I have joined the world of Facebook and one of the things I have loved more than anything about it is reconnecting with old friends. Imagine my surprise today when I was able to do this the old fashion way...I bumped into my first roomie from college at a conference! I guess this does still happen, but after not seeing someone for over five years and then seeing them sitting in the same room that you--well, it just seems a bit surreal.
So here is the scene...
I sit down and get ready to hear a lecture on struggling readers when I glance over and think...is that Fee? Not being so sure (which I am embarrassed that I had trouble being sure), I decided to play it cool. So I creepily kept looking at her. I figured that if I keep looking her way, she will eventually look my way and I can give her a smile. Well, that happened, but when I smiled, her smile back was one of those not of recognition, but more so of a pleasant, "Ok, I will smile back to this weird woman looking at me." I decided that it had to be a look alike person. Surely she would know me (What is the logic in that? I was not sure it was her!). I kept looking her way for the hour or so of the lecture. Then, I spy a ski tag on her coat. Hey, Fee skis! It HAS to be her! I tell the friend I am with that I am just going to yell her name at the end of the lecture and see if she turns around. If it isn't, oh well. I can deal with that. Turns out, when the lecture was over, I was talking with my friend and see her looking at me out of the corner of my eye. I decide it has to be her. I look and say, "Get over here! I knew that was you!"
After hugs and "how are things", we exchanged numbers and vowed to call. And I will.
When I got home I found a video of our last week at school together that we made with our other dorm friends. I laughed so hard that I decided I need to have a BG get together this summer. I am going to arrange it and am so excited at the possibility of seeing these friends of mine that, for the most part, I have lost touch with but were such an important part of my life for 2-4 years.
Here is to finding old friends (however you do so).
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Even though...
Even though I can complain a lot,
I really am happy most of the time.
Even though I procrastinate,
I feel so much better when things are done.
Even though it has been hard getting that second child,
I am so blessed to have such a fun, fantastic four year old.
Even though said four year old tries my patience daily,
she give the best run-hugs ever and makes my heart smile daily.
Even though I am getting my masters,
I feel like I have not given it my all.
Even though I really want to be healthy,
I still head to McDonalds for that darn Sausage McMuffin goodness.
Even though I am a teacher,
I am a human being who makes mistakes with the best of them.
Even though I usually forget to send my friends cards on their birthday,
I usually think about them at least once on their special day.
Even though I would love to write a children's book,
I still fear rejection too much to finish it.
Even though I don't tell my family enough how much they mean to me,
they are responsible for helping shape who I am and I am so grateful.
Even though TV rots my brain,
I can't turn it off.
Even though I tell my students to be organized,
I have to tell them NOT to look at my desk.
Even though I have lived thirty-seven years,
I still have not really lived.
I really am happy most of the time.
Even though I procrastinate,
I feel so much better when things are done.
Even though it has been hard getting that second child,
I am so blessed to have such a fun, fantastic four year old.
Even though said four year old tries my patience daily,
she give the best run-hugs ever and makes my heart smile daily.
Even though I am getting my masters,
I feel like I have not given it my all.
Even though I really want to be healthy,
I still head to McDonalds for that darn Sausage McMuffin goodness.
Even though I am a teacher,
I am a human being who makes mistakes with the best of them.
Even though I usually forget to send my friends cards on their birthday,
I usually think about them at least once on their special day.
Even though I would love to write a children's book,
I still fear rejection too much to finish it.
Even though I don't tell my family enough how much they mean to me,
they are responsible for helping shape who I am and I am so grateful.
Even though TV rots my brain,
I can't turn it off.
Even though I tell my students to be organized,
I have to tell them NOT to look at my desk.
Even though I have lived thirty-seven years,
I still have not really lived.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Terrible Fours??
Oh my....what to do with a daughter who hits? We have been battling this for a short while and I am at my wits end with it. She is so quick to anger...when something does not go her way. We talk calmly with her, we do time outs. We do not spank. Looking into some behavioral therapy for her before she heads to kindergarten...is this necessary? I don't know. I do know that I do not want things to get worse. I was wondering if it was a situation that she was unable to control...too impulsive. But, she does not hit at school or in other situations...just us.
It does not help that she comes from two parents who like to have control. How much do we let up? Where does the line fall between giving in because it is not really a big deal and sticking to your guns so she does not have the sense that, "Hey, I "got away with it last time", let's try it again.
