November First

With the beginning of November upon us, I look back fondly on the happy times of Halloween and the enjoyment the children felt for the occasion. I also look back gratefully and think thankfully a quarter of Kindergarten testing is done! The stressfulness of the last month of testing makes me realize how inappropriate all this testing is as well as a waste of resources, time, and money that could be better spend educating rather than testing our children. In addition, the results of these tests will in no way change my teaching or in no way provide me with the information needed to appropriate lessons for all my students. One-fourth of the school year has been lost due to information that someone feels that they need to fill in some chart or to collect to prove or disprove their point. I would have rather spent that time training my student to work cooperatively and making sure classroom routines are in place so that I can teach to their individual needs. Instead, I had to teach them computer skills that they needed to take their tests and try to test students individually while 27 other students were demanding my attention.

I look forward to spending time with family and friends this month as well as starting the preparations for the Christmas season. Although there is a great deal to do for Christmas, I look forward to this busyness because it will bring people joy and happiness. Testing, especially of young children, just brings stress to all involved with no real purpose.

The End of November's NaBloPoMo

I have made it to the last day and have managed to post everyday. I enjoyed doing my writing at the end of the day to a point that some days I think that I miss the midnight deadline. I started out doing both NaBloPoMo and posting a status everyday of things I am thankful for on Facebook. I kept up with NaBloPoMo, but gave up mid-November on the thankful statuses. I just didn't feel the passion anymore to continue to post things that seem to have become trivial to be thankful for. I did say that I would probably post on the blog my thankful status posts from Facebook on the last day so that is what I am going to do.

Day 1:  I am thankful I was able to spend time with my family this evening attending Church, dinner, and Riley's last Spooky Gym as an elementary student!

Day 2: I am thankful that my children got to meet their great grandmother while in Thailand last year.

Day 3: I am thankful today for my health and for the ability to lead an active life.

Day 4: I am thankful that we live in a city with an awesome library system!

Day 5: I am thankful for my parents who are always there for me and my family. I love you very much.

Day 6: Thankful that I knew Linda Umstattd! Wonderful person and friend. May she rest in peace.

Day 7: Today I am thankful for my friends, old and new, young and old, near and far. You all have influenced my life and made it richer! Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives.

Day 8: I am thankful that I am able to foster my children's interests, whatever they may be, from trucks and trains to Lego, Nerf guns, archery, and hunting. The future looks to hold more artistic interests, drawing, pottery, and cake decorating.

Day 9: To my gramdmother, Mon Chaisurat, thank you for leading us by your example. We will remember you always.

Day 10: Thankful today for a day of rest in order to be refreshed to face the challenges of a new work week.

Day 11: Thank you to all those who serve and protect our country.

Day 12: I am thankful today to know many parents who love and care for their children; parents who take the responsibility of raising a child seriously and believe in being a parent first and then their friend.

Day 13: Thankful for all the opportunities I have been given in life, personal and professional.

Day 14: I am thankful for my education and that I am able to use my education to influence the lives of others.

Day 15: Thankful for my parents today and everyday! They have always supported me in whatever I wanted to do!

Day 17: I am thankful for all children; they teach you with their innocence and truthfulness.

Day 20: Thankful that we are able to help where we can, both in our local community and overseas!

Day 30: Last, but not least, thankful for my husband and the life we have built together. May we continue on our adventures together for all the days of our lives. Love you very much.

Well, after going through my post, I had 18 days of thankfulness. I have much to be thankful for in my life and although I try to concentrate of the positives in life, sometimes the negatives do get me down, but not for long!

Black Friday

This year I did not my traditional Black Friday shopping. It was so confusing to me this year because most places opened on Thanksgiving night and I didn't want to spend Thanksgivng plotting where I wanted to go. So, I let it go.

I did end up going shopping during the day on Black Friday. I went mostly to buy things that I needed for crafts rather than true Christmas shopping. I actually had a shopping buddy this year, which is new. My sisters in law have not ever expressed an interest in going with me and because I have traditionally had a plan, I have not minded going alone. This year, my "new" sister in law said she had a few things to buy, and I said that we would work together. We ended up at Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Ulta, Hallmark, Home Depot, and Jo Ann's Etc. We got most of what we needed and some of what we wanted!

Thanksgiving Prayer

Last week Riley decided that he wanted to say grace for Thanksgiving dinner. Today, we sat as a family to compose what he would say.

I wanted to copy and paste or re type the words, but I am having trouble wifi connection. Happy Thanksgiving 2013

Contemplation

An impending new year gives rise to reflection and goal setting. 

What will your goals for 2014 be? 

It’s never to early to start thinking about self improvement!

When thinking about 2014, my goal is to complete a half marathon. I want to complete it my way, by walking, but for some, it doesn't seem like it is enough of an accomplishment if I do not run it. I joined a 5K running program a few years back and ran a 5K. I found that I don't really enjoy running whereas my best friend who encouraged me to join, really misses the running. I guess I would rather distance walk. What I do miss is having a group to walk or run with. I enjoyed that time with my best friend or friends that I met as part of that group. I know that, for some, trying to improve something that you do naturally doesn't seem like an achievement, but it is my personal achievement/accomplishment, and I feel that it should be done on my terms. I want to join a training program to accomplish my goal, but it is seen as a waste of money. I don't know what to do. I don't really care what others think of my training with a group even if it is for walking, but it is discouraging when some cannot see past their own beliefs to support you.

In addition to accomplishing a half marathon, I need to really start taking care of my body and eating better. My sweet tooth usually gets the better of me, but I have found this fall that home cooked meals are not always difficult. The crock pot can be a friend if you are prepared in the morning. And, made from scratch mashed potatoes are really not any harder to make than instant mashed potatoes. I think if I planned out meals more thoroughly, I would have the ingredients on hand for a variety of meals. I have also gotten better at making up meals on the fly; using items that I have and making some kind of creation that is a decent meal. 

Epic Fail

I tried to bake chocolate chip cookies tonight to take for Thanksgiving dinner since I forgot that someone at dinner is allergic to peanuts. As I was making the cookies, I thought there is a reason why I do not like to do this, cream the sugar and butter together. I find it hard to make scratch cookies. I usually buy a dough and just break and bake. Once, naked, the cookies turned out really flat and runny in that they ran into one another on the tray. They were cooked on the ends, but not in the middle. My husband thinks that I did not put enough flour in them; I have no idea. They taste good, but are not presentable. Good thing I had a plan B.

This is how they turned out! Sticking with cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and Rice Krispies Treats!