Nerves. . . getting to me!

I’ve got butterflies.  We have our clinic in two days and I’ve only got about 3 people registered.  Its nerve racking because we are going to loose money on this venture if no one comes.  Also, I want the clinic to be good and folks to learn from it.   I think the girls are taking it so lightly.  Also, school will start in two weeks and I have SO much to do!!!  Its not guaranteed that I will have a classroom, although there is speculation that I will.  Its hard to plan for a new year; AND I am sooooo insecure.  Pray for me folks!!! I mean it. . . as you read this blog, just stop and say “God, give her wisdom”

UCA Camp Honors

(deleted the picture)
This is a picture of the girls at the end of the last day with the awards they won. We were presented with the following awards:

• Home Pom Routine: 1st Place
• Xtreme Routine: 2nd Place
• Cheer: 3rd Place
• 4 Girls were selected as UCA AllStars
• Traditions Award voted on by the other campers
• We received SUPERIOR ratings in each evaluation

(deleted the picture) We won the banana for the first night for great spirit AND for going banans to get it.

(deleted the picture) This is one of my students who won the the "Dancing Diva" award for dancing her heart out during a dance contest.

(deleted the picture) This is a picture of the 4 girls who are now UCA All Stars.

Lastly, this is a picture of the young lady who won the jump off competition. Look at her in the air!!!

A Lame Posting

I was reminded today that I haven’t updated my blog in about a week.  I didn’t think I would get so busy that I wouldn’t have time to do it.  I’m back to taking my afternoon naps and I appreciate that!  

Next week is our clinic, I am EXTREMELY nervous about it.  I want it to be a quality event, but also I need money to come in.  At least so that we can break even. . . .I’ve only gotten 3 registrations, so I guess you can see how nervous I am.. . .

We’ve still been recovering from camp but we learned a lot and are ready to charge forward.  If you go to my webspace, you can check out some clips from the camp.  Guess what, today, two of my girls did the 360 Elevator and its cute. . .they are really improving and working hard!

I Got PUNKED!!!

I think they like me and love me .. . cause they punked me tonight, almost to tears. I can honestly say “I GOT PUNKED.” I have a squad of practical jokers. Tonight, we were having a meeting to discuss cheer business. When we finished with business, the captain said they wanted have a lemon squeeze (its where they discuss anything that is on their mind that is bothering them). I said okay and we began. As the lemon was passed around, the some of the girls stated that they did not like the captain’s attitude. Others stated that our coach was yelling at them too much. The coach and one of the girls exchanged words. The girl (I’ll call her Boo) basically said that our coach wasn’t good. And some of the girls chimed in and said she wasn’t worth it and they didn’t want her here because the yelling. Things went haywire from there, the coach got up and screamed at them and said, I can get another job! She said, “I quit” and stormed out of the room. The other girls started quitting too. They actually pull their luggage out of their rooms, started throwing their fists at each other and calling their parents. I tried to be calm and take care of each of them and their concerns, but it kept get worse. .. I started to cry and screamed “stop it. . .I can’t believe I gave up my summer for this.” That when the told me they were just playing and I had been punked. I was so mad . . then I started to cry more. . . they came and hugged me, they said when they saw that first tear well up in my eye, they knew it was time to call it quits. I told them I will get them and I am going to get them good!!! Now, they are trying to plan a prank for the whole camp and get the lead instructor in on it. . .I laughed cause it’s a good idea, but they were NOT to do it without UCA’s approval.

They really are a good squad and good kids b/c everything they do is clean and they genuinely get along. What is interesting is that in the dorm, pretty much all of them stay in the same room at night time and they like it that. I am happy that fighting is not an issue, they are so eager to work to earn a place as a competitive squad. They are amazing.

Proud Mama of 20!

We're at camp! It was a good day. I am so proud of my girls. They performed like I've seen them before. I guess they get pumped up to perform!!!! I don't even know how to explain it. The parents seemed really please with their performance as well. So, I am really ready for the new year. I've gotten so many compliments about the improvements that have been made to the squad. So, I am gaining confidence in my leading ability and in the girls, too. But I really have to thank HiredCoach!!! She is a great choreographer; I believe between the work done at gymnastics and the work done here at the school with HiredCoach, we have a winning chance. I would really hate for them to loose, but I guess that is apart of life. The squad felt they were better than SPH. They are really good b/c the have stunts and tumbling down. I don't want to push things, but we've got to kick it into high gear to have fighting chance.

The girls are really bonding and that is what I want! Maybe the separation of the team is something doesn't have to stick. However, we've got to do something to make sure the girls don't start slacking. What I am going to say is that they have to earn their competition spot at practice. I'm exhausted so off to bed I go after I complete room check.

Naps, Naps, Naps

School starts in less than a month.  I don’t feel prepared, maybe that’s because I’ve been taking to many naps.  In talking to other teachers, I’ve earned those naps.  The school year is pretty tough on us and sooo summer comes and it is time to rest!  But also, I’ve dedicated ALL of my free time to cheer, so that’s why I haven’t had time really do everything I’ve wanted to.

