January 31, 2012

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
I am starting this after school so it is sunny and 60ish which is a true first this week. As in typical shape it is supposed to snow on Thursday -- of course the day that I need to haul kids around Denver to lobby a bill in the House and Senate. When I finish this it will be dark and dank. This time of year is hard for me to deal with as the days are short.

I am thinking...
If I get through this week I will be ok-- but I have a multitude of meetings, and a pile of things to do and a house to clean before we have guests. I wish I had a guest room so I could keep One room in perfect shape for visitors.I am freaking about a presentation I have to give on Friday morning. It will go well or it will flop horribly. What was I thinking when I designed it?

I am thankful...
That for the first time all three of my boys will be with me working on behalf of the Youth Summit this week and that I can have some mom time with them amidst the chaos.

In the kitchen...
More dishes a pile of mail on the counter a box from my mom, milk containers on the floor next to the counter instead of in the trash can and oh yea a pot of water that I was going to boil for dinner. Plan change-- not.

I am wearing...
Jeans for the last time until Sunday, danskos with worn toes, and brown which makes me look a little less gey according to Drew. Thanks for that input!

I am going...
To schoo early tomorrow and then to recieve an award that is not mine but more for others and I am SO pleased about this recognition for the kids. Then it is off to some hard hard work on several projects for Friday and Thursday for that matter.

I am wondering...
How the heck Connor can disengage so fast when he has so much to do. Sometimes I wonder how to make the kids focus on their work. UGH. Also wondering what I am going to do with the apathy in a team of leaders I am associated with.

I am reading...
Legislative updates for the hill and the summit facebook page to keep track of when and where kids will be tomorrow night.

A favorite quote for today...

"Those who can, teach. Those who can't, pass laws about teaching."

No kidding.

One of my favorite things...
Well currently I have been clouded according to Jenn I am going to die from Mountain Dew! :O) That was a nice conversation in class today. At this point-- well who cares! Otherwise three dogs on my feet with one wet nose poking my elbow. That I can handle at the end of the day.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Youth summit awards, planning meeting, Teacher Librarian Days, New Millennium thingy,  library stuffing, mammoth game, nephews birthday, mom coming in, and bloody clean house!

A peek into my day...
Good teaching in the use of flips in the classroom and artifacts in Asia studies and fun homeroom. Exec meeting that was a bit hairy, and a forecast that looks both positive and somewhat cloudy for education in some contexts. I think we have some exciting things coming in Adams 12 but some not so nice things floating around in perceptions that need to be squelched.

January 26, 2012

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

It is dark again. Seems like the most I get to write lately is at night. I struggle with this but it seems like my days start and then I run and run and run.Today it was breezy and cool and snow is coming in tomorrow. I would love it if we would have one snow day where we were buried!

I am thinking...
That as much as I am cutting things off my plate- this time of year the list goes longer and longer.

I am thankful...
That Alex placed 7th in Spelling Bee! He worked so hard and I am pleased that he has had the chance to compete. I am proud of him! I am excited that he and Connor will be allowed to participate in the Youth Summit on the hill next week.

In the kitchen...
I just got done with the dishes. I cannot stand leftover food and it grosses me out to have it soggy in the sink. The boys did not clean up-- and I wish they would do that. There are crumbs under the microwave and on the counter. Mail everywhere and the place is a general wreck which is driving me NUTS! This is when my OCD side comes out and when they are in chaos I feel like I am too.

I am wearing...
A blue shirt I hate but it was the only one that matched my outfit today, jeans, and a worn pair of flats. I am glad to be in jeans today. Fours days of suits this week is hard.

I am going...
To the Mason's tomorrow to talk about education. I am so thankful to them and want to show my appreciation. The dinner is out at Stapleton so I am hoping sincerely that they will not have snow. I will stop and see Vicki on my way home.

I am wondering...
What Bridgid is chewing on again, and HOW I am going to teach tomorrow. I really really am tired this week.

I am reading...
A couple of magazines because my brain is on such overload that I can't manage to read anything of any substance.

I am learning
About Museum Box-- a great app that Laura showed me. It is seriously cool and I want to use it.

A favorite quote for today...
If Obama really supported education he would come right out and tell us-- actions speak louder than words Mr. President.

One of my favorite things...
My comforter on the bed. It is cozy and I love it-- dog dirt and all thanks to Kolby. His little nose is ready to poke me in the neck and ask for more attention. As much as he drives me nuts-- I love his sense of fun and his cuddle factor.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Bloody meetings and then more bloody meetings. I am so over them right now but have to keep up! It seems like every year at this time Kirk has to pick up slack which bites. These are the worst three weeks of my year each year-- Librarian Days, Youth Summit, etc. UGH.Good stuff-- all timed at the same time. And then there is this freeking furlough day that I have to work and get docked pay for. yuck.

A peek into my day...
Technology chaos with the drops being down, switching out two boxes, and just not getting any teaching done the way I liked it. A teacher's worse nightmare!

January 16, 2012

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
A little cold, a little chilly, smelling of steer and a pile of cowboys hanging out in the front of the National Western Stock Show.

I am thinking...
Wishing I had another day off until school starts. I have a basic idea of what I need to do to get ready for school but am not looking forward to the chaotic schedule of the next two weeks.

I am thankful...
For the friends I am with today that have an immense vision for the future of what is right with kids and the Colorado Youth Summit, and I am so happy to be able to visit a historic location to understand what the National Western is about on a whole different level.

In the kitchen...
Cracked out a quick batch of bruschetta to take to the Page family for an impromptu dinner before Mike leaves for Alaska once again. I really don't get tired of it although I think it needs balsamic and Kirk thinks it needs olive oil only. That will be an unending battle.

I am wearing...
Western jeans and my favorite western belt from Texas in honor of the National Western. Trying to figure out if I could get away with it again-- probably not since I have parent information night. UGH. oh well -- I will wear it again this week to keep the spirit of western Colorado around.

I am creating...
Trying to figure out the next blog entry for the geeky teachers blog and monitoring homework completion by Drew who would rather whack out his homework in pen in a rush than take time with it.

I am reading...
I am actually dying to read the latest travel magazine on the side table and dream of a free summer where I can actually go where I want to go with the kids. I should be reading another legislative brief, a book I have a conference call about tomorrow, and the calendar to see what is up with this week but I can't bear to look at the schedule.

I am looking forward to...

Spa night at the Four Seasons with Kirk next week-- I wish we could stay overnight but no such luck. We really need some connect time ALONE with no arguing kids.

Around the house...
I am really having issues with the fact these guys of mine don't care about leaving everything around. What a pain to constantly clean!

A favorite quote for today...

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.- MLK

One of my favorite things...
White chocolate oreo cookies and creme chocolates-- I could do with one of those right now!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Survive!