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Just Be Yourself

Posted on October 21, 2016 by auburnchick

I saw a thing going around Facebook the other day.

People were asking Siri what they should wear for Halloween.

Sounded interesting, so I gave it a try.

Her response?

Classic.

Myself.  That’s a one-of-a-kind costume that nobody will ever be able to duplicate.

And the world exhaled loudly in relief.

:::heeheehee:::

For really, though.  Who am I?

I am an oxymoron at times…an introvert who loves posting updates on social media.

That’s the Vegan Tuscan Pumpkin Pasta Sauce I saw because I was on social media and noticed that Detoxinista had posted a much lovelier picture of it…along with the link for the recipe.

I am the girl who decides to change my life by enrolling in college as an adult to two nearly-grown children and, when the oldest starts college, begins her teaching career.  Yet, I am deathly afraid of such critters as the one you see below…

Gambit killed that snake earlier that afternoon.  You should have seen him slinging it around while I was screaming for him to drop it.  I finally chased him away from it when I grabbed the pooper scooper and went after him.

I am a Redneck.

And then, because I’m so scared of stuff like this, I waited for the Mr. to get home to dispose of it and hid behind the car so he wouldn’t chase me with it on his way out to the pond across the street.

Bravery has its limits.

I am the girl who puts on a mean face when my students won’t behave yet sheds tears when a sweet friend at work leaves an unexpected gift in my teacher mailbox.

I am the girl who is terrified of rejection after years of feeling like I don’t fit in yet takes advantage of an opportunity to exercise my teacher voice and make a difference state-wide.

Now that I’m officially back to blogging regularly, I’ll dedicate an entire post to that experience.

So, you can probably understand my confusion when Siri told me to go as myself.

I am not schizophrenic, nor am I bipolar, which aren’t jokes, by the way.

I’m just your everyday gal with very different sides to my personality.  On the one hand, I’m a shy rule-follower.  The older I get, the more adventurous I’m becoming…not enough to walk in and be the life of the party, mind you, but frustrated enough with the status quo to take steps toward change.

Whether it’s fitness or teaching, I’m always looking for a way to learn something new or improve what already exists.

I gave Siri a loaded question.  She gave me a simple answer.

Don’t be afraid to be me.

Filed under: empty nest, fitness, Teaching | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Making Headway

Posted on October 20, 2016 by auburnchick

Do you remember playing “School” when you were younger?

Super Sis and I did.  All the time.  We even had a chalkboard.

I loved being the teacher.

My favorite thing?

Grading.

Be careful what you wish for.

This is currently my life…

For a person who always used to leave her desk clean and tidy, this makes me want to hyperventilate.

And then there’s the bag that keeps traveling back and forth with me each day…

That’s not counting the big stack I graded at school yesterday.

Sigh.

One extra class, y’all, and I have become the Titanic that is struggling to stay afloat.

But…

When I get my lesson plans finished and have a quiet evening to grade, I find gems like this…

This young man has a new favorite author.

And then there was this…

That, my friends, is a 9th grade student’s work.  She has claimed that she’s not good at writing.  I beg to differ.

Grades are due on the 27th.

I still have about 35 essays to grade…thankfully online because I’m an overachiever and required my students to type them and submit them on our learning management system.

Shout-out to the student who revised her essay on her iPod using Google Docs…

I’ve never been one of those teachers who barely beats a deadline but…

Ahem.

I think I’ll just pat myself on the progress I’ve made in the last couple of days and just ride that wave…

For a minute or two.

 

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Slaving Away at the Hodgepodge

Posted on October 19, 2016 by auburnchick

Ok, so I’m not exactly slaving away with my answers this week, but I had a hard time finding a catchy title, so slaving it is!  Now, it sounds like Joyce is slaving away as she puts the finishing touches on her new house!  You go girl!  The sneak peeks hint at a gorgeous home!  Let’s get to my answers for her questions, shall we?

1.  What would you say is your strongest sense? 

My strongest sense would have to be smell.  I can smell a cigarette from a mile away, and I’m very sensitive to perfumes and lotions.

