Day 31

Day 31

Wow!  I can't believe we are at Day 31!  I did it!  I made it!  I loved every minute of it!

I have to say I am loving writing again.  I have carved out time each day to write and my hope is that I will continue with this each day!  I may not publish a post each day, but I will write each day.

I have read more over this past month too!  Reading posts and responding.  I have enjoyed that too!  I will continue to read and check in on some of favorite blogs as well.

What a GREAT challenge.  My goal for next year is to start this challenge with my class.

Thanks for a GREAT 31 Days!

I'm Writing Again

Today, as I ready myself to write, I can't believe it's day 30 and we only have one more day left in the challenge.  And...I did it!  I made it!  I created a blog (it isn't what I want it to be yet...but it's a start) and I only missed one day!

I have so enjoyed finding time each day to sit down and write.  I have missed it, so much more than I thought.  

As I look back over each of my posts, they are not what I thought I would be writing about.  I'm not sure what I thought I would be writing about, but these little snippets, slices from my day weren't exactly it.  

So thankful for this month.  So thankful for each slice.  So thankful to be writing again!

Post Cards from the Past

Today I ventured out to an auction house with a good good friend.  We arrived at the auction house around 3:00 and had about an hour to move from space to space to check out all the items for auction.  We saw lots of interesting pieces from the past, or pieces from the barn, or pieces from the toy chest, or pieces from the kitchen, or pieces from the junk drawer, or just plan odd pieces.

I lingered in one space a little longer than the rest.  It had box after box of old post cards and photos.  I found these so interesting many dating back to 1910 or 1912 with post marks.  The neatly written messages to family or friends pulled me in and kept me reading for a while.  Some made me giggle, some left me wanting more.  What a fun way to spend a few hours.  

A Successful Day!

Monday 

Today was the second Monday of my two week long Spring Break!  Loving it!  I didn't set an alarm, just got up when I woke up.  Made a big breakfast and then off to tackle the next items on the to do list.

I pulled out all my spring and summer clothes and did the wardrobe change over in my closet.  I love the brighter happier colors in my closet.  

Then it was onto changing out all the shoes...I love all the sandals and flip flops!  I can show off my pedicure from last week.

Another successful day!  

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Egg Hunt



I am at home, finishing up a few last minutes things before heading over to my aunts for our family Easter celebration.  I stuffed 246 easter eggs for the egg hunt this afternoon.  (Yes...246, not 250.  I was four eggs short!)  

My little cousins, some of which aren't so little anymore (ranging in age from freshman in college, sophomores in high school, eighth graders, a fifth grader, a second grader and two preschoolers) will race around the family farm hunting for the eggs and all the goodies inside.  It's a tradition we started years ago, and just can't seem to give it up.  

It was a GREAT day!  The weather was beautiful!  The egg hunt was a success!

Piles and Stacks of Stuff

Piles and Stacks of Stuff

Today is the day to sort through the piles and stacks of stuff all over the house.  

I don't know how I do it.  But I do!  

Every time this happens, and I make the time to sort through it all, I proclaim, "This is the last time for piles and stacks of stuff!"  And then over time, the piles and stacks of stuff have accumulated in every room of the house...again!

I started in the kitchen with stacks of junk mail.  Junk mail?  Yes...I stack it up instead of shredding or recycling.  Why?  I don't know, but I do!

Then I moved on to the footstool.  This stack was full of magazines, fliers, and advertisements.  This pile didn't take long.  Most of it went in the recycle bin.  Score...I have a few new magazines to read.  I didn't get distracted though...off to the next room.

At the entry door is another pile, scarves, gloves, sun glasses!  Sun glasses stay, everything else in the winter wonder box until next winter.

At the back door is another pile, shoes and boots.  This is another quick sort...boots back in their box until next fall/winter.  The rest of the shoes back in their cubbies ready to go the next time I leave the house.

