Oh my goodness, it's been a long time! I have been a horrible blogger--and I have a lot to say.
The last few times I tried to blog, blogspot just froze and I couldn't save my work or edit it, or anything, so I kind of gave up. Whatever, it's working now. So I'm back, probably with a vengeance.
A lot has happened since I posted last... I am in "a relationship" now, and nobody is more surprised than me. I was just minding my own business, living my life, enjoying my job and coworkers, loving my family, and BAM! An innocent dinner date with someone I had met months ago and didn't really hit it off with started it all.... I decided to go to dinner with him because he made a special effort to email me a happy birthday message and that seemed really sweet. Thank God I did! That has been maybe the best decision of my life. I did not think this was in my future. I'm almost 50 years old, for goodness sake!
So let me tell you about him....Devan is quiet and shy, but very funny, and so smart he can hardly stand himself. He can fix anything and likes to cook, which is good since I don't. Everyone he knows thinks very highly of him, which I think says something about him and he loves dogs, old people and kids. All pluses for me! Plus he's crazy about me, which is difficult to resist. He has the sweetest face of anyone I know--I'll probably marry him one day. And yes, I do see the irony in my making that statement, but it just is what it is. And what it is is wonderful.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Sunday...
Normally I like a Simple Sunday, but today doesn't seem like it's going to be very simple. The dog is snoring while sleeping in my chair--she's so loud I keep going to check on her. It doesn't sound good. Geesh. Maybe she's having a bad dream. I wonder what dogs dream about.
I slept in a little because I was out very late last night at a charity event, and that was after I worked in my school's garden for three hours. First things first.
My school had an event where families and volunteers came and weeded out our huge organic garden, used landscape timbers to build frames for the garden beds, laid down boxes, newspaper and mulch in the pathways and generally cleaned up the whole garden. With all the rain this summer, it's kind of gotten out of hand, and the beds weren't delineated in any way, so everything kind of got overgrown. It is really amazing what a group of people can do in a short period of time when they work together. Pictures to come.
The charity event was really nice--it was a casino themed dinner, and I learned to play craps (kind of)--I rolled for a long time, which other players said was good. It's a very complicated game. I also played Black Jack, and overall I won quite a bit, but I don't really find that game fun. I wanted to play Roulette, but I didn't really understand it and there were too many people at that table to ask. I didn't win anything, although my date tried really hard to win me a Dooney and Burke purse in the silent auction. He got outbid at the end though. It was fun.
I'm doing some laundry now, and I think I'll plant some cool weather veggies today (broccoli, beets, and lettuce, maybe carrots), and everything needs a good drink. Later I think I'm going to pick my mom up and take her to the bookstore and Sweet, the cupcake store. She can't eat much, but she does love a cupcake.
It turns out that my son can't come home for a visit before he leaves for Japan, which is sad for his wife especially--I think she's a little overwhelmed, but for me too. I like to SEE my kids now and then so I can see for myself that they are okay. It's a mom thing, I think.
I'm still a little tired, so I may lie down and read this morning for a little bit--my favorite thing to do! I'm kind of a lucky girl today. I hope everyone I know and love and who reads my blog has a great day too.
I slept in a little because I was out very late last night at a charity event, and that was after I worked in my school's garden for three hours. First things first.
My school had an event where families and volunteers came and weeded out our huge organic garden, used landscape timbers to build frames for the garden beds, laid down boxes, newspaper and mulch in the pathways and generally cleaned up the whole garden. With all the rain this summer, it's kind of gotten out of hand, and the beds weren't delineated in any way, so everything kind of got overgrown. It is really amazing what a group of people can do in a short period of time when they work together. Pictures to come.
The charity event was really nice--it was a casino themed dinner, and I learned to play craps (kind of)--I rolled for a long time, which other players said was good. It's a very complicated game. I also played Black Jack, and overall I won quite a bit, but I don't really find that game fun. I wanted to play Roulette, but I didn't really understand it and there were too many people at that table to ask. I didn't win anything, although my date tried really hard to win me a Dooney and Burke purse in the silent auction. He got outbid at the end though. It was fun.
I'm doing some laundry now, and I think I'll plant some cool weather veggies today (broccoli, beets, and lettuce, maybe carrots), and everything needs a good drink. Later I think I'm going to pick my mom up and take her to the bookstore and Sweet, the cupcake store. She can't eat much, but she does love a cupcake.
It turns out that my son can't come home for a visit before he leaves for Japan, which is sad for his wife especially--I think she's a little overwhelmed, but for me too. I like to SEE my kids now and then so I can see for myself that they are okay. It's a mom thing, I think.
I'm still a little tired, so I may lie down and read this morning for a little bit--my favorite thing to do! I'm kind of a lucky girl today. I hope everyone I know and love and who reads my blog has a great day too.
Friday, October 18, 2013
What to do... what to do...
I've been stressing out all week. I'm getting sick of myself. I just need to relax and let whatever is going to happen just happen. Sigh. It's like I've been in this loop of feeling stressed, which causes me to stress over every little thing that comes up. I know that some people work best under stress or seem to enjoy it--I DON'T! So my motto for this weekend is "let it go".
Speaking of this weekend, I have a busy one, but in a good way. Today after work I'm going to visit my mom--I just don't get to see her enough. I want to see what she's been knitting. She sounds really good, so that's a definite blessing. Then I'm going to come home and do some laundry or maybe go see my sister (if she's home).
On Saturday morning my school is hosting a volunteer day and I'm going to pick up my niece and nephew to come with me. We will be working in the garden, building planting boxes, digging up beds, etc. My job is to wood-burn signs for the centers outside. Very exciting.
Saturday night I have a date to a casino charity event that should be fun. Maybe I'll win something.
Sunday I'm going to relax--wash my sheets, read, whatever. I'm hopeful that my son Brett will be home that day and he's requested lasagna for dinner.
I also want to plant some cool weather veggies this weekend at some point, probably Sunday morning. It's not too cool here, but I'm trying out year-round gardening.
I'm going in to work early this morning to get ready for Ms. Spider's Tea Party. My class is really looking forward to that, and we're kind of known for our awesome parties.
Not much else to report. Everyone is fine. Work is fine. My hair looks pretty good today. What else can a girl ask for?
Speaking of this weekend, I have a busy one, but in a good way. Today after work I'm going to visit my mom--I just don't get to see her enough. I want to see what she's been knitting. She sounds really good, so that's a definite blessing. Then I'm going to come home and do some laundry or maybe go see my sister (if she's home).
On Saturday morning my school is hosting a volunteer day and I'm going to pick up my niece and nephew to come with me. We will be working in the garden, building planting boxes, digging up beds, etc. My job is to wood-burn signs for the centers outside. Very exciting.
Saturday night I have a date to a casino charity event that should be fun. Maybe I'll win something.
Sunday I'm going to relax--wash my sheets, read, whatever. I'm hopeful that my son Brett will be home that day and he's requested lasagna for dinner.
I also want to plant some cool weather veggies this weekend at some point, probably Sunday morning. It's not too cool here, but I'm trying out year-round gardening.
I'm going in to work early this morning to get ready for Ms. Spider's Tea Party. My class is really looking forward to that, and we're kind of known for our awesome parties.
Not much else to report. Everyone is fine. Work is fine. My hair looks pretty good today. What else can a girl ask for?
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Challenge: Day 30 (Last Day)... and a few other thoughts.
Today, as a final nice thing, I'm thinking of spending the day in bed. A nice thing for me. It's kind of too late to spend the whole day actually IN BED, but I can spend the day in my jammies and read all day. Or watch movies. Or knit. It sounds lovely.
I've learned a few things during this challenge--as stated below:
1. If you do nice things on a regular basis, it's difficult to think of "special" nice things to do every day. I think I'll stick to doing regular nice things every day, and just do something super-duper nice when the opportunity comes up.
2. Some days you just have to give yourself a break.
3. It really did make me feel good to be doing all those nice things. It was worth doing.
4. I didn't tell other people (except on this blog) that I was doing this, and if I ever do this again, I will tell everyone I know. It didn't really occur to me until a couple of weeks into it that I decided to do it after someone else did something nice for someone, inspiring me to do the same. If I had told everyone, I might have started a revolution of nice things. You live, you learn.
I didn't go out and work in the garden this morning, so I will have to get out there tonight or tomorrow when I get home from work, I guess. I woke up with a sore throat and didn't really sleep well last night, so I've been lazing around all morning.
It seems to be cooling off a little outside, which is nice because the electric bill has been a little crazy the last couple of months. Also, it will be nice to be able to work in the garden other than very early in the morning and very late in the evening. That gets tedious.
I've been pinning things like crazy on Pinterest this weekend--looking for nice gift ideas for Christmas, and especially good ideas for my classroom. We have a lot going on this week in my class. A firetruck is coming to visit on Wednesday, and on Friday, we are having Ms. Spider's Tea Party. Those will both be a lot of fun.
What the heck did we all do with our time before we had the internet?
I'm also looking forward to my son Brett coming home next week(ish) to spend some time before he gets stationed in Japan. He's in the navy and I miss him a lot. I wish all of my kids could live close by.
Well, that's my Sunday update. I hope everyone has a great day. Does anyone want to share what they do on Sundays?
I've learned a few things during this challenge--as stated below:
1. If you do nice things on a regular basis, it's difficult to think of "special" nice things to do every day. I think I'll stick to doing regular nice things every day, and just do something super-duper nice when the opportunity comes up.
2. Some days you just have to give yourself a break.
3. It really did make me feel good to be doing all those nice things. It was worth doing.
4. I didn't tell other people (except on this blog) that I was doing this, and if I ever do this again, I will tell everyone I know. It didn't really occur to me until a couple of weeks into it that I decided to do it after someone else did something nice for someone, inspiring me to do the same. If I had told everyone, I might have started a revolution of nice things. You live, you learn.
