11 in 2011

Eleven most memorable things (good or bad) that happened to me in 2011:

*Death of a fellow 2nd grade parent
*Four friends with cancer diagnosis
*Last year to teach preschool
*Finally teaching in my field
*Oldest child's Confirmation
*Watching my middle child run so beautifully and gracefully in track
*Hailstorm/tornado that hurt no one, but did just over $20,000 damage to our home (God bless insurance!)
*Oldest daughter voted "Most Likely To Be Nice To Everyone" by her 8th grade classmates
*My husband giving me 48 hours to myself for the first time in my adult life
*Husband and I enjoying a weekend in Chicago
*My son's unprompted spiritualness--keeps me grounded!

Pinterest

As if I cannot find enough things to waste time doing, I made the mistake of logging on to PINTEREST .  I'm going back to childhood for this excuse:  "My sister made me do it."  I haven't figured out how I am "following" 55 people (or vice versa), but the site is just so much visual fun!!!

WARNING:  If you haven't visited it, DO NOT!!!!  An hour of your time will disappear unexplainedly every time you log on!

P.S.--have fun, but don't blame me!

We've Done Something Right

I experienced one of those proud "mom moments" tonight after our children opened Christmas gifts (Santa comes early since we are visiting family on the 25th). My son looked at me and said, "I just said a little prayer to God and asked him to tell Santa thank you for the best Christmas ever."

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Letter to My Husband

I typed the following letter to my husband and taped it to the toilet seat for his return home.  I think it is self-explanatory.

Dearest Nearly-ex-husband,

When we exchanged marriage vows, I knew our love could withstand virtually anything.  The one exception . . . being left in the bathroom with no toilet paper.  After nearly twenty years of a successful marriage, our sacred vows were about to come to a crashing halt if it were not for my generous and forgiving heart.

Consider yourself on probation.  If you do not change your vile ways, you, the children, and the dog will be left in southern Illinois to live out your dying days with your mother.

Oh--and to answer the question that I know you will ask--extra packages of toilet paper are always located under the vanity in the main floor bathroom and/or in the upstairs linen closet.

Consider yourself warned!

Your favorite wife

His response:  To wad up the note and throw it at me like a snowball!  Hump!  We'll see who is laughing when I leave him with his mother!

Texting while driving

Well ... this is a no brainer.  Many local communities in our area (and around the country) are trying to ban texting while driving citing that it is not safe.  Really?!?!  Shocking!  I cannot multitask while texting in the safety of my own home without having some sort of incident.  In fact, I burnt a batch of cookies while "just checking" my phone for a second.  And this attentiveness level should be different in a vehicle?

I see an accident or evidence of one nearly every day in my long, five-mile commute to work (insert sarcasm).  I am confident that a high percentage of these were a direct result of driver inattentiveness to the road and attentiveness to a phone/text.

Sense of Entitlement

An over-inflated sense of entitlement--especially during the Christmas--is a prevalent problem.  Nothing epitomizes this more than the self-centered actions of Alec Baldwin.  I even hate to give the man any attention by writing about it--he just makes me sick.  The following link highlights his egocentric reaction to being asked to follow a few simple rules:  Baldwin's Bad Behavior.

Why does he suppose that he alone is special enough to disregard airline rules established to keep us safe?  At this point, he's just famous for being famous--sort of like Joan Rivers.  I hope Santa leaves him only coal in his stocking!

Workout for My Red Pen

I think I am in for a challenge. The first two papers I graded this weekend were both in the "D" range. The "D" is actually an early Christmas gift.  If the science teacher gives an assignment to write a three page minimum background report complete with bibliography--what SHOULD a 1.5 page paper with no bibliography receive?!?!

I should have purchased another red pen while at the store.  It is going to be a long weekend!

