Looking for the sunny side SOLC #14

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Two Writing Teachers

We've got spirit.  Yes we do.  We've got spirit.  How 'bout you?

Meh.

Michelle and I were reminded that we usually kick of Read Across America Week on the last week of school before spring break.  We combine RAA with school spirit week.  There's crazy hair day, wear spring colors day, wear silly ties, hats and clothes.  We celebrate reading, we go on our broadcast.  We become superstars in our kids' eyes.

Meh.

I have a headache just thinking of preparing for spirit week.  It's ONE MORE THING.  We finally finished state testing.  We're barely back into our regularly scheduled groups.

Where can I find some spirit?  some energy?  some fun?

Hmmmmm......

I do have lots of chocolate in my desk, but that sticks to the hips.

It's finally sunny outside, but there's a threat of snow.

There's sunshine inside me, but it's buried under a layer of exhausted, winter-fatigued blah-ness.

Gotta find the inner sunshine soon.... I'm tired of being a grump!

From a-gc.com

Our Mountainous Decision SOLC #13

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My husband, Jeff, and I lived in Utah for a year before we had our girls and I went back into teaching.  The software company where my husband worked closed, so one of the former VPs invited him to work in Park City.

It was a huge decision to move to a new state, just the two of us.  I went to college only an hour away, and when we got married, we lived 20 minutes from our families.  This was going to be a new experience for both of us.

We sold our house and Jeff flew out after helping me pack the house.   Granny Pat, Candy the dog and I drove out to Utah, taking three days to make the trek.  The moving truck would take 5 days.

The trip was mostly uneventful.  The dog slept most of the first day in the back seat.  We found snow in Wyoming (in October!) and crazy winds.  I had visited Utah one weekend before moving there, but now this was going to be my home.

I wasn't prepared for the sight I would see when we rounded the corner on Interstate 80, winding along the Wasatch front, facing west over the city.  The day was clear. The mountains were sharp.  The city looked fresh.  What a difference from Chicago!

This was my new town.  We would be living in Salt Lake and working in Park City.  Our commute would consist of a nearly 4,000-foot ascent through the mountains on a winding interstate.  

Looking back, we made lots of new friends and had many fun experiences.  We've gone back twice with the girls to visit.  They were amazed by the rocky terrain.

Some days I miss the mountains - their firm place on the horizon.  The sheer cliffs and snow-topped peaks.  It was an adventure, living far from home, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Photo from USAToday.com

Late Start SOLC #12

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Two Writing Teachers

It's late start at the high school today.  My school starts at 9:00 a.m.

Teens:

Stay up late
Remind mom it's late start
Ignore pleas to get to bed and turn off phones
History notes
Sending texts
Set alarm for 8:15
Need a wake up body shake at 8:20
No rush to get out of bed

Adults:

Call "all phones off" at 10:00 - get response, "It's late start, mom!"
Remind oldest at 11:15 that she needs to go to bed - get response, "It's late start, mom!"
Fall asleep - really crash - at 11:30
Alarm beeps and screams at 6:30
Pound alarm button
Decide you need a late start, too
Roll over
7:45 wake up
Decide you can take a really quick shower
7:51 finally get up
Ready at 8:25
Hair doesn't look that bad
Arrive at school 8:50

Sometimes we all need a late start to our day.

Frank the guardian dove? SOLC #11

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There is a mourning dove.  We usually see him alone, but sometimes he is accompanied by another dove.  When we see him, we say, "Look!  It's Frank!"  We smile and feel warm inside.

I know, it's a dove.  But he has a special story.

***

My Grandpa Frank was a joyful man who worked hard.  He and my Grandma Shirley raised six kids on a bricklayer's salary (and lack of a salary in the winter).    Grandma Shirley was the rule maker and Grandpa Frank was the rule breaker.

I'm the oldest of eleven grandchildren.  I remember being handed Cheerios by Grandpa Frank and being told, "Go plant these in the yard.  They are doughnut seeds!"  He always told silly jokes that poked fun at his Polish heritage.  When he was younger, he was kicked out of more than one school for being a "hooligan" and he told stories about having his knuckles rapped by nuns.

In the summer of 2004 we lost Grandpa Frank to complications of a stroke and melanoma.  He died on Father's Day leaving a hole in the hearts of many.  "Be good," were the last words he told me.

Fast foward a few years.  My mom has a small window in her closet which she can look through when she looks in the bathroom mirror to dry her hair.  She started noticing a mourning dove when she thought about her dad (my grandpa, Frank).

I wonder if Dad's here to check up on us. She would wonder.  Then she would feel better about connecting the bird's visit to a challenge our family was facing.

