Birthday Reflections: Part 1

The hubs made me breakfast this morning.  Super yum.  My facebook wall is littered...in a good way.  Some people I have never said a real word to in my life wrote on my wall (is that a sentence??).  And that makes me smile.  Bazillions (exaggeration, duh) of texts and calls.  My broseph even called me on my work phone.  What a treat.

Also, today is apparently Robert Bunsen's 200th birthday.  And Al Gore's, I think.  We will all celebrate together.  Common sense tells me that Mr. Bunsen invented the Bunsen burner.  Scientific friends, is this correct?

Here's a funny.  On our birthdays, we are celebrated.  However, we have no recollection of our birthday.  We should celebrate the birthing machines (aka the mamas, sorry if that is offensive...I think it's funny) that helped us into this world.  Like this pretty lady:

Thanks, mom.  That day, many years ago, you did a good thing.  And thanks, dad, for your assistance as well. (insert happy face)

What a sweet day.  Favorite student quotes from today (note:  I've never told them my age...as if they have no idea...):

• "You look real pretty today, Mrs. Carlson."
• "You don't look a day over 30."
• "How old are you today?  18?"
• "You've got to be in your twenties."
• "Happy birthday, Mrs. Carlson!" (cliche, I know, but it was real special to hear it so many times)
• "Why didn't you tell us sooner that your birthday is today!?"
• "I forgot your card at home."
• "Do you want us to sing to you?"
• "I hope you have a great birthday, Mrs. Carlson."
• "Thank you and happy birthday!" (I gave them candy in celebration of the day...)

Sigh.  So lovely.   And they were all so good today!  So good.  And they made me laugh. And they made me cry.  One kiddo who sometimes gives me trouble helped another kid...and I didn't even ask him to!  It was ridiculously cool.  Guess you had to be there...

I got some flowers today.  From my hubs, of course.  They made me smile.

And just because it has been suggested that I show some pics of the place where I spend the majority of my time, here it is:

Perhaps I will give a tour of the room at some later time.  Perhaps.

So thanks, faithful blog readers, for making my day happy.  Love you all.  Now I'm going to go eat some ridiculously delicious Italian (or as Daniel says, "I(long I)taileeeea(nasal a)nnn") delicacies. 

God is good, and I am blessed. 

Preparation

Tonight I am preparing treats for my Advisory (similar to study hall) students.  For a certain celebration, of course.  It makes me think of elementary school when you were supposed to bring treats on your birthday.  Every year, I (I mean, my mom) brought jigglers or donuts.  Every year.  I mean, I get the donuts thing.  I love donuts.  But I don't quite understand the jigglers thing.  Perhaps it was because I wasn't a huge cake fan (wasn't = past tense...things have changed) and because I never thought other people's cookies were good so I was afraid of people unfairly judging my mom's cookies.  I had lots of thoughts as a child. 

So I have cupcakes for Advisory and two kinds of candy for the rest of the kiddos.  I'm secretly hoping for a snow day, but at the same time, everyone knows it's way more fun to go to school on your birthday than it is to stay home.  Maybe someone will even decorate my locker.  Sorry, flashback to 7th grade...thanks, faithful friends. 

I'm always uber-reflective on the date of my birth, so be prepared. 

Still trying to figure out where we should eat tomorrow night.  Any suggestions?

Sigh.

Life is good, ain't it?  Indeed it is.  Tonight I was reminded of something I said to Daniel at the altar:  "Life won't always be cupcakes and daisies..."  And a sweet friend said to me, "That's good because I don't like cupcakes all that much."  I'll be thinking on that for about 5 years. 

My mom was here last Wednesday night and Thursday.  And it was glorious.  I love my mama.  She helped me organize our guest room, and for that, I am forever thankful.  No "before" and "after" pictures yet, but in due time, in due time...

I want to be like my mama.  In some ways, I am like my mama.  But I want to be more like her.  When people ask me about her, I typically say two things:  she is the most selfless person in the world, and she is dramatic.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh?  When moms and I are together, drama ensues.  And it's funny.  Or at least we think so. 

