Ok, Steve. What a brother asks for, a brother gets. Let me tell you why I picked this clip.
Well, Steve, what you may not know is that I really enjoy the Office episodes where they highlight a prank Jim has played on Dwight. I think they are hilarious. There was one episode last season where Jim rambled off like 5 practical jokes he had played on Dwight. I think it was the "Conflict Resolution" episode. I enjoyed that thoroughly. I also enjoyed this practical joke from the current season. After watching it again tonight I laughed out loud. I hope you enjoy!
P.S. For any who are wondering about the title...this was said often as we were growing up. But I love you now, Steve! I loved you then, but, you know.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Drama, drama, drama
This year I gave to Jesus my desire for graciousness. Right away I was tried when having a discussion with some co-workers in the lunch room about our school's accredidation and whether all our teachers should be licesened. I made myself look like a pompous jerk. Even though I believe my view would be well received in another time and another place with other people...this was just not the right group of people. I realized how I had failed already in my desire, but committed to dive back in.
Little did I know this last week would provide for an even bigger chance to fail, or succeed. I believe I have succeeded.
About two weeks ago our superintendent came to a morning teacher meeting and told us we all needed to be at a very important parent meeting to be held Thursday, January 25. We were told it was going to be about the future location of our school. Currently we share a building with a church...it has been this way for about 50 years. The church is ready for us to move out, understandably so. A new place is needed for us to go to in the next 2-3 years. Our school is run by a board of 6-7 people. They make all the policy decisions and every other decision, come to think of it. The teachers were told nothing else besides just to be at the meeting.
So Thursday came and many parents were at the meeting too. For an hour each school board member got up and told us all about the property and how the Lord had been directing them to pursue the purchase of this building. They closed in prayer and that was it. They left us all hanging and flabergasted. One bold man asked for a time of Q&A, which was well received by the audience. Apparently everyone was feeling a little outraged. In everyone's comments one could pick up that no one thought this location was good, we all would have liked to have known about this before, and the board may not get much support in this decision. The board announced that they were closing on this tomorrow. "Please wait!" "If the Lord has opened this door for you now, don't you think He can keep it open?" Things get confusing when you throw in all the "God's will" stuff, and the "let's just have faith" stuff. "If my skill as a contractor is telling me that this is a lot harder than what you're saying, does that mean my faith is not as good as yours?" If it really feels like God is opening this door, does that mean that we have to walk through it? What if it only feels that way to you 6 people on the board?
Maybe you can follow how frustrating this meeting was and how blown away everyone felt. If you can't, that's ok. I really don't expect this to be of interest to any of you. This is more of a reflection on how hard it can be when you mix worldly skills and business with people who keep telling you this is the Lord's leading and that it's a matter of faith. Yes, we can have faith that the Lord will make all things work together for good, but shouldn't we try to put our school in a safe place? And shouldn't your probable funders be told of this earlier than 12 hours before it's a done deal?
Anyway, I came to school on Friday expecting lots of opportunities to talk about this and I was not let down. It was all the staff was talking about. I believe I succeeded in keeping a civil tongue and being gracious. I had so much resolve to not get tangled up in this. Mostly because I felt like my opinion didn't really need to be heard. I don't have kids going to the school, I probably won't be working there when we move, and how is my voice entering the arena going to help rather than hurt? I believe I succeeded. I did get tired of the tension. I think it'll be there again tomorrow at school when everyone finds out that they signed the papers. It's a big deal and people are worked up. We'll see what happens. It's weird but I came out of all this feeling humbled. That would require more explanation that I won't get into. But, I'm pretty sure people thought I was boring to talk to because I wasn't going to get worked up. I'd rather be boring than singled out as someone who's leading the opposition. In this case I think there is an opposition that needs to be lead, in a godly manner. I'm just so happy that I'm not that person.
Little did I know this last week would provide for an even bigger chance to fail, or succeed. I believe I have succeeded.
About two weeks ago our superintendent came to a morning teacher meeting and told us we all needed to be at a very important parent meeting to be held Thursday, January 25. We were told it was going to be about the future location of our school. Currently we share a building with a church...it has been this way for about 50 years. The church is ready for us to move out, understandably so. A new place is needed for us to go to in the next 2-3 years. Our school is run by a board of 6-7 people. They make all the policy decisions and every other decision, come to think of it. The teachers were told nothing else besides just to be at the meeting.
