It's been 3 years in the making and I've finally decided where this trip to ANYWHERE in the World was going to be. I've decided on a 10 day cruise to the Northern Baltic Capitals. Actually it's 10 places I would have never guessed I would have ever gone to....Ever! Princess Cruises calls it Scandinavia and Russia. I call it a once in a lifetime trip to see places that I've only seen on tv and through pictures from my girlfriend Susanna.
This is the itineary for the trip. We start and end in Copenhagen. We head to Stolkholm,Sweden; Helsinki,Finland; St. Peterburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia; Gdansk, Poland; and Oslo, Norway. Although I know how great each place is going to be, I'm really, REALLY excited to head to Finland to meet my friend Susanna. That is going to be one great shore excursion. It won't be one of those cruise trips, we're going to be escorted around Helsinki by a native. We've got Susanna booked to be our private tour guide. I'll have to let her know way ahead of time what we want to see. I especially want to buy some great yarn in Finland. The ladies at the knit/yarn shop have told me how great Finnish yarn is.
Needless to say I'm super excited and really feel like I need one of those tear off one a day countdown calendars to count the number of days until we leave. My mom tried to get me worried when I asked her if she put the deposit down and she tried to make a little joke by saying, "Oh I forgot." It didn't work, not in the least bit. We are working on determining flights and if we are going to arrive a day early in Copenhagen or take a red-eye and get there early enough to board the ship early as possible.
My job...Passport. I need to really get on that this week. I've been putting it off and should have done it over winter break but I didn't. I was thinking about getting my pictures taken tomorrow night but we've just had a winter storm warning issued for our area starting at midnight tonight only to get cold, and blizzard-like as the day goes on. I know we can't control the weather but today I said it's been a more like normal winter with the cold and snow but I didn't mean that because today was 40 that I wanted more below zero cold and blizzard-like conditions!
Well considering I was falling asleep in the rocker about a half an hour ago then had to quick make Don a grocery list so he could shop early tomorrow before the weather crashes and had to get two envelopes ready to be mailed off I should really sign off and get to bed. The earlier I get up and leave the more paper work I can get done at work. I can grade some papers and get the scores entered into the computer.
If you have horrible weather tomorrow, please be safe. Hope you have a great week. Caio!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!
All dressed in pink with my beautiful lavender, green & pink Burberry scarf around my neck to keep me warm I headed out to the knitting shop to take another knitting lesson. Now I can knit, purl, increase and decrease. I even got some yummy yarn on sale for another scarf. Got a wonderful voicemail from my good friend Marybeth who sang happy birthday to me. Went out for pizza with my family and my sister made me german chocolate cupcakes instead of a cake. It was nice to have everyone there although things keep changing in my family. My parents are trying to settle up things on their divorce before they go to court.
We did have some good news today, my brother got a new job. He used to work for Guilda Club but wasn't happy there and left right before Christmas and jobs in his field of grants and fundraising don't open up that frequently. He did find a job and is still interviewing with another company which has a bigger position if it works out. Until then, the new one is good.
More good news is that Don asked his new boss for his old job back and he got it! This is a good thing because he's got more freedom and flexibility. Considering Don can't be tied down and needs to move and likes different tasks rather than just very similiar tasks it is a terrific thing that he's so highly thought of to be given his old job back. He was under so much less stress, for the most part, when he wasn't chained to a center or to the marketing company. I pray this is what makes him happy and more relaxed.
We did get bad news today. You know you always get the good with the bad. Today my aunt called my mom and said my uncle has been diagnosed with esophogile cancer. It hasn't spread but he will have surgery, feeding tube, radation, and chemo. This is so sad because they retired a few years ago and have just been starting to enjoy their retirement. My uncle is such a quiet man but has such a presence when he's around. He'll sneak out and you'll see him filling up the bird feeders so the birds will keep coming around. This is just awful news because 2 years ago my aunt beat breast cancer now instead of enjoying life they're back into the cancer routine.
If you see it within yourself could you please say a prayer for my Uncle Dick. He's taught my kids so much and my aunt and uncle are like another set of grandparents for my kids. My kids know gun safety and the real reason to use guns instead of seeing how criminals use them thanks to my uncle.
My uncle is the man on the left, my dad is on the right. This was taken at my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary party.
Well I think I'm going to hop off here now and try to knit a bit more. Don got to come have pizza at the restaurant with us but had to go back and close up the facility. Bummer! He probably won't be home for an hour and a half or two hours. So there's probably nothing else we're going to do tonight for my birthday.
Hope you had an enjoyable day today, mine was pretty good considering I grew another year older. LOL I have to share...when my students asked how old I was going to be today, I said 27! One girl says, "oh my mom is 27 too!" OMG they believed me! So today I'm 27! Tomorrow I'll decide if I go back to my regularly scheduled age.
Peace, love and happiness!
We did have some good news today, my brother got a new job. He used to work for Guilda Club but wasn't happy there and left right before Christmas and jobs in his field of grants and fundraising don't open up that frequently. He did find a job and is still interviewing with another company which has a bigger position if it works out. Until then, the new one is good.
More good news is that Don asked his new boss for his old job back and he got it! This is a good thing because he's got more freedom and flexibility. Considering Don can't be tied down and needs to move and likes different tasks rather than just very similiar tasks it is a terrific thing that he's so highly thought of to be given his old job back. He was under so much less stress, for the most part, when he wasn't chained to a center or to the marketing company. I pray this is what makes him happy and more relaxed.
