S'no Teacher

Just wanted to update you on the situation at "the elementary school". My daughter called the principal and told him about the rudeness of his staff, on enforcing the rule of "no parent in the school without a visitors pass". She told him how no "hand out" had been given about this rule...and how she had scanned the school handbook on the subject, and nothing was stated in it about this rule. He informed her there is such a rule, because the children are encouraged to be independent....thus they NEED TO WALK IN BY THEMSELVES. He assured her that parents were ALWAYS welcome in the school, as long as they get a visitors pass first:)

He apologised to her for his staff when he heard how I was treated. She told him that "head shaking and eye rolling" was totally unprofessional. He agreed....and took the name of the teacher. He told her this would never happen again. We worry because Sara may get this teacher in third grade. If the teacher goes true to form, she will take something like this out on a child, I'm sure. The whole situation was like walking back into my grade school years....since the teacher and secretary reminded me of my 10 year old school mates way back when!

I disagree with the rule. It's so stupid. I don't think they are encouraging "parent involvement" when they aren't allowed in without going through a lengthy process, that in the end makes the child late for class. You can't go into the office, until the bell rings. By the time you get it, walk back to the other side of the building to take your child to their room...they are now tardy. As Kristie said, we just want to make sure she gets there all right. So we will take her to the front of the school, because it's closer to her room. Stand outside the door, and try to watch her to her room. But I believe I will step inside of the door...what are they going to do, arrest me? Sara wants us to walk her. She is very small for her age, and the other third graders are actually bigger than me. So I understand her fear, when the rush of a crowd pushes past you. Plus, how safe can she feel there after seeing how they tried to keep Grandma out? As far as school, she loves her class and teacher. She went to preschool, and always did well. She just needed a little more time to adjust to a large school, before walking in by herself. Even if she wasn't afraid, she is small....the others could knock her down very easily.

Yes Jan...I did feel like knocking her head off:) One reason I left the second time quickly....I wanted to smack her! I didn't want Sara and Hailey to see me get angry. Kristie had to do her first animation for computer class this week using a ball. So she made a snow man, a big wind...and the wind knocks the snow man's head off and it rolls away. She showed it to me, and said she was thinking about that teacher that stopped me when she made it:) I told her she should call it "S'NO TEACHER". We laughed and she told me I was getting her Dad's dry sense of humor! That's what happens after 30 years! *sigh*

You have to laugh at situations like this...or try to change the rules. I bet the school board isn't open to parents and grand parents, but that may be something we check into. I also agree with you Jan on the rule of waiting outside until the bell rings. What happens when it's storming? I never even thought about that! Sara will be waiting in the car with us until she can enter, but what about the kids whose parents just drop them off on their way to work?

God Needs A Visitors Pass Too

I just got back from taking Sara to school. I will say it was a harrowing experience again. As I said yesterday Kristie had no problem walking her to class. There is a young woman who walks around the outside of the school, looking very official. So I asked her about it, before the bell rang. She told me we ARE suppose to get a visitors pass in order to walk the children in. I told her I understood about security, but anyone could see I was just a Grandma. She laughed and said yes...not to worry about it today. She would go with me. She, Sara, Hailey, and I got into the door...and the same woman (teacher) stopped us. I believe she is the superintendents wife if I'm not mistaken. She thinks she is VERY IMPORTANT.

Again she went through her routine about the pass. I told her the security person was going to walk in with us for today. She gave her a dirty look, and told her she couldn't do that! I said "fine, I will get a pass." I couldn't walk through the school to go to the office. I had to DRIVE to the front of the school, go into the office to get it. I had to sign a book, stating the purpose of my visit, name, time in. Then the woman at the desk informed me I HAD to come back to sign out. I told her I thought it was ridiculous to have to do this just to walk your child to their room. Today Sara had five books in her bag, and it was HEAVY. She said that's the rules...I said yes, I know that now. Even though no one told Kristie, nor was the other mothers told. No sheet sent out, like they tried to imply.

