Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Catching Up...

Working part time in education is  a full time job!  Any teachers out there know exactly what I am talking about.  There is always something to prepare, read, re learn, print out etc!  I have to be better about balancing.  The truth of the matter is... I LOVE teaching.  I love the research, planning, prepping and creativity.  I would rather search for an innovative way to teach place value than cook supper.  I promise that I will try to do a better job balancing.  

I have some catching up to do here at Surfside.  Two weekends ago n and I worked on her 3-D model for her Egypt project.  It was so much fun to be creative together.  She decided to make a model of King Tut's death mask.  The process was interesting.  I took photos along the way. 
















She did an amazing job researching, taking constructive criticism and then putting it together into a visually appealing presentation.  

Peace!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Our Word View - Fluid


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

As always my initial reaction to most of our challenges brings me back to the ocean!  I am trying to stretch my creativity so I found a different choice for this week.  Capturing fluid on a pain of glass can be daunting.  Typically my most favorite pictures stem from pure luck!  This image is no different. 


Peace!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Friday Fill-ins!

And...here we go!

1. Wow, this cold snap is no fun! 
2. My daughter enjoys sharing new found trivia.
3. Finally, I'm settling into my new schedule(I think). 
4. Comfort food is all right with me. 
5. Sweet or savory: well both...because I can!   
6. All things old are new again. 
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing with the kids beside a roaring fire, tomorrow my plans include planning, organizing and finding a new outfit and Sunday, I want to prepare for next week!



Peace!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Daybook



Outside my window...it is pitch black and frigidly cold.

I am thinking...that I have to find a balance between work and home.

I am thankful for...loving my profession. 

From the kitchen...frozen pizza tonight.  The rest of the week has been full of healthy options from the kitchen.

I am creating...a warm fire to take the edge off the cold air seeping through every crevice of this house. 

I am going...to work tirelessly to impress my new boss in the hopes that a full time position will come my way. 

I am wondering...when I will be observed in my new profession.

I am reading...Wild.

I am looking forward to... feeling more comfortable in my new position.

I am learning...to integrate myself into a variety of classroom settings.

Around the house...things are a bit messy but not out of control.

A favorite quote for today...

One of my favorite things ... searching for school ideas on Pinterest!

A few plans for the rest of the week: having a fabulous Friday!  Picking up one new outfit, jeans for N, planning for the next week,  making coconut shrimp.

A photo I'm sharing:








Peace!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Our Word View - DARK


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

I had so many ideas in mind for this week, but when I opened my first folder in my photo program the perfect photo came into view!  I love the darkness around the edges of this image.  The contrast between the light and dark of the image draws me into the picture.  The shadows are both delicate and playful.  These are just the surface connections.  This image also came from a very dark time in my life.  It is both reassuring and inspiring to know that beauty can be found in even the darkest of times.  


Peace!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Thinking of Her

Twelve years ago my life changed.

In August my daughter was born.

In August my mother in law died.

In September my son turned two.

In September my cousin died.

In January a new year began.

In January my mother died.

The best year and the worst year.

It feels like a lifetime.

It feels like just yesterday but

It was Twelve years ago ....

Peace!


Monday, January 14, 2013

Messages

I'm popping in for a brief post.  I just had to share two unique and interesting experiences that my family has encountered over the past two weekends.  Both experiences could certainly be explained away with logical thinking, but anyone who reads here and knows me even a little would expect that I would not follow the logical thinking path.

Two weekends ago R subbed for a musician at a gig in a local town.  The gig was not in our community but not far away.  He was introduced partway through the evening, first and last name.  After that set a woman whom he had never met before came up to him, introduced herself and proceded to ask him if he was Anita's son.  Turns out this patron had worked in a nursing home with Anita, (R's mom) many, many years ago and she thought very highly of Anita and couldn't pass up introducing herself to R.  Interesting....

So fast forward to this past weekend.  It was a very busy weekend.  Sunday n and I went out and ended up at the accessories store Charming Charlies.  It was great fun looking around and she found a very cute pair of rain boots that she had to have!  I sent her up to ring out and waited for her by one of the displays.  When she came back to me she had a story to tell.  So part of the checkout procedure is to ask the customers' name.  n gave her name and the woman behind the counter asked her to repeat her name again.  n did and after doing so the woman looked at her and said " I thought you said your name was Anita."  n said she smiled and thought of telling her that her grandmother's name was Anita, but did not.

So for the past two weekends it seems that my MIL is trying to connect with us or at least let us know she is around.  Know that she is one of the many who watch over my family is comforting.  I miss her so very much!  She was an amazing woman.

Here's to you lovely Anita!




Peace!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Our Word View - Shine


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

A few things came to mind as I thought about this week's challenge including music, sunshine, the ocean and then finally the shine we see on a freshly waxed car.  Do people even wax their cars anymore?  Someday I hope to have a shiny blue classic car that I can wash and wax once a week and take out on Sundays!  













Peace!



Saturday, January 12, 2013

Still Here!

Oh my poor Surfside Serenity.  You have been woefully neglected of late!  I promise I will do better as soon as I get my head wrapped around my new teaching position.

This week was very busy.  My regular teaching hours will be 11am to 3pm but this past week I had to go in early 3 out of 5 days.  It's all good as I get compensated for my time.  Teaching is such an interesting career.  At first glance an 11-3 gig sounds so simple.  Once you step into the position you realize how much there is to do in a short four hours.  Truly any part time teaching position is really a full time job.  The amount of prep work and planning can not possibly be done in the half hour prep time that is provided each day.  I love planning and researching for any position that I take on I just have to make sure I don't let it take over my life... like it did this week.  Balance is what I'll be working on as I grow into my new position.

On another note,  N and I are going to the movies today!  We will be seeing Django Unchained, a movie we both want to see.  My friend C is going with her family to see Zero Dark Thirty.  We'll be exchanging notes on our experiences next week.  Tomorrow n and I will be going out as well.  We will go to the mall to browse.  We'll also visit a local produce store.  It will be a busy weekend.

To round out the weekend we will all be watching the Pats win!  GO PATS!!!!

Peace!

Monday, January 7, 2013

New Beginnings

Today I begin my new teaching position.  I am thrilled to begin as a part time Title 1 teacher at a local neighborhood school.  I will be filling in the gaps for students who are identified as below grade level in either math or reading.  It will be a very fast paced day with one reading group and three math groups.  I will be learning on the job as no training has been offered as of yet.  I'll know more after meeting with the principal today.  Wish me luck!  Here is a look at my new 'home'.


from PPS website
Peace!


Sunday, January 6, 2013

Our Word View - Effervescent


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

When I think of the word effervescent, I think bubbly.  When I think of the word bubbly, I think of my girl n.  If you knew her you would think of her too.  This girl has personality plus!  I am blessed to call her my daughter!  







Peace!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Daybook - 1



Outside my window...a very cold day is dawning.

I am thinking...that more sleep is required.

I am thankful for...spending my last few days subbing at IB!

From the kitchen...pulled pork and homemade kaiser rolls  on tap for tonight.

I am creating...plans for my new title one position.

I am going...to be mindful of all my blessings.

I am wondering...what  adventures await me at my new school.

I am reading...The Sandcastle Girls.  It is amazing. 

I am looking forward to... part time hours. 

I am learning...to operate my Kindle!

Around the house...it still looks like Christmas.

A favorite quote for today...
Source: tumblr.com via Barbara on Pinterest

One of my favorite things ... reading on my Kindle!   Who Knew?

A few plans for the rest of the week: signing my contract---I hope,  finishing up in 4th grade, getting N his knew glasses.  

A photo I'm sharing:






Peace!

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