24 June 2006

The Site That Changed My Life

I know... I'm in big trouble! Since I've been threatened with an unauthorized update, I figured I'd better post.

Much has happened, but you can visit Michael's site to find all of that out. This is report card weekend for me, so I don't have much time to blog, but I'll let you know the basics.

First of all, ACCESS report cards are not like regular report cards. First, you have to determine which classes each individual student has earned credits in, and how many credits in each. For example, Johnny may have completed 5 credits of English, 2 of World History, 3 of math, 2.5 of science, 7 of PE and 1 of health. This takes a long time. Then you have to complete a course contract for each class. Then you have to do the actual report card. Then you have to create new course contracts for the next quarter. Finally, you have to sign everything, calculate his current number of credits, and make a bejillion copies. This takes about 1/2 hour per student (if I'm on a roll). I only have 17 more students to go!

We went on a lovely vacation. There was much bicycling and visiting. I learned that my nephew Yali is obsessed by Thomas the train engine. Here's a picture of him knocking down the tower he insisted I build so he could knock it down with a cable car. I'm behind the flash. We bought him a cable car after riding the cable cars quite a bit in San Francisco. Here's me hanging from one.















About a month ago, my sister-in-law Stephanie sent me some links to house cleaning sites. At first I thought that was weird, but her email changed my life! Really! It is amazing how much happier a clean house can make you! See how happy Steph and Clive are?

If you are ever frustrated, annoyed, or depressed by your home, you must visit the FlyLady. At first, it all seems really hokey, but beneath the sappy platitudes is a system that works. Michael can attest to this, even though I've fallen off the wagon this week. Report cards and all. But the house looks good again, and it only took me about an hour!

We are having a party on the First of July to celebrate the Fourth of July. It's a wine tasting party, but we're also having mucho food. If you haven't been invited, it's because you're underage or pregnant and/or have a newborn and live really far away. Or I just don't like you all that much. If you want an evite, let me know. If I like you I'll send you one.

OK... back to house cleaning. I have to spend my whole Saturday doing report cards, so the house must be clean today. Someday, hopefully next week, I'll be back on the bike. I twisted my ankle on Wednesday night, so couldn't ride today as planned. Mileage reports soon.