Monday Friday (for my juniors, at least)

1. Venus and the moon this morning. Did you see them?
2. Having the office all to myself (and Billy Joel) for 45 minutes this morning.
3. Working with Jeremy K. on grade book stuff. Seriously. So good!
4. "When can I turn in my revision?" This is really working.
5. Shit Greg says. Seriously. Might have to be its own blog.
6. Jeremy J.'s "party." Still, made me happy!
7. I had this thought today: That I'm living my dream. I've wanted to be a teacher, a really good teacher, one who makes a difference in the lives of kids, since forever. And I finally feel like that's what I'm doing.
8. "Bitches and Brooms." I can't believe I just said that.
9. Uber-Pod.
10. Book club with people I love.
11. Simon's new emphatical (yes, that's right, I said it) gestures.
12. The fact that my parents found my (and my sister's) clarinet(s) and sold them to a lucky buyer. Man, I spent a lot of time practicing on that thing.
13. New Palmer shirt. So comfy.

Wow. Today's been a GREAT day!!!

Sunday, already?

1. Simon's learning so much these days: getting up on his hands and knees, rocking back and forth, raising his arms, chattering away! It's so much fun to watch!
2. Meeting my goals for the day.
3. Talking to my parents on the phone. Sounds like they're getting things all packed up!
4. Even though I was awake and up at 2am, I took the time to look at the stars. Beautiful.
5. Reading time for myself.

Not too shabby.

Working on Saturday

1. Seriously sleeping in. 9:45 am. Take that!
2. Coffee. Lots of coffee.
3. Watching silly HGTV shows all morning. No agenda.
4. The Peak was pretty pretty today.
5. Celebrating my students' successes in writing. Grading for 4 hours wasn't nearly as painful as it is in September. They're learning!!!

Friday? Weird...

Weird week. Anyway...

1. My students crack me up.
2. IAC. Enjoyed drinking, eating and laughing with the crew!
3. The snow. Loved it!
4. Hanging out with Jess, Kat and Zach. Fun times!
5. La Casita and beers... good dinner.

Day "off" in the middle of the week...

1. Sleeping in. Even if just for a little bit.
2. Hanging out in my pajamas all day with Simon.
3. Cuddling with a needy little baby - too bad he's sick - but he's so snuggly!!!!
4. Reading over my students' work. Seriously. It's so interesting - they're thoughtful, honest and intriguing!
5. This is going to sound really superficial. But I'll say it anyway... Wine, Survivor and American Idol. And. I think I have a crush on Boston Rob. He's good to look at. He's good to listen to. I can't help it. :)

So it's Wednesday

and I didn't post on Tuesday. It's been a long short week. And not a really fun one. But that's what this is all about, right? That when things get tough, it's really easy to see all the things that are wrong with the world, and not as easy to see what's right.

So let me make up for my absence by remembering 10 things that have made me happy in these last few days...

1. Having a meaningful say in the future of the school in which I work. The school that, when I came to Colorado Springs in 1995, I scoped out as my school of choice. The school that, when I did my student teaching in my senior year of college, taught me so much. The school that I got called back to in 2003. The school that I hope to be at for a long time. I love working at Palmer, and I love that my "work" means that I get to do what's best and right for kids. And the kids make it all worthwhile. And I love that this is what I do.

2. When I see people who feel like they can't succeed, and then learn that they can. That makes me happy.

3. When the wind wakes me up in the middle of the night. Seriously. I wake up. It's dark. I wonder why I'm awake. And then I hear it, and I smile.

4. The videos that Uncle Bob's been posting from my kid-hood. :) Those are the times!!!! Love it!

5. Knowing that there are people in my life that I can go to to process my raw thoughts. And that I'm not judged. That's pretty awesome.

6. Finding "The Office" daily calendar quotes on my keyboard. What would Catholicism be without the popes?

7. Watching Simon learn that he's his own person. He's got arms and hands and legs and feelings... So sweet and precious.

8. Being able to speak my mind. Be honest and serious. And to be taken seriously.

9. My family. Bottom line. You know who you are.

10. Honestly, this list. It keeps me honest, and it keeps me looking for things that make this journey worth all the bullshit that's oftentimes way easier to see. And for that, I thank Tonya.

Count on me for tomorrow.

Sunday Monday PJs

1. Pjs.
2. Packing.
3. NCIS/CSI/treadmill.
4. Dinner with the Marsden Loetschers - and chasing around screaming boys!
5. Pjs. Full circle.

Saturday, Part 2 (Otherwise known as the Sunday of a three day weekend)

1. Up nice and early with the Si Guy.
2. The snow on the Peak is beautiful!
3. Lots of laughing with kids today.
4. Playing catch with Jack.
5. Two sleepy boys on the couch to round out the day.

Saturday, Part 1

1. Sleeping in.
2. Hanging out with Boppy on the back deck, drinking beers.
3. Taste of Jerusalem - yum!
4. The wind!
5. The thunderstorm!

