Last week Ali Edwards urged her 52 Creative Lifts newsletter readers to think about what's going on "around here." So I thought I'd give it a try.
Loving.. taking yoga at 8:00 pm. It's been a great way to wind down and I'm finding that on those nights I'm sleeping better and much more energetic the next morning. Next week, the late class goes candlelight. I'm really looking forward to trying that.
Pondering... how to keep myself motivated at school. Fall can be difficult and this is yet another year of changes. I'm in the same building, same classroom, but we've changed the schedule and while I'm enjoying shorter periods with the kids (I've picked up my teaching tempo), adding another period to the day really wears me out.
Transitioning... my wardrobe. I left for school today in capris, sandals, and a coat. You have to love the fall days in Oregon with temperature swings of 40 degrees. But seriously, I do love this weather, and I'm going to enjoy it as long as possible.
Planning.... some time spent with my mom this weekend; family and friends during the next couple weeks. And if all goes according to hopes, a little road trip before the crazy holiday season kicks in. I'm also looking ahead to next summer and the trips it will bring.
Enjoying.... the reemergence of creativity. This year I've attempted to get back on the creative band wagon. For too long, I've been stuck in a rut. I've was really into Project Life before being gone for a month and since then I've lost my focus. I had a great time at the crop last weekend. I need to schedule those more often even though the time to put together kits and layouts takes time. If I don't do that, I take way too much or way too little with me.
Contemplating.... some life changes in the next year. With a birthday coming up in a few months, I want to make some changes. There are so many possibilities. And isn't that a cliffhanger.... :)
Watching... TV. I'm happy some of my old favorites are on (NCIS, CSI: New York, Sons of Anarchy to name a few) and checking out some of the new shows (Elementary, Last Resort). I've also still have so much recorded on the DVR that needs to be watched. Plus, it's College Football Season. Go Beavs! Go Griz!
Eating.... apples. Mom and Dad had a bumper crop of apples this year. I've made applesauce (three times), apple salad, apple cake, and on Monday Mom gave me an apple pie. I've tried to scale back my Pepsi consumption. I'm missing that, because I really love it. But it really isn't a breakfast food, right?
Remembering.... a former co-worker from the bookstore days who has passed away. She was smart and funny. And she God called her way from her husband and little boys way too soon. RIP Nat G.
Currently... it's past time I should be heading to bed, but the Kitter is sacked out on my lap and I can't move without waking him up.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
First Day of Fall
I spent the first day of Fall in a meeting. It was a good meeting, but the weather was gorgeous and I would rather have been outside.
This meeting was held in Hood River, and since sitting a meeting would be followed by sitting in the car for a couple hours, I took the time to stop at Multnomah Falls on the way home and get a little walk in.
Multnomah Falls is the fifth highest waterfall in the United States. And up until a certain casino was built, it was the number one tourist destination in Oregon. It's still incredibly popular. Today I took time to walk to the bridge before having an ice cream cone. Someday I need to go back and climb all the way to the top.
This meeting was held in Hood River, and since sitting a meeting would be followed by sitting in the car for a couple hours, I took the time to stop at Multnomah Falls on the way home and get a little walk in.
Multnomah Falls is the fifth highest waterfall in the United States. And up until a certain casino was built, it was the number one tourist destination in Oregon. It's still incredibly popular. Today I took time to walk to the bridge before having an ice cream cone. Someday I need to go back and climb all the way to the top.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Week 3
Of school has begun and I'm really missing silence. Eighth graders are noisy, and I'm noticing that this age group is not comfortable with silence. If I had to hypothesize why, I'd guess that it has a great deal to do with living in an overstimulated world. I understand it's the world we live in, but I can't help but sometimes miss the unplugged world that I grew up in.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Music Festival
I spent this past weekend at the Willamette Country Music Festival. This year's lineup was awesome! We saw...
Pam Tillis
Rodney Atkins
Sugarland
Lee Brice
Billy Currington
Martina McBride
Jana Kramer
The Band Perry
Trace Adkins
Pam Tillis
Rodney Atkins
Sugarland
Lee Brice
Billy Currington
Martina McBride
Jana Kramer
The Band Perry
Trace Adkins
Monday, August 13, 2012
Solo Boston - Day 2
Today was my second solo day in Boston. I decided to take it easy, and sort of made it difficult. I didn't plan very well, so I spent some time retracing my steps.
I slept in so my day started a bit later than yesterday. I took the T into the city and walked over to the Paul Revere House. It was interesting, and they have big plans for the future. As I was walking back down Hanover street I stopped in for lunch at Piccola Venezia where I had cheese ravioli with marinara sauce. It was very yummy.
From the restaurant I wandered over to the King's Chapel, then the Granary Burial Ground. Boston Common, and then into the Boston Public Garden. I decided to take part in a Boston tradition, and rode the Swan Boats and took pictures of the Make Way for Duckling statues.
My next stop was the Boston Public Library. It's beautiful.
I had planned on walking the Black Heritage Trail, but only made it part way. I got a bit sidetracked when I ran across the sign for Louisa May Alcott's Boston homes. And at that point my feet were done, and back to the hotel I did go.
