Told you...

When I started this, I told you that I wouldn't be that great at it... Haven't had much to report though!

Let's see... Uncle George is healing. He has regular appointments with his doctors who are keeping a good eye on him. He is really enjoying that he has been prescribed steroids - he keeps threatening to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger (my Governor) when he's healed! Funny, huh? I talked to him recently and he said he has gained "so much weight" that it's the most he's weighed since the beginning of the year. He's still at about 150 pounds or so, but he's getting there. He is golfing regularly, getting tired, but finishing. He's a tough one... He's a bit disappointed that he won't be in Michigan this summer, I think the humidity in Florida is a bit unbearable. He was just worried about having to sit in the car for so long... I'm sure he'll figure out how to get up there before too long.

Not much new to report here. My school year finished uneventfully. It was a challenging year! These kids just seem to be needier and needier each year and it makes the teaching tough because they need so much love. Our entire first grade was the most unique we have had and it honestly brought my friends and I (grade level team) REALLY close. We'll see what next year holds for these little ones...

I am teaching summer school now and I have a good size group from last year. I am teaching the 1-3 grade English Language Development class and the kids are GREAT! I have such a wide age and academic level range but it's seems to be running smoothly so far. There are only 2 weeks left so I suspect things will continue to go well. The summer school schedule is nice because we are at school from 8AM-12:30, Mon.-Thurs. The 3 day weekends are NICE!

Once summer school is done, I'm headed to New Jersey to visit the Liwacz'! I'm going for two weeks. The first week, my Dad will still be working so I'll get to spend some time with my sisters, niece and nephew, and of course my grandparents. Once my Dad starts his off time, we are heading to the Jersey shore for a week of beach, sun, crabbing, fishing, and most of all relaxing! Jeanne's friend Linda and her daughter Katie are are such gracious hosts to put up with all of us for a week! It's always such a great time and a nice vacation before school starts for me again.

Here's another shock... I will be moving again. My 14 year old sister said, "you move more than anyone I know" and she's right! Curtis and I (well... me) have ended our 6 year relationship. There was a lot to it, but after 6 years, I felt we just didn't seem to be compatible or moving in a forward direction. I know, I know, it took 6 years to figure that out? Things were okay between us, but that's the thing, they were just okay. Anyway, he's a great guy and I still care about him a lot, but just not as my boyfriend. As far as my living situation... I will report later, I have a couple of places to go, but nothing set in stone. Our lease is up at the end of September - Curtis' sister suggested trying to get out of our lease early, but that would be a lot for me. I just don't have a lot of time to do the packing, moving, etc. with summer school and then Jersey - YIKES! I get that I am only one of three so we'll see what majority says. Wish me luck.

The weather here in the desert has been warm. We've gotten up to 115º a few times, but this weekend we actually have some weather - it thunderstormed on Thursday night and it has been overcast all weekend. Good and bad: weather/clouds and rain good, humidity bad! The temperature has been a bit cooler, but nothing significant upper 90's mostly. Happy summer in Palm Springs!

The 4th was mellow here. I got to watch fireworks from my pool, the city put on their show in a park VERY close to the house so I got to literally enjoy from my own backyard. I missed the family and tacos, though.

That's about all I've got for now. I'll let you all know how things are going with my moving, etc. Hope everyone is well!
*phewwww - I guess that was a lot to report!

All better...

It's been a while. but I think I'm finally well again! My aches and pains have gone away almost completely and I am functioning comfortably again!! YEA for me!

(Uncle) George, on the other hand, was back in the hospital last week because his aches were so debilitating that he couldn't get out of bed. His doctor had him stay in the hospital for about 4 days so they could treat him and run some tests. They found that he has Polymialgia Rheumatica - it's kind of like arthritis, but it can go away. They are treating it with steroids - he's laughing about that! and he seems to be getting around better. Since he lost more weight, his doctor is keeping an eye on him - his sugar, and heart meds.; he's eating, but had very little energy to cook - YIKES! I'm hoping they are able to manage this now that they know what it is! Since I did such a "great" job of explaining it, here is a site that has more specifics, if you're interested.

