Miscellaneous Missives

Not exact power washer but dang close... Some days I get nothing done while other days, like today, I am a powerful task completer.  After the farmers' market, I decided to skip the gym and start with my list of tasks.  The most notable task completion today was power washing the garage floor.  My garage floor was gross.  When I went to my car or to the freezer without shoes, my feet would be black.  Only a few steps taken in bare feet on my garage floor would leave dirt and grime and... A friend let me borrow her power washer and gave me instructions on its use.  First, never, never, never start it without having the water hooked up first.  Next, turn it on, pull the choke, then pull the cord to start the machine.  I took these directions seriously.  Not only did I repeat them multiple times when she told me, I also put them in the notes of my phone.  Before starting the wonderful red power washer, I looked over the notes again. ...

Tonight I  went to Lakeshore Learning, bought speech bubbles, and laminated them.  The end result was 21.9 feet of lamination.  While I cut them, I watched the twelfth episode of Orange is the New Black (one episode left... not happening tonight).  Kitty Klaus was a huge help with this endeavor.  

attractionmarketingconsulting.com   Last night I didn't get much sleep.  My mind was spinning and racing like a hamster in a wheel.  Anything and everything sped through my mind.  It wasn't a completely horrible thing, the thoughts not lack of sleep, because I came up with an idea that I think is going to be awesome.  My new dyad partner asked me about ALC (after school program often focused on helping struggling students).  For the last two years I've co-taught (kinda) a reading ALC with seventh graders.  ALC meets four days a week, and we basically each taught two of the days although we planned together (and separately... you know how it goes).  Since my new dyad partner asked about teaching ALC, I felt that she should have the opportunity to make a little extra money and work with students after school, but if she taught 7th ALC reading, what would I teach?  At the current time, there is no 8th grade ALC reading program.  "I'll ...

Nope!  I refuse to complain about the heat and humidity.  A couple of years ago, a friend said they only complained about one season.  This makes sense.  I live in a state that has four distinct seasons.  Even though I often have the Goldilocks Syndrome (too hot, too cold), it would be horrible to complain all the time about the weather.  Perhaps, I'll save this until I'm in assisted living and/or nursing home.  The heat and humidity has been a bit brutal this week, but I'm good with it... no complaints.  For the winter crazies who are complaining about the heat and humidity because one can only take off so many layers, I'd argue that I can only add soooo many layers.  Although I'm not going to complain about the weather, I will say my bike helmet is probably disgusting since I've been doing a crazy amount of sweating on my morning bike rides.  Basically, I'm not complaining about the heat and humidity, but I am collecting money for a...

Yesterday, I posted about my experimenting with molasses.  Today I added two tablespoons to make sure I had at least one tablespoon in my system.  The smoothie still tasted good.  Actually, their is only a hint of the molasses taste (1 cup frozen fruit, 1 cup yogurt, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons molasses). So.... LH commented that she had heard of blackstrap molasses which made me think.  This is a bit embarrassing, but...  After the doctor recommended trying molasses, I purchased some blackstrap molasses.  Since BLACKSTRAP was written large across the front of the bottle, I thought it was the brand name.  When I started researching molasses (its benefits and storage), it kept talking about blackstrap.  Of course, I was still thinking it was the brand name, so I kept trying to find different sources that weren't talking about blackstrap because I didn't want commercial information (again, thinking blackstrap is the brand). ...

Thursday was my annual physical. While I was being "poked and prodded", I talked to the doctor about my recent problems with dizziness and concerns about low iron. She sent me to the lab for blood tests (hemoglobin and ferritin). Both came back low, so she prescribed taking an iron supplement every day for at least a month to build up my iron stores. When I received this e-mail, I asked if she could suggest a kinder, gentler iron supplement. She recommended Slo Fe or Unsulfured molasses. It seems unsulfured molasses is a good source of iron. It was recommended that I take a spoonful a day if I can tolerate it or use it as a sweetener. Obviously, if it was a dare or a contest, I could maybe take a spoonful. Since there is no dare or contest, I decided to add it to my smoothie. Several of my friends tried to dissuade me saying it would ruin the taste, but today I added a tablespoon to my smoothie. It wasn't bad. I think I've found a way to get that iron.

I am once again mentoring the new seventh grade language arts teacher.  This year, unlike last year, I feel that I will probably get as much mentoring as my mentee.  She has experience and attitude... love it.  Today was our official day to get together first by meeting at the district then by working together at our building.  We've already met together and worked on curriculum, so today was a bit more flexible.  Another colleague (and friend) is also mentoring, so we decided to take our mentees to Companies to Classrooms then to Andale for lunch.  We invited a couple other new teachers whose mentors were absent and our group became six.  After lunch my mentee and I decided to "knock out" what had to be finished and head home since we had already worked together.  We found the open, cooler, room of a colleague and sat in their working.  As we were working, I once again started complaining about the kids that were in special reading clas...

