۞Sweet Interruption۞ 36

Well, Phyllis... since I don't live in Dallas, I have no voice there. Although, it's the students in Dallas that effect us all... and to think, they're the ones that SHOULD be setting the standards for all us outlying community school districts... UGH... I'd hate to think.

Yes, TAKS tests are such a farce... not nearly a representation of what our students need to know to survive and benefit society.

Good morning everyone. I have to agree with you all and the school system. It all stinks! My kids are grown, but now have grandkids in the school system. My Granddaughter in San Antonio, says she is not allowed to play tag, or touch anyone while playing for recess, in the lunch room, there is no saving seats for a friend to sit with, you have to fill the seats in the order you entered the room, and no talking during lunch. There seems to be no interaction between any of the kids for any reason. What are they teaching them??? It gets so frustrating!

Jaye thanks for the breakfast, it was so good. Mmmmmmm!

BJ, those purse on the link are so cute, the denim ones are darling, now I have to decide which one/ones to make!!!

Bon, glad to hear you headaches are better.

So are we going to do a stocking swap???



Ladies have a good day.
Linda Kay

Whatever happened to the Dirty Santa swap?

I think Bj will open that one later?
LK

Wasn't me... I think it was Tia/Tina/Whatever that wanted to do that one... but she's a bit tied up right now...

Morning all. Thanks for breakfast Jaye--really was delicious!! BTW, how are you since your fall and how is the room coming?

We are suppose to get rain for the next 3 days so was up early getting some outside things finished before tackling the insides again. Hot and very muggy. Almost takes your breath away!!

I am looking through my assortment of fabric for the perfect piece (if there is such a thing) to make a rag purse. They are really neat. Thanks Debra and BJ for getting us on this track!!!

I don't even dare get started on the schools!!! I live with it 24/7 and yes, it is a mess not just in Texas but I think nationwide. All in the name of not stepping on someone's rights!!! I am seeing it from the teacher's viewpoint and believe me, it is stressing to them. That is why Kim had taught Saturday school for 7 years before saying she could not longer to that long a week. I am still wondering if they student can't get it in 5 days what is going on Saturday (if they bother to show up) going to help? Gotta stop. Soapbox is bad place for me on this subject!!!!!!

Have a great day Sistahs.

Oh, sorry BJ, you are going to do the mystery 7 item swap...

Too many swap to keep up with!

LK

Morning Marion. How are you doing today?
Nice and refreshed, and ready for another day. Don't work too hard.
LK

Doing great today. Been trying to get things finished before the rains. Just stopped to check mail.

Rained most of the night here, and still too wet to do anything... I really need to mow when it dries up a bit, but it's so overcast outside, I don't think that's going to happen today.

SOOOOO... I'm on my way to Walmart to get some more flannel... got one more to make, and know just how I want to make it ... came to me in my sleep last night... LOL

A man once asked a group I was in to write down 3 things we value most; then write down 3 places we spend our time and our money. I remember my ex wrote down "family" under value, but that was definitly not where he spend his time or his money!
The same things goes for our communities. We say we value education but state governments put restrictions, cut budgets, push testing, and devalue teachers. No wonder kids and parents are frustrated.

So not only did you gals give me an opportunity to get on my favorite soap box this morning, you also gave me a second sewing thing to put on my Christmas list.
I, too, found a new quilting toy. It is called a "Quilter's Fabric Calc" a hand held calculator that helps you do the math for making and putting together quilts. I found it at JoAnn's but I'm sure it is available other places. their web site is:www.quiltersfabricalc.com

I'm headed up northern Michigan way to Harbor Spring to have fun in the sun and see the pretty colors. Hope the weather holds for the rest of the week.
See you all when I get back on Sunday!

BJ, I agree! Memphis schools are in the same boat! The people who are making the big bucks are making the decisions, not teaching the kids! Our schools started downhill in the '60's.What good does it do to pass a child who can't read? My grandson is dyslexic, he has a hard time learning. He's VERY intelligent, and he's learning skills to help him survive in this world. He graduates this year, and I'm so proud of him! He kept on trying, and with his teachers help, not just passing him on, he's gonna make it!

Morning Ladies - or rather Good Afternoon.

sorry to report the head started hurting within ten minutes of me coming out into the daylight from a dimmed bedroom. not good.

missed breakfast - sour tummy, couldn't sleep all night - had already slept. went to bed at 6am, just now up, and back to head again.

I'm putting another call into my doc, asking them to make my appt sooner at 1:15 when they reopen after lunch. this is that bad.

