Happy Birthday, Mama

Today is my Mama’s birthday!  I’ve been thinking for weeks about what I could post that would do her justice.  If you know me well at all, you pretty much know my Mama.  Everything good (and bad!) about me, I got from her (except the reading and writing stuff- that’s all Nanny and Kay). 

So, in honor of my mama on her birthday, here is some of things I love about her.

1.        She makes lists.  For as long as I can remember, she’s had a little tablet in her purse where she keeps grocery and shopping lists.  I love lists.  I especially love checking them off.  When we were grocery shopping together Saturday, she let me use her pen to check off my own list in my own little tablet.

2.       She sends cards.  I’m not as good at this one yet, but I’m working on it.  She keeps back-up cards in her desk at work just in case she needs one spur-of-the-moment.  I’ve been known to call and ask to “borrow” one in a pinch.

3.       She doesn’t have allergies.  But, since I do, she’s been pretending to have allergies for about 5 years now.  (My insurance won’t cover allergy medicine, but hers will.)  When she even thinks I’m running low, she gets me a refill and usually pays for it.  She also keeps a few in her purse in case I forget to take it and need some while we’re together.

4.       She bakes cakes.  And cookies, and brownies for special occasions.  When I decide to bake, I get a recipe from her, and a lot of times, some of the ingredients.  When I first moved out, I was in need of Crisco at 9:45PM for my first attempt at her delicious chocolate sheath cake.  When I called complaining about not having all the ingredients, she met me half way between our houses with a stick of hers.

5.       She works.  And actually enjoys it.  She likes her other two jobs, too.  I can hardly remember when my mama didn’t work at least one 2^nd job.  I can remember in 7^th grade when she told me she was getting a job at night and I cried.  I didn’t want her to be gone in the evenings, so she didn’t take the job.  When I find new opportunities to make a little extra cash, like night school and summer teaching positions, I remind myself of her.

I could go on and on, but like I said before, if you know me, you’ve got a good idea of who she is, too.  My friend’s husband said it best a few months back when talking to me about my mama, “what a sweet and fun lady.”  I couldn’t have said it better myself.     

My Teacher-Friend Lydia

Today is a good day!  It’s Friday; It’s the start of Spring Break; and Skip is home for the weekend.  Today is a really good day for my colleague and friend, Lydia.  Since she begins her maternity leave after Spring break, she is now officially a stay-at-home mom.  She is ecstatic.  I am a little depressed.  When I started at West, Lydia was my mentor.  I still use handouts she gave to me my first year teaching.  When I have a question about anything from West Block to Pep Rallies, I call Lydia.  Not sure who I’m going to call now.

Not only has Lydia been a wealth of WRHS information, she has been a great role model for me as a teacher.  Her students love her, but it’s not because she shows a lot of movies or grades on a curve.  It’s because she is a phenomenal teacher.  Students want to have their picture made with her at the prom; they friend her on Facebook the day of graduation.  A few weeks ago, I went over during her class to ask a question and got to sit in on the end of a lesson.  Just the thought of losing her talent in the classroom brought tears to my eyes.  Yes, she is that good. 

Lydia is also responsible, in part, for my decision to further my education.  Lydia participated in the National Writing Project several years before I attended the Summer Institute.  She recommended me for the program when I began graduate school.  She is the one who suggested that if I intended to get a Master’s Degree AND complete National Boards, I should attend grad school first and then try for boards.  When I hit a wall doing my thesis research, she lent me loads of books on writing and daybooks.  When I fussed over entry drafts for NB, she proofread for me and provided honest feedback.  She’s been a wonderful asset to me as an adult student. 

I can’t thank Lydia enough for being such a great part of the beginning of my teaching career.  I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for her in this exciting new chapter of her life.  One thing is for sure, whether she is inside the four walls of a classroom ever again or not, she will always be a teacher.   

I'm Back!

          I can’t believe that it’s been so long since I last wrote.  Over the past two months, there have been so many things that I have wanted to blog about, but I was working on National Boards in every moment of spare time I had.  I had to force myself to “analyze my teaching practices” instead of just writing for the sake of writing.  Since there’s no way to go back in time, here’s a short list of what I wish I could’ve said more about in the last two months.

1.       National Boards.  Something I jumped into without doing enough research.  I am not even sure I believe in the process, and I just invested a good bit of money and a ridiculous amount of time pursuing this certification.  I learned a lot about myself, so I am proud of that, but I am not convinced the portfolio truly reflects a teacher’s quality.  Having said that, I will gladly accept the pay increase and pat myself on the back if I do pass.

2.       Jenilee Kennedy.  My best friend of 18 years turned 29 last week.  We met on a cheerleading team (if you can believe that) in 6^th grade.  One of my favorite things about our friendship is that it’s easy and our love for each other is genuine.  To this day, Jenilee swears she did not realize that I was terribly overweight in college.  When she sees pictures now, she says she never remembers me being that heavy.  That’s love. 

3.       Weight Watchers.  Speaking of being overweight, I reached lifetime membership status at Weight Watchers six years ago last month and have maintained my goal weight (give or take a few pounds) ever since then.  I’ve worked for the company for five years and am still inspired by the stories of members changing their lives following the program.

4.       Bunker Ct.  We closed on our house a year ago in March.  As we began to collect materials to have our taxes completed, we were shocked at how little we made last year around this time.  We were planning a wedding, buying a house, taking on bigger monthly bills, and until June, Skip’s income was very unsteady and at times nonexistent.  It is abundantly clear to us that God’s provision brought us through this time and his blessings on us are incomprehensible. 

5.       Values vs. Priorities.  These are two words that Skip and I have discussed at length recently.  It’s been very hard for me to accept the fact that he is gone so much of the time and yet really enjoys his job.  At the height of my struggle with this, Pastor Keith preached a message straight to my heart about the difference between values and priorities.  Although Skip values me above his job, he has to make work a priority in order to provide for us and prepare for our future.  Skip owes Pastor Keith big time!