Cute Website

Sometimes we take life just a little too seriously.  We need a two minute break to just relax.  This link will lead to a cute cite (kid-friendly) that is a little break from life's seriousness:  http://www.drawastickman.com/

I Am Backward

I have been feeling so tired lately.  It has finally turned cold and has been overcast/rainy for the past week.  My body is trying to enter hybernation mode.  Today, I got up to get my children ready for school.  I ate breakfast with each (all three eat at a different time).  I had a semi-lengthy conversation (for a school morning) with my oldest.  My husband and I exchanged our day-in-review and the traditional kiss to all as they go out the door.  I just walked up into the bathroom to shower . . . to discover I had my sweatshirt (thankfully not the hooded type) on backward.  Not only did I not notice when I put it on in the dark--but the other four members of my family didn't.  Maybe that's why the dog has been looking at me strangely all morning.

Let's hope I get my sweater on the right way or my junior high school students will have a field day . . . then again, maybe they will not.

Funny Picture on FB

Several of my friends have posted this comic--appropriate for our Facebook obsession.

Too funny!

New Twist on Cyber Monday

I have four different emails:  one work, one family, one personal, and one junk.  I've been getting quite a few spam emails on my personal account.  Some I can figure out; others I cannot.

In case anyone would want to know, I am a content, married, 40ish religious mother with healthy children.  I do not need anything for Christmas.  Let's just add that I don't want to purchase any viagra for a merry Christmas from some suspicious online pharmacy.  Oh, and the fact that shipping was free on Cyber Monday didn't change my mind, either!

Pizza = Vegetable?!?!?

I am not a nutrition nut.  I've never counted a calorie in my life.  However, I am conscious of well-balanced meals and the importance of nutrition--particularly in children's growing bodies.  My children eat fruits and veggies (often from the organic produced delivered to our home each week by a local CSA farmer).  They snack on yogurt vs. more sugary snacks or fat/salt-laden chips.  I am alarmed at what society now thinks is acceptable food choices.  A recent news story alludes to the idea that pizza is now considered a vegetable (Pizza = Vegetable).  This is a little bit of an embellishment--but the average person hears enough to think that because pizza has tomato sauce, school cafeterias consider pizza a vegetable.  If it is good enough for the dietitians at the cafeteria, it should work at home, too.  Right?!?!

Well--I've had this similar disagreement with parents when I worked in preschool.  We state that we prefer healthy snacks for our growing children.  Children will eat healthy if it is provided and their friends are eating it (a positive peer pressure).  The average pre-K is approximately 100 days.  Twenty plus of those days are sugar-laden birthday snacks.  Let's not forget another five or so days for party cupcakes.  Did we mention the three children who brought in sugary snacks for the birth of a brother or sister.  Grandma visited and made cupcakes--sure bring them in.  If we were lucky, only 20% of snacks were cupcakes & cookies. 

But then there were the infamous fruit snacks--my greatest pet-peeve.  ATTENTION--FRUIT SNACKS ARE NOT CONSIDERED A FRUIT.  However, if pizza is a vegetable, then I must be wrong.  My morning coffee comes from beans--is that a veggie?  What about cocoa beans and chocolate?  Maybe I was the one wrong all of the time.

The 50th Little Thing

So much for which to be thankful.  Today I am thankful to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with good food and with my family (including my mom and dad visiting from out of state).  Every day is a blessing.  I thank God for my life and ask He please help those who are suffering physically, mentally, and/or spiritually today.

50 Little Things #49--a full pantry

I braved the craziness of Kroger grocery story at 3:00 yesterday afternoon.  I spent a decent amount of money, but now my pantry is full.  I am so blessed that I am able to go to bed each and every night and never worry about when or where my next meal will come.  Watching two different schools filling trucks with canned goods was a sober reminder of just how lucky I am.

50 Little Things #48--Cuddles

I love cuddling with my children.  My youngest is a second grader and my two older girls are 8th grade and freshman.  It is not a daily occurrance, but I love when they want to cuddle.  I'm so thankful for my children.

50 Little Things #47--Parent/Teacher Conferences

I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet with the parents of my students.  I only met with a dozen parents (I work part-time and have only 50 students); however, I love sharing with them how wonderful their children are.  I love these children have supportive parents, too.

50 Little Things #46--Sunday Afternoon Naps

I have been so busy grading and taking classes that I forgot how much I love the ritual of a Sunday afternoon nap.  My husband does the sports thing on the main level television and couch.  I take our bedroom, and I am usually joined by a daughter or two.  I doze off and on for an hour or so.  3:00 is the magic hour to wake up and get a cup of coffee.  I am thankful for Sunday afternoon naps!

