Life 4 Me By Me

Battery low...plug in time

2012-02-08T23:35:00.000-06:00

Time to plug in and recharge. Mid-week is always the energy slump.

It could be my staying up ridiculously late last night. I have a head cold and the only thing that would calm my scratchy pitiful throat was hot tea. I failed to monitor my intake. I am pretty sure I had two full gallons of hot tea between the hours of 10 pm and 1. Not one of my best ideas. I thought I could hold my caffeine. Not so much...well once I got to sleep then the bladder would wake me up. It was a constant tug-of-war all night. I am trying to be better today. Only consumed a single quart of tea...my throat is still killing me. Maybe I haven't got the balance thing figured out yet. Maybe my bladder will be happier. Who am I kidding the closer I get to 40 the smaller that thing gets.

You know you are sick when you contemplate sleeping with a tissue rammed up your nose. I've done it before. The only problem is I woke up with it super glued to my forehead....well maybe that wasn't super glue. It felt like it.

On a side note...
The winds of May have started to blow through the school halls already. Usually in May there is the secret shuffling that goes on at a school. Teachers jokey for better classrooms and different teaching positions. It was early last year too but not nearly this early. I am pretty sure it has to do with the school budgets. We are all nervous. Shuffling around the same building is one thing but getting told you are being let go from a profession you love is a totally different. The rumor mill is rolling on full steam. Pretty sure I have a job next year, but really who knows.

I have been a writing machine. Job insecurity is a great motivator. I am truly happy with this book. The last one was missing teeth, it had no voice. This one has all kinds of voice and purpose. I am at the half way spot and it feels great. When all this other stuff...sickness, snotty tissues, and job worries strike I crawl into that book and the world is back to making since and I am recharged. I look forward to sharing it with you all.

Shout Out Sunday...A to Z early meet and greet

2012-02-05T10:56:00.000-06:00

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The A to Z Challenge has opened the doors. All the bloggers are starting to line up to take part in one of the largest blog challenge out there. I love it. Blog Challenges offer a unique opportunity to get out and about and meet some new folks. You know. It goes against all things we hermit writers love...like solitude, dark cozy spaces. It is good to try different things.

I have been venturing out today. Reading and checking out those first 40 blogs. So far I haven't heard back from them...but it will happen. That is blogging. We are a friendly crew most good deeds are rewarded with reciprocated kindness.

A couple of my favorites so far are my Sunday Shout Outs:

Writercize is built for the purpose of encouraging word play and encouraging the honing of the craft. Not only do I love her because she has the exact same number of followers that I do, but she has truly positioned herself to be a fast growing blog providing a clear service for the writing public. Write on!
Dare to know is a young blog. She is a writer and has several interesting post on writing and shares some great tunes.
Journaling Woman supplies great writing articles on topics like discovering your characters, finding time to write and how to come up with a title.

They are a great group. Take a minute give them a click.

Elephants are falling....

2012-02-01T21:24:00.000-06:00

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Ever been so in the weeds (behind on everything in life) you felt like you couldn't find your way out? Yeah me neither. Progress reports go out in 24 hours. Taking benchmark test and starting a major project has a tendency of being a slow couple of weeks for grades. I have grades...not many. You can count them on one hand and have left over fingers. Uggh.

Have you looked up and you think it might be an elephant falling on you? It could be stress...good stress of course. Isn't stress always good?

I have been asked to write an article for my state's professional organization's quartly journal (due Friday), a twitter bud has requested I submit a short story to her anthology (due the first week of March), my school professional development group has started our own blog for teachers, McKamyIDPLC and not to mention I have just started this major project with my students where we do the planning together, and they are creating class documentaries (each has a different topic). I am exhausted.

I am seriously looking forward to a little writing catch up time this weekend. I little nap time. Maybe a Super Bowl dinner of appetizers, and good commercials.

Life is good.

Random last minute question...

Have you ever received your W2 and thought, "Damn, I only made that? How in the hell do we make it each month?" Not that I have...just asking.

Life is good, right?

Friday's Red Dress

2012-01-27T22:50:00.000-06:00

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Take those shoes off and let the butterflies chase you through the mud.