We did get bad news today. You know you always get the good with the bad. Today my aunt called my mom and said my uncle has been diagnosed with esophogile cancer. It hasn't spread but he will have surgery, feeding tube, radation, and chemo. This is so sad because they retired a few years ago and have just been starting to enjoy their retirement. My uncle is such a quiet man but has such a presence when he's around. He'll sneak out and you'll see him filling up the bird feeders so the birds will keep coming around. This is just awful news because 2 years ago my aunt beat breast cancer now instead of enjoying life they're back into the cancer routine.
If you see it within yourself could you please say a prayer for my Uncle Dick. He's taught my kids so much and my aunt and uncle are like another set of grandparents for my kids. My kids know gun safety and the real reason to use guns instead of seeing how criminals use them thanks to my uncle.
My uncle is the man on the left, my dad is on the right. This was taken at my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary party.Well I think I'm going to hop off here now and try to knit a bit more. Don got to come have pizza at the restaurant with us but had to go back and close up the facility. Bummer! He probably won't be home for an hour and a half or two hours. So there's probably nothing else we're going to do tonight for my birthday.
Hope you had an enjoyable day today, mine was pretty good considering I grew another year older. LOL I have to share...when my students asked how old I was going to be today, I said 27! One girl says, "oh my mom is 27 too!" OMG they believed me! So today I'm 27! Tomorrow I'll decide if I go back to my regularly scheduled age.
Peace, love and happiness!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
To some it's just an extra day off
but to me having Martin Luther King's birthday off is important. I was just over a year old when he was assassinated so the whole civil rights thing was not part of my life. But as I get older and see our world changing I keep learning more and more about civil rights and Dr. Martin Luther King.
What I find even more amazing is how much kids love learning about him. We watched a movie this week at school called My Friend Martin. The kids sit rivited for almost an hour just watching and watching. They know a lot and their hearts are still pure enough to say how much good he did and how treating people equally is so important.
I find I enjoy learning more about him. This year we have a new reading series and there is a story called My Brother Martin. That will be up for reading next week. We are also reading a book about immigrants and how some treated people didn't like them, but then that changes.
So on Monday if you are off or even if you aren't off, stop to think about how life could still be if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. didn't fight for equality for all people.
What I find even more amazing is how much kids love learning about him. We watched a movie this week at school called My Friend Martin. The kids sit rivited for almost an hour just watching and watching. They know a lot and their hearts are still pure enough to say how much good he did and how treating people equally is so important.
I find I enjoy learning more about him. This year we have a new reading series and there is a story called My Brother Martin. That will be up for reading next week. We are also reading a book about immigrants and how some treated people didn't like them, but then that changes.
So on Monday if you are off or even if you aren't off, stop to think about how life could still be if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. didn't fight for equality for all people.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Learning isn't always easy
For someone who catches on to things fairly easily somethings, like knitting, are not coming so easily. For Christmas, I asked for a gift certificate in which I could take knitting lessons. I thought I had a good rhythm for it and knew what I was doing but it seems that I don't know how to fix a mistake. I have some idea of what I did wrong, but I don't know how to take the stitches off my needle and put them back onto the first needle.
I have another class next week so I'll keep plugging away. I know when the scarf is finished it will look really neat because of the yarn, but if I could only get to a point where I don't make a mistake and feel I can get beyond 5-6 rows.
Any tips or good knitting sites to help me?
I've got a zillion and one things that need to be done so this will be a short post but I will leave you with a photo of my first stab at knitting.
I have another class next week so I'll keep plugging away. I know when the scarf is finished it will look really neat because of the yarn, but if I could only get to a point where I don't make a mistake and feel I can get beyond 5-6 rows.
Any tips or good knitting sites to help me?
I've got a zillion and one things that need to be done so this will be a short post but I will leave you with a photo of my first stab at knitting.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
The last blog before my vacation ends
I'm kind of whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa vacation is over and kind of yeah it's time to return to work. I've been dreaming about work for a few days and I think I'm a bit more relaxed and inspired to make sure things go well and the kids really start to learn. I almost get anxious to get back after winter break because there is always so much growth and maturity that seems to happen with a lot of the kids after this two weeks off. I chalk it up to the fact that their brains get to rest and take all that they've learned and finally gets to sort it all into the different files where it belongs and then connects with what was already there. It is not always as significant a change in 4th graders but when I taught 1st grade it was astounding. Those who were on the verge of beginning to read come back so ready and you go "yes" they got it.
Being back at work means that my schedule is more structured. Food is so much less accessible. That's a good thing for me. Although I didn't really gain weight over the winter holiday I'm now in the mode that I have to keep going and it's almost like a new start. A new start that MUST include more trips to the gym. I guess I just need to super structure my time so that I leave work at 4 and then on certain days I just hit the gym before I come home. Don says he'll go with me, but I can't count on that.
In weight watchers losing 10% is the first big milestone. I know that losing weight slowly is important in the long run but I'm hoping that by the end of January I'll be able to acheive that 10% goal. That is why the gym has got to become so important. I think I have 14 pounds to go before that 10%. I really think I could lose it but have to understand that if my body can't go so fast it will come off after that.
I heard this quote at a WW meeting and it really stuck with me. It is hard to lose 100 pounds 1 time, but it is easier to lose 1 pound 100 times.
I think with the nice weather, I'll try to go out and take a walk. Almost too muddy to walk the dogs but I can grab my ipod and go.
