October One

Uh Oh. Things are going too smoothly. I might be in danger of not having anything to write about because I have no complaining to do.

Ha. Just kidding.

Are you kidding me? This is me!

I am so happy it’s October! So many things to be excited about!

First of all, today is Princess 18^th Birthday. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Not that there is anything I can do to stop it.

I still remember the day she was born. It was a Saturday and I had experienced several hours of labor the night before or actually in the early morning. Long enough that I called my parents and my mom was on her way from Utah to be with me. The contractions stopped but Mom was coming anyway. 

Around nine in the morning Superman and I headed out to the hospital. We had heard walking helps jumpstart labor that is about to begin on its own. So Superman “let me” walk about a block and half, teasing me the whole time that he was going to “let me” walk to the hospital (twenty miles away). I was not amused.

We left our older daughter in the good care of my ersatz sister and her two children. From the pictures we saw later, Sunshine enjoyed riding the horsey outside the grocery and not sure what else. Much fun, I’m sure.

In the meantime, my OB happened to be on call at the hospital and basically told me I was not in labor. However, since the hospital was slow that day she would go ahead and keep me and I could be induced. Superman and I discussed it and decided to go for it. Grandma was on her way, after all.

Just a little note; Sunshine was born in less than five hours—start to finish. No nothing. No drugs, No epidural. Nada. My water broke at home around 5 AM and she was born at 9:59 AM.

Princess took her sweet time. I again refused any meds (which I regretted) but what they don’t tell you is that Pitocin makes labor much more intense. Very. Much. More. Intense!

We arrived at the hospital between 9-10 in the morning. Lovely Princess made her debut at 14:54 or 2:54 PM, if you will. I always said, “Around three-ish,” when she asked me and that was right (I looked it up on her birth certificate). It doesn’t say but  I remember her being 7 lbs. 4 oz.

I expected a boy. No particular reason why. I was surprised when Sunshine was a girl only because I thought I could only make boys. (Later that was true—haha!) Our first two were girls, not what I expected so I was surprised when they told me my baby was a girl.

I did not know at the time but she is my baby girl.

And now she is eighteen years old. A legal adult. She can vote.

I went through all of this when Sunshine left as well. She doesn’t know this but it was weird, our home changed. Our family dynamics changed.

We had a new normal.

I’m not real crazy about “new normal’s.” I don’t know about other people but I don’t like it so much. It usually indicates some drastic change in your life. It’s not change I don’t like it’s the significant change that causes you to evolve to a “new” state of “normal.”

We adjust and it’s not all bad, but it still is growth, sometimes painful growth.

My baby girls have flown the nest and I am a lone woman in a den of men (boys, okay, but “men” rhymed).

Happy Birthday Baby Girl. You are the Princess and I love you more than you will comprehend; maybe a little when you have your own baby girl but always know you are loved.

[heart] Mommy.

It's A Pink, Pink World

Today is the last day of “Pink Month.”

I know, some of you are thinking, “Wait? Isn’t that October? Breast Cancer Awareness month?”

Yes. Yes it is.

But September is the month of my birth and therefore in My world it is Pink Month. I wear Pink every single stinking day of September. Yes. Yes, I do.

And today was the last day.

I am ready for it to be over. Haha.

Why Pink? Because pink is my favorite color. Why is pink my favorite color? I have no idea.

It might have started as the Anti-boy color since I was the only girl in the middle of five brothers. Literally, in the middle, I’m number three! The more pink I had the more they were repelled.

And I was (and am) a girly-girl. But I wasn’t in every way because I liked to play outside, ride my bike and run crazy like most kids. I also liked to play dress-up and play with dolls and Barbies. Of course I did!

So Pink Month is the celebration of ME!

The only thing missing was my trip to Disneyland; my Mecca. I miss it. I got a year pass the year they did the “Get In Free On Your Birthday” and that was one of my favoritest birthday’s ever. I went to Disneyland By. Myself. And spent money On. Myself.  I also enjoyed a delicious waffle cone while watching the fireworks.

Lovely.

My birthday gift this year was a night of camping.

And maybe this blog. 

I'm mostly deaf... Did you know?