I didn't go out and work in the garden this morning, so I will have to get out there tonight or tomorrow when I get home from work, I guess. I woke up with a sore throat and didn't really sleep well last night, so I've been lazing around all morning.
It seems to be cooling off a little outside, which is nice because the electric bill has been a little crazy the last couple of months. Also, it will be nice to be able to work in the garden other than very early in the morning and very late in the evening. That gets tedious.
I've been pinning things like crazy on Pinterest this weekend--looking for nice gift ideas for Christmas, and especially good ideas for my classroom. We have a lot going on this week in my class. A firetruck is coming to visit on Wednesday, and on Friday, we are having Ms. Spider's Tea Party. Those will both be a lot of fun.
What the heck did we all do with our time before we had the internet?
I'm also looking forward to my son Brett coming home next week(ish) to spend some time before he gets stationed in Japan. He's in the navy and I miss him a lot. I wish all of my kids could live close by.
Well, that's my Sunday update. I hope everyone has a great day. Does anyone want to share what they do on Sundays?
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Challenge: Days 25-29
Dang, sorry! I know I haven't posted since Monday, so here's the scoop.
Day 25: I got my assistant a gift. She likes to do cooking activities with our class and she was eying a cookbook at the Book Fair, so I got it for her. She loved it.
Day 26:On Wednesday I had a good conversation with my new boss. She is feeling a little "out of the loop" so I made sure to talk about some stuff that is coming up that she may not know about yet. We tend to plan things, let everyone know, then not really send out reminders as things come up, so this is not really surprising, and nobody means to not let her know things, but she was not here for the start of the plans going on now, so she wasn't notified. This is rectified now.
Day 27:On Thursday, my new boss went to a meeting with our big boss, and I reassured her about the things she wanted to talk to him about. This was her first meeting with him, and he's not always an open book.
Day 28:On Friday, I gave a coworker a ride to work. Her car is giving her a lot of problems lately, and I know how that feels! Anyway, we had a lovely chat on the way to work. I might try to institute an occasional ride together just for the chat.
Day 29: Today I made sure my daughter and I did something fun. We've been financially strapped a lot lately, so we went to the bookstore and had a nice drink and looked at magazines and books. I have really curtailed my book-buying over the last year. Kaleigh went to the pet store and took pictures of adorable kittens and puppies. Typical.
I also cleaned out my closet this morning. I mean REALLY cleaned it out. Ruthlessly. I took everything out, and tried it on before deciding whether to keep, toss or donate. If I haven't worn it in the last couple of months (except for cold-weather items), I donated it. If it didn't look good or fit properly, I donated it. As the donation pile got bigger, it got easier to do. Anything that needed alterations went into another pile--ONLY if I was sure I would do the alteration. Anything that was worn out went into the toss pile. Very liberating. If the item made the cut, I went back into the closet where it belonged. I put my work clothes on the left (outfits together on the hanger), odd stuff in the middle with dresses, dress clothes on the right, and jackets, sweaters and winter coat on the far right. I'm not kidding when I say I have about 1/3 of what I had hanging in there yesterday. I immediately took the donate stuff to Goodwill, and threw out the garbage. I even got rid (GASP!) of several pair of shoes. While I'm not a proponent of that, I figure it makes room for new shoes. Okay, not exactly ROOM, but you get my meaning.
Tomorrow I'm going to tackle the sewing room. I'm a very messy sewer (seamstress, not something to do with sewage), and I want to get the room ready for the things I want to work on for Christmas presents. I have lots of quilt tops too, so I'd like to get some of those done.
Tomorrow I'm also going to pull out my green bean plants, they are eaten up by something. I have no idea what, but they look awful. The squash never had ANY female flowers, only male flowers, so I didn't get ONE, SINGLE SQUASH! Damn it! Very disappointing. Especially since I couldn't figure out why so I didn't learn anything to do differently next time. My passion plant has caterpillars on it--this is absolutely the mark of success. That means they will eat some leaves, but I will have more butterflies, which is a wonderful thing. The world needs more miracles, and butterflies are miracles for sure.
Day 25: I got my assistant a gift. She likes to do cooking activities with our class and she was eying a cookbook at the Book Fair, so I got it for her. She loved it.
Day 26:On Wednesday I had a good conversation with my new boss. She is feeling a little "out of the loop" so I made sure to talk about some stuff that is coming up that she may not know about yet. We tend to plan things, let everyone know, then not really send out reminders as things come up, so this is not really surprising, and nobody means to not let her know things, but she was not here for the start of the plans going on now, so she wasn't notified. This is rectified now.
Day 27:On Thursday, my new boss went to a meeting with our big boss, and I reassured her about the things she wanted to talk to him about. This was her first meeting with him, and he's not always an open book.
Day 28:On Friday, I gave a coworker a ride to work. Her car is giving her a lot of problems lately, and I know how that feels! Anyway, we had a lovely chat on the way to work. I might try to institute an occasional ride together just for the chat.
Day 29: Today I made sure my daughter and I did something fun. We've been financially strapped a lot lately, so we went to the bookstore and had a nice drink and looked at magazines and books. I have really curtailed my book-buying over the last year. Kaleigh went to the pet store and took pictures of adorable kittens and puppies. Typical.
I also cleaned out my closet this morning. I mean REALLY cleaned it out. Ruthlessly. I took everything out, and tried it on before deciding whether to keep, toss or donate. If I haven't worn it in the last couple of months (except for cold-weather items), I donated it. If it didn't look good or fit properly, I donated it. As the donation pile got bigger, it got easier to do. Anything that needed alterations went into another pile--ONLY if I was sure I would do the alteration. Anything that was worn out went into the toss pile. Very liberating. If the item made the cut, I went back into the closet where it belonged. I put my work clothes on the left (outfits together on the hanger), odd stuff in the middle with dresses, dress clothes on the right, and jackets, sweaters and winter coat on the far right. I'm not kidding when I say I have about 1/3 of what I had hanging in there yesterday. I immediately took the donate stuff to Goodwill, and threw out the garbage. I even got rid (GASP!) of several pair of shoes. While I'm not a proponent of that, I figure it makes room for new shoes. Okay, not exactly ROOM, but you get my meaning.
Tomorrow I'm going to tackle the sewing room. I'm a very messy sewer (seamstress, not something to do with sewage), and I want to get the room ready for the things I want to work on for Christmas presents. I have lots of quilt tops too, so I'd like to get some of those done.
Tomorrow I'm also going to pull out my green bean plants, they are eaten up by something. I have no idea what, but they look awful. The squash never had ANY female flowers, only male flowers, so I didn't get ONE, SINGLE SQUASH! Damn it! Very disappointing. Especially since I couldn't figure out why so I didn't learn anything to do differently next time. My passion plant has caterpillars on it--this is absolutely the mark of success. That means they will eat some leaves, but I will have more butterflies, which is a wonderful thing. The world needs more miracles, and butterflies are miracles for sure.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Challenge: Day 24
Today I did not get angry with my daughter in spite of her doing everything she can to make me that way. Believe me, this was above and beyond.
Challenge: Day 23
My good thing for Sunday was to LET my friend Mary Beth win Trivial Pursuit. That is all...
Okay, I didn't really let her win, she won fair and square. So instead, the nice thing I did was to take my daughter in law dinner when she had been out all day with the girls and everyone was cranky. We had dinner ready when she got home, so I packed some up and drove it over to her. Love that girl.
Okay, I didn't really let her win, she won fair and square. So instead, the nice thing I did was to take my daughter in law dinner when she had been out all day with the girls and everyone was cranky. We had dinner ready when she got home, so I packed some up and drove it over to her. Love that girl.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
A New Day. . . . (and an update on some pictures)
Sunday...it's early Sunday morning and I'm sitting at my computer. The garden is being watered--it really needs it, I'm having a cup of coffee, and thinking about my day.
I'm looking forward to lunch with my friend, Mary Beth. She is hysterical and I wish we lived next door to each other. I have to go by work to pick up a couple of things I need to work on for this week. We are having lunch near there so that's no big deal. I have to do some laundry today, but I don't mind doing laundry.
I started working on a fabric basket last night as a prototype for a knitting basket that I want to make for mom for Christmas. I think the sides are too high, but that's why I make a prototype. Other than that, I like the way it is coming along. I made it with the scraps and leftover squares of plaid men's shirts that I made some baby quilts out of a few months ago.
At some point this month (within the next couple of weeks) I would like to make a small pumpkin quilt to hang on my door or somewhere in my classroom. This requires actually organizing the fabrics I have and going through them since when I moved my quilting machine into a different room, I didn't EXACTLY organize everything the way I should have. And by "didn't EXACTLY", I mean didn't at all. Just piled bins up in the quilting room. No bueno. Maybe I will work on getting that stuff organized in some way, although I really have to think about how it will work best. I have A LOT of fabric and supplies. My plan is to ultimately have twelve small wall hangings--one for each month to display on my classroom door.
I may do a little knitting also, I have a market bag about halfway done. It's so mindless to work on, and I love having "a project". I can't remember how I did the attached I-cords though, so I guess I'll be visiting YouTube soon. I have learned so much from watching YouTube. The educational value of YouTube is amazing. There's a lot of crap on there too, which can be fun, but anytime I've needed to see something to understand it (like knitting an attached I-cord, or knitting on double-pointed knitting needles, etc.), there's nothing like YouTube. You can replay it as many times as you want to, which is a bonus.
I'd like to cook a nice dinner tonight--I haven't cooked in a while. When Kaleigh isn't home, I don't really like to cook for myself, so I usually make something easy, but we like to cook together when we can. She likes to cook more than I do, but it's nice time to spend together.