Toodles
Being back at work means that my schedule is more structured. Food is so much less accessible. That's a good thing for me. Although I didn't really gain weight over the winter holiday I'm now in the mode that I have to keep going and it's almost like a new start. A new start that MUST include more trips to the gym. I guess I just need to super structure my time so that I leave work at 4 and then on certain days I just hit the gym before I come home. Don says he'll go with me, but I can't count on that.
In weight watchers losing 10% is the first big milestone. I know that losing weight slowly is important in the long run but I'm hoping that by the end of January I'll be able to acheive that 10% goal. That is why the gym has got to become so important. I think I have 14 pounds to go before that 10%. I really think I could lose it but have to understand that if my body can't go so fast it will come off after that.
I heard this quote at a WW meeting and it really stuck with me. It is hard to lose 100 pounds 1 time, but it is easier to lose 1 pound 100 times.
I think with the nice weather, I'll try to go out and take a walk. Almost too muddy to walk the dogs but I can grab my ipod and go.
Toodles
Thursday, January 03, 2008
One Little Word
Does this let you know my one little word?? Yes, I've decided to choose Believe. I know this will help me focus on my relationship with God. It will help me believe in myself, and I know it will also help me in teaching. I often hear from my son, "no one ever believes me." I hope this will help me look at him in a more honest way. It's just a great word and it found me rather than me finding it. I think that is what I was looking for.
Did anyone else pick one little word??
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
It's a new year
2008! OMG each year goes by faster and faster. 2007 has been a difficult health year for some in my family. We are praying for a better year healthwise. But I'm not looking back in reflection, I'm looking forward with hope and belief that this year will bring many good things.
I've been trying to decide where I want to go on my "trip to anywhere" and I've decided that I want to go on a Northern Baltic Capitols cruise. My mom and I have been looking into things, have contacted a cruise specialist, have got some prices and now have a few more questions before booking the trip. We are looking for a mid-June to early July date. I'm so excited to finally take this trip.
Next I've been trying to decide upon resolutions for 2008. I can't say that I've picked anything just quite yet, but I've decided that organization is or upmost importance. I read something today about the OHIO way of thinking. This seriously peaked my interest and kept reading a comment from a poster on Ali Edward's blog about the OHIO way of thinking. I was wondering is this something I already know considering I was born in Ohio. Come to find out OHIO means "Only Handle it Once." I love this! I didn't make it to the office supply store or to Ikea to find some desk organizational things but before the week is over I'll have a few new bins to divide things into pay, file, or read later.
I know my mom will be going through some changes this year with her and my dad's divorce becoming finalized so I sent her the link to Ali Edward's blog. Ali talked about picking one little word to focus on, to mediate upon, and reflect upon throughout the year. I'm narrowing my list of words down and two keep coming to the front of my brain. The two are believe and accomplish. I'm really focused on accomplishing what I start and I have so many little projects that need finished that the word is important. The more I started just letting things happen today the word believe kept popping up. I'll have it narrowed down soon.
Also today I started on my year long journey to read Simple Abundance. It kind of goes along with the word believe. I need to find happiness from within and enjoy what life has already given me. Have you read it? I love that each page is chalked full of inspiring things.
I don't know if I can commit to getting my life organized, reading simple abundance, keeping my one little word forward in my thoughts and a 365 challenge but how absolutely cool would it be to have a year's worth of photographs to remember 2008 by? I've found a one 365 challenge and Ali posted this one.
I did though take one picture today. I'm also contemplating on gratitude blog. So many decisions and so little time.
Well I'm going to get to bed and let my head rest. So many things are swirling thru it. Lots of snow here yesterday and today and now temps have plumetted so hope you are warm and snuggly whereever you are.
Peace, Health, Love and Happiness to you in 2008!
I've been trying to decide where I want to go on my "trip to anywhere" and I've decided that I want to go on a Northern Baltic Capitols cruise. My mom and I have been looking into things, have contacted a cruise specialist, have got some prices and now have a few more questions before booking the trip. We are looking for a mid-June to early July date. I'm so excited to finally take this trip.
Next I've been trying to decide upon resolutions for 2008. I can't say that I've picked anything just quite yet, but I've decided that organization is or upmost importance. I read something today about the OHIO way of thinking. This seriously peaked my interest and kept reading a comment from a poster on Ali Edward's blog about the OHIO way of thinking. I was wondering is this something I already know considering I was born in Ohio. Come to find out OHIO means "Only Handle it Once." I love this! I didn't make it to the office supply store or to Ikea to find some desk organizational things but before the week is over I'll have a few new bins to divide things into pay, file, or read later.
I know my mom will be going through some changes this year with her and my dad's divorce becoming finalized so I sent her the link to Ali Edward's blog. Ali talked about picking one little word to focus on, to mediate upon, and reflect upon throughout the year. I'm narrowing my list of words down and two keep coming to the front of my brain. The two are believe and accomplish. I'm really focused on accomplishing what I start and I have so many little projects that need finished that the word is important. The more I started just letting things happen today the word believe kept popping up. I'll have it narrowed down soon.
Also today I started on my year long journey to read Simple Abundance. It kind of goes along with the word believe. I need to find happiness from within and enjoy what life has already given me. Have you read it? I love that each page is chalked full of inspiring things.
I don't know if I can commit to getting my life organized, reading simple abundance, keeping my one little word forward in my thoughts and a 365 challenge but how absolutely cool would it be to have a year's worth of photographs to remember 2008 by? I've found a one 365 challenge and Ali posted this one.
I did though take one picture today. I'm also contemplating on gratitude blog. So many decisions and so little time.
