tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13443093362050274042024-03-19T01:22:23.693-07:00Paige's PrattleRamblings from my mind and my mouth. Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-84907926447044126802014-12-31T08:46:00.000-08:002014-12-31T08:46:05.329-08:00Moving to WordpressI've never really understood people who move blogs; until I became one of them. That's probably a social commentary right there for a whole lot of things. I'm moving to WordPress as of now. I'll still have my blogspot links but the blog entries will now be at Wordpress.http://paigesprattle.wordpress.com/2014/12/31/new-year-new-blog/Happy New Year!Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-80212090365915834962014-11-14T12:46:00.001-08:002014-11-14T12:46:25.636-08:00Baby it's cold outsideSo, first of all, I should be cleaning my house. But my mind is rebelling against this menial task, so I caught a few photos of how our cold and icy world looks. No snow, but a chilly 27 degrees most mornings (the last 3) and a blistering high of 39 degrees. Not complaining, not comparing war stories, just reporting the facts.
So I walked some recyclables out to the bins; thisPaige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-85547171021492933712014-10-29T09:45:00.000-07:002014-10-29T09:45:13.148-07:00Service
A short post about customer service.
It’s really no secret if anyone has been paying attention, that I’ve had issues with Microsoft for quite a while. Everything from Hotmail to phone to PC and, most recently, OneDrive. I’ve spent countless hours online, with knowledgeable friends, with tech-support and at the Microsoft “Store” attempting to resolve issues that have occurred. Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-44509740445243095032014-10-28T12:17:00.001-07:002014-10-28T12:17:39.324-07:00Inside the Actor’s Studio
These 10 questions originally came from a French series, "Bouillon de Culture" hosted by Bernard Pivot. They're better known as the questions that James Lipton asks every guest at the end of "Inside the Actor's Studio" show.
Answer them for yourself, and have fun with your friends. You'll be amazed at how much they reveal about a person's thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
I suppose the Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-44988240741837904822014-10-13T10:20:00.000-07:002014-10-13T10:20:26.868-07:00Blog Tour (or "Being a Good Sport")I was “invited” to take part in a blog tour by my friend, Scarlet. I’m doing this to be a good sport because she tagged me, but really I find this kind of thing annoying and well, revealing.
Annoying because I hate these “tag” things. I do them (as I said above) because I’m a good sport. Revealing because I don’t really read other “people” blogs; mostly political opinion blogs.Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-29452730758353515342014-08-27T15:35:00.001-07:002014-08-27T15:35:51.518-07:00Team Loyalty:
Just a few words on football as we enter the 2014 season:
1. I cheer for the Seahawks. Every game, no exceptions. Win, lose or draw, they are my team. (Unless they do something stupid like hire the player to be named in #2).
2. I will never cheer for Michael Vick or any team that hires him. Ever. I actually sent a letter to the Eagles organization scolding them Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-35631057778545057492014-07-06T07:58:00.000-07:002014-07-06T07:58:00.023-07:0025th Anniversary Trip -- Days 3 and 4
Day 3 – Butchart Gardens, The Ledge, Fiamo
Coffee to go at Murchies, then we walked downtown to catch
our city bus to Butchart Gardens. We
thought the bus left near the Legislature building, but it turns out we needed
to move to the block behind the Empress Hotel so we hustled and made it to the
stop (we didn’t need to hustle but who knew if the BC buses are on time or will
wait for theirPaige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-60408680782912252912014-07-05T07:34:00.000-07:002014-07-05T07:34:00.452-07:0025th Anniversary Trip -- Day 2-
Craigdarroch Castle, Red Fish Blue Fish, sight-seeing
Started the morning with Starbucks then we walked to “The
Swan” for breakfast. Should have ordered
a half order of the PNW Benedict (Salmon) but it was delicious! We walked to Craigdarroch Castle and then
toured through it, returning to the room about noon. Rested, downloaded photos, Russ took a nap
and then we headed out Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-34735823346035049132014-07-04T18:50:00.001-07:002014-07-04T18:50:49.766-07:0025th Anniversary Trip – Day 1
– Day 1
Redmond to Victoria, B.C.
