Self Portrait Tuesday

Creepy.

It's not "all of me," I spared you all that, only neck up.

The funny thing about me, that you may not know, is that I can't stand wet hands. This humorous and grotesque shot is funny to me because my hands always stay out of the water during a bath. That way, I avoid the prunes.

Day 194

prO-cra-sti-nA-shun

I am in front of the computer with only one report card left to go... and I can't bring myself to do it.
Instead, I have found furniture in e-bay, posters of yoga postures, recipes for dinner tonight, and now I have found time to make a quick blog entry.

14 out of 15 aint bad.

Day 193

Concentration I need right now.


Today is a cold and snowy day.
I am trapped in my apartment, looking out the window, trying to focus so that I can write my report cards (due Monday). I have three done. That leaves 12 to go.

More trip pics:

Self Portrait Saturday

Day 192

An awesome visit.
Thank you so much to Nina and Kevin for driving out here with the little ones. It was so much fun to have everyone here and to play and eat and laugh and eat and drink and eat. That sums it up.

Day 191

Maryland visit highlights...
Staying near the bay with chilly, chilly weather.

Self Portrait... Thursday

I love candy.
Candy. Candy. Candy.
One pound of gummy candy.
Swedish fish.
Gummy bears.
Sour patch kids.

Day 186

Week-end wine.



Yes, Virginia, I am finally on February vacation.
Deep breath.
Deep glass of wine.

Day 185

The most amazing parents ever... and I don't mean my biological parents, although they are amazing too...
The parents of the kids in my class collectively got together and wrote me a check for $500- the amount of my car insurance deductible.
I was in tears when they gave it to me. It was the most thoughtful and amazing thing ever... I was so touched- and I have never felt more appreciated.
The letter read:
"Dear Emily,
We, the parents, wanted to take this opportunity to show you how much we care and how grateful we are for all your hard work and compassion with our children. We hope this money helps with your car insurance deductible. Cars present an awful burden- We's rather free you up to focus on ants- and other delights.
Please accept our gift and our gratitude. Stay Safe!
Love,
The parents of the K-1"

Are you crying now, too?

Day 184

p.s. If I wasn't miserable enough, I woke up today with hives all over my behind and legs. Not bad... but all day I was itchy... between my toes.

Day 183

The best husband ever.

He cares enough about me, and Jeannie, to clean her up and make her beautiful before she heads to the shop to be fixed up. We'll see her again in three weeks. Its a sad good-bye... but a true example of how lucky I am to have this great guy of mine.

Day 182

If you are wondering the worst way to spend a day, it is this... okay, this might be a slight exaggeration, I can think of various torture rituals that would surely be worse... but I will certainly be haunted for weeks to come.

1. Take 15 excited kids who have eaten valentine chocolate for breakfast.
2. Put said children on a bus.
3. Add 5 adults who wish to make conversation despite the roaring din of 15 children.
4. Stay on bus for 2 hours.
5. Arrive at destination and stay for two hours.
6. Potty 15 children.
7. Put them back on the bus.
8. Ride again for 2 hours.
9. Do the math. You have just spent 4 out of 6 hours on a bus with 15 five and six-year olds.
10. Arrive back at school in time to pack them all up and send them home. (That's the good part.)

Sound fun?

Self Portrait Tuesday

"All of me" includes movie nights curled up in bed, watching silly girl movies that make me cry and feel joyful and weep and laugh and then find peace. Its my way to let go of the work week and lose my real life stress.

Day 180

The saga continues.
An undrivable car.
Waiting for proof of this so that I can get a rental.
Estimate=$4204.90
Wait=2+ weeks
Stress=almost unbearable
You=amazing
Thanks for keeping my spirits high.
Now that is love this V day.

Day 179

I'm okay.

Jeannie (my car) isn't.
Poor thing slid out of control in the slush...
and found her way to the nearest tree...

Once in motion, an object will remain in motion...

Oh, the stress.

Day 177

A proud teacher moment

I don't very often get to share photos of school as my kids are always in them. This however, I cropped to show just me in a moment of pride at my class accomplishment.
This morning we read our lift-the-flap big book (that we created) to the whole school and parents. The children titled it "Animals and their Homes: A Non-Fiction Book about Nature".
This book is amazing. Each page has research done by the children along with pictures made in art- drawings of their animals and then a painting of the habitat. This book is well-loved and a source of pride for us all.
My kids are amazing.

Day 175

Its the little things in life...

Its the view from my classroom window that can bring me peace amidst chaos. Loud chaos.


Its the postal service making amazing stamps. I want to stock pile these so I have a permanent supply. Of course, since the class is also studying Eric Carle, the caterpillar stamp is a big hit.

Self Portrait Tuesday

Embracing "all of me"

This month's challenge asks us to look at our ugly bits and love every inch.

I had a hard time choosing which bit to feature- and which I would confess.

After waking from a terrifying dream that I was crying while looking in a mirror with my mom--- because I had grown a full beard... I mean, a full beard---
I settled on this flaw...

I hate chin hair.

Day 171

Date Night last night.

Todd took me on a date to see Walk The Line last night. There's a local $4 theater that was actually decent. It was our first time there and desipte the dozens of local teenagers talking through all the serious scenes and making out during the rest of the movie- it was fun. I have a horrible bark and that was the hardest part... trying not to cough in the movie theater. I waited for the loud parts to allow myself to cough. Then officially lost my lung on the way home.
Then movie was cute though - and Reese was adorable. The whole thing made me want to learn to sew clothes, because I want this dress-

whether or not I might be able to get away with wearing it is another question.