I hope your weekend is off to a great start. Today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the topics on days 15 and 16.
Day 15 is…3 books you are grateful to have read…
Three? You expect me to share only three? haha
I will stick with a few that have stuck out for me from the past few years.
The Women – to me, this one lived up to the hype!
All the Light We Cannot See (LOVED the limited series on Netflix)
The Paris Library
The Things We Cannot Say
**Clearly I love historical fiction!
Maid – This was such an eye opening read for me as Stephanie Land shared her experience cleaning houses as she raised her daughter while earning her college degree. (I also loved the Netflix series. Margaret Qualley was amazing in this role)
Lessons in Chemistry- This was another great read that sticks out to me. It was a heartbreaking, interesting and inspiring book. Elizabeth Zott and Calvin Evans were amazing characters. I loved the miniseries on Apple TV.
Day 16 is a skill you are grateful for.…I guess cooking? I’m not sure what other skills I have. I enjoy cooking….I don’t so much enjoy meal planning, shopping and putting away groceries though. I like making dinner for my family, and even better is when we can all eat dinner at the same time.
Just Thursday night, I did something I never do….and called Travis to tell him I didn’t feel like cooking…and asked him to pick something up for dinner on his way home. I always cook Sunday – Thursday, and we rarely eat out during the week. It was nice to just come relax and put up my Christmas tree instead of cook dinner!
I guess I’m officially halfway though this challenge, and I’m enjoying it.
How’s your week going? We’ve almost made it to the weekend, and I’m grateful for that.
I have a “double dose” of gratitude as I continue on with two days of the challenge.
Day 13 is the best advice you’ve ever been given
Of course, I’ve been given advice through the years…anything from “this too shall pass” to “live and learn,” but the first thing that popped in my mind was my dad saying, “The difference in “champs” and “chumps” is u.” Haha…
Just from a young age, I knew not to believe everything you hear or trust everyone you meet.
I also like the advice “Don’t let someone show you twice who they really are.” I definitely “ease” into getting to know people, and if you burn me once, that’s it.
In true “mom fashion,” I’ve passed that “sage” advice on to Hadley as she navigates friend groups. I’m really grateful that she’s really honed in on core friendships.
Day 14 is a little luxury your are grateful for.
Definitely, my monthly facials. That hour once a month is such a treat.
I’ve had to miss the past couple of months, and I can’t wait for my November appointment!
‘Tis the season for gratitude, so I’m continuing on with the fun challege.
Picking up where I left off…
Day 11 is 3 songs you love.
Y’all, I’m the worst with songs. I mostly listen to country music…channel 56, the Highway, on XM radio. Travis is always up to date on new songs.
…but…speaking of music…
It might be cheesy, but I’ve really liked adding music to my Instagram posts (still photos). This year, I’ve been recapping the month on my personal page, and the songs kind of capture the moment a bit more.
Any time Hadley is in the car, she’s turned on Christmas music. I will listen to Christmas music on the Pandora station during my planning period while I grade papers this time of the day. It’s a nice festive touch for the day.
Today’s topic is something in your daily routine that you are grateful for.
Well, I’m a broken record, but I enjoy my quiet time and coffee in the morning before everyone else wakes up.
I started getting up before the kids when they were little. I just realized that I needed the quiet “me” time to ease into my day. This time of the year is even better with a candle lit, and soon I will have my Christmas tree up.
What’s something you are grateful for in your daily routine? I’d love to hear!
It’s been a couple of days, but I’m continuing on with the November Gratitude Challenge.
I have Friday and Saturday to cover, so here we go:
Day 8 is 3 things about yourself that you love…
I’m a very loyal person. If you’re my family or friends, I have your back. Also, I can’t remember what I wore yesterday, but I will remember who wronged you (or me!), and I won’t forget.
I have a good sense of humor which I think it is a good combo of my parents. To be honest, it’s probably the biggest blessing that I’m sarcastic, or how else would I have made it with high schoolers this long?
I’m a very hard worker. People who don’t have work ethic drive me crazy. I wish I could be a slacker sometimes.
Day 9 is 3 people you are grateful for…
Well, that’s hard to do…I really could say Trav and kids…that’s three people, and of course I’m grateful for them. But… family (mine and Trav’s) and my friends….I don’t take them for granted either. I couldn’t raise these kids without my “mom gang.” Raising teens isn’t easy, so I appreciate the funny texts, advice, and carpool help.
Today, I’m reflecting on two days to get caught up.
Day 6 is…a failure or rejection you are grateful for…
Gosh – It’s probably been at least ten years ago, I applied for a job where I would be an instructional specialist and work with teachers in various buildings. I was familiar with the organization as I’d worked with them while my school was a part of a grant. At that point in my career, I just wanted to do something different. I would have been able to service schools not too far from Lexington, but I’d have to go to Louisville a couple of times a week.
It’s no fun “putting yourself out there” only to be rejected, but in retrospect, I don’t know that it would have been a good fit for me in the long run.
Only a couple of years later, I moved to my current district which provided me with a good change that I needed.
