Racing Thoughts

It's funny how things can change so quickly.  Earlier today, I received a box of these heavenly doughnuts!  Nine are in the freezer and three are ready to consume from the fridge.

As I tucked them away (we are having a blood test in the morning for a health screening, so none tonight), I knew that I would write about the doughnuts and how dreamy they are.  Then I went to Bible study.

I didn't see my friends (basically fake parents that I've known for 15 years).  I texted the wife and she let me know that she wasn't doing well and to ask her group to pray for her.  Only one other member had come for our group, so I sent her to another (knowing she was okay with this) and went to my friend's house to sit, cry, pray, laugh, and fold laundry with her and her husband.

Emotions were raw, real, and rough.  Watching her battle cancer is tough.  I am amazed at the spiritual journey she and her husband have taken.

Tonight my thoughts race.  I remember my complaints from earlier in the day.  My criticalness.  My frustration with students.

God, may my attitude show that You are Good.  I may not see it clearly right now, but let me rest in that.  Let my racing thoughts stop and rest on the one constant that I have in my life.

Lunch...

I had the pleasure today to eat lunch with a friend who also happens to be our writing coach for the corporation. She taught our workshop today. She's the type of teacher who is calming, who listens well (truly listens), and is guided by what is best for students. I love when I get the opportunity to sit and watch her in action.

As she came in, she wanted to know what lesson...immediately I knew!

Setting. But wait, they also need to know about moving in the writing process. And, it'd be helpful if you could talk about doing their best. Um, also, what about spreads? Can you also mix in details of setting? Um, setting. Doing their best. Ugh...what do you think?

She just laughs and then says, "You're not getting setting."

She taught about taking their planning and working on spreads and what that looks like as a writer.

I also had to confess to her that I had mixed three lessons on Friday. I know, I know, I know. You NEVER teach more than one thing. Unfortunately, with our short weeks until our vacation and knowing we had missed a school due to snow and another day due to music practice, I taught three lessons (with breaks in between). 

I'm glad I didn't get setting.  I am excited about teaching setting to my students tomorrow and looking at the details that are needed.  We'll post some on our classroom blog. 

I loved hearing the kids work today.  You could hear the buzz of workshop.  You could see writers working.  You could see the wheels turning. 

My messy desk where I keep my notes!

My notes...where I write down what people say.

A Drive...

Don't my nails look great?

Here I am...in my car.  Listening to music.  On a drive.

I found out today that one of my cherubs from last year (who I dearly loved) has been in the hospital and is in the pediatric unit in a nearby hospital. (She's in stable condition now, but had not been doing well earlier.)

Not even the threat of rain turning to snow deterred me from going to see her.  

The drive back...not so fun.  I was happy to stay in the right lane, letting LOTS of people pass me as they sped on through the windy, wet weather.  The snow kept pelting my car and swishing and swooshing and changing direction.  Wasn't a fun drive back...but completely worth going to see my little girl.

Wake-up call...

I had the pleasure of watching another friend's kids.  They have four beautiful children and I am blessed to be able to jump into their lives and hang out with them for a bit.  The oldest girl calls me khaki.  :)  You'll see her saying cheese in the photo.

Here was their note for the morning...

Only two of the cute ones...

Saying cheese

Joy

I'll post the photo tomorrow, but I took a photo of a book that I read to my friend's kids. The little boy always asks for the book and I finally remembered to bring it!

My View Tonight

It's a Friday night.

A night that sometimes I feel like I need to be out.

A night that begins the weekend.

I'm beginning my weekend here...

There's no other place I'd rather be...well, until tomorrow when I'm watching my friend's four kids.

Love families that let me be a part of them!!!  You mean more to me than you know!

Deliberatively Documenting

November was Thankful November on my Facebook page. 

December is going to be spent documenting my month digitally.  I am hoping to post at least one picture a day from December. 

What you see pictured above are my gloves.  Why document this?  Well, they were lost.  Now, they are found and WET.  They are the heaviest, soggiest, coldest things I have held.  They are not fuctional currently. 

I knew I had them in my coat earlier this week and when I went to grab them Tuesday night to shovel my sidewalk, I couldn't find them.  Thinking I had left them in my classroom, I spent Wednesday as a snow day at home.  Thursday morning came and no gloves.

Thursday afternoon came with my students leaving from my after-school club.  As I was sitting outside waiting for parents to show, I noticed two globs hanging over a bench.  Sure enough...my gloves.

Truly thankful, because now I don't have to go buy any.