Mrs. Langenwalter - English Teacher

My goodness, I haven't updated the ole' blog for quite some time! Yes, I am finally and officially, a high school English teacher. Holy Cow! :) I will be teaching 9th and 10th graders, including some remedial reading courses. The reading classes are really exciting because I hope to eventually have my reading specialty certification. This will be a great foundation! I start a 3-day in-service, tomorrow, which will cover the new Common Core Standards that will be implemented this year. I am quite excited to learn more about these standards, because, to be honest, I know nothing about them. Another exciting bit is that  I was able to see where my classroom will be! The other teacher hasn't moved out, yet, but I hope she will, soon! As soon as I can sart decorating, I will try to get some pictures on here!

Other than that wonderful news, things have been fairly quiet. Thomas did lose his job, but we hope that GE will get their act together and finally call him in the next couple months. Until then, he will be working for his dad at the BMW shop. I will be headed to North Carolina in just a few days to attend my sister's wedding! I am not so crazy about the flight, but I am sure it will be a blast once I get there! Many pictures to come! Oh, we are still Figure 8'ing it! Our next race is Saturday night, which is great, except that I have to drive the 4 hours up to KC as soon as its over, for my 7am flight. Fun stuff!

Here is a picture of me in the 'race car'!

I usually like to have more pics, but I guess I haven't been very good at that lately! I will work on that for next time! ;)

Counting Down the Days....

Soon, I shall be free! Well, sort of...
After this week, I only have two weeks until I graduate. WOW! At least, I hope I will be graduating, he he. I should have my KPTP scores by this evening, which makes me extremely nervous, and I am hoping it is over a 20. Just hoping, and praying, and dreaming....
Yep. Spazzing a tad, today. I just finished teaching my last lesson of student-teaching AND my last observation. Big weight off my shoulders. Now, if I can just pass that darn KPTP and the exams... Bleh.
I am off this evening, so headed to carving around 6pm. So thankful because it helps me to relax AND I am making Christmas presents. Not sure who gets them, yet, but someone who will like them, for sure!
Starting to miss my sis, even though she hasn't been gone that long. Honestly, I probably miss her just because I know she is so far away. Plus, I am a little jealous that she lives only a block away from Hobby Lobby. On second thought, it is a VERY good thing that I don't live that close to Hobby Lobby because I would be even more broke than I am...
Keeping my fingers crossed on a potential teaching job......

It's a Raptor!
A really, cute Raptor!

I'm thankful for.....

1. My Family (including in-laws) :)
2. My Critters - all 9 of them!
3. My lovely, warm home which is MUCH warmer now that Thomas fixed the wood stove.
4. The fact that I have less than 3 weeks of school before I graduate!
5. The chance that means I may have a teaching job in January, even a small chance.
6. My wonderful friends...
7. The news that Thomas will move to 2nd shift in January...
8. Chocolate
9. Pepsi - even though I don't drink it anymore, at least I know its there if I need it! :)
10. Mexican food, especially black beans and chips & salsa!

There are so many more things I am thankful for, but I'm tired of typing..... ;P

Recipes and Ramblings.....

I am well on my way to actually graduating and becoming a certified teacher. On Saturday, I took both of the exams required for certification and should receive my scores in the next few weeks. I feell very good about one, but the other is iffy. I also finished the KPTP on Friday and am going to finish editing it before submitting it this evening. Only 13 more school days until I am finished! WooHoo!
My deaest sister is leaving for TN on Saturday. :( We had dinner at Mom's for her 'going away' last night. It was a lot of fun and we had a lot of good food. Allie also cleaned my house on Saturday! Yea! :)
I am participating in a fun email exchange with recipes, so I will include a couple that I have receieved:

Yummy!

1 whole grain english muffin sliced in half
1 tsp dijon mustard
2 slices thin sliced deli ham
1/4 granny smith apple
1 piece swiss singles

spread the mustard on the english muffin, then put 1 slice of deli ham per side of the english muffin, slice the apple into thin slices and place on top of ham, top with cheese and broil in the oven until cheese is melty and bubbly!

Easy Holiday Truffles

Oreo Truffles –

1 package Oreos (Blended)

1 package cream cheese

1 package white chocolate bark

Crush Oreos or blend them in a food processor. Mix with softened cream cheese. Roll mixture into 1’ balls. If the mixture is too thin or thick, add more Oreos or cream cheeses, accordingly. Chill Oreo balls for at least half an hour. Melt chocolate. Dunk the balls in chocolate.

Lay out on wax paper and chill until serving.

Peanut Butter Truffles

1 part Peanut Butter

1 part Powdered Sugar

1 package Chocolate Bark

Combine Peanut Butter and Powdered Sugar until mixture will form a ball, easily. Create 1’ balls and chill at least half an hour. Melt chocolate. Dunk PB balls in chocolate. Lay out on Wax Paper and chill until sevring.

Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

What a great day for Halloween! It is the perfect fall weather, even a little bit on the warm side. We got to see all of the little preschoolers parade through the high school this morning and they were freaking adorable! Bless those that are preschool teacher, they must have unlimited energy and patience!
This afternoon, Mom, Allie and I are going to see Puss in Boots 3D. Haha. We all love Shrek and have decided that this movie is a must-see. There won't be many more evenings with the three of us, since Allie is moving to Tennessee, soon. :(  Oh well, I know it will be a great adventure for her!
Thomas is busy cutting trees at my Great Aunt Paula's today, instead of working at the shop. He has decided that there are limited nice weather days and he won't have many more days for working outdoors. Paula really appreciates all of his help, as most of her family avoids work like the plague. Thomas is getting a Thunderbird in return, it has suicide doors and is a early 70's model - really neat looking!
Anyhow, I need to get back to the KPTP.
TTFN

Keeping all the balls in the air....

Yep, its cold! :) I do not mind, though. Finally ready for some actual Fall weather, it always feels so festive! I just cannot believe that next week will be November, this semester has moved pretty quickly. I turned on the wood stove again last night and it felt very amazing. :) I do hope that Saturday won't be freezig because Allie and I are attending a Trunk-or-Treat for the animal shelter. Most of the other board members are out of town for a conference, so I have wrangled my sister into helping me. We are taking 3 dogs and 2 kittens to Trinity Lutheran's Fall Festival Trunk or Treat for kids and their fanilies to see what we have to offer in the way of pets. It will be a lot of fun to see the kids all dressed up in their costumes. Allie and I are dressing up, sort of. Our costumes consist of sparkly, purple false eyelashes and purple striped tights. We will probably wear black dresses and shoes and be 'nice, purple witches'! Haha. We are so creative - not. Not much else exciting has been happening. Work is about the same - we had aother waitress quit. We are averaging about one a week! Sheesh! I think we have a hostess quitting this week. Its not their fault, my boss is pretty hard to work for and so is his wife. Oh well, at least it is decent pay and tips! I have been working on my KPTP and Thank You cards like a mad woman, trying to get it all finished. Thomas is still liking Ground School, but he says it is a lot of information to absorb. I think I am going to try Pinterest, has anyone heard of that?