The Room & A Tip

I worked on my classroom this morning.  And, may I say, I am dang pumped about the way it turned out.  I was thinking on my feet, hanging things MacGyver creatively, and sticking all kinds of awesomeness to the walls.  As promised (at least 4 months ago), here is a complete tour of the 167.

My haven, my corner.

 What my observers see...

 The heavily coveted corner.  I refuse to enjoy said corner as a result of the mouse that once scampered under the chair.

 The "new" corner.  Remember that chair?  I swear the students never noticed it.  On the last day of school, I heard about a dozen times, "Where did that chair come from!?"  Oh kiddies, it's only been there for 2 months.

 The back...disregard the piled chairs in the corner.  They will be gone in 2 weeks...I hope.  Common question:  "Why do you have an England flag?"  Common answers:  "It's my favorite country."  "It's where I go the weekends."  "Because."  I'm working on wittier responses...

 Daniel makes fun of my "Absent Work" sign.  He thinks it belongs in a nursery.  That crazy kid.

 Miscellaneous storage.

 The former "everything" board (homework, objectives, daily activities, etc.).  The future "Word Wall."

 And a close-up of one of my summer projects...

 Reeeaaaally close.

When I walk back in the 167 in 2 weeks, I should be able to relax...because it's done!  Well, kind of.  Sort of.  The only thing left to do is...everything.  One lesson plan at a time.

I made these today.  During the baking process, I have an epiphany.  When God made peanut butter, I think he intended it to be a heaven-only food.  But after tasting it's delectability, he decided that humans must receive a taste of heaven as often as possible.  So he sent down little plastic jars full of sweetness.  And I say, "Many thanks.  Seriously, many thanks."

Aaaaaaaanyway...

While spreading out the delicious concoction on a jelly roll pan (bee tee dubs, hubs is convinced that I can't call it a "jelly roll pan" until I make him jelly rolls - whatevs), I realized it was going to be quite difficult to spread the cookie portion without completing destroying the 3 square feet that are my kitchen.

SOOOOOOO, I got all smart and domestic and stuff.  And did this:

 It's wax paper.  Sprayed with Pam.  And I spread the sticky mess out with my fingers without dirtying every surface.  Whaaaaaat?!  Yes.  And I copyright that idea right now.  If you've done it before, please don't tell me.  I want to keep pretending that I invented it. 

Worked like a dream.

 The finished, delightful product.  Sans a small corner designated for the most important snack of the day. 

Now I must clean those wretched 3 square feet.

But before I go, I have several very important questions for you.
1:  I have one more 18-food bunting banner.  Where should I hang it?  Or should I hang it at all?
2:  I need a podium for my classroom.  I used a music stand last year, and it was not my favorite thing.  Where can I buy one for cheap (cheap=less than $50)/can you make me one for cheap?

Answers, please.  Many thanks.  Seriously.

PS:  The school year should probably start soon.  I'm in need of some fresh blog-worthy material...

B2S

Every year since I was probably 6, I've felt this way at the end of July/beginning of August.  I know something big is about to happen.  I can sense it.  It's hotter than heck out, the back corner of Target no longer has patio furniture displayed, and letters from various educational institutions start popping up in my mailbox.

It's "back to school" time.

Let me tie up some loose ends for you...

• I'm pretty sure I've cried the night before the first day of school for the past 20ish years. 
• When I began my educational journey at Tabor, I was told that if I didn't like school as a youngster, I should not become a teacher.  
• I've never not liked school.
• I've always had the social support while at school (except for 2nd grade when I walked into a new school and bawled every day for the first 3 months...but we won't talk about that).
• I've always had the familial support at home (moms, dads, bros, hubs, etc.).
• I've always had the academic support at school (teachers, counselors, administration, etc.).
• Etc.

So why do I experience that "pit in your stomach, might vomit every 30 minutes, must take a deep breath before opening said 'first days of school schedule' from various educational institutions" feeling?

I ask myself that every year.

Anticipating change is hard for me.  Have I mentioned that before?