Cheer camp is next week, then we get a break before the clinic, but the clinic is going to keep me busy.  So I don’t know when I am going to have time to do everything.  Maybe, I really need to give up my naps.  I took one today and thought, “aaaahhhh, this is the life!”  Okay, all you teachers out there, tell me what you have done so far.   I’ve gone to several workshops/continuing education things, so I’m feeling like its going to be okay.  I just need to jump in there and finish.

Pyramids and Back Hand Springs

Okay, so I have not “blogged”  in a few days. . . Guess the reason why:  Chearleading.  I’ve been so busy with the girls.  I’ve gotten a few complements from parents.  I know thank yous are rare in education, so I’m celebrating these.   I hope that I am having a positive impact on these girls’ lives.  I know some of them can’t stand me, but if they love cheer, then unfortunately they will have to deal with me.  

We had a hair-raising experience today.  I was so excited b/c my girls did their first pyramid at gymnastics and I have 2 girls who can do the round off - back hand spring combination!  We are on our way.  I’m nervous b/c this routine has got to start coming together to use at the Midsouth Fair.  After the fair, we have got to kick it into over drive b/c we will have the Local UCA competition and the state competition.  I’m sooo nervous and I don’t know where to even begin, so that we are on the right track.  I want win something this year!  So I’m praying for wisdom in this area and also in my teaching and classroom management.

Something that I would really love to see is those teachers who are Christians. . . .get together in the morning before school and unite in prayer.  We can do this, I bet you if someone organized it many would come and join us.  We need it, b/c these children are different.  

No Comments

Boo hooo!!! People are visiting my blog, at least thats what my web counter says. But no one is commenting. I like comments. You can even be like my brother and tell me it sucks. Just let me know that someone out there is viewing what I am typing. PWETTY PWLEASE, send me a comment. I still love you even if you never write anything. P.S. You don't have to sign up for an account to comment.

Wooo hooo!!!

It has been a truly exciting day!!! The BEST thing happened today, I got my website up and running for cheer—really it’s my classroom site that I changed for cheer!!!! I am sooooooo excited b/c it’s been a headache. . . ALL of the forms work and everything. Please check it out and click on Your Comments at the bottom of the page and submit your comments to me.

The website is ( i removed the link for my own protection)

I just don’t know what to say!!! Now I’ve just got to figure out how to advertise this thing. We are wanting 100 girls to come so that we can make some money that week! We’ve got 25 already!!! If you are in town and know a young girl who would like to attend, call me or even just visit the website to get registered.

Missed Posting

I haven’t posted in a couple of days b/c I’ve been working on the website for the cheer clinic. Its pretty much finished (its fancy, too) but I am struggling to publish/launch it b/c I built it in Frontpage. I like it b/c it has the forms and everything, so people can fill out the registration and pay online too. Then I found out that my server doesn’t support Frontpage extensions, so I had to buy a new webspace. It stinks, but we shall see if this works. I’m a little nervous about it and worried that I will not get it up in time. I pray that this clinic will bring in some revenue, so that we can do all of the things that we want to. I posted a generic kind of page if ya’ll wanna check it out. Hopefully, I can get this thing to work right with the form and all. (removed the link on 7/31/06) for my own protection)

Have you ever?

Well, I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t complete my lesson plans that I had planned for the week. But, I sure did get some relaxing done AND I engaged in my favorite activity: internet. I did get a chapter read and came up with some ideas for it, but I’ve got to do better next week. Today, I had plans to finish the first week of school, but that didn’t work out b/c I started doing cheerleading business. That cheerleading business ended up taking up most of my afternoon and then I started to work on trying to get the website for it done. I REALLY wish I could’ve found a template to work from. If anyone knows of where I can find some FREE template for FrontPage let me know.

I heard that song by Brandy, “Have you ever” the other day. It’s stuck in my head and WON’T go away! So here at the lyrics:

Have you ever loved somebody so much It makes you cry? Have you ever needed something so bad You can't sleep at night? Have you ever tried to find the words But they don't come out right? Have you ever?
Have you ever found the one You've dreamed of all your life? You'd do just about anything To look into their eyes? Have you finally found the one You've given your heart to Only to find that one Won't give their heart to you? Have you ever closed your eyes and Dreamed that they were there?

It’s depressing—the song is. I think so! But I’m glad that I have finally given my heart to the one who will return my love and I don’t have wait anymore.

Encouragement

Sometimes you need encouragement. I needed these scriptures today.  So I’m going to share these scriptures that ministered to me:

• But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19


• If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and will purify us from all unrighteousness    1 John 1:9

Lawsuits!!!

