1:17
A storm rolls in
Fierce winds
Driving rain
3:24
I'm awake
I don't know why
Roll over
Try to sleep
Forget it
Grab my phone
Emails
4:15
Try to go back to sleep
Toss and turn
5:30
BRRRRRNNNNNNGGGGG
It's going to be a long day!
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Sleeplessness
1:17
A storm rolls in
Fierce winds
Driving rain
3:24
I'm awake
I don't know why
Roll over
Try to sleep
Forget it
Grab my phone
Emails
4:15
Try to go back to sleep
Toss and turn
5:30
BRRRRRNNNNNNGGGGG
It's going to be a long day!
Monday, March 6, 2017
Nonna...or Nananana
Nanananananana....
That's what my grandson says as soon as he sees me. Or hears my voice. I absolutely love that! There is nothing quite so wonderful as being a grandmother (I go by Nonna but willingly take Nananananana...)
Timothy is 16 months. And, I must say, he loves his Nonna a lot. Of course, the feeling is mutual.
Even when Timothy was just brand new baby, holding him was the best stress reliever known to mankind. His big eyes would just stare into mine and I could feel by whole body relax. All worries evaporated as I took him in.
That feeling has not subsided, even though he is not quite so meek and stationary as he was back then. Today, he grabbed my hand and walked me to the door. We went for a walk down the hall, to push the elevator button. When he saw his Mom-Mom walking behind us, he took off "running." This was one of many to-be-experiences Nonna and Me events.
My daughter is now expecting twin girls. Yes. Three babies under the age of 2. There will be no shortage of Nonna-time this summer. And I can't wait! I loved every phase of being a mom - and still do. But being a Nananananana is absolutely splendiferous!
Thank you Two Writing Teachers for letting me share this slice of my life.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Sunday
1. Wake up early
2. Convince myself to go back to sleep
Repeat steps 1-2 three times
Lounge in bed
Read Missy Piggle-Wiggle (delightful!)
Time for brekkie - avocado toast
Out the door, ready for Sunday visits
Stop 1: Rod's mom
Stop 2: My mom
Stop 3: My brother
4:45 - heading home
hungry
no one else around
What should I eat?
Scavenge fridge for whatever looks good (not much)
Tonight's goals:
Grading
Lesson Planning
Send out piano billing
Laundry
So glad this is a long weekend
I need tomorrow to recover from today!
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Seeking Spring
My favorite season, without a doubt is summer. I love the heat. The freedom of time. The opportunity to dig into a subject and really study it. THE BEACH. Barbecuing. S'mores. Reading outside on my hammock or chaise lounge. Bike rides. Hikes. Exploring new neighborhoods. You get the picture.
Spring comes in a close second because spring ushers in summer. Spring hints at the delights that await us. Flowers start to bloom. It's warm enough to walk into town for coffee. Browse a neighborhood's shops. Grade papers on the deck. It's a close second to summer.
I live in the Chicago-area. Our weather is erratic. We can have a 70 degree day and then, two days later, be back to brrrrr. Today - possibly snow. By Monday - back in the 60s. This season - the transition between winter and spring - is my least favorite. Winter seems determined to hang out well past its welcome. I want to retire my boots that, several months ago, I couldn't wait to wear. My warm fluffy coat that I am so thankful for during cross-guard duty? Done.
I want sandals and sundresses.
I want to bury my toes in the sand.
Impromptu gatherings in the deck.
But I live in the Chicago-area. So, for now, I wait.....and enjoy the brief glimpses of what is to come. Knowing that, before I know it, I will immerse myself in the magic of summer.
For now, I will be satisfied with a hint of spring.
Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for the opportunity to share a slice of my life.
Spring comes in a close second because spring ushers in summer. Spring hints at the delights that await us. Flowers start to bloom. It's warm enough to walk into town for coffee. Browse a neighborhood's shops. Grade papers on the deck. It's a close second to summer.
I live in the Chicago-area. Our weather is erratic. We can have a 70 degree day and then, two days later, be back to brrrrr. Today - possibly snow. By Monday - back in the 60s. This season - the transition between winter and spring - is my least favorite. Winter seems determined to hang out well past its welcome. I want to retire my boots that, several months ago, I couldn't wait to wear. My warm fluffy coat that I am so thankful for during cross-guard duty? Done.
I want sandals and sundresses.
I want to bury my toes in the sand.
Impromptu gatherings in the deck.
But I live in the Chicago-area. So, for now, I wait.....and enjoy the brief glimpses of what is to come. Knowing that, before I know it, I will immerse myself in the magic of summer.
