SOLSC Day23 - A Quiet Day Off At Home

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 23 -- A Quiet Day Off at Home (as told, in verbs, by a person with ADD)


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sleep
wake
wash
dress
sit
write
reflect
eat
read
read
redirect
write
read
play
work
play
play
redirect
organize
work
search
search
find
sit
organize
pay
pay
watch
play
play
redirect
collect
place
fix
sit
eat
watch
text
play
nap
nap
watch
redirect
gather
hang
organize
play
play
redirect
read
text
watch
watch
redirect
fold
place
sit
reflect
read
redirect
cook
sit
eat
converse
organize
move
sit
relax
watch
call
converse
read
watch
play
converse
organize
play
watch
watch
watch
sleep


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JudyK  March 23, 2018

SOLSC Day22 - More Words of Wisdom From Dove Chocolates

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 22 -- More Words of Wisdom...From Dove Chocolates



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A few days ago, I wrote about some of the messages which are written on the inside of Dove chocolates. I’ve come across four more which were interesting enough to make me stop and ponder:


~~ Give someone a compliment. ~~
A person with good manners doesn’t need to be told that. But people lead such busy lives these days, that many don't stop long enough to think about doing such a simple thing. And so, the reminder is an excellent one. Have YOU complimented someone today?

~~ Take a cat nap. ~~
This message is valuable for all the people who have so many obligations and responsibilities that they don’t give themselves the breaks they deserve. It’s okay, you can allow yourself a few minutes for a cat nap. You really do deserve it.

~~ Show up without a reservation. ~~
Every minute of our lives doesn't have to be planned out. Do something spontaneous once in a while. You’ll be amazed at how good it makes you feel!

~~ Be proud of your age. ~~
Now THIS is a really thought-provoking message. So many people worry about getting older! All my life, I’ve seen people, especially those in their 30’s and 40’s, fret over turning a certain age, or getting wrinkles, or not having that youthful look any more, or whatever. Lots of people get downright depressed about it. Sure, it can be sad. But that’s the way life goes. We all get older, so we might as well embrace it! With age comes a lot of wisdom, which is a perk for sure. Would I rather be a youthful 30-something with lots of energy and great health but who doesn't know much about life, or a graceful (somewhat graceful?) 60-something whose body is getting creaky but who is so much wiser about life?  Some days, that would be a tough decision. But when push comes to shove, most days I’d choose my 60-something self. I am SO much wiser now than I was at age 30. I’ve had so many more life experiences. My life was very rich then, but it’s much richer now. I’m happy — and yes, proud — to be 62 years old. My mother passed away when she was 62, and if God’s plan is to have me turn 63 and keep going, then I will be honored to do so. Happily.

Wow.  Who knew that the Mars candy company could make me think so much?


:-)
***************
JudyK   March 22, 2018 

SOLSC Day21 - Take a Cue From the Children!

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 21 -- Take a cue from the children!



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Spring officially began yesterday.  Today, the first full day of Spring, finds many of us experiencing more winter weather. Here in Ohio, we got a few inches of snow. It's really quite pretty here where I am, but most people all over the country are tired of winter and are definitely NOT enjoying this latest gift from Winter. I happen to be on my Spring Break this week, so it's quite ironic that I'm enjoying my Spring Break while looking out the window at snow.

                                                              

 

                                     

My grandchildren attend school in two nearby school districts, which aren't on Spring Break this week, and those school districts closed today due to the snow. I'm sure that my grandkids were happy to have a snow day, but I was surprised when my daughter-in-law told me that she and the kids had spent an hour outside playing in the snow. Everyone is tired of the snow, I was thinking to myself. Why would anyone want to go play in it?


                          

My daughter-in-law told me that the kids had great fun playing outside. It didn't matter to them if it was the first snow of the season or the umpteenth. It didn't matter if the snow came in March as opposed to December. They had a good time!

And therein lies the lesson that we can learn from the children: 

Just enjoy!

:-)

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JudyK   March 21, 2018

SOLSC Day20 - A Cautionary Tale (6 word memoir)

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 20 -- A Cautionary Tale (6-word memoir)


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Watch

what

you

leave

near

puppies.