Gotta go move the sprinkler.... (cue elevator music)....
Back. I guess I'll go putter around a little bit, and decide what to cook for dinner. Have a wonderful day.
Later...
I've worked out plan B for pictures on my blog. Not an ideal Plan B, but something that works for the time being.
Anyway, my class did an awesome job reinforcing colors and color recognition during the last couple of weeks. Each day, we focused on a different color--did some art (different methods each day), looked for that color in our classroom and on the playground, practiced writing the letters in that word, read lots of books on the subject of color and did some other fun things too. Below are some photos of the color portfolios that each child made.
I'm looking forward to lunch with my friend, Mary Beth. She is hysterical and I wish we lived next door to each other. I have to go by work to pick up a couple of things I need to work on for this week. We are having lunch near there so that's no big deal. I have to do some laundry today, but I don't mind doing laundry.
I started working on a fabric basket last night as a prototype for a knitting basket that I want to make for mom for Christmas. I think the sides are too high, but that's why I make a prototype. Other than that, I like the way it is coming along. I made it with the scraps and leftover squares of plaid men's shirts that I made some baby quilts out of a few months ago.
At some point this month (within the next couple of weeks) I would like to make a small pumpkin quilt to hang on my door or somewhere in my classroom. This requires actually organizing the fabrics I have and going through them since when I moved my quilting machine into a different room, I didn't EXACTLY organize everything the way I should have. And by "didn't EXACTLY", I mean didn't at all. Just piled bins up in the quilting room. No bueno. Maybe I will work on getting that stuff organized in some way, although I really have to think about how it will work best. I have A LOT of fabric and supplies. My plan is to ultimately have twelve small wall hangings--one for each month to display on my classroom door.
I may do a little knitting also, I have a market bag about halfway done. It's so mindless to work on, and I love having "a project". I can't remember how I did the attached I-cords though, so I guess I'll be visiting YouTube soon. I have learned so much from watching YouTube. The educational value of YouTube is amazing. There's a lot of crap on there too, which can be fun, but anytime I've needed to see something to understand it (like knitting an attached I-cord, or knitting on double-pointed knitting needles, etc.), there's nothing like YouTube. You can replay it as many times as you want to, which is a bonus.
I'd like to cook a nice dinner tonight--I haven't cooked in a while. When Kaleigh isn't home, I don't really like to cook for myself, so I usually make something easy, but we like to cook together when we can. She likes to cook more than I do, but it's nice time to spend together.
Gotta go move the sprinkler.... (cue elevator music)....
Back. I guess I'll go putter around a little bit, and decide what to cook for dinner. Have a wonderful day.
Later...
I've worked out plan B for pictures on my blog. Not an ideal Plan B, but something that works for the time being.
Anyway, my class did an awesome job reinforcing colors and color recognition during the last couple of weeks. Each day, we focused on a different color--did some art (different methods each day), looked for that color in our classroom and on the playground, practiced writing the letters in that word, read lots of books on the subject of color and did some other fun things too. Below are some photos of the color portfolios that each child made.
That's it for now.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Challenge: Day 22
Today I did something nice for myself. Car repairs (a dead battery plus two crappy tires) made me cranky this weekend, so I went to Barnes and Noble, and browsed around the bargain tables and found a book that I've been wanting to read. It's called Peace and Plenty by Sara Ban Breathnach (sp?). I also got myself a bottle of wine, which I NEVER do, and I'm having a glass right now. When I finish this post, I will go take a nice hot bath, have another glass of wine--that's about my limit--I'm a cheap date-- and go to bed and read my book. It's by the same woman who wrote Simple Abundance, which is one of my all-time favorite books. I wonder if I had that on my list of faves.... hmmm. I think a pedicure will just round this weekend out nicely.
My school also had a field trip today to Green Meadows Farm. It was fun, and the animals were adorable. I also shared brownies with all the people at my table, so that's another nice thing I did. I'm not really known for sharing chocolate. I have pictures, but I finally figured out that my camera issue isn't the camera at all, it's the SD card thingy in my computer. So that's why I can't upload pictures--I think I have plan B all ready to go though. I'll check back in tomorrow and see if I have that worked out. Update.... I have it worked out....
I've been thinking about Christmas already--I want to get some stuff started so I don't feel so overwhelmed this year with making presents. I've been doing some looking around online for nice things to make. Last year I knitted market bags, sewed some bags, several Christmas tree skirts, and some potholders out of antique quilt blocks that I had. I also knitted a bunch of stockings, which I think I will do again this year too. I'm looking around. Any ideas are welcome....
My school also had a field trip today to Green Meadows Farm. It was fun, and the animals were adorable. I also shared brownies with all the people at my table, so that's another nice thing I did. I'm not really known for sharing chocolate. I have pictures, but I finally figured out that my camera issue isn't the camera at all, it's the SD card thingy in my computer. So that's why I can't upload pictures--I think I have plan B all ready to go though. I'll check back in tomorrow and see if I have that worked out. Update.... I have it worked out....
I've been thinking about Christmas already--I want to get some stuff started so I don't feel so overwhelmed this year with making presents. I've been doing some looking around online for nice things to make. Last year I knitted market bags, sewed some bags, several Christmas tree skirts, and some potholders out of antique quilt blocks that I had. I also knitted a bunch of stockings, which I think I will do again this year too. I'm looking around. Any ideas are welcome....
Friday, October 4, 2013
Challenge: Day 21
Today my good deed was to make sure my assistant was able to go to a meeting that she wanted to go to. She missed out on some fun, but I think she needed a little break and this was just the ticket. I would hope I would always make sure of this for her, but the truth is, she very rarely wants to get out of the classroom, and always is a good sport when I have to do other things (like professional development and presenting at conferences and stuff). I think I should get her a nice gift.
Challenge: Day 20
Not a lot happened today. My class went on a field trip, which was fun. Other than that, my good thing today was that I called my mom and told her I love her. I know I don't say it enough, and she gave me some encouragement--I hope I gave her some too.
I promise to write a real post this weekend at some point....
I promise to write a real post this weekend at some point....
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Challenge: Day 19
I bought my assistant a cookbook that she's been coveting. I think that qualifies. She's pretty awesome and I don't always have the time to show her that I think that. So this was an easy one.
Car battery died. My car has been pretty good since I bought it, no major problems, but cars are truly money-sucking propositions, aren't they? Between car payments, insurance, maintenance, gas, tires, UUUGGGHH! I don't even like to think about it.
My sister gave me a lift home from work, and we had dinner together, which was nice--we don't do that enough.
Had a lovely conversation with my daughter Hillarie last night. I really miss her.
That's it for now...
Car battery died. My car has been pretty good since I bought it, no major problems, but cars are truly money-sucking propositions, aren't they? Between car payments, insurance, maintenance, gas, tires, UUUGGGHH! I don't even like to think about it.
My sister gave me a lift home from work, and we had dinner together, which was nice--we don't do that enough.
Had a lovely conversation with my daughter Hillarie last night. I really miss her.
That's it for now...
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Challenge: Day 18!
Today I offered encouragement to someone who is having a difficult time. I can't really go into it too much, but I just tried to reassure them that things get better, and you just have to do the best you can until that happens.
Quick and dirty, I know.
Going to the bookstore tonight. I hope everyone is having a great day. I am.
My camera issue will be resolved this weekend and I will get on some pictures of SOMETHING to post!
Quick and dirty, I know.
Going to the bookstore tonight. I hope everyone is having a great day. I am.
My camera issue will be resolved this weekend and I will get on some pictures of SOMETHING to post!
Challenge: Day 17
Well, today I babysat for my daughter-in-law because she needed a break--but that doesn't count as my good thing because I made the rule that it has to be something I wouldn't ordinarily do. But it was fun--my granddaughters are pretty awesome.
What I did as my good thing was to accept someone with an open mind. I usually don't have a problem doing this at all, but we have a new director at my school, and I'm (and others as well) a little nervous about what she's like and how things are going to change. Right now, we all have a lot of autonomy within our classrooms and are free to try different things (this is very unusual) and this could change. Anyway, I decided not to be reticent about her coming and see it as a gift--she's surely smart enough to see that what we are doing is working. She's a very nice person from what I've seen so far, and we had a nice talk about the school. I feel a huge connection to my school and it's a very personal place to me. I knew the day I started working there that I probably wasn't ever going to leave there, and I told my boss that I hoped she liked me because I wasn't going anywhere.
I have a date tomorrow, which is a very pleasant thing to look forward to. I usually find dating awkward at best and sometimes downright unpleasant, so this is a nice change.
Tomorrow is my last professional development workshop--then things can settle down at work a little. I feel like I'm hardly in my classroom these days. When I am there, I'm trying to prepare for something coming up--and I'm really looking forward to my class' pumpkin project. We have a lot of fun with it and document all our work into a portfolio for them to take home at the end. They love it and their parents love it. Sometimes I am struck with a genius idea....not often, but when it happens, it's a beautiful thing.
What I did as my good thing was to accept someone with an open mind. I usually don't have a problem doing this at all, but we have a new director at my school, and I'm (and others as well) a little nervous about what she's like and how things are going to change. Right now, we all have a lot of autonomy within our classrooms and are free to try different things (this is very unusual) and this could change. Anyway, I decided not to be reticent about her coming and see it as a gift--she's surely smart enough to see that what we are doing is working. She's a very nice person from what I've seen so far, and we had a nice talk about the school. I feel a huge connection to my school and it's a very personal place to me. I knew the day I started working there that I probably wasn't ever going to leave there, and I told my boss that I hoped she liked me because I wasn't going anywhere.
I have a date tomorrow, which is a very pleasant thing to look forward to. I usually find dating awkward at best and sometimes downright unpleasant, so this is a nice change.