I've talked to several colleagues this summer.  It seems many have been at school working in their rooms this past week.  When I looked at our workshop week schedule, I couldn't help but notice most of the time to work in our rooms came after open house.  First, let me say this is absolute bullshit!  Teachers want their room to be presentable for open house.  This means they feel the necessity (guilt) to get their room prepared prior to workshop.  A logical solution would be to schedule the work in the room times prior to workshop... duh!  Anyway, today I was feeling guilty about my lack of room preparation and decided to go in early.  As I entered my room, armed with multiple containers of wipes, I was pleasantly surprised.  The desks in my room actually looked presentable and didn't need to be wiped.  After spending a couple of hours, I made a bit of a dent and felt pleased with my progress.  Part of my room decor is having pla...

My iPod Shuffle has been causing me frustrations.  It works then it doesn't work.  Lately, it doesn't work.  Yesterday, I decided to take it to the Genius Bar.  I tried to explain that I think it has something to do with a bad connection (headphones and charger).  Mr. Apple Genius guy looked at it, plugged it in, and did diagnostics.  "Your shuffle is six years old.  They're made to last two years," he stated as he took my shuffle to the back room.  He came back with it working although he warned me it could be temporary.  Let me give you the steps of temporary.  1) Shuffle charges.  2) Shuffle plays music for five notes and cuts out.  3) Shuffle doesn't play music.  4) Shuffle still doesn't play music after several attempts.  5) Shuffle seems dead.   Instead of going back to the Apple store to purchase my new shuffle (looks the same, but acts better), I went to First Tech .  It's a small step, but th...

Friday my plan was to leave Okoboji after "Kayaking a Wetland".  While we were waiting for everyone to arrive for kayaking, the leader was talking about the FREE concert in the park (Arnolds Park).  He mentioned OAR.  "OAR is going to be here tonight?" I asked.  Not only was OAR going to perform, it was going to be a free concert.  My first reaction was to question my friends that lived in Okoboji.  The evening before I dined with a friend who mentioned nothing about the concert.  What?!  Immediately I sent a text.  It seems she didn't know about the concert.  After a couple of texts, it was set; I was staying for the concert.

I'm in Okoboji for a short visit.  When I called my dad to let him know I sent his mail, he asked how the beans looked.  Of course I had already left the house and wouldn't be returning until after dark.  "I don't know.  How would I know?" I replied.  Let's be honest they're soybeans.  It's not like picking beans out at the farmers' market.  Thanks to technology I was able to take a picture, after dark, and text him the photo.   I also was able to finally ride the old fun house slide which now resides at Blu.  The boy at the top of the stairs gave me my waiver to sign and wanted to stamp my hand.  First, I would like to say I was the only one over 12, so I'm sure I'm easy to remember.  After I told him I didn't need a stamp because I was only going once, he explained many people say that but go again.  When I ended my ride down the slide, my friend informed me I needed to go again because she didn't get the picture.  Back ...

This morning I had to go to the dentist for three precautionary fillings.  They've (I see whatever dentist of the four is available) been watching the space between my teeth and gums for several years.  During my last visit, they decided I needed three fillings at the base of my tooth to prevent cavities or rotting or... IDK.  When I scheduled the fillings, I made sure to get a female dentist since I have a small mouth (not vocal cords, but actual size), and typically women dentist have smaller fingers.  My female dentist (super young) came in and explained the procedure.  I must have seemed nervous because she asked if I had ever had Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) during a procedure.  "I don't know... maybe,"  I replied.  Her questions continued, "Are you nervous about today?"  Oops, maybe I should have used a filter to answer, "It's a nice day outside, and I don't want to waste my entire day."  Quickly she decided that I didn't need ...

Yesterday I sliced my thumb open (on top of the knuckle) with a knife.  I was trying to cut some hard salami and cheese with a knife to get some protein.  The suggestion was made that perhaps I get protein from peanut butter, perhaps it was a good idea.  Today I was talking to my dad and mentioned that I was on my way to the gym to workout.  My reasoning was questioned since I had a headache and my thumb still hurt.  "Why don't you take today off?" I was asked.  My answer was simple, "because I have an addictive personality and brought raspberries at the farmers' market."  For some reason ( I don't really know why), my answer needed clarification.  Since I have fresh raspberries, I'm going to need to eat them with ice cream...  Eating ice cream equals going to the gym.

