#SOL17 Day 22

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts. ~ Marcus Aurelius

Getting dressed in the morning can be a real “treat”

when you’re trying to match your pants to the socks on your feet.

Why does the color navy look so much like black?

I thought these were blue, but I might be off track.

 I even asked my husband, “Are these pants navy?”

“Let me see,” he said, “I think so – well maybe.”

You need just the right light to know the exact hue.

So, I worried all day – Are they black or are they blue?

THEY WERE BLUE!!

  

 

#SOL17  Day 15

Beware the barrenness of a busy life. ~Socrates

Today I am feeling like a frustrated gerbil on the wheel.

1. My cul-de-sac was not plowed out yesterday.  I thought the township would have plows working all night, so when I woke up this morning and saw untouched snow gracing the end of my driveway I was angry.  That meant that I was not going to be able to get my Honda Accord out of the driveway.  My husband had to drive me to work, and my sister-in-law had to pick me up.  I really hate not being able to be independent.
2. We had a two-hour delay which shortens all classes to 35 minutes.  Ugh!  I had a test scheduled, and I really needed to get it in before we begin standardized testing on Friday.
3. Speaking of standardized testing, I also need to get in another practice test before Monday which meant it needed to be today or tomorrow.  Great – Thursday I have a double period. That will work right?  Wrong!  I forgot that several of my students were going on a Model UN trip on Thursday, so I had to find time to get it in today. Just where will I find that time?
4. With snow on the ground, we had indoor recess, which means I had to stay in with my class.  I felt like I had about 10 minutes for lunch, although it was actually 30. I didn’t have time to eat my orange though.
5. Today was report card day.  Usually our principal distributes the report cards to each student, but due to the schedule change he was not going to be able to do it.  We were to give them out at the end of the day.  I almost forgot.
6. I got home to a few voice mail messages.  I returned a call to the insurance company.  I knew that they probably wouldn’t talk to me about my husband’s insurance, but I gave it a try anyway.  Shot down.  I will put that on my list for tomorrow.
7. I have a broken tooth.  I wanted to call the dentist today and try to get an appointment, but that did not happen.  I hope I remember to call tomorrow, so that I get appointment before I break any more of it.  Thank goodness it is a back tooth.

My day was not bad.  I definitely have had worse.  It was just too crowded!

#SOL Day 12    

 

This past Friday marks two weeks since I received a tearful phone call from my best friend’s daughter telling me that her dad had suffered cardiac arrest, and they weren’t sure if he would make it through the night. The fabulous medical staff was keeping him alive with a special machine called an ECMO.

That call set off a chain of phone calls.  First to our pastor, and then to the women in our book club.  The ten of us have been together for the past 13 years, and have experienced a variety of life events together. But nothing prepared us for this. We began to storm the heavens with prayers and wait to hear good news.

Over these past two weeks I have only spoken to my friend, Robyn once by phone, a few times by text.  Her journey is unimaginable.  For every step forward they take two steps back.  Her husband of nearly 40 years is in the fight of his life, in a drug-induced coma, unable to communicate with his family. Robyn is a strong woman, whose strength is being tested beyond belief.

Robyn and I have been friends for over 25 years.  We worked across the hall from each other for 20 years.  As our friendship grew, we talked every morning before school began, sharing almost everything. We talked about our husbands, and children, life events – happy and sad.  We shared our feelings and fears, joys and accomplishments. We were each other’s therapists.

We still work together, but are not across the hall, so we have to make a point to see each other and keep up with the news of our families. Robyn is always the first one I want to share good news with or ask for advice when I am struggling with a situation. She knows just what to say.  She is good at helping me put things into perspective, as I hope I am for her.

Right now I feel helpless.  I want to talk to Robyn, help her somehow through this ordeal, but that’s not what she needs.  She needs me to be here when she is ready to talk.  I want to respect her wishes.  She just can’t rehash every day’s details even though so many of us want to know how her husband is doing – how she is doing.  I text her every couple of days with an inspirational picture/quote just to let her know that I am thinking of her.  She knows even without the text, but I need to do something.

All I can do is pray. I think about Robyn all the time, every day. I send good thoughts her way, and keep the women in our book club updated, and we pray.  I want to do more, but I pray.

 

 

Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. ~Unknown

October is a month filled with birthdays in my family.  I have two nieces, two grand-nieces, a dear departed sister-in-law and father-in-law, two significant others of family members, my daughter, and myself who all celebrate October birthdays – a fall frenzy.

Last week, another little soul joined the party.  My third grandchild, Isabella Marie, came into this world on October 19th.  She shares a birthday with one of my nieces, and one of my grand-nieces, and we now have a trifecta in our immediate family.  Isabella on the 19th, me on the 20th, my daughter, Angela on the 21st.  What a wonderful birthday present I received this year!

When I left the hospital on Wednesday night after seeing Isabella for the first time, I had an overwhelming urge to visit my own mother.  I knew exactly what I was going to do!  

