Mile High Milkshakes

There this place in town that makes the absolute thickest milkshakes known to mankind. I just had a butterfinger one. Truely, so thick that a spoon stands up in it and doesn't budge. Creamy? Yes. So rich that I have to order the junior size.

Well worth every delectable bite.

Fridays, popcorn, Legos and six year olds

Bliss. Pure Bliss.

Give a room full of six year olds some popcorn, some legos, some cars, some stencils-paper-and colored pencils, some pointers and TIME to actually play, and you have Bliss, Pure Bliss.

That's the best part of being a First Grade Teacher. Seeing those little ones play. No tests, no rapid reading, no phonics workpages, no pressure to hurry up, just play, play play. 

Wouldn't that be nice if all of us could do that? Just return to that safe place in a child's life when time and playing was all that mattered.

Hope. There is Hope in my heart when I see children at Play. Blissful Play.

Life is a quandary.

I am taking liberty to personalize a scripture for my crazy situation.

From Alma 53:4

I am building a breastwork of timbers around my heart, to an exceedindly great height.  

Some people cannot make a decision to save their life.  I am vulnerable and fragile. Not willing to get hurt or dragged into crazy drama....... 

Monday, Monday, hooray for Monday. A day off from work to reflect on history, and embarking on history in the making. MLK holiday today, Inauguration of Obama tomorrow. Watching the unfoldings on TV and listening to the commentators. Has anything really changed since 1968? 40 years later? Some things have, some have not. I, speaking for myself, was raised in a family that embraced diversity and free thinking. Serving others without judging them. I have been blessed to raise 3 wonderful children who think that way too. Each of them have or are serving a 2 year mission for their church. One speaks fluent Spanish and teaches in a school with a diverse population. I am optimistic about our future because of the children I have raised, their contribution to society and also the children I teach at school. It is a great and marvelous time to be alive.

Whew, been a whirlwind of activities this past month. I am sure that I am not alone in this world where things just seem to speed up. Christmas break was not exactly what I had planned for, but as the Good Lord knows, he can plan it better than I can. I had the opportunity to spend a week in a hospice with a good friend and his mother. She had brain cancer and died on Jan. 2. It was a very peaceful and spiritual journey for us. I am so grateful I could be there to participate in this experience. I learned a lot about myself and my own journey. I learned to love unconditionally. I learned to appreciate the Lord's timing. 

Back the reality on the 11th. Back to school filling those little first grade minds with sparkles. It was fun to be missed. They all hugged me and showed me where they had lost their teeth. Oh the simpleness of being 6. 

As for knitting. I finished my first sweeter, I did a baby size one to start out with. It is adorable.

Now, I am doing an afghan to match. Very relaxing and helping me tune into my own rhythm. 

Crocheting the Evening

Crocheting the evening in a nice tight pattern. Blue on yellow flannel, a nice edging. Chilly mornings as I walk to school. The sun not quite up yet, the end of Daylight savings time soon. Sometime an evening shower is just the thing to help with the mood. Curl up in a robe and watch the Monday night football game. Cheering crowds, announcers and lots of action. 

Fall Evenings

Ahhh yes, the smell of the changing season. Summer bid it's last farewell and welcomed fall in to takes its place. Early mornings the sunrises are pink and gold. Crisp air awakens me as I walk my regular path to school. In the evenings, I saunter home again and await the sunset. It is the smells that give my heart joy. After the thundershower on Saturday, the world was so clean and droplets clung to the foliage. It hasn't changed colors yet, but that moment will come when it seems if by magic suddenly the leaves will take on a different hue. Oranges, yellows, browns, purples, all swirl together as the leaves take on a carpet of color. Smell those wet leaves, smoke coming from chimneys taking off the chill inside. Pretty soon those leaves will swirl down around my feet. Waiting for the crunch to come, I will enjoy the stillness in the air.

Becky