today stays

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If you could change today would you?

I was frustrated with my senior classes because the students weren't able to present their content--and I didn't have a back up plan. Otherwise, it was a very good day and I wouldn't change it.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Things You Love To Do With Your Best Friend.

1) Talk. And talk and talk and talk.

2) Share books.

3) Cook. We've had a lot of fun making meals together.

4) Eat. And we love to go out for meals together.

5) Movies. It's fun to watch movies together, especially chick flicks. My bestie doesn't like tense movies.

6) Shop. Our taste is different so we have fun trying to pick clothes out for each other.

7) Road trips. Few and far between but we travel very well together.

8) Learn. Both of us are curious learners, so it's great fun when we find something unusual to study.

9) Teach. We're both teachers, at different levels, but we love talking about teaching.

10) Laugh. And laugh and laugh.

gifties

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The last gift I received was _______________.

A gift card to Dunkin' Donuts and a small jar of homemade strawberry jam. Both were thoroughly enjoyed!

musing mondays

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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: Is a rainy day likely to inspire you to read?

Rainy days tend to make me sleepy. I'm more apt to watch movies than read. Snowy days or hot humid days are more like reading days for me.

under pressure...

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What pressure did you feel today?

Glad to report: none at all! It's been a very laid back day.

finished reading...

I'm not quite sure what to say about this book. It is beautifully written, vivid, and lush. An intriguing story line--teetering on the verge of real life. I can't decide if I enjoyed it.

From the publisher:

English anthropologist Andrew Bankson has been alone in the field for several years, studying the Kiona river tribe in the Territory of New Guinea. Haunted by the memory of his brothers’ deaths and increasingly frustrated and isolated by his research, Bankson is on the verge of suicide when a chance encounter with colleagues, the controversial Nell Stone and her wry and mercurial Australian husband Fen, pulls him back from the brink. Nell and Fen have just fled the bloodthirsty Mumbanyo and, in spite of Nell’s poor health, are hungry for a new discovery. When Bankson finds them a new tribe nearby, the artistic, female-dominated Tam, he ignites an intellectual and romantic firestorm between the three of them that burns out of anyone’s control.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Gag Me Meme

Do you have a sensitive gag reflex? no
Where are you the most ticklish? my neck
What was the last situation to upset you? I was frustrated with a colleague last week
Have you ever had an online argument? not that I can remember
Do you like to listen to music while filling out surveys (memes)? sure
How long do you spend on the phone each day, on average? I make and receive so few phone calls, it's laughable
Is anything in your hair right now, like gel, hairspray, etc.? nothing
When was the last time you were up before the sun? Do you like wearing sunglasses? Why or why not? I was up before the sun on Thursday and yes I like wearing sunglasses because they help my eyes
Last show you watched? Watch What Happens Live on Bravo
Next vacation you’re going on? I'll have a staycation starting next Saturday
Do you regret doing anything you’ve done this week? not that I can think of
Last night you felt? full--I had been to a birthday party cookout
What are you wearing right now? shorts and a t-shirt
Have you ever kissed underneath the stars? I have
What are you doing now? thinking about playing music
What plans do you have for tonight? I think Big Brother is on
What’s the very first thing you do when you wake up, other than breathe? check the time--organize my day
Do you like reading? I do indeed
Do you ever think about stuff and start crying? not often
Have you ever kicked a vending machine? I did last week but it didn't help
Do people consider you smart? I've been told that I am intimidatingly smart, but I don't think so
Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone? no
Do you tend to be aware of what is going on around you? not when I'm home
How much money did you spend yesterday? a little over $100 on groceries, birthday gifts, and gas
Is there anything in your past that you’d like to try again? I can think of a couple of things I would like to do again, nothing earth shaking

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.

can't believe!

