It’s Friday!!!
1. Grateful for good news from K & M this week that K got the job (we KNEW she would get it, but celebrated her sigining on the dotted line this week). They’ll be relocating CLOSER to us, which makes me BEYOND happy. Love those women!
2. Loving the Google homepages this week. Happy Birthday, Sesame Street! We spend a lot of time with Elmo, Ernie, Abby, and their friends these days. Bella has taken to eating like Cookie Monster and she will pull her “C” magnets from the fridge and announce them, “C!”
3. Finally feeling a bit like I have control over my job today. Teaching has been going well, and the teachers I work with are phenomenal! I can see my work through them. I see their students making great strides. I see it “happening.” So proud.
4. Getting out for a hike tomorrow. We haven’t been on one since I got pregnant with Bella two years ago. Loading up the Bella pack, throwing the dog in the car, and getting out this weekend feels like the perfect thing to do. I’ve lost some time with my 5K training due to illness and Z’s crazy work schedule (when I have to take Bella to her grandparents, I lose my AM running time). So, it’s time to get back to nature and get moving!
5. Seeing the Girls tonight. I had originally decided not to go, but my wonderful friend Laura is taking me as her date this evening. I’m looking forward to a night out with her and Molly, seeing the Girls, Pearl Cleage, and Alice Walker. Can. Not. Wait.
FOR TODAY… November 2, 2009
Outside my window… sunny, beautiful, and cool. Wish I could get out there and enjoy it!
I am thinking… that I don’t want to fold laundry or clean the kitchen or cook dinner, but I’m not at work today, so I need to do something productive!
I am thankful for… Bella’s continued health. We saw the doctor today for a rash on her face… no problems there, but we did find out that our oldest nephew has the Swine Flu. Bella got her vaccination today, but I hope it wasn’t too late!
I am wearing… gpink ScrapPink t-shirt and purple pajama pants. Yep. Lazy.
I am remembering… how small my Pickle was just a year ago. She was asleep in her stroller for all of trick or treating. This year, she walked up to 5 or 6 houses before we put her into the stroller. She cheered the other kids on and tried to open the candy they kept sneaking to her for the rest of the night. No sleeping for my big girl until we got home at close to 10PM!
I am going… to yell at my dog for barking so much! Then I really am going to do some folding, promise.
I am reading… and LOVING The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I’m about a quarter of the way through and it’s a page-turner!
I am hoping… that this week the stress feels lighter than last week.
On my mind… my friends. Thinking about many of you today… and wondering how you’re doing.
From the learning rooms… it’s time to draft this week! The kiddos will take their story maps and create their short stories. I only hope that my modeling will sufficient to get them writing!
Noticing that… I have a cough that won’t go away, but my asthma hasn’t kicked in horribly — as it usually does this time of year. This is big!
Pondering these words… four hour drive. ;o)
From the kitchen… flank steak, potatoes, and salad tonight… a full menu planned this week — can’t wait!
Around the house… did I mention laundry?
One of my favorite things… or two or three: the way Bella thinks she is one of the big kids, how she kisses everybody and everything now, how sneezing still makes her laugh, that she is a total parrot: repeating every last word!
From my picture journal… 
FOR TODAY…October 27th
Outside my window… lots and lots of rain, gray skies. The weekend was beautiful. Now we pay.
I am thinking… that there is much to be done, and I shouldn’t be blogging, but right now this is what I WANT to do.
I am thankful for… for the little things in life: hazelnut coffee creamer, flannel sheets, kisses and hugs from Bella, a husband who is willing to unload and reload the dishwasher.
I am wearing… gray slacks, blouse, black sweater and mis-matched Halloween socks. As part of Red Ribbon Week, we are having Crazy Sock Day.
I am remembering… the ease of being in the classroom with predictable schedules and the best laid plans… I also remember the behavior issues and headaches that came with being in a room with 20 eight year olds every day.
I am going… to yoga this afternoon then to the Compound for dinner.
I am reading… The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. Just started, but it promises to be another killer book by Mr. Brown!
I am hoping… to finish what needs to be finished and feel a bit lighter in the shoulders by week’s end.
On my mind… lists, plans, bills, classes, schedules…
From the learning rooms… I’ve decided to add this to my weekly list to chronicle what I’m teaching my second graders every week. This week it’s problem and solution (try, try, succeed!) in a story-map format.
Noticing that… I’m very tired this week. I need to get back on the treadmill to remedy this situation!
Pondering these words… build relationship first.
From the kitchen… dinner at the Compound tonight… chicken burgers tomorrow… yummy!
Around the house… we’ve been doing NOTHING. There is plenty of laundry, cleaning, and de-cluttering that await me.
One of my favorite things… quiet, alone time with Z after Bella is securely in bed. Just the two of us. Much needed this week.
From my picture journal… I’ve got some good ones in the camera… will download and post tomorrow!
Outside my window… it’s dark. It was sunny and cool today. Much nicer than the freeeeezing weekend we had.
I am thinking… that I’d like a new nose. I’ve gotten some sort of cold that’s making its way into my lungs and I’m none too happy about it.
I am thankful for… spaghetti sauce and meatballs in the freezer, Bella’s willingness to try new things, a great teaching partner for those monthly county classes I’m teaching.
I am wearing… pajamas!!
I am remembering… to take it one day at a time, breathe, and it will all get done.
I am going… to yoga tomorrow. I didn’t go last week, so I’m IN this week!
I am reading… Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani. Just started it, so no comments yet.
I am hoping… that I feel better tomorrow than I did today. It’s hard to teach rowdy second graders when your nose is stuffed and you don’t have a lot of voice.
