TEACHING SCENE TUESDAY--achin' for bacon

There is a student in my class who I love a lot. He is so weird and quirky and funny. He's the sweetest thing and makes me laugh on a daily basis. Recently, he quipped the following to me:

"Mrs. Ashmore, you know what we should do? At the end of the year, let's have a party with bacon ...because I like bacon. And cupcakes. Everyone likes cupcakes. Can we do that, Mrs. Ashmore?"

A few minutes later, I heard him exclaim to no one in particular, his head buried in his desk:

"That's where my mustache went!"

...And because I'm at a loss for a way to follow that, I'll just end now.

Until next time,

Mrs. Ashmore

MEMORY MONDAY--Fluffy

Fourteen years old. Gilbert Jr. High.
Mr. Granio's 8th grade earth science class.

"Grah-knee-O," he demonstrated the first day of class, pointing to his own knee at the appropriate syllable.

He was AWESOME. And totally weird. But that is probably what made him so cool in the first place. Let me share what I remember about Mr. Granio.

1.) He was great at multi-tasking. He could give lectures about tectonic plates while shooting at flies with rubber bands (the classroom door faced a horse field). I've never seen a happier man than the day he shot and killed one flying midair.

2.) When he thought something was funny, it wasn't a knee slapper...it was an ELBOW slapper. He'd laugh hysterically while slapping his elbow. Like I said. Weird.

3.) Mr. Granio reminded me a Fred Flinstone. Without the orange dress.

4.) One day, Mr. Granio excitedly told the class that his wife was having a baby girl. We got on the subject of names, and he got frustrated, as he described the difficulties of agreeing on a name. Apparently his wife just wouldn't cooperate. When we asked what he wanted to name her, he replied dramatically, with outstretched arms, his attentive students in suspense:

"...Beached...Whale..."

he said, staring theatrically at an unknown distant vision.

5.) We were never allowed to say we got a HAIR cut. He said this didn't make sense. Why would we go to a hair salon and pay to have ONE hair trimmed? No...we got a HAIRS cut.

6.) Mr. Granio had a pet rock. He named it Fluffy, kept it in a cage, and had students regularly change its food and water. He would even remove it from the cage, put it in a hamster ball, and let it get some "exercise." The strangest part was the fact that the ball would actually rove all through the room as if a real animal was running its little heart out.

7.) And he taught us a bunch of stuff about rocks...and space...and volcanoes. That was cool too.


It's amazing what an impact a teacher can have.

THANKFUL THURSDAY--thankful tree

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Every year, our class writes what they are thankful for on construction paper leaves, and arranges them on our thankful tree. 


Of course there are the usual and expected:
I am thankful for...

• my family
• friends
• mom
• dad
• Mrs. Ashmore
• school

But being from a predominately LDS community, our tree also holds leaves that say: 

I am thankful for...

• the scriptures
• the temple
• Heavenly Father
• Jesus
• the church

And then there are the unique ones that remind why I just love these kids: 

I am thankful for...

• ME!
• A voice
• doughnuts
• milk and water
• flowers in my yard
• a birthday
• sports
• turkeys
• Pokemon cards

SNOW DAY.

The alarm went off, and I smiled. The wind was still moaning against the window pane. This was a good sign.

I ripped off the covers and ran straight for the computer. Andrew was up right behind me, beelining for the radio in the kitchen.

No news yet.

I made my way back to bedroom, stopping several times to pull back the curtains and scrutinize the whirling snowfall. The wind seemed fierce enough to me. But you never can tell for sure.

I dressed slowly, despite knowing I would need more time to drive to work today. I was listening carefully to the newscasters in the other room.

Where was my phone? I quickly found it buried beneath the flannel sheets. Turning the volume up several notches, I slid it into my pocket and strolled off to brush my teeth.

