My So Called Life

Summer Slipping Away

2009-07-20T10:45:00.002-04:00

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining,

the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing,

and the lawn mower is broken.

~James Dent

It seems that my spring and summer have flown by. From looking for a house, the end of school, buying a house, moving (only a few days after school let out), dog/house/cat sitting, and being "Nurse Nancy" I feel like I have missed my leisurely summer break. I have to admit that I have enjoyed every moment no matter what is was and will continue to enjoy what moments are left.

I am having a great time decorating my new house (when I am actually there) which has been lovingly named "The Cottage". From paint colors, to curtains to getting it all to fit I have to admit that I have had fun, and am still in the working stages. I was told by my Aunt Bonnie that I can't do it all at once, to make a list and mark of the house projects as I have the money. There has never been a statement that is more true, I think my list grows everyday but I will get done and I am sure that I will add other projects to the list. The best part of the whole thing is the feeling that you get when you come home and know that it is all yours and you are the queen of the castle.

"Enjoy the journey" - this is a saying I am told almost daily from a very good friend who keeps me moving in a forward direction even when she has to shove me from the back. I am enjoying this journey/summer, thanks to everyone who has been along for the ride with me!

Call it a day, a snow day that is . . .

2009-01-30T20:10:00.003-05:00

Oh! the snow, the beautiful snow,

Filling the sky and earth below,

Over the housetops, over the street,

Over the heads of the people you meet.

Dancing, flirting, skimming along.

-J.W. Watson

And we have another SNOW DAY! Yesterday we went to school on a delay and had several buses that didn't quite make it one time (2 hours late) and had us all wondering why were exactly were at school anyway. Last night the sweet sound of the phone marked that time of night that I love, delay phone calls. We started on a delay and this morning the call came again to beckon that we didn't have school at all. So what did I do?????? No, it isn't shopping, although we have had days that are too cold to go to school, but not cold enough to shop. Today I clean my beautiful little house, did a final pass on the driveway and headed north to Michigan. I have come to visit and see Spencer in a basketball game, I love coming here! Connor got into the car this afternoon and didn't know that I was in town yet, and to see his face when he looked up and saw me was "priceless" and one of the plethora of reasons that I love my family.

I have found my way back to my blog . . .

2009-01-27T20:05:00.008-05:00

"Wonder is the beginning of wisdom."

-Greek Proverb

I have been gone way too long, and am now back and ready to blog. This whole month has been a blur, school, grading, friends, snow, snow and more snow. I have been working on changing my life in a way that will create peace and happiness.

I have taken to reding a new genre of books - British. I sometime think I am becoming a Brit myself. I am in love with British authors!

Cooking for myself and friends. Megan and I have started to cook on Sundays and share the recipes that we have made. We are both cooking healthy and loving it.

Gardening (indoor style). I now have two beautiful amaryllis plants who love their home in my kitchen.

Walkng, walking, walking, I have started to walk each day (inside at the moment due to weather).

Relaxation baths a few times a week to destress.

I am currently on my way to being snowe in. Tonight, the forcasters are predicting that we will get about 10-12 inches of the white stuff. It sounds like we might have one of the most glorious things created, a SNOW DAY! Snow days are a gift, a gift from the Snow God and is meant to be a day that is filled with sleep, crafts and reading.

New Year, New Me!

2008-12-31T22:41:00.009-05:00

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

Bill Vaughan

As we end the year, we look back at the events that have changed our lives and forward to those that are on the horizon. I have heard many people make New Year's resolutions that never quite get done. This year I vow to make goals instead of a resolution, goals are attainable while resolutions are said to be broken.

A Thanksgiving Like No Other . . .

2008-12-01T19:00:00.004-05:00

"Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives."
A Sachs

This Thanksgiving was like no other, my grandmother passed away early in the morning. Leaving this Earth to be in a better place where she is not longer in pain and suffering. I feel like life should stop, but it doesn't things go on and we must move along with it, taking our grief and pain with us so that we can heal.

My grandmother (a.k.a. mom-mom) was an extraordinary woman who lived a long and prosperous life. She lived to see things that I am sure she never thought she would see. I will remember her as a woman who was: strong willed, resourceful, caring, disciplined, and as someone said this past weekend "quietly loving". My mom-mom was never one to lavish on compliments or expressions of love, but I know that she loved me. I think she was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We are a family of "doers" we have all contributed to our communities in some way, whether singing, teaching, or in business.

