June Currently

Hi, everyone. I can't believe that June is already here! So much has happened since I have last posted...and there is so much more on the go right now...not to mention that I have so much to do before the end of the month...YIKES!

I am joining up with Farley's Currently linky at Oh' Boy 4th Grade. I love reading about everyone else's experiences, especially this time of year...so here goes...

 

I am sure that most of these things are pretty self-explanatory...but...

 



One of the most amazing things that has happened these past few months was the arrival of our granddaughter at the end of March. Of course, she is the prettiest, smartest little girl ever (just like her mommy!). I was worried that we wouldn't get to see her much, as she lives 60 miles away from us...but I have been lucky to see her at least once a week since she was born. My secretary at school has been giving me a hard time about not using my personal days (I have only had time for my own medical appointments the past year and a half)...so, I decided to take tomorrow off and spend it with my daughter and granddaughter...Yay!!!

Somehow, it seems like we went from the winter that would never end...right to summer! It is warm and sunny now, perfect for getting my other "baby" out on the road! Last summer, I was in the middle of Chemo treatments, and spent most of my time recovering on the couch. I felt so guilty that I didn't have the strength to take her out, so I will definitely make it up to her this year! I still have treatments until August, but these aren't nearly as hard on me as last year's chemo, or the radiation in the fall. I'm not sure if they tire me out at this time, or if it is working full-time through it all that is doing it. Either way, life is good right now!

Here is my other "baby"!

 



I am looking forward to a busy, and joyful summer...but first, I need to get through June (report cards, field trips and Tabloid Day, oh my!). I hope that all of you already on holidays are able to rest and rejuvenate...As for those of you still working for a little while longer, like me, good luck and have fun!

Take care,

Tammy

February Currently

Happy February, everyone! Well, I survived January, but am hoping that February will be warmer (I`m sure many of you can relate to way too many days of indoor recesses).

I am joining up with Farley's Currently linky at Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

 

 

I think everything is pretty self-explanatory..so I`ll move right on to my 2 truths and a fib...I DO love Winnie the Pooh, and all of the characters from the One Hundred Acre Woods. It's strange, as this wasn't a childhood crush...lol...it didn't even happen until long after my kids came along...there's just something about those cuddly creatures! I am definitely a book addict...one of my colleagues and myself apparently have a bet going on that whoever dies with the most books will win (and get the box that will be arriving in the mail right afterwards from Chapters or Amazon...lol). So...yep, you guessed it...I am definitely not a skier...I like watching it, but I would prefer to do so from inside the ski chalet while sipping hot chocolate! Did I mention that I don't like cold? lol

Happy New Year! (and January Currently)

Why is it that the older we get, the faster time flies? Not only have we sped through the holiday season, but a new year has begun! And don't forget, it's also a new month, so once again, I am joining up with Farley's Currently linky at Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

I think that most of these things are pretty self-explanatory...but I do have to tell about my special memory this year! Two weeks before Christmas, hubby offered to take me into the city to do some of my running around (this should have been Clue #1, as hubby hates Christmas time running around with too many people everywhere...lol), and maybe dinner and a movie. As we were driving around, he casually said that maybe we wouldn't have enough time for a movie, so we could just do some shopping (Clue #2, hubby does not like to shop). He then proceeded to take me to a nearby shopping mall, directing me to a jewelry store to buy me a new wedding band! I should explain that my original wedding/engagement rings had to be cut off before I had my lumpectomy surgery in February...I had only been given 8 days notice of this surgery...not nearly enough time to lose 20 pounds and be able to get the rings off by myself...lol...Anyway, hubby took me to the same store he bought my original rings from almost 30 years ago (I didn't know this, as I wasn't there for the first purchase). He actually picked out what he thought I might like, and other than me choosing the white gold instead of gold, it was a shared decision! This was a pretty amazing, and touching way to end a long and difficult 2013! I'm a lucky girl!