Moms and I went shopping on Thursday. She found a lovely dress for Nicholas and Roxanne's upcoming nuptials.  But she also was a ridiculously generous mama and purchased clothes and shoes for my professional wardrobe.  I think the entire 24 hours we were together, I made one purchase...we split a concrete (ice cream deliciousness) from Sheridan's Frozen Custard.  And she wanted nothing in return.  Nothing.  She is a mama who provides.  Even when her daughter has a college degree, lives 80 miles away, and has a husband.  She takes care of her babies (except for the one time when she dumped me out of the wagon when I was 2 months old...but we won't talk about that...still scarred).  Jk.  Love you, moms. 

Tonight I miss my mama.  Don't know why.  I just do.  I'm sappy.  Always have been, always will be.  Just like my moms.  So this is to you, mom, for all you have done, all you do, and all you will do.  Love you like crazy. 

PS:  I also hope I look as good as my moms when I'm, um, 35.  She is dang purty. 

Now go love on your mama.

Favs

I have lots of favorite things.  Lots.  I would take any and all of these things for a special day sometime next week.  No pressure.  For those of you who are still searching for birthday presents (aka Nicholas), the following are acceptable choices (sidenote - Nicholas, the brother, has experienced much success in the gift-giving arena as of lately):

• Cherry tomatoes.  I'm not talking about the bland ones still on the vine in the grocery store.  I'm talking about the legit Cherub cherry tomatoes that are a gazillion dollars a pound.  Purrrrfect.
• Cobb salad, sans the egg.  This is my new favorite thing to order on any restaurant's menu.  And so far, I have not been disappointed.  Tonight I had a Cobb salad with a tarragon vinaigrette.  Um, yum.
• Pretty fingernail polish.  It makes Daniel dry-heave every time I paint my nails, but it makes my nails less appetizing...I'm a biter.  Always have been.  When I was little, my mom tried to bribe me to get me to stop.  It worked once.  Care to try again, mom? I jk.  I'm a big kid now.  I don't bite my nails no more...
• A massage.  I've never had one, but I want one real bad.  I mean real bad.  
• A mini deep freeze.  I freeze everything, enough said.
• Panera Bread.  Melissa, I want the store for myself.  Can you arrange this, please?

I feel a lot, a lot, a lot.  (I also use the phrase "a lot" a lot.  I cringe when my students use it and I count them down when it is used in a formal essay.  Am I contradicting myself?  Don't answer that.)  Because I feel so much, I have many favorites.  The aforementioned items are only a small smattering of things I love.  Because I think you should know.  And because I think it's buckets and buckets 'o fun to explain why I love what I love.

Because life is more fun when photos are involved, I will include one.  The story goes a little like this...I once met a girl named Roxanne.  I once secretly hoped she would eventually be my sister-in-law (for about a bazillion reasons).  I also once hoped that I wouldn't scare her off by desiring to take a picture with just her.  The good news:  in less than 3 months, she will be forever connected to the Glanzer family.  Bwahahaha.  And I couldn't be happier.  I call her "sissy" because (1) I think it's funny and (2) it makes me happy.  Love you, sissy Rocker.  So excited for June 18!

Sometimes...

Sometimes I'm not very good at life.  Like this morning.  I have lost any and all motivation to finishing creating my units for the last 9 weeks.  Blah.  Tomorrow, er, um, Friday...let's be honest...I'll put them both together Sunday afternoon.  In the meantime, I will relish my remaining days off.  Oh the blissful life of a teacher.  Pure bliss. Every single day. Sarcasm?  Only a bit.

Sometimes I fail miserably at keeping my kitchen clean while I cook.  Exhibit A:

 I've been waiting to load pics of a lovely, clean, decorated, and chipper apartment.  Then, out of the blue, I had a revelation (I have lots of these).  Sometimes I feel like a bad person/wife/homemaker/teacher/etc. when I see pics of spotless kitchens and living areas.  Can you relate?  Let's be honest...no one has an immaculate-looking space all the time.  Ours is put together when people are coming over, and when I feel like picking up, and that's about it.  We don't live in filth, and our kitchen is clean 95% of the time, but I am known for exploding (as has been mentioned) when I'm at home...  Anywho, here's what our kitchen looked like yesterday.  Yikes. 