Help!  I am trapped in the craft room.  The room where everything gets tossed.  The crafting table is almost cleaned off.  Most of this was an easy fix, just putting things away.  Why do I just drop it on the table instead of taking the extra minute or two to actually put it where it needs to go.  

I took a break to write this post, but I will quickly be back at it soon.  Sorting through the next stack.  The next stack is a doozy!  It's a pile of papers that need to be filed in the over flowing file cabinet.  Yikes!  I might need a quick snack and soda before I tackle that one!

A Day with my Mom!

A Day with My Mom

I am on spring break this week and my mom asked for a day, a day for just the two of us to do lunch and some shopping together!

She'll be here, at my house, soon and we will head out to our favorite spot for lunch.  (She has a special ham and cheese sandwich she loves, and I will get my favorite pizza...we both win with our favorites today!)

After lunch there are several little local shoppes we like to stop by and check out!  We both have a list of places to go and things to do today!  

I'm looking forward to a GREAT day with my mom!

Big Bag or Sling?

Big Bag or Sling

What kind of bag do you carry?  Something big with everything but the kitchen sink inside?  or Something small with just enough room for a credit card, phone, and a lipstick?

Personally, I am a big bag carrier!  My friends laugh at me and make fun of me all the time for the large bags that I carry.   But guess what?  I always have what they need.  A tissue, extra bottle of water (mini size), Advill, pen, highlighter, or dental floss.

Today while shopping, I found a fun new spring big bag!  I looked at the cute little slings, but I have no idea what I would do without all my little extra supplies.  You never know what you might need!  

Big bags are for me!

Brown Box with a Smile

Excitement is in the Air!

The doorbell rang...I wasn't expecting anyone...then I see it, the big brown UPS truck in the drive way...that can only mean one thing, my Amazon box is waiting for me on my door step!

I open the door and there it sits.  The brown box with the happy little smile!  I can hardly wait to open it and read my new books!

I had a take a break and read a few of my new picture books!   Fun, Fun, Fun!  

I have a confession!

I have to confess something!

I started the blog and the Slice of Life Challenge for ME!  Something that I have been wanting to do for quite a while!  Something I felt would be enough, a place to write every day, a place to reflect, a place to just be me.  I wasn't worried about and didn't really think about the comments and the thoughts that others might have about my writing.  I was writing for me.  

Here is my confession, I enjoy the comments and the looks more than I ever thought I would.  I find myself checking in to see how many people have read my post and how many comments I get each day.  I don't want to care about this, I don't want to be drawn to this, but I am! 

What someone has to add or say about what I write matters!  How many people read what I write matters!  Writing is something we do for more than ourselves!  What we write matters to more than just ourselves.

Robin Redbreast

First Sign of Spring

I saw my first Robin yesterday!  I wish I would have snapped a photo.  She (maybe he) was a beauty!   She perched on top of the clothes line post and sat there proudly!  She was plump and confident!  Sitting there looking left and right and then, I felt as if she might be looking right at me sitting in my chair. 

My first thought was of Granny D.  When Granny was still living we had a "thing!"  We would keep our eyes peeled for that first sign on Spring, that first Robin to make an appearance.  Then we would call each other to say, I'm first, I saw the first Robin.  I loved to be the one who made that call.  It was OK coming in second, but oh, to be first was the best!

I wonder if I would have been first this year.  I wonder is my visitor yesterday was sent by my Granny!  I wonder, I wonder!  Spring is here!

Dinner with a Friend

Dinner with a Friend...

Got a text from a friend she was stopping by around 6:00 to pick me for dinner out!  How fun!  It's been a week since we last saw each other.  We text back and forth through out the week, but a lot has happened in a week, we need to catch up she says!

We just spent the last two hours eating and talking and catching up. I can't believe how much happens in a week.  We both had lots to tell and one story lead to another and then another.  

I love surprises like this!  Good conversation, Good Friend, Good Food!

Silence

Silence

It's Saturday afternoon and I am home alone, sitting here in silence.  Relishing the sounds of clocks ticking from various locations around the house. I can hear at least two, maybe three ticks all just a bit behind one another, soothing as they take turns making their own unique sound.

