Blogging is an art form, a discipline, for some. For me it is a fun way to journal, and with a schedule that is busy, fun things get set aside. Sorry blog readers, I have set aside my blog (again!) for the last few weeks.
Some of the reason is teaching. Teaching has been wonderful: full of the ups and downs of starting a new job. I feel like things are going well, although I'm not adjusting as quickly as I'd like. I feel slower than I have in past long term jobs. The staff has been terrific, helpful and kind. The school has a wonderful sense of community and support. I just wish I was not feeling like I'm treading water. I feel the need to catch up and don't feel like I have, yet. But I will get there. This made me think of Kendra's quote at the end of her blog: by Charles Spurgeon: By perseverance the snail reached the ark.
I am home just a few minutes most days before I need to drive the girls to piano, or pick them up from play or indoor track practices. I did get in a run both days this weekend, and they felt good. Think I burned enough calories to eat badly the rest of the week? :) The flurries began again today and the grey clouds moved back in again. It is a comfortable neighborhood, after all. :) Other than that, things continue on normally. I am searching for new teaching ideas, teaching, grading, planning, driving, catching up with my girls (one of which is 15 now!!) or catching some zz's. Or trying to-the other night had nightmares, and on a few others, I woke up thinking about our students and how things can work better in the classroom. :)
I am truly happy and blessed, even with the busy-ness and grey skies, I feel God's giving and graceful hand in my life. I am so thankful for a husband who is helping, two daughters who are happy for me and my "newest adventure" and a school to go to every day. :)))
I hope you are well on this Tuesday, Reader.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Update
Another blog post from the road. We are on our way back from visiting my family. Had a great visit, exchanged our holiday gifts and are working our way home, now. It is always nice to see my family, but hard when it's time to go. I feel guilty leaving, like I don't see them enough. Part of that comes from the time we spend with my husband's family, I think. I feel guilty that I see them more than my family. Luckily most are in good health. Everyone was surprised to see how much our girls had grown. They are both taller than me-which we knew would happen, but my youngest is in a real spurt right now, where she's growing a lot at once!
In other news, my job is changing! I was interviewed and hired for a long term position over the break. There was a school in another district (different than the one I've been teaching in for the last few years, where my daughters attend) that called and interviewed me for a maternity leave assignment. The woman was supposed to be done in March and I'm not sure of all the details but they called earlier than expected and said the woman was on bed rest. I am supposed to have the job until mid-May! A nice long job with fourth graders, I think. I go in early tomorrow to start the job. I'm very excited. I'm subbing, so it's not my own class, but thankfully, I have a job at the same school everyday and with, from whom I have met thus far, a great staff. I'm very nervous, but also very excited. God has brought me here (several moments of “God-incidences” throughout this process to get me here) and I'm positive about the opportunity.
My weight continues to climb, with several pairs of pants no longer fitting me, so I'm looking forward to working on it. I can watch what I eat better when I'm not at home where everything is accessible, as well as packing my lunch. I have enjoyed the few runs I got to go out on during the school break, too. I like the “New Year” being a good time to reassess goals. I am still working on choosing my “one little word” for the year. 2008 was faith and 2009 was peace. I felt like I worked on being more aware with the words. I have written my resolutions and am hopeful to see at least some of them accomplished. I am hopeful that I can reach my potential towards the person I want to be.
Currently, my husband is listening to a podcast, my youngest daughter is playing her DS and my teenage daughter is resting/listening to her ipod. Too many nights of staying up late, I think. At least for me! :)
I have not been scrapbooking much, although I did start a little project I'm excited about working on. Maybe after I teach all day I will not feel guilty about sitting down to work on my hobby? Or will I be too tired to?! :) One of my resolutions is to sit and get two layouts (sets of pages) done per week. For non-scrapbookers, open a book up with two pages open and facing you. :) Two of those. :)The ablums I have started that I'm working on are all 6 x 6 or 8 x 8, so they aren't too large, I just need to get to them! :) One of the gifts from my parents for Christmas was a storage box perfect for scrapbook paper, so I can organize and that is very exciting! I love how my mom really takes note of things I mention throughout the year, especially concerning my hobby, and lets that be her gift guide. :)
Well, I think that's enough rambling for now. I hope you have wonderful weather and that your New Year has started out great! Thanks for stopping by!
In other news, my job is changing! I was interviewed and hired for a long term position over the break. There was a school in another district (different than the one I've been teaching in for the last few years, where my daughters attend) that called and interviewed me for a maternity leave assignment. The woman was supposed to be done in March and I'm not sure of all the details but they called earlier than expected and said the woman was on bed rest. I am supposed to have the job until mid-May! A nice long job with fourth graders, I think. I go in early tomorrow to start the job. I'm very excited. I'm subbing, so it's not my own class, but thankfully, I have a job at the same school everyday and with, from whom I have met thus far, a great staff. I'm very nervous, but also very excited. God has brought me here (several moments of “God-incidences” throughout this process to get me here) and I'm positive about the opportunity.
