Long Time Coming Foto Friday

Our Book Signing may be over, but we'll be heading back to WINGS ETC. before you know it!

Hannah was given a gift from WINGS ETC.

We love the girls at WINGS ETC.!

When All You Have Are Twin Sheets - Make 'Em Work

"So can we work with a partner?" came the voice from the back.

I had just finished explaining the difference between math 'group' work (which had been done earlier in the day) and 'independent' work (which was about to happen). Typically giving directions in great length and detail the first week or so: "In math you will have 'group' work and 'independent' work," I had begun laying out the dynamics of Everyday Math that would be taking place ... everyday. "Group work is done with your group. It begins with the letter 'G' as in 'Gosh, I get to work with others!" I went on to cover independent, "Independent work is done on your own,.. as in, I have to do it all by myself."

"You've already completed your group work for today, so that leaves the independent assignment on page three," I gestured toward the white board behind me which outlined the days schedule and assignments covered that day. No,.. I'm no Vanna White, but I could take the place of Pat Sajack if given the right dollar amount as an incentive.

"Any questions," I scanned the room looking for lost souls in search of a way out. "Fantastic! You may get started," seeing no hands shoot up, I proceeded to close my books, grab my notes, and proceeded to prepare for the next lesson.

"So can we?" the voice asked again as if my non-reply might be an indication of the go-ahead.

The beginning of each year is a lot like trying to fit twin sheets on a queen bed. They look like they should fit, so you stretch and pull as hard as you can, only to find out, after exhaustion has set in, that no matter what further effort you put forth,... there's no possible way things are going to work just the way you had hoped. Yet, you're stuck with twin sheets non-the-less.

Livin' on Caffeine

I've had short nights before. The kind where you wake up at 4 in the morning and end up listening to the sounds of night until you finally give in and get up. Well last night was an all time, put it in the books, sleep little type of night!

I went to bed, extremely tired, right around the ten o'clock hour. So far, so typical. I awoke at eleven, having felt as if I had already sacked a good six hours. You've got to be kidding, I glanced at the clock expecting it to read the usual three or four in the morning. It's only been an hour, this is not good, as I fluffed the pillows, repositioned myself for an even better 2nd go of things.

Slowly my mind took over and went down many roads of it's own,... I have Back to School Night coming up - really should plan for that,... I really did a good job on grilling the chicken tonight,... My arms are still killing me from lifting the other day, I wonder what the old guy rule is for recovery,... How is it that the street light always seems to land right on my face through the smallest of slit in the shades,... what time is it? This is the point you glance at the clock and hope it's time to get up - nope. Twelve minutes just rattled off. A whopping twelve.

I spent the next hour tossing and turning trying to convince myself that if just find that one elusive spot of slumber, I will be out like a light. I close my eyes, clear my mind, breath deeply to soothe the body into rest,... and yet I'm still awake!

The next phase is what I like to call 'The Argument'. I should just get up and go watch some television,... no I shouldn't because I'm comfortable and I need to fall asleep, not be up watching a late late show. It's that inner struggle that bounces back and forth long enough that you finally give in and head to the living room. Why? BECAUSE YOU"RE STILL AWAKE AND TALKING TO YOURSELF IN SILENCE - SEEK HELP!

Perhaps if I just lay down on the couch as I watch tv, I will eventually drift off. This plan had the makings of brilliance, if it weren't for a couple minor flaws: the dog's sleep barking and my intermittent moments of falling to sleep, only to be woken by a hefty snoring sound that shook my inner being. The bright spot here was the fact that I now knew sleep was possible. By two I was ready to hit the sack once again and round out this night of horror.

For some reason, as soon as I laid my head down on the pillow, my mind went right back to the wandering trail of torture. I drifted from one thought to another, one checklist of things needing accomplishment to long term projects. Three rolled around without the slightest nod to slumberland.

So here I sit. At school, with absolutely nothing to do,.. because I got up at three and came to work and cranked out all my plans, all my paper work, and yes,.. even the Back to School Night agenda. It's now that I realize that while I've pumped myself full of caffeine, there is no hope. My mind is shot, my energy drained, and my desk looks good enough to sleep on.

Food Stupid

So there we were, 7:42 at night, walking through the isles of Martin's Supermarket trying to decide what we needed for that night's dinner. It had already been a long day that was made longer with the realization that there was no food at home.

No food at home? I could have sworn that the refrigerator has something on every shelf; that the pantry is full top to bottom; that the freezer holds something edible. No food at home?

"Remember when we weren't 'food stupid' and made great meals?" I decided to throw out the question that had been plaguing me since the vegetable and fruits section.

"Food stupid? What do you mean by that?" Kim shot back as if both puzzled and defensive by my comment.

"I remember meals that we use to have which contained a main dish, a side vegetable, and even a carb or two. We use to plan our meals,... talk about our meals,... set out tableware for our meals. Now it's frozen pizza, fish sticks, spaghetti, or grilled cheese sandwiches with chips. We can't even think of what makes a decent meal now-a-days," there,... I had said it. I wasn't pointing blame, I was defining defeat.

And there we stood by the meat department - dumbfounded. The realization of life at light speed had hit us. The fact that it was now 7:54 and we hadn't even broached the checkout line with tonight's feast of 'I haven't a clue'.

"I never thought of it that way, but you're right," Kim had that look on her face like a child learning a factoid for the first time.

With a smile towards one another we walked on in happy stupidity for tonight would be no different from the night before. We could order out food like nobody's business, but when it came to down home cooking,... it would be left in the dark for another night. It was late,.. we were exhausted,... and grilled cheese sandwiches and chips sounded perfect by the time we hit the dairy products.