Day 7’s topic is…something in nature you are grateful for.
Definitely the ocean. As soon as my feet hit the sand and I see the water, I feel at peace.
Even this summer in Oregon, Travis tacked on a couple of Oregon coast days because we needed some days to relax and rest, but also just because he knows how much I love the beach.
Obviously, you know I also love a beach sunset. It just amazes me that we’re all watching the same sun set, but at the beach, it’s even more stunning.
Also, I love fresh few inches of snow….along with a snow day!
Sweet story from the other day…I picked Hayden up from PT, and he was talking about how they really stretched him out. Then, we went on about how he loves natural daylight, especially when the sun trickles in the window. I guess his PT room had lots of natural light, so he was relaxed during his session. He just gave me so many details which is very unlike him. haha
Today’s post is continuing on with the November Gratitude Challenge.
Day 5 is…a fear you are tackling or have overcome.
Choking has been my biggest fear since I choked a couple of years ago. I swear, I didn’t think this much about choking when they kids were little and I had to cut their food up into little bites.
On fall break two years ago, I choked on a huge bite of lobster (bougie, I know!), and I tried to swallow a few times, and it just wasn’t going down. I immediately stood up and looked at Travis and then my friend immediately knew I needed help. One Heimlich Maneuver later, and the lobster flew right out…almost comical. haha…but not the choking part.
Any time I hear someone coughing while eating, I worry that they are choking. Of course, Hayden likes to “fake me out” which I certainly don’t appreciate.
So, my fear of choking is definitely a fear that I’m trying to overcome.
What’s a fear that you have or have previously had?
Did you catch my posts on Saturday and Sunday? Friday, on a whim, I decided that I was going to try blog using the topics from…
So, I’m picking up where I left off, and sharing about someone from your past you are grateful for…
The first thing that popped in my mind are the teachers I had in elementary, middle and high school. I can remember most of them, and every year, I had at least one teacher who made an impact on me.
Who doesn’t love their kindergarten teacher? I went to PM kindergarten, and I really liked school. My first grade teacher was so kind, and I remember loving my 4th grade teacher because she volunteered at a wildlife rescue and would share her animals in class.
I had some great teachers in junior high/middle school, but those were my least favorite years of school. I do remember loving home ec and learning to cook and sew.
In high school, I had great English teachers who obviously impacted my love of English/Language Arts. I had a wonderful social studies teacher my sophomore year, and I took his zero hour class…one hour before the traditional school day started.
Shockingly, one of my teachers I connected with the most was my Spanish teacher. I think I only took Spanish two years, but then I was her teacher’s aide when I was a senior. Hey! Even all these years later, I’ve remembered enough to help Hayden conjugate some verbs for his Spanish homework.
College was a different story…while I did have great professors, I just didn’t connect with them the same as my teachers from elementary, middle and high school years.
In adulthood, I had a mentor for a few years when my school was a part of a grant. During those years, I was an instructional coach in my building and had a couple of classes for reading intervention. She encouraged me to get my second Master’s degree, and because of that degree, it opened a lot of doors for me and is how I’ve had the schedule I’ve had the past few years so I can work with struggling students.
She’s now a principal at an elementary school, and we keep in touch on Facebook.
My mom recently had a couple of former students be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the district/town she retired from, and in the programs that were passed out, both students acknowledge what a great teacher she was and how she impacted their lives.
I hope I’ve made a difference in my students’ lives through the years as well.
I guess I really covered this topic and talked about more than just one person who has impacted my life…but I guess that makes me pretty lucky to have so many to write about.
Today, was a double post day…feel free to check out my Prime Purchasespost today too.
Day 3’s topic is remember the time you laughed so hard that you cried.
I’m really not sure the last time I laughed until I cried, but teaching freshmen keep me laughing daily. One of my classes always keeps me laughing…as do my kids.
Hadley is kind of the more quick witted kid where as Hayden is quietly funny.
One day last week, Hayden said he needed more deodorant, and I was frustrated and ask him why he didn’t put it on the grocery list. (I tell the kids, when I place a grocery order, I only know the things to buy that we routinely do…and if they have anything out of the ordinary, they need to write it on the list)
Anyway…the following weekend, I was making the grocery list and said I’d put deodorant on it. He said, “Dad already bought me some.”” I kiddingly said, “Dad spoils you!”
Without missing a beat, he said, “Uh…it’s a basic necessity!” And I just laughed because I wasn’t expecting that “comeback.”
I know it’s a surprise to hear from me on the weekend, but…I was scrolling Instagram yesterday and stumbled upon @mirabellecreationsand this graphic for a November Gratitude Challenge.
I always encourage the kids to be grateful and to even look at the little things for gratitude as well. Anyway, I’m going to try to blog every day in November and kind of use my blog as a journal, of sorts, for November.
I’ve already missed the first day, so today, I’m reflecting on days 1 and 2.
