Back to School: A 'Real Life' 'Real Time' Story

Pretend to be impressed.  I wasn't planning on posting anything in 'real time' this week, but I can't hold this story in....and it's a good place for me to end after a week or 'school related post.'
Somedays are just great. 
Monday we went back to work 'offically.'  Boooooo Hissssss ::Insert Spitting.:: 
I mean, I do love my job, but I love my summers a liiiiiittle bit more, and I just wasn't ready.
I've been in meetings for weeks, but it was 'official' Monday...full time official, no random days without meetings. 
Before I go on, I work for a large district, more than 40 elementary schools fully loaded down with teachers and students.  BUT with the economy, we didn't have a lot of turn over this year. 
So....after breakfast, we all sat down and we began introducing ourselves.  There aren't many new teachers, and all have experience.  Up stands new teacher #3 of 4, and I turn to Heather (my teaching partner) to tell her I think I know #3, but before I get a chance....New Teacher #3 says, "My name is ____ Fisher...." I DO KNOW HER!  She continues to share that she has been at home for 17 years raising her kids, but previously taught at Greenwood Hills, and she taught 5th and 6th grade.  I can't stop, "You were my 6th grade teacher!" I interrupted.  What's even better about this, I LOOOOVED 6th grade because I had Mrs. Fisher as a teacher (R/LA).  It's why I wanted to teach 6th grade when I started the job hunt almost 10 years ago-I heart 6th grade and everything about it.  The hunt was successful, and it's what I taught for 6 years (R/LA/SS...to be exact) before moving into the reading specialist position I currently hold.  I never told her b/c she wasn't teaching by the time I figured out I wanted to teach.  I can't say I got all of that out this week, but life is so interesting.   And so, it came full circle! AND there is another lucky bunch of students who will get to claim her as their own.  She's not teaching 6th this go round, but she's teaching, and the world is a better place because of that fact. 

Maybe You Shouldn't Read This?

Maybe I shouldn't admit this?
Maybe I don't really care anymore?
Maybe this blog is all about admitting things I shouldn't admit?
Maybe this blog doesn't even have THAT much of a purpose?
Maybe there aren't that many people that swing by to hear these confessions anyway?
Maybe that bothers me?
Maybe it doesn't?
BUT...
Today I was really hungry. REALLY hungry.
Maybe it's a combination of bad recipes, bad cooking, no groceries, and a monthly time clock?
I was really hungry.
I was trying to convince myself NOT to eat anything unhealthy because unhealthy eating defined last Sunday.
I was thinking about any healthy food I might have in my room at work.
I have three Diet Cokes, and one packet of hot chocolate in my room.
Nope, not what I wanted.
I thought harder-surely there was something....
Visualize...
Nope!
The only thing on my desk right now, besides paper and scissors, is a bag of crayons....and then...
I remembered this guy who I went to school with named Ricky.
In first grade, he used to eat crayons.
I like to believe everyone remembers the crayon-eater in class.
I never tried crayons, but...
I wonder what legacy I left?
Maybe I don't want to know?
I started to sort of....kind of....wish that I had been a crayon eater too b/c then...
Maybe I could channel that inner crayon eater?
...and eat a crayon to conquer the hunger.
Maybe I wouldn't be hungry anymore?
I don't think crayons have calories.
Then I remembered the PTA had left us bags of popcorn in the lounge.
God bless the PTA.
Seriously, this could have ended much worse than...
I went down and burnt the first bag...
I had my teaching partner pop the second bag for me.
It was that...or eat the crayons.
Maybe I should pack a snack tomorrow?
Maybe I should hide the crayons in case I forget to pack a snack tomorrow?

The 80's Called...They Want Their Super Hero Back!

