Go away, winter #SOL19

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Dear winter,

For many years, you have been one of my favorite seasons, second only to fall.  There's nothing more beautiful than a blanket of white, fluffy snow covering the yard.  I truly appreciate the reflective gleam of snow on a sunny day.

In November, you provided us a preview of what was to come.  We had our first snow day at school.  We welcomed your chill and sparkling frost.

During December, you seemed so calm.  We enjoyed 50-degree days and very little snow.  Sure, we may have complained a tiny bit about the absence of snow during the holidays.  I assure you, we didn't mean to upset you.

January was definitely your month to reign.  You brought us snow and ice storms, causing delayed starts and cancellations.  We shoveled, we scraped and we bought SO much salt to keep us safe.  You did not relent.

As February wraps up, we are wearing layers of sweaters, scarves and hats to protect us from your icy, arctic blasts.  You even sent impressive 50 mile-per-hour wind gusts to drive your point home.

Dear winter, would you consider moving north a bit earlier this March?  Why wait until the 21st? Can we suggest a lovely spot in the Arctic Circle?

Thanks for visiting.  It's truly been an experience.  We look forward to some time apart before you return later this year.

Sincerely,
Chris

Working to keep routines #SOL19

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We have had our share of crazy winter weather in 2019.  I expected snow days, but we've had three (unprecedented) late start days to deal with ice storms.  This is four-day week may turn into a three-days-and-a-late-start.  There's a full moon tonight.  State testing is scheduled for mid-March. 
Some Most All teachers are stressed.

I know I can't wave a magic wand (I used to have one!) and make my developing readers have amazing stamina, instant book love and grade-level text understanding.  I do think I can help my readers improve, day by day, by keeping our routines in place:

• Checking in with each other (What's new?  How are you feeling?  I like your new shoes/shirt/haircut.)
• Previewing vocabulary, text and photos (What do you notice? What questions do you have?)
• Reading (Read that part to me.  Read these sections to yourself.)
• Thinking & Discussion (What are you thinking?  What evidence can you find?)
• Writing (Summarize your learning.  What was the theme?)
• Wrap up (Choose a stopping point. Plan for tomorrow.)

We try to follow our routine every day, even if some steps are short.  I work to ask deeper questions during our discussions, but I try to push my students to lead the talks.  Some days are better than others.

I hope spring will be here soon.  I know I'm not alone.  This winter has been a roller coaster!

Calm before the storm #SOLC17

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This morning it was really chilly, but beautifully sunny.

I haven't walked much since last summer for a list of reasons:  unmotivated, hurt feet, walking buddy moved, crummy weather.

I decided to lace up my shoes and just go.  I turned right instead of left.  Past the street I would usually turn on.  Then I trodded up the hill.

The sun was shining, but it's warmth didn't do much against the fierce, cold wind.  I was glad for my mittens, but I was missing my scarf and hat.  The wind kept pushing my hood farther back on my head.

I was the solo walker out this morning.  Few neighbors drove by in their cars.  

I walked to clear my head, listen to the birds and move my legs before I came inside to do homework and other computer work.

Tonight we expect a snowstorm.  I can't belive the lack of snow this season, but winter still has a tight grip.  We are in for 3-6" by Tuesday.

I enjoyed the blue, brilliant sky.  The calm before the storm.

Cookiepalooza #SOL

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One of my favorite holiday traditions is baking cookies.  When my girls were little, we would spend all day Christmas Eve making a huge mess of the kitchen.  The cookies we baked (if they cooled in time!) would become gifts for the neighbors and dessert for my aunt and uncle's Christmas Eve party.

Last year we moved the cookie baking date back to December 23rd.  I prepared dough and a few of Lindsey's friends came over to help.  One new friend had a joyous time manning the pizelle maker, while others rolled chocolate crinkles, peanut blossoms and cut out sugar cookies.  

Cookiepalooza was established.