Attempt #1 at scones (or as Daniel says, "sconces").  These suckers are hard to work with!  Super sticky.  And not super-yummy.  Real buttery, but lacking sweet flavor.  I used buttermilk instead of heavy cream because...that's what my mom does.  (Raise your hand if when people ask why you do something a certain way, your default answer is, "That's just how my mom does it," but you really have no idea why...  My hand is waving wildly.)

Sometimes I take pictures of adorable nephews.  Sometimes they like it and want me to take more.  And sometimes when they smile, they look at the camera long enough for me to snap a pic.  Exhibit B:

Sometimes I want to watch a movie on Netflix while I "grade" my students' NCAA brackets, but sometimes even the library that is Netflix has nothing I want that is streamable.  Sigh.  Life is difficult. 

Sometimes my mom comes to visit me.  Sometimes she helps me organize our unruly (seriously, this room is a disaster) guest room (perhaps I will remember to take before and after pics).  Sometimes we go shopping for mother-of-the-groom dresses.  And sometimes we go out to lunch (Tammy, this is going to happen...and when it does, I will tell you all about it). 

Other times, I sit on our couch staring at my school bag, hoping it will take care of itself, and wishing my cup of water would magically be filled with Diet Dr. Pepper. 

A funny.

The graphic design students at WRHS spend some time playing around with photoshop.  Part of their assignment is to make hybrids of teachers.  It's all in good fun and, ideally, no one is offended.  As I perused through the myriad of hybrids, I quasi-hoped to find one that included yours truly.  As luck would have it, toward the end, a lovely hybrid of Mrs. Carlson and Mr. Esau (please find humor in the fact that it is two Mennonites...2 of the only Mennonites at WRHS) appeared before my eyes.  While some teachers might (I sure hope not) be offended, I am so flattered.  I, indeed, have arrived.

 Sad...but maybe you can help!  I have no idea where my copy of You've Got Mail has gone.  No idea.  And I cringe.  Twice.  If you're looking for the perfect $5 gift for a certain someone whose birthday is next week, a copy of the aforementioned film would certainly be delightful.  Just sayin...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refreshed

I just spend 48 hours with my besties in Oklahoma City. 
We talked.  A lot.
We ate. A lot. 
We walked.  A lot (more on this later). 
Best of all, we laughed (and yelped).  A lot. 
Sleeping was not a priority, and even though last week was absolutely nuts, I was not overly exhausted. 

It's a wonder how life-giving relationships are.  How even though I had little to no energy at 3:30 pm on Friday, after one brief conversation with these ladays, I was ready to run a marathon.  How refreshing. 

As suggested by one of the besties, pictures will be making their grand entrance into this little blog. 

SIDE-NOTE:  I have emotional music playing Pandora currently.  Looking at these pics make me miss these girlies.  I am generally a sentimental individual.  That being said, I sense tears will make their way into this post at some point.  Don't say you weren't warned.

Here we are.  Bricktown in OKC.  So cool.  Frozen yogurt in hand.  This being my SECOND frozen yogurt/self-serve experience, I displayed a large amount of self-control and only filled my cup to the 1/3 mark instead of all the way full.  When I made the mistake of filling it to the brim last time, I had a fever and chills shortly after.  Yes, I think the two are connected.  Please don't burst my medical knowledge bubble. 

Let's begin to relive what goes down as one of the most refreshing weekends I've had in a long time.  

Anywho...I will give a full synopsis of each of these ladays later, but for now, know that this is Katherine (Kitty, Kitten, Kath, Meow) and B (Bethany, Bees, Beezie, Beeps).

 Cheri took control of the camera for part of this journey.  And she captured some sweet moments.  I am thankful. What I love about this picture:  Jes (Jazz, Jazzy, Besica, Jazzster) and I are happy, Katherine is talking, and B is genuinely enjoying her fro-yo treat.

