Summertime, and the livin is easy

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a
summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float
across the sky, is by no means a waste of time

unknown

teaching

I always knew I wanted to teach. I was the kid whose mom and dad let me turn the garage into a classroom. It was complete with every thing a teacher could need. The stuffed animals were all in their rows. I built my own podium, which fell over when I walked past. I made my own U.S. map to pull down from the ceiling that had to be rolled up and tied with a piece of yarn. And...I have never confessed before now, that I stole a chalkboard eraser in second grade from Mrs. Auwen. I was tired of using a sock. I would teach for hours.

In my garage classroom, it was a perfect world. I had a class size of 6. The monkey stayed in his seat, the elephant never forgot her homework, the owl never showed me up with his intelligence, and the sign on the door read "no grumpy parents allowed". As I look back, what a boring classroom it was!

Where was the child with ADHD? The one with Aspergers? The one who sleeps through lessons? Where’s the one who never turns in assignments? The one constantly blurting out? The one never paying attention? Where’s the one who bullies other kids? The one whose parents are divorcing? The one who is trying her hardest and still failing? That describes a more typical classroom doesn’t it?

I have learned that teaching is a career of compassion. Through the past 9 years, my students have taught me more than I have taught them. It is these children, our "challenges" who have taught me important life lessons: lessons of compassion, lessons of tolerance, lessons of patience, lessons of love. Because every child in my room is someone else’s son or daughter. And they are trusting me, yes to teach them, but more importantly to treat them with goodness and to love them. Even the ones who are hardest to love. A good friend and colleague once told me, "They won’t remember if you taught them their multiplication facts, but they’ll remember how you treated them."

The "challenges" that have come through the door of my classroom have become some of my greatest blessings, not only because they’ve made me a better teacher. But because they’ve made me a better person.

Happy, happy, joy, joy

Some of the best news arrived in my yahoo inbox today. I have been selected as one of the 12 finalists in a children's book competition. My head is absolutely spinning. I jumped around my house yahooing for about 12 minutes, praising Jesus. Now my adrenaline rush is over and I'm wrapped up in a whirlwind of craziness. I can not get my head to settle down. Even as I try, doubt and failure begins to creep in. Emotions, emotions. I am continuing with positive self-talk. I visualize the outcome I want. Jeremiah 29:11 folks.

I was doing just fine until.....

Today is the official first day of summer break for me. I awoke early, created my to-do list, and feverishly attacked it. The house hasn't been cleaned in months and the dirt and grime is stacking up. Not to mention, we had the bathrooms redone, so we've been living in a bit of chaos of late. So with apron on (for the pockets) and timer ready (the only way I can stay focused) I got busy. I was doing just fine until my husband calls to announce he has discovered a house for sale, in the country, with a little acreage, not too far, possibly at the right price. At first, I wasn't interested. My first thought was (no I like my house I don't want to move) but my mouth said (okay I'll drive out there). Well as soon as I saw it, my imagination got the best of me, as it always does. Now, I'm scheming all the ways of possibly selling our house and moving. And I think that is just crazy. I haven't even seen the inside. So with prayers sent up, I will trust God for what is meant to be.

falling stars, birthday candles, dandelions

i wish i was creative

i wish i was organized

i wish i was thinner

i wish i had a clean house

i wish i had my vegetable garden tilled

i wish i could write

i wish i was more spontaneous

i wish I made right decisions

i wish i was a people person
i wish people read my blog

maybe I have a sweet tooth

I think there was a time, way back, when life wasn't sugar coated. When not everyone made the team and you didn't get a participation trophy. Winners are winners because the cream rises to the top. Today I'm feeling guilty. Awards assembly day. The day when children who have worked hard deserve to be honored with recognition. Should every child receive an award? If everyone got one, then it doesn't become special or coveted. It almost becomes a joke, Best Shoe Tie-er; Least likely to Dribble at the Water Fountain.....give me a break. Awarding everyone is like saying "its okay to be mediocre.....average is fine......just get by and try not to excel" I'm sad that kids get their feelings hurt and I'm more sad that parents get theirs hurt worse. But life can not be sticky sweet all the time.

escape

my escape.......a huge cottonwood tree, a pond, a field of flowers, rolling slopes on a section of land that rejuvenates me. I plan on journeying out at least one day a week this summer, just me and my dogs and a laptop. I will sit under this tree and fulfill my writer's dream. Peace.....complete peace. Oh but watch out for the cow patties!

inspired by others

Oh my goodness, I haven't blogged in forever. Its been so long in fact that I forgot my password and had to try at least 4, including open sesame before the page magically appeared. Most of the time I just go through life, but the occasional day comes when i feel inspired to just let it all out. Right now i feel inspired to forget about the ridiculous rule of capitalizing and type as fast as i possibly can. my mind thinks so fast when i write that one thought is completely gone before i can get it down or vaguely remember what i was saying. i am inspired today by another blog i happened upon. wow! how many people do we deal with daily that are hurting deeply and we really have no clue? we really never know what people are feeling do we? and then we come across their blog and it is like a window to the soul and we get a peek of what its like to be them. they are a bit intriguing yes, but perhaps more pitiful really. it is on my heart to reach out to two ladies, completely unrelated, in particular. i'm not quite sure what i am supposed to do, but am finding my thoughts drifting to them often. i just felt the need to say.

