Not-Me Monday: Cooking

In my opinion, the longest stretch the school year is from the beginning of January to Spring break. April and May are equally long - but during those months, it becomes Spring, and the end of the year is in sight and it doesn't feel as long as January to mid-March.

That having been said, I have "not" not-cooked since December. I would never live on frozen dinners my mom left me or various smorgasbord dinners for three months. When I'm hungry for anything home-cooked, I would never put JULIE AND JULIA in my DVD player while I heat up leftovers. That duck at the end looks really good... (beep goes my toaster-oven).

Furthermore, I would never miss a deadline. I have "not" missed almost every assignment deadline since I started my online degree. The professor said the deadlines could be flexible, but I would never need flexible deadlines. Not me.

While we're on this topic, I would never spend my Sunday morning skiing in Vail and then watching the Olympic Gold Medal Hockey game instead of completing my over-due case-study assignment.

For other non-confessions, visit here.

Caffeinated Randomness: Facts

For Randomness today, I'm going to follow the hostesses example and share 25 completely random things about myself and my life today:

1. I fell asleep during the Olympics last night, but set the recorder and am catching up now -- don't tell me what happened.
2. I'm headed to Grand Junction today for preschool RODEO shopping.
3. I'm headed to Denver tonight on another errand.
4. Grand Junction is 150 miles West. Denver is 150 miles East.
5. I am the youngest child in my family.
6. I am the youngest cousin on my mom's side and am second youngest on my dad's side.
7. I knew how to read music before I could read english.
8. I could fasten ski boots before I could tie shoe laces.
9. I played tennis in high school and won the city title my Sr year.
10. My parents' ages are 21 years apart.
    
11. My dad was 51 when I was born.
12. I shook Hilary Clinton's hand and got her autograph when she was the first lady.
13. One of my favorite songs is Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue.
14. Whatever season I am in, or is on its way, I will claim is my favorite season.
15. I think about moving to Alaska -- soon, before I have too many responsibilities
16. I can - or could read Braille visually (I'm probably a little rusty)
17. I think that coming up with 25 random facts are difficult
18. I once dated a guy who was 6'7''
19. I am 5'3''
20. I don't think I could pick a favorite family trip with all my family - there have been too many great ones including Alaska, Hawaii, time at home and Mexico.
21. A favorite trip with my parents is even harder to choose -- cross-country trips the Western route, the Eastern route, the Southern route, European cities, Mackinac Island - and time at home...
22. My favorite apron says, "I'd rather be skiing!"
23. I think Montessori education is the best and most appropriate education philosophy of all time.
24. I love the Visa GO WORLD commercials during the Olympics.
25. My mom prayed I would have red hair... :-D

Happy caffeinated Friday!

At My Desk...

Have you ever been so afraid you're frozen?

Even with that sentence, I know it's an inaccurate description.

Have you ever wanted to stay still for fear of what moving would do?

I am at work, sitting at my desk. The clock just ticked 6:00pm - I've been here 11 hours. I don't want to go home. I don't want to leave my desk.

When I am at my desk, I am problem-solving and dealing with learning, teaching, drama, management, positives and negatives in the preschool... my desk is an active place.

When I leave my desk, I think about the learning, teaching, drama, management, positives and negatives in the preschool...

I don't want to think about the issues, I want to deal with the issues. Weekends are frequently a harder time for me than the week because during the weekend I'm "supposed" to be relaxing. I'm supposed to be having a life. But I am thinking about the week ahead and how most of the big things coming at me, I cannot deal with until they arrive. Yes, I can prepare, but mostly, I just have to wait until they arrive.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day. On paper it will not be - a meeting with a parent and scheduling a meeting with a staff member. But off paper - because of which parent, because of personal issues I bring to the table in this situation - it's a big meeting. Because of which staff member...

And, the janitor just called me out in the classroom to please, please beg me to keep one classroom floor cleaner. She says in Spanglish, there is always food on the floor of this one classroom. She has to mop every day. My staff is not going to be happy to hear that they are not keeping the cleanliness of the room up-to-snuff; and I'm not going to be happy to tell them about it.

