Goodstuff at Goodwill

We went to Goodwill yesterday for kicks and happened upon the perfect entertainment center for 24 bucks. Score!

So far in our married life we've just used a cedar shelf DJ made in shop in high school. It was functional but it didn't cover up the endless amounts of cords or hide the DVDs and VHS tapes. In other words, I think it was kinda tacky. However, I wasn't (and for the most part, still am) not obsessive about furniture as we're renting and nothing in our house really coordinates. Our style is "eclectic".
Yeah. Most of our living room furniture was either free or we bought it at Salvation Army since moving here. I also tell myself eclectic is a good way to live "Green".

Luckily neither store is far from where we live because it is hit or miss as to what you'll find. The other thing we've found out is that it's best to shop in twos. That is, if you see a piece of furniture you like and want, one person must stand guard over it while the other goes to the front and makes it official- otherwise the vultures... I mean "other shoppers" will get it before you do.
It sounds ridiculous but it has happened to me.
*Side note: This also happens in our neighborhood. Our neighbors set out a recliner on the curb and it was gone the next time we looked out the window. Apparently everyone in Topeka really needs furniture.

When we saw the entertainment center we followed the plan. I'm glad we did because right when I stood in front of it to save it another shopper edged in. No joke. So DJ quickly pulled the tag off the top and walked right on past the guy to the front. Haha. Plan worked and we now have an entertainment center that's not tacky! Woot.
It is almost too nice to be in our "eclectic" house.

Needless to say, it has definitely been worth scouting the thrift stores occasionally as we have spent less than $100 to furnish our living/dining room areas.

Here comes Spring Break...Yay?!

Well, spring break is almost here! 3 days until it begins, and I am half ready, half not. I really, really enjoy being at the school, and it's hard to not go after a while. I wonder, does anyone else feel that way? Spring break has always been kind of a weird week, where a lot can happen, or a little can happen. So, what are you guys doing for spring break?

For the love of cats . . . or a chicken?

I was not a huge cat fan until we rescued these two little weirdos. They never cease to make us laugh . . .

Here is Aster conversing with two turtle doves on the telephone wire:



He really DOES NOT know how to "meow" like a normal cat.

Does he sound like a chicken to you?

Life at the Trail - Part 2

I've been fairly busy since the beginning of Second Semester. I have found that it's far easier to begin work after spending some time off. I spent a lot of time over break reflecting on where I needed to spend the majority of my time. Things are going quite smoothly now, and my class numbers aren't too overwhelming which helps me really focus in on my students one on one. I've had a number of students who have come a long way -- thank goodness! It's so fulfilling and gratifying to see your work pay off for these students, even if it's in a small way. Some of the highlights have been:

- Our Wii! - Through a grant our District Nurse wrote, we now have a Wii in my PE class! We have been playing and exercising to the games we have, and have already seen some amazing changes come about from my students. We have about 9 titles we're playing now, and due to the ingenious programming on them, and a little crafty modifications to the exercises, I hope to see a lot more changes come about.

- E-books, Audiobooks, and more! - Schools face a huge debt when it comes to the integration of technology into classrooms. This isn't new. But, when you introduce students to a technology-based curriculum, and give them time to experiment, the lights really, really start to shine. I have been slowly sharing my ideas on practical uses of technology tools to both paras, teachers, and students and am already seeing some very cool things happening. For example: It turns out, that if students have something cool to read on a computer, like an e-book or audiobook, they really take to it. I have a few kids who've already shown improvements because they can now listen to books. Before, they had to depend on shaky reading skills to make an attempt at reading, and often get frustrated by it. Well, if you hop down to the local library, check a good audio book out for them, and let them listen to it... Whole new things come about. It's very, very cool.

- Grad School - I had a great semester last year, and am looking forward to pushing harder on grad school this semester. I am taking two classes: Strategies for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Consultation and Collaboration. Right now, it's too early to judge their effectiveness, but the discussions I have with other classmates have been very educational and enjoyable and are a big reason why I decided to do online classwork.

Well, that wraps it up for now. I hope you all are doing well!