The Epidemic

WRITE. Every day in March write a slice of life story on your own blog.

SHARE. Link your post in the comments  at TWT.

GIVE. Comment on at least three other slice of life stories/blogs

      Something's in the air. And it's not good.  I had two students go home today with the stomach bug.  Not too unusual because we know how quickly germs can spread especially in a classroom or school.  One of us at our household has been hit and the dreadful waiting and wondering if the rest of us will.  I am hearing from colleagues that their classrooms have had low numbers because of various illnesses going around. I guess we have to chalk it up to "it's that time of year".         

      What I do find more puzzling is the concussion epidemic, so it seems.  I had a student out for a couple weeks during football  season (4 of his teammates also received concussions) and in the last week I have had two diagnosed with concussions.  One hit his head during basketball, the other while sledding.  I don't remember hearing about concussions when I was growing up playing sports or participating in active games.  Why? Are sports that much more competitive and hard core or were we unaware or ignore signs of a concussion.  No matter the reason, we need to take this injury seriously.  We can't rush our kids back to school and especially not to sports.  Their brains are precious gifts that need tender loving care so they can use them to think, wonder and be the future of our world.

Needed: Cat Whisperer

WRITE. Every day in March write a slice of life story on your own blog.

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GIVE. Comment on at least three other slice of life stories/blogs

I have heard of a horse whisperer, a dog whisperer and even a book whisperer. I am in need of a cat whisper. I desperately need one. I have two cats who do not get along and cause a ruckus in our home. I am at my whits end.  Please advise if you have words of wisdom in how we can work with our cats. They are continuously...

• Scratching doors to go outside
• Scratching doors to get indoors
• Ripping screens (We can not open windows for fresh air because of bugs)
• Pouncing on us while sleeping
• Fighting with each other
• Cuddling and then turning on us and scratching
• Grabbing and biting our legs as we go up or downstairs
• Jumping on kitchen counters

and the list goes on...but I really want it to STOP!

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.  

* 

• Pink and white tulips welcoming me home after a long week at school.
• A long overdue get together with a dear friend.
• After school drinks with colleagues and friends.
• A warm crackling fire to warm us from a bitter cold winter day.
• Reading Stuart Little as a family.
• A stay at home Saturday to watch the start of the Iditarod.
• Words with Friends.  I love words and games.  A perfect combination.

Use the Pan

WRITE. Every day in March write a slice of life story on your own blog.
SHARE. Link your post in the comments  at TWT.
GIVE. Comment on at least three other slice of life stories/blogs

     I cannot emphasis enough the importance of using the pan.  Last night my daughter told me her tummy was not feeling well. She put on her jammies and went to bed with "the pan" in hand without complaint. Unusual for my daughter to head to bed without a fight, I knew her complaints were legit. A half hour later my son is yelling down the stairs, "Mom, Helena is puking!" And puking she was, all over herself and her bed. There sitting on the floor was a perfectly clean, spotless pan, "the pan". The pan that is designated just for this purpose.  Don't get me wrong, I was feeling awful for my daughter, vomiting is one of the WORST! But, if she had just reached slightly over and grabbed the pan I would not have had to encounter the laundering of the sick covered bedding.  GAG! This is the second worst thing. After disposing of the heavily soaked and coated items, I took to the laundry room.  Bedding, clothing and last of the detergent filled the washer.

     This morning when planning to transfer  the clothes to the drier, I found the laundry sitting in disgustingly dark, dirty, and smelly water. PERFECT. Now is not the time for my washer to fail me. I have sick covered and contaminated clothing to clean, but it will not drain. Service can come Tuesday. Tuesday? But, it's only Saturday. So, I trudged down to the basement, plunged my hands into the ice cold water, removed, wrung and discarded the soiled laundry.   Thankfully, when I went racing to my daughter's side when I heard coughing this morning, in her hands she was grasping, "The Pan"!  Good job, Helena!  Later, when she's better, we'll go shopping and pick out new sheets. and a blanket.

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.  

* 

 

 

~ Seeing a former "struggling" student happy and successful.

 

~ My dad coming to my son's football game.

 

~ A long weekend. A great way to ease into the new school year.

 

~ Dinner out, no cooking.

 

~ A fun first week of school.  We are already connecting as a classroom community.

 

~ Reading to my children while they were eating breakfast.

 

~ A new administrator who is current and believes teaching is like creating jazz.

 

~ A new set up in my classroom with rugs and tables. It is inviting, calm, and created to build communication and collaboration.

 

~ Both of my children VERY happy with their first days of school, feeling as if it sis "going to be a great year."



