How I Spent My Spring Break--Day 1

Spring Break has arrived.  Most people I know have abandoned town in search of more exotic and interesting locations.  Due to the fact that I'm broke, I'll be spending an adventurous week in my little house on the hill. 

Today's adventure involved the front yard.  I decided it was time to pull up the landscape ties.  It was a rather spontanous decision.  Something about the sun being out and the promises of temperatures near 80.

While the decision was spontaneous, you can see that it was also necessary.  The pieces of wood were falling part.

Once I got everything up, I had to put something else down.  It was off to the home improvement store.  (I would end up there four times today.)  Now, my mother has always told me,  "It's okay to spend money if it's going to improve your quality of life--just don't go overboard."   I kept these words in mind as I purchased 48 feet of metal edging.  I also bought a rubber mallet.  (Dad will be so disappointed he missed an opportunity to buy a tool for his daughter!)

I have no previous experience at completing such a project, but I was determined.  I even created a new arc that was not included in the previous design.

When all was said and done, I had a better looking area, but more importantly, I had a sense of accomplishment.  That special sense of accomplishment that comes from trying something you've never done before.  It wasn't a big task and it's far from perfect, but it's better than when I woke up this morning.  And I did it all by myself.



The next challenge will be to decide what to actually do with the area.  Do I leave the rock or switch it to a nice dark mulch?  Wood mulch or rubber mulch?  Flowers in the ground or contain planting?  Suggestions (and donations) are welcome. 

Picture Time

Today was our faculty retreat.  During our break time, my camera and I went exploring.

Pencils

As my kids were preparing to do their seatwork, the following conversation was had:

Student 1:  Hey!  You sharpened the pencils!

Me:  Yes I did.

Student 2:  You're my hero!

I even let them have pencils with erasers!  I know, I know.  I'm far too good to my students!

Maybe

Sometimes, it feels like people don't really hear what you are trying to say.  No matter how you phrase it, the thought in your head just doesn't seem to translate to what actually comes out of your mouth.  The person on the other side of the conversation interprets your words with a meaning that is completely foreign to you.  You keep trying, but you have now become so defensive in your quest for understanding that it seems impossible.  You feel defeated and frustrated.

But, maybe understanding isn't what you really need.  Maybe the point you are trying to make isn't really the goal.  Maybe it's enough to release those words into world, not in a quest for understanding and acceptance from others, but to find understanding and acceptance in yourself.

A Week in Review

It is the end of a very long week.  Let's take a look at all that was accomplished.

1.  The four month old stack of papers were finally shredded and removed from the floor of my office.

2.  All my laundry was not only done, but folded AND put away within a 24 hour period.

3.  My friends Pain and Pressure finally decided to leave my head.

4.  One school yearbook was completed.

5.  Preparations were made for one school musical. 

6. 34 kindergartners managed to say "please" and "thank you" for an entire day.

7.  The tears of two little girls were replaced with smiles with the wave of a magic wand.  (Literally.)

8.  One little boy read his first book all by himself.

9.  One kindergarten teacher received about a million hugs.

All in all, I would say it has been a very successful week.

A Touch of Elegance

At the beginning of the school year, it's me and a room full of kids.  All those anxious little faces look at me with tremendous curiosity and perhaps even a bit of fear.  They are excited to be in this place they have heard so much about, but are not quite sure what to do or what to expect.  It is my job to make them feel welcome, loved, and comfortable.

Around February, it becomes apparent that I have done my job quite well.  They do feel welcome.  They do feel loved.  They do feel comfortable.  Perhaps a bit too comfortable.  (Let's face it--they are ready to complete take over the entire school!)  That's when it's time to bring them back to reality.  It's time for the Elegant Party.

For the week prior to the party, we focus on manners.  We read books.  We have discussions.  We do projects.  We even practice.  We learn that manners are how we show the world we care about them and their feelings.  Suddenly, there are a lot more "pleases" and "thank yous" floating around the room.  There's more assistance during clean up times and more door being held open.  Tattling is replaced with reports of the good manners they see in each other. 

And, finally, the day of the party arrives.  They come dressed up in their "elegant" clothing and sit at their "elegant" table to demonstrate their "elegant" manners.  Some even demonstrate their "elegant" dancing skills.  They laugh and giggle, but they are also polite and sweet.  It is one of my most favorite days of the year.

I'm not foolish enough to believe that this party will change their behaviors for the rest of the school year, but maybe--just maybe--they'll remember a please or thank you every now and then.

Pain and Pressure

My friends call me the human barometer.  I can usually tell you the arrival of a warm or cold front within five minutes of its arrival.  My friends Pain and Pressure enter my head.  They bring with them their suitcases and proceed to make themselves comfortable.  After dealing with these two for years and years, we have reached an understanding.  Pain and Pressure are allowed let their presence be known for a day or two, but agree to downplay the need to completely disrupt my life.  Lately, they have been overstaying their welcome.

Unfortunately, I live in a part of the country where changing weather happens frequently.  My friends Pain and Pressure have been with me for two solid weeks.  When I wake up in the morning, there they are.  When I go to bed at night, they are still there. To make matters worse, they have been joining me at work where they don't necessarily get along with the 33 children in my life.  

So it's now time to issue an ultimatium to my friends Pain and Pressure.  It's either time to leave or time to start paying rent!