Love Week 2018

Oh February, I love thee. The sights, the smells and the lovely feelings are a mid winter treat.

Hubby and I celebrated 30 years of marriage this week. We made a point of planning something special to commemorate 30 years. We made reservations at the Chrysalis Inn and Spa. We had a beautiful room, gorgeous weather for walking, a spa day, cocktails at Galloways, and a delicious dinner at Keenen's on the Pier.

We decided to get dressed up for our special occasion.  Life is as special as you make it.

A suit and tie, a velvet dress and fur cape do make an evening more special than jeans and boots.

 On Valentine's Day, I subbed and I LOVE to be at school for Valentine's Day.  Oooh, they were wired, snow and a holiday that involves cupcakes, chocolate and a party!  Oh. My.  I only had a half day, which was fun and enough.

I came home where I had soup in the crock pot, the table set and guests arriving shortly.  It was my turn to host Pie Pals and since it was Valentine's Day I decided to have lunch instead of pie for them.

 Holly had given me my vintage truck and trailer cake topper and I dolled it up with hearts.

 Oh Miss Becky!  We miss you.

 Hubby made dinner for Sam and I, another delicious meal and a good visit with Sam.

Today I am home, trying to get caught up, cleaned up and sorted, and get rid of my second cold.

Late next week, Palm Springs! The sunshine should help. 

#poolside 

School is Almost Out for Summer

 After my walk this morning I just had to take a photo walk around my yard.  It is blooming. Raindrops on roses, favorite things, you know the song.  Anywhoo, it's pretty out there.

I haven't written for a bit. Busy with the usual.  I am packing up to go camping next week. I am on a reading kick. And I'm still in school.

In March I wrote that I was back in the classroom as a substitute teacher. 

 I am trying to finish the school year strong. The kids are tired, the teachers are tired, and it's the middle of June.  It needs to be over.

I have really enjoyed substitute teaching this Spring.  I can pick and choose when I work.  Hubby and I can have some days off together. There is a lot of flexibility with this gig.  Obviously, I am not going to teach music or P.E.  Know your talent level and stay within it, that's my thinking.

I have subbed on a first grade field trip to the beach and on a fifth grade field trip to the skating rink. 

 I am not gonna lie, it is STRESSFUL! All students were accounted for and safe at the end of these field trips. Thank you Baby Jesus.

 And no, I didn't skate.

 I have filled out four behavior plans each hour in a kindergarten class in addition to helping the two students in that classroom that speak very little English. Whoa, that teacher has super powers.

I have sent back packs of food home with students that do not have enough food for over the weekend in their house.  The school takes good care of these little friends and I am thankful for that but I worry about what summer means to some students.

I have laughed a lot. And I have come home and cried.

I get artwork for gifts and even better I get hugs in the hallway from kids I maybe taught a day last week.  Hey, Mrs. R!

I get compliments. Three kindergarten boys were reading with me at the table when one of them says to me, you smell good, another leans over, sniffs and says to him, she does!  There was a general consensus at the table that I smell good.  Probably better than fifth graders after recess, just sayin'.

I get random questions. In the middle of working on an assignment...

Mrs R.?

Yes?

Are you Asian?

Uh mm no?

Oh, well what are you?

I'm Dutch.

So is my Mom!

Who is your Mom?

It turns out her Mom and I were friends in high school.  I ran into her Mom last week and we had a good visit with a lot of laughter.

I know the weather song, the days of the week song and the months of the year song. I know there are many ways for kindergarten and first grade classes to do the calendar. And every student will cry out, thatsnothewaywedoit, if I don't do it the way their teacher does it. Yeah, well, she isn't here is she?

I love the actual teaching and when I look out at the class and see light bulb moments.

I love the friendly and helpful the school secretaries.

It great to be back at school.  Of course, that is easy to say when Summer vacation is just a few days away.  The summer vacation, Christmas vacation and just random days off are pretty nice.

And now I have a good excuse to buy school supplies.  I love, love, love new pencils and markers. And last but not least, I get to go school shopping in August for new clothes. Right?

Easter, What I'm Reading and some Random

First, an Easter recap because I want to remember this Easter.  It just felt extra special to me.

Our church gives us an opportunity to share a white lily, azalea or an orchid in memory of family or friends. Our church is full of flowers and it's a blessing to remember the hope we have in Christ.

