Wednesday Hodgepodge 4/6

1. National Read a Road Map Day falls on April 5th. Would people say you have a good sense of direction? Do you rely on a GPS when you drive somewhere new? When was the last time you used a map? 

Maps?  Are for suckers.  Or people smarter than me.  Whichever.  Favorite and I use the GPS which can be quite the adventure if you don't know what you're doing.  Like if you put your destination in as the via point (and then it takes you 2 hours to get to a location 15 minutes away).  Or if you haven't updated said system for quite some time and run into road construction.  Every time you hear that thing say, "Recalculating" you know it really wants to say "HEY MORON!  I GAVE YOU EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS TO GET TO YOUR DESIRED LOCATION, BUT NOOOOOOOO.  WE HAVE TO VEER OFF THE CHOSEN PATH.  ROAD NOT TAKEN MY REAR END."

2. What's your favorite cookbook?

I can't choose.  I've compiled my favorite recipes from several different cookbooks and those tend to be my go-tos as far as meal planning goes.  I modify and change so that it's easier for me to create something I'll enjoy.  I have one from a colleague's aunt that is just top of the line.  I have a pink Better Homes and Gardens one that is just amazing.  And I have this hardcover cookbook that I stole from my mom that I absolutely love.  Whether it makes me weird or not, I just love reading cookbooks.  I used to do it every morning while I ate breakfast at home.  I kinda miss that now.

3. What painting would you like to "walk into" and experience? Why?

Anything by Degas--the images are just so ethereal.  I like the idea of feeling that way after years of realizing that the size of my hind end has me firmly anchored to the ground of reality.

4. What annoys you more- misspellings or mispronunciations?

So have I mentioned that I'm a high school English teacher?  Both bother me, but in different contexts.  I can allow certain spelling mistakes, but I cannot tolerate their, there, and they're.  Or then and than.  Or misuse of apostrophes.  Can I count all of those as spelling mistakes?  They drive me crazy.  I just think, "You are shaming your high school English teacher right now."  Although, I might take those things a little more personally (whether or not I should).

I'm a lot more lenient on mispronunciations because it's difficult to determine sound if you've never heard anyone say it.  And those dictionary pronunciations don't always help with emphasis, etc.

5. What is something your mother or father considered important? 

My mom and dad always emphasized school.  I found that a little funny considering that neither one of them attended college, but I kinda think that's why they thought school was so important.

My mother also believed in cleanliness.  She would clean house at home and then go to other people's houses (as a guest) and clean there, too.  It's a gift (or compulsion.  Whichever).

My family has always emphasized the necessity of humor.  This is a lesson I internalized more than any other one, because I can laugh in the most inappropriate of moments. 

6. Do you like or dislike schedules?

I like them, but sometimes I think they need to be amended to suit the "teachable moment."

7. Let's have some fun with National Poetry Month (that would be April)...write your own ending to this poem-

"Roses are Red

Violets are blue..."

My dishes are white

but I never did like to make poetry rhyme.  Actually, I can't stand Emily Dickinson and am pretty sure the world wouldn't have lost anything if her sister-in-law would've burned her poetry like Emily ASKED HER TO.  Ugh.  It pains me to read anything that follows the pattern of "The Yellow Rose of Texas." 

Incidentally if you'd like to read the history behind that little ditty you'll find it here.

8. Insert your own random thought in this space.

Target has delayed shipment of my end tables.  I'm distraught, people.  Horribly distraught.  But I'm making up for it with my new dishes (I luuuurrrrrvvvvvveeee them).  And if Favorite isn't look this weekend, I'm probably going to start putting things together for that laundry room.  Every laundry room needs a huge sign that says "LAUNDRY" right?

Lesson Planning Fear (Or why I'm not a superstar in the classroom)

Lesson plans.  They kill me.

I'm constantly trying to find ways to work out of the box.  Make the students be more active learners.  Diminish my role in the classroom.  Increase their responsibilities.  Cut out a little of the grading load.  Decrease homework but increase productivity.

Frankly, this semester it's felt like an insurmountable task.  But today we met with a curriculum advisor.  We had the opportunity to talk about what we're emphasizing in the classroom and how we can shift focus to something.

