2015 wrap-up

In 2015, I gained: professional respect.

I lost: 13 pounds.

I stopped: worrying.

I started: meditating.

I was hugely satisfied by: my reading challenge this year.

And frustrated by: the state of the clutter.

I am so embarrassed that I: messed up my finances.

Once again, I: reconnected with high school friends.

Once again, I did not: spend enough time decluttering.

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is: I started taking thyroid meds, and notice a difference in my energy level.

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is: my enthusiasm for and acceptance of changes at school.

I loved spending time: reading, knitting, and hanging with my tribe.

Why did I spend even two minutes: worrying about things out of my control?

I should have spent more time: balancing my budget.

I regret buying: yarn without making a note of what I wanted to make from it.

I will never regret buying the iPhone 6s even though with that money I could have gotten more Christmas gifts.

I didn’t read professional books enough.

Politicians drove me crazy.

The most relaxing place I went was Chebague Island

Why did I go to the Empower workshop? (a school-related, grade book workshop)

The best thing I did for someone else was knit.

The best thing I did for myself go to bed early so I could read every day.

The best thing someone did for me make time for me.

The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better, knit Christmas gifts.

booking through thursday

click the icon to play along
What were your favorite books of 2015?
How many books did you read this year? Are you happy with the amount of reading you got done? Wish you’d had more time? (I know I always do!)

I've completed and surpassed my Goodreads goal of 60 books by reading 67 books! I'm thrilled with the amount of reading I did. My highest rated and favorite books of the year are: The Girl on the Train, The Martian, Cinnamon & Gunpowder, After You, and Career of Evil. All different genres.

yarn along

Join in every Wednesday to share a single photo of what you are knitting and reading too!

Listening to Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes and knitting One Row Handspun Scarf.

found my word...

I found my theme word for 2016, or rather, it found me.

im·ag·ine
[iˈmajən]
VERB

• form a mental image or concept of:

"imagine a road trip from Philadelphia to Chicago" · [more]
synonyms: visualize · envisage · envision · picture · [more]

• suppose or assume:

"after Ned died, everyone imagined that Mabel would move away"
synonyms: assume · presume · expect · take it · presuppose · [more]
Powered by Oxford Dictionaries · © Oxford University Press

ink a dink a do

The canvas

The stencil

The finished product!

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Things You Did in 2015 That Made You Feel Proud.

1) I knit the most challenging pattern I've ever knit--I almost gave up on it!

2) I surpassed my reading goal.

3) I blogged every day.

4) I strengthened some friendships--particularly with some high school chums.

5) I have been shaking things up in the classroom, new techniques and approaches that are student-driven.

6) I read books outside my usual genres.

7) I was inspired to pay it forward more than I usually do.

8) Lived my theme word for the year: Open: and I worked to be open to the possibilities that life handed me.

9) I cultivated my family relationships to new heights!

10) I stepped up to the plate professionally, as the Union's chief negotiator, and working at the state level on revising curriculum.

snow

Heaven help us!

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

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

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

This week’s random question: Did you buy books for anyone, this Christmas (other than yourself)?

I gave coloring books to my friends. And some ebook gift cards.

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: The 2015 Year End Meme

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before? I took a ferry to a friend's summer island home

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't make resolutions, per se, but I did set goals

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? my eldest niece gave birth to bouncing baby boy, Eli

4. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2015? being open to change is scary but fun

5. What was your favorite new TV program? Jane the Virgin

6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015? I'm hoping to have more energy

7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? I can't think of anything particular

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? stepping up to the plate in a leadership role at school

9. What was your biggest failure? I didn't really declutter

10. What was the best thing you bought? yesterday I upgraded to an iPhone 6s

11. Whose behavior merited celebration? my students

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted? political wanna bes (Trump)

13. What song will always remind you of 2015? Uptown Funk

14. What do you wish you’d done more of? decluttered

15. What do you wish you’d done less of? hoarded

16. What was the best book you read? The Girl on the Train, The Martian, Cinnamon & Gunpowder, After You, and Career of Evil

17. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying? being more mindful of my finances

18. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "Sing! Louder! Sing!" Ed Sheeran

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.

finished reading

A festive short story featuring Chet and his human sidekick, Bernie. I loved it!

