Happy things?

[Guest guest]

Tory, I empathize with you over this strike ... A couple of years back my

hubby's company (UPS) went on strike and the lack of income devastated us.

People seem to think " Oh well, when you get back to work the company will make

up

any money you lost while on strike. " NOT!!!!! Lost wages are lost wages,

and no matter what they *say* the new contract will do for the employee, there's

always a tradeoff that means a sacrifice somewhere..... maybe less medical

coverage, or higher copay, or reduced prescription coverage---- they get ya

somewhere. Well, at least they got US somewhere. Hopefully your union will

work

to get you teachers all that you deserve. Heaven knows you work HARD and for

little reward or appreciation!

Sorry. I'll get off that wagon now. This was *meant* to reassure.

Bette

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/25/2003 9:30:17 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

msteechur@... writes:

> I just don't get people. I understand not agreeing with the strike, but

> I just don't get the nastiness.

Tory,

I do understand. And I can't figure out people, either. I'm happy to hear

the kids were watched over, but that parent needs a reprimand! Like you

suggested, she pretty much abandoned them without knowing the outcome!

Scary.

As the mother of one teacher (there at UW) and another one in college,

preparing to become (Lord help him) a junior high teacher, I truly understand

your

concerns about the classroom issues. In addition, I just finished a 6-year

term as president of a private-school school board and through that experience I

learned a lot about the value of good teachers!

Hang in there. There's got to be a light at the end of this tunnel! (a good

light)

Hugs to you,

Bette

[Guest guest]

Okay, this is hard because I just heard on the news that negotiations in

the strike have broken off and they won't meet again until Wednesday.

That means we're going into week five of the strike. Week FREAKING FIVE!

I am just sad about this, but I need some perspective so here goes:

10. Saw two great plays last weekend. The Rocky Horror show was awesome!

So much fun, although I have to say I was absolutely stunned to see that

some extremely clueless parents actually brought grade school aged

children!

9. Got to see some of my students this week. One former student came and

walked with me on the line for two hours today. We just talked and

talked. He's getting his life straightened out, has set some great

goals, and is going places.

8. I increased my weights by a few pounds each this week (I pyramid

lift) on my free weights and am really seeing some definition in my

arms. (Hey, it's important to ME that I do something to fill this flabby

arm skin.)

7. I found someone who will teach me how to swim so that it looks like

I'm MAKING a stroke, not HAVING a stroke. As soon as school is back in

session I'm in the pool and learning to swim!

6. I am getting to know some of my fellow staff members so well. It's

been very nice having time to just talk. One in particular, a brilliant

wonderful woman who talks MORE than I do (if you can believe it) is my

constant walking partner. She's fast too. I hate slowbee walkers. I need

to book it!

5. It doesn't hurt to walk for five hours straight any more.

4. I'm reading some awesome books and our bookclub (skinnybookworms) is

going well. I am currently reading Life of Pi and East of Eden and both

are amazing (and also The Moon is Down, Toxin, and Shelters of Stone...I

should probably try to read just one book at a time).

3. I have a roof over my head, not blowing away. I have food on the

table, and it's good healthy food. I have a wonderful husband and fun,

silly animals.

2. I am healthy and despite the stress related to the strike, I am very

very happy right now.

1. We have used this time to get a lot of projects that we'd been

putting off done. The front yard is cleaned up, the backyard has had its

fall prep done, we overseeded the lawn, the basement is spotless, the

utility room is clean, the house is clean, laundry is caught up, dishes

are done. Actually, I don't know what we'll do next week after we're

done striking each day! I think we're out of household projects!

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'

Tory Klementsen, MCP A+

Career and Technology Educator

www.teechur.com

www.msteechur.com

-The successful person will do the things that the unsuccessful person

will not.

[Guest guest]

Hey there,

I empathize too in spite of not going through it myself. It's not fair

sometimes when you read about all the things they want to take away and/or

control in certain industries and professions. Also, in light of the money

that certain professions make (pro sports, movies, plumbers for example or

even trash collectors) it can make your blood boil.

