Thanks for not freaking out

Kurtis wanted to go fishing for a Father's Day treat. He spent over an hour fixing up his fishing pole and getting it ready to go. He bought a fishing license but hasn't been able to get the 100 ft to the lake to fish. Anyway, we got down there with our worms and my book and Kurtis cast out. After 20 minutes or so I asked if I could cast (yes, I can fish) and let 'er fly. You have to understand our lake is private and stocked with bass every year. The fish come right up to you on the dock waiting for food like starving orphans. On my second cast the line went tight and I started reeling. "I caught a fish! I caught a fish!" I calmly yelled. The thing was pulling tight and I suddenly remembered you're supposed to pull back really hard to make sure the hook has caught the fish. I did that and kept reeling. I'm thinking this is a small bass, maybe 10 inches. It was 16 inches and very nice looking. I reeled it in and we kept it for Kurtis to eat-I don't eat fish, I only catch them. He caught a few more, kept another one and I caught another one not quite as big. Now I don't have a fishing license so Kurtis was very leery of letting me fish. So I never made a big show of it. I just wanted to cast a couple times. Afterward, he said "Thanks for not freaking out when you caught it." I'm a biology teacher who catches bugs, worked with cadavers and have also changed many diapers. I think I can handle a fish. :) I love you babe! Happy father's day.

More like gold

So, I did it. I completed my first year of teaching, teaching 7th grade life science at Kellogg Middle School. I don't know whether to feel proud of myself for not losing it in the middle of class (almost happened 8th period a few times), not hitting a child (although there were a few sweatshirts grabbed), and being fairly prepared every day even with a plan B and C (which often were movies or reading aloud)! It was a great year I have to say and I will never forget the kids or the wonderful people I had the opportunity to work with. It was truly a miracle year.

I really gained a testminoy of how important it is to raise your children with good values like working hard, being responsible, being polite and respectful and more. It is also important for parents to raise their children. How sad I was when I found out the stories behind some of my students. No wonder they act the way they do. Don't get me wrong, I had a number of sweet, funny, eager-to-learn students who made my day exciting. But even the kids who gave me the most grief kept me going too. Kurtis said often how he should have been a teacher because it's definatly not a boring job!

I guess you could say I did a good job this year because some of my students "hate me." "You do too many projects! You pick on me too much [for talking/behavior]. Your class is hard!" I often heard. I also heard "I love your class Mrs. Tucker! You always have a way of making things fun and pushing us to be better! I love science! WOW! That's so cool!" So no matter how much work this year was, I'm not deterred from doing what I love.

One of the reasons I had a great year is because I was a member of the Silver team. Each grade is divided into 2 'teams' each with their own color. There are 4 core teachers who all have that half of the grade. Our team works together to plan events, discuss student concerns, etc. My team was full of energy, is driven and cares about the kids. They were great examples to me of what master teachers do and were supportive when I needed advice. They were more like gold to me then silver. :) There were so many other people in the school who were supportive and gave me great friendships. All I can say is thanks and maybe I'll get the chance to work with you again.

Minnesota nice?

The people in Minnesota are, for the most part, very nice, considerate and helpful. There's always someone to help you at the grocery store, willing to work with you when you're frazzled and give your kids stickers (so I've heard). However, when it comes to driving it seems like they can't help tailgate each other. Now, usually when someone tailgates they want to pass you because you're driving too slow. About half the time that's the case here. You'll be going maybe 10 over the speed limit and even then someone races up behind you and sits in your tail (seriously, with inches to spare) until you move or they get around you. However, the other half of the time they'll just sit on your tail and when you move over they pass you going maybe 2 mph faster then you are. So I'm not sure why "Minnesota nice" doesn't apply to driving and why people insist on following so closely. One of these day's I'm not going to feel so "nice" and slam on my breaks and show them "insurance nice." :) Ironically, this picture is from a Florida agency and Florida drivers are known to be a bit crazy but at least they admit their mistakes here! Now I'm probably the pot calling the kettle black because I've tailgated myself, but this is just getting out of hand here!

