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Saturday, March 31, 2018

The End, But Not Really

Well, we did it.

I did it.  I completed a goal, executed a plan, checked a box.  The feeling of accomplishment is fully regarding.

I'm grateful for this challenge and especially to The Two Writing Teachers for hosting it.  I would never have attempted writing in this way, blogging, posting, sharing, without this challenge.  Thank you for opening up this opportunity to me and all the others who join me here.  It is an honor to be among you.

I can't wait to read back through the posts of the challenge that I've bookmarked for review.  It is one inspiration after another as I read posts and comment.  That's my favorite part.  For anyone reading that commented on my pieces, thank you for your graciousness and generosity.  You make the time, effort, and thought worth it.

I also look forward to reading over my own posts, working on some, remembering the back story of others.  It always an informative trip back in time.

My plan going forward is to return here on Tuesdays for the Slice of Life weekly posts.  I'm challenging myself on that.

Until then...

TTYL, dear reader.

Friday, March 30, 2018

The Boy and Mud

The puddle calls to him like a siren.  Even if he wanted to turn away, he couldn't, and of course, he doesn't.  The mud beckons him to slosh about, staining knees and legs and even socks "protected" by his boots.

"Uh-oh, Mommy.  Help me!" he pleads as his boots stick, suctioned into the soupy muck.

I pulled up the back of the right foot, then the heel of the left.  He's free and right back at it.

There will be smiles and laundry for quite a while after this.

Thursday, March 29, 2018

In the Quiet

The whir of the heater fan and blustery gusts of wind are all I hear.  G is napping in the back bedroom.  I wish for sleep, as he had us up at 5:00 this morning.  Now, the slurpy kissing noise of his pacifier.  I hope he's sleeping.

The big boys and Todd are busy off at the farm on some adventure or another.  I overheard a bit of one plan to"explore the old junk pile" earlier today.  It has antiquated vehicles and farm equipment from the 40s and 50s buried in a ditch.  The make-your-own landfill of the past.  It holds treasures and excitement for the kids.  It's impossible to predict what priceless wonders they'll come toting back.

The skid steer is stuck, so Todd will be back soon with the tractor.  Three inches of rain in three days doesn't help get outside work done.  The tracks on the skid steer are pretty much useless in the mud.  I don't fully understand the design there.  To me, tracks are for traction, but not in this case.  The mud cakes on and the machine sinks, it makes no sense.

You might be thinking, "use the tractor".  And you would be right, except we're taking out locust trees that are heavily armed with thorns, some over 4" long.  Nasty plants, I don't know what they are good for.  They are gnarly and mean.

A deep breath and some movement from the back room.  I better check on the boy and get going with something productive.  Either that, or sleep.

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

What day is it?

By some miracle, it hasn't rained today.  Well, it is misty out, but not raining entirely.  We've got some stuff done today, and that feels good.

The youngest napped at the camper (while I might have caught a few winks as well) and now plays tractors.  He babbles on saying lots, but me understanding only little bits.  He's happy.  He ate a snack and watched a Curious George, and counted something on the DVD player.  He loves counting, which means he says most numbers in order until 10, then says random teens and letters afterward.  Because of the recent Curious George, he throws in some "Ooooo, oooo, ahhh, ahhh" monkey noises for added comedic value.  He entertains himself.

It's a blessing of spring break to slow down and just watch my boys.  Right now, it's the youngest.  Earlier, it was the little middle.

I don't know what day it is, but I do know it's not raining, so I will enjoy it!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Spring Break

Oh, Spring Break!

Why are you such a let down?

I know, it's only Tuesday, but my frustration with you has compiled, and now, it's time you hear about it!

Year after year, I build you up in my mind, making grand plans and heaping up hopes.  Then the reality of you comes crashing in, a wave of disappointment.

It's always the same, and I start out with dreams of sleeping in and extra large pots of coffee enjoyed on never ending mornings.  After that, we are super productive and also relax and loaf the whole break.  Spring Break, you will be heaven.

That's not reality, you say?  I'm bound for disappointment, you think?  Well, I think Spring Break should be wonderful.  You are a time when we can all find peace, harmony, and enjoy the outdoors in spring's newness, fresh from the winter funk.

We should go fishing, stay at the farm house and play in the sunshine.  Then it rains and the mud is everywhere and it's too cold for fun in the wet.  Couldn't you have one good day in there? 

We could camp, taking walks and making smores by the campfire.  Then it's a high of 42 degrees and the windchill is near freezing and we have to get the space heater out from under the bed because we don't want to run out of propane and be miserable the rest of the week.  What do you have against springtime camping?

We might stay at home and get loads of landscaping updated to really spruce this place up for summer.  It will look like a million bucks!  Then the skid steer we rented keeps losing its track and the bucket is warped, so it doesn't actually smooth anything out.  The weather is, once again, raining AND cold.  What is the DEAL with you?

Shouldn't you feel at least a bit springlike?  I mean, I realize it isn't summer, but is 60 degrees too much to ask of you?  It doesn't seem like it.  What happened to shedding the winter goo and all the clothes that go with it?!?

Why do you treat us to warm breezes and bright sunshine when we are stuck inside at school?  Can't you just save up a couple of those days especially for break when we are free to enjoy them to their fullest?

The best you can do is send me to Hawaii for break, now that was wonderful!  But I can't afford that (probably ever again).  Oh, Spring Break, I may make you into an expletive.

So, come on.  Get with it, Spring Break.  Send us some sun and lay off the rain.  You can do that next week.