50 Little Things #45--Cheap Movies

I have not been to a movie at the theater in a couple years (that my slipping mind can remember).  My husband went on a social daytrip.  I decided to treat my three kids to the bargain movies.  We spent $15 on snacks--buy the large size and get free refills on popcorn.  So--for under $30, all four of us walked out of a movie laughing and had bellies full of popcorn.  I'm thankful for doing this social outing.

50 Little Things #44--Mass of Healing

It's been a tough year of my friends.  Two of my friends and a cousin are going through breast cancer treatment.  Another friend just found out she has serious liver cancer.  I am thankful for my health and for my family's health.  I am also thankful that I belong to a community that pulls together.  Today we had a prayer service after mass for those who are very sick with cancer.  I was on the emotional edge most of the day (the seriousness of two of the women's prognosis set it), but the comfort knowing the Lord will hold our hands even through the tough times brought consolation.

50 Little Things #43--Sunshine

After a stint of cloudy, rainy, and windy weather, the bright and warm-looking sun is a welcome sight!

50 Little Things #42--Jigsaw puzzles

I've been self-involved with work/classes and then just busy running kids.  After dinner was cleaned up this evening, I had my son open a jigsaw puzzle that was given to me for Christmas last year.  We spent the evening working on it.  It contains 1,000 pieces, so I forsee more evenings to bond.

Little Things #41--Fresh Smelling Laundry

To me there is nothing more comforting than a warm, soft blanket that is just out of a warm dryer.  It smells and feels so wonderful--a chair and a good book, anyone?

50 Things #40--Short Storm

We had a brief mini-thunderstorm, rainstorm, wind storm tonight.  It knocked out our power for approx. one minute.  It was just enough for the family to regroup together before going to bed.  Storm = family time.  I'm thankful.

50 Little Things #39--That Dumb Dog

Two years ago we adopted a dog from a rescue place.  She was replacing the world's greatest dog--a seven year old golden retriever male who was a gentle giant and died when he was only seven.  I waited approximately two years before getting a new dog.  I needed to get something different so I wouldn't compare to the wonder dog before.  For the first time in my life I got a female dog who is 3/4 golden retriever and 1/4 lab.  She's got golden fur, but it's black (think shedding on light carpet).  She can be a little vixen.  She has the world's worst dog breath (and that's saying a lot).  Often times she doesn't even greet me at the door--depends on her mood.  She's messy, a little demanding, and more high-strung than I anticipated.  But . . .

Every morning I'm the first one up and sit at the computer seeing what I missed when I slept.  This "dumb dog" sits by my side and just wants to be pet.  There is something calming about a crappy day and a dog with long, soft fur.  I am thankful for her.

50 Little Things #38--junior high students

I am thankful I had the opportunity to chaperone part of a junior high school dance.  Seeing how other teens/tweens act makes me appreciate my own children even more!

50 Little Things #37--Learning about the News

Today my students had the opportunity to listen to a local television newscaster come to speak to our seventh graders (her niece is a 7th grader here).  It was interesting to listen to what goes into a program that looks so effortless.  I'm thankful for all people who do the behind-the-scenes work in my life.

Little Things #36--Sweeper Marks

So this is a strange thing for which to be thankful, but I am thankful for vacuum marks left on the carpet.  I love to vacuum because it is instant satisfaction.  The marks on the carpet are a sign that I've done something productive.

Little Things #35--Organic Produce

Every Wednesday I receive a box (delivered to my door) of organic produce.  I'm still having a difficult time utilizing all of the greens, but I've gotten three of the five of us to be more adventurous in eating new things.  We cannot wait to see what is in our "Happy Box" each Wednesday.

50 Little Things #34--Childlike Thoughts

I am thankful for childlike thoughts and logic.  My son informed me today that he really likes learning cursive.  (His handwriting is noticibly one of the worst in the class; he forms nearly every letter incorrectly; last year in first grade he would move the pencil from his left hand to his right hand when he got tired.  Sometimes he used both at the same time to write).

