Slice of Life 2015 #1

How can it be March, already? I planned to get a jump on writing for a daily slice of life. I started a draft last week, well before March 1. The first day of March is slipping through my hands. I spent the morning organizing tax papers, reading some interesting slices, enjoying a late lunch, and shopping for a few necessities before more bad weather. Well, that last item was not enjoyable because it was crowded and the roads are lined with dirty black piles of snow/ice. The day slipped away from me and now it is time to prepare for another work day. Ok, tomorrow, I promise to myself that I will do better. 

Wordless Wednesday

Reflections on 2014

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language

And next year’s words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.”

― T.S. Eliot

I spent much of my year involved with work activities, I hope to change the focus toward living and savoring each precious moment. I plan to retire sometime during the upcoming year, more likely near the end of 2015. I want to make this last year of work the best ever! 

What follows is a list of challenges in 2014 and things I would love to accomplish in 2015.

• Work achievements include growth in conservation education programs and establishing new connections with educators.
• Work challenges such as signing 100% of the school districts and then individual school buildings await my efforts to achieve in the upcoming year.
• Personal achievements include completing a work studio, writing drafts for picture books, reading new books, completing a drawing journal, completing a drawing course, starting a language course, 
• Personal challenges include improving my physical fitness, writing children's books, creating a formal garden, drawing and painting in my new studio, on line class, study guitar, travel, learn French...

When I was a little girl my heroine was Dale Evans. I recently found a quote attributed to her. It still speaks to me of how I want to live and love in 2015.

"Cowgirl is an attitude, really. A pioneer spirit. A special American brand of courage. The cowgirl faces life head on, lives by her own lights, and makes no excuses. Cowgirls take stands, they speak up. They defend the things they hold dear."   -- Dale Evans

Book tree for Christmas

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I saw this idea for a book Christmas tree on another blog and wanted to make one. I love books, have lots of them so it felt appropriate for me. I usually have a tree in lots of rooms in my home and I thought this looked simple.  It made the sixth one, if I count the all trees, small and undecorated. This year I felt Christmas came way too fast for me. I am a procrastinator so I'm never completely ready early, but time seemed to slip away too quickly. 

I can think of several reasons why each day and week flew past.

1. My work kept me very busy, I travelled 1000 miles the first week of December

2. My husband had dr appointments with 2 new doctors

3. I had a root canal

4. My husband was in the hospital

5. We both had a virus

6. I was deep cleaning the house because company was coming

7. Family members had December birthdays that were celebrated

8. I was having repair work done in the house

9. Shelving was being installed in the barn loft.

10. Both required extra clean up

11. Fall leaves needed blowing, raking & burning one afternoon

12. Did I mention how busy I was with work? 

13. My brother started the celebrating at his house on Dec. 20.

When Christmas Eve arrived I had to buy a few groceries so I could  cook dinner for our guests. Weather was rain mixed with snow and that made it feel like Christmas. Later we opened gifts and watched the highest grossing movie of 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy. It was a nice time visiting with our son and his new family. 

Christmas morning I prepared the turkey for roasting and our guests made sticky rolls for a nice breaksfast. At 1:00 pm we took the food to my Father-in-law's house and enjoyed lunch for 33. The first great nephew asked the blessing. After lunch we opened gifts. I bought books for the 8 grand nieces & nephews. I tied bows around the books instead of wrapping them because I wanted the children to see it was a book and not a toy. I worried about them being disappointed in receiving a book, but smiled as I saw one father reading the book to the youngest great nephew, who just turned 1 on December 11. 

Christmas night I cooked dinner for my brother, two of my sisters and their families at my house. We had a nice time visiting, sharing memories and catching up with family stories. 

It finally felt like Christmas, the rush, excitement, non stop cooking, visiting with family, giving and receiving gifts. 