{this moment}

A Friday ritual Inspired by SouleMama

 

A single photo (or two) – no words – capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Car Crisis #2

 

Sitting off the side of highway 9 on a patch of itchy burnt grass, my son says smiling, "This is exciting mom; breaking down, no brakes." He was not sitting in the driver's seat when the car just completely turned off.  No power steering or brakes. Thankfully I was able to slow down enough in the breakdown lane to pull into an abandoned parking lot and pull the emergency brake.  Ah, breathe, in out in out. We were safe. 

 

Now, think.  

We need a tow truck. 

Damn, I don't have AAA. 

Luckily I do have a dependable friend who I can trust and fall back onto when such a crisis arises. 

 

Sitting beside our car a dragonfly landed on my arm..."good luck" my kids yell. Really? How is the situation we are in at the moment lucky, I wonder, and realize we are very fortunate.  First, we had just gotten off interstate 495 onto a small highway.  We were in a parking lot, not the side of the road, we broke down in the town we live in, only 5 minutes from home, and Reggie has Triple AAA.

 

Waiting for the service truck to arrive another lucky creature landed on me, a lady bug. Reggie then arrived, assuring us the tow truck was coming shortly and then took my kids to pick up some lunch so we could have a road side picnic.  As always, I was prepared with a book emergency. I took out my book and read a few chapters to de-stress.  Yes, we were lucky today!

 

I'm not so sure how lucky I will feel when I am without a car, but living in the moment I felt very fortunate and thankful.   

 

Join slicers at Two Writing Teachers

every Tuesday for the Slice of Life Challenge ...

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.  

* 

 

This week I am grateful for:

 

*Reading side by side on the couch with my son.

 

*A clear blue sky.

 

*Meeting with my co-teacher to plan and discuss our classroom.

 

*Watching the cousins play and laugh together.

 

* Having patience with my daughter.

 

* Back to school shopping (a new wardrobe for myself).

 

* Two days being kid free...thanks to my brother-in-law who brought the kids camping.

 

* Healthy hair...cut and colored.

 

* Watching my son play in his first football game.

 

* Riding and splashing on Bumper Boats.

 

* Did I say reading? :)

 

 

I'm Stuck

Join slicers at Two Writing Teachers

every Tuesday for the Slice of Life Challenge ...

 

 

I'm stuck like a kitten in a tree, glue to paper and a 5th grade student who can't think of a thing to write about.  I go through phases when words just come and I can put pencil to paper, other times I just don't feel inspired.  I don't feel I have anything worthy to write. I am stuck.

 

Right now life is like groundhog day, basically the same routine over and over.  Don't get me wrong there are times I crave routine.  I know what to expect and can carry on with my day with no unexpected surprises thrown at me to make life complicated. 

 

For the last two weeks of summer my days start with bringing the kids to camp.  This gives me a block of time to meet with my co-teacher and plan for the new school year.  I have a chance to do some school shopping and then run errands.  When the clan is done with camp it's lunch, cello practice and hanging out until it's time to prepare an early dinner.  Then it's out the door to football practice.  

 

No complaints, but just not a lot of variety or life lessons to share at the moment.   See you next week, hopefully with a slice worth writing about.

 

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 friends who I share conversations and laughter.
 

~ The smell of freshly cut grass.

~ Walking around the neighborhood.

~ The smile on my son's face as he clears the football field and says, "That was far the best night."

~ The sound of pouring rain through the open windows.

~My 10yo asking me to cuddle at bedtime.

~ My 6yo falling asleep on me, and listening to her sweet snoring.

 

~ A clean house!

 

~ Louie Schwartzberg for creating this video to remind us that every day is precious. We have to take the time to notice.

 

 

 

{this moment}

 A Friday ritual Inspired by SouleMama

 

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...

 

 

Gotcha

Six years ago
I travelled
to your birth place
a country of
beauty and warmth.

Today we celebrate
your Gotcha Day
the day you were put
into my outstretched arms
waiting to hold you,
hug you,
love you!

Your deep brown eyes
search me
Your small hands
wander my face and
pull my hair
your smile
shines and
melts my heart.

Today
you became
part of
our family...
waiting patiently for you
to be complete us.
You fill the void
with your
intelligence,
your humor
and your laughter.

I am lucky
thankful
and blessed
for
you are my girl!

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: 

 

~ Books.  Reading relaxes me, entertains me.  I connect with characters and am never "bored".

 

~ Me time. 

 

~A quiet house.

 

~ Watching my children get along and play so well together.

 

~ Sitting on the town common.  Beautiful green grass, and flowers.  They did a great job designing a welcoming and relaxing place for people to meet and eat. A wonderful place for town activities.

 

~ Our new Sport Brella. It protects us from the rain and wind while watching my son practice football.

 

~ Meeting for coffee with a friend and colleague.  It's always nice to catch up.

 

~Homemade Blueberry Bread made with freshly picked blueberries.  Delicious!

 

~ Locally grown corn on the cob.  Fresh and sweet.  YUM! 

 

 

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 Football Family

Join slicers at Two Writing Teachers

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.