Rock on!

Coming home from the Y yesterday, a semi hit a "rock on" my windshield, putting a hole even with my left eye.  Since I only had to work a couple of hours yesterday, I told Sam I would deal with insurance.

Call One:  Insurance Company.  Yes, you have full glass coverage.  We use Gerber for replacement.  They will be calling you.  (10 minutes)

Call Two:  This is Gerber Glass.  We hear you need a new windshield . . .The shop will be calling you.  (20 minutes)

Call Three:  Would you like to be scheduled in Apple Valley or Burnsville?  Yes, we do offer loaner cars.  The shop will be calling you.  (25 minutes)

Call Four:  Your claim has been denied for Toyota glass.  Would you like to pay for Toyota glass ($350.00) or use ours?  (15 minutes)

Call Five:  This is Enterprise Rental.  (5 minutes)

Call Six:  Sam, you're bringing my car in on Tuesday and I'm taking your truck.  I am so done with this!  (10 minutes)

Thankful Thursday!

This week at work, we've been discovering the difference between "remediation" and "acceleration".  Covid has brought major learning challenges to our school districts and as a result, now that we're back in person we have to determine what meets our students needs the best.  

Part of my job will be to work on acceleration using a push in model in fifth grade.  Instead of pulling students out of the classroom and working with them one-on-one, I'll be working alongside the classroom teacher.  

Since I'll be working with fifth graders, I'm moving to the fifth grade wing tomorrow.  Our custodian, Chris, created a sweet space for me!  "My" windows look directly into Suzie's classroom where there are "real" windows that look outside.  (My current space has NO windows whatsoever.). I have a large table to meet with students should I need to pull any out, and absolutely no where to store my personal things (think coat, hat, boots, mittens, lunch, keys, phone, etc.)

But I have seen the other tutor's spaces and I am SO thankful for mine!

Sadly, my favorite fifth grade teacher just texted me.  She's Covid positive.

Dressed for Success!

Here I am!  Ready for my first day back with kids:

 

A Day to Donate . . .

Micah and I were scheduled to give blood this morning at the Restored Thrift Shop in Lakeville at 10:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. respectively.  Our plans included shopping while waiting for the other.

We were hoping to give blood in the Restored "back room" that we had heard about,  but as we turned the corner, there in front of us loomed the American Red Cross RV.  We both let out a groan . . . the RV is so NOT our favorite choice! 

Due to a couple of cancellations, we were able to actually give at the same time.  Unfortunately, only I had enough iron to donate.  I gave Micah a credit card and sent her into Restored.  I finished donating, walked into Restored and . . .

"Mom, you'll never guess what I found!  This store is great!"

Fortunately, she had waited for the "Mom Stamp of Approval" before she purchased two new cake stands for her bakery.  One was a rectangular granite stab on wooden legs and the other had a gaudy gold ribbon over it.  They totally fit "Uniquely Me", so we bought them both for "Happy Micah Day!" coming up in March.

Somewhere in the course of the conversation, we came up with, "Wouldn't it be cool to have all kinds of unique cake stands to decorate your bakery with?"  So, if any of you out there have cake stands just collecting dust, sitting unused in a corner, have we got a plan for YOU!  This is going to be fun . . .     

Hand Me Up's

If you really know me, you know I really don't like shopping - for shoes, for clothes, for groceries, for anything!  Never have, never will. 

One of my best friends from high school retired last year as the Chief Financial Officer at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa.  When she heard I was finally getting a more professional job this fall, she offered me some "hand me up's".  

Understand, Beth and I have been friends since we met in Sunday school when we were three years old.  We have maintained that friendship for over fifty years.  Beth was the center for our girl's basketball team (translation: tall) while I was a cheerleader.  She was the pitcher for our softball team.  I played outfield.  We have biked more miles together than any other friend I have.  

The clothes arrived today.  All three pairs of pants were way too long and a bit too big (they slid right off over the hips!), but the black jacket with a red sweater will do nicely along with the teal button down (minus the purple sweater).  Micah doesn't like the brown jacket.  I think it's a hoot!

Prepare to see me stylin' in my new "hand me up's!"

So Amazing!

Aria is a sweet little first grader at our church who has been battling a malignant brain tumor.  When her mom posted this on her Caring Bridge site this week, I just had to past it on.  It is such an amazing "Glory Story"!

Last week Aria had her third eye check up at Mayo.

 

I still remember the sinking feeling in my stomach in September after the opthalmologist checked Aria post-surgery. At the time, her right eye (which was her "good eye" before surgery) was swollen shut and her pupil was severely dilated. The eye doctor said it was highly unlikely her eye would never get better, but it was just as unlikely her eye would fully recover. At best, we would hope for her eye to regain mobility and some acuity with time, therapy, and possibly surgery. 

 

At the eye check in November, her eyelid was partially open, but her eye could only slightly move. Because she was on the cusp of ending treatment, we were told to come back in January to come up with a plan. I was assured plastic surgery and therapy would help and left preparing myself that those would likely be realities.