Sunday, March 25, 2018

What It Sounds Like When You're Stuck

As the scene opens, we find the Culbertsons beginning their spring break fun on the family farm.  They are staying in the camper, while the oldest and a couple pals are sleeping in the bunk house (shed).  Everyone is living the dream.

The family (minus the oldest and pals) are riding around the farm looking for shed antlers and wildlife.  They are in the farm Geo Tracker (it's not much of a vehicle).

Todd: Look for deer, boys.  Keep your eyes peeled for sheds.

Emily: Uh-huh.

Todd: Look, ducks on the pond.  Are they wood ducks?

Emily: No idea, my distance vision is terrible.  I'm the last person to ask.  Boys?

The three young Culbertsons mutter affirmation and throw in some guesses, naming random species of ducks.

Todd: Some of them are mallards.  That one is definitely a wood duck.  Watch them take off the water as we drive by.

Emily: Oh, look, boys!!  Wow!  They took right off!

Todd: Ten bucks for any shed you find.   That pond is full.  Whew, it's really wet over here.

Emily: Whoa.  That pond looks the best I've ever seen it.  I'm glad you burned all this. 

Emily: ANTLER!

Boys in the back: Antler, antler!

One boy tries to race Emily to the shed antler, but she had a head start.  The antler has one tine buried in the mud, and the other tines are shadowed with black from the grass burning around it.  It's underside is shiny, bone white.  Emily pries it out of the mud and holds it high in the air, signaling her victory.

Emily: Sorry, boys.  I saw it first.

Todd: Yay, Mommy.  Good eyes.

Emily (looking back out the passenger window): Just look for the unusually white to stand out against the background.

Todd: Man, it is wet.  I'm already in 4 wheel drive.

Emily: I know.  We'll be fine.

Todd: Uh-oh.  (As the motor revs and the tires spin) 

Emily: Thorn tree.  Um, and now another one. (The locust thorns screech against the paint of the passenger side of the car door as it struggles to continue forward.)

Todd: Uh, we're not going anywhere.  These tires are worthless.

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Wake Up!

What time is it?  What happened?  My heart is beating a mile a minute, hard and fast in my chest.  My breathing is shallow, quick in and out.  Is someone in here?

It's still dark. Something made me jump from my sleep in an instant. My legs and arms literally flying up off the mattress.  Sitting up in a panic, my mind is racing as fast as my heart.  Am I late?  What time is it?  Finally, I speak out loud, "Todd, are you up?"  There's no answer from beside me, just the noises that come from a sleeping man.

What time is it?  I look to the clock, 1:06.  Why does it feel like I've had a whole night's sleep?  I swear I'm late getting up.  Weird.  I try to take a deep breath and relax.  It doesn't have the effect I'm hoping for.  I try again and lay back into my pillow.

I'm wondering about what made me wake up in such a hurry, and how I can be freaked out without even the slightest evidence to the cause.

As my mind begins to follow a wondering path down the rabbit whole, a bit of me is stuck on the cause of my sudden lurch from sleep.  I guess I'll ask Todd about it tomorrow.

Friday, March 23, 2018

Human Sundae?

This afternoon brings with it more rain and the probability of chocolate syrup in my hair.  One will not completely cancel out the other, but someone has to do it!

A colleague and good friend is part an "Aspire" administration program for teachers who have or are in the course of getting their administration certification and have interest in becoming an administrator in our district.  This is a choice I will always say "No Thanks!" to.  I think being an administrator would be worse that having two feet full of ingrown toenails, too painful to think about!

Anyway, she is heading up monthly attendance incentive activities for the second semester.  We've had eggs on principals' heads and silly olympics.  This month, the kids are making human sundaes out of three brave volunteers (who might have been asked specifically).  Really, I am happy to do it.  I hope none of the kids, like, have IT out for me or something.  It's going to be fun.  I'm sure of it.

I don't know all the details, but the calories from this sundae will be burning from laughing it off instead of taking it all in.

Also, it's the Friday before Spring Break, so excitement is in the air.  She just popped her head in the door, "Are you getting totally psyched?!?"

Oh, yes.  Totally.  Psyched!


Thursday, March 22, 2018

A Poem for Literacy Fair (and Leadership Night)



   Literacy Fair to celebrate all our teachers and students do,
   Including all our writing to
   Teach and
   Entertain and persuade.
   Reading books
   And then reviewing them to
reCommend or even convince
   You to buy (at the book fair in the library).

   For families to enjoy,
   Also, for us to show off our everyday work.
 wIth some arts and crafts thrown in for extra pizazz,
   Recognition for effort is appreciated.



Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Before That

We're trying something new here, inspired by From the Eye of a Tiger.  It's a new structure that I think really helps me zero in on my slices of life. 

It's been a busy day with me flying around the school and home, and not feeling like I was getting much done.  Here's a taste of it.

Currently...sitting on the couch, beside a snoozing husband, leaning back with my legs criss-crossed, my sparkly purple chucks setting on the footrest of the recliner, "watching" American Pickers reruns.

Before that...hollered down for the middles to turn the TV off and brush teeth, then rocked and shushed and sang lullabies to the youngest.

Before that...packed up the leftovers from dinner, set the three bowls on the middle shelf of the frig, and put the dirties in the dishwasher.

Before that...hefted some groceries to the camper and put them in the panty, then bundled up some bedding to put in the washing machine.

Before that...grabbed some spaghetti off the shelves of the pantry and reached for the sauce we had opened last night to dip our pizza crust in, all for supper for the family.

Before that...ran into WalMart with the middle boys to grab a couple of things, cabbage, ice cream, meatballs, and gum.