On my mind… class on Saturday amongst other things.
Noticing that… I’m avoiding…. and I need to stop. Also noticing that Z and I have been turning in earlier and earlier these days… perhaps the change in season or the fact that the sun is setting earlier?
Pondering these words… leader.
From the kitchen… spaghetti and meatballs from the freezer tonight, enchiladas tomorrow, and then… we’ll see!
Around the house… laundry… what else is new?!
One of my favorite things… the cooler weather, and, shockingly hall duty in the morning. I love interacting with so many different students in a non-classroom environment.
A few plans for this week… lots of planning to do to get ready for my teachers on Saturday… and some Halloween festivities on Sunday!!
From my picture journal… none today… maybe one tomorrow.
And…here we go!
1. So are we going to have to listen to the Jon and Kate Gosselin drama forever? I mean, I’m totally over it. It’s NOT okay to pimp out your children. It’s NOT okay to air your dirty laundry on national TV. It’s NOT okay to subject the country to your stupidity. I’m done. Fo Sho.
2. Lots of success is what’s up ahead. After the battle with the scale last week, I’m finally seeing the numbers going down. Ever so slowly, but at least in the right direction. I was a slacker this week with no exercise, but I’m getting back on the wagon come Monday. I’m also feeling super good about the direction of my job. I fell as though the powers that be are supporting me more than ever, and my team, however dysfunctional they may be, are working toward the same goals. Hallelujah!
3. I love to scrapbook, but I haven’t had time to dive into my projects lately. Z is heading out to a party tonight, so I think I will try to get creative after Bella goes to bed. I have the first disc of the True Blood series from Netflix; I’ll clear off my table, watch, and create!
4. I’d like to partake in Halloween festivies of some sort this weekend. The Pumpkin Festival is happening, so we might do that. Bella seems to have a cold, so the Festival could be out of the question. We’ll have to take it hour by hour. I am, however, keeping my fingers crossed for some super cute pumpkin patch pictures.
5. I walk a fine line between being in charge and team building. This has been my challenge this year. At what point do I tell folks what to do? At what point am I team-building with them? When is the line crossed? This is the challenge.
6. Bella’s laughter, her sense of humor, her fiestiness is the true elixir of life!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to True Blood and scrapping, tomorrow my plans include pumpkins and vacuums and Sunday, I want to enjoy my family with dinner out and time with Bella’s grandparents!
Humpty Dumpty, Kankles & More!
This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by Kimber, the number 32 (as in only 32 people played last week) and the color of dog poop on your shoe.
1. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses,
And all the king’s men,
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
Three men in a tub,
And how do you think they got there? They were dirty.
The butcher, the baker,
The candlestick-maker,
They all jumped out of a rotten potato,
‘Twas enough to make a man stare.
Not my words today, but the words of a song that strongly resonates with me lately. It’s part of my cool-down after each of my runs. Simply: inspiration.
Sing by Garrison Starr
The world has lost its head
The wheels keep on turning
My spirits nearly dead
The fires keep on burning
But today I will sing, today I will sing
I can’t wrap my mind
Around why it should have to be
So hard to live this life
I hope my faith can carry me
But today I will sing, today I will sing
I give too much time
To chasing shadows I cant ever find
At the end of every line
The song keeps swelling up inside
Its a drag sometimes
To offer up our best
To make the only light
In a world of darkness
Its our greatest test
So today I will sing
Thursday was the big day, the day we DID it: we cut Bella’s hair. Z and I had been in discussion about said haircut for nearly a month. As cute as Bella looks with her hair pulled back off her face with a clip or in pigtails, she was not good about leaving her hair styled. This became frustrating, especially for her mommy who took much time to ensure that her hair was properly coiffed before venturing out into the world. Alas, five minutes into a car or stroller ride, her hair would be pulled out of its uber-cute style and fall into her eyes. Argh! So, talk of bangs began.
On Wednesday night, Z handed me a scrap of paper with the instructions, “Here, show this to Mel.” When I looked at what he handed me, it was a drawing of a Lego person complete with helmet-hair. Both heads bore the proverbial circle-slash. Nope, no Lego-hair for my girl. Mel (my hairdresser) did an amazing job, and here’s the result:
I LOVE it!
We got the haircut under our belts and it was on to the weekend! With all the insanity of budget cuts and the economy crashing down around us, I was given the “gift” of a furlough day on Friday. When it was announced in August, I immediately contacted the NC family and put us on the calendar. It was a necessary weekend away! We packed up and drove north on Friday ready for a weekend of just being. I think M put it best when she said that it was nothing spectacular, but it was perfect just the same. 300 miles is not far in the grand scheme of things, but it’s hard when it comes to the little things like having dinner together or watching an episode of Project Runway. I think that we could have spent the weekend just looking at each other, and we would have thought we had accomplished something great. Walks with the dog, watching movies, eating dinner after Bella went to bed, talking about everything and solving nothing, sipping coffee, laughing at Bella’s antics, just being together. It never feels awkward or strange or wrong. It’s comfortable. It’s easy. It’s family.
Which brings me to him:
This handsome devil is Baker. He is a Viszla. And he knows it. Perhaps the funniest part of this weekend was teaching Bella to say “viszla.” I mean seriously, what 16 month old says, “viszla?” It’s too cute for words. And with all his quirks and neuroses, “Bay-doo,” as Bella also calls him, is surprisingly patient and gentle with the little girl. She put things in his mouth, put up with his licking, and he let her give him “Nice” pats on his back. What a great Viszla. We love him.
And we love his parents. It’s Tuesday… I’m at work… but all seems right with the world.
