Captain's Log
Summer 2012 - Day 1
In a curious and disturbing turn of events I awoke with a start at 0530 and smiled because I knew I could go back to sleep. At 05:45 I was silently cursing my internal alarm as I flipped and flopped attempting to regain sleeping status. At 0630, I was again awakened by the husband's alarm and happily fell back asleep. At 0740ish my husband wished me goodbye and happy first day of summer as he headed to The Job. I believe I detected a bit of envy in his tone, but the sleepies overtook me before I could determine the reality of that feeling. When I awoke again at 0900 it was time to face the world. I have already received one communication from The Workplace requesting that I come by to finish something that they had not had ready last week. I have a list of things to accomplish this day and hope that the list will get done so I can start reading a new book I have. I am off to conquer the list!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Dreaming
Well, maybe it started that way, as a dream, but doesn’t everything? –James (James and the Giant Peach)
This quote really made me think about what I'm dreaming about. Lately, it's been weirdo dreams; gigantic waves, mewling kittens, and one with pickle chips. I don't normally remember any of my dreams, but the last few days, they have stuck with me. But those aren't the dreams I am talking about.
What am I dreaming of doing/being/seeing/creating/being involved in? As a non-dreamer, more of a do-er this is hard for me. My practical side almost always takes over and the dream is disassembled and rated before it can fully form. I think that's why I am attracted to dreamers, people who think new thoughts and don't let reality interfere. They have always provided my starting point.
But that's not happening right now. I am in a place in life where I want what I am doing to be about what I need to do, not what I need to do to help others achieve their dreams. It's one of the reasons I am going back to school this fall (assuming acceptance happens). But my dreams need to be more than getting a degree. They need to help me fulfill my life mission. That life vision, God given track that shapes me into His vessel for use in His great plan.
And health is huge in this. I have a dream to be healthy and active and sassy and fun and able to keep up with my kids. This is gonna require some lifestyle changes that no longer involve the couch and a bag of snack mix. It's going to require that I plan more and organize better and direct the household activities more efficiently. And it seems like more than I can handle. Most days it seems that way. But I think that God has planted a dream in my heart to be more for Him and do more for others. And I can only do this if I am healthy and have more stamina than a newborn. The thought of facing the mountains in Glorietta in 2 weeks has shaken me a bit. Last year I couldn't make it up the mountain and through tears, I vowed to do better next year. Well, it's next year and I am in no better shape than I was last year. But I'm still going to try and make it up the mountain. Both literally and figuratively.
And here are some thinking poses of people cuter than I am.
This quote really made me think about what I'm dreaming about. Lately, it's been weirdo dreams; gigantic waves, mewling kittens, and one with pickle chips. I don't normally remember any of my dreams, but the last few days, they have stuck with me. But those aren't the dreams I am talking about.
What am I dreaming of doing/being/seeing/creating/being involved in? As a non-dreamer, more of a do-er this is hard for me. My practical side almost always takes over and the dream is disassembled and rated before it can fully form. I think that's why I am attracted to dreamers, people who think new thoughts and don't let reality interfere. They have always provided my starting point.
But that's not happening right now. I am in a place in life where I want what I am doing to be about what I need to do, not what I need to do to help others achieve their dreams. It's one of the reasons I am going back to school this fall (assuming acceptance happens). But my dreams need to be more than getting a degree. They need to help me fulfill my life mission. That life vision, God given track that shapes me into His vessel for use in His great plan.
And health is huge in this. I have a dream to be healthy and active and sassy and fun and able to keep up with my kids. This is gonna require some lifestyle changes that no longer involve the couch and a bag of snack mix. It's going to require that I plan more and organize better and direct the household activities more efficiently. And it seems like more than I can handle. Most days it seems that way. But I think that God has planted a dream in my heart to be more for Him and do more for others. And I can only do this if I am healthy and have more stamina than a newborn. The thought of facing the mountains in Glorietta in 2 weeks has shaken me a bit. Last year I couldn't make it up the mountain and through tears, I vowed to do better next year. Well, it's next year and I am in no better shape than I was last year. But I'm still going to try and make it up the mountain. Both literally and figuratively.
And here are some thinking poses of people cuter than I am.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Summer Wife: Myth or Fact?
