Well....it's officially the last day of this decade! As 2009 draws quickly to an end, most of us have spent some time reflecting on where we are, where we want to be, and where we are going.
The holidays and my extended vacation at home have been wonderful, busy, nostalgic, and peaceful.
I'm not going to spend time listing out all the things I'd like to accomplish in 2010. And I'm not even going to go into some sort of recap of the ups and downs of this decade.
I, for one, am saying good riddance to 2009 and am welcoming 2010 with open arms! I hope each of you have a safe and happy new year!
Finding the Silver Lining
Blogging has been light lately, but judging by how busy my family and friends are lately, I doubt anyone has even noticed!
Last week, I told you about the holiday stress of packing up, shopping, and planning that I had. This week, I'm trying not to be totally let down that I will likely be snowed in tomorrow, the day I'm supposed to be driving home to start my fabulous 2 week holiday vacation. I don't "do" snow and cold very well. At all. And I don't like anything that keeps me a minute longer from my beloved vacations home.
To be honest with you, I would have hit the road today without thinking twice if it weren't for one thing.....tonight is the last night I'm supposed to hang out with my DC BFF, Shira, who is leaving for a year.
There are VERY few people that I would risk getting stranded in the biggest winter storm our area has seen in recent years and delay my trip to SC by at least a day just to see her one last time. But she's kind of like the Meredith to my Christina and the Lucy to my Ethel. So it's probably the most fitting thing in the world that we would have our last hurrah by trying to survive a winter storm together. Come to think of it, I'm really not THAT surprised that this is happening.
So here begins another adventure...
Which will likely begin along with a million other people at the grocery store. Since I thought I would be leaving, I haven't been to the store in a loooong time. I was trying to get rid of everything I already had. We even cleaned out our fridge last night and it's basically empty. I hope there is some milk, bread, and eggs left. I guess people love to eat french toast when it snows? I've always wondered about that.
Last weekend, some of Shira's friends threw a surprise going away brunch for her. We got her there by telling her we were going to bake cookies. We weren't planning to actually bake cookies, but once we knew how excited she was about said cookies, we had to do it anyway!
Last week, I told you about the holiday stress of packing up, shopping, and planning that I had. This week, I'm trying not to be totally let down that I will likely be snowed in tomorrow, the day I'm supposed to be driving home to start my fabulous 2 week holiday vacation. I don't "do" snow and cold very well. At all. And I don't like anything that keeps me a minute longer from my beloved vacations home.
To be honest with you, I would have hit the road today without thinking twice if it weren't for one thing.....tonight is the last night I'm supposed to hang out with my DC BFF, Shira, who is leaving for a year.
There are VERY few people that I would risk getting stranded in the biggest winter storm our area has seen in recent years and delay my trip to SC by at least a day just to see her one last time. But she's kind of like the Meredith to my Christina and the Lucy to my Ethel. So it's probably the most fitting thing in the world that we would have our last hurrah by trying to survive a winter storm together. Come to think of it, I'm really not THAT surprised that this is happening.
So here begins another adventure...
Which will likely begin along with a million other people at the grocery store. Since I thought I would be leaving, I haven't been to the store in a loooong time. I was trying to get rid of everything I already had. We even cleaned out our fridge last night and it's basically empty. I hope there is some milk, bread, and eggs left. I guess people love to eat french toast when it snows? I've always wondered about that.
Last weekend, some of Shira's friends threw a surprise going away brunch for her. We got her there by telling her we were going to bake cookies. We weren't planning to actually bake cookies, but once we knew how excited she was about said cookies, we had to do it anyway!
I'll keep you posted on our winter wonderland!
Front Porch Friday
So it's that time of year....where I have multiple lists started to try and declutter my mind. I tell myself that I WILL get it all done. I'll find the perfect, most thoughtful gift for all 23 people on my Christmas gift list. I'll have everything organized for the 3 different places that I go over a 24 hour span of time during Christmas Eve/Day so I won't forget my grandmother's gift like I did last year. I'll have the above mentioned 22 perfect gifts wrapped all pretty with some sort of cutesy embellishment on the bow...you know, go the extra mile.
I'll bake some awesome Paula Deen recipe for the office, and two other holiday parties so they don't miss out on some sort of delicious southern holiday treat. I'll have some thoughtful and merry blog posts ready to go. I'll have neatly ironed clothes and outfits picked out for every day I'm gone. I'll make the perfect playlist for my long drive home. I'll have snacks and drinks packed to limit the stops.
I'll have the oil changed, car washed, bags packed, house clean, and plans made for the time I'll be home this year. Lunches with old friends, family dinners, a few good movies...everything evenly planned out. Maybe I'll have time to make this adorable wreath that I LOVE.
I'll do all of this while trying to spend every free second I have left with a dear friend before she leaves for a whole year.
Yeah, right. It never, ever happens. I usually end up leaving the few gifts I did buy in the bags they came in from the store- I can wrap when I get to my mom's. I'll have to finish shopping when I get there. I decide to wait and get the oil changed at home- it's cheaper anyway. And who needs a clean car? It's just going to look like a bug graveyard by the time I get to SC anyway.
I throw whatever clean clothes I have in a suitcase- everyone I stay with will have an iron. Or the more likely outcome....Ashley will dress me in her clothes anyway so just make sure you have the basics. There's no way I can fit my size 6 foot in her size 9 shoes, so shoes are essential.
I usually end up scrambling around, leaving the hair straighter at my dad's when I need it at my mom's. And I never end up having enough time for everyone. Any chance this year will be different?
I have the best of intentions to make the most of my time at home. This year WILL be a little different though. I have two whole weeks to see everyone. So this is the point you tell me to calm down and prioritize. And this is the point that I see this video on one of my regular blog reads, A Thorne Among Roses, and nothing I said above even matters anymore.
