Today, I am thankful for...
Spending the day with our grandchildren at Chuck E Cheese. They had fun. We had fun watching them have fun. Then, we went out for their favorite meal - pancakes. Love and hugs all the way around.
Going to the gym for a session with my trainer. He pushes me just beyond what I think I can do. I feel strong and healthy.
Listen to a book on tape that I am loving! I am fascinated by the story line and the language.
All around a good day. I am thankful.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Monday, March 26, 2018
There Once Was a Tree
There once was a father who built a house for his family. When they moved into the house, the father planted a tree in the back yard. It was just a tiny tree with promise. It would become a strong tree with branches stretched out across the yard. The family grew and the tree grew.
The family stood by the tree to capture family pictures, gathered for picnics under the tree and relaxed in the shade of the tree. The mother would grow pots of plants and herbs under the tree and squirrels would run up and down its trunk in search of food. Birds would build nests high in the tree. Life happened and the tree was there - always.
The children grew and moved away and the tree was still there. The children would marry and bring their husbands or wives and their own children to gather under the tree.
The tree would sing a tune as the wind rustled its branches. The branches would tap dance on the roof and against the windows. Even in the worst storms and the harshest winds, the tree stood tall.
In the summer, the tree would stand firm against the
heat of the sun and bring shade to the family. In the fall the tree would shed its leaves, and in the spring it grew tiny buds and sprinkled the ground with whirlygigs. The children would pick them up and throw them into the air watching them spin and dance to the ground. In the winter, the tree reached out with its bare branches and stood tall against the wind and the cold. The tree stood tall season after season.
Years followed years. The trunk of the tree grew broad and round. It was part of the family and it marked the many happy memories over the years.
The family was sad the day the father left this world, but the tree was still there in the back yard just where he had planted it. One day the tree began to grow weak. Branches would drop to the ground and scatter themselves around the back yard.
It was time for the tree to rest. It was time for the tree to lay down its branches. It had served the family well.
It was strength and hope.
It was dreams and happiness. It was love.
The family stood by the tree to capture family pictures, gathered for picnics under the tree and relaxed in the shade of the tree. The mother would grow pots of plants and herbs under the tree and squirrels would run up and down its trunk in search of food. Birds would build nests high in the tree. Life happened and the tree was there - always.
The children grew and moved away and the tree was still there. The children would marry and bring their husbands or wives and their own children to gather under the tree.
The tree would sing a tune as the wind rustled its branches. The branches would tap dance on the roof and against the windows. Even in the worst storms and the harshest winds, the tree stood tall.
In the summer, the tree would stand firm against the
Years followed years. The trunk of the tree grew broad and round. It was part of the family and it marked the many happy memories over the years.
It was time for the tree to rest. It was time for the tree to lay down its branches. It had served the family well.
It was strength and hope.
It was dreams and happiness. It was love.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Beyond the Confort Zone
Whenever I have been hesitant
to do something new
to go somewhere I have never been
to share my ideas
to say something that needs to be said,
I was tempted by fear to
walk away
ignore my goals
to give in to my fears.
I succeeded only when I had the courage to take that small but important step
beyond the comfort zone.
I am learning this in the gym.
There's a voice inside that sneaks into my consciousness that says
you're too old to to do that
you'll never be strong enough to do that
you'll look silly trying out that new machine
you'll fail if you add that weight.
I am learning to ignore that voice because it overshadows
another voice that comes from somewhere deep inside that says
you should try
what do you have to lose
how great it would feel to be able to do that
how much better you will feel
you are strong
you can do this.
And so today at the gym I
tried a new machine
used a heavier weight
raised the incline on the treadmill
added 15 minutes to my workout.
I want to reach my goals.
I am trying harder so I will
feel stronger
more confident
eager to stretch and reach
beyond the comfort zone.
to do something new
to go somewhere I have never been
to share my ideas
to say something that needs to be said,
I was tempted by fear to
walk away
ignore my goals
to give in to my fears.
I succeeded only when I had the courage to take that small but important step
beyond the comfort zone.
I am learning this in the gym.
There's a voice inside that sneaks into my consciousness that says
you're too old to to do that
you'll never be strong enough to do that
you'll look silly trying out that new machine
you'll fail if you add that weight.
I am learning to ignore that voice because it overshadows
another voice that comes from somewhere deep inside that says
you should try
what do you have to lose
how great it would feel to be able to do that
how much better you will feel
you are strong
you can do this.
And so today at the gym I
tried a new machine
used a heavier weight
raised the incline on the treadmill
added 15 minutes to my workout.
I want to reach my goals.
I am trying harder so I will
feel stronger
more confident
eager to stretch and reach
beyond the comfort zone.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Love What You Do
While I was still working, I was fortunate to be selected as the principal of a brand new school in our district. Describing that experience will have to be in another post but, I must say it was an amazing experience.
A friend of mine gave me this sign to hang in my office. She knew how much I wanted to lead this new school and how much I enjoyed bringing people together to build a vision for our school.
The sign said:
Love What You Do
and it certainly was the perfect gift.
I loved
teaching and learning
leading and collaborating
conversations with the staff
connecting with the parents
celebrating student learning
being part of a learning community
walking into our beautiful building each day
being part of a legacy.
I have been retired for nearly five years. It was a shift that took some time to settle. There were days I missed it terribly. Even now, I get very excited when I am given the opportunity to visit a classroom.
But no matter where we are in life, I believe that we need to take this advice:
Love What You Do
Now, I love
spending time with my grandchildren
going to the movies with my husband
knitting
reading and writing
working in the garden
taking care of the hummingbirds
second-hand store shopping
going to the gym
visiting with friends.