2.  Do you believe in the idea of a ‘sixth sense’? Why or why not?

I actually do believe in this.  I know it sounds strange coming from a Christian, but I’ve had too many strange things happen to doubt this.  I knew that something bad had happened to my dad the day he passed away.  I couldn’t explain it, but I got physically ill that afternoon.  I didn’t find out until late that night that he had died.

3.  When do you most feel like a slave to time? Explain.

I feel most like a slave to time when school is in session.  It is then when I live my life in 45-minute segments.  That’s why long holidays and, especially, summers are so precious to me…being free of time constraints.

4.  Have you ever worked in a restaurant? How would you rate the experience? If you could own a restaurant what kind would it be?

I have never worked in a restaurant.  If I could own one, I’d make it one that had a lot of vegan dishes that would appeal to the community as a whole.  One of my biggest frustrations is trying to find good food options when dining out.

5.  Ever traced your family tree? Share something interesting you learned there.

I have never traced my family tree.  I suspect that it would be interesting, though, because I already know that my dad’s side of the family is from France and Germany.  I can only imagine where their relatives came from.

6.  What did your childhood bedroom look like?

I lived in a lot of places when I was younger because my mom was always moving.  The house I spent the most time in was a plantation-style house.  My room was very large.  It had a fireplace in it until it was removed.  I had two closets and a room/attic thing off of it.  I never went in it, though, because it was rumored to have a fake leg in it from the previous owner.  The room was wallpapered, as was the custom back in the 80’s, and had plush carpeting.  I had a canopy bed, that I kept until the day I got married, and a large desk.

7.  Anyone who knows me knows I love_______________________?

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to knit.

My latest creation…Hogwarts Express Shawl.

Look at the owls!

This was a very easy project, and I was able to use leftover beads from a previous project.

8.  My Random Thought

My 9th grade students have been working on an essay for the last month.  They’ve spent the past three weeks in the computer lab typing, peer-editing, and revising their essays.  Yesterday was the first day back in my classroom.  I found it very sweet to see the relief on their faces as they entered my room.  It was like they were coming home…to the books I’ve been adding…to their place of comfort.  I adore these kids.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , , | 5 Comments »

Why I Love Tuesdays

Posted on October 18, 2016 by auburnchick

A Tuesday is good for a few reasons.

  1. It isn’t Monday.
  2. It is one more day closer to Friday.
  3. It’s the day that the JROTC kids at my school dress up in their blues.

Reason #3 is one of my favorites.

The kids come in all spiffed up, every hair in place (at least before P.E.).

They are more respectful when they wear their uniforms.

Their backs are straighter when they walk.

They are so proud.

Just today, two of my students were talking, and one was teasing the other.  When I inquired, my boy proudly pointed to a certain pin.

He’d just been promoted to A1C (Airman First Class).  He had taken the test and passed.

I didn’t know that they did this in high school.

My student went on to explain that he was now an E3.

My female student said that she’d be that rank as soon as she took the test.

Can I tell you how very much my heart soared?

My Rooster is in the Air Force, and he graduated from basic training as an A1C.

Oh y’all, the connections.

I used to dislike Tuesdays.

My Rooster left for basic training on a Tuesday, and I thought my heart would never recover.

Every Tuesday, I relieve a bit of that sadness when I read, on my Facebook support group, about sad see-you-laters that others are making.

And then today happened, when God showed me a way to be happy on a Tuesday (besides reasons #1 and 2).

Seeing my JROTC students reminds me of the pride I have, not only in this country, but in my son and others who choose to serve so selflessly.

Filed under: Air Force, empty nest | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

Weekend Shenanigans

Posted on October 17, 2016 by auburnchick

Besides the wedding that I attended on Saturday night, I had other bits of fun this weekend.

Friday afternoon, I could not function.  After the horrible news of my school’s student losing his battle with a brief illness, it was all I could do to climb in my recliner and pull a blanket over myself.  I slept for an hour and a half.

I don’t think we even went out to dinner.  I’m pretty sure I ate leftovers.  That’s how heavy my heart was.

