Gratitude, Day 9

I can go on for a good long while about how I’m looking forward to this school year.  I get to work in a school with a focused and enthusiastic staff – I just can’t wait!  I am going to spend the year working with a first grade student every day after school on reading – that is going to be fabulous!  My journey to health and wellness is ongoing and on track!

Today, I’ll be spending the afternoon with my grad school colleagues as we spend the week training for our reading practicum.  I’m so excited for this!  The practicum is our final course(s) requirement in our program and we are on our way to doing better by our students.  How lucky we are.

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 9: 1. Education  2. Books  3. Music

Go get’em, tigers!

Gratitude, Day 8

Last night was the second event of reunion weekend and it did not disappoint.  Class of ’92, we are one fabulous and good looking pack of Tigers!

We talked, enjoyed a great dinner, danced, indulged in conversations catching ourselves up, danced some more, and lingered around for more conversation.  Those hours flew by with promises to keep in touch and see each other more often.  Surely, this is what happens at reunions – but I hope it’s more than just the typical reunion chat.  It was so great to reconnect with many of my friends.  It would be a shame to go back to our passive facebook friendships. 

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 8: 1.  Spontaneous lunch & beach adventure dates.  2.  Catching up with all of the girls.  3.  Partying like it’s 1992 with the c/o ‘92.

Go get ‘em, Tigers!

Gratitude, Day 7 - Reunion Weekend

Last night was event number one of the reunion weekend.  We had a meet & greet reception at a fabulous brewery/bar on the river and a great time was had by all.  I quickly slipped in with my girls that I spent my high school career going to pavilion dances and school events with and the time flew right on by.  It is amazing how 20 years can seem like the blink of an eye.

We’ve all moved on with our lives, gone to school, moved around, been married, started our own families, worked a job or two or ten, and have created our adult network – and still spending time together made it feel like little time has passed.  With the age of facebook, email (something we didn’t have in high school), and the ease of communication with all of our “new” technology it has been easy to keep up with some – or many – aspects of each others’ lives.  Even if we haven’t seen someone for 20 years, being their facebook friend has given us some insight into where they are now and what they’ve been up to.  Wow, how the world is changing and whisking us right along with it!

Tonight is a dinner/dance event at a local hotel.  It’s a very cool spot and I’m looking forward to it being filled with Tiger Pride.

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 7: 1. Bridging the gap between old friends.  2. A fabulous gathering of ’92 Tigers.  3. The chance to do it all again tonight.

Go get ‘em, Tigers!

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 6

Well, it’s here.  Tonight begins my 20 year high school reunion.  I do not like social events with a lot of people.  I like things small and familiar and comfortable.  And sure, these are all people I know…who I haven’t seen most of for 20 years.  I’m not going to lie, there’s been some anxiety.  I just don’t like events. 

It’s funny, I can stand in front of a classroom of judgmental, smart-mouthed, distracted by technology adolescents all day and have the time of my life – but the idea of spending two nights with my former classmates makes my tummy twist.

As with everything else in the past year, I’m bursting through this self-built wall and dealing with it.  It would be easy to stay home and work on my homework, clean the closets or even spend the evening with the man.  That would be staying in the same place I am.  I’m stretching and growing and continuing to spread my wings every day.

So, tonight I will reunite with my fellow Tigers.  It will be fine.  And I’ll end up feeling better about tomorrow and enjoying the time with old friends.

Now, what will I wear?

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 6: 1. The opportunity to catch up with old friends.  2. Many packages at the door this morning.  3.  Stepping outside of my comfort zone.

Go get ‘em, tigers!

Gratitude, Day #5

It’s official.  I’m addicted to the mini donuts.  I love them.  They are easy to make.  They are cute.  They taste fabulous.  Why wouldn’t I love them?

For much of this weight loss journey, I was a fan of meals I could drink.  If I could put it in a cup and add a straw, it was good.  If I could throw it in the ninja with some ice, even better.  Now that I’ve had some time with meals with texture, that require chewing, I’m happy to have them back in my life. 

As I think ahead to what will be portable and easy for life back in the classroom, I’m thinking these little donut gems will be perfect.  I’m already guzzling a ton of water every day, why not give my tummy a little something more to work with.

I’ve also been experimenting with splitting my Lean & Green meal into two meals.  That’s been working out pretty well.  I may be doing that more often.

On the school front, there were lots of little victories yesterday.  I paid off my summer tuition.  I read the first part of the reading assignment for the class that starts Monday.  I found out that instead of teaching three different English classes, it may be only two.  That’s fantastic.  One less class to plan for.  Thank goodness!!!

I also had a little change in my schedule for today, which opens up time to get my reading done without racing through it.  My goal: to have it done before Friday night.  I’ve got a reunion to go to this weekend!

30 Days of Grateful, Day #5: 1. Cooler weather for a few days!  2. Last minute schedule changes that give me the time I was desperately looking for.  3. The coffee is already made!

Go get ‘em, tigers!