So Thursday came and many parents were at the meeting too. For an hour each school board member got up and told us all about the property and how the Lord had been directing them to pursue the purchase of this building. They closed in prayer and that was it. They left us all hanging and flabergasted. One bold man asked for a time of Q&A, which was well received by the audience. Apparently everyone was feeling a little outraged. In everyone's comments one could pick up that no one thought this location was good, we all would have liked to have known about this before, and the board may not get much support in this decision. The board announced that they were closing on this tomorrow. "Please wait!" "If the Lord has opened this door for you now, don't you think He can keep it open?" Things get confusing when you throw in all the "God's will" stuff, and the "let's just have faith" stuff. "If my skill as a contractor is telling me that this is a lot harder than what you're saying, does that mean my faith is not as good as yours?" If it really feels like God is opening this door, does that mean that we have to walk through it? What if it only feels that way to you 6 people on the board?
Maybe you can follow how frustrating this meeting was and how blown away everyone felt. If you can't, that's ok. I really don't expect this to be of interest to any of you. This is more of a reflection on how hard it can be when you mix worldly skills and business with people who keep telling you this is the Lord's leading and that it's a matter of faith. Yes, we can have faith that the Lord will make all things work together for good, but shouldn't we try to put our school in a safe place? And shouldn't your probable funders be told of this earlier than 12 hours before it's a done deal?
Anyway, I came to school on Friday expecting lots of opportunities to talk about this and I was not let down. It was all the staff was talking about. I believe I succeeded in keeping a civil tongue and being gracious. I had so much resolve to not get tangled up in this. Mostly because I felt like my opinion didn't really need to be heard. I don't have kids going to the school, I probably won't be working there when we move, and how is my voice entering the arena going to help rather than hurt? I believe I succeeded. I did get tired of the tension. I think it'll be there again tomorrow at school when everyone finds out that they signed the papers. It's a big deal and people are worked up. We'll see what happens. It's weird but I came out of all this feeling humbled. That would require more explanation that I won't get into. But, I'm pretty sure people thought I was boring to talk to because I wasn't going to get worked up. I'd rather be boring than singled out as someone who's leading the opposition. In this case I think there is an opposition that needs to be lead, in a godly manner. I'm just so happy that I'm not that person.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Eerie
I am including a picture of Miles and Holli. I think it's funny how their names so closely resemble my brother-in-law's name. See below post for further explanation.
I had to do this in a separate post b/c aparently I had too many pictures on the last entry.
Aren't they a cute couple?!? :)
Sometimes Holli and I look like twins. Sometimes Miles really makes me laugh.
Mandy, meet Mandy
I figured a formal introduction would be appropriate.
I would like to introduce to you Amanda Roush. (Pronounced the same way as Miles' last name! Cool huh?) Amanda is married to Greg (Pronounced the same as Holli's last name! Cool huh?) They have three kids: Sam, Elijah, and Clara. Sorry I don't have a picture of Clara on my computer. I will remedy that...just not tonight. Amanda gets to spend lots of time with her kids during the day, and loves it that Sam is now potty trained. Amanda enjoys family, friends, being crafty, funny TV shows, meaningful talks about things that matter, and Hawkeye ball games. Amanda grew up the oldest of six kids.
I would like to introduce to you Mandy Shew. (Pronounced like "shoe".) Mandy is married to Keith who has a big mouth. (Get it? hahaha...heh...yah) They have two kids: Abbie and Adam. Mandy spends time with her kids at school sometimes, cooks amazing food at camp, and does many other things at camp and around the community (like waiting in line for a Playstation 3). Mandy enjoys family, friends, being crafty, camp, Guitar Hero, and Cornhusker football. Mandy grew up the youngest of 7-8 kids. I don't remember how many...either 7 or 8. I've included a picture of Mandy that has Bryan Johnson in it. This way you can see him as well.