I was thrilled he's taking to writing cursive because we worked a bunch this summer to develop his poor handwriting skills.  "I'm glad you like cursive, son.  Why?" 

"Well, mom, cursive just looks like messy writing.  Since my writing is messy, I think I will do well with it."

50 Little Things #33--Leftovers for Lunch

We had hamburgers on the grill last night (Sunday).  There were two left, so I took one to reheat for my lunch at school.  No waste!  Yummy lunch!  I'm thankful! 

50-Things #32: No commitments

Today I am so thankful for a day of no commitments.  I got to spend the entire day inside my own home--pajamas, messy hair, and all!

50 Little Things #31--Making & Eating Pancakes

Making banana chocolate chip pancakes with my son.  Family bonding AND good food!

50 Little Things #30--Job Security

I had seventh grade students using the dictionary (a curriculum requirement) to look up a few homophone pairs.  The dictionaries in my classroom have the little divots in the pages for each letter of the alphabet; put your finger in the "d" notch to find "d" words, etc. 

You can see the half-moon notches on the right edge.

"Mrs. Teacher!?!?" one student exclaimed.  "This dictionary doesn't have a "w" notch."
I gave a puzzled look and responded, "Yes . . . ?"
"Well, how am I supposed to find the word 'won'?"

Job security.

50 Little Things #29--Good Health

I got to spend some time at a scout meeting with a friend who had a double mascectomy less than two months ago.  I am so thankful that her health continues to increase.  I pray that another friend (who was recently diagnosed with double breast cancer) will have the same success.

50 Little Things #28--Academically Strong Student

My older daughter received her first official high school report card today.  In grade school, she was the student who received mostly "B's" but never made honor roll because of that floating "C" in various subjects.  Her report card was all A's!!!!  I could not be prouder of her and for her!

50 Little Things #27--Holy Day of Obligation

I'm thankful to celebrate the Feast of All Saints' Day with mass and a church full of people.

50 Little Things #26--Beggars' Night

Who doesn't love the excitement of Beggars' Night--getting all dressed up and being social with the neighborhood!

Hermione, Harry Potter, and Girl-In-PJ's

Little Things #25

Little things--daylight savings time.  Extra hour of sleep.  My dream day!

50 Little Things #24--Course Completion

I started online coursework to get my Cert. of Catechesis (to teach religion) in June.  Ten of those weeks I was spending about 25 hours per week on homework.  It has eased up some the last five weeks, but so has my effort.  Today, I submitted my last assignment!!!!!  I am thankful I have achieved my certificate!!!

50 Little Things #23--Breakfast

I don't cook weekday breakfast--unless you count heating up water for oatmeal.  However, I get up early enough each morning to eat with all three of my children.  This year--they all three eat at a different time.  Fortunately, the timeframe is only about a half an hour.  I love just sitting with them; most mornings we even talk!

50 Little Things #22

I am thankful that my children are able to attend a school where the teachings of Christ are taught and modeled.  Today, my daughter stayed after school with about sixty other students to make rosaries for various sources.

50 Little Things #21

I love going to my dentist.  I love the doctor, receptionist, and the hygenist--all really nice people.  I love the way my teeth feel after I leave (assuming I didn't have to sit in the "naughty" chair in back--for cavities, etc.).  I'm thankful that I have decent insurance that allows our family to take care of our teeth.

50 Things #20--Novel Studies

I am thankful that I am able to read and to share novels with my students.  I love when I look around and they are ALL following along with the text.

This novel has had belly-laughing moments from the entire class!



50 Little Things #19--Chair & Blanket

I am thankful for my chair and an old blanket in which to cuddle with a book or even a stack of papers to be graded.

Little Things #18--Silence on Sundays

I am thankful to God for being able to get up on a Sunday morning to read paper and drink a cup of coffee in silence.  I am usually up an hour before the next person in the house awakes (with exception of the dog, of course).  I enjoy this quiet time to myself.