Tomorrow is my last professional development workshop--then things can settle down at work a little. I feel like I'm hardly in my classroom these days. When I am there, I'm trying to prepare for something coming up--and I'm really looking forward to my class' pumpkin project. We have a lot of fun with it and document all our work into a portfolio for them to take home at the end. They love it and their parents love it. Sometimes I am struck with a genius idea....not often, but when it happens, it's a beautiful thing.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Challenge: Day 16 (and Simple Sunday)
Yesterday's post was super-long--sorry about that. Not sure anybody wants to sit and read the ramblings of my sometimes-difficult-to-follow mind. If you stuck it out and read the whole thing...yea for you!
The pickled green beans I made yesterday are pretty awesome. I will use that recipe again for sure. I'm heading out into the garden in a few minutes to see if any more green beans are ripe. They have a way of sneaking up on me. Pick them all one day, and you swear there isn't another one to be found, and there are hundreds ready the next day. It's crazy.
It's also time for me to plant some lettuce--I have lots of room in my beds and just need to make time to get out there and do it. Fresh salad would be lovely--I plant leaf lettuce and cut it when it's still small and it doesn't get a chance to bolt in the heat. I plant on a weekly schedule--two square feet this week, two more next week, two more the next week, and when the first row is ready, I cut them and they regrow.
This morning I think I'm going to the farmer's market with my daughter-in-law. My granddaughter has allergies and needs to be taking local honey every day. (Yes, this is actually a "thing"--not just a hippie remedy!) I'm looking forward to it--I LOVE THE FARMER'S MARKET. I hope the singing veteran is there--the baby girls love to dance! Even Kaleigh likes to go to the farmer's market.
I've also planted the hardened-off segments of Christmas Cactus into their new little pots. I hope they take. They will make nice little Christmas presents next year.
My plan for something nice to do today is to hang out with my daughter in law. She's having a hard time right now, realizing that my son (who is in the navy) will really be gone for two years and she'll be doing this basically alone. She has us, but we aren't the same, I guess. Plus, Bridgette is still really little and a lot of daily work--I forget how much WORK tiny kids are.
Yesterday I did some organizing of the shelves next to my computer desk. They tend to be a catch-all for whatever I have on the desk, which gets messy. I need to do better about putting things where they go when I'm done with them. Story of my life, I guess.
The pickled green beans I made yesterday are pretty awesome. I will use that recipe again for sure. I'm heading out into the garden in a few minutes to see if any more green beans are ripe. They have a way of sneaking up on me. Pick them all one day, and you swear there isn't another one to be found, and there are hundreds ready the next day. It's crazy.
It's also time for me to plant some lettuce--I have lots of room in my beds and just need to make time to get out there and do it. Fresh salad would be lovely--I plant leaf lettuce and cut it when it's still small and it doesn't get a chance to bolt in the heat. I plant on a weekly schedule--two square feet this week, two more next week, two more the next week, and when the first row is ready, I cut them and they regrow.
This morning I think I'm going to the farmer's market with my daughter-in-law. My granddaughter has allergies and needs to be taking local honey every day. (Yes, this is actually a "thing"--not just a hippie remedy!) I'm looking forward to it--I LOVE THE FARMER'S MARKET. I hope the singing veteran is there--the baby girls love to dance! Even Kaleigh likes to go to the farmer's market.
I've also planted the hardened-off segments of Christmas Cactus into their new little pots. I hope they take. They will make nice little Christmas presents next year.
My plan for something nice to do today is to hang out with my daughter in law. She's having a hard time right now, realizing that my son (who is in the navy) will really be gone for two years and she'll be doing this basically alone. She has us, but we aren't the same, I guess. Plus, Bridgette is still really little and a lot of daily work--I forget how much WORK tiny kids are.
Yesterday I did some organizing of the shelves next to my computer desk. They tend to be a catch-all for whatever I have on the desk, which gets messy. I need to do better about putting things where they go when I'm done with them. Story of my life, I guess.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Just A Regular Day at the Homestead....(and Challenge: Day 15)
I just realized how short and unsatisfying my last few posts have been. But they kind of reflect how I've been feeling, so I guess I'll live with them. But this one will be different, I promise.
I got a good night's sleep last night, my presentation went well yesterday, all the kids and grandkids are snug and safe, and I have no huge responsibilities for this weekend, so there is no reason not to be happy. I got up early, I'm enjoying a cup of coffee (not a great cup of coffee, I've mentioned my struggles with coffee-making, but it'll do), I've been checking some stuff out on Pinterest, and doing laundry. I'll putter around this morning, read a little, knit a little, maybe sew a little, then take a nap. Saturday is the only day I allow myself a nap because if I nap on Sunday, I can't fall asleep at night, then I'm tired on Monday. No bueno.
I think I'll make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight. That sounds good.
I have to do my lesson plan for this week. It's actually pretty much done, I just have to organize my thoughts onto the actual plan. My class is doing something really cool to reinforce colors, while I am at the same time assessing who needs more support in this area. We are making a color portfolio, with different art each day. For example, on Monday (red day), we mixed red paint with black and white and painted with it. On Tuesday (blue day), we sponge painted with blue paint. On Wednesday (yellow day), we made yellow collages with all yellow materials. Etc. I think you get the picture. Different color and medium each day. Will post pics when they are finished. The children are really enjoying it too, as the art is finished we are putting it into their own personal portfolios. On the last day, we will use the Salad Spinner (best $1.99 I ever spent at Goodwill!) and use all the colors to make a rainbow painting for the cover.
I've been thinking about what to make for gifts for Christmas this year. I've already started knitting some market bags. They take a little time, but they are really pretty and stretch like crazy--they are perfect for the farmer's market. The key is getting the cotton yarn at half price, or they aren't really cost effective. I like a lot of bang for my buck. (Or, in other words, I'm pretty frugal--or cheap.)
My daughter admired a headband made with buttons sewn to wide elastic, so I'm making one of those for her--it's looking really pretty. I'm infusing it with positive thoughts and love for her. The Hawaiians have some superstitions about quilting for others--one of them is that as you work on a quilt for someone else, you stitch all of your feelings into the quilt and they go to the person you give the finished quilt to. Love this idea! However, you have to be sure you only work on the quilt when you feel happy and loving or you send bad feelings to the person. I like to think that this is true of all gifts that you make.
For my good thing today, I'm going to work on Christmas presents for the people I love.
Have a wonderful day yourself.
Later that same day....
I just spent a lovely couple of hours, working out in the garden--I picked a bowlfull of green beans, watered everything, admired my cucumber plants in the pot (they look really good), picked a meyer lemon from my tree, and filled some small pots with potting mix. I'm propagating Christmas cactus to give as gifts--probably next year-- and I cut the segments from the parent plant. They need to harden off for 24 hours, so they are resting comfortably on top of my microwave. I will plant them tomorrow--11 new little baby plants. For practically free.
Once I came in, I decided to make some pickled vegetables. I prepared my green beans, got the jars ready (clean and hot), and made the brine. This is what I did. These go in the refrigerator so they aren't water processed, and they last 3 weeks in the fridge. What I really love about this recipe is that it's good for any kind of vegetables--I did green beans, and a cucumber I had in the fridge, but you could add carrots, green tomatoes, really anything. I hate wasting food, so this is a good way to use up a couple of carrots or a half a cucumber you have left over that's not enough for something else. You can also make a jar or two at a time while things are getting ripe.
1 Tbsp. pickling salt, sea salt, or kosher salt--NO IODIZED TABLE SALT.
1 C. Vinegar
1 C. Water
1 head dill or a small bunch of leaves (I used 1 tsp. dried dill weed per jar)
1 clove garlic per jar, smashed and peeled
3 peppercorns per jar
(I also added 2 Tbsp. sugar to the vinegar mixture--sometimes I don't do this)
Put salt, vinegar, and water into a small pan and heat until salt and sugar (if used) are dissolved. While vinegar mixture heats, place a smashed garlic clove, dill, and peppercorns into each jar. Cut up vegetables (I like long narrow pickle shapes) and place into jars. Pour hot vinegar mixture over vegetables. Screw on lids tightly and shake to mix up flavors. Allow to cool, then put into refrigerator.
I have pictures, but I seem to be having a computer glitch so I can't upload--will solve that problem today with my IT Department.... Kaleigh.
If you have any interest at all in canning, I would recommend that you try it. I enjoy it a lot, although I suspect that would be because I'm not a farmer and don't have to spend days and days at it. I do it at my leisure a little at a time.
I got a good night's sleep last night, my presentation went well yesterday, all the kids and grandkids are snug and safe, and I have no huge responsibilities for this weekend, so there is no reason not to be happy. I got up early, I'm enjoying a cup of coffee (not a great cup of coffee, I've mentioned my struggles with coffee-making, but it'll do), I've been checking some stuff out on Pinterest, and doing laundry. I'll putter around this morning, read a little, knit a little, maybe sew a little, then take a nap. Saturday is the only day I allow myself a nap because if I nap on Sunday, I can't fall asleep at night, then I'm tired on Monday. No bueno.
I think I'll make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight. That sounds good.
I have to do my lesson plan for this week. It's actually pretty much done, I just have to organize my thoughts onto the actual plan. My class is doing something really cool to reinforce colors, while I am at the same time assessing who needs more support in this area. We are making a color portfolio, with different art each day. For example, on Monday (red day), we mixed red paint with black and white and painted with it. On Tuesday (blue day), we sponge painted with blue paint. On Wednesday (yellow day), we made yellow collages with all yellow materials. Etc. I think you get the picture. Different color and medium each day. Will post pics when they are finished. The children are really enjoying it too, as the art is finished we are putting it into their own personal portfolios. On the last day, we will use the Salad Spinner (best $1.99 I ever spent at Goodwill!) and use all the colors to make a rainbow painting for the cover.
