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Date Posted: 18:24:41 10/18/12 Thu
Author: LauraG
Subject: Wow! You don't read the board for a bit and then....

Okay, I'll admit its been awhile, but life goes on....
Checked in today and saw Stewart's message and Heather's. It was so good to hear from you both. Heather, I hope you'll fill us in on what's been happening. Stewart, glad to hear your doing what you enjoy and sorry I'll miss the festival again this year. Sometime soon, I'd like to get to your area again to do some exploring. WAS headed to Montana (Flathead area) next week, but my sister Mary is getting over a case of pneumonia so had to put it on hold.
We had a belated but glorious summer here in the NW. The rains have officially returned. I'm still up to the same ol' same ol'; volunteering in the library of an elementary school and taking lots of photos. I expanded my horizons a bit this year and entered some in the county fair. Ended up with a Grand Third, one first and three second places. I'm presently taking another course and hope to continue to improve.

I had checked back on this site from time to time and noticed an significant slowdown. Kinda missed some of the old action, but things seem to weave themselves into and out of our lives for a time then resurface when the time is right. Just know I think of you all whether we are connected by the net or not.

Laura

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[> Re: Wow! You don't read the board for a bit and then.... -- Brittany, 13:53:58 10/19/12 Fri

From what I saw on Facebook, your pictures were amazing, Laura! I don't usually "get" how pictures can be artistic, but I "got" it with yours :) Maybe the creative side of our minds is in sync? I love contrast and I think you captured it beautifully. I know you weren't fishing for compliments, but I really want to encourage you :)

Would you feel comfortable posting them here? If I make the request, I don't think it counts as showing off :)

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[> My year in review -- Heather Mooney, 16:47:15 10/25/12 Thu

Laura,
The past year I kept myself way too busy with school. Things were totally unbalanced in that respect. I was grade chair for kindergarten and a member of the PTA board. Those two roles kept me busy many hours after school. Last year's class was just a total hot mess!!! I had runners, biters, kids who would push over chairs and tables....there were many of nights I went home in tears because the support was not there and no matter how much documentation I did, the only answer I got was....they are only 5..give them lots of treats when they attempt to behaved.

Thankfully this school year is a totally different ball game! The group I have is so sweet, caring and are very motivated to learn. I dropped the grade chair position. But crazy me decided to take on PTA President. Seriously I don't know what I was thinking. We have seen many changes at school with the new Common Core Standards...both good and bad. We have a new standards based grading system and teacher evaluation system. On top of all that, we have a new electronic grade book which is a great way to keep objective about grades, but time consuming with the new grading system.

It's hard to believe I have been living in my home for 2 years now. From May to August I spent some time and money to keep it up. May was the worst. My septic tank backed up one Sunday after church....I had to replace the drain field in the front yard. The roots from a small citrus tree were the problem. That repair was a shock to my budget! Needless to say I couldn't really afford to go anywhere over the summer.

My dad is starting his business called The Butterfly Corner. He is planting and selling milkweed plants at the local farmer's market on Saturdays. He's also been coming to my classroom to teach the kids about the whole life cycle of the caterpillar and butterfly. The kids just love it! I know Dad loves it too :) My mom is working on developing a cartoon character to promote his business to the kids. My sister is now working for Disney's credit union....she's got those techie skills to develop their online banking tools. Hopefully Hurricane Sandy won't dampen our plans to go to the Food and Wine festival at Epcot this weekend.

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[> [> Re: My year in review -- LauraG (Laura Grosvenor), 16:54:10 11/04/12 Sun

Heather,
I know all to well what you're talking about school-wise. I too often found myself volunteering for those extra duties and then wondering where I'd get the time and energy. It is a good feeling however, to watch things developing and heading in the right direction.
Toward the end of my teaching days we dealt with new administrators who made it more and more difficult. There is nothing worse than feeling a lack of support, especially when it comes to discipline issues.
I'm intrigued by your dad's new enterprise. Sounds exciting. I find the life cycle of the butterfly to be most fascinating.
I also hear you on the home owner "thing." I thought moving from 20 + years as a condo dweller to a homeowner with acreage would be great. I had all sorts of grand ideas. Then began the never ending yard work and repairs. It's not nearly as much fun as I'd hoped. Oh well... Finally hired a great nephew to do the mowing this summer. He didn't like it when I commented that the yard was shrinking. Each time he mowed he'd cut about six inches less around the edges. We couldn't figure out what looked different at first... We get so much rain up here in Washington that everything grows incredibly fast.
Good luck with your new school year. I had some wonderful times.
Good to hear from you,

L

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