I don't want to move. When I'm here, I'm handling things. When I'm home, I'm stressed that I am not handling things. When I'm home, I have time for my thoughts and body to catch up and realize how exhausted I actually am.

I would rather sit at my desk and not acknowledge those things.

P.S. The picture that was taken was taken last Spring on Field Day, which should explain my relaxed outfit. I usually dress much more professionally. Also, I usually smile and look at the camera when I'm aware a picture is being taken.

Word-Filled Wednesday: Psalm 73:26

Psalm 73: 26

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

For more Word-Filled Wednesday visit here.

Today could be the day

I think ABCFamily's answer to the Olypics this weekend was THE NOTEBOOK because I caught it on about 4 times throughout the weekend.

So, of course, I tuned in to various parts of THE NOTEBOOK this weekend and, I think a few themes from the movie worked their way into my mind for this week.

In the movie, the older Noah, frequently says that today could be a day for a miracle. He goes through his whole day thinking that this is a great day, a day when anything is possible, a day when miracles can happen. He expects miracles as the day goes on.

After a few clips from this movie over the weekend, I have found myself both Monday and Tuesday morning thinking to myself, and even saying aloud, "Maybe this will be the day!"

Maybe today... maybe all my staff will be present and healthy at school today. Maybe the students will remember the rules today. Maybe I will teach a child something important today. Maybe I will have a great discussion with a parent today and we will really feel on the same page regarding his or her child. Maybe today will be the day that child will finally use his voice to communicate instead of gestures. Maybe today will be the day this child will not cry when mom leaves. Maybe today... Maybe today... Maybe today...

The possibilities are endless and extend beyond school. Maybe today a future husband and wife will meet for the first time. Maybe today, the couple who want to conceive a child will find out they are expecting. Maybe today the patient will finally feel strong enough to get out of bed. Maybe today someone will receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. Maybe today...

When I mentioned this to my roommate this morning, she reminded me that every day is a breakthrough for someone - you just have to look for it.

I want to be one who sees the breakthroughs every day. Sometimes preschool is the best vantage point because the children learn and grow and develop so quickly, but I want to have eyes to notice it everywhere. I want to believe that every day can change a life.

Maybe today is the day for a miracle.

Adulthood

I am not particularly loving adulthood at the moment. I think this revelation is a result of my recent return to graduate studies via online courses. I enjoy my studies -- evidently I enjoy studying more than my job.

In adulthood, I need to have a real job. I need benefits, the whole 9-5 (or 7-4 in my case) thing, Monday - Friday life. I guess grad school has just become an enjoyable hobby at the moment. Grad school as a hobby. What a bleak thought.

My favorite things about adulthood: Driving and Lexie.

I love driving. I wish I had a longer commute to
and from

work -- I love to drive. I will drive cross-country at any excuse. I will volunteer to do the driving in a carpool (although I like driving alone better than with others). In my car is about the only place I sing anymore, and that is a great combination for me - driving and singing.

Lexie is my cat and she is definitely the best thing about adulthood. She is mine and I take care of her. I love her because she IS - not because of what she does or does not do. She is my cat, she is my dependent (as much as any cat is dependent) and I absolutely love her! From the moment so meowed her way into my life, I choose to love her and she is one of the best things in my life.

My least favorite things about adulthood: Decisions. I hate decisions.

With children, as an educator, I have learned that I need to give children a choice I can live with -- that way whatever they choose, they can get and they feel like they have control, but really I make the choices.

For example, throughout a given day, I will say to children the following:
"Would you like to wash your hands and then get your lunchbox or get your lunchbox and then wash your hands?"
"Running around is not a choice right now. Would you like to play with blocks or do a puzzle?" "Would you like to sit on the circle or the square?" (Our "circle time" rug has shapes on it)
"Are you going to come brush your teeth or do you need me to help you come brush your teeth?"

In all of these cases, either choice is do-able. It really doesn't matter to me which the child chooses - but those are the choices (period). This way the child learns a sense of control over their life and environment but their choices are still within healthy and productive early childhood preschool activities and routines.


