What I difference a day makes.

After my overly-trying day on Thursday, I thought about cancelling my job on Friday. I'm so grateful I didn't, because the Lord showed me just what was out there... and reminded me why He's helped me choose teaching as my life's career. (Or one of them, anyway.)

Friday was Microbiology. A friend of mine responded to this by asking, "What do you know about Microbiology?" I wanted to slap him. HUGE pet peeve of mine. People assume just because I was an art major, art is all I know. Thanks for that.

Anyway, my first period was conference, so I took that time to get acquainted with Frisco's brand-new Career and Technical Education Center. An incredible facility. If you're into architecture, you might want to check this out. If not, please enjoy some tour pics below.

I'm so glad I got back on that horse, even if I'm not a gymnast.

These dreams...

In all my years of being a "teacher"- coaching soccer, teaching Sunday School/VBS, being a Youth Director- I have never had a more challenging, frustrating, and emotionally-draining day than I did this past Thursday. Yes, that includes the year I was dropped into the middle of Central Europe with only a handful of people who spoke my language.

I wish I could elaborate further, and I hate to "Law and Order" all of you, but I'm afraid I can't comment because of a pending investigation. Yeah, I wish I was kidding.

Well, this weekend I had some pretty intense dreams. That tends to happen when I am stressed and/or anxious. And while I don't hold much stock in online dream interpretation, it's interesting when the interpretation is dead-on:

To dream that you lose money, signifies temporary unhappiness in the home and a few setbacks in your affairs. You may be feeling weak, vulnerable, and out of control in your waking life. Additionally, you may be lacking ambition, power and self-esteem.

To dream that your car has been stolen, indicates that you are being stripped of your identity. This may relate to losing your job, a failed relationship, or some situation which has played a significant role in your identity and who you are as a person.

To dream that you are fired from your job. indicates that you are wanting to end some relationship or situation in your waking life. It also suggests that you are repressing what you really desire most.

Huh...

I shall vote thrice.

Not that it would help my Party.

Bear with me as I share the back-story.

A few months ago I got notice for jury duty via mail at my parents' house. I keep that address as my "permanent address" for a number of reasons, the main being I live in an apartment and have a history of moving every other year or so. Siting the rents' address assures I will receive the most important mail... and also jury duty, it seems.

Well, at this time I was just starting to substitute teach, and I was not yet working every day. I needed to be available (read: I needed the money) so the very last thing I wanted was to take a day off, drive an hour to downtown Fort Worth, be rejected like always, and drive back home. Instead I filled out the "I have moved out of county" form and mailed it back. Mistake #1.

I received word at my current address that I was excused from jury duty. However, because I live out of county I was told I needed to sign and return a form. Doing so would cancel my voter registration in Tarrant County. I signed and mailed said form. Mistake #2.

I got notice I was no longer registered in Tarrant and needed to re-register to vote in Dallas. I thought, "I have time." Mistake #3.

What is it again? 3 strikes and you're out? Yeah...

October 6th came and went and I had not registered in Dallas. I sent in my "I've moved" forms on the 10th. When I realized I had missed the Texas voter registration deadline I was crushed. I cried.

Really. I take voting that seriously.

Well... PRAISE JESUS because just yesterday I did not get one, nor two, but THREE voter registration cards in the mail! That's right, three. It concerns me a little, but I checked closely and they are all identical. It's too bad, too, because I would have paid Shorty Jr. and his dad to go in and vote straight R! ;)

No matter what your affiliation, please take time to vote this November 4th. It's our privilege.

Thanks, kids.

peanut butter application time

I have some ridiculously intelligent friends, and I am ridiculously proud of them. My two best friends from childhood in particular... these girls inspire me. One's living the dream as an attorney, and the other is about to finish her graduate work at SMU. They rock it even when things go wrong (right.about.now.) Still, it's amazing to me that through their trials they continue to persevere. Therefore...

I shall play along. I'm headed back to graduate school.

I've played before. In 2003 I started the VERY ambitious task of pursuing an MFA in Painting. All you art school kids know how daunting this is... we're talking 60 credit hours. I got through 6, and then life happened. Work happened. Church happened. Soccer happened. Depression happened. An MFA did not.

Well, I had some free time today and did some snooping. (How do you like AP Art now, E?) Turns out, those 6 hours should transfer as electives toward my new degree. Plus, I am only a week late for Spring preferred admissions. Best of all, if I chose the thesis option I can earn my Masters in Art Education in 30 hours. That's right, half the time.

The application's already been sent.

And for all my hard-working friends, it'll get better. Promise.

NKOTB

The very first boy I ever crushed on was Davy Jones from The Monkees. But after Davy came Joey.

Joey McIntryre.

Then Jordan, then Donnie, then Jon.

Nope... no Danny. Danny looks like an ape.

