Miscellaneous Missives

January- In January I bought real boots for the Minnesota Winter and participated in my first University of Okoboji Winter Games. February- Last year we actually had multiple snow days.  It was crazy! March- I bought a new bike last year (1700 miles from June to November).  A friend and I also visited the ice caves on Lake Superior which were amazing.  The Iowa State Men's basket ball team was also Big XII champs although I didn't personally contribute to this victory. April-   I gave Hoot away for World Book Night.  I also started 30 Days of Biking, but then crashed my new bike on April 6th.  For me it was 6 Days of Biking (2015 will be 30). May- I started spin classes at the Y since I couldn't ride my bike outside.  May was also a big month for PT, but let's be honest, most of 2014 was filled with PT (ankle, shoulder, knee).  May also brought a math blog challenge (What?!).   I also went  to Art-a Whirl for the ...

I WISH I didn't have to use my break for work related endeavors, but alas, I decided today I would tackle my next unit.  Although I didn't make a ton of progress, I formulated some ideas and made some changes.  Of course, I still have fables to grade, but I have no intention of tackling that until next week.  Tonight a couple colleagues also came over to discuss the first half of Notice and Note by Kylene Beers.  Maybe we didn't discuss the details of the book, but we had great discussions about school, education, and learning.  All in all, I would say I spent the majority of today eating, sleeping, and doing school related activities. I also played Trivia Crack.  I WISH I hadn't mentioned it in an earlier post because KC invited me to play.  When I saw her invite, my look was similar to Kitty Klaus' look in the above picture.  Do I really want KC to know how inept I am at this game of which I've become addicted?  I DREAM of getting a b...

Away in the Manger Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with thee there. Merry Christmas!  Yesterday I attended two Christmas services and was overwhelmed with emotion.  Loved ones in my life are experiencing struggles this year.  As I listened to Away in the Manger sung by the cutest little singers (all under the age of 5?), I found the last verse fitting for all.   It made me DREAM of a world in which everyone looks out for everyone and lives in peace.  "Bless all the dear children in thy tender care."   Children of all ages are blessed and dear. It seems the holidays make the struggles more intense (if that is possible).   A couple of weeks ago, I had dinner with a friend.  We were discussing heaven, and I admitted that I'm not sure there's an afterlife because I think heaven is on Earth.  My belief is one...

It's 10:22, and I've been up for three hours.  Alas, in the three hours I've completed very little.  At 7:30, I sprayed the shower down, so I could clean it before I took a shower.  While I was waiting for it to do it's magic, I started geeking on the internet.   I played a little Trivia Crack (even though I don't like it) and watched another Mona Pants video.  When I finally sauntered to the bathroom to clean the shower/tub, I realized I didn't have cleanser for the tub.  Without much sense of urgency, I went to the story to buy cleanser.  On the way, I called my dad, so I then sat in the parking lot talking to him (I didn't want to be that person on the phone in the store).  Of course, I decided to stop by Caribou on the way home, and now I'm drinking a dirty chai and spending more time on the internet.  I WISH the cleaning products would get to work on clean the shower for me, so I could take a shower before noon.

It seems many are addicted to the game Trivia Crack.  Personally, I find it disengaging because I always win.  Unlike others, I find it easy not to play.  When someone doesn't play their turn or the game takes away my lives (What is this?), I don't get disgruntled.  Entertainment and science are my two favorite categories.  I do especially well with entertainment because I typically watch 365 movies a year and watch many television shows.  It makes the category a bit too easy.  While others are playing Trivia Crack, I'll spend my vacation watching more movies and binge watching my favorite television shows.  For those whom I have played with, I apologize for NEVER losing.  I can't help it.

Last week a leader of our worship service asked me if I would speak about being a Mary during the Christmas season.  Although I didn't really know what I'd say, I said that I would speak.  I joked with him about not bringing up the "Virgin Mary" part of the story.  Throughout the week, I thought about what I might say and wondered if it was blasphemous.  I also WISHED I had declined the offer. When I came across a writing, I knew I could figure it out, and I did.  I was satisfied speaking without notes, but I WISH I would have brought my glasses to read the quote I had brought.  Without glasses, I struggled through the reading, but all were patient. Basically, I started by talking about my name.  My mother was named Mary Ethelyn, but changed her name to Lynne when she was old enough because she didn't like her original name.  I talked about how I always thought my name was a burden as I thought perhaps the baby Jesus had been to Mary.  A...