So if children learn a sense of control and security from making their own decisions, why are decisions my least favorite part of adulthood? I don't really know the answer. Personal or professional, I don't like decisions. I don't like having to make decisions. I don't like the fact that my decisions affect other people. I'm tired of living amongst the humans.

Caffeinated Randomness: Still Snowing!

As for this week and today -

The Caffeinated:
Left over coffee brewed yesterday morning but its strong and it reheats well. Also I'm headed to a meeting where I trust I will find more coffee (which is good because its a long all-day meeting)

The Randonmness:
This morning my meeting starts at 9AM!!!! I am usually at school at 7am every morning -- occasionally 7:15 if I'm running late. Today I WOKE UP at 7:00. Actually, my sweet roommate popped her head in my room because she was worried that I had accidentally overslept.

Last night, a friend and I planned to go skiing in Keystone (Keystone has night skiing) but right before the Keystone exit, we got on a tangent about how much I need black shoes and how dinner sounded really good. Instead of skiing, we had dinner at OLD CHICAGO and then had to fight a snowstorm over Vail pass on the way home. Arrived home safely around 10:30pm - I love living in the mountains! :-D

Wednesday was seriously casualty day on the playground. Two goose-eggs that came in like a rotating door. As soon as one was under control and mom had arrived, the other one came in. It was awful.

Today I have three presentations at this meeting. One with a group and two about professional development workshops I've attended in the past month. Hopefully I'll be professional and clear. Daddy always said to speak slowly, clearly and loudly...

I feel like I had other randomness to share, but now I'm actually at my meeting (there was coffee) and we're on a five minute break.

More randomness.

Thankful Thursday with Snow

My blog has been neglected as of late, but rest assured, my writing skills are going toward grad papers and scholarship applications, I guess this is a good thing.

In an effort to touch base and share what I am up to, here is Thankful Thursday once again:

1. I am thankful that it is snowing!
2. I am further thankful that I plan to go skiing tonight and Saturday for sure and possibly Friday night as well.
3. I am thankful for the season of Lent. It is the chance for a fresh start smack dab in the middle of the thick of the year (especially for teachers). My spirit already feels refreshed and encouraged by the fresh start of Lent.
4. I am thankful that each day is a chance to get up and come to work with a smile and believe it is going to be a great day. Wednesday was casualty day on our playground (not literally) but today can be better. Today might include less tears, bumps on the head, and trips to the nurses office... Today is a fresh start.
5. I am thankful that tomorrow I have an all-day meeting that doesn't start until 9AM!!!! I am always at work at 7am, but tomorrow, my boss has said to come to the meeting at 9, and I should not go to my school before-hand. This is going to be a huge treat to sleep in - or even get up at the same time, but enjoy a few hours to myself before work! Maybe I'll go to breakfast with a book.
6. Last night I saw the movie, "Legends of the Fall." Crazy movie, but I think I'll be glad I've seen it. It was not what I expected and I was disappointed with the main female character. I wonder if this story is based on a novel. If so, I wonder what she symbolizes...

I hope you have a beautiful and blessed day complete with hugs, contentment and many little displays of God's love for you!

The Simple Joys of Maidenhood

Have you ever heard the song from Camelot, THE SIMPLE JOYS OF MAIDENHOOD?

I grew up watching musicals and I used to sing this song at a young age. I had no idea what I was singing about until high school, when I re-learned the song. This song is hysterical.

Guinevere sings this song on her way to her wedding to marry King Arthur and she is sad to be getting married at such a young age. She prays to Saint Genevieve asking "Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?" She is mourning the loss of maidenhood - feeling she hasn't had nearly enough excitement. Read below for the lyrics -- this is her definition of excitement in maidenhood:

Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?
Where are all those adoring daring boys?
Where's the knight pining so for me
he leaps to death in woe for me?
Oh where are a maiden's simple joys?

Shan't I have the normal life a maiden should?
Shall I never be rescued in the wood?
Shall two knights never tilt for me
and let their blood be spilt for me?
Oh where are the simple joys of maidenhood?

Shall I not be on a pedestal,
Worshipped and competed for?
Not be carried off, or better st'll,
Cause a little war?
Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?

