Sunday, February 24, 2013

Sunday Salon


This is where I've sat all afternoon and evening...working on lesson plans and data.
I think my brain even forgot it was time to update the Sunday Salon.
So....better late than never.

Listening -- To the Oscars! What a blast! I love movies and now I'm craving popcorn. 

Eating -- Granola, Honey Greek Yogurt and too much bread. My weakness.

Loving -- Our wacky weather! From snow all across the valley, to a new weather word - - graupel!

grau·pel

 noun \ˈgra-pəl\

Definition of GRAUPEL

: granular snow pellets —called also soft hail

Origin of GRAUPEL

German
First Known Use: 1889

Reading-- The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama, On A Blue Day by Daniel Tammet



Feeling -- 1. Grateful for weekends. I love them. 2. Excited about some upcoming job interviews for my better half!! Keeping my thoughts positive and my prayers going!

Thinking -- I wish I was an organized person. My classroom needs a revamp, my cupboards at home need a revamp. If someone would come and do it I will live with however you do it. I am just missing that piece of my brain! I will maintain it and keep it tidy if you just do the work! Any takers?!?!?

Wanting -- A haircut and color...a pedicure...a spa day. Mmmm. Keep wanting. 

This Week -- Meetings and teaching, I'm cook for the week, #3 Son's birthday all the way out in Biloxi, Mississippi, and nothing else. I am so excited that I can come home and nest each and every night and not have to go anywhere. I just may get all of my grades done :)

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Life at Warp Speed! Saturday Snapshot


Tinsley and her mama!

It seems like only yesterday that this little mama in purple was my little baby!! My little baby was wearing this same set of feetie-pajamas,
laying on this same blanket  and I was kissing on her little fingers!!
Life has moved at Warp Speed!!

Linking to At Home With Books for this Saturday Snapshot!!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Perfectly Presidential Monday


As decreed by some President...somewhere...this was a perfectly Presidential (and beautiful) Monday!

Ok...except I had to get my eyes dialated
AND...
I couldn't read
AND...
I got a migraine.
BUT....
I don't have any icky eye problems and my eyes are actually getting better with age
AND...
because I couldn't read I didn't have to sit at the computer and do lesson plans
AND....
because of Excedrin, my migraine was not a doozy and only lasted 3 hours
SO....
now I will eat some medicinal Cheetos and go lose myself 
in a book!
It's a great day.



Happy Monday!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Sunday Salon - Yeah for President's Day!!



Yeah for President's Day ... 
and the chance to breathe, relax and enjoy the blessings of the United States of America!!

Listening -- To Pandora. It's soft, quiet and a gentle rhythm for my Sunday afternoon. My son gave me a Pandora subscription again this year and I love it! I play a special station in my classroom, another after the students are gone and yet another on Sunday! I love it. Thanks, Q! 

Eating -- It was Jennie's week to cook and she treated me like a queen. I especially loved the little filet mignons that we had for Valentine's Day. Certainly cheaper than any restaurant AND we didn't have to face the crowds. (One of my students gave me a lovely cake that was the perfect dessert that night as well. Thank you mucho!) I've also recently discovered a Honey Greek Yogurt that is out of this world. Rich and I both love it. It has been great for lunch this week. Yummers!

Loving -- Family! My niece came home from living in the Dominican Republic for 20 months. It feels great to welcome her back and feel like our family is back together. She's a big part of our lives and to say that we missed her is an understatement. Yeah for family!

Reading-- Last Writes by Sheila Lowe. 



I am also ready to read The Marriage Bureau for Rich People for Book Group and a little Lisa Scottoline just for fun!! I finally visited the library yesterday for the first time in weeks. I knew something was missing!!

Feeling -- Sunday-afternoon-satisfied. I love the calm of knowing that I don't have to go to work tomorrow.


Thinking -- How fortunate we are to have J&K and baby Tinsley living with us right now. It is the perfect arrangement at the perfect time. We are so blessed!!!!! Now if I could only perfect that Mary Poppins way of housecleaning where everything flies into perfect order I would be totally content.  

Wanting -- "More time to just sit, think, ponder, read, listen and be still. Some times on Sunday night I feel that I 'pay' for enjoying my Saturday." This was last week's quote. I think I really got just what I wanted today. So I guess I don't need much else - - oh, yeah... A job for Rich. Just puttin' it out there.

This Week -- Eye Appointment, Dinner with my in-laws (I adore them! I love these bi-weekly dinners. It's such a treat to be with them.) Planning, Tutoring, Meetings for work, Literacy Night at school (It's supposed to RAIN. A LOT. - our 'Reading Under the Stars' may have a little twist or two!)We also have a party to attend this weekend as well. There's so much to look forward to.