November 1st:
3 things you are grateful for today (Friday):
I was grateful for extra time with Hadley yesterday morning. The kids actually don’t ride to school with me most days. We car pool with another family, so that gives the kids 20-30 more minutes at home in the morning because I have to be at school earlier. Anyway, yesterday, Hayden was with Travis since he had an early morning PT appointment. Hadley needed a ride since the other family couldn’t take that morning, so I bribed her with Starbucks to get out of bed. We left right on time, and I was grateful for the car ride buddy that morning as well as the extra cup of coffee.
Once I got to school, I was grateful that my co-teacher was back. She’d been out on Wednesday and Thursday, so I was happy to have her back to co-teach for two classes.
On Friday, our admin grilled hot dogs and provided that for our lunch along with a bag of chips. The gesture was nice, and it was so nice not to pack my lunch on a Friday!
November 2nd:
Three Things you love about your favorite place:
Well, I could say that my favorite place is home…and that I love my favorite bed pillow, Homer, and reading on the couch.
Or…I could say my favorite place is KC, and I’d say three things I love are my family, the Plaza lights, and Topsy’s popcorn (and cherry limeade)…)and the Chiefs and Royals…)
Or I could say that I love Keeneland, and three things I love are the excitement of the races, a good bloody Mary, and dressing up for the Clubhouse.
That being said, I’d say my favorite place is the beach because that means it’s time to spend time with family and friends while getting in some relaxation. I have lots of favorite beach cities/towns…like Delmar, California; Charleston, SC; Siesta Key, Florida; and Seaside, Florida.
So, three things I love about the beach are:
Sunshine
My toes in the sand
Sunsets
This was a fun little bonus post. My hope is to be able to write my “gratitude” post every day. That means some days, I will have two posts. For example, on Monday, I will share my Amazon purchases this month, and then write a second post answering the gratitude prompt. I’m sure there will also be days, where, like today, I double up and share couple of days in one post.
Anyway, I hope your weekend is off to a great start!
Feel free to join me, and share what you are grateful for today!
Well, spring is officially “springing” and in the past year, I’ve shared the ABC’s of summer, fall, and winter. So, of course, I have to wrap up this series with one more post…the ABC’s of spring!
A-April: While March is the beginning of spring, April always feels more like spring to me.
B-basketball and baseball: March Madness and opening day for baseball are big spring time events.
C-chirping: birds! In the spring, we have chirping birds outside our window as alarm clocks. If only they knew which day was Saturday!
D- dances: There are so many dances in the spring. My kids have their last cotillion dance soon, and then in May, they have an 8th grade dance for their school.
Of course, the high school students have prom.
E-Easter: Easter is a great way to kick off spring. It’s one of my favorite holidays.
F-flowers and ferns:
In March and April, I start buying flowers at Trader Joe’s. Mother’s Day weekend is when we plant flowers in the porch planters and hang ferns on the front porch.
G- graduation: The countdown is on for 8th grade graduation for my kids.
I feel like they just graduated from 5th grade…
…and of course high school students have their graduation too.
H-hats (Oaks/Derby)
In April and May, Oaks and Derby fashion include hats and fascinators.
I-ice cream: Well, we eat ice cream year round, but in the spring, the kids will bike to get ice cream, and it’s a treat we turn to more often.
J- Jokes(for April Fool’s Day): I’m always thankful when we are on spring break and not at school for April Fool’s Day. We have enough jokes year round. haha
K-Keeneland: The spring meet at Keeneland is one of my favorite times of the year. We love to get out there a time or two each meet.
L-leaves on the trees: The green leaves start to grow and the trees fill out.
M-Mother’s Day: I always love Mother’s Day as we usually go to church and out to lunch. Then, we spruce up the yard and plant flowers.
N-nest: Every year we get a nest in one of the ferns on the front porch. I always have to check it before watering, and I’m always sad on the day I check the nest, and it’s empty.
O- Oaks: We love going to Oaks on the first Friday in May. What a special tradition in the Bluegrass State.
P-patio dinners: We just ate outside last weekend, and it was perfect. I like when we are able to grill out because it’s an easy dinner, and it’s nice to just relax for a bit.
Q-quiet: …mornings on the front porch and evenings on the patio.
R-rain and rainbows:
April showers bring May flowers!
…Even better when we spot a rainbow after the rain.
S-St. Patrick’s Day and spring break:
We all look forward to St. Patrick’s Day and our traditional meal.
We usually do a “low key” spring break trip for a few days not too far from home. This year, we took a bigger trip to DC.
T-trackseason: Track season is a family affair. Travis helps with the training, the kids run, and I cheer from the sidelines. I love that both kids do this sport together…but do different events.
U-umbrella: for when it rains…
V-Vernal Equinox – The first day of spring in March.
W-warmer weather: While springtime weather can be hit or miss, we know there are more warm days than not and summer will be here before we know it.
X-eXtra daylight hours: Amen!
Y-yard work: Last year was Hayden’s first year mowing our lawn. So far this year, he and Travis have taken turns.
Z– ZZZ: …needing more sleep because of all of the sports and end of the year activities.
Ok, some of these I had to make work, but this was a fun way to wrap up this series. I’m ready for consistent springlike temps and then summer!
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