It is Friday. Feel it in your toes. The squish of it tickles.

Date night, please.

I'll take the laptop on my sofa in front of a well worn movie.

Let's skip the red dress, pumps and spend some time together doing what we always do.

Nothing.

Poetry...light hop

2012-01-24T19:50:00.002-06:00

Turn the light off.

You are ruining my darkness.

Little flowers illuminate your path.

See if I follow.

Fog, why are you holding the shimmer?

Little light you aren't mine.

I don't think.

Maybe?

Or do you belong to the tree?

It is those damn bees.

Haven't written any poetry in a while. John Chapman, over at A Vested Interest, kicked off his first blog hop. I know how sad it is to see a blog hop fall apart. So thought I would throw some support that way.

Gotta throw some good karma out there after yesterdays post. :)

Random rant...and the line in the sand

2012-01-23T22:57:00.001-06:00

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I work with a man that has a very bushy beard. It looks like he is eating a squirrel and can't finish the tail. He has the same lunch period as me. Ever see a billy goat eat? Pretty sure I know what it looks like.

Now, I am not ranting against all facial hair on a man. There is that line though, once crossed a sexy stubble turns into obscene mess.

I am sure there is this same line with women's leg hair. Maybe there is a sexy stubble...alright maybe not so much. Is there something a woman has that a little is not too bad but a whole lot is oh my God call the circus? You don't have to answer...pretty sure before I finished typing that I thought of 5. I'm gonna put myself to bed...I'm crazy talking. I blame all the writing I did this weekend and my wacky sleep schedule being off.

Hope you guys had a great Monday. Hollar at chatcha later.

Shout out Sunday-Beginning, middle and end

2012-01-22T11:57:00.000-06:00

Not to be all braggie but this is week two and I didn't forget. I know stop you're swooning. The twitterverse has introduced me to a huge group of fellow writers and I would feel remiss if I didn't share my findings with everyone.

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Karl with a K posted 25 tips on building characters. I had to write an entire manuscript to get to know my characters...and then a pre-story. Hudson Grey was a stuff nut to crack. (Hee, hee I wrote "nut.")

C.S. Lakin came up with an interesting check list...you know I like a list. Check out her list of where all stories must begin.

Patricia at Publishing a book is an Adventure has interesting advice on steps of how to start a blog tour.

Critique my Manuscript has a pretty comprehensive check list of questions to answer when asking your beta readers and editor friends for help. I know some shy away from list, but for those of us who love something to check off this is amazing and would have been so helpful to me last year and will help me this year.

The Guardian published an interesting article, 20 Things You Need to Know Before You Self Publish. It looks at the stigma that goes with self publishing what you can do to not be a stereotype.

Martin Luther's day

2012-01-16T13:34:00.000-06:00

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I don't have any great traditions to mark this great man's day. I wish I did. Maybe a special menu, toast, or place to gather with family that would give this day the value it deserves.

My sister used to love Dr. King because his day meant we got her birthday as a school free day. It made the family feel extra connected to him. (That reminds me I need to get her a card.)

I wonder sometimes as a history teacher, maybe as a writer...what if he still was alive? How would his cause have changed? What would he say about the state of racial equality today? What great speeches or books would he have produced?

I wonder what his dream would be today?

Shout out Sunday...for the writer

2012-01-15T11:16:00.001-06:00

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This week all of shares are a result of the Twitter gold I have dug up. Not really dug up...it is interesting that when you follow those in the writing industry that they all have blogs and those blogs have some crazy good advice. Take a look:

R.S. Hunter posted a I think my most favorite post of the week. "Naming your characters," it seems like it would be so stinking simple. But I absolutely hate it. I am so joyful that now I have a handful of links to help me come up with character name gold!
Saundra Mitchell has an interesting blog post on creating your own press kits. As Indie authors take the bull by the horns we have to educate ourselves on all of the nuances of the process of marketing your own book.
Wendy L. Young has great advice and suggestion on how to leverage your time on Goodreads as a writer. She gives tips to turning your time on there into money.
Mike Wells bestselling writer of suspense, thriller fiction posted the most amazing post on, "How to write a two sentence synopsis." If you are an old timer here you remember the months I spent writing and rewriting that stupid sentence. If only I had his advice...to think of the time I would have saved.