Before that...pick up the middle boys from school and take the cat to the vet to get her stitches out.  (She was spayed last week.)

Before that...attended the school district health fair and test drove a couple of cars for a fundraiser.

Before that...shared reading with my kindergarten friends with a substitute classroom teacher and no internet.  Thankfully, I had a paper copy ready to go and some dry erase markers for Word Work Wednesday.

Before that...finished up 5th grade Civil War report recordings.  The kids (and teachers) have been working really hard.  It is nice to check that off the list.

Before that...lunch of avocado with salt and pepper and some crunched up penguin cheese crackers, pretty much cracker crumbs.

Before that...5th graders recording reports and some technical difficulties with headsets and mics not working with some laptops.  We traded and interchanged and swapped a few (million) times to find a pairing without static.

Before that...forgot that a couple of colleagues were going to use my room to plan a district PD.  So, I tried to work and let them work, but I ended up talking to them a little anyway.

Before that...welcomed parents and families to our school wide celebration assembly.  We checked IDs and made sure everyone was safe before the fun festivities began.  It was good to see kids excited about reaching goals and being supported by their families, both home families and school families.

Before that...running late to get out the door, so Todd takes the little guy to the sitter for me.  The middles and I rush to school jamming the music a bit louder to wake us all up.

Before that...even though I can hear the oldest downstairs getting ready, Todd shut the alarm off, so I lay here wishing for a few more minutes.  I'm so sleepy this morning.



Tuesday, March 20, 2018

How to Get Happy

Today, I've fallen in a funk, a crevice where the sunlight doesn't quite touch me.  It's not where I want to be, nor is it the mood I want for my writing.

So, I'm taking control of the situation.  Happiness is a choice.  Instead of dragging you down with the monotony of woe, I'm going to make a Thankful List.  Look around, people who are grateful for even the smallest things, are also happy.  Here's to turning a frown upside down!

My March 20 Thankful List (of 20)


  1. sunshine (partly) on this cloudy day
  2. full shelves in my pantry
  3. clean laundry
  4. toothbrushes and paste
  5. cell phones
  6. Snapchat with my family
  7. nail polish
  8. historical fiction
  9. essential oils
  10. tile floors
  11. fresh air (even when it's chilly)
  12. socks
  13. opportunities to work
  14. smiles
  15. refrigerators
  16. avocados
  17. salt!!
  18. clean sheets
  19. campers
  20. contacts for accurate vision
  21. country living
  22. leggings
  23. Dreft scented t-shirts (and the little one who wears them)
  24. a dependable vehicle
  25. our dog
  26. pillows that my head can sink into
  27. YA novels with smart girls who might do dumb stuff
  28. old stuff
  29. new technologies
  30. my life
Thanks for reading today.  I am grateful for you, too!


Monday, March 19, 2018

Thoughts on This Rainy Day

It's raining, it's pouring, please keep Mrs. Culbertson from snoring.

The rain started in earnest a little after noon.  The vent above my desk indicated a light sprinkle to start (the decibels of sound as precipitation hits the metal roof are my gauge).  Then, suddenly, a deluge!  Drops pounding into the the top of the building with all the force of a two ton weight.  It sounds like literal cats and dogs might be hitting the roof.

The fifth graders are back in my room working to record themselves reading their Civil War reports.  By some miracle (or practiced selective hearing), they continue reading on, voices slightly louder.

The rain eases off a bit, enough that the sound isn't forcing the kids to re-record.  It's a steady pitter-patter on the metal, with a little wave louder and then softer as the breeze blows.  There is rain forecasted for the next ten days, into half of spring break...all the way through this week.

I wonder, "Do the kids feel the lull of post-lunch-white-noise?"  Thank goodness I don't have comfy spot where I could cuddle up.  If I did, I would be snoozing, no doubt.  Also, the students in and out, giving me looks of "Got it" and "Need some help" will keep me up and at 'em.

How is your Monday afternoon going?




Sunday, March 18, 2018

Sunday Six Word Stories

Today is a great day.  I love that we have a chance to get out and do some work and play!  It's still chilly, but we're out and loving it.

This year is the first I've heard of six word stories.  So, I'm giving it a go today.





Everyone's up, get going for church.

Lunch of grilled ham and cheese.

Hampers full, now clean laundry piled.

Youngest naps, some others do too.

Let's get outside, jackets, hats, gloves.

Tractor's out, chopping up dead trees.

Garden readied for tilling and planting.

Plugged in camper, spring break ready.

Time to write, time to read.


Saturday, March 17, 2018

An Impasse

We're at an impasse. 

It looks just like a 3-way stop. 

"He could go straight...Or he might turn right..." I'm trying to figure out what this old fella is going to do.

One-one thousand, two-one thousand...

I wish I was a mind reader (for about the ten millionth time).  "What are you doing?" I ask out loud.

"Just go, Mom," my 14 year old directs from the passenger seat.  I want to roll my eyes, but dig deep for some self-control.

"A blinker would be nice...," I'm thinking right out of my mouth now, (eight-one thousand) "...please drive, sir..." ten-one thousand, eleven-one thousand.

The clouds are drifting at a snail's pace, but faster than we are traveling right now.  People are crossing a ways in front of us.  Sam's is a busy place on this Saturday afternoon...twelve one-thousand, thirteen one-thousand.

"Mom.  I.  Am.  Starv-" he must think he needs to intervene here.

"He's turning, he's turning!" I interrupt.

My right foot lifts off the break as we start to turn right down the parking lot aisle.  We coast pass the cart return and turn right into a spot.