From the publisher:

He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. This year, jolly old St. Nick knows Bernie has been sleeping on preparations for a special Christmas celebration with his son Charlie. Enter Plumpy Napoleon, fresh from a short stint in prison, to save Bernie from the naughty list. Plumpy calls his latest business plan “Santa 365.” For a small fee (that only gets bigger), he’ll fill your life with holiday cheer, including elves, a festive party, gifts, and even a Christmas tree delivered right to your front door. Bernie signs on for the full yuletide experience. But after the blowout holiday bash, Bernie and Chet the dog discover one of Santa’s helpers helped himself to more than Christmas candy. The intrepid duo sets out to find the sticky-fingered perp and reclaim the stolen goods. Add in a surprise visit from Bernie’s mom, two elderly sisters seeking their own brand of justice, and an elf with a stocking full of secrets, and you have a Christmas mystery that only Chet and Bernie could possibly unwrap.

saturday 9

Happy Holidays

1. As you can see, Sam loved giving her annual wish list to Santa. Yet some children are reluctant to climb into Jolly Old St. Nick's lap. Did you enjoy the tradition or were you shy? Or did you by pass it altogether -- either because you wrote him a letter or because your family didn't celebrate Christmas? Santa used to visit us on Christmas Eve (one of my father's friends) and we would get goodnight hugs from him, so I never actually asked Santa for gifts

2. Are you currently on the Naughty or Nice list? How did you get there? Nice. Because I'm being me.

3. Did you ship any gifts to friends and family this year? If so, which one traveled the farthest? It's day after Christmas and I still haven't mailed packages to my away sisters

4. Did you buy yourself a gift this year? I got myself a tattoo--the appointment is Tuesday

5. What's your favorite holiday-themed movie? Elf

6. Thinking of movies, Christmas is lucrative for Hollywood. Have you ever gone to a movie theater on Christmas Day? I have gone at night on Christmas, but last night we watched a netflix movie

7. Have you ever suffered an embarrassing moment at the company Christmas party? nothing that lives in infamy

8. What's your favorite beverage in cold weather? I like iced coffee year round

9. Share a memory from last Christmas. I got the same gifts this year (they're what I asked for)

christmas word association

Swiped from Cat, who may or may not have swiped it from me...

First Thought That Comes To Mind When You Hear…

1. Snowflake! the storm warning for Sunday--we're supposed to get a whopper of a storm

2. North Pole! Christmas

3. Elves! Buddy

4. Sleigh! flying through the sky

5. Presents! gratitude

6. Cookies! yum

7. Mistletoe! Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me

8. Rudolph! reindeer games

9. Blizzard! Maine

10. School’s Canceled! yippee!

11. Ice Skating! weak ankles

12. Santa’s Lap! my great nephew, Eli, meeting Santa for the first time

13. Black Friday! I'd rather shop online

14. Melting Snow! yasss

15. Carols! singing

16. Lumps of Coal! an adorable knitting pattern I have

17. Nutcracker! sort of creepy

18. Ho Ho Ho! jolly laughter

friday 5

Todayish

1. When were you last up on the house top?
I never have been at my current residence
2. What’s a cookie you dislike?
peanut butter blossoms (kiss cookies) *shudder*
3. How many people named Carol (or Carole) do you know?
I can think of two
4. How much snow have you got on the roof?
none right now, we're slated for a whopper of a storm on Sunday, though
5. Whose lap did you last sit on, and who last sat on yours?
my great nephew was the last person to sit on my lap and I haven't sat on someone else in twenty years or so

merry merry

Laughter, love, joy, and peace to you!

christmas eve

December 24: Your favorite Christmas Eve tradition

I like spending the day by myself, actually, after the hustle and bustle, some alone time is good. I like to get the gift bags all set and anything that needs wrapping wrapped, all while watching Christmas movies. When it's dark out, I will go for a drive to look at the lights. Usually in my pajamas. This year, there's not much snow so I doubt I'll go for the light drive.

booking through thursday

click the icon to play along
What books are/were you hoping to get as gifts this holiday season?
Which books DID you get?
Are you happy, or did you rush right out to your local bookstore to pick up the book you’d hoped you’d be getting?

I'm not hoping for specific books, I think my gift buyers all know I use my Nook. Hopefully, I'll get gift cards!

Oh, I did get a coloring book of mandalas from a student.

w.w.w. wednesdays

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at Should be Reading and revived here on Taking on a World of Words.

• What are you currently reading? I'm reading From Bad to Wurst by Maddy Hunter and listening to So That Happened by Jon Cryer. On hold is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizingby Marie Kondo.

• What did you recently finish reading? I finished My True Love Gave To Me and Santa 365 by Spencer Quinn.