Last night, I had viewed the accumulation with suspicion. In spite of an already prepared to-do list (just in case, you see), I couldn't allow for too much hope. This is Rexburg, Idaho, after all. Suddenly, I heard magical keywords floating in from the kitchen.

"...schools...."

"...closures..."

I skittered across the cold, wood floor in time to hear the morning DJ announce, "...after this song." Sliding to a stop, I forlornly turned and headed back toward the bathroom.

Meandering past wads of scattered Kleenex, I sighed deeply and ran my hands through my hair. Oh, how I need this! Homework, report cards, laundry...not to mention my sanity. I could imagine thousands of children and teachers, anxiously pacing their southeast Idaho homes. All going crazy with suspense.

Just then, the front door flew open, and Andrew stomped in covered with snow. He had been shoveling through the drifts across our driveway.

"We're the only house on the block with snow!"

I smiled at his exasperation. But mostly, I smiled at what was another very good sign.

After chugging a glass of water, he tromped back out, while I went to check the computer again for some news.

But then...there came, floating up from my pocket, the most joy-filled little jingle. I don't get calls at six in the morning unless...

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A combination of the wind, my hoarse sore throat, and Andrew bundled up to his eyeballs, I doubt he heard a word of my jubilation. But my quivering, happy dance on the front stoop left no room for question as to the news, I'm sure. The neighbor's double take at my celebration, from across the street, didn't even phase me.

Looking over the wind carved designs in our yard very nearly made me cry. It was going to be a glorious snow day.

SOME GOOD THINGS TO HAPPEN LATELY

I bought a Christmas wreath for an amazing 50% off deal at the local craft store. I am head-over-heals and believe it only the beginning of what is to be a long, lovely relationship. Isn't it gorgeous?

It has been a very wet, drippy, slushy week. Rexburg can't decide whether to snow or rain or sleet. It changes its mind every couple of hours. 

I suppose the weather has a lot to do with the fact that this dinner was simply glorious. Aren't soup bowls the coziest of meals? 

We are having such a fun time designing a house! Andrew uses AutoCAD to draw up our sketches, before we analyze, discuss, and revise again. After months of drafts we are almost there. Just a few more kinks to iron out. It'll be a small, Craftsman style, 3-bedroom home. 

It sure is fun to have a builder for a husband, because even on our modest budget, he can do most everything himself. This allows for us to afford some pretty little extras. I've had trims, cabinets, wood, and paint on the brain for awhile now, so I'll have to share the decor ideas I've gathered soon. We'd like to start the process in the next six months or so, so stay tuned!

GLORY ALLELUIA.

.School closure 11=22=2010

From:	MADISON SCHOOL DISTRICT 321
To:	rachel_ashmore430@yahoo.com

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A message from MADISON SCHOOL DISTRICT 321

Because of winter weather conditions, Madison School District will be closed on Monday, November 22.

SUNDAY--Prophets

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My church recently had it's semiannual General Conference. This is where the entire world membership gathers via Internet, radio, tv, and satellite broadcasts to listen to addresses from prophets and apostles. Did you know that there is a living prophet alive today? Prophets aren't all about biblical times, you know.

During Conference, I was interested to hear many of them refer to the 14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, an address given by Ezra Taft Benson about thirty years ago. I was curious, so I looked it up.





President Thomas S. Monson

1.)The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

• We are to "give heed unto all his words"--as if from the Lord's "own mouth."

2.)The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works (scriptures).

• "...those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation (Brigham Young)."

3.)The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

• "God's revelations to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the ark. Noah needed his own revelation. Therefore, the most important prophet, so far as you and I are concerned, is the one living in our day and age to whom the Lord is currently revealing His will for us."

4.) The prophet will never lead the Church astray.

• "I say to Israel, The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of the Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not in the mind of God (Wilford Woodruff)."

5.) The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

• We encourage earthly knowledge in many areas, but remember, if there is ever a conflict between earthly knowledge and the words of the prophet, you stand with the prophet, and you'll be blessed and time will vindicate you.

