Care and Concern for All My Babies

 As a mom, it is natural to be concerned for your children from the time they are born until forever. It doesn't matter how old your children get or how capable they become, a mom never stops thinking about and worrying about her children.

My 22 years old is a full-time student and soon-to-be graduate of The University of Texas Austin and works a full-time job. The thought her zipping in and out of Austin traffic on I-35 and her having to come home after dark alone keeps me in constant prayer for her safety and well-being.

My 13 years old loves skateboarding, playing video games and being social with his friends. Unfortunately, COVID has required us to strategize his social life. We allow him to spend time at our local skate park, because at least it's outside. I worry, however, that he and the teenagers he meets up with are not always social distancing. Lord, please help him make wise choices and keep him COVID-free.

My 7 month old loves playing fetch, rolling in and eating the grass, and sticking as close to me as possible. He had to go to the emergency room due to a laceration on his ear. I was not thrilled that I had to drop him off and leave him. I wasn't convinced they would take good-enough care of him. He was visibly apprehensive as I handed over his leash, and my heart was heavy until he was back in my cared.

Whether it's my two biological babies or my fur-baby, my worry, care and concern for them will always be the same.

My JOYS of 2020

 My JOYS of 2020

During the month of November I wrote 30 #gratikus about the people, place and things for which I am grateful. I featured some of my poems in a previous post. 

I enjoyed writing these haikus every day, because I learned to slow down, pay attention, and capture moments in time (in the present) that made me be present in the moment.

For the month of December I am reflecting on 31 days of JOY-filled moments from throughout 2020. I have looked back through notebooks and scrolled through photos to recollect and relive the excitement and joy felt at that time.

Despite all that COVID has brought with it in 2020, I am choosing to end this year reflecting on all that is and was good. 

One of my greatest JOYs from 2020 was becoming a member of the #100daysofnotebooking Facebook group, because I developed a daily writing habit.

I wrote a notebook entry every day for the first 100 days of 2020 and beyond, and I have continued to this day. I am proud to be ending this year the way I started it...writing.

The notebooks that have captured my JOYS of 2020.

 

I Feel Pretty

 There was a time

when I would spend all day

on a Saturday

getting my hair done.

I remember feeling so pretty afterward.

    

 

As I have gotten older,

time has gotten more valuable.

I spend about 25 minutes

in the barber's chair.

I leave feeling just as pretty.

Hard Is Hard

Hard is Hard

I'm not sure which is harder...

• Teaching remotely and trying to get Scholars to respond during the "We Do" portion of the "district/campus-mandated" Gradual Release of Responsibility Model.
  

OR

• Seeing someone hurting and not being able to put your arms around them and attempt to assure them everything will be okay.

BOTH are equally hard. One, mentally. One, emotionally.

In that moment, I did what I could. I stood 3 feet away, cried with her, and prayed.

Feng Shui

Feng Shui

Writing Toward Home by Georgia Heard

"...a place steeped in creative energy and harmony."

"Feng Shui is intertwined with the Chinese idea of ch'i or 'life force'."

There are primarily 3 places, spaces in and around my home that I find have the balance and harmony required for my getting words on the page.

1. My home office with its grayish-green walls, towering bookcases, and random (not-so-random) clutter.

2. The right side, the right cushion of "my" oversized couch. My pillow, borrowed from the downstairs guest room, and my silk blanket lay in that space when I am not there. They are a constant reminder of the coziness and comfiness I experience when I plant my butt in that space to write. (Naps may or may not happen on occasion on "my" couch, also.)

3. There are times, when Texas is not located directly next to the sun, in which I will spend some time on my back patio, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature while I write.

Maybe, once Coronavirus is no longer a thing (if ever), I can add more places and spaces of balance and harmony to this list.

Watching TV Is Different

April 7, 2020

COVID-19 has changed everything...social distancing, surgical masks, latex gloves, and sheltering-in-place.

COVID-19 has impacted the very thoughts I think. I can't even watch TV the same.

Sitcoms, movies, and even commercials, in my mind, have been exposed...infected.

