New Obsessions

I enjoyed spring break for all of its glory. I was pretty lazy, actually. And, here I am back in the crazy routine of real life. (Until Summer, that is. )

Now that things are back to normal, the stress has also returned. I decided to try something new in my classroom to calm the kids down. I've started playing a variety of music during class and while they are working. I change it periodically to match my ever changing mood. The sound sprinkles down from the projector speaker and sometimes I imagine they are little geniuses working on their masterpieces. I go from classical symphonies to classical piano.. and beyond. This leads me to tell you about my new favorite website: www.pandora.com. It's pretty phenomenal. You create your own radio stations! No buffering.. (I hate that).. and no commercials or DJs! All you have to do is type the artist in and it does the magic. (Maybe I'm behind the times and everyone actually already knows about this, but whatever.) I am currently enjoying a few stations I created. I love George Winston. He plays piano and the site added other artists that are similar to him. A new one I am loving is Doug Burr. That station left me feeling calm and happy inside. :)

Along with my varying music, I have changed the background on my desktop to match. It projects on the wall for the kids to see. I pretend I am Ellen, I guess. Today is a pond with lots of green grass and bright flowers. Yay Spring!

It's funny how little things in life can make your day better! I wish everything could be as instantly gratifying as a website that creates a radio station for your exact liking!

The Witching Hour

Well the weather contradicts the break and reflects my mood. Ironically this serves as one of my favorite types of weather. I love dreary dark clouds full of rain. I love wearing ugg boots and jeans, marching around in chilliness. Minutes away from spring break- yes SPRING- my skin is crawling. Because of the brooding TAKS test, teachers and children alike have been a bit ... unruly. Because of the rain we had inside recess. Because of inside recess the kids can't sit still. The witching hour. I got the term from my dear friend, Michelle. And does it ever hold true. The past hour as we all anticipate the arrival of freedom, teachers are snapping and kids are loosing all control. Will the bell EVER ring? I've eaten a blue cupcake and my fingers are stained from the icing. Who wants to listen to me anyway? I say, "sit down. Sit Down. SIT DOWN. SIT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And alas, I am saved. The bell sounded and I am sending these darlings into the damp cold to be dealt with by their parents. And I am off the hook for days. DAYS OF FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

A Real Woman of Genius

Melodye came into town bringing with her fun and excitement that bubbled into hours of laughter (lasting way into the night).  Because of this, I was up quite late and slept soundly.  I woke up at 8 or so and had a bowl of cereal. I marveled at the splendor of a morning that starts AFTER the sun comes up. :) I was in such a good mood that I decided to take my morning slowly and enjoy every minute of it. I got into the shower and didn't feel the need to rush. I had TLC playing in the background and occasionally I would peek around the corner to see what new home improvement tip they were offering. I piddled in my closet choosing a springy dress that hasn't been out since last summer. I laid it carefully on my bed and picked out the appropriate black pumps, silver bangles and thick black belt (to hide all the squishiness).  Then I got to work on my hair. Living in Houston doesn't necessarily agree with my hair; therefore, it is a daily battle to beat the frizzy waves of humidity warfare. But, I take on the challenge.  After getting dressed and feeling quite proud of my little outfit, I made sure my bed was neatly made and went into the kitchen to make myself a latte. Yes, I am spoiled. I enjoy a latte with chocolate flavoring and froth topped with caramel. :) It's worth the time to make it and the excessive cleanup. Purse over the shoulder, bible in hand and mug full of my very best, I was off to church on this gorgeous Sunday morning. Birds were chirping, a slight breeze whipped my dress and I was excited to be wearing sunglasses. I was looking forward to church and  would be 15 minutes early for longer than normal chatting. :)

I walked into the building and saw Mark preaching on the TV... this confused me a bit, but I was still prepared to walk in. For some reason I thought maybe it was still class time. Then, Matt offered to get me communion. And then I stared at him. What was going on? That's when he informed me of the time change. Come on people! This kind of thing doesn't happen to me. I am Ms. Responsible.  It was on my calender. My phone SHOULD have switched over. How could I forget? 

I caught the last bit of Mark's sermon and hugged my family. And, after wearing my little outfit for a total of 30 minutes, I came back home to change and make some lunch.  The day is still beautiful and I guess it's better than being late for work on Monday. Surely God forgives the occasional forgetful moment. Principals, however, do not. 

Colors, Coffee and Cheese

I've come to notice a problem I have with making simple decisions. Someone can ask me a seemingly easy question, such as what's my favorite color, and I honestly can't tell them the answer. On any given day my favorite color might be different. Does that mean I am having an identity crisis? I'm not sure. Some days I love red. Other days I love blue. And yes I even love brown. Today, I'm crazy for green. I'm noticing it everywhere and find myself wishing I was a character in Harry Potter or living in a tropical rain forest. Maybe my color changes have to do with my mood of the day.

I also have a problem with Cheese. I LOVE cheese. I dream about queso and eat cheese on crackers- but I have some issues as well. I like a grilled cheese sandwich, but don't put cheese on my hamburger. I like cheese on a taco, but if it's on a breakfast burrito it makes me gag. I like it on pizza, chili, and salad-- but don't put it on an omelet. I have to have it on my baked potato, but don't want it in my potato soup. So there you have it. Issues.

And lastly, here's where this causes problems. This morning I decided to treat myself to Starbucks. This week has been long and exhausting, I'm out of milk, and if you have a gift card, why not? The drive through line was outrageous at 7:00 am, so I got out and went inside. The atmosphere in that place was so carefree, it lifted my spirits and sent me into a good mood. The music was chipper and the workers were smiling and quick to serve. I saw people everywhere drinking coffee, reading the paper and talking. What a great way to start the day! Sometimes I wish I owned a cute little coffee shop with a variety of coffees and teas. I would include homemade pumpkin bread and muffins (but only the tops, because that's the best part). The shop could be decorated with cool artwork of all kinds and comfortable chairs and couches. And of course, I would need a place for live rising bands to visit on their quest for stardom. I think about these things and sometimes wish I could explore them instead of teach. But without fail I know that I would end up missing the kids, the teachers and the love I have for my job.