I hope that your 2014 is off to a great start! I know that I will honour the challenges I have faced in 2013 by appreciating the adventures that this new year will bring! Hugs!

Take care,

Tammy

December Currently!

Wow...I can't believe that I let October and November fly by without doing at least my minimum Currently link!

Well, let's see...what is new? I finished my radiation treatments in October. I had 20 treatments, every weekday. I was lucky...the radiation department worked late, so I was able to do most of them after school. I would teach for the day, then leave just at home time (my wonderful co-teacher would dismiss the kids) and drive into the city for my treatment. Things went pretty smoothly, all things considered!

I also survived report card and Parent-Teacher time! This was our first time using the new provincial report card, so it was a learning experience, but I think that it went fine. Probably the most difficult thing was the amount of comment writing there was, especially for EVERY subject. I'm sure that it will get easier each time.

And now, it is Christmas Concert time...Did I mention that I work in a small school? And besides teaching Grade 3/4, I am also the Music teacher? And I'm slightly crazy? lol...Oh well, everyone helps out, and it is so much fun when it all starts to fit together. Our school does a concert that includes everyone, from Kindergarten to Grade 8. The Kindergartens do a really cute welcome, the Grades 5 to 8 Band will perform a few songs, and then K to Grade 8 perform a Christmas musical. This year we are doing a cute production called "Surfin' Santa"! The Grade 7 and 8 students are the actors, and the rest of the kids are the chorus, with each class having their own moment up on stage, with some choreography for one of the songs. The art teacher does a great job with his students designing the backdrop, and decorating the gym as well. So...I`m sure that things will be fine.

Anyway, once again I am linking up with Farley`s Currently linky at Oh`Boy 4th Grade:

 



I think most of these are pretty easy to follow...I am definitely looking forward to the Christmas break, to just relax and spend some time with my super, wonderful hubby (did I forget to mention that he has been busy drilling holes in 24 glass blocks for me so that my kiddies can paint some cool presents for their parents?) and the rest of my family!

Well, I will leave you with one quick activity that I have been working on to use with one of my Math classes in the next few weeks. I experimented with making up some QR codes, each one linking up with a simple Math problem. The kiddies are going to be in partners, and use one of the iPads to scan the pictures of the codes that I have printed out. They can then solve the problem, then go onto the next code. I have never tried this before, so hopefully it goes well.

(this is the QR code on the front page of their booklet)

 

Anyway, if I don't "see" you before the holidays begin, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate!

 

 

Take care,

 

Tammy

September Currently! Let the Fun Begin!

Well, September flew in before I was even ready...but I'm sure I'll be fine...

On my good days, I spent time in my classroom, trying to organize it for the new school year. And, on those not-so-good days, I rested on the couch and did a bit of planning. Hopefully during the next few days or weeks, I can get some pictures up of my classroom!

Thank goodness for Farley and  her Currently linky over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade or I would never get to updating this blog these days! All I can hope is that once all the cancer treatments are done I will be able to make more time for all my little projects.

Listening - With the last few weeks of heat, I am extremely grateful for our air conditioning!

Loving - Since my diagnosis with breast cancer, I have been so fortunate that my family has taken over all the little (and many big) things that I have had to let go of...from cleaning to laundry to cooking...and so much more. Then there is the driving to appointments, chemo treatments and wherever else I have to go. I LOVE them to pieces!

Thinking - I have a lot of things to organize...not only am I teaching with a partner this year, but I also just found out that I will be starting my radiation treatment this month, which involves being away from my classroom every afternoon for a month. Throw this on top of all the follow-up appointments, my Herceptin treatments (every 3 weeks through my chemo port), and maybe even a few teacher-related inservices...and I will be so tired of making sub plans by the time this year is over!

