Remembering How to Relax

Once we arrived in Florida, and recovered our luggage, it was time to relax and enjoy the visit with family. Compared to the hectic pace of school days at home...not having a schedule, household jobs, or responsibilities has been a bit of a shock to my system.

My brother's family has gone out of their way to take care of us. My sister in law is an amazing cook and is feeding us well. Lounging on their patio, and hanging out in the hot tub feels heavenly. Even Oliver is doing his part to make our visit a positive experience.

Oliver is their cat. He has always hated me. Correction: he has always hated most people. Being the animal lover that I am, it's been hard to accept the idea of a pet that won't warm up to me. I've tried several times over the years, only to come to the conclusion that he's just a cranky cat. If I pass by him, he growls in warning, then darts away as if he can't stand to be in the same room with me. He has stalked me as I walked down their hall, springing from out of nowhere and whacking my ankles like I'm some sort of cat-sized prey. I've lost my dignity once or twice when I've broken into a run to avoid his attack.

I'd given up any hope of befriending this unapproachable creature, but this year, OIiver surprised us. He's about sixteen years old now, and apparently age (or senility) has mellowed him. I was breathless when he voluntarily jumped in my lap yesterday. At first I hardly dared to move, for fear his old personality would come back and he'd bat me in the head before running away. 

I guess Oliver doesn't hate us after all. I'm watching in amazement as he sleeps with my son at night, and goes from one lap to another while we watched a movie after supper. I've decided if Oliver can learn to be cuddly and nice after all these years, I can learn to give up a few of my Type-A habits and learn to relax a bit more. 

This trip has been full of pleasant surprises. I guess you can teach an old cat new tricks after all.

Travel Hassles

We never go anywhere for spring break. This is a first. Since Joe is in college and Ben is graduating, we decided that this was the year to scrape some money together and go somewhere for a family vacation. All the boys agreed that Uncle David's house was their top choice, so we made the plane reservations.

Perry knows how hard it is for me to go anywhere during spring break. Being the Type-A person that I am (make that Double A) I use days off from school to work on projects around the house, or get school work done. Stretching my comfort zone is good for me though, so as we prepared for the trip last week, I did my best to ignore the dirty floors at home and the stacks of papers at school. I was doing remarkably well until the travel hassles began, and then I began shrieking, "See! This is why we don't go anywhere on spring break!!"

Travel Hassle #1 I found out at 4:30 Friday afternoon that some new doggie vaccination was required before we could drop Buddy and Pearl at the kennel the next morning. So, I had to round up the dogs and make a frantic dash to the vet clinic. The dogs received the necessary shot and I and handed over $56.oo, mentally calculating the total cost of leaving pets at a kennel for a week. As I drove home, I mumbled, "This is why we don't go anywhere on spring break."

Travel Hassle #2 We arrived in Kansas City promptly 2 hours early for our flight, cleared security, and settled down at our boarding time, only to find out that our flight had been delayed at least an hour, creating the possibility that we'd miss our connecting flight in Atlanta. As we waited, I reminded "Perry, See, there is a reason why I don't like to go places on spring break."

Travel Hassle #3 We arrived in Atlanta with 5 minutes before our next flight departed. Racing to the next concourse, we found our gate, only to see that flight had been delayed, first 1 hour, then 2 hours.  This time, I grumbled to complete strangers sitting next to me, "This is why I don't travel on spring break!"

Travel Hassle #4 Arriving in Miami at midnight and waiting what seemed like an eternity at the baggage claim, only to realize that the thingy had stopped turning and the lights were being turned off. Our hearts sank as we realized our luggage did not make it on the plane. I resisted the urge to fling myself to the floor of the terminal and beat my fists, but I'm sure I made it clear to the Russian woman next to me in line that this is why I hardly ever travel.

Travel Hassle #5  Waiting in line another hour and a half to fill out the necessary paperwork so our lost luggage could be delivered to us when located. The airport representative kindly took down all our information and politely ignored my incoherant mumbling.  We left the airport at 1:30 AM with our complimentary overnight kits in hand and me reminding everyone within earshot that this would probably be our first and LAST spring break trip anywhere. 

Think I made my point?