I'm enjoying this silence, and now a new sound is added to the ticking of the clocks, and that is the stroke of keys on the key board as I am writing this post.

It's not often that I find myself surrounded by silence.  I usually like to have the TV on or some music playing, something to liven up the joint!  Something to bring energy to the house.  Not today!  Today I am enjoying the silence.  Today I am taking time to ponder, taking time for me, taking time to enjoy Silence.

Second Post of the Night!

Second Post of the Night.

This is my second post of the night.  I labored over the first post, poured my heart and fears and worries into it, but then decided to just hit SAVE.  I don't really know if it is something that I can or should or even want to publish!

I feel better after writing it, and so maybe that's all that needs to happen.  It's off my chest, it's somewhat out of my mind, I put the words to paper, it's just not public!

For now, that's OK!  For now, I feel good with that!  For now, it's saved for another day.  

Take Time

Take Time

Take time to stop

Take time to think

Take time to ask why

Take time to look at the situation with new eyes

Take time to look at the situation from a different perspective

Take time to take a deep breathe

Take time to stop

Take time to think

Take time to think before you speak

Things that make me smile!

Things that make me smile!

A hand written note from one of my students.

No line at the copy machine.

A wink and a wave from a little kiddo in the hallway.

An announcement where one of my students is getting recognized for a good deed from someone other than me.

When everyone passes the weekly assessment!  SCORE!  

Working with an amazing student teacher!  

Thanks that make me smile!

Home Sick Today

Home Sick

I am home sick today!  Yep...the crud caught up with me.  Too many little sneezes and coughs did their dirty work and landed on me in just the right place to get me down.  I took today to stay at home and sleep.  I have been fighting a fever and a very uncomfortable cough today.  I've been in and out of bed, trying to sleep and stay hydrated.  I am up now trying to drink some more water and figure out what might taste good.  Nothing sounds good, but wondering what might have a bit of flavor and taste good. Wish me luck...I want to be on the road to wellness!

Something to Write About...

Something to Write About...


the little things

the big things

nothing

everything

disappointments

celebrations

everyday

special

What should I write about?

Spring Break

Spring Break

It seems like everyone I talk to has made travel plans for Spring Break.  Florida, Mexico, Chicago, Disney.  

Not me, and I have two weeks, two glorious weeks.  I am looking forward to being at home.  I have started my to do list and my biggest concern is that two weeks won't be enough time to check everything off the list.

clean out file cabinet  (It is so jammed full of who knows what, that not one more thing will fit.)  

clean out all closets (Purge the clothes that haven't been worn and change over from winter to spring attire.)

clean out the garage (The garage is the dumping ground for everything I don't know what to do with.  I'm a bit afraid of what I might find.  I am guessing I will be making a few trips to Good Will or Salvation Army with this clean out.)

paint the dresser (I purchased an amazing piece of furniture and it's been sitting in place for about 6 months.  I had to try it out, to see if I really like it, to see if it will work in the space.  It works.  I knew it worked about two weeks after I moved it in, but it's been sitting there unfinished for 6 months.)

yard work  (Pick up all the sticks from rain, snow, and ice that are laying all over the yard.  Clean out the flower beds to prepare for the spring blooms.  Add a few new bird houses to the mix.)

put together the IKEA chair  (Put together the IKEA chair purchased over Christmas vacation.)

spend a day with the handy man (I need to call Ray to schedule a day to come and fix a few pieces of siding that are loose after the big wind storm we had.  Change out the shower rods, hang a new shelf,  install a new light, and any other little tidbits I can think of for him to help me with.)

catch up with my college roomie  (Road trip to Lafayette, to meet up with my college roomie.)

shopping trip (a one day shopping excursion with friends)

On top of all these big to dos are all of these little ones too...like...