Time to get some shopping done!


Friday, March 16, 2018

Who Wants to Play a Game?

The reason I am including this story is to justify the ridiculousness that is my "purse".  I carry a Retro Metro tote from 31.  It can probably hold fifty pounds of stuff if I tried...I've likely exceeded that on occasion.  I was inspired to writer this post after reading "It's Amazing What You Can Find In a Backpack" at Teaching From the Left.  Accordingly, the contents of aforementioned tote will be disclosed below.

For years I've dreamed of winning a purse scavenger hunt.

When I was probably between 6 and 8 years old, my grandma won some-something by having a 1972 nickel in her wallet.  We were at the community fair, Old Settlers, and the emcee was calling for random items that ladies in the audience were digging around for in their purses.  I remember it was so exciting, seeing if Gram could pluck the desired bit of everyday out of her collection of necessities she kept in her purse.

When the man called for the 1972 nickel, I was on it!  Gram handed me a little pile of change and I scrutinized each one looking for the correct digits.  We had already been too slow with the thimble and a bandaid.  "Here's one, Emily.  Run it up there," she said it like we weren't winning the the grandest prize of grand prizes, which I knew we were.  I took off like a streak, sandles pounding into the grass lawn where we sat.  The benches of people created a maze.  I didn't want someone else to get there first!!  RUN!

At last, I was there, on the stage, holding the nickel high with my right hand.  The emcee looked and confirmed that I (and Gram) had won!  Who-Hoo!!

I wish I knew what we won.  I don't remember.  Gram doesn't remember either.  She didn't even remember the scavenger hunt game when I asked about it.  Oh, well.  It was good times.

So, back to my bag.  It needed to be lightened.  It probably needs to be emptied and washed, but I'm not feeling quite that crazy today.

The contents of my bag include:

  • A Camelbak sippy cup
  • Hand sanitizer
  • A sleep mask
  • Various envelopes 
  • Sunglasses case, empty
  • 2 diapers
  • Two self-contained reusable shopping bags
  • Coupon collector
  • Two gloves
  • A mitten no mate
  • Coin purse
  • Caramel almond and sea salt Kind bar
  • Wallet
  • Mascara
  • 6 pens
  • Multitude of coins
  • Koozie cup new line 
  • Chick-fil-A table topics
  • Caramel apple sucker
  • 16 receipts 
  • Lemonhead mini pop
  • More hand sanitizer 
  • Key fob minus the keys
  • A few feminine products
  • 2 hair ties
  • A broken candy cane
  • A Leatherman Micra 
  • Two packs of gum
  • A tiny tractor
  • Set of earbuds
  • And one tube of hand lotion
It is actually cleaner than I anticipated.  I must have done a New Year's dump and sort session or something.  I fully expected to find more food and some various junk, likely Legos...hmm, it is strange...not one Lego.

So, if we were playing a purse scavenger hunt game, how would you fare?  Let me know the randomness of your bags.  Oh, my school bag, now that could be an ADVENTURE!




Thursday, March 15, 2018

Pass the Popcorn

My room holds seven 5th grade students who are heavily engaged in their work.  These kids are recording themselves read their Civil War reports.  The information writing unit is coming to a close.  To celebrate, the grade level is going all out.  This is mostly due to our Literacy Fair and Leadership Night coming up on the 21st.  We're building up to our biggest celebration of the year.

Some students are on laptops, others at the desktop.  We experimented with the iPads earlier, but we couldn't figure out how to work the mic with the website we were using, so we gave up.

It's like a recording studio.  We've posted signs outside the room to let others know about the important work going on within these walls.

All of the students are taking their recording sessions seriously.  Studiously, one highlights words he wants to emphasize.  The girl next to him has on her headset, equipped with a mic.  She is testing out the recording device for the second time.  Then listening to her voice play back to her.  She smiles.  She must like what she hears.

I've been facilitating the recording most of the morning and after lunch.  The variety of personalities, attitudes, and technological abilities is as colorful as the rainbow.  Some just want to be done with this project, and this recording gets them closer to completion.  Others are perfectionist, recording, listening, re-recording, and on and on.  I think one team of two occupied the corner of the table for almost an hour before they were convinced the recordings were acceptable.

It's like a comedy hour, except some are more dramatic.  Either way, it's been very entertaining.  I sent an email to their classroom teachers thanking them for this fun today.  It's been a while since I've been witness to so many characters in my room!

As I help a boy copy and paste the QR code linking his recording to his report, I overhear the girl at the table behind us.  "That doesn't even make sense!  Hmm....Ok, change that," she's exhausted with herself and this report.  Later, "Oh, man!  I think I forgot to type a paragraph.  I have to go get my paper."

Some students are stressed and others care not.  Some leave smiling and others leave indifferent.  Some students look forward to sharing their work with families and the whole of our elementary world, while others are fine with completing a task and learning about history.

I have been entertained today by students in their natural habitat.  It's been a while since I was needed like this by students.  Some of the kids found independence in figuring out how to record, convert, copy, paste, share.  Most did.  Only a couple were disappointed, and they were invited back to try again tomorrow.  "Maybe you need some time to read your piece aloud and make it sound how you think it should go," I encouraged.

Revision is tough for us all.  I think I might read this piece aloud before hitting the publish button.  It seems to be making all the difference today.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

The Youngest Boy Wants To Be a Writer

So far, each afternoon/evening/night as I sit down at home to write for the challenge, here comes the youngest boy.  My little man is two years and three months old.  He is growing and changing WAY too fast.

