Let my break begin! #SOL18 March 30

Today was a great day. My students behaved. My mom came in and had lunch with me after she met my students. I walked out with my students, drive the entire one block home, and waited ten minutes for my husband to get home. We loaded the trunk with four suitcases, three backpacks, and a c-pap. Our moms climbed in as did my husband and me pulling my backpack in behind me. I slept for an hour and then listened to a book. Mom and I tried to play old maid but it’s hard with two people. We stopped to eat and are now in our room six and a half hours after beginning our trek. Not the room I thought I reserved but I don’t feel like arguing. We have to be up in less than six hours. Long day today and even longer tomorrow. But it’s okay. No it’s fantastic! Let my Spring Break begin!

Best Day Ever #SOL March 29

Today was long. You know how it is-almost spring break and no one wants to be in school. Behaviors escalate. Tempers aren’t controlled. Friends become enemies in class just for breathing the same air. I went to a colleague and whispered, “This is the longest day EVER, until tomorrow.”

She smiled at me and I just knew she was about to agree with me because tomorrow is an early release for all of us. We get out at 1:30 and our spring break begins! Then, I noticed her smile wasn’t one of agreement or compassion; no, it was one of sadness. I know she didn’t mean it that way but it stopped me in my tracks. She opened her mouth and reminded me of a speaker we had seen at the Colorado Reading Conference two years ago. She stated, “Today is the best day ever, until tomorrow.” We heard this from Dr. Adolf Brown and it made an impact in 2016. Today, the impact was even bigger. I needed to get my attitude changed so my students’ attitudes would change. That way, we could end our week with the best day ever, until Saturday!

I don't like... March 28 #SOL18

Today, I was inspired by Michelle Haseltine at One Grateful Teacher to do a different kind of post for me. A list of things I don't like.

I don't like being cold. 

I don't like lies.

I don't like drama.

I don't like brussel sprouts.

I don't like putting away laundry.

I don't like teaching science.

I don't like negativity.

I don't like feeling like a failure.

I don't like when my students suffer.

I don't like when I can't help others.

I don't like crowds.

I don't like that my desk is always messy.

I don't like driving on slushy and icy roads.

I don't like hearing "I can't" and "I don't get it" before they try.

I don't like my panic attacks.

Peer Coaching Fail and Hopeful Redemption #SOL18 March 27

At a conference this past September, I attended a session on peer coaching which was really good. A colleague was with me and she started doing some right away. I was in awe of her and wanted to do it too but no opportunities presented themselves. After Christmas, I still hadn’t started but my friend was still doing it, just with a different teacher. I was jealous and wanted to but couldn’t didn’t find someone to talk with about peer coaching. On a road trip to the Colorado Reading Conference, my friend and the teacher she was peer coaching discussed it at length. Man was I green with envy and blue because I hadn’t found someone to learn from and with. I wanted to experience what my friends were experiencing. Then, they gave me an idea! Another teacher in our loop might be interested.  I had to talk with her!

When we returned, I spoke with her and was interested. I went to her room and observed her class several times. We debriefed what I noticed and she visited my room.  And then, nothing. I didn’t make the time because I was “too busy.” I failed her. I failed her students and mine. I failed myself. I didn’t even realize it until today when I was applying for a program at the University of Wyoming for coaching of preservice and early career teachers. I truly believe that we need to support each other and especially those teachers who are new to our profession. And yet, I didn’t do that for my friend and colleague. I feel awful. Tomorrow, I am going to apologize and get back on track. I hope she will accept my apology. I’m also going to pray I get into the program at UWyo so I can learn how to better help other educators. After all, I am a teacher and not just a teacher for the students in my grade book.

Snow Day! #SOL18 March 26

Since last Thursday the weather forecast for my town has been that a winter storm was going to hit Sunday night. They were predicting five to eight inches of snow. Knowing that we haven't had an accurate snow forecast in a LONG time, I tried not to get my hopes up. I really wanted a snow day, but I didn't plan on it.

Yesterday morning, it was snowing as we drove to mass but when we left there was nothing. All day it was chilly but no indication of any snow. Even when I went to bed, there was barely any snow falling.