There is a legend around town about the elusive beast known as Summer Wife. I think I hear her sometimes, from far away, pacing the floor, gnawing her fingernails, and generally acting anxious. I think she wants to come out of hiding and meet the world, but is being held prisoner by a force beyond her control. When she has been seen previously, the rumor is she smiles a lot, cooks healthy and delicious meals, has great skin with no circles under her eyes, is available for fun anytime, and laughs a lot. I hope to see her sometime soon. I hope I can learn her secrets. Summer Wife sounds like someone I would like to be around.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Some Mom Days are Better Than Others
As I saw the ground rising to meet me, I knew that it was going to leave a mark. I just hoped that my glasses wouldn't break!
6 hours earlier...
Getting ready for a field trip as a Mom is so different than preparing as a teacher. Moms get to waltz in sometime before you leave with a large cup of coffee and makeup well done. Moms get to help kids unpeel nametags with a crazy sticky adhesive without getting frustrated that they don't already know how to do this. Moms get to observe the teacher interactions passively with no dog in the fight. Moms get to go along for the ride without concerns about lunch, timing, late buses, poorly scheduled events. But most importantly, Moms on field trip day get to be a hero in the eyes of their kids and hear that sweet voice say, "Mom, will you sit with me on the bus because I just want to be by you?"
2 hours earlier...
Taking your child out to lunch is a luxury. Getting one on one time with that special someone is a rare treat to be savored, even if they want to eat someplace that is not diet friendly.
15 minutes before...
While riding bikes to the park in 90 degrees with 95% humidity is not really my idea of a good time, it is the most favored thing of my little guy. It is a sacrifice I willingly make to make this field trip day with Mom special and happy.
As I saw the ground rising to meet me, I knew that it was going to leave a mark. I just hoped that my glasses wouldn't break! It did and they didn't. Falling off my bike so ungracefully in front of my boy was a great lesson. That lesson was: only face plant off your bike in the neighbor's yard when everyone else is still at work. And who knew that riding too slowly close to the drain was so dangerous?? Crazy SuperMoon must be the culprit because I know gravity isn't suppose to work like that.
So I assume the soreness I feel tonight is somehow related to something that happened today, but for the life of me I can't figure out what!
6 hours earlier...
Getting ready for a field trip as a Mom is so different than preparing as a teacher. Moms get to waltz in sometime before you leave with a large cup of coffee and makeup well done. Moms get to help kids unpeel nametags with a crazy sticky adhesive without getting frustrated that they don't already know how to do this. Moms get to observe the teacher interactions passively with no dog in the fight. Moms get to go along for the ride without concerns about lunch, timing, late buses, poorly scheduled events. But most importantly, Moms on field trip day get to be a hero in the eyes of their kids and hear that sweet voice say, "Mom, will you sit with me on the bus because I just want to be by you?"
2 hours earlier...
Taking your child out to lunch is a luxury. Getting one on one time with that special someone is a rare treat to be savored, even if they want to eat someplace that is not diet friendly.
15 minutes before...
While riding bikes to the park in 90 degrees with 95% humidity is not really my idea of a good time, it is the most favored thing of my little guy. It is a sacrifice I willingly make to make this field trip day with Mom special and happy.
As I saw the ground rising to meet me, I knew that it was going to leave a mark. I just hoped that my glasses wouldn't break! It did and they didn't. Falling off my bike so ungracefully in front of my boy was a great lesson. That lesson was: only face plant off your bike in the neighbor's yard when everyone else is still at work. And who knew that riding too slowly close to the drain was so dangerous?? Crazy SuperMoon must be the culprit because I know gravity isn't suppose to work like that.
So I assume the soreness I feel tonight is somehow related to something that happened today, but for the life of me I can't figure out what!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Can't Keep Him Down!
You know that the Young One has been sick for a week. I've whined about it enough, all of FB knows! Well, he is better, no longer contagious and back at school today for the first time in a week. I got the following message from one of the 2nd grade teachers today:
I was trying to get Josh to slow down a little on the playground this afternoon cuz I knew he had been sick. When I asked if he wanted to take a break and go get some water since he had just recovered, he said "No thanks, I don't really know how I got sick, but it wasn't from playing outside!!" He was so sweet and sincere and it took everything I had to keep a straight face. Gotta love little boys!!!
I love his perspective on the world!
I was trying to get Josh to slow down a little on the playground this afternoon cuz I knew he had been sick. When I asked if he wanted to take a break and go get some water since he had just recovered, he said "No thanks, I don't really know how I got sick, but it wasn't from playing outside!!" He was so sweet and sincere and it took everything I had to keep a straight face. Gotta love little boys!!!