He heaves himself onto the couch, first pressing his elbows into the seat cushion, then edging his left knee up, up until he can haul up the rest of his body.  He climbs onto my right side, knee, shoulder, whatever he can hang onto to get some leverage toward the keyboard.



"Whatcha doing, buddy?" I will usually ask.  As I try to save anything I might have been working on or opened.  He is a master at hitting the perfectly wrong button and ruining work, be it school work or personal stuff.  I made sure to keep him away from the computer while I was working on taxes!



"S," he says, pointing to the S key.  The first time he did this, (probably a few weeks ago) I was floored.

Now, I will say, "Yep, that's S.  What other letters do you see?"  He loves this game.  I think he knows about a dozen letters.  This amazes me because I have too many kindergarten kids that don't come to school knowing any letters.


We don't work on learning letter names.  We read books, including ABC books.  I guess he is picking it up from that.  He watches some little kid TV at the sitter during the day.  That exposure, in addition to the conversations that those littles have together, could be a bigger part of his letter name knowledge.

I like that my boys see me writing.  I love that watching me might encourage them to do the same.  This challenge is the best kind of challenge, making us all better.  The ripple effects may not end for generations, and that is exciting.


Tuesday, March 13, 2018

I'm Winning!!

Because of the SOL Challenge, I have been paying attention, trying my best to be present.  I am pursuing a writerly life as best I can.  It's work, and it's fun.  I am really enjoying the challenge this year.

However, today, I was not enjoying my journey.  All day long, I noticed slices, bits of life that I could write.  BUT it seemed like all I noticed was how irritated I was with others, how worn out I was with my work, how impatient I felt like being with EVERYONE.  

I don't want to write about that.  I don't even want those bits in my day!

There was a staff meeting after school today.  It was about school safety and security.  That's all I'll say about that. 

After work, I ran my normal route, picking up kids and the little one, then heading home.  On the way home, we talked about our day.  One of the middle boys said, "I love seeing you during the day, Mom."  Well, that melted my heart of stone.

I thanked him for making me smile and saying kind things.  Then I realized...I'm WINNING!!

There is so much to be thankful for in this day, week, year, life!  So, I decided to look at how I'm winning in this life, today.

My middle boys are with me everyday.

At Sam's last night, I found this box of chips that included all the boys' favorites.  Yee-haw!!


One of my colleagues wrote a really sweet, honest note to me today, AND she let me hug her in thanks.  She is NOT a hugger.  It was awesome!!

My baby boy (he's two years, three months) counted five tractors on the coffee table.  One-to-one correspondence, YES!

My teachers talk to me, ask questions of me, collaborate with me.  They allow me to be a part of their teams.  It is a great honor to work with them.

We ate supper as a family tonight, all crowded around the island in the kitchen.  Plus, I got to make dinner for my boys, and that's important to me.  It makes me feel good to do that domestic kind of work (always cooking, cleaning only sometimes)

I have multitudes of messages from my brothers, sisters, and mom to read tonight.  Messages in my family are always entertaining.

My freezer is full and so are both refrigerators.  I can't take that for granted.

I have a dependable car.  It's old, but it's mine.

Outside, the grass is on its way to green.  Come on, spring!

There was light outside after 7:00pm tonight!  Thank goodness!!

I have family and friends who support me and love me.  Do I need anything more?

I have hope and faith in my Savior.

I'm winning!!

I hope you are winning today too.


Monday, March 12, 2018

Currently

This post, "Currently", from Deo Writer is my inspiration for the day...

Because today was a busy day, and I didn't plan ahead.

Currently I am...




Reading: The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon and  Mindsets and Moves by Gravity Goldberg
Drinking: Water (and I just finished a decaf Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks because I deserved it!)
Planning: next week's shared reading, a trip to the vet for Lizzy (the Lab), and spring break fun (all depends on the weather)
Thinking: About conversations from the day (coaches' meeting)
Feeling: Busy, but not necessarily productive, which then makes me feel uncertain
Listening to: my husband is watching TV, American Pickers (reruns)
Loving: Lizzy (the Lab) is clean and allowed to sit on the carpet between my husband's chair and the couch where I'm sitting
Looking forward to: finishing my books and finding something new to read
Happy Monday friends and fellow Slicers! Have a terrific week!

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Just about 10 minutes worth...

I'm in the great room/living room, whatever we feel like calling it today.  It IS a great room, big and open with seating all around the perimeter.  It's a big room, probably 20+ feet by 20 feet square.  With the furniture around the edges of the room, there's a large open space right in the middle.  The boys (and Todd) use it for farming and wrestling and spreading out all their treasures.

I've picked up.  All the toys and game pieces and tiny vehicles are in their proper spots.  I've moved the bouncing hippo thing and little spiderman Big Joe chair onto the couch.  The  blankets have been folded and stacked.  Pillows are filling the seats of most of the seating options.  It's time to vacuum.

Lizzy, my seven-year-old labrador, eyes the vacuum with weariness and suspicion.  As I plug it in, she raises from her bed, head down, eyes on me under her brow.  Heading downstairs, she wants to get away.  I guess she's afraid of it.  She will go after delivery men, barking and growling like she plans to eat their faces off.  She is so leary of the vacuum, like it threatens her with those same things.

I use the outlet by the fireplace.  Plugging in here allows me to reach most of the room.  The cord is wrapped around its storage hooks.  I unwind it, and hold the bit closest to the vacuum in my left hand.  My youngest squeals and runs and works to get up on the far couch.  He and Lizzy share similar feelings toward the vacuum.  It seems today, though, he's going to make a game of it.