•  I vomited during my first week of special education student teaching.  It was different than my regular education placement, and I had a difficult time wrapping my mind around the differences.  Update:  by week 2, I was loving the time I was spending with those kiddos.
• I wept a week before our wedding.  Not because I was concerned about my upcoming nuptials, but because my life was about to completely change, and that was my way of anticipating it.  Update:  I love our marriage, and it has been beautifully awesome and awesomely beautiful. 
• Last summer and fall, I cried every Sunday at church because I knew school was about to start/the week was about to start...and it freaked me out.  Update:  the first 2 months were hellish, yes.  But after that, every week was better than the previous. 

As you can see, change brings about a primarily-emotional reaction.  As I approach year 2 in a district I'm blessed to be part of, I remind myself of the following:

• It is going to be a lot of work.
• There are some changes that I'm not yet aware of, and they will throw me for a loop.
• I'm going to have some students who seem unapproachable/lost/so far behind that they feel like a lost cause.
• I'm going to be tired...and probably hot because my classroom is always hot.

BUT...

• I feel that now, more than ever, the calling on my life is to love those kids and teach them as best as I can.
• There is no way this year can be more work than last year.  Not possible.
• The changes that will undoubtedly occur will give me a chance to practice flexibility.  Ha.
• Even the // students are worth my best effort.  One changed life is worth the work.
• I will sleep in on the weekends...and buy an oscillating fan. 

Year 2, I am almost ready for you.  Bring it. Holla!

Flat Abs

On Tuesday, I was visited by some pretty sweet guests.  But I suppose they're hardly guests.  One has known me since before I came to be, one held my hand during 2nd grade Sunday school when I was the "new kid," and one has been my surrogate mom since my awkward stage (please do not suggest that I am still in my awkward stage...even though mine was disturbingly long, I'd like to think I'm out of it).

Any guesses?  (Aren't guessing games on these here interwebz annoying?)  Give up? (Aren't they annoying because even if you guessed right, the writer can make you feel like you guessed wrong?  Maybe it's just me...I loathe being wrong...but more than that, I loathe people thinking I'm wrong when I know I'm right.  I think it's a Hutterite thing.  Um, yes. Moving right along...)

Here's a better guessing game.  In this picture, you will see pairs of mothers and daughters.  Correctly match each mother to her daughter and you, too, could be knighted in Heidi Carlson's blog.  It's kind of a big deal.

Like I said, guessing games are annoying.

I digress.

My moms, Beezie, and Chrissy came to see me.

And we had the time of our lives.  Literally (pronounced like this:)

Oh so funny.

I digress.  Again.

We laughed a lot.  And then it was brought to our attention by my twin (she may be 20ish years old than me, but she's practically my twin....I talk like her, laugh like her, walk like her, cook like her, clean like her...and I'm okay with all those things.  I just hope I age like her, too.) that belly laughing is the surest way to flat abs.  Done and done. 

We gots us some pedis. 

 Pretty feet.  Guessing game, part 2:  guess the feet.  Ijk.  Don't do that.  It's a stupid game.  (But if you guess right, I will knight you.  "What's the obsession with knighting?" you may ask.  I'm pretty sure knights have special powers and get all the chips and salsa they want...who doesn't want that!?)

 After hours of successful shopping, we ended our day at Orange Leaf.  Still looking mighty chipper.

 And the laydays continued to work on their abs. 

 Still working...and looking mighty fine for *39*.

 And Beezie and I took our millionth picture together. 

There were other funnies that happened that must not be named...because they are just too dang HIlarious...and because when I think of said funnies, my stomach hurts a bit. 

Special ladies, those three. And special times, that day.

You made it on the bahlog, ladies!  But I can't knight you, yet.  You must play, and win, one of my awesome guessing games first.  May the best guesser win...

PS:  on a typical day, getting moms within 10 feet of an animal is a stretch.  Not sure how this happened, but Beezie somehow orchestrated this picture at the humane society.

Now that, my friends, is good enough for another session of flat-ab-making giggles.

Vacay

I went to see my roommate.  No, not Daniel, silly.  Jes!  You should remember her from this lovely time.