As I look back, I see that I really only started to understand her over the past several years and came to terms with the who she was and how she expressed herself. I hope that some of her qualities have rubbed off on me, and I will be a person who will be so greatly missed in her community and family.

Thank you for giving me such a great example to follow of what an independent woman is and what I can achieve.

Road Trip!!!

2008-11-10T19:13:00.016-05:00

"The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

As many of you know, I am not exactly spontaneous. This weekend I stepped out of the box and went on a road trip with the girls. Last weekend Jackie, Melissa and I tried to find a craft show to go to and couldn't find on in the immediate area, such disappointment! We found out that the Chris Cringle craft show was last weekend at the University of Illinois, so we packed a bag and were on the road.

We started early afternoon on Friday after having completed 12 hours of conferences on top of full days. Needless to say we all needed to have a weekend to relax and spend time not doing school "stuff". Bags packed and dog in the back we were off. By the time we got to Melissa's house we were in need of a snack - Cheddars cheesy fries, margaritas and chocolate sounded like the ticket. Before you think that we were on an eating frenzy, we shared everything except the margaritas between four people.

The craft show was 3 stories of any kind of craft that you could possibly need, I was on the look out for a new Christmas wreath for my front door. I left with no wreath but a sweatshirt and two hand quilted items for my new house. Definitely worth the trip. Culvers chocolate shakes and a light snack was on the books for the post craft show time. We headed to Gordmans for some light shopping then off the church. "The best buffet ever" - the Pesi was out next adventure. I must say that it was a spread like I have never seen before, sushi, a Mongolian BBQ where you could pick your own veggies and meat, and then the traditional Chinese buffet food. It was busy with college students and "normal" folk as well. By this time we got home we were cold (even a little wind whipped), tired and ready to relax. Movie time! Baby Mama was the movie, which turned out not to be as hilarious as it was advertised to be. Bed called and we all turned in, 4 girl humans and 4 girl dogs.

IHOP was on the books for Sunday morning, "old school style". We all had our fill of pancakes and omelets and headed back to pack up and head home. On the road, we continued our conversations from the ride out, we talked our way out and back. One thing was on the list for our final day, "The Big Wick" a candle store we saw on I70 on the way out. We stopped, took pictures and perused the beautiful gift shop. The store was decorated for Christmas, I think we all were in the mood to get home and start decorating our own houses. I know I was ready and couldn't wait to get home to unload my packages and light my new candles.

It was a great trip, and we are planning more so stay tuned to see where we will end up next time!

Can you say exhaustion????

2008-11-04T19:40:00.005-05:00

"Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success."
Henry Ford

After weeks of planning, research and hours on the computer election day is finally over. If you haven't heard me talk about it in the past few weeks, I was in charge of putting on the "mock" election at the school for all 450 students. It all started when Sue and I started talking about what we could do better than what we did for the last election. This year we had it "easy" as we both had student teacher and were able to spend time during the school day to plan and implement our plan.

We had as real an election as any school could have:

each classroom was assigned a state, each grade had the same number of electoral votes so that no one grade held more power than the others
each teacher covered the election process and candidates ahead of time
I created a Power Point on each of the eight candidates on the Ohio ballot and where they stand on several issues ,Tad printed out these slides to help me create a beautiful bulletin board
Sue went and got the old voting booths from the Board of Elections so that our students were able to have an authentic experience
I found "I Voted" stickers online after the Board of Elections was unable to provide us with enough stickers for all our students
The National Honor Society students from the high school came over all throughout the day to be our "poll workers" and were just GREAT!
We had a mid-day news cast to tell students updated information that was compiled by the student news team. The team spent the entire morning at the polls surveying voters, conducting interviews and compiling data
Sign in books, and ballots were as close to authentic as possible; one adult made the statement that the sign-in books look just like those at the actual polling locations

Let's just say that we are all tired and glad that the election is over. Even though the exhaustion is setting in, I am glad that we put in all the work that it took to make this a lifelong learning experience for our students. I know that the students might not all the details of what happened, but hope that they remember the experience and that they were able to vote and make a difference.

Tricks or Treats?

2008-11-03T18:43:00.004-05:00

"We teach people how to remember, we never teach them how to grow."
Oscar Wilde

Being in town creates a certain dilemma, to candy or not?

