10

Yesterday I had a snow day. If I were a kid I would have started to jump up and down, made a big breakfast and spent the day outside and lounging about the house. As an adult, I still had to go to work, but it was a very productive day.

The even bigger news--I finished my tenth book. Ok..it was a young adult book, but I love young adult books and feel that given I am an educator, I should be reading lots of young adult literature (which I do). This book, Penny From Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm, made me laugh and it made me cry. The book is set in the 1950's, when pools were feared to cause polio and kids rode where ever they wanted to go. The story is told from Penny's point of a view, a young girl who lives her mother, Me-Me and Pa-Pa. Her father died when she was young, his family, a LARGE and Boisterous Italian family, is still very close to her, though not her mother or her mothers family. The story chronicles the food, fun and adventures of Penny as she tries to understand why the two sides of her family do not get along and why no one will discuss her father's death (all the while, dealing with the issues of being a 12 year old girl---bad perms, boys, etc.). This is a great read for any middle school student. Not only is it entertaining, it brings the reader back to a time in this countries history when not all "Americans" were treated as Americans (I am sure there could be many connections to the current world).

Enjoy the day!

Friday

Thankfully---it is Friday. Though this was a short week, it was packed. I had night meetings, early mornings and enough stress to put my already soar back into a tizzy. I am not trying to complain...I do love my job and understand that I took this job knowing that there would be times when it put me over the edge. I am just thankful for a weekend. The husband and I are going away...we will get to spend sometime alone and then will have a great dinner with family and friends. I definetly need 2 days (will....I could use more, but I will take what I can get) to not worry about or think about work.

Enjoy this Friday!

10:30

10:30 is to late for me to go to sleep, especially if I am going to wake up before 5. I wish that I were one of those people who could function only a few hours of sleep, but alas, I require 8 hours--I can make do with 7, however beyond that I am probably going to be a cranky, useless member of society.

Tonight...I will be in be by 8.
Enjoy the day!

New Moon at 5:08

Well..it is 5:08 and I am up. I have already made my coffee, emptied the dish washer and am now working on my daily goal of making sure I write!

I finished my 6th book---New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. I read the first book in the Series, Twilight because all of my students were reading it. As an educator I felt I had to read the book if all of my students were. I assumed I would not like the book...a "vampire story" did not sound like my cup of tea. However...I loved the book. It was a very quick read that captured my attention. Additionally, it is a love story, I always adore love stories! Well...again, I typically do not like to read to many books in a row by the same author, but again, my students continue to read the series, so I figure I need to at least attempt to read all four books. New Moon is second in the series. It was a bit slow at first, but I found the second half to be just as exciting, engaging and love story filled as the first book---I am glad I read it, I enjoyed it greatly and am glad I can speak with my students about the book.

And now...I need to finish checking my email before my morning walk. I can not wait for it to be light out in the morning!
Enjoy the day!

Big Day

Today is inaguration day. I am not sure I have ever really payed attention to this day--in fact I know I have given it little thought typically, I have simply recognized that it is the beginning of a new presidential era. However, today, I feel excited, I feel emotional, and I feel thankful.

Enjoy this big day!

Long Weekend

I had today off (MLK day) and a wonderful weekend as well. Saturday I did have to go to work for a bit, however the fact that I did not have to get dressed up or wake up prior to 6 am made it seem ok. After work, the husband and I went crib shopping and out to a wonderful dinner at our favorite local spot. Getting the crib felt good...it was exciting and made the impending birth our child seem that much more real.

Sunday was spent as usual, food shopping, errand running and spending time doing nothing much. It always feels good to get settled for the week ahead.

And today...well today was a gift. I was able to wash some baby clothes, read, clean, cook a nice meal, and do some "odds and ends" that I have been procrastinating.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend that is soon to be followed by a short (though very, very busy) week.
Enjoy the day!

TGIF

I am thankful that it is Friday. Though I do adore my job, yesterday was one of those days when I just wanted to lay my head on my desk and cry...unfortunetely that was not one of my options. It just seemed as though there was a constant stream of "stuff"--some serious, some not so serious that never stopped. As stated before, I do love my job immensely but there are some moments I question what in the world I am doing. I can only wonder how much more difficult this will be once a baby is in the mix---hopefully coming home to a little bundle of joy each day will wash away the stress of the day.

