Friday, November 30, 2012

NaBloPoMo 11/30/12

What has been the hardest part about blogging daily?

I have been trying to blog on a daily basis for quite some time.  I like the idea as well as the final product of a writing practice.  This November I decided to try and continue with my regular daily blog posts as well as writing to the daily prompts from NaBloPoMo.  It has been a bit of a challenge to get two posts up every day.  I think the most difficult part of the challenge I gave myself was writing to a prompt every day.  Sometimes it is great to have a place to start but other times it's not all that much fun.  It has been a great lesson for me however and I can take this experience and use it to empathize with my students.  I am looking forward to scaling back a bit now that November is coming to an end. 

Peace!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

NoBloPoMo 11/28/12

Tell us about the worst trip you ever took.

I wish I could say that I am a world traveler.  Unfortunately I can't.  Financial constraints and family responsibilities have always kept me fairly close to home.  I have enjoyed many trips to visit with family here on the East Coast.  When I reflect on what might possibly be 'the worst' trip only one trip comes to mind.  Years ago I took a trip to visit my brother in law who was living near Washington D.C. at the time.  N was a small child, not much more than a year old if memory serves.  We rented a minivan and drove.  It was wonderful to spend some time with family but unfortunately that time was cut short.  We went to the zoo and while there I picked up a bug of some sort and became very sick.  Honestly it was horrible.  I spent a day in bed and then we left for home early.  I remember my brother in law being disappointed that we were leaving early and not quite understanding the logic of driving home when I was still sick.  Honestly at that point all I could think of was crawling into my own comfortable bed.  

Peace!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

NaBloPoMo 11/27/12

If you could instantly know any language in the world, which one would it be?

The first language that comes to mind is Spanish.  I know bits and pieces of the language and more of it is coming back to me as N does his homework and asks for help.  It would be amazing to know a second language.  Spanish is everywhere.  Back in the day when I was in college I used to listen to the Spanish radio channel on the way to school.  Spanish is not the only language that came to mind.  The second language that popped into my mind is Irish.  Now you may be like me and think 'Irish?'  I learned at my family reunion this year that what I always thought of as Gaelic is known as Irish.  It is part of my heritage.  My maternal grandparents came from Ireland as teenagers.  It would be nostalgic to know the language that my Mum might have heard as a child.  The only thing better than learning these languages would be traveling and having the opportunity to use my skills in real life situations.  

Peace!

Texture Tuesday - Free and Easy

Imagine the memories that have been made....





textured with xanthe scripted two layers multiply and soft light

Peace!

Monday, November 26, 2012

NaBloPoMo 11/26/12

Do you speak more than one language?  How did you learn the additional languages?

Sadly, I do not speak a second language.  I understand some Spanish after taking it for two semesters in college.  N is taking Spanish in middle school and I'm proud to say he earned an A+.  I have always thought that my sister in law had a talent in learning languages.  Maybe N has that talent too.  

Peace!

Mellow Yellow Monday


I love the warmth and glow of the fire.  The flames dance off of each other and the scent of the burning wood wafts through the house.  Ahhhhh  signs of winter. 









Peace!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Our Word View - Abundance


What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations of our word of the week are very similar.

This week I chose the word abundancenfor our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.


When we just look closely enough we will see the abundance of beauty in the smallest item. 

This blossom is from a Christmas cactus that belonged to my mother in law.  I have cared for it for the past twelve years.  It provides a beautiful show of blossoms at least twice a year.  It makes me smile.

Peace!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Simple Beauty

Beauty may fade but it is always just beneath the surface.  Don't you think?










Peace!

Friday, November 23, 2012

NaBloPoMo 11/23/12

What is the hardest word for you to say?

The most difficult words for me to say are:

I need help.  

I am a fixer and a doer.  I would rather figure things out myself than ask for help.  I am better accepting help now then when I was younger but it is still a challenge.  

Peace!


Thursday, November 22, 2012

NaBloPoMo 11/22/12

When was the last time that you cried?  Why?

Tis the season for tears I suppose!  The last time I cried was today as I watched the Macy's parade and the time before that was yesterday as I watched a music documentary on Pink on the Paladia channel.    

Today I was struck by Trace Adkins performance of his song Just Fishin'.  He and his daughter were riding a float together and as he 'sang' the song he kept looking down at her and it just tugged at my heartstrings.  It made me think about my relationship with my dad as well as my daughter's relationship with R.  





Last night I listened to Pink tell the story of her family and childhood.  It sounded like she had many challenges.   Listening to her share her story and then sing such a raw version of her song Family Portrait brought me to tears.  I could have sobbed.  I didn't.  I walked away and pulled myself together.  Truly this song breaks my heart.




