Nine years ago this past Tuesday, I was Miss NHS and Benjamin was my escort at the pageant dance. With his Mickey Mouse tie, pleated blue jeans, and brown deck shoes, he confessed to me that I was the girl for him (in a very cheesy way I might add). I had a big crush on another guy (which is ironic in itself if you knew who he was), but Benjamin had phoned me so regularly leading up to this point that I was beginning to have stronger feelings for him instead. 
Okay. After the day I've had (see post below) my patience has worn thin. Somebody in BloogerDom does not like me. Who are you and why are you doing this? First and foremost, for the past few days when I've wanted to check out my blog a page has come up that says, "Under Maintenance" and if you're curious, no, I haven't been doing anything to change my blog. Then I finally get my page to show up - and that's just it - it's just a page with out my template or anything. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Three days of teaching this week. It feels good, but boy am I tired. My day with third grade went very well, fourth grade wasn't so bad, and then today...I love second grade...but let's just say that the one student who has fits was having an "off" day. Overall I had a great day, but let me tell you...what an episode! This one particular student - we'll call her "Gina" - is known for having fits. Today it was crying fits.
EPIDSODE 1:
The scene: I'm walking the students through the steps for making a St. Patrick's Day pin. Gina keeps coming up to me as I'm assisting students in the classroom.
Gina: So-and-so's acting like a baby.
Me: Well you don't worry about so-and-so. I will.
Gina: But I have to. He's my best friend.
Me: No, you don't. Please go sit down at your desk, and I'll take care of so-and-so.
EPIDSODE 2:
The scene: Students are to be copying the instructions for the craft they made from the board. Gina is going around with the broom sweeping.
Me: Gina, I appreciate that you're cleaning the room, but it is now time to sit down and copy the instructions from the board.
Gina: I have too many things to do at once! I'm sweeping.
Me: (Standing up and approaching Gina) Please put the broom away and write down the instructions.
Gina: No.
Me: (Reaching for the broom) Give me the broom and return to your seat. If you choose not to listen, then you're choosing to be sent out of the classroom.
Gina: (Hands me the broom and returns to her seat.)
Time has passed. It's nearing snack time and those who are not finished will be staying in to finish or at least write enough to my satisfaction.
Gina: (tears streaming down her face) I'm not a good writer! Why do we have to do this?
Me: It's good writing practice.
Gina: But I can't do this! I don't want to do this!
Me: (Firm) Sometimes in school we have to do things we don't like. It's a part of the learning process. Now please get back to work. I know that you can write at least a few more sentences along with the rest of the students.
(Gina then returns to her work.)
EPIDSODE 3:
The scene: Gina is sitting at her desk, sobbing (the key word is "sobbing" folks)
Gina: I don't have any snacks in my lunchbag that I like.
Me: I can't imagine someone packing your lunch and filling it with things you don't like.
Gina: Well I don't have anything to eat.
Me: What's in your lunch?
Gina: Well...I have chocolate...chocolate...pud...pudding...but I DON'T HAVE A SPOON!
Me: Well that's not a problem. Let me get you a spoon. Would you eat it then?
Gina: Yes
(Problem solved. I gave her a spoon. She was happy.)
EPIDOSE 4:
The scene: It's right before gym class and the students are lined up outside of the gym. Might I add that Gina was fine for the whole half hour before gym class and as happy as could be.
Gina: (sobbing once again) I can't find my little toy owl!
Me: Your toy owl? Where was it?
Gina: In my pocket. I lost it at noon time.
Me: Well, I'll go look for it in the classroom.
Gina: I want to come with you.
Me: No, you need to go to Phys.Ed. I'll look for it.
Gina: Can you bring it to me if you find it?
Me: No, I'll set it on your desk. If I don't find it we'll see if it turns up before you go home. Now take a few deep breaths, and go into the gym.
Gina goes into the gym and turns into a happy 2nd grader.
