found my word for the year!

it's a new year! i saw something on facebook the other day that i really liked-it suggested instead of creating a bunch of resolutions to keep up, to choose a word and make that the focus for the year. i have been thinking about it ever since, and i have chosen my word: LOVE.

i'm not talking about romantic love (although, were that to happen, i would hope that he was from florida..), i'm thinking in the more general sense of the word- Christ-like love. i mentioned in an earlier post that one of my friends was reading the 5 love languages, and so i decided it would be good to get a copy and re-read it so that we could have a better discussion. so i went to half price books and got the five love languages for singles- which is much broader than just thinking about a spouse. even in just the first couple of chapters, it has spoken deeply to me- an excerpt: "...as a single adult you want to feel loved by the significant people in your life. you also want to believe that someone needs your love. giving and receiving love is at the center of the single adult's sense of well-being. if you feel loved and needed, you can survive the pressures of life. without love, life can become exceedingly bleak." -gary chapman i think that he hit the nail on the head with that statement as i think about all of my friends who are single (and there are several), i'd be shocked if this weren't true to some extent for every one of us.

how many times in scripture does it talk about this-hard to count (although i'm sure someone has-i'm just not going to look it up right now). like i said, i am just beginning the book; i had to make some reading adjustments...i will finish the other book i mentioned at a later date, as well as bobos in paradise...but i really want to work on this one so that i can start the year out right! not just for my sake, but for the sake of everyone i interact with-intentional. everyone needs to be able to 'survive the pressures of life'--it should not be 'exceedingly bleak' and if i can be a part of making life more survivable, i say, YES! ready to learn #studentoflife

in other news, i went to lowe's yesterday to get a thin sheet of plywood as the backing of a shelf, and when i got out to the car, i set it down and put my bag in the backseat. then i looked at the board, looked at the door...and an older gentleman was observing from a couple of feet away (he'd just gotten out of his truck), and he said, "i've gotta see this!" referring to how the heck i was going to get this in my car. he laughed as we tried the trunk, which was not quite wide enough. he then asked where i lived, as he would've taken it for me in his truck (when i declined, as i lived too far for him to go out of his way). so i said i needed it to be 40 X 48, he suggested we go back in and have them cut it to size. he carried the board in, and told his friend at the counter to have someone meet us back by the saw. the guy was his neighbor-this was his local store, and you could tell that he frequented it often!

after they cut the board to size, i thanked him, and he actually carried it back out to my car for me! humbled. when we got back to the car, the moment of truth-it fit!! but barely-without an inch to spare! he asked if i was a runner-i almost laughed! i said- someday i'd like to be. smile. anyhoo-perhaps someday i'll meet ted again- guessing i reminded him of his daughter or something, it reminded me of something that my dad would do for a gal in distress! smile.

then i got home and prepared for a new year's eve get together. i didn't have plans, and was fully prepared to lounge at home and continue in the series dexter, which i am actually enjoying more the second time around-one of my teacher frineds, jan had suggested it a few years ago, and i tried to get into it, but i just wasn't ready for it, i guess...so when the suggestion came up again, i thought, 'why not.' and now i have another series to immerse myself in- fascinating. BUT my plans changed, when solange invited me over for the evening. she is one of the most hospitable people that i know, and she loves getting people together to share her home.

i don't tell you often enough how much i appreciate you- thank you for always thinking of me!

one of my favorite things is a fire

this one-so talented in computer everything! i always enjoy hearing what his next venture is and what he is working on!

 If you know me, this is pushing my limits. i like going over and visiting with her and the kids-she has 3 fabulously talented and polite children-love them! but when it comes to a get-together with a bunch of people i don't really know...mmm...but i did it, and i didn't hate it. although note to self: while the fire pit is a lovely thing on a chilly night, you always come away smelling like...wait for it... fire pit. so, yes. i smelled as though i'd gone camping. no worries...a shower does wonders! but...then there's the question of the clothing-again, they wash...only the sweater was handwash. great. WORTH IT!!

and on the way home, i had to make a turn off to the bridge overlooking vitruvian park, as it has been one of my favorite holiday views for the past few years!

great way to end/start a year!