We walked out of the front of the school, and around to the other door to take Sara to her room. She was late. I told them why she was late and apologised. The teacher's helper asked why she couldn't have walked in by herself. Pretty much this is what I got from everyone except the nice young security lady, who I'm afraid may be in trouble now for offering to walk me in. You know what, we need no reason to these people as to why we are walking a five year old to her room in the second week of school. They don't OWN the child. It's the parents right to do such things, even to set in on class if they should choose. As long as they don't bother the teacher or anyone else....it is their God given right. Oh wait...I forgot, God isn't allowed in school any more....so why should parents or grandparents be allowed? This is the reason we have to have security guards now for the public schools.

Hailey and I went back to the office, so that I could sign out. I asked the woman what time it was, so I could write it down. She acted as if it was a bother to tell me. I had no watch, so I had to ask. She told me and I wrote it down. As I turned to leave, I saw her out of the corner of my eye. She was looking at this guy, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. I stopped, turned around, and gave her the dirtiest look I could muster. It was the "Kimberly" look:)

Honestly I don't mind following rules, it was the WAY they did it. You give little peons an ounce of authority, and it goes to their heads. I know I'm not sounding too Christian right now, but I'm a little upset. This school as always assumed that there were no parental rights once your child begins kindergarten. They didn't even get a PTA until a few years back. I even went to the Principal when Kristie and Kimberly were going there to ask if we could start one. I thought it would be helpful to the school. He told me straight out, we don't want parents involved here. They let you come in to bring cookies though:)

BEWARE OF A SHORT GRANNY

My youngest daughter Kristie is going to college! I'm so very proud of her:) She is going into computer programming. So I'm babysitting my 4 and 5 year old grand daughters two days a week now. I can't think of a more fulfilling job!

Yesterday was a little trying, however. Sara just started kindergarten last week. Yesterday was the third time I had taken her to school, and Kristie had taken her all the other days. As we entered the school, I had Sara on one side of me, Hailey on the other...both holding my hands. Plus I was carrying Sara's book bag (Pink Princess one) and matching lunch bag. You have to stand outside and wait, until the school bell rings. Even though the girls and I have been right in front of the door when it rings (WE GET THERE EARLY), bigger kids shove their way in front of us every day almost knocking us over! So it is trying to just get in the door, without getting knocked over! I told Kristie the kids were bigger than me, and I was surprised to find out they were only third graders! I know I'm short...but felt better when my daughter told me they were bigger than her too.

As we got into the door, there was a rush of elementary students on all sides of us. About 10-15 feet in, I heard someone yelling, "Ma'am, Ma'am, MA'AM!!!!". It was a teacher that I remember when Kristie was in school, but can't place her name. To my horror, she was yelling to me over the roar of kids. She asked if Sara was a kindergarten student, and I said yes...while trying to get my grand daughters to the side of the hall to keep them from being run over, while I stopped to try to hear the teacher. She then said something to me that just did not not compute in my ever feeble, not had enough coffee, is it just 8:00 AM? pea picking little brain. She said, "MA'AM, YOU CAN NOT COME INTO THE BUILDING WITHOUT A VISITORS PASS!". All the while, the three of us are huddling to the side, to get out of the way of the stampede...I'm trying to digest what she has just said.

I said, I'm NOT VISITING... I'm just taking her to her class. She went on to tell me I couldn't do that without a pass! I then told her that I wasn't going to go into her room, I was just going with her to the door of her room. Again she said I couldn't do that without a pass! By this time I was FULLY EXASPERATED! Sara says to me, "Grandma, I will be okay...just give me a hug." So I hugged her, and asked her if she thought she could find her room. She said yes, we hugged again, and I gave her the book bag and lunch pail (which seem to be bigger than she!). Hailey and I stood in the same spot that we had been rudely halted in...and watched as little Sara carried all of her things through the huge crowd of children. As we stood there, the woman again yelled, "MA'AM...YOU HAVE TO LEAVE!" I told her I wouldn't leave until I saw that Sara got to her room. Just then, another large group of kids came in from the opposite hall, and Sara was consumed in the crowd. Hailey and I...still huddled to the side of the hall, couldn't see Sara. Her room was at the front of the building, and we were at the back of it. I got worried and started to walk down further, when the woman rudely stopped us again. I told her my grand daughter had been entrusted to my care for the day, and I wanted to make sure she found her room. Again she said I couldn't go any further. She also went on to say that this was the new rules on security (I had noticed alarms on all the doors) and that a paper had been sent out the week before. I told her my daughter hadn't told me about it. Again I was denied my request to walk down the hall to make sure Sara had gotten there safely. While Hailey and I watched down the hall, another mother was told she couldn't go in with her kindergartener to his room either.

