Sunday, July 17, 2011

School Supplies and Sunday Fodder

We are officially over half way through July. I was at Walmart the other day and they already have school supply lists out. A funny thing happened while I was there. I heard a lady....obviously a teacher talking to someone (possibly a sister or good friend) but unfortunately talking loudly enough for several of us standing around to hear.....saying, "I sure hope all my kids parents get everything on the list this year." The person with her asked if they don't,  if she runs short by the end of the year. She laughed and said, "Oh heavens no. We always have tons left over and then I use that for the my kids and the kids I watch during the summer." I was kind of shocked. Only kind of though. I have always surmised that if you have 20-30 kids in a class room and each one brings Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and kleenex, that even if an epidemic of flu broke out.....they would never go through that many supplies. I just thought maybe they stock piled them (not sure how that would work either), but I had no idea they took them home. Makes me want to ONLY purchase the things I know my kids will use (that can have their names engraved on them) and tell them they can use the 30+ boxes of kleenex and bottles of sanitizer I have already purchased and sent over the years. I must say I was a little unhappy about what I heard. Now...... before I have a bunch of teachers and school workers throwing tomato's at me and telling me that this was an isolated incident with only one obviously unethical teacher.....let me say that I don't necessarily think this happens in all schools or by all teachers. I would imagine that some use extra supplies for those kids financially unable to bring their own and possibly stock piles are given to families unable to buy such things for their homes. I have no idea how this works....but I do know, in our own little hemisphere, that there are those who don't use supplies as intended and have loose and loud lips at Walmart. I think this year before I drop off any supplies....I am first going to inquire just what happens to extra supplies at the end of the year. If in fact a needy child is helped, or a charitable donation is made with them.....then I will happily leave mine. If not though.....I will send individual kleenex packs and hand sanitizer in his back pack and just refill when they are out. After hearing that conversation....it simply just became a "principle of the thing" issue.


So the headache is back. Oh yes......along about 2 a.m. it hit me like a sledgehammer. By church time it was raging and so needless to say....we didn't attend. I didn't even feel well enough to take Z. I went back to sleep and after a few more hours sleep (we all must have needed it because we all fell back asleep) I do feel better. Don't know whether I just got too hot or too tired, but whatever the case....the end result was extremely painful. I am pretty sure that I could make some lifestyle changes to help the onset of these beastly headaches, but I am not motivated in summer to make any changes. In fact I seem to back slide on any previous progress I have made come summer. You would think the pain alone would be a motivator....but apparently....it is not.

Yesterday was somewhat productive. We got wall holes filled, sanded and primer put on. We also cleaned wood work and the floors and the room is starting to look much better. I am glad to see the orange covered. I remember painting that orange in there when it was Z's room and he was bound and determined that he was going to have a basketball room. What either of us was thinking at the time is beyond me. Since it is going to be a therapy room.....we are going with more calming colors. I am thinking a sage and brown. We were going to paint the wood work, but it is cleaning up well enough that I don't think that will end up being an issue. Now if I can just figure out the roman shades.....this room should be finished before I turn 80!

Well....there is no Father's sermon to talk about today (and yes I missed it), and I have no words of wisdom. It was an interesting week and I am wondering with the events of last week....how this week is going to go. Hopefully there won't be any 3 a.m. nights, no fights, and no more headaches. I am hoping for regular schedules, smooth sailing and a happy, healthy week for all.

So I guess this is all for the Sunday fodder. Now it is time for the 30 Day Song Challenge. Today's song....Day 17: A song that you hear often on the radio. Well anyone who listens to the radio knows that the newest thing is usually the thing they put into rotation and play every chance they get. Whether it is through radio or music tv, you are going to hear the same songs over until you are sick of them. No wonder people are listening to and watching more and more of retro radio and tv. The new stuff just gets ridiculously monotonous hearing it and watching it over and over again. With that being said....today's song I hear at least 3-4 times a day and more if I turn on any of the country music video channels. I liked this band from the first time I heard them and this song has for the moment grown on me. However....if I have to listen to it another 200 times....the love affair may be over. For now though....here is The Band Perry and You Lie!


Happy Sunday! Enjoy it....'cause tomorrow is Monday!


11 comments:

Marni said...

I will add (and this is only my humble opinion) I stopped sending boxes of kleenex with my kids when I saw a teachers room closet and it was full...from bottom to the top....with extra boxes of kleenex!! And this was at the beginning of school BEFORE the kids brought MORE. So I too sent the little personal packets for my kids. I too know that ALL teachers do not do this, but from my personal experience....

Anonymous said...

Once again you have managed to offend me in the highest manner. I am a teacher and parents buying what is required for their students is a must each year. Never have I used anything a student has brought in for personal gain. Did you ask the woman in the store if she was a teacher? I am sure you didn't. You just heard the conversation and blogged about it as fact. You have made all teachers everywhere look bad and that is really offensive. If not for teachers your children would not have an education. It is parents like you that are afraid they might spend .02 more than they have to that make my job and other teachers jobs miserable and difficult to do. Teachers are not what is wrong with the school system, it is parents like you. Now because of you and your blog there will likely be a lot of parents either refusing to buy what is needed for their child or questioning the integrity of a school teacher by asking her just what she plans on doing with the kids school supplies. Do you have any idea how offensive that will be to teachers and what a horrible way that will be to start a school year off with? I am sorry but I had to do it this time. I had to comment that this offensive blog was hatable. I marked that I hated it. Please in the future, think before you blog and remember that your words can be truly offensive.

An Offended Teacher

Lisa Jacques Elam said...