so yes, happy new year, may you find your word and focus on it all year!

julie

love affair...i'm sure i'll get over it...maybe if there weren't thousands of recipes

and yet another week has managed to slip away...already we are entering our 2nd 6 weeks of school. strange, as i have still not been able to settle into any semblance of a routine. that is not good for me. i'm like a kindergartner-routine can be a good thing.

i mentioned in my previous post that my nutribullet RX came last week-and already i have been putting it to use. made the usual shake-enough for two, so i could have some for lunch...and then i made a tomato soup on saturday. that is a minor mystery-miracle. i don't even like tomato soup. in fact, when mom used to make it for us, i'd skip the soup and just eat the grilled cheese sandwich. well...now i'm skipping the grilled cheese sandwich and eating the soup! it was SO good! that i ate a little...then i ate a little more..and then i was craving it for dinner...and i may or may not have had the last of it today for lunch. yikes..i know. and so i decided to try making a hot pumpkin spice latte drink...only i fear i did it wrong, because when i wasn't watching, the liquid started coming out, and when i came around the corner (because something in my gut said jrob, you better just check it out, being the first try and all...)...when i saw pumpkin coffee-stuff oozing out of different parts of the machine, and puddling on the counter, a little on the wall, i quickly unplugged and tried desperately to salvage what i could because i really wanted to taste it! so i had this dilemma of: SAVE THE DRINK vs SAVE THE MACHINE-dry it out! i know it's not supposed to be submerged, so i'm fairly certain it isn't supposed to be self-deluged either...good thing i got the 3 year warranty...

that said, i was able to save about a cup-worth...but it needs some tweaking. i wasn't thoroughly impressed.

this morning i was hopeful that when i plugged her back in, she'd work like a charm...and she didn't disappoint!! (must come up with a name for her). so...today i decided to try a couple of different things. this week i decided to revert back to fish tacos, so i made my avocado/roasted pepper sauce for the coleslaw....yum. and then i decided i should try another drink-this time a cool drink, so i had a caramel cooler-that recipe is a keeper! it fixed the rumbly in my tumbly. and now all i can think about is what to make next...is this what a love-affair feels like? surely this cannot be healthy..even though technically everything i am making is healthy...

it's amazing to me how those little blades can extract all of those goodies and make the smoothest drink ever! even more so than my ninja (which i thought was pretty amazing-looking somewhat like edward scissorhands). if all other weapons are not accessible, turn on the nutribullet and try to get the villain to come closer and stick his hand in...ok, so not that practical as a weapon.

yum! papaya, mango, pineapple, raspberry, greens...i pulled some russian kale and pumpkin leaves to try them...it was a little nutty. (not like nut-house-crazy, more like a nut-flavor); perhaps it's an acquired taste.

the comforting tomato basil...and i added a few of my own ingredients (turmeric and nutritional yeast for a cheesy-flavor)

 a few weeks ago, i decided that i liked an idea on fb, so i thought it would be a good exercise to start collecting some of the things that make me happy and filling up a jar. after i got a couple in a jar, i realized that they only put that picture on fb because it looked cute. if you're putting in a 'happy' every day, they would never fit in that little jar (unless you were a fairy and wrote with the tip of a baby safety pin on a 16th of a square of toilet paper and wadded it up and then put it in the jar). so i found this old cereal container-and since i don't do cereal, it is working out perfectly. i just have to remind myself, and sometimes i forget, so i do double duty-triple duty ok, sometimes i just don't even limit myself, and i write several.. #doesntplaybytherules so yes, i may have more than 365 by the end of the year-and i've only been doing it for a few weeks-WHATEVER!! don't judge! there are just so many things that make me happy! deal wit it!

 one thing that made me sad was when i got into my car the other day and my trusty escort did not turn on. i've had my little radar buddy for a good 6 years now. it was a sad day. so i brought it inside, and i haven't had time to look at it. i don't know if it might just be the cord, or if it is the radar itself. either way, it is a necessity, so i will have to go into the shop (hopefully it's still there!).

i don't think even mcgeyver can help with this one. sad day. 

