Reinventing One's Self

How does one go about "reinventing" one's self? I feel like I am wanting to do so much- but things that come up in life get in the way of it.

I want to become a very healthy person- all the way...not just losing 5 pounds or so, but constantly eating healthy without binging urges and worrying about how many glasses of wine can I have in order to not gain ounces!

I want to join a women's gym to make sure I keep moving in the cold months and not gain a muffin top like I usually do during these lovely Michigan winters!

I want to begin my tea catering company. I think I am ready to do this now! I have menus, I have a pricing range, I have business cards ordered, and I feel like if I don't just try it-I'll never know what might come of this want I have of creating and hosting a most wonderful tea for someone!

I want to make my husband proud of me and keep him happy because he has become the most important person in my life, besides my sons of course-but as they grow older, they are moving away from Mom, and becoming their own person. I am not their center anymore.
My husband and I have always been hard working people-it's what we came from and it's what we know-
his "retirement" was pretty short lived seeing we still needed a little more to get by with, along with my teaching paychecks. I don't do poorly there, it's just that the one high school son is still spending a lot of money on school sports, activities and etc. So, we will keep at it! :)

I have realized that we have to keep loving all of those who are important in our lives- but not to forget to love yourself as well-I think that if we forget to take care of ourselves, on every level of being-we won't be there for them when they need us!

Hot tea for me!
E-

I Love Fall

 

 

     The Fall season has hit Michigan with a slam of wonderful weather, beautiful skies, and the scent of burning leaves. Football games, Homecoming parades, fire in the pit, and coffee with Bailey's! This is my time of year. Hubby just cleaned up the shrubs and trees for the winter, and I am eager to decorate for the Halloween/Thanksgiving season.
With brick pavers in the entryway, and a nice cozy bench to greet people, it is easy to make the front of the house a welcoming home. The plan is to do it up with hay bales, pumpkins (orange and white if possible), mums and corn stalks with Fall ribbon.
I don't know what it is about Fall- but in Michigan it is a season to treasure. Most people love Spring because of all the new growth and bright colors afgter a drab Winter, but Fall does it for me. I love the hues of Fall-oranges, reds, browns and greens and yellows. When the sun hits these colors in the late afternoon, and the breeze wafts in the Fall air- there is nothing better.

Work is nothing but stress lately. I love teaching the kids-it is my passion, but there are so many changes with mandates that are making the teaching into nothing but assessment and data. I feel like the creativity that teachers once had, and could actually use, is all put to the side now. There is no time to languish the event when a student has an "ahaaa!" moment- or to praise and celebrate knew found ideas or beliefs in what kids get out of their education. It is a sad day for teachers, and, unfortunately, for retired or soon to be retiring teachers. Educators are so under appreciated in America- if anyone could have a truly good day in the shoes of an Educator- they would see that all of these beurocratic add-ons to our day is just a waste of time in the life of a growing student.

I'm glad it's Fall- it helps me to deal with the trials of my career, and bring me back to what's really important in the scheme of my life- my husband, my family, my friends, and loving this wonderful thing called Fall.

Go BLUE!!!

E-
 

Fall into Reading (and writing!)

This is a great time to snuggle down with a good book and a comfy blanket and read 'till your heart's content. I have several books on my "read me" list. Several are adult fiction, some are young adult fiction, some are reference books for my teaching career, and others are for my addiction to crocheting and yarn.
I adore Debbie Macomber, Jodi Picoult, Susan Wiggs, as well a Anita Shreve...and where would we be without James Patterson, Richard Paul Evans, and David Baldacci? (Oh! and Nicholas Sparks!)
I am currently reading a Sandra Brown novel entitled, Lethal , a Cornelia Funke novel called, Inkdeath (the last in a young adult trilogy), and am listening to an audio book by Joyce Myer, who is a wonderful speaker for those of you who need a little spiritual inspiration!
I can't seem to get enough of the printed word.
Today in class, my 7th grade students and I had wonderful conversations about how reading and writing are considered an "art". I asked them why they thought my job title was an English Language Arts teacher- and the responses were so cool.
One student said it's because writers see images in their heads and describe it, and thoughts of characters on paper. Another said that it's because it's what you feel about a topic, and you share it with the world through writing. Yet another said that it's a way to communicate emotions, like in music and painting, only it's in story form.
We then went into how good books can become movies, and are generally blockbusters and rake in millions of dollars; Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, The Help, The Lovely Bones...the list goes on!
It is fascinating to me that 7t grade students can see so much, and understand so much, but are so afraid to try it themselves because of lack on confindence. 
As an ELA teacher, it's my ob to get it out of them, and speak their mind on an issue, create another land, or reflect on life experiences and create memoir.
Think I have an easy job?
No, I don't ... but the class discussions that I have just mentioned are what keep me grounded in my belief that I can pull it out of the majority of them-even if they outnumber me 165 to 1. LOL-

Keep reading-and check out some young adult books- some of them are better than adult fiction!