I would like to introduce to you Amanda Roush. (Pronounced the same way as Miles' last name! Cool huh?) Amanda is married to Greg (Pronounced the same as Holli's last name! Cool huh?) They have three kids: Sam, Elijah, and Clara. Sorry I don't have a picture of Clara on my computer. I will remedy that...just not tonight. Amanda gets to spend lots of time with her kids during the day, and loves it that Sam is now potty trained. Amanda enjoys family, friends, being crafty, funny TV shows, meaningful talks about things that matter, and Hawkeye ball games. Amanda grew up the oldest of six kids.I would like to introduce to you Mandy Shew. (Pronounced like "shoe".) Mandy is married to Keith who has a big mouth. (Get it? hahaha...heh...yah) They have two kids: Abbie and Adam. Mandy spends time with her kids at school sometimes, cooks amazing food at camp, and does many other things at camp and around the community (like waiting in line for a Playstation 3). Mandy enjoys family, friends, being crafty, camp, Guitar Hero, and Cornhusker football. Mandy grew up the youngest of 7-8 kids. I don't remember how many...either 7 or 8. I've included a picture of Mandy that has Bryan Johnson in it. This way you can see him as well.
Give Oatmeal a chance
January is national oatmeal month. This is because more oatmeal is consumed during the month of January than any other month.
In honor of national oatmeal month I have decided to give oatmeal a chance. It's true, I've never had oatmeal. Wait, not true. I've had oatmeal in like desserts and stuff, but never in the purest form--like you'd have for breakfast. I'm not even sure how to prepare it. So yes, by telling you this I'm giving Keith more reason to ask, "Have you had (insert food name here) before, Deb?" My mom must not like oatmeal because we never ate it for breakfast. I went to Walmart today and bought some oatmeal that is flavored like apples and cinnamon. I'm excited to try it tomorrow morning.
This is for you Bryan! It's for me too, because what if I really like it?? Now I have a good-for-you meal!
Monday, January 15, 2007
A scheduled day off...probably would've got it anyway
So it snowed a lot. So much so that I think we might have canceled school if we were going to have it today. We were never going to have schol today because of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. It has been a wonderful day, and a wonderful weekend.
Luke's birthday was on Friday. We celebrated with friends and family and got to rent a movie. We rented Little Miss Sunshine which I LOVED. Luke didn't like it so much.
I felt bad about that because it was his birthday movie and everything, but I just couldn't feel that bad because this movie was so entertaining. I didn't like it for the reasons you may expect from a girl--no romance, a little off color at times, but still highly enjoyable. I'm excited to listen to the soundtrack on Rhapsody! The fact that I've been watching the Office non-stop recently, and then saw Steve Carrell in this movie, had some to do with why I liked it so much. Ah, so many laughable moments.
I also did the ear wax candle thing. Have you heard of this?? You put a parafin candle in your ear and light it on fire. Then you wait about 15 minutes while the smoke goes into your ear, gently warms the wax and pulls the wax into the candle. The person helping you (you have to have a helper) extinguishes the candle and then you can tear apart the candle and look at what it pulled out. Very interesting, I thought. I did one in each ear and it felt good--during and after.
No worries, folks, it's not dangerous. Luke was my helper, and I'm just going to reccommend to anyone who is interested: don't let your helper play video games while they're supposed to be keeping track of the burning candle in your ear! In the end it all turned out ok, but he made me very nervous. Han was very interested in the flame, as you can see.
So after the ear wax fun I decided to finish my wedding album. You know what that means: scrapbook fun!! And I'm proud to say that I finished! You know what that means: a new project for the next Saturday scrapbook get-together. I'm so happy with the way the book turned out.
I'm ready to show it off now.
Here's a cat picture for you. I like this one because my sister-in-law Molly is in the background.
Luke's birthday was on Friday. We celebrated with friends and family and got to rent a movie. We rented Little Miss Sunshine which I LOVED. Luke didn't like it so much.
I felt bad about that because it was his birthday movie and everything, but I just couldn't feel that bad because this movie was so entertaining. I didn't like it for the reasons you may expect from a girl--no romance, a little off color at times, but still highly enjoyable. I'm excited to listen to the soundtrack on Rhapsody! The fact that I've been watching the Office non-stop recently, and then saw Steve Carrell in this movie, had some to do with why I liked it so much. Ah, so many laughable moments.I also did the ear wax candle thing. Have you heard of this?? You put a parafin candle in your ear and light it on fire. Then you wait about 15 minutes while the smoke goes into your ear, gently warms the wax and pulls the wax into the candle. The person helping you (you have to have a helper) extinguishes the candle and then you can tear apart the candle and look at what it pulled out. Very interesting, I thought. I did one in each ear and it felt good--during and after.
