Supermoon over weekend

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So, this is one of many pictures of the *supermoon* taken on Saturday, July 12, 2014.  Absolutely awesome.  I remember taking astronomy in college and learning that Asia views a rabbit in the moon as opposed to the Americas that see a man in the moon.  I think if you tilt your head a little bit to the right, you can sort of see the rabbit, but maybe I am just straining a little bit too much.

Only one month left before the madness begins again.  Trying to paint the garage this week, vacation, and start working on the classroom before school starts.  Sometimes it sounds like it's impossible, but I just take one day at a time.  Birthdays this week and hopefully get to visit with Pam before she passes away.  I need to tell her how much she means to me and how thankful I am that she has been such an example.

Summer going, going, . . . .

Again another up and down summer/year. 

The bad:  Kenny and Liz were the same time as George.  We conquered and divided.  We are all missing folks in our own way.  Unfortunately, the kids are just like us when we were their age.  I know it will mean something when they are older, but they are so wrapped up into themselves at this age that they can't appreciate what we are trying to teach them by participating in these events.  Long two days in the car and standing in lines, but, OH, so worth it! Plus, we are waiting for news of Pam.  Don't know whether to contact Jim or not.  Sent a letter today.  Hopefully, it will find him on a good day and not a sad day.  All I do is cry for her, for Jim, for me, for the family, for life.  It is just sad to say goodbye.

The good:  Took a quick overnight to Michigan of all places.  Spent the night at a waterpark and went tourist shopping for me.  Quite impressed that it turned out OK and we had an adventure on top of it.

 


Dennis and Janice came for a visit on July 4th of all days.  Had White Castle and she passed along a beautiful mantle clock from Elsie.  Dennis gave us ideas on the kitchen.  Pretty much decided on new quay quartz for the countertops and birch cabinets.  Good time for all. 

   

Went to garden art walk with Jenny.  Completely forgot that she was coming earlier because I didn't write it down.  UGH!  We had a nice lunch and good time catching up.  She is a really good friend to be so understanding.  I was very embarrassed, but she was very forgiving.

The ugly:  My basement is still in chaos.  NEED to get moving on that one soon!

Busy weekend, but should be loads of fun, but it all depends.

Thinking about next year . . .

Both JennyL and CathyS think highly of this quote.  I like the image that is portrayed with this too.  So much of our emotions are captured by the choices of music on our playlist, etc.  It is something that I need to connect with my students during their times of reflection, learning, and performing.  Definitely a keeper!

Cleaning out school stuff, work stuff, shredding, etc.  It is nice to get settled so early.  Don't have schedule or class lists, but hopefully this summer will bring some more time to concentrate on activities, game days, programs and such.

Time to slow way down!

So, even though I purchased the more expensive Aasics model and ran my first 5K of the year in them, when I just run a little bit, and then do Super Games, everything breaks.  My hip hurt, my right leg hurt, my foot hurts to walk on, and I call the doctor.  Plantar Fasciitis.  No running for four to six weeks, exercises to help, frozen water bottle to roll foot on several times a day, no flats, no flip flops.  Wow.  And I will still limp, have trouble getting going in the morning, but I do get a heavier prescription for the pain than otc Aleve.  I also need to call the dermotologist about the big toe maybe having warts again.



Then, on top of all that, I wake up with a splitting headache, eat breakfast, which I then puke.  Slept most of the day and the next.  Just plain worn out.  Although I prefer getting older to the alternative, the body certainly does let you know when it is done.  And the funny thing is, the body means it.  Just need to get thru the last days with students and one more with adults to checkout for the summer.  Wow, just wow.  Must be exhaustion in its new form.  Going to have to slow down and listen more closely if I want to do the things I want to do.  Much more moderation than even before this happened.

So glad we have Monday off.  Parade in the AM to watch the boy and then gimp around, maybe some more sleeping.  It will be good to remember the past tomorrow and reflect.

June is coming thankfully.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

I can finally breathe a little.  Have done bits and pieces this week.  Although not a lot was finished or completed, I, at least, was able to visit with friends and get a few projects off the list that won't stop!

I love my new Galaxy Note 3 - it is literally the best phone ever.  IMO, it is worth the money!  Plus, you can see and read it without straining your eyeballs even with the bifocals attached to your face.  Have started using the calendar more regularly and have been able to listen to the radio while I run!  It took some doing, for this tech challenged fogey, but it works!

The birds have finally started using the bird feeder from Cathy.  It is great to see the cardinals eating and the cat unable to do anything about it!  It has been raining for two solid days, so I am hoping that some of my flowers will begin to look like this:



Maybe we will even get out of school at the scheduled time this year and June will be mine!  Am so looking forward to the open house/reunion/95th bday!  And meeting JD when Ada comes to visit too.

Bucket List

Well, with a new year, comes new ideas.  My word for the year is SIMPLIFY.  So, with that in mind, here is my simple bucket list as of 2014:

• Take a trip with the family out west
• Take a trip with the family even further out west to Alaska
• Read all the Newbury Award winner books (see link below)

http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal

• See San Francisco with my friends from high school soon
• Be able to grow pumpkins in my garden and harvest them!
• Tour the John Deer factory in Moline, Illinois
• Learn how to play the accordion well enough to give a recital
• Learn how to speak Italian (or least enough phrases to get along)
• Compose a short musical work
• Finish a few scrapbooks before son graduates from high school
• Take a trip to Disney World (or Land)

That's a start.  I don't know where it will go from there.  But it is a start.  Happy New Year!

Save the Date

I am working on setting up a small family reunion for my mother's side of the family.  My grandmother will be turning 95 in 2014.  Instead of having a party for her, I thought it might be better to have cousins, aunts and uncles, etc., come for food and fun at the farm.  Here is what I have so far:

http://www.punchbowl.com/save_the_date/8c0844345c81cd93ac4b

Nothing is in stone (or in the case of family-blood) yet, but just putting it out there for possibilities.  I am planning on getting in touch with Claire to see if this might fly with everyone.