A to Z Challenge is coming soon to a blog near you. This challenge last year helped my readership explode from 25 to 120. It was freaking awesome the amazing people that I met and that have become the community that I regularly talk with and visit. If you have never done a challenge like this than be on the look out and think in terms of the alphabet post titles. It is fun and you will love it.

Enjoy having a look around. I sure did.

Week in review: twitter, awkward moments and First

2012-01-14T14:48:00.000-06:00

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I have had a very exciting week. Might be strange since this is semester exams and it has been rainy and dark out all week. What could possibly ratchet up my enthusiasm for this nondescript week in this dreary part of the month?

While the little darlings test, I get to sit and play on the computer. Any day I get to do that is an awesome day.
I was struck by some of my latest antics with an absolutely brilliant idea for the next unit I teach. The unit is about the boom and bust cycle of industries in Texas. I know sounds thrilling...every year I try to jazz this puppy up. Some are a little better than others but none are just ringing my bell. Well, after watching a days worth of documentaries I thought..."Why couldn't my kids do this?" So I have devised a wild plan to have each class take on one industry and write/film/edit a movie of their own. This could be super amazing or disaster. I am really hoping we get amazing. I will keep you guys updated.
Do you ever have one of those "Office" moments at work and smile to yourself as you watch it unfold? I love and look forward to these lovely little awkward times. They bring nothing but joy and happiness...to me. One of these very moments was building all last week and finally ended on Friday. I have to say the build up to the moment made me feel like Christmas was coming. I was giddy all week...and so thrilled on Friday when I could finally share all the fun antics that led up to this awkward celebration with everyone. Fantastic!
Another exciting thing was I ran my first blog hop. It had pretty limited involvement. Apparently the linky thing app is not so bueno for the nube. I will have to chalk that away as experience learned for next time. It was fun to try to host a mixer...and a bit of a let down that it was about as well attended as most of my house parties. At least I am consistent.
I have been in complete Twitter nirvana. I have had a Twitter forever but didn't get it and was a wee bit scared of saying anything. I had 200ish followers and was shocked because I never got on. That all changed two weeks ago. I jumped on there and lucked into a #writerschat. Where I bumped into some great writers with some pretty amazing and helpful advice. Not only did they have interesting things to say but they were so stinking friendly. I was hooked. Then last week I had a full conversation with Janet Reid. (Top ten New York literary agent extraordinaire) I had sent her a querry letter a year an a half ago and never heard back. I probably deserved that. She is super funny and sassy on Twitter. And she replies to her replies, kind of rare with some of the super famous twits. She and I had a fun sassy conversation. She didn't ask to see my book nor did she remember me. But super encouraging anyway.
And this week I was nominated/volunteered to write for the state social studies journal. I am super hyped! But the due date is next week....nice. I better get to writing. Don't want to mess up my first due date. :0) Hope you guys have a great Saturday.

Can you be quiet? I'm trying to reflect over here!

2012-01-12T11:45:00.002-06:00

"Take time to be quiet." ~Zig Ziglar

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Maybe I am on edge a little. The end of the semester does that to us. Students, parents and administrators all put on the pressure for big passing numbers and that leaves teachers grinding their teeth trying to coerce students to turn in those last minute assignments and at least attempt to study for semester exams. Then after they whiz through your 100 question test in less than 30 minutes we have to attempt to keep them silent for the remainder of the class period while you grade exams, filter through the plethora of parent emails, and try to finish up all the end of the semester paperwork.

All that being said...this is still the best job that ever was!

While rushing to enter grades, and wrestling with the pressure to get paperwork and training completed it is a challenge to remember that we all need some give ourselves time for reflection.

You know the real reflection...where the laptop is not on your lap...or near you, and the kids aren't running in crazy circles around your sofa. I have written about his before, I find that my best reflection time is when I am driving. Sounds strange but it is when I go on autopilot and seep deep inside my head. (It is a little bit like Narnia inside there.) It is at those times I get book ideas, stories play out, I day dream, remember and say the best one liners to conversations that I couldn't say during the day. I find that when I get home after a beautiful period of reflection I feel completely rested and ready for whatever crazy maybe waiting for me. And trust me it is always waiting for me.

