My goose egg...

Our bathroom has a window in it. In 1951, our house was built without a fan in the bathroom. The original owners would just open the window for fresh air. Since 1951, no one has actually installed a fan. It's on our list of things to do.
Anyway, our bathroom has a window in it. It's located in the shower/bathtub area. I know, that seems weird to me too. Last night, I accidently banged my eyebrow bone on the window crank while shaving my legs. Owwwww! It hurt (like a banshee)! Now, I have a weird bump on my left eyebrow. I hope it doesn't bruise.
Tonight, Trevor and I are off to Moose Jaw for Trevor's first business trip. He's shop steward for his union and they're having a week-end meeting at the spa. Poor me. I'll have to go to the spa with him and not work. My mom's coming up for a girly shopping day.

The wisdom of our Elders

Every Tuesday, an older Ojibway woman visits our school. She is an Elder and she feels it is her calling to come and visit with our students. Every day she enters the school, she prays and then she tries to connect with kids as much as possible.
Yesterday, I invited her into my Drama 9 class. She didn't really have any specific place to be. She entered my Auditorium and sat with an angry young man who was refusing to participate. She shook his hand and talked with him for a bit. Her actions diffused the fury he was experiencing. She was amazing.
After class, I had the privilege of sitting and talking with her. She told me stories of growing up on the reserve. She told me about her worries for the youth today. She told me of her desire to pour herself into today's generation. I could have sat all afternoon with her and soaked up her wisdom.

Last night, in our Small Group, we studied about leaving a legacy. We talked about how every moment we live helps shape the way we will be remembered. I think about this joy filled, peaceful woman and the legacy she is shaping and the impact our short conversation had on my life. Then, I try to think about the legacy I am leaving behind. Somedays, it is so easy for me to fall into the sins of complacency, negativity and complaint. I'm reminded that I am blessed.

Ode to Spring

Shoes but no socks.
Waking up to sunlight.
Bare legs to church.
New spring skirts in stores now.
Trevor killing baby spiders (so they can't grow up and scare me).
Windows open - fresh air.
Running outside.
The plastic's off Tim's windows.
The creek is running on the farm.
BBQ
No urge to hibernate on weekends.
New friends.
Budding tulips.
Dreams of planting perennials.
Skipping students.
Nearing the end of Quarter 3.
Almost Easter holidays.
Almost in Mexico.
Renos - Phase #2 almost complete.
I love spring!

Craving a run

The windows are open in my classroom. The fresh spring air is tempting me.
I'm in a skirt (without pantyhose - yippeee!)! I want to lace up my runners and run. Soon, I'll be back in my dark auditorium entertaining my lovelies while daydreaming of the spring breezes and Wascana Park.

Canada's IQ

Last night, on CBC, was the very first live Canadian IQ test. Andrea and I took the test via the TV and a scorecard printout. Trevor took the online test.
We all scored in the above average intelligence category which was pleasing to know (although, I was lower then the two... figures!) However, what exactly does that mean? It means I could make educated guesses about proverbs, definitions and strange number sequences. Does that make me smart?
I actually scored higher in the Math and Logic sections then I thought possible. I was lower in perception then I thought I would be as well.
I'm still a little opposed to the whole IQ determining your life idea (not that I think this show was pushing that theory). I teach IQ vs EQ (Emotional Quotient) as well as Multiple Intelligences in my Psych class. I'm a firm believer that it is probably your IQ that gets you hired for a job but it's probably your EQ (how well you interact with others and how well you can read social situations) that gets you promoted.
Also, just because we scored above average intelligence doesn't really mean much for my sweet husband and I. Last night, after taking the test, we realized we had accidently bleached our nice navy blue towels when we cleaned the bathroom. This morning, I was almost late for work because I kept forgetting to put things in my school bag. Therefore, I've concluded that my IQ is my ability to write a test. As a teacher, I can do that just fine and dandy. When it comes to life in general... I still have a lot to learn.
To take the IQ test yourself, go to this link:
http://www.cbc.ca/testthenation

a little fuzzy

Have you ever had one of those days where you're just a little fuzzy? Have you ever woken up, packed a bizarre lunch, drove in a dream to work where you really didn't work and then bumble through your evening? Bah! It's a good thing it's Friday.
Trevor got called as a curling sub last minute tonight. For the first time, in a long time, I find myself alone on a Friday evening. I have no urge to leave my home in the foggy state that I am in. Friday night TV is BLAH! I've had a good cuppa tea. I've already done a bit of baking and cleaning. What did I do with myself before I was married? I s'pose I read a lot more.
Currently, I am reading Alice Munro's collection of short stories called Runaway. I just finished Jarhead.
Maybe I should just curl up early and go to bed.