THE FINAL MAJOR EPISODE:
The scene: The students are getting ready for the bus - all except for Gina. She is standing in the room, wailing at the top of her lungs, mouth gaped open, because she still can't find her owl toy.
Me: Gina, you need to get ready for the bus.
Gina: (continues to wail)
Me: Gina, your toy could be burried under all of the coats. Wait until everyone is ready. We've already looked in your desk and I've looked in the room. It'll turn up sometime.
Gina: (wailing) I need to go check in the French room.
Me: No. Mrs. Sulliven has a class in there right now. You need to calm down and wait until everyone is cleared out of the class as it could be here.
Gina: (continues to wail) I don't want to go on the bus if I can't find it!!
Me: Calm down. Take a few deep breaths. We'll look in the French room when everyone is ready.
Gina: (continues to wail)
Me: (Ignores her until everyone is else ready.)
By this time, EVERY CLASS except mine has gone out to the buses. I have another teacher take her to look in the French room while I take my class out to the bus. Once my kids are loaded, the buses are still put on hold as I literally run into the building to find Gina back in the classroom getting her bookbag and still wailing because she can't find her owl toy.
Me: (very aggrevated) Gina, get ready. The buses are waiting for you. Come on. (I put my arm around her and escort her out of the room)
Gina: (wailing) I don't want to leave without my owl toy!
Me: (stern and forceful) Gina, you are getting on the bus. You'll just have to keep checking lost and found. It could be anywhere.
Gina wailed all the way out to the bus and as she got on the bus. Never in my life have I been so glad to see a child get on the bus. The other episodes didn't frustrate me. It was the last one that did. Let's just say, that I'm glad the Lord has given me a sense of humour, because a teacher needs it.
What a day!
So I'm sitting here with a headache, wanting to read and respond to other blogs, but knowing that I have to tend to some other things first, so I apologize to you faithful bloggers if I don't respond to your posts as quickly as I did last week as I will be teaching some this week and organizing my Human Physiology notes for studying. Last week was March Break which meant that I didn't have to teach. I could just study and read blogs. Alas, I just had to post. I've spent the majority of the day getting the apartment back in order. What a job. I managed to get my winter decor - snowmen and all - packed away. I only regret decorating for the seasons when I have to pack it all away and get ready for the next season. My decor grows by the year, and I find that I have less and less room to store it (good thing we have an entry way downstairs with room for storing stuff!). You see, I love to decorate. I'm not talking about cheesy decorating. I'm talking about tasteful home decorating, and with every season, I have to change my decor (apart from spring and summer which I tie together). Spring and summer means colorful flowers, including my favorite - the daisy. Fall means colorful leaves. Winter means snowmen. I have 2-3 totes of Christmas decor alone. I've always enjoyed decorating. Even as a child I used to try and do things for the different times of the year - on a smaller scale of course.
My gums are recovering. I think it's getting easier to chew, but I don't dare get my hopes up. I had to cut up a hamburger on a bun with a fork and knife over the weekend. It just wasn't the same.
My brother and his wife are on their way back from Africa. I can't wait to talk to them. I've been told he's pulled out "hundreds and hundreds of teeth." Can you tell that I'm bursting with pride? I've always been proud of my brother, and now that he and his wife are serving the Lord - wow - my heart really bursts with joy! I love my family!
I received an e-mail from my mom about Dee Dee (the only grandparent I have left). Dee Dee was in the hospital with chest pains and the doctor told her what he's told her before - her heart is wearing out. I'm going to talk to mom tonight to get the full scoop, but my eyes water when I think of anything happening to Dee Dee. I have such fond memories of summers on Grand Manan with Dee Dee and Papa (and of course all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins). Papa is gone, so I can't bear to think of what Grand Manan would be like without Dee Dee.
I wrote my Biology Final yesterday. I feel really good about it, and it's a relief to have that course finished. Now I just need to finish Human Physiology which means another 3-4 weeks of studying (keep in mind I substitute teach, and I'm a very involved pastor's wife). The Lord gave me a song from a CD I was listening too as I was on my way to write the exam. Perhaps one day I'll be brave and get a little more candid about some of the "growth pains" I've been experiencing lately. I realize that growth in God is a good thing, it's just that it is so difficult at times!