Bon, please take care. Prayers coming your way, for that darn headache to GO AWAY!!!
LK

Hello...

Geesh, been crazy busy at the job front, go home keep up with the family and laundry fall into bed and start all over again!lol...
I am never gonna get caught up.

So a message for all...
I hope you are all well, will keep those of you not in my Prayers.
...Bonnie, I hope you get that earlier appt. (whispering that)

Jaye thanks so much for breakfast...was delish and gave me lots of energy.

Waving hello, watching in between, sounds like some nice quilting, crafting and oh yay gifting is going on, Love to read about your days.

Enjoy...will come back soon as I stop swimming in paper.

Bon our prayers are with you, hope they can do something for your headaches, I am still waiting to hear from my sis....with the time difference and her job we don't talk very often, but as soon as I hear from her I will pass on any info I can get.

Don't get me started on School Issues!!!! I think this country is a disgrace in the education department........that is the first place money should go..... feed and educate our people and put all the politicians, and yes all my favorite sports figures, and lot of others way down the list.........better stop now!

My profile according to Youniverse:

Mood: Sofisticat
Fun: Conqueror
Habits: New wave Puritan
Social: Thoughtful

Jaye, I don’t think New wave Puritan is a good name for their description either.

Yes, I went to the allergist yesterday. The allergist gave me three medications (eye drops, nasal steroid, and anti-histamine), saline wash and inhaler, and a suggestion for another anti-histamine; I hope they work.

I'm allergic to Box elder/maple mix, Johnson grass, Ryegrass, Timothy grass, Cockleburs, Nettle, Dog hair and dander, and mold. I'm slightly allergic to Ash, Cedar, Black Walnut, Bluegrass, Sweet Vernal grass, Lamb's quarter, and Russian thistle. They didn't test for non-weed flowers and I know I'm allergic to some of those since nurseries will floor me. I'm glad cat and feathers weren't on there; I don't think I could live without my cats and feather pillow; though they did say to get a micro fiber pillow case. I had said before I got tested I was pretty sure I was allergic to Box wood, mold and dogs. Box wood is my Spring allergy and mold is my Fall allergy.

BJ, I think that is so messed up too. As a parent that scares the #@!! Out of me. I already thought public schools were sub-standard, but what you’re talking about is a whole new level.

Dirty santa is in a little bit I think


OK-so I haven't openend it yet:)

Still need deoderant for Auntie Jay and Uncle Kel;)

Not sure what thread it was that we were talking about my neighbors and the decorations...but here is a pic of thier house

and here is ours

Stacey, you going to tell us what is in your box?


LK

I haven't opened it yet-did you send it LK??

We have bets going on, and I know I already lost, just wondering who won the bet???


LK

Ahhhh-not yet-I really am trying to hold out til Moday to start my Bday week:)

Maybe we should not have placed our bets, now we will all lose???
LOL

LK-10/5-choccies-LOST;)
Cindy-10/7-one of those cool jar oil candle things
Marion-10/8-a quillow
Jaye-10/9-a Xmas Cactus
Bon-10/8-an iris
Kathy 10/7-not sure what she is betting-maybe a baby chick??

Someone shoulda had faith in me and bet on Monday;)

OK, I change my mind, and say Monday!!! LOL

Linda Kay

ROFL!!! I don't think it works like that-but I think if I can hold out then I have the willpower of a greek goddess!!LOL

Just messing with you. You open it when ever your little heart tells you to. I would have had it ripped open long time ago!
LK

Well I am surprised you have made it this long Tinky.

Me too!!ROFLMBO!!! I put it behind the couch-you know-out of site out of mind;)

ok so we know she put it behind the couch thinking out of site out of mind we just keep reminding her where it is and asking what is in it ...hahahaha

ya knwo I was thinking today on the field trip I had ....these "professionals" that are in charge of our kids nad schools and all the "studies" the review to decide what is best ...why don't they look at what is going g on over in Europe?
those kids are in school year round with Holidays that are maybe 3 wks long but they do not have 3 months off in the summer to get into trouble and those kids are alot smarter then a number of kids in the US as they don't have time to forget what they learned "last year"

that and the fact that parents in general seem to value education more-they don't just leave it up to the schools thinking it is all good-they take an active role-IMHO of course-and not speaking for all parents, but the things I see as I am sure you all do...makes me ssad..