Tonight, I cannot wait to come home, get into my pj's early and spend time on the couch with my husband. After yet another 14+ hour day...he and I are due for a long weekend together.

Enjoy the day!

Better

I feel better today...and I did yesterday as well. Still tired, though I am blaming that on the fact that I have been working 14+ hour days recently. I am sure that the fact that I am 7 month pregnant is also taking up some of my energy, however I must admit that I really feel great as far as the pregnancy goes and realize that I am blessed.

Today promises to be cold...a high of 5 is definitely bone chilling. It also promises to be a long day---another 14 hours ahead of me, possibly longer. It is a good thing I love my job, I am sure this would be much more challenging (and frustrating) if I did not.
Enjoy the day!

Cranky

Last night I got home late. I had a long day that started at 5 am and did not end until 9 pm. I know I should not complain, and I didn't, however I was very cranky. I know I am very fortunate, but when I got home last evening I was stressed, cranky and ready for bed. Unfortunetly my husband bore the brunt of my crankyness---I should not have done that, but I guess everyone is allowed to have a bad night.

Alas, it is -6 outside, I will certainly be bundled up today!!!

Topics...anyone?

My new goal is to find a blog with topics--or questions that I can respond to. If anyone has any of interest that I might enjoy---let me know. I think it might be helpful and get me thinking about topics/ideas I may not otherwise "muse" over.

I did finish my fifth book in my race to read 100. And as the future mother of a boy, the book Guys Write For Guys Read was insightful. It is a collection of short stories, comic books, etc. written by popular male authors (Steven King, Gary Paulson, Walter Dean Meyers...). I really enjoyed the book because it talked about the stereotypical "guy" while acknowledging the fact that guys have different interests, abilities...there is no typical, and it was nice to read a book that really put that out there. I am not sure my son will be a reader, I certainly hope he is, but this book also recognized that males often have different reading interests--they like the sports page, and magazines, non-fiction and genres that are not always seen as "literature". I am a bit believe that reading is reading, what every my son is interested in, and whatever texts he wants to read, I hope to be encouraging and supportive. One thing Guys Write For Guys Read conveyed is the importance of "guys" having the freedom to be who they are.

Productive

Thus far my morning has been very productive...and I am proud. It is only Monday, but it is always good to start the week off well. I got up, dealt with the dishwasher and finishing up our lunches, made chili and am now hitting my "New Years Resolution" of writing. It always feels good to get things done prior to work, rather than after when I am exhausted and simply want to rest and cuddle with my husband.
Enjoy the day!

Reader of Blogs

I read lots of blogs. I find is to interesting to see how other women are dealing with life, job, love and most recently being a mommy. I however, am not sure that I am ready to devuldge information about myself and what I am feeling on the internet. I am pretty personal about my life--I dont like to complain and I dont necessarily like to let others know what I am feeling (unless of course I am married to them---that only leaves one wonderful man). I am always interested in the candor with others are able to blog, it makes relating to them that much easier, it also comforts me that yes---I am not the only other person in the world struggling with issues grand issues. However, I am still not ready to open myself up...and honestly I think that is ok. At this stage, I am simply just glad that I am writing at all, it keeps my mind flowing and gives me something to do that involves sitting and quasi-relaxing, two things I am terrible at and realize I need to improve on (especially before baby arrives--YAY).

As a side note, I have started my fifth book my race to read 100 books. I am officially almost 5% done, it must be the mathametician in me...or the compulsive side of me that likes order, but I always feel better when things are put into percentages. Odd..I know.

Well, though it is only 6:30 (AM not PM) I am off to clean the kitchen. I can not sleep (too much of morning person), I might as well start ticking away at my to-do list (just another one of my compulsive tendencies).
Enjoy the day!

New Years Resolutions

I can not say that my New Years resolutions have gone perfectly. I have tried to not to complain and to be thankful everyday...but it does not feel like I am doing a great job. My reading is going well...I have now finished my forth book, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I initially began to read it because all of my students were reading...and than, I began to read it because I was really enjoying it. Twilight is a romantic love story, and I am sap for a good love story. I recommend reading the book, especially if you have any contact with adolescent girls. I figure if I want to hit my 100 book goal, I need to stick to 2 books a week (maybe more now, since I know this will be very difficult once baby arrives---so excited for baby!!).

Off to go for a walk in the snow...
Enjoy the day!