I know what you mean about finding the silver lining when certain things get

your down--you are not in war torn countries and you do have roof, food,

family and all that. I'm trying to do that too when things get me down and

it's working.

Good luck with a stressful period, okay??

Re: Happy things?

Tory, I empathize with you over this strike ... A couple of years back my

hubby's company (UPS) went on strike and the lack of income devastated us.

People seem to think " Oh well, when you get back to work the company will

make up

any money you lost while on strike. " NOT!!!!! Lost wages are lost wages,

and no matter what they *say* the new contract will do for the employee,

there's

always a tradeoff that means a sacrifice somewhere..... maybe less medical

coverage, or higher copay, or reduced prescription coverage---- they get ya

somewhere. Well, at least they got US somewhere. Hopefully your union will

work

to get you teachers all that you deserve. Heaven knows you work HARD and

for

little reward or appreciation!

Sorry. I'll get off that wagon now. This was *meant* to reassure.

Bette

[Guest guest]

Tory writes:

> I found someone who will teach me how to swim so that it looks like

> I'm MAKING a stroke, not HAVING a stroke.

LMAO......

I was a swimmer through high school......I go to the Y now and swim laps

and it nearly kills me.....but when I finish, I get people saying to me

" You make it look so easy! " .........they have NOOOOOO idea, LOL

Liz

[Guest guest]

That's okay Mous! Ha ha! I get your drift!

I am getting concerned. I know parents are mad and at this point (the

union would not be happy for me saying this), I'm ready to go back. I

don't want to " give in " but I'd settle for having the classroom issues

dealt with and not taking a pay cut. There are many many supportive

people, but some are getting just plain nasty. AT my husband's school

today a parent drove up, dropped off her four kids and left. She said

she was " making a point " but what she was really doing was abandoning

kids about ages 7-11 without knowing if someone was going to even care

for them. They had no jackets, no food, and no chaperones. I told Roy he

should have called CPS or the police. Of course teachers are good people

so they fed them and entertained them and provided " free babysitting " .

Basically that's how some parents see us...as babysitters. Yesterday

there were kids (little kids, not teens) holding up signs that said " Go

back to work you fools. " I wanted to cry. I would NEVER teach my child

that it's okay to disagree with someone by calling names.

I just don't get people. I understand not agreeing with the strike, but

I just don't get the nastiness.

> Re: Happy things?

>

>

> Tory, I empathize with you over this strike ... A couple of

> years back my

> hubby's company (UPS) went on strike and the lack of income

> devastated us.

> People seem to think " Oh well, when you get back to work the

> company will make up

> any money you lost while on strike. " NOT!!!!! Lost wages

> are lost wages,

> and no matter what they *say* the new contract will do for

> the employee, there's

> always a tradeoff that means a sacrifice somewhere.....

> maybe less medical

> coverage, or higher copay, or reduced prescription

> coverage---- they get ya

> somewhere. Well, at least they got US somewhere. Hopefully

> your union will work

> to get you teachers all that you deserve. Heaven knows you

> work HARD and for

> little reward or appreciation!

>

> Sorry. I'll get off that wagon now. This was *meant* to

> reassure. Bette

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks ! Seriously you guys, much appreciated.

[Guest guest]

Oh my gosh Liz! I am so jealous! I can handle the strain, it's the

feeling like my hind end is sinking and water is going up my nose and

people are pointing and laughing.

> Re: Happy things?

>

>

> Tory writes:

>

> > I found someone who will teach me how to swim so that it looks like

> > I'm MAKING a stroke, not HAVING a stroke.

>

>

> LMAO......

>

> I was a swimmer through high school......I go to the Y now

> and swim laps

> and it nearly kills me.....but when I finish, I get people

> saying to me

> " You make it look so easy! " .........they have NOOOOOO idea, LOL

>

> Liz

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Tory writes:

> I just don't get people. I understand not agreeing with the strike, but

> I just don't get the nastiness.

I am anti ?union for this reason.

Can I inquire as to what this strike is about?

My father was involved with the automotive industry for over 30 years.

In that industry, all the union managed to accomplish was a generation

of workers that demanded much, but produced little...the fact that the

Japanese surpass the US in this industry is evidence of that.

