Wednesday was very likely to be on the scariest days of my life. I check the weather on my way to work. They were forecasting thunderstorms to begin around 1 o'clock... nap time at preschool. Fun... I have several little ones who are quite afraid of thunderstorms. Many who could care less, but a few who are afraid. So I was not looking forward to crying, terrified children waking up from their much needed naps.
One o'clock rolled around and no storms came. However, the Pre-K teacher assistant informed us that we were under a tornado watch. Being in New England, tornado watches come on occasion, but we never get tornadoes. Ever. But, just to be safe we reviewed the emergency plans for the school. The plan was to be aware of the weather (the director and mentor teacher were listening to the weather radio) and when the watch got upgraded to a warning, we would move from the classrooms to our "evacuation" place in the stairwell to the basement. At this point, we were light-hearted about it. The mentor teacher was running around saying "Auntie Em! Auntie Em!" and said it was okay to take the kids outside to play - just come in if we saw cows flying by. (For the record, I didn't take my kids outside. Storms can come on fast! Keep reading). I did, however, text Danny on my break to make sure he was home from walking from the bus. Westfield (where we live) was under a warning before Springfield (where I work) was.
Around about 3:30 when I go back to my own classroom after floating for breaks, it started storming. Bear in mind, this is my first week that I'm "allowed" to be in the classroom by myself (Complicated situation. Needed to be licensed in the state of Massachusetts, needed 3 months experience, etc etc etc) so I was a little nervous. I managed to keep my little kiddos under control though. Once the thunderstorms started, many parents picked up their kids so by 4 o'clock I only three children left. Two boys who were playing an imagination game about African safaris and my little girl was snuggled up in the quiet space with her blankie to hide from the storm. After one of the boys went home, I took them to the classroom next door where there were more kids to play with, and so I could clean up everyone's snack dishes.
And then fun began!
We got no advance warning before we got word that a tornado was on the ground in Springfield. The teacher from the downstairs preschool room ran up and yelled to us that a tornado was on the ground in Springfield, so we immediately evacuated the classroom and moved to the stairwell. (Which is the best place in our school - central, below ground, no windows)
All the children were safe and entertained, although many of the parents were exceptionally late, mostly due to traffic. We were able to take the kids back upstairs at 5:30 (end of my workday). From our vantage point, it looked like not much happen. However, traffic was horrible (the cause of most of the delay in parents picking up their kids) so we knew something must be up. While there was no damage to the school, there was a lot of damage to nearby areas, and some of the students' homes. Everyone is safe; everyone I know anyways.
On my way home from work, I hit crazy rain (thankfully not much traffic.) Called my dad and my sister, who were also having crazy storms up in Maine. Found out when I pulled into my yard that there had been a possible tornado on the highway right after I had driven across. Most terrifying thing I've ever heard in my life.
The damage in Springfield, Westfield, Monson and surrounding areas is devastating. I'm just thankful that no one I love and care about was effected.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Update on my crazy, crazy life
I haven't drawn my giveaway yet. It's closed to new entries but I haven't drawn a winner yet. Why? Because my life has been disastrously insane lately. For the past THREE weekends in a row, things have been well, not so good.
Two weekends ago...
My parents split up a few months ago. This is the first time I have mentioned this on the internet. Its been extremely hard for me. But that weekend all of the fighting and bad feelings and betrayal and whatever else you want to call it came to a climax. Things got ugly. I'm not going to go into detail about what exactly went down, but it wasn't good.
One weekend ago...
My mom came down for my great-grandmother's memorial service. I'm sure you could figure out how that was all kinds of difficult. But add to it that after the memorial service we went back to my aunt and uncle's house to find my aunt so sick that she had to been taken to the hospital by ambulance. Then at the hospital there was more drama because the hospital we took her to was just the closest one and by far not the best one at all. So we ended up transferring her to a better hospital where she stayed overnight and had a bunch of tests and nothing was really diagnosed... she was just sick. Like a bad flu, or an infection or something.
This weekend...
