Monday musings

Confessed my deep dark secret of snacking in front of the tv and the endless snacking that happens. Yes, a few tears were shed. But what was so sweet was this lady, who I made a point to talk to a few weeks ago (because I never see her engage with anyone let alone anyone engage with her) about the book she was reading, came up and gave me a giant grandma sized hug. The kindness that was in the hug was overwhelming. What her struggle is, I don't know. But it mattered so much to me that she came up and did that. So, so, so sweet. 

And while I feel gross (thanks shark week), I am down .8 pounds and had three compliments today on my physical appearance. Just because I feel gross doesn't mean I look it. 

26 kids. That's a lot. Nuff said. 

I got a letter in the mail and it's better than coffee with Splenda. Now, that tells you something!!!

Made my night!!!

No blank pages!!!

One thing that writers do in their books and stories is to use their pages. They use their pages and put in text AND pictures. There are no blank pages. 

In Beware of the Frog, William Bee has no blank pages. He has spread his text and illustrations across the pages. He either used text on one side and pictures on the other or he used text and pictures on both pages. 

Sometimes the text is at the top and sometimes in the middle. Some authors even put the text on the bottom. 

So, are you using words AND pictures? Do you have any blank pages? Spread your work across the pages. 

I can't wait to see what you create!!!

Happy writing!

What goes around comes around.

I think. I hope I am to my students and others the way Ruth was to me. 

A thoughtful note. Kind words. An encouragement goes a long way. 

And with the afternoon I had, I am so glad I had this to reread. 

My name...

I found this on another blog...love the truth!

Let's try that again...

So, today was the first day with kids. You know that day. The exhausting one. The one where I drag myself out of bed. The one where I spend so much time talking and wondering if the class will ever be like the one I had. That day...and then you realize it's Tuesday. 

And your writing coach comes in

And reminds you that it's Tuesday. A slicing day. 

And you say, "Oh, crap!"

And she says, "Let's try that again."

So Ruth, here is why slicing is good...in no particular order...

Because I can change my perspective because I'm looking for something. 

Because it gets my brain to slow down. 

Because it gives me a chance to share my journey with my class.

Because I capture my story. 

Because I can try what I read in others' writing. 

Because others want to know what is going on in my life. Right?

Because I practice what I preach. 

Because writing is powerful. 

Because I am a writer. 

Looking Back

This summer definitely started out different.  For the past three summers, I had the pleasure of watching a friend's kids.  This summer, it just worked out that they had other places to be (daycare and old enough to kind of watch himself while dad is at home working).

So, what do you do when you have three extra days to fill?

Well, this summer was filled with Zumba (every Monday and Wednesday) and the beginnings of Weight Watcher training to become a leader.

And pictures...get ready!  It's a long one.  Sit back and have a cup of coffee while you look through my summer!

A surprise visit from my favorite Tanzanian teacher...love this lady and how she is following God with her heart and life!

Many mornings were spent on the porch reading and having a cup of coffee with breakfast.

I reorganized parts of my room...now the kids can find the color they want without too much digging.

I went strawberry picking!

Discovered I like my mat much more than I thought at the gym.  

Picked a GIANT kohlrabi!  Warning...do not eat in one sitting.  I didn't!

Replaced a doorknob on the garage (not finished yet...can't quite get the screws all the way in).

Put up black fabric for a word wall.

Finished the last four canvases.  I use this place to put up academic vocabulary for the class to use.

Met my summer reading goal and exceeded it by over 2000 pages.  Also started most of my mornings reading...it's a good way to start the day!

Hiked the mountain you see in the background.

Visited family in VA.  My dad and I would take walks together.  

Met a poet that my class tweets with!  

Fourth of July over the lake...

Love the weeping willow style!

My dad and I

One of the days I walked through these bushes to pick blueberries (a little obsessed).

A craft!

Love beauty in nature!

A new table for my classroom.  Six kids will get to sit here throughout the year.  A free donation...so thankful and blessed!

Some notebooks that are cut in half!  Word and math notebooks...super excited to try this!

Hillsong concert...let my light shine!  What a great way to end the summer and to usher in the school year in proper posture!

Spent some great time on the lake with a friend...good workout, but even better talk time.

I love clouds!

Isn't my nephew cute?

And my other nephew?

He's such a cuddle bug!

The view as we were walking up...

At the top!

We were so high up, some clouds rolled in.

A waterfall on another hike.

Some of the steps we hiked...

And there's my summer...so much more happened, but it was such a wonderful, relaxing, and needed summer.  When people say it went too fast, to me it didn't.  It was just the right pace.  

And while I don't love getting up early in the morning, it's okay that summer is done.  All good things come to an end.  But even better things are around the corner!

A new thought and some honesty...

When I get into a snacking catastrophe, I have a hard time stopping. Anyone else understand this?

I have something new to try. 

Everything I have read talks about twenty minutes is what it takes for my brain to register that my stomach is full. 

Enter my phone. It has a handy dandy app that came with it. A TIMER!

So today, I set it for twenty minutes after my lunch and my snack in the afternoon. Twenty minutes. 

And?

It was good!!! I was okay. My stomach was satisfied. 

It's something I will try this week.  I'll let you know how it goes.