On Any Given Day

It's been very interesting to see the changes in weather as we go along. Two days ago a cold front moved in and the temps dropped 30 degrees.

But what is really interesting is looking to see how people are dressed on any given day.

For example, last week when the temp was 68-70 during the day. Temps do drop rapidly once the sun starts going down. But during the day, it was hot if you were in the sun.

So, if you stood in front of the Target (or any other store) and watched the people as they entered, you could not tell the temp from what they were wearing. Here is what you might see as people entered the store.

• shorts and t-shirt
• shorts and sweatshirt
• jeans and t-shirt
• jeans and sweatshirt
• jeans and sweatshirt and coat
• jeans and coat
• capris
• sandals
• boots (some fur-lined)

Even now that the day-time temp has dropped to 50's, you still see the same thing. My computer lab has a window that faces the ball parks and football field for MB High School and someone walked by today in shorts and jacket.

As far as me...I was still wearing capris to work last week. This week I had on all long pants and even broke out a sweater yesterday. Every day I watch the weather report and listen for the temps so I know how to dress. Layers are definitely good for the cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon situations. Definitely not like PA where all "summer" clothes are packed away once the cold weather arrives.

At any rate, it's a free for all as far as dressing/clothing .....on any given day in MB SC.

Friday, November 24 (day after Thanksgiving) - Black Friday

No shopping for the Knaubs. We were off on an adventure to Bulls Island, an uninhabited island which is part of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. We knew we were in for a day of walking, but had no idea how much. The ferry takes off at 9 and comes back to pick you up at either 1 pm or 4 pm. On the way out, it was high tide and you could only see a foot or so of the grass. On the way back, the grass was fully exposed and you could see the dirt and mussels at the bottom. There is about a 6 foot difference in the depth of the water depending on high or low tide (in the estuary).

We drove South on 17 almost to Mt Pleasant (Charleston) area. There was probably a half mile walk to the end of the pier to board the ferry.

We had to carry in all food and drink since there is nothing on the island. In fact, there is only one bathroom and that is about 1/2 mile inland after you get off the ferry. So, if you aren't close to it, well you know...

We were told there were alligators, otters, bobcat, squirrels, deer, lots of birds (over 275 species recorded here) in this jungle-like atmosphere. There are many ponds and trails, observation towers, birding platforms. It also has Moccasin Pond and Alligator Alley. It lies 3 miles off the mainland. We were told that the alligators would run from us, just jump up and down and make yourself "large". The gators will be scared and run toward the water. However, if you encounter one that won't run away, then you need to go the other way. We were also told that this was the cleanest air around.

The walking began. It was about 2 miles to get to the beach. From there we probably walked another 2 miles to get to Boneyard Beach. We were also warned that we should pay attention to where we entered the beach (through the sand dunes) because there was only one 2 x 4 marker standing in a sand dune and it's easy to miss. I also left a folding chair there so we could easily see it on the way back.

As we walked towards the boneyard we found over 50 sand dollars and many other shells. It was a beautiful sunny day with a bright blue sky. The Boneyard Beach is a 3-mile stretch of beach where hundreds of oaks, cedars, and pines are strewn along the beach, the result of an ever-changing beach which is in constant battle with the in-coming surf. The trees have been bleached by the sun and salt water ultimately resembling a grave yard of bones.

After we got to the graveyard I went back to the lawn chair and Harry and Cam went inland to alligator alley. They saw about 5 alligators. They also saw live starfish in the tidal pools on the beach. Cam found 3 large whelks.

I walked back to the starting point and waited for the guys to return. We were all physically exhausted. Cam revived quickly and was running around. Harry said he thinks this is the first day in a long time where he expended more calories then he took in.