Care Group

Tuesdays are one of my most favorite days of the week. The reason why is because that's the night Trevor and I have Care Group. Basically, this is just a group of a few of us from church who hang out, eat, pray for each other and study the Word.
My Care Group makes me happy. We have meaningful conversations and we really connect. It's really great to have such a good group friends.
Last night, friends of ours (J and C) brought their new baby boy. He's 16 months old. They are in the process of adopting Baby B from relatives in Alberta. He's adorable. He's also full of energy. He gets faster when he gets tired. That little guy can go!
J and C are AMAZING! I can't imagine a sleepy newborn in my life let alone a speedy toddler.
As a group of newlyweds, I'm sure that Baby B is only the first of many changes our little group will experience in the next few years. Gone will be the days of long, uninterrupted conversations and just hanging out. We'll become a group of very tired, kid-chasing, toy-toting parents who crave adult conversation. YIKES!

On a side note, Trevor and I have our very first tanning salon appointments today. We're going to Mexico at Easter and we both don't wish to have bad sunburns wreck our holiday. We're building up a base tan. However, I'm a little nervous. I've never fake and baked before. Neither has Trevor. Is there anything we should be prepared for or worried about?

Week-end

Smiles on the weekend:
1. Dinner party for 4 Friday. Hmmmm.... chicken cordon bleu
2. Pancakes for Saturday breakfast made by my sweet man.
3. Putting away winter decorations.
4. Long distance phone call from Hawaii.
5.Cleaning the house.
6. Re-organizing books.
7. A good long run outside in the puddles.
8. Puddles and wet shoes.
9. Hanging out with Tim and Karri.
10. Church and connecting with important people.
11. Walking down memory lane with Trevor.
12. Amazing Race with my amazing sister-in-law.

Why is it that week-ends are so darn short?

Romeo and Juliet....

My students are preforming their Readers Theatre titled: Romeo and Juliet: In Da Hood.
I'm killing myself laughing. It's quality grade 10 stuff. They're killing each other off gansta style. My silly little hoodlums!
Almost a weekend... I can hardly wait. It feels like spring out and soon I can run outside again. The gym is okay but, I can do without Mr. Short Shorts (no Amanda, he is not your Dad).
Tonight, Trevor and I are hosting a dinner party. We love having people over to our little home. It should be a blast!

Happy B-Day Daddy!

Aloha to my wonderful father who is now 53. Poor guy has to celebrate in Maui far from his children. I think my mom is taking him to a luau to help ease the pain of separation.
My Dad is the best Daddy ever. I've always been so thankful for his big heart. Even though he was away working a lot when I was a kid, I never doubted his love. I hope he has a fabulous beach/snorkle day and a wonderful luau!

Comfort Food

Today was a school holiday. I have no idea why but, I'll take it.
Trevor's home sick. He has this awful cold that I'm sure I will catch in the next few days.
The weather was yucky all day. I wanted to go for a walk around the park but, the best I could
manage was the walk from our car to Walmart.
I painted trim again to day. Someday our house will be done.
Tonight was comfort food night: tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Hmmm...
I'm convinced that this is the ultimate comfort food. What are your comfort foods?

Stuck on a PD day.

Today is a PD day. High school teachers are all over the city "refreshing" in their subject areas. As the sole Drama teacher at my school, I went off the university for a "Movement in Drama" seminar. It was FABULOUS! We worked in the Theater Dept. studio. That required us to remove our socks and shoes and just move. We did tons of fun, challenging and risking activities. I had a blast. As I reflect now on my experience (a good teacher practice), I'm sad that some of my students will never feel comfortable enough with themselves or each other to ever try something so freeing.
After my morning of movement, I did some grocery shopping and spent some quality time in Dollarama. That is my dream teacher store. 12 pencils... for a $1.... who can beat that???!!! I headed home to continue my PD. I have to do some online course about work safety. The course itself is dull but, the fact that I can do it from home makes my day!
I noticed that the city had cleared our back alley (the perk to paying high, LV area city taxes) so, I thought I'd try parking in our garage. We've had a lot of snow lately! I got stuck. I'm actually still stuck. After 40 minutes of shoveling, some help from my neighbour and some frustration, I gave up. Hopefully, Trevor can push me out. If not, I have to shell out $ for a tow truck!