*SIGH*

A few things make me sad.

One thing is the amount of reading I do. 

Now, I'm a reading teacher, so I read ALL the time. But, several of the books I read are read each and every year. That's fine. But, I miss reading for me...for enjoyment. This really hit me, just now, when I was updating my reading list. 

Before I went back to teaching, I read 30-50 books each year. Do you know how many I have on my list now? 

Go ahead.

Count them.

That's right.

Ten. 

That's it. TEN! So sad. I will easily add another 4 novels, but let's face it. They are novels for 10 year olds. I will read: "A Tiger Rising," "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," "The Little House on the Prairie," and "The Tale of Despereaux."

Those are all GREAT BOOKS...for 10 year olds. 

Another thing that makes me sad is knowing that, as much as I love to write (blog) and work on my live cooking, the time is limited. I won't get to do either of these things as much as I want. 

Maybe....I have another senior this year. My house is getting *bigger* as years go by. I have other drivers. I have kids who don't need ME...they just need my funding. 

That's good AND bad.

SUMMER

I love summer.

I love spending time with my kids and my hubby. And, in my old age, I am even OK with the hot temps. (Of course, we have only hit 100* less than a handful of times this year. Talk to me in August when we're almost 75 days in triple digits and I'm having to stand outside for 2 hours on the blacktop in the middle of hundreds of cars teaching AND reteaching parents how to pick up their kids from school all the time assuring them that "YES, MA'AM, I know how hot it it outside, but I don't think you do as you are scolding me from your air-conditioned vehicle that you've been in the whole time" while the heat index outside is 113*, but on the blacktop, it's probably more like 135* and I've had 7 bottles of water and still don't have to pee...)

BUT, I digress.....

No, my thoughts today go toward the compliance bundle. Anyone in education knows what I'm talking about. It's a series of videos, reading packets, power points AND YES.....QUIZZES that train me (us) EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. how to identify bullying, suicide red flags, sexual harassment, issues with blood borne pathogens, how to not say the wrong thing to the wrong person during a conference, how to teach to 57 different learning styles (all at once), how to recognize autism, SPED, speech, dyslexia, dysgraphia, child abuse, (but God-forbid I find out if they are on free or reduced lunch) and do I know what each and every one of the 52,875 acronyms in education means?  (I mean...really....you can't tell me if a kid doesn't eat at home? BUT, I have every possible address, sibling info, and even grandma's phone number....

Again...I digress.

Normally, we get bundle info at the end of school and it opens June 1. (Just know...this takes us HOURS.) This  year, my powers that be (actually THEIR powers that be) have decided to change how we do things. SO...the window opened yesterday. A friend of mine is already having issues. Instead of being done and able to go into the summer knowing this looms BEHIND me...it is now looming BEFORE me.

SO, it begins. The middle of the summer, I have to carve out about 20 hours to get this done. I do it every year. I am not complaining about the doing...but WHY in the name of MIKE do we have to change?! Holy COW! Education does not have a chance to perfect jack-squat because by the time we see results, there has already been a change. 

I know it seems like belly-aching. *You have all summer off! What else are you going to do with that time?* Yeah....about that Ms. I-know-NOTHING-about-what-teachers-do...This is the one AND ONLY time in a calendar year that my house will be somewhat presentable, I get a full 8 hours sleep most nights, my kids DON'T eat out 4-6 times a week, AND we all wear clean undies without having to dig around for that holey pair that we save *for such a time as this.* 

I am not asking for kudos or props. Y'all, I generally dislike the mushy-gushy *TEACHER! We love you! You are valued. You are loved.* Blah blah blah. I KNOW that! You need me in the classroom because 1.) it's a God-call...He's working on your angel and I get to help 2.) You're not willing to do it so...there's that and 3.) You GOTTA understand we do it for the love of kids...nothing else because really? Dirty undies? Fast-food all the time? Lack of sleep? Lack of funds? Working 50-80 hours a week for what WE make? BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

***DISCLAIMER*** Just so you know, I'm not bashing my school in any way. This whole series of events is typical in education. The intensity varies from district to district, as well as type of school. I'm not mad at anyone. It is what it is, and I do my job and I LOVE my job...but I don't think *normal* mankind gets it. 

Then there's the compliance bundle....*sigh*.

WRITING

All of the sudden, I'm in a writing mood!


AND, a recording mood. REALLY? What's up with that?

I've been doing my own little crazy version of a cooking show. LOL!!! I've been on *Live Video* via Facebook. It's quite fun. I hope I can stick with it.

I seem to think that I have the time, as Hogg 1 is in college, Hogg 2 is a senior, Hogg 3 is learning to drive, Hogg 4 will need quite a bit of attention to get through Algebra, Pa Hogg is gone 18 days a month, I still teach 4th grade AND I'm area coordinator for JBQ.

I GOT THIS!

If you would like to see my videos, please go to Feedin' the Hoggs!