We remember and give THANKS!

Memorial Day is a holiday that is sad and happy at the same time.  I think of those that have given their lives before us to give us the freedom and happiness that we have in this country and it makes me sad that so many have sacrificed for us.  But, the freedom that we have because of them makes me so very happy.

There is not a war that begins with-out pause or ends with-out heart ache and sometimes regret.

As a child I remember my mother always insisting she go to memorial services in the small town that I grew up in, in central Minnesota.  She never made us go with her but she had to go.  I distinctly remember a year when it was cold and rainy and just she and I sat in the bleachers of the high school gym.  The veterans gave a gun salute and my mother cried uncontrollably.  I didn't understand why at the time but as an adult I know that she grew up during a time where many men lost their lives to war.  She must have had friends that never came home.

She never talked about it because that was not done.  And, even though I was young I knew it was private and something she needed to keep for herself.  I do know that I hurt for her because she was always my strength.

Melissa

Today we pay tribute to all of those fallen soldiers and give thanks to those that have given time to the military to protect us and our country.

Members that serve or have served in my husbands and my family

Don (my husbands father), Bob, Bill, Jerome, Steve, Tom, Mark, Jon, Brien, Jeff, Melissa, David, and Eric.

Thank You for your service.

With love from your soon to be retired FACS teacher,
Jane

Consumerism is FACS thus Family and Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Sciences in the past few years has been very focused on career tracking.  Examples would be education in culinary arts readiness and courses related to the housing industry and the fashion industry.  This is great, students need a taste to decide what they want to jump into for their entire life.  Right now many programs are moving back toward nutrition due to the obesity crisis in America.

High Schools that have a comprehensive environment can offer FACS courses and they benefit all students. 

One component of FACS that often goes unnoticed is consumerism.  FACS or Home Economics if you will, was cut from schools during the 80's because it was too domestic.  This was a time when many school districts did away with anything that had to do with the home.  Sewing, Foods, Housing.  People said it was common sense and you could figure it out for yourself.  For me, it is a bit ironic that their has been a call for Home Economics to come back to education because so many families do not have time to teach their children basic life skills.  (And by the way I hate the term life skills.  It feels very dumbed down to me and trust me it is not.)

Students need to know things for everyday living like, how to get a job, how to buy a car, how to comparison shop, how to find an apartment, how to keep track of finances, how to work with the bank, how to get a loan, how to cook....and we go on and on.

There are so many children going through school systems that have not a clue as to how they should operate in life in regards to the above items.  Students have had more personal money in the last two decades than ever before but because they are targeted by advertising dollars they rarely know how to save money for themselves.  Think about he "economic good" FACS teachers could do if they just taught a little bit of consumer common sense to each student for just a trimester.   Schools should not be decreasing FACS they should be increasing FACS.  This is a bit of a sore spot for me as the district that I currently live in has cut FACS in the junior high schools so that they can put more focus on Math. 

Say what?  Do you think there is Math in Housing when designing a room?  Do you think there is Math in Foods when you measure items to follow a recipe?  Do you think there is Math when you measure for fitting of clothing?  The University of Minnesota did a study approximately 5 ago in conjunction with several other institutions across the US.  Guess what?  Those students involved in courses such as those just mentioned scored higher in Math on Standardized tests.  These are hands on concepts that are ingrained in students minds while working and using numbers.

FACS is a good thing.  Please fight to keep it in your schools it will help all children and keep you child practical and well rounded.

From the soon to be retired FACS teacher.

Jane

P.S.  Yes, I am occasionally random.  Get used to it

What do I mean when I say "decay in society"?

I don't always go into great detail when I blog.  I think that if I want anyone to read what I say it should be short.  I would say sweet too but I am often rather tart in personality.

Recently I wrote a blog in celebration of my aunt and uncles marriage and stated that much of our societal decay is due to lack of family involvement and parenting.

I said this with out using any moral judgment of peoples lifestyle choices but more in my observation of children in high school seeming to raise themselves and not have a great deal of parenting in their lives.

I am afraid that too many young people don't know what to do with themselves and have very little guidance and direction.  It feels like children want to be adult but don't want responsibility of what it takes to be an adult. 

We find ourselves facing a generation of children that have a lot of wants but seem to rely on others to get those wants.  Personal responsibility seems to have often gone by the wayside.  Owning up to a wrong for some youth does not seem to exist. 

This is not a racial phenomenon but a generational one.  Sometimes it scares me and I wonder if these things were said during other changing times in society.  It feels different to me, I have been around for a while and the clients that I reach are not the same now as they were 10 years ago.

I hope that my doubts, wonders and concerns are wrong and that I am misdirected.  If you might be raising a family with teens please stay involved in their lives, keep parenting, keep having rules, keep making consequences and keep directing your children positively.  They need you no matter what their age.

As always, keep eating together as a family.

With love your soon to be retired FACS teacher,
Jane

A lovely celebration of Marriage

Aren't they sweet?  This is my Aunt and Uncle.  The photo is several years old but a shining example of their zest for life and love for each other and their family.

This is one of my favorite photo's of them.  In fact, I started making quilts for my Aunts and Uncles that made it to 50 years of marriage and this is the picture that I used on the quilt.

This past week-end they celebrated their 50 year anniversary at a lovely swanky club filled with family and friends.  It was so nice to see them celebrate and be celebrated.  This couple has raised four fantastic grown children, they have four grand children and they have guided and helped many others along the way.

Their generosity is often gone unnoticed because they don't seek glory when they do kind things.  They just do it.  Their kindness has been done in a grand way with contributions to organizations through time and money or simply done by giving  a meal for someone along the way that just needed help.  They have golden hearts! 