I've been thinking about what to make for gifts for Christmas this year. I've already started knitting some market bags. They take a little time, but they are really pretty and stretch like crazy--they are perfect for the farmer's market. The key is getting the cotton yarn at half price, or they aren't really cost effective. I like a lot of bang for my buck. (Or, in other words, I'm pretty frugal--or cheap.)
My daughter admired a headband made with buttons sewn to wide elastic, so I'm making one of those for her--it's looking really pretty. I'm infusing it with positive thoughts and love for her. The Hawaiians have some superstitions about quilting for others--one of them is that as you work on a quilt for someone else, you stitch all of your feelings into the quilt and they go to the person you give the finished quilt to. Love this idea! However, you have to be sure you only work on the quilt when you feel happy and loving or you send bad feelings to the person. I like to think that this is true of all gifts that you make.
For my good thing today, I'm going to work on Christmas presents for the people I love.
Have a wonderful day yourself.
Later that same day....
I just spent a lovely couple of hours, working out in the garden--I picked a bowlfull of green beans, watered everything, admired my cucumber plants in the pot (they look really good), picked a meyer lemon from my tree, and filled some small pots with potting mix. I'm propagating Christmas cactus to give as gifts--probably next year-- and I cut the segments from the parent plant. They need to harden off for 24 hours, so they are resting comfortably on top of my microwave. I will plant them tomorrow--11 new little baby plants. For practically free.
Once I came in, I decided to make some pickled vegetables. I prepared my green beans, got the jars ready (clean and hot), and made the brine. This is what I did. These go in the refrigerator so they aren't water processed, and they last 3 weeks in the fridge. What I really love about this recipe is that it's good for any kind of vegetables--I did green beans, and a cucumber I had in the fridge, but you could add carrots, green tomatoes, really anything. I hate wasting food, so this is a good way to use up a couple of carrots or a half a cucumber you have left over that's not enough for something else. You can also make a jar or two at a time while things are getting ripe.
1 Tbsp. pickling salt, sea salt, or kosher salt--NO IODIZED TABLE SALT.
1 C. Vinegar
1 C. Water
1 head dill or a small bunch of leaves (I used 1 tsp. dried dill weed per jar)
1 clove garlic per jar, smashed and peeled
3 peppercorns per jar
(I also added 2 Tbsp. sugar to the vinegar mixture--sometimes I don't do this)
Put salt, vinegar, and water into a small pan and heat until salt and sugar (if used) are dissolved. While vinegar mixture heats, place a smashed garlic clove, dill, and peppercorns into each jar. Cut up vegetables (I like long narrow pickle shapes) and place into jars. Pour hot vinegar mixture over vegetables. Screw on lids tightly and shake to mix up flavors. Allow to cool, then put into refrigerator.
I have pictures, but I seem to be having a computer glitch so I can't upload--will solve that problem today with my IT Department.... Kaleigh.
If you have any interest at all in canning, I would recommend that you try it. I enjoy it a lot, although I suspect that would be because I'm not a farmer and don't have to spend days and days at it. I do it at my leisure a little at a time.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Challenge: Day 14
Today I gave a presentation at a conference about the way we teach at my school, which is very different from other schools. It went wonderfully.
The nice thing that I did today was to help someone find her way to her workshop. She was clearly lost, and we knew where she was going (me and Ms. Cathy, my coworker) so we walked her there.
Also, I didn't smack the two idiots sitting in the front row of my presentation giggling and chatting through our very compelling presentation. Very nice of me.
I am two weeks into my happiness experiment, and I have to say, I am feeling happier, and more aware of opportunities to be nice. I also think I should post every day something like the thing above, where I did something nice, like not throatpunch somebody for annoying the crap out of me.
Again, PMS sucks.
The nice thing that I did today was to help someone find her way to her workshop. She was clearly lost, and we knew where she was going (me and Ms. Cathy, my coworker) so we walked her there.
Also, I didn't smack the two idiots sitting in the front row of my presentation giggling and chatting through our very compelling presentation. Very nice of me.
I am two weeks into my happiness experiment, and I have to say, I am feeling happier, and more aware of opportunities to be nice. I also think I should post every day something like the thing above, where I did something nice, like not throatpunch somebody for annoying the crap out of me.
Again, PMS sucks.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Challenge: Day 13
Today my good thing was to let somebody in front of me in traffic who was obviously too stupid to figure out what lane they wanted to be in.
On an unrelated note, I'll be glad when my PMS is gone.
On an unrelated note, I'll be glad when my PMS is gone.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Organization of my Classroom...
I've been in my classroom now for three years, and I think I FINALLY have it organized in the way that makes sense to me. And my assistant.
First, let me say that I work at a university lab school (preschool) with five classrooms. All of them, except mine, have storage closets and/or shelves for storing rotating materials. EXCEPT MINE. I have a small cave of an office, which can't really be used for working in (it's about 5' x 10 ft) since the computer is out in the classroom. I like the computer in the classroom because we use it a lot with the children. Over the last couple of years, I've had some shelves added above the computer desk to store bins on, and moved a large cabinet out of the office to store art materials in. But that still didn't give me any good place to store materials that I rotate in my centers. I couldn't find anything when I need it, but everything was underfoot when I didn't need it!
This summer, I spent time every week procuring shelves for the office. We used to keep the rest time cots in the office too, but that was difficult to get them out and put them back, so I never liked that situation at all. As we added shelves (all of them--5-- free through surplus and donations), we moved the cots into a corner of the classroom. While we were closed this summer, I took everything out of the office and off the shelves and from everywhere else I had them stashed, and sorted them into centers. I labeled several shelves for each center-- art, play dough, light table/mirror, science, outdoors, block center materials, math, literacy, classroom decorations. I then sorted all the materials into bins on the shelves. I INSIST that everyone put things back on the shelves they came from, and make sure to do it myself.
This year so far has been so EASY! I haven't spent any time searching for this or that, and I've even found things that other people can't find. The bins on the shelves are for things we do every year and various celebrations and decorations like Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, etc.
I try to set out our art materials for the week, and the books we are going to read that week as well. That makes for easy set up every day. I try to clear off the computer desk at the end of each day, and faithfully keep a to-do list daily. On Friday, I make a list of anything special we are doing the next week so I can do any shopping I need to or make any requests from my administration or coworkers. So far, so good.
First, let me say that I work at a university lab school (preschool) with five classrooms. All of them, except mine, have storage closets and/or shelves for storing rotating materials. EXCEPT MINE. I have a small cave of an office, which can't really be used for working in (it's about 5' x 10 ft) since the computer is out in the classroom. I like the computer in the classroom because we use it a lot with the children. Over the last couple of years, I've had some shelves added above the computer desk to store bins on, and moved a large cabinet out of the office to store art materials in. But that still didn't give me any good place to store materials that I rotate in my centers. I couldn't find anything when I need it, but everything was underfoot when I didn't need it!
This summer, I spent time every week procuring shelves for the office. We used to keep the rest time cots in the office too, but that was difficult to get them out and put them back, so I never liked that situation at all. As we added shelves (all of them--5-- free through surplus and donations), we moved the cots into a corner of the classroom. While we were closed this summer, I took everything out of the office and off the shelves and from everywhere else I had them stashed, and sorted them into centers. I labeled several shelves for each center-- art, play dough, light table/mirror, science, outdoors, block center materials, math, literacy, classroom decorations. I then sorted all the materials into bins on the shelves. I INSIST that everyone put things back on the shelves they came from, and make sure to do it myself.
This year so far has been so EASY! I haven't spent any time searching for this or that, and I've even found things that other people can't find. The bins on the shelves are for things we do every year and various celebrations and decorations like Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, etc.
I try to set out our art materials for the week, and the books we are going to read that week as well. That makes for easy set up every day. I try to clear off the computer desk at the end of each day, and faithfully keep a to-do list daily. On Friday, I make a list of anything special we are doing the next week so I can do any shopping I need to or make any requests from my administration or coworkers. So far, so good.
Challenge: Day 12
Today's kind thing is a little lame. I'm sure I did nice things for people, but I didn't really do a "real" kindness. That's sad. So here is what I am going to do. Tonight when my daughter gets home, instead of starting what I know is going to be an argument, I'm going to just hug her and talk to her about some things. Talk.... not get mad, not yell, just talk. Give her information. That's it.
I think that's very nice of me.
Well, maybe not even exactly nice, but it's definitely going to make me and her feel better. Some days you can only do what you can do.
On Friday, I am presenting a workshop at a conference. This is big for me. Love it. This may surprise some people who knew me when I was younger, but I LOVE to give presentations. If I could speak in front of people every day, I'd be a happy girl. There's nothing more exhilarating to me. So I'm looking forward to this--not sure if my co-presenter feels the same way. But it is a form of sharing the love in the world.
I think I'll knit for awhile tonight and go to bed early. I'm tired from staying up late to watch Sons of Anarchy. I might have to stop watching it on Tuesday nights since I get all wound up and then can't sleep for an hour or more after the show. Ridiculous. What am I--3?
I think that's very nice of me.
Well, maybe not even exactly nice, but it's definitely going to make me and her feel better. Some days you can only do what you can do.
On Friday, I am presenting a workshop at a conference. This is big for me. Love it. This may surprise some people who knew me when I was younger, but I LOVE to give presentations. If I could speak in front of people every day, I'd be a happy girl. There's nothing more exhilarating to me. So I'm looking forward to this--not sure if my co-presenter feels the same way. But it is a form of sharing the love in the world.
I think I'll knit for awhile tonight and go to bed early. I'm tired from staying up late to watch Sons of Anarchy. I might have to stop watching it on Tuesday nights since I get all wound up and then can't sleep for an hour or more after the show. Ridiculous. What am I--3?