This year, both girls invited multiple friends.  We had veggies and dip (to balance out the cookies we planned on consuming) and Oberweis chocolate milk (for cookie dipping).  We also decided that it would be fun to have a graham cracker house building contest.  

The house was a noisy, flour-y mess.  Smiles, laughter and piano music (thank you, Jeff!) filled the air.  I burned calories (and just a few cookies) running up and down the stairs between our two ovens.

At the end of the night, everyone took some cookies and helped clean up.  The sweet smell of candies and frosting filled the air.  It was a great way to improve my spirits and get in the holiday mood.

Surprise! It snowed...again! SOLC #6

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When my alarm went off on Wednesday morning, I was already awake.  My body knows when the earth has changed its tilt, so I'm always ahead of the time changes.

The traffic guy called out from the radio, "We have a winter weather advisory in place.  I recommend getting out of the house early!"

I decided to get out of bed and start the day instead of pressing the snooze bar.  Oldest daugter was already up.  I shook my youngest daughter awake and told her to watch the clock.  I went outside to push 3" of snow off the cars and start the big truck. 

The snow was coming down in tiny pellets.  As soon as I shoveled a path around the cars, they started filling up again.

When I finally headed for school, I thought I was getting an early start at 8:00, but the cars were lined up on the main road in front of my house.  I tried heading the opposite direction, but I couldn't even turn on a side street.  I drove 30 minutes out of my way and then 20 minutes the right way.

There is nothing worse than suburban Chicago traffic when it snows.

We should know how to handle driving in this weather, but I think this morning took us by surprise.  I know I have stopped watching the weather reports.  They are too disheartening.  We usually don't have warm temperatures in March, but our season snow total is insane.  Even the snow-lovers like me are rebelling!

Here's some hope for temperatures above freezing, snow-free days, and a lot more sunshine.  (I'm thankful that we've had a pretty sunny winter!)  C'mon spring!

A helpful winter tool SOLC #6

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It's a handy little tool
Much smaller than the rest
It helps you in the winter
It really is the best

What is this handy tool
That helps with all the snow?
It's my baby snowblower
And man, can that thing throw!

It's powered by electricity
There's not a cord around
Long enough to reach the end
Of the driveway...that I've found

When the neighbors see me,
They smirk and they laugh
To see me out there with this tiny tool
and the big drifts that I attack

Oh baby snowblower you are little,
But you really help me out
Better than a shovel or a plow
Without you, I would pout!

Happy snow day recovery to my midwest friends... may the snow fall not as deep in the east today!

Stretch and Renew

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In December I sat at my husband's choir concert, thumbing through the program during The Messiah.  In the program I found an ad for the YMCA Women's Wellness Winter Camp.

 "Camp?  I loved going to camp in 6th grade and college.  I wonder if anyone would go with me?" I wondered to myself.

I polled a few friends, and YES!  My BFF of 28 years, Beth, agreed that we should go.

I haven't had this much fun in a long time!

The marsh

We arrived after dinner and introductions Friday night, but that didn't matter.  We pulled up a chair at the indoor campfire and jumped right into a few crazy songs with the staff.

After talking (mostly me, sorry, Beth!) for most of the evening, we went to bed in our chilly bunks.  We woke at 6:30 a.m. for a lovely yoga class led by one of the campers (she's come every year since '79!).

Saturday included a hike to breakfast and lunch, a walk across the frozen lake, a photography seminar, 30 minutes of downtime (I wrote 5 pages in my journal!), a mystery dinner and wine tasting.  The day ended with Tai Chi at 9:00 p.m.

Walking on the frozen lake!

We met many athletic and young-minded ladies between the ages of 20 and 81.  They were an inspiration to both of us!  One group plays pickle ball twice per week, and all of them could out-hike me!

Chris & Beth - friends since '73

I learned that we need to stretch ourselves - get out of our daily routine - and renew our body, both emotionally and physically.  Beth and I didn't figure out the answers to our current life stresses, but we connected and renewed our friendship, reminding each other why we're friends.

Reminding ourselves to have fun and not be so serious.