Class of 2020 -- Blog #8 -- Pets Corner

So many of us have extensions of our family with special friends.  Whether four-legged fur balls, slimy reptiles, or whiskered kittens, for many, pets are important parts of our life.

Over the years, the Sweet household has been home to many pets.  Cats -- Sassy, Mango, Sunny and Stormy.  Dogs -- Beau, Princess, Elvis, Moose, Missy, Lizzy, Lucy, Duke, Scout, Ginger, Sadie, and Fergus.  Goats -- Butch, Sundance, Nannie, and too many to really remember!  We don't do slimy, creepy or scalie things though.

Currently, we have a cat and two dogs.  Stormy, our tabby cat, is almost 17 years old.  Yes, she wsa born in 1999, and has been part of our family for a long time.  She runs the house, by the way!

Our dog, Sadie, is a Labradane -- a mix of a Great Dane and a Labrador Retriever.  She's a pretty big baby, but is an absolute sweetheart.  She loves to ride in the car and go duck hunting.

Fergus, is a rescue Bagle -- a cross breed of a Beagle and Bassett Hound.  He is a hoot, and is spoiled rotten!  He loves table food, and is a little pudge!

For this blog response, I want you to tell me about your pets.    If you don't have a pet, tell me about the choice not to have one.  (That's fine!  Pets are not necessarily everyone's thing!)  If you don't have one, is there a type of pet that you would like to have?

Write five sentences in your response for FIVE bonus points!  This blog will close on Wednesday, 2/24!  We are heading toward the end of the grading period, so WRITE ON!! 

Class of 2020 -- Blog #7 -- Hmmmm . . . Valentine's Day Again!

Can you believe that February is already here?  We've enjoyed a few snow days, and spring is just around the corner!  Our year together is quickly passing by, and you are well on your way to becoming HIGH SCHOOL students!  Wow! 

Next week is Valentine's Day!  I remember when I was in 8th grade.  You either LOVED Valentine's week, or you HATED Valentine's week.  It all depended on who liked you, and who you liked.  From what I hear from you today, it's pretty much the same a hundred years later! 

First of all don't stress!  If you have a "love" in your life -- good for you.  If you don't, good for you!  (Even better, if you ask me!)  At any rate -- Valentine's Day is filled with stuffed animals, candy, hearts, candy, flowers, candy, Cupids, candy, cookies, candy, jewelry, candy -- did I mention the candy??

Let's talk about candy for just a minute!  Of course, I have the perfect name for it -- SWEET!
Valentine's candy comes in all forms -- chocolate, peppermint, bars, hearts, gum -- whatever your little heart desires, you can probably find it!

So, for this blog -- tell me a little bit about your feelings about February 14th.  Do you have anything special planned?  What is your favorite Valentine's candy?  Are you going to buy anything special for anyone?  (A news report this morning stated that Americans will spend about $18.9 BILLION dollars for Valentine's gifts next week!  Please don't spend that much!)

Respond to this blog post in three complete sentences for THREE extra credit points!  The blog will close at midnight on February 14th!  Write on!

Class of 2020 -- Blog #6 -- A Christmas Wish for the World

 

 
Today is the first day of December -- my favorite month of the year!  We are only twenty-four days away from Christmas!  Lists have been made, and shopping has begun.  Trees are being decorated, and stockings are being hung on mantles!  It's the most wonderful time of the year!  (Hey, that sounds like a song!!) 

All of us love the presents and frivolity of the season -- of course!  However, when we really think of the season, there is so much more.  If we really look at our "needs" vs. our "wants," I would guess that there are few things that many of us really need.  We have so much -- what more could we really need? 

In our world, there is so much turmoil.  There is so much stress.  There is so much hurt.   Wouldn't it be great, if we could just wrap up a present - a wish -- to make things go away.  To make things better.  To make things happier. 

 

That is your quest for this blog response.  If you could grant a Christmas wish for the world, what would it be?  Wishes are "big-picture" things.  Your wish must be realistic and wholesome, although maybe not truly possible.   Your wish must make the world a better place. 

So, what would your Christmas wish for the world be?  Please write a minimum of four sentences for four extra credit points.  This blog will close on Friday, 12/18.  Merry Christmas to you all!  Write on! 

Class of 2020 -- Blog #5 Thankfulness

We are entering into my favorite time of year!  Sometimes I really think that I love Thanksgiving more than Christmas.  I love just being with my family and my friends and spending time in quiet reflection of God's many blessings.  We always have fun, and you never know what we may create in the kitchen! 

Just like we have discussed in our study of The Diary of Anne Frank, there are so many things in this life that we take for granted.  A simple talk with a friend.  A quick trip to Starbucks for an apple caramel spice.  The smell of baking cookies in the oven.  Just knowing that those that you love -- and those that love you -- are here.

Some of our class family has experienced the loss of a close loved one in the past year.  Others have experienced changes within the family unit itself.  This holiday season may be very different.  Sometimes life is difficult and sad.  Even in those times, we can find things for which to be thankful though.  As I get older, I am so very thankful for the precious memories of my family members who are no longer physically here with me.  I remember standing in the kitchen with my mother and trying to break the turkey's wishbone for good luck.  I remember tables filled with food at my Granny's house.  I remember playing (and yes, fighting) with my little cousins.  I remember the good times, and for that, I am truly thankful.  Today, I am blessed to be duck hunting in Missouri most Thanksgiving Days.  We enjoy being together with family and friends, and having some fun! 