Yesterday

1. The Palmer English Department was a HOOT yesterday. Seriously. Laughed so hard I cried!
2. I spent a lot of time in the office. And not cuz I was in trouble. :)
3. Idea for a new blog: Funny shit Greg says. I might have to give that one a go...
4. FASDA. Same table, different people. Lots of laughs! Gah-vinas!
5. Friday night dinner with the Krakellers! And horseradish sauce = yum!!!

It's almost Friday!!!

1. Dennis: "It's almost FRIDAY!!!!!" :)
2. Showcasing my students' work. Best use of time. Especially at 6:30 am, rocking out to my best of country mix...
3. Doritos. Licorice rope. Double whipped chocolate frosting. Diet coke. Best. Story. Ever.
4. The weather. Even a MN girl likes an early spring!
5. "Santa is dead." Thanks for the note, Annette! :)

Phallicity

1. 2-West Volumes One and Two.
2. Big moon.
3. Great teaching day today. Pedro Paramo. Visual interpretations. Magical realism. And then, while reading silently about magical realism, Greg breaks the silence with a question regarding the reading: "Ms. Rewey, what does phallic mean?" "Of or pertaining to the penis," I told him. Conversation ensued about how awesome it would be if you were a girl, and your name was "Phallicity." "Phallus-city." Oy geez!
4. Walking. I love walking.
5. At the Y, as the kids were undressing to get ready for swimming, Casey said to Jack: "Jack! I really like your underwear! Are those Spiderman or Spiderman 2?" Man. That cracked me up.

10% off wine at Weber Street Liquor = Tuesday

1. Busy day, but productive - ran all over the building and saw all sorts of my favorite people: John, Jeremy, John, Carolyn, Steve, Tom, Kathy, Sara, Sally, Lossie... Love 'em! 

2. Listening to Bridget laugh her ass off at lunch! Food for the soul!

3. Leaving an epically long message for Lindsay. 

4. Hiking by the new house with Matt. And getting lost. 2 days in a row! :) (And we almost ran into a deer! Literally!)

5. Pajamas. Pajamas make me happy. Every day! 

Just another Manic Monday... Wish it were a Sunday...

1. New boots.
2. Calendar clip from Curtis. Gotta love The Office!
3. I laughed a lot with my students today. :)
4. Awesome hike with hubby today. Never mind that we got lost...
5. Nemo. I wish I could speak whale.

SUNday

1. Woke up early with Simon. Shared the quiet.
2. Wow. I have to admit - the weather today was amazing! I wore flip flops, I had coffee with a friend on Dogtooth's outdoor patio, I had beers with family on the deck, I even wore my capris! Sunny, warm day in February! I love Colorado!
3. House full of kids!
4. Dinner with the Marsden-Loetschers! Yes!
5. Fills up my heart when Simon laughs at Jack being Jack.

Saturday, so many things to be happy about!

1. Hiking and chatting with Caleb and Nance at Palmer Park.
2. "Family lunch" at Salsa Brava.
3. Virtual painting! Love it!
4. Wine and sushi with Matt. Just Matt.
5. Peter Mayer and Joe Uveges in concert - always a good time. Good for the ears, for the heart, and for the soul!

"I've hypnotized a chicken, but I've never played dead for a horse."

1. Hearing through the grapevine that I've got a reputation (a good one) with the people at "the district." Good to know!
2. Kathy Wehling. She, like so many others that I get to work with, makes me smile. She's so smart, so compassionate, so on-the-ball, and so funny!
3. Tammy Ko. Every two weeks. I so treasure my time with her.
4. PJs, wine, and pizza.
5. Movie bed and Ice Age 2!

Thursdays are practice for Fridays

1. Back in the classroom - THANK GOODNESS!!!!! Man alive. I've been busy. But being with my students again is right where I wanted to be. Best job in the world!!!!
2. Jimmy John's delivered my internet-ordered sandwich. BEFORE THEY EVEN OPENED. Seriously. I know they're "fast" and all. But that's just ridiculous.
3. Book club, curry sauce, beers, and good friends.
4. Sushi with Lindsay = soulfood.
5. Cuddling up with Jackson on the couch.

Long Day. But Good Day. I Think.

1. Simon cried, but slept through the night.
2. So much snow on the peak!!!!
3. Being entrusted with enormous responsibility.
4. Chili cheese dog and Miller Light. Yum. Seriously.
5. People's stories. Lose yourselves in people's stories.

Tuesdays are Nothin'!

1. I heard a song on the radio this morning about how Tuesdays are the worst days of the week - Wednesday's at least halfway through the week, Thursday's the day before Friday, Friday and Saturday and Sunday are just plain awesome, and Monday's bad and all, but Tuesday? What's Tuesday got? Nothin'!

It made me think of Darcey and Curtis, and I wanted to send it to them, but I couldn't find it anywhere on the internet when I got to work. Not even on the site of the radio station that just played it. Figures. Cuz it's Tuesday and all. But it still made me laugh.