 I ADORE this picture.  I think Cheri just captured it.  And even if it was posed, this type of look happened throughout our 48 hours.  To me, it's a look of contentment, trust, and true friendship.  Okay, the tears are coming.

 B, I fear you will not enjoy this picture.  I enjoy it.  I don't know why.  Maybe just because I love you.  So I then love every picture of you.  Creepy?  Nah.

 And Cheri (Cher, Chers, Cher-bear) has made her grand entrance.  Reasons why I love this picture:  Jes is having a moment with her fro-yo, Kitten is capturing Cheri, Cheri is listening (something she does VERY well), and my besties are together.

 Ah, here we are.  Our first self-timed picture.  Some funnies about our outfits:  Cheri and I figured out on Friday evening (while driving) that we brought the same shirt-dress (on her it's a dress, on me it's a shirt...go figure).  Jes and I had decided to bring clothes for the other to wear (we were roommates for 3 1/2 years in college, so we always had "2 closets"), so I'm wearing her clothes and she is wearing mine.  Katherine and B are just cute.  Always.  All these ladays are.  Cheri pointed out once that we spend 2 1/2 hours in the morning getting ready. Ha.  I don't think we purposely moved slowly.  We just cherished the opportunity to say, "How does this look?"  Three of us are married, so we rarely have the opportunity to ask that question.  Favorite moment of "getting ready" time:  someone would ask someone else, "How does this look?"  After responding with their personal opinion, they would always say, "I don't really know.  Ask Katherine."  Katherine is our go-to fashionista.  Thanks, Kitten.  Love you.

 We all painted nails (in some form) on Friday night, so here is Cheri showing that her nails seem to complement the buds on the tree. 

 Only with these girls...we found a lovely old hotel.  It was very cool.  So we took the elevator to the 14th floor.  We sat for a spell.  Chatted more.  Enjoyed sweet moments.  Let our feet rest.  Etc.

 After all the sweet moments passed, it was suggested that we take the stairs instead of the elevator.  WHAT!?  Like I said, only with these girls.  And because we were going down, it didn't feel that far.  I suppose we ate A LOT that day (with more to come), so taking the stairs seemed like the most logical option. 

 Captured this candid moment.  I love love love this.  This kind of tenderness happened repeatedly over the weekend.  We really love each other.  Like, a lot. 

 I can hear Jes laughing.  And it makes me smile.  Tear. 

 I failed to mention.  This is at a lovely little cupcake/candy boutique called Pinkitzel.  We believe it means "Tickled Pink" (or something like that).  We were inspired to create our own candy store.  We will call it "Purple Giggle."  Laugh, please.  It's HIlarious.

 Jes, Cheri, and B planned a sweet surprise for us.  I supposed the surprise already happened.  They took us to the cupcake store!  And bought us each a cupcake!  You see, for 4 years, Katherine and I have celebrated our birthdays together (our days are 3 days apart), so it was dang special to celebrate together again.  Yum yum yummo.  Do not be alarmed:  this picture was taken right after we returned from our rendezvous to the pool where it was 80 degrees (and humid) in the pool room and where the temperature of the hot tub was barely 2 degrees warmer than the pool.  Talk about a hot time. Pun.

 Jes' sweet family met us on Sunday for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory in OKC.  Her beautiful niece was definitely entertaining. 

 I mean, look at her!  What's not to love!?  I could just squeeze her little cheeks for hours.  So darling. Jes offered to let me hold her.  I refrained for fear of catching the baby fever.  Sorry, B.

 To commemorate our weekend, we purchased Essie nail polish.  I think it'd be fun for you to guess (those of you who know us) which color lines up with which individual.  Go.

 Our last picture of our wonderful weekend.  Displaying our pretty nails.  Oh goodness, how I love you all.  And miss you all.  So much.

 And the Brucks family (minus Sam and husbands).  I lived with them for a summer.  And learned a lot about life, love, and family.  What a wonderful 3 months.