I had someone from church "joke" with me yesterday about how I need to gain 10-15 more pounds. I think I really should start keeping a journal specifically for such comments. I could write a book! Hmmm..what could I give it for a title? "How to Keep Your Congregation Happy With Your Appearance: A Helpful Guide for the Pastor's Wife" or how about, "Living In a Glass House: They're not Perfect, but They Expect You To Be." If it's not my weight, it's my hair they comment on. Don't people realize that those are the two things you just don't comment to a woman about unless it's complementary?? My hair is getting longer, and one day a woman said to me, "Your hair is almost all one length. It's so cute when it's short though. I mean, you look cute all of the time, but it's so cute when it's short." Well you and I both know what she was implying. Needless to say, I've made it to the ponytail and hair clip stage which means that I'm letting it grow. I'm so unpredictable when it comes to my hair! Anyways, I try not to let these comments bother me, because I absolutely LOVE my church family. They really have been good to Ben and me. It's just that sometimes you remember those petty comments more than you remember the kind comments. Through it all, the Lord is teaching me that it's the heart that matters, not my outward appearance. "...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
Well, that's the hodge podge of what has happened these past few days. I'm sure I'll have some good teaching stories by the time this week is out (I'm venturing into a fourth grade class that I've taught for Phys. Ed, but not for a full day in their classroom - oooohhhh - the unknown keeps me on my toes!).
If anyone out there knows where I can find a template that has gerber daisies on it please let me know as that is what I originally wanted to have as my new template (something with my favorite flower) - if not then I'll just stick with what I have.
Milk - Am I the only one who has a hard time downing a tall glass of cold milk? I've been trying to drink more milk because it's good for my bones. My mother received a report from the doctor a while ago that she is two times more likely to break a bone if she falls. That reality could be mine when I am older if I do not get enough calcium. I tried this morning. I said to myself, "Sarah, you can do this. Just close your eyes and focus on getting this glass of milk into your body." Try as I did, I couldn't finish the whole thing. I will say that I have made progress though because I used to gag when I tried to drink milk. Then there are those of you who say, "Drink chocolate milk." Yes, chocolate milk is good, but it contains sugar, something that I'm "trying" to have less of (easier said than done for a chocolate adict).
Music - If you've read my husband's blog, you'll see that we've been listening to some "old" tunes. It's amazing how music can take you back to certain times in your life. For example, Audio Adrenaline's "Don't Censor Me" album takes me back to the summer that I met Ben at Beulah Camp. DC Talk's "Free At Last" reminds me of going to youth rallies - my friends and I could sing the whole CD (extra parts and all) without the CD on and we had a blast doing it.
Finances - Those of you who travelled with me on a summer team - you know how annoying I was as a treasurer. Perhaps if you had Ivan Graham sit you down and tell you that last year's summer teams had blown the budget and that the college was counting on you you would've better understood the plight of my agony. Remember when Dave wanted to tip - like what was it - $10.00 or more at a restaurant?! Anyways, I know I was stingy...now I am reliving those days as a married woman. Ben and I have a hard time sticking to our budget. My treasurer days continue to haunt me....oh the agony of it all.
Okay, so my face is getting back to normal. I'm starting to look like myself again. The only thing is that it irritates me to talk and to smile (ironic don't you think because those are the things I do best). It's not so much painful as it is irritating. I'm not sure how to describe it except to say that it's like a constant nagging...of the gums.
Well, what was funny yesterday, is not so funny today. I'm even more swollen - I don't even look like me. I'm starting to bruise, and to make matters worse, I've been sick to my stomach. If it weren't for my husband I'd be pretty miserable. Ben's been looking after me and loving me despite the fact that I look awful. I said to him, "For better or for worse...well, this is the worse." Then I gave him a little chipmunky grin and he smiled back at me. I'll be glad when I can have my face back.
