It's Why I Love Them!

It's my daughters's hard work and dedication, honing their craft of teaching, that I happen upon that fills my heart. 

There's M, the high school student teacher (snap chat) 

And D in the midst of her Block III practicum in middle and junior high school (Instagram) 

I hope one day they will become that teacher who a student views as that one who made a mark on their life. It's my dream for them both. Just like they each had that one special teacher that forever changed them, with a strong belief in their successes. 

Mother Nature Is Smoking Something Funny

I don't know what is up with Mother Nature these days, but she seems to be smoking something funny. It seems like every week in February, one day, she just decides to dump snow on us.  

On Ash Wednesday she decided to start dropping snow around 3 o'clock and it lasted well into the night. It didn't impede the way for school to be in session on Thursday. The next week she decided that we should have a Sunday snow. That was the snow I mastered my road trip winter driving skills. Last weekend she gave us a reprieve and graced us with 78° temperatures on Saturday, and 58° temperatures on Sunday. Then this morning she decided to really dump, 5" of heavy wet sloppy snow. Damn ole' Mother Nature! 

At 4:51am I received a text alerting me of a snow day from school. We all know I love snow days! It means I get to be alone in the office--it's quiet, peaceful, tranquil, no kids dragging their nonsense to my desk...overall just a relaxing day of work. 

King Ralph hopped out of bed and looked out the window to notice all the snow...and no power. Our neighborhood was in the dark. I grabbed my phone to report the power outage. Luckily it had already been noted and restoration was expected at 11:30am. 

(They lie! It was restored at 12:30pm.) 

The joys of no electricity means showering by flashlight, but don't wash the hair because you can't power the blow dryer. No making your lunch because you don't want to open up the refrigerator. And using your gas fireplace to warm the house…actually that's quite the bonus. 

(Uli really is thinking, will my damn humans take me to get a fricking haircut, I look like a rat dog!) 

Being the mother than I am I went outside to prepare Princess A's car for her to go to work. Then it was my turn

Call me nuts, but I don't mind a gloomy day. It means I get to leave the blinds open on the windows behind my desk. On beautiful, sunny days I close the window blinds, because the sun glares my computer screen...making it feel like I'm trapped in a box. At least on gray days I get to see the outside world. 

(The Wednesday view from the top) 

Here's the trouble with starting your day with no power…I can't find my slippers without the lights on. So I took the first thing I came to--my flip-flops. I got to work, took off my snowboots, put on my flip-flops. It was kinda like telling Mother Nature "I'm ready for spring!" 

(I know, I know the socks.) 

Before I left for work I got a text from the guidance secretary asking me to be sure to feed Rebel. 

By the time I got home the dog gone snow just about all melted. Insane! Crazy!! 

So I ask you, what the hell is Mother Nature smoking? 

Making The Trade

Last weekend before hitting the highway for Chicago, we dropped D's car "Nancy" off to be inspected. We took it to a shop we've never frequented before, only choosing it because the Toyota dealer had no available appointments for the weekend, and the plates are due for renewal next week. 

Just as I was leaving the nursing home King Ralph called to say the car failed inspection--bad brakes, bad windshield wipers. The auto shop quoted $450 to make the repairs. King Ralph refrained from verbalizing his inner voice that was thinking: F YOU! We were left with no other option but to send D back to college with my car.

There is nothing worse than driving a car you're unfamiliar with. How do I move the seat? Oh ya, "Nancy" is a manuel ole gal. What, no automatic lights? Great, I hope I can remember to turn them off when I park. What fool designed a visor that hits the rear view mirror? Note to self: squint, wear sunglasses or adjust mirror constantly. Actually ole "Nancy" did me fine...once I gave her a full tank of gas.  She was dying of thirst. Typical college kid takes the car with gas, leaves mom with the car with none. 

On Thursday King Ralph celebrated "Nancy's" one year gotcha day by giving her new brakes, wipers and an oil change. If ole "Nancy" was a woman it would be like getting new shoes, sunglasses and a good drink for your birthday. The ole gal had a good day! King Ralph, not so much! He was pissed off when he was forced to replace brakes with ample pad left on them. 

