3.31.11

Our month of success is nearly finished. 


So is my spring break. 


I have to say I'm not dreading the end of it this year. Maybe it's because I just feel so content in the here and now. When you're present, what is there to dread or anticipate? Right now, ironically, I choose to be present. :o)


As for Opening Day and our change of plans, Will and I not only made Rosie Red Floats, but some themed Rice Krispies treats. 

Our treats were pretty tasty, and we'd like to think we helped aid the Reds in an exciting last minute win. 


And for my readers who often love dogs more than humans (and what's not to love?!), Tulip isn't quite on the mend. But she'll get there. 


I don't intend to give up the success theme, but tomorrow starts a fresh intention. I'd like to give a last day shout out to several people. 

• To crafty Laura, way to go with the glue stick and creativity. Colin has an awesome mom, and will have an amazing first birthday. 
• To Chrissy, today is HUGE for you. Again--you.are.amazing. Congratulations on today's milestone and anniversary. You are well on your way. 
• To you, dear blog reader, for making this month the best one yet for this little intention project. You are spreading some incredible love, to me and to each other, and that's ultimately what this is all about.
• To the sweetest little guy I know...as I cleaned up yet more dog mess this afternoon, and you put your little hand on my back, and kissed my cheek, I couldn't be more proud of what an amazing little boy you are. You are definitely my greatest success.

On to April...my intention is...

3.30.11

Tomorrow was going to be a really fun day. 


Will and I and Tulip were going to walk in the Opening Day Parade with the Circle Tail dog rescue group we associate ourselves with. 


And then the weather forecast was cold. 


And then Tulip decided to (sorry: graphic) poop blood.


And now I will be taking her to the vet. 


At least we will be warm? 


Sometimes responsible parenting gets in the way of the good stuff. I would be a fool to let my just-getting-over-a-cold kid spend several hours in the cold, and even more foolish to just continue to let my dog be incredibly ill. 

(But she doesn't look sick!!?!)


So post-vet, we'll go out to lunch (Will and I--the dog should probably avoid food for a bit). And then I'll make him a Rosie Red ice cream float, and we'll watch the game, and it will be absolutely successful and lovely. 


I read an article recently that said although quantity and quality of fruits and veggies are important, it's variety that will really add to your vegetarian diet. (This same article also said that Americans' favorite vegetable is lettuce...really America? It's water. In leaf form.)


So, today, I roasted beets. First time. Ohmygoodnesstheywereamazing. And I'm glad my fingers didn't stay the shade of purple-hot pink they were when I peeled them. 

Add delicious beets (with Sturkey's vinaigrette) to a morning of shopping all by myself, and today was just as lovely and successful as tomorrow will hopefully be. 

3.29.11

As I enjoyed a bowl of strawberry oatmeal this morning, the two dingiest women on TV celebrated Boozeday (Tuesday) by interviewing a woman who wrote a book, Succeed Because of What You've Been Through. 

A few hours later, I had tonight's post waiting in my inbox. Sometimes the Universe hears us all too loudly and clearly.

This is from a beautiful friend. Knowing first hand all that she has been through, I am thrilled that she has chosen to share with all of you. Truly, she is on the path because of where she has been.

Here’s my story (the abridged version) and advice. I hope it helps someone.

