the best

One of the many reasons I love this season - is this...

We watch this movie every year around this time. And I love it.

If you don't know this movie... you're missing out. And srsly - go rent it!

edit: Obviously you DON'T know it *shakes head at you* ... it's called Love Actually

love

Reason # 21 - I'm thankful for... all the love in my life.

And for once - that's all I have to say.

But I like this too:

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere.

Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends.

When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love. actually. is. all. around.

From - Love Actually

these two

I love this picture.

That is all.

Why yes. That is MY blanket and a beer bottle. Don't ask.

All I can say is you gotta love Murph.

Reasons # 19 and 20 - I'm thankful for Kate and Murphy.

These two make my heart happy. They make me laugh and they warm my heart. And really - isn't that enough? Laughter and a warm heart?

I think so.

Happy Thanksgiving

mom

Reason # 18 - I'm thankful for... mom.

Look at that smile. Happiness is... just standing here with mom.

So safe. So secure.

Life is good.

Of course she would have been much earlier in the month. But as per her request -her post comes on her birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! I said - 'you want me to wait until the end of the month to post about you? But it will seem like I don't care! Or that you're not important!' I have a sneaking suspicion she wanted to be saved for last though. You know - save the best for last kind of thing...

I'm on to you mom.

just kidding... maybe.

I'm thankful for mom.

For how she is willing to drive almost 6 hours just to come visit for a day and a half.

For how she gets excited about the things I do. For how she is always interested in what I'm interested in.

For how she always calls me on her way home from work and then is willing to sit in the driveway and talk to me for another hour. (Even if it makes the cat and Jason think she's crazy.)

For how she sends me little emails in the mornings that always brighten my morning (and you know how hard that is to do).

For how she listens, really listens as I ramble on about whatever nonsense is going on in my life.

For how I have known every second in my life how much I am loved.

For how she believes that I can do anything I set my mind to. Even if I don't believe it.

No goal is out of reach. No idea is too crazy.

For how she makes me a little cocky - since I am always funny and intelligent to her.

For how she has always worked so hard so that I could have what I wanted or needed.

For how she's let me make my own mistakes (even if she was a smidge vocal about them not being good ideas at the time).

For how she let me know that coming home was always an option. That failing wasn't failing if I kept trying and moving on. That it is okay to make mistakes. And that it's okay to be wrong (you know...every now and then).

I'm thankful for how I know that she's there for me. Always.

Growing up - I just assumed that's what all moms were like.

Now that I know better - I realize how wonderful you've always been to us. I realize how lucky we are to have you as our mom. I appreciate all of the things you sacrificed and did for us (and still do for us).

I'm thankful you showed us what love is. What family is. What a real mom is.

Happy Birthday Mom. I love you!

this guy

The VEST!

Oh how I love it. It NEVER gets old. Never.

Reason # 17 - I'm thankful for... Jason.

Even if he threatens to consult Craigslist for a new sister... who calls and comes home more often... (you'd never find a better one anyway) - I'm thankful for my darling brother.

He taught me my love for baseball. He taught me my love for cars.

He taught me how to not be a sissy, whinny girl.

He taught me how to be sarcastic. He taught me how to not take life too seriously.

He taught me not to be a Sensitive Sally. Even if sometimes I am a Random Ruby like mom. I've always looked to him to show me how to be. I mean I did spend the first 18 years of my life being his copy-cat.

He loves me unconditionally. He trusts my opinion. He shows me that I matter.

This month, as always, I am thankful for you Jason.

I would not be me, without you.

comic relief

Reason #16 - I am thankful for... funny friends. Even if they do make me choke on popcorn!

One part of the movie last night (Harry Potter if you need to get out from under your rock...) was the take over of the Ministry of Magic. The new policy was that everyone was going to have to submit themselves for inspection and strict evaluation in order to to prove that they are worthy of staying and being allowed the privilege to work there.

Beside me V says: "H*** that's like working at ****** (you know where - if you don't...srsly get out from under that rock!).

