up for a challenge...

I'm going to try a June challenge I saw on Pinterest:

I might also join Paula in a photo challenge... I'll decide tomorrow!

friday fill-ins

From the archives:

1. For me stress is the opposite of creativity.

2. Where'd You Go, Bernadette was the last excellent book I read.

3. I like fill-ins because I never know where the questions will go.

4. In nature I like looking at leaves.

5. The candidate I choose should win the US elections.

6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was this morning, several times.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging around, tomorrow my plans include the Breakfast Club and a manicure and Sunday, I want to get my errands done!

memories...

Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

Mustache Day with Michael. We had so much fun and laughed so hard that it's the most memorable day I've had all year. Michael was thrilled when I asked if he minded my putting his picture on my blog. Now you can see the whole thing.

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

Slow internet connection when my students are supposed to be working online.

letting go

Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go

It's the end of the school year, so letting go is a common phrase. Especially for the Seniors. They have to let go of their comfortable surroundings from four years, their familiar teachers and faces from four years, their routine of four years, and a lot of their friendships from thirteen years. When I was talking to them about enjoying Senior Week and all it stands for, I said it's the last time they will all be together as a class. I could see the realization hit several of them. And it made for a memorable conversation.

The end of the school year means letting go for me, too. Letting the Seniors go into their futures. Wishing them well. And letting go of the stresses and hassles of the school year. Letting go can be so freeing.

just five...

Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post

1. Say. This song struck me at the end of The Bucket List.

2. One. My all-time favorite song. This version featuring Mary J. Blige is phenomenal.

3. Train in Vain. Quintessential 80s punk/rock.

4. Variations on Canon in D. I was playing some soft music in class and my students love this the most.

5. Never Gonna Give You Up. One of my favorite memories of Ireland is dancing at a club to this song, singing at the top of my lungs, with Dermot Curry--the tall redheaded Irishman. We had so much fun that night. It adds special delight to get RickRolled!

w.w.w. wednesdays

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? I'm listening to Carol Burnett's This Time Together and I started the June reading group book: Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon.

• What did you recently finish reading? I read the second, third, third.five, and fourth in the Sugar Maple series by Barbara Bretton.


• What do you think you’ll read next? I really don't have a clue!

only pictures

Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures

(knitting class)

ten things tuesday

Ten things about the letter U:

1) Ukelele: I wish I had one. I think it's so much fun.

2) Unicorns: I never understood why people freak out about unicorns. Except the Unicorn Song by the Irish Rovers.

3) Umbrellas: I came to love umbrellas when I was living in Ireland. Mostly because we had to walk everywhere and it rained every day. I learned to carry it around with me and now it's a habit.

4) Ummm: Sometimes I count how many audible pauses people interviewed on the news have. I just can't help myself.

5) Under: I just made you say underwear!

6) Understated: I like to be subtle.

7) Unplugged: used to be one of my favorite shows on VH1.

8) Urban Dictionary: This site keeps me up on what the students are saying. It's irreverent fun.

9) US History: Advanced placement or standard, I love colonial history.

10) U2: my favorite band since 1983. One day I will see them in concert!

love

Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers

Dear Readers,

Thank you for sharing my blog with me. I can't tell you how much your support, advice, and commiseration has meant to me over the years. I'll try to keep things fresh by meme-ing and challenging myself to trying all kinds of things. It's great to have friends in blog land from all over the country.

Love,
Me

remember...

*as seen at Huffpost.

better, maybe?

After five days of feeling like death warmed over without a voice, I believe I have turned a corner. I almost feel human today.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying about it.
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

I recently read the delightful Sugar Maple series (paranormal romance with a knitting twist) and read the bonus ebook out of order in the series and it drove me totally nuts! I have to read books in order. Have to.

also read...

An ebook in the series, it's kind of considered story 3.5. It left me wanting more, that's for sure! I wonder if it's the author's way of introducing a new character into the series?

online reading...

Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.


I read Mentalfloss, Neatorama, 22 Words, and TYWKIWDBI to amuse myself.

postsecret

*on back: I'm not even a little bit embarrassed, just comfortable*

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.

finished reading...

I finished reading the fourth and final installment of the Sugar Maple series and was not disappointed in the conclusion. This series was so much fun--great characters, great setting, and lots of fun knitting references. Plus, paranormal romance and some wackiness! I need to lose myself in another fun series.

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: Sunday Brunch Meme

We humbly remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.


1}Which do you prefer in the am: Coffee or tea? iced coffee

2} Work has been cancelled on the spur of the moment: Clean house and do errands, Or just fun things? errands and fun things

3} Middle of the hot summer, vacation at: Mountains or Beach? beach at a lake

4}You have to travel at a leisure speed: Train, plane or car? car

5} To relax: A movie or a book? book or knitting

6} What kind of pets? Dog, cat, bird or fish. wish I could have a dog

7} Dream home: Hard wood floors or carpeting? hard wood floors with throw rugs

8} a fun activity: cards, bingo or blogging? blogging, although when I'm with my sisters, it's cards

9} First date: Dinner, movie or a hike? dinner

10}The first Kiss: peck on the cheek, or a long romantic one? for a first one, a peck

finished reading...