Well I'm going to get to bed and let my head rest. So many things are swirling thru it. Lots of snow here yesterday and today and now temps have plumetted so hope you are warm and snuggly whereever you are.
Peace, Health, Love and Happiness to you in 2008!
Monday, December 24, 2007
-4.8 is a glorious number
Who would have thought I was brave enough to go weigh in at Weight Watchers on Christmas Eve? Last week I had my first gain and I tried to be good this week and track points as best as I could. Well I was expecting another gain, but low and behold I lost 4.8 pounds. So I lost what I gained last week and then some. I'm still working towards my first 10% but so far i've lost 14.8 pounds.
I'm finding that with extra support at work, 4 of us do weight watchers, and Don trying not to buy junk, that I'm doing pretty well. I like that I can eat what I want but have to make choices. I'm finding I love spinach salad and I'm trying to be creative with chicken breasts.
I also realize that this really isn't a diet but a lifestyle change. I am going to try to hit the Y more these next two weeks and make the boys come with me.
I know I still have a long way to go but I heard this quote at my first or second meeting. Loosing 100 pounds 1 time is hard but loosing 1 pound 100 times is easier.
That is what keeps me going. I'll go weigh in on New Year's Eve too and let's hope for another negative number!
I'm finding that with extra support at work, 4 of us do weight watchers, and Don trying not to buy junk, that I'm doing pretty well. I like that I can eat what I want but have to make choices. I'm finding I love spinach salad and I'm trying to be creative with chicken breasts.
I also realize that this really isn't a diet but a lifestyle change. I am going to try to hit the Y more these next two weeks and make the boys come with me.
I know I still have a long way to go but I heard this quote at my first or second meeting. Loosing 100 pounds 1 time is hard but loosing 1 pound 100 times is easier.
That is what keeps me going. I'll go weigh in on New Year's Eve too and let's hope for another negative number!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Kept Resolution
Do you make New Year's resolutions? Are you good about keeping them or are you one of those people who start but then stop within a few weeks? Well I always was one who was sort of stopped after a few weeks so I'm really proud of myself. I've actually kept my 2007 resolution. On December 31, I had my last can of soda. My resolution was to give up pop; all forms of it. I wouldn't switch from regular to diet, I was just stopping. Now realize I didn't say give up caffine but since I've never been a coffee drinker I've given up a lot of caffine. I do splurge and have a chai tea frappachino from Starbucks and that's just enough caffine to keep me going.
So now that I've kept this resolution I'm going to try to make another one and keep it up. I haven't quite yet decided what I'm going to pick this year but I just hope it is a rewarding experience with another positive result.
So now that I've kept this resolution I'm going to try to make another one and keep it up. I haven't quite yet decided what I'm going to pick this year but I just hope it is a rewarding experience with another positive result.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Trying to be a better person
I know for those of you who know me pretty well, I'm a pretty good person. I try my best to accommodate everyone, I want all people to be successful, I want to instill solid morals and values into my kids and those I teach. I just try to be my best. Somehow when I reflect upon what I do and what I've done in the past I see there are still areas in which I still need to get better. I call stupid drivers idiots, I drive too fast, I have a habit of using my dining room table as my desk and dumping ground. I can't be bothered to put things away that are on the top of my dresser. I have a table at school that seriously needs cleaned off so when we come back from vacation we can get down to some serious reading. My desk is a mess. But to my own defense I read somewhere that a messy desk is a sign of a creative and imaginiative person. That I do feel is true.
But where this post is headed is in a rather new direction. I have been trying to cut down on my internet time and trying to figure out who I am and what do I want to do with my life. No I'm not talking about drastic changes. Well maybe I am. I think it has some to do with losing weight. I think that as I work to lighten up I want things around me to be less cluttered and more organized too. If I do this the right way then I may just become a bit more of a simple person. I have been trying to work on being more happy and appreciative of what I have and not to focus on what I used to think I want; I mean in a materialistic way. God has given me so much, I'm so blessed and now I have to make my life work within the bounderaries of what I already have.
So I know the changes must come from inside, but I can't help to also give a little bit of credit to an amazing person. I've been reading her blog off and on and as I've been digging into some of her archives I find that she not only inspires me want to be a little more creative in a more simplistic sort of way, but she has posted some incredible links to some organization and zen sites. I need to find a zen in which I can live in a more harmoniously with what I have, who I have in my life, and more in a way that God directs me.
If you haven't figured out just who has inspired me to just try to be a better person, I'll tell you, it is. It is Ali Edwards.
You can find some daily inspiration here at her blog. I can't believe all this lady does. She write, she creates, she travels, she's a mom, she's an advocate for autism, she teaches, she inspires, and she even has her ups and downs just like all the rest of us. She finds pleasure in simple things. I loved how she blogged about setting up a block castle where they bowl it over with a big green ball. There is something about her that is so creative, so inspiring, yet so down to earth. I don't want to be just like her, that's not the point of all of this. I am not her stalker, I just read her blog and her newsletter just as thousands of others do. I just find her style and her way with words speaks to my heart with a bit of optimism and passion. I find that she makes me want to be a bit more of a better person. Not to impress anyone, or to say look I do what Ali Edwards does; but for me to say look I'm just a bit more of a better person because I've been inspired to be.
I know this is a long, rambling blog post. Who knows, maybe it has to do with the fact that today's my graduation day, the day I'm recognized in public for being someone who's earned a master's degree. For someone in the field of education to be recognized as a life-long learner. For someone who has been given a gift from God to be able to teach others. For someone who has the potential to help students be better readers by being a reading specialist. For someone that has set goals and achieved them. For someone that I hope my own boys are proud to call mom.