I could have DIED. Right there. I nearly did... choking on popcorn. We totally embarrassed Nick. Hysterically laughing (loudly) at a part that wasn't even remotely funny.

But definitely good times.

Oh and PS - the movie is AWESOME! Definitely the best one so far!

you belong with me

Reason #15: I am thankful for... Nick.

For all the great things he does for me. For how he takes care of me. For how he laughs at my goofiness. For how I know he cares -even when he is a grumpmeister. For how he makes me happy. For how he makes me laugh. For how he makes me feel safe. For how me makes me want to be better.

Are we perfect? No. Will we ever be? No.

I read a quote in a Chicken Soup book a long time ago that I've always kept in the forefront of my mind - I'm paraphrasing (please ... as if I could remember it verbatim):

Old woman - "When I got married I allowed my husband 10 faults. I decided to make a list of 10 things that he could do, regardless of how they annoyed or frustrated me, and I would always overlook them."

Young woman - "Which faults did you put on the list?"

Old woman - "Oh I never got around to actually making that list. Whenever he does something that makes me mad - I simply say -lucky for him that's one of his ten."

Also this:

Are the streets you're walking down, a hundred houses long?

Well that's where I belong - and you belong with me.

Coldplay - Swallowed in the Sea

The paths we took that brought us together may not have been easy. And I wouldn't wish your path on anyone. But it was a path that took you to me. As mine took me to you. Sitting in that hallway, waiting for our classes to start.

And I'm so glad you found me.

until the very end.

Reason #14 - I am thankful for... Harry Potter.  

Or perhaps rather - J. K. Rowling for creating such a fantastic world.  I've spent a lot of time in it over the last decade.  Between the books, movies and (I'll admit it - I've even tried) the video games - a lot of time and money has been put into Harry Potter.  

I may be way too old to love (LOVE) a series of children's books.  I may be too old to still read them...over and over.  But I don't care.  I stuck with Harry until the very end.  I will stick with Harry until the movies end too. And to be honest...I will most likely stick with Harry long after the end.  

Maybe you're with me.  Maybe you don't understand.  

Either way - I'm thankful for the day J. K. Rowling decided to put Harry on paper.  

PS - I need this shirt.

PPS - 2 more hours!!!  I can't wait to see this movie!

In-Laws (and Out-laws...)

Reason # 13 - I am thankful for... my in-laws.

I couldn't have married into a greater family. I know this is true. I have a father in law who can make any furniture a person could ask for (and make it better than I could buy it from a high end furniture store). I have a mother in law who doesn't pry and intrude but at the same time I know she is always there if I need her. I have a brother in law who can fix any computer problem (wait I have a husband who can do that too...) and answer any of my geek questions (and be way over my head... without being too condescending) - even if he doesn't like my blog layout. Sorry. Not switching servers. I have grandparents -in - law who took me in like I was always one of their own.

I really did marry into a great family.

Even if we can't root for the same football team. And they don't quite understand my love for baseball. Even if they like hockey... and I'll never understand the sport. Even though they know how to drive in the snow and I live for the city shutting down when we get a quarter inch dusting.

They take me as I am. They don't judge me. They accept my faults. They love who I am. They let me know it. I never felt like an outsider. Not once. I never felt not good enough or like I didn't fit in - even though I didn't... at first. ;)

I am so thankful I get to be a part of their family. I'm so glad I can call them mine.

my babies

... school babies that is.... No. No news or pink and blue announcements. Sorry Dad, Nick and EVERYONE I work with!

Reason # 12: I am thankful ... for good days at school.

See this post could have been negative... with the week I've had (we are definitely into the holiday season aren't we?). But since it is November and I am being thankful - I am putting that positive spin on it. (see what I did there? Turning that frown upside-down. What can I say...it's a talent.)

I am thankful for the days I go to work knowing I am making a difference. I am thankful for the children who complete my life (for now). There is definitely something sacred in children. The innocence. The outlook on life. The trust. Holding the hand of a small child and knowing that they trust me with everything they know ... well... is not something I can put into words.

