A Football Family

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every Tuesday for the Slice of Life Challenge ...

Your summer changes when your kid decides to join the football team. Summers schedules are dictated by the practice season which starts the first week of August, Monday-Thursday from 6:00-8:00. That means vacation plans are set for July and any August activities or spontaneous adventures are often cut short to be back for practice. Mornings are lazy because your player in training is exhausted and sore and wants to sleep the morning away.  

With that being said, the camaraderie among parents and teammates are encouraging to any first time football family. Parents watch, cheer, and socialize on the sidelines as all teams practice on the same fields and at the same time. Walking towards the fields, anticipating a night of sweating, groaning and cheering there is such a sense of community and belonging among the crowd. Watching the players, I am proud and impressed with their hard work, dedication, and character building gained though the team sport.

The season has just begun. I am learning along with my son, the schedule, the equipment, the players, the coaches, the positions, and I am loving every minute of it!  We are looking forward to a fun and rewarding season. GO RANGERS! 

Gratitude Sunday

Sundays I will be joining Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for. . .

*

Sunday's heartfelt tradition. 

A time to slow down, 

to reflect, to be grateful. 

A list of gratitudes. 

 

* 

I am grateful for: 

* Enjoying the evening with my 6yo on the front porch sipping a Budlight Lime, and munching on cheese and crackers.  "Just the girls."

*Watching a beautiful sunset (see Tuesday's SOLC) while driving back from the Cape.  A great ending to our vacation.

*Finding a new place to eat breakfast, Earthly Delights.  A family owned, all organic breakfast and lunch eatery serving from an old house.  We ate on the front porch. A true "delight". 

*Trustworthy and genuinely kind people...Earthly Delights is an all cash establishment.  Of course I did not have cash.  They invited us to eat and return with payment later.

*My sister who generously allows us to swim in her pool whenever we want, and to stay in her home down on the Cape.

*Watching my 6yo daughter and 84yo father learn/relearn to read together.

*My daughter always asking questions to try to understand our world around us.

*Hiking Mt. Wachusett, and being in the great outdoors with nature. 

*Sleeping with the windows open and feeling the cool air.

*Listening to my son practice and improve on the cello.  Music to my ears.

*Sharing gratitudes as a family.

 

Wordless Wednesday

I am joining bloggers for Wordless Wednesday.  I will share a photo that I have taken that inspires me to think, question, feel or smile.  I hope it does the same for you.

 

...because pictures are worth a thousand words

 

Sunset

Join slicers at Two Writing Teachers

every Tuesday for the Slice of Life Challenge ...

 

Tonight I saw the most beautiful night sky as I was traveling home from a micro-vacation. I was fortunate the roads were clear so I could watch the changing sky without battling traffic.  My words do not capture the beauty or give justice to the sight of a beautiful sunset...


Dusk approaches and

a dome of gray clouds

cover the Earth.

My eye descend toward he horizon

my imagination takes over as I see

White sandbars stretch across the sky

rays of color glimmer

wispy clouds become

pink and blue cotton candy.

and soft yellow feathers of a bird,

Upon the mounds of vanilla ice cream

An orange falling below the horizon

splashing its juice of delicious color as it says

farewell.

Black clouds and blue sky 

bid us goodnight.

A sweet

sensational

sunset 

from our star 

The Sun

Gratitude Sunday

Sundays I will be joining Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for. . .

*

Sunday's heartfelt tradition. 

A time to slow down, 

to reflect, to be grateful. 

A list of gratitudes. 

* 

I am grateful for: 

~ AC to keep cool during the New England heat wave.

~ another heat wave savior is a pool to keep us refreshed and stave off the humidity.

~ a thunderstorm relieving us from the oppressive humidity.

~ feeling the summer breeze and listening to the cicadas while watching my daughter swaying on the porch swing trying to awake in the early morning.

~ taking a mid-day nap to relieve fatigue after a night of insomnia.

~ my parents who celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.

~ watching smiles spread across my childrens' faces as they ran into the ocean waves.

~ talking "shop" and planning for the new school year with my colleague.

~ for deciding to partake in this weekly exercise of reflecting and sharing why I am grateful.

Foto Friday ~ Barn

In learning how to maximize my understanding and correct usage of operating my Nikon D3200 to the best of my ability, I have decided to take it S-L-O-W. Each week I will focus on one or two camera features (depending on the complexity). I will read information and practice using the feature(s) in my picture taking.

