Dramamama's Blog

So the Principal resigns because girls got pregnant?  And how is this HIS fault?? HE didn't get the girls pregnant! The fault lies with the girls, or their families, NOT with him. To blame him is crazy. Once again, people refusing to place responsibility where it lies--the girls themselves.  The world is upside down.

My sister called me yesterday to tell me she was 'ok', but LA had an earthquake and she was afraid I'd worry if I saw it on the news. It triggered memories. Growing up as a teenager in LA, I'd  experienced my share of earthquakes. Don't like them at all! In an earthquake there is no place to run. My first experience with a major earthquake was as a teenager in 1970. It was very early morning, I felt the earth shaking and thought, 'I don't want to be swallowed up in my pajamas!', pulled on clothes FAST, and ran outside, heart pounding and shaking. I think I was more concerned about what I looked like, if found 'dead', then actually being dead.  Another time I was in a movie theater, the place started shaking, and my friend and I debated about running outside, in case the roof caved in. I told myself I was DONE with S. California. Another time, I heard what sounded like a train coming, and jumped up, to hear my parents in the next room, saying, 'earthquake--get up!'  Even though we were 'used' to having earthquakes, every time, we would be seized with fear for a moment, wondering if this was 'the big one', that we'd been preparing for. Our family had a 3 day emergency supplies, in a 'go bag' always in the closet. We were taught that it takes 3 days for help to arrive, and to be prepared. We went to many Earthquake Preparedness Seminars at church. Earthquakes are scary stuff. That is one reason I like living in New England. (But don't get me started on the subject, during the winters.....)

I know nobody wants to have one, but everyone over 50 should have one. I made an appointment for my husband and I to have one, as he has it in his family, and I felt if I had one and he saw how it went, then he would be more willing. Well, I had one, and everything was fine. He went in a few weeks later and a large polyp was found, that couldn't be removed. Surgery was hastily scheduled as he has colon cancer in his family. The polyp was found on Weds, our son graduated from Boston University on Sunday and he went into the hospital this past Friday and is still there. Everything went ok, but it will be a long recovery before he can work again.  I know you don't want to hear it, but you MUST get a colonsopy, if over 50. IF it is in your family tree, you must have one at 40. It will save your life. It is painless and done in under 30 minutes. His screening saved his life. 

I walked into the lunch room today to do my lunch duty. A few hands flew in the air, as they saw me. I thought, 'oh what now!', and walked over to the boys and said, 'No, you CAN"T go to the bathroom!', to which they replied, 'it's not that!', so I then said, "I'm not listening to tattles!'. "No, it's not that. Ok, then WHAT is it?" Mrs. X, are aliens real??" 

I paused. Ok, do I give the "scientific" answer?, " my opinion" answer, or ''don't give children nightmares', answer. The latter. No, kids, they are NOT real!  To which a roar rose up from the table, "Yes, they are! I saw it on TV last night!!" And 'See, I told you!"  Ahh, I've soothed some fears, and quieted some dreams, but caused a ruckus. Oh well. 

My youngest son, bought his older brother an old nintendo system on Craigs list. He was told it worked fine. He sent a lot of money on it, and was SO excited to give it to his brother. Well, come christmas morning, the game system does not work. I told him to contact this kid who sold it to him, and demand his money back. He said he only has his address and e-mail, and has e-mailed him and gotten no reply. Is there something he can do? Does Craig's list back up there buyers? Any advice on what to do? I don't like to see my son ripped off of his hard earned money!

Today in the metrowest new, (www.metrowestdailynews.com) there is an article about a Jazmin, who attempted suicide last year at Marlboro High School. She miraculously survived the fall, but knocked all her teeth out, as she fell on her face. It affected our family deeply, as she is my son's girlfriend. He wanted to do a fund raiser to help her fix her teeth, but due to confidentiality, the schools couldn't allow it. Well, now her name can be public, and her family is trying to raise $25,000 to get her dental implants at Boston University Dental School. Marlborough Savings Bank has set up a fund called A Smile For Jazmin. I know Fox Readers are giving people and any amount would help her retain her smile. The address is:


Marlboro Savings Bank
166 Main St
Marlboro, MA 01752

Check to: A Smile For Jazmin

Fox news--Maybe you could do an news article about this?? The family is very open to it.

Thanks

This State needs to push for more Foster Parents. Working in the school system over the years has made me wish I had what it takes to be a Foster Parent, because I can think of at least 20 kids that I would have personally taken home to stay w/me over the years. I don't have what it takes, but I bet there are many people who would make great Foster Parents. I see so many kids that need to be loved, or even have a schedule, or live w/o fear. I think Fox news should do a new story on the need for more Foster parents. I've seen kids in foster care, and all of a sudden they are coming to school clean, homework done, a good nights sleep, snack, etc.
What do you say Fox News?