Success – a word that has haunted me for years and has changed its form many times.
When I was quite small, success was making it to school on time and with all the rights things on. My mom worked nights, so many days I was left to get up, get out of bed, get dressed and get to school on time. There were days of backwards tights, mismatched ponytails, forgotten lunches and a less than stellar attendance record. It wasn’t all boo hoo--I mean, ironically, as an adult, these things still happen sometimes.
Then, as I got older, success was the ability to avoid being taunted by the kids at school and circumvent – at all costs – any negative attention. I was not very successful here at all and it affected my ability to like the person I saw in the mirror each day. But, I was lucky to have 3 really great friends who were my champions and confidants – like surrogate sisters. They made me feel safe and happy.
When college came around there was this opportunity for a real chrysalis: a change into a new person, or perhaps the person I was actually supposed to be. But my longing for a different kind of success kept getting in the way. College was also a chance to change my life, to get a degree and to make money, to not be the one without anymore. I’m a driven person, so I worked to pay my tuition. I did every activity known to the campus. I was popular (based on my subjective opinion) and I graduated with honors and with a job at graduation – success, right? So I thought. My overzealous goals and behavior left me with limited friendships, missed opportunities to grow, develop and mature, and worst of all, the desperation to have love so much that I settled for what was right in front of me and made myself believe it was wonderful.
I then continued the next several years to try to be successful at work and make money, and I think (again, in my subjective opinion) that I achieved – or am achieving – this goal. But, I didn’t learn from my collegiate mistakes. I did every project; took every trip; sacrificed weeknights, weekends, hobbies. I let my life be absorbed by someone else. Most importantly, I missed a lot. Again. And, I still have the insecurities that make the daily visit to the mirror very difficult.
They say that time brings patience and foresight. It has brought me some of both, but more so it has been the two together which have led me to reflect. 
This brings me to today (and the point of this story). In the past few years I have felt time pass me by – like a person standing still in the busiest street in Tokyo. And, might I assure you, that feeling is one of mild despair. So, I finally decided that in order to find balance, and more importantly, happiness, I needed to do what fulfilled me. But, when I looked, it was hard to know the answer to what exactly that was. In all of this life I had (or hadn’t) lived, I never took the opportunity to know myself. Seems so simple, right? How could you not know yourself? But I didn’t. 
So now I’ve embarked on a journey to know me. It’s no “Eat, Pray, Love” expedition, but it’s what I’m capable of and what is leading me.
I’ve read books, blogs and articles, and I created very open-ended topics that I answered. And, I actually spent time on it--really, really thought about it. Some answers came quickly and others took time. Some had 20 answers, others just 1 or 2, but all lead to 27 pages of me. These pages – filled with answers – have helped me to prioritize, know what is important to me, know what I can stop doing and leave behind in my life, and know what I can plan to do to for me going forward. It is a good step for me in my personal quest to find myself and happiness -- a result which I now understand is true success and the only success that really matters. And, I truly believe that once I start living a happier, fuller life, the person in the mirror will smile back at me.
In case they are of interest to you, these are the open-ended self-discovery topics I used: 
I feel _____, I like _____, I am _____, I want _____, I need _____, I hope for _____, I desire _____, I fear _____, I aspire to _____, I realize _____, I wish _____, I know _____, If I had to do it over I would _____, I feel calmness when _____, I can’t stand _____, I lack _____, I crave _____, I learned _____, I do _____ because I can’t continue _____, I can forgive myself for _____, I can leave behind _____, I can quit _____, I find happiness in _____

3.28.11

I taught a double-header tonight. This means I haven't thought too much about the poor blog. 


One margarita in to my dinner, after 9:00, and I am struggling for a post. 


(Side note: notice the shift in beverages...it used to be all red wine all the time...but with the onset of Spring, we need to partake in "lighter" beverages. I'd like to welcome the Margarita to the blog.)


After all, it's Spring Break. The only thing I was truly successful at today was doing absolutely nothing, and since that was my intention, I suppose it's all good. But there's nothing more to say.


So I started to peruse Facebook and see what people were successful at today. I was going to post some cool status updates. 


And then I stumbled across this gem from Simply Power Yoga, and decided the Facebook successes could wait. 


‎"The most glorious moments in your life are not the so-called days of success, but rather those days when out of dejection and despair you feel rise in you a challenge to life, and the promise of future accomplishments." ~ Gustave Flaubert


I did not feel dejected or in despair today (although I have felt that way on certain days, yes). But maybe today had its not-so-hot moments for you, sweet blog reader. 


So this blog post--that little quote--is a friendly reminder that you've still got it in you. Even when you feel like all cards are stacked against you, if you cracked a smile, took a deep breath, powered on, kept the goal in sight...well, you are well on your way to success. 


Cheers to you.

3.27.11

I intend on spending tomorrow morning doing my favorite things.

No, there won't be a beach, the sound of waves, or even warm weather.

But there will be coffee, in my favorite mug. There will be puzzles, and Will and I will be putting them together. And there will be Matt and Meredith in the background, the sound of the dryer even further so, and squeals and laughs and maybe a bark or two.

Once Will goes down for a nap, I'll click over to my DVR, and catch up on the good stuff.

And it will be the most successful Monday morning I've had in a long time. 

3.26.11

By the numbers, here's what we were successful with today:

• Will woke up at 5:45...a.m.
• Will spiked a 103 degree fever (first in his short little life!)
• Will napped for 3 1/2 hours (due to fever and general malaise I'd assume).
• During 3 1/2 hour nap, mom and dad napped 1 1/2 hours. 
• Mom had to teach 2 classes today, so dad was home all day with sick baby (minus the nap).
• Mom just had two margaritas. Mom is going to bed at 8:00.