Gratitude, Day 4

Fall is in the air.  Back-to-school sales are on.  The children are starting to get on their parents’ last nerve.  Teachers are busy planning for another school year.

My back-to-school mail has been rolling in since the middle of July.  It started with the Welcome to the Reading Practicum email.  That one included a lengthy and costly book list and some reading assignments to be completed before we meet for our training next week.  Today, it was the Welcome Back to the Classroom letter with a schedule of regular meetings and the revised bell schedule.

Yes, with these things comes a certain amount of stress and anxiety.  I also get a sense of relief.  Everything is falling into place.  Ah…a schedule.  I need a schedule.  I need to know where I’m supposed to be and when.  Of course, I’m overwhelmed by it all.  It’s going to be a crazy year. 

So, before the school year starts, I’m continuing my preparations – buckling my seatbelt for the wild and crazy ride. 

30 Days of Gratitude, Day #4

1. Cool breezes
2. Mini donuts
3. Sleeping in

Gratitude, Day 3

Last night I had one of those moments where I felt I needed to add hours to my day.  I had just looked up the reading assignment that needs to be done before my class meets next Monday.  Then I pulled out the books, opened them up, and got a good look at exactly what I was facing. 

Here I’d been, thinking that I can slowly meander my way through these readings sometime this week.  Ha!  Was I wrong!  One of the two is actually to read an entire book.  The other, is about 50-something pages.  But a book!  Sure, I read a book a day sometimes, but that’s fluffy fiction stuff that I select.  Not a book on the intricacies of primary reading instruction and assessment.  Oh my!

So, I’ve spent part of my morning reading and highlighting.  I’ve treated myself to some iced coffee and donuts.  It’s not going so bad.

Oh…it’s decaf coffee and donuts made out of my Medifast food, NOT Dunkin Donuts.  Wanted to make that clear.

As I stressed about this last night, I realized how lucky I am.  I’m stressing about a grad school reading assignment.  Really, this is small potatoes.  I’ve got a job that I love.  My family and friends are amazing people.  My home is a place I enjoy being and feel safe in.  My neighborhood is bike, walk, and run friendly.  I can afford to go to grad school.  Seriously, having to read a book – not a problem.

Now, what may be a problem…my newly discovered donut addiction.  This is serious business, kids.  I had four meals of donuts yesterday and two already today.  I woke up this morning feeling like I’d eaten some forbidden foods yesterday.  Today, when I ate my second meal of Chocolate Brownie mini donuts, I was channeling some sugar-glazed demons from that dreaded DD place.  Oh my, what’s a girl to do except…make more donuts!!!

Yes, it’s time for lunch and to get back to the reading and highlighting portion of my afternoon.  I’m going to reward myself with a ride to the lake later.  Yes, that’s a great plan if I do say so myself.

30 Days of Gratitude, Day #3

1.         A job I love 
2.         A most fantastic and inspiring grad school experience…ALVERNO, people!
3.         Being back on my road bike, Blaze.  It’s been a mighty fine reunion.

Go get ‘em, tigers!

Gratitude, Day 2

Good morning and happy Monday!

In today’s installment:

• Letting someone in
• Finding time to breathe
• Day #2 of 30 Days of Gratitude

Yesterday I did something that I don’t know I’ve done before.  I let someone do something for me that I was perfectly capable of doing on my own. 

I know your jaw is on the floor.  Pick it up. 

Yes, I let the man help me.  In my home.  It was eye-opening.  And efficient.  While he put the bookcase together, I got some other things done that moved along my completion of Mission Office Organization.  Now, I am sitting in my organized office with everything in its place feeling mighty proud of myself.  And cared for. 

He saw that there were some things that I wanted to get done and did not hesitate to offer his assistance.  Sure, part of it is that he loves my office (really – it’s about as much office as it is library - and I’m fairly sure he just see’s wall-to-wall books and a collection of Teacher’s Editions of English textbooks, which he’s completely taken with)and thinks it’s a great place to hang out.  It’s also that he’s just a good guy who wants to help. 

Well, blow me over.  Not sure what has my head spinning more…that I’ve landed in the company of a man that is not only smart, funny, reads more than me, is taller than me AND is genuinely nice or that I allowed this smart, funny, tall, and nice reading gentleman to do something for me.  Whatever it is, I know it’s me breaking through some boundaries and growing.

In other news…

In the midst of me being in task-master mode this past week, I came upon a piece of art that spoke to me in many ways.  It also happens to be a DIY project I stumbled upon while cruising Pinterest.  I took some time yesterday to get started with step one…gathering snippets of food pictures.

So, what else could I do on a glorious Sunday afternoon but camp out on the living room floor surrounded by crashing piles of Bon Appétit, Cooking Light, Clean Eating and Whole Living and cutting out pictures of delectable delights.  So as not to be completely uninspired, I put on “Julie & Julia” for my entertainment pleasure.  Oh, it was perfect.