This post is brought to you by the word "like":
You should feel very...very sorry for my older brother, Jason because I was always invading his space, his toys, his privacy, and his life. That's funny....I just said that in past tense like it's not still a favorite past time of mine. Anyway, when we were younger, my brother had plenty of 'boy toys' which were all very boring to me. Don't get me wrong, I'd still mess with them because they were obviously better than the 4,325,987,484,123 toys that I had in my room, but the toys I most often messed with were "insert any male action figure here." Why....because, hello, 'like' all my Barbies totally needed a boyfriend. I did not like any Barbie to have to share her Ken...I just think age 7 is too early to be teaching yourself about jealousy, and two timing etc (uhhh, is age 7 too early for your Barbie's to have boyfriends? We will worry about this later...). I didn't have enough Ken dolls for all of my Barbies, it was really a tragedy, please reserve at least 3 future therapy sessions for this subject, and remind me to buy exactly one Ken for each Barbie any future daughter of mine has. BUT I got creative, and each Barbie was eventually able to have their own boyfriend, complements of my brother's toy collection. G-I-Joe (she liked shorter men....as long as they were in uniform), Transformers (the dates were always exciting), and He-Man. That's all I know about He-Man, he dated my Barbies. So...recently, a lady I've made quite a few cakes for contacted me about making a cake for her daughter (who is just a few years younger than me)....she wanted a He-Man cake b/c her daughter used to love He-Man....that's just odd to me....because, 'like,' the only thing He-Man is good for is dating Barbie. I agreed to the cake, it sounded like a challenge. I saw that Wilton had a cake pan at one point, but....believe it or not, there isn't a huge demand for He-Man cakes now so it's gone. So, I suggested a few more things, and we decided on He-Man's Shield, with a 'special' message from the man himself. I also printed off some pictures to decorate the bottom of the cakeboard:

I'm a full service, open 3 evenings a year cake shop, so...I go all out. Just as a side note....it was NOT the easiest thing to find pictures of He-Man characters-it required a lot of research, and it was not fun for me. Now if someone wants a Barbie Dreamhouse....I don't even think I'd have to search for a photo for inspiration. I've got that little beauty burned in my memory.
The Cake

(It makes me cringe to write messages on cakes. Had I thought it through-I would have asked her if I could incorporate it on the board. Note all the smudges where I kept scrapping off the letters b/c they wouldn't lay flat on upraised surfaces. I also couldn't get over the fact that it needed to be orange writing (orange and red are apparently his colors) and despite the lack of contrast, this is how it had to be for uptight, girl (me). I also dyed some white chocolate gray for some defintion on the shield, and piped it onto wax paper I had drawn circles on....note to self-flip wax paper over after drawing circles, or the ink will lift off onto the chocolate when dried and removed.)
P.s. Please do NOT tell my brother his toys used to date my Barbies, I don't know if 23 years meets the standards for the statute of limitation for the sort of consequences I'd have to endure for that little hobby.
P.p.s. I still use his toys, I can't tell you how handy it's been to go pull long lengths of fishing line off his collection of poles for my projects.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas-Shopping!

Today, Mom, Holly, Lois, and I headed out to the Galleria to see the huge tree, and decorations, and shop the shops. When I was little Mom, and Lois used to spend one whole day out shopping....and I do mean the WHOLE day. I used to think it was torture to sit around all day just waiting for them to return. Realistically, this should have been a good thing b/c it meant there would be a few more gifts under the tree Christmas morning, but really....I just thought it was super boring. Holly was too young for me to play with back then, and Jimmy and Jason were off being boys. I mean, where was CPS when I was left in these sort of conditions, you know? Perhaps the only thing MORE boring than waiting at the house for them to return from shopping was going to a department store with my Mom when I was a little girl. The only thing interesting to do was to find one of those racks that was a circle, and crawl in the middle of the choral of clothes so I was difficult to find. I still get bored at department stores if I have to stand around too long, but you'll be glad to know I don't crawl in the middle of the racks anymore, I usually go around folding their sweater displays, or organizing their displays of trinkets that have been messed up by prior browsers....surely there is a girl scout badge to be earned somewhere in these Type A Personality deeds? Today I didn't have to do much straightening up, but I did get my fill of lovely decorations. After the mall, Mom and I continued with some grocery shopping, and then we went out to Highland Park and ate at Kuby's, and then drove around some of the streets down there while we were in the area, and shopped our way home. I must say, I'm glad to finally be on this side of the shopping trips!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas....A Little History