I left school exactly at 3:15 on Thursday and headed to Yum Yum donuts.  I picked up two pumpkin donuts on the way over to the assisted living facility that my mom now calls home. I knew that she would not remember that it was my birthday, but that didn’t matter.  We were going to celebrate anyway.  

Mom was surprised to see me as she always is these days.  I told her about Isabella and showed her pictures of our newest sweetheart.  She asked me to tell her over again, and again, and again.  So I did. She wanted so much to grasp exactly what I was saying. She apologized for not remembering my birthday.  It didn’t matter.  I laughed when she told me that she thought I was 39!  I haven’t seen 39 in quite awhile.

When I saw the love between my son and daughter-in-law and their two daughters, I was reminded of just how strong a mother’s love is.  Mothers have to be strong to give life, to nurture life, to let life go its own way.

Thanks Mom, for giving me life, for nurturing me through life, for letting my life go its own way.  

But most of all, thank you for showing me how to celebrate life everyday!

#SOL16 Day 29

I like to pretend that headaches are memories fighting each other. ~ Rachel Wolchin

Too much Spring Break
Early wake up call
New student arriving
Spanish class cancelled
Inconvenient
Overload
No preps

Holding head in hands
Everyone talking
After school meltdown
Desks not in order
Aching head
Chatter about basketball
Hard to focus
Energy drainer

Sorry, that’s all I have tonight!

#SOL16 Day 28

Water is the driving force of all nature. ~ Leonardo daVinci

I have found the answer to all my problems in life – WATER! Yes, you heard me – WATER!
You see I was checking my AOL mail (don’t be judgmental!) when I began perusing the “news” highlights (there use to five, today there are 41). The caption – “Hidden signs you are not drinking enough water” – caught my eye. What are these “hidden” signs you ask? Well here we go.

5. Tired ✔
4. Dry skin ✔
3. Joints hurt ✔
2. Immune system is weak ✔
1. Gaining Weight ✔

I am so relieved that I now know why I am so tired. I thought it could be that I wasn’t sleeping well at night, too many trips to the bathroom, over worked, not enough exercise, or that I had been drugged. No, it is because I am not drinking enough WATER.

I thought my dry skin was due to washing my hands so much, lack of attention (aka not using hand lotion), forgetting to wear gloves this winter, I was in desperate need of a pedicure, or heat that was too dry. No, it is because I am not drinking enough WATER.

I thought my joints hurt because I need knee replacements, I am getting older, I inherited my mother’s arthritic body, or we were going to have rain. No, it is because I am not drinking enough WATER.

I thought I have been so sick this school year because I wasn’t getting enough sleep, I didn’t get my flu shot until March, my desk was positioned too close to my students, or I was just having an unlucky year. No, it is because I am not drinking enough WATER.

I thought I was gaining weight because I wasn’t exercising enough, I wasn’t sleeping enough, I was eating too many carbs, or I was just a victim of the “menopause fifteen.” No, it is because I am not drinking enough WATER.

OK, so I have been treating this whole idea of not drinking enough water rather flippantly, but maybe there is something to it. When I think about it, I only drink about eight to sixteen ounces of water on a good day. That surely can’t be enough. It is easier to drink more in the summer when the weather is hot, but the rest of the year it can be a chore.

My goal for this week (besides finishing the #SOL Challenge) is to increase my water intake. Now, I am not going to hang an amount over my head which will only serve to set me up for failure (see yesterday’s post). Instead, I am going to try and be mindful of how much water I am actually drinking and try to increase it each day.

If my theory is correct, by the end of the school year I will:

1. Have more energy and be less tired
2. Have the soft supple skin of a toddler
3. Be able to walk without hearing the sound of bone scraping against bone, or cracking joints
4. Have not been sick in months
5. Will be down about 10-15 pounds.

I wonder if you can believe everything your read? Cheers!

#SOL16 Day 26

Easter is the only time of the year when it is safe to put all your eggs in one basket. ~ Anonymous

Hunting for eggs with toddlers
means the eggs are hiding in plain sight
As they approach each colored egg
their faces show a look of delight.

Each egg that goes into the basket
is a prize that is greater than gold.
They laugh and squeal, and they giggle
carrying as much as they can possibly hold.

A sunny Saturday afternoon
spent with grandkids is really great.
No worries, not a care in the world
Everything else can just wait!

 

 

#SOL16 Day 18

Every object tells a story if you know how to read it.  ~ Henry Ford

It is Friday and the end of a loonngg week!  I thought I’d go small with some six word stories for this entry.

     First day of Spring -snow storm.

Need to eat less simple carbs.   

  Four more days until Spring Break!

Laughing with friends is best medicine.          

 Being Nona is the greatest role.

#SOL16 Day 15

Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards. ~ Vladimir Nabakov

Rain, you’ve been around too long!
Drizzle
Pouring
Drenching
Driving
Rain, you’ve been around too long!
Slicker
Galoshes
Umbrella
Wipers
Rain, you’ve been around too long!
Misty
Damp
Chilly
Soggy
Rain, you’ve been around too long!
Two more
Days of
Indoor
Recess
Rain, you’ve been around too long!