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Okay, this is the REAL post...
It's very gratifying to me when I sign into blogspot and there are a whole bunch of hits on my blog. It feels so good that I want to thank you for checking in. So...thank you....
I'm not feeling great today, PMS sucks. I'm sure I've said this before. So, due to my status--which is very PMS-ey, I want to post about some of my pet peeves. This is not a comprehensive list.
I'm not feeling great today, PMS sucks. I'm sure I've said this before. So, due to my status--which is very PMS-ey, I want to post about some of my pet peeves. This is not a comprehensive list.
- The word irregardless. It's not a word. You mean irrespective. Or just regardless.
- When people add -ical at the end of words that don't end that way. For example, cosmetical. Electronical. You get the idea.
- When people laugh at inappropriate times. Not when they laugh inappropriately, because that's hysterical. I'm talking about when nothing is funny, and a person laughs after every sentence. Horrible.
- Lateness. I'm early for everything, and I find it very annoying for others to always be late and make every event about them. Obnoxious.
My body is aching and I think I'll go to bed early tonight, even though Sons of Anarchy is on. Maybe I'll just go read until it comes on.
Have a great night.
Challenge: Day 11
Today I had another day-long professional development workshop. I made a point to compliment one of my table-mates. She seems kind of needy and is always talking about what a great employee she is, etc. so I figured she needed it today.
Not much else going on. I don't feel well. And PMS sucks.
Not much else going on. I don't feel well. And PMS sucks.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Challenge: Day 10
Today my good deed is for myself. It's rainy and nasty outside, and I'm going to snuggle into my bed early and read. I love that idea. (I did do something nice for someone at work today, although I'm not at liberty to say what it was...)
Sunday, September 22, 2013
A Little Something Extra...
So, hello. I'm babysitting my granddaughters who have to be the two easiest kids in the whole world. They are busy dressing up and I was told to stay here for the show. So cute.
I did my good deeds today. I feel good. I actually did several on the list I have going, so I feel extra good.
I'm thinking about sewing projects I can do for myself. I need to make myself some time to sit and look for one either online or in the many books I have. Or patterns. One of my days I'm going to do myself a good deed and make time for this. Maybe tomorrow.
Tomorrow in my classroom we are making mini apple pies. Each child will make their own. Normally we make applesauce, but that is an all-day process and the kids don't really like to eat it because it doesn't look like any kind of applesauce they have ever eaten. Then I optimistically put it into the fridge in case anyone will eat it, then I throw it away a few days later. Cut out the middleman. Make something they will eat. Duh. I need to make up some recipe cards for the kids to follow.
It's showtime!......
Show's over--it was spectacular. The girls were dressed in princess costumes and a LOT of jewelry. They looked very fancy. They paraded around until they felt I had exclaimed over their beauty and obvious genius enough, and now they are watching "My Little Pony". Such good girls.
I did my good deeds today. I feel good. I actually did several on the list I have going, so I feel extra good.
I'm thinking about sewing projects I can do for myself. I need to make myself some time to sit and look for one either online or in the many books I have. Or patterns. One of my days I'm going to do myself a good deed and make time for this. Maybe tomorrow.
Tomorrow in my classroom we are making mini apple pies. Each child will make their own. Normally we make applesauce, but that is an all-day process and the kids don't really like to eat it because it doesn't look like any kind of applesauce they have ever eaten. Then I optimistically put it into the fridge in case anyone will eat it, then I throw it away a few days later. Cut out the middleman. Make something they will eat. Duh. I need to make up some recipe cards for the kids to follow.
It's showtime!......
Show's over--it was spectacular. The girls were dressed in princess costumes and a LOT of jewelry. They looked very fancy. They paraded around until they felt I had exclaimed over their beauty and obvious genius enough, and now they are watching "My Little Pony". Such good girls.
Challenge: Day 9 (A Great Day)
So... today I will project positivity for the entire day. Everywhere I go, I plan to spread the love. Say nice things to everyone I come across, laugh a lot, share information with those who need it, and just generally be the change I want to see in the world.
This challenge is doing what I suspected it would...making me happy. I can only hope it's making others happy too, but I can't really know that.
Doing a little laundry this morning, worked in the garden a little, and I'm going over to see my mom later. She was in the hospital for a long time, and she's home now--I'm glad she's doing better. I'm also having lunch with a hysterical friend today, and I'm really looking forward to that. It's shaping up to be a great day.
This challenge is doing what I suspected it would...making me happy. I can only hope it's making others happy too, but I can't really know that.
Doing a little laundry this morning, worked in the garden a little, and I'm going over to see my mom later. She was in the hospital for a long time, and she's home now--I'm glad she's doing better. I'm also having lunch with a hysterical friend today, and I'm really looking forward to that. It's shaping up to be a great day.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Challenge: Day 8
My good deed for today was to help my neighbor carry some stuff from her car to her house. I was mowing my grass and saw her struggling with some heavy bags, so I went over and helped. She doesn't speak English and my Spanish is pretty much limited to "Where is the library?" even after three years of Spanish classes, so conversation was limited, but we both smiled a lot. The universal language.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Some Things You Need To Know About Me....
I've noticed a few things about myself lately--they probably won't be earth shattering to you, but it's interesting to me because these are things I literally NEVER think about, and they are intrinsic to my personality.
Kaleigh got a half-dead rose bush (marked down, of course) and I've been babying it back to life. It actually looks pretty good, and she's gotten a couple of buds on it--it's called a Candy Stripe Rose, and it's pink and white striped. Very pretty. We are waiting for another bud to open now. It's a climber so we really need to choose a spot to plant it and get some kind of trellis going. I'm thinking of building one with long, straight limbs from a horrible tree thing in my front yard that was planted UNDER the oak tree. I can only assume that the oak tree was MUCH smaller then....Anyway, this tree thing (it's bigger than a bush, but smaller than a tree) is very long branched because they are reaching for sun. Looks awful, but good for me since I can cut the branches and use them--for a trellis for the rose bush. I built a green bean teepee out of them already, but the darn thing has to go. I hate to be wasteful.
Peace, love, and compost.
- I love exclamation points when I write!
- I also love dashes--they really help me to clear up my thoughts.
- I resist change. I think of myself as pretty flexible, but the truth is...I love my routine. When I'm not in my regular battle rhythm, I'm out of sorts.
- I need time to stew about things. Or, as I prefer to call it, THINK about things. Sometimes it seems like I'm procrastinating, but the thinking really is an essential part of the process for me.
- I can do difficult things. Sometimes I think I can't but if I just tell my mind to shut up, I can usually get done with what I need to get done.
- I'm a huge believer in karma. This is no secret to me--but it's reaffirmed every day.
- Miracles happen. I KNOW this.
- There are angels on earth--I KNOW this too. Have a little experience with them.
- I don't make enough time to do the things I love to do. Take sewing, for example. I love it, but the only time I actually do it is for other people. Like for Christmas presents. This goes for knitting too. I have no small children any more, so I should have time for these things.
- I can literally send love out into the universe. It's not just a hippie phrase. It's happening.
- I'm a
cheapfrugal person. I don't remember the last time I paid retail for anything. This goes for food, clothes, shoes, even my car. I accept this. - There are some things about myself that I will never understand. I can't explain them. I am a preschool teacher who watches Sons of Anarchy and loves Jax Teller. I have read the Twilight Series of books more times than I will tell you about. I love good food, but I hate to cook (usually). I love compost. And worms. And worm castings, which is really poop. These things are especially unexplainable.
- I adore my bed. So much so that I would wash my sheets every day if I didn't think that would make me seem insane. There is nothing better than clean, fresh sheets, a fresh nightgown (I'm old school--a flannel nightgown is best--none of those newfangled sleep shirts for me!) and a good book. There's nothing those few things can't cure.
Kaleigh got a half-dead rose bush (marked down, of course) and I've been babying it back to life. It actually looks pretty good, and she's gotten a couple of buds on it--it's called a Candy Stripe Rose, and it's pink and white striped. Very pretty. We are waiting for another bud to open now. It's a climber so we really need to choose a spot to plant it and get some kind of trellis going. I'm thinking of building one with long, straight limbs from a horrible tree thing in my front yard that was planted UNDER the oak tree. I can only assume that the oak tree was MUCH smaller then....Anyway, this tree thing (it's bigger than a bush, but smaller than a tree) is very long branched because they are reaching for sun. Looks awful, but good for me since I can cut the branches and use them--for a trellis for the rose bush. I built a green bean teepee out of them already, but the darn thing has to go. I hate to be wasteful.
Peace, love, and compost.
Challenge: Day 7
Today I spent some time talking to a friend who really needed me. Not me particularly, I think, but a friend, so we talked. I've been feeling overwhelmed by my "situations" and I guess I forget that other people are going through stuff too. Anyway, I think that qualifies as my good thing for today. There was a hug at the end of the conversation.
I also burned up the email lines (and how does email get from one place to another anyway?) with my friend Mary Beth. We have been sending each other funny stuff (questionable as to how funny it is to anyone else) and hysterically laughing. And developing our positively diabolical plan to play a prank on her husband. One he will never appreciate. Or understand. I totally think more planning is required--we don't want the whole thing to go horribly awry. It has to be something that we can also play on other people, so we can get more mileage out of it. I'm thinking my sister and my son....
Looking forward to this weekend. I'm going to babysit my gorgeous granddaughters tonight for a while, then tomorrow I'm going to work in the garden, and mow the grass. And nap. Definitely nap. On Sunday I'm meeting Mary Beth for lunch at my favorite place. We need to firm up the "plans". Will fill you in as things progress.