We sang Up From the Grave He Arose, In Christ Alone and other favorite Easter songs. At the end of the service our church invites anyone that knows the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah to sing in the choir. 

After Church we went to dinner at Jeff and Kathi's place at Birch Bay. And then it was time for the Easter Egg hunt.  Uncle Jeff laid out the rules.  Yes, those are some big kids hunting for eggs.

 The Grandmas watched from a great vantage point.

 Washington beaches are rocky!

It was sunny, which was an Easter miracle, and Mt. Baker was gorgeous.

This week I've been substitute teaching.  I'm still having fun.  I love the actual teaching and the kiddos. Yesterday I had a kindergarten class and at one point a para educator came in and told me she was putting me on a prayer chain. Not just any prayer chain but her mother-in-law's heavy duty Southern Baptist prayer chain!  I needed it.  It was a really cute, energetic group of kiddos!

Yesterday, Hubby had a day off and I came home to dinner. Yes, those are some delicious beef ribs, roasted asparagus and whipped cauliflower.  He's figuring out that if I have kindergarten I may be a little tired when I get home.

 I did a lot of reading in Maui and I've kept it up since I got home. Hubby had some shift work so I filled my evenings with some good books.  The Nearness of You is a quick and enjoyable read.

I am reading Eliza Waite and enjoying it. The author is local.

As Good as Gone is my next read.

Max is coming home this weekend.  He's a groomsman for his college roommate's wedding.

Won't Max be surprised?  There is food in our fridge!  His last two visits happened while we were in Las Vegas and Maui and the cupboards were bare.  Mama's in Maui, get your own groceries!

Bo is coming too so I am dog proofing the house today. And I'm starting to clean the patio because eventually Spring and even Summer are going to show up in Washington.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Random Monday

 I've got some random today.  

Pie Pals Update

The Pie Pals are eating some glum pie because Miss Becky moved to North  South Carolina. We plan to eat pie without Becky but it won't the same.

 We went to Holly's house and had a test before we ate pie.

 We all passed and received our Snowpocalypse  2017 Badge.

Everything is cute and fun at Holly's house. It made me want to collect badges like a Girl Scout.

Her pecan pie was delish!

We had one last pie before Miss Becky left us.  I made coconut cream pie and hosted at my house.

Remember Pie Fixes Everything so while we were sad about Becky leaving we enjoyed the pie and since it was a sorrowful occasion everyone had seconds. That and a champagne cocktail helps.  

All better.

3, 2, 1... MAUI

I've been gathering dollar paperbacks to take to the beach and have a fairly decent stack.

Last trip to Maui I ran out of reading material and had to go to the free pile and take whatever was left. I'm not Harlequin Romance reader but I did it. Ugh. This year I'm ready!

 I have a new swim suit and cover up.  The shoes were in my closet and just in case I want to wear heels to the pool I can.  Every eventuality.  I'll keep you posted on the shoes and the amount of luggage.  #thestruggleisreal

 Karen and I made dinner reservations for the week. Oh my! We are going to have some fun.

It'll pretty much be our Hawaii routine but this old lady is buying a chair.  I plan to set it at the surf's edge and soak it all up.

Pretty much a beach day every day.  We've done the educational, touristy things in Hawaii.

Back in the Classroom

I am substitute teaching!  It is going well and it's fun to be back in school.  I can work without having to ask off for vacations, Hubby's days off and summertime.  I have met some great students and teachers and always come home with fun stories to share with Hubby.

I love saying the Pledge of Allegiance with a classroom of kiddos.  It gives me good chills.

I am amazed how many times a first grader falls out of their chair.

I love aha moments.

I love second grader jokes.

I now know the thumb between two fingers means that someone needs a bathroom pass.

If one little person says they need to see the nurse, there will soon be an epidemic. Because when they hear that word they all think of something that hurts and needs attention.  It's a fine line, folks.

I am having a good time.

A teacher asked if I had any jobs for this week. I teach on Tuesday and then I said I had a cut and color on Wednesday.  She thought that's what I was calling a kindergarten assignment.  Nooo, I'm getting my hair done before leaving for Maui.  Haha I am going to laugh about that for a long time.

Aloha!