Fingers Crossed

Sometimes I feel like I am fighting a cold ALL the time.  Like, I'll have a runny nose and then I'll sleep and be okay, etc.  Well, yesterday, I got a sore throat at the beginning of school.   That's a really hard time for me to try to stop-gap anything.  I can't run to my medicine cabinet, grab vinegar, or even gargle with salt water.   Luckily, a friend had some fake thera-flu stuff that might have helped.  Then, I went home and went to bed at 6 PM.  Yep, wild life.  I woke up this morning with a runny nose and the sore throat (and some stuffiness).  Drank some more vinegar (had some before going to bed) and now I'm hoping it will go away.  Otherwise, more sleep tonight!   Uff.

Calm

You know how when it's a busy week, you wish for calm?  Well, it's a calm week and it's kind of weird.  Knock on wood.   The week is slowly making it's way through the days.  To what?  A calm weekend.  Maybe next week will be fun.

Horsin' Around (in July)

Lent

Lent is in a couple weeks and I'm debating the idea of giving up something for it.  One year, I gave up chocolate.  I only messed up three times.  One year, I added flossing (giving up the comfort of not flossing).  Maybe I should add something fun. 

Random R words

• random
• retch
• rend
• rink
• ring
• rattle
• rate
• rind
• rat
• root
• rob
• raid
• rabble
• rabbit
• repeat
• rope
• rap
• rot
• rip
• ripe
• ripple
• ran
• rain
• rank
• radio
• radius
• rotate
• revolve
• revolution
• reevaluate
• restrain
• reap
• round

No outside REsources were used in the creating of this rather refined list.  Tee hee.

Things to Do Instead of Watching Football

I have most of tomorrow afternoon and evening wide open and I'm trying to think of things to do that would be lovely to do with less people around.  The gym closes around 7:30, so maybe I should hit it around 5 when the sporty people are watching the Super Bowl and eating their weight in nachos.  Sounds like a solid plan. 

I have plans to watch Downton Abbey, of course.  What else would be good?  Wandering Home Depot?  Sporting Equipment stores?  Michael's would be hectic.  hmmmm.....

Downton Abbey

I am now officially obsessed with Downton Abbey!  It's sooooo good.  I started watching the first season two weeks ago and basically watched it in 4 days.  Then,  I caught up on this season on pbs.org.  Now, I'm anxiously awaiting Sunday night (just for the show, not the Super Bowl).  Woo hoo!  

Basement

I need to bundle up and clean my basement this weekend.  I know it's a summer kind of job, something to do to pretend I have central air (hang out in the basement), but it's needed.   Maybe I'll wimp out and try to ignore it.  Maybe I'll put on a couple layers and hack away for a while.  Pretty exciting stuff, eh?

Mystery Guest

We have a speaker today in the afternoon assembly and I don't know what the topic is at all.  I know the lady's name and I googled her, hoping to get a clue as to what would happen, but no dice.  Nothing.  She might be from the UK, but that doesn't really tell me a topic.  I guess I'll have the answer by tonight.

Oh, and Betta update: He's swimming on his own!   I think he missed people or warmth (my house is cold) or teenagers or something.  Woo hoo!   Munch-A-Bunch Lives!   (He likes to eat.)

Graphing

If you were given an equation of a line, could you graph it?  And if yes, what process would you use?

I'm serious.  Some of my kids can't graph and I want to know what process "sticks" longest, if at all.

Dream

I had a dream about Thanksgiving and my Grandma and old cars and a 1920's Theme (Watched Downton Abbey last night).  Then, my cousin stayed home to golf, but we told Grandma he was in the basement (though she went down there and clearly he wasn't there).  Then, an old friend arrived and gave me a big hug.  That was awesome.  Oh, and my family ate Thanksgiving dinner while I napped.  Huh?  How unfair is that?

Off Limits or What?

January has been a pretty unscheduled month for me.  Seriously, I have many nights with nothing required of me.   Wednesday is the first of February and suddenly I have something going on Wed, Thurs, and Saturday.  Don't you think that's weird?   It's like everyone got wiped out from December, took January off, and now we're back with LOTS to do.   It's good, though.

Fish

My Betta has been depressed.  So, I brought it to school and it seems to be reviving from all the attention.  One girl started prodding him to move with a colored pencil and he proved he could still swim, which was good.  Yesterday, he even started eating again!  Woo hoo!   It feels a little weird to not have to worry about a fish in my kitchen, but not weird enough to buy another one for my house!

Super Bowl Predictions

LaRae sent some topics yesterday (She's a middle school English teacher, she's teeming with topics!).  I decided to start with my Super Bowl predictions.  Since I don't know who is playing without googling it, I thought I would predict what that afternoon will be like.  Some people will buy HUGE amounts of food for a Super Bowl party.  Some will attend a party for the game.  Some will attend for the half-time show. Some will attend for the commercials.  Some will attend for the food.  Others, like me will either decline the invitation or not even get invited and will find something else to do. 

I Need Help

Okay, so maybe you've known that for a while, eh?   Actually, I am finding myself with very little to report.  I should look up "Journal Topics" or something and see what they have to offer by way of "things to blog about while you are only sort of awake (i.e. me writing before 6 AM each morning).  Or, I could just ask you for help.  What would you like me to ramble on and on about?  Toothpaste?  Hair color? Pizza toppings?  Foods I think are a good idea, purchase, and then have no idea what to make (think kale)?  The list of books I've started reading and then put back on the shelf?  Help!

