Life Isn't Fair

 We often complain that "life isn't fair."  It's true.  Life isn't fair.  I came home today with a deep sense of gratefulness that life isn't fair.  For some reason about 16 years ago God blessed me with 5 wonderful girlfriends that changed my life forever.  It was with this group that I learned what it means to pray and expect answers.  Through the ups and downs of youth group days, we bonded and encouraged each other on.  We challenged each other to stand for right, to fast and pray, and to trust God with our futures.  Each time we prayed, we checked off the requests that had been answered and our faith grew.  Oh, we had our share of disappoints and misunderstandings.  At the end of the drama, the reason for our friendship was still there.  I wish this blessing would happen to every teenager.  But it doesn't.
Today we were together again.  It doesn't happen very often.  As always there was plenty of laughter and quite a few tears.  Life hasn't always turned out the way we would have chosen.  As we ended our time together praying for a few of the more painful situations at hand, I was blessed.  Of course no one chooses hardship and pain and I would never wish it on my friends.  Still I am blessed to see the grace that God has given in the times of heartache.  I'm blessed to hear words of trust in a God that doesn't always fix problems in the way we ask.
Sometimes we pray and God give us the miracle we ask for.  I know it happens because I've seen it.  Other times I think the miracle happens in us as God walks with us through the valley and out the other side. Today I saw a maturity that is far beyond what was there 10 years ago.  So today I am thankful that life isn't fair.  And I'm still smiling because after all these maturing years, we still burst out laughing in the middle of our prayer times.  I'm grateful for that, too.

First Grade Field Trip

The long awaited day arrived.  My first graders were beyond excited this morning.  We started out with a story in the classroom (my way of calming them down).  Then we were packing up and headed down the road.
First stop: Zoo America.  If I was ever there before, I cannot remember it.  The students were not disappointed even though there were no elephants, tigers, or giraffes.  The animals were out and about for the most part.  I think the only animals that never appeared were the prairie dogs.  It was too bad since one student saw the picture on the map and thought the prairie dogs were bears.  I was hoping to clear that up by observation.

After exploring the zoo and eating lunch, we drove the short distance to Hershey Chocolate World.  They loved the little ride, but of course the gift shop took much longer than the ride.  I see why the ride is free.  The students were fascinated by the penny stamping machines and most of them went home with a stamped penny.

At this point in the trip my photo taking ended.  I should have gotten a picture of all the students crowded around the penny pressing machine.  There was time left at the end of the day to spend an hour at Terre Hill Park.  I think the first graders should sleep well tonight.  I am grateful for the beautiful weather and all the moms that went along.  My job was made easy.

Hope

Winter is over and past.  At least it will be soon.  I cringed a bit when I saw there is snow in the forecast for Tuesday night.  The daffodils promise that summer is coming.  I doubt I have ever been so excited about green grass.

Yesterday I joined friends for a hike/walk along the Susquehanna River.  Of course the water looked cold and the trees were bare, but the feeling of warm sun on skin was lovely.

 By the time the sun went down and we started our picnic supper, we dug out sweatshirts and jackets.  We watched an eagle perched on a nearby tree.  After flying back and forth a few times, it flew away.

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On Friday we had our school spring program.  The students were hyper about the unusual day.  We did some work right away in the morning and then did a bit more before lunch.  The rest of the morning was program practice.  By afternoon I knew there was little hope of accomplishing anything that needed much concentration.  After Victory Drill and spelling were done, the class worked together to shake a jar of heavy cream to make butter.  They were fascinated!  I heard a few of them declare, "This is the best day ever."  I did not tell them my plans for the rest of the day.  After recess and story time, I took them back outside and set them loose with a large box of sidewalk chalk.  They would have enough required of them with all the practice and a program in one day.  For the rest of the day they made chalk pictures and played on the swings.  Plus it was the first lovely spring day warm enough that even I took off my sweater.