This weekend was supposed to be fun. My cousin (not the daughter of the sick aunt, the daughter of the other aunt) spent the night Friday night even though she wasn't feeling the best. Having some headaches and off and on fevers and such. We watched movies with our boyfriends, and then the next day went hiking in the park, then out for lunch, and then wandered around Northampton and did some window shopping. My cousin felt ill off and on, but nothing too serious, except one odd symptom - orange urine. Dr. Google told me that one time of off color urine could be caused by just something you ate and not to worry about it. Except when she slept over Saturday night as well, she threw up and had high fevers all night. The next day we planned to go to a BBQ with her parents anyways, so I didn't bother to take her home or anything. And besides, her uncle is a doctor and he'd be there, so she'd get cared for anyways. And it's a good thing he was there... she ended up spiking a 103.2 fever. Her uncle made her take a cold bath, lay down, etc. I had to leave to run some errands before things closed down for the Memorial Day holiday, but I knew she'd be in good hands. When I texted her later last night, her boyfriend texted back and said she was in the hospital.
They don't know for sure yet what it is. Last night the verdict was "probably gallstones." Now they are thinking it's maybe Hepatitis A. They don't know and won't know until tomorrow when she was a something-that-begins-with-H-but-I-cant-remember scan. I plan on going up and spending an hour with her in the morning before work. However, it is looking like she will probably have her gallbladder out.
Poor kid... She's only 17 and has had 2 surgeries in a little over 2 years. (She seriously broke her arm cheerleading awhile back, and then ended up with compartment syndrome.)
So yeah, thats my life recently. I wish I had more positive things to say.
Two weekends ago...
My parents split up a few months ago. This is the first time I have mentioned this on the internet. Its been extremely hard for me. But that weekend all of the fighting and bad feelings and betrayal and whatever else you want to call it came to a climax. Things got ugly. I'm not going to go into detail about what exactly went down, but it wasn't good.
One weekend ago...
My mom came down for my great-grandmother's memorial service. I'm sure you could figure out how that was all kinds of difficult. But add to it that after the memorial service we went back to my aunt and uncle's house to find my aunt so sick that she had to been taken to the hospital by ambulance. Then at the hospital there was more drama because the hospital we took her to was just the closest one and by far not the best one at all. So we ended up transferring her to a better hospital where she stayed overnight and had a bunch of tests and nothing was really diagnosed... she was just sick. Like a bad flu, or an infection or something.
This weekend...
This weekend was supposed to be fun. My cousin (not the daughter of the sick aunt, the daughter of the other aunt) spent the night Friday night even though she wasn't feeling the best. Having some headaches and off and on fevers and such. We watched movies with our boyfriends, and then the next day went hiking in the park, then out for lunch, and then wandered around Northampton and did some window shopping. My cousin felt ill off and on, but nothing too serious, except one odd symptom - orange urine. Dr. Google told me that one time of off color urine could be caused by just something you ate and not to worry about it. Except when she slept over Saturday night as well, she threw up and had high fevers all night. The next day we planned to go to a BBQ with her parents anyways, so I didn't bother to take her home or anything. And besides, her uncle is a doctor and he'd be there, so she'd get cared for anyways. And it's a good thing he was there... she ended up spiking a 103.2 fever. Her uncle made her take a cold bath, lay down, etc. I had to leave to run some errands before things closed down for the Memorial Day holiday, but I knew she'd be in good hands. When I texted her later last night, her boyfriend texted back and said she was in the hospital.
They don't know for sure yet what it is. Last night the verdict was "probably gallstones." Now they are thinking it's maybe Hepatitis A. They don't know and won't know until tomorrow when she was a something-that-begins-with-H-but-I-cant-remember scan. I plan on going up and spending an hour with her in the morning before work. However, it is looking like she will probably have her gallbladder out.
Poor kid... She's only 17 and has had 2 surgeries in a little over 2 years. (She seriously broke her arm cheerleading awhile back, and then ended up with compartment syndrome.)
So yeah, thats my life recently. I wish I had more positive things to say.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
Thanks to Chelsea for hosting and for this week’s questions.