What I thought I wanted... what I got instead.

I passed understanding a long, long time ago
And the simple home of systems and answers we all know
What I thought I wanted, what I got instead
Leaves me broken and somehow peaceful

I keep wanting you to be fair
I want certain answers to these prayers
But that’s not what you said

Staring in the water like Aesop's foolish dog
What it was I wanted, what I got instead
Leaves me broken and grateful

If you haven't heard, today the Dallas Independent School District will lay off approximately 460 teachers because of what the Superintendent calls an "accounting error"... an $84 Million accounting error. And while I in no way want to take away from the anxiety, anger, or fear these teachers are experiencing... today I am grateful.

Some of you know that this summer I was VERY frustrated with Dallas ISD. Every day I would look at their job openings, and every day there would either be one more or one less art teacher position available. But every day a roadblock stood in the way. Stamped above these openings read: These positions are for DISD released/deployed teachers only. At one time there were 10 positions available, yet I couldn't apply for any because of a "hiring freeze." Now I understand why.

Today I slept in to assure I could stay out of the doctor's office. The good thing about being a substitute teacher is you can pick the days you work. A bad thing is not having health insurance. When I woke up a few hours ago (that's right) I had Sara Groves' song, What I Thought I Wanted, stuck in my head. I knew the layoffs were today, and this song fits my feelings about it, and my life, perfectly.

I am sure at least once we have all wanted something we didn't get. Maybe we even prayed for it, begged for it, cried over it, lost sleep over it. Maybe we still want it. Or maybe we were given something 84 Million times better, and we look back and thank God that His will was done and not ours.

My prayer for the teachers who lose their jobs today is that God will soon show them exactly how He is working for their good. Because whether you can see it now, He is. Had I accepted that marriage proposal 10 years ago, I would be a divorced mother of 3 right now.

Shalom, 4th grade!

Today I taught 4th grade at a new elementary. (New to me, that is. The school is actually older than many in the district.) Anyway, most substitute teachers hide their neophyte status in fear this will make them overly vulnerable (to attack?) I don't. After introducing myself I explain that I will probably need help during the day, and I would appreciate as many friends to help as possible. Most friends are anxiously excited to help. They fight over who gets to erase the whiteboard.

Which reminds me- I would like to address the "friend" thing. When I was in elementary school I was a student and my class was exactly that... a class. Now (in this particular district at least) students are known as "friends." My students are not called "Ms. Nelson's Class" but instead "Ms. Nelson's Friends." Funny... I'm pretty sure from day one we've been told not to be friends with students.

Anyway, I did share with my 4th grade friends that today was my first day at R Elementary. I also shared that I have subbed at O, P, G, and so on. I knew I'd made a mistake when half the hands in the class shot up.

"Do you know my cousin?"
"Do you know Mrs. Ortiz?"
"Do you know a kid named Mark?"

I'm not kidding... Mark. That was the only clue this one kid gave me.

After I explained that I could not possibly remember the name of every student I have taught this year, I went on with the lesson. When the students were working independently, one boy came up and asked me a question about the assignment. After I answered it, he slipped in,

"And do you know a boy named Ben who goes to P Elementary?"
"I'm sorry- I do not. Is he in the 4th grade also?"
"No, he's in 5th."
"I'm sorry- I haven't taught 5th grade at P Elementary."
"Oh, because he's in my Hebrew class."
"You are in Hebrew class? Are you learning the Torah?"

You should have seen this kid's face light up. His eyes got big and he asked, quietly, "How do you know about the Torah? Are you a Jew?"

I wanted to say, "No, I'm just not an idiot."

Instead I said, "No, I just have a lot of Jewish friends." (Two?)

Later in the day he asked another question and then we went through the Hebrew alphabet together. I'll be honest, it's times like this that feed my teaching addiction. It was so nice to help this "friend" share his culture and feel a little appreciated.

So, Shalom.

My TV top 5.

While I am waiting for Thursday's SNL to download (since I missed it the first time... thanks, TiVo Season Pass) I thought I would share a top 5 list with you. Below, in my humble opinion, are the 5 most attractive male characters on TV at the moment.

Now ladies, before you freak out because no one named "McDream-whatever" is on this list, listen... a) We're talking characters here, NOT actors, and b) I don't watch Grey's Anatomy because Grey's Anatomy is stupid.

5. Det. Charlie Crews, Life
Yes, I realize I am adding Crews to my list based solely off the fact that I loved Band of Brothers, but I could care less. Besides, we all know I'm a sucker for a redhead in uniform.

4. Det. Robert Goren, Law and Order: Criminal Intent
That's right, I skipped over Mr. Big and went right for Private Pyle. For all Logan has in the looks department, Goren scoreboards him in brains... and crazy.