I slept in so my day started a bit later than yesterday. I took the T into the city and walked over to the Paul Revere House. It was interesting, and they have big plans for the future. As I was walking back down Hanover street I stopped in for lunch at Piccola Venezia where I had cheese ravioli with marinara sauce. It was very yummy.
From the restaurant I wandered over to the King's Chapel, then the Granary Burial Ground. Boston Common, and then into the Boston Public Garden. I decided to take part in a Boston tradition, and rode the Swan Boats and took pictures of the Make Way for Duckling statues.
My next stop was the Boston Public Library. It's beautiful.
I had planned on walking the Black Heritage Trail, but only made it part way. I got a bit sidetracked when I ran across the sign for Louisa May Alcott's Boston homes. And at that point my feet were done, and back to the hotel I did go.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Solo Boston - Day 1
I padded this trip with a couple extra days to do some solo exploring and that is what I did today. I started with an early trip out to Brookline to visit the John F. Kennedy Birthplace. The Kennedy's lived in this house from 1914-1920 when they were expecting their fifth child. Jack was three at the time. The house tour was very interesting, and really gave some insight into the family dynamics.
From Brookline I took the T back into Boston and walked through Boston Common before it got too warm. Then I wandered back to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market for a slice of pizza. Then I caught the water shuttle near the aquarium out to the Charlestown Navy Yard.
The Navy Yard is the home of the USS Constitution (aka "Old Ironsides"). Since the ship is still an active military vessel, you have to present photo identification and walk through a metal detector. When I got there in the early afternoon, it was a fairly quick process. When I left, there was a rather long line.
The ship is pretty cool. She's the oldest ship in the Navy, having been commissioned in 1797. Her service in the War of 1812 is being commemorated until 2015.
After touring the ship I visited the USS Constitution Museum. It's really good, and has some great hands on activities for kids.
Then I took a ranger led tour to the Bunker Hill Monument. It was really interesting, but I declined to climb the 292 steps inside the obialisk. It was just not going to happen in today's heat and humidity. Instead I booked back down to the harbor to catch the boat back to downtown Boston.
I then spent some time wandering the shops to haul stuff home for the family, and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.
From Brookline I took the T back into Boston and walked through Boston Common before it got too warm. Then I wandered back to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market for a slice of pizza. Then I caught the water shuttle near the aquarium out to the Charlestown Navy Yard.
The Navy Yard is the home of the USS Constitution (aka "Old Ironsides"). Since the ship is still an active military vessel, you have to present photo identification and walk through a metal detector. When I got there in the early afternoon, it was a fairly quick process. When I left, there was a rather long line.
The ship is pretty cool. She's the oldest ship in the Navy, having been commissioned in 1797. Her service in the War of 1812 is being commemorated until 2015.
After touring the ship I visited the USS Constitution Museum. It's really good, and has some great hands on activities for kids.
Then I took a ranger led tour to the Bunker Hill Monument. It was really interesting, but I declined to climb the 292 steps inside the obialisk. It was just not going to happen in today's heat and humidity. Instead I booked back down to the harbor to catch the boat back to downtown Boston.
I then spent some time wandering the shops to haul stuff home for the family, and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Quincy
Goodbye to Concord. I hauled my bags to the depot and took the train back to Boston this morning. The weatherman predicted rain, but it didn't happen.
Since I arrived at my hotel too early to check in, they were happy to hold my bags so that I could do some exploring. I walked back to the subway and took the red line to Quincy Center where the Adams National Historic Park is located. I have to say I have visited many NPS sites, but I really liked this one.
At the visitor's center I paid for my tour, but had to wait for about an hour. There was plenty of time to wander across the street to the United First Parish Church (Unitarian) to see the crypts of John & Abigail Adams and John Quincy & Louisa Catherine Adams.
The trolley takes you out to the birthplaces of both presidents. John Adams was born in this house.
John Quincy Adams in this one.
The trolley then takes you to the Old House, where John & Abigail lived at the end of their lives, and was occupied seasonally by family members until 1926. When it was turned over to the government in 1946, it was left intact by the family.
One of my favorite things about the house was the library. Unfortunately, you can't take photos inside. This was built specifically for John Quincy Adams' books. It's not an "official" presidential library only because the Adams' papers are not stored here. They are at the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Since I arrived at my hotel too early to check in, they were happy to hold my bags so that I could do some exploring. I walked back to the subway and took the red line to Quincy Center where the Adams National Historic Park is located. I have to say I have visited many NPS sites, but I really liked this one.
At the visitor's center I paid for my tour, but had to wait for about an hour. There was plenty of time to wander across the street to the United First Parish Church (Unitarian) to see the crypts of John & Abigail Adams and John Quincy & Louisa Catherine Adams.
The trolley takes you out to the birthplaces of both presidents. John Adams was born in this house.
John Quincy Adams in this one.
The trolley then takes you to the Old House, where John & Abigail lived at the end of their lives, and was occupied seasonally by family members until 1926. When it was turned over to the government in 1946, it was left intact by the family.
One of my favorite things about the house was the library. Unfortunately, you can't take photos inside. This was built specifically for John Quincy Adams' books. It's not an "official" presidential library only because the Adams' papers are not stored here. They are at the Massachusetts Historical Society.
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