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear in the blog. I in no way think that all teachers...nor all schools are guilty of what the teacher I spoke of do. Yes...I am certain she was a teacher and yes....I will ask and I encourage anyone who is buying supplies for their kids to ask what is done with leftover supplies. As parents we have the right to know and if I were a teacher, unless I was using the supplies in a way that I wasn't suppose to be, I would welcome the question and answer it willingly. I think anyone who is offended by full disclosure has something to hide. Thank you though "anonymous" once again for your comment.

Jill said...

It is my opinion, that after spending $190 to enroll my son in the 7th grade (and I haven't even purchased any supplies yet), that tissues, paper towels, sanitary hand wipes and computer paper should be provided by the district. I also have to agree with Lisa on this one...this particular teacher should not be running her mouth in Walmart about using supplies intended for school use for her own personal use. Lisa was very point blank in stating that she didn't lump all teacher's in the same category, yet "anonymous", who was so offended, did it anyway. Sounded like constructive criticism to me of a system that is obviously a little cracked, if not broken.

*Christina* said...

I really don't see how a teacher would be offended if you asked what happens to extra supplies at the end of the year. Seems a little oversensitive to me. :)

Really I just wanted to comment that I LOVE the song on your blog today. Love love love!!

Rebecca Mortimer said...

I'm curious on the fact of if her blog is offensive to you, then why do you keep reading it? I agree with her, only I would have walked up to that teacher and spoke my mind. I just don't understand how you get so offended.she said that not all teachers are like that. so maybe you should think before you comment. or re-read the whole thing

Unknown said...

Anonymous needs to quit reading this blog, because when they read it they only pick out the parts that offend them and fail to take the rest into account. I read it like the rest of the readers who have posted comments and could see that it was stated not all teachers are like this, there are bad eggs in all professions, yes even teachers, I will still send extra school supplies. You need to realize people make up their own minds on what they will or will not do, we are not lemmings, anon. is sure people will no longer send supplies due to 1 blog, how silly. I would hate to be offended so easily. Stress kills people and all this being offended is surely stressful, take a deep breath and relax...

Anonymous said...

First of all, let me begin by saying that I am a student. And I must agree with Lisa on her blog today. See, I get a first hand glimpse of how the teachers, at least in my district, use the plethora of school supplies we provide throughout the year. Take Kleenex for example. We bring 3 - 5 boxes to school, per student, every year. When you have 20 kids to a class room, it adds up. Kids simply aren't THAT SICK. I've seen it even during the worst parts of winter. We may go through a couple of boxes, but never ALL OF THEM, not even HALF! Of course, I can imagine that back in YOUR time (which I'm guess was before electricity and healthcare seeing as how your personality makes you sounds like an old prude with a stick up your backside, the size of East Texas)

Yes, a lot of teachers do stockpile and use the money spent on ridiculous amounts of school supplies for personal gain. This has been the name of the game since I've been going to school. So, instead of bashing Lisa for her "offensive" material, why don't you walk your backside (the one afflicted with the stick) into your school, and see that what I'm saying is the truth. And I bet if we're really honest...you've probably done it a bit yourself.

Anonymous said...

So bashing hard working teachers who do nothing but afford your kids a decent education appears to be the name of the game on this blog. I don't know why I am surprised. This from a woman who would marry just to have a handy-man around the house. I am surprised though, how her readers seem to be made up of much the same teacher bashing, low integrity as the blogger herself. Accusing teachers of stock piling for personal gain is beyond ridiculous and if telling it like it is means I have a stick up my backside, then I guess I am proud of that stick. As far as though of you who seem to think I need to quit reading this blog, it is quite a free country and I will indeed continue to read AND speak out when I see such blatantly offensive material broadcast for all to see. Be prepared blog writer. You have not seen the last of my comments yet!

Unknown said...

wow.once again an interesting take on this blogger's blog...Marrying for a handyman...I would have thought if one were to marry for something other than love that it would at least be for money and then you could hire a handyman and have money to boot...set your sights higher blogger and marry for money...besides the repair man you could hire to do the work you could take wonderful vacations and surely have a nanny to take care of you special needs child and other child just think of the possibilities and imagine all the extra school supplies you could buy and not have to worry about whether or not you have enough left over to feed your children and pay your own bills...yes anon can read and say anything they want to, true that....

Marni said...

Wow Anonymous....you sure do a good job of picking and choosing out of a blog what offends you. By doing so you have totally negated the other parts of the blog that explain those certian areas that you have honed in on. I personally know the blogger and let me tell you....you are totally wrong about her intentions of her blogs. First...you really must, and I mean MUST find some humor in your life. If you cant see the humor in the "Handyman" blog...then God help you. She is no where close to being serious in doing that.
And the teacher/supplies blog. Well she did say she HEARD a TEACHER say that she uses the extra supplies for HERSELF. AND she did say that she in NO TERMS IS SAYING ALL TEACHERS ARE LIKE THIS!!! Wow once again just pulling out of a blog what YOU choose totally takes it out of contex. I have worked with many teachers through out the years and let me say....there are some good eggs and then there are some not so good eggs. Thats every where. For you to make it seem like not one single teacher would even think of doing what was blogged about is utmost craziness!!!! I have seen the closets full of tissues, glue, crayons and other supplies that never got used...and was personally told that these would be used for the teachers own PERSONAL use.
And also like what was said....just because the blogger writes about it doesnt mean that we all totally agree with her. Just on THIS point...more do then not. It is what it is...the sooner you realize that not every teacher is perfect....the easier it is. Maybe you are one of those teachers that would NEVER consider doing such a thing....that makes you one of the GOOD EGG. And please....do continue to read her blogs. Heck....you might learn something!!!!