Life Along Lake Michigan

So Long Summer
Posted by: JanesVacation, 11:42 GMT le 20 août 2012 +0

This is beautiful view is just a few minutes away from my home here along Lake Michigan. It pretty much looks like this all year around, except on the snowiest days of hard winters. It is timeless.
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51. JanesVacation 15:01 GMT le 02 décembre 2012    


This image reminded me that I should draw the Christmas lights on my whiteboard at school tomorrow. A dear friend of mine used to encircle her whiteboard with hand drawn holiday lights each December. I have some new fluorescent style markers that will be perfect for this task!

The students love it and other teachers will copy the idea as the weeks go on. It is more eco friendly than strings of lights and I also don't have to remember to unplug them before I go home each day.

Have a good Sunday. It is almost 60F here and we had rain (not snow) overnight.
Member Since: 21 juin 2008 Posts: 258 Comments: 1253
52. JanesVacation 22:45 GMT le 04 décembre 2012    
We had a record high of 65F at midnight. But, the afternoon was sunny and in the 40's. I prefer the sun and 40's to warm and cloudy.

Enjoying some free time now that my course is completed. *Big sigh of relief.

I'm going to travel the blogs and see what you are all up to in preparing for Christmas.
Member Since: 21 juin 2008 Posts: 258 Comments: 1253
53. SBKaren 04:11 GMT le 05 décembre 2012    
Yeah - you are done! Congrats!!!! Love the lights on the white board idea. I no longer have a white board in the media center, but a Smartboard. There is one in the computer lab too. Here is a link to the computer lab page. The Smartboard looks so small in this picture, and it's not really that small!

I need to take a picture of my mini-lab and get that up too! I also see our programs are outdated. I see I have some updating work to do in my future! Maybe Thursday!

Member Since: 21 février 2005 Posts: 191 Comments: 14182
54. sandiquiz 10:32 GMT le 09 décembre 2012    
I was sure I left a comment yesterday, I wrote about you finishing and having a relaxing Christmas!

It obviously disappeared in the WUblog hole!

Enjoy the last few days at school....I bet the little ones are getting excited!
Member Since: 29 octobre 2005 Posts: 252 Comments: 22411
55. Ylee 10:38 GMT le 09 décembre 2012    
Looks like you have some nasty stuff forecast today! Be careful if you have to go out in it!
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56. JanesVacation 23:43 GMT le 09 décembre 2012    
A tiny bit of snow was on the ground this morning. Thankfully we are avoiding the big storm that is north of us. The ground hasn't been white since maybe January of last year. We have had two mild winters in a row, so far!

Two more weeks of school before the holiday break. Tomorrow is my 1st teacher evaluation of the school year. I'm not too worried, but I don't take it lightly either. I remember in the "old days" you didn't know when the principal would drop by for the evaluation - now, you are able to schedule it in advance. LOL I actually think the "surprise" evaluation was more effective! I could usually guess when it would be, but I would be on my toes for days.

Teachers are held to a much higher standard than other professions. And we sure don't take home very much money. Good thing I enjoy my job!
Member Since: 21 juin 2008 Posts: 258 Comments: 1253
57. sandiquiz 07:37 GMT le 10 décembre 2012    
Oh, I remember the evaluations, or appraisals as they became known.

When we had external examiners coming in we never knew when they would drop by. Possibly get 24 hours notice at the most. They were coming to see you teaching but also to see the classroom displays and lesson plans, as we as all marking and assessment up to date. 24 hours didn't give you long if you weren't on the ball! Certainly made sure you didn't let things slide! Lol

Good luck, I am sure it will go well.
:-)
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58. JanesVacation 12:53 GMT le 13 décembre 2012    
Observation/evaluation went well. I wondered if she noticed the video camera installed in the corner of the room designed to protect the safety of the laptops? It also records my every move throughout the day! But, the administration is more focused on evaluating and documenting student progress. I was prepared!