She lives here.  It's an itty-bitty town, but it reminds me of Abilene, and, well, we all know how fond I am of that quaint village.

Here's a quick run-down of our glorious 60ish hours together.

We cooked.  Jes cooks real healthy.  I mean real healthy.  I think my body liked it, so, darnit, I should probably change my ways. 

 Nom nom.

 Sibs are fun.  One of Jes' brothers is staying with her for the summer.  Three years ago, I lived with Jes' family for the summer in Wichita, so I occasionally pretend he is my little brother too.  I always wanted a little brother...

 Will is a youth pastor.  I have a special place in my heart for youth pastors since my youth pastors were so instrumental in my upbringing.  Here he is counting off before the kiddos left for camp.

And I wailed because I wanted to go to camp. (Sidenote:  I worked for 2 summers here, so I also have a special place in my heart for all things camp.)

 Instead of holding hands, they do this...and I like it.  It's so dang hot in TX that it was nice to minimize the touching.  Also, germ free!  A major plus.

 Sibs are fun, part 2.

 Jazz is such a supportive wife.  Every time I talk to her, I learn how to be a better wife.  So thanks, Jes, for unknowingly teaching me how to rock out at the whole wife thing like you do. 

 Then Jes and I went to Sonic on our way out of town.  See how shakes now come in silver cups.  Whaaaat!? 

 We ate at the Hula Hut by the lake in Austin.  Super yum.  Super toasty.

 Then we went to see the bats. These are better pictures than what I took.  Go look at them.

Naturally, we saw the pride of the heart of Texas, or something like that, floating down the river.

 Jes took off Monday morning from work (she does really important things for Loadcraft).  It was real special.  I got a really good deal at the airport Hilton ($62 - whaaat!?), so she stayed with me.  We swam, ate a stupidly expensive (but super yum) breakfast, and finished our 60-hour long conversation.  Seriously, we talked the whole time we were together.  And we probably left some things unsaid.  That's how much we talk.  A lot.  And I love it.  She left, and it was sad.  But not super sad because I now know that (1) our friendship will last forevah and (2) we can fly to each other for $139.  Oh yes, it is that cheap. 

 I only brought a carry-on, so that meant I had to fit all my bathroom necessities into a quart-size bag.  And to prove to any nay-sayer who has seen my bathroom tote, I did indeed fit nearly everything I needed into a quart-sized bag.  So proud.

 Jes left at 10 to return to work.  My flight was supposed to leave at 3:45.  So I entertained myself until then.  I had grand ideas about meticulously documenting my time...but I didn't.  I read 2 books, ate airport brisket, and did some high-quality people-watching.  

Reflective thoughts (aka - what I learned while away):

1. Jes is a lifer.  I love her to death.  We lived together all four years of college, and I would do it all over again the same way if given the option.  I still remember when we met (6 years ago - crazy!).  I had high hopes for our friendship, and it did not disappoint.  We are very different.  But our differences make our friendship so dang special.
2. Jes is away from her family, and sometimes that makes me sad.  But Jes is so awesome about the whole thing.  She has some super special friends in Brady, and she has learned to be content with where she is.  What a super example.
3. I need to cook healthier.  
4. I need a homemade ice cream maker.
5. Texas loves itself, a lot.  
6. Kids in Texas are super polite...think "yes, ma'm" kind of polite.  I should teach there.
7. I really like it that I have stellar girl friends.

So it was a good time.  I think I shall make a repeat trip.  Thanks, Jazzer, for hosting me.  And thanks, Will, for sharing your wife.  She's pretty fun.  And thank you, Jake, for letting me sometimes pretend you're my little brother.  You're pretty neat, too.

PS:  if you clicked on every link in this post, I will award you "Knight of the Blog."  Holla!

Brain Overload

I can't sleep because my mind is running crazay with ideas about something crafty.  It's still in the baby stages, so I can't admit what it is yet.  When I admit things, they don't happen.  So I will refrain.

Know this - it's way fun.  And I could make it for you. And you.  And, yes, you!  For your home, your classroom, your life.