Partly through peer pressure, I started watching Orange is the New Black .  After having dinner with three intelligent women who love watching Orange is the New Black , I decided to start watching it.  First, I had to get Netflix.  Once I registered for Netflix, I had to update something on my computer.  Since this didn't solve my problem, I had to continue problem solving.  It seems it only works through Safari (not Chrome or Firefox).  After watching three episodes via my MacBook Pro, I figured out how to play Netflix with my DVD player.  It's incredible.  As for Orange is the New Black, I'm getting sucked in... Maybe I'll need more than that month free trial period with Netflix.  I actually have a list of movies I would like to watch at some time in my life.  The first three on my list (No Woman, No Cry, The Girl Rising, and War Dance) are not available on Netflix.  Anyone have any Netflix movies that are "must see"?

Yesterday I drove to Lacrosse to spend the day with one of my college roommates (my favorite college roommate!).  We were moving her son into his new digs (college).  Actually, her son and his father were playing golf while we readied his room.  This included garage sales (delightful, kind people), cleaning, lifting, arranging...  More importantly, we were able to spend the entire day together talking, laughing and schmoozing with people.  We made friends with one lady who sold us a bed in the morning then gave us fifty some hangers in the afternoon.  The maintenance worker, who had to come over once we mentioned the unattached smoke detectors might be a liability, maybe didn't become our friend, but he was less frustrated with the list of items we wanted fixed (immediately) after we "made nice" with him.  Of course we did a bit of reminiscing about the craziness of college and the dumps we called home during those years.   The day was perfect ...

Yesterday was the perfect summer day.  Actually, it was a little cooler than I would like, but it was grand.  First thing in the morning, I donned my long sleeved shirt and biked into the gym.  As I was on the treadmill I read a chapter from The Digital Writing Workshop .  Reading and having the ability to bookmark on my phone is wonderful.  After sweating, reading, sweating, taking notes, sweating, and sweating, I stopped by Byerly's for a banana then met a friend at Dunn Brothers.  We drank coffee (well, a mocha, it's as close to coffee as I get), talked, walked, talked, talked, and even sat a bit.  After a couple of hours, I pedaled the other side of the lake home to sit in the sun and read, Fire in the Streets .  While I blogged about the book for our school webpage, I ate a piece of pizza with spinach, mushrooms, and gorgonzola cheese... delightful.  This was followed by book club with a phenomenal group of ladies as we discussed Astri...

http://www.bubblews.com/news/394423 A friend, and fellow teacher, of mine refers to summer as the weekend. June is Friday.   One has to work for at least half. July is Saturday.  It's basically free. August is Sunday.   Although it's still part of the weekend, one really uses it to prepare for Monday. It's Sunday, and I've already met twice with my new dyad partner.  I think we're going to work well together positively pushing and challenging each other.  Next week is the week of computer training followed by workshops, followed by the actual back to school workshop week.  I wish it was Saturday!!

I've probably written previous blogs about giving blood, but I put a lot of work into giving blood.  For a week, or more, before giving blood I need to take iron.  Plus, I need to drink plenty of liquids at least two days prior to giving blood.  When I actually give blood, they often have a difficult time finding my vein.  It seems I have small veins.  This doesn't matter because I can give blood and many can't, so I feel I need to do whatever I can to keep giving.  Yep, I'm glad that I give blood, but it's not merely the before giving that's difficult after giving I feel weak and often dizzy.  I get that I shouldn't work out for twenty-four hours, but it's more like ninety-six hours for me.  Today I finally went back to the gym after giving Friday morning.  Even with the drinking fluids and resting for four days, I was still dizzy at times.  It's absolutely crazy.  When I looked it up online, I realized I'm the one that's crazy...

Once a month I meet with three ladies in a Sabbath group that started during Lent at our church.  One of the ladies sent an email about Oprah and Deepak Chopra's meditation challenge .  Since it had a set time limit and the word challenge, I thought I'd give it a try.  Today's centering thought:  Today I am open to the presence of miracles.  It started with meditation and repeating the mantra, om.  Om  is a universal sound that connects us to the universe.  Yep, I was lost at this point.  Basically, the idea is to meditate for fifteen minutes on being open to the presence of miracles, repeating the mantra when needed.  The truth is that I don't do well with meditation and will probably not make it on this miraculous journey.  I was only able to concentrate for about five minutes.  Maybe I'll try it again tomorrow.  Obviously, I need to learn to be quiet with myself.