The 25th Hour ~karenjcardoza.com~

Apologies to my fellow Pats fans who look to me for content… I’m just too busy with REAL life right now to spend much time online. Between the holiday prep, my job (with increasing demands and growing class roster), my kids, and my 3 dogs, I’ve been swamped.

I spent much of the weekend shopping because we celebrated Christmas with my side of the family on Sunday. This coming weekend is booked solid and unlike many of the communities around here, I still have school the following week.

I’m behind on:

• Website update
• Steelers tailgate
• Upload holiday pictures
• Podcast

We still haven’t taken our Christmas card photo, and at this point, who knows if it will even get done. Trying to get both kids home at the same time to take it has been a feat in itself. KLC is working a lot and JAC is busy with wrestling practices and meets. Love to keep the tradition alive but life is full of changes…

Phone Update: I decided to keep the Samsung Omnia and once I learned how to use the Optical mouse and set the orientation to the right side, it’s been much easier.

It’s amazing how one little step leads to another… I’ve been struggling because I just haven’t had much time to update my website, produce podcasts nor update the tailgate page. Of course, being sick for two weeks after coming back from San Diego didn’t help but I truly felt like I was facing a mountain that was too high to climb.

Thankfully, I decided to Utter my feelings yesterday morning on the way to work and I got a couple of replies which made me think of things differently. DougH had a good suggestion about sending an Utter after the game which only takes a couple of minutes. I guess I was in the mindset that I wanted to “save what I had to say for the podcast” however, the trouble is, I don’t always have enough time in the week to get one done. I need to drop the “all or nothing” attitude and accept that I can only do what I can do. So, I may be using Utterli to keep up with my Pats updates. You can follow me here: http://www.utterli.com/mrsb

So, sparked by that conversation and remarkably having some time on my hands, I uploaded all of my pictures and posted the past two tailgate reports. Corralling the Ponies on Monday Night, and Rams: October Sunday at 1:00 are up.

I’m also going to start using 12seconds.tv a lot more to put out quick updates. You can subscribe to the feed through an rss reader or even iTunes. http://12seconds.tv/channel/mrsb/feed  I’m thinking about a way to include some video in my Muse With Me feed so I’m going to think about how to do it. I’m not talking about adding anything extensive since I can’t even keep up with what I have but I’d like to incorporate it to streamline what I’m doing.

Look for a daily blog post of some kind as I’m in the NaBloPoMo group and figure that I can spare at least 12seconds, a couple of minutes or maybe a bit more each day and making the commitment will be good for me.

PS… The cute picture has nothing to do with anything other than the fact that it just makes me smile

Still trying to get my bearings since coming back from San Diego. I’m exhausted, fighting a sore throat and swollen glands and I’m totally swamped at work and at home.  I’m sure you’ve noticed that there aren’t any updates from my trip yet but I hope to get them done tomorrow. Unfortunately, we made plans to go out tonight awhile back, not knowing how I would be feeling right now. I’m not even thinking about a night game on Monday yet and what that’s going to do my situation.. sigh…

As for work, I’ve got so much paperwork to do, I feel like I’m in a hole that I can’t get out of. I wish I could just “teach”… unfortunately special education is packed with paperwork. Right now, I’m faced with ILPs (Individual Learning Plans),  PLPs (Personal Literacy Plans), IEPs (Individual Education Plans), NECAP testing and the dreaded Alternate Assessment. Deadlines are looming and I’m overwhelmed.  I feel like  I’m getting to a point where I need a job that I can just “do” everyday, go home, and come in the next day to a new day without stuff carrying over.I love my kids but I’m not loving all that’s involved in teaching any more.

Of course, it’s probably just how I’m feeling right now, and I’ll probably feel better when I’m not sick and when I can actually cross some things off the To Do list.  But right now, I could sure use a hug….

12 seconds is all I’ve got! on 12seconds.tv

It’s been an INCREDIBLY busy week and I’m feeling like I’m behind the 8 ball. I’ve yet to produce any content since last Sunday’s home game at Gillette (a game I’d like to forget but a tailgate worth remembering.)  My life has been all about school and meetings this week. Between new RI  IEPs, Alternate Assessment, parent nights, Teacher Support Team and staff meetings, football and dabbling in social media is far from being on the radar.

Hopefully I’ll be able to get somewhat caught up this weekend since it is the bye week and I have an extra 7 days before the next game. I must admit though, during regular (especially home game) weeks, the demands of my job may make it difficult to keep up. I know there are people that look forward to the Tailgate Reports and Podcasts but I can’t make any promises right now.

One of the appointments that I had this week was an invitation to the new Hall at Patriot Place. It was an awesome night and I definitely need to go back when I have more time to actually look at everything and watch all of the multimedia presentations.  It’s a hands on interactive place and is unique and unbelievable.

Part of the issue is that I’m also back to my early morning gym routine and in order to head there before school at 5:00 AM, I really do need to adjust my bed time back to a decent hour so I’m not going to be pulling any late nights at the computer.

I do love my Pats.. but real life is more important.

It’s been a long week.. and at the same time it’s been a very short week. Short because there was absolutely NO way to fit in all I had to do. I’m coming to the realization that I really don’t have time in my life for everything that I want to do right now. Here it is Friday night and I’ve yet to do a post-game podcast… I was up until 3:00am this morning just to get the tailgate done. That is not something that I’ll be able to continue doing in order to function.

The reality is… I have a puppy. The reality is… my job is taking much more time and energy this year than in the past. The reality is… I’m still having some problems with my back and am unable to sit for really long periods of time at the computer. The reality is… I Need exercise in my life to keep me sane, fit, and to help with said back but I don’t have much time to fit it in. The reality is… I’m 43 and I’m starting to feel it if I don’t get enough sleep…. Sigh…

So, apologies in advance, but I need to be spend some time soul searching and setting priorities right now. It’s obvious that there literally aren’t enough hours in my days (at least not this week) to do everything that I plan to do. Without saying, my family and Bella come first as does my need to stay healthy and keep fit and be the best teacher I can be. Following the Patriots and providing scoops for all of Patriots’ Nation is something that I take great pleasure from and totally enjoy but in the scheme of things, It is my Hobby. My family, health, and job are my reality.

Hopefully, there will be a last minute podcast tomorrow and continued tailgate updates and website updates but if not, Go Pats anyway!

Just in case you thought I dropped out of cyber-space, no need to fear, tis just the beginning of the school year. I’ve been in all week with meetings, professional days and orientation and today was the first day with the students.

Everything Patriots (still pre-season so I get a Mulligan) and New Media have been placed on the back burner because right now it’s all about school, preparing lessons, and being the best teacher that I can be. As an inspiring teacher Rafe Esquith says… There are No Shortcuts!

Bella Update:

For those of you following the Puppy Tales, we’ve been working our way towards a work day schedule and so far so good. I take her for a long walk in the morning and evening and she’s been quite mellow after supper as a result. She’s doing great and (Knock on Wood!) is even doing well with the potty training.