At 5:00 this morning, my alarm went off. I turned my ringer on in hopes of the call saying we would have no school. It didn't ring. At 5:30, I crawled out of bed and into the shower. At 5:40, the phone rang to announce we didn't have school! I jumped from the shower yelling to my husband. Poor guy, he had to work. I did not! I sipped my coffee. I put on shoes and a coat and headed outside. I tramped through the snow with my camera. I took pictures and smiled in the silence surrounding me. I made cinnamon vanilla pancakes. I watched The Blind Spot. My phone rang again. My husband was being sent home. We cleaned. We did dishes. We worked on laundry. We opened our date box from UnboxLove and created a crossword of our favorite vacations. We enjoyed our time off together.

Today was just what I needed. Time alone. Time with my love. Time.

Anticipation #SOL18 March 25

Since February of last year, my husband and I have been waiting for this coming weekend. We have a beach house rented in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for his siblings, their spouses, one of his cousins and her husband, and both of our moms. For the last month, I have been counting down the days. This week, I will be counting down the hours until we leave for the airport and then the hours until we see two very good friends of mine. I will also be counting the hours until we are at the beach house. The anticipation has given me hope through the cold, snowy winter. Now, as I look at the weather reports, though, I am not as pumped. It is supposed to rain and be dreary most of the time we are there. My eagerness to get to the beach is not as high as it once was. Don't get me wrong; I am still excited to go and be on the East Coast but I doubt I will spend much time reading in the sand.

At mass this morning, we celebrated Palm Sunday. This is Holy Week, a time to reflect and prepare for Easter. As we gathered to receive the palm branches in our parish hall, everyone was smiling and talking. I imagined that was how Jerusalem was over 2,000 years ago. Everyone was excited to be in town for Passover. Then, they saw Jesus entering on a donkey and they went crazy! I envision happy tears, maybe some cheering, and joy-filled people everywhere. They were anticipating great things. Yet, as the week progressed, that exuberance dramatically changed. On Thursday, Jesus washed his disciples' feet and held the Last Supper. Later that night, he prayed so hard that he cried tears of blood and then was arrested. On Friday, it seemed as though everyone had turned on Him. I can't even begin to imagine how Jesus was feeling. He knew it was coming. He knew his friends would leave him. The anticipation of what was coming was, well, overwhelming. He was beaten and humiliated. Yet, He stayed strong and followed God's will. After he died, he was placed in a tomb and his followers were devastated. They didn't know what was coming. Today, we anticipate Easter and are excited to celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. 

Anticipation ebbs and flows. This week, my anticipation will grow as the minutes tick by. I cannot wait to spend time with friends and family! I also cannot wait to celebrate Easter. 

And the blind shall see #SOL18 March 24

Last month, my husband and I went out of town for a night to attend a marriage enrichment with our Marriage Encounter team and our Bishop. The day we left was our World War 2 day where my teaching partners and I transformed our rooms and we dressed up. I was Rosie the Riveter and didn’t have time to change; I barely had time to pack. It wasn’t until the next morning that I realized I had left my make up at home. No biggie! I was amongst friends so I went fresh face for the day.

Last weekend, I went to see my mom. I had plenty of time to pack even though I overslept because Mom did too. I had an extra hour and watched NCIS I wasn’t worried as I grabbed my bag to drive an hour and a half to see Mom and spend the day hanging out with her laughing and shopping. As we got ready for bed, I realized I had forgotten my medicine and therefore did not sleep very well. No biggie! I drove home and then took a two and a half hour nap.

This weekend, my husband and I went to a meeting three hours away. I had packed early in the morning and double checked that I had my make up and my medication. Check and double check! Last night, we arrived at the home where we stayed and I opened my suitcase to get ready for bed. Unfortunately, my bag of bathroom items was not there. No soap. No lotion. No toothbrush. No glasses. No contacts. I can handle not having most of that but not having contacts or glasses is a big deal. My eye sight is bad, really bad. I’ve worn glasses since second grade and until four years ago, they got worse every year. My contact prescription is -8 and -8.5. I have to have help to see! The contacts I wear are dailies so I can’t wear them two days in a row. I had to do something so I slept in them hoping I’d be okay and they would work the next day too. This morning my eyes weren’t horrible but they didn’t feel good. I found some solution and rinsed them once we got to the meeting but tore my left one. I sat through breakfast and our meeting with one contact. I tried to pretend to be a pirate so I could see a little. I also sat with my eyes closed a lot. After lunch, I took out the other contact and made my husband drive home. I kept my eyes closed the entire way and even managed a couple of small naps! As soon as we got home, I ran in and found my bag with my glasses and put them on. The blind could see!

My husband told me I better make sure to have what I need for our trip next week to the Outer Banks! He wants me comfortable and able to see and enjoy spring break!