Teavana

I don't drink near the amount of tea in the summer that I do in the winter.  I fill up on water and decaf green tea in the summertime.  This morning I couldn't resist dipping into my prized stash of tea I just bought at Teavana when I went to Indy.

I am big in three "food" categories: tea, popcorn, and ice cream/frozen yogurt. When my good friend Lora had me down to Nashville for a visit, we stumbled upon a Teavana store in the Green Hills Mall.  I was amazed at my lack of knowledge in all things tea, but had fun sampling the different kinds of tea and came home with a variety I couldn't live without. Although a little pricy (by my standards), I enjoyed my tea to the last drop. 

On one of my Indy trips, I discovered a Teavana store in the Keystone at the Crossing mall.  I was tickled to fill up my tin again (okay, not even 1/8 full--that tea's expensive) and sample new kinds of tea.  I went with the same variety I bought in Nashville, and can't wait to enjoy it on a cold winter's morning (or a hot summer's morning, in this case).

Jasmine Dragon Pearl tea....quite tasty.



I bought this treasure through AVON.  I prefer it to the traditional tea ball.



Aaaaahhhhh.  :)

IU Med Center

I know I was just at IU Med Center when my papaw was diagnosed with Leukemia.  He passed away in January, and at that time I never dreamed I'd be back at IU Med in July for another grandparent.

My Grandma Sutton first got sick at the end of May.  At first, she had flu-like symptoms, then she lost vision in her left eye (her good eye, in her words).  After a CAT scan and MRI, it was determined she had severely blocked sinuses.  She had those blown out and was told her vision could return within 6 months.  Anyone who knows my grandma knows that she is not a good patient, and she's not patient one bit.  Give her a pill or shot that fixes the problem, and she's good.  Tell her to wait 6 months and see???  Forget it.

She started having breathing problems after her blow-out procedure.  My Aunt Susie was visiting her one day and Grandma couldn't catch her breath.  So off to the ER they went.  Grandma was at Jasper Memorial Hospital for a week.  She had tests and procedures done to try to determine what was causing her breathing problems and loss of vision.  The doctors finally decided on a diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis, which can also effect the kidneys as well as lungs and eyes.  Unfortunately, Jasper couldn't perform more specialized testing, so off in the ambulance she went to IU Med Center. 

I thought I'd be a little nervous and apprehensive visiting the place where my grandfather passed away not hardly 6 months ago.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that I wasn't nervous or apprehensive at all!  It was nice to already be familiar with the area and layout of the hospital.  I drove up on a Saturday afternoon to visit Grandma, and got to spend the night with my mom's cousin, Debby.  She had the most beautiful flower arrangement waiting for me, and her dog Charlie Brown was excited to see me again. 

Grandma came home on the following Tuesday.  She's able to take her treatments in pill form at home, and most of her doctor's appointments will be in Evansville or Jasper.  Thank goodness her condition is treatable and, after a few weeks in the hospital, her spirits are beginning to soar. 

Twig Tea

I believe this is my first blog about tea.  Hmm.  Tea is a huge part of my life.  I've never been much of a coffee drinker, but hot and iced tea have always been favorite drinks of mine.  I only drink about 4 soft drinks a year, lemonade tends to give me heartburn, and I don't ever touch alcohol of any kind.  So, tea and water are just about it for me.

I've found a grocery store that I enjoy in Bloomington called Sahara Mart.  I try to go organic and healthy when I can (or when the mood strikes me).  I was at SM on Friday and spent some time oogling their tea selection (yes, one whole side of an aisle is dedicated to the beverage).  I picked up two new kinds along with an old favorite.  One of the new teas, Twig Tea, caugh my eye because of its unusual name.

Twig tea is...a bold flavored tea.  It's made from the twigs, stems, and leaves of the Japanese tea plant.  It almost has a wood flavor (duh) to it.  It'll definitely be on my "buy again" list.  You should try it for yourself...

