Thursday, August 23, 2012

10 Things Thursday

10 words.

1. worry
2. peace
3. guilt
4. forgiveness
5. fear
6. courage
7. pain
8. joy
9. loud
10. gentle

Friday, August 17, 2012

The Story of How I Came To Sit Beside Ellen Travolta

So here's how it happened.

11:00am--Dentist appointment. No cavities and still 33 teeth. (You'd think my dentist would get over that weird thing about me after 25 years of being my dentist. He hasn't.)
11:45--Pick up Arrty (and his Arby's coupons) for lunch
11:53--Run in to my very best friend from high school and not only feel, but tell her numerous times, how glad I am that she looks so young. (Most people from high school look so old and if she looks young, maybe I do, too!) Spend a few minutes catching up and promise to call to set up a time to go to lunch.
12:58--Visit the University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene office to pay for Arrty's college course.
12:59--Grudgingly hand over a check for $1038 for one.three credit course. ONE class. $1038. Yikes. When is the last time I paid for college? I was shocked, I tell ya.
1:15--Arrive at Figpickels with Julianna and begin an hour of following her around the store as she flits and flutters from shelf to shelf.
2:15--Pay for Miss Julianna's choices: a painting book and a pink, sparkly bracelet and necklace set.
2:27--Arrive at Ramsey park to let Jules try out her painting book and play on the jungle gym. Sit in the shade and marvel at the wonder of life and God's green earth...and the quiet that is so seldom a part of my days.
3:15--Arrive at Target to pick out a new backpack and lunch box for the girly girl. And she chose...wait for it...pink kitties!
4:07--Drop Jules off at her daddy's office so she can go home with him and I can get ready for girls' night out. Then run a few errands all by myself.
4:59--Arrive to pick up Kathy, who is, as usual, ready and waiting with bells on. Or not. Whatever.
5:08--Continue on my taxi service rounds to pick up Alyson, Katrina, Marci and Emily.
5:40--Arrive at Dangerous Dog. Decide to order the original Dangerous Dog (two dogs open faced with chili, cheese, coleslaw, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos). Only I ordered mine with no onions or jalapenos. Kathy said that made it the Slightly Risky Dog instead.
7:10--Head to the theater excited to see Ragtime.
7:24--Sit down in seat 29 instead of my assigned seat of 27.
7:25--Notice stage and screen actor Jack Bannon sitting in seat 25.
7:26--Realize that his date will be his wife, Ellen Travolta!
7:27--Begin whining to Alyson that she's sitting in my seat.
7:28--Switch seats with Alyson when she generously offers.
7:29--Brush arms with Ellen Travolta when she sits down RIGHT NEXT TO ME.
7:30--The show starts during which I write whole conversations for Ellen and I in my head. She leaves right when the lights go up for intermission and at the end of the show, so all we share is a "hi" and a smile. I spend the whole night telling myself I am respecting her privacy instead of being a big, fat, scaredy cat.
9:52--Realize that if I could sing like the girl playing Sara, I would not be a kindergarten teacher. I'd be a singer!
10:35--Leave the theater in search of something sweet.
10:45--Discover that Baskin Robbins is open until 11:00. Enjoy a waffle cone with one scoop of Snickers and one scoop of Nutty Coconut.
11:00--Get kicked out of Baskin Robbins. Begin the drop off service of my girls.
11:53--Arrive home. Give my husband a mild heart attack as he walks out of the bedroom just as I'm walking in.
12:00--Fall into bed a happy girl.




Thursday, August 16, 2012

10 Things Thursday

10 questions...

1. Will it ever stop feeling like part of me is missing when my children are away from me? The boys are at camp this week, and as happy as I am that they get to go to camp, I miss them like crazy. Even though when they are here they pretty much drive me to drink. (I mean if I was a drinker, that is.)
2. Do you ever look at your children and they are so cute and amazing that you get this surreal feeling that they aren't really yours? That still happens to me with Julianna after 4 years. Maybe it's because for so many years I only thought of myself as a mommy of boys, then this little girl makes her appearance and I'm still getting used to the idea. (She does not drive me to drink...yet.)
3. Does summer get shorter every year? Or is it just because 3 months is becoming a smaller and smaller percentage of my life each year?
4. Will my chores ever be done? I'm guessing no. And that makes me tired.
5. Is it good or bad that working at the school all summer has made me think of school all summer? I have my schedule all finished for next year and have been planning lessons. But my room is a mess and that can't be remedied until summer school is over.
6. Why does our Summer Theater only put on four shows? I know, I know. Time and cost and all that. But I wish it was longer. I am both excited and sad that tonight is our last show of the year.
7. Am I seriously getting a cold? Because if I am, I'm not going to be happy. Not one little bit.
8. Who is going to a tea party on Saturday? I am!
9. What should I eat at Dangerous Dog tonight before seeing Ragtime? Any suggestions?
10. How, pray tell, am I supposed to do the bazillion things left on my summer to do list in only 18 short days? How?!

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

WILD Again

I spent the last two days with a bunch of teachers learning how to be better teachers. The Idaho Fish and Game and other state agencies hold classes on using wildlife, forests, and water to teach all subjects in our classrooms. I have taken several of these classes and have never been disappointed. I come away with all kinds of materials to use in the classroom and experience many of the lessons first hand. I use these materials and what I learn in these classes more in my classroom and teaching than anything I've learned in a traditional  education course.

This class, Focus on Literature using Project WILD, Project Learning Tree, and Project WET, was one of my favorites so far because it focused on books. And we all know how much I love books! I was exposed to all kinds of new literature not to mention how to tie it into all subject areas. I have already determined that this next year I'm going to be a different teacher than I've been the last few years. Less traditional. More hands-on. Less read the chapter and do the worksheet. More see-smell-taste-touch-hear this and see what we can learn. Less ho-hum. More fun. Don't you wish you were in my class?! I'm really looking forward to it and this latest class just made me more determined than ever to make the change.

This is one of the books I received at the class.


It has taken a spot on my top 10 list of favorite kid's books. I love it. It's about the lifetimes of a variety of plants and animals. Each page tells about one living thing and then gives a short statement about what we can learn from each. Nice. Can't wait to use it in class.

So another class taken, another credit earned, new friends made, and a whole lot learned. All that's left is to share it!

Friday, August 03, 2012

10 Things Thursday


10 (+2) songs on my Summer of 2012 mixed cd...

1. Call Me Maybe--Carly Rae Jepsen
This song makes me happy especially when the kids and I do the Harvard Boys Baseball dance when we hear it in the car.
2. Somebody That I Used To Know--Gotye
No 2012 mixed cd can be without this one. And it's a great song even if a bit overexposed.
3. Home--Phil Phillips
I called it. I knew Phil would win American Idol. I love him and his first single.
4. Moves Like Jagger--Maroon 5
Adam Levine. That's all. (Plus Julianna is really cute when she sings it.)
5. (Kissed You) Good Night--Gloriana
Love this song. Love it. Makes me remember those first kiss days.
6. Ho Hey--The Lumineers
The melody of this song is amazing.
7. What Makes You Beautiful--One Direction
I couldn't not put a boy band song on my summer cd.
8.  I Won't Give Up--Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz...softer and more mature. I like it a lot.
9. Glad You Came--The Wanted
Okay. So two boy band songs.
10. Drive By--Train
How did I just discover Train?
11. Stronger--Kelly Clarkson
Obligatory anthem.
12. Crazy Girl--Eli Young Band
Because I love songs written about me.

Want a copy of my super awesome Summer of 2012 mixed cd?! Just leave a comment and I'll pick a lucky winner next week.