3. Det. Elliot Stabler, Law and Order: SVU
Wait, three detectives in a row? Is it just the suit and badge that I like? Nope, I think what I find most attractive about Stabler is that he's passionate about helping kids... passionate enough to want to kill people.

2. Tommy Gavin, Rescue Me
This pains me... Tommy was my number one for a very long time. But because I don't get FX (I hate you, Addison) and because it's difficult for me to separate Gavin and Leary, I'll let him sit at 2. Maybe if he can stay away from Sheila I'll bump him back up.

and introducing...
1. Dr. Gregory House, House
Arrogance.
Intelligence.
Sarcasm.
Tenure.
What else could a girl need?

Alright... who'd I leave off? Mention 'Dreamy' and die.

My last name earns me street cred.

And of course because this is Texas...


If you can sing the theme music to Reading Rainbow or attended a public school in the state of Texas between 1980-2000, chances are you've heard of the "Miss Nelson" book series. Written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall, these books follow the students of Room 207... the 'worst behaved kids in school.' (a.k.a., the 5th graders in my music class today.)

Well, it never fails... when I mutter the words, "My name is Ms. Nelson and I am your substitute teacher today," at least one kids says (or more likely, yells) "Miss Nelson is Missing!"

The first time this happened I said, "Yes, like the book," and moved on. But since then I have learned to use my last name to my advantage.

For example, I never say that I am Miss Nelson (because, really, I am waaaaay past the point of 'Miss.') Instead I pin it on my mother. Sorry mom.

[me:] "No, I am not Miss Nelson. My mother is the real Miss Nelson. She has been a teacher for almost 40 years!"
[class:] "Woooooooooooooow."
[student 1] "My dad is 40."
[student 2] "Does your mom have a sister?"

See, the kids want to know if my mom has a sister because they think the mean substitute teacher, Viola Swamp, is Miss Nelson's sister.

Who's been teaching these kids? Us HEB ISD kids know that Nelson and Swamp are one in the same:

viola swamp / miss nelson

Still, when it comes to the little ones, I will take anything I can get... even if means I have to fib about my momma.

Oh, and if you need a refresher:

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Dear Elementary School,
No matter how many pictures you draw for me, I am afraid my heart belongs to someone else. His name is High School, and we are planning a Fall 2009 engagement. I hope you understand. And Middle School? It was good while it lasted, but seriously, drop the attitude.
Love,
Ms. Nelson

Well, I've decided. After observing middle school art and teaching elementary and high school art, I'm right back where I started. Sure, I flirted with middle school for a while. (It's not uncommon to flirt with the first thing that pops up after ending a long relationship.) But I left my career as a graphic designer to teach in a high school, and here are some reasons why:

• energy
There is something about a school full of "almost adults" who know they have their lives ahead of them and anything is possible.

• attitude
High school attitude is different than middle school attitude. These kids get attitude with teachers when they think they have been wronged in some way, and they usually are mature enough to tell you why. Middle school kids get attitude because their bodies can't figure out what this "puberty" thing is all about.

• emotion
Whether it be about science or math or football or cheerleading or band or ART or even their little fake emo/goth wardrobe, these kids are passionate. I can't help but be inspired.

Of course, there are other reasons.

• sense of humor

[student to student]
"Grow some maturity."
"What are you talking about? I'm a friggin' maturity tree."

• single male coaches
Do I have to explain this one? I prefer baseball.

and last but not least...
• spirit days

It's good to know where you belong.

A Day in the Life of a Die-Hard Cowboy Fan

I have been a Cowboy fan since birth.

I knew Gary Hogeboom decades before he was on Survivor. Better yet, I can spell Hogeboom without Google.

My grandfather kept his sermons short on the Sundays with noon games, and I will never forgive Jerry for what he did to Landry.

So with that being said, when my dear, sweet, most-wonderful friend Tara offered me a ticket for today's game - one of the last games my 'Boys will play at Texas Stadium - I accepted. If I remember correctly, my text read something like this:

"YyyyyyyyyYyyyyyYYyYYYYyyyyyyyyYyy!!!"

Please enjoy the show.

Our daily Igby.

I love the fact that the captain of the morality team invites his chick to the same party as his wife, who let's face it, isn't the sharpest tool in the shed anymore. And what's more, none of their supposed mutual friends protects her. None of them bats an eyelash at his hypocrisy. I love that, I really do. Embrace your moral hypocrisy, D.H., go for it.

The Piercing Truth

Earlier I was feeling sorry for myself, but now I know it's my own fault. My sin has backed me into a wall. I didn't fully realize this until I picked up my Portals of Prayer (LCMS Lutherans, what-what?) and read today's entry.

All our sin is hostility aimed at our Lord. (Romans 8:7)

Some verses just jolt you out of your seat, don't they?

In case you missed it...

Click 'play' below to hear The Hardline discuss Corby's visit to the Junior League... and read from my blog!!!