Something to think about

Dear Readers,

I tend to write when the mood strikes me. Sometimes it is once a day, sometimes it is more than once a day, sometimes there may be days or weeks in between postings. Today was a day that I sat and wrote out a few blogs that I wanted to get down. I wrote earlier in the morning about being happy (see previous blog entry). Now, I am writing about something that LEAPED out at me, right off the pages of the book, and SCREAMED at me to WRITE WRITE WRITE!!! I should prepare you, it isn't a normal blog entry and some might even think it is a bit on the morbid side, but......

Two years ago, my oldest daughter gave me the most wonderful Christmas gift. A book (surprise surprise! I told you I love books!) entitled, Mother Teresa: Her Essential Wisdom. It's not a book I sit and read from cover to cover, but rather it is a collection of her words, her thoughts on topics, that I tend to pick up when I need 'reminders'. The inscription on the blank page of the book had a note written by my daughter, because she knows all too well, that even those who appear the strongest and bravest need reminders from time to time. Today, I needed one of Mother Teresa's thought provoking reminders.

On page 92 of the book, in a chapter entitled Suffering and Death, I found this particular blurb: "If you were to die today, what would others say about you? What was in you that was beautiful, that was Christlike, that helped others to pray better? Face yourself, with Jesus at your side, and do not be satisfied with just any answer." WOW. Now there's something to think about. If I were today today, what would others say about me. It was time to really face myself, and so I thought this one through.

Sure, many times people ask, "If you knew you had 24 hours to live, what would you do? Who would you spend it with?" or "Would you want to know how long you have on this earth?". But let's think about this one, and I will repeat it again, "If you were to die today, what would others say about you?"

This question forces us to take a long hard look at ourselves. We've all sat at funerals, whether they be of a beloved family member or a friend, and we've heard what people had to say about that person. But thinking about that, I wonder, what would people say about me? Have I lived the life I think I have? Have I been a good friend? Have I loved enough? Have I loved truly? Have I spoken kind words more often than not?

Until tomorrow, my friends.....do yourself a favor and check out the book, Mother Teresa: Her Essential Wisdom edited by Carol Kelly-Gangi.

Think Thankfully! 

Baby, it's COLD outside!!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful! Baby, it's COLD outside!!  I've mashed up the two songs that keep running through my head this morning. The blowing wind awoke me at 7am (which kinda made me mad since I could sleep in today due to another snow day). As I threw on a sweatshirt to venture downstairs, I couldn't help but realize just how cold it truly was. As of now, at 9am our outside temperature gauge says it is 12*. Brrrrrrr. Kindly, our fireplace has the downstairs at a toasty 72*. Baby, it's COLD outside!

Winter Storm Hercules (still not sure why we name these suckers. Can't we just call it the First Major Storm of 14?) has definitely shown what a powerhouse he could be. I'm not sure of the total snowfall accumulation, but I can tell you that looking at my garage, the snow covers the first step and is nearly level with the top step to get into the building. That's pretty deep. Meteorologists have said that this will be the coldest spell we've had in a long time, with real feel temps dipping below zero. NIIIIIIIIICE. I don't mind it too much, though. I've got nowhere to go (until tomorrow night), so I plan on just staying in and staying warm. It cracks me up each time I see or hear someone complaining about the frigid winter temps here in Northeastern PA. Seriously, friends, we do not live in Miami! Our winters can get snowy and cold whether you like it or not. What use is it in complaining about what kind of weather our area gets? I'm 40 years old and winters here have pretty much been cold and snowy since I can remember! Part of the glory of living in the beautiful Northeastern PA region. Do I love it? No, but I do enjoy good snowstorms (much like Hercules brought here) once in a while during the winter months. I saw the best status on Facebook this morning, compliments of my dear best friend CC (or AB as I like to call him!)....."This Just In! Coming live from a reporter on the scene: "It is indeed cold out!" Several sources close to high ranking governmental officials also confirm that it is indeed Winter.  STFU!!!!”  Pretty much sums up what I am saying!!!  It's winter, people. Either accept that this is what we are prone to getting here or move where there is little to no chance of a snowstorm and crippling cold temperatures during winter!

So, with all that being said, I guess today will be the day I un-decorate my house from its Christmas glory. I normally enjoy keeping my decorations up until January 5, but since this year, that falls on a Sunday and I do not want to spend my Sunday tearing down the beautiful adornments in my home, I will put this snow day to good use. I hate to see it all go away. I love the soft lighting of the Christmas tree, the lighted garland around the doorways, the wreath on the doors. One thing I will keep (despite the protest of my youngest daughter) are my window candles. They will stay up and lit throughout the winter. I do love window candles. They make a house look homey and welcoming (not that I do much entertaining in my home). I guess when I am finished publishing this particular entry, I'll trek into the attic to get the boxes and I will begin the day long chore of depressing my house. Time for a new room makeover!

