Triple Play

Tags

Empty nest syndrome, nursing home, Parkinson's disease, teaching, Tropical Storm Lee

I’ve been a poor correspondent this week, friends.  Blogging (or any writing for that matter) has been the last thing on my mind.  For a few reasons.

Started the teaching job on Monday.  It’s a mixed blessing…glad to be working again…on the other hand, I hate the alarm clock.

Dad is now in a nursing home.  He is end stage Parkinson’s.  It’s not pretty.

Youngest daughter, Becca, moved out of state.  I’m suffering from empty nest syndrome.

I need cheese to go with all this whine, please!

Image by NASA Goddard Photo and Video via Flickr

On the plus side, cooler temps and rain moved in…but it might be problematic because this relief bears a name – Tropical Storm Lee! No grilling planned for Labor Day.

I have my flotation device ready. 😀

Anticipation

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anticipation, back to school, education, friends, self confidence, tutoring, work

I start the tutoring job tomorrow.  My feelings are mixed about going back to work (I’ll be tutoring third graders….oh my).

Something happened that buoyed my spirits, though.  My BFF, who teaches in the school where I’ll be working, texted me that the third grade teachers were all excited about having me tutor for them.  Well, what do you know?  I feel loved!  So maybe it won’t be so bad after all….

By the way, my other friend who started a new job…teaching high school…is doing great and loving it!  I told ya so, girlie…

We worry too much, ya’ll!  Have confidence in your ability to get the job done, whatever it is.

What area in your life can you use a confidence boost today?  Let me know…I’m listening!  😀

I’m in love

Tags

internet, Pinterest

I opened an account on Pinterest.  I’ve been holding back…up ’til now.

Help. me.

I’m face planting into the web.  Too much cuteness….I don’t know what to look at first!  This could be dangerous…

Resistance is futile. 😀

Steve Jobs

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Apple, computers, History, Pioneers, Steve Jobs

Well, I guess I shouldn’t be too shocked about the news of Steve Jobs’ resignation as Apple’s CEO.  Considering the fact that he’s been on medical leave since January.

One thing for sure, love him or hate him, he will remain an iconic visionary who changed the face of computing in the past couple of decades.

Tech Republic posted a nostalgic retrospective of Steve Jobs at Apple.  I found it to be a very interesting timeline, complete with pictures…take a minute to check it out.

Wishing you well in the future, Mr. Jobs!

Classroom Of Life

Tags

Classroom, education, John Michael Montgomery, life, Lifelong learning, Teacher

Image via Wikipedia

As the country song says, “Life’s a dance, you learn as you go.” (John Michael Montgomery)

Life is for learning. Life itself is the classroom.  Education doesn’t stop when we leave the classroom behind.  In fact, in many ways the learning is just beginning.

Now that school is back in session, I thought it would be timely to chat a bit about lifelong learning.  When you think of school, do you think of desks and tests, papers and pens, books and homework?

How about that education (in life) you’ve received SINCE leaving school?  It counts for something, doesn’t it? *grins*  And honestly, hasn’t this ‘on the job’ training been just as valuable (if not more) than anything you learned in the classroom??

Over the years, I’ve discovered many excellent articles written by personal and career development leaders and education authorities.  One such list that really captured my attention was written by Canadian educator, Stephen Downes, whose list of what needs to be learned to be successful can be beneficial for anyone at any age to pursue. (Yes, this includes any young readers that might stumble upon my humble blog!)

I would like to discuss Stephen’s list in a series of posts and I’m hoping these ideas will spark an interest in you (and me) to become the best us we can be!  Stay tuned for the first post in the series:  predicting consequences.

And I’m hoping to start up some dialogue, too…so show me some comment love!

How are you expanding your mind today?

Resource:  Downes, S. “Things You Really Need To Learn.” Half An Hour.

Napster

Tags

Health, napping, productivity, well-being, Winston Churchill

Image by stewickie via Flickr

Let’s begin by taking a smallish nap or two.