My creativity has been limited to and for my school work this month. My Lucky Penny story has not progressed One. Character.

Boohoo!

October is supposed to be the month I start the Fantasy collaboration with my brother. I don’t know if he’s ready [snicker]. I need to get in the habit of writing creatively on a regular basis. It’s Who I Am and Who I Want To Be …which by the way was the impetus for this blog!

I do not feel whole when I’m not writing. Making my Blog a priority is good but when it gets let go by the wayside I feel guilty AND out of tune. With what? I’m not sure exactly, but definitely like “something is not right” (ala Miss Clavel of Madeline).

Getting Crackle’s schedule and school stuff taken care of was also a priority. I am still trying to get a hold of someone at Regional Center. I don’t know what has happened with my rep but I left a message with the “emergency” person …again. I’ll have to call in the morning if I don’t hear from them. Which is another thing I’ve been struggling with lately, the phone calls.

Admittedly, part of my hesitation with things is because of my lack of ability to do them perfectly. I don’t like to talk on the phone because I cannot hear very well. I like to text, email, chat on Facebook…basically anything textual I’m all over but speaking, talking or having to listen on the phone is difficult.

And embarrassing.

There it is. That’s the truth of the matter. 

I’m embarrassed because I cannot hear you and I’m afraid to be too annoying and say, “Excuse me?” yet again. My family gets it (and they yell at me) a lot. I’m not sure how bad my hearing is now but it’s bad.

I can’t hear. So I don’t want to call you. I don’t want to call anyone.

Okay. That’s out.

I heard a podcast today about people who are deaf and blind. My greatest nightmare and I am getting closer every day. It scares me. It scares me more than a corn maze! 

I heard another one about Seaside Therapeutics. Wow. I don’t know if what they are working on will help Crackle but … Wow.

Short, Sweet and To The Point.

Another Friday and another day of cleaning.

I spent most of the weekend working on my teacher education class. That’s what I get for putting off four lesson plans. I just don’t like doing them. Not the lesson plans so much but doing it their way. KWIM?

Anyway, took the final (got 90% YEAH!) and it’s all done. Now I have a Bio class.

Bleh.

I weighed myself Friday morning and I was 166. That’s okay. Not where I want to be but I found a weight loss post from about a year ago and I was 158 so that’s less of a gain than I thought. I still want to be under 150 (preferably under 140) but we’ll see.

I walked last week but that’s about it. I need the strength training but my lower back has been aching.

Yeah. That’s my whine/mantra for the year… for my life?

Whatever, I’m tired of feeling lousy! I watch these young lithe ladies and their smooth swift movements and :::sigh::: that’s not me. Not sure if it’s ever been me. Haha.

My goal for this week is to walk more, maybe even run again (Yay!) and do the strength training!  

According to my calendar I start with toning/strength training routine “B” on Monday, Tuesday is a “Cardio” day, then Wednesday is “A” routine. Thursday is “Cardio” again, “B” on Friday then “Cardio” on Saturday.

I can do it! 

The "Think Aloud"

I woke up this morning with all this stuff on my mind I wanted to Blog about ... but then it disappeared! Then I wrote about 3/4 of a post about Gratitude, of course (it's Thursday), but bagged it because it wasn't what I wanted.

Then I went for a walk.

After munching on a (Natural) Peanut butter (no jelly) sandwich (on Double-fiber bread--wait, this isn't my Fit Friday post, right?) and chugging chilled Peach Mango Kool-Aid (made with Splenda) I settled in to get caught up on my ..m.i.l.e.s... ..o.f.. ..h.o.m.e.w.o.r.k.. that I admit I have been TOTALLY avoiding. 
Le-sigh.

One of my assignments was to write a letter to parents with a reading strategy to do with their children.

I. Hate. Letters. To. Parents. 

I read them. Does anyone else? I have to sign the freaking things so my kid gets "credit" that I read it! 
Okay, I admit it, I skim.

Sue me.

Anyway. So I didn't want to write this. Plus the fact that EVERY parent letter I've written for my ($%^%$&*) Teaching classes has been *ahem* criticized.
Can you believe it? 
Me either!