You know what I learned through this meeting?

I'm already doing a lot of stuff right.

Whew.  It's seriously a load off of my mind, because there are so many things I don't feel I do well.

Let's list them so you can get a better idea of my insecurities.

I don't feel like I...
Teach writing well.  Have them write enough of the "right" things (whatever that may be).  Give them enough class time to work.  Give them only assignments that matter.  Avoid busy work.  Cover enough grammar concepts.  Explain grammar concepts well.  Cultivate enough conversation (even though I think it's the great equalizer).  Always give them a real connection to the literature.  Explain why it matters.  Let them discuss whether or not it does matter.

And the list goes on.

But I do feel like I'm learning about these concepts.  And I'm hopeful that in five years, I'll be a teensy bit better at taking a minor role in the classroom so the students are in the spotlight.

Because even though our test scores may not indicate it, I'm interested in being the best possible teacher around.  I want to be a superstar in the classroom.  I want to push the students to do something more, but I also want them to leave really feeling like they've "gotten" something.

But it's hard to indicate all of those wants in one lesson plan.

To Write

Not that long ago, lady at my church paid me a tremendous compliment.  She told me that I was a writer and that she loved to read the things I've written because she relates to them so well.

Wait.  What?

Don't get me wrong; I love to write.  It's cathartic.  In fact, it's more cathartic than burning my trailer would probably be.  When you finally get something down just exactly right (on the rare occasion I can accomplish it), there's a sense of absolution.  But I've never really thought of myself as a writer.  Writers occupy this high and mighty place in my mind.  I've never put any of my words in the same category or on the same pedestal.

Recently, I've been trying to talk to the people who matter to me about the things that bother me.  I'm sure it's been a supremely enjoyable process for some of you (please note the sarcasm in the statement, you all.  I realize it's painful).  In fact, just today I was sharing something with a friend and she commented, "Yeah.  I read that on your blog."

My thought:  You read my blog?

Ok, wait.  Let me clarify.  I figure people occasionally pop in (ha.  I just typed "pooped" in.  Gross) and make fun of my misfortune (you know, like in house building).  But it doesn't always occur to me that there are people who regularly check out the things I write here...or even that the things I am writing would matter to them.

I don't mean that in a self-deprecating way, either.  That's just not how I see my blog.  I mean, seriously, how many of you need to see multiple pictures of my Favorite in his Target hats?  Sure, I write to share things.  But I mostly I write because I find a sense of peace and joy in the process.  I write because I don't know myself if I don't. 

And while this thought probably does not really flow out of the previous ones, women's Bible study has me wondering how much different life would be if more of us lived our lives openly.  If my attempt to figure myself out (it's going badly) helps someone else in the teensiest way, isn't it worth it to give them the opportunity to read? 

Granted, I don't think it'll ever replace face-to-face interaction.  But it's definitely nice to believe that someone "gets" something you love--Pulitzer or not.

Prayer Monday 4/4

This has been an unusually liberating week for me.  After opening my heart about our loss, I feel free to be upset when I feel upset and happy when I feel happy.  I don't feel jealous or angry of others who are finding themselves in the situation I wish I were in.  Isn't that amazing?  I'm giving the glory to God, because the last year has indicated that this is nothing I am capable of doing on my own.  Trust me when I say that this is nothing I could accomplish on my own.

I'm confident that God will continue the good work He's started in my heart (Phil. 1:6).  There are still a lot of uncertainties in my life right now, but, for the first time in a while, I'm comfortable with the fact that it's in God's hands.  But let me also say I honestly believe God is going to honor my request.  I really do.

There was so much I got out of our women's Bible study this week.  The lessons were dense and each day spoke to a particular situation in my life.  I've been reminded over and over again that the Lord's faithfulness endures--even when my life is less than...um...happy?  Joyful?  Organized?  On schedule?

The sermon I listened to this morning shared that exact same sentiment.  And when it was over, I was able to be joyful for something that would've normally reduced me to tears.

God has been faithful to me.

