Saturday, January 10, 2015

Celebrating Making It Through

I have finally decided to play along with Ruth Ayres and friends! Pretty excited!

There were lots of celebrations and *heart flutters* this past week. The one I think I am the most excited about is coming to you today from the couch.

I made it through the first week back after Christmas break! It went by quickly except for Friday afternoon, but even that I made it through!

To celebrate, I am curled up on the couch with my cup of Chai, my book and The Coffee House on Sirius XM and enjoying myself for a little bit before I tackle some projects. I don't have any set plans for the day, and that is a celebration too. It is nice to just relax and be for a bit.

What did you celebrate this week?

Friday, January 9, 2015

*Heart Flutter* Friday

Looking back at the past week and the *heart flutters* it brought.

*Pandora in the classroom and on my phone. Along with this song. Just makes me swoon....*
*Watching Friends while working out. Two miles goes pretty quickly with the gang.*
*Crockpot meals that bless friends*
*Homemade calendars from friends*
*After school snacks offered by a thoughtful student*
*Humor in the midst of learning about overwhelming state testing*
*Educational requested blog posts*
*treats left in my box at school*

What made your *heart flutter* this week?

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Slice of Life #1 - Today Was Tough

It has been months since I have participated in Slice of Life over at Two Writing Teachers.
I wanted to do so today, sat down at my computer and went blank. I couldn't think of a darn thing to write about.
About 30 minutes later I thought I could use this book to help me. Sure enough, it did!

Today was tough because                           .
Today in general wasn't too tough, but this morning was a different story. All during Christmas break I stayed up late. I slept in. I took naps. Then comes the first day back, and it is even a Monday! 
I had big plans for Monday morning. I set my alarm, two actually, and was going to get up, do a mile or two on the treadmill, my quiet times, get in early to make sure everything was in order before the students showed up.

Ask me if it happened. 

I slept through both alarms! Great way to start out the new semester. The only thing that happened that I planned for was that I got up! Thankfully I woke up on my own with plenty of time that I wasn't going to be late. Still I was disappointed in my botched plans.

Then today rolls around. Sunday night I was texting with my sister, who also teaches, and we were discussing how hard it is going to be to go back to school. I told her that Tuesday would be worse since it will be the second day back. She agreed and we headed to bed early.
Tuesday's plans looked a lot like Monday's plans. Ask me if I was successful.

Nope. 

My alarm went off, I heard it this time, but I changed it to an hour and a half later and went back to sleep! It was a lot harder to get up this morning than it was to get up yesterday! I can't imagine how Friday is going to look! I will be happy if I show up to school fully dressed and my hair done!
I can't really complain too much about my day. Even though I didn't get done what I wanted to get done and went for sleep instead, I didn't battle being tired at all through out the day. So I guess I needed those few extra minutes. 

Maybe tomorrow I will be successful on my morning plans!

How would you answer this question?

Friday, January 2, 2015

*Heart Flutter* Friday

Looking back at the past week and the *heart flutters* it brought.

*2015 Book List* 
*New entertainment center*
*My very own chime clock*
*Sharing vegetable beef soup with this kid*
*Gifted homemade knitted socks*
*Fun cover on a favorite book*
*Getting my dream puzzle* 

*Being inspired by Louie Zamperini by his strength and forgiveness*
*A Taco Bell picnic with my sister in the car*
*Christmas break naps*
*Finishing the first book of the new year*
*Bacon wrapped little smokies on New Year's Eve*

What made your *heart flutter* this week?

Thursday, January 1, 2015

January 2015 TBR

Can you believe that it is already 2015? It doesn't seem like 15 years ago that we were all freaking out that the world run by computers was going to end and we would all starve. Y2K....weird.

Anyway, here we are trucking along and I have a list of books for the month to keep me entertained.



I have dubbed 2015 as the year to reread some of my favorite books. It has been years since I have read some of them, and I think it is time to revisit. During the year I am going to read a mix of new books, children's books and some rereads.

I read this book a long time ago. I hope that I like it the second time. It took me awhile to get my hands on a copy and now that I have, I am headed to fight the  cholera epidemic. Added perk is that Edward Norton is in the movie!
I have never read a Stephen King book. The reason being, I am too afraid. I don't like to be scared and I have this thought in my head that Stephen King books are scary. Pet Sematary....enough said. I missed the boat when my book club read it and I have seen the movie. It wasn't scary, so I think I will be ok.

With school starting again, these might be the only two books I get to this month. 


Have you read a Stephen King book? Will I be ok?

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The Darkness Surrounded By Bright Stars

Everyone on Facebook is posting their screen shots of their weather bug, and I was starting to feel left out! It has warmed up a good twenty degrees from their pictures to mine. It is a cold one. Timehop tells me that on this day last year I was in the car with the a.c on and threatening to pull out the Chacos! Not so much today! I have on my new homemade socks from my doggie boyfriends!
I am cuddled up on the couch with 80's and 90's country, my clocking ticking away and a new soup recipe in the crock pot.
I had my cup of chai with of A.J and Maya and then filled out my new calendars! It isn't too bad of a way to end the year!

I didn't really want to do an end of the year/new year post, but there are just too many thoughts about the two.

While filling out my calendar and my day planner, I was reminded of all the things that have happened this past year. I can't really say that it was a good one. I had several big events that changed my world and have caused lots of adjustments.

I struggled greatly during the second semester of the school year.
My dear friends from the ranch moved, taking my biggest comfort zone with them.
My OMM left us here to navigate the waters without her wisdom, insight, love and patience.
My summer was stolen from me by my back.
My best friend and teaching partner announced her departure from the dynamic duo of fourth grade.

Each of these things have and still do bring me to tears from time to time and I am still dealing/struggling with them.

Yet, I can't just look at the bad/painful events of the year. While looking at these events, I notice the good that surround them.

During the school year, I was touched by several students who have forever impacted my life.
I was honored to give the speech at the 5th grade graduation.
I now have a place to go and visit and explore in Wyoming. I am reminded that distance doesn't always destroy a friendship and social media is helpful!
In the time before and after OMM passed, I got to show her love and how much she meant to me. The love and support that was given to me during this time was heart warming. I have been blessed with memories and lessons that will be with me always.
My back issues, showed me the friends that take care of me when needed and will take care of me. I am never in need of a mother figure! Also, my chiropractor and his receptionist are pretty much the coolest ever and I love seeing them!

And finally, the one with more to still come. Kris Shutts. 
I can't imagine teaching without you. I am going to be lost. I don't even know my own Teachers Pay Teachers log in and password! I only know yours. I realized yesterday that it will be like losing a spouse. I will be reminded next fall of all the little things that you took care of. The best thing about the past seven years with you is the friendship/bond that we have formed. I am going to burn through lots of Audible books (from you account) on my trips back and forth to visit.

I have made new friends, spent time with old, laughed with family, gained new family and truly been blessed by those around me. It would be impossible to mention everyone and everything, but know that each time my *heart fluttered*

No matter how horrible things may seem, there are always bright stars shining all around.

Happy New Year and may 2015 be filled with bright stars and *heart flutters* all around you!

Monday, December 29, 2014

Books I Read in 2014

Another year in the books. Speaking of books, let's look at the books I enjoyed this past year shall we?











56 books total this year. That also puts my total for my 1,000 book challenge up to 397 in the last 9 years. I look forward to the upcoming year's book adventures.

What were some of your favorite books this past year?