Here's hoping that the "wake up" is later and the "spike" is lower for tomorrow.

P.S. Despite the absolute worthless garbage that are my brackets (the red pen and highlighter were tossed to the side after last weekend), Go Butler! Go UK! 

3.25.11

Today brought two failures (but if you twist them around, they could be successes).


Fail 1. 


We skipped our Friday night yoga class in favor of beer and (veggie) burgers (and tots!) with Will. It was delicious, well-earned, and Will avoided all of these types of tantrums. So...win.


Fail 2. 


I wore the shoes on the right to work. They looked phenomenal with my new jeans. Outfit success. But by the end of the day, a co-worker asked if I was injured. My feet were so achy that I couldn't walk normally! One day, I know, I will look back fondly on these 5" platforms and look at my feet and say, "Remember when?" But today, by 2:00, I horribly regretted my decision to wear them. 

Which is why I took the shoes on the left with me to work, and after limping to my car, gave my feet the most amazing gift ever: flats. 

3.24.11

I didn't intend to go ape shit on my 6th graders today. 


And yet, I did, and I felt marvelous at the end.


We have a wiry little 6th grader who is picked on constantly. I will say that he says very random attention-getting things that make him an easy target for 11-year-old boys. But it doesn't mean his randomness is an open invitation for bullying. 


As I monitored the hall between bells, I heard an enormous eruption of laughter in my room. I walked in to see the little guy pretty much cowering with his lower lip out. 


It lit a fuse. 


Probably because I imagined it being Will. It's hard to not do that sometimes. 


I went off. For about 30 seconds. It was mostly about bullying. And how I do NOT tolerate it. And any future items said to my little wiry friend will be prosecuted. Oh yes. I said "prosecuted." 


Then, one of the boys had the nerve to say, "I di-int say nuthin!"


And the fuse that was lit? Exploded. 


Here's what I said.


"I-don't-care-WHAT-you-did-or-didn't-say-if-you-LAUGHED-then-you-are-just-as-guilty-as-the-one-who-opened-their-mouth-do-you-understand-me-and-you-BETTER-say-yes-ma'am."


There was a silence--the kind that only comes from a room full of students who just had their butts handed to them. 


A few minutes passed as I did routine things. 


Out of the silence came a voice, genuine and with what I can only describe as good intention. 


"I'm sorry." 


It was the bully. 


My wiry friend nodded his head. 


I went on with class--it was Russian food day so I was passing out blinis and beef stroganov. The kids were watching the last bit of "Anastasia" after our gruesome True Story of the Romanovs talk. 


The bell rang. 


I went back to my desk. 


This was on it.

My wiry friend signed his name. 


Today, I was successful in getting a bully to think--for however brief--about what he had done. 


And I made a kid who no one ever stands up for, feel like someone cared. 


Thank the sweet powers that be that tomorrow brings Spring Break!

3.23.11

My intentions were on overdrive as I drove to yoga tonight.


This is what I was dealing with in the back seat of my car.


Click here.


Except instead of the laughter at the end, add this shrieking (it's the latest phase in our house...jealous, aren't you?). 

So it is really nothing more than a miracle of epic proportions that I didn't have a complete and total breakdown. My patience was literally shot. 


How I managed to calm myself and teach a soothing yoga class is, well, what intentions are all about, I suppose. Win? (I said that in the voice of "I'm Ron Burgundy?")


We have another guest blogger! Hooray! I'm so glad that we've had 5 or so this month. There is still a week left. Won't you dear blog readers please share with us what success you'd like to manifest? 


So, what words of encouragement can we offer this one? 


I have been thinking all month of what to write about...with March almost over I thought I better write something before the candle burns out. :) I am trying really, really hard to be a better listener...since having my daughter I feel like I forget everything. I know that's normal but it is driving me nuts...I need to slow down, take a deep breathe and truly LISTEN to what my family, friends and neighbors around me are saying! Hopefully by listening better I will have better success communicating with those around me. :)

3.22.11

A very good friend sent me this yesterday.


Go ahead. Read it. It's short. But mighty.


So it got me thinking about what "success" should be defined as. 


In the middle of a "Race Day" spinning class this evening (sheesh--what a workout!), the definition came to me. But it's not succinct. Like any good teacher, I must define it with examples. 


