fields of poppies

Batter up!

I just sat through the first scrimmage of our girls softball team for this season and boy was it cold! So, after coaching track and going on a run with my husband, the weather seemed tolerable enough – oh no — no, no. The lack of clothing on my body and the failure to…

“I Am Woman”

Released in 1971 – I was merely 2 years old when this song was originally released, but it found its way into my life through my mother. After my parents divorced I heard this often – maybe because I was finally old enough to listen. It has become my personal anthem, as well. Any adversity that I…

the wrong kind of goodbye

As a teacher I am used to saying goodbye. Students move in and out of the district, always coming and going. Farewells naturally occur at the end of every school year as I pass along my little cherubs to the next lucky soul that gets to touch their lives. Often times I ignore my feelings of loss and try…

Arms waving, feet flying – This is my life!!

Rome, Italy: Picture this – a 10 year old American boy running full speed down the cobblestone street – arms spread out and waving in the air – excitedly and repeatedly screaming at the top of his lungs “This is my liiiifffffe!”, “This is my liiiifffffe!” I wish I would have snapped a photo of this little…

Pompeii, Italy

Italy remains one of my favorite destinations. After our journey to the top of Mt. Vesuvius, we took an expertly guided tour of the ruins of Pompeii. Mt. Vesuvius destroyed this ancient Roman town in 79 AD, but the ash, evidently, preserved quite a bit of it. There are lots of photos and I only…

Dear New Teachers:

Dear new teachers, We need you. This difficult job will reward you in many ways. Please stick with it, even when you want to quit – it does get easier. Well, not easier, but you figure out how to be better at it and find balance. Our nation faces a crisis in the classroom. We…

“The Heart of the Matter”

Released in 1989 – I was in my early 20’s when I first really heard this song in small bar in Miamisburg, Ohio. Sitting with friends, drinking, I found myself lost in the lyrics. What the song is about: The lyrics of Don Henley’s song reflect on a lost lover that has moved on and one man’s attempt to move past…

“The Rose”

I used to sing this to my kids at night as I put them to bed. Every word speaks of love and the ability to overcome even the harshest conditions to find and give love. No matter how dark the world gets, have faith in love. Such a beautiful message. The Rose By Bette…

baby boy brag book

I posted the baby girl book – I felt I needed sexual equity – here is the baby boy brag book. Blue, yellow, and green with lots of ribbons and buttons. Thanks for reading my post! Be sure to follow me on fields of poppies

baby girl brag book

I recently made this paper bag album for a colleague. I so enjoy making these little brag books. The color scheme – pink, green, and yellow – ridiculously cute. Ribbons and buttons are two of my favorite cuteness tools. Thanks for reading my post! Be sure to follow me on fields of poppies

Dear Social Engineers:

Dear social engineers: Dear manipulative members of society and micromanaging social climbers: According to Merriam-Webster, social engineering is simply “the practice of making laws or using other methods to influence public opinion and solve social problems or improve social conditions. [Also,] management of human beings in accordance with their place and function in society: applied social…

Stonehenge and Day 13, 2015

Day 13 of a 14 day trip – one of the best and the busiest. I visited this site in June of 2015 with a student tour from EF Tours (Education First) . I love using this touring company to lead student tours. Anyway – this stop, one of the last on the tour, far surpassed…