currently

I am...

Reading: Starting The Midwife's Revolt

Listening to: some crows outside my window are scolding something--they're quite loud!

Loving: I am feeling very supported by the administration--from the Superintendent to my department chair

Thinking: We're going to try to have a virtual library book group meeting this week, using Zoom

Feeling: antsy

Celebrating: another good hair day!

Grateful for: creating my own work from home schedule--sort of

Weather: currently 33 degrees with a "real feel" of 25

Enjoying: daily chats with my sisters and friends

A quote I want to share:

Challenge accepted, Plastic Mancunian!

march 30

Click here for the prompts

Where would you most like to travel?

Since I haven't gone anywhere for the past two weeks, the idea of travel is exciting! The Gal has inspired me to want to visit Colonial Williamsburg and since I'll be so close--I'll head to Washington, DC. I'd also love to go to Graceland, Dollywood, and Memphis. Naturally, I'll visit my family in Virginia and Pennsylvania while I'm traveling.

Also in my travel fantasies are extended trips to Ireland and Italy. Ireland is the home of my heart and soul. I felt so comfortable there! I'd love to go back to the places I visited so long ago and experience them with my adult perspective. And Italy is a dream destination--I'd love to take a family trip there since my sister and her husband lived outside of Venice for so long.

I love perusing the Lonely Planet and other travel sites for inspiration.

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Alec Clayton Questions

1. If there's a personal god, what quality would you most like that person to have (and why)? compassion--to give comfort and acceptance

2. What's your death-row meal? probably breakfast--pancakes and eggs benedict and some home fries with a side of bacon--I don't know I would have to really plan out what the menu would be

3. Assuming we make it through this outbreak with minimal loss of life, what do you think our big takeaway should be? STAY HOME

4. Whom do you find yourself missing more than you would've predicted? my colleagues--I knew I would miss my students but didn't expect to miss my department as much as I do

5. What brings you the most joy? Not happiness, not contentment -- JOY. laughing with my family

6. Do you find yourself regretting anything you've said or done on social media? I can't think of anything

7. What are your favorite and least favorite things about your body and face? I love my lips and my least favorite is my double chins

8. and your life? favorite is my independence and least favorite is my independence

9. How's the self-isolation affecting your libido? it isn't?

10. Which three places in the physical universe would you most like to visit? Ireland, Italy, and my sisters who are out of state

11. On whom did you have a crush years ago? Have you ever told them? It's been a long time since I've had a crush--I don't even remember!

12. How have your religious views changed since you were in high school? I was a very seriously devout Catholic when I was younger. I am no longer a practicing anything.

13. If you could change one law, what would it be? I don't think the government has the right to say who can live and who can die.

14. If you could add one commandment to the original ten, what would it be? Stay home during pandemics!

self-care sunday

Today I meditated during my lymphatic treatment. A whole hour dedicated to clearing my mind and being present. It was delightful! Then I napped.

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

march 29

Click here for the prompts

Describe a happy memory. What did you feel, smell, hear, and see?

The best memory was being at the top of Eiffel Tower at dusk and the city lighting up in before us (I was with my dad). The lights in different neighborhoods came on and it was like ripples of lights. I had that sensation of height. I don't remember it smelling of anything particular. Because we happened to be the only people there at the time, it was quiet with some French music playing in the background. One of the most romantic sights I've ever experienced--it was kind of a bummer to be there with my dad and not a romantic partner (we did have a good laugh about that).

cannot look away

saturday 9

Everybody's Somebody's Fool

1) Next Wednesday is April Fool's Day. Do you have any pranks planned? Do you expect to fall victim to any April Fool's Day mischief? I do not have any pranks planned this year--I miss my students--and I doubt I'll fall victim to any pranks, either.

2) When she was a kid, Crazy Sam would fool her mom by putting bubble wrap under the bath map so there would be a POP! when her mother stepped on it. When you encounter bubble wrap, do you always indulge in a pop or two? not always although I love the texture of bubble wrap and love to rub my fingers over it

3) While we're using this song to celebrate April Fool's Day, it was written about another subject entirely: heartbreak. The lyrics tell us that at some point, we each get our hearts broken by someone who doesn't love us as much as we love them. Do you think that's true? yes

4) In 1962, this week's featured Connie Francis published a book aimed at teens called For Every Young Heart. It addressed topics like going steady and schoolwork vs. social life. Do you ever read advice columns or self-help books? I like empowerment books--sometimes I like to indulge in advice columns to think how I would have answered differently (or better)

5) Connie Francis can play the accordion. Sam has never met anyone adept at this complicated instrument -- not even in her high school band. What about you? Do you play the accordion, or do you know anyone who can? I have had a few students over the years who play and I delight when they bring them to school for "show and tell"

6) In 1960, when this record was popular, Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird was published. Have you read it? I have read it

7) Also in 1960, one of Life magazine's best-selling issues had Sophia Loren on the cover. At that time, she was an international film star and considered one of the world's most beautiful women. Who do you consider one of 2020's most beautiful women? drawing a blank

8) A 1960 issue of Vogue acknowledged how expensive it had become to maintain a fashionable wardrobe and asked, "If you were to buy only one thing, what would it be?" If it's good enough for Vogue, it's good enough for Saturday 9: If you could purchase only one new article of clothing for spring 2020, what would you buy? probably a dress

9) Random question: When someone makes you really angry, are you more likely to respond with stony silence or a big noise? this is a big situational scenario--if I'm in public definitely stony silence; if I'm with my family definitely a big noise!

march 28

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What do you wish you were better at saying "no" to?

