11.23.2022 I took piano lessons for about 6 years when I was a kid. I’m so thankful for those lessons. I learned how to read music and discovered a creative outlet that I’d continue in one way or another throughout the rest of my life. I will admit, though, that I wasn’t always the best piano practicer. I’d go in spurts of being super motivated and then super unmotivated and my practice time would follow suit. When I’d get frustrated at my lack of progress my very kind piano

11.22.2022 Those who have traveled with me know that I don’t love to fly. It makes me nervous. I love to travel and I love to visit people, so I do it anyway. In fact, I typically fly several times a year. I just make myself push through the fear. But I really don’t like the whole flying experience. I just can’t wrap my mind around how this huge metal tube weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds flies through the air from one city to the next. I’m sure there’s a perfectly go

11.21.2022 I’m typically a great sleeper – almost anytime, anywhere. But last night I slept horribly. I woke up about 2:30 a.m. and never really got back to sleep. I finally got up and showered about 3:30 and got ready for the day. Today was a busy day. Overall it was a good day, but it was a full one for sure. I got home about 6:00 p.m. and just sat and stared at my Christmas tree for a while. I had a lot to do tonight to get ready for my trip tomorrow, but I needed a little

11.20.2022 I try not to bring work home from school. It happens sometimes, but I try not to. I ended up bringing some home this weekend though. I’m going to be out on Tuesday, so I need to write sub plans and get a few things prepped for my substitute. Did I get it done this weekend? No. Will I have to scramble a bit more tomorrow now? Yes. Oh well. In addition to my sub plans, I also brought home some lamination to cut out. We’re having a veggie tasting feast tomorrow in Kin

11.19.2022 I got my car washed today. I cleaned out the extra stuff that I’d been carrying around in my backseat and trunk – 2 sweaters, several books, 4 gourds, a pocket chart and a broken umbrella, to name a few. I threw away receipts and straw wrappers and I recycled empty water bottles. I vacuumed it out and wiped down the dashboard and console too. It’s been a busy fall, and at times I’ve felt like I’m practically living out of my car. My messy car was feeling like a mob

11.18.2022 After school today I met my friend Julie   at my eye doctor. I had an appointment last week to get my prescription updated, but I knew better than to pick out new frames without her help. Julie and I have an agreement when it comes to choosing new glasses. It’s a commitment to being kind, yet brutally and unapologetically honest. She’s helped me pick out my last several pairs, and I’ve done the same for her. When picking out new frames I don’t want someone telling

11.17.2022 Tonight we had Kindergarten Round-up at my school. For those of you who don’t live in the elementary school world and may not know, Kindergarten Round-up is a recruitment event. Prospective Kindergarten families come, tour the campus, and hear a presentation all about our school and what to expect as a Kindergarten parent. Tonight the other Kindergarten teachers ( Allison , Teresa and Katy ) and I gave tours and answered questions. We each gave a small portion of

11.16.2022 As I do many days, I woke up with a song in my head this morning. Today’s earworm was “We Need a Little Christmas.” The lyrics felt urgent. So much so that before 6:30 a.m. I’d already texted a friend to set a date for some Christmas movie fun. I had to work pretty hard to convince myself to get up, get dressed, and go to work rather than stay home and bake Christmas cookies all day. And, before I'd even set my feet on the ground this morning I’d decided that today

11.15.2022 I love phonics. A lot. Probably more than most people. Actually, I think it would be safe to take the ‘probably’ out of that last statement. I love phonics more than most people. Yep, that’s accurate. I’m guessing the average person in their everyday life doesn’t actually give phonics a second thought. I probably think about it enough for all of them. For as much as I love phonics, the funny thing is I don’t remember learning how to read. I have a few vague memorie

11.14.2022 I know, I know. It’s technically not winter yet, but my car thermometer this morning would beg to differ. I left the house super early this morning, and my car told me it was 40 degrees outside. Now unfortunately, I failed to check the temperature before I left my house and slipped on a pair of wedge sandals to wear. I did have long sleeves, but I didn’t grab a jacket. Thankfully I always keep a sweatshirt and a sweater at school, so I was good to go. I did regret

