Thursday, August 25, 2016

Another Decade...

In the seven years since I've had this blog, I've written several other decade related posts.  I blogged about Kevin's and my 10 year anniversary.  I wrote about Hannah turning 10, and a couple years after that I wrote about Mason turning 10.  When I turned 30, I wrote letters to my 20 year-old self and my 40 year-old self (a decade younger and a decade older).  I thought about blogging for my 10 year teaching anniversary, but I didn't actually.

This time I'm writing about another decade in my life.  A decade of a very serious love/hate relationship with insurance.  A decade of developing scarred tissue over the vein in my left elbow.  A decade of fatigue and joint aches.  A decade of bone pain that can kind of be described as a throbbing toothache in bones I was never concious of even having before.  A decade of having random illnesses/conditions that I get to laugh/brag about having.

But it's also been a decade of developing a relationship with a doctor who asks about my parents and siblings that he only met once every time I see him.  A decade of incredible friendships with people who have shown their love and loyalty over and over again.  A decade of advancements in medicine and medical treatment.  A decade of nurses who remember to ask about my kids (both Hannah & Mason and my students) every time I see them.  A decade of working at a place with people that care and support like family.  A decade of "enough".


10 years ago today I was diagnosed with Leukemia (CML).  I've blogged about this day several times, most in-depth here.  But that day isn't what this post is about.  This post is about TEN YEARS!  And although I'm still technically only in partial remission, I have been that way for approximately 7 of those years.  So I am both stable and consistent, which is something to be thankful for.  And when I think of everything this last decade has brought me, I can't help but smile.  10 years is a wonderful thing!

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Back to School...


School of Rock = greatness.  Jack Black = greatness.  2016-2017 school year = greatness.

That's right.  This weekend is our final weekend of summer.  It has been an unusually long and stressful prep week, but I am confident that this is going to be an amazing year.  Mason is joining Hannah at the middle school this year, so this will be the first time I haven't had kids in the same building as me in 8 years.  It's bitter sweet, but the fact that Mason is so ready is making it a lot easier for me.

And now, seeing as how I am exhausted, I am just going to leave you with some of my favorite "teacher memes".  Most of them you've probably seen before, but maybe there's a couple that you haven't.  Either way...enjoy.

Here's to a FABULOUS school year!!














Monday, August 1, 2016

6 Words...


As I was perusing Pinterest the other day, I cam across something called "Your Life in Just 6 Words".  They talk about it being a way to get those who might feel like they can't write to write.  You can do it as a journaling activity:  come up with a mantra, or a joke, or describe your day in just 6 words.  You can even see if you can sum up your life in just 6 words.  I mean it's only 6 words...anybody can write 6 words.  However, for someone (like me) who tends to be a bit wordy, it can be a bit of a challenge.  This article got the idea from Smith Magazine that has a whole website dedicated to the 6 Word Memoirs:  http://www.sixwordmemoirs.com/ .  And apparently they got the idea from a legend that when Ernest Hemingway was challenged to write a story in only 6 words, he came up with this:  "For sale:  baby shoes, never worn."  I mean, wow!

If you google the 6 word idea (which I encourage you to do), or go to the Smith Magazine website (they even have a book and an app), a lot of what you see will be tragic and heartbreaking like the one Ernest Hemingway wrote.  Which, while brilliant story-telling, is a bit of a downer.  I'm going to try to be more positive with my 6 word post here today.

Here goes nothing:

Some of my favorites that I found online:

* If only my "if only's" happened.
* "Happy girls are the prettiest girls." - Audrey Hepburn
* Happiness is only real when shared.
* "I've made all the best mistakes." - Jessica McKeen-Grabell 
* You are entirely up to you.
* "Every problem has a creative solution." - Donna Karan
* Dreams don't work unless you do.
* "It's weird not to be weird." - John Lennon
* Be the good in the world.
* "Think and wonder.  Wonder and think." - Dr. Seuss

Some oldies, but goodies:

* "With God, all things are possible." - Matthew 19: 26
* Be careful what you wish for.
* "Nobody puts baby in a corner." - Johnny Castle
* Mistakes are proof you are trying.
* "May the force be with you." - Han Solo
* "You can go your own way." - Fleetwood Mac
* There is no success like failure.
* "Do not be anxious about anything." - Philippians 4:6

Some of my favorite quotes that I turned into 6 word quotes:

* Days without laughter are days wasted. = inspired by Charlie Chaplin
* Loved ones never really leave us. = inspired by Sirius Black (JK Rowling)
* Time you enjoyed wasting wasn't wasted. = inspired by John Lennon
* Our choices show what we are. = inspired by Dumbledore (JK Rowling)
* Believe in laughing, kissing, and miracles. = inspired by Audrey Hepburn
* Loving your family promotes world peace. = inspired by Mother Teresa
* Integrity: what's right over what's easy. =  inspired by CS Lewis

My day in just 6 words:

* Running and rolling. Laughing and crying.

My life in just 6 words:



I'd LOVE to see what you can come up with, too!!