 

Since then, Aria has been steadfast and confident that God was healing her vision. I was encouraged when her eyelid continued to lift. I was hopeful that her vision had to be improving when she learned to read. And I watched my sweet girl faithfully thank God each night for the healing He was doing in her eyes.

 

At this appointment, the doctor checked her eyes carefully. He double checked. He brought in his colleague to triple check. And then with a huge smile, he shared that Aria's eyes are almost completely back to normal. In his words, it is a little miracle. Her vision is almost completely restored and her eyelid has lifted, but most miraculous, the eye itself is moving as it should. He said if he had not personally seen her at her last two appointments he wouldn't believe it. I cried when he said Aria will not need surgery or vision therapy, and we can throw away her eye patch because she no longer needs it. 

 

My heart is overflowing with gratitude and joy. God is teaching me so much about faith and healing through Aria and the work He is doing in her body and her heart. 

 

Thank you for rejoicing with us and cheering us on. 

 

Love and Gratitude, 

Jessica

Thankful Thursday - Part II

With a sigh of relief, I have to say that I am so thankful we have a new president.  Our former president claimed Jesus, but did not live Jesus in his speech or actions.  As Daniel said, ". . . he removes kings and sets kings up . . ."  I'm glad this one has been removed.  

Thankful Thursday!

Today, I am thankful for my former neighbor, Dr. Brian Matheis.  Former because Brian is now dancing on streets of gold, singing with the angels and loving his Savior in person.  Brian died on January 7, 2021 and we celebrated his life, a life well-lived, yesterday.  Thank you, Brian, for your part in my life!  I'll never forget the "sneeze story" where cancer caused your ribs to break when you sneezed.  Thanks for laughing with me . . . 

A Precious E-Mail

I e-mailed one of my former co-workers at the Y yesterday because I realized I hadn't wished her a "Merry Christmas" or a "Happy New Year" yet and I really wanted to.  Look what she responded with:

"I’ve been meaning to tell you that you’ve been on my mind! We are doing "A Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy" in my Bible study. One of the questions was, “Can you think of people who have contagious joy? What are their secrets?”

I answered "MARGO! Jesus is her secret!"

I miss your smiling face and your love for Jesus just busting out of you!" 

Totally.Made.My.Day!

Speaking of Frustration . . .

My Aquatics Director on the ski trip had told me in October that she would get me my certifications instructor code right away so I could be paid for teaching certification classes.  She said that in front of the Aquatics Director who was on duty yesterday.  I asked my AD in November, after I had taught a challenge class for my code again.  We went on Covid close down.  When we reopened in January, I asked my AD for my for my code again.  She said she'd do it right away.  I told the acting AD on Friday that I had yet to receive a code or be paid for working in November.  She said she'd take care of it by doing a "push".  She offered me my deck manager's wage and I said I was already making more than that.  I gave her the amount I was making.  She gave me a raise!  Right there.  On the spot. And she wants me to come work for her.  I may be moving.  It's only once a month!    

Frustration Mounts . . .

I taught CPR at the Y yesterday for the first time this year.  I arrived earlier than normal expecting things NOT to be normal.  Boy, was I ever right!

This is how I found our storage room.  A jumbled mess.  Four adult manikins were missing.  Three AED's were missing.  No one had printed the tests I needed.  None of my Covid protocol provisions were provided.  I was frustrated.  I called the Aquatics Director on duty.  (Note:  My Aquatics Director, who should have ensured that I had everything I needed to teach was on a ski trip and had done nothing to prepare for this class before she left.). I vented.  I quit.  The AD on Duty hired me to come to her Y.  I may just do that.  Class went well.  This is how the storage room looked when I left:

  Notice the difference?  I willing to bet my AD never will!
 

GEOMETRY!?!

Our fifth grade core math this week was geometry.  Note:  before this week, getting students to come to WebEx was like pulling teeth.  I had one student in particular who I called the language line for every day.  She never showed!

Then we started geometry.  Monday was the area of a square or a rectangle.  Almost everyone showed up.  By Wednesday we had moved to parallelograms.  Everyone was at WebEx at their appointed times!  Friday we found the area of trapezoids.  Everyone was early to WebEx! 

Thankful Thursday!

We were all quite thankful on Thursday to see the end of what we called "L3", where our most needy students came to Oak Hills and received additional help.  Honestly, they needed to come.  We truly did make a difference in their lives by giving them that additional time.  It was well worth it and I was thankful to be a part of it!

We are even more thankful that the end of "L3" signals the return of students in the classroom!  Our K-2 return one week from tomorrow on January 27.  Our 3-5 students return on February 8.

 

The Response

The text I sent to Matt and Micah AFTER their lunches today said, "Reminder.  I am not responsible to clean up your mess."

The first child who came into the kitchen started putting dishes in the dishwasher, then asked, "Oh, are you going back to work?"  

"Yes, I am."  

"I'll do this later."  And never did.

The second child who came into the kitchen washed their dishes while I was on WebEx at the kitchen table.  

Which child was which?  Which child made me happier? 