Saturday we made the exchange. Drove the 90 miles to SEMO to reunite D with her "Nancy." It was while cruising down Hwy 55, smelling dead skunk after dead skunk, that we decided we'd check out an RV dealer in town. They had the model King Ralph had been researching. Here is what we learned

1. No power jacks, but an insulated under belly

2. 14" tires make the King question...thinks they should be 15" 

3. The recliner passed the man test

4. The counter space is doable for the woman 

5. The free standing dining table with storage in the seat chairs was a plus 

6. Pleather sofa sleeper would do fine for any tag-alongs. 

All the while D could be heard moaning "this isn't camping!" I suppose letting go of our beloved pop-up might not be as easy for some, as it will be for others. All that moaning from a girl who hardly has time to vacation with us anymore. 

Once we got a price quote we decided to chew on it a little. While it's not totally off the table, it's left us in limbo once again. Sigh. 

Call Me Captain Kirk

I navigated the roadways through a winter storm--like Captain Kirk at the reigns of the Enterprise. I watched a car behind me spin out all the way to the other side of the highway.  I passed a car in Springfield crunched, as the woman stood in the road implementing her rescue plan. But me, I was slow and steady. The perfect captain! 

Before the storm I filled my love tank with a quick trip to Chicago, to spend time with this great lady--my 94 year old grandma.

I never ever tell her I'm coming. I never want to get her hopes up, get her all excited, and then something cancels the trip.  Say, like winter weather. I also never want to tell her who's coming along, because I never know what sudden college obligations could road block them from joining. This visit she got great grandchildren number two and five. (There are 17 greats in total.) After a four hour visit, loads of family history stories told to the girls, tons of laughing (the kind that draws out tears) and her first experience with a selfie stick picture..."no I look terrible, like I'm a 103." My Grandma said to us as we kissed and hugged her good-bye, "this was the best Valentine surprise ever!" 

Once I got home I couldn't help but share the love of shoveling with M and D 

The family that shovels together are Valentines for life! Or so I brain washed the kids into thinking. Hehehe

Later this evening my real Valentine will come home from work, I'll throw a pork chop his way and remind him 29 years ago he asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. We are romantic like that. 

Happy day of hearts and kisses! 

Rethinking

I dress for an office that consistently try's to sweat us out of the joint. 

Then there's that unexpected mid-day snow

I guess I'll give up sock-less feet for Lent...starting today! 

Tie Tuesday

I work in a business casual setting--skirts, simple dresses and dress pants for the ladies...slacks, collared shirts, sweaters for the men--just enough to look respectable. Except on Tuesday. Tuesday, is "Tie Tuesday." It's the one day of the week when the men break out their dress-for-success card. It's fun to see the men sporting ties of all different colors and patterns...sport teams and holiday promotion. I'm waiting for the students to join in on the fun. 

In the meantime I've been having a last couple of weeks that send me: 

1. Dreaming of after work cocktails 

2. Begging for a midday nap 

3. Contemplating stealing all those Tuesday ties 

 Personally I think this is a genius escape plan! Options are good. Just saying! 

Good Riddens January

I started last week on a slow pace--home and work. It was nice!  

Last Sunday we road tripped to see the SEMO Opera. D had a lead role. The journey to the stage was a rough one for the musically gifted and passionate young adults. As tough a journey as it was for them, they bounded as a family and lifted each other when needed. Their friend who's life ended too soon; her family was in the audience supporting the opera--because it was something their child was passionate about. An opera performance dedicated to their dear friend, a performance recognized with deep sadness, sorrow, and yet joy by her family. Yes, there was tears--by many. 

As we've done for every performance of D's life, there was a bouquet of flowers.

For the first time in her college career she had the support of both her big sisters. 

By the time the week came to a close I was completely exhausted from work. I had two days straight of forms, file folders and letters--too much non-sense! So I came home, kicked off my shoes, poured a nice glass of Cabernet, struck a fire and had some deep chair time! 

I say farewell to January and hello to February! I'm counting down to things like Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Valentine's Day and President's Day...a paid day off is so worthy of a count down! 

The Fan Club

I believe it was my second year into my middle school employment that I began referring to the century old maroon chairs by my desk as, "fan club" seating. It just made the demise of waiting to see the principal less depressing. Like maybe, somehow, something good could come from the dreaded fate awaiting the poor souls. 