My weight continues to climb, with several pairs of pants no longer fitting me, so I'm looking forward to working on it. I can watch what I eat better when I'm not at home where everything is accessible, as well as packing my lunch. I have enjoyed the few runs I got to go out on during the school break, too. I like the “New Year” being a good time to reassess goals. I am still working on choosing my “one little word” for the year. 2008 was faith and 2009 was peace. I felt like I worked on being more aware with the words. I have written my resolutions and am hopeful to see at least some of them accomplished. I am hopeful that I can reach my potential towards the person I want to be.
Currently, my husband is listening to a podcast, my youngest daughter is playing her DS and my teenage daughter is resting/listening to her ipod. Too many nights of staying up late, I think. At least for me! :)
I have not been scrapbooking much, although I did start a little project I'm excited about working on. Maybe after I teach all day I will not feel guilty about sitting down to work on my hobby? Or will I be too tired to?! :) One of my resolutions is to sit and get two layouts (sets of pages) done per week. For non-scrapbookers, open a book up with two pages open and facing you. :) Two of those. :)The ablums I have started that I'm working on are all 6 x 6 or 8 x 8, so they aren't too large, I just need to get to them! :) One of the gifts from my parents for Christmas was a storage box perfect for scrapbook paper, so I can organize and that is very exciting! I love how my mom really takes note of things I mention throughout the year, especially concerning my hobby, and lets that be her gift guide. :)
Well, I think that's enough rambling for now. I hope you have wonderful weather and that your New Year has started out great! Thanks for stopping by!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Happy Holidays!
After a nice, long family weekend, I am currently typing up my next blog entry. I am in the car, with no network to connect to the internet, but thought it would be a good use of time to blog! I know, I know, it took me long enough! :)
Our weekend was a family gift from my husband's parents. His siblings and their families were also on the trip. We all took a day of driving, went to Nashville, TN, and saw things like the Hermitage, General Jackson's showboat, Charlie Brown ice sculptures and the Opryland hotel. It was a wonderful weekend! We are on our long drive back.
On our last car trip I thought to download podcasts to listen to. I was just starting out with podcasts, so I only grabbed one or two I had seen suggested on scrapbookers' blogs. I enjoyed them immensely, and downloaded a few new ones for this long car trip. While on our trip, we talked about podcasts, and my brother-in-law mentioned that he listened to “things you should have learned in history class” or something like that and “how stuff is made”. Both had really interesting topics. I downloaded a few, but as of my writing this, I haven't listened to them, yet.
For our trip, I prepared the items from one of the contests I won; the scrapbooking kit. It had almost all the items for an embellished Christmas themed album, but needed some things cut on my big papercutter. So, the night before we left, I spent about 45 minutes cutting, assembling, and organizing each page's items into a plastic carrying box. Then, on the trip, with breaks here and there, and a little bit on the way home, I assembled it. It turned out very cute. I look forward to using it as my December Daily album for this year! Especially with the pictures from this weekend! :) It was a great prize! I wouldn't have purchased it on my own, but have loved it and hope to get more kits similar! I will be a regular on their site!
One of the breaks from the scrapbook that I took was to begin reading to my husband. I think I've mentioned before that on car trips we both enjoy Nicholas Sparks books. We've read several to each other since we have been married. On car trips we start them, taking turns driving/reading, and then we are far enough into the book that we can't put it down and read it in the evenings once we're home. If it's a real page turner, we “steal” it from each other and devour it in our spare moments! :) The one we've currently started is the Last Song. I had bought it a few car trips ago, but we didn't get it started. Then, we went to see The Princess and the Frog, and there was a preview for a movie that was based on the book. Now, I have those movie characters in my head when I read it. Blech. ;) I much prefer to form my own pictures in my head before I see a movie! :)
I am ready for the holidays! We have just a few gifts-one we've been looking for all over, but have had a hard time finding. We also have a few things for the great grandparents. But everything else is bought, wrapped and I'm pleased with. Ahhh. :) Maybe I can get a few moments to scrapbook? A little gift to myself, now that the contest scrapbook kit got my creative juices flowing?
This week, as we lead into Christmas, I have baking to do, the last gifts, listed above, and some family time. I look forward to that. I also need to make sure I call my parents and grandparents, since I haven't and feel as though I should do it more often. Then I will need to deliver the previously mentioned baked goods to neighbors and friends.