Are those sweet, gentle pleasures gone for good?
Shall a feud not begin for me?
Shall kith not kill their kin for me?
Oh where are the trivial joys?
Harmless, convivial joys?
Where are the simple joys of maidenhood?

What an interesting desire. "Where's the knight pining so for me, he leaps to death in woe for me"? Really? This is her desire? She wants to cause a war? And of course, the irony is that Guinevere does go on to start a war...

I am currently experiencing a few of the simple joys of modern-day maidenhood. I don't know if I'm cut out for this drama.

Maybe with Valentine's Day around the corner, men are feeling particularly declarative and romantic...

When I was younger, adults would tell my parents I was going to break a few hearts. I don't think I really knew what this meant. I think I took it as a compliment -- I never believed them. I don't think I ever considered what this could possibly mean or the real responsibility involved in being offered the hearts of several men.

Oh, Here. Yes, Here are the simple joys of maidenhood.

For more randomness, visit Under Grace and Over Coffee.

Rachel's Challenge!

1. Eliminate Prejudice
by looking for the best in others

2. Dare to Dream
set goals, keep a journal

3. Choose your Influences
input determines output

4. Kind Words
small acts of kindness= huge impact

5. Start a Chain Reaction
with family and friends RACHEL'S 5 CHALLENGES

I attended a lecture last night called RACHEL'S CHALLENGE. Rachel Joy Scott was the first victim at the Columbine High School shooting.


I hope to write more later, but it was an awesome presentation.

Visit Rachel's Challenge for more information.

"Why do you blog?" Emily asks

A lifeline?

A rope to the outside world?

A chance to remember who I have been; reveal who I currently am; develop who I am becoming?

I don't just share things with people - sometimes I can't hold things in, but for the most part, I have to remind myself its important to talk to my roommates at the end of the day. I have to remind myself that friends will pick up the phone and talk to their friends about life.

I don't do these things well.

The whole reason I started a blog was to keep people updated on what I was up to, because I was tired of sending out mass emails. Or getting many emails from people wanting to know how I was doing.

All of that said, what has it become? Like Emily, I blog because it's mine. Is that my selfishness revealed or honorable, that the only claim I require is a bit of cyberspace? I guess this is my half-only-child side showing.

I run a preschool and supervise a staff; I am the PR representative of my preschool to parents, my superiors and the entire town; This is a small town and most everyone has 3* of separation; I live with two roommates; I have my game-face on most of the time - I have to; I am getting an online degree because the school has asked me to... I don't have many things that I do because I want to.

Even blogging took a near hit when my new teacher induction required that I start one. That blog doesn't get nearly the attention The Mountain Brooke does, but I do what is required.

Caffeinated Randomness: Fabulously busy!

I'm not sure where to begin. I've been busy. FABULOUSLY BUSY! It's the good busy. It's the kind of busy when I don't sit down until Friday afternoon -- wait, I might go snowshoeing tonight. Well, the kind of busy when I don't sit down until Saturday -- wait, I'm going skiing. Well, the kind of busy when I don't sit down until Sunday afternoon -- wait, the Superbowl and a 5-7 page graduate paper due Monday. Well, you get the idea (and at least I have to sit still to write the grad paper and watch the Super Bowl).

Sometimes this kind of busy wears me out, but this week, I have loved it. My parents have been in town, so I have been commuting to and from Vail every evening and morning and I LOVE IT. The 30 mile commute is like therapy for me.

How much I love the drive reminds me of a Story People print, I've always liked, which says, "I've always liked the time before dawn because there's no one around to remind me who I'm supposed to be. So it's easier to remember who I am."

In other randomness from this week -- um, I'm frustrated with a few parents. That will probably pass. Not my parents, but some preschool parents.

I have one new teacher in the preschool - and two other teachers out this week. One is on vacation and the other is sick. To say this week has been hectic would not begin to cover how I feel about it.

The students seem to be fairing well, and that's all that is important.

I watched the movie ALWAYS last night with my parents. Has anyone seen it? My mom loves the movie -- I think she loves that the woman is always teasing the man and begging for him to tell her that he loves her, "Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!"

I did not really like the movie. It was ... it was... it had its good qualities, and maybe I could have liked it in a different phase of life... but last night, I didn't like it.

