Welcome to Welfyville

Friday, March 27, 2009

The Big (not so) Easy

New Orleans is still alive and kicking. If nothing else - the restaurants are opening up and there's PLENTY to drink. I was able to keep a lid on things during the day and attend the science convention which was my excuse for being there. At night and on Sunday I got a taste of a fabulous city. Mike and I kept turning to each other and saying, "Why haven't we been here before?" What a wonderful place. It was sad to see the poorer neighborhoods that hadn't come back from the hurricane where the middle class and upper class ones had. And it was amazing to hear people tell us their personal stories of that time. It's an area of the country with great diversity and great beauty, and we'll go back.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Gotta Brag on Them

I wish I could name names and show faces, but just let me say that Saturday my students were among the best of the best! We took five projects and nine students to the district science fair on Thursday,and on Saturday three students representing two different projects won first place in their respective categories. We compete against well funded east bench schools where parents take science fair seriously. The kids at those schools have plenty of help and lots more time both in and out of school to work on their projects. So it's gratifying to see our cute kids do well in such a competition with a very uneven playing field. Congratulations to all nine young scientists. They won just by competing.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

OMG -- Taxes!

I spent the afternoon figuring our taxes. All I can say is - I hope those folks in Washington are enjoying the fruits of my labor.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

No Valentine's Day for Me!

I know lots of people love a good Valentine's Day gift or card. Mike and I have never really celebrated the holiday. Seems like everyone and their uncle is out to dinner that night and you end up buying things for each other just because of the date. I guess we rebelled against it early on and haven't looked back. Tonight we went out for dinner alone (rare in a house of 6) and there were no crowds. So that'll count for Valentine's Day for us. But happy Valentine's Day to all of you who will be celebrating on Saturday. I hope you have a lovely, romantic time.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Lazy Weekend

Sometimes all you really want out of life is a lazy weekend. One where you don't have to go anywhere or do anything, even fun things. This has been one of those weekends, although I still have to get the laundry out of the washer and into the dryer before the end of the day. Ho Hum.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration Day

I can't believe I haven't posted since before Christmas. How did that happen? Time seems to be compressing lately. Today, however, was so special I want to remember it.

My class watched the inauguration today on live streaming video. This is the first president who looks like them, who appears to understand the life they live. It helps that he is young, good looking, and has children approximately their age. They are enchanted with Barack Obama. They cheered parts of his speech - yeah, they actually listened to it. At least most of them did. They seem to understand the importance of the moment. I hope they will remember it when they are my age.

My own memories of things presidential are not as uplifting. I remember when John Kennedy was elected but I also remember when he was assassinated. I remember watching the Watergate scandal unfold during my first year of college. I saw Reagan shot and Clinton impeached. I want to replace all those negative images with the picture of Barack Obama walking down Pennsylvania Avenue on his way to the White House after his swearing in ceremony. He's like a rock star president. The multi-racial, language challenged, marginalized fifth graders of room 20 and I wish him great good luck.