IT IS SO HARD BEING A PARENT!!!!
It does not help that she comes from two parents who like to have control. How much do we let up? Where does the line fall between giving in because it is not really a big deal and sticking to your guns so she does not have the sense that, "Hey, I "got away with it last time", let's try it again.
IT IS SO HARD BEING A PARENT!!!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
New Blog for me to follow....
How did I remain out of the blogging world for so long when there is so much cool stuff out there. Check out this giveaway!
Have a great one everybody!
Have a great one everybody!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A recipe to share...
While making dinner tonight, I realized that a lot of people might really like this dish. It is the dish I make when someone has a baby, someone in the family as been in the hospital, etc. It is based on a recipe I saw with the coupons for some sort of enchilada sauce. It was called something like Cheesy Enchilada Stack. I decided that it was easier to make it into a casserole. Here is the recipe:
You need:
1 lb ground beef 1 lg can of enchilada sauce
1 or 2 small cans of green chilis 2 cups of shredded cheddar
1 can of refried beans 8-10 tortillas
First cook the ground beef in a skillet. Drain grease. Stir in about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce. Let it simmer for a mere minute or so. I put a very small amount of ench sauce in the rectangular casserole dish. Then place two tortillas on the bottom of the dish. Place half of the beef mixture on top of the tortillas and sprinkle about 1/2 cup of cheese on top. On top of that place two more tortillas and spread the beans on top. Ladle about 1/2 cup of ench sauce on top and spread some of the green chilis on top of that. Sprinkle more cheese on top of that (the idea is to have some cheese left over for the top). Place 2 more tortillas on top of the bean mixture and repeat the steps. The top layer will be ench sauce and cheese. Try to keep the tops pretty wet so the edges of the tortillas don't crisp. Cover the casserole and put it in the oven (350) for about 3o minutes. The last five minutes you might want to take the foil off to get the cheese all bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before cutting like lasagna.
I serve it with sour cream and tortilla chips (and Tastefully Simple Fiesta Party Dip).
In attempts to make it a bit healthier, I have used low fat cheese, ground turkey and whole grain torts, and it still tastes pretty good. But lets face it...it is going to taste better with the good stuff.
Let me know if you try it out!
You need:
1 lb ground beef 1 lg can of enchilada sauce
1 or 2 small cans of green chilis 2 cups of shredded cheddar
1 can of refried beans 8-10 tortillas
First cook the ground beef in a skillet. Drain grease. Stir in about 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce. Let it simmer for a mere minute or so. I put a very small amount of ench sauce in the rectangular casserole dish. Then place two tortillas on the bottom of the dish. Place half of the beef mixture on top of the tortillas and sprinkle about 1/2 cup of cheese on top. On top of that place two more tortillas and spread the beans on top. Ladle about 1/2 cup of ench sauce on top and spread some of the green chilis on top of that. Sprinkle more cheese on top of that (the idea is to have some cheese left over for the top). Place 2 more tortillas on top of the bean mixture and repeat the steps. The top layer will be ench sauce and cheese. Try to keep the tops pretty wet so the edges of the tortillas don't crisp. Cover the casserole and put it in the oven (350) for about 3o minutes. The last five minutes you might want to take the foil off to get the cheese all bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before cutting like lasagna.
I serve it with sour cream and tortilla chips (and Tastefully Simple Fiesta Party Dip).
In attempts to make it a bit healthier, I have used low fat cheese, ground turkey and whole grain torts, and it still tastes pretty good. But lets face it...it is going to taste better with the good stuff.
Let me know if you try it out!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Please help me
After this round of conferences, I have made some mental notes about what to make sure I do (and do not do) at a parent teacher conference.
1. I won't sit back during the conference and tell my daughter, "Go ahead, I said I was going to stay quiet tonight."
2. I won't reply passive-aggressively to try to make a point to the teachers in the room.
3. I will be supportive of the teacher. If I disagree with something, I will have a private conversation to better understand the situation and work toward an agreement. I will not discuss my anger, annoyance or disapproval of the teacher to my child.
4. If my child says to the teachers, "You guys just sometimes annoy me," I won't just sit there and let my child think it is ok to talk to someone that way.
There are so many more, but I am spent!