Last Minute Shopping Ideas

THE 12 LAST MINUTE GIFTS OF NATURE <BR>And Now for a Completely Different Shopping Experience



The ideas expressed in this article would also make great birthday gifts, a special reward day at school, or activities for bad weather days. I have modified the list with classroom full of students as my focus.



Number 1 - a coupon book for time to chose an approved activity is always a fun, unique gift.

Number 2- a techno fast for the day provides a new prospective for the digital natives in the world today.

Number 3 - building a miniature tree house, fort, or nature scape requires cooperation and trial and error, skills.

Number 4 - teachers can create a GOAL bag (get outside and learn) to be used during a classroom hike. Include an air thermometer, hand lenses, notebook and pencil, ruler, camera, bug collection boxes, etc.

Number 5 - planting seeds (sunflower, acorns, etc.) in the classroom can encourage scientific exploration.

Number 6 - instead of purchasing a park pass, you could take students on a virtual park visit or find grants that pay for class field trips.

Number 7 - use an old blanket to make a small tent in the classroom, let students use it for individual reading or writing.

Number 8 -bring in nature items you have collected on a hike such as acorns, galls, insects in a bug box, leaves, sweet gum balls, shed antlers, snake skin, turtle shells, etc. Be sure to collect items from areas that allow collection, most parks do not. Most bird feathers can't be collected because they are protected under federal guidelines.

Number 9 - take students to the library and help them find an appropriate, related book to check out.

Number 10 - read an appropriate chapter book every day during a part of the class time.

Number 11 - write about a place in nature that you love, share with students and have them write about their special places.

Number12 - be present, show your curiosity, your infectious attitude will permeate the group.



I would love to teach classes that encourage students to get outside and learn! Every day!

Second Thoughts

I talked with my husband and son.
I made a list of possibilities, things I've always wanted to do but working full time kept me from doing them. I quickly reached 10 ideas.
I spoke with my supervisor, told him I was planning to retire at the end of this year.
I told a few friends.
I made arrangements for someone to head up an upcoming event.
I started the paperwork for retirement.
I called to tell another person who would be counting on me to continue an assignment.

I discovered I would have to pay for an entire year of insurance to use it in a cafeteria plan.
I don't have that many leave days to cover the cost.
I can't get my work finished by the end of this year.
I'm in the middle of a couple projects and don't want to give up on them.

Then today I visited a school to present a program to 4 elementary classes.
We all had great fun.
Teachers from the other 4 classes asked me to visit their classes.
I'm not ready to stop working, I thought I was.

I suppose I'll backtrack and rethink my decision.
I can do this anytime, it doesn't have to be immediate.
I will plan and get it right.

Life decisions

Things change, while not everyone likes change, I thrive on change. I often find myself winging a presentation, lesson, or talk. I don't stick to the script, it is extremely difficult to teach the same topic three times in a day. In reflection I always look for ways to change and improve my work. After working at my current job 9 years, I think it is time for a change.

Of course the job itself has changed and not in creative ways. It seems to be more restrictive and less flexible. It does not fit any longer. It has been difficult to arrive at that awareness. Working with the changes of losing cherished friends, coworkers, and family members, I realize, I am ready for a change. I need more creativity in my life. I need less restrictive confines. I have made the decision to retire from my current job. Yesterday I began the process of completing the paperwork.

I'm excited about the world of possibilities that await. Now I have to tell my supervisor and the curriculum revision team I am working with. I meet with my supervisor tomorrow. I don't know if I can tell him without a smile on my face! Just a couple weeks ago he told me he would like me to work one more year.

Today I was catching up on blogs I follow and found this link to lovely phrases that bring calm. Reading them seemed to help me know I am doing the right thing.  

http://alwayswellwithin.com/2014/10/12/calm-stress-response/

The other part of this decision is that more of my time is required to manage medicines and doctor appointments with my husband. I want him to slow down. He will if I am free. Together we can figure out how to negotiate the changes in our lives. Maybe I will write, draw, paint, create...

Change is exciting!