Saturday, October 4, 2014

About Today


It started off as a typical Friday.  I had to present at an 8:15 faculty meeting, I was off to an early start, but forgot some ice cream sandwiches I promised my students.  I met Scott halfway from home, and then went on my way, thinking that would be the biggest setback of the day.

Pulling in to the school parking lot, I notice that familiar vibration of a text on my cell.  It's from Ignatius. Was I coming to the Assembly at 9:00?  This morning.  Not just an assembly, the Assembly.

Here's what I have not known by being tethered to a classroom for the four years of high school: the Assembly on the Friday of Homecoming is a pretty big deal.

Ignorant of the full breadth of the situation, I receive an almost simultaneous call from my husband.  Neither one of us was able to make a 9:00 Assembly.  I call and explain this to Ignatius, who understands.  He thought I knew about the Assembly through the strings of communication coming from the school.  None really addressed the important nature of this.  I figured that all the hoopla would be taking place at tonight's football game.

I then text my buddy and CCHS teacher, Ann, while basically wallowing in self-deprecation.  Meanwhile, I am getting ready to present, (badly) holding back tears that come from that deep place in the psyche of every teacher-mom.  Work interferes.  Again.  For the millionth time in his seventeen years of life.

Ann texts me and lets me know that the Assembly starts at 10.  My principal insists that I leave my class in the capable hands of my aide, a retired teacher who is more than capable and willing to take the helm.  Good thing, as my next text was going to be to ask Ann to stand in for me!

I present my information to my colleagues, we finish the meeting, and I scurry off to change out of my Irving spirit wear and into my Assembly clothes.  I make it to CCHS with plenty of time to spare.

Upon arrival, I realize that the Assembly includes every senior in an activity in the fall being called to the front of the school-filled auditorium to present his/her mother with a rather large mum.  One by one.  So that my absence would have been brutally obvious, as it was for a few moms that could not make it.

The Assembly comes to a close after a motivating alumnus conveys a message of students being concerned with "who" they are rather than being defined by "what" they are.  I return to my classroom to see the students working quietly on a math assessment, and Gigi, my colleague, happily relaying to me how nice it was to "teach" again.

The calmer end of my day allows me to reflect on the many parts of today that grew from chaos into grateful serendipity: the kind guidance of colleagues who reminded me of where my head, heart, and body needed to be; the easy-going son who was willing to go with whatever reality he was handed, knowing that the communication breakdown could have been avoided; the placement of a wonderful friend in my son's school, his guardian angel for 4 years; the opportunity to rely on someone else, not knowing that my need was, in turn, fulfilling her need.  There is, indeed, a reason and time for every purpose under heaven.



Monday, September 29, 2014

What's new?

When school hits, the world stops in this house apparently.  Poor little blog.

A new year started for everyone.  

Ignatius begins year 13 of his schooling.  A senior.  


Max started year 5 of his schooling.  A fourth grader.


I started year 24 of teaching.  Currently, I spend my day with fourth graders for the seventh year in a row (I think that's a record for me).


Scott smiles and endures the start of another school year.  He's a trooper and has chilled out a lot about how much he dislikes September.


Ignatius' time is spent with school work (AP Calc and AP English Lit keep him on his toes), McDonalds (lots of good hours), and college applications.  Scott and I continue to marvel at his essays.  He plans to go solo to Homecoming this weekend as he learned that going with a date is quite a lot of work.

Max amazes me day-by-day.  He works so hard in school at things that come quite easily to other children.  We see growth for sure.  He is starting to dig in to chapter books, though not on his own.  Math continues to be a challenge, but we are actually seeing him retain facts with some automaticity.  Step-by-step.

I have 27 little bodies in my classroom each day.  Each has his own need.  As those who know me can attest, that is exhausting, as I want to solve their problems and help them grow, but there is 1 of me and 24 hours in a day.  Luckily, I work with some pretty funny and supportive people.  We are in a contract negotiation year in my district, and it does not always feel like we are supported (and I am not talking financially, but realistically), so my comrades help me continue in the profession.

So there you have it.  Onward to October!  Max has yet to decide on a Halloween outfit.  That's always fun!


Thursday, August 7, 2014

Forty-five

For whatever reason, 45 feels like a "big deal" birthday.

My first thought is of people I have met along the way who never saw this particular birthday.  With that thought, I am filled with gratitude that I am healthy and, well, around.