Success is not the million dollars you have sitting in the bank when you're 75. It's the promotion you got today. 


Success is not quitting smoking/drinking/drugs/biting your nails/insert other terrible addiction here. It's the first time you have the urge to do it again, and you don't.


Success is not being declared cancer free (although that is worthy of quite the celebration). It's hearing yesterday that your tumor has shrunk and the treatment is working.


Success is not running a marathon. It's the training run you didn't think you could do because it was farther than you've ever run, and you did it. 


Success is not perfecting a handstand in the middle of a yoga studio. It's showing up to your mat and just letting yourself breathe. 


Success is not getting remarried after a divorce and declaring yourself "over" your ex and moving on. It's the first time you don't cry when you think about it, when you smile at your strength, and feel the confidence that comes in knowing you did the right thing. 


Success is not raising the perfect child and sending them out the door at age 18. It's the moment--that occurs time and again--of absolute beaming pride for your child's accomplishments.


Success is reveling in the moments of your life that have made you who you are. It's about being present. It's about sending out the big intentions to the universe, and then celebrating the little victories as you make your way there. 

3.21.11

I have the most lovely and divine post for tomorrow night. A few friends have shared some gems with me, and I look forward to passing along their wisdom.


Tonight, we discuss the insanity that is "We're going to be on TV" and "We are SO not excited about the choices viewers are voting on!" 


To recap, we were selected to be on HGTV's Run My Makeover. America picks out what goes in our room. But not really. It's only 9 things. In two rooms. So you pick out "a few" things. 


We specifically decided to not define our "style," because we loved that we didn't have to define it. It would just...appear, like pumpkin carriages and mice horses. 


And now that the wall color options are pumpkin squash gold, cinderella dusty rose, and cold dark evil-step mother gray, well, we are SO regretting that decision!


So please...help us make this a success...here are some tips.

• As much as I love the idea of crisp, bright white linens, the reality is we have three large brown dogs that sleep on our bed. And a toddler who will probably vomit red koolaid in it at some point. 
• Please pick the bottom nightstand.
• And the bottom rug. Again...brown dogs...
• I don't know how I feel about a globe light hanging above my bed...so pick it only if you think it's going to be way cool. Otherwise, the bedside lamps will be just fine.
• The shower color is neutral no matter what, so go crazy. The sinks are all fabulous, love the mirrors.
• Paint is an easy thing to fix if we hate it. Please pick what you think would go best with your other choices (as I say that, I am srunching my eyes shut and holding my breath like someone is going to give me a shot...of ugly wall color). 

Here's the link. Go watch our video. We look less douche-y than we thought we would. Then vote. And please don't vote for the portable towel warmer (?!?!). 

http://www.hgtv.com/run-my-makeover/show/index.html

(website hint): Click on "Enter to Win an Item for Yourself" to vote. The website is seriously goofy and poorly designed. You might not find it any other way.

3.20.11

How often do you dread Monday? 


Here are my secrets to having a successful Monday morning (says the blogger who looks forward to not waking up early next Monday, thank you Spring Break).


1. Get out of town for the weekend. This could make you more uncomfortable, but for me, it makes my Sunday afternoons as productive as an entire weekend. Plus, being out of town meant I could enjoy 24 hours of incredible company and good food, laughter, and being completely relaxed away from the environment that is laundry, errands, milk spills and toy scatters. 


2. Go to bed early on Sunday night. Take a hot shower, put on clean pajamas, and cuddle up in bed with a movie, DVRd TV, your latest book, or that stack of magazines you haven't had 6 months to read. Give yourself that chance to breathe.


3. Don't hit snooze in the morning. Aaaaaah, I know. I KNOW. This is my own advice I need to heed. Of all the days in your week, you are actually most rested on Monday. Take advantage of this and spring (or roll) out of bed at the first buzzer. 


4. Wear something fun. A new top, fun shoes, sparkly accessory--if you feel amazing, your morning will be that much more bearable. 


5. Employ your carefully crafted playlist. There is nothing like jamming in the morning. Forget your NPR or your favorite talk show. Go to your workout playlist, and then directly to the song that gets your adrenaline going. That's the song you crank, sing, and car dance your heart out to.


6. Change your attitude about your Monday. Monday gives you a clean slate, fresh start, new week. There are 5 glorious days ahead of you. Each one will be completely different, and you have the opportunity to make them great. Go in thinking good things, and good things will happen. If your Monday starts to take a turn for the worse, remember the euphoria you had car dancing. Take yourself back to the good parts. 