Last night Mom and I went out to eat, and then we drove around our old memory lanes-the first house I lived in, until about the age of two, the house she grew up in, which happens to be the neighborhood the students I teach come from. We talked about the old days, the streets she walked down as a little girl, the first memories we have. My first memory is in my first house of my Aunt Lois sitting on a bar stool at the counter and eating a sloppy joe. I have two other memories from those 2 and younger years-one of Jason and his friend Jamie getting a 2-Liter of Sprite from the refrigerator and running around the backyard, and a memory of staying with a babysitter (for about half a day, that didn't last long), and me crying....and crying....and crying. Jason had to come in from playing with the other kids because I was not having it. I swear the lady gave me a shot, but perhaps I mixed that with a doctor's visit....or perhaps she really was that cry worthy. My first Christmas memory is in my second house (on the good ol' Circle). The tree was in the den (most years it was in the living room), and I got this little egg with a pink bottom, and a clear top with this tiny doll in a stroller inside. I don't know why this is what I remember. I also remember my Mom trying to match up the colors of the Christmas tree branches to put it together. We soon moved to 'real trees' when Jason and I were old enough to have a vote. I also remember this one Christmas when I found this shiny unicorn sticker on the ground outside on Christmas morning, and I KNEW it had fallen from Santa's sleigh, this was all the evidence I needed to believe! I was thinking last night about how full my head is with memories. I like to go back and pull those out, and I'm grateful for those little stories I get to file away. I thought about how important it was to remember my rememberings because you don't know how valuable that skill is until you watch someone slowly lose that part of themselves. I was thinking about my Grandfather who struggled with this towards the end. We recently visited his grave to leave a wreath for Christmas, a yearly tradition for him, my father, grandmother, and great grandparents, and I just can't believe it's been 9 years since he has been gone for Christmas. Towards the end Alzheimer's had stolen those memories away from him, but I was so grateful it never stole his smile, or his kind disposition. I also regret not having any memories of my own father, or my grandmother. I wish I had a snippet, something that could live inside my head for those times that I need to know they are still a living part of me. This year someone discussed eternal love at a funeral I attended, and though the location was not to my choosing, the message was. The preacher talked about the fact that even when a person is gone, their love isn't, and I do believe that, it is everlasting. I don't have any memories of some family members, but I don't doubt they loved me. There are people I've known for years I'm unsure of as far as their feelings towards me, but I know my grandmother and my dad must have loved me a lot b/c I have not negative feelings or doubt towards myself when I think about them, just their love. I can't remember the moments we did get to spend together, but I remember the love, I'd say that's probably the most important memory they left me with! I'm glad I have so many wonderful memories to visit at this time of year, and all the months between now and next Christmas.

Burning the...Midnight(????) Oil!