The characters should be social distancing...

"They're not 6 feet apart!!"

They are speaking to and touching each other...

unmasked and ungloved.

I keep replaying in my mind my daughter's imitation of

Cardi B's, 

"CORONAVIRUS!!! CORONAVIRUS!!!"

I HATE THAT MY THOUGHTS ARE CONSUMED WITH COVID-19.

Today, I Am Not Okay

March 31, 2020

Today, I filled an entire notebook page with my feelings and emotions. I am usually the who encourages everyone else to stay positive; trying to reassure people that everything is going to be okay. I guess I thought I had my own emotions in check. I am convinced that finding a way to be positive through this is important and beneficial, but today, I am not okay.

Today, I am anxious...at least, I think that's what I'm feeling. I am tense from head to toe. I want to cry. I feel so sad, and I just can't shake it. 

I know and I believe in the power of prayer, and I have and I will continue to pray.  But today, I needed to give how I am feeling a name. Today, I needed to validate for myself that I am not okay and that it is okay to not be okay.

Today, I filled an entire notebook page with words that express my feelings and emotions. I am not sure how much of it I will post in the notebooking group. But, writing it down helped...some.

Frazzled

March 30, 2020

Frazzled

Frazzled because

Frazzled because there

Frazzled because there were

Frazzled because there were so

Frazzled because there were so many

Frazzled because there were so many things

Frazzled because there were so many things to

Frazzled because there were so many things to understand

Frazzled because there were so many things to understand, plan,

Frazzled because there were so many things to understand, plan, and

Frazzled because there were so many things to understand, plan, and think

Frazzled because there were so many things to understand, plan, and think through.

Today was officially the first day of my being "essential personnel". Oh boy, was I frazzled in the beginning! It is so good to know I am not in this alone.  I am giving myself and this whole process grace, and I am ready for tomorrow.

Family Game Night

March 29, 2020

We experienced a power outage

Late last night

We hunkered down together

By candle light

We spent a great deal of time

Playing a game

We played "Heads Up"

Yeah, that its name

Nose Blind

March 28, 2020

My husband and I are early birds. Our children, a 13 year old boy and a 21 year old girl, are not. I knew I wanted them to get some cleaning done today when they got up, so I sent them both the same text message so I wouldn't forget what to tell them.

Children-To-Do-List

1. Change the sheets on your beds.

2. "Fabreeze" your rooms and leave your doors open.

3. Eat, shower, get dressed.

4. Do laundry together or separately.

5. Clean and sweep your bathrooms.

My daughter finally got up around 1:00pm.

My son had to be awakened at 2:30pm.

My daughter had no issue taking care of her chores.

My son, on the other hand,...let's just say he was more than annoyed.

My husband and I had taken notice of his attitude, and my husband decided to engage him in conversation about it.  By the end, I was in tears. The conversation went something like this...

DAD: Tano, what's wrong?

SON: I just don't know why I'm cleaning.

DAD: You don't know why you're cleaning your room and bathroom that you use?

SON: NO!! I don't!

(SOME OTHER THINGS WERE SAID THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER.)

DAD: Maan, your room stinks!

SON: I don't smell anything.

DAD: That's because you've gone "Nose Blind"!!

I laughed so hard, I cried. I may have even snorted a few times. 

My husband was laughing even harder.

My son was not the least bit amused. Rolling his eyes, he walked away to finish his chores.

Transitioning to Online Learning

March 27, 2020

Most of this afternoon has been spent in training...learning about how our district will roll out Phase 2 of our distance learning plan for our Scholars and their parents.

Initially, I was flustered and anxious. But, it didn't take long for our Technology Integration Specialists to ease all my fears. They presented the information in such a way that was extremely easy to understand. They patiently answered our questions and addressed every concern. There were more than 40 teachers on this virtual training session, so there were a lot of questions and concerns. Our Technology Integration Specialists are THE best.

In my opinion, our district has done an amazing job of pacing the implementation of our transition to online learning. I believe the pacing has given most families the time needed to prepare for their new normal as "homeschooling parents"...at least, I hope.