With my winter holiday only 5 school days away, I am going to take that time to finish preparing for Christmas, to spend time with and enjoy my boys, to exercise, and to find a way to start to organize my dining room table and take back my space. It is my way to start to be a better person. So I close by saying a quick thank you to Ali Edwards for posting some amazing pearls of wisdom and zen links that have made me look inward to become a little better for everyone else who sees me from the outside.
But where this post is headed is in a rather new direction. I have been trying to cut down on my internet time and trying to figure out who I am and what do I want to do with my life. No I'm not talking about drastic changes. Well maybe I am. I think it has some to do with losing weight. I think that as I work to lighten up I want things around me to be less cluttered and more organized too. If I do this the right way then I may just become a bit more of a simple person. I have been trying to work on being more happy and appreciative of what I have and not to focus on what I used to think I want; I mean in a materialistic way. God has given me so much, I'm so blessed and now I have to make my life work within the bounderaries of what I already have.
So I know the changes must come from inside, but I can't help to also give a little bit of credit to an amazing person. I've been reading her blog off and on and as I've been digging into some of her archives I find that she not only inspires me want to be a little more creative in a more simplistic sort of way, but she has posted some incredible links to some organization and zen sites. I need to find a zen in which I can live in a more harmoniously with what I have, who I have in my life, and more in a way that God directs me.
If you haven't figured out just who has inspired me to just try to be a better person, I'll tell you, it is. It is Ali Edwards.
You can find some daily inspiration here at her blog. I can't believe all this lady does. She write, she creates, she travels, she's a mom, she's an advocate for autism, she teaches, she inspires, and she even has her ups and downs just like all the rest of us. She finds pleasure in simple things. I loved how she blogged about setting up a block castle where they bowl it over with a big green ball. There is something about her that is so creative, so inspiring, yet so down to earth. I don't want to be just like her, that's not the point of all of this. I am not her stalker, I just read her blog and her newsletter just as thousands of others do. I just find her style and her way with words speaks to my heart with a bit of optimism and passion. I find that she makes me want to be a bit more of a better person. Not to impress anyone, or to say look I do what Ali Edwards does; but for me to say look I'm just a bit more of a better person because I've been inspired to be.
I know this is a long, rambling blog post. Who knows, maybe it has to do with the fact that today's my graduation day, the day I'm recognized in public for being someone who's earned a master's degree. For someone in the field of education to be recognized as a life-long learner. For someone who has been given a gift from God to be able to teach others. For someone who has the potential to help students be better readers by being a reading specialist. For someone that has set goals and achieved them. For someone that I hope my own boys are proud to call mom.
With my winter holiday only 5 school days away, I am going to take that time to finish preparing for Christmas, to spend time with and enjoy my boys, to exercise, and to find a way to start to organize my dining room table and take back my space. It is my way to start to be a better person. So I close by saying a quick thank you to Ali Edwards for posting some amazing pearls of wisdom and zen links that have made me look inward to become a little better for everyone else who sees me from the outside.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Some Merry Decorating
Just a little bloggity banner update for the winter season!
I've got to get some new photos out of my camera and onto the computer. I've also got to get up-to-date with Val's photo a day blog challenge.
If you can't read the credits on the banner, the paper, journal box, stitched snowflake & pin are by Ashley Olson's Like Winter kit. The tree templates are by Valerie Fowler and are a blog freebie at her blog When Val sits Down. The glitter bracket is by Brenda Kempf, and the pink ribbon is by Christine Smith's Ribbon Lover's set in pink.
I'm hoping this blog update will last a bit longer than the Christmas season. I tried to go a little wintery.
I've got to get some new photos out of my camera and onto the computer. I've also got to get up-to-date with Val's photo a day blog challenge.
If you can't read the credits on the banner, the paper, journal box, stitched snowflake & pin are by Ashley Olson's Like Winter kit. The tree templates are by Valerie Fowler and are a blog freebie at her blog When Val sits Down. The glitter bracket is by Brenda Kempf, and the pink ribbon is by Christine Smith's Ribbon Lover's set in pink.
I'm hoping this blog update will last a bit longer than the Christmas season. I tried to go a little wintery.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
My FAVORITE Christmas video
Last year I couldn't tell you how much I watched this video. I confess I sing along to it too! The original website is gone this year but through the miracle of youtube it reappeared!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
A little December fun
Here on Valerie Fowler's blog is a really interesting Photo A Day challenge. I really like that she's making it so laid back and easy. The concept is to take a photo a day. Wow, hard right?
I think this is a cool idea and I can envision a really great scrapbook layout, mini album or a photo collage in a cool frame that could turn into a really wonderful holiday decoration.
I'm really going to try to do this each day in December and then post the photo in my blog. Today I'll have to hunt for something to take a picture of. I might do two tomorrow when I try to get my Christmas decorations out.
I hope that you are having a lovely weekend and try this daily photo challenge.
Now I've got to get back to a little advent calendar project I need to finish. Yes, I'll post a photo of that too.
I think this is a cool idea and I can envision a really great scrapbook layout, mini album or a photo collage in a cool frame that could turn into a really wonderful holiday decoration.
I'm really going to try to do this each day in December and then post the photo in my blog. Today I'll have to hunt for something to take a picture of. I might do two tomorrow when I try to get my Christmas decorations out.
I hope that you are having a lovely weekend and try this daily photo challenge.