Peace Arch
Pretty uneventful drive up to Blaine; a bit of rain but we made good time. I’ve never been to the Peace Arch – in fact, this will be only my third time in Canada ever in my life.
We were asked to park and walk inside the Custom’s building at Blaine. This is a bit scary because, well, it just is. All kinds of Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-16791294800036823562014-06-19T10:07:00.002-07:002014-06-19T10:07:39.789-07:00Thursday MorningThursday morning.
I have suspended the housecleaners for the summer and I decide to vacuum this morning.
Find the vacuum cleaner, plug it in, move a bit of furniture. Turn on the vacuum.
Turn off the vacuum because the dog is barking at it. It's a toy. I'd forgotten this. Put the dog upstairs and shut the door. Turn the vacuum back on.
Finish vacuuming the tile Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-25155186381741838652014-06-04T13:38:00.002-07:002014-06-04T13:38:45.782-07:00Activity DayI’m not sure I understand the purpose of school anymore. Today, my son is home from school (with my knowledge and approval) because it’s “Activity Day” due to EOC testing. End of Course exams for freshman who didn’t pass the 8th grade math/Algebra 1 EOC or those students who took Biology or Geometry and need to pass the EOC for that course. The students that don’t need to take Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-9737575894176810832014-05-25T00:49:00.000-07:002014-05-25T00:49:29.362-07:00Two movies and a book
The Hollow Crown (BBC production, on DVD, 4 disks)
This is a BBC production of three of Shakespeare’s plays about kings Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V. It’s filled with lots of old English speak and traditional Shakespearean writings so it’s a bit hard to follow. However, the story line, political intrigue, costuming and acting was fantastic. The first DVD is Richard II Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-43037800400642227692014-04-24T10:21:00.001-07:002014-04-24T10:21:51.008-07:00SolutionsThe April 22nd Bond measure doesn’t look like it will make the 60% approval it needs to pass. Yes, I’m pleased, but instead of cheering “We Win!” or moaning “We Lose!” let’s come up with solutions to the problem instead of name calling or blaming the other side.
Using the assumption that the District still has access to the unused $10 million from the 2011 Bond for $65.4 million I have a Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-71061847239617062032014-04-18T10:28:00.000-07:002014-04-18T10:28:00.632-07:00LWSD Bond issue -- VOTE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 22nd!!!Another view of the construction bond measures for the past 15 years. The board presentation (Page 41) lists the Bond funding requested and denied or approved since 1998. (My chart below is a list of the $$ and schools the bonds represented).
Year Bond $$ Schools Pass/Fail
1998 160 million Elementary schools: Audubon, Franklin, Juanita, Lakeview, Mann,
Rose Hill, Thoreau, Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-72327934460790141532014-04-11T10:12:00.002-07:002014-04-11T10:12:54.534-07:00A few more answers on the April 22nd Bond measureI'm always asking questions! From an email send Friday, April 4th to Kathryn Reith, Communications Director, LWSD.Answers in italics:
I know it’s the Friday before spring break, but I have a couple more questions.
1) How much is the special “election” voting costing the District? What does a regular issue/vote cost (the one in February for instance)
Election costs can vary Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-42371061950179670272014-04-04T09:52:00.001-07:002014-04-04T09:52:06.779-07:00Yellow vs. Gold-fishYou might be a parent or a child-caretaker if:
You are either wiping one end or the other of a small-ish person all day long.
You can walk in a room and tell that someone has pooped vs. farted.
There are Dora or Elmo underwear, pants, and socks on various surfaces of your house.
You do at least one load of laundry per day because of “accidents”.
Goldfish and pretzels are gourmet snacks.Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-44039277362748211912014-04-04T09:20:00.000-07:002014-04-04T17:38:19.387-07:00More responses and answers regarding Special Bond vote, April 22ndKathryn Reith, Communications Director at LWSD answered some of my questions about the upcoming Bond vote:
Kathryn, thanks for the emails keeping me (and others) updated. So, of course, I have questions.