~Winnie the Pooh

I’m a napper. I always have been, ever since I can remember. Nothing is more delicious than just waking up from a nap, with just enough sleep to feel refreshed!

Somehow I always feel like a slacker when I nap, though. My internal critic complains – ‘how can you sleep when there is sooooo much work to be done?’  ‘Just a few minutes’ I plead.  ‘I’ll get more done if I can close my eyes for a coupla minutes’.

Darn critic, shut up already.

There’s good reason to believe that napping is a benefit to my health. So maybe I didn’t exercise today….or eat enough fruit.  But a nap might just land me that gold star for healthy behavior!

Backing up my theories about napping is Boston University professor William Anthony, PhD.  He maintains that napping improves overall health and productivity, along with other significant advantages to well-being:

• improves mood
• improves performance
• no cost
• no sweat
• non-fattening
• non-invasive
• no bad side effects (unless you’re driving!)

Winston Churchill was well known for his power naps.  If he felt it necessary to nap in order to endure his leadership responsibilities, then who am I to argue?  I shudder to think about surviving the sleepless nights of motherhood without the ability to squeeze in a nap. Other famous nappers were Lyndon Johnson and JFK, just to name a few.  At least I’m good company!

Thankfully, my body knows how to nap well. An optimal nap time is between 15 and 30 minutes (although I can be refreshed with 5 minutes of my eyes closed).  Everyone has their own sweet spot, but the ability to nap properly doesn’t come naturally to everybody.  The Chef (dearest hubby) is a case in point.  He can’t just stop at 20-30 minutes and wake up refreshed.  Invariably, he lingers in sleep too long and wakes up groggy and grumpy.  For a how-to on on designing the perfect nap for you, check out Lifehack.

Did you know that the humble nap has its own day on the calendar? March 14 is National Napping Day.   Who knew?

Have you had your nap today?

Scaredoo

Tags

gray hair, hair dye, hair salon, hair styles, hairdresser, Nioxin, vanity

My hairdresser’s shop is 20 steps from my door.

How sweet is that?

I know, I know…I’m a lucky girl.  It just so happens DH’s niece is a hairdresser. The nearby shop is a nice perk of being her tenant.

Usually my visit is a pick-me-up.  Today was a different story.  You see last week, while I was outdoors looking in a mirror (dealing with other maintenance issues that can only be managed in the light of day), I realized that I could see TOO much light on my scalp. And while I considered blaming it on needing a touchup, I had to be honest about the situation.

I am balding.  Arghhhh!

Missy confirmed my hair is, in fact, thinning on the top of my head.  Bless her heart, she noticed, but kindly hadn’t said anything since it wasn’t too drastic.

I knew it was inevitable, my dear mother had some of the world’s thinnest hair. And would not go to a hairdresser.  And colored her own hair.  This made for a bad hair job.  I have been determined not to walk the same path.  Even if it meant practically shaving my head.

Now, I have no qualms about dye from the box.  If hair has a minimal amount of gray, home coloring can look great.  I did it for years myself.  But I can say with certainty that there comes a time when gray is predominant, only a professional color job will overcome the tendency to look too brassy.  Wish I could ditch the dye job, but I’m still on the fence about going completely gray.

Anyhoo, I digress.

Missy sat with me, her beautiful youthful self (and hair), and kindly went over a few ideas for helping me deal with the latest of Mother Nature’s curve balls. Nioxin hair products, a few new hair styles to choose from, and a new way to blow dry (although I warned her I was not going the way of the Donald…Trump that is).

So here I sit.  Dealing with another outward sign of advancing age.  Why should it be this important to me?  I’d like to think it’s not.

But the same vanity that made my mother sit up in a hospital bed in one of her final weeks and ask for her lipstick, pushes me back to the hairdresser way more often than I care to go.

I’m thinking that the hair vanity needs to go.  It’s hardly worth the energy. And I realize there are folks in worse situations than myself. Which makes me feel guilty. Another energy vampire.