Sigh.  And that was my weekend.  Later in the week, I will fill you in on all the life revelations I received by being with these ladays. 

In the meantime, however, I will finish with how I'm connected to each of these ladays:

Jes:  Like I said, I lived with her for 3 1/2 years in college.  We went "pot-luck" when we enrolled at Tabor.  And our sweet admissions counselor, Amanda (Edington) Lee put us together.  And it was great.  We (or at least I did) learned how to work through conflict, how to support each other, and what it means to be a real friend.  Jes was a friend who spoke the most "hard truth" into my life, and for that, I am forever grateful.  She also sometimes thinks I'm funny (a huge plus).  I love you, Jazzy.

Cheri:  Cheri came to Tabor halfway through my sophomore year.  I don't even remember what first set off this friendship.  But whatever it was, it was dang special.  Cheri and I regularly say how special we think our friendship is.  We have a great deal in common, but more than that, Cheri speaks wisdom into my life like you wouldn't believe.  She is a listener, a compassionate friend, and another lifer.  She also laughs at my jokes.  Loves, Cheri.

Katherine:  Kits and I became friends my sophomore year at Tabor.  From then, we were practically inseparable.  She thinks I'm funny (thanks, Kath).  We are able to jump into deep conversation from nowhere.  Katherine is so intentional with birthdays and holidays.  I want to be like her.  She recently moved several hours from anything she's ever known.  She is brave.  I want to be like her.  Loving you, Kath.

B:  Bees is my oldest friend.  We have been besties since 4th grade.  She's been there through so many of my ups and downs.  She just returned from a 6 month spell in Africa where she nursed kiddos and loved on the people.  When she speaks, she exudes Jesus.  She laughs at everything I say.  I recognize that many times it is a pity laugh.  Nonetheless, I am thankful.  Loves, B.

So that was my weekend.  I want to do it all over again.  It was that good.  I love processing life with those girls.  Because of that, many revelations were had.  Revelations to come later.

As for this week, I will enjoy my break. 
All week. 
I will sleep. 
I will clean. 
And I will (gag) lesson plan.  But not today.

I will end with one of our inside jokes from the weekend (I know all but 4 of my readers will not understand this.  I kinda promise it won't happen again.  It's just that funny.  To us.).

ME:  In our small group, we're studying Philip Yancey's....
JES:  Bwahahahahah!
ME:  Hmm?
JES:  Oh, I thought that was your "Heidi" way of saying Philippians. 

Humor me.  Say "Philip Yancey" like you would say "Philippians."  You can't NOT laugh. 

Have a happy Monday!

Neglect

To my sweet readers. 
I have neglected you as of late. 
For that I apologize. 
 I will not rattle off excuses.  I just have. 
As soon as I get the gazillion things crossed off my list, I will return. 

I miss you. 
I miss our chats. 
I miss our revelations. 
I miss your kind words. 

In the meantime, I'll just be grading projects, filling out a bracket (or two), and prepping for what will mos def be a rock-star caliber weekend in Oklahoma City with some of my besties. 

All my love to you and yours. 

And best of luck with your bracket.  As for me, I remain hopeful.  Rock chalk. 

Friday Favs

I'm learning loads and buckets and basins every day.  About everything.  And I'm beginning to put feet to many of my life lessons.  And it feels good. 

Latest lesson:  it rarely pays off to return sass with sass.  Regardless of how much I want to sass my students when they sass me, I've found that all that does is promote more sass.  Instead, giving an unexpected response of grace has proven to pay off.  And the times when I feel totally unable to offer grace (more often than I'd like to admit), I just say, "Stop being sassy."  That typically catches them off-guard enough to bring a smile and an attitude change. 

I enjoy Justin Bieber.  Enough that I used one of his music videos to teach plot structure.  The kids hated it...or so they say.  But it worked, and that's all that matters.  Unfortunately, now I must put up with the stigma of "Bieber Fever" for the rest of the year.  Totally worth it. 

Correction:  My high school teacher was Mrs. Heintz not Heinze.  My cooperating teacher was Mrs. Heinze.  So much confusion.