I have been exercising nicely, as of late. I ran Thursday and Friday of last week, even though the temps were low. Then, Saturday we were driving. Sunday, my oldest daughter and I got up early and used the hotel's exercise room. We worked out; I made myself tired. Today, Monday, we're traveling again. But, back to it again tomorrow. Those were specific attempts at exercise. We also walked around, to most of our destinations this weekend, and at most of our destinations, so I felt good about that, as well. Although, the eating made it all come out in a wash, I think. ;)
Hopefully I really will write again soon! :) Thanks for sticking in there and reading my rare posts! ;) Happy Holidays to you, Reader.
Our weekend was a family gift from my husband's parents. His siblings and their families were also on the trip. We all took a day of driving, went to Nashville, TN, and saw things like the Hermitage, General Jackson's showboat, Charlie Brown ice sculptures and the Opryland hotel. It was a wonderful weekend! We are on our long drive back.
On our last car trip I thought to download podcasts to listen to. I was just starting out with podcasts, so I only grabbed one or two I had seen suggested on scrapbookers' blogs. I enjoyed them immensely, and downloaded a few new ones for this long car trip. While on our trip, we talked about podcasts, and my brother-in-law mentioned that he listened to “things you should have learned in history class” or something like that and “how stuff is made”. Both had really interesting topics. I downloaded a few, but as of my writing this, I haven't listened to them, yet.
For our trip, I prepared the items from one of the contests I won; the scrapbooking kit. It had almost all the items for an embellished Christmas themed album, but needed some things cut on my big papercutter. So, the night before we left, I spent about 45 minutes cutting, assembling, and organizing each page's items into a plastic carrying box. Then, on the trip, with breaks here and there, and a little bit on the way home, I assembled it. It turned out very cute. I look forward to using it as my December Daily album for this year! Especially with the pictures from this weekend! :) It was a great prize! I wouldn't have purchased it on my own, but have loved it and hope to get more kits similar! I will be a regular on their site!
One of the breaks from the scrapbook that I took was to begin reading to my husband. I think I've mentioned before that on car trips we both enjoy Nicholas Sparks books. We've read several to each other since we have been married. On car trips we start them, taking turns driving/reading, and then we are far enough into the book that we can't put it down and read it in the evenings once we're home. If it's a real page turner, we “steal” it from each other and devour it in our spare moments! :) The one we've currently started is the Last Song. I had bought it a few car trips ago, but we didn't get it started. Then, we went to see The Princess and the Frog, and there was a preview for a movie that was based on the book. Now, I have those movie characters in my head when I read it. Blech. ;) I much prefer to form my own pictures in my head before I see a movie! :)
I am ready for the holidays! We have just a few gifts-one we've been looking for all over, but have had a hard time finding. We also have a few things for the great grandparents. But everything else is bought, wrapped and I'm pleased with. Ahhh. :) Maybe I can get a few moments to scrapbook? A little gift to myself, now that the contest scrapbook kit got my creative juices flowing?
This week, as we lead into Christmas, I have baking to do, the last gifts, listed above, and some family time. I look forward to that. I also need to make sure I call my parents and grandparents, since I haven't and feel as though I should do it more often. Then I will need to deliver the previously mentioned baked goods to neighbors and friends.
I have been exercising nicely, as of late. I ran Thursday and Friday of last week, even though the temps were low. Then, Saturday we were driving. Sunday, my oldest daughter and I got up early and used the hotel's exercise room. We worked out; I made myself tired. Today, Monday, we're traveling again. But, back to it again tomorrow. Those were specific attempts at exercise. We also walked around, to most of our destinations this weekend, and at most of our destinations, so I felt good about that, as well. Although, the eating made it all come out in a wash, I think. ;)
Hopefully I really will write again soon! :) Thanks for sticking in there and reading my rare posts! ;) Happy Holidays to you, Reader.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Winner
I am not usually a contest/drawing winner. Until last month, I hadn't won a thing, although I had entered in many drawings on my favorite sites when they had "giveaways". Well, last month, I won here and then today I discovered I won a giveaway here, too! What a wonderful surprise! The first prize I won will be a gift to someone else this Christmas and today's will be a gift to me! :)
A few of you commented on my mood in the last post. Things were a bit down and overwhelmed! The down was due to sadness of loss of life in our community. The two who died were my daughters' ages, the oldest attending the school where my oldest goes to school. My girls didn't know them, but it was a tragedy felt by all in our community. It made me ache with sadness for their mother-and to think that the holidays approaching won't be any easier, worse in fact.
The overwhelmed feeling comes from the holidays coming faster! At the time of my last post I really hadn't gotten much done at all. Now, I feel better, but things still aren't complete. We went to see my family in my home state last weekend, as we did two weeks prior, too. This coming weekend we are getting together with my husband's family, more on that later.
I have not scrapbooked at all. I wish I had. I have that creative itch I get when I look over my magazines full of ideas! However, each time I think about it, in the office painted a beautiful turquoise... {insert happy sigh, here} I remember all I have to do for the holidays and weekend... etc!