Weird Stuff

Some people LOVE rummage sales.   I don't really like knowing where the stuff comes from and I don't like watching people sift through my stuff either.  What I like is a good old-fashioned church rummage sale.  Yes, there is a lot of stuff.  Yes, I don't know where the stuff came from originally.  And yes, there are some WEIRD things there and I can get giddy about finding something weird without hurting anyone's feelings (or at least seeing their reaction)!  It's great.  I don't seek out church rummage sales, but now that I think about it, I should.  Seriously.  Some of my awesome finds:

• a Tigger kids cup with a Tigger figurine in the middle that you can't see until you drink some of the contents
• a holographic scene of some random countryside
• a Ronald McDonald glass 

Sure, they aren't taxidermied monkeys, but it's something.

Vroom

Weeks kinds of go by quickly and some how I don't know how my house gets so messy during the week (okay, I'm too wiped out to clean, but it's always so surprising to me).  So, this week, I would like to request a massive snow storm around 3 AM Friday morning.  Here are the reasons:

• 3 AM isn't early enough for the plows to get out.
• We need snow so the pipes won't freeze and the athletes can find release.
• I have two LONG meetings on Friday and three short classes to cram in between them.
• Everyone loves a three-day weekend.
• My kitchen needs tidying up.

I really do like this plan.  It seems like a win-win-win-win.  So, if you have any sway over Mother Nature, please put in a good word for a blizzard, okay?  Be specific, though.  I've thought through the details.  

Moving Forward With or Without Me

I've had the end of first semester on my mind for so long, it feels weird that it's over and we're starting a new one today.   In some ways, I wish we had more of a break so I could shut down thoughts about first semester and move forward with planning the new one.  Yes, we had one day at school with no kids, but that's not a lot of time.  Of course, some of this could be because I was warm and cozy this morning and did not want to face the day.  Oh well.   Onward and Upward, right?

Snape

If you've ever watched Harry Potter, you'll know that Professor Snape has an extremely impressive presence in his classroom.  He swooshes in with his long black robe flying behind him, a sneer on his face.  He's Scary with a capital S.  Tomorrow is the start of a new semester and my very first class of the day is a "Do Over" of a class that is essentially Algebra 1.   Every kid in the class has failed it before.  Every kid.  Now, maybe this will be a wake up call and maybe they will try to slack through it.  I don't know.  But I bet Snape would keep them in line.

Teeth

I think I broke or chipped a tooth yesterday.  My back left tooth has been weird lately.  I was able to fiddle with it using my tongue and make a clicking sound.  It was kind of fun and good for an OCD fidgeter like me. 

The dentist couldn't find anything last summer, but I knew something was weird.   So, yesterday, I was enjoying lunch out as teachers do on the ONE day they don't have kids during the year.  We went to T-Bonz which is a darkly-lit bar and had a yummy veggie wrap.  No one had beer, though many people wanted it.  Well, there were a really weird CRUNCHY veggie in the wrap, but I just blew it off. 

Then, the same CRUNCHY "veggie" was in my cheese, Miracle Whip, mustard, and pepper sandwich last night.  Um.... bad news.  So, I found a little tiny chip that I saved.   For now, my tooth doesn't hurt, so I'm going to wait for my next dentist appointment in mid-February and see if it's fine the way it is.   Unless it starts hurting, why go in...

Ah, Bloodwork.

I have a doctor's appointment today and I need to be fasting for the blood work.  This is the WORST part about going to the doctor.  I'm so worried I'm going to eat something without thinking!  Then, I plot and plan how to get breakfast before rushing to work.  Today, I believe it will be Cold Fusion. 

Half-Way There

Today marks the half-way point for students this year.   They have tomorrow off; teachers have tomorrow to do records (and go out to lunch for once!).  The hard part about semester time is that not only are there finals to grade, but rescheduling needs to happen for the next semester.  We have to make sure kids are placed correctly and that takes a lot of time and effort.  A lot!  Our counselors deserve a medal and maybe a week off.  

Plants

I have a really long counter in the back of my room and I don't have anything much sitting on it aside from some pictures leaning against the wall.  I'm thinking of getting quite a few plants to put back there to create extra oxygen and connect us to the plant world.  I just need to get organized and figure out how many to get.   I wonder where I can put them during the summer (my house is full of plants already).

Book

I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green this weekend.  It's about teenagers who have cancer.  It was so funny, smart, and sad.  There were surprises and heart-break.   It's a Young Adult book, but great for Not-So-Young Adults too!  I would definitely recommend it.

Trigger Endorphins

I was told yesterday to work on getting more endorphins in my life.   I relate that to a runner's high, I guess.  So, I started researching ways to trigger endorphins.  I suppose that old saying about "natural highs" that went around on email in the mid-90's would work.

Sleep

Friday night, I decided not to set my alarm.  I got up at noon yesterday.  I went to bed at 11 and woke up at 3 AM.  I read for a while and then got up and cleaned.   I went back to bed around 4, maybe and slept until 7.  I hope this is enough sleep to get me through the day without a nap.  If I must, though, I will.   That's what open weekend are for, right?

Puzzles

I like cryptoquips and Sudoku.  I also like word-based board games.  Are there any new ones out that you would recommend?

