My Accomplishments

Did you get an opportunity to see the last two minutes of the Ravens - Vikings game yesterday?  What a wild last few minutes!  5 touchdowns in the last 2 minutes and 5 seconds of the game.  It was nuts! 

Anyway, that weather was the weather that dominated my day!

We sang the Christmas Cantata at church yesterday morning.  Husband and I checked out the weather and the streets before we left.  We were only supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow.  It was supposed to start at noon... just as we finished singing the second service.

We had an amazing Cantata.  We sang Appalachian Winter by Joseph Martin.  I still have the very last song stuck in my head.  "Children Go Where I Send Thee.."  I'm searching for it on I-tunes now.  It's an amazing piece of music, combining popular carols and traditional spirituals.  I've sung a lot of Cantatas in my time, but this one was my all out favorite one!  I absolutely loved it!

With the arrangement of our sanctuary, we can not see directly outside.  We were standing in the front of the church, looking out towards the Narthex.  The Narthex has a big wall directly behind our sanctuary, and a gathering area off to the right, behind a wall.  On that side, behind the wall, and out of our view, is a window wall.  During the second service, we noticed that all of the ushers were lined up, staring out of the window at the snow.  We started getting a little bit concerned!

After the service was over, we stayed to help clean up the Sanctuary and allow a parishioner with a snow shovel attached to the front of his truck the opportunity to go around the lots a couple of times.  We were astounded when we got out and found that we had 6" of snow on the ground already!

Our normal 10 minute drive home from church took us 30 minutes.  The roads were treacherous, and we drove as slowly as possible.  Our van has a tendency to spin out on snow, so husband was extremely careful.  We had a very visual reminder on the way home as we saw many, many cars that had spun out and were sitting in ditches.

We made it home safe and sound, and then we watched that riot of a game!

Beyond that, I actually did have some other accomplishments this week.

I've stopped trying to spend 15 minutes at a time in the basement.  Instead, I've shifted to filling one big black plastic trash bag a week.  It seems more efficient, and I'm able to notice a more immediate difference.  I'm setting aside some of the nicer toys to list on e-Bay in the coming days to see if I can sell them before Christmas.

I finished another book and actually wrote a book review for my Books for Teens blog. http://librarynut-booksforteens.blogspot.com/  (If you're interested in reading it!)

I've had a blast subbing in the elementary schools!

Daughter took her SAT's over the weekend.  Five hours long, she's glad it's over.  We had thought she'd try another go-round in January, but she's thinking now that she might want to wait and see what her scores are before she tries it again.  She has never been very confident in her Math skills, and she is concerned about her math scores.  I think she'll do better than she thinks she will.  Now, we are waiting with a sense of dread for the final scores.

The cantata at church was over the weekend.  We had a two hour rehearsal on Weds, and another one on Sat.

We had the chance to speak with both boys over the weekend.  Their finals will begin on Weds.  They are both studying hard.  Since both of them have scholarships they need to keep, they are serious about making sure they do well on their finals.

I made dinner from scratch every night this week.

I had oatmeal for lunch at school every day this week.  It's healthy, and it's easy.  I can pack the oatmeal, pecans, and craisins up in a bowl with a lid before I leave for school.  When lunch time rolls around, I can add water and heat it up in the microwave and have a health, quick, inexpensive lunch.

I've had a blast participating in the Advent Photo a Day Challenge.  Trying to think through an image that represents one word related to Christmas each day has been thought provoking.  Some days, I do better than others!

As much as I hate to, I best get moving.  My car is still encased in several inches of snow, topped by a layer of ice, and I've got to get the snow in front of my car cleared so that I can get out and go to work tomorrow.

Stay safe and warm today!

Advent Photo a Day

The United Methodist Church has begun an initiative for Advent.  This fun challenge is to help us all rethink and recenter ourselves on the true meaning of Christmas.

The following is from the UMC Website:

As we did with Lent last February, we're inviting you once again to enter this season of Advent with intention and awareness. As we prepare, watch and wait for that wonderful something God is sending our way not just at Christmas, but every single day.