As of Monday, March 30, we implement Phase 2, and I officially become "essential personnel".

My Three Loves

March 26, 2020

I have three loves and they are not family members. Not husband, nor children, nor pets. My three loves are activities...what I love to do...working out, reading, and writing.

Working out have brought me a sense routine and calm if you will. I like to eat, and making healthy choices is not always my forte. But, knowing that I have moved my body in some way makes me feel like I am choosing something healthy for myself.

Writing has given me a way to put on paper what my mind needs to process and what my heart may not understand. It gives me a sense of purpose in these uncertain times.

Reading had always been my first love. I have enjoyed reading ever since I discovered my grandmother's shelves of novels...Agatha Christie, Danielle Steel, V.C. Andrews. Nowadays, I mostly enjoy reading books about teaching. I am currently reading "Get Out of Your Own Way" by Dave Hollis. It's a very insightful book. I don't spend as much time reading as I do writing. I think writing may be taking reading's place in my heart.

Three Haikus: Poetry with Training Wheels

March 25, 2020

I am beginning to think that all I have to write about is the woes associated with the Coronavirus 

and how it has interrupted my routine.

It hit me last night as I was telling Jennifer, in my weekly TeachWrite writing group,

my writing plans for the next week.

Sharon, an amazing writer in the group, mentioned an IG poetry group, and I checked it out.

I didn't feel knowledgeable enough about poetry to try their activities.

But, I was moved to try some different styles of poetry on my own.

Wanna hear it? Here it go!

The Ocean

High tide and low tides

Currents fluxing to and fro

Large billowing waves

Spring

Budding new plant life

Sprouting through fresh, moist soil

Spring is beginning

A Tree

To see the forest

For the greenery abounds

From the timber-filled woodlands

The New Normal

March 24, 2020

Before all the changes occurred due to the Coronavirus, my days were filled with activity, from the time I woke up to the time I went to bed.

I started my day at 3:45 in the morning. I worked out at 5:00. I left for work at 7:00, and left for home at 5:00. My day usually ended around 8:30-9:00, depending on if I actually followed the bedtime alarm set in my phone.

In the early stages of the change, when our schools closed, I tried to maintain the early morning part of my daily routine. I still got up at 3:45, and I still worked out at 5:00. But I had to figure out what to do the rest of each day. I ended up filling many of them with reading, writing, and napping.

Eventually, it became harder and harder to get up at 3:45 when, for all intents and purposes, I really didn't have to anymore. I realized I needed a new normal, but what would that look like? Honestly, not much different than the old. I just needed to adjust the times.

Now, I get up at 7:00 in the morning. I do my virtual workout at 8:30, since I can no longer meet with my Camp Gladiator trainer (shelter in place ordered for our area announced today). I walk one mile from 9:30-10:00. Then, I prepare breakfast and "monitor" my 7th grader while he completes his distance learning for the day. After my shower, I still fill the rest of the day with reading, writing, and a lot of napping.

I Made Myself Laugh: A Poem

March 23, 2020

Today was "a" Monday

It started off real well

An argument with hubby

Almost shot the day to hell

Early AM workout

Wendy gave us all no slack

If I keep pushing hard

I'll be looking like a snack

Homeschooling a 7th grader

Who does not want to study

I am totally over saying,

"You better get it together buddy!"

Virtual staff meeting

The usual, there was no hype

Except one of our members

Thought the meeting was on Skype

My daughter made the drive

To come home for a spree

I think she's only here because,

To her, our food is free

Prior to this writing

My day was far from sunny

I feel a little better now

Cuz some of this is funny!

HOPE

March 22, 2020

I went for a walk this morning. Something I try to do every Sunday. Through my earbuds played a song that made me think of my writing friends and others who have expressed fear, worry, concern, and anxiety during these times.