Random

My mind is kind of racing with all sorts of things this morning.   I'm thinking about the play I went to last Tuesday and the one I'm going to next month.  I'm thinking about my stress level and how I'm having all sorts of new pains, mostly stress-related.  I'm thinking about my department meeting this morning and how thankful I am that it's Friday.  I'm thinking about the fabric I bought to finish a quilt top that I bought in October.  I'm thinking about the tests I didn't finish correcting and my friends' texts.  I'm thinking about friends having babies and friends not having babies.  I'm thinking about what to do Monday to relax AND celebrate MLK Jr. Day.  I'm thinking about friends who just suffered major losses and how heartbreaking it is.

Plays

I really like going to plays.  Last night, I saw Spamalot!   In February, I'm going to Avenue Q.  In December, I saw The Sound of Music.  I've seen so many plays, I don't even know if I could list even half of them.  Here are a few:

• Wicked (twice)
• Les Miserable (twice)
• Phantom of the Opera (twice)
• The Tempest
• Our Town
• Children of a Lesser God
• Godspell
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Twice)
• Wit
• Rent
• The Fantastiks
• Beauty and the Beast
• Guys and Dolls (twice)
• Sweet Charity
• Avenue Q

I'm sure there are at least 20 more that I'm not thinking of right now.  Love plays!

So Much to Read

There are so many awesome books coming my way right now that I hardly know where to start and what to read.  At some point, I need to focus on one book and finish it.  The problem is that they are different genres and sometimes I feel like reading light fiction, sometimes intense fiction, sometimes self-help, and on occasion work-related psychology stuff. 

I think I'm getting The Fault in Their Stars by John Green today.  It's autographed.  I'm psyched!!!!!

Vacation

I've been back to school for 5 days now and I'm ready for a vacation.  I think there is something in the air system or maybe it's just end-of-semester stress, but I'm super tense and have migraines every so often, which I don't usually get unless I go to extreme altitudes.   So annoying and so weird!  Make it stop!  I actually considered going to one of those "get a massage in the chair in the middle of the mall where any ol' person can see you" places.  I still might after school!

Boring Request

Dear Powers of the Universe,
Please let this be a boring week at school.  By boring, I mean no fire drills due to construction (or fire or hooligans), no random assemblies, no fights or major disruptions, and no major outbreaks of flu or mono or broken bones.  It's the last full week before finals and we could all use all the help we can get to focus on the tasks ahead.

Thanks!
Becca

Wordlessness

I'm reading Martha Beck's new book Finding Your Way in a Wild New World and it's fascinating!   Right now, it's talking about wordlessness and how to stop the verbal part of your brain.  Essentially, to me, it's like stopping the constant conversation I have with myself in my head.  It's super weird and interesting and eye-opening.  If you decide to read the book, let me know so we can discuss!

Silly

Silly Things You Could Do to Brighten Your Day

• Mismatch your clothes
• Paint your finger nails a weird color.
• Shake up what you normally have for lunch
• Pick a word to say a lot today and see if anyone notices and says something about it.
• Start the day with a Laughing Circle video off YouTube and join in.
• Buy yourself a plant or flowers.

Columbians

A group of students from Columbia are visiting our school this week and today they are going to perform at an assembly.  The kids are shadowing students to their classes and I had four of them yesterday.  It's pretty cool.

Stored Happiness

Have you ever memorized a moment?  When I was on a whale watch in Massachusetts about 10 years ago, I memorized what it felt like to have the sun on my face, the ocean beneath me, whale surrounding me, and the breeze going through my hair.  It was amazing! 

Right now, I miss flowers.  Bright, spring colors with green grass beneath them.  For now, my memories will have to suffice and the knowledge that the flowers will be back will have to get me through the dark, cold winter.

Finals are Coming!

How do I get my students to start planning/worrying/studying for their finals without getting myself in a tizzy too?  For example, there won't be a ton of time to review for these kiddos.  The panic is partly because I had to back track in one class (they ALL failed a quiz) and partly because this last grading period is VERY short.  What to do?  What to do?   I guess I just start in on reminding them and go from there.  Uff.

Gooseberry Falls 12/30/11

Advice

What if we stopped listening to so much advice and just started living instead?  We know the answers to many of our questions.  How do I lose weight?  Eat less, exercise more.  How do I improve my relationships?  Focus on people instead of your phone, Facebook, your iPod, etc.  How do I get rich quick?  You don't, not without losing your integrity.  How do I reduce my stress levels?  Breathe.  Laugh. Look for good.  Help others.

It's not rocket science.  So, if I took all the time I spend reading advice and getting that 1 trick to a flat belly and put it to some good, cheerful use, what could happen?  Anything.

Also, dear media, if you are going to market tons of junk food and lazy living only to then market ways to lose weight (usually quickly and without doing anything), could you just find something productive to do instead?  I'm sick of it.

Quiet

I tried to be all cool and stay out late on New Year's Eve.  Okay, maybe later than 8:30, but the rain turned ice turned snow forced the sensible part of my brain to make the rest of me go home early.   So, here I am, safe, sound, and sleepy in my cozy home.  Time to curl up with a book and fall asleep early.  Why not? 

So long, 2011!

New New New

I decided to try Facebook Timeline today and it's actually kind of cool.  I also decided to try a new blogspot format, but I don't know if you'll even be able to tell a difference (it might just be for the writer).  Any way, for some reason, I'm in the mood for new things.  I guess that's a good thing, right? 

