I'm actually enjoying using the Daily Spark as a writing guide. Today's topic is nothing short of challenging. Plus I make myself write for 30 minutes and that's it. I cannot change what I write or spend all day thinking about the topic. Here we go again!
Sweltering, Not Hot
Even the best writers rely on obvious words. Practice mental flexibility by writing a paragraph describing a typical August afternoon without using the words hot, humid, heat, or sun.
Perspiration was forming a liquescent line down Rowan's back, as she gazed longingly at the cool and inviting water of the family pool. Even her raspberry iced tea was sweating in the sticky August afternoon. Yuk! It was just like her parents to send her to her room for absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing! They are so unfair how they treat her because she's different. Rowan couldn't help that she was not cut from the same cloth. Now all she could do was peer begrudgingly at her sister and her sister's perky friends jumping and laughing poolside in their bikinis. How could her parents be so clueless? There was not a worse punishment than sitting in an oppressive bedroom while your sister is having the time of her life. Why bother to even look! Rowan angrily forced the curtains closed on her window, threw herself down on her bed and hoped she could sleep away her frustration.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
An Embarrassing Topic?
Today's Daily Spark is:
An Embarrassing Topic?
Most formal paragraphs consist of at least four or five good sentences. Usually, the first sentence of such a paragraph is the topic sentence, which contains the paragraph's main idea. The rest of the sentences in the paragraph support the main idea. Practice writing a solid formal paragraph with a topic sentence and several supporting sentences. Write your paragraph on the topic "My Most Embarrassing Moment Ever."
My Most Embarrassing Moment Ever
After much thought and consideration, I have determined that I do not have a most embarrassing moment. I could have chosen from a myriad of life experiences spanning my 37 years. I admit that I make a fool out of myself at least once a day, so choosing the most embarrassing moment is quite difficult. Some of these life moments are as follows: when a co-actor forgot her lines on stage in high school and I had to try and fill in the blanks, when my bikini top fell off on a ride at Cedar Point, when my tutu fell off on stage, when my white pants had a blood stain down the leg in 6th grade, when I walked into a poll while talking to friends, when my boyfriend's sister walked in on us naked, when I had to have my father pick me up from jail, when I was too drunk to walk out of the bar without help, or when I left a marriage after only five months. However, I would rather own my failures and learn from them, rather than letting the failure define me as a person. Embarrassing moments are what help one grow as a person and ultimately contribute to the strong person one can become. Therefore, I do not have a most embarrassing moment.
An Embarrassing Topic?
Most formal paragraphs consist of at least four or five good sentences. Usually, the first sentence of such a paragraph is the topic sentence, which contains the paragraph's main idea. The rest of the sentences in the paragraph support the main idea. Practice writing a solid formal paragraph with a topic sentence and several supporting sentences. Write your paragraph on the topic "My Most Embarrassing Moment Ever."
My Most Embarrassing Moment Ever
After much thought and consideration, I have determined that I do not have a most embarrassing moment. I could have chosen from a myriad of life experiences spanning my 37 years. I admit that I make a fool out of myself at least once a day, so choosing the most embarrassing moment is quite difficult. Some of these life moments are as follows: when a co-actor forgot her lines on stage in high school and I had to try and fill in the blanks, when my bikini top fell off on a ride at Cedar Point, when my tutu fell off on stage, when my white pants had a blood stain down the leg in 6th grade, when I walked into a poll while talking to friends, when my boyfriend's sister walked in on us naked, when I had to have my father pick me up from jail, when I was too drunk to walk out of the bar without help, or when I left a marriage after only five months. However, I would rather own my failures and learn from them, rather than letting the failure define me as a person. Embarrassing moments are what help one grow as a person and ultimately contribute to the strong person one can become. Therefore, I do not have a most embarrassing moment.
Monday, March 26, 2012
You're the Sub
In a cognizant effort to focus on my writing, I purchased a Daily Spark book over the weekend from Barnes and Nobel.