No worries, folks, it's not dangerous. Luke was my helper, and I'm just going to reccommend to anyone who is interested: don't let your helper play video games while they're supposed to be keeping track of the burning candle in your ear! In the end it all turned out ok, but he made me very nervous. Han was very interested in the flame, as you can see.So after the ear wax fun I decided to finish my wedding album. You know what that means: scrapbook fun!! And I'm proud to say that I finished! You know what that means: a new project for the next Saturday scrapbook get-together. I'm so happy with the way the book turned out.
I'm ready to show it off now.Here's a cat picture for you. I like this one because my sister-in-law Molly is in the background.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
If you think like me...
If you think like me, maybe you'll think this is funny.
Today I was going to introduce to my students what matter is. From there we would move on to atoms and molecules. Before I told them anything though, I told them they had a minute to go find some matter. After a minute they needed to be back in their seats with matter in their hands. The countdown began. This is where I really started laughing. None of the kids knew what matter was. Most just wandered around the room and watched what other people were picking up. One of my smartest students got the dictionary right away and tried to look it up in a minute--he didn't get it done, but since at the end of the minute he had a dictionary in his hands, he still passed with flying colors. The part I loved the most is that one of my students who never wants to get anything wrong was trying desperately to quiz me on this-- to get some kind of information from me. He said, "Is there one for everybody??" and "Does it have 'matter' written on it??" I immediately wrote that down so I wouldn't forget. Such silly questions!
At the end of the minute they all sat down and said out loud what they picked up. More than half had a dictionary or a science book---I guess they figured there's strength in numbers. They were amazed when I told them all of them were correct! I think they learned what matter is today!
**Anybody still sitting there wondering what matter is?? Go look it up!
Today I was going to introduce to my students what matter is. From there we would move on to atoms and molecules. Before I told them anything though, I told them they had a minute to go find some matter. After a minute they needed to be back in their seats with matter in their hands. The countdown began. This is where I really started laughing. None of the kids knew what matter was. Most just wandered around the room and watched what other people were picking up. One of my smartest students got the dictionary right away and tried to look it up in a minute--he didn't get it done, but since at the end of the minute he had a dictionary in his hands, he still passed with flying colors. The part I loved the most is that one of my students who never wants to get anything wrong was trying desperately to quiz me on this-- to get some kind of information from me. He said, "Is there one for everybody??" and "Does it have 'matter' written on it??" I immediately wrote that down so I wouldn't forget. Such silly questions!
At the end of the minute they all sat down and said out loud what they picked up. More than half had a dictionary or a science book---I guess they figured there's strength in numbers. They were amazed when I told them all of them were correct! I think they learned what matter is today!
**Anybody still sitting there wondering what matter is?? Go look it up!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Funniest Episode Ever
I recently purchased The Office Season 2 on DVD with a gift card I got for Christmas. This proved to be one of the best purchases I have ever made when I watched the funniest episode ever last night. This episode is entitled "The Injury." Here is a clip from the episode:
I enjoyed that part a lot when I watched it, but seriously, the whole episode had me laughing. I'll be watching that one again soon.
I enjoyed that part a lot when I watched it, but seriously, the whole episode had me laughing. I'll be watching that one again soon.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Tomorrow always comes
Tomorrow is the start of school again. I had a most excellent Christmas break. A full two weeks--that's right, I'm not in college and my Christmas break is TWO WEEKS LONG! This has seemed like the longest break, and I haven't gotten sick of it. I know there are schools all over the state that got the same amount of time off, so I'm not thinking I'm more special, I'm just marveling at how much I've done over the last two weeks and how much I've enjoyed it.
I got to host my first Christmas celebration. It was a successful all-day festivity with the Demarest side of the family. They are so fun. I felt no pressure to present something outstanding because I knew I wouldn't be judged--they were just there to have fun. Fanciness doesn't impress them, kindness does.
Luke and I sang with both sides of the family. Once in a small church in Correctionville, and once in a slightly bigger church in Marshalltown. All this happened in one day: Christmas Eve. Oh, we are such good singers; or, Oh, we have no shame.
A Christmas celebration in Marshalltown with the Brant side of the family was all I had hoped for and more. Lots of great time with neices and nephews, Mom and Rick, brothers and sisters, and family friends. I have to say though that the time wasn't long enough. There are so many people in my family that I can't help but come away from a time like that and think that I wish I would have had more time with this person, or that person. I've decided to just give thanks for the time we had and pray for a next time soon.