My next thought is how vividly I recall turning 40, and how it does not feel like it was 5 years ago.  I was not exercising, packed on some serious pounds thanks to depression meds, and was needing a bit of a change before all that got out of hand.  And change I did.  Exercise has been a consistent part of my life since then.  Zumba, Werq, Strong, RIPPED, walking, and running have been in and out of my days as needed.  I keep somewhat regular doctor appointments and take most precautions offered.

In theory and if I am so blessed, this is mid-life.  Some inventory of what I have done with the precious gifts I have been given is in order.  These are NOT in priority order, and some of these far outweigh others.

-Graduating with honors from high school, college, and two graduate school experiences
-Receiving National Board certification...twice
-Maintaining a thoughtful teaching career for twenty-three years spanning a wide range of experiences
-Granddaughter, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, great aunt, cousin to some pretty amazing people
-Successful (surfing the ups, downs, and in-betweens) marriage for twenty-two years
-Supporting an active and intentional life of faith, with the guidance of the Catholic church, including fervent, sincere, and frequent prayer
-Mothering two extraordinary boys for seventeen years in a world that may or may not accept their differences
-Accepting leadership roles since grade school and the responsibilities a leader has
-Fighting for what I believe is right--even when I see the eyes roll, even when I know I need to shut up, even when I realize the fight might be a waste of energy, even when the fight is for others and not for me--telling it like it is
-Building wonderful friendships that allow me to walk a tightrope knowing that their net is always there for me
-Conquering the stormy sea of grief, OCD, and anxiety, holding in the the boat for dear life and praying that it won't capsize, bailing out the waters of depression

If this is halfway, I'll take it with very little complaints.  

Friday, June 6, 2014

100 Happy Days, Days 46-69

Day 46: Watching my school kids let loose and be silly

Day 47: I made this money you didn't.  Right, Ted?  We outta here.

Day 48: Finished Ig's NYC album!

Day 49: Truth

Day 50: Two-handed Bud Light at Schooners with my co-workers

Day 51: Scott wins the MSC raffle for the day!

Day 52: Veggies popping up

Day 53: This never gets old

Day 54: A gift from a former student

Day 55: Ellis Island simulation day: My little German immigrant

Day 56: Eggo Thick 'N Fluffy Waffles...mmmmmm

Day 57: Making cards, right down to the envelope, makes me happy

Day 57, Part 2: Chicago at night from a plane...amazingly large

Day 58: Clint and Emily's beautiful wedding

Day 59: Angry Orchard at the Harrisburg Airport

Day 60: Who cares what the school calendar says?  Fairview after school.

Day 61: Pictures like this remind me of how far we have come.

Day 62: A beautiful corsage and thank you note from one of my students

Day 63: Awww yeah.  Anderson opening day!

Day 64: Coming in to 602 on a Sunday at the end of the school year and being far from the only one here

Day 65: The "Warm Weather Wipe Out" selfie

Day 66: Year 23.  Done.

Day 67: Having stuff on the calendar for Mrs. Plato's Summer School ensures less arguing...and soothes my OCD

Day 68: A garage sale find.  Who latches onto it? And what's his first song? "Reindeer are better than people.  Oh Sven, don't you think I'm riiiight?"

Day 69: Summer is here!  Kids Run for Fun!

WHEW!  Finally caught up!












Saturday, May 31, 2014

100 Happy Days 32-45

Day 33: Organizing Alphabet Stickers (of which I have a ridiculous amount)

Day 34: Today, I finally felt the significance of the lyrics: "No longer riding on the merry go round/I just had to let it go." and "When I say that I'm okay/Well, they look at me kind of strange/Surely you're not happy now/You no longer play the game." 


Day 35: The return of the green!

Day 36: McTeacher night with some of my favorite people

Day 37: The day the Papertrey server died and the longest group text ever between these two craft-addicted crazies

Day 38: The chain

Day 39: National Scrapbooking Day car selfie

Day 40: Doing my favorite thing: scrapbooking

Day 41: A start to a healthier path

Day 42: Struggling with the DVD subtitles actually made this feel like a Disney Sing-Along video

Day 43: Letters of appreciation from my students

Day 44: Another happy Meijer customer

Day 45: Mother's Day rainbow cake with Funfetti icing











Saturday, April 26, 2014

Catching up with 100 Happy Days

Day 22: Steak on a snowy April day.

Day 23: Sunshine at the end of my work day...summer's coming!

Day 24: My happy board at school

Day 25: A delicious beverage

Day 26: A winning Battle of the Books team

Day 26: An Easter basket tradition

Day 27: A relaxing pasttime

Day 28: The best Easter basket inhabitant

Day 29: When amazing things sprout from the dung of tragedy

Day 30: Love these cookies!

Day 31: My husband, Mr. Clean :)