Lining Up for Lunch

I must confess that I do something unusual when lining my class up for lunch. In most classrooms, the students find the friend(s) they want to sit by and line up accordingly. The thing I HATE about this is : the same kids race to the front, the same kids linger in the back, plus the same kids tend to sit by each other day after day. I hate how early cliques can form. My heart can't take seeing the kids who repeatedly get left out, so I have developed a system of lining the class up differently each day. They are forced to sit by different "friends" each day, and no one gets left out. The kids don't always like this, but they know I'm firm about not leaving anyone out of our school friendships, so each day's line order doesn't get questioned.

This takes a little extra time, I must admit. Sometimes I dismiss them by the tables where they sit, or by the individuals who are sitting the quietest. Other times I line them up according to the colors they are wearing that day. Often, I try to make a connection to something we are learning. The students have lined up alphabetically by first name, last name. They have also lined up according to how many syllables are in their name or the month of their birthday.

We have been doing a dental health unit and talking about the proper care of our teeth, including regular brushing. My main focus with the kids is getting them into a habit of brushing twice a day. I have handed out new toothbrushes and we've made reminder signs to take home and use. We have reminded each other, clapped and celebrated for the children who are starting to remember good brushing habits.

The other day I took a chance with lining up. First I called for all the kids to get in line if they remembered to brush their teeth that morning.  It surprised me to to see six kids who stayed at their tables and waited sheepishly. I was amazed because I never would have known whether they brushed that morning or not. Then I called for the students who "accidently forgot to brush, but they promise to remember tomorrow". They hopped up and happily joined the rest of the group, ready for lunch.

Their dental health habits may be a little disgusting, but the innocence and honesty of those 6 kiddos warmed my heart! 

My Little Scientists

My kids at school have been so funny during science lately. We are studying solids, liquids and gases, and there have been lots of hands-on activities. These kids are like little sponges....soaking up every thing I tell them. We have melted crayons, crumbled crackers into "particles",  and tried to freeze everything from dish soap to oil. The kids watched in fascination as I dumped ice into a hot pan. After they watched it melt, boil, then evaporate, they cheered like I invented the concept of water vapor. One little girl bounced up to me and said, "You told us so many things! Now I think my head is going to pop!"

When their mittens dried out on the rack in the hall, I've never seen so much excitement. The children buzzed around enthusiastically, showing each other how the water must have gone into the air.

We lined up for lunch today, and I reminded the kids that we needed to walk quietly in the hall. One boy struck a Steve-Martin-like pose and started to slink. "Let's be liquid!" he exclaimed to the others.

Planning new activities for science can be time consuming, messy, and even expensive at times. Weeks like this make it all worthwhile, though.

Valentine's Day

My husband knows me so well. On Valentines Day, he surprised me with my favorite candy...chocolate covered raisins. Many women wouldn't think this was a romantic gift, but I was thrilled to pieces! He knows I'm a practical gal... I shuddered at the advertised cost of roses this Valentines Day...wondering how anyone could get $60.00 worth of enjoyment out of a bouquet?

With the current situation of the economy and our personal finances, extravagant gifts are not in the budget. But even if money was no object, Perry knows I'm a practical person. He might even tell you I've turned into a bit of a tightwad lately. It's hard for me to enjoy things that cost more than a tank of gas (keep in mind that I drive a Focus) Expensive jewelry or lingerie are SO not my thing. My husband also knows that I don't enjoy collections of figurines or other collectibles. Our life feels cluttered enough without having more "stuff" to dust around.

But I've always loved surprising the people in my family with a small little gift on February 14th. When the boys were little, I'd wrap up a puzzle or a book with red wrapping paper and set it at their place at the dinner table. The gifts have always been small, but a fun part of the celebration of the day. 

After school today, I sat at my desk, doing school work and happily nibbling my chocolate covered raisins. Perry may have thought he was only buying a $3.00 bag of Raisinettes, but simple little gifts like that score big points with me!

Regrets

Last week, the world lost an amazing person. The whole town of Boone seemed to take time to memorialize a former Boone High teacher that seemed to impact nearly everyone in town. Shortly after word of his death, a Facebook memorial group appeared. Hundreds of former students joined and left touching comments about their wonderful memories of him as a teacher.

When I was in high school, Mr. Lyness taught Economics and International Topics. I remember seeing students carrying around their "text book" for Econ--the Wall Street Journal, and hearing about the marathon tests they had to take in his classes. Everyone who took his classes really valued what they were learning because the lessons seemed to come alive with this teacher. Mr. Lyness was a colorful person, with his high waisted plaid pants and unique stride as he walked down the school halls. Students picked up the strange expressions he used in class, even exclaiming, "Katie, bar the door!" randomly at lunch or in study hall. When he taught, Mr. Lyness spoke enthusiastically from experience, sharing stories from days in the military and various other events that held even the most self centered teenager in rapt attention.