They know how to have fun too.  They have often been the Aunt and Uncle with the fun family party.  Once they looked in their phone book for all of the people with the same first and last names as them, and had a party for those people.   How fun is that?

50 years is a long time for a couple to be together and enjoy each other.  Looking the other way because you know that habit they have will never be corrected.  Helping each other through health issues that no one wants to face.  Guiding children through up and downs.  There are many reasons and excuses couples have for letting go of a relationship.  Staying together is hard and admirable.  I hope that my husband and I can set the same example for our children. 

Family and marriage are so important, and for me, the decay of family feels like a huge contribution to many of our current societal problems.

Those of you in healthy family settings stay strong and work hard to keep it going and those of you struggling remember that you can create love and family with the people that surround you.

As always, eat meals together!  I know that was important in my Aunt and Uncles family!

With love from your soon to be retired FACS teacher.

Jane  

Happy Mothers Day! A tribute

I see my mother come "out of me" often with phrases, comments and my appearance.  I have expectations and that creates nagging, hounding, constant questions.

This is how my mother operated.  She was a kind, caring, loving human being but she directed us in the correct direction by her constant chatter about what she wanted until we did it.

When she got older she did this to my children on visits.  She could not do much because she was legally blind and was not able to walk much because of the pain in her hips and legs.  (And she NEVER complained she just lived)  But she could manage the house and get work done from whatever chair she may have been sitting in with her dog in her lap.  It drove the boys crazy because she asked them if they (picked up their toys, walked the dog, cleaned their room, did their homework, etc.) fill in the blank until they did what she wanted.  Later when they were a little older it was a joke between me and my sons that if they didn't do a job I wanted completed; I would have Grandma call them and nag them into submission.

I remember her with great fondness today and always.  It has been 9 years but I still feel her love, strength and guidance on a daily basis.  I know for a fact she has carried me and my family members through some difficult times watching from above.

I hope that each of you have had someone in your life that has been a great strength and guide whether it be your mom or a mom like figure. 

There is nothing better knowing that your mom will always be there through thick and thin.  Even if your mom has passed through the pearly gates you know her, and what she would say to you in each and every situation. You know if she is gone she is guiding you (or maybe pushing you) in a positive direction.  Enjoy your mothers love and celebrate her work on mother's day, she deserves it.

 Mom and her dog

With love from your soon to be retired FACS teacher.

Jane

Time for Change

I love my life but sometimes I have to make changes.

Recently a friend posted the following on Facebook.



I couldn't agree more.  I have made the choice to take a chance and make a change in my life many times.  Some of them were big and some small.

This past year after a great deal of thinking and analyzing I have decided to take an early retirement from the field of education and FACS. 

This does not mean that I have not enjoyed the journey and the adventure in education.  It only means that I need to move in a different direction.  I have not discovered my new path but I do know that it will be where my passion continues to lie and that is within the Family and Consumer Sciences field.  I have always been interested in the many components of FACS and that will never change.

I want to thank each and everyone of the students, staff and parents that I have encountered over the years.  These life experiences no matter if positive or negative have made an impression and impact on my life.

When I look back I am proud of my work and hope that others can remember some of the things that I have done in my work in a positive light.

I have always believed that everyone is just a blink of time and we are all replaceable.  Never the less we like people to believe in us and what we do or have done.

Over the years I have worked in a wonderful department with (In the order in which they passed through my life) Tressa, Stephanie, Merridee, Kate, Vicki, Beth, Sara, and Kara.  Thank you ladies for a wonderful ride.

With love,

Your soon to be former FACS teacher,

Jane

Infomation from our AAFCS teaching group about this years conference

A few notes from the Education Community in AAFCS about the conference in Houston

 

  

ESAE Community News:  ESAE is sponsoring many events during the Annual Conference in Houston: 

 

            Opening General Session:  Thursday, June 27, 9 AM—National Teacher of the Year Introduction and Award Presentation by Goodheart-Wilcox.

 

            ESAE Community Showcase:  Thursday, June 27, 10:30 AM—The Communities and Affiliates will present a learning opportunity for members and potential members.  Become a member on the spot.  Meet Community leaders and 2013 T.O.Y. Winners.

 

            Teacher of the Year Luncheon: Thursday, June 27, 12 PM--Meet the 2013 T.O.Y., the Merit Winners, and the Affiliate winners and learn about the National winning program.  This is a ticketed event.  Tickets may be added to your registration at www.aafcs.org until May 31.  No tickets will be sold on-site.

 

            ESAE Business Meeting:  Friday, June 28, 8 AM--Discover your voice and add to the professional dialogue.

 

            ESAE Curriculum Showcase:  Friday, June 28, 3:15 PM—This popular event showcases program ideas and curriculum from around the country.  The Silent Auction is held during the Showcase. The ESAE Raffle Drawing will be at the close of the Showcase event (must be present to win).  Anyone who is interested in any aspect of FCS education benefits by attending this event.

 

           

Minnesota Fun

I live in Minnesota. 

Today it snowed anywhere from 2-18 inches in the southern part of the state.  Have I mentioned that it is May 2, 2013.  This is a day for records.  I mention this because last week I took my convertible, with the top down, to the Spring Gala that the Minnesota Association of Family Consumer Sciences has annually.  Oh how mother nature fools us!

People in the association sponsor a table and bring their decorations from home for the other guest to tour and enjoy.  It is a fun casual event, that is also a fund raiser, usually with a guest speaker and a few folks to honor. 

This year the association honored a special guest that I am not allowed to mention until June but here a few of the decorated tables that we saw on April 28.

It was a lovely day.