1. What is the weather like in your city today?
Today was gorgeous. Upper 70s, a bit cloudy and humid but with a nice breeze.
2. Do you like the zoo?
I love zoos, especially for taking photos of the animals!!
3. Do you eat coconut?
I can't remember the last time I had straight up coconut, but I love things with coconut flavor in them.
4. Have you ever hammered a nail? Are you good at it?
I have, but I would not say I am particular good at it. I'm not absolutely terrible though. I get the job done.
5. Does your family have a vacation destination that you visit often?
Yes indeed. My mom's whole side of the family (grandparents and their adopted daughters, aunt and her family, uncle and his family, my siblings and nephew... all told about 20 people) goes to Old Orchard Beach every summer for the past 5 or so years. However, those of us in our 20s have decided to start opting out. (I think I've only stayed the whole week once. Tooo much drama)
6. How many pillows do you sleep with?
2, and they need to be replaced.
1. What is the weather like in your city today?
Today was gorgeous. Upper 70s, a bit cloudy and humid but with a nice breeze.
2. Do you like the zoo?
I love zoos, especially for taking photos of the animals!!
3. Do you eat coconut?
I can't remember the last time I had straight up coconut, but I love things with coconut flavor in them.
4. Have you ever hammered a nail? Are you good at it?
I have, but I would not say I am particular good at it. I'm not absolutely terrible though. I get the job done.
5. Does your family have a vacation destination that you visit often?
Yes indeed. My mom's whole side of the family (grandparents and their adopted daughters, aunt and her family, uncle and his family, my siblings and nephew... all told about 20 people) goes to Old Orchard Beach every summer for the past 5 or so years. However, those of us in our 20s have decided to start opting out. (I think I've only stayed the whole week once. Tooo much drama)
6. How many pillows do you sleep with?
2, and they need to be replaced.
7. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Go to the bathroom
8. Will you send your kids to summer camp?
Doubtful, unless they really wanted to go. And even, just like a one week thing or maybe day camp.
9. What do you put in your baked potatoes?
I liked baked potatoes all different ways. Especially with chili and cheese though.
10. Did you take swimming lessons as a kid?
No, I learned to swim in a pond in our yard. For real. I'm a hick.
Go to the bathroom
8. Will you send your kids to summer camp?
Doubtful, unless they really wanted to go. And even, just like a one week thing or maybe day camp.
9. What do you put in your baked potatoes?
I liked baked potatoes all different ways. Especially with chili and cheese though.
10. Did you take swimming lessons as a kid?
No, I learned to swim in a pond in our yard. For real. I'm a hick.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
1. When someone asks you for a book recommendation, what is your go-to book?
I usually recommend Jodi Picoult. Because's she's AMAZING. But if they like YA, I recommend Sarah Dessen.
2. Do you buy your books, or are you a library patron?
I buy used books from thriftbooks.com or book sales.
3. E-readers, yay or nay?
NAY!!!! They contribute to the death of the bookstore. Plus, I just love books. I love the way they feel, the way the smell, the way the look on my shelf... everything about them
4. What was your favorite book as a child?
I love the Ramona Quimby series. I tend to like authors and series better than just one particular book.
5. If you could be any character in a book, who would you be?
I'm not really sure!
6. What book would you love to see turned into a movie?
I'm not a big fan of movies based on books.
7. What is your all-time favorite book?
Eeks... another hard one. I love so many books, it's just too hard to say.
8. How many books do you read at once?
Usually one. I averaged like 5 in grade school.
9. What is your favorite book genre?
Chick lit. And some YA.
10. Which Harry Potter book is the best? Or haven’t you read them at all?
I've always like the 4th one.
I usually recommend Jodi Picoult. Because's she's AMAZING. But if they like YA, I recommend Sarah Dessen.
2. Do you buy your books, or are you a library patron?
I buy used books from thriftbooks.com or book sales.
3. E-readers, yay or nay?
NAY!!!! They contribute to the death of the bookstore. Plus, I just love books. I love the way they feel, the way the smell, the way the look on my shelf... everything about them
4. What was your favorite book as a child?
I love the Ramona Quimby series. I tend to like authors and series better than just one particular book.