Using my foot, I hit the red power pedal.  The whining roar fills the room and the baby lets out a hollar.  I can't really hear him over the din, but his mouth is open wide and his eyes are on the vacuum.  This is a chore I actually enjoy.  I would probably sweep everyday if I were not spending most of my time at school.  There is something special about the lines of cleanliness, a pattern of neatness, a sense of sanitary satisfaction.

Slowly, I travel back and forth, east to west, west to east, moving slightly each time to take in more of the room.  I push and pull and repeat.

From behind me come two armed banshees, screaming and running wild.  They carry Nerf guns.  There must be a war going on that I am unaware of.  It has met me here, in the living room.  The vacuuming is uninterrupted, as is the war.  Blue and orange bullets sail through the air, one barely missing my head.  I glance at the middle boys who give no care that I'm trying to work here.  They are smiling and shouting and moving fast as cheetahs.  They are this way, then that.  On one side of me, then the other.  Back and forth over the freshly cleaned carpet. 

And just like that, they disappear from where they came.  The baby scoots off the couch to go after them, deciding their game looks more fun.

I unplug from this outlet and move behind the couches to where the dog bed is.  I always leave it for last.  As I move the vacuum up and back, behind the couch, I notice bits of popcorn that have made their way through the cushions, to the floor.  I sweep it up, smiling.  We love popcorn.

Finally, the job finished, I unplug and wrap the cord for storage.  I wheel the vacuum to the closet, it's spot open inside.  I close the door and take in my accomplishment.  This may be my most productive ten minutes of the day.

The "after" picture...the satisfying pattern and neatness don't last long around here.  :)

Book club discussion?

Is anyone interested in some book club discussion here?  I'm about 3/4 of the way through The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon.  I really want to talk to someone about it!  Is that someone you?

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Naptime Slice

It's naptime.

The middle boys, baby, and I have eaten a mid-morning meal, participated/spectated the last Upward basketball game for the season, and eaten again, this time mid-afternoon.  It was fast food and not very tasty.

Now, it's naptime.

The middle boys are downstairs watching some show that I hope isn't decreasing their IQ or leading to bad character.  The sounds of voices and music, with a few little bits of hysterics, carry up the stairs.

The baby is napping.

Here I sit on the couch, my feet propped up on the reclining footrest.  The curtains are open to a partly cloudy day with the sun seeming to put in good effort in shining.  Outside, the grass is starting to evolve from brown to green, somewhere in the middle of that transformation.

I am grateful it's naptime.

The upstairs is quiet.  The letters of the keyboard being punched and my watch scratching across the wrist rest of the computer are the only immediate sounds.  If I listen (and ignore that ridiculous TV noise), I can hear my windchimes on the front porch, lightly ting-tong, ting-tong-tonging, just ever so slightly with long space of silence between.

Oh, naptime.

I am thinking about my slice and what part of my day I want to write about.  It's just a Saturday, like so many others.  If I sit here thinking much longer, I'm going to get tired...sleepy.  Yawn...

It's naptime.


Friday, March 9, 2018

The Not-So-Quiet of the Day

It's some time after lunch.  I'm guessing it's a bit after one.  Time in my room is just what I needed, so here I am, with about six things on the To-Do list.  Granted, the six things on the list are the only ones I could remember when I was making the list.  I'm sure there are about 600 others that I don't have written down.

The classroom doors are propped open with a magnet lodged in the frame.  From the hallway come rumblings, snippets of voices in story.  I need to get busy.  There's loads to do!

In the room next to me, the speakers of the library are blaring.  It's like an oxymoron, a noisy library.  The wall is not soundproof, not by any degree of the word.  However, it's the grid ceiling with a mesh tile directly above my head, that's the real problem.  The speaker, advertising the upcoming book fair, is mounted in the middle of a ceiling tile about ten feet to the south of this mesh tile.  I'm guessing for all the decibels pumped into the library, there are equally as many bouncing around between the metal roof and that mesh tile above my head.  It will be a miracle if I accomplish anything in this bit of time I have.

Suddenly, there is an outburst in the hallway.  Someone is having a hard time.  There are a few subs in the classrooms around me.  I better check on that.  I lead the student out to walk the hall.  I needed to get some papers off of the printer anyway.

Back in my room, ready to work, I sit and twist in my chair toward the keyboard.  With the printed pages, I cross off the third item on my to-do list.

How productive were you today?


Thursday, March 8, 2018

Veteran and Master

Today, I hosted all day collaboration time for each grade level.  The content conversations revolved around math, so I was pretty much marginalized.  I am ok with that.  My role was hostess.  I did what I could, served up chocolate, ensured the temperature was comfortable, empathized with conversations.

Because I was not in charge of facilitating thinking or guiding conversations, I had the luxury of engaging in some wondering, letting my thoughts wander.  One of the other coaches addressed the experienced teachers as "master teachers".

That term caught my attention, and I sat, thinking.

Master makes me think of someone with mega skills.  Someone at the top of her game.  A teacher that knows learning and knows kids.  I want to be a master.

Many times, we have employed the term "veteran teacher".  I've never had a problem with that...until now.  In contrast to master, the word veteran carries connotations of negativity.  Or, it does now.  Veterans have battle scars.  Veterans tell war stories.

Masters thrive.  Veterans survive.

I don't want to survive my career, I want to thrive in learning, knowing, teaching.

How was your day?  Do you feel like a master or a veteran today?


Wednesday, March 7, 2018

The meeting blues...