Running has been sparse, but I have walked a bit, with my husband and youngest daughter. Yesterday's weather was a bit warmer, perfect for walking in fact.
Have subbed a lot less, due to blocking off a few days last week so I could catch up a bit, and this week is the last week for schools in the area to be in session, so most teachers aren't taking off/in need of a sub. Which is ok with me! :)
I have gotten some baking in, and am looking forward to doing more soon! Then delivering the goodies to neighbors.
That is all for now! Thanks for stopping by! :)
A few of you commented on my mood in the last post. Things were a bit down and overwhelmed! The down was due to sadness of loss of life in our community. The two who died were my daughters' ages, the oldest attending the school where my oldest goes to school. My girls didn't know them, but it was a tragedy felt by all in our community. It made me ache with sadness for their mother-and to think that the holidays approaching won't be any easier, worse in fact.
The overwhelmed feeling comes from the holidays coming faster! At the time of my last post I really hadn't gotten much done at all. Now, I feel better, but things still aren't complete. We went to see my family in my home state last weekend, as we did two weeks prior, too. This coming weekend we are getting together with my husband's family, more on that later.
I have not scrapbooked at all. I wish I had. I have that creative itch I get when I look over my magazines full of ideas! However, each time I think about it, in the office painted a beautiful turquoise... {insert happy sigh, here} I remember all I have to do for the holidays and weekend... etc!
Running has been sparse, but I have walked a bit, with my husband and youngest daughter. Yesterday's weather was a bit warmer, perfect for walking in fact.
Have subbed a lot less, due to blocking off a few days last week so I could catch up a bit, and this week is the last week for schools in the area to be in session, so most teachers aren't taking off/in need of a sub. Which is ok with me! :)
I have gotten some baking in, and am looking forward to doing more soon! Then delivering the goodies to neighbors.
That is all for now! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Friday, December 04, 2009
Winter
Hello! I'm sure it seems as though I've been hibernating since I haven't posted in ages again! I have actually had a lot on my mind/list to blog, but when I sit down to blog, I think that I don't have time to get it all down. I will start with a few little things today and try to spread posts out-post more often. :)
I met Molly for dinner a while back, and her lovely daughter, too, while she was in the area. I enjoyed the evening immensely. I could have conversed with them longer! :) Such wonderfully nice ladies! Sitting down with her felt like like I'd known her for ages.
Running has been virtually nonexistent this week, although I did run a few times last week-only twice this week and once was on the dreadful treadmill so I didn't get very far. Blah.
I have been in a bad state in the arena of eating. The cold weather is moving in and this time of year always moves me into hibernation zone where I want to eat every nonhealthy thing in site and have no ambition to exercise!
I have been subbing on a daily basis, as usual, which leaves nothing done at home... That has me feeling overwhelmed about the pending holidays! :) I have started a spreadsheet called "tasks" and I continue to add new tasks, but get to delete the old as I complete them. I don't have the usual suspects on it like "laundry" or "groceries". These are things I'd like to see done a few days after I place them on the list.
Traditionally speaking, we used to have an advent tree-a wooden tree that played music similar to a music box. We got it when my youngest was an infant. It had finally broken down last year. This year, I didn't think of it until December first, we had no advent counters! I saw this one, and am using paper strips instead of ribbon, and have printed out the ornaments. Better late than never?
That is all for today. I hope you are well, dear reader, and are enjoying this holiday season!
I met Molly for dinner a while back, and her lovely daughter, too, while she was in the area. I enjoyed the evening immensely. I could have conversed with them longer! :) Such wonderfully nice ladies! Sitting down with her felt like like I'd known her for ages.
Running has been virtually nonexistent this week, although I did run a few times last week-only twice this week and once was on the dreadful treadmill so I didn't get very far. Blah.
I have been in a bad state in the arena of eating. The cold weather is moving in and this time of year always moves me into hibernation zone where I want to eat every nonhealthy thing in site and have no ambition to exercise!
I have been subbing on a daily basis, as usual, which leaves nothing done at home... That has me feeling overwhelmed about the pending holidays! :) I have started a spreadsheet called "tasks" and I continue to add new tasks, but get to delete the old as I complete them. I don't have the usual suspects on it like "laundry" or "groceries". These are things I'd like to see done a few days after I place them on the list.
Traditionally speaking, we used to have an advent tree-a wooden tree that played music similar to a music box. We got it when my youngest was an infant. It had finally broken down last year. This year, I didn't think of it until December first, we had no advent counters! I saw this one, and am using paper strips instead of ribbon, and have printed out the ornaments. Better late than never?
That is all for today. I hope you are well, dear reader, and are enjoying this holiday season!
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