And now is when I rip up the list, donate some money instead of buying gifts, laugh off the awkwardness that an office holiday party brings this afternoon, and have a blast at Shira's going away party tonight.
{Photo from MarthaStewart.com}
I'll bake some awesome Paula Deen recipe for the office, and two other holiday parties so they don't miss out on some sort of delicious southern holiday treat. I'll have some thoughtful and merry blog posts ready to go. I'll have neatly ironed clothes and outfits picked out for every day I'm gone. I'll make the perfect playlist for my long drive home. I'll have snacks and drinks packed to limit the stops.
I'll have the oil changed, car washed, bags packed, house clean, and plans made for the time I'll be home this year. Lunches with old friends, family dinners, a few good movies...everything evenly planned out. Maybe I'll have time to make this adorable wreath that I LOVE.
{Photo from Better Homes and Garden}
I'll do all of this while trying to spend every free second I have left with a dear friend before she leaves for a whole year.
Yeah, right. It never, ever happens. I usually end up leaving the few gifts I did buy in the bags they came in from the store- I can wrap when I get to my mom's. I'll have to finish shopping when I get there. I decide to wait and get the oil changed at home- it's cheaper anyway. And who needs a clean car? It's just going to look like a bug graveyard by the time I get to SC anyway.
I throw whatever clean clothes I have in a suitcase- everyone I stay with will have an iron. Or the more likely outcome....Ashley will dress me in her clothes anyway so just make sure you have the basics. There's no way I can fit my size 6 foot in her size 9 shoes, so shoes are essential.
I usually end up scrambling around, leaving the hair straighter at my dad's when I need it at my mom's. And I never end up having enough time for everyone. Any chance this year will be different?
I have the best of intentions to make the most of my time at home. This year WILL be a little different though. I have two whole weeks to see everyone. So this is the point you tell me to calm down and prioritize. And this is the point that I see this video on one of my regular blog reads, A Thorne Among Roses, and nothing I said above even matters anymore.
And now is when I rip up the list, donate some money instead of buying gifts, laugh off the awkwardness that an office holiday party brings this afternoon, and have a blast at Shira's going away party tonight.
Speedy Delivery
"Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow."
~Thornton Wilder
I've bragged about my sister "the teacher" on multiple occasions. She's incredibly passionate and truly loves her job. I love hearing her stories about her adventures as a kindergarten teacher. The latest was when she decided to play some soothing music called "Sounds of the Sea" during nap time. Upon waking the kids up, the following happened:
Student: "Ms. Anderson, my pants feel funny!"
Mrs. A: "That's because your pants are all wet.
Student: " I was dreaming that I was swimming!"
Mrs. A: "You had an accident while you were sleeping."
Student: "Awww man, I hate it when that happens."
Needless to say, my sister isn't using the soothing sea music anymore!
Since this is the season for giving, and she's the best sister and kindergarten teacher in the world, I'm passing along her Donors Choose request. We all know that funds are being cut left and right in this economy, even for resources at schools.
Let's help fulfill her request and we can all contribute to "helping young things grow!" Just click on this link and donate what you can. How can you say no to these sweet little faces???
Speedy Delivery Request (Written by Mrs. A)
I teach kindergarten at a high poverty, urban school in South Carolina. Our school is operating on an extended day (7:15- 4:45) schedule in order to meet the needs of our community.I've bragged about my sister "the teacher" on multiple occasions. She's incredibly passionate and truly loves her job. I love hearing her stories about her adventures as a kindergarten teacher. The latest was when she decided to play some soothing music called "Sounds of the Sea" during nap time. Upon waking the kids up, the following happened:
Student: "Ms. Anderson, my pants feel funny!"
Mrs. A: "That's because your pants are all wet.
Student: " I was dreaming that I was swimming!"
Mrs. A: "You had an accident while you were sleeping."
Student: "Awww man, I hate it when that happens."
Needless to say, my sister isn't using the soothing sea music anymore!
Since this is the season for giving, and she's the best sister and kindergarten teacher in the world, I'm passing along her Donors Choose request. We all know that funds are being cut left and right in this economy, even for resources at schools.
Let's help fulfill her request and we can all contribute to "helping young things grow!" Just click on this link and donate what you can. How can you say no to these sweet little faces???
Speedy Delivery Request (Written by Mrs. A)
One of the benefits of having an extended day for kindergarten students is that we have more time for exploration and project based learning. The fulfillment of this grant would help transform our room into a working post office in which students write letters, read addresses, and sort mail.
This project will allow students to use skills such as writing, reading, sorting, and measuring in authentic ways. Students will be able to role play using the resources provided through your generous donations. The students will retain information at a greater rate as a result of having the meaningful hands-on experience of role playing.
Your generous donation will open the door to a world of new experiences for my students. You will help students as they explore the world around them and the limitless possibilities of their imagination. Who knows, you could help a student discover a passion for a future career in which they will take the early skills gained from your donation to ensure you always have a speedy delivery!
Front Porch Friday
(If you're new to these parts, you can read the inspiration behind the title Front Porch Friday in this post from last year.)
Whew. I swear I'm still recovering from the 1,108 miles of driving last week! (Which took a total of about 21 hours) Thankfully, the car waited to have a dead battery while I was home so I didn't have to freak out on the side of I-85.
Whew. I swear I'm still recovering from the 1,108 miles of driving last week! (Which took a total of about 21 hours) Thankfully, the car waited to have a dead battery while I was home so I didn't have to freak out on the side of I-85.
Anyway...I was back up and running in plenty of time to drive from SC to Asheville, NC to be in my college roomie's wedding. Here are a few snapshots from a fun weekend and beautiful wedding.
The bride's adorable nephew had some serious dance moves....
The happy newlyweds...
Happy December!
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