Which brings me to…

30 Days of Gratitude, Day #2:

1.      Learning to grow beyond my own boundaries

2.      Taking time to do something not on the to-do list

3.      The man that gently helped me break down a wall of my own making

Go get ‘em, tigers!

Gratitude

A year ago, I had one of those life experiences that leaves you feeling like the floor suddenly dropped out from under your feet.  I came home from finishing my first week of the school year to my husband asking for a divorce.

The details of this are not important. 

That the people I often refer to as my advisory council were by my side within a half an hour – that is important.  That my parents and these dear friends surrounded me with love, support, encouragement, hugs, and yes, later there was pizza – that is important.  That for the past year each of these people, and so many more, have cheered for me as I’ve picked up the pieces, swept up the mess, put myself back together and become stronger and wiser and more determined than I have ever been – that is important. 

I look back on the past year and am amazed by what I’ve done.  There are so many changes that have happened and each of them brought amazing things into my life.  I live in a fabulous flat with a fabulous landlord – she left baked goods my second day here, supplies me with Sports Illustrated and the occasional bag of produce – seriously, I hit the jackpot here.  I’m in a great, safe neighborhood where I can bike, run, walk, hit the stores, see the family and walk to class.  I picked up running again – and at a time of year when us Wisconsin folks do not start running – winter!  I ended the year with a 5k and started this year with another Polar Bear Plunge.  I took my first completely independent vacation and fell in love Austin, Texas while clearing my head, shaking out the cobwebs, and celebrating my freedom.  I am back in grad school and am almost done with my reading teacher license – something I’ve wanted to do since I was an undergrad.  I am back on my road bike for the first time in three years – alleluia!  I am about to embark on a new adventure in teaching as I move to a new school to work with an incredibly enthusiastic, motivated and energized English department.  I have, more times than I can count or my mom gotten the words out of her mouth, witnessed that yes, mom, everything does happen for a reason. 

This does not even touch on the journey I have been on in my mind and with my body.  If you have been around, you know what I’m talking about.  The running and biking are part of the journey that has changed me inside and out.  I am down about seventy pounds from where I was a year ago.  Yes – that is important!

So many great things have happened in the past year.  It’s not because I’m lucky or followed some how-to self-help book.  It is because I focused on what is positive, didn’t let anger permeate my life and moved forward towards what I want.  I am still on a journey.  It never ends.  There is always something new – a challenge, a job, a class, a book, a relationship – to keep us sharp and fresh.  But I cannot say enough how focusing on what I have and what I want has pulled me through. 

So, today I will again start another month-long journey of focusing on gratitude.  Each day, here and on facebook, I will be posting three things that I am grateful for.  I invite you to share something(s) you are grateful for on my posts or to start your own month-long journey. 

30 Days of Gratitude, Day #1: 1. My family 2. My friends 3. My own strength and determination

Go get ‘em, tigers!

30 Days of Gratitude

A few years ago, a friend who was going through some tough times starting a regular post on facebook - 30 Days of Gratitude.  

Every day she would post three things she was grateful for.  This was an opportunity for her to focus on the positive things in her life as she recovered from a heart-breaking loss.  

I don't think she knew the impact this would have on the people in her world - or the people in our worlds.

Within a week, I started doing the same.  I did it for three consecutive months.  And I never repeated a thing on my list of what I was grateful for.

You've got it - one month = ninety things I was grateful for...three months = two-hundred and seventy.  Wow!  That's a whole lot of gratitude.

Along my journey with the gratitude posts, friends of mine would start up their own, I'd get messages asking how to do it, and I had the pleasure of seeing the people around me take on the task of finding the things they're grateful for.

I had taken on the gratitude posts three times since my initial ninety days, when a friend reached out - on facebook, of course - and suggested that I do it again, because I "always seemed so happy and positive" when I was doing this.

That was two days after my husband asked for a divorce.

So, immediately after "hearing" my friend's words, I started another 30 Days of Gratitude.

It started with...

30 Days of Grateful, Day #1: 1. Amazing, nurturing, supportive parents 2. The best friends on the planet 3. Adorable, funny, charming, delightful little cousins who loved the hummus, cleaned the inside of my car, and most importantly, reminded me of how much love and happiness is overflowing in my life. To all of you, THANK YOU!!! ♥

And ended with...

‎30 Days of Gratitude, Day #30: 1. A friend who knows when to show up. 2. Not just having to turn off the air - but having to close all the windows 3 hours later and put an extra quilt on the bed. 3. A good book to read - and another waiting. when I'm done.

And in between this, so many other great things happened in my life.

I had found a new place to call home, packed up my apartment, moved into a beautiful new flat - this was all within a week!, unpacked, settled in, continued through the beginning of a new school year, celebrated the birthday of one of the delightful little cousins, had friends and family for dinner, attended festivals, moved on, LIVED - and somewhere in there, started a new journey of getting back to the things that make me ME.  And great things are continuing to happen in my life, everyday.

We all have so much to be grateful for.

What would your 30 Days of Gratitude look like?