January 31, 2015

Good Eats and Stories

We spent a nice evening celebrating my nephew's birthday at his home in Fort Morgan. Abby, his wife, is a terrific cook so we didn't mind making the drive. One of the best parts of a family dinner are the stories that emerge during the conversation. Some are repeats that we don't mind hearing again and again. One story that I heard tonight, however, was a new one to me. I guess when I was around three or four years old, we all went to Cinderella City- not to buy anything but to enjoy the big city experience. I saw a dolly that I really wanted but since it wasn't in the budget to also buy something for the other five kids, I was told no. Somehow my brothers who were seven and eight years older, convinced my mom that they didn't need anything and they wanted me to have the dolly. I still have Molly in my closet but now that I know the whole story about how I got her, I'm taking her out of the closet and putting her on display! Thanks Tom and Chris!

January 30, 2015

Finger on the Pulse

I have a new app thanks to my co-worker. It's called Pulse Point and my children think it makes me the snoopiest person on the earth. I don't think I'm snoopy - I just feel the need to be informed. When you download Pulse Point, you select which fire department to follow and then what notifications you want to receive. I know where every accident, emergency response call, structure fire and wild fire are happening at all times in my community. I can even listen to the dispatcher if I choose to. If you are CPR certified you can turn that notification on and respond yourself if you're close by. A parent volunteer who works as a dispatcher told me that this has happened. Someone with this app saw that a person in the store next to the one he was at needed CPR and he was able to help. I'm not going that far so I guess you could call me an armchair firefighter/paramedic! We're all safer that way....

January 29, 2015

All Aboard!

It has been hard to write this blog lately because I have been wanting to spend my free time reading a great book called, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. It was lent to me by my friend Sarah and I almost didn't take it. I'm so glad that I did! It is a historical fiction novel about a girl who finds herself on the Orphan train bound for Minnesota and the prospect of finding adoptive parents. I know lately it seems like our legislators don't do anything but thank goodness our child protection laws are better than they were in the 1930's! If you're wanting a short, easy yet enjoyable book, climb aboard the Orphan train!

January 28, 2015

Widening My Horizons

Mrs. Ostwald to 6th grade students: I swear every time I see all of you you're taller! I keep getting wider not taller!

Girl Student: You don't look any wider than you usually do.

Thank you?!

January 27, 2015

Volunteers

Every job that I have had since college has had volunteers associated with it. Maybe that has something to do with all of my jobs having been with nonprofit associations. I have always wondered what it would be like to work for a company that actually made money. My sister has tried to explain bonuses, raises, overtime, expense accounts and severance packages to me but it is a forgein language- I just can't relate....but I digress....

I guess the perks of my previous jobs and present one is getting to work with volunteers. I have met some pretty interesting people throughout the years. Today a dad came in that helps me with the News show and I found out that he has a really diverse background and some great stories. I think many times I have to work into the night at home because I've spent a large amount of time chatting during the day - but I won't change this. As a volunteer myself, I am more willing to go back and help people and organizations that make me feel welcome and needed, so that is what I strive for at my schools. Volunteers will stop volunteering if it's not fun- and believe me I like fun! I know my life would be pretty dull if I didn't have all of my volunteer friends popping in and out....not to mention all the work I would have to do myself! You know who you are...THANK YOU!

January 26, 2015

On the Bright Side

Days like today are why we all live in Colorado. It was beautiful even this morning as I went to work. I didn't really get to go out and enjoy the sunshine during the day but I still experienced the  benefits. It might be my imagination but it seems like people smile more when it's sunny outside. Moods are lighter and the happiness meter is high. The only thing that would make a 65 degree January day even better would be a sun day. Instead of a snow day, sun days would be announced when it is just too nice to go to school! I won't hold my breath.....

January 25, 2015

Birthday Celebrations

Happy Birthday to my wonderful mother-in-law Jo! I won't say how old and you would never guess correctly if you saw her! I will say how old my nephew will be on Feb 2 (no they wouldn't name him Phil...I begged!). Gray will be 12...one more year as a tween. I will be continuing my journey as a quinquagenarian next month and my birthday season began today with a great celebration with Jo, Gray, and of course the rest of their  families. My sister in law and my husband put together a delicious dinner at our house. Shelly was truly the organizer -she had a very busy week but still made the time to make this day very special. She and family came down from Summit County, my in-laws up from the plains, and Paige came as well. Who would think that we could sit on the deck without a jacket in January! Thank you Don, Shelly, Lee, Anna, Kate, Gray, Jo, Don Sr., and Paige for a spectacular day!

 The birthday celebrants - just ignore that other guy!