My nap, though, had given me a bit of energy, and because I needed to decompress from the day, I stayed up late watching college football and practicing my calligraphy skills.

I have much to learn.  Rebecca and I chatted via Instagram, and she said that she’d been watching YouTube videos.  Her beginner work looks like what my advanced skills will be like.  She’s amazing!

Still, it was good to focus on something besides being sad.

Saturday morning, I got up and worked out…finishing Week 7 of 22 Minute Hard Corps.  I have one week left!

After a nap early that afternoon, I got ready for the wedding that I posted about yesterday.  I wound up going to bed around 10:30.  I had not slept much the night before and was just exhausted.

Sunday morning, I slept in a little.  Sundays are my rest days…as in exercise rest…so I don’t have to be up early.  I felt so much better.

We attended church, ate lunch with friends (love them!), and headed home.

I immediately went back out and did a bit of shopping.

Our Office Max is going out of business, so I picked up a bag of goodies…glue sticks, erasers, and paper to indulge in my new calligraphy hobby…

I had Bath and Body Works coupons and really wanted more Pink Chiffon shower gel.  I love their B3G3F deals!  They’ve got their holiday scents out, and oh word!  I had a hard time deciding on something!  I have to be very careful with scents because they can lead to migraines.  I’m very sensitive and can’t do anything too strong.  That’s why I like the Pink Chiffon.  It’s a soft smell that is just right.  I also snagged a bottle of Warm Vanilla shower gel because I still have lotion leftover, and, well, I just have to be matchy-matchy.

OCD anyone?

I took another nap when I got home.

Teachers just cannot get enough sleep, y’all.

And that, in a nutshell, was my weekend.  The Mr. and I didn’t go out Sunday night for dinner, and yes, I really needed to be working on figuring out why my refrigerator isn’t making ice…again.  This happened a few months ago before Rooster left for basic training.  I either fixed it or got lucky that time.  I suspect that all I need to do is make a call to Sears for a repair guy, and the problem will suddenly resolve itself.  That’s what happened the last time…before the guy came…and I canceled my appointment and saved a whole lot of money.

This is going to be another challenging week, I suspect, as students continue to grieve for their friend.  I believe that the funeral will be held on Saturday at my church.  Please keep us in your prayers.

Filed under: fitness, Teaching | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

A Fall Wedding

Posted on October 16, 2016 by auburnchick

Yesterday, I got all gussied up so that the Mr. and I could attend the wedding of a young lady we had known for fifteen years.

We first met her when we moved to Podunk, USA, and Chicky began playing on the same soccer team as her younger sister.

When you play travel soccer, you get to be very good friends with the families of the other players.  Strong bonds are forged…bonds that don’t go away when life leads you down different paths.

It was such a joy to watch people arrive…since we always seem to be the first to arrive at every single wedding we attend.

The location was a favorite for weddings.  We have a LOT of water around these here parts, and it provides a beautiful backdrop for fancy shindigs.

We saw a lot of the kids’ friends from high school.

Oh, it was a love fest, let me tell you.

Watching this beautiful young lady walk down the aisle to the man of her dreams brought tears to my eyes.

Photo cred to a gal I snagged this from on Facebook.  I know she wouldn’t mind.  😉

You should have seen the groom’s face as his precious bride made her way down that aisle on the arm of her father.

Both men had tears in their eyes…for very different reasons.

The ceremony was very traditional and so very sweet, and it wasn’t long before they got to do the kiss thing and walk off as husband and wife.

Meanwhile, we headed to the clubhouse for the reception.  I took a few pictures because this is the same place where Rooster and his girl will have their wedding in December (remember that they are already married, but this will be the big ceremony).

Everything was so shiny and oh so classy.  The decor took my breath away.

We sat at a table in front of the wedding party’s.

As we waited for the bride and groom to arrive, we chatted with friends.  The Mr. snagged some food to munch on.  There wasn’t anything that I could eat due to my food allergies and vegan lifestyle.  I knew I would be able to eat later when I got home, so it wasn’t a big deal.