On the day we moved my brother and his family back to Illinois under less than ideal circumstances, a single mourning dove sat on the wire right above their driveway.  "There's Frank!" my mom exclaimed.  She then explained how she connected seeing a mourning dove to her dad.

It's been awhile since I've seen Frank.  We have medical concerns and general stress in my family, so when I went outside to get the Sunday papers, I was pleasantly surprised to see Frank sitting on our roof.

It's funny to think that a bird can make you feel a little better about things.
Whatever works, right?

Frank came for a visit.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Saga SOLC #10

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In high school, my friend Christel and I called ourselves the Keebler Elves.  We could whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies that were fluffy, chewy and delicious.  Nothing fancy -- we just followed the Nestle Toll House recipe on the bag of chocolate chips.

In high school I worked at Mrs. Fields Cookies.  I could only drop the cookie dough on to the cookie sheets when someone older than 18 mixed the dough (out of secret recipe bags).  I excelled at shaping the nicest chocolate chip cookies that weighed nearly a ton.

I married my husband in 1990 and my cookie baking skills were intact.  We learned that he was the head chef and I was in charge of baking.  My repertoire included chocolate crinkles, banana bread, sugar cookies,  pumpkin pies and chocolate mousse.  Our kitchen times were fun and relaxing.

The girls were born in 1996 and 1998.  Not much time for baking then, but a plate of chocolate chip cookies could still be found in the container on the counter every now and then.

When the girls turned 4 and 2, I gave them aprons and kitchen tools on Christmas Eve.  Our yearly tradition of baking for the neighbors began.

Two years after my Granny Pat passed away, we were missing the taste of her chrusciki (fried dough).  I figured out how to make this fluffy, golden fried dough just like she did.  That's the year my chocolate cookies started coming out flat, greasy and half-baked.

What happened?  We don't know!  My oldest can actually remember when the cookies went "bad."  Sure, they tasted great, but their consistency was less than desirable.

I tried different recipes.  I tried adding more flour.  I changed the settings on our convection oven.
Nothing worked.

Last night I decided to try again.  I took my time.  I followed each measurement and step precisely.  I completely creamed the butter and sugar - longer than I ever have.  When the cookies came out, they weren't half baked.  They weren't too flat.  They could be fluffier, but I have to start somewhere!

Success - even a little - is sweet!

Saturdays SOLC #9

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Two Writing Teachers

I approach each Saturday with a little trepidation. It's a different-feeling day than Sunday.

Sundays are for staying in pajamas until noon, reading every page of two newspapers, making a big breakfast for my family, and avoiding my school bag until late in the day.

Saturdays feel like another working day for me.  I start the day with a quick inventory of the refrigerator.  Do I need to shop?  My mind empties on to a piece of notebook paper, creating a lengthy to-do list of chores and errands I haven't been able to accomplish during the week(s).

Guilt and confusion creeps into my mind... shouldn't I dust the china cabinet?  We really need to clean the windows in the family room.  It's supposed to rain, so I should check the downspouts.

Saturdays are not the best day with someone with prioritizing issues (like me!).  Most Saturdays I get LOTS done (stay out of my way - I might knock you over with a laundry basket), but some Saturdays I spend spinning.  Unable to decide what needs my attention first.

I'm happy to say that I've crossed 3 items off my to-do list already, and it's only 10:00 a.m.!  Maybe today will be different.  Maybe today I'll let myself do one thing at a time before I'll move to the next task.  Maybe today I'll give myself a chance to wander through the bookstore, take a few more minutes on the computer, forget that we lose an hour tonight (!), and have another cup of coffee.

I'll just pretend it's Sunday!

My 100th Post!!! SOLC #8

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WOW!  I couldn't believe the number when I saw it... my 100th post on this blog!  I never thought I could write 1, 5 or 10 posts (let alone the SOL Challenge of 2012) but here I am - slicing and writing and sharing my opinions.

Today, on my sunny half birthday, I present a gratitude list!  Here's to another 100+ slices!

I'm thankful for

• friends who inspire me to be myself
• students who remind me to teach thoughtfully and to the best of my abilities
• social media sites to keep me connected to a huge, knowledgeable professional development network
• books, libraries, bookstores and book-loving people to talk with about my reading
• funny ideas that make me laugh and wise quotations that make me think
• my health (let's pretend I'm not exhausted from a long week!)
• chocolate (!)
• blue skies and sunshine - no matter what the season
• my blog readers and fellow slicers
• Friday ('nuff said)

I'm most thankful for my family.  They are patient, understanding, kind and my favorite people on the planet.

Woo hoo! It's my 100th post!