The third installment in the Sugar Maple series is so much fun! This story included lots of knitting references, yarn references and humor. There's romance, there's suspense, and there's a great cast of characters. I will read more.

someone told me...

Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)

A couple of things spring to mind:

1) During my high school public speaking class, I was told that everything I say sounds matter of fact. Even when we were doing impromptu speeches I sounded matter of fact.

2) One of my sisters said I am intimidating. That was many, many years ago.

saturday 9

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Memorial Day was introduced to honor the men and women who died while serving the in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not forgotten this weekend.

1) This recording was made live at St. Patrick's Cathedral, during Sen. Robert Kennedy's funeral. While both of Bobby's older brothers were decorated war heroes, he served too -- enlisting in the Navy in 1943. Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? (We are grateful and want to hear about it.)  Two of my brothers-in-law are military men, one was career and retired about four years ago.  I am proud that they are in my family.  My sisters and I all agree that if we had had a brother he would have been military.

2) Memorial Day also kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?  plain potato chips, boring but they go with anything

3) Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.  it kind of embarrasses me to admit but Drakkar Noir reminds me of a former boyfriend

4) When was the last time you had your hair cut or trimmed? I had a cut and color the week before the wedding, which would be just over a week ago

5) Crazy Sam runs on Dunkin'. Are you loyal to a particular brand of coffee? I am a daily Dunkin' drinker

6) If money was no object, what home improvement would you like to make this summer? I'd love to paint the whole place and refurnish it


7) What was the last thing you bought purely for your own enjoyment? my laptop

8) When was the last time you rode a bike? probably five or six years ago


9) Sam worries that many of her song selections reflect her decidedly Baby Boomer sensibilities. Is there a song or a performer that you'd like to see featured in a Saturday 9 this summer? I always associate the summer with The Outfield, Don Henley, Glenn Frey, James Taylor, and the Beach Boys

the worst of me

Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits

1) I'm a terrible person to be around when I'm not feeling well. I don't even want to be with myself, that's how whiny and bitchy I get.

2) I'm either on high or I'm on low, in terms of activity level.

3) Lately, I've been putting off school stuff. Not procrastinating, necessarily, because I'm not waiting until the last minute, but I'm not as on top of things as I usually am.

yawnchoo

This trip has taken so much out of me, I've come down with a sore throat and cold. I've got the yuck. I'm so dang tired I almost fell asleep at my desk. Twice. So I took tomorrow off to get some rest. Hopefully, I'll get my voice back so the whole weekend won't be ruined. The kids were really sweet about it, though, and they don't want me to be out again.

learning outside of school...

Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you

I've learned that therapy is the best thing you can do for yourself.
I've learned that siblings and parents can be the best friends, ever.
I've learned that doing things on my own timeline is a good thing.
I've learned that there are no truer words than "This too shall pass."

finished reading...

The second installment of the Sugar Maple Series delivers a great romantic-comedy-knitting story. Well, maybe not as much knitting in this book, but it's a fast, fun read. I will read more in the series because this book left off with quite a cliff hanger!

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

Losing my voice and croaking like a frog.

rantish

Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)

It's time to get out of my own way and seriously get to work. I need to stop procrastinating and work on final exams. I need to write the exams for three classes and write the study guides. And the clock is ticking. The end of the school year is in sight. For that I'm glad. But I've got some work to do to get there.

ten things tuesday

Ten things:

1) My sisters and me!

2) My parents and the groom!

3) The bride and me!

4) My handsome nephew!

5) My handsome nephew and his delightful girlfriend!

6) Photobooth with my nieces and the groom!

7) Father of the bride and me!

8) Daddy and the sisters!

9) The bride and her brother!

10) The first dance!

favorite posts

Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives

I love Mr. Picassohead.

This is really tough, trying to choose favorite blog posts. I'm just choosing the one.

blogaversary!

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. This week two spoke to me.

struggle...

Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.

To be honest, I'm so hyped up from the trip that I don't know what I'm struggling with now. I got to spend time with my family, the wedding and reception were a blast. I'm tired. And I don't want to go to school tomorrow.

here come the bride and groom...

Just getting home from The Wedding, in Pennsylvania. It was a whirlwind weekend, starting with traveling after school on Thursday. Here are the bride and groom. They are gorgeous and the wedding was a blast! I am so glad (almost) the whole family was there. And fortunately, the drive was uneventful.

ravin' bout my faves...

Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them

In no particular order:

1) Diana's Little Corner In The Nutmeg State. Diana is a trans-activist who continually teaches me to be empathetic and accepting.

2) Knitting At Large. Julie's teaching me how to knit. She doesn't know it.

3) TYWKIWDBI. You just never know what you'll learn here.

4) Alison's Book Marks. Almost every book she reviews becomes one of my Must Reads. We have similar taste.

5) 22 Words. Pure fun. Weird goodness.

childhood

Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

My sisters used to tease me terribly. They would take books away from me, read the ending, then tell me all about the ending--ruining the book. I remember how frustrated, powerless, and angry I was. Just thinking about how awfully they teased me gives me a knot in the pit of my stomach.

fave photo...

Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why


This is my current favorite photo because it is a moment in time that means a lot to me.