Praises
1.  I just started paying more attention, and it appears as though my body is starting to do the things normal bodies do.  I eat well, and lose weight (like a normal human being).  I have hormone fluctuations (which I'm maybe not so grateful for when I'm moody).  I'm not starving.  I haven't been completely exhausted at the end of the day.

2.  The sermon this morning was just for me.  And I'm grateful to have heard it.

3.  My lil bro has found a church and seems to be finding his place in that church.

4.  Women's Bible study!

Prayer Requests
1.  Still asking for prayer for my body.

2.  My Favorite

3.  I have a couple of personal requests I don't think I should post on my blog.  One is for a friend of mine and one is a personal request for myself.

4.  My father will be having surgery on Friday.

5.  I will be seeing a new doctor on the 15th and I'm a bit apprehensive about this appointment.

Father,
I'm so grateful for your willingness to meet us where we are.  Your Love endures forever.  Thank you for your guidance, presence and comfort.  I just ask you touch the women who participate in this group.  I ask for Your touch on their lives.  I especially ask that you be with Tara this week.  Make Your presence known, Lord.  Give Kate and Amber traveling mercies and guide Sheena on her job endeavors.  Touch Casey as she finishes the semester and be with Armanda as she and her husband lead a group into a deeper relationship with You.

For those who simply lurk, I ask for an extra portion of Your blessing this week.  Draw those who do not know you into a personal relationship.

Amen.

Join Up, Ladies :)

A Visit from SugarBean

This is my niece, SugarBean.  Sometimes she makes weird faces for the camera.

But today she came over becaue her daddy and Favorite had to get plastic on the high tunnel green houses we are putting up on the farm.

So we decided to make French Toast.

SB loves to crack eggs, so she cracked them in a bowl and started mixing.  She's been cracking eggs since she was a mere year old, so this was all old hat to her.

We dipped the bread and then put it on the griddle to cook.  We put a chair up next to the griddle so she could help "flip" but she informed me that it was "hot as blazes" by that griddle and she "was sweating up a storm."  So she ended up backing up.

Then we ate.  Well, we ate and watched Spongebob (who I don't really care for much).  I had to sprinkle cinnamon on top of her french toast because "that makes it smell AND taste yummy."

She finished the first piece and wanted more, but she also wanted to make sure I wasn't gonna "put the new piece in the leftover syrup.  'Cause that's gross."

So we finished our morning with more cinnamon, more syrup and fantastic conversation (because, honestly, she's hilarious).  We talked about how she's getting ready to turn 5 (at the end of the month) and how next, she'll be six.  She tested for kindergarten yesterday and told me there were some things she "just didn't do."  I asked her what she didn't do and she said, "I knew the letter "F" but I didn't know what sound it made.  But it sounds like 'fuh'." 

Now we're playing XBox Kinect.  So cool.  She named her panther Max.  The kid loves animals.  She tried to talk me into bringing her baby chickens to my house so she could watch them.  But, ya'll, I draw the line at baby chickens.

Pedestal Hosting

Since many of you couldn't picture what I was telling you about, I searched until I found the original site that gave me this idea.  Keep in mind, these people really liked aqua.  I will be doing red, yellow and orange.  But tell me this isn't cool.

And another:

I'm pretty sure I'm going to leave off the scalloped edges (just not me).  But see how perfectly square dishes work on these?  And I love the white because it pretty well matches everything.  I thought this idea was so cool, though.

Now maybe you can weigh in.

An Idea that Requires Feedback

After yesterday's post, I think I've decided to buy square (yes, square.  I like square.  I have no idea why.  I just like clean, definite lines.  So, square) dishes.  I'm pretty sure I'll probably just get them in white.  I've never wanted white dishes before, but this is my reasoning:

I'm going to make display pedestals for parties.  I'm going to paint them red, orange and sunflower yellow.  Then, I'll have some color going on with serving dishes, but it won't actually be the dishes themselves.  And they'll be different heights--which is always appealing, right?  And the dishes will fit perfectly on top (theoretically) when I'm done.

Sounds good, no?  At least weigh in here.  I'll try to find a picture of what I'm talking about later.