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OMG! _________________

It's dark at 7:30pm! I can't believe the change in daylight hours. I went to a birthday party at my parents' house and it felt like midnight but it was not even 8 o'clock!

saturday 9

Time For Me To Fly

1) How often have you flown so far this year? I haven't flown in years

2) Think back to your last flight. Was it pleasant, stressful, or just uneventful? it was pleasant, it was before 9/11 so it was very lax

3) According to the Airports Council International, the world’s busiest airport is Atlanta's Hartsfield. Have you ever been to Atlanta? I don't believe so

4) This week’s featured band, REO Speedwagon, took their name from a truck. Have you ever driven a truck? I've driven a pickup truck

5) REO Speedwagon got their start in Champaign, Illinois, which is home to the U of I campus and, consequently, many bars. One of the most popular is the Blind Pig on Walnut Street. Give us the name of the bar, club or restaurant where you met up with friends in your younger days. Coppers Lounge

6) Recently, lead singer Kevin Cronin appeared on an infomercial, hawking TimeLife’s two CD set of Ultimate Rock Ballads. Have you ever purchased anything from TV? from QVC

7) This song is from the CD, You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tunafish. Is there a can of tuna in your kitchen right now? I have a pouch of tuna--Lemon pepper

8) You Can Tuna Piano, but You Can’t Tunafish is available on eBay on vinyl, CD, cassette and 8 track. Did you have an 8 track player? I did not have an 8 track but my brother in law had one built in to his truck

9) In 1978, when this song was popular, the first Susan B. Anthony Dollar was minted. How much do you have in coins in your wallet right now? 88 cents

o.l.d.

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How old do you feel?

Wow--the timing on this prompt is amazing. Tonight I feel ancient. My body aches, my ankles and feet are swollen, and I'm exhausted. These high-humidity 80+ degree days are killing me.

the perfect day

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What went perfectly about your day?

Today is Constitution Day! And I loved my lesson plan for the day--I split my classes into small groups and gave each group the Preamble to the Constitution then they had to discuss the prompt "How does the Constitution help America become a more perfect union?" After they processed with their groups, they had to write their own answer to the prompt. I had them condense their answers to 140 characters (a la Twitter) which proved a challenging task. But the real fun was when I had them present their Tweet-style summaries with drama and flair. The kids got into it and it was a hoot. They had some awesome insights. I was excited by how well each class handled the process. We did some heavy duty critical skills thinking!

booking through thursday

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How much do you visualize when you read? Do you imagine faces for the characters? Can you see the locations in your mind’s eye? Or do you just plunge ahead with the story, letting the imagery fall to the wayside? From the archives.

I'm a visual reader--I constantly imagine what characters and locations look like. Which partly explains why I have such a difficult time with fantasy and science fiction.

yarn along

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

Reading Lily King's Euphoria and knitting the Sunny Baby Blanket.

partay

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Who threw the last party you went to?

The last party I went to was a high school graduation celebration for my niece organized by my sister but held at my parents' house.

hello, hello

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What was the last thing you said to another person?

I greeted my neighbor's daughter when I got home this afternoon.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Foods You Are Looking Forward to Eating Now That Fall Is (almost) Here.

It's time for my favorite comfort foods:
1) Shepherd's Pie.

2) Chicken pot pie.

3) Roasted pumpkin seeds.

4) Pumpkin chip cookies.

5) Apple pie.

6) Apple crisp.

7) Honeycrisp apples. My favorite and only available after the first frost.

8) Carmel apple dip.

9) Apple or pumpkin bread.

10) Hot chocolate with whipped cream (and drizzle).

stress

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Were you stressed today? Why?

I was not stressed today, although it did feel like a very long day. I feel comfortable with what my classes are working on and my lesson plans.

monday musings

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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: Have you ever decorated your house around your love of books? Would you?

I am excited for Jojo Moyes' After You, coming September 29.

free time

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How did you spend your free time today?