No matter what you do in life. No matter where you are or who you're with...
Love What You Do!
A friend of mine gave me this sign to hang in my office. She knew how much I wanted to lead this new school and how much I enjoyed bringing people together to build a vision for our school.
The sign said:
Love What You Do
and it certainly was the perfect gift.
I loved
teaching and learning
leading and collaborating
conversations with the staff
connecting with the parents
celebrating student learning
being part of a learning community
walking into our beautiful building each day
being part of a legacy.
I have been retired for nearly five years. It was a shift that took some time to settle. There were days I missed it terribly. Even now, I get very excited when I am given the opportunity to visit a classroom.
But no matter where we are in life, I believe that we need to take this advice:
Love What You Do
Now, I love
spending time with my grandchildren
going to the movies with my husband
knitting
reading and writing
working in the garden
taking care of the hummingbirds
second-hand store shopping
going to the gym
visiting with friends.
No matter what you do in life. No matter where you are or who you're with...
Love What You Do!
Friday, March 23, 2018
Time for Cuddles
I'm babysitting today. I arrived early so I could see everyone before they went off to start their day. My grandson and granddaughter were busy getting ready for school when I arrived. My daughter was getting ready to drop the kids off at school and head over to a doctor appointment. Much business and chatter filled the house.
"Get your shoes on."
"Did you finish your breakfast."
"Do you have your lunch?"
"Change your jacket. It's a little chilly today."
"Put your shoes on."
"Hurry. It's time to go!"
"See my new gym shoes."
"It's our last day of school before spring break!"
"We're going to our other grandma and grandpa's today!"
As my daughter, grandson and granddaughter stepped out the door, a quiet filled the house. I looked around and there was my third grandchild. Sitting near the corner of the couch, he balanced an Ipad on his lap and was playing some game that consumed him.
I rinsed the breakfast dishes, put the cereal boxes back in the cupboard, and made a cup of coffee. Now it was time for him to put the Ipad away and cuddle. Time with my youngest grandson is precious. He's growing so fast. They all are. But the cuddles must go on! Cuddles are the best!
"Get your shoes on."
"Did you finish your breakfast."
"Do you have your lunch?"
"Change your jacket. It's a little chilly today."
"Put your shoes on."
"Hurry. It's time to go!"
"See my new gym shoes."
"It's our last day of school before spring break!"
"We're going to our other grandma and grandpa's today!"
As my daughter, grandson and granddaughter stepped out the door, a quiet filled the house. I looked around and there was my third grandchild. Sitting near the corner of the couch, he balanced an Ipad on his lap and was playing some game that consumed him.
I rinsed the breakfast dishes, put the cereal boxes back in the cupboard, and made a cup of coffee. Now it was time for him to put the Ipad away and cuddle. Time with my youngest grandson is precious. He's growing so fast. They all are. But the cuddles must go on! Cuddles are the best!
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Another Small Treasure
When I posted "In Search of Small Treasures" on 3/20, I received a response from Clare at Teachers for Teachers. She had read my post and suggested I go back to the second-hand store and purchase a little china dish that I had looked at but returned to the shelf. It was a thoughtful suggestion that would connect me with my trip to the store when I was startled for a moment by a breach of reality.
So I returned to the store today. And, of course, the little china dish was gone. I went down each aisle searching for the little dish with delicate flowers painted on it. Then, I went down each aisle again looking carefully from the top shelf to the bottom and behind larger objects, thinking I may have missed it the first time. And yes, I went down each aisle one more time thinking that someone might have picked it up and placed it on another shelf. But it was gone. My heart sank.
I continued to look around the store hoping to find another small treasure that would remind me of second-hand store shopping I used to do with my mom. I would regret for some time not purchasing that little china dish. But I knew another day would come when I would find a treasure that my mom and I would have both loved.
And then, I saw it. There on the top shelf was a little vintage ring box. I picked it up and turned it around to see the pretty pattern around the sides. I looked at the lid covered in dainty blue flowers. I unlatched it and lifted the lid. Oh, yes, this was a piece I would take home. I needed it.
I know there will be many trips to second-hand stores in the future. It's just something I do that reminds me of the trips I took with my mom. We would bring home our treasures, carefully wrapped and bagged. We would take our small treasures out, one at a time, and admire them. We would find a special place for them in our home. Small treasures - today it was a vintage ring box that was now mine. I love it.
So I returned to the store today. And, of course, the little china dish was gone. I went down each aisle searching for the little dish with delicate flowers painted on it. Then, I went down each aisle again looking carefully from the top shelf to the bottom and behind larger objects, thinking I may have missed it the first time. And yes, I went down each aisle one more time thinking that someone might have picked it up and placed it on another shelf. But it was gone. My heart sank.
I continued to look around the store hoping to find another small treasure that would remind me of second-hand store shopping I used to do with my mom. I would regret for some time not purchasing that little china dish. But I knew another day would come when I would find a treasure that my mom and I would have both loved.
And then, I saw it. There on the top shelf was a little vintage ring box. I picked it up and turned it around to see the pretty pattern around the sides. I looked at the lid covered in dainty blue flowers. I unlatched it and lifted the lid. Oh, yes, this was a piece I would take home. I needed it.
I know there will be many trips to second-hand stores in the future. It's just something I do that reminds me of the trips I took with my mom. We would bring home our treasures, carefully wrapped and bagged. We would take our small treasures out, one at a time, and admire them. We would find a special place for them in our home. Small treasures - today it was a vintage ring box that was now mine. I love it.
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