Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Another finished project....

Annie has two teachers-and so, two gifts at the end of the year. In the staffroom (I teach in the same school), I overhead a discussion between the two about how expensive the gifts are getting for teachers. Well, I look at it this way-I usually put $20 to $30 (for each teacher) into a Christmas present, and about the same at the end of the year-but they were talking things like cases of wine, and sweaters, and $75 gift certificates for dinner-hmmm. I teach, too- and I have never seen that kind of craziness (I do teach older students, not primaries). I dunno. I think that I am at the high end of expectations- over that, you wonder what you are paying for (as in- is it $40 or $50 for an A?) What about you guys? If you are on the giving or on the receiving end, what is the norm in your neck of the woods for teacher gifts? And what is a great teacher gift? I am giving one teacher the merino and cashmere baby booties (she's pregnant) from the last post, and the other is getting this scarf. It is made from something called Fiesta Yarns Zia- 100% Egyptian cotton (the colourway is Coyote). The repeat worked its way into a rather interesting pattern- the edges are solid and the middle has some tweedy variegation. I used 8mm needles, 18 stitches with a 2x2 rib. Dead easy. But quite effective, if I do say so myself. This teacher wears a lot of scarves, so this is a good present for her. In fact, she has bought a number of them from me.
And, as I had said, we now have a pool. And the Big Bear has never in his life been swimming. Soooo- we got him into the pool........that's Sean, my husband, holding the big goof (and yes, Bear has one paw on his head as if to say,"Oh Lord, they are doing something strange now..."
And this is what happens when one lets go of the big guy.
And as soon as he got out, he ran in to the family room (just off the pool) (yeah, that is his raggedy old chair, next to Annie's toys).
I don't think he is much of a swimmer. You?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think those are perfect gifts and I'd love to be on the receiving end of those. The value of teacher gifts has definitely been rising in the last few years. I received my first sweater this Christmas from a student, and while it was lovely, I thought it was a little over the top and just a little too personal a gift.
Happy end of school!!!

Anonymous said...

pretty scarf, i" m sure she will like it . ruby

Anonymous said...

I'm sure she will love the scarf. I struggle with the teacher gift thing a little, too. This one especially, because she is extra special, and I have never seen her wear jewellery, and I'm not sure about scarves.

As for swimming dogs - my dearly departed Newfie-Lab cross was afraid of water. His idea of rescue was to stand on shore barking furiously if anyone went in the water.

Diane said...

I was never one to gift to teachers. Mostly because their wages are much more than mine and most of them really didn't deserve any "extras" for exceptional performance. Enough of that soapbox.

Poor Bear...he looks so traumatized! Pretty much the same look we got from Gypsy when she tried to walk on the solar cover. Gypsy does seem to like places, like ponds, where she can walk in as deep as she feels comfortable with.

Good summer for a pool, eh? It's after midnight and I'm ready to dip again before going to bed.

Anonymous said...

Arthur won't go in the water either and he is in name anyway a Golden Retriever and supposed to love water. Strange these animals of ours but we love them any way. Robyn Red Bird

Carol said...

I would think that teaachers deserve a gift if they go above and beyond the call of duty. If they do their work competently, then no gift. I don't get one for doin gmy job. Why should they? Just sayin' Poor ear. Wo much for the idea that all dogs like water!

Sarah said...

I don't know about norm, but I do have a funny story. The owner of my LYS was talking about what her son's teacher was getting - apparently someone organzied a drive to get over $400 in cash to get her family a membership to the pool over summer. Cash! $400! Can you believe it? Back in the day, my teachers just got some a really nice pen or something. The scarf is very nice, and not at all tacky like cash.

Miss Scarlett said...

Bear!! Phew - you saved your coif just in time.
My lady tries to make me swim too. Strange these furless 2 legs...

Kira

Miss Scarlett said...

Stopping in to say that is the best pic I have ever seen of a pup. Bar.None.

Kira heads for shore too - what is up with that? I would spend my life in the water if I could.

Thanks for sharing.

:-)