I realize that I am not a traditional student who needs daily writing ideas at school. However, I think I'll try out the topics when I'm feeling in the mood to write but have no clue where to start.
Today's topic:
You're the Sub
Write a two-paragraph story about a day in class in the first person (using the pronoun "I) from the point of view of the last substitute teacher you had.
The moment I step inside Edward Snow Elementary School I am warmed by the familiar crayon/dirt/tempera paint smells permeating from the classrooms. I am completely aware that I am in a state of nostalgia as I round the hallways plastered with student artwork and prose. Oh! There is the library! Surrounded by that beautiful children's book mural. Oh, I loved being a library helper; learning the card catalog and sorting in alphabetical and numeric order. There is such organization and beauty in each shelf of books. Turning the corner, I pause for a moment at the "Star of the Month" bulletin board, and grit my teeth together as I see an awkward picture of a little girl with permed hair and glasses. I take a deep breath, fill my lungs, and hope that my exhale will drive out my ever increasing anxiety.
No matter how hard I try, I cannot stop my eyes from looking to the right and peering through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the one place I can never forget: the playground. Such a happy name for such an evil place. Girls, with perfect little figures, jumping rope or sharing a secret or smiling as they swing together. Boys, with their goofy grins, playing ball or climbing the jungle gym or playing capture the flag. But there she is: the little girl with the permed hair and glasses. She is standing alone and looking hopeful at her watch. Just waiting for the bell to ring and school to start. Just waiting for the names to stop and the nasty words to be silenced. Just waiting for her time to shine and for the dullness of her beauty to finally bloom. Just waiting. Just waiting.
Today's topic:
You're the Sub
Write a two-paragraph story about a day in class in the first person (using the pronoun "I) from the point of view of the last substitute teacher you had.
The moment I step inside Edward Snow Elementary School I am warmed by the familiar crayon/dirt/tempera paint smells permeating from the classrooms. I am completely aware that I am in a state of nostalgia as I round the hallways plastered with student artwork and prose. Oh! There is the library! Surrounded by that beautiful children's book mural. Oh, I loved being a library helper; learning the card catalog and sorting in alphabetical and numeric order. There is such organization and beauty in each shelf of books. Turning the corner, I pause for a moment at the "Star of the Month" bulletin board, and grit my teeth together as I see an awkward picture of a little girl with permed hair and glasses. I take a deep breath, fill my lungs, and hope that my exhale will drive out my ever increasing anxiety.
No matter how hard I try, I cannot stop my eyes from looking to the right and peering through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the one place I can never forget: the playground. Such a happy name for such an evil place. Girls, with perfect little figures, jumping rope or sharing a secret or smiling as they swing together. Boys, with their goofy grins, playing ball or climbing the jungle gym or playing capture the flag. But there she is: the little girl with the permed hair and glasses. She is standing alone and looking hopeful at her watch. Just waiting for the bell to ring and school to start. Just waiting for the names to stop and the nasty words to be silenced. Just waiting for her time to shine and for the dullness of her beauty to finally bloom. Just waiting. Just waiting.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Drum Roll...
The attic was reorganized in under 2 1/2 hours on Friday! WOO HOO! Here are some shots:
One of the big organizing tips I've learned over the years is to store items in see through containers. That way you don't have to go pilfering through colored storage bins to find something. I also organized the clothing (which is all hand-me-downs for when the ladybugs get bigger) in three categories: To Save, Spring/Summer, and Fall/Winter. This way I know which is the next bin I can "shop" in.
 |
| Here is the way the area started - everything shoved somewhere |
 |
| A closer view from up the stairs |
 |
| Old Toys organized in easy-to-see bins |
 |
| Here you can see 3 bins of clothing organized |
On Saturday I sorted through the ladybug's clothing. I have Purple Heart coming next Monday to pick up the donations. I also ordered new clothing online, and I found a great sale at the Carter's store. I was very excited that Carter's carries clothing up through size 7. Unfortunately most of the cutest stuff was 5T and under, but oh well. I will see what the ladies think when they return home.