Tomorrow is the first day of school for the kids in my town. Today was the Staff meetings. We greeted each other with hugs and hellos, wondering what the new year would bring. As the kids came in for the 'meet the teacher' hour, I watched as kids, and their parents, came in with all sorts of emotions. Some excited to see friends, meet old teachers, see classrooms, some coming in with tears and fears and anxious parents. I stood in the hall directing parents to classes and assuring kids that they 'got the BEST teacher ever!', and seeing their smiles and relief of the parents. Tomorrow it begins. Buses will arrive, with smiling, scared faces. We will put on our smiliest face to coax them off the bus and show them we will care for them and love them until they go home. I have the power of a young childs self esteem in my hands, and I will do my best to raise them up. The first few weeks, I do a lot of hugging, but a lot of discipline and teaching rules also. It's like Puppy Camp the first few weeks where we teach them THE RULES. I don't look forward to that, but I do look forward to seeing children eager to learn to read.
Parents how do you feel about back to school? Are you as anxious as the kids? I know I am!

When I was in London, I was on the lookout for gifts for my sisters kids. I must admit I have a very mischievous side, and was picking up things that would drive my sister nuts, and her kids would love. I joked to my cousin, that I always wanted to open a store, called 'toys from hell', and it would be all the types of toys that you hate in your house, but love to buy for other people, like horns, drums, whistles, finger paints, noisy stuff, boxing gloves, silly putty, etc, and my cousin chimed in 'Rock Tumblers are the worse--they sound like quarters in the dryer and run for a week!" (I'm now searching for them, hee hee hee) My husband and I have already made a list of what toys we're giving our FUTURE grandkids, ie drum sets, electric bass guitars with giant amps, things that fly all over the house, etc.
I have a niece who is obscessed with facts and I bought her a book on 'how to write in heirglyphics', from the British Muceum, as I know she will devour that book like crazy and insist on everyone in the family learning how to write their names. I bought my nephew a loud shrill bird whistle that some salesman was blowing loudly on the walkway over the River Thames. I bought my other niece a giant diamond paper weight from the Tower of London Crown jewels section. What types of gifts to you give to your relatives kids??

Hummm, got to find those Rock Tumblers for Christmas...one for each child....LOL.

I know August is here when I can hear the kids in the park practicing their cheerleading and football games. It always makes me a bit sad. I love the summer time, and August means that Summer is almost over. The nice weather, get togethers with friends, going on nice drives, sunny days and late sunsets, is almost over. School will start soon, and I'll start working my 'day job', along with all my afterschool jobs, (3 so far!) and the grind will start again. The school buses will start rolling, and everything will be ruled by school, and work schedules.
I do love the Fall though.....

What are your feelings on summer time ending?

Ok, is it me? My computer? or this site? My computer is SO slow on Fox, that it frustrates me and I just end up leaving the blogs. Any suggestions?

Ok, I've had a headache for 2 days now, and I was wondering what gives other people headaches? I've been in final rehearsals for a play I'm directing starring 50 kids, and we perform tomorrow and Friday. So basically, I've had a headache for 2 days. Some people get headaches from noise, kids, smells, foods, lack of sleep, tension, teeth grinding, traffic, etc. Then I hear of people who NEVER have headaches. That would be nice. I seem to grit my teeth when I sleep, but sometimes bright lights trigger migraines. Chocolate triggers headaches for my husband.
So folks, what is your biggest headache trigger?

I've been reading a lot of anti teachers' blogs due to the Quincy teachers Strike and thought I'd just jot down a few notes.
I have 2 more days left of school. I am SO ready to have a break, for a week, until I start my summer job, as most school employees work summers. Rare are the ones that don't.
As tiring as working with children is, it has it rewards, similar to being a mom. I have hand prints on my clothes, am exposed to pink eye, colds, strep, lice, and other yucky things. I've been barfed, pee'd, and sneezed on. I've zipped, tied, wiped, buttoned, and bandaged. I've listened to all sorts of your family secrets and wondered what is truth and what is fiction. I've watched kids struggle to learn, and seen the light bulb come on, and suddenly they understand simple concepts and are excited to learn. I've been given drawings of hearts, flowers, horses, rainbows, portraits of me, and I love you's. I've been given my share of dandelions during recess, and answered endless questions and chuckled at a child's view of things.
So as this school year comes to a close, think of all the things your child has learned, and don't be so hard on teachers.

As I count down to the end of the school year--9 more days!!, I am planning for my summer job, which is directing a play with 46 kids. (most people who work in schools, work summer jobs). Then I am planning of going on a vacation to London for a broadway theater workshop, in the West End. As I've never, ever, in my entire life, been out of the country, (except to Tijuana as a teenager when we walked across the border to shop), I'm quite excited, and a bit nervous. (any advice--fellow travelers?) Our family will also have both boys home for the summer, and the massive car juggling will begin. 3 schedules, 1 car to share!

Fellow Bloggers? What are you all planning for the summer vacation?

This week our schools' children put on a memorial day program for all invited Veterans. All the children had learned many songs to sing to them. I watched the Vets walk up onto the stage. I also watched as they stood for the pledge of alligence, and a few vets so elderly, they couldn't stand, but they struggled and struggled to get to their feet to stand for the flag. I thought to myself, 'these are REAL men. Men who care about our country enough to put their lives on the line for our freedom.' THen I read the flag burning blog and wonder why people would disrespect the flag? OUR flag!
What type of punishment would fit the crime? Send them to 3rd world countries where they have no freedoms? Make them work with Vets? Manual Labor? Jail? Humiliation? Or Humility?

What makes men become true men? I think it's sacrifice and service for and to others.

What do you think?