 

I love old barns. When driving, if I notice the farm buildings I try to stop and snap a few pictures if I happen to have my camera with me.  The barn I focused on this week is on my sister's property. I especially love the weather vane. I had so much fun one afternoon walking around the barn and taking pictures from varying angles, distances and mode settings on my camera.  .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

I am joining bloggers for Wordless Wednesday.  I will share a photo that I have taken that inspires me to think, question, feel or smile.  I hope it does the same for you.

...because pictures are worth a thousand words

 

 

 

 

A Teacher's Schedule

Join slicers at Two Writing Teachers
every Tuesday for the Slice of Life Challenge ...

A teacher's schedule is a dream in my eyes. 

I love the scheduled days throughout the year.  Working five days towards goals and curriculum expectations. The weekends off are a perfect break for regrouping and family time. The unscheduled time of summer allows for setting our own daily plans. We may choose for a leisurely morning, time with family or professional development in our pjs. I love the opportunity to be spontaneous, to make last minute plans to meet friends or go to the beach for the day.  It also provides time for independent learning, time for professional development of choice and planning for a new year with a new set of students.

The most difficult adjustment within our schedule is working so closely with colleagues throughout the school year to not seeing them on a regular basis or at all during the summer months. We spend so much time together planning curriculum,  to grade level meetings, team meetings to eating lunch together that a break from each other is probably a healthy thing, but, I miss my colleagues.

Tonight I had the pleasure to meet two of my very close colleagues and friends. It was great to see that already the summer sun has given them a healthy glow and a rejuvenation that all teachers need and crave. Laughing and sharing stories over dinner and a cocktail reminded me how lucky I am to have great friends and colleagues and how fortunate I am to love my job, and have the best schedule ever! 

Gratitude Sunday

Sundays I will be joining Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for. . .

 

*

Sunday's heartfelt tradition.
A time to slow down,
to reflect, to be grateful.
A list of gratitudes. 
 

* 

 

I am grateful for: 

~ My kind and generous neighbors.  They are there to watch my children and lend me their car when I am in a bind.

~ My car that is still reliable to drive, so I do not have to make a new purchase.

~ My dentist, who is gentle and kind and has helped me overcome my fear of dentists.  She clearly explains while she is performing dental procedures, comforting me and putting me at ease.  She called to check how I was feeling, if I had questions, and gave me her cell phone number if I needed her over the weekend.

~ Time chatting with colleagues who share a passion for teaching. They motivate, energize, and challenge me to think, learn and improve as a teacher and person.

~ Beginning a "couch to 5K" exercise routine.  I have missed the physical and mental outlet it provides for me. I love to sweat!

~ My bed and pillow.  After spending a few nights in a hotel, I miss the comforts and smells of my own bedding. Home sweet home!

Foto Friday - Getting Back on Track

In learning how to maximize my understanding and correct usage of operating my Nikon D3200 to the best of my ability, I have decided to take it S-L-O-W. Each week I will focus on one or two camera features (depending on the complexity). I will read information and practice using the feature(s) in my picture taking.

If you don't make time it won't happen. 

I love the unscheduled time of summer.  However, unscheduled time means not all things get done or even started.  Since school has been out of session and summer vacation has begun I have not been working on my Passion Project.  I still take my camera where I go and take snapshots, BUT I am not researching, reading, and learning about my camera and then applying those skills to my picture taking. 

Honestly, I don't know if I am willing to put that time aside right now, but if I commit to starting up my Foto Friday blog (which I am) I have a feeling I will begin to make small improvements.  Truly that is my goal anyway, to learn and improve.  Today I am sharing some photos that I took of my parents flower garden.  I played around with distance and lighting.

 

 

 

 

Until next week . . . Smile :) Sonria :)

 



I am trying something new here at Exploring My Passions.  I am joining bloggers for Wordless Wednesday.  I will share a photo that I have taken that inspires me to think, question, feel or smile.  I hope it does the same for you.

...because pictures are worth a thousand words

My Neighbors Rock!

Tuesday Slice of Life Challenge ...

I am excited explore my newest passion, writing,

with slicers from Two Writing Teachers.

This week our family took a mini-vacation to visit Mystic, CT.  We had three fabulously fun filled days. Our first day we spent exploring the sands and waters at Ocean Park Beach. The following two days we ventured to the Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport. 