This week brings a lot of activities for our family. Hope you have a wonderful week as well!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Spring Cleaning is exhausting
No Picture For You!
As the week winds down I realized how very little photographs I've taken. I start the project without my camera, and then think, "oh crap!" But most of my cleaning this spring has been the usual (deep clean and dust bunny round up) stuff. However, tomorrow I tackle our attic.
Be VERY Afraid!
About 6 years ago Jim and my father-in-law redid the flooring and the insulation in the attic. What's the problem? Well, like everything else in this 100 year-old home, the floor proved to be a greater headache than anticipated. It was moldy. The roof had leaked in the past, and was replaced before we moved in. However, there was damage to the attic flooring, and all the wood had to be pulled up. They were only able to replace a little bit. Therefore, I have very little space to store items. This small amount of space prevents us from storing all that much. However, because I don't look at this space often I pretty much let it look like crap.
So tomorrow I will do the unthinkable - organize the attic. I purchased 5 new storage bins (see through) from Target, and hopefully I can appropriately divide and conquer the mess.
What About My Hair?
I love Jess at Jessie's Chop Shop. She did exactly what I wanted with the cut, and the color is amazing! I'm not much of a photographer, and you really can't see the red highlites, but here:
As the week winds down I realized how very little photographs I've taken. I start the project without my camera, and then think, "oh crap!" But most of my cleaning this spring has been the usual (deep clean and dust bunny round up) stuff. However, tomorrow I tackle our attic.
Be VERY Afraid!
About 6 years ago Jim and my father-in-law redid the flooring and the insulation in the attic. What's the problem? Well, like everything else in this 100 year-old home, the floor proved to be a greater headache than anticipated. It was moldy. The roof had leaked in the past, and was replaced before we moved in. However, there was damage to the attic flooring, and all the wood had to be pulled up. They were only able to replace a little bit. Therefore, I have very little space to store items. This small amount of space prevents us from storing all that much. However, because I don't look at this space often I pretty much let it look like crap.
So tomorrow I will do the unthinkable - organize the attic. I purchased 5 new storage bins (see through) from Target, and hopefully I can appropriately divide and conquer the mess.
What About My Hair?
I love Jess at Jessie's Chop Shop. She did exactly what I wanted with the cut, and the color is amazing! I'm not much of a photographer, and you really can't see the red highlites, but here:
Friday, March 9, 2012
Where 'O Where is the Sock Monkey Mamma?
I know, I know, it's been almost a month without a blog from me. Where have I been? Have I been performing on stage for gregarious audience members? no. Have I been on a long cruise to see the snowy hills of Alaska? no. Have I been donating my time to a important organization? no. So what have I been doing?
Life Caught Up With Me
I thought I was doing great when school started in the fall. I was teaching 3 days a week, I was working out 5 days a week, I was eating right, I had a pretty organized and semi-clean home (thanks to the 31 Days to Clean project I did in May), and I seemed to be doing great. Then October hit - overwhelming life.
I decided to retool and realign my goals and aspirations when 2012 began. I wanted to write more, to spend time on giving, and to work on my health. I was happy to send out The Silver Frog to magazines and book publishers (no replies as of yet), and I have sent a few quips to Readers Digest about funny things my kids say/do. I did go to the doctors and got on blood pressure medicine for my hypertension. I am happy to report it was down (not a ton) when I went in last week for a recheck.
However, I still felt like my life was not working right. I wasn't giving priority to what mattered most. So I made myself a list of priorities:
Where is God in this list? I do want to live my life with the principals of Jesus, but so instead of putting faith or God first I believe HE should be incorporated into every priority. Okay enough theology for today.
