Sunday Night Procrastination SOLC #31

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Two Writing Teachers

We had a beautiful Easter celebration with my side of the family at our house today.  The food was delicious, the company was fun and enjoyable, and we had an excellent day.

Now the dishes are nearly done (2 dishwasher runs and many sinks full of soapy water), the great room and kitchen are vacuumed.  

Now it's time for our weekly installment of ....Sunday Night Procrastination!

I do get a round of applause -  I emptied my school bag yesterday and took care of the most pressing details (read:  evaluation reflection).  Tonight I'm simply repacking my bag with lots of papers that I will deal with another day (read:  they will sit on my desk until summer vacation!).

It's 9:45 p.m. My oldest has been gone for a week on vacation with a friends' family.  She pulled out her homework at 5:00 p.m.  A mere 4.75 hours later her history vocabulary is done, but there's that one paragraph to write for English.  She's been looking though old pictures for the past 30 minutes.  (The leaf does not fall far from the tree!)

My youngest gets kudos for packing her school bag and finding her ID tonight.  She hasn't fallen into the procrastination trap tonight (there's always a first!).

We all decided that we procrastinate when it comes to the least favorite chores on the list.  The clock keeps ticking and we pretend we still have time to do things later.  Meanwhile, our brains are turning to mush from spring break.  Sure, tomorrow's April, but it feels like the first day of school!

*****

P.S. 

Thanks to all the slicers who visited and commented here during the month of March!  WE DID IT!

I sincerely hope to write alongside of you most (or every!) Tuesdays.

Thanks to Ruth & Stacey for being our writing mentors!

Thanks to Michelle & Lynn for personally encouraging me to keep writing!

Saturday by the numbers SOLC #30

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Saturday by the numbers...

20 people at brunch tomorrow

2 cakes baked

21 eggs colored

1 counter covered with flour

4 loads of laundry

1 helpful yet messy daughter

1 more trip to Target for 4 missing items

41 plastic eggs retrieved from the basement

2 Easter baskets prepared, but not hidden

6 bottles of bubbles ready to be enjoyed by kids

1 bag of jelly beans opened too early

2 handfuls of jelly beans consumed

2 egg casseroles still need to be made

4 dozen pierogis wait in the freezer

Yet...

10 purple toenails on 

       2 bare feet propped up on an outdoor ottoman in

            58 degree weather under

                  1 shining sun on

                       1 comfy couch... Resting until Round

2 of cooking and preparing for

20 people

Begins again

Friday SOLC #29

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Blue skies

Sunshine

Feelings of 

Gratitude for our beautiful earth

Neighbors

Cleaning yards

Scrubbing cars

Smile and wave

Shopping

Cooking

Laughing and talking

Preparing for a family holiday

Thankful 

Peaceful

Calm

Relaxed 

Friday

Alli's home SOLC #28

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The text looked something like this, "Yes, PLEASE come and pick up Alli.  We will be home around 2:00p.m."

It was my dad. I think my youngest and my parents had enjoyed each other just enough, but now it was time for them to go their separate ways.

Allison gathered firewood with the lawn tractor as I got the scoop on their 5-day RV trip to Nashville.  My parents reported typical teen behavior:  earbuds, music blaring, on the phone, sleeping late.  My dad loves to keep the conversation going, but thought maybe Allison talked a bit toooooo much at times.  Sure, they had a few complaints about her attitude and lack of interest in regular meals, but they both agreed they had a good time.

At dinner tonight, Alli exclaimed that she was SO glad to be off the "senior plan."  She reported typical "senior" (60+) behavior:  waking up too early, eating at early times, asking me what I want to do, telling me to get off my phone.  Sure, she had a few complaints about their demands ("You need a coat!"), but she agreed they had a good time.

Of course, we all know that Alli's home.  A pile of her luggage, sweatshirts, blanket and pillow sit at the top of the stairs, waiting to go down to the laundry room.  She already called and invited a friend over to have "the campfire I didn't get to have in Nashville because it was either too cold or rainy."  You can hear she and her friend laughing and talking outside, even with the windows and doors closed.  (They are 14, 'nuff said!)

It's good to have Alli home!

Catching Up SOLC #27

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After finally finding all the *&^% paperwork for our taxes (Grrrr!), I jumped in the car to visit my friend, Carol.  We worked on the same floor at a marketing firm back in the early 90s.  She was in a numbers job and I was on the help desk - the perfect place for a new teacher who was afraid to set foot in the classroom.

Carol and I have been friends for a long time, but we don't see each other very often.  We have similar shopping styles (wander, touch everything, only buy on sale) and we are givers - she enjoys sending notes and funny "how ya doin'" texts, I like to coordinate nights out and make lots of phone calls.

I drove the hour to her house and we had lunch.  In a matter of minutes, we had caught up on everything from family drama to favorite vacations to teenagers.  We simply talked and talked and talked.  We decided that our husbands are annoying but we love them dearly (really they are awesome - they picked us as wives!).

It's fun to spend the afternoon with a friend who doesn't live nearby or work with you - they bring fresh perspective to your life, and confirm or redirect your feelings.  It's also important to spend lots of time together in the purse department... just because it's fun!

Minutiae SOLC #26

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minutiae [mɪˈnjuːʃɪˌiː]

pl n sing -tia [-ʃɪə]

small, precise, or trifling details

I am a big picture kind of person.  I can't be relied on to make sure the day-to-day details and important information are in the right place.  I have math skills, but I am truly a right-brained individual.

Paperwork is the enemy.

My husband checked the date, and he reminded me that we need to get our taxes to the accountant.

In doing some research for my "teacher stuff", I found that I didn't renew my International Reading Association membership.  (I thought that was on auto renew!)  I can't remember when I bought my classroom bookshelves.  I always forget to keep track of classroom expenses separate from my household expenses (BOOKS FOR EVERYONE!).

Can I help a student find a great book?  Yes - I'm wired to remember book titles, authors and summaries.

Can I remember pieces I've played in orchestra?  Yes, when I hear them. Don't ask me who wrote the piece.

Today I will try not to feel guilty about what I can't find in the minutiae.  I will conquer the paperwork drawer so I can then celebrate my creativity and work on knitting, music, and reading!

Exercise SOLC #25

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Exercise.  A necessary evil when you're trying to drop a few many pounds.

Can't we find a way to make it more appealing?  I hate it.

I spent 30 minutes on the XBox this morning, coached by Bob from the Biggest Loser.  I figured he would be more caring and kind than Jillian (she's mean!).  Alas, even when Bob called out encouragement, "I know you can do this.  You need to dig deeper!" I couldn't help but scowl at his virtual reality face.

Shut up, video game guy!

I tried 8 weeks of Yogalates and discovered that I like yoga, but I abhor pilates.  I have no core and I look ridiculous.

I enjoy walking outside, but it's been cold and blustery and my shoes don't fit correctly.

I look like a sausage in my capris and sports bra.  My Nike shirt clings to every bump and roll.

Even though I feel better after it's over....  Exercise.  I hate it.