I have a lot of thoughts going through my head, so in the spirit of my friend Kristy, I am going to make a list of thoughts. This list will not be nearly as entertaining to read as Kristy's, I'm sure, but that's OK with me. It is what it is, and that's that.
1) Spring break started two days early, as we have had two snow days in a row! We got about 10 or so inches in my town, and the surrounding areas got even as much as 2 feet! Considering we probably have had less than 2 inches of snow all winter, this is a wonderful thing. It virtually shut down every school district around, so there are a lot of happy kids and teachers in the area right now!! I know it's spring break, but I don't even mind having this much snow. I'm not so much excited about the "spring" as I am the "break." Yesterday and today, our really hot (and married) neighbor shoveled our walk. How sweet is that?! He's a good guy. Too bad his wife is so amazing, too... :o)
2) I did a very bad thing. I killed my beautiful peace plant yesterday. I had placed it on the front porch for the past 2 weeks to enjoy our 65+ degree weather...and I left it there...I totally forgot about it, and by the time I remembered, I went out and saw something horrible. My poor plant was frozen, shriveled, and so dark green it was almost black. I knew right away there was no coming back from this tragic happening for that little plant... I had hoped it would warm up and perk up over night. No such luck. I feel so sad about this. I just hope there is some salvaging of life somewhere in those roots.
3) My grandma is coming out from Nebraska on Sunday to stay for a couple of weeks. I'm excited to see her. My spring break is going to consist of a lot of seeing her and Charlotte. That makes me happy. :o)
4) I still have not got a new driver's license (see "It's Like Being 15 All Over Again" for full story.). I really need to. I don't know why I have been putting it off. I keep saying it's b/c I can't afford the cost. If that were actually true, I wouldn't be spending my money on other things. I think I'm nervous. I haven't really driven in a long time. I am afraid of messing up. How embarrassing would that be to not pass my driving test at age 25?! Yes, I need to get over it and just do it. I know.
5) Heather asked me to sing in her wedding. I'm singing a song called "Feels Like Home" by some lady named Chantal Kreviazuk. It's a really pretty song. I'm honored she asked me to sing...But I haven't sung in front of people in a really long time! I am not nervous, actually. I just have to find a track to practice with and hope it meets Heather's standard! I know she wants it to sound the way Chantal sings it...Unfortunately I am not a professional and might have a hard time sounding as good as she does. Oh well. Where does one find a track to sing to? When I was in middle and high school and needed things like that for talent shows and such, I went to music stores. I wonder if they even carry things like that anymore. I'll probably have to look on line.
6) Speaking of Heather's wedding, we are going dress shopping on Sunday!!! I'm really excited, not only to look into dresses for me and the bridal party, but also to help Heather find her dress! She is a bride who has an idea of what she wants, but has no idea how to go about finding it. She's lucky she has a "professional bridesmaid" in her midst! :o) Heather's wedding makes #7 for me. "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride..."
7) I love my little Petey. He is snuggled up right next me me, keeping me warm. He hates the snow when it's more than a millimeter deep. It makes his little tootsies cold. I have a princess for a puppy.
The end...for now...
Friday, March 27, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Dear Diary...
Dear Diary,
I have decided I soon want a husband, house, and some babies running around. I am tired of trying to "just get by" and don't want to keep telling myself otherwise. Now, don't get me wrong, Diary. I don't need a husband, house, and babies running around. I'm living life just fine without those things. No...I just want. But here's the thing: wanting something and not seeing any hope of getting it any time soon is just no good. I would like to hope it happens soon. Yesterday, in thinking about weddings, planning with Heather, and watching "The Holiday", I saw little glimmers of hope surface here and there. Sadly, Diary, my hope glimmers got over-shadowed by my reality as soon as I woke up this morning. The trouble is, I don't know what to do about it. In the book The Tale of Despereaux the auther asks, "Reader, do you think it is a terrible thing to hope when there is no reason to hope at all? Or is it something that you might as well do, since, in the end, it really makes no difference to anyone but you?" Diary, I ask you that same question. But I'll take it one step further: Do I have no reason to hope at all? And does it really matter to anyone but me? I wish I could answer those questions with really great responses. I can't. I wish, even more, that you, Diary, could respond to me. You can't. I guess I'll just keep mulling things over, and if I come to a conclusion, I'll let you know.