1) Currently I show there are 151 portables being used in the District at various schools. How many are proposed to be added in the next few years until the proposed bond-funded Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-15492091529410925002014-03-30T14:23:00.000-07:002014-04-04T17:38:19.378-07:00More updates on the upcoming April 22nd Bond vote for Lake Washington School DistrictFive Facts about Funding New Schools (from the LWSD website)
1. Bonds are the primary source of funds for new schools in Washington.
2. Impact fees do not generate enough money to pay for new schools.
3. State construction assistance amounts are limited.
4. The Eligible Square Feet used in the state funding formula does not reflect how districts really build and use schools.
5. The Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-78632051519143388472014-03-25T16:45:00.001-07:002014-04-04T17:38:19.409-07:00Update to Letter to Lake Washington School District BoardIn response to my letter of March 10th, 2014 regarding why I voted "NO" on the February 2014 Bond measure for Lake Washington School District, I received an email from Jackie Pendergrass, President of the LWSD Board of Directors.Email dated March 25, 2014:
Dear Ms. Norman,
Thank you for your letter regarding the recent February
2014 Bond measure. We appreciate hearing your perspectives, Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-30882282988505360422014-03-10T11:06:00.000-07:002014-04-04T17:38:19.383-07:00LWSD Bond FailureLake Washington School District March 10, 2014
School BoardPO Box 97039Redmond, WA 98073-9739
Re: February 2014 Bond measure
Dr. Pierce and School Board Members:
Recently the LWSD put up for a vote two Levy and one Bond measures requesting more money for the District. The Levy measures passed, however the Bond measure failed. Per yourPaige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-86586465542079046922014-01-18T16:53:00.000-08:002014-04-04T17:38:19.413-07:00Lake Washington School District Levy and Bond vote – OPINION PIECEI have posted four detailed blog entries regarding the upcoming LWSD Levy and Bond issues for vote on February 11th, 2014. They can be found here.
This chart gives just a few examples of how poorly the district has managed and planned for student capacity and growth over the last few years. 8 Elementary schools are “Over permanent capacity” and all but one school (Mann Elementary) Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-66657332726227358342014-01-13T18:03:00.001-08:002014-04-04T17:38:19.396-07:00LWSD Levy Information – Post #4
Lake Washington School District Levy and Bond Issues --
Voting Date: February 11, 2014
This is the fourth in a series of posts regarding the upcoming Levy and Bond issues for February, 2014. First three posts can be found here.
Q. When do you do replace a building and when do you modernize? How is the decision made?
A. The district’s modernization program, started in 1998, Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-58146100968317963192014-01-11T09:37:00.002-08:002017-12-03T14:48:36.749-08:00Lake Washington School District 2014 Levy and Bond Issues (Pt. 3)
For
Part 1 see here
For
Part 2 see here
There are two Levy proposals and one Bond proposal on the ballot for February, 2014.
Neither state nor Federal money is available for the bulk of capital costs, like buying computers or renovating buildings. In the meantime, the district is responsible for raising its own money to provide 21st century learning tools and protect the taxpayer's Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-31892327105100904492013-12-31T17:20:00.001-08:002013-12-31T17:20:07.925-08:00Christmas Reflections - 2013
Traditions are exhausting.
I always forget cards.
I remember Christmas cards to people at distance, but forget cards for
my husband (boo!) and my boys.
The older the kids get, the harder it is to stay in budget
while getting them something they like without giving them gift cards.
We give our pets gifts and our pets give us gifts. Last year Mustang gave me a rain Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344309336205027404.post-72473840569732007072013-12-24T16:16:00.001-08:002013-12-24T16:16:51.232-08:00Merry Christmas! ~ Holiday Letter 2013 ~
Merry Christmas,
December 2013
I’ve debated all year whether to do yet
another Christmas letter; time flies so fast and the year is so filled with
trips and photos and memories that it’s hard to compress it into one letter
that’s interesting. Yet, every December
I want to reach out to my friends and family in one more way and chronicle the
passing of another year; so, here it goes…
Paige Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17590535054270312807noreply@blogger.com0