Curl up with me and tea-
E-

 

It's That Time Again

 

This week I began another year of teaching. I am in my 26th year, but my 24th year in the school district that I hope to retire from in 7 years. I am a 7th grade ELA teacher, which just means I teach Grammar, Literacy (Reading) and Writing. My group of kids consists of around 160 students so far, but as the year unfolds, I usually gain another 10 or so. My students are of all races, sizes and religions. It is a regular melting pot! That's what makes my job so special and unique. I have been a little nervous with some of the politics that are happening with retirement, and wages, but I think we will pull through somehow. I had a great first week so far, and I can only hope it is the beginning of a good year!

I have crocheted 1 children's blanket for Project Linus so far. I am now working on a red cowel neck poncho for my son's fall baseball and hockey games. I still need to finish my tank top, but since I can't wear it until next Spring- I will work on it in the dead of Winter when I'm dreaming about the warmth of the sun. I will make one more children's blanket before I send them off to the hospitals, for Project Linus. I figure if I can make 2 at a time, that's a good start tot hem program.

I went to a health fair at work, and won a drawing for a free 30 day trial at Planet Fitness- I hope I can find the time to see what it is like.

Hubby and I are still with the WW points. We are getting more serious about it though, because we are not happy with our Summer results. I am weighing and measuring all of my food, and keeping up with my points and tracking them. Wish us luck!

Maybe this calls for some tea-

Have some with me!

E-

Time Keeps On Ticking-

Well, it is the end of July already. I have had such a time with baseball tournaments, and trying to keep social dates scheduled-I feel like I am losing my summer. I have done a lot of reading; Born in Fire, Crispin and the Cross of Lead and now Born in Ice and Treasure Island. Can you guess which of these titles are for my career and which are for fun?

We have been to 7 baseball tournaments around the state of Michigan. Some close by and others needing weekend hotel stays. We have been through a lot of hot weather-some days as high as 100 degrees! This past week, we were in the World Series, but didn't make it to the finals. Very odd, since we have won 6 out of 7 tournaments...

this will keep the boys grounded- that's a good thing!

Next week, we are taking the 14 year old camping in an RV for 3 days. He is bringing a friend-so he will enjoy it. The down side to this trip is that the RV is due back Friday by 10 a.m.- and we have to be playing in a tournament game an hour and a half away by 1:00! Luck of the draw, we get the first and earliest game! :) yay!

Our tomato plants in the back yard were destroyed by the deer- they even ate the tomatoes that were growing! One of the plants was pulled right out of the ground! I trashed them today- what a sight!

All the flowers around the house look good-our water bill is going to be sky high-but I guess it's worth it. Our grass and such looks so nice every time I pull into the driveway!

Well, I am still trying to stay on my healthy eating pattern, but with sadness, I have to say, I haven't lost much-if anything, with all the travel and what not, I have gained the few pounds I lost back again! Anyone ever been in those shoes?? LOL  We can only try-

I am crocheting a tank top out of cotton yarn. It is a mixture of white, blues, greens, and yellow. It will be great for next summer- not sure if I will be able to wear it before Labor Day-

I finished an all white wrap with scalloped edges, and a blue vest for Fall. I guess I've done more than my share of crocheting this summer-must be all those car rides to the ball games! :)

I should be off now- I am (unbelievably) preparing lessons for school already. Crispin is our first novel, then Treasure Island, so I need to prepare.

With all this in mind-

Stay kind-

have some tea, and hug a tree!

LOL-

E-

So much to see!

This past weekend, my husband and I took my parents on a road trip to Door County, Wisconsin. It was a memorable experience-one that I will remember. We had no agenda, just drive from Michigan, through Indiana, Illinois (Chicago), and then into Wisconsin. We made it in 8 hours. We stayed in Sturgeon Bay, which became our "home base" for the stay. To drive to the tip of Door County peninsula, it only took an hour. We saw small towns with many art galleries, wineries, bakeries, and of course, ice cream shops. Cherry pie was on our must have list, so we finally got one on the last night. Dad loved it.

We also tasted many of the wines from throughout the county. We bought a few bottles of blackberry Merlot, and a chocolate cherry dessert wine. Mom and dad bought Riesling, and a white Merlot. I enjoyed seeing the art around Sturgeon Bay-as you can see, artists decorated several sturgeon around town, and displayed them all over. There was even one made into a school bus! Right up my alley!

It was a great trip-I recommend it to anyone who loves small shops, wine and walking. I forgot to mention the awesome yarn shop called "Spin" that I went to. I found some beautiful Italian yarn and brought it home! Now I just have to decide what to crochet it into!

Have a good week-

E-

Keeping At It...

This weekend I weighed in and saw that I had gained .6! I was in shock because I did so well with points and exercising- so I stuck with it over the weekend. I ate good- but with little exercise. I had a baseball tournament to attend, perch fishing with family, and more baseball!
I woke up this morning not wanting to walk-but I went on a 3-miler anyway- I'm glad I did. It feels good to know you accomplished something that you know should have been done, whether you felt like it or not.
I had mni wheats for breakfast, and we are having tossed veggie salad with tuna in it. I prefer mine without mayo- hubby likes a little. I also did the house cleaning- so I look at that as extra calorie burning.
I am planning a trip to Wisconsin Door County this week- I plan to make it as enjoyable, and as healthy as possible.
Hope everyone else is still on the losing path!
E-