For the record, I think GOOD teachers are severely underpaid and

underappreciated...but I am concerned that innocent children are being

harmed in the process. Not all of us look to the schools to babysit our

kids....but I do pay a chunk of tax $$ to make sure that they are

properly educated.

Liz < just tossing in her 2 cents.

[Guest guest]

Tory,

Nobody is pointing and laughing....you are working and exercising...and

that's a good thing.

If somebody challenged me to a run, I'd be cowering in a corner...its

not my thing...we all have our strong points.

Whatever exercise challenges and excites you, go for it....enjoy it, and

love it..;..I feel exhilirated when I complete any exercise that

challenges me.

Liz< working on that last 15

[Guest guest]

There are a number of issues. I've actually stated them a few times on

the boards, but they are off topic. Suffice to say they are pretty

severe considering this is the only teacher strike in the history of

this district. Out of 24 issues, only 23 are related to our

compensation/benefit package. The other are directly related to

classroom issues that will impact the kids if the district imposes their

" cost cutting " measures. The district administrative budget has, by the

way, increased dramatically over the last few years while

direct-to-student expenditures have decreased.

Yes, good teachers ARE severely underpaid, but that's not why we're

here. We do this out of a passion for what we do, not a paycheck.

However that doesn't mean we should take a vow of poverty. With our

current administration my union is protecting me. I am not rah rah pro

union, but in this case I am. This has been a completely nasty situation

and I am very emotional about it. FWIW, most people who teach are well

meaning and have different levels of effectiveness. No one gets into it

for the power and glory. Some are misguided, but all mean well. And

trust me, you'd be paying a lot more for your children's education if it

weren't for government run schools.

> Re: Happy things?

>

>

> Tory writes:

>

> > I just don't get people. I understand not agreeing with the strike,

> > but I just don't get the nastiness.

>

>

> I am anti ?union for this reason.

>

> Can I inquire as to what this strike is about?

>

> My father was involved with the automotive industry for over

> 30 years.

> In that industry, all the union managed to accomplish was a

> generation

> of workers that demanded much, but produced little...the fact

> that the

> Japanese surpass the US in this industry is evidence of that.

>

> For the record, I think GOOD teachers are severely underpaid and

> underappreciated...but I am concerned that innocent children

> are being

> harmed in the process. Not all of us look to the schools to

> babysit our

> kids....but I do pay a chunk of tax $$ to make sure that they are

> properly educated.

>

> Liz < just tossing in her 2 cents.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

There are a number of issues. I've actually stated them a few times on

the boards, but they are off topic. Suffice to say they are pretty

severe considering this is the only teacher strike in the history of

this district. Out of 24 issues, only 23 are related to our

compensation/benefit package. The other are directly related to

classroom issues that will impact the kids if the district imposes their

" cost cutting " measures. The district administrative budget has, by the

way, increased dramatically over the last few years while

direct-to-student expenditures have decreased.

Yes, good teachers ARE severely underpaid, but that's not why we're

here. We do this out of a passion for what we do, not a paycheck.

However that doesn't mean we should take a vow of poverty. With our

current administration my union is protecting me. I am not rah rah pro

union, but in this case I am. This has been a completely nasty situation

and I am very emotional about it. FWIW, most people who teach are well

meaning and have different levels of effectiveness. No one gets into it

for the power and glory. Some are misguided, but all mean well. And

trust me, you'd be paying a lot more for your children's education if it

weren't for government run schools.

> Re: Happy things?

>

>

> Tory writes:

>

> > I just don't get people. I understand not agreeing with the strike,

> > but I just don't get the nastiness.

>

>

> I am anti ?union for this reason.

>

> Can I inquire as to what this strike is about?

>

> My father was involved with the automotive industry for over

> 30 years.

> In that industry, all the union managed to accomplish was a

> generation

> of workers that demanded much, but produced little...the fact

> that the

> Japanese surpass the US in this industry is evidence of that.

>

> For the record, I think GOOD teachers are severely underpaid and

> underappreciated...but I am concerned that innocent children

> are being

> harmed in the process. Not all of us look to the schools to

> babysit our

> kids....but I do pay a chunk of tax $$ to make sure that they are

> properly educated.