What will you do that's new in 2012?

John Adams

I watched the first two parts of the John Adams miniseries last night.  What struck me, aside from my lack of remembering much from 8th grade American History class, sorry Miss Hoff, was how much John relied on his wife Abigail.  It was so cool to see how well they got along and how much they loved and respected each other.  That's not very common in movies these days.  The only other movie I can think of like that is Date Night. 

I'm hoping to get the next installment in the mail this weekend!

Wrong Season, Right Idea

Up

Well, I woke up WAY early this morning, like before 4 AM.  Boo!   So, by 5, I decided to get out of bed and clean.  As long as I'm awake, I might as well be productive.  I'm in a clean and sort kind of mood again today and it's nice to get some stuff done that I've been "overlooking" for a long time.  If I were brilliant, I would bring in a few empty boxes to fill for rummage. 

I'm pretty sure other people are in this mode or the stores wouldn't be selling lots of "storage" and "organizing" stuff right now.  Stow this.  Hide that.  Etc.  It's all very alluring.  The Container Store is way too much fun.  Good thing the closest one is 2 hours away.

On to the Relaxing!!!

Christmas is not relaxing.  Christmas is hard work.  Either, there is a lot of food to help cook or lots of things that need cleaning up or whatever.  Either way, I came home last night and slept for 12 hours.  Yes, 12.  I would have slept more, but my mom called and woke me up.  After chatting for 20 minutes, she said she should let me go back to sleep.  I just laughed, because of course I couldn't go back to sleep after talking.  Plus, I was dreaming of diet Cherry Coke, which I should not have (and don't have in the house).   So.... once I get moving in full swing, there might be a trip to the grocery store in my future.  Big plans!

My Arm

My arm is on the front page of the local news section of the Duluth News Tribune today.  If you look to the far left, you will see a black coat sleeve with a pink mitten.  That's me!!!!  My mom and I went to a vigil on the steps of City Hall yesterday.  The vigil was for the homeless in Duluth and it happens every Christmas Eve at noon.  CHUM collects blankets, mittens, hats, and monetary donations for the poor.   There is carol singing, prayers, soloists, poetry, and then a reading of all of the homeless who died in Duluth over the past year.  Signs with names of the people are passed to members of the crowd and they go up front when their person's name is read.  I held the sign for Nicole W, 37.  I don't know anything else about her. 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Coupons

I have a huge pile of coupons and deals for stores that expire tomorrow.  The thrift in me wants to go use them up, but the part of me that knows I have everything I need tells me to stay away from stores today.   Seriously.  Who in their right mind is going shopping today? 

Well, actually, do you think there will be single men shopping?  I could offer my assistance...

It's Here!

The last day of school before break is here!!!  We're all really excited!  We have an assembly this morning (band, orchestra, and choir concert) and then regular classes after school.  Then....relax!  Well, that's at least what I'M going to do.

A few kids were talking about not coming to school today.  Then, I mentioned that some people will be handing out treats (not me) and they changed their tune. hmmmm....

Hustle and Bustle

So, we prepare and prepare and by December 26th things are a little more chill.   But then what?  Are you saving enough energy for AFTER Christmas?  Will you relax?  Will you relax so much that you get sick from being so stressed and then crash too quickly?  Maybe you aren't stressed right now? 

May you be chill right now and enjoy the moment.

Good Question

I've been asking people if they're going anywhere for Christmas, just to liven up an antsy kind of week.  Everyone needs a vacation in a bad way and thinking about traveling, even if it's someone else's trip, makes me happy.  So, I ask.  So far, not many trips, except to Wisconsin, which can be pretty wild and crazy!

Where are you going over break?

Well, Weird

So, the stupid plumbing is still not working in my house.  At least not working well.  What a drag.  Time to call in the professionals, AGAIN.  Then, switch back the low-flow toilet.  It's ridiculous.  The plumbing company said HALF of their jobs are from low-flow toilets.  That's just plain crazy!!!

My House Hates Me

Plumbing issues again.  For the second time in one month.  BOOOOO!!!!!!  Not time to blog.  Must clean up.  Uff.

Rachel's Challenge

Both high schools in Duluth had a presentation yesterday called Rachel's Challenge.  Rachel Scott was the first person to be killed at the Columbine High School shooting in 1999.  Since then, millions of people have heard her story and some of her ideas about ways to make a difference in the world.  She had 5 main ideas in her code of ethics.  It's all right here at Rachel's Challenge. 

I spent a good part of the school day crying yesterday, which is not my favorite thing, but I'm hoping that it will change the culture of our school and make a positive impact. 

Homework

I hate feeling swamped with homework.  I can't just let things sit without feeling tons of pressure (from mainly myself) to get it done.  So, I spent hours last night and an hour this morning (from 5 to 6) correcting.  It's not even done, but I feel better.  Oy! 

Maybe I can even goof off this weekend!

Sewing

It's about this time of year that I feel like plunking in a movie and sewing some fleece blankets.  This year, I have some fabric that I'd like to make into a skirt.  I just need to investigate patterns and con my mom into re-teaching me what I learned in 7th grade sewing class.  That was only 25 years ago, so it shouldn't be to hard to remember (ha ha)!