I am an impulse shopper. I wish I were better at waiting before purchasing. I'm great at big purchases but not great at the small, everyday, inconsequential stuff--like clothing!

the friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.

I'm reading The Midwife's Revolt (Midwife #1).

I shall always remember Abigail's ironic tone. From nearly our first meeting, she evinced an almost uncanny ability to see all my flaws. She remarked upon my tendency to self-pity; she laughed at my occasional grandiosity; and she could always put me in my place with a well-timed joke. But always, always, her prods were blunted by the tender restraint of love.

march 27

Click here for the prompts

List 5 ways you take time for yourself.

1) Daily blogging.

2) Meditation--mostly before sleep.

3) Manicures.

4) Driving--my daily commute is how I get myself psyched up for the day and I "leave it on the bridge" as I come back into town.

5) Reading and knitting, either at the same time or by themselves.

finished reading

I wanted to love this book because it's about online dating, plus size heroines, and reality TV. But the main character was way too whiny. Ugh.

From the publisher:

Kat Larson figured she had nothing to lose by becoming a contestant on the new reality show From Fat to Fabulous-except maybe a few dozen pounds. Then she'd finally be able to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Nick, the British hunk she met online, who still thinks she's a size four. She'd finally be confident and graceful and thin-and there's that big cash prize, too, to pay for all those slinky new clothes she'd need. She'd finally have the perfect life.

finished reading

A fun fish-out-of-water story. I will probably read more of the series because the secondary characters are so colorful!

From the publisher:

Nestled on the shore of Lake Sackett, Georgia is the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop. (What, you have a problem with one-stop shopping?) Two McCready brothers started two separate businesses in the same building back in 1928, and now it’s become one big family affair. And true to form in small Southern towns, family business becomes everybody’s business.

Margot Cary has spent her life immersed in everything Lake Sackett is not. As an elite event planner, Margot’s rubbed elbows with the cream of Chicago society, and made elegance and glamour her business. She’s riding high until one event goes tragically, spectacularly wrong. Now she’s blackballed by the gala set and in dire need of a fresh start—and apparently the McCreadys are in need of an event planner with a tarnished reputation.

As Margot finds her footing in a town where everybody knows not only your name, but what you had for dinner last Saturday night and what you’ll wear to church on Sunday morning, she grudgingly has to admit that there are some things Lake Sackett does better than Chicago—including the dating prospects. Elementary school principal Kyle Archer is a fellow fish-out-of-water who volunteers to show Margot the picture-postcard side of Southern living. The two of them hit it off, but not everybody is happy to see an outsider snapping up one of the town's most eligible gentleman. Will Margot reel in her handsome fish, or will she have to release her latest catch?

three on thursday

Click here to join in!

Thing one: I went grocery shopping today and hopefully have enough to last two weeks. Lots of fruits and veggies. Trying not to go overboard with "treats" during this time home.

Thing two: We're restructuring the schedule for distance learning. Going to a content-alternating two-day per week teaching content with the third day for check-ins or remediation. So M/W are Humanities days with T/Th as science & math days and Friday as a catch-up day. It's going to make planning much easier, I've been stressing about how to continue quality work over quantity of assignments and this will help.

Thing three: I need to get knitting! This is the perfect time to work on some birthday gifts!

march 26

Click here for the prompts

How would you like to spend your elder years?

Retired. Active in my community. Still reading and knitting. Hopefully healthy. My Virginia sister and I are always joking that I'll put a Granny Pod in her yard. Actually, her husband is on board with it since they own some land. Who knows?

psa--safe grocery shopping

wordless wednesday

march 25

Click here for the prompts

How much effect do you think feeling good about yourself has on your appearance?

I'm not sure how to answer this. As a person of size, I take pride in looking put together and accessorized. I don't want anyone to look at me and think I'm a fat slob. I also think that when I look good, I feel good.

ten things tuesday

Ten ways today was not so terrible:

1) I got lesson planning done for next week. I finished some details for this week but get set up for next week.

2) Texted my bestie. We're both learning how to distance teach and swapping resources even though she teaches grade 5 and I teach grades 10-12.

3) I slept in. I got out of bed at 8 o'clock!

4) I got in touch with a few students who've been elusive during distance learning.

5) I finished my "office hours" a little early. We're required to be available from 9-3 but I finished at 2.

6) My pneumatic pump is actually rather nifty. I can see the results. And it's so quiet!

7) My manicurist contacted me that the shop is closed for two weeks--so my Saturday appointment is not happening, but she gave me suggestions for what I can do in the meantime.

8) I've had really good hair days 2 days in a row. It's a real bummer not many can appreciate it with me. 😏

9) I might try to organize my library book group into an online session. I think the librarians would be up for helping me set something up.

10)

march 24

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What would you try if you had no fear?

Hmmm. I can't think of anything that fear is holding me back from.