So as hard as it is some days. And as much as I complain... I really am thankful for my kids. It's really not a bad life...being surrounded by children.

William D. Tammeus wrote, "You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around and why his parents will always wave back."

cold weather

Reason # 11 - I am thankful for ... colder weather.

I am so happy that I can go outside for more than a minute without dying of heat exhaustion. I'm thankful that I haven't been charred by the sun lately. I'm thankful for my warm, comfy coats. I'm thankful for my warm, fluffy blankets. I'm thankful for wearing actual shoes and socks... not just flip flops. I'm thankful for snuggling with Nick instead of retreating to my side of the bed b/c it is far too hot to be within 5 feet of each other at night. I'm thankful for the leaves changing and falling. I'm thankful we cleaned out our closet last weekend so I could unearth my comfy slippers.

All in all - I am thankful it is fall! As much as I live for the summer...when I don't have to go to work... and I don't get any more grey hairs...and I don't add any wrinkles to my face... b/c of the stress and drama from the nine months I work each year... I do love fall. It is my favorite season after all. I love that winter is just around the corner.

Now... bring on the snow days!!!

spanky

Reason #10 - I am thankful for... Spanky. Or rather - texts from Jason or stories from Jason... about Spanky.

I've only met Spanky in person once. But I've heard about him A LOT. Too many funny stories to not love him. Good Old Spanky. Always good for a laugh.

This picture came from Jason today with the caption:

Blind as a bat!

Poor Spanky. Whining away at the door to come in...all while the door was open.

I received this picture while sitting at a red light this afternoon, windows down, cars on all sides of me. I LAUGHED so HARD - the people beside me gawked at me. Gawked! Like I was crazy or something.

Totally worth it though.

Spanky almost... almost makes my heart as happy as Kate does. Almost. Good old lovable, goofy labs. Everyone should know and love at least one.

dad

Reason # 9 - I am thankful for... Dad.

People always say - "I don't say I love you enough...". I don't know that I feel that way. I feel like everyone I love knows it. I feel like I wouldn't ever feel the guilt or need to say "I wish they'd known I loved them".

So Dad. I know you know I love you. I know you know how much I appreciate everything you do.

So I'll say this once again,

I am so very thankful and grateful that I won the 'dad lottery' and got you. :)

I do want you to know that I appreciate all that you've done and all that you continue to do for us.

Today being Veteran's Day made me think about all the times when I was excited about you coming home after being away for 6 months. What I realized is that I never really put much thought into where you were or what you were doing all that time. Now, I do realize that I was a child who really wouldn't understand anyway...but still.

I was also saddened by the thought of you being there (in all the many places 'there' was), away from everything you loved and knew, working and fighting to keep us safe. I thought about all the times you didn't get any mail from me - even if it was just a picture or a random ramble about something stupid (I know you would have loved it anyway...since you STILL listen patiently to my random, rambling stories).

You know I don't believe in regrets. But I do wish I knew then, what I know now. I would have written every day. Even on the days when I had nothing to say. I would have cost Mom a fortune in stamps (and paper and envelopes and crayons and stickers and glitter)! Just so you would know that I was missing you and thinking about you (b/c I did think of you every day - but in more of a ...2 more months until he comes home - kind of way)

See I'm rambling again aren't I?

Point being: I am thankful for you. For everything you are. For everything you do. For every time you answer your phone...knowing I'm calling to ramble or rant...even though it's the middle of the day... any you're busy...but still... you answer... and you listen. For everything you mean to me. Every single day.

Hog Heaven

Reason #8 - I am thankful for days when my kids can have the playground to themselves (or with just one other class).

My kids were in HOG HEAVEN today. No. Hog Heaven doesn't even begin to describe the elation and pure bliss on their faces when they realized that we were the only ones out there today. We played Duck, Duck Goose. We had races (running, skipping, creeping, hopping...). We all bought imaginary ice cream from the imaginary ice cream stand two of my girls set up. We were all able to swing on the swings (me too!).

