It is November right? How did THAT happen?Honestly, I think I will take a few weeks off of blogging to deal with LIFE...and whammo! Months go by! I survived beginning of the year, district review, writing fall progress reports, and the infamous annual Halloween game arcade!
I keep looking over my shoulder to see what is creeping up on me next!
Right now I am sitting in my favourite chair, looking at a beautiful sky as the sun finally comes up (oh yeah, I forgot to set the clocks back!) I guess my "better half" did it for me, because the only clock which is wrong is on my phone...I guess I better power if off and on again! Oh, well now I see it's actually only 7:10 a.m., I have some extra time. I am LISTENING to the dish washer. In order to save on my electricity bill, I only run it during the "off peak hours" because it seems to run for such a long time! Does your dishwasher seem to run for HOURS?
Can't say I am LOVING much right now, but I did realize on Friday that I was really happy that I didn't have any marking or report cards to bring home this weekend. Who doesn't LOVE that? Under the present circumstances in my life, I have to keep reminding myself that there are things which I love. Of course, I always LOVE J and Maddie, they are my whole reason for existing...
I am sure I am not alone in WANTING to have a real vacation. I have not been able to travel for any great length of time for almost 10 years due to being the caretaker for my mother and brother. Now that Mom has passed, I feel the need to get away, to relax, to unwind. I used to love travelling to Mexico or the Caribbean and finding some great resort where I could lie on the beach, have something cold to drink and read novels all day. Maybe once the estate is settled, I will be able to book a holiday for my family and we can all finally breathe a sigh of relief.
I know I have shared a lot about my personal situation on my blog. Sometimes I think I shouldn't have, but on the other hand, it is part of who I am, just as this blog is. I find myself NEEDING time to process everything that has happened and is still happening to my family. I have decided to hold off on selling my mom's house until I feel more secure in my decision making. That decision has actually made me feel more calm. After making that difficult decision, I found out that my brother has been given less than a year to live. He moved to a special group home after Mom died. He was only there for a few weeks, when he was transferred to hospital. His cancer is no longer in remission. I feel like a wound has been opened again! Cancer took Mom in July, and now it will take my brother too. I know he has had a long battle, but I guess I am not mentally prepared to hear that he too is in the final stages of this horrid disease. I am trying to face the challenges of life head on, but I feel like burying my head under the covers!
After reading all that, I am sure a YUMMY PIN seems like an oxymoron, but truly there are things in life to keep smiling about. I have great friends, an awesome man, a fantastic daughter and the love of cooking. Recently I discovered that I LOVE salted caramel...ANYTHING! It started with a salted caramel mocha at Starbucks and has blossomed from there. Have a look at this fantastic recipe I pinned not too long ago...
You can find it on my Pinterest recipe board here. I have not had the time to make them yet, but they seem to be calling to me!
Leave me a comment, letting me know what you favourite food/recipe pin is right now. I have been on the lookout for awesome crock pot soup ideas!
As always, thanks for taking the time to read and to respond. I hope all of you are finding time to take care of yourselves and your families. I am ever so thankful for mine.
Thank you for sharing your life! It is something that so many can relate to...I just lost my Papa (grandpa) last March to leukemia and related complications. Not having my own father in my life, he was extra, extra special to me. It is still hard not having him here, but great friends and loving family helps! Keep your head up and do what you need to do to get by each day!
ReplyDeleteAs for the yumminess, I have a great recipe for Chicken Parm. soup - it is from Pampered Chef (not a crock pot recipe) but it could probably be adapted, if you cooked the chicken first. Here is a link to a YouTube video - Chicken Parm Recipe. It is delicious and perfect for a cool fall day! :)
Jackie
Growing Kidlets
Thank you for acknowledging that sharing my "life" is as acceptable as sharing my teaching practice. I have not stopped blogging about my classroom, but it seems to have taken a back seat to everything else in my life. I appreciate you leaving me such a warm, understanding comment. I am so sorry to hear you lost your grandfather to cancer as well. It truly is a disease that devastates families. Thank you for leaving the link to the soup too, it looks fantastic. I ended up going out and getting the ingredients to make my old standby Tuscan bean soup. If you want the recipe you can find it on my blog. It's an old standby but it never disappoints and it is SUPER easy to make.
DeleteThank for sharing! It sounds like you have a lot going on! I lost my mother three years ago. She died two days into the school year. It was a rough start, but as time goes on has gotten easier to deal with. I pray the same for you. As for the warm beach and ocean . . . your dishwasher kinda sounds like an ocean, right? :)
ReplyDeleteWhat I Have Learned
I love the idea that the dishwasher sounds like the ocean! I should sit and listen to it more often while I look at a blue sky! Thank you for stopping by and leaving me such a kind hearted comment. I am sorry about your mother's passing, I cannot imagine how I would have coped if it had occurred during the school year. I appreciate your advice and I am sure as time goes on, I will find the good again.
DeleteSidney
I am SO sorry that you are struggling with so much loss. This world can be truly cruel sometimes. I can definitely relate to wanting to get away! We don't have a beach, but we do have warm sun here in Arizona. Just sayin.... ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat's funny that Starbuck's got you hooked on salted caramel. I actually wound up throwing my salted caramel drink away; I disliked it that much. Now I refuse to try anything else salted caramel.
As far as telling parents that their kids are not performing to your expectations... I will definitely be following the comments on this post so I can try to get some ideas. I am, apparently, a failure in that area. It constantly seems to be a negative interaction and becomes frustrating. I am as gentle as I can be while still being honest. It is really hard for parents to hear, but they seem to blame me and my "impossible" expectations instead of really examining the performance level of their child.
Karen,
DeleteI know you and I are struggling with our own battles this year. I wish for both of us that next year will bring us peace. I also want to tell you that I have NOT forgotten about the letters but at this point, I think I will have my students make holiday cards for yours! I really keep meaning to have my kids write, but something gets in the way. Right now I have a student teacher who is in the midst of a four week block, and his teaching is taking priority. Sorry for all the excuses, but I have not forgotten! Be well by bloggy friend, I read what you post on Facebook each day and you keep me inspired, motivated and feeling connected.
Sidney
My heart goes out to you! I am sorry for your personal struggles right now. Thank you for opening your heart to all of us.
ReplyDeleteI love anything salted caramel too! I pinned a salted caramel cookie bar recipe to my Currently. Check it out to add to your pinterest recipe collections. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
-Jaime
Bright Concepts 4 Teachers
Thank you for stopping by and commenting Jaime. I am glad to know I am not alone in my salted caramel fetish...where has that been all my life? I will have to check out the cookie bar recipe, it sounds right up my alley. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and that you have a fantastic week!
DeleteSidney
Sidney! I miss you most of all. I miss our hours long conversations. Happy we both found time to write a currently post :)
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm Deniece from This Little Piggy Reads. I'm a gifted teacher too! I teach 5th Grade GT for our district. I don't have a homeroom class. Each day a new school comes to my classroom and we work on projects. My Tuesday class sounds similar to your class. Very few of them actually take pride in their work. I am glad I found you through the Currently.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your personal situation. I agree that your blog should be a good place to share.
Deniece
I'm so sorry Sidney that you're going through such a trying time-so unfair. This is your blog and if it comforts you to write hear about your feelings, then you do it-your friends/readers will support you.
ReplyDeleteYou know you could come to Florida to take a vacation...warm, sunny, and I would welcome you with open arms!
Joanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching