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.

What's Going On?

I'm okay with sharing the wealth, spreading it out. It's surprising to me that the idea of "sharing the wealth" is thought of as bad in any way. What's bad about helping those who are less fortunate? What's bad about helping someone if you have a little more to give? It's ironic that those who tend to put themselves in the extremely Christian camp seem to be unable to remember the big message. Be nice to one another! Sheesh.

I went to my 25 year high school reunion on Saturday. It was a fun time. I'm both glad I went and glad it is over. It is similar to a family gathering. Even though we have all lived completely separate lives for the last 25 years and have seen nothing of one another, we all revert back to exactly how we acted when we were snotty nosed teenagers hanging around the high school. The snooty people were still snooty (but a little chubby), the quiet difficult people were still unable to carry on much of a conversation. There were some shining stars. One in particular was inspiring. Here was a woman who was not in the "cool" crowd and sometimes made fun of. Here she was the most beautiful woman in the room, strong, smart, humble, and really really funny. I love it when that happens! GO TO YOUR REUNIONS PEOPLE. You'll never regret it.

Wisconsin Weekend

J and M are growing up. It's great and fun and sad and scary and extremely cool. M is happily hanging out in the big city, meeting new people, figuring out the bus, living her life, making big plans. J is hanging with his soccer pals, studying hard, worrying too much, and watching TV. I love them.

Here's a link to our weekend adventure:

http://picasaweb.google.com/marthaspriggs/WisconsinWeekend#

Growning Up

My daughter came home this weekend to check out a different school. Yes, it's true she's only been away 6 weeks or so and she is already looking for something new. And as I sat across from her at dinner I was filled with awe and pride as she explained her plan. She grew up in these last weeks. She solidified her views and found her voice and her passion. M has always been brave with her ideas and action. She does what feels right to her and fights to be her unique self. I'm amazed at her strength and clarity. I listened and asked questions. Then we went to visit the school and she was clearly at home and excited and energized. She started dreaming and planning and I can't wait to see what she does next.

Politics in My Yard

On Saturday morning I woke up to a bright beautiful fall day and noticed that someone had removed my three yard signs. One of the signs was an anti-war sign, one was a plea to get people to vote yes to the school referendum and the third sign was in support of our next president. What's with that? I was at first very angry and felt that of course, people of that "ilk" would do something like that. I mean that ilk is filled with stupid destructive childish people. But then of course I realized that my rage was getting me down to the same level as them. So, I made some cookies and got a new yard sign. I wonder if they felt good taking down my signs. I hope so because then the signs did more good than I thought. I wonder if they thought that taking down my signs would make people stop thinking about the war and the schools and our new president? Are they afraid of me and my signs or my ideas? Or are they just some pranksters? I am still a bit miffed. It seems like this election is extra emotional and heated. People are afraid to hope for something different. It's all I think about and dream of. I can't wait!