Thanks for listening, Diary. You're the best! :o)
Love,
Mary<3
I have decided I soon want a husband, house, and some babies running around. I am tired of trying to "just get by" and don't want to keep telling myself otherwise. Now, don't get me wrong, Diary. I don't need a husband, house, and babies running around. I'm living life just fine without those things. No...I just want. But here's the thing: wanting something and not seeing any hope of getting it any time soon is just no good. I would like to hope it happens soon. Yesterday, in thinking about weddings, planning with Heather, and watching "The Holiday", I saw little glimmers of hope surface here and there. Sadly, Diary, my hope glimmers got over-shadowed by my reality as soon as I woke up this morning. The trouble is, I don't know what to do about it. In the book The Tale of Despereaux the auther asks, "Reader, do you think it is a terrible thing to hope when there is no reason to hope at all? Or is it something that you might as well do, since, in the end, it really makes no difference to anyone but you?" Diary, I ask you that same question. But I'll take it one step further: Do I have no reason to hope at all? And does it really matter to anyone but me? I wish I could answer those questions with really great responses. I can't. I wish, even more, that you, Diary, could respond to me. You can't. I guess I'll just keep mulling things over, and if I come to a conclusion, I'll let you know.
Thanks for listening, Diary. You're the best! :o)
Love,
Mary<3
Monday, March 16, 2009
Oh, Monday...Sweet Monday...
I turned off my alarm in my sleep this morning, and managed to sleep for another TWO hours. That wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to be to school no later than 7:45...
I usually set my alarm for 5:15 a.m. so that I can hit snooze until about 6:00. Most days, that works just fine for me. In fact, I rarely have trouble being up in time. This morning, however, was different. I woke up and looked at my clock, expecting to see a time prior to 5:15, since I hadn't remembered hearing my alarm. The red numbers glared at me: 7:32. 7:32?!?!?!?! I don't know that I have ever jumped out of bed so fast! I got dressed, let the dog out, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and did my makeup and hair in no less than 11 minutes. I was impressed with myself. :o) This is when living a block away from school comes in handy. I was able to make it to school by 7:45!! It was nothing less than a miracle.
I guess in telling this story I have proved that I actually can get ready quickly. Maybe I shouldn't share this. Now I'm going to be expected to be fast all the time... Ha! Don't count on it. I have always said I work best under pressure. This is a perfect illustration of that! :o)
I usually set my alarm for 5:15 a.m. so that I can hit snooze until about 6:00. Most days, that works just fine for me. In fact, I rarely have trouble being up in time. This morning, however, was different. I woke up and looked at my clock, expecting to see a time prior to 5:15, since I hadn't remembered hearing my alarm. The red numbers glared at me: 7:32. 7:32?!?!?!?! I don't know that I have ever jumped out of bed so fast! I got dressed, let the dog out, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and did my makeup and hair in no less than 11 minutes. I was impressed with myself. :o) This is when living a block away from school comes in handy. I was able to make it to school by 7:45!! It was nothing less than a miracle.
I guess in telling this story I have proved that I actually can get ready quickly. Maybe I shouldn't share this. Now I'm going to be expected to be fast all the time... Ha! Don't count on it. I have always said I work best under pressure. This is a perfect illustration of that! :o)
Monday, March 9, 2009
time warp
This weekend being daylight savings time has thrown me for a loop. It's extremely difficult waking up when the sun isn't even close to rising...It gives one little enjoyment to let the dog out and realize that even the birds are still sleeping.
I got to school today with every intention to change my clock. One of my clocks is a satellite clock that changes itself and matches with the atomic clock in Boulder. It's pretty great to have and extremely accurate clock in my room. My other clock is an older one that has to be changed manually. Usually, I am the only one who looks at the clock, as I use it for keeping track of time when I'm in reading groups. (I can't see the other clock from where I sit...) Like usual, my day began, and I didn't give the clock another thought.