I DREAM of reading 100 books in a year, but I'm not sure it will happen.  Since I read quite a bit of young adult during the summer, it should be a possibility.  Over the last couple of years (maybe this year), I switched from Library Thing to Goodreads, and I'm pleased with this switch.  As of today, I've read 87 books in 2014.  My hope is to complete one or two books before 2015.  In 2009, I read 98 books, but from my stats page, it seems I average 75 a year. Today I finished Let's Go Crazy:  Prince and the Making of Purple Rain .  I'm sure I will rent the movie over break and watch it again.  As I read the book, the songs lyrics and tunes came to my mind as the titles and words appeared.  It was not an autobiography, so I found myself constantly wondering what Prince would think about the author's comments.  I do love Prince, and I hope he would want me to read the book.  If not, perhaps he could invite me to Paisley Park to ...

Bright and Brilliant not only describes my Christmas cactus, it also describes me (Is it a comma or semi-colon after cactus?  No really?  I need the answer).  Anyway, while others have been hit by illness, I remain illness free.  I don't have a raging headache causing an upset stomach.  My body is a fortress, and I am actually planning on going to the gym tonight while others spend their evening inside playing computer games, paying bills, and going to bed early.  Some may think I'm bragging, but maybe I'm merely brainwashing myself.

One will notice my stove is used a lot by noticing the filth around the burner. I cook all the time.  In fact, I rarely go out to eat, and my refrigerator is always full of ingredients for my next meal, snack, and/or desert.  The other day I decided I should use my culinary skill and bring soup to the staff holiday buffet.  Earlier I had signed up for soda which is uncharacteristic for me because not only do I like to cook for myself, I find pure joy in cooking for others.  Since this was uncharacteristic, I changed my sign-in from soda to main dish, and even mentioned that I was going to bring wild rice soup.  When I entered the office and the office staff asked if I was going to buy or make the soup, I was shocked and appalled.  Of course, I the culinary expert, was going to make the soup.  In fact, I had already purchased ALL of the ingredients.  This evening I prepared and cooked the wild rice soup on my stove.  It seems I misjudged t...

I WISH I knew the location of my coin purse which actually contains my credit cards, drivers license, and cash.  Since I don't feel like making a smoothie this morning, and I do not know the location of my cash and credit cards, I will purchase a dirty chai at Caribou this morning with change from my car.  My hope is the coin purse was either left at Caribou yesterday morning or is at school. I also WISH that Kitty Klaus realized that the pillow was placed on top of the couch, so he would not lie in that area.  For some reason, I don't think the location of the pillow is hindering KK from sleeping in that area.

Last Tuesday I came home to realize the package that UPS said it delivered (according to tracking system) was not in front of my door.  I asked the neighbor, but he had not seen the package.  When I was able to make a claim online, I made the claim.  Making a claim, however, does not deliver the package.  This package actually contained candles I had bought for a friend.  Yesterday, I received a form (hanging on my door) from UPS to fill out regarding my missing package.  Since I had already completed the information online, I wasn't too pleased about filling out another form.  Today, I the UPS delivery guy actually came to my door to talk to me.  He was friendly to quite friendly.  Although he's the normal delivery driver for my package, he has a helper for the holiday season.  Instead of believing someone came and stole my package, he thinks it was accidentally delivered to an incorrect address, and it may appear on my door step (ye...