I'm busy, busy... It's the end of the year and I'm quickly winding down. I swear this time of year is the worst as far as work load for us teachers! Only 19 days to go and I feel like I'm cramming in the last 161 days into this one month. Same stuff different year - you think I'd get used to this. After school is done, I will be teaching summer school for second and third grade English Language Learners with my teaching partner - It'll be fun and since it's at my school site, I will have a lot of my kids! Summer school isn't bad - 4 days a week 8-12 for 5 weeks. Can't beat it. Besides, what else is there to do in the 100º+ weather?

Yes, summer is here - it was 102º yesterday and it's supposed to get to 109º today - we'll see. Gotta stay cool! The pool is heating up and I'm headed out to get some sun!

I'm send you all some of this California sunshine and heat - take it, PLEASE!!!

Go Red Wings! Go Pistons! ~loving this play-off season!!!

Hurting...

This one will be short because it hurts to type and I am doing this in slow motion... Talk about sympathy pains.... As many of you know, my Dad (Uncle George) was really sick at Thanksgiving and Christmas - kidney infection, severe dehydration, literally zero appetite - so bad he was hospitalized. I went out in November after he was out of the hospital and I extended my stay at Christmas to help out. He's been up and down and is still feeling the effects of the damage done to his body (lost 30 lbs., over medicated, etc.).
Well... two weeks ago I was having pains in my chest (not heart, but lower left side). Since I don't have a G.P. (new insurance) I went to Urgent Care and I was diagnosed with Pleurisy which is an infection between my lung and the lining holding my lungs in place (VERY basically). I was given some pretty heavy duty meds and was supposed to check back if I didn't feel better after about 5 days on the meds. After that 5 days, I was okay except for some side effects from the meds - upset stomach and such. I finished my prescription and then all of this began... I have joint aches so bad I can't turn my steering wheel, wash dishes or push myself up from a sitting position and I can't get up on my own. I have something that has settled in my chest and I have major congestion and a tightening there, too. My Dad and I were comparing notes and we have practically the same symptoms so I'm researching.
If you have ANY ideas, PLEASE, let me know. Since I would be a new patient, I couldn't get an appointment with a Dr. until June so I called the Urgent Care and they said to some back - I will be going this weekend after SAT testing.
Enough for now, my hands hurt :( I'll keep you all posted!

My Basketball Guys!

As part of my "second job" (not really, it's an after school program through Boys and Girls Club at my school so I just stay there until 6:00 for the program), our Program Director decided it would be fun to start a basketball league with all of the Palm Springs Elementary Schools. Since there wasn't much enthusiasm from anyone to coach, I decided to take on the job - and of course, our team was "the Pistons".
The season consisted of 6 games and then the Play-offs. There were 22 kids on my team 3rd-5th grade (8-12 years old). I turned out to be one of those coaches who had the philosophy "everyone plays". It was great because there were some kids who may NEVER play "organized" sports again and they all got to play in almost every game. Our "regular season" record was 2-4. I was proud because everyone had a chance to learn and bit and play in a real game.
BUT... once the play-offs rolled around, I was only allowed to travel with 9 kids - how was I going to pick? I decided to take my 5th graders only because it will be their last year at the school. Well, in round one, we played the #2 team who we had lost to twice AND upset them moving onto the Championship game vs, the #1 team in our little league. The final game ended in a loss for us but it was the closest game the Champions had had all season and we truly gave them a run for their money. (that winners ended up undefeated the whole season so I'm not sad)
Tonight (Wednesday) was our banquet it was great! The kids all got their awards and really cool basketball pins - we all wore our Pistons t-shirts that the Pistons organizations sold to me for a VERY affordable price. The kids looked great and I think we had the biggest group there!
It's things like this that remind me of why I do this teaching thing! (I would include some pictures, but with the kids, I can't because it's a privacy issue).
Anyway, just wanted to gloat a bit...

(on a bit of a side note, I ended up getting and Honorable Mention for Jr. NBA Coach of the Year - didn't know I was nominated, but excited to accept!)

"Everybody's doing it..."

Well, this is a new one for me, but since I love reading Mary and Erin's Blogs (daily), I thought I'd try. I probably won't be as good at it as the girls, but I'll give it a go. This is a great way to keep in touch and not bother you all with those corny mass e-mails. This is new for me and I promise I will try...