Dear Wednesday,

Dear Wednesday,
Thanks for being here today.  I'm wondering if your morning and afternoon could fly by quickly so I can get on with my goofing off tonight and get one step closer to the weekend.  I know it's a lot to ask on such short notice, but I have faith in you.  You can do it!!!

Thank you so much,
  Becca

Grown-Up Advent Calendar

I bought myself some yummy Belgian chocolates the other day and I know how compulsive I am with sweets, so I decided to call it my Advent calendar.  One chocolate a day and it'll take me past Christmas.  So far, they have all been amazing and I've only had one per day.  Whew. 

When I was growing up, Santa brought candy cane tubes of fake M&M's for our stockings.  I wonder if those still exist.  I don't recommend them, just wonder.  Okay, enough random chocolate talk.

Enough, Please

I'm getting tired of multiple emails from the same 6 stores who convinced me to give them my email so I could get an initial deal of some sort.   I like getting some of the coupons, once a week, throughout the year, but one or more emails PER DAY from the same store is getting annoying.   No one needs to go to Michael's every day unless they are extremely unorganized.  Uff.  So, delete, delete, delete!

I'm hoping January will be more peaceful.

9 Days

We have 9 days of school left before break.  One of my students is gone this week for a vacation.  He actually asked if he had to make up the work he's going to miss.  "Come on, it's called a vacation."   Um, yes.  IN TWO WEEKS you get a vacation.  If you go when there is school, you have homework.  Argh! 

Oh well.

I'm Tense.

Okay, you know you're a tense person when you're getting a massage and mention that maybe you could buy a heating pad to help with your tense back and she says "Or a jackhammer."  Uff.  hmmmm... what would be a blunt way to create a jackhammer effect besides getting daily massages?  hmmmm...  something to ponder.  Or, I could try to learn how to not hold my stress in my back.  

Good Movie

Sometimes my Netflix queue gets neglected and I end up with some random movie that I put in the queue on a  whim a long time ago and then forgot to move anything more urgent into the first spot on the list.  So, I end up with a movie in my house that I might not be hyper to see at the time.

Last week it was a 3-hour foreign film that I just didn't have time for and sent back immediately.  Last night, I opened the movie, another foreign film, and decided to at least try it.  It was 2 hours and 45 minutes long and awesome!  It's called Like Stars on Earth and it's about a kid with a learning disability in India.  It was a vibrant movie with music and art and lots of sweet moments.  I would definitely recommend it.

Birthdays

My friend Nate should  have turned 38 today.  He died a year and a half ago, suddenly.  The loss still has the ability to make me sob on a dime.  He was friends with everyone.  He was super smart.  He was silly and adventurous and rational.  He REFUSED to help me meet Zach Braff, whom he had ONE degree of separation from (oh so close!).  He and his wife showed me around Paris.  He was always about gathering people together.  And I miss him.

Where ever you are Nate, I hope they have amazing French pastry!

Vocabulary

Our ninth graders are going to a Respect Retreat this week.  Half of the class will go Thursday and the other half will go on Friday.  They will walk across to the parking lot and have the retreat in the basement of the neighboring church.  It's a non-religious thing, just held off-campus, in what happens to be a church. 

I had a kid ask me why it was at a church and then said "I'm not even a polyhedrian."  I replied with, "Do you mean a Presbyterian?"  "Yeah."   TOO FUNNY.   If you don't know, a "polyhedron" is a many sided three-dimensional object.  Ah, ninth graders!

Uproar

It's the third grading period and the Algebra Lab teachers are switching things up for it!  We're adding practice questions from the beginning of the year and I'm being more intentional about the hour.   Well, this didn't go over so well with the ol' students.  In fact, they signed a petition (all but two of them) to get rid of the worksheets.  HA!  What they don't think about is that this is not a democratic classroom.  It's a dictatorship!  HA!  So, we will do the worksheets and they will learn and it'll be good for all of us.  (One side benefit is that when they hate the worksheets they come together to hate me instead of hating each other all hour!)

Blue Christmas

My church has a Blue Christmas service for people who don't find Christmas to be entirely happiness and light.  Maybe it reminds us of a loved one who is gone or that we are alone or whatever.  For me, I feel a slight urge to go, but almost feel like I don't deserve to be blue.  I should be grateful for what I have and happy that even though I've lost people in my life, at least they were there for a time.  Maybe I need a Light Blue Christmas? 

For those of you gone, know that I'm thinking of you and for those of you yet to arrive, know that I'm thinking of you too (and hop to it, already!  There is fun to be had!).

Good Music

I went to St. Olaf College, known for it's music, it's math (in math circles) and it's connection to Rose Nyland on Golden Girls.  Any way, this weekend is the Christmas Festival.  It's sold out.  It always is.  However, every few years, they broadcast (via satellite) to movie theaters around the country!   Today, it's at Duluth 10 in Canal Park.  2:30 PM.  $20.  AMAZING music.  Every year they sing Beautiful Savior and it's so lovely. 

Dream Trips

Pretend you won an all-expenses paid trip.  Where would you go?  My list of options is huge!

• Italy
• Greece
• Norway
• Peru
• Australia
• Switzerland
• Finland
• Sweden
• Banff
• Boston
• Atlanta
• Cleveland, TX
• Pittsburgh
• Portland, ME
• California 
• Washington
• Vail, CO
• Denver, CO
• Madison, WI
• Iowa City, IA
• Memphis, TN
• Grand Marais, MN
• Washington, D.C.

