It's all up to you...

So it is that time of year again - school conferences.

This time there was a theme to the conferences but I will get to that in a minute. I believe I have talked before about how in middle school the conferences are student led. This means that the kids talk about their grades and papers they have done. The teachers walk around and talk a bit if you have any questions. I understand why they make kids do this but would rather have a more traditional talk with the teachers.

So Vern starts going through his papers. I see many individual grades below par. I ask him what is going on?  I get back "I don't know."  What can you do to improve this paper next time? "I don't know." You get the picture.

Finally a teacher shows up to talk about Vern and his grades. They proceed to say along the lines of the following: Vern is doing well but sometimes does not pay attention in class.  I think Vern could do better.  Next teacher: Vern is not working up to his potential. Vern is choosing to rush through his papers.  Next teacher: It is all up to what Vern chooses to do. Vern grasps the concepts very well but needs to apply himself. Next teacher: (Math) Wow, Vern has really improved his grades and how he acts in class. He is doing much better than first semester.

So the theme really rang true with all the teachers. Vern you are at a juncture in your life where you can choose the outcome. You are an extremely smart kid that grasps ideas at a much higher grade level. What will you choose to do with your gifts Vern?

It is all up to you!!!

Gagging in the morning, gagging in the evening, gagging at supper-time

The post name is a knock-off of the old old song Sugartime - 1958 . It popped into my head after experiencing the Vern story below.


Last night I was working late so the family was on their own for dinner. By on their own I mean they had to basically reheat dinner. Anyway after dinner was Vern's turn for dishes clean-up. He did a small amount of clean-up and then he and Superman came back to town to fetch me and get Vern a haircut.

When we got home I was in quite a bit of pain with a sore back so I had to lie down with some ice packs. After I came upstairs and the dishes were still not finished. I asked Vern to please finish the dishes. He whined and complained and said, "Oh, I will do it in the morning mom." I didn't put up a fight because I was feeling so bad.

Move forward to this morning, and I go tell Vern to remember he has dishes this morning. "Yes mom."  Only a couple more reminders and he puts on my purple gloves and started to load the dishwasher.

All of a sudden I hear this gagging, retching, throwing up sound. I look over and Vern has moved away from the sink acting like he is going to vomit at any minute.

"What's the matter Vern?" I inquire, knowing full well what was going on. The STUFF in the sink fermented overnight.

"This stuff stinks! OMG it is terrible." Vern says as he runs across the kitchen, takes a big gulp of fresh air and runs back to stick in a couple more dishes before running back for another fresh air break.

I am chuckling now. I sure hope Vern learned his life lesson on this one. Sometimes procrastination is not in the best interest of anyone.