Now I've got to get back to a little advent calendar project I need to finish. Yes, I'll post a photo of that too.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
It's Thanksgiving!
Remember in the last post I said I'd be glad that it was almost Thanksgiving?? Well you'd never guess how difficult it was to get our family through to Thanksgiving. Remember I said I'd be glad to have Doug home for a few days?? Well he's been "home" but getting him here was quite a roller coaster ride? Let me give you some of the details.
Sunday night Doug called and said he'd had a stomach ache since Thursday. I said it was about 10:00 pm on Sunday night when he called, didn't I? Well he described the pain, I found a "kids health" page on the appendix and we basically diagnosed that probably had appendicitis and I told him to get up early and get to the clinic first thing Monday morning. So I give him a wake up call and our Monday starts rolling. On the way to work, I call our pediatrician to find out "my son is 18 but in college will you still see him" details. Then I called my mom to let her know what was going on and to see if he needed picked up immediately if she could go since Don and I were 45 minutes further east from her house. So by 9:00 Doug called and said it was appendicitis so we moved into action. Mom went to go get Doug, although the clinic didn't want him to go any further than the local hospital. We wanted him home closer to us. I started making plans to leave school early. I met them at the hospital at 11:30.
Once at the hospital we waited for a while although he'd already been diagnosed. He had to drink some contrast for a cat scan and that took 2.5 hours before he could have the test. Then it was confirmed so we had to wait for the surgeon. So finally at 6:30 he went into surgery. We got word he was doing well at 8:30 and he would be going up to the peds floor. We were the only people up there, then things got crazy for them.
Finally we were resigned to the fact that the doctor was pretty adamit about 3-5 days and he was really firm about 5 days. Well Doug was progressing pretty well and we had the nurses on our side ;) The surgeon today was not the operating surgeon and he gladly released us to come home today. What a great day to be home. We had a little turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie or as much as you can call it that. I've felt ill after each time I ate the "meat" from the hospital so who knows what they cook it in. I'm just so thankful we're all home today.
There won't be any home cooking here today. No turkey and all the fixins. It's not about the food anyway, it's about all the things you have to be thankful for, and today there is a lot to be thankful for. The appendix didn't rupture, but it leaked, but Doug's on the mend and we were able to get him home.
I hope you've enjoyed your family and friends. I hope you've reflected upon what you are thankful for. I hope you've checked the sale ads and wish you luck in getting to the big deals early tomorrow. I think we'll be heading to Northern so that we can pick up some things for Doug. I am not sure when he'll be going back to school so we need his computer for him to finish that term paper that was due Tuesday. I'll also be washing his laundry he couldn't get together to bring home either.
Enjoy your weekend!
Sunday night Doug called and said he'd had a stomach ache since Thursday. I said it was about 10:00 pm on Sunday night when he called, didn't I? Well he described the pain, I found a "kids health" page on the appendix and we basically diagnosed that probably had appendicitis and I told him to get up early and get to the clinic first thing Monday morning. So I give him a wake up call and our Monday starts rolling. On the way to work, I call our pediatrician to find out "my son is 18 but in college will you still see him" details. Then I called my mom to let her know what was going on and to see if he needed picked up immediately if she could go since Don and I were 45 minutes further east from her house. So by 9:00 Doug called and said it was appendicitis so we moved into action. Mom went to go get Doug, although the clinic didn't want him to go any further than the local hospital. We wanted him home closer to us. I started making plans to leave school early. I met them at the hospital at 11:30.
Once at the hospital we waited for a while although he'd already been diagnosed. He had to drink some contrast for a cat scan and that took 2.5 hours before he could have the test. Then it was confirmed so we had to wait for the surgeon. So finally at 6:30 he went into surgery. We got word he was doing well at 8:30 and he would be going up to the peds floor. We were the only people up there, then things got crazy for them.
Finally we were resigned to the fact that the doctor was pretty adamit about 3-5 days and he was really firm about 5 days. Well Doug was progressing pretty well and we had the nurses on our side ;) The surgeon today was not the operating surgeon and he gladly released us to come home today. What a great day to be home. We had a little turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie or as much as you can call it that. I've felt ill after each time I ate the "meat" from the hospital so who knows what they cook it in. I'm just so thankful we're all home today.
There won't be any home cooking here today. No turkey and all the fixins. It's not about the food anyway, it's about all the things you have to be thankful for, and today there is a lot to be thankful for. The appendix didn't rupture, but it leaked, but Doug's on the mend and we were able to get him home.
I hope you've enjoyed your family and friends. I hope you've reflected upon what you are thankful for. I hope you've checked the sale ads and wish you luck in getting to the big deals early tomorrow. I think we'll be heading to Northern so that we can pick up some things for Doug. I am not sure when he'll be going back to school so we need his computer for him to finish that term paper that was due Tuesday. I'll also be washing his laundry he couldn't get together to bring home either.
Enjoy your weekend!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
I'm a blog slacker
or am I a poser blogger? That is one of Brian's favorite words...poser. Somehow it's starting to slip into my vocabulary too.
I'm so glad Thanksgiving is almost here. I'm looking forward to having Doug home for a few days. I'm also looking forward to having 5 days off. I do need a little bit of a break and I think that will be just enough time. I'm actually in a bit of a Christmas spirit this year. Last year I just wanted to get away. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to go back up to that cabin again this year but Doug needs to work over break and we're trying to save some money. I am in the mood to start some simple decorating. Our house is really small and putting up our old Christmas tree is out of the question. I'd have to move large furniture and block my front door and I'm choosing not to do that.