*The clock was set...5 minutes of writing and my Write on Wednesday is complete...even if it isn't Wednesday any more. The Linky thing will be up all week. Join in the fun and hop about see what the rest of the gang has put together. I know that Jaimee Hunter Online, the blog goddess that kicked this winning fun time off has a fantastic story to share. So take a minute stop by say "Hi" and connect. We would love to hear from you.

Editing on layaway...I am not even kidding

2012-01-11T22:45:00.000-06:00

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Writing your first novel feels like it takes a part of your soul. This last year after mourning that I was finished with my book. I was sad about the routine ending, and characters being gone.

I found a new emotion...complete overwhelming frustration. I got buried in edits and rewriting only to discover that changing the comma placement wasn't going to make book magic. It needed a point of view change. Meanwhile, I wore out my friends and annoyed the snot out of them to be honest with me. They were nice, bless their hearts...but I needed bold and crazy honest. Maybe it wouldn't have taken so long for me to stop and figure out the true problem. A year later a dear friend, finally said it. It all clicked.

I could have saved us all a ton of time if I had known about kind people like this.

Kindle All Star Editing was started by Bernard J. Schaffer. He is a writer and editor with massive skill, finesse and boldness. Unattached to my feelings or any writer's feelings to be nothing allows him to be totally honest. As a writer he understands that we don't always have the fund-age to shell out for expensive editing services. So...he has a solution...payment plan. Music to my ears. I have to say that this service makes me so happy inside. I might not lose all of my friends when this next book is finished.

Write on Wednesday...linky please

2012-01-11T20:52:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite bloggers, InkPaperPen, has a feature called Write on Wednesday. I have taken part pretty regularly...okay on occasion. She is still on her winter break...I miss her and it...

Every week she is kind enough to provide us with a writing prompt and one of those awesome linky things that we can all post our wonderful post to. The best part is the opportunity to meet new folks and see what everyone comes up with.

A friend of mine, Aunt J-Me Says So, decided that the wait was over and we needed to have our own Write on Wednesday. She chose the following prompt:

"Zig Ziglar, American author and motivational speaker, has some of the best quotes to encourage and inspire. Some make you think and then laugh at his point.CLICK HERE to find a quote you can write about. Put your quote at the top of your entry, set your timer for five minutes and WRITE!"

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You cannot solve a problem until you acknowledge that you have one and accept responsibility for solving it.

~Zig Ziglar

This could be the very lesson that God has been trying to teach me for the last ten years. I can face some problems quickly and efficiently. Others...I completely bury my head in the sand and ignore because if I don't see it they can't find me...right?

I think this is why I love my dog, Snoop dog so much. If you tell him it is bed time, his least favorite time of the day, he jumps on the sofa and shoves his head into the cushion. Cushions are soft, comforting, and don't forget oh so dark. Basically the best place ever.

I have been taking baby steps. Step up on a scale. Track what I eat. Take my damn medicine. Eat healthy food. Stay away from bubbly sweet soda, soft warm cookies, and gooie creamy dishes. Think thin thoughts. When it is warmer...it will transcend into taking long walks.

What is important is I acknowledge the problem, and accept responsibility, and know that I am the only one that can solve it.

How about you? Join in the blog hop...with a link, and visit your fellow bloggers.

1. Reflect with me

2. Aunt J-Me Says So

You are next... Click here to enter
This list will close in 6 days, 4 hrs, 8 min (1/19/2012 12:59 AM CST)

OCD...Tweet me!

2012-01-09T21:26:00.000-06:00

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You my dear reader know I get my little obsessions. Lately it has been twitter. It isn't the newest thing out there but I finally figured out what in the world I am doing on there...well mainly I have started participating in the writers chats.