Song: 

You're Gonna Be Ok

Artist: 

Jenn Johnson

Some of the lyrics:  

"I know it's all that you've got to just be strong

And it's a fight just to keep it together

I know you think that you are too far gone

But hope is never lost

Hold on don't let go

Just take one step closer

Put on foot in front of the other

You'll get through this

Just follow the light in the darkness

You're gonna be okay"

Please don't think that I am in any way making light of a person's mental health or ability to endure hard times.  The words of this song brought me comfort and I had hoped they would do the same for you. 

My faith and trust in God helps me believe...we are going to be okay. I pray you will begin to believe it as well.

Revisions

March 21, 2020

My husband and I rearranged my office this morning in order to make access to our printer more feasible.

When we finished, I began organizing that which had gotten disorganized during the transition, as well as that which had been disorganized for months.

This past summer, I had participated in a number of writing opportunities. In the rearranging and organizing today, I found two of the notebooks I had used to record my writing.

Summer Writing Notebooks 2019

50 Writing Prompts Inspired by Summer! - Bryn Donovan

Teachers Write Summer Camp 2019 - Kate Messner

Naturally, I began reading some of my early recordings; all of them responses to prompts provided. Some of what I wrote was pretty good. Some of what I wrote was totally off topic (probably because I was still unsure of myself as a writer then).

I couldn't help but think, "I can write this so much better now."

I think I see some revisions in my future.

Random Thoughts

March 20, 2020

Today, as I disinfected my kitchen, I happened to glance over at the stacks of books and notebooks in my living room.

At that moment, I had the randomest thought...

I am okay with not being artistically creative. But, I'm not okay with not being able to create through writing.

________________________________________________

I don't always drink the recommended 64+ ounces of water in a day. But when I do...just kidding. 

I don't, because I'm a teacher and I don't have the luxury of going to the bathroom when I want or have to. 

But now that I am home, I have really been trying to get it in. And it's actually nice being able to use the bathroom whenever.

But now, I feel like I'm spending more time in the bathroom than in other rooms in the house. 

Okay, I'm not really, but it seems like it.

Spring: Poetry with Training Wheels

March 19, 2020

My first couple of attempts at writing a poem about Spring.

Spring

Newness emerges.

Nature awakens.

The sun shines bright.

Animal babies are born.

Plants begin to bud.

Flowers bloom bright colors.

Spring has sprung.

Mid-Morning Observations

March 18, 2020

I went for a run/walk today. It was hard, because I really pushed myself. Afterwards, I decided to just walk. I took out my phone and started recording my observations.

so many birds singing their morning songs

the sun peeking through floating clouds

a gentle breeze cools the air

rushing rivers of water flow along the curbs

waters collected during last night's storm

piles of brittle tree limbs litter the pavement

the neighborhood is quiet

only the sounds of nature can be heard

a far cry from the early morning crackles of thunder and lightning

the air smells fresh, almost like "newness"

a warm smile from a contractor busy about his work

the trees shake off showers of rain left behind

the sun shines through a little bit more

present longer as the clouds thin out

this gentle breeze cools me so

I needed to get out today...be off my normal routine in good way...being present in this moment...seeing, hearing, feeling the beauty all around me.

The Ocean: Poetry with Training Wheels

March 17, 2020

I always write my thoughts out by hand first.

I decided to stretch my-writing-self by dabbling in poetry.

I call it "Poetry with Training Wheels", because of the "Word Associations" support in the margin.

The Ocean

The ocean possesses waters so deep

Billowing waves that never sleep

The currents flux with the changing tide

Providing surfers the smoothest ride

A Positive Spin on Hysteria

March 16, 2020

Today my husband and I went grocery shopping for the fourth time in about four or five days. I hate to have to admit that may have reacted to the hysteria, just a little bit. Ok, maybe a lot. We just want to be safe rather than sorry.

Plus, our daughter is coming home from college for a few days.  She gotta eat, right? I mean, she did recently tell me that lately she has been living off of just pancakes.

It is our parental duty (teehee, I said duty!) to ensure she eats well while at home, right?

Yeah, that sounds good. I'm going with that.

(No hysteria shopping here folks.)