I'm trying to think of some "winter" decorations that will last a bit longer than just through Christmas. I'm thinking of getting some star lights and icicle lights to hang from my front curtain rod. I'm going to use a smaller tree and I think it's going to have star decorations. I've been trying to collect star ornaments for a few years now to collect in a basket and have my family put on a smaller tree as we all do thoughtful things for one another. I know I don't nearly have enough star ornaments to cover a tree, but I think with a few simple ornaments, a few of my favorites, and the star ornaments I do have it should be a very special tree.
I'm also looking for some other simple but interesting ideas. I found these white birch decorations at crate and barrel They are way too expensive for me to buy but I'd really like to find something similiar. I'm also looking for some little dorm sized decorations to throw into a care package to send off and have there when Doug goes back to school.
I saw these really cool button trees on Ali Edwards' blog and now I'm kicking myself because I gave a ton of buttons away to the art teacher at school, otherwise I'd try to make one of these myself.
I'm really interested in seeing what cool holiday decorations you are making. Give me some cool inspiration! I'm in a creative mood!
Caio!
I'm so glad Thanksgiving is almost here. I'm looking forward to having Doug home for a few days. I'm also looking forward to having 5 days off. I do need a little bit of a break and I think that will be just enough time. I'm actually in a bit of a Christmas spirit this year. Last year I just wanted to get away. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to go back up to that cabin again this year but Doug needs to work over break and we're trying to save some money. I am in the mood to start some simple decorating. Our house is really small and putting up our old Christmas tree is out of the question. I'd have to move large furniture and block my front door and I'm choosing not to do that.
I'm trying to think of some "winter" decorations that will last a bit longer than just through Christmas. I'm thinking of getting some star lights and icicle lights to hang from my front curtain rod. I'm going to use a smaller tree and I think it's going to have star decorations. I've been trying to collect star ornaments for a few years now to collect in a basket and have my family put on a smaller tree as we all do thoughtful things for one another. I know I don't nearly have enough star ornaments to cover a tree, but I think with a few simple ornaments, a few of my favorites, and the star ornaments I do have it should be a very special tree.
I'm also looking for some other simple but interesting ideas. I found these white birch decorations at crate and barrel They are way too expensive for me to buy but I'd really like to find something similiar. I'm also looking for some little dorm sized decorations to throw into a care package to send off and have there when Doug goes back to school.
I saw these really cool button trees on Ali Edwards' blog and now I'm kicking myself because I gave a ton of buttons away to the art teacher at school, otherwise I'd try to make one of these myself.
I'm really interested in seeing what cool holiday decorations you are making. Give me some cool inspiration! I'm in a creative mood!
Caio!
Friday, November 02, 2007
A Big Ole Pat on the Back
Today is the day that I can get my unofficial certification test results. These were the two tests I needed to take and pass to get my full state credentials to get my Reading Specialist teaching certificate. T.his will be my second teaching certificate. It is a specialized certificate that will piggy-back onto my K-9 certificate that allows me to teach and do more administrative jobs in a K-12 setting. Now if I want to move up to the big money...I'll have to go into the high school.
I'd been having dreams that were waking me up each morning that I had failed one or both. Usually it was a big time failure, sometimes by one point or two. These dreams really freaked me out. I don't know how I could have dealt with having to take one or both of these tests again. They cost me a good hunk of money to register and a big hunk of time. That day the first test took 3 hours and the second test took me 4 hours. That Saturday was emotionally draining. I don't know how you are about taking tests, but I complete all the problems I can and flag the ones I skip that I don't have a quick answer or need deeper thought and more intricate detailed thinking. The second test had a 2 essay writing component and very little room. It had to contain about 7 different requirements in the one constructed answer.
Well anyway I went online and got the test scores. I was sweating bullets and wasn't sure I wanted to look. How could I not look after those dreams??? Well I looked. I have to say, not perfect scores, which everyone seems to think I strive for, but really I don't. I didn't even want perfect scores, I knew I wouldn't get perfect scores, I just wanted to pass.
Well I PASSED BOTH TESTS!!! I wasn't even close to the failing score. Minimum passing scores were 240 and I both my scores were over 275. Hey...passing is passing, right???? Now I have a bit more leg work to do. I have to send some documentation into the university, then they have to send some things to the state, then I have to officially apply for my second certificate. Oh all of that and dishing out a bit more money for the new certificate.
So with that great news I'll end this post. A little happy dance and a big sigh of relief! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
I'd been having dreams that were waking me up each morning that I had failed one or both. Usually it was a big time failure, sometimes by one point or two. These dreams really freaked me out. I don't know how I could have dealt with having to take one or both of these tests again. They cost me a good hunk of money to register and a big hunk of time. That day the first test took 3 hours and the second test took me 4 hours. That Saturday was emotionally draining. I don't know how you are about taking tests, but I complete all the problems I can and flag the ones I skip that I don't have a quick answer or need deeper thought and more intricate detailed thinking. The second test had a 2 essay writing component and very little room. It had to contain about 7 different requirements in the one constructed answer.
Well anyway I went online and got the test scores. I was sweating bullets and wasn't sure I wanted to look. How could I not look after those dreams??? Well I looked. I have to say, not perfect scores, which everyone seems to think I strive for, but really I don't. I didn't even want perfect scores, I knew I wouldn't get perfect scores, I just wanted to pass.
