De Ann's Clan

Friday, January 2, 2015

Esophageal Esophagitis

I was diagnosed with Esophageal Esophagitis after my last biopsy.  It means my throat is affected by what I eat.  The doctor told me to go without dairy products and gluten.  It has been a little while since then and it has been quite the experience.

I used to eat yogurt everyday.  Cheese and other dairy products were pretty much my main food stays.  I don't eat much meat, so cutting out dairy and gluten takes away a lot of my choices. 

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Deep Throat 2

I went in today for a throat scope.  I thought I might feel better after the procedure.  I was wrong.  At least now I can take something for pain.  They dilated my throat and took 4 biopsies.  I asked the doctor what he found, but he said he wouldn't say anything until after the biopsies come back.  Here is to more waiting.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

The secret posts

Saturday is the only day I have time to post.  So I was looking at the blog to see if I have posted every Saturday.  There are some Saturdays without any posts, and yet they are on my list of posts.  It is frustrating that there are experiences at work that I cannot share because I am an educator.  I wish there was a way to share some of my classroom experiences without breaching confidentiality. 

Report Cards

I sent out report cards this week.  Students can get a 1-3, 3 being the highest, a p for passing, or an n for needs improvement.  As I was doing the grades, I basically gave any student in the 90% a 3, 80% a 2, 70% a 1, 60% a p, and an N for anyone under 60%.  I believe all students should be able to get a three if they earn it. 

That being said, my class report cards were very low.  It always seems that they are at the beginning of the year.  I don't know if students are just used to getting a good grade despite not putting forth any effort.  Once my students realize that I do expect them to work and earn their grade, most try harder. 

As a teacher, I do not mark off points for late assignments.  I send home a list of missing assignments every couple of weeks.  I even attach all the missing assignments to the paper.  There is a reason I give out an assignment.  If a student hasn't done the assignment, I want them to take their time to get it done. 

I send home a weekly calendar that lists all the homework assignments for the week so parents know what is due when.  I am a working mother, so I try to make life easier for other working parents to keep track of what is happening at school.  And yet, I still have parents surprised their child is missing assignments. 

I can't wait to get feedback from the report cards.

Christmas and Neighborhood Cats

I went to put up our tree last week.  As Porter and I were straightening out the branches I smelled a urine odor.  I kept straightening out the branches hoping I was just imagining it.  But there was no denying it.  Something got to our tree.  The only thing I can think of is neighborhood cats. Stupid cats.  We threw the tree away. 

We ended up getting a real tree this year.  It looks fabulous.  It doesn't smell like urine either.  If anyone has connections to artificial trees for next year, send me a line. 


Deep Throat

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Saturday, November 22, 2014

Just Call Him Mr. McFeely


 http://dupagechildrens.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/mr-mcfeely-website-header-image.gif

Don started working as a substitute mail carrier for the post office about a week ago.  He is working in the Millcreek area off of 3300 South.  He is limping around like an old man.  He runs from house to house because he has to have the mail delivered before 5:00 P.M. There was one day that he was way behind.  But yesterday he seemed to be getting a hang of it. I keep waiting for the neighborhood dogs to realize he is a mailman an to go wild as soon as he drives up.


http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4164217