This afternoon I got my kids started in reading groups ever so promptly. I was quite impressed with my own efficiency, if I do say so myself. As we sped along from group to group...Tigers...Pandas...I kept noticing that we were barely approaching 12:00. That didn't seem right. I knew I was spending ample time with each group and should have been taking up more time. Nevertheless, I continued my groups one by one...Zebras...Now it was only 12:35...I began wracking my brain for something extra to do to kill some time before recess at 2:15. For once in a long time, all of my students got their work done, and I had no reason not to find something extra to keep them busy. And besides that, they were all getting restless and rambunctious like any first grader would.....Lions...As my last group began to come to a close, I panicked. It was only 1:00!! How was it possible for me to get so far ahead?!
Then, it hit me like a giant wave full of seaweed and sand: I HADN'T CHANGED MY CLOCK!! I was actually right on schedule and had nothing to fear. My life fast-forwarded a whole hour within a matter of milliseconds; and I hadn't felt that relieved in a very long time...
I got to school today with every intention to change my clock. One of my clocks is a satellite clock that changes itself and matches with the atomic clock in Boulder. It's pretty great to have and extremely accurate clock in my room. My other clock is an older one that has to be changed manually. Usually, I am the only one who looks at the clock, as I use it for keeping track of time when I'm in reading groups. (I can't see the other clock from where I sit...) Like usual, my day began, and I didn't give the clock another thought.
This afternoon I got my kids started in reading groups ever so promptly. I was quite impressed with my own efficiency, if I do say so myself. As we sped along from group to group...Tigers...Pandas...I kept noticing that we were barely approaching 12:00. That didn't seem right. I knew I was spending ample time with each group and should have been taking up more time. Nevertheless, I continued my groups one by one...Zebras...Now it was only 12:35...I began wracking my brain for something extra to do to kill some time before recess at 2:15. For once in a long time, all of my students got their work done, and I had no reason not to find something extra to keep them busy. And besides that, they were all getting restless and rambunctious like any first grader would.....Lions...As my last group began to come to a close, I panicked. It was only 1:00!! How was it possible for me to get so far ahead?!
Then, it hit me like a giant wave full of seaweed and sand: I HADN'T CHANGED MY CLOCK!! I was actually right on schedule and had nothing to fear. My life fast-forwarded a whole hour within a matter of milliseconds; and I hadn't felt that relieved in a very long time...
Monday, March 2, 2009
They weren't kidding when they said...
"OOOOOOOOOK-lahoma, where the wind goes sweeping down the plain!"
I took a road trip with the family this weekend to the lovely panhandle of O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A this weekend to see my brother and his college team play baseball. On this trip, I came up with two very important life-long conclusions: 1) I am pretty sure I am done taking road trips with my family and 2) I am VERY sure I will never, ever, not for any amount of money or fame, move to the Oklahoma panhandle.
Let me explain myself. I love my family and every strange quirk about each one in it. I really do! But this weekend proved to be a lot of ridiculous time together that lead to frustrated parents, a cranky baby, and a lot of boredom... My parents have a communication problem. They constantly assume the other person knows what he or she is thinking or meaning, but 99% of the time they are wrong... This leads to an annoyed dad who doesn't get breakfast and a frustrated mom who is holding her "I-told-you-so" inside because she knows it wouldn't be a wise thing to say at the time...And it leads to two daughters who have their parents figured out down to every detail...It's kind of funny, actually. My parents love each other so much, and I guess that's why they manage to get over their ridiculous communication problems almost as soon as they happen. I am grateful for that. Charlotte took her first long road trip. She did really well on the 7-hour drive to OK. I think she only cried a few times, and that was because she was hungry. Then, she slept really soundly in the hotel on both nights we were there. I was actually quite impressed with that little lady. Emily mom-ed her like a pro, too. Kudos to them both. Really, I feel badly for the kid. By the time we got on the road to head home, Charlotte decided she had had enough of her car seat. She was in no mood to have to sit strapped in and stare at nothing exciting for the next 7+ hours. She made sure to let us know that frequently. Now, you can't hold it against her. In fact, I was commiserating 100% of the time. I didn't want to be there, either. I am happy to report that she and I both made it to our homes with most of our sanity. As for the boredom, leave it to my dad to take the "scenic route" during times when going the fastest way would be prudent. He loves driving and enjoying the geography of our great nation...which is not a good combination for three girls sitting in the back. As interesting as the plains and ghost towns of OK and CO are, once you see one, you've seen them all. And if you haven't seen one, it's nothing lost, really. Trust me on this one. I saw enough for you and me... Emily and I had to resort to quoting our favorite speech of the Academy Awards: "Sank you, my mother. Sank you, my friends. Sank you, animation. Sank you, Academy. Domo origato, Mr. Roboto." We said that a lot. That's how bored we were. But that was just on the drive home... You know how bored you are reading this? Yep. That's about where were were, too. :o)
As for the Oklahoma panhandle...It was so windy there, I was pretty sure the state would just pick up and blow all the way to the Gulf of Mexico! It was the coldest wind I have felt in a long time, too. Really, there is not much good to be said about the OK panhandle, in my opinion. I guess I can say, drunk cowboys named Ty Young have pretty teeth...