• What do you think you’ll read next? Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.

peaceful plans

December 23: Your plans for Christmas 2015

Christmas morning will be a late morning, since I don't need to be at Dad's until about 11:30. Then we will slowly celebrate and cook our feast. My sister and her kids will be arriving in the very late afternoon and we will open gifts then. Very laid back. Peaceful. Full of laughter.

grinchy

Even though it was a challenging day (because the students are hyper), I had fun. We analyzed the Grinch's personality after watching the video. I introduced it by telling them the film is a documentary about an unusual character.

maybe a smidge of whipped cream

December 22: Eggnog or hot chocolate?

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Things You Look Forward to Doing After The Holiday Rush.

1) Sleep!

2) Knit.

3) Catch up on some TV shows.

4) Set some goals for the new year.

5) Hanging around with nothing particular to do.

6) Spend some time with my friends--with no agendas.

7) Catch up with some former students.

8) Read. And set a reading goal for the new year.

9) Declutter. (I know, I know, I say this alllll the time)

10) Maybe go out to lunch once or twice.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

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

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

This week’s random question: Think of your favorite book… If you had a song that you think represents it well, what would that song be?

One of my favorite books of the year, Dumplin' by Julie Murpy is full of references to Dolly Parton. Jolene is probably the song I most associate with that book. Another of my favorites, Career of Evil by Robert (JK Rowling) Galbraith is much harder to choose. Maybe Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones.

a mile to go...

December 21: Do you travel on the holidays?

I travel about a mile. :-)

funk not funky

My Christmas spirit is a little absent this year. I'm not in a bah humbug mood. I can't seem to get myself organized. My finances took a severe beating this fall and that has some to do with it, but not all. I'm noticing that my energy level is improving, thanks to the thyroid medication I have been taking for a couple of weeks. I feel like I'm waiting for something. But I don't have a clue what. Could be the funky weather. It's been unseasonably warm. Tomorrow is Solstice, that will start making a difference in the amount of light exposure. I need my chakras cleared. Or a pedicure.

buns

December 20: Favorite holiday meal

It's funny, when I started to answer this question I couldn't come up with a meal. Then I realized that we have a family tradition of cinnamon rolls or sticky buns on Christmas morning. Coffee and buns. That is what I look forward to.

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: Christmas Questions Meme

1. Have you been naughty or nice this year? I have been nice this year

2. What do you want most for Christmas? fun

3. What is your favorite Christmas movie? Elf

4. How many Christmas cards do you normally send out? a few... maybe ten or so

5. Do you still get a stocking? no, but I still hang my stocking

6. What is your favorite Christmas song? this season I've been loving Donna Summer's Christmas Spirit

7. What is your favorite Christmas tv special? Charlie Brown

8. What is your favorite way to wrap gifts? I like elaborate wrapping and ribbons, but mostly I use gift bags

9. What do you look forward to most at Christmas? vacation

10. What did you do for Christmas this year? I will go to my parents and hang out

11. Who do you want to kiss under the mistletoe? George

12. What kind of Christmas tree do you have? a 32-inch microfiber tree

13. Did you take part in a Secret Santa? yes

14. Did you go to any Christmas parties? it's tomorrow!

15. How early do you wake up on Christmas morning? not very

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.

stockings were hung by the chimney with care

December 19: Favorite stocking stuffer

I used to get paperback books in my stocking. And magazines. I would spend the wee hours of Christmas day poring over them. Now my stocking hangs empty but I love looking at it!

saturday 9

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

1) According to a marketing research firm, this song is both one of the most played and most hated songs of the season. Do you like it? no, it drives me crazy

2) In this song, Grandma's troubles start when she drinks too much eggnog. Do you like eggnog? not really, I might have one small glass, but not much

3) In the song, Grandpa recovers from losing Grandma by drinking beer and playing cards with Cousin Mel. Will you be celebrating the holidays with cousins? no cousins but lots of family

4) When did you most recently drink a beer? Was it in a bottle, a can or a glass? I had a glass of beer last summer

5) The lyrics refer to "pudding of fig." In "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," the carolers demand figgy pudding. Yet despite its popularity in holiday songs, Sam has never tasted fig pudding. Have you? I never have but I bet I would like it

6) Thinking of holiday sweets, would you prefer a gingerbread cookie or slice of pumpkin pie? a gingerbread cookie, if it's not over-baked or hard

7) This song was recorded by a duo named Elmo & Patsy. It occurs to Sam that she has never met anyone named Elmo. How about you? Any Elmos in your life? no and I have had hundreds of students

8) Do you need snow to get "into the spirit?" it helps, although having a green Christmas is so rare it's kind of fun

9) Random question: Are you going to get/have you gotten a flu shot this year? I got it!

friday 5

Know-How

1. What’s something you know how to do beneath the hood of a car?
I can put windshield washer fluid in
2. What’s something you know how to fold a piece of paper into?
I can make a paper box
3. What’s something you know how to do in the outdoors?
I can find the entrance to go back indoors
4. What’s something you know how to do with a length of rope?
I can make a rope snake
5. What’s something you know how to do with a deck of cards?
I can riffle shuffle cards

gift talk

December 18: When do you open gifts?