Sleep in everyday, make my self a nice breakfast everyday, go for a walk everyday, continue to blog everyday, read the stack of books by my bedside table, visit the local bookstore, lunch with friends, get a pedicure, catch up on movie watching, catch up on DVRd TV shows, take naps when needed, plan out lessons for school, clean out the junk drawer, clean out the school bag, sort through the magazine stack, create a new folder for taxes and receipts, transfer pictures from my old pc to a thumb drive, find a place to recycle the old pc and old tv, binge watch Gilmore Girls, read through the stack of picture books that don't seem to fit in the categories of my classroom library and figure out where they need to go.  

This list keeps growing.  As you can see, two weeks may not be enough time, but it's Spring Break, and I don't have to go to work for two weeks!

Missed Day 11

I missed Day 11!  
What a BIG bummer!  

I had an early morning meeting, a long day of work, and then was snatched up by friends for an evening of dinner and drinks to celebrate 50!  Woot!  Woot!  I didn't arrive back home until 1:00 in the morning and Day 11 came and went with no post from me!

I fell into bed and realized as I was drifting off to sleep that I didn't post a piece!  I jumped out of bed, only to see the bright red numbers letting me know it was 1:01AM and Day 11 had come and gone.

I laid back down and decided that even though the day and come and gone, it was an amazing day!  Being whisked away to be celebrated by ten of my closes friends was amazing.

Fifty Fits Me Just Fine

Fifty

When I woke up this morning it felt like any other day! I ran through all of my regular morning routine to dos.  I was actually ahead of schedule and out the door a little early today(that rarely happens!).

Once I got to school it wasn't like any other day!  I was greeted with black streamers and black balloons as I entered the hallway on my way to my classroom.  And then, once I got to my classroom door, more streamers, more balloons, and a banner.  I work with an amazing team of teachers (6 of us in my hall).  They provided me with everything I needed to let everyone know I was 50 today!  Hoorah!

Now this busy bunch of teachers did not think that steamers, balloons, and banners were enough...oh no! They sent notes home with all their little kiddos(Kindergarten, first, and second graders) and everyone was in black today!  Everyone! Teachers! Students! Everyone!  All the little kiddos were beaming wanting me to notice their "black clothes" just for me!  Do you like it Miss Wright?  I wore this just for you?  Do you like it?  Look at me!

I was completely overwhelmed today!  

1) I turned 50 today!  I remember when I was younger thinking 50 was OLD! (Now that I am there/here...I don't think 50 is OLD at all!  I feel more like me, more like I finally kind of know what I am doing!  Who I am! and What I want in life.) 

2)  So many people went out of their way today to make ME feel special.  

50 is Fabulous!  50 is Fierce!  50 is on Fire today!  50 Fits me just Fine!

Good-bye Forties

Forties

Today is the last day that I can say I'm in my forties.  Tomorrow I hit 50!  I celebrated tonight with two good friends at a local joint called Crickets.  It's this great little bar, a whole in the wall really, but a place that just feels right.  You always see someone you know, and can always count on the best cheese burger around.  Tonight is was cheese burgers and Miller High Life!

I can't think of a better place to celebrate the end of my forties.  Good Food, Good Friends, Good Fun!

I was living the High Life tonight!  Reminiscing younger days and looking forward to older ones.  

Good-bye 49!  Hello 50! 

Secret Plans in the Making

Slice of Life...

Secret plans are in the making!  I know this is true.  I don't know what they are, but I know there is a secret of some sort. I'm guessing it might have something to do with that fact that we are just two days away from my 50th birthday!

I have walked in on a few conversations, that suddenly seemed to be over or amazingly they were just talking about me and asked some random question right on the spot.    It's been a bit awkward more than once.  

Secrets are flying around and to be honest I don't like it.  I'm starting to wonder, is it my birthday or is it something else.  Do they know something I don't know?  It has to be about my birthday right?  That big crazy 50 number?

Monday Morning Close Call!

Monday Morning Close Call...

I had a bit of trouble getting ready for school today, more so than usual.  I couldn't decide what I wanted to wear.  I showered and then stood in front of my closet, peering in, trying to plan out an outfit.  Nothing looked right. Nothing was appealing.  Nothing was speaking to me.  So, I just went with black on black on black with a little splash of red.  