I slept in very late then watched Once Upon A Time on Netflix while knitting until the nap monster hit.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Mac'n Cheese Meme

Can you ever get enough of mac ‘n’ cheese?
 I love it!
Are you allergic to nuts or diary products?
 no
Do you think age matters in relationships? not really
Has anyone ever called the cops on you? no
Did you talk to someone until you fell asleep last night? no
What’s the connection between the last person you texted? my niece
Are you in a good mood? yes
Excited for anything? 
 not so much
Do you have a hard time controlling your emotions? no, I don't think so
Do you like your height? yes
How long have you lived in your current home? 20+ years
Could you go a week without brushing your teeth? NO--absolutely not
Have you ever given any amount of money to the homeless? I have
Own anything from Bath & Body Works? the hand soap in my bathroom
Have you ever had your nails so long that they curved down at the ends?
 ewwwww no
Have you ever swallowed a bunch of salt water by accident? yes
Does it take you over an hour to go to sleep sometimes? yes
When you get home from school/work do you change into your pjs right away? I do in the winter
Have you ever stayed up all night and the whole next day without any sleep? it's been awhile
Has anyone ever told you that you have pretty feet? I get a lot of compliments on my tattoo
What is the temperature currently in the town you live in? approaching 70
Do you ever actually drink milk alone? I haven't had milk to drink since I was 13 years old *shudder*

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...

Listening to this audiobook is a lot of fun! Amy Poehler is a great story teller. And this series of essays, reflections, and memories is a great listen. She doesn't shy away from difficult times in her life nor does she gloss over her learning curve. I have a lot of respect and admiration for her.

laptop love

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The computer I use the most is___________.

An Acer Aspire laptop. I love it as much today as when I bought it. The second-runner up is my school issued MacBook Air, which I also love.

saturday 9

That's All

1) In the lyrics, Phil Collins sings of a time he was wrong when he thought he was right. Tell us about a recent time when you got it wrong. Oh, I made a calculation error in my checkbook which resulted in a major OUCH

2) The song is addressed to a lover that Phil clearly feels is contrary. When he says, "day," she says, "night." Is there anyone in your life who seems to disagree with you all or most of the time? I teach 15 year old boys who know everything

3) This was Genesis' first Top 10 hit in the US. Can you name another Phil Collins or Genesis song? Invisible Touch

4) Phil Collins is a model train enthusiast. Is there anything special that you collect? books, yarn, dust bunnies

5) Collins was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. At the ceremony, he delivered the commencement address. When did you last give a presentation or deliver a speech? Monday thru Friday from 7:30-3:15

6) One of Phil Collins' early solo albums was called, Hello, I Must Be Going. He took the title from a song in the 1930 Marx Bros. movie, Animal Crackers. What's the last black and white movie or TV show that you watched? Notorious was on recently

7) In 1983, when this song was popular, the Lotus 1-2-3 program made it easier for PC users to build spreadsheets. Are you answering these questions on a PC or a Mac? Laptop or desktop? Tablet or phone? I'm on a laptop

8) 1983 is also the year when McDonald's introduced McNuggets. What's your favorite chicken recipe (assuming it's not McNuggets)? I'm terribly fond of a local deli's chicken salad with pecans and craisins and apple chunks

9) In 1983, President Reagan signed the bill making Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday a holiday. What's your favorite holiday? the holiday season from November-January

friday 5

Microeconomics

1. What’s something you have in great supply this weekend?
laundry to do
2. What demands do you have of the next few days?
nothing pressing
3. What kind of inflation do you welcome after the week you’ve had?
my sleep time
4. What’s something you’ve recently taken an interest in?
upping my game at school
5. Read any good books lately?
A Slight Trick Of The Mind by Mitch Cullin

go go gadget!

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What is your favorite gadget?

My favorite gadget is my Nook Glow Light. It is my dedicated e-reader with side lighting, as opposed to back lighting so it's easier on my eyes. It's light, portable, holds a battery charge for a long time, and is my constant companion. I was resistant to the change from physical books to ebooks. I didn't think I would like the newfangled device. By now, though, I can't imagine reading a physical book. I read a lot in bed and hated big bulky books (I'm looking at you--Stephen King 11/22/63) falling in my face. Now I don't even think twice about the size of the book--the number of pages. Also, I read faster on the Nook. And I retain what I read better. Not sure what that says about the wiring in my brain, but there it is. I think falling in love with my Nook is what has led me down this path of gadgetry.

everyday heroes

Because it's 9/11, schools across the country are observing Hero Day. I wanted to do something a little non-traditional to get my students thinking about heroes, so I issued a challenge: do a good deed. Pay it forward. I challenged them to think of something they could do to be everyday heroes, because at this age it's tough to perform a grand gesture. The challenge is to take a photo or video of themselves in the act. I want to create a montage of good deeds and send it to the local paper. Because a lot of people have negative connotations of teens and my experience of teens is positive. My students are fun, inspiring, and every day is enjoyable.