I gave the teacher a disgusted look, and walked out. The mother that was turned away was waiting outside for me. I told her what the teacher had told me about a note sent home, and she said she had not received one. When my daughter got home that afternoon, she too had not received a note telling her that she could not walk Sara to her room. I talked to Kristie today, and she walked Sara to her room as usual, without being stopped. She is going to check into this further, to find out if there is such a rule.

In this day and age, I realize that security in the schools is essential with all the shootings that have happened in the past. The thing is, that's exactly why parents have the right to protect their children as well....even if it's a simple task to walk their 5 year old to his/her room...in the second week of school. Now I'm reminded why I home schooled. If I had more coffee yesterday before going to the school, I would have been better prepared. If this happens again, I will take Sara and Hailey with me to the office so that I can get the sticker to put on my shirt saying "VISITOR"....and THEN I can walk my grand daughter to her room. The sad part is, while this teacher was watching me (the old Granny) like a hawk....several terrorists could have whizzed right past her. Where has common sense gone to?

I wonder if they had a meeting prior to school, detailing what a terrorist looked like? I can see the hand out being given to all the staff, with my picture on it.....
At the top written in bold letters:

BEWARE OF A SHORT GRANNY TOTING A PINK "PRINCESS" BACK PACK AND MATCHING LUNCH PAIL. MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY HER GANG ...A FOUR AND FIVE YEAR OLD WHO ARE WELL TRAINED (potty trained that is:)

*Note: The picture at the top isn't actually a picture of me...I'm not as pretty as she is:)

His Bubble Of Protection

This is my niece's little girl.... Kate:) I love this photo! It looks as if she is playing in a bubble, and having a great time! This reminds me that we can't put our children in a bubble of protection, even though we would like to. But I know of someone who can...God! So lets remember to pray for our children, and ask that God envelop them in His protection and love! I ask that right now, for our entire family!

(By the way, isn't she a cutie?! Not that I'm partial or anything! :o)

The Ring

About 50 years ago...my brother brought home a beautiful diamond ring that he showed our Mom. I heard him whisper to her, I'm going to ask Judie tonight to marry me! Later that evening, Judie came over to eat dinner with us. We were all sitting around the table talking. At the time, I was only five years old. All I knew was that Jim had a ring to give to Judie...and I just had to tell her! So as soon as I could get her attention, I told her! Everyone stopped talking. My brother shot me a look, it almost looked like fire was coming out of his eyes! I had no idea what I had just done:(

So to both of you....I apologise for ruining the surprise! (It may be 50 years late) But your love isn't! I don't think I know of another couple as wonderful as you two!
Happy anniversary!
Love you:)

Today's Special: Cat or Rabbit Stew

Today while Zeke was outside, he began barking very viciously. I went outside to see what was wrong. I couldn't see anything, but heard a scream like I have never heard before. It wasn't a human scream. I brought Zeke in, and went out to investigate. I was worried about Aunt Zo's cats. I should have known something was up when Zeke went crazy because I went without him. He stood at the front window barking at me incessantly...as if to say....don't go!

I went around Aunt Zo's house, which was where I thought I had heard the scream. As I rounded the corner, there was the prettiest fox I have ever seen. He looked very much like this one above. Upon seeing me, he stopped...then took off into the woods. I looked around for Zo's cats, as she usually leaves some out when she goes to work. I couldn't find any, and I began worrying.

Lo and behold, Tweety Bird (a beautiful white and black cat) came running over to me. She had been hiding in the corn field. I put her in my Aunts house.  I couldn't find any more cats, so I'm hoping they hadn't run into the fox like I had! The whole thing reminded me of stories I had read as a child, about the sly fox trying to eat the other animals.