The original game is two truths and a lie.  Today I bring you two lies and a truth. Scenario 1:  Saturday evening I received a package from my dad and his girlfriend.  Enclosed was a bag of ranch pretzels.  Since they're somewhat addictive, I divided them up into multiple snack sized bags, so I wouldn't eat the entire bag in a 48 hour time period. Scenario 2:  Saturday evening I received a package from my dad and his girlfriend.  Enclosed was a bag of ranch pretzels.  Since they're somewhat addictive, I decided to eat them all in a 48 hour period.  My reasoning was valid.  The calories are going to go in at some point, so I thought it best to eat the entire bag and be done with it. Scenario 3:   Saturday evening I received a package from my dad and his girlfriend.  Enclosed was a bag of ranch pretzels.  Since they're somewhat addictive, Carol decided to send a very small amount of pretzels knowing that a full bag ...

I wish that Christmas was next week.  Really!  "It's a wrap!"  As of this morning, I have all presents wrapped.  Those that need to be shipped have been shipped with the exception of one card which also doubles as a present.  I'm not sure of the location of the card.  It had postage and an address.  It contained a handwritten note and a gift card.  Where is the damn card?  Did I mail it?  Did I lose it? I have no idea.  One may wonder if this is a lie, but unfortunately it's the truth.  The good news everything else is ready for Christmas.  I've even bought needed ingredients for the soup I'm bringing to our staff holiday buffet (which is in all reality a bag soup mix).  Let's pretend I mailed the card and all is well.  Ta-Da!

I wish animals didn't have to suffer.  I wish I could save all animals (This is actually a lie.  There are some mean and ugly animals).  Today I noticed the rear end of an animal sticking out of the bushes at my dad's farm.  It looked as if the animal was dead (at least it wasn't moving and was in a weird location), so I decided taking a picture would be in bad taste.  Soon after viewing the animal, some guy came to the door to see if he could hunt on the property.  After I informed him that there was no hunting or trapping on the property, he mentioned the hurt baby raccoon (probably more of an adolescent). Immediately after he left, I went to see the raccoon who now had started moving slowly across the area.  He/she was indeed hurt and was moving slowly.  It looked as if his rear leg or something was injured.  Since I don't know what to do in situations like this (I wish I did), I texted a friend's husband who used to work for the ...

This is the toy I bought for Kitty Klaus yesterday.  He really likes it, and I'm super pleased that I purchased it while the Christmas decorations adorn the house.  I am especially pleased that he likes to play with it under the Christmas tree and around the gifts.  It makes me feel comforted that the tree will be standing when I get home because he knows only to dash around the house chasing the toy while I'm home and can save the tree and any gifts that he may tear up while chasing said toy.  It was an amazing purchase, and I'm glad I didn't merely wrap it and put it under the tree waiting for Christmas to be over. I think my lies tend to come of as sarcasm.  Perhaps I need to get better at the lies part of the challenge, but then again, no one helped me fulfill my wish yesterday:(

I wish everyone would follow Mona Pants on Facebook and/or Youtube.  She's delightfully entertaining and helps rescue dogs.  Her most recent video is a Christmas Card Challenge .  Go to Facebook and watch it.  Basically, one (everyone) sends Mona Pants a Christmas Card with one dollar (I'm sending $5).  Mona Pants is going to collect the money and give it to Perfect Match Animal Rescue (I think... Sometimes Mona Pants is difficult to understand.)  The address is in the picture, so this is super easy to do.  Not only do I wish that everyone would follow Mona Pants, I wish that everyone would participate in the Mona Pants Christmas Card Challenge.  While this is my wish, I DREAM that everyone send the card then comment and let me know he/she followed through with the challenge.

My PT appointment today is in Lakeville which is 30 minutes south of school and an hour from my house.  Instead of staying at school for another 30 minutes, I decided to take my computer and stop at a Starbucks on the way to be productive.  I've set up a work station and am working like a crazy person on my school work.  Since I have this week planned, I am diligently working on next week.  Most people would not be able to do this, but I am motivated.  I am NOT geeking on FB, checking my e-mail, looking at my Feedly account and/or blogging.  I, my friends, am focused which is not surprising because it is difficult for me to lose my attention once I am "in the zone."  Yep, I'm "in the zone" working on next week for school.  Since it's my school computer, I've made sure not to open any sites that would be distracting and/or not relate to school.  BTW- The flourless chocolate cookie at Starbucks is a tasty treat.  Perhaps I'll blog when ...