We're going to be everyday heroes.

finished reading

This isn't what I was expecting. I was expecting a mystery novel. What I got instead was a lovely meditation about aging and life. I can't wait to talk about this with my book group!

There are three main story lines: the distant past, the recent past, and the present. Each of the threads contain some level of mystery for Sherlock Holmes to solve.

From the publisher:

It is 1947, and the long-retired Sherlock Holmes, now 93, lives in a remote Sussex farmhouse with his housekeeper and her young son. He tends to his bees, writes in his journal, and grapples with the diminishing powers of his mind. But in the twilight of his life, as people continue to look to him for answers, Holmes revisits a case that may provide him with answers of his own to questions he didn’t even know he was asking–about life, about love, and about the limits of the mind’s ability to know.

An interview with author Mitch Cullin:

wasted days and wasted nights...

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When is the last time you intentionally "wasted" a day?

August 16, 2015--the final Sunday of summer vacation.

yarn along

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

Reading Yes Please by Amy Poehler and knitting the Wunder Cowl.

money, money, money...

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Does anyone owe you money?

No one owes me money because when I loan money, I don't expect to get it back. Plus, I forget.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Things You Did This Weekend.

1) I savored waking up without an alarm.

2) Met a friend for lunch at my favorite place, Cafe Sorpreso

3) Got my grocery shopping done

4) Spent quality time knitting

5) And listened to Yes, Please by Amy Poehler

6) Emptied all the trash cans

7) Washed dishes

8) Laughed my head off with my sister on our road trip

9) Traveled to UMaine Orono to visit my niece

10) Went to bed early to read

wanna fund me?

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My life would be easier if_____________

Oh, but my life would be easier if I earned more money--and I'm not trying to be greedy, because no one goes into teaching to get rich. And I don't need a million dollars. Just a couple thousand would be good.

guilt

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What's the last thing you felt guilty about?

I felt guilty that I didn't join my sister and niece at the campus bookstore this afternoon. I was having some tummy disturbance and didn't want to walk across campus in the heat.

musing mondays

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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: If you were forced to spend the rest of your life in a library, a museum, or a zoo, which would you choose — and why?

I would choose the library--because they receive the daily news papers plus there are lots of books being continually added to the collection, DVDs, magazines, audiobooks; I could do genealogy, join in the classes that go on, or volunteer. Plus there is an art gallery on the first floor. There's more that interests me at my local library.

coulda, shoulda, woulda...

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Name three things you should have done today.

I should have gone to the laundromat.
I should have visited my parents.
I should have scrubbed the tub.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Making a list Meme

1. Do you like making lists? yes!
2. Do/did you play sports with your siblings? we played badminton in the backyard
3. Would you rather go to a University or a community college? probably a uni because I would want an advanced degree
4. What’s your favorite kind of bread? fresh
5. What toppings do you like on your pizza? veggies, sometimes pepperoni or bacon
6. What color or design does your shower curtain have? polka dots in brown, blue, and green
7. What kind of car does/did your mom drive? a station wagon
8. What’s on your cell phone’s home screen? a photo I took at the scenic turnout--Mt. Katahdin
9. Do you like to watch the National Geographic channel? sure
10. Are you the type of person to correct a survey maker’s grammar and/or spelling? not usually
11. What color is your microwave? black
12. Do you have a fan in your bedroom? yes
13. Mountain Dew or Sprite? Sprite
14. Does it rain a lot where you live? I would say so
15. Do you shop at Walmart regularly? not regularly
16. Does it bother you when animals lick themselves? yes
17. Have you ever been to a Trader Joe’s? no
18. What’s the longest time you’ve ever been stuck in traffic? about 35 minutes
19. Do you wear black a lot? not a lot
20. Are there stairs in your house? 17 to get to my front door
21. Have you ever held $500 in cash? I have
22. Do you like onions on your burger? sometimes
23. Could you ever give yourself a shot? I could
24. Do you wear shoes in the house? no
25. Have you ever worked as a cashier? for 9 years

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.

flossy

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The last doctors appointment you made was because___________?

