self-care sunday

I spent a lot of time resting this weekend. I needed it. Still do.

sunday stealing

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Thought Provoking Questions, Part 1

1. When was the last time you tried something new? two Saturdays ago! I ventured out of my comfort zone at the Women's Art Retreat

2. Who do you sometimes compare yourself to? uhm... I don't really compare myself to anyone

3. What’s the most sensible thing you’ve ever heard someone say? "Never pass up an opportunity to go to the bathroom" advice from my grandmother

4. What gets you excited about life? waking up

5. What life lesson did you learn the hard way? pretty much all of them

6. What do you wish you spent more time doing five years ago? hmmm... drawing a blank on this one

7. Do you ask enough questions or do you settle for what you know? oh, I'm a definite questioner

8. Who do you love and what are you doing about it? I love George from afar

9. What’s a belief that you hold with which many people disagree? Pineapple belongs on pizza

10. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago? drawing a blank on this one

11. Do you think crying is a sign of weakness or strength? I think it's a sign of humanity

12. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? nothing

13. Do you celebrate the things you do have? yes

14. What is the difference between living and existing? living is taking time to savor moments

15. If not now, then when? maybe tomorrow?

16. Have you done anything lately worth remembering? yes

17. What does your joy look like today? in all honesty, today is a challenging day for me... joy is fleeting

18. Is it possible to lie without saying a word? of course

19. If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow this person to be your friend? not long without a come to jesus discussion

20. Which activities make you lose track of time? noodling around online, knitting, reading, napping

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.

saturday 9

Young and Beautiful

1) Lana Del Rey wrote this song for the soundtrack of The Great Gatsby. She wanted it to reflect the feelings of Daisy Buchanan. Have you read The Great Gatsby? I have read it and taught it.

2) In the 1970s, Robert Redford portrayed Jay Gatsby. In the 2013 version, Leonardo di Caprio played the part. In real life, both "Gatsbys" have helped raised funds for the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). Are you careful about recycling and conserving water/electricity? I could step up my recycling, but I'm very careful about water and electricity

3) Lana Del Rey admits that she dropped out of college because she simply could not get the required math credits. When confronted with basic addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, do you do it in your head? Reach for pencil and paper? Or do you take advantage of the calculator that's on your desktop or phone? the basics I do in my head but I'm not afraid of asking Siri for assistance

4) She enjoys Kurt Cobain, Eminem, Elvis and Sinatra. Which of those four gentlemen did you listen to most recently? believe it or not, Eminem

5) Speaking of Sinatras, she has described her high maintenance look -- big hair, long nails, elaborate eye makeup, full lips -- as "Gangster Nancy Sinatra." How long does it take you, on an average day, to prepare to face the world? probably 15-20 minutes

6) She's a big soccer fan, and her favorite team is Liverpool FC. Here in the US, college basketball fans are currently obsessed with March Madness. What's the last sporting event that you watched? I watched the boy's varsity basketball team win the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP! Go Vikings!

7) Her younger sister, Caroline, studied photography and is responsible for some of Lana's publicity pictures. Have you ever gotten a job because of a relative? no

8) In 2013, when this song came out, Pope Francis became the first pope from a Latin American country. Latin America generally includes Mexico, most of Central and South America, and in the Caribbean, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. What's the farthest south that you've ever traveled? Aruba

9) Random question -- What button would you prefer your life to have: rewind, fast forward or a pause? pause

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 listening to The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man (Ruddy McCann #1). It's amusing!

I stared at him, astounded. He was several inches shorter than I with a rounded chin and dark, warm eyes. His suit was charcoal gray wool, his facial features bland, his smile was cautious--welcoming, but careful not to come off as too jovial in case I was here to discuss putting Aunt Mildred in the ground.

three on thursday

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Thing 1: It is 45 degrees out! Hooray!

Thing 2: Tomorrow is a workshop day here at school--no students. No real agenda for our department, so perhaps some time to noodle around in my classroom!

Thing 3: After having a super busy weekend (last weekend) and several meetings this week (both after school and evening), I am delighted to have NOTHING planned for this weekend!

wordless wednesday

ten things tuesday

Ten things that would make today perfect:

1) A chef to cook dinner for me.

2) Might as well have a maid to clean it up.

3) An afternoon coffee... that would hit the spot.

4) A nap.

5) A foot massage.

6) A big hug.

7) Replies to the three emails I sent.

8) A color printer/photocopier at school that I can use.

9) Warmer temps. The sun is deceptive.

10) Not having morning duty.

currently

I am...

Reading: still reading The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man

Listening to: an airplane flying overhead

Loving: I spent a lot of extra time at school today and made all kinds of lesson plans

Thinking: about contract negotiations--the process

Feeling: satisfied

Celebrating: I think we might have this contract wrapped up by April!

Grateful for: a fantastic working relationship with the superintendent

Weather: it is 22 degrees but the "real feel" is 15

Enjoying: I could whoop I'm so excited about negotiations!

A quote I want to share: