Friday, September 13, 2013

Before school started I did something crazy. My sister-in-law told me that the animal shelter had kittens buy one get one free. I took my youngest daughter to look at them. I know, it was a moment of insanity, and yes, we still have two old dogs. We didn't see any kittens while we were there. However, we looked at the older cats and one cat truly connected with our daughter. We went home and thought it over, going the next morning again. Both daughters loved this cat and her half sister. We got both, brought them home and loved them. I worked hard to introduce them to the dogs, and vice versa, over the next few days. Our big dog would lay outside our daughter's room, which was where we kept them closed in and the dogs closed out, and stalk them, smell and watch under the door for them, and try to burst in when we went in or out. After our oldest daughter went off to college and our youngest was gone to school, I enjoyed caring for them, and trying to get all the pets acclimated. My husband wasn't thrilled. Then we began the debate of de-clawing or not-we didn't want our furniture ruined, but wanted them to be able to protect themselves if the dogs did get them. Our big dog didn't let up-my husband still says he thinks the dog would be fine, but I was worried. After about two weeks, there was no change in the animals' reaction to each other or compromise on their claws, so I knew in my heart that it was time to take them back. It was sad for my daughter and I, but we both knew it was for the best. I cried all the way back to the shelter and the entire time I filled out the paperwork to return them. I wrote all about how great great they were together, how sweet and loving they were. The sweet girl at the desk asked if I would like to be notified when they were adopted. I said that I would appreciate that. She called one week later saying an older gentleman who lived alone had taken them both. I hope the three of them are very happy together. I still find myself missing them... How are you and your family/pets, Reader? I hope well.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

I do have more time on my hands these days, which I have been trying to use wisely, since I quit my part time job in hopes of that elusive full time teaching position. Hopefully it is still out there for me. In the meantime, I have headed back into the world of substitute teaching again. This leaves me time, as I wait for my fingerprint information and paperwork to be finalized, I am keeping up on housecleaning, laundry, organizing, thinking of blog topics, and helping out the teacher who took my place with things she is unsure of. I am planning on pre-posting/scheduling posts so I don't fall off the face of the earth again. ;) I think I'm going to designate a few weekly blog topics: 1. Social Media Monday, where I post some interesting quotes, pics or items from my posting on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, Pinterest-well, interesting to me. ;) I often tweet quotes that I appreciate, post fun pictures and pin teaching information/resources, so I'd love to share some. I think it will encourage a bridge for me, which I haven't chosen to access, yet. 2. Talk of Family Tuesday, where I blog about family memories, members or moments that are in the forefront of my mind. My husband's grandfather's passing really has me thinking. Also, knowing that my grandmother is failing in health and is more confused each day... As well as 9/11 passing and that residual feeling of “you never know” when you will be leaving this world, so you must tell people how much you care for them, tell them of the memories you have. 3. What I'm Reading Wednesday, in which I post about the books I'm reading, books I've added to my “to-read” list or my reading progress. I set a goal at the beginning of the year to read 20 books. I didn't know I wouldn't be in a consistent classroom this fall, and knowing how much of my time I put into my teaching, I didn't want to commit to two books per month, but I still wanted a good goal. I wanted to stretch my summer to reading/brain growth (back to my “one little word” for this year: Grow). So far I have read 17. One of my reads was a re-read from high school: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Most have been mysteries. I enjoy other types of books like fiction, but I started a new mystery series and continued with them all summer. I also challenged myself to read a mystery from “greatest books of all time” lists: Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. Now I'm wondering what to pick up next... But I can talk about that on Wednesdays. :) 4. Thursday's Helpful Apps is a series that may have a finite life, unlike the others, the resource I take my information from will be my own phone, computer, etc. I have several that I use regularly and a few I check daily or multiple times per day. I'd love to share their usefulness or lack of, if I try something that seems like a waste for me. Not that I'm a super-techie, but I thought it might be fun. 5. Friday-Sunday... Not sure what I will do here, probably just general posts. Unless you have suggestions? Or would you, as a Reader, just like me to actually post and not fall behind? :) Maybe one day a week I can post some teaching site/information I appreciate. Well, that is it for now from this post. It's funny that I don't post for so long and then my posts are long! I hope you have been able to hang in there through my rambling. I also hope your day is delightful, Reader.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

It's been awhile since I posted. I've been pretty sporadic on my blog over the past year. Last posts were at the beginning of August about being grateful. I didn't stop feeling grateful for all I have been blessed with. Time was just zipping by. Since I last posted I have taken my oldest daughter to college. That event has been quite an adjustment. I really enjoyed my time with her before she left. I wrote her a long note about how proud I was of her, how I expected her to continue diligence with her schoolwork, how we are always here for her... it was strange, but I wanted her to continue to have those thoughts and feelings from our hearts, just like we tell her when she is here. Moving her into college was not difficult, really, caught up in the chaos of the campus, getting her first college dorm “liveable”. Leaving I did well, only got misty-eyed once. Even the next day wasn't too bad since I had scheduled myself as host to our younger daughter's cross country team dinner: 20-30 female runners at our house, which meant I needed to cook (a lot!) and clean, so the day passed quickly. Then we had our weekend, our youngest daughter's first run as a high schooler, which also made time pass quickly. However, early the next week was tough, for both she and I. We are through that, and onto schedules that keep us busier, now. However, as I type, we are on our way to pick her up, for sad reasons as my husband's grandfather has passed away, so we are heading to the funeral. On a more positive note our youngest daughter has been running and enjoying being on the cross country team, and making new friends. She has also started a few other new adventures like French and Art classes, which she hasn't had in her recent school years, or ever. We bought her first homecoming dress this past weekend, as well, and it looks like she is going with a group of friends. Well, Reader, that is probably enough catch up information for now. Be on the look-out for more new posts. I hope you are well.

Grateful Quote July 8 2013

Whatever we are waiting for - peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart. Sarah Ban Breathnach

Day 8 Thankful July 2013

I am thankful for technology. It has been useful to me in many ways. First, it keeps me in touch with my family near and far, even amidst busy schedules. I can see photos of friends, and family, keep up with people who have moved like old neighbors. We have some old neighbors who lived next door for 12 years. Then they moved and we hardly see them, but can see updates of their family through Facebook. My grandfather, my 79 year old grandfather, likes to pop up messages saying hello. I appreciate it very much. We got to see he, and my parents, this weekend. It was such a nice visit. Other technology I do, or will, appreciate: texting with my girls, skyping with my nieces, weather.com radar to plan my runs, my Garmin watch that tracks my speed and distance for my runs, educational websites where I can search for new lesson plan ideas or activities/video clips for my students... the list goes on. One piece of technology I enjoy is blogging, too! I hope you are well, Reader. What are your favorite aspects of technology?