I decided this year I would forgo giving out candy for trick-or-treat and have a great night out with my friends instead. We started at Mi Jalapeno for some great Mexican food and of course margaritas! Raspberry rocks! We then proceeded to have our own version of fun: movies, munchies, drinks and hot tub.

What a wonderful way to spend the day when you either get trick or treats, I definitely got treats!

I'm Back

2008-10-20T20:02:00.013-04:00

"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes."
Hugh Downs

I am back and ready to write. This past weekend I witnessed one of the best things in life, a wedding between two people who are a true fit for each other. Beth and Aaron are two extraordinary people who I am happy to have in my life. If you don't know already, Beth is a former cheerleader who I coached from 7th grade through high school. We have remained good friends and I have seend her grow into a dynamic woman. Aaron was in my 7th grade class also and has become a good friend and someone who is a great help when an extra set of hands is in need.

Here are some other images of the night, as you know I love to take pictures of myself and others with my own hand. You will also notice that I am pale and pale can be next to these beauties.

Food For Thought

2008-10-05T20:22:00.003-04:00

"He does not believe who does not live according to his belief."
Thomas Fuller

Growth

2008-09-21T20:53:00.001-04:00

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning."
Benjamin Franklin

H2O

2008-09-16T21:57:00.002-04:00

Believe in yourself, not only in swimming, but in life itself. You always have to have fun. You have to have an open mind. If you're not enjoying it, don't do it. Life's too short.

Debbie Meyer

Tonight was the night, that I got out to meet new people. Carolyn and I started our water aerobics class and yes I got into a bathing suit (kicking and screaming but I did it). I had such a good time. I have always loved the water, I can remember the days when my mom would have to drag me home from the pool. I am returning to something that I loved as a child, and it brought back fond memories of how life used to be. I think I might have been smiling and laughing the whole time. I am now so relaxed, I am sure that tonight will be a great night of sleep. I am looking forward to Thursday when I can do it again.

A Lazy Saturday

2008-09-13T21:18:00.003-04:00

During periods of relaxation after concentrated intellectual activity, the intuitive mind seems to take over and can produce the sudden clarifying insights which give so much joy and delight.
Fritjof Capra

How joyful to wake up on a Saturday morning to the idea that you need not venture out to have a fulfilling day. After a late night, should I say early morning I woke to the peaceful thought that I didn't have to go out today for anything. I could (if I wanted to) stay in all day and be content.

I did venture out today, I had to have my license changed to reflect my new address. Lots of other people also had this brilliant idea, I took a book and read until I was called. License changed - check! Then I was off the grocery store to get a few items for the week. Groceries - check! Then it was home to relax, nap and read/craft.

That was my day, one that I enjoyed in its simplicity.

Simple Pleasures

2008-09-10T19:43:00.014-04:00

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

Aristotle

It's funny that sometime the simplest of things make you laugh and think. Today was one of those days for me, my day was uncomplicated which is unusual for me during the school year. Today was a day that I was able to do some "simple" things that had a big impact.

Today I . . . went to the library and spent time scanning the stacks for books that I haven't read

Two finds among the thousands of fiction novels.

Today I . . . admired the mum on my front porch that I haven't kill yet

Today I . . . went back to baking (one of my favorite things) and made cinnamon struesel muffins

Today I . . . worked on a cross stitch project that I started this week

It was a good day!

Looking Out My Window

2008-09-04T20:08:00.001-04:00

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today."
Dale Carnegie

AHHHHHHHHH

2008-09-02T20:53:00.004-04:00

"Home is where one starts from."
T S Eliot

It is such a good feeling to finally be in my new home and be able to relax and enjoy the hard work that everyone put in this weekend. I have to THANK my family again for all that they have done for me while I was packing/moving/unpacking. It all started on Friday morning when dad started asking about a "mom and pop" restaurant at 5:15 AM and mom and I laughing hysterically at him and his asking 3 times. The truck arrived at 8:30 to load me up and that they did, the movers were AWESOME! and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. By 11:30 all was in the new house and the men were on their way to the next job. Mom, dad and I worked the afternoon trying to make some sense of all the boxes and where it was all going to go. Kristyn, Mark, Spencer and Connor arrived early afternoon to help - it was all on when they arrived. Everyone was working on a project, the boys were in charge of taking out boxes and arranging my video tapes and DVDs. By nightfall we were all exhausted, and ready to sleep and there was plenty of room for everyone to spread out and get a good nights sleep. Saturday dawned and we were off to Bob Evans for breakfast then back home to finish up the unpacking and odd jobs that needed to be done. We worked another full day and went downtown to The Warehouse for a wonderful Italian meal and plenty of laughs. Sunday we were again off to Bob Evans for breakfast then home to see the big tree in the front coming down. Mom and dad loaded the truck and trailer and were on their way home, tired and ready to have a day to relax. Mark took on the task of cleaning my grill and revamping it with new briquettes. It looks great and I can't wait to start grilling on it this week.