>

> Liz < just tossing in her 2 cents.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

There are a number of issues. I've actually stated them a few times on

the boards, but they are off topic. Suffice to say they are pretty

severe considering this is the only teacher strike in the history of

this district. Out of 24 issues, only 23 are related to our

compensation/benefit package. The other are directly related to

classroom issues that will impact the kids if the district imposes their

" cost cutting " measures. The district administrative budget has, by the

way, increased dramatically over the last few years while

direct-to-student expenditures have decreased.

Yes, good teachers ARE severely underpaid, but that's not why we're

here. We do this out of a passion for what we do, not a paycheck.

However that doesn't mean we should take a vow of poverty. With our

current administration my union is protecting me. I am not rah rah pro

union, but in this case I am. This has been a completely nasty situation

and I am very emotional about it. FWIW, most people who teach are well

meaning and have different levels of effectiveness. No one gets into it

for the power and glory. Some are misguided, but all mean well. And

trust me, you'd be paying a lot more for your children's education if it

weren't for government run schools.

> Re: Happy things?

>

>

> Tory writes:

>

> > I just don't get people. I understand not agreeing with the strike,

> > but I just don't get the nastiness.

>

>

> I am anti ?union for this reason.

>

> Can I inquire as to what this strike is about?

>

> My father was involved with the automotive industry for over

> 30 years.

> In that industry, all the union managed to accomplish was a

> generation

> of workers that demanded much, but produced little...the fact

> that the

> Japanese surpass the US in this industry is evidence of that.

>

> For the record, I think GOOD teachers are severely underpaid and

> underappreciated...but I am concerned that innocent children

> are being

> harmed in the process. Not all of us look to the schools to

> babysit our

> kids....but I do pay a chunk of tax $$ to make sure that they are

> properly educated.

>

> Liz < just tossing in her 2 cents.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'd rather pay more taxes than deal with government run schools that

indoctrinate my children with values that contradict those which I

espouse at home.

Sorry, but that's the way I feel.

Liz

[Guest guest]

I'd rather pay more taxes than deal with government run schools that

indoctrinate my children with values that contradict those which I

espouse at home.

Sorry, but that's the way I feel.

Liz

[Guest guest]

I'd rather pay more taxes than deal with government run schools that

indoctrinate my children with values that contradict those which I

espouse at home.

Sorry, but that's the way I feel.

Liz

[Guest guest]

I am just about a spaz at everything I do physically even when I was thin. So

don't worry! right now all I do is walk. I like it though and it gets me to

walk more once I get it started.

Re: Happy things?

Tory,

Nobody is pointing and laughing....you are working and exercising...and

that's a good thing.

If somebody challenged me to a run, I'd be cowering in a corner...its

not my thing...we all have our strong points.

Whatever exercise challenges and excites you, go for it....enjoy it, and

love it..;..I feel exhilirated when I complete any exercise that

challenges me.

Liz< working on that last 15

[Guest guest]

> Tory,

>

> Nobody is pointing and laughing....you are working and

> exercising...and

> that's a good thing.

>

> If somebody challenged me to a run, I'd be cowering in a

> corner...its

> not my thing...we all have our strong points.

>

> Whatever exercise challenges and excites you, go for

> it....enjoy it, and

> love it..;..I feel exhilirated when I complete any exercise that

> challenges me.

>

> Liz< working on that last 15

I know Liz...it's just that I need to get going if I'm going to be able

to do the triathlon next year. I'd surely drown in a bunch of other

women who know what they're doing.

Good luck on your last 15. Doesn't it feel great to be that close? I

remember thinking " Wow, I'm only a few pounds overweight now.. " and it

just felt SO good to have that definition as opposed to " morbidly

obese " . (Obese is just a word, but it's such an ugly sounding word, you

know?)

[Guest guest]

> Tory,

>

> Nobody is pointing and laughing....you are working and

> exercising...and

> that's a good thing.

>

> If somebody challenged me to a run, I'd be cowering in a

> corner...its

> not my thing...we all have our strong points.

