in no particular order

i started a life list .. .
some call a "bucket list" but i absolutely LOATHE that name.
before i kick the bucket,
Really?

in honor of my birthday yesterday, there are thirty three listed below.
that's right, i'm now 33.
and my life list is growing
problem is i don't seem to be scratching off as quickly as i'm adding.
THIS is a dilemma.

i may have to quit my job.

1. see the aurora borealis 

2. own a horse

3. fall in love again. 

4. go kayaking

5. make a flower crewel collection

6. go to Alaska

7. Greece with Allison, just Allison

8. get an old typewriter and use it to type letters

9. drink bubble tea

10. learn how to knit and crochet again 

11. learn how to make homemade pasta - easily - regularly

12. go to an Ingrid concert with Alli

13. become a flea market regular

14. play the piano again... . have one in my house

15. buy a house. .. a bungalow

16. publish a piece of writing

17. successfully start a small business

18. my infamous chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce _ make it without recipe.. frequently 

19. start exercising.. .maybe yoga?

20. join a Co-op

21. open an etsy shop. 

22. adopt a dog

23. take a roadtrip .. .long roadtrip

24. go to Serendipity, NYC

25. tattoo two? 

26. learn how to install a chandelier

27. ... reupholster an antique chair 

28. learn Italian

29. practice Calligraphy

30. learn how to make my mom's sausage, meatballs, and braciole

31. visit the Grand Canyon again .. .

32. organize shoes with photos - polaroid

33. practice the lost art of taking baths.

the sun again.. .

Kingdoms and queens they all bow down to you 
Ranches and ranch hands are bowing too 
And I'm takin off my straw hat for you, singin'
Here comes the sun again

And the leaves on the trees they all call out your name, 
Chrome on the freight line shines the same, 
And the stars in their cars roll their tops down for you, singin'
Here comes the sun again

Oh but if you're gonna stay,
Show some mercy today 
Blow that breeze on my face

Snow banks and drifts down the hillside for you 
Slides inside sandy river before the day is through 
And before evenin falls i may find myself there too, singin'
Here comes the sun again,
Here comes the sun again...

m.ward

i heart teaching: reason #7

they were all lined up
by the door.
backpacks on, stuffed to the brim.
one of them turned around and asked, "Can we give you a hug?" 

of course??! 
and with that
one piled on,
arms reached around as big as can be, 
stretching
then another.
and another.. 
forming a giant unbreakable ring around me.
i couldn't get out if i wanted to,
nearly toppling over with affection. 
moments into that enormous hug one of my boys,
called out..  .
"I love you."
and then just smiled at me. 

no one responded with a laugh, or even the slightest comment.
it was as if, it was the most normal thing he could have said to his teacher. .. . 

today was, for so many reasons, an extremely hard day.
i opened my eyes,
and dreaded lifting my legs to stand up out of bed.
cried on my way to work.. .
sweat like a beast throughout the day
and, i think, unfortunately, for those around me,
it was not the best day to wear my natural deodorant.

that "I love you " though, was my normal day's special.

i heart teaching: reason #6

i was standing out in the hallway this morning greeting the kids as they came in.. .
one of my boys appeared, said "Good Morning!", walked into the classroom,
unpacked, opened the windows for me [he's my guy]
.... came back out and proceeded to tell me this. .


" I realized something 'psychological' last night.. . "
[yes, these are the words he used]
a.dorable.


" You know how dogs love you even if you are mean to them? 
Or you do something wrong? 
Well it's just like God.. .
Isn’t it funny how their names are just spelled backwards? "


i'm a lucky lady to have these kids in my life. every day.
very lucky.

affairs to remember

tonight it started.

affair #1
before stepping foot into a big icy snow.filled pile of report card work,
i decided to make myself dinner.

no. this wasn't it.
this was just the starter.
and boy.. . Do i recommend it!?!
Yes, you do have to buy organic carrots.
so. much sweeter. you'll thank me.

and No! "baby carrots" will certainly Not satisfy!
They taste entirely different and are so very slimy.
Only good for throwing at disobedient children during snack time.

Go treat yourself to a full bag.
Scrub them clean however many you desire for that sitting.

no peeling necessary.
Mom recommended that way.

Then .. . here's the kicker.
Ginger Miso dressing - as the dip
only need a bit.

affair #2

uncovered today between breaks. inspiration hiding at the hardware store.

How-Tuesday: Plumbing Pipe Candlesticks from Etsy on Vimeo.

affair #3

{Inspiration Board}

.this site encouraged me to head back to my closet for a 'shopping spree'.

 Have you been wearing the same 

five or six outfits over and over again 

when your closet is full? 

What's that about?

from  This is Glamorous

God is in the public schools

there have been so many opportunities recently to talk about God at school
.. .within certain parameters that is.
[ i'm @ a public school ] : but i try to not let that hold me back.
Yesterday a child told me "there is no God".
You know I couldn't leave THAT go!?!? ?

this young man whom I do adore, is learning Hebrew afterschool. ..
but apparently doesn't believe that God exists.
Well, he's now teaching me Hebrew on the side.
I asked if he could share with me some words to use when I pray. I'm gonna break him down... .
the Spirit works in miraculous ways we don't understand, right?