A man is suing for his right not to pay child support!  How absurd is that?  It makes NO sense to me.  His claim is that the woman lied to him and told her that she couldn’t pregnant and that’s why he chose not to use protection.  He says that she has a right to termination and all of these other things, but he does not have right to say that he doesn’t want to be a father.  MALARKY!!!  What if she had an STD?  He can come back and sue her b/c he now has disease and she didn’t know she was a carrier.   Folks today have law suit fever. . .they are crazy.  

The Devil Wears Prada

I went with a friend to check out this movie. I didn't know what to expect, but it turned out better than I thought. Waiting for the video was definitely my first option, but I guess it worked out good. What I did take away from the movie, is that you should not compromise your integrity for anything. This world is temporary, so we need to get right. Oh, back to the movie, if you are into fashion you'll love it. If you like chick flicks you'll like it some, but guys (honestly), you just won't get it.'

Is there anyone else out there who is addicted to their computer? It seems like I can't stay away from this thing. I'm really just addicted to the internet. . . .THANK GOODNESS, for cable internet service! It rocks! A friend asked me the other day, what did we do before the internet? It's a good question. I remember waiting forever for things in the mail; now, I can call someone and say I need this and they zap it to me in an email. You gotta love it!

It was nice to wake up to rain today b/c it helps my sleep. However, the phone started ringing before 8. Now, I remember why I turned the ringers off months ago. I guess i'll have to do it again for a while. EVERYBODY knows i'm on summer vacation, so why do people call before noon and they know one of my past times is sleeping! Somebody out there has to agree.

Sharing the Gospel at School

I joined CEAI in lieu of MEA, NEA, TEA and all of that jazz. Honestly, you can't go into a classroom with out Jesus. To me, Jesus is the root of any success there, especially in today's world. At any rate, I normally don't read all of the materials they send me, but i decided to read this article for a change. Its about Good News Clubs at schools and the legality of them and the effect they are having on the children, etc. I am so surprised that it is legal for teachers to hold such meeting after school AND its good to know. I am excited by this and got to thinking, how could this be implemented here? Here is a link to the article: Good News Club. (let me know if you have problems opening it, I will publish it another way.)

SCREAMMM

I've had insomnia for like the last week and its driving me nuts, i'm up till like 3 or 4 sometimes 6 in the morning and SOMETHING always wakes me up at 10 . .. so i'm getting about 4 hours of sleep per night and I have NOT been taking my delightful afternoon nap. Any suggestions. . . i think i'm going to go crazy, if I have to spend another night, when everyone else happily snoring away, laying there accomplishing nothing. I realize that this is a truly stupid post. . . .but i'm feeling really crazy right now. Thats what happens when you haven't had a good nights sleep in a while. Calgon, take me away. By the way, has anyone seen a calgon commercial lately?

Oh, Brother!

In reading the comments, my brother said my site was lame and proceeded on a tangent about NOT increasing the minimum wage. BROTHER, dear, this is NOT your forum for your political and economic rhetoric--I hate to sound like a whining teenager, but its about me, period! And I can write about anything I choose to!

Now, on to other stuff . . .today was the 4th . I bbqed some pork and steaks and shared it with a friend. I don't have much to say about freedom and liberty, although "a friend" said that I should be grateful to live in this great land. Unfortunately, I can't help but to remember that this land was built by the backs of those who were stolen from their land and on land that was stolen from the people who were already here! Someone said I should get over it, because that is not where things stand today, but we can't forget our past--our history. Yes, I am grateful for all of the blessings God has given to me and that I can worship as I choose, but I still can't forget. Instead, I will use today to reflect on my freedom in Christ.

I look forward to tomorrow. . . I will begin work on the first 6 wks lesson plans and a classroom management plan.

What in the world do I need with a blog?

Well, I decided I wanted to keep track of my second year of teaching. More than that I saw some students with one and I thought, "hey I can do that!" So here I am journaling online. Thats mainly what I plan to do with this thing. Probably will be a good stress reliever, too. What will really be interesting is if I am able to remember my username tomorrow, so that I can get on this thing. Does anyone else find themselves creating a user name for this, a user name for that and its so many user names and passwords that you forget what they are b/c each site requires something different. For example, I have a freewebs account that I have been trying to cancel forever, but b/c i can't remember the pw info; i'm up a creek, so i continue to see that 6.95 charged to my account every month. Okay, so i'm rambling on about nothing, but I guess thats b/c school hasn't started.

For me, I don't think school let out for the year b/c I am apart of an extra curricular sport. I'm glad that i picked up the extra curricular b/c it means job security for a least one more year and I'm beginning to love the girls. . their almost like my children now. Its weird to say that! Anyway, we are in a mandatory dead period right now in which all summer practices must cease. It was great for me b/c it means that i get some rest. Right now I'm pretending that I am out of town b/c some of the girls keep calling and it means i'll do cheer stuff even though I'm on break. I feel bad about not returning calls, but I want them to know that my life does NOT revolve around them; even though it feels like it!