Routineless with Too Much Time

March 15, 2020

I have gotten so off my routine being on Spring Break. I'm sleeping longer and staying up later. I love having a break from school. It is very much needed, and it is completely well-deserved. But, I was actually looking forward to starting back on Monday, March 16, because I keep a specific routine during most of the school year. Being on break makes it too easy to get off a routine, and now I have a longer break. I guess it's time for some new routines.

3:45am - wake up, Spanish Lesson, Bible Reading and Prayer

4:45am - get ready / leave for CG or YMCA (?)

6:15am - return home to prepare breakfast and eat

This is actually part of my normal morning routine.

I tried writing out a schedule/routine for rest of the day. I got up to about 9:00am. Then, I quit and erased it. I got overwhelmed.

It is so hard to plan an entire day that is usually filled with constants, sureties, and normalcy.

What am I supposed to do with all this time?

Stranger Things

March 14, 2020

Saturday, March 14...today should be the Saturday before the Monday that I return to school after Spring Break. But, it's not. It is actually, so far, the first of three Saturdays I will be out of school until we go back on Monday, March 30.

During my official week of Spring Break, I seemed to have no energy to do much of anything. I spend a lot of time lounging on the couch, thinking, "It's only a week. I need to be rested and recuperated before going back to finish the year strong." (To be fair, I did a lot of writing and working out, too.)

But, for some reason, once I got the notification that our "break" would be extended two more weeks, I seemed to suddenly possess some supernatural amount of energy to clean my entire house today (with my husband's help, of course).

I personally find this to be strange, and I wonder if others have experienced this.

Maybe it's just mental...knowing that I now have a lot more time to do a lot more things and still be rested and recuperated by the time we go back.

I don't know! It's just strange, to me.

All I Got is FAITH!

March 13, 2020

There is so much uncertainty and fear in the world right now. COVID-19/Coronavirus, slanderous talk, lies, attacks, school closings, event cancellations, spring break extensions.

On the surface, it would be easy to, as many already have, give in to fear, panic, and hysteria.

But, I choose to trust that God in complete control. None of this a surprise to him.

Watching Golf

March 12, 2020

My husband has been trying to get me to come out and watch him play golf. Yep, you are reading correctly...watch. him. play. golf. 

For a long time my answer was an emphatic, "NO!" But, I had also been wanting him to come out and try a Camp Gladiator workout. His response was always an emphatic,"NO!"

So, I made a deal with him. "You do a CG workout with me, and I'll go watch you play golf."

During my Winter Break, he did a CG workout. So here I am today, during my Spring Break, watching him play 18 holes of golf.

Here's how I'm feeling...

1. I'm glad I went and got this over with.

2. Golf takes a really long time, what seems like forever. He started playing around 9:15am and finished around 1:00pm.

3. The excitement on my sweetie's face and the elation in his voice as I watched each shot and he explained "his why" was totally worth it.

Snacking Choices

March 11, 2020

One of my 2020 goals is to stop snacking. Initially, I had intended to stop snacking altogether, because I tend to choose the least healthy snacks. I have since accepted that I will snack, but that I will do a better job of choosing snacks that are good for me.

I recently saw a commercial in which a devil-like character tries to entice the snackers in the commercial with unhealthy snack choices like donuts, sugary cereals, and chips. In the commercial, the snackers are not phased by his antics and they each continue to enjoy their "Chobani Flips Greek Yogurt".

You're probably thinking, "Okay, where is this going?", or maybe you already see exactly where this is headed.

Because this commercial reminded me of my own struggles with poor snack temptation, I decided I must try this yogurt...and I did. I bought eight different flavors - s'mores, peanut butter crunch, and hazelnut, to name a few.

When I say these yogurts are delicious, I mean they are so very d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s! There is just the right amount of Greek yogurt and the sweet, crunchy goodness that gets "flipped" in. It is so satisfying, that I almost think it's wrong. The sugar content is higher than I'd like, but they are still a healthier choice than my usual selections. For now, I will enjoy the ones I have. I may even decide to buy more. That is, unless I decide to try something else that catches my eye.