Nalo Visiting a Couple of Weeks Ago Today I stopped by Walgreens to pick up some gift bags on my way to Chuck and Don's to buy Christmas treats for my Dad's dog Nalo.  My plan today (basically accomplished) was to finishing wrapping all of the gifts.  While I was in Walgreens, I started thinking of the last time Nalo visited.  She's an old dog and may not be with us much longer.  The more I started thinking about it the more upset I became.  As I was walking over to Chuck and Don's for  doggy Christmas gifts, it then occurred to me that Nalo might not be around for Christmas.  It made me sad (sadder).  I didn't even want to go into the store and look at dog treats, so I pushed the button on my remote, heard the click, and sat in the car.  The only problem as I was sitting in this SUV (and I wish this was a LIE) is that it felt uncomfortable.  My head slowly started to work.  Why was the arm rest up?  I don't have an arm res...

It's super easy for me to work out in the winter time.  Going to the gym when it's dark and cold is definitely preferable to biking outside in the sun.  Another health option that is easier in the winter is eating cold smoothies first thing in the morning.  This morning I made a smoothie (truth).  I wish it had gone more smoothly.  First, I shredded the kale in the bottom.  Next, I added the frozen fruit, yogurt and peanut butter.  Then, I turned on the blender.  I WISH I would have check the bottom to make sure it was correctly aligned.  Soon, smoothie was literally hitting the walls.  When I took time to align it and try again, I DREAMED that it would go smoothly.  As I sat down to eat my smoothly, I started finding chunks of the seal in my smoothie.  I'l save you more details, but the bottom is on so tight since I didn't realize the seal was shredding and kept tightening the bottom.  Basically, I can't get the bottom...

We can't breathe. If I can't breathe.  You can't breathe. I have a dream.  We all know the famous speech of Martin Luther King Jr.  It seems that more and more I feel as though this dream will never become a reality.  Unfortunately, I don't have the words to express my disgust and pride of people in this country.  I am disgusted by the racism in our country and am equally disgusted by the people who don't believe that racism exists.  As Jon Stewart says, "We're not living in a post-racist society." This morning on my way to work, I noticed Hennepin was closed down around the Hennepin/Lagoon intersection.  It looked like a large number of people gathered, and the street was lined with cop cars.  As soon as I arrived at school, I tried to find out what was happening.  After searching online and trying the local news I gave up.  Fortunately, a wonderful colleague found a link and gave me the information.  Fast-food workers and o...

"Wish that I could forever stay this young..." Tonight I went for happy hour with a colleague.  It is amazing what I wimp I truly have become.  When I returned home, I called a college pal to wish her a happy birthday.  She's one of the few that actually still sends me a birthday card.  In reality, I try to ignore my birthday.  I don't put the date on Facebook, and I ignore calls on my birthday thinking if I ignore them, it will go away.  It seems implausible that we graduated from college over 20 years ago.  Although I'm not happy to watch the years pass (rapidly), I'm happy for the lasting friendships!  Maybe we'll even all meet up for homecoming at our alma mater next year.

I've often heard of the fun times had at Nye's Polonaise Room.  To be honest, I've talked to people about meeting at Nye's or listened to stories about being at Nyes, but I never was a patron, not even once.  This morning I read an article about it closing and WISHED I had sat in the establishment for at least one drink or even two.  If wishes were fishes...

As I was driving home, I received a text from a friend that said she was eating at Pizzeria Lola.  I had been contemplating dinner and couldn't come up with anything better than noodles and butter.  Immediately, I sent a text back (after I pulled over to the side of the road) and asked if I was too late.  They hadn't ordered, so I put Lola into Google Maps and returned to the road (really).  After dinner I tried to challenge my friend's daughter to trying to flick the paper napkin ring into the candle (This is not a lie).  Unfortunately, even though we both tried, there was no paper added to the fire (also not a lie).  As we departed the pizzeria, I informed the daughter that I she could always call me if she was sent to jail.  My guess is that I won't be asked to join them for dinner once the daughter is old enough to drive.  Did I mention the pizza was delightful?  BTW, don't google text and drive; the images are horrific.