11.13.2022 I went to Costco this morning to grab a couple of things. On my way out of the store I stopped to have the receipt checker check my receipt. I smiled at the woman and asked her how she was doing as she glanced at the items in my cart. Our conversation went something like this. Me: “How are you?” Costco Lady: “I’m great!” Me: “That’s awesome!” Costco Lady: “I mean, I woke up today. How can I not be great?” Me: “I love that!” Costco Lady: “You woke up today too, h

11.12.2022 I left the house to run one quick errand today and came home to this mess. While I was gone Barkley decided that something in the garbage smelled delicious and proceeded to knock over the trash can in pursuit of the scrumptious treat. He must have found what he was searching for, because when I came into the kitchen from the garage he was taking a peaceful snooze in his dog bed, surrounded by the mess he’d created. He jumped up when he saw me and ran to the living

11.11.2022 I had a really nice day today. I slept in. I went to the eye doctor for a much needed updated glasses prescription. I visited my friend Tami at her nutrition shop and enjoyed a protein shake. I ran a couple of errands. I did a little cooking and I caught up on Grey’s Anatomy from the last couple weeks. I am thankful for all those who have served in the armed forces to ensure the freedoms that I enjoyed today, and every day. Thank you to all the Veterans. I will nev

11.10.2022 I stopped by the grocery store after work. I just needed to pick up a few things and I set myself a 10 minute goal – in the store, get my items, check out and back in my car in 10 minutes. I was on a mission. I was rounding the corner out of the baking supplies aisle and was heading straight for the checkout with my head down, when I heard the stranger’s words. “You look so pretty. I love your outfit.” I was positive she was talking to someone else. But, I looked u

11.9.2022 It rained during recess today. The rain clouds were taunting us all morning and my fingers were crossed that the rain would hold off until my class had had a chance to run around outside and play. I stuck my head outside the classroom about two minutes before recess and found it very overcast, but still dry. I lined the kids up to go out to the playground, but as I opened the door for them to file orderly outside (or rather run crazily to secure their favorite swing

11.7.2022 I was listening to a podcast recently in which the host gives a weekly tip for achieving peace/happiness in your day to day life. None of these tips are ever super revolutionary, but I always appreciate the very practical reminders of something I may want to do to make my life a little easier or a little better. One of the recent tips was to do something today that your future self will appreciate. I’m sure we’ve all heard some version of this before. Like I said, n

11.6.2022 I’m very fortunate to help lead the children’s choir at my church. I’ve been doing it for several years now and I love, love, love it. I love the kids’ excitement and their eagerness to share their talents. I love the way that they sound when their voices blend together. I love how their song becomes a real expression of faith. I love the joy that exudes from them as they belt out their lyrics. I love it all. The kids lead music at Mass once a month, and today was t

11.5.2022 My to-do list for today was a long one. I had high hopes for today – lesson planning, cleaning, grocery shopping, returning emails, food prepping. I accomplished about 5 percent of the list. At best. I just didn’t have it in me. I needed a day. I needed to sleep in and relax and take a nap and binge some old episodes of Mike and Molly. And that’s just what I did. Will I regret it tomorrow? Maybe a little. But I have to remind myself sometimes that resting is not was

11.4.2022 After a long and challenging week I was very tempted to go straight home after work, put on my jammies, and fall asleep on the couch by 6 p.m. It wouldn’t have been my first Friday night spent this way. But instead, I accepted my friend Julie ’s invitation to have some Friday night fun. Now despite what you might be thinking about my big wad of singles, I did not have THAT kind of Friday night fun. Nope, it was just Bunko night and Julie’s Bunko group needed a sub.

11.3.2022 I counted to 22 about 749 times today. It was field trip day in Kindergarten. The kids’ excitement level was through the roof. Through. The. Roof. I mean, when you’re 5 and you get to wear a special tie-dye shirt AND ride a bus AND go to the farm AND eat lunch at a picnic table AND this happens the same week as Halloween … well, life doesn’t get much better. It’s pretty cool to see kids so pumped about an experience and it’s rewarding to know that you’re helping cre