Anyone use the Nioxin products?  How are ya’ll dealing with your hair issues?  Give me your thoughts….

Wandering The Web

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books, E-trade baby, funny commercials, Human echolocation, Men's Journal, movie reviews, The Help

I’m having trouble concentrating enough to get a post written.  I’ve stumbled on too much good stuff on the web today!

One of the more interesting stories is about David Kish, (Michael Finkel, Men’s Journal). Blinded by retinoblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, he uses echolocation to ‘see’ his surroundings.

Using a tongue clicking technique, he forms a picture of his surroundings that allows him to move about as well as a sighted person. Amazingly independent, David bikes, swims, cooks, dances and travels the world.  An incredible story that you don’t want to miss!

I’m about half way through reading The Help. I read a review about the movie from my friend over at Quiet Life – head over there if you’re interested in finding out Donna’s take on it (no spoilers!)

Typically I find the book better than the movie, and this movie is no different apparently, but she gives it a thumbs up for viewing.

I enjoy reading Mental multivitamin’s blog, her posts are well written and great food for thought. Over the weekend she had a completely fun post – two of my favorite commercials (besides the E-trade baby).  Check them out for a chuckle or two.

How was your Monday?  Leave me some comment love!

Casual Friday

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books, casual Fridays, flip-flops, sandals, The Help, weekend

In my previous occupation (the one before unemployment),  our office had casual Fridays – jeans, tees, you name it.  Okay, beachwear was a no-no.  And being in Orlando usually meant open toe shoes were standard footwear, even if it wasn’t Friday.

Orlando is warm/hot 99.9% of the year, and because I’m hot natured I never wore anything but sandals.  They were casual but stylish, no flip-flops or flat sandals. Wedges were my favs.

I regularly visited the salon for a pedicure.  The rest of me might look like crap, but my feet looked sharp!

Speaking of flip-flops, a work friend of mine is a collector of said shoe wear. Her exact expression is “flip-flops are my FAVORITE things!”   All colors and styles, anything remotely close to the popular sandal. She lives up north and spends all winter pining for warm temps so she can bust out the flip-flops. Go figure!

Plan for the weekend:  I’m a little behind on my reading, just snagged the book The Help today.  I realize the movie just came out this week but I want to read the book first.  Anyway, I usually enjoy the book better than the movie.

Tell me, have ya’ll read The Help yet?  Did you enjoy it?

Stay cool!

Confidence

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confidence, educator, employment, Forbes, friends, success, Tutor, work

“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” — Forbes

I was chatting with a friend about our new jobs as high school English teacher and grade school tutor. We finished our bachelor’s degree as latecomers, both in education. We had a lot of overcoming to get where we are today.

You’ll never guess what topic was up first….

Excitement? No.

Extra income? No.

Being employed, finally? No.

The hot theme was….fear!

This is how the conversation went down:

“Congrats on your new job!”

“Hey!  Thanks! What were they thinking, giving me a classroom?”

“Girl, you are the BOMB!  I know you’ll do a great job!”

“I’m pretty nervous.”

“You won’t be the only one.  I got a call today for a K-5 tutoring position.  I haven’t a clue.”

This, my friends, is communication gone bad.  Between the two of us we accomplished so much in work, in school, in raising a family. She and I are the geeky girls turned educators.  And we’ve had our share of time in the classroom as interns and subs, so we’re not totally green. How can we not be confident in our abilities to do this job and do it well?

Why do we let fear strip the joy from our lives and our accomplishments? Why can’t we ride on the confidence of past success, knowing that we can do this? Why do we always feel that we’re never good enough?

Such is the nature of adults. We take ourselves so seriously, so worried about making mistakes and feeling like a fool! So what if we stumble, aren’t perfect. Will it be the end of the world? Probably not.

So to my friend, and myself, I say – go confidently forward into our new careers. Be bold, be brave, be a positive force. Success will follow!