It is energizing. All hyped up on fresh chats I felt emboldened enough to comment on Janet Reid's comment. For those not in the know...Ms. Reid is a hot shot New York agent. I submitted my first book to her. She never replied. I respect her for that...the first book sucked. Anyway...she replied on Twitter and for a solid hour she and I were conversing. That has never occurred on Facebook. It was like chatting it up with a rock star. I'm pretty sure we are practically besties.

So all drunk on my chat with the celebrity I have made a crazy goal...1,000 followers by December. Doable...I am sitting at 388 now so that will be a drop in the bucket since I am practically there.

Why do should I even attempt the 1,000 followers? It is all about community, fresh ideas, and getting your brain used to quick thinking. Not to mention you never know who you are going to meet.

If you are in the neighborhood...give me a tweet..or a follow. :0) http://twitter.com/ChubbyBunnysInk

Flash Mobs, Movie Stars, and Life's Disappointments

2012-01-07T19:16:00.000-06:00

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I'm not really a dancer. Well, unless I am in the car and alone...then I am basically amazing.

This week has been all about reviewing for semester exams for my little 7th graders. As a much needed little boost to their grades I thought I would be the benevolent teacher and allow a little extra credit. The kids could sing and dance to the song 'Elbow Room' by School House Rocks. It has been a parade of awkward fun while we "review" Manifest Destiny. One of my classes decided that singing by themselves would be too embarrassing so they asked if they could do it as a class. I informed them no. Then two, or three looked at each other smiled and asked in unison, "Can we do a flash mob?" This has been on my own bucket list for some time. But this takes me back to my first sentence...I'm not so much a dancer but I can totally facilitate.

After getting permission we only had 40 minutes to prepare our dance. Not a ton of time...and most of the little dancers were in the same category with their dance ability as myself...bless their hearts. We did it! They were adorable even though we had some problems with our sound.

Take a look.

Afterward the kids were walking on clouds...the class went right to my class where we were high five-ing ourselves and one of the students had her phone out to monitor our response on her Facebook. With every comment the kids were loving life.They were pretty sure the video would go viral and we would all end up on Ellen. Who doesn't love some Ellen?

The kids started to quiet down then my little Facebook watcher shouted out, "OH MY GOD! The guy from Modern Family is eating lunch at our school right now!" Everyone was pretty sure that it was a hoax to try to out shine us. We sent a spy down and were saddened to find out we had been out shined.

There he is...

Now if you look carefully at the picture..do you see the fashionable lady with the khaki sweater? This dear friend of mine is a huge fan of the show and had just introduced herself to him and asked if she could get a picture with him when they were finished eating. Eric Stonestreet, Cameron on the show, said that would be fine.

My friend went back to her room, beside herself with anticipation to get her picture with him. She ran down there toward the end of lunch and he had left. No picture. This resulted in huge, upset trauma.

I told her to not freak out just get on Facebook and get one of the pictures that the kids had taken. Earlier this same day she had gone on and on about how evil Facebook was...so my suggestion was not accepted with any kind of excitement. I got the pictures for her...less than a minute on Facebook and her dream had come true there were a series of pictures of her walking away after talking to him.

We all learned several lessons:

When you think you are the coolest thing out there, you can quickly be out done.
Always make sure you have good sound when doing a flash mob.
Be careful of the things you chose to rage against because it may one day save your sanity.

New Year New You

2012-01-04T22:33:00.002-06:00

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The start of a new year makes everyone a little pensive...I mean it is 2012...the rumored end of our existence. If you usually don't go for the good ol' resolutions, I get it.

At least I'll try. I love list. I love goals. That makes this time of year the very best of all that is good with the world. There is such hope in January. The promise of doing better. The promise of being better. Speaking of being better....a Facebook friend, that I went to high school with shared the best link. The post is 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself, offers some advice like: stop spending time with the wrong people, stop putting your own needs on the back burner, and stop trying to be someone you are not. It is a great read...do yourself a favor and stop on by.

Happy humpday folks!

Great day in Paradise

2012-01-02T20:55:00.000-06:00

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Back to school...it was a great day. I don't know why but couldn't stop smiling. Was thrilled to see the kids, and even happier that they were all sleepy and grumpy from staying up too late. We started the day getting inspired...