The program went well. Now there are six more weeks of school.  I'm not used to the school year ending so early, but a break will be welcome.   I think I'm going to miss my students.  That's a good thing.  And I'm getting excited about a chance to do things the second time.  Hopefully I have learned a few things to make the second year even better.

Ice Storm

"For everyone who is tired of all the snow, how about some ice instead?" ~front page of our local newspaper

Of course my local friends and family are welcome to read this, but I'm writing this thinking of my far away family and friends in a warmer place.

 The ice on the trees is beautiful but dangerous for the trees and the power lines.

Bamboo and ice do not mix so well.

 Brother sucking on an icicle.

It would have been dazzling if the sun had come out but alas, no sun, only fog.  Hopefully we can go back to school tomorrow.

In Case You Missed It...

...it's COLD and SNOWY!  For all the consoling comments last summer about having mild winters lately and not every winter being that bad, it's one of the coldest and quite snowy and icy as well.

This time, being at the north end of the county, meant less snow instead of the usual additional inches.  We got about 5 inches yesterday.

There is still ice on the inside corners of my bedroom windows.

May spring arrive quickly!

Winter Blues

I made promises to myself to not whine about winter.  Hopefully this will answer the question I've been asked for the last year and a half ("how are you going to make it through winter?") without being too whiny.

Winter has come.  It came a little earlier than I would have chosen.  I live in a warm house.  I teach in a warm school.  I even get to park my car in the garage.  Thus I am finding that the snow and ice are harder to take than the cold weather.  Driving in snow or ice (or any similarly nasty road condition) rates as one of my very least favorite activities.  On the positive side, the cold is not too bad.  If the heat stopped working, I'd probably change my mind instantly.  Oh, and I'm not very fond of recess duty these days.  Neither do I especially enjoy driving to and from work in the dark.  All in all I'm surviving and looking forward to spring.

Now, looking back over the last month...
The school Christmas program was a success -- not that I had much to do with it.  My job was crowd control.  I failed to take any pictures.

Then there was the equally successful Christmas party.  I was disappointed that I forgot my camera as I watched the students quietly listening to a Christmas story while relaxing on pillows in the Zimmerman's cozy basement.  I do not get to see the students in that mood very often.
And then the day was over and Christmas vacation arrived (not a day too soon).  Vacation days were filled with last minute shopping, food prep, cleaning, sewing and time with family and friends.

 Family Christmas.  The retro candy bars puzzle came together in about 24 hours despite 32 extra pieces.  Sorry to the next customer who must have come up 32 pieces short.

 It is beautiful even though I hate to drive through it.

This child has the monopoly on the Christmas pictures.  Too bad he didn't cooperate very well.  We love him anyway. :)

Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving

For the last many years, American Thanksgiving is the holiday that almost would have come and gone without me even realizing it had come and gone.  I did usually get a reminder from a phone call or e-mail.  I was still sometimes surprised to see it come up on Google or Facebook that morning.  My family didn't usually do much for Thanksgiving when I was growing up.  At some point Mother did start making a turkey meal.  Then there was the year that I found myself at home unexpectedly with my family over Thanksgiving recovering from a lengthy illness.

This year I could not miss Thanksgiving.  In fact I've been on count down for quite awhile.  No, I'm not that excited about the turkey.  This year it's first significant break in our school schedule since August.  You see I had a very short summer.  With only 6 1/2 weeks between school terms, Thanksgiving has been calling my name.  Next year I might start on a crusade to get Thanksgiving changed to October.  Grenada knew what they were doing when they put Thanksgiving in October.

Before vacation can start, course, there are certain school events to happen.  Today was the school Thanksgiving party, complete with Pilgrims, Indians, and turkeys.

And then there is one more reason why Thanksgiving is a bit more special this year.  We have an additional family member with us (not that he'll eat any turkey).

Sorry, no new pictures of Charles.  I just realized I don't have any pictures after the hospital pictures.  Guess I should have a chance to remedy that this weekend.

So Happy Thanksgiving to all.  If your Thanksgiving passed last month already, I'll wish you a Merry Christmas in advance.