:-)

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JudyK  March 20, 2018

SOLSC Day19 - Seize the Day!

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 19 -- Seize the Day!

Here I am talking about the weather again today. I can't help it! This time of year, we are all SO looking forward to Spring, and we get a beautiful day, or even a few days, here and there, and then Winter comes roaring back, dashing our hopes once again.

I am on Spring Break this week, and tomorrow is the Spring Equinox -- the official beginning of Spring -- so naturally I am hoping for some not-too-cold-and-not-too-yucky weather this week. I got it yesterday and today, with sunshine and temperatures well into the 50's. Yay for that!  But the forecast for the next two days is not very nice....Rain, sleet, and snow are predicted. My crocuses, which just today fully burst open, will most likely close up tight again.

I'm glad I enjoyed the day outdoors today while I had a chance! I hiked a little in a nearby Metro Park, I played in the back yard with the dog, I admired my crocuses, and I sat on my front porch reading....
   

Prairie Oaks Metro Park

                                                    

              

Somebody is on a plane going somewhere....

Look at that brilliant blue sky!

           My crocuses, taking in the sunshine...

so gorgeously purple!

I savored the beauty of the day as much as I could. I really had to, because the memories of those sweet Spring moments will be all I have to get me through the next few days!

:-)

*************

JudyK March 19, 2018

SOLSC Day18 - Thoughts of Chocolates and Clocks

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 18 -- Thoughts of Chocolates and Clocks



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Dove chocolates.... Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Dove chocolates are individually-wrapped chocolate candies which come with inspirational messages printed on the inside of the wrappers.

The chocolates taste SO good that I find it's hard to eat just one. Which is all right, I guess, because the package says that one serving size is five pieces. (Five pieces, really? Wow.)

The little messages inside the wrappers are fun to read. They are motivational or inspirational in varying degrees. Sometimes they make me stop and think: "Revive the art of conversation." Sometimes they are mushy: "Kiss and tell" or "Learn something new about a loved one." Some of them are empowering: "Make the first move." 

I ate a few Dove chocolates yesterday (I obviously did not stop at just one) and the message that resonated with me yesterday was this one: "Ignore the clock."

Ignore the clock. Yeah, right. Does that candy company know how hard it actually IS to ignore the clock? Our daily lives completely revolve around the clock! School, work, sports, sleep, chores, meetings, and even entertainment all run on schedules. Ignoring the clock is all but impossible for most of us, most days.

Still, there is something to that advice. Shouldn't we all slow down once in a while? Shouldn't we give ourselves a little break now and then? Don't we deserve that?

That "ignore the clock" message hit me at exactly the right time yesterday, because yesterday was my first day of Spring Break. "I can do this," I actually thought, "I will have the opportunity to ignore the clock at times during this week." I was excited by the possibility!  

I decided right then and there to pick a day or two this week when I will try to ignore what time it is and just do whatever I'm doing. Get lost in the moment. Have fun and enjoy life. It sounds wonderful!

As I've thought about this more since yesterday, I've realized that I don't have to limit this "ignore the clock" message to my Spring Break. Sure, this week it will be easier to disregard the time. But next week, when I'm back in school, I should still attempt to find moments when I stop watching the clock. We should all make the time to take that advice. We can, and should, all do that!

Ignoring the clock is not impossible. We just have to make up our minds to allow ourselves to do it.

:-)

***********

JudyK  March 18, 2018

SOLSC Day17 - Wee Leprechaun

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 17 -- Wee Leprechaun (a limerick)


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Having a little fun with my writing today...

There once was a wee leprechaun

Who liked to come calling pre-dawn.

He caused bits of mischief

(But nothing malicious).

Before we awoke he was gone!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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JudyK  March 17, 2018

SOLSC Day16 - Visit From a Leprechaun

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 16 — Visit From a Leprechaun


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Leprechaun Haiku

Rainbows, pots of gold,

Leprechauns causing mischief:

Kindergarten fun!

A leprechaun caused quite a bit of excitement in one of the kindergarten classrooms this morning. When I arrived at the room to pick up a student for pull-out tutoring, a bunch of exuberant students rushed to tell me about it.