I'm dreaming big, people. And by "big," I mean this big.  If I'm real with myself, I recognize it will likely never happen.  But it's fun to dream.  So, dream, I will.

Perhaps I'll fill you in sometime.  It's fun, folks.  Super fun.

A Changed Life

Caution:  if you, like me, have a great fear of creepy-crawlies, do not read any further.

Yesterday my life was altered in such a way that I will never be able to return to my pre-incident life.  I hesitate even telling you for fear you will never visit my small space.  Here's what happened...

We returned home from small group around 10:30 (we're a chatty little group).  I walked in with the leftover pulled pork (quite delish, if I do say so myself).  Hubs followed me with our go-green bag full of paper plates (ironic?), napkins, and other picnic-related items.  Shortly after walking in, Dans noticed something "out of place" in the corner of our dining room.

On a good day, here's what our dining room looks like:

Anything out of place?  Not really.  Actually, it hasn't looked this good since a year ago, exactly.  You see, this table is set for big brother's birthday last July.  But I digress.

Hubs walked over to the "out of place" object and made a very poor decision.  One that compromised his life.  He said, "Heidi, come here.  You've got to see this."  And that, my friends, was the set of sentences that will alter the next 60 years of my life.

You are probably wondering the following:

• What did hubs do that was so bad?
• What did hubs ask Heidi to come and see?
• Why is Heidi's life dramatically altered?
• Why is Heidi so dramatic?  

I will answer questions 1-3.  Question 4 does not merit an answer.

1.  Hubs knew what he was looking at, yet he still requested Heidi's presence.
2.  Look away if you dare, but I am able to tell you what hubs asked "Heidi to come and see."  I cannot lie on this blog.  So I am telling the truth when I tell you this.  (Ignore the awkward wordedness/repetition of the last 2 sentences.)  Friends, colleagues, family, countrymen, children, lend me your ears.

+Teachable moment pause+  This is what we call a "climax" - the most intense, emotional part of the story.  Everything leading up to this point is called the rising action.  Following what I'm about to tell you is the falling action and then the resolution.  +End teachable moment pause.  Thank you for your time+

Stuck in a small trap meant to catch pesky little arachnids (my 2nd most hated thing on this earth) was my 1st most hated thing on this earth.  Mustard?  No, that is number 3.  A mouse?  Hardly, mice are cute.  A small bird?  No way, I love me some birds.  A pretty flower?  Crazy, I love flowers.  Okay, so that was a dumb guess.

My number one most hated thing on this planet...........snakes.  Yes.  There was a snake dead in an arachnid trap in our apartment.  It makes me cringe to even admit this travesty.

I had been cleaning up the kitchen, but I promptly walked into our bedroom and...cried.  Yes, I cried.  That's what people do when they feel that death is imminent.  Hubs took care of the evil creature and found me awkwardly weepy in our bedroom.  And he laughed!  Okay, so I wasn't sobbing.  But my hands were shaking and there was a lump in my throat.  I requested that we stay in a hotel overnight.  He was not convinced that death was encroaching.  I told him he was crazy.  I then requested that we stay with our in-laws.  Again, he laughed.  After much coaxing, I tiptoed around and got ready for bed.  Naturally, like any human being afraid that an anaconda is about to strangle them to death, I dramatically flipped the sheets (you can't say you're surprised) to make sure no other blood-sucking creature lay close.  I was safe.  So I crawled into bed and made hubs talk to me until I forgot about the time I saw my life flash before my eyes.

Before he drifted off into a deep slumber, I made sure to tell him that, on penalty of death, he must never antagonize me about snakes or the incident that nearly thrusted me into cardiac arrest.  He agreed.

All was right in the world until.........

+Stay tuned for the next edition of "Heidi-is-so-dramatic-it-hurts."+

***Disclaimer:  the creature was a mere gardener snake.  But a snake is a snake, and they should all be burned.  We think it slipped in by way of our front screen door that only latches if you pull it closed.  Note to self:  always pull screen door closed.  When I requested that we move out in 24 hours, Daniel reminded me that weird things happen no matter where you live.  And it's true.***

And thank you for humoring me.  Now I'm going to don my work boots and clean every square inch of this apartment in an attempt to ward off any other unsuspecting creatures.