A number of people have called from the church to see how I'm feeling which is really nice. It's feels good to know they care. I even had one woman and her two daughters pop by and give me Ben & Jerry's icecream!! Mmmm...
I finally got to see the new "Pride and Prejudice" movie. I have watched the original one before and enjoyed it, but I really enjoyed this version of it as well. I've watched it twice. I love it! If only I could have hair like Elizabeth Bennett. Wishful thinking I suppose. I thoroughly enjoy movies from that time era, and the piano accompaniment to the movie was beautiful. Mr. Darcy was everything I expected him to be. Perhaps I'm just a hopeless romantic.
Well, I must go put ice packs on my face. Fun fun...
Yesterday I got to experience a couple of "firsts."
The first “first” was meeting my beautiful new nephew. It was so nice to hold little Alexander. I even got to feed him and burp him. He is soooo cute. It was nice to talk with his mommy; my sister-in-law Colleen, and hear about her delivery experience. She is a strong woman, especially since she has to adjust to parenthood the first few weeks alone while her husband Bradley finishes up an RCMP lab training course in Regina. Bradley got to come to see the baby for a few days, and after getting attached to his newborn son, he had to leave for Regina.
The second “first” was getting my wisdom teeth surgically removed. Now, I’ve had one wisdom tooth removed, but the pain from that experience was nothing compared to getting the other three out. The surgery went very well. Dr. Edwards did a great job. I wasn’t nervous, and I was awake for the whole procedure. After the dentist soon realized I was relaxed and easy to joke with, it was smooth sailing. I even laughed (or at least attempted to) during some points in the procedure to which his assistant said, “And she’s not even on laughing gas!” He told me afterwards that I made “a difficult procedure easy.” You see, my bottom wisdom teeth were literally sideways and pushing against my other teeth. After he “got in there” he saw that they were infected and they just didn’t want to come out. They ended up having to come out in very little pieces. Afterwards as I attempted to “talk” to my husband, he had a good laugh at my expense. In fact, he’s still laughing at my expense, and quite frankly, I’ve laughed at myself more than once after looking in the mirror because I look like a chipmunk. Ben says he’s going to call me, “Scrappy.” After the surgery I went to see my brother (who is my regular dentist, but since he isn’t a dental surgeon he referred me to Dr. Edwards) to tell him how it went (he also chuckled at my “chit-chat”), and then I went to Wal-Mart. That’s when the freezing started to wear off and the pain was kicking in. I wanted to get out of there because I was finding it hard to smile. If you know me, you know I’m a smiler. The thought of being in public and not being able to smile???? That’s unthinkable! Anyways, the pain I felt after the freezing left was AWFUL. On the way home I tried to meditate on scripture to take my mind off the pain. It was so hard. When I finally got home, I leaned over the sink and cried. Since then, I’ve been able to “eat” (soup and my favorite – chocolate frozen yogurt – the coolness is nice) and take some pain meds so I’m feeling more like me. Ben has been GREAT. He fixed me my food, picked up something else I needed from the store, and of course, has held my hand and given me hugs. He loves his little “Scrappy” chipmunk! The hardest part is not being able to talk and smile - which are two of my favorite things. I can try to do those things, but they cause me pain.
I was so glad that I got to see Brent and Amanda before they leave for Africa. I’m so excited for them. I’m also excited about something that I got for my sister for her birthday which is today. Normally I’d just get her a card because things are tight financially, but since I’m working some I decided to get her a little something special. You might find it silly if I told you what it was, but it’s something that I know she will appreciate. Since she’s not so thrilled about turning 31 (she certainly doesn’t look 31 and is a beautiful mom of 2 + 1 on the way), I thought what I got might bring a smile to her face.
Anyways, I have a hard time looking in the mirror as I find my face to be very amusing at the moment. Perhaps some of you find my face amusing all of the time. As for Ben, he just smiles and chuckles at me.
