Schools out for Summer

About 3 weeks ago I wasn't sure I was going to survive. I have never been this ready for summer. I was overwhelmed by all the changes, additions and adjustments to my position/job. I was brainstorming other job options and summer felt forever away. As each day passed I had less and less patience. And then all of the sudden it was here: summer!

This year I have students graduating that I have had in class since my first day teaching. We had our first day of teaching and high school together. It's crazy to think how much we both have changed and grown together.

This last week of school has flown by. It has reminded me that I enjoy my job and why I come to school everyday: my students. The hugs goodbye, tears, sweet messages in my yearbook and visit from old students are priceless and renew my love and patience for my job.

Disclaimer: I would lying if I didn't say that June, July and August are three reason to add to the list of why I am reminded that I love my job.

As I pack up my classroom I am excited for summer and think about all my students I will miss. I only hope I impacted their lives in some way, the same way that Mrs. Herbst impacted mine.

Pillow Talk

I have to admit I have the best husband ever. I am one lucky girl. He puts up with a lot, one of those things being my obsessiveness. I am the planner and he is the laid back one. We make a great pair but sometimes we have to have a good sense of humor to handle each other.

This is a perfect example:

I like things to be in order and the same way every time (in all aspects of life). I like the pillows on the bed to arranged the same way every time the bed is made. It gives me anxiety if the pillows are off. Except for the summer, I leave the house before Peter so he is the one making the bed. Peter, knowing how particular I am about the pillows, arranges them in a different way each morning. When I get home from work I always have a fun surprise waiting for me on the bed. At first this would drive me crazy! However, now I kinda enjoy it. I know each morning when he is making the bed he is thinking of me and smiling about how worked up I will get when I see the pillows "messed up." The pictures below are just a preview of the past week.

Monogrammed pillows sideways.

One pillow upside down.

Two pillows on the end instead of in front.

Just a hot mess of pillows!

I guess this is just a prime example of marriage. I am grateful that he even makes the bed before he leaves! Little things like this make me realize how lucky I am to have someone who can put up with me.

The pregnancy test

Nope, not my personal pregnancy test…..

No day is ever the same in the life of a high school teacher. I see things that I never imagined, good and bad. There are times when I love my job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. There are also days when I think I am crazy for having this job. The “pregnancy test” day was one of those crazy days, for lack of a better word.

I was asked to cover the class next door for 15 minutes. Sure, no problem. I’m sitting at the desk just babysitting basically. Of course I hear the students chatting amongst themselves talking about various topics, some normal and some inappropriate. I hear one convo about a girl’s pen pal who is in prison. I hear another convo about a really good book. Then I hear a convo about a girl thinking she might be pregnant. Now this isn’t anything out of the ordinary so far.

I continue to have selective hearing throughout this whole 15 minutes until I have no other option. The two girls having the pregnancy convo start talking about how she took a test. Before I know it, one girl comes up to me, shoves a used pregnancy test in my face and asks, “Does this mean she’s pregnant?” Umm, excuse me! First of all, gross. Get that out of my face. She peed on that. Who carries around a used pregnancy test, especially at a high school? So after soaking in what just happened, I reply. “I am not sure. You’re going to have to read the directions on the box.” She says OK and then returns to her seat like nothing happened. Really?

So I am sitting at the desk trying to reflect on what just happened. Was I supposed to write her a referral? Send her to the counselor? Scold her for having sex? Or act like nothing happened? This situation is not in the handbook! Does it list used pregnancy test under inappropriate items on school grounds?

I love my job but sometimes I am just not as prepared as I thought. That was definitely a first. Maybe I should teach elementary. They are so much sweeter.

My best friend's wedding

Last weekend was Stef's wedding. I was super excited. Peter said I was more excited about her wedding than ours. Of course Stef was a beautiful bride. The reception was super fun. EVERYONE danced and had a great time.

I knew I was going to cry. I cried a little when she walked down the aisle and then held it together pretty well. However, after my speech was over it settled in that she was actually married and then I lost it. It was the ugly cry, not pretty.

I was pretty nervous about my speech. I didn't want to look like an idiot and embarrass Stef. To prepare for my speech I had my notecard ready and drank two glasses of wine. I think it worked. Peter was such a great husband and told me how proud he was of me and that I should go into politics. I am not so sure about that but it was nice how hard he was trying to make me feel good about it.

This was during the speeches, right before I lost it.

The bridesmaids

The bridal party

Mr. and Mrs. Parker

Doing my Matron of Honor duties. I am not sure I like the term "matron." I did fail at one task, a major one! I couldn't bustle the dress! The lady who altered the dress told me how but then when it came time I didn't know how to do it. Thankfully Krista helped me and we used a rubber band and a couple of safety pins to make it work. I hope Stef forgives me!

The beautiful bride

Fredericksburg

I love Fredericksburg! I was lucky enough to go to Fredericksburg twice in 2 weeks for 2 different bachelorette parties. Who wouldn't love a weekend with the girls and delicious wine?

Becker is my favorite vineyard there. I want to go back sometime and participate in the annual grape stomp, just like I Love Lucy!

This picture is from Stef's party at Becker. What a great group of girls.

Texas Public Schools

This is such a hard time for Texas public schools. I hate watching friends and co-workers stress about the fact they might or might not have a job. Who would have thought teaching wouldn't be a secure job? I know there will be lots of changes next year and I'm already bracing myself for it. I am not excited about them but I guess I am super lucky to still have my job!

I can't really do much to help fix this problem, but I did sign this petition online.

http://www.txcandobetter.org/index.php

I hope Texas figures this out soon.

A name?

I have wanted to start a blog for awhile. The only problem was that I couldn't think of a name. I feel like the name of your blog sets the tone for the whole thing. I wanted a name that could be used for different stages of my life, now and maybe 10 years from now. My friend Megan has been trying to convince me to start a blog for awhile so she helped me brainstorm. Just like I tell my students, I started writing down random things I felt related to me....Healey, TCU, Springhill, house, home, happy, heart....and we came up with Healey House and Home. A little cheesey, YES, but I started to think about it and felt that it was a great fit. I looked up the definitions of house and home and realized they are very different and both apply to my life now and in the future. Peter and I just bought our first house (the physical place we live) and are building a home together (how we feel in our house and life in general). So there you have it, Healey House and Home it is!