The "fan club" has a few fine print rules: 

1. You never discuss with anyone why you're sitting in a fan club seat 

2. You never ask someone why they've been sent to the fan club seating

3. You never tell anyone your final outcome post principal meeting

I believe strongly in not fostering gossip in the hallways, were stories can so easily be miss construed. The goal: complete anonymity. Protect the privacy of all "fan club" members! Lessen the likelihood of new members. 

Today the fan club became more literal than figurative. 

While the winter was nothing short of glorious outside (55*, blue skies, sunshine), inside it felt like 1,100*. My wardrobe selection of a sweater, skater style skirt and boots left me questioning my sanity. I was literally on the verge of heat stroke. I looked around to see if the devil was sitting in a maroon chair. I traded hot tea for jugs of iced water and open windows. The attempt was to bring my body temperature from--swimming in the magma of earths core to just standing on the equator. When water and windows failed me, I stole a fan from the counselor's office. Thus making my "fan club" a genuine "fan club."

And the seats were in high demand today! 

To all those begging for membership...new membership will be under deep scrutiny--tomorrow is Friday, after all! 

----

P.S Will the owner of the green coat please claim before I give it away! 

Let It Snow

Yesterday I had devised a plan to wear blue jeans on a Wednesday. The library is promoting All For Books. For a donation you can dress as your favorite book character. My master mind genius scheme was to dress as Carmen from Sisterhhod of the Traveling Pants, as a way to defy that "jeans on Friday only" rule. Who doesn't love magic jeans?! 

Then it had to go and snow. 

Snow day!

If I was doubtful that our new messenger service wasn't telling me the truth, I got a text at 4:51am, a recorded voice message at 4:55am and an email with an attachment of the voice message when I opened my work email. I like a system that covers all it's bases. And I laugh!  

If you're my Snapchat "friend" you got to enjoy my story today. If you aren't snapping with me, here's my day--snap style.

When I say "we" I use the term lightly. I shoveled 75% of driveway while King Ralph cleaned and warmed the truck. He was my chauffeur after all. When our schedules are in sync we carpool on snowy days. 

Apparently I was the only office girl strong enough to take on the two and a half inches of snow. Oh ya, I wore those magic jeans anyway.

All alone in the office is my favorite way to work. I showered, brushed my unwashed hair, and put on as little make-up as possible, to look somewhat alive, for all those people who would never see me. 

After piddling around the office doing mail, I booted up my computer and added a little note to my Google screen. 

Then it was time to get to work...in comfort.  You should know I did A LOT of work today! I attribute the comfort of my feet to my ability to crank out the work. (Focus on the fancy feet, not my snack stash!) 

I did break to brew some hot tea. 

When I got home M, who enjoyed the luxury of the snow day, went outside in the cold snowy yard to be goofy. It wasn't snowman snow, so this is our version of playing in the snow. We are geeks. What can I say?!

Tomorrow it is back to routine life. 

Breaking Back Into Real Life

I know folks who have conventional work schedules loathe hearing those of us with a few perks moan about how difficult waking has been. That's exactly what last week's waking was--difficult! It's so easy to get out of practice with routine. I start my breaks rising at my usual time, and as the break goes on my nights get longer and my mornings start later. When routine beckons once again, the 5am alarm clock feels like a cruel joke. There isn't  enough lattes or Earl Grey tea to revive me at my desk. 

As the new year (and semester) sprung into action; I was not alone this time in the re-emergence of educational employment. You see, my M started her student teaching at the high school. Those 8am classes every college kid dreads...well, they suddenly don't seem so bad! Both M and I came home dragging, wishing coffee at 2pm was an option for our bodies. We slid into Friday with a feeling of great accomplishment...not so much the work we completed on the job, but that we managed to stay awake on the job. 

Here I am ready to roll into another week. A feeling that January is already on the fast track--when the same kids visit my desk first week back, it somehow feels like Groundhog Day--perplexes me. I'm afraid to blink, because as soon as I do D will be on the road back to college. That day is Tuesday. 

While I lay here wondering what to wear to work...will the outside arctic temperatures make the office seem as if it sits on the equator or will will the arctic temperatures make it feel like the South Pole...it's a constant battle we fight. Actually, as I lay here I feel like I'll close my eyes and wake to the month of May. 