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

Just Noting...So many bloggers that I adore and follow are leaving blogging and boy will I miss their humor, insight and comments. I am not a 'regular' blogger but I love posting when I do, reading other blogs and getting fresh ideas and opinions from so many of you. Thank you for your friendship. I just know if we lived nearby we would be a raucous bunch! Thanks for being at the other end of this Internet-tether. 




Sunday, February 10, 2013

Sunday Salon...Gem Show Style

Gem Show Style....
Is that like Gangnam style??


Drawing by 'Andy' in my class....



Listening -- Episodes of Castle on the DVR are playing in the background. Rich is enjoying catching up on a few shows since he's still footloose and fancy free tonight. 

Eating -- This weekend it has been yummy-central! Out for breakfast, a picnic lunch and Zona 78 pizza (A Tucson-specialty!) Wow, it was worth watching what I ate all week to enjoy the weekend fun.

Loving -- My pretties from the Gem Show!! It was a blast to shop up and down every row for hours. J&K and baby Tinsley joined us. There was a bargain around every corner.


I bet you want some too.....it was a blast!! There are literally paper plates covered with precious gems just out for you to run your fingers through. You almost become overwhelmed and jaded to the amount of $$$$ around you. (You aren't really supposed to take photos there but these came off our instagram hashtags!)

Reading-- Last Writes by Sheila Lowe, Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer, Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors. Book Group is this week!! I have got to read faster. I am also re-reading Teach Like a Champion for the Book Study I am leading this week. BUSY! I wish I could read two books literally at the same time!

Feeling -- So stoked about teaching the new math methods I learned last week. It is exciting and empowering. I wish they had taught me math this way. I might not have had the math-phobia I did for so many years.

Thinking -- I can't WAIT for the Tucson Festival of the Book! My son is letting us stay at his apartment for the weekend and I intend to soak it all up!! (He will be at Disneyland for the weekend so partying will continue for both of us!) We've already scheduled lunch dates, dinner dates and patio breakfast time with my mom.Just thinking.... 

Wanting -- More time to just sit, think, ponder, read, listen and be still. Some times on Sunday night I feel that I 'pay' for enjoying my Saturday.  

This Week -- Book Group, Book Study (that I am leading for the staff), Tutoring, Valentine's Day frivolity and more....

YUM!!!!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Sunday Salon - Super Bowl Style


Sunday Salon - Super Bowl Style!!

 Yep, many of you will curl up with your good book and shun the TV and football today. While I, little ol' me, will embrace it and celebrate the day--Super Bowl Sunday! I love that pigskin. Alas, I am pretty much alone in my fetish of the said football around here so I will lay out all of my munchies, chips and dips and sandwiches and cheer by myself --- and love it!! So...until the kickoff arrives I bring you...




Listening: silence. Everyone is gone and I am amazed at how quiet the house is. 



Eating:  On the menu....guacamole and salsa, nachos, spinach dip bread bowl, chips and french onion dip, shrimp cocktail (for my husband when he passes through to watch snippets of the game to support me and because he loves me!) sub sandwiches and lots of fruit! What the heck, I may whip up some cookies and haul out the chocolates - - depending on who's winning! A girl can only eat so much. (Seriously, J&K may join me once they return from K's weekly family dinner...they're supportive like that!)

Loving:   Having roommates! J&K are so easy to live with. And who wouldn't want to see this little bug everyday?!?! Little Tinsley is adorable!!


Reading: Same as last week....May B by Caroline Starr Rose (middle grade), Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer (for Book Group) and Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors (for Book Group 2)...

Feeling: A bit worried. Shake it off....Trust! I know.

Thinking: About the memories of watching football with my dad. It was time I spent just wanting to sit with him. It was 'our' time. He taught me all about the game and it meant so much to me to have that in common with him. My dad received a football scholarship to play at the University of Texas and was the first person in his family to ever go to college. One of his best friends, growing up in his little tiny town ( we called him Uncle Don,) played college ball too and was always at our house when I was tiny. Uncle Don went on to play quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and I have fond memories of the players coming to parties at our home and seeing them all around town. My favorite Christmas was the one where there wasn't a present under the tree for me....imagine my surprise when the doorbell rang and it was my 'uncle' who brought over my very own football, signed by all the Cowboys players!! He took me down the street to teach me how to "really" throw and play that very morning!! I was the envy of EVERY boy (and girl!) Gosh I love thinking back about that!

Wanting:  A good diagnosis for my grand-kiddo!! Please! Please!
                
This Week: Rich and I are giving a presentation this Tuesday that is kind of a big deal. We are both so relaxed about it and that can be a dangerous thing! :) I have a big professional development week ahead for work too. I love l that, but it does mean I have a few days of sub plans to come up with. I don't like that so much. Finally on Saturday we are heading to Tucson and the Gem Show. Wahoo!