>

> Whatever exercise challenges and excites you, go for

> it....enjoy it, and

> love it..;..I feel exhilirated when I complete any exercise that

> challenges me.

>

> Liz< working on that last 15

I know Liz...it's just that I need to get going if I'm going to be able

to do the triathlon next year. I'd surely drown in a bunch of other

women who know what they're doing.

Good luck on your last 15. Doesn't it feel great to be that close? I

remember thinking " Wow, I'm only a few pounds overweight now.. " and it

just felt SO good to have that definition as opposed to " morbidly

obese " . (Obese is just a word, but it's such an ugly sounding word, you

know?)

[Guest guest]

> Tory,

>

> Nobody is pointing and laughing....you are working and

> exercising...and

> that's a good thing.

>

> If somebody challenged me to a run, I'd be cowering in a

> corner...its

> not my thing...we all have our strong points.

>

> Whatever exercise challenges and excites you, go for

> it....enjoy it, and

> love it..;..I feel exhilirated when I complete any exercise that

> challenges me.

>

> Liz< working on that last 15

I know Liz...it's just that I need to get going if I'm going to be able

to do the triathlon next year. I'd surely drown in a bunch of other

women who know what they're doing.

Good luck on your last 15. Doesn't it feel great to be that close? I

remember thinking " Wow, I'm only a few pounds overweight now.. " and it

just felt SO good to have that definition as opposed to " morbidly

obese " . (Obese is just a word, but it's such an ugly sounding word, you

know?)

[Guest guest]

My husband has the same issue with that word. Especially since the medical

term and weight for it is lower than it used to be. He is working hard to get

rid of the word out of his life too and is looking forward to being overweight!

RE: Happy things?

> Tory,

>

> Nobody is pointing and laughing....you are working and

> exercising...and

> that's a good thing.

>

> If somebody challenged me to a run, I'd be cowering in a

> corner...its

> not my thing...we all have our strong points.

>

> Whatever exercise challenges and excites you, go for

> it....enjoy it, and

> love it..;..I feel exhilirated when I complete any exercise that

> challenges me.

>

> Liz< working on that last 15

I know Liz...it's just that I need to get going if I'm going to be able

to do the triathlon next year. I'd surely drown in a bunch of other

women who know what they're doing.

Good luck on your last 15. Doesn't it feel great to be that close? I

remember thinking " Wow, I'm only a few pounds overweight now.. " and it

just felt SO good to have that definition as opposed to " morbidly

obese " . (Obese is just a word, but it's such an ugly sounding word, you

know?)

[Guest guest]

My husband has the same issue with that word. Especially since the medical

term and weight for it is lower than it used to be. He is working hard to get

rid of the word out of his life too and is looking forward to being overweight!

RE: Happy things?

> Tory,

>

> Nobody is pointing and laughing....you are working and

> exercising...and

> that's a good thing.

>

> If somebody challenged me to a run, I'd be cowering in a

> corner...its

> not my thing...we all have our strong points.

>

> Whatever exercise challenges and excites you, go for

> it....enjoy it, and

> love it..;..I feel exhilirated when I complete any exercise that

> challenges me.

>

> Liz< working on that last 15

I know Liz...it's just that I need to get going if I'm going to be able

to do the triathlon next year. I'd surely drown in a bunch of other

women who know what they're doing.

Good luck on your last 15. Doesn't it feel great to be that close? I

remember thinking " Wow, I'm only a few pounds overweight now.. " and it

just felt SO good to have that definition as opposed to " morbidly

obese " . (Obese is just a word, but it's such an ugly sounding word, you

know?)

[Guest guest]

> My husband has the same issue with that word. Especially

> since the medical term and weight for it is lower than it

> used to be. He is working hard to get rid of the word out of

> his life too and is looking forward to being overweight!

It's such an emotional word. I wish that somehow we could find a way to

use a different word or take the emotion out of it.

When I was teaching health one time I had this absolutely beautiful girl

in my class. Picture n at about a curvy, beautiful size 14.

