Grief · Life · Teacher · Teaching · Uncategorized

Honk

I know it’s been a long time since I’ve written a post. Interestingly, I think the last time I wrote was probably in April and I believe what I shared was the eulogy for my mother. Lately, the day before her funeral has been running through my mind on repeat. I think I’ve finally figured… Continue reading Honk

Breast Cancer · Cancer · Grief · Happiness · Life · Parenting · Teacher · Teaching · Therapy · Weight

Singletasking

Today, while eating lunch with my most delightful friends and coworkers, we were discussing the nighttime routines of our little ones. Mine, being not so little, is very independent in her evening preparations. One friend talked about how her son likes her to turn off the light for the last few minutes of his bath.… Continue reading Singletasking

Cancer · Life · Teacher · Teaching

No Pie in My Eye

There’s this event at my school in which, for positive behavior, students can earn tickets to try and win the reward of giving a pie in the face to teachers willing to participate. I was more than willing to participate in this event, and I listed myself among the teachers ready to get messy. When… Continue reading No Pie in My Eye

Books · Happiness · Life · Teacher · Teaching

A child’s gift

Today, I had one of those moments. You know the ones, in which everything just sort of happens and falls into place. In which it all feels so decidedly right. In which you feel valued and valuable. I had a prolonged one of those moments, thanks to a fantastically sweet little girl.  She’s the little… Continue reading A child’s gift

Life · Teacher · Teaching · Therapy

More gifts 

Just Monday I shared about a special gift I received from a student many years ago. That story is a wonderful one to me but it tugs at my heartstrings because I feel like I was once a teacher but am not one any longer. My psychiatrist fights me on this point, saying that while… Continue reading More gifts 

Friendship · Life · Teacher · Teaching

Hey Jealousy

It’s back to school time. I’ve been seeing all of the items in the stores and the commercials on tv. I’ve seen the back to school posts from my teacher friends on social media as they prepare classrooms and celebrate final days of summer. It has been some of the hardest work of my adult… Continue reading Hey Jealousy

Depression · Grief · Life · Teacher · Teaching · Unemployment

I didn’t respond well

They say people are defined by how they respond in the worst of times. The news I got this week definitely qualifies for the worst of times. I continue to be semi-unemployed and did not land a teaching job with the district in which I live. The only district that I saw job openings for.… Continue reading I didn’t respond well

Anxiety · Teacher · Teaching

Testing 

Today I will be taking a computerized test to be given real authority to have a teaching license in my new state. I have opted to take the three sections of the rest all at once so it will be five hours with breaks between. I am terrified.  I’ve been reviewing information and study guides… Continue reading Testing 

Family · Life · Motherhood · Parenting · Teaching

Credit where it’s due 

  Have you ever noticed that, when it comes to taking your kids out to dinner, the selections in your average place are pretty much the same: macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers, hot dog, cheese quesadilla, hamburger, pizza?  Every once in a while you’ll find somewhere that has a few more “out of the box” suggestions… Continue reading Credit where it’s due 

Life · Motherhood · Parenting · Teacher · Teaching

I’ve got my red shoes on

A long time ago I made myself a promise that I wouldn’t write anything that would make Daughter feel embarrassed were she to read it later in life. I am not going to break that promise, though I might get close. For my sanity, this needs to be written. It is shocking to me to… Continue reading I’ve got my red shoes on