For what are you thankful this year?  Do you have any special plans for your Thanksgiving break?  Does your family have any extraordinary traditions? 

Please answer these questions in three to four sentences.  Your response is worth three (3) extra credit points.  The blog will close at midnight on November 27th. 

I hope your and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Write on! 

Class of 2020 -- Blog #4 Happy Halloween!

I absolutely love this time of year!  From the colors of fall to the scents of autumn and fun activities, this season just has it all!  I particularly LOVE Halloween!  (These ghosts have been part of our Halloween decor for years!  If I don't get them out sometime in September, my family is asking me about them!  It's funny how we grow so accustomed to our holiday traditions!) 

 

Every since I was a little girl, this holiday has been one of my favorites!  I remember going trick-or-treating with my friends in the my old neighborhood.  I remember haunted houses and bobbing for apples at parties.  (I also LOVE trying to scare the actors in haunted houses, too!  They are not expecting that!)

Then, of course, I remember taking my own children out on Halloween night to get lots of candy or to attend fall festivals. 

Today, we still try to get into the Halloween spirit at the Sweet house, with pumpkin carvings, chili suppers and bonfires!

What are some of your fun memories of Halloween?  Do you still go trick or treating for candy?  (It's ok!  My boys went way past 8th grade!)  Have you ever had a really scary experience?  Something hilarious happen? 

Your response should be a minimum of three sentences for three extra credit points!  This blog will close at midnight on (you guessed it!) October 31st! 

Class of 2020 -- Blog #3 -- IT"S ALMOST FALL, YA'LL!

Well, students . . . it is hard to believe, but FALL BREAK is only a couple of weeks away!  Our first nine weeks are quickly drawing to a close!  I love fall!  It is my very favorite season!  I love the colors of fall and the scents of fall!

 I love Goodpasture homecoming and all the awesome floats!

 I love college football in the fall!

 I love duck hunting in the fall -- camo, face paint and all!

I love baking in my kitchen during the fall!

I love the holidays of fall -- Halloween, Thanksgving, and all the hub-bub leading up to Christmas!  Hey -- can you tell that I LOVE FALL!!

Fall break is always a nice break from the school routine!  Some people take a quick trip to the mountains or the beach.  Others prefer to just relax at home!

What are your plans for fall break?  What do you enjoy about fall?  Please respond to this blog in a minimum of FOUR sentences for FOUR extra credit points!  This will be the final blog of this nine weeks' period, so don't waste it!  (There have been a total of TEN possible points for this period!
Hope you haven't missed out!) 

You can beginning responding today!  This blog will close at midnight on September 29th -- the day we get out for FALL BREAK 2015!  Woo!  Hoo!  WRITE ON!!

Class of 2020 -- Blog #2 Persuasion & Peer Pressure

The very first movie that I ever saw with Mr. Sweet was WAY back in 1983.  The movie was entitled A CHRISTMAS STORY, and I'm pretty sure all of you have seen it.  It usually plays 24/7 every holiday season.  It is the story of Ralphie Parker, a nerdy young boy, with the sole quest of owning a "Red Ryder" bb gun.  Throughout the film, Ralphie is shown as a lovable and likeable young tike, and everyone wants him to get the present, despite the fact that he might "shoot his eye out"!  My favorite scene from the movie involves one of Ralphie's buddies, Flick, and the dreaded "triple dog dare."  Flick's "friends" to persuade him to stick his tongue to a frozen flagpole, just off the school playground.  As the suspense builds, Flick "flicks" out his tongue, and accepts the dare.  Of course, his tongue sticks tightly, and his "friends" scatter quickly, as he screams and squirms in pain.  His cries of "DON'T LEAVE ME," go unheard as the group of friends scurry back into the classroom.  Flick eventually is freed, although he requires the services of the fire department.  As the teacher asks if anyone in the class is responsible, all of the students try their best to appear innocent.  It wasn't their fault that Flick had a sudden lapse of judgment, and stuck his tongue to a flagpole!  Or was it?

We've all experienced peer pressure, or friends trying to get us to do something that maybe we should not do.  Perhaps, we've even been the friend trying to pressure or persuade someone to do something wrong.   They are our friends, and we want them to remain our friends; yet, we want to do the right thing too.  We are often so confused as to what we really SHOULD do!

Middle school and high school are times when so many students falter and fold under the weight of peer pressure.  From the temptations of cheating, gossiping or lying, doing the wrong things on social media or the internet, getting involved with drugs or alcohol to any number of other serious issues, we need to think before we act!

Young people -- and older people -- can sometimes do damage to their lives, their character, and their reputation.  This damage cannot be easily undone.  Why do we do things like this?  Why do we let others influence our word and our actions?  Why do we act one way at home, but in a totally different way with our friends?  We know our parents wouldn't approve of our actions, but we do it anyway.  Our friends are important to us, but is someone that REALLY tries to persuade us to do wrong, REALLY our friend? 

Why do we continue to hang around "friends" that seem to always encourage us to do the wrong things?  Do we REALLY need to "fit in" that badly?  How can we overcome the odds and stand up to those people who try to get us to do those things?  How can we steer clear of peer pressure that is going to eventually damage us?

Please respond to these questions in AT LEAST THREE COMPLETE SENTENCES for three (3) extra credit points.  This blog will close at midnight on Thursday, 9/10/2015.

Think about these questions and respond well!  As always -- write on!