I decided to pick a reading strategy that I think is INGENIOUS and WHY DID I NOT KNOW THIS FIFTEEN YEARS AGO? This is an amazing strategy to help kids GET what they are reading! I can't wait to use this with Crackle, who is basically my only "non" reader!

Which, BTW, even Superman has been reading a book lately. [jaw-drop] I know, Right! It's about war, or battleships or something... IDK --IDC-- He's Reading!  

So here is my letter(s) because I had to translate it into Spanish! COOL RIGHT?

September 2012

Dear Parents,

I am your child’s English teacher. In order to promote reading success among my students I have asked that you spend approximately 20 minutes a week reading with them. I am requesting that you do something called a “Think Aloud.” The concept is to help students understand how to read a text and understand what they are reading by hearing what a “good reader” does while they are reading.

I will provide a text or part of a text for you and your child to read together. Consider some of the following when you read with your student:
     What do I know about this topic?
     What do I think I will learn about this topic?
     Do I understand what I just read?
     Do I have a clear picture in my head about this information?
     What more can I do to understand this?

     What were the most important points in this reading?

     What new information did I learn?

     How does it fit in with what I already know? 

Read the selected passage aloud as the students read the same text silently. At certain points stop and "think aloud" the answers to some of the pre-selected questions Demonstrate how good readers monitor their understanding by rereading a sentence, reading ahead to clarify, and/or looking for context clues. After you have read with your student then give them an opportunity to practice the technique and offer feedback. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to share the joy and knowledge that comes from reading with your child. I appreciate your help with this assignment and if you make this time for them I guarantee you will see improvements in their reading skill and comprehension. 

Thank you, 

Katrina Duvalois

Vasquez High School

9th Grade English Department


09 2012 

Estimados padres de familia, 

Soy profesor de Inglés de su hijo. Con el fin de promover el éxito de la lectura entre mis alumnos me han pedido que dedique unos 20 minutos a la semana leyendo con ellos. Yo estoy pidiendo que hagas algo llamado "Piensa en voz alta." El concepto es ayudar a los estudiantes a entender cómo leer un texto y comprender lo que están leyendo por oír lo que un "buen lector" no mientras se está leyendo. 

Voy a ofrecer un texto o una parte de un texto para usted y su hijo a leer juntos. Considere algunos de los siguientes cuando usted lee con su hijo:

    ¿Qué debo saber acerca de este tema?

     ¿Qué es lo que voy a aprender acerca de este tema?

     ¿Entiendo lo que acabo de leer?

     ¿Tengo una idea clara en mi cabeza acerca de esta información?

     ¿Qué más puedo hacer para entender esto?

     ¿Cuáles fueron los puntos más importantes de esta lectura?

     ¿Qué nueva información que aprendo?

     ¿Cómo encaja con lo que ya sé?

Lea el pasaje seleccionado en voz alta mientras los estudiantes leen el mismo texto en silencio. En ciertos puntos y dejar de "pensar en voz alta" las respuestas a algunas de las preguntas preseleccionadas Demuestra lo bien que los lectores monitorear su comprensión por parte de releer una oración, la lectura por delante para aclarar y / o en busca de las claves del contexto. Después de haber leído con su hijo luego darles la oportunidad de practicar la técnica y ofrecer retroalimentación. 

Esta es una oportunidad maravillosa para compartir la alegría y el conocimiento que proviene de la lectura con su hijo. Le agradezco su ayuda con esta tarea y si usted hace este tiempo para que te garantizo que va a ver mejoras en sus habilidades de lectura y comprensión. 

Gracias,

Katrina Duvalois

Vasquez High School

9 º grado Departamento de Inglés

So... What do you think?

Right at the moment I'm thinking I kind of ROCK because I WROTE the ($#^%&*) letter THEN I TRANSLATED it into Spanish! (okay, well Google did but whatev...) HOW COOL IS THAT? 
Very. Freakin'. Cool.

If you are a Spanish speaker/reader let me know if it's right (lol).

SQUEEEEEE!

BTW. If you didn't figure it out... I'm thankful I

1. Got it done

2. Did a strategy I think is amazing

3. Translated it

4. Turned it in

5. Got two posts in one day

:D