I did read a great book on the trip. I highly recommend Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz and not just because Oprah agrees. It kept my attention the whole time. It was beautifully written in both first and third person. Good book. Read it.
I'll put up pictures of my amazing trip ASAP. I promise, those are actually pretty fun to see. :o)
I took a road trip with the family this weekend to the lovely panhandle of O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A this weekend to see my brother and his college team play baseball. On this trip, I came up with two very important life-long conclusions: 1) I am pretty sure I am done taking road trips with my family and 2) I am VERY sure I will never, ever, not for any amount of money or fame, move to the Oklahoma panhandle.
Let me explain myself. I love my family and every strange quirk about each one in it. I really do! But this weekend proved to be a lot of ridiculous time together that lead to frustrated parents, a cranky baby, and a lot of boredom... My parents have a communication problem. They constantly assume the other person knows what he or she is thinking or meaning, but 99% of the time they are wrong... This leads to an annoyed dad who doesn't get breakfast and a frustrated mom who is holding her "I-told-you-so" inside because she knows it wouldn't be a wise thing to say at the time...And it leads to two daughters who have their parents figured out down to every detail...It's kind of funny, actually. My parents love each other so much, and I guess that's why they manage to get over their ridiculous communication problems almost as soon as they happen. I am grateful for that. Charlotte took her first long road trip. She did really well on the 7-hour drive to OK. I think she only cried a few times, and that was because she was hungry. Then, she slept really soundly in the hotel on both nights we were there. I was actually quite impressed with that little lady. Emily mom-ed her like a pro, too. Kudos to them both. Really, I feel badly for the kid. By the time we got on the road to head home, Charlotte decided she had had enough of her car seat. She was in no mood to have to sit strapped in and stare at nothing exciting for the next 7+ hours. She made sure to let us know that frequently. Now, you can't hold it against her. In fact, I was commiserating 100% of the time. I didn't want to be there, either. I am happy to report that she and I both made it to our homes with most of our sanity. As for the boredom, leave it to my dad to take the "scenic route" during times when going the fastest way would be prudent. He loves driving and enjoying the geography of our great nation...which is not a good combination for three girls sitting in the back. As interesting as the plains and ghost towns of OK and CO are, once you see one, you've seen them all. And if you haven't seen one, it's nothing lost, really. Trust me on this one. I saw enough for you and me... Emily and I had to resort to quoting our favorite speech of the Academy Awards: "Sank you, my mother. Sank you, my friends. Sank you, animation. Sank you, Academy. Domo origato, Mr. Roboto." We said that a lot. That's how bored we were. But that was just on the drive home... You know how bored you are reading this? Yep. That's about where were were, too. :o)
As for the Oklahoma panhandle...It was so windy there, I was pretty sure the state would just pick up and blow all the way to the Gulf of Mexico! It was the coldest wind I have felt in a long time, too. Really, there is not much good to be said about the OK panhandle, in my opinion. I guess I can say, drunk cowboys named Ty Young have pretty teeth...
I did read a great book on the trip. I highly recommend Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz and not just because Oprah agrees. It kept my attention the whole time. It was beautifully written in both first and third person. Good book. Read it.
I'll put up pictures of my amazing trip ASAP. I promise, those are actually pretty fun to see. :o)
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