With the chilly temps, the blowing wind/snow, and the reminder that winter is, indeed, here, I hope that you are able to stay in and stay warm today and this weekend. 

Until tomorrow, my friends....

Think Thankfully!!!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful

Well, I must say, I do feel a little bit guilty about this snow day. Not even kidding. Just a wee bit. I do feel as though it is a bit my fault. You see, on Saturday, I sat for many morning hours (in fact, into the afternoon hours, too), writing my 7th and 8th brand new IEP of the school year (sheesh, teaching Special Education to wee ones certainly is more work than I ever imagined it would be!). As I sat writing, I got a text from my dearest BFF in the world. He simply texted to say he loved me, that was all. Here's how our conversation went:

Saturday, 9:04am
CC: Love you! Just thought you should know! (insert kissy heart face here) 

Saturday, 11:38am
Me: Thanks! I needed that as I am chin deep in two IEP's that I have to do for Tuesday! I am hoping for a (insert kinda not nice word here - sorry mom) blizzard Monday night. Argh. I've done 8 brand new IEP's this year so far. Sucks. 

Saturday, 11:40am
CC: I bet!!!

So there you have it. It really might be my fault! Honestly, because you know I try to be honest, I had NO IDEA they were really calling for this stuff again when I texted him. I was teasing when I sent it. See, I was all set to have an intake meeting for a new student. With only three days to Christmas break, a new wee one is to enter the threshold of the greatest classroom on the planet, Room 101. I wasn't super happy about that. I'm not worried about adding another wee one to our classroom. No way. The more the merrier! It won't take too long before he is falling right into place, but I was a bit unhappy at the start time. Did I prepare for him all the same? You bet I did. When I went shopping last night for my wee ones' Christmas presents, did I shop for a little boy I really did not know? You bet I did. Did I really want another snow day for today? You bet I did.................................................................................not!!!

People think teaching is such an easy job. They scoff at teachers in the summer time ("Must be nice to have three months off" "Must be nice to not have to work" but I know, much like myself, summers aren't time off. I am planning my next school year during those summer months. I am attending trainings and meetings all summer long), they utter all kinds of harsh words at them on snow days ("Wish MY job had snow days." "I'm not lucky enough to stay home when the snow falls because some are afraid to go out in it." as if it is OUR choice to have a day off for weather, as if WE made the call for no school), and they certainly don't understand when we complain a bit about our jobs ("Oh how hard is your job? You babysit and have play time all day long." Really? Spend a day in my room and see what gets done). I don't have your typical teaching job, either. When people ask me how many students I have in my classroom, and I answer, "8 wee ones!", I get the evil eye, like "What are you complaining about with ONLY 8 students." My students are special. My students are a mixture of K-3 graders with a lot of social, emotional, and behavioral needs along with some academic needs thrown in there, too. They are not the 'sit at your seat and do your work' kind of students. They are not the 'be quiet and enjoy a movie' kind of students. They have come A LONG way since the beginning of the school year, but they still have a long way to go. Think about the one student in your own classroom from your school days or the one you hear your child always talking about: the class clown, the naughty one, the one who is ALWAYS getting in trouble in class. Multiply those behaviors and stories by 10 and there you have almost all of my wee ones. Some days are a real struggle, but I wouldn't trade my days for anything.

I have seen a relatively non-verbal little guy speak volumes in a few short months, I have seen the class jumping bean sitting quietly in his desk working on a worksheet, I have seen the destructive child become the class cleaner upper with a heart of gold, I have seen the low frustration tolerance child create a beautiful snowflake star that hangs in our classroom, I have seen a child who barely knew how to read able to fly through his sight word flashcards, and I have seen two youngsters with severe anger issues make their days and handle their anger in such wonderful calm manners. You see, when you take the time to really dig deep and get to know the students in your class, even the toughest of children will respond. They will rise up to the expectations that are placed before them. Do I expect a lot out of my students. Yes, I most certainly do! I expect them to listen, be polite, follow rules, and do their very best! Do they? Yes, they most certainly do!

A friend posted this image on my personal Facebook wall last week when we had our first two snow days:

I think it sums it all up nicely!!!

Until tomorrow, my friends.....Let it snow Let it snow Let it snow!!!!!!

Think Thankfully!!!!