Whatever your practices this season, will you join this photo-a-day practice and share with the community how you perceive each word or phrase for the day? No explanation needed, unless you want to. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Tag us on your instagram photos with @rethinkchurch or on twitter [@umrethinkchurch] with #rethinkchurch and #rethinkchristmas. We'd also love for you to share your photos on our Pinterest board!

You don't have to be a great photographer. This project is hopefully more about the practice of paying attention and being intentional, than it is being the best photographer [though we encourage you to get creative!]. If you don't have instagram or twitter, we'd still love for you to share your photos. Just share them on your facebook page and tag us.

#rethinkchurch
#rethinkchristmas

The list of words for the month of December:

It's not to late to join the challenge.  Today is the 7th.  You can either hop in today on READY, or you can go back and begin with GO. 

I am participating. I started late, and I am doubling up on pictures until I catch up.  (should be on Monday).  I have pictures posted to my facebook page, as well as to Instagram.

If you are interested, you are invited to join the challenge and find out more!

http://rethinkchurch.org/article/advent-photo-a-day?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Tweet&utm_campaign=Twitter+Advent+photo+announcement

I've been enjoying the challenge of finding just the right image for each day's word.  It has had the intended effect of making me think more deeply about Christmas.

There's a Storm a Brewin'

There is supposedly a massive ice storm headed our way.

I worked this morning, and then stopped by the grocery store to pick up some fruit and veggies on the way home.

Once again, in the Mid-Atlantic, any time "weather" is in the forecast, people descend upon the store in droves.

I stood in line behind a woman who had a cart brimming over with groceries.  Most of the items in her cart were frozen.

She was speaking to the check out clerk as she was running her items through the scanner.  The woman was explaining that she was stocking up in case if the power went out.

Ummm..... does anyone see the problem here?

If the power goes out, (and it will), the freezer won't be powered.  Bless her heat, the clerk asked her if she had a generator at home, but the woman just stared at her and said "Why would I want one of those?"

I had my fruits and veggies.

The woman in line behind me had several jugs of water.  She explained to me that her power always goes out when it storms, and then she can't get water from her well.  She had plans to fill up her jugs, containers, and tubs at home, but that she wanted a few extra jugs of water "just in case".  She also mentioned to me that the water jugs were going fast.

The storm is supposed to hit on Sunday.

We spent tonight moving our rock salt and snow shovels from the basement up under the carport, right next to the house.  Both cars have the ice scrapers in the front seat.  We've made certain both cars have gas. 

I picked up potatoes, turnips, celery, carrots, and apples at the store today.  All veggies that will stay fresh, even if the power goes out.  Even better, we should be able to cook a decent soup or two on the wood stove should our power go out.

Tomorrow night, before we go to bed, we'll make certain we leave the windshield wipers up so that they don't freeze to the windshield if we should get ice.

If you're in the path of this storm, stay safe and warm!

Tales from the Classroom

I've been subbing a lot over the past two weeks.  It's been a hoot.  The kids are wound up over Thanksgiving and Christmas, and they are boisterous and full of life.

These are some of my highlights from the past few weeks:

Dry Erase Boards:

I do a lot of subbing in Special Education.  I love the children... they are all so amazing.  This particular day, I was subbing in a regular ed. kindergarten class.  I was working with a group of kids at the reading table, and we had just finished a book.  I asked the little girl sitting next to me "Could you please get the dry erase boards for me?"  She looked at me, and with the look that only a 5 year old can give you said, "Seriously?"   I looked into her brown eyes as she started to grin and pointed at the floor on my left side.  Lo and Behold, there were the dry erase boards.

I sighed, and turned to my other side and asked the little boy if he knew where the dry erase markers were.  (When I sub in Special Ed, I pull this particular friend a lot.  He and I know each other fairly well.)  He started laughing as he pointed to the ground on my right side to the basket of dry erase markers and erasers.  I made a silly face at the kids, and he said "That's okay... it's nice seeing you have trouble with something, too!"  At that point, all of us started laughing.