6.)The prophet does not have to say "Thus saith the Lord" to give us scripture.

• "Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you" (D&C 21:4)

7.) The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

• "...many are prone to garnish the sepulchres of yesterday's prophets and mentally stone the living ones. Why? Because the living prophet gets at what we need to know now, and the world prefers that prophets either be dead or mind their own business."

8.)The prophet is not limited by men's reasoning. There will be times when you will have to choose between the revelations of God and the reasoning of men--between the prophet and the politician or professor.

• "Would it seem reasonable to an eye doctor to be told to heal a blind man by spitting in the dirt, making clay, and applying it to the man's eyes and then telling him to wash in a contaminated pool? Yet this is precisely the course that Jesus took with one man, and he was healed. (See John 9:6-7.) Does it seem reasonable to cure leprosy by telling a man to wash seven times in a particular river? Yet this is precisely what the prophet Elisha told a leper to do, and he was healed. (See 2 Kings 5.)"

9.)The prophet can receive revelation on any matter--temporal or spiritual.

• "Temporal and spiritual things are inseparably connected, and ever will be." [Journal of Discourses, 10:363-364]

10.)The prophet may be involved in civic matters.

• Isaiah was deeply involved in giving counsel on political matters and of his words the Lord Himself said, "Great are the words of Isaiah" (3 Nephi 23:1).

11.)The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

• "The learned may feel the prophet is only inspired when he agrees with them; otherwise, the prophet is just giving his opinion--speaking as a man. The rich may feel they have no need to take counsel of a lowly prophet."

12.) The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

• "Popularity is never a test of truth. Many a prophet has been killed or cast out."

13.)The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency--the highest quorum in the Church.

• Doctrine and Covenants (107:80)

14.) The prophet and the presidency--the living prophet and the First Presidency--follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.

• "You cannot destroy the appointment of a prophet of God, but you can cut the thread that binds you to the prophet of God and sink yourselves to hell. (Brigham Young)"

FOCAL POINT FRIDAY--Geeky Fun

Howdy, folks. This week's focal points...

BEST:

Friday night, we went to see the long awaited Harry Potter movie. Andrew's been preparing with the earlier films for weeks. 

The new Harry Potter movies are really the only flicks we deem worthy of paying full price in the theater for. Usually, we just wait to Red Box 'em. 

The verdict? 

• Because this book has been divided into two movies, it was fun how true to the book they were able to stay. 
• The special effects were incredible.
• It certainly earned its PG-13 rating. 
• Some scenes seemed much more intense and emotional in the book than in the movie. Such as: killing Nagini and Ron destroying the horcrux.
• The acting sure improves each time.
• Overall, we LOVED it. 

WORST:

I don't really want to talk about it. 

But an evening spent pouting spurred me to give it some thought. I don't want the grumpiness in one aspect of my life to begin poisoning home. And my recent habit of negative thought and speech is transforming me into a bitter, unhappier me. By bedtime I concluded, and felt a distinct impression, that I need a serious attitude adjustment. 

No more gossip. A mindset steeped with gratitude. And a stronger daily reliance on the Atonement. {Why do I insist on doing it alone?}

Well, here comes another week.

Wish me luck. 

WEBSITE WEDNESDAY--scherenshnitte

papercutting.blogspot.com

This is a paper cutting blog that I love to check in on every once in a while. Cindy has done pretty well with her art, putting on whole gallery shows, with only her exacto-knife and paper. She even offers free printable templates so you can attempt it yourself. Find all of them HERE. 
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I think I'd like to try my hand sometime soon. What great handmade gifts for Christmas! 

Which ones are your favorites?

{Cheshire Cat}

She's done alot of fairy tale paper cuts.

{Alice in Wonderland}

ha!

{Mad Hatter Tea Party}

Center piece and place cards. 

{The Silence}

I love that you can see above and below ground in one glance

{Wynken, Blynken, and Nod}

Remember this poem?

