2017

"Welcome back, my Friends, to the show that never ends. We're so glad you could attend. Come inside, come inside"* It's good to go on break, tough to get back in the routine upon return, but satisfying to get back to school! I'm sure there are very few students who feel that way, but I always do! Christmas break was relaxing for the most part. During Week 1, my daughter and I went up to Redding to visit my niece, her husband, and two young boys. It's always fun to go there, but another niece,(her sister from Florida), was there as well. We had a good time catching up and playing with the boys, ages 2 and 5. Week 2 was spent recovering from Christmas (a sacred holiday, yes, but also one in which I eat entirely too many sweets!). My daughter gave my husband and I a winery tour as a gift. My husband and I eagerly participated at a beautiful winery in Solvang, built in the 1800s. Of course a trip to Solvang is not complete without hitting Olsen's Bakery for an eclair. More sweets! New Year's Eve was spent at the Pismo Beach Moose lodge where my husband and his band played until midnight! I think I may have burned off that eclair with all the dancing! Week 3 was getting organized and doing some cleaning. Not the most exciting things to do, but I enjoy "nesting" when I get the chance! My Christmas decorations are still up. It's always so hard to take them down. I enjoy the ambience of the lights, and everything looks so bare afterwards. Maybe just one more week! *Sadly, one of the members of ELP (I can't remember which -- Lake, I think) passed away right before Christmas. This is from one of their songs from back in the '70s. My husband spent his break binge-watching YouTube videos of them. :(

11-15-16

Today we worked on the robot again. Santos discovered that we had done yet another thing incorrectly, so he took that area and reconnected it the right way. It's so hard for me because the directions don't correspond to the actual model. Anyway, Dorian put some finishing touches on it, gave me directions on what to do to put the scooper on it, and hopefully we can get this thing done!

Plant love!

Well, we're starting to plant kale.  The greenhouse was built on Monday, and the containers were filled with soil yesterday.  We planted today.  It felt so good to be out in the sun and the warm breeze!

It seemed like the students were into it, too.  Almost everyone had a positive attitude and was willing to work.  Hey, does it get any better than that?

I don't really like kale, but I'm willing to "rethink" it since we worked so hard getting it planted!

New School Year!

Hey, the new school year has started!  It's so good to see some students from last year, and fun to get to know the new freshman.  The "deer in the headlights" look that many of our newbies had the first few days has given way to a more relaxed look -- and sometimes more relaxed behavior. You know who you are! :)

On a personal note, my daughter has started her college career at Allen Hancock.  She's loving the freedom!

As for me, I enjoy working with Mr. Grimm and his students.  It's a relatively stress-free environment in which I get to nurture, instruct, cajole, and, best of all, laugh!

Summer plans

This summer I am planning to go back east to visit my family.  My brother and his wife are coming up from Florida, too.  I haven't seen him in four years, so it will be good to get together.  Also,  my class reunion is being held around that time.  I hope it coincides with my trip.  I haven't been to a reunion in many years.

I would love to hear what your summer plans are.  Please comment, and let me know!

Engagement!

My husband texted me yesterday -- he got a call from my step-daughter's boyfriend.  I was worried.  Was something wrong?  Nope, he was calling to ask my husband's permission to marry her!  He is taking her camping this weekend and will pop the question then.  Sigh!  So, he will then be her fiancé! 

Buddy Royal

Mr. Garcia was nice enough to come into our classroom and discuss his career as a WWE-style wrestler.  It was fun to watch the students response to his video.  Most of the boys were totally captivated!  Mr. Garcia seems like a pretty mild-mannered guy, but he plays a super tough guy really well as a wrestler!

Thank you, Mr. Garcia, for sharing such a fun topic with our class!