After watching I asked them why I would show them such a violent video on a Monday? Some lost the point completely..."because you want us to fight??" Nice. Most of them got it. It is to help them get motivated for the semester exams, and for the new goals they have made for the New Year. It made me smile. They make me smile.

I have had a great start to the New Year. I took part in my very first twitter writer chat. I have watched before...I know creepy. I was scared to jump in, it all moves super fast. But this year I am not going to be a bystander...I jumped in and met the nicest people. Several nice folks followed my twitter. Got some writing buddies that we are goal checking with. I set the goal of 10k words. It is what I was doing normally when I was in total groove with the first write...it is painful to get back there. I got all in the 'zone' and looked to see how many words...it was like 500...a drop in the bucket.

Speaking of buckets...I better get back to writing. Get Motivated!!!

Try something new

2012-01-01T20:41:00.000-06:00

To help us all on the goals and resolutions we have determined to achieve this year...have a watch and remember we can do it!

New Year...party girl...maybe not

2011-12-31T19:22:00.004-06:00

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It is around the corner...chasing us. Or are we chasing it? The new year is coming and so is the end of my vacation. Had such high hope for this last week and a half...muph. Family drama sucks up a ton of time...so does being sick. My wish for the new year is that those two will take up many fewer hours than they did this year.

It looks as though the first part of the new year will be spent getting ready for school...and my darlings. I miss my little 7th graders. On these long breaks I watch stuff like, the top educational video and get all sorts of crazy ideas. That and a solid 8 days of reading my book club book, Digital Natives. Those kids won't know what hit them. Not sure I will remember their names...bless their hearts, but we will take on the world together.

I gotta go...the family is napping and it is 7pm...we definitely won't be making it to midnight unless I stir this place up a bit.

My prayer for 2012....

Amen! Be safe everyone.

Ode to Pinterest

2011-12-29T13:25:00.000-06:00

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The Siren calls to my unconscious.

Deep inside I feel her thick gravity.

Images, swim and scroll

To Pinterest I must succumb.

She seduces with her promise

of projects and low fat dishes.

A temptress to the attention

So much so it this post took three days to write.

Pinterest is like facebook in that it is a social network...however instead of sharing your daily activities you "pin" things that you like from online. And you get to see what your friends "pin" when you subscribe to them.

So...let's say you see this awesome low fat dish you want to make for New Year's eve...you hit the "IPin It" button that you have downloaded on your computer when you became a member of Pinterest and it adds the blog post or web post to one of a collection of boards on your profile. Your friends can see it and you can then go back to it later to make the dish or to send friends to if you loved it.

Be careful...it is a whirlpool of creative fun. Once you step into Pinterst it is like Narnia you lose track of time and you are no longer sure who your are but you won't care.

You do need to be invited to Pinterest...if you need an email let me know and will be thrilled to add you.

It is a balance...so I've heard

2011-12-27T22:37:00.000-06:00

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My Grandfather used to always ask me if it would make a bit of difference in a 100 years? It is the yardstick I have been trained to measure all worries. Clearly not easy when certain worries strike...but extremely reassuring when I get all twisted up about something.

For example, there was the one time I forgot to pay a speeding ticket and I got a phone call that there was a warrant out for my arrest. I know right??? I hear you all gasping with fear and images of that show OZ in your heads. When I went to pay the ticket I am pretty sure I could hear the Imperial March as I trod up those steps. I was expecting the lady behind the desk to come out with the cuffs to throw me in the clink. She didn't. She gave me a receipt and said in a sweet East Texas sass, "You have a good day, now!" And here I had prepared for the worse: wore my clean big girl panties (no free show for the guards), did not bring my purse (didn't want some handsie guard going through my goods) and I made sure to call the family and say goodbye (I did cry...I will admit it.) 100 years from now I mostly likely will have wiped that smudge on my record away forever or at least I won't remember it.

Or like last May, when budget cuts had (and still have) teacher's jobs on the line. I have thirteen years in this great institution...I know if something drastic and crazy happens with the district I can and will find something. It will be okay. I have a little talent with this writing thing...worse case scenario I send some extra hours driving students...but it will be okay. I may have to ditch my "Weasley house" (minus all the cool magic) but I will make it and might find my own magic along the way.