Writing Revelations

March 10, 2020

I reflected on my writing experience up to this point with the #100daysofnotebooking group, the Slice of Life Story Challenge group, and the Teach Write Academy Course group.

My Thoughts:

• What I write is written for the purposes of all 3 groups. My notebooking pages can be, and are, blogged for the Slice of Life Challenge; and writing with the Teach Write Academy Course gives me set-aside time to work on writing.

• Keeping two notebooks works for me, but I enjoy writing in one over the other.

• I really like to write (putting words on a page), but I don't necessarily enjoy the effort it takes to make it creative in one of the notebooks I keep...something I have imposed upon myself.

• Writing with colorful pens makes me happy.

• Publishing my writing on my blogs, after hand-writing what I want to say, leaves me with a sense of satisfaction and pride.

• Posting pictures of my notebook on FB, Twitter, and IG give me the same feeling.

• I hope that some of what I write touches others in some way.

Please Be You, and Write!

As a participant in the #100daysofnotebooking group, I have the pleasure of reading some really good notebook pages. Most are written with colorful ink. Some are created with cut out words from other print media. Many include some kind of art. All are thoughtfully written, in my opinion.

As I scroll through some of the posts, I have noticed some writers expressing, what sounds like, disappointment with their writing, or the lack thereof. They are saying they have stopped participating (writing and/or posting) because they feel their writing isn't good enough (i.e. comparing their work to the work of others).

I feel some kind of way about this, and I hope I can write the right words that will effectively express myself, and bring encouragement to my fellow writers who are experiencing these feelings.

From my heart to yours: "Writers, you don't have to write like anyone else, except you. Your words have value and are needed in the universe. Please write! Please share! Maybe what you have to say and share is for someone other than you."

Explaining 5 Random Things About Me

1. I workout at 5am daily.

I started running in 2013 when I lived in Hawaii. I don't remember why I developed the habit of running before the sun, but I did. For whatever reason, I feel I'm at my best in morning. I guess that makes me a morning person. When I trading weight training for running, it just seem natural to keep the routine. I will tell you a little secret, though. I sleep in my workout clothes, which makes it easier to have to get up so early.

2. I run one 5k per month.

I used to be an avid runner. I ran all the time and all the races. I have run countless 5ks and 10ks, as well as one half marathon and one full marathon. When we moved to Texas from Hawaii, I was introduced to Camp Gladiator and, as previous mentioned, I started weight training more and running less. You probably are wondering why I could do both...time. I run 5ks because I don't have to train any more than I already do to be successful. I run per month because races can be expensive.

3. I live in Hawaii.

My family is Army Retired; well, actually my husband it. Hawaii was our last duty station. Beautiful island, amazing food, stunning beaches, deeply-rooted culture, and welcoming people (most of whom are not Hawaiian). If you ever have the opportunity to experience a Hawaiian sunrise or sunset, you will be blown away. I loved driving home from work with the mountains in the horizon. Such an amazing site.

4. I started writing in the summer of 2019.

I took advantage of three writing opportunities during this summer. One opportunity was writing with the #100DOSW19 group. I wrote most of the 100 days, but once school started, it was hard to keep up. Actually, I just didn't make it a priority. The second opportunity came when  I participated in Kate Messner's Teachers Write Summer Camp. It was so much fun reading the mentor texts, imitating writing styles and trying poetry. I also participated in a Teach Write Academy online course. I wrote along side some very talented writers. 

5. I love apples and peanut butter.

Gala, Fuji, and Honeycrisp apples are my favorite. I eat natural peanut butter, packaged in glass jars and with the layer of oil on top. My two favorites brands in a particular order are Smucker's Natural Chunky and Laura Scudder's Old Fashion Peanut Butter - Nutty.

Mail

March 7

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

Finally getting a package you have waited patiently for is so exciting!!

My package arrived!!!

I just so happen to be a book lover and look for ways to inspire my Scholars to love books and reading, too.

So the contents of this particular package makes my heart skip a beat.

What do you think?