5. If you could be any character in a book, who would you be?
I'm not really sure!
6. What book would you love to see turned into a movie?
I'm not a big fan of movies based on books.
7. What is your all-time favorite book?
Eeks... another hard one. I love so many books, it's just too hard to say.
8. How many books do you read at once?
Usually one. I averaged like 5 in grade school.
9. What is your favorite book genre?
Chick lit. And some YA.
10. Which Harry Potter book is the best? Or haven’t you read them at all?
I've always like the 4th one.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
I Loathe Bounce Houses
Last week was "Week of the Young Child". It's a great concept. A week celebrating the innocence and playful spirit of the little ones. The childcare center that I work at goes all out for WOYC. Each day was something different. Monday we all wore pajamas to school, saw a magician and tie dyed t-shirts. Tuesday was school spirit day and we ate pizza and homemade salads. Wednesday was sports day. We played sports inside (it rained) and wore sports apparel. Thursday was rainbow day and community helpers day. We wore tie dye and were visited by firemen and police dogs. Friday was green day, to celebrate Earth Day. We all wore green and planted flowers. We also had a big party to celebrate the end of the week. We invited parents to join us for an ice cream social and set up a bounce house in the playground. Various other things were scattered through the week, like a visit from a parent who works for LEGO and brought in huge creations, and a parent who put on a concert with his acoustic guitar. But the bounce house was a favorite.
The general consensus around the building was that WOYC is amazing for the children, but it's hell for the teachers.
Especially the bounce house.
When kids find out that there's going to be a bounce house, it's like feeding them crack. It's all they can think about and all they can talk about. And there's no way to hide it from them, because parents needed to contribute a few dollars towards renting the thing. They won't nap because all they can think about is the bounce house. They won't eat because all they can talk about is the bounce house.
We let each class have 2 turns in the bounce house. Once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The kids came to school wound up about the bounce house and left school wound up about the bounce house. And in between, all you heard was "BOUNCE HOUSE! BOUNCE HOUSE! BOUNCE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
And the kids get in this thing, and it's madness. They're jumping and they're screaming. They're smacking into each other and they're laughing hysterically. They fall down and their face gets jumped on, but their tears are of pure joy. A kid could break both their arms and shattered their pelvis in a 10 kid pile of bouncing insanity and they would still think the bounce house was the. greatest. thing. ever.
They come out of this thing with their hair all disheveled, plastic burns on their faces, hands, and knees, sore, bruised, out of breath, covered in dirt, sweat, and possibly some blood, smelling of dirty plastic, and probably missing at least one article of clothing, but they'll have the biggest smile on their face and beg to go back in as soon as possible.
I really do not get it.
And I do not like it either.
Don't forget my giveaway.
The general consensus around the building was that WOYC is amazing for the children, but it's hell for the teachers.
Especially the bounce house.
When kids find out that there's going to be a bounce house, it's like feeding them crack. It's all they can think about and all they can talk about. And there's no way to hide it from them, because parents needed to contribute a few dollars towards renting the thing. They won't nap because all they can think about is the bounce house. They won't eat because all they can talk about is the bounce house.
We let each class have 2 turns in the bounce house. Once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The kids came to school wound up about the bounce house and left school wound up about the bounce house. And in between, all you heard was "BOUNCE HOUSE! BOUNCE HOUSE! BOUNCE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
And the kids get in this thing, and it's madness. They're jumping and they're screaming. They're smacking into each other and they're laughing hysterically. They fall down and their face gets jumped on, but their tears are of pure joy. A kid could break both their arms and shattered their pelvis in a 10 kid pile of bouncing insanity and they would still think the bounce house was the. greatest. thing. ever.
They come out of this thing with their hair all disheveled, plastic burns on their faces, hands, and knees, sore, bruised, out of breath, covered in dirt, sweat, and possibly some blood, smelling of dirty plastic, and probably missing at least one article of clothing, but they'll have the biggest smile on their face and beg to go back in as soon as possible.