50 Little Things #17--Family at Mass

Our family has been going in different directions lately.  As parents, we have been dividing and conquering.  Today, the daddy and two kids went to a basketball game.  I took one kid and her friends to a haunted trail.  Thought it would be another evening apart; however, we started from the same location--celebrating mass together as a family.

50 Little Things #16--More Teamwork

I am working in a new position at another building in our school.  I had the opportunity this week to work in collaberation with our STEM teacher (Science, Tech., Engineering, Math).  She allowed me to come into her classroom and team-teach a lesson.  I'm not sure I would be as generous with my classroom time.  Thank goodness for her teamwork!

Little Things #15--Teamwork

Our school has been through a pretty devasting twelve months with tragedies and sorrow for many staff memebers' families.  This week, we found out that one of our teachers has breast cancer.  The information I've received is patchy (this teacher is extremely private), but it is not good.  Another teacher sent an email to get together a basket of items to keep the teacher busy during chemo treatments.  Long story short, she collected enough for two baskets and donations enough to purchase a computer tablet for her.  I am so thankful that I work with a team of teachers who help out when needed and who will continue to pray for this teacher's recovery. 

Post #14--50 Little Things

Three cheers for the perfect cup of coffee on a chilly, rainy autumn morning!!!

Hip hip hooorray!  Hip hip hoooorraayy!  Hip hip hooooooorrrrrrraaaayyy!!!!!!!

Letter to Mr. Gnat

Dear Mr. Gnat,

I don't appreciate you using my morning cup of coffee as a swimming
pool without my permission. Had this been a sunny morning and I did
not have a pounding headache from the rain, I may have accepted your
request. 
 

Sincerely,                              
MeanMeadianMode Mom                              

50 Little Things #13--Husband

After watching a friend suffer after losing her young husband suddenly this summer, I realized over and over again how fortunate it is that I have a wonderful husband.  I need to be thankful I have a husband who is healthy enough to leave the bathroom a disaster, has enough energy to bug me until I want to strangle him, and who loves me and my flaws, too!

Of course I wouldn't mind if he could find the toilet brush and USE IT!  Wink! Wink!

50 Little Things--Something I Hate But Love

Today I went for what is supposed to be an annual doctor's examination.  Though I don't enjoy this, I know I am thankful that I can afford to go and that I choose to go (vs. need to go).

This would be 50 Little Things entry # 12.

50 Things #11--Smells Great

I was finishing a load of laundry and had used some new fabric softener sample I received in the mail.  I am thankful for the smell of clean laundry.

If only the clean smell could propel the laundry to put itself away--my life would then be perfect!!!

50 Things #10--Adults Only

The older my children get, the more I REALLY enjoy my weekend glass of wine. 

I am thankful for a little down time with an adult beverage.

Sometimes I enjoy it so much, I have two!

50 Little Things #8

Blank calendars.

I love days (especially weekdays) that do not have any commitments after school/work.

These "blank" days are becoming few and far between.

50 Little Things #9

My husband had today off of work; I don't go in until 10:30.  Coincidentally, it was my son's class' turn to read at mass.  My son was assigned a petition--he read it very well might I add.  I am so thankful for his sweet little voice praying for others.



50 Little Things--Birthday Edition

More birthdays.

We all should celebrate birthdays and be thankful for each and every one of them. 

Happy birthday to my baby boy--who turns eight years old today. 

50 Little Things #6

I love to recieve the text from my daughter, a freshman in high school, when she arrives home from school every day.  Forty minutes later, I get one from my other daughter (8th grader) that she and my son are home, too.  It makes me feel like I am there when they arrive, even though I get home a little later than they do.  I helps to take some of the "mommy guilt" away.

50 Things #5--BOGO

Today the kids and I walked up to the smoothie shop at the end of our subdivision and took advantage of the buy-one-get-one smoothie sale.

Time with the kids and a yummy-n-healthy snack!

Crunching and Swishing--50 Things

Autumn is the BEST time of year.  My favorite sound is the swishing of leaves on the ground as I drag my feet through them!

Anyone want to jump into the leaf pile?

50 Things #3

I'm taking a class on prayer.  This week's focus is on silence.  I noticed when I walked the dog this morning at 5:45, I could hear a leaf falling from its position high in a tree and hitting different branches on it's way down. 

