Thanksgiving

A list of things I am thankful for:

1. my home
2. family
3. friends
3. a loving, forgiving savior
4. my overweight cat
5. a reliable car
6. a job
7.a clear, sane mind
8. books
9. books on cd/tape
10. sunrise
11. sunset
12. a good glass of wine
13. a lit fireplace
14. good neighbors
15. good health
16. a well told joke
17. a hearfelt, loving kiss
18. a lingering hug (from the person responsible for #17)
19. a long, leisurely stroll
20. a good play
21. a good meal
22. life
23. a walk on the beach


Menu for Thanksgiving (doing dinner with relatives, but this is for home):

Duck
Wild Rice
Green Bean Casserole
Dinner Rolls
Cranberry Sauce
Chardonny
Pecan Pie
Coffee

Proficiency

I thought I had posted this, but apparently, I typed it and never hit the publish button.

On Wednesday or Thursday of last week, the Yahoo Education: Word of the Day was proficient. It is defined as an advanced degree of competency. I understand that some tests are more challenging that others, but please explain how 65% accuracy on a state's standardized test is considered proficient. Don't tell me, let me guess - semantics. It just depends on how you define competency. Right?

Who knows, maybe "competency" will be tomorrows word.

Sacramento and Updates

Seal of California



inside the Capital Building





the view from our hotel room



cool sculpture near the convention center

I took a lot more photos and will post them when time permits.

****Updates******
I have always been a little timid about posting my views or comments about my job, especially when they pertain to things taking place at my school site or within my school district. Whether positive or negative, I always question the line between my first amendment rights and the privacy of others. For that reason, I rarely post about work. Recently one fellow blogger has been asked to "cease and desist" blogging about his role as an educator and another has been duly warned. All I can say is point made, point taken.

Mom's most recent chemo treatment was the most difficult so far. It has taken her a week to bounce back and begin regaining her energy. Thankfully, she only has one more treatment left.

I haven't done much reading lately, but I did listen to The Boleyn Inheritance on CD. It was a very well told story, and the use of three different reader made the audio that much more enjoyable. As always, Phillipa Gregory did an incredible job with the historical and fictional aspects of the story.