I love his perspective on the world!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Not always sunshine and rainbows around here
What a day it has been! Son # 2 is still sporting a mystery fever and cough (day 6). I am out of days to be out at work, so it is getting docked from my paycheck everytime from now on. Son # 1 randomly decided to slap his brother in the face for not doing something he wanted. The dog peed all over my entryway. And my husband has to go back to work in 5 minutes after being home for a total of 1 hour and 22 minutes today. I'm getting cabin fever from being with a sick kid all weekend. We are back to teaching full curriculum at work since the testing week is over. That means that it'll be a week getting students back into the learning routine.
In honor of the crap day it has been, I am SO getting dinner out tonight. Although that means I'll have to put clothes on that are appropriate for public viewing.... small price to pay.
In honor of the crap day it has been, I am SO getting dinner out tonight. Although that means I'll have to put clothes on that are appropriate for public viewing.... small price to pay.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Weather that makes me go "Whoa!"
The weather this beautiful day was perfection.. light breeze.. mid 70's.. clear skies.. I just know this is what heaven is like.
So, the family and I took a little walk around The Woods. We trekked along the Waterway and through Market Street with a stop at Kirklands to buy some stuff on clearance. Then we made it to THE bookstore to just read for a bit. I was researching Disney guides for our trip this summer. The boys were.. um.. I have no idea what they were interested in. Just walking and laughing and enjoying the family was blissful.
I am so thankful for a family that likes to be together.
So, the family and I took a little walk around The Woods. We trekked along the Waterway and through Market Street with a stop at Kirklands to buy some stuff on clearance. Then we made it to THE bookstore to just read for a bit. I was researching Disney guides for our trip this summer. The boys were.. um.. I have no idea what they were interested in. Just walking and laughing and enjoying the family was blissful.
I am so thankful for a family that likes to be together.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
And this week on "It's My Life"...
It has been a great week. I got to spend Easter with my parents! It has been years since we got to be together for this holiday. Just one of the prices of being a church staff family. Dad was supposed to pipe in the service, but a series of unfortunate music issues later, he didn't. I got to cook a big Easter dinner. I forgot all the hard work that goes into planning and prepping a meal like that. Whew!
By the time they headed home on Sun afternoon, I was pooped. The kids were hyped up on candy and I took a little nap on the couch.
School has been rough this week. Students are being naughty. Lots of fighting on the playground and talking in class at the totally wrong times. We are 2 weeks away from the big state test and we are reviewing and reading and hoping to activate their memories and build their vocabularies in time for others to see our hard work pay off. Because, let's face it, the goal is for the kids to learn stuff. But if they can do it where people can see it, even better.
And I'm tired. I find myself dreaming of the days of the cruise, with the wind blowing off the ocean and no one pestering me about losing their stuff. I find myself wanting to color, too. Yeah, color pictures. I have some amazing cool coloring pages that just came in and I can't wait to try them out. I just have to make master copies first.
But mostly I want a nap. And time to paint my nails. And someone to organize my closet. And someone to wash the laundry. And I want to find some really cute summer clothes because I really hate what I have to wear right now. And if they could be free, that would be great!
And on a happy note, today is the 100th day of my read through the Bible in a year plan and I am still all caught up! The psalms today were awesome. It was a great way to start my day.
I think I'm off to finish off that Easter dessert I made. MMMMM. It was yummy. I know you are jealous now. You can find the recipe on my Pinterest board and make it yourself. It was really easy.
And that's my life this week.
By the time they headed home on Sun afternoon, I was pooped. The kids were hyped up on candy and I took a little nap on the couch.
School has been rough this week. Students are being naughty. Lots of fighting on the playground and talking in class at the totally wrong times. We are 2 weeks away from the big state test and we are reviewing and reading and hoping to activate their memories and build their vocabularies in time for others to see our hard work pay off. Because, let's face it, the goal is for the kids to learn stuff. But if they can do it where people can see it, even better.
And I'm tired. I find myself dreaming of the days of the cruise, with the wind blowing off the ocean and no one pestering me about losing their stuff. I find myself wanting to color, too. Yeah, color pictures. I have some amazing cool coloring pages that just came in and I can't wait to try them out. I just have to make master copies first.
But mostly I want a nap. And time to paint my nails. And someone to organize my closet. And someone to wash the laundry. And I want to find some really cute summer clothes because I really hate what I have to wear right now. And if they could be free, that would be great!
And on a happy note, today is the 100th day of my read through the Bible in a year plan and I am still all caught up! The psalms today were awesome. It was a great way to start my day.
I think I'm off to finish off that Easter dessert I made. MMMMM. It was yummy. I know you are jealous now. You can find the recipe on my Pinterest board and make it yourself. It was really easy.
And that's my life this week.
