Homecomings

Just recently got a call from a friend who is going to be returning home soon!

What great news homecomings can be! Just in time too, I was starting to get a little flustered at school.....but this might bring me around!!!

Having fun in the sun?

Been spending most of the summer with the kids. Doing a lot of housework and schoolwork and golfwork. Repainted the living room after the kids using as a crayon board for the last 5 years. Removing and replacing floors also to get rid of the carpet stains. Should look great when done.

School coming too soon.

Remodeling the kitchen & life

My wife and I have been remodeling the kitchen over the 4th weekend. It really reminds me of some of the things I want to 'remodel' in my classroom. More podcasts, more podcasts, more podcasts. I really feel like I can tap into the power of Web 2.0 so much more than I have been. I imagine the power of students connected through facebook groups, where students have instant access to classmates for questions, etc.
I know this can work, as last semester was winding up I had students asking questions at midnight the night before the exam on facebook. I can't remember everything about my own school experience, but I know I couldn't contact my teacher the night before an exam. Let's be honest, that is awesome!!!
All of my plans come with the bitter sweet knowledge that my partner in crime will be doing his thing in New Mexico. Great things are coming his way out there, and I know great things will continue at the Valley, but it will be a different Valley (especially for me). I wish Jeff the best in all he does and hold him to the fire knowing we can facebook, e-mail, cellphone, or skype anytime we want! I wish my good friend luck and love in the West!

Crazy Days of...summer or winter?

Seems like global warming may be a lot closer than I thought. I swear that I remember having a long, cold winter as a child (but I might be looking through the rose-colored glasses once again (this seems to happen more as I get older)).

Anyway, what can I complain about?
I have three great kids, a wonderful wife, an awesome job, a lot of great and true friends, and more than anything.... I am completely content with my lot in life.
I used to dream up all kind of things I 'needed' to be happy at Christmas time, but this year I am at a complete loss for wanting. I guess it a wonderful life after all. A little bit of God goes a long way!

News of the Sad

Had a call letting me know that my biological father had passed away. I knew him very little, so the call came out of the blue!

The sad part is after 59 years of life, the only thing he had to show was trinkets and ashes. Just goes to show how choices can truly decide what kind of 'mark' we leave on the world. A distant cousin had to contact an estranged son who never really knew his father to come and claim worldly possessions. Dying without knowing he had 2 wonderful grandchildren (and one on the way).

It definitely makes me think about what kind of mark I want to leave on the world. Choices and Ramifications of these choices are what it seems to be all about.

Floor duty

This is a pretty sad admission, but i bought a steam cleaner for the house which has changed my life. My carpet is a constant battle with children, cats and a dog as my arch nemesis(s) (what the heck is the plural of nemesis?). Sad my life has become so boring.

Overall though, things could be worse. I could look forward to sitting on my porch every night, wait I do that too. I need some new hobbies.

Summer is quickly ending....

Jeff and i got done doing some classes for ETV this week, it went pretty well. It definitely reminded me how little time i have left until school starts. Got to get busy planning!!!!

i was pretty apprehensive last year starting this ITEC thing with Jeff, but this year I am completely stoked about trying out some new stuff!!! We also have a new ITEC member at Spring Valley, and I think it will be cool to have some fresh blood on-board! I will publish her name later, but i want to check and make sure they don't mind.....

Anyway, just wanted to get a new post up. Time to get back to watching 'House'.