You can tell a lot about a person by the jobs they have done in their life.  (I’m just not sure WHAT my list tells you–let me know what you think)

I worked at Collegiate sports, and Elk’s Menswear in the Bramalea City Centre (I’m not sure if both stores are there anymore.)  As a 15 year old retail clerk, they don’t give you much training, in my opinion.

I worked for a number of summers with the City of Brampton.  One summer I was on the “Sign Crew”.  We drove around in city trucks and fixed the street signs.  In the sign shop, I cut out the letters that make the road signs– with a big die-cut machine, and I built some street signs too.  You had to bake the background plastic on the metal first (in a big Easy-Bake oven), and then place the letters and bake again–If you know where Chrysler Drive is, in Brampton –I made one of those signs–ages ago.  This was interesting, being a 15year old girl and the daughter of the foreman’s boss.  But the old, crusty men were impressed when they sent me to the truck that I not only could identify a wrench, but could read the markings on them and could find the 3/16 or whatever one they sent me for.

Also for the City of Brampton, I worked 2 or 3 years (summers -full time) in the parking lots.  You know those losers you pay the money to as you leave, well that was me!!!  I worked day shift 8-4 and an evening shift 3 -11.  But both city jobs were good money for little effort.  The hardest was the parking lot, being bored and doing the same thing over and over.  I found it very soul-sucking.  I tease and complain about my job now–but really I love it!!

I was part of the “Student Security” team at York University.  We would walk on patrol with our giant red plastic reflective coats.  We had to check in with base and write a little log of the buildings we went through.  It was late 6pm to 2 am.  But again, money.  Sometimes you got to be in one of the three “Escort Vans” .  Students could call the “escort service” –(get your mind out of the gutter) and you would be walked or driven to your res building or your car.  (Sometimes when it was slow–we took the vans “off road”~ but that was wrong  and we shouldn’t have done it –Sorry York.)  It was at this job that the “Chocolate Milk” rule was instated in my marriage.  (the rule is: NO Chocolate Milk after midnight)  Apparently, I was a little crazy when I’d get home at 2am after drinking Chocolate milk to try to stay awake.  Phillip and baby Jeremy were already asleep, but sometimes I’d want to talk or play.  No chocolate milk late at night anymore.

I also worked at the Disney Store at Yorkdale (which I was informed this week–no longer exists!!!)  I liked working retail– talking to people and putting out new merchandise.  Its just they pay horrible and you have to work nights and weekends.  Another blog could be stories from working at the Disney Store–I met some WEIRD people!!!

I have been a cashier at Price Chopper.  I come from a family tradition of being cashiers at grocery stores–both my mom and nan worked for years as a cashier. 

I was the Assistant manager of the “Northern Getaway” kids clothing store at the Pickering Town Centre for a few months.  I had keys!  Cool!

I have taught as a supply teacher for 2 months, then in Holy Family in Beaverton, St. James in Ajax, and finally Brother Andre in Ajax.  I really love teaching.  Its predictable in many ways, and “out of control” in others.  Kinda like me!!!

Winter is coming,

you can feel it in the air.

The days are dark so much earlier, and the cold weather makes you catch your breath first thing in the morning.

I hate winter.

Its cold, and dark and I HATE HATE HATE snow  (its pretty, but its wet and dangerous to drive in, and not fun to shovel, and it makes the kids at work smell like wet dogs).  Snow and I have an understanding–we don’t get along. I hate the isolating feeling of going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark.  They layers of clothes and the steamed up glasses.  The ice and freezing rain, the mess and the yuck.  I don’t ski, snowshoe or toboggon.  I hate skating and have never even petted a Husky dog–certainly not dog-sledded.  (I’ve never been on a snowmobile–but that I would try, but maybe just once— but I will then complain about being cold and wet.)

Winter sucks.  AND its coming our way!!!!!

Please stay away just a little longer, please don’t take the sun away from me, and make me bundle up.  Please let me have summer back for just one more day before I have to face the cold, dark truth of winter.

I haven’t felt like writing a lot lately.  I don’t know if it is because of my Grandmother’s death bumming me out, or the change of seasons, or the mess in my class and house, but I just feel BLAHHHHH.

Well, nothing changes a grumpy mood like doing something about it!!!!  I am going to be back to blogging, here on my personal blog, and on my school website.  If you would like to see what my class is doing  check out www.teacherweb.com

Once you get there, click– find a teacher, scroll down to Ontario, Canada, then pick a school, we are Brother Andre (the first of the two listed), and last pick ME, from the list of teachers that have set up sites.  Its a lot of fun, and the parents who are checking the homework lists and the calendar really like it.  I have also added a “Student Blog” section.  Every couple of days, a student gets to sit at my desk and write what is happening in school.  It gets posted to the website and parents and friends can read it.

Hopefully turning around and facing my crappy mood will help me beat it!!!  If you are reading it, send me a shout out and say hi.  I could really use it!

