Monthly Archives: February 2009

>I can’t post about that.

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>I can’t post about what a tough day I had at work, followed by another even tougher day. But I can post about coping, and how my ever-loving husband helps keep my spirits up.

I can’t post about the kid who made an obscene gesture before we’d been in school five minutes today and how he tried to lie about it. But I can tell you that the insulated coffee jug that Husband gave me for Christmas kept my beverage of choice warm on my desk while I filled out the discipline record form.
I can’t post about the frustrations with schedules and trying to get into Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training. I can tell you that when I emailed Husband and said, “It’s okay, I can take this during summer break or wait until next year” he replied within an hour telling me he’d be able to cover both training dates by working half days and meeting Amigo after school.
I can’t post about the kid that is the major reason for my eagerness to renew any and all crisis training. But I can tell you that when I came home and started up my laptop, Husband led me to the link for outtakes on the etrade baby commercials.
Laughter truly is the best medicine.
Chocolate comes a close second, though.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, I hope all of you have someone who builds you up when you’re down, who won’t let you drop out, even if it’s just a training session.

This post is entered in a contest sponsored by Parent Bloggers’ Network and Insure your Love, part of Life and Health InsuranceFoundation for Education (LIFE).

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>The Bucket List Chain Email

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>A few dear friends shared this with me, and it just seemed like the perfect thing to pass on to the blogosphere. It’s not a meme, so I won’t tag anyone. Join in if you wish!

The Bucket List
X means yes, I’ve done this.
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school. Shhh…teachers aren’t supposed to admit to that.
( X) Watched someone die Do pets count?
( X) Been to Canada Yes, most recently to Nova Scotia with family last June.
( X) Been to Mexico A day trip to Tijuana when I was 12, that’s all.
( ) Been to Florida
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been lost I keep trying to convince Husband we need a GPS unit.
(X) Been on the other side of the country Well, both coasts at one time or another. I haven’t seen the Northwest; that’s on my list.
(X ) Gone to Washington , DC
(X) Swam in the ocean Does wading count? The ocean was c-c-cold in Nova Scotia in June.
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Played cops and robber
(X) Recently colored with crayons Once in a while I join the class in coloring. It’s therapeutic.
() Sang Karaoke I haven’t; Amigo has!
() Paid for a meal with coins only
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t? More likely, failed to do something I thought I would.
() Made prank phone calls
() Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain or run through summer puddles
(X) Held a baby long after it fell asleep because it felt so good? Snuggling babies was one of the joys of working in day care!
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
() Been skinny dipping outdoors in the lake at dark
(X) Gone to the movies
Any nicknames? None that I know of.
Favorite drink? Obama Blend Coffee!
Body Piercing ? None now. Ears as a teen; they became infected and closed up.
How much do you love your job? On a scale of 1 to 10? Varies with the day!
Birthplace? Shawano, WI
Favorite Vacation? Any with my daughter; she’s growing up so fast, I want to treasure those memories.
Ever been to Africa ? No, but I could catch a glimpse of the shoreline of Morocco when I was in Spain. Hey, it worked for Sarah Palin (not)!
Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? Dinner, no. Lunch or Breakfast, yes. They go great with coffee!
Ever been on TV? I’m often called upon to speak on TV as an advocate for disabilities, especially blindness & autism.
Ever steal any traffic signs? Nope.
Ever been in a car accident? Nothing more than fender benders
Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? Minivan!! 5 doors, total
Favorite pie? Key Lime: I wish I could make it myself!
Favorite number? 7
Favorite movie? Always, anything Harry Potter, almost anything featuring Tom Hanks.
Favorite holiday? Christmas, especially the music. I listen to Christmas tunes year round.
Favorite dessert? Brownies.
Favorite food? Chocolate, of course.
Favorite day of the week? Sunday: laundry is done, thick newspaper to read, time to sleep in.
Favorite brand of body wash? Anything with a subtle lilac scent.
Favorite toothpaste? No preference.
Favorite smell? Either coffee brewing or fresh-turned dirt.
Favorite sound? Silence. Really.
How do you relax? Gardening, reading, blogging
How do you see yourself in 10 yrs? The question could be paraphrased: will I have any hearing remaining? I think so. The loss has progressed slowly in the last 10-15 years.
Furthest place you will send this message? It’s on the blog, it could go anywhere!
Did you ever get a speeding ticket? Not in a long, long time.

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>apple rhubarb crumble cake

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>This is a variation on a theme. I was feeling lousy, wanted something sweet and comforting, and didn’t have the energy to work very hard or very long in the kitchen. The solution was this. I pulled a small zipper bag of rhubarb from the freezer, used two apples I had nearby, and the rest? Well, I keep the kitchen stocked with baking goods. The rest of the ingredients were all in my cupboards. It’s a variation on a rhubarb crumble cake that I’ve made in the past.

1 1/2 cup sugar, divided

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/2 cup rhubarb, 1 1/2 cup apples, chopped

3/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/8 cup quick or old fashioned oats

3/4 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon each baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 cup each almonds and walnuts, finely chopped

1 beaten egg (or 1/4 cup egg substitute)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine 3/4 cup sugar and corn starch in a medium saucepan and stir in the rhubarb and apples. Cook over a low to medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Cool and set aside. In a small bowl, stir together the milk and lemon juice and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the flour and remaining 3/4 cup sugar. Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly. Remove 1/2 cup of the flour mixture and set aside. To remaining flour mixture add the oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and nuts. Combine the egg and milk combination and pour over the flour mixture. Stir until just moistened. Spread 2/3 of the batter over the bottom and sides of a agreased 8-inch square pan. Spoon the rhubarb/apple filling over the batter. Drop the remaining batter over the fruit filling by spoonfuls. Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture. Bake for 50 minutes. Let cool (somewhat) in the pan. Cut into slices and serve with whipped cream or ice cream — or coffee, of course.

This was dessert. It makes a good breakfast, too. The rest of the meal? Remember how sick and tired I was feeling? Supper was a frozen pizza.

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>Action assessment

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>Action. I chose this for my Word of 2009 because I’m good at thinking, I’m good at espressing my ideas, but when it comes to implementation, many times I back off or freeze. One month into the year, how is Action coming along?

I realized that action doesn’t always have to mean activity. I took two sick days last week to see a doctor, rest, and heal. The action involved meant putting in for sick days, writing sub plans, and mentally letting go of my class for a couple of days. That’s easier said than done, made a little more accessible because my sub was a retired teacher from my building who knew my students well. I was sick enough not to mind if he couldn’t make it, but very, very relieved when I found out he could.

Action meant setting aside anything optional and focusing on the most important impending deadlines. Action meant instead of agonizing over time missed at school, I filled the vaporizer and slept on the couch to breathe in its moist air. Instead of jumping up to answer the telephone in mid-nap, I took my hearing aids out and let the answering machine screen all calls. Action meant that I actively pushed fluids, ate oranges and grapefruit, and didn’t feel guilt for not cleaning the house since I was home all day.

Action is beginning to mean choosing the actions, making my choices fit the time and fit the priorities in my life, whether home or work.

As for a goal word in the coming year, I think Action is going to be good for me.

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