January 24, 2015

iLearn

I spent the day with some co-workers at an iPad class today. When the alarm reminded me to get up early on a Saturday, I was not thrilled. However, the class was excellent and certainly not a waste of time. A nice bonus was the time we had to talk to the other teachers in the class. They were from various types of schools- public, private, large, and small and they all had great ideas to share. This super charged group recharged my batteries and made me excited to put what I learned into practice with students. If that wasn't enough, I also got to reconnect with some teachers I taught with four years ago at another school. I'm glad I got out of bed!

But this is not a bad thing!

January 23, 2015

 January Festivities

Last week we had a post holiday party with Don's Kiwanis Club and tonight we celebrated with the Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital staff. I must say that these January festivities are more enjoyable than squishing them all into the few weeks before Christmas. What else is there to do in January!?  It is always an entertaining time to party with these animal loving people - they are a lot of fun. The location was stupendous as well - the Balistreri Winery in Denver. We gathered here last year also and are proud members of their wine of the month club. It is a beautiful venue and has been a family run business for many years. It was enjoyable to visit with the owners tonight and learn more about them and what it takes to run a winery. I am pretty sure Don would work there if they would have him! 

Some of the Wheat Ridge family...why am I the only one with a plate?

January 22, 2015

Lunch Trouble

I pack my lunch every day. Some days are better than others - just depends on the refrigerator inventory. Well today was going to be a great lunch...I say "was" because in my flurry to get out the door, it was left behind. When I discovered this I was already at work...not exactly on time...and it was too icy to head back anyway. Don't you just hate when you forget things? I could visualize just where it was sitting and wished I could just twitch my nose (Bewitched) or cross my arms and nod my head (I Dream of Jeannie) and it would appear! Okay, for those of you too young to get my childhood TV references...I wish I could have waved my Hermione wand......anyhoo...I scrounged up some things out of the library fridge, hit our essential chocolate stash and survived to tell the tale. Tomorrow my lunch bag will be set on top of my purse!

January 21, 2015

Bittersweet

I learned some very good news last week but that meant I had to deliver some bad news today. I had decided last semester that this would be my last year as a split school Teacher Librarian, meaning I split my time between two elementary schools. This is my third year doing this and it has taken its toll. I knew that there were some full time Teacher Librarian positions opening up at schools near me for next year and the thought of focusing on one school and growing professionally rather than always catching up and maintaining status quo was becoming too enticing to ignore. Fortunately, I learned last week that I don't have to move to a new school because the principal at one of my schools was able to work her magic on the budget and hire me full time next year! This is the school that has the 1:1 iPad program so I will be able to continue my work implementing this program and will have more time to help it grow and succeed. Unfortunately, this means that I have to say goodbye to my other school in June and that makes me sad. This was the first school that hired me as a Teacher Librarian and I am quite fond of the staff and students. It was difficult for me to inform them of my decision today. Definitely Bittersweet. 

January 20, 2015

Organized

I spent my day organizing myself at work. I got an idea and ran with it. Nothing feels better than feeling in control by tying up loose ends and knowing what's what. I figure that this feeling will last until maybe 10am tomorrow! I may have been motivated to make my workplace run more smoothly by watching the employees on the loading dock at American Furniture Warehouse this last weekend. Talk about a well greased machine! The forklift operators zoomed  into the aisles of stacked furniture, zoomed back out with the item, dropped it on the loading dock for pickup and then zoomed back for more. The workers on the dock assisted the customers with backing up their cars without causing major damage to  themselves or the building and then helped them load their purchases. I could not believe the items they succeeded in stuffing into cars. One customer declared, "oh it will fit" but I had severe doubts. Since one of the workers she had said this to was within earshot I asked him how often he heard this remark. "All day long," was his reply! I was very impressed with how hard and how efficiently all of the employees worked...Jake Jabs would have been proud!

Mountains of furniture!

Believe it or not there is a couch in the back plus they got this huge rug in too!

January 19, 2015

Living the Dream

Today we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Besides enjoying my day off, I have been thinking about a story a first grade teacher told me last week. She was preparing her kids for Martin Luther King Day so she explained - in first grade terms - what racism was and some of the events that happened during the Civil Rights Movement. She said the students were visibly upset, especially when they realized that some of their classmates who are black wouldn't have been able to go to school with them or drink out of the drinking fountain. Although it was an uncomfortable conversation for the teacher, I take great comfort in the fact that these kids, who are predominately white, were horrified by the actions that were commonplace not that long ago. I take this as an encouraging sign that we are on our way to an accepting, diverse society. 

January 18, 2015

True Friends

Put yourself in this situation: you arrive at your friends' house whom you haven't seen in a few months, thinking you're going to have dinner and a nice visit. However, as soon as you walk in the door you find yourself in the role of furniture mover! That's just what we did to our unsuspecting friends Dave and Colleen today. Earlier in the day we purchased a new desk for my office because we found one I liked and I have tomorrow off to get it organized. It was just a coincidence that Dave was also arriving today and could help with the heavy lifting! Not only did he have the pleasure of helping to carry the old desk upstairs (2 pieces), he got to carry in the new desk and help put it together. Now that is a good friend! Of course, Colleen and I supervised and provided important advice through the whole process - and supplied the beer. 