However, this normal self possessed calm I try to maintain faded last week. It was two days prior to Christmas...I had the worse back pain known to mankind and well...when I went to make "water" there was blood in it...not the kind you expect but the "Oh dear God, I must be about to die" kind. I was worried...but I had to drive students...so I did. Thank goodness we were busy and I never got around to googling a self diagnose of my ailments because I would have gone straight to the hospital. After 6 hours with the kids and the pain growing exponentially and adding a new element of fever to the equation. I limped into the local Care Now. It took a short 2 hours...not because I was in a room and they were running test...but instead because every person known to mankind wanted to be better before seeing relatives for Christmas. The good news is I did not die. (Deep sigh of relief.) It was a kidney infection and after a single day of the strongest antibiotic she had, I'm had already started to feel better. The best part about that near death incident...found out I've lost more weight...but the scale was super sketchy so I am not sure I trust its accuracy.

If this posting was a math problem we could see it all equals up. It will be okay...it always will and worry changes nothing. Grandpa was so smart.

Lift off to another year...almost...

2011-12-26T22:19:00.000-06:00

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A year is almost in the rear-view mirror. 365 days, each one similar in schedule but each had its own interesting turn of events. Out of the 8,760 hours I was given I slept 1,825 of those maybe more surgery takes a ton out of you. I spent 1,095 hours writing on the blog or my book. I spent probably twice that on facebook. (Don't judge...I have stressful jobs.) My goal is to have those numbers swapped for next year.

This is my favorite time of the year, "The Retrospect," and "The looking ahead." A time to assess and to plan for the future.

I come to the year with a pocket full of wishes...I've noticed that those wishes don't change so much:

better health,
to lose weight,
to work out more,
to worry less,
to have more money,
to be wiser with the little bit of money I am given,
to get somethings...lots of things fixed in my little house,
to finish a book that I am proud of,
to grow my blog enough so I can quit my second job,
to be a great teacher and a better daughter/friend/person,
to explore my creativity,
to be stronger,
to give myself credit for my successes,
to be nicer.

I am pretty sure I have had mostly the same list since I was in high school. Not sure what that means...maybe my growth is super slow...or I'm not growing. (That was a tough one to think about.)

"to give myself credit for my successes..." well I could start that here...

I've lost 45 pounds
I've completely changed my diet (no sugar, low fat and low carb) I feel so amazing because of it.
I have joined a professional learning community on purpose and feel more inspired as a teacher because of it.
I traveled someplace on a moments notice with a friend and had a blast.
I know I have talked about this before...but my blog has gone from 25 readers to 124 followers, 55 who follow by email, 94 who follow by facebook and 254 twitter followers.
My blog has gone from on average 30 hits a day (half of those coming from me) to on average 200. I know it isn't Pioneer Women numbers but it is incredible growth that I am truly proud.
I have faced my immortality (liver disease)...sounds awful but it was extremely freeing. I have the choice how long I want to live (through the daily food choices I make)...and I have chosen to stick around a bit.
I have grieved, I have loved, and I have learned. I hope to do it all some more...well except for the grieving part...that sucks.

I think I am ready for change. No one really likes change...but I think I am ready. That means everything...including the blog. A face lift for her second birthday...not a bad deal. Wish I could get a few things lifted.

What are you guys looking forward to for the new year?

Hello?? Not sure where I have been lately...

2011-12-08T18:13:00.001-06:00

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Ever feel like the fog has cleared and you can see again? We all need to wipe away the heavy moist condensation sometimes.

When I started teaching I spent much of my free time reading professional books, researching trying to be better for my little darlings. Some years I have been more diligent than others about improving my craft.

Working two jobs distracts you. I wonder what kind of teacher/writer/friend I would be if I didn't have to have the second job. Every now and then I get sad and sappy...maybe overwhelmed is better word for it. I feel that I do too many things and can't do well at any of them because of being spread too thin and for what?

