Totally a Monday…and the Duck Song

Today has seriously been a Mon-day! Ugh.

Work has been frustrating and unproductive because my IT department insisted I needed a new computer. As expected, the transition to a new computer has not gone smoothly. Then, someone cleaned the fridge and Continue reading “Totally a Monday…and the Duck Song” »

To teach is to learn twice 

“To teach is to learn twice”

was said by Joseph Joubert. He is absolutely right.

I’ve recently starting giving short talks about various topics at work. Even though I know the information in my head, it takes a whole other set of brain cells to teach and speak intelligently about those subjects.  Continue reading “To teach is to learn twice ” »

Teacher Appreciation 

It’s Teacher Appreciation week at our school. The Parent Teacher Association planned a variety of fun breakfast, lunch and desserts. I was part of several but this was by far the silliest and most fun.   Continue reading “Teacher Appreciation ” »

DIY Carpet Deodorizer

Carpet Deodorizer

Don’t you just love freshly cleaned carpets?!? Having all of the carpets professionally cleaned makes the whole house look and feel better!

With 3 cats, 2 dogs, 1 rabbit, kids and a husband, the carpets definitely take a beating. Our little Miniature Pinscher was not potty trained when we got her last year and she still has accidents occasionally. The geriatric cat forgets to use, or misses, the litter box. Needless to say, our house and carpets are sometimes less fresh than I would like.  Continue reading “DIY Carpet Deodorizer” »

Gratitude 

Hockey season is officially over in our household. The snow is melting and temperatures are inching warmer. Spring is here. So many things to be thankful for! 

But don’t be fooled by the positive upbeat tone of my voice. Though I love the weekends and I love being home with my family but sometimes tempers and attitudes flair. Usually it’s Sunday mornings as we’re getting ready for church. I like to have a relaxing morning but usually we relax a little too much and end up rushed and running around to get ready in time. I can guarantee there will be an issue with appropriate church attire and where those clothes might exist in the house (dirty laundry basket, washer or put away somewhere incorrect). The irony of losing my temper in preparation for church is not lost on me. You’d think by now I’d anticipate these catastrophes and be able to head them off. But no, I am not that organized or self aware. 

Despite our imperfections and mishaps, I have so much to be thankful for. 

I am looking forward to:

Today-family dinner, not having any commitments outside the house. 

This week: PTA meeting, being able to attend 4H meetings again 

In the future: warm temperatures! Being outside more. 

What are you thankful for or looking forward to?

Aileen

Saying ‘I love you’

Do you tell your kids you love them everyday? Do you say ‘I love you’ or do you have something else special you tell them?

My daughter is an angel. Yes, an angel in the flesh. Let me explain… when I was 7.5 months pregnant, my dear sweet grandpa passed away. He was the kindest, sweetest, gentlest and strongest man. He helped raise me and acted in place of the father I did not have growing up (my dad was tragically killed when I was 4 years old). Grandpa took me fishing, game to every school event and taught me how to drive. I’m crying as I type this…Anyway, this amazing man died at the age of 90 while I was pregnant. Until this point in my pregnancy, Teagan did not move around much in the womb. I secretly and constantly wondered if she was alright because she was not as active as everyone said she would be. That is, until grandpa died. 

Starting the day after he passed away, and especially from the day of his funeral, my baby girl was in constant motion. She kicked and punched and flipped all around. Maybe it was the emotion stress that was the catalyst for all the movement. I prefer to think that part of my dear sweet grandpa’s spirit became part of my unborn baby girl. 

So that’s the story of when my baby became and angel. Since the day she was born, Teagan’s name has been interchangeable with “Angel” or “Angel baby”.  Every day, I make sure to remind my little girl that she’s an angel. I thank her for being mine. I tell her that I am so thankful God gave her to me. I tell her that I am the luckiest mama in the world. Our extra special exchange is “I love you to Saturn and back”. 

I hope these daily expressions of love fill her up. I want them to penetrate into her soul and become ingrained in her. My prayer is that these things will stick with her as she grows and battles the many challenges of adolescence and adulthood. I hope they protect her from the evils of negative peer pressure and society. 

So how do you tell your kids you love them? Do you have a special word or phrase?

Aileen 

Dirty walls, Cookies and Prayers

Gratitude 

It is officially a blizzard in upstate New York. The forecast originally called for 16-20 inches of snow but now weather reports are predicting greater than 30 inches of the white stuff!! Holy cow! I don’t ever recall getting 30 inches of snow in one event! School declared a snow day late yesterday. Non essential employees were told to stay home. 

Today is a pajama day. And also a day to get caught up on a few things we’ve been slacking on (some homework that was missed while we were on vacation, a 4h presentation that needs to be finished, laundry, and most of all downtime at home with no schedule).  

There’s so much to be grateful for today but strangely enough I’m suddenly feeling anxious and cranky. Maybe it’s the list of things I should get done on this ‘extra’ time? Maybe, as a mom, I no longer know how to truly relax without guilt? Are these feelings normal or is it just me?? 

I know today I need to focus on the important things in life and forget the laundry, carpets that need to be vacuumed, etc. 

Today, I am grateful for my big presentation being over, my sweet husband coming to watch and support me, my beautiful daughter resting her head on my shoulder and loving me no matter how cranky I may get. 

Today, I am looking forward to a slower pace and no commitments,  maybe a nap, a long hot shower. 

This week I am looking forward to sewing class, the end of hockey season party. 

In the near future I am looking forward to spring. I love seeing the flowers emerge, new leaves and having baby chics. 

I hope you’re safe, warm and enjoying this day. 

Aileen