Happy Wednesday.  May today bring you enough drama (the good kind, of course) to bring you a chuckle or a chortle.

Lovesies and cupcakes.

Twitter-esque

In recovery mode after a delightfully long weekend spent in the heart of Texas with some of my favorite people (more on that later).

In the middle of making goodies for the babes' shower.

Attempting not to break a sweat by walking across the room.

Buzzing through book after book in preparation for the (gasp) school year.

Dreaming of a unit entitled "The Human Experience" where students read one (or more!) books about life.  So fun.

Killing spiders from a distant with spider-killing spray.

Pondering meticulously documenting a day of my life this summer.  We shall see.

Making this for small group potluck tonight.  It smells divine.

Had my first experience with a butcher at Dillon's.  Did you know that if they don't have it on the shelf, they'll cut it for you!?!?  What is this wonderful world!?

Watched this special on Jaycee Lee Dugard this afternoon.  Celebrating life in a brand new way today.

Listening to this song and feeling weepy while reminiscing about the beautiful Stauffer-Glanzer wedding.

Getting excited about the next day, week, month.  Seeing besties, holding babies, celebrating at a wedding, and eventually welcoming new kiddos into the 167. 

Big plans until August 16.  Big ones.

Relishing in the newest Sonic discovery - cherry, lime slush.  Yum.

Loving me some Jesus and feeling likewise loved.

Wishing I had successfully read all 7 Harry Potter books so I could jump on the bandwagon.  If only...  Seriously.

Hubs comes home in 20 minutes.  Always a delight.

Rain coming?  Perhaps.

5:30.  It's a good time.

A Good 4th

We had a delightful long weekend.  Today doesn't feel like a Wednesday.  More like a Monday.  So that is awesome.

Before I show you pics of the celebratory events, I must show you these babies.  They truly do taste like the real thing.  Oh mah gooooodness.  Make them today or tomorrow.  Super yum.

 And now.  For the festivities. 

 I call him Lando-lan.  Like Flava-flav.  Check out is blinga-bling.

 And oh-so-helpful Uncle Daniel.  What a trooper. 

 Perhaps a tad too small, wouldn't ya say?

 Awesome rep of his personality.

 Ditto.

 He just got a new chair. 

 Happy belated 4th to all.  It was a good one. 

I even wore a real sparkly shirt.  I mean real sparkly.  In honor of the day, of course.  And the hubs lol'ed every time he looked at me.  And I must say, that dang shirt didn't breathe at all.  So I swat (past tense of sweat) even after dark.

And the only picture I have of the gloriousness that was this shirt is in a space-phone form that I sent to fashion-forward-friend Katerine to approve before I ventured out in public.

She approved.  And encouraged.  So I wore.  Boom.  So fun.  

Happy 6th, all.  Hoping for rain today.  I love me some rainy days.

Scorch

I want to make this and this, but it's waaaaay too hot out.  I got sweaty while unloading the dishwasher.  Now that is disgusting.

Remember this weather??

 I loved it. 

I just need a little convincing that the scorching-hot weather is just as wonderful.

Last time it was so dang hot out, we were here.

And I loved that, too.

So I will pretend I love it...if for no other reason than to not be Captain Complain-a-lot-pants.

Nephew #2 stayed the night last night.  When he walked into our room this morning, the first words out of his mouth were, "I think I was just punched in the head."  He's 4.  And was still a bit on the sleepy side.  He never followed up that statement with a story of a great dream or an outrageous thought.  That was it.  Oh kids, always full of surprises.

I have several options for the rest of the afternoon - read Harry Potter, work on a photo album, or pick up the spare 'oom.  I have an inkling that I'll choose #1 or #2.

Happy weekend!

UPDATE:  I jk.  I'm going to plan my menus for July and perhaps make a trip to the grossery store.  It's very important that you know what I just told you.  Obviously this is news worthy of a blog update.