And because I saw the sweetest thing today (a little girl learning to read), I must end with a quote from the most perfect movie ever made:  "When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does." (from You've Got Mail, of course)

Happy weekend! And as I say to my students on Friday afternoon, "Make wise decisions."

Today

I perfected a roux.  After many failed attempts, I feel as if I did it correctly.  And it only took 6 utensils.  Good thing Daniel cleans up my mess.  Every night.

My students are getting in the habit of lining up at the door if we finish before the bell rings.  I am not a fan of this habit, but I also recognize that it's useless to attempt to teach anything in the last 2 minutes of the hour.  Any hints?  I always feel like Mrs. Heinze (shout out to AHS!) saying, "Don't line up at the door.  You're not cattle."  Someone, please tell me you remember this.  Love you, Heinze.

During passing period, I avoid walking through the halls like the plague.  The few times when I actually am forced to navigate from one room to another, I fear for my life.  I literally have to force myself through walls of students.  Today I totally ran into a girl, so I apologized.  However, it must be a regular occurrence because she said nothing and kept moving.  Oh goodness, I do NOT miss being a high school student. 

We got a new oven.  Have I mentioned that?  I don't think so.  It's black and pretty.  And it was free.  Duh.  We live in an apartment. 

Tonight is our first night just at home in awhile.  It is sweet.  I love being at home.  Topeka is home.  Topeka is home.  Topeka is home.  Maybe if I keep saying that, I will start to believe it too. 

If you're at home tonight, drink it in.  Cherish it like a cat cherishes, um...milk?

handahófi: it's Icelandic

Today my mother used the phrase "omg."  Love you, mom.

On Monday, I had, what I thought to be, a stylish belt on.  It's one of those thick belts that you wear around your long shirts/dresses/etc.  While in the staff lunchroom over lunch (duh), the sweet copy man (who occasionally lacks basic social skills - sweetest guy ever) said (in front of all the teachers), "Well, I could use that belt for lifting weights.  It looks like one I have!"  I had no choice but to laugh.  The funny part is that Daniel makes fun of that belt all the time and regularly suggests that it looks like a weight-lifting belt.  Dangit.

Lately, I've bee thinking about pros and cons of being tall.  Perhaps someday I'll compile a longer list, but for now, here's what I have:
Pros:

• Reach high things
• Taller than (most) students
• Look older
• The ballet-flat style shoe - I can wear stylist shoes while maintaining my height
• Instant conversation starter:  "Did you play basketball?"

Cons:

• People ask me to reach high things
• I must squat to chat with my students instead of just slightly bending my knees - I don't even know what muscles you use to squat, but today I'm feeling every one of them
• Apparently I'm the same height, from the back, as many students
• I've never played a game of basketball in my life.  And I'm pretty sure my ability to play basketball is similar to that of an infant.

Do you ever feel like what you're doing at a certain moment is the most important thing in the world?  I felt that way yesterday.  I can't go into detail, but essentially a student told me some information that needed to be dealt with immediately, and for the next 10 minutes, it didn't matter who had a question, who wasn't working, who was texting beneath their desk, or who had their ipod earbuds in underneath their hair.  What I was doing was priority and nothing was going to get in the way.  I feel like that brings a sense of calling in the moment and a sense of accomplishment after-the-fact.  The matter has been resolved, and today the student was walking on air.  It's in those moments that I absolutely love my job.

Our apartment has been smelling of rotten evergreen trees.  And I don't know why...

I have a rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator.  It has been there for a week.  Is that bad?  I plan on using it tomorrow.  Perhaps I should rethink this...

Tonight is buy one, get one free at Chipotle.  Holla. 

I heard that Justin Bieber sold his hair.  My students and I were trying to justify (pun) his reason.  It was an enlightening 30 second discussion. 

Sometimes I wonder if anyone is reading my (very) random blog. I'm okay with writing to the wind.  I'm just wondering.  Like Meg Ryan does on You've Got Mail.  (Name that figurative language type.)  "I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void." 

So good evening, dear void.