I love the nightlife. I got to boogie. On the disco 'round...." I've found 4 am is my 'natural' bedtime.
When I was little I used to wait for everyone to go to sleep, and then pop back up and the real playing began. (After hours of making excuses to get out of bed for one thing or another, but those are other stories). I lived life on the edge because I knew at any minute my Mom could wake up and walk by and see my closet light on as I played my little heart out. Of course, I played until I was exhausted (HOURS), and by then, I was too tired to pick up all the toys I had pulled out of my toy box. I suspect my Mom didn't question me because she probably didn't want to have to stay awake to catch me in the future.
One evening I remember thinking how so much playing really worked up a pretty overpowering thirst, so I set forth to solve this problem on future midnight playdates (leaving my room during the middle of the night was not an option, too much risk). I found a copper pitcher in my toy collection and filled it with one of the koolaid packets I found in a drawer. I had seen my Mom make it....so I knew it just required some water-no big deal. I mixed my packet and water, and hid it in my play oven ready for the midnight festivities...(year's later I figured out it also required sugar, which explains a lot about that first experience trying to drink my not-so-tasty treat).
And then, there were naps. You couldn't keep me in bed after a full day of play, can you imagine telling me to go down in full daylight? I think not. I know the naps were as much for my Mom as for me, so short of chaining me to a bed the rule was I had to stay in her bed (the only relatively safe place to put me without full supervision) for a set amount of time while she 'rested her eyes.' Fine, no problem. No toys were allowed, no dolls either because my dolls had some pretty sassy personalities. So, I used to take my Mom's hands and make them talk to each other while she slept. I called these my 'hand babies' and they had all sorts of conversations. It was cool because my Mom never interrupted, I'm sure she was willing to sacrifice two body parts if the rest of her could sit still for an hour. I remember those babys talking....and talking...and talking....to each other....and 'walking' and 'dancing' as far as I could drag them away from her body.
All this to say....I'm still that same girl-bigger body, darker hair, still resisting naps, and getting up to 'play' a little more now that everyone is asleep. And then...someone throws in a time change! Don't 'they' know how hard it is for me to rework my internal schedule? So now I'm blogging, not because anything exciting is going on, but because this left over Monday-Energy has to be poured out somewhere. I'm in charge of me now, and I'm on to my own tricks....I know how I work, so around midnight or so (more like 'or so')...it's lights off. I can stay awake thinking....or reading until my eyes fall out, but I can't keep working on 'whatever' or watching TV b/c it's not like I'll get 'tired' and fall asleep until I'm good and ready...which, unfortunately is usually when the birds start singing.

Going the way of the Buffalo...

My weekend a Lake Murray consisted of: a cabin shared with Mom, Lois, Holly and Brian; ping pong, minature golf, a boat ride past Tucker Tower and across Lake Murray, dinner at 'the' Apple Bin, arcade and pool games, a little hike up a road at the state park, a swing, slide photo ops, star gazing and moon hunting with a telescope, chasing geese, swimming, spades, dominoes, cooking out, shopping, lakeside views, cattails (pictured-when I was little my Mom told me this was called a "Corn Dog Plant" and this is where corn dogs come from-the restaurant at the lodge served corn dogs on the children's menu, which was usually my meal of choice and while we waited to be served, she convinced me any delay in service was because they were out 'picking' my meal from around the lake-I was a little mixed up as a kiddo), and lastly my weekend consisted of the sad news that one of my very favorite places to 'get away' as a child and an adult is being sold off and eventually 'renovated' or torn down to make way for a luxory hotel....feeling a little blue, but refreshed after a weekend of fun and remembering some of the best of times!

Happy Easter!

I love Easter, I especially love the new Easter clothes all the little kiddos wear to church on Easter Sunday. I remember I got a matching dress, shoes and a purse each year when I was little, and I would always fill my purse with candy to munch on during the service....Easter means a lot more to me now, but I still enjoy those memories....and the candy. The answer to: Do you ever outgrow an Easter basket? Is: No! This year my Mom's 'theme' was yellow ducks...I've been collecting random ducks forever, and I even had to keep a bunch of 'stuff' out b/c it just flat wouldn't fit (in case you have never met my Mom-she loves ducks, despite her 'tragic' tale of her dad giving her a duck one Easter that later chased her around her backyard). My basket was filled with lots of pink things and bunnies, which I love. HOPEFULLY the candy will last me for awhile. This morning was a cold morning, it actually snowed this weekend, it didn't stick, but there were some significant flurries, which was interesting to see on Easter weekend! We went over to my Aunt's house for Easter, and among other things-Dr. Pepper was provided, THIS is a staple at EVERY holiday meal....or any meal in general. So I snapped a picture of Sandy joining us for a game of Apples to Apples, Dr. Pepper and Dessert. It has been a really nice weekend. Cheesecake with Holly on Good Friday, lunch with Nicole on Saturday where she gave me the opportunity to just 'talk out' things that have been bothering me (thanks for always being such a great listener Nicole!), and then today was church and lunch with the family. I hope that your Easter was fabulous, and regardless of what the bunny did, or didn't bring you, I hope you know today (and every day) is about how perfectly God loves you regardless of where you are, or aren't at in your life, or where you were, or weren't this Easter morning, and He expressed that love through His Son, Jesus. John 3:16 sums up today so perfectly!