Thanksgiving 2008

My sister M and her husband J are always doing up a great Thanksgiving meal. I like to spend my time with them in the kitchen before dinner, helping out when possible and trying to keep track of my wine glass. It seemed a little calmer this year and I'm not sure why. The meal was excellent. I realized that I usually sit in exactly the same seat for Thanksgiving at my sister's house. We've had Thanksgiving there for about the last 5 years and I always sit in the same spot. Now that I think of it everyone sits in the same spot. What's with that?

Here are some things I'm thankful for.

1) my two healthy funny children
2) being born in this time and place
3) my sisters, brothers, and parents
4) my boyfriend
4) my friends
5) a job I love
6) my students who make me feel alive
7) humor
8) ideas
9) cupcakes with lots of frosting
10) floss


THE COMPACT
http://groups.msn.com/MNCompact

Is it really possible? Okay - so last year about the time I started this blog I really wanted to try to not buy anything new for a year. I failed at it. But I did buy less. Now I'm ready to try again - to take it more seriously and really really try. Who needs stuff? I have all I need. Even though at Target it seems like I don't have all I need. I really do have all I need and no, I don't need that cute rug or lamp or whatever it is. Gifts? I will sew and bake and regift. Sew, bake, and regift. I think food is okay. No more stuff.

I'm a little disappointed with the cupcake poll.

Weekend With The Kids

J and I raked. The raking day is always cold and damp and the leaves are heavy. I did no coaxing. He happily came out and raked with me. Looking up and smiling at me every once in a while. I don't know how a mother could be more proud. It is as if I can see them growing up. It's almost like the days when they were learning to walk and talk. Every day was something new. And now, every home visit has a newness to it. A new way of learning to live with these adult children of mine. J asks me how I'm doing now that I'm on my own, no kids at home. I don't like to think about it too much - it's hard and lonesome and worriesome and wonderful all at the same time. I am loving this time in their lives and I'm figuring out this time in my life. I need to carve out space and have some time to live in it for a while. It freaks me out to even think of what I would do.

Thanksgiving is only two weeks away.

Teacher Conference

Okay so I almost cried three times during the keynote address. They had to show darling pictures of middle school students holding inspirational words like (hope, determination, etc,) while playing enlightening music. I love going to conferences like that. It's uplifting and rejuvenating. Did I learn anything? Yes - but I have more questions now.

How do I get students to believe in themselves?
How do I convince them that I believe in them?
How much does content count if you don't know how to teach?
How do we change our teaching because the kids have changed the way they learn?
What does an "A" mean to a 12 year-old who is homeless, hungry, and beat up? Or an "F" for that matter?
Where can I do the most good?

Favorite ideas:

Never stop trying to become qualified for your job.

The signature of a great leader is humility.

Make a "not doing" list.

I love what I do. I can't wait to get back on Monday. Bring it on.