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Saturday, April 30, 2016

Four Legged Chickens, and Other Evidence...

I'm an early bird by nature.  I need the time in the morning, letting my mind wander and plan the day for my students.  I tidy up, rearrange, stack things, drink my coffee, file, grade....you know, the usual things.  Sometimes, in the quietness, I notice the tiny treasures that get lost in the shuffle once my students come in.  These little things are evidence that I know I'm where I should be in my career choice.



This little gem was a picture that my student was drawing on Tuesday, after his testing was finished.  I didn't even knew he drew it until the next day, in the stillness of the morning.  I audibly laughed out loud, wishing someone were with me to crack up at the four-legged chicken.  Evidence....


Even though the owl craze is over, I can't switch to a new classroom theme because these little pictures keep showing up on my desk.  It's the sweetest thing ever.  This one hangs over my desk, just waiting patiently for me stop the business of my work to remember the little girl who drew it for me--I remember that she was SO excited to give it to me.  Drawings are sometimes the only thing a child can give you that's truly from them.  More evidence....


Every year, I try to be all tough, telling the kids that I do not accept coins for book orders.  "Checks or dollar bills only," I say.  Then, the baggie of change comes in, and I get all mushy inside.  I love that the kids love book orders, and pay with whatever they can scrounge up.  My change jar at home is full, and I continue writing the checks out to Scholastic.  Drives me crazy, but I love it.  Evidence.


I call these "book stacks."  They tip over...they cause squabbles...technically, I see book stacks as an early warning sign for hoarding.  When I stop to think about it, they are just signs that kids are excited to read, and have a bunch of books on deck, waiting to be read.  It warms my heart, because at the beginning of any school year, it's hard enough to get them to put a book in their hands.  Evidence.

 

The love notes show up when you least expect them. This one showed up in the stack of papers I was grading.  I was all pent up over the number of papers with no names on them, then this little heart made it's way up the stack.  Evidence.

There's more evidence waiting to be discovered.  Take some quiet time in your classroom and you'll find it, or it will find you.  Whenever I'm stressed, stretched too thin, under appreciated, misunderstood, I will have these pictures to remind me of what really matters.

Enjoy your weekend,

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

February Currently

Happy February, everyone!  Are you happy that the Groundhog saw his shadow?  I'm not.  I love winter and rain!  I have to qualify my love of winter with the fact that I live in Southern California, where we say "winter" with quotation marks.  Not exactly the blizzard scenario that our friends across the nation face.  For us in our horrible drought, I say keep El Nino in motion!  Anywho, it's time for the best link up in town, Farley's monthly Currently Link Up.  Check her NEW, fancy blog design here:  FARLEY ROCKS!  Try not to crack up at her blog--always sounds like she's talking directly to you...love it!


Listening:  To Jack TRYING to squirm his way out of stealing something while he was in Hawaii.  This guy is in major denial, and I can't believe his new girlfriend is tolerating him.  Lying is something I don't do well with.  Vanderpump Rules is one of my favorite shows--just can't get enough. (My husband shakes his head at me when I watch it, so I have to DVR it and watch it when he leaves the house.)

Loving:  My son's teacher's Valentine's Day gift.  I LOVE me some chevron note cards!!  Take a peek!  I found these at Target.  Of course, a lil Starbucks card is thrown in too--it's a MUST for teachers, no?

Thinking: Always always always, thinking of my class of 3rd graders. I've been mending my broken leg since Sept. 27th!! It's been WAY too long seeing them.  They've actually known my sub longer than me, which is super weird.   I hope they remember me when I get back.

Wanting:  Speaking of my broken leg, I'm actually up and walking on it now--hurrah!!  I was 100% dependent on my crutches for two weeks, and now I'm hobbling in my walking boot.  It's not a pretty sight; my gait is needing lots of improvement.  When I try to take the boot off, my leg is like a spaghetti noodle, which is scary.  I can't walk on it at all, so it looks like I need physical therapy, STAT!

Needing:  Cases of Girl Scout cookies are towering over us!  I'm the Cookie Mom for my daughter's Girl Scout troop, which is fun.  But man oh man, the temptation to eat them is out.of.control.   I need the cookies out--now!

Swooning:  I know this sounds corny, but I'm really so attracted to my husband.  He's getting more and more handsome as he ages.  Plus, he's taken such good care of me over the last few months.  He's the peanut butter to my jelly!

Welp, that wraps up another Currently.  Hope your days are full of fun and love!




Friday, January 1, 2016

January Currently

Happiest of New Years to all of you!  It's time for Farley's monthly Currently hook up, which I'm ever so grateful for...perfect for reflecting on your months, all year long!  


Listening:  My son is DOMINATING his new XBOX game, Star Wars Battlefront.  Maybe it had to do with seeing the movie a few times during break.   {My husband and son are Star Wars junkies!}

Loving:  The new year feels like such a clean slate, which feels good.  2015 had some major set-backs for me, mainly that I broke my leg.  So, I'm looking forward to re-writing a better new year.  My next x-ray is on Jan. 19th, so I'm praying for my tibia to be completely healed, and ready for walking.   

Thinking:  Our best friends wound up getting that horrible stomach flu on New Years Eve, so we had to cancel our poker night.  Instead of sitting home, we decided to go see the new movie, Joy.  Wowzers--what a powerful movie!  I am always moved by stories that demonstrate human strength and resilience,  over-coming obstacles.  Go see it!

Wanting:  To get back to school.  4 months is long enough!!  The bummer is that it's almost testing time--ugh!  I will have to really hustle to get them ready.

Needing:  A one story house it what we need.  I'm having flash backs every day of my accident--and every time my kids come down the stairs, I cringe.  I think I have PTSD--not kidding!

One Little Word:  WALK.  That's it, friends.  I will never never never never never take my legs or body for granted again.   I have unbelievable compassion for people who are confined to wheelchairs for their entire lives; I just can't tell you how humbling it is to be wheeled around, depending on help 24/7.  I'm sending my good vibes to Farley, praying she continues to feel better into the new year.

That's all folks!  May your 2016 be the BEST ever!