For now, I will be satisfied with a hint of spring.
Friday, March 3, 2017
A Chance Encounter
A Chance Encounter
Teaching is a second career for me (well, maybe a third?). My first degree is in piano pedagogy and, to this day, I continue to run a small piano studio from my home. Having once taught over 45 students per week, the 16 I have now is a breeze!
Another part of teaching piano is accompanying the students from our local junior high every year at the Solo and Ensemble Festival in February. This event took place just a few weeks ago.
As I was waiting to enter a room to accompany one of the 41 students I was working with this year, I ran into a former student. Immediately the talk turned to books.
"What are you reading now?"
"I just finished a series and now I don't know what to read."
"What did you just finish."
I honestly don't remember what he said but it was a fantasy series that I was surprised he had not read before because he is a voracious reader.
"Oh! Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes!"
"May I suggest a series I think you will really like?"
"Sure."
"Try Gregor the Overlander series. I think you will really love it. There are about 5-6 books in the series."
"Awesome! Thanks."
During this brief encounter, his mother attentively listened in. When he walked out of the contest room, she asked about the book again. I reminded her of the name as she pulled out her phone to send herself a reminder. I imagine that series arrived at their doorstep a day or two later.
There is something so absolutely wonderful about running into former students and immediately reconnecting over books. I live in a small town; it is not unusual to run into former students and instantaneously ask, "What are you reading?" and learn about a new favorite book or author. It is the a connection that will never disappear.
Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for the opportunity to share this slice of my life.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
A Simple Question Brings on a Major Revelation
Last December, my oldest brother was in town, visiting. My husband and I picked him up from the airport. As we were driving to our mom's house, conversation flowed. We had a lot to catch up on.....news from California and his family, news here with ours.
Suddenly John turned to me and asked, "How's your new job? Do you like it?"
I must have paused for a brief moment, because Rod, my husband, jumped in. "She absolutely loves it." And I realized I did. I hadn't really thought about it, but I was happy and it took someone else to notice.
I was still working hard. I was still faced with regular challenges (that is one thing that makes me happy!). But I was HAPPY.
I have pondered that brief moment these past few months. Why didn't I realize the difference? What does Rod see? How often does our happiness just get absorbed into life? What is "happy"? Is happiness elusive or do we just not notice it?
I can now state specific things that make me happy...my teams, my position, the students I work with, the freedom I teach with. But those are just things. I have come to realize that what is truly making me happy is acceptance. I am allowed to be me.
There is a certain freedom and peacefulness that comes from acceptance....I am valued and respected. I trust and respect my teams and they trust and respect me.
And here's the thing -
Mutual trust and respect breeds creativity and innovation because there is no fear....no fear of ridicule or embarrassment. No fear of retribution or conflict.
And for that I am thankful.
Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for the opportunity to share a Slice of my Life.
Suddenly John turned to me and asked, "How's your new job? Do you like it?"
I must have paused for a brief moment, because Rod, my husband, jumped in. "She absolutely loves it." And I realized I did. I hadn't really thought about it, but I was happy and it took someone else to notice.
I was still working hard. I was still faced with regular challenges (that is one thing that makes me happy!). But I was HAPPY.
I have pondered that brief moment these past few months. Why didn't I realize the difference? What does Rod see? How often does our happiness just get absorbed into life? What is "happy"? Is happiness elusive or do we just not notice it?
I can now state specific things that make me happy...my teams, my position, the students I work with, the freedom I teach with. But those are just things. I have come to realize that what is truly making me happy is acceptance. I am allowed to be me.
There is a certain freedom and peacefulness that comes from acceptance....I am valued and respected. I trust and respect my teams and they trust and respect me.
And here's the thing -
Mutual trust and respect breeds creativity and innovation because there is no fear....no fear of ridicule or embarrassment. No fear of retribution or conflict.
And for that I am thankful.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Suddenly
Several months ago, in mid-November, my older brother, while at work, realized he could no longer read. Just like that. The ability to read words and numbers - even know his alphabet - had simply vanished!
At first the doctor's thought he had two brain tumors. He had had brain cancer almost 40 years ago; they thought it had returned. With quiet disappointment, we accepted this diagnosis. Though sad, we could understand how cancer could return.
As the neurosurgeon studied his scans, it was determined that, in fact, the tumors they spotted were too small - too insignificant - to cause what the changes he was displaying.
Suddenly, his eyesight started to diminish. He lost peripheral vision in the right side of both eyes. The reigning opinion now was multiple strokes. Unfortunately, with a shunt in his head from surgery 40 years ago, the hospital was not willing to perform an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. We just had to accept it. We were not so willing to accept this time around. There were too many unknowns, too many unexplained symptoms. The neurologist even stated she was stumped.