Meanwhile, the conversation was really the most important thing.  Having the chance to catch up with the young people who had been such a big part of our lives for so many years was simply incredible.  Hearing about how they were renovating homes they’d purchased and making strides in their careers made me wish that time could slow down a bit.

How sweet, too, as we watched the bridal party arrive and then participate in the time-honored traditions that make weddings the sweet events that they are…first dance husband/wife…father/daughter dance…mother/son dance.

Oh, my heart.  Moved so very much it was.

We loved hearing the bride’s sister make her toast.  These girls…so special to us.

I’m not a huge socializer…introvert that I am…but I did seek out the bride’s parents.

Her mom is a classy lady.  She wore a long blue dress that was heavenly.  I love this woman to pieces, and seeing her smile was wonderful.  We don’t get to see each other very often.

I also spent time chatting with the bride’s father.  Oh boy, it was hard to see the tears in his eyes as he described his bittersweet feelings about having his oldest daughter leave.  Being a dad and letting go is so hard.

The DJs got cranked up after the cake had been cut, and I did dance to a few songs before the Mr. and I headed home to catch the last couple of college football games on TV.

Priorities, people.  Males.  Sigh.  I could have stayed all night just soaking up the love that made that large reception room so very, very small.

I look forward to the next soccer girl getting married so that we can all join once together in celebration.

Filed under: empty nest | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

Time Stood Still

Posted on October 15, 2016 by auburnchick

Yesterday started off like any normal day.

It was Friday.

It was payday.

The kids were in a good mood, and my first two class periods went swimmingly well.

I got a lot accomplished during my planning period and made my way to the library where my next two classes would be putting the finishing touches on the essays they’d been working on for the past month.

As my students walked in, I noticed that one of my girls was crying.  One of her friends asked if she could take her to the bathroom.

Of course I said yes.

Then, I saw another young lady break down in tears…and then a young man.

Something was very wrong.

It was at that time when one of my students told me that a fellow student had just passed away.

There was, except for the sounds of crying, silence.

The young man who had died had been very sick for two or three weeks.  He’d been hospitalized for most of that time.

I quickly abandoned my lesson plans, told my kids that their papers would not be due until some time next week, and made myself available to console them.

A few students coped with their sadness by working on the computers.

Most, though, congregated in small groups.

It was awful to see them hurting so badly.

At some point, our principal’s voice came over the PA system.  He announced what those of us in the media center already knew.

Many at school had not heard the news yet, though.

Time stood still.

The media specialist and I comforted one another.

Hugs were plentiful.

The bell rang, and I made my way to my classroom, crossing the courtyard where students eat lunch together.

There were dozens of kids walking around in shock.

So many were in tears.

Sigh.

I tended to a few things at my desk and then made my way back toward the library to get ready for 5th period.

As I started to cross the courtyard again, I stopped.

Something was happening out there, but it took me a minute or two to figure out what it was.

Students had formed a very, very large circle, joined together by clasped hands.

Intermingled were teachers, guidance counselors, local pastors, and even the school’s resource officer.

I grabbed the hands of the two young men beside me.

Nobody said anything.

Time stood still.

Then, a man stood in the center of the circle.  I assumed he was a pastor.

We bowed our heads and listened as the man prayed for the family of the young man who had passed away.

He prayed for the students and the school.

He prayed that we would see God’s plan in allowing this to happen.

At a time of the day when the courtyard is usually filled with yelling and other sounds of students blowing off steam between classes, there was silence

Time stood still.

I looked at the faces of those around me and was struck by the love that united us all.

My school is a melting pot of races and cultures.

We come from so many different backgrounds…such a diverse group.

Today, we were drawn together by love and respect for a young man whom everyone thought so much of.

I remember when we lost one of my students two years ago from a similar illness.

How well I know the difficult days that lie ahead.

Please pray for us.  Even though I didn’t know this young man personally, I want to be sensitive to my students as they navigate through the grieving process.

Please pray for staff who are grieving as hard as the students.

Most of all, please pray for his family.

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Say What?

Posted on October 14, 2016 by auburnchick

Way back when I was considering teaching as a profession, my children and I had a rather frank discussion regarding the age group I should work with.