“Leprechaun, leprechaun!” Bella, who speaks little English, shouted at me.

Other students tried to talk to me all at once and pointed enthusiastically to the trash can by the door. I peered inside and saw many wrappers from snacks.

“A leprechaun was here!” the students were exclaiming. I tried to figure out how the leprechaun and the wrappers were connected, but before I could even begin to understand, the students were pointing to their bathroom and excitedly reporting more leprechaun hijinks.

“He left his hat!” one little voice was calling out.

“In our bathroom!” another proclaimed.

“And he peed in our potty!” Jimmy exclaimed.

“No, Jimmy,” the teacher’s voice interrupted the chaotic conversation, “he did NOT pee in the potty! He just colored the water green.”



I looked at the excited, joy-filled little faces. Whatever that rascally leprechaun had done, it was worth it. 


:-)
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JudyK  March 16, 2018

SOLSC Day15 - Today's Smiles

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 15 -- Today's Smiles


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It's been a busy week! I had a math training all day today, so my brain is a different kind of tired than my usual school day kind of tired. I sat down with my laptop to write, but my tiredness was making it hard to be inspired. So I resolved to reflect on the day and write about the things made me smile today. I did, and now I'm feeling less tired and more happy. Yay!



Things that brought a smile to my face today:

:-) 1. Interesting math training with colleagues

:-) 2. Great conversations with those same colleagues

:-) 3. Lots of sunshine

:-) 4. Eating lunch out at a restaurant

:-) 5. An after-lunch chocolate mint

:-) 6. A warm afternoon

:-) 7. Ohio State winning in round 1 of the NCAA men's basketball tournament

:-) 8. An overdue errand accomplished

:-) 9. Getting home earlier than usual

:-) 10. A laid-back evening at home

:-) 11. My son-in-law taking my car to get gas for me

:-) 12. My dog's wagging tail

:-) 13. My cat snuggling with me

:-) 14. A paycheck in my bank

:-) 15. The fact that Spring Break will soon be here


What things made YOU smile today?

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JudyK  March 15, 2018

SOLSC Day14 - On My Wall

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 14 -- On My Wall


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On Day 6 of this challenge, I wrote about a few special items that I keep on my desk at my morning school. These are things that remind me of some special people who have been or are in my life. After I wrote about that, I realized that I have other special items that I keep nearby at school, items that have precious memories associated with them, which makes them special also! These things are hanging on the wall right by my desk.  

I have the usual teacher-y things hanging right there...calendars, schedules, staff room numbers & voicemail numbers, etc....but those aren't the special things I'm talking about. The things I'm talking about most likely won't be seen hanging by any other teacher's desk, because they are things that are special to ME. Someone may have one or two of these particular items hanging by their desk, but not all of them.

Here is what is on my wall:

The large "Teachers Parking Only" sign was given to me about 15 or so years ago by my oldest son and his wife. This sign has hung by my desk in at least four different schools as I've moved around the district. It's usually the first thing I hang up when I'm setting up my classroom or small group room at the beginning of each school year. It reminds me of my son and daughter-in-law, and it reminds me of the various buildings I've taught in.

On the top left is a paper replica of an interstate sign that you might see on the freeway in this area. It was made by my middle son one evening as he sat with friends and doodled with markers. (That son is a self-proclaimed "highway geek", so doodling road signs and maps is common for him.) This little sign reminds me of my middle son and his interests and eccentricities... some of which he inherited from me, to be honest. I can spend hours (literally) absorbed in reading maps.

On the middle left is some of my "Super" paraphernalia, given to me by a friend who is a teacher. We worked together in one of the elementary buildings in this district for about six years, and have become forever friends. The first year that we worked together, she called me "Super Judy" (that is another story for another day) and often gifted me with Superman insignia-related items.  

Right next to the Superman insignia is a small brown paw print. This is something that I had at a previous school, whose mascot was a brown bear. I spent eight years teaching at that school, and all three of my sons had attended that elementary school, so that school was important to me. It will always have a special place in my heart.