You know it's not the songs that get me... it's the connections that I make in my mind that get me every time.

Peace!

Simple Woman's Daybook




Outside my window...  it is bright and clear.  I see blue sky and white puffy clouds through the branches of the trees. 

I am thinking...that I have much to be thankful for in my life. 

I am thankful for... my health, family, friends and a wonderful life. 

From the kitchen...turkey with all the fixins!  Yummm. 

I am wearing....my jeans a black shirt and green vest.  

I am creating...my teacher portfolio. I took a break from this work but now will work on it until it's completion.

I am going...to enjoy my family and stay in the moment today.  (as soon as I finish this post)

I am wondering...what it means that my application for the 3rd grade position was opened...will I get an interview? 

I am reading... back to my Transitions book.  

I am looking forward to... Thanksgiving dinner, pie for dessert and Pats tonight.  What a wonderful plan for the day.   

I am learning...to be more comfortable when I push myself out of my box. 

Around the house..things continue to be less than  perfect but I am ok with that. 


A favorite quote for today...





One of my favorite things ... teaching.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  time with family, time outdoors, time working on my portfolio. 


A photo I'm sharing:





photo by nmp






Peace!



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

NaBloMoPo 11/21/12

Where is your favourite place to read?

My all time favorite place to read is on my comfy couch in my family/tv room. (except for the summer time when I love reading on my back deck)Typically the kids and I read for at least thirty minutes a night.  I used to read to them and now we read side by side.  It is very companionable.  I like to be cozy and under a warm blanket this time of year. I am in between books right now so when that happens I go back to my book Transitions.  

Peace!  

Wordless Wednesday





Peace!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

NaBloPoMo 11/20/12

Talk about the opening of your favorite book.

I must say that this stumps me.  I don't really have a favorite book.  I love almost all the books that I read for different reasons.  I am going to have to give this some thought and come back and share my thoughts later. 

Peace!

Texture Tuesday - Kristin

This week over at Kim's Texture Tuesday we were challenged to use at least one layer of Kim's texture Kristin.  In both of my images I used a single layer of Kristin on multiply.



The above picture has inspired me to go on a new photo adventure this weekend.  I'm planning on going around town and photographing local churches.  I think it will bring interesting results.

Peace!

Monday, November 19, 2012

NaBloPoMo 11/19/12


If you had to get locked in some place (book store, amusement park, etc) overnight alone, where would you choose to be locked in?


Oh if I could only be locked in overnight in a beautiful bookstore.  That would be sheer bliss!  I love everything about book stores.  They have their own unique atmosphere set up by the lighting, furniture, music.  For me a visit to a book store is a whole body experience.  I can imagine touching and holding new books and taking in their unique smell... the new book smell...as background music plays and the glossy hard covers set up at eye level beckon me to move on to the next section. Ahh one of my all time favorite book store environments was that of our local Borders.  Oh how I miss Borders.  I could spend hours browsing, although never took that time for myself.  The tall dark shelves and leather chairs were always so inviting.   If I could have an entire book store all to myself I would relish that time.  I can picture myself leisurely browsing each section of the store.  To spend time looking at whatever I might fancy would be such a treat.  

Peace!


Mellow Yellow Monday

Saturday the America's Hometown Thanksgiving Parade was a feast for the eyes.  There were at least 12 marching bands.  The were all wonderful.  Thought I'd share pictures of this group.  Their uniforms were bright and cheerful on a rather gray chilly day.








Peace!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Our Word View - Wonder


What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations of our word of the week are very similar.

This week Liz chose the word wonder for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.

Wonder...  


This time of year makes me think of the most magical wonder of all... the wonder of the spirit of Christmas.  You can see the wonder in the eyes and faces of the spectators in the photo below.  It is an amazing joy to behold the wonder of Christmas in a child's eyes.  


Peace!



Saturday, November 17, 2012

The Hometown Thanksgiving Parade

n and I had an amazing day together today.  We took in the 'Hometown Thanksgiving Day Parade'.  It was an adventure.  We cruised into town thinking parking would be a cinch.  We had to be creative but it all worked out as we found parking just a block away from the parade route.  I had to park in front of someone's house but as n said they are probably used to that sort of thing being so close to the parade route.

We ended up standing in front of Pilgrim Hall and shared our viewing area with a lovely older couple from a nearby town.  We counted about 13 or 14 marching bands and as many reenactment groups.  It was a feast for the eyes and ears.












Peace!

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