A former family from my classroom (my first class) visited today--my little friend is so grown up! Her mom is from Belarus and she just raved over how wonderful our class was and how much she loved her daughter being in our class. It was wonderful--sometimes we get bogged down in our daily work and forget how much of a difference we can make. And I can use all the positive energy I can get right now.
Have a lovely evening!
I also burned up the email lines (and how does email get from one place to another anyway?) with my friend Mary Beth. We have been sending each other funny stuff (questionable as to how funny it is to anyone else) and hysterically laughing. And developing our positively diabolical plan to play a prank on her husband. One he will never appreciate. Or understand. I totally think more planning is required--we don't want the whole thing to go horribly awry. It has to be something that we can also play on other people, so we can get more mileage out of it. I'm thinking my sister and my son....
Looking forward to this weekend. I'm going to babysit my gorgeous granddaughters tonight for a while, then tomorrow I'm going to work in the garden, and mow the grass. And nap. Definitely nap. On Sunday I'm meeting Mary Beth for lunch at my favorite place. We need to firm up the "plans". Will fill you in as things progress.
A former family from my classroom (my first class) visited today--my little friend is so grown up! Her mom is from Belarus and she just raved over how wonderful our class was and how much she loved her daughter being in our class. It was wonderful--sometimes we get bogged down in our daily work and forget how much of a difference we can make. And I can use all the positive energy I can get right now.
Have a lovely evening!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Challenge: Day 6
I've been doing some anonymous nice things around my work today. I may never know if anyone happened upon them or not, since nobody knows it was me that did them, and at the risk of "outing myself", I guess I will report them here.
I left a gift for someone at work who I know is having a hard time personally. I added a little note saying that I just wanted to do something to brighten her day (it was a small gift really, some soap, body spray, and lotion) and that I am going through a difficult time as well and I'm thinking of her. I don't think she'll suspect me.
The other thing I did was leave a couple of drinks in the refrigerator at work with a note that says, "If you are thirsty, drink me."
I have also been especially funny today, thanks to something nice somebody did for me. (Thanks, Mary Beth!) She sent me a link to a funny blog, and I've been laughing all day. Not like appropriate snickering.... I'm talking about hysterically laughing so much that I'm pretty sure that my coworkers think I'm insane at this point. But I haven't felt this happy in awhile, so what's a little suspected insanity? This just reaffirms my belief that you get what you put out there. Karma, baby.
The challenge is going well so far, although each day I'm starting to have a little trouble thinking up something nice to do. Originally, that upset me a little--is it so hard for me to be nice? But that's not it, really. I think that I normally do nice things, and my rule was I have to do something I wouldn't normally do, so it's not so easy to come up with those ideas. Maybe I need to make a list or something. I'm pretty convinced that the answer to all the world's problems is a well thought-out list.
I left a gift for someone at work who I know is having a hard time personally. I added a little note saying that I just wanted to do something to brighten her day (it was a small gift really, some soap, body spray, and lotion) and that I am going through a difficult time as well and I'm thinking of her. I don't think she'll suspect me.
The other thing I did was leave a couple of drinks in the refrigerator at work with a note that says, "If you are thirsty, drink me."
I have also been especially funny today, thanks to something nice somebody did for me. (Thanks, Mary Beth!) She sent me a link to a funny blog, and I've been laughing all day. Not like appropriate snickering.... I'm talking about hysterically laughing so much that I'm pretty sure that my coworkers think I'm insane at this point. But I haven't felt this happy in awhile, so what's a little suspected insanity? This just reaffirms my belief that you get what you put out there. Karma, baby.
The challenge is going well so far, although each day I'm starting to have a little trouble thinking up something nice to do. Originally, that upset me a little--is it so hard for me to be nice? But that's not it, really. I think that I normally do nice things, and my rule was I have to do something I wouldn't normally do, so it's not so easy to come up with those ideas. Maybe I need to make a list or something. I'm pretty convinced that the answer to all the world's problems is a well thought-out list.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Challenge: Day 5...
Today I paid for the coffee of the person behind me at Dunkin' Donuts. I wonder what they thought when the pulled up to the window. And I've been smiling all day.
This is a passionflower--gorgeous, isn't it? This is a picture I took on our playground this morning.
It's a lovely day, isn't it?
It's going to storm soon, which I love. I love a good Orlando thunderstorm, and I love not having to pay for the water for my garden. I just curl up in bed and read. Right now I'm between books, so I need to make a decision about what to read next. I have a completely absorbing early childhood journal to read tonight (no, that wasn't sarcasm).
Maybe now would be a good time to read the entire Sookie Stackhouse series in order, one after the other. That is one of my 50 Before 50 promises to myself. (In case you are new here, I have a list of 50 things I want to do before I turn ... that age.) I have almost two years to do these things, and I've already crossed some things off. I haven't posted the list, mostly because I don't have 50 things on it yet, maybe I will on a day when I can't think of anything interesting to write about. For now, you can just wonder what I'm up to.
This is a passionflower--gorgeous, isn't it? This is a picture I took on our playground this morning.
It's a lovely day, isn't it?
It's going to storm soon, which I love. I love a good Orlando thunderstorm, and I love not having to pay for the water for my garden. I just curl up in bed and read. Right now I'm between books, so I need to make a decision about what to read next. I have a completely absorbing early childhood journal to read tonight (no, that wasn't sarcasm).
Maybe now would be a good time to read the entire Sookie Stackhouse series in order, one after the other. That is one of my 50 Before 50 promises to myself. (In case you are new here, I have a list of 50 things I want to do before I turn ... that age.) I have almost two years to do these things, and I've already crossed some things off. I haven't posted the list, mostly because I don't have 50 things on it yet, maybe I will on a day when I can't think of anything interesting to write about. For now, you can just wonder what I'm up to.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Challenge: Day 4!!!
Today I did something nice for who I assume is a homeless person (although maybe I shouldn't assume that). I stopped at Wawa for coffee this morning--Pumpkin Spice is awesome!--and I saw a woman sitting outside, I've seen her around the area before. At the risk of sounding biased, she looked homeless. Or at least hungry. So I bought a sandwich, fruit, some chips and juice, and handed her the bag as I went out to get in my car. She looked confused but took the bag. She didn't even look inside it--I wonder what she thought it was. Anyway, I just kept walking because I didn't want her to be embarrassed or think that I was expecting any thanks or anything like that. I got in my car and went to work. It felt good.
I've been thinking that there may come a time that I have to clarify what's okay and what's not for my challenge--I will do that on a case-by-case basis. For now, I'm liking the way it's going.
And I'd like to thank Sandy Weber Allen--she posted on Facebook something nice she did for a homeless person and it inspired me. Not sure if it was unrelated or not, since I have NO IDEA who reads my blog. All I know is that about 100 people per week do, as to who they are--I can't call it. I wish I did know....hint-hint.
I saw two huge, fat, green caterpillars on my green bean plants this morning, and the leaves have been looking kind of chewed up, so tonight I'm going out and pick those bitches off. Where there's two, I'm sure there's more. How dare they eat my green bean leaves! I'm totally offended.
In other news, I'm feeling very lonely tonight. I really need to learn not to dwell on things I can't do anything about. This is hard for me, because so many people THINK THEY ARE RIGHT at the expense of everyone else. I am seriously sending my heart out to everyone I love tonight. And to those of you WHO THINK YOU ARE RIGHT, I'm sending love to you too. You need it. It seems like you don't love yourselves very much right now.
I've been thinking that there may come a time that I have to clarify what's okay and what's not for my challenge--I will do that on a case-by-case basis. For now, I'm liking the way it's going.
And I'd like to thank Sandy Weber Allen--she posted on Facebook something nice she did for a homeless person and it inspired me. Not sure if it was unrelated or not, since I have NO IDEA who reads my blog. All I know is that about 100 people per week do, as to who they are--I can't call it. I wish I did know....hint-hint.
I saw two huge, fat, green caterpillars on my green bean plants this morning, and the leaves have been looking kind of chewed up, so tonight I'm going out and pick those bitches off. Where there's two, I'm sure there's more. How dare they eat my green bean leaves! I'm totally offended.
In other news, I'm feeling very lonely tonight. I really need to learn not to dwell on things I can't do anything about. This is hard for me, because so many people THINK THEY ARE RIGHT at the expense of everyone else. I am seriously sending my heart out to everyone I love tonight. And to those of you WHO THINK YOU ARE RIGHT, I'm sending love to you too. You need it. It seems like you don't love yourselves very much right now.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Challenge: Day 3
Today I had to come home from work with an eye infection--so my chances to do something nice are limited. I did some internet surfing, and I found a lovely blog to read... it's called Backyard Bliss-- www.backyardbliss.blogspot.com . It's about gardening and the kind of things I'm loving right now. Canning, managing life, what's being harvested, etc. So for my nice thing, I left several comments telling the author how much I enjoyed reading her blog. It will have to do. I know I'd enjoy reading comments on my blog...(hint-hint).
I don't have much else to report. Things appear to be settling down around me, which is nice.
My little lime tree sprouts are making me happy. They are VERY slow growing. It took two weeks for them to even break through the ground. They are still very tiny--so far five out of ten have sprouted.
I think I'll go read for awhile. Nothing much else to do.
I don't have much else to report. Things appear to be settling down around me, which is nice.
My little lime tree sprouts are making me happy. They are VERY slow growing. It took two weeks for them to even break through the ground. They are still very tiny--so far five out of ten have sprouted.
I think I'll go read for awhile. Nothing much else to do.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Challenge: Day 2
Nothing much to do in the garden this morning. I watered everything really well. I remember reading somewhere that there is a crucial time in green beans lives (when they are blooming and about to set fruit) that they need to have enough water or they don't set fruit properly.
I think I'll visit Lowe's this morning and see what's going on in the garden center. I wish I lived closer to a real nursery--but Lowe's works for me.