If the above are my top 3, what was I putting first? I certainly spent a lot of family time being a TEACHER. My old schedule had me teaching Monday 6-8, Tuesday 4-5:30 and 6-8, and Saturday 8:30-4:30. Jim has a traditional 9-5 job, and thus is home on the weekends. By the time I was done teaching on Saturdays I was way too tired to do family things. Sunday morning is spent at church, but then on Sunday afternoon we were scurrying to do household stuff that required both of us. Where most people use the weekend to relax, we were spending it doing more work. Something had to give. So...
I prayed and meditated on what I could do to make being a WIFE and MOTHER most important, and ultimately above being a TEACHER. So, what did I ultimately decide?
I have a new teaching schedule. One that I have just started to implement; which has actually been a long process of emails, phone calls, etc. I also eliminated 2 students from my schedule. I now teach Monday 6-8, Tuesday 6-8, Friday 12-3 and Saturday 8:30-2:30. I am able to watch my ladybugs in Karate, and hopefully to enjoy most of Saturday afternoons with my family. I am currently praying and meditating on increasing my tuition rate in the fall as well. However, one thing at a time.
My Mini-Makeover
Me:
I will also be starting my mini-makeover next week. First off I am visiting a new hairstylist. If you know anything about me, there are a few constants: I get bored easily with my hair, and I have a hard time finding a person who does what I ask (usually they do what they want). This especially happens after I'm with the person for a length of time. Basically the longer I'm with a hairstylist the most liberties they take with my hair. The last 12 years I've had 5 different girls. The first one refused to do my hair for my wedding, and after she did a couple crappy cuts I found a person who would do better. After spending time with person number two, I came home with what she coined, "The Pony Tail Cut." About 12 ponies were made in my hair and then cuts were made. It was BAD!
I resorted to trying a person close to my music studio, because one of my Kindermusik moms had a great short haircut. Number three was a great stylist, but when I was 9 months pregnant I had no desire to drive 40 minutes for a cut. Therefore, another girl was found. This month would mark 7 years, which makes number four my longest stylist. I stopped going to her 6 months ago, because she would always do what she wanted with my cut. I loved the color, but I never was able to grow out my hair. Eight months ago I decided to trade services (cut and color for piano lessons) with another girl. She does a great cut, but cannot seem to color my grey. I had to stop teaching her daughter, due to my new schedule, so this relationship is now over.
Which brings us to today. I love a woman's hair at school. She is one of the moms and always seems to have great color and cut. I am going to her stylist on Monday, 11am. Of course I am super nervous. But most would agree that with my track record I have every reason to be worried.
My Home:
I have decided it is time to spring clean. With the time change on Sunday morning (spring ahead ya'all), I am motivated to do a 6 day clean up. I'm starting on Sunday with the basement. I will post pictures as things progress. However, since I did a lot of changes last May I will probably not show such major changes like before. My hope is to clean, organize, and purge. Love the way it makes me feel when I can provide my family with a clean and organized home.
I think my home needs a bit a attention, but the most dramatic change should come this summer. Jim (hopefully) will be completing our basement project, which was started 7 1/2 years ago. Kids certainly got in the way of finishing the area. However, I hope to make some progress with the rest of our home as well. I plan on tackling the ladybugs' play room when they are at school on Wednesday. I'm hoping to purge some of the unneeded items without them telling me they are needed.
Wish me luck...and come back to see the photos!
Life Caught Up With Me
I thought I was doing great when school started in the fall. I was teaching 3 days a week, I was working out 5 days a week, I was eating right, I had a pretty organized and semi-clean home (thanks to the 31 Days to Clean project I did in May), and I seemed to be doing great. Then October hit - overwhelming life.
I decided to retool and realign my goals and aspirations when 2012 began. I wanted to write more, to spend time on giving, and to work on my health. I was happy to send out The Silver Frog to magazines and book publishers (no replies as of yet), and I have sent a few quips to Readers Digest about funny things my kids say/do. I did go to the doctors and got on blood pressure medicine for my hypertension. I am happy to report it was down (not a ton) when I went in last week for a recheck.