It's not only the Kids:

I was at choir practice last night.  There is a very prim and proper older woman (age 75) who stands in front of me.  Just as our conductor raised his baton, she suddenly turned around and started fanning the air behind her.

"Whoops...Sorry about that... Really spicy lunch today..."

On Marriage:

During bus duty, one of my friends in first grade told me:  "I know who I'm going to marry when I grow up.  She's the most beautiful girl in the world." 

"I'm so happy for you!"  I told him.  "But remember, if you want to get married, first you have to finish high school, graduate from college, and get a job.  THEN you can get married."

"So, the proper order is College, Job, Marriage?"

"Yes."

"But..." at this point his little eyes got really big..."I want to become a doctor.  I have to go to 8 years of doctor school after I finish college before I can get a job.  That's a REALLY LONG time to wait!!!"

What do you say?

During recess, in first grade, (remember, age 6)  one of the little guys comes running over to me and says...

JJ says he doesn't want to die with his underwear on!

Christmas Chaos

When we get to this time of year, I am always stunned by what Christmas has become in our culture.

Christmas is, and always has been, an observation of the birth of Jesus Christ.  It is a holiday celebrated by Christians.

Somewhere along the way, we lost sight of the celebration of the birth of our savior, and began to see this as a giant present grab.

Stores open on Thanksgiving in order to increase their own profit.

People knocking each other down in malls in order to get something at the "best" price.

Piles of debt that last for months after Christmas.

Are we truly focusing on the meaning of Christmas?  The birth of a tiny child was never intended to become what retailers and merchants have told us that it should be.

Long, long ago, before we had children, my husband and I sat down and discussed what we expected Christmas to be.  He came from a tradition of a pile of presents under the tree that everyone ripped into and opened within the first five minutes of waking up on Christmas morning.

I came from a divorced family.  We didn't have a lot of gifts at Christmas.  Instead, we would each receive two or three presents from each other.  We took turns opening gifts, watching each other open the presents in order to draw our enjoyment of the event out even more.  When I was little, and my parents were married, we still never had a lot of presents, but Dad would send us on a giant quest to find our presents.  The treasure hunt involved clues, shoes, map and compass skills, and a walk around the neighborhood.  (Think Geo-Caching, 1970's style.)  I remember that we'd only have a few presents, but the time spent solving the riddles and clues, and hunting for the next clue?  Absolutely priceless.

We decided early on that we didn't want to fall for the commercialization of Christmas.

We carefully researched the Kwanzaa tradition, and found that we liked the idea of 8 special days of dinners and family time.

We found out that in Europe, Santa doesn't come until Jan. 5 - the day that the Magi reached the Baby Jesus.

So, we changed things up.  The kids receive one handmade gift each year.  A sweater, a blanket, cross stitch, something unique and different.  They receive a few items that they need.
And then, the family receives one very large gift that allows us to share more time together.  The large family gift is always the prize on a large treasure hunt.

Over the years, the family has gotten a computer, a television (yes, we only have one), a Wii, tickets to the First Night Celebration in Annapolis, something that will enable us to spend more time together.  Maybe we don't give a lot of gifts because all of the birthdays- husbands and the kids - fall within a month of Christmas.  I don't want Christmas to get lost in the chaos.

Over the week between Christmas and New Years, we open presents.  We go to church.  We spend a day with grandparents and cousins.  We have a birthday party for Jesus.  We spend a day at a museum somewhere.  Every day, we make a point of spending time with our kids, as a family.

Now that the kids are in college, I want to spend even more time with them.  I'm glad we set this tradition up when they were little.

It's an investment in our family.  Time is one thing money can't buy, and it's priceless.

You'll never find an 80 year old saying that they wish they had spent less time with their family.

My Laptop is HOME!!

A first world issue, I know.  When others in this world are struggling to find food, shelter, and keep their children safe... here I am worried about my laptop.