2. On the way to work this morning, I stopped next to a guy at the Weber/Uintah stoplight, and he motioned at me to roll my window down. So I did. He just wanted to let me know that my driver's side headlight wasn't working (which I knew, but had forgotten about). Who does that these days? Nice people. That's who. Thanks, man! I really should get that fixed...

3. Sometimes you have one of those days that works nicely as a microcosm of an issue that you've been trying to come to a conclusion about for some time.

For instance, today started off sucky. Just in general, before I even left the house. Then, in the first few minutes of the day-long meeting I was in, things went even worse, and I made my mind up that the day was a waste. But THEN, it got better with some hard work, dedication and optimism from my colleagues. And it was a success with a bright and foreseeable future.

And this day was exactly like a relationship I've been working on for the last three years. Started off horrible (for good reason). And I had a bad attitude (which was justified, in my mind, but still inexcusable). And then (over the course of three years, not just a day) with a lot of work, and humility, and learning from each of us - BAM! The forecast is good, with a bright and foreseeable future.

Funny how life works.

4. Saw more of my students today (even though I wasn't in the classroom) than I have in a week. I miss them. Especially when they say things like, "I was just going to come up to the office to see you!" (at 7:15 am on a 2 hour delay day) or "You look so great! Have you been on vacation in Mexico? You look so tan! What have you done with your hair? You handle life with such grace. I wish I could be like you!" (after school).

Man, you wouldn't believe this stuff if I was making it up! So, I'm happy to say, I'm not! I work with some of the best people in the world: smart, driven, and exceptionally flattering students! :)

5. Miles texted me today, as he often randomly does: "watching that 70's show where red eats pot brownies. thought of you." My sister told me the same thing about the same episode a couple of days ago. It really is a riot. But what makes me smile is that so many of my friends know it's my favorite. And they think to tell me about it.

It's the little things.

6. I saved my one glass of wine for the quiet hour(s) after the kids go to sleep. Good choice: me, some wine, some silence, and some list making.

Jack just crawled out of bed, as he's prone to do when he knows his parents are staying up later than he is. He likes to sneak up to the bannister (our second story is lofted) and breathe loudly and awkwardly until you notice him. I just did. I ask him if he knows what time it is, and he says, "yes." But then he reminds me that I told him he could sleep anywhere in the house as long as it's not in my room. This is true. And he remembers it whenever he needs to. So, now he's sound asleep on the couch next to me, covered in his Broncos blanket, snoring away.

Kids. And wine. And snoring.

Life is good.

Remember That One Time I Went To Work?

1. Awesome mountains through the pink fog this morning.
2. 70 minutes all to myself!
3. Listening to the boys laugh at each other while I was making dinner.
4. Bath time with 2 boys- I can't get over how much fun that is!
5. Making Simon laugh- just by looking at him funny! (my specialty!)

Superbowl Sunday

1. Waking up before everyone else, except Simon!
2. It snowed all day!
3. Jack: "I wish Spiderman was in our world so that he could save people falling from towers!"
4. 70 minutes on the treadmill.
5. Sleeping baby for each of us...

The weekend!!!

1. Listening to the baby talk.
2. Graupel! And snow! And thunder!
3. Reliving old memories, and realizing that some memories will never leave me.
4. CC on the new TV! (too bad they lost!)
5. Keeping my contract. Working on it.

Friday?

1. Sleeping in.
2. Reading through my students' reflections on their first semester writing - so thoughtful, insightful and interesting!!!
3. Caribou coffee.
4. Skippy Jon Jones!
5. Matt and Simon, asleep right now on the couch...

CCIRA Thursday

1. Driving up to Denver with my music turned all the way up!
2. Back to CCIRA. I'd forgotten how much I like this conference.
3. Spending 4 hours with Jeffrey Wilhelm - he affirmed for me my thinking about what's important in the big picture, as well as the details that will guide me there.
4. Talking to my mom while I was stuck in traffic. Took me 93 minutes to drive 12 miles - craziness!!!! Made me happy not to live in Denver and have to do that kind of thing every day. Sheesh!
5. "Boppy, can I come to bed and snuggle with you?" "You can come to bed, but don't touch me." I love that. :)

School's Out For the Winter!!!!

1. Another "Cold Day"! No school! Sleeping in! (Sort of...)
2. Watching "Garden State". Love it. Explore the infinite abyss!
3. Packing and jamming to Billy Joel! "Whenever we're together that's my home..."
4. Jeremy made the Chicago Tribune!!! I love him!

5. An hour on the treadmill. I need that. Every day.

Tuesday, sort of...

1. "Due to dangerously cold temperatures, school is cancelled." Sounds good to me!
2. PF Changs with Mom, Dad, Jack and Boppy. And new Spiderman shoes to boot! (pun intended!)
3. Quiet time/cuddle time with Jack when we got home.
4. Leftover La Casita! Yum!!!!
5. Packing. What can I say, I love it!