Friday, September 14, 2007

Hot for Teacher (not)

Today was one of those mornings, too!  Hubby forgot to cover books, and it sent Fuzzy into a tailspin, he has been in and out of the nurses office all day, trying to get me to come pick him up.
 
I am sure to get the worst mother of the day award, because I haven't done it.  He needs to learn to cope when things go wrong. 
 
So, I promised more Interview Meme Questions and here they are for your enjoyment!  This has been a lot of fun! 
 
Questions from Dawn at Beneath the Surface .
 
1. What do you consider to be the biggest problem with the American public schools?
That is a great question!  I think the biggest problem is that schools now want to 'teach to the test', rather than worrying about helping individual children learning the best way they can. 
 
 
2. If you could change one personality trait about your hubby what would it be and why?
Oh wow... that's a loaded question, huh?  I would only change that he leaves his socks, shoes, and pants on the floor, and doesn't put them away.  The rest is perfection.
 
 
3. How would you describe yourself to someone whose never met you?
A chubby, 40 something, blonde haired, blue eyed, happy mommy!
 
4. If you were a different person and met you, as you are now, do you think you as the other person and you, as you are, would be friends?  (Basically, translated would you be friend's with yourself?)
 
Yes!  I like myself, and I think I am likeable!  I try to be a good friend, too!
 
5. How did Libby come to be a part of your family?
Hubby and I were picking up a pair of glasses at the Pearle Express on a highway near us.  We had been talking about getting a dog at some point within the next year, and as we left, I noticed the sign for Puppies, at the building next door.  
 
We walked over and started looking at the dogs.  We knew we wanted a lab, and they had two a chocolate and a yellow lab.  The chocolate was a boy, and the yellow a girl, and we wanted a female, and truth be told, we preferred a yellow lab.  The lighter the lab, the better the temperment with kids, as a rule of thumb, although all labs are generally great with kids.
 
We were talking to the manager about the yellow lab, when they put food down into the pen with the puppies.  As the yellow lab tried to eat, a mean German Shepherd puppy, kept growling and snapping at her, not letting her eat.  That did it, mommy instinct kicked in (Pumpkin had just turned 5, and I had no more babies), and as my Hubby haggled over price, I took the puppy into the area to hold her.
 
Hubby was told that the final price had to be done with the owner, tomorrow.  He told me to leave the puppy and we would come back tomorrow.  I was devasted!!!  I begged the lady in the store to keep her away from the German Shepherd, and was a wreck!  I cried all the way home!!!
 
The next morning, we went to the store and we came home with Liberty, her name a tribute to 9/11.  Her birthday is 11/26/2001.  4 days after my birthday!  She came home to us, on 2/9/2002.  And, as they say, the rest is history!  Libby is our family!
 
And the next set from Dan at The Wisdom of a Distracted Mind II .
 
Here are your questions...  Sorry if someone's already asked any of these. 

1.   What are some of the greatest challenges faced by both parents and students of homeschooling?
I can't speak for all homeschoolers, but for me, as a parent I need to be sure that my son is getting what he needs, as well as what he requires to gain entrance into the college of his choice, that will suit his desired profession. 

However, a personal challenge is dealing with the people who have preconceived notions of homeschoolers.  In northern NJ, where I am, there are extremely few homeschoolers.  The only others I was able to locate nearby were still 40 minutes away, and they homeschooled for religious reasons, which is one of the 'assumptions' people make and made about me.  The other assumption is that you hate public school, hate teachers, or are some kind of radical protestor of sorts.  Ugh. 

Nope, I am just a mom, doing what was best for one of my children.  It was not something that would be best for the other two, just Hammer. 

I don't know if I answered your question...but there ya go.

2.   So, is New Jersey really the toxic cesspool of nuclear waste and refineries that we out here in America have been led to believe?

Ahhh... one of my personal pet peeves, the 'perception' of New Jersey.  No, it isn't.  I live on a beautful tree lined street, in a town that has won a national tree something or other award!  We have great parks and zoos.  And, we are called the Garden State for a reason!  The southern and western sections of New Jersey are mostly produce farms! 

The best part of New Jersey though, is the shore.  Our beaches are fabulous!  Especially, the pearls of NJ, Wildwood Crest and Cape May.  People come from Canada and Europe to summer there!  Pretty amazing, huh? 

Yes, the Port Newark area is full of oil refineries, and yes, you fly into a really industrial yucky area at Newark Airport, but we keep everything altogether in that area.  lol  I guess you can tell that I really love our state! 

