Stormy Saturday

Stormy rainy Saturdays are perfect for movie watching. I didn’t get to watch any today. If I had had my way though, I would have curled up on the sofa with my 3 most perfect rainy day movies. The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Cinema Paradiso, and Truly Madly Deeply would have been screened in a private showing just for me. These films all make me cry, which is something I prefer to do alone. It was just that kind of day outside. I did have fun though watching my son teaching my daughter to play her new trumpet. Seeing them work together toward a shared goal was awesome. I’m very impressed with his patience and ability to break it down for her. She was very cooperative (no small thing!) and excited. I think this is going to be a great activity for them to do together once she knows a bit more. Life is good!

Then and Now

I recently found an old photo of my husband and I right after we started dating. When I look at the image of myself I see someone so young and free from the burdens and worries of life. I was 26 so I suppose I must have had some burdens and worries, but I can’t remember what they were. I may have worried about stuff like boyfriends and break ups. There might have been some trouble coming up with enough for rent at times, but certainly nothing major had gone wrong in my life to that point.

Now about 20 years on I have learned some important lessons about how the universe works. Although my troubles don’t seem so bad compared to many others, they were mine and I felt them each acutely.  When I look at that picture of myself so young, fresh and full of possibilities I feel a little sad.  Just a little. It’s true that I had a lot to learn, and some real heart breaks coming my way.  I suppose that it's good we don’t know about that ahead of time because we might just give up. Life is good, and I know now that is true partly because of the hard stuff that we have to go through which changes us in some important ways. When you look at your children do you regret knowing about all the ways the world is going to hurt them?

New Year Resolution

As a woman who spends nearly all of her waking hours with teenagers I use a considerable amount of energy being patient, and hopefully firm, but kind. At school this seems to work out fine. However, at home I find it much harder. Maybe I have a limited supply of patience and the students use it all up. Maybe it's just because other peoples' kids can't push my buttons like my own do. As the school year starts I am committed to being a more patient and firm but kind parent. I am going to try very hard to save up some extra patience for home and spread it around evenly. Maybe even my husband will get some this year! This is my "New Years Resolution" (the school teacher kind).   Image from google images

Time for a "Big Girl" Room
When G was little I had fun decorating her room with lots of pinks and flowers. It turns out that she was not a pinks and flowers kind of girl. She was way more of a funky/bright bold colors with abstract and varied tastes kind of kid.  She also was not a "Geneva" either, according to her, but that is another story. So now at 12 years old she has finally had the chance to decorate her way. Dad is helping with the walls, and I helped with painting the dresser purple. We are only part way there.

I have a feeling there will be lots more painting in our immediate future. If only I could get him to agree to paint the living room!

Twisted Stitches

So relaxing, such a sense of accomplishment! Until it becomes clear that somewhere up there is a mistake. It was soo frustrating.  I used to rip it all out if it was an obvious problem, but left it if only I would notice. But now I take my time and take out a stitch at a time, tinking, which means knitting backwards, until I get to that spot and fix it. No stress, no problem. I would be spending the time knitting anyway, right? This way it will be perfect! (Unless of course its a small mistake and I don't think you will notice it, then it stays!) The quiet solitary rhythym is so soothing, even when I'm tinking. I only wish I had discovered this way to meditate when I was younger.

 

I have always loved the start of school, autumn and the lead up to the holidays. I’m trying to focus on the upcoming activities to keep positive about starting school again in a week. It’s that first week which is so difficult. There are meetings upon meetings, and then even more meetings. I really like the time spent in my classroom with students, but that first week no students are present. In my mind I’m already arranging my room and planning what units to start with. I still have a week of vacation left, but my mind is at work already. As much griping as I can sometimes do, I still love my job after 22 years!