably exploded.
________
Update: actually, I think I'm going to discuss and possibly decline doing some of the stuff the administrator wants the PFA to do... they seem too "administrative" for a parent organization...
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Very good article
Great article about new changes to the Church Handbook of Instruction.
I wonder how long it will take for these things to "trickle down". And apparently I need to check and see if our Activities Committee is still in effect (since I'm on it).
Hmmm I just may have to make an appearance.
I wonder how long it will take for these things to "trickle down". And apparently I need to check and see if our Activities Committee is still in effect (since I'm on it).
Hmmm I just may have to make an appearance.
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