Ms. Pritz's Class

Here's some photos Teeny took of me and my little classroom/workroom while she was visiting me this week.

Welcome to my fun little world of learning!

Truth

Honest things about who I am:

1. 97.9% of the time I will not be on time and it doesn't bother me at all. I think I was meant to live in a more laid back culture.
2. I am incredibly repetitive. If I find something I love or enjoy, I will do just that to its fullest. I will finish reading a book I enjoy and start reading it over again immediately, the same goes for movies, television, music, etc.
3. I am not an emotional girl. I always identify with guys when discussing relationship issues. Apparently I came out a girl but was wired wrong when it comes to thought process and emotions.
4. I generally prefer hanging out with chilren over adults. I love hearing the thoughts of children of all ages.
5. Country music speaks to my soul. Go ahead take issue with it.
6. Even though I may not think like a girl, I do extremely enjoy makeup, hair, perfume, accessories of any kind, and fashion--so I got the girly goin' on there.
7. Favorite friendship childhood memories: Going on outdoor adventures with Adrian and our baby dolls--one of the many benefits of growing up in the country, Having very dramatic Barbie issues with Nicole--it's amazing that two girls who had never seen a soap opera recreated some pretty dramatic scenarios with their toys, Watching the Lone Ranger and Zorro with the 3 Karasek boys and my brothers for hours on end while wearing capes and other assorted yet necessary costumes, and Many, many imaginative times with my two brothers: dancing like maniacs to the Beatles (thank you hippie parents), playing house where I was always the mom (not much changes), Scott was always the big brother (makes sense), and Teddy was always the Indian (who doesn't need to have a red-headed Indian around).
8. I require more sleep than anyone I have ever met. I LOVE to sleep, naps, sleeping in late, you name it, it is wonderful. I hated slumber parties growing up because I didn't understand why everyone wouldn't go to bed and then why they didn't sleep in in the morning. I refused to even attend any youth group church lock-ins in my teenage years because who the heck would want to stay up all night?
9. I love having red hair. Not that I think about it very much, sometimes I see pictures of myself and am shocked that my hair is the color it is in the picture and have to ask people if that is what it really looks like.
10. I have lost people I really love in my life. I had a childhood friend die of cancer when we were only in Junior High, it was awful, and I really don't even talk about it to most people that know me well. But I have never not felt joy. Joy that I don't understand. All I can say is that Jesus gives me joy beyond my understanding and always has in every hardship I've faced and for that I am grateful.

Sparatic Spring

When the seasons change in Oklahoma they never permanently change. It can be freezing in the winter, or maybe it will get real hot one day. Summer can suddenly cool down and hours later be burning hot again. This week we had Spring at the beginning and all of our beautiful flowering trees started budding out, then all of a sudden it decided to be winter again and sleeted and snowed all day yesterday. Today is more mild though I still wore a scarf and coat. When it was beinning to sleet the other day I ran out in the cold and took pictures of our new flowers in hopes of capturing their beauty before the freezing rain took it away again. Also I think where I live is beautiful! ps. I also have cute cats.

I love these people.

Supporting Kenya

Last night I was able to go to a get together at my friends' the Cozart's house. Val's twin sister Lauren was visiting and has recently returned from spending 6 months working in Kenya. She brought jewelry and other wares made by Kenyans which she is selling and sending 100% of the profits back to Kenya.

It was really neat to see pics of her time there and hear about her experiences. I bought some beautiful earrings and beautiful hand painted cards.

I love my students.

So I feel like in my teaching job I have many hilarious stories I could write about everyday and I don't, but I should, because most of them I really don't want to forget. So here are a few that boost my spirits:

1. The photo of the synthetic white carnations with the plastic stem with a wire running through it were from one of my second graders last week. They came walking down the hall for reading class with the bouqet held behind their back along with a card. Pretty cute. Made my day to receive those fabric and plastic flowers.

2. Last week I was drinking a latte and one of my second graders said "No fair, how come teachers get to have drinks?" I said "when you go to college and then get a job and then become a teacher, then you can have drinks at school too" Her response was "but I want to ride horses"

3. I was walking down the uppergrade hall last week when I saw two eighth grade girls cleaning out their lockers. I asked them about some of their pictures of Zac Efron hanging up in their lockers and then teased them about getting to work. They giggled and as I was walking away I heard them whisper "she's awesome." Boosted Ms. Pritz's ego for the day.

4. My all time favorite: A first grader once said to me "Ms. Pritz, sometimes I really want to kiss you."

The Big 6-0

My father turned 60! Hard to believe. We had quite the party all day at school. Students from each grade sent in things they love about Mr. Pritz and we compiled them to make a list of "60 things we love about Mr. Pritz (who is 60!)". It was a fun day and there were many more fun birthday elements that happened throughout the day at school. We also had a surprise birthday dessert party that night at our house. We had all of our close family friends there and Teddy was able to come home as a surprise. I cooked desserts for 2 days in preparation! I think he was really surprised and touched, so it was worth the hard work we put into it.