Great Quote and Life Motto

I was watching Texas Country Reporter and was interested in a story about Senior Olympics. This is a time when senior citizens compete against one another in a track and field competition. The feature was about a man, can't remember his name, who had never thrown a disc, shot put or javelin, but at the age of 60 felt inspired. He began practicing at his home with some make shift equipment, entered the competition and won. Since then, he is one of the best.

The quote for that show that I had to write down when I heard it was: "Old age only happens when regrets take the place of dreams"

This should be our motto. What are your dreams? Do you still have them? Are you still working for them? Have regrets taken their place? If so, its time to lose the regrets. Its not too late for dreaming. Think about what you still want, then get up out of your chair and go for it! Live life, starting today!

my accomplishments

I am proud of myself and its a good feeling.

*Yesterday I mounted a horse all by myself without a boost on the butt....This is harder than you think.

*I have exercised for 5 straight days.....5:30 a.m. workouts some days and 2 tapes a day for one of those days. I am seeing results already and want to keep going!

*I have been diligently writing. I have a dream to write and I have been purposeful about finding time. It's going to happen.

* I have been nominated for Teacher of the Year at my school.

I thank God for all my blessings and know that he is the author of me and director of my paths! I love you Jesus for all you have done and all you're going to do. May I live a life that is pleasing to you. "I can do all things through Christ, which gives me strength."

happy Valentines Day

Today is the day that you either love or hate. I'm not that much into it, but I'm married to the most romantic man alive, and I was not sewn with as much as a romantic thread. Because this day is so special to him, I should make it special to me. We celebrated last night, since Saturday is our day for our niece to spend the night with us. We had a fabulous dinner at a swanky cafe, then had a movie. I was exhausted! It was 1:30 before we were home and I couldn't hold my eyes open. This morning, of course my coffee was made for me as it is every morning, and a lovely card propped against the coffee pot. He is probably the greatest husband out there. I take him for granted all the time. I prayed for years for a husband and I would pray for him before we were married, even when I did not know him. God chose him for me. We have our tough times and I sometimes question it all. But then when I realize how much I love him, and know that I would do it all over again. May you have a loving day!

Solitary Day

Oh today was such a great day. The temperature was a wonderful 66 degrees with no wind and I spent almost the entire day alone. Glorious! I did all the things I love: finished a book, went to the library to get a new book, played piano, worked a jigsaw puzzle, went for a walk, surfed the internet. I enjoyed myself so much just hanging alone. I wish more of these kind of days would float by and I could grab them up.

Children's Book competition

Today I did a big thing! I took one more step towards my dream of authorship and submitted two manuscripts for a competition. I'm really excited and I'm using positive visualization and seeing myself becoming a finalist. I was really on the fence about this because it carried entry fees. I think to myself that millions of people get books published without paying any money. But then I thought about competitions. There is normally a entry fee for any competition. My niece Ashlynn is competing this weekend in a basketball contest and had to pay $4 herself. So, I bit the bullet and paid the fees. After I become a finalist (positive self talk) I have to hit the internet campaigning for votes. The winner will be chosen by votes on the internet. I can just see it, my name on a book! Wish me luck.

Prayer and Fasting

Today is my first day after completing a 21 day fast. Although it was based on the Daniel fast with strict guidelines, I modified it to fit me for no meats and no sweets. Although I imagined today to be a frenzy of gluttony, I can't seem to bring myself to endulge. I hope that I have been able to break the strongholds that sugar and sweets have held me under and to be able to move forward with a healthier lifestyle. I almost feel like an addict who knows if they take that first drink, smoke, hit, bite whatever....it will be downhill again. Through this, I only lost 5 pounds, which averages out to about 1.5 a week. That is a healthy loss. But the goal was not weight loss but rather for me a commitment to God fulfilled and bringing myself closer to Him. My prayers could definately have been more intense and frequent, but I'm one step closer to Him in my heart.

Great Joy!

My sweet niece Ashlynn was baptized this past Sunday. What a joyous occasion! I am so proud of her and her decision. I know the decision to have Christ as savior and follow through with obedience in baptism is the most important one she could make. I am proud to be her aunt and to have helped pave the path for her. I love you Ashy!