We were talking about health and nutrition and I was sharing the

different schools of thought in the medical community related to being

overweight (from even 5 pounds overweight is unhealthy, to we're not all

meant to be the same size). She raised her hand and stood up and said,

" Mrs. K am I obese? "

I was shocked. First of all, it really took a lot for her to do that in

front of her classmates. I said " No honey, not at all. You're

beautiful. "

She just burst into tears (she was beautiful inside and out, I should

add).

" My doctor told me yesterday that I'm obese. "

It was all I could do to not find that doctor and wring her neck. As

teenagers, girls are SO affected by terms like that. She was crushed.

Here was this bright, well adjusted, beautiful, kind, sweet, together

girl completely undone by that horrible word. I'm sure the doctor didn't

mean it that way, but she did indicate that her doctor had been kind of

" mean " about it. (That may have just been her emotional perception. I

don't know.) I just hate that word.

[Guest guest]

> My husband has the same issue with that word. Especially

> since the medical term and weight for it is lower than it

> used to be. He is working hard to get rid of the word out of

> his life too and is looking forward to being overweight!

It's such an emotional word. I wish that somehow we could find a way to

use a different word or take the emotion out of it.

When I was teaching health one time I had this absolutely beautiful girl

in my class. Picture n at about a curvy, beautiful size 14.

We were talking about health and nutrition and I was sharing the

different schools of thought in the medical community related to being

overweight (from even 5 pounds overweight is unhealthy, to we're not all

meant to be the same size). She raised her hand and stood up and said,

" Mrs. K am I obese? "

I was shocked. First of all, it really took a lot for her to do that in

front of her classmates. I said " No honey, not at all. You're

beautiful. "

She just burst into tears (she was beautiful inside and out, I should

add).

" My doctor told me yesterday that I'm obese. "

It was all I could do to not find that doctor and wring her neck. As

teenagers, girls are SO affected by terms like that. She was crushed.

Here was this bright, well adjusted, beautiful, kind, sweet, together

girl completely undone by that horrible word. I'm sure the doctor didn't

mean it that way, but she did indicate that her doctor had been kind of

" mean " about it. (That may have just been her emotional perception. I

don't know.) I just hate that word.

[Guest guest]

This brought tears to my eyes. I have two beautiful little girls. I also have

family members that have been on the otherside of bad weight. I have a anorexic

sister in law who just about died cause of bad body image.

I grew up in an Italian family although I am all Irish by blood. I looked very

different then the rest of the family. I was rail thin as a little girl and I

got the opposite responses on how I was not curvy and not beautiful cause I was

too thin! The world is just too screwed up. I am not looking to be " skinny " in

life again. I am looking for health so I can enjoy my children's, children,

children's! This is why I am just so happy to hear you guys all cheer for the

small losses each week! We need to lose yes and some of us have a hell of a lot

to loose like my husband does but he and I need to loose weight healthily and

then maintain it in a healthy practice!

RE: Happy things?

> My husband has the same issue with that word. Especially

> since the medical term and weight for it is lower than it

> used to be. He is working hard to get rid of the word out of

> his life too and is looking forward to being overweight!

It's such an emotional word. I wish that somehow we could find a way to

use a different word or take the emotion out of it.

When I was teaching health one time I had this absolutely beautiful girl

in my class. Picture n at about a curvy, beautiful size 14.

We were talking about health and nutrition and I was sharing the

different schools of thought in the medical community related to being

overweight (from even 5 pounds overweight is unhealthy, to we're not all

meant to be the same size). She raised her hand and stood up and said,

" Mrs. K am I obese? "

I was shocked. First of all, it really took a lot for her to do that in

front of her classmates. I said " No honey, not at all. You're

beautiful. "

She just burst into tears (she was beautiful inside and out, I should

add).

" My doctor told me yesterday that I'm obese. "

It was all I could do to not find that doctor and wring her neck. As

teenagers, girls are SO affected by terms like that. She was crushed.

Here was this bright, well adjusted, beautiful, kind, sweet, together

girl completely undone by that horrible word. I'm sure the doctor didn't

mean it that way, but she did indicate that her doctor had been kind of

" mean " about it. (That may have just been her emotional perception. I

don't know.) I just hate that word.