Have a very successful Monday. Cheers.

3.19.11

After a very successful 2 hour drive north, I have one tuckered out little boy from an all-day play date.

To further enhance the success of the day, I'm enjoying the company of some good friends, card games, hot tubs, an insanely cool moon, and some cold adult beverages.

Days like today make me fall in love with life.

3.18.11

Mother Nature, you've been studying.

Thunder and lightening? 

Crocuses? 

Daylillies and Daffodils? 

A peak of sunshine, temperatures above 60, and the first little buds on bushes? 

I suppose you're a bit of an old soul, a been-here-done-that type, who probably assumes you don't need to study. You'll just show up and pass the test. 

Well done, Mother Nature. Well done. A- for the week. Let's hope you show up the same next week. My expectations are high. 

3.17.11

Happy St. Patrick's Day from this very non-Irish lassie. 


Epic hope (upon which I must draw the luck of the Irish...someone find me a field of four leaf clovers. Stat.):


I have my red pen and yellow highlighter, and I am armed with my brackets. I am hoping for success, knowing my selection of teams based on things like eliminating them if their name didn't fit in the bracket blank, or disliking not the team, but the fans, is sure to bring me a winner!


Epic fail:


I can think of a million places I would rather be right now...it's 70 degrees and sunny, my husband's plane just landed 10 minutes ago, my son is probably playing outside with his cousins, there is one beer left in my refrigerator, basketball is on TV, and the drunken posts are starting to roll in on Facebook. 


But I am here. Last Teacher Party of the year. Piles of work staring at me, and an empty third glass of iced tea which means I more than likely will not fall asleep easily tonight. 


Epic win:


I scheduled two conferences tonight specifically to address the academic needs of two students. I despise calling parents. You never know what you're going to get. For that, I give myself a pat on the back. However, calling home and scheduling conferences is not out of the ordinary. This act does not set me apart from any other teacher. 


During these conferences, we devised plans of action to help these students perform better not just in my class, but in all of their classes. This does not set me apart from any other teacher. 


I shook hands with the parents (and even one of the students reached out his hand for a shake), and as I said goodbye, I knew that what we decided in those plans, is going to make a world of difference to those students. I am going to help them be more successful. Me. 


This does not set me apart from any other teacher.


But you can't take away the feeling of pride I have right now, in knowing that not only did I do the right thing, I am doing a damned good job, too. 

3.16.11

Despite my desire to want to post this after I'm successful (well, that would defeat the point of the blog), I'm throwing this mumbo-jumbo goal out there.


It is my latest endeavor (ahem, intention) to teach Will French. 


I have a little fear in sharing this goal before I make any progress at all, and that's hearing people say things like, "French? Why don't you teach him something useful, like Spanish?"  Secondary to that would be people asking him to perform. "Make him say something!" 


I suppose my other big fear would stem from competitive parents. "Oh, your kid knows French? Well mine picked up Mandarin Chinese and Spanish from her many tutors, and can play Beethoven's 5th...blindfolded." I am so not that parent, and those that are, are way out of my league. They are paying thousands of dollars in tuition...for pre-school. I, well, am not. And won't be. Ever.


My wanting to do this stems from a more basic desire to just...have that connection with my son. And to lay my fears about doing it to rest!


My own internal fears come from silly places--like my brain. I spent an entire course in graduate school studying second language acquisition, and it is essentially proven fact that the best time to learn language period is Will's age and yet, I feel sort of guilty for asking him, "Tu veux du lait?" when I know he would understand me and smile and answer me if I just said, "You want milk?" 


And yet at the same time, when I say to him, "Tu veux du lait?" and he looks at me and says, "lay!" I am at first encouraged that this is okay, that I won't confuse the heck out of him, and then my secondary emotions kick in--the ones that offer me this connection to my son that no one else will ever have--this ability to teach him a language, to love language, to love words, to grow his mind--and I melt. And I know it's okay. 


At the end of the day, I'm still his mom, and French or not, that will always be enough.

3.15.11

The vitamin is my new most favorite friend. 


I haven't received my blood test results from the doctor yet, and since it's been more than a week now, I'll follow the "no news is good news" rule of thumb and just go ahead and assume I'm not dying. 


Win. 


Here's the best news, though. 