Chicky and Rooster were pretty adamant that I should teach high school.

“Mama, you’re a better fit for high school.  Trust us.”

They were right.  I don’t think I have the patience or sugar sweetness required of an elementary teacher, and middle school, I discovered from subbing, was definitely not my thing.

With high schoolers, I can be sarcastic (I know the books say not to do this, but my kids eat it up because I do not personally insult my babies with my humor).

There’s also a certain degree of maturity that elementary and middle school students lack.

And then I got a certain class this year.

Y’all, I have found myself saying things that I never thought I’d have to say to fifteen and sixteen year olds.

I’m having conversations that are making me do the head-jerk dance at least two or three times a class period.  You know…the kind where your head jerks to the side in confusion.  I tried to find a meme but couldn’t locate it.  Guess I’ll have to create one.

Some of my favorite conversations thus far this year…and it’s only October 14th include the following…

__________________________________________________________________

“Why do you think it’s funny to fart in class.  Seriously.  Who thinks that’s funny?”

All the kids giggled in response.

And keep farting.

__________________________________________________________________

Someone burps loudly.

“Excuse me,” I say.

No response.

Really?

Except a few giggles.

__________________________________________________________________

“Mrs. Auburnchick, do you have Febreeze ’cause it always smells rank in here.”

Sigh.

I put in another Scentsy candle wax.

One child actually brings in a can of air freshener.

I have to explain why he shouldn’t spray it…because the smell doesn’t not mix well with the pumpkin Scentsy smell.

Sweet thing that he is, he shrugs in genuine confusion.

__________________________________________________________________

Z comes in with a sling on his arm.  I feel bad because he’s a basketball player, and he explains that he fell on it.

“Mrs. Auburnchick, I can’t write the bellwork.”

“Do your best.  You’re going to have to find a way since you’ll be wearing that for a while.”

Later, I walk around during silent reading time.

“Z, weren’t you wearing the sling on the other arm when you came in?”

Kids giggle.

“Um, yeah.  I just didn’t feel like writing today.”

I call mom on the spot and repeat, verbatim, what Z says.  The other kids listen in closely.  Nobody says a word.  The class hasn’t been this quiet.  Ever.

She tells me to tell Z that he better do his work…that she’s working on something for him.

I repeat her words, loudly, across the room to make sure that Z hears.

The class giggles but gets to work so I don’t call their mamas.

__________________________________________________________________

Yesterday during my read aloud, a kid starts slurping.

Yes.

Slurping.

“Stop slurping.  It’s distracting.”

Kids giggle.

Another kid slurps.

This scene repeats three or four times before I give up on the read aloud.

It’s not our best day.

__________________________________________________________________

Young man in my class who’s very social is having a good day…staying on task…until…

He’s not.

“Mrs. Auburnchick, I was good as long as I could.  I just can’t do it any longer.”

Sigh.

I give up and give him props for lasting as long as he does.

Celebrate the good, y’all.  Progress is the key.

__________________________________________________________________

Watching a student do the Dab three days ago, in the middle of class, for no reason.

“Why are you dabbing?  Dabbing is what you do when you celebrate something.”

“I’m celebrating, Mrs. Auburnchick.”

“Really?  We haven’t even finished the lesson yet.  If we finish, we can dab.”

We don’t finish.

I give it a valiant effort, though.

__________________________________________________________________

Reasons why we should not get turn’t:

It’s only Monday.

It’s only Tuesday.

It’s not Friday yet.

It’s not even Thursday yet.

We haven’t survived Wednesday.

Seriously, though.

__________________________________________________________________

Real conversation.  I kid you not.

Be jealous.

 

 

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Abide

Posted on October 13, 2016 by auburnchick

I’ve always been one to wear my emotions on my sleeve.  Anyone who knows me very well is probably nodding at this statement.

What I’m feeling right now is unbelievably stressed.

The mandates that are being handed down of late are very challenging.  Teaching is an incredibly demanding job that I thought I was finally getting a hold of.

Yeah, right.

