90/365 Springy

This morning, there were only two of us stupid enough who got up way too early for the weekly long run.  Somewhere around mile 6, I tripped and fell.  My running partner and I laughed and laughed.  I brushed the dirt off as best I could and we went on our merry little way.

About 2 minutes later, my running partner tripped on a different part of the sidewalk and fell.  We could hardly run because we were laughing so hard.

There was a lady on the walking down the sidewalk that didn't respond at all and that was probably the funniest part.  Seriously, how do you keep a poker face when two ladies do some sidewalk surfing?

She probably thought we were drunk.

89/365 Passover Seder

We finally had our seder last night.  The man and I spent the day cooking and cleaning and getting everything in place.  This was one of the most relaxed and fun Passover meals we've ever had.

Yarmulkes for the dudes.

88/365 Yes, we have some bananas

Every day, I call my mom to check on her and just to touch base with her.  It means so much to her and it really is a little thing to do.  Today, when she answered the phone, she sounded so pitiful and in so much pain.  She'd been feeling nauseous and sick all day.

I went by her house and took her to the doctor.  My poor mom.  She had a serious stomach bug and was on the verge of being dehydrated.

Clear liquids today.  BRAT diet tomorrow.  After I got her back home, I went to the grocery store to get Gatorade, Ginger Ale, bananas and her medicine.

I'm hoping she is a lot better tomorrow.

87/365 Where stories begin...

Sometimes the situations that students are in make me feel helpless.  Absolutely helpless.  And I don't like feeling helpless.

As I recounted the awful tale, my husband listened.  I appreciate how my husband has learned how to listen... to really listen.  His understanding helped me feel empowered even if it is was just for a moment.

After I quit talking, we went to the local art center so that I could drop off two pictures that I'm entering into an art contest.  The lady volunteering at the desk is a former teacher of mine and my parent's neighbor.  When she said she didn't know I was an artist, I quickly told her I wasn't.  That I just messed around with photography.

We got back in the truck to head out to a friend's house where we'd been invited for dinner.  I told my husband how I felt like such a fraud dropping off work at the art center.  Who am I kidding?  I'm just pretending to be an artist.

Again, my husband understood and listened.  He didn't try to change my mind or tell me how to fix something.  There is such healing in just being heard.

That was when I knew that while I can't fix the situation for some of my students, I can listen.  I can understand.  And I hope that can be enough to empower them.

86/365 Tea time

I woke up headache free this morning and wanted to click my heels.  Then I went to work and the discipline referrals started.

I actually like doing the discipline at school because it is a chance to hear the students and work with them to correct their behavior. Only today, I reached that point of just being overwhelmed.  I had kids sitting in various states all over my office and I felt like I was triaging through the most critical issues.

But my headache was gone.  And it stayed away.

Two more days and then we are out for a week of spring break!  I'm more ready for this break than the kids are, I promise.

85/365 The headache

I don't get headaches very often but when I do, I remember that I don't get them very often.  Maybe I've been thinking too much.

84/365 “Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest.” ~ Beatrix Potter

Just being contemplative.