I’m teaching a drama class tonight for the Town of Whitby.  Even though I spend my day with 7 and 8 year olds, its very different to spend time in the evening with them.
First, they  aren’t MINE.  I know you think your kids are your own, but if they are in my class, I think of them as MINE as well.  I get to know them really well, highs and lows.  I can tell when they are happy, sick, lying, bored etc.  These kids in the drama class I only have them for an hour and 15 min once a week, so we don’t really bond the same way.

Also I find it weird when they call me Amanda.  Not that I mind, it is a less formal situation than at school.  It’s just weird after so many classes at 3 different schools.

Oh well, off I go,  we will bark like dogs and build “clay” sculptures with our partners.  FUN!!!

I had such a nice time last night.  Phillip, Megan and I were going to watch movies.  I made my suggestions (which are always Ocean’s 11, Cars, or any Harry Potter) but we has come to an agreement on a “George Clooney” night– O Brother Where are Thou, and the Ocean’s 11.

Well, I know I have a book (dated 2003) that is just a book of “lists of movies”  Top grossing Ninja movie, top disaster movie, and top movies from a variety of actors.  We started reading these lists, (Like Tom Hank’s movies) and you can’t help laughing thinking about scenes from various movies, or talking about ones you haven’t seen. 

There was also lists of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress Oscar winners from every year from the 1930’s to 2002!  We had a hoot guessing the names of actors and films and talking and laughing!

What a great way to spend an evening engaged with other people rather than just watching TV again.    Can’t  wait to NOT watch movies again.  If you want to have this much fun, go on AFI (The American Film Institute’s) website–they have good lists, like Greatest hero and greatest Villian or most romantic movie.  You will have a great time laughing, crying and acting out your favourite scenes!!!

You know the feeling………….  the tightness in your chest, the nose starts to drip a little,  and you feel it coming on……………a cold!!!!!

Yuck, I just want to have a cup of tea, or sit in a cup of tea, and cry until I fall asleep………

Cold, cold go away!!!

Its so nice to be blessed with friends.  When you are going through a trying time, just a smile or a kind word can mean so much!  Makeing a friend a cup of tea, sending a nice message on the blog or on facebook helps make you feel more real and more solid. 

I am trying to go about daily life (since there is no change in Grandma’s condition), but my mind starts wandering–sometimes on her and what she means to me, somtimes to how my own mom and family is feeling, sometimes to stupid things, like the fact that all my nice long nails are now broken, and they look like crap.  Then I feel bad for being worried about my nails when my Grandmother is dying.  (or is not dying–both are bad)

Thank you to the people who have shared a kind word, in person or over the computer.  Thanks for the offers of help–at school (J-taking my class so I could plan), and evryone else (M-I know you will be and do anything I need).  Its a blessing to be so cared for!  Thank you all so much, I will keep you up to date!

Friday night I spent looking at and holding a new tiny baby. 

Saturday night, some members of my family and I held hands and prayed while the priest gave last rites to my Grandmother. 

To say its been an odd weekend, would be putting it mildly.

My grandmother is so frail, small and weak.  She doesn’t seem much different from tiny, baby Sam.  Everyone in the family has been in to see her.  We call her name, touch her hair, hold her hand.  Occasionally, she will open her eyes and there is some recognition that we are with her.  Mostly its just waiting, and ……. well, trying to help her with a word, a song, a kiss.  Whether we are trying to help her stay here, or help her move on, I’m not quite sure.   I think it’s both at the same time.  I know its for the best, and all that…… but still its hard. 

Phillip sang three times to her, between Saturday night and Sunday morning.  She definitely responded to the music.  She looked at me and smiled a little. She asked for Jeremy, too.  So we have all said our goodbye’s to her.  But I don’t know what to do, or how just to wait…..until……..

I am comforted, and amazed by the response of the family.  Everyone is coming by and we all have taken some time with her.  You couldn’t ask for a better end then to see all of your children, grandchildren and your great grandchildren tell you that they are near and that they love you!

My other friend Amanda (not the one who just got married), but another teacher-Amanda just had her second baby.  He is so tiny and perfect and cute.  We went to see him last night.  He’s big (for a baby) at 8 and a half pounds, but that’s still so small.  He has tons of blonde hair, and his skin is so soft.  I took photos of him, and his tiny perfect feet. 

Now, in my opinion, FEET ARE GROSS!!!!  They are weird and nasty.  (Mine personally included)– Toes are bent and crooked, dry skin, bumps, cracks YIKES.  But not new baby feet!!!!  These little puppies were absolutely perfect.  They are soft and smooth. 

It’s so weird to think that these tiny toes have never touched the earth yet.  Soon they will be dirty and grass-stained and running all over, (like Sam’s big brother John), but for now, we all can enjoy perfect baby feet!

Well, now its official– we are back to school.

I’m really glad to be back.  I mean, really, I’d still love to be on the beach.  But vacation wouldn’t be special if that’s where you lived all the time.  So I need school to “earn” my vacation.

Plus, I like routine and the fun that my job brings.  Sure, some days I want to scream.  Teaching primary brings some unique challenges.  (like my friend yesterday who had to mediate a fight about which stuffed animal was “The Queen” and which were “just Princesses”)  Yup, this is my life.  But I really like it.  This is a great group of students and I’m already having a ball with them!!!!

Well, I’d better get back to work!!!