Last week's meeting
     starts before my normal time
     continues past its scheduled ending
     talking in circles

Today's early morning meeting
     I'm going to stay quiet this month
     I've been directly addressed
     I reply, speaking from experience

Today's impromptu meeting
     be open to ideas and newness
     take time to listen
     be present

Today's after school meeting
     compliance feels like playing games
     we want what is best for kids
     some people only know how to complain

Tomorrow's all day meetings
     what is my role?
     how can I be supportive?
     what can I control?



Tuesday, March 6, 2018

What's a snow squall?

It's not funny.  I mean it.  It's not.  Today, I experienced one of those moments where words take on a whole new meaning.  Connections were made.  It was something.

Earlier, about lunchtime, I overheard a teacher ask another, "What is a snow squall?"  With a general shrug of the shoulders and mumble about it being "like snow showers" as her reply, I kept walking.

"Snow squall" is not a term I've heard before.  I thought on it while getting back to the google form I was creating for a fifth grade assessment.  "Maybe I should ask fifth graders what they think a snow squall is," I think.

From my room, I can hear most happenings of the hallway (and most of the time-the bathroom).  Sometimes, fourth grade gets rowdy when changing classrooms for Science/Social Studies close to the end of the day.  I've had to break up a couple of time wasters partying outside my door before.  Every once in a while, I'll check to make sure the strange noise I'm hearing isn't someone in need of help, or an exorcist.

Just now, I heard third grade pushed their way outside for recess.  It is a welcomed sound as they have been inside for recess yesterday and most of last week.  It is chillier than I anticipated and I wonder if the kids prepared for going outside to recess, coming to school properly dressed.

Suddenly, there is a disturbance in the hall.  It sounds like a riot.  "What in the world?" I think.  "Is someone hurt?  Is there a fight?"  My goodness, I stick my head out the door just as adults raise their voices over the din of the masses.

"THIRD GRADE!!!  THIRD GRADE!!!" an adult is trying, vying for the attention of this uprising, from somewhere by the doors.  Her getting louder tactic is not working.  I can't even find an adult to make eyes at for all the ruckus and ridiculousness.  "There is squalling, for sure," I think.  After many, "Can you be okay?"s and more "Not okay."s, the teachers trapped at the back of this storm emerges to regain control of the crowd.

It seems that as third grade made their way out to recess, the potential weather moved in.  A blizzard-like condition sat right down on the playground causing an upheaval in attitudes and auditory levels.  A snow squall made itself known.

I was curious.  I had to look it up.


I laughed out loud at the exact wording in the two definitions, as if these kids were on a mission to personify the dictionary.  Vocabulary work at its core!

Is it irony or coincidence?  Oh, kids!  This life would be boring without them.

Have you encountered the word squall lately?


Monday, March 5, 2018

Rainy day, like pouring!

I'm not parking in the garage because the kitten (which is fully grown and almost a year old) is in heat.  We have a vet appointment for Wednesday to get her spayed.  She is in solitary confinement, in the garage, until then.  It's kind of nice to have the garage so clean and open without my big ole Suburban taking up space.

Last week, began the parking-in-the-driveway phase of our get-the-cat-fixed plan.  We woke up to a heavy frost early one morning.  Checking the forecast is not one of my priorities, but I should reconsider this as it would probably make my life easier in the long run.  I didn't leave time to defrost the windshield, driver's side window, or passenger side window, so we traveled down the driveway and out onto the highway with the windows rolled down for increased visibility.  It was chilly.  I was already missing my garage parking.

Then today, as we are ready to head out to the car for our morning commute, it starts to rain.  It was a heavy sprinkle, enough to make noise that you notice while still inside the comfort of the kitchen.  I had the youngest, with his jacket snapped up to the neck, in my arms to be carried to the car.  Why didn't I park in the garage?  Oh, I wish I had now!  What would have taken a couple of extra minutes last night, will now cost me dry clothes and hair.  It couldn't be raining harder now.

Off we go!!  Run!!  My husband calls from behind me, "Don't you want an umbrella?!?"

The cold wet is sliding down my back and dripping in my face as I put the little one in his car seat.  Snap the left side of the 5 point harness, now the right.  Please don't squirm, little man, I think,  He is asking for wagons and trucks and something I can't decipher at the moment while I'm pelted from all directions with freezing drops of water.  "Ok, bud, I'm going to get my bag and coffee.  I'll be right back," I say to the little.  I would rather just stay here and call the boys via my husband.  An intercom would be nice.  "And bring my stuff with you," I would say.  But that is not my world.  As I make a run for it back to the house, I am praying that I don't wipe out on the slick, wet concrete.

Back inside, I huff and whine and shake a bit like a dog because the loose pieces of hair that surround my face are dripping with rain.  "Do you want an umbrella?" Todd asks as he takes in my fully clothed shower look.

"No, I can't handle an umbrella with all the other stuff I am trying to get out to the car," I respond with raised eyebrows.  He has to see that my wet hair and dampened shirt would only be worse if I was trying to juggle an umbrella (which is awkward in most situations where two hands are available) with a kid and/or my school bag and/or purse.  I don't need that extra drama.

I prod the middle boys to get out to the car.  They both have umbrellas.  I smile.  It's raining and it's Monday.  It's going to be a good day.


Sunday, March 4, 2018

Recipe for a Sunday

So, today finds me in the kitchen.

Ha!  I hear you chuckling back there.  Yes, being the mom of four boys means you can always find me in the kitchen.  Today is special because I wasn't just "doing my thing" absentmindedly.  I was paying attention.  I was looking and listening, alert to any slice that might fall in my lap while I wipe the counters, empty the dishwasher, and refill the dishwasher.  This is my everyday, but today it's special.