New Years Eve saw Luke and I at a hockey game with some of our closest friends: his sister Charity and husband Paul, and a couple who is like family, Micah and Sarah Gitlin. The Sioux City Musketeers managed to conclude their 11-game winning streak with a two point loss Sunday night against Des Moines. Paul filled us in on all the rules, and we had lots of fun. We went to Perkins after the game, then played games until midnight.
New Years Day Luke and I were again with the Demarest family, plus Gitlins, for lunch and a movie. We saw Night at the Museum. Fun family flick. I laughed. After a quick trip to Walmart some of us returned to our house for dinner and fun. We all split up while we were in Walmart and it was such a treat to be walking around and then spy some dear friends in the aisle. It was like a little surprise each time.
Luke and I went to our camp reunion for a day in Spirit Lake. It was amazing to see such great friends. Even more amazing to know that it wasn't the first time since summer that we'd seen our closest friends, and it won't be the last time until next summer. We had a semi-silly gift exchange and I think Luke and I walked away with the only silly gifts: a singing, moving mouse, and a Riverdance video with Valentines day candy. It's always a fun time when camp and Guitar Hero are involved.
I also had a lot on my mind this break. Luke and I were asked to make three very important decisions in the last two weeks. Not life or death, well, not all of them. All of them I'm taking very seriously and am praying about. I want to let the Lord lead and direct. We have knee-jerk responses for all three, but don't want to decide too quickly. We're praying for wisdom and are so grateful for the opportunities the Lord has placed in our lives.
Happy New Year to you all. There are not many who read this blog, that I'm aware of, so I can honestly say to all who I'm aware of: I'm so thankful for another year with you!! Lots of love to you and your families as you begin a new year. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
I got to host my first Christmas celebration. It was a successful all-day festivity with the Demarest side of the family. They are so fun. I felt no pressure to present something outstanding because I knew I wouldn't be judged--they were just there to have fun. Fanciness doesn't impress them, kindness does.
Luke and I sang with both sides of the family. Once in a small church in Correctionville, and once in a slightly bigger church in Marshalltown. All this happened in one day: Christmas Eve. Oh, we are such good singers; or, Oh, we have no shame.
A Christmas celebration in Marshalltown with the Brant side of the family was all I had hoped for and more. Lots of great time with neices and nephews, Mom and Rick, brothers and sisters, and family friends. I have to say though that the time wasn't long enough. There are so many people in my family that I can't help but come away from a time like that and think that I wish I would have had more time with this person, or that person. I've decided to just give thanks for the time we had and pray for a next time soon.
New Years Eve saw Luke and I at a hockey game with some of our closest friends: his sister Charity and husband Paul, and a couple who is like family, Micah and Sarah Gitlin. The Sioux City Musketeers managed to conclude their 11-game winning streak with a two point loss Sunday night against Des Moines. Paul filled us in on all the rules, and we had lots of fun. We went to Perkins after the game, then played games until midnight.
New Years Day Luke and I were again with the Demarest family, plus Gitlins, for lunch and a movie. We saw Night at the Museum. Fun family flick. I laughed. After a quick trip to Walmart some of us returned to our house for dinner and fun. We all split up while we were in Walmart and it was such a treat to be walking around and then spy some dear friends in the aisle. It was like a little surprise each time.
Luke and I went to our camp reunion for a day in Spirit Lake. It was amazing to see such great friends. Even more amazing to know that it wasn't the first time since summer that we'd seen our closest friends, and it won't be the last time until next summer. We had a semi-silly gift exchange and I think Luke and I walked away with the only silly gifts: a singing, moving mouse, and a Riverdance video with Valentines day candy. It's always a fun time when camp and Guitar Hero are involved.
I also had a lot on my mind this break. Luke and I were asked to make three very important decisions in the last two weeks. Not life or death, well, not all of them. All of them I'm taking very seriously and am praying about. I want to let the Lord lead and direct. We have knee-jerk responses for all three, but don't want to decide too quickly. We're praying for wisdom and are so grateful for the opportunities the Lord has placed in our lives.
Happy New Year to you all. There are not many who read this blog, that I'm aware of, so I can honestly say to all who I'm aware of: I'm so thankful for another year with you!! Lots of love to you and your families as you begin a new year. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.