But then...the shoes...what shoes should I wear?  Again, I couldn't decide, so I put on the left shoe, of my favorite old comfy black standbys.  Then just for the fun of it, I tried on the new black shoe on the right foot,  and again stood a bit longer in front of the mirror trying to decide.  Which one?  I knew today was going to be a long day, so I thought maybe I should walk around the house a bit to see if the new one would be comfortable for a long day on my feet.

I went out to the kitchen, made breakfast, packed my lunch, packed up the car, and was off to work.  I was on the road and zipping down the street on my way to school.  I came to the first stop, half way to work, and realized I had on two different shoes.  Yep!  Two different black shoes!  Seriously!  Two different black shoes!  

Panic set in, did I have enough time to turn around and head back home?  I stared at the clock and began calculating.  What was I thinking, it didn't matter how much time I had, I was not going to work with two different black shoes on my feet.  I made a quick u-turn and zipped right back to the house.   I went with my old reliable comfy black shoes.  Enough with making decisions today.

Whew!  Almost a disaster!  Although now tonight, I am thinking it might have been fun to see if my students or any of my teaching partners would have noticed the two different black soes.

An Ordinary Day

An Ordinary Day

Today is Day 6 in the Slice of Life Challenge!  The sixth day I find myself in a quiet room, thinking about what I should write, what I should share, thinking about what I might have to say.  The first five days my writing came easy.  My writing came from excitement, frustration, experience and joy.  Emotions and situations I found myself in the middle of.  

Today is a struggle.  I'm not giving up, but I don't really feel like I have anything to say today.  Today was a day to rest and regroup for a busy week ahead.  

I did the laundry, caught up on my DVRd Ellen shows, baked muffins for breakfast, prepared the items for sack lunches for the week, went through the pile of mail, paid the bills, cleaned off the dining room table and the kitchen island(the dumping ground for all things) and now I find my self at the keyboard writing about this ordinary day.  

This ordinary day that gives me peace and motivation to start the week.  Cheers to an Ordinary Day!

Sectional Champs!

Sectional Champs!

We were able to hang on and protect that little orange ball again tonight and come out on top as Sectional Champs!  So proud of these young men and their talent for maneuvering that little orange ball all around the basketball court!

Tonight was a bit easier to watch, we came out strong and took the lead early, and were able to keep the lead all game.  

Our boys in blue worked together tonight and moved that little orange ball up and down the court.  In and out of the key and up through the hoop!  

My time in a hoosier gymnasium will continue...heading southwest to a new gym next week for Regionals!  

That Little Orange Ball

This is Indiana's High School Boys Basketball Sectional week!    It's the end of another season, it's that time of year that leads us to finding the number one team in the state (in our designated class). 

I found myself back in the gym again tonight for game two.  We were victorious, this game a bit closer than I would have liked, but non-the-less we came out on top.   And, I will be back in the gym again tomorrow night as well.  Hoping for another win and the title Sectional Champs! 

I don't know about you, but I love high school basketball!  The fresh smell of popcorn, the loud music blaring over the PA system, the cheerleaders chanting and flipping, the boys running their pre-game drills, the refs puffing their chests trying to look ever so important, the buzzer sounding the whistle blowing the National Anthem, the announcement of the starters, and then Game on!   

The boys have four eight minute quarters to dribble around and pass the ball,  shoot the ball,  and rebound the ball.  The game is all about the little orange ball. To make the plays or to stop the plays.  To make the big shots and take the lead.  Keeping that ball and scoring the most points with that ball is the goal.  

Tonight we came out on top with that little orange ball.  Go Team!

Me!

The Year of Me!

Back in late December,  when I was starting to think about my new years resolutions, I came to the conclusion that this year needed to be about me! 