Over the past few years I feel like I have been waiting to start something good. I have crossed that bridge and am starting something new and good. I am moving in the right direction and creating the life that I should have had but was to busy waiting around for.

Life is Good!

Thankfulness

2008-08-24T21:04:00.005-04:00

"The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family."
Lee Iacocca

I just can't say it enough THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! to my family for the help this weekend getting what I thought was going to be a few hours and a few bags of trash. In actuality it was about: 8 hours of work, 20 bags of trash, a van of boxes, and 2 1/2 van loads of stuff for Goodwill. Lets just say it didn't look as big as it was! My sister was the lifesaver this weekend, she gave up a weekend to come and help me get things under control so that I would be ready for Friday. I can't tell you how much she means to me, she was the extra set of hands that I needed. THANKS KRISTYN! She wasn't the only one, mom and dad came down from Tiffin on a trip to get a new cart for Arthur to pick up trash, and check on the progress of things. THANKS MOM AND DAD!

My family (me included) may be a little wacky at times but when the cards are down, they are there to help out no matter what. I wouldn't trade them for the world! I love you all for all that you do for me each and every day.

Week One Moves On

2008-08-20T19:04:00.000-04:00

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."
Cicero

And We're Off . . .

2008-08-19T20:45:00.009-04:00

"There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep."

Homer

Things have gotten off to a running start, and a new school year is under way. Sixth grades walking in with wide eyes and a look that they have no idea where they are going. As we started the day things became more familiar, and we fell into a semi-routine. Lockers! such an innate thing that causes such anxiety and sometime tears. I wiped the tears, gave a pep talk and we were back to trying to open the locker and . . . success! We will continue to practice and get better as each day goes by, eventually the idea of not knowing how to open a locker will become a distant memory. Meeting 75 new students is a challenge to this old mind, I have always been blessed to be able to remember names and faces. This year is now different, today I was able to remember all of my homeroom student's names and many of Lauri and Dean's student names. It is a small triumph when going through the names I am able to string a few together and joyful "yes" is heard.

Jackie and I have made a commitment to each other that we are going to walk each night after school as often as we can. Last night (after a long and arduous 8+ hours) we walked a mile, and boy did I feel it last night and this morning. I was aching all over, the combination was hard on me.

I am not afraid to admit that last night I went to bed at 9, without watching any of my current addiction - The Olympics. I hear today that I missed one of the best events, the trampoline. ARGH!

Here We Go Again!

2008-08-15T21:15:00.005-04:00

"The teacher is one who makes two ideas grow where only one grew before."
Elbert Hubbard

Happiness

2008-08-12T22:28:00.002-04:00

"Action may not always bring happiness;

but there is no happiness without action."
Benjamin Disraeli

Faith

2008-08-11T19:25:00.006-04:00

"Faith is to believe what you do not see;

the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."
Saint Augustine

Faith - how do you know you have it? When you are tested beyond what you think is physically and emotionally possible of yourself. Faith is knowing that things are going to get better, that you will survive.

I have been thinking about faith all week long, I have been struggling with my break-up with Chris (wanting to call him and talk to him the way we did when we first met, being able to talk for hours about every topic under the sun). While cleaning out this weekend, I found every email that Chris sent me when we first met, filled with excitement and the absolute joy of talking to the other person. How did things change so drastically?

My faith is being tested and I have to continue to believe that there is something better to come. Faith that there is a bigger plan for me and that I have other things in store.

I have to have faith even though I don't see the end or know what else is in store.