I should have been a nurse

I'm a bad patient. I should mention that first before I explain myself. I self-diagnosed myself with strep over a week ago. I've been sick all year with colds off and on as I've been surrounded with germs at school. Ironic that we just studied germs...anyway...So I went to the doc and he agreed and gave me some antibiotics. I took them faithfully until a week later all my symptoms came back with a vengence. I went to the quickcare Friday and got a stronger dose of antibiotics. Well, we also realized that I was only taking half my dose before because I didn't pay close attention to the perscription. Anyway, doc thought it was best to just nip my now diagnosed tonsilitis in the bud. So, I took the new antibiotic faithfully until I noticed red spots on my arms in church. These spots spread all over my body and now my face is swollen with them. Apparently they are called hives. Never had hives before and wouldn't reccomend it! So I figured that looking like I have the plague wasn't good for work so I took the day off and went back to the original doc. He took me off antiobiotics (I guess I'm allergic now) and am taking antihistimines. I'm wondering if I was a nurse or something if I would know better or be more careful about taking my medicine..or recognizing hives. Whatever, I get a day off. With 3 weeks left I might as well use up my sick leave. :)

Triops, Tri-tablefauna and cults

These aren't really exciting things to note but this is our humble life. Whoo-hoo!!

1. When we were in Victoria we went to this bug museum and found these weird little shrimp/crab-like creatures called triops. Well, Kurtis hasn't been able to get over the novelty of these things and so he bought a triops kit online. $5.99 for eggs, food and water conditioner. He took them to work and tried to get them to hatch. On the 5th egg, Tito hatched and is now .4 mm long but a very active little guy. Kurtis is very proud of him. So Tito sits on his desk and distracts Kurtis and his colleagues all day from their highly exciting and motivating desk jobs.

2. My mom gave me these nesting tables which amazingly fit into my suitcase and survived the plane ride home. "Nesting tables?" Kurtis has asked, "what are they for?" Well, since we've had them (1 month or so) they've just been sitting safely nested by the fireplace. Then I uncovered this little starter plant kit someone had given me and decided to plant the seeds. The little kit fit perfectly on the smallest table. Yesterday, I asked Kurtis to by me a palm tree for a mother's day gift instead of flowers. For $12, who could pass up a tropical plant (in MN mind you) that will naturally clean the air and beautify a home? I couldn't. So the tree fit on the biggest table. Well, Kurtis then mentioned that I needed a medium plant for the medium table. Voila! Today at church all mothers and grown women received a cute little geranuim plant for mother's day. These fit on the middle table. This is my life. I have plants, I usually kill them but I'm hoping this time it's different. This is my garden.

3. Kurtis wanted to go to all the thrift stores in the area to get a lamp to keep Tito's (see #1) water warm. We were in Savers and split up to look around. I noticed that Kurtis was talking to an older man who I assumed worked at IBM also and was just chatting with Kurtis. Then as I neared them I thought, maybe he's a Jehovah's Witness and they're having a nice conversation. Well, the man did work for IBM many years ago and he was a sharing a religious message, but it wasn't quite so kind. He explained that he and his wife had been involved in a brainwashing cult and had their eyes opened last year. Now they have been born again and are concerned for the Salvation of others. Great message! However, when they found out we are LDS their eyes rolled and they became extremely concerned for us, saying that we too were brainwashed and were exactly like they were when they were younger. Needless to say, Kurtis did an excellent job of trying to bring the message back to asking the Lord to know of truth and trying to show these good people the similarities of our beliefs. Well, I was agitaged and didn't like to be told I was going to hell (is that prideful??) but they seemed to like Kurtis and were amazed by his sincerity. I think they gave up on me because they addressed everything to Kurtis.. they even prayed for him. I guess I wasn't worth saving. Oh well. They wanted to show us an anti-Mormon movie in exchange for coming to church with us. Maybe we can open their eyes again because they certainly won't open ours. I am grateful for my Savior and for the ability to turn to the Lord for answers. I know that if we seek we shall find, if we ask we shall receive, if we knock the door will be opened unto us to understand all things.