However, I still felt like my life was not working right. I wasn't giving priority to what mattered most. So I made myself a list of priorities:
WIFE
MOTHER
TEACHER
Where is God in this list? I do want to live my life with the principals of Jesus, but so instead of putting faith or God first I believe HE should be incorporated into every priority. Okay enough theology for today.
If the above are my top 3, what was I putting first? I certainly spent a lot of family time being a TEACHER. My old schedule had me teaching Monday 6-8, Tuesday 4-5:30 and 6-8, and Saturday 8:30-4:30. Jim has a traditional 9-5 job, and thus is home on the weekends. By the time I was done teaching on Saturdays I was way too tired to do family things. Sunday morning is spent at church, but then on Sunday afternoon we were scurrying to do household stuff that required both of us. Where most people use the weekend to relax, we were spending it doing more work. Something had to give. So...
I prayed and meditated on what I could do to make being a WIFE and MOTHER most important, and ultimately above being a TEACHER. So, what did I ultimately decide?
I have a new teaching schedule. One that I have just started to implement; which has actually been a long process of emails, phone calls, etc. I also eliminated 2 students from my schedule. I now teach Monday 6-8, Tuesday 6-8, Friday 12-3 and Saturday 8:30-2:30. I am able to watch my ladybugs in Karate, and hopefully to enjoy most of Saturday afternoons with my family. I am currently praying and meditating on increasing my tuition rate in the fall as well. However, one thing at a time.
My Mini-Makeover
Me:
I will also be starting my mini-makeover next week. First off I am visiting a new hairstylist. If you know anything about me, there are a few constants: I get bored easily with my hair, and I have a hard time finding a person who does what I ask (usually they do what they want). This especially happens after I'm with the person for a length of time. Basically the longer I'm with a hairstylist the most liberties they take with my hair. The last 12 years I've had 5 different girls. The first one refused to do my hair for my wedding, and after she did a couple crappy cuts I found a person who would do better. After spending time with person number two, I came home with what she coined, "The Pony Tail Cut." About 12 ponies were made in my hair and then cuts were made. It was BAD!
I resorted to trying a person close to my music studio, because one of my Kindermusik moms had a great short haircut. Number three was a great stylist, but when I was 9 months pregnant I had no desire to drive 40 minutes for a cut. Therefore, another girl was found. This month would mark 7 years, which makes number four my longest stylist. I stopped going to her 6 months ago, because she would always do what she wanted with my cut. I loved the color, but I never was able to grow out my hair. Eight months ago I decided to trade services (cut and color for piano lessons) with another girl. She does a great cut, but cannot seem to color my grey. I had to stop teaching her daughter, due to my new schedule, so this relationship is now over.
Which brings us to today. I love a woman's hair at school. She is one of the moms and always seems to have great color and cut. I am going to her stylist on Monday, 11am. Of course I am super nervous. But most would agree that with my track record I have every reason to be worried.
My Home:
I have decided it is time to spring clean. With the time change on Sunday morning (spring ahead ya'all), I am motivated to do a 6 day clean up. I'm starting on Sunday with the basement. I will post pictures as things progress. However, since I did a lot of changes last May I will probably not show such major changes like before. My hope is to clean, organize, and purge. Love the way it makes me feel when I can provide my family with a clean and organized home.
I think my home needs a bit a attention, but the most dramatic change should come this summer. Jim (hopefully) will be completing our basement project, which was started 7 1/2 years ago. Kids certainly got in the way of finishing the area. However, I hope to make some progress with the rest of our home as well. I plan on tackling the ladybugs' play room when they are at school on Wednesday. I'm hoping to purge some of the unneeded items without them telling me they are needed.
Wish me luck...and come back to see the photos!
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