Cold and sleepy

The snow continues to fall in Central New York. It is cold and I am looking forward to the weekend. Not complaining but I could certainly use a morning of leisure, I can not wait to lounge around for a few hours on Saturday---spend some time with the husband, and not think about getting dressed before 7am.

Though it is cold out I am off to brave a walk, I am a true believer in being outside, it clears my mind and make me feel as though I have accomplished something (even if it is only a short walk).
Enjoy the day!

Sleepy

I woke up very tired. In fact...I decided not to go for a walk this morning, rather I decided to spend the morning getting organized and ready for the day. I had meant to wake up earlier, and did not, however I am tired of running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I skipped the walk in favor of some bill paying and blogging (yes...my New Years Resolution).

I am looking forward to the day, I plan on coming home, going for a quick walk and then making a lovely dinner. Last night I had a bagel and cheese sandwich, the husband had Chinese. Tonight...I cook!

Well...time to start the day.

Thankful...but tired

I woke up this morning and made a mental list of all the things I am thankful for. This certainly made getting out of bed at 4:45am much easier. Baby was kicking up a storm and I was a bit anxious about my "first day back" (with students in the building)--I was not sleeping well regardless.

It is a Monday and I have a long day ahead of me....I am sure I will crash tonight.

Friends

Last night was spent with good friends, eating pizza, great appetizers, desserts and drinks. It was fabulous. It has been a few weeks since we had a get together and I was craving the time. It is just so nice to sit around and talk with people for whom you have known forever and who will listen to you, laugh with you, support you and tell you when you are just flat out wrong. I truly feel sorry for anyone that does not have a support network of friends.

Both my husband and I have wonderful families, however they are not in the area...so our friends are in some ways are our families away from home. I am thankful for my friends.

Un-Christmas

Today was un-Christmas. We took down the tree and all the decorations. As sad as it is that the holidays are over, I am simply thankful that we had such a great Christmas and New Years....lots of time with family and loved ones, which is what it is all about. Truth be told, now that the holiday's are over, it is nice to have the house back in order...I am definitely anal about house cleaning and "tidy-ness" I am sure this is something I will have to flex with once baby arrives!

It is snowy, cold and sunny out....a perfect winter day!

Thing 1 and Thing 2

I finished my second book in my quest to read 100 books. Yes, I know I tuned out to the world a bit today, but it was lovely and I enjoyed the books greatly. Book number two is The Mother Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick. It is about a group of sixth grade girls and their mothers who...as the title states, start a book club. The clubs first read is Little Women, it takes the club a year to read and along the way friendships are made, friendships are broken and a the reader is taken into the drama filled---yet accurately portrayed---world of a sixth grade girl. I loved it. No...it was not a classic, but it was fun and made me laugh and cry....a beach read for winter days!

Pride and Prejudice.....mostly pride

I finished my first book of 2009 and am very proud of myself. The book, Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice was phenomenal. It did take me a bit to get into it, getting accustomed to the writing and language took some re-reading, however I fell in-love with the characters as I began to get tangled into plot. I found myself rooting for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth and wondering how I myself would have fared in such a patriotic society. I am sure I have seen the movie in the past, but as always, the book was much better than film could ever depict.

Since I finished my first book, I decided to treat myself to a few others at Barnes and Nobles. I got a gift card for Christmas and it certainly went to good use!

All in all, a very good day. Monday starts back to the grind..students and staff will all be returning to my building---the calm has been nice but I crave routine and am looking forward to the predictable (did I just say that) chaos of the job I love.

New Years Resolutions

I am not great at making resolutions---however this year I have tried to make a few that I will stick to with diligence.
1. Complain less. I do not necessarily complain a lot, however I know that except for times when a good "vent" is needed, no one likes to hear complaining.
2. Think of what I am thankful for every morning...what a better way to start the day (and hopefully propel me out of bed when I am feeling like I would rather just stay asleep forever).
3. Read/write more. I am going to try to read for a few minutes before bed (this should be tricky once baby arrives, but again, I shall try) and hopefully this blog will help with my writing.

In all, I had a great New Years, I went out for dinner with my loving husband and friends, was home by 11:00, watched the ball drop and was in bed by 12:05---perfect in my world! The husband and I spent New Years day together...we slept in (something we never do, then went out for lunch and finished our baby registry. I made a nice dinner (lentil soup, supposed to be lucky for the new year)and grilled cheese and was in bed and reading by 9:30.

I am so thankful.