We were on top of the world.

I just don't think it gets any better than that.

Meetings

Reason #7 - I am thankful for... meetings.

WhAt?!? MeEtInGs YoU sAy? You've finally lost your mind!

Okay to rephrase - I am thankful for meetings that are funny and make me laugh. Even if it means laughing at other people (which is totally wrong...I know) but still. I'm not laughing at anyone specific...just people in general.

Today's meeting ended with a segment on grammar. Yes. Grammar. For the teachers. Yes. Apparently, there was a need to address the word usage and grammar we use.

I really have no words for that. Other than just... wow.

Wow.

I mean actually putting: "On Tuesday's we have PE." and "Remember to read your AR book's." in a newsletter is just sad. I think the best part is that we were 'taught' how to and when to use the apostrophes by a snarky 'teacher' who (like me) obviously couldn't believe she was having to do it. I mean actually having to say: "using 'apostrophe s' is for possession - what you put the apostrophe on - has to own something. In the examples 'tuesday' doesn't own anything...neither does 'book'. So you don't need apostrophes for those words... You would use that when saying - 'The girl's bike.' The girl owns the bike."

I mean - I get accidentally putting one in the wrong spot or mixing up the wording. I do that all the time. But honestly. Enough people doing it to warrant a meeting about it? Wow.

So yes - I actually had to sit through a meeting (class) on when to use apostrophes and when to use 'he/she' instead of 'their'. I. Kid. You. Not.

Not that I'm perfect by any stretch. You ALL KNOW how terrible I spell.

Maybe this is funny to me only b/c if I weren't a teacher - I would like to be an editor for a book company or newspaper (perhaps it's not too late...*runs to dust off resume*). Either way - to me - it was awesome comic relief today.

So possibly the more appropriate thing to say is this: I am thankful for ... comic relief (in real life).

GNO

Reason #6 - I am thankful for Girl's Nights Out.

There is not much better than getting together with a bunch of crazy girls to hang out... play games... eat... drink...be merry...be stupid...be silly...VENT(!)... the list could go on. Trust.

Especially when they end up like this...

and this...

Or when they end up with us on a haunted trail with a random drunk teenager puking his guts out all over the place... Good times. Good times.

But in all seriousness - I don't know what I'd do without all of my wonderful friends! You ladies are awesome and I'm so glad you're in my life. You definitely make my heart happy. :)

Daylight Savings Time

Reason #5: I am thankful for... getting an extra hour of sleep. I have purposely NOT turned back some clocks yet - so I can look at them and say OH YEAH - It's not 10:30...it's only 9:30! Sweet!

IMMD

Today at school we played a game. You pass around a basket with words, pick out one word card and read it. If you read it right - you keep it. If you can't read it - you put it back in the basket. If you pull out a card that says Bang! you have to put all your cards back in the basket. Whoever has the most cards at the end, wins. Simple? Yes. Genius? Definitely! My kids L.O.V.E. it!

Point to this story: (What you didn't just want to read about a random word game we play in first grade? Yes, *sighs and rolls eyes* there is one...I'm getting there.)

One kid "M" has struggled with ... well... just about everything this year. He is very hesitant with reading and writing b/c he thinks he can't. I've been working for 10 weeks to get his confidence up a little so he will be more willing to try... anything.

Today I put words in the basket and told them that they could read EVERY ONE of them. They just had to sound them out and look at the whole word (a lot will only look at the first letter and then say a word they know - example: the word is "black" and they say blue, back, boy, big... you get the picture right?)

So anyway - It's "M's" turn. He pulls out "sad". He starts guessing 'send, said'. But me being the all knowing, wise one in the room *dusts off shoulder and nods* - patiently waits him out - and tells him to sound out each part.

Me: "What does 's' sound like?"

M: ssssss

Me: Ok. What does 'short a' sound like?

M: ah

Me: perfect. What does 'd' sound like?

M: duh

Me: Ok - now put it together.