Sun is rising here this morning. We are always happy to have a sunny day in December. School and then meeting our son for dinner tonight. Gotta drink this coffee up and then get going.
Member Since: 21 juin 2008 Posts: 258 Comments: 1253
61. sandiquiz 16:25 GMT le 19 décembre 2012    
Hi there, I am so pleased it went well for you, Do you get instant verbal feedback or do you have to wait for a written report?
Is the course over? You said two weeks left, but it seems longer than two weeks ago you said it! I am sure you have passed with flying colours!

School finish on Friday? Not long to go:-)
Member Since: 29 octobre 2005 Posts: 252 Comments: 22411
62. JanesVacation 14:13 GMT le 23 décembre 2012    
Today is one of the coldest mornings so far this winter. 25 and a few peeks of the sun. A very slight dust of snow in the corners of the yard. Not really a big deal.

We are going to visit my Mom and Dad today. The roads will be dry and clear for traveling the 70 miles one way. Have a quick lunch and then return this afternoon. I promised Steve a stop over at the hardware store he likes along the way.
Member Since: 21 juin 2008 Posts: 258 Comments: 1253
63. SBKaren 03:53 GMT le 24 décembre 2012    
Read your comment about evaluations and observations. I get a few every year. I'll never be tenured as I'm part time. A couple of years ago my principal asked the DO if they could cut me back to two a year instead of 2 per semester. That the only reason I wasn't tenured was because I was part time. They said OK. I think being a teacher for 10 years should count for something!

Anyway, our new AP is now my evaluator. She observed me with a website evaluation lesson a few weeks ago and she really liked it. She is impressed with how I run the media center and how much I help with the whole school. She thinks I need to 'toot my horn' a bit more. She doesn't think that everyone knows just what I do in the media center! While that's true, to be honest, I feel a bit uncomfortable with that. If she wants to mention something at a staff meeting, I'm fine with that, but I don't like to bring things up!

Hope you had a nice visit with your parents! Merry Christmas!
Member Since: 21 février 2005 Posts: 191 Comments: 14182
64. sandiquiz 08:06 GMT le 24 décembre 2012    


Wishing you and your family all the Best of the Season.


Thank you for your kind, and supportive words over the weekend. :-)
Member Since: 29 octobre 2005 Posts: 252 Comments: 22411
65. palmettobug53 21:57 GMT le 24 décembre 2012    
Photobucket

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.
~Author Unknown
Member Since: 7 octobre 2005 Posts: 206 Comments: 21451
66. JanesVacation 16:34 GMT le 26 décembre 2012    
Did everyone enjoy a happy Christmas? It was dry and cold here and our son came over to share the day with us. We ate too much and enjoyed being together!

Happy Boxing Day to my UK and Canadian friends. I think the last thing I would feel like doing today is shopping...but I hear the deals are great if you want to store all of that wrapping paper and ribbon for another year. Our grocery store had everything 1/2 price on the 23rd anyway.

We have another week of R&R since I don't start back to school until next Thursday. Yes, we start school after break on a Thursday which is just crazy. Students will be back for two days and then it will be the weekend again. Since I have Fridays off this year, I will only go back for one. Guess I can handle that easy schedule!
Member Since: 21 juin 2008 Posts: 258 Comments: 1253
67. SBKaren 22:22 GMT le 26 décembre 2012    
Hi Jane! We had a nice Christmas Holiday. It began on the eve and we spent the evening at my mom's. There were 12 of us there. Two of my 3 brothers, kids and grands. Then Christmas morning, bright and early, we headed to my daughter's. This time it was just 'our' family. Hubby, our two kids, their significant others and grands.

Then last night we went to my younger daughter's home for dinner. Her boyfriend's father (and girlfriend) were there for us to meet! Daughter and grands joined us there too. So there were 9 of us there. We seem to bring a crowd where ever we go!