What?  Did I really just say that?  YES!  I did!  I really did!  I felt so guilty thinking it, saying it, and even writing it down as a possibility for my resolution this year.  But I did it, I said it, I wrote it, and I am living it right now.

I decided it was time to put me first.  I decided to start thinking about what was best for me.  I decided to ask myself what was it that I needed or wanted.

In January I began to record one thing each day that made me happy.  One thing that put a smile on my face.  I have one of those desk top calendars that you rip the page off to reveal the next day.  Each evening I rip that days number off and write something from the day that made me happy or made me smile.  This one has stuck with me.  I am throwing each page in a box and next new years eve, I'm going to read all the things that brought joy to my laugh and made me smile each day of the week.

Next up was February.  I decided to add five fruits and five veggies to my diet each day.  This was a bit tricky for me.  I love fresh fruits, but veggies are a different story.  I have to admit, I have struggled with this one.  I made a slight adjustment and I am working with three fruits and three veggies a day.  This is much more realistic for this bread loving girl.

This brings us to March and the Slice of Life Challenge.  I have known about the challenge for several years, and I have read many posts over the years, but never took the risk to try it for myself.  This year is the year.  This is my third month of thinking about me and what I need!  Starting a blog and writing everyday has been on my to do list for far too long.  This year, I am not pushing it to the side, I am doing it for me.  I find myself daydreaming about my post during the day, making notes about things I don't want to forget or that might make a good post.  I am loving it!  I am so glad I am here and doing it!

Roller Coaster

Roller Coaster

Last evening my emotions were up and down and spinning all around like the Cork Screw ride at Cedar Point.  Excitement and a bit of fear all rolled into one. Excitement, I finished my first blog post. Fear, "Am I worthy? Will anyone care what I have to say?"  As I finished the post and gave it the final read through, I was feeling good, feeling a sense of accomplishment, feeling proud, I had done it!  I had started the blog, I had written the first post, I was about to go public.  

I began to pick up speed, inching my way along, reading the FAQ and the first timer tips, I was feeling good.  As I was inching my way closer and closer to the first post, my emotions started to shift and change...no longer was I excited and a filled with a bit of fear.  I was becoming frustrated and confused.  I was reading but not really understanding, all the blogger talk was confusing.  I have no schema for this world of bloggers and the words and tools they use.  I have no idea what I'm doing.  I am not giving up.  I am sticking with it.

Here I am with post number two!  #SOL16

Getting Started

Getting Started...

Getting started, sounds so simple...but it hasn't been for me.  I have been thinking and planning and procrastinating for quite sometime!  Last night, I made the decision that enough was enough.  This year IS the year!  The year to task risks.  The year to begin marking some of those things off of my to do list.  The year to make things happen.  What have I been waiting for?  I really don't know.  Hopefully as I start to write and find "my voice" it (whatever it is?) will become more clear.   

I'm starting the blog that has been on my to do list for the past five years, yes you read that right, five years!  Not a few days, or a few weeks, but a few years!  Seriously, what have I been waiting for?  I really don't know.  (The right look, the right name, the right time.)   I'm not sure, but here I come!  Ready or not!  Jumping in without a plan.  

I can tell you already, I am struggling.  Struggling with worry about what everyone will think, struggling with worry about the way it looks, the way it sounds, and letting my words land on paper (this blog post) forever.   

Starting the blog didn't seem like quite enough...so while I'm at it, I'm joining the Slice of Life challenge for the first time (#sol16) too.  All the warning signals are lighting up and blaring loudly in my head, but I here I am typing away!  I'm feeling nervous, scared, and a bit sick to my stomach, but I'm doing it!  I'm putting words to paper and sharing them with the world.    

I set up the blog today (with help from a younger, hipper, more tech savvy teacher than me).  She was patient and kind, giving me just enough today to get me started.  I'm thankful!  She isn't going anywhere.  She is willing to stick it out with me and lead me towards the goal of making it look cuter, quirkier, and more like me! 

Wow!  I did it!  The first post checked off the list, along with setting up the blog!  Yeah Rah!  Go me!