Who Says You CAN'T Have Your Cake and Eat It Too?

We're not sure where the hideous purple cake came from, but Micah was honored to be highlighted by the North Central University College of Business and Technology!
 

Furnace Fixed!

 The repairman showed up a little after 9:00 p.m. last night.  It turns out we had a blown fuse.  Simple fix!  Heat by bed!  

Unfortunately, our furnace is an 1986 model and is probably on it's last leg.  So we're hoping it holds until the temps rise and we'll purchase a new one this summer!

TOY Award!

My sister-in-law, Sam's youngest sister, is one of three candidates up for Teacher of the Year (hence, TOY) in her school district.  She contacted me earlier this week to see if I would edit her application.  Gladly!

Today was the day.  Once we got Google Docs going, I started the massacre!  I told Micah if I had $1.00 for every "and" I took out, we'd be rich!  We laughed about how many times can you use "learn" in a sentence.  Three was not a choice, two were cut.  At some point, Sam commented that he came from a family of poor writers.  Don't worry.  My sister-in-law knew what we were doing.  The texts were flying.

It was a fun afternoon!  We wish her the very best!

We're Cool - Literally!

As Sam and I were getting ready for bed last night, we noticed that the house seemed a bit cool.  Then we noticed that there wasn't any hot air coming out of any of the furnace vents.  Sure enough, our furnace (we hope!) is on the fritz.

Sam called Center Point and got an appointment to have the furnace looked at between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. TODAY!  We've been waiting twelve hours.  We've borrowed two space heaters from our neighbors.  We've had the fireplace going since last night.  Micah and I went to church to warm up.  

Here's hoping they come soon!

Right Time. Wrong Room.

Three mornings a week, since the beginning of December, at 8:30 a.m., I've had a fifth grade student read to me.  He's read to me from Florida and from Minnesota.  He also shows up at 8:20 a.m., so I've adjusted my time so he can squeeze in extra reading.

Micah and I were in the kitchen this morning at 8:20 a.m. waiting for my student to arrive.  I was telling her this was so unlike him to be late.  Finally, at 8:26 a.m. he logged on.

"Mrs. Zupke, I was waiting for you in Mrs. Bakke's room."  That's his classroom teacher.  Right time.  Wrong room.😀😁😂   

 

"It's the first book I've ever read."

This morning, my  8:30 a.m. student finished the book we'd started reading at the beginning of December with those immortal words, "I think this is the first book I've ever finished."  I'm assuming he meant LONG/ADULT/REAL book.  He read the whole thing to me because I'm still waiting for my copy to come in from the public library!  What an awesome accomplishment!  Congratulations, my fifth grade friend! 

Thankful Thursday!

Sadly, right after lunch yesterday, we (the tutors) began having difficulty with WebEx (our district's zoom).  You could start a meeting, but it would be taken over by the spinning wheel of death.  Once you were out, you couldn't get in.  Turning off the iPad and starting completely over did no good.

Since I'd already done yesterday's math with one student earlier in the day, I did my first student after lunch on the old-fashioned telephone, talking him through.  My second student, I cancelled.  There went our Razz Kids book!  Students three, four and five were taken over by the classroom teacher who was still able to use her WebEx.  

She told me to take the rest of the afternoon off, later sending me a text that staff all throughout the district were having issues with WebEx.

I am ever thankful that WebEx worked just fine today and I could meet with students once again.  Here's hoping for tomorrow . . . 

 

 

Forty-Seven Days!

Forty-seven days after my last swim, I walked back into the pool at 6 a.m. this morning!  I pre-registered as required.  I wore my face mask as required.  I showered as required.  I swam opposite other swimmers as required.  It was glorious!  I am so glad to be back . . .      

Super Husband to the Rescue!

 Micah asked me to make her some new face masks over Christmas, so last Sunday I cut out a couple of new and different patterns, pulled out my sewing machine and NOTHING.  ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.  My circa 1977 Kenmore sewing machine was dead. 

I talked to Dad.  I pulled out my instruction manual.  I determined I needed a new "Light and On Switch".  I went to Google.  I went to Kenmore parts.  I pulled up my serial number.  You know what it said:  "This item is no longer in stock".

I talked to Sam.  He went to Ace today.  He purchased a new "Light and On Switch".  He put it in.  It's silver, not white.  It works!

Super husband to the rescue!  I'll be making face masks tomorrow . . .

  

 

A Better Day!

When your girlfriend has leukemia and you find out that her dishwasher broke back in December and the repairman who "fixed" it yesterday actually caused it to overflow and leak through the basement ceiling today but can't come back to look at it until Monday because there is a gas leak somewhere out there; and her almost three-year-old decided to cut his hair today - big blonde curls be gone; and her six-year-old has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; (and her seven-year-old is just fine!); and her nine-year-old is literally climbing the hall walls (I saw the video!); and YOUR daughter made a double batch of cinnamon rolls, you get in the car with said daughter and deliver the rolls to said girlfriend because tomorrow IS going to be a better day at her house!

Any day that starts with fresh homemade cinnamon rolls has to be a great day!