Variety is the spice of life, right?  
What's on your list?

Early Panic

It's December 2nd and I feel like I need to finish all of my Christmas stuff this weekend.  That doesn't make ANY sense.  I know I have days and days, but there is something that tells me "HURRY!"  Maybe that something is the media.   The ONSLAUGHT of Christmas advertising is way more than I recall from past years.  I suppose I should unsubscribe to some email updates and that would help.  I'll put that on my To Do list this weekend!
 
Ha ha.

5AM

Dear Neighbors,

I apologize for the 5:15 AM shoveling you heard this morning.  I was trying to avoid too many boot prints in the snow along the sidewalk that we are required to clear within 24 hours of the snow stopping.  I didn't "win," but surely I avoided a lot.  Unfortunately, that means you heard me shoveling.  Unless, of course, you are a heavy sleeper or out of town.  If that's the case, then, ignore this letter.

I'm not a fan of shoveling, but I guess I'd rather get it done BEFORE school and it's inevitable exhaustion than have to dread it all day.  This won't be the case on days that I'm super lazy in the morning, but today, it worked.  Sorry again.

Sincerely,
Becca

Day 30

So, they say it takes 21 days to form a habit.  This is Day 30 that I've blogged and I've kind of gotten into the swing of things again.   Yes, there are still days that I stare at the screen for a while wondering what to write.  Yes, there are days that I don't get a chance to write at the "usual" time.  However, it's way more consistent than it used to be and my "page views" are showing it.  If I really wanted to up my "views," I would mention things like iPhone apps, Kim Kardashian, Dancing With the Stars, or Bradley Cooper.  Any of those would get lots of "hits."  We'll see if it works.

How about this: Stars I'd Like to Meet

Nathan Fillion
Oprah
Jennifer Garner
The Bloggess
Ryan Reynolds 

That seems like a good list. 

Happy Almost December!  Make this last day of November count!

Little Things That Get on My Nerves

Bugs
Closing the garage door and then needing something from the garage.
Wet newspapers
The increase of commercials as the TV show progresses in the hour
Gum under chairs or desks
Cars that turn without signaling
Zits
The fact that most kids don't know about Calvin & Hobbes (that actually just makes me sad)
The half-done craft projects littering my house
When food has meat products in it when it could have been a fine vegetarian dish

Argh

I can't think of anything to blog. I can't think of anything to blog.  I can't think of anything to blog.  Suggestions?  I'll write again tonight if you supply a topic!

Decorating

I haven't decorated my house for Christmas yet, but I did buy a nifty wreath and hung it right away when I got home this afternoon.   (Mainly, I didn't want it to shed in my house AS WELL as my backseat). 

I always struggle with when to put up my tree, etc.   My house is not huge, so a big tree in the living room changes the whole dynamic of things.   So, I like to wait for at least a week into December.  Since this week is looking jam-packed, it shouldn't be a problem to wait. 

However, I did help a friend start decorating at her house and she had lots of fun supplies and the end result (of phase one of decorating) was beautiful.  It helped that her other helper was an art major!  So, that has gotten me to get more decorating magazines, which is always fun. 

If I don't get around to putting up my tree, I can always wrap lights around my rocking chair "O" Christmas Chair, O' Christmas Chair!  How lovely are your armrests...."

Norwegian

I'm half Norwegian and have cousins in Norway.  One of them doesn't speak English much, so when I write to him, I Google Translate it into and out of Norwegian.  It's actually a fun challenge that isn't SO much of a challenge if I just copy paste. 

I have a ton of books on learning different languages.  I should really crack into them again.

Can I Do It?

So, I'm toying with the idea of not spending a cent today.  Just as my plan is solidified, my dad calls and says "I got you a 20% off coupon".  I was joking yesterday about having one of us going and geting the coupon early that works for the rest of the day.  I told him to offer it to my mom or sister as I really DON'T want to go near the mall today.  We'll see what happens.

My biggest temptation would be to buy caffeine.  Isn't that weird/sad/funny?  We'll see.

Tomorrow: Muppet Movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed

I am thankful for:

• family and friends
• a job that gives me the rest of the week off (and summer's off too!)
• elliptical machines
• my cozy little house with indoor plumbing
• Lake Superior (views, hydration, rocks!  What more can you ask for?)
• prisms because rainbows are pretty
•  the ability to travel
• my health
• almond M & M's

What's on your list?

Brain Block

I have been sitting here a couple minutes, trying to think of something witty or at least mildly interesting (in my opinion) to write and it's just not coming.  I thought, a list of things I'm thankful for, but that would be better tomorrow.  I thought about how I keep calling each day this week "Fake Wednesday", and so on.   Today is Fake Friday and TGIFF to that!!!  Then, I was going to ask people what they do for lunch if their Thanksgiving dinner is in the evening. Do you skip it?  Have some salad or something?  I'm planning to rent some movies and hijack the TV from my dad.  He's not THAT much of a football fan and I think with the right movies, it'll work.  I'm also plotting Christmas lights for outside.  Plotting in my head.  Like, "I wonder if I should measure my deck rails to see how many feet of lights I'll need.  I should test them and see how many work, etc.  These are the things that bounce around in my head.  ALL THE TIME.   Yes, it's exhausting.  