At the bottom left are two bookmarks. The left one was given to me by a secretary at one of my schools, after I had lamented that I never received any mail or anything in my mailbox. The sticky-note attached to the bookmark says "Now your mailbox is not empty!" It was so sweet of her to do that; her kindness meant a lot to me. The other bookmark has the starfish story printed on it. That story is one of my favorites. Here's a close-up of the bookmark in case you're not familiar with the story and want to read it:

I've had various other special things on my desk and my wall over the years; these just happen to be the current ones. What do all these items say about me? I don't know. I just enjoy them!

:-)

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JudyK  March 14, 2018
(Happy Pi Day!)

SOLSC Day13 - Second Grade Graffiti

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 13 -- Second grade Graffiti

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It started out small...

 

...a few happy notes created by three second grade girls on my whiteboard in my small group room at my morning school.

For the next few mornings, it grew. It included birthday messages and whimsical little drawings...

...until one morning they decided that they were out of space, so they erased and started anew.

"Mr. Fluffy"

On subsequent days, two other students sometimes joined in, as they all wrote and drew, added to, erased and started again...

"I wish I had wings"

...and again...

...and again.

"This is your rainbow", by one of the girls' 1st grade brother

This has been going on, most mornings, for almost four weeks now. I'm wondering how much longer they will visit, write, and draw. Their bright colorful drawings and good wishes help my days start out great. 

Second grade graffiti is the best!

:-)

***********

JudyK   March 13, 2018

SOLSC Day12 - He Stole Their Hearts - acrostic poem

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 12


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I was watching the last few minutes of American Idol earlier tonight, and saw a contestant who had a considerable effect on the judges' hearts... and my heart, too. I was motivated to write this acrostic poem:


                                            David FrancIsco, his smile lighting up the room
                                           on AmericaN Idol
                                                          had Such a beautiful life story
                                               that Katy Perry cried
                                         and Lionel RItchie gave hugs.
               David's smiling fiance ChRistie
                                                      was stAnding nearby
                                      to give supporT, both emotional and
                physical, as she handed hIm his guitar. 
David sang from his heart, and wOn a spot to continue in the competition
                       and then, using his caNes to aid his steps, walked off triumphantly.



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JudyK March 12, 2018

SOLSC Day11 - 11 Things That I Love

Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 11 -- 11 Things That I Love


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In honor of Day 11 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge, I wanted to make a list of 11 things that I love. I started my list, but there were way too many items on the list, so I decided that I would narrow the list down a little. I took off all the people.....That will be another list for another day. What I am left with is truly a list of THINGS: activities and objects. 

Even after taking people off my list,  it was hard to keep the list to 11 things!  What can I say? There is a lot to love in this world.

So, without further ado, here is my list:




11 THINGS THAT I LOVE:

1. Warm, beautiful, not-seen-enough-in-Ohio-during-winter sunshine.

2. Helping children to love learning.

3. Chocolate of almost any type/form.

4. Crafting with paper. I like to make greeting cards, Christmas ornaments, bookmarks, tags, and sometimes mini scrapbooks. Nearly all of them I give away as gifts.

5. Ice cream. There are many flavors to love, so I can't pick just one.

6. Fresh Spring air and Spring flowers. Crocuses, tulips, and daffodils are bright surprises, and lilacs have a wonderfully fragrant scent!

7. Reading. I read many types of books, articles, emails, stories, letters, magazines, newspapers, and maps.

8. The Christmas season, with all its love, warmth, and merriment.

9. Cheese. Colby, cheddar, and Swiss are some of my favorites.

10. Walking in nature...on a beach, in the woods, on a path in a park, around a lake...lots of places....

11. Lazy, structure-free, do-whatever-fun-activity-you-want summer days.


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JudyK  March 11, 2018

SOLSC Day10 - Weekend Expectations Haiku

Slice Of Life Story Challenge: Day 10

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Weekend Expectations Haiku

The weekend is here!

Time for some relaxation.

But there's much to do...

Persistent schoolwork

waits impatiently for me.

IEPs call out.

The house makes demands,

The yard screams for attention....

I SO need a clone!

:-)

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JudyK  March 10, 2018