My daughter has been feeding 2 baby fox and their Momma, in her back yard. She and her husband live in a large city, so we were surprised that they had fox frequent their back yard every night. She took pictures of them, and put food out every day for them. She just loved them, until she saw them eat one of her back yard rabbits!

I know they have to eat too, but let's just hope "cat" wasn't on his menu for today! Aunt Zo will be very upset if one of her cats is missing! So will I...
*sigh*

A Time To Mourn And A Time To Dance

I just came in from mowing. I'm tired. When things are on my mind, I want to be outside. Outside is a little bit closer to God. When I first found out about my nephew last Tuesday, I went outside and cried. I stayed out there for hours. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of my family, as I know and feel their grief...as well as my own.

God tries to prepare us for things like this....but there is no easy way through it. When we know our loved one is saved, we should be happy for them that they are now in their true and eternal home. A far better one than here where we are. But I feel selfish, I don't want him to be gone so soon. I wanted to see him again, and give him a hug. He always had a smile that lit up the whole room! He was kind, and had gentle eyes. I remember picking black berries with him and Rick, riding horses bare back, coming back from a hike through the woods with ticks all over us, and the time he and Rick went swimming in the pond...the one their Mom told them not to! I wasn't in on that one, but did see the leeches all over them! We all will miss JD so very much.

In the Bible when someone died, they would tear their clothes and rub ashes all over their face...which was the way they mourned.

Ecclesiastes 3
1TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:

2A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,

3A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,

4A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,

7A time to tear and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,

8A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Did you notice before a death, is a time to be born? After weeping...we see laughing...and after mourning is dancing. There is time for mourning. But there is a time to stop....to laugh and dance. No one is immune to life nor death.

Years ago when my husband and I lost our new born baby, I was devastated. I went through denial, then anger. These are both natural stages to go through. One thing that bothered me most, was when people would say they were sorry about my miscarriage. My answer was, "I didn't miscarry...I had a baby." I held a small angels hand, and watched her breath every small breath for 3 days. She was too small to take a temperature the normal way, so they would lay the thermometer under her. Which was cold, and would make her mad. She would scrunch up her little face, open her mouth to cry...and not a sound came out. But we knew if she could have cried, we would be hearing her!

After she died, I went into a deep depression. It was a darkness that wanted to consume me forever. Had it not been for God, I think I would have been. Then there was my daughter, Kimberly. At the time of Krissie's death, we explained to Kimberly that her little sister was in heaven, and would not be coming home as we thought. We told her that we would sure miss her, but knew that someday we would see her again.

Kimberly was only six or seven at the time. I was so absorbed with my own grief, that I didn't see that she needed me. I thought she was all right. A few weeks later, a dear neighbor called me. She very gingerly told me that Kim was having problems with the death of her sister. The kids on the bus that she rode to school with, told her that her sister was dead. She would get angry and say, "NO, she's just at the hospital, she will be coming home."

I talked to her that day as soon as she got home from school. We were outside in the front yard. She sat down on the ground as I talked to her about her sister. As I tried to explain to her what death was, she began pulling the grass out of the ground...in big clumps. My mourning time was over, I needed to support my little girl. We did something that helped her quite a bit. She drew Krissie a picture with crayons, and wrote her a letter. We talked about heaven, and how her little sister was just fine. Healing takes time, and tears help the healing process. It's all right to cry:) But through the storms, there will be a rainbow! Look for it....it's God speaking to you and telling you your loved one is fine, he or she just lives in a different place than you.

Losing someone is hard. But I know where JD is. I wrote a little note to his Dad and Mom, and told them that I knew JD was on another adventure! I can just see him! This time without ticks or leeches:)

To Jay and Lindsay...I know how much your Dad loved you both! When I see you two, I see him:) I love you!

*We celebrated JD's life this past Saturday. We reminisced of all the fun and adventures we had with him. I had written this article above, a little each day starting on July 21st....over a period of a few weeks. Could never quite finish it. I still don't believe it is finished. There is more to write.