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>Linky love.
Memes.
Bloggy awards.
Respect. Sharing. Respect.
Oh, I said that already.

I’m a casual blogger, one who writes for enjoyment and because it’s cheaper than therapy. I thrive on the writing process and the feedback (albeit light) in comments. I read many other blogs, too, most of them personal in nature.

Back to respect. I wouldn’t dream of quoting another blogger without credit. If I think enough of a statement that I want to quote it, I’d better credit the blogger and provide a link. Better yet, I’ll send a quick email to the blogger. I’m not a gossip, a tattler. Any dirt I’m digging is real, not figurative (and right now it’s covered with a thick blanket of snow and rabbit tracks). If I refer to other bloggers, they’ll be proud to find themselves here amidst the snow-covered compost.

This movement to Respect the Blogger is spearheaded by Kelly at Don Mills Diva. You can read the basic post here; find the back story of her experience with so-called mainstream journalism here.

Blogging can be fun, casual, intimate, personal, and a whole lot more. But if you’re quoting the Compostermom, you’d better give me at least a link.

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>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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>What else can go wrong? No, don’t answer that.

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>I haven’t cooked all week, except for oatmeal, and that really doesn’t count. When I’m feeling sick, I know I have to feed the family, but I’m so tired I just want to collapse on the couch and nap instead of making meals. Our menu has looked something like this:
Monday – frozen pizza (with apple rhubarb crumble cake for dessert)
Tuesday – tuna casserole
Wednesday – Pizza Hut delivery
Thursday – toasted cheese with baked beans and canned fruit on the side
Friday – brats (under the broiler, the grill is buried in snow), a can of soup, and yogurt.

Breakfast was a little easier. Amigo isn’t fussy, for a teen. I threw oatmeal or toast at him each day and sent him off to school with a pocketful of cough drops so he wouldn’t feel left out of the cold (virus). Lunch? Leftover chicken soup on Monday and Tuesday, after the morning nap. The rest of the week, I tossed a PBJ and an orange in my lunch bag to eat at my desk while I caught up on plans and my gradebook.

In keeping with my neo-frugal outlook, I’ve made my own coffee many days and filled my mug from the office pot on others. I haven’t visited my favorite beverage kiosks once during the month of January. Oh, no, did I hear they’re closing stores? And it’s my fault for not providing stimulus? Never mind.

Friday, I thought I’d treat myself to a hazelnut at Jo to Go. Then I realized the temperature was a balmy 1 degree above zero. That matters, you see, because my minivan doesn’t like the cold weather. I can’t open the driver’s side window if the thermometer reads lower than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Already a little down, I made myself a small batch of coffee while I was getting Amigo out the door. Then I realized I’d left my favorite insulated mug at school, and I felt mildly depressed. I filled my backup mug (of course I have a backup insulated travel mug, doesn’t everybody?) and headed out to school.

I sat down at my desk, checked email and reveled in the fact that there wasn’t much, and then started attacking the mess on my desk, when my neighbor teacher came in with a mocha latte from Starbucks! I burst out in a smile for the first time that morning, thanked her, and then told her about my forgotten mug which was still lost. She remembered seeing it in the library next to the computer printer. w00t! I zoomed down the hall to ask the library media specialist, and sure enough – there it was! Oh, the day was looking up now.

So for a short while, my desk sported three coffee cups. Yes, it did. Three.

And the day, although hopeful, did not improve. I remember muttering under my breath (to the same media specialist who’d found my mug earlier in the day) something about the desire to invent the Ritalin Salt Lick.
She didn’t let me hide under her desk, but she did laugh out loud and chase my kids into line so I could take them back to class. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: if I have a rough day, I don’t want to have it anywhere else.

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>In the headlines, for better or for worse.

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>It happened. The man who put the Goober in Gubernatorial got his just desserts. (I stole that punch line from Public Radio. Blame me for repeating it, not for creating it.)

Multiple risk factors, anyone? The mother of the California octuplets may already have…six kids.

Arizona Cardinals’ Nation? It doesn’t have a ring to it – yet. People don’t sign up their newborns for tickets at birth, do they? Oh, wait – when the retire and give up on tickets, Packer fans move to Arizona! That’s it!

I may have to carefully plan the mailing of my paperbackswap books if the Post Office cuts down its service days.

Grammar police are still active! Does the leader of the free world dare to split an infinitive?

I think I’ll set my newspaper aside and read a book until the Super Bowl commercials start. Sing it with me…”Feelin’ Kind of Sunday!”

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>random thoughts on a sick day

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>Closed captioning can be fun. The errors in the live captioning can be entertaining.

Constant coughing is painful. Really painful. My chest aches. My ribs ache. My tummy muscles, weak as they are, ache.

An hour of CNN is a long time. Must change channels to avoid growing paranoia. I saw the report on Home Depot cutting jobs and panicked about La Petite’s summer position. Emailed her, turns out the local vendors are okay; they’re not laying off, just not hiring new.

Being out of school is a blessing and a curse. I’m not struggling to teach while I cough, but I am worrying about how my class is behaving and how much I’ll have to reteach on Wed.

Plugged up ears, sinuses, and the works lead to pressure and headaches. Leaving hearing aids out is a mixed shot; relieves pressure a little, but makes the world an auditory blur.

Vaporizer is still kicking out steam. Is that why I slept better this morning? Maybe I’ll move it into my bedroom tonight.

Can you believe Ellen Degeneres is 51? She looks so good!

Books for La Petite ordered from Amazon. I’m sad that my local bookstore didn’t have them; I really like to buy locally whenever I can.

Last night was almost comical. Husband took the time to turn on his new surround sound system for a favorite show, then fell asleep, snoring loudly on the couch. I was coughing in my nearby rocking chair, trying not to laugh because it made me cough more. Too funny.

I’m recovering, slowly but surely. Still need rest, still need fluids. I’ll pack a big water bottle in my lunch and cough drops in my schoolbag.

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>Farm cookies!

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>This recipe reminds me of Ranger Cookies. In my lovely home state of Wisconsin, we don’t have rangers, but we have lots of farms! We also have rabbits that look like cows, but that’s another post entirely.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs or 1/2 cup egg substitute
a teaspoon vanilla
2 cups uncooked quick oats
2 cups cornflakes
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 375 dgees F. In small bowl, combine flour, baking poowder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well; set aside. In large bowl, beat butter for 30 seconds. Add sugars; beat until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture; beat until well combined. Stir in oats, cornflakes, and nuts (dough will be stiff). Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls on ungreased cookie sheets; flatten slightly with a fork or the bottom of a glass. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8 – 10 minutes, or until done. Makes about 4 dozen.

I didn’t have cornflakes, so I used what I had in the cupboard: Smart Start cereal. It worked very well. I baked these on a cold, cold day when we were all housebound, and they hit the spot with a cup of hot cocoa – or coffee, of course.

Recipe from 80th Anniversary We Energies Cookie Book.

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