Another reason I need to get out, and something I hadn't thought about with my challenge, is that I am really a homebody, and I have to expose myself to people in order to send the love out into the universe. I can't put good things out there if I'm not around anybody else. I have to think about my opportunities.
I took my dog for a walk today and made sure to say hello and smile to every person I saw. I have some kind of an eye infection, so I couldn't go out today anywhere--I had to do what I could to still be nice to others, but stay close to home. I also encouraged my daughter who wasn't feeling well today. We watched a movie together (her choice).
I think I'll visit Lowe's this morning and see what's going on in the garden center. I wish I lived closer to a real nursery--but Lowe's works for me.
Another reason I need to get out, and something I hadn't thought about with my challenge, is that I am really a homebody, and I have to expose myself to people in order to send the love out into the universe. I can't put good things out there if I'm not around anybody else. I have to think about my opportunities.
I took my dog for a walk today and made sure to say hello and smile to every person I saw. I have some kind of an eye infection, so I couldn't go out today anywhere--I had to do what I could to still be nice to others, but stay close to home. I also encouraged my daughter who wasn't feeling well today. We watched a movie together (her choice).
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Challenge: Day 1
***My Good Thing For Today--I was on Facebook this morning for my daily check-in, and an old friend messaged me--his name is John and I've known him since I was 12. He's in the navy and is now stationed in Afghanistan. I had no idea. So I got his address and I will make a point to write to him and send him little care packages. He is a great friend--I consider him one of my closest friends and I know how much mail means when you are deployed. I will also be thinking happy thoughts about him each day.
Lesson planning, gardening, laundry, mopping the kitchen floor, and puttering around the house are on my agenda today. I find doing all of those things very satisfying so I don't mind any of them (even mopping the floor!). I'd like to organize my closet too, but we'll see about that. I definitely want to get out this morning into the garden. I'm on green bean watch. So many flowers, I should have a ton of green beans soon. I'm going to pickle some and freeze some. And EAT some straight out of the garden. I need to soak up some vitamin D and get my hands in some dirt.
I have key lime tree sprouts! That is very exciting! Three sprouts so far, they are very tiny, so I think more will come. They apparently grow pretty slowly--it took them two weeks to germinate. I woke up last night to a lot of rain, so I think I will wait and fertilize the garden tomorrow, I don't think I even need to water it today.
Heading out... maybe I'll post more later.
Garden looks pretty good...everything is growing nicely. I'll be happy when I can see some actual green beans.
Lesson planning, gardening, laundry, mopping the kitchen floor, and puttering around the house are on my agenda today. I find doing all of those things very satisfying so I don't mind any of them (even mopping the floor!). I'd like to organize my closet too, but we'll see about that. I definitely want to get out this morning into the garden. I'm on green bean watch. So many flowers, I should have a ton of green beans soon. I'm going to pickle some and freeze some. And EAT some straight out of the garden. I need to soak up some vitamin D and get my hands in some dirt.
I have key lime tree sprouts! That is very exciting! Three sprouts so far, they are very tiny, so I think more will come. They apparently grow pretty slowly--it took them two weeks to germinate. I woke up last night to a lot of rain, so I think I will wait and fertilize the garden tomorrow, I don't think I even need to water it today.
Heading out... maybe I'll post more later.
Garden looks pretty good...everything is growing nicely. I'll be happy when I can see some actual green beans.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Sending Love Out Into the Universe (I know I'm a hippie)...
Okay, I have made a decision. For the next month, I am going to send love out into the universe. Every. Single. Day.
I challenge myself to do something every day (CONSCIOUSLY!) to make someone else feel good. Things that I already do for people don't count. I have to actually think about it and do something nice for someone. And they have to know that someone made an effort. They don't necessarily have to know who.
The reason I came to this idea is that as I've mentioned before, recently I've been going through a very stressful time in my life. And I don't see much of an end in sight. So I have to do something that really makes me feel good instead of always just trying to get through the day. (I do not in any way mean to imply that I don't have some really wonderful things in my life, or that I'm not happy or anything like that, it's just a few things that are ongoing suck up all my attention.) I've been thinking for awhile about how good I feel when I do something nice for the person behind me in line. Sometimes I pay the toll on the highway for the person behind me or I pay for the order of the person behind me when I'm getting coffee at Dunkin' Donuts. These are tiny things as far as money goes--at most a couple of dollars--but I giggle all day after I've done it.
The cashier usually smiles and makes a nice comment, and I imagine she thinks about it and does something nice too. Then those two people who have had something nice done for them do something nice for two other people. Kind of like that old shampoo (was it Breck?) commercial.
One time my daughter asked me if anyone had ever done that for me, and I thought about it and no one ever has. But I don't care. That would be nice, but I probably wouldn't giggle about it all day.
So I am going to see if doing nice things for others really does make me happier than having other people do nice things for me. Will definitely post each day what happens.
I start tomorrow...
I challenge myself to do something every day (CONSCIOUSLY!) to make someone else feel good. Things that I already do for people don't count. I have to actually think about it and do something nice for someone. And they have to know that someone made an effort. They don't necessarily have to know who.
The reason I came to this idea is that as I've mentioned before, recently I've been going through a very stressful time in my life. And I don't see much of an end in sight. So I have to do something that really makes me feel good instead of always just trying to get through the day. (I do not in any way mean to imply that I don't have some really wonderful things in my life, or that I'm not happy or anything like that, it's just a few things that are ongoing suck up all my attention.) I've been thinking for awhile about how good I feel when I do something nice for the person behind me in line. Sometimes I pay the toll on the highway for the person behind me or I pay for the order of the person behind me when I'm getting coffee at Dunkin' Donuts. These are tiny things as far as money goes--at most a couple of dollars--but I giggle all day after I've done it.
The cashier usually smiles and makes a nice comment, and I imagine she thinks about it and does something nice too. Then those two people who have had something nice done for them do something nice for two other people. Kind of like that old shampoo (was it Breck?) commercial.
One time my daughter asked me if anyone had ever done that for me, and I thought about it and no one ever has. But I don't care. That would be nice, but I probably wouldn't giggle about it all day.
So I am going to see if doing nice things for others really does make me happier than having other people do nice things for me. Will definitely post each day what happens.
I start tomorrow...
Thursday, September 12, 2013
A Great Day at School!
Today was a great day at school. We got so much done, and the kids all were engaged and active in the classroom with the activities we planned. We stayed to our schedule, and even got some extra things done that we just have to fit in somewhere. We did apple rolling (art), added some sparkle to a previous art project (my classroom is KNOWN for it's propensity for glitter), did some writing about our observations in the science center (illustrating our observations of cut apples, using magnifying glasses), a math activity (counting tiny apples while placing them onto a tree mat with tongs, how many yellow, how many red, how many green, how many all together?) that was also good for fine motor practice, an "apple toss" at another center (tossing red, yellow, and green bean bags into a basket and counting them up), and finally, we started setting up our "Apple Store" in the dramatic play center. This is a loosely interpreted store, where we sell anything that has any remote thing to do with apples. Of course we sell apples, but we also sell apple cookies, Apple computers, apple jacks, etc. We also have our own economy. When you come in the store, the shopkeeper gives you money and when you buy something, you give it back to him or her. The friends set the prices and make their own signs. Photos to come (when the store gets finished).
Sometimes I feel like the day has gone by and I wonder what we really did? But days like today make up for those days by a long shot.
Sometimes I feel like the day has gone by and I wonder what we really did? But days like today make up for those days by a long shot.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
I Am A Professional....
Today I was professionally developed. I have been taking a series of workshops about supervising employees. No surprise, I suppose that I'd rather do something myself than argue with somebody else about why to do it. But the truth is, if I were a better supervisor, I wouldn't HAVE to do a lot of things myself.
Anyway, while I was there, I made a list of things to blog about. It goes as follows:
Anyway, while I was there, I made a list of things to blog about. It goes as follows:
- Benjamin Franklin had a group of people who met for forty years for "mutual improvement". Interesting concept.
- Learn to ENJOY NOW.
- I need to think about identifying what brings me joy, satisfaction and engagement. What makes me feel guilt, anger, boredom or remorse?
(On an unrelated note, perhaps if I paid better attention in the workshop instead of making lists, I would be a better supervisor...just a thought) I'm glad that this series is only one day a week (4 weeks). It's exhausting to have such a change in my schedule.
Tonight is the season premiere of Sons of Anarchy. I am SO looking forward to it. I think I need to marry Jax Teller. I wonder if he's into big girls.... food for thought.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Nothing much to talk about...
Back to work today... I love weekends, but I love work too. Apple Project, here I come!
My quiet, relaxed weekend went pretty much as planned. Yesterday I grocery shopped, which desperately needed to get done, and made cheesy chicken enchiladas for me, Kaleigh, Tara (daughter-in-law), Bianca and Bridgette (granddaughters). It was nice. They are all such sweet girls, and we laughed a lot, which was nice.
On Saturday, I had lunch with my friend Mary Beth, that was wonderful, as always. Other than that, this weekend I just puttered around, cooked, read, did a little cleaning and laundry, and worked in the garden a little. I didn't end up planting because the ground was so wet, maybe tonight I can do a little digging.
My quiet, relaxed weekend went pretty much as planned. Yesterday I grocery shopped, which desperately needed to get done, and made cheesy chicken enchiladas for me, Kaleigh, Tara (daughter-in-law), Bianca and Bridgette (granddaughters). It was nice. They are all such sweet girls, and we laughed a lot, which was nice.
On Saturday, I had lunch with my friend Mary Beth, that was wonderful, as always. Other than that, this weekend I just puttered around, cooked, read, did a little cleaning and laundry, and worked in the garden a little. I didn't end up planting because the ground was so wet, maybe tonight I can do a little digging.
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