He was sent to the best rehab facility in our area, only to return to the hospital less than 12 hours later after experiencing a Grand Mal Seizure. With no answers to be found, he was transferred to a teaching / research hospital nearby.
Fast forward several months. My brother has been diagnosed with a rare condition - SMART syndrome - which is a result of the full head radiation he experienced almost 40 years ago. The condition is very rare. Most people did not survive the cancer he had for as long as he has, so the body of information is quite small. We don't have a clear vision of what lies ahead for him, except that - at least for now- he is not able to live alone or take care of himself.
Over the past four months, I have learned a lot - about Medicaid, and Social Security Disability, and long-term care facilities -all things I never expected to be learning about for a brother that is only 19 months older than I am.
I also was reminded how our family comes together in a crisis. How, no matter what, we are here to support each other. When the going gets tough, we carry the weight together.
I have also been reminded how precious life is - - -each and every moment. My brother held multiple degrees: music education, business, special ed. Yet, without any notice, all of that learning vanished. Will it come back? We just don't know how much or how long it might take.
And I am reminded of my One Little Word for 2017....Joy. You might ask "Where is the joy in this situation?" But it's there...in a sister that shares the work (truth be told, she is doing the brunt of the work right now)...in a friends and coworkers that ask about him regularly....in a simple family dinner. It is also there in my brother and the fact that he is a survivor. He survived a terrible disease almost 40 years ago. He survived several health setbacks as a result of his cancer. But he has lived a productive life, touching the lives of many people.
Joy is everywhere. Even in heartache. But you have to be willing to look for it, and focus on it. You have to seek it out and hold it tight. This year, no matter what, I choose to find the Joy in my life and the lives around me. Life is not perfect. We all have a choice, however....to focus on the joy or to focus on the disappointments. I choose Joy!
Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for the opportunity to share a slice of my life, and learn from the wisdom and experiences of other slicers!
At first the doctor's thought he had two brain tumors. He had had brain cancer almost 40 years ago; they thought it had returned. With quiet disappointment, we accepted this diagnosis. Though sad, we could understand how cancer could return.
As the neurosurgeon studied his scans, it was determined that, in fact, the tumors they spotted were too small - too insignificant - to cause what the changes he was displaying.
Suddenly, his eyesight started to diminish. He lost peripheral vision in the right side of both eyes. The reigning opinion now was multiple strokes. Unfortunately, with a shunt in his head from surgery 40 years ago, the hospital was not willing to perform an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. We just had to accept it. We were not so willing to accept this time around. There were too many unknowns, too many unexplained symptoms. The neurologist even stated she was stumped.
He was sent to the best rehab facility in our area, only to return to the hospital less than 12 hours later after experiencing a Grand Mal Seizure. With no answers to be found, he was transferred to a teaching / research hospital nearby.
Fast forward several months. My brother has been diagnosed with a rare condition - SMART syndrome - which is a result of the full head radiation he experienced almost 40 years ago. The condition is very rare. Most people did not survive the cancer he had for as long as he has, so the body of information is quite small. We don't have a clear vision of what lies ahead for him, except that - at least for now- he is not able to live alone or take care of himself.
Over the past four months, I have learned a lot - about Medicaid, and Social Security Disability, and long-term care facilities -all things I never expected to be learning about for a brother that is only 19 months older than I am.
I also was reminded how our family comes together in a crisis. How, no matter what, we are here to support each other. When the going gets tough, we carry the weight together.
I have also been reminded how precious life is - - -each and every moment. My brother held multiple degrees: music education, business, special ed. Yet, without any notice, all of that learning vanished. Will it come back? We just don't know how much or how long it might take.
And I am reminded of my One Little Word for 2017....Joy. You might ask "Where is the joy in this situation?" But it's there...in a sister that shares the work (truth be told, she is doing the brunt of the work right now)...in a friends and coworkers that ask about him regularly....in a simple family dinner. It is also there in my brother and the fact that he is a survivor. He survived a terrible disease almost 40 years ago. He survived several health setbacks as a result of his cancer. But he has lived a productive life, touching the lives of many people.
Joy is everywhere. Even in heartache. But you have to be willing to look for it, and focus on it. You have to seek it out and hold it tight. This year, no matter what, I choose to find the Joy in my life and the lives around me. Life is not perfect. We all have a choice, however....to focus on the joy or to focus on the disappointments. I choose Joy!
Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for the opportunity to share a slice of my life, and learn from the wisdom and experiences of other slicers!
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