Oh!   Two nights ago I had a Hunger Games like dream.  Scary!  If you haven't read them, I would recommend it.   You have until March 23, 2012 before the movie comes out and it looks awesome!

Target Ads for Black Friday

Maybe you've seen the ads on TV for Black Friday.  There is a hyper, crazy shopper lady with a track suit, prepping to shop at midnight on Thursday.  Well, that actress, Maria Bamford, is from Duluth!  How cool is that? 

I showed the commercial to one of my classes, not to promote Target, but to show that people from Duluth can do lots of amazing things, i.e.  dream big, kids! 

In unrelated news, Thanksgiving is coming.  What's your favorite dish?

Malfunctions Galore

Yesterday, various parts of my house decided to fight back.  My computer reverted to it's old hard drive, AGAIN, so I had to open it up and do brain surgery, with the help of a friend. 

Then, my basement started flooding.  Turns out the sewer pipe is clogged somewhere between my house and the street.  Oh joy!  That's not something my dad can fix, so I spent the night at their house (I'm fond of using water), and we'll get the Roto Rooter person here today. 

AND, I'm getting new front tires today.  That's not my house rebelling, but my bank account will feel it.  At least I'll be safer driving around that hills in the snow.  Uff!

Be

I just sorted through and read some of the Sunday paper.  Yes, I still get the paper.  It's very Old School of me, right?   Any way, I was sorting through the ads, the Classifieds, and the sports sections.  Usually, I read the News and some of the ads, but right now, I'm kind of disgusted with the whole "let's start Black Friday shopping the weekend/week before" stuff.  Really?  Can't you just wait?  It's a couple days. 

What would the world be like if we all STOPPED THINKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS for one week and just thought about what we are thankful for?  Spend a week thinking about what you have instead of what you want or what you think you need!  Imagine it!  Daydream about yummy food on Thursday and getting to spend time with loved ones. 

The toys, sweaters, gadgets that will break after two uses, and plethora of sweets will be there on Friday.  And if they aren't, maybe you didn't NEED them any way.

Great Day

I read in a Whole Living magazine the other day that if you tell yourself you are going to have a good day, you will or something like that.   I tried it yesterday and it worked!  I was cheerful, got good news at work, and had a good workout at the gym.  Then, I came home and watched a documentary about Annie Leibovitz, a famous photographer, and it was great!  Went to bed early and now I'm up and hyper!  Woo hoo!!!

I put it on Facebook and I'll put it on here.   Let me know if you want me to take your Christmas Card picture.  I'm totally game. 

Christmas City of the North Parade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKi0-Lzrm4c

I'm not a parade person, but I love the song!  It will get stuck in your head.   The parade is today.  I was only in it once, in 6th grade, as a crossing guard.  Brrrr...

Drag

Why is it that when one is looking forward to something time just drags?  I am so excited for the Festival of Trees on Saturday that I can hardly stand it!  You might be asking yourself, "What the heck is Festival of Trees?  Some hippie thing?   Some let's plant trees thing?"   Nope.  Festival of Trees is the Junior League's Christmas craft/art sale and it's HUGE!!!!!!   It's at the DECC and there are so many good things to buy that I usually have to either come with a lot of cash or pace myself.  Sometimes, we have to make trips to the car to drop off all of our loot before going to the second level!  It's great fun. 

I shouldn't be talking it up so much because it does get quite crowded and is very popular.  However, if you read this and we're friends, then I'd like to run into you there.  Sooooo..... feel free to go!

Okay, Fine.

Since it's mid-November and I do live in Northern Minnesota, I guess it's time to take out my shovels and put the grit back in my car.  I'm not doing this with a smile on my face, Mother Nature, but I'll do it. 

Stuff for car:
grit
shovel
boots
spare hat,mittens, scarf, blanket
emergency kit (that is always in there)

Did I forget anything?

Witty Responses Welcomed

Monday.  4:15 PM.  Local post office.   I'm 8th in line and the woman ahead of me is talking loudly on her cellphone.  There is no way NOT to listen.  I heard all about her weekend, the bicycle reflectors needed for the other person's bike, the fact that she takes a flashlight on her walks in the morning, though now it's easier with Daylight Savings Time, etc.  All of this, full voice, no holds barred.  She did get off the phone when it was her turn, which shows some decency.

My question for you is, what would have been a good (read "funny") response to this lady holding our airwaves hostage?   Singing?  Humming?  Reciting the Declaration of Independence?  Thoughts? 

Warped and Hilarious

A friend showed me a hilarious blog that I would recommend to anyone who likes warped humor and can handle swear words.  The writer's name is Jenny Lawson and her blog is     thebloggess.com 

Once you start reading her blog, you might not come back to mine, OR, you might want to see what other trick, links, or random weirdness I've got up my sleeve (usually, it's just my arm up my sleeve, but you never know).

Baby Sister

My folks have a picture of my mom rocking my sister Sara and me next to the rocking chair in MY kid rocking chair with one of my dolls, rocking her.  I guess this was very soon after I became a big sister.   Today is that kid's birthday.  So far, I think we've raised her pretty well.  

In other news, I spent THE WHOLE DAY trying to make my house look like there weren't squatters taking over.   It's sort of weird to wake up to a clean house this morning.  I will make it last.  I will make it last.  I will make it last.

Corners of My House

Menu

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away and people have started planning their menus.  People have started dreaming about eating.  Maybe they've even started thinking about hanging out with relatives.