Good-bye 2015, Here We Come 2016

Five years ago I was in CA for the Rose Parade, while at home tornados hit my community.

Three years ago it snowed. 

Two years ago I was in my swimsuit soaking up Caribbean sunshine in the middle of the ocean. 

Last year I was among family and friends shaking chocolate martinis and playing the Racing Horse game. 

This. Year. 

This year our sump pump is running on overtime and my community is affected by massive flooding . We have cousins trapped in their house that sits high on a hill, but surrounded by a moat. We have friends and co-workers held hostage in their homes by roads closed in every direction they turn.The water company has asked us to conserve water...and there's a stench of *^~+ in the air thanks to ten Olympic size pools worth of sewage that spilled into the river. My city is a large toilet bowl! Despite the most herendous traffic this city has experienced--road closures that weren't even an impact in the Flood of 93'...no matter how long it took us to drive a block or 5 miles, we feel blessed. 

Our festivities to ring in 2016 have been canceled by Mother Nature. We will cheer the New Year with a quiet at-home-celebration of Redbox movies, party hats and champagne, while feeling thankful for all we have. 

This year's resolution: be thankful. Simply, be thankful. An attainable resolution. Stop. Take a breath. Look around. Absord the smallest and biggest of blessings that touch life. Not to let closed roads blind the moments of thankfulness. 

Happy 2016!! 

Merry Merry Christmas!

This year Christmas got new perspective. The tone at times needed a spirit injection, but overall it filled hearts with love and happiness. 

The girls spent the afternoon of Christmas Eve building a gingerbread house. The house wasn't one of those off the shelf at a hobby shop kit. Princess A whipped up a batch of gingerbread dough and I had a ceramic stone baking mold that had never been used--for about 20 years. It was a "learning experience," but I think it turned out pretty darn good! 

M took it upon herself to be the one to tend to the Christmas count down....

 

Christmas Eve evening we went to church, as we always do. Sat in the fifth pew pulpit side, as we always do. Sang Silent Night to a sanctuary aglow with candles, just like we always do. It was peaceful and faith filling. 

Before we left to celebrate Jesus's birthday we took a selfie snap family picture. 

D sang Ave Maria as the prelude to the 6pm service. It was beautiful. Anytime we get to hear D sing it's a gift that fills our hearts. 

When we returned home from church, Princess A's Prince Charming joined us for a feast of surf-n-turf and champagne. Then I asked Prince Charming to place the wisemen into the nativity. It's our tradition that they travel around the house till Christmas Eve, and after church are placed by baby Jesus in their place of laud and honor. 

Princess A, the family's principle baker, whipped up some Bailey's chocolate mousse for dessert. It doesn't get much better than a boozy chocolate treat to top off a night's already high caloric meal.

Once the (grown) children were tucked all snug in their beds...Santa came. He filled stockings and placed three gifts for each of us under the tree. Jesus got three gifts, we get three gifts. 

When morning came the gifts were divided up, opening tree space for the search of the pickle ornament. It's always a friendly, sisterly race.

Our tradition is the sister that finds the pickle gets an extra gift (this year it was a $10 Cane's gift card and an R2-D2 Pez, and gets to open the first gift. D was the winner. Again! 

After our gifts were all unwrapped revealing hiking and snow boots, leather purse, new bedding, professional grade standing mixer and waffle maker, cast iron Dutch oven, perfumes....  We had a champagne breakfast while Uli had a tin of doggie prime rib.

It was time to prepare for the next round of festivities. We loaded the car with gifts, ten pounds of mashed potato casserole and a triple batch of the-always-requested "Lucy Corn," then we headed to the cousin's house. We gathered twenty-six strong...we only had a few missing family members.

Of course we digitally captured our silliness.

D master mind and orchestrated this adorable Brady Bunch-esque style cousin picture. It even included the girls' significant others...and even man's best friend. 

We feasted on too much good food. Shook lots of martinis, played rob-your-neighbor and Heads Up. Just what Santa and Jesus ordered up for us.

So when the night of great fun family togetherness ended, all we had left to say to December 25, 2015 was...

 

It's The Reason for the Season

May your days be filled with love, peace and joy. Merry Christmas!