{Stygian Witches}

Fun one!

{Watership Down}

Isn't it fun what we can see that the girl can't?

{It's a Lovely Cage}

I don't really understand this one...but bars of the cage are sure beautiful.

{Because They Have Taken Away my Lord}

So delicate! Her hand, the clouds, the plants on the wall...

{The Frog Prince}

This one is 3-D in a shadow box.

{The Woman at the Well}

I love her silhouettes from the scriptures.

{It Taught me to Hope}

Any Pride and Prejudice fans out there?

{Thank You Card Silhouette}

Doesn't she come up with the most lovely designs?

{Woman with an Issue of Blood}

This story in the scriptures has sacred meaning to me, and it was done so beautifully. I love that you can actually see the virtue of Christ healing her, as if seeing with spiritual eyes. 

{Rooks}

Isn't it amazing she cut this out of paper??

{Birds on a Wire}

So simple. Yet one of my favorites. 

TEACHING SCENE TUESDAY--Romance

I overheard the following statements from a certain big-personality-endowed student of mine:

"Romance is disaster!" 
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"But apparently, you have to use it or you can't get married."




Oh, how I wish I had caught the entire conversation!

SNAPSHOT SATURDAY--Nieces

I took some pictures of my nieces at Brad and Erin's wedding that I am particularly proud of.

But I have to say that it helps when your nieces look like models to begin with.

Lovely blue-eyed Nicole

Whitney with her flawless, graceful features.

That picture had such a classic, vintage look to it that I played around on the computer to give it burnt edges and an old photo quality. Just for fun.

I'm just IN LOVE with this shot.

Rachel, take our picture!

Here's another niece. She's the sweetest thing since...who knows what. When I expressed to Andrew my desire to EAT her, Andrew just told me I was weird.

Her back was to me when I wanted a picture. When I called out:

Adelle! Look at me!

This is what I got--that precious gal calmly holding her pose for a good 5-10 seconds. Andrew and I almost died at her cuteness.

FOCAL POINT FRIDAY--bleh

Here are this week's focal points.

Only one more Friday before Thanksgiving break.

WORST:

I feel like crap. My throat burneth, my nose runneth, and my head hurteth like the dickens (if anyone knows what "the dickens" are exactly, please share. 'Cause I haven't the foggiest). 

In a netshell...I am sick. And managing a classroom this way is miserable.




BEST:
Becca left this week for New York City.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm not happy to get rid of her...I'm just happy she's so happy. It was a highly competitive internship expedition, and her acceptance is something to be proud of.

She's becoming quite the traveling lady. She was back from Europe only a couple of months ago, and now she is off to the The Big Apple.

Plus, she modeled and made me analyze every outfit she packed...for New-York-City-fashion-appropriateness. Like I would know.
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But it made me feel involved. And I expect a dang good souvenir gift as payment for my input when she returns.

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I realize this isn't the best thing to happen to me this week. But this news just beats out all of my languishing on the couch surrounded by used Kleenex.

Near death, I might add.

AND SO IT BEGINS...

Walking to church on Sunday morning, I was wondering why I even brought my sweater. It was so warm and sunny.

 By the next day, my yard looked like this
{via my cell phone}.

Coming home from work yesterday, the wintery sunset cast such a pretty pink glow on these snow covered trees, it made me wish I had a real camera on hand.



It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
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TEACHING SCENE TUESDAY--Roman Numerals

Third grade math.
I had just made a list of Roman numerals on the board.


"Those are the Super Bowl Numbers!" shouted one football-frenzied student from the back.

I concurred. But explained that is not where they came from nor is it all they are used for. I described the origin of Roman numerals and all the ways we use them today. Wrapping up my explanation, I thought I had been fairly clear, and was ready to move on.

That was, however, before a blonde gal from the front raised her hand to ask a very sincere question:

"So...do you mean like Ramen Noodles?"

Maybe we should start over...