After starting a course of a few different vitamins, I have noticed an enormous difference in how I feel. Aside from the return of energy and the disappearance of extreme fatigue, color has returned to my face, my pee is now the color of a yellow highlighter, and the dark circles under my eyes I've been trying to hide shamelessly since last fall have started to fade. 


Win. 


This leads me to several conclusions.


1. I never should have stopped taking vitamins just because I was no longer growing another human.
2. While my make-up budget is now likely to go down, the supplement budget will counteract that. $6 for B-Complex or $18 for concealer? With my extra $12, perhaps I should indulge in a manicure?
3. I will not ever again google diagnose myself this week.
4. I will be even more aware of what I put into my mouth...until Thursday's fry day at school...OMG they are so good this year!


I'll toast to that with my thick green anti-oxidant rich and vitamin fortified smoothie. 


Stay tuned for tomorrow...I have a new goal to unveil that I'm hoping intentions will help bring to life. :o)

3.14.11

Here's the theme to my classes this week. 


It's time to open yourself up. In this last week of winter, clear out the cobwebs, the cold weather laze, the piles of stuff and corners of clutter. 


Sort of like a pre-spring cleaning...but for your soul. 


At every point you can this week (ie, when you remember) sit tall. Roll your shoulders up to your ears and then down your back. Take an enormous breath in, and exhale the winter laze out. Feel the chest open up and point toward the sky. Take another breath in--this time with good, soul-filling energy. Breathe in the sun, brightness, the grass that's turning greener every day, and the daffodil buds. Exhale and let go of the weight of cold days and heavy clothes, gray skies and that perma-butt print in your couch. Start to lift the roots, break earth, and breathe again. 


Smell that? That's the success of clearing winter out of your soul, and making room for the longer and lighter days ahead. 

3.13.11

I went into my "office" while Will napped today, and as I tidied up, I decided to light the three intention candles of the year so far. 


Imagine my disappointment when this month's candle, "Success," refused to light.


I called to Greg.


"This is a terrible omen!" 


He came in and we dug at the wick.

We immediately began to come up with cliches for success.


"You don't reach success without making a mess." 


"The road to success isn't always paved with gold."


"Sometimes it takes help from others to reach your goals." 


"Never count yourself out of the game. Where there's a will, there's a way." 


Soon we were in fits of giggles, and the candle was lit.

Success. 


A shout out to two ladies celebrating some big successes today:


To Jessica and Susi, who today ran the farthest they've ever run in their lives (Jessica, 8 miles and Susi, 16 miles)--Congratulations! And although you don't know one another, your spirits were probably connected today. :o)


We'll just keep the goals going tonight with another reader submission. This blog friend appears to be struggling with a "good ol' boys" mentality. What tips for success can we give her? 


I want to be a success at getting men from an older generation to hear my voice and not say, “She has had too much wine or she is just being emotional.” I want them to acknowledge that “Yeah, she is making sense...maybe I could learn and grow from listening to her!” And if I could be heard by them WITHOUT crying then I would be a success!!!

3.12.11

It's amazing what 10 years can do to your idea of a successfully fun night. 


Ten years ago, I'd be prepping to join throngs of OU students to protest the closing of the bars an hour early due to daylight savings time. (Ok, ten years ago, I was the baby who wasn't 21 yet). 


A good, fun, successful night involved getting ready to Crazy Game of Poker and pre-gaming with Natty Light (or Franzia--depends on how grown up we wanted to feel); I'd borrow black pants and possibly shoes from a roommate, maybe have someone do my eye makeup and then change tops a minimum of 5 times; we'd head to someone's house, continue to drink/play drinking games/decide what we really wanted to do for the night; and then we'd head uptown, to proceed getting plastered til 2 a.m., crying in a disgusting bathroom stall about a.) what an a**hole so-and-so is b.) what a b**** so-and-so is or c.) how much we love our roommates and can't believe it will all be over--someday--and we'll never see each other again and here let's do the sorority secret handshake and hug and then go buy each other another potent Black Widow and sing Livin' on a Prayer at the top of our lungs. At 2 a.m. we'd try to buy another drink, and after being denied because we can't form words without slurring (and because mascara is now streaking to our chin from crying), we'd head to buy pizza--mmmmm Goodfella's. If the line was too long, we'd walk the extra block to Taco Bell. If that line was too long, there was Burrito Buggy, Pita Pit, or the ever popular go home and order D.P. Dough but pass out and miss the delivery (thanks for reminding me of that habit, Laura). In the morning, we'd rehash the night, laugh hysterically, fit pieces together, and swear we'd never stop being fun. And then drop off our film at CVS on the way to Bob Evans.