Wanting - Well, I finished my last chemo treatment less than 2 weeks ago...and now I just have to wait for the hair to grow back! I've gotten used to being bald over the past few minutes...wearing scarves for much of May and June, and hats through the summer to avoid the sun. My kiddies at school have already known all about my battle with cancer, as I have worked throughout it, so I will probably stick to the bald look when school begins this week. However, one of the wonderful things that happened this summer is that my daughter got engaged!!! and I would really love to have hair when I go to her wedding next summer!

Needing - nothing more to add to this...  :)

Love Yourself Spot - I am trying to take better care of myself, especially after these past several months...I just need to rebuild my energy levels so that I can do it!

Well, that's it for my September Currently! I hope that your new school year is off to a great start, whether you have been back to work for weeks, or just heading back tomorrow, like me!

Take care,

Tammy

August Currently! Oh My Goodness...

Last month, I was trying to figure out where the school year went...Now I'm trying to figure out where the summer went. Am I the only one who is getting confused this summer? If not, I will just blame it on my chemo brain...so there!  lol

Once again I am joining Farley through her Currently linky over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

 





Listening - Even though we have completely renovated our own home, we still spend a lot of time watching all the handyman shows...both of our kids are at that stage in their life where they are building/fixing up houses.

Loving - It seems like it has been a long road...although it really has only been 7 months so far...thankfully I have only have one more chemo treatment left! Of course, I still have radiation to start in the fall, as well as another drug treatment to do over the next year (still through my chemo port, ever 3 weeks)...and they say not as many side effects as the chemo. My big hope is that I will be able to continue to work throughout the next year.

Thinking - Well, despite spending most of July resting on the couch, it still flew by! The fun part was taking my '71 Beetle convertible down to Fargo, North Dakota for an awesome car show (and a bit of shopping...I had to make sure I picked up my 97 cent markers for my classroom...lol). It was our first, longer trip in the bug...so a great experience!

Wanting - Well, I think most teachers know this one...I just want more time to get into my classroom and get it looking "purdy" for the next year! Every year, hubby always says that I need a 12-step program to get out of school mode!

Needing - I think this is self-explanatory!  ;P

B2s - I'm sure that there are many more things that I could add to this list...but after spending some time in my classroom last month, I know that I am supposed to be downsizing, rather than adding more to the mess...lol

I hope that you enjoy the rest of your summer ( what little or lots you still have)...and have the time to rejuvenate yourself, so that you have the energy for a new school year!

Take care,

Tammy

July Currently! (Thank goodness for summer!)

I know that I am not the only one wondering where this past school year went...although I have to admit that after the year I had, I am not that upset that it is done. Don't get me wrong - I loved my class, and the colleagues I worked with. However, between my cancer diagnosis and the beginning of my treatment, the passing of my dad this spring, and the loss of several people at school (through retirements, transfers and cutbacks), it has been one of the most emotional years I have gone through in a long time!

It's a good thing that Farley gives me that push to at least blog once a month, through her Currently linky over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

 



I think most of these are pretty self-explanatory...but just in case you wanted to know about the car girl part of me, here's a picture of my "baby"!

 

Isn't she pretty?  :)  Unfortunately, I'm not sure how much time I will get to drive her around this summer with the top down...With my treatments, I am more susceptible to the sun. Oh well, maybe I will pull her out on cloudy days, and let the wind blow through my hair scarf  past my bald head...lol



As far as the rest of this summer is concerned, I still need to do some clean up in my classroom to find some space for another teacher to be able to co-teach in my room. I also have to figure out exactly what this co-teaching thing is going to look like. I will also be spending the next week at a conference, which will allow me to finish much of my Level 1: School Administrator's Certificate. Hopefully I can get most of these things done in the next 10 days or so, before the next chemo treatment (this will be a new chemo drug I'll be starting so I am hoping that I will make it through these final three treatments over the summer...). My goal will also include a huge stack of books to read through!

Anyway, I hope that your summer break is off to a great start, and that you are able to enjoy many of the things that there just doesn't seem to be time for during the rest of the school year!

Take care,

Tammy