50 Things Daughter

Post #2 of 50 Things: 

I am thankful that my high school freshman will let me still rub her back. 

(Of course, this is the only time I am allowed to touch her without a wince.  The kisses on the forhead when she goes out the door to school and when she goes to bed must me torture!).

50 Little Things

I saw this "challenge" on another blog--but I cannot get the link to work.

I'll work on this later; however, it is a great concept.  For the next 50 days (which ends on Thanksgiving), list something for which you are thankful.

#1  I am thankful for the time my son and I are spending together reading the first book of the Chronicals of Narnia.  We read a chapter a night.

Catching My Breath

It's been a long while since I've even thought about writing.  Summer was a "working" summer.  My kids started school in three different buildings (two different school systems).  I've started a new job at a new level (moved from pre-K teacher to FINALLY teaching in my field of secondary education--Yeah!).  My husband is starting a grad program.  I'm finishing up a certificate program.  Then there were all the other things like the friend crisis (death of a husband), a new roof (2nd in two years), all new siding, all new gutters, visits to family, 5,000 back-to-school things, family visits here, etc.  Normal life "stuff" that most all seem to be balancing better than I.  I think now I can finally take a breath.

This weekend I'm hoping to reassemble my house on the main floor.  I've got boxes everywhere of school "stuff."  I'm hoping a rediscover where I placed my camera that disappeared the week before school.  I also hoping that this is not our family's new "normal."  I need a little more calm and organization.  Nonetheless--I'd say life is good.  I cannot wait to get back to reading blogs, etc.

Healthy Ice

This summer has been crazy (like what summer is "normal"?!?!).  The month of June I was emotionally spent.  July was filled with insurance issues and the repair of most of our storm damage (a new roof and all new siding).

The roof replacement took one day; the siding took two days.  All three of those days were HOT!  I felt so sorry for the workers.  We tried to keep them stocked with ice and drinks. 

We purchased probably 50 lbs. of ice for the drinks. I found this bag of ice to be humourous.  I am so glad that this ice is "Healthier Than Homemade."  I don't know if I should be scared or relieved--just what IS their secret ingredient to make it healthy?

WHAT?!?!?!

Our household is pretty has a pretty laid back atmosphere.  During the school year we are busy, but generally it is semi-controlled chaos.  We are not a loud family.  Few things get me too excited.  In fact, it is rare that one of the kids will say something to cause me to immediately drop everything and come running.  But it happened today.

I was working on the computer (I'm taking two on-line classes).  My son was prancing around the  main level of the house having intermittant conversations with me since I was the only one up.  He was in the dining room and said rather calmly, "So, how did these bees find a way to get into our house?"  I dropped everything and ran to the room to explore.  I had visions of bees finding a crack in a window seal and funneling into the house.

Someone needs to explain to my son that bees in the house means they are flying around our dining room.  These were simply trying to build a nest (as they do every year) behind the shudders outside of our dining room window.  When my heart rate returned to normal, I went back to finish my online work.  All was calm again.

Monday's Run

I went for a run on Monday.  It was the official beginning for a heatwave.  When I got up this morning, all of the windows were covered in steam.  I ate a light breakfast (I have never figured out how people can run without eating a meal) and planned to take off early. 

By the time I actually got my shoes laced up and stepped outside, it was 10:30.  I don't know where the previous two hours since breakfast went.  Since it was so hot, I told myself I'd run really slow two-miler.  Actually the run was very enjoyable.  Best part of running in the heat is that us more mature runners do not need to spend a mile warming up--our muscles are instantly loose. 
 

I Shouldn't Look, But I Have To . . .

Have you ever known there is something disgusting (like unidentified objects stuck to the bottom of your table at a restaurant) or awful (like an accident scene you pass in your car) in your line of sight and you KNOW you should not look, but you just cannot help it.  Well--every Fourth of July I have the same problem.  It is the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island.

This year's victor:  Joey Chestnut.  He devoured 62 hot dogs in approx. ten minutes.  It's so gross.  It's so disgusting.  But I cannot help but watch it.