i love it that we are working with social/emotional learning at school this year! our second graders are learning about their brains, and this week, i believe this class is going to be looking at some tools to help students, like breathing and the glitter ball to calm their little brains.

i am thoroughly excited to be going up to branson to visit and play for my long weekend-bmayes will be joining me after work! woo hoo!! i'll get to see mom and dad in their new place (maybe help with a little unpacking?) and then head down to b-town. yay! one of our friends is getting married-but it's not until 4:00 pm on sunday-i have to work monday, so i don't know that i will get to attend the wedding as originally planned (i didn't realize the wedding was so late in the weekend). and i have a feeling that after playing all weekend, i won't do well driving late into the night. but at least i will get out of dallas for a bit, see the autumn leaves-good times! the boys will be staying with joanne, and they seem excited about it! bruno was happy about not riding in his car seat for so long, especially as we will probably be making the trip for Christmas.

today, we actually got to share our walk with joanne and fudge, they all walked really well! it was nice to actually have a chance to talk to joanne, because we've seen each other at a couple of PL things in the haskell building, but each time, there has been something going on, making it impossible to actually catch up! boo. so it was good to catch up today-we have certainly missed having her at cabell, but i am excited that she is enjoying what she does in her new position!

i've spent most of my weekend working on curriculum maps, because although we worked on them last week, the materials that the district has made available to us are better than the curriculum we have at hand. especially after going to the training and asking our teachers to go to the training...i felt like this should be something they have at hand. i still have one more grade level to work on, but hopefully it will be helpful-

and with that, i think i will call it an evening! (and yes, breakfast shake with the RX!)
julie

mesmerized by fireworks, captivated by the revolutionary war and unbelievably grateful to be free!

ah, revolutionary patriots, thank you. french army and navy, thank you. writers of the Declaration of Independence, thank you. authors of the Constitution of the United States of America, thank you. it's Independence Day, THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND STAND FOR OUR FREEDOMS.

last night, as planned, we were able to watch the fireworks from the apartment, representing the battles for our independence (i explained to my students the other day why we have fireworks and the symbolism). i am still amazed by whomever came up with fireworks and improved them to do the things they do. (you know i am about to go do a google search on it)...

sorry, for those of you who were there, you saw it, but i love watching fireworks! i was very disappointed with the music they chose to go along with the show. i am highly preferential to an all-patriotic music selection, that's just the way i am...katy perry's firework seems like it would be a likely tune, but it has nothing to do with Independence Day, now does it? anyhoo. i prefer K2's show. missing kanakuk around this holiday!

i did sit mesmerized though. i love watching almost as much as i love watching flames and embers in a fire. i find fire fascinating. the other day when i lit the grill, i was so taken in to the flame that i thought, if the flames had caught and started burning something on the balcony, i don't know if i would've had the fight/flight/or sit and admire reaction...i think i might have sat like a fool watching the flames bob and weave...fascinating! (but you know i'm joking, i'm not like a pyro or something, i just think it's beautiful-in small quantities).

 as i re-watch the revolution series on the history channel, i think i would like to read more books on benjamin franklin and george washington.

we recorded much of the series, and went out for a walk while it was still in the early 80's. i decided to drive the boys down to the vitruvian park, and after walking that one, we drove down toward beltway and into a little park area there, where there was a mini community parade going on-that's the area with the hidden pond/park.on our way around, there was an older guy in a wheelchair type thing..not a hover around, but anyway, he like the boys, and he was wearing an airforce hat, so i shook his hand and said thank you. i'm glad we got to meet him.

while we were at the vitruvian park, the sprinklers were going and we got past the first set by our parking area, but the boys of course had to play in the puddles! then as we went around, we stopped in every little branch off. it was cool enough to play. then boys loved the wet grass and bruno was rolling around in it (which got him all tangled in his leash. i told him he was going to strangle himself if he didn't stop, he said he didn't care-as he strangled himself, and then choked out, "ok, you're right mama, a little help?").

somebody-bruno, loves playing in wet grass!

this was our hidden pond trail-it always seems to have a great little breeze! and the boys did really well, even with all of the other dogs out there!

so as a reward, i took them to dq and got myself a blizzard. smile.