Well, maybe not every teenager. I signed up to take his International Topics class during my senior year, but got bit by the senioritis bug and in a moment of stupidity, dropped his class and added something fluffy my schedule. I think it was "Industrial Arts for the Homemaker". The decision made perfect sense to me at the time and I'm sure I justified it by considering how the hours of studying might get in the way of my social life. Sigh.

If I felt guilty about this decision to be a slacker, I either covered it up well, or else those feelings were lost in the cloud of self centeredness that the senior year brings. That is, until the week of graduation. There was a knock at our front door, and when I opened it, there was Mr. Lyness, bringing ME a graduation card. Me..the one who couldn't make the effort to take his class, and there he was, going out of his way to bring me good wishes.  I mumbled my thanks in disbelief, and as he walked back to his car, I sat down on the steps to open the card. Inside was a full page of his signature script, with a touching  message of encouragement for me. 

The waves of humility and regret crashed over me at that moment, and I bawled. I cried because my heart had been touched by the unexpected kindness of someone who barely knew me, and I cried tears of sorrow for a missed opportunity.

After I completed college and moved back to Boone to teach, I didn't cross paths often with this man. Yet anytime I saw him, he greeted me with the warmth of a favorite former student. He retired from teaching, and continued to substitute teach at the high school. Everyone on staff was amazed, but not surprised at his dedication to the profession of teaching.

25+years later, I still regret not taking that International Topics class, but I realized I still learned a lot from that man. He modeled enthusiasm for teaching and learning, and setting high expectations for all students. I can honor his memory by striving to be a little more like him.

Except maybe for the plaid pants, but I think he'd completely understand.

Random Things...

I have been challenged to write 25 random things about me. Ok, here goes:

1. I was born on Midway Island. My dad was stationed there in the navy, so my birth certificate says "State of Hawaii" on the top. What? I don't look like a Hawaiian native??

2.I teach in the same elementary building where I went to school as a child. In fact, I teach first grade in my old first grade classroom.

3. All 3 of my babies were born by c-section.

4. I have a very difficult time sitting still. I fidget. A lot. This drives my husband insane.

5. My whole life I planned to be a nurse and now I'm a teacher.

6. I am a hopeless animal lover. Seeing my dogs is one of the best things about coming home at the end of each day. I have a hard time sleeping if they're not next to me.

7. I have one younger brother who used to spend his childhood days thinking of ways to antagonize me. Now I think he's hilarious.

8. I'm a pretty adventurous eater. My kids tease me about always ordering the weirdest thing on the menu at restaurants. One thing I really dislike is ketchup.

9. I don't like going to concerts. This is weird, I know. I like the idea of going to concerts, I just don't like paying for the tickets, and fighting the crowds. Plus I think I have a short attention span.

10. I used to be a perfectionist before kids. Now I stay sane because I keep lowering my standards.

11. I love to read and can't get to sleep at night if I don't read something first.

12.I have had laser eye surgery. It was the best thing I ever did!

13. I'm working on re-learning spanish, and hope to become fluent one day.

14. A few years ago, I decided to quit just calling myself a Christian, and start working on living like one.

15. I hardly ever cry. If I go to a movie that everyone says is a tear-jerker, mine will be the only dry eyes in the place.   The rare times I shed tears, it catches me completely off guard.

16. I was once Joey's cub scout leader. Really. Stop laughing.

17. My hands hurt almost every day. I have been told this is an early form of arthritis.

18. I am way too young and cool to have an early form of arthritis.

19. I love to sing and have a song running through my head almost continually. 

20. Laughter is an important part of my life. I continually look for the humor in life's situations. The only thing I like better than a good laugh is an opportunity to crack somebody else up.

21. I can't stand it if my bed doesn't get made each day. The entire bedroom can be a mess, but as long as the bed is made, I'm happy. 

22. IKEA is my all time favorite store.

23. I am cold all the time and wear turtlenecks every day from November to March.

24. My pet peeve? when people don't do what they say they're going to.

25. I am a small-car kind of person. I drive a Focus and it suits me perfectly. Big trucks and SUVs overwhelm me. I can't seem to manage the running boards and they are impossible to get out of without embarrassing myself.