I pretty much open them as I get them. Although, Christmas morning I will exchange gifts with my family and we open them together.

finished reading

Twelve delightful holiday-themed stories. Very enjoyable.

greetings

December 17: Post a picture of an old Christmas card

I don't have any old cards handy, but I did get this card from some former students (and they both signed a little message to me). I was honored they thought of me! Plus, they knew Elf is my favorite.

yarn along

Join in every Wednesday to share a single photo of what you are knitting and reading too!

Listening to The Xmas Factor by Annie Sanders and knitting Mira's Cowl.

hard to buy for

December 16: Hardest person to buy for?

My dad is always the biggest challenge. He has everything he needs and can't often come up with something he wants.

w.w.w. wednesday

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at Should be Reading and revived here on Taking on a World of Words.

• What are you currently reading? I'm reading My True Love Gave To Me and listening to So That Happened by Jon Cryer. On hold is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizingby Marie Kondo.

• What did you recently finish reading? I haven't finished anything this week.

• What do you think you’ll read next? Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.

'tis the season

The library's book tree!

best gift

December 15: The best gift you've given

A couple of years ago I gave my parents tickets to see Mannheim Steamroller in concert. I was thrilled I could afford it and they had a great time.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Gifts You Can Pick Up at the Grocery Store.

1) My local market is independently owned and has the most beautiful fruit baskets.

2) They also have gorgeous florals and poinsettias.

3) Sometimes, they make wine and cheese baskets.

4) They always have luscious sweets.

5) And let's not forget the traditional party platters--sandwiches and snacks.

6) I've also been known to ship their wreaths to my out of state sisters.

7) They used to have video rentals and I frequently would put together movie baskets--popcorn, movie passes, soft drinks.

8) I noticed the other day that they have holiday meal kits put together with all the fixins for a feast.

9) There is also a gourmet candy selection that is seasonal. I got some for my Secret Santa.

10) Gift cards--there are kiosks of various cards. Plus a card to their store is always welcome.

This was easier than I thought it would be!

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

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

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

This week’s random question: What books are you hoping to get for Christmas (whether as gifts, or ones you’ll purchase yourself)?

I don't think there are any specific books I'm hoping to get, but I am hoping for Barnes & Noble gift cards!

o christmas tree

December 14: Real or artificial tree?

Artificial. I haven't had a decorated tree in a long time, though. I use a 32 inch fiber optic tree.

good watching

My favorite band had a great HBO special concert.

holiday reads

December 13: Favorite Christmas book

I really enjoy Charles Dickens' Christmas stories. Contemporary story, though, is The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman.

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: Why Do You Want To Know That Meme, part two

25. List 3 activities that you can only enjoy by yourself. reading, sleeping, grocery shopping

26. If you could live in any biome* (and survive) which biome would you live in? (*a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra.) I feel like I already live in the tundra so I'll go with a forest

27. How do you like being roused in the morning? without an alarm

28. How was your day? What did you do? it's morning, I haven't really done anything yet--so far so good!

29. What did your last text message say? I have your photos in my possession

30. Do you respond to texts quickly? yes

31. Who was the last person you called? the pharmacy

32. List 5 things that are on your wish list. books, yarn, books, yarn, and books

33. If you were famous, what do you think you would be famous for? hopefully for being a good teacher

34. Winter or summer? well... I'll take summer by default

35. What is a quality that all people should have? kindness

36. If you could have a large collection of one item, what would that item be? books

37. What have you been thinking about lately? $$$

38. What is the secret to a happy life? gratefulness

39. What are some phrases you say often? "holy" "I thought we'd do some history/psychology today"

40. Favorite food? bread

41. What is your wish for the world? an end to the nonsense

42. What are some of your greatest fears? painful death

43. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? my weekly postsecret pick

44. Most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen (in real life)? sunrise/sunset

45. Spicy food: Like or dislike? meh

46. Scary movies: Like or dislike? I do not like slasher films, but I do like scary films

47. Do you like to travel? very much

48. Any regrets? nothing major, just like I regret eating that so close to bedtime

49. Do you like rain? I prefer it over snow!

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.

presentation is everything!

December 12: Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Mostly gift bags. But I do believe presentation is everything!