Please, God, while I know I can make mistakes as a parent, help me do my best to help my child be successful in school rather than allow her to make excuses for behavior that is less than what it should be.
1. I won't sit back during the conference and tell my daughter, "Go ahead, I said I was going to stay quiet tonight."
2. I won't reply passive-aggressively to try to make a point to the teachers in the room.
3. I will be supportive of the teacher. If I disagree with something, I will have a private conversation to better understand the situation and work toward an agreement. I will not discuss my anger, annoyance or disapproval of the teacher to my child.
4. If my child says to the teachers, "You guys just sometimes annoy me," I won't just sit there and let my child think it is ok to talk to someone that way.
There are so many more, but I am spent!
Please, God, while I know I can make mistakes as a parent, help me do my best to help my child be successful in school rather than allow her to make excuses for behavior that is less than what it should be.
It's Swappin' Time
Anyone here interested in a swap??
Mamarazzi has got one going on and from what I hear it is a fun one!
All interested hit her blog and follow the directions. I am STOKED about it!
Just click on the link below and get to it!!!
Mamarazzi has got one going on and from what I hear it is a fun one!
All interested hit her blog and follow the directions. I am STOKED about it!
Just click on the link below and get to it!!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
when does it go away?
My daughter has found a passion...horses! She loves them. I told someone who was trying to think of something to get Claire for Christmas that if she drew a picture of a horse and gave it to Claire, she would think it was the greatest thing. Today when we were driving home from school, we drove by the backyard that has two bouncy hobby horses. Excitedly Claire shouted, "Horses!" as she does each time we drive by.
When does it happen that those little things in life stop bringing us such excitement and joy? I can find joy in simple things pretty easily. Show me a sweet sleeping baby and I am a goner. But real excitement? Finding excitement in the simple things does not come as easily.
Except tonight....when I got home I saw a package on my porch. The jewelry I ordered when I "hosted" a Lia Sophia party had finally arrived! Claire and I were ecstatic! We were kids in a candy store looking through all of the jewelry. Claire was excited because she got her first real ring. But, the real excitement was there for this thirty-seven year old. Here is to finding excitement and pure joy in the little things.
When does it happen that those little things in life stop bringing us such excitement and joy? I can find joy in simple things pretty easily. Show me a sweet sleeping baby and I am a goner. But real excitement? Finding excitement in the simple things does not come as easily.
Except tonight....when I got home I saw a package on my porch. The jewelry I ordered when I "hosted" a Lia Sophia party had finally arrived! Claire and I were ecstatic! We were kids in a candy store looking through all of the jewelry. Claire was excited because she got her first real ring. But, the real excitement was there for this thirty-seven year old. Here is to finding excitement and pure joy in the little things.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Where have all the flowers gone?
The flowers being a metaphor for sunshine, positivity and optimism.
I don't know what has happened, but something has changed. I used to be a pretty positive person. Not much really got me down. I could find the silver lining in most situations and even if something did get me down, it was short-lived. My husband thinks he knows the answer...I have spent too much time with him.
These days I feel like I am constantly complaining. If something could go wrong, I find it. Even if I wake up saying that today will be better, once I get to work I feel the heavy, overwhelming load of my job.
Now I don't feel this way during the weekend while I am at home. Perhaps it is job related. But, as a teacher, I can't be grumpy all the time. It is not good for me, or the students...who wants a grumpy teacher??
I am working on finding the joy in the little things. Perhaps I will jot something great (let's start with good) that happens at school each night (or reserving the end of the day at school for celebrating something positive with my students). In any event, something must change!
I will keep you updated on my positivity practice:-)
I don't know what has happened, but something has changed. I used to be a pretty positive person. Not much really got me down. I could find the silver lining in most situations and even if something did get me down, it was short-lived. My husband thinks he knows the answer...I have spent too much time with him.
These days I feel like I am constantly complaining. If something could go wrong, I find it. Even if I wake up saying that today will be better, once I get to work I feel the heavy, overwhelming load of my job.
Now I don't feel this way during the weekend while I am at home. Perhaps it is job related. But, as a teacher, I can't be grumpy all the time. It is not good for me, or the students...who wants a grumpy teacher??
I am working on finding the joy in the little things. Perhaps I will jot something great (let's start with good) that happens at school each night (or reserving the end of the day at school for celebrating something positive with my students). In any event, something must change!
I will keep you updated on my positivity practice:-)
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