Excitement

2008-08-06T20:35:00.002-04:00

Energy and persistence conquer all things.
Benjamin Franklin

How do you contain your excitement when you find yourself at the crossroads of starting a new chapter in your life and the life you have previously known? I am so there! I am so excited to move and start a new chapter in my life. I regularly drive by my new house just to look. Today I received a message that some changes have occurred and I just had to check them out. The front planter under the living rooms windows has been removed and beautiful mahogany bushes put in its place, with a fresh coat of mulch. As I was sitting in the driveway I was just imagining where they new planters I bought with mom would go. It is good, all good!

I have also been at school the past few days making the transition back and enjoying it. Marah (my student teacher from OSU) has been coming in and we are having a great time putting things on the wall, organizing all the items that will be passed out and singing along with my iPod. I am looking forward to another year and new group of students.

Overwhelmed

2008-07-31T00:18:00.005-04:00

"It is a good thing to be rich, and a good thing to be strong, but a better thing

to be loved my many friends."

-Euripides

How is it that we can get completely overwhelmed with the small things in life. Today I was over taken by the massive amounts of paper that I have amassed over the past few years. Those mounds of paper ended up shredded and finally thrown out. As I was sitting and shredding as I was finally sitting down I looked around and saw the chaos that is now my house, and contemplating all that is happening in my personal life. Too many things at once stress me out (if you know me, this is no surprise). Megan called me tonight to chat, and found me overwhelmed and feeling like to walls were closing in. How fortunate that I have a friend who recognizes when I am stressed and offers to take on part of my stress for me. The offer of help to keep the focus and the process moving is one that is more monumental than one will ever know.

I am fortunate that I have friends who are willing to give of themselves even though they have obligations of their own.

I am moving forward and will have all packed and ready to go when the movers come at the end of the month, and I can start a new chapter in a new home.

Food, Fun and Family

2008-07-28T09:51:00.011-04:00

What a great weekend! There is so much to tell, I have to give a list and provide visuals.

Bonnie/Betsey arrival in the "wee" hours of the morning

Shopping in Berlin (shoes, hot salsa and coffee)

Heini's cheese tour - who doesn't love a good cheese tour?

Mrs. Yoder's peach pie - to die for!

Spite and malice - neither spite nor malice included

The Viaduct for breakfast

Lehmans hardware

Horse rides and hamburgers

Packing, packing and more packing

2008-07-23T20:11:00.005-04:00

I have started the arduous task of cleaning/purging out my current house and packing up what will be moving with me to the new house. Boy! I have a ton of stuff, and by a ton I men a ton. I have cleaned out most of the first floor and have overloaded my garbage quota.

Isn't there a magic wand that I can wave and have my stuff cleaned out and packed???? My house is a disaster and I have a feeling that it will continue until I am able to move some of these boxes to the new house. I can't wait!

Actually I am enjoying the process of purging I have found items that I haven't seen in several years: buttons from Spencer's first few birthdays, pictures of Meredith and Sandra, pay stubs from my job at K-Mart, and tons of pictures that bring back a flood of memories. I realize as I go through the "things" of my life, that I have had many experiences, friends and a wonderful family.

Another Year Gone By . . .

2008-07-16T18:56:00.005-04:00

"A birthday is a time to reflect on the year gone by,

but to also set your goals for the upcoming year."

Cathering Pulsifer

Today is my birthday, another year gone by!

I am not sad, I have a great life with many blessings:

A family who loves and supports me in anything that I do

Friends who will pick me up when I am down and fight for me to the end

A job that I love (can't wait to get back)

My health

Confidence in myself to be what I was meant to be, no matter the road blocks that are set before me

Faith in a path that is yet unkown to me

Have You Ever Had a Day. . .

2008-07-10T16:21:00.012-04:00

"God can heal a broken heart, but He has to have all the pieces."
Unknown

Have you ever had one of those days when you wished you had stayed in bed? I have had about 14 of those days over the past three weeks.

Here is a recap:

went to see boyfriend, traveling half way across the country after not seeing him for three months
went to baseball games/watched TV/read

fought with boyfriend

broke up with boyfriend (of 2 years)

How is it that I didn't hear the train before it ran me over? I feel like I was the last to know that he didn't want to be with me.

I will get over this and I will be stronger as a person, and know what NOT to do the next time. All journeys have a beginning (which is scary) and end (which is usually sad) and a middle that is filled with memories. You have to mix all these components together and then find what you have learned from the journey. I am in the stages of uncovering the lessons that were learned from this journey, I will find them and use them to make my next journey better.