I did feed them our traditional News Years Cheese ball since we were unable to be with each other New Years Eve, as well as dinner. Hopefully they will come and visit again without fear of being put to work!

Furniture movers and assemblers

Cheese Ball!

January 17, 2015

Kiwanis Soirée 

Every year we host Don's Kiawnis Club Christmas Party. This year they decided to postpone their party to January instead of December so we had it tonight. The club membership is dwindling but most of the  people still involved we have known since we moved back to Colorado twenty two years ago. Because of this, I don't view this as a party as much as a Kiwanis family reunion- a time to catch up on how they and their families are doing. It is also a time to appreciate the wisdom and perspectives of ages 50 to 90. The oldest is a retired principal and two others are retired teachers. I always enjoy talking about education with them. Tonight I was reminded that a newer member owns a remodeling company. By the end of the night he was taking pictures of and measuring my family room! A fun evening with wonderful people!

January 16, 2015

For Better or Much, Much Worse

Every marriage has its ups and downs and sometimes one spouse or the other doesn't feel appreciated. I found the perfect way to make your significant other wake up and realize how truly great your marriage is.....watch the movie Gone Girl together! Don and I watched it tonight and of course I knew all the plot twists because I read the book. It was one of those novels that by the end you hated both characters and were wishing for a Sharknado to hit and take them out of their misery! I must say that Ben Affleck was more likable than the husband in the book. Both movie and book are entertaining in a sick and twisted way and be warned...the movie earned its R rating. 

January 15, 2015

Sequential Art 

Tonight I attended a program sponsored by the Jefferson County International Reading Association (JCIRA). The speaker was James Erekson, associate professor of reading at the University of Northern Colorado. He focused (so to speak) on the fact that vision is the most powerful sense we have and almost all of us are visual learners, therefore, comic books can be a very useful tool to use to teach reading and writing. One way he demonstrated this was to have us read the graphic below but we had to say the color that the word is, not what is says.....it is surprisingly difficult! So pass out those comics..aka...graphic novels...aka....sequential art...it is a fun way to learn!

January 14, 2015

Super School News

Oh no! She's writing about news again! Wait! Before you tune out, this is special news...Super School News! Every year, PBS sponsors the Super School News program for 56 schools throughout the state. One of my schools has the opportunity to take part this year. I have two News teams at this school and ten members. Unfortunately, I had to choose only two students to take to anchor training today at the PBS studios. In April, I get to take all ten students and we will tape a two minute news show at the studio and it will broadcast on Channel 6 a few times after that. I think it was an enjoyable morning and it ended with a motivational talk by Channel 9 News anchor, Kim Christensen. Afterwards, she signed autographs for the kids and one of my students really wanted one. The other student was pretty perturbed that he was going to miss recess for Ms. Christensen....I made him take a picture with her anyway because I knew his mother would appreciate it!

January 13, 2015

For the Birds

Here I am in my empty nest again. Alex left last week and Paige had to go back to college today which ended my month of having my baby birds home. I got used to them being around and even cooked for them! Then what do they do? They go back to being responsible adults, trying to make a future for themselves. They wouldn't listen when I tried to entice them to drop out of school and hang out with their mother. Oh well, I guess I'll get used to this quiet house,  get control of the remote again, and familiarize myself with what is lurking in the freezer.....!

January 12, 2015

News in the Morning

I have said before that I'm a news junkie. I like to know what's going on. I like to hear different perspectives on hot topics. As soon as we walk the 10 miles ( seems like) back to our car after Bronco games, we turn on KOA radio to here the recap of the game. Every morning I wake up to KOA news. Why? Well the simple reason is so I know what I'm getting into that day. Is it going to be cold? Hot? A snow day? And most importantly, if the world is ending, I will stay in bed and meet my maker in my flannel pjs under my down comforter! 

January 11, 2015

Sad Day for Orange and Blue

Something went terribly wrong. We enjoyed watching the Broncos all season except towards the end and the bitter end today. I hope the Bronco organization figures out caused this promising team to take a turn south. On the positive side, our Sundays have opened up and we will save money by not making a trip to Phoenix! Also, my electric socks kept my tootsies warm all through the game today and our friends Jim and Marie helped us have an enjoyable day despite the game outcome. Maybe next year......

A promising start...

Proof that we can all get along!

Fun with Jim and Marie!

January 10, 2014

Breakfast Club

This morning I made myself get out of bed on a Saturday to meet friends for breakfast. Actually, it wasn't that difficult because I was excited to see friends that I hadn't seen in awhile. We became close when we worked together but now that we are at different schools, it is harder to keep tabs on one another. I have been fortunate to work in environments that foster relationships so it is difficult when work friends move out of the building, thus the newly formed Breakfast Club. Hopefully we can continue to meet monthly and keep our connections strong.