I really do not get it.
And I do not like it either.
Don't forget my giveaway.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Ten on Tuesday
1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation?
I drive Dan's car to work. We share, because my car was a piece of junk and not worth the time and money to keep it on the road.
2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time?
Honestly... like once a year. And no, I don't go to the same person every time. I think a regular hairdresser would not be happy with how infrequently I cut him hair. But I get it cut and keep it that way until it no longer looks good/is manageable. I don't really get split ends, and I don't do trendy haircuts so I'm good with once a year.
3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version?
I'll read the paper occasionally if there's one around and I'm bored.
4. What is the best book you have read this year?
Time Traveler's Wife.
5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?
Hmm.... not entirely sure. I can't think of what movies I saw this year vs. last year.
6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?
I'd sweet 65% of the time, salty 35%.
7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?
Not every single day, but I definitely should cause I feel better when I do. I usually have coffee and some sort of carb like toast or a donut.
8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?
I love fruity candy. Doesn't really matter what kind. But I also love Reece's Eggs and Cadbury eggs.
9. How late is “sleeping in” to you?
10 am or later.
10. Where are you going on your next vacation?
Don't know!
Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a free handmade teddybear!
I drive Dan's car to work. We share, because my car was a piece of junk and not worth the time and money to keep it on the road.
2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time?
Honestly... like once a year. And no, I don't go to the same person every time. I think a regular hairdresser would not be happy with how infrequently I cut him hair. But I get it cut and keep it that way until it no longer looks good/is manageable. I don't really get split ends, and I don't do trendy haircuts so I'm good with once a year.
3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version?
I'll read the paper occasionally if there's one around and I'm bored.
4. What is the best book you have read this year?
Time Traveler's Wife.
5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?
Hmm.... not entirely sure. I can't think of what movies I saw this year vs. last year.
6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?
I'd sweet 65% of the time, salty 35%.
7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?
Not every single day, but I definitely should cause I feel better when I do. I usually have coffee and some sort of carb like toast or a donut.
8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?
I love fruity candy. Doesn't really matter what kind. But I also love Reece's Eggs and Cadbury eggs.
9. How late is “sleeping in” to you?
10 am or later.
10. Where are you going on your next vacation?
Don't know!
Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a free handmade teddybear!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Giveaway! Win a free handmade amigurumi teddy bear!
Want to win this cute, cuddly handmade teddy bear?!
Well, you can! It's easy! Just enter my giveaway and he could be yours.
And as an extra bonus, also included in the giveaway is a 50% off coupon to my Etsy shop - Pockets Full of Posies. Use it to get a pal for your teddy bear, or give it to a friend so they can get one too! (I also have lots of accessories in my shop - for humans - like hats, scarfs, and purses. A little something for everyone)
How do you enter?
It's simple. Just comment on this blog and tell me which item from my Etsy shop is your favorite. Make sure to include your email address somewhere so I can contact you if you're the lucky winner!
** If someone other than me referred you, please let me know who they were, so they can get an extra entry!**
There are also MANY other ways to get entries. There is actually no limit to how many more entries you can get.
Please leave a comment for each individual entry telling me how I can verify your entry - links, user names, etc.
- Be a follower of my blog (1 entry)
- "Like" Pockets Full of Posies on Facebook (1 entry)
- Tweet about my shop (Add @theashes so I will see it. 1 entry per tweet per day.)
- Make a purchase in the shop, or have made one in the past (10 entries)
- Favorite an item in my Etsy shop (Up to 5 entries)
- Add me to your Etsy circle (2 entries)
- Blog about this giveaway. (Must include a link to my Etsy shop. You may use photos of my merchandise. Email me if you have any questions.) (5 entries)
- Refer a friend. (Make sure they tell me who sent them) (1 entry per person. Unlimited entries!)
Also, there are no restrictions for this giveaway. I'll ship it anywhere in the world. (As long as this sort of thing is legal in your country) Customs forms don't scare me. :)
Giveaway has been extended until May 14th at midnight (eastern standard time)
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