If my mom taught me anything, it was to tell people about Jesus.
anywhere. anyone. any way.
I remember hearing stories about her when she worked at my first school of employment
_where she got very close to the "edge" : separation of church and state, that is.
and now I've become her.

So when we received an email from our principal sharing this YouTube video
.. . and "OK'ing" it for the students,
I tossed them all on the reading rug and pressed play.
They loved it _ of COURSE!
We're replaying it tomorrow.
Along with a read.aloud, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.
One of my mom's favorites.
A story of love, redemption and restoration.

Writing Workshop Theology

I found myself today during Writing Workshop asking questions that seemed more theological than anything else.

Some of my students were struggling with expanding their characters, after an in.depth lesson on internal and external character traits.

: even with use of a photo [and some funny stories] of this little guy
_ my nephew Aidan, whom they quickly fell in love with.
[also the little love nugget in the Lilies header]

Some questions followed after the lesson.."I don't know what else to write about my character. I don't know what he would do in this situation?  and my response...

"Isn't it the Creator of the character, who knows him/her the best one to figure it out?"

I, then had to step it down a notch, [teaching in a public school] before I spoke any further.
Aren't your parents .. .the ones who made you - the people who know your in.s and out.s best?
The way you act? Your TRUE motivations behind your behavior? whether it be sneaky or for the good of others? 


The lesson ended. And as a whole, the group had a concrete understanding of today's objective. Job done. But it is in moments like that when I feel as if a hand is reaching down from heaven or whispering in my ear. Messages just for me.



I found as I asked that first question a bold peace came over me _ Isn't it the Creator of all _ the Creator of little ole me who knows me the best. BEsT of anyone. the best of my family. the best of my very small group of friends. He knows my heart. He can see right into my core. my dirty, dusty corners and love me just the same.

It's funny how a simple writing task can bring me right back to where my mind should always be. thinking about my Maker.
How he knows all there is to know about me.
AND my story_
and where it's taking me next.

:these little things made me happy today.

1. found this video from a trip to my sister's a while back. 
uploaded it. 
already watched it five times.
silly how absolutely. out of this world. happy this makes me... 
or is it? 
i guess it's sillier when you think about what else makes people happy. 
i'd rather have my big sister right here, Right now.

2. there's something about kina. 
love her lyrics. her voice. . . all of the above. 

Delicate

you said, "be careful, it's delicate
things can just crumble apart."
but it's not the same for me
it's not the same for me

so i kept treading so carelessly
thin lines that splintered my ground
but i closed my eyes to them
i closed my eyes to them

how did you know that i couldn't be what everyone wanted me to be
and how did you know that i wouldn't see when everything falls away from me
when everything falls away from me

one day i woke in the rubble
knee-deep in damage i'd done
and i was ashamed of it
how did it come to this?

how did you know that i couldn't be what everyone wanted me to be
and how did you know that i wouldn't see when everything falls away from me
when everything falls away from me

how did you know that i couldn't be what everyone wanted me to be
and how did you know that i wouldn't see when everything falls away from me
when everything falls away from me
when everything falls away from me

are you satisfied with an average life?

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

bling and where babies come from

today was the teacher appreciation luncheon at CAS. all the teachers dressed up as rock stars.

note: heavy on the bling. 

we were given an amazing lunch by the PTO and then sent back to our classrooms with the roses from the lunch tables. Who doesn't love a red rose adorning their work table?

[ take a careful look at the two pair of sunglasses _ my real ones hiding behind the rose _ the PTO 'dress up' ones on my calendar] They went all out to make us feel like *stars today.

The students voted what singers we were most like. Apparently i'm =
Taylor Swift
One of the reasons being: [exactly as it was typed]
"Miss {A}. You are assome. I'm happy your my teacher you rock.  & p.s. have a nice day."
seriously?!


I think my kids were a little pumped up today, from the whole Rock star event. and just in general as it is the near.end of school. I walked halfway in on this conversation, as i picked them up at library today.


... { in a sarcastic tone_ from one boy to another} Well - my mom and dad, they REaLLy love each other, .. . . "


and then he paused... The other boys started laughing and looked at me, "What?!? You asked, where I came from?" he quipped.


"JAck," I said and then turned away QUICKLY .... [I couldn't help but smile BIG, wanting to just grab and noggie him to death.]


tooo much.

lessons from the day:: one

1. yesternight IS a word.

one of my three year old art students used it today .. and the words.... . "how very perfect.." actually scrolled across my brain.

2. Your Baby Can Read actually DOES work.

Saw one of my TWO year old art students reading one syllable words off of vocabulary cards this morning. This is a girl who does not yet speak in complex sentences, yet she can read, basic words only, but SHE CAN READ>

3. Making Potato Gnocchi looks easy.

I babysat tonight. Haven't done that, since ... well, come to think about it, I can't remember when. Had a whole lot of fun. Was cornered by two little blonde haired boys during a light saber throw down, made some paper airplanes, snacked all together on a pile of nilla wafers at the kitchen table.

After the boys were in bed, i attacked a stack of magazines i brought with me, the latest bon appetit [you know the one you've been eyeing _ yup with THAT sandwich on the cover]. Well, I read the gnocchi recipe over about ten times, have it basically memorized. And man, am surprised at how very simple is seems. Can't wait to try this out.