The Geek Squad did a fine job of fixing my computer.  Not a timely job, by any means.  They've had it for well over 2 weeks, and all that needed to be done was to have the computer case (the hard shell) on the bottom replaced.  It spent a week sitting in a warehouse in Baltimore before it was shipped out to the repair center in Kentucky.  It took them less than 12 hours to fix it, and it arrived in Maryland on Wednesday.  (I followed those tracking numbers, more out of curiosity than anything else.)  It's been sitting in Laurel since Weds, and was delivered to my local store yesterday.

Weird thing is, I didn't work yesterday, and they told me I couldn't pick up my computer before 5:30.  It arrived in store at 11 a.m.  So, why did I have to wait until 5:30?  They told me that if I just showed up to pick it up, I wouldn't be able to retrieve it before 5:30.  Really?  When I asked last night at the store when I picked it up, they told me that I could have come in at any time after they called me and picked it up.

Either way, I'm so very happy to have my laptop back!  I had some projects I was working on, and I am thrilled beyond words to be able to sit down and work on them again!

I hope you have a productive day!

Portfolio Day

I'm not an artist.  I didn't go to art school.  I don't know any professional artists.  So, daughter's decision to go to art school is something new for me.  I feel like I've been playing catch up as I struggle to understand the different requirements.

The most recent struggle (for me) was portfolio day.

The child has art safely stashed in a cardboard portfolio in a corner of the dining room.

Portfolio Day is an event.  Representatives from the art schools across the country show up at a pre-determined location and review portfolios for the kids.

For an artist, grades and high SAT scores are not enough.  They also have to have a portfolio.  The portfolio is reviewed as a major part of the admissions process.  At portfolio day, the admissions officers review portfolios.  For Juniors, they make suggestions based upon the current portfolio for improvement.  For Seniors, they will accept a portfolio.  This is huge, as online portfolio submissions only allow a student to submit 12 -20 pieces, and they are all digital copies of what they have done.

Since daughter is a junior, she was interested in the critique and the suggestions.

Our first challenge came when we realized that the cardboard portfolio was not the most efficient way (or safest for her art) to transport items around.

So, we set off to buy a portfolio.  I had a 50% off coupon to Michael's, so we went there.  After way too much discussion and agonizing, she decided upon a portfolio that has a strap, so that she could sling it across her body, and carry it easier.

Then, came the agony of what to wear. After much research, and conversations with her art teachers at school, she decided to dress as she would for a job interview.  Of course, the weather was cold, windy, and in the teens!  

After school let out, she spent an afternoon going through the portfolio with her art teachers, deciding what pieces showcased her abilities the best.

Last Sunday morning, we headed to the Maryland Institute, College of Art (MICA) bright and early.  We took the tour of campus, ate in the dining hall, and then mentally prepared ourselves to stand in lines.  Holy cow.... those lines were unbelievable!  

Since daughter is a junior, she "short lined" it.  If the line was short, she stood in it to have them review her portfolio and take their suggestions.  Unbelievably, by the end of the afternoon, the lines at the "big" schools were short!  She was able to get reviews from the schools she really wanted, as well as excellent schools that she was not that familiar with.  

She got the reviews she needed.  She found that there is a very big difference in what schools are looking for in a portfolio based upon whether the school follows a contemporary or classic philosophy.

She knows what skills she needs to work on over the next year.

She did have a couple of friends from our high school who's portfolios were accepted at portfolio day.

And me?  I struggled not to be a helicopter parent.  I did not stand at the tables while her portfolio was being reviewed.  Her art is her own.  If she can't handle the review process, or speak for herself, she doesn't belong in the field.  I also didn't want to intimidate the reviewers or my daughter by hovering while they were talking.

So, I spent my time sitting on benches or floors in the main hallways.

I cruised Facebook.

I called my Mom.

I took a lot of pictures.

When we left, daughter was happy and content.  She'd discovered new schools she wants to look into.  She told me what the comments and suggestions were.

Even better, she thanked me for leaving her alone and letting her handle everything on her own.  She told me it made her feel like an adult, and let her know that I trust her to handle herself.

Nobody knows how hard it was for me to sit back and let her handle this on her own.  (OK, maybe you do... If you have kids of your own.)

But to hear her thank me for letting her handle it in her own?

Priceless.