Today, I want cookies.  Chocolate chip made with coconut oil, that's going to hit the spot.  Or I just bought some more rolled oats, so oatmeal raisin cookies have been a long time coming.  Better yet, I'll make both!  I think I can justify the oatmeal as a breakfast food.

There's no sugar.  Rats!  What happened to the sugar?  Did I use it all?  I sure don't remember that I did.  Sweet tea in the fridge means I have been using it...I guess it didn't register that we were out.  Put it on the list.

Now what to do...

Cupcakes, they will have to be my consolation prize.  I have carrot cake mix with the raisins in it.  It's my favorite.  I know, I'm 89 years old.

Since I have a cake mix, it only requires a couple of other ingredients, oil, water, eggs.  Easy.



Now for one of the best culinary concoctions ever, cream cheese frosting!!  I have cream cheese, butter, and I have powdered sugar, miracle!  It surprises me that I don't consult my numerous cookbooks or my recipe box throughout this whole endeavor.  I did use Google to find the Betty Crocker cream cheese frosting recipe.  I'm kind of disappointed in myself with this, but thoughts for another day.

It's not too sweet and has the tang of the cream cheese.  Isn't it beautiful?



I might have eaten two, before lunch.


I hope your Sunday is full of treats!




Saturday, March 3, 2018

Face masks and Saturday mornings

I hope this finds you leisurely basking in the whatever-ness of a clear, sunny Saturday morning.  That's exactly what is happening here.

I have enjoyed my first cup of coffee in over a week, (I was on hiatus from coffee after my bout with the flu.) a new Blue Lotus Seed Mud Mask applied for exfoliation, detoxification, and brightness. 

Please don't think me vain, but obviously, I am.  As forty looms in the next couple of years, I look in the mirror and find some lines that weren't there before this fourth boy.  It seems I raise my eyebrows too much and too often.  The proof is written right there on my face, the etched forehead, to be exact.

This morning, Team Umizoomi has serenaded me with positive vibes of mighty math powers and problem solving.  I'm trying to finish a novel I started reading on Wednesday night.  It's good and keeping my attention, it's just that other things (people) need my attention too.  Who is even watching this show?  It's playing to an empty living room while I stand in the kitchen, elbows on the counter, looming over my Kindle.

Suddenly, it's 10:23!  We have basketball team pictures at 11:00.  I have to close the cover to this book.  I have to feed these little people.  We are in charge of snacks today.  Pack quickly, fill a water bottle, shove the shoes in that bag, oh, where's the diaper bag?!?  "Boys?!?"  I call out to anyone who might be listening.  "We have to go!  I forgot about pictures!"

Normal game time is noon, so we are off schedule by more than an hour.  The boys are rushing, now.  Get in the car, load the snacks, find the diaper bag.  We're going to make it, right?




Friday, March 2, 2018

Sickness and solice

The middles are sick.  They have both had a fever this week.

Sick kids are no fun, but I have been able to give extra hugs and kisses on the head...and make tea.  As medicine kicks in, the boys find games to play and toys to drag amongst the rooms I've been cleaning, sanitizing.

Today, it was just the little middle and me.  His fever was 101.7 at its worst, so he slept on and off for an hour in the mornging and a couple of hours in the afternoon.

I was upstairs folding some laundry and listening to some great 80s country when he came up to tell me he was feeling better.  "Good!  That TV show and rest must have done the trick!"  I was hoping that he felt better than he looked, droopy, dark eyes in a pale face.  He drug his blanket behind him, reminding us both of Linus.  He smiled when I mentioned it.

"Do you want to play a game?" he asked with his new found energy.

"Sure, what do you want to play?  Just a minute while I finish this basket.  It's mostly yours anyway.  We'll have to put it away when we are done playing or your stacks are sure to fall over, they're so tall."  I only had some socks and a few more t-shirts to fold.

When I stepped from the laundry into my bedroom, it had to have been 5 minutes at the most, I found him bundled in his blanket, asleep on my bed.  Poor fella.  I had to smile, and I had to take a picture.  It was the sweetest.



I sent the picture to my husband with the caption, "He said he was feeling better and wanted to play a game."

My husband replied, "Seems about right"




Thursday, March 1, 2018

Let's Get It Started! #SOL18 1/31

Well, I am queen of best intentions.  One of those people who are thoughtful, but have a hard time with the "follow through".  I know what's coming, and I've been gearing up both in thought and in action.  I have a new favorite pen, waiting for March to get here.  My prize is readied, setting, joy materialized.  The SOL Challenge 2018 has been a little section of my mind, a little plan on my list, a part of the writing I've been waiting to do.

March is HERE!!  Today is the day!!  Let's get it started!

And then, I have visitors from another school today.  I'm up a little late this morning.  We are one sub short.  Three grade levels are between units and not even really writing today!  One of my strongest teachers is out because her mom had knee replacement surgery this week.  My visitors stay longer than expected.  I have bus duty.

After school, my husband texts that he is headed home early and has picked up the youngest from the sitter.  I grab the middle boys and point our vehicle toward home too.  I heat up some leftovers and munch on some chips.  The boys are fed.

Not yet, I have to finish the taxes.  I forgot, last night, I commited to these final entries.

I want to write!!!  I've been looking forward to this day for ages!!!

So, by the skin of my teeth, I make a deadline for some writing that I wanted to be sooo much more than this.

It's March.  The SOL18 has started.  I can't wait to breath it in and savor it...all month!

Welcome, friends!  I've been waiting for you!!