January 9, 2015

Book Detective 

The Case: Teacher discovered library book that was written in. Notes about boys, best friends, pre-teen angst ( in pen!)

Suspect: The written content unfortunately pointed to a preteen girl who Librarian believed to be a model student.

Case Notes: Through the use of technology, it was discovered that the book was cataloged last month and only had two previous borrowers - neither borrower was the suspect

Case Solved: Memory challenged librarian remembered that the book was donated by another well intentioned preteen girl. No crime here - suspect deemed innocent, no interrogation necessary. Another successful library mystery explained!

January 8, 2014

Optimism

Is your cup half full or half empty? I like hanging out with the half full folks - they're way more fun to drink with! Cheers!

January 7, 2014

Back 'Atcha

You learn a lot by being a parent, but one major thing that I have learned through the years is never judge another parent. As soon as I would look down my nose at what so and so's kid did, my cherished offspring would do the same or worse soon after! Lately I have been learning this lesson at work. I'll admit that I have been developing an internal eye roll when dealing with adults who have forgotten their passwords. Sure enough, I have recently had a few forgetful instances myself while setting up my own devices. Thank you Karma! I guess I should make myself this sign to hang in my office - "Be patient, you will soon follow!"

January 6, 2014

Doors

I really believe that "when one door shuts, another one opens." Too often we worry about the future and what we can't control instead of celebrating where we are are how we got there. Maybe where you are right now is not your goal, but everything you have experienced along your journey- good and bad - forms the path to where you are supposed to be. I know I'm getting pretty deep here but the great thing about age is you start seeing things a little differently. This blog post is encourage everyone to be brave and pursue your dreams. If it works out it was meant to be. If not, then you were meant to be somewhere else. You will never know until you try......

January 5, 2015

Bling Connection

Pinterest is a beautiful thing...Paige accompanied me to the craft store after school. As we were browsing, she slipped some jewelry wire into the cart. She found an idea on Pinterest that she wanted to try. Well, if it involves anything shiny, I'm in. In an amazingly short time after we got home, she whipped together the cutest rings - just with the wire and beads! I can't wait to wear mine tomorrow! I think that I will not be sharing this with Don. He may feel the need to break off his friendship with Tom Shane and Jared if he finds out that I can get excited by a $2.50 ring!

January 4, 2014

Stay Calm and Watch Downton Abbey

I worked hard today so I could watch the Season 5 Premiere of Downton Abbey tonight. It wasn't disappointing - the costumes and set were beautiful, the favorite characters beloved and the villains despicable-all within a good story and amusing writing. It was good to have a distraction because Alex had to fly back to Florida today. He had a nice long visit but of course it was hard to see him go. The worse part is that he is there for another six months. The good thing is that he is coming home in six months! I will need to get myself on a plane to Tampa between now and then!

January 3, 2015

The End is Near

I'm sitting here with half filled Christmas boxes, unfolded laundry, and an unopened work bag that needs dusting. Add this all together and it equals a nice little winter break of relaxation! I have one more day to get myself ready to re-enter reality on Monday. One more day to convince myself that I am re-energized, rejuvinated, and ready to dive into the second semester.  I think I should start by getting out of bed a little earlier...only ten weeks until Spring Break!

Goodby tree- you were a great one!

January 2, 2014

Go Big and Phone Home

In the movie "White Christmas," Bing Crosby refers to moving a letter farther from his face in order to read it as "playing the trombone." Even though I support the band wholeheartedly, I upgraded my phone today in order to reduce my need to stretch my arm across the room to read a text. I went with the Big Apple, the kahuna of mobile phones...the iPhone 6+. This is a big phone and easy to read but unfortunately I'm realizing that it is easy for others to read as well. I don't think that I will be able to sneak any texts or update statuses during meetings anymore( not that I ever did that). It would be pretty obvious with the screen being as big as a drive-in theatre for those sitting next to me! Oh well, this phone will keep me focused...in more ways than one! Call me!

January 1, 2014

Resolutions

Today is the day to make resolutions for the New Year, however, it is a bad day for anyone to make a resolution if they are on vacation. Everything seems doable when you're not working. Exercise? Sure, I'll get up at 9:00 instead of 9:30- it doesn't matter- I wasn't going to shower anyway and my sweat pants are at the ready. Eat healthy? No problem, as soon as I eat the rest of these holiday goodies, I'll scan Pinterest for some great food in the morning and shop in the afternoon. No worries! No, I think I will wait for a few weeks after I start back at work and then contemplate my 2015 resolutions. Also, I bet that if I asked my co-workers, they probably could help me think of a few!

No resolutions happening here!