Currently January!

I use old TV/Netflix to wind down ... favorite shows include NCIS, Damages, Parenthood, Gilmore Girls, Hart of Dixie and more!

The holidays have been so very relaxing.  I made a clean break with school ... have spent time with family, cooking, reading, playing with grandsons.  I've tried several new recipes.  One in particular turned out well for a fairly easy supper ... stacked chicken enchiladas.  Here is the recipe:

Monday is coming ... quickly ... fortunately that first day back is a professional development day.  I don't know what we will do that day ... but I'm sure it will be fun to be with colleagues!

Even though I want to be ready to get back into the swing of things at school, I really want more time to read and rest!  I just started a novel my son gave me for Christmas!  It's The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver ... a classic!  I did a quick Google search for some background on the novel ... found this Mental Floss article ... check it out!

So ... resting, reading, playing ... but lessons are coming!  Tuesday's plan is ready ... I just need to work through it to be sure I have the details down, and the information fresh in my mind.

Last ... my word for this year ... mindfulness!  I don't want to lead a double or divided life!

#70 Days Currently August!

Conflicted!

Wanting one more month of summer!

So excited about school it consumes my thinking!

We gave up cable a year or so ago.  It hasn't been hard ... I use TV as background noise mostly for grading :)  We've also found old series that we missed the first time around and enjoy now.  Netflix is our go-to TV spot!

We just returned from a family vacation on Hatteras Island in North Carolina.  There were 16 of us, ages 3 to 85.  We had a blast!  My dad instigated this particular party some months ago when he said he wanted us all to return to the house he built in the 90s for mom and him.  The house was so much the same, the beach beautiful and the family time memorable!  We are already planning next year's trip.

As much as I am loving summer, playing with the grandsons, swimming, reading, relaxing, my mind is non-stop on school.  I'm a planner ... I like to know the logistics ... I love to dream about what could be.  In fact, I'm so caught up in these mind games that I'm tired ... and that just won't do to be tired already.

Our first official day back is August 17.  I haven't tackled my room yet.  It's on my mind.  I need to set aside a day or two to decorate! I've created a few posters - they are at the print shop.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to re-do, re-organize the bulletin boards and the student access spaces.  I better get busy!

B2S RAK ... back to school random acts of kindness ... I've been thinking "be kind" will be my motto this year.  Time to channel some heavy thinking about how to put that in action ... from intentional acts in my classroom to random acts about the school.

Thank you, Farley, for the Currently tradition!

Hooray for August!

June Currently

Just a little late to the party ... but they say, better late than never.

I'm hoping this post will help me get in the blogging spirit!

Last year we added a glassed-in patio to the back of our house.  It's my favorite place to be most any time but especially in the summer.  I can rest on comfy furniture, watch the rays dance on the flora, and listen to birds call to one another.

I wrote in an earlier post about a summer goal to walk more and so two my of my Twitter buddies have set daily "fitbit" goals.  It's a challenge but I'm getting 10,000 steps each day ... and discovering the beauty of our neighborhood in the process.

I have every intention to blog daily this summer, but good intentions are not enough, apparently.  I haven't been able to find words to put together - yet.  I'm hoping the writing muse will return soon.

Summer, time off from work, family ... so many gifts ... I need or even want little!

I have ideas for projects - they are still just ideas.  Since I want or need little, the projects are simmering on the back burner.

The challenge for "summer lovin" was to list a few things that I'll love about the summer.  That list could be quite long.  One of the best parts of summer is getting to spend more time with family.  The grandsons and I visited the park this morning - splash pad, playground, sand pit, and picnic.  It was great fun!  Another important part of summer is filling buckets - mine and others.  It may sound rude to list my own bucket first but I ended school year empty.  I need to take care of myself so that I can be good to others.  And yes, I want to nurture friendships and family relationships!  Last, I know this summer I will love pondering.  I like that word.  It feels heavy, it has weight to it.  It is a slow process. It can appear to be passive but it is mindfully active.  And it is the process through which I become a better teacher.  My pondering takes the form of reading, discussing, thinking, and planning.

What are you going to love about this summer!?

Currently, December!

Just a bit late ... 

I've been playing Christmas music whenever, wherever I can.  

I'm having difficulty concentrating on school.  I can empathize with my students!

My mind is on gift giving, party appetizers, and holiday plans.

My blogging has definitely been suffering!  I hope to catch up soon ... 

It's November ... currently

Today I join other bloggers in celebrating the first of the month with Currently ...

Currently October with a Treat!

It's October already ...

In beautiful central Texas, our morning was cool and our midday is mild!  Loving the open windows and fresh breezes!

Most of the Currently entries are self explanatory.  Notice the "trick or treat" ... I have a real treat for you!  I'm loving my students' blog posts!  So far the requirement has been to write just one post ... about any topic that is related to math in some way.  I invite you to check out all of our blogs - use this link as a jumping off place.

I'm also highlighting a few specific posts today ... check these out ...
Is a Member Card Really Worth It
Math News
Cantor's Diagonal Proof
Bohemian Mathsody
Math in Gaming
Euler's Sonnet
Shhh….Seven Super Secret Study Tips

There are many more ... such talented young men and women!  Love my students!!

September Currently ...

Linking up with awesome educators at Oh Boy, Fourth Grade ...

It's hard to believe it's September already!

My "currently" needs little explanation!

The instructions said to list 3 trips I want to take.  I watched The One Hundred-Foot Journey today - beautiful scenery in France.  I want to take a trip to Europe - to see the countryside for sure.  Sedona and New York City are much more doable - and hopefully trips my hubs and I can take soon!

#70Days ... Currently having fun!

Currently ... just a bit of fun ...