May I suggest?

I LOVE to plan!  Writing lesson plans ranks in my top 5 favorite parts of my profession.  I enjoy planning out my weekly to dos, sometimes even down to half-hour increments.  Planning parties. Planning my work wardrobe for the week. Tonight found me doing my weekly menu planning.  It's my idea of a fun Friday night (when Tony is working).  This could be a sickness.  But I don't want the cure.  I want to spread the illness and maybe save you some time...I could give you all the factors that I take into consideration but you would start rolling your eyes.  Here it goes on my very elaborate system - the UPS calendar Tony got for free.  Reduce, reuse, recycle!

Saturday

Special Breakfast (Thanks for the tradition, Mom!): Biscuit Cinnamon Buns

Dinner: Date Night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $5 pizza for the kids

Sunday

Blue Owl White Chili, rolls

Monday

Fiesta Chicken Pronto, Queso

Day of Love

Chicken in White Wine Sauce, carrot souffle, spinach salad, strawberry cake

Wednesday

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia (Thanks Sam's), rice, broccoli

Thursday

Slow Cooker Chicken Fettuccine, garlic bread

Friday

Stromboli

I know there is a lot of chicken, but that is just the kind of mood I am in! :)  If you would like these recipes from my collection, just give me a shout out.  I'm happy to share!

Inventions

I don't know if it is because an invention research paper was due today or if it's because the scale showed that I had too much fun on Superbowl Sunday, but I have an idea that I am willing to share with the world in hopes that someone will bring my vision to life. Weight Watchers has the point system.  Jenny Craig has Carrie Fisher.  Nutrisystem has its own system.  My idea would simplify things dramatically!  Grocery shopping would  be a cinch!  A simple formula that goes like this: chocolate sheet cake = increased waistline, butter=thunder thighs, beer=bigger belly, strawberries=slim hips, and so forth.  Tell me where it's going, and I can find the will to just say no to cake, and yes to edamame!!!

Facebook + February = Romance

Having joined the world on Facebook, our walk down memory lane has begun.  Seeing familiar names of  college friends has made us laugh and sigh for the days of young love.  During that time, Tony & I would scoff at the Valentine Day traditions with immature, arrogant thoughts that went something like this: "Every day with you is Valentine's Day.  We don't need a holiday to tell us to say I love you or make thoughtful gestures. I love you. I love you. I love you."  (Go ahead and gag.  It won't hurt my feelings.)  Being older and wiser, we know now Valentine's Day isn't such a cornball idea.  Life with 2 children, teaching, night shifts, volunteering, and all the day to day tasks of a purposeful life can put a crunch on romance.  Although Tony would be sure to add this disclaimer:  my definition of romance has changed dramatically from our Harding days.  I now define romance as Tony cooking dinner, watching him play with Parker and Macy, and a whole new date night routine that involves a romantic comedy and popcorn after the kids are in bed.  All this to say, thank you Facebook for jogging our memories and thank you February 14th for the romantic reminder of what this married life is all about.

My Boy In Blue

It has been a cub scout frenzy this week.  Tuesday night, we hosted the den meeting. Wednesday night, Tony took Parker and Macy to the Pit Party.  Thursday night, we attended the pack meeting where Parker moved up to wolf.  (Don't ask me what that means.  I'm still trying to keep all the lingo straight.)

Then today found us at the Pinewood Derby.  As a mom, there is nothing more fun than watching your baby have a great time.  Our wolf den is large - 24 cars raced.  Watching Parker advance through the semi-finals and the finals was a blast!  Then when he came in fourth, seeing him fight back tears and congratulate the winners filled me with pride.   I want both Parker and Macy to know that they will not always bring home the win.  But that doesn't necessarily make them the loser.  It's how they handle losing that will define them as winners.  

Opinion Piece

It seems to be lurking everywhere - NEGATIVITY!  Disagree with whomever or whatever and a classification is announced. "She's so negative."  The great debate has become the great conformity. I haven't met the "who" that inspired this movement that has entered our government, our workplaces, and maybe even our places of worship.  Conformity to the current belief without the exchange of ideas is truly the dumbing down of America.
Friends, I have so many hot buttons right now that I cannot shut up.  Because of the possibility of having to wear a scarlet N on my chest, I am constantly questioning whether or not to speak up.  Every time the urge to purge enters my brain, I wonder how what I want to say will be preceived.  But then a thought causes me to be silent.  There is only one thing that I want to conform to, and that is Christ.  What is right deserves a voice even when the "who" would label me a negative person.  I don't recall Jesus receiving the "Most Positive Person" award when he cleared the temple or when he debated the Pharisees.  What is right is not always popular or even positive.  "In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

Inspired Organization

I've been LOVING iheartorganizing and abowlfulloflemons!  Tony & I had seen a DIY Lego organizer in Family Fun magazine, but these ladies take organization to a whole new level.  It has slowed me down a little bit with our lego project for Parker.  But I know when we make our final decision, all three of us are going to LOVE it.  We did take a baby step with this newest addition to Parker's room.

This type tray was actually a gift on my infamous thriteenth birthday. That is a story for another time...It never occured to me in all the 9 years that I spent looking at it on my bedroom wall that I would one day have a seven-year-old boy repurposing this for his lego collection. 

Themes - for home and school

My neighbor across from my classroom home chooses a theme for her classroom every year and goes all out - NOTHING is left out from the theme including window sills, birthday presents to students, and notepads.  I'm more of a seasonal girl.  My classroom decor changes with the month except that I leave my window sills bare and my birthday presents are the same throughout the year.  Being an office supply lover, I do switch out notepads.  One of my students' favorites is our seasonal partners.  We spend the first weeks learning the proper way to get a partner.  Third graders love to act!  It begins with "(Name inserted), would you like to be my partner?"  The person addressed has to reply with a big cheesy smile and and an enthusiastic "Yes, I would love to!"  This goes on until the first day of fall.  Then I pass out a sheet with 3 fall icons.  The students mix filling up their partner card.  Sometimes I put parameters like one of their partners has to be the opposite sex.  Then I make partner posters so when we need a partner, I'll say "Find your leaf partner."  Here are my winter partner posters:

My mom is the one who started this tradition, and I like to think I kicked it up a notch! :)  Our entry way theme changes just about every month.  Depending on the month, the decorations can spread throughout the house.

I've been told it's a teacher thing.