Last weekend was a rough drivers ed weekend. A student didn't stop...my break wouldn't work...the light was red for us. She was looking straight at the cars, her knuckles were white from her strong grip. We slipped slowly into the intersection flirting with stopping but still rolling. I think I cussed at her. I was standing with both feet on the break and my arms pulling and tugging at the steering wheel. I got the tire to bump a curb she finally stopped us. The trucks' tires were screeching I remember seeing the bodies of their cabs wobble and shiver on the wet roads. They stopped. We hadn't moved. I was wrestling the steering wheel to point us in the right direction if we survived. The squealing tires were abruptly silent. The trucks' grills were the only thing I could see in the windows. The two little girls were silent in the back seat...frozen in a crash position. It was the first five minutes of the driving lesson. It didn't get much better. This was when I started heavily thinking why do I do this?

I might have shared the story on Facebook. My fellow drivers ed teacher posted this:

Because when you go to bed at night you can rest assured that you did your very best to teach that person how not to die. That is the higher ethic of teaching Drivers ed. You are not just teaching a lesson, you are teaching life and death. 20 years of facing that challenge and several student deaths has taught me one thing, you do your best all the times and never take your job as just a lesson, its a responsibility. You did well tonight Val.. Rest assured you may not have made her understand but you did your best, and if you face that challenge again, you will always do your best. She did not try to kill you, you tried to save her life :) thats why we teach drivers ed... its the ultimate responsibility.. its not just a job.. its a calling you are good at... as far as people honking at you... lets see them do a better job :)

So...you guessed it I was back in the car on Monday. I have cut back my hours. December is busy and I want to spend it with my family.

A friend has requested my presences in her professional learning community...PLC. PLCs are how teachers get together and discuss their craft, do book studies, and generally try to improve their skills. I said yes...it has been a while...I need a professional recharge. The group is doing a book study on Teaching Digital Natives, Partnering for Real Learning by Marc Prensky. At first look I was pretty sure it was super LAME-O. I have been pleasantly surprised and inspired. I love unexpected inspiration.

Ice that Toilet Folks...we need some snow....

2011-12-06T19:29:00.001-06:00

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It is freezing. Well...it is nearly freezing. I love the cold. It is even better if I don't have to leave the house. The best thing ever, is being home on the sofa wrapped up in a super soft blanket...and nothing to do for the day.

The Facebook rumor mill is busy with predictions from my former students of an impending ice storm. Pretty sure they might exaggerate a tiny bit. There are an equal number of ice/snow rituals taking place. The only time white, upper class kids believe in voodoo is when it comes to a minuscule chance it might result in them getting out of school. I can't blame them I am pretty sure I feel the same way. The only difference is I have a enough sense to feel a bit ridiculous chanting in front of the toilet, flushing three ice cubes and doing the well respected snow dance. Some things have to stop when you reach a certain age...there are greater chances of falling and we all know that gets ugly in a bathroom.

I have been inspired of late. My good friend, Aunt J-Me, has recently become a crocheting maniac. I am in total awe of her ability to whip out scarves in a few hours, blankets in a night, it is crazy how good she is. She invited me to a Stitch and _itsch club. It was excellent food, laughter and learning. They finished scarves and I got something that resembled a worm...or maybe a super thin Barbie scarf. I know pitiful. I am learning. Maybe if we get some snow I can get some practice.

I better get busy...I gotta ~~go get some ice and head to the bathroom~~ make a rubric I have been promising for the last three days.

What if...

2011-12-04T00:48:00.001-06:00

What if instead of playing with fake farms on Facebook we each sent $20 to help buy farm animals for people we didn't know?

Heifer International

What if instead of driving by lakes low from the summer drought and wondering what it all meant...we helped fund clean water for those with none at all?

Charity Water

What if we stopped complaining about our life being unfair and we gave that energy to an organization that helps people destroyed by those in their lives?

Amnesty International

What if instead of boycotting banks we became the banks?

Kiva

What if welcome arms helped instead of blocked people from coming into a country?

American Refugee Committee

What if we worried about the health of the planet as much as we cared about our own comfort?

Earth Day Network

What if instead of cussing and pepper spraying people over cheap Christmas gifts we chose one of these?

What if instead of saying our bra color on Facebook we said the charity we chose to support?

What if....