My daughter and I did hit the sales this year. I haven't been for quite a few years and I needed to stock up on some things I use about this time of year. While we didn't head out too early, we were early enough to beat the crowds. We went to 5 different stores, with 1 being a grocery store, but really didn't find bad crowds where ever we went.

I don't go back until the 8th, but that's mainly because I don't work on Monday. The kids go back the 7th. We actually started on the 21st this year. So the kids had Friday off too. Not sure why, but I'm sure they appreciated it.
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68. sandiquiz 16:15 GMT le 28 décembre 2012    
Hi Jane,

Your gizmo says it is snowing with you.... I hope it is a dusting, and not as bad as some areas seem to have got. The storm that went through on the 25th has been reported here in the UK, because they think it is moving so quickly that it will come across the Atlantic and hit us:-(. oh, boy, yet more wind and rain!!

Enjoy the rest of the holiday - Easter is early this next year, the last day of March, so not too long to the next break :-)
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69. JanesVacation 19:21 GMT le 29 décembre 2012    
Almost the new year. Does anyone have a resolution?
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70. SBKaren 19:32 GMT le 29 décembre 2012    
My resolution is to not make any resolutions!
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71. sandiquiz 19:34 GMT le 29 décembre 2012    
Quoting JanesVacation:
Almost the new year. Does anyone have a resolution?

Yes, to have a better year than 2012!
My personal life and my health have all taken a battering in 2012, so I resolve to be healthier, and happier in 2013!!

Oh, and to get my photos organised on the computer...I must have over a thousand still waiting to be sorted, deleted or filed!

What's you resolution? Do you have one?
Member Since: 29 octobre 2005 Posts: 252 Comments: 22411
72. JanesVacation 14:13 GMT le 30 décembre 2012    
Haha..I think I agree with Karen about the resolutions. I guess my main resolution (if I decide to make one) would be to live in the moment more. 2012 was a great year for me, so I tried to live in the moment each day. I think it is easier to do when things are going well!

This afternoon we are meeting some old friends to catch up. I went to elementary school with them and we have just been good friends forever. We never seem to make time to see them in person, so today is the day.

Cloudy, cold, gray skies. It's winter today.
Member Since: 21 juin 2008 Posts: 258 Comments: 1253
73. sandiquiz 09:50 GMT le 31 décembre 2012    


Jane - I do hope 2013 is a very happy, healthy and safe year for you and your family.
Member Since: 29 octobre 2005 Posts: 252 Comments: 22411
74. palmettobug53 02:09 GMT le 01 janvier 2013    
Currier and Ives

We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential.

~ Ellen Goodman

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
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75. juslivn 07:46 GMT le 01 janvier 2013    
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76. sandiquiz 10:19 GMT le 01 janvier 2013    



Have a wonderful year:)
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77. JanesVacation 14:09 GMT le 02 janvier 2013    
School begins tomorrow. A short week makes going back a bit easier for all!

Today I will spend catching up on some work around the house. I also plan to get a haircut! I keep putting it off, but today seems like a good day. My hair is shoulder length on the sides, but much longer in the back (it grows faster in the back for some odd reason!) Maybe I'll just have it layered and shoulder length all around. Such important decisions to make!!! Haha.

Weather is cloudy, dark, dry and cold. No snow on the ground. 24F.
Member Since: 21 juin 2008 Posts: 258 Comments: 1253
78. sandiquiz 22:20 GMT le 03 janvier 2013    
Hope the first day back went ok, and the kids weren't too full of Christmas to settle down!

Do you know, my hair grows quicker at the back, too!! Perhaps we ought to start a survey!

Only one more day this week and then you can have two days off! Lol
Member Since: 29 octobre 2005 Posts: 252 Comments: 22411
79. WunderAlertBot (Admin) 14:36 GMT le 04 janvier 2013    
JanesVacation has created a new entry.

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About JanesVacation
I am a teacher and I enjoy living along Lake Michigan. It is a beautiful place that makes me feel like I am on vacation!

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