On the ferry ride back a naturalist answered questions and showed us alligator skulls, shells, etc. and explained how they eat. It was pretty fascinating.

http://www.fws.gov/caperomain/bullsisland.html

I can't believe I haven't been on here since Sept. 3. The days just fly by. I'm enjoying my new job and learning so much. Harry has been back and forth between SC and PA several times. He finally came back home this week and now hopefully life will return to some sense of normal. We are working on getting the second house setup. We almost have everything put away and Harry has painted the entire insides. Cameron is adjusting well. He has made friends in the neighborhood and at school. He is on the MB Marlins Swim Team. Last week at his first meet at North Myrtle Beach he had 2 first places and 1 second. He is also learning to play the bells at school.

Here are some pictures of where I work. This is the entrance to my office. My office is in the Media Center. I have a large work area and plenty of shelves and file cabinets and a work table, sink, mini fridge, and microwave.

This is a picture of the entrance to one of the computer labs. We have two labs that I work in. I'm in this lab most mornings.

We have 11 laptops with Office 2007 and 8 desktops with Office 2003. My desk is at the window in this picture. The other day a blue jay with a big red berry in his mouth came and sat on a fence right outside my window. I wish I could have been quick enough to get his picture.

This is the front of the building at 3101 Oak Street, Myrtle Beach. MBFLC - Myrtle Beach Family Learning Center. I takes me about 5 minutes to get to work. The Center is located very close to Broadway at the Beach. It was a former elementary school. Cameron goes to Middle School and it is in the same complex so he can walk to my car after school.

Right now on this sign out front it says Jewelry classes. Hopefully I will get some sign up for four jewelry classes I am going to offer in November.

Right now I am teaching Computer Literacy Classes and GED Fast Track Essay Writing. I also maintain the website for adult ed as well as FB pages for Ed the Turtle and TLC at the Beach (Technology Literacy Conference). I also maintain various online learning sites for our students. Check out the website at www.edtheturtle.com. Also check out the Facebook pages for Ed and TLC. Tomorrow the school is closed and we are having

This weekend we plan to go to a fishing outfitters and buy some fishing "stuff" to go fishing on the piers. Flounder are running now and I would like to have some fresh fish. I'll let you know how it works out.

Next weekend we are going to Charleston there is a bead show in Mt. Pleasant which is immediately north of Charleston.

Life is great at the beach!

Labor Day Weekend

I think we are off to a good start for the school year.

Cameron is getting adjusted. He likes his teachers and classes. The only thing he doesn't like is the cafeteria lunches, but they seem to be getting better. They had been running out of food and that was really annoying him. He is in the band at school. He also joined the City of Myrtle Beach Marlins swim team which practices at the Pepper Geddings Recreation Center (which is the building right beside the one where I work). He can walk to PG right after school for his swim practice since there is a group that walks from the middle school to the Center for after school care. He got the phone numbers of two kids in his class and one is coming this afternoon to visit. One kid is from NYC and the other kid from Orlando, FL--so they are both new to the area also. Cameron is continuing with surf clinic lessons on Saturday mornings at 8 am. I'm told they continue into October or as long as the water is warm enough. He had a great morning today at surf clinic and caught many waves and rode them in.

This week was the first class week for students in the adult education program. Last week they did testing to determine their placement. I have been getting the computer lab ready to go and learning many new software programs and how the system works at HCS (Horry County Schools). I'm also working on writing curriculum for a fast track GED writing class and a computer literacy class. Plus the AE (Adult Education) program is planning a conference, TLC (Technology Literacy Conference) at the Beach. It will be held the end of March, 2012. For more details, go to www.edtheturtle.com and click on TLC at the Beach.

I now have two relatives working at West York Area High School--my sister, Judy, in the cafeteria, and my sister-in-law, Kate in Alternative Education. Say hi to them when you see them.

Harry was in PA for a couple of days, but today he and my nephew, John, arrived with a 16 foot truck of stuff. So, we will have fun trying to figure out where to go with it. If we can't use it, I think the school where I work will be able to use it. Harry will take John home on Monday. I'm not sure how long Harry will be in PA. I know he has a job to finish and he wants to work on 110 Pine Springs Boulevard. If you know of anyone looking to buy or rent, let us know.