Lesson planning, grading, and reworking lesson plans for unexpected “things” that seem to crop up regularly are very stressful for a person who needs everything laid out neatly.

In the midst of the chaos, I keep seeing the word abide around me.

In fact, I even purchased some temporary tattoos of this word, in Hebrew.

It’s everywhere I turn.

It’s been in my Proverbs 31 online Bible study.  The current study has had us reading Lysa TerKeurst’s book, Uninvited.

Oh word, but what an amazing book!  I just finished reading it two nights ago, and it is seriously some good stuff.  Girlfriend can preach through the written word, let me tell you.

I’m finding that the more I abide with God, the better perspective I have for the issues that I struggle with in my life.

This week has challenged my ability to do this, but isn’t this part of life?  Studying, learning how to apply new truths, and then falling on your face in failure.  It’s a cycle that I constantly find myself in the midst of.

It is when I’m feeling most stressed that I need to abide ever closer to the One who knows my heart.

Abiding is hard for me though.

I’m a perfectionist.  I’m not keen on waiting for things to play out.  I have a need to control my circumstances.

One would think that teaching for this long would have helped me be more adaptable.

It has, in some ways, but in others, not so much.

I am a work in progress.

I am a slow learner who needs constant reminders that I am at my worst when I am stressed…when I don’t abide.  It is during these phases that life slaps me around a bit before I slink, ashamedly, to my Father’s side and slip my hand in His.

It’s when I abide that I find grace, generously poured out by a loving Father who was there all along waiting for me to come to my senses.

When I abide, I find respite from an ever-changing world…peace in a never-changing God.

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

A Moving Hodgepodge

Posted on October 12, 2016 by auburnchick

Look at me…three blog posts in a row.  Be impressed!  I don’t know how long I can keep it up (I should be grading or lesson planning as I type this).

So, it’s time for the Hodgepodge.  Link up with Joyce if you want to play along!

1.  What would you say is the best and worst thing about moving house?

The best thing about moving is, if you’re moving into a new home, having a blank slate…getting to start over.  I love that!  The worst thing about moving is trying to figure out where everything should go.  Talk about work!

2.  What’s moved you recently?

I’m reading the book The Honest Truth to a couple of my classes.  Even though I’ve read through this book four times already (this year will make for six times), I still cry at certain parts.  The book is about Mark, a twelve year old boy, who has cancer.  He runs away from home to climb Mt. Rainier…to die there on his terms.  He’s accompanied by his faithful dog, Beau.  Oh stars, but this book puts me in my feelings!  The author is a patient guy who always responds to my tweets.  No, I’m not a stalker…just a fangirl.

3.  Do you feel your life is moving forward, backward, or is on hold? How so?

Had you asked me this question this time last year, I would have told you that it was on hold.  With Rooster doing his Air Force thing across the country, I’m no longer in a holding pattern but am moving forward.  It’s tough to be an empty nester, but that’s just life, I guess.

4.  On the move, move mountains, get a move on, it’s your move, or bust a move...which phrase best applies to some aspect of your life right now? Explain.

I think I’m busting a move right now…both during my workouts and in my professional life.  Trying to stay on top of things isn’t for slackers.  I’m not a slacker.  Except on the weekends when I don’t allow myself to work.

5.  What song makes you want to get up and move?

Y’all…every time I hear “All About that Bass,” I get up and dance.  It’s scary.

This is a video I include in my end-of-the-year slideshows for my students.  You should see them nearly fall out of their chairs when they see it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLnKR47AmHI

6.  Your favorite snack to grab when you’re ‘on the move‘?

I just discovered these bars.  They are vegan-friendly, low-calorie, and take the edge off of hunger.

7.  What one accessory makes your house feel like home?

I love my Scentsy candle warmers.  They smell so good, and they are really pretty!

8.  My Random Thought

I am loving some of the new shows this fall season.  One of my favorites is Designated Survivor.  I have always liked Kiefer Sutherland…ever since 24.  This is the perfect role for him.  The drama is intense; the story lines are multi-layered.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , | 3 Comments »

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