Well I PASSED BOTH TESTS!!! I wasn't even close to the failing score. Minimum passing scores were 240 and I both my scores were over 275. Hey...passing is passing, right???? Now I have a bit more leg work to do. I have to send some documentation into the university, then they have to send some things to the state, then I have to officially apply for my second certificate. Oh all of that and dishing out a bit more money for the new certificate.
So with that great news I'll end this post. A little happy dance and a big sigh of relief! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Updates
This post is all about updates!
Big update is about my son. He miracleously got rid of the headache as mysteriously as he got it. He went home (his home, the dorm room) on Sunday night. After having such heavy doses of pain meds all day Saturday, he took only 2 Advil on Sunday.
He will follow up with the doctor but as of now we (mom, dad, grandma, etc) are figuring it was the smell he smelled or a migraine. He's got a history with headaches now so getting migraine meds should be easily attainable.
Weight Watchers update. As of this past Monday I've lost 5 pounds. I'm so proud to be a LOSER! It is getting easier to judge portion sizes, and the good vs. bad foods. I'm really becoming a label reader. I still struggle, especially today with Brian's Halloween candy sitting there glaring me in the face. I've had some candies but I logged them in and counted their points and I still have 1.5 points left for today. I think I'll just forget that I didn't eat them.
Speaking of updates, I saw my good friend Angelina came by and left me a message. I wish she'd update her bloggy so we know what's going on in her neck of the woods. I also wish she's drop by the message board and give us the 411! Ange if you read this...girl get over there and give us a proper update!
Continuing on the update train...today I updated my hair! I went with a cute and very short easy style. I also updated the color to all one color again. I'm not a bi-color any longer.
I think I'll end my updates here.
Oh one more thing, I've finished Stargirl and have moved on to Love, Stargirl! Great young adult books by Jerry Spinelli! The sequal doesn't seem quite as good but a new book club I'm in is reading it.
Big update is about my son. He miracleously got rid of the headache as mysteriously as he got it. He went home (his home, the dorm room) on Sunday night. After having such heavy doses of pain meds all day Saturday, he took only 2 Advil on Sunday.
He will follow up with the doctor but as of now we (mom, dad, grandma, etc) are figuring it was the smell he smelled or a migraine. He's got a history with headaches now so getting migraine meds should be easily attainable.
Weight Watchers update. As of this past Monday I've lost 5 pounds. I'm so proud to be a LOSER! It is getting easier to judge portion sizes, and the good vs. bad foods. I'm really becoming a label reader. I still struggle, especially today with Brian's Halloween candy sitting there glaring me in the face. I've had some candies but I logged them in and counted their points and I still have 1.5 points left for today. I think I'll just forget that I didn't eat them.
Speaking of updates, I saw my good friend Angelina came by and left me a message. I wish she'd update her bloggy so we know what's going on in her neck of the woods. I also wish she's drop by the message board and give us the 411! Ange if you read this...girl get over there and give us a proper update!
Continuing on the update train...today I updated my hair! I went with a cute and very short easy style. I also updated the color to all one color again. I'm not a bi-color any longer.
I think I'll end my updates here.
Oh one more thing, I've finished Stargirl and have moved on to Love, Stargirl! Great young adult books by Jerry Spinelli! The sequal doesn't seem quite as good but a new book club I'm in is reading it.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
posting from the "get well :) network"
in other words that means I'm sitting here posting from my son's bedside in the hospital. We got a call last night around midnight that he was feeling horrible. The worst headache he's ever had. 45 minutes later the phone rings and he says he headed to the ER. Remember that Doug goes to college 45-60 minutes from home. I get up, get dressed and get out of the house for that long drive to the ER. He looked terrible and he said his head throbbed with every heartbeat.
He's had a ct scan, lumbar puncture and now a mri. He's on high doses of pain killers and it is NOT killing the pain. They are ruling out serious things such as tumor, meningitis, brain infection but they don't know what's causing this. He said there was a noxious odor in his dorm room for 2 days and that could very well be it. Don and I went today to check it out but I thought I smelled something faint but Don and the dorm lady didn't.
He's on iv's and is hardly eating. He throws up more than he takes in. If he doesn't improve, he'll be transfered to one of the university hospitals in Chicago. I pray he starts to recover overnight.
I've been going almost non-stop since 1:30 this monring and I'm quite tired. I did read a little bit but now I'm about ready to doze off in the recliner for a while. Thought watching the world series would be fun tonight, but Doug's sleeping and the tv seems to only have no sound or loud.
luckily we are in a brand new hospital with a private room. They're all private! This hospital opened 3 weeks ago, it is beautiful, sorry I can't supply you with a couple of pics.
Please keep Doug in your prayers.
He's had a ct scan, lumbar puncture and now a mri. He's on high doses of pain killers and it is NOT killing the pain. They are ruling out serious things such as tumor, meningitis, brain infection but they don't know what's causing this. He said there was a noxious odor in his dorm room for 2 days and that could very well be it. Don and I went today to check it out but I thought I smelled something faint but Don and the dorm lady didn't.
He's on iv's and is hardly eating. He throws up more than he takes in. If he doesn't improve, he'll be transfered to one of the university hospitals in Chicago. I pray he starts to recover overnight.
I've been going almost non-stop since 1:30 this monring and I'm quite tired. I did read a little bit but now I'm about ready to doze off in the recliner for a while. Thought watching the world series would be fun tonight, but Doug's sleeping and the tv seems to only have no sound or loud.
luckily we are in a brand new hospital with a private room. They're all private! This hospital opened 3 weeks ago, it is beautiful, sorry I can't supply you with a couple of pics.
Please keep Doug in your prayers.
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