It was to reschedule a dental appointment. Thankfully, not a big deal.

saturday 9

Working My Way Back To You

1) We're celebrating the last holiday of summer with The Four Seasons. Which season is your favorite? autumn

2) Before they settled on The Four Seasons, they called themselves The Four Lovers, The Romans and The Village Voices. If you were/are in a band, please share the name. Or just make up a cool name for your pretend band. my pretend band's name would be Optimist Therapy (thanks to a band name generator)

3) Lead singer Frankie Valli has occasionally fudged the year of his birth. Have you ever lied about your age? no

4) Frankie Valli, Frank Sinatra, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen ... New Jersey has given us many music superstars. What is your state known for? Lobster, blueberries, potatoes, and Stephen King

5) In 1965, Frankie was arrested in Columbus, Ohio. But it wasn't his fault! The bandmate he trusted to pay the group's hotel bill neglected to do so. Tell us about a time when your trusting nature got you in trouble. years ago, I trusted a student who said he wasn't feeling well to go to the bathroom and he smoked dope

6) Clint Eastwood directed the movie version of the Four Seasons biography, Jersey Boys. What's your favorite Clint Eastwood movie? The Bridges of Madison County


Since Labor Day is the holiday established to celebrate the American worker …

7) According to the U.S. Census, more and more Americans are working from home. Are you one of them? no

8) Of those of us who work outside the home, 75% travel to work alone. 15% take public transportation and the remaining 10% carpool. How do you get to your job? I travel alone most days

9) Do you have any big plans for this holiday weekend? no big plans, just small but enjoyable plans

friday 5

Letter of the Law

1. What are the ABCs of dining out?
Affordable, Beautimous cuisine
2. What are the Three Cs of dating?
Companionship, courtesy, couples
3. What should you SHOP for in gift-giving?
something helpful or pretty
4. What are the four Ps of petcare?
petting, playing, pampering, and pretend they're children
5. How do you go WILD in seeking a good time?
Wondering If Latte Does (It)?

wanderlust

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Where would you like to go?

This question is hitting me when I have a case of wanderlust. I would like to go to Europe: Ireland, France, Italy, and a few other places are calling to me. I don't mind traveling alone, either. But what I would really reallyreally like is to take a sister trip--to anywhere, but the four of us at any destination where we don't have to be caretakers of others so that we can focus on us. Of course, I would love to go to Disney for this trip but reconsidering the whys of the trip, I realized I want us to be together and that's most important. I would also like to go to New York to see my friend John Cariani in the Broadway play Something Rotten. I might be able to swing that trip before his run ends in April. I would also like to go on a coastal leaf peeping trip. Staying at cozy bed and breakfasts and enjoying the scenic views. Maine is spectacular for that. Maybe I'll do that over my Harvest Break, because I don't think I can financially swing a trip to visit my Pennsylvania and Virginia sisters this fall. Gah. Being an adult is the pits sometimes!

I am, however, planning to go to Orono over the weekend to visit my niece at college. Her mother and I are taking a road trip! That might slake my thirst for travel a little.

whaddya know?

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What was the most recent thing you learned?

I learned that the nurse's office has an ample supply of antacids. I've had the worst stomach ache today!

yarn along

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

Reading A Slight Trick Of The Mind by Mitch Cullin and knitting the Starving Artist hat.

questioning

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What are you questioning?

Ahh, so many things I'm questioning--from large, existential topics to the mundane. What really has me going right now, though, is the national political climate. I'm wondering how it's possible for a legitimate candidate to combat the money machines of big politics. Right now, this shit-show is making me cringe when I have to explain to my students what is going on. They want to know why there are so many candidates running and how the process is going to eliminate them. Unfortunately, money talks and the issues are buried behind personalities. There's too much rhetoric. And too much money.