It's about a few men who are fire-pilots. The men who fly the planes who drop water/paint/mud/whatever-it-is over forest fires. It was intense at parts and definitely believed in love at first sight. The verdict is still out for me on that one... actually I'm pretty sure the verdict is in... I don't buy it. But this movie believed it.

I hope you all have a great weekend complete with randomness and awesomeness!

Thankful Thursday - no hostess

I've been out of my blog routine due to how BUSY I've been - basically since the calendar flipped to 2010.

The lovely hostess for Thankful Thursday is on a blogging sabbatical, and I haven't been able to find a new hostess as of yet -- nevertheless, I still want to express a few areas of thanks from the past week:

1. Last Friday, I was working at my desk -- and when I work at my desk, not only my desk becomes mountains of paperwork but the floor around my desk becomes organized stacks of paperwork. I spread out everywhere in an effort to keep track of all I'm doing.
   Well, last Friday, a little girl wondered into my office going between the two classrooms at the end of the day to fetch her backpack. When she saw me in the office, she scampered over to give me a huge hug -- she scampered over in dirty snow boots, all over my piles of papers and her arms were around my neck before I realized what was happening.
   It was awesome - papers, smapers - this adorable four-year-old wanted a hug and no piles of 'important' papers were going to stand in her way.
2. My dad and my cat are awesome. Both so loving and so strong-willed. Yesterday, I heard a story from my mom that around lunch time my dad had just washed his hands and he was sitting at the family-room table. My cat, Lexie, decided this was the time she wanted to be pet, and so she started rubbing against his legs. My dad had just washed his hands so he made some verbal acknowledgment of Lexie wanting attention and ended with, "Not now, Lexie. My hands are all clean and I'm ready for lunch."
   Seemingly as a response, Lexie, jumped up on the table, as if to say, "Okay, you won't bend down to pet me, I'll come up to where you're having lunch and then you'll pet me." How innocent, her demand for attention. "I want to be loved in this way - right now... please?"
   Dad is no push-over, so he clapped his hands and instructed her to get off the table...
3. I've been running a few times this week and HOW WONDERFUL! I miss running during the school year - partially because it's too cold, too dark and my time is too packed to be running outside and I really don't like treadmills.
   Well, this week, I've run on the treadmill a few times and I still don't like it, but I do love running and it has been good to clear my head a few evenings.
4. On the way to work yesterday, I spoke a prayer and then realized how true is really was... I prayed,
   
   "Lord, I don't need to understand why this is happening; but I really wish I had the faith to trust You in it."
   
   As soon as those words left my lips - they were regarding how many substitutes I've had in the preschool this week (3/4 teachers have been subs or new) - as soon as I spoke those words, I realized how true these are for my heart in a number of areas of my life. I don't need to know why - I don't really care why - I really don't. I do wish I had faith to face circumstances the way they are.
5. I am thankful my parents have been in town the past two weeks and they have had an AWESOME time in Vail. They skied together 5 days and they had fun and were safe every day! Praise God for safety on the mountain. Last night, as I was falling asleep, I could hear my parents talking to each other in bed. Their conversation went:
   
   Dad: Love you.
   Mom: Love you too.
   Dad: Love you more.
   Mom: No way!
   Dad: DO TOO!
   
   How blessed am I that this is the way my parents say goodnight to each other after 29 years of marriage?!

If you know of another Thankful Thursday hostess, please send me her way. In the meantime, I hope you're finding a thankful heart in all seasons of life.

It's been ONE INCREDIBLE YEAR!

One year ago today, I had my first day as preschool director.

One year ago today, I had my first, first day at an adult job. My first day at my first job after grad school!

One year ago today, the only thought in my head was,

"I only have to do the first day once. I only have to do the first day once.
Good or bad, I only have to do the first day once."

Praise God!

What a year it has been. What a comfort to have a full year in Eagle, and in my current position behind me. I have a point of reference for the rest of the year. I will be able to remember, or at least try to remember, how I did things a year ago.

Wow. It has been a CRAZY, Changing, Tumultuous, Awesome, Intense, FULL, Fun, Lovely Year!