i've been craving one, and it was small, and it is a special occasion!

today i am also planning on baking (for the first time) paleo bread...we'll see how it turns out! coconut flour and gluten free flour (i couldn't find almond flour at tom thumb-although they are supposed to have a shipment by friday, but i want to make my bread today)... 

it turned out ok...it's not terrible! it was still a little doughy in the middle even after i put it in for an additional 20 min...so i guess i will have to cut slices and microwave them before eating..? working with new flour can be daunting. who cares!

and the boys were willing to sit still for yet one more patriotic photo. good sports!

they just told me they were really happy to be born in the usa, and then started singing some bruce springsteen song...

 what a relaxing day-back to school tomorrow-weird that it will be thursday! but i'm not sad about it!

happy 4th!
julie

headboard finally up-check! vaccuum-check! bored....check.

so, today i came up with a new project for dad. i got him to set up my headboard. i painted it forever ago and had great intentions, but i never got it set up. so, now it's up!

yesterday mom and i drove to the park near my place and then took the boys for a short walk around the park. they did fine until we reached a shady, grassy patch just on the opposite side of the bridge from where the car was parked. bruno first, then chaco.

 

 

 

 

they weren't about to budge!

today dad caught his big fish down in the pond! mom went down to take a picture; i walked out into the breezeway and took this picture, but you can barely see them by the pool. it was funny because some of the people at the pool were up at the fence watching.

very proud of his catch!

the boys weren't really used to the fish and night crawler smells, so every time he walked in the door they'd bark, get close, sniff, back up and bark again.

mom was great-she's done my laundry, thoroughly cleaned my bathroom and today she vacuumed for me! did i mention that my parents are great?! well, they are!

tomorrow is the follow-up and i am hoping that the dr. clears me to go back to work, but the biggest thing is that they release me to drive short distances b/c i think mom and dad are ready to take off on wednesday...there really isn't much i can't do now that i have my reacher thing...unless it falls on the ground (maybe i should've gotten two- a reacher to pick up the reacher!)

goodnight,
julie

you smell so lovely..what are you wearing? downy.

we woke up earlier than expected today and i definitely had a sore throat-drainage boo. it came on from out of nowhere.

so...the other day when we went with some of the other teachers to help with navidad en el barrio, it was actually pretty fun, but there was someone who had on some kind of perfume or something that had a scent that i kept smelling and i loved it! but i couldn't figure out exactly who had it on, then i think i figured it out, but i opted against asking what it was because the last thing i wanted is for her to do was go post in her blog about someone asking what kind of perfume she was wearing. smile.

 i remember one time when i asked one of my coworkers at a magazine fulfillment company what perfume or lotion she was wearing because it smelled really good. she was hispanic, and i wasn't sure we were communicating because she said she wasn't wearing any perfume (twice i asked and got the same answer)...i finally asked her why she smelled so good?  downy. it was her fabric softener.. i guess i just like the smell of clean.

so today i went to bed bath and beyond for soap and looking for that fresh scent. well, i don't know that i found the exact scent, but i found one that i think might be close. and of course, you know how they are with the buy three gimmick. well, i was on a mission and i resisted!! proud of me!

sensory overload whenever i go in there. my sniffer says, "that'll be enough of that!"

so when i got home, i took chaco for a walk. but this time, we went out of the complex around to the new park they built behind the savoye in addison-vitruvian park. it's a nice little park. i've included some pictures.

chaco was most impressed, although there weren't many others visiting today. i promised him there would most likely be bigger crowds in the summer and he seemed okay with that. i heard him telling bruno about it, trying to make him jealous to see if perhaps he might come with us next time...he didn't give an answer. i might start stopping there after school to go walking though, because it's a bigger loop around than our trail...and i can walk faster if i don't have the boys with me...then take chaco for a shorter walk at the complex. hmm...sounds good.

i got these great Christmas stickers from a friend,and i think i am going to have to decorate some notes for Christmas! woo hoo!! love holiday stickers!

aren't stickers just fun?! i used to collect the ann frank stickers in a special book-that eventually got 'misplaced' by mom in file 13...

smell ya lata',
julie