Yummy Twig Tea



It's Been Awhile

It's been forever since I blogged.  The main reason:  my computer crashed a few months back.  At first I was going through facebook/email/blogging withdrawl.  Then, as time went on, I actually enjoyed not having a computer in the house.  I found that I spent an insane amount of time mindlessly checking facebook or looking up things on the internet.  Finally--I had freedom at home to do things like dishes, or laundry.  :)

Anyways....a few things have happened that I should take time to talk about in this entry.  First, I have been keeping my buddy, C, a lot more.  He's going through some things at home right now, so I try to spend one day during the week and a day on the weekend with him.  He's been coming with me to church, and my family has shown him there are people in this world who are responsible, respectful, and do care about others.  Second, I've taken another little guy, H, under my wing.  I don't spend near the time with him that I do with C, but H and his family have a special place in this teacher's heart.  I've taken him a few times antiquing, which both our families enjoy doing.  Third, I have nixed the Boston trip for this summer.  I have a few other ideas planned in the travel department (more to come on that later). Fourth, I have decided to go ahead and pursue a Master's degree in Education starting this summer.  I was going to work on this after my 5th year of teaching, but our state has passed some...new rules and regulations.  It would be in my best interest to begin before July 1, 2011, which is exactly what I'm going to do.  Fifth, I borrowed a laptop from C and his mom.  I'm hoping to order a new Macbook after July 4th.

There's another huge, major event that has happened in the past month for me....and it's not a pleasant event.  I am moving teaching assignments this fall.  I've screamed, cried, begged, and agonized over this.  I've met with my immediate supervisor on several occasions and our superintendent as well.  As of this fall, I will not be teaching 5th grade, but teaching Special Education grades 3-5.  Now, before you go thinking I'm a heartless person, or wondering what on earth there is to agonize over, let me tell you my case...

My very first year of teaching I taught Special Education grades K-2.  If you're unfamiliar with what all that entails, basically I am a resource room for students who need extra time and help in Language Arts and Math.  I had an assistant under my direction, and between the two of us we had some 10 students in grades K-2.  Some students we helped in their regular classroom and some students came to our classroom for study time or for additional instruction.  Doesn't sound too bad, does it? I loved the kids.  Absolutely loved them (and kept in touch with quite a few during my various placements over the years).  Now, for the not-so-lovely part:  I never had them to myself. I spent a large part of the school day splitting my time observing students who were being referred to the program, working on Individual Education Plans (IEP's) for my students, and having case conferences with parents/students/other personnel.  My point of view:  I went into teaching so I could work with students.  Bottom line.  Did I get to do that?  Yes.  Did I get to do that as much as a general education teacher who has the same 20 students all day?  Certainly not.  I knew after that year of teaching that I never wanted to be a special education teacher again.  Give me any student with special needs...inside of my general education classroom.

Fast forward a few years.  I've had a preschool classroom for one year and 5th grade for two years.  I was perfectly content staying in 5th grade a 3rd year, but God has other plans for me.  He must have seen that I take time to work with those kids in my classroom that need the extra help.  He must have seen that I gave up my prep time and my break time to keep kids who didn't understand math or reading.  He has a plan for me.  It's taken me over a month to realize that.  I've cried, stayed in bed, and generally questioned my effectiveness as a teacher through this time.  I still cannot believe that I won't have MY kids next year.  I'll be sharing them with a classroom teacher. They'll be coming in and out of my classroom like I have a revolving door.  

I still cannot believe that I've been told I have no control over my students.  I still cannot believe, that although my kids did well on their report cards and ISTEP testing, that I am not an effective 5th grade teacher. I still cannot believe I've been stripped of my status as a general education teacher. 

I know...what's the big deal?  I have a job next year in a time when many are either losing their jobs or cannot find work.  I'm still working with the teachers that I love dearly. Hey, I don't even have to move classrooms! I'll have a wonderful assistant this fall who has done her best to put a smile on my face even though she has her own battles going on.  I know....what's wrong with me???

I'll tell you what's wrong...I haven't been given a "good" answer as to why I've been moved.  There's not a single thing that I've been told that makes any sense.  I'm not effective in my position...okay, then tell me where I've not been effective.  Why are my evaluations good if I wasn't effective?  Why, when I was told I was going to Kindergarten last summer, was I put back in 5th grade if I "can't handle it"? I have no control over my kids.  Okay....why haven't any of them (save one early on in the year) been to the principal's office?  I had an excellent group this year.  They were not only well-behaved, they treated each other with respect (well, as much as 10 and 11-year olds can).  Sure, we got a little loud now and then.  Show me a classroom that hasn't.  It still beats me....test scores were good, report cards were good, and parents were very pleased.  I just don't get it.