3.   Now, you're quite the coffee guzzler.  Do you remember your very first cup of coffee? 

Great question.  No, but I was drinking coffee, black, no sugar, by the time I was about 5, because that is how my mom drank it!  LOL

4.   You've got five years to make the world absolutely perfect, where do you start?    

Well, there's a question with a quick simple answer!  NOT.  Okay, where would I start.  Dan, this is so hard.  I think I would start with pharmaceutical companies.  They are making ridiculous money, giving multi million dollar bonuses each year to executives.  I would require them to do a percentage of medicines 'pro bono', and get the children and elderly of the world their meds and vaccinations.   That is where I would start.  Unfortunately, my mind is too mushy to go further on this question.
 
5.   If you were a criminal mastermind, how would you get Superman out of the way so you could rob that bank you've always wanted to?

That's easy.  Tell Clark to meet Lois in hotel room, pop open the kryptonite once he gets there.  C'mon, even Superman thinks with the little head sometimes.  LOL

Wow, those were mostly hard, Dan!  I still had fun, and I am looking forward to more questions in a few days from Gaz and maybe Paul!

My hands are still really sore and swollen but I think the rest of me is somewhat better today!  I am not planning on doing anything much, so that should help!

TGIF and I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Football games to watch... yay!

be well,
Dawn

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting questions and answers.
Kat

Anonymous said...

Sorry about the difficult questions, but the Superman one definitely cracked me up when I thought about asking it.  

By the way, I'm having a hell of a day too painwise.  We had a ridiculous cold front plow through here, and yowza!  That inspired some big aches.  But, I'm loaded up on pain pills, and my day will probably consist of nothing more than watching golf followed by an even spent watching Doctor Who.  

There may even be drool at some point.

Thanks for answering, by the way.  Take it easy.

-Dan
http://thewisdomofadistractedmind.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Good plan with Superman and Lois scheme.  It's a wonder it never played out!!  Julie :)

Anonymous said...

Yes he does things go wrong sometimes and you cant hide from it.

Anonymous said...

These are really great answers!!!!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!  I loved the Superman answer!!!!  And Libby's story is precious!
Hugs,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your weekend.
Missie

Anonymous said...

Well, this may be a kick to get him to learn to cover his own books.  Anyway, you're absolutely right.  Fuzzmiester needs to learn to deal on his own.  Thanks for the plug and I loved your answers!  -Dawn-

Anonymous said...

Ihope you feel better.
As a teacher, I agree with you completely on the teaching the test answer. It's not a lot of fun to at school any more, for students or teachers.
Your school year is really started of...f ahem....in a different way then you hope to end it, I'm sure
Love
Marti

Anonymous said...

Man those were great questions !!
hugs,
Ellen

Anonymous said...

Very cool interviews.  Glad you're feeling alittle better.  I especially liked the answers about Libby and Superman.  
You have a great weekend.  
                                Smiles,  Leigh

Anonymous said...

Awww...I love how you picked out Libby! --Cin

Anonymous said...

Great questions and answers. Now Dawn, I know for a fact that Newark is toxic..even with the windows rolled up its hard to breathe driving through on the turnpike..lol..forgive me I just had to....love, Sandi

Anonymous said...

That Superman question was a little weird...but you did a good job answering it.

xxx
Russ

Anonymous said...

I especially love your answer about the homeschooling aspect of your life!  All were good by the way.  We have a lot of homeschoolers in Middle Tennessee but most do so for religious reasons.  While I am a church going person, it is not my reason for home education.  Most people are floored when I tell them my reasons for teaching my kids at home.
Traci

Anonymous said...

Okay...I just have to ask.  Why are the book covers such a big deal?  I remember book covers, barely.  I hated them cause they are like paper bag and I can't stand the texture.  Now that would send me to the nurses office in a tailspin!  De ;)

Anonymous said...

Loved all the questions. It was wonderful hearing how Libby came into your life, as well learning about the wonders of NJ. (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

"The rest is perfection"....LOL!!!!!
Gillie

Anonymous said...

Had never heard that about the lighter the lab, the better the temperment w/kids!  Boy, did we miss the  mark w/Ripken.  He's chocolate as chocolate can be - from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail, from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet.  The boy is chocolate!  He's also great w/my son so I think we did OK.  And his birthday is 11/24, so in between you & Libby, hehe.  I think we should have one giant birthday party for all 3 of you!

Anonymous said...

Now I know about home schooling. All we get to here about Home schoolers in the UK is the relious nuts that teach the kids the world is flat!
Your description of yourself is WAY OUT. How about a wonderfull wife' Mum and friend to many with a great personality, style and beauty?

Gaz xxxx