Oh how times have changed.


Greg and I just made dinner and put on HGTV. We might watch last night's The Soup (which we couldn't manage to stay up for), and then around 9:00 we'll go to bed. We'll get a solid 9 hours of sleep, and in the morning, we'll make coffee, watch CBS Sunday Morning, and play with our little one. 


I'll have plenty of opportunities to relive those youthful early 20s years (looking forward to a particular weekend in August...). That's okay every now and again. But I wouldn't trade these old lady years for anything. 


I might go to bed tonight humming "Ooooooooh, we're halfway there..."

3.11.11

A word to Charlie Sheen...


thank you for picking your crazy man catch phrase to coincide with my intentions for March.


That, blog friends, is Winning. Duh.


I am empowered by the response to last night's blog. The cross-posts, emails, comments--I went from feeling slightly defeated by the situation to feeling...well, empowered. It occurred to me about 15 minutes after posting that I should have mentioned that I speak on behalf of every teacher in my building, district, state, country . I'm not the only one who spends hundreds of dollars on my classroom, closes a textbook in favor of experience, or offers Kleenex to a child who is struggling. 


Thank you--from all of us teachers--for spreading the good word. 

3.10.11

The one area of my life where I feel enormously successful is my profession. 


Right now, it's under fire, for a variety of reasons. I've got a blog. I need to throw this out there.


Here's what I know. 


I am a damned good teacher. I don't need a review to tell me that, a high salary to tell me that, a gold medal, a trophy, a cash prize, a trip to Disney, or cheap health insurance.


I didn't choose this profession for the summers off.


I didn't choose this profession for the "short" work day, the "cheap" health benefits, or the "outrageous" amount of money I make (or that is given to schools) that is draining our economy like a sieve. 


Yet here I sit, having perused the media, irate at the amount of close-mindedness that people are expressing in light of Wisconsin's taking away collective bargaining rights AND in the same breath taking away millions in funding from schools. And Ohio is getting ready to follow suit.


I get it, those in favor of these bills. I get your message. We all need to cut costs, pinch pennies, pay back our debts. Drastic measures need to be taken in order to make any kind of progress in reducing the deficit. 


I see your side. I would just like you to see mine. 


There is much belief that taking away unions will get rid of the "bad" teachers, and help cut the costs in school districts by freezing bargained salary increases, and allow districts to oust older teachers higher up the pay scale in favor of cheaper labor found in recent college graduates. If I do a good job, the correlation should be that my kids do a good job, and I'll subsequently get paid more.


How...corporate. It's almost dreamy...on paper.


Let's talk money first.


Today I spent $45 on supplies for tomorrow. I'm hosting a Japanese tea ceremony for my 6th grade World Cultures students, and later in the day I'm exposing my French I students to the wonderful world of French cheese that, let's be honest, they would never try unless I talked it up, brought it in, and gave it to them. 


Earlier this week, I spent $70 (although I did receive $40 in donations from the kids) to buy King Cakes to aid in my lesson that exposes my students to the cultural tradition that is Mardi Gras, so that they understand it's more than drunken debauchery, boobs, and beads. 


Let's factor in time to the finances.


I work 8-9 hour days (pretty common in this country), sometimes 12-13 on parent-teacher conference night. When I coached, those days were easily 15+ hours long, and the bonus in that was free warm-ups and shoes (but not just any shoe...cheerleading shoes).


In the summer, you might see me at the pool with an umbrella drink in hand on certain days, and on other days, you'll find me in my classroom, building a floor-to-ceiling light up Eiffel Tower, or painting my classroom because the paint is peeling off the walls and the money seems to dry up when I ask for it to be painted. You will always find me at Target, buying fans so that my students don't stick to their seats during the first month of school, and while I'm getting fans, I get folders, pencils, markers, paper, notebooks, glue, and scissors. I can deduct $250 on my taxes for these expenses, but my receipts always total closer to $1,000.


And I know, anti-teacher people, that I don't have to do any of this. But if you're mad about where money is being spent, why don't you ask why schools don't have money for paint? Where is the money going? Why do I get $20 to spend...for the year...on things for my classroom?


Let's talk job description. 


I want to expose your children to as much as I possibly can. Teaching them how to take and pass a test that makes you think money is being appropriately spent is not in my realm of skills, nor should it be if you truly believe in the progression of our country.