This afternoon I am taking Cameron and his friend to the beach. Tonight we are going to see the MB Pelicans (the local baseball team). It is bobble head night. I think tomorrow we are going to Boogie and Barbeque at the Beach (at MB Commons). Of course, in between all this we have to unload a truck.

So, it should be a busy weekend.

Hurricane Irene Cometh

Cam finished his first week of school. Things seem to be going well, except for the fact that he eats last lunch period, and they ran out of some of the food the first couple of days. He thinks all his teachers are pretty nice and he is looking forward to learning Spanish.

Next week the students come for adult education classes. I'll see my students at 8 am on Monday. I will be in the computer lab and they will be working on various programs.

Cam and I went to the beach about 4 pm. I posted some pictures and videos on FB. There were some crazy surfers, swimmers, and of course, those of just on the beach and taking pictures. The waves were crazy.

We are supposed to get the worst of the storm between midnight and 8 a.m. (when Irene goes by about 200 miles out) with the rain tapering off by noon time. It's actually supposed to be sunny and 90 degrees on Sunday. Right now it's 6:40 pm and it's really not doing too much out there--light rain. There was heavier rain about 5 pm. It's a little windy but there are occasional gusts. Just hope we don't lose electricity. You know I can't live without my computer.

I'll let you know how the night went.

Missing Irene

Well, hopefully Irene is on a track far away from the Carolinas. At least that is the latest report.

It's been a little strange wondering if we were going to have to evacuate.

Cam and I were on the beach today after school/work. The waves were humongous (sp) for MB and the tide was very high (only about 1/2 of the beach was dry). Some waves were between 6-10 feet tall. Many surfers were out. Some were struggling with the big waves and we saw some good wipeouts.

The sounds of the waves crashing sounded like the roar of a jet in the sky. They were very noisy. Cam and I got in the ocean--but didn't go in very far. They are saying Sat. will be a great day for very experienced surfers.

We came home for dinner and then we went back down about 8 pm and I took the above pictures and video. Cam is keeping a journal of what the ocean looks like each day as hurricane Irene passes by. Hopefully it will pass by.

Cam is working on his first homework assignment (math of course).

Very busy at work getting ready for students to start next week. I'm learning a lot about GED and Virtual Schools and many other adult education topics.

Harry is busy working on 07 painting. He'll go back to PA next week to get the final load.

If you know anyone looking for a house to buy or rent, send them our way.

First Day of School + Hurricane?????

Well, Cam had his first day of school today. I know he was a little nervous, but also excited. It is a large school, well over 800 students in middle school. He is now on a scheduled day. He will have Spanish which he is looking forward to. He is also looking forward to gym tomorrow. Even though he didn't have a schedule last night for the open house, we actually met his homeroom and science teacher, Mr. Williams. The school is multiculturally diverse and that is something he is not accustomed to coming from Spring Grove. He doesn't eat lunch until 1 pm and that is a long time for him. He was starving when he came home from school today, because he didn't know where to pick up all of his lunch so he only had chicken nuggets and french fries. He told me he wants to get a Guy Harvey t-shirt because many of the kids are wearing them.

My first day with the registration of students went well. I was a greeter at the front door and then I helped take money and write receipts. We had over 30 students register today and take the test to determine their placement. They can also register Tues. and Wed. After that I worked in my office and learned about the Adept program. Since I am a first year teacher in SC I must go through the mentoring program and write a plan and goals, etc.

Harry made a great dinner - baked enchiladas and rice. Then Cam wanted to go to the beach so we went and played bocci ball and Harry and Cam went for a swim. I need to remember to take my camera wherever I go. Someone had built a shark out of sand. It would have been neat to get pictures. Now we are getting ready to play golf (the card game).

We also have been following the information about the hurricane Irene and actually printed out a list of what supplies we should have on hand. Hmmm....something new to deal with.