My questions for you:

1) What are your family traditions around food for Thanksgiving?
2) Are you one of the cooks?
3) Do you watch football that day?
4) Do you watch the parade?
5) What's your favorite menu item?

Conversation with Student (Grade 9)

A conversation with a student yesterday:

Kid: Give these to your kids.  Do you have kids?
Me: No.
Kid: Why not?  You should have kids!
Me: I don't want to be a single mom.
Kid:  Well, don't!  Have them with your husband.
Me: What husband?
Kid:  You don't have a husband?  You need to get one!!! 
Another kid: You better be hurryin'.  

I can't do the conversation justice without accents and word emphasis, but you get the idea.  Too funny!

Peace and Quiet

Duluth's elections for the year are over and while some of the results were wonderful (think parks and libraries), some of them were not (think school referendum).   However, the best news is that my mailbox will not be filled with "Please vote for me" fliers, my door won't be crammed with glossy paper, and my phone won't be ringing off the hook!  Yikes!   Peace and quiet, I welcome thee.

In unrelated news, I spent about 5 hours correcting tests yesterday and I'm still not done!   My hands are numb.  I'm down to 16 left, though, so I can see the light.  No, not that light.

Random Things I Like

agates
wandering libraries
goofy bumper stickers
penguins, owls (cartoon only), turtles
sparkly nail polish
candles
Crypto Quips
quotes
solar powered yard decorations
blue glass
songs about peace
photographing my friends' kids
learning phrases of new languages
traveling

Cars

My sister is selling her car, or more specifically, my dad is selling my sister's car.   When my dad sells a car, I am in charge of taking the pictures and creating the Craigslist post.  As soon as that 20 minute process is done, it's out of my hands. 

My dad is the guru of car numbers and stats and LOVES cars.  I think I get my memorizing of numbers from him.  Seriously, WOW.

So, essentially, if you need help selling a car, I got your back.

Plan Ahead

Friday is 11/11/11.   Could you think of something you could do 11 times on Friday?  Just for fun!    I just came up with this idea, so I have no plan yet, but I like the possibilities.  It's going to be a Friday, so maybe "yawn."  It would be more fun to have a silly plan.

Who's with me?

Cathy Lamb

Last July, my sister and I stumbled upon a local bookstore in Spooner, WI.  We both like to wander and while Sara was debating which book to get, I kept going back to this book:

Over and over, I went back to it.  So, finally, I decided to get it.  I like buying for local shops.  I like novels.  Makes sense.  The store clerk said that lots of people were happy to see that Cathy Lamb had a new book. 

I was engrossed in it!   I have since read The Last Time I was Me, Henry's Sisters, and I have 30 pages left of Such a Pretty Face.   There is only one book left: Julia's Chocolates and it's sitting on my shelf.  I have to ration out my Cathy Lamb books!  I hope she's got a new one in the works!

Each book deals with love, trauma, finding yourself, and family.   They are approximately 400 pages, but they are SOOOOO engrossing that you don't notice the length and weight except when you carry the book with you everywhere IN CASE you have time to read.

Maybe You Knew

So, tomorrow is opening deer hunting weekend and a bunch of my students are either going to be heading out early or have already left to go shoot Bambi.   Well, I was thinking of wearing a T-shirt for Invisible Children, an organization that helps kids who are struggling in Africa.   Then, I thought, "I could wear my new Blaze Orange sweatshirt with it!"   Well, not only does it highlight a good cause, but it's ironic.  I'm a dork.  Maybe you knew that.

No, I didn't order these glasses.  I ALMOST got them as sunglasses, just for a laugh.

Weird

Two days ago, I titled my blog entry "One a Day Plus Iron."  Then, one of my "whole living" tips online was to add Vitamin B to my diet to help with stress.  Well, who doesn't need help with stress, right?  So, I checked with the pharmacist and he said it would be fine to add it.  

I took it at lunch and by choir practice, I was zinging one-liners.   WHAT?   I'm cheerful at night AND goofy?  Amazing!  We'll see if this trend continues.  Too bad I can't pass them out to my students.

Adapt

A few friends and I had a conversation about adapting to living with another person.  One friend was married and two of us are in our mid-thirties and never married.  We discussed what little things would drive us crazy if we had to change them and ended up talking about how glasses should be put in cupboards: right side up or upside down?  

I guess my parents fought over how to fold laundry.  Do you think people just copy what their parents did?  And if so, then really they are copying the parent-who-won's style!

So, survey: 
1) Do you put glasses in the cupboard right side up or upside down?
2) Do you fold towels length-wise first or width-wise first?

Blog a Day Plus Iron

A friend told me about a National Novel writing challenge and asked if I wanted to be his writing buddy.  You write a novel (50,000 words) during the month of November.  Um, no thanks.  I don't have the patience to create character development or a plot arc.   Let me tell silly little stories and be on with my day. 

I did, however, think that this could be a chance for me to challenge myself to write a blog entry EVERY day this month.  Yes, folks, EVERY DAY!   So, the challenge is on.  If you have a topic that you're itchin' to read about and you think I might have something to say about it, let me know.  I can't guarantee it won't be a list of Things that are Green or whatever.

Actually, I did a post of "Things that are Blue" and SERIOUSLY, that is the most popular "hit" off Google for my blog.  I guess people search for Things that are Blue.  hmmmm....

Let the challenge begin!!!