Getting there was not so simple. I drive a 2004 Subaru Outback. It's getting up there in years and mileage, so before taking the drive I made sure I had the oil changed and checked. At 8:30AM Sunday morning, the car was packed, the kids and neighbor piled in, a quick stop for an ice coffee and we were on our way.  A mile down the road I glanced at my dashboard and an orange light illuminated. I looked again and read Check Engine. Crap! How could this be happening? I wondered. I drove along hoping it would turn off. Knowing better than to ignore the signal I spotted an oil change service, pulled in and asked for help. As I explained my situation smoke started seeping thought the sides of the front hood, NOT a good sign. After inspecting under the hood and below the engine, the gentleman's face appeared at my window, not bearing good news. Our vacation would end before it even started. There was an oil leak in the engine. The car could be driven to a garage, but the leak needed to taken care of immediately or the engine would be shot. 

Surprisingly, we all took this news in stride, I mean what else could we do? During the quick ride back home, we brainstormed what we could do to create a "vacation at home". As we pulled into the driveway my neighbor was exiting his house to pick up his wife and newly born daughter from the hospital. Ethan, who was with us, jumped out and yelled across the lawn, "Daddy I missed you so much, I blew up the engine!" Smiling, his dad asked what happened. After explaining, without hesitation, he quickly offered his car. I declined, feeling uneasy accepting his offer. He wouldn't take no for an answer. He jumped in the car, drove it over to my driveway and showed me how to manage the controls. Within 10 minutes we were packed and once again on our way to Mystic. We were only 1 hour behind schedule (thanks to the boys who figured out this important piece of information). I was so humbled and thankful for having such kind, helpful neighbors. I know I would do the same for them, but I find it hard to be on the receiving end. The fact that our vacation actually did happen, made us all enjoy it all that much more, and we were sure to live in the moment throughout the whole trip! (a conversation started by a 7 & 10 yr. old, and an other post) Thank you, neighbors, for lending us your car and for making our trip possible!

Now, it's trying to figure out what to do with the car. Fix it or ditch it?

 

Poetry On the Beach

                      
The forecast called for 88 degrees, humid and scattered clouds, so we decided to take a micro- adventure to Wingaersheek Beach. The tide was going out, therefore it would be a great day to search for creatures in the tide pools, climb the rocks and walk out to the sandbar. We found a spot on the very narrow strip of sand and then waited for the sun to arrive.  Before I can even venture towards the cold water of the North Shore I must get really hot. I sat comfortably on the soft sand, waiting for the blazing sun to do its work, and took out my journal to write. These two poems were inspired by my surroundings.

 

Here comes the

sun

the sensational

sun

my skin

my soul

soaks up

the shining

sunshine.

Satisfied

and smiling


*************************************

                          

Rats

with wings.

Birds that hover

and stare

with their beady eyes

waiting for the perfect

moment

to snatch

from you

and escape by flight.

Scavengers

bold

a nuisance

 

 

Seagulls

 

*******************************************

You Know You're Old When. . .

Tuesday Slice of Life Challenge ...
I am excited to explore my newest passion, writing,
with slicers from Two Writing Teachers.
 

 

When I was young I took everything in stride. I lived in the moment. As an adult, everything is just that little bit harder.

As a kid I was never bothered by or even notice the heat and humidity. I welcomed it. As long as I had water to run through or jump in, it was all good. Now, the heat slows me down, I lack energy and truly I can be a little irritable. Not the most pleasant mom to be around.

As a teenager, I could sunbathe for hours to get that perfect tan. Now, I seek cover to prevent sun damaged skin.

As a kid, I welcomed the cold temperatures as well. I loved the white flakes that blanketed our winters, and I enjoyed the sports and chores the snow brought with it. Now, I just assume the cold stay away. I dread the scraping, shoveling and chills I can never seem to escape.

As a kid, I could run and play outside all day and never feel tired or winded. Now, I'm tired by doing household chores and by mid-afternoon I could take a nap (and often do if I have the chance).

As a kid, my head would hit the pillow at night and I was out for the night. Now, I fall asleep to awake at 3:00 in the morning with a two hour bout of insomnia.

As a kid, I could eat whatever I wanted and my body knew when it had enough. Now, I can look at an ice cream and the cellulite forms on my thighs, and I just can't control my food intake.

As a kid, summer vacation seemed to be endless. Time would tick slowly and days would last for years. Now, I blink and my kids are 10 and 6 and I have been teaching for 20 years.

As a kid, I had a great memory.  I remembered everything.  Now, I enter a room and sometimes forget why I am there.

As a kid, when I looked into the mirror I smiled and thought I looked great.  Now, I still think I look pretty good for my age, until I put my glasses on.  Then I see my mother looking back at me.  I see the lines and wrinkles forming, I and understand why god made our eyes also begin to deteriorate at age 40.  The good news is, with getting older comes knowledge and wisdom, but it does not change that the aging body and mind are NOT fun.