I would like to have clear cut decision-making skills, but maybe it's better this way. My options are out there and whatever happens- wearing an orange shirt, cheese or no cheese-I will be happy. :) And maybe when I retire I will have a knick-knacky little coffee place resembling Hogwarts and a rain forest.

The Funky Pearl

Michelle and I have gotten our creative juices flowing and decided on our future. Eventually we will both live in the same town, drink coffee all morning and have a booth at Canton filled with a variety of goodies. You know the usual: big baby bows, old wooden signs, jewelry, and anything we can get aunts and mothers to embroider. :)  We would like to be known as: THE FUNKY PEARL. Here are a few necklaces I have made recently.  

                                                     I made this one to match a dress I had. 

                                 This should be right side up, but technology didn't cooperate. 
                                                         The Lindsay - big red. 
                                                         For Melissa 
                                                      Sassy and Fun 
                                                                   Best Friends 
                                                                     Twisted 
                                                 This one was a big hit- made for my Mama. 
                                                    Love. Love. Love. Red. 
                                                         Funky 

                                                    Fancy 

I love and miss my sweet friend who got me into such a fun hobby! 

The Big Bad Wolf

"Dear Ms. Waggoner,
Good Luck. I hope everybody in yur klas pasis Taks so you do not git fired!" Love, Kindergarten

Today, during and after the test I saw:

* A little girl finding a sticky note and turning it into an origami basket of some kind. Perfectly content.

* A little boy with 15 Kleenexes covering his watery eye.

* A little cheerleader inspecting split ends.

* An OCD boy checking and rechecking and rechecking his work. Not a mark out of place for that one.

* A very cute boy sneezing loudly and drawn out, "A-HUH-HA-HUH-HA-HUM!!!!!!!!!"

* A sleeping boy with a near waking snort. I poked him in the arm for a few minutes without success in waking him.

* A drama queen playing with the tie on her shirt. A bow. A bandit. A bird. A ribbon. ADD.

* An innocent sitting perfectly still and quiet.

* A wild one silently twisting in a little blanket and then flopping out of his chair and onto the floor bringing both the chair and desk with him. Then standing, giving me a look of regret and shock.

* Giggles from those around him, including me.

* A significantly quirky one taking his shoes on and off. On and off. On and off.

* A sweet one smiling through glasses and missing teeth.

* An annoyed one sighing impatiently. *Sigh*

* A bored child half hidden by her sweatshirt hood, batman style.

* A clever boy making eyes at the others. I make them back.

My precious children. Nerds, every last one of them. I'm glad that test is over. :)

Spilling Coffee and other Jitters

It's interesting the effects sleep deprivation can have on a person. There's the occasional head bob and heavy eyelids. Or, as my granddad used to tell me whenever he got sleepy on the road he would put his hand on the roof of the car. That way, if he ever fell asleep his hand would smack him on the head and he would wake up before finding himself upside down in a ditch. Whatever works. Some people reach a state of delirium when they are tired. I remember a time working at a restaurant New Year's Day, when a friend of mine made coffee in the tea urns and I gave myself a hundred dollar tip. Oops. I'm amazed when I think of how little sleep fueled my adolescent rampage through academics and attempted money making. Only a few years later it seems I am more and more tired and running amok less.
However, as of recent, my life has spiraled into twirling cone of fury and to do lists. Eating while driving proves both hazardous and frustrating when a quickly prepared breakfast crumbles, leaving picked out clothes sprinkled. Beginning the day frazzled is not ideal. Running from one activity to another regardless of the event will eventually work down one's defenses. Such is the story of me this weekend. After being up late with annoying teenagers (where do they get their energy, again?), I sought after the sweetest nectar life has to offer me at this point in my mostly boring existence: Coffee. I entered an intricately decorated hospitality room with one cart in my line of vision. It possessed a variety of Styrofoam coffee cups and a magnificent cappuccino machine. Taking a deep breath as I anticipated the first sip, I filled my cup to the brim. French vanilla wafted from the cup in a swirl of sweet steam. I pulled the cup away, excited I was finally able to soothe my noncommittal addiction, when all of a sudden my hands were not following my directions. The precious cup tilted and then fell to the table. My morning luxury flowed over the cart saturating everything in sight with the aroma of coffee beans and french vanilla. Embarrassed by my clumsiness, I quickly apologized and went for the saving grace of paper towels. As others helped correct my blunder, I worked frantically to remove myself from such a wrongly gone expedition. When the sticky brown liquid was cleaned, I once again filled my cup with coffee. Very carefully this time, I took the cup with me in yet another attempt to quench my morning thirst. I walked and joined my group to hear a speaker. While standing and relieved to be with a cup in my hand- my happy place, I enjoyed life. Although I relish the taste and abilities of coffee, unfortunately my tongue cannot handle sudden bursts of hotness. I wait until it is cooled before venturing in. This proved detrimental in my tries of the morning. Without warning, my hands failed me once again. That darling of a cup filled so full with my favorite enjoyment, plummeted to the ground in one slow motion event. My only reaction was to drop my jaw and sigh. This time I was angry. 2 cups of the magic brew wasted! And still, an hour later I had not even tasted any! Too embarrassed to retreat to the hospitality room, I sent someone in my place. And when they returned with another hot cup of coffee, I sat down to drink it.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why we need more sleep.