Anywho...I'm trying to get over it.  I have good days and bad days with it.  Until you've walked a mile in my shoes....don't judge me.

So, now what?

Princess Wishes 2011

My friend Cassie and I took her two little girls and her cousin's little girl to see Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes on Sunday.  While we didn't have far to travel, that was definitely my first experience taking three little girls somewhere!  We had a wonderful time.

R & L by Ariel's Princess dress

Miss Jo-Jo had to get in on the action!

Two very interested girls!

Ursula (this was kinda scary!)

Cole, Jo-Jo, R, and L

Grand Finale

Jasper/Ireland, IN

This weekend, I spent some time in Jasper and Ireland, IN.  Although there are many fun things to do in these towns, this wasn't exactly what I would call a "fun" trip.  My grandfather passed away on January 7, after battling leukemia, and his visitation and funeral were this past weekend in Jasper and Ireland, respectively.

Friday, January 14, was the visitation.  Papaw was at the Becher-Kluesner Funeral Home on Newton Street in Jasper.  There were tons of people there!!  There was laughter, tears, and old friends and relatives reconnecting and rejoicing in this wonderful man's memory.  I saw relatives I hadn't seen in many, many years.  I also saw friends and acquaintences that I hadn't seen in some time.  By the time the evening was over, over 400 people had attended Papaw's visitation.  He certainly touched many lives during his short 67 years with us!!

Saturday, January 15, was Papaw's funeral at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ireland, IN.  Papaw's 6 grandkids were his pallbearers (I was very honored to be asked to do this!).  We met at the funeral home beforehand, and all drove behind the hearse to Ireland.  The service was very nice and several people came to honor Papaw's memory.  Afterward, we had a meal in the community center.  It was so nice to visit with family members that I rarely see!  I just wish it could have been under different circumstances.

I miss my papaw very much.  He was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia at the end of July, 2010.  He had many blood and platelet transfusions, and spent quite a bit of time in Indianapolis at the IU Medical Center and at the Methodist Hospital.  Our family spent as much time with him as we could.  Through an organization called Fair Haven Foundation, my Granny was able to get an apartment across the street from the hospital.  This greatly helped with the driving back-and-forth to visit Papaw.  He had a stem cell transplant just before Thanksgiving.  The doctors released him to come home for Christmas, and two weeks later he was gone.

I still really can't believe that he's not here anymore.  I have so many great memories of him!!  After he passed away, I helped my Granny, Aunt Krissy, and Mom put together several picture boards.  There were tons of pictures of my papaw, and in every.single.one of them, he was smiling.  Even when he was so sick with cancer, he always smiled and thanked his doctors and nurses for their help.  He was one of the most kind, caring, and friendly people I have ever met.  He was a huge fan of sports (especially the Colts and IU) and loved fishing and animals.  I remember him dancing and playing the tambourine at my wedding reception, and I called him before I went into the Superdome for the Saints game back in October.  I like to think he was very proud of me for having enough courage to go on a trip by myself!!

Here are a few pictures of my Papaw Schitter:

This was from Christmas 2010.  Aunt Mary, Uncle Joe, my dad, my mom, Granny, and Papaw

Christmas 2006

Christmas 2002 at my mom and dad's.  This is probably one of my favorite pictures of Papaw!

My mom and her dad.  (She doesn't like herself in this picture!!)

Christmas 2010.  my cousin Morgan, me, my brother Chris, my sister Sarah, and Papaw.

Snow Days

Today is our second snow day we've used this week.  We have had a lot of snow, and now ice, that have made the roads terrible.  Who knows if we'll go tomorrow or not??  Here are a few pics of our day today.

This is how Isabella spends her snow days.

This is how Max spends his snow days.

View from my front door.  That looks like a puddle of water at the end of the sidewalk, but it's a sheet of ice!

View of my cross-street.  I have heard 3 vehicles and saw one walker go by today.

Not-so-giant icicle.

View up the street.  Thank goodness I parked my vehicle in the garage last night!