Happiness is.....

......being invited to your student's New Year's party.

Not only receiving the evite, but also a separate email from her asking me to come.

Very fun and cute.

Cheers!

Ahhh.......

All the presents are bought (except for one last trip to Target.......)

The wrapping is still needing to be done.

The plans are set for dinner tonight.

I've been up since 5:00ish.

It's snowing again.

I'll see my family later in the day.

Right now, I'm cozy at home with coffee and toast.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Reunions.

Something must be in the water. I know that I just had my 20 year high school reunion this past summer, so of course I'm going to be reconnected with old friends. But lately I've been in touch with friends who weren't even at my reunion, who didn't even graduate with me. Hmmm....

Cindy: old friend from way back when, kindergarten probably.

Carla: 7th grade locker partner, developed into one of my best friends in high school.

Shannon: lived up the street from me for a couple of years, starting in 5th grade. Now lives in Alabama and found me on Facebook.

Marlene: used to play softball together about 15 years ago, lost touch, ran into her at JCPenney last night, and now she lives about 15 minutes away.

Crazy! Just another reminder of things to be thankful for and the blessings in my life.

I love old friends!

Reflection

So, I'm sitting here in my comfy chair with a cup of coffee. I have a cat sleeping on each arm of the chair. My Christmas tree is lit. The heat is on. It's beautiful outside, with the snow covering the deck and the branches of the tree.

My dad is upstairs sleeping. He's been here for about four weeks now, spending time with my sister and me, while continuing to recover from his stroke. I like having him here and it will be difficult when he goes home to Florida in a couple of weeks.

Last night I had dinner at my sister's. Harry made a delicious dinner and my step-sister and her family were over. They shared all kinds of stories about their recent travels and it was nice just to be all around each other. Including my mom and dad.

I have friends coming over tonight for a little holiday gathering. There will be food and drink and laughter and games. Fun.

I have a job I truly enjoy, even though it's challenging and difficult at times. I work with great people, have made wonderful friends, and get the chance to make a difference in kids' lives.

I've been going to church for about three months. I volunteer on Sundays in the baby room. I've met people through growth groups. I attend with my sister, her family, and my friend.

I recently got back in touch with a childhood friend and visited her and her family in Texas. I had a great time and am so thrilled to have visited her.

Christmas is in a week. I love Christmas.

I need to be thankful and appreciative for the blessings in my life. I'm rich in blessings. I would love to have a family of my own. A husband who loves me and who I love in return. A child and a home. I need to trust God that this will come in time, that that want and desire will be filled.

Cherish what I have now. Be thankful. Count my blessings, because there are many.

Merry Christmas.

Happy Children

It's just before 6:00 a.m. on Thursday. Yesterday the schools were cancelled, due to snow.

Funny thing is, there was no snow here. At all. Nothing.

It started snowining at about 4:30 yesterday afternoon.

I can only imagine the dilemma the schools are in. Cancel school and face the wrath if the snow doesn't show up. Keep schools open and face the complaints for asking kids to come to school when the weather forecast is for a ton of snow to fall.

Darned if you do, darned if you don't.

Today is a snow day again. With snow!

I hope all the kids in my room have a great time today throwing snowballs, building snowmen, and making snow angels. Especially Marina, who saw snow for the first time last Saturday.

Hopefully school will be in session tomorrow. I'd like to see my kids again before Christmas!

Happy playing!

Thought for the day....

Breathe.

Ever have one of those weeks when you can't catch your breath? Duh. Everyone does.

Monday: meeting after school (two actually - I had to choose)

Tuesday: meeting with teacher before school, student council at lunch and meeting after school

Wednesday: writing meeting after school

Thursday: staff meeting before school, student council at lunch, parent meeting after school

Daily: lesson planning and work to correct and after school bus duty and 27 5th graders

I'm tired. I've got a demanding class this year. I love 'em, but I'm tired.

It's a good thing there are evenings with a glass of wine. And a book to read. And chocolate.

Tomorrow is another day. Get ready to take on life!

Shh..... don't tell!

I just copied this picture off of another person's blog.....

Is that so bad?

I really, really like this picture and wanted it on mine too!

Merry Christmas!

Goal accomplished!

Finally!!!!

Joined the Y on Saturday and went to a class tonight with Mindy. Felt good to exercise and get my blood moving.

If you don't have a workout partner to go with, get one. For me, having someone else to meet makes me go. It's not as easy to talk myself out of it!

Now the next thing is to add weights!

Or else!

All I'm saying is that by this time tomorrow, I better be a member of the Y. I'm dragging Mindy with me to make sure I sign up. Enough already. Get off my butt and MOVE!!

Love Languages

I joined this book group to read The Five Love Languages for Singles. The five languages are words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, physical touch and gifts. At the end of the book there is a questionaire that will tell you your primary love language.

My top three scores were words of affirmation, quality time, and physical touch.

I figured words of affirmation and quality time would be the highest, and gifts would be on the low end.

Well. It turns out that gifts from my students make me feel loved.

I'm not sure why, but this year I've been blessed with kind hearted students. I've received bookmarks (both bought and handmade), candy, cookies, watercolored note cards, a Build-A-Bear (so cute!), an apple, chocolate from Canada, pictures drawn, a dish, and today a student gave me a Starbucks mug, biscotti, tea and peppermint hot cocoa.

I am blessed and my heart is warm. Don't know what I've done to deserve it, but receiving an unexpected gift, of any kind, is quite nice. Especially when it's from a child.

Long time...

Wow. It's been a long time since I've posted anything. Before report cards, conferences, and Thanksgiving. Hmmm...... that was a busy, busy time for me.

December 2nd. Hard to believe it's December already. Here are my thoughts:

1) Huge relief that conferences are over. That time of year is so busy and energy draining. It's nice to meet with each family, but it takes a lot out of me.

2) I think I'm getting my Christmas tree on Saturday. Last year I didn't decorate at all. This year I'm ready.

3) I paid off my VISA, which is good.

4) I'm liking having my dad back in town. He needs to move back to Washington state.

5) Science went MUCH better today. Much better.

6) Yesterday I saw my first Christmas tree of the season, on the top of a car. I love seeing that!

7) My friend is off on a mission trip to Africa. She leaves tomorrow morning. Prayers and thoughts are sent her way.

8) I'm going to the Seahawk game on Sunday. Hopefully they'll win, but it will be fun either way.

9) Tomorrow is already Wednesday. Three more work days until the weekend.

10) I love my friends.

11) I love my family.

12) Thanksgiving is over. I can officially play Christmas music!