Laura, if a New Wave Puritan is one that likes Franz Klein, Louise Nevelson and David Smith, then who am I to argue!! :D

Janice, thanks for the tip. Anything to help with the tedious work of calculating. I normally add all the blocks I've finished, and go from there. They're 12-16 inches block.

Phyllis, I received a year round education in Singapore. Most of the Asian countries were based on that. Saturdays were mandatory for Extra Curricular Activities.. your sports, brass band, debating societies or other interest groups. You get points for being active too in ECAs. Trying to catch up with the western technology was the reason for the heavy emphasis on education. Kids who do well are rewarded in all grades. A yearly recognition with prizes for the top 3. Graduations from High Schools and Vocational Schools are mandatory. No such things as big parties or those gifts that parents lavished on those that can't even do simple division. America so far is the only country that I know that celebrate this, perhaps it's a bribe for the kids to finish school?

BUT, teachers were heavily subsidised with housing, to stem the brain drain of emigrating to African countries, other Asian countries too. Another incentive is respect.

Teachers are highly respected in the Asian culture. I don't see it here.
Asian kids are not naturally smart, they are honed into thinking of doing their best for the sake of the family's reputation.
Our education too is just not 'general' ed. Highly intense. At 12, I know all the states of USA and world history and geography were compulsory subjects. Here, when I tell a stranger I'm from Singapore, 90 percent will say I must be from China then!!! Sigh...

Unfortunately, those born here of Asian immigrant families, especially the 3rd generation, have totally opposite mentalities from their grandparents. Must be osmosis.
As for year long education, just implemented in Europe. My eldest niece, sitting for her matriculations, do get some 'half-days' at school, so there won't be brain fatigue.

Ok.. off my soap box.

well I'm not good at places and where they are unless I have done something to look it up but I do know that Singapore is not in China it is a a small nation on an island closer to the Philippines then China...well that is the way ti was explained to me by a lady that worked at the school my mother was the secretary at and I watched her lil girl ...The last thing I remember from her was her writing my mother and telling her how amazed everyone was back home that her lil girl already knew her abc's and knew small words.

the year long education as far as Germany is concerned started before this last year as when my oldest was in high school we had a young lady come over from the sister city of sweberdingin (sounded out not spelled right LOL) they were already in school year round wtih "holidays" around Christmas and Easter (connected wtih religious holidays )

anyway not to argue it with anyone but the idea has ben around for a number of years and I think it would help our kids alot if they would go that route.
But then yes parents do not care or they don't have time to care as they are both working and some 2 jobs to make ends meet so the kids are left home alone to fend for themselves which as we know leads to trouble when they are young don't have respect or responsibility instilled into them .............but then we also have the issue of abuse, neglect, and the famous words of "I'll Sue You"

It's a money money money world and people will do all kinds of things to make money or more money at the cost of family and respect for others or themselves.

Well said, Phyllis.

*bows* thanks I try LOL

Hey Tinky.....remember IT'S BEHIND THE COUCH...ROFLMAO

hi, ok ...
Stacy, Fairy lil girl...You go!

hate waiting , keep it behind the couch...LOL, think I would do that too.
Goodness not that far away now...heheh, routin for ya.

and not in any kind of bet so I'm with you...you CAN hold out.

heheh, hi everyone, going to bed so goodnight.

Good job to both you ladies!!! Then throw "it's their right to have cell phones with cameras in the class room". No way!!!! That is how some teachers are put into some serious trouble by pictures taken out of context by a student with a vendetta.

Couch, Tinky, remember the couch.

ahh but Marion you forget they are not suppose to be allowed to have the cell phone in class down here they have changed the rule to where they can only use it when NOT in class .....yeah right


mmm couch I hear a couch calling someones name saying look behind me ...hahahaha

Linda, what are you betting, or is it just a betting to see who wins? Can I place a bet for 10/10 - fairy things?

Stacey, that’s why we struggle with finances to allow me to stay home, especially at Sage’s age we feel it’s important to have an active role in her life and schooling. But, boy is it hard sometimes, both the money and staying home with the kid all day.

Phyllis, I’d be all for year round school. I think the first month, at least, after summer is used to remind the kids what they forgot over the summer and it’s really hard on parents to have to find, and pay for, daycare for their kids; even parents like me would like the break to be shorter. I got no free time over the summer unless mom took Sage, and with my work I don’t think I got more than a couple hours even then. I got up when Sage got up and by the time she went to bed, I maybe had a couple hours before I had to be to bed. If it wasn’t for DH giving me nap time and a few days to deal with other stuff I think I would have gone insane.