M: sssss ahhhhhh DUH

This goes on for probably a whole minute - but I told you, I am a wise, wise person (I have the gray hairs to prove it). So I waited.

M: Sssss ah duh... SAD? SAD!

Me: See!! I told you you could do it!!

Okay - now to the IMMD part (I bet you were curious about that post title).

The look on his face. And the smile when he realized that he read that word completely on his own... was priceless. Honest to God - priceless. I nearly cried. Watching him look down at the card in his lap and smile at it was truly wonderful.

He did go on and get to keep 4 other cards (which has never happened before either) before getting a Bang! card and having to put them all back in the basket.

Did he win the game? No. Did he care? Not one bit. To him (and to me) simply getting to keep those cards for a few rounds was all that mattered.

I can honestly say, if I could freeze time in the classroom and live in any one moment forever, it would be that one.

The fact that he got to hold on to those cards was nothing compared to the confidence and pride I could see in him for reading them.

IMMD - It. Made. My. Day.

this cat

Reason #4 - I am thankful for ... Thomas.

He really just makes my heart happy. End of story. There just isn't much better than - waking up to him curled up on my chest (even if it is creepy). Or waking up to him to him laying on my feet (even though he's probably scratched them all to heck while I was sleeping). Or having him purr when he looks at me. Or him following me around like a puppy. Or how he is always talking...or yelling about something (or hissing at my friends over cheese wrappers).

Even though - Some days I could throw him out the window. Not to mention the fact that he has shaved years (YEARS!!) off of my life for a multitude of reasons.

For example just this morning I: got up, like usual, walked (in the dark) to the bathroom, like usual, went to the bathroom (in the dark), like usual (TMI? so sorry...not really), but while going...something warm, fuzzy and big comes out from behind (BEHIND!!) the toilet and

brushes my bare leg. (NOT like usual)

I. could. have. died. I think my heart did stop for a minute or two. srsly. WHAT he was doing behind the toilet? ...I'll never know. But I think I will be turning the light on from now on.... and checking behind the toilet. (*shakes head* this is my life...checking behind a toilet for a rogue cat at 5:45 in the morning).

I mean he's scared me enough by just hanging out in the tub in the morning. So when I open the shower curtain SURPRISE! there's Thomas! Looking at me like I'm the weirdo for jumping 3 feet into the air and squealing like a 12 yr old school girl.

Remember this? When he decided he didn't like how our books

were arranged and decided to rearrange for us.

Regardless,

I love him dearly. He is my baby and life would be quite dull without him.

Reason #3

I'm thankful for... random flowers. From a sweet husband who just picks them up on the way home. To make my day.

:)

He's definitely made a fresh flower lover out of me.

Don't get me wrong... I love flowers - I just don't like it when they wilt and die.

Either way - I am definitely thankful for his thoughtfulness and sweetness.

Wordless Wednesday

Reason #2

I am thankful that... I discovered that Goodwill sells books.

Well I don't know if thankful is the word. But I AM super excited!! We went to donate some stuff (we did some Fall Cleaning this weekend) and they gave us a 10% coupon. So naturally, we went in to check it out. I got all this:

for ....wait for it.... *drumroll* ... $6.33.

  $6.33 (!!)


How can it be?  you say.  It's not possible!  you say.  Something must have scanned wrong. you say.  Quit lying... you paid for one and stole the rest!  you say.

To you, my friend, I say:  I KNOW!  I can't believe it either! My mind is still blown.  Blown!  

I smiled the whole way home! Still smiling... as a matter of fact. Two hardback books, three paperback and two classrooom books! And they are all books that actually I've heard of (well all but one, but the summary is promising)!

A Month of Thanks

Why do we only think about what we are thankful for on Thanksgiving? I'm thankful for lots of things. While I can't promise that I'll post something everyday... I will post some things I'm thankful for all month.

Reason # 1: I am thankful that I don't have to work tomorrow. (wooo hooo Election Day!!)

What are you thankful for?

PS - don't tell me everything now - this will be an ongoing post. :)