Outside of tactile experiences, I am also a provider of emotional support. Every single day I am not just a teacher, but a mother, sister, nurse, friend, counselor, or just plain shoulder to cry on. I advise, hug, smile, wipe tears, and feed your kids--their bellies, their minds, their hearts.


Stop being so quick to point the finger at me. At teachers. 


Question where the money is going. 


I love my job. LOVE my job. Your cheers for victory in Wisconsin don't take away from my success.

3.9.11

I woke up this morning, rolled over, and the Universe said, "Here's a big pile of crappy day. Go forth and prosper." 

'Tis true. Was not the best day of the year. 

Here's what was different about it: I was successful at not letting it destroy me. 

Too often in the past I would let the crappy day rule every minute. No bright spots. Just mopey me, sighing heavily, rolling my eyes, complaining, and throwing a pity party with only one person invited: me. 

So how was I more successful today? 

1. I let myself cry (if you were in my hallway in the first 5 minutes of first bell, those heaping sobs were me). That was the beginning of the release.

2. It continued with being honest enough when people asked how I was feeling. I didn't smile and fake a perky "Great! You?" But I also didn't slump my shoulders, sniffle, pout, and say something dramatic like, "Oh I've seen better days." 

3. I savored the bright spots. Instead of glossing over them and dwelling on doom and gloom, I stopped, smiled, and yelled at the Universe, "How's that for prospering?!" 

4. On my way home from Teacher Party (otherwise known as parent-teacher conferences...I can't help it, I LOVE these nights! It's dark out, everyone's at work, we all laugh, delirious from fatigue--it's like an illegal party!), I listened to a song that has been on repeat for awhile. I also love Mumford & Sons..."In this body we will live, in this body we will die, and where you invest your love, you invest your life." 

And that, dear friends, is the whole reason I was successful. I choose where I dwell emotionally. I choose my attitude. Universe: I win. 

3.8.11

Random successes and failures for the day. Here we go.


Fail: the Bien Dit Level 1 French textbook for putting in the "unscramble this sentence" activity a sentence that translates into, "On the weekends, my parents make amateur videos." 


Success: Wine + omelettes = gross deliciously French dinner. 


Success: Mardi Gras King Cake. Delicious, non-protein, processed and full of sugar party in my belly.


Fail: (Let me premise this with, as I blog, with my wine, I'm watching last Friday's The Soup.) Brad Womack has to be the dumbest bachelor. Ever. Seriously. 


Fail: My non-picky eater toddler has turned into the world's pickiest eater. Seriously. I'll welcome any and all tips. Please. The kid had a banana and a scrambled egg for dinner. I've taken to calling everything "cheese" because he likes it, and he'll eat it if he thinks it's cheese. But he knows cheese. And he isn't falling for my prank. Help. 


Let's end on a high note. 


Success: I got to run next to my husband tonight. Yay. :o)

3.7.11

Tonight's post comes from a guest-blogger. I am a gamut of emotions as I read her post...saddened, inspired, empowered. 


I have no doubt that she will be successful. Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration with us.


Recently, I lost one of my best friends (and roommates from college) to stage 4 breast cancer. She would have turned 29 just 4 days after she passed away. She battled metastatic breast cancer for over 4 years. She was a daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, colleague, friend, best friend and my hero. In the 4 years she battled cancer, she traveled abroad, got her Master's degree in early childhood education with a reading endorsement, bought her first home, and taught kindergarten up to 9 weeks before she passed away. Through all of this, she endured almost 10 surgeries, 2-3 rounds of chemo and a lot of other painful scans, shots, IVs, pokes and prods. If I can live my life just half as successful as she did, then I will have succeeded.

Each day I hope to channel some of Monica. My mom calls it, 'What would Monica do?' and in any situation she said, 'Just think about what Mon would do.' Monica approached every situation with grace. She was selfless. She'd rather know what everyone else was doing than talk about herself and her pain. She never pulled a 'Woe is me' moment when others would have milked it! She made me a better person and I know that each day in my future, when I think of her, I'll continue to find a way to be a better person. I want to help her memory live on, find a way to encourage others to follow their dreams, no matter how small or how large. 

I know I'll still cry multiple times a week. I know I'll still be sad looking at each picture I see. I know I'll still laugh when I hear the Black Eyed Peas 'My Humps' come on the radio because she loved that song. But I know that with Monica as my angel, I will be more successful each day I live.